Suppressing progress of pancreatitis through selective inhibition of NF-κB activation by using NAC

Objective: To explore the characteristics of NF-κB activation in the progress of pancreatitis, the relationship with expression of TNF-α in the inflammatory reaction, and prevent the exacerbation of pancreatitis by using NAC. Method: Forty-eight rats were divided into three groups: therapy (group C), pancreatitis (group B) and control (group A). NAC served as the inhibitor of NF-κB activation. In the time intervals of 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0 hour, NF-κB activation was detected with flow cytometry (FCM) and the expression of TNF-α mRNA and protein with in situ hybridization (ISH) and enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) respectively. Meanwhile, the level of lipase and amylase in the serum was assayed and the pathological change was evaluated. Result: NF-κB activation in the pancreatitis group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01), peaked at 3 hours, and was depressed by the inhibitor of NF-κB, NAC. The expression of TNF-α as well as the level of lipase and amylase in the serum also rose synchronously with activation of NF-κB. In contrast to group A, it was significantly different (P<0.01) in group B. After using NAC in group C, all of these values were decreased and the inflammatory reaction in the pancreas abated evidently. The pathology changes of the pancreas were shown to be alleviated in group C. Conclusion: First, NF-κB activity is intensively initiated in the course of pancreatitis and shown to have closely relationship with the release of cytokines. Second, use of NAC markedly depressed NF-κB activation. TNF-α expression is down regulated by cytokines. It is suggested that NAC probably acts as a useful agent for treatment of pancreatitis by indirectly inhibiting activation of NF-κB.     

Erratum to: Catalpol ameliorates LPS-induced endometritis by inhibiting inflammation and TLR4/NF-κB signaling

Erratum to:J Zhejiang Univ-Sci B(Biomed&Biotechnol)201920(10):816-827 https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B1900071The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.In p.823,Figs.8 c and 8 d were incorrect,and the obvious pathological changes were mistakenly placed in the picture.     

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome （ALI/ARDS）： the mechanism, present strategies and future perspectives of therapies

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome （ALI/ARDS）, which manifests as non-cardiogcnic pulmonary edema, respiratory distress and hypoxemia, could be resulted from various processes that directly or indirectly injure the lung. Extensive investigations in experimental models and humans with ALI/ARDS have revealed many molecular mechanisms that offer therapeutic opportunities for cell or gene therapy. Herein the present strategies and future perspectives of the treatment for ALI/ARDS, include the ventilatory, pharmacological, as well as cell therapies.     

Effects of β-Aescin on the expression of nuclear factor-κB and tumor necrosis factor-α after traumatic brain injury in rats

To investigate the inhibiting effect of β-Aescin on nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)activation and the expression of tumornecrosis factor-α(TNF-α)protein after traumatic brain injury(TBI)in the rat brain,62 SD rats were subjected to lateral corticalimpact injury caused by a free-falling object and divided randomly into four groups:(1)sham operated(Group A);(2) injured(Group B);(3)β-Aescin treatment(Group C);(4) pyrrolidine dithocarbamate(PDTC) treatment(Group D).β-Aescin was ad-ministered in Group C and PDTC treated in Group D immediately after injury.A series of brain samples were obtained directly 6h,24 h and 3 d respectively after trauma in four groups.NF-κB activation was examined by Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay(EMSA);the levels of TNF-α protein were measured by radio-immunoassay(RIA);the water content of rat brain was measuredand pathomorphological observation was carried out.NF-κB activation,the levels of TNF-α protein and the water content of ratbrain were significantly increased(P＜0.0     

Review:Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS): the mechanism,present strategies and future perspectives of therapies

INTRODUCTION OF ACUTE LUNG IN- JURY/ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYN- DROME (ALI/ARDS) Acute lung injury (ALI) and its more severe form, the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are syndromes of acute respiratory failure, which was defined by radiological (bilateral lung field infiltrates) and physiological (the ratio of arterial oxygen pres- sure and the inspiratory oxygen concentration, Pa O 2 /Fi O2≤300 mmHg for ALI and ≤200 mmHg for ARDS) criteria in…     

Effect of high glucose levels on the calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells by inducing osteoblastic differentiation and intracellular calcium deposition via BMP-2/Cbfα-1 pathway

In this paper,we investigate the effect and the possible mechanism of high glucose levels on the calcification of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs).HASMCs were divided into four groups: normal glucose group (NG),osmolality control group (OC),high glucose group (HG,HASMCs culture medium containing 30 mmol/L glucose),and high glucose plus recombinant human Noggin protein (bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) antagonist) group (HN).The mRNA levels and the protein expressions of BMP-2 and core binding factor alpha-1 (Cbfα-1) were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot.After induced by 10 mmol/L β-glycerol phosphoric acid,cells were harvested for assessments of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities at Days 1,2,and 3,and intracellular calcium contents at Days 7 and 14,respectively.High glucose levels increased the mRNA levels and the protein expressions of BMP-2 and Cbfα-1 (P0.05).The expression of Cbfα-1 was partially blocked by Noggin protein (P0.05),while BMP-2 was not (P0.05).After being induced by β-glycerol phosphoric acid,high glucose levels increased the ALP activity [(48.63±1.03) vs.(41.42±2.28) U/mg protein,Day 3;P0.05] and the intracellular calcium content [(2.76±0.09) vs.(1.75±0.07) μmol/mg protein,Day 14;P0.05] in a time-dependent manner when compared with the NG group,while the ALP activity could not be blocked by Noggin protein [(48.63±1.03) vs.(47.37±0.97) U/mg protein,Day 3;P0.05].These results show that high glucose levels can evoke the calcification of HASMCs by inducing osteoblastic trans-differentiation and intracellular calcium deposition via the BMP-2/Cbfα-1 pathway,which can be partially blocked by Noggin protein.     

Effect of vitamin B12on cleft palate induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and dexamethasone in mice简

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin B₁₂ on palatal development by co-administration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and dexamethasone (DEX). We examined the morphological and histological features of the palatal shelf and expression levels of key signaling molecules (transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3) and TGF-β type I receptor (activin receptor-like kinase 5, ALK5)) during palatogenesis among a control group (Group A), TCDD+DEX exposed group (Group B), and TCDD+DEX+vitamin B12 exposed group (Group C). While we failed to find that vitamin B12 decreased the incidence of cleft palate induced by TCDD+DEX treatment, the expression levels of key signaling molecules (TGF-β3 and ALK5) during palatogenesis were significantly modulated. In TCDD+DEX exposed and TCDD+DEX+vitamin B12 exposed groups, palatal shelves could not contact in the midline due to their small sizes. Our results suggest that vitamin B12 may inhibit the expression of some cleft palate inducers such as TGF-β3 and ALK5 in DEX+TCDD exposed mice, which may be beneficial against palatogenesis to some degree, even though we were unable to observe a protective role of vitamin B12 in morphological and histological alterations of palatal shelves induced by DEX and TCDD.     

Effect of Preparation Method on Cu Active Sites and the Reaction Pathway in NO Reduction by NH3 over Cu–SSZ-13

Transactions of Tianjin University - To study the influence of the preparation method on Cu active sites and the reaction pathway in NO reduction by NH3 over Cu–SSZ-13, three kinds of...     

Effect of teaching practices and literacy knowledge on classroom interactions at the beginning of schooling / Efecto de las prácticas docentes y el nivel de conocimiento letrado de los alumnos al comienzo de la escolaridad en las interacciones de aula

Abstract

Classroom interaction is a key element in the teaching-learning process. Our aim was to determine the impact of teaching practices, children’s initial knowledge of written language and children’s linguistic condition on the dynamics of classroom interactions in the course of reading and writing activities. We followed longitudinally 205 students from kindergarten to first grade and examined the interactions in which they took part according to the agents involved and the function interactions fulfilled. Results showed an increase in the frequency of interactions as school level increased. Teachers had a predominant role as interaction agents and teaching practices and students’ initial literacy knowledge had a significant impact on the distribution of the interactions. Monolingual students with non-instructional teachers and a high level of initial knowledge participated in a higher number of interactions than bilingual students with instructional teachers and a lower level of initial knowledge. We suggest encouraging peer interaction as a means of promoting knowledge construction processes.     

Review by (non)peers as an opportunity for learning: a case study on the editorial process of papers by junior researchers / La revisión por (im)pares como instancia de aprendizaje: un estudio de casos del proceso editorial de artículos de investigadoras noveles

Abstract

We analysed the editorial process of the four articles authored by junior researchers published in the special issue The peer review process as an opportunity for learning. Our aims were to study the unfolding of the main critiques and suggestions made by reviewers in the different review rounds, as well as to explore how both authors and reviewers experienced and valued the review process. Data sources include all review reports and letters where the authors explained the changes made, and questionnaires completed by all the authors and some reviewers. The most commonly identified critiques in the reports were related to content selection and elaboration (coherence and relevance), the own author’s voice (critical positioning and caution) and attention to the reader (precision and consistency in terms and concepts, methodological clarity, writing style, legibility and formal adequacy). All four authors stated that being part of this process was rewarding and educational, highlighting the development of academic writing skills. Some reviewers emphasized the importance of reading other reviewers’ reports. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of providing junior researchers with resources that support them in communicating their research to the academic community.