Upsala journal of medical sciences
-
Sodium palmitate causes apoptosis of β-cells, and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 has been shown to counteract this event. However, the exact mechanisms that underlie palmitate-induced pancreatic β-cell apoptosis and through which pathway Bcl-2 executes the protective effect are still unclear. ⋯ Our results indicate that Bcl-2 counteracts palmitate-induced β-cell death by maintaining mitochondrial membrane integrity and augmenting NF-κB activity, but not by affecting ROS production and ER stress.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Dexmedetomidine pretreatment alleviates propofol injection pain.
The incidence of propofol injection pain during induction of general anesthesia varies from 28% to 90%. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) for reducing the incidence and severity of propofol injection pain. ⋯ Pretreatment with intravenous DEX 1 µg/kg 5 min prior to injection of long-chain triglyceride propofol is effective and safe in reducing the incidence and severity of pain due to propofol injection.
-
The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family of mitogens exerts vital functions during embryonal development, e.g. in the central nervous system, where PDGF drives the proliferation of oligodendrocyte precursors. PDGF and PDGF receptors are co-expressed in human glioblastoma (GBM). Whether an aberrant activation of the PDGF receptor pathway is a driving force in glioma development has remained an open question. ⋯ However, clinical trials using PDGF receptor antagonists have been disappointing. In conclusion, a PDGF receptor profile may be a biomarker for a subgroup of GBM originating from a PDGF receptor-responsive cell. Although compelling experimental and clinical evidence supports the notion that the PDGF receptor pathway is a driver in GBM, formal proof is still missing.
-
The forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) transcription factor plays an important role in the metastases of many cancers. Down-regulation of FOXM1 by its inhibitor, thiostrepton, can inhibit the metastatic potential of some cancers; however, there are few studies regarding the functional significance of FOXM1 and thiostrepton in the metastases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the underlying mechanism. ⋯ Overexpression of FOXM1 is associated with metastases of NPC patients. Thiostrepton inhibits the metastatic ability of NPC cells by down-regulating the expression of FOXM1, MMP-2, MMP-9, fascin-1, and paxillin.