A Cu(II)-based coordination polymer: catalytic properties and treatment activity on stroke.

A fresh Cu(II) coordination polymer, i.e., [Cu3(Hmbdc)2(mbdc)2(dmphen)2]n (1, H2mbdc = isophthalic acid, dmphen = 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline), has been generated with the hydrothermal reactions between Cu salts and the mixed ligands of 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and isophthalic acid. Moreover, the catalytic activity of 1 was evaluated via degrading the Congo red with a method of Fenton with an excellent degradation efficiency of 95.8% at 100 min. Next, the application value of compound on stroke was assessed, and the related mechanisms were explored at the same time. First of all, the tumor necrosis factor-α and recombinant rat IL-1ß content released into the plasma were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detection kit. Besides, the activation of the HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway activation in cerebral vascular endothelial cells was also determined with real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay.

[NEMO Delta 4-10 deletion of NEMO gene in Chinese incontinentia pigmenti cases].

OBJECTIVE: Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is a rare X-linked dominant disorder that affects ectodermal tissues. In IP, mutations in NEMO lead to the complete loss of NF-kB activation creating a susceptibility to cellular apoptosis in response to TNF-alpha. Recently, a second nonfunctional copy of the gene, Delta NEMO was identified, opposite in direction to NEMO. Almost 90% of IP whose gene mutation type had been recognized have a recurrent genomic deletion of exons 4-10 of the NEMO (IKK gamma) gene, called NEMO Delta 4-10, which is necessary to activate the NF-kB pathway. Therefore, PCR-based detection of the NEMO deletion is a diagnostic measurement for IP. This study sought to analyze the NEMO Delta 4-10 deletion in NEMO gene of Chinese IP cases. METHODS: Seven IP cases and part of their families totally 15 persons were enrolled in this study. The 7 IP cases were aged 41 days to 8 years. Among them 1 was male and 6 were female. Four cases had family history of IP, the other 3 were sporadic cases. Fifty healthy children without any congenital diseases were taken as normal control group. According to the gene characteristics of IP, by PCR measurement NEMO Delta 4-10 deletion in NEMO gene was tested with specific primers In2/JF3R, and NEMO Delta 4-10 deletion in pseudogene Delta NEMO was checked out by primers Rev-2/JF3R. RESULTS: Five out of the 7 tested cases (case 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) showed NEMO Delta 4-10 deletion in NEMO gene. The mothers of case 1 and case 6, 1a and 6a, also suffered from this disease, and their results were just the same as their daughters. For pseudogene Delta NEMO only case 2 and case 4 were proved having NEMO Delta 4-10 deletion, while other cases and families had negative results. For normal control group, NEMO Delta 4-10 deletion was not found either in NEMO gene or in their pseudogene Delta NEMO. CONCLUSION: Incontinentia pigmenti in most cases were caused by NEMO Delta 4-10 deletion in NEMO gene.

Effects of EGF and bFGF on expression of microtubule-associated protein tau and MAP-2 mRNA in human umbilical cord mononuclear cells.

The aim of this study was to explore the regulatory effects of cytokines, such as EGF and bFGF, on expression of the neural-specific molecules tau and MAP2 mRNA in mononuclear cells (MNCs) derived from human umbilical cord blood (UCB). Phenotypic changes were monitored by inverse phase-contrast microscopy. Tau and MAP2 mRNA were determined by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Tau and MAP2-positive cells were determined by immunocytochemistry. The expression of tau mRNA was negative in uncultured cells, but MAP2 mRNA was positive; in cultured cells, tau protein mRNA expression was positive, MAP2 mRNA expression was upregulated by EGF+bFGF, EGF and bFGF compared to the control group (no cytokines). EGF+bFGF had a greater effect on MAP2 mRNA expression than EGF or bFGF alone. The same upregulatory tendency was noted for tau mRNA expression. It is concluded that MNCs derived from human UCB cells may express some neural specific molecules that can be upregulated by cytokines, especially EGF and bFGF together.