OBJECTIVE: To describe the global profiles of acetylated proteins in the brains of scrapie agents 139A- and ME7-infected mice collected at mid-early, mid-late, and terminal stages. METHODS: The acetylated proteins from the cortex regions of scrapie agent (139A- and ME7)-infected mice collected at mid-early (80 days postinfection, dpi), mid-late (120 dpi), and terminal (180 dpi) stages were extracted, and the global profiles of brain acetylated proteins were assayed with proteomic mass spectrometry. The proteins in the infected mice showing 1.5-fold higher or lower levels than that of age-matched normal controls were considered as differentially expressed acetylated peptides (DEAPs). RESULTS: A total of 118, 42, and 51 DEAPs were found in the brains of 139A-80, 139A-120, and 139A-180 dpi mice, respectively. Meanwhile, 390, 227, and 75 DEAPs were detected in the brains of ME7-80, ME7-120, and ME7-180 dpi mice, respectively. The overwhelming majority of DEAPs in the mid-early stage were down-regulated, and more portions of DEAPs in the mid-late and late stages were up-regulated. Approximately 22.1% (328/1,485) of acetylated peptides mapped to 74 different proteins were mitochondrial associated. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis identified 39 (80 dpi), 13 (120 dpi), and 10 (180 dpi) significantly changed pathways in 139A-infected mice. Meanwhile, 55, 25, and 18 significantly changed pathways were observed in the 80, 120, and 180 dpi samples of 139A- and ME7-infected mice ( P < 0.05), respectively. Six pathways were commonly involved in all tested samples. Moreover, many steps in the citrate cycle (tricarboxylic acid cycle) were affected, represented by down-regulated acetylation for relevant enzymes in the mid-early stage and up-regulated acetylation in the mid-late and late stages. CONCLUSION Our data here illustrated the changes in the global profiles for brain acetylated proteins during prion infection, showing remarkably inhibited acetylation in the early stage and relatively enhanced acetylation in the late stage.
Animals ; Brain/metabolism* ; Citrates/metabolism* ; Mice ; Peptides/metabolism* ; PrPSc Proteins ; Proteomics ; Scrapie/metabolism* ; Sheep

Citric Acid Cycle ; Citric Acid ; Malates/metabolism* ; Citrates/metabolism* ; Aspartic Acid/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-oxidative effect of ethyl pyruvate (EP) and taurine (TAU) on the quality of red blood cells stored at 4±2 ℃, hemolysis, energy metabolism and lipid peroxidation of the red blood cells in the preservation solution were studied at different intervals. METHODS: At 4±2 ℃, the deleukocyte red blood cells were stored in the citrate-phosphate-dextrosesaline-adenine-1 (CPDA-1) preservation (control group), preservation solution with EP (EP-AS), and TAU (TAU-AS) for long-term preservation. The enzyme-linked immunoassay and automatic blood cell analyzer were used to detect hemolysis and erythrocyte parameters. Adenine nucleoside triphosphate (ATP), glycerol 2,3-diphosphate (2,3-DPG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) kits were used to test the ATP, 2,3-DPG and MDA concentration. RESULTS: During the preservation, the rate of red blood cell hemolysis in EP-AS and TAU-AS groups were significantly lower than that in CPDA-1 group (P<0.01). The MCV of EP-AS group was increased with the preservation time (r=0.71), while the MCV of the TAU-AS group was significantly lower than that in the other two groups (P<0.05). The concentration of ATP and MDA in EP-AS and TAU-AS groups were significantly higher than that in CPDA-1 group at the 14th day (P<0.01). The concentrations of 2,3-DPG in the EP-AS and TAU-AS groups were significantly higher than that in the CPDA-1 group from the 7th day (P<0.01). CONCLUSION EP and TAU can significantly reduce the red blood cell hemolysis rate, inhibit the lipid peroxidation level of red blood cells, and improve the energy metabolism of red blood cells during storage. The mechanism of EP and TAU may be related to their antioxidation and membrane protection effect, so as to improve the red blood cell quality and extend the preservation time.
2,3-Diphosphoglycerate/metabolism* ; Adenine ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism* ; Blood Preservation ; Citrates/pharmacology* ; Erythrocytes/metabolism* ; Glucose/pharmacology* ; Hemolysis ; Humans ; Pyruvates ; Taurine/pharmacology*

We report a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), who had developed metabolic alkalosis during plasmapheresis. The metabolic alkalosis could be promptly corrected by reducing the amount of citrate load. The development of metabolic alkalosis can be explained by the citrate load during plasmapheresis. Careful monitoring of acid base status is mandatory in patients with limited renal function and the reduction of citrate load may be advisable in plasmapheresis.
Adolescent ; Alkalosis/*etiology ; Citrates ; Citric Acid ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/*metabolism/therapy ; Plasmapheresis/*adverse effects/methods

BACKGROUND: Real-time reverse transcription PCR (rRT-PCR) of sputum samples is commonly used to diagnose Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. Owing to the difficulty of extracting RNA from sputum containing mucus, sputum homogenization is desirable prior to nucleic acid isolation. We determined optimal homogenization methods for isolating viral nucleic acids from sputum. METHODS: We evaluated the following three sputum-homogenization methods: proteinase K and DNase I (PK-DNase) treatment, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) treatment, and N-acetyl-L-cysteine and sodium citrate (NALC) treatment. Sputum samples were spiked with inactivated MERS-CoV culture isolates. RNA was extracted from pretreated, spiked samples using the easyMAG system (bioMérieux, France). Extracted RNAs were then subjected to rRT-PCR for MERS-CoV diagnosis (DiaPlex Q MERS-coronavirus, SolGent, Korea). RESULTS: While analyzing 15 spiked sputum samples prepared in technical duplicate, false-negative results were obtained with five (16.7%) and four samples (13.3%), respectively, by using the PBS and NALC methods. The range of threshold cycle (Ct) values observed when detecting upE in sputum samples was 31.1-35.4 with the PK-DNase method, 34.7-39.0 with the PBS method, and 33.9-38.6 with the NALC method. Compared with the control, which were prepared by adding a one-tenth volume of 1:1,000 diluted viral culture to PBS solution, the ranges of Ct values obtained by the PBS and NALC methods differed significantly from the mean control Ct of 33.2 (both P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The PK-DNase method is suitable for homogenizing sputum samples prior to RNA extraction.
Acetylcysteine/chemistry ; Citrates/chemistry ; Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis ; Deoxyribonuclease I/metabolism ; Endopeptidase K/metabolism ; Humans ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus/genetics/*isolation & purification ; RNA, Viral/analysis/*isolation & purification/metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sputum/*virology

Antigens ; analysis ; Autoantigens ; analysis ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Citrates ; Female ; Formaldehyde ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Iodide Peroxidase ; analysis ; Iron-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Paraffin Embedding ; Receptors, Progesterone ; analysis ; Thyroid Gland ; immunology ; Tissue Fixation

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of caffeine citrate on myelin basic protein (MBP) expression in the cerebral white matter of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) and the related mechanism.

METHODSForty-eight seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: sham operation (n=16), HIBD (n=16) and HIBD+caffeine citrate (n=16). The rats in the HIBD and HIBD+caffeine citrate groups were subjected to left common carotid artery ligation, and then were exposed to 80 mL/L oxygen and 920 mL/L nitrogen for 2 hours to induce HIBD. The rats in the sham operation group were only subjected to a sham operation, without the left common carotid artery ligation or hypoxia exposure. Caffeine citrate (20 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally before hypoxia ischemia (HI) and immediately, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours after HI. The other two groups were injected intraperitoneally with an equal volume of normal saline at the corresponding time points. On postnatal day 12, the expression of MBP in the left subcortical white matter was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the levels of adenosine A1 receptor mRNA and A2a receptor mRNA in the left brain were detected by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe expression of MBP in the left subcortical white matter in the HIBD group was lower than in the sham operation group (P<0.05). The MBP expression in the HIBD+caffeine citrate group was significantly higher than in the HIBD group, but was still lower than the sham operation group (P<0.05). Real-time PCR showed that the adenosine A1 receptor mRNA expression was significantly higher in the HIBD group than in the sham operation group, and it was significantly lower in the HIBD+caffeine citrate group than in the HIBD group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCaffeine citrate can improve brain white matter damage following HIBD in neonatal rats and the protection mechanism might be related with the down-regulation of adenosine A1 receptor expression.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Caffeine ; pharmacology ; Citrates ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Myelin Basic Protein ; analysis ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Adenosine A1 ; genetics ; Receptor, Adenosine A2A ; genetics ; White Matter ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the anticoagulants on PRP quality, so as to clarify the appropriate anticoagulant used in PRP production.

METHODSThe microstructure change of platelets collected via heparin, citrate, acid citrate dextrose (ACD) and citrate-theophylline-adenosine-dipyridamole ( CTAD) was observed by TEM following time course. The extent of spontaneous activation of platelets in four groups was detected by measuring sP-selectin in plasma. The TGF-β1 release amount of activated PRP of four groups was measured.

RESULTSCTAD is superior to other anticoagulants in maintaining the integrity of platelet structures for a long time and preventing platelet spontaneous activation. ACD slightly surpassed heparin and citrate in above two aspects. ACD-PRP and CTAD-PRP released significantly more TGF-β1 compared with heparin and citrate.

CONCLUSIONSThe PRP quality and biological effects were strongly associated with the type of Anticoagulants. ACD and CTAD are optimal anticoagulants in PRP production for they can maintain platelet viability at a high level.

Adenosine ; pharmacology ; Anticoagulants ; pharmacology ; Blood Platelets ; drug effects ; physiology ; Citrates ; pharmacology ; Citric Acid ; pharmacology ; Dipyridamole ; pharmacology ; Drug Combinations ; Glucose ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Heparin ; pharmacology ; Platelet Activation ; drug effects ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Theophylline ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

AIMTo investigate the possible role of manganese in the regulation of mitochondrial aconitase (mACON) activity human prostate carcinoma cell line PC-3 cells.

METHODSThe mACON enzymatic activities of human prostate carcinoma cell line PC-3 cells were determined using a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-coupled assay. Immunoblot and transient gene expression assays were used to study gene expression of the mACON. The putative response element for gene expression was identified using reporter assays with site-directed mutagenesis and electrophoretic mobility-shift assays.

RESULTSIn vitro study revealed that manganese chloride (MnCl2) treatment for 16 h inhibited the enzymatic activity of mACON, which induced the inhibition of citrate utility and cell proliferation of PC-3 cells. Although results from transient gene expression assays showed that MnCl2 treatment upregulated gene translation by approximately 5-fold through the iron response element pathway, immunoblot and reporter assays showed that MnCl2 treatments inhibited protein and gene expression of mACON. This effect was reversed by co-treatment with ferric ammonium citrate. Additional reporter assays with site-directed mutagenesis and electrophoretic mobility-shift assays suggested that a putative metal response element in the promoter of the mACON gene was involved in the regulation of MnCl2 on the gene expression of mACON.

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that manganese acts as an antagonist of iron, disrupting the enzymatic activity and gene expression of mACON and citrate metabolism in the prostate.

Aconitate Hydratase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Actins ; genetics ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chlorides ; pharmacology ; Citrates ; metabolism ; DNA Primers ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Genes, Reporter ; Humans ; Iron ; metabolism ; Male ; Manganese Compounds ; pharmacology ; Mitochondria ; enzymology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; enzymology