Publication

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are raising concerns about adverse effects on fertility in women as they have been shown to disrupt steroidogenesis and ovarian function in animal studies, and they associate to reduced fertility in human cohort studies. However, there is a lack of information regarding mechanisms of action and effects in humans.

Sex differences in the sensitivity to hypertension and inflammatory processes are well characterized but insufficiently understood. In male mice, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) contributes to hypertension following slow-pressor angiotensin II (AngII) infusion. However, the role of PVN TNFα in the response to AngII in female mice is unknown.

The molecular circadian clock can be found throughout the body and is essential for the synchronizing cellular physiology with the 24 h day. However, the role of the clock in regulating the regenerative potential of the brain has not been explored. We report here that murine NG2-glia, the largest population of proliferative cells in the mature central nervous system, rhythmically express circadian clock genes in a 24 h period, including the critical clock component Bmal1 RNA and BMAL1 protein.

Fibroblast growth factor 11 (FGF11) is a member of the intracellular fibroblast growth factor family. Here, we report the central role of FGF11 in the regulation of metabolism. Lentiviral injection of Fgf11 shRNA into the arcuate nucleus of the mouse hypothalamus decreased weight gain and fat mass, increased brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, and improved glucose and insulin intolerances under high-fat diet conditions.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play many important roles in gene regulation and disease pathogenesis. Here, we sought to determine that mitochondrial dynamic related lncRNA (MDRL) modulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and protects arteries against atherosclerosis.In vivo experiments, we applied LDLR knockout (LDLR-/-) mice fed the high-fat diet to investigate the effects of MDRL on atherosclerosis.

Zika virus (ZIKV) cases continue to be reported, and no vaccine or specific antiviral agent has been approved for the prevention or treatment of infection. Though ZIKV is primarily transmitted by mosquitos, cases of sexual transmission and prolonged viral RNA presence in semen have been reported. In this observational study, we report the mucosal responses to sub-cutaneous and mucosal ZIKV exposure in cynomolgus macaques during acute and late chronic infection.

Plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor (PFHT) is a mesenchymal tumor of intermediate malignancy, typically occurring in the superficial soft tissues of young patients and displaying a biphasic pattern, with nodules of histiocytoid cells surrounded by fascicles of myofibroblastic spindled cells. The pathogenesis of PHFT is unknown. We comprehensively studied 39 PFHT, occurring in 25 females (66%) and 13 males (34%), ranging from 2 to 55 years of age (median 21 years). The tumors most often occurred in the upper extremity (n = 16, 41%) and ranged from 0.4 to 6.1 cm in size (median 1.5 cm).

Chronic pain, which affects around 1/3 of the world population and is often comorbid with memory deficit and mood depression, is a leading source of suffering and disability. Studies in past decades have shown that hyperexcitability of primary sensory neurons resulting from abnormal expression of ion channels and central sensitization mediated pathological synaptic plasticity, such as long-term potentiation in spinal dorsal horn, underlie the persistent pain. The memory/emotional deficits are associated with impaired synaptic connectivity in hippocampus.

The transcriptome of a cell constitutes an essential piece of cellular identity and contributes to the multifaceted complexity and heterogeneity of cell-types within the mammalian brain. Thus, while a wealth of studies have investigated transcriptomic alterations underlying the pathophysiology of diseases of the brain, their use of bulk-tissue homogenates makes it difficult to tease apart whether observed differences are explained by disease state or cellular composition. Cell-type-specific enrichment strategies are, therefore, crucial in the context of gene expression profiling.

Star polymers are structures composed of multiple functional linear arms covalently connected through a central core. The unique conformation of star polymers, with their tunable side arms and architectural plasticity, makes them well equipped to deliver pharmaceutical drugs and biologicals (peptides, nucleic acids), and design imaging agents. A great deal has been reported on the design and synthesis of star polymers, with several studies demonstrating the possibility for future translation.