Purposeful mouth dosing for exact experimental compound shipping in grownup subjects
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease which is associated with aberrant chemokine expression. We have established a three-dimensional (3D) floating collagen gel culture of human endometriotic cyst stromal cells (ECSCs) as an in vitro model of early-stage fibrosis formation in endometriosis. We evaluated the gene expression profiles of 3D-cultured ECSCs using a gene expression microarray. We identified and confirmed with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction that mRNA levels of CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL3, CXCL8, and CCL20 in 3D-cultured ECSCs were significantly higher than in 2D-cultured ECSCs. The protein levels of CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL8, and CCL20 in the supernatant of 3D-cultured ECSCs were significantly higher than in 2D-cultured ECSCs. It has been suggested that the 3D-culture model of ECSCs is more suitable for in vitro endometriosis research than 2D-culture. This microarray data provides a new platform to identify the candidate genes involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis which could be masked in conventional 2D-culture. Bacopa monnieri (L.) is a reputed medicinal herb in traditional system of medicine of India, where it is used as nervine tonic to sharpen intellect and memory. This review discusses chemical characterization of dammarane triterpenoid glycosides which are well accepted for improvement in memory and for potential pharmacological activities. In addition, this review provides information on the chemical composition of specialized metabolites of B. monnieri and in the formulations by different analytical techniques. This comprehensive review covers literature up to 2019 with an emphasis on structural characterization of dammarane triterpenoid glycosides by spectroscopic techniques, chemical composition by analytical methods and pharmacological activities. Health conditions characterized by symptoms associated with chemical, physical and biological environmental factors unrelated to objectifiable pathophysiological mechanisms are often labelled by the general term "idiopathic environmental intolerances". More specific, exposure-related terms are also used, e.g. "multiple chemical sensitivities", "electromagnetic hypersensitivity" and "candidiasis hypersensitivity". The prevalence of the conditions varies from a few up to more than 50%, depending on definitions and populations. Based on evolving knowledge within this field, we provide arguments for a paradigm shift from terms focusing on exposure and intolerance/(hyper-)sensitivity towards a term more in line with the perceptual elements that seem to underlie these phenomena. Symptoms caused by established pathophysiologic mechanisms should not be included, e.g. allergic or toxicological conditions, lactose intolerance or infections. We discuss different alternatives for a new term/concept and end up proposing an open and descriptive term, "symptoms associated with environmental factors" (SAEF), including a definition. "Symptoms associated with environmental factors" both is in line with the current knowledge and acknowledge the experiences of the afflicted persons. Thus, the proposed concept is likely to facilitate therapy and communication between health professionals and afflicted persons, and to provide a base for better understanding of such phenomena in healthcare, society and science. BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD) due to LIPA gene mutations is characterized by hepatic steatosis, hypercholesterolemia and hypoalphalipoproteinemia, exposing affected patients to an increased cardiovascular risk. Further insights into the impact of LIPA gene mutations on lipid/lipoprotein metabolism are limited. Aim of the study was to investigate the effect of carrying one or two mutant LIPA alleles on lipoprotein composition and function. METHODS Lipoproteins were isolated from 6 adult CESD patients, 5 relatives carrying one mutant LIPA allele (carriers) and 12 sex/age matched controls. Lipid profile, lipoprotein mass composition and the fatty acid distribution of cholesteryl esters (CEs) were assessed. HDL function was evaluated as the ability to promote nitric oxide release by endothelial cells. RESULTS Despite the lipid-lowering therapy, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were increased in CESD patients compared to controls, while HDL-cholesterol was reduced. Carriers also displayed elevated total and LDL-cholesterol. Very low and intermediate density lipoproteins from CESD patients and carriers were enriched in CEs compared to the control ones, with a concomitant reduction of triglycerides. Fatty acid composition of CEs in serum and lipoproteins showed a depletion of linoleate content in CESD patients, due to the reduced LCAT activity. In CESD HDL, fatty acid distribution of CEs was shifted towards saturated ones, if compared to control HDL. The changes in HDL composition did not affect HDL ability to promote nitric oxide release by endothelial cells. CB1954 clinical trial CONCLUSIONS LIPA gene mutations significantly affected plasma levels and lipid composition of lipoproteins, likely contributing to the increased cardiovascular risk of affected patients. BACKGROUND AND AIMS Serum uromodulin, a novel biomarker of kidney function and tubular integrity, has been linked to cardiovascular events and total mortality in patients at high cardiovascular risk. Here, we analyze the association of serum uromodulin with cardiovascular morbidity and cardiovascular as well as total mortality in the population-based KORA F4 study stratified by sex. METHODS Baseline serum uromodulin was measured in 1079 participants of the KORA F4 study (age 62-81 years). Using multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, the associations of serum uromodulin with total mortality and cardiovascular mortality were analyzed after a median follow-up period of 8.6 years, and with non-fatal and fatal stroke and myocardial infarction/coronary death after a median follow-up time of 8.4 years. RESULTS Serum uromodulin was significantly inversely associated with total mortality (HR 0.65; 95% CI 0.53-0.79 per standard deviation of logarithmized serum uromodulin; p less then 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.