Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a hallmark event during liver fibrogenesis. We have previously shown that the transcriptional modulator MRTF-A contributes to liver fibrosis by programming epigenetic activation of HSCs. In the present study we investigated the mechanism whereby MRTF-A expression is regulated in this process. We report here that MRTF-A protein levels, but not mRNA ...

c-Myc (Myc) is one of the most frequently dysregulated oncogenic transcription factors in human cancer. By functionally screening a microRNA (miR) library, we identified miR-206 as being a synthetic lethal in Myc over-expressing human cancer cells. miR-206 inhibited MAP3K13, which resulted in Myc protein de-stabilization, and an inhibition of anchorage-independent growth and in vivo tumorigenes...

MicroRNA (miRNA)s are a class of non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Muscle-specific miRNA, miRNA (miR)-1, miR-133 and miR-206 play a crucial role in the regulation of muscle development and homeostasis. Muscle injuries are a common musculoskeletal disorder, and the most effective treatment has not been established yet. The purpose of this study was to demonstr...

BACKGROUND Remote monitoring (RM) permits home interrogation of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and provides an alternative option to frequent in-person visits. OBJECTIVE The Italia-RM survey aimed to investigate the current practice of ICD follow-up in Italy and to evaluate the adoption and routine use of RM. METHODS An ad hoc questionnaire on RM adoption and resource use duri...

AIMS HMGB1 injection into the mouse heart, acutely after myocardial infarction (MI), improves left ventricular (LV) function and prevents remodeling. Here, we examined the effect of HMGB1 in chronically failing hearts. METHODS AND RESULTS Adult C57 BL16 female mice underwent coronary artery ligation; three weeks later 200 ng HMGB1 or denatured HMGB1 (control) were injected in the peri-infarct...

The content and the isotopic composition of lead (Pb) were studied in a peat deposit on the ridge of the Brdy Hills, in the vicinity of the Príbram metallurgical works, in the Czech Republic. Quadrupole ICP MS was employed to determine the elemental composition and (206)Pb/(207)Pb and (208)Pb/(206)Pb isotope ratios. The individual layers were dated using alpha spectrometric measurement of the (...

INTRODUCTION.............................................................. 205 SMOKING, AIR POLLUTION AND IMMUNE FUNCTION-ANIMAL MODELS .. 205 In Vitro Effects on Leukocytes ................. ............... 205 In Vivo Effects on Leukocytes ................................ 206 Resistance to Challenge In Vivo ................... ............. 205 Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses .............

A mutant, USDA 206C, of Rhizobium fredii USDA 206 was obtained by passage on acridine plates. This mutant was cured of its 197-megadalton Sym plasmid but retained its symbiotic effectiveness. Multiple plasmid and chromosomally borne nif gene copies have previously been shown in R. fredii USDA 206. HindIII and EcoRI restriction enzyme digests of plasmid and total DNA showed that at least two nif...

Lung cancer is a deadly disease that ends numerous lives around the world. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of non-coding RNAs involved in a variety of biological processes, such as cell growth, organ development, and tumorigenesis. The miR-206/133b cluster is located on the human chromosome 6p12.2, which is essential for growth and rebuilding of skeletal muscle. The miR-206/133b cluster has been...

The complexities of cellular regulations seem to never end. RNA, in particular, appears to exert ever-new regulatory functions in an astonishing variety of ways. miRNAs are especially wondrous, in that they can modulate hundreds of targets at once. Dissecting the cellular effects of myriad such multiplex regulations will probably keep biologists busy for many years to come. in this issue of Cel...