We examined the function of Nax in N2a-Mf1 using FLAG-tagged Nax

the positive ratio of ssDNA staining was only 4.3% when xenografts from IL13RA2-transfected 786-O cells were treated with sunitinib compared with 0.8% when treated with vehicle. Thus, xenografts from IL13RA2-expressing 786-O cells were more likely to escape from apoptosis by sunitinib treatment than mock-transfected 786-O cells. As for xenograft tumors derived from Caki-1 cells, the number of apoptotic tumor cells PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19741226 indicated by ssDNA immunopositivity was not significantly increased by sunitinib treatment compared with vehicle PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1974422 in scramble shRNA-infected cells. However, in those derived from Caki-1 shIL13RA2 cells, apoptosis was significantly induced by sunitinib treatment compared with vehicle only. Finally, we examined if the inhibition of apoptosis regulated the sensitivity and development of sunitinib resistance in our primary xenograft model KURC1. We first examined the number of ssDNA-positive cells in both xenografts. Sunitinib treatment significantly increased the 9 / 20 IL13RA2 and Resistance to Sunitinib in ccRCC 10 / 20 IL13RA2 and Resistance to Sunitinib in ccRCC Fig 3. Overexpression of IL13RA2 leads to acquired resistance to sunitinib and shRNA-mediated IL13RA2 knockdown induces sensitivity to sunitinib. Immunoblot analysis of 786-O subclones infected with retrovirus encoding mock or WT IL13RA2. Whole cell PCI-32765 extracts were immunoblotted using the indicated antibodies. Sequential changes in subcutaneous xenograft tumors from 786-O subclones infected with mock or WT IL13RA2 treated with sunitinib and vehicle. Each time point represents the mean SE of tumor volume in each group. The difference in tumor size between the treatment group and control was statistically significant in 786-O-mock cells but not statistically significant in 786-O-IL13RA2 cells. The horizontal arrow bars indicate the periods of sunitinib administration. Immunoblot analysis of Caki-1 subclones infected with lentivirus encoding scrambled or IL13RA2 shRNA. Whole cell extracts were immunoblotted using the indicated antibodies. Sequential changes of subcutaneous xenograft tumors from a Caki-1 subclone infected with scrambled or IL13RA2 shRNA treated with sunitinib and vehicle. Each time point represents the mean SE of tumor volume in each group. Day 0 is the first day of sunitinib administration 4 weeks after transplantation. The difference in tumor size between the treatment group and control was not significant in Caki-1-sh-scrambled cells but statistically significant in Caki-1-sh-IL13RA2 cells. The arrow bars indicate the period of sunitinib administration. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0130980.g003 number of ssDNA-positive apoptotic cells in sunitinib-sensitive in KURC1 tumors at day 30. In contrast, in KURC1 sunitinib-resistant tumors at day 50, the number of apoptotic cells decreased to a level almost comparable to that of vehicle-treated cells at day 50. We next measured MVD in each xenograft. MVD was reduced after the treatment of sunitinib at day 30 or 50 in KURC1 xenograft tumors, irrespective of sunitinib sensitivity. In order to estimate the total number of tumor vessels, MDV multiply the corresponding tumor volume. According to calculations, the ratio of number of vessels in control tumor at day 50, sensitive tumor at day 30, and resistant tumor at day 50 were 17, 1, and 3, respectively. Indeed, the ratio of them in p5 control tumor at day 50 and p5 resistant tumor at day 50 were estimated 2 and 1. These observations implicated total number of tumor vess

-AR through the activation of NOS2 and NOS1 following MI. Expanding

-AR via the activation of NOS2 and NOS1 following MI. Expanding AN-3199 price evidence indicates that physical exercise, started early after MI, can enhance cardiac function by escalating maximal stroke volume, ejection fraction and attenuating LV contractile deterioration. This study confirms previous evidence displaying that aerobic workout is efficient in lowering infarct size and myocardial interstitial fibrosis. Additionally, exercise can attenuate the deterioration in cardiac function just after MI. The mechanisms of advantageous effects of exercising described above may very well be related with exercise-induced cardiomyocyte proliferation and angiogenesis, attenuated myocardial apoptosis, and improved myofilament function, as the Effect of Physical exercise on Sympathetic Nerve Sprouting right after MI properly as restored intracellular calcium handling. In this study, we hypothesized that aerobic workout following MI could inhibit sympathetic nerve sprouting and restore the balance of b3-AR/ b1-AR. The conception of ��cardiac nerve sprouting��was properly described by Zhou et al.. MI benefits in nerve injury, followed by cardiac nerve regeneration by means of sympathetic axon sprouting. TH serves as a location marker for sympathetic nerves, and GAP43 is really a marker of nerve sprouting. Earlier research demonstrated that the densities of TH- and GAP43-positive nerves drastically increased in the MI group at three days, 1 week, and 1 month. This study confirmed preceding evidence displaying that cardiac 5 The Impact of Workout on Sympathetic Nerve Sprouting following MI TH and GAP43 protein expression considerably improved right after MI, implying that sympathetic nerve sprouting in infarcted hearts was far more excessive than that in regular hearts. Importantly, aerobic exercise was able to 1379592 downregulate the protein expression of TH and GAP43 following MI, this suggests that aerobic exercising is HDAC-IN-3 cost effective in attenuating cardiac nerve sprouting. Although the precise mechanisms of nerve sprouting right after MI remain unclear, it truly is recognized that NGF may perhaps play a key role within this pathological 6 The Effect of Exercising on Sympathetic Nerve Sprouting right after MI method. The overexpression of NGF inside the heart induces sympathetic hyperinnervation, whereas the volume of your sympathetic ganglia is considerably decreased in NGF knockout mice. In agreement with prior studies, the present study showed that NGF expression was substantially increased inside the MI group. Noticeably, the degree of NGF was significantly decreased by aerobic exercise following MI, which may well contribute to the reduction of sympathetic fiber innervation. This implied that the effects of workout on the inhibition of nerve sprouting immediately after MI have been related to the attenuated levels of NGF. It truly is well established that excessive nerve sprouting may perhaps suppress the functions of transient outward existing and inward rectifier current, thereby top to ventricular arrhythmias. Accordingly, the resulting normalization of nerve sprouting by workout may present a therapy to prevent arrhythmias. Prior studies have recommended that exercising can boost b1AR protein and mRNA levels, raise cAMP levels , and reduce b2-AR responsiveness in the diseased heart. Additionally, Billman et al demonstrated that a far more standard b1/b2-AR balance was restored by exercising in animals susceptible to sudden death, however the density of b1and b2-AR was not measured inside the study. In the present study, MI resulted in improved ratios of b2-AR/b1-AR and b3-AR/b1AR. Importantly, following 8 weeks of physical exercise, the protein e.-AR by means of the activation of NOS2 and NOS1 following MI. Increasing evidence indicates that exercise, started early immediately after MI, can increase cardiac function by increasing maximal stroke volume, ejection fraction and attenuating LV contractile deterioration. This study confirms prior proof showing that aerobic physical exercise is powerful in decreasing infarct size and myocardial interstitial fibrosis. Additionally, exercising can attenuate the deterioration in cardiac function just after MI. The mechanisms of effective effects of exercising described above could possibly be linked with exercise-induced cardiomyocyte proliferation and angiogenesis, attenuated myocardial apoptosis, and enhanced myofilament function, as the Impact of Workout on Sympathetic Nerve Sprouting after MI properly as restored intracellular calcium handling. Within this study, we hypothesized that aerobic workout following MI could inhibit sympathetic nerve sprouting and restore the balance of b3-AR/ b1-AR. The conception of ��cardiac nerve sprouting��was well described by Zhou et al.. MI benefits in nerve injury, followed by cardiac nerve regeneration by way of sympathetic axon sprouting. TH serves as a location marker for sympathetic nerves, and GAP43 is usually a marker of nerve sprouting. Preceding studies demonstrated that the densities of TH- and GAP43-positive nerves drastically enhanced in the MI group at 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month. This study confirmed preceding proof displaying that cardiac five The Effect of Physical exercise on Sympathetic Nerve Sprouting soon after MI TH and GAP43 protein expression significantly improved after MI, implying that sympathetic nerve sprouting in infarcted hearts was far more excessive than that in standard hearts. Importantly, aerobic exercise was capable to 1379592 downregulate the protein expression of TH and GAP43 following MI, this suggests that aerobic exercising is productive in attenuating cardiac nerve sprouting. Although the precise mechanisms of nerve sprouting after MI stay unclear, it’s recognized that NGF may possibly play a important function within this pathological 6 The Effect of Physical exercise on Sympathetic Nerve Sprouting soon after MI process. The overexpression of NGF inside the heart induces sympathetic hyperinnervation, whereas the volume from the sympathetic ganglia is substantially reduced in NGF knockout mice. In agreement with prior research, the present study showed that NGF expression was drastically improved in the MI group. Noticeably, the level of NGF was significantly reduced by aerobic physical exercise just after MI, which may well contribute for the reduction of sympathetic fiber innervation. This implied that the effects of workout on the inhibition of nerve sprouting immediately after MI were related to the attenuated levels of NGF. It’s well established that excessive nerve sprouting may possibly suppress the functions of transient outward current and inward rectifier existing, thereby top to ventricular arrhythmias. Accordingly, the resulting normalization of nerve sprouting by physical exercise may supply a therapy to prevent arrhythmias. Previous studies have recommended that exercise can improve b1AR protein and mRNA levels, raise cAMP levels , and lower b2-AR responsiveness in the diseased heart. Also, Billman et al demonstrated that a extra normal b1/b2-AR balance was restored by exercising in animals susceptible to sudden death, but the density of b1and b2-AR was not measured inside the study. Inside the present study, MI resulted in elevated ratios of b2-AR/b1-AR and b3-AR/b1AR. Importantly, following 8 weeks of physical exercise, the protein e.

O K, Tada H, et al. Structure and chromosomal localization of

O K, Tada H, et al. Structure and chromosomal localization from the human stromal cell-derived aspect 1 gene. Genomics 28: 495500. De La Luz Sierra M, Yang F, Narazaki M, Salvucci O, Davis D, et al. Differential processing of stromal-derived factor-1alpha and stromal-derived factor-1beta explains functional diversity. Blood 103: 24522459. ten. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. six Mobilization of Stem Cells soon after Stroke 16. Vila-Coro AJ, Rodriguez-Frade JM, Martin De Ana A, Moreno-Ortiz MC, Martinez AC, et al. The chemokine SDF-1alpha triggers CXCR4 receptor dimerization and activates the JAK/STAT pathway. FASEB J 13: 16991710. 17. Reddy K, Zhou Z, Jia SF, Lee TH, Morales-Arias J, et al. Stromal cellderived factor-1 stimulates vasculogenesis and enhances Ewing’s sarcoma tumor growth within the absence of vascular endothelial development factor. Int J Cancer 123: 831837. 18. Juarez J, Bendall L SDF-1 and CXCR4 in typical and malignant hematopoiesis. Histol Histopathol 19: 299309. 19. Kucia M, Jankowski K, Reca R, Wysoczynski M, Bandura L, et al. CXCR4-SDF-1 signalling, locomotion, chemotaxis and adhesion. J Mol Histol 35: 233245. 20. Burns JM, Summers BC, Wang Y, Melikian A, Berahovich R, et al. A novel chemokine receptor for SDF-1 and I-TAC involved in cell survival, cell adhesion, and tumor development. J Exp Med 203: 22012213. 21. Ma Q, Jones D, Borghesani PR, Segal RA, Nagasawa T, et al. Impaired B-lymphopoiesis, myelopoiesis, and derailed cerebellar neuron migration in CXCR4- and SDF-1-deficient mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 95: 94489453. 22. Lapidot T, Kollet O The important roles of your chemokine SDF-1 and its receptor CXCR4 in human stem cell homing and repopulation of transplanted immune-deficient NOD/SCID and NOD/SCID/B2m mice. Leukemia 16: 19922003. 23. Pituch-Noworolska A, Majka M, Janowska-Wieczorek A, Baj-Krzyworzeka M, Urbanowicz B, et al. Circulating CXCR4-positive stem/progenitor cells compete for SDF-1-positive niches in bone marrow, muscle and neural tissues: an alternative hypothesis to stem cell plasticity. Folia Histochem Cytobiol 41: 1321. 24. Hattori K, Heissig B, Tashiro K, Honjo T, Tateno M, et al. Plasma elevation of stromal cell-derived factor-1 induces mobilization of mature and immature hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Blood 97: 33543360. 25. Nagasawa T, Kikutani H, Kishimoto T Molecular cloning and structure of a pre-B-cell growth-stimulating factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 91: 2305 2309. 26. Tashiro K, Tada H, Heilker R, Shirozu M, Nakano T, et al. Signal sequence trap: a cloning strategy for secreted proteins and type I membrane proteins. Science 261: 600603. 27. De Falco E, Porcelli D, Torella AR, Straino S, Iachininoto MG, et al. SDF-1 involvement in endothelial phenotype and ischemia-induced recruitment of bone marrow progenitor cells. Blood 104: 34723482. 28. Nagasawa T, Hirota S, Tachibana K, Takakura N, Nishikawa S, et al. Defects of B-cell lymphopoiesis and bone-marrow myelopoiesis in mice lacking the CXC chemokine PBSF/SDF-1. Nature 382: 635638. 29. Tang YL, Qian K, Zhang YC, Shen L, Phillips MI Mobilizing of haematopoietic stem cells to ischemic myocardium by plasmid mediated stromal-cell-derived factor-1alpha remedy. Regul Pept 125: 18. 30. Aiuti A, Webb IJ, Bleul C, Springer T, Gutierrez-Ramos JC The chemokine SDF-1 is often a chemoattractant for human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells and delivers a new mechanism to clarify the mobilization of CD34+ progenitors to peripheral blood. J Exp Med 185: 111120. 31. Lia.O K, Tada H, et al. Structure and chromosomal localization of your human stromal cell-derived factor 1 gene. Genomics 28: 495500. De La Luz Sierra M, Yang F, Narazaki M, Salvucci O, Davis D, et al. Differential processing of stromal-derived factor-1alpha and stromal-derived factor-1beta explains functional diversity. Blood 103: 24522459. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. six Mobilization of Stem Cells after Stroke 16. Vila-Coro AJ, Rodriguez-Frade JM, Martin De Ana A, Moreno-Ortiz MC, Martinez AC, et al. The chemokine SDF-1alpha triggers CXCR4 receptor dimerization and activates the JAK/STAT pathway. FASEB J 13: 16991710. 17. Reddy K, Zhou Z, Jia SF, Lee TH, Morales-Arias J, et al. Stromal cellderived factor-1 stimulates vasculogenesis and enhances Ewing’s sarcoma tumor development within the absence of vascular endothelial growth element. Int J Cancer 123: 831837. 18. Juarez J, Bendall L SDF-1 and CXCR4 in typical and malignant hematopoiesis. Histol Histopathol 19: 299309. 19. Kucia M, Jankowski K, Reca R, Wysoczynski M, Bandura L, et al. CXCR4-SDF-1 signalling, locomotion, chemotaxis and adhesion. J Mol Histol 35: 233245. 20. Burns JM, Summers BC, Wang Y, Melikian A, Berahovich R, et al. A novel chemokine receptor for SDF-1 and I-TAC involved in cell survival, cell adhesion, and tumor development. J Exp Med 203: 22012213. 21. Ma Q, Jones D, Borghesani PR, Segal RA, Nagasawa T, et al. Impaired B-lymphopoiesis, myelopoiesis, and derailed cerebellar neuron migration in CXCR4- and SDF-1-deficient mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 95: 94489453. 22. Lapidot T, Kollet O The necessary roles of the chemokine SDF-1 and its receptor CXCR4 in human stem cell homing and repopulation of transplanted immune-deficient NOD/SCID and NOD/SCID/B2m mice. Leukemia 16: 19922003. 23. Pituch-Noworolska A, Majka M, Janowska-Wieczorek A, Baj-Krzyworzeka M, Urbanowicz B, et al. Circulating CXCR4-positive stem/progenitor cells compete for SDF-1-positive niches in bone marrow, muscle and neural tissues: an option hypothesis to stem cell plasticity. Folia Histochem Cytobiol 41: 1321. 24. Hattori K, Heissig B, Tashiro K, Honjo T, Tateno M, et al. Plasma elevation of stromal cell-derived factor-1 induces mobilization of mature and immature hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Blood 97: 33543360. 25. Nagasawa T, Kikutani H, Kishimoto T Molecular cloning and structure of a pre-B-cell growth-stimulating issue. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 91: 2305 2309. 26. Tashiro K, Tada H, Heilker R, Shirozu M, Nakano T, et al. Signal sequence trap: a cloning technique for secreted proteins and form I membrane proteins. Science 261: 600603. 27. De Falco E, Porcelli D, Torella AR, Straino S, Iachininoto MG, et al. SDF-1 involvement in endothelial phenotype and ischemia-induced recruitment of bone marrow progenitor cells. Blood 104: 34723482. 28. Nagasawa T, Hirota S, Tachibana K, Takakura N, Nishikawa S, et al. Defects of B-cell lymphopoiesis and bone-marrow myelopoiesis in mice lacking the CXC chemokine PBSF/SDF-1. Nature 382: 635638. 29. Tang YL, Qian K, Zhang YC, Shen L, Phillips MI Mobilizing of haematopoietic stem cells to ischemic myocardium by plasmid mediated stromal-cell-derived factor-1alpha treatment. Regul Pept 125: 18. 30. Aiuti A, Webb IJ, Bleul C, Springer T, Gutierrez-Ramos JC The chemokine SDF-1 is usually a chemoattractant for human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells and offers a new mechanism to clarify the mobilization of CD34+ progenitors to peripheral blood. J Exp Med 185: 111120. 31. Lia.

Oil plume. ISME J 6: 451460. 18. Jiang Q, Yu M, Min Z, Yi

Oil plume. ISME J 6: 451460. 18. Jiang Q, Yu M, Min Z, Yi A, Chen D, et al. AP-PCR detection of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in caries-free and HIF-2��-IN-1 chemical information caries-active subjects. Mol Cell Biochem. 19. Thomadaki K, Helmerhorst EJ, Tian N, Sun X, Siqueira WL, et al. Whole-saliva proteolysis and its impact on salivary diagnostics. J Dent Res 90: 13251330. 20. Baldini C, Giusti L, Ciregia F, Da Valle Y, Giacomelli C, et al. Proteomic evaluation of saliva: a one of a kind tool to distinguish main Sjogren’s syndrome from secondary Sjogren’s syndrome along with other sicca syndromes. Arthritis Res Ther 13: R194. 21. Brinkmann O, Kastratovic DA, Dimitrijevic MV, Konstantinovic VS, Jelovac DB, et al. Oral squamous cell 307538-42-7 site carcinoma detection by salivary biomarkers in a Serbian population. Oral Oncol 47: 5155. 22. Farrell JJ, Zhang L, Zhou H, Chia D, Elashoff D, et al. Variations of oral microbiota are linked to pancreatic ailments like pancreatic AVP custom synthesis cancer. Gut. 23. Vacca Smith AM, Scott-Anne KM, Whelehan MT, Berkowitz RJ, Feng C, et al. Salivary glucosyltransferase B as a doable marker for caries activity. Caries Res 41: 445450. 24. Tao R, Jurevic RJ, Coulton KK, Tsutsui MT, Roberts MC, et al. Salivary antimicrobial Docosahexaenoyl ethanolamide cost peptide expression and dental caries practical experience in youngsters. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 49: 38833888. 25. Zhang Q, Bian Z, Fan M, van Palenstein Helderman WH Salivary mutans streptococci counts as indicators in caries threat assessment in 67-year-old Chinese young children. J Dent 35: 177180. 10 Functional Gene Signature of Saliva Microbiota 26. Bergandi L, Defabianis P, Re F, Preti G, Aldieri E, et al. Absence of soluble CD14 in saliva of young sufferers with dental caries. Eur J Oral Sci 115: 9396. 27. Zahir S, Sarkar S Study of trace components in mixed saliva of caries free and caries active young children. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 24: 2729. 28. Martinez-Pabon MC, Ramirez-Puerta BS, Escobar-Paucar GM, Franco-Cortes AM Physicochemical salivary properties, Lactobacillus, mutans streptococci counts and early childhood caries in preschool young children of Colombia. Acta Odontol Latinoam 23: 249256. 29. Doel JJ, Hector MP, Amirtham CV, Al-Anzan LA, Benjamin N, et al. Protective impact of salivary nitrate and microbial nitrate reductase activity against caries. Eur J Oral Sci 112: 424428. 30. Morgan JL, Darling AE, Eisen JA Metagenomic sequencing of an in vitro-simulated microbial community. PLoS One particular 5: e10209. 31. Fodor AA, DeSantis TZ, Wylie KM, Badger JH, Ye Y, et al. The ��most wanted��taxa from the human microbiome for complete genome sequencing. PLoS A single 7: e41294. 32. Xie G, Chain PS, Lo CC, Liu KL, Gans J, et al. Community and gene composition of a human dental plaque microbiota obtained by metagenomic sequencing. Mol Oral Microbiol 25: 391405. 33. He Z, Van 24272870 Nostrand JD, Zhou J Applications of functional gene microarrays for profiling microbial communities. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 34. Ku HK, Do NH, Song JS, Choi S, Yeon SH, et al. Crystal structure of prephenate dehydrogenase from Streptococcus mutans. Int J Biol Macromol 49: 761766. 35. Fonteles CS, Guerra MH, Ribeiro TR, Mendonca DN, de Carvalho CB, et al. Association of no cost amino acids with caries knowledge and mutans streptococci levels in whole saliva of children with early childhood caries. Arch Oral Biol 54: 8085. 36. Van Nieuw Amerongen A, Bolscher JG, Veerman EC Salivary proteins: protective and diagnostic worth in cariology Caries Res 38: 247253. 37. Van Wuyckhuyse BC, Perinpanayagam HE.Oil plume. ISME J 6: 451460. 18. Jiang Q, Yu M, Min Z, Yi A, Chen D, et al. AP-PCR detection of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in caries-free and caries-active subjects. Mol Cell Biochem. 19. Thomadaki K, Helmerhorst EJ, Tian N, Sun X, Siqueira WL, et al. Whole-saliva proteolysis and its influence on salivary diagnostics. J Dent Res 90: 13251330. 20. Baldini C, Giusti L, Ciregia F, Da Valle Y, Giacomelli C, et al. Proteomic analysis of saliva: a distinctive tool to distinguish key Sjogren’s syndrome from secondary Sjogren’s syndrome along with other sicca syndromes. Arthritis Res Ther 13: R194. 21. Brinkmann O, Kastratovic DA, Dimitrijevic MV, Konstantinovic VS, Jelovac DB, et al. Oral squamous cell carcinoma detection by salivary biomarkers in a Serbian population. Oral Oncol 47: 5155. 22. Farrell JJ, Zhang L, Zhou H, Chia D, Elashoff D, et al. Variations of oral microbiota are connected with pancreatic ailments including pancreatic cancer. Gut. 23. Vacca Smith AM, Scott-Anne KM, Whelehan MT, Berkowitz RJ, Feng C, et al. Salivary glucosyltransferase B as a doable marker for caries activity. Caries Res 41: 445450. 24. Tao R, Jurevic RJ, Coulton KK, Tsutsui MT, Roberts MC, et al. Salivary antimicrobial peptide expression and dental caries experience in young children. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 49: 38833888. 25. Zhang Q, Bian Z, Fan M, van Palenstein Helderman WH Salivary mutans streptococci counts as indicators in caries threat assessment in 67-year-old Chinese kids. J Dent 35: 177180. 10 Functional Gene Signature of Saliva Microbiota 26. Bergandi L, Defabianis P, Re F, Preti G, Aldieri E, et al. Absence of soluble CD14 in saliva of young patients with dental caries. Eur J Oral Sci 115: 9396. 27. Zahir S, Sarkar S Study of trace elements in mixed saliva of caries free of charge and caries active kids. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 24: 2729. 28. Martinez-Pabon MC, Ramirez-Puerta BS, Escobar-Paucar GM, Franco-Cortes AM Physicochemical salivary properties, Lactobacillus, mutans streptococci counts and early childhood caries in preschool young children of Colombia. Acta Odontol Latinoam 23: 249256. 29. Doel JJ, Hector MP, Amirtham CV, Al-Anzan LA, Benjamin N, et al. Protective effect of salivary nitrate and microbial nitrate reductase activity against caries. Eur J Oral Sci 112: 424428. 30. Morgan JL, Darling AE, Eisen JA Metagenomic sequencing of an in vitro-simulated microbial neighborhood. PLoS One particular five: e10209. 31. Fodor AA, DeSantis TZ, Wylie KM, Badger JH, Ye Y, et al. The ��most wanted��taxa in the human microbiome for whole genome sequencing. PLoS 1 7: e41294. 32. Xie G, Chain PS, Lo CC, Liu KL, Gans J, et al. Neighborhood and gene composition of a human dental plaque microbiota obtained by metagenomic sequencing. Mol Oral Microbiol 25: 391405. 33. He Z, Van 24272870 Nostrand JD, Zhou J Applications of functional gene microarrays for profiling microbial communities. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 34. Ku HK, Do NH, Song JS, Choi S, Yeon SH, et al. Crystal structure of prephenate dehydrogenase from Streptococcus mutans. Int J Biol Macromol 49: 761766. 35. Fonteles CS, Guerra MH, Ribeiro TR, Mendonca DN, de Carvalho CB, et al. Association of absolutely free amino acids with caries practical experience and mutans streptococci levels in whole saliva of children with early childhood caries. Arch Oral Biol 54: 8085. 36. Van Nieuw Amerongen A, Bolscher JG, Veerman EC Salivary proteins: protective and diagnostic worth in cariology Caries Res 38: 247253. 37. Van Wuyckhuyse BC, Perinpanayagam HE.

Eomycin induced injury through the production IFN-c, that is believed to

Eomycin induced injury via the production IFN-c, that is believed to counteract the proLixisenatide fibrotic activities of TGF-b. To decipher the contribution of NK cells for the development of pulmonary fibrosis, we opted to systemically deplete NK cell more than the course from the illness using an antibody based approach. Systemic JW 74 biological activity depletion of NK cells was achieved applying the anti-asialo GM1 antibody, which was injected at various times throughout the BIPF model, both quickly just before and all through the acute inflammatory phase or ahead of the fibrotic phase of disease, or only during the fibrotic phase. Anti-asialo GM1 can be a rabbit polyclonal antibody from that reacts having a neutral glycosphingolipid expressed around the surface of many hematopoietic cells like NK, NKT, CD8+T, cdT, some CD4+T cells, macrophages, eosinophils and basophils. Nevertheless, anti-asialo GM1 only proficiently eliminates NK cells and basophils in vivo. Other much less Anti-GM1 Antibody in Pulmonary Fibrosis discriminating NK cell-depleting antibodies exist including antiNK1.1, nevertheless it also depletes NKT cells, which are important producers of IFN-c in the course of BIPF. You will find also genetically modified mice with NK cell deficiencies, like Beige and Stat5 Ncr1-iCreTg mice. Sadly neither of these models is ideal for 16985061 assessing the part of NK cells in BIPF. While Beige mice fully lack NK cells, they are also deficient in cytotoxic T cells and have impaired neutrophil activity, which complicates information interpretation. On the other hand, whilst NK cell depletion in Stat5 Ncr1-iCreTg mice is selective, it really is not complete, with residual NK numbers comparable to WT mice treated with antiasialo GM1 antibody. Thus, anti-asialo GM1 antibody is one of the most precise tools readily available to particularly eradicate NK cells in vivo. We tested two various depletion approaches to 1) get Sudan I evaluate the general contribution of NK cells during the initial inflammatory phase and/or two) to evaluate the part of NK cells throughout the fibrotic phase in the disease. Our benefits show that although NK cells have been effectively depleted when anti-asialo GM1 was administered in either mode, the development of BIPF 23148522 remained unaltered. To complement the depletion experiments, we also assessed the effect of adoptively-transferred NK cells in the pathogenesis of BIPF. Although adoptive transfer of NKT cells protected against BIPF, in our experiments supplemental NK cells had no impact around the course of disease. Therefore the aggregate of our data indicate that NK cells don’t play a central function in regulating pulmonary fibrosis. track adoptively-transferred NK cells. Cell-free BAL fluid was analyzed for soluble collagen content material and cytokine KS 176 site concentrations. Lung Homogenate Processing At the indicated time points, mice have been euthanized plus the lungs have been perfused using 10 ml PBS by cardiac puncture. The left lung was collected, weighed and homogenized in 10 ml of PBS + protease inhibitors/10 mg lung tissue. Lung homogenates have been then centrifuged for five min at 3000 RPM at 4C, and the supernatants were collected and stored at-20C for further experimentation. Blood and Spleen Leukocyte Isolation Blood was collected by cardiac puncture immediately after euthanasia and directly mixed with 5 ml PBS devoid of Ca2+/Mg2+ supplemented with 4 mM EDTA to prevent clotting. An equal volume of dextran-T-500 was added, the option gently mixed by inversion, and incubated at 37uC for 45 min. The supernatant was collected and centrifuged and incubated with 2.Eomycin induced injury through the production IFN-c, which can be believed to counteract the profibrotic activities of TGF-b. To decipher the contribution of NK cells for the improvement of pulmonary fibrosis, we opted to systemically deplete NK cell more than the course of the disease employing an antibody primarily based approach. Systemic depletion of NK cells was accomplished employing the anti-asialo GM1 antibody, which was injected at distinctive instances through the BIPF model, each instantly just before and throughout the acute inflammatory phase or before the fibrotic phase of illness, or only through the fibrotic phase. Anti-asialo GM1 is really a rabbit polyclonal antibody from that reacts using a neutral glycosphingolipid expressed around the surface of numerous hematopoietic cells including NK, NKT, CD8+T, cdT, some CD4+T cells, macrophages, eosinophils and basophils. Nonetheless, anti-asialo GM1 only effectively eliminates NK cells and basophils in vivo. Other much less Anti-GM1 Antibody in Pulmonary Fibrosis discriminating NK cell-depleting antibodies exist for example antiNK1.1, but it also depletes NKT cells, which are substantial producers of IFN-c through BIPF. You’ll find also genetically modified mice with NK cell deficiencies, which include Beige and Stat5 Ncr1-iCreTg mice. Sadly neither of those models is perfect for 16985061 assessing the part of NK cells in BIPF. Though Beige mice absolutely lack NK cells, they are also deficient in cytotoxic T cells and have impaired neutrophil activity, which complicates information interpretation. On the other hand, while NK cell depletion in Stat5 Ncr1-iCreTg mice is selective, it’s not total, with residual NK numbers comparable to WT mice treated with antiasialo GM1 antibody. Consequently, anti-asialo GM1 antibody is among the most precise tools readily available to specifically get rid of NK cells in vivo. We tested two various depletion techniques to 1) evaluate the all round contribution of NK cells through the initial inflammatory phase and/or 2) to evaluate the function of NK cells during the fibrotic phase of the illness. Our final results show that although NK cells were correctly depleted when anti-asialo GM1 was administered in either mode, the development of BIPF 23148522 remained unaltered. To complement the depletion experiments, we also assessed the effect of adoptively-transferred NK cells in the pathogenesis of BIPF. Despite the fact that adoptive transfer of NKT cells protected against BIPF, in our experiments supplemental NK cells had no effect on the course of disease. As a result the aggregate of our information indicate that NK cells do not play a central part in regulating pulmonary fibrosis. track adoptively-transferred NK cells. Cell-free BAL fluid was analyzed for soluble collagen content and cytokine concentrations. Lung Homogenate Processing In the indicated time points, mice had been euthanized plus the lungs had been perfused making use of 10 ml PBS by cardiac puncture. The left lung was collected, weighed and homogenized in ten ml of PBS + protease inhibitors/10 mg lung tissue. Lung homogenates were then centrifuged for 5 min at 3000 RPM at 4C, plus the supernatants were collected and stored at-20C for further experimentation. Blood and Spleen Leukocyte Isolation Blood was collected by cardiac puncture after euthanasia and directly mixed with five ml PBS devoid of Ca2+/Mg2+ supplemented with 4 mM EDTA to stop clotting. An equal volume of dextran-T-500 was added, the resolution gently mixed by inversion, and incubated at 37uC for 45 min. The supernatant was collected and centrifuged and incubated with 2.

Meanwhile, recent reports have shown that metformin is useful in cancer prevention and treatment

ted heart rate among subjects undergoing pharmacological stress testing with regadenoson is not clear. We hypothesized that chronic caffeine intake with only 1224 hours cessation prior to regadenoson stress testing according to drug labeling recommendation, affects maximal heart rate and blood pressure response as compared to non-caffeine consumption or more prolonged interruption. The aim of the current study is to assess the effect of habitual caffeine consumption on blood pressure, heart rate, percentage of predicted heart rate and percentage change in heart rate among subjects undergoing vasodilator stress testing with regadenoson. Methods Patients The study protocol was approved by the Indiana University institutional review board for research. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Subjects referred for regadenoson stress testing were enrolled. Patients with combined exercise and regadenoson stress testing were excluded from analysis. As per the protocol of our institution, all patients were asked to not consume caffeinated beverages or xanthine containing foods for at least 12 PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19736355 hours prior to study. Moreover, all patients were asked to take their routine daily medications. Baseline demographic data and medical comorbidities were collected on all subjects. Information on amount, frequency, and last exposure to caffeine, chocolate, and caffeinated soft drinks 2/9 Caffeine and Regadenoson Response were collected prospectively prior to performance of cardiac stress test. Caffeine exposure was classified according to none recently, last exposure of at least one cup of coffee 1224 hours prior to regadenoson stress test, and >24 hours prior to stress test. Consumption of one cup of black or green tea was considered equal to one cup of coffee, and subjects who consumed tea were included in the coffee consumption group for analysis. Subjects’ heart rate, and blood pressure were recorded at baseline instantaneously before administration of regadenoson. Subjects remained in a supine position throughout the test. Change in heart rate during the stress test was calculated by subtracting resting from peak heart rate recorded within 5 minutes after administration of regadenoson. Change in Chebulinic acid systolic blood pressure was calculated by subtracting resting from peak systolic blood pressure recorded within 5 minutes after administration of regadenoson. Maximal predicted heart rate was calculated using 220-age and percent maximal predicted heart rate was calculated by peakHR over MHR and multiplying by 100 100). Percent change in heart rate was calculated by changeHR over restingHR and multiplying by 100. Incidence of patient reported side effects were prospectively recorded. Non-coffee drinkers were compared to subjects who had consumed coffee within 12 to PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19736794 24 hours or more than 24 hours prior to regadenoson administration. Statistical Analysis Baseline demographic and clinical variables are descriptively summarized. Continuous variables are expressed as mean SD. Categorical data are presented as percent frequency. Unpaired two-sided Student’s t-test was used to compare normally distributed continuous data between two groups. One-way analysis of variance test and post hoc Tukey comparisons were used to determine difference between different groups based on coffee consumption. Categorical variables were compared using the 2 test and continuous variables were computed using student t test. Statistical significance was defined as p-value <

These membranes were cultured according to an established protocol

ps at 30 min, 3 hours, and 24 hours of reperfusion. Plasma concentrations of pitavastatin were significantly higher in the Pitavastatin-NP group than in the pitavastatin group 30 min after reperfusion. There were no differences in pitavastatin concentrations in the lung between the Pitavastatin-NP and pitavastatin groups. Effects of Pitavastatin-NP on MI size Intravenous treatment with Pitavastatin-NP containing pitavastatin 1 mg/kg at the time of reperfusion significantly reduced MI size 24 hours after reperfusion. FITC-NP was used as a control and showed no effects on MI size. As previously reported by other groups using rosuvastatin or fluvastatin, intravenous treatment with pitavastatin at 1 and 10 mg/kg at the PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19741728 time of reperfusion did not reduce MI size. Treatment with Pitavastatin-NP or pitavastatin alone did not affect AAR in the hearts, plasma biochemical data except CPK, or hemodynamic parameters. Decreased plasma CPK levels in the Pitavastatin-NP group are consistent with therapeutic effects of Pitavastatin-NP on MI size. 9 / 23 Nanomedicine for Myocardial Reperfusion Injury Fig 3. We performed mitochondria swelling assays to examine the effects of pitavastatin-NP on mPTP opening and found that pitavastatin-NP did not affect mitochondria swelling, while the pretreatment with cyclosporine A reduced the mitochondria swelling. Pitavastatin-NP induced phosphorylation of Akt 3 hours after IR in a PI3K-dependent manner, but not 15 minutes and 30 minutes after IR Data are expressed as the mean SEM. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132451.t003 11 / 23 Nanomedicine for Myocardial Reperfusion Injury Fig 4. Effects of Pitavastatin-NP on mitochondrial permeability transition pore openning., Effects of WM on therapeutic effects of Pitavastatin-NP on MI size. Data are expressed as the meanSEM. Data are compared using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison tests., Effects of Pitavastatin-NP at the time of reperfusion on cytosolic cytochrome C in IR myocardium 30 minutes after reperfusion. N = 6 per group. Data are compared using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison tests., Effects of Pitavastatin-NP at the time of reperfusion on mitochondrial cytochrome C in IR myocardium 30 minutes after reperfusion. Data are meanSEM. Data are compared using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison tests., Effects of Pitavastatin-NP at the time of reperfusion on mitochondrial swelling in IR myocardium 10 minutes after reperfusion. N = 5 per group. Data are compared using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison tests. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132451.g004 when mPTP opening plays a role in cytochrome C leakage and myocardial necrosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the phosphorylated Akt localized mainly in cardiomyocytes within the AAR. Treatment with Pitavastatin-NP also induced GSK3 12 / 23 Nanomedicine for Myocardial Reperfusion Injury Nanomedicine for Myocardial Reperfusion Injury Fig 6. Effects of Pitavastatin-NP on cell death after IR., Effects of Pitavastatin-NP at the time of reperfusion after pretreatment with Cyclosporine A every 12 hours starting 36 hours before MedChemExpress NVP-BKM120 ischemia on MI size. N = 7 per group. Data are compared using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19741130 multiple comparison tests., Effects of Pitavastatin-NP at the time of reperfusion after pretreatment with CsA every 12 hours starting 36 hours before ischemia on cytosolic cytochrome C in IR myocardium 30 minutes af

Decrease of InsP3 was evoked by terminating the muscarinic response by atropine

tment in ratio to the mean of control in the bone marrow, and spleen. Values are meanSEM; ns, nonsignificant, P>0.05, P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001, post-hoc test. Abbreviations: Bz, PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19723632 bortezomib; CD20, anti-mouse CD20 antibody; Int, Integrin blocking antibodies, anti-LFA1 and anti-VLA4 antibodies. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0135081.g004 10 / 17 Long-Term Plasma Cell Depletion Ameliorates SLE Fig 5. B cell depletion maintenance therapy after short-term depletion of B and plasma cells with ant-CD20 and bortezomib improves the disease in NZB/W F1 mice. Mice were treated with anti-CD20 and bortezomib alone or continuous B cell depletion without bortezomib or treated as STD followed by BCD maintenance therapy with anti-CD20. Serum IgM and IgG anti-dsDNA antibody levels in treated and untreated mice, as measured by ELISA. Proteinuria in treated and untreated mice. Statistical differences between treated and untreated mice were analyzed using the post-hoc test. Survival curves for treated and untreated NZB/W F1 mice. Abbreviations: STD, Short-term depletion; BCD; B cell depletion. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0135081.g005 without bortezomib did not delay the onset of proteinuria but induced a slight reduction of the proteinuria levels, which became significant at weeks 32 and 36. However, only the combination of STD with continuous BCD using anti-CD20 antibody PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19723293 promoted a significant delay in the onset of proteinuria followed by a persistent decrease in proteinuria levels from week 36 to the end of the observation period as compared to untreated mice, and mice treated with BCD or STD alone over time . In line with the delayed onset and development of proteinuria, the mice treated with STD alone, BCD, and STD in combination with continuous BCD therapy survived longer than untreated mice. Likewise, mice treated with initial STD plus continuous BCD therapy had higher survival rates than those treated with STD and BCD alone . These data show that continuous BCD therapy after efficient B cell and plasma cell depletion reduces the autoantibody levels and ameliorates nephritis, promoting the survival of lupus-prone mice. 11 / 17 Long-Term Plasma Cell Depletion Ameliorates SLE Discussion and Conclusions Autoantibodies play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases. Therefore, their reduction or removal is an important therapeutic goal. Previously, we showed that autoantibodies can be generated by two different plasma cell compartments. The first consists of short-lived plasmablasts and plasma cells recently generated from activated B cells. Therapies targeting B cells block the generation of these newly generated order Celgosivir autoantibody-secreting plasmablasts, and immunosuppressive drugs that affect proliferating B cells and plasmablasts can also eliminate this compartment. The second compartment consists of long-lived plasma cells that reside in survival niches in the bone marrow and in inflamed tissues. In contrast to the first compartment, the second is resistant to B-cell targeting and conventional immunosuppressive therapies. Compelling evidence suggests that these autoreactive LLPCs can drive autoantibody-mediated inflammation, the maintenance of autoimmunity and refractory autoimmune disease. Therefore, there is an urgent need to define more effective ways to eliminate the long-lived plasma cell compartment in autoimmune diseases. In this study, we explored the short-term effects of different depletion strategies, targeting B cells alone or in comb

This possibility will be better addressed in HIF-1-deficient cancer cells or conditional genetic models

control group. The data supported that HS20 could inhibit GPC3-positive liver tumor growth in vivo via signaling pathways other than the canonical Wnt/-catenin pathway. Discussion HSPGs play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis. These processes can be mediated by interactions with the HS chains of HSPGs. The HS chains serve as co-receptors for growth factors and facilitate ECM-growth factor interaction. In the present study, we found that the HS chains of GPC3 were involved in HCC cell migration via coordination with HGF signaling. Our findings suggest the role of HS in cell motility and provide evidence of the inhibition of tumor pathogenesis by targeting the HS domain of HSPGs. The emerging role of HSPG in tumor progression supports HS-based treatment for cancer therapies. One such strategy involves the heparanase inhibitor PI-88, which is a highly sulfated oligosaccharide mixture. PI-88 can inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth by preventing FGF and VEGF receptor-HS interaction, and it is currently in a phase III clinical trial for HCC after surgical resection. PG545, an analog of PI-88, has been selected as the leading clinical candidate and is currently in a phase I clinical trial. Delteparin, a low molecular 9 / 13 Antibody Targeting the Heparan Sulfate Chains of Glypican-3 Fig 6. HS20 inhibited HGF-induced tumor spheroid formation. Representative photographs of Hep3B and Huh-7 spheroid. Hep3B and Huh-7 cells were treated with 50ng/ml HGF alone or co-cultured with 50 g/mL HS20 for 20 days. Human IgG was used as negative control. Scale bar indicates 50 m. The spheroid volume in each group described in. Each dot represents a spheroid. P<0.01 and P<0.001. Western blot to detect the expression of total c-Met and phosphorylated c-Met in spheroid. Hep3B cells and Huh-7 cells were co-cultured with 50ng/ml HGF and 50 g/mL HS20 for 20 days in a low attachment plate. Human IgG was used as a negative control. BALB/c nu/nu mice were subcutaneously inoculated with 10x106 Hep3B cells. When tumors reached an average volume of 100 mm3, mice were grouped and intravenously administered 25mg/kg HS20 twice a week. Values are mean SE from different mice. P<0.05. n = 4 for each group. PBS was used as vehicle. Arrows indicate antibody injection. BALB/c nu/nu mice were subcutaneously inoculated with 5x106 HepG2 cells. When tumors reached an average volume of 100 mm3, mice were grouped and intravenously administered 20mg/kg HS20 twice a week. Values are mean SE from different mice. P<0.05. n = 5 for each group. PBS was used as vehicle. Arrows indicate antibody injection. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0137664.g006 weight non-anticoagulant heparin, also shows promising efficacy in the treatment of small cell lung cancer. These studies indicate that targeting PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19736622 HS may be a feasible option for cancer therapy. However, HS mimics alone may not provide effective A-83-01 chemical information anti-tumor treatment due to their limited specificity and potential side effects. Antibody therapy could represent a promising approach for HCC therapy given its high specificity to the tumor antigen. In addition to affecting HCC cells, HS20 PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19734877 also blocks C-met activation in HepG2, a hepatoblastoma cell line with GPC3 expression. This provides the potential application of HS20 in different liver malignancies. GPC3 participates in HCC pathogenesis via multiple signaling mechanisms. Our previous study shows that HS20 blocks the interaction of GPC3 and Wnt3a, and subsequently inhibits th

Representative staining of mononucleated and binucleated cells were shown in the upper panel

the co-purchase Vesnarinone culture model. To identify targets and mediators of the reciprocal interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironment, we performed gene expression profiling with Illumina BeadArray microarrays using RNA isolated from the mixed cell population after 48 hours of culture and RNA isolated from parallel monocultures of HBMECs and U87 cells. Because the RNA isolated from the co-cultures was derived from a mixed population of cells, measured changes in gene expression could occur as a consequence of changes in the relative numbers of HBMECs and U87 cells over the 48-hour co-culture time period, and/or as a result of changes in gene expression induced through functional interactions between the two cell types. As we were interested only in the latter, it became essential to develop computational methods to distinguish between these sources of change. To accomplish this, we developed an approach that uses gene expression data to precisely determine the ratio of HBMEC and U87 cells within a mixed culture. Previously published global expression profiling of cell-cell interactions has found that less than PDE7B in the GBM Perivascular Niche 10% of genes exhibit statistically significant differential PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19674121 expression upon co-culture. Thus, we anticipated similar results and assumed that the expression levels of most genes in either cell type would remain unchanged upon co-culture, and that only a small percentage of genes would be affected by cell-cell interactions. Using expression profiling data obtained separately from HBMEC and U87 monocultures, we created one thousand computationally mixed datasets for the two cell types, from a ratio of 0.1% HBMEC/99.9% PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19672212 U87 to a ratio of 99.9% HBMEC/0.1% U87 in 0.1% increments. We then used these computed profiles to determine the precise ratio of GBM and HBMECs in the coculture at the time of mRNA isolation. To do so, we calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient between the experimentally measured co-culture expression data and the full series of computationally generated expression profiles. We concluded that the synthetic profile with the highest correlation to the measured coculture profile provided the closest approximation to the actual ratio of U87 cells and HBMECs in the co-culture. This calculation was performed for three independent sets of coculture data. In each case, normalization of the co-culture profile to the synthetic profile with the highest correlation identified those transcripts whose level of expression differed from the norm. These transcripts represented the candidate genes whose expression was either increased or decreased through functional interactions between HBMECs and U87 cells. In this manner, 45 genes with at least a two-fold change in expression were identified as significantly upregulated or downregulated as the result of functional interactions between HBMECs and U87 cells. Consistent with known effects of GBM cells on ECs and our results showing an increase in in vitro angiogenesis upon co-culture, this list of genes contained several regulators of angiogenesis such as Thrombospondin-1 and CXCL1. Also notable is the upregulation of WNT signaling genes CTHRC1 and Frizzled-9. WNT signaling is known to be involved in maintaining stemness and cell proliferation. and U87 cells under basal conditions. While CXCL6 expression in U87 cells was unaffected by any of the CM preparations, it was significantly increased in HBMECs in response to either U87 or co-culture C