Effects of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor meloxicam on recovery of ischemia-injured equine jejunum

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of meloxicam and flunixin meglumine on recovery of ischemia-injured equine jejunum. ANIMALS: 18 horses. PROCEDURES: Horses received butorphanol tartrate; were treated IV with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (SS; 12 mL; n = 6), flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg; 6), or meloxicam (0.6 mg/kg; 6) 1 hour before ischemia was induced for 2 hours in a portion of jejunum; and were allowed to recover for 18 hours. Flunixin and SS treatments were repeated after 12 hours; all 3 treatments were administered immediately prior to euthanasia. Selected clinical variables, postoperative pain scores, and meloxicam pharmacokinetic data were evaluated. After euthanasia, assessment of epithelial barrier function, histologic evaluation, and western blot analysis of ischemia-injured and control jejunal mucosa samples from the 3 groups were performed. RESULTS: Meloxicam- or flunixin-treated horses had improved postoperative pain scores and clinical variables, compared with SS-treated horses. Recovery of transepithelial barrier function in ischemia-injured jejunum was inhibited by flunixin but permitted similarly by meloxicam and SS treatments. Eighteen hours after cessation of ischemia, numbers of neutrophils in ischemia-injured tissue were higher in horses treated with meloxicam or flunixin than SS. Plasma meloxicam concentrations were similar to those reported previously, but clearance was slower. Changes in expression of proteins associated with inflammatory responses to ischemic injury and with different drug treatments occurred, suggesting cyclooxygenase-independent effects. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although further assessment is needed, these data have suggested that IV administration of meloxicam may be a useful alternative to flunixin meglumine for postoperative treatment of horses with colic.     

Effect of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand on virus-induced apoptosis in a human islet β cell line

AIM: To study role of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in virus-induced apoptosis in a human islet β cell line, CM cell line. METHODS: Using annexin-V assay to compare Coxsackie virus B (CVB)-induced apoptosis with Rubella virus (RV)-induced apoptosis in a CM cell line; using four kinds of soluble receptors of TRAIL and anti-TRAIL McAb to block the virus-induced apoptosis. RESULTS: 5PFU of CVB3 and CVB4 contacted with CM cells for 5 hours , there were more than 30% apoptotic CM cells; 0.01PFU of CVB3 and CVB4 contacted with CM cells for 24 hours, there were more than 80% apoptotic CM cells; 10PFU of CVB3 and CVB4 contacted with CM cells for 24 hours, there were only less than 25% apoptotic CM cells; soluble receptors of TRAIL and anti-TRAIL McAb could block CVB-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSION: CM cell line is more sensitive to CVB and TRAIL plays a role in CVB-induced apoptosis.     

The genome of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana: ecology, evolution, and metabolism

Diatoms are unicellular algae with plastids acquired by secondary endosymbiosis. They are responsible for approximately 20% of global carbon fixation. We report the 34 million-base pair draft nuclear genome of the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana and its 129 thousand-base pair plastid and 44 thousand-base pair mitochondrial genomes. Sequence and optical restriction mapping revealed 24 diploid nuclear chromosomes. We identified novel genes for silicic acid transport and formation of silica-based cell walls, high-affinity iron uptake, biosynthetic enzymes for several types of polyunsaturated fatty acids, use of a range of nitrogenous compounds, and a complete urea cycle, all attributes that allow diatoms to prosper in aquatic environments.