Liver regeneration and liver injury/stresses were evaluated chronologically after PH. Post-hepatectomy liver regeneration was markedly impaired in aged mice. Though the extent of hepatocyte proliferation in the regenerating liver was similar in aged and young mice, cell growth was absent in aged mice. Oxidative stress (OS) was observed immediately after hepatectomy, followed by marked apoptosis in aged mice. Signaling molecules

regarding Selleckchem LY3009104 cell proliferation (mitogen-activated protein kinase, STAT3, p46/52(Shc)) and anti-oxidation (catalase, superoxide dismutase, Ref-1, glutathione peroxidase) were expressed/activated after hepatectomy in livers of both aged and young mice. Akt was not activated in aged-mouse liver, but its expression was similar to that in young mice. p66(Shc), known as an age-/oxidant-associated

protein, was strongly phosphorylated. By knocking down p66(Shc), the impairment of liver regeneration was normalized. OS immediately after Selleck IBET762 hepatectomy induced subsequent liver injury (apoptosis), and deletion of p66(Shc) suppressed both OS and hepatocyte apoptosis in the regenerating liver of aged mice. Though we need additional data in other animal models to fully understand the mechanism, p66(Shc) may have a pivotal function in the impairment of liver regeneration in aged mice by triggering OS and subsequent apoptosis. This data may provide a clue to understanding the mechanism underlying the association between aging and the impairment of liver regeneration. Laboratory Investigation (2010) 90, 1718-1726; doi:10.1038/labinvest.2010.119; published online 21 June 2010″
“Although the etiology of aggression is multifactorial, many

studies have associated the Val158Met polymorphism of the COMT with aggression in schizophrenia. This study tests the hypothesis that Met/Met patients display more episodes of aggression and violent behaviour than Val/Val patients in a 6 year follow-up cohort of subjects with schizophrenia in contact with the South-Verona Community-based Mental Health Service. Out of the 141 subjects with an ICD-10 SCAN-confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia, 115 completed both baseline and follow-up assessments (81.6% of the baseline cohort). Of these, check details 80 subjects (70%) were genotyped and rated for aggression using the Overt Aggression Scale.

Met/Met homozygous patients had higher aggressive behaviour compared to Val/Val homozygous subjects. Antipsychotic dosage, alcohol and drug abuse were taken into account as confounders. The Met/Met genotype of COMT may have an effect on aggressive behaviour in schizophrenia because norepinephrine is less effectively inactivated. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate gene expression pathways. Previous studies have shown interactions between hepatitis C virus (HCV) and host miRNAs.