DIABETES C/EBP Homologous Protein Contributes to Cytokine-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Responses and Apoptosis in ß-Cells Data suggest that the C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) has a dual role in promoting ß-cell death: CHOP directly contributes to cytokine-induced ß-cell apoptosis by promoting cytokine-induced mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis; and by supporting the NF-κB activation and subsequent cytokine/chemokine expression, CHOP may contribute to apoptosis and the chemo attraction of mononuclear cells to the islets during insulitis. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract MSC Anti-Diabetic Effect Is Unrelated to Their Trans-Differentiation Potential but to Their Capability to Restore Th1/Th2 Balance and to Modify the Pancreatic Microenvironment In type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) animal models, it has been shown that the systemic administration of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) results in the regeneration of pancreatic islets. Researchers assessed whether donor MSCs differentiate into pancreatic beta-cells and modify systemic and pancreatic pathophysiologic markers of T1DM. [Stem Cells] Abstract Deletion of p47phox Attenuates the Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy and Reduces the Severity of Diabetes in the Akita Mouse Researchers concluded that deletion of p47 phox attenuates diabetes-induced glomerular injury and beta cell dysfunction in the Akita mouse. [Diabetologia] Abstract Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Contributes Differently to Rat Pancreatic Islet Cell Apoptosis and Insulin Secretory Defects after Prolonged Culture in a Low Non-Stimulating Glucose Concentration Pancreatic beta cells chronically exposed to low glucose concentrations show signs of oxidative stress, loss of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and increased apoptosis. Researchers aimed to confirm the role of mitochondrial oxidative stress in rat islet cell apoptosis under these culture conditions and to evaluate whether its reduction similarly improves survival and GSIS. [Diabetologia] Abstract PANCREATIC CANCER Nonlinear Optical Microscopy for Histology of Fresh Normal and Cancerous Pancreatic Tissues In order to investigate whether the nonlinear optical imaging methods have the ability to characterize pancreatic histology at cellular resolution, researchers studied different types of pancreatic tissues by using label-free two-photon excited fluorescence and second harmonic generation. [PLoS One] Full Article Selective Induction of Apoptosis and Autophagy through Treatment with Dandelion Root Extract in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells The authors evaluated the efficacy of dandelion root extract in inducing apoptosis and autophagy in aggressive and resistant pancreatic cancer cells. [Pancreas] Abstract Reevaluation and Identification of the Best Immunohistochemical Panel (pVHL, Maspin, S100P, IMP-3) for Ductal Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas Researchers investigated the utility of 26 immunohistochemical markers in the diagnosis of ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. [Arch Pathol Lab Med] Full Article Serum Inter-Cellular Adhesion Molecule 1 Is an Early Marker of Diagnosis and Prediction of Severe Acute Pancreatitis Investigators aimed to determine if serum inter-cellular adhesion molecule 1 is an early marker of the diagnosis and prediction of severe acute pancreatitis within 24 hours of onset of pain, and to compare the sensitivity, specificity and prognostic value of this test with those of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score and interleukin-6. [World J Gastroenterol] Full Article |