Purification and characterization of the aromatic desulfinase, 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzenesulfinate desulfinase

2-(2(')-Hydroxyphenyl)benzenesulfinate desulfinase (HPBS desulfinase) catalyzes the cleavage of the carbon-sulfur bond of 2-(2(')-hydroxyphenyl)benzenesulfinate (HPBS) to form hydroxybiphenyl and sulfite. This is the final step in the desulfurization of dibenzothiophene, the organosulfur compound used to study biodesulfurization of petroleum middle distillate. HPBS desulfinase was purified 1600-fold from Rhodococcus IGTS8. The purification was monitored using a spectrofluorimetric assay and SDS-PAGE. The pI of HPBS desulfinase is 5.6, the temperature optimum is 35 degrees C, and the pH optimum is 7.0. HPBS desulfinase has a K(m) of 0.90+/-0.15 microM and a k(cat) of 1.3+/-0.07 min(-1). Several analogs were tested for their ability to act as substrates or inhibitors of HPBS desulfinase. No alternative substrates and very few inhibitors were identified. HPBS desulfinase activity decreases in the presence of Cu(2+) and Zn(2+), while no metals significantly enhance enzyme activity. HPBS desulfinase is susceptible to tyrosine, tryptophan, and cysteine specific modification agents.

Cellular determination in the anterior pituitary gland: PIT-1 and PROP-1 mutations as causes of human combined pituitary hormone deficiency

In the anterior pituitary gland, five distinct hormone producing cell types are generated from common epithelial progenitor cells. This process of cellular determination is controlled by signaling molecules acting on transcription factors, which in turn regulate genes critical for the appearance of hormone producing cells. Two pituitary specific transcription factors, Pit-1 and Prop-1, which are required for generation of hormone producing cells in the anterior pituitary gland, have proved to be important in the cause of hypopituitarism in humans. Mutations in the human PIT-1 gene lead to a combined pituitary hormone deficiency characterized by lack of GH, PRL and TSH. Mutations in the PROP-1 gene, which are a more common cause of hypopituitarism, lead to a clinical phenotype characterized by GH, PRL, TSH, LH and FSH deficiency, and sometimes ACTH deficiency as well.

In vitro osteoblast response to anodized titanium and anodized titanium followed by hydrothermal treatment

In this study, Titanium (Ti) surfaces were modified using anodization. The electrolyte used for anodization was a mixture of calcium glycerophosphate and calcium acetate. The anodized surfaces were divided into three groups. Hydrothermal treatments were performed on two of the anodized groups for either 2 or 4 h. In vitro osteoblast response to anodized oxide and the hydrothermal treated oxide after anodization was evaluated in this study. Calcium and phosphorus ions were deposited on the Ti oxide during anodization. Anodized surfaces following a 4-h hydrothermal treatment were observed to promote the growth apatite-like crystals as compared with anodized surfaces after a 2-h hydrothermal treatment. Cellular function and onset of mineralization, as indicated by protein production and osteocalcin production, respectively, also were observed as enhanced on hydrothermal-treated surfaces. It was thus concluded from this study that calcium phosphate and apatite-like crystals could be deposited on Ti surfaces using anodization and a combination of anodization and hydrothermal treatment. It was also concluded that the phenotypic expression of osteoblast was enhanced by the presence of calcium phosphate or apatite-like crystals on anodized or hydrothermally treated Ti surfaces.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide: players in innate and adaptive immunity

Recent reports identified and described neural pathways, both hard-wiring and soluble mediators, that control and adjust the peripheral immune response. Immune organs are innervated by fibers rich in neurotransmitters and neuropeptides released in inflammatory conditions. Here we focus on the immunomodulatory role of two peptides, the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP). VIP/PACAP are present and released from both innervation and immune cells, particularly Th2 cells, and immune cells express receptors for VIP/PACAP. VIP/PACAP have a general anti-inflammatory effect, both in innate and adaptive immunity. In innate immunity, VIP/PACAP inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines from macrophages, microglia and dendritic cells. In addition, VIP/PACAP reduce the expression of costimulatory molecules (particularly CD80 and CD86) on the antigen-presenting cells, and therefore reduce stimulation of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells. In terms of adaptive immunity, VIP/PACAP promote Th2-type responses, and reduce the pro-inflammatory Th1-type responses. Several of the molecular mechanisms involved in the inhibition of cytokine and chemokine expression, and in the preferential development and/or survival of Th2 effects, are discussed.

An examination of daily activities and their scripts across the adult lifespan

In two normative studies, we examined daily scripted activities from the perspective that scripts are frequency-based knowledge structures. In Study 1 individuals recorded their daily activities for 7 consecutive days. Fifteen activities that were reported with low, moderate, and high frequency were selected for Study 2, in which individuals generated a script for each activity. The 18 most frequently generated events from each script are reported, along with their centrality and distinctiveness rankings and the number of individuals reporting each event. Overall, the mean number of events generated increased with increasing script frequency, suggesting that script representations are subject to frequency effects. Also, we found a high level of consistency across the three age groups in the events generated in each script and in their corresponding rankings of centrality and distinctiveness. Finally, we found no evidence of age or gender bias in the frequency or recency of engaging in each of the scripted activities.

Effects of omapatrilat on blood pressure and insulin sensitivity in an animal model of insulin resistance

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of omapatrilat, fosinopril and placebo on blood pressure, plasma insulin, glucose and triglycerides concentrations in Zucker rats, a model for insulin resistance.

DESIGN

Double blind, parallel, prospective trial.

METHODS

Forty-two male obese Zucker (falfa) rats (aged 13-18 week) initially weighing 400-600 g were used for the experiments. Omapatrilat (n = 14), placebo (n = 14) or fosinopril (n = 14) were administrated once daily at 10 micromol/kg oral for 15 days. At baseline and at the end of the study, a tail-cuff blood pressure measurement was performed; an oral glucose tolerance test was done at the end of the study.

RESULTS

Omapatrilat and fosinopril resulted in significant lower systolic blood pressure compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001). This parameter was significantly lower in the omapatrilat group compared with fosinopril-treated rats (116+/-9 vs 125+/-4 mmHg, p < 0.05). After an overnight fast, there was no difference in the fasting glucose concentrations among treatment groups. The basal and post-glucose challenge insulin concentrations were lower in the omapatrilat group compared to the placebo group. No difference was observed in the fasting triglycerides concentrations between the treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to placebo and fosinopril treatment, omapatrilat results in lower arterial blood pressure in an animal model of insulin resistance. The results suggest that omapatrilat may have a positive effect on insulin sensitivity.

Epidermal growth factor receptor targeting of replication competent adenovirus enhances cytotoxicity in bladder cancer

PURPOSE

We evaluated the delivery and oncolytic potential of targeted replication competent adenoviruses in bladder cancer lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven established human bladder cancer tumor lines (5637, SW800, TCCsup, J82, Scaber, T24 and 253J) were studied for the expression of integrins alpha(v)beta3, alpha(v)beta5, Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule antigens using flow cytometry analysis. Bispecific single chain Fv fragments were used to target replication deficient luciferase reporter adenovirus to EGF-R (425-s11) or to epithelial cell adhesion molecule (C28-s11) antigens. Moreover, a fiber modified adenovirus targeting alpha(v)-integrins was studied. Replication competent serotype-5 adenoviruses attenuated to replicate specifically in retinoblastoma pRb (Ad5-d24) or p53 deficient (Ad5-d55K) cells were tested in vitro for oncolytic properties.

RESULTS

Low to absent Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor expression was found in 5 of the 7 tumor lines (SW800, J82, T24, 5637 and Scaber). EGF-R expression was found in all cell lines, whereas elevated epithelial cell adhesion molecule expression was seen in 3 (5637, Scaber and TCCsup), alpha(v)beta3-integrin was found in 1 (Scaber) and alpha(v)beta5-integrin was found in 3 (TCCsup, 253J and T24). EGF-R targeting using 425-s11 improved transgene expression in all cell lines from 2.1 to 12.5 times over nontargeted viruses. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule and integrin targeting was inferior to EGF-R targeting with a maximal increase in transgene expression of 2 times for epithelial cell adhesion molecule in 5637cells and 1.6 times for integrin targeting in T24 cells. Comparison of the wild-type replication competent virus with conditionally replicating adenoviruses (Ad5-d55K and Ad5-d24) showed superior oncolytic activity for the latter 2 in all lines. Furthermore, improved cytotoxicity (29% to 33%) was obtained in 4 of the 7 lines after pre-incubation of Ad5-d24 with 425-s11.

CONCLUSIONS

EGF-R directed bispecific single chain antibodies enhance adenovirus mediated transgene expression and oncolysis in bladder cancer lines.

Epidermal growth factor receptor targeting of replication competent adenovirus enhances cytotoxicity in bladder cancer

PURPOSE

We evaluated the delivery and oncolytic potential of targeted replication competent adenoviruses in bladder cancer lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven established human bladder cancer tumor lines (5637, SW800, TCCsup, J82, Scaber, T24 and 253J) were studied for the expression of integrins alpha(v)beta3, alpha(v)beta5, Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule antigens using flow cytometry analysis. Bispecific single chain Fv fragments were used to target replication deficient luciferase reporter adenovirus to EGF-R (425-s11) or to epithelial cell adhesion molecule (C28-s11) antigens. Moreover, a fiber modified adenovirus targeting alpha(v)-integrins was studied. Replication competent serotype-5 adenoviruses attenuated to replicate specifically in retinoblastoma pRb (Ad5-d24) or p53 deficient (Ad5-d55K) cells were tested in vitro for oncolytic properties.

RESULTS

Low to absent Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor expression was found in 5 of the 7 tumor lines (SW800, J82, T24, 5637 and Scaber). EGF-R expression was found in all cell lines, whereas elevated epithelial cell adhesion molecule expression was seen in 3 (5637, Scaber and TCCsup), alpha(v)beta3-integrin was found in 1 (Scaber) and alpha(v)beta5-integrin was found in 3 (TCCsup, 253J and T24). EGF-R targeting using 425-s11 improved transgene expression in all cell lines from 2.1 to 12.5 times over nontargeted viruses. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule and integrin targeting was inferior to EGF-R targeting with a maximal increase in transgene expression of 2 times for epithelial cell adhesion molecule in 5637cells and 1.6 times for integrin targeting in T24 cells. Comparison of the wild-type replication competent virus with conditionally replicating adenoviruses (Ad5-d55K and Ad5-d24) showed superior oncolytic activity for the latter 2 in all lines. Furthermore, improved cytotoxicity (29% to 33%) was obtained in 4 of the 7 lines after pre-incubation of Ad5-d24 with 425-s11.

CONCLUSIONS

EGF-R directed bispecific single chain antibodies enhance adenovirus mediated transgene expression and oncolysis in bladder cancer lines.

Detection of epithelial tumour RNA in the plasma of colon cancer patients is associated with advanced stages and circulating tumour cells

BACKGROUND

Although circulating tumour DNA has been detected in patients with different types of cancer, little is known of free RNA in cancer patients.

AIMS

We investigated the presence of RNA from epithelial tumours in plasma from patients with colorectal carcinomas, and its correlation with tumour characteristics and circulating tumour cells.

METHODS

beta-actin mRNA was analysed to assess the viability of plasma RNA in samples from 53 patients with colonic cancer and 25 controls. Subsequently, nested primers were used to detect the presence of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) RNA in the same samples. Nine clinicopathological parameters were studied to correlate the molecular and clinical parameters. Additionally, we investigated for micrometastases in blood in 18 of these patients and in 10 of the controls samples.

RESULTS

All samples had detectable quantities of beta-actin RNA. In the controls, one case (4%) was positive for CEA and five (20%) for CK19 RNA; of the 53 patients, 17 cases (32%) were positive for CEA and 39 (73.6%) for CK19 RNA. This was statistically significant (p=0.000001). Advanced stages (p=0.03) and soluble CEA status (p=0.03) were associated with the presence of CEA, CK19, or both RNAs in plasma. Lymph node metastases (p=0.06) and vascular invasion (p=0.07) were almost significant. On the basis of these results, we examined the possible presence of micrometastases in blood in several of these patients. The presence of plasma tumour RNA was found to be associated with circulating tumour cells in blood (p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Epithelial tumour RNA is detectable in plasma from colon cancer patients. This molecular event is associated with advanced stages and circulating tumour cells. Our results could offer new approaches in the diagnosis and monitoring of colon cancer.

[Cerebral cavernomas in childhood. clinical presentation and diagnosis]

INTRODUCTION

Intracranial vascular malformations are congenital lesions due to alterations in the development of the arteriolocapillary network. Traditionally they are divided into four types according to their histological characteristics: arteriovenous malformations, cavernous angiomas or cavernomas, venous angiomas and telangectasias. The cavernomas are multilobulated lesions which are clearly delimited and contain blood at different stages of evolution. Histologically they are composed of sinusoidal spaces lined by endothelium and closely interlinked, without intervening nervous tissue. They are usually found at a supratentorial level, and less frequently in the posterior fossa.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We made a retrospective review of the histories of 11 patients aged between 2 and 10 years, diagnosed as having intracranial cavernomas in which imaging techniques lead to the diagnosis of intracranial cavernoma. In two patients there were multiple cavernomas. We analysed the method of diagnosis and clinical features on presentation.

RESULTS

The clinical features were varied. In six patients the onset of the disorder was with epileptic seizures, three had progressive neurological deficits, one patient had headache and vomiting which progressed to coma and another had a history of non specific fainting and deficit. All but one of the cavernomas were supratentorial.

CONCLUSIONS

Cavernomas are a type of vascular malformation with specific histological features. The usual clinical features are convulsions and parenchymatous bleeding. They are generally supratentorial. The appearance of MR has permitted diagnosis of asymptomatic cavernomas and is currently considered to be the technique of choice for diagnosis.

The use of passive environmental TLDs in the operation of the Spanish early warning network 'REVIRA'

As required by different international agreements, the regulatory body in Spain (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear) implemented in 1992 a national automatic network (REVIRA) that continuously monitors radiation levels in order to give early warning of incidents having potential transboundary implications. The detector for environmental gamma-radiation dose rate is an active instrument based on a Geiger-Müller counter. However, the use of passive environmental dosemeters provides an additional low-cost dose estimate with an independent centralised calibration and even better basic features than active instruments. Since 1999, all 25 REVIRA stations have been monitored with passive TL environmental dosemeters based on LiF:Mg,Cu,P and operated according to the procedures established at Ciemat. This paper presents the obtained results and the further analysis considering differences in aspects such as photon energy response, inherent background or response to cosmic rays. The benefits of the use of passive environmental dosemeters in early warning networks are discussed.

Tyrosine residues in phospholipase Cgamma 2 essential for the enzyme function in B-cell signaling

Phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma) isoforms are regulated through activation of tyrosine kinase-linked receptors. The importance of growth factor-stimulated phosphorylation of specific tyrosine residues has been documented for PLCgamma1; however, despite the critical importance of PLCgamma2 in B-cell signal transduction, neither the tyrosine kinase(s) that directly phosphorylate PLCgamma2 nor the sites in PLCgamma2 that become phosphorylated after stimulation are known. By measuring the ability of human PLCgamma2 to restore calcium responses to the B-cell receptor stimulation or oxidative stress in a B-cell line (DT40) deficient in PLCgamma2, we have demonstrated that two tyrosine residues, Tyr(753) and Tyr(759), were important for the PLCgamma2 signaling function. Furthermore, the double mutation Y753F/Y759F in PLCgamma2 resulted in a loss of tyrosine phosphorylation in stimulated DT40 cells. Of the two kinases that previously have been proposed to phosphorylate PLCgamma2, Btk, and Syk, purified Btk had much greater ability to phosphorylate recombinant PLCgamma2 in vitro, whereas Syk efficiently phosphorylated adapter protein BLNK. Using purified proteins to analyze the formation of complexes, we suggest that function of Syk is to phosphorylate BLNK, providing binding sites for PLCgamma2. Further analysis of PLCgamma2 tyrosine residues phosphorylated by Btk and several kinases from the Src family has suggested multiple sites of phosphorylation and, in the context of a peptide incorporating residues Tyr(753) and Tyr(759), shown preferential phosphorylation of Tyr(753).

Spatio-temporal patterns of brain magnetic activity during a memory task in Alzheimer's disease

The brain magnetic activity patterns in a high load probe-letter (targets and distractors) memory task were examined in patients with Alzheimers's disease (AD) and elderly controls. Control subjects showed a higher number of activity sources over the temporal and parietal cortex between 400 and 700 ms after stimulus onset. However, AD patients showed a higher number of sources over the frontal motor areas, including Broca's and the insula. The number of activity sources on the left parietal areas in response to the target stimuli predicted the AD score oncognitive (MMSE, CAMCOG) and functional staging (FAST) scales. These results suggest that a high information load reveals a deficient functioning of phonological store and reduced task-related activity in temporal and parietal areas, manifesting in a rapid information trace decay. The increased levels of activity in motor areas may reflect a compensatory strategy in an attempt to facilitate rehearsal speed.

DNA methylation patterns in hereditary human cancers mimic sporadic tumorigenesis

Cancer cells have aberrant patterns of DNA methylation including hypermethylation of gene promoter CpG islands and global demethylation of the genome. Genes that cause familial cancer, as well as other genes, can be silenced by promoter hypermethylation in sporadic tumors, but the methylation of these genes in tumors from kindreds with inherited cancer syndromes has not been well characterized. Here, we examine CpG island methylation of 10 genes (hMLH1, BRCA1, APC, LKB1, CDH1, p16(INK4a), p14(ARF), MGMT, GSTP1 and RARbeta2) and 5-methylcytosine DNA content, in inherited (n = 342) and non-inherited (n = 215) breast and colorectal cancers. Our results show that singly retained alleles of germline mutated genes are never hypermethylated in inherited tumors. However, this epigenetic change is a frequent second "hit", associated with the wild-type copy of these genes in inherited tumors where both alleles are retained. Global hypomethylation was similar between sporadic and hereditary cases, but distinct differences existed in patterns of methylation at non-familial genes. This study demonstrates that hereditary cancers "mimic" the DNA methylation patterns present in the sporadic tumors.

Intrinsic resistance of Mycobacterium smegmatis to fluoroquinolones may be influenced by new pentapeptide protein MfpA

The fluoroquinolones (FQ) are used in the treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but the development of resistance could limit their effectiveness. FQ resistance (FQ(R)) is a multistep process involving alterations in the type II topoisomerases and perhaps in the regulation of efflux pumps, but several of the steps remain unidentified. Recombinant plasmid pGADIV was selected from a genomic library of wild-type (WT), FQ-sensitive M. smegmatis by its ability to confer low-level resistance to sparfloxacin (SPX). In WT M. smegmatis, pGADIV increased the MICs of ciprofloxacin (CIP) by fourfold and of SPX by eightfold, and in M. bovis BCG it increased the MICs of both CIP and SPX by fourfold. It had no effect on the accumulation of (14)C-labeled CIP or SPX. The open reading frame responsible for the increase in FQ(R), mfpA, encodes a putative protein belonging to the family of pentapeptides, in which almost every fifth amino acid is either leucine or phenylalanine. Very similar proteins are also present in M. tuberculosis and M. avium. The MICs of CIP and SPX were lower for an M. smegmatis mutant strain lacking an intact mfpA gene than for the WT strain, suggesting that, by some unknown mechanism, the gene product plays a role in determining the innate level of FQ(R) in M. smegmatis.

Correlates of participation and willingness to participate in anti-tobacco activities among 4th-7th graders

The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with participation and willingness to participate in anti-tobacco community activities in 4-7th grade students. A probability sample was drawn from seven regions in Florida (n = 1219). Telephone interviews assessed socioeconomic status, tobacco use, knowledge, and attitudes, and exposure to anti-tobacco school education and media campaigns. Factors related to both participation and willingness included: parental discussion of tobacco use, exposure to school courses with anti-tobacco curricula and a belief that youth could convince their friends to stop smoking. Additional participation correlates included: parental smoking status and student government activity participation. Additional willingness correlates included: exposure to anti-tobacco television campaigns, liking school, and several tobacco-related knowledge and attitudinal questions. These findings suggest that exposure to community-based tobacco control programs and family discussion of tobacco use is associated with regular participation and/or willingness of youth to participate in anti-tobacco activities.

A novel method for the determination of basal gene expression of tissue-specific promoters: an analysis of prostate-specific promoters

Because the toxicity of suicide gene therapeutics is directly related to basal promoter activity, we developed an assay to test for promoter "leakiness" using a diphtheria toxin mutant. Sequences of 15 prostate-specific gene promoter constructs were cloned in an expression plasmid (pBK; Stratagene, La Jolla, CA) backbone driving expression of an attenuated mutant of diphtheria toxin A (tox176). Low expression levels of the DT-tox176 result in significant protein synthesis inhibition reflected by a decreased expression of the luciferase activity of a simultaneously transfected CMV luciferase construct. ID50 (dose of plasmid with 50% luciferase inhibition) was calculated for each promoter construct in different cell lines. Highest transactivational activity (ID50 <75 ng) was found for the CMV promoter in all cell lines, which is in agreement with the dual luciferase assay findings. Unlike the dual luciferase findings, however, the DT-tox176 assay showed protein inhibition of CN65 (PSA promoter/enhancer) and PSE-hK2 (PSA enhancer and basal human kallikrein 2 promoter) in HEK293 and DLD cells indicating "leakiness" of these promoter constructs. Low basal promoter activity in nonprostate cell lines was found for the minimal PSA promoter, hK2, DD3, and OC promoters. The DT-tox176 assay can better predict basal promoter activity compared to less sensitive dual luciferase assay.

Pacemaker endocarditis: approach for lead extraction in endocarditis with large vegetations

We present the case of a patient with vegetations on a pacing lead from a pacemaker implanted 13 years previously. A new surgical technique for removal of infected leads was developed to avoid the increased risk of septic pulmonary embolism. The electrode with vegetations was removed without cardiopulmonary bypass using the direct surgical approach described.