Overexpression of type-A rice response regulators, OsRR3 and OsRR5, results in lower sensitivity to cytokinins

Response regulators are part of a two-component regulatory system. The type-A Arabidopsis response regulators act as negative regulators. To understand the function of type-A response regulators in the model monocot plant, rice (Japonica cultivar-group: Zhonghua11), we overexpressed two type-A OsRR genes, OsRR3 and OsRR5 (pACT1:OsRR3 and pACT1:OsRR5). We hoped to gain insight into their molecular function in cytokinin-signaling pathways. Both OsRR3 and OsRR5 overexpressors had longer roots and more lateral roots compared with Zhonghua11, when treated with exogenous cytokinin. Using callus formation and chlorophyll content assays, we found that Zhonghua11 was more sensitive to cytokinin compared with other cultivars of rice, expressing high transcript levels of OsRR3 and OsRR5. The expression of most type-A OsRR genes was repressed by OsRR3 and OsRR5 overexpression. However, semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that three type-A OsRR genes showed increased expression. Our results suggest that both OsRR3 and OsRR5 mainly act as negative regulators of cytokinin signaling, as indicated by the reduced sensitivity of OsRR3 and OsRR5 overexpressors to exogenous cytokinins.

Intensive insulin therapy reduces the urinary intercellular adhesion molecule-1 excretion in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To observe the change of urinary intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) excretion in the patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to normal control group, and to investigate the effect and significance of insulin intensive therapy on the urinary ICAM-1 excretion.

METHOD

We examined the urinary ICAM-1 and creatinine (Cr) of random urine in 20 patients with T2DM and 20 normal subjects using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All diabetics were given intensive insulin therapy for 2 weeks, urinary ICAM- 1 and Cr was examined once again at the end of observation.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal control group, not only the fasting blood glucose (FBG), post-prandial 2-h blood glucose (P2hBG), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), but also the urinary ICAM-1 to urinary Cr ratio in patients with T2DM increased significantly (p<0.01). The urinary ICAM-1/urinary Cr ratio of diabetics had a positive correlation with FBG (r=0.51, p<0.01), P2hBG (r=0.496, p<0.01), and HbA1c (r=0.478, p<0.05), respectively. After 2 weeks of intensive insulin therapy in Type 2 diabetics, both the level of blood glucose and the level of urinary ICAM-1/urinary Cr ratio had a remarkable decrease compared with the basal values (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Intensive insulin therapy is capable of alleviating the enhanced local inflammation reaction of renal tissue under hyperglycemia state with the reduction of urinary ICAM-1 excretion.

Intensive insulin therapy decreases urinary MCP-1 and ICAM-1 excretions in incipient diabetic nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, intensive insulin treatment has been widely used in type 2 diabetics who have poor control of blood glucose, to reduce the risk of chronic complications of diabetes. Recently, some scholars have paid more attention to the pivotal role of inflammation involved in type 2 diabetes and its complications. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which are two important inflammatory chemokines, have been documented to participate in the onset and development of type 2 diabetes and its complications, such as diabetic nephropathy (DN).

DESIGN

In the current study, we recruited 30 type 2 diabetics with microalbuminuria to be treated with multiple insulin injections daily for 2 weeks. Random spot urine samples (corrected for creatinine-Cr) were collected for the examination of urinary MCP-1, ICAM-1 and albumin (Alb) levels before and after the intensive insulin therapy. Changes in their levels were observed to test the hypothesis that type 2 diabetes with microalbuminuria is associated with elevated urinary concentrations of MCP-1 and ICAM-1, and intensive insulin therapy can result in a decline of Alb by reducing the inflammatory reaction.

RESULTS

The urinary MCP-1/Cr and urinary ICAM-1/Cr ratios in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria were much higher than those in normal controls, and intensive insulin treatment could decrease significantly the urinary MCP-1/Cr, ICAM-1/Cr and Alb/Cr ratios in type 2 diabetics with microalbuminuria.

CONCLUSION

Intensive insulin treatment may protect against renal injury in early DN by reducing the urinary MCP-1 and ICAM-1 excretions.

Estimation of postfire nutrient loss in the Florida everglades

Postfire nutrient release into ecosystem via plant ash is critical to the understanding of fire impacts on the environment. Factors determining a postfire nutrient budget are prefire nutrient content in the combustible biomass, burn temperature, and the amount of combustible biomass. Our objective was to quantitatively describe the relationships between nutrient losses (or concentrations in ash) and burning temperature in laboratory controlled combustion and to further predict nutrient losses in field fire by applying predictive models established based on laboratory data. The percentage losses of total nitrogen (TN), total carbon (TC), and material mass showed a significant linear correlation with a slope close to 1, indicating that TN or TC loss occurred predominantly through volatilization during combustion. Data obtained in laboratory experiments suggest that the losses of TN, TC, as well as the ratio of ash total phosphorus (TP) concentration to leaf TP concentration have strong relationships with burning temperature and these relationships can be quantitatively described by nonlinear equations. The potential use of these nonlinear models relating nutrient loss (or concentration) to temperature in predicting nutrient concentrations in field ash appear to be promising. During a prescribed fire in the northern Everglades, 73.1% of TP was estimated to be retained in ash while 26.9% was lost to the atmosphere, agreeing well with the distribution of TP during previously reported wild fires. The use of predictive models would greatly reduce the cost associated with measuring field ash nutrient concentrations.

Effects of burn temperature on ash nutrient forms and availability from cattail (Typha domingensis) and sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) in the Florida Everglades

Plant ash derived from fire plays an important role in nutrient balance and cycling in ecosystems. Factors that determine the composition and availability of ash nutrients include fire intensity (burn temperature and duration), plant species, habitat nutrient enrichment, and leaf type (live or dead leaf). We used laboratory simulation methods to evaluate temperature effects on nutrient composition and metals in the residual ash of sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) and cattail (Typha domingensis), particularly on post-fire phosphorus (P) availability in plant ash. Live and dead leaf samples were collected from Water Conservation Area 2A in the northern Everglades along a soil P gradient, where prescribed fire may be used to accelerate recovery of this unique ecosystem. Significant decreases in total carbon and total nitrogen were detected with increasing fire temperature. Organic matter combustion was nearly complete at temperatures > or = 450 degrees C. HCl-extractable P (average, 50% of total P in the ash) and NH(4)Cl-extractable P (average, 33% of total P in the ash) were the predominant P fractions for laboratory-burned ash. Although a low-intensity fire could induce an elevation of P availability, an intense fire generally resulted in decreased water-soluble P. Significant differences in nutrient compositions were observed between species, habitat nutrient status, and leaf types. More labile inorganic P remained in sawgrass ash than in cattail ash; hence, sawgrass ash has a greater potential to release available P than cattail. Fire intensity affected plant ash nutrient composition, particularly P availability, and the effects varied with plant species and leaf type. Therefore, it is important to consider fire intensity and vegetation community when using a prescribed fire for ecosystem management.

Renoprotective effect of rosiglitazone through the suppression of renal intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of rosiglitazone on serum intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (SICAM-1) level, urinary excretion of ICAM-1, and renal expression of ICAM-1, and investigate its possible renoprotective mechanisms in diabetic rats.

METHOD

Twenty-four Wistar Rats were divided into 3 groups: non-diabetic control rats (group A, no.=8), streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (group B, no.=8), and diabetic rats treated with rosiglitazone (group C, no.=8). Rats in group C were treated with rosiglitazone (5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) 1 week after the establishment of diabetic model, group A and B were treated with corresponding sodium chloride. Peripheral blood glucose was tested weekly. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and SICAM-1 as well as urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), urinary retinol binding-protein (URBP) excretion rate, and urinary ICAM-1 (UICAM- 1) excretion rate were tested at the 8th week, and the renal tissues of all rats were obtained for evaluating kidney/body weight ratio, observing pathologic change via electron microscope, and for examining the expression of ICAM-1 mRNA by reverse transcriptase-PCR.

RESULTS

At the 8th week, the blood glucose, HbA1c levels, UAER, URBP excretion rate, kidney/body weight ratio and serum, urinary ICAM-1 levels all increased significantly in group B and group C in comparison with group A; however, the above-mentioned parameters in group C (except the blood glucose and HbA1c levels) were much lower than those in group B. In addition, both SICAM-1 and UICAM-1 were highly correlated with the UAER, URBP level, and kidney/body weight ratio in all rats; renal pathological lesions observed by electron microscope in group C were much lighter than those of group B; compared with group A, the expression of ICAM-1 mRNA was markedly up-regulated in group B and group C, and rosiglitazone was able to decrease the expression of ICAM-1 mRNA in the renal tissue.

CONCLUSION

Rosiglitazone could definitely protect against the renal injury of diabetic rats, which may be partly associated with decreasing the expression of ICAM-1 in the renal tissue, reducing ICAM-1 productions in both serum and urine.

The correlation between plasma fibrinogen levels and the clinical features of patients with ovarian carcinoma

Pre-operative plasma levels of fibrinogen, plasma prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time (TT) were retrospectively examined in 105 patients with ovarian carcinoma and 21 control patients with benign ovarian tumour. Plasma cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) levels, pathological type, age, body mass index and blood group were evaluated. The TTs of patients with stage III and stage IV ovarian carcinoma were significantly shorter than in controls. Levels of plasma fibrinogen in patients with stage III and IV ovarian carcinoma were higher than those in patients with stage I and II ovarian carcinoma and the controls. There was a positive relationship between levels of plasma CA-125 and plasma fibrinogen in patients with stage II malignancy. There were no significant differences between plasma fibrinogen levels in patients of different age, BMI, blood group and pathological type. Shorter TT was an indication of advanced stage ovarian carcinoma, and fibrinogen was associated with the peritoneal carcinomatosis of ovarian carcinoma.

Head and neck squamous cell cancer as part of the germline p16/INK4a mutation-induced FAMMM syndrome

6052

Background: p16/INK4a constitutes an important cancer susceptibility locus. Germline mutations at this locus have been implicated in several human cancer syndromes, including familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome, FAMMM-pancreatic cancer (FAMMM-PC) syndrome, and more recently, in familial head and neck cancer syndrome. Methods: We present an individual with a family history of both pancreatic cancer and melanoma, who developed squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue at 21 years old, multiple melanomas, a second squamous cell cancer of the tongue at 40 years old, and ultimately a pancreatic cancer. Results: We identify a germline mutation in INK4a that leads to a substitution of tryptophan for glycine in the Ankyrin III domain of the p16 protein (G101W). We demonstrate loss of heterozygosity at the INK4a locus and lack of p16 expression in the second head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) tissue. Based on these and on previously published data, we propose that HNSCC resulting from an INK4a germline mutation is a variant of the FAMMM/FAMMM-PC syndrome. Further studies will determine whether there is genotype-phenotype correlation between these syndrome variants. Conclusions: We conclude that young individuals who develop HNSCC should be considered at high-risk for other cancers, including pancreatic cancer and melanoma. They should be advised to avoid cigarette smoking and should be considered for pancreas cancer screening.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Rituximab in combination with CHOP chemotherapy for the treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma in Chinese patients

The objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of rituximab combined with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The study comprised a retrospective analysis of patients treated at a single center. Patients received four to six infusions of rituximab (375 mg/m(2) per dose) on day 1 of each cycle of CHOP chemotherapy. CHOP was initiated on day 3 of each cycle; cycles were repeated at 21-day intervals. A total of 82 patients with a median age of 45 years (range 18-76 years) was included. The overall response (OR) and complete response (CR) rates were 90.2 and 70.7%, respectively. The estimated 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 56.4 +/- 8.3% and 74.1 +/- 7.4%, respectively. Patients with International Prognostic Index (IPI) scores < or = 2 had significantly higher OR, CR, PFS, and OS rates (p = 0.01, p = 0.02, p = 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively) compared with patients with IPI scores >2. The hematologic toxicity was mild. Five patients with a history of chronic hepatitis B experienced a reactivation of viral hepatitis. The rituximab-CHOP combination was effective and well tolerated in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL.

Seasonality of selected surface water constituents in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida

Seasonality is often the major exogenous effect that must be compensated for or removed to discern trends in water quality. Our objective was to provide a methodological example of trend analysis using water quality data with seasonality. Selected water quality constituents from 1979 to 2004 at three monitoring stations in southern Florida were evaluated for seasonality. The seasonal patterns of flow-weighted and log-transformed concentrations were identified by applying side-by-side boxplots and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (p < 0.05). Seasonal and annual trends were determined by trend analysis (Seasonal Kendall or Tobit procedure) using the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Estimate TREND (ESTREND) program. Major water quality indicators (specific conductivity, turbidity, color, and chloride), except for turbidity at Station C24S49, exhibited significant seasonal patterns. Almost all nutrient species (NO(2)-N, NH(4)-N, total Kjeldahl N, PO(4)-P, and total P) had an identical seasonal pattern of concentrations significantly greater in the wet than in the dry season. Some water quality constituents were observed to exhibit significant annual or seasonal trends. In some cases, the overall annual trend was insignificant while opposing trends were present in different seasons. By evaluating seasonal trends separately from all data, constituents can be assessed providing a more accurate interpretation of water quality trends.

Repeated cannabinoid administration increases indices of noradrenergic activity in rats

The present study examined the impact of repeated administration of a synthetic cannabinoid agonist, WIN 55,212-2 on the coeruleo-cortical pathway, a circuit implicated in anxiety. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received repeated systemic injections of WIN 55,212-2 (3.0 mg/kg). A separate group of rats received repeated WIN 55,212-2 injections followed by a period of abstinence. Control animals received vehicle injections. Ninety minutes following the last injection on day 8, anxiety-related behavior was assessed using the elevated plus maze. The abstinent group was tested after another 8 days. Following behavioral testing, brain tissue was extracted from the locus coeruleus (LC) and probed for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression. In a separate group of animals, in vivo microdialysis was used to monitor extracellular norepinephrine efflux in the frontal cortex following repeated WIN 55,212-2 administration and following a period of abstinence. Repeated administration of WIN 55,212-2 evoked an anxiogenic-like response that was accompanied by an increase in TH protein expression in the LC. A similar neurochemical profile was observed using in vivo microdialysis where an augmented increase in cortical norepinephrine efflux was identified in response to a systemic injection of WIN 55,212-2 on day 8. Anxiety-like behavior, catecholamine synthesizing enzyme levels and NE efflux returned to control values after 8 days of abstinence. The present findings indicate that repeated administration of a synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist induces transient anxiety-like behaviors that correlate with increases in catecholamine synthesizing enzyme expression in the LC and augmented norepinephrine efflux in response to a challenge injection of WIN 55,212-2.

Analysis of amino acids and biogenic amines in biological tissues as their o-phthalaldehyde/ethanethiol/fluorenylmethyl chloroformate derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography. A deproteinization study

The extraction of ornithine, lysine, putrescine, cadaverine, 1,7-diaminoheptane, spermidine and spermine from biological tissues was optimized for HPLC quantitation as their o-phthalaldehyde/ethanethiol/fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (OPA/ET/FMOC) derivatives. In applying perchloric acid deproteinization two approaches have been followed: (i) deproteinization with subsequent neutralization by potassium hydroxide and lyophilization, and (ii) deproteinization without neutralization and lyophilization. Neutralization and lyophilization resulted in the loss of free biogenic amines. HPLC analysis of ornithine (Orn), lysine (Lys), putrescine (Put), cadaverine (Cad), 1,7-diaminoheptane (Dah), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) content of biological tissues as their OPA/ET/FMOC derivatives was performed in the supernatant of perchloric acid-deproteinized samples (model solutions and tissues) with an average reproducibility of < or =2.6% relative standard deviation (RSD), including recovery of sample treatment and chromatography.

Effects of electrokinetics and cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide [CTAB] on the hydrocarbon removal and retention from contaminated soils

Hydrocarbon contaminated soil and groundwater is considered to be a leading cause for increased health risk and environmental contamination. Therefore, an efficient technique is needed to retard the movement or enhance the removal of the contaminant depending on the remediation objective. The goals of this study were to evaluate the impact of the addition of a cationic surfactant on the movement of hydrocarbons within a contaminated clay soil subjected to electrokinetic treatment. Water-flushing and surfactant-flushing experiments were conducted on one-dimensional soil columns. The model diesel fuel was composed of a mixture of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes [BTEX] and three selected polycyclic hydrocarbons [PAHs]. In the water-flushing experiments, the application of an electrokinetic treatment was found to enhance the removal of PAHs from the clay columns by about 20%. In contrast, the application of an electrokinetic treatment, when coupled with cationic surfactant-flushing, retarded the movement of BTEX and the three selected PAHs in the clay columns. Hydraulic columns with surfactant (CTAB) removed 17% more naphthalene and 11% more 2-methylnaphthalene compared to columns subjected to electrokinetic treatment with CTAB. The flux through the electrokinetic columns during water flushing as well as surfactant flushing was higher than the flux due to hydraulic gradient alone. As the solubility of hydrocarbons increased, they moved farther with electrokinetic treatment without CTAB. However, with CTAB the electrokinetic treatment tends to retard the movement. Use of a cationic surfactant coupled with electrokinetic treatment was found to retard the movement of contaminants.