Observation of New Properties of Secondary Cosmic Rays Lithium, Beryllium, and Boron by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

We report on the observation of new properties of secondary cosmic rays Li, Be, and B measured in the rigidity (momentum per unit charge) range 1.9 GV to 3.3 TV with a total of 5.4×10^{6} nuclei collected by AMS during the first five years of operation aboard the International Space Station. The Li and B fluxes have an identical rigidity dependence above 7 GV and all three fluxes have an identical rigidity dependence above 30 GV with the Li/Be flux ratio of 2.0±0.1. The three fluxes deviate from a single power law above 200 GV in an identical way. This behavior of secondary cosmic rays has also been observed in the AMS measurement of primary cosmic rays He, C, and O but the rigidity dependences of primary cosmic rays and of secondary cosmic rays are distinctly different. In particular, above 200 GV, the secondary cosmic rays harden more than the primary cosmic rays.

Observation of the Identical Rigidity Dependence of He, C, and O Cosmic Rays at High Rigidities by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

We report the observation of new properties of primary cosmic rays He, C, and O measured in the rigidity (momentum/charge) range 2 GV to 3 TV with 90×10^{6} helium, 8.4×10^{6} carbon, and 7.0×10^{6} oxygen nuclei collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) during the first five years of operation. Above 60 GV, these three spectra have identical rigidity dependence. They all deviate from a single power law above 200 GV and harden in an identical way.

An Uncommon Shoulder Dislocation Presenting to the Emergency Department: Inferior Shoulder Dislocation

Three patients presenting to the emergency department with inferior shoulder dislocation were reviewed with respect to their clinical and radiological features, initial management and final results.

Interleukin-27 augments the inhibitory effects of sorafenib on bladder cancer cells

Both sorafenib and interleukin-27 (IL-27) are antineoplastic drugs. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of these two drugs on bladder cancer cells. HTB-9 and T24 cells were stimulated with IL-27 (50 ng/mL), sorafenib (2 μM) or the synergistic action of these two drugs. The cells without treatment acted as control. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion were measured by bromodeoxyuridine assay, flow cytometry and modified Boyden chamber, respectively. Simultaneously, both modified Boyden chamber and scratch assay were used to assess cell migration. Finally, the phosphorylation levels of key kinases in the Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 were detected by western blot analysis. Stimulation with IL-27 or sorafenib repressed proliferation, migration and invasion but promoted apoptosis, and the effects were all enhanced by the combination of these two drugs in HTB-9 cells. The effect of the combined treatment on bladder cancer cells was verified in T24 cells. Additionally, the phosphorylation levels of AKT, mTOR and MAPK as well as the expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were all decreased by a single treatment of IL-27 or sorafenib, and further decreased by the combined treatment of these two drugs. The combination of IL-27 and sorafenib inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis of bladder cancer cells compared with mono-drug treatment. Additionally, the AKT/mTOR/MAPK pathway might be implicated in the functional effects by down-regulations of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

Precision Measurement of the Boron to Carbon Flux Ratio in Cosmic Rays from 1.9 GV to 2.6 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

Knowledge of the rigidity dependence of the boron to carbon flux ratio (B/C) is important in understanding the propagation of cosmic rays. The precise measurement of the B/C ratio from 1.9 GV to 2.6 TV, based on 2.3 million boron and 8.3 million carbon nuclei collected by AMS during the first 5 years of operation, is presented. The detailed variation with rigidity of the B/C spectral index is reported for the first time. The B/C ratio does not show any significant structures in contrast to many cosmic ray models that require such structures at high rigidities. Remarkably, above 65 GV, the B/C ratio is well described by a single power law R^{Δ} with index Δ=-0.333±0.014(fit)±0.005(syst), in good agreement with the Kolmogorov theory of turbulence which predicts Δ=-1/3 asymptotically.

Antiproton Flux, Antiproton-to-Proton Flux Ratio, and Properties of Elementary Particle Fluxes in Primary Cosmic Rays Measured with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

A precision measurement by AMS of the antiproton flux and the antiproton-to-proton flux ratio in primary cosmic rays in the absolute rigidity range from 1 to 450 GV is presented based on 3.49×10^{5} antiproton events and 2.42×10^{9} proton events. The fluxes and flux ratios of charged elementary particles in cosmic rays are also presented. In the absolute rigidity range ∼60 to ∼500  GV, the antiproton p[over ¯], proton p, and positron e^{+} fluxes are found to have nearly identical rigidity dependence and the electron e^{-} flux exhibits a different rigidity dependence. Below 60 GV, the (p[over ¯]/p), (p[over ¯]/e^{+}), and (p/e^{+}) flux ratios each reaches a maximum. From ∼60 to ∼500  GV, the (p[over ¯]/p), (p[over ¯]/e^{+}), and (p/e^{+}) flux ratios show no rigidity dependence. These are new observations of the properties of elementary particles in the cosmos.

Direct growth of Ge quantum dots on a graphene/SiO2/Si structure using ion beam sputtering deposition

The growth of Ge quantum dots (QDs) using the ion beam sputtering deposition technique has been successfully conducted directly on single-layer graphene supported by SiO2/Si substrate. The results show that the morphology and size of Ge QDs on graphene can be modulated by tuning the Ge coverage. Charge transfer behavior, i.e. doping effect in graphene has been demonstrated at the interface of Ge/graphene. Compared with that of traditional Ge dots grown on Si substrate, the positions of both corresponding photoluminescence (PL) peaks of Ge QDs/graphene hybrid structure undergo a large red-shift, which can probably be attributed to the lack of atomic intermixing and the existence of surface states in this hybrid material. According to first-principles calculations, the Ge growth on the graphene should follow the so-called Volmer-Weber mode instead of the Stranski-Krastanow one which is observed generally in the traditional Ge QDs/Si system. The calculations also suggest that the interaction between Ge and graphene layer can be enhanced with the decrease of the Ge coverage. Our results may supply a prototype for fabricating novel optoelectronic devices based on a QDs/graphene hybrid nanostructure.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus delays apoptotic responses via activation of STAT3

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus continues to pose pandemic threat, but there is a lack of understanding of its pathogenesis. We compared the apoptotic responses triggered by HPAI H5N1 and low pathogenic H1N1 viruses using physiologically relevant respiratory epithelial cells. We demonstrated that H5N1 viruses delayed apoptosis in primary human bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) compared to H1N1 virus. Both caspase-8 and -9 were activated by H5N1 and H1N1 viruses in AECs, while H5N1 differentially up-regulated TRAIL. H5N1-induced apoptosis was reduced by TRAIL receptor silencing. More importantly, STAT3 knock-down increased apoptosis by H5N1 infection suggesting that H5N1 virus delays apoptosis through activation of STAT3. Taken together, we demonstrate that STAT3 is involved in H5N1-delayed apoptosis compared to H1N1. Since delay in apoptosis prolongs the duration of virus replication and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and TRAIL from H5N1-infected cells, which contribute to orchestrate cytokine storm and tissue damage, our results suggest that STAT3 may play a previously unsuspected role in H5N1 pathogenesis.

[Early immune reconstitution after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

OBJECTIVE

To search for differences in early immune reconstitution after allogenic or autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

METHODS

The peripheral blood (PB) from 31 adult patients undergoing allogenic HSCT (allo-HSCT, 15 patients) or autologous HSCT (auto-HSCT, 16 patients) for the treatment of hematological malignancies and from 20 related healthy controls (HC) from December 2011 to August 2014 was used to analyze the kinetic recovery of lymphocyte subsets by means of flow cytometry during 12 months after HSCT. The T cell receptor rearrangement excision circle (TREC) levels among CD3(+) T cells were measured in the patients and HC to evaluate the thymic-dependent T cell reconstitution.

RESULTS

The allo- and auto-HSCT recipients did not differ significantly in CD4(+) T cells, CD8 naive T cells, effecter memory T cells (TEM), CD4 central memory T cells (TCM), mid-activated T cells and dendritic cells (DC)during the follow-up (P>0.05). But they both differed significantly from HC (P<0.05). CD8(+) T cells and NK cells reconstructed rapidly. There was no significant difference in the numbers of B cells between the allo- and auto-HSCT groups from M1 to M3 (P>0.05). B cells in both the groups were lower than those in HC (P<0.05). The recovery of B cells in auto-HSCT group was faster than in allo-HSCT group at M6 and M12 (P<0.05). The frequencies of CD4 naive T cells and later activated T cells in allo-HSCT group were significantly higher than in auto-HSCT group at M6 and M12 (P<0.05). The frequencies of CD8 TCM in auto-HSCT group were significantly higher than in allo-HSCT group at M6 and M12 (P<0.05). The TREC levels were significantly lower than in both the groups compared with the age-matched HC during the follow-up (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between allo-HSCT and auto-HSCT groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The differences of the nature and the speed of lymphocyte reconstitution observed between the two patents groups were minor. This leads us to conclude that in allografted patients, immune reconstitution and subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes are probably not related to the allogenicity of the graft, but due to the impaired thymus functions and slow differentiation of T lymphocytes in thymus.

Macrophage proinflammatory response to the titanium alloy equipment in dental implantation

Titanium alloy and stainless steel (SS) had been widely used as dental implant materials because of their affinity with epithelial tissue and connective tissue, and good physical, chemical, biological, mechanical properties and processability. We compared the effects of titanium alloy and SS on macrophage cytokine expression as well as their biocompatibility. Mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells were cultured on titanium alloy and SS surfaces. Cells were counted by scanning electron microscopy. A nitride oxide kit was used to detect released nitric oxide by macrophages on the different materials. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels. Scanning electron microscopy revealed fewer macrophages on the surface of titanium alloy (48.2 ± 6.4 x 10(3) cells/cm(2)) than on SS (135 ± 7.3 x 10(3) cells/cm(2)). The nitric oxide content stimulated by titanium alloy was 22.5 mM, which was lower than that stimulated by SS (26.8 mM), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.07). The level of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 released was significantly higher in the SS group (OD value = 0.128) than in the titanium alloy group (OD value = 0.081) (P = 0.024). The transforming growth factor-b1 mRNA expression levels in macrophages after stimulation by titanium alloy for 12 and 36 h were significantly higher than that after stimulation by SS (P = 0.31 and 0.25, respectively). Macrophages participate in the inflammatory response by regulating cytokines such as nitric oxide, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and transforming growth factor-b1. There were fewer macrophages and lower inflammation on the titanium alloy surface than on the SS surface. Titanium alloy materials exhibited better biological compatibility than did SS.

Pathological analysis of extracapsular extension of metastatic lymph node and its potential impact on nodal clinical target volume in the radiotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

There is no consensus regarding the clinical target volume (CTV) margins which surround the gross tumor volume of metastatic lymph nodes (LN) in radiotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study retrospectively assessed the distance of extracapsular extension (ECE) of metastatic LN in thoracic ESCC and defined nodal CTV margins. Histological sections of metastatic LNs from 217 patients with thoracic ESCC were re-examined. The incidence and maximal distance of ECE of metastatic LNs were assessed. The relationships between ECE and clinicopathologic features were also investigated. The ECE was found in 37.3% of patients (81/217) and 23.1% of metastatic LN (159/689), and the incidences had a significant relationship with N stage and LN size. The median distance of ECE was 1.0 mm (range, 0.2-9.7 mm). The distance of ECE showed a positive correlation with LN size (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.419; p<0.001). The ECE distances of LN with <10 mm diameter were significantly smaller than LN with 10-30 mm diameter (p<0.001). The 95th percentiles of ECE distances for these two groups were 3 mm and 5 mm, respectively. For pathologic LN <10 mm in diameter, a 3-mm CTV margin appears to be adequate to encompass 95% of the microscopic ECE, and for LN 10-30 mm, a 5-mm CTV margin is recommended.

Anti-tumor efficacy of a recombinant human arginase in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered as auxotrophic for arginine and BCT-100, a new recombinant human arginase, has been synthesized for arginine deprivation to inhibit arginine-dependent tumor growth. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of BCT-100 on the inhibition of in vitro cell proliferation of HCC cell lines and in vivo tumor growth. The molecular mechanism involved was also studied. The anti-tumor efficacy of BCT-100 on cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution and cellular apoptosis were determined in human hepatoma HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5 cells. Protein expression in the Wnt/β-catenin and Akt signaling pathways were analyzed by western blotting. Tumors were also established subcutaneously and BCT-100, in combination with oxaliplatin, was administrated i.p. to study the anti-tumor growth of the drugs. Treatment with BCT-100 was found to inhibit cell proliferation and enhance caspasedependent cellular apoptosis. Cell cycle arrest at S phase was observed. Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin and Akt signaling pathways, with a reduction in survivin and XIAP protein expressions, were also observed. Furthermore, combined treatment of BCT-100 and chemotherapy with oxaliplatin demonstrated synergistic inhibiting effect on tumor growth and the overall survival probability was enhanced as compared with BCT-100 or oxaliplatin treatment alone. These preclinical data demonstrate robust anti-tumor activity of BCT100 in HCC, thus providing the basis for its exploitation as a potential therapeutic agent in arginine-driven tumors. The positive effect of testing BCT100 with oxaliplatin in PLC/PRF/5 tumours also supports the rationale of combining BCT-100 and oxaliplatin in the clinical treatment of HCC.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in NOS2A and NOS3 genes are not associated with treatment response of non-small cell lung cancer patients following the definitive radiochemotherapy

Nitric oxide (NO), is endogenously synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), exhibits a dual role in sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy of cancer cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of polymorphisms in NOS genes on treatment response of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients after radiochemotherapy. A cohort of 198 NSCLC patients treated with radiochemotherapy between 2009 and 2011 were included in this study. Genotyping analyses of 35 SNPs ( NOS2A, 21 and NOS3, 14) in each sample were conducted by using the Sequenom MassArray system. Unconditional logistic regression was performed to assess the association between treatment response and each genotype while adjusting or not for other covariates. Of 198 patients, 87 (43.9%) had objective responses, and 111(56.1%) did not respond. We observed no significant associations between treatment response and each genotype. While adjusting for other covariates, the associations were also not significant. Our results suggest that genetic variations within the NOS2A and NOS3 genes may not influence the treatment response in NSCLC patients with radiochemotherapy. Future studies in this problem are required to confirm our findings.

Alterations in the mortality and growth cycle of cervical cancer cells treated with electroporation at different electric strengths

OBJECTIVE

To explore the biological effects of electric fields of various strengths on Hela cells.

METHODS

Electroporation experiments were performed using Hela cells. Changes in cell mortality, cell vitality, cell cycle, and apoptosis status were examined. In addition, temperature changes in the surrounding tissue were measured.

RESULTS

Cell proliferation was markedly inhibited after treatment with field strengths of 2-2.5 kV/cm. The expression of caspase-3 increased significantly in cells treated with field strengths of 1.5-2.5 kV/cm. Field strengths of 1.75-2.5 kV/cm produced complete cancer cell ablation. G2 phase frequency increased significantly after treatment with field strengths of 2-2.5 kV/cm. During this process, the maximum temperature increase in the pulsed electric field was 4.9 -/+ 1.17 degrees C under free air convection.

CONCLUSIONS

IRE can be used alone for the treatment of cancer, and its thermal effect is negligible. Cell death was caused by the effects of IRE and apoptosis. The tumor cells must be destroyed completely, or the altered cell cycle may lead to tumor recurrence and accelerated growth.

Immobilization of horseradish peroxidase on silane-modified ceramics and their properties: potential for oily wastewater treatment

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is proved being effective in eliminating oil from aqueous solutions, but the elimination is expensive because free HRP can not be reused. In present work, HRP was successfully immobilized on cordierite porous ceramics support with a novel method of N-beta-aminoethyl-gamma-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane modification and glutaraldehyde activation. Under the optimized immobilized conditions, the actual immobilized HRP was 1.16 mg/g support, the activity of the immobilized HRP could reach as high as 1379.4 U/g support. Experiment results showed that the properties of storage stability, acid-base stability and the tolerance to the pH fluctuation of the immobilized HRP were better than those of the free HRP. The operation stability of the immobilized HRP was also good. The immobilized HRP is suitable for the oily wastewater treatment because of its reusability proved in this work.

Bilateral femoral nerve compression and compartment syndrome resulting from influenza A-induced rhabdomyolysis: a case report

Bilateral femoral nerve compression neuropathy caused by primary iliopsoas muscle pathology is rare. We report a case of extensive compartment syndrome of the right arm and both legs associated with bilateral femoral nerve palsy resulting from severe muscle swelling secondary to influenza A infection. Our objective is to alert physicians to the possible development of compartment syndrome in patients with influenza and severe myalgia. We also reviewed the literature on the pathophysiology and management of femoral nerve compression neuropathy.

Maturation of dendritic cells by necrotic thyrocytes facilitates induction of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis

Dendritic cell (DC) maturation is required for efficient presentation of autoantigens leading to autoimmunity. In this report, we have examined whether release of tissue antigens from necrotic thyroid epithelial cells can trigger DC maturation and initiation of a primary anti-self response. DC were cocultured with either viable (VT/DC) or necrotic (NT/DC) thyrocytes, and their phenotypic and functional maturation as well as immunopathogenic potential were assessed. Significant up-regulation of surface MHC class II and costimulatory molecule expression was observed in NT/DC but not in VT/DC. This was correlated with a functional maturation of NT/DC, determined by IL-12 secretion. Challenge of CBA/J mice with NT/DC, but not with VT/DC, elicited thyroglobulin (Tg)-specific IgG as well as Tg-specific CD4(+) T-cell responses and led to development of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis. These results support the view that thyroid epithelial cell necrosis may cause autoimmune thyroiditis via maturation of intrathyroidal DC.

Effects of mushroom and herb polysaccharides, as alternatives for an antibiotic, on growth performance of broilers

(1) This in vivo trial was conducted to study the effects of polysaccharide extracts of two mushrooms, Lentinus edodes (LenE) and Tremella fuciformis (TreE), and a herb, Astragalus membranaceus (AstE) on growth performance, and the weights of organs and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of broiler chickens. (2) Three extracts (LenE, TreE and AstE) were supplemented at inclusion rates of 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g/kg from 7 to 14 d of age and compared with an antibiotic treatment group (20 mg/kg, virginiamycin (VRG) as well as a group of non-supplemented birds. (3) Body weight (BW) gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the extract-supplemented groups were not significantly different from those of the antibiotic group. Significant effects of type of extract and concentration on growth performance were found from 7 to 28 d of age. Generally, birds fed with LenE showed higher BW gain and lower FCR from 7 to 28 d of age than those fed with TreE and AstE and 2 g/kg LenE was considered the optimal inclusion rate for enhanced broiler growth. However, the extracts had no significant effect on the relative weights of organs and GIT compared with the antibiotic group. (4) The birds fed the extracts showed better growth performance than the non-supplemented birds, but were not significantly different from those fed VRG. Of the three extracts, LenE appeared to be a potential growth promoter. Future studies are needed to investigate whether the extracts can be used as alternatives for antibiotic growth promoters in challenged birds, and to elucidate the mechanisms for potentially enhanced growth performance in poultry.

Effects of mushroom and herb polysaccharides, as alternatives for an antibiotic, on the cecal microbial ecosystem in broiler chickens

An in vivo experiment was conducted to study the potential prebiotic effects of mushroom and herb polysaccharide extracts, Lentinus edodes extract (LenE), Tremella fuciformis extract, and Astragalus membranaceus Radix extract, on chicken growth and the cecal microbial ecosystem, as compared with the antibiotic Apramycin (APR). This investigation was carried out in terms of a dose-response study. The chickens were naturally infected with avian Mycoplasma gallisepticum prior to the experiment. The BW gain, cecal pH, viscosity, and predominant microbial populations were measured 1 wk after the extract and APR treatments. The extracts and APR significantly stimulated growth of the chickens infected with avian Mycoplasma gallisepticum. The average BW gain of the groups fed with the extracts was significantly lower than that of the antibiotic group. The extracts had no significant effect on cecal pH. However, cecal viscosity and microbial populations were significantly affected by feeding extracts and antibiotic. In contrast to APR, the extracts stimulated the number of the potentially beneficial bacteria (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli), while reducing the number of the potentially harmful bacteria (Bacteroides spp. and Escherichia coli). Of the 3 extracts, LenE was associated with the most cecal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. With each increase in the LenE dose, birds tended to have higher BW gain and total aerobe and anaerobe counts. Numbers of predominant cecal bacteria, in particular, E. coli, bifidobacteria, and lactobacilli, were significantly increased with increases in the LenE dose. It would seem that these specific mushroom and herb polysaccharide extracts hold some promise as potential modifiers of intestinal microbiota in diseased chickens.

Chronic ethanol consumption induces gene expression of pancreatic monitor peptide, but not SPINK1/PSTI-56, in rats

The primary factors that predispose humans to the development of alcoholic pancreatitis are unknown. One of the earliest observations in humans in whom this disease develops is pancreatic hypersecretion caused by unknown mechanisms. Messenger RNA (mRNA) differential display was performed in a rat model to investigate the molecular mechanisms associated with ethanol-induced pancreatic hypersecretion. Male Wistar rats were pair-fed Lieber-DeCarli diets with or without ethanol for 7 days or 4 weeks. Total RNA was extracted from the pancreas and its neurohormonal control sites. Differentially expressed complementary DNA (cDNA) tags were isolated, cloned, and sequenced. One 248-bp cDNA was consistently and strongly induced in the pancreata of rats fed ethanol for 4 weeks. The sequence was highly homologous to both rat pancreatic monitor peptide (MP) and pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI-56), also known as serine protease inhibitor, Kazal type 1 (SPINK1). Confirmatory reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that PSTI-56 expression remained unchanged, whereas MP mRNA levels were elevated more than four times in the pancreata of ethanol-fed rats. These results indicate that long-term ethanol ingestion increases MP mRNA levels in the rat pancreas. Because MP stimulates cholecystokinin release and cholecystokinin is an important stimulant of pancreatic secretion, the enhanced MP gene expression may contribute to pancreatic hypersecretion.

Rat mitochondrial ATP synthase ATP5G3: cloning and upregulation in pancreas after chronic ethanol feeding

Individuals with chronic excessive alcohol ingestion are put at the risk of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Differential gene expression in the pancreas was profiled using mRNA differential display by comparison between control and ethanol-consuming rats. Male Wistar rats were fed with diets containing 6.7% (vol/vol) ethanol for 4 wk. A cDNA tag that was overexpressed in the pancreas of rats fed ethanol was isolated. A 723-bp cDNA was cloned from a rat pancreatic cDNA library, which encodes a novel rat mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit 9, isoform 3 (ATP5G3), which is homologous to a human ATP5G3 gene. Real-time PCR demonstrated that all three nuclear gene isoforms (ATP5G1, ATP5G2, and ATP5G3) were consistently upregulated in the pancreas of alcohol-consuming rats, parallel with mitochondrial injury. The cellular response to mitochondrial damage and metabolic stress may reflect an adaptive process for mitochondrial repair in pancreatic acinar cells during chronic ethanol ingestion.

Assessment of the role of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor in the activation of transient receptor potential channels and store-operated Ca2+ entry channels

The mechanism for coupling between Ca(2+) stores and store-operated channels (SOCs) is an important but unresolved question. Although SOCs have not been molecularly identified, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels share a number of operational parameters with SOCs. The question of whether activation of SOCs and TRP channels is mediated by the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP(3)R) was examined using the permeant InsP(3)R antagonist, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) in both mammalian and invertebrate systems. In HEK293 cells stably transfected with human TRPC3 channels, the actions of 2-APB to block carbachol-induced InsP(3)R-mediated store release and carbachol-induced Sr(2+) entry through TRPC3 channels were both reversed at high agonist levels, suggesting InsP(3)Rs mediate TRPC3 activation. However, electroretinogram recordings of the light-induced current in Drosophila revealed that the TRP channel-mediated responses in wild-type as well as trp and trpl mutant flies were all inhibited by 2-APB. This action of 2-APB is likely InsP(3)R-independent since InsP(3)Rs are dispensable for the light response. We used triple InsP(3)R knockout DT40 chicken B-cells to further assess the role of InsP(3)Rs in SOC activation. (45)Ca(2+) flux analysis revealed that although DT40 wild-type cells retained normal InsP(3)Rs mediating 2-APB-sensitive Ca(2+) release, the DT40InsP(3)R-k/o cells were devoid of functional InsP(3)Rs. Using intact cells, all parameters of Ca(2+) store function and SOC activation were identical in DT40wt and DT40InsP(3)R-k/o cells. Moreover, in both cell lines SOC activation was completely blocked by 2-APB, and the kinetics of action of 2-APB on SOCs (time dependence and IC(50)) were identical. The results indicate that (a) the action of 2-APB on Ca(2+) entry is not mediated by the InsP(3)R and (b) the effects of 2-APB provide evidence for an important similarity in the function of invertebrate TRP channels, mammalian TRP channels, and mammalian store-operated channels.