Effects of estrogen and progestin on expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in a nude mouse model of endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

The study endeavored to observe the effects of estrogen and progestin on expression of matrixmetalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in a nude mouse model of endometriosis (EMT) and to explore the roles of MMP-2/TIMP-2 in the pathogenesis of EMT.

METHODS

Sixty nude mice were injected in the abdominopelvic cavity with human endometrial tissue and randomly divided into four hormone treatment groups (estrogen, progestin, estrogen+progestin, and saline control; n=15 per group). Implantation rates and gross morphological characteristics were assessed. Further, expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in ectopic endometrial lesions was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The overall implantation rate of endometrial samples was 87.5% (50/60) in injected nude mice. Although there was no statistically significant difference in implantation rates between groups, the number of lesions in the progestin group was higher than that in other groups, and the size of lesions in the progestin and estrogen+progestin groups was larger than in the estrogen and control groups (p < 0.05). Further, expression levels of MMP-2 in the estrogen and estrogen+progestin groups were higher than in the progestin and control groups (p < 0.05). In contrast, expression levels of TIMP-2 in estrogen, progestin, and estrogen+progestin groups were lower than in the control group; additionally, the expression level of TIMP-2 in the progestin group was lower than in the estrogen group (p < 0.05). Finally, the ratios of MMP-2/TIMP-2 expression in the estrogen, progestin, and estrogen+progestin groups were higher than for the control group; in fact, this ratio was highest in the estrogen+progestin group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The nude mouse is an appropriate model for early clinical studies of EMT, specifically in the detection of MMP-2 and TIMP-2. These proteins appear important in the pathogenesis of EMT. Specifically, estrogen can raise the expression level of MMP-2 to promote ectopic implantation of endometrial tissue. Meanwhile, progestin can inhibit the expression of TIMP-2 to raise the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio, which can enhance invasiveness of ectopic endometrium to promote implantation.

Improved glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by intra-islet inhibition of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B expression in rats fed a high-fat diet

BACKGROUND

Insulin resistance of pancreatic β-cell itself may be a potential link between systemic insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion in Type 2 diabetes. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) dephosphorylates tyrosine residues in insulin receptors (IR) and IR substrate (IRS) proteins, and thereby inhibits insulin signaling. Thus the impact of PTP1B expression on β-cell insulin pathway may affect insulin secretory function.

AIM

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of intra-islet inhibition of PTP1B expression on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and potential mechanisms in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty 10-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a regular diet (RD) or a HFD for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8th week, fasting glucose, fasting insulin concentration and lipid profile were measured and an oral glucose tolerance test was done after 12-h fast. Then islet isolation was performed for static incubation and perifusion. Recombinant adenoviruses containing siPTP1B (Ad-siPTP1B), or siControl (Ad-siControl) sequences were constructed using AdEasy™ system. Islets were transfected and then assigned to the Ad-siPTP1B group, the Ad-siControl group, and mock control group. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blot were used to evaluate the expression level of PTP1B. Western blot of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2) and glucokinsase were also done to investigate the β-cell glucose-sensing apparatus. Islets were incubated with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate containing 2.8 mmol/l glucose then 16.7 mmol/l glucose to evaluate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Islet perifusion was also performed to evaluate kinetics of insulin release in vitro.

RESULTS

HFD rats manifested modest glucose intolerance compared with RD group. And PTP1B expression in isolated islets of rats in the HFD group was higher than that of the RD group. GSIS was impaired in islets of HFD rats (2.3±0.5-fold as basal for HFD vs 8.1±1.3-fold for RD; p<0.05). Ad-siPTP1B treatment resulted in 73% decrease in PTP1B mRNA levels and 61% decrease in PTP1B protein compared with islets treated with Ad-siControl (p<0.05). Simultaneously, PTP1B inhibition resulted in 4.7±0.8-fold increase of GSIS from basal (vs 1.9±0.1-fold for Ad-siControl, p<0.05). Perifusion showed notable improvement of first-phase insulin secretion by AdsiPTP1B treatment. Significant decrease of both GLUT-2 (by 49.8%) and glucokinase (GCK, by 43.7%) were found in the HFD group when compared with the RD group, while up-regulation of both GLUT-2 (by 98%) and GCK (by 62%) was achieved after PTP1B inhibiton by Ad-siPTP1B.

CONCLUSIONS

Intra-islet PTP1B is an important physiological regulator of glucose-induced insulin release and the characteristics of PTP1B inhibitors in insulin secretion could make it a potential novel therapeutics for protection of β-cell secretory function in Type 2 diabetes.

Search for a vectorlike quark with charge 2/3 in t+Z events from pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

A search for pair-produced heavy vectorlike charge-2/3 quarks, T, in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV, is performed with the CMS detector at the LHC. Events consistent with the flavor-changing-neutral-current decay of a T quark to a top quark and a Z boson are selected by requiring two leptons from the Z-boson decay, as well as an additional isolated charged lepton. In a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.14  fb(-1), the number of observed events is found to be consistent with the standard model background prediction. Assuming a branching fraction of 100% for the decay T→tZ, a T quark with a mass less than 475  GeV/c(2) is excluded at the 95% confidence level.

The first identified case of pandemic H1N1 influenza in pigs in Australia

A 300-sow farrow-to-finish herd in New South Wales was infected with influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (H1N1/09) virus in July 2009 and became the first recorded case of influenza in pigs in Australia. The outbreak resulted from human-to-pig transmission. Clinical signs in affected pigs were mild compared with overseas reports of 'classical' swine influenza virus and included coughing and decreased appetite in a small proportion of non-lactating breeding stock, weaners, growers and finishers. A diagnosis of H1N1/09 influenza virus infection was confirmed using a combination of serology (haemagglutination inhibition, blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Attempts at virus isolation were unsuccessful. Results of a longitudinal study of pigs on this farm suggested that the virus continued to circulate for 9 weeks after the onset of infection, but was not present 6 months later. This report highlights the difficulties in preventing transmission of H1N1/09 influenza virus from infected humans to pigs during a human pandemic.

A SNP in steroid receptor coactivator-1 disrupts a GSK3β phosphorylation site and is associated with altered tamoxifen response in bone

The coregulator steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)-1 increases transcriptional activity of the estrogen receptor (ER) in a number of tissues including bone. Mice deficient in SRC-1 are osteopenic and display skeletal resistance to estrogen treatment. SRC-1 is also known to modulate effects of selective ER modulators like tamoxifen. We hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in SRC-1 may impact estrogen and/or tamoxifen action. Because the only nonsynonymous SNP in SRC-1 (rs1804645; P1272S) is located in an activation domain, it was examined for effects on estrogen and tamoxifen action. SRC-1 P1272S showed a decreased ability to coactivate ER compared with wild-type SRC-1 in multiple cell lines. Paradoxically, SRC-1 P1272S had an increased protein half-life. The Pro to Ser change disrupts a putative glycogen synthase 3 (GSK3)β phosphorylation site that was confirmed by in vitro kinase assays. Finally, knockdown of GSK3β increased SRC-1 protein levels, mimicking the loss of phosphorylation at P1272S. These findings are similar to the GSK3β-mediated phospho-ubiquitin clock previously described for the related coregulator SRC-3. To assess the potential clinical significance of this SNP, we examined whether there was an association between SRC-1 P1272S and selective ER modulators response in bone. SRC-1 P1272S was associated with a decrease in hip and lumbar bone mineral density in women receiving tamoxifen treatment, supporting our in vitro findings for decreased ER coactivation. In summary, we have identified a functional genetic variant of SRC-1 with decreased activity, resulting, at least in part, from the loss of a GSK3β phosphorylation site, which was also associated with decreased bone mineral density in tamoxifen-treated women.

P4-01-17: TIMP-1 Over-Expression Confers Resistance of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells to Fulvestrant

Background

Endocrine resistance represents a major challenge in the management of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. Currently no predictive biomarkers for endocrine resistance in ERpositive breast cancer patients are in clinical use.

In a clinical study, patients with metastatic breast cancer and high levels of serum Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) had less benefit from endocrine therapy than patients with a lower level of serum TIMP-1 [1].

Therefore, we evaluated the association between TIMP-1 and response to endocrine therapy using an in vitro approach.

We have previously presented initial results on TIMP-1 and response to endocrine therapy [2].

Materials and Methods: MCF-7 cells were stably transfected with pcDNA3.1(Hyg)-TIMP-1 plasmid, and a panel of 11 subclones with different expression levels of TIMP-1 was generated. TIMP-1 expression levels were confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Four subclones with high or low TIMP-1 expression were analyzed for the growth response to estrogen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen and fulvestrant. These four subclones were analyzed for protein expression by western blotting. All subclones were analyzed by whole human genome oligo microarrays 4×44K for determination of gene expression levels. Data were analyzed using the limma R/Bioconductor package. Paired-end Solexa sequencing was applied to selected subclones with high and low TIMP-1 levels to identify transcriptomic changes.

Results: High expression of TIMP-1 was associated with resistance to fulvestrant, whereas growth response to either estrogen or 4-hydroxytamoxifen was independent of TIMP-1 expression levels. High expression of TIMP-1 protein and mRNA was associated with undetectable levels of progesterone receptor (PgR) protein and mRNA whereas ER protein and mRNA levels were unaffected by TIMP-1. To characterize the potential role of TIMP-1 in estrogen signaling we analyzed the expression of reported estrogen-responsive genes and no general change was observed. We identified genes that correlated positively or negatively to TIMP-1 expression. Among the identified genes was PgR, which is a direct target for ER.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that a high expression of TIMP-1 in vitro is associated with resistance to fulvestrant but not to 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Estrogen-regulated genes are not generally affected by changes in TIMP-1 expression levels and therefore TIMP-1 appears to affect endocrine resistance through other mechanisms than globally regulating ER signaling. However, high expression of TIMP-1 is associated with loss of PgR and this may be related to the resistance towards fulvestrant.

References:

[1] Lipton, A et al: Serum TIMP-1 and Response to the Aromatase Inhibitor Letrozole Versus Tamoxifen in Metastatic Breast Cancer. J Clin Oncol; 2008; 26;(16); 2653–8

[2] Effect of TIMP-1 Overexpression on Endocrine Sensitivity of MCF-7 ER-positive Human Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro. Cancer Res; 2009; 69(24 suppl); abstract nr 2029

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-01-17.

P3-04-03: Identification of Hormone-Responsive Genes as Biomarkers for Menstrual Cycle Phases and Menopausal Status

Background

The definition and validation of biomarkers in archived breast tissue samples for prognostic research is limited by the fact that the exact menstrual cycle phases and menopausal status at the time of tissue sampling is often unknown or not accurate by patient survey. Biomarkers that vary with menstrual cycle phases in premenopausal women would be difficult to standardize. There are also significant differences in gene expression in pre- and post-menopausal women. Therefore, menstrual cycle fluctuation and menopausal status need to be considered for all candidate biomarkers as part of the validation process. The aim of this study is to identify genes responsive to different hormones to accurately define menstrual cycle phases and menopausal status.

Methods: We studied gene expression profiles of 18 random fine-needle aspirate (rFNA) samples from unaffected contralateral breast (8 pre-menopausal, mean age 44.5; 10 post-menopausal, mean age 58.8) and investigated the correlation between gene expression and serum hormone levels of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Genes that were highly correlated with the serum levels of each hormone (Pearson correlation coefficient r &gt; 0.60) were considered as specific hormone-responsive genes (P &lt; 0.0085). The combined gene profiles of hormone-responsive genes were used to dissect samples in different menstrual cycle phases and menopausal status. Selected genes related to mammary gland development and hormone regulation based on gene function and gene network analysis were validated using qRT-PCR in 18 original rFNA samples and in 28 independent samples.

Results: From 35,964 genes and 12,838 undesignated transcripts, we identified genes/transcripts highly correlated with E2 (1091 genes), P4 (127 genes) or FSH (58 genes). The most significantly correlated genes in each group were selected to define four panels of genes: Panel A-21genes stimulated by E2 (r &gt; 0.78); Panel B-22 genes stimulated by P4 (r &gt; 0.75); Panel C-7 genes stimulated by FSH (r &gt; 0.65); and Panel D-10 genes suppressed by FSH (r &lt; −0.65). Hierarchical clustering analysis using the combination of gene panels dissected the samples into four clusters based on three phases of menstrual cycles and post-menopausal status. Specifically, high panel C and low panel D expression segregated post- from pre-menopausal samples. Low expression of panel A and B genes dissected early follicular phase from late follicular and luteal phases, while higher expression of panel B genes discriminated luteal phase from late follicular samples.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that the menstrual cycle phases and menopausal status determined by age, patient survey and serum hormone concentrations are reflected in the expression of specific gene sets in the normal breast. The combination of hormone-responsive gene panels would allow the classification of breast samples regarding to the menstrual phases and menopausal status at the time of sampling. It would also facilitate the selection and validation of breast cancer biomarkers that are independent of menstrual cycle fluctuation and menopausal variation for clinical use.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-04-03.

P4-11-09: Polymorphisms Related to Steroid Hormone Concentrations in Nipple Aspirate Fluid (NAF)

Background

The steroid hormone concentrations in NAF are variable, and differ significantly from systemic levels. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes associated with the metabolism of estradiol (E2) to 4-hydroxyestradiol (CYP1B1) and a transporter of steroid sulfate uptake (SLCO2B1) may partially determine the steroid hormone level in NAF, and thereby contribute to breast cancer risk. We determined the relationship between SNPs of interest and the measured concentrations of sex steroids in NAF.

Methods: Blood samples of 263 women at high risk of breast cancer who produced NAF were extracted for gDNA, and 40 ng of gDNA was used to determine the presence of the selected SNPs or their wild type genes in all subjects by the Taqman Drug Metabolism genotyping assays (Applied Biosystems). The concentrations of six steroid hormones, estradiol(E2), estrone (E1), progesterone (P4), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A4), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), from NAF were measured by immunoassay procedures after extraction and purification by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography. Comparisons of NAF steroid hormone concentrations were made for the polymorphism and wild type groups using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney tests (significance p &lt; 0.05, two-tailed).

Results: 46% of the subjects carried the V432K polymorphism of CYP1B1 (rs 1056836, C&gt;G), and 45% of the subjects carried the S486F polymorphism of SLCO2B1 (rs 2851069, C&gt;T). All NAF hormone concentrations are represented as a median with the quartile range (25%, 75%). The NAF P4 levels of the V432K mutation carriers of CYP1B1 were significantly lower than those of subjects with the wild type alleles: 3.54(1.62, 8.79) ng/mL and 7.65(2.13, 27.77) ng/mL, respectively (p = 0.002). Those with the S486F polymorphism of SLCO2B1 had significantly higher E1 levels than the wild type subjects: 0.35(0.14, 1.12) ng/mL and 0.25(0.11, 0.59) ng/mL, respectively (p = 0.026) and significantly lower P4 levels: 3.77(1.71, 11.53) ng/mL and 6.65 (2.34, 22.24) ng/mL, respectively (p=0.021). In addition, we found that the women carrying both the V432K and S486F mutations had significantly lower P4 levels than the women carrying only the S486F mutation: 2.43(1.45, 6.67) ng/mL and 6.94(2.13, 26.64) ng/mL (p=0.013). No associations were found between the other hormones and these polymorphisms.

Conclusions: The anticipated effects of CYP1B1 in increasing clearance of E2 and E1 were not observed. Instead, NAF E1 concentrations were significantly increased. In subjects with the S486F polymorphism of SLCO2B1 the expected decrease in E1 and E2 in NAF was not observed; nor was the DHEA concentration decreased. These expectations were based on the reported lower activity of the S486F gene product. The decreased concentrations of NAF P4 associated with both polymorphisms are difficult to explain. Additional studies are required to understand the observed associations, but these findings raise the possibility that low P4 levels in NAF may be genetically determined, and suggest the hypothesis that this polymorphism may be related to a decreased risk of breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-11-09.

P5-13-20: TOP2A Amplification Have Associated with Response to Anthracycline-Based Preoperative Chemotherapy in Primary Breast Cancer

Background: Recent studies have suggested that HER2 gene amplification or overexpression have association with sensitivity of anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Preclinical studies found that TOP2A amplification or deletion only could be detected in HER2 amplification or over-expressive cases. And TOP2A protein is the target of anthracycline. In fact, the value of HER2 for predicting response to anthracycline-based chemotherapy in breast cancer may be more likely related to the concomitant amplification of the TOP2A gene. In this study we studied the association between TOP2A gene amplification and response to anthracycline-based preoperative chemotherapy. Methods: 309 early and local advanced breast cancer cases were enrolled in our study. HER2 proteins were qualitatively analysed by IHC, and TOP2A gene alterations were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in primary tumor core biopsies from all HER2 over expressive cases. The enrolled patients received an intense dose dense (IDD) (CE, Cyclophosphamide + Epirubicin) or conventionally (TE, Paclitaxel+Epirubicin) scheduled anthracycline- based preoperative chemotherapy. The tumor was evaluated every two cycles. Median time on study for 309 patients with follow-up was 38 months. Results: The pCR was 14.3%. HER2 overexpression was found in 80/309 (25.9%) breast cancer cases, of which 61/80 cases have been tested for TOP2A status. 19/80 cases have not been tested for TOP2A status because of lacking core biopsies tumor tissue after pathological diagnosis. HER2 overexpression was associated with a significantly higher pCR rate compared to HER2 lower expression (27.5% vs. 9.6%, P&lt;0.001). Further analysis was carried on and found the significantly higher pCR rate in TOP2A co-amplified cases compared to TOP2A deleted or normal cases (56.3% vs. 13.8%, P=0.001). HER2 overexpression was associated with a significantly higher pathologic complete response (pCR) rate only when TOP2A was co-amplified (56.3% vs. 9.6%, P&lt;0.001), but not when deleted or normal (13.8% vs. 9.6%, P=0.183), compared to HER2 lower expression tumors. The interaction between HER2 or TOP2A and anthracycline-based regiment was observed not only in IDD but conventionally scheduled preoperative chemotherapy. Discussion: Previous studies demonstrate that TOP2A gene amplification may define a subtype of HER2−positive breast cancer, This subtype of breast cancer may be highly sensitive to anthracycline-based chemotherapy, which may improve progression in HER2 and TOP2A co-amplification cases. Howerver, this viewpoint needs suppose from preoperative chemotherapy. Using RT-PCR to test TOP2A statue from 61 primary breast cancer tumor tissue, we demonstrate that TOP2A amplification breast cancer have highly sensitive to anthracycline-based preoperative chemotherapy. This finding suggests that TOP2A as a predictive marker in breast cancer should be included in future studies.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-13-20.

Viscosity-density sensor with resonant torsional paddle for direct detection in liquid

A novel micro-machined biosensor based on the resonant torsional paddle with electromagnetic excitation which can work in liquid directly is presented. The sensor designed consists of two paddles with resonant torsional mode, in which the energy loss of the resonator during the vibration is so lower that it can be suitable for detection in liquid. Finite element method analysis was carried out to guarantee the sensitivity of the sensor. Micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) bulk silicon processes were adopted to accomplish the fabrication. A positive-feedback circuit with energy compensation is designed to improve the characteristics of the sensor in liquid. Experiments show that the resonant torsional paddle can work directly in liquid and the Q-factor of the sensor in liquid can be improved from 2.65 to 40 with energy compensation. Viscosity tests and density tests for the sensor show that the decrease in frequency and the decrease in Q-factor are related to density and viscosity of the solutions, respectively.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone causes a tonic excitatory postsynaptic current and inhibits the phasic inspiratory inhibitory inputs in inspiratory-inhibited airway vagal preganglionic neurons

The airway vagal preganglionic neurons (AVPNs) in the external formation of the nucleus ambiguus (eNA), which include the inspiratory-activated AVPNs (IA-AVPNs) and inspiratory-inhibited AVPNs (II-AVPNs), predominate in the control of the trachea and bronchia. The AVPNs receive particularly dense inputs from terminals containing thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH microinjection into the nucleus ambiguus (NA) caused constriction of the tracheal smooth muscles. However, it is unknown whether TRH affects all subtypes of the AVPNs in the eNA, and as a result affects the control of all types of target tissues in the airway (smooth muscles, submucosal glands, and blood vessels). It is also unknown how TRH affects the AVPNs at neuronal and synaptic levels. In this study, the AVPNs in the eNA were retrogradely labeled from the extrathoracic trachea, the II-AVPNs were identified in rhythmically firing brainstem slices, and the effects of TRH were examined using patch-clamp. TRH (100 nmol L(-1)) enhanced both the rhythm and the intensity of the hypoglossal bursts, and caused a tonic excitatory inward current in the II-AVPNs at a holding voltage of -80 mV. The frequency of the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in the II-AVPNs, which showed no respiratory-related change in a respiratory cycle, was not significantly changed by TRH. At a holding voltage of -50 mV, the II-AVPNs showed both spontaneous and phasic inspiratory (outward) inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs). TRH had no effect on the spontaneous IPSCs but significantly attenuated the phasic inspiratory outward currents, in both the amplitude and area. After focal application of strychnine, an antagonist of glycine receptors, to the II-AVPNs, the spontaneous IPSCs were extremely scarce and the phasic inspiratory inhibitory currents were abolished; and further application of TRH had no effect on these currents. Under current clamp configuration, TRH caused a depolarization and increased the firing rate of the II-AVPNs during inspiratory intervals. These results demonstrate that TRH affects the II-AVPNs both postsynaptically via a direct excitatory current and presynaptically via attenuation of the phasic glycinergic synaptic inputs.

High glucose-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species in cultured astrocytes

Astrocyte activation plays important roles both in physiological and pathological process in the CNS. In the latter, the process is further aggravated by hyperglycemia, leading to diabetes complications of CNS. We report here that high glucose (HG) treatment stimulated astrocytic morphological alteration coupled with changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin expression. Additionally, HG upregulated the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); however, its effects on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) expression were not evident. HG treatment induced increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator transcription 3 (STAT 3). HG-induced expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-4, and VEGF was blocked by ROS scavenger and inhibitors specific for NF-κB and STAT 3, respectively. The results suggest that the aforementioned multiple inflammatory cytokines and mediators that may be linked to the pathogenesis of the diabetes complications of CNS are induced by HG via the key signaling pathways.

Horizontal gene transfer in herpesviruses identified by using support vector machine

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the probable origin of new genes. Identification of HGT-introduced genes would be helpful to the understanding of the genome evolution and the function prediction of new genes. In this study, a method using support vector machine (SVM) was used to distinguish horizontally transferred genes and non-horizontally transferred genes of mammalian herpesviruses based on the atypical composition identification, with accuracy higher than 95% within a reasonable length of time by using just a common PC. This identified 302 putative horizontally transferred genes, 171 genes being identified for the first time. Although most putative transferred genes are of unknown function, many genes have been discovered or predicted to encode glycoproteins or membrane proteins.

Azilsartan treatment improves insulin sensitivity in obese spontaneously hypertensive Koletsky rats

AIM

Hypertension often coexists with insulin resistance. However, most metabolic effects of the antihypertensive agents have been investigated in nomotensive animals, in which different conclusions may arise. We investigated the metabolic effects of the new angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker azilsartan using the obese Koletsky rats superimposed on the background of the spontaneously hypertensive rats.

METHODS

Male Koletsky rats were treated with azilsartan (2 mg/kg/day) over 3 weeks. Blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff. Blood biochemical and hormonal parameters were determined by enzymatic or ELISA methods. Gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

In Koletsky rats, azilsartan treatment lowered blood pressure, basal plasma insulin concentration and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index, and inhibited over-increase of plasma glucose and insulin concentrations during oral glucose tolerance test. These effects were accompanied by decreases in both food intake and body weight (BW) increase. Although two treatments showed the same effect on BW gain, insulin sensitivity was higher after azilsartan treatment than pair-feeding. Azilsartan neither affected plasma concentrations of triglyceride and free fatty acids, nor increased adipose mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and its target genes such as adiponectin, aP2. In addition, azilsartan downregulated 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show the insulin-sensitizing effect of azilsartan in obese Koletsky rats. This effect is independent of decreases in food intake and BW increase or of the activation of adipose PPARγ. Our findings indicate the possible usefulness of azilsartan in the treatment of metabolic syndrome.

Determination of InN/Diamond Heterojunction Band Offset by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Diamond is not only a free standing highly transparent window but also a promising carrier confinement layer for InN based devices, yet little is known of the band offsets in InN/diamond system. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to measure the energy discontinuity in the valence band offset (VBO) of InN/diamond heterostructure. The value of VBO was determined to be 0.39 ± 0.08 eV and a type-I heterojunction with a conduction band offset (CBO) of 4.42 ± 0.08 eV was obtained. The accurate determination of VBO and CBO is important for the application of III-N alloys based electronic devices.

The diagnostic accuracy of cervical biopsies in determining cervical lesions: an audit

OBJECTIVE

The present audit was carried out to assess the diagnostic accuracy of cervical punch biopsy during colposcopy in comparison with diagnosis from subsequent cone excision.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective analysis was performed by examining the histopathology reports for paired cervical punch biopsies and cervical cone excisions for cases reported from April 2004 to March 2005 (when cervical biopsies and cones were reported by general pathologists) and from January to December 2008 (when reporting by specialist gynaecological pathologists was instituted).

SAMPLE

150 women had both cervical punch and cone biopsies performed in the 2004-2005 period, while 149 women had both biopsies performed in 2008.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS

In 2004-5, the rate of consistent diagnosis was 68.7%, compared with 75.8% in 2008. This was due to a decrease in the rates of overdiagnosis (16.7% vs. 14.8%) and underdiagnosis (14.7% vs. 9.4%), which was statistically significant. The sensitivity rates for 2004-5 and 2008 were 87.5% and 89.7%, and the specificity rates for the same periods were 39.8% and 39.4% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This audit highlights the importance of planning patient management on the basis of co-ordinated information from smear results, history, colposcopy findings and cervical biopsies. The introduction of specialist gynaecological histopathology reporting has significantly improved the rates of consistent diagnosis.

Transformation of LRP gene into Brassica napus mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens to enhance lysine content in seeds

Lysine rich protein (LRP) gene derived from the seed of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus was transformed into Brassica napus, employing cotyledon petiole as explants and by using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404. Transformation efficiency was found to be closely related with phytohormone concentration, infection incubation, and co-cultured time. A medium containing 4 mg/l 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) and 0.3 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) was used for plant regeneration. With infection incubation of A. tumefaciens (OD600 = 0.4) for 20 min and co-culture of infected cotyledon petiole for 3 days, the highest transformation efficiency of 8.5% was obtained. To confirm LRP gene expression, PCR and Southern blot analysis were performed on leaf-isolated DNA from regenerated plants resistant to kanamycin. All transgenic plants of the generation T0 formed fertile seeds, which were sowed for the inheritance study of generational T1 and amino acid analysis. It was found that the lysine content of seeds from T1 generation increased by 16.7% compared with non-transgenic lines.

Search for supersymmetry at the LHC in events with jets and missing transverse energy

A search for events with jets and missing transverse energy is performed in a data sample of pp collisions collected at √s=7 TeV by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The analyzed data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.14 fb(-1). In this search, a kinematic variable α(T) is used as the main discriminator between events with genuine and misreconstructed missing transverse energy. No excess of events over the standard model expectation is found. Exclusion limits in the parameter space of the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model are set. In this model, squark masses below 1.1 TeV are excluded at 95% C.L. Gluino masses below 1.1 TeV are also ruled out at 95% C.L. for values of the universal scalar mass parameter below 500 GeV.