Contribution of magnetic resonance imaging to prenatal differential diagnosis of renal tumors: report of two cases and review of the literature

Enlargement of a kidney on prenatal imaging is usually due to hydronephrosis or cystic renal disease, and much less often results from solid tumors such as mesoblastic nephroma, Wilms' tumor, nephroblastomatosis, renal sarcoma, and angiomyolipoma. All can be diagnosed by ultrasound. Magnetic resonance imaging is useful not only in confirming the presence of a renal mass, but also in the evaluation of the contralateral kidney for subtle abnormalities. We present one case each of Wilms' tumor and mesoblastic nephroma, both detected on antenatal ultrasound and further studied with fetal magnetic resonance imaging.

Skeletal phenotype of mice with a null mutation in Cav 1.3 L-type calcium channel

This study aimed to understand the role of Cav1.3, one of the four L-type voltage sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) alpha(1) subunits, in the skeletal response to mechanical loading and intermittent PTH treatment. The Cav1.3 mRNA is expressed in osteoblasts. The Cav1.3 mRNA level in male wild type mice is higher than those in female. Loss of Cav1.3 resulted in a smaller skeleton in male mice as indicated by significantly lower body weight, less bone mineral content and smaller cross-sectional area of femoral midshaft. However, the osteogenic response to mechanical loading of the ulna was normal in Cav1.3(-/-) compared to the normal control mice. Male mice Cav1.3(-/-) were then treated daily with PTH at a dose of 40 microg/kg. A 6-week course of intermittent PTH treatment enhanced bone mineral content and mechanical strength equally in wild type control and Cav1.3 null mice. We also found that Cav1.2 subunit significantly increases in the absence of Cav1.3 gene. In conclusion, Cav1.3 is involved in bone metabolism, especially in male mice. Cav1.3 does not mediate osteoblast response to mechanical loading and PTH. Our data suggest that Cav1.1 and Cav1.2 subunits may substitute for Cav1.3 to maintain bone response to mechanical loading.

Jak/STAT signaling is involved in the inflammatory infiltration of the kidneys in MRL/lpr mice

Cytokines are known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN) and the Jak/STAT (Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription factor) pathway is important in mediating signal transduction of cytokines. This study examined the pathogenic role of Jak/STAT signaling in LN. MRL/lpr mice were either treated with a selective Jak2 inhibitor tyrphostin AG490 or with vehicle alone from 12 weeks of age until being sacrificed at week 20. AG490 significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of Jak2 and STAT1 (p < 0.05). Compared with the vehicle-treated mice, AG490 treatment significantly reduced proteinuria, improved renal function and suppressed histological lesions of the kidneys and salivary glands (p < 0.05). AG490 treatment significantly inhibited the renal expression of monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, interferon (IFN)-gamma and class II MHC, which was accompanied by reduced renal infiltration of T cells and macrophages (p < 0.05). In addition, AG490 treatment resulted in a decrease in serum anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody and attenuated the deposition of IgG and C3 in the kidneys (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that Jak/STAT pathway is implicated in the progression of renal inflammation in MRL/lpr mice and targeting this pathway may provide a potential therapeutic approach for LN.

Comparative In Vivo Study on the Desensitizing Efficacy of Dentin Desensitizers and One-bottle Self-etching Adhesives

Dentin desensitizers and one-bottle self-etching adhesives can significantly reduce dentin hypersensitivity. Clinical desensitizing effectiveness depends on the individual dentin desensitizers/adhesives used.

MicroRNA-25 functions in regulation of pigmentation by targeting the transcription factor MITF in Alpaca (Lama pacos) skin melanocytes

Although the influence of endocrine factors is well established, the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling coat color are not completely understood. A major mechanism for post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression is through the action of microRNAs (miRNAs), which anneal to the 3' untranslated region of mRNAs in a sequence-specific fashion and either block translation or promote transcript degradation. In this study, we investigated the expression of miRNAs in the skin of alpacas with brown vs white coat color using a microarray screen; identified potential mRNA targets for identified miRNAs among coat color genes; and subsequently determined the ability of a specific, differentially expressed miRNA (miR-25) to suppress expression of micropthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a predicted miR-25 target gene that regulates genes linked to coat color. Expression of 10 different miRNA species in the skin of alpacas with brown vs white coat color was identified from microarray screens. Of the 10 alpaca skin miRNAs identified, predicted binding sites in the 3' untranslated region of RNAs encoding for known genes linked to coat color were primarily for miR-25, but sites were also identified for miR-129 and miR-377. Potential miR-25 binding sites were present in transcripts encoding for 11 coat color genes, including MITF. An inverse relationship between transcript abundance for MITF and miR-25 was observed in skin samples collected from alpacas with white vs brown coat color. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-25 in cultured melanocytes reduced MITF mRNA and protein abundance and corresponding mRNA abundance for the MITF-regulated enzymes tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1. Results support a novel functional role for miRNA-25 in the regulation of gene expression linked to coat color.

Hyperglycemia suppresses ABCA1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells

Hyperglycemia is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) functions as a pivotal regulator of lipid efflux from cells to apolipoproteins and is thus involved in lowering the risk of atherosclerosis. In this study, we have examined the glucose-mediated regulation of the ABCA1 gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. ABCA1 expression was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot analysis, and reporter gene assay. The results showed that the expression of the ABCA1 mRNA and protein decreased after the cells were treated with 22.4 mM glucose for 48 h. The transcriptional activity of the ABCA1 promoter paralleled the endogenous expression of the ABCA1 gene. Next, we used inhibitors of certain signal transduction pathways to demonstrate that the glucose-induced ABCA1 suppression is sensitive to the p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors. The expression of a constitutively active form of p38-MAPK in the cells inhibited the ABCA1 promoter activity, irrespective of the presence of glucose. A dominant-negative mutant of p38-MAPK abrogated the inhibitory effect of glucose on the ABCA1 promoter activity. These results indicate that the glucose-induced suppression of ABCA1 expression is partially mediated by the activation of the p38-MAPK pathway.

Early Onset of Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH) after Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Severe hyponatraemia and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is a rare but fatal complication following stem cell transplantation (SCT). This case report details a patient with early-onset SIADH after allogeneic haematopoietic SCT (allo-HSCT) and reviews the literature on risk factors for the development of this condition. The patient, who had chronic myelogenous leukaemia, developed acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) on day 5 after allo-HSCT, which was relieved promptly by steroids. On day 18, he presented with hyponatraemia, which was refractory. Despite intensive restriction of fluid and administration of hypertonic saline, his condition worsened and he died of multiple systemic organ dysfunction. A review of the literature reveals that early-onset SIADH following SCT is insidious, but progresses rapidly. The severity of the disorder is underestimated because of the non-specific clinical features and the lack of effective treatment. Myeloablative conditioning and acute GVHD are two major important predisposing factors in SIADH.

Effects of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Therapy on Plasma Inflammatory Markers and N-Terminal Pro-brain Natriuretic Peptide in Elderly Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Several previous studies have suggested that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( n-3 PUFA) can exert favourable effects in patients with heart failure, but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. This study was designed to investigate the effects of n-3 PUFA on circulating inflammatory markers and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with heart failure. Seventy-six patients with heart failure were randomly assigned to receive 2 g/day of n-3 PUFA or placebo for 3 months. Treatment with n-3 PUFA significantly decreased plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor, interleukin-6, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and NT-proBNP. Left ventricular ejection fraction showed a small, non-significant improvement. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels decreased significantly in smokers after n-3 PUFA treatment. Thus, n-3 PUFA can reduce levels of plasma inflammatory markers and NT-proBNP as biomarkers of risk stratification in patients with heart failure. n-3 PUFA may offer a novel therapy for heart failure.

A linkage map of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) based on AFLP and microsatellite markers

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is an important fish for aquaculture, but genomics of this species is still in its infancy. In this study, a linkage map of common carp based on Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellite (SSR) markers has been generated using gynogenetic haploids. Of 926 markers genotyped, 151 (149 AFLPs, two SSRs) were distorted and eliminated from the linkage analyses. A total of 699 AFLP and 20 microsatellite (SSR) markers were assigned to the map, which comprised 64 linkage groups and covered 5506.9 cM Kosambi, with an average interval distance of 7.66 cM Kosambi. The normality tests on interval map distances showed a non-normal marker distribution. Visual inspection of the map distance distribution histogram showed a cluster of interval map distances on the left side of the chart, which suggested the occurrence of AFLP marker clusters. On the other hand, the lack of an obvious cluster on the right side showed that there were a few big gaps which need more markers to bridge. The correlation analysis showed a highly significant relatedness between the length of linkage group and the number of markers, indicating that the AFLP markers in this map were randomly distributed among different linkage groups. This study is helpful for research into the common carp genome and for further studies of genetics and marker-assisted breeding in this species.

Disruption of PPARgamma signaling results in mouse prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia involving active autophagy

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) regulates the interface between cellular lipid metabolism, redox status and organelle differentiation. Conditional prostatic epithelial knockout of PPARgamma in mice resulted in focal hyperplasia which developed into mouse prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (mPIN). The grade of PIN became more severe with time. Electron microscopy (EM) showed accumulated secondary lysosomes containing cellular organelles and debris suggestive of autophagy. Consistent with this analysis the autophagy marker LC-3 was found to be upregulated in areas of PIN in PPARgamma KO tissues. We selectively knocked down PPARgamma2 isoform in wild-type mouse prostatic epithelial cells and examined the consequences of this in a tissue recombination model. Histopathologically grafted tissues resembled the conditional PPARgamma KO mouse prostates. EM studies of PPARgamma- and PPARgamma2-deficient epithelial cells in vitro were suggestive of autophagy, consistent with the prostatic tissue analysis. This was confirmed by examining expression of beclin-1 and LC-3. Gene expression profiling in PPARgamma-/gamma2-deficient cells indicated a major dysregulation of cell cycle control and metabolic signaling networks related to peroxisomal and lysosomal maturation, lipid oxidation and degradation. The putative autophagic phenotypes of PPARgamma-deficient cells could be rescued by re-expression of either gamma1 or gamma2 isoform. We conclude that disruption of PPARgamma signaling results in autophagy and oxidative stress during mPIN pathogenesis.