Collective behavior of light-induced droplets in smectic membranes

Collective behavior and organization of droplets in thin smectic membranes were investigated using polarized light microscopy. Droplets were nucleated in membranes by light illumination. We observed the formation of periodic hexagonal and square lattice structures from droplets at large droplet concentration. Nearly linear dependence between period of structure and droplet size was found. We observed that droplets are nucleated on dislocations and periodic chain of droplets may be formed along a dislocation.

Update on genetic and clinical aspects of primary hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is a common endocrine disorder that predominantly affects postmenopausal women. It is mostly caused by solitary tumours within the parathyroid glands. Although the pathophysiology of pHPT is still incompletely understood, recent studies provide new clues on the development and cellular growth of tumours within the parathyroids associated with hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone and hypercalcaemia. The natural course of pHPT is rather benign. Nowadays, it has become an oligo- or asymptomatic disease often only detected by routine blood tests. These facts raise the question whether to perform parathyroidectomy on oligo- and asymptomatic patients with pHPT or whether it is possible to monitor these patients without surgery. The aim of this article is to review the literature as regards (i) the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie parathyroid neoplasia and (ii) the defective calcium-sensing in patients with pHPT (iii) environmental and/or genetic risk factors that predispose to or promote parathyroid neoplasia, as well as (iv) alternative approaches to treat oligo- and asymptomatic patients with pHPT medically.

Molecular imaging of regional brain tumor biology

Energy metabolism measurements in gliomas in vivo are now performed widely with positron emission tomography (PET). This capability has developed from a large number of basic and clinical science investigations that have cross fertilized one another. This article presents several areas that exemplify questions that have been explored over the last two decades. While the application of PET with [(18)F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG-PET) has proven useful for grading and prognosis assessments, this approach is less clinically suitable for assessing response to therapy, even though results to date raise very intriguing biological questions. Integration of metabolic imaging results into glioma therapy protocols is a recent and only preliminarily tapped method that may prove useful in additional trials that target DNA or membrane biosynthesis, or resistance mechanisms such as hypoxia. There are exciting future directions for molecular imaging that will undoubtedly be fruitful to explore, especially apoptosis, angiogenesis and expression of mutations of genes, e.g., epidermal growth factor receptor, that promote or suppress cellular malignant behavior.

1,25(OH)2D3 and dihydrotestosterone interact to regulate proliferation and differentiation of epiphyseal chondrocytes

Growth plate chondrocytes are affected by 1,25(OH)2D3 and androgens, which may critically interact to regulate proliferation and differentiation during the male pubertal growth spurt. We investigated possible interactions of 1,25(OH)2D3 and the non-aromatizable androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in primary chondrocyte cultures from young male rats. DHT and 1,25(OH)2D3 independently stimulated DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with maximally effective doses of [10(-8) M] and [10(-12) M], respectively. Both DHT and 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulated the expression and release of IGF-I, and the proliferative effects of each hormone were prevented by an IGF-I antibody. DHT and 1,25(OH)2D3 increased messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of their cognate receptors and of IGF-I receptor mRNA (IGF-I-R). 1,25(OH)2D3 also stimulated mRNA of the androgen receptor (AR), whereas DHT did not affect mRNA of the vitamin-D receptor (VDR). Coincubation with both steroid hormones did not stimulate receptor mRNAs more than either hormone alone. The proliferative effects of DHT and 1,25(OH)2D3 were completely inhibited by simultaneous incubation with both hormones, despite potentiation of IGF-I synthesis. In contrast, both hormones synergistically stimulated cell differentiation as judged by alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen X mRNA, and matrix calcification in long-term experiments. We conclude that DHT and 1,25(OH)2D3 interact with respect to chondrocyte proliferation and cell differentiation. The proliferative effects of both hormones are mediated by local IGF-I synthesis. Simultaneous coincubation with both hormones blunts the proliferative effect exerted by either hormone alone, in favor of a more marked stimulation of cell differentiation.

[(18)F]FMISO and [(18)F]FDG PET imaging in soft tissue sarcomas: correlation of hypoxia, metabolism and VEGF expression

Hypoxia imparts resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and also promotes a variety of changes in tumor biology through inducible promoters. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with fluorine-18 fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) in soft tissue sarcomas (STS) as a measure of hypoxia and to compare the results with those obtained using [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and other known biologic correlates. FDG evaluates energy metabolism in tumors while FMISO uptake is proportional to tissue hypoxia. FMISO uptake was compared with FDG uptake. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was also compared with FMISO uptake. Nineteen patients with STS underwent PET scanning with quantitative determination of FMISO and FDG uptake prior to therapy (neo-adjuvant chemotherapy or surgery alone). Ten patients receiving neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were also imaged after chemotherapy but prior to surgical resection. Standardized uptake value (SUV) was used to describe FDG uptake; regional tissue to blood ratio (>or=1.2 was considered significant) was used for FMISO uptake. Significant hypoxia was found in 76% of tumors imaged prior to therapy. No correlation was identified between pretherapy hypoxic volume (HV) and tumor grade ( r=0.15) or tumor volume ( r=0.03). The correlation of HV with VEGF expression was 0.39. Individual tumors showed marked heterogeneity in regional VEGF expression. The mean pixel-by-pixel correlation between FMISO and FDG uptake was 0.49 (range 0.09-0.79) pretreatment and 0.32 (range -0.46-0.72) after treatment. Most tumors showed evidence of reduced uptake of both FMISO and FDG following chemotherapy. FMISO PET demonstrates areas of significant and heterogeneous hypoxia in soft tissue sarcomas. The significant discrepancy between FDG and FMISO uptake seen in this study indicates that regional hypoxia and glucose metabolism do not always correlate. Similarly, we did not find any relationship between the hypoxic volume and the tumor volume or VEGF expression. Identification of hypoxia and development of a more complete biologic profile of STS will serve to guide more rational, individualized cancer treatment approaches.

Multinuclear NMR studies of an actively dividing artificial tumor

Growth of the A549 cell line in a perfusion system suitable for use in a magnetic resonance study has been characterized and shown to be stable physiologically and hence appropriate for serial observations. Several methods of monitoring cell growth were compared to assess the behavior of the cells in this system. Comparison between NMR metabolite data and cell growth via cell counting showed that 31P NMR signals accurately reported cell doubling time. In contrast to most NMR cell culture systems, viable cells can be recovered from the perfusion system after the NMR measurements for further biochemical studies. These data further suggest that this system will be useful for studying the physiology and biochemistry of exponentially growing cells for at least two days in NMR tube culture.

Chemical synthesis of benzamide riboside

The C-glycosidic nicotinamide riboside analogue (1) was prepared by reaction of ribonolactone 16 with the lithiated 2-oxazoline 13 followed by triethylsilane reduction of the hemiacetal 17 to the tetrahydrofurane 18. Cleavage of the oxazoline group in 20 to the acid 21, conversion of the acid chloride 22 to the amide 23, and hydrogenative debenzylation afforded the benzamide riboside 1. Phosphorylation of the acetonide 26 and acid-catalyzed cleavage of the resulting ketal yielded the pseudonucleotide 27.

Metabolites from fungi 15. New isocoumarins from an endophytic fungus isolated from the Canadian thistle Cirsium arvense

One known (1) and five new polyketide metabolites (2-6) were isolated from the culture extract of an endophytic fungus, Mycelia sterila, from the Canadian thistle Cirsium arvense. Compounds 1-4 are members of the isocoumarin family, whereas metabolite 5 is a dihydrobenzofuran and 6 has an open chain structure. All compounds have an unusual methyl group at the aromatic ring that does not fit into the usual polyketide pattern.

Biologically active metabolites from fungi 14 3-chloro-4-hydroxy-5-(3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl)-benzamide, a new antibacterial agent from a soil fungus

The antibacterial 3-chloro-4-hydroxy-5-(3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trienyl)-benzamide, and the antifungal strobilurins B and D were isolated from an unidentified South African soil fungus.

Detection of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor and Gsalpha mutations: in 75 toxic thyroid nodules by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

The actual frequency of constitutively activating thyrotropin receptor or Gsalpha mutations in toxic thyroid nodules (TTNs) remains controversial as considerable variation in the prevalence of these mutations has been reported. We studied a series of 75 consecutive TTNs and performed mutation screening by the more sensitive method of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) in addition to direct sequencing. Furthermore, the likelihood of somatic mutations occurring in genes other than that for the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) and exons 7-9 of the Gsalpha protein gene was determined by clonality analysis of TTNs, which did not harbor mutations in the investigated genes. In 43 of 75 TTNs (57%) constitutively active TSHR mutations were identified. Six TSHR mutations were detected only by DGGE, underlining the importance of a sensitive screening method. Novel, constitutively activating mutations were identified at positions 425 (Ser-->Leu) and 512 (Leu-->Glu/Arg). Furthermore, a new base substitution was detected at position Pro639Ala (CCA-->GCA). Ten of 20 TSHR or Gsalpha mutation negative cases (50%) showed nonrandom X-chromosome inactivation, indicating clonal origin. In conclusion, somatic, constitutively activating TSHR mutations appear to be a major cause of TTNs (57%), while mutations in Gsalpha play a minor role (3%). The mutation negative but clonal cases indicate a probable involvement of somatic mutations other than in the TSH receptor or Gsalpha genes as the molecular cause of these hot nodules.

Endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and risk of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Endothelial function is impaired in coronary artery disease and may contribute to its clinical manifestations. Increased oxidative stress has been linked to impaired endothelial function in atherosclerosis and may play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular events. This study was designed to determine whether endothelial dysfunction and vascular oxidative stress have prognostic impact on cardiovascular event rates in patients with coronary artery disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation was determined in 281 patients with documented coronary artery disease by measuring forearm blood flow responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside using venous occlusion plethysmography. The effect of the coadministration of vitamin C (24 mg/min) was assessed in a subgroup of 179 patients. Cardiovascular events, including death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, coronary angioplasty, and coronary or peripheral bypass operation, were studied during a mean follow-up period of 4.5 years. Patients experiencing cardiovascular events (n=91) had lower vasodilator responses to acetylcholine (P<0.001) and sodium nitroprusside (P<0.05), but greater benefit from vitamin C (P<0.01). The Cox proportional regression analysis for conventional risk factors demonstrated that blunted acetylcholine-induced vasodilation (P=0.001), the effect of vitamin C (P=0.001), and age (P=0.016) remained independent predictors of cardiovascular events.

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial dysfunction and increased vascular oxidative stress predict the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. These data support the concept that oxidative stress may contribute not only to endothelial dysfunction but also to coronary artery disease activity.

High-performance thin layer chromatographic analysis of anti-inflammatory triterpenoids from Boswellia serrata Roxb

A rapid and simple high-performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method was developed for the simultaneous quantitative estimation of the biologically active triterpenoids beta-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-beta-boswellic acid, 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid and 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata. The assay combines the isolation and separation of boswellic acid derivatives on silica gel 60F254-HPTLC plates with spot visualisation and scanning at 250 nm. Methanol was found to be the most appropriate solvent for the exhaustive extraction of boswellic acid derivatives.

Metabolism and disposition of the novel antileukaemic drug, benzamide riboside, in the isolated perfused rat liver

Benzamide riboside (BR) is a novel anticancer agent exhibiting pronounced activity against several human tumor cells, however, little is known about its biotransformation. To analyze for BR and its metabolites, livers of Wistar and mutant TR- rats were perfused with BR in a single pass system. In bile, native BR and its deamination product, benzene carboxylic acid riboside (BR-COOH) was quantified by HPLC. Total excretion of BR and BR-COOH into bile of Wistar rats was low (< 0.2%) whereas cumulative efflux of BR and its metabolite BR-COOH was high, representing 79% and 1.6% of infused BR, respectively. Biliary excretion of BR and BR-COOH in TR- rats, deficient in canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter, a membrane protein identical to MRP2 in tumor cells, was only slightly lower than in Wistar rats, indicating that BR and BR-COOH are non-substrates of MRP2. Experiments using rat hepatocytes incubated with BR did show a linear uptake of BR and a subsequent metabolism to BR-COOH that was largely excreted into the cellular supernatant. Examination of the cytotoxic activity against the human HL60 and K562 leukemia cells in a clonogenic assay demonstrated an IC50 of 619 microM and 1013 microM for BR-COOH compared to the IC50 of 0.21 microM and 0.46 microM for BR, suggesting the inertness of the metabolite. In summary, we found that deamination of BR to BR-COOH is the main metabolic pathway in rat liver. BR-COOH formation should also be considered in human liver during cancer therapy.

Complementary DNA expression array analysis suggests a lower expression of signal transduction proteins and receptors in cold and hot thyroid nodules

Autonomously functioning thyroid nodules are characterized by an increased proliferation and function, which is predominantly caused by constitutively activating TSH receptor mutations leading to an activation of cAMP. In contrast to autonomously functioning thyroid nodules, cold thyroid nodules are functionally inactive and less differentiated. Their molecular cause is still unknown. To further investigate the pathophysiological aspects of autonomously functioning thyroid nodules and to elucidate the molecular etiology of cold thyroid nodules, it is essential to identify genes with differential expression in autonomously functioning thyroid nodules and cold thyroid nodules and to compare this expression to that in normal surrounding tissue. The list of possible candidates for differential regulation ranges from growth factors and their receptors to transcription factors or oncogenes. Therefore, we evaluated the potential of cDNA arrays and studied the expression of 588 known genes from 6 different classes of proteins in thyroid nodules characterized for their function. Forty-seven genes showed a differential expression between nodular and surrounding tissue identified by the expression arrays. The differential expression of 15 transcripts was verified by real-time PCR. About 25% of the transcripts determined by LightCycler PCR are considered false positives because data from PCR and array analysis did not agree. This indicates the reliability of cDNA expression arrays to identify differentially expressed genes in thyroid nodules compared with their surrounding tissue. The 15 selected genes were additionally quantified by real-time PCR in 7 additional cold thyroid nodules, autonomously functioning thyroid nodules, and their surrounding tissues. The highest number of differentially expressed genes was in the group of signal transduction proteins (4 of 38 detectable genes) and extracellular cell signaling and communication proteins (2 of 62 detectable genes). In contrast, transcripts of other classes of proteins were unchanged (e.g. DNA-binding molecules and stress responses). Most of the transcripts were down-regulated in autonomously functioning thyroid nodule and cold thyroid nodule compared with the respective surrounding tissue. This finding could be the result of a dominant activation of a signal transduction pathway, with the cAMP pathway being the likely candidate for autonomously functioning thyroid nodules. The qualitatively similar pattern of changes in this limited number of genes in autonomously functioning thyroid nodules and cold thyroid nodules could suggest a similar dominant activation of a specific signaling cascade in cold thyroid nodules as the constitutively activating mutations in autonomously functioning thyroid nodules.

Five unique compounds: xyloketals from mangrove fungus Xylaria sp. from the South China Sea coast

Five unique metabolites, xyloketals A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), and E (5), and the known 6 were isolated from mangrove fungus Xylaria sp. (no. 2508), obtained from the South China Sea. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction experiments. Xyloketal A is a ketal compound with a C(3) symmetry and xyloketals B-E are its analogues. It was found that xytoketal C slowly rearranged to xytoketal B in DMSO-d(6)() solution at room temperature. Xyloketal A exhibited the activity of inhibiting acetylcholine esterase.

Novel AIRE mutations and P450 cytochrome autoantibodies in Central and Eastern European patients with APECED

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare recessive disorder that results in several autoimmune diseases due to the mutations in the AIRE (autoimmune regulator) gene. APECED patients develop several autoimmune endocrine disorders and are characterized by the high titer autoantibodies to organ-specific antigens such as the steroidogenic P450 cytochromes. So far, 38 mutations have been identified in the AIRE gene. We report here the genetic and autoantibody analysis of 27 APECED patients of Eastern and Central European origins and one Egyptian patient. From 54 analyzed APECED chromosomes, eight mutations were detected, four of which (T16M, W78R, IVS1_IVS4, 30-53dup23bp) are novel. The most prevalent reason for APECED in these populations was the occurrence of R257X (36 chromosomes) that has been described earlier as a common and recurrent mutation in several other populations. The analysis of humoral immunity to steroidogenic P450 cytochromes by the immunoblotting of E. coli expressed antigens in the 18 APECED patients showed that 67%, 44%, and 61% of the Eastern and Central European APECED patients had autoantibodies to P450c17, P450c21, and P450scc, respectively.

APECED mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare recessively inherited disorder caused by mutations in the AIRE (autoimmune regulator) gene. APECED is characterized by variable combinations of endocrine autoimmune diseases such as Addison's disease, hypoparathyroidism, and type 1 diabetes. The AIRE protein contains motifs suggestive of a transcription regulator and can activate transcription of a reporter gene when fused to a heterologous DNA biding domain. In this article, mutation analyses of over 200 APECED patients published by several laboratories are summarized. To date 42 different mutations have been identified. These mutations include nonsense and missense mutations, small insertions and deletions leading into frame shifts, and splice site mutations. Although mutations are spread throughout the coding region of the gene some hotspots emerge, including the more common and recurrent mutations R257X and 967-979del13bp. Some of the identified mutations have been shown to affect subcellular localization or transactivation properties of the protein, thus providing insights into the functional properties of the predicted protein motifs.

Ras mutations are rare in solitary cold and toxic thyroid nodules

OBJECTIVE

Activation of ras proto-oncogenes as a result of point mutations is detectable in a significant percentage of most types of tumour. Similar to neoplasms of other organs, mutations of all three ras genes can be found in thyroid tumours. H-, K- and N-ras mutations have been detected in up to 20% of follicular adenomas and adenomatous nodules which were not functionally characterized. This raises the question as to whether ras mutations are specific for hypofunctional nodules and TSH receptor mutations for hyperfunctioning nodules.

DESIGN

To investigate ras and TSH receptor mutations with respect to functional differentiation we studied 41 scintigraphically cold nodules and 47 toxic thyroid nodules. To address the likelihood of a somatic mutation we also studied the clonal origin of these tumours.

MEASUREMENTS

Genomic DNA was extracted from nodular and surrounding tissue. Mutational hot spots in exons 1 and 2 of the H- and K-ras gene were PCR amplified and sequenced using big dye terminator chemistry. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to verify sequencing results for the H-ras gene and to analyse the N-ras gene because its greater sensitivity in detecting somatic mutations. Clonality of nodular thyroid tissue was evaluated using X-Chromosome inactivation based on PCR amplification of the human androgen receptor locus.

RESULTS

Monoclonal origin was detectable in 14 of 23 informative samples from cold thyroid nodules. In toxic thyroid nodules the frequency of clonal tissue was 20 in 30 informative cases. Only one point mutation could be found in the N-ras gene codon 61 (Gly to Arg) in a cold adenomatous nodule which was monoclonal. In toxic thyroid nodules no ras mutation was detectable.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that ras mutations are rare in solitary cold and toxic thyroid nodules and that the frequent monoclonal origin of these tumours implies somatic mutations in genes other than H-, K- and N-ras.

Loss of heterozygocity at the thyroid peroxidase gene locus in solitary cold thyroid nodules

Germline mutations in both alleles of the thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene have been reported as a frequent cause of congenital hypothyroidism resulting from a total iodide organification defect (TIOD). Because TPO mutations have a prevalence of 1 in 66,000 newborns and is inherited in an autosomal recessive mode the frequency of a heterozygous germline mutation in the TPO gene should reach about 1 in 260 in the population. A somatic TPO mutation coinciding with a somatic loss of one of the TPO alleles or a TPO germline mutation could lead to somatic loss of TPO activity with impairment of thyroid hormone synthesis and decrease of growth control. The latter would lead to increased thyroid epithelial cell proliferation and the subsequent development of a scintigraphically cold thyroid nodule (CTN). To test this hypothesis we studied 40 CTN for the presence of mutations or loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the TPO gene. For comparisons we also studied LOH in 17 autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN). Genomic DNA was extracted from nodular and surrounding tissue, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified, sequenced, and analyzed for LOH. In 6 CTNs of 37 informative cases we detected LOH using the genomic markers sRA, D2S2268, and D2S319 within or near the TPO gene locus (2p24-25). In contrast, a genomic marker closer to the centromer (D2S144, 2p24-21) shows LOH in only 1 CTN. We did not detect LOH in AFTN. In none of the cases a germline or somatic mutation in the TPO gene was detectable in the TPO gene. LOH in 6 of 37 CTNs suggests that genetic defects at the TPO or the chromosomal locus 2p24-25 might play a role in the etiology of CTNs. However, we did not find the combination of LOH with a somatic mutation in the TPO gene. It is therefore likely that a gene defect near the TPO locus is part of the neoplastic process in a subgroup of CTNs.

Beneficial effects of alpha-lipoic acid and ascorbic acid on endothelium-dependent, nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation in diabetic patients: relation to parameters of oxidative stress

The impairment of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilation in diabetes has been attributed to increased vascular oxidative stress. Lipoic acid has been shown to have substantial antioxidative properties. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of lipoic acid on NO-mediated vasodilation in diabetic patients in comparison with the well-recognized effect of ascorbic acid. Using venous occlusion plethysmography, we examined the effects of lipoic acid (0.2 mM) and ascorbic acid (1 and 10 mM) on forearm blood flow responses to acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside and concomitant infusion of the NO-inhibitor, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine, in 39 diabetic patients and 11 control subjects. Plasma levels of antioxidants and parameters of lipid peroxidation were measured and correlated to endothelial function tests. Lipoic acid improved NO-mediated vasodilation in diabetic patients, but not in controls. NO-mediated vasodilation was improved by ascorbic acid at 10 mM, but not 1 mM. Improvements of endothelial function by ascorbic acid and lipoic acid were closely related. The beneficial effects of lipoic acid were positively related to plasma levels of malondialdehyde and inversely related to levels of ubiquinol-10. These findings support the concept that oxidative stress contributes to endothelial dysfunction and suggest a therapeutic potential of lipoic acid particularly in patients with imbalance between increased oxidative stress and depleted antioxidant defense.