Observation of a narrow charm-strange meson D(+)(sJ)(2632)-->D(+)(s)eta and D(0)K(+)

We report the first observation of a charm-strange meson D(+)(sJ)(2632) at a mass of 2632.5+/-1.7 MeV/c(2) in data from SELEX, the charm hadro-production experiment E781 at Fermilab. This state is seen in two decay modes, D(+)(s)eta and D0K+. In the D(+)(s)eta decay mode we observe a peak with 101 events over a combinatoric background of 54.9 events at a mass of 2635.4+/-3.3 MeV/c(2). There is a corresponding peak of 21 events over a background of 6.9 at 2631.5+/-2.0 MeV/c(2) in the decay mode D0K+. The decay width of this state is <17 MeV/c(2) at 90% confidence level. The relative branching ratio Gamma(D0K+)/Gamma(D(+)(s)eta) is 0.14+/-0.06. The mechanism that keeps this state narrow is unclear. Its decay pattern is also unusual, being dominated by the D(+)(s)eta decay mode.

Properties of an immobilized lipase of Bacillus coagulans BTS-1

Lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) is a tri-acylglycerol ester hydrolase, catalysing the hydrolysis of tri-, di-, and mono-acylglycerols to glycerol and fatty acids. To study the effect of adsorption of a lipase obtained from Bacillus coagulans BTS-1, its lipase was immobilized on native and activated (alkylated) matrices, i.e. silica and celite. The effect of pH, temperature, detergents, substrates, alcohols, organic solvent etc. on the stability of the immobilized enzyme was evaluated. The gluteraldahyde or formaldehyde (at 1% and 2% concentration, v/v) activated matrix was exposed to the Tris buffered lipase. The enzyme was adsorbed/entrapped more rapidly on to the activated silica than on the activated celite. The immobilized lipase showed optimal activity at 50 degrees C following one-hour incubation. The lipase was specifically more hydrolytic to the medium C-length ester (p-nitro phenyl caprylate than p-nitro phenyl laurate). The immobilization/entrapment enhanced the stability of the lipase at a relatively higher temperature (50 degrees C) and also promoted enzyme activity at an acidic pH (pH 5.5). Moreover, the immobilized lipase was quite resistant to the denaturing effect of SDS.

First observation of the doubly charmed baryon Xi(+)(cc)

We observe a signal for the doubly charmed baryon Xi(+)(cc) in the charged decay mode Xi(+)(cc)-->Lambda(+)(c)K-pi(+) in data from SELEX, the charm hadroproduction experiment at Fermilab. We observe an excess of 15.9 events over an expected background of 6.1+/-0.5 events, a statistical significance of 6.3sigma. The observed mass of this state is 3519+/-1 MeV/c(2). The Gaussian mass width of this state is 3 MeV/c(2), consistent with resolution; its lifetime is less than 33 fs at 90% confidence.

Cystic fibrosis and the use of pharmacogenomics to determine surrogate endpoints for drug discovery

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene, encoding a chloride channel. For the most common mutation, Delta F508, the basis of the deficit is the failure of the mutant CFTR channel protein to traffic properly to the apical plasma membrane of the affected epithelial cell. The trafficking failure results in loss of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-activated chloride channel function of the CFTR protein in the plasma membrane. The lung is the principal site affecting patient morbidity and mortality in CF. The main reason is that the CF airway epithelial cells also secrete high levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-8, resulting in massive cellular inflammation, infection, tissue damage and lung destruction. The relationship between the trafficking defect, the loss of chloride channel activity, and inflammation is not known. However, gene therapy of CF lung epithelial cells with the wild-type CFTR gene can repair the chloride channel defect, as well as suppress the intrinsic hypersecretion of IL-8. Repair of both defective channels and high IL-8 secretion can also be effected by treatment with the candidate CF drug CPX, which is in clinical trials in CF patients. CPX acts by binding to the mutant CFTR protein, and helps the protein to mature and gain access to the plasma membrane. CPX also suppresses the synthesis and secretion of IL-8 from CF epithelial cells, presumably by virtue of its repair of the trafficking defect of mutant CFTR. To guide pharmacogenomic experiments we have therefore hypothesized that the genomic signature of CF epithelial cells treated with CPX should resemble the signature of the same cells repaired by gene therapy. We have developed two algorithms for identifying genes modified by repair of CFTR defects. The GRASP algorithm uses a statistical test to identify the most profoundly changing genes. The GENESAVER algorithm allows us to identify those genes whose pattern of expression changes in-phase or out-of-phase with IL-8 secretion by CF cells. For the latter algorithm we modified IL-8 secretion from CF cells by treatment with wild-type CFTR, with CPX, or by exposure to bacteria. The results have supported the hypothesis, and have provided a basis for considering the common pharmacogenomic expression signature as a surrogate endpoint for CF drug discovery. Significantly, the nature of the hypothesis, as well as the algorithm developed for this study, can be easily applied to pharmacogenomic studies with other goals.

Modulation of radiation-induced changes in the xanthine oxidoreductase system in the livers of mice by its inhibitors

The xanthine oxidoreductase (XOD) system, which consists of xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and xanthine oxidase (XO), is one of the major sources of free radicals in biological systems. The XOD system is present predominantly in the normal tissues as XDH. In damaged tissues, XDH is converted into XO, the form that generates free radicals. Therefore, the XO form of the XOD system is expected to be found mainly in radiolytically damaged tissue. In this case, XO may catalyze the generation of free radicals and potentiate the effect of radiation. Inhibition of the XOD system is likely to attenuate the detrimental effects of ionizing radiation. We have examined this possibility using allopurinol and folic acid, which are known inhibitors of the XOD system. Swiss albino mice (7-8 weeks old) were given single doses of allopurinol and folic acid (12.5-50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and irradiated with different doses of gamma radiation at a dose rate of 0.023 Gy/s. The XO and XDH activities as well as peroxidative damage and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined in the liver. An enhancement of the activity of XO and a simultaneous decrease in the activity of XDH were observed at doses above 3 Gy. The decrease in the ratio XDH/XO and the unchanged total activity (XDH + XO) suggested the conversion of XDH into XO. The enhanced activity of XO may potentiate radiation damage. The increased levels of peroxidative damage and the specific activity of LDH in the livers of irradiated mice supported this possibility. Allopurinol and folic acid inhibited the activities of XDH and XO, decreased their ratio (XDH/XO), and lowered the levels of peroxidative damage and the specific activity of LDH. These results suggested that allopurinol and folic acid have the ability to inhibit the radiation-induced changes in the activities of XDH and XO and to attenuate the detrimental effect of this conversion, as is evident from the diminished levels of peroxidative damage and the decreased activity of LDH.

Elevated serum hepatocyte growth factor in children and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Elevated serum levels of several potent angiogenesis factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor have been described in children with active inflammatory bowel disease. Angiogenesis-promoting cytokines may promote inflammation by increasing vascular permeability but also mediate tissue repair by activating fibroblasts. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is another angiogenesis-promoting cytokine that is increased in colon cancer tissues. We therefore evaluated serum HGF levels in individuals with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

Serum samples were obtained from 60 patients with Crohn disease, 31 with ulcerative colitis, and 38 controls with functional abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal illnesses. Disease activity for Crohn disease patients was determined using the pediatric Crohn disease activity index, and for ulcerative colitis patients using the Kozarek score. The HGF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Serum HGF levels were significantly ( P < 0.001) higher for Crohn disease patients (1439 +/- 84 pg/mL) and ulcerative colitis patients (1384 +/- 107 pg/mL) than for control patients (807 +/- 50 pg/mL). Serum HGF levels also rose with increasing disease activity in individuals with both Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

CONCLUSION

Serum HGF is elevated in children and young adults who have Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis. Levels of serum HGF correlate directly with disease activity. The raised serum HGF suggests that HGF may mediate angiogenesis and vascular permeability in the mucosa of children with inflammatory bowel disease. Alternatively, the raised serum HGF may be an epiphenomenon of inflammation.

Control of the proinflammatory state in cystic fibrosis lung epithelial cells by genes from the TNF-alphaR/NFkappaB pathway

BACKGROUND

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, lethal autosomal recessive disease affecting children in the United States and Europe. Extensive work is being performed to develop both gene and drug therapies. The principal mutation causing CF is in the CFTR gene ([Delta F508]CFTR). This mutation causes the mutant protein to traffic poorly to the plasma membrane, and degrades CFTR chloride channel activity. CPX, a candidate drug for CF, binds to mutant CFTR and corrects the trafficking deficit. CPX also activates mutant CFTR chloride channel activity. CF airways are phenotypically inundated by inflammatory signals, primarily contributed by sustained secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 8 (IL-8) from mutant CFTR airway epithelial cells. IL-8 production is controlled by genes from the TNF-alphaR/NFkappaB pathway, and it is possible that the CF phenotype is due to dysfunction of genes from this pathway. In addition, because drug therapy with CPX and gene therapy with CFTR have the same common endpoint of raising the levels of CFTR, we have hypothesized that either approach should have a common genomic endpoint.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To test this hypothesis, we studied IL-8 secretion and global gene expression in IB-3 CF lung epithelial cells. The cells were treated by either gene therapy with wild-type CFTR, or by pharmacotherapy with the CFTR-surrogate drug CPX. CF cells, treated with either CFTR or CPX, were also exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common chronic pathogen in CF patients. cDNA microarrays were used to assess global gene expression under the different conditions. A novel bioinformatic algorithm (GENESAVER) was developed to identify genes whose expression paralleled secretion of IL-8.

RESULTS

We report here that IB3 CF cells secrete massive levels of IL-8. However, both gene therapy with CFTR and drug therapy with CPX substantially suppress IL-8 secretion. Nonetheless, both gene and drug therapy allow the CF cells to respond with physiologic secretion of IL-8 when the cells are exposed to P. aeruginosa. Thus, neither CFTR nor CPX acts as a nonspecific suppressor of IL-8 secretion from CF cells. Consistently, pharmacogenomic analysis indicates that CF cells treated with CPX greatly resemble CF cells treated with CFTR by gene therapy. Additionally, the same result obtains in the presence of P. aeruginosa. Classical hierarchical cluster analysis, based on similarity of global gene expression, also supports this conclusion. The GENESAVER algorithm, using the IL-8 secretion level as a physiologic variable, identifies a subset of genes from the TNF-alphaR/NFkappaB pathway that is expressed in phase with IL-8 secretion from CF epithelial cells. Certain other genes, previously known to be positively associated with CF, also fall into this category. Identified genes known to code for known inhibitors are expressed inversely, out of phase with IL-8 secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Wild-type CFTR and CPX both suppress proinflammatory IL-8 secretion from CF epithelial cells. The mechanism, as defined by pharmacogenomic analysis, involves identified genes from the TNF-alphaR/NFkappaB pathway. The close relationship between IL-8 secretion and genes from the TNF-alphaR/NFkappaB pathway suggests that molecular or pharmaceutical targeting of these novel genes may have strategic use in the development of new therapies for CF. From the perspective of global gene expression, both gene and drug therapy have similar genomic consequences. This is the first example showing equivalence of gene and drug therapy in CF, and suggests that a gene therapy-defined endpoint may prove to be a powerful paradigm for CF drug discovery. Finally, because the GENESAVER algorithm is capable of isolating disease-relevant genes in a hypothesis-driven manner without recourse to any a priori knowledge about the system, this new algorithm may also prove useful in applications to other genetic diseases.

Nucleolin stimulates viral internal ribosome entry site-mediated translation

Previous results from our laboratory have identified a small (60 nt) RNA from the yeast S. cerevisiae that specifically inhibits internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation programmed by poliovirus (PV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR). The yeast inhibitor RNA (called IRNA) was found to efficiently compete with viral 5'UTR for binding of several cellular polypeptides that presumably play important roles in IRES-mediated translation. One such IRNA (and 5'UTR)-binding protein has previously been identified as the La autoantigen. In this report, we have identified a 110-kDa IRNA-binding protein (which also interacts with viral 5'UTR) as nucleolin, a nucleolar RNA binding protein that was previously shown to translocate into the cytoplasm following infection of cells with poliovirus. We demonstrate that nucleolin (called C23) stimulates viral IRES-mediated translation both in vitro and in vivo. We also show that nucleolin mutants containing the carboxy-terminal RNA binding domains but lacking the amino terminal domain inhibit IRES-mediated translation in vitro. The translation inhibitory activity of these mutants correlates with their ability to bind the 5'UTR sequence. These results suggest a role of nucleolin/C23 in viral IRES-mediated translation.

Precision measurements of the lambda(+)(c) and D0 lifetimes

We report new precision measurements of the lifetimes of the Lambda(+)(c) and D0 from SELEX, the charm hadroproduction experiment at Fermilab. Based upon 1630 Lambda(+)(c) and 10 210 D0 decays we observe lifetimes of tau[Lambda(+)(c)] = 198.1+/-7.0+/-5.6 fs and tau[D0] = 407.9+/-6.0+/-4.3 fs.

Involvement of Bcl-2 and Bax in photodynamic therapy-mediated apoptosis. Antisense Bcl-2 oligonucleotide sensitizes RIF 1 cells to photodynamic therapy apoptosis

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a promising treatment modality, is an oxidative stress that induces apoptosis in many cancer cells in vitro and tumors in vivo. Understanding the mechanism(s) involved in PDT-mediated apoptosis may improve its therapeutic efficacy. Although studies suggest the involvement of multiple pathways, the triggering event(s) responsible for PDT-mediated apoptotic response is(are) not clear. To investigate the role of Bcl-2 in PDT-mediated apoptosis, we employed Bcl-2-antisense and -overexpression approaches in two cell types differing in their responses toward PDT apoptosis. In the first approach, we treated radiation-induced fibrosarcoma (RIF 1) cells, which are resistant to silicon phthalocyanine (Pc 4)-PDT apoptosis, with Bcl-2-antisense oligonucleotide. This treatment resulted in sensitization of RIF 1 cells to PDT-mediated apoptosis as demonstrated by i) cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, ii) DNA ladder formation, iii) terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells, and iv) DEVDase activity. This treatment also resulted in oligonucleotide concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability and down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein with a concomitant increase in apoptosis. However, the level of Bax, a pro-apoptotic member of Bcl-2 family, remained unaltered. In the second approach, an overexpression of Bcl-2 in PDT apoptosis-sensitive human epidermoid carcinoma (A431) cells resulted in enhanced apoptosis and up-regulation of Bax following PDT. In both the approaches, the increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was associated with an increased apoptotic response of PDT. Our data also demonstrated that PDT results in modulation of other Bcl-2 family members in a way that the overall ratio of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic member proteins favors apoptosis.

Concurrent babesiosis and ehrlichiosis in an elderly host

An 85-year-old man, actively infected with Babesia microti and Ehrlichia chaffeensis, presented with fatigue and thrombocytopenia. He developed rhabdomyolysis and multiple organ failure, which led to death 6 days after initial presentation. To our knowledge, concurrent acute disease due to these 2 organisms has not been reported previously, although serologic studies have shown that some patients acquire both infections in life.

Lipoxygenase-5 is overexpressed in prostate adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic studies suggest that populations that consume large amounts of dietary fat are at greater risk for prostate carcinoma. Arachidonic acid and its precursor, linoleic acid, are major ingredients of animal fats and many vegetable oils that are used in the regions where prostate carcinoma is prevalent. The metabolism of arachidonic acid by either the cyclooxygenase pathway or the lipoxygenase pathway generates eicosanoids, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of human diseases, including cancer, and are now believed to play important roles in tumor promotion, progression, and metastasis. Studying these pathways in specimens from patients with prostate carcinoma, the authors recently demonstrated the overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in prostate adenocarcinoma. In the current study, the authors report the overexpression of lipoxygenase-5 (5-LO) in samples from patients with prostate adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Employing 22 pair-matched benign and malignant tissue samples that were obtained from the same patients with prostate carcinoma, the expression of 5-LO was determined using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry and by measuring the levels of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

The mean level of 5-LO mRNA was six-fold greater (P < 0.001) in malignant tissue compared with benign tissue. The immunoblot analysis demonstrated that, compared with benign tissue, 5-LO protein was overexpressed in 16 of 22 samples examined and was 2.6 fold greater (P < 0.001) in malignant tissue. Immunohistochemical studies further verified 5-LO up-regulation in malignant tissue that was not present in benign tissue. The levels of 5-HETE, which is a metabolic product of arachidonic acid, was found to be 2.2-fold greater (P < 0.001) in malignant tumor tissue compared with benign tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first in vivo study showing overexpression of 5-LO in patients with prostate carcinoma. This study suggests that inhibitors of arachidonic acid pathway in general and selective 5-LO inhibitors in particular may be useful for prevention or therapy in patients with prostate carcinoma.

Lipoxygenase-5 is overexpressed in prostate adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic studies suggest that populations that consume large amounts of dietary fat are at greater risk for prostate carcinoma. Arachidonic acid and its precursor, linoleic acid, are major ingredients of animal fats and many vegetable oils that are used in the regions where prostate carcinoma is prevalent. The metabolism of arachidonic acid by either the cyclooxygenase pathway or the lipoxygenase pathway generates eicosanoids, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of human diseases, including cancer, and are now believed to play important roles in tumor promotion, progression, and metastasis. Studying these pathways in specimens from patients with prostate carcinoma, the authors recently demonstrated the overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in prostate adenocarcinoma. In the current study, the authors report the overexpression of lipoxygenase-5 (5-LO) in samples from patients with prostate adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Employing 22 pair-matched benign and malignant tissue samples that were obtained from the same patients with prostate carcinoma, the expression of 5-LO was determined using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry and by measuring the levels of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

The mean level of 5-LO mRNA was six-fold greater (P < 0.001) in malignant tissue compared with benign tissue. The immunoblot analysis demonstrated that, compared with benign tissue, 5-LO protein was overexpressed in 16 of 22 samples examined and was 2.6 fold greater (P < 0.001) in malignant tissue. Immunohistochemical studies further verified 5-LO up-regulation in malignant tissue that was not present in benign tissue. The levels of 5-HETE, which is a metabolic product of arachidonic acid, was found to be 2.2-fold greater (P < 0.001) in malignant tumor tissue compared with benign tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first in vivo study showing overexpression of 5-LO in patients with prostate carcinoma. This study suggests that inhibitors of arachidonic acid pathway in general and selective 5-LO inhibitors in particular may be useful for prevention or therapy in patients with prostate carcinoma.

Lipoxygenase-5 is overexpressed in prostate adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic studies suggest that populations that consume large amounts of dietary fat are at greater risk for prostate carcinoma. Arachidonic acid and its precursor, linoleic acid, are major ingredients of animal fats and many vegetable oils that are used in the regions where prostate carcinoma is prevalent. The metabolism of arachidonic acid by either the cyclooxygenase pathway or the lipoxygenase pathway generates eicosanoids, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of human diseases, including cancer, and are now believed to play important roles in tumor promotion, progression, and metastasis. Studying these pathways in specimens from patients with prostate carcinoma, the authors recently demonstrated the overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in prostate adenocarcinoma. In the current study, the authors report the overexpression of lipoxygenase-5 (5-LO) in samples from patients with prostate adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Employing 22 pair-matched benign and malignant tissue samples that were obtained from the same patients with prostate carcinoma, the expression of 5-LO was determined using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry and by measuring the levels of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

The mean level of 5-LO mRNA was six-fold greater (P < 0.001) in malignant tissue compared with benign tissue. The immunoblot analysis demonstrated that, compared with benign tissue, 5-LO protein was overexpressed in 16 of 22 samples examined and was 2.6 fold greater (P < 0.001) in malignant tissue. Immunohistochemical studies further verified 5-LO up-regulation in malignant tissue that was not present in benign tissue. The levels of 5-HETE, which is a metabolic product of arachidonic acid, was found to be 2.2-fold greater (P < 0.001) in malignant tumor tissue compared with benign tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first in vivo study showing overexpression of 5-LO in patients with prostate carcinoma. This study suggests that inhibitors of arachidonic acid pathway in general and selective 5-LO inhibitors in particular may be useful for prevention or therapy in patients with prostate carcinoma.

ANX7, a candidate tumor suppressor gene for prostate cancer

The ANX7 gene is located on human chromosome 10q21, a site long hypothesized to harbor a tumor suppressor gene(s) (TSG) associated with prostate and other cancers. To test whether ANX7 might be a candidate TSG, we examined the ANX7-dependent suppression of human tumor cell growth, stage-specific ANX7 expression in 301 prostate specimens on a prostate tissue microarray, and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of microsatellite markers at or near the ANX7 locus. Here we report that human tumor cell proliferation and colony formation are markedly reduced when the wild-type ANX7 gene is transfected into two prostate tumor cell lines, LNCaP and DU145. Consistently, analysis of ANX7 protein expression in human prostate tumor microarrays reveals a significantly higher rate of loss of ANX7 expression in metastatic and local recurrences of hormone refractory prostate cancer as compared with primary tumors (P = 0.0001). Using four microsatellite markers at or near the ANX7 locus, and laser capture microdissected tumor cells, 35% of the 20 primary prostate tumors show LOH. The microsatellite marker closest to the ANX7 locus showed the highest rate of LOH, including one homozygous deletion. We conclude that the ANX7 gene exhibits many biological and genetic properties expected of a TSG and may play a role in prostate cancer progression.

Pharmacogenomics of cystic fibrosis

Pharmacogenomics is becoming a frontline instrument of drug discovery, where the drug-dependent patterns of global gene expression are employed as biologically relevant end points. In the case of cystic fibrosis (CF), cells and tissues from CF patients provide the starting points of genomic analysis. The end points for drug discovery are proposed to reside in gene expression patterns of CF cells that have been corrected by gene therapy. A case is made here that successful drug therapy and gene therapy should, hypothetically, converge at a common end point. In response to a virtual tidal wave of genomic data, bioinformatics algorithms are needed to identify those genes that truly reveal drug efficacy. As examples, we describe the hierarchical clustering, GRASP, and GENESAVER algorithms, particularly within a hypothesis-driven context that focuses on data for a CF candidate drug. Pharmacogenomic approaches to CF, and other similar diseases, may eventually give us the opportunity to create drugs that work in a patient- or mutation-specific manner.

Reactive pocket epithelium in untreated chronic periodontal disease: possible derivation from developmental remnants of the enamel organ and root sheath

The pathological lining epithelium of destructive periodontitis was studied by analysis of the expression of intermediate filament proteins in biopsies of untreated advanced periodontitis. The cytokeratin (CK) pair 8/18 characteristic of simple epithelia was expressed consistently in a distribution pattern confined to the reactive pocket epithelium. The pattern of CK8/18 expression was complex with two broad presentations evident. In two-thirds of the advanced disease biopsies, the entire pathological lining epithelium was strongly reactive for both CK8 and CK18. In the remainder, the more superficial lining epithelium was mixed with foci of reactive and unreactive cells, with the deeper epithelium uniformly reactive. Only occasional highly localised reactivity for the simple keratins (CK8/18) was found in the lining epithelia of biopsies from minimally inflamed periodontal tissues. The pathological lining epithelium of advanced periodontitis was further characterised by the co-expression in basal layers of CK14, and of CK13 but not CK4, which are characteristic of suprabasal layers of stratified squamous epithelia. Cytokeratin 17, a marker of high turnover and migrating epithelial cells was extremely variable with no clear association between expression pattern and location of the epithelium ordisease status. There was no reactivity for CK10/11 typical of cornifying cells nor of vimentin, the characteristic intermediate filament of mesenchymal cells. The intermediate filament protein profile of the reactive lining epithelium was indistinguishable from the reactive epithelium present in three of five biopsies of periapical granulomas containing hyperplastic epithelium from activation of the developmental remnants of Hertwig's sheath, known as the cell rests of Malassez. The data reported are compatible with a contribution by remnants of developmental epithelium, including the reduced enamel epithelium and the cell rests of Malassez, to the reactive lining epithelium of the subgingival pocket in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis.

Lipoxygenase-5 is overexpressed in prostate adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic studies suggest that populations that consume large amounts of dietary fat are at greater risk for prostate carcinoma. Arachidonic acid and its precursor, linoleic acid, are major ingredients of animal fats and many vegetable oils that are used in the regions where prostate carcinoma is prevalent. The metabolism of arachidonic acid by either the cyclooxygenase pathway or the lipoxygenase pathway generates eicosanoids, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of human diseases, including cancer, and are now believed to play important roles in tumor promotion, progression, and metastasis. Studying these pathways in specimens from patients with prostate carcinoma, the authors recently demonstrated the overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in prostate adenocarcinoma. In the current study, the authors report the overexpression of lipoxygenase-5 (5-LO) in samples from patients with prostate adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Employing 22 pair-matched benign and malignant tissue samples that were obtained from the same patients with prostate carcinoma, the expression of 5-LO was determined using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry and by measuring the levels of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

The mean level of 5-LO mRNA was six-fold greater (P < 0.001) in malignant tissue compared with benign tissue. The immunoblot analysis demonstrated that, compared with benign tissue, 5-LO protein was overexpressed in 16 of 22 samples examined and was 2.6 fold greater (P < 0.001) in malignant tissue. Immunohistochemical studies further verified 5-LO up-regulation in malignant tissue that was not present in benign tissue. The levels of 5-HETE, which is a metabolic product of arachidonic acid, was found to be 2.2-fold greater (P < 0.001) in malignant tumor tissue compared with benign tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first in vivo study showing overexpression of 5-LO in patients with prostate carcinoma. This study suggests that inhibitors of arachidonic acid pathway in general and selective 5-LO inhibitors in particular may be useful for prevention or therapy in patients with prostate carcinoma.

ANX7 as a bio-marker in prostate and breast cancer progression

The ANX7 gene codes for a Ca2+-activated GTPase, which has been implicated in both exocytotic secretion in cells and control of growth. In this review, we summarize information regarding increased tumor frequency in the Anx7 knockout mice, ANX7 growth suppression of human cancer cell lines, and ANX7 expression in human tumor tissue micro-arrays. The loss of ANX7 is significant in metastatic and hormone refractory prostate cancer compared to benign prostatic hyperplasia. In addition, ANX7 expression has prognostic value for predicting survival of breast cancer patients.

Hepatocurative effect of picroliv and silymarin against aflatoxin B1 induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Single doses of aflatoxin B1 (2 mg/kg, i.p.) caused significant increases in the activities of tau-glutamyl transpeptidase, 5'-nucleotidase, acid phosphatase and acid ribonuclease, and decreases in the activities of succinate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphatase in liver, after 8 weeks. The level of lipid peroxides, DNA, RNA, and cholesterol increased while glycogen decreased. It also increased the serum level of transaminases, sorbitol dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin. Oral administration of picroliv (25 mg/kg/day for 15 days), a standardised iridoid glycoside fraction of Picrorhiza kurroa, 6 weeks after aflatoxin B1 toxication, significantly prevented the biochemical changes induced in liver and serum of aflatoxin B1 treated rats. The hepatocurative effect of picroliv and silymarin, a plant based standard hepatoprotective are comparable.

Age prediction based on skeletal morphology

Treatment plan for a child requires a complete diagnosis with monitoring of the skeleto-dental morphological changes during active period of growth. Growth modifications are done while the forces of growth are still at the peak of activity in a developing child. This study was undertaken on lateral cephalograms of 100 North Indian samples in the age group of 9-12 years consisting of 50 males and 50 females divided into normal occlusion and malocclusion groups, to predict and assess age by evaluating the skeleto-dental morphology in developing normal children having flush terminal plane molar relationship and children with developing class II pattern. It was concluded that based on measurements used in the study of dentofacial morphology, the age of a child could be statistically determined.

Low in vivo levels of human anx7 (annexin vii) gene expression are due to endogenous inhibitory promoter sequences

ANX7 is a Ca(2+)/GTP-dependent membrane fusion protein, which is involved in regulating exocytotic secretion. While the nullizygous ANX7 (-/-) knockout mutation in the mouse is lethal, ANX7 is nonetheless the least expressed member of the annexin gene family in mammalian and lower organisms. To investigate the basis for low ANX7 expression level we have studied the human ANX7 promoter. In our early cloning studies we learned that the human ANX7 promoter lacks TATA and CCAAT boxes, but is GC rich and contains several SP1 binding sites. To study how expression of the ANX7 gene is controlled, we fused nested deletion mutants of the 5'-flanking region to a luciferase reporter gene. We find that the maximal level of luciferase activity is obtained by a construct comprising the domain -889/+34. However, a repressor effect observed in the region between -240 and +34 is dramatically eliminated either by the inclusion of 177 bp upstream sequences, or by the presence of an upstream SV40 enhancer sequences. ANX7 gene expression is also cell type specific and is subject to different transcriptional controls in different cellular environments. The fact that the SV40 enhancer sequences not only eliminates the suppression of luciferase activity in the inhibitory region of the ANX7 promoter, but also reverses the inhibitory effect of phorbol ester, suggests that endogenous cis-acting elements or transacting factors may be responsible for the physiologically low level of ANX7 protein expression.

A transcriptional insulator at the imprinted H19/Igf2 locus

Igf2 and H19 exhibit parent-of-origin-specific monoallelic expression. H19 is expressed from the maternal chromosome and Igf2 from the paternal. The two genes share enhancer elements and monoallelic expression of both genes is dependent on cis-acting sequences upstream of the H19 promoter. In this work we examine the mechanisms by which this region silences the maternal Igf2 allele and we demonstrate that deletion of this region can result in high levels of activation of both H19 and Igf2 from a single chromosome. Moreover, by inserting this cis element between a promoter and its enhancer at a heterologous position, we demonstrate that the sequences carry both insulator activity and the ability to be stably imprinted. We also characterize the insulator in vitro and show that it is neither enhancer nor promoter specific.