In vitro culture and differentiation of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) spermatogonia

The objective of this study was to develop a culture system which could support buffalo spermatogonia differentiation into spermatids in vitro. Testes from 3- to 5-month-old buffaloes were decapsulated and seminiferous tubules were enzymatically dissociated to recover spermatogonia and sertoli cells. The cells were cultured in modified Dulbecco modified Eagle medium supplemented with different concentrations of foetal bovine serum, retinol, testosterone for 2 months at 37 degrees C. Spermatogonia and sertoli cells were identified with an antibody against c-kit or GATA4, respectively. The viability of spermatogonia in the media supplemented with different concentrations of serum was all significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared with that in the medium without serum. A-paired or A-aligned spermatogonia and spermatogonial colonies (AP-positive) were observed after 7-10 days of culture and spermatid-like cells with a flagellum (6-8 microm) appeared after 30 days of culture. For cultured conditions, retinol could not significantly promote the formation of spermatid-like cells (p > 0.05), whereas supplementation of testosterone could significantly promote (p < 0.05) the formation of spermatid-like cells after 41 days of culture. The expression of the spermatid-specific marker gene (PRM2) was identified after 30 days of culture by RT-PCR. Yet, the transition protein 1 (TP1, a haploid makers) was not detected. Meanwhile, spermatids developed in vitro were also confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. These results suggest that buffalo spermatogonia could differentiate into spermatids in vitro based on the analysis of their morphology, PRM2 expression and Raman spectroscopy. Yet, the normality of the spermatid-like cells was not supported by TP1 expression.

Interactions between stem cells and their niche in the Drosophila ovary

The Drosophila ovary contains at least three types of active stem cells, namely, germ-line stem cells (GSCs), escort stem cells (ESCs), and follicular stem cells (FSCs), which work together to efficiently assemble egg chambers. Among the three stem cell types, the GSC is among the first shown to be controlled by the niche due to its easy identification and welldefined surrounding cells. We have shown that the niche controls GSC self-renewal, anchorage, aging, and competition, and the GSC also signals back to the niche for its maintenance. The FSC is an attractive model for studying epithelial stem cell regulation and signal integration because we have shown that it resembles mammalian epithelial stem cells and requires multiple signaling pathways for its self-renewal. In this chapter, we have highlighted the findings of our studies on interactions between Drosophila ovarian stem cells and their niches during normal development and aging and on stem cell competition for niche occupancy. We further discuss their implications in general stem cell biology and future directions in this exciting area.

Secretory expression of insulin precursor in pichia pastoris and simple procedure for producing recombinant human insulin

In this work, Pichia pastoris was applied to produce human insulin by a simple procedure. The synthesized insulin precursor (ILP) gene was inserted into pPIC9K to obtain secretary expression plasmid pPIC9K/ILP. Pichia pastoris GS115 was transformed by pPIC9K/ILP and the high expresser was screened. In a 16 L fermentor, the insulin precursor production was 3.6 g/L. Insulin precursor, purified by one-step chromatography, was converted into human insulin by transpeptidation. The yield of the processing procedure from insulin precursor to insulin reached up to 70%. In vivo assay showed that the biological activity of the produced recombinant human insulin was 28.8 U/mg.

Effect of zoledronic acid (Zol) compared with placebo on overall disease and bone lesion progression in patients (pts) with bone metastases from certain solid tumors: Stratification by baseline characteristics

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Background: Zol has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of skeletal complications compared with placebo in pts with bone metastases from a wide range of solid tumors including a delay of bone lesion progression in pts with renal cancer. To assess whether Zol may reduce the risk of overall disease or bone lesion progression in pts with solid tumors other than breast, non-small cell lung, and prostate cancers, we conducted a retrospective analysis of pts enrolled in a large, randomized, controlled trial. Methods: Pts treated with Zol or placebo were retrospectively stratified by baseline characteristics, including Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) composite pain score, time from initial cancer diagnosis to development of bone metastases, and duration of cancer. The relative risk (RR) of disease progression during 25 months on study was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model (stratified log rank). Results: Median baseline BPI pain score was 2.75, median time with cancer was 15 months, and median time to development of bone metastases was 8.5 months. In pts with a baseline BPI score ≥ 2.75 (n = 236), Zol treatment significantly reduced the RR of disease progression by 34% (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.657; P = .014) and the RR of bone lesion progression by 32% (HR = 0.680; P = .028) compared with placebo. Additionally, in pts with cancer duration <15 months (n = 193), Zol treatment reduced the RR of disease progression by 45% (HR = 0.547; P = .002) and the RR of bone lesion progression by 40% (HR = 0.605; P = .016) compared with placebo. Similarly, among pts who developed bone metastases < 8.5 months from initial diagnosis of cancer (n = 193), Zol treatment significantly reduced the RR of disease progression by 39% and the RR of bone lesion progression by 48% compared with placebo (HR = 0.611; P = .009 and HR = 0.519; P = .004, respectively). Conclusions: This exploratory analysis suggests that Zol has potential antitumor effects that may reduce the risk of overall disease and bone lesion progression in pts who have higher pain scores and shorter time to development of bone metastases. Prospective studies are needed to confirm this result.

[Table: see text]

Effect of zoledronic acid (Zol) compared with pamidronate (Pam) on disease progression in breast cancer (BC) patients with bone metastases stratified by baseline characteristics

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Background: Zol has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of skeletal complications compared with Pam in BC pts with bone metastases. Zol has also demonstrated antitumor effects in animal models of human BC and significantly delayed bone lesion progression in pts with renal cancer. To assess whether Zol may reduce the risk of overall disease progression compared with Pam, we conducted a retrospective analysis of BC pts enrolled in a large randomized, controlled trial. Methods: Patients treated with Zol or Pam were retrospectively stratified by baseline characteristics, including Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) composite pain score, time from initial cancer diagnosis to development of bone metastases, and duration of cancer. The relative risk of overall disease progression during 25 months on study was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Median BPI pain score at baseline was 2.75, median time to development of bone metastases was 44 months, and median time with cancer was 58 months for all patients. In the subset of pts with a baseline BPI score ≥ 2.75 (n = 556), treatment with Zol significantly reduced the risk of disease progression by 21% compared with Pam (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.793; P = .018). Similarly, among pts who developed bone metastases < 44 months from initial diagnosis of cancer (n = 564) and pts with cancer for < 58 months (n = 563), treatment with Zol reduced the risk of disease progression by approximately 20% compared with Pam (HR = 0.805; P = .026 and HR = 0.800; P = .023, respectively). Conclusions: Zol significantly reduced the risk of overall disease progression compared to Pam in specific subsets of pts with higher pain scores and shorter time to development of bone metastases. This exploratory analysis suggests that Zol has potential antitumor effects that may reduce the risk of disease progression in this patient population. These results are consistent with published reports and provide the initiative for further investigations with additional clinical studies.

[Table: see text]

Experimental and theoretical study of the infrared spectra of BrHI− and BrDI−

Gas phase vibrational spectra of BrHI- and BrDI- have been measured from 6 to 17 microm (590-1666 cm(-1)) using tunable infrared radiation from the free electron laser for infrared experiments in order to characterize the strong hydrogen bond in these species. BrHI-.Ar and BrDI-.Ar complexes were produced and mass selected, and the depletion of their signal due to vibrational predissociation was monitored as a function of photon energy. Additionally, BrHI- and BrDI- were dissociated into HBr (DBr) and I- via resonant infrared multiphoton dissociation. The spectra show numerous transitions, which had not been observed by previous matrix studies. New ab initio calculations of the potential-energy surface and the dipole moment are presented and are used in variational ro-vibrational calculations to assign the spectral features. These calculations highlight the importance of basis set in the simulation of heavy atoms such as iodine. Further, they demonstrate extensive mode mixing between the bend and the H-atom stretch modes in BrHI- and BrDI- due to Fermi resonances. These interactions result in major deviations from simple harmonic estimates of the vibrational energies. As a result of this new analysis, previous matrix-isolation spectra assignments are reevaluated.

Human catechol-O-methyltransferase down-regulation by estradiol

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a crucial enzyme in dopamine and levodopa metabolism. Previously we reported that physiological concentrations of 17beta-estradiol (E2) down-regulated steady-state 1.3-kb COMT mRNA levels in MCF-7 cells. In this study, we investigated whether similar reductions occurred in a glial cell line (U138MG) and whether COMT protein and activity levels paralleled the reduction in COMT mRNA levels in MCF-7 cells. In addition, we explored the mechanism of E2 action. E2 had no effect on COMT mRNA levels in U138MG cells, but significantly reduced COMT protein and activity in MCF-7 cells (activity by 53% at 10(-7) M of E2, by 45% at 10(-8) M, and by 28% at 10(-9) M relative to non-E2-treated cells). A specific estrogen receptor antagonist (ICI 182780) blocked these estrogenic effects. Estrogen receptor in nuclear extracts of MCF-7 cells, which were pretreated with E2 (10(-9) M) for 48 h, bound to the whole proximal and distal promoter regions, as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift analysis (EMSA). We propose that E2 decreased COMT activity through down-regulation of its gene and protein expression mediated via ER interaction with response elements in the promoter region of the gene. Our findings may explain the lower of COMT activity in women compared to that in men, and, in part, the beneficial effects of E2 therapy in post-menopausal Parkinson's disease patients.

Detection of tumorigenesis in urinary bladder with optical coherence tomography: optical characterization of morphological changes

Most transitional cell tumorigenesis involves three stages of subcellular morphological changes: hyperplasia, dysplasia and neoplasia. Previous studies demonstrated that owing to its high spatial resolution and intermediate penetration depth, current OCT technology including endoscopic OCT could delineate the urothelium, submucosa and the upper muscular layers of the bladder wall. In this paper, we will discuss the sensitivity and limitations of OCT in diagnosing and staging bladder cancer. Based on histomorphometric evaluations of nuclear morphology, we modeled the resultant backscattering changes and the characteristic changes in OCT image contrast. In the theoretical modeling, we assumed that nuclei were the primary sources of scattering and were uniformly distributed in the uroepithelium, and compared with the results of the corresponding prior OCT measurements. According to our theoretical modeling, normal bladder shows a thin, uniform and low scattering urothelium, so does an inflammatory lesion except thickening in the submucosa. Compared with a normal bladder, a hyperplastic lesion exhibits a thickened, low scattering urothelium whereas a neoplastic lesion shows a thickened urothelium with increased backscattering. These results support our previous animal study that OCT has the potential to differentiate inflammation, hyperplasia, and neoplasia by quantifying the changes in urothelial thickening and backscattering. The results also suggest that OCT might not have the sensitivity to differentiate the subtle morphological changes between hyperplasia and dysplasia based on minor backscattering differences.

A murine dopamine neuron-specific cDNA library and microarray: increased COX1 expression during methamphetamine neurotoxicity

Due to brain tissue heterogeneity, the molecular genetic profile of any neurotransmitter-specific neuronal subtype is unknown. The purpose of this study was to purify a population of dopamine neurons, construct a cDNA library, and generate an initial gene expression profile and a microarray representative of dopamine neuron transcripts. Ventral mesencephalic dopamine neurons were purified by fluorescent-activated cell sorting from embryonic day 13.5 transgenic mice harboring a 4.5-kb rat tyrosine hydroxylase promoter-lacZ fusion. Nine-hundred sixty dopamine neuron cDNA clones were sequenced and arrayed for use in studies of gene expression changes during methamphetamine neurotoxicity. A neurotoxic dose of methamphetamine produced a greater than twofold up-regulation of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase polypeptide I transcript from adult mouse substantia nigra at 12 h posttreatment. This is the first work to describe a gene expression profile for a neuronal subtype and to identify gene expression changes during methamphetamine neurotoxicity.

The structure dependent electrochemical-response of novel 1-(4-mercaptobutyl)-4-(2-ferrocenylvinyl)pyridinium bromide SAMs on an au electrode

The 1-(4-mercaptobutyl)-4-(2-ferrocenylvinyl)pyridinium bromide (1-HS(CH2)(4)-4-[(E)-FcCH=CH]C5H4N)+Br- and its hydrogenated product [1-HS(CH2)(4)-4-(-FcCH2CH2)C5H4N]+Br- were synthesized and assembled on an Au electrode to form self-assembled monolayers which showed a structure-dependent electrochemical-response in phosphate buffer aqueous solutions (pH = 7).

STAT5b is required for GH-induced liver IGF-I gene expression

Although the increased expression of Igf-I in liver in response to GH is well characterized, the intracellular signaling pathways that mediate this effect have not been identified. Intracellular signaling molecules belonging to the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (JAK2-STAT5b) pathway are activated by GH and have previously been shown to be required for sexually dimorphic body growth and the expression of liver cytochrome P450 proteins known to be regulated by the gender-specific temporal patterns of pituitary GH secretion. Here, we evaluate the role of STAT5b in GH activation of Igf-I by monitoring the induction of Igf-I mRNA in livers of wild-type and Stat5b(-/-)mice stimulated with exogenous pulses of GH. GH induced the expression of liver Igf-I mRNA in hypophysectomized male wild-type, but not in hypophysectomized male Stat5b(-/-) mice, although the Stat5b(-/-) mice exhibit both normal liver GH receptor expression and strong GH induction of Cytokine-inducible SH2 protein (Cis), which is believed to contribute to the down-regulation of GH-induced liver STAT5b signaling. Thus, STAT5b plays an important and specific role in liver Igf-I gene expression.

Approaches to soil remediation by complexometric extraction of metal contaminants with regeneration of reagents

Complexometric equilibrations were performed with six chelating reagents to mobilise Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn from a contaminated urban soil. The metal-laden aqueous extract was treated with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC) to precipitate the heavy metals from solution while liberating the chelating reagent. The aqueous supernatant fraction was then re-combined with the soil particulates to extract more pollutants. A sparing quantity of EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; 10 mmol) mobilised 32-54% of the 5 mmol of heavy metals from the soil with three cycles but only 0.1 and 1.0% of the iron and magnesium, respectively, was removed. Whereas DPTA (1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) and citric acid also mobilised each of the heavy metals to some extent and continued to extract these metals during all three cycles, the DTPA (diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid), although efficient initially, could not be recycled with these conditions. ADA [N-(2-acetamido)iminodiacetate] and SCMC [(S)-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine] were selective for copper and zinc but mobilised only Cu when recycled. An alternate means of regenerating the chelating reagent involved treatment of the aqueous extract with magnesium (Mg0) granules. Excess HEDC [bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dithiocarbamate] mobilised appreciable quantities (19-57%) of heavy metals from the soil and retained its complexing activity when recycled. An appreciable fraction of the mobilised Pb and Cu and a portion of the Zn were cemented to the surfaces of the excess magnesium whereas virtually all of the Fe and Mn was removed from solution as insoluble hydroxides.

Spinal movement and performance of a standing reach task in participants with and without Parkinson disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Evidence suggests that individuals with early and mid-stage Parkinson disease (PD) have diminished range of motion (ROM). Spinal ROM influences the ability to function. In this investigation, the authors examined available spinal ROM, segmental excursions (the ROM used) during reaching, and their relationships in community-dwelling adults with and without PD.

SUBJECTS

The subjects were 16 volunteers with PD (modified Hoehn and Yahr stages 1.5-3) and 32 participants without PD who were matched for age, body mass index, and sex.

METHODS

Range of motion of the extremities was measured using a goniometer, and ROM of the spine was measured using the functional axial rotation (FAR) test, a measure of unrestricted cervico-thoracic-lumbar rotation in the seated position. Motion during reaching was determined using 3-dimensional motion analysis. Group differences were determined using multivariable analysis of variance followed by analysis of variance. Contributions to total reaching distance of segmental excursions (eg, thoracic rotation, thoracic lateral flexion) were determined using forward stepwise regression.

RESULTS

Subjects with PD as compared with subjects without PD had less ROM (FAR of 98.2 degrees versus 110.3 degrees, shoulder flexion of 151.9 degrees versus 160.1 degrees) and less forward reaching (29.5 cm versus 34.0 cm). Lateral trunk flexion and total rotation relative to the ground contributed to reaching, with the regression model explaining 36% of the variance.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

These results contribute to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that spinal ROM is impaired early in PD.

Prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia and physical activity in Shanghai, China

BACKGROUND

Studies suggest that increased levels of physical activity might decrease the risk of prostate cancer. We ascertained lifetime measures of activity in a population-based case-control study of prostate cancer in Shanghai, China to investigate physical activity in a population where the incidence of prostate cancer is low but rising.

METHODS

In all, 238 men with prostate cancer, diagnosed 1993-1995, were identified through a rapid reporting system. A second group of 206 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was matched to prostate cancer cases, and 471 age-matched and population-based controls were identified from urban Shanghai. Through personal interviews, we ascertained all daily, occupational, and recreational activities at ages 20-29, ages 40-49, and in 1988 to generate hours spent sleeping, sitting, in moderate activity, and in vigorous activity. Time spent per week in different activities was converted to metabolic equivalents (MET-h) and energy expended.

RESULTS

Time spent in, MET-h of, and energy expended in physical activities were not consistently related to either prostate cancer or BPH when compared to controls. Few men reported regular vigorous activity. Occupational activity, based on an energy expenditure index using job titles, was suggestively associated with a decreased risk of BPH, but not associated with prostate cancer. Associations did not vary according to age or stage of prostate cancer at diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results, based on regular physical activity, occupational activity, hours in activities, MET-h, and energy expended, did not support a protective role of physical activity in prostate cancer or BPH for men in a low-risk population.

Real-time three-dimensional dobutamine stress echocardiography in assessment stress echocardiography in assessment of ischemia: comparison with two-dimensional dobutamine stress echocardiography

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to test the feasibility and efficacy of using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3D) to detect ischemia during dobutamine-induced stress (DSE) and compares the results with conventional two-dimensional echocardiography (2D).

BACKGROUND

Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography, a novel imaging technique, offers rapid acquisition with multiple simultaneous views of the left ventricle (LV). These features make it attractive for application during stress.

METHODS

Of 279 consecutive patients screened for image quality by 2D, 253 patients with adequate images underwent RT-3D and 2D within 30 s of each other at baseline and at peak DSE.

RESULTS

Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography and 2D showed good concordance in detection of abnormal LV wall motion at baseline (84%: Kappa = 0.59) and at peak DSE (88.9%: Kappa = 0.72). Left ventricular wall motion scores were similar at baseline and peak DSE using both techniques. Interobserver agreements for detection of ischemia at peak DSE were superior for RT-3D, 92.7% compared with 84.6% for 2D (p < 0.05). Mean scanning time at peak stress by RT-3D in 50 randomly selected patients was shorter, 27.4 +/- 10.7 s compared with 62.4 +/- 20.1 s by 2D (p < 0.0001). In 90 patients with coronary angiograms, RT-3D had a sensitivity of 87.9% in the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with 79.3% by 2D.

CONCLUSIONS

Real-time three-dimensional dobutamine stress echocardiography is feasible and sensitive in the detection of CAD. The procedure offers shorter scanning time, superior interobserver agreements and unique new views of the LV.

Efficacy of treatment with antisense oligonucleotides complementary to immunoglobulin sequences of bcl-2/immunoglobulin fusion transcript in a t(14;18) human lymphoma-scid mouse model

In t(14;18)-positive lymphoma cells, bcl-2 is expressed from a fusion mRNA transcript containing the full coding sequence of bcl-2 and 3' immunoglobulin sequences. We reported previously that antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides directed at the bcl-2 translational start site, as well as those targeted to immunoglobulin sequences 3' of the translocation breakpoint, down-regulate bcl-2 and inhibit growth of the t(14;18)-positive lymphoma line WSU-FSCCL in vitro. We have developed a scid mouse model with this human cell line and demonstrate that antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides targeted to immunoglobulin c(mu) sequences down-regulate bcl-2 protein expression and induce apoptosis of WSU-FSCCL cells in vivo. This leads to prolonged survival of the mice. Targeting non-oncogenic sequences outside of the breakpoints of fusion transcripts may be a clinically useful therapeutic strategy.