KITENIN recruits Dishevelled/PKC delta to form a functional complex and controls the migration and invasiveness of colorectal cancer cells

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

KITENIN was previously reported to promote metastasis in mouse colon tumour models; however, the signalling mechanism of KITENIN at the cellular level was unknown. Here the functional role of KITENIN with respect to colorectal cancer (CRC) cell invasion and its expression in CRC tissues were investigated.

METHODS

The effect of KITENIN on cell motility was analysed in a migration and invasion assay upon its overexpression and knockdown. Immunoprecipitation was used to elucidate binding partners, and immunohistochemistry was used to study expression levels.

RESULTS

KITENIN overexpression enhanced the migration of rat intestinal epithelial cells, whereas a loss of invasiveness was observed in CRC cells after KITENIN knockdown. Mechanically, KITENIN served as a scaffolding molecule that simultaneously recruited both Dishevelled (Dvl) and protein kinase C delta (PKC delta) through the membrane-spanning C-terminal region to form a complex that stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/activating protein-1 (AP-1) via a PKC delta component but also organised the actin filament via a Dvl component. The KITENIN complex controlled the invasiveness of CRC cells aetiologically harbouring various mutations in APC, beta-catenin or K-ras, in which AP-1 activation is redundant but the organisation of the actin filament is indispensable for cell motility. Clinically, KITENIN expression was significantly higher in colon cancer tissues from advanced stage (III, IV) than that of stage I CRC and also in corresponding metastatic tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

The functional KITENIN complex acts as an executor with regard to cell motility and thereby controls CRC cell invasion, which may contribute to promoting metastasis.

Endoscopic surgery for inverted papilloma originating from the sphenoid sinus and related clinical characteristics

CONCLUSIONS

Bony changes on CT imaging of inverted papilloma (IP) are useful for predicting tumor origin and recurrence sites. Because the lateral wall and floor of the sphenoid sinus are the most common origin and recurrence sites, the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus should be opened as wide as the lateral wall and inferiorly to the level of the floor, especially in deeply pneumatized sphenoid sinuses.

OBJECTIVES

The incidence of isolated sphenoid IP is exceedingly low. So far, there have not been studies on the usual origin and recurrence sites of the sphenoid sinus. We sought to identify the sites of origin and recurrence and describe clinical characteristics, radiological features, and proper endoscopic management.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with IP of the sphenoid sinus. Data collection included clinical presentations, origin and recurrent sites, radiological features, and surgical methods.

RESULTS

Seven patients were identified. The most common symptoms were headache and nasal obstruction. Radiological findings showed that most tumors extended into the nasal cavity or ethmoid sinus combined frequently with erosion of the lateral wall or intersinus septum. We noted simultaneous attachment to multiple walls in five subjects, including both lateral wall and floor attachment in three subjects.

'Physical or psychological?'- a comparative study of causal attribution for chronic fatigue in Brazilian and British primary care patients

OBJECTIVE

Causal attribution influences symptom experience, help-seeking behaviour and prognosis in chronic fatigue syndrome. We compared causal attribution of patients with unexplained chronic fatigue (UCF) in Brazil and Britain.

METHOD

Primary care attenders in São Paulo (n = 3914) and London (n = 2459) were screened for the presence of UCF. Those with UCF (São Paulo n = 452; London n = 178) were assessed for causal attribution (physical vs. psychosocial), perceived chronicity (i.e. reported duration of fatigue) and disability.

RESULTS

British UCF patients were more likely to attribute their fatigue to physical causes (adjusted odds ratio 1.70, P = 0.037) and perceived their fatigue to be more chronic (adjusted beta 0.15, P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in current disability (adjusted beta -0.01, P = 0.81).

CONCLUSION

Despite similar disability levels, UCF patients in different cultural settings presented different attributions and perceptions about their illness. Sociocultural factors may have an important role in shaping illness attribution and perception around chronic fatigue.

DNA damage-inducing agents elicit gamma-secretase activation mediated by oxidative stress

According to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, Alzheimer's disease is the consequence of neuronal cell death induced by beta-amyloid (Abeta), which accumulates by abnormal clearance or production. On the other hand, recent studies have shown cell death-induced alteration in amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, suggesting potential mutual interactions between APP processing and cell death. We have shown previously that the cell death caused by DNA damage-inducing agents (DDIAs) facilitated gamma-secretase activity and Abeta generation in a Bax/Bcl-2-dependent, but caspase-independent manner. Here, we attempted to elucidate the downstream mechanism that modulates gamma-secretase activity in DDIA-treated cells. N-acetyl cysteine, a potent antioxidant, attenuated DDIA-induced enhancement of gamma-secretase activity but failed to rescue cell death. Overexpression of heat shock protein 70, which blocks cytochrome c release from mitochondria, also reduced gamma-secretase activity. Moreover, glutathione depletion significantly facilitated gamma-secretase activity and Abeta generation by enhancing the formation of higher molecular weight gamma-secretase complex before signs of cell death developed. Finally, Abeta treatment, a known inducer of oxidative stress, also increased gamma-secretase activity. Taken together, these results indicate that DDIA-induced gamma-secretase activation is dependent on augmented oxidative stress, and that Abeta and gamma-secretase may activate each other. On the basis of these results, we propose a feed-back loop between oxidative stress and Abeta generation mediated by gamma-secretase activation.

Room temperature hydrogen detection using 1-D nanostructured tin oxide sensor

Room temperature sensing of hydrogen using randomly oriented tin oxide nanowires has been demonstrated successfully. The role of surface functionalization of nanowires with platinum catalyst in rapid hydrogen detection is also studied. These nanowires were successfully incorporated into a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) device. The device can successfully detect hydrogen gas (as low as 500 ppm) with response time as low as 10 sec. Effect of aspect ratio of the nanowires on diffusion of hydrogen molecules in the tin oxide nanowires is elucidated in detail.

Explaining age-specific inequalities in mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease and ischaemic heart disease among South Korean male public servants: relative and absolute perspectives

OBJECTIVE

To examine age-specific patterns in the ability of major cardiovascular risk factors to explain relative and absolute socioeconomic inequalities in mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and ischaemic heart disease (IHD).

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

South Korea.

SUBJECTS

575 377 male public servants aged 30-64 with 16 998 deaths between 1995 and 2003.

MAIN OUTCOMES

All-cause, CVD, and IHD mortality.

RESULTS

Four cardiovascular risk factors (cigarette smoking, blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, and serum total cholesterol) were significantly associated with mortality risk. Changing relationships in socioeconomic distribution of risk factors with age were observed. The magnitude of reduction in percent change in absolute risk was greater than that in relative risk. While the risk factors explained only 15.2% of excess RR for all-cause mortality in low-income men aged 30-44, the absolute excess risk of all-cause mortality was reduced by 48.3% when the risk factors were removed from the whole population. This pattern was generally true for all causes, CVD, and IHD, and true for all age groups and risk factors examined. Cigarette smoking and hypertension were the leading contributors in explaining relative and absolute inequality in mortality.

CONCLUSION

Policy efforts to eliminate major cardiovascular risk factors in the general population may have a significant effect on reducing the absolute burden of socioeconomic inequality in mortality. Policy efforts to attenuate socioeconomic inequality in cardiovascular risk factors need to be directed to younger age groups in South Korea.

Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the rat forebrain and upper brain stem during postnatal development: an immunohistochemical study

The present study was undertaken to characterize the regional and temporal patterns of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the rat forebrain and upper brain stem during postnatal development using an immunohistochemical approach. Results indicated that BDNF-immunoreactive (IR) cells could be divided into three groups based on their postnatal developmental patterns: (group 1) BDNF-IR cells were first detected between postnatal days (PND) 1 and 7, and thereafter they increased in number and remained stable during later stages of ontogeny; (group 2) BDNF-IR cells progressively increased in number with age, and then decreased in adults; (group 3) numerous BDNF-IR cells detected between PND 1 and 7 showed a dramatic reductions in number with few IR cells in adults. In contrast, the developmental pattern of most BDNF-IR fibers differed from that of IR neurons, i.e. they appeared between PND 1-28 and thereafter continued to increase in number showing a maximum level in adults. Additionally, BDNF-IR cells in the superficial layer of the neocortex and IR fibers in the stratum oriens of CA2 first appeared as late as PND 28 and in adults, respectively. After colchicine treatment, reexpression or a marked increase in the number of BDNF-IR neurons was observed in many areas of the adult brain where a progressive decrease in BDNF-IR cell numbers during development and scant or some IR neurons in adults were shown. These results showed both transient and persistent expression of BDNF in various regions of the developing rat brain.

A micromachined electrochemical sensor for free chlorine monitoring in drinking water

In this work, we designed, fabricated and tested a disposable, flow-through amperometric sensor for free chlorine determination in water. The sensor is based on the principle of an electrochemical cell. The substrate, as well as the top microfluidic layer, is made up of a polymer material. The advantages include; (a) disposability from low cost; (b) stable operation range from three-electrode design; (c) fluidic interconnections that provide on line testing capabilities; and (d) transparent substrate which provides for future integration of on-chip optics. The sensor showed a good response and linearity in the chlorine concentration ranging from 0.3 to 1.6 ppm, which applies to common chlorination process for drinking water purification.

Population-based and family-based studies on the serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms and bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) is a candidate gene for bipolar disorder (BPD). It has been investigated for association with the illness in a series of studies, but overall results have been inconsistent and its role in the disorder remains controversial. Systematic reviews using meta-analytical techniques are a useful method for objectively and reproducibly assessing individual studies and generating combined results. We performed two meta-analyses of published studies--both population-based and family-based studies--investigating the association between BPD and the 5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and the intron 2 variable numbers of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphisms. The literature was searched using Medline and Embase to identify studies for inclusion. We statistically joined population-based and family-based studies into a single meta-analysis. For both polymorphisms, our review revealed significant pooled odds ratios (ORs): 1.12 (95% CI 1.03-1.21) for the 5-HTTLPR and 1.12 (95% CI 1.02-1.22) for the intron 2 VNTR. Meta-regression showed that neither the study type (population-based vs family-based; P=0.41 for the 5-HTTLPR and P=0.91 for the intron 2 VNTR) nor the sample ethnicity (Caucasian vs non-Caucasian; P=0.35 for the 5-HTTLPR and P=0.66 for the intron 2 VNTR) significantly contributed to the heterogeneity of the meta-analyses. The observed ORs could be regarded simply as a very small but detectable effect of the 5-HTT, which has an additive effect when combined with other susceptibility loci. Alternative hypotheses on this finding were also discussed: a stronger effect of the haplotypes involving the two polymorphisms or other SNP markers; a more direct effect of these polymorphisms on specific phenotypes of BPD; and the presence of gene-environment interaction as a mediator of the genetic effects of 5-HTT.

Trends in socio-economic differentials in cigarette smoking behaviour between 1990 and 1998: a large prospective study in Korean men

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the magnitude and time trends in socio-economic differentials in cigarette smoking behaviour.

STUDY DESIGNS

A prospective observational study of male civil servants followed-up for 8 years.

SETTING

All civil service offices in Korea.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 322,991 male civil servants aged 30-49 years on whom information on monthly salary was available and who had reported cigarette smoking behaviour between 1990 and 1998.

RESULTS

Smoking prevalence was 60.1% in 1990 and was inversely associated with salary level. The difference in smoking prevalence between the highest and the lowest salary groups gradually widened from 13.0% in 1990 to 16.1% in 1998. The relative index of inequality (RII) as a measure of socio-economic inequality in smoking behaviour was 1.91 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.86-1.97] in 1990 and increased between 1990 and 1998. The RII for smoking cessation was 0.60 in 1990 (95% CI 0.58-0.62) and gradually decreased as time lapsed.

CONCLUSIONS

An increasing trend in socio-economic inequality in smoking behaviour was observed in this study.

Alpha-difluoromethylornithine, ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor, antagonizes H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in HL-60 leukemia cells: regulation of iron-dependent lysosomal damage

Recent studies indicate that reactive oxygen species, such as H2O2, can be generated by anti-cancer drugs, can damage cells, and then induce apoptotic cell death. In this study, we reported whether polyamines were capable of affecting apoptotic cell death triggered by H2O2 in leukemia cells or not. Alpha-difluoromethylornithine treatment (DFMO, 3 mmol/L, 48 h), which depletes intracellular putrescine by inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase, reduced H2O2-induced cell death in the HL-60 leukemia cells. Cytotoxicity caused by H2O2 in putrescine-depleted cells was 50% lower than that in the control cells, as determined by propidium iodide, the annexin V and DNA fragmentation assays. Following putrescine (1 mmol/L) supplement, cell death induction caused by H2O2 was restored to a similar level as the DFMO-untreated control cells. It seems that this partly resulted from the intralysosomal iron-dependent oxidation of the cells because DFMO did not significantly affect the increment of enzymes related to oxidative-stress resistance. Putrescine depletion by DFMO treatment reduced the cellular iron uptake of the cells by about 70%. In parallel to the reduction of iron uptake, lysosomal damage (assayed by acridine orange relocalization or uptake test) in the DFMO-treated cells was far less than that in the control cells. Moreover, putrescine supplement also restored the iron uptake to the control cell levels. Pre-incubation with desferrioxamine (DFO), which chelates iron and forms a non-reactive Fe-DFO complex that is localized in the lysosomal compartment, inhibited H2O2-induced cell death. This work suggests that polyamines may play a critical role in apoptotic cell death triggered by H2O2 via the regulation of the iron-dependent instability of the lysosome.

Prescription behaviours of office-based doctors to standardized common cold patients in Korea

PURPOSE

To investigate real pictures of prescription behaviours of office-based doctors in Korea, especially focusing on the prescription of oral antibiotics and injections.

METHODS

Prescription information was collected from 18 standardized patients (SPs) with the symptoms of the common cold who visited doctors' office.

RESULTS

For these patients antibiotics were prescribed by 96 doctors (64.7%) out of 148 and the rate of antibiotic prescription increased with age of doctors, increasing number of medicines, and cost of medicines. Analgesics were most frequently prescribed (91.8%), and gastrointestinal drugs (81.6%), antitussivies (61.2%), antithistamines (61.2%), decongestants (59.2%), mucolytics (51.0%) and proteolytic enzymes (32.7%) followed. More than half of the doctors intended to give injections to the patients, which was higher among internists and doctors prescribed more medicines.

CONCLUSIONS

Antibiotics and injections were frequently prescribed for mild common colds in Korea. Action to ensure judicious use of antibiotics and injection is urgent.

Chronic fatigue among bank workers in Brazil

The present study examines the prevalence of chronic fatigue (CF) among bank workers in Brazil and possible associations with gender and working conditions. The study sample included all 735 workers from the department of data processing of a state bank. CF was assessed using the Chalder Fatigue Scale. Working conditions and socio-demographic, socio-economic and psychosocial factors at work were analysed. Psychiatric symptoms were measured with the SRQ-20. The overall estimate of the prevalence of CF was 8.7% [95% confidence intervals (95% CI) = 6.4-10.9%]: 7.8% (95% CI = 5.5-10.7%) among men and 11.0% (95% CI = 6.7-16.9%) among women. The male-female difference was not statistically significant, even after adjusting for minor psychiatric disorders. The overall prevalence of CF without minor psychiatric disorders was 4.5% (95% CI = 2.7-6.3%): 3.9% (95% CI = 1.9-5.9%) among men and 6.4% (95% CI = 2.0-10.1%) among women. In the final model, risk factors for CF were fast work speed [odds ratio (OR) = 3.5], dissatisfaction at work (OR = 3.1), minor psychiatric disorders (OR = 6.8), and medium (OR = 1.8) and heavy domestic workload (OR = 12.0). CF is common among these bank workers and is associated with psychosocial factors at work. Particularly among women, domestic workload, marital status and the presence of young children were associated with CF in the stratified analysis. Domestic workload may add physical and mental stress, putting employees at risk for CF from overload, or CF may cause workers to perceive domestic work as heavy.

Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in rat dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord and gracile nuclei in experimental models of neuropathic pain

Chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve and lumbar L5 and L6 spinal nerve ligation provide animal models for pain syndromes accompanying peripheral nerve injury and disease. In the present study, we evaluated changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immunoreactivity in the rat L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and areas where afferents from the DRG terminates (the L4/5 spinal cord and gracile nuclei) in these experimental models of neuropathic pain. Chronic constriction injury induced significant increase in the percentage of small, medium and large BDNF-immunoreactive neurons in the ipsilateral L4 and L5 DRG. Following spinal nerve ligation, the percentage of large BDNF-immunoreactive neurons increased significantly, and that of small BDNF-immunoreactive neurons decreased markedly in the ipsilateral L5 DRG, while that of BDNF-immunoreactive L4 DRG neurons of all sizes showed marked increase. Both chronic constriction injury and spinal nerve ligation induced significant increase in the number of BDNF-immunoreactive axonal fibers in the superficial and deeper laminae of the L4/5 dorsal horn and the gracile nuclei on the ipsilateral side. Considering that BDNF may modulate nociceptive sensory inputs and that injection of antiserum to BDNF significantly reduces the sympathetic sprouting in the DRG and allodynic response following sciatic nerve injury, our results also may suggest that endogenous BDNF plays an important role in the induction of neuropathic pain after chronic constriction injury and spinal nerve ligation. In addition, the increase of BDNF in L4 DRG may contribute to evoked pain which is known to be mediated by input from intact afferent from L4 DRG following L5 and L6 spinal nerve ligation.

Changes in voltage-gated calcium channel alpha(1) gene expression in rat dorsal root ganglia following peripheral nerve injury

Although an increase in the excitability and ectopic spontaneous discharge (ESD) of primary sensory neurons can lead to abnormal burst activity, which is associated with neuropathic pain, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. To investigate the relationship between these electrical abnormalities in injured neurons and voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) gene expression, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to monitor the expression of the VGCC alpha(1) gene in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) following chronic constriction injury (CCI) and axotomy of the rat sciatic nerve. Electrophoresis of the RT-PCR products showed the presence of multiple types of VGCC alpha(1) transcripts with various levels of basal expression in lumbar 4, 5, and 6 DRGs. CCI decreased alpha(1C), alpha(1D), alpha(1H), and alpha(1I) mRNA expression at 7 days in the ipsilateral DRG, to approximately 34-50% of the contralateral side. The same transcripts were repressed 7 days after sciatic axotomy and their reduction levels proved similar to those of CCI. Considering that changes of the intracellular calcium concentration modify the maintenance of ESD in injured DRG, these results suggest that the downregulation of alpha(1C), alpha(1D), alpha(1H) and alpha(1I) subunit gene expression in the rat DRG following peripheral nerve injury may contribute to the production of ESD associated with damaged nerves.

Differentially expressed genes in rat dorsal root ganglia following peripheral nerve injury

Ordered differential display PCR was used to identify differentially expressed genes in rat dorsal root ganglia at 7 days following chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Fourteen differentially displayed cDNA bands were isolated, cloned and verified by RT-PCR. The four mRNAs were increased, which included mRNAs encoding heat shock protein 27, fatty acid binding protein, apolipoprotein D and one novel gene. Six down-regulated clones were microtubule-associated protein 1B, protein tyrosine phosphatase alpha, Kv1.2 channel, myelin protein SR13, medium-sized neurofilament protein, and one novel gene. Our results show that many differentially regulated genes after CCI may play a role in nerve degeneration and/or regeneration and provide a molecular framework for understanding the peripheral mechanism underlying neuropathic pain.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and inducible nitric oxide synthase in pterygia

PURPOSE

To evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in pterygium and investigate the interrelationships between VEGF and nitric oxide (NO) in the development of pterygia.

METHODS

Specimens of normal conjunctiva acquired incidentally to conjunctival transplantation during pterygium and strabismus surgery and the excised pterygium were used in this study. Cryopreserved tissue specimens consisting of normal conjunctiva and pterygium were used to study the expression of VEGF and inducible NO synthetase (iNOS), using immunohistochemistry. For confirmation of NOS activity, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase staining was done. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection and quantification of VEGF was performed.

RESULTS

Expression of VEGF and iNOS was strongly revealed mainly in the epithelium of the head portions of pterygial specimens, although not in the epithelium of conjunctival ones. Pterygial epithelium was stained with NADPH diaphorase, confirming NOS activity. ELISA showed a greater amount of VEGF in pterygium (11.7 +/- 2.1 pg/mg) compared with normal conjunctiva (4 +/- 0.47 pg/mg) ( p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These data are the first to demonstrate that VEGF and NO may play an important role in the development of pterygium and to identify VEGF and NO in the epithelium of pterygium. We hypothesize that environmental stress, such as ultraviolet irradiation and local inflammation stimulate the elaboration of NO and VEGF, resulting in the conjunctival fibrovascular ingrowth characteristic of pterygium.

Differential usage of multiple brain-derived neurotrophic factor promoter in rat dorsal root ganglia following peripheral nerve injuries and inflammation

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may act as either an autocrine or paracrine survival factor for the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and may also serve as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The rat BDNF gene consists of four short 5' exons linked to separate promoters and one 3' exon encoding the mature BDNF protein. An exon-specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to study the differential utilization of multiple promoters in the DRG following unilateral sciatic axotomy, dorsal rhizotomy and peripheral inflammation. The exon I transcript showed the highest induction rate with the ipsilateral expression elevated 4.3-5.8 times that of contralateral expression. Both exon II and III mRNAs showed a smaller increase 1 day after the three kinds of stimuli. In addition, exon IV mRNA transcription increased slightly only after rhizotomy, but not after axotomy and peripheral inflammation after 1 day. Furthermore, the elevated exon I mRNA levels 1 day after rhizotomy were sustained for up to 7 days. In contrast, those of the exon I mRNA after axotomy had declined 2.8 times the control level after 7 days. These findings suggest that the promoter linked to exon I may provide a major regulatory point of BDNF mRNA expression by peripheral nerve injuries and inflammation. In addition, both exon I and IV mRNA expression may show different temporal activation patterns according to the types of injury.

C5b-9 terminal complement complex protects oligodendrocytes from death by regulating Bad through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway

Apoptosis of oligodendrocytes is induced by serum growth factor deprivation. We showed that oligodendrocytes and progenitor cells respond to serum withdrawal by a rapid decline of Bcl-2 mRNA expression and caspase-3-dependent apoptotic death. Sublytic assembly of membrane-inserted terminal complement complexes consisting of C5b, C6, C7, C8, and C9 proteins (C5b-9) inhibits caspase-3 activation and apoptotic death of oligodendrocytes. In this study, we examined an involvement of the mitochondria in oligodendrocyte apoptosis and the role of C5b-9 on this process. Decreased phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt activities occurred in association with cytochrome c release and caspase-9 activation when cells were placed in defined medium. C5b-9 inhibited the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in oligodendrocytes, as shown by decreased cytochrome c release and inhibition of caspase-9 activation. Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate kinase and Akt activities were also induced by C5b-9, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate kinase inhibitor LY294002 reversed the protective effect of C5b-9. Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate kinase activity was also responsible for the phosphorylation of Bad at Ser112 and Ser136. This phosphorylation resulted in dissociation of Bad from the Bad/Bcl-xL complex in a G(i)alpha-dependent manner. The mitochondrial pathway of oligodendrocyte apoptosis is, therefore, inhibited by C5b-9 through post-translational regulation of Bad. This mechanism may be involved in the promotion of oligodendrocyte survival in inflammatory demyelinating disorders affecting the CNS.

Dramatically accelerated growth and extraordinary gigantism of transgenic mud loach Misgurnus mizolepis

Transgenic mud loaches (Misgurnus mizolepis), in which the entire transgene originated from the same species, have been generated by microinjecting the mud loach growth hormone (mlGH) gene fused to the mud loach beta-actin promoter. Out of 4,100 eggs injected, 7.5% fish derived from the injected eggs showed dramatically accelerated growth, with a maximum of 35-fold faster growth than their non-transgenic siblings. Many fast-growing transgenic individuals showed extraordinary gigantism: their body weight and total length (largest fish attained to 413 g and 41.5 cm) were larger and longer than even those of 12-year-old normal broodstock (maximum size reached to 89 g and 28 cm). Of 46 transgenic founders tested, 30 individuals transmitted the transgene to next generation with a wide range of germ-line transmission frequencies ranging from 2% to 33%. The growth performance of the subsequent generation (F1) was also dramatically accelerated up to 35-fold, although the levels of enhanced growth were variable among transgenic lines. Three transgenic germ-lines up to F4 were established, showing the expected Mendelian inheritance of the transgene. Expression of GH mRNA in many tissues was detected by RT-PCR analyses. The time required to attain marketable size (10 g) in these transgenic lines was only 30-50 days after fertilization, while at least 6 months in non-transgenic fish. Besides growth enhancement, significantly improved feed-conversion efficiency up to 1.9-fold was also observed.

Real-time full-color three-dimensional display with a micromirror array

We designed, realized, and tested what is believed to be the first real-time, full-color, autostereoscopic three-dimensional (3-D) display with a micromirror array. Compared with the diffractive partial pixel architecture [Opt. Lett. 20, 1418 (1995)], this approach has certain advantages:(1) Micromirrors are reflective and thus achromatic (panchromatic) and (2) a variety of displays can be used as the image source. We used backlit transparencies to test the system and then used an ordinary color CRT to show several computer-generated full-color 3-D animations.