Evidence for suppression of electroacupuncture on spinal glial activation and behavioral hypersensitivity in a rat model of monoarthritis

Our previous study demonstrated that single intrathecal (i.t.) application of fluorocitrate, a glial metabolic inhibitor, synergized electroacupuncture (EA) antagonizing behavioral hypersensitivity in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced monoarthritic rat. To further investigate the relationship between spinal glial activation and EA analgesia, the present study examined the effects of multiple EA on spinal glial activation evoked by monoarthritis (MA). The results showed that (1) unilateral intra-articular injection of CFA produced a robust glial activation on the spinal cord, which was associated with the development and maintenance of behavioral hypersensitivity; (2) multiple EA stimulation of ipsilateral "Huantiao" (GB30) and "Yanglingquan" (GB34) acupoints or i.t. injection of fluorocitrate (1 nmol) significantly suppressed spinal glial activation; (3) inhibitory effects of EA on spinal glial activation and behavioral hypersensitivity were significantly enhanced when EA combined with fluorocitrate, indicating that disruption of glial function may potentiate EA analgesia in inflammatory pain states. These data suggested that analgesic effects of EA might be associated with its counter-regulation to spinal glial activation, and thereby provide a potential strategy for the treatment of arthritis.

Specific interaction between the initiator protein (Rep) and origin of plasmid ColE2-P9

The replication initiator protein (Rep) of plasmid ColE2-P9 (ColE2) is multifunctional. We are interested in how Rep binds to the origin (Ori) to perform various functions. We used the wild type and variants of Rep to study the Rep-Ori interaction by both in vitro and in vivo approaches, including biochemical analyses of protein-DNA interactions and an in vivo replication assay. We identified three regions (I, II, and III) of Rep, located in the C-terminal half, and three corresponding binding sites (I, II, and III) in Ori which are important for Rep-Ori interaction. We showed that region I, containing a putative helix-turn-helix motif, is necessary and sufficient for specific Ori recognition, interacting with site I of the origin DNA from the major groove. Region II interacts with site II of the origin DNA, from the adjacent minor groove in the left half of Ori, and region III interacts with site III, next to the template sequence for primer synthesis, which is one and one-half turn apart from site I on the opposite surface of the origin DNA. A putative linker region located between the two DNA binding domains (regions II and III) was identified, which might provide Rep an extended conformation suitable for binding to the two separate sites in Ori. Based on the results presented in this paper, we propose a model for Rep-Ori interaction in which Rep binds to Ori as a monomer.

Sebum output as a factor contributing to the size of facial pores

BACKGROUND

Many endogenous and exogenous factors are known to cause enlarged pilosebaceous pores. Such factors include sex, genetic predisposition, ageing, chronic ultraviolet light exposure, comedogenic xenobiotics, acne and seborrhoea. This study was an attempt to determine the factors related to enlarged pores.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the relationship of sebum output, age, sex, hormonal factors and severity of acne with pore size.

METHODS

A prospective, randomized, controlled study was designed. A total of 60 volunteers, 30 males and 30 females, were recruited for this study. Magnified images of pores were taken using a dermoscopic video camera and measured using an image analysis program. The sebum output level was measured with a Sebumeter.

RESULTS

Using multiple linear regression analysis, increased pore size was significantly associated with increased sebum output level, sex and age. Among the variables, sebum output level correlated most with the pore size followed by male sex. In comparing male and female participants, males had higher correlation between the sebum output level and the pore size (male: r = 0.47, female: r = 0.38). Thus, additional factors seem to influence pore size in females. Pore size was significantly increased during the ovulation phase (P = 0.008), but severity of acne was not significantly associated with the pore size.

CONCLUSIONS

Enlarged pore sizes are associated with increased sebum output level, age and male sex. In female patients, additional hormonal factors, such as those of the menstrual cycle, affect the pore size.

PPARr agonist, troglitazone induce growth arrest and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell

13155

Background: Estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast carcinomas do not respond to hormone therapy, making their effective treatment very difficult. It is recently reported that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) has become a potential target for the prevention and treatment of human cancer. Therefore, PPAR-γ agonist, troglitazone has been extensively studied as a chemopreventive or therapeutic agent in several types of cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess whether troglitazone (TRO) would induce cell growth arrest and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 (ER-negative) human breast cancer cells. Methods: Cytostatic/cytotoxic effects of troglitazone were measured with MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution was evaluated with flow cytometer. The expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p21, p27, and cell cycle dependent kinases was measured with Western blotting. Apoptotic cells were determined by Hoechst staining and TUNEL assay. Results: Troglitazone inhibited cell proliferation by inducing 65% G0/G1 arrest after 48 h. Accumulation of cells in G0/G1 was accompanied by a decrease of Rb protein phosphorylation associated with reduced activities of cell cycle dependent kinases (CDKs) such as cdk2 and cyclin D. Troglitazone increased the expression cyclin kinase inhibitors, p21 and p27 as MDA-MB-231 cell underwent G0/G1 arrest. Apoptotic effect by troglitazone demonstrated that apoptotic cells elevated from 2.5-fold of the control level at 10 uM, to 3.6-fold at 50 uM and to 4.7-fold at 75 uM. Conclusion: These results indicate that activation of PPAR-gamma with troglitazone induces apoptosis through cell cycle inhibition in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231. PPAR-gamma therefore represents a putative molecular target for chemopreventive therapy or inhibition of breast cancer growth.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Novel blood biomarker panel detects human colorectal cancer

3611

Background: Human colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, and early detection is critical to improve prognosis. To date, we have applied our unique methodology (the Sentinel Principle) to identify blood-based gene expressed biomarkers for several diseases including osteoarthritis, bladder cancer and psychiatric disorders. In the present CRC study, we identified gene signatures from blood cells and characterized a set of biomarkers able to differentiate patients with CRC from controls. Methods: Microarray: 31 blood RNA sample (15 controls; 16 CRC) were profiled using Affymetrix U133Plus2.0 GeneChips. Differentially expressed genes were identified using the non-parametric, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR: a subset of identified genes was assayed using 115 samples (57 controls; 58 CRC). Logistic regression was used to assess the ability of linear combinations of specific transcripts to distinguish CRC from controls. The diagnostic power for each combination was evaluated by AUC of the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. Blind Test: 83 samples were assayed (45 controls and 38 CRC). Results: Microarray data: 2,779 probes were significantly different in blood gene expression profiles from controls and those from CRC (p<0.05). Real-time RT-PCR: Two up-regulated genes (cytidine deaminase, 1.3 fold with p<0.001; MGC20553 /FERM domain containing 3, 1.2 fold with p=0.031) and three down-regulated genes were validated (B-cell scaffold protein with ankyrin repeats 1, 0.43 fold with p<0.001; B-cell novel protein 1, 0.44 fold with p<0.001; membrane-spanning 4-domains, subfamily A, member 1, 0.44 with p<0.001). Combination analysis: The AUC was 0.883 (95%, C.I. 0.810–0.935) for the best linear combination of these 5 genes. At a cut-off of -1.1, the sensitivity and specificity were 98% and 51%, respectively. Blind Test: The 5-gene set gave sensitivity of 95% (36/38) and specificity of 42% (19/45) with an overall accuracy of 66%. Conclusions: Gene expression signatures from peripheral blood differentiate between CRC patients and controls. The five-gene panel showed high classification performance and could be used as a novel screening tool for CRC.

[Table: see text]

Blood-based biomarkers for detecting mild osteoarthritis in the human knee

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to test the utility of a blood-based approach to identify mild osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

METHODS

Blood samples were drawn from 161 subjects, including 85 subjects with arthroscopically diagnosed mild OA of the knee and 76 controls. Following RNA isolation, an in-house custom cDNA microarray was used to screen for differentially expressed genes. A subset of selected genes was then tested using real-time RT-PCR. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate linear combinations of the biomarkers and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the discriminatory power of the combinations.

RESULTS

Genes differentially expressed (3543 genes) between mild knee OA and control samples were identified through microarray analysis. Subsequent real-time RT-PCR verification identified six genes significantly down-regulated in mild OA: heat shock 90kDa protein 1, alpha; inhibitor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells, kinase complex-associated protein; interleukin 13 receptor, alpha 1; laminin, gamma 1; platelet factor 4 (also known as chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 4) and tumor necrosis factor, alpha-induced protein 6. Logistic regression analysis identified linear combinations of nine genes--the above six genes, early growth response 1; alpha glucosidase II alpha subunit; and v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog B (avian)--as discriminatory between subjects with mild OA and controls, with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 83% in a training set of 78 samples. The optimal biomarker combinations were then evaluated using a blind test set (67 subjects) which showed 72% sensitivity and 66% specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

Linear combinations of blood RNA biomarkers offer a substantial improvement over currently available diagnostic tools for mild OA. Blood-derived RNA biomarkers may be of significant clinical value for the diagnosis of early, asymptomatic OA of the knee.

Dynamic profile calculation of deposition resolution by high-energy electrons in electron-beam-induced deposition

The effect of the accelerating voltage of incident electrons on the resolution of electron-beam-induced deposition was investigated by a dynamic Monte Carlo profile simulator which includes the electron scattering in the already grown deposit structure. By simulating the deposition at two different accelerating voltages of 20 and 200 kV with an idealistic zero-diameter incident probe on a bulk substrate, it was revealed that the smaller size structures were attainable by 200 keV than by 20 keV. The effect of the substrate was also argued by comparing the above results with the simulation results obtained for a point-like starting substrate. Surprisingly, the shapes of the deposits grown on bulk substrates were reproduced well by the simulations starting from point-like substrates indicating the small effect of the substrate on the shape of deposits.

PI3K/Akt-dependent regulation of the transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor-2 in insulin-like growth factor-1- and membrane depolarization-mediated survival of cerebellar granule neurons

Survival signals such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) or membrane depolarization convey their neuronal protective effects through the activation of signaling networks and nuclear factors. In cerebellar granule neurons, IGF-1 mediates survival primarily through the PI3K/Akt pathway. The function of the transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2) is required for mediating membrane depolarization-dependent neuronal survival. However, whether PI3K/Akt regulates MEF2 and the role of MEF2 in IGF-1-mediated survival of neurons are unknown. In addition, the contribution of the PI3K/Akt pathway in membrane depolarization-induced neuronal survival remains undefined. We show here that the PI3K/Akt pathway promotes the survival of cerebellar granule neurons derived from Long-Evans rats following IGF-1 stimulation or membrane depolarization through regulation of MEF2 activity. IGF-1 stimulated the gene transactivation activity of MEF2 and its DNA binding potential. Moreover, regulation of MEF2 function by IGF-1 was dependent on the activity of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Blocking MEF2 function reduced IGF-1-induced survival of cerebellar granule neurons. Membrane depolarization stimulated phosphorylation of Akt in cerebellar granule neurons. Blocking of the PI3K/Akt pathway with either a pharmacological inhibitor of PI3K, LY294002, or dominant negative mutants of PI3K and Akt inhibited the membrane depolarization-induced increase in MEF2 transactivation as well as its DNA binding activity and reduced neuronal survival. Together, these findings provide clear evidence to support an important role of the PI3K/Akt pathway in the regulation of nuclear survival factor MEF2 upon either IGF-1 stimulation or membrane depolarization, thus placing MEF2 as a novel downstream effector of the PI3K/Akt pathway in neurons.

Application of transmission electron microscopes to nanometre-sized fabrication by means of electron beam-induced deposition

Electron beam-induced deposition was carried out using a scanning transmission electron microscope with a field emission gun to fabricate nanometre-sized structures. A small amount of a metal-organic gas was introduced near the substrate in the microscope chamber, and focused electron beams were irradiated. Two- and three-dimensional structures were fabricated by scanning the beam position. The minimum line width of the freestanding structures was 8 nm at a constant gas flux used. This line width of 8 nm is considered to be achieved by employing a high accelerating voltage, which leads to a small probe size, and the optimum scanning speed.

NXY-059, a nitrone with free radical trapping properties inhibits release of cytochrome c after focal cerebral ischemia

Recent studies have demonstrated that disodium 2,4-disulfophenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (NXY-059), a novel nitrone with free radical trapping properties, has a considerable neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemic injury. The mechanisms of its action have not been fully defined. In order to evaluate whether NXY-059 exerts its protective effects by inhibiting the release of cytochrome c, a key initiator of programmed cell death pathway, we have studied the effects of NXY-059 on reducing infarct volume and on inhibiting cytochrome c release from the mitochondria after transient focal cerebral ischemia. Wistar rats were subjected to 2 hr of middle cerebral artery occlusion and perfusion-fixed after 4, 6, 12, and 24 hr of reperfusion. NXY-059 (30 mg/kg) was i.v. injected 1 hr after reperfusion and followed immediately by 30 mg/kg/hr continuous i.v. infusion for the entire reperfusion period. The results showed that NXY-059 reduced infarct volume from 37.2% to 12.5% (p<0.0001). Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that the release of cytochrome c increased at 6 hr, peaked at 12 and 24 hr of reperfusion. NXY-059 treatment prevented ischemia-induced cytochrome c release. NXY-059 may reduce ischemic brain damage through suppressing the cell death pathway that is initiated by cytochrome c release.