Prevalence and impact of tobacco use disorder on in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized with non-group 1 pulmonary hypertension: a nationwide propensity score-matched analysis, 2019

Numerous studies indicated that patients with tobacco use disorder (TUD) are inversely associated with mortality in what is known as the smoker's paradox. However, limited studies have been conducted on the impact of TUD on the in-hospital mortality rates of patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH, Non-Group 1 PH). Using the 2019 National Inpatient Sample, we identified PH and divided it into TUD and non-TUD to compare the comorbidities and in-hospital mortality between the two after 1:1 propensity-score matching. Of 1,129,440 PH hospitalizations, 12.1 % had TUD. After matching (n=133545, each group), TUD had lower median age (62 vs. 63), higher females (49 vs. 46.6 %), blacks (25.9 vs. 25.3 %), lower household income (40.8 vs. 32.7 %), Medicaid (22.4 vs. 14.8 %), non-elective (93.5 vs. 89.8 %), rural (9.3 vs. 6.7 %), urban non-teaching (17.2 vs 15.8 %) admissions. All CV comorbidities and other substance use were higher in TUD except CHF and valvular heart disease, TUD+ cohort and lower mortality (3.3 vs. 4.2 %, OR 0.78, p<0.001), higher routine discharges (53.8 vs. 51.3 %, p<0.001) and lower total charges ($47155 vs. 51909, p<0.001) than non-TUD. Although PH patients with TUD had a higher comorbidity burden, they had lower in-hospital mortality rates along with lower total charges of hospitalization, mandating real-world data to validate these results. See also the Graphical abstract(Fig. 1).

Decoupled molecular and inorganic framework dynamics in CH3NH3PbCl3

The organic-inorganic lead-halide perovskites are composed of organic molecules imbedded in an inorganic framework. The compounds with general formula CH3NH3PbX 3 (MAPbX 3) display large photovoltaic efficiencies for halogens X = Cl, Br, and I in a wide variety of sample geometries and preparation methods. The organic cation and inorganic framework are bound by hydrogen bonds that tether the molecules to the halide anions, and this has been suggested to be important to the optoelectronic properties. We have studied the effects of this bonding using time-of-flight neutron spectroscopy to measure the molecular dynamics in CH3NH3PbCl3 (MAPbCl3). Low-energy/high-resolution neutron backscattering reveals thermally activated molecular dynamics with a characteristic temperature of ~95 K. At this same temperature, higher-energy neutron spectroscopy indicates the presence of an anomalous broadening in energy (reduced lifetime) associated with the molecular vibrations. By contrast, neutron powder diffraction shows that a spatially long-range structural phase transitions occurs at 178 K (cubic → tetragonal) and 173 K (tetragonal → orthorhombic). The large difference between these two temperature scales suggests that the molecular and inorganic lattice dynamics in MAPbCl3 are actually decoupled. With the assumption that underlying physical mechanisms do not change with differing halogens in the organic-inorganic perovskites, we speculate that the energy scale most relevant to the photovoltaic properties of the lead-halogen perovskites is set by the lead-halide bond, not by the hydrogen bond.

Common acoustic phonon lifetimes in inorganic and hybrid lead halide perovskites

The acoustic phonons in the organic-inorganic lead halide perovskites have been reported to have anomalously short lifetimes over a large part of the Brillouin zone. The resulting shortened mean free paths of the phonons have been implicated as the origin of the low thermal conductivity. We apply neutron spectroscopy to show that the same acoustic phonon energy linewidth broadening (corresponding to shortened lifetimes) occurs in the fully inorganic CsPbBr3 by comparing the results on the organic-inorganic CH3NH3PbCl3. We investigate the critical dynamics near the three zone boundaries of the cubic P m 3 ¯ m Brillouin zone of CsPbBr3 and find energy and momentum broadened dynamics at momentum points where the Cs-site (A-site) motions contribute to the cross section. Neutron diffraction is used to confirm that both the Cs and Br sites have unusually large thermal displacements with an anisotropy that mirrors the low temperature structural distortions. The presence of an organic molecule is not necessary to disrupt the low-energy acoustic phonons at momentum transfers located away from the zone center in the lead halide perovskites and such damping may be driven by the large displacements or possibly disorder on the A site.

A New Nested Primer Pair Improves the Specificity of Ck-19 Mrna Detection by Rt-Pcr in Occult Breast Cancer Cells

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of cytokeratin-19 (CK-19) has been widely used to detect small numbers of circulating malignant epithelial cells in the bone marrow or the peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer. However, a high percentage of false positive results has been recorded and conflicting reports question the clinical relevance of this technical approach. We demonstrate that the use of a new nested primer pair for CK-19 RT-PCR avoids false positive results without affecting the sensitivity of the assay. Our experiments were carried out using MCF-7 cells alone or mixed with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) of healthy donors. The results were also validated in a large series of healthy donors and in a preliminary study on a limited number of patients with breast cancer, thus suggesting that our assay is feasible for application in the clinical evaluation of occult malignant epithelial cells.

Biochemical Changes in Endocannabinoid System are Expressed in Platelets of Female but not Male Migraineurs

The endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (AEA) plays important roles in modulating pain. Head pain is an almost universal human experience, yet primary headache disorders, such as migraine without aura (MoA) or episodic tension-type headache (ETTH), can represent a serious threat to well-being when frequent and disabling. We assessed the discriminating role of endocannabinoids among patients with ETTH or MoA, and control subjects. We measured the activity of AEA hydrolase and AEA transporter, and the level of cannabinoid receptors in peripheral platelets from MoA, ETTH and healthy controls. Sixty-nine headache patients and 36 controls were selected. Diagnosis of headache type was made according to the International Headache Society criteria. We observed significant sex differences concerning AEA membrane transporter and fatty acid amide hydrolase activity in all groups. An increase in the activity of AEA hydrolase and AEA transporter was found in female but not male migraineurs. Cannabinoid receptors were the same in all groups. Here we show that the endocannabinoid system in human platelets is altered in female but not male migraneurs. Our results suggest that in migraineur women an increased AEA degradation by platelets, and hence a reduced concentration of AEA in blood, might reduce the pain threshold and possibly explain the prevalence of migraine in women. The involvement of the endocannabinoid system in migraine is new and broadens our knowledge of this widespread and multifactorial disease.

Epigenetic modifications of Dexras 1 along the nNOS pathway in an animal model of multiple sclerosis

The development of multiple sclerosis, a major neurodegenerative disease, is due to both genetic and environmental factors that might trigger aberrant epigenetic changes of the genome. In this study, we analysed global DNA methylation in the brain of mice upon induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and the effect of environmental enrichment (EE). We demonstrate that global DNA methylation decreased in the striatum, but not in the cortex, of EAE mice compared to healthy controls, in particular in neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive interneurons of this brain area. Also, in the striatum but again not in the cortex, decreased DNA methylation of the nNOS downstream effector, dexamethasone-induced Ras protein 1 (Dexras 1), was observed in EAE mice, and was paralleled by an increase in its mRNA. Interestingly, EE was able to revert EAE effects on mRNA expression and DNA methylation levels of Dexras 1 and reduced gene expression of nNOS and 5-lipoxygenase (Alox5). Conversely, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) gene expression was found up-regulated in EAE mice compared to controls and was not affected by EE. Taken together, these data demonstrate an unprecedented epigenetic modulation of nNOS-signaling in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis, and show that EE can specifically revert EAE effects on Dexras 1 along this pathway.

Human papilloma virus and cervical preinvasive disease

Cervical cancer lesions represent a major threat to the health of the women worldwide. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for 99.7% of cervical cancer cases, the infectious etiology giving the possibility of preventing cervical cancer by vaccination. The most aggressive HPV types are 16 and 18, which cause about 70% of cases of invasive cancer. The vaccination is recommended to the girls aged 11-12. The diagnosis and the treatment of cervical preinvasive disease allow the doctor to prevent the development of the invasive disease.

Brain metastases in breast cancer: Different survival by biological subtype and Ki67 expression

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Background: Ten to 15% of patients (pts) with breast cancer will be diagnosed with central nervous system (CNS) metastases, and autopsy series suggest that up to 30% of pts have evidence of CNS disease at the time of death. The idenfication of factors that may predispose to CNS metastasis may help lead to earlier detection and possibly to improvement in disease management. Methods: Breast cancer pts with CNS metastases were identified within a database of 1300 breast cancer diganoses from 1995 to 2007 at the Department of Oncology, Azienda ULSS 13 VE. Pathologic features of tumor samples were examined using standard immunohistochemical assays. Results: Fifty-one pts with CNS metastases were identified. Median age at primary breast cancer diagnosis was 49 years (range, 28–78); median time to CNS metastases was 45 months (range, 3–244). HER2 overexpression was found in tumors from 25 pts (49.0%); 23 pts had tumors lacking overexpression of HER2, estrogen receptors (ER), and progesterone receptors (PgR) (ie, “triple negative” disease). Overexpression of p53 (at least 20% tumor cells positive), Ki67 (at least 20%), and BCL2 (at least 30%) were detected in tumors from 16 pts (31.4%), 32 pts (62.7%), and 14 pts (27.5%), respectively. Median survival from CNS involvement was 3.67 months (95% CI 2.05–5.28), with 24.4% and 15.3% of patients estimated to be alive at 12 and 24 months, respectively (Kaplan-Meier product limit method). A Cox proportional hazards analysis found that Ki67 overexpression was the only factor independently associated with a significantly increased risk of death (2.7-fold increase, p=0.028), while triple negative status was associated with a 1.8-fold increase in the risk of death (P=0.08) (Table). Conclusions: In our series of breast cancer pts with CNS metastases, nearly all had either HER2 overexpression or triple-negative disease. Pts whose tumors had higher proliferative indices, assessed by Ki67, had the poorest prognosis.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Efficacy of docetaxel in metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC): Comparison with therapeutic standards in other solid tumors

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Background: Difference of opinion exists between urologists and oncologists as to what constitutes a beneficial survival advantage from a drug. Therefore, the aim of this analysis was to consider the efficacy of docetaxel (DOC) in the treatment of mCRPC as compared with the efficacy results previously observed in breast cancer (BC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: A systematic review (Review Manager 5, Cochrane Collaboration, 2008) of the phase III studies which defined the new standard approaches in the 1st-line cytotoxic chemotherapy of metastatic disease for the above mentioned neoplasms was conducted. The relative efficacy of taxane combinations (TAX) in BC, cisplatin-based doublets (DDP) in NSCLC, 5FU/LV-oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) in CRC and DOC-based combinations in mCRPC were calculated. Efficacy parameters for the present analysis were: a) odds ratio for death (fixed method) and: b) NNT[odds ratio], e.g. the number of patients you need to treat to prevent one additional death, as compared with the control group; the NNT (odds ratio) is (1-(pc*(1-OR))/((1-pc)*pc*(1-OR)), where pc is the proportion of death events in the control arm and OR is the odds ratio for death. Results: BC (4 studies, 1313 patients), TAX vs non TAX: OR 0.84 (95% CL 0.66 1.07), NNT (odds ratio) at 5 years = 28. NSCLC (9 studies, 4671 patients), DDP vs non DDP: OR 0.83 (95% CL 0.74 0.94), NNT (odds ratio) at 1 year = 23. CRC (3 studies, 1256 patients), FOLFOX vs non FOLFOX: OR 0.72 (95% CL 0.54 0.98), NNT (odds ratio) at 5 years = 22. mCRPC (2 studies, 1439 patients), DOC vs non DOC: OR 0.78 (95%CL 0.63 0.96), NNT (odds ratio) at 3 years = 16. Conclusions: TAX in BC, DDP in NSCLC and FOLFOX in CRC are the 1st choice cytotoxic approach to metastatic disease, with relative reductions in the risk of death (RRR) of 16%, 17% and 28%, respectively; thus, you will need to treat 28, 23 and 22 patients to prevent one additional death, in the order. DOC had a similar RRR (22%) and the most favourable (16 patients) NNT (odds ratio) in this analysis. Both the quality of evidence and the small number of patients to treat with DOC to avoid one additional death did recommend this chemotherapy in 1st-line mCRPC.

[Table: see text]

Estimating the magnitude of trastuzumab effects within patient subgroups in the HERA trial

BACKGROUND

Trastuzumab (Herceptin(R)) improves disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive early breast cancer. We aimed to assess the magnitude of its clinical benefit for subpopulations defined by nodal and steroid hormone receptor status using data from the Herceptin Adjuvant (HERA) study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

HERA is an international multicenter randomized trial comparing 1 or 2 years of trastuzumab treatment with observation after standard chemotherapy in women with HER2-positive breast cancer. In total, 1703 women randomized to 1-year trastuzumab and 1698 women randomized to observation were included in these analyses. Median follow-up was 23.5 months. The primary endpoint was DFS.

RESULTS

The overall hazard ratio (HR) for trastuzumab versus observation was 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54-0.76; P < 0.0001], ranging from 0.46 to 0.82 for subgroups. Estimated improvement in 3-year DFS in subgroups ranged from +11.3% to +0.6%. Patients with the best prognosis (those with node-negative disease and tumors 1.1-2.0 cm) had benefit similar to the overall cohort (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.26-1.07; 3-year DFS improvement +4.6%, 95% CI -4.0% to 13.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant trastuzumab therapy reduces the risk of relapse similarly across subgroups defined by nodal status and steroid hormone receptor status, even those at relatively low risk for relapse.

Topoisomerase-2alpha (T-2a), Ki67, Her-2 and response to neoadjuvant anthracycline-containing chemotherapy in breast cancer. A prospective, correlation study

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Background: T-2a creates a reversible double-strand DNA break allowing DNA doubling. Anthracyclines (A) stabilize the DNA double-strand breaks, and T-2a is probably the primary molecular target of A. Due to the close location of T-2a and Her-2 genes on chromosome 17, T-2a gene aberrations are mainly associated with Her-2 gene amplification; while a correlation exists between Her-2 amplification and protein overexpression this is not true for T-2a. A linear correlation between T-2a and Ki67 labeling indices was found, suggesting that both essentially reflect cellular proliferation. The correlation between T-2a overexpression and both Her-2 and Ki67 was investigated in a series of consecutive patients undergone neoadjuvant A-containing chemotherapy for locally-advanced breast cancer. Material and Methods: T-2a expression was measured by means of monoclonal antibody Ki-S1; thresholds (ts) for immunopositivity were tested at 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively. Both the anti-c-erb-B2 primary antibody (clone CB11) and the Dako test were employed to recognize c-erb-B2 protein. Ki67 was measured using the MIB-1 antibody, with ts for positivity at 10%. Patients were required to have a cT>2cm breast cancer. The neoadjuvant chemotherapy included Adriamycin 60mg/m2 or Epirubicin 75mg/m2, in combination with Paclitaxel (175 mg/m2), every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. Bivariate correlations were performed according to Pearson. Results: 38 patients were enrolled until August, 2006. A significant correlation between T-2a and Ki67 was found (r=.598; P<.000); the T-2a positivity rate within Ki67 positive patients was of 90% (10% ts), 86% (15% ts), and 67% (20% ts). No correlation appeared between T-2a and Her-2 labeling indices (r=.150; P=.391); the T-2a positivity rate within Dako +++ patients was 75% (for both 10% and 15% ts) and 50% (for 20% ts). The overall response rate by T-2a overexpression was 61% (10% ts), 70% (15% ts), and 72% (20% ts). Conclusions: We provide a further evidence of the correlation between T-2a and Ki67. We can also generate the hypothesis that a 20% ts for T-2a correlate with a better prediction of response to A-containing chemotherapy; at the same ts, no correlation with Her-2 status was found.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Pathological characteristics and clinical outcome in triple-negative breast cancer (BC) patients (PTS): Results from the NORA study

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Background: Different studies have recently focused the attention on the so-called triple-negative pts, defined as ER-/PR- /HER2-. Although triple-negative tumours have been reported to be more aggressive, there are limited long-term data evaluating outcome as a function of this classification. Methods: NORA is an observational study aimed at investigating treatment modalities and clinical outcome of 3515 patients (pts) with early breast cancer (EBC) treated in 77 Oncological Centres in Italy from to 2000 to 2003, whose overall results have been already published. We now compare pathological characteristics and clinical outcome of pts for whom ER and PR andHER2 tests are negative with remaining pts (OTH). Results: 123 (4.1%) of 2968 evaluable pts resulted triple-negative. Out of these 123, 76 pts (61.7% vs 63.2% of OTH) were treated with conservative surgery (CS). Pathological T stage was T1 in55.3% pts (OTH: 59.6%), 47.9% were pN+ (OTH: 45.3%), 63.2 had G3 tumours (OTH: 34.1%). Chemotherapy alone was administered in 89.4% pts, mainly anthracycline-based (54.1%). At a median follow up of 27 months, all triple-negative pts were alive, 11 (8.9%) with relapse. No difference has been observed between two groups both in DFS (HR=0.74; 95%CI: 0.39–1.40; p=0.35) and OS (HR not estimated, p=0.99). Conclusions: Our results suggest that triple-negative pts have pathological characteristics similar to what observed in the other pts, receive CS in the same percentage of the cases, but have a 3-fold increase of undifferentiated tumours. On the contrary to what observed by other Authors, our data show that triple- negative pts do not have worse prognosis. Longer follow up is required to confirm these data.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Anthracycline-based sequential adjuvant chemotherapy in operable breast cancer: Five-year results of a randomized study by the Michelangelo Foundation

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Background: Anthracycline-based sequential chemotherapy significantly improves efficacy outcomes compared to CMF alone. Methods: 806 eligible patients with operable breast cancer were enrolled into a randomized study (ratio 1:1:1:1) of sequential chemotherapy. In a 2×2-type design patients were allocated to first receive 4 cycles of AT (doxorubicin, A 60 mg/m2 iv + paclitaxel, T 200 mg/m2 as 3 h inf q 3wks) or EV (epirubicin, E 75 mg/m2 iv + vinorelbine, V 25 mg/m2 iv D1,8 q3wks) followed either by 4 monthly cycles of iv CMF or 6 cycles of q3w T alone (100 mg/m2 as 1h inf D1,8). Tamoxifen was recommended for 5 yr after chemotherapy in patients with HR+ tumors. Patients with tumors > 2 cm in diameter were allowed to start primary chemotherapy with 4 cycles of either AT or EV followed by surgery and postoperative systemic treatment as detailed above. Aim of the study was to test the role of T vs V when combined with an anthracycline during the first 4 cycles of the regimen as well as the role of CMF vs T during the last 4 cycles. Results: At a median follow-up of approximately 48 months, the 5 year freedom from progression (FFP) and overall survival (OS) for the main endpoints were as in the Table : The four treatment sequences were fairly well tolerated, with only 1 treatment-related death after EV. Type and severity of hematological toxicities were similar in all treatment arms. The incidence of reversible G2–3 neurotoxicity was 21.9% after AT, 5.3% after EV and 29.1% after sequential T. Chemical phlebitis was more frequent after EV (6.5%) then after AT (0.3). Conclusions: The results indicate that vinorelbine-epirubicin and classical CMF when appropriately used in a sequential modality for high-risk breast cancer are as valid and less neurotoxic an option of adjuvant therapy than the more widely used taxane-containing adjuvant regimens. Supported in part by Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pierre Fabre and Pharmacia.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Endocannabinoids in adipocytes during differentiation and their role in glucose uptake

The molecular basis for the control of energy balance by the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) is still unclear. Here, we show that murine 3T3-L1 fibroblasts have the machinery to bind, synthesize and degrade AEA, and that their differentiation into adipocytes increases by approximately twofold the binding efficiency of cannabinoid receptors (CBR), and by approximately twofold and approximately threefold, respectively, the catalytic efficiency of the AEA transporter and AEA hydrolase. In contrast, the activity of the AEA synthetase and the binding efficiency of vanilloid receptor were not affected by the differentiation process. In addition, we demonstrate that AEA increases by approximately twofold insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in differentiated adipocytes, according to a CB1R-dependent mechanism that involves nitric oxide synthase, but not lipoxygenase or cyclooxygenase. We also show that AEA binding to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, known to induce differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts into adipocytes, is not involved in the stimulation of glucose uptake.

New Insights into Endocannabinoid Degradation and its Therapeutic Potential

Endocannabinoids are amides, esters and ethers of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which act as new lipidic mediators. Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine; AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are the main endogenous agonists of cannabinoid receptors, able to mimic several pharmacological effects of (-)-Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active principle of Cannabis sativa preparations like hashish and marijuana. The activity of AEA and 2-AG at their receptors is limited by cellular uptake through an anandamide membrane transporter (AMT), followed by intracellular degradation. A fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is the main AEA hydrolase, whereas a monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is critical in degrading 2-AG. Here, we will review growing evidence that demonstrates that these hydrolases are pivotal regulators of the endogenous levels of AEA and 2-AG in vivo, overall suggesting that specific inhibitors of AMT, FAAH or MAGL may serve as attractive therapeutic targets for the treatment of human disorders. Recently, the N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD), which synthesizes AEA from N-arachidonoylphosphatidylethanolamine (NArPE), and the diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL), which generates 2-AG from diacylglycerol (DAG) substrates, have been characterized. The role of these synthetic routes in maintaining the endocannabinoid tone in vivo will be discussed. Finally, the effects of inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation in animal models of human disease will be reviewed, with an emphasis on their ongoing applications in anxiety, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Confocal microscopy and biochemical analysis reveal spatial and functional separation between anandamide uptake and hydrolysis in human keratinocytes

The signaling activity of anandamide (AEA) is terminated by its uptake across the cellular membrane and subsequent intracellular hydrolysis by the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). To date, the existence of an AEA membrane transporter (AMT) independent of FAAH activity remains questionable, although it has been recently corroborated by pharmacological and genetic data. We performed confocal microscopy and biochemical analysis in human HaCaT keratinocytes, in order to study the cellular distribution of AMT and FAAH. We found that FAAH is intracellularly localized as a punctate staining partially overlapping with the endoplasmic reticulum. Consistently, subcellular fractionation and reconstitution of vesicles from membranes of different compartments demonstrated that FAAH activity was localized mainly in microsomal fractions, whereas AMT activity was almost exclusively in plasma membranes. These results provide the first morphological and biochemical evidence to support the view that transport and hydrolysis are two spatially and functionally distinct processes in AEA degradation.

Predicted salinity impacts from land use change: comparison between rapid assessment approaches and a detailed modelling framework

This paper illustrates the hydrological limitations and underlying assumptions of 4 catchment modelling approaches representing different generic classes of predictive models. These models are commonly used to estimate the impacts of land use and management change on stream flow and salinity regimes within a target region. Three approaches are based on a simple conceptual framework that assumes a single layer groundwater aquifer and requires minimal information and calibration (Zhang-BC2C, CAT1D-BC2C and LUCICAT), whereas the fourth approach (CAT3D) adopts a fully distributed highly parameterised catchment model capable of simulating complex multi-layered groundwater aquifer systems. All models were applied to the Gardiner subcatchment within the Goulburn–Broken region of Victoria, identified as a National Action Plan for Salinity priority subcatchment. Current condition simulation results were compared with observed stream flow and groundwater hydrograph data. Results show that the simple frameworks predicted whole-of-catchment mean annual salt and water yield with minimum parameterisation. The fully distributed framework produced similar catchment-scale responses to the simple approaches, but required more intensive input data and solution times. However, the fully distributed framework provides finer temporal and spatial scale information within the catchment. The more detailed models (such as CAT3D) also have the predictive capacity to assess the within-catchment dynamics at a range of scales and account for landscape position and complex surface/groundwater interactions. This paper concludes that the simple frameworks are useful for judging the whole-of-catchment impacts of broad-scale land use change on catchment water yields and salinity and therefore provide valuable tools for community engagement. However, the within-catchment dynamics are not well represented and particular care must be taken when applying such models in those catchments where the interaction between groundwater and surface features result in saturated areas that are disconnected from streams. Adoption of a distributed groundwater modelling environment similar to that of CAT3D provides higher spatial resolution relative to the lumped broad scale groundwater glow system (GFS) based parameterisation adopted by the BC2C rapid assessment approaches. The developers of the BC2C model acknowledge that such models are currently limited to upland local and intermediate groundwater flow systems. Given that the majority of land salinisation is located in regions dominated by intermediate and regional groundwater systems, this tool is not well suited to adequately model regional processes. In contrast, the CAT3D distributed groundwater models are likely to be applicable across a range of scales and provide the capacity to assess the trade offs between salinity recharge and discharge intervention strategies. We conclude that more complex models (e.g. CAT3D) are needed to identify at the land management scale (paddock/farm) cost effective land use and land management changes within the catchment to improve catchment health.

Up-regulation of the endocannabinoid system in the uterus of leptin knockout (ob/ob) mice and implications for fertility

The levels of the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are under the negative control of leptin in the rodent hypothalamus. As leptin and endocannabinoids play opposite roles in the control of reproduction, we have investigated whether the impaired fertility typical of leptin-defective ob/ob mice is due, in part, to enhanced uterine endocannabinoid levels. We found that levels of both anandamide and 2-AG in the uterus of ob/ob mice are significantly elevated with respect to wild-type littermates, due to reduced hydrolase activity in the case of anandamide, and to reduced monoacylglycerol lipase and enhanced diacylglycerol lipase activity in the case of 2-AG. Furthermore, the process mediating endocannabinoid cellular uptake was also impaired in ob/ob mice, whereas the levels of cannabinoid and anandamide receptors were not modified. Although ineffective in wild-type mice, treatment of ob/ob mice with leptin re-established endocannabinoid levels and enzyme activities back to the values observed in wild-type littermates. Finally, treatment of ob/ob females with the CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A did not improve their fertility, and inhibition of endocannabinoid inactivation with the endocannabinoid uptake inhibitor OMDM-1 in wild-type females did not result in impaired fertility.

Fluctuations of fatty acid amide hydrolase and anandamide levels during the human ovulatory cycle

Implantation is possible within a defined period of the menstrual cycle, referred to as the 'implantation window'. It is during this critical period that proper dialog can be established between the blastocyst and a receptive endometrium. If for any reason this dialog is not established or is altered, the embryo is aborted. The factors responsible for the interaction between the embryo and the mother at the moment of implantation remain poorly understood. Recent studies indicate that endocannabinoids may contribute to the development of an adequate milieu at the implantation site. Here we show that the levels of anandamide and of its degrading enzyme, the fatty acid amide hydrolase, in peripheral lymphocytes undergo specific variations during the various phases of the human ovulatory cycle. In particular, we found the highest levels of fatty acid amide hydrolase activity and protein content, paralleled by the lowest anandamide concentrations, in the period that temporally coincides with the putative window of implantation in humans. On the other hand, the anandamide-synthesizing phospholipase D, the anandamide membrane transporter and the anandamide-binding cannabinoid receptors of lymphocytes did not change during the menstrual cycle. This study indicates that high fatty acid amide hydrolase activity and low anandamide levels may be among the factors that co-operate in the success of implantation. This would add to our understanding of the pathophysiological and therapeutic implications of the endocannabinoid system in human fertility.

Endocannabinoid Degradation, Endotoxic Shock and Inflammation

Endocannabinoids are an emerging class of lipid mediators, which include amides and esters of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are the main endogenous agonists of cannabinoid receptors. Endotoxic shock is a potentially lethal failure of multiple organs that can be initiated by the inflammatory agent lipopolysaccharide (LPS), present in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. LPS has been recently shown to stimulate the production of AEA in rat macrophages, and of 2-AG in rat platelets. The mechanism responsible for this effect has not been elucidated. On the other hand, mast cells are multifunctional bone marrow-derived cells found in mucosal and connective tissues and in the nervous system, where they play an essential role in inflammation. As yet, little is known about endogenous modulators and mechanisms of mast cell activation. Here, we review recent literature on the role of endocannabinoids in endotoxic shock and inflammation, and report our recent research on the effects of LPS on the production of AEA and 2-AG in human lymphocytes, and on AEA degradation by a specific AEA membrane transporter (AMT) and an AEA-degrading enzyme (fatty acid amide hydrolase, FAAH). We also report the ability of the HMC-1 human mast cells to degrade AEA through a nitric oxide-sensitive AMT and a FAAH. The role of endocannabinoids in HMC-1 degranulation is discussed as well. Taken together, it can be suggested that human lymphocytes and mast cells take part in regulating the peripheral endocannabinoid system, which can affect some activities of these cells.

Oxidation products of polyamines induce mitochondrial uncoupling and cytochrome c release

Spermine is shown to uncouple isolated mitochondria and to trigger the selective release of cytochrome c. Pargyline, an inhibitor of amine oxidase (AO), fully prevented these effects of spermine, which instead were potentiated by exogenous AO. Hydrogen peroxide, an oxidation product of spermine, mimicked the effects of spermine on mitochondria, while the addition of catalase prevented them. Spermidine and putrescine also caused mitochondrial uncoupling and triggered cytochrome c release, with a potency which correlated with the substrate preference of mitochondrial AO. Pargyline protected human lymphoma U937 cells against UVB-induced apoptosis, by reducing AO activity, mitochondrial uncoupling and cytochrome c release.

Lipopolysaccharide downregulates fatty acid amide hydrolase expression and increases anandamide levels in human peripheral lymphocytes

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increases the levels of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA) in rat macrophages, but the mechanism responsible for this effect has not been elucidated. Here we demonstrate that LPS enhances the levels of AEA (fourfold over controls) also in human lymphocytes. We show that in these cells LPS inhibits the activity of the AEA-degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), by downregulating the gene expression at transcriptional level. Lymphocytes have also a specific AEA transporter and a functional CB1 cannabinoid receptor, which were not modulated by LPS. The effect of this endotoxin on FAAH was not mediated by AEA-induced activation of cannabinoid receptors. Conversely, the stimulatory action of LPS on AEA levels might be due to inhibition of FAAH, as suggested by the observation that an increase of AEA amounts was also induced by an irreversible FAAH inhibitor. These results suggest that lymphocytes take part in regulating the peripheral endocannabinoid system and endocannabinoid homeostasis.

Conditioned medium from MCF-7 cell line induces myofibroblast differentiation, decreased cell proliferation, and increased apoptosis in cultured normal fibroblasts but not in fibroblasts from malignant breast tissue

We studied the effect of conditioned medium (CM) obtained from cultures of oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer MCF7 cell line on the differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis patterns of cultured breast fibroblasts from normal interstitial and malignant stromal tissue. Fibroblasts were grown in the presence or absence of CM and examined for the differentiation pattern by immunofluorescence and Western blotting procedures, for proliferation profile by Ki67 expression, and for apoptosis by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling technique. Monoclonal antibodies specific for non-muscle (NM), smooth muscle (SM) lineage and differentiation markers were applied to these cultures. CM is able to induce a SM-like differentiation in interstitial fibroblasts, i.e., essentially myofibroblast formation. Fibroblasts from tumour stroma showed the presence of a small number of smooth muscle cells (SMC) along with a large number of myofibroblasts. Treatment of these cultures with CM was unable to change this pattern. Only normal fibroblasts were responsive to the proliferation/apoptotic-inhibitory effect of the CM. These data suggest that structural and functional differences exist between stromal fibroblasts from normal breast and breast cancer with respect to the responsiveness to soluble factors present in the CM. We hypothesize that the lack of in vitro sensitivity to CM shown by 'tumour' fibroblasts is the result of an in vivo inherent and stable phenotypic change on the fibroblasts surrounding breast tumour cells occurring via a paracrine mechanism.

Anandamide degradation and N-acylethanolamines level in wild-type and CB1 cannabinoid receptor knockout mice of different ages

CD1 mice lacking the CB1 receptors (knockout, KO) were compared with wild-type littermates for their ability to degrade N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide, AEA) through a membrane transporter (AMT) and a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). The regional distribution and age-dependence of AMT and FAAH activity were investigated. Anandamide membrane transporter and FAAH increased with age in knockout mice, whereas they showed minor changes in wild-type animals. Remarkably, they were higher in all brain areas of 6-month-old knockout versus wild-type mice, and even higher in 12-month-old animals. The molecular mass (approximately 67 kDa) and isoelectric point (approximately 7.6) of mouse brain FAAH were determined and the FAAH protein content was shown to parallel the enzyme activity. The kinetic constants of AMT and FAAH in the cortex of wild-type and knockout mice at different ages suggested that different amounts of the same proteins were expressed. The cortex and hippocampus of wild-type and knockout mice contained the following N-acylethanolamines: AEA (8% of total), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (5%), N-oleoylethanolamine (20%), N-palmitoylethanolamine (53%) and N-stearoylethanolamine (14%). These compounds were twice as abundant in the hippocampus as in the cortex. Minor differences were observed in AEA or 2-arachidonoylglycerol content in knockout versus wild-type mice, whereas the other compounds were lower in the hippocampus of knockout versus wild-type animals.

Progesterone up-regulates anandamide hydrolase in human lymphocytes: role of cytokines and implications for fertility

Physiological concentrations of progesterone stimulate the activity of the endocannabinoid-degrading enzyme anandamide hydrolase (fatty acid amide hydrolase, FAAH) in human lymphocytes. At the same concentrations, the membrane-impermeant conjugate of progesterone with BSA was ineffective, suggesting that binding to an intracellular receptor was needed for progesterone activity. Stimulation of FAAH occurred through up-regulation of gene expression at transcriptional and translational level, and was partly mediated by the Th2 cytokines. In fact, lymphocyte treatment with IL-4 or with IL-10 had a stimulating effect on FAAH, whereas the Th1 cytokines IL-12 and IFN-gamma reduced the activity and the protein expression of FAAH. Human chorionic gonadotropin or cortisol had no effect on FAAH activity. At variance with FAAH, the lymphocyte anandamide transporter and cannabinoid receptors were not affected by treatment with progesterone or cytokines. Good FAAH substrates such as anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol inhibited the release of leukemia-inhibitory factor from human lymphocytes, but N-palmitoylethanolamine, a poor substrate, did not. A clinical study performed on 100 healthy women showed that a low FAAH activity in lymphocytes correlates with spontaneous abortion, whereas anandamide transporter and cannabinoid receptors in these cells remain unchanged. These results add the endocannabinoids to the hormone-cytokine array involved in the control of human pregnancy.

The catalytic efficiency of soybean lipoxygenase-1 is enhanced at low gravity

Several cellular processes are modified when cells are placed under conditions of weightlessness. As yet, there is no coherent explanation for these observations, nor it is known which biomolecules might act as gravity sensors. Lipoxygenases generate leukotrienes and lipoxins from arachidonic acid, being responsible for many pharmacological and immunological effects, some of which are known to be affected by microgravity. In the course of the 28th parabolic flight campaign of the European Space Agency we measured the activity of pure soybean lipoxygenase-1 on linoleic acid, by a fibre optics spectrometer developed on purpose. It was found that microgravity reduced the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of the enzymatic reaction to one fourth with respect to the 1 g control, whereas, the catalytic constant (k(cat)) was unaffected. Consequently, the catalytic efficiency of lipoxygenase-1 (k(cat)/Km) was approximately four-fold higher in flight than on ground. This unprecedented finding suggests that lipoxygenase-1 might be a molecular target for gravity.

Human platelets bind and degrade 2-arachidonoylglycerol, which activates these cells through a cannabinoid receptor

The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-Delta(4)Ach-Gro) activates human platelets in platelet-rich plasma at physiological concentrations. The activation was inhibited by selective antagonists of CB(1) and CB(2) cannabinoid receptors, but not by acetylsalicylic acid. Human platelets can metabolize 2-Delta(4)Ach-Gro by internalization through a high affinity transporter (K(m) = 300 +/- 30 nM, V(max) = 10 +/- 1 pmol.min(-1).mg protein(-1)), followed by hydrolysis by a fatty acid amide hydrolase (K(m) = 8 +/- 1 microM, V(max) = 400 +/- 50 pmol.min(-1).mg protein(-1)). The anandamide transport inhibitor AM404, and anandamide itself, were ineffective on 2-Delta(4)Ach-Gro uptake by platelets, whereas anandamide competitively inhibited 2-Delta(4)Ach-Gro hydrolysis (inhibition constant = 10 +/- 1 microM). Platelet activation by 2-Delta(4)Ach-Gro was paralleled by an increase of intracellular calcium and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate, and by a decrease of cyclic AMP. Moreover, treatment of preloaded platelet-rich plasma with 2-Delta(4)Ach-Gro induced an approximately threefold increase in [(3)H]2-Delta(4)Ach-Gro release, according to a CB receptor-dependent mechanism. On the other hand, ADP and collagen counteracted the activation of platelets by 2-Delta(4)Ach-Gro, whereas 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) enhanced and extended its effects. Remarkably, ADP and collagen also reduced [(3)H]2-Delta(4)Ach-Gro release from 2-Delta(4)Ach-Gro-activated platelets, whereas 5-hydroxytryptamine further increased it. These findings suggest a so far unnoticed interplay between the peripheral endocannabinoid system and physiological platelet agonists.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of endogenous cannabinoids in healthy and tumoral human brain and human cells in culture

Endocannabinoids are lipid mediators thought to modulate central and peripheral neural functions. We report here gas chromatography-electron impact mass spectrometry analysis of human brain, showing that lipid extracts contain anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), the most active endocannabinoids known to date. Human brain also contained the endocannabinoid-like compounds N-oleoylethanolamine, N-palmitoylethanolamine and N-stearoylethanolamine. Anandamide and 2-AG (0.16 +/- 0.05 and 0.10 +/- 0.05 nmol/mg protein, respectively) represented 7.7% and 4.8% of total endocannabinoid-like compounds, respectively. N-Palmitoyethanolamine was the most abundant (50%), followed by N-oleoyl (23.6%) and N-stearoyl (13.9%) ethanolamines. A similar composition in endocannabinoid-like compounds was found in human neuroblastoma CHP100 and lymphoma U937 cells, and also in rat brain. Remarkably, human meningioma specimens showed an approximately six-fold smaller content of all N-acylethanolamines, but not of 2-AG, and a similar decrease was observed in a human glioblastoma. These ex vivo results fully support the purported roles of endocannabinoids in the nervous system.

Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol inhibit fatty acid amide hydrolase by activating the lipoxygenase pathway of the arachidonate cascade

Treatment of intact human neuroblastoma CHP100 cells with anandamide (arachidonoylethanolamide, AEA) or 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) inhibits intracellular fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). This effect was not associated with covalent modifications of FAAH, since specific inhibitors of farnesyltransferase, kinases, phosphatases, glycosyltransferase or nitric oxide synthase were ineffective. Electrophoretic analysis of (33)P-labelled proteins, Western blot with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, and glycan analysis of cellular proteins confirmed the absence of covalent modifications of FAAH. The inhibition by AEA was paralleled by an increased arachidonate release, which was not observed upon treatment of cells with linoleoylethanolamide, palmitoylethanolamide, or oleoylethanolamide. Moreover, cell treatment with AEA or 2-AG increased the activity of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase, and the hydro(pero)xides generated from arachidonate by lipoxygenase were shown to inhibit FAAH, with inhibition constants in the low micromolar range. Consistently, inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase, but not those of cyclooxygenase, significantly counteracted the inhibition of FAAH by AEA or 2-AG.

Anandamide induces apoptosis in human cells via vanilloid receptors. Evidence for a protective role of cannabinoid receptors

The endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) is shown to induce apoptotic bodies formation and DNA fragmentation, hallmarks of programmed cell death, in human neuroblastoma CHP100 and lymphoma U937 cells. RNA and protein synthesis inhibitors like actinomycin D and cycloheximide reduced to one-fifth the number of apoptotic bodies induced by AEA, whereas the AEA transporter inhibitor AM404 or the AEA hydrolase inhibitor ATFMK significantly increased the number of dying cells. Furthermore, specific antagonists of cannabinoid or vanilloid receptors potentiated or inhibited cell death induced by AEA, respectively. Other endocannabinoids such as 2-arachidonoylglycerol, linoleoylethanolamide, oleoylethanolamide, and palmitoylethanolamide did not promote cell death under the same experimental conditions. The formation of apoptotic bodies induced by AEA was paralleled by increases in intracellular calcium (3-fold over the controls), mitochondrial uncoupling (6-fold), and cytochrome c release (3-fold). The intracellular calcium chelator EGTA-AM reduced the number of apoptotic bodies to 40% of the controls, and electrotransferred anti-cytochrome c monoclonal antibodies fully prevented apoptosis induced by AEA. Moreover, 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid and MK886, cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, caspase-3 and caspase-9 inhibitors Z-DEVD-FMK and Z-LEHD-FMK, but not nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, significantly reduced the cell death-inducing effect of AEA. The data presented indicate a protective role of cannabinoid receptors against apoptosis induced by AEA via vanilloid receptors.

Altered gravity modulates prostaglandin H synthase in human K562 cells

In this study, we extended our previous observations on the effects of altered gravity on the "lipoxygenase pathway", by ascertain the possible role of the force of gravity in modulating the activity and expression of PHS in human erythro-leukemia K562 cells.

HIV-1 coat glycoprotein gp120 induces apoptosis in rat brain neocortex by deranging the arachidonate cascade in favor of prostanoids

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 coat glycoprotein gp 120 causes delayed programmed cell death (apoptosis) in rat brain neocortex. Here, we investigated the possible role of the arachidonate cascade and membrane peroxidation in this process. It is shown that gp 120 causes a rapid increase in the activity and expression of the arachidonate-metabolizing enzyme prostaglandin H synthase, paralleled by increased prostaglandin E(2) levels. The selective inhibitor of prostaglandin H synthase indomethacin inhibited enzyme activity, reduced prostaglandin E(2) content, and partially protected neocortex against gp 120-induced apoptosis. Conversely, the activity and expression of the arachidonate-metabolizing enzyme 5-lipoxygenase decreased upon gp 120 treatment, as well as the level of its product, leukotriene B(4). Treatment with gp 120 also reduced membrane lipid peroxidation, and this may be implicated in the execution of programmed cell death. These results suggest that early derangement of the arachidonate cascade in favor of prostanoids may be instrumental in the execution of delayed apoptosis in the brain neocortex of rats.

Anandamide uptake by human endothelial cells and its regulation by nitric oxide

Anandamide (AEA) has vasodilator activity, which can be terminated by cellular re-uptake and degradation. Here we investigated the presence and regulation of the AEA transporter in human umbelical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs take up AEA by facilitated transport (apparent K(m) = 190 +/- 10 nm and V(max) = 45 +/- 3 pmol. min(-1).mg(-1) protein), which is inhibited by alpha-linolenoyl-vanillyl-amide and N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-arachidonoylamide, and stimulated up to 2.2-fold by nitric oxide (NO) donors. The NO scavenger hydroxocobalamin abolishes the latter effect, which is instead enhanced by superoxide anions but inhibited by superoxide dismutase and N-acetylcysteine, a precursor of glutathione synthesis. Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) causes a 4-fold activation of AEA transport into cells. The HUVEC AEA transporter contributes to the termination of a typical type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB(1)) -mediated action of AEA, i.e. the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase, because NO/ONOO(-) donors and alpha-linolenoyl-vanillyl-amide/N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-arachidonoylamide were found to attenuate and enhance, respectively, this effect of AEA. Consistently, activation of CB(1) cannabinoid receptors by either AEA or the cannabinoid HU-210 caused a stimulation of HUVEC inducible NO synthase activity and expression up to 2.9- and 2. 6-fold, respectively. Also these effects are regulated by the AEA transporter. HU-210 enhanced AEA uptake by HUVECs in a fashion sensitive to the NO synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. These findings suggest a NO-mediated regulatory loop between CB(1) cannabinoid receptors and AEA transporter.

Down-regulation of anandamide hydrolase in mouse uterus by sex hormones

Endocannabinoids are an emerging class of lipid mediators, which mimic several effects of cannabinoids. Anandamide (arachidonoylethanolamide) is a major endocannabinoid, which has been shown to impair pregnancy and embryo development. The activity of anandamide is controlled by cellular uptake through a specific transporter and intracellular degradation by the enzyme anandamide hydrolase (fatty acid amide hydrolase, FAAH). We characterized FAAH in mouse uterus by radiochromatographic and immunochemical techniques, showing that the enzyme is confined to the epithelium and its activity decreases appreciably during pregnancy or pseudopregnancy because of lower gene expression at the translational level. Ovariectomy prevented the decrease in FAAH, and both progesterone and estrogen further reduced its basal levels, suggesting hormonal control of the enzyme. Anandamide was shown to induce programmed cell death in mouse blastocysts, through a pathway independent of type-1 cannabinoid receptor. Blastocysts, however, have a specific anandamide transporter and FAAH, which scavenge this lipid. Taken together, these results provide evidence of an interplay between endocannabinoids and sex hormones in pregnancy. These findings may also be relevant for human fertility, as epithelial cells from healthy human uterus showed FAAH activity and expression, which in adenocarcinoma cells was increased fivefold.

Relation between decreased anandamide hydrolase concentrations in human lymphocytes and miscarriage

BACKGROUND

Endocannabinoids such as anandamide are thought to have adverse effects on pregnancy and embryonic development. The activity of the degradative enzyme anandamide hydrolase may therefore be crucial for prevention of excessive concentrations of anandamide in the uterus, and thus prevention of pregnancy failure or female infertility. We tested this hypothesis in a preliminary study, and then used the results to find out whether anandamide hydrolase activity could predict miscarriage in a group of pregnant women.

METHODS

We assessed anandamide hydrolase activity in peripheral lymphocytes from 50 healthy, pregnant women at weeks 6-11 of gestation by a specific radiochromatographic method. The expression of the enzyme at the protein level was measured by ELISA with specific polyclonal antibodies. In a further study, we measured anandamide hydrolase concentration in 120 women who were 7-8 weeks pregnant and compared these findings with subsequent pregnancy outcome.

FINDINGS

In the first study, seven of the 50 women had a miscarriage. Anandamide hydrolase activity was lower in the seven women who miscarried than in the 43 who did not (60.43 pmol/min per mg protein [SD 29.34] vs 169.60 pmol/min per mg protein [30.20]; difference 109.17 pmol/min per mg protein [95% CI 26.64-191.70]; p<0.0001 by the Mann-Whitney test). Enzyme activity correlated with enzyme concentration, and a threshold concentration represented by an optical density (after ELISA) of 0.15 absorbance units at 450 nm separated the women who had miscarriages from those who did not. In the second study, 15 women had anandamide hydrolase concentrations below the threshold, and 105 had concentrations at or above the threshold. All 15 women in the low anandamide hydrolase group had miscarriages, compared with one of the 105 women with high concentrations (p<0.0001 by Fisher's exact test).

INTERPRETATION

Decreased anandamide hydrolase activity and expression in peripheral lymphocytes is an early (<8 weeks of gestation) marker of spontaneous abortion, and may prove useful as a diagnostic tool for large-scale, routine monitoring of gestation. Our results also suggest that endocannabinoids might be critical in regulating the lymphocyte-dependent cytokine network associated with human fertility and successful pregnancy.

Human mast cells take up and hydrolyze anandamide under the control of 5-lipoxygenase and do not express cannabinoid receptors

Human mast cells (HMC-1) take up anandamide (arachidonoyl-ethanolamide, AEA) with a saturable process (K(m)=200+/-20 nM, V(max)=25+/-3 pmol min(-1) mg protein(-1)), enhanced two-fold over control by nitric oxide-donors. Internalized AEA was hydrolyzed by a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), whose activity became measurable only in the presence of 5-lipoxygenase, but not cyclooxygenase, inhibitors. FAAH (K(m)=5.0+/-0.5 microM, V(max)=160+/-15 pmol min(-1) mg protein(-1)) was competitively inhibited by palmitoylethanolamide. HMC-1 cells did not display a functional cannabinoid receptor on their surface and neither AEA nor palmitoylethanolamide affected tryptase release from these cells.

Lipid peroxidation and polyamine metabolism in K562 cells subjected to altered gravity

The mechanisms underlying cell sensitivity to the gravistimulus are still largely unknown. Recently, the oxidation of membrane lipids and the alteration of polyamine content have been shown to be involved in several cellular processes, from cell growth and differentiation, to aging and resistance to (a)biotic stress. Such an involvement was mediated by the modification of the activity and expression of lipoxygenase (LOX; E.C. 1.13.11.12) and diamine oxidase (DAO; E.C. 1.4.3.6), the enzymes which control membrane properties (LOX) and the catabolism of polyamines (DAO), respectively. In this study, the possible effects of altered gravity on membrane lipid peroxidation and polyamine metabolism were investigated, by subjecting human erythroleukemia K562 cell cultures to simulated hypogravity (by clinorotation) or hypergravity (by centrifugation).

Anandamide activates human platelets through a pathway independent of the arachidonate cascade

Anandamide (arachidonoylethanolamide, AnNH) is shown to activate human platelets, a process which was not inhibited by acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Unlike AnNH, hydroperoxides generated thereof by lipoxygenase activity, and the congener (13-hydroxy)linoleoylethanolamide, were unable to activate platelets, though they counteracted AnNH-mediated stimulation. On the other hand, palmitoylethanolamide neither activated human platelets nor blocked the AnNH effects. AnNH inactivation by human platelets was afforded by a high-affinity transporter, which was activated by nitric oxide-donors up to 225% of the control. The internalized AnNH could thus be hydrolyzed by a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), characterized here for the first time.

Induction of micronuclei in bone marrow by two pesticides and their differentiation with CREST staining: an in vivo study in mice

Two pesticides, organophosphate phosphamidon (PHO) and organochlorine dieldrin (DED) were assayed by the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test, to ascertain whether they showed genotoxic activity in vivo. Two doses, sub-lethal (PHO=3 mg/kg b.wt.; DED=60 mg/kg b.wt.) and lethal (PHO=5 mg/kg b.wt.; DED=90 mg/kg b.wt.), of each substance were administered intraperitoneally to 9-10-week old CBA male mice, in acute and repeated exposure. The sub-lethal dose was also administered at two different times and twice at 24-h intervals. Both PHO and DED proved able to induce a dose-dependent increase of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE). The two pesticides also showed a different detoxification time. Furthermore, the CREST staining with antikinetochore antibodies allowed us to conclude that the two chemicals are clastogens.