Anti-cancer effects of green synthesized gold nanoparticles using leaf extract of Annona muricata. L against squamous cell carcinoma cell line 15 through apoptotic pathway

Background

Oral cancer remains one of the most dreadful diseases in developing nations. Currently, there has been a rise in the prevalence of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), with a poor prognosis. The use of standard treatment approaches against oral cancer patients brings about several side effects. In recent years, nanomedicine has provided a versatile platform for developing new targeted therapeutic modalities. However, safety remains a concern in the synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs). Therefore, the present study aims to synthesize safer phytoconstituent-mediated gold NPs (AuNPs) utilizing leaf extracts of Annona muricata, where the biochemical components of the plant leaf act as the reducing and capping agents in the synthesis of NPs, and to evaluate its anti-cancer activity against SCC.

Materials and Methods

In this in vitro experimental study, AuNPs were synthesized through an effective, simple, and ecologically sound green synthesis method. After characterization of these synthesized AuNPs, in vitro assays such as 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazole2-yl)-2, 5-biphenyl tetrazolium bromide, wound healing, and clonogenic assays were carried out to investigate the anti-cancer potential of green synthesized AuNPs in the human tongue SCC cell line (SCC-15), and the possible mechanism of action was evaluated through gene and protein expression analysis of Bax, Bcl-2, and p53 genes. The results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0 software and Student's t-test was performed for experimental data. P ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

The in vitro assays demonstrated that the synthesized AuNPs are exhibiting anti-cancer activity by apoptosis of SCC-15 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Further, it also revealed a highly significant decrease in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression, whereas pro-apoptotic genes p53 and Bax revealed a highly significant increase, which is statistically significant compared to the control (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrated that the AuNPs synthesized from A. muricata leaf extract could act as a novel anticancer agent, particularly against SCC, after further scrutiny.

Evaluation of the cytotoxic, anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic and pro-apoptotic effect of aqueous leaf extract of Annona muricata on oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line (SCC-15): An in vitro study

Background

Oral cancer still represents the leading cause of mortality in India. Due to the drawbacks of current treatment options, a safe, low-cost therapy is the need of the hour. Recently, novel plant extracts with anti-cancer properties have gained greater attention. One among them is Annona muricata and its leaf extract, which has been studied for its anti-cancer effect against various cancers. However, studies on oral cancer cells are very much limited and hence the study.

Aims

To evaluate the cytotoxic, anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic and pro-apoptotic effect of aqueous leaf extract of Annona muricata (ALEAM) against SCC-15 cell lines through in vitro assays.

Materials and Methods

In vitro assays such as MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide], colony formation and wound healing assays were performed. Furthermore, to evaluate the underlying mechanism, gene and protein expression analysis of apoptotic/anti-apoptotic marker genes Bax, P53 and Bcl2, were done using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Student's t-test has been performed for analysis of experimental data.

Results

The results showed that ALEAM exhibited significant cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner as well as inhibited colony formation and cell migration. The pro-apoptotic properties were affirmed by a highly significant drop in Bcl-2 gene expression and a highly significant rise in P53 and Bax genes in the study group compared to the control (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The current study provides evidence that ALEAM has the potential to be developed as a novel anti-cancer drug for the treatment of SCC after further clinical studies.

LP2, a stable lanthipeptide derived from cAng-(1-7), exerts myeloprotective action in mice

OBJECTIVES

Linear unstable angiotensins stimulate hematopoiesis. Here we address: (1) Is cyclic angiotensin-(1-7) myeloprotective in mice? (2) Is cyclic angiotensin-(1-7) stable in rat? (3) Does LP2, a cyclic angiotensin-(1-7) with an N-terminal d-lysine, exert myeloprotective action in tumor-bearing mice?

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cyclic angiotensin-(1-7)'s capacity to restore levels of blood platelets and white blood cells was studied in gemcitabine-treated mice. The stability of cyclic angiotensin-(1-7) in rat was measured in blood samples taken after injection or infusion. The capacity of LP2 to restore total bone marrow cell levels in mice after treatment with 5-fluoruracil was measured. In addition, the capacity of LP2 to counter anemia in tumor-bearing mice treated with erlotinib was measured.

RESULTS

Cyclic angiotensin-(1-7) dose-dependently restored blood platelet levels in gemcitabine-treated mice, whereas its capacity to restore levels of white blood cells was less. In vivo aminoterminal breakdown of cyclic angiotensin-(1-7) yielded cyclic angiotensin-(2-7) and cyclic angiotensin-(3-7). LP2 significantly (p < .0001 at 100 μg/kg/day) restored bone marrow cell counts in mice after treatment with 5-fluoruracil. LP2 also significantly (p < .05) countered anemia in tumor-bearing mice treated with erlotinib.

CONCLUSIONS

LP2 exerts myeloprotective action with perspectives for continuation of its clinical development.

Bioapplications of Magnetic Nanowires: Barcodes, Biocomposites, Heaters

Magnetic nanowires (MNWs) can have their moments reversed via several mechanisms that are controlled using the composition, length, diameter, and density of nanowires in arrays as-synthesized or as individual nanoparticles in assays or gels. This tailoring of magnetic reversal leads to unique properties that can be used as a signature for reading out the type of MNW for applications as nano-barcodes. When synthesized inside track-etched polycarbonate membranes, the resulting MNW-embedded membranes can be used as biocompatible bandaids for detection without contact or optical sighting. When etched out of the growth template, free-floating MNWs are internalized by cells at 37 °C such that cells and/or exosomes can be collected and detected. In applications of cryopreservation, MNWs can be suspended in cryopreservation agents (CPAs) for injection into the blood vessels of tissues and organs as they are vitrified to -200 °C. Using an alternating magnetic field, the MNWs can then be nanowarmed rapidly to prevent crystallization and uniformly to prevent cracking of specimens, for example, as grafts or transplants. This invited paper is a review of recent progress in the specific bioapplications of MNWs to barcodes, biocomposites, and nanowarmers.

Protective Masks Utilizing Nonendangered Components

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when traditional N95 respirators were in short supply in the United States, there was a need for alternative products that did not rely on traditional avenues of sourcing and manufacturing. The purpose of this research was to develop and test alternatives to N95 respirators that could be produced locally without specialized materials and processes. Through an interdisciplinary team of experts, new mask designs that use repurposed filtration media and commercially available components were developed and tested for filtration and fit against current N95 standards. Filtration efficiency test results showed that the filtration media can be used for high-quality facemasks and quantitative fit testing demonstrated that the new mask designs could be viable alternatives to traditional N95 facemasks when those masks are in short supply. Manufacturing viability was tested utilizing a workforce to create 6000 masks over 10 days. The ability to quickly produce masks at scale using a workforce without specialized skills demonstrated the feasibility of the mask designs and manufacturing approach to address shortages of critical healthcare equipment, mitigate risk for healthcare and essential workers, and minimize the transmission and spread of disease.

Realizing the Principles for Remote and Selective Detection of Cancer Cells Using Magnetic Nanowires

The unmet demand for selective and remote detection of biological entities has urged nanobiotechnology to prioritize the innovation of biolabels that can be remotely detected. Magnetic nanowires (MNWs) have been deemed promising for remote detection as the magnetic fields can deeply and safely penetrate into tissue. However, the overlapping nature of the magnetic signatures has been a long-standing challenge for selective detection, which we resolve here. To do so, 13 types of MNWs with unique irreversible switching field (ISF) signatures were synthesized for labeling canine osteosarcoma (OSCA-8) cancer cells (one set) and polycarbonate biopolymers (12 sets). After characterizing the ISF signature of each MNW type, the MNW-labeled cancer cells were transferred onto MNW-labeled biopolymers to determine the most distinguishable ISF signatures and to discern the principles for reliable selective detection of biological entities. We show that tailoring the ISF of MNWs by tuning their coercivity is a highly effective approach for generating distinct magnetic biolabels for selective detection of cells. These findings smooth the path for the progression of nanobiotechnology by enabling the remote and selective detection of biological entities using MNWs.

Selective Detection of Cancer Cells Using Magnetic Nanowires

The main bottleneck for implementing magnetic nanowires (MNWs) in cell-biology research for multimodal therapeutics is the inapplicability of the current state of the art for selective detection and stimulation of MNWs. Here, we introduce a methodology for selective detection of MNWs in platforms that have multiple magnetic signals, such as future multimodal therapeutics. After characterizing the signatures of MNWs, MNWs were surface-functionalized and internalized into canine osteosarcoma (OSCA-8) cancer cells for cell labeling, manipulation, and separation. We also prepared and characterized magnetic biopolymers as multimodal platforms for future use in controlling the movement, growth, and division of cancer cells. First, it is important to have methods for distinguishing the magnetic signature of the biopolymer from the magnetically labeled cells. For this purpose, we use the projection method to selectively detect and demultiplex the magnetic signatures of MNWs inside cells from those inside magnetic biopolymers. We show that tailoring the irreversible switching field of MNWs by tuning their coercivity is a highly effective approach for generating distinct magnetic biolabels for selective detection of cancer cells. These findings open up new possibilities for selective stimulation of MNWs in multimodal therapeutic platforms for drug delivery, hyperthermia cancer therapy, and mitigating cancer cell movement and proliferation.

Abstract 1341: Magnetic isolation and identification of exosomes using Fe/Au nanowires

We are developing segmented magnetic nanowires (MNWs) as a new platform for highly specific biolabels. We found that cancer cells internalize MNWs and package them into exosomes, which are then secreted for several days. These MNWs thus enable magnetic isolation of exosomes, which could prove useful in future diagnosis. Our immediate goals are to study how cells internalize MNWs, to determine the timing and reproducibility of exosome secretion, and to improve the magnetic isolation of exosomes. Following this work, we aim to use ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) to identify specific MNW biolabels, similar to radio frequency identification (RFID).

In this study, we incubated osteosarcoma (OSCA-8) cells with Fe/Au segmented MNWs with and without PEG coating for 48 hours. Internalization of MNWs as a function of concentration (5-40 µg/ml) was followed by fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We obtained quantitative estimates of MNW internalization by magnetic measurements. Our experiments indicated better internalization of the MNWs using PEG as a capping agent. As we increased the concentration of MNWs, both the number of cells with MNWs and the number of MNWs per cell increased. TEM images show that after uptake by cancer cells, MNWs were predominantly located within lysosomes, and they appeared to be fragmented into small segments of similar size as exosomes. These segments were mostly composed of either Fe or Au, suggesting that fragmentation occurred at or near the boundary of segments.

We used two different methods for exosome isolation: non-magnetic isolation (centrifuge and ExoQuick TC) as a control and magnetic isolation. We incubated OSCA-8 cells with different concentrations of MNWs (0 to 35 µg/ml), and exosomes were isolated for up to 11 days. We analyzed the exosome size distribution using a nanoparticle tracking analyzer (NanoSight) and found that exosomes isolated magnetically had similar size distributions as those isolated non-magnetically. A minimum concentration of 25 µg/ml MNWs in 3×105 cells was required for appreciable magnetic isolation. Increasing the concentration of MNWs progressively; however, isolated microvesicles that had wider and more heterogeneous size distributions.

Next, we successfully identified two different types of MNW biolabels by FMR. MNWs were fixed in a polymer that was placed onto an RFID chip. Each type of MNW exhibited a unique RF signature as the sample was exposed to an external magnetic field.

Our preliminary data show that MNWs appear to allow fast, inexpensive magnetic exosome isolation and is our future goal is MNW identification of exosomes. The methodology developed in this study should be transferable to develop comparable approaches to isolate and identify exosomes from virtually any type of cell.

Citation Format: Zohreh Nemati, Thomas Gage, Mohammad Reza Zamani Kouhpanji, Joseph Um, Alicia Donnelly, Daniel Shore, Kelly Makielski, Yali Zhang, Rhonda Franklin, Jaime F. Modiano, Bethanie J. Stadler. Magnetic isolation and identification of exosomes using Fe/Au nanowires [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1341.

Forensic odontology as a humanitarian tool

Humanitarian forensic action is the application of skills of forensic science in a conflicts or disasters as a humanitarian action. Forensic odontologist promote forensic odontology and forensic science principles to caseworks with the purpose of preventing human right violation by human identification, age estimation and where ever dental evidence is involved. Forensic odontologist is involved in all phases of disaster victim identification. According to Disaster Victim Identification Guide, if a positive match is found using dental identification it can be trusted as a standalone identifier. Dental structures are well protected and the hardest structure of the body. They resist decomposition and high temperatures and are the last one to disintegrate after death. Dental hard tissue provide abundant information in disaster victim identification, missing and unidentified persons, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and sexual abuse with bite mark evidence, age estimation of unaccompanied minors, border control and human trafficking. The present article highlights the role of forensic odontologist in human identification for the purpose of preventing human rights violation.

Ameloblastic carcinoma: A rare case with diagnostic dilemma

Ameloblastic Carcinoma is a rare malignant Odontogenic tumour with characteristic histopathology and clinical features which requires aggressive surgical treatment and surveillance and therefore differs from ameloblastoma. It is possible that ameloblastoma shows a variety of histologic and biologic behaviour ranging from benign to frank malignancy. Cases of ameloblastoma should thus be studied carefully, correlating their histologic pattern with biologic behaviour to direct subtle changes in histology that may predict the aggressiveness of the tumor. Thus the identifying features of Ameloblastic Carcinoma must be carefully known and recognized by dental professionals. The purpose of this article is to report a rare case of Ameloblastic Carcinoma and to highlight the clinical, radiological and variable histological features with possible differential diagnosis.

Characteristics of Leg Movements and Patterns of Coordination in Locusts Walking on Rough Terrain

A cinematographic analysis was made of locusts walking on a variety of terrains to determine the tactics used by single legs to find a site for support and the patterns of leg coordina tion when walking on rough terrain. Three tactics were used by individual legs for finding a support site: ( 1) rhythmic searching movements initiated when the leg failed to contact the substrate at the end of the swing phase, ( 2) a tactile reflex to lift the leg above an object contacted during swing phase, and ( 3) local searching movements once the leg had contacted a potential supporting surface. Animals did not adopt rigid gaits when walking on rough terrains. The wide range of stepping patterns was due mainly to variation in the timing of stepping in opposite legs of the same segment. However, there was a tendency for the stepping movements of opposite legs to be either 180° out of phase or exactly in phase. In- phase stepping of the middle legs was observed frequently when animals walked over a ditch or up onto an elevated ob ject. Once the forelegs had found support on either the far side of the ditch or on the elevated object, both middle legs stepped simultaneously and were then used together to move the animal over the ditch or up onto the object.

Neural Probes for Concurrent Detection of Neurochemical and Electrophysiological Signals in vivo

Electrochemical sensing with microelectrode arrays provides a means for monitoring neurotransmitter dynamics across multiple locations within a micro-scale region of brain tissue. Here we present a multi-modal neural probe design for concurrent recording of neurochemical and electrophysiological signals in vivo. Prior to implantation, platinum sites on each array underwent platinum-black electroplating and Nafion electropolymerization, which increased sensitivity to dopamine by 74% and decreased sensitivity to common interferents by at least 89%. In a series of three rats, we applied various electrochemical waveforms to platinum sites and monitored neural activity on adjacent iridium sites. We found that chronoamperometry and constant-potential amperometry did not alter firing rates at +0.25, +0.50, and +0.75 V. In addition, we have demonstrated multi-modal recordings of striatal neurons in response to medial forebrain bundle stimulation.

Species and gender differences in the formation of an active metabolite of a substituted 2,4-thiazolidinedione insulin sensitizer

1. The metabolism of a substituted 2,4-thiazolidinedione (P1) with dual PPARalpha/gamma activity was evaluated in male and female rats, dogs and monkeys. A para-hydroxylated metabolite (M1) with potent PPARgamma-selective agonist, was a major circulating drug-related component in female rats, dogs and monkeys, but not in male rats (M1-to-P1 exposure ratio of <1, 3-5, 5 and 5-11 in male rat, monkey, female rat, and dog, respectively). 2. M1 (%) formed in vitro (5, 53, 57-65, 67 and 67% in male rat, monkey, female rat, dog, and human liver microsomes, respectively), rank ordered with M1 (%) formed in vivo (24-45, 53-57, 78, 75-85%, for male rat, monkey, female rat and dog, respectively, after oral administration of P1). 3. The plasma clearance of M1 was higher in male rats (32 ml min(-1) kg(-1) compared with 6, 7 and 2 ml min(-1) kg(-1) in female rat, male monkey and male dogs, respectively). 4. The low amounts of M1 observed in male rats, with the appearance of products of the cleavage of the propyl group between the phenyl groups was probably due to the presence of the sex-specific CYP2C11, which cleaves P1 at the propyl bridge. None of the CYPs present in female rats cleaved P1 at this site and M1 was only produced by CYP2C6. In humans, only CYP2C8 and the polymorphic CYP2C19 produced M1.

A randomized trial of nelfinavir, ritonavir, or delavirdine in combination with saquinavir-SGC and stavudine in treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate the 24-week impact of saquinavir-enhancing antiretroviral therapy on viral replication in patients previously treated with nucleoside analogues with or without prior saquinavir hard-gel capsules (HGC).

METHOD

Patients were randomized in three groups to receive the following: Group 1-nelfinavir (750 mg tid), saquinavir soft-gel capsule (SGC) (800 mg tid), and stavudine (40 mg bid); Group II-ritonavir (400 mg bid), saquinavir-SGC (400 mg bid), and stavudine (40 mg bid); or Group III-delavirdine (400 mg tid), saquinavir-SGC (800 mg tid), and stavudine (40 mg bid). Viral loads, CD4 count, and safety were assessed over a 24-week period with an additional 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

73 patients received randomized therapy; 14 of whom were SQV naïve, with a median baseline viral load of 3.6 log(10) and a CD4 count of 370 cells/mm(3). By 6 months, the median decreases in plasma viral loads were 0.26, 0.71, and 0.29 log(10) copies/mL for groups I, II, and III, respectively. The median increases in CD4 counts, for groups I, II, and III, were 52, 40, and 69 cells/mm(3) at 6 months, respectively. Changes in viral load and CD4 counts at 6 months and 1 year were not significantly different between the treatment groups. More patients discontinued therapy in the ritonavir arm (35%) for drug intolerance or toxicity compared to either the nelfinavir or delavirdine arms (15% and 5%, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, baseline viral load, younger age, and baseline saquinavir resistance were significantly associated with detectable viral load at 24 weeks.

CONCLUSION

The use of antiretroviral agents that pharmacokinetically boost saquinavir levels has a modest benefit in saquinavir-experienced patients.

Flexure of thin rigid contact lenses

The flexure of spherical rigid contact lenses was measured on the eyes of 10 young subjects using a videokeratoscope. Five subjects had little or no with-the-rule astigmatism (<0.75 D) andfive had moderate levels of with-the-rule astigmatism (1.00-2.00 D). Two lens materials (polymethylmethacrylate [PMMA] and Boston XO) in three centre thicknesses (0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 mm) were used in the study. No significant difference in the amount of flexure was found between the two materials tested. The degree of regular astigmatism on the lens front surface was found to increase as the centre thickness of the contact lens decreased. For the astigmatic group, the lenses with centre thicknesses of 0.05 mm had levels of front surface astigmatism similar to those of the underlying cornea. On spherical corneas the level of regular astigmatism can exceed that of the cornea for thinner lenses. When sphero-cylinder variations are accounted for, residual higher order aberration (root mean square) levels were found to approach those of the cornea when the lens thickness was reduced to 0.05 mm.

Effects of deregulated Raf activation on integrin, cytokine-receptor expression and the induction of apoptosis in hematopoietic cells

The effects of deregulated Raf activation on the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic cells were investigated. The cytokine-dependent murine myeloid FDC-P1 and human erythroleukemic TF-1 cell lines were transformed to grow in response to deregulated Raf expression in the absence of exogenous cytokines. The conditionally active Raf proteins were regulated by beta-estradiol as cDNAs containing the Raf catalytic, but lacking negative-regulatory domains, were ligated to the hormone binding domain of the estrogen receptor (deltaRaf:ER). Continuous deltaRaf expression prevented apoptosis in the absence of exogenous cytokines and altered the morphology of the FD/deltaRaf:ER cells as they grew in large aggregated masses (>100 cells) whereas the parental cytokine-dependent FDC-P1 cells grew in smaller grape-like clusters (< 10 cells). FD/deltaRaf-1:ER cells growing in response to Raf activation displayed decreased levels of the Mac-2 and Mac-3 molecules on their cell surface. In contrast, when these cells were cultured in IL-3, higher levels of these adhesion molecules were detected. Expression of activated Raf oncoproteins also abrogated cytokine dependency and prevented apoptosis of TF-1 cells. Moreover, the differentiation status of these Raf-responsive cells was more immature upon Raf activation as culture with the differentiation-inducing agent phorbol 12 myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and beta-estradiol resulted in decreased levels of the CD11b and CD18 integrin molecules on the cell surface. In contrast when the Raf-responsive cells were induced to differentiate with PMA and GM-CSF, in the absence of deltaRaf:ER activation, increased levels of the CD11b and CD18 molecules were detected. Retinoic acid (RA) inhibited 3H-thymidine incorporation in response to GM-CSF. Interestingly, Raf activation counterbalanced the inhibition of DNA synthesis caused by RA but not PMA. Thus deregulated Raf expression can alter cytokine dependency, integrin expression and the stage of differentiation. These Raf-responsive cell lines will be useful in elucidating the roles of the MAP kinase cascade on hematopoietic cell differentiation and malignant transformation.

The glucuronidation of morphine by dog liver microsomes: identification of morphine-6-O-glucuronide

Canines are used extensively in the pharmaceutical industry for the preclinical screening of novel therapeutics, yet comparatively little is known about the phase 2 metabolism in this species. In humans, morphine is known to undergo extensive metabolism by glucuronidation, and the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoform, which catalyzes the formation of morphine-3-O-glucuronide and morphine-6-O-glucuronide is UGT2B7. This study was designed to investigate the glucuronidation of morphine using dog liver microsomes. Liver microsomes from beagle dogs catalyzed the glucuronidation of morphine-3(and 6)-O-glucuronide at rates 4 to 10 times that of rhesus monkey and human liver microsomes. The K(m) of morphine using beagle dog liver microsomes was approximately 270 microM, which is similar to that found for expressed human UGT2B7. The V(max) for morphine, using dog liver microsomes, was 27 nmol/min/mg of protein. Flunitrazepam inhibited the glucuronidation of morphine in dog liver microsomes, and the K(i) was 40 microM, which is similar to human UGT2B7 for other substrates. The effects of detergents were also investigated with dog liver microsomes, and Brij 35 and Brij 58 were found to be the best detergents to use for maximal activation of the dog liver morphine UGT. These studies suggest that dog has a UGT2B isoform similar to human UGT2B7.

Zinc induces mitochondria apoptogenesis in prostate cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Prostate secretory epithelial cells have the unique function and capability of accumulating extremely high intracellular levels of zinc. One of the effects of this accumulation is inhibition of cell growth due, in part, to an increase in apoptosis. The present studies were conducted to determine if this zinc-induced apoptosis involves stimulation of mitochondrial apoptogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PC-3 a human malignant prostate cell line, which is zinc accumulating, was exposed to medium supplemented with physiologic levels of zinc.

RESULTS

By 24 h, zinc treatment resulted in the translocation of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol, the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and eventually, the cleavage of nuclear poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP). Under similar conditions, exposure of freshly prepared rat ventral prostate cells (which are also zinc accumulating) resulted in increased apoptosis following translocation of cyochrome c and activation of caspases-9 and 3. The human prostate PZ-HPV-7 cells, which do not accumulate zinc, did not exhibit any apoptotic effect from zinc treatment.

CONCLUSION

The accumulation of high intracellular levels of zinc by prostate cells induces mitochondrial apoptogenesis. This represents a newly identified physiological effect of zinc in the regulation of prostate cell growth.

Remyelination occurs as extensively but more slowly in old rats compared to young rats following fliotoxin-induced CNS demyelination

Shields SA, Gilson JM, Blakemore W, Franklin RJ. 1999. Remyelination occurs as extensively but more slowly in old rats compared to young rats following fliotoxin-induced CNS demyelination. Glia 28:77-83. The article referenced above was published as a Short Communication instead of an Original Article. The publisher regrets this error.

Oligodendrocyte progenitors are present in the normal adult human CNS and in the lesions of multiple sclerosis

In multiple sclerosis, partial remyelination is conspicuous in many lesions, but widespread and lasting myelin repair ultimately fails as disability and handicap accumulate. Thus far, the precise identity of the cell responsible for limited spontaneous myelin repair has remained obscure. In the rodent, the proliferative oligodendrocyte progenitor is the most efficient remyelinating cell; this has now been identified in cultures prepared from normal human brain, but has proved difficult to demonstrate in situ. We adapted techniques using antibodies against the human platelet-derived growth factor-alpha receptor to identify oligodendrocyte progenitors in human tissue sections. Small numbers of oligodendrocyte progenitors were found in normal adult human white matter. Progenitors were also demonstrable in acute and chronic lesions from patients dying with multiple sclerosis, but with no evidence of any marked reactive increase in cell numbers. Understanding the biology of the remyelinating cell, and in particular the reason for its apparent failure to repopulate demyelinated lesions, is important for the development of remyelination treatments.

[Women among a population at a psychiatric service in Senegal (psychosocial aspects)]

From a psychiatric consultation of women, the authors have tried to bring up the psychosocial aspects being very much influenced by the cultural context. They have discovered two profiles of these sort of women, they are either, married women under the stress of uncontrolled child-birth and are very much influenced by local tradition or are women being at a turning points of their life; adolescence, premenopause, and menopause. The authors have a well demonstrated the primordial role they take as natural (helpers) aids when a member of the family gives evidence of mental disorder.

Olanzapine 10-N-glucuronide. A tertiary N-glucuronide unique to humans

In humans, a major metabolite of the atypical antipsychotic olanzapine in the plasma and in the urine was found to be an N-glucuronide. Unexpectedly, the glucuronic acid moiety was linked through a nitrogen of the benzodiazepine nucleus of olanzapine by way of a secondary amine linkage, rather than through a nitrogen on the piperazine substituent of the nucleus, to give a quaternary ammonium glucuronide. Derivatization with phenylisothiocyanate to yield a thiourea adduct indicated that conjugation occurred via a secondary amine. Subsequently, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance studies with the isolated metabolite and later with the synthesized metabolite indicated that the glucuronide was linked at the 10- position of olanzapine. This phase 2 metabolite was only detected in the plasma and urine of human subjects and not in mice, rats, or monkeys; a trace of this metabolite was detected in dog urine. The N-10 glucuronide was resistant to enzymatic and base hydrolysis but was cleaved under acidic conditions. Formation of an N-glucuronide metabolite directly with the benzodiazepine nucleus has not previously been reported.

Relation of endometriosis and neuromuscular disease of the gastrointestinal tract: new insights

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the neuromuscular activity of the gastrointestinal tract by antroduodenal manometry in women with endometriosis documented by laparoscopy, to assess the effects of diet and drug therapy on symptoms, and to assess the bacterial overgrowth that is commonly associated with these nerve diseases.

DESIGN

Prospective, open-label study.

SETTING

A clinical center for the care of women's health.

PATIENT(S)

Fifty women with endometriosis documented by laparoscopy and gastrointestinal tract symptoms characterized by chronic abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, early satiety, bloating and distention, and altered bowel habits.

INTERVENTION(S)

Motility of the gastrointestinal tract was recorded and bacterial overgrowth was assessed. Treatment consisted of dietary changes, including reduction of glycemic carbohydrates, balancing with omega 9 oils, elimination of foods with caffeine and tyramine, and addition of omega 3 fatty acids, as well as drug therapy with clonazepam (0.25 mg 3 times per day).

RESULT(S)

All 50 women showed a characteristic motility change (ampulla of Vater-duodenal wall spasm, a seizure equivalent of the enteric nervous system). Forty of the women showed bacterial overgrowth. There was a significant reduction in the total symptom score after 8 weeks of treatment.

CONCLUSION(S)

This study suggests that endometriosis and gastrointestinal tract symptoms are a result of the dysfunction of hollow organs. Correction of the biochemical imbalance of the eicosanoid system and the hypersecretion of insulin that results from excessive intake of glycemic carbohydrates and lack of essential fatty acids significantly decreases symptoms in patients with endometriosis and associated neuromuscular disease of the gastrointestinal tract.

Characterization of new insertion-like sequences of Enterococcus hirae and their dissemination among clinical Enterococcus faecium isolates

Sequence analysis of different fragments that hybridized with a 4.5-kb EcoRI fragment originally cloned from Enterococcus hirae ATCC 9790 showed 66% homology to IS-like sequences found in staphylococci and lactococci. We tested several enterococcal ATCC strains and found that only E. hirae ATCC 9790 and Enterococcus faecium ATCC 19434 hybridized with the IS-like sequence. Moreover, we wanted to investigate the dissemination of this new IS among E. faecium strains. We analyzed 131 clinical E. faecium isolated in Italy and the USA for the presence of the IS and we found its presence in more than 63% of the isolates. The hybridization patterns obtained vary considerably between unrelated strains and allow further classification among ribotype-grouped species.

Phenotypic features of selective T cell deficiency characterized by absence of CD8+ T lymphocytes and undetectable mRNA for ZAP-70 kinase

Selective T cell deficiency is a rare immune deficiency characterized by the absence of CD8+ T lymphocytes and depressed/absent T cell function. This syndrome has been associated with mutations in the gene for ZAP-70, a tyrosine kinase that has profound effects on signaling via the T cell receptor. In this paper we describe a patient with selective T cell deficiency and certain phenotypic features that are unique among the small number of patients described. The patient had virtually absent T cell function, hypogammaglobulinemia, and no response to vaccination. The T lymphocytes failed to respond to mitogenic stimuli, even in the presence of exogenous interleukin 2. Similar to other patients with this disorder, the T cells were capable of proliferating when stimulated by pharmacologic agents such as phorbol ester and ionomycin. While peripheral blood T cells had limited capability to increase cytosolic Ca2+ levels in response to mitogenic stimulation, thymocytes responded to a large panel of antibodies and mitogens. This report broadens the spectrum of clinical presentations associated with selective T cell deficiency and, for the first time, compares the responses of both peripheral T cells and thymocytes. The data support the concept that the defect in signal transduction resulting from the absence of ZAP-70 is primarily manifested following export of T lymphocytes from the thymus and that selection of CDS-positive T cells is dependent on the presence of ZAP-70.

Disposition and metabolism of olanzapine in mice, dogs, and rhesus monkeys

Olanzapine (OLZ) is a novel antipsychotic agent with a high affinity for serotonin (5-HT2), dopamine (D1/D2/D4), muscarinic (m1-m5), adrenergic (alpha 1), and histamine (H1) receptors. The pharmacokinetics, excretion, and metabolism of OLZ were studied in CD-1 mice, beagle dogs, and rhesus monkeys after a single oral and/or intravenous dose of [14C]OLZ. After oral administration, OLZ was well absorbed in dogs (absolute bioavailability of 73%) and to the extent of at least 55% in monkeys and 32% in mice. The terminal elimination half-life of OLZ was relatively short in mice and monkeys (approximately 3 hr) and long in dogs (approximately 9 hr). In mice and dogs, radioactivity was predominantly eliminated in feces; but, in monkeys, the major route of elimination of radioactivity was urine. Dogs and monkeys excreted in urine, respectively, 38% and 55% of the dose over a 168-hr period, whereas the fraction of the dose excreted in urine of mice over the collection period (120 hr) was 32%. OLZ was subject to substantial first-pass metabolism; at the tmax, OLZ accounted for 19%, 18%, and 8% of the radioactivity, in mice, dogs, and monkeys, respectively. The ratio of AUC OLZ to AUC radioactivity was, respectively, 10%, 14%, and 4% in mice, dogs, and monkeys. The principal urinary metabolites in mice were 7-hydroxy OLZ glucuronide, 2-hydroxymethyl OLZ, and 2-carboxy OLZ accounting for approximately 10%, 4%, and 2% of the dose. Metabolites that were present in urine in lesser amounts were 7-hydroxy OLZ, N-desmethyl OLZ, and N-desmethyl-2-hydroxymethyl OLZ. In dogs, the major metabolite accounting for approximately 8% of the dose was 7-hydroxy-N-oxide OLZ. Other metabolites identified were 2-hydroxymethyl OLZ, 2-carboxy OLZ, N-oxide OLZ, 7-hydroxy OLZ, and its glucuronide and N-desmethyl OLZ. The major metabolite in monkey urine was N-desmethyl-2-carboxy OLZ, and accounted for approximately 17% of the dose. In addition, N-oxide-2-hydroxymethyl, 2-carboxyl OLZ, and 2-hydroxymethyl OLZ were identified in monkey urine. Thus, in mice and dogs, OLZ was metabolized through aromatic hydroxylation, allylic oxidation, N-dealkylation, and N-oxidation reactions. In monkeys, OLZ was biotransformed mainly through double oxidation reactions involving the allylic carbon and methyl piperazine nitrogen. Whereas the oxidative metabolic profile of OLZ in animals was similar to that of humans, animals were notable for not forming appreciable amounts of the principal human metabolite (i.e. 10-N-glucuronide OLZ).

Laparoscopic vaporization of diaphragmatic endometriosis in a woman with epigastric pain: a case report

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis has been observed in 8-15% of reproductive age women and is commonly found in pelvic and nonpelvic organs. Despite its widespread prevalence, the etiology remains obscure.

CASE

A 22-year-old woman with intractable epigastric and pelvic pain who was treated previously by laser ablation for pelvic and diaphragmatic endometriosis was referred to our clinic. The patient received leuprolide acetate for six months, but the symptoms did not improve. Second-look laparoscopy revealed deep endometriotic spots involving both the diaphragms, exactly in the line of the left ventricle. With visualization, endometriosis was excised in total with the help of hydrodissection and CO2 vaporization.

CONCLUSION

As in pelvic endometriosis, therapy for extrapelvic endometriosis consists of surgical and hormonal manipulation following the diagnosis. The importance of extreme caution, meticulous surgery and cardiothoracic consultation when treating the diaphragmatic surface cannot be overemphasized.