Induced Resistance in the Human Non Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NCI-H460) Cell Line In Vitro by Anticancer Drugs

Exposure of human non-small cell lung cancer cells (NCI-H460) to gradually increasing concentrations of doxorubicin resulted in the appearance of a new cell line (NCI-H460/R) that was resistant to doxorubicin (96.2-fold) and cross-resistant to etoposide, paclitaxel, vinblastine and epirubicin. Slight cross-resistance to two MDR-unrelated drugs 8-Cl-cAMP and sulfinosine was observed. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the accumulation of doxorubicin in the resistant cells was 88.4% lower than in the parental cells. Also, verapamil significantly decreased the efflux rate in NCI-H460 and NCI-H460/R cells, whereas curcumin inhibited the efflux in NCI-H460 cells only. Gene expression data confirmed the induction of mdr1 (P-gp), as judged by the observed 15-fold increase in its mRNA concentration in doxorubicin-resistant NCI-H460/R cells. In contrast, mrp1 and lrp expression was unaffected by the doxorubicin resistance. Further work should develop a rationale for a novel treatment of NSCLC with appropriate modulators of resistance aimed at improving the outcome of the acquired drug resistance.

Temporal and spatial preferences of c-fos mRNA expression in the rat brain following cortical lesion

The expression of the proto-oncogene c-fos is increased in neuronal cells by a number of stimuli and the usefulness of this gene as a marker of neuronal activity has been demonstrated. The temporal and spatial expression of c-fos mRNA following the induction of a unilateral cortical lesion have been investigated in the rat brain by Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization histochemistry. It was observed that the lesion evoked a rapid increase (20-fold) in the content of c-fos mRNA in the ipsilateral cortex, whereas in the contralateral cortex c-fos mRNA expression was more modest (7-fold). In the whole hippocampus a large and very rapid increase (17-fold) of c-fos mRNA expression was detected. The effect of a cortical lesion on Ca2+ uptake and membrane potential was also investigated. Using synaptosomes as a model system, we have provided evidence that Ca2+ entry via membrane depolarization increases in coordination with c-fos gene expression in neuronal cells. The principal conclusions from this study are that cortical lesions induce transient expression of the c-fos gene in specific neuronal cells of the rat brain.

GAP-43 mRNA expression in early development of human nervous system

The temporal and spatial distribution of GAP-43 mRNA in early human development, from 6 to 23 gestational weeks (g.w.), was examined by in situ hybridization histochemistry. GAP-43 mRNA was expressed as early as 6 g.w. in all regions of developing nervous system, the spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, diencephalic and telencephalic regions. Although the pronounced level of expression persisted during the entire examined period, the intensity of expression varied along the spatial axis over time. Analysis at the cellular level revealed that early on in development (6 g.w.) GAP-43 mRNA was expressed in the entire neuroblast population. With the onset of differentiation, at 13-23 g.w., GAP-43 mRNA expression had switched to the neurons that are in the process outgrowth. The highest level of GAP-43 mRNA expression was localized in the regions consisting of differentiating neurons, such as the cortical plate and intermediate zone of the telencephalic wall, and several delineated subcortical and thalamic nuclei. The spatial and temporal pattern of GAP-43 mRNA expression obtained suggests a possible dual role of GAP-43 in the development of the human nervous system: in the embryonic brain it could be involved in fundamental processes underlying cell proliferation; in the fetal brain its expression is specifically correlated with differentiation and the outgrowth of axons.

Comparative caustic and biological activity of trichloroacetic and glycolic acids on keratinocytes and fibroblasts in vitro

OBJECTIVES

Beside their causticity, the biological mechanism by which trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and glycolic acid (GA), two agents extensively used for chemical peeling, might act remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine in vitro the effect of TCA and GA on human keratinocytes and the influence of the released epithelial mediators on collagen and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) production by human dermal fibroblasts.

METHOD

Cultured keratinocytes were treated by TCA and GA at 10 mg/ml brought to pH 3, 5 and 7, and the conditioned media neutralized to pH 7 were added to human normal skin fibroblasts.

RESULTS

TCA was cytotoxic for keratinocytes at each tested pH. The conditioned medium depressed protein and collagen synthesis and the expression of MMPs when added to fibroblasts as did also TCA when added directly to fibroblasts. GA was not cytotoxic for keratinocytes at neutral pH and the conditioned medium obtained at each pH applied to fibroblasts did not alter protein, collagen nor MMPs production while causing an elevated secretion of IL-6.

CONCLUSION

TCA exerts a toxic effect on keratinocytes and fibroblasts while GA does not alter the metabolism of fibroblasts but induces the secretion of IL-6.

Monoamine-containing neurons in the Aplysia brain

The localization of monoamine-containing neurons in the CNS of Aplysia depilans has been studied by fluorescent histochemistry (the glyoxylic acid condensation method) and microspectrofluorimetry. Yellow fluorescent nerve cells and fibers show the emission maximum at 515-520 nm which corresponds to that of serotonin fluorophore in a model system. Green fluorescent nerve cells have the emission maximum at 485 nm which corresponds to that of catecholamine. Central catecholamine-containing neurons were found in cerebral, buccal, pedal and unpaired abdominal ganglia. The majority of them were revealed in cerebral ganglia (about 40). Serotonin-containing neurons are abundant in cerebral and pedal ganglia. More than 30 serotonin-containing nerve cells were localized in cerebral ganglia. In the right pedal ganglion approximately 100 neurons were revealed; in the left one about 150. In the abdominal ganglion all nerve cells of this chemical type (except one) are located in the right hemiganglion. The results are summarized in corresponding schemes.

Biogenic monoamines in early embryos of sea urchins

Indolylalkylamine determination was performed on the eggs and embryos of six species of sea urchins, using several fluorometric techniques, including the fluorescence of a substance itself and the fluorescence of its condensation products after treatment with orthophthaldialdehyde and ninhydrin. The serotonin-like substance of sea urchin embryos as well as of adults was shown to consist of at least two components, of which the major one is tryptamine or its derivative with a substituting group at aminonitrogen. Further, serotonin was found to be present at all developmental stages investigated. although at much lower concentrations. The results of this study suggest a regulatory role of 'prenervous' tryptamine in the early embryogenesis of the sea urchin.

Pattern of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expression Following Kainate-Induced Cerebellar Lesion in Rats

In the present study glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression was assessed following intravermian injection of kainic acid (KA) or physiological saline to adult rat cerebellum. After 2- to 30-day recovery period, free-floating sections cut with a microtome were obtained and were proccessed for immunocytochemistry against GFAP. Injection of both kainate and physiological saline elicited significant astrogliotic reaction, i.e. in the area around the lesion thick GFAP-positive Bergmann fibers with typical orientation appeared in the molecular and hypertrophied astrocytes abundantly appeared in the granular layer. However, following kainate intoxication lesion was not surrounded by typical demarcation glial scar during 30-day recovery period in contrast to the appearance of usual glial scar in the group injected with physiological saline, as early as 7-day postlesion. Preserved spatial organization of Bergmann fibers and the absence of typical demarcating glial scar after kainate-induced cerebellar lesion suggest distinct pattern of astrogliosis that presents an interesting model system to study the importance of glial scar in the recovery after ischemic brain insults.

Desensitization of c-fos mRNA expression in rat brain following cortical lesions

The effect of cortical lesions on the c-fos mRNA expression in adult rat brain was studied using in situ hybridization and Northern blot analysis. It was observed that the single cortical lesion evoked a rapid increase in the content of c-fos mRNA in whole brain. However, when rats received a second and third cortical injury 4 and 8 h after the first one, there was reduced elevation of c-fos mRNA after the second (60%) and third (75%) injuries in comparison with those seen after a single cortical lesion. These results represent the desensitization period during which the induction of c-fos mRNA by repeated cortical lesions was decreased. On the contrary, when animals were treated with a fourth cortical lesion 24 h after the first injury, with recovery for 16 h after the third one, the levels of c-fos mRNA were again elevated to a degree almost comparable to that seen after the single injury alone. The anatomical distribution of c-fos mRNA-expressing cells after cortical lesions revealed a large increase of hybridization to a heterogeneous population of hippocampal neurons including small cells of stratum granulosum in the dentate gyrus and larger cells within hippocampal stratum pyramidale. A dramatic labeling of neurons with c-fos riboprobe in frontoparietal and piriform cortex was also observed but with predominantly localized hybridization to c-fos mRNA on the damaged side of the cortex following the first and second cortical injury. However, hippocampal distribution of c-fos mRNA-containing cells was bilateral as a result of polysynaptic potentials evoked by cortical lesions.

Sport activity and personality as elements in preventing cancer and coronary heart disease

Results are reported for 3 groups of healthy male probands, 318 in each group, matched for age and personality type on the Personality-Stress Questionnaire. One group was actively engaged in sports, one had discontinued former sporting activities, and one group had never taken part in regular sports. Follow-up after 13 yr. showed lowest mortality in those actively engaged in sport, highest mortality in those who had given up sport, with those who had never been engaged in sport intermediate. Prophylactic behaviour therapy was shown to reduce mortality of those who had given up sport to a significant extent but not to affect degree of retinal sclerosis.

Correlation between triplet repeat expansion and computed tomography measures of caudate nuclei atrophy in Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, progressive disorder characterized by choreic movements, cognitive decline, and psychiatric manifestations. Eleven patients with HD were retrospectively selected from a larger group of 42 patients based on the similar, early onset of the disease (between 21 and 30 years) and the same duration of HD at the moment of computed tomography (CT) examination (5 years). A significant correlation between the number of CAG trinucleotides and the bicaudate index or the frontal horn index, two indices of caudate atrophy, was found in this group of patients. Our results, although in a small number of patients, suggest that the striatal degeneration, assessed by CT measures, is primarily regulated by the size of expanded CAG repeats.

Simultaneous reactivation of herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Simultaneous reactivation of distinct Herpesviridae with development of clinical manifestations is exceptional. We report a 48-year-old woman suffering from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. As the disease remained refractory to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins and splenectomy, a cure of vinblastine was administered. An atypical stomatitis developed few days later. Immunohistochemistry on a Tzanck smear and a biopsy evidenced a Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. The patient presented simultaneously a single necrotic lesion on the abdomen. Immunohistochemistry on a skin biopsy revealed the presence of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) gE, gB and IE63 proteins. Intravenous aciclovir was initiated. The present case of simultaneous clinical infections by HSV-I and VZV underlines the importance of complementary viral identification testing in the event of unusual clinical presentations.

Optimization of in situ hybridization histochemistry for localization of GAP-43 mRNA in fetal brain during human development

In situ hybridization histochemistry has proven to be an important tool for cellular and molecular studies in neurobiology. The method basically involves the anatomic localization of labeled RNA or DNA molecules that hybridize with complementary target RNA or DNA sequence in the cell. In regard to gene expression, in situ hybridization allows the study of specific mRNA level and distribution between various cell types, or of comparative levels of mRNA throughout development. Major advantages of in situ hybridization are: (a) specific mRNAs can be detected in heterogeneous cell populations where only one of multiple sets of cells present may be transcribing the mRNA of interest; (b) it allows the maximal use of rare tissues that may be in short supply (clinical biopsies, embryos, cultured cells); (c) the location of the mRNA can be identified on conventional microscopic sections without the necessity of electron microscopy; and (d) identification of specific gene without metabolic incorporation of radiolabeled precursor into the endogenous protein in the cells. Because of these advantages, we decided to utilize this approach for specific studies involving the expression and distribution of GAP-43 (growth-associated protein 43) mRNA in early human development. The method we employed for in situ hybridization is basically a modification of the many original protocols developed by others and can be easily applied to many studies of cellular gene expression in the human nervous system.

Brain plasticity after corpus callosum transection in the newborn rat

The importance of afferent fibers in the final shaping of the central nervous system has been well established in several papers. In order to study how much one can influence cortical development by changing afferent input to the cortex cerebri, we transected corpus callosum in rats at 2 or 3 postnatal days. Equal numbers of lesioned and control animals were transcardially perfused with mixed aldehydes at postnatal day 6 (P-6) or P-14. Brain tissue was processed for Golgi impregnation, Nissl stain, and quantitative electron microscopic analysis. Morphometric image analysis (MOP 3) of the primary sensory area did not show significant differences with respect to cortical depth and total and apical dendritic length. The cross-sectional area and maximal diameter of neuronal cell bodies were smaller in P-14-lesioned animals. Ultrastructural analysis of the cortex revealed that synaptic density was not reduced in lesioned animals. In conclusion, early in development, rat brain can compensate for major changes in the commissural afferent system.

Enhanced serum response element binding activity correlates with down-regulation of c-fos mRNA expression in the rat brain following repeated cortical lesions

Repeated lesions of rat cerebral cortex result in transient peaks in the level of the c-fos transcript, but after the second lesion, this peak is substantially diminished. Using this lesion paradigm, we have analyzed the participation of the c-fos promoter elements SRE and DSE in the regulation of c-fos transcription. Following a single lesion, SRE/DSE binding activity peaked at 2 h, subsequent to the maximal levels of c-fos mRNA and parallel to the peak of c-Fos protein. After a second lesion (reinduction), 4 h following the initial lesion, SRE/DSE binding activity peaked after only 30 min and was significantly higher than following the first lesion. Once again, this peak occurred after the peak of c-fos mRNA expression and parallel with the second peak of c-Fos protein expression. These results suggested that the SRE and DSE promoter elements participated in the induction and down-regulation of c-fos transcription in vivo and suggested the possible involvement of Fos protein in its own regulation. The ability of Fos/Fra proteins to participate in a transcriptional complex was confirmed in gel-shift experiments with an AP-1 element, and the biphasic trend of binding activity was observed. Supershift experiments were performed to directly determine whether Fos protein was participating in SRE and/or DSE transcriptional complexes. No alterations in the position or intensity of the shifted band were observed using Fos/Fra antiserum suggesting that Fos/Fra proteins could be involved in c-fos down-regulation through mechanisms other than direct participation in the SRE/DSE transcription complex.

Differential effects of amphetamine and phencyclidine on the expression of growth-associated protein GAP-43

The purpose of the present study was to test changes in the expression of growth-associated protein (GAP-43) after chronic treatment with two different psychotomimetic drugs: amphetamine and phencyclidine. Rats were treated chronically for 7 days (twice daily) with 5 mg/kg of amphetamine and phencyclidine and sacrificed after 2, 5 or 7 days of treatment, and following 7, 14 or 21 days of recovery after full treatment (7 days). Separate groups of rats were treated on the same regiment with haloperidol, and control group was treated with vehicle. To determine the effects of different psychotomimetic drugs on the expression of GAP-43 we have used Northern blotting and quantitative in situ hybridization. Treatment with amphetamine induced decrease of GAP-43 mRNA expression, that was detected also during recovery period, up to 14 days after the last day of 7 days treatments. On the contrary, PCP induced increase of GAP-43 mRNA expression, that was detectable from the first days of treatment until 21 days after the last day of treatment. Treatment with haloperidol did not produce significant changes in GAP-43 mRNA expression. It can be suggested that GAP-43 upregulation upon phencyclidine treatment occurs as a result of functional activation of pathways able to participate in remodeling, while amphetamine showed neurotoxic effect, decreasing expression of GAP-43 mRNA.

The Relationship between Individual and Family Characteristics and Cyberbullying Exposure in a Nationally Representative Sample of School-Aged Children Living in Serbia

The study provides evidence on the individual and family factors as potential predictors (odds ratio—OR and 95% CI) of cyber-violence among school-aged children (11–17 years old) from 64 schools participating in the 2017 Serbian Study on health behavior in school-age children (HBSC). The standardized international HBSC research protocol was used. The study population was the nationally representative sample of 3267 students of V and VII grades of primary and I grade of secondary schools in Serbia. Potential predictors for the probability of occurrence vs. non-occurrence of cyberbullying exposure at least once and multiple times were identified among 24 explanatory variables, including the individual characteristics and family context. The cyberbullying exposure was more prevalent among girls than among boys of school-age, i.e., over one in seven girls and one in ten boys were exposed to cyberbullying. Over one in seven students at age 13 years and almost every seventh student at grade I of the gymnasium were exposed to cyberbullying. There were more students exposed to at least one cyberbullying than to multiple cyberbullying. Potential predictors of exposure to cyberbullying are gender, opinion of the family’s affluence status, fathers’ employment, communication with father, and family support. The study compensates for the evidence of cyberbullying in Serbia, which could help raise awareness, inform national and international stakeholders in the region and enable their efforts and strengthen cooperation in ending cyberbullying. This study’s findings could inform the development of an intervention program aimed at families and various professionals involved in protecting and improving school-age children’s health and well-being.

Spatio-temporal changes in neurofilament proteins immunoreactivity following kainate-induced cerebellar lesion in rats

1. Spatio-temporal changes in phosphorylated (pNFP) and nonphosphorylated (npNFP) neurofilament proteins were assessed immunocytochemicaly in adult rat cerebellum, 2-30 days following unilateral injection of kainic acid (KA) or physiological saline (s.c.). 2. Analysis of the staining intensity and pattern demonstrated that injection of both KA and physiological saline elicited significant and long-lasting increase of pNFP and npNFP immunoreactivity, at the ipsilateral, and to lesser extent at the contralateral side of lesion. 3. Kainate intoxication induced abundant expression of pNFP and npNFP in cerebellar white matter, as well as in all layers of perilesioned cortex. Higher pNFP expression was evidenced in the Purkinje cell layer, particularly at cell bodies, initial segments, and proximal dendrites, which normally do not contain pNFP. In addition, synaptophysin immunocytochemistry was used as a marker of synaptogenesis and plasticity. 4. Spatio-temporal pattern of NFP and synaptophysin expression suggests that perilesioned cortex undergoes dynamic changes following brain demage and possess a reparative capacity to abridge the consequences of brain trauma.

Breast cancer metastatic to the eyelids

Metastases to the eyelids are rare. They may appear as diffuse swellings, nodules or ulcerations. Most often they correspond to the dissemination of a breast adenocarcinoma. An 83 year old woman is reported with mammary adenocarcinoma metastasizing to the eyelids.

[The action of tiazofurin on the development of sea urchin embryos and larvae]

The effects of the antitumor drug tiazofurin on development of sea urchins Sphaerechinus granularis, Paracentrotus lividus, Strongylocentrotus intermedius, and Arbacia lixula were studied. When 0.01-200 microM tiazofurin (TAF) was introduced in the incubation medium (artificial sea water) just after fertilization or at the midblastula stage, the development proceeded quite normally until the beginning of gastrulation. But later TAF blocked gastrulation and induced formation of mobile ball-shaped larvae with normal pigment cells but devoid of the nervous system, skeletal spicules and digestive tract. The threshold TAF concentrations varied from 0.05 microM (S. granularis) to 2-5 microM (all other species). When TAF was introduced during gastrulation and just after gastrulation, the larvae had defective nervous system and skeleton and suppressed expression of gangliosides. The nonhydrolyzable analog of GTP, GTP-gamma-S (5-20 microM), introduced in artificial sea water no later than at the midblastula stage prevented all above mentioned developmental defects.

Risk factors associated with anemia among Serbian non-pregnant women 20 to 49 years old. A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Representative national data of prevalence of anemia and casual factors are missing for population group of reproductive aged non-pregnant females in Serbia. The purpose of the current study was to assess the prevalence and grades of anemia and its association with risk factors among non-pregnant women of childbearing age in Serbia.

METHODS

Data were collected as part of the first "National Health Survey", a cross-sectional, multistage cluster survey, conducted on 677 households in Serbia. A total of 708 females 20-49-year-old were recruited. Socioeconomic, anthropometric, dietary and reproductive data have been collected and hemoglobin levels were determined.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of anemia was 27.7% (196/708) [95% Confidence Interval (CI), 24.5-31.1%], and more precisely mild (21.9%), moderate (5.1%) and severe (0.7%) anemia. Belgrade residential area [odds ratio 2.11 (95% CI 1.27-3.50), p=0.004], shortage of living space per person (<16m(2)) [2.18 (1.17-4.03), p=0.014], body mass index (<25) [1.55 (1.04-2.29), p=0.029], alcohol intake [0.52 (0.33-0.81), p=0.004], lack [2.48 (1.31-4.70), p=0.005] or fruit juice consumption 1-2 [2.76 (1.46-5.23), p=0.002] times a week and previously diagnosed, but treated [2.62 (1.29-5.35), p=0.008] or not treated [3.57 (1.71-7.45), p<0.001] anemia were independent predictors of low hemoglobin levels. Deficit of electricity supply and insufficient living space in households, increased risk of moderate anemia, while likelihood of being mild and moderately anemic, augmented with previously diagnosed but, treated or not treated anemia and lack or juice consumption 1-2 times a week.

CONCLUSIONS

High prevalence of anemia among non-pregnant women and its association to casual factors needs continuous monitoring and control efforts for anemia in Serbia.

[Mechanism of the protective action of acetylcholine and serotonin against their cytotoxic antagonists]

By means of biological testing on supersensitive embryos of the sea-urchin Arbacia lixula, it has been shown that the eggs and embryos of the sea-urchin Paracentrotus lividus incubated in solutions of cytotoxic neuropharmacological drugs (cholino- and serotoninolytics), accumulate the latter. During the first (rapid) stage of binding, a level is reached which is 2-6 times higher than the external concentration; during the second stage of binding, this level gradually increases up to the values which are 8-12 times higher than the external concentration. The protecting action of exogenous acetylcholine and serotonin against the drugs studied does not inhibit their accumulation in embryonic cells. Therefore this protecting action is due to the decrease in the sensitivity of embryos to neurophysiological drugs. The protecting effect of endogenous factor produced by eggs and embryos is associated with the inhibition or abolition of the second stage of binding of cytotoxic neuropharmacological drugs.