Regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 2alpha signaling by the stress-responsive deacetylase sirtuin 1

To survive in hostile environments, organisms activate stress-responsive transcriptional regulators that coordinately increase production of protective factors. Hypoxia changes cellular metabolism and thus activates redox-sensitive as well as oxygen-dependent signal transducers. We demonstrate that Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), a redox-sensing deacetylase, selectively stimulates activity of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha (HIF-2alpha) during hypoxia. The effect of Sirt1 on HIF-2alpha required direct interaction of the proteins and intact deacetylase activity of Sirt1. Select lysine residues in HIF-2alpha that are acetylated during hypoxia confer repression of Sirt1 augmentation by small-molecule inhibitors. In cultured cells and mice, decreasing or increasing Sirt1 activity or levels affected expression of the HIF-2alpha target gene erythropoietin accordingly. Thus, Sirt1 promotes HIF-2 signaling during hypoxia and likely other environmental stresses.

Outcome measures in spinal cord injury: recent assessments and recommendations for future directions

STUDY DESIGN

Review by the spinal cord outcomes partnership endeavor (SCOPE), which is a broad-based international consortium of scientists and clinical researchers representing academic institutions, industry, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and foundations.

OBJECTIVES

Assessment of current and evolving tools for evaluating human spinal cord injury (SCI) outcomes for both clinical diagnosis and clinical research studies.

METHODS

a framework for the appraisal of evidence of metric properties was used to examine outcome tools or tests for accuracy, sensitivity, reliability and validity for human SCI.

RESULTS

Imaging, neurological, functional, autonomic, sexual health, bladder/bowel, pain and psychosocial tools were evaluated. Several specific tools for human SCI studies have or are being developed to allow the more accurate determination for a clinically meaningful benefit (improvement in functional outcome or quality of life) being achieved as a result of a therapeutic intervention.

CONCLUSION

Significant progress has been made, but further validation studies are required to identify the most appropriate tools for specific targets in a human SCI study or clinical trial.

Reliability of a schedule for rating personality disorders

The inter-situational, inter-rater and temporal reliability of a schedule for rating personality disorders is described. In an initial study with a simplified form of the schedule in patients from different wards of a psychiatric hospital inter-situational reliability between raters was higher for patients with personality disorders than with no personality disorder. Using the full schedule, inter-rater reliability, using audiotaped and separate interviews, and temporal reliability at interviews conducted a mean of 12.5 months apart all reached a satisfactory level, suggesting that the schedule may be a useful instrument for measuring deviant personality traits. The interview may be used with a subject or an informant but agreement between ratings made with informants and psychiatric patients during illness was low, and the schedule is not recommended for use with patients alone during acute episodes of illness.

Jagged 1 Rescues the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Phenotype

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), caused by mutations at the dystrophin gene, is the most common form of muscular dystrophy. There is no cure for DMD and current therapeutic approaches to restore dystrophin expression are only partially effective. The absence of dystrophin in muscle results in dysregulation of signaling pathways, which could be targets for disease therapy and drug discovery. Previously, we identified two exceptional Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dogs that are mildly affected, have functional muscle, and normal lifespan despite the complete absence of dystrophin. Now, our data on linkage, whole-genome sequencing, and transcriptome analyses of these dogs compared to severely affected GRMD and control animals reveals that increased expression of Jagged1 gene, a known regulator of the Notch signaling pathway, is a hallmark of the mild phenotype. Functional analyses demonstrate that Jagged1 overexpression ameliorates the dystrophic phenotype, suggesting that Jagged1 may represent a target for DMD therapy in a dystrophin-independent manner. PAPERCLIP.

Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage and negative cerebral panangiography. Review of 140 cases

One hundred and forty consecutive patients who sustained proven spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with negative cerebral panangiography were studied retrospectively. Attention was directed to the presence, amount, and distribution of subarachnoid blood on computerized tomography (CT) scans. It was determined that the finding of blood on CT had a significant association with clinical grade, loss of consciousness, ventricular ratio, fixed ischemic deficit, and total of all complications, but not with epilepsy, hypertension (previously known or detected on admission), treated hydrocephalus, rebleeding, angiographic spasm, and eventual outcome (which was generally excellent on follow-up examination). The distribution of blood, predominantly around the basal cisterns, suggests leakage from ventriculostriate and thalamoperforating vessels as the cause of SAH, and closer study of these vessels is suggested.

MicroRNA-486-dependent modulation of DOCK3/PTEN/AKT signaling pathways improves muscular dystrophy-associated symptoms

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin, which results in dysfunctional signaling pathways within muscle. Previously, we identified microRNA-486 (miR-486) as a muscle-enriched microRNA that is markedly reduced in the muscles of dystrophin-deficient mice (Dmdmdx-5Cv mice) and in DMD patient muscles. Here, we determined that muscle-specific transgenic overexpression of miR-486 in muscle of Dmdmdx-5Cv mice results in reduced serum creatine kinase levels, improved sarcolemmal integrity, fewer centralized myonuclei, increased myofiber size, and improved muscle physiology and performance. Additionally, we identified dedicator of cytokinesis 3 (DOCK3) as a miR-486 target in skeletal muscle and determined that DOCK3 expression is induced in dystrophic muscles. DOCK3 overexpression in human myotubes modulated PTEN/AKT signaling, which regulates muscle hypertrophy and growth, and induced apoptosis. Furthermore, several components of the PTEN/AKT pathway were markedly modulated by miR-486 in dystrophin-deficient muscle. Skeletal muscle-specific miR-486 overexpression in Dmdmdx-5Cv animals decreased levels of DOCK3, reduced PTEN expression, and subsequently increased levels of phosphorylated AKT, which resulted in an overall beneficial effect. Together, these studies demonstrate that stable overexpression of miR-486 ameliorates the disease progression of dystrophin-deficient skeletal muscle.

Regulation of IRS1/Akt insulin signaling by microRNA-128a during myogenesis

Skeletal muscle possesses a strong ability to regenerate following injury, a fact that has been largely attributed to satellite cells. Satellite cells are skeletal muscle stem cells located beneath the basal lamina of the myofiber, and are the principal cellular source of growth and regeneration in skeletal muscle. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in modulating several cellular processes by targeting multiple mRNAs that comprise a single or multiple signaling pathway. Several miRNAs have been shown to regulate satellite cell activity, such as miRNA-489, which functions to maintain satellite cells in a quiescent state. Although muscle-specific miRNAs have been identified, many of the molecular mechanisms that regulate myogenesis that are regulated by miRNAs still remain unknown. In this study, we have shown that miR-128a is highly expressed in brain and skeletal muscle, and increases during myoblast differentiation. MiR-128a was found to regulate the target genes involved in insulin signaling, which include Insr (insulin receptor), Irs1 (insulin receptor substrate 1) and Pik3r1 (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases regulatory 1) at both the mRNA and protein level. Overexpression of miR-128a in myoblasts inhibited cell proliferation by targeting IRS1. By contrast, inhibition of miR-128a induced myotube maturation and myofiber hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, our results demonstrate that miR-128a expression levels are negatively controlled by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). TNF-α promoted myoblast proliferation and myotube hypertrophy by facilitating IRS1/Akt signaling via a direct decrease of miR-128a expression in both myoblasts and myotubes. In summary, we demonstrate that miR-128a regulates myoblast proliferation and myotube hypertrophy, and provides a novel mechanism through which IRS1-dependent insulin signaling is regulated in skeletal muscle.

CD82 Is a Marker for Prospective Isolation of Human Muscle Satellite Cells and Is Linked to Muscular Dystrophies

Cell-surface markers for prospective isolation of stem cells from human skeletal muscle have been difficult to identify. Such markers would be powerful tools for studying satellite cell function during homeostasis and in pathogenesis of diseases such as muscular dystrophies. In this study, we show that the tetraspanin KAI/CD82 is an excellent marker for prospectively isolating stem cells from human fetal and adult skeletal muscle. Human CD82⁺ muscle cells robustly engraft into a mouse model of muscular dystrophy. shRNA knockdown of CD82 in myogenic cells reduces myoblast proliferation, suggesting it is functionally involved in muscle homeostasis. CD82 physically interacts with alpha7beta1 integrin (α7β1-ITG) and with α-sarcoglycan, a member of the Dystrophin-Associated Glycoprotein Complex (DAPC), both of which have been linked to muscular dystrophies. Consistently, CD82 expression is decreased in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. Together, these findings suggest that CD82 function may be important for muscle stem cell function in muscular disorders.

miRNAS in normal and diseased skeletal muscle

The last 20 years have witnessed major advances in the understanding of muscle diseases and significant inroads are being made to treat muscular dystrophy. However, no curative therapy is currently available for any of the muscular dystrophies, despite the immense progress made using several approaches and only palliative and symptomatic treatment is available for patients. The discovery of miRNAs as new and important regulators of gene expression is expected to broaden our biological understanding of the regulatory mechanism in muscle by adding another dimension of regulation to the diversity and complexity of gene-regulatory networks. As important regulators of muscle development, unravelling the regulatory circuits involved may be challenging, given that a single miRNA can regulate the expression of many mRNA targets. Although the identification of the regulatory targets of miRNAs in muscle is a challenge, it will be critical for placing them in genetic pathways and biological contexts. Therefore, combining informatics, biochemical and genetic approaches will not only expected to reveal the elucidation of the miRNA regulatory network in skeletal muscle and to bring a better knowledge on muscle tissue regulation but will also raise new opportunities for therapeutic intervention in muscular dystrophies by identifying candidate miRNAs as potential targets for clinical application.

Pharmacologic Ascorbate Reduces Radiation-Induced Normal Tissue Toxicity and Enhances Tumor Radiosensitization in Pancreatic Cancer

: Chemoradiation therapy is the mainstay for treatment of locally advanced, borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. Pharmacologic ascorbate (P-AscH^-, i.e., intravenous infusions of ascorbic acid, vitamin C), but not oral ascorbate, produces high plasma concentrations capable of selective cytotoxicity to tumor cells. In doses achievable in humans, P-AscH^- decreases the viability and proliferative capacity of pancreatic cancer via a hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-mediated mechanism. In this study, we demonstrate that P-AscH^- radiosensitizes pancreatic cancer cells but inhibits radiation-induced damage to normal cells. Specifically, radiation-induced decreases in clonogenic survival and double-stranded DNA breaks in tumor cells, but not in normal cells, were enhanced by P-AscH^-, while radiation-induced intestinal damage, collagen deposition, and oxidative stress were also reduced with P-AscH^- in normal tissue. We also report on our first-in-human phase I trial that infused P-AscH^- during the radiotherapy "beam on." Specifically, treatment with P-AscH^- increased median overall survival compared with our institutional average (21.7 vs. 12.7 months, P = 0.08) and the E4201 trial (21.7 vs. 11.1 months). Progression-free survival in P-AscH^--treated subjects was also greater than our institutional average (13.7 vs. 4.6 months, P < 0.05) and the E4201 trial (6.0 months). Results indicated that P-AscH^- in combination with gemcitabine and radiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma is safe and well tolerated with suggestions of efficacy. Because of the potential effect size and minimal toxicity, our findings suggest that investigation of P-AscH^- efficacy is warranted in a phase II clinical trial. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings demonstrate that pharmacologic ascorbate enhances pancreatic tumor cell radiation cytotoxicity in addition to offering potential protection from radiation damage in normal surrounding tissue, making it an optimal agent for improving treatment of locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Recommendations for translation and reliability testing of International Spinal Cord Injury Data Sets

OBJECTIVE

To provide recommendations regarding translation and reliability testing of International Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Data Sets.

SETTING

The Executive Committee for the International SCI Standards and Data Sets.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Translations of any specific International SCI Data Set can be accomplished by translation from the English version into the target language, and be followed by a back-translation into English, to confirm that the original meaning has been preserved. Another approach is to have the initial translation performed by translators who have knowledge of SCI, and afterwards controlled by other person(s) with the same kind of knowledge. The translation process includes both language translation and cultural adaptation, and therefore shall not be made word for word, but will strive to include conceptual equivalence. At a minimum, the inter-rater reliability should be tested by no less than two independent observers, and preferably in multiple countries. Translations must include information on the name, role and background of everyone involved in the translation process, and shall be dated and noted with a version number.

CONCLUSION

By following the proposed guidelines, translated data sets should assure comparability of data acquisition across countries and cultures. If the translation process identifies irregularities or misrepresentation in either the original English version or the target language, the working group for the particular International SCI Data Set shall revise the data set accordingly, which may include re-wording of the original English version in order to accomplish a compromise in the content of the data set.

Regulation of DMD pathology by an ankyrin-encoded miRNA

Background

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked myopathy resulting from the production of a nonfunctional dystrophin protein. MicroRNA (miRNA) are small 21- to 24-nucleotide RNA that can regulate both individual genes and entire cell signaling pathways. Previously, we identified several mRNA, both muscle-enriched and inflammation-induced, that are dysregulated in the skeletal muscles of DMD patients. One particularly muscle-enriched miRNA, miR-486, is significantly downregulated in dystrophin-deficient mouse and human skeletal muscles. miR-486 is embedded within the ANKYRIN1(ANK1) gene locus, which is transcribed as either a long (erythroid-enriched) or a short (heart muscle- and skeletal muscle-enriched) isoform, depending on the cell and tissue types.

Results

Inhibition of miR-486 in normal muscle myoblasts results in inhibited migration and failure to repair a wound in primary myoblast cell cultures. Conversely, overexpression of miR-486 in primary myoblast cell cultures results in increased proliferation with no changes in cellular apoptosis. Using bioinformatics and miRNA reporter assays, we have identified platelet-derived growth factor receptor β, along with several other downstream targets of the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10/AKT (PTEN/AKT) pathway, as being modulated by miR-486. The generation of muscle-specific transgenic mice that overexpress miR-486 revealed that miR-486 alters the cell cycle kinetics of regenerated myofibers in vivo, as these mice had impaired muscle regeneration.

Conclusions

These studies demonstrate a link for miR-486 as a regulator of the PTEN/AKT pathway in dystrophin-deficient muscle and an important factor in the regulation of DMD muscle pathology.

Sox15 and Fhl3 transcriptionally coactivate Foxk1 and regulate myogenic progenitor cells

The regulation of myogenic progenitor cells during muscle regeneration is not clearly understood. We have previously shown that the Foxk1 gene, a member of the forkhead/winged helix family of transcription factors, is expressed in myogenic progenitor cells in adult skeletal muscle. In the present study, we utilize transgenic technology and demonstrate that the 4.6 kb upstream fragment of the Foxk1 gene directs beta-galactosidase expression to the myogenic progenitor cell population. We further establish that Sox15 directs Foxk1 expression to the myogenic progenitor cell population, as it binds to an evolutionarily conserved site and recruits Fhl3 to transcriptionally coactivate Foxk1 gene expression. Knockdown of endogenous Sox15 results in perturbed cell cycle kinetics and decreased Foxk1 expression. Furthermore, Sox15 mutant mice display perturbed skeletal muscle regeneration, due in part to decreased numbers of satellite cells and decreased Foxk1 expression. These studies demonstrate that Sox15, Fhl3 and Foxk1 function to coordinately regulate the myogenic progenitor cell population and skeletal muscle regeneration.

Synthesis and anticonvulsant activity of enaminones. 3. Investigations on 4'-, 3'-, and 2'-substituted and polysubstituted anilino compounds, sodium channel binding studies, and toxicity evaluations

In a continuing evaluation of the aniline-substituted enaminones, the synthesis of additional para-substituted analogs has been made in an attempt to further quantify the electronic (sigma) and lipophilic (pi) requirements for anticonvulsant activity in this series. In addition, meta- and ortho-substituted and polysubstituted compounds have been synthesized and evaluated for anticonvulsant activity. In the para-substituted series, 4-cyano analogs (32 and 33) (+ sigma, - pi), which were highly active via intraperitoneal (ip) injection in mice, were inactive on oral (po) administration in rats. The para-substituted trifluoromethoxy (+ sigma, + pi) analog (8) had significant potency by both routes. Meta substitution limited the activity due to steric factors. Bromo and iodo substituents produced active para-substituted analogs (5 and 17) but were inactive when substituted in the meta position (37 and 41, respectively). Ortho substitution provided no clear relationship due to nonparametric deviations. Neither 1, the prototype enaminone, nor 2, the putative metabolite, produced significant nephrotoxicity or hepatotoxicity. Sodium channel binding of 1 and 8 indicated that 8 displayed relatively potent sodium channel binding but 1 showed weaker effects with IC50 values of 489 and 170 microM respectively against [3H]batrachotoxinin A 20 alpha-benzoate ([3H]BTX-B).

Controlled trial of sulpiride in chronic schizophrenic patients

In a double-blind comparative trial of sulpiride (600-1,800 mg/day) and trifluoperazine (15-45 mg/day) in 38 chronic schizophrenic patients, ratings of therapeutic results and unwanted effects were made at two-weekly interviews during the six weeks treatment period. The results show that sulpiride has neuroleptic properties and a spectrum of therapeutic activity similar to that of trifluoperazine. There was an association between plasma sulpiride levels and therapeutic response after four weeks' treatment.

Pulsation Modes and the Effect of Applied Voltage on Current and Flow Rate in Nanoelectrospray

New modes of nanoelectrospray (nES) have been identified that exhibit stable high-frequency current oscillations in the kilohertz range. In-line flow rate measurements during nES have for the first time allowed the accurate determination of the spray current and volumetric flow rate dependence on applied voltage. High-speed video imaging has revealed that each current pulse corresponds to the periodic formation of a short-lived stable cone-jet structure at the capillary tip. These findings are of particular importance and suggest greater process monitoring and control in nES-MS systems is necessary if efficiency and ion yield are to be optimized.

Pharmacological Ascorbate as a Means of Sensitizing Cancer Cells to Radio-Chemotherapy While Protecting Normal Tissue

Chemoradiation has remained the standard of care treatment for many of the most aggressive cancers. However, despite effective toxicity to cancer cells, current chemoradiation regimens are limited in efficacy due to significant normal cell toxicity. Thus, efforts have been made to identify agents demonstrating selective toxicity, whereby treatments simultaneously sensitize cancer cells to protect normal cells from chemoradiation. Pharmacological ascorbate (intravenous infusions of vitamin C resulting in plasma ascorbate concentrations ≥20 mM; P-AscH-) has demonstrated selective toxicity in a variety of preclinical tumor models and is currently being assessed as an adjuvant to standard-of-care therapies in several early phase clinical trials. This review summarizes the most current preclinical and clinical data available demonstrating the multidimensional role of P-AscH- in cancer therapy including: selective toxicity to cancer cells via a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated mechanism; action as a sensitizing agent of cancer cells to chemoradiation; a protectant of normal tissues exposed to chemoradiation; and its safety and tolerability in clinical trials.

Extracellular serine and glycine are required for mouse and human skeletal muscle stem and progenitor cell function

OBJECTIVE

Skeletal muscle regeneration relies on muscle-specific adult stem cells (MuSCs), MuSC progeny, muscle progenitor cells (MPCs), and a coordinated myogenic program that is influenced by the extracellular environment. Following injury, MPCs undergo a transient and rapid period of population expansion, which is necessary to repair damaged myofibers and restore muscle homeostasis. Certain pathologies (e.g., metabolic diseases and muscle dystrophies) and advanced age are associated with dysregulated muscle regeneration. The availability of serine and glycine, two nutritionally non-essential amino acids, is altered in humans with these pathologies, and these amino acids have been shown to influence the proliferative state of non-muscle cells. Our objective was to determine the role of serine/glycine in MuSC/MPC function.

METHODS

Primary human MPCs (hMPCs) were used for in vitro experiments, and young (4-6 mo) and old (>20 mo) mice were used for in vivo experiments. Serine/glycine availability was manipulated using specially formulated media in vitro or dietary restriction in vivo followed by downstream metabolic and cell proliferation analyses.

RESULTS

We identified that serine/glycine are essential for hMPC proliferation. Dietary restriction of serine/glycine in a mouse model of skeletal muscle regeneration lowered the abundance of MuSCs 3 days post-injury. Stable isotope-tracing studies showed that hMPCs rely on extracellular serine/glycine for population expansion because they exhibit a limited capacity for de novo serine/glycine biosynthesis. Restriction of serine/glycine to hMPCs resulted in cell cycle arrest in G0/G1. Extracellular serine/glycine was necessary to support glutathione and global protein synthesis in hMPCs. Using an aged mouse model, we found that reduced serine/glycine availability augmented intermyocellular adipocytes 28 days post-injury.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies demonstrated that despite an absolute serine/glycine requirement for MuSC/MPC proliferation, de novo synthesis was inadequate to support these demands, making extracellular serine and glycine conditionally essential for efficient skeletal muscle regeneration.

The NOTCH1/SNAIL1/MEF2C Pathway Regulates Growth and Self-Renewal in Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma

Tumor-propagating cells (TPCs) share self-renewal properties with normal stem cells and drive continued tumor growth. However, mechanisms regulating TPC self-renewal are largely unknown, especially in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS)-a common pediatric cancer of muscle. Here, we used a zebrafish transgenic model of ERMS to identify a role for intracellular NOTCH1 (ICN1) in increasing TPCs by 23-fold. ICN1 expanded TPCs by enabling the de-differentiation of zebrafish ERMS cells into self-renewing myf5+ TPCs, breaking the rigid differentiation hierarchies reported in normal muscle. ICN1 also had conserved roles in regulating human ERMS self-renewal and growth. Mechanistically, ICN1 upregulated expression of SNAIL1, a transcriptional repressor, to increase TPC number in human ERMS and to block muscle differentiation through suppressing MEF2C, a myogenic differentiation transcription factor. Our data implicate the NOTCH1/SNAI1/MEF2C signaling axis as a major determinant of TPC self-renewal and differentiation in ERMS, raising hope of therapeutically targeting this pathway in the future.

International spinal cord injury female sexual and reproductive function basic data set

OBJECTIVE

To create the International Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Female Sexual and Reproductive Function Basic Data Set within the International SCI Data Sets.

SETTING

An international working group.

METHODS

The draft of the data set was developed by an international working group consisting of members appointed by the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS), the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), and a representative from the Executive Committee of the International SCI Standards and Data Sets. The data set was developed in an iterative process with review and comments by members of the Executive Committee of the International SCI Standards and Data Sets, ISCoS Scientific Committee, ASIA Board and the ISCoS Council, as well as all interested organizations and individuals. In addition, the data set was posted for 2 months at the ISCoS and ASIA websites for comments. ISCoS and ASIA approved the final version of the data set. To make the data set uniform, each variable and each response category within each variable have been specifically designed to promote the collection and reporting of comparable minimal data.

RESULTS

Variables included in the International SCI Female Sexual and Reproductive Function Basic Data Set are as follows: date of data collection, interest in discussing sexual issues, sexual issues unrelated to spinal cord lesion, sexual dysfunction related to spinal cord lesion, psychogenic genital arousal, reflex genital arousal, orgasmic function and menstruation. Complete instruction for data collection, data sheet and training cases are available at the websites of ISCoS (http://www.iscos.org.uk) and ASIA (http://www.asia-spinalinjury.org).

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of anticonvulsant enaminones

1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of enaminones were determined and compared to the anticonvulsant activity of the compounds. Although the precise employment of the NMR data to predict anticonvulsant activity of the enaminones could not be established, general inferences were made. The NMR data confirmed that the enaminones existed predominantly in the amino tautomer, and no evidence was found for the imino tautomer. The ketamine form of the enaminones was supported by the observed spin-spin splittings of the NH with the alpha-protons on certain enaminones. The NH of secondary enaminones was very important in conferring anticonvulsant activity to the enaminones. The peak for the NH proton which could be seen between delta (ppm) 4.50 and 9.70 was present in all of the active enaminones. The tertiary enaminones, which were devoid of the NH proton, were uniformly inactive. It appeared that a combination of steric and electronic effects, lipophilicity, and hydrogen bonding were necessary for the anticonvulsant activity of the enaminones. The cyclic enaminones existed in the trans-S-trans fixed conformation, and the NMR data supported our hypothesis that enantioselectivity is retained in synthesizing enaminones from cyclic, diasteriomeric 1,3-diketones. In addition, the AB system and many unique features were observed in some enaminones. The para, meta, and ortho substituted patterns were observed for monosubstituted phenyl protons, and the NMR patterns for di- and trisubstituted phenyl groups were elucidated.

Nozzle and liquid effects on the spray modes in nanoelectrospray

Unforced nanoelectrospray can exhibit a number of stable spray modes. These include low frequency pulsations, high frequency pulsations, and a steady cone-jet. Experiments are reported here on such pulsations that have been observed in various salt loaded solutions of ethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and water. The spray current was monitored with 1 mus time resolution to show that spray regime characteristics depend on nozzle diameter and liquid conductivity. The frequency of pulsations was found to increase with both increased liquid conductivity and decreasing nozzle diameter. The charge ejected during a pulse is lower for smaller nozzles spraying higher conductivity liquids. Water solutions were observed undergoing high frequency pulsations, with these pulsations often occurring in lower frequency bursts. The frequencies of water pulsations were as high as 635 kHz but the charge ejected by each pulsation was an order of magnitude lower than that observed in triethylene glycol. An unforced electrospray of water was also identified as being in the steady cone-jet mode with a higher degree of confidence than previously. The values for stable pulsation frequency and charge ejected observed in ethylene glycol lay between those of TEG and water.

Skeletal Muscle MicroRNAs: Their Diagnostic and Therapeutic Potential in Human Muscle Diseases

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small 21-24 nucleotide RNAs that are capable of regulating multiple signaling pathways across multiple tissues. MicroRNAs are dynamically regulated and change in expression levels during periods of early development, tissue regeneration, cancer, and various other disease states. Recently, microRNAs have been isolated from whole serum and muscle biopsies to identify unique diagnostic signatures for specific neuromuscular disease states. Functional studies of microRNAs in cell lines and animal models of neuromuscular diseases have elucidated their importance in contributing to neuromuscular disease progression and pathologies. The ability of microRNAs to alter the expression of an entire signaling pathway opens up their unique ability to be used as potential therapeutic entry points for the treatment of disease. Here, we will review the recent findings of key microRNAs and their dysregulation in various neuromuscular diseases. Additionally, we will highlight the current strategies being used to regulate the expression of key microRNAs as they have become important players in the clinical treatment of some of the neuromuscular diseases.

International spinal cord injury cardiovascular function basic data set

OBJECTIVE

To create an International Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Cardiovascular Function Basic Data Set within the framework of the International SCI Data Sets.

SETTING

An international working group.

METHODS

The draft of the data set was developed by a working group comprising members appointed by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) and a representative of the executive committee of the International SCI Standards and Data Sets. The final version of the data set was developed after review by members of the executive committee of the International SCI Standards and Data Sets, the ISCoS scientific committee, ASIA board, relevant and interested international organizations and societies, individual persons with specific interest and the ISCoS Council. To make the data set uniform, each variable and each response category within each variable have been specifically defined in a way that is designed to promote the collection and reporting of comparable minimal data.

RESULTS

The variables included in the International SCI Cardiovascular Function Basic Data Set include the following items: date of data collection, cardiovascular history before the spinal cord lesion, events related to cardiovascular function after the spinal cord lesion, cardiovascular function after the spinal cord lesion, medications affecting cardiovascular function on the day of examination; and objective measures of cardiovascular functions, including time of examination, position of examination, pulse and blood pressure. The complete instructions for data collection and the data sheet itself are freely available on the websites of both ISCoS (http://www.iscos.org.uk) and ASIA (http://www.asia-spinalinjury.org).

Identification of a novel microRNA that regulates the proliferation and differentiation in muscle side population cells

Muscle satellite cells are largely responsible for skeletal muscle regeneration following injury. Side population (SP) cells, which are thought to be muscle stem cells, also contribute to muscle regeneration. SP cells exhibit high mesenchymal potential, and are a possible cell source for therapy of muscular dystrophy. However, the mechanism by which muscle SP cells are committed to differentiation is poorly understood. microRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in modulating a variety of cellular processes through repression of their mRNA targets. In skeletal muscle, miRNAs are known to be involved in myoblast proliferation and differentiation. To investigate mechanisms of SP cell regulation, we profiled miRNA expression in SP cells and main population (MP) cells in muscles using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction-based expression assays. We identified a set of miRNAs that was highly expressed in SP cells as compared with MP cells. One miRNA, miR-128a, was elevated in expression in SP cells, but decreased in expression during continued culture in vitro. Overexpression of miR-128a in SP cells resulted in inhibited cell proliferation. The differentiation potential of SP cells was also decreased when miR-128a was overexpressed. MiR-128a was found to regulate the target genes involved in the regulation of adipogenic-, osteogenic- and myogenic genes that include: PPARγ, Runx1, and Pax3. Overexpression of miR-128a suppressed the activity of a luciferase reporter fused to the 3'-untranslated region of each gene. These results demonstrate that miR-128a contributes to the maintenance of the quiescent state, and it regulates cellular differentiation by repressing individual genes in SP cells.