Differential expression of heme oxygenase-1 in cultured cortical neurons and astrocytes determined by the aid of a new heme oxygenase antibody. Response to oxidative stress

Heme oxygenase exists as two isoenzymes designated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2). HO-2 is made constitutively in many cell types whereas HO-1 is a stress protein inducible by heat, heavy metals, ultraviolet irradiation, and oxidative stress. Recombinant rat HO-1 was expressed in bacteria and antiserum designated HO-1713 was raised against the purified protein. HO-1713 detected recombinant rat HO-1 and recombinant rat HO-2. In rat tissues it detected HO-1 and a second, unidentified band designated HO-L (heme oxygenase-like immunoreactivity) which was not HO-2. Cultured rat cortical neurons and forebrain astrocytes were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (0.14-0.7 micromolar for 30 or 60 min). Neurons which contained little detectable HO-1 and which were sensitive to hydrogen peroxide at the high end of the dose curve failed to induce HO-1 by Western blot analysis. In contrast, cultured rat forebrain astrocytes which contained HO-1 under normal culture conditions and which were resistant to injury by hydrogen peroxide, increased their content of immunoreactive HO-1 by 7-fold within 3 h after exposure. Our results support a protective role for HO-1 in oxidative injury and suggest that the relative inability of neurons to increase HO-1 after oxidative stress may contribute to their selective vulnerability vis-a-vis astrocytes. They also suggest that differential expression of heme oxygenase in studies utilizing CNS cultures may alter normal cell physiology and cell survival.

Oral tuberculosis

Tuberculous lesions of the oral cavity have become so infrequent that it is virtually a forgotten disease entity and may pose a diagnostic problem. Fifteen patients with conditions that were histologically diagnosed as oral tuberculosis were reviewed. All were men ranging in age from 29 to 78 years. The most common clinical presentation was odynophagia with a duration from less than 1 week to several years. The most frequently affected sites were the tongue base and gingiva. The oral lesions took the form of an irregular ulceration or a discrete granular mass. Mandibular bone destruction was evident in two patients. Two patients had a fever, and four had cervical lymphadenopathy. Eight cases were clinically suspicious for malignancy before biopsy. Only four patients had a history of tuberculosis, but 14 of the 15 patients were later found to have active pulmonary tuberculosis. Acid-fast bacilli were demonstrated in all patients. Tuberculosis should be considered in patients with an inflamed ulcer lesion. A biopsy specimen for histologic study, acid-fast stains, and cultures should be obtained for confirmation and differential diagnosis with other conditions. If a tuberculous lesion is suspected, a chest radiograph is indicated to investigate the possibility of pulmonary involvement.

Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies of GPR40 receptor-agonist interactions

In order to explore the agonistic activity of small-molecule agonists to GPR40, AutoDock and GROMACS software were used for docking and molecular dynamics studies. A molecular docking of eight structurally diverse agonists (six carboxylic acids (CAs) agonist, and two non-carboxylic acids (non-CAs) agonist) was performed and the differences in their binding modes were investigated. Moreover, a good linear relationship based on the predicted binding affinities (pK(i)) determined by using AutoDock and experimental activity values (pEC50) was obtained. Then, the 10ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of three obtained ligand-receptor complexes embedded into the phospholipid bilayer were carried out. The position fluctuations of the ligands located inside the transmembrane domain were explored, and the stable binding modes of the three studied agonists were determined. Furthermore, the residue-based decomposition of interaction energies in three systems identified several critical residues for ligand binding.

Characteristic of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in fly ash from incinerators in china

Fly ash from municipal solid waste (MSW), medical waste (MW) and electrical power plant (EPP) incinerators were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). The study showed that the PCDD/F levels in fly ash were EPP<MSW<MW. The homologue profiles of PCDD/Fs in fly ash produced from waste incinerators were similar. However, the homologue profiles of PCDD/Fs in fly ash from electrostatic precipitator (ESP) of electrical power plant were different from that from waste incinerator. The strong correlation was found between the concentration of 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and the I-TEQ value of fly ash regardless of the different fly ashes sources.

Degradation of PCDD/Fs by mechanochemical treatment of fly ash from medical waste incineration

The potential of mechanochemical treatment (MC) to degrade PCDD/Fs contained in fly ash was tested via grounding with and without calcium oxide (CaO) under atmospheric pressure. Three types of fly ash collected from medical waste incineration were compared, originating either from rotary kiln fluidized bed multi-stage incinerator using activated carbon spray (FA1, FA2), or a simple stoker incinerator without activated carbon spray (FA3). In test I: CaO to FA1 mixed at ratio of 6-60% was milled at rotational speed of 350 rpm; in test II: FA2 and FA3 without CaO were milled at rotational speed of 400 rpm. The duration of the tests was 2h. The results from the present study indicate that (1) under two test conditions of with and without CaO, PCDD/Fs contained in real fly ash both can be degraded by mechanochemical treatment, (2) under condition of blending with CaO, the degradation efficiency of PCDD/Fs increased with increasing ratio of CaO, (3) the degradation efficiency of PCDD/Fs may increase with rotational speed increasing and (4) the destruction and dechlorination are major mechanism for PCDD/Fs degradation. These results show that mechanochemical treatment is a high potential technology for PCDD/Fs degradation in fly ash.

Magnetic resonance imaging of neural transplants in rat brain using a superparamagnetic contrast agent

Rat fetal brain tissue was incubated in vitro with superparamagnetic ferrite particles covalently coupled to the lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and transplanted into the adult rat striatum. At 6 days and at 3 weeks post-surgery the transplants were observed on T1 weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images of the rat head as an area of relatively low signal intensity which could be clearly differentiated from the higher signal intensity produced by the host brain. Histological analysis revealed that the ferrite particles were largely restricted to the transplant in a patchy distribution. The ferrite particles were associated with cells having an apparent normal morphology. Superparamagnetic ferrite particles act as potent MR contrast agents and can be used to label transplanted cells. The labeled cells are apparently not adversely affected by the WGA-ferrite particles and can be monitored for at least three weeks in vivo using noninvasive MR imaging.

Novel reticular calcium binding protein is purified on taipoxin columns

We identified, by affinity chromatography, two putative binding proteins for the presynaptic snake venom toxin taipoxin. We have previously characterized one of these proteins [neuronal pentraxin (NP)] as a neuronally secreted protein with homology to acute-phase proteins. Here we report the identification of the second protein as a 49-kDa lumenal calcium binding protein that we have named taipoxin-associated calcium binding protein 49 (TCBP-49). This protein contains six EF-hand putative calcium binding domains and the carboxyl-terminal sequence His-Asp-Glu-Leu (HDEL), identical to the yeast endoplasmic reticulum retention signal. Message for this protein is present in brain, liver, muscle, heart, kidney, and testis. Antibodies to this protein label reticular organelles of neurons and glia. This localization and the specific enrichment of native and recombinant TCBP-49 on columns of immobilized taipoxin raise the possibility that this protein interacts with internalized taipoxin, perhaps mediating its activation. The availability of pure TCBP-49 will allow direct tests of whether TCBP-49 alters the integrity of the oligomeric structure, phospholipase activity, or toxicity of taipoxin.

Differential localization of heme oxygenase and NADPH-diaphorase in spinal cord neurons

Western blot analysis using several antibodies showed that rat spinal cord contained abundant immunostainable heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) and barely detectable levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Anti-HO-2 antibody stained large anterior horn motoneurones and numerous smaller neurons throughout spinal cord gray matter including the dorsal root entry zone. HO-2+ astrocytes were not evident in gray matter although their presence cannot be ruled out. The distribution of HO-2+ neurons was compared with the distribution of cells containing NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity, a marker for nitric oxide synthase. NADPH-d activity was restricted to far fewer neurons, many of which were close to the central canal and dorsal root entry zone.

Dramatic response to levamisole and low-dose prednisolone in 23 patients with oral lichen planus: a 6-year prospective follow-up study

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the short-term and long-term clinical efficacy of levamisole used with low-dose prednisolone in patients with refractory oral lichen planus. Twenty-three patients with OLP who had been treated unsuccessfully with other modalities were given 150 mg/day levamisole and 15 mg/day prednisolone for 3 consecutive days each week. Twelve patients showed dramatic remission of signs and symptoms within 2 weeks, whereas 11 had partial remission. All 23 reported significant pain relief and showed no evidence of erosive oral lichen planus after 4 to 6 weeks of treatment. All 23 also remained free from symptoms for 6 to 9 months after the treatment ended. There were few side effects from this treatment besides minor skin rash, headache, and insomnia from the levamisole in three cases. We conclude that the addition of levamisole to prednisolone may produce improved results in the management of erosive oral lichen planus.

Transient induction of heme oxygenase after cortical stab wound injury

Heme oxygenase (HO) exists as two isoenzymes designated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2). HO-1 has been identified as a heat shock or stress protein and is inducible whereas HO-2 is largely refractory to induction. HO-2 is the predominant isoenzyme in normal brain and appears to have a predominantly neuronal distribution in cerebral cortex. Cortical stab wound injury resulted in HO-1 induction as determined by Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis suggested that induced HO-1 was largely restricted to reactive astrocytes and macrophage-like cells. Enhanced HO-1 immunoreactivity was observed in hypertrophied, GFAP+ reactive astrocytes near the wound margin as early as 12 h after injury. Very rarely were HO-1+ neurons observed and then only up to 6 h after stabbing. Maximal numbers of HO-1+ astrocytes were found 3 days after stabbing. Their numbers declined thereafter. By 5 days after stab injury few HO-1+ reactive astrocytes were observed although GFAP+ reactive astrocytes were still prominent near the wound margin. HO-1+ macrophage-like cells were initially observed between 1 and 3 days after injury and they persisted in the margin of the wound for at least 14 days. The proximity of HO-1+ cells to the wound margin suggests that factors associated with injury contribute to the regulation of HO-1 in injured cortex.

Adaptation of gastric mucosa to chronic alcohol administration is associated with increased mucosal expression of growth factors and their receptor

In our previous study we found that chronic, intragastric administration of ethanol to rats produces adaptation of the gastric mucosa to subsequent challenge with an acute dose of 50% ethanol. The mechanism of this mucosal tolerance remains unexplained. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) stimulate cells growth and proliferation in the gastric mucosa with noted trophic effect, protect the gastric mucosa against acute injury and accelerate healing of injured mucosa. Many of these effects are exerted through EGF and TGF alpha action on their common receptor (EGFR). The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of chronic alcohol administration on cell proliferation and gastric mucosal expression and distribution of EGF, TGF alpha and EGFR. Chronic administration of ethanol (1 ml, 50% ethanol, twice daily) significantly increased the extent of gastric mucosal mucous and proliferative cell zones, the number of proliferating (DNA synthesizing) cells and mucosal expression of EGF, TGF alpha and EGFR by 13, 6, and 20-fold, respectively. Thus, adaptation of gastric mucosa to chronic alcohol administration is associated with increased cell proliferation and increased expression of mucosal EGF, TGF alpha and EGFR.

Role of bridging water molecules in GSK3β-inhibitor complexes: insights from QM/MM, MD, and molecular docking studies

The role of water molecules is increasingly gaining interest in drug design, and several studies have highlighted their paramount contributions to the specificity and the affinity of ligand binding. In this study, we employ the two-layer ONIOM-based quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and molecular docking studies to investigate the effect of bridging water molecules at the GSK3β-inhibitors interfaces. The results obtained from the ONIOM geometry optimization and AIM analysis corroborated the presence of bridging water molecules that form hydrogen bonds with protein side chain of Thr138 and/or backbone of Gln185, and mediate interactions with inhibitors in the 10 selected GSK3β-inhibitor complexes. Subsequently, MD simulations carried out on a representative system of 1R0E demonstrated that the bridging water molecule is stable at the GSK3β-inhibitor interface and appears to contribute to the stability of the protein-inhibitor interactions. Furthermore, molecular docking studies of GSK3β-inhibitor complexes indicated that the inhibitors can increase binding affinities and the better docked conformation of inhibitors can be obtained by inclusion of the bridging water molecules, especially for the flexible inhibitors, in docking experiments into individual protein conformations. Our results elucidate the importance of bridging water molecules at the GSK3β-inhibitor interfaces and suggest that they might prove useful in rational drug design.

Protective properties of tin- and manganese-centered porphyrins against hydrogen peroxide-mediated injury in rat astroglial cells

Tin-mesoporphyrin (tin-mp), a potent inhibitor of heme oxygenase, and manganese (III) tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin (MnTMPyP), a potent superoxide dismutase mimetic, reduced H2O2 toxicity in cultures of transformed rat astroglial cells if added 30 min before, or at the same time as, H2O2. Reduced toxicity was not observed if treatment was delayed for 60 min, the time by which H2O2 was essentially eliminated from cultures. Coadministration of tin-mp and MnTMPyP did not increase protection over either compound administered individually. Tin-mp, but not MnTMPyP, was stable in culture. MnCl2 was not protective, suggesting that protection by MnTMPyP was not dependent on manganous ion, a by-product of MnTMPyP breakdown. Protection by tin-mp and MnTMPyP was not associated with metalloporphyrin-mediated induction of heme oxygenase-1 or with changes in heme oxygenase-2 on western blots. Whereas protective concentrations of tin-mp did not have superoxide dismutase-mimetic properties in vitro, protective concentrations of MnTMPyP partially inhibited heme oxygenase. The data support the hypothesis that heme oxygenase inhibition is protective against acute oxidative injury.

Striatal, ventral mesencephalic and cortical transplants into the intact rat striatum: a neuroanatomical study

Intrastriatal transplantation of fetal striatal (STR), cortical (CTX), or ventral mesencephalic (VM) tissue into the normal striatum has been shown to produce behavioral deficits (38). Here, we have examined the cellular elements of the transplants and their connectivity with the host using histochemistry for cytochrome oxidase (CO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), immunocytochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), OX42, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), serotonin (5-HT), and cholecystokinin (CCK). Autoradiography for dopamine D1 and D2, muscarinic cholinergic, and serotonin 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors at 5-15 months after transplantation was also investigated. CO staining showed that all transplants were metabolically active. The STR and VM transplants contained AChE-positive neurons and fibers. The CTX transplants exhibited AChE terminals with an appearance similar to that of the host cortex. AChE staining within the STR transplants was patchy. 5-HT-, TH-, and DBH-immunoreactive (IR) fibers were found in the STR and CTX transplants. In two of six CTX transplants, many TH-IR neurons were present. The VM transplants contained many TH-IR, 5-HT-IR, and DBH-IR cell bodies and fibers. CCK-IR stain was found in the VM transplant and was coextensive with regions containing TH-IR cell bodies. Fibers stained by all markers crossed the transplant and host border. Receptor autoradiography revealed that muscarinic cholinergic and 5-HT2 receptors were present in the STR, CTX, and VM transplants. In addition, dopamine D1 and D2 receptors were present in the STR transplants. Intermittent heavy staining for GFAP and OX42 were observed along the border of most transplants and the hosts. It was noted that high densities and hypertrophy of GFAP- or OX42-stained astrocytes or microglia, respectively, were present in the transplants and adjacent host. OX42-stained macrophages were found in many transplants. The present results indicate that intrastriatal transplants into the intact normal brain express numerous histochemical, immunocytochemical, and receptor features characteristic of the appropriate adult tissues. The afferents from the host extend into the STR and CTX transplants, and neural fibers from the VM transplants grew into surrounding host tissue, suggesting possible anatomical connection. Ultrastructural evidence is needed to determine if these fibers form synaptic connections. The results from GFAP and OX42 immunocytochemical staining support the possibility suggested by behavioral studies that damage to the host brain is induced by neural transplantation.

Dens invaginatus in the maxillary lateral incisor: treatment of 3 cases

Nonsurgical treatment of 3 maxillary lateral incisors with dens invaginatus is reported. Invaginated teeth present technical difficulties with respect to their management because of complicated canal morphology. In the first case reported, apical abscess with incomplete root formation was found at the time of examination. Calcium hydroxide apexification provided favorable conditions for root closure and obturation. The other 2 cases were treated by conventional root canal treatment. Follow-up examinations showed successful clinical results, with osseous healing evident radiographically.

YY1 represses rat serum amyloid A1 gene transcription and is antagonized by NF-kappa B during acute-phase response

Serum amyloid A (SAA), one of the major acute-phase proteins, increases several hundredfold in concentration in plasma following acute inflammation, primarily as a result of a 200-fold increase in its transcriptional rate. Functional analysis of the rat SAA1 promoter has identified a 65-bp cytokine response unit (CRU; positions -135 to -71) that could confer cytokine responsiveness on a heterologous promoter. Within this CRU, two cis-regulatory elements, corresponding to NF-kappa B- and C/EBP-binding sites, were found to be functionally important and exerted synergistic effects on induced SAA1 expression. In this report, we show that a third transcription factor interacts with the CRU through a region located between the NF-kappa B- and C/EBP-binding sites. On the basis of its gel mobility shift patterns, ubiquitous binding activity, sequence specificity of DNA binding, zinc-dependent binding activity, and gel mobility supershift by specific antibodies, we concluded that this factor is identical to YY1. Methylation interference studies revealed that YY1 binding sequences overlapped with those of NF-kappa B, and gel mobility studies showed that NF-kappa binding to the CRU was effectively inhibited by YY1. Consistent with its presumed antagonistic role to NF-kappa B, YY1 exerted a negative effect on SAA1 expression, whereas disruption of its binding in the promoter elevated basal and cytokine-induced activities. Furthermore, overexpression of YY1 trans-repressed SAA1 promoter activity. Thus, our results demonstrate that SAA1 expression is tightly regulated by an on-off switch of activators and repressors, presumably to ensure that it is expressed only under appropriate physiological conditions.

Molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulation studies of the GSK3β/ATP/substrate complex: understanding the unique P+4 primed phosphorylation specificity for GSK3β substrates

Substrate specificity of protein kinases is of fundamental importance for the integrity and fidelity of signaling pathways. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) has a unique substrate specificity that prefers phosphorylation of its substrates at the P+4 serine before it can further phosphorylate the substrate at the P0 serine in the canonical motif SXXXS(p), where S(p) is the primed phosphorylation site. The detailed phosphorylation mechanism, however, is not clearly understood. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) model of the ternary complex of GSK3β, ATP, and the phosphorylated glycogen synthase (pGS), termed GSK3β/ATP/pGS, is constructed using a hierarchical approach and by integrating molecular modeling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Based on the 3D model, the substrate primed phosphorylation mechanism is investigated via two 12 ns comparative MD simulations of the GSK3β/ATP/pGS and GSK3β/ATP/GS systems, which differ in the phosphate group bound to the P+4 serine of GS. In agreement with structural analysis, computed binding free energies reveal that the binding of pGS to GSK3β is favored in the prephosphorylated state compared with the GS native state. More importantly, comparison with the system simulated without primed phosphorylation in the GSK3β/ATP/GS complex shows that for an optimal phosphorylation reaction to occur, the pGS priming phosphate in the GSK3β/ATP/pGS system optimizes the proper orientation of the GSK3β N- and C-terminal domains and clamps the P0 serine of pGS in the appropriate configuration for interaction with the ATP γ-phosphate within the catalytic groove.

Multilocus linkage analysis with the human argininosuccinate synthetase gene

We have identified three restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) from within the argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) gene which maps to human chromosome 9q34-qter. Although RFLPs at pseudogene loci are detected by the cDNA, these are the first polymorphisms reported at the ASS locus. The three RFLPs are in linkage equilibrium with each other, and haplotypes for the ASS locus are highly informative. Two-locus recombination estimates between ASS and seven other 9q markers indicated that ASS is closest to the ABO blood group with a recombination fraction of 0.04 (0.005-0.11). A multilocus lod score analysis with these seven 9q markers indicated that ASS maps between ABL and MCT136 close to ABO, but it is uncertain if ASS is centromeric or telomeric to ABO.

Sensitization of c-fos expression in rat striatum following multiple challenges with D-amphetamine

D-Amphetamine transiently stimulates the expression of the immediate-early response gene, c-fos, in rat striatal cell nuclei. D-Amphetamine (2.5 mg/kg i.p.) induced a significantly greater expression of Fos-like immunoreactivity in striatum of rats treated three days previously with D-amphetamine compared to rats treated three days previously with saline. This increase in the expression of Fos-like immunoreactivity in rat striatum was characterized by a significantly greater number of immunoreactive nuclei and a significant increase in the intensity of the immunoreactivity. This sensitization of c-fos expression following a repeated administration of D-amphetamine indicates an increased activation of post-synaptic elements in rat striatum.

How calcium inhibits the magnesium-dependent kinase gsk3β: a molecular simulation study

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) is a ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase that plays a pivotal role in many biological processes. GSK3β catalyzes the transfer of γ-phosphate of ATP to the unique substrate Ser/Thr residues with the assistance of two natural activating cofactors Mg(2+). Interestingly, the biological observation reveals that a non-native Ca(2+) ion can inhibit the GSK3β catalytic activity. Here, the inhibitory mechanism of GSK3β by the displacement of native Mg(2+) at site 1 by Ca(2+) was investigated by means of 80 ns comparative molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the GSK3β···Mg(2+)-2/ATP/Mg(2+) -1 and GSK3β···Mg(2+)-2/ATP/Ca(2+)-1 systems. MD simulation results revealed that using the AMBER point charge model force field for Mg(2+) was more appropriate in the reproduction of the active site architectural characteristics of GSK3β than using the magnesium-cationic dummy atom model force field. Compared with the native Mg(2+) bound system, the misalignment of the critical triphosphate moiety of ATP, the erroneous coordination environments around the Mg(2+) ion at site 2, and the rupture of the key hydrogen bond between the invariant Lys85 and the ATP O(β2) atom in the Ca(2+) substituted system were observed in the MD simulation due to the Ca(2+) ion in active site in order to achieve its preferred sevenfold coordination geometry, which adequately abolish the enzymatic activity. The obtained results are valuable in understanding the possible mechanism by why Ca(2+) inhibits the GSK3β activity and also provide insights into the mechanism of Ca(2+) inhibition in other structurally related protein kinases.

Enzyme-antibody dual labeled gold nanoparticles probe for ultrasensitive detection of κ-casein in bovine milk samples

A dual labeled probe was synthesized by coating gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with anti-κ-CN monoclonal antibody (McAb) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme on their surface. The McAb was used as detector and HRP was used as label for signal amplification catalytically oxidize the substrate. AuNPs were used as bridges between the McAb and HRP. Based on the probe, an immunoassay was developed for ultrasensitive detection of κ-CN in bovine milk samples. The assay has a linear response range within 4.2-560 ng mL(-1). The limit of detection (LOD) was 4.2 ng mL(-1) which was 10 times lower than that of traditional McAb-HRP based ELISA. The recoveries of κ-CN from three brand bovine milk samples were from 95.8% to 111.0% that had a good correlation (R(2)=0.998) with those obtained by official standard Kjeldahl method. For higher sensitivity and as simple as the traditional ELISA, the developed immunoassay could provide an alternative approach for ultrasensitive detection of κ-CN in bovine milk sample.

Magnetic bead and gold nanoparticle probes based immunoassay for β-casein detection in bovine milk samples

In this work, a double-probe based immunoassay was developed for rapid and sensitive determination of β-casein in bovine milk samples. In the method, magnetic beads (MBs), employed as supports for the immobilization of anti-β-casein polyclonal antibody (PAb), were used as the capture probe. Colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), employed as a bridge for loading anti-β-casein monoclonal antibody (McAb) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), were used as the amplification probe. The presence of β-casein causes the sandwich structures of MBs-PAb-β-casein-McAb-AuNPs through the interaction between β-casein and the anti-β-casein antibodies. The HRP, used as an enzymatic-amplified tracer, can catalytically oxidize the substrate 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), generating optical signals that are proportional to the quantity of β-casein. The linear range of the immunoassay was from 6.5 to 1520ngmL(-1). The limit of detection (LOD) was 4.8ngmL(-1) which was 700 times lower than that of MBs-antibody-HRP based immunoassay and 6-7 times lower than that from the microplate-antibody-HRP based assay. The recoveries of β-casein from bovine milk samples were from 95.0% to 104.3% that had a good correlation coefficient (R(2)=0.9956) with those obtained by an official standard Kjeldahl method. For higher sensitivity, simple sample pretreatment and shorter time requirement of the antigen-antibody reaction, the developed immunoassay demonstrated the viability for detection of β-casein in bovine milk samples.

A rapid immunomagnetic beads-based immunoassay for the detection of β-casein in bovine milk

An immunomagnetic beads-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IMBs-ELISA) was developed for the detection of β-casein in bovine milk. Immunomagnetic beads (IMBs) were employed as the solid phase. The anti-β-casein monoclonal antibody (McAb) bound to IMBs was used as capture probe and an anti-β-casein polyclonal antibody (PcAb), labelled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), was employed as detector probe. Three reaction and two washing steps were needed. Each reaction needed 10 min or less, which significantly shortened detection compared with classic sandwich ELISA. β-Casein in bovine milk was detected across a linear range (2-128 μg mL(-1)). Application results were in accordance with the Kjejdahl method, which suggests the IMBs-ELISA is rapid and reliable for the detection of β-casein in bovine milk.

Response to levamisole and low-dose prednisolone in 41 patients with chronic oral ulcers: a 3-year open clinical trial and follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this open clinical trial and follow-up study was to evaluate the short-term and long-term clinical efficacy of levamisole used with low-dose prednisolone in 30 patients with oral lichen planus, 6 patients with erythema multiforme, 3 patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid, and 2 patients with early pemphigus vulgaris.

STUDY DESIGN

All patients were given 150 mg/day of levamisole and 15 mg/day of prednisolone for 3 consecutive days each week, along with topically applied dexamethasone orobase (dexaltin).

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients showed dramatic remission of signs and symptoms within 2 weeks; 18 patients experienced partial remission. Forty patients reported significant pain relief, and almost none showed evidence of oral ulcerative lesions after 4 to 8 weeks of treatment. In contrast, 1 patient with oral lichen planus with allergy to levamisole reported a partial response from prednisolone alone. All 29 patients with oral lichen planus remained free from symptoms for more than 6 months. All 6 patients with erythema multiforme, all 3 patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid, and both patients with pemphigus vulgaris also remained free from symptoms for 2 to 3 years. There were few side effects from the treatment; there was minor skin rash from levamisole in 1 case of oral lichen planus. We also designed a flexible plastic carrier for topically applied dexaltin in the treatment of diffuse atrophic or ulcerative gingivitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of levamisole to prednisolone may produce improved results in the management of erosive lichen planus, erythema multiforme, mucous membrane pemphigoid, and early pemphigus vulgaris.

Differential placental hormone gene expression during pregnancy in a transgenic mouse containing the human growth hormone/chorionic somatomammotropin locus

The human (h) growth hormone/chorionic somatomammotropin (GH/CS) gene locus presents a unique model to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms that have allowed a closely related family of genes to be expressed in two distinct cell lineages/tissues: pituitary somatotrophs and placental syncytiotrophoblasts. However, studies of external factors that regulate gene expression have been somewhat limited by (i) a lack of human cell lines expressing endogenous GH or CS appropriately; and (ii) the fact that the GH/CS locus is unique to primates and thus does not exist in rodents. In the current study, a transgenic (171 h GH/CS-TG) mouse was generated containing the intact hGH/CS gene cluster and hGH locus control region (LCR) in a 171-kilobase DNA fragment. Pituitary and placental-specific expression of hGH/CS RNA was detected at embryonic day (E) 18.5. Immunostaining of hGH was seen in somatotrophs of the anterior pituitary beginning in late gestation. The presence of hCS protein was detected in the placental labyrinth in trophoblasts functionally analogous to the syncytiotrophoblast of the chorionic villi. This pattern of gene expression is consistent with the presence of essential components of the hGH/CS LCR. Transcript levels for hCS-A, hCS-B and placental hGH-variant increased in 171 hGH/CS-TG placenta during gestation (E11.5-E18.5), as previously observed in human placental development. Throughout gestation, hCS-A RNA levels were proportionately higher, accounting for 91% of total CS RNA by E18.5, comparable to term human placenta. Finally, the previous correlation between the transcription factor AP-2alpha and hCS RNA expression observed in developing primary human cytotrophoblast cultures, was extended to pregnancy in the 171 hGH/CS-TG mouse. The 171 hGH/CS-TG mouse thus provides a model to investigate hGH/CS gene expression, including in pregnancy.