Menopause is associated with endothelial dysfunction in women

To evaluate the effect of endogenous estrogens on endothelial function in humans, we examined whether menopause is associated with impairment in endothelium-dependent vasodilation in normotensive and essential hypertensive women. In 73 normotensive subjects (37 women, 36 men) and 73 hypertensive patients (36 women, 37 men), we studied endothelial function by measuring forearm blood flow modifications (strain-gauge plethysmography) induced by intrabrachial acetylcholine (0.15, 0.45, 1.5, 4.5, and 15 micrograms/100 mL per minute), an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, and sodium nitroprusside (1,2, and 4 micrograms/100 mL per minute), an endothelium-independent vasodilator. Women younger than 45 years had normal menstrual cycles. In essential hypertensive patients, responses to acetylcholine but not to sodium nitroprusside were significantly (P < .001) reduced compared with responses in normotensive subjects. Moreover, in both groups, vasodilation to acetylcholine showed a marked negative correlation with advancing age (normotensive subjects: r = -.88, P < .001; hypertensive patients: r = -.87, P < .001). In contrast, vasodilation to sodium nitroprusside showed a less evident negative correlation with advancing age (normotensive subjects: r = -46, P < .01; hypertensive patients: r = -.48, P < .01). However, in normally menstruating normotensive women, no endothelial dysfunction was observed, and age-related impairment in endothelium-dependent vasodilation was evident only after menopause. In normally menstruating hypertensive women, aging was associated with endothelial dysfunction although the deterioration of endothelium-dependent vasodilation was less marked than that in men. In contrast, after menopause, the age-related endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive women was similar to that observed in men. Finally, no sex-related difference in the response to sodium nitroprusside was observed in either normotensive subjects or essential hypertensive patients. Age-related endothelial dysfunction is attenuated in premenopausal normotensive and hypertensive women compared with men, whereas no sex-induced difference is observed after menopause, suggesting a protective effect of endogenous estrogens on endothelial function.

Effects of subthalamic stimulation on speech of consecutive patients with Parkinson disease

OBJECTIVE

Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) is an effective treatment for advanced Parkinson disease (PD). Following STN-DBS, speech intelligibility can deteriorate, limiting its beneficial effect. Here we prospectively examined the short- and long-term speech response to STN-DBS in a consecutive series of patients to identify clinical and surgical factors associated with speech change.

METHODS

Thirty-two consecutive patients were assessed before surgery, then 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after STN-DBS in 4 conditions on- and off-medication with on- and off-stimulation using established and validated speech and movement scales. Fifteen of these patients were followed up for 3 years. A control group of 12 patients with PD were followed up for 1 year.

RESULTS

Within the surgical group, speech intelligibility significantly deteriorated by an average of 14.2%±20.15% off-medication and 16.9%±21.8% on-medication 1 year after STN-DBS. The medical group deteriorated by 3.6%±5.5% and 4.5%±8.8%, respectively. Seven patients showed speech amelioration after surgery. Loudness increased significantly in all tasks with stimulation. A less severe preoperative on-medication motor score was associated with a more favorable speech response to STN-DBS after 1 year. Medially located electrodes on the left STN were associated with a significantly higher risk of speech deterioration than electrodes within the nucleus. There was a strong relationship between high voltage in the left electrode and poor speech outcome at 1 year.

CONCLUSION

The effect of STN-DBS on speech is variable and multifactorial, with most patients exhibiting decline of speech intelligibility. Both medical and surgical issues contribute to deterioration of speech in STN-DBS patients.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE

This study provides Class III evidence that STN-DBS for PD results in deterioration in speech intelligibility in all combinations of medication and stimulation states at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year compared to baseline and to control subjects treated with best medical therapy.

Mechanisms responsible for endothelial dysfunction associated with acute estrogen deprivation in normotensive women

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was to evaluate whether endothelial dysfunction associated with acute estrogen deprivation is caused by an alteration in the L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway and oxidative stress. Methods and Results-In 26 healthy women (age, 45.7+/-5.4 years) and 18 fertile women with leiomyoma (age, 44.5+/-5.1 years), we studied forearm blood flow (strain-gauge plethysmography) changes induced by intrabrachial acetylcholine (0. 15, 0.45, 1.5, 4.5, or 15 microgram. 100 mL(-1). min(-1)) or sodium nitroprusside (1, 2, or 4 microgram. 100 mL(-1). min(-1)), an endothelium-dependent or -independent vasodilator, respectively. The NO pathway was evaluated by repeating acetylcholine during L-arginine (200 microgram. 100 mL(-1). min(-1); 13 control subjects and 9 patients) or N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 100 microgram. 100 mL(-1). min(-1); 13 control subjects and 9 patients); production of cyclooxygenase-derived vasoconstrictors was assessed by repeating acetylcholine during indomethacin (50 microgram. 100 mL(-1). min(-1); 13 control subjects and 9 patients) or vitamin C (8 mg. 100 mL(-1). min(-1); 13 control subjects and 9 patients). Patients repeated the study within 1 month after ovariectomy and again after 3 months of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT; 17 beta-estradiol TTS, 50 microgram/d). Basally, vasodilation to acetylcholine was potentiated and inhibited by L-arginine and L-NMMA, respectively (P<0.05), but was unaffected by indomethacin or vitamin C. After ovariectomy, the modulating effect of L-arginine and L-NMMA disappeared, whereas indomethacin and vitamin C potentiated the response to acetylcholine (P<0.05). ERT restored L-arginine and L-NMMA effects on vasodilation to acetylcholine but prevented the potentiation caused by indomethacin or vitamin C. Response to sodium nitroprusside was unaffected by either ovariectomy or ERT.

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial dysfunction secondary to acute endogenous estrogen deprivation is caused by reduced NO availability. Cyclooxygenase-dependent production of oxidative stress could be responsible for this alteration.

Poly(dimethyl siloxane) surface modification by low pressure plasma to improve its characteristics towards biomedical applications

Poly(dimethyl siloxane) elastomer, (PDMS) is widely used as a biomaterial. However, PDMS is very hydrophobic and easily colonized by several bacteria and yeasts. Consequently, surface modification has been used to improve its wettability and reduce bacterial adhesion. The aim of this work was to modify the PDMS surface in order to improve its hydrophilicity and bacterial cell repulsion to be used as a biomaterial. Plasma was used to activate the PDMS surface and sequentially promote the attachment of a synthetic surfactant, Pluronic F-68, or a polymer, Poly(ethylene glycol) methyl methacrylate, PEGMA. Bare PDMS, PDMS argon plasma activated, PDMS coated with Pluronic F-68 and PEGMA-grafted PDMS were characterized by contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The influence of the surface modifications on blood compatibility of the materials was evaluated by thrombosis and haemolysis assays. The cytotoxicity of these materials was tested for mouse macrophages. After modification, AFM results suggest the presence of a distinct layer at the surface and by the contact angle measures it was observed an increase of hydrophilicity. XPS analysis indicates an increase of the oxygen content at the surface as a result of the modification. All the studied materials revealed no toxicity and were found to be non-haemolytic or in some cases slightly haemolytic. Therefore, plasma was found to be an effective technique for the PDMS surface modification.

latheo encodes a subunit of the origin recognition complex and disrupts neuronal proliferation and adult olfactory memory when mutant

The Drosophila latheo (lat) gene was identified in a behavioral screen for olfactory memory mutants. The original hypomorphic latP1 mutant (Boynton and Tully, 1992) shows a structural defect in adult brain. Homozygous lethal lat mutants lack imaginal discs, show little cell proliferation in the CNS of third instar larvae, and die as early pupae. latP1 was cloned, and all of the above mentioned defects of hypomorphic or homozygous lethal lat mutants were rescued with a lat+ transgene. lat encodes a novel protein with homology to a subunit of the origin recognition complex (ORC). Human and Drosophila LAT both associate with ORC2 and are related to yeast ORC3, suggesting that LAT functions in DNA replication during cell proliferation.

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase I Clinical Trial of the therapeutical antituberculous vaccine RUTI

A Phase I interventional Clinical Trial was performed with a potential tuberculosis vaccine, based on detoxified cellular fragments of M. tuberculosis, named RUTI. The objective was to evaluate the safety profile and T-cell immune responses over a 6-month period following subcutaneous inoculation. The double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial was conducted in healthy volunteers, all recruited at one site. RUTI, at each of the four tested doses, starting from 5microg and going up to 200microg, and placebo were inoculated to groups of 4 and 2 volunteers respectively, consecutively. RUTI appeared to be well tolerated as judged by local and systemic clinical evaluation, though vaccine dose dependent local adverse reactions were recorded. T-cell responses of blood lymphocytes to PPD and a number of antigen subunits were elevated, when compared with controls subjects. These results support the feasibility of future evaluation, to be targeted at subjects with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).

latheo, a Drosophila gene involved in learning, regulates functional synaptic plasticity

Mutations in the latheo (lat) gene disrupt associative learning in Drosophila , but a role for LAT in regulating neuronal function has not been demonstrated. Here, we report that LAT plays a central role in regulating Ca2(+)- and activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Immunological localization of the LAT protein indicates it is present at synaptic connections of the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and is enriched in presynaptic boutons. Basal synaptic transmission amplitude at the lat mutant NMJ is elevated 3- to 4-fold, and Ca2+ dependence of transmission is significantly reduced. Multiple forms of synaptic facilitation and posttetanic potentiation (PTP) are strongly depressed or absent at the mutant synapse. Our results suggest that LAT is a novel presynaptic protein with a role in the Ca2(+)-dependent synaptic modulation mechanisms necessary for behavioral plasticity.

Endogenous estrogen and acetylcholine-induced vasodilation in normotensive women

Acute exogenous estrogen administration enhances endothelial function in postmenopausal women. To evaluate the effect of endogenous estrogen on endothelium-dependent vasodilation, in 10 fertile normotensive women (age range 45 to 51 years) we studied the changes in forearm blood flow (strain-gauge plethysmography) induced by intrabrachial acetylcholine (0.15, 0.45, 1.5, 4.5, 1.5 micrograms.100 mL-1.min-1), an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, or sodium nitroprusside (1, 2, 4 micrograms.100 mL-1.min-1), an endothelium-independent vasodilator, in basal conditions and within 1 month after ovariectomy. As control subjects, 10 matched healthy women were also evaluated. In basal condition, vasodilation to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside was similar in patients and control subjects. Ovariectomy was followed by endogenous estrogen deprivation (from 71.6 +/- 31.3 to < 12 pg/mL) and was associated with a significant (P < .01) reduction in acetylcholine-induced vasodilation compared with baseline (maximum percent increase in forearm blood flow: baseline 568.2 +/- 47.1%; ovariectomy 309.5 +/- 37.4%); the response to sodium nitroprusside was unaffected by ovariectomy (maximum percent increase in forearm blood flow: baseline 526.4 +/- 36.5%; ovariectomy 454.7 +/- 47.2%; P = NS). In 6 of 10 patients, the study was repeated after 3 months of estrogen replacement therapy (17 beta-estradiol, 50 micrograms/d by transdermal patches). Exogenous estrogen restored acetylcholine-induced vasodilation (maximum percent increase in forearm blood flow: 548.9 +/- 43.1%; P < .01 versus ovariectomy), which was no longer different from baseline, whereas the response to sodium nitroprusside was not affected (maximum percent increase in forearm blood flow: 480.2 +/- 39.3%; P = NS). These results suggest a protective role of endogenous estrogen on endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the forearm vascular bed of normotensive women.

Effect of bilateral stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus on parkinsonian voice

The purpose of this study was to assess several acoustic features of the voices of 26 parkinsonian patients under two conditions, with and without bilateral chronic stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) to estimate the effectiveness of this procedure on parkinsonian speech. When compared to unstimulated patients, stimulated patients showed longer duration of sustained vowels, shorter duration of sentences, nonsense words, and pauses, more variable fundamental frequency (f0) in sentences, and more stable f0 during sustained vowels. Relative intensity was unchanged in both conditions. Further acoustic analyses are warranted to clarify the role of STN stimulation on parkinsonian speech.

PET and SPECT functional imaging studies in Parkinsonian syndromes: from the lesion to its consequences

Functional imaging techniques provide major insights into understanding the pathophysiology, progression, complications, and differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). The dopaminergic system has been particularly studied allowing now early, presymptomatic diagnoses, which is of interest for future neuroprotective strategies. The existence of a compensatory hyperactivity of dopa-decarboxylase at disease onset has been recently demonstrated in the nigrostriatal and also extrastriatal dopaminergic pathways. Modification of dopamine receptors expression is observed during PD, but the respective contribution of dopaminergic drugs and the disease process towards these changes is still debated. Abnormalities of cerebral activation are seen and are clearly task-dependent, but the coexistence of hypoactivation in some areas and hyperactivation in others is also now well established. Such hyperactivation may be compensatory but could also reflect an inability to select appropriate motor circuits and inhibit inappropriate ones by PD patients. Interestingly, dopaminergic medications or surgical therapy reverse such abnormalities of brain activation.

Duplex ultrasonographic study of the renal arteries before and after renal artery stenting

The aim of our study was to evaluate feasibility and accuracy of colour-coded duplex US in the detection of renal artery stenosis before and after stenting. Eighty-four patients (23 women, 61 men; mean age 64 years) with significant renal artery stenosis were studied with Doppler US, before and after stenting. A combined anterior and translumbar approach was used to visualise the renal arteries. Renal artery stenosis and in-stent restenosis were proved by the increase of renal peak systolic velocity (PSV) and reno-aortic ratio (RAR). Laboratory-specific threshold values of PSV and RAR were used to assess sensitivity and specificity of Doppler US. The renal arteries were visualised in all patients (feasibility 100%). A statistically significant difference of PSV and RAR was demonstrated between patent and stenotic renal arteries, before stenting, and between stenotic and stented renal arteries. No difference was demonstrated in cases of in-stent restenosis ( n=21). Before stenting, sensitivity of PSV and RAR was 93%, whereas specificity rates were 92 and 96%, respectively. After stenting sensitivity and specificity rates were, respectively, 90 and 93% for PSV, and 95 and 95% for RAR. Doppler US represents a feasible and reliable technique in the detection of renal artery stenosis and in-stent restenosis, although laboratory-specific threshold values are required to improve its accuracy.

The long-term treatment of social phobia with moclobemide

Patients meeting the social phobia criteria of the revised third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) on the DSM-III-R Structured Clinical Interview (n = 101) entered a long-term moclobemide treatment study. These patients were treated for 2 years with moclobemide (phase I) followed by drug withdrawal, in most cases abruptly (phase II). Those who relapsed entered phase III for a further period of 2 years of treatment. During phase I 40 patients (39.6%) withdrew due to inefficacy or relapse. Two patients were removed from the study because of other diagnoses (borderline or schizophreniform). At the end of phase I the remaining patients (58.4%) were rated as not ill (45.5%) or minimally ill (11.9%). Effort was taken to achieve the maximum dose of moclobemide (750 mg/day) and the mean (+/-SD) dose was 723.3 +/- 67.7 mg/day (month 21). A marked decrease in symptoms in the patients who responded was recorded on the Liebowitz Scale for Social Phobia, Clinical Global Impressions. Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Hamilton Depression Scale. Non-response was mainly associated with co-morbidity, especially alcohol abuse, axis II disorders, and a history of major depression or secondary dysthymia. The drug was well tolerated; the more frequent side effects were mild and occurred mainly in the first 2 months of phase I, including nausea, headaches or insomnia. In phase II there was a relapse rate of 88% and 51 patients entered phase III; these patients are still being treated.

Neovascularisation is a prognostic factor of early recurrence in T1/G2 urothelial bladder tumours

BACKGROUND

Of patients with superficial bladder cancer, a group are still at risk of disease recurrence, progression and death from their cancer after curative treatment. Angiogenesis is a crucial pathogenic mechanism for this type of urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC), and is a potential therapeutic target. However, the selection of the appropriate patients remains a dilemma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and the presence of angiogenesis and occurrence of CD31, CD34, endoglin and factor VIII immunoexpression, were evaluated in 66 superficial papillary UCCs of the bladder and were correlated with classical histopathological factors and disease outcome.

RESULTS

VEGF immunoreactivity was observed in 100% of cases, and more intensely in the luminal surface. The presence of microvessel clusters independently of a fibrovascular core was observed in 22.7% of cases. Of these, the T1/G2 subgroup had an independent and significantly lower recurrence-free survival (P = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the presence of angiogenesis in tumour urothelium is a potential prognostic factor in superficial UCC, particularly in T1/G2 tumours, and may be used to select patients for anti-angiogenic treatments.

Cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolite generation in nasal polyps

A role of prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs) in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps has been recently suggested. Cyclooxygenase (CO) products (thromboxane B2, PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha) and lipoxygenase (LO) products (LTB4 and LTC4) were investigated by radioimmunoassay in polyps, hypertrophic turbinates and nasal mucosa from 14 patients with non-allergic (n = 6), allergic chronic rhinitis (n = 6) and aspirin-sensitive asthma (ASA) (n = 2), who underwent polypectomy. In all tissues CO metabolite levels were found higher than LO products (P < 0.01). Nasal polyps showed a significantly lower (P < 0.05) arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism in comparison to nasal mucosa. In polyps of allergic patients significantly higher LTB4 levels (P < 0.001) and a tendency to produce higher amounts of CO products in comparison to non-allergic subjects were observed, whereas in turbinates of non-allergic patients LT levels were significantly higher in comparison to those of allergic ones (P < 0.01). In ASA patients a decreased CO/LO ratio was found supporting the hypothesis of an imbalance of AA metabolism in this syndrome. These findings seem to indicate that the occurrence of nasal polyps may represent the result of different chronic inflammatory stimuli, regulated in part by AA metabolites.

Effects of long-term gestodene-containing oral contraceptive administration on hemostasis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the behavior of the hemostatic system during treatment with gestodene-containing oral contraceptives in monophasic (SHD 356, n = 15) and triphasic (SHD 415, n = 15) formulations. No changes in platelet (beta-thromboglobulin, platelet aggregate ratio, and megathrombocyte) and routine clotting assays were observed. Factor VIIc/factor VIIag ratio and fibrinopeptide A values showed a significant (p less than 0.005) increase after three cycles of both treatments. A slight, significant increase (p less than 0.01) in antithrombin III activity was observed during triphasic treatment. Protein C was unchanged. Fibrinolytic activity and plasminogen levels were significantly increased (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.001). After 6 and 9 months, the factor VIIc/factor VIIag ratio was still significantly enhanced, whereas fibrinopeptide A values significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased, even if they were higher (p less than 0.05) than basal values. The persistence of factor VII activation without enhanced thrombin formation after long-term use of oral contraceptives suggests that at that time the activity of antithrombotic mechanisms counteracts the prothrombotic tendency, thus helping to minimize unwanted side effects on hemostasis during long-term drug administration.

Cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolite synthesis by polymorphonuclear neutrophils: in vitro effect of dipyrone

Functional activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) is associated with the metabolism of Arachidonic Acid (AA) released from membrane phospholipids. In this study the in vitro effect of dipyrone, a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, on the production of AA metabolites through cyclooxygenase (CO) and lipoxygenase (LO) pathways by stimulated PMN has been investigated. PMN isolated by counterflow centrifuge elutriator were greater than 98% pure and viable. Metabolite production was evaluated by RIA of Thromboxane A2 (TxA2), Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), Leukotriene B2 (LTB4) and Leukotriene C4 (LTC4) after PMN stimulation with calcium ionophore A 23187 (20 microM). The levels of beta-thromboglobulin (RIA) lower than 5 ng/ml allowed us to rule out activation of residual contaminant platelets. In these experimental conditions, in the absence of dipyrone the products (ng/10(6) cells) of AA metabolism were LTB4 (3.51 +/- 0.22), LTC4 (0.81 +/- 0.08), TxB2 (0.144 +/- 0.025) and PGE2 (0.150 +/- 0.017). Incubation with dipyrone induced changes of PGE2 and TXB2 production in a dose dependent fashion (r = 0.83 and r = 0.87, p less than 0.001), obtaining already at the lowest drug concentration (5 micrograms/ml) a significant inhibition (33 and 40% for TxB2 and PGE2 p less than 0.005). No significant changes of LTB4 and LTC4 production have been observed. The results of this study indicate that dipyrone relevantly affects CO metabolite synthesis by stimulated PMN at concentrations comparable to those reached in therapeutic use. The inhibition of PGE2 synthesis which is present in inflamed tissues and actively participates in inflammatory reactions, could contribute to the therapeutic anti-inflammatory action of dipyrone.

How is small bowel permeability in endometriosis patients? a case control pilot study

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of women of reproductive age. Small bowel (SB) permeability and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) could play a role in the perduration of low grade inflammation status and the pathogenesis of endometriosis. To clarify this hypothesis, we measured SB permeability through plasma values of LPS and urinary secretion of lactulose (La), mannitol (Ma) and their ratio (L/M) in patients with endometriosis compared with healthy controls (HC). Eight patients and 14 HC entered the study. SB permeability was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography of urine concentrations of La and Ma. Plasma levels of LPS were measured in the blood. Moreover, a nutritional, gastroenterological, quality of life evaluation was performed through validates questionnaires and complete gynaecological evaluations. The statistical analysis of the obtained data did not show differences in anthropometric and nutritional characteristics and gastrointestinal functional disease in the two groups. Patients reported higher levels of pelvic chronic pain (3.87 ± 2.99 vs 0.15 ± 0.55; pe = 0.001) and significantly higher LPS plasma levels (0.529 ± 0.11 vs 0.427 ± 0.08; p value = .027) than HC. Our results indicate that intestinal permeability is abnormal in endometriosis patients, and it might play a role in the pathogenesis of this chronic disease.

Report from the killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) anthropology component of the 15th International Histocompatibility Workshop: worldwide variation in the KIR loci and further evidence for the co-evolution of KIR and HLA

The killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) anthropology component of the 15th International Histocompatibility Workshop (IHIWS) sought to explore worldwide population variation in the KIR loci, and to examine the relationship between KIR genes and their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands. Fifteen laboratories submitted KIR genotype and HLA ligand data in 27 populations from six broad ethnic groups. Data were analyzed for correlations between the frequencies of KIR and their known HLA ligands. In addition, allelic typing was performed for KIR2DL2 and 3DL1 in a subset of populations. Strong and significant correlations were observed between KIR2DL2, 2DL3 genotype frequencies and the frequency of their ligand, HLA-C1. In contrast, only weak associations were seen for 3DL1, 3DS1 and the HLA-Bw4 ligand. Although some aspects of the correlations observed here differ from those reported in other populations, these data provide additional evidence of linked evolutionary histories for some KIR and HLA loci. Investigation of allele-level variation for the B haplotype locus KIR 2DL2 showed that two alleles, *001 and *003, predominate in all populations in this study. Much more allelic variation was observed for the A haplotype locus 3DL1, with several alleles observed at moderate frequencies and extensive variation observed between populations.

Altered membrane fatty acid composition and increased thromboxane A2 generation in platelets from patients with diabetes

Lipid composition of platelet membranes and thromboxane A2 (TxA2) generation by platelets were investigated in 42 diabetic patients (14 with macroangiopathic complications, 10 with microangiopathy and 18 without vascular complications) and in 42 clinically healthy subjects of similar age. All subjects were on a similar dietary regimen and the adherence to diet was checked by analysis of red blood cell lipids. Platelets from all groups of diabetic patients produced increased amounts of TxA2 than platelets from controls (at least p less than 0.01) and patients with macroangiopathy (p less than 0.01). Platelet cholesterol and total platelet phospholipids were higher in patients with macroangiopathy, while the relative percentage of the different phospholipid fractions in platelet membrane and their saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were similar in the different groups. Arachidonic acid (AA) content in phosphatidylcholine (PC) was found to be significantly higher in diabetic patients than in controls (at least p less than 0.005). Moreover patients with macroangiopathy had higher AA (p less than 0.001) and lower eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in PC (p less than 0.001) than the other groups of patients and controls.

Dehydration-responsive nuclear proteome landscape of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) reveals phosphorylation-mediated regulation of stress response

Nonavailability of water or dehydration remains recurring climatic disorder affecting yield of major food crops, legumes in particular. Nuclear proteins (NPs) and phosphoproteins (NPPs) execute crucial cellular functions that form the regulatory hub for coordinated stress response. Phosphoproteins hold enormous influence over cellular signalling. Four-week-old seedlings of a grain legume, chickpea, were subjected to gradual dehydration, and NPs were extracted from unstressed control and from 72- and 144-hr stressed tissues. We identified 4,832 NPs and 478 phosphosites, corresponding to 299 unique NPPs involved in multivariate cellular processes including protein modification and gene expression regulation, among others. The identified proteins included several novel kinases, phosphatases, and transcription factors, besides 660 uncharacterized proteins. Spliceosome complex and splicing related proteins were dominant among differentially regulated NPPs, indicating their dehydration modulated regulation. Phospho-motif analysis revealed stress-induced enrichment of proline-directed serine phosphorylation. Association mapping of NPPs revealed predominance of differential phosphorylation of spliceosome and splicing associated proteins. Also, regulatory proteins of key processes viz., protein degradation, regulation of flowering time, and circadian clock were observed to undergo dehydration-induced dephosphorylation. The characterization of novel regulatory proteins would provide new insights into stress adaptation and enable directed genetic manipulations for developing climate-resilient crops.

Protein kinase TgCDPK7 regulates vesicular trafficking and phospholipid synthesis in Toxoplasma gondii

Apicomplexan parasites are causative agents of major human diseases. Calcium Dependent Protein Kinases (CDPKs) are crucial components for the intracellular development of apicomplexan parasites and are thus considered attractive drug targets. CDPK7 is an atypical member of this family, which initial characterization suggested to be critical for intracellular development of both Apicomplexa Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii. However, the mechanisms via which it regulates parasite replication have remained unknown. We performed quantitative phosphoproteomics of T. gondii lacking TgCDPK7 to identify its parasitic targets. Our analysis lead to the identification of several putative TgCDPK7 substrates implicated in critical processes like phospholipid (PL) synthesis and vesicular trafficking. Strikingly, phosphorylation of TgRab11a via TgCDPK7 was critical for parasite intracellular development and protein trafficking. Lipidomic analysis combined with biochemical and cellular studies confirmed that TgCDPK7 regulates phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) levels in T. gondii. These studies provide novel insights into the regulation of these processes that are critical for parasite development by TgCDPK7.

In this study, we demonstrate that protein kinase TgCDPK7 regulates cellular processes like vesicular trafficking and the synthesis of phospholipids, which are critical for the development of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It regulates the localization of a small GTPase TgRab11a by phosphorylating it at a specific site, which is critical for trafficking of important parasite proteins and is important for parasite division. TgCDPK7 may regulate key enzymes involved biogenesis of phosphatidylethanolamine, which may contribute to the synthesis of this important phospholipid. These and other studies shed light on a novel signaling pathway in apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

Increased thromboxane A2 production at primary tumor site in metastasizing squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

In order to evaluate the possible role of prostaglandins (PG) in invasion and metastasis of malignant cells in larynx carcinoma, arachidonic acid (AA) metabolite production by tumor tissue, peritumor tissue and node metastasis was investigated in comparison to that by healthy mucosa and unaffected lymph nodes. The study was performed by evaluating PGE2, 6ketoPGF1 alpha and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) production by radioimmunoassay in specimens from eight patients who underwent surgical treatment. The highest rate of AA metabolism was observed in peritumor tissue. PGE2 was the main metabolite produced in all tissues and its levels were significantly higher than those of 6ketoPGF1 alpha and TXB2 (p < 0.05). 6ketoPGF1 alpha production was higher (p < 0.01) than that of TXB2 and did not significantly change among the different tissues. TXB2 production was significantly increased (p < 0.05) by peritumor tissue as compared to healthy mucosa. The ratio between TXB2 and 6ketoPGF1 alpha production was found to be almost twofold higher in tumor tissue, peritumor tissue, metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes as compared to control tissue. The lowest AA metabolism was found in affected lymph nodes. These findings demonstrate a different AA metabolism at primary tumor sites in comparison to healthy mucosa suggesting a prometastatic role of TXB2 and supporting the hypothesis of the occurrence of an imbalance between TXB2 and 6ketoPGF1 alpha production in favouring metastatic spread.

Identification of miR-145 targets through an integrated omics analysis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and protein synthesis. To characterize functions of miRNAs and to assess their potential applications, we carried out an integrated multi-omics analysis to study miR-145, a miRNA that has been shown to suppress tumor growth. We employed gene expression profiling, miRNA profiling and quantitative proteomic analysis of a pancreatic cancer cell line. In our transcriptomic analysis, overexpression of miR-145 was found to suppress the expression of genes that are implicated in development of cancer such as ITGA11 and MAGEA4 in addition to previously described targets such as FSCN1, YES1 and PODXL. Based on miRNA profiling, overexpression of miR-145 also upregulated other miRNAs including miR-124, miR-133b and miR-125a-3p, all of which are implicated in suppression of tumors and are generally co-regulated with miR-145 in other cancers. Using the SILAC system, we identified miR-145-induced downregulation of several oncoproteins/cancer biomarkers including SET, RPA1, MCM2, ABCC1, SPTBN1 and SPTLC1. Luciferase assay validation carried out on a subset of downregulated candidate targets confirmed them to be novel direct targets of miR-145. Overall, this multi-omics approach provided insights into miR-145-mediated tumor suppression and could be used as a general strategy to study the targets of individual miRNAs.