Cancer stem cell biomarkers SOX2 and Oct4 in cervical cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Cancer stem cell biomarkers SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box 2 (SOX2) and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) account for radioresistance in cervical squamous cell cancers (CSCCs). Their clinical implications are limited and contradictory.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, we recruited patients with FIGO IB2-IVA CSCC treated with primary chemoradiotherapy on regular follow-up. Tissue biopsy specimens were evaluated for SOX2 and Oct4 expression by immunohistochemistry, quantified by a product of proportion and intensity scores.

RESULTS

A total of 59 patients were included. Most had a moderately differentiated (81%), keratinizing (59%) CSCC, and ≥FIGO stage IIB disease (95%). SOX2 expression (high:low 21:38 patients) and Oct4 expression (high:low 4:55 patients) had a significant interrelation (p = 0.005, odds ratio (95% CI) - 1.23 (1.004-1.520)). At a median follow-up of 36 months, the 3-year overall survival (OS) was 60% and 53% for low and high SOX2 expression (p = 0.856), and 54% and 100% for low and high Oct4 expression (p = 0.114). The 3-year disease-frese survival (DFS) was 65% and 50% in the low and high SOX2 expression (p = 0.259), and 59% and 75% for low and high Oct4 expression (p = 0.598). SOX2 expression was the only variable significantly associated with a lower OS and DFS on regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated a trend toward improved OS and DFS with low SOX2 and high Oct4 expression in CSCC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy.

Clinicopathological Parameters of Haemophilia Patients at a Tertiary Care Centre in Northern India

INTRODUCTION

Haemophilia affects a large number of people all over the world, yet very little is known about the clinical manifestations and diagnostic protocols of the condition in areas with limited access to resources in developing countries. Understanding the clinical spectrum and diagnostic approach will help with the design of measures to address the situation in these places. The primary objective of this study was to examine the clinicopathological parameters of haemophiliac patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From the departmental archive, a thorough history of each patient was retrieved, including values of bleeding time, prothrombin time, activated partial prothrombin time, and percentage of specific factor activity.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 385 cases over the period of six years, 86.75% were classified as haemophilia A and 13.25% of cases were diagnosed as haemophilia B. In terms of the severity of the disease, 44.93% were classified as severe, 42.08% as moderate, and 12.99% as mild. Joint bleeding was the first and most typical clinical manifestation of the disease, accounting for 34.80% of cases, followed by ecchymosis (23.12%), post-traumatic bleeding (12.73%), epistaxis (12.20%), and gum bleeding (8.05%). 1.56% of patients had a positive screening test for the hepatitis C virus, followed by 1.30% for HIV and 0.78% for hepatitis B surface antigen.

CONCLUSION

In the presence of joint bleeding, ecchymosis, and post-traumatic bleeding in an otherwise healthy individual, a clinician should be alerted to the possibility that the patient has haemophilia and should request a work-up for the bleeding disorder.

Bleeding Versus Thrombotic Tendency in Young Children With Beta-Thalassemia Major

Introduction

Bleeding and thrombotic events are known to occur in beta-thalassemia major (BTM) patients and have been attributed to hepatic iron overload associated with multiple blood transfusions. We evaluated hemostatic parameters in children with BTM who had no previous history of bleeding or thrombotic episodes.

Materials and Methods

Hemostatic parameters including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), platelet aggregation, protein C and S, iron profile, and liver function tests were evaluated in 54 children (median age = 12 months, age range = 4-144 months) with BTM and 15 age and sex-matched controls.

Results

The mean PT and APTT of patients were significantly higher (P=0.016 and P <.001) than that of controls. Mean protein C, protein S activity and platelet aggregability with adenosine 5-diphosphate (ADP) as an agonist in patients were significantly lower (P <.001, P <.001 and P=0.007, respectively) than that in controls. Mean serum ferritin in BTM children was not significantly elevated to be associated with hepatic dysfunction.

Conclusion

Deranged hemostatic parameters indicative of bleeding and thrombotic tendencies are observed in BTM children from an early age and may not be solely due to hyperferritinemia-associated hepatic dysfunction. Despite the presence of deranged hemostatic parameters, a state of balance exists between bleeding and thrombosis, and an imbalance may lead to bleeding or thrombotic events at a later age.

Exploring time like tranistions in pp, πp and AA reactions with HADES

Radiative transition of an excited baryon to a nucleon with emission of a virtual massive photon converting to dielectron pair (Dalitz decays) provides important information about baryon-photon coupling at low q2 in timelike region. A prominent enhancement in the respective electromagnetic transition Form Factors (etFF) at q2 near vector mesons ρ/ω poles has been predicted by various calculations reflecting strong baryon-vector meson couplings. The understanding of these couplings is also of primary importance for the interpretation of the emissivity of QCD matter studied in heavy ion collisions via dilepton emission. Dedicated measurements of baryon Dalitz decays in proton-proton and pion-proton scattering with HADES detector at GSI/FAIR are presented and discussed. The relevance of these studies for the interpretation of results obtained from heavy ion reactions is elucidated on the example of the HADES results.

Identification of siderophore producing and cynogenic fluorescent Pseudomonas and a simple confrontation assay to identify potential bio-control agent for collar rot of chickpea

In soil, plant roots coexist with bacteria and fungi that produce siderophores capable of sequestering the available iron. Microbial cyanogenesis has been demonstrated in many species of fungi and in a few species of bacteria (e.g., Chromobacterium and Pseudomonas). Fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates P29, P59, P144, P166, P174, P187, P191 and P192 were cyanogenic and produced siderophores in the presence of a strong chelater 8-Hydroxyquinoline (50 mg/l). A simple confrontation assay for identifying potential antagonists was developed. Fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates P66, P141, P144, P166 and P174 were antagonistic against both Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii. Vigorous plant growth was observed following seed bacterization with P141, P200 and P240. In field experiments, seed bacterization with selected bacterial isolates resulted in reduced collar rot (S. rolfsii) incidence.

Circulating Tumor Cells in Breast Cancer: Correlation with Clinicopathological Parameters, Hormone Profile and MicroRNA Polymorphisms

OBJECTIVE

Circulating tumor cells are isolated tumor cells in the peripheral blood that serve as important prognostic indicators for many kind of tumors. The study was conducted to know the rate of detection of circulating tumor cells among breast cancer patients in comparison with benign breast diseases and control subjects and to know the association between CTC positivity and various clinicopathological parameters, hormonal profile and microRNA polymorphisms.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

In the present case control study, we included 182 healthy controls, 108 cases of benign breast disease and 114 breast carcinoma cases. Various clinicopathological details of cases were recorded. Immunohistochemistry was performed for estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) and Her-2 neu. Circulating tumor cells were analyzed using flow cytometry (EpCAM, CK, CD45). Genotypic frequency of micro RNA polymorphisms was determined by PCR-RFLP assay.

RESULTS

Circulating tumor cell positivity was observed in 11/114 (9.64%) breast cancer cases but absent in benign and control groups, and was significantly associated with tumor size, histologic type, tumor grade, metastasis and skin infiltration (p < 0.05). Circulating tumor cell positivity did not show any correlation with the immunohistochemical profile. No significant associations between pre-miRNA genetic variations miR-196a2 C/T (rs11614913), miR-146a G/C (rs2910164) and miR-499 T > C (rs3746444) polymorphisms and circulating tumor cell positivity were observed.

CONCLUSION

The flow cytometry protocol for detection and molecular characterization of circulating tumor cells is a time and cost-effective technique, suitable for routine clinical use. However, more elaborate studies are needed to establish the findings as our study was limited by small sample size.

Correlation of Hormone Receptor and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2/neu Expression in Breast Cancer with Various Clinicopathologic Factors

Background

A significant development in the breast carcinoma management is the correlation between the presence of hormone receptors in the tumor and response to hormonal therapy and chemotherapy. Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2/neu (Her-2/neu) overexpression also serves as a very useful parameter to predict response to herceptin.

Aim of Study

The study was conducted to correlate immunohistochemical expression of markers such as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and Her-2/neu with various clinicopathologic parameters.

Materials and Methods

The study included 509 cases of breast carcinoma over a period of 5 years (from May 2009 to May 2014). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for ER, PR, and her-2/neu was performed.

Results

ER positivity was observed in 42.8% (218/509) cases, PR positivity in 31.8% (194/509) cases whereas her-2 neu positivity was seen in 40.7% (203/509) cases. Triple marker (ER, PR, and Her-2/neu) negative cases were 23.6% (120/509) cases. ER and PR expression was found to have a statistically significant correlation with tumor grade. Statistically significant correlation was observed between tumor size and tumor grade and her-2/neu expression. Her-2/neu expression showed statistically significant association with tumor stage. As the tumor grade increased, the proportion of triple-negative cases went on increasing, which was statistically significant.

Conclusion

IHC has an increasingly important prognostic role in determination of factors that affect clinicopathologic features. Nevertheless, the results of this large series showed different patterns of findings with respect to clinicopathologic features.

Haemostatic Profile in Patients of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms-A Tertiary Care Centre Experience

INTRODUCTION

Patients of MPN commonly present with abnormalities in laboratory coagulation tests that are consistent with hypercoagulable state. Some individuals with MPN exhibit a pattern of exclusive bleeding or thrombotic events; many others have both bleeding and thrombosis during the course of the disease.

AIM

This study was undertaken to assess the haemostatic defects and platelet functions in patients of MPN.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One year prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in North India in Department of Pathology in collaboration with Department of Clinical Haematology. All recently diagnosed cases of MPN along with 30 age and sex matched controls were included. Patients on antiplatelet drugs, antimyeloproliferative treatment, vitamin K agonists or antagonists, OCPs, Platelet count <1,00,000/μl, high grade fever, liver disease, pregnancy were excluded from this study. All the patients underwent screening investigations like CBC, peripheral smear evaluation, BT, PT, aPTT, Protein C and S measurement (clot based assay) and aggregation studies with ADP (5μM) (Optical Aggregometry with AGGRO/LINK 8 software and CHRONOLOG 700 aggregometer).

RESULTS

In present study, 50 cases were included. There was an occult prothrombotic state, suggested by significantly (p<0.001) reduced levels of Protein C and Protein S, but no patient presented with frank thrombosis while 8 out of 50 patients had haemorrhagic manifestations ranging from subdural haematoma to pin point petechial haemorrhages. Patients of CML-CP, ET, PV, PMF, MPN-NOS showed significantly reduced maximal aggregation with ADP (5μM) when compared to control (p<0.001). MPV also showed a statistically significant increase in these patients.

CONCLUSION

Thrombohaemorrhagic complications significantly affect the morbidity and mortality of MPN patients. This can be assessed by the use of platelet aggregation studies, Protein C and S activities and other coagulation studies. Timely diagnosis of these prothrombotic/haemorrhagic states can decrease the morbidity in these patients.

Immunoprotective effect of lentinan in combination with miltefosine on Leishmania-infected J-774A.1 macrophages

Rejuvenation of deteriorated host immune functions is imperative for successful annihilation of Leishmania parasites. The use of immunomodulatory agents may have several advantages as they conquer immunosuppression and, when given in combination, improve current therapeutic regimens. We herein investigated the immunostimulatory potency of a β-glucan, lentinan either alone or in combination with short dose of standard drug, miltefosine on Leishmania-infected J-774A.1 macrophages. Our study shows that infected macrophages when stimulated with 2.5 μg/mL and above concentrations of lentinan secreted significant amount of host-protective molecules. The in vitro interaction between lentinan and miltefosine showed some synergy (mean sum of fractional inhibitory concentration [mean ∑FIC] 0.87) at IC50 level. Lentinan (2.5 μg/mL) plus low-dose miltefosine (2 μM) displayed heightened level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-12 (13.6-fold) and TNF-α (6.8-fold) along with nitric oxide (7.2-fold higher) when compared with infected control. In combination group, we also observed remarkably (P<.001) suppressed levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-10 and TGF-β, than that of untreated macrophages. Additionally, in comparison with infected group, we observed significant induction in phagocytic activity of macrophages in combination with treated group. Collectively, these findings emphasize the immunostimulatory effect of lentinan alone and in combination with low dose of miltefosine against Leishmania donovani.

Abstract 2605: Metformin reduces growth of tumors generated from neuroblastoma stem cells in a xenograft mouse model; role of Cdc42 in mediating the effects

Neuroblastoma, the most common malignant childhood cancer of the postganglionic sympathetic nervous system, is derived from the neural crest cells. Despite the standard therapy, the mortality rate remains high in children with neuroblastoma. Growing evidence confirm that cancer stem cells are responsible for drug resistance, and disease relapse. Hence targeting of cancer stem cells is an effective strategy to cure cancer. In the present study we tested if anti-diabetic drug metformin (N’, N’-dimethylbiguanide) has anti-survival effects against neuroblastoma stem cells.

Using a panel of human neuroblastoma cell lines of different genetics- SH-SY5Y, SK-N-BE(2), IMR-32, NGP, and SK-N-F1 cells, we demonstrated that metformin dose-dependently reduced the protein expression of stem cell-specific transcription factors- sox2, oct4 and nanog. Neuroblastoma cells, in stem cell specific medium, formed compact and distinct spheroids which were enriched in stem cells. Addition of metformin (0.5 mM and onwards) significantly inhibited initiation of spheroids, and no spheroid formation was observed at 20 mM metformin. We further examined if metformin interfered with self-renewal and differentiation capacity of neuroblastoma stem cells. Our results demonstrated that metformin-treated primary spheroids lost their ability to form secondary spheroids in a metformin depleted medium (drug withdrawal experiment). However, addition of pharmacological inhibitor of Cdc42 (ML141) along with metformin increased the numbers of spheroids suggesting involvement of Cdc42 in spheroid formation. To further test the inhibitory effect of metformin on the tumorigenicity of neuroblastoma stem cells, we generated subcutaneous tumors by inoculating spheroids in athymic mice. Metformin (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg per mouse) was given daily by oral gavage, and tumor volume was measured. The size of tumors collected from mice fed with 30 and 100 mg/kg metformin was significantly reduced compared to tumors from metformin-untreated mice. In these tumors, metformin induced DNA fragmentation and apoptosis by activating caspase-3. The presence of cleaved caspase-3 signal in both sox2-expressing and sox2-nonexpressing cells indicated that metformin induced cell death in both normal tumor cells and tumor stem cells. These data validate the anti-survival activity of metformin against neuroblastoma stem cells.

The fact that metformin is non-toxic and already approved by FDA to treat type 2 diabetes in children suggest metformin is a novel therapeutic drug to treat neuroblastoma.

Citation Format: Ambrish Kumar, Donald J. DiPette, Ugra S. Singh. Metformin reduces growth of tumors generated from neuroblastoma stem cells in a xenograft mouse model; role of Cdc42 in mediating the effects. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2605.

From QTL to variety-harnessing the benefits of QTLs for drought, flood and salt tolerance in mega rice varieties of India through a multi-institutional network

Rice is a staple cereal of India cultivated in about 43.5Mha area but with relatively low average productivity. Abiotic factors like drought, flood and salinity affect rice production adversely in more than 50% of this area. Breeding rice varieties with inbuilt tolerance to these stresses offers an economically viable and sustainable option to improve rice productivity. Availability of high quality reference genome sequence of rice, knowledge of exact position of genes/QTLs governing tolerance to abiotic stresses and availability of DNA markers linked to these traits has opened up opportunities for breeders to transfer the favorable alleles into widely grown rice varieties through marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB). A large multi-institutional project, "From QTL to variety: marker-assisted breeding of abiotic stress tolerant rice varieties with major QTLs for drought, submergence and salt tolerance" was initiated in 2010 with funding support from Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, in collaboration with International Rice Research Institute, Philippines. The main focus of this project is to improve rice productivity in the fragile ecosystems of eastern, northeastern and southern part of the country, which bear the brunt of one or the other abiotic stresses frequently. Seven consistent QTLs for grain yield under drought, namely, qDTY1.1, qDTY2.1, qDTY2.2, qDTY3.1, qDTY3.2, qDTY9.1 and qDTY12.1 are being transferred into submergence tolerant versions of three high yielding mega rice varieties, Swarna-Sub1, Samba Mahsuri-Sub1 and IR 64-Sub1. To address the problem of complete submergence due to flash floods in the major river basins, the Sub1 gene is being transferred into ten highly popular locally adapted rice varieties namely, ADT 39, ADT 46, Bahadur, HUR 105, MTU 1075, Pooja, Pratikshya, Rajendra Mahsuri, Ranjit, and Sarjoo 52. Further, to address the problem of soil salinity, Saltol, a major QTL for salt tolerance is being transferred into seven popular locally adapted rice varieties, namely, ADT 45, CR 1009, Gayatri, MTU 1010, PR 114, Pusa 44 and Sarjoo 52. Genotypic background selection is being done after BC2F2 stage using an in-house designed 50K SNP chip on a set of twenty lines for each combination, identified with phenotypic similarity in the field to the recipient parent. Near-isogenic lines with more than 90% similarity to the recipient parent are now in advanced generation field trials. These climate smart varieties are expected to improve rice productivity in the adverse ecologies and contribute to the farmer's livelihood.

Abstract A56: Metformin targets Rho GTPases to inhibit neuroblastoma cell growth; implications in the treatment of neuroblastoma

In recent years, oncologists are paying considerable attention to metformin (N', N'-dimethylbiguanide) in the treatment of various types of cancers, as some population-based studies have shown low cancer incidences and mortalities among diabetic-patients treated with metformin. In the present study, using neuroblastoma cells, we explored the anti-tumor activity and the underlying mechanisms of metformin. Neuroblastoma is a malignant cancer of the postganglionic sympathetic nervous system; it develops in the adrenal gland and metastasizes to liver, bone, bone marrow, lymph nodes, neck and chest. It is the most common cancer in infants younger than one and second most common tumors in children. In the United States of America, it accounts for 7% of all childhood cancers, and is responsible for 15% of all cancer deaths in children younger than 15 years. Various genetic and cytological alterations allow cells to develop drug resistance and help neuroblastoma tumors to escape most available therapies.

Using human neuroblastoma cells of different genotypes (SH-SY5Y, MYCN-nonamplified; and SK-N-BE(2), MYCN-amplified cells), we generated subcutaneous xenograft mice models, and metformin (50, 100 and 250 mg/kg body weight per mice) was given daily by oral gavage to tumor-bearing mice. Our in vivo results demonstrated that metformin (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) significantly inhibited the growth of tumors in both mice models. Immunofluorescence and Western blot results indicated reduction in tumor growth was due to the increased DNA fragmentation and apoptotic cell death that occur via activation of caspase-3. Metformin also inhibited the initiation of spheroid formation in 3-D cultures (hanging drop assay). In xenograft tumors, metformin affected the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Metformin induced the phosphorylation of JNK1/2 and inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 without affecting p38 MAP Kinase. Since ERK1/2 is involved in cell proliferation and JNK1/2 promotes cell death, our observations clearly indicated that MAP kinases are involved in metformin-induced cell death.

Rho-GTPases (RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42), a family of small G-proteins, act as molecular switches to regulate cellular functions- cell division, motility and cell survival. These small G-proteins exist either as a GTP-bound active form or an inactive GDP-bound form. The aberrant expression and/or activity of Rho-GTPases are associated with the progression of various cancers. Our glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-pull down assays showed that metformin significantly increased activation of Rac1 (GTP-Rac1) and Cdc42 (GTP-Cdc42) while it decreased activation of RhoA (GTP-RhoA) in these tumors. Infection of neuroblastoma cells by adenoviruses expressing dominant negative Rac1, Cdc42 (Rac1-N17 and Cdc42-N17, respectively) and constitutively active RhoA (RhoA-V14), or incubation with pharmacological inhibitors of Rac1 (NSC23766) or Cdc42 (ML141) significantly protected cells from metformin-induced apoptosis. Additionally, inhibition of JNK activity with Rac1 or Cdc42 attenuated cytotoxic effects of metformin. These gain-in and loss-off function studies suggested that metformin impairs Rho-GTPase signaling to initiate apoptosis via JNK pathway.

Together, our results reported the inhibitory effects of metformin against neuroblastoma, and demonstrated the role of Rho-GTPases in metformin-mediated apoptotic cell death. The cytotoxic effects of metformin against MYCN-nonamplified and MYCN-amplified multidrug resistant neuroblastoma cells in our studies further signifies that metformin can be a promising drug candidate for neuroblastoma therapy.

Citation Format: Ambrish Kumar, Nadia Al-Sammarraie, Donald J. DiPette, Ugra S. Singh. Metformin targets Rho GTPases to inhibit neuroblastoma cell growth; implications in the treatment of neuroblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2014 Sep 27-Oct 1; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2015;8(10 Suppl): Abstract nr A56.

Metformin impairs Rho GTPase signaling to induce apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells and inhibits growth of tumors in the xenograft mouse model of neuroblastoma

Metformin has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in xenograft rodent models of adult cancers, and various human clinical trials are in progress. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of metformin action are largely unknown. In the present study we examined the anti-tumor activity of metformin against neuroblastoma, and determined the underlying signaling mechanisms. Using human neuroblastoma xenograft mice, we demonstrated that oral administration of metformin (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) significantly inhibited the growth of tumors. The interference of metformin in spheroid formation further confirmed the anti-tumor activity of metformin. In tumors, the activation of Rac1 (GTP-Rac1) and Cdc42 (GTP-Cdc42) was increased while RhoA activation (GTP-RhoA) was decreased by metformin. It also induced phosphorylation of JNK and inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 without affecting p38 MAP Kinase. Infection of cells by adenoviruses expressing dominant negative Rac1 (Rac1-N17), Cdc42 (Cdc42-N17) or constitutively active RhoA (RhoA-V14), or incubation of cells with pharmacological inhibitors of Rac1 (NSC23766) or Cdc42 (ML141) significantly protected neuroblastoma cells from metformin-induced apoptosis. Additionally, inhibition of JNK activity along with Rac1 or Cdc42 attenuated cytotoxic effects of metformin. These studies demonstrated that metformin impairs Rho GTPases signaling to induce apoptosis via JNK pathway.

Morphological and comparative genomic analyses of pathogenic and non-pathogenic Fusarium solani isolated from Dalbergia sissoo

Sissoo or shisham (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.) is one of the finest wood of South Asia. Fusarium solani is a causal organism of sissoo wilt, decline, or dieback. It is also a potential causal organism associated with other valuable tree species. Thirty-eight Fusarium isolates including 24 F. solani and 14 Fusarium sp., were obtained in 2005 from different geographical locations in India. All 38 (18 pathogenic and 20 non-pathogenic) isolates were characterized for genomic analysis, growth behaviour, pigmentation and sensitivity to carbendazim. Based on growth pattern, growth rate, pigmentation and sensitivity to carbendazim, all 38 isolates showed a wide range of variability, but no correlation with pathogenicity or geographical distribution. Three techniques were used for comparative genomic analysis: random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD); inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR); and simple sequence repeats (SSR). A total of 90 primers targeting different genome regions resulted a total of 1159 loci with an average of 12.88 loci per primer. These primers showed high genomic variability among the isolates. The maximum loci (14.64) per primer were obtained with RAPD. The total variation of the first five principal components for RAPD, ISSR, SSR and combined analysis were estimated as 47.42, 48.21, 46.30 and 46.78 %, respectively. Among the molecular markers, highest Pearson correlation value (r = 0.957) was recorded with combination of RAPD and SSR followed by RAPD and ISSR (r = 0.952), and SSR and ISSR (r = 0.942). The combination of these markers would be similarly effective as single marker system i.e. RAPD, ISSR and SSR. Based on polymorphic information content (PIC = 0.619) and highest coefficient (r = 0.995), RAPD was found to be the most efficient marker system compared to ISSR and SSR. This study will assist in understanding the population biology of wilt causing phytopathogen, F. solani, and in assisting with integrated disease management measures.

Phosphate solubilizing and indole-3-acetic acid producing bacteria from the soil of Garhwal Himalaya aimed to improve the growth of rice

In the present study, soil bacteria from rainfed agriculture field of Garhwal Himalaya, just prior to sowing of summer crop, were isolated and initially tested for solubilization of inorganic phosphate, production of indole acetic acid (IAA) and siderophore. Two bacterial isolates, having efficient P- solubilizing activity in solid medium, were identified using 16S rRNA sequence analysis as Pseudomonas koreensis strainYB1 Arthrobacter nitroguajacolicus strainYB3 and three bacterial isolates, producing high amount of IAA in liquid medium, were identified as Klebsiella oxytoca strainYB2 and two strain of Arthrobacter nitroguajacolicus, strainYB4 and YB5, respectively. In culture medium supplemented with L-Tryptophan, Klebsiella oxytoca produced high amount of IAA (337.44 μg l(-1)). The selected five bacterial strains were further tested for tricalcium phosphate (TCP) solubilizing abilities at three different incubation temperature viz., 4 degrees C, 10 degrees C and 28 degrees C, under in vitro conditions. At 28 degrees C, three bacterial strains Pseudomonas koreensis, Arthrobacter nitroguajacolicus strainYB4 and Klebsiella oxytoca solubilized the phosphate efficiently. At 10 degrees C only two strains, Pseudomonas koreensis and Arthrobacter nitroguajacolicus strainYB4 solubilized phosphate efficiently as compared to other strains. These five bacterial strains were tested for nitrogen, catalase activity, starch and cellulose hydrolysis as well as growth promotion activity on rice, under controlled conditions. All the five bacterial strains efficiently increased the biomass and phosphorus uptake in Swama and Swarna sub1 varieties of rice.

Common genetic variants in pre-microRNAs and risk of breast cancer in the North Indian population

Objective

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short regulatory RNAs that can modulate gene expression and function as negative regulators. Common genetic variants like single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA genes may alter their expression or maturation resulting in varied functional consequences in carcinogenesis. Therefore, we evaluated the genetic variants in pre-miRNAs: hsa-miR-146a G/C (rs2910164), hsa-miR-196a2 C/T (rs11614913), and hsa-miR-499 T>C (rs3746444) for their role in breast cancer susceptibility.

Study design

The study comprised 121 breast cancer patients, 115 with benign breast disease, and 164 controls. The genotypic frequency of miRNA polymorphisms was determined by PCR-RFLP assay. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis using SPSS Software version 15.0. In silico analysis was done using various bioinformatics tools (F-SNP, FAST-SNP).

Results

The heterozygous variant of miR-146a G/C (rs2910164) is associated with the reduced risk of breast cancer at the genotype level as well as at the allele level (p < 0.05, OR = 0.5) as compared to controls. On the contrary, no significant difference was observed in the distribution of miR-196a2 C/T (rs11614913) and miR-499 T>C (rs3746444) polymorphisms in any groups both at genotype and allele levels. On the other hand, in multivariate analysis, we found that the miR-196a2 (rs11614913) C>T was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer risk in postmenopausal females (p = 0.02, OR = 3.2). We also attempted to find out the risk of malignant breast disease in relation to each of the above SNPs on dividing our data on the basis of benign and malignant status, but no significant difference was observed. In silico analysis using F-SNP showed change in transcriptional regulation by miR-146a G/C (rs2910164), miR-196a2 C/T (rs11614913) and miR-499 T>C (rs3746444) variations; the functional score was 0.100, 0.065 and 0.277, respectively.

Conclusion

The results of the present study demonstrate that miR-146a G/C (rs2910164) polymorphism is associated with reduced genetic susceptibility to breast cancer. However, multivariate analysis showed as miR-196a2 (rs11614913) C>T to be associated with increased risk of breast cancer risk in postmenopausal females. Further multicentric studies involving a large number of cases need to be carried out to strengthen the present results.

Abstract B52: Calcium-sensitized tissue transglutaminase translocates to the plasma membranes and inhibits neuroblastoma cell migration

Tissue-transglutaminase (TG2) is a dual function G-protein with Ca2+-dependent transglutaminase activity and GTP-binding/hydrolyzing activity. TG2 is physiologically involved in cell differentiation, cell death, migration, invasion of cancer cells. In the extracellular matrix (ECM), TG2 mediates cell- ECM interactions through fibronectin and integrins and promotes cell attachment, migration and invasion. When present on the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane TG2 activates phospholipase C and RhoA-ROCK-2 signaling pathways that promote cell differentiation. While mechanism of TG2-induced cell differentiation is well characterized, the mechanism underlying TG2-mediated cell migration is not known. In present study, we explored the mechanism of how TG2 may be involved in cell migration by using wild type neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) which do not express TG2, neuroblastoma cells expressing exogenous TG2 (SHYTG2), and a transamidation-deficient TG2 containing SH-SY5Y cells (SHYmutant). Our cell migration assays (scratch assay and collagen-coated transwell assay) and cell invasion assay (matrigel-coated trasnwell assay) indicate that TG2 expressing cells exhibit higher migrating and invasive properties. To further investigate the role of TG2 in cell migration, we utilized a natural compound, resveratrol. Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenolic and phytoalexin compound present in grapes and blueberries and has shown promising results in the treatment of neuroblastoma. In our studies, resveratrol (1 μM -10 μM) significantly prevented migration and invasion of TG2-expressing cells. In migrating cells, resveratrol increases the immunoreactivity of TG2 without affecting the total TG2 protein level. In these cells, resveratrol increases calcium levels, and depletion of intracellular calcium by a calcium chelator, BAPTA, attenuate resveratrol-enhanced TG2 immunoreactivity. To further analyze resveratrol-induced cellular distribution and conformational states of TG2, we performed native gel electrophoresis and detected an additional TG2 protein band with slower migration in resveratrol-treated migrating cells. This TG2 form is non-phosphorylated, exclusively present in plasma membrane fractions and sensitive to intracellular Ca2+ concentrations suggesting a calcium requirement in TG2-regulated cell migration. The observed less mobility of transamidation-defective SH-SY5Y cells (SHYmutant) and the reduced migration of SHYTG2 cells in the presence of a TG2 transamidation inhibitor, monodensylcadevarine, in scratch assays further support the requirement of TG2 in cell migration. Our mechanistic studies suggest that resveratrol induces conformational changes in TG2 (compact to open structure form), and Ca2+-mediated TG2 association to plasma membrane is responsible for the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on cell migration. Together, present study indicates that TG2 plays a key role in neuroblastoma cell migration. Although higher concentrations of resveratrol (∼100 μM) induces cell death in cancer cells, the current study suggest that lower physiologically relevant dose of resveratrol (∼1 μM) prevent the migration and invasion of cancer cells from the primary site. Since retinoic acid treatment increases TG2 protein level and resveratrol inhibits the migration of TG2-expressing cells, this study also proposes the use of resveratrol with retinoic acid for the treatment of neuroblatoma.

Citation Format: Ambrish Kumar, Jianjun Hu, Holly A. LaVoie, Kenneth B. Walsh, Donald J. DiPette, Ugra S. Singh. Calcium-sensitized tissue transglutaminase translocates to the plasma membranes and inhibits neuroblastoma cell migration. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pediatric Cancer at the Crossroads: Translating Discovery into Improved Outcomes; Nov 3-6, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;74(20 Suppl):Abstract nr B52.

Sparstolonin B, a novel plant derived compound, arrests cell cycle and induces apoptosis in N-myc amplified and N-myc nonamplified neuroblastoma cells

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common solid tumors and accounts for ∼15% of all the cancer related deaths in the children. Despite the standard therapy for advanced disease including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, the mortality rate remains high for these patients. Hence, novel therapeutic agents are desperately needed. Here we examined the anticancer activity of a novel plant-derived compound, sparstolonin B (SsnB; 8,5′-dihydroxy-4-phenyl-5,2′-oxidoisocoumarin) using neuroblastoma cell lines of different genetics. SsnB was recently isolated from an aquatic Chinese herb, Sparganium stoloniferum, and tubers of this herb have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of several inflammatory diseases and cancers. Our cell viability and morphological analysis indicated that SsnB at 10 µM concentration significantly inhibited the growth of both N-myc amplified (SK-N-BE(2), NGP, and IMR-32 cells) and N-myc nonamplified (SH-SY5Y and SKNF-1 cells) neuroblastoma cells. The flow cytometric analyses suggested that SsnB arrests the cell cycle progression at G2-M phase in all neuroblastoma cell lines tested. Exposure of SsnB inhibited the compact spheroid formation and reduced the tumorigenicity of SH-SY5Y cells and SK-N-BE(2) cells in in vitro 3-D cell culture assays (anchorage-independent colony formation assay and hanging drop assay). SsnB lowers the cellular level of glutathione (GSH), increases generation of reactive oxygen species and activates the cleavage of caspase-3 whereas co-incubation of a GSH precursor, N-acetylcysteine, along with SsnB attenuates the inhibitory effects of SsnB and increases the neuroblastoma cell viability. Our results for the first time demonstrate that SsnB possesses anticancer activity indicating that SsnB-induced reactive oxygen species generation promotes apoptotic cell death in neuroblastoma cells of different genetic background. Thus these data suggest that SsnB can be a promising drug candidate in neuroblastoma therapy.

Conformational changes and translocation of tissue-transglutaminase to the plasma membranes: role in cancer cell migration

BACKGROUND

Tissue-transglutaminase (TG2), a dual function G-protein, plays key roles in cell differentiation and migration. In our previous studies we reported the mechanism of TG2-induced cell differentiation. In present study, we explored the mechanism of how TG2 may be involved in cell migration.

METHODS

To study the mechanism of TG2-mediated cell migration, we used neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) which do not express TG2, neuroblastoma cells expressing exogenous TG2 (SHYTG2), and pancreatic cancer cells which express high levels of endogenous TG2. Resveratrol, a natural compound previously shown to inhibit neuroblastoma and pancreatic cancer in the animal models, was utilized to investigate the role of TG2 in cancer cell migration. Immunofluorescence assays were employed to detect expression and intracellular localization of TG2, and calcium levels in the migrating cells. Native gel electrophoresis was performed to analyze resveratrol-induced cellular distribution and conformational states of TG2 in migrating cells. Data are presented as the mean and standard deviation of at least 3 independent experiments. Comparisons were made among groups using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramer ad hoc test.

RESULTS

TG2 containing cells (SHYTG2 and pancreatic cancer cells) exhibit increased cell migration and invasion in collagen-coated and matrigel-coated transwell plate assays, respectively. Resveratrol (1 μM-10 μM) prevented migration of TG2-expressing cells. During the course of migration, resveratrol increased the immunoreactivity of TG2 without affecting the total TG2 protein level in migrating cells. In these cells, resveratrol increased calcium levels, and depletion of intracellular calcium by a calcium chelator, BAPTA, attenuated resveratrol-enhanced TG2 immunoreactivity. In native-polyacrylamide gels, we detected an additional TG2 protein band with slower migration in total cell lysates of resveratrol treated cells. This TG2 form is non-phosphorylated, exclusively present in plasma membrane fractions and sensitive to intracellular Ca(2+) concentration suggesting a calcium requirement in TG2-regulated cell migration.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, we conclude that resveratrol induces conformational changes in TG2, and that Ca(2+)-mediated TG2 association with the plasma membrane is responsible for the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on cell migration.

Characterization and biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana isolates against Spilarctia obliqua

Beauveria bassiana is a known natural enemy of a number of insect pests of crop plants. In order to screen different isolates of any given entomopathogens molecular markers provide a means for constructing the molecular phylogeny, diversity and link to virulent phenotypes. Eight isolates of B. bossiona isolated from different insect hosts and from different location at Pantnagar (Uttrakhand) were characterized by PCR-based RAPD markers. Bioassays were conducted by using first, second and third instar larvae of Spilarctia oblique in order to categorize the isolates based on virulence. The isolates were arbitrarily rated as more virulent, moderately virulent and less virulent based on the speed of killing. A wide range of variation in virulence was observed and the isolates of same insect origin and location showed differences in their aggressiveness. No correlation was found between the pathogenicity of the isolates and the relatedness of the original insect host. The pathogenicity against first, second and third instar larva of Spilarctia obliqua did not reveal any relatedness with the clustering pattern.

Diabetic complications in pregnancy: is resveratrol a solution?

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that, during pregnancy, may affect fetal development. Fetal outcome depends on the type of diabetes present, the concentration of blood glucose and the extent of fetal exposure to elevated or frequently fluctuating glucose concentrations. The result of some diabetic pregnancies will be embryonic developmental abnormalities, a condition referred to as diabetic embryopathy. Tight glycemic control in type 1 diabetes during pregnancy using insulin therapy together with folic acid supplementation are partially able to prevent diabetic embryopathy; however, the protection is not complete and additional interventions are needed. Resveratrol, a polyphenol found largely in the skins of red grapes, is known to have antidiabetic action and is in clinical trials for the treatment of diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Studies of resveratrol in a rodent model of diabetic embryopathy reveal that it significantly improves the embryonic outcome in terms of diminishing developmental abnormalities. Improvements in maternal and embryonic outcomes observed in rodent models may arise from resveratrol's antioxidative potential, antidiabetic action and antidyslipidemic nature. Whether resveratrol will have similar actions in human diabetic pregnancy is unknown. Here, we review the potential therapeutic use of resveratrol in diabetes and diabetic pregnancy.

Diabetic complications in pregnancy: is resveratrol a solution?

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that, during pregnancy, may affect fetal development. Fetal outcome depends on the type of diabetes present, the concentration of blood glucose and the extent of fetal exposure to elevated or frequently fluctuating glucose concentrations. The result of some diabetic pregnancies will be embryonic developmental abnormalities, a condition referred to as diabetic embryopathy. Tight glycemic control in type 1 diabetes during pregnancy using insulin therapy together with folic acid supplementation are partially able to prevent diabetic embryopathy; however, the protection is not complete and additional interventions are needed. Resveratrol, a polyphenol found largely in the skins of red grapes, is known to have antidiabetic action and is in clinical trials for the treatment of diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Studies of resveratrol in a rodent model of diabetic embryopathy reveal that it significantly improves the embryonic outcome in terms of diminishing developmental abnormalities. Improvements in maternal and embryonic outcomes observed in rodent models may arise from resveratrol's antioxidative potential, antidiabetic action and antidyslipidemic nature. Whether resveratrol will have similar actions in human diabetic pregnancy is unknown. Here, we review the potential therapeutic use of resveratrol in diabetes and diabetic pregnancy.

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I: report of a case

The congenital dyserythropoietic anemias (CDAs) comprise a group of rare hereditary disorders of erythropoiesis that is characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis as the predominant cause of anemia and by distinct morphologic abnormalities of the majority of erythroblasts in the bone marrow. Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I (CDA I) is an autosomal recessive disorder with ineffective erythropoiesis and iron overloading. More than 100 cases have been described, but with the exception of a report on a large Bedouin tribe, these reports include only small numbers of cases. 1,2 CDA-I is uncommonly reported from Indian subcontinent hence we are discussing a case of CDA I. Our case also highlights the fact that diagnosis of CDAI can be made with high reliability by careful examination of bone marrow aspirate.

Influence of different nitrogen inputs on the members of ammonium transporter and glutamine synthetase genes in two rice genotypes having differential responsiveness to nitrogen

Two aromatic rice genotypes, Pusa Basmati 1 (PB1) and Kalanamak 3119 (KN3119) having 120 and 30 kg/ha optimum nitrogen requirement respectively, to produce optimal yield, were chosen to understand their differential nitrogen responsiveness. Both the genotypes grown under increasing nitrogen inputs showed differences in seed/panicle, 1,000 seed weight, %nitrogen in the biomass and protein content in the seeds. All these parameters in PB1 were found to be in the increasing order in contrast to KN3119 which showed declined response on increasing nitrogen dose exceeding the normal dose indicating that both the genotypes respond differentially to the nitrogen inputs. Gene expression analysis of members of ammonium transporter gene family in flag leaves during active grain filling stage revealed that all the three members of OsAMT3 family genes (OsAMT1;1-3), only one member of OsAMT2 family i.e., OsAMT2;3 and the high affinity OsAMT1;1 were differentially expressed and were affected by different doses of nitrogen. In both the genotypes, both increase and decline in seed protein contents matched with the expressions levels of OsAMT1;1, OsGS1;1 and OsGS1;2 in the flag leaves during grain filling stage indicating that high nitrogen nutrition in KN3119 probably causes the repression of these genes which might be important during grain filling.

Resveratrol prevents impairment in activation of retinoic acid receptors and MAP kinases in the embryos of a rodent model of diabetic embryopathy

Diabetes induces impairments in gene expression during embryonic development that leads to premature and improper tissue specialization. Retinoic acid receptors (RARs and retinoid X receptor [RXRs]) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play crucial roles during embryonic development, and their suppression or activation has been shown as a determinant of the fate of embryonic organogenesis. We studied the activation of RARs and MAPKs in embryonic day 12 (E12) in embryos of rats under normal, diabetic, and diabetic treated with resveratrol ([RSV]; 100 mg/kg body weight) conditions. We found downregulation of RARs and RXRs expressions as well as their DNA-binding activities in the embryos exhibiting developmental delays due to diabetes. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was decreased and phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 1/2 and p38 was increased. Interestingly, embryos of diabetic rats treated with RSV showed normalized patterns of RARs, RXRs, neuronal markers, and ERK, JNK and p38 phosphorylation.

Comparative evaluation of the modified Scarff-Bloom-Richardson grading system on breast carcinoma aspirates and histopathology

BACKGROUND

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a quick, minimally invasive procedure for evaluation of breast tumors. The Scarff-Bloom-Richardson (SBR) grade on histological sections is a well-established tool to guide selection of adjuvant systemic therapy. Grade evaluation is possible on cytology smears to avoid and minimize the morbidity associated with overtreatment of lower grade tumors.

AIM

The aim was to test the hypothesis whether breast FNA from the peripheral portion of the lesion is representative of Scarff-Bloom-Richardson grade on histopathology as compared to FNA from the central portion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fine-needle aspirates and subsequent tissue specimens from 45 women with ductal carcinoma (not otherwise specified) were studied. FNAs were performed under ultrasound guidance from the central as well as the peripheral third of the lesion for each case avoiding areas of necrosis/calcification. The SBR grading was compared on alcohol fixed aspirates and tissue sections for each case.

RESULTS

Comparative analysis of SBR grade on aspirates from the peripheral portion and histopathology by the Pearson chi-square test (χ(2) =78.00) showed that it was statistically significant (P<0.001) with 93% concordance. Lower mitotic score on aspirates from the peripheral portion was observed in only 4 out of 45 (9%) cases. The results of the Pearson chi-square test (χ(2) = 75.824) with statistically significant (P=0.000).

CONCLUSION

This prospective study shows that FNA smears from the peripheral portion of the lesion are representative of the grading performed on the corresponding histopathological sections. It is possible to score and grade by SBR system on FNA smears.

Resveratrol restores Nrf2 level and prevents ethanol-induced toxic effects in the cerebellum of a rodent model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

In humans, ethanol exposure during pregnancy produces a wide range of abnormalities in infants collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Neuronal malformations in FASD manifest as postnatal behavioral and functional disturbances. The cerebellum is particularly sensitive to ethanol during development. In a rodent model of FASD, high doses of ethanol (blood ethanol concentration 80 mM) induces neuronal cell death in the cerebellum. However, information on potential agent(s) that may protect the cerebellum against the toxic effects of ethanol is lacking. Growing evidence suggests that a polyphenolic compound, resveratrol, has antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Here we studied whether resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a phytoalexin found in red grapes and blueberries, protects the cerebellar granule neurons against ethanol-induced cell death. In the present study, we showed that administration of resveratrol (100 mg/kg) to postnatal day 7 rat pups prevents ethanol-induced apoptosis by scavenging reactive oxygen species in the external granule layer of the cerebellum and increases the survival of cerebellar granule cells. It restores ethanol-induced changes in the level of transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid derived 2-like 2 (nfe2l2, also known as Nrf2) in the nucleus. This in turn retains the expression and activity of its downstream gene targets such as NADPH quinine oxidoreductase 1 and superoxide dismutase in cerebellum of ethanol-exposed pups. These studies indicate that resveratrol exhibits neuroprotective effects in cerebellum by acting at redox regulating proteins in a rodent model of FASD.

Understanding the differential nitrogen sensing mechanism in rice genotypes through expression analysis of high and low affinity ammonium transporter genes

Two rice genotypes, Kalanamak 3119 (KN3119) and Pusa Basmati 1(PB1) differing in their optimum nitrogen requirements (30 and 120 kg/ha, respectively) were undertaken to study the expression of both high and low affinity ammonium transporter genes responsible for ammonium uptake. Exposing the roots of the seedlings of both the genotypes to increasing (NH(4))(2)SO(4) concentrations revealed that all the three families of rice AMT genes are expressed, some of which get altered in a genotype and concentration specific manner. This indicates that individual ammonium transporter genes have defined contributions for ammonium uptake and plant growth. Interestingly, in response to increasing nitrogen concentrations, a root specific high affinity gene, AMT1;3, was repressed in the roots of KN3119 but not in PB1 indicating the existence of a differential ammonium sensing mechanism. This also indicates that not only AMT1;3 is involved not only in ammonium uptake but may also in ammonium sensing. Further, if it can differentiate and could be used as a biomarker for nitrogen responsiveness. Expression analysis of low affinity AMT genes showed that, both AMT2;1 and AMT2;2 have high levels of expression in both roots and shoots and in KN3119 are induced at low ammonium concentrations. Expressions of AMT3 family genes were higher shoots than in the roots indicating that these genes are probably involved in the translocation and distribution of ammonium ions in leaves. The expression of the only high affinity AMT gene, AMT1;1, along with six low affinity AMT genes in the shoots suggests that low affinity AMTs in the shoots leaves are involved in supporting AMT1;1 to carry out its activities/function efficiently.

PCR-Based Identification and Characterization of Fusarium sp. Associated with Mango Malformation

Mango malformation is the most serious disease of mango causing considerable damage to the mango orchards worldwide. It is a major threat for mango cultivation in north Indian belt. In recent years, Fusarium sp. is finding wide acceptability in scientific community as a causal agent of this disease. However, little information is known about the variability in Fusarium isolates from malformed mango tissues. Therefore, the major objective of present study was the identification and analysis of genetic diversity among Fusarium isolates collected from malformed mango tissues. Two texon selective primers, ITS-Fu-f and ITS-Fu-r, were used for quick identification of Fusarium spp. The fungal genomic DNA was extracted from using CTAB method and was utilized as template for PCR amplification. Total 224 bands were amplified by 18 RAPD primers at an average of 12.44 bands per primer. The size of the obtained amplicons ranged from 0.264 kb (minimum) to 3.624 kb (maximum). Data scored from 25 isolates of Fusarium sp. with 18 RAPD primers were used to generate similarity coefficients. The similarity coefficient ranged from 0.17 to 0.945. Based on DNA fingerprints, all isolates were categorized into two major clusters. This study indicated a wide variability among different isolates of Fusarium.

Resveratrol prevents embryonic oxidative stress and apoptosis associated with diabetic embryopathy and improves glucose and lipid profile of diabetic dam

SCOPE

Diabetic embryopathy, a consequence of diabetic pregnancy, is associated with increase in embryonic oxidative stress and apoptosis, which lead to severe embryonic damage at early stage of organogenesis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study investigated if resveratrol, found in red grapes and blue-berries, may prevent diabetes-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in embryos and have beneficial effects in diabetic dams. A rodent model of diabetic embryopathy was used. Diabetes was associated with lowered reduced glutathione levels (26.98%), increased total thiol (100.47%) and lipid peroxidation (124.73%) in embryos, and increased blood sugar (384.03%), cholesterol (98.39%) and triglyceride (1025.35%) in diabetic dams. Increased apoptosis (272.20%) was also observed in the embryos of diabetic dams. Administration of resveratrol (100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) during pregnancy prevented both oxidative stress and apoptosis in embryos. Resveratrol reduced embryonic maldevelopment by improving embryo weight (41.23%), crown rump length (16.50%) and somite number (11.22%). It further improved the glucose (33.32%) and lipid (cholesterol 41.74%, triglyceride 60.64%) profile of the diabetic dams, which also represents the protective role of resveratrol in diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Resveratrol was found to prevent embryonic oxidative stress and apoptosis. It also improved glucose and lipid profile of diabetic dams, indicating the beneficial effects in diabetic pregnancy.

Transcriptional profiling and in silico analysis of Dof transcription factor gene family for understanding their regulation during seed development of rice Oryza sativa L

Seed development is a complex process controlled by temporal and spatial expression of many transcription factors (TF) inside the developing seed. In the present study, transcript profiles of all the 30 members of rice DofTFs from flowering to seed development stages were analyzed. It was found that 16 Dof genes besides a previously characterized Dof gene 'RPBF' are differentially expressed during the seed development and unlike RPBF are not seed specific. Based on the expression patterns, these rice DofTFs were categorized into four groups-6 genes were constitutive while 4 genes were up-regulated and 3 genes were down regulated and four genes were maximally expressed at specific stages of seed development viz. one gene at flowering, two genes at watery ripe and one gene at milky stage. The involvement of more than one gene at different stages of seed development is suggestive of combinatorial regulation of their downstream genes involved in seed development. In silico expression analysis of wheat and Arabidopsis Dof Tfs also revealed that more than 50% of the Dof genes are expressed during the seed development process. Further in silico study of regulatory elements present in the promoters of these genes revealed the presence of some unique and common motifs in the promoters of rice and wheat Dof genes which indicate that Dof genes are possibly involved in ethylene and jasmonate signaling pathways affecting grain filling and grain quality. These Dof genes containing ethylene responsive motifs in their promoter region could possibly be the targets of recently identified Sub1 gene which codes for a ethylene responsive factor.

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) protects pregnant mother and fetus from the immunotoxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

SCOPE

The "fetal basis of adult disease" hypothesis proposes that prenatal exposure to environmental stress can lead to increased susceptibility to clinical disorders later in life. In utero exposure of fetus to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) leads to alterations in T-cell differentiation in the thymus and increased susceptibility to autoimmune disease later in life. TCDD triggers toxicity through activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and severely affects maternal and fetal immune system during pregnancy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, using a mouse model, we investigated if administration of resveratrol (RES; 3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) would inhibit immunotoxicity induced by TCDD during pregnancy in the mother and fetus. We observed that RES protected not only normal nonpregnant mice but also pregnant mothers and their fetuses from TCDD-induced thymic atrophy, apoptosis, and alterations in the expression of T-cell receptor and costimulatory molecules as well as T-cell differentiation. In addition, there was significantly reduced expression of CYP1A1 in thymi of both the mother and the fetus when RES was used in vivo post-TCDD exposure.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that consumption of RES, a natural plant product, during pregnancy, may afford protection to the mother and the fetus from the toxicity induced by environmental pollutants that mediate their effects through activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

Ethanol impairs activation of retinoic acid receptors in cerebellar granule cells in a rodent model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

BACKGROUND

Ethanol is the main addictive and neurotoxic constituent of alcohol. Ethanol exposure during embryonic development causes dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS) and leads to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The cerebellum is one of the CNS regions that are particularly vulnerable to ethanol toxic effects. Retinoic acid (RA) is a physiologically active metabolite of vitamin A that is locally synthesized in the cerebellum. Studies have shown that RA is required for neuronal development, but it remains unknown if ethanol impairs RA signaling and thus induces neuronal malformations. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ethanol impairs the expression and activation of RA receptors in cerebellum and in cerebellar granule cells.

METHODS

The cerebellum of ethanol unexposed and exposed pups was used to study the expression of retinoic acid receptors (RARs or RXRs) by immunohistochemistry and by Western blot analysis. We also studied the effect of ethanol on expression of RA receptors in the cerebellar granule cells. Activation of RA receptors (DNA-binding activities) in response to high-dose ethanol was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift assays.

RESULTS

Findings from these studies demonstrated that ethanol exposure reduced the expression of RARalpha/gamma while it increased the expression of RXRalpha/gamma in the cerebellum and in cerebellar granule neurons. Immuno-histological studies further strengthened the expression pattern of RA receptors in response to ethanol. The DNA-binding activity of RARs was reduced, while DNA-binding activity of RXRs was increased in response to ethanol exposure.

CONCLUSION

For the first time, our studies have demonstrated that high-dose ethanol affects the expression and activation of RA receptors, which could impair the signaling events and induce harmful effects on the survival and differentiation of cerebellar granule cells. Taken together, these findings could provide insight into the treatment options for brain defects caused by excessive ethanol exposure, such as in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Heterogeneity in retinoic acid signaling in neuroblastomas: Role of matrix metalloproteinases in retinoic acid-induced differentiation

Causes of retinoid resistance often observed in neuroblastomas are unknown. We studied all trans-retinoic acid (RA) signaling in neuroblastoma cells differing in N-myc levels in terms of neurite formation, expression of tissue transglutaminase, neuronal marker proteins, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and activation of Rac1 and Cdc42. Poor invasiveness observed in SH-SY5Y, LA-N-5, and SMS-KCNR cells was associated with RA-induced neurite formation, Cdc42 activation and N-myc down regulation; expression of constitutively active Cdc42 down regulated N-myc expression and reduced invasion in RA-resistant SK-N-BE(2) and IMR32 cells. RA treatment for 24 h transiently increased invasion and expression of MMP9 in SH-SY5Y, LA-N-5 and MMP2 in SMS-KCNR cells. MMP inhibition prevented RA-induced neurite formation indicating a role in differentiation. Variation in RA signaling thus follows a defined pattern and relates to invasive potential. A defective RA signaling might result in retinoid resistance and unpredictable clinical outcome observed in some neuroblastomas.

Influence of jasmonic acid as potential activator of induced resistance against Karnal bunt in developing spikes of wheat

Induction of defense response against Karnal bunt (KB)by suppressing the pathogenesis was observed upon exogenous application of jasmonic acid (JA)as evident from decrease in the coefficient of infection and overall response value in both susceptible and resistant varieties of wheat. The ultra-structural changes during disease progression showed the signs of programmed cell death (PCD). However, JA strengthened the defense barrier by enhancing the lignifications of cell walls as observed in spikes of both varieties by histochemical analysis. Compared to the plants inoculated with pathogen alone, plants of resistant line (RJP) first treated with JA followed by inoculation with pathogen showed more lignifications and extracellular deposition of other metabolites on cells, which is supposed to prevent mycelial invasions. Contrary to this, susceptible (SJP)lines also showed lignifications but the invasion was more compared to resistant line. Induction of protease activity was higher in resistant variety than its corresponding susceptible variety. The protease activity induced during the colonization of the pathogen and its proliferation inside the host system gets inhibited by JA treatment as demonstrated by the quantitative and in-gel protease assay. The results indicate the role of JA signalling in inhibiting the proteases due to expression of certain protease inhibitor genes. SDS-PAGE analysis shows differential gene expression through induction and/or suppression of different proteins in wheat spikes of resistant and susceptible varieties under the influence of JA. Thus, exogenously applied JA provides the conditioning effect prior to the challenge of infection and induces defense against KB probably by maintaining a critical balance between proteases and protease inhibitors and/or coordinating induction of different families of new proteins.

Ethanol impairs Rho GTPase signaling and differentiation of cerebellar granule neurons in a rodent model of fetal alcohol syndrome

Developmental exposure to ethanol impairs fetal brain development and causes fetal alcohol syndrome. Although the cerebellum is one of the most alcohol-sensitive brain areas, signaling mechanisms underlying the deleterious effects of ethanol on developing cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) are largely unknown. Here we describe the effects of in vivo ethanol exposure on neurite formation in CGNs and on the activation of Rho GTPases (RhoA and Rac1), regulators of neurite formation. Exposure of 7-day-old rat pups to ethanol for 3 h moderately increased blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ( approximately 40 mM) and inhibited neurite formation and Rac1 activation in CGNs. Longer exposure to ethanol for 5 h resulted in higher BAC ( approximately 80 mM), induced apoptosis, inhibited Rac1, and activated RhoA. Studies demonstrated a regulatory role of Rho GTPases in differentiation of cerebellar neurons, and indicated that ethanol-associated impairment of Rho GTPase signaling might contribute to brain defects observed in fetal alcohol syndrome.

Hyperglycemia inhibits retinoic acid-induced activation of Rac1, prevents differentiation of cortical neurons, and causes oxidative stress in a rat model of diabetic pregnancy

Diabetes is a risk factor for neuronal dysfunction. Impairment in signaling mechanisms that regulate differentiation of neurons is hypothesized to be one of the main causes of neuronal dysfunction. Retinoic acid, a physiologically active retinoid synthesized from vitamin A, regulates neuronal differentiation during embryonic development and is required for maintenance of plasticity in differentiated neurons. To date, little is known about the molecular events underlying hyperglycemia-induced complications in the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we provide evidence, in a diabetes rat model, of hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress along with apoptotic stress in developing cortical neurons isolated from 16-day-old rat embryos. We also demonstrate impaired retinoic acid signaling that is involved in neuronal differentiation. Retinoic acid-induced neurite outgrowth and expression of neuronal markers were reduced in this model. The activation of small-molecular weight G-protein, Rac1, that mediates these effects was also reduced. Retinoic acid applied at a physiological concentration significantly decreased hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and thus supported the antioxidant defense system. These results suggest that diabetes-induced neuronal complications during pregnancy might be due to impaired retinoic acid signaling, and exogenously administered retinoic acid may be useful against CNS complications associated with diabetes.

Retinoic acid receptors and tissue-transglutaminase mediate short-term effect of retinoic acid on migration and invasion of neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells

Long-term treatment with all trans-retinoic acid (RA) induces neuronal differentiation and apoptosis. However, the effect of short-term RA treatment on cell proliferation, migration and invasion of neuroblastoma cell lines (SH-SY5Y and IMR-32) remains unclear. RA induces expression of tissue-transglutaminase (TGase) and promotes migration and invasion after 24 h of treatment in SH-SY5Y cells, but not in IMR-32 cells. RA receptor (RAR) agonist (4-(E-2-[5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl]-1-propenyl) benzoic acid) and RAR/retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonist (9-cis-RA) promote expression of TGase, migration and invasion of SH-SY5Y cells, while RXR agonist has no significant effect. RAR antagonist blocks RA effect on migration and invasion, indicating that RAR receptors are required. Retinoid receptors are expressed and activated by RA in both cell lines. However, only transient activation of RAR is observed in IMR-32 cells. These findings suggest that different responses observed in SH-SY5Y and IMR-32 cells could be due to differential activation of retinoid receptors. Overexpression of TGase has no effect on migration or invasion, while overexpression of antisense TGase blocks RA-induced migration and invasion, indicating that other molecules along with TGase mediate RA effects. In addition to the long-term effects of RA that are coupled with cell differentiation, short-term effects involve migration and invasion of neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Surveillance of bacteriological quality of natural water resources in rural areas around Kasauli Town, Distt. Solan, Himachal Pradesh

A study was conducted to find out the bacteriological quality of water during the monsoon season in local areas around Kasauli Town, and to evaluate the management of water resources in rural areas. The water samples were collected from bowries and hand pumps. As there is no municipal water supply in majority of these areas, the local residents depends mainly on these natural resources without any treatment of water. All the 14 surface water samples collected from bowries were found bacteriologically polluted with total coliform count ranging from 35-1800+. The main contaminants isolated were atypical thermotolerant E. coli, Pseudomonas fluorescence, Enterobacter cloacae, Aeromonas liquifaciens, Citrobacter freundii and Pseudomonas pseudomaleii. Among seven hand pump samples, two were found to have Coliform count 80 and 250 respectively. These two water samples were found contaminated with Citrobacter freundii and E. coli &Aeromonas liquefaciens respectively. These bacteriological contaminations appear to be both from vegetative & human or animal excreta sources. The study therefore suggested that the water from these natural resources requires treatment either by boiling or chlorination before human consumption to avoid any outbreak.

Enhanced proteolysis leads to pre-mature cell death under the influence of elicitor like mycelial components from karnal bunt (tilletia indica) pathogen in wheat callus cultures

Calli raised from mature embryos of susceptible wheat cultivar WH 542 were used in the present study as in vitro bioassay system to study the influence of disease determinant(s) of Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica), a semi-biotrophic fungal pathogen of wheat. Influence of elicitor and conditioned medium (CM) prepared from fungal cultures of T. indica was investigated on induction of programmed cell death (PCD). Induction of PCD was observed as hypersensitive response (HR) in terms of browning at localized regions of callus cultures and induction of proteolytic enzyme(s). Elicitor treated calli showed higher induction of protease activity than untreated and CM-treated cultures, which showed not much change in the activity. It was further substantiated by gel protease assay and activation of caspase-3 like protein(s) in callus cultures that clearly suggested the presence of signaling molecule(s) in the fungal elicitor preparation rather than in conditioned medium. This study further demonstrated that only elicitor preparation possesses such molecule(s), which might be cell wall bound components, rather than secretory in nature as CM was unable to induce PCD in wheat callus cultivars.

Role of AKT/PKB signaling in fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1)-induced angiogenesis in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM)

Transfection of chicken chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs) with a chimeric secreted version of fibroblast growth factor-1 (sp-FGF-1) gene construct leads to a significant increase in vascularization. Though FGF-stimulated angiogenesis has been extensively studied, the molecular mechanisms regulating FGF-1-induced angiogenesis are poorly understood in vivo. This study was designed to investigate the role of the AKT (PKB) kinase signaling pathway in mediating sp-FGF-1-induced angiogenesis in the chicken CAM. The involvement of the AKT pathway was demonstrated by up-regulation of AKT1 mRNA expression in sp-FGF-1 compared to vector alone control transfected CAMs as demonstrated by real-time RT-PCR. Western analysis using an antibody specific to the activated AKT (phosphorylated AKT), demonstrated an increase in AKT activity in sp-FGF-1 compared to vector control transfected CAMs. More importantly, the AKT inhibitor ML-9 significantly reduced sp-FGF-1-induced angiogenesis in CAMs. These results indicate that AKT signaling plays a role in FGF-1-stimulated angiogenesis in vivo and the AKT pathway may serve as a therapeutic target for angiogenesis-associated diseases.