A role of SIPL1/SHARPIN in promoting resistance to hormone therapy in breast cancer

SIPL1 inhibits PTEN function and stimulates NF-κB signaling; both processes contribute to resistance to hormone therapy in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer (ER + BC). However, whether SIPL1 promotes tamoxifen resistance in BC remains unclear. We report here that SIPL1 enhances tamoxifen resistance in ER + BC. Overexpression of SIPL1 in MCF7 and TD47 cells conferred tamoxifen resistance. In MCF7 cell-derived tamoxifen resistant (TAM-R) cells, SIPL1 expression was upregulated and knockdown of SIPL1 in TAM-R cells re-sensitized the cells to tamoxifen. Furthermore, xenograft tumors produced by MCF7 SIPL1 cells but not by MCF7 empty vector cells resisted tamoxifen treatment. Collectively, we demonstrated a role of SIPL1 in promoting tamoxifen resistance in BC. Increases in AKT activation and NF-κB signaling were detected in both MCF7 SIPL1 and TAM-R cells; using specific inhibitors and unique SIPL1 mutants to inhibit either pathway significantly reduced tamoxifen resistance. A SIPL1 mutant defective in activating both pathways was incapable of conferring resistance to tamoxifen, showing that both pathways contributed to SIPL1-derived resistance to tamoxifen in ER + BCs. Using the Curtis dataset of breast cancer (n = 1980) within the cBioPortal database, we examined a correlation of SIPL1 expression with ER + BC and resistance to hormone therapy. SIPL1 upregulation strongly associates with reductions in overall survival in BC patients, particularly in patients with hormone naïve ER + BCs. Taken together, we provide data suggesting that SIPL1 contributes to promote resistance to tamoxifen in BC cells through both AKT and NF-κB actions.     

Main arteries to the female reproductive organs in the helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris)

The helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris , is a member of the Galliformes (King & McLelland, 1975). This order includes the domestic fowl, Callus domeslicus , which has undoubtedly dominated research studies in poultry production generally. Many of the anatomical studies in birds have been carried out using the domestic fowl, with comparatively little mention of other genera. Although the genera in the Galliformes have very many similarities, few anatomical differences have been shown to exist. For example, Crowe & Crowe (1979) have found some striking differences between the blood supply to the head and neck of the guineafowl and the domestic fowl.
The guineafowl has become a popular poultry bird in Nigeria, and has been said to rank second to the domestic fowl, despite its seasonal breeding pattern. The further improvement of this genus in our poultry production has necessitated increased studies into its nutritional requirements, management procedures and disease prevalence. In line with this improvement is the need for anatomical data on the female reproductive organs as a basis for the breeding and selection programme. The aim of this study is to describe the macroscopic arterial blood supply to the reproductive organs of the guineafowl.     

Prevalence of multiple antibiotic resistance among bacterial isolates from selected poultry waste dumps in Southwestern Nigeria

The prevalence of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria in the waste dumpsite of ten poultry farms in Southwestern Nigeria was investigated. The susceptibility of 195 organisms isolated from the study sites to eight antimicrobial agents were tested using disc diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration of cloxacillin and amoxicillin determined by the agar dilution method. Resistance to the test antibiotics ranged between 0% for gentamicin and 100% for tetracycline and ampicillin among the organisms. Overall, 70 and 90% of the isolates from Okuku, 65.2 and 95.6% from Ogbomoso, and 46.1 and 84.6% from Oyo had MIC above 512 μg/ml for amoxicillin and cloxacillin. Generally, drugs used in high volumes in the studied farms are the least active against the bacterial isolates. Results of this study shows that poultry waste can serve as environmental reservoirs of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria and their indiscriminate dumping in the environment can expose surrounding human populations to health risks from drug resistant zoonotic pathogens. Part of the data presented in this paper was the subject of a presentation at the World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences/67TH International Congress of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), 31 August—6 September 2007, Beijing, People’s Republic of China.     

Emotion modulation of visual attention: categorical and temporal characteristics

Background

Experimental research has shown that emotional stimuli can either enhance or impair attentional performance. However, the relative effects of specific emotional stimuli and the specific time course of these differential effects are unclear.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In the present study, participants (n = 50) searched for a single target within a rapid serial visual presentation of images. Irrelevant fear, disgust, erotic or neutral images preceded the target by two, four, six, or eight items. At lag 2, erotic images induced the greatest deficits in subsequent target processing compared to other images, consistent with a large emotional attentional blink. Fear and disgust images also produced a larger attentional blinks at lag 2 than neutral images. Erotic, fear, and disgust images continued to induce greater deficits than neutral images at lag 4 and 6. However, target processing deficits induced by erotic, fear, and disgust images at intermediate lags (lag 4 and 6) did not consistently differ from each other. In contrast to performance at lag 2, 4, and 6, enhancement in target processing for emotional stimuli was observed in comparison to neutral stimuli at lag 8.

Conclusions/Significance

These findings suggest that task-irrelevant emotion information, particularly erotica, impairs intentional allocation of attention at early temporal stages, but at later temporal stages, emotional stimuli can have an enhancing effect on directed attention. These data suggest that the effects of emotional stimuli on attention can be both positive and negative depending upon temporal factors.     

Toxicity of citric and succinic acids for the pycnidiospores ofBotryodiplodia theobromae

The toxic effect of citric and succinic acids on the germination of the pycnidiospores ofBotryodiplodia theobromae, mycelial growth and the killing rate of theB. theobromae spores was investigated. The percentage inhibition of germination of viable fungal spores by 0.01% succinic or citric acid ranged between 51.6 and 58.1%, respectively.B. theobromae was found to grow in 2% malt extract broth at 28°C at the rate of 0.13 CFU/h. Citric acid exhibited a higher killing rate of 0.26 CFU/h and was more effective against the germination of the fungal spores. At concentrations of 0.3% and above, citric acid could be used as pre- and post-infectional fungicide.     

Classification and Identification of Ovine and Caprine Mycoplasmas

The purpose of this investigation was to give a survey of the classification of ovine/caprine mycoplasmas as a basis for the identification of strains isolated from sheep and goats. A total of 13 strains representing 13 species and/or serogroups were biochemically examined, and serological cross-titrations were performed using metabolism inhibition, growth inhibition and immunofluorescence. Serogroup 6 (Al-Aubaidi) was found to be identical with Mycoplasma capricolum. The results of identification of 57 isolates, sent to the reference centre from different countries, are given. On the basis of the above investigations and a comparison of some of the classification systems described in the literature, it is concluded that the following species have been isolated from goats and/or sheep: M. agalactiae, M. arginini, M. bovis, M. capricolum, M. conjunctivae, M. mycoides subsp. capri, M. mycoides subsp. mycoides, M. ovipneumoniae, M. putrefaciens, Acholeplasma granularum, A. laidlawii and A. oculi. In addition, both Ureaplasmas and strains representing 6 serogroups (groups 5, 7, 10 and 11 of Al-Aubaidi and groups 17 and 18 of Cottew) have been isolated. These serogroups ought to be finally species-classified as soon as possible. kw|Keywords|k]ovine/caprine mycoplasmas; k]classification; k]identification     

Characterization of pRAS1-like plasmids from atypical North American psychrophilic Aeromonas salmonicida

Atypical psychrophilic Aeromonas salmonicida isolates were obtained from farmed and wild fish in Northeastern North America. These bacteria were isolated between 1992 and 2001 and carried tetracycline resistance (Tc(r)) plasmids of approximately 58 kb. The nine isolates had plasmids which could be divided into four groups based on the specific tetracycline resistance (tet) gene carried [tet(A) or tet(B)], incompatibility of the plasmid [IncU or other], whether the plasmid carried the IS6100 sequences, the sul1 gene, coding for sulfonamide resistance, the dfrA16 gene, coding for trimethoprim resistance, and/or carried a complete Tn1721, and their ability to transfer their Tc(r) plasmids to an Escherichia coli recipient at 15 degrees C. Five of the isolates, with genetically related Tc(r) plasmids, were able to transfer their plasmids to an E. coli recipient at frequencies ranging from 5.7x10(-4) to 2.8x10(-6) per recipient. The 1992 isolate carried a genetically distinct plasmid, which transferred at a slightly higher rate. The three remaining isolates carried one of two genetically different plasmids, which were unable to transfer to an E. coli recipient. Conjugal transfer at 15 degrees C is the lowest temperature that has been documented in bacteria.     

Information technology literacy among Nigerian microbiology students and professionals

Education and research in the discipline of microbiology is set for change as a result of computers being used as teaching and learning tools. In order to catalyse this change in Nigeria, previous computer experience, knowledge and attitude to computers of Nigerian microbiology students and professionals was determined. Our results indicate the need to increase the awareness of use and potentials of computers in microbiological research and education.