Chromosomal Assignments of Novel Genes Expressed in HL60 Granulocytes

By collecting 3'-directed cDNA sequences called gene signatures(GSs) on a large scale, it is possible to make an expressionprofile of genes in a particular tissue, as well as discoveringa number of novel genes. A total of 305 novel GSs collectedfrom granulocytoid cells derived from HL60, a human promyelocyticleukemia cell line, by exposure to dimethyl sulfoxide were radiolabeledand used for Southern blot analyses to determine the copy numberof the corresponding genes. Of these, 198 GSs identified asrepresenting single-copy genes were then used as probes forhybridization analyses using a monochromosomal hybrid cell DNApanel. Sixty-nine of them were assigned to individual chromosomes.These results demonstrate that the chromosomal distributionof the GSs seems not to be proportional to the cytogenetic lengthof each chromosome.     

Angiogenic strategy for human ischemic heart disease: Brief overview

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine diseases. In UAE many traditional plants such as the Citrullus colocynthis (Handal) are used as antidiabetic remedies. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the aqueous extract of the seed of C. colocynthis on the biochemical parameters of normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single intraperitoneal (60 mg/kg body wt1) injection of STZ. Normal and diabetic rats were fed with the plant extract daily by oral intubation for 2 weeks. Blood sample were collected at the beginning and end of the experiment for the measurement of biochemical parameters. The plasma level of alanine aminotranferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) increased significantly after the onset of diabetes. Oral administration of the plant extract reduced the plasma level of AST and LDH significantly. However, the plant extract failed to reduce the increased blood level of GGT and ALP in diabetic rats. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) increased significantly after the onset of diabetes. No significant difference was observed in the blood creatinine, K+, Na+, Ca2+ and P levels of normal and diabetic rats. The plant extract did not have any effect on BUN level, however, it caused an increase in the level of K+, Na+ in diabetic rats. In conclusion, oral administration of the aqueous extract of the C. colocynthis can ameliorate some of the toxic effects of streptozotocin.     

Cyclodextrin encapsulation to prevent the loss of l-menthol and its retention during drying

The taste and flavor of spray-dried powdered products are the most important quality factors. In the present study, molecular encapsulation in cyclodextrin was applied to prevent the loss of a hydrophobic flavor compound (l-menthol) during the drying of a droplet. beta-Cyclodextrin appeared to be a better encapsulant for menthol than alpha- and gamma-cyclodextrin. The retention of menthol increased with increasing concentration of both cyclodextrin and maltodextrin. A simple mathematical model is proposed for estimating the flavor retention. The theoretical results by this model estimated well the final retention of menthol encapsulated in a blend of beta-cyclodextrin and maltodextrin.     

Inhibition of CX3CL1 (fractalkine) improves experimental autoimmune myositis in SJL/J mice

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy is a chronic inflammatory muscle disease characterized by mononuclear cell infiltration in the skeletal muscle. The infiltrated inflammatory cells express various cytokines and cytotoxic molecules. Chemokines are thought to contribute to the inflammatory cell migration into the muscle. We induced experimental autoimmune myositis (EAM) in SJL/J mice by immunization with rabbit myosin and CFA. In the affected muscles of EAM mice, CX3CL1 (fractalkine) was expressed on the infiltrated mononuclear cells and endothelial cells, and its corresponding receptor, CX3CR1, was expressed on the infiltrated CD4 and CD8 T cells and macrophages. Treatment of EAM mice with anti-CX3CL1 mAb significantly reduced the histopathological myositis score, the number of necrotic muscle fibers, and infiltration of CD4 and CD8 T cells and macrophages. Furthermore, treatment with anti-CX3CL1 mAb down-regulated the mRNA expression of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and perforin in the muscles. Our results suggest that CX3CL1-CX3CR1 interaction plays an important role in inflammatory cell migration into the muscle tissue of EAM mice. The results also point to the potential therapeutic usefulness of CX3CL1 inhibition and/or blockade of CX3CL1-CX3CR1 interaction in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.     

Dual action of prostaglandin E2 on gastric acid secretion through different EP-receptor subtypes in the rat

We examined the role of prostaglandin E (EP) receptor subtypes in the regulation of gastric acid secretion in the rat. Under urethane anesthesia, the stomach was superfused with saline, and the acid secretion was determined at pH 7.0 by adding 50 mM NaOH. The acid secretion was stimulated by intravenous infusion of histamine or pentagastrin. Various EP agonists were administered intravenously, whereas EP antagonists were given subcutaneously 30 min or intravenously 10 min before EP agonists. PGE(2) suppressed the acid secretion stimulated by either histamine or pentagastrin in a dose-dependent manner. The acid inhibitory effect of PGE(2) was mimicked by sulprostone (EP(1)/EP(3) agonist) but not butaprost (EP(2) agonist) or AE1-329 (EP(4) agonist). The inhibitory effect of sulprostone, which was not affected by ONO-8711 (EP(1) antagonist), was more potent against pentagastrin- (50% inhibition dose: 3.6 mug/kg) than histamine-stimulated acid secretion (50% inhibition dose: 18.0 mug/kg). Pentagastrin increased the luminal release of histamine, and this response was also inhibited by sulprostone. On the other hand, AE1-329 (EP(4) agonist) stimulated the acid secretion in vagotomized animals with a significant increase in luminal histamine. This effect of AE1-329 was totally abolished by cimetidine as well as AE3-208 (EP(4) antagonist). These results suggest that PGE(2) has a dual effect on acid secretion: inhibition mediated by EP(3) receptors and stimulation through EP(4) receptors. The former effect may be brought about by suppression at both parietal and enterochromaffin-like cells, whereas the latter effect may be mediated by histamine released from enterochromaffin-like cells.     

Selective involvement of members of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E family in the infection of Arabidopsis thaliana by potyviruses

Arabidopsis thaliana plants with mutations in the genes encoding eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF4E) or isoform of eIF4E (eIF(iso)4E) were tested for susceptibility to Clover yellow vein virus (ClYVV), a member of the genus Potyvirus. ClYVV accumulated in both inoculated and upper uninoculated leaves of mutant plants lacking eIF(iso)4E, but not in mutant plants lacking eIF4E. In contrast, Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), another member of the genus Potyvirus, multiplied in mutant plants lacking eIF4E but not in mutant plants lacking eIF(iso)4E. These results suggest the selective involvement of members of the eIF4E family in infection by potyviruses.