Secondary Analysis of the NCI-60 Whole Exome Sequencing Data Indicates Significant Presence of Propionibacterium acnes Genomic Material in Leukemia (RPMI-8226) and Central Nervous System (SF-295, SF-539, and SNB-19) Cell Lines

The NCI-60 human tumor cell line panel has been used in a broad range of cancer research over the last two decades. A landmark 2013 whole exome sequencing study of this panel added an exceptional new resource for cancer biologists. The complementary analysis of the sequencing data produced by this study suggests the presence of Propionibacterium acnes genomic sequences in almost half of the datasets, with the highest abundance in the leukemia (RPMI-8226) and central nervous system (SF-295, SF-539, and SNB-19) cell lines. While the origin of these contaminating bacterial sequences remains to be determined, observed results suggest that computational control for the presence of microbial genomic material is a necessary step in the analysis of the high throughput sequencing (HTS) data.     

Irisin immunohistochemistry in gastrointestinal system cancers

Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Some studies have shown that high heat kills cancer cells. Irisin is a protein involved in heat production by converting white into brown adipose tissue, but there is no information about how its expression changes in cancerous tissues. We used irisin antibody immunohistochemistry to investigate changes in irisin expression in gastrointestinal cancers compared to normal tissues. Irisin was found in human brain neuroglial cells, esophageal epithelial cells, esophageal epidermoid carcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine esophageal carcinoma, gastric glands, gastric adenosquamous carcinoma, gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma, gastric signet ring cell carcinoma, neutrophils in vascular tissues, intestinal glands of colon, colon adenocarcinoma, mucinous colon adenocarcinoma, hepatocytes, hepatocellular carcinoma, islets of Langerhans, exocrine pancreas, acinar cells and interlobular and interlobular ducts of normal pancreas, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and intra- and interlobular ducts of cancerous pancreatic tissue. Histoscores (area × intensity) indicated that irisin was increased significantly in gastrointestinal cancer tissues, except liver cancers. Our findings suggest that the relation of irisin to cancer warrants further investigation.     

Immobilization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus oryzae</Emphasis> β-galactosidase on low-pressure plasma-modified cellulose acetate membrane using polyethyleneimine for production of galactooligosaccharide

The aim of this study was to produce galactooligosaccharides (GOS) from lactose using β-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae immobilized on a low-pressure plasma-modified cellulose acetate (CA) membrane. Specifically, a novel method was developed for multilayer enzyme immobilization involving polyethyleneimine (PEI)-enzyme aggregate formation and growth on a CA membrane. A large amount of enzyme (997 μg/cm² membrane) was immobilized with 66% efficiency. The K _m value for the immobilized enzyme was estimated to be 48 mM, which indicates decreased affinity for the substrate, whereas the Vmax value was smaller. The immobilized enzyme showed good storage and operational stability. The half-life of the immobilized enzyme on the membrane was about 1 month at 30°C and ∼ 60 h at 60°C. Maximum GOS production of 27% (w/w) was achieved with 70% lactose conversion from 320 g/L of lactose at pH 4.5 and 60°C. Trisaccharides were the major types of GOS formed and accounted for about 75% of the total GOS produced. Based on these results, immobilized enzyme technology could be applied to GOS production from lactose.     

Temporal modulation of calcium sensing in hematopoietic stem cells is crucial for proper stem cell expansion and engraftment

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are known to reside in a bone marrow (BM) niche, which is associated with relatively higher calcium content. HSCs sense and respond to calcium changes. However, how calcium-sensing components modulate HSC function and expansion is largely unknown. We investigated temporal modulation of calcium sensing and Ca²⁺ homeostasis during ex vivo HSC culture and in vivo. Murine BM-HSCs, human BM, and umbilical cord blood (UCB) mononuclear cells (MNCs) were treated with store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) inhibitors SKF 96365 hydrochloride (abbreviated as SKF) and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB). Besides, K⁺ channel inhibitor TEA chloride (abbreviated as TEA) was used to compare the relationship between calcium-activated potassium channel activities. Seven days of SKF treatment induced mouse and human ex vivo BM-HSC expansion as well as UCB-derived primitive HSC expansion. SKF treatment induced the surface expression of CaSR, CXCR4, and adhesion molecules on human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. HSCs expanded with SKF successfully differentiated into blood lineages in recipient animals and demonstrated a higher repopulation capability. Furthermore, modulation of SOCE in the BM-induced HSC content and differentially altered niche-related gene expression profile in vivo. Intriguingly, treatments with SOCE inhibitors SKF and 2-APB boosted the mouse BM mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and human adipose-derived MSCs proliferation, whereas they did not affect the endothelial cell proliferation. These findings suggest that temporal modulation of calcium sensing is crucial in expansion and maintenance of murine HSCs, human HSCs, and mouse BM-MSCs function.     

Beneficial Effects of Ibuprofen on Pentylenetetrazol-induced Convulsion

Neurochemical Research - Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and analgesic. Although some studies have focused...     

Synthesis,molecular docking and ADMET study of ionic liquid as anticancer inhibitors of DNA and COX-2, TOPII enzymes

Abstract

A new ionic liquid was synthesized by the reaction of caprolactam with salicylic acid (CL-SA) and characterized by analysis of spectroscopic and DSC data. The optimized geometry and the electrostatic potential map of CL-SA were calculated with DFT method using the wb97xd/6-31++G(d,p) level of theory. Molecular docking study of the CL-SA was carried out to clarify the probable binding modes between the title compound and DNA and COX-2 and TOPII enzymes. In silico ADMET study was also performed for predicting pharmacokinetic and toxicity profile of the synthesized ionic liquid which expressed good oral drug-like behavior and non-toxic nature. It was revealed that the compound has a potential to become a lead molecule in drug discovery process.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma