NSAIDs induce apoptosis in nonproliferating ovarian cancer cells and inhibit tumor growth in vivo

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal gynaecological cancers, which usually has a poor prognosis due to late diagnosis. A large percentage of the OC cell population is in a nonproliferating and quiescent stage, which poses a barrier to success when using most chemotherapeutic agents. Recent studies have shown that several nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in the treatment of OC. Furthermore, we have previously described the molecular mechanisms of NSAIDs' induction of cancer apoptosis. In this report, we evaluated various structurally distinct NSAIDs for their efficacies in inducing apoptosis in nonproliferating OC cells. Although several NSAIDs-induced apoptosis, Flufenamic Acid, Flurbiprofen, Finasteride, Celocoxib, and Ibuprofen were the most potent NSAIDs inducing apoptosis. A combination of these agents resulted in an enhanced effect. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the combination of Flurbiprofen, which targets nonproliferative cells, and Sulindac Sulfide, that affects proliferative cells, strongly reduced tumor growth when compared with a single agent treatment. Our data strongly support the hypothesis that drug treatment regimens that target nonproliferating and proliferating cells may have significant efficacy against OC. These results also provide a rationale for employing compounds or even chemically modified NSAIDs, which selectively and efficiently induce apoptosis in cells during different stages of the cell cycle, to design more potent anticancer drugs.     

Dopamine receptor genetic polymorphisms and body composition in undernourished pastoralists: An exploration of nutrition indices among nomadic and recently settled Ariaal men of northern Kenya

Background  

Minor alleles of the human dopamine receptor polymorphisms, DRD2/TaqI A and DRD4/48 bp, are related to decreased functioning and/or numbers of their respective receptors and have been shown to be correlated with body mass, height and food craving. In addition, the 7R minor allele of the DRD4 gene is at a higher frequency in nomadic compared to sedentary populations. Here we examine polymorphisms in the DRD2 and DRD4 genes with respect to body mass index (BMI) and height among men in two populations of Ariaal pastoralists, one recently settled (n = 87) and the other still nomadic (n = 65). The Ariaal live in northern Kenya, are chronically undernourished and are divided socially among age-sets.     

烟青虫核型多角体病毒的复制和染病后血淋巴蛋白的变化

用烟青虫(Hiliothis assulta)核型多角体病毒感染5龄初烟青虫幼虫,以染病后24、48·,72、96/120小时分别测定了虫体血淋巴蛋白浓度的变化。幼虫染病后24小时血淋巴蛋白浓度要高于同期对照组,72小时后染病幼虫血淋巴蛋白浓度较对照急剧下降。在染病及对照血淋巴样品中电泳分析(PAGE)三种蛋白(普通蛋白、糖蛋白和脂蛋白)均可分别染出22条、3条和3条带。分析结果表明,在虫体正常生长代谢过程中发生变化的主要蛋白可能大多为糖脂复合蛋白,但病毒的侵染能抑制这些变化的产生。电镜观察染病毒后幼虫的中肠组织和气管上皮组织,发现中肠染病轻微,不形成多角体。气管上皮细胞感染情况表明其属于对NPV感染较为敏感的组织之一,并在虫体染病后的病毒二次感染上可能起着重要作用。     

Preliminary evaluation of non-native rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) impact on the Cederberg ghost frog (Heleophryne depressa) in South Africa’s Cape Fold Ecoregion

We evaluated the impact of non-native rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss on a population of endemic Cedarberg ghost frog Heleophryne depressa in the upper Krom River (Olifants-Doring River Catchment, Cape Fold Ecoregion). We compared H. depressa abundance (using kick-sampling and underwater video analysis) and environmental conditions between sites above and below a waterfall that marks the upper distribution limit of O. mykiss. Heleophryne depressa abundance was significantly greater above the waterfall than that below it, and, because there was no significant difference in measured environmental variables, O. mykiss presence is identified as the most likely explanation for the observed decrease in H. depressa abundance.     

Distribution and conservation of mobile elements in the genus Drosophila

Essentially nothing is known of the origin, mode of transmission, and evolution of mobile elements within the genus Drosophila. To better understand the evolutionary history of these mobile elements, we examined the distribution and conservation of homologues to the P, I, gypsy, copia, and F elements in 34 Drosophila species from three subgenera. Probes specific for each element were prepared from D. melanogaster and hybridized to genomic DNA. Filters were washed under conditions of increasing stringency to estimate the similarity between D. melanogaster sequences and their homologues in other species. The I element homologues show the most limited distribution of all elements tested, being restricted to the melanogaster species group. The P elements are found in many members of the subgenus Sophophora but, with the notable exception of D. nasuta, are not found in the other two subgenera. Copia-, gypsy-, and F-element homologues are widespread in the genus, but their similarity to the D. melanogaster probe differs markedly between species. The distribution of copia and P elements and the conservation of the gypsy and P elements is inconsistent with a model that postulates a single ancient origin for each type of element followed by mating-dependent transmission. The data can be explained by horizontal transmission of mobile elements between reproductively isolated species.      

Temporal and spatial fluctuations of heavy metals in Opa Reservoir,Ile-Ife,Nigeria

The Opa Reservoir, established for water supply to the Obafemi Awolowo University community, over the years has received direct linkage to township drains as a result of the widening and dredging of its river channels. The current study aimed at documenting monthly heavy metal loads at its riverine, transition and lacustrine zones in 2012–2013. Most of the heavy metals, analysed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, occurred within wide ranges, with coefficients of variation ranging from 60% to 300%, although the differences in heavy metal loads between the different zones were statistically insignificant at both the surface and bottom levels. The overall order of dominance of the metals was Ni > Cu > Fe > Zn > Cd = Cr > Pb, with nickel concentration being very high throughout. Heavy metal total mean concentration was higher during the rainy season (1.889 mg l?1) than the dry season (1.503 mg l?1) irrespective of sampling sites, having highly significant seasonal differences (p < 0.001) in Ni, Cd, Fe and Cu concentrations. The mean concentrations of Zn (0.074 mg l?1), Fe (0.176 mg l?1), Cu (0.507 mg l?1) and Pb (0.004 mg l?1) were within the WHO acceptable limit. However, the recorded levels of toxic elements Cd (0.031 mg l?1) and Ni (0.905 mg l?1) pose potential health risk to water consumers.     

Trophic ecology and persistence of invasive silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in an oligotrophic South African impoundment

The alien invasive silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix established a self-sustaining feral population in an oligotrophic impoundment, Flag Boshielo Dam, in South Africa. The ability of this population to persist in a dam with low algal biomass (median annual suspended chlorophyll a = 0.08 µg l^?1), and limited access to rivers considered large enough for successful spawning, has implications for their invasive potential in other systems. Stomach content and stable isotope analysis were used to assess the trophic ecology of H. molitrix, which was then compared with indigenous Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus, on a seasonal basis during 2011. Hypophthalmichthys molitrix are generalist filter feeders, with a diet consisting primarily of sediment, vegetative detritus, dinoflagellates and diatoms. The dominance of sediments in their stomachs suggests occasional benthic scavenging. However, H. molitrix occupied a higher trophic level (TL = 2.8) than expected, suggesting that this population subsidised their diet with an unidentified dietary constituent, characterised by enriched nitrogen values. Although the stomach contents indicated dietary overlap between H. molitrix and O. mossambicus, stable isotopes revealed fine-scale resource partitioning, despite both species occupying the same trophic level. Nonetheless, the persistence of this feral H. molitrix population in an oligotrophic impoundment highlights their phenotypic plasticity.     

Evolution of the CD163 family and its relationship to the bovine gamma delta T cell co-receptor WC1

Background  

The scavenger receptor cysteine rich (SRCR) domain is an ancient and conserved protein domain. CD163 and WC1 molecules are classed together as group B SRCR superfamily members, along with Spα, CD5 and CD6, all of which are expressed by immune system cells. There are three known types of CD163 molecules in mammals, CD163A (M130, coded for by CD163), CD163b (M160, coded for by CD163L1) and CD163c-α (CD163L1 or SCART), while their nearest relative, WC1, is encoded by a multigene family so far identified in the artiodactyl species of cattle, sheep, and pigs.