Cyclin D1 gene amplification in proliferating haemangioma

Cyclin D1 gene amplification has been reported to promote abnormal endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis; these findings constantly present in proliferating haemangiomas. The present study was conducted to evaluate cyclin D1 gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis in tissue biopsies of 22 proliferating haemangiomas from 20 infants. Two significant correlations of cyclin D1 gene amplification with the early onset and the duplication of proliferating haemangiomas have been observed. Moreover, a significant correlation (P≤0.05) has been found between the treatment parameters of proliferating haemangiomas with the amplified versus the normal cyclin D1 gene. Proliferating haemangiomas with the amplified cyclin D1 gene required more frequent flashlamp pulsed dye laser treatment sessions at the maximum dosimetry and more frequent intralesional steroid injections at the maximum dose/injection but treatment outcomes were limited. The more frequent post-treatment complications among proliferating haemangiomas with cyclin D1 gene amplification might be attributable not only to the associated more aggressive natural course, but also to the higher treatment parameters needed for effective treatment. Within the limitations of the present study, cyclin D1 gene amplification was seen for the first time in proliferating haemangiomas. We have found that the amplification of the cyclin D1 gene can predict the more aggressive natural course of proliferating haemangiomas and the limited outcome and higher incidence of complications after non–excision treatment modalities. The present findings reflect the possible usefulness of antisense cyclin D1 to improve the therapeutic outcome of proliferating haemangiomas.     

First generation 5-vinyl-3-pyridinecarbonitrile PKCθ inhibitors

A series of 5-vinyl-3-pyridinecarbonitriles were synthesized and evaluated as PKCθ inhibitors. The systematic optimization of 4-[(4-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)amino]-5-[(E)-2-phenylvinyl]-3-pyridinecarbonitrile 3 resulted in the identification of compound 23e as a potent PKCθ inhibitor with good selectivity over PKCδ.     

Functionalization of cellulose-containing fabrics by plasma and subsequent metal salt treatments

In order to upgrade the UV-protection and antibacterial functional properties of cotton/polyester (80/20), cotton/linen (50/50) and linen/viscose-polyester (50/50) fabric blends, they were treated with different plasma gases (oxygen, air, and argon) followed by subsequent treatment with certain metal salts namely Zn-acetate, Cu-acetate, Al-chloride, and Zr-oxychloride. The obtained results show that the type of plasma gas, the kind of metal salt as well as the nature of the treated substrate play an important role in the extent of enhancing the demanded functional properties. Oxygen plasma treatment followed by Cu-acetate or Zn-acetate treatment gives the best UV-protection or antibacterial activity respectively, keeping other parameters constant. The surface morphology of some untreated and plasma-treated samples was also analyzed by SEM.     

Interleukin-15 is a major regulator of the cell-microenvironment interactions in human renal homeostasis

Experiments in IL-15^?/? and IL-15Rα^?/? mice show that intra-renal IL-15, through IL-15Rα behaves as an epithelial survival factor. Recent data highlight new functions of IL-15 in renal homeostasis mediated by IL-15Rγ (CD132). Indeed, in CD132+ renal epithelial tubular cells IL-15 preserves E-cadherin expression inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). By contrast, during allograft rejection, the increased intra-graft IL-15 expression favors tubular destruction facilitating the intraepithelial recruitment of CD8 T cells expressing the E-cadherin ligand CD103. In renal cancer, loss of CD132 by epithelial cells defines a tumoral microenvironment where IL-15 triggers E-cadherin down-regulation and EMT. Finally, in CD132+ renal cancer stem cells IL-15 induces the generation of non-tumorigenic epithelial cells sensitive to cytotoxic drugs. These findings are discussed in the light of IL-15-based immunotherapy for renal cancer.     

Stage-specific gene expression in asynchronous tetraploid mouse embryos formed by fusion of blastomeres and fertilized eggs

Asynchronous tetraploid mouse embryos were generated by electrofusion of fertilized eggs with blastomeres from different cleavage stages. The majority of the cytoplasm was always contributed by the egg. The best development was observed when eggs were fused with 2-cell blastomeres. Both genomes became active in fusion embryos (at least the genes for glucose phosphate isomerase did). Stage-specific protein synthesis seemed to be more adjusted to the developmental stage of the egg's than of the blastomere's genome, but at the 2-cell stage both contributed slightly differently to the protein patterns. Also, the time range of the first appearance of the stage-specific embryonic antigen SSEA-1 was wider in fusion embryos than in controls. It seems that the two genomes are not completely synchronized in these tetraploid embryos, a further indication that, in the mouse, the cytoplasm of fertilized eggs might not be compatible with older embryonic nuclei. Some results were presented at the 83. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Zoologischen Gesellschaft in Frankfurt, 04.-09.06.1990 Correspondence to: U. Petzoldt     

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis fingerprinting for identification of Azospirillum species

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to obtain macrorestriction fingerprints of restriction enzyme-cut DNA of natural isolates of Azospirillum spp. Metabolic profiles, along with other phenotypic characteristics, were compared with these fingerprints to differentiate among the azospirilla isolates. A wide diversity of phenotypes (e.g., colony color, motility, and accumulation of poly--hydroxybutyrate granules) was observed among the natural isolates of azospirilla. PFGE revealed that TCTAGA, the sequence recognized by Xba1, is rare in the genome of azospirilla. The PFGE fingerprint revealed that azospirilla associated with different crops have a very similar genetic background. PFGE fingerprints were more consistent in the identification of azospirilla isolates from specific hosts than the metabolic fingerprints. For further differentiation at strain level, metabolic, physiological, and morphological profiles provide additional information.Journal No. J-2920 of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Why boys will be boys and girls will be girls: Human sex development and its defects

Among the most defining events of an individual's life, is the development of a human embryo into male or a female. The phenotypic sex of an individual depends on the type of gonad that develops in the embryo, a process which itself is determined by the genetic setting of the individual. The development of the gonads is different from any other organ, as they possess the potential to differentiate into two functionally distinct organs, testes, or ovaries. Sex development can be divided into two distinctive processes, “sex determination,” which is the commitment of the undifferentiated gonad into either a testis or an ovary, a process that is genetically programmed in a critically timed manner and “sex differentiation,” which takes place through hormones produced by the gonads, once the developmental sex determination decision has been made. Disruption of any of the genes involved in either the testicular or ovarian development pathway could lead to disorders of sex development. In this review, we provide an insight into the factors important for sex determination, their antagonistic actions and whenever possible, references on the “prismatic” clinical cases are given. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 108:365–379, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The genetic basis of spectral reflectance indices in drought-stressed wheat

Drought imposes a major constraint over the productivity of wheat, particularly in arid and semi-arid production zones. Here, the genetic basis of spectral reflectance indices was investigated in drought-stressed wheat by comparing, under two contrasting moisture regimes, the performance of an F₆ recombinant inbred line (RIL) population bred from a cross between the drought tolerant cultivar Pavon76 and the sensitive cultivar Yecora Rojo. The parents and RILs were genotyped with respect to both a set of microsatellite (SSR) loci and a number of known drought-responsive genes. In all, 28 quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling dry weight per plant, water content of the above-ground biomass, leaf water potential, canopy temperature, and spectral reflectance indices traits were identified. The loci were distributed over 11 chromosomes, belonging to each of the three wheat sub-genomes. There were important location-flanking markers Barc109 and Barac4 on chromosome 5B relating to dry weight per plant accumulation under the limited irrigation regime. The same region-harbored QTL associated with leaf water potential, canopy temperature, and ratio index under the limited irrigation regime. Linkage between the known drought-responsive genes and aspects of the drought response was established. Some of QTL were of substantial enough effect for their linked markers to be likely usable for the marker-assisted breeding of drought tolerance in wheat.     

A regulatory region from the mouse Hox-2.2 promoter directs gene expression into developing limbs

To characterize cis-acting regulatory elements of the murine homeobox gene, Hox-2.2, transgenic mouse lines were generated that contained the LacZ reporter gene under the control of different fragments from the presumptive Hox-2.2 promoter. A promoter region of 3600 base pairs (bp) was identified, which reproducibly directed reporter gene expression into specific regions of developing mouse embryos. At 8.5 days postcoitum (p.c.) reporter gene activity was detected in posterior regions of the lateral mesoderm and, in subsequent developmental stages, expression of the LacZ gene was restricted to specific regions of the developing limb buds and the mesenchyme of the ventrolateral body region. This pattern of Hox-2.2-LacZ expression was found in all transgenic embryos that have been generated with the 3.6 kb promoter fragment (two founder embryos and embryos from five transgenic lines). In addition, embryos from two transgenic mouse lines expressed the reporter gene at low levels in the developing central nervous system (CNS). Our results are consistent with the idea that in addition to their presumptive role in CNS and vertebrae development, Hox-2.2 gene products are involved in controlling pattern formation in developing limbs.     

Design,synthesis, antimicrobial evaluation and molecular docking studies of some new 2,3-dihydrothiazoles and 4-thiazolidinones containing sulfisoxazole

Microbial resistance to the available drugs poses a serious threat in modern medicine. We report the design, synthesis and in vitro antimicrobial evaluation of new functionalized 2,3-dihydrothiazoles and 4-thiazolidinones tagged with sulfisoxazole moiety. Compound 8d was most active against Bacillis subtilis (MIC, 0.007?µg/mL). Moreover, compounds 7c–d and 8c displayed significant activities against B. subtilis and Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC, 0.03–0.06?µg/mL and 0.06–0.12?µg/mL versus ampicillin 0.24?µg/mL and 0.12?µg/mL; respectively). Compounds 7a and 7c–d were highly potent against Escherichia coli (MIC, 0.49–0.98?µg/mL versus gentamycin 1.95?µg/mL). On the other hand, compounds 7e and 9c were fourfolds more active than amphotericin B against Syncephalastrum racemosum. Molecular docking studies showed that the synthesized compounds could act as inhibitors for the dihydropteroate synthase enzyme (DHPS). This study is a platform for the future design of more potent antimicrobial agents.