Expression of apoptosis-related genes in the endometrium of polycystic ovary syndrome patients during the window of implantation

The present study investigated the expression of the apoptosis-related genes fas-associated via death domain (FADD) and Bcl-2 in the endometrium during the window of implantation in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. The aim was to explore the role of cell apoptosis in endometrial receptivity during this period. The subjects were divided into experimental and control group. The experimental group comprised 12 infertile women with PCOS, and the control group comprised 12 women who were infertile because of tubal pathological factors but had normal menstrual cycles. Endometria were collected by biopsy 7d after ovulation. Six samples from each group were randomly selected and subjected to gene chip analyses. The expression of endometrial FADD and Bcl-2 was determined by immunohistochemistry, and cell apoptosis was detected by the TUNEL method. Compared with the control group, 194 differentially expressed genes were found in the PCOS group, 102 of which were upregulated and 92 were downregulated. The differentially expressed genes were divided into 15 types according to function. Among the nine genes related to cell apoptosis, five (including Bcl-2) were upregulated and four were downregulated (including FADD). Bcl-2 expression during the window of implantation in the PCOS group increased compared with the control group, showing a significant difference (P<0.05). FADD expression in the PCOS group notably decreased compared with that in the control group, which also showed a significant difference (P<0.05). Cell apoptosis analysis showed a significant difference between the average apoptotic indices in the PCOS and control groups (P<0.05). Significant differences were observed between the endometrial gene expression in the PCOS and control groups. The decrease in cell apoptosis during the window of implantation in PCOS patients may be one of the causes of the reduced endometrial receptivity.     

Oncogenic Fibulin-5 Promotes Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Metastasis through the FLJ10540/AKT Pathway and Correlates with Poor Prognosis

Background

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is known for its high metastatic potential and locoregional recurrence, although the molecular alterations that are driving NPC metastasis remain unclear at this time. This study aimed to examine the expression of fibulin-5 in NPC, correlate the results with clinicopathological variables and survival, and to investigate the role of fibulin-5 in human NPC cell lines.

Material and Methods

Standard semi-quantitative-RT-PCR, quantitative-RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the mRNA and protein expression profiles of fibulin-5 in normal and NPC tissues. Immunohistochemistry of fibulin-5 was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics by univariate analyses. NPC cells overexpressing fibulin-5 or fibulin-5-siRNA cells were generated by stable transfection to characterize the molecular mechanisms of fibulin-5-elicited cell growth and metastasis.

Results

Our results demonstrated that fibulin-5 overexpression in NPC specimens and significantly correlated with advanced tumor metastasis indicating a poor 5-year overall survival. Fibulin-5 was mainly expressed in the nucleus in human NPC specimens and cell lines. Functionally, fibulin-5 overexpression yielded fast growth in NPC cells. In addition, fibulin-5 promotes cell metastasis in NPC cells through increased FLJ10540 and phosphor-AKT activity. In contrast, siRNA depletion of fibulin-5 suppressed FLJ10540 expression and phosphor-AKT activity. Suppression of either fibulin-5 or FLJ10540 can cause significant inhibition with regards to cell motility in NPC cells. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis of human aggressive NPC specimens showed a significant and positive correlation between fibulin-5 and FLJ10540 expression.

Conclusion

Higher fibulin-5 expression is not only an important indicator of poor survival, but also contributes to the development of new therapeutic strategies in the FLJ10540/AKT pathway for NPC treatment.     

Folding studies on muscle type of creatine kinase from Pelodiscus sinensis

A folding study of creatine kinase from Pelodiscus sinensis has not yet been reported. To gain more insight into structural and folding mechanisms of P. sinensis CK (PSCK), denaturants such as SDS, guanidine HCl, and urea were applied in this study. We purified PSCK from the muscle of P. sinensis and conducted inhibition kinetics with structural unfolding studies under various conditions. The results revealed that PSCK was completely inactivated at 1.8 mM SDS, 1.05 M guanidine HCl, and 7.5 M urea. The kinetics via time-interval measurements showed that the inactivation by SDS, guanidine HCl, and urea were all first-order reactions with kinetic processes shifting from monophase to biphase at increasing concentrations. With respect to tertiary structural changes, PSCK was unfolded in different ways; SDS increased the hydrophobicity but retained the most tertiary structural conformation, while guanidine HCl and urea induced conspicuous changes in tertiary structures and initiated kinetic unfolding mechanisms. Our study provides information regarding PSCK and enhances our knowledge of the reptile-derived enzyme folding.     

Chemokine receptor CCR5 functionally couples to inhibitory G proteins and undergoes desensitization

Chemokine receptor CCR5 is not only essential for chemotaxis of leukocytes but also has been shown to be a key coreceptor for HIV-1 infection. In the present study, hemagglutinin epitope-tagged human CCR5 receptor was stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells or transiently expressed in NG108–15 cells to investigate CCR5-mediated signaling events. The surface expression of CCR5 was confirmed by flow cytometry analysis. The CCR5 agonist RANTES stimulated [³⁵S]GTPγS binding to the cell membranes and induced inhibition on adenylyl cyclase activity in cells expressing CCR5. The effects of RANTES were CCR5 dependent and could be blocked by pertussis toxin. Furthermore, overexpression of Giα2 strongly increased both RANTES-dependent G-protein activation and inhibition on adenylyl cyclase in cells cotransfected with CCR5. These data demonstrated directly that activation of CCR5 stimulated membrane-associated inhibitory G proteins and indicated that CCR5 could functionally couple to G-protein subtype Giα2. The abilities of CCR5 to activate G protein and to inhibit cellular cAMP accumulation were significantly diminished after a brief prechallenge with RANTES, showing rapid desensitization of the receptor-mediated responsiveness. Prolonged exposure of the cells to RANTES caused significant reduction of surface CCR5 as measured by flow cytometry, indicative of agonist-dependent receptor internalization. Our data thus demonstrated that CCR5 functionally couples to membrane-associated inhibitory G proteins and undergoes agonist-dependent desensitization and internalization. J. Cell. Biochem. 71:36–45, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Eight Functional Polymorphisms in the Estrogen Receptor 1 Gene and Endometrial Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis

Background and Objective

Emerging evidence indicates that common functional polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene may have an impact on an individual’s susceptibility to endometrial cancer, but individually published results are inconclusive. The aim of this meta-analysis is to derive a more precise estimation of the associations between eight polymorphisms in the ESR1 gene and endometrial cancer risk.

Methods

A literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and China Biology Medicine (CBM) databases was conducted on publications published before November 1^st, 2012. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Statistical analyses were performed using the STATA 12.0 software.

Results

Thirteen case-control studies were included with a total of 7,649 endometrial cancer cases and 16,855 healthy controls. When all the eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis, the results indicated that PvuII (C>T) polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer, especially among Caucasian populations. There were also significant associations between rs3020314 (C>T) polymorphism and an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Furthermore, rs2234670 (S/L) polymorphism may decrease the risk of endometrial cancer. However, no statistically significant associations were found in XbaI (A>G), Codon 325 (C>G), Codon 243 (C>T), VNTR (S/L) and rs2046210 (G>A) polymorphisms.

Conclusion

The current meta-analysis suggests that PvuII (C>T) and rs3020314 (C>T) polymorphisms may be risk factors for endometrial cancer, especially among Caucasian populations.     

Serum Concentrations of 15 Elements Among <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter Pylori</Emphasis>-Infected Residents from Lujiang County with High Gastric Cancer Risk in Eastern China

Data on the effects of magnesium-zinc-calcium-vitamin D co-supplementation on hormonal profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of magnesium-zinc-calcium-vitamin D co-supplementation on hormonal profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress in women with PCOS. Sixty PCOS women were randomized into two groups and treated with 100 mg magnesium, 4 mg zinc, 400 mg calcium plus 200 IU vitamin D supplements (n = 30), or placebo (n = 30) twice a day for 12 weeks. Hormonal profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress were assessed at baseline and at end-of-treatment. After the 12-week intervention, compared with the placebo, magnesium-zinc-calcium-vitamin D co-supplementation resulted in significant reductions in hirsutism (?2.4 ± 1.2 vs. ?0.1 ± 0.4, P < 0.001), serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (?0.7 ± 0.8 vs. +0.2 ± 1.8 mg/L, P < 0.001), and plasma malondialdehyde (?0.4 ± 0.3 vs. +0.2 ± 1.0 μmol/L, P = 0.01), and a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity concentrations (+46.6 ± 66.5 vs. ?7.7 ± 130.1 mmol/L, P = 0.04). We failed to find any significant effect of magnesium-zinc-calcium-vitamin D co-supplementation on free androgen index, and other biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Overall, magnesium-zinc-calcium-vitamin D co-supplementation for 12 weeks among PCOS women had beneficial effects on hormonal profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress.     

Richness and Composition of Ground-dwelling Ants in Tropical Rainforest and Surrounding Landscapes in the Colombian Inter-Andean Valley

Tropical rainforests are characterized by having high structural complexity, stratification, and species diversity. In Colombia, tropical rainforests are critically endangered with only 24% of their area remaining. Forest fragments are often valued based on the presence of vertebrate taxa despite that small habitat remnants may still harbor diverse invertebrate communities. We surveyed the ant fauna associated with rainforest fragments and their surrounding landscape elements (including mature forests, flooded forests, gallery forests, live fences, and pastures) in the Magdalena River watershed. Pitfall traps and litter samples were used to estimate ant richness and diversity, and to compare ant composition among landscape elements. We found 135 species from 42 genera, representing 16% of the species and 43% of the genera known for Colombia. Our surveys also uncovered 11 new ant records for the Colombian inter-Andean region and 2 new records for the country of Colombia: Mycocepurus curvispinosus (Mackay) and Rhopalothrix isthmica (Weber). The highest species richness was found in forest-covered sites, and richness and diversity was lower in the disturbed landscapes surrounding the forest patches. Species composition varied significantly between all habitat types, but was most similar between forest types suggesting that a loss of structural complexity has the greatest effect on ant communities. Across our study sites, ten species showed the greatest response to habitat type and could qualify as indicator taxa for this region. We conclude by discussing the value of conserving even small forests in this landscape due to their ability to retain high diversity of ants.     

Facile syntheses of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-β-haloalanine derivatives from <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-cysteine or <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-cystine

l-β-Haloalanines are physiologically active unnatural amino acids and they are useful intermediates for the synthesis of natural and unnatural amino acids, S-linked glycopeptides, and lanthionines. In general l-β-haloalanines were prepared predominantly from l-serine via functional group transformation. Here we reported an alternative approach for the preparation of l-β-haloalanines via halogenation of protected l-cysteine esters which was obtained from l-cysteine or l-cystine, respectively. The mercapto group of protected l-cysteine esters was efficiently transformed to halo groups by triphenylphosphine/N-halosuccinimides. It has been proved to be a versatile desulfurization strategy via this functional group transformation.     

Replicating rather than nonreplicating adenovirus-human immunodeficiency virus recombinant vaccines are better at eliciting potent cellular immunity and priming high-titer antibodies

A major challenge in combating the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic is the development of vaccines capable of inducing potent, persistent cellular immunity and broadly reactive neutralizing antibody responses to HIV type 1 (HIV-1). We report here the results of a preclinical trial using the chimpanzee model to investigate a combination vaccine strategy involving sequential priming immunizations with different serotypes of adenovirus (Ad)/HIV-1(MN)env/rev recombinants and boosting with an HIV envelope subunit protein, oligomeric HIV(SF162) gp140deltaV2. The immunogenicities of replicating and nonreplicating Ad/HIV-1(MN)env/rev recombinants were compared. Replicating Ad/HIV recombinants were better at eliciting HIV-specific cellular immune responses and better at priming humoral immunity against HIV than nonreplicating Ad-HIV recombinants carrying the same gene insert. Enhanced cellular immunity was manifested by a greater frequency of HIV envelope-specific gamma interferon-secreting peripheral blood lymphocytes and better priming of T-cell proliferative responses. Enhanced humoral immunity was seen in higher anti-envelope binding and neutralizing antibody titers and better induction of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. More animals primed with replicating Ad recombinants mounted neutralizing antibodies against heterologous R5 viruses after one or two booster immunizations with the mismatched oligomeric HIV-1(SF162) gp140deltaV2 protein. These results support continued development of the replicating Ad-HIV recombinant vaccine approach and suggest that the use of replicating vectors for other vaccines may prove fruitful.     

Predation Hot Spots: Large Scale Impact of Local Aggregations

Abstract   Broad scale survey distributions of fish are dominated by some extremely high catches. With a novel survey design we resolved the small-scale fish distribution in the spatio-temporal vicinity of these extreme hauls and showed that in the North Sea they generally do not occur in isolation. An additional case study where stomach contents of fish predators were analyzed revealed that they actually indicate aggregations of piscivorous fish predators on prey aggregations. We show that the predation impact can reach immense dimensions, an aggregation of more than 50 million juvenile cod (Gadus morhua) was entirely wiped out in 5 days by predatory whiting (Merlangius merlangus), aggregating on these juveniles in an area of approximately 18 km². The consumption of only 32 hot spots of similar magnitude as observed in our study adds up to the average size of an incoming North Sea cod year class. These findings support the hypothesis of predation as the major source of mortality in young-of-the-year demersal fish species and questions the generality of fish aggregation as an effective anti-predator strategy. This study highlights the system-wide structuring force of small-scale predation hot spots and further points to the importance of a more realistic implementation of local high-intensity predation events in food web models. Electronic supplementary material:   The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.