Hoxa2 knockdown in Xenopus results in hyoid to mandibular homeosis.

The skeletal structures of the face and throat are derived from cranial neural crest cells (NCCs) that migrate from the embryonic neural tube into a series of branchial arches (BAs). The first arch (BA1) gives rise to the upper and lower jaw cartilages, whereas hyoid structures are generated from the second arch (BA2). The Hox paralogue group 2 (PG2) genes, Hoxa2 and Hoxb2, show distinct roles for hyoid patterning in tetrapods and fishes. In the mouse, Hoxa2 acts as a selector of hyoid identity, while its paralogue Hoxb2 is not required. On the contrary, in zebrafish Hoxa2 and Hoxb2 are functionally redundant for hyoid arch patterning. Here, we show that in Xenopus embryos morpholino-induced functional knockdown of Hoxa2 is sufficient to induce homeotic changes of the second arch cartilage. Moreover, Hoxb2 is downregulated in the BA2 of Xenopus embryos, even though initially expressed in second arch NCCs, similar to mouse and unlike in zebrafish. Finally, Xbap, a gene involved in jaw joint formation, is selectively upregulated in the BA2 of Hoxa2 knocked-down frog embryos, supporting a hyoid to mandibular change of NCC identity. Thus, in Xenopus Hoxa2 does not act redundantly with Hoxb2 for BA2 patterning, similar to mouse and unlike in fish. These data bring novel insights into the regulation of Hox PG2 genes and hyoid patterning in vertebrate evolution and suggest that Hoxa2 function is required at late stages of BA2 development.     

The deltaccr5 mutation conferring protection against HIV-1 in Caucasian populations has a single and recent origin in Northeastern Europe

The chemokine receptor CCR5 is encoded by the CMKBR5 gene located on the p21.3 region of human chromosome 3, and constitutes the major co- receptor for the macrophage-tropic strains of HIV-1. A mutant allele of the CCR5 gene, Delta ccr5 , was shown to provide to homozygotes with a strong resistance against infection by HIV. The frequency of the Delta ccr5 allele was investigated in 18 European populations. A North to South gradient was found, with the highest allele frequencies in Finnish and Mordvinian populations (16%), and the lowest in Sardinia (4%). Highly polymorphic microsatellites (IRI3.1, D3S4579 and IRI3.2, D3S4580 ) located respectively 11 kb upstream and 68 kb downstream of the CCR5 gene deletion were used to determine the haplotype of the chromosomes carrying the Delta ccr5 variant. A strong linkage disequilibrium was found between Delta ccr5 and specific alleles of the IRI3.1 and IRI3.2 microsatellites: >95% of the Delta ccr5 chromosomes carried the IRI3.1-0 allele, while 88% carried the IRI3.2-0 allele. These alleles were found respectively in only 2 or 1.5% of the chromosomes carrying a wild-type CCR5 gene. From these data, it was inferred that most, if not all Delta ccr5 alleles originate from a single mutation event, and that this mutation event probably took place a few thousand years ago in Northeastern Europe. The high frequency of the Delta ccr5 allele in Caucasian populations cannot be explained easily by random genetic drift, suggesting that a selection advantage is or has been associated with homo- or heterozygous carriers of the Delta ccr5 allele.      

Comparison of the protein and DNA approaches for the characterization of a β-globin chain variant,hemoglobin Cocody [β21 (B3) Asp- → Asn], in a Caucasian patient

Summary Over the past few years, the methodologies used for the identification of hemoglobin A variants have been greatly improved. Both the protein- and DNA-based strategies have their own advantages and limitations. In this report we illustrate the use of both assays for the characterization of a hemoglobin Cocody variant in a woman of Spanish descent. After evaluating the mobility value matrix of the abnormal hemoglobin, the amino acid transition was determined by HPLC and microsequencing of the protein. The ₂₁ Asp was shown to be substituted by an Asn. At the DNA level, the only nucleotide replacement responsible for this amino acid substitution is GAT- AAT at codon 21. The analysis of the-globin gene by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method showed that the mutation was situated in a fragment including exon 1. The hemoglobin variant was then identified to be hemoglobin Cocody by DNA sequencing of this fragment.     

SSR181507, a dopamine D(2) receptor antagonist and 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist. I: Neurochemical and electrophysiological profile.

SSR181507 ((3-exo)-8-benzoyl-N-[[(2S)7-chloro-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-1-yl]methyl]-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-3-methanamine monohydrochloride) is a novel tropanemethanamine benzodioxane derivative that possesses high and selective affinities for D2-like and 5-HT(1A) receptors (K(I)=0.8, 0.2, and 0.2 nM for human D(2), D(3), and 5-HT(1A), respectively). In vivo, SSR181507 inhibited [(3)H]raclopride binding to D(2) receptors in the rat (ID(50)=0.9 and 1 mg/kg, i.p. in limbic system and striatum, respectively). It displayed D(2) antagonist and 5-HT(1A) agonist properties in the same concentration range in vitro (IC(50)=5.3 nM and EC(50)=2.3 nM, respectively, in the GTPgammaS model) and in the same dose range in vivo (ED(50)=1.6 and 0.7 mg/kg, i.p. on striatal DA and 5-HT synthesis, respectively, and 0.03-0.3 mg/kg, i.v. on dorsal raphe nucleus firing rate). It selectively enhanced Fos immunoreactivity in mesocorticolimbic areas as compared to the striatum. This regional selectivity was confirmed in electrophysiological studies where SSR181507, given acutely (0.1-3 mg/kg, i.p.) or chronically (3 mg/kg, i.p., o.d., 22 days), increased or decreased, respectively, the number of spontaneous active DA cells in the ventral tegmental area, but not in the substantia nigra. Moreover, SSR181507 increased both basal and phasic DA efflux (as assessed by microdialysis and electrochemistry) in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens, but not in the striatum. This study shows that the combination of D(2) receptor antagonism and 5-HT(1A) agonism, in the same dose range, confers on SSR181507 a unique neurochemical and electrophysiological profile and suggests the potential of this compound for the treatment of the main dimensions of schizophrenia.     

Biomonitoring of ciguatoxin exposure in mice using blood collection cards.

Ciguatera is a human food poisoning caused by consumption of tropical and subtropical fish that have, through their diet, accumulated ciguatoxins in their tissues. This study used laboratory mice to investigate the potential to apply blood collection cards to biomonitor ciguatoxin exposure. Quantitation by the neuroblastoma cytotoxicity assay of Caribbean ciguatoxin (C-CTX-1) spiked into mice blood was made with good precision and recovery. The blood collected from mice exposed to a sublethal dose of Caribbean ciguatoxic extract (0.59 ng/g C-CTX-1 equivalents) was analyzed and found to contain detectable toxin levels at least 12 h post-exposure. Calculated concentration varied from 0.25 ng/ml at 30 min post-exposure to 0.12 ng/ml at 12 h. A dose response mice exposure revealed a linear dose-dependent increase of ciguatoxin activity in mice blood, with more polar ciguatoxin congeners contributing to 89% of the total toxicity. Finally, the toxin measurement in mice blood exposed to toxic extracts from the Indian Ocean or from the Pacific Ocean showed that the blood collection card method could be extended to each of the three known ciguatoxin families (C-CTX, I-CTX and P-CTX). The low matrix effect of extracted dried-blood samples (used at 1:10 or 1:20 dilution) and the high sensitivity of the neuroblastoma assay (limit of detection 0.006 ng/ml C-CTX-1), determined that the blood collection card method is suitable to monitor ciguatoxin at sublethal doses in mice and opens the potential to be a useful procedure for fish screening, environmental risk assessment or clinical diagnosis of ciguatera fish poisoning in humans or marine mammals.     

Effect of recombinant interleukin-2 pretreatment on oral and intravenous digoxin pharmacokinetics and P-glycoprotein activity in mice.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an ATP-dependent efflux membrane transporter involved in many drug pharmacokinetics in humans. Decreasing its expression could enhance the bioavailability of substrates as digoxin. We have recently found that human recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL2) in vivo decreases P-gp expression in intestine and brain of mice and modifies oral digoxin pharmacokinetics. The aim of the study was to evaluate the involvement of bioavailability in the rIL2 pretreatment effect on digoxin pharmacokinetics by comparing oral and i.v. digoxin pharmacokinetics before and after rIL2 pretreatment (10 microg/kg). We also tried to show the possible effect of a low rIL2 dose (1 microg/kg) pretreatment on oral digoxin pharmacokinetics. First, adult Swiss mice received a single oral or i.v. dose of digoxin (0.03 mg/kg). Two weeks later, the same animals were treated by rIL2 i.p. twice a day (10 microg/kg) for 4 days and received digoxin again at day 5. As well, another group received oral digoxin (0.03 mg/kg) with a 1 microg/kg rIL2 pretreatment. Blood was collected after digoxin administration with and without rIL2 pretreatment. Digoxin pharmacokinetics were described by a one-compartment model. The 10 microg/kg rIL2 pretreatment did not modify i.v. digoxin pharmacokinetics, whereas oral digoxin pharmacokinetics were significantly modified by the 10 microg/kg rIL2 pretreatment and not by the 1 microg/kg rIL2 pretreatment. The decrease of P-gp activity, caused by rIL2 (10 microg/kg), increased digoxin bioavailability. An increase in exposure and intracellular level of drugs is expected from rIL2 pretreatment.     

The Relationship Between Social Support,HIV Serostatus,and Perceived Likelihood of Being HIV Positive Among Self-Settled Female,Foreign Migrants in Cape Town,South Africa

Female cross-border migrants experience elevated risks for HIV, and migrants in South Africa may face additional risks due to the country’s underlying HIV prevalence. These risks may be mitigated by the receipt of social support. A behavioral risk-factor survey was administered using respondent-driven sampling. Multivariable regression models assessed the relationships between social support and two HIV outcomes: HIV serostatus and perceived HIV status. Low social support was not significantly associated with HIV status (aOR?=?1.03, 95?% CI 0.43–2.46), but was significantly related to a perception of being HIV positive (aPR?=?1.36, 95?% CI 1.04–1.78). Age, marital status, and education level were significantly associated with HIV serostatus. Illegal border-crossing, length of time in South Africa, anal sex, and transactional sex were significantly associated with aperception of being HIV positive. Future research should investigate how HIV risks and the receipt of social support change throughout the migration process.     

Glycan-Based Near-infrared Fluorescent (NIRF) Imaging of Gastrointestinal Tumors: a Preclinical Proof-of-Concept In Vivo Study

Molecular Imaging and Biology - Aberrantly expressed glycans in cancer are of particular interest for tumor targeting. This proof-of-concept in vivo study aims to validate the use of aberrant Lewis...     

Pharmacokinetic profile of nomegestrol acetate and 17β-estradiol after multiple and single dosing in healthy women

BackgroundThe pharmacokinetics of the monophasic oral contraceptive nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC) plus 17β-estradiol (E₂) were investigated after a single dose and multiple dosing.Study designNOMAC/E₂ (2.5 mg/1.5 mg) was administered daily to healthy women (18–50 years, n= 23) for 24 days; blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were obtained on Day 24 and again, after a 10-day pill-free interval, on Day 35 after a single dose.ResultsNOMAC reached steady state after 5 days with mean ± standard deviation (SD) trough NOMAC concentration (C_av) of 4.4±1.4 ng/mL. On Day 24, mean±SD peak NOMAC concentration (C_max, 12.3±3.5 ng/mL) was reached in mean 1.5 h (t_max); the mean±SD elimination half-life (t_½) was 45.9±15.3 h. After a single dose, NOMAC mean±SD C_max was 7.2±2.0 ng/mL and mean±SD t_½ was 41.9±16.2 h. On Day 24, E₂ mean±SD C_av was 50.3±25.7 pg/mL; mean±SD C_max was 86.0±51.3 pg/mL. After a single dose, mean±SD E₂ C_max was 253±179 pg/mL.ConclusionsThese data demonstrate that NOMAC/E₂ has a pharmacokinetic profile consistent with once-daily dosing.