Expression of the proteoglycans versican and mel-CSPG in dysplastic nevi

Nevi with architectural disorder and cytologic atypia of melanocytes (NAD) (also called dysplastic nevi) have been controversial with regard to their relationship with melanoma risk and to their gradation in 3 degrees of atypia. Versican and the melanoma-associated proteoglycan (mel-CSPG) are 2 major proteoglycans expressed by malignant melanoma, and they have a role in the regulation of cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation. We evaluated the differences in versican and mel-CSPG expression in nevi, NAD with several degrees of atypia, and primary malignant melanoma. Immunoreactivity for versican was negative in benign melanocytic nevi, positive in NAD (ranging from weakly to intensely positive), and intensely positive in malignant melanoma. Immunostaining for mel-CSPG was negative in benign melanocytic nevi and mild to moderately positive in NAD and melanoma. Our results suggest that versican expression may be of value for distinguishing NAD from benign melanocytic nevi and for distinguishing severe NAD from mild and moderate NAD.     

Investigations on the turnover of adrenocortical mitochondria. X. A correlated biochemical and stereological study of the effects of Chronic treatment with chloramphenicol on the mitochondria of the rat zona fasciculata

The effects of chloramphenicol (CAP) on rat adrenocortical cells were investigated by biochemical and stereological methods. It was found that administering 50 mg/kg of CAP every 12 hours provoked a persistent inhibition of the incorporation of ³H-leucine into mitochondrial proteins. Chronic treatment (up to 15 consecutive days) with this dose of CAP induced a significant decrease in the volume of the mitochondrial compartment, in the surface area of the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes and in the number of mitochondria per cell. These results confirm the hypothesis that the ACTH-induced maintenance of adrenocortical mitochondrial growth requires continuous mitochondrial DNA-dependent protein synthesis.     

Heterogeneous pattern of chromosomal breakpoints involving the MYC locus in multiple myeloma

Chromosomal rearrangements of the MYC locus, which often involve the IG loci, are recurrent events in multiple myeloma (MM) and plasma cell leukemia (PCL). We used dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to characterize the breakpoint locations of chromosomal translocations/rearrangements involving the MYC locus at 8q24 found in a panel of 14 MM cell lines and 70 primary tumors (66 MM and 4 PCL). MYC locus alterations were observed in 21 cases: MYC/IG (mainly IGH@) fusions in 11 cell lines and three patients (2 MM and 1 PCL), and extra signals and/or abnormal MYC localizations in seven patients (5 MM and 2 PCL). Fourteen of these cases were investigated by FISH analyses by use of a panel of BAC clones covering about 6 Mb encompassing the MYC locus. The breakpoints were localized in a region 100-250 kb centromeric to MYC in four cases, a region 500-800 kb telomeric to the gene in four cases, and regions > or = 2 Mb centromeric or telomeric to MYC in five cases. Two different breakpoints were detected in the KMS-18 cell line, whereas the insertion of a MYC allele was found in a complex t(16;22) chromosomal translocation in the RPMI8226 cell line. Our data document a relatively high dispersion of 8q24 breakpoints in MM.     

Identification of the membrane protein of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus

Sequence information on the genome of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has only recently been determined. In contrast, very little is known about the viral proteins. In the present report we have identified the membrane glycoprotein (M) of PEDV by use of rabbit anti-peptide sera and transient expression of the cloned M gene in Vero cells and by expression in the baculovirus system. The native M protein of PEDV is incorporated into virions, is N-glycosylated, and migrates with a relative mobility (Mr) of 27 k in polyacrylamide gels. In contrast, the M protein synthesized by recombinant baculoviruses migrates with a Mr of 23 k, that is, with identical mobility as the deglycosylated product of PEDV. Thus, it appears that M protein specified by the recombinant baculovirus is poorly, if at all, glycosylated. Using monoclonal antibodies and rabbit antipeptide sera specific for the N and C termini of the M protein, we were able to show that a 19 k band detected in PEDV-infected cells but not in virions represented a fragment of M from which the C terminus had been cleaved off. Finally, by electron microscopy and immunogold labelling, the relative orientation of M within the virion envelope was determined as NexoCcyt. In conclusion, all of these data strongly support the hypothesis that PEDV should be classified with the group I coronaviruses.     

Membrane depolarization of isolated rat liver mitochondria attenuates permeability transition pore opening and oxidant production

It has been suggested that one key feature of mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) regulation is its control by the proton electrochemical gradient and that depolarization favors pore opening, swelling, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Moreover, ROS have been suggested to facilitate the process of mitochondrial PT pore opening. The aim of this study was to show that collapsing the mitochondrial membrane potential with the mitochondrial uncoupler, carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP), at concentrations of up to 10 microM, does not induce mitochondrial swelling and, in fact, stabilizes mitochondria exposed to oxidant, protecting them from tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH)-induced high-amplitude swelling. FCCP decreased polyethylene glycol-induced mitochondrial contraction following exposure to TBH, indicating closing of the PT mega-channel. In the presence of the calcium uniporter inhibitor ruthenium red, FCCP induced PT due to suppression of calcium efflux. Under PT-favorable conditions, ROS production was evaluated in mitochondria following treatments with TBH, inorganic phosphate, or FCCP (with or without ruthenium red). FCCP alone and in combination with ruthenium red attenuated mitochondria-derived ROS production. FCCP also decreased the augmented ROS production induced by inorganic phosphate. It is concluded that mitochondrial depolarization protects and prevents high-amplitude swelling and PT-derived ROS production.     

Investigation of the polymerization of octanelactam initiated with hydrochloric acid

The polymerization of octanelactame ( 1 ) initiated by HCl takes place according to the characteristic kinetic curves. Both characteristics, i.e., the fast initial and the extremely slow further stages, and the kinetic anomaly (in certain cases under otherwise identical conditions less polymer is formed at higher than at lower temperatures) can be interpreted easily on the basis of a mechanism already suggested by the authors. The two relevant chain growth reactions, i.e., lactam addition on \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm R}\mathop {\rm N}\limits^ \oplus {\rm H}_{\rm 3} $\end{document}-groups and the reaction between \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm R}\mathop {\rm N}\limits^ \oplus {\rm H}_{\rm 3} $\end{document} and N-acylamide groups, proceed through a tetrahedral intermediate in two directions, one of them being the known chain growth, the other one an amidine (or acylamidine) formation, in which the active groups, ensuring chain growth, desactivate. Both kinetic characteristics could be interpreted on the basis of the suggested mechanism, by measuring the amounts of amino and amidine groups with the progress of polymerization.     

Arsenic uptake,cytotoxicity and detoxification studied in mammalian cells in culture

The cytotoxicity of trivalent and pentavalent inorganic arsenic salts was determined in mouse fibroblasts in vitro. Concentrations of As (III) in the M range led to a reduction of proliferation and viability with a concomitant increase in LDH release and stimulation of lactic acid production. Similar effects were noted with approximately 10-fold greater molar concentrations of As(V). Cells pretreated with a low As(III) concentration are less sensitive to toxic doses of As(III) or As(V).Uptake of As(III) by the fibroblasts is greater than that of As(V). Both forms of inorganic arsenic are converted intracellularly to monomethylarsonic (MMA) and dimethylarsinic (DMA) acids, which are then released into the culture medium. In As-pretreated cells, which are more resistant to As toxicity, biotransformation of inorganic arsenic to MMA and DMA is increased.     

Offshore telemedicine emergency service: a 1-year experience

Journal of Public Health - Offshore wind energy is a fast growing market. Accordingly, a correspondingly large number of employees are working at the wind farms. Owing to the harsh operating...     

A Narrative Review on Sarcopenia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a major health burden for the elderly population, affecting approximately 25% of people over the age of 65 years. This percentage is expected to increase dramatically in the next decades in relation to the increased longevity of the population observed in recent years. Beyond microvascular and macrovascular complications, sarcopenia has been described as a new diabetes complication in the elderly population. Increasing attention has been paid by researchers and clinicians to this age-related condition—characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass together with the loss of muscle power and function—in individuals with T2DM; this is due to the heavy impact that sarcopenia may have on physical and psychosocial health of diabetic patients, thus affecting their quality of life. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an update on: (1) the risk of sarcopenia in individuals with T2DM, and (2) its association with relevant features of patients with T2DM such as age, gender, body mass index, disease duration, glycemic control, presence of microvascular or macrovascular complications, nutritional status, and glucose-lowering drugs. From a clinical point of view, it is necessary to improve the ability of physicians and dietitians to recognize early sarcopenia and its risk factors in patients with T2DM in order to make appropriate therapeutic approaches able to prevent and treat this condition.