Mutation analysis of CBP and PCAF reveals rare inactivating mutations in cancer cell lines but not in primary tumours

In this study we screened the histone acetyltransferases CBP and PCAF for mutations in human epithelial cancer cell lines and primary tumours. We identified two CBP truncations (both in cell lines), seven PCAF missense variants and four CBP intronic microdeletions. These data suggest that neither gene is commonly inactivated in human epithelial cancers.     

Infusion of maintenance fluids with glucose (Veen 3G) is superior to maltose infusion (Actit) in the rate of energy utilization in rabbits

In the present study, we examined the rates of urinary excretion of glucose and maltose after an infusion of maintenance fluid with glucose or maltose in adult rabbits. Three maintenance fluids (sugar-free, 5% glucose [Veen 3G] and 5% maltose [Actit]), which contained different sugars but were identical in electrolyte and acetate compositions and concentrations (Na: 45, K: 17, Mg: 5, Cl: 37, H2PO4: 10 and CH3COO: 20 mEq/l), were used in this study. In addition, the optimum infusion speed for maintenance therapy (10 ml/kg/h) was used. Animals were not given food or water during the 10-day period of administration. The body weights of the animals were measured every day. The concentrations of total protein, albumin, free fatty acids and glucose in the serum were measured. Urine samples for determination of glucose and maltose concentrations were collected from the 1st to 10th administrations. After infusion with 5% maltose, urinary maltose excretion decreased time-dependently, while that of glucose increased. This suggests that maltase activity time-dependently increases after infusion with maltose. In addition, total sugar was only minimally excreted into urine in the 5% glucose group compared with the 5% maltose group. Thus, the glucose infusion was superior to the maltose infusion in the rate of energy utilization. However, neither the loss of body weight nor the increase in concentration of free fatty acids in serum differed significantly among the 3 groups. In conclusion, infusion of maintenance fluid with 5% maltose results in the excretion of maltose and glucose into urine, since enzymatic hydrolysis of maltose to glucose is limited to that by maltase.     

REVIEW: Changes of In Vivo Gastrointestinal Motor Pattern in Pacemaker-Deficient (WsRC-Ws/Ws) Rats

In vitro studies on pacemaker-deficient W-mutants have revealed a disappearance of rhythmic contraction in their gastrointestinal tracts. Their contractile force has not been diminished, however. In contrast, W-mutants often present dysmoility-like symptoms with distension of the gastrointestinal tract in vivo. Gastrointestinal motility of W-mutant rats was examined in vivo by an extraluminal strain-gauge force transducer method. We examined a normal gastrointestinal motor pattern in the rats with two distinct motor phases, digestive and interdigestive. Moreover, we detected a failure to form an interdigestive contractile complex in pacemaker-deficient rats. The interdigestive motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract is important for cleaning gastrointestinal tract in preparation for the next meal. The impairment of the interdigestive contractile complex may be related to the dysmoility-like symptoms of W-mutant rats in vivo.     

Balloon-hooking technique for stabilizing a guiding catheter in tortuous supra-aortic vessel: A case report

Objective: When performing endovascular interventions for supra-aortic vessels, the tortuous vascular anatomy observed in patients with atherosclerotic lesions often limits the ability to maintain a stable guiding catheter position. Here, we report a case of right vertebral artery (VA) stenosis treated with transfemoral stenting and discuss the utility of balloon-hooking technique using partially inflated balloon for stabilizing the balloon guiding catheter (BCG) in the supra-aortic vessel. Case presentation: A 74-year-old man who underwent right carotid artery stenting, coronary artery bypass grafting, and bilateral iliac artery stenting was admitted to our emergency department because of dizziness related to head movement. Computed tomography angiography revealed right VA origin stenosis and left subclavian artery (SA) occlusion. The patient underwent stenting of the right VA. After several unsuccessful cannulation attempts into the right VA through transradial access, transfemoral access was obtained through the left iliac stent. A 9-Fr BGC was navigated into the right SA. The balloon was partially inflated just distal to the first curve of the right SA and used as hook by pulling back until the proximal edge of the balloon was pushed distally by the lesser curvature of the SA, resulting in stabilization of the BGC and successful angioplasty and stent deployment at the VA stenosis. The patient''s symptoms resolved completely, without any neurological deficits. Conclusions: Balloon-hooking technique using a partially inflated BGC is feasible for stabilizing the guiding catheter in tortuous supra-aortic vessel.     

Reduced arthritis in MIF deficient mice is associated with reduced T cell activation: down-regulation of ERK MAP kinase phosphorylation

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine with many cellular targets in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MIF has been reported to activate cells via mitogen-activated protein kinase and serine/threonine kinase (AKT or protein kinase B)-dependent signal transduction pathways. Its contribution to T cell activation and signalling in RA is not known. Using MIF -/- mice and a T cell-mediated model of RA, antigen-induced arthritis, we investigated the role of MIF in T cell activation and signalling. Arthritis severity was significantly reduced in MIF -/- mice compared with wildtype mice. This reduction was associated with decreased T cell activation parameters including footpad delayed type hypersensitivity, antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production. Splenocyte proliferation required extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation, and decreased T cell activation in MIF -/- mice was associated with decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 but not AKT. Collectively, these data suggest that MIF promotes antigen-specific immune responses via regulation of ERK phosphorylation in T cells.     

Runx2 and Runx3 are essential for chondrocyte maturation, and Runx2 regulates limb growth through induction of Indian hedgehog

The differentiation of mesenchymal cells into chondrocytes and chondrocyte proliferation and maturation are fundamental steps in skeletal development. Runx2 is essential for osteoblast differentiation and is involved in chondrocyte maturation. Although chondrocyte maturation is delayed in Runx2-deficient (Runx2(-/-)) mice, terminal differentiation of chondrocytes does occur, indicating that additional factors are involved in chondrocyte maturation. We investigated the involvement of Runx3 in chondrocyte differentiation by generating Runx2-and-Runx3-deficient (Runx2(-/-)3(-/-)) mice. We found that chondrocyte differentiation was inhibited depending on the dosages of Runx2 and Runx3, and Runx2(-/-)3(-/-) mice showed a complete absence of chondrocyte maturation. Further, the length of the limbs was reduced depending on the dosages of Runx2 and Runx3, due to reduced and disorganized chondrocyte proliferation and reduced cell size in the diaphyses. Runx2(-/-)3(-/-) mice did not express Ihh, which regulates chondrocyte proliferation and maturation. Adenoviral introduction of Runx2 in Runx2(-/-) chondrocyte cultures strongly induced Ihh expression. Moreover, Runx2 directly bound to the promoter region of the Ihh gene and strongly induced expression of the reporter gene driven by the Ihh promoter. These findings demonstrate that Runx2 and Runx3 are essential for chondrocyte maturation and that Runx2 regulates limb growth by organizing chondrocyte maturation and proliferation through the induction of Ihh expression.     

S-100 protein-immunoreactive cells in the bovine ovary

The present study deals with an immunohistochemical localization of S-100 protein in the bovine ovary. Immunoreactivity for S-100 was observed in various types of cells, as well as in cells of the nervous system. The endothelial cells of arterial vessels, blood capillaries, and lymph vessels; the epithelial cells of ovarian cysts; and the oocytes of normal and atretic follicles showed an S-100 protein positivity. The immunoreactivity also was found in the epithelial cells of the rete ovarii. No cells other than these showed immunoreactivity to the anti-S-100 serum. S-100 protein can be a useful marker for providing information on ovarian function.