Detection of recombinant and endogenous mouse melatonin receptors by monoclonal antibodies targeting the C‐terminal domain

Melatonin receptors play important roles in the regulation of circadian and seasonal rhythms, sleep, retinal functions, the immune system, depression, and type 2 diabetes development. Melatonin receptors are approved drug targets for insomnia, non‐24‐hour sleep‐wake disorders, and major depressive disorders. In mammals, two melatonin receptors (MTRs) exist, MT₁ and MT₂, belonging to the G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. Similar to most other GPCRs, reliable antibodies recognizing melatonin receptors proved to be difficult to obtain. Here, we describe the development of the first monoclonal antibodies (mABs) for mouse MT₁ and MT₂. Purified antibodies were extensively characterized for specific reactivity with mouse, rat, and human MT₁ and MT₂ by Western blot, immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and proximity ligation assay. Several mABs were specific for either mouse MT₁ or MT₂. None of the mABs cross‐reacted with rat MTRs, and some were able to react with human MTRs. The specificity of the selected mABs was validated by immunofluorescence microscopy in three established locations (retina, suprachiasmatic nuclei, pituitary gland) for MTR expression in mice using MTR‐KO mice as control. MT₂ expression was not detected in mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells or pancreatic beta‐cells. Collectively, we report the first monoclonal antibodies recognizing recombinant and native mouse melatonin receptors that will be valuable tools for future studies.     

Solitary bronchioloalveolar carcinoma: CT criteria

The computed tomographic (CT) scans of 30 patients with solitary bronchioloalveolar carcinoma were reviewed. Common features at CT included the peripheral or subpleural location of a pulmonary mass (25 cases), pseudocavitation (18 cases), heterogeneous attenuation (17 cases), irregular margins forming a star pattern (22 cases), and pleural tags (21 cases). Using these CT criteria, four independent observers attempted to identify cases of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma from a larger sample of lung cancers and benign lesions by categorizing a series of test cases into four probability categories. Although the bronchioloalveolar carcinomas were correctly ranked in the two highest probability categories 75% of the time (in 45 of 60 cases), there was considerable overlap with other lung lesions, particularly with adenocarcinoma and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma. However, even though the typical features of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma are not invariable or highly specific, they are characteristic enough to suggest the diagnosis.     

Molecular Interaction of Droperidol with Human Ether-a-go-go-related Gene Channels: Prolongation of Action Potential Duration without Inducing Early Afterdepolarization

Background: The cardiac safety of droperidol given at antiemetic doses is a matter of debate. Although droperidol potently inhibits human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) channels, the molecular mode of this interaction is unknown. The role of amino acid residues typically mediating high-affinity block of HERG channels is unclear. It is furthermore unresolved whether droperidol at antiemetic concentrations induces action potential prolongation and arrhythmogenic early afterdepolarizations in cardiac myocytes.

Methods: Molecular mechanisms of HERG current inhibition by droperidol were established using two-electrode voltage clamp recordings of Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing wild-type and mutant channels. The mutants T623A, S624A, V625A, Y652A, and F656A were generated by site-directed mutagenesis. The effect of droperidol on action potentials was investigated in cardiac myocytes isolated from guinea pig hearts using the patch clamp technique.

Results: Droperidol inhibited currents through HERG wild-type channels with a concentration of half-maximal inhibition of 0.6-0.9 [mu]m. Droperidol shifted the channel activation and the steady state inactivation toward negative potentials while channel deactivation was not affected. Current inhibition increased with membrane potential and with increasing duration of current activation. Inhibition of HERG channels was similarly reduced by all mutations. Droperidol at concentrations between 5 and 100 nm prolonged whereas concentrations greater than 300 nm shortened action potentials. Early afterdepolarizations were not observed.     

Characterization of melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor variant alleles in twins with red hair

The association between MSHR coding region variation and hair colour in humans has been examined by genotyping 25 red haired and 62 non-red Caucasians, all of whom were 12 years of age and members of a twin pair study. Twelve amino acid substitutions were seen at 11 different sites, nine of these being newly described MSHR variants. The previously reported Val92Met allele shows no association with hair colour, but the three alleles Arg151Cys, Arg160Trp and Asp294His were associated with red hair and one Val60Leu variant was most frequent in fair/blonde and light brown hair colours. Variant MSHR genotypes are associated with lighter skin types and red hair (P < 0.001). However, comparison of the MSHR genotypes in dizygotic twin pairs discordant for red hair colour indicates that the MSHR gene cannot be solely responsible for the red hair phenotype, since five of 13 pairs tested had both haplotypes identical by state (with three of the five having both identical by descent). Rather, it is likely that additional modifier genes exist, making variance in the MSHR gene necessary but not always sufficient, for red hair production.      

Loneliness as a gender-specific predictor of physical and mental health-related quality of life in older adults

Quality of Life Research - Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older persons is influenced by physical and mental health, as well as by their social contacts and social support. Older women...     

Interaction of intravenous anesthetics with human neuronal potassium currents in relation to clinical concentrations

BACKGROUND: Neuronal voltage-dependent potassium (K) currents are crucial for various cellular functions, such as the integration of temporal information in the central nervous system. Data for the effects of intravenous anesthetics on human neuronal K currents are limited. It was the authors' aim to evaluate the concentration-related effects of three opioids (fentanyl, alfentanil, sufentanil) and seven nonopioids (thiopental, pentobarbital, methohexital, propofol, ketamine, midazolam, droperidol) used in clinical anesthesia on neuronal voltage-dependent K currents of human origin. METHOD: K currents were measured in SH-SY5Y cells using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. Currents were elicited by step depolarization from a holding potential of -80 to -50 mV through +90 mV, and their steady state amplitudes were determined. RESULTS: All drugs inhibited the K currents in a concentration-dependent and reversible manner. Because time dependence of inhibition differed among the drugs, effects were measured after 54-64 ms of the test pulse. The IC50 values (concentration of half-maximal inhibition) for current suppression ranged from 7 microM for sufentanil to 2 mM for pentobarbital. Suppression of the K currents by the opioids occurred at 10-fold lower IC50 values (concentration of half-maximal inhibition) than that by the barbiturates. As estimated from the concentration-response curves, K-current suppression at clinical concentrations would be less than 0.1% for the opioids and approximately 3% for the other drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Effects of intravenous anesthetics on voltage-dependent K currents occur at clinical concentrations. The IC50 values for current inhibition of the nonopioid anesthetics correlated with these concentrations (r = 0.95). The results suggest that anesthetic drug action on voltage-dependent K currents may contribute to clinical effects or side effects of intravenous anesthetics.     

Combined gracilis tendon autograft reconstruction and discus repair of a chronic anterior–superior sternoclavicular joint dislocation

A case of an 18-year-old gardener who sustained an anterior–superior dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint while playing handball and falling on his right shoulder is presented. Non-surgical treatment failed, and the patient could willingly dislocate the right clavicle while abduction and external rotation of the arm. This painful condition was finally treated with surgical reconstruction of the sternoclavicular joint using gracilis tendon autograft and repair of the discus. Level of evidence Therapeutic study, case report and technical note, Level IV.