High expression of the Pi-transporter SLC20A1/Pit1 in calcific aortic valve disease promotes mineralization through regulation of Akt-1

The regulation of phosphate (Pi) handling is crucial during calcification of the aortic valve. Gene profiling of Pi transporters revealed that VIC culture expresses SLC201A1/Pit1 and SLC20A2/Pit2. On exposure to a mineralizing medium (2 mM Pi), the expression of Pi transporters in VIC culture is increased several folds, with the highest magnitude for SLC20A1. By using siRNAs, we established that silencing SLC20A1 significantly reduced Pi-induced mineralization of VICs. In human pathological specimens, we found that the expression of SCL20A1 was increased in CAVD tissues compared to control nonmineralized aortic valves. Treatment of VIC culture with Pi promoted the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (DYm) and cytochrome c release within the cytosol, leading to apoptosis. Inhibition of Pi transporters with phosphonoformic acid (PFA) prevented Pi-mediated apoptosis of VICs. Moreover, we discovered that the level of the Akt-1 transcript is diminished in CAVD tissues compared with control valves. Accordingly, treatment with Pi caused a reduction of the Akt-1 transcript in VIC culture, and treatment with PFA or siRNA against SLC20A1 restored the level of Akt-1. Overexpression of Akt-1 (pCMVAkt-1) prevented both Pi-induced apoptosis and mineralization of VIC culture. These results strongly suggest that overexpression of SLC20A1 promotes apoptosis and mineralization by altering the level of Akt-1

Direct imaging of turbid media using long-time back-scattered photons, a numerical study

Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

A Functional and Regulatory Network Associated with PIP Expression in Human Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND: The PIP (prolactin-inducible protein) gene has been shown to be expressed in breast cancers, with contradictory results concerning its implication. As both the physiological role and the molecular pathways in which PIP is involved are poorly understood, we conducted combined gene expression profiling and network analysis studies on selected breast cancer cell lines presenting distinct PIP expression levels and hormonal receptor status, to explore the functional and regulatory network of PIP co-modulated genes. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Microarray analysis allowed identification of genes co-modulated with PIP independently of modulations resulting from hormonal treatment or cell line heterogeneity. Relevant clusters of genes that can discriminate between [PIP+] and [PIP-] cells were identified. Functional and regulatory network analyses based on a knowledge database revealed a master network of PIP co-modulated genes, including many interconnecting oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, half of which were detected as differentially expressed through high-precision measurements. The network identified appears associated with an inhibition of proliferation coupled with an increase of apoptosis and an enhancement of cell adhesion in breast cancer cell lines, and contains many genes with a STAT5 regulatory motif in their promoters. CONCLUSIONS: Our global exploratory approach identified biological pathways modulated along with PIP expression, providing further support for its good prognostic value of disease-free survival in breast cancer. Moreover, our data pointed to the importance of a regulatory subnetwork associated with PIP expression in which STAT5 appears as a potential transcriptional regulator

Adenosine A2A receptor modulation of hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapse plasticity during associative learning in behaving mice

© 2009 Nature Publishing Group All rights reservedPrevious in vitro studies have characterized the electrophysiological and molecular signaling pathways of adenosine tonic modulation on long-lasting synaptic plasticity events, particularly for hippocampal long-term potentiation(LTP). However, it remains to be elucidated whether the long-term changes produced by endogenous adenosine in the efficiency of synapses are related to those required for learning and memory formation. Our goal was to understand how endogenous activation of adenosine excitatory A2A receptors modulates the associative learning evolution in conscious behaving mice. We have studied here the effects of the application of a highly selective A2A receptor antagonist, SCH58261, upon a well-known associative learning paradigm - classical eyeblink conditioning. We used a trace paradigm, with a tone as the conditioned stimulus (CS) and an electric shock presented to the supraorbital nerve as the unconditioned stimulus(US). A single electrical pulse was presented to the Schaffer collateral–commissural pathway to evoke field EPSPs (fEPSPs) in the pyramidal CA1 area during the CS–US interval. In vehicle-injected animals, there was a progressive increase in the percentage of conditioning responses (CRs) and in the slope of fEPSPs through conditioning sessions, an effect that was completely prevented (and lost) in SCH58261 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.)-injected animals. Moreover, experimentally evoked LTP was impaired in SCH58261- injected mice. In conclusion, the endogenous activation of adenosine A2A receptors plays a pivotal effect on the associative learning process and its relevant hippocampal circuits, including activity-dependent changes at the CA3-CA1 synapse.This study was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Research (BFU2005-01024 and BFU2005-02512), Spanish Junta de Andalucía (BIO-122 and CVI-02487), and the Fundación Conocimiento y Cultura of the Pablo de Olavide University (Seville, Spain).B. Fontinha was in receipt of a studentship from a project grant (POCI/SAU-NEU/56332/2004) supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal), and of an STSM from Cost B30 concerted action of the EU

Increased Circulating Endothelial Microparticles and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background and Purpose Endothelial impairment is a linking mechanism between obstructive sleep apnea (USA) and cardiovascular diseases Profiles of endothelial micropanicles (EMPs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) reflect the degree of endothelial impairment The aims of this study were to measure the levels of EMI`s and progenitor cells in USA, determine the correlations between these factors and USA severity and the deuce of atherosclerosis, and document any changes in these factors after therapy Methods Subjects with (n=82) and without (n=22) OSA were recruited prospectively We measured the number of colony-forming units (CM) in cell cultuie as the endothelial progenitor cell index, and the number of EMPs using flow cytometry with CD31 [platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)], CD42 (platelet glycoprotem), annexm V, and CD62E (E-selectin) antibodies at baseline and Act 4-6 weeks of continuous positive airway pressure (CPA P) therapy Carotid int ima-media thickness (IMT) was regarded as a marker of atherosclerosis Results The levels of PECAM(+)CD42(-) (p<0 001). PECAM(+)annexin V(+) (p<0 001), and E-selectin(+) micropamcles (p=0 001) were higher in USA subjects than in non-USA subjects The number of CRJ did not differ between the two groups OSA severity independently predicted the levels of PECAM(+)CD42(-) (p=0 02) and PECA(+)annexin V(+) (p=0 004) Carotid IMT was correlated with USA severity (p<0 001), PECAM(+)CD42: (p=0 03), and PECAM(+)annexin (p=0 01) Neither USA severity nor carotid IMT was correlated with either the number of CFI) or E-selectin(+) CPAP therapy decreased the occurrence of E-selecte (p<0 001) in 21 of the USA subjects, but had no effect on the other micioparticles of the number CFU Conclusions USA led to the overproduction of EMI`s, which moderately correlated with USA seventy and the degree of atherosclerosis, and partly responded to therapy The endothelial impairment might contribute to future cardiovascular events J Clin Neurol 2010;6`89-98This research was supported by the Stem Cell Research Center of the 21st Century Frontier Research Program funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Republic of Korea (#SC4120).de Lima AMJ, 2010, RESPIRATION, V79, P370, DOI 10.1159/000227800Jung KH, 2009, ANN NEUROL, V66, P191, DOI 10.1002/ana.21681Ayers L, 2009, EUR RESPIR J, V33, P574, DOI 10.1183/09031936.00107408Akinnusi ME, 2009, AM J RESP CRIT CARE, V179, P328Christou K, 2009, SLEEP MED, V10, P87, DOI 10.1016/j.sleep.2007.10.011Barcelo A, 2008, THORAX, V63, P946, DOI 10.1136/thx.2007.093740Dorkova Z, 2008, CHEST, V134, P686, DOI 10.1378/chest.08-0556Robinson GV, 2008, THORAX, V63, P855, DOI 10.1136/thx.2007.088096Somers VK, 2008, CIRCULATION, V118, P1080, DOI 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.189375Hirschi KK, 2008, ARTERIOSCL THROM VAS, V28, P1584, DOI 10.1161/ATVBAHA.107.155960Daniel L, 2008, NEPHROL DIAL TRANSPL, V23, P2129, DOI 10.1093/ndt/gfn029Martin K, 2008, LUNG, V186, P145, DOI 10.1007/s00408-008-9073-yAmabile N, 2008, AM J RESP CRIT CARE, V177, P1268, DOI 10.1164/rccm.200710-1458OCHeiss C, 2008, J AM COLL CARDIOL, V51, P1760, DOI 10.1016/j.jacc.2008.01.040Chu K, 2008, STROKE, V39, P1441, DOI 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.499236Jelic S, 2008, CIRCULATION, V117, P2270, DOI 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.741512Lee ST, 2008, NEUROLOGY, V70, P1510Bakouboula B, 2008, AM J RESP CRIT CARE, V177, P536, DOI 10.1164/rccm.200706-840OCLopez-Jimenez F, 2008, CHEST, V133, P793, DOI 10.1378/chest.07-0800de la Pena M, 2008, RESPIRATION, V76, P28, DOI 10.1159/000109643WON CHJ, 2008, P AM THORAC SOC, V5, P193Kloner RA, 2007, CIRCULATION, V116, P1306, DOI 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.678375El Solh AA, 2007, AM J RESP CRIT CARE, V175, P1186, DOI 10.1164/rccm.200611-1598OCIBER C, 2007, AASM MANUAL SCORINGMONTSERRAT JM, 2007, AM J RESP CRIT CARE, V176, P6Pirro M, 2006, ARTERIOSCL THROM VAS, V26, P2530, DOI 10.1161/01.ATV.0000243941.72375.15Ryan S, 2006, AM J RESP CRIT CARE, V174, P824, DOI 10.1164/rccm.200601-066OCBoulanger CM, 2006, HYPERTENSION, V48, P180, DOI 10.1161/01.HYP.0000231507.00962.b5Arteaga RB, 2006, AM J CARDIOL, V98, P70, DOI 10.1016/j.amjcard.2006.01.054Robinson GV, 2006, EUR RESPIR J, V27, P1229, DOI 10.1183/09031936.06.00062805Werner N, 2005, NEW ENGL J MED, V353, P999Mezentsev A, 2005, AM J PHYSIOL-HEART C, V289, pH1106, DOI 10.1152/ajpheart.00265.2005Minoguchi K, 2005, AM J RESP CRIT CARE, V172, P625, DOI 10.1164/rccm.200412-1652OCMassa M, 2005, BLOOD, V105, P199, DOI 10.1182/blood-2004-05-1831Kim J, 2004, AM J RESP CRIT CARE, V170, P1108, DOI 10.1164/rccm.200404-519OCJy W, 2004, J THROMB HAEMOST, V2, P1842Tramontano AF, 2004, BIOCHEM BIOPH RES CO, V320, P34, DOI 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.05.127Ip MSM, 2004, AM J RESP CRIT CARE, V169, P348, DOI 10.1164/rccm.200306.767OCBarba C, 2004, LANCET, V363, P157Bernal-Mizrachi L, 2003, AM HEART J, V145, P962, DOI 10.1016/S0002-8703(03)00103-0Jimenez JJ, 2003, THROMB RES, V109, P175, DOI 10.1016/S0049-3848(03)00064-1Hill JM, 2003, NEW ENGL J MED, V348, P593Preston RA, 2003, HYPERTENSION, V41, P211, DOI 10.1161/01.HYP.0000049760.15764.2DSabatier F, 2002, DIABETES, V51, P2840, DOI 10.2337/diabetes.51.9.2840El-Solh AA, 2002, CHEST, V121, P1541Boulanger CM, 2001, CIRCULATION, V104, P2649Barbe F, 2001, ANN INTERN MED, V134, P1015Chin K, 2000, AM J MED, V109, P562Lusis AJ, 2000, NATURE, V407, P233Ohga E, 1999, J APPL PHYSIOL, V87, P10YOUNG T, 1993, NEW ENGL J MED, V328, P1230JOHNS MW, 1991, SLEEP, V14, P540

An assessment of the Jenkinson and Collison synoptic classification to a continental mid-latitude location

A weather-type catalogue based on the Jenkinson and Collison method was developed for an area in south-west Russia for the period 1961--2010. Gridded sea level pressure data was obtained from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis. The resulting catalogue was analysed for frequency of individual types and groups of weather types to characterise long-term atmospheric circulation in this region. Overall, the most frequent type is anticyclonic (A) (23.3 {%}) followed by cyclonic (C) (11.9 {%}); however, there are some key seasonal patterns with westerly circulation being significantly more common in winter than summer. The utility of this synoptic classification is evaluated by modelling daily rainfall amounts. A low level of error is found using a simple model based on the prevailing weather type. Finally, characteristics of the circulation classification are compared to those for the original JC British Isles catalogue and a much more equal distribution of flow types is seen in the former classification

Epiploic appendagitis – clinical characteristics of an uncommon surgical diagnosis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Epiploic appendagitis (EA) is a rare cause of focal abdominal pain in otherwise healthy patients with mild or absent secondary signs of abdominal pathology. It can mimick diverticulitis or appendicitis on clinical exam. The diagnosis of EA is very infrequent, due in part to low or absent awareness among general surgeons. The objective of this work was to review the authors' experience and describe the clinical presentation of EA.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All patients diagnosed with EA between January 2004 and December 2006 at an urban surgical emergency room were retrospectively reviewed by two authors in order to share the authors' experience with this rare diagnosis. The operations were performed by two surgeons. Pathological examinations of specimens were performed by a single pathologist. A review of clinical presentation is additionally undertaken.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ten patients (3 females and 7 males, average age: 44.6 years, range: 27–76 years) were diagnosed with symptomatic EA. Abdominal pain was the leading symptom, the pain being localized in the left (8 patients, 80 %) and right (2 patients, 20%) lower quadrant. All patients were afebrile, and with the exception of one patient, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea were not present. CRP was slightly increased (mean: 1.2 mg/DL) in three patients (33%). Computed tomography findings specific for EA were present in five patients. Treatment was laparoscopic excision (n = 8), excision via conventional laparotomy (n = 1) and conservative therapy (n = 1).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In patients with localized, sharp, acute abdominal pain not associated with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever or atypical laboratory values, the diagnosis of EA should be considered. Although infrequent up to date, with the increase of primary abdominal CT scans and ultrasound EA may well be diagnosed more frequently in the future.</p

A Trial of the Efficacy, Safety and Impact on Drug Resistance of Four Drug Regimens for Seasonal Intermittent Preventive Treatment for Malaria in Senegalese Children

UNLABELLED: In the Sahel, most malaria deaths occur among children 1-4 years old during a short transmission season. A trial of seasonal intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and a single dose of artesunate (AS) showed an 86% reduction in the incidence of malaria in Senegal but this may not be the optimum regimen. We compared this regimen with three alternatives. METHODS: 2102 children aged 6-59 months received either one dose of SP plus one dose of AS (SP+1AS) (the previous regimen), one dose of SP plus 3 daily doses of AS (SP+3AS), one dose of SP plus three daily doses of amodiaquine (AQ) (SP+3AQ) or 3 daily doses of AQ and AS (3AQ+3AS). Treatments were given once a month on three occasions during the malaria transmission season. The primary end point was incidence of clinical malaria. Secondary end-points were incidence of adverse events, mean haemoglobin concentration and prevalence of parasites carrying markers of resistance to SP. FINDINGS: The incidence of malaria, and the prevalence of parasitaemia at the end of the transmission season, were lowest in the group that received SP+3AQ: 10% of children in the group that received SP+1AS had malaria, compared to 9% in the SP+3AS group (hazard ratio HR 0.90, 95%CI 0.60, 1.36); 11% in the 3AQ+3AS group, HR 1.1 (0.76-1.7); and 5% in the SP+3AQ group, HR 0.50 (0.30-0.81). Mutations associated with resistance to SP were present in almost all parasites detected at the end of the transmission season, but the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum was very low in the SP+3AQ group. CONCLUSIONS: Monthly treatment with SP+3AQ is a highly effective regimen for seasonal IPT. Choice of this regimen would minimise the spread of drug resistance and allow artemisinins to be reserved for the treatment of acute clinical malaria