Tumor Response TCF-4/β-Catenin Regulatory Elements for Enhancing Cancer Gene Therapies

Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli gene are frequently associated with progression of colon carcinoma and most other types of epithelial carcinomas. This usually results in stabilization of β-catenin protein levels, followed by transactivation of Tcf-4/β-catenin responsive genes. The effectiveness of a Tcf-4/β-catenin transcriptional enhancer element in combination with a c-fos or carcinoembryonic antigen promoter was tested for its ability to act as a tumor specific regulator of gene expression in a panel of human tumor and normal cell lines. Luciferase reporter assays indicated enhanced activity of the Tcf-4/β-catenin transcriptional element only in tumor cell lines, with minimal activities in normal colon cell lines. The Tcf-4/β-catenin enhancer and c-fos promoter linked with the herpes virus thymidine kinase suicide gene in combination with ganciclovir was further evaluated in the normal and tumor cell lines. The Tcf-4/β-catenin elements conferred tumor specific expression of HSV thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene, resulting in selective metabolism of ganciclovir and cell killing of only tumor cell lines. There was no detectable expression of HSV thymidine kinase expression in normal colon cell lines. Additionally, recombinant adenoviral constructs were made to deliver the gene expression cassette, containing the HSV-TK expressed from a Tcf-4/c-fos enhancer/promoter combination, to the tumor cells. No expression was detected in the normal colon cells as opposed to significant levels of HSV-TK gene expression observed in tumor cells. Furthermore, various chemical and genetic modulators were also screened in an effort to identify newer methods to regulate the activity of the proposed recombinant enhancer/promoter combinations. These data suggest that Tcf-4/β-catenin enhancer can be effectively coupled with a suitable tumor-specific or tumor-related mammalian promoter for selective expression of therapeutic genes for gene therapy of epithelial cancers. This approach also offers a potential promoter cassette approach linked with the Tcf-4/β-catenin enhancer to better individualize treatment to cancer patients

A Rare Nasopharyngeal Foreign Body

Nasopharynx is an exceptionally rare anatomical location for foreign body impaction. We present a rare case of nasopharyngeal foreign body (NFB) in a 7 years old child. The diagnosis was confirmed by nasal endoscopy. Immediate removal of foreign body (FB) in the nasopharynx was performed under general anesthesia. This rare situation is potentially dangerous, since its dislodgment may cause fatal airway obstruction. Therefore, in all cases with missing foreign bodies in the aerodigestive system, nasopharyngeal impaction should be kept in mind and endoscopic examination of the region should be considere

Primary Non-Hodgkin's Malignant Lymphoma of the Sinonasal Tract

Primary non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL) of the sinonasal tract are rather uncommon entities. Morphologically and radiographically, sinonasal lymphomas are difficult to distinguish from other malignant neoplasms or non- neoplastic processes. They have a variable presentation from fulminant destructive manifestations to chronic indolent type of disease and may mimic as carcinomas and invasive fungal infection respectively. We report a case of primary NHL involving sinonasal tract in elderly female, which was clinically and radiologically mimicking as sinonasal malignany and was proven as NHL on histological examination and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. A high index of suspicion, appropriate histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry is necessary to differentiate sinonasal lymphomas from other possibilities. Failure to do so may miss the diagnosis and delay appropriate treatmen

Interaction of Radiofrequency Radiation with Biological Systems

Rapid advancement of radiofrequency (RF)-driven technologies has greatly affected our everyday lives. Increasing evidence led by in-vitro, in-vivo studies, epidemiological and clinical trials indicates that RF interacts considerably well with biological systems in various ways depending on different exposure parameters and properties of biological materials. Besides their innumerable benefits in different sectors of commercial and military fields, they can induce alterations in many physiological functions of the body, which may culminate into adverse human health consequences. The present article explicitly addresses the RF-based technologies and their applications, fundamentals of RF energy interaction with biological systems, exposure parameters, and dosimetry studies along with thermal and non-thermal effects on different vital organs at molecular and cellular levels. Further, this article outlines the limitations of RF-induced biological effect studies, status of risk assessment, safety levels and its future perspectives

Identification and genetic characterization of phenol-degrading bacterium isolated from oil contaminated

A phenol-degrading novel monosodium glutamate was isolated from oil contaminated soil in India. This strain was found capable to utilize and tolerate up to 9.5 mM of phenol. Based on the results of phylogenetic similarity of 16S recombinant ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequences and fatty acid analysis, strain MSG8 was identified as a novel Acinetobacter sp. The sequence of the partial largest subunit of multicomponent phenol hydroxylase (LmPH) gene of this isolated strain was identified and compared with LmPH gene of Pseudomonas sp.CF600. Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography showed that the isolate can degrade phenol through catechol ortho fission pathway. In this paper, we reported about the new strain of Acinetobacter sp. capable of degrading phenol (9.5 mM of phenol concentration) under normal conditions. Therefore, strain MSG8 can potentially be used in bioremediation of phenol. The given data demonstrates that the isolated strain exhibits the characteristics of an efficient phenol-degrading microorganism.Keywords: Phenol, degradation, monosodium glutamate, bioremediation, Acinetobacter sp.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(8), pp. 791-79