Alien Registration- Haines, Kenneth G. (Mars Hill, Aroostook County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/33915/thumbnail.jp

Nitrosative stress induces DNA strand breaks but not caspase mediated apoptosis in a lung cancer cell line

BACKGROUND: Key steps crucial to the process of tumor progression are genomic instability and escape from apoptosis. Nitric oxide and its interrelated reactive intermediates (collectively denoted as NO(X)) have been implicated in DNA damage and mutational events leading to cancer development, while also being implicated in the inhibition of apoptosis through S-nitrosation of key apoptotic enzymes. The purpose of this study was to explore the interrelationship between NO(X)-mediated DNA strand breaks (DSBs) and apoptosis in cultured tumor cell lines. METHODS: Two well-characterized cell lines were exposed to increasing concentrations of exogenous NO(X )via donor compounds. Production of NO(X )was quantified by the Greiss reaction and spectrophotometery, and confirmed by nitrotyrosine immunostaining. DSBs were measured by the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (the COMET assay), and correlated with cell viability by the MTT assay. Apoptosis was analyzed both by TUNEL staining and Annexin V/propidium iodine FACS. Finally, caspase enzymatic activity was measured using an in-vitro fluorogenic caspase assay. RESULTS: Increases in DNA strand breaks in our tumor cells, but not in control fibroblasts, correlated with the concentration as well as rate of release of exogenously administered NO(X). This increase in DSBs did not correlate with an increase in cell death or apoptosis in our tumor cell line. Finally, this lack of apoptosis was found to correlate with inhibition of caspase activity upon exposure to thiol- but not NONOate-based NO(X )donor compounds. CONCLUSIONS: Genotoxicity appears to be highly interrelated with both the concentration and kinetic delivery of NO(X). Moreover, alterations in cell apoptosis can be seen as a consequence of the explicit mechanisms of NO(X )delivery. These findings lend credence to the hypothesis that NO(X )may play an important role in tumor progression, and underscores potential pitfalls which should be considered when developing NO(X)-based chemotherapeutic agents

Differential expression of the FAK family kinases in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis synovial tissues

The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) family kinases, including FAK and proline-rich kinase 2 (Pyk)2, are the predominant mediators of integrin αvβ3 signaling events that play an important role in cell adhesion, osteoclast pathology, and angiogenesis, all processes important in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Using immunohistochemical and western blot analysis, we studied the distribution of phospho (p)FAK, pPyk2, pSrc, pPaxillin and pPLCγ in the synovial tissue (ST) from patients with RA, osteoarthritis (OA) and normal donors (NDs) as well as in RA ST fibroblasts and peripheral blood differentiated macrophages (PB MΦs) treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) or interleukin-1β (IL1β). RA and OA STs showed a greater percentage of pFAK on lining cells and MΦs compared with ND ST. RA ST fibroblasts expressed pFAK at baseline, which increased with TNFα or IL1β stimulation. Pyk2 and Src were phosphorylated more on RA versus OA and ND lining cells and MΦs. pPyk2 was expressed on RA ST fibrobasts but not in MΦs at baseline, however it was upregulated upon TNFα or IL1β activation in both cell types. pSrc was expressed in RA ST fibroblasts and MΦs at baseline and was further increased by TNFα or IL1β stimulation. pPaxillin and pPLCγ were upregulated in RA versus OA and ND lining cells and sublining MΦs. Activation of the FAK family signaling cascade on RA and OA lining cells may be responsible for cell adhesion and migration into the diseased STs. Therapies targeting this novel signaling pathway may be beneficial in RA

ADAM‐10 is overexpressed in rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue and mediates angiogenesis

Objective To examine the expression of ADAM‐10 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial tissue (ST) and the role it plays in angiogenesis. Methods ADAM‐10 expression was determined using immunohistology, Western blotting, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In order to examine the role of ADAM‐10 in angiogenesis, we performed in vitro Matrigel tube formation and chemotaxis assays using human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) transfected with control or ADAM‐10 small interfering RNA (siRNA). To determine whether ADAM‐10 plays a role in angiogenesis in the context of RA, we performed Matrigel assays using a coculture system of HMVECs and RA synovial fibroblasts. Results Endothelial cells and lining cells within RA ST expressed high levels of ADAM‐10 compared with cells within osteoarthritis ST and normal ST. ADAM‐10 expression was significantly elevated at the protein and messenger RNA levels in HMVECs and RA synovial fibroblasts stimulated with proinflammatory mediators compared with unstimulated cells. ADAM‐10 siRNA–treated HMVECs had decreased endothelial cell tube formation and migration compared with control siRNA–treated HMVECs. In addition, ADAM‐10 siRNA–treated HMVECs from the RA synovial fibroblast coculture system had decreased endothelial cell tube formation compared with control siRNA–treated HMVECs. Conclusion These data show that ADAM‐10 is overexpressed in RA and suggest that ADAM‐10 may play a role in RA angiogenesis. ADAM‐10 may be a potential therapeutic target in inflammatory angiogenic diseases such as RA.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94711/1/37755_ftp.pd

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor: a mediator of matrix metalloproteinase-2 production in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by destruction of bone and cartilage, which is mediated, in part, by synovial fibroblasts. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a large family of proteolytic enzymes responsible for matrix degradation. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine that induces the production of a large number of proinflammatory molecules and has an important role in the pathogenesis of RA by promoting inflammation and angiogenesis. In the present study, we determined the role of MIF in RA synovial fibroblast MMP production and the underlying signaling mechanisms. We found that MIF induces RA synovial fibroblast MMP-2 expression in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner. To elucidate the role of MIF in MMP-2 production, we produced zymosan-induced arthritis (ZIA) in MIF gene-deficient and wild-type mice. We found that MMP-2 protein levels were significantly decreased in MIF gene-deficient compared with wild-type mice joint homogenates. The expression of MMP-2 in ZIA was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). IHC revealed that MMP-2 is highly expressed in wild-type compared with MIF gene-deficient mice ZIA joints. Interestingly, synovial lining cells, endothelial cells, and sublining nonlymphoid mononuclear cells expressed MMP-2 in the ZIA synovium. Consistent with these results, in methylated BSA (mBSA) antigen-induced arthritis (AIA), a model of RA, enhanced MMP-2 expression was also observed in wild-type compared with MIF gene-deficient mice joints. To elucidate the signaling mechanisms in MIF-induced MMP-2 upregulation, RA synovial fibroblasts were stimulated with MIF in the presence of signaling inhibitors. We found that MIF-induced RA synovial fibroblast MMP-2 upregulation required the protein kinase C (PKC), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and Src signaling pathways. We studied the expression of MMP-2 in the presence of PKC isoform-specific inhibitors and found that the PKCδ inhibitor rottlerin inhibits MIF-induced RA synovial fibroblast MMP-2 production. Consistent with these results, MIF induced phosphorylation of JNK, PKCδ, and c-jun. These results indicate a potential novel role for MIF in tissue destruction in RA

The Contribution of Accessory Toxins of Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor to the Proinflammatory Response in a Murine Pulmonary Cholera Model

The contribution of accessory toxins to the acute inflammatory response to Vibrio cholerae was assessed in a murine pulmonary model. Intranasal administration of an El Tor O1 V. cholerae strain deleted of cholera toxin genes (ctxAB) caused diffuse pneumonia characterized by infiltration of PMNs, tissue damage, and hemorrhage. By contrast, the ctxAB mutant with an additional deletion in the actin-cross-linking repeats-in-toxin (RTX) toxin gene (rtxA) caused a less severe pathology and decreased serum levels of proinflammatory molecules interleukin (IL)-6 and murine macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2. These data suggest that the RTX toxin contributes to the severity of acute inflammatory responses. Deletions within the genes for either hemagglutinin/protease (hapA) or hemolysin (hlyA) did not significantly affect virulence in this model. Compound deletion of ctxAB, hlyA, hapA, and rtxA created strain KFV101, which colonized the lung but induced pulmonary disease with limited inflammation and significantly reduced serum titers of IL-6 and MIP-2. 100% of mice inoculated with KFV101 survive, compared with 20% of mice inoculated with the ctxAB mutant. Thus, the reduced virulence of KFV101 makes it a prototype for multi-toxin deleted vaccine strains that could be used for protection against V. cholerae without the adverse effects of the accessory cholera toxins

Expression of interleukin-1 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist by human rheumatoid synovial tissue macrophages

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has protean effects in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These effects include production of prostaglandins and collagenase from rheumatoid fibroblasts as well as upregulation of adhesion molecule expression on these cells. IL-1 can activate monocytes and neutrophils, as well as promote the growth of fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Recently, a novel interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP) has been isolated, purified, cloned, and expressed, which may modulate the effects of IL-1. In this study, we present data demonstrating that macrophages isolated from human RA synovial tissues express both IL-1 and IRAP genes. In addition, RA synovial tissue macrophages and lining cells display IL-1 and IRAP antigenic expression by immunohistochemistry. In contrast, osteoarthritis synovial tissues, as compared to RA, have fewer IL-1 and IRAP-positive macrophages. Thus, the production of IL-1 balanced by IRAP may affect the joint destruction found in these diseases.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/29796/1/0000142.pd

Unexpected Consequences: Women’s experiences of a self-hypnosis intervention to help with pain relief during labour.

Background Self-hypnosis is becoming increasingly popular as a means of labour pain management. Previous studies have produced mixed results. There are very few data on women’s views and experiences of using hypnosis in this context. As part of a randomized controlled trial of self-hypnosis for intra-partum pain relief (the SHIP Trial) we conducted qualitative interviews with women randomized to the intervention arm to explore their views and experiences of using self-hypnosis during labour and birth. Methods Participants were randomly selected from the intervention arm of the study, which consisted of two antenatal self-hypnosis training sessions and a supporting CD that women were encouraged to listen to daily from 32 weeks gestation until the birth of their baby. Those who consented were interviewed in their own homes 8-12 weeks after birth. Following transcription, the interviews were analysed iteratively and emerging concepts were discussed amongst the authors to generate organizing themes. These were then used to develop a principal organizing metaphor or global theme, in a process known as thematic networks analysis. Results Of the 343 women in the intervention group, 48 were invited to interview, and 16 were interviewed over a 12 month period from February 2012 to January 2013. Coding of the data and subsequent analysis revealed a global theme of ‘unexpected consequences’, supported by 5 organising themes, ‘calmness in a climate of fear’, ‘from sceptic to believer’, ‘finding my space’, ‘delays and disappointments’ and ‘personal preferences’. Most respondents reported positive experiences of self-hypnosis and highlighted feelings of calmness, confidence and empowerment. They found the intervention to be beneficial and used a range of novel strategies to personalize their self-hypnosis practice. Occasionally women reported feeling frustrated or disappointed when their relaxed state was misinterpreted by midwives on admission or when their labour and birth experiences did not match their expectations. Conclusion The women in this study generally appreciated antenatal self-hypnosis training and found it to be beneficial during labour and birth. The state of focused relaxation experienced by women using the technique needs to be recognized by providers if the intervention is to be implemented into the maternity service

Культурологічний компонент професійної підготовки іноземних студентів вищих медичних навчальних закладів

На основі аналізу наукових джерел та власного досвіду автор розкриває поняття «культура», розглядає шляхи застосування культурологічного компоненту у професійній підготовці іноземних студентів-медиків, зокрема під час вивчення дисципліни «Іноземна мова (українська)». Автор пропонує впровадити вивчення спецкурсу “Основні аспекти спілкування іноземною (українською) мовою в міжкультурному просторі”. Це, на думку автора, сприятиме формуванню у студентів-іноземців умінь і навичок володіння мовою в усній і писемній формах відповідно до цілей, мотивів та соціальних норм мовленнєвої поведінки в типових ситуаціях. Адже саме на заняттях з іноземної мови (української) формуються базові механізми іншомовного спілкування й засвоюються знання про культуру країни, мову якої студенти вивчають; На основе анализа научных трудов и личного опыта автор раскрывает понятие «культура», рассматривает пути применения культурологического компонента в профессиональной подготовке иностранных студентов-медиков, особенно при изучении дисциплины «Иностранный язык (украинский)». Автор предлагает ввести спецкурс «Основные аспекты общения на иностранном языке (украинском) в межкультурном пространстве». Это, по мнению автора, будет способствовать формированию у студентов-иностранцев умений и навыков владения языком в устной и письменной формах соответственно социальным нормам поведения в типичных ситуациях. Так как именно на занятиях по иностранному (украинскому) языку формируются базовые механизмы общения и усваиваются знания о культуре страны, язык которой изучают студенты; On the basis of analysis of scientific sources and practical experience the author describes the word «culture». The author writes about the implementation of culturological component to the training of foreign students at the universities in Ukraine particularly in the study process of such discipline as «Foreign language (Ukrainian)». The author suggests studying a special course «The main aspects of communication in a foreign language (Ukrainian) in cross-cultural space». It, according to the author, will promote formation students’ skills of language proficiency in oral and written forms according to social norms of behavior in typical situations. The author thinks that during studying foreign (Ukrainian) language basic mechanisms of communication will form and student will get knowledge about the culture