The effects of exogenous growth factors on matrix metalloproteinase secretion by human brain tumour cells

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a growing family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that are capable of degrading various components of the extracellular matrix. These enzymes have been implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions including embryogenesis and tumour invasion. The synthesis of many MMPs is thought to be regulated by growth factors, cytokines and hormones. In this study, we investigated the effects of five exogenous growth factors known to be expressed by gliomas [epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1,2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] on MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in an ependymoma, two grade III astrocytomas, a grade III oligoastrocytoma and a benign meningioma. Zymogram analysis revealed that the effects of the growth factors depended upon the cell lines used in the study. Growth factors generally up-regulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in the gliomas but were least effective in the meningioma; the effect being most prominent with TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 in all the cell lines. It is hypothesized that paracrine growth factor interplay may be crucial in the regulation of MMP expression by glioma invasion of the normal brain. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

Dosadašnja istraženost i novi podaci o Fitozeidama i Tideidama (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tydeidae) za faunu Srbije i Crne Gore

Thirty two (32) species of phytoseiids and six (6) species of tydeids (Acari Phytoseiidae and Tydeidae) are known from Serbia and Montenegro. To add to that knowledge five (5) phytoseiid species namely: Neoseiulus californicus N. marginatus, N. bicaudus, Typhlodromus phialatus, Phytoseius canadensis and four (4) tydeids namely: Tydeus caudatus, Lorryia parainfatus, L. obliqua and Metatriophtydeus sp. are recorded for the first time.U radu je dat pregled vrsta fitozeida i tideida (Acari: Phytoseiidae Tydeidae) koje su u periodu 1975-2001. registrovane na teritoriji Srbije i Crne Gore. Fitozeide su do sada bile umereno istražena grupa u našoj zemlji sa ukupno 32 nađene vrste, od kojih 20 u Srbiji a 19 u Crnoj Gori. Kod nas je ranije nađeno svega 6 vrsta tideida, od čega u Srbiji svih šest, a u Crnoj Gori samo jedna vrsta. Usled nedostatka naših specijalista za tideide ova grupa grinja je do danas ostala neistražena. U radu su izneti podaci o devet novih vrsta fitozeida i tideida za našu akarofaunu. Na teritoriji Srbije registrovano je pet vrsta fitozeida: Neoseiulus califomicus, N. marginatus, N. bicaudus, Typhlodromus phialatus i Phytoseius canadensis. U Srbiji su nađene i tri nove vrste tideida - Tydeus caudatus, Lorryia obliqua i Metatriophtydeus sp. Jedna vrsta tideide nađena je Crnoj Gori - L. parainflatus

Towards a strategy for the recovering of the Mediterranean monk seal in the Adriatic-Ionian Basin

Occasional but recurrent sightings indicate that the endangered Mediterranean monk seal is still present in most of its historical range within the Adriatic-Ionian region in the central Mediterranean Sea. However, in most of the adjacent countries, the species' abundance and distribution are practically unknown. An actively reproducing sub-population with a minimum of 25 adult/sub-adult seals lives in the Greek central Ionian Sea. The latter can form a nucleus from which the entire Adriatic-Ionian Basin could be re-colonized if adequate conservation measures are implemented throughout the area and in a coordinated manner. We examine the historical presence in the region as a baseline for providing a benchmark for conservation. We further look into the species' habitat availability, possibilities for a rapid population assessment and various parameters that are considered crucial for its conservation, such as the existence of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), corridors for connectivity purposes as well as needs for raising public awareness. We recommend a series of interlinked actions within the framework of a conservation strategy the implementation of which will ensure the conditions for maintaining ecologically, demographically, and genetically viable sub-populations of this species emblematic for the entire Mediterranean Sea. To achieve this goal, a coalition of partners from this area is required in order to adopt the strategy and jointly implement the measures required

Early signs of memory impairment among multiple sclerosis patients with clinically isolated syndrome

Abstract. The study investigates primary and secondary verbal memory and motor/executive functions (response inhibition and strategy shifting ability) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). We studied 44 CIS patients and compared them to 49 patients with relapsing remitting MS (RR-MS) displaying mild disability and to a large cohort of ageand education level-matched healthy volunteers (n = 230). Results showed that both CIS and RR-MS patients evidenced a disproportionate impairment in the immediate and delayed recall of the second (as compared to the first) of two short narratives of the Logical Memory WMS-III subtest, and reduced performance on the Memory for Digits-Forward. Performance of either group on the executive tasks was not impaired, showing evidence of a reversed speed-accuracy trade-off. Illness duration emerged as a significant predictor of memory and executive task performance. Clinical, psychoemotional, and brain imaging findings were also examined as potential correlates of memory deficits and disease progression among CIS patients. These findings may signify early-onset decline of specific cognitive functions in CIS, which merits regular follow-up assessments and monitoring of psychoemotional adaptation and everyday functioning

An Epidemiological Study of Non-specific Low Back Pain in Non-professional Female Greek Classic Ballet Dancers.

Abstract Aim: Epidemiological study of the incidence of mechanical low back pain (LBP) in non-professional female Greek classic ballet dancers over a year and therapeutic interventions required to address symptoms. Materials and methods: Forty-six female classic ballet dancers members of preprofessional schools, aged 16-37 years (mean 28.8 ±5.44 yrs) practicing and training in classic dance for 6-40 hours/week (mean 10.8±6.68) and 2-27 years experience (mean 11.9±4.20 yrs) participated in an epidemiological study concerning the incidence of LBP episodes within the last year, the treatment they received, as well as the period of absence of training and performance due to LBP. A selfadministered questionnaire was employed. Information regarding incidence, duration, and intensity of mechanical low back pain was gathered as well as length of time away from practice or performance. A secondary aim was to investigate the type of conservative treatment that participants in this study received. Results: Thirty-one (67.4%) participants in the study experienced 1-10 (mean 3.26±1.7) episodes of mechanical LBP in the previous 12 months. They had to refrain from dancing activities from 2 to 90 days (mean 16.9±16.22). Twenty one of the participants received some kind of conservative treatment. Conclusion: The incidence of LBP was found to be high among Greek amateur classic ballet dancers resulting in absence from dancing activities for a considerable length of time and raising the need for therapeutic intervention for a considerable percentage of the studied population. Effective prevention strategies of LBP are of vital importance, particularly in younger dancers

Agnoprotein Is an Essential Egress Factor during BK Polyomavirus Infection.

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV; hereafter referred to as BK) causes a lifelong chronic infection and is associated with debilitating disease in kidney transplant recipients. Despite its importance, aspects of the virus life cycle remain poorly understood. In addition to the structural proteins, the late region of the BK genome encodes for an auxiliary protein called agnoprotein. Studies on other polyomavirus agnoproteins have suggested that the protein may contribute to virion infectivity. Here, we demonstrate an essential role for agnoprotein in BK virus release. Viruses lacking agnoprotein fail to release from host cells and do not propagate to wild-type levels. Despite this, agnoprotein is not essential for virion infectivity or morphogenesis. Instead, agnoprotein expression correlates with nuclear egress of BK virions. We demonstrate that the agnoprotein binding partner α-soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion (NSF) attachment protein (α-SNAP) is necessary for BK virion release, and siRNA knockdown of α-SNAP prevents nuclear release of wild-type BK virions. These data highlight a novel role for agnoprotein and begin to reveal the mechanism by which polyomaviruses leave an infected cell

3D Airway changes using CBCT in patients following mandibular setback surgery ± maxillary advancement

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149310/1/ocr12291_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149310/2/ocr12291.pd