Unusual Repertoire of Vocalizations in the BTBR T+tf/J Mouse Model of Autism

BTBR T+ tf/J (BTBR) is an inbred mouse strain that displays social abnormalities and repetitive behaviors analogous to the first and third diagnostic symptoms of autism. Here we investigate ultrasonic vocalizations in BTBR, to address the second diagnostic symptom of autism, communication deficits. As compared to the commonly used C57BL/6J (B6) strain, BTBR pups called more loudly and more frequently when separated from their mothers and siblings. Detailed analysis of ten categories of calls revealed an unusual pattern in BTBR as compared to B6. BTBR emitted high levels of harmonics, two-syllable, and composite calls, but minimal numbers of chevron-shaped syllables, upward, downward, and short calls. Because body weights were higher in BTBR than B6 pups, one possible explanation was that larger thoracic size was responsible for the louder calls and different distribution of syllable categories. To test this possibility, we recorded separation calls from FVB/NJ, a strain with body weights similar to BTBR, and 129X1/SvJ, a strain with body weights similar to B6. BTBR remained the outlier on number of calls, displaying low numbers of complex, upward, chevron, short, and frequency steps calls, along with high harmonics and composites. Further, developmental milestones and growth rates were accelerated in BTBR, indicating an unusual neurodevelopmental trajectory. Overall, our findings demonstrate strain-specific patterns of ultrasonic calls that may represent different lexicons, or innate variations in complex vocal repertoires, in genetically distinct strains of mice. Particularly intriguing is the unusual pattern of vocalizations and the more frequent, loud harmonics evident in the BTBR mouse model of autism that may resemble the atypical vocalizations seen in some autistic infants

PSA progression compared to radiographic or clinical progression in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with enzalutamide

Abstract only 105 Background: Enzalutamideis ahighly effective treatment in patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Although Prostate Cancer Working Group Guidelines (PCWG) recommend continuing treatment until radiographic progression of disease (rPD) or clinical progression (cPD), many patients discontinue therapy for rising PSA alone. Methods: We conducted an open label, randomized phase 2 clinical trial in mCRPC patients (on testosterone suppression therapy) previously untreated with docetaxel, abiraterone, or enzalutamide, comparing enzalutamide alone or in combination with PROSTVAC, a therapeutic cancer vaccine designed to induce an anti-tumor immune response. The study discontinued accrual after a planned interim analysis indicated no difference in progression between the two arms. Patients were followed beyond PSA progression (first of three confirmed PSA rises, evaluated monthly) until rPD per PCWG (scans done every 3 months per protocol). Results: A total of 57 patients were enrolled with a median follow up time of 55.4 months. Of those, 47 (82%) patients were Caucasian and seven (12%) patients were African American. The median age of patients on enrollment was 67.2 years. 49/57 (86%) patients had PSA progression and the median time to first PSA rise for all 57 patients combined was 6.4 months (95% CI: 3.7-11.0 months) after starting enzalutamide. 38/57 (67%) patients experienced progressive disease (majority with rPD and 1/38 (3%) with cPD), with the median time to progression for all 57 patients of 23.3 months (95% CI: 16.1-27.8 months). Conclusions: Consistent with PCWG recommendations, these data suggest that a rising PSA may not be a warning of near-term clinically significant disease progression in mCRPC patients given the nearly 17-month difference between the first rise in PSA and ultimate rPD or cPD seen in this analysis. These data highlight the need to continue to educate patients and providers on PCWG criteria for progression, which were also used in original trials that led to the FDA approval of enzalutamide, so as not to substantially limit the potential efficacy of mCRPC therapies such as enzalutamide. Clinical trial information: NCT01867333

Curcumin and synthetic analogs induce reactive oxygen species and decreases specificity protein (Sp) transcription factors by targeting microRNAs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Curcumin inhibits growth of several cancer cell lines, and studies in this laboratory in bladder and pancreatic cancer cells show that curcumin downregulates specificity protein (Sp) transcription factors Sp1, Sp3 and Sp4 and pro-oncogenic Sp-regulated genes. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of curcumin and several synthetic cyclohexanone and piperidine analogs in colon cancer cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The effects of curcumin and synthetic analogs on colon cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined using standardized assays. The changes in Sp proteins and Sp-regulated gene products were analysed by western blots, and real time PCR was used to determine microRNA-27a (miR-27a), miR-20a, miR-17-5p and ZBTB10 and ZBTB4 mRNA expression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The IC₅₀ (half-maximal) values for growth inhibition (24 hr) of colon cancer cells by curcumin and synthetic cyclohexanone and piperidine analogs of curcumin varied from 10 μM for curcumin to 0.7 μM for the most active synthetic piperidine analog RL197, which was used along with curcumin as model agents in this study. Curcumin and RL197 inhibited RKO and SW480 colon cancer cell growth and induced apoptosis, and this was accompanied by downregulation of specificity protein (Sp) transcription factors Sp1, Sp3 and Sp4 and Sp-regulated genes including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-MET), survivin, bcl-2, cyclin D1 and NFκB (p65 and p50). Curcumin and RL197 also induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cotreatment with the antioxidant glutathione significantly attenuated curcumin- and RL197-induced growth inhibition and downregulation of Sp1, Sp3, Sp4 and Sp-regulated genes. The mechanism of curcumin-/RL197-induced repression of Sp transcription factors was ROS-dependent and due to induction of the Sp repressors ZBTB10 and ZBTB4 and downregulation of microRNAs (miR)-27a, miR-20a and miR-17-5p that regulate these repressors.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results identify a new and highly potent curcumin derivative and demonstrate that in cells where curcumin and RL197 induce ROS, an important underlying mechanism of action involves perturbation of miR-ZBTB10/ZBTB4, resulting in the induction of these repressors which downregulate Sp transcription factors and Sp-regulated genes.</p