Effect of age on chemical element contents in female thyroid investigated by some nuclear analytical methods

A prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is higher in the elderly as compared to the younger population. An excess or deficiency of chemical element contents in thyroid may play an important role in goitro- and carcinogenesis of gland. The variation with age of the mass fraction of twenty chemical elements (Ag, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, and Zn) in intact (normal) thyroid of 33 females (mean age 54.5 years, range 3.5-87) was investigated by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescent analysis and instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of short- and long-lived radionuclides. This work revealed that there is an increase in Br, Ca, Co, Fe, Rb, Sb, Se, and Zn mass fraction, as well as a decrease in Cl mass fraction in the normal thyroid of female during a lifespan. Therefore, a goitrogenic and carcinogenic effect of inadequate Br, Ca, Co, Fe, Rb, Sb, Se, and Zn level in the thyroid of old females with increasing age may be assumed

Using prostatic fluid levels of zinc concentration in non-invasive and highly accurate screening for prostate cancer

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) does not provide the high reliability and precision that is required for an accurate screening for prostate cancer (PCa).  The aim of our study was to search for a simple, rapid, direct, preferably non-invasive, and highly accurate biomarker and procedure for the screening for PCa. For this purpose the level of Zn was prospectively evaluated in expressed prostatic fluid (EPF), obtained from 38 apparently healthy males and from 33, 51, and 24 patients with chronic prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia and PCa, respectively. Measurements were performed using an application of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescent (EDXRF) microanalysis developed by us. It was found that in the EPF of cancerous prostates the level of Zn was significantly lower in comparison with those in the EPF of normal, inflamed, and hyperplastic prostates. It was shown that “Sensitivity”, “Specificity” and “Accuracy” of PCa identification using the Zn level in the EPF samples were all significantly higher than those resulting from of PSA tests in blood serum. It was concluded that the Zn level in EPF, obtained by EDXRF, is a fast, reliable, and non-invasive diagnostic tool that can be successfully used by local, non-urologist physicians at the point-of-care to provide a highly effective PCa screening and as an additional confirmatory test before a prostate gland biopsy. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.360684

Effect of age on the Br, Fe, Rb, Sr, and Zn concentrations in human prostatic fluid investigated by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescent microanalysis

The effect of age on Br, Fe, Rb, Sr, and Zn concentrations in human prostatic fluid was investigated by 109Cd radionuclide-induced energy dispersive X-ray fluorescent microanalysis. Specimens of expressed prostatic fluid were obtained from 51 men (mean age 51 years, range 18-82 years) with apparently normal prostates using standard rectal massage procedure. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) for concentration of trace elements (mg·l-1) in human prostate fluid were: Br 3.58±0.59, Fe 9.04±1.21, Rb 1.10±0.08, Sr 1.08±0.17, and Zn 573±35. An age-related increase in Zn content and decrease in Br and Fe concentration was observed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.144721

Harnessing IGF-1 and IL-2 as biomarkers for calcineurin activity to tailor optimal FK506 dosage in α-synucleinopathies

Introduction: Rise in Calcium (Ca2+) and hyperactive Ca2+-dependent phosphatase calcineurin represent two key determinants of a-synuclein (a-syn) pathobiology implicated in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Calcineurin activity can be inhibited with FK506, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved compound. Our previous work demonstrated a protective effect of low doses of FK506 against a-syn pathology in various models of a-syn related pathobiology.Methods: Control and a-syn-expressing mice (12-18 months old) were injected with vehicle or two single doses of FK506 administered 4 days apart. Cerebral cortex and serum from these mice were collected and assayed using a meso scale discovery quickplex SQ 120 for cytokines and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IGF-1.Results: In this study we present evidence that reducing calcineurin activity with FK506 in a-syn transgenic mice increased insulin growth factor (IGF-1), while simultaneously decreasing IL-2 levels in both cerebral cortex and serum.Discussion: The highly conserved Ca2+/calcineurin signaling pathway is known to be affected in a-syn-dependent human disease. FK506, an already approved drug for other uses, exhibits high brain penetrance and a proven safety profile. IL-2 and IGF-1 are produced throughout life and can be measured using standard clinical methods. Our findings provide two potential biomarkers that could guide a clinical trial of FK506 in PD patients, without posing significant logistical or regulatory challenges

The Herpesvirus VP1/2 Protein Is an Effector of Dynein-Mediated Capsid Transport and Neuroinvasion

Microtubule transport of herpesvirus capsids from the cell periphery to the nucleus is imperative for viral replication and, in the case of many alphaherpesviruses, transmission into the nervous system. Using the neuroinvasive herpesvirus, pseudorabies virus (PRV), we show that the viral protein 1/2 (VP1/2) tegument protein associates with the dynein/dynactin microtubule motor complex and promotes retrograde microtubule transport of PRV capsids. Functional activation of VP1/2 requires binding to the capsid protein pUL25 or removal of the capsid-binding domain. A proline-rich sequence within VP1/2 is required for the efficient interaction with the dynein/ dynactin microtubule motor complex as well as for PRV virulence and retrograde axon transport in vivo. Additionally, in the absence of infection, functionally active VP1/2 is sufficient to move large surrogate cargoes via the dynein/dynactin microtubule motor complex. Thus, VP1/2 tethers PRV capsids to dynein/dynactin to enhance microtubule transport, neuroinvasion, and pathogenesis

The mating-specific Gα interacts with a kinesin-14 and regulates pheromone-induced nuclear migration in budding yeast

As a budding yeast cell elongates toward its mating partner, cytoplasmic microtubules connect the nucleus to the cell cortex at the growth tip. The Kar3 kinesin-like motor protein is then thought to stimulate plus-end depolymerization of these microtubules, thus drawing the nucleus closer to the site where cell fusion and karyogamy will occur. Here, we show that pheromone stimulates a microtubule-independent interaction between Kar3 and the mating-specific Gα protein Gpa1 and that Gpa1 affects both microtubule orientation and cortical contact. The membrane localization of Gpa1 was found to polarize early in the mating response, at about the same time that the microtubules begin to attach to the incipient growth site. In the absence of Gpa1, microtubules lose contact with the cortex upon shrinking and Kar3 is improperly localized, suggesting that Gpa1 is a cortical anchor for Kar3. We infer that Gpa1 serves as a positional determinant for Kar3-bound microtubule plus ends during mating. © 2009 by The American Society for Cell Biology

Significance of trace element quantities in the prostatic secretion of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer

Aim: Benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer is an internationally important health problem of the man, particularly in developed countries. The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate whether significant difference in the levels of Zn and some other trace elements of prostatic fluid exist between the inflamed and malignantly transformed prostate.Methods: Prostatic fluid levels of Br, Fe, Rb, Sr, and Zn were prospectively evaluated in 52 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and 24 patients with prostate cancer. Measurements were performed using 109Cd radionuclide-induced energy dispersive X-ray fluorescent microanalysis. Prostatic fluid samples were divided into two portions. One was used for cytological study to exclude prostatitis, while the other was intended for trace element analysis.Results: Mean values ± standard error of means for concentration (mg/L) of trace element in the prostatic fluid of hyperplastic prostate were: Br 2.32 ± 0.30, Fe 11.5 ± 1.8, Rb 1.70 ± 0.23, Sr 1.41 ± 0.26, and Zn 488 ± 42. The contents of Rb and Zn were significantly lower (approximately 3.2 and 7.7 times, respectively) in fluid of cancerous prostate compared with those in fluid of hyperplastic prostate.Conclusion: There are significant differences in trace element contents in the fluid of hyperplastic and malignantly transformed prostate. The great decrease in levels of Rb and Zn in the fluid of cancerous prostate might demonstrate an involvement of these trace elements in etiology and pathogenesis of malignant prostate tumors. It was supposed that the differences in Rb and Zn levels in prostatic fluid can be used as tumor markers

Levels of chemical element contents in thyroid as potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis (a preliminary study)

Aim: Thyroid cancer is an internationally important health problem. The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate whether significantchanges in the thyroid tissue levels of Al, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Cu, Fe, I, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Si, Sr, V, and Zn exist in the malignantly transformed thyroid.Methods: Thyroid tissue levels of twenty chemical elements were prospectively evaluated in 41 patients with thyroid malignant tumors and 105 healthy inhabitants. Measurements were performed using a combination of non-destructive and destructive methods: instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, respectively. Tissue samples were divided into two portions. One was used for morphological study while the other was intended for trace element analysis.Results: It was found that contents of Al, B, Br, Ca, Cl, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, and Si were significantly higher (approximately 3.2, 4.6, 9.3, 1.8, 2.3, 3.6, 1.6, 1.6, 1.6, 1.2, 2.5, 1.1, and 2.8 times, respectively) while content of I lower (nearly 26 times) in cancerous tissues than in normal tissues.Conclusion: There are considerable changes in chemical element contents in the malignantly transformed tissue of thyroid

Intracellular calcium excess as one of the main factors in the etiology of prostate cancer

Numerous studies show that prostate cancer (PCa) incidence drastically increases with age, these malignant tumours are mainly formed in the peripheral zone of the prostate gland, and a high intake of calcium rich dairy products is associated with an increased risk of PCa. The main objective of this study was to identify a potential common pathophysiological factor associated with the PCa features mentioned above. We performed measurements of the intracellular Ca concentrations in the peripheral zones of nonhyperplastic prostate glands of 99 males aged 0–87 years. To clarify the age-related changes in the intracellular Ca, a quantitative morphometric and two analytical methods of Ca determination were employed. We found, that in 18–45 years old males intracellular Ca was maintained at a relatively high concentration, which steadily increased with age. The intracellular Ca accumulation increased after the age of 45. We found, that by the age of 55, Ca level in the prostatic cells of the peripheral zone reached concentration, which is two-to-four-fold higher than in the 18 year olds. Age-dependent accumulation of Ca in the peripheral zone of human prostate gland has been previously unrecognized and could play an important role in the etiology of PCa

Effect of age on chemical element contents in female thyroid investigated by some nuclear analytical methods

<p>A prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is higher in the elderly as compared to the younger population. An excess or deficiency of chemical element contents in thyroid may play an important role in goitro- and carcinogenesis of gland. The variation with age of the mass fraction of twenty chemical elements (Ag, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, and Zn) in intact (normal) thyroid of 33 females (mean age 54.5 years, range 3.5-87) was investigated by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescent analysis and instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of short- and long-lived radionuclides. This work revealed that there is an increase in Br, Ca, Co, Fe, Rb, Sb, Se, and Zn mass fraction, as well as a decrease in Cl mass fraction in the normal thyroid of female during a lifespan. Therefore, a goitrogenic and carcinogenic effect of inadequate Br, Ca, Co, Fe, Rb, Sb, Se, and Zn level in the thyroid of old females with increasing age may be assumed.</p