Use of recombinant lentivirus pseudotyped with vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein G for efficient generation of human anti-cancer chimeric T cells by transduction of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro

BACKGROUND: Genetic redirection of lymphocytes that have been genetically engineered to recognize antigens other than those originally programmed in their germlines is a potentially powerful tool for immunotherapy of cancers and potentially also of persistent viral infections. The basis for this procedure is that both cancers and some viruses have developed strikingly similar mechanisms of evading attacks by host immune mechanisms. To redirect human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) with a chimeric T cell receptor (chTCR) so that they recognize a new target requires a high degree of transfection efficiency, a process that is regarded as technically demanding. RESULTS: Infection with a retroviral vector carrying a chTCR cassette was shown to transduce 100% of rapidly dividing murine T cells but typically, only ~10% of PBLs could be infected with the same vector. In contrast with other retroviruses, lentiviruses integrate their genomes into non-dividing cells. To increase host cell range, vesicular stomatitis virus G protein was pseudotyped with a lentivirus vector, which resulted in ~100% PBL transduction efficiency. Signaling of PBLs bearing chimeric receptors was shown by specific proliferation on exposure to cells expressing cognate ligand. Further, T-bodies against CEA showed a startling abilty to cause regression of maligant colon tumors in a nude mouse model of human cancer. CONCLUSION: A lentivirus/VSV pseudotyped virus, which does not require replicating cells for integration of its genome, efficiently transduced a high proportion of human PBLs with chTCRs against CEA. PBLs transduced by infection with a lentivirus/VSV pseudotyped vector were able to proliferate specifically in vitro on exposure to CEA-expressing cells and further they had a startling therapeutic effect in a mouse model of human colon cancer

The application of deep eutectic solvent ionic liquids for environmentally-friendly dissolution and recovery of precious metals

publisher: Elsevier articletitle: The application of deep eutectic solvent ionic liquids for environmentally-friendly dissolution and recovery of precious metals journaltitle: Minerals Engineering articlelink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2015.09.026 content_type: article copyright: Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Feature Based Cut Detection with Automatic Threshold Selection

There has been much work concentrated on creating accurate shot boundary detection algorithms in recent years. However a truly accurate method of cut detection still eludes researchers in general. In this work we present a scheme based on stable feature tracking for inter frame differencing. Furthermore, we present a method to stabilize the differences and automatically detect a global threshold to achieve a high detection rate. We compare our scheme against other cut detection techniques on a variety of data sources that have been specifically selected because of the difficulties they present due to quick motion, highly edited sequences and computer-generated effects

Lfc and Lsc Oncoproteins Represent Two New Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors for the Rho GTP-binding Protein

Lfc and Lsc are two recently identified oncoproteins that contain a Dbl homology domain in tandem with a pleckstrin homology domain and thus share sequence similarity with a number of other growth regulatory proteins including Dbl, Tiam-1, and Lbc. We show here that Lfc and Lsc, like their closest relative Lbc, are highly specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) for Rho, causing a >10-fold stimulation of [3H]GDP dissociation from Rho and a marked stimulation of GDP-[35S]GTPgammas (guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) exchange. All three proteins (Lbc, Lfc, and Lsc) are able to act catalytically in stimulating the guanine nucleotide exchange activity, such that a single molecule of each of these oncoproteins can activate a number of molecules of Rho. Neither Lfc nor Lsc shows any ability to stimulate GDP dissociation from other related GTP-binding proteins such as Rac, Cdc42, or Ras. Thus Lbc, Lfc, and Lsc appear to represent a subgroup of Dbl-related proteins that function as highly specific GEFs toward Rho and can be distinguished from Dbl, Ost, and Dbs which are less specific and show GEF activity toward both Rho and Cdc42. Consistent with these results, Lbc, Lfc, and Lsc each form tight complexes with the guanine nucleotide-depleted form of Rho and bind weakly to the GDP- and GTPgammaS-bound states. None of these oncoproteins are able to form complexes with Cdc42 or Ras. However, Lfc (but not Lbc nor Lsc) can bind to Rac, and this binding occurs equally well when Rac is nucleotide-depleted or is in the GDP- or GTPgammaS-bound state. These findings raise the possibility that in addition to acting directly as a GEF for Rho, Lfc may play other roles that influence the signaling activities of Rac and/or coordinate the activities of the Rac and Rho proteins

Expression Cloning of lsc , a Novel Oncogene with Structural Similarities to the Dbl Family of Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors

In a screen for genes with oncogenic potential expressed by the murine B6SUtA1 myeloid progenitor cell line, we isolated a 2. 5-kilobase pair cDNA whose expression causes strong morphological transformation and deregulated proliferation of NIH 3T3 cells. The transforming cDNA encodes a truncated protein (designated Lsc) with a region of sequence similarity to the product of the lbc oncogene. This region includes the tandem Dbl homology and pleckstrin homology domains that are hallmarks of the Dbl-like proteins, a family of presumptive or demonstrated guanine nucleotide exchange factors that act on Rho family GTPases. Lsc requires intact Dbl homology and pleckstrin homology domains for its oncogenic activity. The transforming activity of Lsc in NIH 3T3 cells is reduced by cotransfection with p190 (a GTPase activating protein for Rho family GTPases) and the Rho family dominant-negative mutants RhoA(19N), CDC42(17N), and Rac1(17N). These results indicate a role for the Rho family of GTPases in mediating the transforming activity of Lsc and are consistent with the exchange specificities that have been attributed to Dbl family members. The lsc gene is expressed in a variety of tissues and is particularly abundant in hemopoietic tissues (thymus, spleen, and bone marrow). Lsc is a member of a growing family of proteins that may function as activators of Rho family GTPases in a developmental or tissue-specific manner

Effects of colpocleisis on bowel symptoms among women with severe pelvic organ prolapse

Our objective was to evaluate bowel symptoms after colpocleisis

Regulation of RasGRP via a Phorbol Ester-Responsive C1 Domain

As part of a cDNA library screen for clones that induce transformation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, we have isolated a cDNA encoding the murine homolog of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor RasGRP. A point mutation predicted to prevent interaction with Ras abolished the ability of murine RasGRP (mRasGRP) to transform fibroblasts and to activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases). MAP kinase activation via mRasGRP was enhanced by coexpression of H-, K-, and N-Ras and was partially suppressed by coexpression of dominant negative forms of H- and K-Ras. The C terminus of mRasGRP contains a pair of EF hands and a C1 domain which is very similar to the phorbol ester- and diacylglycerol-binding C1 domains of protein kinase Cs. The EF hands could be deleted without affecting the ability of mRasGRP to transform NIH 3T3 cells. In contrast, deletion of the C1 domain or an adjacent cluster of basic amino acids eliminated the transforming activity of mRasGRP. Transformation and MAP kinase activation via mRasGRP were restored if the deleted C1 domain was replaced either by a membrane-localizing prenylation signal or by a diacylglycerol- and phorbol ester-binding C1 domain of protein kinase C. The transforming activity of mRasGRP could be regulated by phorbol ester when serum concentrations were low, and this effect of phorbol ester was dependent on the C1 domain of mRasGRP. The C1 domain could also confer phorbol myristate acetate-regulated transforming activity on a prenylation-defective mutant of K-Ras. The C1 domain mediated the translocation of mRasGRP to cell membranes in response to either phorbol ester or serum stimulation. These results suggest that the primary mechanism of activation of mRasGRP in fibroblasts is through its recruitment to diacylglycerol-enriched membranes. mRasGRP is expressed in lymphoid tissues and the brain, as well as in some lymphoid cell lines. In these cells, RasGRP has the potential to serve as a direct link between receptors which stimulate diacylglycerol-generating phospholipase Cs and the activation of Ras

Protocol for: Sheffield Obesity Trial (SHOT): A randomised controlled trial of exercise therapy and mental health outcomes in obese adolescents [ISRCNT83888112]

Background While obesity is known to have many physiological consequences, the psychopathology of this condition has not featured prominently in the literature. Cross-sectional studies have indicated that obese children have increased odds of experiencing poor quality of life and mental health. However, very limited trial evidence has examined the efficacy of exercise therapy for enhancing mental health outcomes in obese children, and the Sheffield Obesity Trial (SHOT) will provide evidence of the efficacy of supervised exercise therapy in obese young people aged 11–16 years versus usual care and an attention-control intervention. Method/design SHOT is a randomised controlled trial where obese young people are randomised to receive; (1) exercise therapy, (2) attention-control intervention (involving body-conditioning exercises and games that do not involve aerobic activity), or (3) usual care. The exercise therapy and attention-control sessions will take place three times per week for eight weeks and a six-week home programme will follow this. Ninety adolescents aged between 11–16 years referred from a children's hospital for evaluation of obesity or via community advertisements will need to complete the study. Participants will be recruited according to the following criteria: (1) clinically obese and aged 11–16 years (Body Mass Index Centile > 98th UK standard) (2) no medical condition that would restrict ability to be active three times per week for eight weeks and (3) not diagnosed with insulin dependent diabetes or receiving oral steroids. Assessments of outcomes will take place at baseline, as well as four (intervention midpoint) and eight weeks (end of intervention) from baseline. Participants will be reassessed on outcome measures five and seven months from baseline. The primary endpoint is physical self-perceptions. Secondary outcomes include physical activity, self-perceptions, depression, affect, aerobic fitness and BMI

A Phase II Trial of Pyrazine Diazohydroxide in Patients with Disseminated Malignant Melanoma and no Prior Chemotherapy – Southwest Oncology Group Study

Malignant melanoma is rapidly increasing inthe United States. Metastatic diseaseresponds poorly to currently availablechemotherapy. Pyrazine diazohydroxide(PZDH) is a new agent inhibiting DNAsynthesis that is active in mouse tumormodels and human xenografts and lackscross resistance withmultiple standard agents. In this phase IItrial, patients with no prior chemotherapyor immunotherapyfor metastatic disease and performancestatus (SWOG) of 0–1, were treated withpyrazine diazohydroxide at a dose of 100 mg/m 2 /day by IV bolus injectionover 5–15 minutes for 5 consecutive daysevery 6 weeks. There were 23 eligiblepatients entered on this trial with 74%having PS of 0 and 91% having visceralmetastases. There were no confirmed anti-tumor responses. Theoverall response rate is 0% (95% CI 0%–15%). Median overall survival is sixmonths (95% CI 5-8months). The most common toxicities were hematologic and consisted of lymphopenia,thrombocytopenia, anemia, and leukopenia. Fatigue, and nausea and vomiting were thenext mostcommon toxicities. Pyrazine diazohydroxideby this dose and schedule has insufficientactivity in thetreatment of disseminated malignantmelanoma to warrant further investigation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45216/1/10637_2004_Article_390690.pd

Determinants of Agricultural Pesticide Concentrations in Carpet Dust

Background: Residential proximity to agricultural pesticide applications has been used as a surrogate for exposure in epidemiologic studies, although little is known about the relationship with levels of pesticides in homes