The Cebpd (C/EBPδ) Gene Is Induced by Luteinizing Hormones in Ovarian Theca and Interstitial Cells But Is Not Essential for Mouse Ovary Function

The CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (CEBP) family of transcription factors includes five genes. In the ovary, both Cebpa and Cebpb are essential for granulosa cell function. In this study we have explored the role of the Cebpd gene in ovarian physiology by expression and functional studies. Here we report that Cebpd (C/EBPδ) is expressed in the mouse ovary in a highly restricted temporal and spatial pattern. In response to luteinizing hormone (LH/hCG), CEBPD expression is transiently induced in interstitial cells and in theca cells of follicles from the primary to pre-ovulatory stage, and overlaps in part with expression of the alpha-smooth muscle actin protein. Efficient down-regulation of CEBPD was dependent on a functional Cebpb gene. Proliferating human theca cells in culture also express Cebpd. Cells from patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) exhibited higher Cebpd expression levels. However, deletion of Cebpd in mice had no overt effect on ovarian physiology and reproductive function. Very little is known at present about the molecular mechanisms underlying theca/interstitial cell functions. The expression pattern of CEBPD reported here identifies a novel functional unit of mouse theca cells of primary through tertiary follicles responding to LH/hCG together with a subset of interstitial cells. This acute stimulation of CEBPD expression may be exploited to further characterize the hormonal regulation and function of theca and interstitial cells

CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins in normal mammary development and breast cancer

CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) are a family of leucine zipper, transcription factors that bind to DNA as homodimers and heterodimers. They regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in the mammary gland. Multiple protein isoforms, including truncated, dominant negatives, are generated by translation of the C/EBPβ transcript or via proteolytic cleavage of the full-length C/EBPβ protein. Gene deletion of individual C/EBP family members has demonstrated an essential role for C/EBPβ in normal mammary development, while transgenic and overexpression studies provide evidence that the dominant-negative C/EBPβ-liver-enriched inhibitory protein isoform induces proliferation in mammary epithelial cells. Mounting evidence suggests that alterations in the ratio of the C/EBPβ-liver-enriched inhibitory protein isoform and the C/EBPβ-liver-enriched activating protein isoform may play a role in the development of breast cancer. This review will consequently focus on C/EBP actions in normal mammary development and on the emerging data that supports a role in breast cancer

Impaired contractile function of the supraspinatus in the acute period following a rotator cuff tear

Background: Rotator cuff (RTC) tears are a common clinical problem resulting in adverse changes to the muscle, but there is limited information comparing histopathology to contractile function. This study assessed supraspinatus force and susceptibility to injury in the rat model of RTC tear, and compared these functional changes to histopathology of the muscle. Methods: Unilateral RTC tears were induced in male rats via tenotomy of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. Maximal tetanic force and susceptibility to injury of the supraspinatus muscle were measured in vivo at day 2 and day 15 after tenotomy. Supraspinatus muscles were weighed and harvested for histologic analysis of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), intramuscular lipid, and collagen. Results: Tenotomy resulted in eventual atrophy and weakness. Despite no loss in muscle mass at day 2 there was a 30% reduction in contractile force, and a decrease in NMJ continuity and size. Reduced force persisted at day 15, a time point when muscle atrophy was evident but NMJ morphology was restored. At day 15, torn muscles had decreased collagen-packing density and were also more susceptible to contraction-induced injury. Conclusion: Muscle size and histopathology are not direct indicators of overall RTC contractile health. Changes in NMJ morphology and collagen organization were associated with changes in contractile function and thus may play a role in response to injury. Although our findings are limited to the acute phase after a RTC tear, the most salient finding is that RTC tenotomy results in increased susceptibility to injury of the supraspinatus

Predisposição ao uso e abuso de álcool entre estudantes de graduação em enfermagem da UFRN La predisposición al uso y abuso de alcohol entre estudiantes de graduación en enfermería de la UFRN Predisposition to the use and abuse of alcohol among students of graduation in nursing of UFRN

Estudo de natureza exploratória descritiva com abordagem quantitativa, avaliou a predisposição para o uso e abuso do álcool na Graduação em Enfermagem/UFRN. A amostra foi composta por 42 alunos regularmente matriculados, sendo 76% do gênero feminino. Utilizou-se o questionário CAGE acrescido de itens sobre a síndrome da abstinência alcoólica. Metade (50%) faz uso de álcool, com idade entre 21 e 22 anos (41%). O maior consumo está no quinto período (38%), seguido do terceiro (19%). Dentre os pesquisados, 34% sentem-se fisicamente mal após beberem, 33% tropeçam, cambaleiam e trançam as pernas, e 33% sentem calor e suam. No que se refere aos sintomas mentais e emocionais, 50% referiram lentidão do raciocínio, 25% sensações estranhas e assustadoras quando bebem, e 25%, perda da memória. Conclui-se que há predisposição para o uso e abuso do álcool, e uma tendência ao alcoolismo feminino.<br>El estudio de naturaleza exploratoria descriptiva con el acercamiento cuantitativo, evalu�� la predisposición para el uso y abuso del alcoholen la Graduación en enfermería /UFRN. La muestra estaba regularmente compuesta por 42 estudiantes se enrollados, mientras siendo 76% del género femenino. La CAGE investigación se usó agregada de artículos enel síndrome de la abstinencia alcohólica. Medio (50%) hace uso de alcohol, con la edad entre 21 a 22 años (41%). El consumo más grande está en el quinto período (38%), siguiendo por la tercera período (19%) entre los investigó, 34% se sentían males físicamente después de haber bebido, 33% viaje, oscilación y trenza las piernas, y 33% se sentían calientes y sudor. En lo que se refiere a los síntomas mentales y emocionales, 50% se refirieron lentitud del razonamiento, 25% sensaciones extrañas y aterradoras cuando ellos beben, y 25% pérdida de la memoria. Se acabó que hay predisposición para el uso y abuso del alcohol, y una tendencia al alcoholismo femenino.<br>Study of descriptive exploratory nature with quantitative approach, evaluated the predisposition for the use and abuse of the alcohol in the Graduation in Nursing/UFRN. The sample was composed by 42 students regularly enrolled, being 76% of the feminine gender. The CAGE questionnaire was used added of items on the syndrome of the alcoholic abstinence. Half (50%) makes use of alcohol, with age among 21 to 22 years (41%). The largest consumption is in the fifth period (38%), following by the third period (19%) among researched them, 34% felt bad physically after having drunk, 33% trip, sway and braid the legs, and33% felt hot and sweat. In what refers to the mental and emotional symptoms, 50% referred slowness of the reasoning, 25% strange and frightening sensations when they drink, and 25% loss of the memory. It was ended that there is predisposition for the use and abuse of the alcohol and a tendency to the feminine alcoholism

Biological and clinical relevance of quantitative global methylation of repetitive DNA sequences in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Global DNA hypomethylation affecting repeat sequences has been reported in different cancer types. Herein, we investigated the methylation levels of repetitive DNA elements in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), their correlation with the major cytogenetic and molecular features, and clinical relevance in predicting therapy-free survival (TFS). A quantitative bisulfite-PCR Pyrosequencing method was used to evaluate methylation of Alu, long interspersed nuclear elements-1 (LINE-1) and satellite-α (SAT-α) sequences in 77 untreated early-stage (Binet A) CLL patients. Peripheral B-cells from 7 healthy donors were used as controls. Methylation levels (median %5mC) were lower in B-CLLs compared with controls (21.4 vs. 25.9; 66.8 vs. 85.7; 84.0, vs. 88.2 for Alu, LINE-1 and SAT-α, respectively) (p < 0.001). Among CLL patients, a significant association was observed with 17p13.1 deletion (16.8 vs. 22.4; 51.2 vs. 68.5; 52.6 vs. 85.0, for Alu, LINE-1 and SAT-α) but not with other major genetic lesions, IgVH mutation status, CD38 or ZAP-70 expression. Follow-up analyses showed that lower SAT-α methylation levels appeared to be an independent prognostic marker significantly associated with shorter TFS. Our study extended previous limited evidences in methylation of repetitive sequences in CLL suggesting an important biological and clinical relevance in the disease