HuR overexpression in MB231 breast cancer cells

Abstract only availableCancer cells share acquired capabilities necessary for their malignant transformation. These "hallmarks of cancer" include increased proliferation, self-sufficiency in growth signals, insensitivity to antigrowth signals, evasion of apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis (Hanahan and Weinberg 2000). HuR is a RNA-binding protein which has been implicated in regulating mRNAs involved in each of these characteristics. We hypothesize that HuR maintains the growth characteristics of malignant cancer cells through the stabilization and increased translation of cancer relevant genes. If HuR does enhance malignancy then the overexpression of HuR would amplify the capabilites of malignant cancer cells and increase cell proliferation. This hypothesis was tested by creating a breast cancer cell line that stably overexpresses HuR. A vector overexpressing HuR was created by ligating a PCR amplified insert containing HuR and a HA hemagluttin tag into a Zeocin resistant episomal plasmid. Cells normally express HuR, so the tag was used to distinguish the overexpressed HuR from endogenous HuR. This plasmid was used to transfect MB-231 estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer cells. After transfection, Zeocin selected against the cells that did not incorporate the plasmid. Western Blots for the surviving cells revealed that HA HuR was expressed, implying that the cells were overexpressing HuR. Proliferation assays of heterogenous populations of both HA HuR-containing and normal MB231 cells yield no difference in cell division. Further experiments will use homogenous populations that highly overexpress HuR to see if HuR overexpression alters the proliferation and cell cycle capabilities of these cells. References: "Hallmarks of Cancer" Hanahan, Douglas and Weinberg, Robert A. Cell. Vol. 100, 57-70. 200

Automatic reconstruction of 3D neuron structures using a graph-augmented deformable model

Motivation: Digital reconstruction of 3D neuron structures is an important step toward reverse engineering the wiring and functions of a brain. However, despite a number of existing studies, this task is still challenging, especially when a 3D microscopic image has low single-to-noise ratio and discontinued segments of neurite patterns

Plasma Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Interleukin-6 in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Aim. Recent research implicated place of an immune mechanism in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Despite increasing evidence involvement of cytokine release in OCD, results of the studies are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of the cytokines; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in OCD patients. Methods. Plasma concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were measured in 31 drug-free outpatients with OCD, and 31-year age and sex-matched healthy controls. TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations in blood were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. Both TNF-α and IL-6 levels showed statistically significant increases in OCD patients compared to controls (P < .000, P < .001, resp.). In addition, the age of onset was negatively correlated with TNF-α level (r = −.402, P = .025) and duration of illness was weakly correlated with IL-6 levels (r : .357; P : .048) in patients group. Conclusion. OCD patients showed increases in TNF-α and IL-6 levels compared to the healthy controls. This study provides evidence for alterations in the proinflamatory cytokines which suggest the involvement of the immune system in the pathophysiology of OCD

Optimization of micro and nanoimprint de-embossing by elastic fracture modelling

A semi-analytical model is presented for the de-embossing phase of the nanoimprint patterning process. The model is based on established principles of elastic fracture mechanics as developed for fibre-bridged cracking in composites. De-embossing is idealized as a steady-state fracture process, which enables the energy change to be considered by reference to a unit cell of a cylindrical polymer post, de-embossing from an axisymmetric stamp. The model provides predictions of the achievable limits for de-embossing as a function of key geometrical variables such as feature size, area ratio and aspect ratio and material properties such as interfacial adhesion, shear strength, polymer yield strength and the ratio of the elastic moduli of the polymer and the stamp. Process 'maps' have been created showing de-embossing limits. A strong dependence of the achievable aspect ratio on the pattern area ratio and the interfacial shear stress is seen. For polymer yield stresses similar to that of PMMA, the critical interfacial strain energy release rate has little effect on de-embossing. Large area and aspect ratios are predicted to be achievable by keeping the ratio of polymer and stamp Young's moduli between 0.015 and 2.5. The model provides key insights into the physical origins of previously observed limits on the achievable aspect ratios and area ratios achieved by imprint patternin

Treatment results and prognostic factors in primary thyroid lymphoma patients: a Rare Cancer Network study

Background: This study analyzed prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of primary thyroid lymphoma. Patients and Methods: Data were retrospectively collected for 87 patients (53 stage I and 34 stage II) with median age 65 years. Fifty-two patients were treated with single modality (31 with chemotherapy alone and 21 with radiotherapy alone) and 35 with combined modality treatment. Median follow-up was 51 months. Results: Sixty patients had aggressive lymphoma and 27 had indolent lymphoma. The 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were 74% and 71%, respectively, and the disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 68% and 64%. Univariate analysis revealed that age, tumor size, stage, lymph node involvement, B symptoms, and treatment modality were prognostic factors for OS, DFS, and local control (LC). Patients with thyroiditis had significantly better LC rates. In multivariate analysis, OS was influenced by age, B symptoms, lymph node involvement, and tumor size, whereas DFS and LC were influenced by B symptoms and tumor size. Compared with single modality treatment, patients treated with combined modality had better 5-year OS, DFS, and LC. Conclusions: Combined modality leads to an excellent prognosis for patients with aggressive lymphoma but does not improve OS and LC in patients with indolent lymphom

An innovative tailored instructional design for computer programming courses in engineering

Industry 4.0 and 5.0 topics are emerging fields and have seen rising demand recently. There is a critical need, on the other hand, for improved methods of instructing programming languages since a growing lack of student motivation during the pandemic has had a deleterious influence on the education of programmers. In this context, online/hybrid computer programming courses must be addressed with innovative solutions to support the field with well-educated professionals. In this paper, we present a case study to propose an innovative tailored instructional design for the online/hybrid learning environments for programming courses in engineering faculties. To develop the instructional design, the Kemp Instructional Design Model was followed. The instructional design is a result of the main outputs of the RECOM “Redesigning Introductory Computer Programming Using Innovative Online Modules” project, which aims to bridge the gap between the existing course design in programming courses and the needs of "Covid” and “post-Covid” generation students

Do trauma cue exposure and/or PTSD symptom severity intensify selective approach bias toward cannabis cues in regular cannabis users with trauma histories?

Trauma cue-elicited activation of automatic cannabis-related cognitive biases are theorized to contribute to comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and cannabis use disorder. This phenomenon can be studied experimentally by combining the trauma cue reactivity paradigm (CRP) with cannabis-related cognitive processing tasks. In this study, we used a computerized cannabis approach-avoidance task (AAT) to assess automatic cannabis (vs. neutral) approach bias following personalized trauma (vs. neutral) CRP exposure. We hypothesized that selective cannabis (vs. neutral) approach biases on the AAT would be larger among participants with higher PTSD symptom severity, particularly following trauma (vs. neutral) cue exposure. We used a within-subjects experimental design with a continuous between-subjects moderator (PTSD symptom severity). Participants were exposed to both a trauma and neutral CRP in random order, completing a cannabis AAT (cannabis vs. neutral stimuli) following each cue exposure. Current cannabis users with histories of psychological trauma (n = 50; 34% male; mean age = 37.8 years) described their most traumatic lifetime event, and a similarly-detailed neutral event, according to an established interview protocol that served as the CRP. As hypothesized, an AAT stimulus type x PTSD symptom severity interaction emerged (p = .042) with approach bias greater to cannabis than neutral stimuli for participants with higher (p = .006), but not lower (p = .36), PTSD symptom severity. Contrasting expectations, the stimulus type x PTSD symptoms effect was not intensified by trauma cue exposure (p = .19). Selective cannabis approach bias may be chronically activated in cannabis users with higher PTSD symptom severity and may serve as an automatic cognitive mechanism to help explain PTSD-CUD co-morbidity.</p

Reverse flow digital artery pedicle flap for closure of diabetic forefoot ulceration

Digital artery pedicle flap is a useful surgical technique for coverage of plantar foot defects. For diabetic forefoot ulcers that are subject to recurrence despite consistent care, this flap can provide long-term durable closure. The authors provide a case report and overview of this innovative reconstructive procedure