A near-infrared fluorescent probe with two-photon excitation for in situ imaging of NQO1 in human colorectum cancer tissue

Colorectum cancer has become one of the most fatal cancer diseases, in which NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) plays a role in intracellular free radical reduction and detoxification and has been linked to colorectum cancer and chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, rational design of optical probe for NQO1 detection is urgent for the early diagnosis of colorectum cancer. Herein, we have developed a novel two-photon fluorescent probe, WHFD, which is capable of selectively detecting of intracellular NQO1 with two-photon (TP) absorption (800 nm) and near-infrared emission (620 nm). Combination with a substantial Stokes shift (175 nm) and biocompatibility, we have assessed its suitability for in vivo imaging of endogenous NQO1 activities from HepG2 tumor-bearing live animals with high tissue penetration up to 300 μm. Particularly, we for the first time used the probe to image NQO1 activities from human colorectum cancer samples by using TP microscopy, and proving our probe possesses reliable diagnostic performance to directly in situ imaging of cancer biomarker and can clearly distinguish the boundary between human colorectum cancer tissue and their surrounding normal tissue, which shows great potential for the intraoperative navigation.

Stimuli-responsive biodegradable silica nanoparticles: From native structure designs to biological applications

Due to their inherent advantages, silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have greatly potential applications as bioactive materials in biosensors/biomedicine. However, the long-term and nonspecific accumulation in healthy tissues may give rise to toxicity, thereby impeding their widespread clinical application. Hence, it is imperative and noteworthy to develop biodegradable and clearable SiNPs for biomedical purposes. Recently, the design of multi-stimuli responsive SiNPs to improve degradation efficiency under specific pathological conditions has increased their clinical trial potential as theranostic nanoplatform. This review comprehensively summaries the rational design and recent progress of biodegradable SiNPs under various internal and external stimuli for rapid in vivo degradation and clearance. In addition, the factors that affect the biodegradation of SiNPs are also discussed. We believe that this systematic review will offer profound stimulus and timely guide for further research in the field of SiNP-based nanosensors/nanomedicine.

[Research on the establishment of standard limits for perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate in the "Standards for Drinking Water Quality（GB5749-2022）"in China]

Perfluorinated compounds, especially Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), are widely detected in water environments in China. Considering the potential health risks of drinking water exposure routes, PFOA and PFOS have been added to the water quality reference index of the newly issued "Standards for Drinking Water Quality (GB5749-2022)", with limit values of 40 and 80 ng/L, respectively. This study analyzed and discussed the relevant technical contents for determining the limits of the hygiene standard, including the environmental existence level and exposure status of PFOA and PFOS, health effects, derivation of safety reference values, and determination of hygiene standard limits. It also proposed prospects for the future direction of formulating drinking water standards.

[Research on the determination of the limit value of perchlorate in the "Standards for Drinking Water Quality（GB5749-2022）" in China]

Perchlorate is an environmental pollutant that has been a focus of attention in recent years. It has been detected in many environmental water bodies and drinking water in China, with a high level of presence in some areas of the Yangtze River Basin. The human body may ingest perchlorate through exposure pathways such as drinking water and food, and its main health effect is to affect the thyroid's absorption of iodine. The "Standards for Drinking Water Quality" (GB5749-2022) includes perchlorate as an expanded indicator of water quality, with a limit value of 0.07 mg/L. This article analyzes the technical content related to the determination of hygiene standard limits for perchlorate in drinking water, including the environmental presence level and exposure status of perchlorate, main health effects, derivation of safety reference values, and determination of hygiene standard limits.

Design and Synthesis of A Mitochondrial-Targeted JNK Inhibitor and Its Protective Effect on Parkinson's Disease Phenotypes

C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is a key mediator involved in a variety of physiological processes. JNK activation is regulated in a complex manner by upstream kinases and phosphatases and plays an important role in physiological processes such as the immune response and neuronal function. Therefore, JNK has become a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, arthritis and other diseases. Inhibition of JNK activation in mitochondria holds great potential for Parkinson's disease (PD) therapy. However, no specific mitochondrial-targeted JNK inhibitor has been reported. Herein, we developed a mitochondrial-targeted JNK inhibitor, P2, by linking a mitochondrial-specific cell-penetrating peptide to SP600125 (SP), a commercialized specific inhibitor of JNK. We found that P2 specifically inhibited mitochondrial JNK phosphorylation instead of nuclear JNK signaling. Further studies showed that P2 effectively rescued PD phenotypes both in vitro and in vivo, indicating that it is a potential therapeutic for PD.

[Effect of CKIP-1 on hepatocyte apoptosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease]

Objective: To explore the effect and underlying mechanism of casein kinase 2 interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) on hepatocyte apoptosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Experimental study. An NAFLD cell model was established by inducing human hepatoma cell line, HepG₂ cells, with oleic acid (OA). Flag-CKIP-1 expression vector and shRNA-CKIP-1 were transfected into HepG₂ cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of CKIP-1 on the activity and apoptosis of NAFLD hepatocytes. The levels of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blot. CKIP-1 knockout mice in C57BL/6 back-ground were fed with either standard or high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Apoptosis-related signal proteins in NAFLD hepatocytes were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: After CKIP-1 was transfected into HepG₂ cells, the degree of OA induced cell liposis was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry showed that CKIP-1 reduced the apoptosis of steatotic hepatocytes. Overexpression of CKIP-1 could significantly inhibit the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and increase the expression of Bcl-2/Bax (P<0.05). Knockdown of CKIP-1 could increase the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 (P<0.05). CKIP-1 knockout could further increase the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in NAFLD mice (P<0.01,P<0.05), and further decrease the expression of Bcl-2/Bax (P<0.05). Conclusion: CKIP-1 inhibited the apoptosis of steatotic hepatocytes by up-regulating the expression of apoptosis inhibitor gene, Bcl-2/Bax, and affecting the proteases, caspase-3 and caspase-9.

Colorimetric visualization of histamine secreted by basophils based on DSP-functionalized gold nanoparticles

Histamine released by activated basophils has become an important biomarker and therapeutic target in the development of allergic diseases. To date, several gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based nanosensors have been reported for histamine detection in foods. However, rapid, highly sensitive and direct detection of histamine in allergic diseases is still lacking due to the complexity of the physical environment. Herein, we developed a novel nanosensor for colorimetric visualization of histamine in activated basophils by simply coupling dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) (DSP) on the surface of AuNPs (DSP-AuNPs). The DSP moiety serves as a linker and can react with the aliphatic amino group of histamine, and the imidazole ring of histamine can selectively bind with Au by means of p-p conjugation, thus inducing the aggregation of AuNPs. In this study, we experimentally proved that DSP-AuNPs showed good sensitivity and selectivity to histamine among various amino acids, including histidine. Additionally, this nanosensor displayed a rapid response to histamine with a linear range of 0.8-2.5 μM, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.014 μM, which is a relatively low LOD in comparison with those of other AuNP-based nanosensors. Finally, DSP-AuNPs are used, for the first time, to successfully detect endogenous histamine changes in activated basophils. Therefore, our work may provide a promising strategy to monitor histamine levels in the basophil activation test.

Betatron radiation and emittance growth in plasma wakefield accelerators

Beam-driven plasma wakefield acceleration (PWFA) has demonstrated significant progress during the past two decades of research. The new Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET) II, currently under construction, will provide 10 GeV electron beams with unprecedented parameters for the next generation of PWFA experiments. In the context of the FACET II facility, we present simulation results on expected betatron radiation and its potential application to diagnose emittance preservation and hosing instability in the upcoming PWFA experiments. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Directions in particle beam-driven plasma wakefield acceleration'.

Producing multi-coloured bunches through beam-induced ionization injection in plasma wakefield accelerator

This paper discusses the properties of electron beams formed in plasma wakefield accelerators through ionization injection. In particular, the potential for generating a beam composed of co-located multi-colour beamlets is demonstrated in the case where the ionization is initiated by the evolving charge field of the drive beam itself. The physics of the processes of ionization and injection are explored through OSIRIS simulations. Experimental evidence showing similar features are presented from the data obtained in the E217 experiment at the FACET facility of the SLAC National Laboratory. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Directions in particle beam-driven plasma wakefield acceleration'.

Measurement of Transverse Wakefields Induced by a Misaligned Positron Bunch in a Hollow Channel Plasma Accelerator

Hollow channel plasma wakefield acceleration is a proposed method to provide high acceleration gradients for electrons and positrons alike: a key to future lepton colliders. However, beams which are misaligned from the channel axis induce strong transverse wakefields, deflecting beams and reducing the collider luminosity. This undesirable consequence sets a tight constraint on the alignment accuracy of the beam propagating through the channel. Direct measurements of beam misalignment-induced transverse wakefields are therefore essential for designing mitigation strategies. We present the first quantitative measurements of transverse wakefields in a hollow plasma channel, induced by an off-axis 20 GeV positron bunch, and measured with another 20 GeV lower charge trailing positron probe bunch. The measurements are largely consistent with theory.

Acceleration of a trailing positron bunch in a plasma wakefield accelerator

High gradients of energy gain and high energy efficiency are necessary parameters for compact, cost-efficient and high-energy particle colliders. Plasma Wakefield Accelerators (PWFA) offer both, making them attractive candidates for next-generation colliders. In these devices, a charge-density plasma wave is excited by an ultra-relativistic bunch of charged particles (the drive bunch). The energy in the wave can be extracted by a second bunch (the trailing bunch), as this bunch propagates in the wake of the drive bunch. While a trailing electron bunch was accelerated in a plasma with more than a gigaelectronvolt of energy gain, accelerating a trailing positron bunch in a plasma is much more challenging as the plasma response can be asymmetric for positrons and electrons. We report the demonstration of the energy gain by a distinct trailing positron bunch in a plasma wakefield accelerator, spanning nonlinear to quasi-linear regimes, and unveil the beam loading process underlying the accelerator energy efficiency. A positron bunch is used to drive the plasma wake in the experiment, though the quasi-linear wake structure could as easily be formed by an electron bunch or a laser driver. The results thus mark the first acceleration of a distinct positron bunch in plasma-based particle accelerators.

Phylogenetic analysis of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) from China based on mitochondrial genome

Meriones unguiculatus (Gerbillinae, Rodentia) is widely used as an animal model of human disease. Here, we provide the first report of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of M. unguiculatus (GenBank accession Nos. KF425526 and NC_023263). The sequence contained the conserved vertebrate pattern of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and 1 major noncoding region. We identified one extended termination-associated sequence and one conserved sequence block in the non-coding region. The putative origin of replication for the light strand (O_L) was 35 bp long. The O_L stem and adjacent sequences were highly conserved, but the loop region differed from those of other rodent species. Base composition and codon usage of the 13 protein-coding genes in M. unguiculatus were compared with those of 23 rodent species with previously sequenced mitochondrial genomes. An A+T content of 63.0% was present in M. unguiculatus; this is similar to the Murinae average (62.4 ± 0.8%) and falls between the average for Mus musculus (63.1 ± 0.1%) and Rattus sp (61.7 ± 0.4%). The AT and GC skew values of M. unguiculatus were 0.035 and -0.28, respectively, similar to those of Cricetinae species (0.057 ± 0.05 and -0.31 ± 0.05). The codon families exhibited similar abundance in all 24 species. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships with 23 other rodent species using neighbor-joining and maximum likelihood protocols and the 12 protein-coding regions on the H strand showed that M. unguiculatus should be classified as genus Meriones, sub-family Gerbillinae, family Muridae.

Self-mapping the longitudinal field structure of a nonlinear plasma accelerator cavity

The preservation of emittance of the accelerating beam is the next challenge for plasma-based accelerators envisioned for future light sources and colliders. The field structure of a highly nonlinear plasma wake is potentially suitable for this purpose but has not been yet measured. Here we show that the longitudinal variation of the fields in a nonlinear plasma wakefield accelerator cavity produced by a relativistic electron bunch can be mapped using the bunch itself as a probe. We find that, for much of the cavity that is devoid of plasma electrons, the transverse force is constant longitudinally to within ±3% (r.m.s.). Moreover, comparison of experimental data and simulations has resulted in mapping of the longitudinal electric field of the unloaded wake up to 83 GV m(-1) to a similar degree of accuracy. These results bode well for high-gradient, high-efficiency acceleration of electron bunches while preserving their emittance in such a cavity.

Nanoscale Electron Bunching in Laser-Triggered Ionization Injection in Plasma Accelerators

Ionization injection is attractive as a controllable injection scheme for generating high quality electron beams using plasma-based wakefield acceleration. Because of the phase-dependent tunneling ionization rate and the trapping dynamics within a nonlinear wake, the discrete injection of electrons within the wake is nonlinearly mapped to a discrete final phase space structure of the beam at the location where the electrons are trapped. This phenomenon is theoretically analyzed and examined by three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations which show that three-dimensional effects limit the wave number of the modulation to between >2k_{0} and about 5k_{0}, where k_{0} is the wave number of the injection laser. Such a nanoscale bunched beam can be diagnosed by and used to generate coherent transition radiation and may find use in generating high-power ultraviolet radiation upon passage through a resonant undulator.

Physics of Phase Space Matching for Staging Plasma and Traditional Accelerator Components Using Longitudinally Tailored Plasma Profiles

Phase space matching between two plasma-based accelerator (PBA) stages and between a PBA and a traditional accelerator component is a critical issue for emittance preservation. The drastic differences of the transverse focusing strengths as the beam propagates between stages and components may lead to a catastrophic emittance growth even when there is a small energy spread. We propose using the linear focusing forces from nonlinear wakes in longitudinally tailored plasma density profiles to control phase space matching between sections with negligible emittance growth. Several profiles are considered and theoretical analysis and particle-in-cell simulations show how these structures may work in four different scenarios. Good agreement between theory and simulation is obtained, and it is found that the adiabatic approximation misses important physics even for long profiles.

Multi-gigaelectronvolt acceleration of positrons in a self-loaded plasma wakefield

Electrical breakdown sets a limit on the kinetic energy that particles in a conventional radio-frequency accelerator can reach. New accelerator concepts must be developed to achieve higher energies and to make future particle colliders more compact and affordable. The plasma wakefield accelerator (PWFA) embodies one such concept, in which the electric field of a plasma wake excited by a bunch of charged particles (such as electrons) is used to accelerate a trailing bunch of particles. To apply plasma acceleration to electron-positron colliders, it is imperative that both the electrons and their antimatter counterpart, the positrons, are efficiently accelerated at high fields using plasmas. Although substantial progress has recently been reported on high-field, high-efficiency acceleration of electrons in a PWFA powered by an electron bunch, such an electron-driven wake is unsuitable for the acceleration and focusing of a positron bunch. Here we demonstrate a new regime of PWFAs where particles in the front of a single positron bunch transfer their energy to a substantial number of those in the rear of the same bunch by exciting a wakefield in the plasma. In the process, the accelerating field is altered--'self-loaded'--so that about a billion positrons gain five gigaelectronvolts of energy with a narrow energy spread over a distance of just 1.3 metres. They extract about 30 per cent of the wake's energy and form a spectrally distinct bunch with a root-mean-square energy spread as low as 1.8 per cent. This ability to transfer energy efficiently from the front to the rear within a single positron bunch makes the PWFA scheme very attractive as an energy booster to an electron-positron collider.

Facilitatory and inhibitory effects of Kinesio tape: Fact or fad?

OBJECTIVES

Kinesio tape (KT) is a commonly used intervention in sports. It claims to be able to alter the muscle activity, in terms of both facilitation and inhibition, by certain application methods. This study compared the neuromuscular activity of the wrist extensor muscles and maximal grip strength with facilitatory, inhibitory KT, and tapeless condition in healthy adults who were ignorant about KT. Potential placebo effects were eliminated by deception.

DESIGN

Randomized deceptive trial.

METHODS

33 participants performed maximal grip assessment in a randomly assigned order of three taping conditions: true facilitatory KT, inhibitory KT, and no tape. The participants were blindfolded during the evaluation. Under the pretense of applying a series of adhesive muscle sensors, KT was applied to their wrist extensor muscles of the dominant forearm in the first two conditions. Within-subject comparisons of normalized root mean square of the wrist extensors electromyographic activity and maximal grip strength were conducted across three taping conditions.

RESULTS

31 out of 33 enlisted participants were confirmed to be ignorant about KT. No significant differences were found in the maximum grip strength (p=0.394), electromyographic activity (p=0.276), and self-perceived performance (p=0.825) between facilitatory KT, inhibitory KT, and tapeless conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Neither facilitatory nor inhibitory effects were observed between different application techniques of KT in healthy participants. Clinically, alternative method should be used for muscle activity modulation.

Phase-space dynamics of ionization injection in plasma-based accelerators

The evolution of beam phase space in ionization injection into plasma wakefields is studied using theory and particle-in-cell simulations. The injection process involves both longitudinal and transverse phase mixing, leading initially to a rapid emittance growth followed by oscillation, decay, and a slow growth to saturation. An analytic theory for this evolution is presented and verified through particle-in-cell simulations. This theory includes the effects of injection distance (time), acceleration distance, wakefield structure, and nonlinear space charge forces, and it also shows how ultralow emittance beams can be produced using ionization injection methods.

Beam loading by distributed injection of electrons in a plasma wakefield accelerator

We show through experiments and supporting simulations that propagation of a highly relativistic and dense electron bunch through a plasma can lead to distributed injection of electrons, which depletes the accelerating field, i.e., beam loads the wake. The source of the injected electrons is ionization of the second electron of rubidium (Rb II) within the wake. This injection of excess charge is large enough to severely beam load the wake, and thereby reduce the transformer ratio T. The reduction of the average T with increasing beam loading is quantified for the first time by measuring the ratio of peak energy gain and loss of electrons while changing the beam emittance. Simulations show that beam loading by Rb II electrons contributes to the reduction of the peak accelerating field from its weakly loaded value of 43  GV/m to a strongly loaded value of 26  GV/m.

The histone variant MacroH2A regulates Ca(2+) influx through TRPC3 and TRPC6 channels

The histone variant macroH2A replaces canonical H2A in the designated region of chromatin where its incorporation has the potential to establish a functionally distinct chromatin domain. The transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are a family of Ca²⁺-permeable cationic channels controlling changes in the cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration. The proper regulation of Trpc gene expression requires chromatin remodeling, but little is known about the nature of these regulatory processes. Here, we show that macroH2A1 represses two Trpc family genes, Trpc3 and Trpc6, and attenuates Ca²⁺-dependent proliferative responses in bladder cancer cells. MacroH2A1 recruits histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and HDAC2 to facilitate its persistent action, resulting in a compromise of histone acetylation across the Trpc3 and Trpc6 loci. Further, macroH2A1 depletion augments histone acetylation and Ca²⁺ influx, leading to increased cell growth and invasion. Our data provide new insights into TRPC3/TRPC6-mediated Ca²⁺ signaling and indicate a central role for macroH2A1 in regulating transcriptional competence of Trpc3 and Trpc6 genes.

Stark spectroscopy of a probe lithium beam excited with two dye lasers as a technique to study a high-power ion-beam diode

A non-disturbing measurement of electric field distributions is a subject of special interest in plasma physics and high-voltage devices. In this paper we describe a diagnostic technique for remote sensing of electric fields via injection of a probe beam of lithium atoms and cascade excitation of resonance fluorescence with two broadband dye lasers. The fluorescence spectrum was recorded using a monochromator equipped with an optical multi-channel analyser. The magnitude of the local electric field was retrieved from the Stark-shifted components of the 3d-2p lithium spectral line. The technique was applied to measurements of the electric field in the applied-B-field high-voltage diode of the 1 TW KALIF ion-beam accelerator.

In situ thin film growth stresses during chemical ordering

The in situ growth stress and postgrowth stress relaxation during the L1(0) chemical ordering of Fe0.54Pt0.46 thin films have been characterized. The compressive stress is reduced with an increase in order parameter. The postgrowth stress relaxation rate increased with the order parameter and is rationalized in terms of an increase in the interfacial energy contribution at the grain boundaries because of chemical order. Density functional theory calculations were performed to quantify possible diffusion pathways and binding energies for Fe and Pt that may mitigate surface migration.

[Increased cellular proliferation in BEL-7402 hepatoma cells transfected by human hepatic stimulator substance gene]

A hepatotropic factor originally identified in weanling or regenerating rat livers, known as hepatic stimulator substance (HSS), is characterized by promoting markedly liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Although HSS gene and the gene product have been described recently, the cellular mechanism of HSS and its genetic function remain obscure. In our previous studies, human HSS (hHSS) was demonstrated to promote the growth of hepatoma cells and phosphorylate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). In this study, we reported the growth features of human hepatoma cells response to hHSS gene transfection. The hHSS eukaryotic vector was transfected to BEL-7402 hepatoma cells and the expression of hHSS was analyzed with Northern and Southern blot. The results showed that the HSS recombinant construct was functionally expressed in the target cells as analyzed with Northern blot and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The growth potential of HSS transfected hepatoma cells was markedly enhanced as compared with the non transfected cells. The S-phase of the hHSS-transfected cells increased by 61.5% than that of the non-transfected cells as shown by flow cytometry. Moreover, MAPK phosphorylation, one of the most important mitogenic indexes of growth signal cascade, was profoundly activated at sites of Thr202/Tyr204 due to HSS gene transfer. Based on these results, it is concluded that the introduction of HSS gene into hepatoma cells might be able to stimulate directly the cellular growth in vitro, allowing a possibility of reevaluation of HSS mechanism in intact cells.

Frequency of direct repeat deletion in a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 vector during reverse transcription in human cells

Retroviral genetic rearrangements can result from reverse transcriptase template switching. Most published data suggest that errors such as base misincorporation occur at similar frequencies for HIV-1 and for simple retroviruses such as spleen necrosis virus (SNV) and murine leukemia virus (MuLV). However, previous reports have suggested that template switch-mediated recombination is much more frequent for HIV-1 than for simple retroviruses. In this report, direct repeat deletion vectors similar to those previously used for measuring template switching events for SNV and MuLV were developed for HIV-1. Forward mutation rates and the frequency of template switching during a single cycle of HIV-1 replication were determined. The frequency of HIV-1-mediated repeat deletion was measured for three separate internal repeats in lacZ and was compared to rates observed with identical repeats for MuLV. The results indicated that the error rate and the frequency of repeat deletion of HIV-1 were similar to those of MuLV.

Methionine adenosyltransferase 1A knockout mice are predisposed to liver injury and exhibit increased expression of genes involved in proliferation

Liver-specific and nonliver-specific methionine adenosyltransferases (MATs) are products of two genes, MAT1A and MAT2A, respectively, that catalyze the formation of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), the principal biological methyl donor. Mature liver expresses MAT1A, whereas MAT2A is expressed in extrahepatic tissues and is induced during liver growth and dedifferentiation. To examine the influence of MAT1A on hepatic growth, we studied the effects of a targeted disruption of the murine MAT1A gene. MAT1A mRNA and protein levels were absent in homozygous knockout mice. At 3 months, plasma methionine level increased 776% in knockouts. Hepatic AdoMet and glutathione levels were reduced by 74 and 40%, respectively, whereas S-adenosylhomocysteine, methylthioadenosine, and global DNA methylation were unchanged. The body weight of 3-month-old knockout mice was unchanged from wild-type littermates, but the liver weight was increased 40%. The Affymetrix genechip system and Northern and Western blot analyses were used to analyze differential expression of genes. The expression of many acute phase-response and inflammatory markers, including orosomucoid, amyloid, metallothionein, Fas antigen, and growth-related genes, including early growth response 1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, is increased in the knockout animal. At 3 months, knockout mice are more susceptible to choline-deficient diet-induced fatty liver. At 8 months, knockout mice developed spontaneous macrovesicular steatosis and predominantly periportal mononuclear cell infiltration. Thus, absence of MAT1A resulted in a liver that is more susceptible to injury, expresses markers of an acute phase response, and displays increased proliferation.

Phosphorylation of hepatic stimulator substance on mitogen-activated protein kinase in BEL-7402 hepatoma cells

OBJECTIVE

To obtain more insight into information of signal transduction of EGF-receptor-mediated pathway response to the stimulation of hepatic stimulator substance (HSS).

METHODS

HSS was extracted from weanling rat liver and partially purified. Bioactivity of HSS was confirmed with its ability to proliferate hepatoma cell in vitro. Meanwhile, a rat recombinant HSS vector was constructed and expressed in BL-21 E. Coli. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation marked by phosphorylation at Thr202/Tyr204 was determined by Western blot.

RESULTS

The molecular weight of the biochemically purified HSS was found identically to that of the recombined HSS as expressed in the prokaryotic cells. After the treatment of HSS, cellular MAPK phosphorylation was initiated obviously at 15 min and maintained to 30 min. In comparison with EGF, MAPK phosphorylation as stimulated by HSS appeared less intensive and later time-kinetics as well. The HSS induction on cellular MAPK phosphorylation was gradually inhibited by PD98059, a specific inhibitor of MAPK kinase (MEK). A complete blockade was seen at 100 micromol/L of PD98059.

CONCLUSIONS

The involvement of HSS on MAPK activation implies that this liver-specific growth factor might take part in, either individually or as combined with other growth factors, the regulation of TPK signaling cascade during hepatocyte proliferation.

[Effect of sodium azide on mitochondrial membrane potential in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells]

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of mitochondrial deficiency in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease by investigating the energy metabolism in a sodium azide inhibited cytochrome-c oxidase SH-SY5Y Cell model.

METHODS

Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells were exposed to sodium azide, then mitochondrial complex IV activity was assayed by microassay method; cell viability was measured by Thiazolyl blue(MTT) method; mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was detected by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Cultured SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to 16-64 mmol/L sodium azide for 1 hour, the mitochondrial complex IV activity decreased dose-dependently. MTT absorbance decreased does- and time-dependently in cultured nerve cells treated by 16-128 mmol/L sodium azide for 1-8 hours. After the treatment of 16 mmol/L sodium azide for 1 hour, both the fluorescence intensity of MMP and normal cell events reduced. Decrease of MMP was significant especially in cell processes.

CONCLUSION

Sodium azide induced the impairment of mitochondrial energy synthesis in the cultured nerve cells which is an important cause in cell death.

HRG4 (UNC119) mutation found in cone-rod dystrophy causes retinal degeneration in a transgenic model

PURPOSE

To investigate the function and pathogenicity of HRG4, a photoreceptor synaptic protein homologous to the Caenorhabditis elegans neuroprotein UNC119.

METHODS

HRG4 was screened for mutations in patients with various retinopathies, and a transgenic mouse model was constructed and analyzed based on a mutation found.

RESULTS

A heterozygous premature termination codon mutation was found in a 57-year-old woman with late-onset cone-rod dystrophy. In some transgenic mice carrying the identical mutation, age-dependent fundus lesions developed accompanied by electroretinographic changes consistent with defects in photoreceptor synaptic transmission (depressed b-wave, normal c-wave), and retinal degeneration occurred with marked synaptic and possible transsynaptic degeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

HRG4, the only synaptic protein known to be highly enriched in photoreceptor ribbon synapses, is now shown to be pathogenic when mutated.

Activator-dependent transcription from chromatin in vitro involving targeted histone acetylation by p300

The transcriptional coactivator p300 shows physical and functional interactions with a diverse group of activators and contains an intrinsic acetyltransferase activity whose exact coactivator functions in the acetylation of nucleosomal histones versus other factors are poorly documented. Here, we show that p300 mediates acetyl-CoA-dependent transcription by GAL4-VP16 from a nucleosomal array template, that this involves p300 targeting by GAL4-VP16 and promoter-proximal histone acetylation prior to transcription, and that the affinities of different activators for p300 roughly correlate with corresponding levels of p300-dependent transcription. These results indicate that activators recruit p300 to nucleosomal templates by direct interactions and that bound p300 stimulates transcription, at least in part, by localized histone acetylation.

[Influence of hepatic stimulator substance on p21(ras) expression in human hepatic carcinoma cells BEL-7402]

The hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) was partially purified from schedule-lighted weanling rat livers. The effects of HSS on p21(ras) expression of human hepatic carcinoma cell BEL-7402 were examined. The results showed: (1) HSS was capable of promoting the proliferation of the cells, and its molecular weight was 14 20 kD; (2) the p21(ras) expression was increased under HSS effect time-dependently, and the effect of HSS appeared synergistic with EGF; (3) the p21(ras) expression induced by HSS manifested a dose-dependent manner, and the saturation effect of HSS occurred at the concentration of 100 microgram/ml. Considering together with our previous report about HSS regulation on EGF receptor, these results strongly suggest that the proliferatory effect of HSS on hepatic carcinoma cells is presumedly related with EGF receptor-mediated signal transduction.

[Effects of synthetic interleukin-1 blockers on uveitis in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the therapeutic action of synthetic interleukin-1 blockers on uveitis in rats.

METHOD

Experiments were performed on 18 Spraque-Dawley rats (36 eyes), and the retinal interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were quantified by an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) before and after the rats with uveitis treated by synthetic interleukin-1 blockers.

RESULT

The retinal IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha in rats with uveitis treated by synthetic IL-1 blockers (CK-138, 139) were significantly decreased than those treated by contrasting design.

CONCLUSION

Synthetic IL-1 blockers (CK-138, 139) are effective in treatment of IL-1 alpha induced uveitis in the rat.

Retrovirus-mediated herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene therapy approach for hepatocellular carcinoma

The therapeutic effect of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-tk/GCV) system on hepatocellular carcinoma was studied in this experiment. The tk-containing retroviral recombinants were used to infect hepatoma cells (BEL-7402) and the cells were treated with ganciclovir (0-1000 microg/ml). The results showed that HSV-tk gene could be efficiently transferred in vitro into hepatoma cells and stably expressed. The growth potential of the tk-containing cells was significantly inhibited by GCV (P<0.01) as compared to the non-tk-containing cells. The antitumor effect of HSV-tk/GCV system was also produced ex vivo in tk-containing tumor of nude mice as characterized by a marked decrease in tumor growth after GCV treatment contrary to a progressive enlargement of non-tk-containing tumors. Although the histological examination demonstrated that the efficiency of the gene transfer was less than 30%, the killing effect of HSV-tk/GCV system on hepatocellular carcinoma was still significantly generated. The proper mechanism of HSV-tk gene therapy on hepatic tumor referred as "bystander effect" in therapeutic approach has not been found in this study and required to be explored further.

The site of binding of linker histone to the nucleosome does not depend upon the amino termini of core histones

Using nucleosomes reconstituted on a defined sequence of DNA, we have investigated the question as to whether the N-terminal tails of core histones play a role in determining the site of binding of a linker histone. Reconstitutes used histone cores of three types: intact, lacking the N-terminal H3 tails, or lacking all tails. In each case the same, single defined position for the histone core was observed, using high-resolution mapping. The affinity for binding of linker histone H1(o) was highest for the intact cores, lowest for the tailless cores. However, the location of the linker histone, as judged by micrococcal nuclease protection, was exactly the same in each case, an asymmetric site of about 17 bp to one side of the core particle DNA.

[Expression of human superoxide dismutase gene in rat vascular smooth muscle cells and its anti-oxidative effect]

A retroviral vector containing human superoxide dismutase (SOD) cDNA was constructed and transfected into rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The expression of exogenous hSOD1 in the VSMCs was analyzed with Northern and Southern blot. The protection of the transfected and/or non-transfected VSMCs from free radical produced by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) system was investigated. The results showed that the construction strategy of the vector was correctly performed and the expression of hSOD1 in the transfected cells was highly detectable. The cell damage of X/XO could be alleviated with expression of hSOD1 in the transfected cells, as compared to control. In addition, proliferation of the transfected VSMCs resulted from oxidative stress was suppressed. It is suggested that the expression of gene-transferred hSOD1 is able to prevent the formation of atherosclerosis, partially due to its cell protection and inhibition of the proliferative embolization.

Corneal topographic analysis after excimer photorefractive keratectomy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the corneal surface changes and visual quality after excimer photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia.

METHODS

Corneal topographic analysis was performed on 23 patients (38 eyes) with myopia after PRK at the 1-, 3-, 6- month postoperative follow-up visits.

RESULTS

The corneal sphericity was changed after excimer PRK. As time went on, the mean surface regularity index (SRI) and the surface asymmetry index (SAI) decreased gradually, and the corneal surface became more smooth; mean simulated keratoscope readings (SimK) showed a gradual restoration. At the 6-month postoperative examination, corneal topography showed four main patterns of ablation: round or oblong (50%), collar-button (23.68%), semicircular (18.42%) and central island (7.9%). Patterns of ablation were correlated with visual acuity.

CONCLUSION

The quantitative analysis of corneal topography is essential for evaluating corneal surface changes after PRK and helpful in the surgical design of PRK and in predicting the refractive outcome with greater precision.

Growth induction of hepatic stimulator substance in hepatocytes through its regulation on EGF receptors

The cytosolic liver-specific growth factor-hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) has been shown to be able to amplify the rat hepatocyte proliferation responded to EGF. In order to get more insight into the mechanism, the regulatory effect of HSS on EGF-receptor (EGF-R) and the receptor phosphorylation at molecular level was studied. HSS partially purified from weanling rat liver was given to cultured hepatocytes and its influence on EGF-R specific binding and internalization as well as mRNA expression were investigated. The results showed that preincubation of hepatocytes with HSS could lead to an increase in [125I]-EGF binding to its receptors and inhibit EGF-induced receptor down-regulation. Furthermore, the over-expression of EGF-R mRNA stimulated by HSS was seen during 2-12 h after the incubation. Additionally, it was demonstrated with human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells in Western blot that the EGF-R expression and the receptor autophosphorylation were increased with dose/time-dependency after HSS treatment. These results strongly suggest that the mechanism of HSS action on hepatocyte growth might be related to its modulation on EGF-R and receptor-mediated signaling transduction.

A cdc15-like adaptor protein (CD2BP1) interacts with the CD2 cytoplasmic domain and regulates CD2-triggered adhesion

A human CD2 cytoplasmic tail-binding protein, termed CD2BP1, was identified by an interaction trap cloning method. Expression of CD2BP1 is restricted to hematopoietic tissue, being prominent in T and natural killer (NK) cells, with long (CD2BP1L) and short (CD2BP1S) variants arising by alternative RNA splicing. Both CD2BP1 molecules are homologous to Schizosaccharomyces pombe cdc15, and include a helical domain, variable length intervening PEST sequence and C-terminal SH3 domain. Although the CD2BP1 SH3 domain binds directly to the CD2 sequence, KGPPLPRPRV (amino acids 300-309), its association is augmented markedly by the CD2BP1 N-terminal segment. Upon ligand-induced clustering of surface CD2 molecules, CD2BP1 redistributes from a cytosolic to a surface membrane compartment, co-localizing with CD2. In turn, CD2-stimulated adhesion is downregulated by CD2BP1, apparently through coupling of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP)-PEST to CD2. These findings offer the first molecular view into the control processes for T cell adhesion.

The non-histone chromatin protein HMG1 protects linker DNA on the side opposite to that protected by linker histones

Linker histones and HMG1/2 constitute the two major proteins that bind to linker DNA in chromatin. While the location of linker histones on the nucleosome has attracted considerable research effort, only a few studies have addressed the location of HMG1 in the particles. In this study, we use a procedure based on micrococcal nuclease digestion of reconstituted nucleosomal particles to which HMG1 has been bound, followed by analysis of the protected DNA by restriction nuclease digestion, to locate the HMG1 binding site. Nucleosomal particles were reconstituted on a 235-base pair DNA fragment, which is known to be a strong nucleosome positioning sequence. The results unequivocally show that HMG1 protects linker DNA on one side of the core particle. Importantly, and possibly of physiological relevance, the linker DNA site protected by HMG1 was located on the side opposite to that already shown to be protected by linker histone binding.

[Regulatory effect of hepatic stimulator substance on the proliferation of human hepatoma cells]

The hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) was prepared from weanling rat livers by ultracentrifugation and Sephadex G-75 chromatography. The stimulatory effects of HSS on cell proliferation, EGF receptor expression and receptor tyrosine phosphorylation were investigated in serum-free cultured human hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721. The results showed: (1) The relative percentage of S-phase cells was increased in HSS-treated cells. (2) EGF receptor protein level was increased after the cells were treated with HSS for 12-24 h and this effect was dose- and time-dependent. (3) Treatment of the cells with HSS for 0.5-15 min resulted in the autophosphorylation of EGF receptor tyrosine residue dramatically. The above results suggest that the proliferative action of HSS on hepatocytes might be due to its modulation of EGF receptor expression and the signaling pathway.

Linker histone protection of chromatosomes reconstituted on 5S rDNA from Xenopus borealis:a reinvestigation

The location of the linker histone (LH) on the nucleosome has been the subject of recent controversy. Although previous evidence had supported a location over the dyad axis, some recent experiments suggest an asymmetric, off-axis position. In this paper we show that the DNA sequence used to reconstitute chromatosomes in these experiments is prone to artifacts in nuclease digestion: results interpreted as 'protection' by LHs can be obtained with either naked DNA or with reconstituted core nucleosomes, in the absence of LHs. Consequently, we feel that general interpretation or extrapolation of such results must be regarded with the utmost caution. In addition, we show that the protection data on an alternative, previously unreported major core position on this same DNA sequence support a model of asymmetric, off-axis position of the LH, with linker DNA protection on only one side of the core particle.