Somatomedin-C/insulin-like growth factor-I as a modulator of growth during childhood and adolescence

Normal growth during childhood and adolescence is a complex process which requires the participation of a number of hormones and growth factors. Sm-C/IGF-I plays a central role in this process, with variations in both its serum concentration and the cellular responsiveness to it being important mechanisms regulating growth.     

Synthesis of N4-(substituted phenyl)-N4-alkyl/desalkyl-9H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indole-2,4-diamines and identification of new microtubule disrupting compounds that are effective against multidrug resistant cells

A series of fourteen N⁴-(substituted phenyl)-N⁴-alkyl/desalkyl-9H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indole-2,4-diamines was synthesized as potential microtubule targeting agents. The synthesis involved a Fisher indole cyclization of 2-amino-6-hydrazinylpyrimidin-4(3H)-one with cyclohexanone, followed by oxidation, chlorination and displacement with appropriate anilines. Compounds 6, 14 and 15 had low nanomolar potency against MDA-MB-435 tumor cells and depolymerized microtubules. Compound 6 additionally had nanomolar GI₅₀ values against 57 of the NCI 60-tumor panel cell lines. Mechanistic studies showed that 6 inhibited tubulin polymerization and [³H]colchicine binding to tubulin. The most potent compounds were all effective in cells expressing P-glycoprotein or the βIII isotype of tubulin, which have been associated with clinical drug resistance. Modeling studies provided the potential interactions of 6, 14 and 15 within the colchicine site.     

Very-low-protein diets lead to reduced food intake and weight loss,linked to inhibition of hypothalamic mTOR signaling,in mice

1. Download : Download high-res image (252KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Use of stabilized luciferase-expressing plasmids to examine in vivo-induced promoters in the Vibrio cholerae vaccine strain CVD 103-HgR

Live, attenuated Vibrio cholerae vaccines can induce potent immune responses after only a single oral dose. The strategy of harnessing these strains to present antigens from heterologous pathogens to the mucosal immune system shows great promise. To fully realize this possibility, V. cholerae strains must be created that stably express antigens in vivo in sufficient quantity to generate an immune response. In vivo -induced promoters have been shown to increase the stability and immunogenicity of foreign antigens expressed from multicopy plasmids. We report the construction of a series of genetically stabilized plasmids expressing luciferase as a heterologous protein from the following in vivo -induced promoters: V. cholerae P _argC , P _fhuC and P _vca1008 , and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi P _ompC . We demonstrate that several of these expression plasmids meet two critical criteria for V. cholerae live vector vaccine studies. First, the plasmids are highly stable in the V. cholerae vaccine strain CVD 103-HgR at low copy number, in the absence of selective pressure. Second, real-time bioluminescent imaging (BLI) demonstrates inducible in vivo expression of the promoters in the suckling mouse model of V. cholerae colonization. Moreover, the use of BLI allows for direct quantitative comparison of in vivo expression from four different promoters at various time points.     

Echocardiographic alterations in a child with cow's milk allergy: a case report

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Cow's milk allergy is the most frequent food allergy in Europe and western countries and shows a wide spectrum of clinical features, including atopic dermatitis and gastrointestinal disease. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first to describe Kawasaki disease-like clinical features and echocardiographic alterations which resolved after a cow's milk-free diet. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 9-month-old Caucasian girl with atopic dermatitis who developed clinical features commonly present in Kawasaki disease (erythematous skin rash, non-exudative conjunctivitis, fissured lips and neck lymph nodes), together with mild echocardiographic alterations (perivascular brightness, pericardial effusion) in the absence of fever. These features resolved within 2 weeks after the beginning of a cow's milk-free diet. CONCLUSION: Kawasaki disease has recently been considered a possible risk factor for subsequent allergic disease secondary to immune dysfunction. This case report suggests that the immune-related alterations which are commonly present in allergic patients could be similar to the antigen-related immune response in Kawasaki disease and thus could lead to similar clinical features.     

Golden-bellied mangabeys (Cercocebus galeritus chrysogaster) at the Sacramento Zoo: Adult heterosexual pairs

The behaviors of three different adult male–adult female pairs of golden-bellied mangabeys (Cercocebus galeritus chrysogaster) were compared. Correlates of restricted social conditions and of the presence of offspring on adult behavior and direction of aggressive behaviors were noted. A captive pair displayed self-biting and other aberrant behaviors, a lone wild-caught pair showed redirected aggression related to sex, and a pair housed with its offspring showed close social proximity and protection of an infant. The implications of housing and experience for space and visitor exposure are discussed. Observer- vs. visitor-directed displays are seen as important measures of group and visitor effects.     

Transfer of toxic elements from the atmosphere to cattle and game animals

Biological Trace Element Research - Neutron activation analysis was used for determining trace element content in hair of herbivorous animals. Pollutant deposition from the air onto foliage must be...     

Cyanogenic glycosides of the Turneraceae

Eighty species of Turneraceae were tested and found to be cyanogenic. Analysis by HPLC and NMR and comparisons of R_t values from paper chromatograms showed all to possess tetraphyllin A and B and epitetraphyllin B and deidaclin as their cyanogens. These data confirm the close relationship of this family with other families which produce structurally related cyanogens: the Passifloraceae, Malesherbiaceae and Flacourtiaceae.