Raman spectroscopy: current applications in breast cancer diagnosis, challenges and future prospects.

Despite significant improvements in the way breast cancer is managed and treated, it continues to persist as a leading cause of death worldwide. If detected and diagnosed early, when tumours are small and localised, there is a considerably higher chance of survival. However, current methods for detection and diagnosis lack the required sensitivity and specificity for identifying breast cancer at the asymptomatic or very early stages. Thus, there is a need to develop more rapid and reliable methods, capable of detecting disease earlier, for improved disease management and patient outcome. Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive analytical technique that can rapidly provide highly specific information on the biochemical composition and molecular structure of samples. In cancer, it has the capacity to probe very early biochemical changes that accompany malignant transformation, even prior to the onset of morphological changes, to produce a fingerprint of disease. This review explores the application of Raman spectroscopy in breast cancer, including discussion on its capabilities in analysing both ex-vivo tissue and liquid biopsy samples, and its potential in vivo applications. The review also addresses current challenges and potential future uses of this technology in cancer research and translational clinical application.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells contribute to Staphylococcus aureus orthopedic biofilm infection.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature monocytes and granulocytes that are potent inhibitors of T cell activation. A role for MDSCs in bacterial infections has only recently emerged, and nothing is known about MDSC function in the context of Staphylococcus aureus infection. Because S. aureus biofilms are capable of subverting immune-mediated clearance, we examined whether MDSCs could play a role in this process. CD11b(+)Gr-1(+) MDSCs represented the main cellular infiltrate during S. aureus orthopedic biofilm infection, accounting for >75% of the CD45+ population. Biofilm-associated MDSCs inhibited T cell proliferation and cytokine production, which correlated with a paucity of T cell infiltrates at the infection site. Analysis of FACS-purified MDSCs recovered from S. aureus biofilms revealed increased arginase-1, inducible NO synthase, and IL-10 expression, key mediators of MDSC suppressive activity. Targeted depletion of MDSCs and neutrophils using the mAb 1A8 (anti-Ly6G) improved bacterial clearance by enhancing the intrinsic proinflammatory attributes of infiltrating monocytes and macrophages. Furthermore, the ability of monocytes/macrophages to promote biofilm clearance in the absence of MDSC action was revealed with RB6-C85 (anti-Gr-1 or anti-Ly6G/Ly6C) administration, which resulted in significantly increased S. aureus burdens both locally and in the periphery, because effector Ly 6C monocytes and, by extension, mature macrophages were also depleted. Collectively, these results demonstrate that MDSCs are key contributors to the chronicity of S. aureus biofilm infection, as their immunosuppressive function prevents monocyte/macrophage proinflammatory activity, which facilitates biofilm persistence.

Circulatory changes associated with the closure of the ductus arteriosus in hatching emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae).

In developing avian embryos, the right and left ductus arteriosi (DA) allow for a shunt of systemic venous return away from the lungs to the body and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Unlike in mammals where the transition from placental respiration to lung respiration is instantaneous, in birds the transition from embryonic CAM respiration to lung respiration can take over 24h. To understand the physiological consequences of this long transition we examined circulatory changes and DA morphological changes during hatching in the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), a primitive ratite bird. By tracking microspheres injected into a CAM vein, we observed no change in DA blood flow between the pre-pipped to internally pipped stages. Two hours after external pipping, however, a significant decrease in DA blood flow occurred, evident from a decreased systemic blood flow and subsequent increased lung blood flow. Upon hatching, the right-to-left shunt disappeared. These physiological changes in DA blood flow correspond with a large decrease in DA lumen diameter from the pre-pipped stages to Day 1 hatchlings. Upon hatching, the right-to-left shunt disappeared and at the same time apoptosis of smooth muscle cells began remodeling the DA for permanent closure. After the initial smooth muscle contraction, the lumen disappeared as intimal cushioning formed, the internal elastic lamina degenerated, and numerous cells underwent regulated apoptosis. The DA closed rapidly between the initiation of external pipping and hatching, resulting in circulatory patterns similar to the adult. This response is most likely produced by increased DA constriction in response to increased arterial oxygen levels and the initiation of vessel remodeling.

Searching for Life in Hot Spring Carbonate Systems: Investigating Raman Spectra of Carotenoid-Bearing Organic Carbonaceous Inclusions from Travertines of Italy.

Carotenoid pigments provide some of the most common exclusively biogenic markers on Earth, and these organic pigments may be present in extraterrestrial life. Raman spectroscopy can be used to identify carotenoids quickly and accurately through the inelastic scattering of laser light. In this study, we show that Raman spectra of organic matter found in hot spring bacterial assemblages exhibit "spectral overprinting" of the carotenoid spectrum by the carbon spectrum as the organic matter progressively breaks down. Here, we present how, with increasing thermal maturity, the relative intensity of the carotenoid spectrum increases, and as maturity increases a low-intensity carbon spectrum forms in the same region as the carotenoid spectrum. This carbon spectrum increases in intensity as the thermal maturity increases further, progressively obscuring the carotenoid spectrum until only the carbon spectrum can be observed. This means key carotenoid biogenic signatures in hot spring deposits may be hidden within carbon spectra. A detailed study of the transition from carotenoid to carbon, Raman spectra may help develop deconvolution processes that assist in positively identifying biogenic carbon over abiogenic carbon. Our results are relevant for the data analysis from the Raman spectroscopy instruments on the Perseverance (National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA]) and Rosalind Franklin (European Space Agency [ESA]) rovers.

Sequential protein and peptide immunoaffinity capture for mass spectrometry-based quantification of total human ß-nerve growth factor.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin that is implicated in the modulation of pain perception. Tanezumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for NGF, is highly potent in sequestering NGF and has demonstrated efficacy for treatment of chronic pain in clinical trials. We describe a novel, sensitive immunoaffinity liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay for quantitative determination of human serum NGF levels at baseline and after tanezumab treatment. The assay combines magnetic bead-based NGF immunoaffinity enrichment using a non-neutralizing polyclonal antibody followed by digestion and quantitation of a NGF-derived tryptic peptide via high-flow peptide immunoaffinity enrichment and nanoflow LC-MS/MS. Following validation, the assay was employed to measure total NGF concentrations in samples from clinical studies. The assay had a <10% interassay relative error and <15% interassay coefficient of variation across a range from 7.03 to 450 pg/mL human NGF. Generally, human basal serum NGF concentrations were between 20 and 30 pg/mL which, upon treatment with tanezumab, elevated in a dose-dependent manner into the high pg/mL to low ng/mL range. This is the first report of clinical trial implementation of a MS-based assay that uses sequential protein and peptide immunoaffinity capture for protein target quantitation. The use of robotic sample preparation and a robust chromatography configuration enabled this technology to advance into the routine clinical analysis and now provides a bioanalytical platform for the development of similar assays for other protein targets.

Basal lamina strengthens cell membrane integrity via the laminin G domain-binding motif of alpha-dystroglycan.

Skeletal muscle basal lamina is linked to the sarcolemma through transmembrane receptors, including integrins and dystroglycan. The function of dystroglycan relies critically on posttranslational glycosylation, a common target shared by a genetically heterogeneous group of muscular dystrophies characterized by alpha-dystroglycan hypoglycosylation. Here we show that both dystroglycan and integrin alpha7 contribute to force-production of muscles, but that only disruption of dystroglycan causes detachment of the basal lamina from the sarcolemma and renders muscle prone to contraction-induced injury. These phenotypes of dystroglycan-null muscles are recapitulated by Large(myd) muscles, which have an intact dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and lack only the laminin globular domain-binding motif on alpha-dystroglycan. Compromised sarcolemmal integrity is directly shown in Large(myd) muscles and similarly in normal muscles when arenaviruses compete with matrix proteins for binding alpha-dystroglycan. These data provide direct mechanistic insight into how the dystroglycan-linked basal lamina contributes to the maintenance of sarcolemmal integrity and protects muscles from damage.

Establishment of a whole slide imaging-based frozen section service at a cancer center.

Background: In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in clinical digital pathology (DP). Hardware and software platforms have matured and become more affordable, and advances in artificial intelligence promise to transform the practice of pathology. At our institution, we are launching a stepwise process of DP adoption which will eventually encompass our entire workflow. Out of necessity, we began by establishing a whole slide imaging (WSI)-based frozen section service. Methods: We proceeded in a systematic manner by first assembling a team of key stakeholders. We carefully evaluated the various options for digitizing frozen sections before deciding that a WSI-based solution made the most sense for us. We used a formalized evaluation system to quantify performance metrics that were relevant to us. After deciding on a WSI-based system, we likewise carefully considered the various whole slide scanners and digital slide management systems available before making decisions. Results: During formal evaluation by pathologists, the WSI-based system outperformed competing platforms. Although implementation was relatively complex, we have been happy with the results and have noticed significant improvements in our frozen section turnaround time. Our users have been happy with the slide management system, which we plan on utilizing in future DP efforts. Conclusions: There are various options for digitizing frozen section slides. Although WSI-based systems are more complex and expensive than some alternatives, they perform well and may make sense for institutions with a pre-existing or planned larger DP infrastructure.

C11orf95-MKL2 is the resulting fusion oncogene of t(11;16)(q13;p13) in chondroid lipoma.

Chondroid lipoma, a rare benign adipose tissue tumor, may histologically resemble myxoid liposarcoma or extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, but is genetically distinct. In this study, an identical reciprocal translocation, t(11;16)(q13;p13), was identified in three chondroid lipomas, a finding consistent with previously isolated reports. A fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)-based positional cloning strategy using a series of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) probe combinations designed to narrow the 16p13 breakpoint revealed MKL2 as the candidate gene. Subsequent 5' RACE studies demonstrated C11orf95 as the MKL2 fusion gene partner. MKL/myocardin-like 2 (MKL2) encodes myocardin-related transcription factor B in a megakaryoblastic leukemia gene family, and C11orf95 (chromosome 11 open reading frame 95) is a hypothetical protein. Sequencing analysis of reverse transcription-polymerse chain reaction (RT-PCR) generated transcripts from all three chondroid lipomas defined the fusion as occurring between exons 5 and 9 of C11orf95 and MKL2, respectively. Dual-color breakpoint spanning probe sets custom-designed for recognition of the translocation event in interphase cells confirmed the anticipated rearrangements of the C11orf95 and MKL2 loci in all cases. The FISH and RT-PCR assays developed in this study can serve as diagnostic adjuncts for the identification of this novel C11orf95-MKL2 fusion oncogene in chondroid lipoma.

Dubiofossils from a Mars-analogue subsurface palaeoenvironment: The limits of biogenicity criteria.

The search for a fossil record of Earth's deep biosphere, partly motivated by potential analogies with subsurface habitats on Mars, has uncovered numerous assemblages of inorganic microfilaments and tubules inside ancient pores and fractures. Although these enigmatic objects are morphologically similar to mineralized microorganisms (and some contain organic carbon), they also resemble some abiotic structures. Palaeobiologists have responded to this ambiguity by evaluating problematic filaments against checklists of "biogenicity criteria". Here, we describe material that tests the limits of this approach. We sampled Jurassic calcite veins formed through subseafloor serpentinization, a water-rock reaction that can fuel the deep biosphere and is known to have occurred widely on Mars. At two localities ~4 km apart, veins contained curving, branched microfilaments composed of Mg-silicate and Fe-oxide minerals. Using a wide range of analytical techniques including synchrotron X-ray microtomography and scanning transmission electron microscopy, we show that these features meet many published criteria for biogenicity and are comparable to fossilized cryptoendolithic fungi or bacteria. However, we argue that abiotic processes driven by serpentinization could account for the same set of lifelike features, and report a chemical garden experiment that supports this view. These filaments are, therefore, most objectively described as dubiofossils, a designation we here defend from criticism and recommend over alternative approaches, but which nevertheless signifies an impasse. Similar impasses can be anticipated in the future exploration of subsurface palaeo-habitats on Earth and Mars. To avoid them, further studies are required in biomimetic geochemical self-organization, microbial taphonomy and micro-analytical techniques, with a focus on subsurface habitats.

Differentiation and transplantation of human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The ability to obtain unlimited numbers of human hepatocytes would improve the development of cell-based therapies for liver diseases, facilitate the study of liver biology, and improve the early stages of drug discovery. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, potentially can differentiate into any cell type, and therefore could be developed as a source of human hepatocytes. METHODS: To generate human hepatocytes, human embryonic stem cells were differentiated by sequential culture in fibroblast growth factor 2 and human activin-A, hepatocyte growth factor, and dexamethasone. Functional hepatocytes were isolated by sorting for surface asialoglycoprotein-receptor expression. Characterization was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, immunoblot, functional assays, and transplantation. RESULTS: Embryonic stem cell-derived hepatocytes expressed liver-specific genes, but not genes representing other lineages, secreted functional human liver-specific proteins similar to those of primary human hepatocytes, and showed human hepatocyte cytochrome P450 metabolic activity. Serum from rodents given injections of embryonic stem cell-derived hepatocytes contained significant amounts of human albumin and alpha1-antitrypsin. Colonies of cytokeratin-18 and human albumin-expressing cells were present in the livers of recipient animals. CONCLUSIONS: Human embryonic stem cells can be differentiated into cells with many characteristics of primary human hepatocytes. Hepatocyte-like cells can be enriched and recovered based on asialoglycoprotein-receptor expression and potentially could be used in drug discovery research and developed as therapeutics.

Online high-flow peptide immunoaffinity enrichment and nanoflow LC-MS/MS: assay development for total salivary pepsin/pepsinogen.

BACKGROUND: Detection limit challenges associated with measuring low-abundance protein biomarkers can be addressed with hybrid immunoaffinity-mass spectrometric assays, such as antipeptide antibody capture followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Popular assay formats use magnetic bead-based immunoaffinity enrichment and nanoflow LC-MS/MS or high-flow immunoaffinity chromatography coupled online to conventional LC-MS/MS. As a proof of principle, we describe a novel online immunoaffinity LC-MS/MS configuration that combines high-flow peptide immunoaffinity enrichment and nanoflow LC-MS/MS. METHODS: We configured and validated an assay for the measurement of total pepsin/pepsinogen from human saliva that uses a pepsinogen standard. Saliva was heat-inactivated to quench residual enzymatic activity and then digested with endoproteinase AspN. Online immunoaffinity enrichment using an antipeptide antibody directed against the pepsin C-terminal sequence, DRANNQVGLAPVA, was linked to nanoflow liquid chromatography and selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry. We used the assay to measure pepsin/pepsinogen concentrations in human saliva from presumed healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Heat inactivation at 100 degrees C for 25 min stabilized the target peptide. The final assay had <15% interassay relative error and <15% interassay CV across a range of 4.08-2980 pmol/L human pepsinogen (0.165-120 microg/L). Low but quantifiable signals were observed in some samples from presumed normal healthy volunteers ranging from 4.3 to 16.6 pmol/L (0.17-0.67 microg/L) total salivary pepsin/pepsinogen. CONCLUSIONS: This assay approach provides a high-sensitivity platform for protein bioanalysis in the low picomolar range. It bears the potential to deliver additional data on the salivary occurrence of pepsin/pepsinogen with greater confidence than previously.

An LC-MS-MS method for quantitative determination of maraviroc (UK-427,857) in human plasma, urine and cerebrospinal fluid.

Maraviroc is a first-in-class CCR5 antagonist that shows potent anti-HIV-1 activity in vitro and in vivo and is well tolerated in both healthy volunteers and HIV-1-infected patients. The method for determination of maraviroc (UK-427,857) and its major metabolite (UK-408,027) in human plasma consists of a protein-precipitation procedure and analysis by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry using positive ion TurboIonSpray® ionization and multiple reaction monitoring. The assay has been validated over a concentration range of 0.500-500 ng/mL for both analytes. The determinations of maraviroc in human cerebrospinal fluid (0.500-500 ng/mL) and in urine (5.00-5000 ng/mL) have also been validated but do not include measurement of the metabolite. The validations included extraction recovery, intra-assay and inter-assay precision and accuracy, stability of stock and spiking solutions, freeze-thaw stability, matrix stability, processed-extract stability, and evaluation of potential interferences from selected medications in plasma or urine.

Effectiveness of community treatment orders for treatment of schizophrenia with oral or depot antipsychotic medication: changes in problem behaviours and social functioning.

OBJECTIVE: Involuntary outpatient commitment (IOC) has been in use in various countries for a number of years and has recently been implemented (in the form of supervised community treatment) in England and Wales. Several studies indicate that IOC reduces relapse and readmission rates and decreases length of stay on inpatient units in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. The aim of the present study was to examine whether the use of IOC in the Australian context, in the form of community treatment orders (CTOs), may be associated with a reduction in problem behaviours and improved social functioning. METHOD: A naturalistic retrospective mirror image study of case notes, with each case serving as its own control, was used. Behavioural and social outcomes were examined: episodes of aggression and suicidal and self-harming behaviour, episodes of homelessness, frequency of contact with family members and overall quality of relationship between family and patient, and employment status. RESULTS: Ninety-four sets of case notes were identified as meeting the criteria for inclusion. The number of episodes of aggression was found to be halved from the year before the CTO to the subsequent year (p<0.0001). Significant reductions in the number of episodes of homelessness were experienced by patients (p<0.05) when the pre-CTO year was compared with the CTO year. CONCLUSION: A CTO may contribute to improved outcomes related to patient quality of life. This may be seen to mitigate concerns about infringement of civil rights.

Inorganic arsenic-induced intramitochondrial granules in mouse urothelium.

Based on epidemiological data, chronic exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic in the drinking water is carcinogenic to the urinary bladder of humans. Recently, models have been developed involving transplacental administration of inorganic arsenic and subsequent administration of another substance that produces a low incidence of urogenital neoplasms. Administration of arsenite or arsenate in the diet or drinking water to five-to eight-week-old mice or rats rapidly induces urothelial cytotoxicity and regenerative hyperplasia. In mice administered arsenite, we observed eosinophilic intracytoplasmic granules present in the urothelial cells. These granules were not present in urothelial cells of untreated mice or in treated or untreated rats. By transmission electron microscopy, the granules were located within the mitochondrial matrix, that is, mitochondrial inclusions. Arsenic, primarily as arsenite, was present in partially purified mitochondria containing these granules. Cells containing the granules were not usually associated with degenerative changes. Lack of these granules in rats suggests that they are not necessary for inorganic arsenic-induced urothelial cytotoxicity or hyperplasia. These granules have also been observed with exposures to other metals in other tissues and other species, suggesting that they represent a protective mechanism against metal-induced toxicity.

The Apoptotic Crypt Abscess: An Underappreciated Histologic Finding in Gastrointestinal Pathology.

OBJECTIVES: To differentiate apoptotic crypt abscesses (ACAs) from neutrophilic crypt abscesses (NCAs). METHODS: Cases with crypt abscesses were classified as containing ACAs, NCAs, or mixed crypt abscesses (MCAs) by H&E staining. Sections were stained with cleaved caspase 3 and myeloperoxidase and recategorized. RESULTS: Fifty-nine cases were reviewed: inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; n = 33), acute cellular rejection (n = 5), graft vs host disease (GVHD; n = 14), cytomegalovirus (n = 5), and drug reaction (n = 2). Concordance was seen in 59%, with most reclassifications resulting from a change of ACAs to MCAs. When cases were classified as having NCA vs those with apoptosis (ACA and MCA), there was 85% agreement (P < .01). NCAs were present in IBD (96%) and not in GVHD or drug injury. Crypt abscesses with apoptosis were seen in 18% of IBD and 96% of non-IBD cases. CONCLUSIONS: ACAs and MCAs can be distinguished from NCAs and may be a diagnostically useful finding.

Endocytic recycling protein EHD1 regulates primary cilia morphogenesis and SHH signaling during neural tube development.

Members of the four-member C-terminal EPS15-Homology Domain-containing (EHD) protein family play crucial roles in endocytic recycling of cell surface receptors from endosomes to the plasma membrane. In this study, we show that Ehd1 gene knockout in mice on a predominantly B6 background is embryonic lethal. Ehd1-null embryos die at mid-gestation with a failure to complete key developmental processes including neural tube closure, axial turning and patterning of the neural tube. We found that Ehd1-null embryos display short and stubby cilia on the developing neuroepithelium at embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5). Loss of EHD1 also deregulates the ciliary SHH signaling with Ehd1-null embryos displaying features indicative of increased SHH signaling, including a significant downregulation in the formation of the GLI3 repressor and increase in the ventral neuronal markers specified by SHH. Using Ehd1-null MEFS we found that EHD1 protein co-localizes with the SHH receptor Smoothened in the primary cilia upon ligand stimulation. Under the same conditions, EHD1 was shown to co-traffic with Smoothened into the developing primary cilia and we identify EHD1 as a direct binding partner of Smoothened. Overall, our studies identify the endocytic recycling regulator EHD1 as a novel regulator of the primary cilium-associated trafficking of Smoothened and Hedgehog signaling.

Distraction osteogenesis and histogenesis in beagle dogs: the effect of gradual mandibular osteodistraction on bone and gingiva.

BACKGROUND: No study has systematically evaluated the effect of distraction osteogenesis on the gingival tissues. Therefore, this study was designed to analyze the newly formed bone and gingiva during the consolidation period of mandibular osteodistraction using standard histologic techniques. METHODS: Seventeen skeletally mature male beagle dogs underwent 10 mm of bilateral interdental mandibular lengthening. After distraction, the regenerates were allowed to consolidate for 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks, then the animals were sacrificed and tissues harvested for analysis. RESULTS: Mineralization began at the host bone margins at the end of the distraction period, followed by a progressive increase in bone surface area, with a concomitant decrease in fibrous tissue. The gingiva initially underwent mild inflammatory and reactive changes during distraction and during the first few weeks of consolidation. The rate of bone formation gradually increased from the end of distraction to the fourth week of consolidation, at which time it remained constant until sometime before the eighth week, when it tapered off slightly as remodeling began. From the second through the eighth week of consolidation, regenerative changes and neohistogenesis were seen in the gingival tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Osteodistraction has the potential to drastically decrease the total treatment time for alveolar bone augmentation prior to dentoalveolar implant placement since the regenerate bone rapidly mineralizes within approximately 8 to 10 weeks after the distraction period and the gingiva responds favorably to increased length by regeneration rather than by degeneration. Although the results appear favorable, similar data should be evaluated in human clinical trials.

Restoration of compact Golgi morphology in advanced prostate cancer enhances susceptibility to galectin-1-induced apoptosis by modifying mucin O-glycan synthesis.

UNLABELLED: Prostate cancer progression is associated with upregulation of sialyl-T antigen produced by ß-galactoside α-2,3-sialyltransferase-1 (ST3Gal1) but not with core 2-associated polylactosamine despite expression of core 2 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-L (C2GnT-L/GCNT1). This property allows androgen-refractory prostate cancer cells to evade galectin-1 (LGALS1)-induced apoptosis, but the mechanism is not known. We have recently reported that Golgi targeting of glycosyltransferases is mediated by golgins: giantin (GOLGB1) for C2GnT-M (GCNT3) and GM130 (GOLGA2)-GRASP65 (GORASP1) or GM130-giantin for core 1 synthase. Here, we show that for Golgi targeting, C2GnT-L also uses giantin exclusively whereas ST3Gal1 uses either giantin or GM130-GRASP65. In addition, the compact Golgi morphology is detected in both androgen-sensitive prostate cancer and normal prostate cells, but fragmented Golgi and mislocalization of C2GnT-L are found in androgen-refractory cells as well as primary prostate tumors (Gleason grade 2-4). Furthermore, failure of giantin monomers to be phosphorylated and dimerized prevents Golgi from forming compact morphology and C2GnT-L from targeting the Golgi. On the other hand, ST3Gal1 reaches the Golgi by an alternate site, GM130-GRASP65. Interestingly, inhibition or knockdown of non-muscle myosin IIA (MYH9) motor protein frees up Rab6a GTPase to promote phosphorylation of giantin by polo-like kinase 3 (PLK3), which is followed by dimerization of giantin assisted by protein disulfide isomerase A3 (PDIA3), and restoration of compact Golgi morphology and targeting of C2GnT-L. Finally, the Golgi relocation of C2GnT-L in androgen-refractory cells results in their increased susceptibility to galectin-1-induced apoptosis by replacing sialyl-T antigen with polylactosamine. IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrates the importance of Golgi morphology and regulation of glycosylation and provides insight into how the Golgi influences cancer progression and metastasis.

Characterization of intracellular inclusions in the urothelium of mice exposed to inorganic arsenic.

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a known human carcinogen at high exposures, increasing the incidences of urinary bladder, skin, and lung cancers. In most mammalian species, ingested iAs is excreted mainly through urine primarily as dimethylarsinic acid (DMA(V)). In wild-type (WT) mice, iAs, DMA(V), and dimethylarsinous acid (DMA(III)) exposures induce formation of intramitochondrial urothelial inclusions. Arsenite (iAs(III)) also induced intranuclear inclusions in arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase knockout (As3mt KO) mice. The arsenic-induced formation of inclusions in the mouse urothelium was dose and time dependent. The inclusions do not occur in iAs-treated rats and do not appear to be related to arsenic-induced urothelial cytotoxicity. Similar inclusions in exfoliated urothelial cells from humans exposed to iAs have been incorrectly identified as micronuclei. We have characterized the urothelial inclusions using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), DNA-specific 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and non-DNA-specific Giemsa staining and determined the arsenical content. The mouse inclusions stained with Giemsa but not with the DAPI stain. Analysis of urothelial mitochondrial- and nuclear-enriched fractions isolated from WT (C57BL/6) and As3mt KO mice exposed to arsenate (iAs(V)) for 4 weeks showed higher levels of iAs(V) in the treated groups. iAs(III) was the major arsenical present in the enriched nuclear fraction from iAs(V)-treated As3mt KO mice. In conclusion, the urothelial cell inclusions induced by arsenicals appear to serve as a detoxifying sequestration mechanism similar to other metals, and they do not represent micronuclei.

Improvements in cerebral blood flow and recanalization rates with transcranial diagnostic ultrasound and intravenous microbubbles after acute cerebral emboli.

OBJECTIVES: Intravenous microbubbles (MBs) and transcutaneous ultrasound have been used to recanalize intra-arterial thrombi without the use of tissue plasminogen activator. In the setting of acute ischemic stroke, it was our objective to determine whether skull attenuation would limit the ability of ultrasound alone to induce the type and level of cavitation required to dissolve thrombi and improve cerebral blood flow (CBF) in acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 40 pigs, bilateral internal carotid artery occlusions were created with 4-hour-old thrombi. Pigs were then randomized to high-mechanical index (MI = 2.4) short-pulse (5 microseconds) transcranial ultrasound (TUS) alone or a systemic MB infusion (3% Definity) with customized cavitation detection and imaging system transmitting either high-MI (2.4) short pulses (5 microseconds) or intermediate-MI (1.7) long pulses (20 microseconds). Angiographic recanalization rates of both internal carotids were compared in 24 of the pigs (8 per group), and quantitative analysis of CBF with perfusion magnetic resonance imaging was measured before, immediately after, and at 24 hours using T2* intensity versus time curves in 16 pigs. RESULTS: Complete angiographic recanalization was achieved in 100% (8/8) of pigs treated with image-guided high-MI TUS and MBs, but in only 4 of 8 treated with high-MI TUS alone or 3 of 8 pigs treated with image-guided intermediate-MI TUS and MBs (both P < 0.05). Ipsilateral and contralateral CBF improved at 24 hours only after 2.4-MI 5-microsecond pulse treatments in the presence of MB (P < 0.005). There was no evidence of microvascular or macrovascular hemorrhage with any treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Guided high-MI impulses from an ultrasound imaging system produce sustained improvements in ipsilateral and contralateral CBF after acute cerebral emboli.