Identification of functional, short-lived isoform of linker for activation of T cells (LAT).

Linker for activation of T cells (LAT) is a transmembrane adaptor protein playing a key role in the development, activation and maintenance of peripheral homeostasis of T cells. In this study we identified a functional isoform of LAT. It originates from an intron 6 retention event generating an in-frame splice variant of LAT mRNA denoted as LATi6. Comparison of LATi6 expression in peripheral blood leukocytes of human and several other mammalian species revealed that it varied from being virtually absent in the mouse to being predominant in the cow. Analysis of LAT isoform frequency expressed from minigene splicing reporters carrying loss- or gain-of-function point mutations within intronic polyguanine sequences showed that these elements are critical for controlling the intron 6 removal. The protein product of LATi6 isoform (LATi6) ectopically expressed in LAT-deficient JCam 2.5 cell line localized correctly to subcellular compartments and supported T-cell receptor signaling but differed from the canonical LAT protein by displaying a shorter half-life and mediating an increased interleukin-2 secretion upon prolonged CD3/CD28 crosslinking. Altogether, our data suggest that the appearance of LATi6 isoform is an evolutionary innovation that may contribute to a more efficient proofreading control of effector T-cell response.

Cyanines as efficient photosensitizers in photodynamic reaction: photophysical properties and in vitro photodynamic activity.

The purpose of the present study was to explore the potential application of cyanines in photodynamic treatment. The photophysical features of four cyanines (KF570, HM118, FBF-749, and ER-139) were investigated by elemental and spectral analyses. Two malignant cell lines (MCF-7/WT and MCF-7/DOX) were used to test the potential for use in the photodynamic therapy. The cytotoxic effects of these dyes were determined by the MTT assay after 4 and 24 h of incubation with the cyanine. KF570 and HM118 were irradiated with red light (630-nm filter) and FBF-749 and ER-139 with green light (435-nm filter). The results showed that the cyanine HM118 demonstrated a major phototoxic effect. It was also noted that the efficiency of photodynamic therapy was higher in the doxorubicin-resistant cell line (MCF-7/DOX).

Calcium inhibits muscle FBPase and affects its intracellular localization in cardiomyocytes.

As our recent investigation revealed, in mammalian heart muscle, fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase)--a key enzyme of glyconeogenesis--is located around the Z-line, inside cells' nuclei and, as we demonstrate here for the first time, it associates with intercalated discs. Since the degree of association of numerous enzymes with subcellular structures depends on the metabolic state of the cell, we studied the effect of elevated Ca2+ concentration on localization of FBPase in cardiomyocytes. In such conditions, FBPase dissociated from the Z-line, but no visible effect on FBPase associated with intercalated discs or on the nuclear localization of the enzyme was observed. Additionally, Ca2+ appeared to be a strong inhibitor of muscle FBPase.

Succeeding under managed care using strategic cost reduction.

Under managed care, healthcare providers experience drops in utilization and the prices they can charge for services. Therefore, healthcare providers that achieve lower costs increase their chances for success. Operational improvements to control costs include reducing unit costs, reducing capacity, accelerating operational decision making, and developing new performance measures. Strategies to control costs include managing costs along the continuum of care, continuously managing costs, and refining assets. Specific cost-reduction strategies include building primary-care-driven networks, undertaking patient-focused care initiatives, reengineering patient flow, implementing managed variable costing, and developing a tight primary care operating environment.