Immunofluorescent distribution of SIRT1, SIRT2, SIRT6 protein in the skin of SKH1 mouse after ultraviolet B irradiation for 10 Weeks / Distribución inmunofluorescente de la proteína SIRT1, SIRT2, SIRT6 en la piel del ratón SKH1 después de la irradiación ultravioleta B durante 10 semanas

SUMMARY: The skin, located on the outermost part of the body, is always exposed to external stimuli such as sunlight. The exposure of skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight is known to be a major environmental factor in inducing photoaging. After exposure to UVB, an increase in reactive oxygen species can affect the expression and activity of many critical proteins depending on the duration and dose of the UVB radiation. Mammalian sirtuins (SIRTs), which are nicotinamide dinucleotide-dependent protein deacetylases, are well known for playing a role in cellular longevity. However, little is known about SIRT protein alterations in keratinocytes upon UVB irradiation according to SIRT subtypes. Therefore, in this study, the distribution of non-mitochondrial SIRT1, SIRT2, and SIRT6 proteins was investigated by immunofluorescence (IF) staining of the skin of SKH-1 mice (n=12) after UVB irradiation for 10 weeks. After UVB irradiation for 10 weeks, the IF of both SIRT1 and SIRT6 was significantly increased in the UVB-irradiated mice group (UG), but the difference in SIRT2 IF was not statistically significant between the control group (CG) and the UG. The translocation of both SIRT1 and SIRT6 IF from the nucleus to the cytoplasm of keratinocytes was observed in the upper epidermis of the UG, whereas SIRT2 IF was localized in the cytoplasm of keratinocytes in the epidermis in both the CG and the UG. The translocation of SIRT1 and SIRT6 IF from the nucleus to the cytoplasm of keratinocytes may account for the physiologically protective action of keratinocytes against UVB irradiation. However, the exact role of SIRT1 and SIRT6 translocation in keratinocytes, where SIRT1 and SIRT6 shuttle from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, is not well known. Therefore, further studies are needed to understand the molecular mechanisms of SIRT1 and SIRT6 translocation in keratinocytes upon UVB irradiation.

La piel, situada en la parte más externa del cuerpo, está siempre expuesta a estímulos externos como la luz solar. Se sabe que la exposición de la piel a la radiación ultravioleta B (UVB) de la luz solar es un factor ambiental importante en la inducción del fotoenvejecimiento. Después de la exposición a los rayos UVB, un aumento en las especies reactivas de oxígeno puede afectar la expresión y la actividad de muchas proteínas críticas según la duración y la dosis de la radiación UVB. Las sirtuinas de mamíferos (SIRT), que son proteínas desacetilasas dependientes de dinucleótidos de nicotinamida, son bien conocidas por desempeñar un papel en la longevidad celular. Sin embargo, se sabe poco sobre las alteraciones de la proteína SIRT en los queratinocitos tras la irradiación UVB según los subtipos de SIRT. Por lo tanto, en este estudio, se investigó la distribución de las proteínas SIRT1, SIRT2 y SIRT6 no mitocondriales mediante tinción de inmunofluorescencia (IF) de la piel de ratones SKH-1 (n = 12), después de la irradiación con UVB durante 10 semanas. Posterior a la irradiación, el IF de SIRT1 y SIRT6 aumentaron significativamente en el grupo de ratones irradiados con UVB (UG), pero la diferencia en SIRT2 IF no fue estadísticamente significativa entre el grupo control (CG) y el UG. La translocación de SIRT1 y SIRT6 IF desde el núcleo al citoplasma de los queratinocitos se observó en la epidermis superior de la UG, mientras que SIRT2 IF se localizó en el citoplasma de los queratinocitos en la epidermis, tanto en el GC, como en la UG. La translocación de SIRT1 y SIRT6 IF del núcleo al citoplasma de los queratinocitos puede explicar la acción protectora fisiológica de estos contra la radiación UVB. Sin embargo, el papel exacto de la translocación de SIRT1 y SIRT6 en los queratinocitos, donde SIRT1 y SIRT6 se trasladan desde el núcleo al citoplasma, no se conoce bien. Por lo tanto, se necesitan más estudios para comprender los mecanismos moleculares de la translocación SIRT1 y SIRT6 en los queratinocitos tras la irradiación UVB.

Immunohistochemical distribution of calcium binding proteins in the cochlear nuclear complex of circling mice / Distribución inmunohistoquímica de proteínas de unión a calcio en el complejo nuclear coclear de ratones circulantes

SUMMARY: The term "circling mouse" refers to an animal model of deafness, in which the mouse exhibits circling, head tossing, and hyperactivity, with pathological features including degenerated spiral ganglion cells in the cochlea, and the loss of the organ of Corti. The cochlear nuclear (CN) complex, a part of the auditory brain circuit, is essential to process both ascending and descending auditory information. Considering calcium's (Ca2+) importance in homeostasis of numerous biological processes, hearing loss by cochlear damage, either by ablation or genetic defect, could cause changes in the Ca2+ concentration that might trigger functional and structural alterations in the auditory circuit. However, little is known about the correlation of the central nervous system (CNS) pathology in circling mice, especially of the auditory pathway circuit and Ca2+ changes. This present study investigates the distribution of Ca2+- binding proteins (CaBPs), calbindin D-28k (CB), parvalbumin (PV), and calretinin (CR) by using a free floating immunohistochemical method inthe CN of the wild-type mouse (+/+), the heterozygous mouse (+/cir), and the homozygous (cir/cir) mouse. CaBPs are well known to be an important factor that regulates Ca2+ concentrations. Compared with the dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei of +/+ and +/ cirmice, prominent decreases of CaBPs' immunoreactivity (IR) in cir/cirmice were observed in the somas, as well as in the neuropil. The present study reportson the overall distribution and changes in the immunoreactivity of CaBPs in the CN of cir/cirmice because ofa hearing defect. This data might be helpful to morphologically elucidate CNS disorders and their relation to CaBPs immunoreactivity related to hearing defects.

RESUMEN: El término "ratón circulante" se refiere a un modelo animal con sordera, en el que el ratón exhibe hiperactividad, movimientos circulares y movimientos de la cabeza, con características patológicas que incluyen células ganglionares espirales degeneradas en la cóclea, un canal de Rosenthal vacío y la pérdida del órgano de Corti. El complejo nuclear coclear (CN), una parte del circuito cerebral auditivo, es esencial para procesar la información auditiva tanto ascendente como descendente. Considerando la importancia del calcio (Ca2+) en la homeostasis de numerosos procesos biológicos, la hipoacusia por daño coclear, por ablación o por defecto genético, podría provocar cambios en la concentración de Ca2+que pueden desencadenar alteraciones funcionales y estructurales en el circuitoauditivo. Sin embargo, existe poca información de la correlación de la patología del sistema nervioso central (SNC) en ratones circulantes, especialmente del circuito de la víaauditiva y los cambios de Ca2+. Este estudio nvestiga la distribución de proteínas de unión a Ca2+ (CaBP), calbindina D-28k (CB), parvalbúmina (PV) y calretinina (CR) mediante el uso de un método inmunohistoquímico de flotaciónlibre en el CN del ratón de tiposalvaje (+/+), el ratón heterocigoto (+/cir) y el ratón homocigoto (cir/cir). Se sabe que los CaBP son un factor importante que regula las concentraciones de Ca2+. En comparación con los núcleos cocleares dorsal y ventral de los ratones +/+ y +/ cir, se observaron disminuciones prominentes de la inmunorreactividad (IR) de CaBPs en los ratonescir/cir en los somas, asícomo en el neuropilo. El presente estudio informa sobre la distribución general y los cambios en la inmunorreactividad de CaBP en el CN de ratones cir/cir debido a un defecto auditivo. Estos datos podrían ser útiles para dilucidar morfológicamente los trastornos del SNC y su relación con la inmunorreactividad de CaBP relacionada con los defectosauditivos.

Targeted suicide gene therapy for liver cancer based on ribozyme-mediated RNA replacement through post-transcriptional regulation.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has high fatality rate and limited therapeutic options. Here, we propose a new anti-HCC approach with high cancer-selectivity and efficient anticancer effects, based on adenovirus-mediated Tetrahymena group I trans-splicing ribozymes specifically inducing targeted suicide gene activity through HCC-specific replacement of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) RNA. To confer potent anti-HCC effects and minimize hepatotoxicity, we constructed post-transcriptionally enhanced ribozyme constructs coupled with splicing donor and acceptor site and woodchuck hepatitis virus post-transcriptional regulatory element under the control of microRNA-122a (miR-122a). Adenovirus encoding post-transcriptionally enhanced ribozyme improved trans-splicing reaction and decreased human TERT (hTERT) RNA level, efficiently and selectively retarding hTERT-positive liver cancers. Adenovirus encoding miR-122a-regulated ribozyme caused selective liver cancer cytotoxicity, the efficiency of which depended on ribozyme expression level relative to miR-122a level. Systemic administration of adenovirus encoding the post-transcriptionally enhanced and miR-regulated ribozyme caused efficient anti-cancer effects at a single dose of low titers and least hepatotoxicity in intrahepatic multifocal HCC mouse xenografts. Minimal liver toxicity, tissue distribution, and clearance pattern of the recombinant adenovirus were observed in normal animals administered either systemically or via the hepatic artery. Post-transcriptionally regulated RNA replacement strategy mediated by a cancer-specific ribozyme provides a clinically relevant, safe, and efficient strategy for HCC treatment.

Multiple cerebral infarct with cerebral vasculitis in a young patient with ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and debilitating disorder, characterized by inflammation of the colonic mucosa. UC can be considered a systemic disorder but UC-related manifestations in the central nervous system (CNS) are quite rare. A 29-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department with repeated generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) type seizures. Based on brain CT, brain metastasis or hemorrhagic infarct was suspected. Diffusion-weighted image of brain MRI showed high signal in the left thalamus and heterogenous enhancement in the right parietal and left frontal lobes. This image indicated a cerebral infarct, but could not completely rule out cerebral metastasis and vasculitis, or any other pathology. However, the brain biopsy revealed multiple thromboemboli with acute inflammation and necrosis. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with multiple cerebral infarcts with cerebral vasculitis, occurring as a complication of UC. In conclusion, CNS manifestations of UC are rare. However, clinicians should consider uncommon diagnoses like vasculitis and thromboembolism in patients with UC presenting with seizures.

Extension of a coronary intramural hematoma after blunt chest trauma.

Coronary artery dissection and intramural hematoma after blunt chest trauma are rare, but life-threatening, complications. Coronary intramural hematoma extension is even rarer. A 31-year-old man was transferred to our hospital for worsening left chest pain during while he was admitted at a nearby hospital due to blunt chest trauma. Bedside echocardiography showed akinesis of the left ventricular apex and anterior wall as well as hypokinesis of the mid-to-basal anteroseptal wall and mid-to-basal lateral and posterior walls of the left ventricle. Computed tomography coronary angiography revealed intramural hematoma in the left main (LM) coronary and proximal left anterior descending (LAD) arteries. Percutaneous coronary intervention, with bare metal stent implantation from the LM coronary artery to the proximal LAD artery, was performed to treat the occlusion caused by the hematoma. After stenting, the hematoma that compressed the LM coronary artery shifted the left circumflex (LCX) artery, and the intramural hematoma developed and extended to the LCX artery. To resolve this occlusion, a drug-eluting stent was successfully implanted in the LCX artery. The patient was discharged without complications. At 2-month follow-up, he remained asymptomatic, with no recurrence of cardiovascular symptoms. Delayed chest pain after trauma should be suspected during coronary dissection, and on treatment, care must be taken to extend the hematoma.

Radiofrequency and 585-nm pulsed dye laser treatment of striae distensae: a report of 37 Asian patients.

BACKGROUND: Various lasers have recently been reported as effective treatment modalities for striae distensae, but pigmentary alterations are a major concern to the darker skin type. The Thermage (Therma Cool TC; Thermage Inc, Hayward, CA) is a radiofrequency device for the lifting of face and neck, and there is no report of using it for striae distensae. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Thermage in combination with pulsed dye laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with abdominal striae distensae were treated with the Thermage and 585-nm pulsed dye laser in the first session at baseline. An additional two sessions of pulsed dye laser were performed at Weeks 4 and 8. Thermage was used at fluences of 53 to 97 J/cm2 and pulsed dye laser at fluences of 3.0 J/cm2 with 10-mm spot. Skin biopsies were taken of nine patients. RESULTS: In the subjective assessment, 89.2% of the patients showed "good and very good" to overall improvement, and 59.4% were graded as "good and very good" in elasticity. All of the nine specimens showed an increase in the amount of collagen fibers, and increased elastic fibers were found in six specimens. CONCLUSION: The Thermage and pulsed dye laser appear to be an effective treatment for striae distansae.