Structural insights of novel mutational frames in Bromodomain Containing-2 gene (BRD2) in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: bed, bench, and laptop profiles.

PURPOSE: Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is an adolescent onset type of idiopathic generalized epilepsies. Bromodomain containing protein-2 gene (BRD2), a transcriptional regulatory protein, has a susceptible role in the expression of JME. Considering the polymorphic variations observed in exon 3 of the BRD2 gene, we evaluated the molecular interactions with anti-seizure medication in individuals diagnosed with JME. METHODS: The genomic DNA was extracted from 5 mL of peripheral venous blood of JME participants (n = 55) and healthy control subjects (n = 55). Detailed anti-seizure medication and outcomes were noted during the study period. Identified novel mutations at nucleotide and protein sequences, compared by multiple sequence alignment. Wild-type (WT) and mutated-type (MT) structures were investigated for molecular docking and interactions with anti-seizure drugs. RESULTS: A common variant at c.1707G>A was found among 23 participants, while a single variant at c.1663ins C was found in one participant. The deletion positions were observed at c.1890delA, c.1892A>T, c.1895A>T, c.1896G>T, c.1897T>C, c.1898T>C, c.1899C>T, c.1900G>T, c.1901C>T and c.1902A>T exhibiting stop codon after p.111Pro>stop; these variants resulted in a truncated protein. In silico analysis was conducted to validate changes; docking analysis showed that novel variant has a significant role in the interactions with anti-seizure drugs. SIGNIFICANCE: Besides clinical and genetic outcomes, ∼5.45% unique genetical variations were observed in the participants. Significant mimicked at the binding site position (92-111) of human BRD2 ranges ∼8.2%, ∼16.4%, and ∼10.6%. Further, research is needed to identify the importance of polymorphism alterations at the binding site and their molecular interactions with anti-seizure drugs, which might be confirmed in a diverse population with JME.

Trophoblast Glycoprotein (TPGB/5T4) in Human Placenta: Expression, Regulation, and Presence in Extracellular Microvesicles and Exosomes.

BACKGROUND: Many parallels exist between growth and development of the placenta and that of cancer. One parallel is shared expression of antigens that may have functional importance and may be recognized by the immune system. Here, we characterize expression and regulation of one such antigen, Trophoblast glycoprotein (TPGB; also called 5T4), in the placenta across gestation, in placentas of preeclamptic (PE) pregnancies, and in purified microvesicles and exosomes. METHODS: Trophoblast glycoprotein expression was analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Regulation of 5T4 in cytotrophoblast cells was examined under either differentiating conditions of epidermal growth factor or under varying oxygen conditions. Microvesicles and exosomes were purified from supernatant of cultured and perfused placentas. RESULTS: Trophoblast glycoprotein expression was prominent at the microvillus surface of syncytiotrophoblast and on the extravillous trophoblast cells, with minimal expression in undifferentiated cytotrophoblasts and normal tissues. Trophoblast glycoprotein expression was elevated in malignant tumors. In cytotrophoblasts, 5T4 was induced by in vitro differentiation, and its messenger RNA (mRNA) was increased under conditions of low oxygen. PE placentas expressed higher 5T4 mRNA than matched control placentas. Trophoblast glycoprotein was prominent within shed placental microvesicles and exosomes. CONCLUSION: Given the potential functional and known immunological importance of 5T4 in cancer, these studies reveal a class of proteins that may influence placental development and/or sensitize the maternal immune system. In extravillous trophoblasts, 5T4 may function in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition during placentation. The role of syncytiotrophoblast 5T4 is unknown, but its abundance in shed syncytial vesicles may signify route of sensitization of the maternal immune system.

Pharmacological Characterization of ZYAN1, a Novel Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor for the Treatment of Anemia.

Prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) inhibitors stabilize hypoxia inducible factor (HIF), and exert antianemic effect by potentiating erythropoietin (EPO) expression and down-regulation of hepcidin. ZYAN1 is a novel PHD inhibitor under clinical development for the treatment of anemia. The pharmacodynamic effects of acute and chronic dosing of ZYAN1 were assessed in normal and 5/6 nephrectomized Wistar rats. The effect of ZYAN1 was also investigated in cisplatin-induced anemia using C57 mice. Acute treatment with ZYAN1 increased circulating EPO levels (10.3 ± 3.7 and 40.0 ± 8.5 fold rise at 15 and 30 mg/kg, respectively), reticulocyte count (4.2 ± 0.5 and 6.0 ± 0.2 fold rise at 15 and 30 mg/kg, respectively) and stabilized HIF (28% increase at 45 mg/kg) in normal rats. Nephrectomized rats showed similar dose-related pharmacodynamic effects. In a 28-day study in nephrectomized rats, ZYAN1 administered every alternate day, caused increase in hemoglobin (1.9 ± 0.3 and 2.5 ± 0.4 g/dL) and RBC count (10.7 ± 4.0 and 14.0 ± 4.1%) at 15 and 30 mg/kg respectively. In cisplatin-treated mice also an increase in hemoglobin (3.4 ± 0.2 and 5.9 ± 0.2 g/dL) and RBC count (22.5 ± 2.2 and 37.3 ± 1.7%) at 15 and 30 mg/kg respectively was observed. ZYAN1's effects on hemoglobin and RBC count were distinct from darbepoietin. ZYAN1 demonstrated hematinic potential by combined effects on EPO release and efficient iron utilization. The efficacy of ZYAN1 in disease models of different etiologies suggests that it will be useful in treating wide spectrum of anemia patients.

An isolated Amycolatopsis sp. GDS for cellulase and xylanase production using agricultural waste biomass.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate an isolate of Amycolatopsis sp. GDS for cellulase and xylanase production, their characterization, and its application to the preparation of biomass feedstock for ethanol production. METHODS AND RESULTS: A novel potent cellulolytic bacterial strain was isolated and identified as Amycolatopsis sp. GDS. The strain secreted high levels of cellulase and xylanase in the presence of agricultural waste biomass. The enzymes were thermostable and active up to 70°C. Interestingly, the enzymes were expressed well at higher NaCl (up to 2·5 mol l(-1) ) and ionic liquid (10%) concentrations, so that they could be used during the pretreatment of biomass. Enzyme stability in the presence of organic solvents, surfactants and oxidizing agents was also noted. Crude enzymes from Amycolatopsis sp. GDS resulted in comparable saccharification (60%) of wheat straw to commercial enzymes (64%). CONCLUSIONS: The cellulolytic enzymes from Amycolatopsis sp. GDS were stable, expressed well under conditions with various chemicals, and yielded significant amounts of hydrolysates from the biomass. The high bioethanol production using yeast co-cultures with enzymatic hydrolysates highlights the significance of selecting the strain and substrate for biofuel production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrates the importance of the isolate Amycolatopsis sp. GDS that secretes high levels of cellulase and hemicellulase by utilizing agricultural waste biomass and its application in the preparation of biomass feedstock and sequential ethanol fermentation.

Preclinical to clinical translation of CNS transporter occupancy of TD-9855, a novel norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: Monoamine reuptake inhibitors exhibit unique clinical profiles that reflect distinct engagement of the central nervous system (CNS) transporters. METHODS: We used a translational strategy, including rodent pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in humans, to establish the transporter profile of TD-9855, a novel norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor. RESULTS: TD-9855 was a potent inhibitor of norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin 5-HT uptake in vitro with an inhibitory selectivity of 4- to 10-fold for NE at human and rat transporters. TD-9855 engaged norepinephrine transporters (NET) and serotonin transporters (SERT) in rat spinal cord, with a plasma EC50 of 11.7 ng/mL and 50.8 ng/mL, respectively, consistent with modest selectivity for NET in vivo. Accounting for species differences in protein binding, the projected human NET and SERT plasma EC50 values were 5.5 ng/mL and 23.9 ng/mL, respectively. A single-dose, open-label PET study (4-20mg TD-9855, oral) was conducted in eight healthy males using the radiotracers [(11)C]-3-amino-4- [2-[(di(methyl)amino)methyl]phenyl]sulfanylbenzonitrile for SERT and [(11)C]-(S,S)-methylreboxetine for NET. The long pharmacokinetic half-life (30-40 h) of TD-9855 allowed for sequential assessment of SERT and NET occupancy in the same subject. The plasma EC50 for NET was estimated to be 1.21 ng/mL, and at doses of greater than 4 mg the projected steady-state NET occupancy is high (>75%). After a single oral dose of 20mg, SERT occupancy was 25 (±8)% at a plasma level of 6.35 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: These data establish the CNS penetration and transporter profile of TD-9855 and inform the selection of potential doses for future clinical evaluation.

Thyroid hormone modulates food intake and glycemia via ghrelin secretion in Zucker fatty rats.

Hyperthyroidism is known to increase food intake and central administration of thyroid hormone shows acute orexigenic effects in rodents. We investigated whether T3 influences appetite and glucose homeostasis by modulating circulating ghrelin, an important orexigenic hormone, in Zucker fatty rats. The acute anorectic effects of T3 and ghrelin mimetic MK-0677 were studied in rats trained for fasting induced food intake. The serum concentration of T3, ghrelin, glucose, triglycerides, and liver glycogen were estimated. The involvement of sympathetic nervous system was evaluated by conducting similar experiments in vagotomized rats. T3 increased food intake and glucose in rats over 4 h, with increase in serum T3 and decrease in liver glycogen. T3 treatment was associated with increase in serum ghrelin. An additive effect on appetite and glucose was observed when T3 (oral) was administered with central (intracerebroventricular) administration of a ghrelin mimetic, MK-0677. Ghrelin antagonist, compound 8a, antagonized the hyperglycemic and hyperphagic effects of T3. In vagotomized rats, T3 did not show increase in appetite as well as glucose. Serum ghrelin levels were unchanged in these animals after T3 treatment. However, T3 showed increase in serum triglyceride levels indicating its peripheral lipolytic effect, in vagotomized as well as sham treated animals. To conclude, acute orexigenic and hyperglycemic effects of T3 are associated with ghrelin secretion and activity. This effect seems to be mediated via vagus nerves, and is independent of glucoregulatory hormones.

Immunomodulatory molecules are released from the first trimester and term placenta via exosomes.

The semiallogenic fetus is tolerated by the maternal immune system through control of innate and adaptive immune responses. Trophoblast cells secrete nanometer scale membranous particles called exosomes, which have been implicated in modulation of the local and systemic maternal immune system. Here we investigate the possibility that exosomes secreted from the first trimester and term placenta carry HLA-G and B7 family immunomodulators. Confocal microscopy of placental sections revealed intracellular co-localization of B7-H1 with CD63, suggesting that B7-H1 associates with subcellular vesicles that give rise to exosomes. First trimester and term placental explants were then cultured for 24 h. B7H-1 (CD274), B7-H3 (CD276) and HLA-G5 were abundant in pelleted supernatants of these cultures that contained microparticles and exosomes; the latter, however, was observed only in first trimester pellets and was nearly undetectable in term explant-derived pellets. Further purification of exosomes by sucrose density fractionation confirmed the association of these proteins specifically with exosomes. Finally, culture of purified trophoblast cells in the presence or absence of EGF suggested that despite the absence of HLA-G5 association with term explant-derived exosomes, it is present in exosomes secreted from mononuclear cytotrophoblast cells. Further, differentiation of cytotrophoblast cells reduced the presence of HLA-G5 in secreted exosomes. Together, the results suggest that the immunomodulatory proteins HLA-G5, B7-H1 and B7-H3, are secreted from early and term placenta, and have important implications in the mechanisms by which trophoblast immunomodulators modify the maternal immunological environment.

Efficacy and tolerability of fixed-dose combination of dexketoprofen and dicyclomine injection in acute renal colic.

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a fixed-dose combination of dexketoprofen and dicyclomine (DXD) injection in patients with acute renal colic. Patients and Methods. Two hundred and seventeen patients were randomized to receive either DXD (n = 109) or fixed-dose combination of diclofenac and dicyclomine injection (DLD; n = 108), intramuscularly. Pain intensity (PI) was self-evaluated by patients on visual analogue scale (VAS) at baseline and at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours. Efficacy parameters were proportion of responders, difference in PI (PID) at 8 hours, and sum of analogue of pain intensity differences (SAPID). Tolerability was assessed by patients and physicians. Results. DXD showed superior efficacy in terms of proportion of responders (98.17% versus 81.48; P < 0.0001), PID at 8 hours (P = 0.002), and SAPID(0-8 hours) (P = 0.004). The clinical global impression for change in pain was significantly better for DXD than DLD. The incidence of adverse events was comparable in both groups. However, global assessment of tolerability was rated significantly better for DXD. Conclusion. DXD showed superior efficacy and tolerability than DLD in patients clinically diagnosed to be suffering from acute renal colic.

Development of enzyme-controlled colonic drug delivery using amylose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose: optimization by factorial design.

The aim of the present study is to develop colon-targeted drug delivery systems for diclofenac sodium which release the drug specifically and instantly at target site using amylose as a carrier. Coating formulations were designed based on the full factorial design. The evaluated responses were lag time prior to drug release and T90. Compression-coated tablets of diclofenac sodium containing various proportions of amylose and HPMC were prepared. In vitro drug release studies were done by changing pH method with enzyme. In vivo studies were done to confirm the potential of formulation to release the drug at target site. The dissolution data revealed that the ratio of polymers is very important to achieve optimum formulation. Results showed that the tablet prepared according to the above formulation released drug instantly at pH 6.8 (simulating colonic pH). An in vivo study shows that optimized formulation disintegrated in the target region. The results of this study revealed that factorial design is a suitable tool for optimization of coating formulations to achieve colon delivery. It was shown that coating formulation consisting of amylose 285 mg and HPMC 150 mg coating has the potential for colonic delivery of diclofenac sodium irrespective of change in pH in a patient with IBD.

In vitro drug release and in vivo human X-ray studies of ileo-cecal targeting budesonide fast disintegrating tablet.

Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that frequently affects the ileo-cecal region of the gastrointestinal tract. For effective treatment of this disease, a site-targeting drug in the ileo-cecal region is essential. Budesonide (BD) is a synthetic, non-halogenated glucocorticoid and is the drug of choice for the treatment of Crohn's disease. The present study is an attempt to develop the dosage form of a BD tablet to achieve targeted drug release in the ileo-cecal region. The BD tablets are coated with Eudragit FS 30 D, which is a polymer that specifically dissolves at and above pH 6.8. The in vitro drug release and in vivo tablet disintegration (using X-ray radiography) were carried out. The coating process was optimized successfully. The in vitro performance of the tablet with coating thickness showed that the tablet did not disintegrate till 4.5 hours, which represents the transit time to the ileo-cecal region. In vivo studies also established that the tablet lasted till 4.5 hours. The tablet containing 0.5% superdisintegrant and 10% coating thickness was able to deliver BD effectively to the ileo-cecal region, thus making it a promising drug delivery system for the treatment of Crohn's disease.

Differentiation-induced post-transcriptional control of B7-H1 in human trophoblast cells.

Trophoblast expression of immunomodulatory proteins in the human placenta is among the mechanisms that are critical for ensuring lymphocyte tolerance to the semi-allogeneic fetus. High levels of B7-H1 on trophoblast cells together with the known role of this protein in establishment of peripheral tolerance suggest that B7-H1 mediates immunological protection of the placenta during gestation. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of regulation of B7-H1 in trophoblast cells by epidermal growth factor (EGF), a key regulator of trophoblast cell differentiation. EGF increased B7-H1 protein levels within 24 h and mRNA levels within 4h of the initiation of treatment; by 24 h B7-H1 mRNA levels were similar between control and EGF-treated cells. Analysis of two different potential promoter regions revealed strong promoter activity in response to IFN-gamma. In contrast, no promoter activity could be induced by EGF, suggesting that this cytokine regulates B7-H1 expression post-transcriptionally in trophoblast cells. EGF-induced B7-H1 protein expression was completely blocked in the presence of inhibitors of the PI3Kinase/Akt/mTOR pathway, a pathway known to regulate gene expression at the translational level. Finally, analysis of monosomal and polysomal mRNA fractions of untreated and EGF-treated term trophoblast cells revealed that EGF induces a shift towards the translatable fractions and away from the untranslated fractions. These results highlight a novel mechanism for regulation of B7 family proteins in the placenta.

Statistical Optimization of Sustained Release Venlafaxine HCI Wax Matrix Tablet.

The purpose of this research was to prepare a sustained release drug delivery system of venlafaxine hydrochloride by using a wax matrix system. The effects of bees wax and carnauba wax on drug release profile was investigated. A 3(2) full factorial design was applied to systemically optimize the drug release profile. Amounts of carnauba wax (X(1)) and bees wax (X(2)) were selected as independent variables and release after 12 h and time required for 50% (t(50)) drug release were selected as dependent variables. A mathematical model was generated for each response parameter. Both waxes retarded release after 12 h and increases the t(50) but bees wax showed significant influence. The drug release pattern for all the formulation combinations was found to be approaching Peppas kinetic model. Suitable combination of two waxes provided fairly good regulated release profile. The response surfaces and contour plots for each response parameter are presented for further interpretation of the results. The optimum formulations were chosen and their predicted results found to be in close agreement with experimental findings.

VEGF prevents apoptosis of human microvascular endothelial cells via opposing effects on MAPK/ERK and SAPK/JNK signaling.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial cell-specific mitogen, promotes endothelial cell survival and angiogenesis. We recently showed that VEGF can support the growth of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells in serum-free medium. Reasoning that VEGF might be modulating apoptotic signal transduction pathways, we examined mechanisms involved in the anti-apoptotic effect of VEGF on starvation- and ceramide-induced apoptosis in HDMEC. We observed that VEGF ameliorated the time-dependent increase in apoptosis, as demonstrated by morphologic observations, TUNEL assay, and DNA fragmentation. On the other hand, basic fibroblast growth factor only partially prevented apoptosis in serum-starved HDMEC; platelet-derived growth factor-BB was completely ineffective. VEGF activated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)1 (p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase; MAPK) and ERK2 (p42 MAPK) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Both the VEGF-induced activation and its anti-apoptotic effect were prevented by the specific MAPK/ERK inhibitor PD98059. The presence of VEGF also inhibited the sustained activation of stress-activated protein kinase/c-jun-NH2-kinase (SAPK/JNK) caused by serum starvation and ceramide treatment. Activation of the MAPK pathway together with inhibition of SAPK/JNK activity by VEGF appears to be a key event in determining whether an endothelial cell survives or undergoes programmed cell death.

Characterization of insect cell lines: heteroduplex analysis employing a mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene fragment.

Routine cell line characterization procedures are not adequate for characterizing the cell lines of insect origin. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences and their comparisons have been used successfully for delineating species and phylogenetic analysis. Using similar principles, we have standardized a protocol for the confirmation of species identity of insect cell lines. The procedure includes PCR amplification of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene fragment from the cell line and larvae of known insect species and heteroduplex analysis to detect the sequence variation in the PCR-amplified rRNA gene fragments. If the PCR fragment of the cell lines yields a homoduplex with the larvae of known species, then the cell line is conspecific with the larvae. If the larvae and cell line are of two different species, then the analysis exhibits multiple bands of heteroduplexes. The technique also allows detection of cross-contamination of culture having two insect cell lines belonging to two different species.

The metabolism of radium-226 during pregnancy in the rat.

Metabolism of radium including the transfer to the fetus through the placenta was studied during three successive pregnancies 92, 155, and 213 days after injection of 226Ra in young female rats. The cumulative fecal and urinary excretions of 226Ra in a 213-day period following injection were about 30 and 15% injected dose (%ID), respectively, most of them occurring during the first 42 days. The excretions were similar in both the pregnant and control (unmated) rats. The whole-body burden of radium (mostly in the skeleton) determined by actual analysis of the entire body was similar in the two groups and was about 53, 48, and 44 %ID at the first, second, and third pregnancy, respectively. Pregnancy alone, therefore, did not significantly affect metabolism of radium. At 20 days of gestation the mean placental content of radium was 0.005, 0.0045, and 0.0036 %ID in the first, second, and third litter, respectively; the corresponding mean fetal content was 0.01, 0.008, and 0.005 %ID. The radium burden of the full-term neonate (21-22 days) was 0.014 and 0.011 %ID for the first and second delivery, respectively. The total amount calculated of radium transferred from the mother to the 8-10 fetuses in a litter did not exceed about 0.3% of the maternal content per each pregnancy. Comparison of the ratio of radium and calcium in the fetus and maternal skeleton shows that there is a Ra-Ca discrimination during their passage from the mother to the fetus.

Radium-226 retention in placenta and whole body of rat. Preliminary studies.

The 226Ra retention in the placenta of rat during 3 successive pregnancies (92-213 days after injection) was about 4-5 x 10(-3)% of the injected dose (ID) constituting nearly 0.009% of the whole body 226Ra content (45-55% ID) in each pregnancy. Thus a uniform relationship was being displayed between the two contents to a reasonable extent. The implication of this observation is discussed vis-a-vis the determination of Ra body burden.

The assay of 228Ra in biological material.

Some aspects of possible interference in the assay of 228Ra in biological samples were investigated. 228Ra is determined, after coprecipitation with BaSO4, by counting its daughter 228Ac carried on LaF3, due corrections being made for Ba and La recoveries. Tracer studies with 133Ba, 45Ca, 89Sr, 91Y and 234Th, under assay conditions, showed that (i) the small amount (5 mg) of Ba carrier is recovered nearly quantitatively after complete separation from large amounts of Ca (30-480 mg) which if precipitated with Ba would distort the results by falsely high Ba recoveries, (ii) fall-out Sr and Y, as well as natural Th, would not interfere in the assay and (iii) LaF3, in the amounts involved in the assay, produces negligible self-absorption but would enhance the 228Ac activity by as much as about 18% due to scattering.

Isolation and properties of a particulate fraction for the desaturation of palmitic acid from Alcaligenes faecalis.

A particulate fraction obtained from Alcaligenes faecalis could desaturate palmitic acid to palmitoleic acid. NADPH, ATP, CoA, Fe2+ and Mg2+ were essential cofactors for the reaction. The desaturation showed an absolute requirement for O2. Metal ions like Mn2+, Mo6+ and Cu2+ did not affect the desaturation, while Zn2+ was inhibitory. Sulfhydryl agents such as cysteine, glutathione and beta-mercaptoethanol had no effect, but SH-blocking agents like HgCl2 and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate inhibited the reaction. Azide and cyanide strongly inhibited the reaction while CO had no effect. The presence of a b-type cytochrome in the enzyme preparation was confirmed by the spectral studies on the reaction of enzyme with NADPH. Involvement of b-type cytochrome in the desaturation reaction was demonstrated by the reoxidation of b-type cytochrome initially reduced with NADPH, by the addition of palmitic acid and other cofactors. The pH optimum for the enzyme activity was 7.4. The optimum temperature for enzyme activity was 25 degrees C and maximum activity was obtained at the end of 45 min.