CRIMINOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
TED CHIRICOS
Florida law allows judges to withhold adjudication of guilt for individuals who have been found guilty of a felony and are being sentenced to probation. Such individuals lose no civil rights and may lawfully assert they had not been convicted of a felony. Labeling theory would predict that the receipt of a felony label could increase the likelihood of recidivism. Reconviction data for 95,919 men and women who were either adjudicated or had adjudication withheld show that those formally labeled are significantly more likely to recidivate in 2 years than those who are not. Labeling effects are stronger for women, whites, and those who reach the age of 30 years without a prior conviction. Second-level indicators of county characteristics (e.g., crime rates or concentrated disadvantage) have no significant effect on the adjudication/recidivism relationship. [source]

RACE, ETHNICITY, THREAT AND THE LABELING OF CONVICTED FELONS,

CRIMINOLOGY, Issue 3 2005
STEPHANIE BONTRAGER
Florida law allows judges to withhold adjudication of guilt for persons who have either pled guilty or been found guilty of a felony. This provision may apply only to persons who will be sentenced to probation, and it allows such individuals to retain all civil rights and to truthfully assert they had not been convicted of a felony. This paper examines the effects of race and Hispanic ethnicity on the withholding of adjudication for 91,477 males sentenced to probation in Florida between 1999 and 2002. Hierarchical Generalized Linear Modeling is used to assess the direct effects of defendant attributes as well as the cross-level interactions between race, ethnicity and community level indicators of threat, such as percentage black and Hispanic and concentrated disadvantage. Our results show that Hispanics and blacks are significantly less likely to have adjudication withheld when other individual and community level factors are controlled. This effect is especially pronounced for blacks and for drug offenders. Cross-level interactions show that concentrated disadvantage has a substantial effect on the adjudication withheld outcome for both black and Hispanic defendants. The implications of these results for the conceptualization of racial/ethnic threat at the individual, situational and social levels are discussed. [source]

[Commentary] IMPROVING NRT LABELING AND CORRECTING PUBLIC MISPERCEPTIONS

ADDICTION, Issue 8 2008
JONATHAN FOULDS
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Mitochondrial clustering at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction during presynaptic differentiation

DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2006
Chi Wai Lee
Abstract During vertebrate neuromuscular junction (NMJ) development, presynaptic motor axons differentiate into nerve termini enriched in synaptic vesicles (SVs). At the nerve terminal, mitochondria are also concentrated, but how mitochondria become localized at these specialized domains is poorly understood. This process was studied in cultured Xenopus spinal neurons with mitochondrion-specific probe MitoTracker and SV markers. In nerve-muscle cocultures, mitochondria were concentrated stably at sites where neurites and muscle cells formed NMJs, and mitochondria coclustered with SVs where neurites were focally stimulated by beads coated with growth factors. Labeling with a mitochondrial membrane potential-dependent probe JC-1 revealed that these synaptic mitochondria were with higher membrane potential than the extrasynaptic ones. At early stages of bead-stimulation, actin-based protrusions and microtubule fragmentation were observed in neurites at bead contact sites, suggesting the involvement of cytoskeletal dynamics and rearrangement during presynaptic differentiation. Treating the cultures with an actin polymerization blocker, latrunculin A (Ltn A), almost completely abolished the formation of actin-based protrusions and partially inhibited bead-induced mitochondrial and SV clustering, whereas the microtubule disrupting agent nocodazole was ineffective in inhibiting the clustering of mitochondria and SVs. Lastly, in contrast to Ltn A, which blocked bead-induced clustering of both mitochondria and SVs, the ser/thr phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid inhibited SV clustering but not mitochondrial clustering. These results suggest that at developing NMJs, synaptogenic stimuli induce the clustering of mitochondria together with SVs at presynaptic terminals in an actin cytoskeleton-dependent manner and involving different intracellular signaling molecules. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006 [source]

Differential effect of dopamine on mitosis in early postnatal albino and pigmented rat retinae

DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006
Ines Kralj-Hans
Abstract Insufficient levels of L -DOPA, released from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), in albino animals are considered responsible for the abnormal development of the underlying neural retina. L -DOPA normalizes retinal neurogenesis by reducing levels of cell proliferation either by acting on the cells directly or by being converted into dopamine. Here we report the effects of dopamine on mitosis in early postnatal neural retinae from albino and pigmented rats, using 4D (x, y, z and time) confocal microscopy. Exogenous dopamine significantly prolongs mitosis in retinae from albino, but not pigmented, animals. As fewer cells move into and divide in the ventricular zone (VZ) in the presence of dopamine, we conclude that the overall cell cycle is affected. The D1 receptor blocker, SCH 23390, inhibits these effects. Thus, the differential effects of dopamine on neural retinae from pigmented and albino rats in vitro must result from the activation of D1 receptors, which are present in the retina from birth. Immunohistochemical labeling of D1 receptors shows that the pattern of their distribution is similar between pigmentation phenotypes, but levels of expression may be elevated in albinos. Labeling is most intense in the inner plexiform layer but is present throughout the neuroblastic layer. These findings are discussed in light of previous reports of reduced catecholamine levels in the albino retina. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006 [source]

Cover Picture: Electrophoresis 22'2008

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 22 2008
Article first published online: 26 NOV 200
Regular issues provide a wide range of research and review articles covering all aspects of electrophoresis. Here you will find cutting-edge articles on methods and theory, instrumentation, nucleic acids, CE and CEC, miniaturization and microfluidics, proteomics and two-dimensional electrophoresis. Selected topics of issue 22 are: Microfluidics: Applications for analytical purposes in chemistry and biochemistry ((http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/elps.200800121)) Simultaneous laser-induced fluorescence and retro-reflected beam interference detection for CE ((http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/elps.200800292)) Quantitative Proteomics by Fluorescent Labeling of Cysteine Residues using a Set of Two Cyanine-based or Three Rhodamine-based Dyes ((http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/elps.200800092)) Chemometric resolution of fully overlapped capillary electrophoresis peaks: quantitation of carbamazepine in human serum in the presence of several interferences ((http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/elps.200800400)) Identification of inorganic ions in post-blast explosive residues using portable capillary electrophoresis instrumentation and capacitively-coupled contactless conductivity detection ((http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/elps.200800226)) [source]

Thiol-reactive dyes for fluorescence labeling of proteomic samples

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 14 2003
Kamala Tyagarajan
Abstract Covalent derivatization of proteins with fluorescent dyes prior to separation is increasingly used in proteomic research. This paper examines the properties of several commercially available iodoacetamide and maleimide dyes and discusses the conditions and caveats for their use in labeling of proteomic samples. The iodoacetamide dyes BODIPY TMR cadaverine IA and BODIPY Fl C1 -IA were highly specific for cysteine residues and showed little or no nonspecific labeling even at very high dye:thiol ratios. These dyes also showed minimal effects on pI's of standard proteins. Some iodoacetamide dyes, (5-TMRIA and eosin-5-iodoacetamide) and some maleimide dyes (ThioGlo I and Rhodamine Red C2 maleimide) exhibited nonspecific labeling at high dye:thiol ratios. Labeling by both iodoacetamide and maleimide dyes was inhibited by tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP); interactions between TCEP and dye were also observed. Thiourea, an important component of sample solubilization cocktails, inhibited labeling of proteins with iodoacetamide dyes but not with maleimide dyes. Maleimide dyes may serve as an alternative for labeling proteins where it is essential to have thiourea in the solubilization buffer. Covalent derivatization by BODIPY TMR cadaverine IA, BODIPY Fl C1 -IA or Rhodamine Red C2 maleimide was also demonstrated to be compatible with in-gel digestion and peptide mass fingerprinting by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry and allowed successful protein identification. [source]

Lanthanide-Based Conjugates as Polyvalent Probes for Biological Labeling

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 18 2008
Stéphanie Claudel-Gillet
Abstract A series of lanthanide complexes of [LnL(H2O)] composition, suitable for biological labeling has been studied, in which L is a strongly chelating ligand containing chromophoric bipyridylcarboxylate units and Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, and Dy. For the Gd complex, a combined 17O NMR and 1H NMRD study has been performed. The water exchange rate obtained, kex298 = (5.2,±,0.6),×,106 s,1, is slightly higher than those for [Gd(dota)(H2O)], or [Gd(dtpa)(H2O)]2,. Transformation of the uncoordinated carboxylate function of the ligand into an activated ester ensures covalent linking of the complex to bovine serum albumine (BSA). The relaxivity properties of the Gd complex labeled on BSA revealed a limited increase of both longitudinal and transversal relaxivities. This can be related to the partial replacement of the inner-sphere water molecules by coordinating functions of the protein. Additionally, the Sm and Dy complexes are described and chemically characterized. Their photophysical properties were investigated by means of absorption, steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy, evidencing efficient photosensitization of the lanthanide emission by ligand excitation (antenna effect). Luminescence lifetime measurements confirmed the presence of a water molecule in the first coordination sphere that partly explained the relatively poor luminescence properties of the Dy and Sm complexes in aqueous solutions. The spectroscopic properties of the series of complexes are questioned in terms of time-resolved acquisition techniques. Finally, their availability for use in time-resolved luminescence microscopy is demonstrated by staining experiments of rat brain slices, where the complex showed enhanced localization in some hydrophilic regions of the blood,brain barrier (BBB).(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008) [source]

Differentiation and migration of astrocytes in the spinal cord following dorsal root injury in the adult rat

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 4 2003
Elena N. Kozlova
Abstract Nerve fibre degeneration in the spinal cord is accompanied by astroglial proliferation. It is not known whether these cells proliferate in situ or are recruited from specific regions harbouring astroglial precursors. We found cells expressing nestin, characteristic of astroglial precursors, at the dorsal surface of the spinal cord on the operated side from 30 h after dorsal root injury. Nestin-expressing cells dispersed to deeper areas of the dorsal funiculus and dorsal horn on the operated side during the first few days after injury. Injection of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) 2 h before the end of the experiment, at 30 h after injury, revealed numerous BrdU-labelled, nestin-positive cells in the dorsal superficial region. In animals surviving 20 h after BrdU injection at 28 h postlesion, cells double-labelled with BrdU and nestin were also found in deeper areas. Labeling with BrdU 2 h before perfusion showed proliferation of microglia and radial astrocytes in the ventral and lateral funiculi on both sides of the spinal cord 30 h after injury. Nestin-positive cells coexpressed the calcium-binding protein Mts1, a marker for white matter astrocytes, in the dorsal funiculus, and were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), but negative for Mts1 in the dorsal horn. One week after injury the level of nestin expression decreased and was undetectable after 3 months. Taken together, our data indicate that after dorsal root injury newly formed astrocytes in the degenerating white and grey matter first appear at the dorsal surface of the spinal cord from where some of them subsequently migrate ventrally, and differentiate into white- or grey-matter astrocytes. [source]

Immunocytochemical characterization of ectopic enamel deposits and cementicles in human teeth

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 1 2003
Dieter D. Bosshardt
Despite the relative frequency and clinical relevance of radicular enamel deposits and cementicles, their etiology and nature are unknown. The purpose of the present study was therefore to evaluate the presence and distribution of mineralization-associated non-collagenous matrix proteins (NCPs) in various types of root-associated ectopic mineralizations. Human teeth were processed for embedding in epoxy or acrylic resins. Tissue sections were incubated with antibodies to amelogenins (AMEL), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and osteopontin (OPN). Radicular enamel deposits contained residual organic matrix that labeled for AMEL. In contrast, BSP and OPN were not detected in the residual enamel matrix, they were found in the cementum deposited on its surface as well as in collagen-free cementicle-like structures in the adjacent periodontal ligament. True cementicles consisted of a collagenous matrix intermixed with a non-collagenous ground substance. Labeling for BSP and OPN was mainly associated with the interfibrillar ground substance. No immunoreactivity for AMEL was detected in cementicles. These data indicate that ectopic enamel deposits on the root retain a high amount of AMEL, whereas cementicles contain BSP and OPN, two NCPs typically found in bone and cementum. These NCPs may, like in their normal tissue counterparts, play a role in the mineralization process. [source]

Click Chemistry Inspired Synthesis of Novel Ferrocenyl-Substituted Amino Acids or Peptides

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 13 2009
V. Sai Sudhir
Abstract This work reports on the synthesis of a wide range of ferrocenyl-substituted amino acids and peptides in excellent yield. Conjugation is established via copper-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. Two complementary strategies were employed for conjugation, one involving cycloaddition of amino acid derived azides with ethynyl ferrocene 1 and the other involves cycloaddition between amino acid derived alkynes with ferrocene-derived azides 2 and 3. Labeling of amino acids at multiple sites with ferrocene is discussed. A new route to 1,1,-unsymmetrically substituted ferrocene conjugates is reported. A novel ferrocenophane 19 is accessed via bimolecular condensation of amino acid derived bis-alkyne 9b with the azide 2. The electrochemical behavior of some selected ferrocene conjugates has been studied by cyclic voltammetry.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source]

Reorganization of hair follicles in human skin organ culture induced by cultured human follicle-derived cells

EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2005
Walter Krugluger
Abstract:, Studies of human hair follicle (HF) induction by follicle-derived cells have been limited due to a lack of suitable test systems. In this study, we established a skin organ culture system which supports HF formation by follicle-derived cells. Long-term skin organ cultures were set up from human retroauricular skin specimens and maintained in culture for up to 8 weeks. In vitro expanded human HF-derived cells from the dermal papilla (DP) and the outer root sheath (ORS) were injected together into the skin specimens and evaluated for their ability to induce reorganization of HFs. Macroscopic analysis of the cultured skin specimens demonstrated the growth of velus-like hair after 4 weeks in culture. Histologic evaluation of the cultured skin specimens after 8 weeks of culture revealed multiple miniaturized HFs with sebaceous glands. In addition, cell clusters of various differentiation stages could be demonstrated in serial sections of the cultured skin specimens. Labeling of HF-derived cells with the fluorescence dye CFDA-1 prior to injection suggested a de novo reorganization of HFs out of the injected cells. In conclusion, the study demonstrated HF formation by HF-derived cells in an in vitro skin organ culture model. [source]

Labeling of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells by Oleic-Acid-Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 8 2009
Lian Cen
Abstract The in vivo tracking of adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) is of essential concern when they are used as seed cells in tissue engineering. This study explores the feasibility of using magnetic nanoparticles (MNs), a type of contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to label ASCs such that the labeled ASCs could be tracked in vivo by MRI non-invasively and repeatedly. To do this, MNs of <10,nm surface-coated with oleic acid are synthesized via a high-temperature solution-phase reaction. Cytotoxicity of the as-synthesized MNs at concentrations up to 0.1,mg,mL,1 on 104,cells,mL,1 ASCs is evaluated by LDH release. Since only minor cytotoxicity is detected, the effects of the labeling technique on cellular behaviors and uptake by labeled cells are investigated. Cell proliferation and differentiation with and without MNs are compared. The results show that proliferation of ASCs (104,cells,mL,1) labeled by MNs (0.05,mg,mL,1) is significantly enhanced and dependent on the labeling time. The MNs are located in the vesicles within cytoplasm of ASCs. The cellular uptake reaches as high as ,180,pg/cell. Nevertheless, the labeled ASCs still maintained adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation. Hence, the feasibility of labeling ASCs by oleic acid coated MNs is ascertained and it was better to label the cells during their quiescent stage. The labeled ASCs can also be in vivo detected by MRI in a subcutaneous model in vivo. Further MRI tracking of the labeled ASCs in long-term follow-up would thus follow this current study. [source]

Ca2+ entry through TRPC1 channels contributes to intracellular Ca2+ dynamics and consequent glutamate release from rat astrocytes

GLIA, Issue 8 2008
Erik B. Malarkey
Abstract Astrocytes can respond to a variety of stimuli by elevating their cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration and can in turn release glutamate to signal adjacent neurons. The majority of this Ca2+ is derived from internal stores while a portion also comes from outside of the cell. Astrocytes use Ca2+ entry through store-operated Ca2+ channels to refill their internal stores. Therefore, we investigated what role this store-operated Ca2+ entry plays in astrocytic Ca2+ responses and subsequent glutamate release. Astrocytes express canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels that have been implicated in mediating store-operated Ca2+ entry. Here, we show that astrocytes in culture and freshly isolated astrocytes from visual cortex express TRPC1, TRPC4, and TRPC5. Indirect immunocytochemistry reveals that these proteins are present throughout the cell; the predominant expression of functionally tested TRPC1, however, is on the plasma membrane. Labeling in freshly isolated astrocytes reveals changes in TRPC expression throughout development. Using an antibody against TRPC1 we were able to block the function of TRPC1 channels and determine their involvement in mechanically and agonist-evoked Ca2+ entry in cultured astrocytes. Blocking TRPC1 was also found to reduce mechanically induced Ca2+ -dependent glutamate release. These data indicate that Ca2+ entry through TRPC1 channels contributes to Ca2+ signaling in astrocytes and the consequent glutamate release from these cells. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Do nutrition labels improve dietary outcomes?,

HEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 6 2008
Jayachandran N. Variyam
Abstract The disclosure of nutritional characteristics of most packaged foods became mandatory in the United States with the implementation of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) in 1994. Under the NLEA regulations, a ,Nutrition Facts' panel displays information on nutrients such as calories, total and saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium in a standardized format. By providing nutrition information in a credible, distinctive, and easy-to-read format, the new label was expected to help consumers choose healthier, more nutritious diets. This paper examines whether the disclosure of nutrition information through the mandatory labels impacted consumer diets. Assessing the dietary effects of labeling is problematic due to the confounding of the label effect with unobserved label user characteristics. This self-selection problem is addressed by exploiting the fact that the NLEA exempts away-from-home foods from mandatory labeling. Difference-in-differences models that account for zero away-from-home intakes suggest that the labels increase fiber and iron intakes of label users compared with label nonusers. In comparison, a model that does not account for self-selection implies significant label effects for all but two of the 13 nutrients that are listed on the label. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Minocycline-Based Europium(III) Chelate Complexes: Synthesis, Luminescent Properties, and Labeling to Streptavidin

HELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 11 2009
Takuya Nishioka
Abstract Two chelate ligands for europium(III) having minocycline (=(4S,4aS,5aR,12aS)-4,7-bis(dimethylamino)-1,4,4a,5,5a,6,11,12a-octahydro-3,10,12,12a-tetrahydroxy-1,11-dioxonaphthacene-2-carboxamide; 5) as a VIS-light-absorbing group were synthesized as possible VIS-light-excitable stable Eu3+ complexes for protein labeling. The 9-amino derivative 7 of minocycline was treated with H6TTHA (=triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid=3,6,9,12-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)-3,6,9,12-tetraazatetradecanedioic acid) or H5DTPA (=diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid=N,N -bis{2-[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]ethyl}glycine) to link the polycarboxylic acids to minocycline. One of the Eu3+ chelates, [Eu3+(minocycline-TTHA)] (13), is moderately luminescent in H2O by excitation at 395,nm, whereas [Eu3+(minocycline-DTPA)] (9) was not luminescent by excitation at the same wavelength. The luminescence and the excitation spectra of [Eu3+(minocycline-TTHA)] (13) showed that, different from other luminescent EuIII chelate complexes, the emission at 615,nm is caused via direct excitation of the Eu3+ ion, and the chelate ligand is not involved in the excitation of Eu3+. However, the ligand seems to act for the prevention of quenching of the Eu3+ emission by H2O. The fact that the excitation spectrum of [Eu3+(minocycline-TTHA)] is almost identical with the absorption spectrum of Eu3+ aqua ion supports such an excitation mechanism. The high stability of the complexes of [Eu3+(minocycline-DTPA)] (9) and [Eu3+(minocycline-TTHA)] (13) was confirmed by UV-absorption semi-quantitative titrations of H4(minocycline-DTPA) (8) and H5(minocycline-TTHA) (12) with Eu3+. The titrations suggested also that an 1,:,1 ligand Eu3+ complex is formed from 12, whereas an 1,:,2 complex was formed from 8 minocycline-DTPA. The H5(minocycline-TTHA) (12) was successfully conjugated to streptavidin (SA) (Scheme,5), and thus the applicability of the corresponding Eu3+ complex to label a protein was established. [source]

Simultaneously multi-parameter determination of hematonosis cell apoptosis by two-photon and confocal laser scanning microscopy

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 5 2004
Yi Wang
Abstract Flow cytometry (FCM), TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL), and DNA ladder are conventional methods to detect apoptosis of drug-treated cells. However, the assumption of cell number restricts their applications in clinics. In this paper, we report a cell-saving imaging method for quick identification of the hematonosis cell apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic drugs. By the combination of two-photon and confocal microscopy, three main apoptosis parameters (the change of nuclear morphology, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, and increase of intracellular calcium) were recorded simultaneously for single As2O3 -induced Molt-4 cells. The results are highly in accordance with those produced by classical flow cytometry. This work suggests that this new imaging method would be promising in the quick identification of hematonosis cell apoptosis. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:271,275, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Photochemistry of 4- and 5- phenyl substituted isoxazoles

JOURNAL OF HETEROCYCLIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2005
James W. Pavlik
5-Phenylisoxazole (4) and 4-phenylisoxazole (22) underwent phototransposition to 5-phenyloxazole (5) and 4-phenyloxazole (24) respectively. Labeling with deuterium or methyl confirmed that these phototranspositions occurred via the P4 pathway which involves only interchange of the N2 and C3 ring position. Thus, 4-deuterio-5-phenylisoxazole (4-4d), 4-methyl-5-phenylisoxazole (10), and 5-methyl-4-phenylisoxazole (23) phototransposed to 4-deuterio-5-phenyloxazole (5-4d), 4-methyl-5-phenyloxazole (11), and 5-methyl-4-phenyloxazole (25) respectively. In addition to phototransposition, isoxazoles 4, 10, and 23 also underwent photo-ring cleavage to yield benzoylacetonitrile (9), ,-benzoylpropionitrile (15), and aceto-,-phenylacetonitrile (26) respectively. Irradiation of 5-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)isoxazole (16) in acetonitrile led to 5-phenyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)oxazole (17), the P4 phototransposition product. Irradiation of 16 in methanol led to a substantial decrease in the yield of 17 and to the formation of a mixture of (E) and (Z)-2-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)-3-benzoylaziridines 18a and 18b. [source]

Synthesis of [11C]celecoxib: a potential PET probe for imaging COX-2 expression

JOURNAL OF LABELLED COMPOUNDS AND RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS, Issue 12 2005
Jaya Prabhakaran
Abstract [11C]Labeling of celecoxib, a COX-2 selective inhibitor and prescription drug for arthritis and pain has been achieved. The precursor molecule for the radiolabeling was synthesized from 4-bromoacetophenone in 4 steps with 23% overall yield. Stille reaction of N-[bis -(4-methoxyphenyl)phenylmethyl]-4-[5-(4-tributylstannylphenyl)-3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (5) with methyl iodide in presence of catalytic amounts of Pd2(dba)3, tri- o -tolylphosphine, CuCl and excess of K2CO3 in DMF followed by deprotection of the sulfonamide with 20% trifluoroaceticacid yielded 4-(5- p -tolyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide or celecoxib (6) in 30% yield. However, under identical conditions, synthesis of [11C]celecoxib ([11C]6) was unsuccessful. Instead, trapping [11C]CH3I in an argon purged solution of catalytic amounts of Pd2(dba)3 and tri- o -tolylphosphine followed by the addition of the precursor 5 in DMF under argon and heating the mixture at 135°C for 4 min resulted in the incorporation of [11C]CH3 group. Removal of the dimethoxytrityl (DMT) with 20% trifluoroacetic acid afforded [11C]celecoxib in 40 min (EOB) and 8±2% yield (EOB) along with a specific activity of 1080±180 Ci/mmol (n=6) (EOB). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Labeling of human C-peptide by conjugation with N -succinimidyl-4-[18F]fluorobenzoate

JOURNAL OF LABELLED COMPOUNDS AND RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS, Issue 7 2001
Anna Fredriksson
Abstract We have labeled proinsulin connecting peptide (C-peptide) with fluorine-18 (t½=109.7 min) in order to perform in vivo biodistribution and pharmacokinetic studies with position emission tomography (PET). This study reports the optimization of the conjugation labeling in the N-terminal with N -succinimidyl-4-[18F]fluorobenzoate ([18F]SFB). In preparative runs N -4-[18F]fluorobenzoyl-C-peptide ([18F]FB-C-peptide) was produced in 8,12% decay-corrected yields, counted from resolubilized [18F]F,, in less than 5 h. The specific radioactivity of [18F]FB-C-peptide, determined using ELISA for one of the preparations, was around 70 GBq/,mol at end of synthesis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

In Vivo Labeling of Mitochondrial Complex I (NADH:UbiquinoneOxidoreductase) in Rat Brain Using [3H]Dihydrorotenone

JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2000
Deepa J. Talpade
Abstract: Defects in mitochondrial energy metabolism have beenimplicated in several neurodegenerative disorders. Defective complex I(NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) activity plays a key role in Leber'shereditary optic neuropathy and, possibly, Parkinson's disease, but there isno way to assess this enzyme in the living brain. We previously described anin vitro quantitative autoradiographic assay using[3H]dihydrorotenone ([3H]DHR) binding to complex I. Wehave now developed an in vivo autoradiographic assay for complex I using[3H]DHR binding after intravenous administration. In vivo[3H]DHR binding was regionally heterogeneous, and brain uptake wasrapid. Binding was enriched in neurons compared with glia, and white matterhad the lowest levels of binding. In vivo [3H]DHR binding wasmarkedly reduced by local and systemic infusion of rotenone and was enhancedby local NADH administration. There was an excellent correlation betweenregional levels of in vivo [3H]DHR binding and the in vitroactivities of complex II (succinate dehydrogenase) and complex IV (cytochromeoxidase), suggesting that the stoichiometry of these components of theelectron transport chain is relatively constant across brain regions. Theability to assay complex I in vivo should provide a valuable tool toinvestigate the status of this mitochondrial enzyme in the living brain andsuggests potential imaging techniques for complex I in humans. [source]

Atlas-Based Anatomic Labeling in Neurodegenerative Disease via Structure-Driven Atlas Warping

JOURNAL OF NEUROIMAGING, Issue 1 2005
Dominik S. Meier PhD
ABSTRACT A new method is presented for the automated anatomic labeling and comparative morphometric analysis of brain magnetic reso nance imaging, warping a prelabeled atlas into congruence with the subject anatomy. The strategy emphasizes anatomically meaningful atlas deformations in the presence of strong degen eration and substantial morphologic differences, for example, cases with high levels of atrophy. The atlas deformation is not driven by image intensity similarities but by continuous anatomic correspondence maps, derived from individual presegmented brain structures. Automatically generated correspondence maps provide large sets of fiducials, driving a warp with many thousand degrees of freedom. Validation included a scan-rescan study and anatomically relevant self-validation in multiple sclerosis patients with substantial cortical and subcortical degeneration. The mean coefficient of variation in the scan-rescan study was 1.4%, with no significant difference in preci sion between normal and neurodegenerative anatomies. The self-validation demonstrated good structural overlap, with substantial improvement over established methods, such as Talairach spatial normalization. [source]

Activity of the lactate,alanine shuttle is independent of glutamate,glutamine cycle activity in cerebellar neuronal,astrocytic cultures

JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 1-2 2005
Lasse K. Bak
Abstract The glutamate,glutamine cycle describes the neuronal release of glutamate into the synaptic cleft, astrocytic uptake, and conversion into glutamine, followed by release for use as a neuronal glutamate precursor. This only explains the fate of the carbon atoms, however, and not that of the ammonia. Recently, a role for alanine has been proposed in transfer of ammonia between glutamatergic neurons and astrocytes, denoted the lactate,alanine shuttle (Waagepetersen et al. [ 2000] J. Neurochem. 75:471,479). The role of alanine in this context has been studied further using cerebellar neuronal cultures and corresponding neuronal,astrocytic cocultures. A superfusion paradigm was used to induce repetitively vesicular glutamate release by N -methyl- D -aspartate (NMDA) in the neurons, allowing the relative activity dependency of the lactate,alanine shuttle to be assessed. [15N]Alanine (0.2 mM), [2- 15N]/[5- 15N]glutamine (0.25 mM), and [15N]ammonia (0.3 mM) were used as precursors and cell extracts were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Labeling from [15N]alanine in glutamine, aspartate, and glutamate in cerebellar cocultures was independent of depolarization of the neurons. Employing glutamine with the amino group labeled ([2- 15N]glutamine) as the precursor, an activity-dependent increase in the labeling of both glutamate and aspartate (but not alanine) was observed in the cerebellar neurons. When the amide group of glutamine was labeled ([5- 15N]glutamine), no labeling could be detected in the analyzed metabolites. Altogether, the results of this study support the existence of the lactate,alanine shuttle and the associated glutamate,glutamine cycle. No direct coupling of the two shuttles was observed, however, and only the glutamate,glutamine cycle seemed activity dependent. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Functional perfusion imaging using continuous arterial spin labeling with separate labeling and imaging coils at 3 T

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 5 2003
Toralf Mildner
Abstract Functional perfusion imaging with a separate labeling coil located above the common carotid artery was demonstrated in human volunteers at 3 T. A helmet resonator and a spin-echo echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence were used for imaging, and a circular surface coil of 6 cm i.d. was employed for labeling. The subjects performed a finger-tapping task. Signal differences between the condition of finger tapping and the resting state were between ,0.5% and ,1.1 % among the subjects. The imaging protocol included a long post-label delay (PLD) to reduce transit time effects. Labeling was applied for all repetitions of the functional run to reduce the sampling interval. Magn Reson Med 49:791,795, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Molecular Reproduction & Development: Volume 76, Issue 3

MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2009
Article first published online: 19 JAN 200
Cumulus-oocyte complex from rhesus monkey. Labeling emphasizes the retention of connexin43 (blue) between the metaphase II oocyte and the cumulus cells. Cytoskeleton is counterstained for filamentous actin (green) and beta-tubulin (red). The miRNA processing pathway of this complex is reported in the article by Mtango et al. in this issue. Image courtesy of Professor Catherine A. VandeVoort (University of California, Davis). [source]

Role of the sperm proteasome during fertilization and gamete interaction in the mouse

MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2005
Consuelo Pasten
Abstract In this work, we have investigated the role of the sperm proteasome during in vitro fertilization (IVF) and gamete interaction in the mouse. Proteasome activity was measured in extract and intact sperm using a specific substrate. In addition, sperm were treated with specific proteasome inhibitors and evaluated during IVF, binding to the zona pellucida, and progesterone- and zona pellucida-induced acrosome reactions. In other experiments, sperm membrane proteins were obtained resuspending them in Triton X-114, shaking vigorously and let standing by 4 hr. Soluble sperm proteins were partitioned in the aqueous phase and sperm membrane proteins in the detergent phase. In both phases, proteasome activity was measured. Labeling of cell surface sperm proteins was carried out with the cell-impermeable NHS-LC biotin, extracted with Triton X-114, and mixing with avidin-agarose beads. Nonpermeabilized sperm were incubated with an anti-proteasome monoclonal antibody and evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence. The results indicate that sperm extracts as well as intact sperm had proteasome activity; the sperm proteasome was involved in IVF, specifically during sperm-zona pellucida binding and the acrosome reaction; soluble sperm membrane proteins exhibited proteasome activity; biotin experiments indicated the presence of proteasomes on the sperm surface, which was corroborated by indirect immunofluorescence experiments. All these observations indicate that the mouse sperm proteasome participates in the binding to the zona pellucida and the acrosome reaction and that there is a pool of proteasomes located on the sperm head. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 71: 209,219, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Magnetic resonance imaging and biological properties of pancreatic islets labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles

NMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 8 2009
Hoe Suk Kim
Abstract This study was undertaken to investigate the in vitro effect of islet labeling with iron oxide nanoparticles for MRI on islet viability, insulin secretion, and gene expression. Isolated rat islets were labeled with Resovist (25,200,µg Fe/mL, a clinically approved MRI contrast agent) in the presence or absence of poly- l -Lysine (PLL, 1.5,µg/mL) for 48,h. The iron content of labeled islets was found to increase in a dose-dependent manner. More than 90% of the islets were labeled with 100,µg Fe/mL. We confirmed the localizations of iron oxide nanoparticles within islet , -cells by insulin immunostaining. As the concentration of Resovist increased, T2 values as determined by T2 -weighted MRI on a 1.5,Tesla MR scanner decreased. Labeling of 100 islets in a medium containing 100,µg Fe/mL of Resovist in the absence of PLL provided sufficient contrast for islet visualization on T2 -weighted MRI. MTT assays showed that the viability of labeled islets was not different from that of unlabeled islets. No statistical difference was observed between labeled (2.91,±,0.36) and unlabeled islets (2.83,±,0.61) in terms of the ability to secrete insulin, as determined by the glucose stimulation index. We also evaluated the effect of iron oxide incorporation on the gene expressions in islet cells using RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase PCR). Insulin expression in labeled islets was significantly elevated (1.83,±,0.25 fold vs. unlabeled; p,=,0.005), but not the expression of somatostatin (1.39,±,0.18 fold vs. unlabeled; p,=,0.085) or glucagons (1.28,±,0.13 fold vs. unlabeled; p,=,0.09). Expression of an important transcription factor for insulin gene transcription, BETA2 (beta-cell E-box trans-activator), was increased in labeled islets (1.67,±,0.15 fold vs. unlabeled; p,=,0.029). The findings of this study indicate that Resovist provides a satisfactory means to image islets and has no deleterious effect on islet function or gene expression. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Skin reactivity to histamine and to allergens in unselected 9-year-old children living in Poland and Italy

PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2003
Roberto Ronchetti
Several studies have shown a higher prevalence of positive skin-prick tests to airborne allergens in Western than in Eastern European countries. We have recently reported that skin histamine reactivity significantly increased in Italy over the past 15 years. Population differences in skin histamine reactivity could, at least in part, explain the reported differences in positive allergen skin tests. To test this hypothesis we compared histamine skin reactivity and the prevalence of allergen positive skin-prick tests in a sample of Italian and Polish schoolchildren. A total of 336 unselected 9-year-old-schoolchildren (198 in Italy and 138 in Poland) underwent skin-prick tests with three different histamine concentrations (10, 1 and 0.2 mg/ml) and with a panel of common airborne allergens according to the ISAAC protocol, phase two. Mean wheals elicited by skin-prick tests with the three serial concentrations of histamine were significantly larger (p < 0.001) and shifted more toward higher values (p < 0.001) in Italian than in Polish children. The differences were greater for the intermediate histamine concentration tested (1 mg/ml) than for the highest concentration (10 mg/ml). Skin-prick tests for airborne allergens were more frequently positive in Italian children: wheals ,,3 mm induced by any allergen [odds ratio (OR) 1.69; confidence interval (CI) 0.98,2.92] by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (OR 1.92; CI 0.97,3.80) and by D. farinae (OR 3.15; CI 1.16,8.63). Labeling as positive allergen wheal reactions half the size of the 10 mg/ml histamine wheal or larger reduced but did not abolish the Italian,Polish differences. The significantly higher skin histamine reactivity observed in Italian children could help to explain why allergen skin-test reactions differ in the East and West European populations. Moreover, differences in nonallergen-specific factors among populations should be considered in the interpretation of skin test results (e.g. cut-off points). To obtain meaningful results, epidemiological studies of allergies should include serial histamine dilutions. [source]

Acrosome Biosynthesis in Spermatocytes and Spermatids Revealed by HPA Lectin Cytochemistry

THE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 9 2008
Galder Valbuena
Abstract The origin of the acrosome is controversial, because of both its lysosomal nature and at the moment of its appearance, which seems to be species-specific. Considering the amazing organization shown by the acrosome of some urodele amphibians, HPA-colloidal gold cytochemistry was used to analyze the biogenesis of the acrosome in the urodele Pleurodeles waltl at electron microscopy level. The results showed that HPA-labeling is useful to label the acrosome and its precursor vesicles and, consequently, HPA-histochemistry could be used as a marker of acrosomal content. Labeling of the Golgi apparatus and precursor vesicles was seen in primary spermatocytes and round (stage I) spermatids, thus contributing solid evidence for the beginning of acrosome biogenesis before meiosis. In both primary spermatocytes and round spermatids, an enigmatic vesicle, probably related to the biosynthesis of the neck piece or the tail, was also labeled. Labeling in elongating spermatids (stage II,IV), showed a homogeneous distribution of colloidal gold particles in the acrosomal cap, but the perforatorium was not positive to the lectin. However, in mature (stage V,VI) spermatids, a regional distribution of labeling in the acrosome was seen, with the apical knob showing a stronger labeling than the lateral barb, and the lateral barb showing a stronger labeling than the principal piece of the acrosomal cap. This regional distribution of the labeling suggests that the acrosome develops several domains with different glycoconjugate compositions. Anat Rec, 291:1097-1105, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Cellular and subcellular localization of the GABAB receptor 1a/b subunit in the rat periaqueductal gray matter

THE JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY, Issue 5 2007
Paolo Barbaresi
Abstract The inhibitory effects of ,-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurotransmission in the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) are mediated, at least partly, by metabotropic GABAB receptor subtypes whose cellular and subcellular localization is still unknown. We performed immunohistochemical experiments with an antibody against GABAB receptor subtype 1a/b (GABABR1a/b) by using light and electron microscopy. On light microscopy, GABABR1a/b immunoreactivity (IR) was in all columns, defined by cytochrome oxidase histochemistry. Neuropil labeling was strongest in the lateral portion of dorsolateral PAG. Labeled neurons, albeit not numerous, were in ventrolateral, dorsal, and medial subdivisions and were sparser in dorsolateral PAG. Labeling was mostly on the soma of PAG neurons. Sometimes GABABR1a/b IR spread along proximal dendrites; in these cases bipolar neurons were the most common type. On electron microscopy, GABABR1a/b IR was mainly on dendrites (54.92% of labeled elements) and axon terminals (21.90%) making synapses with labeled and unlabeled postsynaptic elements. Presynaptic labeling was also on unmyelinated and myelinated axons (overall 8% of all labeled elements). Postsynaptically, GABABR1a/b IR was at extrasynaptic sites on dendritic shafts; spines were always unlabeled. On axon terminals, GABABR1a/b IR was on extrasynaptic membranes and sometimes on presynaptic membrane specializations. Of the labeled elements, 13.03% elements were distal astrocytic processes (dAsPs) surrounding both symmetric and asymmetric synapses whose pre- and postsynaptic elements were often labeled. Immunoreactive dAsPs were around the soma and dendrites of both labeled and unlabeled neurons. These findings provide insights into the intrinsic PAG organization and suggest that presynaptic, postsynaptic, and glial GABAB receptors may play crucial roles in controlling PAG neuronal activity. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:478,492, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]