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Though work in the area of photovoice (in which students take photos to structure a dialogue that can serve to advance social action as the community responds to the participants’ perspectives and locates them in solution-generation) has been conducted in science education research to focus on learner’s experiences, little has been done to showcase community members’ perspectives resulting from the photovoice experience—though it is here that photovoice holds the most potential to effect positive change locally. The research presented here, conducted during a study abroad course taught in Costa Rica, seeks to understand the ways in which the experience of photovoice stimulated an understanding of and connection to local sustainability issues and to those for whom these issues are most pressing. The study involves a cross-cultural and cross-linguistic exchange of ideas regarding sustainable crop development between study abroad students and community members in a rural mountain town in Costa Rica. Results indicated that the experience of photovoice broadened and enriched all participants’ understanding of environmental sustainability—university students and local residents—as well as inspired critique of socio-scientific issues of personal relevance and impact. Photovoice is thus presented as a rich and engaging instructional technique that also serves as a community participation tool with potential for connecting students and communities from distinct cultures and languages.

The structural evolution of hierarchical structures of nanoscale biomolecules is crucial for the construction of functional networks in vivo and in vitro. Despite the ubiquity of these networks, the physical mechanisms behind their formation and self-assembly remains poorly understood. Here, this study uses photochemically cross-linked folded protein hydrogels as a model biopolymer network system, with a combined time-resolved rheology and small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) approach to probe both the load-bearing structures and network architectures respectively thereby providing a cross-length scale understanding of the network formation. Combining SAXS, rheology, and kinetic modeling, a dual formation mechanism consisting of a primary formation phase is proposed, where monomeric folded proteins create the preliminary protein network scaffold; and a subsequent secondary formation phase, where both additional intra-network cross-links form and larger oligomers diffuse to join the preliminary network, leading to a denser more mechanically robust structure. Identifying this as the origin of the structural and mechanical properties of protein networks creates future opportunities to understand hierarchical biomechanics in vivo and develop functional, designed-for-purpose, biomaterials., (© 2024 The Author(s). Small published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

In 2015, the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) developed the Saving Lives through Safe Surgery (SaLTS) initiative to improve national surgical care. Previous work led to development and implementation of 15 surgical key performance indicators (KPIs) to standardize surgical data practices. The objective of this project is to investigate current practices of KPI data collection and assess quality to improve data management and strengthen surgical systems. The first portion of the study documented the surgical data collection process including methods, instruments, and effectiveness at 10 hospitals across 2 regions in Ethiopia. Secondly, data for KPIs of focus [1. Surgical Volume, 2. Perioperative Mortality Rate (POMR), 3. Adverse Anesthetic Outcome (AAO), 4. Surgical Site Infection (SSI), and 5. Safe Surgery Checklist (SSC) Utilization] were compared between registries, KPI reporting forms, and the DHIS2 (district health information system) electronic database for a 6-month period (January-June 2022). Quality was assessed based on data completeness and consistency. The data collection process involved hospital staff recording data elements in registries, quality officers calculating KPIs, completing monthly KPI reporting forms, and submitting data into DHIS2 for the national and regional health bureaus. Data quality verifications revealed discrepancies in consistency at all hospitals, ranging from 1-3 indicators. For all hospitals, average monthly surgical volume was 57 cases, POMR was 0.38% (13/3399), inpatient SSI rate was 0.79% (27/3399), AAO rate was 0.15% (5/3399), and mean SSC utilization monthly was 93% (100% median). Half of the hospitals had incomplete data within the registries, ranging from 2-5 indicators. AAO, SSC, and SSI were commonly missing data in registries. Non-standardized KPI reporting forms contributed significantly to the findings. Facilitators to quality data collection included continued use of registries from previous interventions and use of a separate logbook to document specific KPIs. Delayed rollout of these indicators in each region contributed to issues in data quality. Barriers involved variable indicator recording from different personnel, data collection tools that generate false positives (i.e. completeness of SSC defined as paper form filled out prior to patient discharge) or missing data because of reporting time period (i.e. monthly SSI may miss infections outside of one month), inadequate data elements in registries, and lack of standardized monthly KPI reporting forms. As the FMOH introduces new indicators and changes, we recommend continuous and consistent quality checks and data capacity building, including the use of routinely generated health information for quality improvement projects at the department level., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Cook et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Fibrous networks constructed from high aspect ratio protein building blocks are ubiquitous in nature. Despite this ubiquity, the functional advantage of such building blocks over globular proteins is not understood. To answer this question, we engineered hydrogel network building blocks with varying numbers of protein L domains to control the aspect ratio. The mechanical and structural properties of photochemically crosslinked protein L networks were then characterised using shear rheology and small angle neutron scattering. We show that aspect ratio is a crucial property that defines network architecture and mechanics, by shifting the formation from translationally diffusion dominated to rotationally diffusion dominated. Additionally, we demonstrate that a similar transition is observed in the model living system: fibrin blood clot networks. The functional advantages of this transition are increased mechanical strength and the rapid assembly of homogenous networks above a critical protein concentration, crucial for in vivo biological processes such as blood clotting. In addition, manipulating aspect ratio also provides a parameter in the design of future bio-mimetic and bio-inspired materials., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Globular folded protein-based hydrogels are becoming increasingly attractive due to their specific biological functionality, as well as their responsiveness to stimuli. By modelling folded proteins as colloids, there are rich opportunities to explore network formation mechanisms in protein hydrogels that negate the need for computationally expensive simulations which capture the full complexity of proteins. Here we present a kinetic lattice-based model which simulates the formation of irreversibly chemically crosslinked, folded protein-based hydrogels. We identify the critical point of gel percolation, explore the range of network regimes covering diffusion-limited to reaction-limited cluster aggregation (DLCA and RLCA, respectively) network formation mechanisms and predict the final network structure, fractal dimensions and final gel porosity. We reveal a crossover between DLCA and RLCA mechanisms as a function of protein volume fraction and show how the final network structure is governed by the structure at the percolation point, regardless of the broad variation of non-percolating cluster masses observed across all systems. An analysis of the pore size distribution in the final network structures reveals that, approaching RLCA, gels have larger maximal pores than the DLCA counterparts for both volume fractions studied. This general kinetic model and the analysis tools generate predictions of network structure and concurrent porosity over a broad range of experimentally controllable parameters that are consistent with current expectations and understanding of experimental results.

The pericentromeric heterochromatin is largely composed of repetitive sequences, making it difficult to analyze with standard molecular biological methods. At the same time, it carries many functional elements with poorly understood mechanisms of action. The search for new experimental models for the analysis of heterochromatin is an urgent task. In this work, we used the Rif1 mutation, which suppresses the underreplication of all types of repeated sequences, to analyze heterochromatin regions in polytene chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster . In the Rif1 background, we discovered and described in detail a new inversion, In(1)19EHet , which arose on a chromosome already carrying the In(1)sc 8 inversion and transferred a large part of X chromosome heterochromatin, including the nucleolar organizer to a new euchromatic environment. Using nanopore sequencing and FISH, we have identified the eu- and heterochromatin breakpoints of In(1)19EHet . The combination of the new inversion and the Rif1 mutation provides a promising tool for studies of X chromosome heterochromatin structure, nucleolar organization, and the nucleolar dominance phenomenon. In particular, we found that, with the complete polytenization of rDNA repeats, the nucleolus consists of a cloud-like structure corresponding to the classical nucleolus of polytene chromosomes, as well as an unusual intrachromosomal structure containing alternating transcriptionally active and inactive regions.

In Drosophila melanogaster , hormone-secreting enteroendocrine cells are important for communication from the midgut to other tissues. Many lexA, GAL4, and split-GAL4 drivers that direct gene expression in enteroendocrine cells also confer expression in hormone-secreting cells of the central nervous system. This study examines the midgut expression of selected lexA, GAL4, and split-GAL4 transgenes carrying enhancer fragments previously associated with panneuronal gene expression to assess the experimental usefulness of these drivers for distinguishing the endocrine influences of CNS versus midgut cells on physiological processes., (Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.)

The Drosophila melanogaster midgut is commonly studied as a model epithelial tissue for many reasons, one of which is the presence of a diverse population of secretory cells called enteroendocrine cells. Subpopulations of these cells secrete various combinations of peptide hormones which have systemic effects on the organism. Many of these hormones are also produced in the Drosophila brain. The split-GAL4 system has been useful for identifying and manipulating discrete groups of cells, but previously characterized split-GAL4 drivers have not driven expression in high proportions of enteroendocrine cells. In this study, we screened candidate split-GAL4 drivers for enteroendocrine cell expression using known reference drivers for this cell type and discovered a new split-GAL4 driver pair that confers expression in a greater number of enteroendocrine cells than previously characterized driver pairs. The new pair demonstrates less brain expression, thereby providing better tools for disentangling the physiological roles of gut- and brain-secreted peptides. We also identified additional split-GAL4 drivers that promote expression in discrete subpopulations of enteroendocrine cells. Overall, the tools reported here will help researchers better target enteroendocrine cell subpopulations., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Genetics Society of America.)

Drosophila melanogaster has been a model organism for experimental research for more than a century, and the knowledge and associated genetic technologies accumulated around this species make it extremely important to contemporary biomedical research. A large international community of highly collaborative scientists investigate a remarkable diversity of biological problems using genetically characterised strains of Drosophila, and frequently exchange these strains across borders. Despite its importance to the study of fundamental biological processes and human disease-related cellular mechanisms, and the fact that it presents minimal health, agricultural or environmental risks, Drosophila can be difficult to import. The authors argue that streamlined regulations and practices would benefit biomedical research by lowering costs and increasing efficiencies.

Mercury (Hg), especially reactive Hg (RM), data from the Southern Hemisphere (SH) are limited. In this study, long-term measurements of both gaseous elemental Hg (GEM) and RM were made at two ground-based monitoring locations in Australia, the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station (CGBAPS) in Tasmania, and the Macquarie University Automatic Weather Station (MQAWS) in Sydney, New South Wales. Measurements were also made on board the Australian RV Investigator (RVI) during an ocean research voyage to the East Antarctic coast. GEM was measured using the standard Tekran® 2537 series analytical platform, and RM was measured using cation exchange membranes (CEM) in a filter-based sampling method. Overall mean RM concentrations at CGBAPS and MQAWS were 15.9 ± 6.7 pg m -3 and 17.8 ± 6.6 pg m -3 , respectively. For the 10-week austral summer period on RVI, mean RM was 23.5 ± 6.7 pg m -3 . RM concentrations at CGBAPS were seasonally invariable, while those at MQAWS were significantly different between summer and winter due to seasonal changes in synoptic wind patterns. During the RVI voyage, RM concentrations were relatively enhanced along the Antarctic coast (up to 30 pg m -3 ) and GEM concentrations were variable (0.2 to 0.9 ng m -3 ), suggesting periods of enrichment and depletion. Both RM and GEM concentrations were relatively lower while transiting the Southern Ocean farther north of Antarctica. RM concentrations measured in this study were higher in comparison to most other reported measurements of RM in the global marine boundary layer (MBL), especially for remote SH locations. As observations of GEM and RM concentrations inform global ocean-atmosphere model simulations of the atmospheric Hg budget, our results have important implications for understanding of total atmospheric Hg (TAM)., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The Drosophila adult midgut is a model epithelial tissue composed of a few major cell types with distinct regional identities. One of the limitations to its analysis is the lack of tools to manipulate gene expression based on these regional identities. To overcome this obstacle, we applied the intersectional split-GAL4 system to the adult midgut and report 653 driver combinations that label cells by region and cell type. We first identified 424 split-GAL4 drivers with midgut expression from ∼7300 drivers screened, and then evaluated the expression patterns of each of these 424 when paired with three reference drivers that report activity specifically in progenitor cells, enteroendocrine cells, or enterocytes. We also evaluated a subset of the drivers expressed in progenitor cells for expression in enteroblasts using another reference driver. We show that driver combinations can define novel cell populations by identifying a driver that marks a distinct subset of enteroendocrine cells expressing genes usually associated with progenitor cells. The regional cell type patterns associated with the entire set of driver combinations are documented in a freely available website, providing information for the design of thousands of additional driver combinations to experimentally manipulate small subsets of intestinal cells. In addition, we show that intestinal enhancers identified with the split-GAL4 system can confer equivalent expression patterns on other transgenic reporters. Altogether, the resource reported here will enable more precisely targeted gene expression for studying intestinal processes, epithelial cell functions, and diseases affecting self-renewing tissues., (Copyright © 2020 by the Genetics Society of America.)

Balancers are rearranged chromosomes used in Drosophila melanogaster to maintain deleterious mutations in stable populations, preserve sets of linked genetic elements and construct complex experimental stocks. Here, we assess the phenotypes associated with breakpoint-induced mutations on commonly used third chromosome balancers and show remarkably few deleterious effects. We demonstrate that a breakpoint in p53 causes loss of radiation-induced apoptosis and a breakpoint in Fucosyltransferase A causes loss of fucosylation in nervous and intestinal tissue-the latter study providing new markers for intestinal cell identity and challenging previous conclusions about the regulation of fucosylation. We also describe thousands of potentially harmful mutations shared among X or third chromosome balancers, or unique to specific balancers, including an Ankyrin 2 mutation present on most TM3 balancers, and reiterate the risks of using balancers as experimental controls. We used long-read sequencing to confirm or refine the positions of two inversions with breakpoints lying in repetitive sequences and provide evidence that one of the inversions, In(2L)Cy , arose by ectopic recombination between foldback transposon insertions and the other, In(3R)C , cleanly separates subtelomeric and telomeric sequences and moves the subtelomeric sequences to an internal chromosome position. In addition, our characterization of In(3R)C shows that balancers may be polymorphic for terminal deletions. Finally, we present evidence that extremely distal mutations on balancers can add to the stability of stocks whose purpose is to maintain homologous chromosomes carrying mutations in distal genes. Overall, these studies add to our understanding of the structure, diversity and effectiveness of balancer chromosomes., (Copyright © 2020 Miller et al.)

Many organisms in nature have evolved mechanisms to tolerate severe hypoxia or ischemia, including the hibernation-capable Arctic ground squirrel (AGS). Although hypoxic or ischemia tolerance in AGS involves physiological adaptations, little is known about the critical cellular mechanisms underlying intrinsic AGS cell resilience to metabolic stress. Through cell survival-based cDNA expression screens in neural progenitor cells, we identify a genetic variant of AGS Atp5g1 that confers cell resilience to metabolic stress. Atp5g1 encodes a subunit of the mitochondrial ATP synthase. Ectopic expression in mouse cells and CRISPR/Cas9 base editing of endogenous AGS loci revealed causal roles of one AGS-specific amino acid substitution in mediating cytoprotection by AGS ATP5G1. AGS ATP5G1 promotes metabolic stress resilience by modulating mitochondrial morphological change and metabolic functions. Our results identify a naturally occurring variant of ATP5G1 from a mammalian hibernator that critically contributes to intrinsic cytoprotection against metabolic stress., Competing Interests: NS, MB, EL, SL, KC, DM No competing interests declared, (© 2020, Singhal et al.)

Purpose: Local anesthetics are used for procedures in various settings. Although complications related to local anesthetic use is rare, adverse events do occur. A significant knowledge deficit was identified regarding local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) signs, symptoms, and treatment., Design: A learning needs assessment was performed at a local hospital to determine the nurses' baseline knowledge of LAST signs, symptoms, and treatment., Methods: A self-paced web-based learning module was developed and completed by clinical nurses with an immediate post survey and 6-month follow-up survey., Findings: The repeat learning needs assessment immediately after education resulted in more than 50% improvement in nurses' knowledge of LAST. A 6-month follow-up survey indicated that the gain in knowledge, signs, symptoms, and treatment of LAST was maintained., Conclusions: An educational gap was identified regarding clinical nurses' knowledge of LAST. An educational program was designed to improve baseline knowledge. The program goal was successfully met with more than half of nurses being able to identify signs, symptoms, and treatment of LAST., (Copyright © 2020 American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Balancer chromosomes are multiply inverted and rearranged chromosomes that are widely used in Drosophila genetics. First described nearly 100 years ago, balancers are used extensively in stock maintenance and complex crosses. Recently, the complete molecular structures of several commonly used balancers were determined by whole-genome sequencing. This revealed a surprising amount of variation among balancers derived from a common progenitor, identified genes directly affected by inversion breakpoints, and cataloged mutations shared by balancers. These studies emphasized that it is important to choose the optimal balancer, because different inversions suppress meiotic recombination in different chromosomal regions. In this review, we provide a brief history of balancers in Drosophila, discuss how they are used today, and provide examples of unexpected recombination events involving balancers that can lead to stock breakdown., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Heterochromatin-mediated repression is essential for controlling the expression of transposons and for coordinated cell type-specific gene regulation. The small ovary ( sov ) locus was identified in a screen for female-sterile mutations in Drosophila melanogaster , and mutants show dramatic ovarian morphogenesis defects. We show that the null sov phenotype is lethal and map the locus to the uncharacterized gene CG14438 , which encodes a nuclear zinc-finger protein that colocalizes with the essential Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1a). We demonstrate Sov functions to repress inappropriate gene expression in the ovary, silence transposons, and suppress position-effect variegation in the eye, suggesting a central role in heterochromatin stabilization.

Balancer chromosomes are multiply inverted and rearranged chromosomes used in Drosophila melanogaster for many tasks, such as maintaining mutant alleles in stock and complex stock construction. Balancers were created before molecular characterization of their breakpoints was possible, so the precise locations of many of these breakpoints are unknown. Here, we report or confirm the positions of the 14 euchromatic breakpoints on the 2 nd chromosome balancers SM1 , SM5 , CyO , and SM6a This total includes three breakpoints involved in a complex rearrangement on SM5 that is associated with the duplication of two genomic regions. Unbiased sequencing of several balancers allowed us to identify stocks with incorrectly identified balancers as well as single and double crossover events that had occurred between 2 nd chromosome balancers and their homologs. The confirmed crossover events that we recovered were at least 2 Mb from the closest inversion breakpoint, consistent with observations from other balancer chromosomes. Balancer chromosomes differ from one another both by large tracts of sequence diversity generated by recombination and by small differences, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Therefore, we also report loss-of-function mutations carried by these chromosomes and unique SNP and InDel polymorphisms present on only single balancers. These findings provide valuable information about the structure of commonly used 2 nd chromosome balancers and extend recent work examining the structure of X and 3 rd chromosome balancers. Finally, these observations provide new insights into how the sequences of individual balancers have diverged over time., (Copyright © 2018 Miller et al.)

Hundreds of Drosophila melanogaster stocks are currently maintained at the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center with mutations that have not been associated with sequence-defined genes. They have been preserved because they have interesting loss-of-function phenotypes. The experimental value of these mutations would be increased by tying them to specific genomic intervals so that geneticists can more easily associate them with annotated genes. Here, we report the mapping of 85 second chromosome complementation groups in the Bloomington collection to specific, small clusters of contiguous genes or individual genes in the sequenced genome. This information should prove valuable to Drosophila geneticists interested in processes associated with particular phenotypes and those searching for mutations affecting specific sequence-defined genes., (Copyright © 2018 Kahsai,Cook.)

The organization and stability of higher order structures that form in the extracellular matrix (ECM) to mediate the attachment of muscles are poorly understood. We have made the surprising discovery that a subset of clotting factor proteins are also essential for muscle attachment in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster One such coagulation protein, Fondue (Fon), was identified as a novel muscle mutant in a pupal lethal genetic screen. Fon accumulates at muscle attachment sites and removal of this protein results in decreased locomotor behavior and detached larval muscles. A sensitized genetic background assay reveals that fon functions with the known muscle attachment genes Thrombospondin (Tsp) and Tiggrin (Tig). Interestingly, Tig is also a component of the hemolymph clot. We further demonstrate that an additional clotting protein, Larval serum protein 1γ (Lsp1γ), is also required for muscle attachment stability and accumulates where muscles attach to tendons. While the local biomechanical and organizational properties of the ECM vary greatly depending on the tissue microenvironment, we propose that shared extracellular protein-protein interactions influence the strength and elasticity of ECM proteins in both coagulation and muscle attachment., (Copyright © 2016 by the Genetics Society of America.)

In Drosophila melanogaster, P element transposition has been a productive means of insertional mutagenesis. Thousands of genes have been tagged with natural and engineered P element constructs. Nevertheless, chromosomes carrying P element insertions tend to have high levels of background mutations from P elements inserting and excising during transposition. Consequently, the phenotypes seen when P element-bearing chromosomes are homozygous are often not attributable to the P insertions themselves. In this study, 178 strains in the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center collection with P insertions on the second chromosome were complementation tested against molecularly defined chromosomal deletions and previously characterized single-gene mutations to determine if recessive lethality or sterility is associated with the P insertions rather than background mutations. This information should prove valuable to geneticists using these strains for experimental studies of gene function., (Copyright © 2016 Kahsai et al.)

Balancer chromosomes are multiply inverted chromosomes that suppress meiotic crossing over and prevent the recovery of crossover products. Balancers are commonly used in Drosophila melanogaster to maintain deleterious alleles and in stock construction. They exist for all three major chromosomes, yet the molecular location of the breakpoints and the exact nature of many of the mutations carried by the second and third chromosome balancers has not been available. Here, we precisely locate eight of 10 of the breakpoints on the third chromosome balancer TM3, six of eight on TM6, and nine of 11 breakpoints on TM6B We find that one of the inversion breakpoints on TM3 bisects the highly conserved tumor suppressor gene p53-a finding that may have important consequences for a wide range of studies in Drosophila We also identify evidence of single and double crossovers between several TM3 and TM6B balancers and their normal-sequence homologs that have created genetic diversity among these chromosomes. Overall, this work demonstrates the practical importance of precisely identifying the position of inversion breakpoints of balancer chromosomes and characterizing the mutant alleles carried by them., (Copyright © 2016 Miller et al.)

Multiply inverted balancer chromosomes that suppress exchange with their homologs are an essential part of the Drosophila melanogaster genetic toolkit. Despite their widespread use, the organization of balancer chromosomes has not been characterized at the molecular level, and the degree of sequence variation among copies of balancer chromosomes is unknown. To map inversion breakpoints and study potential diversity in descendants of a structurally identical balancer chromosome, we sequenced a panel of laboratory stocks containing the most widely used X chromosome balancer, First Multiple 7 (FM7). We mapped the locations of FM7 breakpoints to precise euchromatic coordinates and identified the flanking sequence of breakpoints in heterochromatic regions. Analysis of SNP variation revealed megabase-scale blocks of sequence divergence among currently used FM7 stocks. We present evidence that this divergence arose through rare double-crossover events that replaced a female-sterile allele of the singed gene (sn(X2)) on FM7c with a sequence from balanced chromosomes. We propose that although double-crossover events are rare in individual crosses, many FM7c chromosomes in the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center have lost sn(X2) by this mechanism on a historical timescale. Finally, we characterize the original allele of the Bar gene (B(1)) that is carried on FM7, and validate the hypothesis that the origin and subsequent reversion of the B(1) duplication are mediated by unequal exchange. Our results reject a simple nonrecombining, clonal mode for the laboratory evolution of balancer chromosomes and have implications for how balancer chromosomes should be used in the design and interpretation of genetic experiments in Drosophila.

Testosterone replacement improves quality of life and is aromatized in men in adipose tissues to estrogen. Hyperestrogenism is believed to be harmful to male sexuality. This is a description of our experience of screening 34,016 men in the Low T Centers, of which approximately 50% were converted to treatment. Men were treated with injectable testosterone, and we have available data from 2009 to 2014. The data were extracted from our electronic health record (AdvancedMD) of 35 Low T Centers across the United States. In all, 7,215 (20.2%) out of the 34,016 patients had high estradiol levels defined as ≥42.6 pg/ml. Estradiol was measured using electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. Of the patients who had high estradiol levels, the age distribution was as follows: 132/989 (13.3%) were older than 65 years, 3,753/16,955 (22.1%) were between 45 and 65 years; 2,968/15,857 (18.7%) were between 25 and 44 years, 7/215 (3.3%) were younger than 25 years. The difference between extreme age groups (<25 and ≥65) was statistically significant using a chi-square test (p = .013). The correlation coefficient of serum estradiol to age was .53, SD = 8.21. It was observed that practitioners used aromatase inhibitor and selective estrogen receptor modulator to treat symptoms of hyperestrogenism, irrespective of blood estradiol levels. Gynecomastia was rarely documented as a reason for the prescription. Our finding was that high estradiol levels were not associated with higher rates of low libido but established higher rates of documented low libido with those with normal or lower estradiol levels. The difference was statistically significant (p < .05)., (© The Author(s) 2014.)

This study was conducted to examine the association between testosterone therapy and new myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke events in a series of patients treated at Low T Centers across the United States, consisting of mainly young (mean age = 46), otherwise, healthy men. Electronic medical records were queried between the years 2009 and 2014 to identify patients diagnosed with hypogonadism, MI, and stroke, as indicated by ICD-9 codes. The incidence of MI and stroke events was compared to community-based registries. 39,936 patients recruited from 40 Low T Centers across the United States were treated and 19,968 met eligibility criteria for receiving testosterone treatment. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for MI in testosterone- (T-) treated versus nontreated patients was 0.14 (C.I. = 0.08 to 0.18, P < 0.0001) whereas the IRR for stroke for T-treated versus nontreated patients was 0.11 (C.I. = 0.02 to 0.13, P < 0.0001). There was no evidence of worsening preexisting MI or stroke in patients treated with testosterone. The experience in Low T Centers shows that, in an injectable testosterone patient registry, testosterone is generally safe for younger men who do not have significant risk factors. Of patients that developed MI with testosterone, there was no association with testosterone or hematocrit levels.

Despite their origin from the inner cell mass, embryonic stem (ES) cells undergo differentiation to the trophectoderm (TE) lineage by repression of the ES cell master regulator Oct4 or activation of the TE master regulator Caudal-type homeobox 2 (Cdx2). In contrast to the in-depth studies of ES cell self-renewal and pluripotency, few TE-specific regulators have been identified, thereby limiting our understanding of mechanisms underlying the first cell fate decision. Here we show that up-regulation and nuclear entry of AT-rich interactive domain 3a (Arid3a) drives TE-like transcriptional programs in ES cells, maintains trophoblast stem (TS) cell self-renewal, and promotes further trophoblastic differentiation both upstream and independent of Cdx2. Accordingly, Arid3a(-/-) mouse post-implantation placental development is severely impaired, resulting in early embryonic death. We provide evidence that Arid3a directly activates TE-specific and trophoblast lineage-specific genes while directly repressing pluripotency genes via differential regulation of epigenetic acetylation or deacetylation. Our results identify Arid3a as a critical regulator of TE and placental development through execution of the commitment and differentiation phases of the first cell fate decision., (© 2014 Rhee et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.)

Objective: Memantine, an uncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist, is currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. Anecdotal reports have suggested that memantine may improve neurologic and cognitive symptoms of individuals with the neurodegenerative disease fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS); however, its efficacy and safety in this population have not been assessed in a controlled trial., Method: Individuals with FXTAS aged 34-80 years were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 1-year trial between September 2007 and August 2012. Inclusion required definite, probable, or possible FXTAS in clinical stages 1-5 according to previously published criteria. Primary outcome measures were the Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale (BDS) score and CATSYS intention tremor severity., Results: Ninety-four participants were randomized from 205 screened; of those, 43 and 45 started treatment with memantine (titrated to 10 mg twice daily) and placebo, respectively. Thirty-four participants receiving memantine and 36 receiving placebo completed the 1-year endpoint assessment (n = 70). Intention-to-treat analysis showed no improvement with respect to intention tremor severity (mean [SD] values with memantine vs placebo: 1.05 [0.73] vs 1.89 [2.19], P = .047) or BDS score (16.12 [5.43] vs 15.72 [3.93], P = .727) at follow-up. Post hoc analyses of participants with early FXTAS (stage ≤ 3), those with late FXTAS (stage > 3), and those in different age groups (≤ 65 years and > 65 years) also indicated no significant improvement. More frequent mild adverse events were observed in the placebo group, while more frequent moderate adverse events occurred in the memantine group (P = .007)., Conclusion: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of memantine for individuals with FXTAS showed no benefit compared to placebo with respect to the selected outcome measures., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00584948., (© Copyright 2013 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.)

Background: Chromosomal deletions are used extensively in Drosophila melanogaster genetics research. Deletion mapping is the primary method used for fine-scale gene localization. Effective and efficient deletion mapping requires both extensive genomic coverage and a high density of molecularly defined breakpoints across the genome., Results: A large-scale resource development project at the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center has improved the choice of deletions beyond that provided by previous projects. FLP-mediated recombination between FRT-bearing transposon insertions was used to generate deletions, because it is efficient and provides single-nucleotide resolution in planning deletion screens. The 793 deletions generated pushed coverage of the euchromatic genome to 98.4%. Gaps in coverage contain haplolethal and haplosterile genes, but the sizes of these gaps were minimized by flanking these genes as closely as possible with deletions. In improving coverage, a complete inventory of haplolethal and haplosterile genes was generated and extensive information on other haploinsufficient genes was compiled. To aid mapping experiments, a subset of deletions was organized into a Deficiency Kit to provide maximal coverage efficiently. To improve the resolution of deletion mapping, screens were planned to distribute deletion breakpoints evenly across the genome. The median chromosomal interval between breakpoints now contains only nine genes and 377 intervals contain only single genes., Conclusions: Drosophila melanogaster now has the most extensive genomic deletion coverage and breakpoint subdivision as well as the most comprehensive inventory of haploinsufficient genes of any multicellular organism. The improved selection of chromosomal deletion strains will be useful to nearly all Drosophila researchers.

Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in primary breast cancer predicts tumor cell dissemination to bone marrow, which is a risk factor for recurrence and distant metastasis. "Stem-like" phenotype may be important in cancer metastasis., Methods: To investigate the role of COX-2 protein in breast cancer stem-like cells, we analyzed it by co-immunofluorescence in tumorospheres derived from the MCF7 estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell line. To evaluate COX-2 function we utilized a COX-2 inhibitor in a clonogenicity assay performed with tumorospheres-derived cells., Results: We detected rare cells in tumorospheres (one cell per tumorosphere) with very high COX-2 expression (COX-2(high)). COX-2 transfected MCF7 cells were able to generate long-term tumorospheres culture, even though transfection efficiency was only one in a million cells. We detected expression of OCT4 in some COX-2(high) cells, supporting the hypothesis that these cells could be cancer stem-like cells. It is important that COX-2(high) cells showed less expression of Ki-67 than did neighboring cells, indicating that COX-2(high) cells may be progenitors of tumorospheres. Celecoxib inhibited the growth of tumorosphere cultures and the ability of tumorosphere-derived cells to form colonies in vitro, indicating an active role of COX-2 in these processes. However, 2 μM celecoxib failed to eradicate tumorosphere-initiating cells. Finally, we detected rare COX-2(high) cells among SUM149 inflammatory breast cancer cells growing on plastic in serum-containing medium; the SUM149 cell line produces a very high level of COX-2 protein., Conclusion: Our results support a role for COX-2 in stem-like breast cancer cells and suggest a mechanism behind a role for COX-2 in disseminated tumor cells, which are known to exhibit characteristic biomarkers and functional properties of stem-like cells., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Interchromosomal duplications are especially important for the study of X-linked genes. Males inheriting a mutation in a vital X-linked gene cannot survive unless there is a wild-type copy of the gene duplicated elsewhere in the genome. Rescuing the lethality of an X-linked mutation with a duplication allows the mutation to be used experimentally in complementation tests and other genetic crosses and it maps the mutated gene to a defined chromosomal region. Duplications can also be used to screen for dosage-dependent enhancers and suppressors of mutant phenotypes as a way to identify genes involved in the same biological process. We describe an ongoing project in Drosophila melanogaster to generate comprehensive coverage and extensive breakpoint subdivision of the X chromosome with megabase-scale X segments borne on Y chromosomes. The in vivo method involves the creation of X inversions on attached-XY chromosomes by FLP-FRT site-specific recombination technology followed by irradiation to induce large internal X deletions. The resulting chromosomes consist of the X tip, a medial X segment placed near the tip by an inversion, and a full Y. A nested set of medial duplicated segments is derived from each inversion precursor. We have constructed a set of inversions on attached-XY chromosomes that enable us to isolate nested duplicated segments from all X regions. To date, our screens have provided a minimum of 78% X coverage with duplication breakpoints spaced a median of nine genes apart. These duplication chromosomes will be valuable resources for rescuing and mapping X-linked mutations and identifying dosage-dependent modifiers of mutant phenotypes.

Strains of Drosophila melanogaster with resistance to the insecticides spinosyn A, spinosad, and spinetoram were produced by chemical mutagenesis. These spinosyn-resistant strains were not cross-resistant to other insecticides. The two strains that were initially characterized were subsequently found to have mutations in the gene encoding the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit Dalpha6. Subsequently, additional spinosyn-resistant alleles were generated by chemical mutagenesis and were also found to have mutations in the gene encoding Dalpha6, providing convincing evidence that Dalpha6 is a target site for the spinosyns in D. melanogaster. Although a spinosyn-sensitive receptor could not be generated in Xenopus laevis oocytes simply by expressing Dalpha6 alone, co-expression of Dalpha6 with an additional nAChR subunit, Dalpha5, and the chaperone protein ric-3 resulted in an acetylcholine- and spinosyn-sensitive receptor with the pharmacological properties anticipated for a native nAChR., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling, being important in the homing of cancer cells to lungs, bone and other organs, is a promising therapeutic target. Our purpose was to determine whether a peptide-based antagonist of CXCR4 would reduce primary tumor growth and/or metastasis in a preclinical mouse model of inflammatory breast cancer. We improved an existing model of inflammatory breast cancer for this study by luciferase transfection of SUM149 cells and the monitoring of such cells in mice by imaging and the luciferase assay. We implanted 2 x 10(6) SUM49-Luc cells along with matrigel into the left thoracic mammary fat pad of nude mice to produce tumors. Our mouse model exhibited important features of inflammatory breast cancer, namely, aggressive local disease, local metastases and distant metastases. To evaluate the efficacy of a CXCR4 antagonist CTCE-9908, by itself or in combination with paclitaxel, we treated groups of ten mice each with CTCE-9908 (25 mg/kg, injected subcutaneously 5 days/week), control peptide SC-9908, paclitaxel (10 mg/kg, injected subcutaneously twice a week), and CTCE-9908 plus paclitaxel concurrently. We assessed all mice weekly by whole-body luciferase imaging to quantify relative primary tumor burden and distant metastases. At the end of the experiment, we quantified primary tumors by weight and lung metastases by luciferase activity assay on tissue lysates. Paclitaxel, a known chemotherapeutic, inhibited primary tumor growth in our model (P < 0.05). CTCE-9908 did not significantly inhibit primary tumor growth or lung metastases as compared to control groups, without or with paclitaxel (P > 0.05). However, CTCE-9908 as a single therapy inhibited organ-specific metastasis to leg (P < 0.05 by chi-squared test and by two-sample t-test).

Background: CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling may be involved in tumor growth and angiogenesis, and homing of cancer cells to bone and other organs. Our purpose was to determine whether inhibition of CXCR4 with a peptide-based antagonist would reduce tumor growth and metastasis of breast cancer., Methods: We used two mouse models of breast cancer. In the first model, 1 x 10(6) MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells transfected with luciferase were implanted into the inguinal mammary fat pad to produce primary tumors. In the second model, 1 x 10(5) MDA-231-BSC12 cells were injected into the left cardiac ventricle to produce bone metastases. CTCE-9908, a peptide analog of CXCL12 that competitively binds to CXCR4, was used to test the effect of inhibiting CXCR4. Five mice from each mouse model were treated with CTCE-9908 (25 mg/kg, injected subcutaneously 5 d/wk). All mice were assessed weekly using bioluminescent imaging to quantify relative volumes of tumor burden., Results: Bioluminescencent imaging showed that the mice treated with CTCE-9908 had significantly less primary tumor burden than the control mice. At 5 and 6 wk, the mice treated with CTCE-9908 had a 7-fold reduction and 5-fold reduction in primary tumor burden, respectively. Treatment with CTCE-9908 also significantly inhibited the rate of metastases compared with the control group. At 5 and 6 wk, the mice treated with CTCE-9908 demonstrated a 9-fold reduction and 20-fold reduction in metastatic tumor burden, respectively., Conclusion: Treatment with the CXCR4 antagonist CTCE-9908 significantly reduced metastasis as well as primary tumor growth in mouse models of breast cancer.

Introduction: Cyclooxygenase (COX2) expression in primary breast cancer correlates with a worse prognosis. We reported previously that COX2 expression in MCF10A breast epithelial cells of basal subtype induces genomic instability. To understand the role of COX2 in estrogen receptor-positive (non-basal) breast cancer, we transfected the MCF7 cell line with COX2 and analyzed its chromosomal profile, BCL2 protein expression, and resistance to doxorubicin. We also analyzed cell cultures grown as mammospheres to determine whether COX2 expression affects the cancer-initiating ("stem") cell phenotype in MCF7 cells., Methods: MCF7 Tet On cells (obtained from Clontech) were stably transfected with pTRE2pur-COX2 or pTRE2pur-COX2-GFP to produce COX2 or COX2-GFP protein, respectively. BCL2 protein was detected by Western blotting. Sensitivity of cells to drug treatment was analyzed by MTT assay. Groups were compared using Chi-Square test. We analyzed the genomic instability phenotype by chromosome analysis of control and COX2 transfected metaphase-arrested MCF7 cells after Giemsa staining. We assessed the tumorigenic potential of cells grown as mammospheres with a clonogenic assay., Results: Cytogenetic analysis of early passage COX2 transfected MCF7 cells demonstrated significant genomic instability as compared to parental MCF7 cells. COX2 overexpression was associated with a significant increase in chromosomal aberrations (chromatid breaks, chromosome fusions, C anaphase). COX2 transfected MCF7 cells produced a significantly higher level of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL2 than the parental cells. In a functional assay, we found that COX2 expression correlated with increased resistance to doxorubicin. In a complimentary approach to determine tumorigenic potential of cells, we found that COX2 increased the ability of MCF7 cells to grow as mammospheres in culture, which correlated with an increase in clonogenic efficiency., Conclusions: We found that COX2 expression in MCF7 breast cancer cells induced genomic instability, BCL2 expression, and doxorubicin resistance, thus making them significantly more tumorigenic. This data suggests that COX-2 may be an important target for breast cancer treatment.

Background: Mutations in genes encoding ribosomal proteins (RPs) have been shown to cause an array of cellular and developmental defects in a variety of organisms. In Drosophila melanogaster, disruption of RP genes can result in the 'Minute' syndrome of dominant, haploinsufficient phenotypes, which include prolonged development, short and thin bristles, and poor fertility and viability. While more than 50 Minute loci have been defined genetically, only 15 have so far been characterized molecularly and shown to correspond to RP genes., Results: We combined bioinformatic and genetic approaches to conduct a systematic analysis of the relationship between RP genes and Minute loci. First, we identified 88 genes encoding 79 different cytoplasmic RPs (CRPs) and 75 genes encoding distinct mitochondrial RPs (MRPs). Interestingly, nine CRP genes are present as duplicates and, while all appear to be functional, one member of each gene pair has relatively limited expression. Next, we defined 65 discrete Minute loci by genetic criteria. Of these, 64 correspond to, or very likely correspond to, CRP genes; the single non-CRP-encoding Minute gene encodes a translation initiation factor subunit. Significantly, MRP genes and more than 20 CRP genes do not correspond to Minute loci., Conclusion: This work answers a longstanding question about the molecular nature of Minute loci and suggests that Minute phenotypes arise from suboptimal protein synthesis resulting from reduced levels of cytoribosomes. Furthermore, by identifying the majority of haplolethal and haplosterile loci at the molecular level, our data will directly benefit efforts to attain complete deletion coverage of the D. melanogaster genome.

In fruit fly research, chromosomal deletions are indispensable tools for mapping mutations, characterizing alleles and identifying interacting loci. Most widely used deletions were generated by irradiation or chemical mutagenesis. These methods are labor-intensive, generate random breakpoints and result in unwanted secondary mutations that can confound phenotypic analyses. Most of the existing deletions are large, have molecularly undefined endpoints and are maintained in genetically complex stocks. Furthermore, the existence of haplolethal or haplosterile loci makes the recovery of deletions of certain regions exceedingly difficult by traditional methods, resulting in gaps in coverage. Here we describe two methods that address these problems by providing for the systematic isolation of targeted deletions in the D. melanogaster genome. The first strategy used a P element-based technique to generate deletions that closely flank haploinsufficient genes and minimize undeleted regions. This deletion set has increased overall genomic coverage by 5-7%. The second strategy used FLP recombinase and the large array of FRT-bearing insertions described in the accompanying paper to generate 519 isogenic deletions with molecularly defined endpoints. This second deletion collection provides 56% genome coverage so far. The latter methodology enables the generation of small custom deletions with predictable endpoints throughout the genome and should make their isolation a simple and routine task.

Suppressors and enhancers of position effect variegation (PEV) have been linked to the establishment and maintenance of heterochromatin. The presence of centromeres and other inheritance elements in heterochromatic regions suggests that suppressors and enhancers of PEV, Su(var) s and E(var)s [collectively termed Mod(var)s], may be required for chromosome inheritance. In order to test this hypothesis, we screened 59 ethyl methanesulfonate-generated Drosophila Mod(var)s for dominant effects on the partially compromised inheritance of a minichromosome ( J21A) missing a portion of the genetically defined centromere. Nearly half of these Mod(var)s significantly increased or decreased the transmission of J21A. Analyses of homozygous mutant larval neuroblasts suggest that these mutations affect cell cycle progression and native chromosome morphology. Five out of six complementation groups tested displayed mitotic abnormalities, including phenotypes such as telomere fusions, overcondensed chromosomes, and low mitotic index. We conclude that Mod(var)s as a group are highly enriched for genes that encode essential inheritance functions. We propose that a primary function of Mod(var)s is to promote chromosome inheritance, and that the gene silencing phenotype associated with PEV may be a secondary consequence of the heterochromatic structures required to carry out these functions.

The conserved heterochromatic location of centromeres in higher eukaryotes suggests that intrinsic properties of heterochromatin are important for chromosome inheritance. Based on this hypothesis, mutations in Drosophila melanogaster that alter heterochromatin-induced gene silencing were tested for effects on chromosome inheritance. Here we describe the characterization of the Su(var)2-10 locus, initially identified as a Suppressor of Position-Effect Variegation. Su(var)2-10 is required for viability, and mutations cause both minichromosome and endogenous chromosome inheritance defects. Mitotic chromosomes are improperly condensed in mutants, and polytene chromosomes are structurally abnormal and disorganized in the nucleus. Su(var)2-10 encodes a member of the PIAS protein family, a group of highly conserved proteins that control diverse functions. SU(VAR)2-10 proteins colocalize with nuclear lamin in interphase, and little to no SU(VAR)2-10 is found on condensed mitotic chromosomes. SU(VAR)2-10 is present at some polytene chromosome telomeres, and FISH analyses in mutant polytene nuclei revealed defects in telomere clustering and telomere-nuclear-lamina associations. We propose that Su(var2-10 controls multiple aspects of chromosome structure and function by establishing/maintaining chromosome organization in interphase nuclei.

Deletions in the Drosophila minichromosome Dp1187 were used to investigate the genetic interactions of trans-acting genes with the centromere. Mutations in several genes known to have a role in chromosome inheritance were shown to have dominant effects on the stability of minichromosomes with partially defective centromeres. Heterozygous mutations in the ncd and klp3A kinesin-like protein genes strongly reduced the transmission of minichromosomes missing portions of the genetically defined centromere but had little effect on the transmission of minichromosomes with intact centromeres. Using this approach, ncd and klp3A were shown to require only the centromeric region of the chromosome for their roles in chromosome segregation. Increased gene dosage also affected minichromosome transmission and was used to demonstrate that the nod kinesin-like protein gene interacts genetically with the centro mere, in addition to interacting with extracentromeric regions as demonstrated previously. The results presented in this study strongly suggest that dominant genetic interactions between mutations and centromere-defective minichromosomes could be used effectively to identify novel genes necessary for centromere function.

Certain female-sterile mutations in Drosophila result in the uncontrolled proliferation of X/X germ cells. It has been proposed that this ovarian tumor phenotype results from the sexual transformation of X/X germ cells to a male identity. We present findings inconsistent with this model. We demonstrate that the tumorous cells produced by mutations in the ovarian tumor (otu), Sex-lethal (Sxl) and sans fille (snf) genes are capable of female-specific transcription and RNA processing. This indicates that these ovarian tumor cells still retain some female identity. Therefore, we propose that mutations in these genes do not cause a male transformation of the X/X germ line but instead either cause an ambiguous sexual identity or block specific stages of oogenesis. Our findings indicate that while Sxl is the master sex determination gene in somatic cells, it appears to play a more subsidiary role in the germ line. Finally, we demonstrate that the germ line function of Sxl depends on the activity of a specific OTU isoform.

The demonstration by Zhang and Spradling (1) of efficient P element transposition into heterochromatic regions will aid ongoing studies of heterochromatin structure and function. P element insertions will provide entry points for further molecular analysis of heterochromatin and will allow the isolation of small and large heterochromatic deficiencies. The generation of heterochromatic P insertions also will aid the study of heterochromatic genes. Of the heterochromatic insertions isolated by Zhang and Spradling, five were homozygous lethal, and one of these defined a lethal locus not previously uncovered by heterochromatic deficiencies. P elements have previously been used to mutagenize and clone specific heterochromatic genes (14, 19, 26). New methods, like those described here (1, 32), should allow the efficient identification and molecular isolation of other single-copy heterochromatic genes. Furthermore, since position-effect suppression allowed the recovery of heterochromatic P insertions, it may also allow the recovery of insertions in euchromatic regions previously refractory to P mutagenesis. Studies of position-effect variegation show that genes normally found in heterochromatin require a heterochromatic context for normal expression and that heterochromatin is inhibitory to euchromatic gene expression (16). The physical basis of these related phenomena--chromatin assembly, nuclear positioning, and/or heterochromatin elimination--can be resolved only with a more thorough understanding of heterochromatin structure and functions. Analyzing heterochromatin also will help define the chromosomal components responsible for inheritance processes such as chromosome pairing, sister chromatid adhesion, and centromere function. These efforts will be facilitated by the effective use of P elements combined with other current molecular-genetic approaches.

We studied the effect of the anticancer drug taxol on the cytotoxic mechanism of major histocompatibility complex nonrestricted lymphocytes and their activation with interleukin 2. Unseparated lymphocytes or highly enriched natural killer or T-cells were treated with 0.2-10 micrograms/ml of taxol for various times and tested for cytotoxicity against the K562 cell line and the ovarian cell line, OV-2774. Taxol caused a dose- and time-dependent suppression of lymphocyte cytotoxicity. The most pronounced suppression was noted after treatment with 10 micrograms/ml of taxol for 6 h; a lower but significant decrease in cytotoxicity was observed after treatment with 2 and 5 micrograms/ml of taxol. In addition, taxol inhibited activation of lymphocytes with interleukin 2; however, the cytotoxicity of interleukin 2-preactivated lymphocytes was less sensitive to taxol treatment. Mechanism studies showed that taxol was not directly toxic to lymphocytes and did not alter their ability to form conjugates with target cells. Taxol treatment decreased a rate of kinetics of lysis and lymphocyte recycling ability. The immunofluorescence and electron microscopic analysis showed polymerization of microtubules in taxol-treated lymphocytes. These data demonstrate that taxol impairs lymphocyte cytotoxic function and activation and indicate the role of microtubules in these functions. Clinically, these findings suggest that activation of lymphocytes prior to taxol treatment may increase the therapeutic benefit of this drug.

We investigated the sensitivity of a cervical tumor cell line SW-756 to lysis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC), natural killer (NK) cells, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-nonrestricted (MHC-NR) T cells from cervical cancer patients and normal donors. We found that SW-756 was resistant to lysis mediated by naive (unstimulated) MNC and MHC-NR T cells, but sensitive to lysis by naive NK cells. However, the cytotoxic function of MNC could be activated with interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon (IFN) alpha or gamma. Although IFNs were effective in enhancement of effector cell cytotoxicity and inhibited proliferation of cervical tumor cells, they also exerted an adverse effect on cytotoxicity; specifically, pretreatment of SW-756 cells with IFNs significantly decreased their susceptibility to lysis by effector cells. Analysis of surface phenotype of SW-756 cells after treatment with IFNs showed up-regulation of expression of HLA class I determinants, the phenomenon that may be responsible for decreased sensitivity of this tumor to MHC-NR NK cells. The studies on the involvement of CD54 adhesion molecule in cytotoxic functions indicated that expression of this molecule on effector cells (but not on target cells) was important for cytotoxicity against SW-756 tumor cells. The therapeutic implication of these studies for patients with cervical cancer is discussed.

Taxol is a new antineoplastic agent active in the treatment of drug-refractory ovarian and metastatic breast neoplasms. Extensive investigations have been concerned with the effect of taxol on a variety of tumor cells, but there is virtually no information about its effect on human lymphocytes. Since lymphocytes, especially natural killer (NK) cells, have been recognized to play an important role in the body's defense against tumors, we studied the effect of taxol on the cytotoxicity of naive (unstimulated) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) and NK cells as well as on these cells' activation and growth in interleukin-2 (IL-2) cultures. We found that taxol impaired the cytotoxicity of naive MNC and NK cells against the NK-sensitive cell line K-562 and against an ovarian cancer cell line, OV-2774, in a concentration-dependent fashion. The highest impairment was observed after incubation of the effector cells with 10 micrograms/ml taxol. In addition, taxol also interfered with the induction of lymphokine-activated cytotoxicity and with lymphocyte growth in IL-2 cultures. However, IL-2 preactivated NK cells displayed substantial levels of cytotoxicity even after taxol treatment. These findings, which indicate that treatment with taxol should follow rather than precede immunotherapeutic intervention, may be important in planning combined chemo- and immunotherapy strategies for cancer patients.

This study concerned changes in the motional properties of cellular water during the first cell cycle of fertilized sea urchin eggs (Lytechinus variegatus). There was a significant decrease in proton NMR T1 relaxation time and in cytoplasmic ice crystal growth during mitosis and a significant increase in T1 time and cytoplasmic ice crystal size during cleavage. This was not caused by egg water content changes as reflected by egg volume measurements. Removal of both the fertilization membrane and the hyaline layer shortly after fertilization did not alter the pattern of T1 time changes at mitosis and cleavage as compared to whole eggs; thus, the pattern of T1 time changes was attributed to intracellular events. Treatment of fertilized eggs with cytochalasin B, an inhibitor of actin polymerization, did not block the fall in T1 time at mitosis, but did block cytokinesis and the increase in T1 time, which normally occurred at cleavage. A significant pattern of actin disassembly and reassembly at mitosis and cytokinesis was found by studies on the total amount of monomeric actin (G actin) using the DNase I assay. This led to the hypothesis that the observed changes in T1 time and ice crystal size during the first cell cycle were due to the depolymerization and polymerization of cytoplasmic actin. To test this, the effect of the in vitro polymerization of purified actin on the T1 time and on ice crystal growth was examined. It was concluded that changes in the T1 time and ice crystal growth upon polymerization of actin in vitro resembled the changes seen in vivo. These results suggest that changes in the motional properties of cytoplasmic water during the first cell cycle are due, at least in part, to the state of polymerization of cytoplasmic actin.