ProDiVis: a method to normalize fluorescence signal localization in 3D specimens.

A common problem in confocal microscopy is the decrease in intensity of excitation light and emission signal from fluorophores as they travel through 3D specimens, resulting in decreased signal detected as a function of depth. Here, we report a visualization program compatible with widely used fluorophores in cell biology to facilitate image interpretation of differential protein disposition in 3D specimens. Glioblastoma cell clusters were fluorescently labeled for mitochondrial complex I (COXI), P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), β-Actin, Ki-67, and DAPI.

Selective nitration of Hsp90 acts as a metabolic switch promoting tumor cell proliferation.

Tumors develop in an oxidative environment characterized by peroxynitrite production and downstream protein tyrosine (Y) nitration. We showed that tyrosine nitration supports schwannoma cell proliferation and regulates cell metabolism in the inheritable tumor disorder NF2-related Schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN). Here, we identified the chaperone Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) as the first nitrated protein that acts as a metabolic switch to promote schwannoma cell proliferation.

Codelivery of 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D and CYP24A1 Inhibitor VID400 by Nanofiber Dressings Promotes Endogenous Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 Induction.

Surgical site infections represent a significant clinical problem. Herein, we report a nanofiber dressing for topical codelivery of immunomodulating compounds including 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)D) and VID400, a inhibitor in a sustained manner, for inducing the expression of the endogenous cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide () gene encoding the hCAP18 protein, which is processed into the LL-37 peptide. Nanofiber wound dressings with coencapsulation of 1,25(OH)D and VID400 were generated by electrospinning.

Germ-Free Swiss Webster Mice on a High-Fat Diet Develop Obesity, Hyperglycemia, and Dyslipidemia.

A calorie-dense diet is a well-established risk factor for obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS), whereas the role of the intestinal microbiota (IMB) in the development of diet-induced obesity (DIO) is not completely understood. To test the hypothesis that Swiss Webster (Tac:SW) mice can develop characteristics of DIO and MetS in the absence of the IMB, we fed conventional (CV) and germ-free (GF) male Tac:SW mice either a low-fat diet (LFD; 10% fat derived calories) or a high-fat diet (HFD; 60% fat derived calories) for 10 weeks. The HFD increased feed conversion and body weight in GF mice independent of the increase associated with the microbiota in CV mice.

A mouse model for vitamin D-induced human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide gene expression.

In humans and other primates, 1,25(OH)vitamin D regulates the expression of the cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) gene via toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling that activates the vitamin D pathway. Mice and other mammals lack the vitamin D response element (VDRE) in their CAMP promoters. To elucidate the biological importance of this pathway, we generated transgenic mice that carry a genomic DNA fragment encompassing the entire human CAMP gene and crossed them with Camp knockout (KO) mice.

Kinetics and Mechanism of Bioactivation via S-Oxygenation of Anti-Tubercular Agent Ethionamide by Peracetic Acid.

The kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of the important antitubercular agent, ethionamide, ETA (2-ethylthioisonicotinamide), by peracetic acid (PAA) have been studied. It is effectively a biphasic reaction with an initial rapid first phase of the reaction which is over in about 5 s and a second slower phase of the reaction which can run up to an hour. The first phase involves the addition of a single oxygen atom to ethionamide to form the S-oxide.