Activation and function of murine Cyclin T2A and Cyclin T2B during skeletal muscle differentiation.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (Cdk9) is a serine-threonine kinase, involved in many cellular processes. The regulatory units of Cdk9 are the T family Cyclins (T1, T2) and Cyclin K. Cyclin T2 has two forms termed Cyclin T2a and Cyclin T2b that arise by an alternative splicing of the primary transcript.

A hydrophilic interaction ultraperformance liquid chromatography (HILIC-UPLC) method for genomic DNA methylation assessment by UV detection.

A hydrophilic interaction chromatography-based method, in combination with 1.7 microm ethylene bridged hybrid particle packed column (100 mm x 2.1 mm I.

Akt downregulation by flavin oxidase-induced ROS generation mediates dose-dependent endothelial cell damage elicited by natural antioxidants.

High intake of natural antioxidants (NA) from plant-derived foods and beverages is thought to provide cardiovascular benefits. The endothelium plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular homeostasis, and for this reason, the molecular events resulting from NA actions on endothelial cells (ECs) are actively investigated. Here, we show the direct impact of two NA, coumaric acid and resveratrol, on intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, protein carbonylation, and cell physiology in human ECs.

Albumin-bound low molecular weight thiols analysis in plasma and carotid plaques by CE.

We describe a new method for the quantification of low molecular weight thiols, as homocysteine, cysteine, cysteinylglycine, glutamylcysteine and glutathione bound to human plasma albumin. After albumin isolation and purification by SDS-PAGE, thiols were freed from protein with tri-n-butylphosphine and successively derivatized with 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein. Samples were then injected and quantified in about 18 min by CE with laser induced fluorescence detection.

Improved rapid assay of plasma uric acid by short-end injection capillary zone electrophoresis.

A rapid and simple short-end injection capillary zone electrophoresis method was developed for the quantification of plasma uric acid. The separation was performed in an uncoated fused-silica capillary (50 microm ID, 60 cm total length, 10.2 cm effective length) by using as a background electrolyte a 75 mmol/L glycylglycine solution titrated with NaOH 5 mol/L to pH 9.

Increased plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in retinal venous occlusive disease.

Background: We investigated the levels of the endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), as well as homocysteine and cysteine thiols, in a cohort of subjects affected by retinal vein occlusion (RVO) disease.

Methods: Capillary electrophoresis analysis was performed in both RVO subjects (n=54) and in a control group (n=32).

Results: No differences were found between controls and patients; however, after categorisation for RVO type, central RVO (CRVO) patients showed higher levels of ADMA (0.

Taurine determination by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection: from clinical field to quality food applications.

In this work we describe a new method for taurine quantification in plasma by capillary electrophoresis laser-induced fluorescence detection. Taurine is derivatized with fluorescein isothiocyanate at 100 degrees C in 20 min. These conditions allow to reduce the pre-analytical times and to derivatize quantitatively the taurine contained in the reaction mixture, contrary to the room temperature derivatization commonly adopted.

Importance of Ezh2 polycomb protein in tumorigenesis process interfering with the pathway of growth suppressive key elements.

An understanding of the mechanisms that uncover the dynamic changes in the distribution of the chromatin modifying enzymes and regulatory proteins on their target loci could provide further insight into the phenomenon of malignant transformation. Based on the current available data, it seems more and more clear that an abnormal expression of Ezh2, a member of the Polycomb group (PcG) protein, may be involved in the tumorigenesis process, in addition, different studies identify Ezh2 as a potential marker that distinguish aggressive prostate and breast cancer from indolent one. Recent investigation show that ectopic expression of Ezh2 provides proliferative advantage to primary cells through interaction with the pathways of key elements that control cell growth arrest and differentiation, like members of the retinoblastoma (Rb) family.

Protein-bound glutathione measurement in cultured cells by CZE with LIF detection.

Protein modification due to S-glutathio(ny)lation, usually a reversible process in intact cells, arises interest as a possible mode of regulatory events that may potentially modify a large number of cellular processes. However, since less than 1% of the total protein is S-thiolated in resting cells, high sensitivity methods are required for its evaluation. We set up a new method by CE with LIF detection that allows to measure all forms of intracellular GSH involved in the process.

High-throughput CZE-UV determination of arginine and dimethylated arginines in human plasma.

Experimental studies document that increased asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) blood levels inhibit NOS significantly, reducing NO generation. ADMA measurement often needs sample cleanup by SPE prior to chromatography and precolumn derivatization that cannot be easily employed in a routine clinical setting. We set up a new reliable CE method to measure ADMA, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and arginine without sample extraction or precolumn derivatization in order to examine their concentrations in human plasma.

Dependence of kinetic variables in the short-term release of Hg2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions into synthetic saliva from an high-copper dental amalgam.

The short term (up to 14 days after restoration) release of selected ions (i.e., Hg(2+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+)) from Dispersalloy into artificial saliva has been evaluated in regards to the nature of the saliva (Fusayama and McCarty and Shklar's solutions), the amount of amalgam, the time of contact and the periodical renewal (every 48 h interval) of artificial saliva.

Plasma methionine determination by capillary electrophoresis-UV assay: application on patients affected by retinal venous occlusive disease.

Methionine is an important amino acid involved in protein synthesis and transmethylation reactions. It is also the precursor of homocysteine and cysteine, two important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. As homocysteine research has gained impulsion, the evaluation of plasma methionine concentrations has acquired importance.

Ramipril improves hemodynamic recovery but not microvascular response to ischemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition exerts positive effects on the microvasculature of normotensive animals, although this concept is not universally accepted. Recently, ACE inhibitors have been suggested to be useful for rescue in peripheral ischemia.

Methods: We investigated whether chronic treatment with the ACE inhibitor ramipril may have a positive impact on the defective healing response to ischemia that is typical of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Targeting kinin B(1) receptor for therapeutic neovascularization.

Background: Kinins are modulators of cardiovascular function. After ischemic injury, enhanced kinin generation may contribute in processes responsible for tissue healing.

Methods And Results: Using pharmacological and genetic approaches, we investigated the role of kinin B(1) receptor in reparative angiogenesis in a murine model of limb ischemia.

Angiotensin AT(1) receptor signalling modulates reparative angiogenesis induced by limb ischaemia.

1. The concept that angiotensin II exerts pro-angiogenic activity is not universally accepted. We evaluated whether inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) would influence reparative angiogenesis in a murine model of limb ischaemia.