Rapid Access to Hindered α-Amino Acid Derivatives and Benzodiazepin-3-ones from Aza-Oxyallyl Cations.

Catalyst-free and mild synthetic methods for the construction of hindered α-amino acid derivatives are presented herein. A wide range of hindered amino acid amides can be readily obtained from the reaction of α-halohydroxamates with a variety of amines, including anilines, primary amines, and secondary amines. Moreover, the aza/aza-[4+3] cycloaddition of in situ-generated aza-oxyallyl cations with 2-aminophenyl α,β-unsaturated carbonyls to furnish seven-membered benzodiazepin-3-ones is reported for the first time.

Identification of differentially-expressed genes by DNA methylation in cervical cancer.

To identify novel cervical cancer-related genes that are regulated by DNA methylation, integrated analyses of genome-wide DNA methylation and RNA expression profiles were performed using the normal and tumor regions of tissues from four patients; two with cervical cancer and two with pre-invasive cancer. The present study identified 19 novel cervical cancer-related genes showing differential RNA expression by DNA methylation. A number of the identified genes were novel cervical cancer-related genes and their differential expression was confirmed in a publicly available database.

Ethanol Mediates Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in SK-N-SH Neuroblastoma Cells.

Background: The mechanisms of cell or organ damage by chronic alcohol consumption are still poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinases during ethanol-induced damage to SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells.

Methods: Cells were treated with ethanol and subsequently analyzed for cell morphology, viability, and DNA fragmentation.

1p36.22 region containing PGD gene is frequently gained in human cervical cancer.

Aim: To identify commonly occurring DNA copy number alterations in Korean cervical cancers.

Methods: DNA copy number alteration was screened by whole-genome array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis. For the array CGH discovery, genomic DNA from five cervical cancers and 10 normal cervical tissues were examined.

Interleukin-32β stimulates migration of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7cells via the VEGF-STAT3 signaling pathway.

Background: IL-32 is known to play an important role in inflammatory and autoimmune disease responses. In addition to its role in these responses, IL-32 and its different isoforms have in recent years been implicated in the development of various cancers. As of yet, the role of IL-32 in breast cancer has remained largely unknown.

How does ethanol induce apoptotic cell death of SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells.

A body of evidence suggests that ethanol can lead to damage of neuronal cells. However, the mechanism underlying the ethanol-induced damage of neuronal cells remains unclear. The role of mitogen-activated protein kinases in ethanol-induced damage was investigated in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells.

Expression and function of the testis-predominant protein LYAR in mice.

Mammalian spermatogenesis is a complex process involving an intrinsic genetic program of germ cell-specific and -predominant genes. In the present study, we analyzed the Ly-1 reactive clone (Lyar) gene in the mouse. Lyar, which is known to be expressed abundantly in the testis, encodes a nucleolar protein that contains a LYAR-type C2HC zinc finger motif and three nuclear localization signals.

Identification of heat shock protein 5, calnexin and integral membrane protein 2B as Adam7-interacting membrane proteins in mouse sperm.

In mammals, sperm acquire their motility and ability to fertilize eggs in the epididymis. This maturation process involves the acquisition of particular proteins from the epididymis. One such secretory protein specifically expressed in the epididymis is Adam7 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease 7).

Concurrent endometrial carcinoma following hysterectomy for atypical endometrial hyperplasia.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of concurrent endometrial carcinoma in women diagnosed with atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) by endometrial biopsy.

Study Design: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 126 patients who underwent hysterectomies for AEH diagnosed by endometrial biopsy from 1999 to 2008. AEH was initially diagnosed by dilatation and curettage (98 cases) or endometrial biopsy with a Z-sampler (24 cases).

The effects of polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase (MTR), and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) on the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer in Korean women.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between cervical cancer risk and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in three one-carbon metabolism genes, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase (MTR), and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) in Korean women. Twelve SNPs were identified in MTHFR, MTR, and MTRR in the 927 case-control samples, which included 165 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (CIN1), 167 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 and 3 (CIN2/3), 155 cervical cancer patients, and 440 normal controls. The frequencies of the genotypes and haplotypes were assessed in the controls, CINs, and cervical cancers.

Functional polymorphism in manganese superoxide dismutase and antioxidant status: their interactions on the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer.

Objective: Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), the primary antioxidant enzyme in mitochondria, plays a key role in protecting cells from oxidative stress. Furthermore, the MnSOD rs4880 polymorphism is associated with enzyme activity. The authors evaluated the interaction between MnSOD genotypes and cervical carcinogenesis risk and the modulating effects of serum antioxidant nutrient status (beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin/lutein, retinol, alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol).

Plasma carotenoids, retinol and tocopherol levels and the risk of ovarian cancer.

Objective: We investigated the relation between plasma carotenoids, retinol and tocopherol levels and ovarian cancer risk in Korean women.

Design: Hospital-based case-control study.

Setting: Six tertiary medical institutes in Korea.

Preoperative levels of plasma micronutrients are related to endometrial cancer risk.

Objective: To examine the relation between the plasma concentration of antioxidant micronutrients and endometrial cancer risk in Korean women.

Design: Hospital-based case-control study.

Setting: Seven tertiary medical institutes in Korea.

Oxidative inactivation of key mitochondrial proteins leads to dysfunction and injury in hepatic ischemia reperfusion.

Background & Aims: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a major mechanism of liver injury following hepatic surgery or transplantation. Despite numerous reports on the role of oxidative/nitrosative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatic I/R injury, the proteins that are oxidatively modified during I/R damage are poorly characterized. This study was aimed at investigating the oxidatively modified proteins underlying the mechanism for mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatic I/R injury.

Role of activating transcription factor 3 on TAp73 stability and apoptosis in paclitaxel-treated cervical cancer cells.

Taxol (paclitaxel) is a potent anticancer drug that has been found to be effective against several tumor types, including cervical cancer. However, the exact mechanism underlying the antitumor effects of paclitaxel is poorly understood. Here, paclitaxel induced the apoptosis of cervical cancer HeLa cells and correlated with the enhanced activation of caspase-3 and TAp73, which was strongly inhibited by TAp73beta small interfering RNA (siRNA).

The role of STAT1/IRF-1 on synergistic ROS production and loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential during hepatic cell death induced by LPS/d-GalN.

Previously, we demonstrated that signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 1 (STAT1) plays an essential role in liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GalN); however, the underlying mechanism involved remains unclear. Here, we showed that LPS/D-GalN administration induced secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), which mediated apoptosis synergistically. Moreover, LPS/D-GalN-induced apoptosis was associated with increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) production, as well as elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which were all strongly inhibited by treatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and an iNOS/NO inhibitor, L-NMMA.

Developing quantitative, multiscale models for microgravity crystal growth.

Crystal growth conducted under microgravity conditions has had a profound impact on improving our understanding of melt crystal growth processes. Here, we present a brief history of microgravity crystal growth and discuss the development of appropriate models to interpret and optimize these growth experiments. The need for increased model realism and predictive capability demands new approaches for describing phenomena important at several disparate length scales.