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Regorafenib has been demonstrated in our previous study to trigger apoptosis through suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) SK-Hep1 cells in vitro. However, the effect of regorafenib on NF-κB-modulated tumor progression in HCC in vivo is ambiguous. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of regorafenib on NF-κB-modulated tumor progression in HCC bearing mouse model. pGL4.50 luciferase reporter vector transfected SK-Hep1 (SK-Hep1/luc2) and Hep3B 2.1-7 tumor bearing mice were established and used for the present study. Mice were treated with vehicle or regorafenib (20 mg/kg/day by gavage) for 14 days. Effects of regorafenib on tumor growth and protein expression together with toxicity of regorafenib were evaluated with digital caliper and bioluminescence imaging (BLI), ex vivo Western blotting immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and measurement of body weight and pathological examination of liver tissue, respectively, in SK-Hep1/luc2 and Hep3B 2.1-7 tumor bearing mice. The results indicated regorafenib significantly reduced tumor growth and expression of phosphorylated ERK, NF-κB p65 (Ser536), phosphorylated AKT, and tumor progression-associated proteins. In addition, we found regorafenib induced both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Body weight and liver morphology were not affected by regorafenib treatment. Our findings present themechanism of tumor progression inhibition by regorafenib is linked to suppression of ERK/NF-κB signaling in SK-Hep1/luc2 and Hep3B 2.1-7 tumor bearing mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe atmospheric haze caused by industrial pollution has severely affected human health and led to the increasing incidence of cardiopulmonary diseases, including pneumonia. Conventional methods for diagnosis of pneumonia are complicated and tedious, and current clinical imaging techniques might cause organ injuries to some extent. Therefore, an accurate, fast, and intact imaging method must be developed to diagnose pneumonia in the early stages. In this study, we propose a new two-photon fluorescence probe, named as ASPC, for detection of the activity of the inflammatory biomarker LTA4H through specific recognition and cleavage of amides containing the unnatural amino acid L-AspBzl. The activity of LTA4H in the lung tissues of mice was rapidly and accurately monitored for the first time and could be an indicator for diagnosis of pneumonia. The severity of pneumonia in mice caused by haze particulate was determined through imaging the activity of LTA4H as biomarker and confirmed using a commercial ELISA kit of interleukin-1ß. This work provides a promising method for clinical detection of pneumonia and for screening specific depressors of LTA4H as potential drug candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the majority of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cases, translocons produce a promyelocytic leukemia protein-retinoic acid receptor α (PML-RARα) fusion gene. Studies have reported that neutrophil elastase (NE) cleaves bcr-1-derived PML-RAα in early myeloid cells, leaving only the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of PML attached to RARα. NLS-RARα promotes cell growth and inhibits differentiation in response to ATRA. However, the mechanisms by which NLS-RARα affects cell biological characteristics are yet to be fully elucidated. The present study found that the location of RARαwas altered after it was cleaved by NE. Firstly, NE was overexpressed during the preparation of recombinant plasmid NB-4/pCMV6-NE-Myc to cleave PML-RARα. The total protein expression levels of myc and NE and expression levels of NLS-RARα in nucleoprotein were detected by western blotting. Location of NLS-RARα protein was detected by immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning. Secondly, a nude mice model was constructed and NE protein, NLS-RARα and RARα protein assays, and the location of NLS-RARα and RARα proteins were assessed as described. The present results showed that, compared with the control groups, the location of NLS-RARα protein was predominantly detected in the nucleus, whereas RARα was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. These findings were consistent with those of the nude mice model, and these may be used as a foundation to explain the occurrence mechanism of APL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SREBP-1 and mTOR have been proved to involve in renal lipid metabolism of diabetes mellitus. In the present study, we investigated the effect of co-regulation of SREBP-1 and mTOR on renal lipid metabolism using diabetic mice and cultured renal tubular cells. The results showed that compared with those in high glucose-stimulated HKC cells single transfected with shRNA-SREBP-1 vector, the level of SREBP-1 protein were significantly reduced by 64.1% followed by decreased FASN mRNA, ACC mRNA, ADRP protein and lipid droplets in HKC cells co-transfected with shRNA-SREBP-1 vector and kinase-dead mTOR vector. Furthermore, diabetic mice co-injected with shRNA-SREBP-1 vector and kinase-dead mTOR vector showed that renal SREBP-1 protein, FASN mRNA and ACC mRNA were respectively decreased by 34.6%, 45.9%, 22.0% in comparison with those in diabetic mice single injected with shRNA-SREBP-1 vector accompanied by reduced ADRP protein and triglyceride content. In the end our study suggests that co-regulation of SREBP-1 and mTOR in kidney of diabetic mice is more effective in lowering renal lipogenesis than only regulation of SREBP-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammatory cytokines and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) are mutually inhibitory. However, hyperactivation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and TGF-β signaling both emerge in glioblastoma. Here, we report microRNA-148a (miR-148a) overexpression in glioblastoma and that miR-148a directly suppressed Quaking (QKI), a negative regulator of TGF-β signaling. Methods: We determined NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad signaling activity using pNF-κB-luc, pSMAD-luc, and control plasmids. The association between an RNA-induced silencing complex and QKI, mitogen-inducible gene 6 (MIG6), S-phase kinase-associated protein 1 (SKP1), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA was tested with microribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation and real-time PCR. Xenograft tumors were established in the brains of nude mice. Results: QKI suppression induced an aggressive phenotype of glioblastoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, we found that NF-κB induced miR-148a expression, leading to enhanced-strength and prolonged-duration TGF-β/Smad signaling. Notably, these findings were consistent with the significant correlation between miR-148a levels with NF-κB hyperactivation and activated TGF-β/Smad signaling in a cohort of human glioblastoma specimens. Conclusions: These findings uncover a plausible mechanism for NF-κB-sustained TGF-β/Smad activation via miR-148a in glioblastoma, and may suggest a new target for clinical intervention in human cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin (IL)-25, a cytokine of IL-17 family, can activate p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein kinases(MAPK) and Nuclear Factor(NF)-'B pathways to propagate Th2 responses. The allergic rhinitis mouse model was established by stimulating BALB/c mouse with ovalbumin (OVA). Then we detected expression of IL-25 and downstream p38MAPK and NF-'B. The expression of IL-25, p38MAPK and NF-'B were detected in the OVA-induced allergic rhinitis mouse model. The allergic parameters, such as allergic symptoms, serum OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and eosinophil infiltration in the nasal mucosa were compared between OVA group and control group. OVA-induced mice displayed significantly higher allergic responses compared with the saline control group. OVA induced mice demonstrated more allergic symptoms, higher serum OVA-specific IgE levels and eosinophil infiltrations. The increased expression of IL- 25, p38MAPK and NF-'B immunoreactivity were detected in epidermal cells in the OVA group. The mRNA measurement of IL-25, p38MAPK and NF-'B showed the same result. IL-25 enhances the OVA-induced allergic rhinitis by activating p38MAPK and NF-'B pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anesthetic isoflurane (ISO) has immunomodulatory effects. In the present study, we investigated whether a subanesthetic dose of ISO (0.7%) protected against zymosan (ZY) induced inflammatory responses in the murine lung and isolated neutrophils. At 1 and 6 hrs after ZY administration intraperitoneally, ISO was inhaled for 1 hr, and 24 hrs later, lung inflammation and injury were assessed. We found that ISO improved the survival rate of mice and mitigated lung injury as characterized by the histopathology, wet-to-dry weight ratio, protein leakage, and lung function index. ISO significantly attenuated ZY-induced lung neutrophil recruitment and inflammation. This was suggested by the downregulation of (a) endothelial adhesion molecule expression and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in lung tissue and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (b) chemokines, and (c) proinflammatory cytokines in BALF. Furthermore, ZY-induced nuclear translocation and DNA-binding activity of NF-κB p65 were also reduced by ISO. ISO treatment inhibited iNOS expression and activity, as well as subsequent nitric oxide generation. Consistent with these in vivo observations, in vitro studies confirmed that ISO blockedNF-κB and iNOS activation in primarymouse neutrophils challenged by ZY.These results provide evidence that 0.7% ISO ameliorates inflammatory responses in ZY-treated mouse lung and primary neutrophils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effect of 1.4% isolurane (ISO) on the development of inflammation and apoptosis caused by zymosan (ZY) in mice. We found that ZY-challenged mice exhibited significant bodyweight loss, markedly high mortality, and significant lung injury characterized by the deterioration of histopathology, histologic scores, and wet-to-dry ratio after ISO treatment. ISO dramatically attenuated ZY-induced lung neutrophil recruitment and inflammation, as evidenced by the reduced levels of total cells, neutrophils, and proinflammatory cytokines (i.e., tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, and macrophage inflammatory protein- 2) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and of their mRNA expression in lung tissues. ISO also inhibited ZY-induced expression and activation of nuclear factor-kappaB p65 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in pulmonary tissue. ZY administration also resulted in the upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 expression and activity in the lung, which was further enhanced by ISO treatment. Moreover, ISO markedly prevented ZY-induced pulmonary cell apoptosis in mice, as reflected by the decrease in expression of procaspase-8, procaspase-3, cleaved caspase-8, and cleaved caspase-3, as well as in caspase-3 activity and Bcl-2-associated X/B-cell lymphoma 2 ratio. These results indicate that ISO is a potential therapeutic drug for treating ZY-induced lung injury, and further investigations are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gli3, one of three vertebrate Gli transcription factors in Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, is processed into a repressor form (Gli3R) in the absence of Hh signal and acts as the major negative transducer of the pathway. Although the role of Gli3 in embryonic patterning has been extensively studied, its role in cortical neurogenesis, especially in the regulation of neural progenitors in proliferation and cell fate specification, is largely unknown. To bypass the patterning defects caused by loss of Gli3, we conditionally deleted Gli3 after patterning was complete in mouse. Our results from birthdating and in utero electroporation experiments demonstrate that the Gli3, specifically Gli3R, is critical for specifying the fate of cortical neurons that are generated following a stereotypical temporal order. Moreover, Gli3 is required for maintaining the cortical progenitors in active cell cycle, suggesting that cellsmayacquire differentiated status as they turn off Gli3 expression during neurogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To define several pharmacological properties for the potential anticancer agent, adaphostin, in order to determine whether the compound is appropriate for clinical evaluation as an anticancer agent. Methods: The analytical procedure involved high-performance liquid chromatography and utilized an analytical J’Sphere ODS H-80 column. Results: The stability of adaphostin at two different concentrations was determined at temperatures of 37°C, 4°C, and -80°C, in the plasma of mice, rats, dogs, and humans. The compound was most stable at the lower temperatures. At all temperatures, adaphostin was generally most stable in human plasma and least stable in dog plasma. Adaphostin bound strongly (>93%) to proteins in plasma from all four species. Following intravenous (i.v.) administration to mice (50 mg/kg; 150 mg/m2), plasma concentrations declined rapidly from 50 μM at 2 min to 1 μM at 2 h. Elimination was triexponential, with t 1/2 values of 1.1, 9.1, and 41.2 min. The Cltb was 0.411 L/(min·m2), the V dss was 24.6 L/m2, and the AUC was 927 μM·min. In a comparison of vehicles for intraperitoneal (i.p.) dosing, PEG 300 allowed the highest plasma concentrations of adaphostin. Bioavailability following an i.p. dose was greater than that following a subcutaneous dose, or that for a dose administered by oral gavage. For rats dosed i.v. with adaphostin (50 mg/kg; 300 mg/m2), plasma concentrations also decreased triexponentially, with t 1/2 values of 1.8, 10.6, and 136 min. Other pharmacokinetic values were Cltb = 0.466 L/(min·m2), AUC = 1,161 μM·min, and V dss=8.0 L/m2. Analysis of samples collected from two dogs dosed i.v. with adaphostin (7.5 mg/kg; 150 mg/m2) showed that plasma concentrations decreased in a biphasic manner, with individual values for t 1/2α of 6.0 and 9.8 min for the distribution phase and t 1/2β of 40.6 and 66.2 min for the elimination phase. Other pharmacokinetic values were Cltb = 0.565 and 0.852 L/(min·m2), AUC = 673 and 446 μM min, and V dss = 29.6 and 56.8 L/m2. Conclusions: The stability of adaphostin in plasma varies with species. In mice and dogs dosed with adaphostin, plasma concentrations of the compound decreased rapidly. The clearance of adaphostin from plasma, on an m2 basis, was equivalent for mice and rats but more rapid in dogs. These results are relevant for assessing the pharmacologic and toxicologic profiles and the antitumor activity of adaphostin in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A promising direction in the research on Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the identification of biomarkers that better inform the disease progression of AD. However, the performance of amyloid-based biomarkers in predicting cognitive performance has been shown to be suboptimal. We hypothesise that neuronal loss could better inform cognitive impairment. We have utilised the 5xFAD transgenic mouse model that displays AD pathology at an early phase, already fully manifested after 6 months. We have evaluated the relationships between cognitive impairment, amyloid deposition, and neuronal loss in the hippocampus in both male and female mice. We observed the onset of disease characterized by the emergence of cognitive impairment in 6-month-old 5xFAD mice coinciding with the emergence of neuronal loss in the subiculum, but not amyloid pathology. We also showed that female mice exhibited significantly increased amyloid deposition in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, highlighting sex-related differences in the amyloid pathology of this model. Therefore, parameters based on neuronal loss might more accurately reflect disease onset and progression compared to amyloid-based biomarkers in AD patients. Moreover, sex-related differences should be considered in studies involving 5xFAD mouse models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), which is a transcription factor, has a primary role in the development and function of regulatory T cells, and thus contributes to homeostasis of the immune system. A previous study generated a cell-permeable fusion protein of mouse FOXP3 conjugated to a protein transduction domain (PTD-mFOXP3) that successfully blocked differentiation of type 17 T helper cells in vitro and alleviated experimental arthritis in mice. In the present study, the role of PTD-mFOXP3 in type 1 T helper (Th1) cell-mediated immunity was investigated and the possible mechanisms for its effects were explored. Under Th1 polarization conditions, cluster of differentiation 4+ T cells were treated with PTD-mFOXP3 and analyzed by flow cytometry in vitro, which revealed that PTD-mFOXP3 blocked Th1 differentiation in vitro. Mice models of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions were generated by subcutaneous sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OVA) to the ears of mice. PTD-mFOXP3, which was administered via local subcutaneous injection, significantly reduced DTH-induced inflammation, including ear swelling (ear swelling, P<0.001; pinnae weight, P<0.05 or P<0.01 with 0.25 and 1.25 mg/kg PTD-mFOXP3, respectively), infiltration of T cells, and expression of interferon-γ at local inflammatory sites (mRNA level P<0.05) compared with the DTH group. The results of the present study demonstrated that PTD-mFOXP3 may attenuate DTH reactions by suppressing the infiltration and activity of Th1 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ADAM10 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10) is a member of the ADAMs family, which is key in the development of the nervous system, by regulating proliferation, migration, differentiation and survival of various cells, including axonal growth and myelination. Previous studies have investigated the embryonic or postnatal expression of ADAM10, however, detailed information regarding its cellular distribution in the adult stage, to the best of our knowledge, is not available. The present study investigated the expression pattern of the ADAM10 gene in the adult mouse central nervous system (CNS) using an ADAM10 complementary RNA probe for in situ hybridization (ISH). Immunohistochemical staining was used to identify the type of the ISH staining-positive cells with neuron- or astrocyte-specific antibodies. The results of the current study demonstrated that the ADAM10 gene was predominantly expressed in the neurons of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and cerebellar granular cells in adult mouse CNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is associated with increased cost of care, morbidity, and mortality. However, its pathogenesis remains largely to be determined. Specifically, it is unknown why elderly patients are more likely to develop POCD and whether POCD is dependent on general anesthesia. We therefore set out to investigate the effects of peripheral surgery on the cognition and Alzheimer-related neuropathology in mice with different ages. Abdominal surgery under local anesthesia was established in the mice. The surgery induced post-operative elevation in brain β-amyloid (Aβ) levels and cognitive impairment in the 18 month-old wild-type and 9 month-old Alzheimer's disease transgenic mice, but not the 9 month-old wild-type mice. The Aβ accumulation likely resulted from elevation of beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme and phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α. c-Secretase inhibitor compound E ameliorated the surgery-induced brain Aβ accumulation and cognitive impairment in the 18 month-old mice. These data suggested that the peripheral surgery was able to induce cognitive impairment independent of general anesthesia, and that the combination of peripheral surgery with aging- or Alzheimer gene mutation-associated Aβ accumulation was needed for the POCD to occur. These findings would likely promote more research to investigate the pathogenesis of POCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of an HIV-1 cure remains a medical challenge because the virus rebounds quickly after the cessation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Here, we investigate the potential of an engineered tandem bispecific broadly neutralizing antibody (bs-bnAb) as an innovative product for HIV-1 prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. We discovered that by preserving 2 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) binding domains of each parental bnAb, a single gene-encoded tandem bs-bnAb, BiIA-SG, displayed substantially improved breadth and potency. BiIA-SG neutralized all 124 HIV-1-pseudotyped viruses tested, including global subtypes/recombinant forms, transmitted/founder viruses, variants not susceptible to parental bnAbs and to many other bnAbs with an average IC50 value of 0.073 μg/ml (range < 0.001-1.03 μg/ml). In humanized mice, an injection of BiIA-SG conferred sterile protection when administered prior to challenges with diverse live HIV-1 stains. Moreover, whereas BiIA-SG delayed viral rebound in a short-term therapeutic setting when combined with cART, a single injection of adeno-associated virus-transferred (AAV-transferred) BiIA-SG gene resulted dose-dependently in prolonged in vivo expression of BiIA-SG, which was associated with complete viremia control and subsequent elimination of infected cells in humanized mice. These results warrant the clinical development of BiIA-SG as a promising bs-bnAb-based biomedical intervention for the prevention and treatment of HIV-1 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impairment of the immune system is a developing concern in evaluating the toxicity of cadmium(Cd). In the present study, we investigated if Cd could impair cutaneous wound healing through interfering with inflammation after injury.We found that exposure ofmice to CdCl2 through drinking water at doses of 10, 30, and 50mg/l for 8weeks significantly impaired cutaneous wound healing. Chronic 30mg/l CdCl2 treatment elevatedmurine blood Cd level comparable to that of low dose Cd-exposed humans, had no effect on blood total and differential leukocyte counts, but reduced neutrophil infiltration, chemokines (CXCL1 and CXCl2), and proinflammatory cytokines (TNFa, IL-1b, and IL-6) expression in wounded tissue at early stage after injury.Wounded tissue homogenates from CdCl2-treatedmice had lower chemotactic activity for neutrophils than those fromuntreatedmice.Mechanistic studies showed that chronic Cd treatment suppressed ERK1/2 and NF-jB p65 phosphorylation in wounded tissue at early stage after injury. Compared with neutrophils isolated fromuntreatedmice, neutrophils from CdCl2 treatedmice and normal neutrophils treated with CdCl2 in vitro both had lower chemotactic response, calciummobilization and ERK1/2 phosphorylation upon chemoattractant stimulation. Collectively, our study indicate that chronic low-dose Cd exposure impaired cutaneous wound healing by reducing neutrophil infiltration through inhibiting chemokine expression and neutrophil chemotactic response, and suppressing proinflammatory cytokine expression. Cdmay suppress chemokine and proinflammatory expression through inactivating ERK1/2 and NF-jB, and inhibit neutrophil chemotaxis by attenuating calciummobilization and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in response to chemoattractants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mice transgenic for genomic segments harboring PHAII (pseudohypoaldosteronism type II) mutant Wnk4 (with-No-Lysine kinase 4) (TgWnk4PHAII) have hyperkalemia which is currently believed to be the result of high activity of Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC). This leads to decreasing Na delivery to the distal nephron segment including late distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and connecting tubule (CNT). Since epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) and renal outer medullary K+ channel (ROMK or Kir4.1) are expressed in the late DCT and play an important role in mediating K+ secretion, the aim of the present study is to test whether ROMK and ENaC activity in the DCT/CNT are also compromised in the mice expressing PHAII mutant Wnk4. Western blot analysis shows that the expression of βENaC and γENaC subunits but not αENaC subunit was lower in TgWnk4PHAII mice than that in wild-type (WT) and TgWnk4WT mice. Patch-clamp experiments detected amiloride-sensitive Na+ currents and TPNQ-sensitive K+ currents in DCT2/CNT, suggesting the activity of ENaC and ROMK. However, both Na+ and ROMK currents in DCT2/CNT of TgWnk4PHAII mice were significantly smaller than those in WT and TgWnk4WT mice. In contrast, the basolateral K+ currents in the DCT were similar among three groups, despite higher NCC expression in TgWnk4PHAII mice than those of WT and TgWnk4WTmice. An increase in dietary K+ intake significantly increased both ENaC and ROMK currents in the DCT2/CNT of all three groups. However, high-K+ (HK) intake-induced stimulation of Na+ and K+ currents was smaller in TgWnk4PHAII mice than those in WT and TgWnk4WT mice. We conclude that ENaC and ROMK channel activity in DCT2/ CNT are inhibited in TgWnk4PHAII mice and that Wnk4PHAII-induced inhibition of ENaC and ROMK may contribute to the suppression of K+ secretion in the DCT2/CNT in addition to increased NCC activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A component purified from Strongylocentrotus nudus eggs on a diethylaminoethyl cellulose-52 chromatography column and eluted using a NaCl solution gradient (SEP-S), is a homogeneous polysaccharide of α-D-glucan with a reduced molecular weight of 9.33x105 Da, compared with that of S. nudus egg polysaccharide (SEP). In an in vivo antitumor assay of histocompatibility-22 hepatocellular carcinoma in tumor-bearing mice, the inhibitory rates at SEP-S doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day were 38.8, 50.7 and 70.3%, respectively. In addition, the spleen and thymus indices and the percentages of cluster of differentiation (CD) 4+ and CD8+ T cells were significantly increased, and the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes was notably enhanced, suggesting that the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity is mediated by boosting the immune system. In vitro experiments also demonstrated that splenocyte proliferation induced by SEP-S was inhibited by the toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 monoclonal antibodies. These data indicate that SEP-S is a polysaccharide component possessing high anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity and may be a potential immunotherapy candidate for the treatment of liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that social defeat stress can induce depressive behaviours and cognitive impairment. However, the molecular mechanism by which only a minority of stress-exposed individuals are affected is not clear. In this study, thirty 3-week-old male c57BL/6 mice were exposed to 30 days of social defeat stress, following which susceptible (socially avoidant) and unsusceptible (socially interactive) mice were identified using social investigation. Twenty-four hours after the last episode of defeat, separate groups of mice were tested in the sucrose preference, open field, elevated plus-maze and Morris water maze behavioural assays. Also, the levels of memory-associated proteins in the hippocampus were examined, including postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95), postsynaptic density 93 (PSD93), and Protein kinase A (PKA). The levels of PSD95, PSD93, and PKA were significantly lower in susceptible mice. We also found that the upstream regulatory factor of these proteins, phosphorylated Camp-Responsive Element-Binding Protein (CREB), was reduced after social defeat in the susceptible group only, while the level of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) was significantly elevated. These data suggest that memory-associated proteins and phosphorylated CREB may play important roles in memory impairment and behavioural responses to chronic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microenvironment is being increasingly recognized as a critical determinant in tumor progression and metastasis. However, the appropriate regulatory mechanism to maintain the normal balance between differentiation and self-renewal of the cancer cell in microenvironment is not well known. Methods: 4T1 breast cancer cells were treated with embryonic stem (ES) cell conditioned medium which was collected from mouse ES cells. Inhibition of tumor cell growth was based on the reduction of cell proliferation and viability, and inhibition of aggressive properties of tumor cells were examined using the wound-healing and mammosphere assays. The expression of stem cell-associated genes was detected by quantitative RT-PCR. Results: We used a real-time imaging system to investigate the effect of the mouse ES cell microenvironment on aggressive breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Exposure of breast cancer cells in mouse ES cell conditioned medium resulted in inhibition of growth, migration, metastasis, and angiogenesis of cancer cells. For many tumors, aggressive properties were tightly related to Stat3 signaling activation. We specifically discovered that the ES cell microenvironment sufficiently suppressed Stat3 signaling pathway activation in aggressive tumor cells, leading to a reduction in tumorigenesis and invasiveness. Conclusions: We identified important functions of Stat3 and their implications for antitumor effects of ES cell conditioned medium. Some factors secreted by ES cells could efficiently suppress Stat3 pathway activation in breast cancer cells, and were then involved in cancer cell growth, survival, invasion, and migration. This study may act as a platform to understand tumor cell plasticity and may offer new therapeutic strategies to inhibit breast cancer progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kcnj10 encodes the inwardly rectifying K+ channel 4.1 (Kir4.1) and is expressed in the basolateral membrane of late thick ascending limb, distal convoluted tubule (DCT), connecting tubule (CNT), and cortical collecting duct (CCD). In the present study, we perform experiments in postneonatal day 9 Kcnj10-/- or wild-type mice to examine the role of Kir.4.1 in contributing to the basolateral K+ conductance in the CNT and CCD, and to investigate whether the disruption of Kir4.1 upregulates the expression of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC). Immunostaining shows that Kir4.1 is expressed in the basolateral membrane of CNT and CCD. Patch-clamp studies detect three types of K+ channels (23, 40, and 60 pS) in the basolateral membrane of late CNT and initial CCD in wild-type (WT) mice. However, only 23- and 60-pS K+ channels but not the 40-pS K+ channel were detected in Kcnj10-/- mice, suggesting that Kir.4.1 is a key component of the 40-pS K+ channel in the CNT/CCD. Moreover, the depletion of Kir.4.1 did not increase the probability of finding the 23- and 60-pS K+ channel in the CNT/CCD. We next used the perforated whole cell recording to measure the K+ reversal voltage in the CNT/CCD as an index of cell membrane potential. Under control conditions, the K+ reversal potential was -69 mV in WT mice and -61 mV in Kcnj10-/- mice, suggesting that Kir4.1 partially participates in generating membrane potential in the CNT/CCD. Western blotting and immunostaining showed that the expression of ENaC and ENaCγ subunits from a renal medulla section of Kcnj10-/- mice was significantly increased compared with that of WT mice. Also, the disruption of Kir4.1 increased aquaporin 2 expression. We conclude that Kir4.1 is expressed in the CNT and CCD and partially participates in generating the cell membrane potential. Also, increased ENaC expression in medullary CD of Kcnj10-/- mice is a compensatory action in response to the impaired Na+ transport in the DCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During liver surgery, hepatic blood flow needs to be blocked in order to reduce bleeding, which inevitably results in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HI/R). Paeoniflorin (PF) is the main active ingredient of the traditional Chinese herbal medicine peony, which has been shown to exert anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties. In the present study, a mouse model of HI/R was generated by clamping the hepatoportal vein, hepatic artery, and hepatic duct of BALB/c mice with a vascular clamp for 30 min, followed by reperfusion for 6 h under anesthesia. Six mice in the three PF treatment groups (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) were then injected with PF, via the tail vein. A sham group, consisting of six mice that did not undergo the procedure, and a vehicle group, consisting of 6 mice that underwent the procedure but subsequently received injections of physiological saline only, were used as controls. Liver injury was indicated by serum levels of the enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). The activities of oxidative stress biomarkers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and malondialdehyde (MDA), were also measured. Furthermore, the activity of caspase-3 was analyzed in hepatic tissue using a commercial kit. Treatment with PF significantly attenuated HI/R injury histologically, as compared with the vehicle group. In addition, significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT and AST were observed in the PF-treated ischemic mice. Furthermore, treatment with PF enhanced the activities of hepatic tissue SOD, GSH and GSH-PX, but decreased the MDA content. Treatment of ischemic mice with PF markedly reduced the expression levels of inflammatory mediators, including nuclear factor-κB, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β, and decreased the HI/R injury-induced expression of caspase-3. The results of the present study suggest that PF attenuates the HI/R injury of mice via anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study is to examine the role of Kcnj10 (Kir.4.1) in contributing to the basolateral K conductance in the cortical thick ascending limb (cTAL) using Kcnj10+/+ wild-type (WT) and Kcnj10-/- knockout (KO) mice. The patch-clamp experiments detected a 40- and an 80-pS K channel in the basolateral membrane of the cTAL. Moreover, the probability of finding the 40-pS K was significantly higher in the late part of the cTAL close to the distal convoluted tubule than those in the initial part. Immunostaining showed that Kcnj10 staining was detected in the basolateral membrane of the cTAL but the expression was not uniformly distributed. The disruption of Kcnj10 completely eliminated the 40-pS K channel but not the 80-pS K channel, suggesting the role of Kcnj10 in forming the 40-pS K channel of the cTAL. Also, the disruption of Kcnj10 increased the probability of finding the 80-pS K channel in the cTAL, especially in the late part of the cTAL. Because the channel open probability of the 80-pS K channel in KO was similar to those of WT mice, the increase in the 80-pS K channel may be achieved by increasing K channel number. The whole cell recording further showed that K reversal potential measured with 5 mM K in the bath and 140 mM K in the pipette was the same in the WT and KO mice. Moreover, Western blot and immunostaining showed that the disruption of Kcnj10 did not affect the expression of Na-K-Cl cotransporter 2 (NKCC2). We conclude that Kir.4.1 is expressed in the basolateral membrane of cTAL and that the disruption of Kir.4.1 has no significant effect on the membrane potential of the cTAL and NKCC2 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The renal phenotype induced by loss-of-function mutations of inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir), Kcnj10 (Kir4.1), includes salt wasting, hypomagnesemia, metabolic alkalosis and hypokalemia. However, the mechanism by which Kir.4.1 mutations cause the tubulopathy is not completely understood. Here we demonstrate that Kcnj10 is a main contributor to the basolateral K conductance in the early distal convoluted tubule (DCT1) and determines the expression of the apical Na-CI cotransporter (NCC) in the DCT. Immu-nostaining demonstrated Kcnj10 and Kcnj16 were expressed in the basolateral membrane of DCT, and patch-clamp studies detected a 40-pS K channel in the basolateral membrane of the DCT1 of p8/p10 wild-type Kcnj1(t+/+ mice (WT). This 40-pS K channel is absent in homozygous Kcnj10-/- (knockout) mice. The disruption of Kcnj10 almost completely eliminated the basolateral K conductance and decreased the negativity of the cell membrane potential in DCT1. Moreover, the lack of Kcnj10 decreased the basolateral Cl conductance, inhibited the expression of Ste20-related proline-alanine-rich kinase and diminished the apical NCC expression in DCT. We conclude that Kcnj10 plays a dominant role in determining the basolateral K conductance and membrane potential of DCT1 and that the basolateral K channel activity in the DCT determines the apical NCC expression possibly through a Ste20-related proline-alanine-rich kinase-dependent mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vasoactive drugs are normally utilized to elevate mean artery pressure and maintain adequate organ perfusion in clinical treatment. During the injection, morphological changes and the subsequent oxygen supply alteration in the brain, e.g., possible hypoxia, are prone to introduce serious damage and even dysfunction to the brain. Therefore, multiparameter monitoring of cerebral microvasculature is necessary during drug injection. An optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy was used to assess the effects of norepinephrine on microvasculature in the brain cortex of mice. In our experiments, the diameter, total hemoglobin (HbT) and oxygen saturation (SO2)of single cerebral microvessels during tail vein injection of norepinephrine were analyzed. Following the injection, vasoconstriction was observed, and HbT and SO2 were decreased in turn. The vessel diameter and HbT recovered back to the base value without further injection, while the SO2 remained low throughout the observation period. Arterioles showed more acute constriction but a smaller decline in HbT during the injection compared with venules, while SO2 in arterioles increased slightly without further drug injection but not in venules. Our results suggested that photoacoustic microscopy may become a new method for early and comprehensive evaluation of the effect of drugs on microvasculature in brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enrich our understanding of the mechanism of tumor lymphatic metastasis, we developed a model system for tracking metastatic tumor cells in the lymphatic system with cellular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in live mice to observe the interaction between tumor cells and the lymphatic system. Nude mice were inoculated subcutaneously with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled and unlabeled LOVO cells in the foot pad, groin, or axillary area. Serial 7 T MRI of the tumors and surrounding regions was performed in the following 2 weeks. After imaging, tumor tissues and regional lymph nodes were collected and subjected to immunohistologic analysis. T2/T2*-weighted MRIs showed the primary tumor growth and the draining lymphatic architecture, as well as the SPIO-labeled tumor cells metastasized into the regional lymph node at 8 days. MRIs also revealed information on sentinel lymph node mapping with high-resolution anatomic information. Histologic findings confirmed the in vivo MRI results and revealed lymphangiogenesis, angiogenesis, infiltration of macrophages, and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C in tumor and draining lymph nodes as well. This technology provides a powerful tool for tracking SPIO-labeled cancer cells in the lymphatics by cellular MRI. There was a close relationship between tumor lymphatic metastasis and lymphangiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to determine the in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer activity and pharmacological properties of 3,4-dimethoxy-N-[(2,2-dimethyl-2H-chromen-6-yl)methyl]-N-phenylbenzenesulfonamide, KCN1. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro activity of KCN1 on cell proliferation and cell cycle distribution of pancreatic cancer cells, using the MTT and BrdUrd assays, and flow cytometry. The in vivo anti-cancer effects of KCN1 were evaluated in two distinct xenograft models of pancreatic cancer. We also developed an HPLC method for the quantitation of the compound, and examined its stability in mouse plasma, plasma protein binding, and degradation by mouse S9 microsomal enzymes. Furthermore, we examined the pharmacokinetics of KCN1 following intravenous or intraperitoneal injection in mice. Results showed that, in a dose-dependent manner, KCN1 inhibited cell growth and induced cell cycle arrest in human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro, and showed in vivo anticancer efficacy in mice bearing Panc-1 or Mia Paca-2 tumor xenografts. The HPLC method provided linear detection of KCN1 in all of the matrices in the range from 0.1 to 100 µM, and had a lower limit of detection of 0.085 µM in mouse plasma. KCN1 was very stable in mouse plasma, extensively plasma bound, and metabolized by S9 microsomal enzymes. The pharmacokinetic studies indicated that KCN1 could be detected in all of the tissues examined, most for at least 24 h. In conclusion, our preclinical data indicate that KCN1 is a potential therapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer, providing a basis for its future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the protective effects of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside (PDG) and its metabolite ginsenoside M1 (G-M1) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced chronic liver injury in ICR mice, we carried out conversion of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides to ginsenoside M1 using snailase. The optimum time for the conversion was 24 h at a constant pH of 4.5 and an optimum temperature of 50 °C. The transformation products were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ion-mass spectrometry. Subsequently, most of PDG was decomposed and converted into G-M1 by 24 h post-reaction. During the study on hepatoprotective in a mice model of chronic liver injury, PDG or G-M1 supplement significantly ameliorated the CCl4-induced liver lesions, lowered the serum levels of select hepatic enzyme markers (alanine aminotransferase, ALT, and aspartate aminotransferase, AST) and malondialdehyde and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase in liver. Histopathology of the liver tissues showed that PDG and G-M1 attenuated the hepatocellular necrosis and led to reduction of inflammatory cell infiltration. Therefore, the results of this study show that PDG and G-M1 can be proposed to protect the liver against CCl4-induced oxidative injury in mice, and the hepatoprotective effect might be attributed to amelioration of oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The development of small molecule inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein as antiviral agents has been intensively pursued as a viable strategy to eradicate HCV infection. However, lack of a robust and convenient small animal model has hampered the assessment of in vivo efficacy of any antiviral compound. Methodology/Principal Findings: The objective of this work was to develop a novel method to screen anti-core protein siRNA in the mouse liver by bioluminescence imaging. The inhibitory effect of two shRNAs targeting the highly conserved core region of the HCV genome, shRNA452 and shRNA523, was examined using this method. In the transient mouse model, the effect of shRNA-523 was detectable at as early as 24 h and became even more pronounced at later time points. The effect of shRNA-452 was not detectable until 48 h post-transduction. In a stable mouse model, shRNA523 reduced luciferase levels by up to 76.4±26.0% and 91.8±8.0% at 6 h and 12 h after injection respectively, and the inhibitory effect persisted for 1 day after a single injection while shRNA-Scramble did not seem to have an effect on the luciferase activity in vivo. Conclusions/Significance: Thus, we developed a simple and quantitative assay for real-time monitoring of HCV core protein inhibitors in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Loss of a sensory function is often followed by the hypersensitivity of other modalities in mammals, which secures them well-awareness to environmental changes. Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cross-modal sensory plasticity remain to be documented. Methodology/Principal Findings: Multidisciplinary approaches, such as electrophysiology, behavioral task and immunohistochemistry, were used to examine the involvement of specific types of neurons in cross-modal plasticity. We have established a mouse model that olfactory deficit leads to a whisking upregulation, and studied how GABAergic neurons are involved in this cross-modal plasticity. In the meantime of inducing whisker tactile hypersensitivity, the olfactory injury recruits more GABAergic neurons and their fine processes in the barrel cortex, as well as upregulates their capacity of encoding action potentials. The hyperpolarization driven by inhibitory inputs strengthens the encoding ability of their target cells. Conclusion/Significance: The upregulation of GABAergic neurons and the functional enhancement of neuronal networks may play an important role in cross-modal sensory plasticity. This finding provides the clues for developing therapeutic approaches to help sensory recovery and substitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose  In this study, we exploited the potential of 64Cu-labeled polyethylenimine (PEI) for cell trafficking and tumor imaging as compared to copper-64-pyruvaldehyde-bis(N 4-methylthiosemicarbazone) (64Cu-PTSM). Procedures  U87MG cells were labeled with both 64Cu-PEI and 64Cu-PTSM, and their in vivo distributions in mice were tracked by positron emission tomography (PET). The tumor imaging ability of 64Cu-PTSM and 64Cu-PEI was investigated in U87MG human glioblastoma xenograft model. 64Cu-PEI-polyethylene glycol (PEG) was also synthesized, and the cell uptake, efflux, cytotoxicity, and the biodistribution were carried out and compared with 64Cu-PEI. Results  Both 64Cu-PEI and 64Cu-PEI-PEG were obtained in high labeling yield without the need of macrocyclic chelating agents. 64Cu-PEI showed lower cell labeling efficiency than 64Cu-PTSM. Small-animal PET images of living mice indicate that tail-vein-injected U87MG cells labeled with 64Cu-PTSM or 64Cu-PEI traffic to the lungs and liver. In a subcutaneous U87MG xenograft model, 64Cu-PEI had higher tumor uptake (18.7 ± 2.2 %ID/g at 24 h) than 64Cu-PTSM (12.4 ± 1.7 %ID/g at 24 h). In comparison with 64Cu-PEI, 64Cu-PEI-PEG had decreased toxicity and increased cell uptake in cell culture, as well as higher tumor uptake and better tumor-to-background contrast in U87MG xenograft model. Conclusion   64Cu-labeled polyethylenimine can be used for both cell trafficking and tumor imaging. PEGylation reduces the toxicity of 64Cu-PEI and improves the tumor imaging ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tumour stroma is believed to contribute to some of the most malignant characteristics of epithelial tumours. However, signalling between stromal and tumour cells is complex and remains poorly understood. Here we show that the genetic inactivation of Pten in stromal fibroblasts of mouse mammary glands accelerated the initiation, progression and malignant transformation of mammary epithelial tumours. This was associated with the massive remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), innate immune cell infiltration and increased angiogenesis. Loss of Pten in stromal fibroblasts led to increased expression, phosphorylation (T72) and recruitment of Ets2 to target promoters known to be involved in these processes. Remarkably, Ets2 inactivation in Pten stroma-deleted tumours ameliorated disruption of the tumour microenvironment and was sufficient to decrease tumour growth and progression. Global gene expression profiling of mammary stromal cells identified a Pten-specific signature that was highly represented in the tumour stroma of patients with breast cancer. These findings identify the Pten–Ets2 axis as a critical stroma-specific signalling pathway that suppresses mammary epithelial tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMany approaches targeting MUC1 for breast tumor immunotherapy have been attempted. However, preclinical trials with MUC1 showed that MUC1 is a relatively poor immunogen in human. B7 molecules that bind CD28 provide an antigen-nonspecific signal, which, along with an antigen-specific signal, is crucial for T-cell activation. In the present study, we constructed a novel Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-based breast cancer vaccine that coexpressed four VNTRs (variable-number tandem repeats) of MUC1 and CD80 (rBCG-MVNTR4-CD80). The aim of our study was to enhance anti-MUC1 tumor immunity by vaccination of hu-PBL-SCID mice with the recombinant BCG vaccine. The inhibition effect on tumors from the mice immunized with rBCG-MVNTR4-CD80 significantly increased, compared with rBCG-MVNTR4, BCG-pDE22, and phosphate-buffered saline immunized mice (p< 0.05, p< 0.05, p< 0.05). ELISpot assays showed that there was a significant increase in interferon-gamma production in the splenocytes from the mice immunized with rBCG-MVNTR4-CD80. In addition, CD4 and CD8-positive lymphocytes in tumors from rBCG-MVNTR4-CD80-immunized animals were detected. These data showed that rBCG-MVNTR4-CD80 immunization elicited tumor-specific immune response, which closely related with the B7 molecule (CD80), indicating that the vaccine may be a good candidate for MUC1-positive breast cancer immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We previously demonstrated that dietary K intake regulates the expression of Src family PTK, which plays an important role in controlling the expression of ROMK1 in plasma membrane (Wei Y, Bloom P, Lin D-H, Gu RM, and Wang WH. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 281: F206-F212, 2001). In the present study, we used the immunofluorescence staining technique to demonstrate the presence of c-Src, a member of Src family PTK, in the thick ascending limb (TAL) and collecting duct. Confocal microscopy shows that c-Src is highly expressed in the renal cortex and outer medulla. Moreover, c-Src and ROMK are coexpressed in the same nephron segment. Also, the positive staining of c-Src is visible in tubules stained with Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein or aquaporin-2. This suggests that c-Src is present in the TAL, cortical collecting duct (CCD), and outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD). To study the role of PTK in the regulation of ROMK membrane expression in the TAL and CCD, we carried out immunocytochemical staining with ROMK antibody in the CCD or TAL from rats on either a high-K (HK) or K-deficient (KD) diet. A sharp membrane staining of ROMK can be observed in the TAL from rats on both HK and KD diets. However, a clear plasma membrane staining can be observed only in the CCD from rats on a HK diet but not from those on a KD diet. Treatment of the CCD from rats on a HK diet with phenylarsine oxide (PAO) decreases the positive staining in the plasma/subapical membrane and increases the ROMK staining in the intracellular compartment. However, PAO treatment did not significantly alter the staining pattern of ROMK in the TAL. Moreover, the biotinylation technique has also confirmed that neither herbimycin A nor PAO has significantly changed the biotin-labeled ROMK2 in HEK293 cells transfected with ROMK2 and c-Src. We conclude that c-Src is expressed in the TAL, CCD, and OMCD and that stimulation of PTK increases the ROMK channels in the intracellular compartment but decreases them in the apical/subapical membrane in the CCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Cytochrome P450 1A, an enzyme known to metabolize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), participates in the metabolism of aristolochic acid I (AAI) in liver and kidney microsomes isolated from humans and rodents. This study was designed to investigate whether P450 1A plays a role in AAI-induced renal injury in C57BL/6 mice. Methods. Separate groups of mice were given AAI (10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) or pretreatment with 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC, an agent known to induce P450 1A expression in many species including rodents) at 60 mg/kg given at 24 h before AAI injection. Renal function and histopathology were determined at the 3rd day following the high dose of AAI and at the 14th day following the low dose of AAI treatment. For both doses, we determined in vivo AAI clearances and pharmacokinetic parameters. We also determined in vitro P450 1A1/2 activity and the ability of liver microsomes from 3-MC-treated and vehicle-treated mice to metabolize AAI. Finally, the effect of 3-MC on protein levels of P450 1A1/2 in both liver and kidney was measured by western blotting. Results. Pretreatment with 3-MC greatly protected mice against renal failure induced by AAI. In vivo AAI clearance was more rapid in 3-MC-pretreated mice than in the vehicle-pretreated mice. In addition, the P450 1A1/2 activity and the ability to metabolize AAI in hepatic microsomes isolated from 3-MC-treated mice were much greater than in vehicle-treated mice. Western blotting showed that protein levels of hepatic P450 1A1/2 were greatly increased in 3-MC-treated mice than in vehicle-treated mice. Conclusion. These results demonstrated that the induction of hepatic P450 1A1/2 protected against AAI-induced kidney injury through faster in vivo clearance of AAI and suggested an important role for hepatic P450s in the detoxification of AAI-induced renal injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]