A novel and alternative in vitro method using microwave to study the epithelial-stromal interactions

The goal of the present work was to obtain a simple and reproducible experimental model that would maintain the characteristics of the extracellular physiological environment of breast epithelial cells, both in factors as well as stromal structure, on which we could grow and evaluate changes of normal and tumor breast cells. 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes (breast stromal cell model) were cultured and irradiated in a microwave oven at different times and potencies. In order to lose their proliferation ability, cells had to be irradiated twice at 650 Watts with a two-minute pulse each. The characteristics of the treated stromal support were analyzed for cell morphology, presence of DNA and proteins. We then evaluated on this support the effect on proliferation and migration of both normal and tumor - murine and human - breast epithelial cells. Both cell types increased their proliferation, while only tumor cells increased migration, thus improving their metastatic capacity. We believe this is a new and simple experimental method of studying epithelial-stromal cell interaction.Fil: Sacca, Paula Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Pistone Creydt, Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Tesone, Amelia Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Calvo, Juan Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica; Argentin

Alternative Degree Program for Hospitality Educators

Hospitality and tourism education programs are becoming increasingly popular, as is an increased demand for qualified faculty Tends suggest that an insufficient number of qualified candidates exist relative to the demand for new faculty appointments. The authors present a proposed model for newly developed doctoral programs in hospitality education and suggestions for administrators considering the development of terminal degree programs for hospitality educators

Peripheral and central mechanisms involved in hormonal control of male and female reproduction

Reproduction involves the integration of hormonal signals acting across multiple systems togenerate a synchronized physiological output. A critical component of reproduction is the luteinizinghormone (LH) surge, which is mediated by estradiol (E2) and neuroprogesterone interacting tostimulate kisspeptin release in the rostral periventricular nucleus of the third ventricle in rats. Recentevidence has shown that both classical and membrane E2 and progesterone signaling is involved inthis pathway. A metabolite of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), GnRH-(1-5), has been shownto stimulate GnRH expression, secretion, and has a role in the regulation of lordosis. Additionally,gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) projects to and influences the activity of GnRH neurons inbirds. Stress-induced changes in GnIH have been shown to alter breeding behaviors in birds,demonstrating another molecular control of reproduction. Peripherally, paracrine and autocrineactions within the gonad have been suggested as therapeutic targets for infertility in both males andfemales. Dysfunction of testicular prostaglandin synthesis is a possible cause of idiopathic maleinfertility. Indeed, local production of melatonin and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) couldinfluence spermatogenesis via immune pathways in the gonad. In females, vascular endothelialgrowth factor A (VEGF-A) has been implicated in an angiogenic process that mediates developmentof the corpus luteum and thus fertility via the Notch signaling pathway. Age-induced decreases infertility involve ovarian kisspeptin and its regulation of ovarian sympathetic innervation. Finally,morphological changes in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus influence female sexualreceptivity in rats. The processes mediating these morphological changes have been shown toinvolve rapid effects of E2 controlling synaptogenesis in this hypothalamic nucleus. Together, thisreview highlights new research in these areas, focusing on recent findings in the molecularmechanisms of central and peripheral hormonal control of reproduction.Fil: Rudolph, L. M.. University of California at Los Angeles; Estados UnidosFil: Bentley, G. E.. University of California Berkeley; Estados UnidosFil: Calandra, Ricardo Saul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Paredes, A. H.. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Tesone, Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Wu, T. J.. Uniformed Services University; Estados UnidosFil: Micevych, P. E.. University of California at Los Angeles; Estados Unido

PDGFB as a vascular normalization agent in an ovarian cancer model treated with a gamma-secretase inhibitor

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. In the past 20 years, the canonical types of drugs used to treat ovarian cancer have not been replaced and the survival rates have not changed. These facts show the clear need to find new therapeutic strategies for this illness. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a gamma-secretase inhibitor (DAPT) in combination with the Platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGFB) on an ovarian cancer xenograft model. To achieve this goal, we analyzed the effect of the administration of DAPT alone and the co-administration of DAPT and recombinant PDGFB on parameters associated with tumour growth and angiogenesis in an orthotopic experimental model of ovarian cancer. We observed that the dose of DAPT used was ineffective to reduce ovarian tumour growth, but showed anticancer activity when co-administered with recombinant PDGFB. The administration of PDGFB alone normalized tumour vasculature by increasing periendothelial coverage and vascular functionality. Interestingly, this effect exerted by PDGFB was also observed in the presence of DAPT. Our findings suggest that PDGFB is able to improve tumor vascularity and allows the anticancer action of DAPT in the tumor. We propose that this therapeutic strategy could be a new tool for ovarian cancer treatment and deserves further studies.Fil: Pazos Maidana, María Camila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Sequeira, Gonzalo Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Bocchicchio, Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: May, Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas; ArgentinaFil: Abramovich, Dalhia Nurit. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Parborell, Maria Fernanda Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Tesone, Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Irusta, Griselda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentin

Altered expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in follicles within dehydroepiandrosterone-induced polycystic ovaries in rats

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by hyperandrogenaemia, hirsutism, oligo- or amenorrhea, insulin resistance and anovulation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the balance between the ovarian expression of Bax (proapoptotic protein) and Bcl-2 (antiapoptotic protein) is altered in a PCOS model developed in rats by DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) administration. In addition, the ovarian morphology and the circulating progesterone levels were evaluated. Histological studies confirmed the presence of follicular cysts, atretic follicles and the absence of corpora lutea in the ovaries from the PCOS group and a significant decrease in circulating progesterone levels. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were mainly localized in granulosa cells of AFs (antral follicles) in both groups. Bax expression was greater in preantral and AFs from PCOS ovarian sections than in the controls. In contrast, intense Bcl-2 immunostaining was observed in the control AFs, while Bcl-2 protein was either absent in PFs (preantral follicles) or weakly expressed in AFs from PCOS rats. These results were partially confirmed by western studies. Data revealed that the ovarian level of Bcl-2 protein was lower in PCOS than in the control and that there were no differences in Bax ovarian levels between groups. However, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was significantly higher in PCOS group than in the control group. In conclusion, an increase in ovarian apoptosis through an imbalance among the Bcl-2 family members may be involved in the transformation of growing follicles in cystic follicles in the ovaries from DHEA-induced PCOS rats.Fil: Bas, Diana Ester. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Abramovich, Dalhia Nurit. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Hernandez, Silvia Fátima. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Tesone, Marta. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); Argentin

Em uma encruzilhada: potencial do nível plasmático de lítio como preditor da dose ideal

OBJECTIVE: Lithium has been successfully employed to treat bipolar disorder for decades, and recently, was shown to attenuate the symptoms of other pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome, ischemic processes, and glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. However, lithium's narrow therapeutic range limits its broader use. Therefore, the development of methods to better predict its dose becomes essential to an ideal therapy. METHOD: the performance of adult Wistar rats was evaluated at the open field and elevated plus maze after a six weeks treatment with chow supplemented with 0.255%, or 0.383% of lithium chloride, or normal feed. Thereafter, blood samples were collected to measure the serum lithium concentration. RESULTS: Animals fed with 0.255% lithium chloride supplemented chow presented a higher rearing frequency at the open field, and higher frequency of arms entrance at the elevated plus maze than animals fed with a 50% higher lithium dose presented. Nevertheless, both groups presented similar lithium plasmatic concentration. DISCUSSION: different behaviors induced by both lithium doses suggest that these animals had different lithium distribution in their brains that was not detected by lithium serum measurement. CONCLUSION: serum lithium concentration measurements do not seem to provide sufficient precision to support its use as predictive of behaviors.OBJETIVO: Além de ser usado há décadas para tratar distúrbio bipolar, o lítio, mais recentemente, demonstrou-se eficaz para Alzheimer, síndrome de Down, processos isquêmicos e excitotoxicidade mediada por glutamato. Contudo, a estreita janela terapêutica do lítio limita seu uso. Portanto, o estabelecimento de métodos preditivos de dose torna-se importante. MÉTODO: O desempenho de ratos Wistar adultos foi avaliado no campo aberto e labirinto em cruz elevado após seis semanas de tratamento com uma ração suplementada com 0,255% ou 0,383% de cloreto de lítio ou ração normal. Coletou-se amostras de sangue para dosagem plasmática do lítio. RESULTADOS: Os animais alimentados com a ração com 0,255% de cloreto de lítio fizeram mais rearing no campo aberto e tiveram uma maior freqüência de entradas nos braços do labirinto elevado que os animais que ingeriram a dose mais alta. Apesar disso, verificou-se níveis plasmáticos de lítio semelhantes em ambos os grupos. DISCUSSÃO: A variação nos comportamentos destarte a presença de níveis plasmáticos semelhantes sugere que as diferentes doses produziram diferentes concentrações cerebrais não detectadas pela medida plasmática. CONCLUSÃO: Medidas da concentração plasmática de lítio não permitem prever de forma completa seus efeitos comportamentais.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of PhysiologyUNIFESP, Department of PhysiologySciEL

Effects of an inhibitor of the gamma-secretase complex on proliferation and apoptotic parameters in a FOXL2-mutated granulosa tumor cell line (KGN).

Ovarian granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) represent 3%-5% of all ovarian malignancies. Treatments have limited proven efficacy and biologically targeted treatment is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Notch signaling in the proliferation, steroidogenesis, apoptosis, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway in a FOXL2-mutated granulosa tumor cell line (KGN) representative of the adult form of GCTs. When Notch signaling is initiated, the receptors expose a cleavage site in the extracellular domain to the metalloproteinase TACE and, following this cleavage, Notch undergoes another cleavage mediated by the presenilin-gamma-secretase complex. To achieve our goal, DAPT, an inhibitor of the gamma-secretase complex, was used to investigate the role of the Notch system in parameters associated with cell growth and death, using a human granulosa cell tumor line (KGN) as an experimental model. We observed that JAGGED1, DLL4, NOTCH1, and NOTCH4 were highly expressed in KGN cells as compared to granulosa-lutein cells obtained from assisted reproductive techniques patients. The proliferation and viability of KGN cells, as well as progesterone and estradiol production, decreased in the presence of 20 μM DAPT. Apoptotic parameters like PARP and caspase 8 cleavages, BAX, and BCLXs increased in KGN cells cultured with DAPT, whereas others such as BCL2, BCLXl, FAS, and FAS ligand did not change. AKT phosphorylation decreased and PTEN protein increased when Notch signaling was inhibited in KGN cells. We conclude that the Notch system acts as a survival pathway in KGN cells, and might be interacting with the PI3K/AKT pathway.Fil: Irusta, Griselda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Pazos Maidana, María Camila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Abramovich, Dalhia Nurit. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: de Zúñiga, Ignacio Javier. Centro Médico PREGNA Medicina Reproductiva; ArgentinaFil: Parborell, Maria Fernanda Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Tesone, Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica; Argentin

Teaching In Cyberspace: The Faculty Perspective

Broader audiences of students are seeking alternative course delivery methods using electronic formats.  For this reason, business instructors are embracing web-based delivery modalities to accommodate the needs of such audiences.  This presentation is intended for instructors choosing to enter online learning environments.  It provides suggestions for student-friendly online course design, delivery and closure.  Student friendly online courses begin with mental thought processes that drive course objectives and learning outcomes in the preparation phase of course development.  The student friendly environment then transpires as a result of the instructor’s style during course delivery.  The online instructor then leaves the audience with a final impression through course closure activities.  With the final course details completed, the instructor reflects on areas of success and potential improvement to be applied to future courses

Prophylactic removal of third molars: a risk-benefit analysis

The treatment of impacted third molars that have neither symptoms nor disease is controversial. One school of thought is that these teeth should be extracted before they do become symptomatic and/or diseased. A second school of thought advocates retaining these teeth until such time when they show evidence of developing symptoms or disease. The purpose of this review is to present the reasoning behind the two opposing schools of thought. Studies involving both the risks and the benefits of extracting and retaining asymptomatic, disease-free third molars were examined. There are studies to support the proponents of each school of thought. Proponents of removal are of the belief that many asymptomatic and disease-free impacted third molars eventually do become symptomatic and/or diseased, and do so when the patient is older. The morbidity and incidence of complications common to the procedure increase with age, and therefore proponents of removal prefer that surgery be performed at a younger age when the complications are less likely to be as severe or permanent. Those in support of retaining and monitoring these teeth are of the opinion that the status of these asymptomatic and disease-free impacted third molars may never change and therefore never require surgical intervention. They believe the increased complication rate and morbidity experience by some of the older surgical patients do not justify the routine removal of all asymptomatic, disease-free impacted third molars at an early age. Both groups recognize that when surgical intervention is employed, complications such as pain, swelling, alveolar osteitis, periodontal problems, temporomandibular joint disorders, nerve involvement, sinus communication, and financial stress are not uncommon. Ultimately, the clinician must consider the information presented in this review, and combine it with his/her academic knowledge and personal clinical experience to inform the patient of the risks and benefits of both treatment options. That way, the clinician and the patient together can decide the strategy for management of an asymptomatic, disease-free third molar

Experimental techniques for the study of angiogenesis in female reproductive diseases

El desarrollo vascular en el tracto reproductivo femenino es un proceso que se encuentra restringido a la formación del cuerpo lúteo y a la proliferación del endometrio uterino durante los ciclos menstruales. Se han identificado numerosos inductores de la angiogé- nesis, que incluyen, entre otros, los miembros del factor de crecimiento fibroblástico (FGF) y la familia del factor de crecimiento del endotelio vascular (VEGF), angiopoyetinas (ANGPT), factor de crecimiento transformante (TGF) y factor derivado de plaquetas (PDGF). Los defectos en la angiogénesis ovárica contribuyen a una variedad de desórdenes, incluyendo anovulación e infertilidad, pérdida de embarazo, síndrome de hiperestimulación ovárica (SHEO), síndrome de ovario poliquístico (SOP) y neoplasmas ováricos. Es decir, el endotelio es una fuente y un blanco de sustancias vasoactivas que son secretadas debido a las condiciones que se desencadenan durante los desórdenes ya mencionados. Para evaluar los mecanismos bioquímicos y moleculares que participan en la angiogénesis, se han desarrollado métodos in vitro (migración por herida, tubulogénesis, etc.) e in vivo (implante de Matrigel, membrana corionalantoide, etc.). Los ensayos in vitro pueden ser útiles para validar los primeros pasos de la angiogénesis pero deben ser confirmados por estudios in vivo. En particular, los ensayos in vitro e in vivo descriptos en este trabajo para evaluar el desarrollo de los vasos pueden ser aplicados para el estudio de desórdenes reproductivos con alteraciones en la angiogénesis (SHEO, SOP, cáncer de ovario, etc.) mediante la utilización del suero, líquido peritoneal, fluido folicular o de biopsias de distintos tejidos provenientes de las pacientesFil: Scotti, Leopoldina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Abramovich, Dalhia Nurit. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Irusta, Griselda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Pazos Maidana, María Camila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Pascuali, Natalia Marisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Haro Durand, Luis Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Tesone, Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Parborell, Maria Fernanda Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); Argentin