Release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol is a critical step in apoptosis. We have reported that early release of cytochrome c in vivo occurs after permanent focal cerebral ischemia (FCI) and is mediated by the mitochondrial antioxidant manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, the role of reactive oxygen species produced after ischemia–reperfusion in the mitochondrial apoptosis process is still unknown, although overexpression of copper/zinc-SOD (SOD1), a cytosolic isoenzyme, protects against ischemia–reperfusion. We now hypothesize that the overexpression of SOD1 also prevents apoptosis after FCI. To address this issue, we examined the subcellular distribution of the cytochrome c protein in both wild-type mice and in SOD1 transgenic (Tg) mice after transient FCI. Cytosolic cytochrome c was detected as early as 2 hr after reperfusion, and correspondingly, mitochondrial cytochrome c was significantly reduced after FCI. Cytosolic cytochrome c was significantly lower in the SOD1 Tg mice compared with wild types 2 ( p < 0.0001) and 4 ( p < 0.05) hr after FCI. Apaf-1, which interacts with cytochrome c and activates caspases, was constitutively expressed in both groups of animals, with no alteration after FCI. Double staining with cytochrome c immunohistochemistry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated uridine 5′-triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling showed a spatial relationship between cytosolic cytochrome c expression and DNA fragmentation. A significant amount of DNA laddering was detected 24 hr after ischemia and was reduced in SOD1 Tg mice. These data suggest that SOD1 blocks cytosolic release of cytochrome c and could thereby reduce apoptosis after transient FCI.
Nitric oxide NO produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase iNOS exerts inhibitory and cytotoxic effects on various cells including neuronal cells. Glial NO production, mediated via induction of iNOS, is thought to facilitate neuronal damage during cerebral ischemia. . Recently, interferon regulatory factor-1 IRF-1 has been reported to be an essential transcription factor for iNOS mRNA induction in murine macrophages. However, expression of IRF-1 and its role in the central nervous system have not been examined. In the present study, by using primary glial cell cultures from mice with targeted disruption of the IRF-1 gene, we investigated whether IRF-1 is involved in iNOS mRNA induction in glial cells. After stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and interferon-g , IRF-1 mRNA was strongly . induced in wild-type IRF-1 qrq glial cells. iNOS mRNA induction and nitrite production in IRF-1 yry glial cells were reduced as compared with those observed in IRF-1 qrq glial cells. Diethyldithiocarbamate, a selective inhibitor of nuclear transcription factor . kappa B NF-k B , completely inhibited iNOS mRNA induction. These results suggest that not only NF-k B but also IRF-1 play important roles in iNOS mRNA induction in the central nervous system.
Studies on the domestication, genetic differentiation, and crop evolution of foxtail millet are re-viewed. Several genetic studies were carried out to elucidate the genetic relationships among foxtail millet accessions originating mainly from Eurasia, based on intraspecific hybrid pollen semi-sterility, isozymes, DNA markers, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Most studies suggest that China is the center of diversity of foxtail millet, and landraces were categorized into geographical groups. Furthermore, the evolution of genes was reviewed (i.e., the Waxy gene conferring amylose content in the endosperm, the Si7PPO gene controlling polyphenol oxidase, the HD1 and SiPRR37 genes controlling heading time, the Sh1 and SvLes1 genes involved in grain shattering, and the C gene controlling leaf sheath pigmentation), and the variation and distribu-tion of these genes suggested complex patterns of evolution under human and/or natural selec-tion.
Klebs (12) reported in 1914 that the growth of beach, oak, ash, and hornbeam could be maintained even in winter if they were placed under continuous electric light.Since Klebs' report on the effect of day length on the growth of woody plants, there have been many studies pertaining to photoperiodism and dormancy in woody plants.They were amply re- viewed by Samish (21), Wareing (24,26), and Nitsch (16).In general, a short photoperiod in- duces a reduction in growth of woody plants through a shortening of internodes and a decrease in the number of new nodes formed.These same plants would grow continuously under long photoperiods.The breaking of dormancy induced by either artificial or natural short photoperiods has been accomplished by three different treatments: A: long photoperiods (7, 10, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 27); B: chilling (2, 5, 7, 9, 19), and C: application of gibberellic acid (1, 3,4, 6, 13,14, 15).Previous workers such as Van der Veen (23) and Downs and Borthwick (7) have suggested that, when leaves remain on the plant and are subject- ed to short days after visible growth has ceased, dor- mancy becomes increasingly more difficult to break.This project was undertaken to study the effect of photoperiods on dormancy with special consideration on the degree of dormancy. MATERIALS & METHODSSeedlings of Betula pubescens Ehrh.4 and Betula lutcca Michx.4 = B. alleghaniensis Britton were used.In all experiments the seedlings were grown under 18-hour photoperiods (abbreviated as LD) in the greenhouse for approximately six months until the start of the treatments.The seedlings ranged from 1 to 2 feet in height at the beginning of an experi- ment, and were selected for uniformity of size.The temperature of the greenhouse was controlled at 21 C minimum during day and 15.5 C minimum at night.'
The subgenus Ceratotropis in the genus Vigna is widely distributed from the Himalayan highlands to South, Southeast and East Asia. However, the interspecific and geographical relationships of its members are poorly understood. This study investigates the phylogeny and biogeography of the subgenus Ceratotropis using chloroplast DNA sequence data. Sequence data from four intergenic spacer regions (petA-psbJ, psbD-trnT, trnT-trnE and trnT-trnL) of chloroplast DNA, alone and in combination, were analysed using Bayesian and parsimony methods. Divergence times for major clades were estimated with penalized likelihood. Character evolution was examined by means of parsimony optimization and MacClade. Parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses on the combined data demonstrated well-resolved species relationships in which 18 Vigna species were divided into two major geographical clades: the East Asia–Southeast Asian clade and the Indian subcontinent clade. Within these two clades, three well-supported eco-geographical groups, temperate and subtropical (the East Asia–Southeast Asian clade) and tropical (the Indian subcontinent clade), are recognized. The temperate group consists of V. minima, V. nepalensis and V. angularis. The subtropical group comprises the V. nakashimae–V. riukiuensis–V. minima subgroup and the V. hirtella–V. exilis–V. umbellata subgroup. The tropical group contains two subgroups: the V. trinervia–V. reflexo-pilosa–V. trilobata subgroup and the V. mungo–V. grandiflora subgroup. An evolutionary rate analysis estimated the divergence time between the East Asia–Southeast Asia clade and the Indian subcontinent clade as 3·62 ± 0·3 million years, and that between the temperate and subtropical groups as 2·0 ± 0·2 million years. The findings provide an improved understanding of the interspecific relationships, and ecological and geographical phylogenetic structure of the subgenus Ceratotropis. The quaternary diversification of the subgenus Ceratotropis implicates its geographical dispersal in the south-eastern part of Asia involving adaptation to climatic condition after the collision of the Indian subcontinent with the Asian plate. The phylogenetic results indicate that the epigeal germination is plesiomorphic, and the germination type evolved independently multiple times in this subgenus, implying its limited taxonomic utility.
In this study, we aimed to determine the utility of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in real-world clinical practice and investigate whether CN contributes to improved oncological outcomes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). This retrospective multicenter cohort study enrolled patients with mRCC who received systemic therapy at six institutions between May 2005 and May 2023. The patients were divided into those who did not undergo CN (Group I) and those who underwent CN (Group II). The primary endpoints were oncological outcomes, including cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Altogether, 137 patients with mRCC were included in this study. The median CSS was 14 months in Group I and 32 months in Group II (p < 0.001). Additionally, the median PFS in Groups I and II was 5 and 13 months, respectively (p = 0.006). A multivariate analysis showed that CN was an independent prognostic factor for CSS and PFS. Hence, CN is a potential treatment modality that can improve oncological outcomes in patients with mRCC.
