ABSTRACT
Mastermind-like 1 (MAML1) is a transcriptional coregulator of diverse/multiple activators, such as Notch, p53, myocyte enhancer factor 2C, NF-κB, beta-catenin, papillomavirus E6 proteins, early growth response 1 and runt-related transcription factor 2. Thus, MAML1 functions in various signaling pathways, most of them connected to cell proliferation, which suggests that MAML1 might play a potential role as a cell proliferation marker. In this study we show that MAML1 expression in the kidney correlates in silico with established cell proliferation markers including PCNA, CDC2 and XRCC5 (Ku80). Over-expression of MAML1 increased proliferation of human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, while MAML1 downregulation by siRNA decreased cell proliferation. Exposure of HEK293 cells to inorganic arsenic (arsenite) showed reduced levels of MAML1, in combination with a decreased proliferation rate. Our findings provide evidence that arsenic can inhibit proliferation of embryonic kidney cells, possibly through reduction of MAML1 gene expression.
Subject(s)
Arsenic/metabolism , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Down-Regulation/drug effects , Kidney/cytology , Kidney/drug effects , Transcription Factors/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Kidney/metabolism , RNA Interference , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolismABSTRACT
The study was aimed at evaluating the possibilities of electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography in establishing the diagnosis of chronic pulmonary heart disease (CPHD). Sixty patients with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and clinical symptoms of cardiac decompensation were observed. The examined patients ranged from 26 to 74 years of age, the mean age being 59.25 years. The diagnosis of CPHD was established by electrocardiography in 43 patients (78.18%) while in 57 patients (95%) it was done by ultrasound cardiography. Morphologic changes of the right ventricle (RV) were quantified, i.e. the diagnosis of chronic pulmonary heart disease was confirmed by echocardiography parameters such as right ventricle free wall thickness--RVFWT (0.82 +/- 0.09 cm), enddiastolic right ventricle dimension--ERVD (3.78 +/- 0.73 cm) and tricuspid regurgitation--TR (2.9 +/- 0.59, i.e. 2.58 +/- 0.55 after therapy). The information on the right ventricle function was provided by the values of echocardiography parameters, right ventricle ejection fraction--RVEF (30.98 +/- 5.88%, i.e. 34.1 +/- 5.64 after therapy) and right ventricle systolic pressure--RVSP (60.41 +/- 16.98 mmHG, i.e. 51.50 +/- 12.76 after therapy). Monitoring of these values after therapy, as well as of the RTO changes gave a good insight into the therapy effects. Echocardiography has been concluded to be of better sensitivity than ECG in diagnosing CPHD and both methods, noninvasive and easily applicable, have an important role in examining cardiac changes in patients with COPD.
Subject(s)
Echocardiography , Electrocardiography , Pulmonary Heart Disease/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pulmonary Heart Disease/diagnostic imaging , Sensitivity and SpecificitySubject(s)
Melanoma/surgery , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Skin Neoplasms/surgery , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedSubject(s)
Alveolar Process/pathology , Jaw Neoplasms/surgery , Melanoma/surgery , Adult , Humans , MaleSubject(s)
Melanoma/diagnosis , Vulvar Neoplasms/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Melanoma/surgery , Middle Aged , Time Factors , Vulvar Neoplasms/surgeryABSTRACT
Two women, during pregnancy, suddenly developed changes in the pigmented skin nevus (melanoma) which they had had since their childhood. Both patients were surgically treated; the diagnosis was malignant melanoma. One of the patients, 12 years after the operation, is alive and well, and so is her child. In the other patient, 6 months after operation, there was a relapse and regional metastases. She gave birth to a healthy child.
