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Chronic UVB- and all-trans retinoic-acid-induced qualitative and quantitative changes in hairless mouse skin.

Histochemical and ultrastructural studies have already demonstrated that chronic exposure to UV radiation induces profound alterations in all structural elements of the skin and that topical all-trans retinoic acid (tRA) can substantially correct much of the tissue damage. However, previous biochemical studies on dermal components of the extracellular matrix have led to contradictory results, particularly with regard to the effect of chronic UV exposure. The aim of our study was to investigate changes in collagen content and other dermal modifications induced by tRA in irradiated and non-irradiated hairless mouse skin. Hairless mice were exposed to increasing doses of UVB for 10 weeks (the cumulative total dose was 4.6 J cm-2). After the UV irradiation period the animals were treated with 0.05% tRA or with ethanol-polyethylene glycol vehicle alone three times a week for up to 10 weeks. Non-irradiated animals underwent the same treatments. The main clinical and histological changes induced by UVB exposure were erythema, wrinkling, keratosis and epidermal thickening. Following UVB exposure, tRA treatment did not improve the clinical aspect but increased the width of the dermal repair zone. Fibronectin, laminin and type I and VI collagens were detected by indirect immunofluorescence techniques in this zone. Type I and III collagens were quantitated in skin fragments after cyanogen bromide digestion and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Under our experimental conditions, UVB irradiation alone induced neither changes in total collagen nor in type I and III collagen levels. tRA treatment of irradiated skin significantly increased both type I and III collagen levels by factors of 1.33 and 1.88 respectively. The ratio of type III to types I + III increased significantly. Topical tRA also increased collagen type levels in non-irradiated hairless mouse skin. Type I collagen increased proportionally to type III. This study leads to the conclusion that topical tRA exerts direct or indirect effects on collagen metabolism in irradiated as well as non-irradiated hairless mouse skin.

Animals↗

Molecular dosimetry by flow cytometric detection of thymine dimers in mononuclear cells from extracorporally UV-irradiated blood.

UV-induced DNA damage in mononuclear leucocytes can be quantified by flow cytometry of fluorescence from a labelled monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to thymine dimers (T<-->T): specific fluorescence is already detectable after exposures of 1-2 J m-2 of 254 nm radiation and shows a linear relationship with dose. The distribution of UV fluences over an irradiated volume can thus be ascertained by measuring the UV-induced T<-->T loads of the individual cells from that volume. After irradiation of mononuclear cells in a phosphate buffer solution in a Petri dish, most cells showed a similar intensity of specific T<-->T fluorescence, forming a single sharp peak in the fluorescence histogram. This signifies an even distribution of fluences over the cells. It was noticed, however, that a variable minor fraction of mononuclear cells (usually less than 10%) could be resistant to immunostaining; this fraction was rejected from the calculation of the specific fluorescence. The flow cytometric technique was also applied to blood cells exposed in an ISOLDA device, which is in use in Russian clinics for UV irradiation of whole blood for therapeutical purposes. Only a small fraction of mononuclear cells in a sample of whole blood treated in ISOLDA acquired a detectable T<-->T load after exposure to lamps which emit predominantly either UVC or UVB light ((3.6 +/- 1.0)% and (1.8 +/- 0.4)% of all analysed cells respectively). This small fraction had received a large variation in fluences, resulting in differences in nuclear T<-->T loads by a factor of 200.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood↗

Both UVA and UVB induce cytoskeleton-dependent surface blebbing in epidermoid cells.

Data on the morphological changes induced by UVA or UVB irradiation of A431 epidermoid cells in culture are presented. After irradiation with different doses of UVB (120-2400 J m-2) or UVA (10(4)-10(5) J m-2), the membrane and cytoskeleton of these cells were analysed by immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy at different times after exposure (0-48 h). Both UVA and UVB alter microtubules and microfilaments and surface blebs are formed after UV irradiation. In particular, UVB induces multiple small blebs on the cells, while UVA induces one single large bleb on each cell. Since cytoskeletal damage and surface blebbing of this type are also induced by oxidative stress, these results add to the body of evidence indicating that UV radiation is capable of pro-oxidant behaviour. Specifically, the morphological changes described in this paper are reminiscent of the modifications which accompany epidermal keratinocytes during their transformation to sunburn cells after UV irradiation. The physiological implications of these findings are discussed.

Actins↗

An electrochemical investigation of hemoglobin and catalase incorporated in collagen films.

Collagen, an electrochemically inert protein, formed films on pyrolytic graphite (PG) electrodes, which provided a suitable microenvironment for heme proteins to transfer electron directly with the underlying electrodes. Hemoglobin (Hb) and catalase (Cat) incorporated in collagen films exhibited a pair of well-defined and quasi-reversible cyclic voltammetric peaks at around -0.35 V and -0.47 V (vs. SCE) in pH 7.0 buffers, respectively, characteristic of the protein heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couples. UV-vis spectra showed that the heme proteins in collagen films retained their near-native conformations in the medium pH range. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that the interaction between heme proteins and collagen made the morphology of dry protein-collagen films different from the collagen films alone. The electrochemical parameters such as apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k(s)) and formal potential (E degrees ') of the films were estimated by using square wave voltammograms (SWV) and nonlinear regression analysis. The heme protein-collagen film electrodes were also used to catalyze the reduction of nitrite, oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, indicating potential applications of the films for the fabrication of a new type of biosensor that does not use mediators.

Animals↗

Comparison of chromatographic ion-exchange resins IV. Strong and weak cation-exchange resins and heparin resins.

A comparative study was performed on heparin resins and strong and weak cation exchangers to investigate the pH dependence, efficiency, binding strength, particle size distribution, static and dynamic capacity, and scanning electron microscopy pictures of chromatographic resins. The resins tested include: Heparin Sepharose FF, SP Sepharose FF, CM Sepharose FF, Heparin Toyopearl 650 m, SP Toyopearl 650 m, CM Toyopearl 650 m, Ceramic Heparin HyperD M, Ceramic S HyperD 20, and Ceramic CM HyperD F. Testing was performed with four different proteins: anti-FVII Mab (IgG), aprotinin, lysozyme, and myoglobin. Dependence of pH on retention was generally very low for proteins with high isoelectric point (pI), though some decrease of retention with increasing pH was observed for CM Ceramic HyperD F and S Ceramic HyperD 20. Binding of anti-FVII Mab with pI < 7.5 was observed on several resins at pH 7.5. Efficiency results show the expected trend of increasing dependence of the plate height with increasing flow rate of Ceramic HyperD resins followed by Toyopearl 650 m resins and the highest flow dependence of the Sepharose FF resins corresponding to their pressure resistance. Determination of particle size distribution by two independent methods, coulter counting and SEM, was in good agreement. Binding strength of cation-exchange resins as a function of ionic strength varies depending on the protein. Binding and elution at high salt concentration may be performed with Ceramic HyperD resins, while binding and elution at low salt concentration may be performed with model proteins on heparin resins. Employing proteins with specific affinity for heparin, a much stronger binding is observed, however, some cation exchangers may still be good substitutions for heparin resins. Dynamic capacity at 10% breakthrough compared to static capacity measurements and dynamic capacity displays that approximately 40-80% of the total available capacity is utilized during chromatographic operation depending on flow rate. A general good agreement was obtained between results of this study and data obtained by others. Results of this study may be used in the selection of resins for testing during protein purification process development.

Cation Exchange Resins↗

Monitoring of intercellular messengers released from neuron networks cultured in a microchip.

A cellular biochemistry analysis system was integrated on a quartz glass microchip with a microchamber for cell culture followed by a microchannel for detecting with a thermal lens microscope (TLM). Nerve cells from rat hippocampus were successfully cultured to form neural networks in the microchip. An aqueous solution of glutamate, which is known as a neurotransmitter, was introduced to stimulate the cultured neuron to release a retrograde messenger, arachidonate which is considered to be critical for neuronal plasticity, especially for long-term potentiation (LTP). After the introduction, the solution that flowed through the culture chamber was analyzed using the UV-TLM (excitation wavelength, 244 nm). The measured signal intensity was dependent on glutamate solution concentration, and the neurons were considered to release the retrograde messenger according to the glutamate concentration. This system is suitable for time-course monitoring of ultra trace amounts of chemicals released from very small amount of cultured cells.

Animals↗

Natural sample fractionation by FlFFF-MALLS-TEM: sample stabilization, preparation, pre-concentration and fractionation.

Two flow field flow fractionation (FlFFF) systems: symmetrical (SFlFFF) and asymmetrical (ASFlFFF) were evaluated to fractionate river colloids. Samples stability during storage and colloids concentration are the main challenges limiting their fractionation and characterization by FlFFF. A pre-fractionation (<0.45 microm) and addition of a bactericide such as NaN3 into river colloidal samples allowed obtaining stable samples without inducing any modification to their size. Stirred cell ultra-filtration allowed colloidal concentration enrichment of 25-folds. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs confirmed the gentle pre-concentration of river samples using the ultra-filtration stirred cell. Additionally, larger sample injection volume in the case of SFlFFF and on channel concentration in the case of ASFlFFF were applied to minimize the required pre-concentration. Multi angle laser light scattering (MALLS), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) techniques are used to evaluate FlFFF fractionation behavior and the possible artifacts during fractionation process. This study demonstrates that, FlFFF-MALLS-TEM coupling is a valuable method to fractionate and characterize colloids. Results prove an ideal fractionation behavior in case of Brugeilles sample and steric effect influencing the elution mode in case of Cézerat and Chatillon. Furthermore, comparison of SFlFFF and ASFlFFF fractograms for the same sample shows small differences in particle size distributions.

Colloids↗

Synthesis and characterization of (S)-amino alcohol modified M41S as effective material for the enantioseparation of racemic compounds.

A new chiral stationary phase (CSP) was synthesized based on (S)-1-anilino-3-propyl-2-propanol covalently bonded to the mesoporous semi-crystalline material M41S. Direct semipreparative enantioseparation of mandelic acid could be achieved using medium pressure chromatography. Partly separated could also be the enantiomers of 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthalene, cyanochromene oxide, diethyl tartrate and 2-phenyl propionic acid. The characterization of CSP was accomplished by microanalysis, cross polarized magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) 13C NMR, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and solid reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy. Furthermore the stability of CSP was satisfactory as it could withstand three washing and reuse experiments of enantioseparation of mandelic acid without loss in its performance.

Amino Alcohols↗

Extinction coefficient of gold nanoparticles with different sizes and different capping ligands.

Extinction coefficients of gold nanoparticles with core size ranging from approximately 4 to 40 nm were determined by high resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis and UV-vis absorption spectroscopic measurement. Three different types of gold nanoparticles were prepared and studied: citrate-stabilized nanoparticles in five different sizes; oleylamide-protected gold nanoparticles with a core diameter of 8 nm, and a decanethiol-protected nanoparticle with a diameter of around 4 nm. A linear relationship between the logarithms of extinction coefficients and core diameters of gold particles was found independent of the capping ligands on the particle surface and the solvents used to dissolve the nanoparticles. This linear relation may be used as a calibration curve to determine the concentration or average size of an unknown nanoparticle or nanoparticle-biomolecule conjugate sample.

Gold↗

Differential incorporation of halogenated deoxyuridines during UV-induced DNA repair synthesis in human cells.

Double labeling of interphase and metaphase chromosomes by 5-chlorodeoxyuridine (CldU) and 5-iododeoxyuridine (IdU) has been used in studies of the dynamics of DNA replication. Here, we have used this approach and confocal microscopy to analyze sites of DNA repair synthesis during nucleotide excision repair (NER) in quiescent human fibroblasts. Surprisingly, we have found that when both precursors are added at the same time to UV-irradiated cells they label different sites in the nucleus. In contrast, even very short periods of simultaneous IdU+CldU labeling of S-phase cells produced mostly overlapped IdU and CldU replication foci. The differential labeling of repair sites might be due to compartmentalization of I-dUTP and Cl-dUTP pools, or to differential utilization of these thymidine analogs by DNA polymerases delta and epsilon (Poldelta and Polepsilon). To explore the latter possibility we used purified mammalian polymerases to find that I-dUTP is efficiently utilized by both Poldelta and Polepsilon. However, we found that the UV-induced incorporation of IdU was more strongly stimulated by treatment of cells with hydroxyurea than was incorporation of CldU. This indicates that there may be distinct IdU and CldU-derived nucleotide pools differentially affected by inhibition of the ribonucleotide reductase pathway of dNTP synthesis and that is consistent with the view that differential incorporation of IdU and CldU during NER may be caused by compartmentalization of IdU- and CldU-derived nucleotide pools.

Cells, Cultured↗

RBM band shift-evidenced dispersion mechanism of single-wall carbon nanotube bundles with NaDDBS.

The dispersion process of single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) by using sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (NaDDBS) was studied by means of surface tension measurements, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM). The critical micelle concentration (CMC) and the concentration where the surface tension begins to drop increase by the presence of SWNT. The isotherm of NaDDBS amount adsorbed on SWNT shows the plateau region at 0.2-6 mM and the saturated region above 40 mM. The external surface of SWNT bundle is fully covered with adsorbed NaDDBS at the plateau region, showing that SWNTs can be dispersed with the bundle form. On the other hand, SWNTs are dispersed in individual tubes at the saturated region, where the adsorption amount corresponds to coating of individual tube surfaces with NaDDBS. This dispersion state was confirmed by SEM and TEM observations. The effect of the dispersion state of SWNTs on radial breathing mode in Raman spectrum gave inherent peak shifts, being the in situ evidences on the step-wise dispersion mechanism of the SWNT bundle to the individual tubes.

Journal Article↗

Confocal microscopic imaging of fast UV-laser photolysis of caged compounds.

Using a pulsed UV laser in a confocal scanning microscope, we present a relatively cheap, accurate and efficient method for fast UV laser flash photolysis of caged molecules in two-dimensional cultured neurons. The laser light is introduced through the imaging optics, can be localized by a parallel red laser and can photolyse a sphere of less than 1 microm2, and evoke local fluorescence changes in the imaged neurons. Caged glutamate and caged fluorescein are used to illustrate a disparity between spines and their parent dendrites at a sub-micron resolution.

Cells, Cultured↗

Removal of humic substances (HS) from water by electro-microfiltration (EMF).

Humic substances (HS) represent the common agents contributing to flux decline during membrane filtration of natural water. In order to minimize the fouling during microfiltration (MF) of HS, modifying the operation of MF presents a promising alternative. A laboratory-scale electro-microfiltration (EMF) module was used to separate Aldrich HS from water by applying a voltage across the membrane. The presence of an electric field significantly reduced the flux decline. A flux comparable to that of ion-free water was attained when the voltage was near the critical electric field strength (Ecritical), i.e., the electrical field gradient that balances the advective and electrophoretic velocities of solute. At an applied voltage of 100 V (approximately 110 V/cm), it was able to reduce UV absorbance at 254 nm (UV254), total organic carbon (TOC) and trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) by over 50% in the permeate. Results from 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) analysis suggest that the aromatic and functionalized aliphatic fractions decreased significantly in the permeate. The charged HS have large molecule weight compared with those passing through membrane. Results clearly indicate that a combination of electric force with MF can increase HS rejection and decrease flux decline. Electrophoretic attraction was the major mechanism for the improvement of flux and rejection over time.

Disinfection↗

Polyene antibiotic amphotericin B in monomolecular layers: spectrophotometric and scanning force microscopic analysis.

Monolayers of amphotericin B (AmB) and monolayers composed of AmB and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were formed at the argon-water interface and deposited on a solid support by means of the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. The hypsochromic shift observed in the absorption spectra of monolayers is indicative of aggregated structures of AmB. The exciton splitting theory allowed us to calculate the distance between neighboring molecules in the aggregates as 7.8 A. Scanning force microscopy of the AmB monolayers revealed the formation of a homogeneous monolayer composed of molecules separated by a distance of 6-8 A. Microscopy also reveals the formation of cylindrical structures of AmB with a diameter close to 17 A (internal diameter close to 6 A) in the monolayers containing additionally 10 mol% DPPC.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

Changes in porcine oocyte germinal vesicle development as follicles approach preovulatory maturity.

This study was conducted to determine the distribution of oocytes in meiotic arrest as a function of follicle maturation, atresia status, and follicular fluid steroid concentrations. Oocytes (n = 138) from > or = 3 mm follicles were recovered from gilts (n = 3/d) on Days 1, 3, 5, and 7 of the follicular phase initiated by withdrawal of altrenogest treatment. They were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, stained with Hoechst 33342, and examined by laser scanning confocal microscopy using combined bright field Nomarski optics and ultraviolet laser illumination. The number of oocytes in complete meiotic arrest increased (P < 0.05) as a function of the stage of maturation from 29% on Day 1 to 79 and 67% on Days 3 and 5, respectively. Oocytes showing complete germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) were found only on Day 7 (24 to 36 h after the preovulatory LH surge). The distribution of GV stages on Days 1 to 5 did not differ between atretic (n = 27) and nonatretic follicles (n = 81). In nonatretic follicles, GV stage was inversely related to the concentration of estradiol on Day 7 and to the concentrations of progesterone and androstenedione (P < 0.05) on Days 5 and 7 indicating that meiotically arrested oocytes were likely to be found in follicles with highest levels of steroidogenesis. In conclusion, a large proportion of oocytes present in 3 to 5 mm follicles had begun GVBD. The follicles in the ovulatory cohort may be recruited or selected from preexisting 3 to 5 mm follicles, or younger population with oocytes that are in complete meiotic arrest.

Androstenedione↗

Insights into UV-induced apoptosis: ultrastructure, trichrome stain and spectral imaging.

Nuclear substructures associated with apoptosis in HeLa cells have been examined using light-microscopic morphometry, trichrome staining, spectral imaging and transmission electron microscopy. This detailed analysis reveals several sites where alterations in the normal cellular ultrastructure occur during apoptotic progression. To correlate these ultrastructural changes with the underlying molecular processes, we have characterized and quantified apoptotic cell morphology with and without inhibition of two caspases, which are key effectors of the apoptotic program. Using this analysis, early apoptotic events included: (a) the segregation of nucleolar components, a diminished granular component, and a reduction in number but increase in size of fibrillar centers, (b) an increase in the number of cytoplasmic ribosomes and (c) a very minimal increase in the amount of peripherally condensed DNA. Apoptosis progressed with: (a) an increase in the number of perichromatin granules and perichromatin fibrils, (b) a reduction in number of interchromatin granule centers concomitant with an increase in their size, (c) partial digestion and circumferential condensation of the DNA at the nuclear membrane and (d) rounding of the cytoplasm with an increase in organellar density and shrinkage in cell size. Endstage apoptotic cells showed: (a) one (or two) very large pools of incompletely digested DNA, (b) one (or two) very large interchromatin granule centers, (c) an increased number of perichromatin granules which were distanced from DNA and often closely apposed to the nucleolus, (d) formation of unusually condensed, highly coiled perinucleolar bodies and (e) blebbing of highly dense cytoplasm. In HeLa cells treated with UV and inhibitors of caspase 1 and 3, the length of time from early apoptosis to the formation of apoptotic bodies was greatly extended. Inhibiting caspase activity: (a) prevented the pooling of DNA, (b) retarded the formation of large interchromatin granule centers, (c) increased the number of perichromatin granules, (d) produced disassembly of the nucleolus, (e) prevented the formation of highly coiled perinucleolar bodies, and (f) caused vacuolization in the cell center and a unipolar blebbing of the cytoplasm. Spectral imaging in conjunction with serial section electron microscopy confirmed the staining specificities of the condensed DNA, of the large condensed interchromatin granule centers, and of the nucleoli. The results indicate that the interface between the components of the chromatin domain and the interchromatin space is a critical site of caspase activity in apoptosis, and precedes other events such as internucleosomal DNA degradation.

Apoptosis↗

Cell cycle and morphological alterations as indicative of apoptosis promoted by UV irradiation in S. cerevisiae.

An apoptotic phenotype induced by oxygen radicals or Bax expression has been observed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells by electron and fluorescence microscopy. In this work, we analyzed DNA content and cellular morphology of S. cerevisiae after H(2)O(2) or UV treatment by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-test and flow cytofluorimetry. A TUNEL-positive phenotype was observed in both cases, on the same samples a dose-dependent increase in the sub-G(1) population was pointed out by flow cytometry. Sub-G(1) cells were isolated by flow sorting and analyzed by electron microscopy. This population showed condensed chromatin in the nucleus and cell shrinking. This paper reports the first evidence of apoptosis in yeast cells induced by DNA damage after UV irradiation.

Apoptosis↗