Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “TCP”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,189 records · Page 66Linked to original sources

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 releasing tricalcium phosphate/chitosan microgranules as bone substitutes.

PURPOSE: Tricalcium phosphate (TCP)/chitosan composite microgranules were developed as bone substitutes and tissue engineering scaffolds with the aim of obtaining a high bone forming efficacy. The microgranules have the ability to fill various types of defect sites with closer packing. In addition, the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) was added to the microgranules in order to improve bone-healing efficacy. METHODS: TCP/chitosan microgranules were fabricated by dropping a TCP suspended chitosan solution into a NaOH/ethanol solution. TGF-beta1 was incorporated into the TCP/chitosan microgranules by soaking the microgranules into the TGF-beta1 solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations as well as experiments examining the release of TGF-beta1 from chitosan and TCP/chitosan microgranules were performed. SEM was used to examine the cell morphologies on the microgranules, and the extent of cell proliferation was evaluated using a dimethyl-thiazol tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The differentiated cell function was assessed by measuring the alkaline phosphatase activity as well as performing an osteocalcin assay. RESULTS: The size of the prepared microgranules was 350-500 microm and TCP powders were observed on the surface of the microgranules. TGF-beta1 was released from the TCP/chitosan microgranules at a therapeutic concentration for 4 weeks. The proliferation of osteoblasts on the TGF-beta1 loaded microgranules was the highest among the microgranules. SEM indicated that the seeded osteoblastic cells were firmly attached to the microgranules and proliferated in a multilayer fashion. The ALPase activity and osteocalcin content of all the samples increased during the culture period. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the TCP/chitosan microgranules are potential bone substitutes with a drug releasing capacity and a osteoblastic cells culture scaffold.

3T3 Cells↗

Allele- and haploid-specific product generated by alternative splicing from a mouse t complex responder locus candidate.

Mouse t haplotypes represent a variant form of chromosome 17 that has evolved the ability to propagate through natural populations by the phenomenon of 'transmission ratio distortion' (TRD), in which heterozygous +/t males transmit their t-carrying chromosome to 95% or more of their offspring. Although multiple t-associated loci have a role in expression of this phenotype, only one--the t complex responder (Tcr) locus--is responsible for determining which of the two homologues of chromosome 17 will be transmitted at a high ratio. A candidate gene (Tcp-10b) for Tcr that is expressed in both meiotic and post-meiotic male germ cells has been cloned. But for this candidate gene to function as the haploid effector of TRD, the t-allele of this gene (Tcp-10bt) must express a unique product in a haploid-specific manner. Here we show that a change in the splicing pattern of Tcp-10bt transcripts occurs during sperm differentiation. This change results in a unique allele-specific and haploid-specific transcript which could encode a variant polypeptide that would fulfil the conditions required of the Tcr effector of TRD.

Alleles↗

Ex planta phytoremediation of trichlorophenol and phenolic allelochemicals via an engineered secretory laccase.

Plant roots release a range of enzymes capable of degrading chemical compounds in their immediate vicinity. We present a system of phytoremediation ex planta based on the overexpression of one such enzyme, a secretory laccase. Laccases catalyze the oxidation of a broad range of phenolic compounds, including polychlorinated phenols such as 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), that are among the most hazardous and recalcitrant pollutants in the environment. We isolated a secretory laccase cDNA of LAC1, which is specifically expressed in the roots of Gossypium arboreum (cotton). Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing LAC1 exhibited enhanced resistance to several phenolic allelochemicals and TCP. The secretory laccase activity in these plants was responsible for the conversion of sinapic acid into a mono-lactone type dimer and for the transformation of TCP.

Arabidopsis↗

Effective gene therapy for medullary thyroid carcinoma using recombinant adenovirus inducing tumor-specific expression of interleukin-12.

No satisfactory treatment of metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is available. Cell-specific gene therapy offers a new approach. We have constructed a recombinant replication-defective adenoviral vector expressing murine interleukin-12 (mIL-12), driven by a modified CALC-I promoter (TCP). This vector (AdTCPmIL-12) includes two separate cassettes encoding mIL-12 p35 or p40 subunit controlled by TCP inserted in the E1 region of adenovirus type 5. In vitro and in vivo reporter gene expression using TCP revealed its cell-specific activity. AdTCPmIL-12-infected rat MTC (rMTC) cells produced high amounts of functional mIL-12 cells in vitro, while other cell lines infected with AdTCPmIL-12 did not. AdTCPmIL-12-transduced rMTC cells completely lost their tumorigenicity in syngenic WAG/Rij rats. Direct injection of 1 x 10(9) plaque forming units of AdTCPmIL-12 into subcutaneous rMTC tumors in WAG/Rij rats caused tumor regression in over 60% of animals within 20 days. Rats cured of tumors did not develop tumors after re-injection of naive rMTC cells, demonstrating lasting immunity. Treatment with AdTCPmIL-12 of one tumor resulted in regression of an established tumor at a distant site. Moreover, intratumoral or intravenous injection of AdTCPmIL-12 did not induce evident toxicity. These results indicate AdTCPmIL-12 can contribute to effective and less toxic gene therapy of MTC.

Adenoviridae↗

ompU genes in non-toxigenic Vibrio cholerae associated with aquaculture.

AIMS: The study was undertaken with the objective of understanding the virulence-associated genes of the CTX and TCP gene clusters in environmental isolates of Vibrio cholerae, an important human pathogen, isolated from the aquaculture environment. The involvement of the ompU gene in conferring bile resistance in these isolates was also evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: The V. cholerae isolates were tested by PCR and fluorescent antibody test for O1 (Ogawa and Inaba) and O139 serotypes. All isolates were found to be non-toxigenic V. cholerae confirmed by their positive PCR reaction for toxR but negative for ctx, zot and tcp gene. The hlyA gene was detected in 85% of the strains and ompU in 77%. The results on the bactericidal effect of bile salts suggest that ompU may play a role in conferring bile resistance in non-O1/non-O139 strains. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that most environmental strains lacked the CTX and TCP gene clusters. However, most isolates had the hlyA gene indicating the potential of these environmental strains to cause mild gastroenteritis. It was also observed that strains lacking ompU showed less tolerance to bile salts. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Information on virulence factors of V. cholerae associated with aquaculture environment and products would be of value in risk assessment for human health.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

A new level in the Vibrio cholerae ToxR virulence cascade: AphA is required for transcriptional activation of the tcpPH operon.

The expression of the ToxR virulence regulon is dependent upon the regulatory proteins ToxR/ToxS, TcpP/TcpH and ToxT. We describe here a previously unidentified gene in Vibrio cholerae, aphA (activator of tcpP and tcpH expression), which is required for the transcription of the tcpPH operon. Under conditions normally optimal for virulence gene expression, an in frame aphA deletion decreased the expression of a cholera toxin promoter fusion (ctx-lacZ) and prevented the production of the toxin co-regulated pilus (TCP). Plasmids producing ToxT or TcpP/H, but not ToxR, restored ctx-lacZ expression and TCP production in the delta aphA strain, suggesting that the mutation interferes with toxT expression by influencing the transcription of tcpPH. Indeed, the expression of a chromosomal tcpP-lacZ fusion was reduced in the delta aphA mutant and increased in both V. cholerae and Escherichia coli by introducing aphA expressed from an inducible promoter. These results support a model in which AphA functions at a previously unknown step in the ToxR virulence cascade to activate the transcription of tcpPH. TcpP/TcpH, together with ToxR/ToxS, then activate the expression of toxT, resulting ultimately in the production of virulence factors such as cholera toxin and TCP.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Identification of novel factors involved in colonization and acid tolerance of Vibrio cholerae.

Despite over 100 years of study, the intestinal pathogen Vibrio cholerae still causes epidemic disease in areas of the world where there is poor sanitation. While cholera toxin and the toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) are known to be essential for full virulence, the role that other factors play has remained ill-defined. Herein, we describe a large-scale signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) screen utilizing 100 pools of 96 mutants each to identify factors involved in colonization of the infant mouse small intestine. A total of 164 mutants representing transposition events into 95 different open reading frames were shown to be recovered at greatly reduced numbers from the infant mouse model. Analysis of the sites of insertion revealed multiple independent mutations within the rfb gene cluster, needed for synthesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the tcp gene cluster, needed for synthesis of the TCP. More importantly, in addition to these previously known colonization factors, we identified many genes whose activity in colonization was not previously appreciated. These can be divided into a number of functional groups, which include production of factors involved in metabolic activities, regulation of cellular processes, transport, adaptation to stress and unknown functions. In addition, we describe the reiterative use of STM, whereby colonization-defective mutants were assembled into virulence-attenuated pools (VAPs), which were used to begin to reveal roles that the identified virulence factors play in the infection process. Nine new factors were shown to be crucial for the V. cholerae acid tolerance response, which has previously been hypothesized to be important for epidemic spread of cholera. Competition assays of these nine acid tolerance response (ATR)-defective mutants revealed that mutations in gshB, hepA and recO result in a 1000-fold reduction in colonization.

Animals↗

The Tasmanian children's project: the needs of children with a parent/carer with a mental illness.

This paper presents some of the key findings and recommendations of the report The Tasmanian Children's Project (TCP): The Needs of Children with a Parent/Carer with a Mental Illness, October, 1999. The TCP, a collaborative venture between the University of Tasmania's School of Nursing and the Mental Health Services - South, Tasmania (Department of Health and Human Services), is the first study in Tasmania to formally examine the needs of children where the parent/carer has a mental illness. The study is a modified replication and extension of the 1993/94 Victorian Children's Project. Extension aspects of the TCP included interviews with children (in addition to parents and service providers), the inclusion of data on both maternal and paternal mental illness and a broad definition of mental illness (beyond psychotic illness and major affective disorder). The report highlights the need to provide a range of programs that encourage the development of personal competency among children, parents, and other family members and those that emphasize interagency collaboration. Implications of this research for mental health nursing education and practice are also addressed.

Adolescent↗

Endothelin blockade in angiotensin II hypertension: prevention and treatment studies in the rat.

1. The participation of endothelin (ET) in the development and maintenance of hypertension induced by angiotensin (Ang) II was assessed using the non-specific ET receptor antagonist bosentan (30 mg/kg per day). 2. In the prevention study, bosentan was given 24 h prior to and during the 17 day period of AngII infusion (200 ng/kg per min, s.c., osmotic pump), whereas in the treatment study, bosentan was administered from day 10 to day 17. Tail-cuff pressure (TCP) was measured before and on days 10 and 17 of AngII infusion. At the end of studies, heart weight index was calculated as the ratio of heart to bodyweight (HWI) and the wall thickness of the carotid artery (perfusion/fixation at 120 mmHg) was measured. Tail-cuff pressure increased from 129 +/- 3 to 179 +/- 7 and 189 +/- 9 mmHg on days 10 and 17 of AngII infusion, respectively. 3. Final TCP was markedly lowered in rats pretreated with bosentan, whereas TCP remained comparable with untreated hypertensive rats when bosentan was given from day 10 of AngII infusion (177 +/- 9 mmHg). 4. The increase in cardiac mass associated with AngII hypertension was similarly attenuated in the two groups receiving bosentan. 5. The HWI was 3.49 +/- 0.12 mg/g in untreated hypertensive rats and 3.18 +/- 0.08 and 3.11 +/- 0.09 mg/g in rats pretreated with bosentan and those receiving the antagonist from day 10. 6. The increase in carotid wall thickness induced by AngII was prevented, but not reversed, by bosentan. 7. These results support the hypothesis that endogenous ET participates only in the initial phase of AngII hypertension. In addition, the beneficial effect of bosentan of cardiac mass but not on arterial wall thickness is in favour of a role of ET as a local mediator of the cardiac hypertrophic effect of AngII, independently of the level of blood pressure and duration of hypertension.

Angiotensin II↗

Effect of process parameters on the characteristics of porous calcium phosphate ceramics for bone tissue scaffolds.

Porous hydroxyapatite (HA) has already been widely used as a bone substitute due to its similarity with the mineral part of the bone. In this work, cylindrical tablets with micro and macro porosity were produced from stoichiometric and deficient hydroxyapatites by using naphthalene as porosifier agent. The influence of the processing parameters such as Ca/P ratio of start material, calcination temperature, and naphthalene content on the characteristics of porous calcium phosphate tablets was evaluated. Three mineral phases-HA, alpha-TCP (alpha tri-calcium phosphate), and beta-TCP (beta tricalcium phos-phate)-with variable contents were identified by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Image analysis and density measurements were used to characterize sample porosity. As expected, the total porosity of the calcinated material is not dependent on the stoichiometry of the precursor hydroxyapatite. For calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite, the increase in naphthalene content contributes to stabilize alpha-TCP phase, altering the relative phases content.

Calcium Phosphates↗

The effects of dexamethasone therapy on permeability, blood flow and iNOS expression in experimental glioma.

Most studies of dexamethasone (DXN) effects on experimental glioma have used doses 10-500 higher (on mg/kg basis) than those used for patients with brain tumour. The relevance of findings to patients with glioma are therefore uncertain. In order to evaluate the effects of clinical doses of DXN (0.22 mg kg(-1)day(-1)) on the pathophysiology of an experimental glioma we have treated rodents with established C6 gliomas for 3 days. The effects of therapy on local cerebral blood flow (LCBF), tumour blood flow (TBF), tumour capillary permeability (TCP), and inducible nit ric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression were evaluated. DXN caused a significant reduction in TCP (21 +/- 1.9 to 7.7 +/- 2.2 ml.gm(-1)min(-1)10(-3)) and iNOS mRNA production within and around tumour, but no significant change in either TBF or LCBF. The reduction in TCP was identical to that reported after higher doses of DXN and is probably mediated by glucocorticoid receptors. Further in vivo stud ies using either behavioural or neuropathological paradigms in rodents with established cerebral glioma should be treated with similar doses of DXN to optimise clinical relevance.

Animals↗

[Fibrin glue and tricalcium phosphate implants in middle ear surgery. An animal experiment study].

Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) with and without heterologous fibrin glue has been used for obliteration of the mastoid cavity in middle ear surgery. The use of TCP with a homologous fibrin glue has not been described so far. Obliteration of 22 epitympanic and 51 femoral defects in rabbits by means of TCP-granulates without and with homologous fibrin glue was performed in 18 animals. Follow-up was for 2 weeks to 6 months. Histological osteo-integration was studied microscopically. Fibrin glue induces the development of soft tissue impeding osseous integration of the calcium phosphate for at least 6 weeks.

Animals↗

Surface and adsorption properties of alpha-tricalcium phosphate.

The interaction between bone replacement bioceramic materials and the body will take place at the surface of the material. In the present ab initio study, we have investigated surfaces of biologically important alpha-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and adsorption of biological species including a Ca atom, an H2O molecule, and a SiO2 fragment on the surfaces. The results show that all these species adsorb on the surfaces. The Ca atoms are strongly chemisorbed with newly created Ca-O bonds similar to those in alpha-TCP bulk in bond length; a water molecule is adsorbed and in some cases also dissociated on the surfaces with the dissociative adsorption, the predominant process; a SiO2 fragment initially linear, strongly interacted with two oxygens of different PO4 groups and eventually forms a tetrahedral SiO4-like species which might be a precursor of the silicate present in Si-TCP materials.

Adsorption↗

Phylogenetic analysis of the "ECE" (CYC/TB1) clade reveals duplications predating the core eudicots.

Flower symmetry is of special interest in understanding angiosperm evolution and ecology. Evidence from the Antirrhineae (snapdragon and relatives) indicates that several TCP gene-family transcription factors, especially CYCLOIDEA (CYC) and DICHOTOMA (DICH), play a role in specifying dorsal identity in the corolla and androecium of monosymmetric (bilateral) flowers. Studies of rosid and asterid angiosperms suggest that orthologous TCP genes may be important in dorsal identity, but there has been no broad phylogenetic context to determine copy number or orthology. Here, we compare published data from rosids and asterids with newly collected data from ranunculids, caryophyllids, Saxifragales, and Asterales to ascertain the phylogenetic placement of major duplications in the "ECE" (CYC/TB1) clade of TCP transcription factors. Bayesian analyses indicate that there are three major copies of "CYC" in the ECE clade, and that duplications leading to these copies predate the core eudicots. CYC1 contains no subsequent duplications and may not be expressed in floral tissue. CYC3 exhibits similar patterns of duplication to CYC2 in several groups. Using RT-PCR, we show that, in flowers of Lonicera morrowii (Caprifoliaceae), DipsCYC2B is expressed in the four dorsal petals and not in the ventral petal. DipsCYC3B is expressed in flower and petal primordia, possibly most strongly in the ventral petal.

Antirrhinum↗

ToxR regulon of Vibrio cholerae and its expression in vibrios shed by cholera patients.

Toxigenic Vibrio cholerae cause cholera, a severe diarrheal disease responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Two determinants, cholera enterotoxin (CT) and toxin coregulated pilus (TCP) are critical factors responsible for this organism's virulence. The genes for these virulence determinants belong to a network of genes (the ToxR regulon) whose expression is modulated by transcriptional regulators encoded by the toxRS, tcpPH, and toxT genes. To define the ToxR regulon more fully, mutants defective in these regulatory genes were transcriptionally profiled by using V. cholerae genomic microarrays. This study identified 13 genes that were transcriptionally repressed by the toxT mutation (all involved in CT and TCP biogenesis), and 27 and 60 genes that were transcriptionally repressed by the tcpPH and toxRS mutations, respectively. During the course of this analysis, we validated the use of a genomic DNA-based reference sample as a means to standardize and normalize data obtained in different microarray experiments. This method allowed the accurate transcriptional profiling of V. cholerae cells present in stools from cholera patients and the comparison of these profiles to those of wild-type and mutant strains of V. cholerae grown under optimal conditions for CT and TCP expression. Our results suggest that vibrios present in cholera stools carry transcripts for these two virulence determinants, albeit at relatively low levels compared with optimal in vitro conditions. The transcriptional profile of vibrios present in cholera stools also suggests that the bacteria experienced conditions of anaerobiosis, iron limitation, and nutrient deprivation within the human gastrointestinal tract.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Bone formation in hydroxyapatite tricalcium phosphate ceramic implants used in the treatment of the postenucleation socket syndrome.

PURPOSE: To determine the histopathologic changes in coralline hydroxyapatite tricalcium phosphate (HA-TCP) blocks used in the treatment of the postenucleation socket syndrome (PESS). METHODS: Twenty-four patients were treated with HA-TCP blocks placed directly into the orbital fat to correct the PESS. Eight of these patients required partial removal of the material for various reasons between 32 and 371 days after the initial operation. The orbital implants were decalcified and processed for light and electron microscopic examination. RESULTS: Light microscopy demonstrated fibrovascular ingrowth into the pores of the implant in all cases. Osteogenesis was observed in three cases in the periphery of the implant. Ossification occurred in the implants after a mean implantation duration of 276 days versus 67 days in cases without ossification. CONCLUSION: Implants of HA-TCP, a new material used in ophthalmology, demonstrate the presence of fibrovascular ingrowth, reflecting the excellent biointegration of this material.

Adolescent↗

Polyneuritis incidence in shoe factory workers: cases report and etiological considerations.

This study describes an outbreak of polyneuropathies in an artificial leather shoe factory. Thirty-seven females employed in the factory were examined; clinical findings and hematochemical data suggest a possible role of tricresylphosphate (TCP) in the genesis of these polyneuropathies. A high percentage of subjects evidenced definite signs of upper-motor neuron involvement, which appeared at an early or late stage of the disease. A statistically significant (P less than .001) reduction of red-blood-cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was found in the subjects. The ascertained upper-motor neuron involvement suggests a connection with previously described intoxications by TCP- by ingestion or occupational poisoning. The reduction of AChE seems attributable to TCP, and not to n-hexane, whose anti-AChE activity has never been demonstrated.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Gas chromatographic methods for monitoring of wastewater chlorophenol degradation in anaerobic reactors.

Wastewater samples from an anaerobic reactor were extracted with hexane and derivatized with diazomethane (method 1) and with acetic anidride (method 2). Gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (ECD) was employed for separating the parent compound and intermediates trichlorophenols (TCP) and dichlorophenols (DCP) which originated from the penta chlorophenol (PCP) degradation process. The relations between concentrations of PCP, TCP and DCP areas were linear in the range of concentrations of 0.2 to 8 mg/L and 0.025 mg/L to 5 mg/L for methods 1 and 2, respectively. The repeatability of the extraction methods was satisfactory, with variation coefficients lower than 11%. For method 1, at the fortification level of 0.2 mg/L, recovery of PCP, TCP, and DCP was 112%, 74% and 45%, respectively. For method 2, the corresponding recovery values at the fortification level of 0.1 mg/L were 91%, 93% and 103%, respectively. Storage of the frozen samples did not alter their PCP determination properties. The chromatographic methods adapted for chlorophenol determination in wastewater were suitable with relatively simple manipulation techniques. The obtained results were reproducible and allowed identification of intermediates formed during the PCP degradation process.

Acetic Anhydrides↗