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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Arsenic trioxide induces apoptosis equally in T lymphoblastoid leukemia MOLT-4 cells and P-gp-expressing daunorubicin-resistant MOLT-4 cells.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) on human T-lymphoblastoid leukemia MOLT-4 cells and P-gp-expressing daunorubicin-resistant MOLT-4 (MOLT-4/DNR) cells. METHODS: Cell growth was measured by an MTT assay. Cell viability was determined by a dye exclusion test. The level of P-gp expression was estimated using phycoerythrin-conjugated anti-P-gp monoclonal antibody 17F9. The function of P-gp was evaluated in terms of rhodamine 123 (Rh123) efflux. The percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry after staining with annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide. RESULTS: As(2)O(3) inhibited the growth and survival of MOLT-4 and MOLT-4/DNR cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The 50% inhibitory concentrations of As(2)O(3) (IC(50)) against the growth of these cell lines were 5.1 micromol/l and 5.0 micromol/l, respectively, when the cells were treated with As(2)O(3) for 96 h. As(2)O(3) induced an apoptotic morphology in both MOLT-4 and MOLT-4/DNR cell lines. These effects of As(2)O(3) were time- and dose-dependent when the two cell lines were incubated in the presence of 1-8 micromol/l of As(2)O(3) for 3-144 h. As(2)O(3) treatment for 3 to 24 h at 5.0 micromol/l did not change the percentage of P-gp-expressing cells or the efflux ability of MOLT-4/DNR cells. CONCLUSION: As(2)O(3) inhibited growth and induced apoptosis equally in MOLT-4 and MOLT-4/DNR cells, and this suppressive effect did not influence P-gp expression or function in MOLT-4/DNR cells.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Molt induced by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist as a model for studying endocrine mechanisms of molting in laying hens.

Molt induced by infusion of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-A, ([D-Leu6,Pro9]-GnRH N-ethylamide]) has been used as a model for studying the endocrine mechanisms of molting. Molt induced by GnRH-A was also compared with that induced by feed withdrawal (FW). Thirty-three laying hens were divided into three groups: 1) sham infused (controls), 2) molted by GnRH-A infusion (GnRH-A), or 3) molted by FW. All groups had reduced day length. Birds were weighed and blood was sampled twice per week. Plasma was assayed for thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and progesterone (P4); egg production was recorded. A separate group of GnRH-A molted (n = 8) and control (n = 4) hens were killed during the molt and liver, ovary, and oviduct were weighed. Plasma T4 concentrations were elevated (P less than .01), whereas plasma T3 did not change and plasma P4 decreased (P less than .05) in the GnRH-A group compared with the control group. Plasma T4 was higher (P less than .05) in the GnRH-A group than in the FW group, whereas plasma T3 was higher (P less than .05) in the FW group than in the GnRH-A group. Plasma P4 concentrations declined to similar low levels in the GnRH-A and FW groups. The GnRH-A caused weight loss (P less than .05) from the ovary, oviduct, and liver. The GnRH-A-molted hens lost less BW (P less than .001) and were out of lay for 12 days less than FW-molted hens. Postmolt rates of lay were not significantly different for the two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Modulation of foregut synaptic activity controls resorption of molting fluid during larval molts of the moth Manduca sexta.

We examined the role of the foregut in the resorption of molting fluid (MF) from the exuvial space during the last larval-larval molt of the moth Manduca sexta. In intermolt larvae, the activity of the foregut is characterized by robust peristaltic contractions. With the onset of the molt, MF is secreted into the exuvial space where it digests and weakens the old cuticle. The appearance of MF in the exuvial space is accompanied by a dramatic reduction in the amplitude of the foregut contractions. Foregut peristalsis returned about halfway through the molt, followed shortly by the appearance of MF in the gut. These observations suggested that larvae use their foreguts to remove MF from the exuvial space. Animals whose foreguts were surgically inactivated did not resorb their MF and most failed to successfully shed their old cuticles. The reduction in foregut motility at the onset of the molt was correlated with a sharp decline in the amplitude of the excitatory junctional potentials. With the onset of the molt there was also a decline in the number of presynaptic terminals on the foregut that loaded with the activity-dependent dye FM1-43. In the second half of the molt, the appearance of MF in the foregut and the return of foregut motility was correlated with an increase in FM1-43 loading. These data reveal that during a larval-larval molt, vesicle release and/or recycling of the presynaptic endings on the foregut muscles is modulated to assure the proper timing of MF resorption.

Animals↗

The effects of intense wing molt on diving in alcids and potential influences on the evolution of molt patterns.

Large and medium-sized alcids have a very intense wing molt wherein many flight feathers are shed in rapid succession and wing surface area is reduced by as much as 40%. Although these birds are rendered flightless during wing molt, they must still use their wings to propel themselves underwater. A molt-induced loss of wing area could simply reduce wing propulsion such that more muscular work would be required to maintain a given speed. Alternatively, molt could reduce drag on the wings, making a bird more penguin-like and actually enhancing diving ability. I addressed this issue by filming captive common guillemots Uria aalge and tufted puffins Fratercula cirrhata using an array of video cameras to plot the birds' movements in three dimensions. From these coordinate data I calculated swimming velocities, angles of descent and absolute depths. These values allowed me to estimate the forces due to drag and buoyancy that must be counteracted by flapping, which in turn yielded estimates of the amount of work generated during each flap as well as the average power and cost of transport. Within-bird comparisons of diving performance when wings were intact and during several stages of wing molt indicated that molt is associated with more frequent flapping, reduced displacement during the flap cycle, and possibly reduced work per flap. These negative effects on diving may explain why primary and secondary molts were offset in the birds I studied such that the period during which all of the flight feathers are effectively missing is minimized.

Analysis of Variance↗

Immunophenotypic and cytogenetic analysis of Molt-3 and Molt-4: human T-lymphoid cell lines with rearrangement of chromosome 7.

Molt-3 and Molt-4 are T-cell lines originally derived in 1971 from a patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. An unusual T-cell antigen receptor gamma-chain gene (T-gamma) rearrangement detected by Southern blot analysis of Molt-4 prompted an in-depth study of the immunophenotype and karyotype of both cell lines. Molt-3 and Molt-4 had immunophenotypic characteristics of thymocytes with expression of CD1 and CD5. Both cell lines had a hypertetraploid karyotype with two rearranged no. 7 chromosomes: 2der(7)t(7;7)(p15;q11). The presence of a break in chromosome band 7p15 suggested the involvement of T gamma. We cloned the rearranged BamHI fragments spanning the known T-gamma constant and joining regions. Comparison with germline clones of T gamma did not suggest any of the clones included a breakpoint region. Thus the 7p15 chromosomal abnormality in Molt-3 and Molt-4 is not associated with the currently described joining and constant regions of T gamma.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

Evaluation of molt induction to body weight loss of fifteen, twenty, or twenty-five percent by feed removal, daily limited, or alternate-day feeding of a molt feed.

Postmolt egg production variables were compared among hens induced into molt by feed removal, by limited daily feeding of a low-density and low-energy molt feed at 22.8 g per hen, or by limited alternate-day feeding at 45.5 g per hen, until approximate body weight loss of 15, 20, and 25% was obtained. Hens were housed two per cage (25.4 x 45.7 cm) in a house of environmental design, and photoperiod was reduced to 8 h during the 28-d molt period. When target body weight loss was obtained, packed cell volume was determined and hens were maintained on 45.5 g/d of 1.2% calcium prelay feed through the 28-d molt period. Egg production and mortality were recorded daily; egg weight, egg specific gravity, body weight, and feed intake were recorded at 4-wk intervals postmolt. Packed cell volume of hens molted by feed removal (36.4%) was higher (P < .01) than that of alternate-day (34.1%) or daily limited (33.6%) hens. Hens that lost 25% of their body weight had higher packed cell volume (36.3%) than hens that had body weight loss of 20% (34.4%) or hens that lost 15% (33.4%). Postmolt mortality and egg production were not different (P > .05) as a result of molt induction method or percentage body weight loss. At the 4th wk postmolt, body weights were 50 and 57 g heavier for hens that had lost 15% body weight than those that lost 25 or 20%, respectively, and egg production was negatively linearly related to body weight loss.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Molting in stomatopod crustaceans. I. Stages of the molt cycle, setagenesis, and morphology.

The description of stages of the molt cycle in mantis shrimp (emphasizing Gonodactylus but compared in a number of Gonodactylidae, Squillidae, and Lysiosquillidae) includes data on texture, hardness, and color of the exoskeleton; behavior; and the micromorphology of the integument and developing setae. After stage A1, when the exoskeleton feels soft and soapy, and A2, when the abdomen attains parchment consistency, the exoskeleton continues to harden until stage C1, when the telson carinae can no longer be depressed with a fingernail. The propodus (C2) and the merus (C3) of the raptorial appendage are the last elements to become rigid. The meral spot achieves indistinct coloration at B1 and distinct but pale coloration at B2; body color continues to intesify until C4. Changes in behavior are particularly marked before and after the molt. After the molt defensive and avoidance behaviors characterize A1 and A2. Threatening increases from low to intense levels in A2 and B1. Striking and offensive behavior increase from weak to normal intensities from B2 to C4. One or two days before the molt, animals lower activity and dominance and feeding levels, exhibit reclusive behavior, and sometimes seal the cavity entrance. The morphology of setagenesis is particularly valuable for determining the stage of the molt after the exoskeleton hardns. The raatio of setae containing cellular contents sthroughout the lumen to those condensed into strands separates stages A2 throught C3...

Animals↗

Immunological functions of human T-lymphoid cell line (MOLT). I. Release of immunosuppressive factors from the mixture of MOLT-4 cells and sheep red blood cells.

A short term incubation of the mixture of established human T-lymphoid cells (MOLT) and sheep red blood cells (SRBC) resulted in the release of factors which nonspecifically suppressed the response of mouse spleen cells against heterologous erythrocytes in vitro. Neither human B-cell line (RPMI 1788), nor the supernate of MOLT cell suspension in the absence of SRBC had such suppressive effects. The supernate of the mixture of MOLT cells with chicken red blood cells (CRBC) did not suppress either anti-CRBC or anti-SRBC responses of mouse spleen cells. Since CRBC did not form rosettes with MOLT cells, it is suspected that the origin of the production of these factors might be MOLT cells forming SRBC rosettes. Some of these factors are dialysable.

Animals↗

Cockroach molting. II. The nature of regeneration-induced delay of molting hormone secretion.

1. The amount of regenerating limb tissue does not control the length of molting delay in cockroaches; rather, a programmed delay associated with each autotomy level and segment allows an appropriate delay for accomplishing the necessary regeneration. 2. Delay of molting is accomplished by inhibiting ecdysiotropin release. 3. Each regenerating limb produces a delay independent of other regenerating limbs. 4. Single and simultaneous double autotomies can be used to obtain substantially increased synchrony of the molting cycle of a wide variety of cockroach species. 5. The signal to delay molting is transmitted to the brain along the ventral nerve cord and requires the stereotyped sensory input associated with autotomy to initiate it. 6. There are two phases of ecdysone titer increase during the molting cycle of cockroaches. An early transitory or gradual increase is associated with the regeneration critical period, while a later major peak is associated with apolysis. The major ecdysone peak was shown to be delayed during leg regeneration.

Amputation, Surgical↗

Evaluation of Salmonella enteritidis in molting hens after administration of an experimental chlorate product (for nine days) in the drinking water and feeding an alfalfa molt diet.

The method most commonly used to induce molting and stimulate multiple egg-laying cycles in laying hens for commercial egg production is to fast the hens. Unfortunately, increased risk of Salmonella enteritidis (SE) infection may result from the use of this method. Methods to stimulate multiple egg-laying cycles without increasing the risk of SE infection are needed. Hens over 50 wk of age were divided into 12 groups of 11 hens each and placed in individual laying cages. One week prior to dietary changes, hens were placed on an 8-h light and 16-h dark photoperiod that continued for the 9-d molt. All hens were challenged orally with 10(6) cfu of SE on the fourth day of the molt. Treatments were nonfed hens with distilled water (NFD), nonfed hens with the experimental chlorate product (ECP, which provided 15 mM chlorate ion) water (NFECP), alfalfa diets with distilled water (ALD), and alfalfa diets with ECP water (ALECP). In the NFD hens, 67% (log10 2.74) of the crops and 94% (log10 5.62) of the ceca were colonized, whereas for the NFECP hens significant reductions to 22% (log10 1.05) of the crops and 61% (log10 2.44) of the ceca were observed. In the ALD hens, 61% (log10 2.52) of the crops and 94% (log10 4.06) of the ceca were colonized. In the ALECP hens, highly significant reductions to 11% (log10 1.26) of the crops and 39% (log10 1.12) of the ceca were observed. When compared with the NFD hens, significant reductions in SE invasion of the ovary, liver, and spleen occurred in all other treatments, except the ovary in the ALD hens. The low alfalfa intake is probably a factor in our lowered protection against SE when compared with previous results. For several parameters, these results suggest that ECP or the combination of ECP and alfalfa may be a useful tool to reduce the risk of SE during an induced molt.

Animal Feed↗

In vivo effects of a recombinant molt-inhibiting hormone on molt interval and hemolymph ecdysteroid level in the kuruma prawn, Marsupenaeus japonicus.

In order to determine the function of molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) in vivo, we examined the effects of injecting of a recombinant MIH on the molt interval and hemolymph ecdysteroid level in the kuruma prawn, Marsupenaeus japonicus. The injection of recombinant MIH significantly prolonged the molt interval (9.0 +/-0.4 days in the control group, 9.5+/-0.5 days in the 2500 ng/g-body weight/injection-group, mean+/-SD), and significantly decreased the hemolymph ecdysteroid level (ratio of levels between after and before injection: 1.94+/-1.09 in the control and 1.28+/-0.39 in the 3000 ng/g-body weight/injection-group, mean+/-SD). These results conclusively show the inhibitory effects of MIH on molting in vivo.

Animals↗

Molt-inhibiting hormone mRNA levels and ecdysteroid titer during a molt cycle of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus.

Synthesis of ecdysteroid molting hormones by crustacean Y-organs is believed to be regulated by a neuropeptide, molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH), produced in eyestalk neural ganglia. In the present study, steady-state MIH mRNA and hemolymph ecdysteroid levels were determined by Northern blot and radioimmunoassay, respectively, during the molt cycle of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. The level of MIH mRNA dropped steadily during premolt (D1-D4), reaching a minimum in D3/D4, then increased by 10-fold in postmolt (A/B) and remained elevated during intermolt (C4). These stage-specific changes in MIH mRNA levels were accompanied by significant fluctuations in the hemolymph ecdysteroid titer. The ecdysteroid titer increased steadily to a peak of 377.0 ng/ml in D3 of premolt, then dropped to 120.0 ng/ml in D4 (just prior to molting), and was low during postmolt (A/B, 4.4 ng/ml) and intermolt (C4, 3.3 ng/ml). The results represent the first report of developmental changes in MIH gene expression and are generally consistent with the hypothesis that MIH negatively regulates ecdysteroid synthesis in crustaceans.

Animals↗

Uridine fluxes in healthy proliferating T-lymphocytes, MOLT-3 T-ALL cell-line cells and differentiated MOLT-3 cells.

Incorporation of 14C-uridine into UTP and CTP and fluxes of label through these nucleotide pools to RNA and DNA were greater in MOLT-3 cells compared to T-lymphocytes. In growth-arrested, differentiated MOLT-3 cells overall incorporation of radiolabel into nucleotides and nucleic acids was lowered compared to exponentially growing cells. Turnover of UTP and CTP however, retained the profile of exponentially growing MOLT-3 cells, implicating the characteristically higher conversion of UTP to CTP is independent of the MOLT-3 cells proliferative capacities. We conclude that drugs interfering with CTP-synthetase activity are good candidates to be used as selective substances in the battle against T-ALL.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗

The fine structure of the ventral intersegmental abdominal muscles of the insect Rhodnius prolixus during the molting cycle. I. Muscle structure at molting.

Rhodnius prolixus, a South American insect, molts five times in its development to an adult after emerging from the egg. Each molting cycle is triggered with a blood-meal. The ventral intersegmental abdominal muscles of Rhodnius develop during each molting cycle and are functional at molting. The fine structure of these fully developed muscles from fourth stage larval insects is studied. They have the characteristic structure of slow muscles. They have multiple motor nerve endings, and the myofibrils are poorly defined in cross-section. Longitudinal sections show long sarcomeres (8-10 micro), irregular Z-lines, and no apparent H zones. No M line is seen. Transverse sections through the A-band region show that each hexagonally arranged thick filament is surrounded by 12 thin filaments. Two thin filaments are shared by two neighboring thick filaments. The ratio of thin to thick filaments is 6:1. This structure is related to that found in vertebrate skeletal muscle and insect flight muscle.

Abdomen↗

Primary feather molt and serum luteinizing hormone concentration in chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) during a photoperiodically induced molt with or without fasting.

In two experiments, 135 adult chukar partridge of two genetic lines, one selected for high egg production and a random-bred control line, were induced to molt by reducing photoperiod from 16 hr light/day to 8 hr light/day on Day 0. In Experiment 1, feed was removed from approximately half the birds on Day 0 and returned on Day 7. Birds in Experiment 2 were not fasted. Photoperiod was increased to 16 hr light/day on Day 56. Primary feather molt scores, body weights, and, in Experiment 2, serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were monitored weekly through Day 85. Prior to the short day period, birds selected for high egg production and females had lower molt scores than controls or males, respectively. Fasting had no effect on molt scores, egg production, or body weights (except during the fasting period). Selected-line birds returned to lay approximately 3 days earlier and laid approximately 16 more eggs during the second production period than controls. Six days before photoperiod was reduced, immunoreactive serum LH levels were 5 to 8 ng/ml; they declined during short days to about 4 ng/ml. Within 8 days after relighting, LH levels increased to approximately 33 ng/ml in males and 18 ng/ml in females. Luteinizing hormone levels remained elevated in males throughout the subsequent 4 weeks but declined in females as egg production resumed.

Animals↗

Molting polychaete jaws--ecdysozoans are not the only molting animals.

Jaw shedding and replacement of Diopatra aciculata (Onuphidae, Eunicida), by the same process as arthropod molting, involving apolysis and ecdysis, is described here. These observations suggest that molting has either evolved convergently in eunicidan polychaetes and ecdysozoans or it was present in the last ecdysozoan/lophotrochozoan common ancestor and thus may not represent a synapomorphy of the ecdysozoans.

Animals↗

What is molt-inhibiting hormone? The role of an ecdysteroidogenesis inhibitor in the crustacean molting cycle.

The in vivo molt-inhibitory effects of the ecdysone biosynthesis inhibitors 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine and xanthurenic acid were investigated. These ecdysone biosynthesis inhibitors, isolated from the eyestalks of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), were injected into eyestalk-ablated crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). The active factor was found to be species-nonspecific within crabs and crayfish. The seasonal profiles of the xanthurenic acid and ecdysone titers exhibited a staggered relationship. Moreover, the activity of a 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine aminotransferase varied during the molting cycle. The data suggested that 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine, which is secreted from the X-organ-sinus gland complex of crustaceans, is released into the hemolymph, and after accumulating at the surface of the Y-organ, is converted into the active form, xanthurenic acid. Xanthurenic acid was found to profoundly repress ecdysteroidogenesis in vitro.

Journal Article↗