Baculovirus expression system has been used successfully to over-express eukaryotic proteins in insect cells. This system uses a very strong viral promoter, AcNPV polyhedrin, for high level protein expression. Here a Baculovirus expression system was used to express the MOUSE Gaq protein (mGaq) in SF9 insect cells. The recombinant protein was made at high levels and it was found in the cell membrane where it functions as a signaling molecule.

Diffuse normolipemic plane xanthoma is a rare disorder often seen as a para- neoplastic manifestation accompanied with gammopathics and hematologic disorders. In this report, a 44-year-old man IS presented who was referred to us due to developing erythematous papules on the hands and yellow patches on different parts of the body. Based on cell blood count, peripheral blood smear and positive anti HTL VI, the diagnosis of ADULT T cell lymphoma/leukemia was suggested which confirmed by the biopsy of the hand lesions. The histopathologic evaluation of yellow lesions also confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse xanthoma.

Objective: Given rapidly dividing and slow cycling populations of neural precursors have been identified in the ADULT brain , with several lines of evidence suggesting the latter population represents Neural Stem Cells (NSCs) ,we hypothesized that ADULT NSCs could be identified using Label Retaining Cell (LRC) approach.Materials and Methods: ADULT CBA mice were injected with the mitotic marker bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), every two hours for 48 hours. We compared the number of LRCs cells detected in a 400um region of the PVR at increasing chase periods, to the number of primary neurospheres and NSC-derived colonies (Large Colonies) that could be generated from the same regionusing Neurosphere Assay (NSA) and Neural Colony-Forming cell Assay (N_CFCA).Results: While the prevalence of LRCs and neurospheres and overall colonies was equivalent at specific chase periods, the number of NSC-derived colonies remained reduced by at least two orders of magnitude for chase periodsup to 7 months.Conclusion: Our results suggest that < 5% of LRCs are bona fide Neural Stem Cells, and highlights the pitfalls of employing this methodology to discern stem from progenitor cell populations.

Background: Nicotine as a toxic agent in cigarette has detrimental effects on reproduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of of nicotine on germ and somatic cells in ADULT MOUSE testis.Materials and Methods: Male mice were divided into four groups. Group A or controls, groups of B, C and D were treated with nicotine intraperitoneally in doses of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/100 g body weight once daily for 14 days respectively. Evaluations were made by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), determining of mitotic activity of cells by KI-67 staining, and ELISA for assay of serum testosterone levels Results: TEM revealed alterations both in germ and somatic cells in nicotine treated groups. Nicotine in groups of C and D caused to deformity in nucleus, reduced numbers of lipid droplets and mitochondria in leydig cells. Myoid cells had deformed and irregular nucleus in groups of C and D. the signs of apoptosis were recognizable in primary spermatocytes and spermatids in groups of C and D. In group D some sertoli cells had apoptotic bodies. Administration of nicotine in group D, significantly reduced KI-67 index compared with control group. Serum testosterone levels and maturity of spermatogenesis were significantly reduced in groups of C and D in compare with controls.Conclusion: This study indicates that nicotine can affect both on germ and somatic cells in testis. Nicotine induces apoptosis and reduces mitotic activity in male germ cells as a dose dependent manner.

In this study organotypic ADULT spinal cord slices were used to investigate whether caspases could participate in the apoptosis of motor neurons. The thoracic region of spinal cord was sliced using a tissue chopper and cultured in a medium for 6h. Morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis were assessed by fluorescent staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl nick end labeling (TUNEL) method respectively. To investigate the role of caspases, general caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD.fmk, and immunohistochemistry for activated caspase-3 were used. After 6h in culture, many motor neurons displayed morphological features of apoptosis. In addition, the neurons appeared TUNEL positive. Z-VAD.fmk not only prevented apoptosis in the motor neurons but also increased motor neurons viability after 6h. At this time point, immunolocalization to activated caspase-3 was also detected in the cytoplasm and the nuclei of apoptotic motor neurons. Results of the present study suggest a caspase-dependent apoptosis in motor neurons of ADULT spinal cord slices.