Baculovirus inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) block activation of Sf-caspase-1

We have investigated the ability of Sf-caspase-1 and two mammalian caspases, caspase-1 and caspase-3, to induce apoptosis in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf-21 insect cells. While the transient expression of the pro-Sf-caspase-1 did not induce apoptosis, expression of the pro-domain deleted form, p31, or coexpression of the two subunits of mature Sf-caspase-1, p19 and p12, induced apoptosis in Sf-21 cells. The behavior of Sf-caspase-1 resembled that of the closely related mammalian caspase, caspase-3, and contrasted with that of the mammalian caspase-1, the pro-form of which was active in inducing apoptosis in Sf-21 cells. The baculovirus caspase inhibitor P35 blocked apoptosis induced by active forms of all three caspases. In contrast, members of the baculovirus inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family failed to block active caspase-induced apoptosis. However, during viral infection, expression of OpIAP or CpIAP blocked the activation of pro-Sf-caspase-1 and the associated induction of apoptosis. Thus, the mechanism by which baculovirus IAPs inhibit apoptosis is distinct from the mechanism by which P35 blocks apoptosis and involves inhibition of the activation of pro-caspases like Sf-caspase-1.

Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) display antitumor activity in animal models

The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF/SF) receptor, Met, regulates mitogenesis, motility, and morphogenesis in a cell type-dependent fashion. Activation of Met via autocrine, paracrine, or mutational mechanisms can lead to tumorigenesis and metastasis and numerous studies have linked inappropriate expression of this ligand-receptor pair to most types of human solid tumors. To prepare mAbs to human HGF/SF, mice were immunized with native and denatured preparations of the ligand. Recloned mAbs were tested in vitro for blocking activity against scattering and branching morphogenesis. Our results show that no single mAb was capable of neutralizing the in vitro activity of HGF/SF, and that the ligand possesses a minimum of three epitopes that must be blocked to prevent Met tyrosine kinase activation. In vivo, the neutralizing mAb combination inhibited s.c. growth in athymic nu/nu mice of tumors dependent on an autocrine Met-HGF/SF loop. Importantly, growth of human glioblastoma multiforme xenografts expressing Met and HGF/SF were markedly reduced in the presence of HGF/SF-neutralizing mAbs. These results suggest interrupting autocrine and/or paracrine Met-HGF/SF signaling in tumors dependent on this pathway is a possible intervention strategy.

Valores de referencia españoles para la versión reducida de la Escala de Autoeficacia para la Lactancia Materna BSES-SF

Fundamento. Describir los valores de referencia para la versión española de la Escala de Autoeficacia para la Lactancia Materna en su versión reducida (BSES-SF), considerando las diferencias según la experiencia previa en lactancia y la paridad. Metodología. Estudio transversal realizado en cinco hospitales de Alicante y uno de la Región de Murcia, con una muestra accidental de 949 mujeres que ofrecieron lactancia materna en el posparto, sin problemas médicos, propios o del recién nacido, que dificultaran la lactancia. Se obtuvieron datos sociodemográficos, obstétricos y sobre autoeficacia materna para la lactancia mediante la escala BSES-SF. Se calcularon datos de tendencia central, dispersión y percentiles de las puntuaciones de la escala BSES-SF para generar valores de referencia para toda la muestra y según la paridad y experiencia previa. Resultados. El nivel de autoeficacia fue significativamente menor (p<0,001) entre las mujeres primíparas (media =47,67±11,03) o sin experiencia previa (media =47,30±11,18) que entre las multíparas (media =52,87±10,66) o con experiencia anterior (media =53,93±9,93). La puntuación de los percentiles P25 y P75 de la escala BSES-SF fue, respectivamente, para toda la muestra de 42 y 59; para las mujeres sin hijos o sin experiencia previos de 39 y 56; para madres con hijos de 46 y 61; y para las madres con experiencia previa de 47 y 62. Conclusión. Los percentiles específicos obtenidos, según la paridad o la experiencia previa, pueden considerarse como valores de referencia para comparar el nivel de autoeficacia de un caso dado, evaluar intervenciones educativas y planificar intervenciones de apoyo durante el posparto.

Classified information nondisclosure agreement (SF-189) /

"July 1985."

Direct support and general support maintenance repair parts and special tools list (including depot maintenance repair parts) : generator set, self-powered, diesel engine driven, 30 KW. AC, 3-phase, 120/208V, 240/416V, 60 hertz, convertible to 25 KW, 50 hertz, skid mounted (Military Design model SF-30-MD/CIED), NSN 6115-00-935-5111.

"April 1978."

Organizational maintenance repair parts and special tools lists : generator set, self-powered, diesel engine driven, 30 KW, AC, 3-phase, 120/208V, 240/416V, 60 hertz, convertible to 25 KW, 50 hertz, skid mounted, (military design model SF-30-MD/CIED), NSN 6115-00-935-5111.

Includes index.

Operator, organizational, direct and general support, and depot maintenance manual : generator set, self-powered, diesel engine driven, 30 KW, AC, 3 phase, 120/208V, 240/416V, 60 hertz, convertible to 25 KW, 50 hertz, skid mounted (military design model SF-30-MD/CIED), FSN 6115-935-5111.

"January 1969."