The Candida albicans Inhibitory Activity of the Extract from Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Seed Relates to Mitochondria Dysfunction.

PubMed

Zhang, Tao; Chen, Weijun

2017-08-25

The inhibitory activity of the papaya seed extract (PSE) on Candida albicans ( C. albicans ) was determined by turbidimetry method. The inhibitory mechanisms were also evaluated from the prospective of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) decrease, and the activities of four complex enzymes in mitochondria respiratory chain. Results obtained from this study indicated that the PSE exhibited an effective inhibitory activity on C. albicans and induced significant accumulation of ROS and collapse of MMP. The Complex I and Complex III exhibited continues significant decrease in mitochondrial enzyme activity assays, but the Complex II and Complex IV activities were not positively correlated. Furthermore, the GC-MS analysis demonstrated that the PSE represents a rich and high-purity source of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), which indicated the BITC may be responsible for the mitochondrial dysfunction.

Analyzing the financial crisis using the entropy density function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Gabjin; Kim, Ho-yong; Ahn, Seok-Won; Kwak, Wooseop

2015-02-01

The risk that is created by nonlinear interactions among subjects in economic systems is assumed to increase during an abnormal state of a financial market. Nevertheless, investigating the systemic risk in financial markets following the global financial crisis is not sufficient. In this paper, we analyze the entropy density function in the return time series for several financial markets, such as the S&P500, KOSPI, and DAX indices, from October 2002 to December 2011 and analyze the variability in the entropy value over time. We find that the entropy density function of the S&P500 index during the subprime crisis exhibits a significant decrease compared to that in other periods, whereas the other markets, such as those in Germany and Korea, exhibit no significant decrease during the market crisis. These findings demonstrate that the S&P500 index generated a regular pattern in the return time series during the financial crisis.

Prefrontal blood flow and oxygenation measured by NIRS during long-term memory tasks are impaired by acute hyperglycemia (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harris, R. Luke; Bell, Lindsay; Reimer, Andrea; Pettersen, Jacqueline A.; Siakaluk, Paul; Duffels, Brian

2017-02-01

Our goal was to use 2-channel frequency domain near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to investigate the hemodynamic and metabolic mechanisms underlying hyperglycemia-associated long-term memory impairment. We hypothesized that prefrontal cortex (PFC) oxygen saturation (%Sat) and perfusion (tHb, i.e. total hemoglobin) would decrease due to hyperglycemia during learning, and then increase during recall. During learning, participants' blood glucose was manipulated with beverages containing either 47.4 mg saccharine control (CON, n = 10), or 50 g dextrose + 23.7 mg saccharine (GLC, n = 10). In the Symbol-Digit Modalities Test (SMDT) participants matched nine symbols to corresponding digits (1-9 inclusive), completing 105 learning and 15 testing trials on day 1 and 15 testing trials on day 2. From learning to recall, CON SMDT performance was unchanged, but GLC SMDT performance was decreased 11% (P = 0.0173). There were significant interactions (2-way ANOVA) between the CON-GLC treatment effects and the learning-recall effects for both PFC perfusion and oxygen saturation. Specifically, comparing learning to recall, CON exhibited no tHb differences but for GLC there was a large tHb decrease during learning with a partial recovery toward CON values during recall (P = 0.0012); and, comparing learning to recall, CON exhibited a large %Sat decrease but GLC exhibited a large %Sat increase (P = 0.021). We speculate that, during learning, after overnight fasting (CON) the PFC demands more hemodynamic and metabolic resources and "works" harder, but with readily available sugar (GLC) the PFC exhibits decreased "effort."

Changes to the temporal distribution of daily precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rajah, Kailash; O'Leary, Tess; Turner, Alice; Petrakis, Gabriella; Leonard, Michael; Westra, Seth

2014-12-01

Changes to the temporal distribution of daily precipitation were investigated using a data set of 12,513 land-based stations from the Global Historical Climatology Network. The distribution of precipitation was measured using the Gini index (which describes how uniformly precipitation is distributed throughout a year) and the annual number of wet days. The Mann-Kendall test and a regression analysis were used to assess the direction and rate of change to both indices. Over the period of 1976-2000, East Asia, Central America, and Brazil exhibited a decrease in the number of both wet and light precipitation days, and eastern Europe exhibited a decrease in the number of both wet and moderate precipitation days. In contrast, the U.S., southern South America, western Europe, and Australia exhibited an increase in the number of both wet and light precipitation days. Trends in both directions were field significant at the global scale.

Characterization of microstructure, local deformation and microchemistry in Alloy 690 heat-affected zone and stress corrosion cracking in high temperature water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Zhanpeng; Chen, Junjie; Shoji, Tetsuo; Takeda, Yoichi; Yamazaki, Seiya

2015-10-01

With increasing the distance from the weld fusion line in an Alloy 690 heat-affected zone, micro-hardness decreases, kernel average misorientation decreases and the fraction of Σ3 boundaries increases. Chromium depletion at grain boundaries in the Alloy 690 heat-affected zone is less significant than that in an Alloy 600 heat-affected zone. Alloy 690 heat-affected zone exhibits much higher IGSCC resistance than Alloy 600 heat-affected zone in simulated pressurized water reactor primary water. Heavily cold worked Alloy 690 exhibits localized intergranular stress corrosion cracking. The effects of metallurgical and mechanical properties on stress corrosion cracking in Alloy 690 are discussed.

Changes in the chemistry of precipitation in the United States, 1981-1998

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nilles, M.A.; Conley, B.E.

2001-01-01

Regulatory measures in the United States, such as Title IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, have primarily restricted sulfur dioxide emissions as a way to control acidic deposition. These restrictions, coupled with increasing concentrations of NH4+ in wet deposition in some regions of the U.S. and continued high emissions of nitrogen oxides have generated a significant shift in the chemistry of precipitation as measured at National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network sites. Trends in precipitation chemistry at NADP/NTN sites were evaluated for statistical significance for the period 1981-1998 using a Seasonal Mann-Kendall Test, a robust non-parametric test for detection of monotonic trends. SO42- declines were detected at 100 of the 147 sites examined while no sites exhibited increasing SO42- trends. On average, SO42- declined 35% over the period 1981-1998 with downward SO42- trends being most pronounced in the northeastern United States. In contrast, no consistent trends in NO3- concentrations were observed in precipitation in any major region of the United States. Although the majority of sites did not exhibit significant trends in NH4+ concentration, 30 sites exhibited upward trends. For Ca2+ concentration in precipitation, 64 sites exhibited a significant decreasing trend and no sites exhibited an upward trend.

MCK1 is a novel regulator of myo-inositol phosphate synthase (MIPS) that is required for inhibition of inositol synthesis by the mood stabilizer valproate

PubMed Central

Yu, Wenxi; Daniel, Joshua; Mehta, Dhara; Maddipati, Krishna Rao

2017-01-01

Myo-inositol, the precursor of all inositol compounds, is essential for the viability of eukaryotes. Identifying the factors that regulate inositol homeostasis is of obvious importance to understanding cell function and the pathologies underlying neurological and metabolic resulting from perturbation of inositol metabolism. The current study identifies Mck1, a GSK3 homolog, as a novel positive regulator of inositol de novo synthesis in yeast. Mck1 was required for normal activity of myo-inositol phosphate synthase (MIPS), which catalyzes the rate-limiting step of inositol synthesis. mck1Δ cells exhibited a 50% decrease in MIPS activity and a decreased rate of incorporation of [13C6]glucose into [13C6]-inositol-3-phosphate and [13C6]-inositol compared to WT cells. mck1Δ cells also exhibited decreased growth in the presence of the inositol depleting drug valproate (VPA), which was rescued by supplementation of inositol. However, in contrast to wild type cells, which exhibited more than a 40% decrease in MIPS activity in the presence of VPA, the drug did not significantly decrease MIPS activity in mck1Δ cells. These findings indicate that VPA-induced MIPS inhibition is Mck1-dependent, and suggest a model that unifies two current hypotheses of the mechanism of action of VPA—inositol depletion and GSK3 inhibition. PMID:28817575

MCK1 is a novel regulator of myo-inositol phosphate synthase (MIPS) that is required for inhibition of inositol synthesis by the mood stabilizer valproate.

PubMed

Yu, Wenxi; Daniel, Joshua; Mehta, Dhara; Maddipati, Krishna Rao; Greenberg, Miriam L

2017-01-01

Myo-inositol, the precursor of all inositol compounds, is essential for the viability of eukaryotes. Identifying the factors that regulate inositol homeostasis is of obvious importance to understanding cell function and the pathologies underlying neurological and metabolic resulting from perturbation of inositol metabolism. The current study identifies Mck1, a GSK3 homolog, as a novel positive regulator of inositol de novo synthesis in yeast. Mck1 was required for normal activity of myo-inositol phosphate synthase (MIPS), which catalyzes the rate-limiting step of inositol synthesis. mck1Δ cells exhibited a 50% decrease in MIPS activity and a decreased rate of incorporation of [13C6]glucose into [13C6]-inositol-3-phosphate and [13C6]-inositol compared to WT cells. mck1Δ cells also exhibited decreased growth in the presence of the inositol depleting drug valproate (VPA), which was rescued by supplementation of inositol. However, in contrast to wild type cells, which exhibited more than a 40% decrease in MIPS activity in the presence of VPA, the drug did not significantly decrease MIPS activity in mck1Δ cells. These findings indicate that VPA-induced MIPS inhibition is Mck1-dependent, and suggest a model that unifies two current hypotheses of the mechanism of action of VPA-inositol depletion and GSK3 inhibition.

Dynamics of suspended sediment concentration, flow discharge and sediment particle size interdependency to identify sediment source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadeghi, Seyed Hamidreza; Singh, Vijay P.

2017-11-01

Spatiotemporal behavior of sediment yield is a key for proper watershed management. This study analyzed statistical characteristics and trends of suspended sediment concentration (SCS), flow discharge (FD) and sediment particle sizes using data from 24 gage stations scattered throughout the United States. Analysis showed significant time- and location-specific differences of these variables. The median values of SSC, FD and percentage of particle sizes smaller than 63 μm (P63) for all 24 gage stations were found to be 510.236 mg l-1 (right skewed), 45.406 m3 s-1 (left skewed) and 78.648% (right skewed), respectively. Most of the stations exhibited significant trends (P < 0.001) in daily SSC (18 stations; one increasing and 17 decreasing), FD (19 stations; seven increasing and 12 decreasing), and P63 (15 stations; five increasing and 10 decreasing) as well. Further, 46% of the stations exhibited significant trends in all three variables. The wash load significantly contributed (79.085 ± 11.343%) to sediment load recorded at the gage stations. Results of the study can be used for developing best watershed management practices which may call for local or regional planning based on natural (i.e., precipitation amount, type and erosivity, watershed area, and soil erodibility) and human-affected (i.e., land use and hydraulic structures and water resources management) factors governing the study variables.

Assessment of Eccentric Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress Using Oxidation-Reduction Potential Markers

PubMed Central

Stagos, Dimitrios; Goutzourelas, Nikolaos; Ntontou, Amalia-Maria; Kafantaris, Ioannis; Deli, Chariklia K.; Poulios, Athanasios; Jamurtas, Athanasios Z.; Bar-Or, David; Kouretas, Dimitrios

2015-01-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the use of static (sORP) and capacity ORP (cORP) oxidation-reduction potential markers as measured by the RedoxSYS Diagnostic System in plasma, for assessing eccentric exercise-induced oxidative stress. Nineteen volunteers performed eccentric exercise with the knee extensors. Blood was collected before, immediately after exercise, and 24, 48, and 72 h after exercise. Moreover, common redox biomarkers were measured, which were protein carbonyls, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, total antioxidant capacity in plasma, and catalase activity and glutathione levels in erythrocytes. When the participants were examined as one group, there were not significant differences in any marker after exercise. However, in 11 participants there was a high increase in cORP after exercise, while in 8 participants there was a high decrease. Thus, the participants were divided in low cORP group exhibiting significant decrease in cORP after exercise and in high cORP group exhibiting significant increase. Moreover, only in the low cORP group there was a significant increase in lipid peroxidation after exercise suggesting induction of oxidative stress. The results suggested that high decreases in cORP values after exercise may indicate induction of oxidative stress by eccentric exercise, while high increases in cORP values after exercise may indicate no existence of oxidative stress. PMID:25874019

Effect of beverages and mouthwashes on the hardness of polymers used in intraoral prostheses.

PubMed

Goiato, Marcelo Coelho; Dos Santos, Daniela Micheline; Andreotti, Agda Marobo; Nobrega, Adhara Smith; Moreno, Amalia; Haddad, Marcela Filié; Pesqueira, Aldiéris Alves

2014-10-01

The mechanical properties of acrylic resins used in intraoral prostheses may be altered by frequent exposure to liquids such as beverages and mouthwashes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of thermocycling and liquid immersion on the hardness of four brands of acrylic resins commonly used in removable prostheses (Onda Cryl, QC-20, Clássico, Lucitone). For each brand of resin, seven specimens were immersed in each of six solutions (coffee, cola, red wine, Plax-Colgate, Listerine [LI], Oral B), and seven more were placed in artificial saliva (control). The hardness was tested using a microhardness tester before and after 5000 thermocycles and after 1, 3, 24, 48, and 96 hours of immersion. The results were analyzed using three-way repeated-measures ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). The hardness of the resins decreased following thermocycling and immersion in the solutions. Specimens immersed in cola and wine exhibited significant decreases in hardness after immersion for 96 hours, although the greatest significant decrease in hardness occurred in specimens immersed in LI. However, according to American Dental Association specification 12, the Knoop hardness of acrylic resins for intraoral prostheses should not be below 15. Thus, the median values of superficial hardness observed in most of the acrylic resins in this study are considered clinically acceptable. The microhardness of polymers used for intraoral prostheses decreases following thermocycling. Among specimens immersed in beverages, those immersed in cola or wine experienced the greatest decrease in microhardness. Immersion of acrylic resins in LI significantly decreased the microhardness in relation to the initial value. Among the resins assessed, QC-20 exhibited the lowest initial hardness. © 2014 by the American College of Prosthodontists.

Genetic variability and phenotypic plasticity of metric thoracic traits in an invasive drosophilid in America.

PubMed

Bitner-Mathé, Blanche Christine; David, Jean Robert

2015-08-01

Thermal phenotypic plasticity of 5 metric thoracic traits (3 related to size and 2 to pigmentation) was investigated in Zaprionus indianus with an isofemale line design. Three of these traits are investigated for the first time in a drosophilid, i.e. thorax width and width of pigmented longitudinal white and black stripes. The reaction norms of white and black stripes were completely different: white stripes were insensitive to growth temperature while the black stripes exhibited a strong linear decrease with increasing temperatures. Thorax width exhibited a concave reaction norm, analogous but not identical to those of wing length and thorax length: the temperatures of maximum value were different, the highest being for thorax width. All traits exhibited a significant heritable variability and a low evolvability. Sexual dimorphism was very variable among traits, being nil for white stripes and thorax width, and around 1.13 for black stripes. The ratio thorax length to thorax width (an elongation index) was always >1, showing that males have a more rounded thorax at all temperatures. Black stripes revealed a significant increase of sexual dimorphism with increasing temperature. Shape indices, i.e. ratios between size traits all exhibited a linear decrease with temperature, the least sensitive being the elongation index. All these results illustrate the complexity of developmental processes but also the analytical strength of biometrical plasticity studies in an eco-devo perspective.

The Skylab sleep monitoring experiment - Methodology and initial results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frost, J. D., Jr.; Delucchi, M. R.; Shumate, W. H.; Booher, C. R.

1975-01-01

The sleep monitoring experiment permitted an objective evaluation of sleep characteristics during the first two manned Skylab flights. Hardware located onboard the spacecraft accomplished data acquisition, analysis, and preservation, thereby permitting near-real-time evaluation of sleep during the flights and more detailed postmission analysis. The crewman studied during the 28-Day Mission showed some decrease in total sleep time and an increase in the percentage of Stage 4 sleep, while the subject in the 59-Day Mission exhibited little change in total sleep time and a small decrease in Stage 4 and REM sleep. Some disruption of sleep characteristics was seen in the final days of both missions, and both subjects exhibited decreases in REM-onset latency in the immediate postflight period. The relatively minor changes seen were not of the type nor magnitude which might be expected to be associated with significant degradation of performance capability.

High molecular weight hyaluronic acid limits astrocyte activation and scar formation after spinal cord injury

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khaing, Zin Z.; Milman, Brian D.; Vanscoy, Jennifer E.; Seidlits, Stephanie K.; Grill, Raymond J.; Schmidt, Christine E.

2011-08-01

A major hurdle for regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) is the ability of axons to penetrate and grow through the scar tissue. After SCI, inflammatory cells, astrocytes and meningeal cells all play a role in developing the glial scar. In addition, degradation of native high molecular weight (MW) hyaluronic acid (HA), a component of the extracellular matrix, has been shown to induce activation and proliferation of astrocytes. However, it is not known if the degradation of native HA actually enhances glial scar formation. We hypothesize that the presence of high MW HA (HA with limited degradation) after SCI will decrease glial scarring. Here, we demonstrate that high MW HA decreases cell proliferation and reduces chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) production in cultured neonatal and adult astrocytes. In addition, stiffness-matched high MW HA hydrogels crosslinked to resist degradation were implanted in a rat model of spinal dorsal hemisection injury. The numbers of immune cells (macrophages and microglia) detected at the lesion site in animals with HA hydrogel implants were significantly reduced at acute time points (one, three and ten days post-injury). Lesioned animals with HA implants also exhibited significantly lower CSPG expression at ten days post-injury. At nine weeks post-injury, animals with HA hydrogel implants exhibited a significantly decreased astrocytic response, but did not have significantly altered CSPG expression. Combined, these data suggest that high MW HA, when stabilized against degradation, mitigates astrocyte activation in vitro and in vivo. The presence of HA implants was also associated with a significant decrease in CSPG deposition at ten days after SCI. Therefore, HA-based hydrogel systems hold great potential for minimizing undesired scarring as part of future repair strategies after SCI.

High molecular weight hyaluronic acid limits astrocyte activation and scar formation after spinal cord injury.

PubMed

Khaing, Zin Z; Milman, Brian D; Vanscoy, Jennifer E; Seidlits, Stephanie K; Grill, Raymond J; Schmidt, Christine E

2011-08-01

A major hurdle for regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) is the ability of axons to penetrate and grow through the scar tissue. After SCI, inflammatory cells, astrocytes and meningeal cells all play a role in developing the glial scar. In addition, degradation of native high molecular weight (MW) hyaluronic acid (HA), a component of the extracellular matrix, has been shown to induce activation and proliferation of astrocytes. However, it is not known if the degradation of native HA actually enhances glial scar formation. We hypothesize that the presence of high MW HA (HA with limited degradation) after SCI will decrease glial scarring. Here, we demonstrate that high MW HA decreases cell proliferation and reduces chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) production in cultured neonatal and adult astrocytes. In addition, stiffness-matched high MW HA hydrogels crosslinked to resist degradation were implanted in a rat model of spinal dorsal hemisection injury. The numbers of immune cells (macrophages and microglia) detected at the lesion site in animals with HA hydrogel implants were significantly reduced at acute time points (one, three and ten days post-injury). Lesioned animals with HA implants also exhibited significantly lower CSPG expression at ten days post-injury. At nine weeks post-injury, animals with HA hydrogel implants exhibited a significantly decreased astrocytic response, but did not have significantly altered CSPG expression. Combined, these data suggest that high MW HA, when stabilized against degradation, mitigates astrocyte activation in vitro and in vivo. The presence of HA implants was also associated with a significant decrease in CSPG deposition at ten days after SCI. Therefore, HA-based hydrogel systems hold great potential for minimizing undesired scarring as part of future repair strategies after SCI.

Insight into litter decomposition driven by nutrient demands of symbiosis system through the hypha bridge of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

PubMed

Kong, Xiangshi; Jia, Yanyan; Song, Fuqiang; Tian, Kai; Lin, Hong; Bei, Zhanlin; Jia, Xiuqin; Yao, Bei; Guo, Peng; Tian, Xingjun

2018-02-01

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an important role in litter decomposition. This study investigated how soil nutrient level affected the process. Results showed that AMF colonization had no significant effect on litter decomposition under normal soil nutrient conditions. However, litter decomposition was accelerated significantly under lower nutrient conditions. Soil microbial biomass in decomposition system was significantly increased. Especially, in moderate lower nutrient treatment (condition of half-normal soil nutrient), litters exhibited the highest decomposition rate, AMF hypha revealed the greatest density, and enzymes (especially nitrate reductase) showed the highest activities as well. Meanwhile, the immobilization of nitrogen (N) in the decomposing litter remarkably decreased. Our results suggested that the roles AMF played in ecosystem were largely affected by soil nutrient levels. At normal soil nutrient level, AMF exhibited limited effects in promoting decomposition. When soil nutrient level decreased, the promoting effect of AMF on litter decomposition began to appear, especially on N mobilization. However, under extremely low nutrient conditions, AMF showed less influence on decomposition and may even compete with decomposer microorganisms for nutrients.

Hepatectomy-Related Hypophosphatemia: A Novel Phosphaturic Factor in the Liver-Kidney Axis

PubMed Central

Nomura, Kengo; Miyagawa, Atsumi; Shiozaki, Yuji; Sasaki, Shohei; Kaneko, Ichiro; Ito, Mikiko; Kido, Shinsuke; Segawa, Hiroko; Sano, Mitsue; Fukuwatari, Tsutomu; Shibata, Katsumi

2014-01-01

Marked hypophosphatemia is common after major hepatic resection, but the pathophysiologic mechanism remains unknown. We used a partial hepatectomy (PH) rat model to investigate the molecular basis of hypophosphatemia. PH rats exhibited hypophosphatemia and hyperphosphaturia. In renal and intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles isolated from PH rats, Na+-dependent phosphate (Pi) uptake decreased by 50%–60%. PH rats also exhibited significantly decreased levels of renal and intestinal Na+-dependent Pi transporter proteins (NaPi-IIa [NaPi-4], NaPi-IIb, and NaPi-IIc). Parathyroid hormone was elevated at 6 hours after PH. Hyperphosphaturia persisted, however, even after thyroparathyroidectomy in PH rats. Moreover, DNA microarray data revealed elevated levels of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) mRNA in the kidney after PH, and Nampt protein levels and total NAD concentration increased significantly in the proximal tubules. PH rats also exhibited markedly increased levels of the Nampt substrate, urinary nicotinamide (NAM), and NAM catabolites. In vitro analyses using opossum kidney cells revealed that NAM alone did not affect endogenous NaPi-4 levels. However, in cells overexpressing Nampt, the addition of NAM led to a marked decrease in cell surface expression of NaPi-4 that was blocked by treatment with FK866, a specific Nampt inhibitor. Furthermore, FK866-treated mice showed elevated renal Pi reabsorption and hypophosphaturia. These findings indicate that hepatectomy-induced hypophosphatemia is due to abnormal NAM metabolism, including Nampt activation in renal proximal tubular cells. PMID:24262791

Decreased anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and hyperactivity in a type 3 deiodinase-deficient mouse showing brain thyrotoxicosis and peripheral hypothyroidism.

PubMed

Stohn, J Patrizia; Martinez, M Elena; Hernandez, Arturo

2016-12-01

Hypo- and hyperthyroid states, as well as functional abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis have been associated with psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression. However, the nature of this relationship is poorly understood since it is difficult to ascertain the thyroid status of the brain in humans. Data from animal models indicate that the brain exhibits efficient homeostatic mechanisms that maintain local levels of the active thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3) within a narrow range. To better understand the consequences of peripheral and central thyroid status for mood-related behaviors, we used a mouse model of type 3 deiodinase (DIO3) deficiency (Dio3 -/- mouse). This enzyme inactivates thyroid hormone and is highly expressed in the adult central nervous system. Adult Dio3 -/- mice exhibit elevated levels of T3-dependent gene expression in the brain, despite peripheral hypothyroidism as indicated by low circulating levels of thyroxine and T3. Dio3 -/- mice of both sexes exhibit hyperactivity and significantly decreased anxiety-like behavior, as measured by longer time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and in the light area of the light/dark box. During the tail suspension, they stayed immobile for a significantly shorter time than their wild-type littermates, suggesting decreased depression-like behavior. These results indicate that increased thyroid hormone in the brain, not necessarily in peripheral tissues, correlates with hyperactivity and with decreases in anxiety and depression-like behaviors. Our results also underscore the importance of DIO3 as a determinant of behavior by locally regulating the brain levels of thyroid hormone. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Decreased Anxiety- and Depression-like Behaviors and Hyperactivity in a Type 3 Deiodinase-Deficient Mouse Showing Brain Thyrotoxicosis and Peripheral Hypothyroidism

PubMed Central

Stohn, J. Patrizia; Martinez, M. Elena; Hernandez, Arturo

2016-01-01

Hypo- and hyperthyroid states, as well as functional abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis have been associated with psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression. However, the nature of this relationship is poorly understood since it is difficult to ascertain the thyroid status of the brain in humans. Data from animal models indicate that the brain exhibits efficient homeostatic mechanisms that maintain local levels of the active thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3) within a narrow range. To better understand the consequences of peripheral and central thyroid status for mood-related behaviors, we used a mouse model of type 3 deiodinase (DIO3) deficiency (Dio3 −/− mouse). This enzyme inactivates thyroid hormone and is highly expressed in the adult central nervous system. Adult Dio3 −/− mice exhibit elevated levels of T3-dependent gene expression in the brain, despite peripheral hypothyroidism as indicated by low circulating levels of thyroxine and T3. Dio3 −/− mice of both sexes exhibit hyperactivity and significantly decreased anxiety-like behavior, as measured by longer time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and in the light area of the light/dark box. During the tail suspension, they stayed immobile for a significantly shorter time than their wild-type littermates, suggesting decreased depression-like behavior. These results indicate that increased thyroid hormone in the brain, not necessarily in peripheral tissues, correlates with hyperactivity and with decreases in anxiety and depression-like behaviors. Our results also underscore the importance of DIO3 as a determinant of behavior by locally regulating the brain levels of thyroid hormone. PMID:27580013

Exposure of Pregnant Mice to Perfluorobutanesulfonate Causes Hypothyroxinemia and Developmental Abnormalities in Female Offspring.

PubMed

Feng, Xuejiao; Cao, Xinyuan; Zhao, Shasha; Wang, Xiaoli; Hua, Xu; Chen, Lin; Chen, Ling

2017-02-01

Perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS) is widely used in many industrial products. We evaluated the influence of prenatal PFBS exposure on perinatal growth and development, pubertal onset, and reproductive and thyroid endocrine system in female mice. Here, we show that when PFBS (200 and 500 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to pregnant mice (PFBS-dams) on days 1-20 of gestation; their female offspring (PFBS-offspring) exhibited decreased perinatal body weight and delayed eye opening compared with control offspring. Vaginal opening and first estrus were also significantly delayed in PFBS-offspring, and diestrus was prolonged. Ovarian and uterine size, as well as follicle and corpus luteum numbers, were reduced in adult PFBS-offspring. Furthermore, pubertal and adult PFBS-offspring exhibited decreases in serum estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels with the elevation of luteinizing hormone levels. Notably, decreases in serum total thyroxine (T4) and 3,3', 5-triiodothyronine (T3) levels were observed in fetal, pubertal, and adult PFBS-offspring in conjunction with slight increases in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone levels. In addition, PFBS-dams exhibited significant decreases in total T4 and T3 levels and free T4 levels and increases in TSH levels, but no changes in E2 and P4 levels. These results indicate that prenatal PFBS exposure (≥200 mg/kg/day) causes permanent hypothyroxinemia accompanied by deficits in perinatal growth, pubertal onset, and reproductive organ development in female mice. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Toxicology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

FABP4 regulates eosinophil recruitment and activation in allergic airway inflammation.

PubMed

Ge, Xiao Na; Bastan, Idil; Dileepan, Mythili; Greenberg, Yana; Ha, Sung Gil; Steen, Kaylee A; Bernlohr, David A; Rao, Savita P; Sriramarao, P

2018-04-26

Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), a member of a family of lipid-binding proteins, is known to play a role in inflammation by virtue of its ability to regulate intracellular events such as lipid fluxes and signaling. Studies have indicated a pro-inflammatory role for FABP4 in allergic asthma, although its expression and function in eosinophils, the predominant inflammatory cells recruited to allergic airways, was not investigated. We examined expression of FABP4 in murine eosinophils and its role in regulating cell recruitment in vitro as well as in cockroach antigen (CRA)-induced allergic airway inflammation. CRA exposure led to airway recruitment of FABP4-expressing inflammatory cells, specifically eosinophils, in wild type (WT) mice. FABP4 expression in eosinophils was induced by TNF-α as well as IL-4 and IL-13. FABP4-deficient eosinophils exhibited markedly decreased cell spreading/formation of leading edges on vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and significantly decreased adhesion to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 associated with reduced β2 integrin expression relative to WT cells. Further, FABP4-deficient eosinophils exhibited decreased migration, F-actin polymerization, calcium flux and ERK (1/2) phosphorylation in response to eotaxin-1. In vivo, CRA-challenged FABP4-deficient mice exhibited attenuated eosinophilia and significantly reduced airway inflammation (improved airway reactivity, lower IL-5, IL-13, TNFα and LTC4 levels, decreased airway structural changes) compared to WT mice. In conclusion, expression of FABP4 in eosinophils is induced during conditions of inflammation and plays a pro-inflammatory role in the development of allergic asthma by promoting eosinophil adhesion and migration and contributing to the development of various aspects of airway inflammation.

The effects of automated scatter feeders on captive grizzly bear activity budgets.

PubMed

Andrews, Nathan L P; Ha, James C

2014-01-01

Although captive bears are popular zoo attractions, they are known to exhibit high levels of repetitive behaviors (RBs). These behaviors have also made them particularly popular subjects for welfare research. To date, most research on ursid welfare has focused on various feeding methods that seek to increase time spent searching for, extracting, or consuming food. Prior research indicates an average of a 50% reduction in RBs when attempts are successful and, roughly, a 50% success rate across studies. This research focused on decreasing time spent in an RB while increasing the time spent active by increasing time spent searching for, extracting, and consuming food. The utility of timed, automated scatter feeders was examined for use with captive grizzly bears (Ursis arctos horribilis). Findings include a significant decrease in time spent in RB and a significant increase in time spent active while the feeders were in use. Further, the bears exhibited a wider range of behaviors and a greater use of their enclosure.

Effect of experimental glaucoma on the non-image forming visual system.

PubMed

de Zavalía, Nuria; Plano, Santiago A; Fernandez, Diego C; Lanzani, María Florencia; Salido, Ezequiel; Belforte, Nicolás; Sarmiento, María I Keller; Golombek, Diego A; Rosenstein, Ruth E

2011-06-01

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, characterized by retinal ganglion cell degeneration and damage to the optic nerve. We investigated the non-image forming visual system in an experimental model of glaucoma in rats induced by weekly injections of chondroitin sulphate (CS) in the eye anterior chamber. Animals were unilaterally or bilaterally injected with CS or vehicle for 6 or 10 weeks. In the retinas from eyes injected with CS, a similar decrease in melanopsin and Thy-1 levels was observed. CS injections induced a similar decrease in the number of melanopsin-containing cells and superior collicular retinal ganglion cells. Experimental glaucoma induced a significant decrease in the afferent pupil light reflex. White light significantly decreased nocturnal pineal melatonin content in control and glaucomatous animals, whereas blue light decreased this parameter in vehicle- but not in CS-injected animals. A significant decrease in light-induced c-Fos expression in the suprachiasmatic nuclei was observed in glaucomatous animals. General rhythmicity and gross entrainment appear to be conserved, but glaucomatous animals exhibited a delayed phase angle with respect to lights off and a significant increase in the percentage of diurnal activity. These results indicate the glaucoma induced significant alterations in the non-image forming visual system. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of Neurochemistry © 2011 International Society for Neurochemistry.

Decreased medial prefrontal cortex activation during self-referential processing in bipolar mania.

PubMed

Herold, Dorrit; Usnich, Tatiana; Spengler, Stephanie; Sajonz, Bastian; Bauer, Michael; Bermpohl, Felix

2017-09-01

Patients with bipolar disorder in mania exhibit symptoms pointing towards altered self-referential processing, such as decreased self-focus, flight of ideas and high distractibility. In depression, the opposite pattern of symptoms has been connected to increased activation of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during self-referential processing. In this study, we hypothesized that (1) patients with mania will exhibit decreased activation in the mPFC during self-referential processing and (2) will be more alexithymic and that levels of alexithymia will correlate negatively with mPFC activation. The neural response to standardized pictures was compared in 14 patients with bipolar I disorder in mania to 14 healthy controls using blood oxygen level dependent contrast magnetic resonance imaging. Participants were asked to indicate with button press during the scanning session for each picture whether the pictures personally related to them or not. Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS) scores were recorded from all participants. In the group analysis, patients with mania exhibited decreased activation in a predefined region of interest in the mPFC during self-referential processing compared to healthy controls. Patients with mania showed significantly higher levels of alexithymia, attributable to difficulties in identifying and describing emotions. Activation in the mPFC correlated negatively with levels of alexithymia. Results presented here should be replicated in a larger group, potentially including unmedicated patients. The finding of decreased mPFC activation during self-referential processing in mania may reflect decreased self-focus and high distractibility. Support for this view comes from the negative correlation between higher alexithymia scores and decreased mPFC activation. These findings represent an opposite clinical and neuroimaging pattern to findings in depression. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Green Tea in Prevention and Therapy of Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-09-01

that polyphenols present in green tea especially its major constituent (-) epigallocatechin - 3- gallate ( EGCG ) possesses both cancer preventive and...androgen-sensitive 22Rv1 and androgen-insensitive PC-3 CaP cells. We found that intraperitoneal administration of EGCG resulted in significant inhibition...in tumor growth and serum PSA levels. Importantly, mice treated with EGCG exhibited a marked decrease in tumor proliferation along with significant

Original Research: Potential of urinary nephrin as a biomarker reflecting podocyte dysfunction in various kidney disease models

PubMed Central

Wada, Yusuke; Moritani, Hiroshi; Mitori, Hikaru; Kondo, Mitsuhiro; Tanaka-Amino, Keiko; Eguchi, Megumi; Imasato, Akira; Inoki, Yutaka; Kajiyama, Hiroshi; Mimura, Toshihide; Tomura, Yuichi

2016-01-01

Urinary nephrin is a potential non-invasive biomarker of disease. To date, however, most studies of urinary nephrin have been conducted in animal models of diabetic nephropathy, and correlations between urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio and other parameters have yet to be evaluated in animal models or patients of kidney disease with podocyte dysfunction. We hypothesized that urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio can be up-regulated and is negatively correlated with renal nephrin mRNA levels in animal models of kidney disease, and that increased urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio levels are attenuated following administration of glucocorticoids. In the present study, renal nephrin mRNA, urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio, urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio, and creatinine clearance ratio were measured in animal models of adriamycin nephropathy, puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy, anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis, and 5/6 nephrectomy. The effects of prednisolone on urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio and other parameters in puromycin aminonucleoside (single injection) nephropathy rats were also investigated. In all models tested, urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio increased, while renal nephrin mRNA and creatinine clearance ratio decreased. Urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio exhibited a significant negative correlation with renal nephrin mRNA in almost all models, as well as a significant positive correlation with urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio and a significant negative correlation with creatinine clearance ratio. Urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio exhibited a significant negative correlation with renal nephrin mRNA. Following the administration of prednisolone to puromycin aminonucleoside (single injection) nephropathy rats, urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio was significantly suppressed and exhibited a significant positive correlation with urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio. In addition, the decrease in number of glomerular Wilms tumor antigen-1-positive cells was attenuated, and urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio exhibited a significant negative correlation in these cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio level is a useful and reliable biomarker for predicting the amelioration of podocyte dysfunction by candidate drugs in various kidney disease models with podocyte dysfunction. This suggestion will also be validated in a clinical setting in future studies. PMID:27216597

Hematologic responses to hypobaric hyperoxia.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Larkin, E. C.; Adams, J. D.; Williams, W. T.; Duncan, D. M.

1972-01-01

Study of the effects of hypoxia, activity, and G forces on human hematopoiesis in an attempt to elucidate these phenomena more precisely. Eight subjects were exposed to an atmosphere of 100% O2 at 258 mm Hg for 30 days, and thereafter immediately exposed to transverse G forces, simulating the Gemini flights' reentry profile. All subjects displayed a significant continuous decline in red cell mass during the exposure period, as measured by the carbon monoxide-dilution method. The Cr51 method also indicated a decline in red blood corpuscle mass. The decrease in red cell mass was due to suppression of erythropoiesis and to hemolysis. After exposure to hyperoxia, all subjects exhibited elevated plasma hemoglobin levels, decreased reticulocyte counts, and decreased red cell survivals. CO production rates and urine erythropoietin levels were unchanged. Two hours after termination of exposure to hyperoxia, all subjects exhibited increased reticulocyte counts which were sustained for longer than two weeks. The progressive decrease in red cell mass was promptly arrested on return to ground level atmospheres. Within 116 days after exposure to hyperoxia, the hematologic parameters of all eight subjects had returned to control levels.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Izquierdo-Vega, Jeannett A.; FES-Cuautitlan. UNAM. Cuautitlan Izcalli, Estado de Mexico; Sanchez-Gutierrez, Manuel

Fluorosis, caused by drinking water contamination with inorganic fluoride, is a public health problem in many areas around the world. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of environmentally relevant doses of fluoride on in vitro fertilization (IVF) capacity of spermatozoa, and its relationship to spermatozoa mitochondrial transmembrane potential ({delta}{psi}{sub m}). Male Wistar rats were administered at 5 mg fluoride/kg body mass/24 h, or deionized water orally for 8 weeks. We evaluated several spermatozoa parameters in treated and untreated rats: i) standard quality analysis, ii) superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, iii) the generation of superoxide anion (O{sub 2}{supmore » {center_dot}}{sup -}), iv) lipid peroxidation concentration, v) ultrastructural analyses of spermatozoa using transmission electron microscopy, vi) {delta}{psi}{sub m}, vii) acrosome reaction, and viii) IVF capability. Spermatozoa from fluoride-treated rats exhibited a significant decrease in SOD activity ({approx} 33%), accompanied with a significant increase in the generation of O{sub 2}{sup {center_dot}} ({approx} 40%), a significant decrease in {delta}{psi}{sub m} ({approx} 33%), and a significant increase in lipid peroxidation concentration ({approx} 50%), relative to spermatozoa from the control group. Consistent with this finding, spermatozoa from fluoride-treated rats exhibited altered plasmatic membrane. In addition, the percentage of fluoride-treated spermatozoa capable of undergoing the acrosome reaction was decreased relative to control spermatozoa (34 vs. 55%), while the percentage fluoride-treated spermatozoa capable of oocyte fertilization was also significantly lower than the control group (13 vs. 71%). These observations suggest that subchronic exposure to fluoride causes oxidative stress damage and loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, resulting in reduced fertility.« less

Effects of a supportive educational nursing care programme on fatigue and quality of life in patients with heart failure: a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Wang, Tzu-Chieh; Huang, Jin-Long; Ho, Wen-Chao; Chiou, Ai-Fu

2016-04-01

Fatigue is a common symptom in patients with heart failure that is easy to ignore. In addition, fatigue may affect patients' physical function and psychosocial conditions that can impair their quality of life. An effective nursing care programme is required to alleviate patients' fatigue and improve their quality of life. To investigate the effects of a supportive educational nursing care programme on fatigue and quality of life in patients with heart failure. A randomised controlled trial design was used. Ninety-two patients with heart failure were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=47) or a control group (n=45). The patients in the intervention group participated in 12 weeks of a supportive educational nursing care programme including fatigue assessment, education, coaching self-care and evaluation. The intervention was conducted by a cardiac nurse during four face-to-face interviews and three follow-up telephone interviews. Fatigue and quality of life were assessed at the baseline and 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after enrollment in both groups. The participants in the intervention group exhibited a significant decrease in the level of fatigue after 12 weeks, whereas those in the control group exhibited no significant changes. Compared with the control group, the intervention group exhibited a significantly greater decrease in the level of fatigue and significantly greater improvement in quality of life after 12 weeks of intervention. The supportive educational nursing care programme was recommended to alleviate fatigue and improve quality of life in patients with heart failure. © The European Society of Cardiology 2015.

Flavonol-rich dark cocoa significantly decreases plasma endothelin-1 and improves cognition in urban children.

PubMed

Calderón-Garcidueñas, Lilian; Mora-Tiscareño, Antonieta; Franco-Lira, Maricela; Cross, Janet V; Engle, Randall; Aragón-Flores, Mariana; Gómez-Garza, Gilberto; Jewells, Valerie; Medina-Cortina, Humberto; Solorio, Edelmira; Chao, Chih-Kai; Zhu, Hongtu; Mukherjee, Partha S; Ferreira-Azevedo, Lara; Torres-Jardón, Ricardo; D'Angiulli, Amedeo

2013-01-01

Air pollution exposures are linked to systemic inflammation, cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality, neuroinflammation and neuropathology in young urbanites. In particular, most Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) children exhibit subtle cognitive deficits, and neuropathology studies show 40% of them exhibiting frontal tau hyperphosphorylation and 51% amyloid-β diffuse plaques (compared to 0% in low pollution control children). We assessed whether a short cocoa intervention can be effective in decreasing plasma endothelin 1 (ET-1) and/or inflammatory mediators in MCMA children. Thirty gram of dark cocoa with 680 mg of total flavonols were given daily for 10.11 ± 3.4 days (range 9-24 days) to 18 children (10.55 years, SD = 1.45; 11F/7M). Key metabolite ratios in frontal white matter and in hippocampus pre and during cocoa intervention were quantified by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. ET-1 significantly decreased after cocoa treatment (p = 0.0002). Fifteen children (83%) showed a marginally significant individual improvement in one or both of the applied simple short memory tasks. Endothelial dysfunction is a key feature of exposure to particulate matter (PM) and decreased endothelin-1 bioavailability is likely useful for brain function in the context of air pollution. Our findings suggest that cocoa interventions may be critical for early implementation of neuroprotection of highly exposed urban children. Multi-domain nutraceutical interventions could limit the risk for endothelial dysfunction, cerebral hypoperfusion, neuroinflammation, cognitive deficits, structural volumetric detrimental brain effects, and the early development of the neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Flavonol-rich dark cocoa significantly decreases plasma endothelin-1 and improves cognition in urban children

PubMed Central

Calderón-Garcidueñas, Lilian; Mora-Tiscareño, Antonieta; Franco-Lira, Maricela; Cross, Janet V.; Engle, Randall; Aragón-Flores, Mariana; Gómez-Garza, Gilberto; Jewells, Valerie; Weili, Lin; Medina-Cortina, Humberto; Solorio, Edelmira; Chao, Chih-kai; Zhu, Hongtu; Mukherjee, Partha S.; Ferreira-Azevedo, Lara; Torres-Jardón, Ricardo; D'Angiulli, Amedeo

2013-01-01

Air pollution exposures are linked to systemic inflammation, cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality, neuroinflammation and neuropathology in young urbanites. In particular, most Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) children exhibit subtle cognitive deficits, and neuropathology studies show 40% of them exhibiting frontal tau hyperphosphorylation and 51% amyloid-β diffuse plaques (compared to 0% in low pollution control children). We assessed whether a short cocoa intervention can be effective in decreasing plasma endothelin 1 (ET-1) and/or inflammatory mediators in MCMA children. Thirty gram of dark cocoa with 680 mg of total flavonols were given daily for 10.11 ± 3.4 days (range 9–24 days) to 18 children (10.55 years, SD = 1.45; 11F/7M). Key metabolite ratios in frontal white matter and in hippocampus pre and during cocoa intervention were quantified by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. ET-1 significantly decreased after cocoa treatment (p = 0.0002). Fifteen children (83%) showed a marginally significant individual improvement in one or both of the applied simple short memory tasks. Endothelial dysfunction is a key feature of exposure to particulate matter (PM) and decreased endothelin-1 bioavailability is likely useful for brain function in the context of air pollution. Our findings suggest that cocoa interventions may be critical for early implementation of neuroprotection of highly exposed urban children. Multi-domain nutraceutical interventions could limit the risk for endothelial dysfunction, cerebral hypoperfusion, neuroinflammation, cognitive deficits, structural volumetric detrimental brain effects, and the early development of the neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. PMID:23986703

Decreasing Child Defiance: Is Inquiry Indispensable?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keat, Jane Blakely

2008-01-01

Teachers report that teaching young children who exhibit defiant and challenging behavior is the most difficult component of their work. This article explores four decades of textbook and research literature recommendations and 4 years of teacher reflections. Common themes of control, power, and anger were identified. A significant finding was…

Effect of peppermint and citronella essential oils on properties of fish skin gelatin edible films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yanwong, S.; Threepopnatkul, P.

2015-07-01

Fish skin gelatin films incorporated with peppermint and citronella essential oils at difference concentrations (10, 20 and 30% w/w) were prepared by solution casting. Addition of peppermint oil contributed to a significant decrease of tensile strength and Young's modulus, while the percent elongation at break showed an obvious increase except at 30% w/w. On the other hand, addition of citronella oils promoted a great increase of tensile strength and young's modulus, but an intense decrease of the percent elongation at break. At the predetermined content, the film incorporated with citronella oils outperformed the one with peppermint oils in term of water vapor transmission and solubility in water. Thermal properties of gelatin films with citronella oils exhibited an enhancement in heat stability, while the one with peppermint oils showed slight decrease in heat stability. The additions with both of essential oils exhibited excellent antibacterial properties against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides that have encountered low salinity stress have decreased cellular and humoral immune reactions and increased susceptibility to Vibrio alginolyticus.

PubMed

Chen, Yu-Yuan; Cheng, Ann-Chang; Cheng, Shao-An; Chen, Jiann-Chu

2018-06-18

Orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides reared at 34‰ and 27 °C were abruptly transferred to 6‰, 20‰ and 34‰ (control) and examined for innate cellular and humoral parameters after 3-96 h. Total leucocyte count (TLC), respiratory burst (RB), phagocytic activity (PA), alternative complement pathway (ACP) and lysozyme activity were significantly decreased 3-6 h, 3-6 h, 3-96 h, 3-96 h and 3-96 h, respectively after transferal into 6‰ salinity. TLC, RB and PA significantly increased after 3-48 h, 3-96 h and 3-24 h, respectively, with recovery of TLC and PA after 96 h and 48-96 h, whereas ACP and lysozyme activity significantly decreased 3-96 h after being transferred to 20‰. In another experiment, grouper reared at 34‰ and 27 °C were injected with Vibrio alginolyticus grown in tryptic soy broth (TSB) at 2.3 × 10 9  colony-forming units (cfu) fish -1 and then transferred to 6‰, 20‰ and 34‰ (control). The cumulative mortalities of V. alginolyticus-injected fish held in 6‰ were significantly higher than in injected fish held at 20‰ and 34‰. It was concluded that grouper E. coioides encountering a 34‰-6‰ salinity drop stress exhibited a depression in immunity as evidenced by decreased cellular and humoral parameters and increased susceptibility to V. alginolyticus. Grouper encountering a salinity stress drop from 34‰ to 20‰, however, exhibited decreased humoral immune parameters but also increased TLC and cellular immune parameters, indicating immunomodulation. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neural Responses to Central and Peripheral Objects in the Lateral Occipital Cortex

PubMed Central

Wang, Bin; Guo, Jiayue; Yan, Tianyi; Ohno, Seiichiro; Kanazawa, Susumu; Huang, Qiang; Wu, Jinglong

2016-01-01

Human object recognition and classification depend on the retinal location where the object is presented and decrease as eccentricity increases. The lateral occipital complex (LOC) is thought to be preferentially involved in the processing of objects, and its neural responses exhibit category biases to objects presented in the central visual field. However, the nature of LOC neural responses to central and peripheral objects remains largely unclear. In the present study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a wide-view presentation system to investigate neural responses to four categories of objects (faces, houses, animals, and cars) in the primary visual cortex (V1) and the lateral visual cortex, including the LOC and the retinotopic areas LO-1 and LO-2. In these regions, the neural responses to objects decreased as the distance between the location of presentation and center fixation increased, which is consistent with the diminished perceptual ability that was found for peripherally presented images. The LOC and LO-2 exhibited significantly positive neural responses to all eccentricities (0–55°), but LO-1 exhibited significantly positive responses only to central eccentricities (0–22°). By measuring the ratio relative to V1 (RRV1), we further demonstrated that eccentricity, category and the interaction between them significantly affected neural processing in these regions. LOC, LO-1, and LO-2 exhibited larger RRV1s when stimuli were presented at an eccentricity of 0° compared to when they were presented at the greater eccentricities. In LOC and LO-2, the RRV1s for images of faces, animals and cars showed an increasing trend when the images were presented at eccentricities of 11 to 33°. However, the RRV1s for houses showed a decreasing trend in LO-1 and no difference in the LOC and LO-2. We hypothesize, that when houses and the images in the other categories were presented in the peripheral visual field, they were processed via different strategies in the lateral visual cortex. PMID:26924972

Sleep patterns and impulse control among Japanese junior high school students.

PubMed

Abe, Takeru; Hagihara, Akihito; Nobutomo, Koichi

2010-10-01

Adolescents with decreased impulse control exhibit behavioral problems. Lifestyles are related to impulse control. However, the relations of sleep patterns and impulse control among adolescents are unknown. Thus we examined how sleep patterns were associated with impulse control among Japanese junior high school students. Surveys were completed by a nationwide sample of 1934 students. A significant association between decreased impulse control and bedtimes after midnight was revealed. Specific lifestyle factors related to bedtimes after midnight were older age, greater numbers of hours spent watching television, lack of participation in an extracurricular activity, greater use of convenience stores, and increased attendance at cram schools. This study revealed that going to sleep after midnight was significantly related to decreased impulse control among adolescents. Data about specific lifestyle factors related to going to sleep after midnight should be useful in preventing those behaviors demonstrated by school children that derive from decreased impulse control.

Morphological and biochemical examination of Cosmos 1887 rat heart tissue. Part 1: Ultrastructure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Philpott, D. E.; Popova, I. A.; Kato, K.; Stevenson, J.; Miquel, J.; Sapp, W.

1990-01-01

Morphological changes were observed in the left ventricle of rat heart tissue from animals flown on the Cosmos 1887 biosatellite for 12.5 days. These tissues were compared to the synchronous and vivarium control hearts. While many normal myofibrils were observed, others exhibited ultrastructural alterations, i.e., damaged and irregular-shaped mitochondria and generalized myofibrillar edema. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the volume density data revealed a statistically significant increase in glycogen and a significant decrease in mitochondria compared to the synchronous and vivarium controls. Point counting indicated an increase in lipid and myeloid bodies and a decrease in microtubules, but these changes were not statistically significant. In addition, the flight animals exhibited some patchy loss of protofibrils (actin and myosin filaments) and some abnormal supercontracted myofibrils that were not seen in the controls. This study was undertaken to gain insight into the mechanistic aspects of cardiac changes in both animals and human beings as a consequence of space travel. Cardiac hypotrophy and fluid shifts have been observed after actual or simulated weightlessness and raise concerns about the functioning of the heart and circulatory system during and after travel in space.

Decreased Complexity in Alzheimer's Disease: Resting-State fMRI Evidence of Brain Entropy Mapping.

PubMed

Wang, Bin; Niu, Yan; Miao, Liwen; Cao, Rui; Yan, Pengfei; Guo, Hao; Li, Dandan; Guo, Yuxiang; Yan, Tianyi; Wu, Jinglong; Xiang, Jie; Zhang, Hui

2017-01-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a frequently observed, irreversible brain function disorder among elderly individuals. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has been introduced as an alternative approach to assessing brain functional abnormalities in AD patients. However, alterations in the brain rs-fMRI signal complexities in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD patients remain unclear. Here, we described the novel application of permutation entropy (PE) to investigate the abnormal complexity of rs-fMRI signals in MCI and AD patients. The rs-fMRI signals of 30 normal controls (NCs), 33 early MCI (EMCI), 32 late MCI (LMCI), and 29 AD patients were obtained from the Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. After preprocessing, whole-brain entropy maps of the four groups were extracted and subjected to Gaussian smoothing. We performed a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) on the brain entropy maps of the four groups. The results after adjusting for age and sex differences together revealed that the patients with AD exhibited lower complexity than did the MCI and NC controls. We found five clusters that exhibited significant differences and were distributed primarily in the occipital, frontal, and temporal lobes. The average PE of the five clusters exhibited a decreasing trend from MCI to AD. The AD group exhibited the least complexity. Additionally, the average PE of the five clusters was significantly positively correlated with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and significantly negatively correlated with Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ) scores and global Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores in the patient groups. Significant correlations were also found between the PE and regional homogeneity (ReHo) in the patient groups. These results indicated that declines in PE might be related to changes in regional functional homogeneity in AD. These findings suggested that complexity analyses using PE in rs-fMRI signals can provide important information about the fMRI characteristics of cognitive impairments in MCI and AD.

Decreased Complexity in Alzheimer's Disease: Resting-State fMRI Evidence of Brain Entropy Mapping

PubMed Central

Wang, Bin; Niu, Yan; Miao, Liwen; Cao, Rui; Yan, Pengfei; Guo, Hao; Li, Dandan; Guo, Yuxiang; Yan, Tianyi; Wu, Jinglong; Xiang, Jie; Zhang, Hui

2017-01-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a frequently observed, irreversible brain function disorder among elderly individuals. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has been introduced as an alternative approach to assessing brain functional abnormalities in AD patients. However, alterations in the brain rs-fMRI signal complexities in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD patients remain unclear. Here, we described the novel application of permutation entropy (PE) to investigate the abnormal complexity of rs-fMRI signals in MCI and AD patients. The rs-fMRI signals of 30 normal controls (NCs), 33 early MCI (EMCI), 32 late MCI (LMCI), and 29 AD patients were obtained from the Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. After preprocessing, whole-brain entropy maps of the four groups were extracted and subjected to Gaussian smoothing. We performed a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) on the brain entropy maps of the four groups. The results after adjusting for age and sex differences together revealed that the patients with AD exhibited lower complexity than did the MCI and NC controls. We found five clusters that exhibited significant differences and were distributed primarily in the occipital, frontal, and temporal lobes. The average PE of the five clusters exhibited a decreasing trend from MCI to AD. The AD group exhibited the least complexity. Additionally, the average PE of the five clusters was significantly positively correlated with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and significantly negatively correlated with Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ) scores and global Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores in the patient groups. Significant correlations were also found between the PE and regional homogeneity (ReHo) in the patient groups. These results indicated that declines in PE might be related to changes in regional functional homogeneity in AD. These findings suggested that complexity analyses using PE in rs-fMRI signals can provide important information about the fMRI characteristics of cognitive impairments in MCI and AD. PMID:29209199

Autonomic Responses to Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Needle Electrolysis: Effect of Needle Puncture or Electrical Current?

PubMed

García Bermejo, Paula; De La Cruz Torres, Blanca; Naranjo Orellana, José; Albornoz Cabello, Manuel

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to establish if the changes in sympathetic and parasympathetic activity (analyzed through heart-rate variability [HRV]) during ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) is due to the effect of needle puncture only or of the PNE technique per se where the puncture and galvanic current are combined. This was an experimental, case-control study that took place at the University of Seville. Subjects were 36 male footballers who were randomly allocated to three groups: a control group (CG; 12 players), for whom HRV was recorded for 10 min, both at rest and during an exhaustive US examination of the patellar tendon and adjacent structures; a first experimental group (PNE group; 12 players), for whom HRV was recorded for 10 min, both at rest and during application of US-guided PNE in the patellar tendon; and a second experimental group (needle group; 12 players), for whom HRV was recorded for 10 min, both at rest and during application of US-guided PNE without electrical current in the patellar tendon. The outcome measures were the diameters of the Poincaré plot (SD1, SD2), stress score, and sympathetic/parasympathetic ratio. There were no differences between groups in any baseline measurements, nor were there any significant differences between CG measurements (baseline vs. intervention). The PNE group exhibited statistically significant increases in SD1 (p = 0.01) and SD2 (p = 0.004) and statistically significant decreases in SS and S/PS ratio (p = 0.03), indicating increased parasympathetic and decreased sympathetic activity, respectively. The needle group exhibited statistically significant increases in SD2 (p = 0.02) and statistically significant decreases in SS (p = 0.02), indicating decreased sympathetic activity. The application of the US-guided PNE technique caused a measurable increase in parasympathetic activity (detected by HRV), which was due to the combination of needle puncture and electric current.

Marsh dieback, loss, and recovery mapped with satellite optical, airborne polarimetric radar, and field data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ramsey, Elijah W.; Rangoonwala, Amina; Chi, Zhaohui; Jones, Cathleen E.; Bannister, Terri

2014-01-01

Landsat Thematic Mapper and Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre (SPOT) satellite based optical sensors, NASA Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle synthetic aperture radar (UAVSAR) polarimetric SAR (PolSAR), and field data captured the occurrence and the recovery of an undetected dieback that occurred between the summers of 2010, 2011, and 2012 in the Spartina alterniflora marshes of coastal Louisiana. Field measurements recorded the dramatic biomass decrease from 2010 to 2011 and a biomass recovery in 2012 dominated by a decrease of live biomass, and the loss of marsh as part of the dieback event. Based on an established relationship, the near-infrared/red vegetation index (VI) and site-specific measurements delineated a contiguous expanse of marsh dieback encompassing 6649.9 ha of 18,292.3 ha of S. alterniflora marshes within the study region. PolSAR data were transformed to variables used in biophysical mapping, and of this variable suite, the cross-polarization HV (horizontal send and vertical receive) backscatter was the best single indicator of marsh dieback and recovery. HV backscatter exhibited substantial and significant changes over the dieback and recovery period, tracked measured biomass changes, and significantly correlated with the live/dead biomass ratio. Within the context of regional trends, both HV and VI indicators started higher in pre-dieback marshes and exhibited substantially and statistically higher variability from year to year than that exhibited in the non-dieback marshes. That distinct difference allowed the capturing of the S. alterniflora marsh dieback and recovery; however, these changes were incorporated in a regional trend exhibiting similar but more subtle biomass composition changes.

Chemotherapy ± cetuximab modulates peripheral immune responses in metastatic colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Xynos, Ioannis D; Karadima, Maria L; Voutsas, Ioannis F; Amptoulach, Sousana; Skopelitis, Elias; Kosmas, Christos; Gritzapis, Angelos D; Tsavaris, Nikolas

2013-01-01

To identify changes in peripheral immune responses in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with irinotecan/5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (IFL) alone or in combination with cetuximab (C-IFL). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from healthy donors (n = 20) and patients with mCRC receiving treatment with either IFL (n = 30) or C-IFL (n = 30) were tested for cytokine production upon polyclonal stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, T cell proliferation in the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (auto-MLR) and T regulatory cell (Treg) frequency. The respective results were evaluated over two treatment cycles and further assessed in relation to response to treatment. PBMCs prior to treatment exhibited significantly lower production of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-18 cytokines and lower auto-MLR responses, whereas Treg frequency, IL-4, IL-10 cytokines were increased compared to healthy donors. During treatment, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-18 and auto-MLR responses increased, while Treg frequency and IL-10 secretion decreased significantly compared to the baseline. Responders to treatment exhibited a significantly higher increase in IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-18 production and auto-MLR responses, and higher decrease in IL-4, IL-10 secretion and Treg frequency. Among all patient subgroups analysed, responders to C-IFL demonstrated significantly higher increase in auto-MLR responses, IL-12 and IL-18 secretion and higher decrease in Treg frequency. The disturbed immune parameters observed in patients with mCRC at presentation can be significantly improved during treatment with IFL and this effect can be potentiated by the addition of cetuximab. Monitoring of the peripheral immune system function could be used as surrogate marker in predicting treatment-related outcome. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Percentage and function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in patients with hyperthyroidism

PubMed Central

Jiang, Ting-Jun; Cao, Xue-Liang; Luan, Sha; Cui, Wan-Hui; Qiu, Si-Huang; Wang, Yi-Chao; Zhao, Chang-Jiu; Fu, Peng

2018-01-01

The current study observed the percentage of peripheral blood (PB) CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the influence of CD4+CD25+ Tregs on the proliferation of naïve CD4 T cells in patients with hyperthyroidism. Furthermore, preliminary discussions are presented on the action mechanism of CD4+CD25+ Tregs on hyperthyroidism attacks. The present study identified that compared with the percentage of PB CD4+CD25+ Tregs in healthy control subjects, no significant changes were observed in the percentage of PB CD4+CD25+ Tregs in patients with hyperthyroidism (P>0.05). For patients with hyperthyroidism, CD4+CD25+ Tregs exhibited significantly reduced inhibition of the proliferation of naïve CD4 T cells and decreased secretion capacity on the cytokines of CD4 T cells, compared with those of healthy control subjects (P<0.05). In addition, it was demonstrated that thyroid function of patients with hyperthyroidism was significantly improved (P<0.05) subsequent to receiving medication. Compared with the percentage of PB CD4+CD25+ Tregs in patients with hyperthyroidism before treatment, no significant changes were observed in the percentage of PB CD4+CD25+ Tregs in hyperthyroidism patients following treatment (P>0.05). In the patients with hyperthyroidism, following treatment, CD4+CD25+ Tregs exhibited significantly increased inhibition of the proliferation of naïve CD4 T cells and increased secretion capacity of CD4 T cell cytokines, compared with those of the patients with hyperthyroidism prior to treatment (P<0.05). PB CD4+CD25+ Tregs function was decreased in patients with hyperthyroidism, and its non-proportional decrease may be closely associated with the occurrence and progression of hyperthyroidism. PMID:29207121

Botulinum Toxin Dosing Trends in Spasmodic Dysphonia Over a 20-year Period.

PubMed

Namin, Arya W; Christopher, Kara M; Eisenbeis, John F

2017-01-01

The study aims to (1) identify the botulinum toxin (BTX) dosing trend in a cohort of patients who received at least 20 injections for the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD), (2) describe two distinct BTX dosing trends in treating ADSD (a "classic" dosing trend that initially decreases before stabilizing, and a "fluctuating" dosing trend), and (3) determine if patients with the "classic" dosing trend differed in age or in dosing intervals from those with the "fluctuating" dosing trend. This is a retrospective case series. Of 149 patients who received a total of 2484 BTX injections for the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia in 1993-2013, 49 patients received at least 20 injections. The BTX dose and the interval between doses were recorded. The mean dose of injections 1-20 was determined. The age at initial injection, initial dose, and interval in days between treatments were compared for the "fluctuating" and "classic" groups. The cohort exhibits a significant decrease in dose during the first 10-15 injections. The "fluctuating" group had a significantly shorter interval between injections (mean interval = 97.09 days, SD = 29.41; mean interval = 136.90 days, SD = 43.76, P = 0.002). The mean age at initial dose was not significantly different between the "classic" and "fluctuating" groups. The average BTX dose of patients with ADSD who receive long-term injections significantly decreases during the initial 10-15 injections before stabilizing. Patients who exhibit the "fluctuating" dosing pattern have a significantly shorter interval between injections than those with the "classic" dosing pattern. Copyright © 2017 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The E2 glycoprotein of classical swine fever virus is a virulence determinant in swine.

PubMed

Risatti, G R; Borca, M V; Kutish, G F; Lu, Z; Holinka, L G; French, R A; Tulman, E R; Rock, D L

2005-03-01

To identify genetic determinants of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) virulence and host range, chimeras of the highly pathogenic Brescia strain and the attenuated vaccine strain CS were constructed and evaluated for viral virulence in swine. Upon initial screening, only chimeras 138.8v and 337.14v, the only chimeras containing the E2 glycoprotein of CS, were attenuated in swine despite exhibiting unaltered growth characteristics in primary porcine macrophage cell cultures. Additional viral chimeras were constructed to confirm the role of E2 in virulence. Chimeric virus 319.1v, which contained only the CS E2 glycoprotein in the Brescia background, was markedly attenuated in pigs, exhibiting significantly decreased virus replication in tonsils, a transient viremia, limited generalization of infection, and decreased virus shedding. Chimeras encoding all Brescia structural proteins in a CS genetic background remained attenuated, indicating that additional mutations outside the structural region are important for CS vaccine virus attenuation. These results demonstrate that CS E2 alone is sufficient for attenuating Brescia, indicating a significant role for the CSFV E2 glycoprotein in swine virulence.

Change of pH during excess sludge fermentation under alkaline, acidic and neutral conditions.

PubMed

Yuan, Yue; Peng, Yongzhen; Liu, Ye; Jin, Baodan; Wang, Bo; Wang, Shuying

2014-12-01

The change in pH during excess sludge (ES) fermentation of varying sludge concentrations was investigated in a series of reactors at alkaline, acidic, and neutral pHs. The results showed that the changes were significantly affected by fermentative conditions. Under different conditions, pH exhibited changing profiles. When ES was fermented under alkaline conditions, pH decreased in a range of (10±1). At the beginning of alkaline fermentation, pH dropped significantly, at intervals of 4h, 4h, and 5h with sludge concentrations of 8665.6mg/L, 6498.8mg/L, and 4332.5mg/L, then it would become moderate. However, under acidic conditions, pH increased from 4 to 5. Finally, under neutral conditions pH exhibited a decrease then an increase throughout entire fermentation process. Further study showed short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), ammonia nitrogen and cations contributed to pH change under various fermentation conditions. This study presents a novel strategy based on pH change to predict whether SCFAs reach their stable stage. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of moist- and dry-heat cooking on the meat quality, microstructure and sensory characteristics of native chicken meat.

PubMed

Chumngoen, Wanwisa; Chen, Chih-Feng; Tan, Fa-Jui

2018-01-01

This study investigates the effects of moist- (water-cooking; WC) and dry-heat (oven-cooking; OC) on the quality, microstructure and sensory characteristics of native chicken breast meat. The results revealed that OC meat had a significantly higher cooking time, cooking loss, and shear force values and lower L* values. Protein solubility decreased after cooking in both cooking methods; however, no statistical difference was observed between WC and OC meats, whereas collagen solubility and myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI) increased after cooking and WC meat exhibited higher collagen solubility and MFI (P < 0.05). The fiber diameter and sarcomere length decreased substantially after cooking, and fibril shrinkage was noticeable in OC meat (P < 0.05). Descriptive sensory analysis revealed that WC meat exhibited a significantly higher moisture release and lower initial hardness, chewdown hardness and residual loose particles. A darker color and enhanced chickeny flavor were observed for OC meat. Based on the unique sensory and physicochemical characteristics in demand, producers should employ appropriate cooking methods to optimize native chicken meat quality. © 2017 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

ROLE OF ENDOTHELIAL NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHETASE IN ARTERIOGENESIS AFTER STROKE IN MICE

PubMed Central

CUI, X.; CHOPP, M.; ZACHAREK, A.; ZHANG, C.; ROBERTS, C.; CHEN, J.

2009-01-01

Arteriogenesis supports restored perfusion in the ischemic brain and improves long-term functional outcome after stroke. We investigate the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS) and an NO donor, [(Z)-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl) aminio] diazen-1-ium-1, 2-diolate (DETA-NONOate), in promoting arteriogenesis after stroke. Adult wild-type (WT, n=18) and eNOS-knockout (eNOS-/-, n=36) mice were subjected to transient (2.5 hours) right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and were treated with or without DETA-NONOate (0.4 mg/kg) 24 hours after MCAo. Functional evaluation was performed. Animals were sacrificed 3 days after MCAo for arterial cell culture studies, or 14 days for immunohistochemical analysis. Consistent with previous studies, eNOS-/- mice exhibited a higher mortality rate (p<0.05, n=18/group) and more severe neurological functional deficit after MCAo than WT mice (p<0.05, n=12/group). Decreased arteriogenesis, was evident in eNOS-/- mice compared with WT mice, as demonstrated by reduced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, arterial density and diameter in the ischemic brain. eNOS-/- mice treated with DETA-NONOate had a significantly decreased mortality rate and improved functional recovery, and exhibited enhanced arteriogenesis identified by increased VSMC proliferation, and upregulated arterial density and diameter compared to eNOS-/- mice after stroke (p<0.05, n=12/group). To elucidate the mechanisms underlying eNOS/NO mediated arteriogenesis, VSMC migration was measured in vitro. Arterial cell migration significantly decreased in the cultured common carotid artery (CCA) derived from eNOS-/- mice 3 days after MCAo compared to WT arterial cells. DETA-NONOate-treatment significantly attenuated eNOS-/--induced decrease of arterial cell migration compared to eNOS-/- control artery (p<0.05. n=6/group). Using VSMC culture, DETA-NONOate significantly increased VSMC migration, while inhibition of NOS significantly decreased VSMC migration (p<0.05. n=6/group). Our data indicated that eNOS not only promotes vascular dilation but also increases VSMC proliferation and migration, and thereby enhances arteriogenesis after stroke. Therefore, increase eNOS may play an important role in regulating of arteriogenesis after stroke. PMID:19154781

Role of endothelial nitric oxide synthetase in arteriogenesis after stroke in mice.

PubMed

Cui, X; Chopp, M; Zacharek, A; Zhang, C; Roberts, C; Chen, J

2009-03-17

Arteriogenesis supports restored perfusion in the ischemic brain and improves long-term functional outcome after stroke. We investigate the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS) and a nitric oxide (NO) donor, (Z)-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl) amino] diazen-1-ium-1, 2-diolate (DETA-NONOate), in promoting arteriogenesis after stroke. Adult wild-type (WT, n=18) and eNOS-knockout (eNOS(-/-), n=36) mice were subjected to transient (2.5 h) right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and were treated with or without DETA-NONOate (0.4 mg/kg) 24 h after MCAo. Functional evaluation was performed. Animals were sacrificed 3 days after MCAo for arterial cell culture studies, or 14 days for immunohistochemical analysis. Consistent with previous studies, eNOS(-/-) mice exhibited a higher mortality rate (P<0.05, n=18/group) and more severe neurological functional deficit after MCAo than WT mice (P<0.05, n=12/group). Decreased arteriogenesis, was evident in eNOS(-/-) mice compared with WT mice, as demonstrated by reduced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, arterial density and diameter in the ischemic brain. eNOS(-/-) mice treated with DETA-NONOate had a significantly decreased mortality rate and improved functional recovery, and exhibited enhanced arteriogenesis identified by increased VSMC proliferation, and upregulated arterial density and diameter compared to eNOS(-/-) mice after stroke (P<0.05, n=12/group). To elucidate the mechanisms underlying eNOS/NO mediated arteriogenesis, VSMC migration was measured in vitro. Arterial cell migration significantly decreased in the cultured common carotid artery (CCA) derived from eNOS(-/-) mice 3 days after MCAo compared to WT arterial cells. DETA-NONOate-treatment significantly attenuated eNOS(-/-)-induced decrease of arterial cell migration compared to eNOS(-/-) control artery (P<0.05; n=6/group). Using VSMC culture, DETA-NONOate significantly increased VSMC migration, while inhibition of NOS significantly decreased VSMC migration (P<0.05; n=6/group). Our data indicated that eNOS not only promotes vascular dilation but also increases VSMC proliferation and migration, and thereby enhances arteriogenesis after stroke. Therefore, increase eNOS may play an important role in regulating of arteriogenesis after stroke.

Hydro-meteorological trends in the Gidabo catchment of the Rift Valley Lakes Basin of Ethiopia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belihu, Mamuye; Abate, Brook; Tekleab, Sirak; Bewket, Woldeamlak

2018-04-01

The global and regional variability and changes of climate and stream flows are likely to have significant influence on water resource availability. The magnitude and impacts of climate variability and change differs spatially and temporally. This study examines the long term hydroclimatic changes, analyses of the hydro-climate variability and detect whether there exist significant trend or not in the Gidabo catchment, rift valley lakes basin of Ethiopia. Precipitation, temperature and stream flow time series data were used in monthly, seasonal and annual time scales. The precipitation and temperature data span is between 1982 and 2014 and that of stream flow is between 1976 and 2006. To detect trends the analysis were done by using Mann Kendal (MK), Sen's graphical method and to detect change point using the Pettit test. The comparison of trend analysis between MK trend test and Sen graphical method results depict mostly similar pattern. The annual rainfall trends exhibited a significant decrease by about 12 mm per year in the upstream, which is largely driven by the significant decrease in the peak season rainfall. The Pettit test revealed that the years 1997 and 2007 were the change points. It is noted that the rise of temperature over a catchment might have decreased the availability of soil moisture which resulted in less runoff. The temperature analyses also revealed that the catchment was getting warmer; particularly in the upstream. The minimum temperature trend showed a significant increase about 0.08°c per annum. There is generally a decreasing trend in stream flow. The monthly stream flow also exhibited a decreasing trend in February, March and September. The decline in annual and seasonal rainfall and the increase in temperature lead to more evaporation and directly affecting the stream flow negatively. This trend compounded with the growth of population and increasing demand for irrigation water exacerbates the competing demand for water resources. It thus calls for prudence in devising appropriate intervention in the planning and sustainable development of the basin water resources.

Aging-related arterial-cardiac interaction in Japanese men.

PubMed

Maruyama, Yoshiaki

2009-11-01

Vascular and cardiac aging is rapidly progressing among the Japanese population. A close relation exists between the artery and cardiac performance (arterial-cardiac interaction), but the relationships between age and these parameters have not been well examined. The aim of this study was to elucidate the changes of arterial-cardiac interaction with aging, using pulse wave velocity (PWV) as an indicator of atherosclerosis. The subjects comprised 595 adult men (mean age, 58.8 +/- 12.2 years) without any history of cardiovascular disease. After correlating PWV, cardiac structure, cardiac function, and blood pressure to age, subjects were divided into five age groups to compare changes in these parameters. Pulse wave velocity exhibited a strong positive correlation with age (r = 0.461, P < 0.01) and increased significantly over 55 years old, and left atrial dimension, relative wall thickness, systolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure correlated positively with age and increased similarly. Left ventricular volume correlated negatively with age and decreased similarly. These parameters significantly correlated with PWV. Aortic diameter (AoD) positively and EA ratio (E/A) negatively exhibited a correlation with age and revealed earlier change before PWV increase. Aortic diameter increased significantly over 45 years old and stayed flat, but E/A decreased linearly from the early period. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) increased in the early period and decreased over 75 years of age. Agerelated atherosclerotic close arterial-cardiac interaction exists between the vessels and cardiac performance, but AoD, E/A, and DBP change in early age independent of atherosclerosis.

Enhanced susceptibility to stress and seizures in GAD65 deficient mice

PubMed Central

Qi, Jin; Kim, Minjung; Sanchez, Russell; Ziaee, Saba M; Kohtz, Jhumku D

2018-01-01

Reduced gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibition has been implicated in both anxiety and epilepsy. GAD65-/- (NOD/LtJ) mice have significantly decreased basal GABA levels in the brain and a lowered threshold for seizure generation. One fifth of GAD65 -/- mice experienced stress-induced seizures upon exposure to an open field at 4 weeks of age. In each successive week until 8 weeks of age, the latency to seizures decreased with prior seizure experience. 100% of GAD65-/- mice exhibited stress-induced seizures by the end of 8 weeks. GAD65-/- mice also exhibited marked impairment in open field exploratory behavior and deficits in spatial learning acquisition on a Barnes maze. Anxiety-like behavior in an open field was observed prior to seizure onset and was predictive of subsequent seizures. Immunohistochemical characterization of interneuron subtypes in GAD65-/- mice showed a selective decrease in GABA and neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels and no change in calbindin (CLB) or calretinin (CLR) immunoreactivity in the hippocampus. Stem cells from the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) were injected into the hippocampal hilus to restore GABAergic interneurons. One week after transplantation, MGE-transplanted mice demonstrated significant seizure resistance compared to sham surgical controls. The percent area of GFP+ MGE graft in the hippocampus correlated significantly with the increase in seizure latency. Our data indicate that impaired GABAergic neurotransmission can cause anxiety-like behavior and stress-induced seizures that can be rescued by MGE stem cell transplantation. PMID:29377906

Enhanced susceptibility to stress and seizures in GAD65 deficient mice.

PubMed

Qi, Jin; Kim, Minjung; Sanchez, Russell; Ziaee, Saba M; Kohtz, Jhumku D; Koh, Sookyong

2018-01-01

Reduced gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibition has been implicated in both anxiety and epilepsy. GAD65-/- (NOD/LtJ) mice have significantly decreased basal GABA levels in the brain and a lowered threshold for seizure generation. One fifth of GAD65 -/- mice experienced stress-induced seizures upon exposure to an open field at 4 weeks of age. In each successive week until 8 weeks of age, the latency to seizures decreased with prior seizure experience. 100% of GAD65-/- mice exhibited stress-induced seizures by the end of 8 weeks. GAD65-/- mice also exhibited marked impairment in open field exploratory behavior and deficits in spatial learning acquisition on a Barnes maze. Anxiety-like behavior in an open field was observed prior to seizure onset and was predictive of subsequent seizures. Immunohistochemical characterization of interneuron subtypes in GAD65-/- mice showed a selective decrease in GABA and neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels and no change in calbindin (CLB) or calretinin (CLR) immunoreactivity in the hippocampus. Stem cells from the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) were injected into the hippocampal hilus to restore GABAergic interneurons. One week after transplantation, MGE-transplanted mice demonstrated significant seizure resistance compared to sham surgical controls. The percent area of GFP+ MGE graft in the hippocampus correlated significantly with the increase in seizure latency. Our data indicate that impaired GABAergic neurotransmission can cause anxiety-like behavior and stress-induced seizures that can be rescued by MGE stem cell transplantation.

Functionality and antidiabetic utility of β- and L-cell containing pseudoislets

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Green, Alastair D.; Vasu, Srividya, E-mail: s.vasu@ulster.ac.uk; Flatt, Peter R.

Unavailability of tissue and poor engraftment remain significant obstacles to clinical islet transplantation. Here, the therapeutic potential of pseudoislets generated from the insulin and GLP-1 releasing cell-lines MIN6 and GLUTag was investigated. Glucose and other secretagogues evoked 1.3–5.7 fold increases in insulin secretion from both pseudoislet types. Secretion expressed in relation to basal values did not greatly differ between configurations. Exposure of both types of pseudoislets to ninhydrin, H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, streptozotocin or cytokine cocktails decreased viability and increased apoptosis. However, combined pseudoislets exhibited enhanced resistance (1.2–1.7 fold increased LD{sub 50,} 1.2–1.4 fold decreased apoptosis). Implantation of pseudoislets into streptozotocin-diabeticmore » SCID mice precipitated cell masses containing immunoreactive insulin and GLP-1. Implantation of both pseudoislet types was associated with significant reductions in blood glucose, increased plasma insulin, greater bodyweight, decreased polydipsia and improved glucose tolerance. These changes greatly exaggerated in MIN6 pseudoislet recipients, with mice becoming severely hypoglycaemic. In contract, combined pseudoislet recipients achieved tempered restoration of normoglycaemia and exhibited increased plasma GLP-1, decreased plasma and pancreatic glucagon, increased pancreatic insulin and enhancements in islet β:α cells and the ratio of Ki67: TUNEL positive β-cells. MIN6 pseudoislet implantation increased islet β:α cell ratio but did not affect β-cell proliferation or hormone content. Our observations highlight the potential of combining insulin and GLP-1 cell therapy using heterotypic pseudoislets.« less

Disrupted resting-state brain network properties in obesity: decreased global and putaminal cortico-striatal network efficiency.

PubMed

Baek, K; Morris, L S; Kundu, P; Voon, V

2017-03-01

The efficient organization and communication of brain networks underlie cognitive processing and their disruption can lead to pathological behaviours. Few studies have focused on whole-brain networks in obesity and binge eating disorder (BED). Here we used multi-echo resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) along with a data-driven graph theory approach to assess brain network characteristics in obesity and BED. Multi-echo rsfMRI scans were collected from 40 obese subjects (including 20 BED patients) and 40 healthy controls and denoised using multi-echo independent component analysis (ME-ICA). We constructed a whole-brain functional connectivity matrix with normalized correlation coefficients between regional mean blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals from 90 brain regions in the Automated Anatomical Labeling atlas. We computed global and regional network properties in the binarized connectivity matrices with an edge density of 5%-25%. We also verified our findings using a separate parcellation, the Harvard-Oxford atlas parcellated into 470 regions. Obese subjects exhibited significantly reduced global and local network efficiency as well as decreased modularity compared with healthy controls, showing disruption in small-world and modular network structures. In regional metrics, the putamen, pallidum and thalamus exhibited significantly decreased nodal degree and efficiency in obese subjects. Obese subjects also showed decreased connectivity of cortico-striatal/cortico-thalamic networks associated with putaminal and cortical motor regions. These findings were significant with ME-ICA with limited group differences observed with conventional denoising or single-echo analysis. Using this data-driven analysis of multi-echo rsfMRI data, we found disruption in global network properties and motor cortico-striatal networks in obesity consistent with habit formation theories. Our findings highlight the role of network properties in pathological food misuse as possible biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Biochanin-A ameliorates behavioural and neurochemical derangements in cognitive-deficit mice for the betterment of Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Biradar, S M; Joshi, H; Chheda, T K

2014-04-01

Biochanin-A (BCA), a potent phytoconstituent, has been previously used as an antitumour, a dopaminergic neuron protective agent, an antioxidant, an anticholinergic and on other pharmacological activities including neuroprotection. The present study was aimed to evaluate the behavioural and neurochemical evidence of BCA in cognitive-deficit mice in scopolamine challenged and natural aged-induced amnesia models in young and aged mice, respectively. BCA has exhibited decrease in the transfer latency and increase in step through latency significantly (p < 0.001) in scopolamine-treated and natural aged mice of exteroceptive behavioural models such as elevated plus maze and passive shock avoidance paradigm, respectively. A decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity of whole brain was seen in scopolamine and aged mice with standard piracetam (Pira; p < 0.001) and BCA in dose-dependent manner. The antioxidant property of BCA was proven by increase in GSH (p < 0.01) and decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level significantly in a scopolamine-challenged and aged mice. The scopolamine-treated mice exhibited significant (p < 0.01) increase in the content of noradrenalin and dopamine, which is a sign of dementia, and these excess increased neurotransmitters were reversed by BCA 40 mg kg(-1) (p < 0.05), BCA 20 mg kg(-1) (p > 0.05), BCA 10 mg kg(-1) (p < 0.05) and standard Pira (p < 0.05) when compared with scopolamine group. Furthermore, in histopathology of hippocampus, the Pira and BCA-treated mice were protected from the formation of pyknotic neurons, increases in the viable cells count and decreases in the number of degenerative cells compared with the scopolamine group. Hence, BCA could be potential enough for the betterment of Alzheimer's disease.

Changes in total body water during spaceflight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leach, Carolyn S.; Inners, L. D.; Charles, John B.

1991-01-01

Total body water (TBW) changes occurring in humans as a consequence of prolonged exposure to microgravity were measured in five male crewmembers of Space Shuttle missions STS-61C and STS-26. It was found that the inflight mean TBW values were significantly different from the preflight and postflight values, while the preflight TBW values were not significantly different from the postflight values. It was also found that individuals may differ in the rate at which they respond to weightlessness. Of the three crewmen who reported experiencing no symptoms of space motion sickness (SMS), two had not exhibited a decrease of TBW at the time of measurements (24 hrs after launch), while the two crewmen who reported SMS of intermediate severity showed a decrease of several kg by 24 hrs, suggesting that dehydration might be an important factor affecting the rate of TBW decrease.

Hepatic effects of orally administered styrene in rats.

PubMed

Srivastava, S P; Das, M; Mushtaq, M; Chandra, S V; Seth, P K

1982-08-01

Adult male rats receiving styrene by gavage (200 or 400 mg kg-1, 6 days a week) for 100 days exhibited a significant dose-dependent increase in hepatic benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase and aminopyrine-N-demethylase, a decrease in glutathione-S-transferase and no change in glucose-6-phosphatase. A decrease in the activity of mitochondrial succinic dehydrogenase and beta-glucuronidase was also observed. Activity of acid phosphatase was decreased only at the higher dose level. Levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase were elevated only at the higher dose level. The absolute and relative weights of the liver of control and treated animals showed no significant difference. Histopathological studies of the liver tissue revealed tiny areas of focal necrosis, consisting of few degenerated hepatocytes and inflammatory cells at the higher dose level only.

Decrease in cortisol reverses human hippocampal atrophy following treatment of Cushing's disease.

PubMed

Starkman, M N; Giordani, B; Gebarski, S S; Berent, S; Schork, M A; Schteingart, D E

1999-12-15

Decreased hippocampal volume is observed in patients with Cushing's syndrome and other conditions associated with elevated cortisol levels, stress, or both. Reversibility of hippocampal neuronal atrophy resulting from stress occurs in animals. Our study investigated the potential for reversibility of human hippocampal atrophy. The study included 22 patients with Cushing's disease. Magnetic resonance brain imaging was performed prior to transsphenoidal microadenomectomy and again after treatment. Following treatment, hippocampal formation volume (HFV) increased by up to 10%. The mean percent change (3.2 +/- 2.5) was significantly greater (p < .04) than that of the comparison structure, caudate head volume (1.5 +/- 3.4). Increase in HFV was significantly associated with magnitude of decrease in urinary free cortisol (r = -.61, p < .01). This relationship strengthened after adjustments for age, duration of disease, and months elapsed since surgery (r = -.70, p < .001). There was no significant correlation between caudate head volume change and magnitude of cortisol decrease. Changes in human HFV associated with sustained hypercortisolemia are reversible, at least in part, once cortisol levels decrease. While many brain regions are likely affected by hypercortisolemia, the human hippocampus exhibits increased sensitivity to cortisol, affecting both volume loss and recovery.

Original Research: Potential of urinary nephrin as a biomarker reflecting podocyte dysfunction in various kidney disease models.

PubMed

Wada, Yusuke; Abe, Masaki; Moritani, Hiroshi; Mitori, Hikaru; Kondo, Mitsuhiro; Tanaka-Amino, Keiko; Eguchi, Megumi; Imasato, Akira; Inoki, Yutaka; Kajiyama, Hiroshi; Mimura, Toshihide; Tomura, Yuichi

2016-10-01

Urinary nephrin is a potential non-invasive biomarker of disease. To date, however, most studies of urinary nephrin have been conducted in animal models of diabetic nephropathy, and correlations between urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio and other parameters have yet to be evaluated in animal models or patients of kidney disease with podocyte dysfunction. We hypothesized that urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio can be up-regulated and is negatively correlated with renal nephrin mRNA levels in animal models of kidney disease, and that increased urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio levels are attenuated following administration of glucocorticoids. In the present study, renal nephrin mRNA, urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio, urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio, and creatinine clearance ratio were measured in animal models of adriamycin nephropathy, puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy, anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis, and 5/6 nephrectomy. The effects of prednisolone on urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio and other parameters in puromycin aminonucleoside (single injection) nephropathy rats were also investigated. In all models tested, urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio increased, while renal nephrin mRNA and creatinine clearance ratio decreased. Urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio exhibited a significant negative correlation with renal nephrin mRNA in almost all models, as well as a significant positive correlation with urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio and a significant negative correlation with creatinine clearance ratio. Urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio exhibited a significant negative correlation with renal nephrin mRNA. Following the administration of prednisolone to puromycin aminonucleoside (single injection) nephropathy rats, urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio was significantly suppressed and exhibited a significant positive correlation with urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio. In addition, the decrease in number of glomerular Wilms tumor antigen-1-positive cells was attenuated, and urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio exhibited a significant negative correlation in these cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that urinary nephrin-to-creatinine ratio level is a useful and reliable biomarker for predicting the amelioration of podocyte dysfunction by candidate drugs in various kidney disease models with podocyte dysfunction. This suggestion will also be validated in a clinical setting in future studies. © 2016 by the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine.

Extremely Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants Lack Vasomotor Response in Relationship to Cold Body Temperatures at Birth

PubMed Central

Knobel, Robin B.; Holditch-Davis, Diane; Schwartz, Todd A.; Wimmer, John E.

2009-01-01

Objective This study evaluated peripheral vasoconstriction in ELBW infants when body temperature decreased during the first 12-hours of life. Design An exploratory, within-subjects design with 10 ELBW infants. Abdominal and foot temperatures were measured every minute. Peripheral vasoconstriction (abdominal > peripheral temperature by 2° C) and abdominal-peripheral temperature difference were also evaluated. Results Abdominal and peripheral temperatures were significantly correlated within each infant. One 880 g infant exhibited isolated peripheral vasoconstriction; a 960 g infant had abdominal temperatures more than 1° C higher than peripheral temperatures. Eight smaller infants exhibited no peripheral vasoconstriction and spent most of their observations with peripheral greater than abdominal temperatures. In 8 infants, mean temperature difference was significantly higher when abdominal temperature was less than 36.5° C. Conclusion Most ELBW infants did not exhibit peripheral vasoconstriction during their first 12-hours of life, despite low temperatures. ELBW infants’ vasomotor control may be immature during this period. PMID:19626030

Electrostatic Control of Bioactivity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Goldberger, Joshua E.; Berns, Eric J.; Bitton, Ronit

2012-03-15

The power of independence: When exhibited on the surface of self-assembling peptide-amphiphile nanofibers, the hydrophobic laminin-derived IKVAV epitope induced nanofiber bundling through interdigitation with neighboring fibers and thus decreased the bioactivity of the resulting materials. The inclusion of charged amino acids in the peptide amphiphiles disrupted the tendency to bundle and led to significantly enhanced neurite outgrowth.

Biochemical changes in mango after infection with Rhizoctonia bataticola.

PubMed

Vyas, H G; Chhatpar, H S

1980-04-15

Rhizoctonia bataticola is responsible for the spoilage of mango fruits (Mangifera india) during post-harvest preservation and storage. Culture of R. bataticola exhibited significant pectinase and cellulase activity. In Rhizoctonia-infected fruits an increase of protease and cellulase activity, and a decrease in certain enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, were observed in comparison to healthy fruits.

Effect of foam age on toxicity of pyrolysis gases from polyurethane flexible foams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hilado, C. J.; Murphy, R. M.

1978-01-01

The toxicity of the pyrolysis gases from some samples of polyurethane flexible foams appears to have decreased with age, while other samples seem to exhibit no significant change with age in this respect. The changes observed were greater than could be accounted for by variations in the material, or test variations or artifacts.

Antioxidant and mercury chelating activity of Psidium guajava var. pomifera L. leaves hydroalcoholic extract.

PubMed

Pinho, Antonio Ivanildo; Oliveira, Cláudia Sirlene; Lovato, Fabricio Luís; Waczuk, Emily Pansera; Piccoli, Bruna Candia; Boligon, Aline Augusti; Leite, Nadghia Figueredo; Coutinho, Henrique Douglas Melo; Posser, Thais; Da Rocha, João Batista Teixeira; Franco, Jeferson Luis

2017-01-01

Mercury (Hg) is widely distributed in the environment and is known to produce several adverse effects in organisms. The aim of the present study was to examine the in vitro antioxidant activity and Hg chelating ability of the hydroalcoholic extract of Psidium guajava leaves (HEPG). In addition, the potential protective effects of HEPG against Hg(II) were evaluated using a yeast model (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). HEPG was found to exert significant antioxidant activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenger and inhibition of lipid peroxidation induced by Fe(II) assays in a concentration-dependent manner. The extract also exhibited significant Hg(II) chelating activity. In yeast, Hg(II) induced a significant decrease in cell viability. In contrast, HEPG partially prevented the fall in cell viability induced by Hg(II). In conclusion, HEPG exhibited protective effects against Hg(II)-mediated toxicity, which may be related to both antioxidant and Hg(II)-chelating activities.

Voluntary Running-Wheel Exercise Decreases the Threshold for Rewarding Intracranial Self-Stimulation

PubMed Central

Morris, Michael J.; Na, Elisa S.; Johnson, Alan Kim

2015-01-01

Physical exercise has mood-enhancing and antidepressant properties although the mechanisms underlying these effects are not known. The present experiment investigated the effects of prolonged access to a running wheel on electrical self-stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus (LHSS), a measure of hedonic state, in rats. Rats with continuous voluntary access to a running wheel for either 2 or 5 weeks exhibited dramatic leftward shifts in the effective current 50 (ECu50; current value that supports half of maximum responding) of their LHSS current-response functions compared to their baselines, indicating a decrease in reward threshold, whereas control rats current-response functions after 2 or 5 weeks were not significantly different from baseline. An inverse correlation existed between the change in ECu50 from baseline and the amount an animal had run in the day prior to LHSS testing, indicating that animals that exhibited higher levels of running showed a more robust decrease in LHSS threshold. We conclude that long-term voluntary exercise increases sensitivity to rewarding stimuli, which may contribute to its antidepressant properties. PMID:22845707

Voluntary running-wheel exercise decreases the threshold for rewarding intracranial self-stimulation.

PubMed

Morris, Michael J; Na, Elisa S; Johnson, Alan Kim

2012-08-01

Physical exercise has mood-enhancing and antidepressant properties although the mechanisms underlying these effects are not known. The present experiment investigated the effects of prolonged access to a running wheel on electrical self-stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus (LHSS), a measure of hedonic state, in rats. Rats with continuous voluntary access to a running wheel for either 2 or 5 weeks exhibited dramatic leftward shifts in the effective current 50 (ECu50; current value that supports half of maximum responding) of their LHSS current-response functions compared to their baselines, indicating a decrease in reward threshold, whereas control rats current-response functions after 2 or 5 weeks were not significantly different from baseline. An inverse correlation existed between the change in ECu50 from baseline and the amount an animal had run in the day prior to LHSS testing, indicating that animals that exhibited higher levels of running showed a more robust decrease in LHSS threshold. We conclude that long-term voluntary exercise increases sensitivity to rewarding stimuli, which may contribute to its antidepressant properties.

Moringa oleifera Lam.: Protease activity against blood coagulation cascade

PubMed Central

Satish, A; Sairam, Sudha; Ahmed, Faiyaz; Urooj, Asna

2012-01-01

Background: The present study evaluated the protease activity of aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) leaf (MOL) and root (MOR). Materials and Methods: Protease activity was assayed using casein, human plasma clot and human fibrinogen as substrates. Results: Caseinolytic activity of MOL was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than that of MOR. Similar observations were found in case of human plasma clot hydrolyzing activity, wherein MOL caused significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) plasma clot hydrolysis than MOR. Zymographic techniques were used to detect proteolytic enzymes following electrophoretic separation in gels. Further, both the extracts exhibited significant procoagulant activity as reflected by a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in recalcification time, accompanied by fibrinogenolytic and fibrinolytic activities; clotting time was decreased from 180 ± 10 sec to 119 ± 8 sec and 143 ± 10 sec by MOL and MOR, respectively, at a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL. Fibrinogenolytic (human fibrinogen) and fibrinolytic activity (human plasma clot) was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), plate method and colorimetric method. Zymographic profile indicated that both the extracts exerted their procoagulant activity by selectively hydrolyzing Aα and Bβ subunits of fibrinogen to form fibrin clot, thereby exhibiting fibrinogenolytic activity. However, prolonged incubation resulted in degradation of the formed fibrin clot, suggesting fibrinolytic like activity. Conclusions: These findings support the traditional usage of M. oleifera extracts for wound healing. PMID:22224061

Moringa oleifera Lam.: Protease activity against blood coagulation cascade.

PubMed

Satish, A; Sairam, Sudha; Ahmed, Faiyaz; Urooj, Asna

2012-01-01

The present study evaluated the protease activity of aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) leaf (MOL) and root (MOR). Protease activity was assayed using casein, human plasma clot and human fibrinogen as substrates. Caseinolytic activity of MOL was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than that of MOR. Similar observations were found in case of human plasma clot hydrolyzing activity, wherein MOL caused significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) plasma clot hydrolysis than MOR. Zymographic techniques were used to detect proteolytic enzymes following electrophoretic separation in gels. Further, both the extracts exhibited significant procoagulant activity as reflected by a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in recalcification time, accompanied by fibrinogenolytic and fibrinolytic activities; clotting time was decreased from 180 ± 10 sec to 119 ± 8 sec and 143 ± 10 sec by MOL and MOR, respectively, at a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL. Fibrinogenolytic (human fibrinogen) and fibrinolytic activity (human plasma clot) was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), plate method and colorimetric method. Zymographic profile indicated that both the extracts exerted their procoagulant activity by selectively hydrolyzing Aα and Bβ subunits of fibrinogen to form fibrin clot, thereby exhibiting fibrinogenolytic activity. However, prolonged incubation resulted in degradation of the formed fibrin clot, suggesting fibrinolytic like activity. These findings support the traditional usage of M. oleifera extracts for wound healing.

Effects of Sterilization Cycles on PEEK for Medical Device Application

PubMed Central

Yap, Wai Teng; Foo, Soo Leong; Lee, Teck Kheng

2018-01-01

The effects of the sterilization process have been studied on medical grade thermoplastic polyetheretherketone (PEEK). For a reusable medical device, material reliability is an important parameter to decide its lifetime, as it will be subjected to the continuous steam sterilization process. A spring nature, clip component was selected out of a newly designed medical device (patented) to perform this reliability study. This clip component was sterilized for a predetermined number of cycles (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 20…100) at 121 °C for 30 min. A significant decrease of ~20% in the compression force of the spring was observed after 30 cycles, and a ~6% decrease in the lateral dimension of the clip was observed after 50 cycles. No further significant change in the compression force or dimension was observed for the subsequent sterilization cycles. Vickers hardness and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques were used to characterize the effects of sterilization. DSC results exhibited no significant change in the degree of cure and melting behavior of PEEK before and after the sterilization. Hardness measurement exhibited an increase of ~49% in hardness after just 20 cycles. When an unsterilized sample was heated for repetitive cycles without the presence of moisture (121 °C, 10 and 20 cycles), only ~7% of the maximum change in hardness was observed. PMID:29466289

PEGylated DX-1000: pharmacokinetics and antineoplastic activity of a specific plasmin inhibitor.

PubMed

Devy, Laetitia; Rabbani, Shafaat A; Stochl, Mark; Ruskowski, Mary; Mackie, Ian; Naa, Laurent; Toews, Mark; van Gool, Reinoud; Chen, Jie; Ley, Art; Ladner, Robert C; Dransfield, Daniel T; Henderikx, Paula

2007-11-01

Novel inhibitors of the urokinase-mediated plasminogen (plg) activation system are potentially of great clinical benefit as anticancer treatments. Using phage display, we identified DX-1000 a tissue factor pathway inhibitor-derived Kunitz domain protein which is a specific high-affinity inhibitor of plasmin (pln) (K(i) = 99 pM). When tested in vitro, DX-1000 blocks plasmin-mediated pro-matrix metalloproteinase-9 (proMMP-9) activation on cells and dose-dependently inhibits tube formation, while not significantly affecting hemostasis and coagulation. However, this low-molecular weight protein inhibitor ( approximately 7 kDa) exhibits rapid plasma clearance in mice and rabbits, limiting its potential clinical use in chronic diseases. After site-specific PEGylation, DX-1000 retains its activity and exhibits a decreased plasma clearance. This PEGylated derivative is effective in vitro, as well as potent in inhibiting tumor growth of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled MDA-MB-231 cells. 4PEG-DX-1000 treatment causes a significant reduction of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen expressions, a reduction of tumor proliferation, and vascularization. 4PEG-DX-1000 treatment significantly decreases the level of active mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the primary tumors and reduces metastasis incidence. Together, our results demonstrate the potential value of plasmin inhibitors as therapeutic agents for blocking breast cancer growth and metastasis.

Effects of Sterilization Cycles on PEEK for Medical Device Application.

PubMed

Kumar, Amit; Yap, Wai Teng; Foo, Soo Leong; Lee, Teck Kheng

2018-02-21

The effects of the sterilization process have been studied on medical grade thermoplastic polyetheretherketone (PEEK). For a reusable medical device, material reliability is an important parameter to decide its lifetime, as it will be subjected to the continuous steam sterilization process. A spring nature, clip component was selected out of a newly designed medical device (patented) to perform this reliability study. This clip component was sterilized for a predetermined number of cycles (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 20…100) at 121 °C for 30 min. A significant decrease of ~20% in the compression force of the spring was observed after 30 cycles, and a ~6% decrease in the lateral dimension of the clip was observed after 50 cycles. No further significant change in the compression force or dimension was observed for the subsequent sterilization cycles. Vickers hardness and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques were used to characterize the effects of sterilization. DSC results exhibited no significant change in the degree of cure and melting behavior of PEEK before and after the sterilization. Hardness measurement exhibited an increase of ~49% in hardness after just 20 cycles. When an unsterilized sample was heated for repetitive cycles without the presence of moisture (121 °C, 10 and 20 cycles), only ~7% of the maximum change in hardness was observed.

Combined n-benzoyl-d-phenylalanine and metformin treatment reverses changes in the fatty acid composition of streptozotocin diabetic rats.

PubMed

Kumar, Natarajan Ashok; Pari, Leelavinothan

2006-01-01

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of N-benzoyl-D-phenylalanine (NBDP) and metformin on blood glucose, plasma insulin, and on the fatty acid composition of total lipids in the livers and kidneys of control and experimental diabetic rats. When compared with nondiabetic control rats, neonatal streptozotocin (nSTZ) diabetic rats showed a significant increase in blood glucose and decreased plasma insulin. Analysis of fatty acids revealed a significant increase in the concentration of palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids in liver and kidney, whereas linolenic and arachidonic acids were significantly decreased. In diabetic rats, the oral administration of combined NBDP/metformin for 6 wk decreased the high concentrations of palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids and elevated the low levels of linolenic and arachidonic acids. The results suggest that the NBDP/metformin combination exhibits both antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects in nSTZ diabetic rats and prevents the fatty acid changes produced during diabetes.

Efflux Pumps Are Involved in the Defense of Gram-Negative Bacteria against the Natural Products Isobavachalcone and Diospyrone ▿

PubMed Central

Kuete, Victor; Ngameni, Bathélémy; Tangmouo, Jean G.; Bolla, Jean-Michel; Alibert-Franco, Sandrine; Ngadjui, Bonaventure T.; Pagès, Jean-Marie

2010-01-01

The activities of two naturally occurring compounds, isobavachalcone and diospyrone, against documented strains and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacterial isolates were evaluated. The results indicated that the two compounds exhibited intrinsic antibacterial activity against several Gram-negative bacteria, and their activities were significantly improved in the presence of an efflux pump inhibitor (MIC values decreased to below 10 μg/ml). In addition, the activities of isobavachalcone and diospyrone against various strains exhibiting deletions of the major efflux pump components (AcrAB, TolC) were significantly increased. The overall results indicate that isobavachalcone and diospyrone could be candidates for the development of new drugs against MDR strains and that their use in combination with efflux pump inhibitors reinforces their activity. PMID:20160051

Altered cytokine production by specific human peripheral blood cell subsets immediately following space flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crucian, B. E.; Cubbage, M. L.; Sams, C. F.

2000-01-01

In this study, flow cytometry was used to positively identify the specific lymphocyte subsets exhibiting space flight-induced alterations in cytokine production. Whole blood samples were collected from 27 astronauts at three points (one preflight, two postflight) surrounding four space shuttle missions. Assays performed included serum/urine stress hormones, white blood cell (WBC) phenotyping, and intracellular cytokine production following mitogenic stimulation. Absolute levels of peripheral granulocytes were significantly elevated following space flight, but the levels of circulating lymphocytes and monocytes were unchanged. Lymphocyte subset analysis demonstrated a decreased percentage of T cells, whereas percentages of B cells and natural killer (NK) cells remained unchanged after flight. Nearly all the astronauts exhibited an increased CD4/CD8 T cell ratio. Assessment of naive (CD45RA+) vs. memory (CD45RO+) CD4+ T cell subsets was ambiguous, and subjects tended to group within specific missions. Although no significant trend was seen in absolute monocyte levels, a significant decrease in the percentage of the CD14+ CD16+ monocytes was seen following space flight in all subjects tested. T cell (CD3+) production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) was significantly decreased after space flight, as was IL-2 production by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was not altered by space flight for the CD8+ cell subset, but there was a significant decrease in IFN-gamma production for the CD4+ T cell subset. Serum and urine stress hormone analysis indicated significant physiologic stresses in astronauts following space flight. Altered peripheral leukocyte subsets, altered serum and urine stress hormone levels, and altered T cell cytokine secretion profiles were all observed postflight. In addition, there appeared to be differential susceptibility to space flight regarding cytokine secretion by T cell subsets. These alterations may be the result of either microgravity exposure or the physiologic stresses of landing and readaptation to unit gravity. Future studies, including in-flight analysis or sampling, will be necessary to determine the cause of these alterations.

Effects of a dragonfly (Anax i.) homeopathic remedy on learning, memory and cell morphology in mice.

PubMed

Mutlu, Oguz; Ulak, Guner; Kokturk, Sibel; Komsuoglu Celikyurt, Ipek; Tanyeri, Pelin; Akar, Furuzan; Erden, Faruk

2016-02-01

Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine in which uses highly diluted preparations that are believed to cause healthy people to exhibit symptoms similar to those exhibited by patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dragonfly (Anax imperator, Anax i.) on learning and memory in naive mice using the Morris water maze (MWM) test; moreover, the effects of dragonfly on MK-801-induced cognitive dysfunction were evaluated. Male balb-c mice were treated with dragonfly (30C and 200C) or MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg) alone or concurrently (n = 10). Dragonfly (D) and MK-801 were administered subchronically for 6 days intraperitoneally 60 min and 30 min, respectively, before the daily performance of the MWM test. This study revealed that in the familiarization session and first session of the MWM test, Anax i. D30 significantly decreased escape latency compared to the control group, although MK-801, D30 and D200 significantly increased escape latency at the end of five acquisition sessions. Anax i. combined with dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) also significantly decreased escape latency in the familiarization session and first session of the MWM test, although this combination increased escape latency compared to the MK-801 alone group at the end of the test. Time spent in escape platform's quadrant in the probe trial significantly decreased while mean distance to platform significantly increased in MK-801, D30 and D200 groups. In the MWM test, Anax i. combined with MK-801 significantly decreased speed of the animals compared to the MK-801 alone group. General cell morphology was disturbed in the MK-801 group while D30 and D200 seemed to improve cell damage in the MK-801 group. These results suggest that the homeopathic Anax i. can impair learning acquisition and reference memory, and it has beneficial effects on disturbed cell morphology. Copyright © 2015 The Faculty of Homeopathy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immunosuppressive Compounds Exhibit Particular Effects on Functional Properties of Human Anti-Aspergillus TH1 Cells

PubMed Central

Tramsen, Lars; Schmidt, Stanislaw; Roeger, Frauke; Schubert, Ralf; Salzmann-Manrique, Emilia; Latgé, Jean-Paul; Klingebiel, Thomas

2014-01-01

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are at high risk for invasive aspergillosis. Whereas adoptive immunotherapy transferring donor-derived anti-Aspergillus TH1 cells has been shown to be beneficial for HSCT recipients suffering from invasive aspergillosis, little is known about the impact of commonly used immunosuppressants on the functional properties of anti-Aspergillus TH1 cells. Anti-Aspergillus TH1 cells were coincubated with different concentrations of methylprednisolone, cyclosporine (CsA), mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active component of mycophenolate mofetil, and rapamycin. Immunosuppressants were tested in concentrations reflecting common target levels in serum and in significantly lower and higher concentrations. Apoptosis of anti-Aspergillus TH1 cells, as well as proliferation and production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and CD154 upon restimulation, was evaluated in the presence and absence of immunosuppressive compounds. All dosages of CsA, MPA, and methylprednisolone significantly decreased the number of viable anti-Aspergillus TH1 cells in the cell culture, which was due partly to an impaired proliferative capacity of the cells and partly to an increased rate of apoptosis. In addition, CsA significantly decreased the number of IFN-γ-producing cells and had the highest impact of all immunosuppressants on IFN-γ levels in the supernatant. CsA also significantly decreased the expression of CD154 by anti-Aspergillus TH1 cells. Variant dosages of immunosuppressants exhibit particular effects on essential functional properties of anti-Aspergillus TH1 cells. Our findings may have an important impact on the design of clinical trials evaluating the therapeutic benefit of anti-Aspergillus TH1 cells in allogeneic HSCT recipients suffering from invasive aspergillosis. PMID:24711569

Alteration in plasma corticosterone levels following long term oral administration of lead produces depression like symptoms in rats.

PubMed

Haider, Saida; Saleem, Sadia; Tabassum, Saiqa; Khaliq, Saima; Shamim, Saima; Batool, Zehra; Parveen, Tahira; Inam, Qurat-ul-ain; Haleem, Darakhshan J

2013-03-01

Lead toxicity is known to induce a broad range of physiological, biochemical and behavioral dysfunctions that may result in adverse effects on several organs, including the central nervous system. Long-term exposure to low levels of lead (Pb(2+)) has been shown to produce behavioral deficits in rodents and humans by affecting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. These deficits are thought to be associated with altered brain monoamine neurotransmission and due to changes in glucocorticoids levels. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Pb(2+)exposure on growth rate, locomotor activity, anxiety, depression, plasma corticosterone and brain serotonin (5-HT) levels in rats. Rats were exposed to lead in drinking water (500 ppm; lead acetate) for 5 weeks. The assessment of depression was done using the forced swimming test (FST). Estimation of brain 5-HT was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Plasma corticosterone was determined by spectrofluorimetric method. The present study showed that long term exposure to Pb(2+) significantly decreased the food intake followed by the decrease in growth rate in Pb(2+)exposed rats as compared to control group. No significant changes in open field activity were observed following Pb(2+)exposure while significant increase in anxiogenic effect was observed. Increased plasma corticosterone and decreased 5-HT levels were exhibited by Pb(2+)exposed rats as compared to controls. A significant increase in depressive like symptoms was exhibited by Pb(2+)exposed rats as compared to control rats. The results are discussed in the context of Pb(2+) inducing a stress-like response in rats leading to changes in plasma corticosterone and brain 5-HT levels via altering tryptophan pyrrolase activity.

Cloning, localization and differential expression of Neuropeptide-Y during early brain development and gonadal recrudescence in the catfish, Clarias gariepinus.

PubMed

Sudhakumari, Cheni-Chery; Anitha, Arumugam; Murugananthkumar, Raju; Tiwari, Dinesh Kumar; Bhasker, Dharavath; Senthilkumaran, Balasubramanian; Dutta-Gupta, Aparna

2017-09-15

Neuropeptide-Y (NPY) has diverse physiological functions which are extensively studied in vertebrates. However, regulatory role of NPY in relation to brain ontogeny and recrudescence with reference to reproduction is less understood in fish. Present report for the first time evaluated the significance of NPY by transient esiRNA silencing and also analyzed its expression during brain development and gonadal recrudescence in the catfish, Clarias gariepinus. As a first step, full-length cDNA of NPY was cloned from adult catfish brain, which shared high homology with its counterparts from other teleosts upon phylogenetic analysis. Tissue distribution revealed dominant expression of NPY in brain and testis. NPY expression increased during brain development wherein the levels were higher in 100 and 150days post hatch females than the respective age-matched males. Seasonal cycle analysis showed high expression of NPY in brain during pre-spawning phase in comparison with other reproductive phases. Localization studies exhibited the presence of NPY, abundantly, in the regions of preoptic area, hypothalamus and pituitary. Transient silencing of NPY-esiRNA directly into the brain significantly decreased NPY expression in both the male and female brain of catfish which further resulted in significant decrease of transcripts of tryptophan hydroxylase 2, catfish gonadotropin-releasing hormone (cfGnRH), tyrosine hydroxylase and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in brain and luteinizing hormone-β/gonadotropin-II (lh-β/GTH-II) in pituitary exhibiting its influence on gonadal axis. In addition, significant decrease of several ovary-related transcripts was observed in NPY-esiRNA silenced female catfish, indicating the plausible role of NPY in ovary through cfGnRH-GTH axis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hypocholesterolaemic effect of whole-grain highland hull-less barley in rats fed a high-fat diet.

PubMed

Xia, Xuejuan; Li, Guannan; Song, Jiaxin; Zheng, Jiong; Kan, Jianquan

2018-05-01

Whole-grain highland hull-less barley (WHLB) contains high amounts of bioactive compounds that potentially exhibit cholesterol-lowering effects. This study investigated the hypocholesterolaemic effect of WHLB. A total of seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups and were fed with the normal control diet, high-fat diet (HFD) and HFD containing low or high dose (10 or 48·95 %) of WHLB. High dose of WHLB significantly decreased the organ indexes of liver and abdominal fat and lipid levels of plasma and liver in HFD rats. The lipid regulation effect of WHLB, which was reconfirmed through hepatocyte morphologic observation, was accompanied by a large excretion of bile acids in the small intestinal contents and the faeces. Real-time PCR analyses, which were further reconfirmed through Western blot analyses, revealed that a high dose of WHLB significantly enhanced the hepatic expressions of AMP-activated protein kinase α, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, LDL receptor, liver X receptor, and PPARα and decreased the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase. It also enhanced the ileal expression of farnesoid X receptor and resulted in the decrease of expression of apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter. WHLB exhibited hypocholesterolaemic effects mainly by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis, cholesterol accumulation in peripheral tissue, and bile acid reabsorption and by stimulating bile acid synthesis.

Social stress induces changes in urinary bladder function, bladder NGF content, and generalized bladder inflammation in mice

PubMed Central

Peterson, Abbey; Erickson, Cuixia Shi; Nelson, Mark T.; Vizzard, Margaret A.

2014-01-01

Social stress may play a role in urinary bladder dysfunction in humans, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In the present study, we explored changes in bladder function caused by social stress using mouse models of stress and increasing stress. In the stress paradigm, individual submissive FVB mice were exposed to C57BL/6 aggressor mice directly/indirectly for 1 h/day for 2 or 4 wk. Increased stress was induced by continuous, direct/indirect exposure of FVB mice to aggressor mice for 2 wk. Stressed FVB mice exhibited nonvoiding bladder contractions and a decrease in both micturition interval (increased voiding frequency) and bladder capacity compared with control animals. ELISAs demonstrated a significant increase in histamine protein expression with no change in nerve growth factor protein expression in the urinary bladder compared with controls. Unlike stressed mice, mice exposed to an increased stress paradigm exhibited increased bladder capacities and intermicturition intervals (decreased voiding frequency). Both histamine and nerve growth factor protein expression were significantly increased with increased stress compared with control bladders. The change in bladder function from increased voiding frequency to decreased voiding frequency with increased stress intensity suggests that changes in social stress-induced urinary bladder dysfunction are context and duration dependent. In addition, changes in the bladder inflammatory milieu with social stress may be important contributors to changes in urinary bladder function. PMID:25100077

Prmt7 Deficiency Causes Reduced Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Metabolism and Age-Related Obesity.

PubMed

Jeong, Hyeon-Ju; Lee, Hye-Jin; Vuong, Tuan Anh; Choi, Kyu-Sil; Choi, Dahee; Koo, Sung-Hoi; Cho, Sung Chun; Cho, Hana; Kang, Jong-Sun

2016-07-01

Maintenance of skeletal muscle function is critical for metabolic health and the disruption of which exacerbates many chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Skeletal muscle responds to exercise or metabolic demands by a fiber-type switch regulated by signaling-transcription networks that remains to be fully defined. Here, we report that protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (Prmt7) is a key regulator for skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism. Prmt7 is expressed at the highest levels in skeletal muscle and decreased in skeletal muscles with age or obesity. Prmt7(-/-) muscles exhibit decreased oxidative metabolism with decreased expression of genes involved in muscle oxidative metabolism, including PGC-1α. Consistently, Prmt7(-/-) mice exhibited significantly reduced endurance exercise capacities. Furthermore, Prmt7(-/-) mice exhibit decreased energy expenditure, which might contribute to the exacerbated age-related obesity of Prmt7(-/-) mice. Similarly to Prmt7(-/-) muscles, Prmt7 depletion in myoblasts also reduces PGC-1α expression and PGC-1α-promoter driven reporter activities. Prmt7 regulates PGC-1α expression through interaction with and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), which in turn activates ATF2, an upstream transcriptional activator for PGC-1α. Taken together, Prmt7 is a novel regulator for muscle oxidative metabolism via activation of p38MAPK/ATF2/PGC-1α. © 2016 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.

Osmotic Adjustment in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Leaves and Roots in Response to Water Stress 1

PubMed Central

Oosterhuis, Derrick M.; Wullschleger, Stan D.

1987-01-01

The relative magnitude of adjustment in osmotic potential (ψs) of water-stressed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) leaves and roots was studied using plants raised in pots of sand and grown in a growth chamber. One and three water-stress preconditioning cycles were imposed by withholding water, and the subsequent adjustment in solute potential upon relief of the stress and complete rehydration was monitored with thermocouple psychrometers. Both leaves and roots exhibited a substantial adjustment in ψs in response to water stress with the former exhibiting the larger absolute adjustment. The osmotic adjustment of leaves was 0.41 megapascal compared to 0.19 megapascal in the roots. The roots, however, exhibited much larger percentage osmotic adjustments of 46 and 63% in the one and three stress cycles, respectively, compared to 22 and 40% in the leaves in similar stress cycles. The osmotically adjusted condition of leaves and roots decreased after relief of the single cycle stress to about half the initial value within 3 days, and to the well-watered control level within 6 days. In contrast, increasing the number of water-stress preconditioning cycles resulted in significant percentage osmotic adjustment still being present after 6 days in roots but not in the leaves. The decrease in ψs of leaves persisted longer in field-grown cotton plants compared to plants of the same age grown in the growth chamber. The advantage of decreased ψs in leaves and roots of water-stressed cotton plants was associated with the maintenance of turgor during periods of decreasing water potentials. PMID:16665577

Spatial analysis of precipitation time series over the Upper Indus Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latif, Yasir; Yaoming, Ma; Yaseen, Muhammad

2018-01-01

The upper Indus basin (UIB) holds one of the most substantial river systems in the world, contributing roughly half of the available surface water in Pakistan. This water provides necessary support for agriculture, domestic consumption, and hydropower generation; all critical for a stable economy in Pakistan. This study has identified trends, analyzed variability, and assessed changes in both annual and seasonal precipitation during four time series, identified herein as: (first) 1961-2013, (second) 1971-2013, (third) 1981-2013, and (fourth) 1991-2013, over the UIB. This study investigated spatial characteristics of the precipitation time series over 15 weather stations and provides strong evidence of annual precipitation by determining significant trends at 6 stations (Astore, Chilas, Dir, Drosh, Gupis, and Kakul) out of the 15 studied stations, revealing a significant negative trend during the fourth time series. Our study also showed significantly increased precipitation at Bunji, Chitral, and Skardu, whereas such trends at the rest of the stations appear insignificant. Moreover, our study found that seasonal precipitation decreased at some locations (at a high level of significance), as well as periods of scarce precipitation during all four seasons. The observed decreases in precipitation appear stronger and more significant in autumn; having 10 stations exhibiting decreasing precipitation during the fourth time series, with respect to time and space. Furthermore, the observed decreases in precipitation appear robust and more significant for regions at high elevation (>1300 m). This analysis concludes that decreasing precipitation dominated the UIB, both temporally and spatially including in the higher areas.

Altered brain serotonergic neurotransmission following caffeine withdrawal produces behavioral deficits in rats.

PubMed

Khaliq, Saima; Haider, Saida; Naqvi, Faizan; Perveen, Tahira; Saleem, Sadia; Haleem, Darakhshan Jabeen

2012-01-01

Caffeine administration has been shown to enhance performance and memory in rodents and humans while its withdrawal on the other hand produces neurobehavioral deficits which are thought to be mediated by alterations in monoamines neurotransmission. A role of decreased brain 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine, serotonin) levels has been implicated in impaired cognitive performance and depression. Memory functions of rats were assessed by Water Maze (WM) and immobility time by Forced Swim Test (FST). The results of this study showed that repeated caffeine administration for 6 days at 30 mg/kg dose significantly increases brain 5-HT (p<0.05) and 5-HIAA (p<0.05) levels and its withdrawal significantly (p<0.05) decreased brain 5-HT levels. A significant decrease in latency time was exhibited by rats in the WM repeatedly injected with caffeine. Withdrawal of caffeine however produced memory deficits and significantly increases the immobility time of rats in FST. The results of this study are linked with caffeine induced alterations in serotonergic neurotransmission and its role in memory and depression.

Glycemic control and adipokines after periodontal therapy in patients with Type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis.

PubMed

Wang, Shunqin; Liu, Jingsong; Zhang, Junfeng; Lin, Jiancheng; Yang, Shuyu; Yao, Jiangwu; Du, Minquan

2017-11-27

The mechanism by which chronic periodontitis (CP) affects type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of periodontal therapy (PT) on the glycemic control and adipokines of patients with T2DM and CP with the purpose of elucidating the possible mechanisms by which CP influences T2DM. Forty-four patients with T2DM and CP were randomly divided into two groups according to whether they underwent PT. Periodontal status, blood glucose, and the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adiponectin (APN), and fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) were measured at baseline and after 3 months. The results revealed that the probing depth (PD) and attachment loss (AL) were significantly improved, the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly decreased, and APN and FGF-21 exhibited substantial increases in the intervention group after 3 months (p < 0.05), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group. The glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in both groups decreased significantly after 3 months compared with baseline (p < 0.05), but the intervention group exhibited a significantly greater change (p < 0.05). In conclusion, PT may relieve periodontal inflammation, which causes a reduction of insulin-antagonizing adipokines and an increase in insulin-sensitizing adipokines, thereby eliciting an improvement in glycemic control.

Exposure to common quaternary ammonium disinfectants decreases fertility in mice

PubMed Central

Melin, Vanessa E.; Potineni, Haritha; Hunt, Patricia; Griswold, Jodi; Siems, Bill; Werre, Stephen R.; Hrubec, Terry C.

2014-01-01

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are antimicrobial disinfectants commonly used in commercial and household settings. Extensive use of QACs results in ubiquitous human exposure, yet reproductive toxicity has not been evaluated. Decreased reproductive performance in laboratory mice coincided with the introduction of a disinfectant containing both alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC) and didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC). QACs were detected in caging material over a period of several months following cessation of disinfectant use. Breeding pairs exposed for six months to a QAC disinfectant exhibited decreases in fertility and fecundity: increased time to first litter, longer pregnancy intervals, fewer pups per litter and fewer pregnancies. Significant morbidity in near term dams was also observed. In summary, exposure to a common QAC disinfectant mixture significantly impaired reproductive health in mice. This study illustrates the importance of assessing mixture toxicity of commonly used products whose components have only been evaluated individually. PMID:25483128

Pronation-Supination Motion Is Altered in a Rat Model of Post-Traumatic Elbow Contracture.

PubMed

Dunham, Chelsey L; Castile, Ryan M; Chamberlain, Aaron M; Galatz, Leesa M; Lake, Spencer P

2017-07-01

The elbow joint is highly susceptible to joint contracture, and treating elbow contracture is a challenging clinical problem. Previously, we established an animal model to study elbow contracture that exhibited features similar to the human condition including persistent decreased range of motion (ROM) in flexion-extension and increased capsule thickness/adhesions. The objective of this study was to mechanically quantify pronation-supination in different injury models to determine if significant differences compared to control or contralateral persist long-term in our animal elbow contracture model. After surgically inducing soft tissue damage in the elbow, Injury I (anterior capsulotomy) and Injury II (anterior capsulotomy with lateral collateral ligament transection), limbs were immobilized for 6 weeks (immobilization (IM)). Animals were evaluated after the IM period or following an additional 6 weeks of free mobilization (FM). Total ROM for pronation-supination was significantly decreased compared to the uninjured contralateral limb for both IM and FM, although not different from control limbs. Specifically, for both IM and FM, total ROM for Injury I and Injury II was significantly decreased by ∼20% compared to contralateral. Correlations of measurements from flexion-extension and pronation-supination divulged that FM did not affect these motions in the same way, demonstrating that joint motions need to be studied/treated separately. Overall, injured limbs exhibited persistent motion loss in pronation-supination when comparing side-to-side differences, similar to human post-traumatic joint contracture. Future work will use this animal model to study how elbow periarticular soft tissues contribute to contracture.

Impaired Recognition and Regulation of Disgust Is Associated with Distinct but Partially Overlapping Patterns of Decreased Gray Matter Volume in the Ventroanterior Insula.

PubMed

Woolley, Josh D; Strobl, Eric V; Sturm, Virginia E; Shany-Ur, Tal; Poorzand, Pardis; Grossman, Scott; Nguyen, Lauren; Eckart, Janet A; Levenson, Robert W; Seeley, William W; Miller, Bruce L; Rankin, Katherine P

2015-10-01

The ventroanterior insula is implicated in the experience, expression, and recognition of disgust; however, whether this brain region is required for recognizing disgust or regulating disgusting behaviors remains unknown. We examined the brain correlates of the presence of disgusting behavior and impaired recognition of disgust using voxel-based morphometry in a sample of 305 patients with heterogeneous patterns of neurodegeneration. Permutation-based analyses were used to determine regions of decreased gray matter volume at a significance level p <= .05 corrected for family-wise error across the whole brain and within the insula. Patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia and semantic variant primary progressive aphasia were most likely to exhibit disgusting behaviors and were, on average, the most impaired at recognizing disgust in others. Imaging analysis revealed that patients who exhibited disgusting behaviors had significantly less gray matter volume bilaterally in the ventral anterior insula. A region of interest analysis restricted to behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia and semantic variant primary progressive aphasia patients alone confirmed this result. Moreover, impaired recognition of disgust was associated with decreased gray matter volume in the bilateral ventroanterior and ventral middle regions of the insula. There was an area of overlap in the bilateral anterior insula where decreased gray matter volume was associated with both the presence of disgusting behavior and impairments in recognizing disgust. These findings suggest that regulating disgusting behaviors and recognizing disgust in others involve two partially overlapping neural systems within the insula. Moreover, the ventral anterior insula is required for both processes. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Impaired recognition and regulation of disgust is associated with distinct but partially overlapping patterns of decreased gray matter volume in the ventroanterior insula

PubMed Central

Woolley, Joshua; Strobl, Eric V; Sturm, Virginia E; Shany-Ur, Tal; Poorzand, Pardis; Grossman, Scott; Nguyen, Lauren; Eckart, Janet A; Levenson, Robert W; Seeley, William W; Miller, Bruce L; Rankin, Katherine P

2015-01-01

Background The ventroanterior insula is implicated in the experience, expression, and recognition of disgust; however, whether this brain region is required for recognizing disgust or regulating disgusting behaviors remains unknown. Methods We examined the brain correlates of the presence of disgusting behavior and impaired recognition of disgust using voxel-based morphometry in a sample of 305 patients with heterogeneous patterns of neurodegeneration. Permutation-based analyses were used to determine regions of decreased grey matter volume at a significance level p<0.05 corrected for family-wise error across the whole brain and within the insula. Results Patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) were most likely to exhibit disgusting behaviors and were, on average, the most impaired at recognizing disgust in others. Imaging analysis revealed that patients who exhibited disgusting behaviors had significantly less grey matter volume bilaterally in the ventral anterior insula. A region of interest analysis restricted to bvFTD and svPPA patients alone confirmed this result. Moreover, impaired recognition of disgust was associated with decreased grey matter volume in the bilateral ventroanterior and ventral middle regions of the insula. There was an area of overlap in the bilateral anterior insula where decreased grey matter volume was associated with both the presence of disgusting behavior and impairments in recognizing disgust. Conclusion These findings suggest that regulating disgusting behaviors and recognizing disgust in others involve two partially overlapping neural systems within the insula. Moreover, the ventral anterior insula is required for both processes. PMID:25890642

Correlates of individual differences in compensatory nicotine self-administration in rats following a decrease in nicotine unit dose

PubMed Central

Harris, Andrew C.; Pentel, Paul R.; LeSage, Mark G.

2013-01-01

Rationale The ability of tobacco harm reduction strategies to produce significant reductions in toxin exposure is limited by compensatory increases in smoking behavior. Characterizing factors contributing to the marked individual variability in compensation may be useful for understanding this phenomenon and assessing the feasibility of harm reduction interventions. Objective To use an animal model of human compensatory smoking that involves a decrease in unit dose supporting nicotine self-administration (NSA) to examine potential contributors to individual differences in compensation. Methods Rats were trained for NSA during daily 23 hr sessions at a unit dose of 0.06 mg/kg/inf until responding was stable. The unit dose was then reduced to 0.03 mg/kg/inf for at least 10 sessions. Following reacquisition of NSA at the training dose and extinction, single-dose nicotine pharmacokinetic parameters were determined. Results Decreases in nicotine intake following dose reduction were proportionally less than the decrease in unit dose, indicating partial compensation. Compensatory increases in infusion rates were observed across the course of the 23 hr sessions. The magnitude of compensation differed considerably between rats. Rats exhibiting the highest baseline infusion rates exhibited the lowest levels of compensation. Nicotine pharmacokinetic parameters were not significantly correlated with compensation. Infusion rates immediately returned to pre-reduction levels when baseline conditions were restored. Conclusions These findings provide initial insights into correlates of individual differences in compensation following a reduction in nicotine unit dose. The present assay may be useful for characterizing mechanisms and potential consequences of the marked individual differences in compensatory smoking observed in humans. PMID:19475400

Effects of food deprivation on expression of growth hormone receptor and proximate composition in liver of black seabream Acanthopagrus schlegeli.

PubMed

Deng, L; Zhang, W M; Lin, H R; Cheng, Christopher H K

2004-04-01

The effects of food deprivation on the hepatic level growth hormone receptor (GHR) were investigated in black seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) both at the protein level (by radioreceptor assay) and at the mRNA level (by ribonuclease protection assay). Serum levels of growth hormone (GH) and triiodothyronine (T(3)) were also measured. Condition factor and hepatic proximate composition of the fish were also assessed. Significant decrease in hepatic GHR binding was recorded as early as on day 2 of starvation. On day 30 this decrease was even more pronounced, with the level in the starved fish reaching less than 20% the fed control level. A concomitant decrease in the hepatic GHR mRNA content was also noted during this period, with a progressive decrease from day 2 to day 30 of starvation. The extent of decrease in the mRNA content was less pronounced than the decrease in receptor binding, with the hepatic GHR mRNA content in the day 30 starved fish representing approximately 30% of the level in the fed control. In large contrast, serum GH level increased progressively during starvation. After 30 days of starvation, serum GH levels in the starved fish were more than three times the concentration found in the fed control. Serum T(3) levels, on the other hand, decreased during starvation, with the difference reaching significance on day 15 and day 30. After 30 days of starvation, serum T(3) levels in the starved fish were only approximately 40% the concentration found in the fed control. The hepatic lipid content exhibited an increasing trend during starvation. On day 30 the hepatic lipid content of the starved fish had doubled the level found in the fed control. However, the hepatic protein content did not exhibit much change during starvation. There was also a minor decrease in the moisture content of the liver during starvation, but the condition factor of the fish as a whole registered a gradual decrease during the course of food deprivation.

Inoculating chlamydospores of Trichoderma asperellum SM-12F1 changes arsenic availability and enzyme activity in soils and improves water spinach growth.

PubMed

Su, Shiming; Zeng, Xibai; Bai, Lingyu; Williams, Paul N; Wang, Yanan; Zhang, Lili; Wu, Cuixia

2017-05-01

Arsenic (As)-contaminated agricultural soils threaten crop yields and pose a human health risk. Augmentation of exogenous microorganisms exhibiting plant-growth promoting and As speciation changing shows potential to improve crop growth and change soil As availability. Trichoderma asperellum SM-12F1 exhibiting both traits was developed into chlamydospores to improve its persistence in contaminated soils. After inoculation, As availability and enzyme activity in two types of soils and the growth as well as As uptake of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatic Forsk.) were investigated. The results indicated that inoculation significantly improved water spinach growth in both soils. Inoculating chlamydospores at 5% significantly increased As concentration (139%), bioconcentration factor (150%), and translocation factor (150%) in water spinach grown in Chenzhou (CZ) soils, while no significant change for these in Shimen (SM) soils. Inoculating chlamydospores at 5% caused a significant increase (16%) of available As content in CZ soils, while a significant decrease (13%) in SM soils. Inoculation significantly caused As methylation in both soils, while significant As reduction merely observed in CZ soils. The differential changes in available As contents in both soils were attributed to the soil pH, As fractionations and speciation characteristics. Furthermore, Inoculating chlamydospores at 5% significantly improved the activities of β-glucosidase (155%), chitinase (211%), and phosphatase (108%) in SM soils, while significant decreases in β-glucosidase (81%), phosphatase (54%), aminopeptidase (60%), and catalase (67%) in CZ soils. Bioaugmentation and As availability change were responsible for this result. These observations will be helpful for the application of fungal chlamydospores in the future bioremediation. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Importance of Conserved Cysteine Residues in the Coronavirus Envelope Protein▿

PubMed Central

Lopez, Lisa A.; Riffle, Ambere J.; Pike, Steven L.; Gardner, Douglas; Hogue, Brenda G.

2008-01-01

Coronavirus envelope (E) proteins play an important, not fully understood role(s) in the virus life cycle. All E proteins have conserved cysteine residues located on the carboxy side of the long hydrophobic domain, suggesting functional significance. In this study, we confirmed that mouse hepatitis coronavirus A59 E protein is palmitoylated. To understand the role of the conserved residues and the necessity of palmitoylation, three cysteines at positions 40, 44, and 47 were changed singly and in various combinations to alanine. Double- and triple-mutant E proteins resulted in decreased virus-like particle output when coexpressed with the membrane (M) protein. Mutant E proteins were also studied in the context of a full-length infectious clone. Single-substitution viruses exhibited growth characteristics virtually identical to those of the wild-type virus, while the double-substitution mutations gave rise to viruses with less robust growth phenotypes indicated by smaller plaques and decreased virus yields. In contrast, replacement of all three cysteines resulted in crippled virus with significantly reduced yields. Triple-mutant viruses did not exhibit impairment in entry. Mutant E proteins localized properly in infected cells. A comparison of intracellular and extracellular virus yields suggested that release is only slightly impaired. E protein lacking all three cysteines exhibited an increased rate of degradation compared to that of the wild-type protein, suggesting that palmitoylation is important for the stability of the protein. Altogether, the results indicate that the conserved cysteines and presumably palmitoylation are functionally important for virus production. PMID:18184703

Development of Alendronate-conjugated Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Dextran Nanoparticles for Active Targeting of Cisplatin in Osteosarcoma

PubMed Central

Liu, Ping; Sun, Liang; Zhou, Dong-sheng; Zhang, Peng; Wang, Yong-hui; Li, Dong; Li, Qing-hu; Feng, Rong-jie

2015-01-01

In this study, we developed a novel poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)-dextran (PLD)-based nanodelivery system to enhance the anticancer potential of cisplatin (CDDP) in osteosarcoma cells. A nanosized CDDP-loaded PLGA-DX nanoparticle (PLD/CDDP) controlled the release rate of CDDP up to 48 h. In vitro cytotoxicity assay showed a superior anticancer effect for PLD/CDDP and with an appreciable cellular uptake via endocytosis-mediated pathways. PLD/CDDP exhibited significant apoptosis of MG63 cancer cells compared to that of free CDDP. Approximately ~25% of cells were in early apoptosis phase after PLD/CDDP treatment comparing to ~15% for free CDDP after 48h incubation. Similarly, PLD/CDDP exhibited ~30% of late apoptosis cells comparing to only ~8% for free drug treatment. PLD/CDDP exhibited significantly higher G2/M phase arrest in MG63 cells than compared to free CDDP with a nearly 2-fold higher arrest in case of PLD/CDDP treated group (~60%). Importantly, PLD/CDDP exhibited a most significant anti-tumor activity with maximum tumor growth inhibition. The superior inhibitory effect was further confirmed by a marked reduction in the number of CD31 stained tumor blood vessels and decrease in the Ki67 staining intensity for PLD/CDDP treated animal group. Overall, CDDP formulations could provide a promising and most effective platform in the treatment of osteosarcoma. PMID:26619950

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) as explosives detectors: exploring proboscis extension reflex conditioned response to trinitrotolulene (TNT)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Taylor-mccabe, Kirsten J; Wingo, Robert M; Haarmann, Timothy K

We examined honey bee's associative learning response to conditioning with trinitrotolulene (TNT) vapor concentrations generated at three temperatures and their ability to be reconditioned after a 24 h period. We used classical conditioning of the proboscis extension (PER) in honey bees using TNT vapors as the conditioned stimulus and sucrose as the unconditioned stimulus. We conducted fifteen experimental trials with an explosives vapor generator set at 43 C, 25 C and 5 C, producing three concentrations of explosives (1070 ppt, 57 ppt, and 11 ppt). Our objective was to test the honey bee's ability to exhibit a conditioned response tomore » TNT vapors at all three concentrations by comparing the mean percentage of honey bees successfully exhibiting a conditioned response within each temperature group. Furthermore, we conducted eight experimental trials to test the honey bee's ability to retain their ability to exhibit a conditioned response to TNT after 24h period by comparing the mean percentage of honey bees with a conditioned response TNT on the first day compared to the percentage of honey bees with a conditioned response to TNT on the second day. Results indicate that there was no significant difference between the mean percentage of honey bees with a conditioned response to TNT vapors between three temperature groups. There was a significant difference between the percentage of honey bees exhibiting conditioned response on the first day of training compared to the percentage of honey bees exhibiting conditioned response 24 h after training. Our experimental results indicate that honey bees can be trained to exhibit a conditioned response to a range of TNT concentrations via PER However, it appears that the honey bee's ability to retain the conditioned response to TNT vapors after 24h significantly decreases.« less

Effects of Soil Water Deficit on Insecticidal Protein Expression in Boll Shells of Transgenic Bt Cotton and the Mechanism.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiang; Wang, Jian; Peng, Sheng; Li, Yuan; Tian, Xiaofeng; Wang, Guangcheng; Zhang, Zhongning; Dong, Zhaodi; Chen, Yuan; Chen, Dehua

2017-01-01

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of soil water deficit on insecticidal protein expression in boll shells of cotton transgenic for a Bt gene. In 2014, Bt cotton cultivars Sikang 1 (a conventional cultivar) and Sikang 3 (a hybrid cultivar) were planted in pots and five soil water content treatments were imposed at peak boll stage: 15% (G1), 35% (G2), 40% (G3), 60% (G4), and 75% field capacity (CK), respectively. Four treatments (G2, G3, G4, and CK) were repeated in 2015 in the field. Results showed that the insecticidal protein content of boll shells decreased with increasing water deficit. Compared with CK, boll shell insecticidal protein content decreased significantly when soil water content was below 60% of maximum water holding capacity for Sikang 1 and Sikang 3. However, increased Bt gene expression was observed when boll shell insecticidal protein content was significantly reduced. Activity assays of key enzymes in nitrogen metabolism showed that boll shell protease and peptidase increased but nitrogen reductase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) decreased. Insecticidal protein content exhibited significant positive correlation with nitrogen reductase and GPT activities; and significant negative correlation with protease and peptidase activities. These findings suggest that the decrease of insecticidal protein content associated with increasing water deficit was a net result of decreased synthesis and increased decomposition.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Pistacia lentiscus essential oil: involvement of IL-6 and TNF-alpha.

PubMed

Maxia, Andrea; Sanna, Cinzia; Frau, Maria Assunta; Piras, Alessandra; Karchuli, Manvendra Singh; Kasture, Veena

2011-10-01

The topical anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil of Pistacia lentiscus L. was studied using carrageenan induced rat paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma. The effect on serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rats inserted with cotton pellet was also investigated. On topical application, the oil exhibited a significant decrease in paw edema. The oil also inhibited cotton pellet-induced granuloma, and reduced serum TNF-alpha and IL-6. It can be concluded that the essential oil of Pistacia lentiscus reduces leukocyte migration to the damaged tissue and exhibits anti-inflammatory activity.

Effect of sealer coating and storage methods on the surface roughness of soft liners.

PubMed

Usta Kutlu, Ilknur; Yanikoğlu, Nuran Dinckal; Kul, Esra; Duymuş, Zeynep Yesïl; Sağsöz, Nurdan Polat

2016-03-01

A soft lining is applied under a removable prosthesis for various reasons. The porosity of the lining material may increase colonization by microorganisms and cause tissue inflammation. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of sealer coating on the surface roughness of soft lining materials under 4 different conditions. A total of 125 specimens were prepared. One high-temperature silicone-based soft lining material and 2 room-temperature-polymerized soft lining materials (1 silicone-based and 1 methacrylate-based) were used. Twenty-five specimens of each room-temperature soft lining material were coated with 2 layers of surface sealer. Additionally, 5 specimens of each material were stored in either distilled water, Coca-Cola, denture cleanser, saliva, or air. The surface roughness was measured at baseline and after 1, 7, 14, and 28 days. Surface roughness values were analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance, and the Bonferroni multiple comparison test was performed using time-dependent groups and storage methods. In the time-dependent groups, methacrylate-based sealer-coated soft liners exhibited a significant increase in roughness (1.74-2.09 μm, P<.001), and silicone-based sealer-coated soft liners exhibited a decrease in roughness, but it was not significant (2.16-2.02 μm, P>.05). Therefore, the sealer coating was not effective in reducing surface roughness. Among the time-dependent storage methods, the denture cleanser exhibited an almost significant increase in roughness (1.83-1.99 μm, P=.054). Coca-Cola and artificial saliva did not show a significant difference (P>.05). However, a significant decrease in roughness was found with distilled water (P=.02) and air (P<.001). Statistically significant differences in surface roughness were found among the different types of soft liners. The sealer coating had no significant effect, and denture cleanser slightly increased the surface roughness. Contrary to expectations, the roughness did not increase in all groups over time. Copyright © 2016 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reducing FLI1 Levels in the MRL/lpr Lupus Mouse Model Impacts T Cell Function by Modulating Glycosphingolipid Metabolism

PubMed Central

Richard, Erin Morris; Thiyagarajan, Thirumagal; Bunni, Marlene A.; Basher, Fahmin; Roddy, Patrick O.; Siskind, Leah J.; Nietert, Paul J.; Nowling, Tamara K.

2013-01-01

Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease caused, in part, by abnormalities in cells of the immune system including B and T cells. Genetically reducing globally the expression of the ETS transcription factor FLI1 by 50% in two lupus mouse models significantly improves disease measures and survival through an unknown mechanism. In this study we analyze the effects of reducing FLI1 in the MRL/lpr lupus prone model on T cell function. We demonstrate that adoptive transfer of MRL/lpr Fli1 +/+ or Fli1 +/- T cells and B cells into Rag1-deficient mice results in significantly decreased serum immunoglobulin levels in animals receiving Fli1 +/- lupus T cells compared to animals receiving Fli1 +/+ lupus T cells regardless of the genotype of co-transferred lupus B cells. Ex vivo analyses of MRL/lpr T cells demonstrated that Fli1 +/- T cells produce significantly less IL-4 during early and late disease and exhibited significantly decreased TCR-specific activation during early disease compared to Fli1 +/+ T cells. Moreover, the Fli1 +/- T cells expressed significantly less neuraminidase 1 (Neu1) message and decreased NEU activity during early disease and significantly decreased levels of glycosphingolipids during late disease compared to Fli1 +/+ T cells. FLI1 dose-dependently activated the Neu1 promoter in mouse and human T cell lines. Together, our results suggest reducing FLI1 in lupus decreases the pathogenicity of T cells by decreasing TCR-specific activation and IL-4 production in part through the modulation of glycosphingolipid metabolism. Reducing the expression of FLI1 or targeting the glycosphingolipid metabolic pathway in lupus may serve as a therapeutic approach to treating lupus. PMID:24040398

Reducing FLI1 levels in the MRL/lpr lupus mouse model impacts T cell function by modulating glycosphingolipid metabolism.

PubMed

Richard, Erin Morris; Thiyagarajan, Thirumagal; Bunni, Marlene A; Basher, Fahmin; Roddy, Patrick O; Siskind, Leah J; Nietert, Paul J; Nowling, Tamara K

2013-01-01

Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease caused, in part, by abnormalities in cells of the immune system including B and T cells. Genetically reducing globally the expression of the ETS transcription factor FLI1 by 50% in two lupus mouse models significantly improves disease measures and survival through an unknown mechanism. In this study we analyze the effects of reducing FLI1 in the MRL/lpr lupus prone model on T cell function. We demonstrate that adoptive transfer of MRL/lpr Fli1(+/+) or Fli1(+/-) T cells and B cells into Rag1-deficient mice results in significantly decreased serum immunoglobulin levels in animals receiving Fli1(+/-) lupus T cells compared to animals receiving Fli1(+/+) lupus T cells regardless of the genotype of co-transferred lupus B cells. Ex vivo analyses of MRL/lpr T cells demonstrated that Fli1(+/-) T cells produce significantly less IL-4 during early and late disease and exhibited significantly decreased TCR-specific activation during early disease compared to Fli1(+/+) T cells. Moreover, the Fli1(+/-) T cells expressed significantly less neuraminidase 1 (Neu1) message and decreased NEU activity during early disease and significantly decreased levels of glycosphingolipids during late disease compared to Fli1(+/+) T cells. FLI1 dose-dependently activated the Neu1 promoter in mouse and human T cell lines. Together, our results suggest reducing FLI1 in lupus decreases the pathogenicity of T cells by decreasing TCR-specific activation and IL-4 production in part through the modulation of glycosphingolipid metabolism. Reducing the expression of FLI1 or targeting the glycosphingolipid metabolic pathway in lupus may serve as a therapeutic approach to treating lupus.

Expression of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoforms 1, 2, 3, and 4 in bovine endometrium and the influence of uterine pH at time of fixed-time AI of pregnancy success.

PubMed

Bolzenius, Jennifer K; Cushman, Robert A; Perry, George A

2016-08-01

Cows that exhibit estrus prior to fixed-time AI had increased sperm transport to the site of fertilization, and improved embryo quality on d 6 after insemination. Sperm transport is influenced by uterine pH, and research has reported that uterine pH decreased at onset of estrus, but must return to normal prior to ovulation. Therefore, the objectives of these studies were to investigate a possible mechanism for the regulation of uterine pH around the onset of estrus, and to determine if uterine pH at time of fixed-time AI influenced pregnancy success. In experiment 1, Angus-cross beef cows (n=40 and 28 in rep. 1 and 2, respectively) were synchronized with the PG 6-day CIDR protocol (PGF2α on d -9, GnRH and insertion of a CIDR on d -6, and PGF2α and CIDR removal on d 0). Cows were blocked by follicle size at time of CIDR removal, and uterine biopsies were collected at 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 (Rep. 1), 72, 84, or 96h (Rep2) after CIDR removal, and total cellular RNA was extracted from all biopsies. Estrus was monitored by the HeatWatch Estrous Detection System. In experiment 2, 223 postpartum beef cows in 2 herds were synchronized with a fixed-time AI protocol (herd 1: n=97; CO-Synch plus CIDR protocol; herd 2: n=126; Co-synch protocol). Uterine pH was determined at time of AI (n=80 and 63 for herd 1 and 2, respectively), and estrus was monitored by visual estrus detection with the aid of an ESTROTECT estrous detection patches, and pregnancy was determined by transrectal ultrasonography. In experiment 1, there was a significant (P<0.01), quadratic relationship in expression of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoforms 1, 2, and 3 among animals that exhibited estrus, with expression greatest at time of CIDR removal, decreasing to the onset of estrus, and then increasing again following the onset of estrus. Among cows that did not exhibit estrus, the preceding relationship did not exist (P>0.46). In experiment 2, cows that had initiated estrus prior to fixed-time AI had decreased (P=0.01) uterine pH compared to cows that did not initiate estrus (6.78±0.03 and 6.89±0.03, respectively), and uterine pH at AI had an approximately linear effect on pregnancy success within the observed pH range. Furthermore, cows that initiated estrus prior to AI had increased (P=0.05) pregnancy success (52% vs. 38%) compared to cows that had not initiated estrus. In summary, expression of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoforms 1, 2, and 3 decreased after CIDR removal among cows that exhibited estrus, but did not change among cows that did not exhibit estrus. Additionally, as uterine pH decreased pregnancy success tended to increase (P=0.076, logistics regression). Thus, Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoforms 1, 2, and 3 appear to be key regulators of uterine pH around the onset of estrus, and this change in uterine pH is critical for pregnancy success. Expression of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoforms 1, 2, and 3 decreased after CIDR removal among cows that exhibited estrus, but did not change among cows that did not exhibit estrus, and as uterine pH decreased, pregnancy success tended to increase. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Inhibitory effects of different ATP-sensitive potassium channel openers on electrically generated and carbachol-induced contractions of porcine and human detrusor muscle.

PubMed

Badawi, Jasmin Katrin; Ding, Andrea; Bross, Stephan

2008-02-01

The inhibitory effects of different potassium channel openers (PCOs) on electrically generated and carbachol-induced contractions of porcine and human detrusor muscle were examined. PCOs could be an interesting substance class for treatment of detrusor overactivity. Experiments were performed on muscle strips suspended in a tissue bath. Human tissue originated from patients who underwent total cystectomy. The concentration-relaxation curves of the first-generation PCOs cromakalim and pinacidil and the untypical PCO minoxidil were performed using carbachol-precontracted detrusor muscle strips of pigs and humans. Additionally, the inhibitory effects of cromakalim, pinacidil and minoxidil on electrically generated contractions of porcine detrusor muscle were examined. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of the second-generation, bladder-selective PCO ZM 226600 on electrically generated contractions of the human detrusor muscle was determined. Frequency-response curves were performed before and after incubation with one PCO used in two different concentrations. In humans, cromakalim and pinacidil led to a maximum decrease of 73.5 and 68.4% and showed mean pD2 values of 6.65 and 5.5, respectively. In pigs, cromakalim and pinacidil led to a maximum decrease of 90.6 and 93.6% and showed mean pD2 values of 6.39 and 5.01, respectively. Minoxidil did not significantly decrease the precontraction at the highest used concentration in both species. Cromakalim exhibited the biggest inhibitory effect being significant at 10(-5) and 10(-6) M. Pinacidil showed only a significant inhibitory effect at 10(-5) M which was smaller than that of cromakalim. At 3 x 10(-6) M only a very small effect occurred at 1 Hz. Minoxidil did not inhibit the contractions at both examined concentrations except for a very small effect at 1 Hz. In humans, ZM 226600 exhibited at 10(-6) and 10(-5) M a significant inhibitory effect. At 10(-7) M it was only significant at one frequency.

Mitochondrial Superoxide Production Negatively Regulates Neural Progenitor Proliferation and Cerebral Cortical Development

PubMed Central

Hou, Yan; Ouyang, Xin; Wan, Ruiqian; Cheng, Heping; Mattson, Mark P.; Cheng, Aiwu

2012-01-01

Although high amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can damage cells, ROS can also play roles as second messengers, regulating diverse cellular processes. Here we report that embryonic mouse cerebral cortical neural progenitor cells (NPCs) exhibit intermittent spontaneous bursts of mitochondrial superoxide (SO) generation (mitochondrial SO flashes) that require transient opening of membrane permeability transition pores (mPTP). This quantal SO production negatively regulates NPC self-renewal. Mitochondrial SO scavengers and mPTP inhibitors reduce SO flash frequency and enhance NPC proliferation, whereas prolonged mPTP opening and SO generation increase SO flash incidence and decrease NPC proliferation. The inhibition of NPC proliferation by mitochondrial SO involves suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases. Moreover, mice lacking SOD2 (SOD2−/− mice) exhibit significantly fewer proliferative NPCs and differentiated neurons in the embryonic cerebral cortex at mid-gestation compared with wild type littermates. Cultured SOD2−/− NPCs exhibit a significant increase in SO flash frequency and reduced NPC proliferation. Taken together, our findings suggest that mitochondrial SO flashes negatively regulate NPC self-renewal in the developing cerebral cortex. PMID:22949407

Evaluation of Caesalpinia pulcherrima Linn. for anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activities

PubMed Central

Sharma, Vivek; Rajani, G.P.

2011-01-01

Objective: To evaluate the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of aerial parts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Linn.) Sw. for anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activities. Materials and Methods: Anti-inflammatory action of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of C. pulcherrima (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) (CPE and CPA) were evaluated by cotton pellet granuloma models. Pylorus ligation and aspirin induced ulcer models were employed for evaluating antiulcer activity for both the extracts. Ulcerogenic potential of CP was also evaluated. Result: The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of C. pulcherrima significantly decreased (P<0.01) the granuloma tissue development. CPE and CPA at both the doses exhibited significant (P<0.01) antiulcer activity by decreasing the ulcer score in both the ulcer models and it was not ulcerogenic. Conclusion: The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of aerial parts of C. pulcherrima (CPE and CPA) possess significant anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activities. PMID:21572651

The role of nesfatin-1 expression in letrozole-induced polycystic ovaries in the rat.

PubMed

Xu, Yingqiao; Zhang, Hua; Li, Qingchun; Lao, Kaixue; Wang, Yanlin

2017-06-01

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex and heterogeneous endocrine disorder, generally exhibiting the characteristic features of hyperandrogenemia, insulin resistance (IR) and obesity. Nesfatin-1 is derived from the precursor nucleobindin2 (NUCB2), and plays an active role in energy balance, glucose metabolism and most likely gonadal function. In order to explore the role of nesfatin-1, we employed a rat model that uses letrozole to induce PCOS. The PCOS rats exhibited increased body weight, irregular cycles, polycystic ovaries characterized by cysts formed from atretic follicles, and a diminished granulosa layer. The expression of both nesfatin-1 mRNA and protein in the ovarian tissues of PCOS group decreased significantly compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Nesfatin-1 expression in peripheral blood also decreased in the PCOS group, in contrast with the control group. Furthermore, we found that nesfatin-1 had a positive correlation with FSH, E 2 and P, whereas it had a negative correlation with LH, and total T (p < 0.05). When taken together, these data indicated that the decrease in nesfatin-1 may contribute to the mechanism governing PCOS, and might provide a new potential target for therapies aimed at treating PCOS.

Targeted Disruption of ALK Reveals a Potential Role in Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism

PubMed Central

Nord, Christoffer; Ahlgren, Ulf; Eriksson, Maria; Vernersson-Lindahl, Emma; Helland, Åslaug; Alexeyev, Oleg A.; Hallberg, Bengt; Palmer, Ruth H.

2015-01-01

Mice lacking ALK activity have previously been reported to exhibit subtle behavioral phenotypes. In this study of ALK of loss of function mice we present data supporting a role for ALK in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in male mice. We observed lower level of serum testosterone at P40 in ALK knock-out males, accompanied by mild disorganization of seminiferous tubules exhibiting decreased numbers of GATA4 expressing cells. These observations highlight a role for ALK in testis function and are further supported by experiments in which chemical inhibition of ALK activity with the ALK TKI crizotinib was employed. Oral administration of crizotinib resulted in a decrease of serum testosterone levels in adult wild type male mice, which reverted to normal levels after cessation of treatment. Analysis of GnRH expression in neurons of the hypothalamus revealed a significant decrease in the number of GnRH positive neurons in ALK knock-out mice at P40 when compared with control littermates. Thus, ALK appears to be involved in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism by regulating the timing of pubertal onset and testis function at the upper levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis. PMID:25955180

Correlation of mechanical properties with metallurgical structure for 18Ni 200 grade maraging steel at room and cryogenic temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wagner, J. A.

1991-01-01

An extensive metallurgical study is presented which is intended to explain variations in the mechanical properties of Ni18 200 grade maraging steel in various product forms and orientations. Fracture toughness and Charpy impact values are found to decrease with decreasing temperature and be dependent on product form, specimen orientation, and metallurgical condition. Fatigue crack growth rates are dependent on temperature only. Fractographic analysis reveals that the decrease in toughness at -170 C is not associated with cleavage-type fracture morphology. Those specimens exhibiting low fracture toughness at room temperature or -170 C are found to have a significantly larger number of titanium-rich particles associated with dimple formation on the fracture surface.

Comprehensive behavioral analysis of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) knockout mice

PubMed Central

Hattori, Satoko; Takao, Keizo; Tanda, Koichi; Toyama, Keiko; Shintani, Norihito; Baba, Akemichi; Hashimoto, Hitoshi; Miyakawa, Tsuyoshi

2012-01-01

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide acting as a neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, or neurotrophic factor. PACAP is widely expressed throughout the brain and exerts its functions through the PACAP-specific receptor (PAC1). Recent studies reveal that genetic variants of the PACAP and PAC1 genes are associated with mental disorders, and several behavioral abnormalities of PACAP knockout (KO) mice are reported. However, an insufficient number of backcrosses was made using PACAP KO mice on the C57BL/6J background due to their postnatal mortality. To elucidate the effects of PACAP on neuropsychiatric function, the PACAP gene was knocked out in F1 hybrid mice (C57BL/6J × 129SvEv) for appropriate control of the genetic background. The PACAP KO mice were then subjected to a behavioral test battery. PACAP deficiency had no significant effects on neurological screen. As shown previously, the mice exhibited significantly increased locomotor activity in a novel environment and abnormal anxiety-like behavior, while no obvious differences between genotypes were shown in home cage (HC) activity. In contrast to previous reports, the PACAP KO mice showed normal prepulse inhibition (PPI) and slightly decreased depression-like behavior. Previous study demonstrates that the social interaction (SI) in a resident-intruder test was decreased in PACAP KO mice. On the other hand, we showed that PACAP KO mice exhibited increased SI in Crawley's three-chamber social approach test, although PACAP KO had no significant impact on SI in a HC. PACAP KO mice also exhibited mild performance deficit in working memory in an eight-arm radial maze (RM) and the T-maze (TM), while they did not show any significant abnormalities in the left-right discrimination task in the TM. These results suggest that PACAP has an important role in the regulation of locomotor activity, social behavior, anxiety-like behavior and, potentially, working memory. PMID:23060763

Testosterone is protective against impaired glucose metabolism in male intrauterine growth-restricted offspring

PubMed Central

Dasinger, John Henry; Fahling, Joel M.; Backstrom, Miles A.; Alexander, Barbara T.

2017-01-01

Placental insufficiency alters the intrauterine environment leading to increased risk for chronic disease including impaired glucose metabolism in low birth weight infants. Using a rat model of low birth weight, we previously reported that placental insufficiency induces a significant increase in circulating testosterone in male intrauterine growth-restricted offspring (mIUGR) in early adulthood that is lost by 12 months of age. Numerous studies indicate testosterone has a positive effect on glucose metabolism in men. Female growth-restricted littermates exhibit glucose intolerance at 6 months of age. Thus, the aim of this paper was to determine whether mIUGR develop impaired glucose metabolism, and whether a decrease in elevated testosterone levels plays a role in its onset. Male growth-restricted offspring were studied at 6 and 12 months of age. No impairment in glucose tolerance was observed at 6 months of age when mIUGR exhibited a 2-fold higher testosterone level compared to age-matched control. Fasting blood glucose was significantly higher and glucose tolerance was impaired with a significant decrease in circulating testosterone in mIUGR at 12 compared with 6 months of age. Castration did not additionally impair fasting blood glucose or glucose tolerance in mIUGR at 12 months of age, but fasting blood glucose was significantly elevated in castrated controls. Restoration of elevated testosterone levels significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance in mIUGR. Thus, our findings suggest that the endogenous increase in circulating testosterone in mIUGR is protective against impaired glucose homeostasis. PMID:29145418

Cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency alters hepatic phospholipid and choline metabolism: Post-translational repression of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase is a consequence rather than a cause of liver injury in homocystinuria.

PubMed

Jacobs, René L; Jiang, Hua; Kennelly, John P; Orlicky, David J; Allen, Robert H; Stabler, Sally P; Maclean, Kenneth N

2017-04-01

Classical homocystinuria (HCU) due to inactivating mutation of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) is a poorly understood life-threatening inborn error of sulfur metabolism. A previously described cbs-/- mouse model exhibits a semi-lethal phenotype due to neonatal liver failure. The transgenic HO mouse model of HCU exhibits only mild liver injury and recapitulates multiple aspects of the disease as it occurs in humans. Disruption of the methionine cycle in HCU has the potential to impact multiple aspect of phospholipid (PL) metabolism by disruption of both the Kennedy pathway and phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) mediated synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC). Comparative metabolomic analysis of HO mouse liver revealed decreased levels of choline, and choline phosphate indicating disruption of the Kennedy pathway. Alterations in the relative levels of multiple species of PL included significant increases in PL degradation products consistent with enhanced membrane PL turnover. A significant decrease in PC containing 20:4n6 which primarily formed by the methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine to PC was consistent with decreased flux through PEMT. Hepatic expression of PEMT in both the cbs-/- and HO models is post-translationally repressed with decreased levels of PEMT protein and activity that inversely-correlates with the scale of liver injury. Failure to induce further repression of PEMT in HO mice by increased homocysteine, methionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine or depletion of glutathione combined with examination of multiple homocysteine-independent models of liver injury indicated that repression of PEMT in HCU is a consequence rather than a cause of liver injury. Collectively, our data show significant alteration of a broad range of hepatic PL and choline metabolism in HCU with the potential to contribute to multiple aspects of pathogenesis in this disease. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Increased natural reproduction and genetic diversity one generation after cessation of a steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) conservation hatchery program.

PubMed

Berejikian, Barry A; Van Doornik, Donald M

2018-01-01

Spatial and temporal fluctuations in productivity and abundance confound assessments of captive propagation programs aimed at recovery of Threatened and Endangered populations. We conducted a 17 year before-after-control-impact experiment to determine the effects of a captive rearing program for anadromous steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on a key indicator of natural spawner abundance (naturally produced nests or 'redds'). The supplemented population exhibited a significant (2.6-fold) increase in redd abundance in the generation following supplementation. Four non-supplemented (control) populations monitored over the same 17 year period exhibited stable or decreasing trends in redd abundance. Expected heterozygosity in the supplemented population increased significantly. Allelic richness increased, but to a lesser (non-significant) degree. Estimates of the effective number of breeders increased from a harmonic mean of 24.4 in the generation before supplementation to 38.9 after supplementation. Several non-conventional aspects of the captive rearing program may have contributed to the positive response in the natural population.

Amygdala Activity During Autobiographical Memory Recall in Depressed and Vulnerable Individuals: Association With Symptom Severity and Autobiographical Overgenerality.

PubMed

Young, Kymberly D; Siegle, Greg J; Bodurka, Jerzy; Drevets, Wayne C

2016-01-01

In healthy individuals, autobiographical memory recall is biased toward positive and away from negative events, while the opposite is found in depressed individuals. This study examined amygdala activity during autobiographical memory recall as a putative mechanism underlying biased memory recall and depressive symptoms in currently depressed adults and two vulnerable populations: individuals remitted from depression and otherwise healthy individuals at high familial risk of developing depression. Identification of such vulnerability factors could enable interception strategies that prevent depression onset. Sixty healthy control subjects, 45 unmedicated currently depressed individuals, 25 unmedicated remitted depressed individuals, and 30 individuals at high familial risk of developing depression underwent functional MRI while recalling autobiographical memories in response to emotionally valenced cue words. Amygdala reactivity and connectivity with anatomically defined amygdala regions were examined. During positive recall, depressed participants exhibited significantly decreased left amygdala activity and decreased connectivity with regions of the salience network compared with the other groups. During negative recall, control subjects had significantly decreased left amygdala activity compared with the other groups, while depressed participants exhibited increased amygdala connectivity with the salience network. In depressed participants, left amygdala activity during positive recall correlated significantly with depression severity (r values >-0.38) and percent of positive specific memories recalled (r values >0.59). The results suggest that left amygdala hyperactivity during negative autobiographical recall is a trait-like marker of depression, as both vulnerable groups showed activity similar to the depressed group, while amygdala hypoactivity during positive autobiographical recall is a state marker of depression manifesting in active disease. Treatments targeting amygdala hypoactivity and blunted salience during positive autobiographical recall could exert antidepressant effects.

Child posture and shoulder belt fit during extended night-time traveling: an in-transit observational study.

PubMed

Forman, Jason L; Segui-Gomez, Maria; Ash, Joseph H; Lopez-Valdes, Francisco J

2011-01-01

Understanding pediatric occupant postures can help researchers indentify injury risk factors, and provide information for prospective injury prediction. This study sought to observe lateral head positions and shoulder belt fit among older child automobile occupants during a scenario likely to result in sleeping - extended travel during the night. An observational, volunteer, in-transit study was performed with 30 pediatric rear-seat passengers, ages 7 to 14. Each was restrained by a three-point seatbelt and was driven for seventy-five minutes at night. Ten subjects used a high-back booster seat, ten used a low-back booster seat, and ten used none (based on the subject height and weight). The subjects were recorded with a low-light video camera, and one frame was analyzed per each minute of video. The high-back booster group exhibited a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in the mean frequency of poor shoulder belt fit compared to the no-booster and low-back booster groups. The high-back booster group also exhibited statistically significant decreases in the 90(th) percentile of the absolute value of the relative lateral motion of the head. The low-back booster group did not result in statistically significant decreases in poor shoulder belt fit or lateral head motion compared to the no-booster group. These results are consistent with the presence of large lateral supports of the high-back booster which provided support to the head while sleeping, reducing voluntary lateral occupant motion and improving shoulder belt fit. Future work includes examining lap belt fit in-transit, and examining the effects of these observations on predicted injury risk.

Attenuation of reserpine-induced pain/depression dyad by gentiopicroside through downregulation of GluN2B receptors in the amygdala of mice.

PubMed

Liu, Shui-bing; Zhao, Rong; Li, Xu-sheng; Guo, Hong-ju; Tian, Zhen; Zhang, Nan; Gao, Guo-dong; Zhao, Ming-gao

2014-06-01

Epidemiological studies demonstrate that pain frequently occurs comorbid with depression. Gentiopicroside (Gent) is a secoiridoid compound isolated from Gentiana lutea that exhibits analgesic properties and inhibits the expression of GluN2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex of mice. However, the effects of Gent on the reserpine-induced pain/depression dyad and its underlying mechanisms are unclear. Reserpine administration (1 mg/kg subcutaneous daily for 3 days) caused a significant decrease in the nociceptive threshold as evidenced by the reduced paw withdrawal latency in response to a radiant heat source and mechanical allodynia. Behavioral detection indicated a significant increase in immobility time during a forced swim test, as well as decreased time in the central area and total travel distance in an open field test. Furthermore, reserpinized animals exhibited increased oxidative stress. Systemic Gent administration dose-dependently ameliorated the behavioral deficits associated with reserpine-induced pain/depression dyad. At the same time, the decrease in biogenic amine levels (norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin) was integrated with the increase in caspase-3 levels and GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors in the amygdala of the reserpine-injected mice. Gent significantly reversed the changes in the levels of biogenic amines, caspase-3, and GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors in amygdala. However, Gent did not affect the expression of GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors. The inhibitory effects of Gent on oxidative stress were occluded by simultaneous treatment of GluN2B receptors antagonist Ro25-6981. Our study provides strong evidence that Gent inhibits reserpine-induced pain/depression dyad by downregulating GluN2B receptors in the amygdala.

Child Posture and Shoulder Belt Fit During Extended Night-Time Traveling: An In-Transit Observational Study.

PubMed Central

Forman, Jason L.; Segui-Gomez, Maria; Ash, Joseph H.; Lopez-Valdes, Francisco J.

2011-01-01

Understanding pediatric occupant postures can help researchers indentify injury risk factors, and provide information for prospective injury prediction. This study sought to observe lateral head positions and shoulder belt fit among older child automobile occupants during a scenario likely to result in sleeping - extended travel during the night. An observational, volunteer, in-transit study was performed with 30 pediatric rear-seat passengers, ages 7 to 14. Each was restrained by a three-point seatbelt and was driven for seventy-five minutes at night. Ten subjects used a high-back booster seat, ten used a low-back booster seat, and ten used none (based on the subject height and weight). The subjects were recorded with a low-light video camera, and one frame was analyzed per each minute of video. The high-back booster group exhibited a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in the mean frequency of poor shoulder belt fit compared to the no-booster and low-back booster groups. The high-back booster group also exhibited statistically significant decreases in the 90th percentile of the absolute value of the relative lateral motion of the head. The low-back booster group did not result in statistically significant decreases in poor shoulder belt fit or lateral head motion compared to the no-booster group. These results are consistent with the presence of large lateral supports of the high-back booster which provided support to the head while sleeping, reducing voluntary lateral occupant motion and improving shoulder belt fit. Future work includes examining lap belt fit in-transit, and examining the effects of these observations on predicted injury risk. PMID:22105378

Shark fisheries in the Southeast Pacific: A 61-year analysis from Peru

PubMed Central

Gonzalez-Pestana, Adriana; Kouri J., Carlos; Velez-Zuazo, Ximena

2016-01-01

Peruvian waters exhibit high conservation value for sharks. This contrasts with a lag in initiatives for their management and a lack of studies about their biology, ecology and fishery. We investigated the dynamics of Peruvian shark fishery and its legal framework identifying information gaps for recommending actions to improve management. Further, we investigated the importance of the Peruvian shark fishery from a regional perspective. From 1950 to 2010, 372,015 tons of sharks were landed in Peru. From 1950 to 1969, we detected a significant increase in landings; but from 2000 to 2011 there was a significant decrease in landings, estimated at 3.5% per year. Six species represented 94% of landings: blue shark ( Prionace glauca), shortfin mako ( Isurus oxyrinchus), smooth hammerhead ( Sphyrna zygaena), common thresher ( Alopias vulpinus), smooth-hound ( Mustelus whitneyi) and angel shark ( Squatina californica). Of these, the angel shark exhibits a strong and significant decrease in landings: 18.9% per year from 2000 to 2010. Peru reports the highest accumulated historical landings in the Pacific Ocean; but its contribution to annual landings has decreased since 1968. Still, Peru is among the top 12 countries exporting shark fins to the Hong Kong market. Although the government collects total weight by species, the number of specimens landed as well as population parameters (e.g. sex, size and weight) are not reported. Further, for some genera, species-level identification is deficient and so overestimates the biomass landed by species and underestimates the species diversity. Recently, regional efforts to regulate shark fishery have been implemented to support the conservation of sharks but in Peru work remains to be done. PMID:27635216

Shark fisheries in the Southeast Pacific: A 61-year analysis from Peru.

PubMed

Gonzalez-Pestana, Adriana; Kouri J, Carlos; Velez-Zuazo, Ximena

2014-01-01

Peruvian waters exhibit high conservation value for sharks. This contrasts with a lag in initiatives for their management and a lack of studies about their biology, ecology and fishery. We investigated the dynamics of Peruvian shark fishery and its legal framework identifying information gaps for recommending actions to improve management. Further, we investigated the importance of the Peruvian shark fishery from a regional perspective. From 1950 to 2010, 372,015 tons of sharks were landed in Peru. From 1950 to 1969, we detected a significant increase in landings; but from 2000 to 2011 there was a significant decrease in landings, estimated at 3.5% per year. Six species represented 94% of landings: blue shark ( Prionace glauca), shortfin mako ( Isurus oxyrinchus), smooth hammerhead ( Sphyrna zygaena), common thresher ( Alopias vulpinus), smooth-hound ( Mustelus whitneyi) and angel shark ( Squatina californica). Of these, the angel shark exhibits a strong and significant decrease in landings: 18.9% per year from 2000 to 2010. Peru reports the highest accumulated historical landings in the Pacific Ocean; but its contribution to annual landings has decreased since 1968. Still, Peru is among the top 12 countries exporting shark fins to the Hong Kong market. Although the government collects total weight by species, the number of specimens landed as well as population parameters (e.g. sex, size and weight) are not reported. Further, for some genera, species-level identification is deficient and so overestimates the biomass landed by species and underestimates the species diversity. Recently, regional efforts to regulate shark fishery have been implemented to support the conservation of sharks but in Peru work remains to be done.

Chronic CCl4 intoxication causes liver and bone damage similar to the human pathology of hepatic osteodystrophy: a mouse model to analyse the liver-bone axis.

PubMed

Nussler, Andreas K; Wildemann, Britt; Freude, Thomas; Litzka, Christian; Soldo, Petra; Friess, Helmut; Hammad, Seddik; Hengstler, Jan G; Braun, Karl F; Trak-Smayra, Viviane; Godoy, Patricio; Ehnert, Sabrina

2014-04-01

Patients with chronic liver diseases frequently exhibit decreased bone mineral densities (BMD), which is defined as hepatic osteodystrophy (HOD). HOD is a multifactorial disease whose regulatory mechanisms are barely understood. Thus, an early diagnosis and therapy is hardly possible. Therefore, the aim of our study consisted in characterizing a mouse model reflecting the human pathomechanism. Serum samples were collected from patients with chronic liver diseases and 12-week old C57Bl6/N mice after 6-week treatment with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Repetitive injections of CCl4 induced liver damage in mice, resembling liver fibrosis in patients, as assessed by serum analysis and histological staining. Although CCl4 did not affect primary osteoblast cultures, μCT analysis revealed significantly decreased BMD, bone volume, trabecular number and thickness in CCl4-treated mice. In both HOD patients and CCl4-treated mice, an altered vitamin D metabolism with decreased CYP27A1, CYP2R1, vitamin D-binding protein GC and increased 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase hepatic gene expression, results in decreased 25-OH vitamin D serum levels. Moreover, both groups exhibit excessively high active transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) serum levels, inhibiting osteoblast function in vitro. Summarizing, our mouse model presents possible mediators of HOD, e.g. altered vitamin D metabolism and increased active TGF-β. Liver damage and significant changes in bone structure and mineralization are already visible by μCT analysis after 6 weeks of CCl4 treatment. This fast response and easy transferability makes it an ideal model to investigate specific gene functions in HOD.

Defense related decadienal elicits membrane lipid remodeling in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

PubMed Central

Sabharwal, Tanya; Sathasivan, Kanagasabapathi

2017-01-01

Diatoms rapidly release extracellular oxylipins (oxygenated lipids) including polyunsaturated aldehydes in response to herbivory and other stresses. Oxylipins have several defense-related activities including inhibition of reproduction in herbivores and signaling to distant diatoms. Physiological changes in diatoms exposed to varying levels of oxylipins are only beginning to be understood. In this study, Phaeodactylum tricornutum cultures were treated with sublethal concentrations of the polyunsaturated aldehyde trans,trans-2,4-decadienal (DD) to assess effects on lipid composition and membrane permeability. In cells treated with DD for 3 hr, all measured saturated and unsaturated fatty acids significantly decreased (0.46–0.69 fold of levels in solvent control cells) except for 18:2 (decreased but not significantly). The decrease was greater in the polyunsaturated fatty acid pool than the saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid pool. Analysis of lipid classes revealed increased abundances of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine at 3 and 6 hr. Concomitantly, these and other membrane lipids exhibited increased saturated and monounsaturated acyl chains content relative to polyunsaturated acyl chains compared to control cells. Evidence of decreased plasma membrane permeability in DD treated cells was obtained, based on reduced uptake of two of three dyes relative to control cells. Additionally, cells pre-conditioned with a sublethal DD dose for 3 hr then treated with a lethal DD dose for 2 hr exhibited greater membrane integrity than solvent pre-conditioned control cells that were similarly treated. Taken together, the data are supportive of the hypothesis that membrane remodeling induced by sublethal DD is a key element in the development of cellular resistance in diatoms to varying and potentially toxic levels of polyunsaturated aldehydes in environments impacted by herbivory or other stresses. PMID:28582415

Curcumin Rescues a PINK1 Knock Down SH-SY5Y Cellular Model of Parkinson's Disease from Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Cell Death.

PubMed

van der Merwe, Celia; van Dyk, Hayley Christy; Engelbrecht, Lize; van der Westhuizen, Francois Hendrikus; Kinnear, Craig; Loos, Ben; Bardien, Soraya

2017-05-01

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Mutations in the PINK1 gene result in an autosomal recessive form of early-onset PD. PINK1 plays a vital role in mitochondrial quality control via the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria. The aim of the present study was to create a cellular model of PD using siRNA-mediated knock down of PINK1 in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells The possible protective effects of curcumin, known for its many beneficial properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, was tested on this model in the presence and absence of paraquat, an additional stressor. PINK1 siRNA and control cells were separated into four treatment groups: (i) untreated, (ii) treated with paraquat, (iii) pre-treated with curcumin then treated with paraquat, or (iv) treated with curcumin. Various parameters of cellular and mitochondrial function were then measured. The PINK1 siRNA cells exhibited significantly decreased cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial respiration and ATP production, and increased apoptosis. Paraquat-treated cells exhibited decreased cell viability, increased apoptosis, a more fragmented mitochondrial network and decreased MMP. Curcumin pre-treatment followed by paraquat exposure rescued cell viability and increased MMP and mitochondrial respiration in control cells, and significantly decreased apoptosis and increased MMP and maximal respiration in PINK1 siRNA cells. These results highlight a protective effect of curcumin against mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in PINK1-deficient and paraquat-exposed cells. More studies are warranted to further elucidate the potential neuroprotective properties of curcumin.

Response of phase I and II detoxification enzymes, glutathione, metallothionein and acetylcholine esterase to mercury and dimethoate in signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus).

PubMed

Gunderson, Mark P; Nguyen, Brandon T; Cervantes Reyes, Juan C; Holden, Laura L; French, John M T; Smith, Brandon D; Lineberger, Connor

2018-05-30

Metals and pesticides are common pollutants and the modulation of biomarkers can indicate sub-lethal influences on the physiology of organisms inhabiting impacted aquatic systems. We examined the effects of mercury and the organophosphate pesticide dimethoate on EROD, MROD, glutathione S-transferase (GST), acetylcholine esterase (AChE), metallothionein (MT) and glutathione (GSH) in the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus). Crayfish were injected with mercury chloride or dimethoate (0.3, 0.6, 0.9 μg kg -1 ) and dissected after 72 h. EROD activity in the hepatopancreas did not change in response to mercury chloride treatment but exhibited a dose dependent decrease at all concentrations of dimethoate tested. MROD (hepatopancreas) exhibited a significant decrease at the 0.9 μg kg -1 treatment for both chemicals. GST (hepatopancreas) demonstrated a significant dose dependent decrease at all concentrations of both mercury chloride and dimethoate. AChE (tail muscle) decreased at the 0.6 and 0.9 μg kg -1 concentrations of dimethoate and 0.9 μg kg -1 mercury chloride. In gill tissue, MT increased in response to 0.3 and 0.6 μg kg -1 of mercury chloride but no effect was observed at the 0.9 μg kg -1 concentration of mercury chloride or any concentrations of dimethoate tested. MT did not change in response to mercury or dimethoate in tail tissue. Furthermore, neither chemical modulated GSH concentrations. Our results indicate that, apart from GSH, these markers are sensitive to the pollutants tested and that animals exposed in the wild are potentially compromised in their ability to detoxify environmental contaminants and carry out normal cellular processes. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Intestine-Specific Mttp Deletion Decreases Mortality and Prevents Sepsis-Induced Intestinal Injury in a Murine Model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia

PubMed Central

Dominguez, Jessica A.; Xie, Yan; Dunne, W. Michael; Yoseph, Benyam P.; Burd, Eileen M.; Coopersmith, Craig M.; Davidson, Nicholas O.

2012-01-01

Background The small intestine plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of sepsis and has been referred to as the “motor” of the systemic inflammatory response. One proposed mechanism is that toxic gut-derived lipid factors, transported in mesenteric lymph, induce systemic injury and distant organ failure. However, the pathways involved are yet to be defined and the role of intestinal chylomicron assembly and secretion in transporting these lipid factors is unknown. Here we studied the outcome of sepsis in mice with conditional, intestine-specific deletion of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (Mttp-IKO), which exhibit a block in chylomicron assembly together with lipid malabsorption. Methodology/Principal Findings Mttp-IKO mice and controls underwent intratracheal injection with either Pseudomonas aeruginosa or sterile saline. Mttp-IKO mice exhibited decreased seven-day mortality, with 0/20 (0%) dying compared to 5/17 (29%) control mice (p<0.05). This survival advantage in Mttp-IKO mice, however, was not associated with improvements in pulmonary bacterial clearance or neutrophil infiltration. Rather, Mttp-IKO mice exhibited protection against sepsis-associated decreases in villus length and intestinal proliferation and were also protected against increased intestinal apoptosis, both central features in control septic mice. Serum IL-6 levels, a major predictor of mortality in human and mouse models of sepsis, were elevated 8-fold in septic control mice but remained unaltered in septic Mttp-IKO mice. Serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were reduced in septic control mice but were increased in septic Mttp-IKO mice. The decreased levels of HDL were associated with decreased hepatic expression of apolipoprotein A1 in septic control mice. Conclusions/Significance These studies suggest that strategies directed at blocking intestinal chylomicron secretion may attenuate the progression and improve the outcome of sepsis through effects mediated by metabolic and physiological adaptations in both intestinal and hepatic lipid flux. PMID:23145105

The intervention effect of zuogui pill on chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder regulatory factor.

PubMed

Ma, Xiaohong; He, Liqun

2018-06-24

Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Zuogui pill as a traditional Chinese herbal drug has been used for nourish kidney essence improve bone malnutrition of renal bone disease by regulating the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus and participating in osteoblast metabolism. In the present study, 5/6 nephrectomy rat model was used to reveal the mechanism of zuogui pill in treatment of CKD-MBD. Compared with sham rats, the levels of serum phosphorus, PTH, iPTH and creatinine were significantly decreased, while the serum calcium level was significantly increased, and the Cbfa1 protein level was significantly decreased and FGF23 protein level was significantly increased by Zuogui pill treatment. Compared with model rats, the BMD of rat was significantly increased by Zuogui pill treatment. Histological analysis revealed that the kidney injury of rats with CKD was significantly reduced by zuogui pill treatment. Compared with model rats, the CYP27B1 mRNA level was significantly increased, and the PTH mRNA level and NaPiIIa protein level were significantly decreased in the kidney by zuogui pill treatment. We inferred that zuogui pill exhibited potential therapeutic effects on CKD-MBD in the rats by regulating bone metabolism and nourish kidney. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

In Vivo and In Vitro Suppression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by EF24, a Curcumin Analog

PubMed Central

Wang, Luoluo; Tian, Lantian; Song, Ruipeng; Han, Tianwen; Pan, Shangha; Liu, Lianxin

2012-01-01

The synthetic compound 3,5-bis(2-flurobenzylidene)piperidin-4-one (EF24) is a potent analog of curcumin that exhibits enhanced biological activity and bioavailability without increasing toxicity. EF24 exerts antitumor activity by arresting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis, suppressing many types of cancer cells in vitro. The antiproliferative and antiangiogenic properties of EF24 provide theoretical support for its development and application to liver cancers. We investigated the in vitro and in vivo activities of EF24 on liver cancer to better understand its therapeutic effects and mechanisms. EF24 induced significant apoptosis and G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest in mouse liver cancer cell lines, Hepa1-6 and H22. The expression levels of G2/M cell cycle regulating factors, cyclin B1 and Cdc2, were significantly decreased, pp53, p53, and p21 were significantly increased in EF24-treated cells. In addition, EF24 treatment significantly reduced Bcl-2 concomitant with an increase in Bax, enhanced the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol, resulting in an upregulation of cleaved-caspase-3, which promoted poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. EF24-treated cells also displayed decreases in phosphorylated Akt, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase and vascular endothelial growth factor. Our in vitro protein expression data were confirmed in vivo using a subcutaneous hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor model. This mouse HCC model confirmed that total body weight was unchanged following EF24 treatment, although tumor weight was significantly decreased. Using an orthotopic HCC model, EF24 significantly reduced the liver/body weight ratio and relative tumor areas compared to the control group. In situ detection of apoptotic cells and quantification of Ki-67, a biomarker of cell proliferation, all indicated significant tumor suppression with EF24 treatment. These results suggest that EF24 exhibits anti-tumor activity on liver cancer cells via mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and inducing cell cycle arrest coupled with antiangiogenesis. The demonstrated activities of EF24 support its further evaluation as a treatment for human liver cancers. PMID:23118928

In vivo and in vitro suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma by EF24, a curcumin analog.

PubMed

Liu, Haitao; Liang, Yingjian; Wang, Luoluo; Tian, Lantian; Song, Ruipeng; Han, Tianwen; Pan, Shangha; Liu, Lianxin

2012-01-01

The synthetic compound 3,5-bis(2-flurobenzylidene)piperidin-4-one (EF24) is a potent analog of curcumin that exhibits enhanced biological activity and bioavailability without increasing toxicity. EF24 exerts antitumor activity by arresting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis, suppressing many types of cancer cells in vitro. The antiproliferative and antiangiogenic properties of EF24 provide theoretical support for its development and application to liver cancers. We investigated the in vitro and in vivo activities of EF24 on liver cancer to better understand its therapeutic effects and mechanisms. EF24 induced significant apoptosis and G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest in mouse liver cancer cell lines, Hepa1-6 and H22. The expression levels of G2/M cell cycle regulating factors, cyclin B1 and Cdc2, were significantly decreased, pp53, p53, and p21 were significantly increased in EF24-treated cells. In addition, EF24 treatment significantly reduced Bcl-2 concomitant with an increase in Bax, enhanced the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol, resulting in an upregulation of cleaved-caspase-3, which promoted poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. EF24-treated cells also displayed decreases in phosphorylated Akt, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase and vascular endothelial growth factor. Our in vitro protein expression data were confirmed in vivo using a subcutaneous hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor model. This mouse HCC model confirmed that total body weight was unchanged following EF24 treatment, although tumor weight was significantly decreased. Using an orthotopic HCC model, EF24 significantly reduced the liver/body weight ratio and relative tumor areas compared to the control group. In situ detection of apoptotic cells and quantification of Ki-67, a biomarker of cell proliferation, all indicated significant tumor suppression with EF24 treatment. These results suggest that EF24 exhibits anti-tumor activity on liver cancer cells via mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and inducing cell cycle arrest coupled with antiangiogenesis. The demonstrated activities of EF24 support its further evaluation as a treatment for human liver cancers.

Effects of Inductively Coupled Plasma Hydrogen on Long-Wavelength Infrared HgCdTe Photodiodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boieriu, P.; Buurma, C.; Bommena, R.; Blissett, C.; Grein, C.; Sivananthan, S.

2013-12-01

Bulk passivation of semiconductors with hydrogen continues to be investigated for its potential to improve device performance. In this work, hydrogen-only inductively coupled plasma (ICP) was used to incorporate hydrogen into long-wavelength infrared HgCdTe photodiodes grown by molecular-beam epitaxy. Fully fabricated devices exposed to ICP showed statistically significant increases in zero-bias impedance values, improved uniformity, and decreased dark currents. HgCdTe photodiodes on Si substrates passivated with amorphous ZnS exhibited reductions in shunt currents, whereas devices on CdZnTe substrates passivated with polycrystalline CdTe exhibited reduced surface leakage, suggesting that hydrogen passivates defects in bulk HgCdTe and in CdTe.

Anomalous Annealing Response of Directed Energy Deposited Type 304L Austenitic Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Thale R.; Sugar, Joshua D.; Schoenung, Julie M.; San Marchi, Chris

2018-03-01

Directed energy deposited (DED) and forged austenitic stainless steels possess dissimilar microstructures but can exhibit similar mechanical properties. In this study, annealing was used to evolve the microstructure of both conventional wrought and DED type 304L austenitic stainless steels, and significant differences were observed. In particular, the density of geometrically necessary dislocations and hardness were used to probe the evolution of the microstructure and properties. Forged type 304L exhibited the expected decrease in measured dislocation density and hardness as a function of annealing temperature. The more complex microstructure-property relationship observed in the DED type 304L material is attributed to compositional heterogeneities in the solidification microstructure.

Dielectric surface discharges: Effects of combined low-energy and high-energy incident electrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balmain, K. G.; Hirt, W.

1981-01-01

Dielectric surface discharges affected by the addition of high energy electrons at 5 pA/sq cm to a primary 20 keV, 10 nA/sq cm electron beam with the high energy broad spectrum particles coming from the beta decay of Strontium 90 are studied. Kapton exhibits significantly increased discharge strength, increased waiting time between discharges, and a decreased number of discharges per specimen before discharge cessation. Mylar exhibits similar but less pronounced effects, while Teflon is relatively unaffected. With Kapton and Mylar, the high energy electrons act in some way to delay the instant of discharge ignition so that more charge can be accumulated and hence released during discharge.

Sleep-enhancing effects of far-infrared radiation in rats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Honda, K.; Inoué, S.

1988-06-01

Unrestrained male rats continuously exposed to far-infrared radiation exhibited a significant increase in slow wave sleep (SWS) during the light period but not in the dark period. The change was largely due to the elevated occurrence of SWS episodes but not to the prolongation of their duration. Paradoxical sleep was not affected throughout the observation period except for a significant decrease at the end of the dark period. Thus the far-infrared radiation exerted a sleep modulatory effect closely related to the circadian activity-rest cycle.

Synthesis, photophysical, and electrochemical properties of wide band gap tetraphenylsilane-carbazole derivatives: Effect of the substitution position and naphthalene side chain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ho, Kar Wei; Ariffin, A.

2016-12-01

Four tetraphenylsilane-carbazole derivatives with wide bandgaps (3.38-3.55 eV) were synthesized. The effects of the substitution position and of the presence of naphthalene groups on the photophysical, electrochemical and thermal properties were investigated. The derivatives exhibited maximum absorption peaks ranging from 293 to 304 nm and maximum emission peaks ranging from 347 to 386 nm. Changing the carbazole substitution position on the tetraphenylsilane did not significantly change the photophysical and electrochemical properties. However, p-substituted compounds exhibited higher glass transition temperatures than m-substituted compounds. Naphthalene groups with bulky structures had extended the conjugation lengths that red-shifted both the absorption and emission spectra. The LUMO level was decreased, which reduced the optical bandgap and triplet energy level. However, the naphthalene groups significantly improved the thermal stability by increasing the glass transition temperature of the compounds.

Temporal trends (1987-2002) of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the St. Lawrence Estuary, Canada.

PubMed

Lebeuf, Michel; Noël, Michelle; Trottier, Steve; Measures, Lena

2007-09-20

Temporal trends of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals were examined in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE), Canada. Blubber samples of 86 adult belugas were collected from animals stranded on the shore of the SLE between 1987 and 2002 and analyzed for several regulated PBTs, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), p,p'dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, chlordane (CHL) and related compounds, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and Mirex. In addition, time trends of tris(4-chlorophenyl)methane (TCPMe) and tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol (TCPMOH), two compounds that may origin from DDT formulations, were also examined. Concentrations of most of the PBTs examined had exponentially decreased by at least a factor of two (half-life time (t(1/2))<15 years) in beluga between 1987 and 2002 while no increasing trends were observed for any of the PBTs measured. The decreasing trends of PBT concentrations in SLE beluga may be due to a decline in contamination of its diet following North American and international regulations on the use and production of these compounds or by a change in its diet itself or by a combination of both. Some PBTs did not exhibit any significant trends in beluga possibly because the most intense elimination phase subsequent to legislative regulations occurred prior to the 1987-2002 time period. Other chemicals, such gamma-HCH, did not significantly decrease likely because they are still currently used in some restricted applications. Conversely, alpha-HCH showed a significant decreasing trend indicating that SigmaHCHs is not representative of all HCHs. Both TCPMe and TCPMOH exhibited no trends in beluga during the time period examined. The metabolic capacity of SLE beluga has apparently accelerated the depletion of at least one PBT, namely CB-28/31. A significant relationship between the half-life of PBTs in beluga and log Kow was observed for most of the chemicals examined. Several factors are expected to have influenced the temporal changes of PBT concentrations in beluga which limit the usefulness of this species as a bioindicator of changes in PBT contamination in the SLE ecosystem.

Dideoxynucleoside resistance emerges with prolonged zidovudine monotherapy. The RV43 Study Group.

PubMed Central

Mayers, D L; Japour, A J; Arduino, J M; Hammer, S M; Reichman, R; Wagner, K F; Chung, R; Lane, J; Crumpacker, C S; McLeod, G X

1994-01-01

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolates resistant to zidovudine (ZDV) have previously been demonstrated to exhibit in vitro cross-resistance to other similar dideoxynucleoside agents which contain a 3'-azido group. However, cross-resistance to didanosine (ddI) or dideoxycytidine (ddC) has been less well documented. ZDV, ddI, and ddC susceptibility data have been collected from clinical HIV-1 isolates obtained by five clinical centers and their respective retrovirology laboratories. All subjects were treated only with ZDV. Clinical HIV-1 isolates were isolated, amplified, and assayed for drug susceptibility in standardized cultures of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from healthy seronegative donors. All five cohorts showed a correlation between decreased in vitro susceptibility to ZDV and decreased susceptibility to ddI and ddC. For each 10-fold decrease in ZDV susceptibility, an average corresponding decrease of 2.2-fold in ddI susceptibility was observed (129 isolates studied; P < 0.001, Fisher's test of combined significance). Similarly, susceptibility to ddC decreased 2.0-fold for each 10-fold decrease in ZDV susceptibility (82 isolates studied; P < 0.001, Fisher's test of combined significance). These data indicate that a correlation exists between HIV-1 susceptibilities to ZDV and ddI or ddC for clinical HIV-1 isolates. PMID:8192457

Brain oscillations track the formation of episodic memories in the real world.

PubMed

Griffiths, Benjamin; Mazaheri, Ali; Debener, Stefan; Hanslmayr, Simon

2016-12-01

Despite the well-known influence of environmental context on episodic memory, little has been done to increase contextual richness within the lab. This leaves a blind spot lingering over the neuronal correlates of episodic memory formation in day-to-day life. To address this, we presented participants with a series of words to memorise along a pre-designated route across campus while a mobile EEG system acquired ongoing neural activity. Replicating lab-based subsequent memory effects (SMEs), we identified significant low to mid frequency power decreases (<30Hz), including beta power decreases over the left inferior frontal gyrus. When investigating the oscillatory correlates of temporal and spatial context binding, we found that items strongly bound to spatial context exhibited significantly greater theta power decreases than items strongly bound to temporal context. These findings expand upon lab-based studies by demonstrating the influence of real world contextual factors that underpin memory formation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

MgO-templated carbon as a negative electrode material for Na-ion capacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kado, Yuya; Soneda, Yasushi

2016-12-01

In this study, MgO-templated carbon with different pore structures was investigated as a negative electrode material for Na-ion capacitors. With increasing the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, the irreversible capacity increased, and the coulombic efficiency of the 1st cycle decreased because of the formation of solid electrolyte interface layers. MgO-templated carbon annealed at 1000 °C exhibited the highest capacity and best rate performance, suggesting that an appropriate balance between surface area and crystallinity is imperative for fast Na-ion storage, attributed to the storage mechanism: combination of non-faradaic electric double-layer capacitance and faradaic Na intercalation in the carbon layers. Finally, a Na-ion capacitor cell using MgO-templated carbon and activated carbon as the negative and positive electrodes, respectively, exhibited an energy density at high power density significantly greater than that exhibited by the cell using a commercial hard carbon negative electrode.

Rapamycin and WYE-354 suppress human gallbladder cancer xenografts in mice

PubMed Central

Stein, Stefan; Kunkel, Hana; García, Patricia; Bizama, Carolina; Espinoza, Jaime A.; Riquelme, Ismael; Nervi, Bruno; Araya, Juan C.

2015-01-01

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a highly malignant tumor characterized by a poor response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We evaluated the in vitro and in vivo antitumor efficacy of mTOR inhibitors, rapamycin and WYE-354. In vitro assays showed WYE-354 significantly reduced cell viability, migration and invasion and phospho-P70S6K expression in GBC cells. Mice harboring subcutaneous gallbladder tumors, treated with WYE-354 or rapamycin, exhibited a significant reduction in tumor mass. A short-term treatment with a higher dose of WYE-354 decreased the tumor size by 68.6% and 52.4%, in mice harboring G-415 or TGBC-2TKB tumors, respectively, compared to the control group. By contrast, treatment with a prolonged-low-dose regime of rapamycin almost abrogated tumor growth, exhibiting 92.7% and 97.1% reduction in tumor size, respectively, compared to control mice. These results were accompanied by a greater decrease in the phosphorylation status of P70S6K and a lower cell proliferation Ki67 index, compared to WYE-354 treated mice, suggesting a more effective mTOR pathway inhibition. These findings provide a proof of concept for the use of rapamycin or WYE-354 as potentially good candidates to be studied in clinical trials in GBC patients. PMID:26397134

Lower Extremity Kinematics Differed Between a Controlled Drop-Jump and Volleyball-Takeoffs.

PubMed

Beardt, Bradley S; McCollum, Myranda R; Hinshaw, Taylour J; Layer, Jacob S; Wilson, Margaret A; Zhu, Qin; Dai, Boyi

2018-04-03

Previous studies utilizing jump-landing biomechanics to predict anterior cruciate ligament injuries have shown inconsistent findings. The purpose of this study was to quantify the differences and correlations in jump-landing kinematics between a drop-jump, a controlled volleyball-takeoff, and a simulated-game volleyball-takeoff. Seventeen female volleyball players performed these three tasks on a volleyball court while three-dimensional kinematic data were collected by three calibrated camcorders. Participants demonstrated significantly increased jump height, shorter stance time, increased time differences in initial contact between two feet, increased knee and hip flexion at initial contact and decreased peak knee and hip flexion for both left and right legs, and decreased knee-ankle distance ratio at the lowest height of mid-hip for the two volleyball-takeoffs compared with the drop-jump (p < 0.05, Cohen's dz ≥ 0.8). Significant correlations were observed for all variables between the two volleyball-takeoffs (p < 0.05, ρ ≥ 0.6), but were not for most variables between the drop-jump and two volleyball-takeoffs. Controlled drop-jump kinematics may not represent jump-landing kinematics exhibited during volleyball competition. Jump-landing mechanics during sports-specific tasks may better represent those exhibited during sports competition and their associated risk of ACL injury compared with the drop-jump.

Multifactor analysis and simulation of the surface runoff and soil infiltration at different slope gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, J.; Kang, Q.; Yang, J. X.; Jin, P. W.

2017-08-01

The surface runoff and soil infiltration exert significant influence on soil erosion. The effects of slope gradient/length (SG/SL), individual rainfall amount/intensity (IRA/IRI), vegetation cover (VC) and antecedent soil moisture (ASM) on the runoff depth (RD) and soil infiltration (INF) were evaluated in a series of natural rainfall experiments in the South of China. RD is found to correlate positively with IRA, IRI, and ASM factors and negatively with SG and VC. RD decreased followed by its increase with SG and ASM, it increased with a further decrease with SL, exhibited a linear growth with IRA and IRI, and exponential drop with VC. Meanwhile, INF exhibits a positive correlation with SL, IRA and IRI and VC, and a negative one with SG and ASM. INF was going up and then down with SG, linearly rising with SL, IRA and IRI, increasing by a logit function with VC, and linearly falling with ASM. The VC level above 60% can effectively lower the surface runoff and significantly enhance soil infiltration. Two RD and INF prediction models, accounting for the above six factors, were constructed using the multiple nonlinear regression method. The verification of those models disclosed a high Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient and low root-mean-square error, demonstrating good predictability of both models.

Reducing Communication in Algebraic Multigrid Using Additive Variants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vassilevski, Panayot S.; Yang, Ulrike Meier

Algebraic multigrid (AMG) has proven to be an effective scalable solver on many high performance computers. However, its increasing communication complexity on coarser levels has shown to seriously impact its performance on computers with high communication cost. Moreover, additive AMG variants provide not only increased parallelism as well as decreased numbers of messages per cycle but also generally exhibit slower convergence. Here we present various new additive variants with convergence rates that are significantly improved compared to the classical additive algebraic multigrid method and investigate their potential for decreased communication, and improved communication-computation overlap, features that are essential for goodmore » performance on future exascale architectures.« less

Reducing Communication in Algebraic Multigrid Using Additive Variants

DOE PAGES

Vassilevski, Panayot S.; Yang, Ulrike Meier

2014-02-12

Algebraic multigrid (AMG) has proven to be an effective scalable solver on many high performance computers. However, its increasing communication complexity on coarser levels has shown to seriously impact its performance on computers with high communication cost. Moreover, additive AMG variants provide not only increased parallelism as well as decreased numbers of messages per cycle but also generally exhibit slower convergence. Here we present various new additive variants with convergence rates that are significantly improved compared to the classical additive algebraic multigrid method and investigate their potential for decreased communication, and improved communication-computation overlap, features that are essential for goodmore » performance on future exascale architectures.« less

Edaravone protects rats against oxidative stress and apoptosis in experimentally induced myocardial infarction: Biochemical and ultrastructural evidence.

PubMed

Hassan, Md Quamrul; Akhtar, Md Sayeed; Akhtar, M; Ali, Javed; Haque, Syed Ehtaishamul; Najmi, Abul Kalam

2015-01-01

The present study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of edaravone on oxidative stress, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and ultrastructure findings in isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Rats were pretreated with edaravone (1, 3, 10 mg/kg body weight-1 day-1) intraperitoneally. MI was induced by subcutaneous administration of ISO (85 mg/kg body weight-1) at two doses with 24h interval. ISO treated rats showed significant increase in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and decreased levels of reduced glutathione, glutathione perdoxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S- transferase in the cardiac tissues. Moreover, significant increase in the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), C--reactive protein and caspase-3 activity was observed in ISO treated group. Pretreatment of ISO intoxicated rats with edaravone showed significant decrease in the level of TBARS, increased activities of antioxidant enzymes and significantly decreased levels of LDH and CK-MB. Moreover, results also showed decreased C-reactive protein level, caspase-3 activity and maintained ultrastructure of the myocardial cells. Our study suggests that edaravone possess strong cardioprotective potential. Edaravone may have exhibited cardioprotective effects by restoring antioxidant defense mechanism, maintaining integrity of myocardial cell membrane, reducing apoptosis and inflammation against ISO induced MI and associated oxidative stress.

Some quality attributes of low fat ice cream substituted with hulless barley flour and barley ß-glucan.

PubMed

Abdel-Haleem, Amal M H; Awad, R A

2015-10-01

The purpose of this paper is to investigate some quality attributes of low fat ice cream (LFIC) substituted with hulless barley flour (HBF) and barley ß-glucan (BBG). The methodology included in this paper is based on adding HBF (1, 2, 3 and 4 %) as a partial substitution of skim milk powder (SMP) and BBG (0.40 %) as a complete substitution of carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC). All mixes and resultant ice cream samples were evaluated for their physicochemical properties as well as the sensory quality attributes.The results indicated that substitution of SMP with HBF significantly increased total solids (TS), fat and crude fiber, while crude protein and ash significantly decreased in ice cream mixes. BBG exhibited the same manner of control. Specific gravity was gradually increased with adding HBFand BBG in the mixes and therefore the overrun percent was significantly changed in the resultant ice cream. Adding HBF in ice cream formula led to significant decrease in acidity with higher freezing point and the product showed higher ability to meltdown. BBG treatment showed the same trend of control. Values of flow time and viscosity significantly increased with increasing HBF in the ice cream mixes, but these values significantly decreased in BBG mix. The time required to freeze ice cream mixes was decreased with increasing the ratio of HBF but, increased in BBG treatment. The substitution of SMP with 1 and 2 % HBF significantly (P ≤ 0.05) enhanced sensory attributes of ice cream samples. While, BBG treatment achieved mild score and acceptability.

Hawthorn Fruit Extract Elevates Expression of Nrf2/HO-1 and Improves Lipid Profiles in Ovariectomized Rats

PubMed Central

Yoo, Jeong-Hyun; Liu, Yanan; Kim, Hyun-Sook

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge) extract on the lipid profiles and antioxidant properties in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. After ovariectomy, the rats were randomly divided into four groups: the non-OVX control (Sham), the OVX-control (OVX), the OVX + 100 mg/kg b.w. of hawthorn extract (OL), and the OVX + 200 mg/kg b.w. of hawthorn extract (OH). The final body weights of the OVX group were significantly increased, but the increment was significantly decreased in hawthorn groups (p < 0.05). The serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were significantly elevated in the OVX group, whereas the hawthorn groups showed a significant decrease in these levels (p < 0.05). The hepatic triglyceride (TG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly reduced in the hawthorn groups compared with the OVX group (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly decreased in the OVX group, whereas the hawthorn groups exhibited a significant increase in expression (p < 0.05). The protein expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, and GPx were lower in the OVX group than the Sham group (p < 0.05). The oral administration of hawthorn extract reversed the suppression of protein levels. These results suggest that hawthorn extract could have protective effects in OVX rats by improving lipid profiles, decreasing oxidative stress, and improving the antioxidant defense system. PMID:27187458

Hawthorn Fruit Extract Elevates Expression of Nrf2/HO-1 and Improves Lipid Profiles in Ovariectomized Rats.

PubMed

Yoo, Jeong-Hyun; Liu, Yanan; Kim, Hyun-Sook

2016-05-13

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge) extract on the lipid profiles and antioxidant properties in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. After ovariectomy, the rats were randomly divided into four groups: the non-OVX control (Sham), the OVX-control (OVX), the OVX + 100 mg/kg b.w. of hawthorn extract (OL), and the OVX + 200 mg/kg b.w. of hawthorn extract (OH). The final body weights of the OVX group were significantly increased, but the increment was significantly decreased in hawthorn groups (p < 0.05). The serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were significantly elevated in the OVX group, whereas the hawthorn groups showed a significant decrease in these levels (p < 0.05). The hepatic triglyceride (TG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly reduced in the hawthorn groups compared with the OVX group (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly decreased in the OVX group, whereas the hawthorn groups exhibited a significant increase in expression (p < 0.05). The protein expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, and GPx were lower in the OVX group than the Sham group (p < 0.05). The oral administration of hawthorn extract reversed the suppression of protein levels. These results suggest that hawthorn extract could have protective effects in OVX rats by improving lipid profiles, decreasing oxidative stress, and improving the antioxidant defense system.

Defective calcium inactivation causes long QT in obese insulin-resistant rat.

PubMed

Lin, Yen-Chang; Huang, Jianying; Kan, Hong; Castranova, Vincent; Frisbee, Jefferson C; Yu, Han-Gang

2012-02-15

The majority of diabetic patients who are overweight or obese die of heart disease. We suspect that the obesity-induced insulin resistance may lead to abnormal cardiac electrophysiology. We tested this hypothesis by studying an obese insulin-resistant rat model, the obese Zucker rat (OZR). Compared with the age-matched control, lean Zucker rat (LZR), OZR of 16-17 wk old exhibited an increase in QTc interval, action potential duration, and cell capacitance. Furthermore, the L-type calcium current (I(CaL)) in OZR exhibited defective inactivation and lost the complete inactivation back to the closed state, leading to increased Ca(2+) influx. The current density of I(CaL) was reduced in OZR, whereas the threshold activation and the current-voltage relationship of I(CaL) were not significantly altered. L-type Ba(2+) current (I(BaL)) in OZR also exhibited defective inactivation, and steady-state inactivation was not significantly altered. However, the current-voltage relationship and activation threshold of I(BaL) in OZR exhibited a depolarized shift compared with LZR. The total and membrane protein expression levels of Cav1.2 [pore-forming subunit of L-type calcium channels (LTCC)], but not the insulin receptors, were decreased in OZR. The insulin receptor was found to be associated with the Cav1.2, which was weakened in OZR. The total protein expression of calmodulin was reduced, but that of Cavβ2 subunit was not altered in OZR. Together, these results suggested that the 16- to 17-wk-old OZR has 1) developed cardiac hypertrophy, 2) exhibited altered electrophysiology manifested by the prolonged QTc interval, 3) increased duration of action potential in isolated ventricular myocytes, 4) defective inactivation of I(CaL) and I(BaL), 5) weakened the association of LTCC with the insulin receptor, and 6) decreased protein expression of Cav1.2 and calmodulin. These results also provided mechanistic insights into a remodeled cardiac electrophysiology under the condition of insulin resistance, enhancing our understanding of long QT associated with obese type 2 diabetic patients.

Saponin 1 Induces Apoptosis and Suppresses NF-κB-Mediated Survival Signaling in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

PubMed Central

Tang, Chi; Li, Bo; Wang, Yuangang; Gao, Zhenhui; Luo, Peng; Yin, Anan; Wang, Xiaoyang; Cheng, Guang; Fei, Zhou

2013-01-01

Saponin 1 is a triterpeniod saponin extracted from Anemone taipaiensis, a traditional Chinese medicine against rheumatism and phlebitis. It has also been shown to exhibit significant anti-tumor activity against human leukemia (HL-60 cells) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2 cells). Herein we investigated the effect of saponin 1 in human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) U251MG and U87MG cells. Saponin 1 induced significant growth inhibition in both glioblastoma cell lines, with a 50% inhibitory concentration at 24 h of 7.4 µg/ml in U251MG cells and 8.6 µg/ml in U87MG cells, respectively. Nuclear fluorescent staining and electron microscopy showed that saponin 1 caused characteristic apoptotic morphological changes in the GBM cell lines. Saponin 1-induced apoptosis was also verified by DNA ladder electrophoresis and flow cytometry. Additionally, immunocytochemistry and western blotting analyses revealed a time-dependent decrease in the expression and nuclear location of NF-κB following saponin 1 treatment. Western blotting data indicated a significant decreased expression of inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) family members,(e.g., survivin and XIAP) by saponin 1. Moreover, saponin 1 caused a decrease in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and initiated apoptosis by activating caspase-9 and caspase-3 in the GBM cell lines. These findings indicate that saponin 1 inhibits cell growth of GBM cells at least partially by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting survival signaling mediated by NF-κB. In addition, in vivo study also demonstrated an obvious inhibition of saponin 1 treatment on the tumor growth of U251MG and U87MG cells-produced xenograft tumors in nude mice. Given the minimal toxicities of saponin 1 in non-neoplastic astrocytes, our results suggest that saponin 1 exhibits significant in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor efficacy and merits further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for GBM. PMID:24278406

Light/dark phase-dependent spontaneous activity is maintained in dopamine-deficient mice.

PubMed

Fujita, Masayo; Hagino, Yoko; Takeda, Taishi; Kasai, Shinya; Tanaka, Miho; Takamatsu, Yukio; Kobayashi, Kazuto; Ikeda, Kazutaka

2017-10-16

Dopamine is important for motor control and involved in the regulation of circadian rhythm. We previously found that dopamine-deficient (DD) mice became hyperactive in a novel environment 72 h after the last injection of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) when dopamine was almost completely depleted. DD mice did not initially exhibit hyperactivity in their home cages, but the animals exhibited hyperactivity several hours after the last L-DOPA injection. The regulation of motor activity in a novel environment and in home cages may be different. A previous study reported that DD mice became active again approximately 24 h after the last L-DOPA injection. One speculation was that light/dark phase-dependent spontaneous activity might be maintained despite dopamine deficiency. The present study investigated whether spontaneous home cage activity is maintained in DD mice 24-43 h and 72-91 h after the last L-DOPA injection. Spontaneous activity was almost completely suppressed during the light phase of the light/dark cycle in DD mice 24 and 72 h after the last L-DOPA injection. After the dark phase began, DD mice became active 24 and 72 h after the last L-DOPA injection. DD mice exhibited a similar amount of locomotor activity as wildtype mice 24 h after the last L-DOPA injection. Although DD mice presented a decrease in activity 72 h after the last L-DOPA injection, they maintained dark phase-stimulated locomotor activation. Despite low levels of dopamine in DD mice, they exhibited feeding behavior that was similar to wildtype mice. Although grooming and rearing behavior significantly decreased, DD mice retained their ability to perform these activities. Haloperidol treatment significantly suppressed all of these behaviors in wildtype mice but not in DD mice. These results indicate that DD mice maintain some aspects of light/dark phase-dependent spontaneous activity despite dopamine depletion, suggesting that compensatory dopamine-independent mechanisms might play a role in the DD mouse phenotype.

Effects of 6-month eicosapentaenoic acid treatment on postprandial hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, insulin secretion ability, and concomitant endothelial dysfunction among newly-diagnosed impaired glucose metabolism patients with coronary artery disease. An open label, single blinded, prospective randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Sawada, Takahiro; Tsubata, Hideo; Hashimoto, Naoko; Takabe, Michinori; Miyata, Taishi; Aoki, Kosuke; Yamashita, Soichiro; Oishi, Shogo; Osue, Tsuyoshi; Yokoi, Kiminobu; Tsukishiro, Yasue; Onishi, Tetsuari; Shimane, Akira; Taniguchi, Yasuyo; Yasaka, Yoshinori; Ohara, Takeshi; Kawai, Hiroya; Yokoyama, Mitsuhiro

2016-08-26

Recent experimental studies have revealed that n-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) regulate postprandial insulin secretion, and correct postprandial glucose and lipid abnormalities. However, the effects of 6-month EPA treatment on postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, insulin secretion, and concomitant endothelial dysfunction remain unknown in patients with impaired glucose metabolism (IGM) and coronary artery disease (CAD). We randomized 107 newly diagnosed IGM patients with CAD to receive either 1800 mg/day of EPA (EPA group, n = 53) or no EPA (n = 54). Cookie meal testing (carbohydrates: 75 g, fat: 28.5 g) and endothelial function testing using fasting-state flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) were performed before and after 6 months of treatment. The primary outcome of this study was changes in postprandial glycemic and triglyceridemic control and secondary outcomes were improvement of insulin secretion and endothelial dysfunction. After 6 months, the EPA group exhibited significant improvements in EPA/arachidonic acid, fasting triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The EPA group also exhibited significant decreases in the incremental TG peak, area under the curve (AUC) for postprandial TG, incremental glucose peak, AUC for postprandial glucose, and improvements in glycometabolism categorization. No significant changes were observed for hemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma glucose levels. The EPA group exhibited a significant increase in AUC-immune reactive insulin/AUC-plasma glucose ratio (which indicates postprandial insulin secretory ability) and significant improvements in FMD. Multiple regression analysis revealed that decreases in the TG/HDL-C ratio and incremental TG peak were independent predictors of FMD improvement in the EPA group. EPA corrected postprandial hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia and insulin secretion ability. This amelioration of several metabolic abnormalities was accompanied by recovery of concomitant endothelial dysfunction in newly diagnosed IGM patients with CAD. Clinical Trial Registration UMIN Registry number: UMIN000011265 ( https://www.upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&type=summary&recptno=R000013200&language=E ).

Phytotoxicity assessment of atrazine on growth and physiology of three emergent plants.

PubMed

Wang, Qinghai; Que, Xiaoe; Zheng, Ruilun; Pang, Zuo; Li, Cui; Xiao, Bo

2015-07-01

The emergent plants Acorus calamus, Lythrum salicaria, and Scirpus tabernaemontani were exposed to atrazine for 15, 30, 45, and 60 days in a hydroponic system. Effects were evaluated investigating plant growth, chlorophyll (Chl) content, peroxidase (POD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Results showed that selected plants survived in culture solution with atrazine ≤8 mg L(-1), but relative growth rates decreased significantly in the first 15-day exposure. Chla content decreased, but MDA increased with increasing atrazine concentration. S. tabernaemontani was the most insensitive species, followed by A. calamus and L.salicaria. The growth indicators exhibited significant changes in the early stage of atrazine exposure; subsequently, the negative impacts weakened and disappeared. Plant growth may be more representative of emergent plant fitness than physiological endpoints in toxicity assessment of herbicides to emergent plants.

Changes in Body Composition According to Age and Sex among Young Non-Diabetic Korean Adults: The Kangbuk Samsung Health Study.

PubMed

Kim, Seul Ki; Kwon, Yu Hyun; Cho, Jung Hwan; Lee, Da Young; Park, Se Eun; Oh, Hyung Geun; Park, Cheol Young; Lee, Won Young; Oh, Ki Won; Park, Sung Woo; Rhee, Eun Jung

2017-12-01

Age-related decreases in lean mass represent a serious health problem. We aimed to analyze the risks of rapid decreases in lean mass by age and sex in relatively young Korean adults during a 4-year follow-up study. A total of 65,856 non-diabetic participants (59.5% men, mean age 39.1 years) in a health screening program were subjected to bioimpedance body composition analyses and metabolic parameter analyses at baseline and after 4 years. The participants were sub-divided according to age, and additionally to six groups by age and the degree of body weight change over the 4-year period. The actual changes in body weight, lean mass, and fat mass and the percent changes over the 4-year period were assessed. The percent change in lean mass decreased and the percent change of fat mass increased with increasing age in every age and sex group. However, the annual percent decrease in lean mass and percent increase in fat mass were significantly higher among women than among men (-0.26% vs. -0.15% and 0.34% vs. 0.42%, respectively; P<0.01). Participants who were older than 50 years and had a weight loss <-5% during the 4 years had significantly greater decreases in lean mass and smaller decreases in fat mass, compared to those who were younger than 50 years. An odds ratio analysis to determine the lowest quartile of the percent change in lean mass according to age group revealed that participants older than 60 years had a significantly increased risk of a rapid decrease in the lean mass percentage (2.081; 95% confidence interval, 1.678 to 2.581). Even in this relatively young study population, the lean mass decreased significantly with age, and the risk of a rapid decrease in lean mass was higher among women than among men. Furthermore, the elderly exhibited a significantly more rapid decrease in lean mass, compared with younger participants. Copyright © 2017 Korean Endocrine Society

Neuroimmunological response of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) to translocation and a novel social environment.

PubMed

Spoon, Tracey R; Romano, Tracy A

2012-01-01

This study assessed changes in phagocyte function and activation of the sympatho-adrenal medullary and hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axes of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in response to translocation and introduction to a novel social environment. Transported belugas exhibited increases in epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE), and cortisol levels in response to the translocation process. In response to the introduction of the transported belugas, resident belugas exhibited an increase in E and NE but not cortisol. Moreover, the increase in E and NE shown by the transported belugas was significantly greater than the increase exhibited by the resident belugas. Resident belugas exhibited a concomitant decrease in neutrophil and monocyte phagocytosis associated with the introduction of the transported belugas. In contrast, transported belugas exhibited an attendant increase in phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity immediately following transport. Differences in phagocyte response may derive from differences in hormonal milieu, stressor modality and/or intensity, or phagocyte priming. Investigating the complex interactions between types of stressors, neuroendocrine response, and immunocompetence will lead to a better understanding of the impacts of environmental challenges, including anthropogenic perturbations, on the health of cetacean populations. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Partial Protection by Dietary Antioxidants Against Ethanol-Induced Osteopenia and Changes in Bone Morphology in Female Mice.

PubMed

Alund, Alexander W; Mercer, Kelly E; Pulliam, Casey F; Suva, Larry J; Chen, Jin-Ran; Badger, Thomas M; Ronis, Martin J J

2017-01-01

Chronic alcohol consumption leads to increased fracture risk and an elevated risk of osteoporosis by decreasing bone accrual through increasing osteoclast activity and decreasing osteoblast activity. We have shown that this mechanism involves the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by NADPH oxidases. It was hypothesized that different dietary antioxidants, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC; 1.2 mg/kg/d), and α-tocopherol (Vit.E; 60 mg/kg/d) would be able to attenuate the NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS effects on bone due to chronic alcohol intake. To study the effects of these antioxidants, female mice received a Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet containing ethanol (EtOH) with or without additional antioxidant for 8 weeks. Tibias displayed decreased cortical bone mineral density in both the EtOH and EtOH + antioxidant groups compared to pair-fed (PF) and PF + antioxidant groups (p < 0.05). However, there was significant protection from trabecular bone loss in mice fed either antioxidant (p < 0.05). Microcomputed tomography analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in bone volume (bone volume/tissue volume) and trabecular number (p < 0.05), along with a significant increase in trabecular separation in the EtOH compared to PF (p < 0.05). In contrast, the EtOH + NAC and EtOH + Vit.E did not statistically differ from their respective PF controls. Ex vivo histologic sections of tibias were stained for nitrotyrosine, an indicator of intracellular damage by ROS, and tibias from mice fed EtOH exhibited significantly more staining than PF controls. EtOH treatment significantly increased the number of marrow adipocytes per mm as well as mRNA expression of aP2, an adipocyte marker in bone. Only NAC was able to reduce the number of marrow adipocytes to PF levels. EtOH-fed mice exhibited reduced bone length (p < 0.05) and had a reduced number of proliferating chondrocytes within the growth plate. NAC and Vit.E prevented this (p < 0.05). These data show that alcohol's pathological effects on bone extend beyond decreasing bone mass and suggest a partial protective effect of the dietary antioxidants NAC and Vit.E at these doses with regard to alcohol effects on bone turnover and bone morphology. Copyright © 2016 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.

Obif, a Transmembrane Protein, Is Required for Bone Mineralization and Spermatogenesis in Mice

PubMed Central

Mizuhashi, Koji; Chaya, Taro; Kanamoto, Takashi; Omori, Yoshihiro; Furukawa, Takahisa

2015-01-01

Background Various kinds of transmembrane and secreted proteins play pivotal roles in development through cell-cell communication. We previously reported that Obif (Osteoblast induction factor, Tmem119), encoding a single transmembrane protein, is expressed in differentiating osteoblasts, and that Obif−/− mice exhibit significantly reduced bone volume in the femur. In the current study, we characterized the Obif protein and further investigated the biological phenotypes of a variety of tissues in Obif−/− mice. Results First, we found that O-glycosylation of the Obif protein occurs at serine residue 36 in the Obif extracellular domain. Next, we observed that Obif−/− mice exhibit bone dysplasia in association with significantly increased osteoid volume per osteoid surface (OV/OS) and osteoid maturation time (Omt), and significantly decreased mineral apposition rate (MAR) and bone formation rate per bone surface (BFR/BS). In addition, we observed that Obif−/− mice show a significant decrease in testis weight as well as in sperm number. By histological analysis, we found that Obif is expressed in spermatocytes and spermatids in the developing testis and that spermatogenesis is halted at the round spermatid stage in the Obif−/− testis that lacks sperm. However, the number of litters fathered by male mice was slightly reduced in Obif−/− mice compared with wild-type mice, although this was not statistically significant. Conclusions Our results, taken together with previous observations, indicate that Obif is a type Ia transmembrane protein whose N-terminal region is O-glycosylated. In addition, we found that Obif is required for normal bone mineralization and late testicular differentiation in vivo. These findings suggest that Obif plays essential roles in the development of multiple tissues. PMID:26207632

Obif, a Transmembrane Protein, Is Required for Bone Mineralization and Spermatogenesis in Mice.

PubMed

Mizuhashi, Koji; Chaya, Taro; Kanamoto, Takashi; Omori, Yoshihiro; Furukawa, Takahisa

2015-01-01

Various kinds of transmembrane and secreted proteins play pivotal roles in development through cell-cell communication. We previously reported that Obif (Osteoblast induction factor, Tmem119), encoding a single transmembrane protein, is expressed in differentiating osteoblasts, and that Obif-/- mice exhibit significantly reduced bone volume in the femur. In the current study, we characterized the Obif protein and further investigated the biological phenotypes of a variety of tissues in Obif-/- mice. First, we found that O-glycosylation of the Obif protein occurs at serine residue 36 in the Obif extracellular domain. Next, we observed that Obif-/- mice exhibit bone dysplasia in association with significantly increased osteoid volume per osteoid surface (OV/OS) and osteoid maturation time (Omt), and significantly decreased mineral apposition rate (MAR) and bone formation rate per bone surface (BFR/BS). In addition, we observed that Obif-/- mice show a significant decrease in testis weight as well as in sperm number. By histological analysis, we found that Obif is expressed in spermatocytes and spermatids in the developing testis and that spermatogenesis is halted at the round spermatid stage in the Obif-/- testis that lacks sperm. However, the number of litters fathered by male mice was slightly reduced in Obif-/- mice compared with wild-type mice, although this was not statistically significant. Our results, taken together with previous observations, indicate that Obif is a type Ia transmembrane protein whose N-terminal region is O-glycosylated. In addition, we found that Obif is required for normal bone mineralization and late testicular differentiation in vivo. These findings suggest that Obif plays essential roles in the development of multiple tissues.

Loss of GltB Inhibits Biofilm Formation and Biocontrol Efficiency of Bacillus subtilis Bs916 by Altering the Production of γ-Polyglutamate and Three Lipopeptides

PubMed Central

Luo, Chuping; Fang, Xianwen; Xiang, Yaping; Wang, Xiaoyu; Zhang, Rongsheng; Chen, Zhiyi

2016-01-01

Aims This study examined the contribution of GltB on biofilm formation and biocontrol efficiency of B. subtilis Bs916. Methods and Results The gltB gene was identified through a biofilm phenotype screen and a bioinformatics analysis of serious biofilm formation defects, and then a gltB single knockout mutant was constructed using homologous recombination. This mutant demonstrated severe deficits in biofilm formation and colonisation along with significantly altered production ofγ-polyglutamate (γ-PGA) and three lipopeptide antibiotics (LPs) as measured by a transcriptional analysis of both the wild type B. subtilis Bs916 and the gltB mutant. Consequently, the mutant strain retained almost no antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and exhibited decreased biocontrol efficiency against rice sheath blight. Very few gltB mutant cells colonised the rice stem, and they exhibited no significant nutrient chemotaxis compared to the wild type B. subtilis Bs916. The mechanism underlying these deficits in the gltB mutant appears to be decreased significantly in production of γ-PGA and a reduction in the production of both bacillomycin L and fengycin. Biofilm restoration of gltB mutant by additionγ-PGA in the EM medium demonstrated that biofilm formation was able to restore significantly at 20 g/L. Conclusions GltB regulates biofilm formation by altering the production ofγ-PGA, the LPs bacillomycin L and fengcin and influences bacterial colonisation on the rice stem, which consequently leads to poor biocontrol efficiency against rice sheath blight. Significance and Impact of Study This is the first report of a key regulatory protein (GltB) that is involved in biofilm regulation and its regulation mechanism and biocontrol efficiency by B. subtilis. PMID:27223617

Piper betle extracts exhibit antitumor activity by augmenting antioxidant potential

PubMed Central

ALAM, BADRUL; MAJUMDER, RAJIB; AKTER, SHAHINA; LEE, SANG-HAN

2015-01-01

The present study was conducted to evaluate the methanolic extract of Piper betle leaves (MPBL) and its organic fractions with regard to antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice and to confirm their antioxidant activities. At 24 h post-intraperitoneal inoculation of tumor cells into mice, extracts were administered at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight for nine consecutive days. The antitumor effects of the extracts were then assessed according to tumor volume, packed cell count, viable and non-viable tumor cell count, median survival time and increase in life span of EAC-bearing mice. Next, hematological profiles and serum biochemical parameters were calculated, and antioxidant properties were assessed by estimating lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels. MPBL and the ethylacetate fraction (EPBL) at a dose of 100 mg/kg induced a significant decrease in tumor volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count and increased the life span of the EAC-bearing mice (P<0.05). Hematological and serum biochemical profiles were restored to normal levels in the extract-treated mice compared with the EAC control mice. MPBL and EPBL treatment significantly decreased lipid peroxidation (P<0.05) and restored GSH, SOD and CAT levels towards normal compared with the EAC control. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that Piper betle extracts exhibit significant antitumor activity, which may be attributed to the augmentation of endogenous antioxidant potential. PMID:25624910

Piper betle extracts exhibit antitumor activity by augmenting antioxidant potential.

PubMed

Alam, Badrul; Majumder, Rajib; Akter, Shahina; Lee, Sang-Han

2015-02-01

The present study was conducted to evaluate the methanolic extract of Piper betle leaves (MPBL) and its organic fractions with regard to antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice and to confirm their antioxidant activities. At 24 h post-intraperitoneal inoculation of tumor cells into mice, extracts were administered at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight for nine consecutive days. The antitumor effects of the extracts were then assessed according to tumor volume, packed cell count, viable and non-viable tumor cell count, median survival time and increase in life span of EAC-bearing mice. Next, hematological profiles and serum biochemical parameters were calculated, and antioxidant properties were assessed by estimating lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels. MPBL and the ethylacetate fraction (EPBL) at a dose of 100 mg/kg induced a significant decrease in tumor volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count and increased the life span of the EAC-bearing mice (P<0.05). Hematological and serum biochemical profiles were restored to normal levels in the extract-treated mice compared with the EAC control mice. MPBL and EPBL treatment significantly decreased lipid peroxidation (P<0.05) and restored GSH, SOD and CAT levels towards normal compared with the EAC control. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that Piper betle extracts exhibit significant antitumor activity, which may be attributed to the augmentation of endogenous antioxidant potential.

In Vitro Inhibitory Effect of Berberis vulgaris (Berberidaceae) and Its Main Component, Berberine against Different Leishmania Species.

PubMed

Mahmoudvand, Hossein; Sharififar, Fariba; Sharifi, Iraj; Ezatpour, Behrouz; Fasihi Harandi, Majid; Makki, Mahsa Sadat; Zia-Ali, Naser; Jahanbakhsh, Sareh

2014-03-01

Leishmaniasis has been identified as a major public health problem in tropical and sub-tropical countries. The present study was aimed to investigate antileishmanial effects of various extracts of Berberis vulgaris also its active compoenent, berberine against Leishmania tropica and L. infantum species on in vitro experiments. In this study in vitro antileishmanial activity of various extracts of B. vulgaris also its active compoenent, berberine against promastigote and amastigote stages of L. tropica and L. infantum was evaluated, using MTT assay and in a macrophage model, respectively. Furthermore, infectivity rate and cytotoxicity effects of B. vulgaris and berberine in murine macrophage cells were investigated. The findings of optical density (OD) and IC50 indicated that B. vulgaris particulary berberine significantly (P<0.05) inhibited the growth rate of promastigote stage of L.tropica and L.infantum in comparison to meglumine antimoniate (MA). In addition, B. vulgaris and berberine significantly (P<0.05) decreased the mean number of amastigotes in each macrophage as compared with positive control. In the evaluation of cytotoxicity effects, it could be observed that berberine as compared with B. vulgaris exhibited more cytotoxicity against murine macrophages. Results also showed that when parasites were pre-incubated with B. vulgaris their ability to infect murine macrophages was significantly decreased. B.vulgaris particularly berberine exhibited potent in vitro leishmanicidal effects against L. tropica and L.infantum. Further works are required to evaluate the antileishmanial effects of B.vulgaris on Leishmania species using clinical settings.

Wing flexibility improves bumblebee flight stability.

PubMed

Mistick, Emily A; Mountcastle, Andrew M; Combes, Stacey A

2016-11-01

Insect wings do not contain intrinsic musculature to change shape, but rather bend and twist passively during flight. Some insect wings feature flexible joints along their veins that contain patches of resilin, a rubber-like protein. Bumblebee wings exhibit a central resilin joint (1m-cu) that has previously been shown to improve vertical force production during hovering flight. In this study, we artificially stiffened bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) wings in vivo by applying a micro-splint to the 1m-cu joint, and measured the consequences for body stability during forward flight in both laminar and turbulent airflow. In laminar flow, bees with stiffened wings exhibited significantly higher mean rotation rates and standard deviation of orientation about the roll axis. Decreasing the wing's flexibility significantly increased its projected surface area relative to the oncoming airflow, likely increasing the drag force it experienced during particular phases of the wing stroke. We hypothesize that higher drag forces on stiffened wings decrease body stability when the left and right wings encounter different flow conditions. Wing splinting also led to a small increase in body rotation rates in turbulent airflow, but this change was not statistically significant, possibly because bees with stiffened wings changed their flight behavior in turbulent flow. Overall, we found that wing flexibility improves flight stability in bumblebees, adding to the growing appreciation that wing flexibility is not merely an inevitable liability in flapping flight, but can enhance flight performance. © 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Antidepressant-Like Effects of Sanggenon G, Isolated from the Root Bark of Morus alba, in Rats: Involvement of the Serotonergic System.

PubMed

Lim, Dong Wook; Jung, Jae-Woo; Park, Ji-Hae; Baek, Nam-In; Kim, Yun Tai; Kim, In-Ho; Han, Daeseok

2015-01-01

The root bark of Morus alba is commonly used as an alternative medicine due to its numerous health benefits in humans. However, the antidepressant effects of various active components from M. alba have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to determine whether sanggenon G, an active compound isolated from the root bark of M. alba, exhibited antidepressant-like activity in rats subjected to forced swim test (FST)-induced depression. Acute treatment of rats with sanggenon G (30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)) significantly reduced immobility time and increased swimming time without any significant change in climbing. Rats treated with sanggenon G also exhibited a decrease in the limbic hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to the FST, as indicated by attenuation of the corticosterone response and decreased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). In addition, the antidepressant-like effects of sanggenon G were significantly inhibited by WAY100635 (1 mg/kg, i.p.; a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine1A (5-HT1A) receptor antagonist), but not SCH23390 (0.05 mg/kg, i.p.; a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist). Our findings suggested that the antidepressant-like effects of sanggenon G were mediated by an interaction with the serotonergic system. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential of sanggenon G as an alternative therapeutic approach for the treatment of depression.

Reduced emotional and corticosterone responses to stress in μ-opioid receptor knockout mice

PubMed Central

Ide, Soichiro; Sora, Ichiro; Ikeda, Kazutaka; Minami, Masabumi; Uhl, George R.; Ishihara, Kumatoshi

2014-01-01

The detailed mechanisms of emotional modulation in the nervous system by opioids remain to be elucidated, although the opioid system is well known to play important roles in the mechanisms of analgesia and drug dependence. In the present study, we conducted behavioral tests of anxiety and depression and measured corticosterone concentrations in both male and female μ-opioid receptor knockout (MOP-KO) mice to reveal the involvement of μ-opioid receptors in stress-induced emotional responses. MOP-KO mice entered more and spent more time in the open arms of the elevated plus maze compared with wild-type mice. MOP-KO mice also displayed significantly decreased immobility in a 15 min tail-suspension test compared with wild-type mice. Similarly, MOP-KO mice exhibited significantly decreased immobility on days 2, 3, and 4 in a 6 min forced swim test conducted for 5 consecutive days. The increase in plasma corticosterone concentration induced by tail-suspension, repeated forced swim, or restraint stress was reduced in MOP-KO mice compared with wild-type mice. Corticosterone levels were not different between wild-type and MOP-KO mice before stress exposure. In contrast, although female mice tended to exhibit fewer anxiety-like responses in the tail-suspension test in both genotypes, no significant gender differences were observed in stress-induced emotional responses. These results suggest that MOPs play an important facilitatory role in emotional responses to stress, including anxiety- and depression-like behavior and corticosterone levels. PMID:19596019

Piracetam and vinpocetine ameliorate rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in rats.

PubMed

Zaitone, Sawsan A; Abo-Elmatty, Dina M; Elshazly, Shimaa M

2012-01-01

To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of the nootropic drugs, piracetam (PIR) and vinpocetine (VIN), in rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in rats. Sixty male rats were divided into 6 groups of 10 rats each. The groups were administered vehicle, control (rotenone, 1.5 mg/kg/48 h/6 doses, s.c.), PIR (100 and 200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and VIN (3 and 6 mg/kg/day, p.o.). The motor performance of the rats was evaluated by the open field and pole test. Striatal dopamine level, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assayed. Histopathological study of the substantia nigra was also done. Results showed that rotenone-treated rats exhibited bradykinesia and motor impairment in the open-field test. In addition, GSH level was decreased whereas MDA and TNF-α increased in striata of rotenone-treated rats as compared to vehicle-treated rats. Marked degeneration of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) neurons and depletion of striatal dopamine was also observed in the rotenone-treated rats. Treatment with PIR or VIN significantly reversed the locomotor deficits and increased striatal dopamine level. Treatment with VIN significantly (P<0.05) reduced the striatal level of MDA and GSH in comparison to rotenone group whereas TNF-α production was found to be significantly decreased in PIR group (P<0.05). VIN and PIR exhibit neuroprotective activity in rotenone-induced Parkinsonism. Hence, these nootropic agents may be considered as possible candidates in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Infant Physiological Regulation and Maternal Risks as Predictors of Dyadic Interaction Trajectories in Families With a Preterm Infant

PubMed Central

Poehlmann, Julie; Schwichtenberg, A. J. Miller; Bolt, Daniel M.; Hane, Amanda; Burnson, Cynthia; Winters, Jill

2012-01-01

This longitudinal study examined predictors of rates of growth in dyadic interaction quality in children born preterm who did not experience significant neurological findings during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization. Multiple methods were used to collect data from 120 preterm infants (48% girls, 52% boys) and their mothers. Infant heart rate variability (HRV), gestational age, neonatal health, feeding route, and maternal socioeconomic (SES) risks were assessed at NICU discharge (mean of 36 weeks postconception). Mother–child interactions were observed at 4, 9, 16, and 24 months postterm and analyzed with hierarchical linear modeling. On average, children’s quality of play, interest, and attention increased over time while their dysregulation and irritability decreased, whereas average maternal positive affect and involvement declined in quality (ps < .05), although there was individual variation in rates of change. Mothers of infants with higher postfeeding HRV (i.e., vagal regulation) exhibited less decrease in positive affect and involvement between 4 months and 24 months, compared with mothers of infants with lower HRV (p < .05). Although infants with higher postfeeding HRV showed less positive affect and communication at 4 months, they exhibited significantly greater increases in positive affect and social competence and decreases in dysregulation and irritability between 4 months and 24 months, compared with infants with lower HRV (ps < .05). Dyads experiencing more SES risks showed less optimal interactions at 4 months; this difference remained as children grew older (ps < .05). Results have implications for our understanding of social development in preterm infants. PMID:21244152

Analysis of Kalirin-7 Knockout Mice Reveals Different Effects in Female Mice

PubMed Central

Mazzone, Christopher M.; Larese, Taylor P.; Kiraly, Drew D.; Eipper, Betty A.

2012-01-01

Estradiol treatment of ovariectomized rodents is known to affect the morphology of dendritic spines and produce behavioral and cognitive effects. Kalirin-7 (Kal7), a postsynaptic density (PSD)-localized Rho-guanine nucleotide exchange factor, is important for dendritic spine formation and stability. Male Kal7 knockout [Kal7(KO)] mice exhibit a number of abnormal behavioral and biochemical phenotypes. Given that chronic 17β-estradiol (E2) replacement of ovariectomized rats enhanced Kal7 expression in the hippocampus and primary hippocampal cultures, we assessed the behavioral and biochemical effects of chronic E2 treatment of ovariectomized female wild-type and Kal7(KO) mice. Both intact and ovariectomized Kal7(KO) female mice exhibited decreased anxiety-like behavior compared with the corresponding wild type in the elevated zero maze and were unaffected by E2 treatment. Chronic E2 decreased locomotor activity in the open field and enhanced performance in a passive-avoidance fear conditioning task, which were both unaffected by genotype. Kal7(KO) female mice engaged in significantly more object exploration, both familiar and novel, than did wild-type females. E2 enhanced the acute locomotor response to cocaine, with no significant effect of genotype. Similar to Kal7(KO) males, Kal7(KO) females had decreased levels of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor 2B in hippocampal PSD fractions with no effect of E2 treatment. The differing behavioral effects of Kal7 ablation in female and male mice may offer insight into the molecular underpinnings of these differences. PMID:22989522

True memory, false memory, and subjective recollection deficits after focal parietal lobe lesions.

PubMed

Drowos, David B; Berryhill, Marian; André, Jessica M; Olson, Ingrid R

2010-07-01

There is mounting evidence that the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) plays an important role in episodic memory. We previously found that patients with PPC damage exhibit retrieval-related episodic memory deficits. Here we assess whether parietal lobe damage affects episodic memory on a different task: the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) false-memory paradigm. Two patients with bilateral PPC damage and a group of matched controls were tested. In Experiment 1, the task was to remember words; in Experiment 2 the task was to remember pictures of common objects. Prior studies have shown that normal participants have high levels of false memory to words, low levels to pictures. The patients exhibited significantly lower levels of false memory to words. One patient showed significantly elevated levels of false memory to pictures. The patients' false memories were accompanied by reduced levels of recollection, as tested by a Remember/Know procedure. PPC damage causes decreased levels of false memories and an abnormal Remember/Know profile. Their false memory rate is similar to the rate exhibited by patients with medial temporal lobe damage. These results support the view that portions of the PPC play a critical role in objective and subjective aspects of recollection.

Anomalous negative magnetoresistance of two-dimensional electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanter, Jesse; Vitkalov, Sergey; Bykov, A. A.

2018-05-01

Effects of temperature T (6-18 K) and variable in situ static disorder on dissipative resistance of two-dimensional electrons are investigated in GaAs quantum wells placed in a perpendicular magnetic-field B⊥. Quantum contributions to the magnetoresistance, leading to quantum positive magnetoresistance (QPMR), are separated by application of an in-plane magnetic field. QPMR decreases considerably with both the temperature and the static disorder and is in good quantitative agreement with theory. The remaining resistance R decreases with the magnetic field exhibiting an anomalous polynomial dependence on B⊥:[R (B⊥) -R (0 ) ] =A (T ,τq) B⊥η where the power is η ≈1.5 ±0.1 in a broad range of temperatures and disorder. The disorder is characterized by electron quantum lifetime τq. The scaling factor A (T ,τq) ˜[κ(τq) +β (τq) T2] -1 depends significantly on both τq and T where the first term κ ˜τq-1/2 decreases with τq. The second term is proportional to the square of the temperature and diverges with increasing static disorder. Above a critical disorder the anomalous magnetoresistance is absent, and only a positive magnetoresistance, exhibiting no distinct polynomial behavior with the magnetic field, is observed. The presented model accounts memory effects and yields η = 3/2.

The Effects of Inhaled Pimpinella peregrina Essential Oil on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment, Anxiety, and Depression in Laboratory Rats.

PubMed

Aydin, Emel; Hritcu, Lucian; Dogan, Gulden; Hayta, Sukru; Bagci, Eyup

2016-11-01

In the present study, we identified the effects of inhaled Pimpinella peregrina essential oil (1 and 3 %, for 21 continuous days) on scopolamine-induced memory impairment, anxiety, and depression in laboratory rats. Y-maze and radial arm-maze tests were used for assessing memory processes. Also, the anxiety and depressive responses were studied by means of the elevated plus-maze and forced swimming tests. The scopolamine alone-treated rats exhibited the following: decrease of the spontaneous alternation percentage in Y-maze test, increase of the number of working and reference memory errors in radial arm-maze test, along with decrease of the exploratory activity, the percentage of the time spent and the number of entries in the open arm within elevated plus-maze test and decrease of swimming time and increase of immobility time within forced swimming test. Inhalation of the P. peregrina essential oil significantly improved memory formation and exhibited anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in scopolamine-treated rats. Our results suggest that the P. peregrina essential oil inhalation ameliorates scopolamine-induced memory impairment, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, studies on the P. peregrina essential oil may open a new therapeutic window for the prevention of neurological abnormalities closely related to Alzheimer's disease.

Distinct function of estrogen receptor α in smooth muscle and fibroblast cells in prostate development.

PubMed

Vitkus, Spencer; Yeh, Chiuan-Ren; Lin, Hsiu-Hsia; Hsu, Iawen; Yu, Jiangzhou; Chen, Ming; Yeh, Shuyuan

2013-01-01

Estrogen signaling, through estrogen receptor (ER)α, has been shown to cause hypertrophy in the prostate. Our recent report has shown that epithelial ERα knockout (KO) will not affect the normal prostate development or homeostasis. However, it remains unclear whether ERα in different types of stromal cells has distinct roles in prostate development. This study proposed to elucidate how KO of ERα in the stromal smooth muscle or fibroblast cells may interrupt cross talk between prostate stromal and epithelial cells. Smooth muscle ERαKO (smERαKO) mice showed decreased glandular infolding with the proximal area exhibiting a significant decrease. Fibroblast ERαKO mouse prostates did not exhibit this phenotype but showed a decrease in the number of ductal tips. Additionally, the amount of collagen observed in the basement membrane was reduced in smERαKO prostates. Interestingly, these phenotypes were found to be mutually exclusive among smERαKO or fibroblast ERαKO mice. Compound KO of ERα in both fibroblast and smooth muscle showed combined phenotypes from each of the single KO. Further mechanistic studies showed that IGF-I and epidermal growth factor were down-regulated in prostate smooth muscle PS-1 cells lacking ERα. Together, our results indicate the distinct functions of fibroblast vs. smERα in prostate development.

Human Platelets Exhibit Chemotaxis using Functional N-Formyl Peptide Receptors

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-01-01

activated phagocytes. Therefore, we examined the chemotactic migration of platelets qualita- tively by videomicroscopy . Platelets in medium were al- lowed...significantly decreased M. Czapiga et al. /Experimental Hematology 33 (2005) 73–84 79Figure 3. Videomicroscopy of human platelets in response to formyl...selected platelets during videomicroscopy from the time of the addition of fMLF (104 M in 1 µL) or PBS. Movement between markers represents 10 frames

Highly selective on-off fluorescence recognition of Fe3+ based on a coumarin derivative and its application in live-cell imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warrier, Sona; Kharkar, Prashant S.

2018-01-01

A novel coumarin chemosensor, 7-hydroxy-2-oxo-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)chromene-3-carboxamide (Probe 1), demonstrated significant selectivity towards Fe3+ ions. Probe 1 exhibited high fluorescence emission profile at 447 nm, excellent selectivity towards Fe3+ over other biologically important metal ions (Al3+, Ba2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+ and Sn2+). Interestingly, there was 30-fold decrease in fluorescence intensity upon Fe3+ binding. The limit of detection of Fe3+ was found to be 0.76 μM ( 40 ppb). Probe 1 also exhibited high potential as an intracellular chemosensor for Fe3+.

Dielectric surface discharges - Effects of combined low-energy and high-energy incident electrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balmain, K. G.; Hirt, W.

1983-01-01

Dielectric surface discharges affected by the addition of high energy electrons at 5 pA/sq cm to a primary 20 keV, 10 nA/sq cm electron beam with the high energy broad spectrum particles coming from the beta decay of Strontium 90 are studied. Kapton exhibits significantly increased discharge strength, increased waiting time between discharges, and a decreased number of discharges per specimen before discharge cessation. Mylar exhibits similar but less pronounced effects, while Teflon is relatively unaffected. With Kapton and Mylar, the high energy electrons act in some way to delay the instant of discharge ignition so that more charge can be accumulated and hence released during discharge. Previously announced in STAR as N82-14222

Reduction of antiproliferative capacities, cell-based antioxidant capacities and phytochemical contents of common beans and soybeans upon thermal processing.

PubMed

Xu, Baojun; Chang, Sam K C

2011-12-01

The effects of boiling and steaming processes on the antiproliferative and cellular antioxidant properties, as well as phytochemicals, of two types of common beans (pinto and black beans) and two types of soybeans (yellow and black) were investigated. All thermal-processing methods caused significant (p<0.05) decreases in total phenolic content (TPC), total saponin content (TSC) and phytic acid content (PAC) values in all bean types (except for TPC values in pressure-steamed yellow soybeans) as compared to those of the raw beans. All types of uncooked raw beans exhibited cellular antioxidant activities (CAA) in dose-dependent manners. Black soybeans exhibited the greatest CAA, followed by black beans, pinto beans and yellow soybeans. The CAA of cooked beans were generally diminished or eliminated by thermal processing. The hydrophilic extracts from raw pinto beans, black beans and black soybeans exhibited antiproliferation capacities against human gastric (AGS) and colorectal (SW480) cancer cells in dose-dependent manners. The raw yellow soybeans exhibited dose-dependent antiproliferation activities against the SW480 cells. Most of the cooked beans lost their antiproliferation capacities as observed in the raw beans. These results indicate that different processing methods may have various effects on phytochemical profiles and bioactivities. Overall, thermal processing caused a significant reduction of the health-promotion effects of beans. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of thyroid hormones on the antioxidative status in the uterus of young adult rats

PubMed Central

KONG, Lingfa; WEI, Quanwei; FEDAIL, Jaafar Sulieman; SHI, Fangxiong; NAGAOKA, Kentaro; WATANABE, Gen

2015-01-01

Thyroid hormones and oxidative stress play significant roles in the normal functioning of the female reproductive system. Nitric oxide (NO), a free radical synthesized by nitric oxide synthases (NOS), participates in the regulation of thyroid function and is also a good biomarker for assessment of the oxidative stress status. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate effects of thyroid hormones on uterine antioxidative status in young adult rats. Thirty immature female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, hypothyroid (hypo-T) and hyperthyroid (hyper-T). The results showed the body weights decreased significantly in both the hypo-T and hyper-T groups and that uterine weights were decreased significantly in the hypo-T group. The serum concentrations of total triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), as well as estradiol (E2), were significantly decreased in the hypo-T group, but increased in the hyper-T group. The progesterone (P4) concentrations in the hypo- and hyperthyroid rats markedly decreased. Immunohistochemistry results provided evidence that thyroid hormone nuclear receptor α/β (TRα/β) and three NOS isoforms were located in different cell types of rat uteri. The NO content and total NOS and inducible NOS (iNOS) activities were markedly diminished in the hypo-T group but increased in the hyper-T group. Moreover, the activities of both glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) exhibited significant decreases and increases in the hypo-T and hyper-T groups, respectively. The malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in both the hypo-T and hyper-T groups showed a significant increase. Total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity in the hypo- and hyper-T rats markedly decreased. In conclusion, these results indicated that thyroid hormones have an important influence on the modulation of uterine antioxidative status. PMID:25797533

Gender Differences in Anxiety Trajectories from Middle to Late Adolescence

PubMed Central

Ohannessian, Christine McCauley; Milan, Stephanie; Vannucci, Anna

2016-01-01

Although developmental trajectories of anxiety symptomatology have begun to be explored, most research has focused on total anxiety symptom scores during childhood and early adolescence, using racially/ethnically homogenous samples. Understanding the heterogeneous courses of anxiety disorder symptoms during middle to late adolescence has the potential to clarify developmental risk models of anxiety and to inform prevention programs. Therefore, this study specifically examined gender differences in developmental trajectories of anxiety disorder symptoms (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder) from middle to late adolescence in a diverse community sample (N=1,000; 57% female; 65% White), assessed annually over two years. Latent growth curve modeling revealed that girls exhibited a slight linear decrease in generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder symptoms, whereas boys exhibited a stable course. These models suggested that one trajectory was appropriate for panic disorder symptoms in both girls and boys. Growth mixture models indicated the presence of four latent generalized anxiety disorder symptom trajectory classes: low increasing, moderate decreasing slightly, high decreasing, and very high decreasing rapidly. Growth mixture models also suggested the presence of five latent social anxiety disorder symptom trajectory classes: a low stable trajectory class and four classes that were qualitatively similar to the latent generalized anxiety disorder trajectories. For both generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder symptoms, girls were significantly more likely than boys to be in trajectory classes characterized by moderate or high initial symptoms that subsequently decreased over time. These findings provide novel information regarding the developmental course of anxiety disorder symptoms in adolescents. PMID:27889856

Direct oral anticoagulants: analysis of worldwide use and popularity using Google Trends.

PubMed

Lippi, Giuseppe; Mattiuzzi, Camilla; Cervellin, Gianfranco; Favaloro, Emmanuel J

2017-08-01

Four direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been approved for clinical use by many medicines regulatory agencies around the world. Due to increasing use of these drugs in routine practice, we planned an original study to investigate their worldwide diffusion using a popular Web-search engine. Two electronic searches were performed using Google Trends, the former using the keywords "warfarin" AND "heparin" AND "fondaparinux", and the latter using the keywords "warfarin" AND "dabigatran" AND "rivaroxaban" AND "apixaban" AND "edoxaban", both using the search criterion "prescription drug". No language restriction was applied, and the searches were carried out from the first date available in Google Trends (January 1 st , 2004) to present time (June 1 st , 2017). The median Google Trends score of warfarin (i.e., 86) was consistently higher than that of heparin (54; P<0.001), fondaparinux (6; P<0.001), dabigatran (11; P<0.001), rivaroxaban (5; P<0.001), apixaban (1; P<0.001) and edoxaban (1; P<0.001). Specific analysis of the trends shows that the score of warfarin exhibits a highly significant decrease over time (r=-0.40; P<0.001), whilst that of heparin has remained virtually unchanged (r=0.12; P=0.127), and that of fondaparinux has marginally increased (r=0.16; P=0.038). As regards DOACs, the scores of these drugs significantly increased during the search period (dabigatran, r=0.79; rivaroxaban, r=0.99; apixaban, r=0.98; edoxaban, r=0.78; all P<0.001). When the analysis was limited to the past five years, the dabigatran score significantly decreased (r=-0.57; P<0.001), whereas that of the other DOACs exhibited an even sharper increase. Most Google searches for DOACs were performed in North America, central-eastern Europe and Australia. The results of our analysis suggest that the popularity of DOACs is constantly increasing around the world, whereas that of warfarin has exhibited a constant and inexorable decline.

Human ApoE Isoforms Differentially Modulate Glucose and Amyloid Metabolic Pathways in Female Brain: Evidence of the Mechanism of Neuroprotection by ApoE2 and Implications for Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Early Intervention.

PubMed

Keeney, Jeriel Thomas-Richard; Ibrahimi, Shaher; Zhao, Liqin

2015-01-01

Three major genetic isoforms of apolipoprotein E (ApoE), ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4, exist in humans and lead to differences in susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study investigated the impact of human ApoE isoforms on brain metabolic pathways involved in glucose utilization and amyloid-β (Aβ) degradation, two major areas that are significantly perturbed in preclinical AD. Hippocampal RNA samples from middle-aged female mice with targeted human ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4 gene replacement were comparatively analyzed with a qRT-PCR custom array for the expression of 85 genes involved in insulin/insulin-like growth factor (Igf) signaling. Consistent with its protective role against AD, ApoE2 brain exhibited the most metabolically robust profile among the three ApoE genotypes. When compared to ApoE2 brain, both ApoE3 and ApoE4 brains exhibited markedly reduced levels of Igf1, insulin receptor substrates (Irs), and facilitated glucose transporter 4 (Glut4), indicating reduced glucose uptake. Additionally, ApoE4 brain exhibited significantly decreased Pparg and insulin-degrading enzyme (Ide), indicating further compromised glucose metabolism and Aβ dysregulation associated with ApoE4. Protein analysis showed significantly decreased Igf1, Irs, and Glut4 in ApoE3 brain, and Igf1, Irs, Glut4, Pparg, and Ide in ApoE4 brain compared to ApoE2 brain. These data provide the first documented evidence that human ApoE isoforms differentially affect brain insulin/Igf signaling and downstream glucose and amyloid metabolic pathways, illustrating a potential mechanism for their differential risk in AD. A therapeutic strategy that enhances brain insulin/Igf1 signaling activity to a more robust ApoE2-like phenotype favoring both energy production and amyloid homeostasis holds promise for AD prevention and early intervention.

Age-related differences in brain electrical activity during extended continuous face recognition in younger children, older children and adults.

PubMed

Van Strien, Jan W; Glimmerveen, Johanna C; Franken, Ingmar H A; Martens, Vanessa E G; de Bruin, Eveline A

2011-09-01

To examine the development of recognition memory in primary-school children, 36 healthy younger children (8-9 years old) and 36 healthy older children (11-12 years old) participated in an ERP study with an extended continuous face recognition task (Study 1). Each face of a series of 30 faces was shown randomly six times interspersed with distracter faces. The children were required to make old vs. new decisions. Older children responded faster than younger children, but younger children exhibited a steeper decrease in latencies across the five repetitions. Older children exhibited better accuracy for new faces, but there were no age differences in recognition accuracy for repeated faces. For the N2, N400 and late positive complex (LPC), we analyzed the old/new effects (repetition 1 vs. new presentation) and the extended repetition effects (repetitions 1 through 5). Compared to older children, younger children exhibited larger frontocentral N2 and N400 old/new effects. For extended face repetitions, negativity of the N2 and N400 decreased in a linear fashion in both age groups. For the LPC, an ERP component thought to reflect recollection, no significant old/new or extended repetition effects were found. Employing the same face recognition paradigm in 20 adults (Study 2), we found a significant N400 old/new effect at lateral frontal sites and a significant LPC repetition effect at parietal sites, with LPC amplitudes increasing linearly with the number of repetitions. This study clearly demonstrates differential developmental courses for the N400 and LPC pertaining to recognition memory for faces. It is concluded that face recognition in children is mediated by early and probably more automatic than conscious recognition processes. In adults, the LPC extended repetition effect indicates that adult face recognition memory is related to a conscious and graded recollection process rather than to an automatic recognition process. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Efficacy and safety of Chlorella supplementation in adults with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

PubMed Central

Azocar, Jose; Diaz, Arley

2013-01-01

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Chlorella in 18 patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1. METHODS: Eighteen adults with chronic infection by HCV genotype 1 received daily oral supplementation of Chlorella for 12 wk. Changes in the RNA levels of HCV, as well as those of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were evaluated following this treatment period. Paired t tests were conducted to compare the means of the different variables at the beginning and end of the study. Side effects and quality of life aspects were also compared between weeks 0 and 12 of the study period. RESULTS: A majority 84.61% of the patients had a significant decrease in their ALT levels from week 0 to week 12. Evaluation of side effects showed that Chlorella was well tolerated. Quality of life assessment showed that 76.9 of the participants reported an improvement in their energy levels and 46.1% reported an improvement in their perception of general health. Although 69.23% also showed a decrease in their AST levels, this was not statistically significant. Most patients that exhibited an improvement in their ALT and AST levels also showed a tendency toward a decreased HCV viral load. The HCV RNA levels showed a decrease in 69.23% of the patients, which along with changes in AST/ALT ratios from week 0 to week 12, these results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Chlorella supplementation was well tolerated in patients with chronic HCV and associated with a significant decrease in ALT liver enzyme levels. PMID:23467073

White matter damage and glymphatic dysfunction in a model of vascular dementia in rats with no prior vascular pathologies

PubMed Central

Venkat, Poornima; Chopp, Michael; Zacharek, Alex; Cui, Chengcheng; Zhang, Li; Li, Qingjiang; Lu, Mei; Zhang, Talan; Liu, Amy; Chen, Jieli

2016-01-01

We investigated cognitive function, axonal/white matter (WM) changes and glymphatic function of vascular dementia (VaD) using a multiple microinfarction (MMI) model in retired breeder (RB) rats. The MMI model induces significant (p<0.05) cognitive decline that worsens with age starting at 2 weeks, which persists until at least 6 weeks after MMI. RB rats subjected to MMI exhibit significant axonal/WM damage identified by decreased myelin thickness, oligodendrocyte progenitor cell numbers, axon density, synaptic protein expression in the cortex and striatum, cortical neuronal branching, and dendritic spine density in the cortex and hippocampus compared with age matched controls. MMI evokes significant dilation of perivascular spaces as well as water channel dysfunction indicated by decreased Aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) expression around blood vessels. MMI induced glymphatic dysfunction with delayed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) penetration into the brain parenchyma via paravascular pathways as well as delayed waste clearance from the brain. The MMI model in RB rats decreases AQP-4 and induces glymphatic dysfunction which may play an important role in MMI induced axonal/WM damage and cognitive deficits. PMID:27940353

White matter damage and glymphatic dysfunction in a model of vascular dementia in rats with no prior vascular pathologies.

PubMed

Venkat, Poornima; Chopp, Michael; Zacharek, Alex; Cui, Chengcheng; Zhang, Li; Li, Qingjiang; Lu, Mei; Zhang, Talan; Liu, Amy; Chen, Jieli

2017-02-01

We investigated cognitive function, axonal/white matter (WM) changes and glymphatic function of vascular dementia using a multiple microinfarction (MMI) model in retired breeder (RB) rats. The MMI model induces significant (p < 0.05) cognitive decline that worsens with age starting at 2 weeks, which persists until at least 6 weeks after MMI. RB rats subjected to MMI exhibit significant axonal/WM damage identified by decreased myelin thickness, oligodendrocyte progenitor cell numbers, axon density, synaptic protein expression in the cortex and striatum, cortical neuronal branching, and dendritic spine density in the cortex and hippocampus compared with age-matched controls. MMI evokes significant dilation of perivascular spaces as well as water channel dysfunction indicated by decreased Aquaporin-4 expression around blood vessels. MMI-induced glymphatic dysfunction with delayed cerebrospinal fluid penetration into the brain parenchyma via paravascular pathways as well as delayed waste clearance from the brain. The MMI model in RB rats decreases Aquaporin-4 and induces glymphatic dysfunction which may play an important role in MMI-induced axonal/WM damage and cognitive deficits. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Modulating efficacy of Rebaudioside A, a diterpenoid on antioxidant and circulatory lipids in experimental diabetic rats.

PubMed

Saravanan, Ramalingam; Ramachandran, Vinayagam

2013-09-01

The present study was to evaluate the protective effects of Rebaudioside A (Reb A) on antioxidant status and lipid profile in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by a single intraperitoneal administration of STZ (40mg/kg b.w). Diabetic rats showed significantly increased levels of plasma glucose, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydroperoxides and decreased levels of insulin. The activity of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and the levels of non enzymatic antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E and reduced glutathione) were decreased in diabetic rats. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), free fatty acids (FFAs), phospholipids (PLs), low density lipoproteins (LDL-cholesterol) and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL-cholesterol) in the plasma significantly increased, while plasma high-density lipoproteins (HDL-cholesterol) were significantly decreased in diabetic rats. Oral administration of Reb A (200mg/kg b.w) brought back plasma glucose, insulin, lipid peroxidation products, enzymatic, non-enzymatic antioxidants and lipid profile levels to near normal. The results of the present investigation suggests that Reb A, a natural sweetener exhibits antilipid peroxidative, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant properties. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of graphite nanoparticles on nitrification in an activated sludge system.

PubMed

Dong, Qian; Liu, Yanchen; Shi, Hanchang; Huang, Xia

2017-09-01

Graphite nanoparticles (GNPs) might result in unexpected effects during their transportation and transformation in wastewater treatment systems, including strong thermo-catalytic and catalytic effects and microbial cytotoxicity. In particular, the effects of GNPs on the nitrification process in activated sludge systems should be addressed. This study aimed to estimate the influence of GNPs on the nitrification process in a short-term nitrification reactor with exposure to different light sources. The results indicated that GNPs could only improve the efficiency of photothermal transformation slightly in the activated sludge system because of its photothermal effects under the standard illuminant (imitating 1 × sun). However, even with better photothermal effects, the nitrification efficiency still decreased significantly with GNP dosing under the standard illuminant, which might result from stronger cytotoxic effects of GNPs on the nitrifying bacteria. The disappearance of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) around bacterial cells was observed, and the total quantity of viable bacteria decreased significantly after GNP exposuring. Variation in bacterial groups primarily occurred in nitrifying microbial communities, including Nitrosomonas sp., Nitrosospira sp., Comamonas sp. and Bradyrhizobiace sp. Nitrifiers significantly decreased, while the phyla Gammaproteobacteria, Deinocccus, and Bacteroidetes exhibited greater stability during GNP treatment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immature morphological properties in subcellular-scale structures in the dentate gyrus of Schnurri-2 knockout mice: a model for schizophrenia and intellectual disability.

PubMed

Nakao, Akito; Miyazaki, Naoyuki; Ohira, Koji; Hagihara, Hideo; Takagi, Tsuyoshi; Usuda, Nobuteru; Ishii, Shunsuke; Murata, Kazuyoshi; Miyakawa, Tsuyoshi

2017-12-12

Accumulating evidence suggests that subcellular-scale structures such as dendritic spine and mitochondria may be involved in the pathogenesis/pathophysiology of schizophrenia and intellectual disability. Previously, we proposed mice lacking Schnurri-2 (Shn2; also called major histocompatibility complex [MHC]-binding protein 2 [MBP-2], or human immunodeficiency virus type I enhancer binding protein 2 [HIVEP2]) as a schizophrenia and intellectual disability model with mild chronic inflammation. In the mutants' brains, there are increases in C4b and C1q genes, which are considered to mediate synapse elimination during postnatal development. However, morphological properties of subcellular-scale structures such as dendritic spine in Shn2 knockout (KO) mice remain unknown. In this study, we conducted three-dimensional morphological analyses in subcellular-scale structures in dentate gyrus granule cells of Shn2 KO mice by serial block-face scanning electron microscopy. Shn2 KO mice showed immature dendritic spine morphology characterized by increases in spine length and decreases in spine diameter. There was a non-significant tendency toward decrease in spine density of Shn2 KO mice over wild-type mice, and spine volume was indistinguishable between genotypes. Shn2 KO mice exhibited a significant reduction in GluR1 expression and a nominally significant decrease in SV2 expression, while PSD95 expression had a non-significant tendency to decrease in Shn2 KO mice. There were significant decreases in dendrite diameter, nuclear volume, and the number of constricted mitochondria in the mutants. Additionally, neuronal density was elevated in Shn2 KO mice. These results suggest that Shn2 KO mice serve as a unique tool for investigating morphological abnormalities of subcellular-scale structures in schizophrenia, intellectual disability, and its related disorders.

Cognitive and brain structural changes in a lung cancer population.

PubMed

Simó, Marta; Root, James C; Vaquero, Lucía; Ripollés, Pablo; Jové, Josep; Ahles, Tim; Navarro, Arturo; Cardenal, Felipe; Bruna, Jordi; Rodríguez-Fornells, Antoni

2015-01-01

No study has examined structural brain changes specifically associated with chemotherapy in a lung cancer population. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess differences in brain structure between small-cell lung cancer patients (C+) following chemotherapy, non-small-cell lung cancer patients (C-) before chemotherapy and healthy controls (HC). Twenty-eight small-cell lung cancer patients underwent a neuropsychological assessment and a structural magnetic resonance imaging, including T1-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging to examine gray matter density and white matter (WM) integrity, respectively, 1 month following completion of platinum-based chemotherapy. This group was compared with 20 age and education-matched non-small-cell lung cancer patients before receiving chemotherapy and 20 HC. Both C+ and C- groups exhibited cognitive impairment compared with the HC group. The C+ group performed significantly worse than HC in verbal fluency and visuospatial subtests; C- performed significantly worse than both C+ and HC in verbal memory. Voxel-based morphometry analysis revealed lower gray matter density in the insula and parahippocampal gyrus bilaterally, and left anterior cingulate cortex in C+ compared with HC. Diffusion tensor imaging indices showed focal decreased WM integrity in left cingulum and bilateral inferior longitudinal fasciculus in the C+ group and more widespread decreased integrity in the C- group compared with the HC group. This study demonstrates that lung cancer patients exhibit cognitive impairment before and after chemotherapy. Before the treatment, C- showed verbal memory deficits as well as a widespread WM damage. Following treatment, the C+ group performed exhibited lower visuospatial and verbal fluency abilities, together with structural gray matter and WM differences in bilateral regions integrating the paralimbic system.

Drosophila DH31 Neuropeptide and PDF Receptor Regulate Night-Onset Temperature Preference

PubMed Central

Goda, Tadahiro; Tang, Xin; Umezaki, Yujiro; Chu, Michelle L.

2016-01-01

Body temperature exhibits rhythmic fluctuations over a 24 h period (Refinetti and Menaker, 1992) and decreases during the night, which is associated with sleep initiation (Gilbert et al., 2004; Kräuchi, 2007a,b). However, the underlying mechanism of this temperature decrease is largely unknown. We have previously shown that Drosophila exhibit a daily temperature preference rhythm (TPR), in which their preferred temperatures increase during the daytime and then decrease at the transition from day to night (night-onset) (Kaneko et al., 2012). Because Drosophila are small ectotherms, their body temperature is very close to that of the ambient temperature (Stevenson, 1985), suggesting that their TPR generates their body temperature rhythm. Here, we demonstrate that the neuropeptide diuretic hormone 31 (DH31) and pigment-dispersing factor receptor (PDFR) contribute to regulate the preferred temperature decrease at night-onset. We show that PDFR and tethered-DH31 expression in dorsal neurons 2 (DN2s) restore the preferred temperature decrease at night-onset, suggesting that DH31 acts on PDFR in DN2s. Notably, we previously showed that the molecular clock in DN2s is important for TPR. Although PDF (another ligand of PDFR) is a critical factor for locomotor activity rhythms, Pdf mutants exhibit normal preferred temperature decreases at night-onset. This suggests that DH31-PDFR signaling specifically regulates a preferred temperature decrease at night-onset. Thus, we propose that night-onset TPR and locomotor activity rhythms are differentially controlled not only by clock neurons but also by neuropeptide signaling in the brain. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Body temperature rhythm (BTR) is fundamental for the maintenance of functions essential for homeostasis, such as generating metabolic energy and sleep. One major unsolved question is how body temperature decreases dramatically during the night. Previously, we demonstrated that a BTR-like mechanism, referred to as temperature preference rhythm (TPR), exists in Drosophila. Here, we demonstrate that the diuretic hormone 31 (DH31) neuropeptide and pigment-dispersing factor receptor (PDFR) regulate preferred temperature decreases at night-onset via dorsal neurons 2. This is the first in vivo evidence that DH31 could function as a ligand of PDFR. Although both DH31 and PDF are ligands of PDFR, we show that DH31 regulates night-onset TPR, but PDF does not, suggesting that night-onset TPR and locomotor activity rhythms are controlled by different neuropeptides via different clock cells. PMID:27852781

Effect of acute stress on plasma beta-corticosterone, estradiol-17 beta and testosterone concentrations in juvenile American alligators collected from three sites within the Kissimmee-Everglades drainage basin in Florida (USA).

PubMed

Gunderson, M P; Kools, S A E; Milnes, M R; Guillette, L J

2003-07-01

The effect of acute stress on plasma beta-corticosterone (B), testosterone (T) and estradiol-17beta (E2) concentrations in juvenile alligators collected from sites with varying sediment contaminants was examined in this study. Dramatic increases in plasma B concentrations were observed in alligators from all of the sites after 2 h of capture although females from the intermediate contaminant site exhibited a significantly lower percentage increase in B than females from the other two sites. Males from the site with the highest contaminant levels exhibited elevated initial B concentrations relative to the other sites. This pattern was not observed after 2 h of restraint. Females from the highest contaminant site exhibited depressed initial T when compared to the other sites although this pattern was not observed after 2 h of restraint. Neither E2 nor T decreased after 2 h in females, whereas T concentrations decreased in all males over the same time period. The variance associated with these endpoints was also examined to determine whether it could serve as a more sensitive marker for perturbations of the endocrine system and stress response. Females from the higher and intermediate contaminant sites exhibited the lowest and highest standard errors (respectively) associated with 2 h plasma B concentrations with no differences among mean concentrations suggesting a perturbation of the stress response in these animals that was not detected by examining the means. We concluded that the environmental contaminants could be acting as stressors, leading to the observed differences.

Sensitivity of cultured skin fibroblasts from patients with neurofibromatosis to DNA-damaging agents

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Woods, W.G.; McKenzie, B.; Letourneau, M.A.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is an autosomal dominant disorder associated with various constitutional abnormalities as well as a striking predisposition for malignant and nonmalignant neoplasms, both in cells originating in and not originating in the neural crest. We have examined the sensitivity of cultured skin fibroblasts from patients with neurofibromatosis to several types of DNA damage. Fibroblasts in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium were plated at 10(2) to 2 X 10(4) cells per 75 cm2 tissue culture plates, and exposed to various doses of gamma radiation (leads to DNA scission), actinomycin D, or mitomycin C. Cells were reincubated for 15 to 40 daysmore » until surviving colonies exhibited greater than 30-50 cells. Plates were then stained with 1% methylene blue and the colonies counted, with surviving fraction determined relative to plating efficiency. Nine skin fibroblast cell strains from normal individuals were studied as controls. One neurofibromatosis (NF) cell strain, SB23, exhibited normal sensitivity to all three DNA-damaging agents studied in early (7-8) and middle (12-13) in vitro passage. Strain GM0622, on the other hand, exhibited normal sensitivity to the three DNA-damaging agents studied at early passage, but showed a significant decrease in survival after exposure to both gamma radiation (D0 = 106 rad) and actinomycin D (D0 = 0.024 mcg/ml) with increasing passage. Strain GM1639 exhibited decreased survival after actinomycin D exposure at early passage (D0 = 0.017 mcg/ml), with normal survival after exposure to gamma radiation and mitomycin C at the same passage.« less

Digestibility of sulfated polysaccharide from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum and its effect on the human gut microbiota in vitro.

PubMed

Chen, Ligen; Xu, Wei; Chen, Dan; Chen, Guijie; Liu, Junwei; Zeng, Xiaoxiong; Shao, Rong; Zhu, Hongjun

2018-06-01

Sulfated polysaccharides from marine algae exhibit various bioactivities with potential benefits for human health and well-being. In this study, the in vitro digestibility and fermentability of polysaccharides from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum (AnPs) were examined, and the effects of AnPs on gut microbiota were determined using high-throughput sequencing technology. Salivary amylase, artificial gastric juice, and intestinal juice had no effect on AnPs, but the molecular weight of AnPs and reducing sugar decreased significantly after fermentation by gut microbiota. AnPs significantly modulated the composition of the gut microbiota; in particular, they increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, suggesting the potential for AnPs to decrease the risk of obesity. Furthermore, the total SCFA content after fermentation increased significantly. These results suggest that AnPs have potential uses as functional food components to improve human gut health. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Vascular smooth muscle cells exhibit a progressive loss of rigidity with serial culture passaging.

PubMed

Dinardo, Carla Luana; Venturini, Gabriela; Omae, Samantha Vieira; Zhou, Enhua H; da Motta-Leal-Filho, Joaquim Maurício; Dariolli, Rafael; Krieger, José Eduardo; Alencar, Adriano Mesquita; Costa Pereira, Alexandre

2012-01-01

One drawback of in vitro cell culturing is the dedifferentiation process that cells experience. Smooth muscle cells (SMC) also change molecularly and morphologically with long term culture. The main objective of this study was to evaluate if culture passages interfere in vascular SMC mechanical behavior. SMC were obtained from five different porcine arterial beds. Optical magnetic twisting cytometry (OMTC) was used to characterize mechanically vascular SMC from different cultures in distinct passages and confocal microscopy/western blotting, to evaluate cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix proteins. We found that vascular SMC rigidity or viscoelastic complex modulus (G) decreases with progression of passages. A statistically significant negative correlation between G and passage was found in four of our five cultures studied. Phalloidin-stained SMC from higher passages exhibited lower mean signal intensity per cell (confocal microscopy) and quantitative western blotting analysis showed a decrease in collagen I content throughout passages. We concluded that vascular SMC progressively lose their stiffness with serial culture passaging. Thus, limiting the number of passages is essential for any experiment measuring viscoelastic properties of SMC in culture.

Methanolic extract of Piper nigrum fruits improves memory impairment by decreasing brain oxidative stress in amyloid beta(1-42) rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Hritcu, Lucian; Noumedem, Jaurès A; Cioanca, Oana; Hancianu, Monica; Kuete, Victor; Mihasan, Marius

2014-04-01

The present study analyzed the possible memory-enhancing and antioxidant proprieties of the methanolic extract of Piper nigrum L. fruits (50 and 100 mg/kg, orally, for 21 days) in amyloid beta(1-42) rat model of Alzheimer's disease. The memory-enhancing effects of the plant extract were studied by means of in vivo (Y-maze and radial arm-maze tasks) approaches. Also, the antioxidant activity in the hippocampus was assessed using superoxide dismutase-, catalase-, glutathione peroxidase-specific activities and the total content of reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonyl levels. The amyloid beta(1-42)-treated rats exhibited the following: decrease of spontaneous alternations percentage within Y-maze task and increase of working memory and reference memory errors within radial arm-maze task. Administration of the plant extract significantly improved memory performance and exhibited antioxidant potential. Our results suggest that the plant extract ameliorates amyloid beta(1-42)-induced spatial memory impairment by attenuation of the oxidative stress in the rat hippocampus.

Spontaneous synthesis of gold nanoparticles on gum arabic-modified iron oxide nanoparticles as a magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst.

PubMed

Wu, Chien-Chen; Chen, Dong-Hwang

2012-06-19

A novel magnetically recoverable Au nanocatalyst was fabricated by spontaneous green synthesis of Au nanoparticles on the surface of gum arabic-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles. A layer of Au nanoparticles with thickness of about 2 nm was deposited on the surface of gum arabic-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles, because gum arabic acted as a reducing agent and a stabilizing agent simultaneously. The resultant magnetically recoverable Au nanocatalyst exhibited good catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol with sodium borohydride. The rate constants evaluated in terms of pseudo-first-order kinetic model increased with increase in the amount of Au nanocatalyst or decrease in the initial concentration of 4-nitrophenol. The kinetic data suggested that this catalytic reaction was diffusion-controlled, owing to the presence of gum arabic layer. In addition, this nanocatalyst exhibited good stability. Its activity had no significant decrease after five recycles. This work is useful for the development and application of magnetically recoverable Au nanocatalyst on the basis of green chemistry principles.

Therapeutic potential of flurbiprofen against obesity in mice.

PubMed

Hosoi, Toru; Baba, Sachiko; Ozawa, Koichiro

2014-06-20

Obesity is associated with several diseases including diabetes, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Therefore, anti-obesity drugs have the potential to prevent these diseases. In the present study, we demonstrated that flurbiprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), exhibited therapeutic potency against obesity. Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 months, followed by a normal-chow diet (NCD). The flurbiprofen treatment simultaneously administered. Although body weight was significantly decreased in flurbiprofen-treated mice, growth was not affected. Flurbiprofen also reduced the HFD-induced accumulation of visceral fat. Leptin resistance, which is characterized by insensitivity to the anti-obesity hormone leptin, is known to be involved in the development of obesity. We found that one of the possible mechanisms underlying the anti-obesity effects of flurbiprofen may have been mediated through the attenuation of leptin resistance, because the high circulating levels of leptin in HFD-fed mice were decreased in flurbiprofen-treated mice. Therefore, flurbiprofen may exhibit therapeutic potential against obesity by reducing leptin resistance. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Spontaneous synthesis of gold nanoparticles on gum arabic-modified iron oxide nanoparticles as a magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

A novel magnetically recoverable Au nanocatalyst was fabricated by spontaneous green synthesis of Au nanoparticles on the surface of gum arabic-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles. A layer of Au nanoparticles with thickness of about 2 nm was deposited on the surface of gum arabic-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles, because gum arabic acted as a reducing agent and a stabilizing agent simultaneously. The resultant magnetically recoverable Au nanocatalyst exhibited good catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol with sodium borohydride. The rate constants evaluated in terms of pseudo-first-order kinetic model increased with increase in the amount of Au nanocatalyst or decrease in the initial concentration of 4-nitrophenol. The kinetic data suggested that this catalytic reaction was diffusion-controlled, owing to the presence of gum arabic layer. In addition, this nanocatalyst exhibited good stability. Its activity had no significant decrease after five recycles. This work is useful for the development and application of magnetically recoverable Au nanocatalyst on the basis of green chemistry principles. PMID:22713480

Effective inhibition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vitro and in vivo by targeting glycolysis with oxamate.

PubMed

Li, Xiaobing; Lu, Wenhua; Hu, Yumin; Wen, Shijun; Qian, Chaonan; Wu, Wenjing; Huang, Peng

2013-11-01

Elevated aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells (Warburg effect) has been observed in many tumor types including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which can often be detected clinically using FDG-PET. However, the role of glycolysis in supporting the growth of NPC cells and its therapeutic implications still remain to be investigated. In the present study, we showed that the LDH inhibitor oxamate significantly suppressed NPC cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo, yet exhibited minimum toxicity to normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells in vitro and was well tolerated in mice. Moreover, oxamate exhibited cytotoxic effect in NPC cells under hypoxia. Mechanistic study showed that oxamate significantly inhibited LDH activity, leading to a substantial decrease in glucose uptake and lactate production. Combination of oxamate with a mitochondrial respiratory complex I inhibitor resulted in a significant depletion of cellular ATP and a synergistic killing of cancer cells. Our results suggest that inhibition of glycolysis by oxamate is an effective therapeutic strategy for treatment of NPC and that combination of this compound with mitochondrial-targeted agents may improve the therapeutic activity.

Repeated suppression of lymphocyte blastogenesis following vaccinations of CPV-immune dogs with modified-live CPV vaccines.

PubMed

Mastro, J M; Axthelm, M; Mathes, L E; Krakowka, S; Ladiges, W; Olsen, R G

1986-09-01

A commercially available modified-live canine parvovirus (CPV) vaccine was evaluated for its immunosuppressive properties in eight random-bred dogs, all with circulatory antibody to CPV. Three of the eight dogs exhibited a significant decrease in lymphocyte blastogenesis after vaccine administration. In these dogs, this decrease in blastogenesis was of short duration and was consistently observed after repeated administrations of the vaccine. Neither gastroenteritis, fever nor leukopenia, signs indicative of virulent canine parvovirus infection, were detected in these animals. In addition, lymphocytes from these dogs lacked Ia antigen expression. This study demonstrated that the immunomodulating effects of ML-CPV is not observed in all animals yet is consistent in affected individuals.

Laser Raman spectroscopy of the effect of solvent on the low-frequency oscillations of organic molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandt, N. N.; Chikishev, A. Yu.; Dolgovskii, V. I.; Lebedenko, S. I.

2007-09-01

The effect of solvent on low-frequency oscillations is studied using an example of the 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (TCE) and 1,1,2,2-tetrabromoethane (TBE) molecules, which exhibit torsional oscillations in the terahertz range. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) are used as solvents. It is demonstrated that a decrease in the concentration of the substance under study in the TBE/CTC, TCE/DMSO, and TCE/CTC mixtures leads to a frequency shift of the low-frequency oscillation. The shift is not observed in the TBE/DMSO mixture but a decrease in the TBE concentration causes significant broadening of the low-frequency line.

Response to copper and sodium chloride excess in Spirulina sp. (cyanobacteria).

PubMed

Deniz, F; Saygideger, S D; Karaman, S

2011-07-01

Physiological responses of the cyanobacterium, Spirulina sp., were evaluated following exposure to copper (0.1 and 1.0 mg/L) and sodium chloride (0.2 and 0.4 mol/L) for 7 days. Growth and chlorophyll a content exhibited decreases at most exposure levels, while increases occurred for malondialdehyde at all exposure levels. Proline content was increased at the higher exposure levels. Carotenoid levels of Spirulina sp. were not significantly changed. Increased amounts of malondialdehyde were indicative of free radical formation in Spirulina sp. under the stress, while increasing levels of proline pointed to the occurrence of a scavenging mechanism. Concentrations of copper in Spirulina sp. decreased with increasing concentrations of NaCl.

Inflammatory markers following acute fuel oil exposure or bacterial lipopolysaccharide in mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos).

PubMed

Lee, Kelly A; Tell, Lisa A; Mohr, F Charles

2012-12-01

Adult mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were orally dosed with bunker C fuel oil for 5 days, and five different inflammatory markers (haptoglobin, mannan-binding lectin, ceruloplasmin, unsaturated iron-binding capacity, and plasma iron) were measured in blood plasma prior to and 8, 24, 48, and 72 hr following exposure. In order to contrast the response to fuel oil with that of a systemic inflammatory response, an additional five ducks were injected intramuscularly with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Oil-treated birds had an inflammatory marker profile that was significantly different from control and LPS-treated birds, showing decreases in mannan-binding lectin-dependent hemolysis and unsaturated iron-binding capacity, but no changes in any of the other inflammatory markers. Birds treated with oil also exhibited increased liver weights, decreased body and splenic weights, and decreased packed cell volume.

Improved Ablation Resistance of Silicone Rubber Composites by Introducing Montmorillonite and Silicon Carbide Whisker

PubMed Central

Zhang, Guangwu; Wang, Fuzhong; Huang, Zhixiong; Dai, Jing; Shi, Minxian

2016-01-01

Montmorillonite (MMT) was added to silicone rubber (SR) to improve the ablation resistance of the silicone. Following this, different quantities of silicon carbide whiskers (SiCw) were incorporated into the MMT/SR to yield a hybrid, ablative composite. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the composite increased after the addition of MMT. The ablation test results showed that MMT helped to form a covering layer by bonding with the silica and other components on the ablated surface. The linear and mass ablation rates exhibited decreases of 22.5% and 18.2%, respectively, in comparison to a control sample. After further incorporation of SiCw as the second filler, the resulting composites exhibited significantly higher tensile strength and ablation resistance, but not particularly lower elongation at break in comparison to the control sample. The SiCw/MMT fillers were beneficial in forming a dense and compact covering layer that delayed the heat and oxygen diffusion into the inner layers, which improved the ablation properties effectively. The remaining whiskers acted as a micro skeleton to maintain the composite’s char strength. Compared to the control sample, the linear and mass ablation rates of the composite after incorporating 6 phr SiCw and 10 phr MMT decreased by 59.2% and 43.6%, respectively. These experimental results showed that the fabricated composites exhibited outstanding mechanical properties and excellent ablation resistance. PMID:28773846

Improved Ablation Resistance of Silicone Rubber Composites by Introducing Montmorillonite and Silicon Carbide Whisker.

PubMed

Zhang, Guangwu; Wang, Fuzhong; Huang, Zhixiong; Dai, Jing; Shi, Minxian

2016-08-24

Montmorillonite (MMT) was added to silicone rubber (SR) to improve the ablation resistance of the silicone. Following this, different quantities of silicon carbide whiskers (SiCw) were incorporated into the MMT/SR to yield a hybrid, ablative composite. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the composite increased after the addition of MMT. The ablation test results showed that MMT helped to form a covering layer by bonding with the silica and other components on the ablated surface. The linear and mass ablation rates exhibited decreases of 22.5% and 18.2%, respectively, in comparison to a control sample. After further incorporation of SiCw as the second filler, the resulting composites exhibited significantly higher tensile strength and ablation resistance, but not particularly lower elongation at break in comparison to the control sample. The SiCw/MMT fillers were beneficial in forming a dense and compact covering layer that delayed the heat and oxygen diffusion into the inner layers, which improved the ablation properties effectively. The remaining whiskers acted as a micro skeleton to maintain the composite's char strength. Compared to the control sample, the linear and mass ablation rates of the composite after incorporating 6 phr SiCw and 10 phr MMT decreased by 59.2% and 43.6%, respectively. These experimental results showed that the fabricated composites exhibited outstanding mechanical properties and excellent ablation resistance.

Color and Morphology of Lava Flows on Io

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piatek, Jennifer L.; McElfresh, Sarah B. Z.; Byrnes, Jeffrey M.; Hale, Amy Snyder; Crown, David A.

2000-12-01

Analyses of color and morphologic changes in Voyager images of lava flows on Io were conducted to extend previous flow studies to additional volcanoes in preparation for comparison to Galileo data. Blue and orange filter images of Atar, Daedalus, and Ra Paterae were examined to identify systematic downflow decreases in blue/orange reflectivity suggested in earlier studies as diagnostic of color changes in cooled sulfur flows. Analyses of the color and morphology of 21 lava flows were conducted at these volcanoes, with additional morphologic analysis of lava flows at Agni, Masaaw, Mbali, Shoshu, and Talos Paterae. A total of 66 lava flows of up to 245 km in length were mapped to identify morphologic changes consistent with the rheologic changes expected to occur in sulfur flows. Although downflow color changes are observed, the trends are not consistent, even at the same edifice. Individual flows exhibit a statistically significant increase in blue/orange ratio, decrease in blue/orange ratio, or a lack of progressive downflow color variation. Color changes have similar magnitudes downflow and across flow, and the color ranges observed are similar from volcano to volcano, suggesting that similar processes are controlling color ratios at these edifices. In addition, using flow widening and branching as an indicator of the low viscosity exhibited by sulfur cooling from high temperatures, these flows do not exhibit morphologic changes consistent with the systematic behavior expected from the simple progressive cooling of sulfur.

Distributed patterns of activity in sensory cortex reflect the precision of multiple items maintained in visual short-term memory.

PubMed

Emrich, Stephen M; Riggall, Adam C; Larocque, Joshua J; Postle, Bradley R

2013-04-10

Traditionally, load sensitivity of sustained, elevated activity has been taken as an index of storage for a limited number of items in visual short-term memory (VSTM). Recently, studies have demonstrated that the contents of a single item held in VSTM can be decoded from early visual cortex, despite the fact that these areas do not exhibit elevated, sustained activity. It is unknown, however, whether the patterns of neural activity decoded from sensory cortex change as a function of load, as one would expect from a region storing multiple representations. Here, we use multivoxel pattern analysis to examine the neural representations of VSTM in humans across multiple memory loads. In an important extension of previous findings, our results demonstrate that the contents of VSTM can be decoded from areas that exhibit a transient response to visual stimuli, but not from regions that exhibit elevated, sustained load-sensitive delay-period activity. Moreover, the neural information present in these transiently activated areas decreases significantly with increasing load, indicating load sensitivity of the patterns of activity that support VSTM maintenance. Importantly, the decrease in classification performance as a function of load is correlated with within-subject changes in mnemonic resolution. These findings indicate that distributed patterns of neural activity in putatively sensory visual cortex support the representation and precision of information in VSTM.

Dynamics of selected pre-existing polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) in municipal wastewater sludge under anaerobic conditions.

PubMed

Shin, Mari; Duncan, Brigitte; Seto, Peter; Falletta, Patricia; Lee, Dae-Young

2010-03-01

Despite the rapid, widespread accumulation of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) in our surroundings, their environmental fate has been largely unknown. In the present study, most common congeners (BDE 47, 99, 100, 138, 153, 154, 183 and 209) were investigated for their dynamics in municipal sewage sludge under mesophilic condition (37 degrees C). In anaerobic batch cultures, the concentrations of BDE 47, 99, 100 and 209, exhibited significant decreases (by 22-40% from their initial concentration), whereas the levels of the other congeners, BDE 138, 153, 154 and 183, remained stable during a 238-d incubation. However, in a parallel study conducted in a pilot-scale anaerobic sludge digester, loss of all eight congeners was observed. The present study indicates that certain PBDE congeners undergo a significant mass decrease under anaerobic conditions. Crown Copyright (c) 2010. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Susceptibility of anthocyanins to ex vivo degradation in human saliva

PubMed Central

Kamonpatana, Kom; Giusti, M. Mónica; Chitchumroonchokchai, Chureeporn; MorenoCruz, Maria; Riedl, Ken M.; Kumar, Purnima; Failla, Mark L.

2013-01-01

Some fruits and their anthocyanin-rich extracts have been reported to exhibit chemopreventive activity in the oral cavity. Insights regarding oral metabolism of anthocyanins remain limited. Anthocyanin-rich extracts from blueberry, chokeberry, black raspberry, red grape, and strawberry were incubated ex vivo with human saliva from 14 healthy subjects. All anthocyanins were partially degraded in saliva. Degradation of chokeberry anthocyanins in saliva was temperature dependent and decreased by heating saliva to 80 °C and after removal of cells. Glycosides of delphinidin and petunidin were more susceptible to degradation than those of cyanidin, pelargonidin, peonidin and malvidin in both intact and artificial saliva. Stability of di- and tri-saccharide conjugates of anthocyanidins slightly, but significantly, exceeded that of monosaccharide compounds. Ex vivo degradation of anthocyanins in saliva was significantly decreased after oral rinsing with antibacterial chlorhexidine. These results suggest that anthocyanin degradation in the mouth is structure-dependent and largely mediated by oral microbiota. PMID:22868153

Cytoprotective effects of essential oil of Pinus halepensis L. against aspirin-induced toxicity in IEC-6 cells.

PubMed

Bouzenna, Hafsia; Hfaiedh, Najla; Bouaziz, Mouhamed; Giroux-Metges, Marie-Agnès; Elfeki, Abdelfattah; Talarmin, Hélène

2017-12-01

Essential oils from Pinus species have been reported to have various therapeutic properties. This study was undertaken to identify the chemical composition and cytoprotective effects of the essential oil of Pinus halepensis L. against aspirin-induced damage in cells in vitro. The cytoprotection of the oil against toxicity of aspirin on the small intestine epithelial cells IEC-6 was tested. The obtained results have shown that 35 different compounds were identified. Aspirin induced a decrease in cell viability, and exhibited significant damage to their morphology and an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. However, the co-treatment of aspirin with the essential oil of Pinus induced a significant increase in cell viability and a decrease in SOD and CAT activities. Overall, these finding suggest that the essential oil of Pinus halepensis L. has potent cytoprotective effect against aspirin-induced toxicity in IEC-6 cells.

Environmental enrichment for a mixed-species nocturnal mammal exhibit.

PubMed

Clark, Fay E; Melfi, Vicky A

2012-01-01

Environmental enrichment (EE) is an integral aspect of modern zoo animal management but, empirical evaluation of it is biased toward species housed in single-species groups. Nocturnal houses, where several nocturnal species are housed together, are particularly overlooked. This study investigated whether three species (nine-banded armadillos, Dasypus novemcinctus; Senegal bush babies, Galago senegalensis; two-toed sloths, Choloepus didactylus) in the nocturnal house at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, UK could be enriched using food-based and sensory EE. Subjects were an adult male and female of each species. EE was deemed effective if it promoted target species-typical behaviors, behavioral diversity, and increased use of enriched exhibit zones. Results from generalized linear mixed models demonstrated that food-based EE elicited the most positive behavioral effects across species. One set of food-based EEs (Kong®, termite mound and hanging food) presented together was associated with a significant increase in species-typical behaviors, increased behavioral diversity, and increased use of enriched exhibit zones in armadillos and bush babies. Although one type of sensory EE (scented pine cones) increased overall exhibit use in all species, the other (rainforest sounds) was linked to a significant decrease in species-typical behavior in bush babies and sloths. There were no intra or interspecies conflicts over EE, and commensalism occurred between armadillos and bush babies. Our data demonstrate that simple food-based and sensory EE can promote positive behavioral changes in a mixed-species nocturnal mammal exhibit. We suggest that both food and sensory EE presented concurrently will maximize opportunities for naturalistic activity in all species. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Comparative impact of genetically modified and non modified maize (Zea mays L.) on succeeding crop and associated weed.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Muhammad; Ahmed, Naseer; Ullah, Faizan; Shinwari, Zabta Khan; Bano, Asghari

2016-04-01

This research work documents the comparative impact of genetically modified (GM) (insect resistance) and non modified maize (Zea mays L.) on growth and germination of succeeding crop wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and associated weed (Avena fatua L.). The aqueous extracts of both the GM and non-GM maize exhibited higher phenolic content than that of methanolic extracts. Germination percentage and germination index of wheat was significantly decreased by GM methanolic extract (10%) as well as that of non-GM maize at 3% aqueous extract. Similarly germination percentage of weed (Avena fatua L.) was significantly reduced by application of 3% and 5% methanolic GM extracts. All extracts of GM maize showed non-significant effect on the number of roots, root length and shoot length per plant but 5% and 10% methanolic extracts of non-GM maize significantly increased the number of roots per plant of wheat seedling. Similarly, 10% methanolic extract of GM maize significantly increased the number of roots per plant of weed seedling. Methanolic extracts of GM and non-GM maize (3% and 5%) significantly decreased the protease activity in wheat as compared to untreated control. © The Author(s) 2013.

[Aberrant topological properties of whole-brain functional network in chronic right-sided sensorineural hearing loss: a resting-state functional MRI study].

PubMed

Zhang, Lingling; Liu, Bin; Xu, Yangwen; Yang, Ming; Feng, Yuan; Huang, Yaqing; Huan, Zhichun; Hou, Zhaorui

2015-02-03

To investigate the topological properties of the functional brain network in unilateral sensorineural hearing loss patients. In this study, we acquired resting-state BOLD- fMRI data from 19 right-sided SNHL patients and 31 healthy controls with normal hearing and constructed their whole brain functional networks. Two-sample two-tailed t-tests were performed to investigate group differences in topological parameters between the USNHL patients and the controls. Partial correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationships between the network metrics and USNHL-related variables. Both USNHL patients and controls exhibited small-word architecture in their brain functional networks within the range 0. 1 - 0. 2 of sparsity. Compared to the controls, USNHL patients showed significant increase in characteristic path length and normalized characteristic path length, but significant decrease in global efficiency. Clustering coefficient, local efficiency and normalized clustering coefficient demonstrated no significant difference. Furthermore, USNHL patients exhibited no significant association between the altered network metrics and the duration of USNHL or the severity of hearing loss. Our results indicated the altered topological properties of whole brain functional networks in USNHL patients, which may help us to understand pathophysiologic mechanism of USNHL patients.

Effects of Inhibition of Interleukin-6 Signalling on Insulin Sensitivity and Lipoprotein (A) Levels in Human Subjects with Rheumatoid Diseases

PubMed Central

Schultz, Olaf; Oberhauser, Frank; Saech, Jasemine; Rubbert-Roth, Andrea; Hahn, Moritz; Krone, Wilhelm; Laudes, Matthias

2010-01-01

Background Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has been found to be increased in type 2 diabetic subjects. However, it still remains unclear if these elevated IL-6 levels are co-incidental or if this cytokine is causally related to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in humans. Therefore, in the present study we examined insulin sensitivity, serum adipokine levels and lipid parameters in human subjects before and after treatment with the IL-6 receptor antibody Tocilizumab. Methodology/Principal Findings 11 non-diabetic patients with rheumatoid disease were included in the study. HOMA-IR was calculated and serum levels for leptin, adiponectin, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)) were measured before as well as one and three months after Tocilizumab treatment. The HOMA index for insulin resistance decreased significantly. While leptin concentrations were not altered by inhibition of IL-6 signalling, adiponectin concentrations significantly increased. Thus the leptin to adiponectin ratio, a novel marker for insulin resistance, exhibited a significant decrease. Serum triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol tended to be increased whereas Lp (a) levels significantly decreased. Conclusions/Significance Inhibition of IL-6 signalling improves insulin sensitivity in humans with immunological disease suggesting that elevated IL-6 levels in type 2 diabetic subjects might be causally involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Furthermore, our data indicate that inhibition of IL-6 signalling decreases Lp (a) serum levels, which might reduce the cardiovascular risk of human subjects. PMID:21179199

Anti-inflammatory effect of thalidomide alone or in combination with augmentin in Klebsiella pneumoniae B5055 induced acute lung infection in BALB/c mice.

PubMed

Kumar, Vijay; Chhibber, Sanjay

2008-09-11

Thalidomide (alpha-naphtylimidoglutarimide), a psychoactive drug that readily crosses blood-brain barrier, has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, immunomodulatory properties through a mechanism that is not fully established. Keeping these properties in mind, we tried to find out the anti-inflammatory properties of thalidomide in mouse model of acute inflammation by introducing K. pneumoniae B5055 in BALB/c mice via intranasal route. The intranasal instillation of bacteria in this mouse model of acute pneumonia induced inflammation accompanied with significant increase in neutrophil infiltration in the lungs and also increased production of mediators of inflammation (i.e. malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide) in the lung tissue. The animals, which received thalidomide alone orally or in combination with augmentin, 30 min prior to bacterial instillation into the lungs via intranasal route, showed significant (P<0.05) decrease in neutrophil influx into the lungs and there was significant (P<0.05) decrease in the production of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and myeloperoxidase activity. But the augmentin treatment alone did not decrease the malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide significantly (P>0.05) as compared to the control group. We therefore conclude that thalidomide ameliorates lung inflammation induced by K. pneumoniae B5055 without significantly (P<0.05) decreasing the bacterial load in the lung tissue whereas augmentin takes care of bacterial proliferation. Hence, it can be used as an adjunct therapy along with antibiotics as an anti-inflammatory or an immunomodulatory agent in case of acute lung infection.

Significant long-term reduction in n-channel MESFET subthreshold leakage using ammonium-sulfide surface treated gates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neudeck, P. G.; Carpenter, M. S.; Melloch, Michael R.; Cooper, James A., Jr.

1991-01-01

Ammonium-sulfide (NH4)2S treated gates have been employed in the fabrication of GaAs MESFETs that exhibit a remarkable reduction in subthreshold leakage current. A greater than 100-fold reduction in drain current minimum is observed due to a decrease in Schottky gate leakage. The electrical characteristics have remained stable for over a year during undesiccated storage at room temperature, despite the absence of passivation layers.

Net K+ secretion in the thick ascending limb of mice on a low-Na, high-K diet.

PubMed

Wang, Bangchen; Wen, Donghai; Li, Huaqing; Wang-France, Jun; Sansom, Steven C

2017-10-01

Because of its cardio-protective effects, a low-Na, high-K diet (LNaHK) is often warranted in conjunction with diuretics to treat hypertensive patients. However, it is necessary to understand the renal handling of such diets in order to choose the best diuretic. Wild-type (WT) or Renal Outer Medullary K channel (ROMK) knockout mice (KO) were given a regular (CTRL), LNaHK, or high-K diet (HK) for 4-7 days. On LNaHK, mice treated with either IP furosemide for 12 hrs, or given furosemide in drinking water for 7 days, exhibited decreased K clearance. We used free-flow micropuncture to measure the [K + ] in the early distal tubule (EDT [K + ]) before and after furosemide treatment. Furosemide increased the EDT [K + ] in WT on CTRL but decreased that in WT on LNaHK. Furosemide did not affect the EDT [K + ] of KO on LNaHK or WT on HK. Furosemide-sensitive Na + excretion was significantly greater in mice on LNaHK than those on CTRL or HK. Patch clamp analysis of split-open TALs revealed that 70-pS ROMK exhibited a higher open probability (Po) but similar density in mice on LNaHK, compared with CTRL. No difference was found in the density or Po of the 30 pS K channels between the two groups. These results indicate mice on LNaHK exhibited furosemide-sensitive net K + secretion in the TAL that is dependent on increased NKCC2 activity and mediated by ROMK. We conclude that furosemide is a K-sparing diuretic by decreasing the TAL net K + secretion in subjects on LNaHK. Copyright © 2017 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cognitive control dysfunction and abnormal frontal cortex activation in stimulant drug users and their biological siblings.

PubMed

Smith, D G; Jones, P S; Bullmore, E T; Robbins, T W; Ersche, K D

2013-05-14

Cognitive and neural abnormalities are known to accompany chronic drug abuse, with impairments in cognition and changes in cortical structure seen in stimulant-dependent individuals. However, premorbid differences have also been observed in the brains and behavior of individuals at risk for substance abuse, before they develop dependence. Endophenotype research has emerged as a useful method for assessing preclinical traits that may be risk factors for pathology by studying patient populations and their undiagnosed first-degree relatives. This study used the color-word Stroop task to assess executive functioning in stimulant-dependent individuals, their unaffected biological siblings and unrelated healthy control volunteers using a functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm. Both the stimulant-dependent and sibling participants demonstrated impairments in cognitive control and processing speed on the task, registering significantly longer response latencies. However, the two groups generated very different neural responses, with the sibling participants exhibiting a significant decrease in activation in the inferior frontal gyrus compared with both stimulant-dependent individuals and control participants. Both target groups also demonstrated a decrease in hemispheric laterality throughout the task, exhibiting a disproportionate increase in right hemispheric activation, which was associated with their behavioral inefficiencies. These findings not only suggest a possible risk factor for stimulant abuse of poor inhibitory control and cortical inefficiency but they also demonstrate possible adaptations in the brains of stimulant users.

Dynamic endocrine responses to stress: evidence for energetic constraints and status dependence in breeding male green turtles.

PubMed

Jessop, Tim S; Knapp, Rosemary; Whittier, Joan M; Limpus, Col J

2002-03-01

During reproduction, male vertebrates may exhibit a continuum of interactions between sex and adrenal steroids during stressful events, the outcome of which may be important in either reducing or promoting male reproductive success. We studied adult male green turtles (Chelonia mydas) to examine if they altered plasma corticosterone (CORT) and androgen levels in response to a standardized capture/restraint stressor as potential mechanisms to maintain reproductive activity during stressful events. At the population level, we found that migrant breeding males had a significantly smaller CORT response to the capture/restraint stressor compared to nonbreeding males and that this decreased response coincided with the generally poorer body condition of migrant breeders. In contrast, plasma androgen levels decreased significantly in response to the capture/restraint stressor in migrant breeding males, but not in nonbreeding and pre-migrant breeding males. For individual migrant breeding males, the magnitude of their CORT and androgen responses to the capture/restraint stressor was highly correlated with their body condition and body length, respectively. Our results demonstrate that male green turtles exhibit complex interactions in their endocrine responses to a capture/restraint stressor and that variation in these interactions is associated with differences in males' reproductive, energetic, and physical state. We hypothesize that interplay between physical status and plasma hormone responses to stressors could have important consequences for male green turtle reproduction.

Whole brain volume changes and its correlation with clinical symptom severity in patients with schizophrenia: A DARTEL-based VBM study.

PubMed

Kim, Gwang-Won; Kim, Yun-Hyeon; Jeong, Gwang-Woo

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volume alterations in whole-brain structures in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls using voxel-based morphometry (VBM), and further to assess the correlation between GM and WM volume variations and symptom severity in schizophrenia. A total of 22 patients with schizophrenia and 22 age-matched healthy controls participated. Magnetic resonance image data were processed using SPM8 software with diffeomorphic anatomical registration via an exponentiated Lie algebra (DARTEL) algorithm. Patients with schizophrenia exhibited significantly decreased GM volumes of the insula, superior temporal gyrus (STG), gyrus rectus, and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) compared with healthy controls. The GM volumes of the STG and gyrus rectus were negatively correlated with the positive scales on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and those of the STG and ACC were negatively correlated with the negative scales. The durations of illness in schizophrenia were negatively correlated with the GM volumes of the insula, STG, and ACC. Patients with schizophrenia exhibited significantly decreased WM volumes of the superior frontal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, and STG. The WM volumes of the STG were negatively correlated with the duration of illness. Our findings suggest that GM and WM volume abnormalities in the STG are associated with the psychopathology of schizophrenia.

Effect of Food Deprivation on Formalin-Induced Nociceptive Behaviors and Beta-Endorphin and Sex Hormones Concentration in Rats

PubMed Central

Sarookhani, Mohammad-Reza; Ghasemi-Dashkhasan, Elmira; Heidari-Oranjaghi, Nima; Azhdari-Zarmehri, Hassan; Erami, Elaheh; Hosseini, Sedighe-Sadat

2014-01-01

Background: The present study examined the possible role of endogenous opioidergic system in effect of food deprivation on formalin-induced nociceptive behaviors in male and female rats. Also, we investigated the effect of food deprivation on the plasma level of beta-endorphin and sex hormones. Methods: Food was withdrawn 48 h prior to performing the formalin test, but water continued to be available ad libitum. The formalin was injected into hind plantar paw. Results: There is significant difference between male and female control rats during phase 2B. Following 48-h food deprivation, both male and female rats exhibited enhanced nociceptive behavior in response to formalin. Food deprivation for 12 and 24 h increased and for 48 h decreased beta-endorphin level in male and female rats. Food deprivation for 24 h decreased testosterone level in male, while it had no significant effect on female rats and food deprivation for 48 h decreased testosterone level in both sexes. Food deprivation for 24 h increased estradiol level in female and that for 48 h had no significant effect on male and female rats. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates the existence of food deprivation for 48 h causes enhancement of nociception in the formalin test in male and female rats that has correlation with decrease in plasma beta-endorphin and testosterone levels. PMID:24518552

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of extruded snack-type products developed from novel formulations of lentil and nutritional yeast flours.

PubMed

Ciudad-Mulero, María; Barros, Lillian; Fernandes, Ângela; Berrios, José De J; Cámara, Montaña; Morales, Patricia; Fernández-Ruiz, Virginia; Ferreira, Isabel C F R

2018-02-21

Pulses are well known to be gluten-free functional foods that provide a rich source of nutritional and healthy compounds with antioxidant-promoting activity. In the present study, the bioactive compounds, dietary fibre, arabinoxylans, individual phenolic compounds and tocopherols, were evaluated in different lentil flours (raw and extruded at 140 and 160 °C) formulated with nutritional yeasts, along with the changes induced by the extrusion process. The total dietary fibre and arabinoxylan content significantly (p < 0.05) increased after the extrusion process while a significant decrease of all tocopherol isoforms was also observed. Catechin, caffeic, kaempferol and quercetin derivatives were identified in the raw and extruded lentil flours. The decreases of total phenolic and individual phenolic compounds were directly related to the extrusion temperature; total phenolics and catechin hexoside exhibited a larger decrease in the lentil flours formulated with higher content of nutritional yeast (12 and 16%). The antioxidant activity results, determined using different assays, reflected the important effect of extrusion processing and food ingredients.

[Effect of sodium valproate on aggressive behavior of male mice with various aggression experience].

PubMed

Smagin, D A; Bondar', N P; Kudriavtseva, N N

2010-01-01

Sector of Social Behavior Neurogenetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch, Effects of sodium valproate on the aggressive behavior of male mice with 2- and 20-day positive fighting experience have been studied. It is established that valproate administered in a singe dose of 100 mg/kg has no effect on the behavior of male mice with a 2-day experience of aggression. The treatment of mice with 300 mg/kg of valproate significantly decreased the level of aggressive motivation and the percentage of animals demonstrating attacks and threats. In male mice with a 20-day experience of aggression, valproate decreased the time of hostile behavior in a dose-dependent manner. Valproate in a single dose of 300 mg/kg significantly decreased the level of aggressive motivation, but also produced a toxic effect, whereby 73% of aggressive males demonstrated long-term immobility and 45% exhibited movement abnormalities (falls) upon the treatment. It is suggested that changes in the brain neurochemical activity, which are caused by a prolonged experience of aggression, modify the effects of sodium valproate.

Enhanced magnetic properties in Mn0.6Zn0.4-xNixFe2O4 (x=0-0.4) nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mallesh, S.; Mandal, P.; Srinivas, V.

2018-04-01

Ni substituted MnZn ferrite fine particles were synthesized through sol-gel method. The structure, stability and magnetic properties have been investigated. Thermal stability of as-prepared (AP) particles is improved compared to that of Mn0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 (MZF) ferrite particles. The as-prepared and samples annealed at 1200 °C exhibit pure spinel ferrite phase, while samples at intermediate temperatures (600 - 1000 °C) exhibit secondary phase of α-Fe2O3 along with ferrite phase. The Mn0.6Zn0.1Ni0.3Fe2O4 (Ni-MZF) sample shows significantly lower volume fraction of secondary phase compared to that of MZF. The observed magnetization of Ni-MZF is twice of that MZF samples. Present results suggest that a small amount (x=0.3) of Ni in place of nonmagnetic Zn in MZF significantly decreases the secondary phase fraction and improves the magnetic properties.

Parasite infection accelerates age polyethism in young honey bees

PubMed Central

Lecocq, Antoine; Jensen, Annette Bruun; Kryger, Per; Nieh, James C.

2016-01-01

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are important pollinators and their health is threatened worldwide by persistent exposure to a wide range of factors including pesticides, poor nutrition, and pathogens. Nosema ceranae is a ubiquitous microsporidian associated with high colony mortality. We used lab micro-colonies of honey bees and video analyses to track the effects of N. ceranae infection and exposure on a range of individual and social behaviours in young adult bees. We provide detailed data showing that N. ceranae infection significantly accelerated the age polyethism of young bees, causing them to exhibit behaviours typical of older bees. Bees with high N. ceranae spore counts had significantly increased walking rates and decreased attraction to queen mandibular pheromone. Infected bees also exhibited higher rates of trophallaxis (food exchange), potentially reflecting parasite manipulation to increase colony infection. However, reduction in queen contacts could help bees limit the spread of infection. Such accelerated age polyethism may provide a form of behavioural immunity, particularly if it is elicited by a wide variety of pathogens. PMID:26912310

Numerical study of phase conjugation in stimulated Brillouin scattering from an optical waveguide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehmberg, R. H.

1983-05-01

Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in a multimode optical waveguide is examined, and the parameters that affect the wavefront conjugation fidelity are studied. The nonlinear propagation code is briefly described and the calculated quantities are defined. The parameter study in the low reflectivity limit is described, and the effects of pump depletion are considered. The waveguide produced significantly higher fidelities than the focused configuration, in agreement with several experimental studies. The light scattered back through the phase aberrator exhibited a farfield intenstiy profile closely matching that of the incident beam; however, the nearfield intensity exhibited large and rapid spatial inhomogeneities across the entire aberrator, even for conjugation fidelities as high as 98 percent. In the absence of pump depletion, the fidelity increased with average pump intensity for amplitude gains up to around e to the 10th and then decreased slowly and monotonically with higher intensity. For all cases, pump depletion significantly enhanced the fidelity of the wavefront conjugation by inhibiting the small-scale pulling effect.

Anti-diabetic properties of Momordica charantia L. polysaccharide in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

PubMed

Xu, Xin; Shan, Bin; Liao, Cai-Hu; Xie, Jian-Hua; Wen, Ping-Wei; Shi, Jia-Yi

2015-11-01

A water-soluble polysaccharide (MCP) was isolated from the fruits of Momordica charantia L., and the hypoglycemic effects of MCP were investigated in both normal healthy and alloxan-induced diabetic mice. MCP was orally administered once a day after 3 days of alloxan-induction at 100, 200 and 300mg/kg body weight for 28 day. Results showed that fasting blood glucose level (BGL) was significantly decreased, whereas the glucose tolerance was marked improvement in alloxan-induced diabetic mice, and loss in body weight was also prevented in diabetic mice compared to the diabetic control group. The dosage of 300mg/kg body weight exhibited the best effects. In addition, MCP did not exhibit any toxic symptoms in the limited toxicity evaluation in mice. The results suggest that MCP possess significantly dose-dependent anti-diabetic activity on alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Hence, MCP can be incorporated as a supplement in health-care food, drugs and/or combined with other hypoglycemic drugs. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dietary menhaden oil contributes to hepatic lipidosis in laying hens.

PubMed

Van Elswyk, M E; Hargis, B M; Williams, J D; Hargis, P S

1994-05-01

Clinical and epidemiological investigations have indicated that there may be substantial human cardiovascular benefits associated with increased consumption of n-3 fatty acids commonly found in fish oils. Recent studies have indicated that egg yolk n-3 fatty acid content is significantly increased when hens are fed diets enriched with selected fish oils such as menhaden oil (MO). In the present study, reproductively active females but not males exhibited increased hepatic lipidosis following 6 mo of feeding 3% MO. Hens fed 3% animal-vegetable oil (AV) did not exhibit hepatic lipid accumulation. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were reduced (P < or = .05) in hens fed MO. Subsequently, yolk and total egg weights of hens fed MO were decreased as compared with those of hens fed AV. A significant interaction of dietary MO and exogenous 17 beta-estradiol was noted among chick liver and gallbladder weights. These data suggest that dietary MO and estradiol may interact in a manner that enhances the lipogenic activity of the liver, thereby inducing hepatic lipidosis in laying hens.

Parasite infection accelerates age polyethism in young honey bees.

PubMed

Lecocq, Antoine; Jensen, Annette Bruun; Kryger, Per; Nieh, James C

2016-02-25

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are important pollinators and their health is threatened worldwide by persistent exposure to a wide range of factors including pesticides, poor nutrition, and pathogens. Nosema ceranae is a ubiquitous microsporidian associated with high colony mortality. We used lab micro-colonies of honey bees and video analyses to track the effects of N. ceranae infection and exposure on a range of individual and social behaviours in young adult bees. We provide detailed data showing that N. ceranae infection significantly accelerated the age polyethism of young bees, causing them to exhibit behaviours typical of older bees. Bees with high N. ceranae spore counts had significantly increased walking rates and decreased attraction to queen mandibular pheromone. Infected bees also exhibited higher rates of trophallaxis (food exchange), potentially reflecting parasite manipulation to increase colony infection. However, reduction in queen contacts could help bees limit the spread of infection. Such accelerated age polyethism may provide a form of behavioural immunity, particularly if it is elicited by a wide variety of pathogens.

Cyclophilin D regulates necrosis, but not apoptosis, of murine eosinophils.

PubMed

Zhu, Xiang; Hogan, Simon P; Molkentin, Jeffery D; Zimmermann, Nives

2016-04-15

Eosinophil degranulation and clusters of free extracellular granules are frequently observed in diverse diseases, including atopic dermatitis, nasal polyposis, and eosinophilic esophagitis. Whether these intact granules are released by necrosis or a biochemically mediated cytolysis remains unknown. Recently, a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase located within the mitochondrial matrix, cyclophilin D (PPIF), was shown to regulate necrotic, but not apoptotic, cell death in vitro in fibroblasts, hepatocytes, and cardiomyocytes. Whether cyclophilin D regulates necrosis in hematopoietic cells such as eosinophils remains unknown. We used PPIF-deficient (Ppif(-/-)) mice to test whether cyclophilin D is required for regulating eosinophil necrosis. PPIF deficiency did not affect eosinophil development or maturation at baseline. After in vitro ionomycin or H2O2 treatment, Ppif(-/-) eosinophils were significantly protected from Ca(2+) overload- or oxidative stress-induced necrosis. Additionally, Ppif(-/-) eosinophils demonstrated significantly decreased necrosis, but not apoptosis, in response to Siglec-F cross-linking, a stimulus associated with eosinophil-mediated processes in vitro and in vivo. When treated with apoptosis inducers, Ppif(+/+) and Ppif(-/-) eosinophils exhibited no significant difference in apoptosis or secondary necrosis. Finally, in a dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis model, although levels of colitogenic cytokines and eosinophil-selective chemokines were comparable between Ppif(+/+) and Ppif(-/-) mice, the latter exhibited decreased clinical outcomes. This correlated with significantly reduced eosinophil cytolysis in the colon. Collectively, our present studies demonstrate that murine eosinophil necrosis is regulated in vitro and in vivo by cyclophilin D, at least in part, thus providing new insight into the mechanism of eosinophil necrosis and release of free extracellular granules in eosinophil-associated diseases. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Socially Isolated Mice Exhibit a Blunted Homeostatic Sleep Response to Acute Sleep Deprivation Compared to Socially Paired Mice

PubMed Central

Kaushal, Navita; Nair, Deepti; Gozal, David; Ramesh, Vijay

2012-01-01

Sleep is an important physiological process underlying maintenance of physical, mental and emotional health. Consequently, sleep deprivation (SD) is associated with adverse consequences and increases the risk for anxiety, immune, and cognitive disorders. SD is characterized by increased energy expenditure responses and sleep rebound upon recovery that are regulated by homeostatic processes, which in turn are influenced by stress. Since all previous studies on SD were conducted in a setting of social isolation, the impact of the social contextual setting is unknown. Therefore, we used a relatively stress-free SD paradigm in mice to assess the impact of social isolation on sleep, wakefulness and delta electroencephalogram (EEG) power during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Paired or isolated C57BL/6J adult chronically-implanted male mice were exposed to SD for 6 hours and telemetric polygraphic recordings were conducted, including 18 hours recovery. Recovery from SD in the paired group showed a significant decrease in wake and significant increase in NREM sleep and rapid eye movement (REM), and a similar, albeit less robust response occurred in the isolated mice. Delta power during NREM sleep was increased in both groups immediately following SD, but paired mice exhibited significantly higher delta power throughout the dark period. The increase in body temperature and gross motor activity observed during the SD procedure was decreased during the dark period. In both open field and elevated plus maze tests, socially isolated mice showed significantly higher anxiety than paired mice. The homeostatic processes altered by SD are differentially affected in paired and isolated mice, suggesting that the social context of isolation stress may adversely affect the quantity and quality of sleep in mice. PMID:22498175

A pilot study of the effects of mild systemic heating on human head and neck tumour xenografts: Analysis of tumour perfusion, interstitial fluid pressure, hypoxia and efficacy of radiation therapy

PubMed Central

Winslow, Timothy B.; Eranki, Annu; Ullas, Soumya; Singh, Anurag K.; Repasky, Elizabeth A.; Sen, Arindam

2015-01-01

Purpose The tumour microenvironment is frequently hypoxic, poorly perfused, and exhibits abnormally high interstitial fluid pressure. These factors can significantly reduce efficacy of chemo and radiation therapies. The present study aims to determine whether mild systemic heating alters these parameters and improves response to radiation in human head and neck tumour xenografts in SCID mice. Materials and methods SCID mice were injected with FaDu cells (a human head and neck carcinoma cell line), or implanted with a resected patient head and neck squamous cell carcinoma grown as a xenograft, followed by mild systemic heating. Body temperature during heating was maintained at 39.5 ± 0.5 °C for 4 h. Interstitial fluid pressure (IFP), hypoxia and relative tumour perfusion in the tumours were measured at 2 and 24 h post-heating. Tumour vessel perfusion was measured 24 h post-heating, coinciding with the first dose of fractionated radiotherapy. Results Heating tumour-bearing mice resulted in significant decrease in intratumoural IFP, increased the number of perfused tumour blood vessels as well as relative tumour perfusion in both tumour models. Intratumoural hypoxia was also reduced in tumours of mice that received heat treatment. Mice bearing FaDu tumours heated 24 h prior to five daily radiation treatments exhibited significantly enhanced tumour response compared to tumours in control mice. Conclusions Mild systemic heating can significantly alter the tumour microenvironment of human head and neck tumour xenograft models, decreasing IFP and hypoxia while increasing microvascular perfusion. Collectively, these effects could be responsible for the improved response to radiotherapy. PMID:25986432

A pilot study of the effects of mild systemic heating on human head and neck tumour xenografts: Analysis of tumour perfusion, interstitial fluid pressure, hypoxia and efficacy of radiation therapy.

PubMed

Winslow, Timothy B; Eranki, Annu; Ullas, Soumya; Singh, Anurag K; Repasky, Elizabeth A; Sen, Arindam

2015-01-01

The tumour microenvironment is frequently hypoxic, poorly perfused, and exhibits abnormally high interstitial fluid pressure. These factors can significantly reduce efficacy of chemo and radiation therapies. The present study aims to determine whether mild systemic heating alters these parameters and improves response to radiation in human head and neck tumour xenografts in SCID mice. SCID mice were injected with FaDu cells (a human head and neck carcinoma cell line), or implanted with a resected patient head and neck squamous cell carcinoma grown as a xenograft, followed by mild systemic heating. Body temperature during heating was maintained at 39.5 ± 0.5 °C for 4 h. Interstitial fluid pressure (IFP), hypoxia and relative tumour perfusion in the tumours were measured at 2 and 24 h post-heating. Tumour vessel perfusion was measured 24 h post-heating, coinciding with the first dose of fractionated radiotherapy. Heating tumour-bearing mice resulted in significant decrease in intratumoural IFP, increased the number of perfused tumour blood vessels as well as relative tumour perfusion in both tumour models. Intratumoural hypoxia was also reduced in tumours of mice that received heat treatment. Mice bearing FaDu tumours heated 24 h prior to five daily radiation treatments exhibited significantly enhanced tumour response compared to tumours in control mice. Mild systemic heating can significantly alter the tumour microenvironment of human head and neck tumour xenograft models, decreasing IFP and hypoxia while increasing microvascular perfusion. Collectively, these effects could be responsible for the improved response to radiotherapy.

Effects of metamorphosis on the aquatic escape response of the two-lined salamander (Eurycea bislineata).

PubMed

Azizi, Emanuel; Landberg, Tobias

2002-03-01

Although numerous studies have described the escape kinematics of fishes, little is known about the aquatic escape responses of salamanders. We compare the escape kinematics of larval and adult Eurycea bislineata, the two-lined salamander, to examine the effects of metamorphosis on aquatic escape performance. We hypothesize that shape changes associated with resorption of the larval tail fin at metamorphosis will affect aquatic locomotor performance. Escape responses were recorded using high-speed video, and the effects of life stage and total length on escape kinematics were analyzed statistically using analysis of covariance. Our results show that both larval and adult E. bislineata use a two-stage escape response (similar to the C-starts of fishes) that consists of a preparatory (stage 1) and a propulsive (stage 2) stroke. The duration of both kinematic stages and the distance traveled during stage 2 increased with total length. Both larval and adult E. bislineata had final escape trajectories that were directed away from the stimulus. The main kinematic difference between larvae and adults is that adults exhibit significantly greater maximum curvature during stage 1. Total escape duration and the distance traveled during stage 2 did not differ significantly between larvae and adults. Despite the significantly lower tail aspect ratio of adults, we found no significant decrease in the overall escape performance of adult E. bislineata. Our results suggest that adults may compensate for the decrease in tail aspect ratio by increasing their maximum curvature. These findings do not support the hypothesis that larvae exhibit better locomotor performance than adults as a result of stronger selective pressures on early life stages.

Therapeutic effect of MG-132 on diabetic cardiomyopathy is associated with its suppression of proteasomal activities: roles of Nrf2 and NF-κB.

PubMed

Wang, Yuehui; Sun, Weixia; Du, Bing; Miao, Xiao; Bai, Yang; Xin, Ying; Tan, Yi; Cui, Wenpeng; Liu, Bin; Cui, Taixing; Epstein, Paul N; Fu, Yaowen; Cai, Lu

2013-02-15

MG-132, a proteasome inhibitor, can upregulate nuclear factor (NF) erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidative function and downregulate NF-κB-mediated inflammation. The present study investigated whether through the above two mechanisms MG-132 could provide a therapeutic effect on diabetic cardiomyopathy in the OVE26 type 1 diabetic mouse model. OVE26 mice develop hyperglycemia at 2-3 wk after birth and exhibit albuminuria and cardiac dysfunction at 3 mo of age. Therefore, 3-mo-old OVE26 diabetic and age-matched control mice were intraperitoneally treated with MG-132 at 10 μg/kg daily for 3 mo. Before and after MG-132 treatment, cardiac function was measured by echocardiography, and cardiac tissues were then subjected to pathological and biochemical examination. Diabetic mice showed significant cardiac dysfunction, including increased left ventricular systolic diameter and wall thickness and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction with an increase of the heart weight-to-tibia length ratio. Diabetic hearts exhibited structural derangement and remodeling (fibrosis and hypertrophy). In diabetic mice, there was also increased systemic and cardiac oxidative damage and inflammation. All of these pathogenic changes were reversed by MG-132 treatment. MG-132 treatment significantly increased the cardiac expression of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant genes with a significant increase of total antioxidant capacity and also significantly decreased the expression of IκB and the nuclear accumulation and DNA-binding activity of NF-κB in the heart. These results suggest that MG-132 has a therapeutic effect on diabetic cardiomyopathy in OVE26 diabetic mice, possibly through the upregulation of Nrf2-dependent antioxidative function and downregulation of NF-κB-mediated inflammation.

σ–π-Band Inversion in a Novel Two-Dimensional Material

DOE PAGES

Lopez-Bezanilla, Alejandro; Littlewood, Peter B.

2015-07-24

In this paper, we present a theoretical study of a new type of two-dimensional material exhibiting a pentagonal arrangement of C and Si atoms. Pentagonal SiC 2 is investigated with density functional theory-based calculations to show that the buckled nanostructure is dynamically stable, and exhibits an indirect energy band gap and an enhanced electronic dispersion with respect to the all-carbon counterpart. Computed Born effective charges exhibit a significant anisotropy for C and Si atoms that deviates substantially from their static effective charges. We establish an accurate tunability of the vertical location of the p-p-σ and p-p-π bands and show thatmore » under compressive biaxial strain the density of states decreases, and conversely for tensile biaxial strain. Finally, this coupling between the tunability of strain-mediated density of states and semiconducting properties in a monolayered structure may allow for the development of applications in semiconducting stretchable electronics.« less

Molecular Prerequisites for Diminished Cold Sensitivity in Ground Squirrels and Hamsters.

PubMed

Matos-Cruz, Vanessa; Schneider, Eve R; Mastrotto, Marco; Merriman, Dana K; Bagriantsev, Sviatoslav N; Gracheva, Elena O

2017-12-19

Thirteen-lined ground squirrels and Syrian hamsters are known for their ability to withstand cold during hibernation. We found that hibernators exhibit cold tolerance even in the active state. Imaging and electrophysiology of squirrel somatosensory neurons reveal a decrease in cold sensitivity of TRPM8-expressing cells. Characterization of squirrel and hamster TRPM8 showed that the channels are chemically activated but exhibit poor activation by cold. Cold sensitivity can be re-introduced into squirrel and hamster TRPM8 by transferring the transmembrane domain from the cold sensitive rat ortholog. The same can be achieved in squirrel TRPM8 by mutating only six amino acids. Reciprocal mutations suppress cold sensitivity of the rat ortholog, supporting functional significance of these residues. Our results suggest that ground squirrels and hamsters exhibit reduced cold sensitivity, partially due to modifications in the transmembrane domain of TRPM8. Our study reveals molecular adaptations that accompany cold tolerance in two species of mammalian hibernators. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Combined long-term caffeine intake and exercise inhibits the development of diabetic nephropathy in OLETF rats.

PubMed

Suzuki, Masato; Shindo, Daisuke; Suzuki, Ryuichiro; Shirataki, Yoshiaki; Waki, Hidefumi

2017-05-01

This study was performed to examine the effects of long-term caffeine-intake, with and without exercise, on the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in an obese diabetic rat model. Thirty-two male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats were assigned to sedentary (OLETF-Sed), exercise (OLETF-Ex), caffeine-intake (OLETF-Caf), and combined (OLETF-Caf + Ex) groups. Caffeine-intake groups were fed rat chow containing caffeine (90.7 ± 4.7 mg/kg/day). The OLETF-Ex and OLETF-Caf + Ex groups were able to run voluntarily at any time using a rotatory wheel. Body weight (BW) and blood pressure (BP) were measured weekly from 24 to 29 wk of age. Pre- and posttreatment serum glucose, insulin, and creatinine concentrations were measured, and a 24 h urine sample was collected for measurement of creatinine clearance (Ccr) and albumin excretion (UE Alb ). After treatment, the kidneys were removed for morphological analysis. The OLETF-Caf and OLETF-Caf + Ex groups exhibited no BP increase during the study. Both the caffeine-intake groups exhibited a significant increase in urine volume (UV), electrolyte excretion, and Ccr, and decreased UE Alb , following treatment. Furthermore, no structural damage was observed in the kidneys of rats from either caffeine-intake group, whereas the OLETF-Sed and OLETF-Ex groups exhibited DN progression. This study demonstrates that caffeine-intake alone and/or combined with exercise significantly decreases BW and improves glucose intolerance, without the progression of DN. Further research should be performed to examine whether the quantities of caffeine contained in a normal human daily intake also have a protective effect against kidney damage. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study showed that caffeine administration alone and/or combined with exercise results in an improvement of diabetic nephropathy (DN), including an increase in creatinine clearance and urinary Na excretion, a decrease in urinary protein excretion, and in renal morphological findings. To our knowledge, there are no other studies showing that caffeine administration inhibits DN progression. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

Environmental change influences the life history of salmon Salmo salar in the North Atlantic Ocean.

PubMed

Jonsson, B; Jonsson, N; Albretsen, J

2016-02-01

Annual mean total length (LT) of wild one-sea-winter (1SW) Atlantic salmon Salmo salar of the Norwegian River Imsa decreased from 63 to 54 cm with a corresponding decrease in condition factor (K) for cohorts migrating to sea from 1976 to 2010. The reduction in LT is associated with a 40% decline in mean individual mass, from 2 to 1·2 kg. Hatchery fish reared from parental fish of the same population exhibited similar changes from 1981 onwards. The decrease in LT correlated negatively with near-surface temperatures in the eastern Norwegian Sea, thought to be the main feeding area of the present stock. Furthermore, S. salar exhibited significant variations in the proportion of cohorts attaining maturity after only one winter in the ocean. The proportion of S. salar spawning as 1SW fish was lower both in the 1970s and after 2000 than in the 1980s and 1990s associated with a gradual decline in post-smolt growth and smaller amounts of reserve energy in the fish. In wild S. salar, there was a positive association between post-smolt growth and the sea survival back to the River Imsa for spawning. In addition, among smolt year-classes, there were significant positive correlations between wild and hatchery S. salar in LT, K and age at maturity. The present changes may be caused by ecosystem changes following the collapse and rebuilding of the pelagic fish abundance in the North Atlantic Ocean, a gradual decrease in zooplankton abundance and climate change with increasing surface temperature in the Norwegian Sea. Thus, the observed variation in the life-history traits of S. salar appears primarily associated with major changes in the pelagic food web in the ocean. © 2016 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

Effects of thyroxin therapy on different analytes related to obesity and inflammation in dogs with hypothyroidism.

PubMed

Tvarijonaviciute, A; Jaillardon, L; Cerón, J J; Siliart, B

2013-04-01

Hypothyroidism in dogs is accompanied by changes in intermediary metabolism including alterations in bodyweight (BW), insulin resistance, and lipid profile. In this study, changes in selected adipokines (adiponectin, leptin), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and acute phase proteins, including C-reactive protein, haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA), were studied in dogs with hypothyroidism under thyroxin therapy. Blood samples were collected when hypothyroidism was diagnosed (before treatment) and after treatment with thyroxin. Twenty-eight of 39 dogs exhibited a good therapeutic response (group A), whereas the remainder were considered to have been insufficiently treated (group B). Following treatment, group A dogs demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in canine thyroid stimulating hormone (c-TSH) (P<0.001) and an increase in free thyroxine (fT4) (P<0.001) concentrations, associated with a significant decrease in BW (P<0.05), leptin (P<0.01), and adiponectin, (P<0.001) and an increase in BChE (P<0.01) and Hp (P<0.05). Group B dogs showed no statistically significant changes in c-TSH, but had a significant increase in fT4 (P<0.001) accompanied by a significant decrease in adiponectin (P<0.05) of lower magnitude than group A. No significant changes in the mean circulating levels of APPs were observed in both groups, with the exception of an increase in Hp (P<0.05) in group A. In summary, the successful treatment of hypothyroidism reduces circulating levels of adiponectin and leptin, while increasing BChE activity in dogs. The mean increase in Hp values and decrease in SAA for some of the dogs after treatment warrants further investigation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Declining trends of diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy with improving diabetes care indicators in Japanese patients with type 2 and type 1 diabetes (JDDM 46).

PubMed

Yokoyama, Hiroki; Araki, Shin-Ichi; Kawai, Koichi; Yamazaki, Katsuya; Tomonaga, Osamu; Shirabe, Shin-Ichiro; Maegawa, Hiroshi

2018-01-01

We examined changes in prevalence of diabetic microvascular/macrovascular complications and diabetes care indicators for adults in Japan with type 2 and type 1 diabetes over one decade. Two independent cohorts were recruited with the same inclusion criteria in 2004 (cohort 1: 3319 with type 2 and 286 with type 1 diabetes) and in 2014 (cohort 2: 3932 with type 2 and 308 with type 1 diabetes). Prevalence of complications and care indicators including achieving treatment targets for glycemia, blood pressure, lipid control, body mass index (BMI), and smoking were compared. In addition, patients in cohort 1 were re-examined in 2014 and their data were compared with the baseline data of each cohort. In type 2 diabetes, the prevalence of nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, chronic kidney disease, current smoking and stroke significantly decreased, with improvements in achieving treatment target rates in cohort 2 two as compared with cohort 1. In type 1 diabetes, the prevalence of nephropathy, retinopathy, chronic kidney disease, and hemoglobin A 1C values significantly decreased. Decreases in prevalence of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes were similarly found in each age-matched and sex-matched group, whereas younger patients exhibited marked increase in BMI and lower treatment target achieving rates compared with elderly patients. Regarding normoalbuminuric renal impairment, only a slight increase in the prevalence was observed both in type 2 and type 1 diabetes. In cohort 1, re-examined in 2014, care indicators were significantly improved from 2004, while complications increased with getting 10 years older. We observed declining trends of diabetic microvascular complications with improvement in diabetes care indicators in type 2 and type 1 diabetes. Younger patients with type 2 diabetes exhibited marked increase in BMI and lower rates of achieving treatment targets compared with elderly patients, which remains a concern.

Beta-catenin regulates vitamin C biosynthesis and cell survival in murine liver.

PubMed

Nejak-Bowen, Kari N; Zeng, Gang; Tan, Xinping; Cieply, Benjamin; Monga, Satdarshan P

2009-10-09

Because the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway plays multiple roles in liver pathobiology, it is critical to identify gene targets that mediate such diverse effects. Here we report a novel role of beta-catenin in controlling ascorbic acid biosynthesis in murine liver through regulation of expression of regucalcin or senescence marker protein 30 and L-gulonolactone oxidase. Reverse transcription-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry demonstrate decreased regucalcin expression in beta-catenin-null livers and greater expression in beta-catenin overexpressing transgenic livers, HepG2 hepatoma cells (contain constitutively active beta-catenin), regenerating livers, and in hepatocellular cancer tissues that exhibit beta-catenin activation. Interestingly, coprecipitation and immunofluorescence studies also demonstrate an association of beta-catenin and regucalcin. Luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays verified a functional TCF-4-binding site located between -163 and -157 (CTTTGCA) on the regucalcin promoter to be critical for regulation by beta-catenin. Significantly lower serum ascorbate levels were observed in beta-catenin knock-out mice secondary to decreased expression of regucalcin and also of L-gulonolactone oxidase, the penultimate and last (also rate-limiting) steps in the synthesis of ascorbic acid, respectively. These mice also show enhanced basal hepatocyte apoptosis. To test if ascorbate deficiency secondary to beta-catenin loss and regucalcin decrease was contributing to apoptosis, beta-catenin-null hepatocytes or regucalcin small interfering RNA-transfected HepG2 cells were cultured, which exhibited significant apoptosis that was alleviated by the addition of ascorbic acid. Thus, through regucalcin and L-gulonolactone oxidase expression, beta-catenin regulates vitamin C biosynthesis in murine liver, which in turn may be one of the mechanisms contributing to the role of beta-catenin in cell survival.

Disrupted topological organization of structural networks revealed by probabilistic diffusion tractography in Tourette syndrome children.

PubMed

Wen, Hongwei; Liu, Yue; Rekik, Islem; Wang, Shengpei; Zhang, Jishui; Zhang, Yue; Peng, Yun; He, Huiguang

2017-08-01

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a childhood-onset neurobehavioral disorder. Although previous TS studies revealed structural abnormalities in distinct corticobasal ganglia circuits, the topological alterations of the whole-brain white matter (WM) structural networks remain poorly understood. Here, we used diffusion MRI probabilistic tractography and graph theoretical analysis to investigate the topological organization of WM networks in 44 drug-naive TS children and 41 age- and gender-matched healthy children. The WM networks were constructed by estimating inter-regional connectivity probability and the topological properties were characterized using graph theory. We found that both TS and control groups showed an efficient small-world organization in WM networks. However, compared to controls, TS children exhibited decreased global and local efficiency, increased shortest path length and small worldness, indicating a disrupted balance between local specialization and global integration in structural networks. Although both TS and control groups showed highly similar hub distributions, TS children exhibited significant decreased nodal efficiency, mainly distributed in the default mode, language, visual, and sensorimotor systems. Furthermore, two separate networks showing significantly decreased connectivity in TS group were identified using network-based statistical (NBS) analysis, primarily composed of the parieto-occipital cortex, precuneus, and paracentral lobule. Importantly, we combined support vector machine and multiple kernel learning frameworks to fuse multiple levels of network topological features for classification of individuals, achieving high accuracy of 86.47%. Together, our study revealed the disrupted topological organization of structural networks related to pathophysiology of TS, and the discriminative topological features for classification are potential quantitative neuroimaging biomarkers for clinical TS diagnosis. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3988-4008, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Blunted day-night changes in luteinizing hormone pulse frequency in girls with obesity: the potential role of hyperandrogenemia.

PubMed

Collins, Jessicah S; Beller, Jennifer P; Burt Solorzano, Christine; Patrie, James T; Chang, R Jeffrey; Marshall, John C; McCartney, Christopher R

2014-08-01

Puberty is marked by sleep-associated changes in LH pulse frequency and amplitude. Early pubertal girls with obesity exhibit blunted day-to-night changes in LH secretion; whether this occurs in late pubertal obese girls is unknown. The objective of the study was to test two hypotheses: 1) blunted day-to-night changes in LH secretion occur in both early and late pubertal obese girls, and 2) such alterations are specifically associated with hyperandrogenemia. This was a cross-sectional analysis. The study was conducted at a clinical research center. Twenty-seven early pubertal, premenarcheal girls (12 of whom were obese) and 63 late pubertal (postmenarcheal) girls (27 of whom were obese) participated in the study. Blood samples were taken every 10 minutes from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am. Change in LH pulse frequency [LH interpulse interval (IPI)] from daytime hours (7:00 pm-11:00 pm, while awake) to nighttime hours (11:00 pm to 7:00 am, while generally asleep). Both nonobese and obese postmenarcheal girls demonstrated significant day-to-night decreases in LH pulse frequency (IPI increases of 33% and 16%, respectively), but day-to-night changes were blunted in obese girls (P = .004, obese vs nonobese). Day-to-night LH pulse frequency decreased significantly in postmenarcheal obese subjects with normal T concentrations (26% IPI increase) but not in those with hyperandrogenemia. Similar differences were evident for LH pulse amplitude. Nonobese and obese early pubertal girls exhibited nonsignificant differences in day-night LH pulse frequency (day to night IPI increase of 26% vs decrease of 1%, respectively). Day-to-night changes in LH pulse secretion are blunted in postmenarcheal obese adolescent girls. This phenomenon may in part reflect hyperandrogenemia.

White matter tract network disruption explains reduced conscientiousness in multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Fuchs, Tom A; Dwyer, Michael G; Kuceyeski, Amy; Choudhery, Sanjeevani; Carolus, Keith; Li, Xian; Mallory, Matthew; Weinstock-Guttman, Bianca; Jakimovski, Dejan; Ramasamy, Deepa; Zivadinov, Robert; Benedict, Ralph H B

2018-05-08

Quantifying white matter (WM) tract disruption in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) provides a novel means for investigating the relationship between defective network connectivity and clinical markers. PwMS exhibit perturbations in personality, where decreased Conscientiousness is particularly prominent. This trait deficit influences disease trajectory and functional outcomes such as work capacity. We aimed to identify patterns of WM tract disruption related to decreased Conscientiousness in PwMS. Personality assessment and brain MRI were obtained in 133 PwMS and 49 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). Lesion maps were applied to determine the severity of WM tract disruption between pairs of gray matter regions. Next, the Network-Based-Statistics tool was applied to identify structural networks whose disruption negatively correlates with Conscientiousness. Finally, to determine whether these networks explain unique variance above conventional MRI measures and cognition, regression models were applied controlling for age, sex, brain volume, T2-lesion volume, and cognition. Relative to HCs, PwMS exhibited lower Conscientiousness and slowed cognitive processing speed (p = .025, p = .006). Lower Conscientiousness in PwMS was significantly associated with WM tract disruption between frontal, frontal-parietal, and frontal-cingulate pathways in the left (p = .02) and right (p = .01) hemisphere. The mean disruption of these pathways explained unique additive variance in Conscientiousness, after accounting for conventional MRI markers of pathology and cognition (ΔR 2  = .049, p = .029). Damage to WM tracts between frontal, frontal-parietal, and frontal-cingulate cortical regions is significantly correlated with reduced Conscientiousness in PwMS. Tract disruption within these networks explains decreased Conscientiousness observed in PwMS as compared with HCs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Neuroprotective efficacy of curcumin in arsenic induced cholinergic dysfunctions in rats.

PubMed

Yadav, Rajesh S; Chandravanshi, Lalit P; Shukla, Rajendra K; Sankhwar, Madhu L; Ansari, Reyaz W; Shukla, Pradeep K; Pant, Aditya B; Khanna, Vinay K

2011-12-01

Our recent studies have shown that curcumin protects arsenic induced neurotoxicity by modulating oxidative stress, neurotransmitter levels and dopaminergic system in rats. As chronic exposure to arsenic has been associated with cognitive deficits in humans, the present study has been carried out to implore the neuroprotective potential of curcumin in arsenic induced cholinergic dysfunctions in rats. Rats treated with arsenic (sodium arsenite, 20mg/kg body weight, p.o., 28 days) exhibited a significant decrease in the learning activity, assessed by passive avoidance response associated with decreased binding of (3)H-QNB, known to label muscarinic-cholinergic receptors in hippocampus (54%) and frontal cortex (27%) as compared to controls. Decrease in the activity of acetylcholinesterase in hippocampus (46%) and frontal cortex (33%), staining of Nissl body, immunoreactivity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and expression of ChAT protein in hippocampal region was also observed in arsenic treated rats as compared to controls. Simultaneous treatment with arsenic and curcumin (100mg/kg body weight, p.o., 28 days) increased learning and memory performance associated with increased binding of (3)H-QNB in hippocampus (54%), frontal cortex (25%) and activity of acetylcholinesterase in hippocampus (41%) and frontal cortex (29%) as compared to arsenic treated rats. Increase in the expression of ChAT protein, immunoreactivity of ChAT and staining of Nissl body in hippocampal region was also observed in rats simultaneously treated with arsenic and curcumin as compared to those treated with arsenic alone. The results of the present study suggest that curcumin significantly modulates arsenic induced cholinergic dysfunctions in brain and also exhibits neuroprotective efficacy of curcumin. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex and its attentional modulation in the human S-ketamine and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) models of psychosis.

PubMed

Heekeren, K; Neukirch, A; Daumann, J; Stoll, M; Obradovic, M; Kovar, K-A; Geyer, M A; Gouzoulis-Mayfrank, E

2007-05-01

Patients with schizophrenia exhibit diminished prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex and deficits in the attentional modulation of PPI. Pharmacological challenges with hallucinogens are used as models for psychosis in both humans and animals. Remarkably, in contrast to the findings in schizophrenic patients and in animal hallucinogen models of psychosis, previous studies with healthy volunteers demonstrated increased levels of PPI after administration of low to moderate doses of either the antiglutamatergic hallucinogen ketamine or the serotonergic hallucinogen psilocybin. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of moderate and high doses of the serotonergic hallucinogen N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and the N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist S-ketamine on PPI and its attentional modulation in humans. Fifteen healthy volunteers were included in a double-blind cross-over study with two doses of DMT and S-ketamine. Effects on PPI and its attentional modulation were investigated. Nine subjects completed both experimental days with the two doses of both drugs. S-ketamine increased PPI in both dosages, whereas DMT had no significant effects on PPI. S-ketamine decreased and DMT tended to decrease startle magnitude. There were no significant effects of either drug on the attentional modulation of PPI. In human experimental hallucinogen psychoses, and even with high, clearly psychotogenic doses of DMT or S-ketamine, healthy subjects failed to exhibit the predicted attenuation of PPI. In contrast, PPI was augmented and the startle magnitude was decreased after S-ketamine. These data point to important differences between human hallucinogen models and both animal hallucinogen models of psychosis and naturally occurring schizophrenia.

Sericins exhibit ROS-scavenging, anti-tyrosinase, anti-elastase, and in vitro immunomodulatory activities.

PubMed

Chlapanidas, Theodora; Faragò, Silvio; Lucconi, Giulia; Perteghella, Sara; Galuzzi, Marta; Mantelli, Melissa; Avanzini, Maria Antonietta; Tosca, Marta Cecilia; Marazzi, Mario; Vigo, Daniele; Torre, Maria Luisa; Faustini, Massimo

2013-07-01

Some biological properties of Bombyx mori sericins from twenty strains were investigated, fourteen fed with artificial diet, two with fresh mulberry leaves and four with both diets. Sericin exhibited ROS-scavenging, anti-tyrosinase and anti-elastase properties, the strain significantly influenced these properties, while diet only influenced the anti-tyrosinase activity. Sericins were clustered into 5 groups and one sericin from each group was further studied: sericins showed anti-proliferative activity on in vitro stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells; some strains decreased in vitro secretion of IFNγ, while no effects were observed on TNFα and IL10 release. Therefore, a mixture of sericins extracted from the most promising strains may be useful for dermatological and cosmetic use. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Highly selective on-off fluorescence recognition of Fe3+ based on a coumarin derivative and its application in live-cell imaging.

PubMed

Warrier, Sona; Kharkar, Prashant S

2018-01-05

A novel coumarin chemosensor, 7-hydroxy-2-oxo-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)chromene-3-carboxamide (Probe 1), demonstrated significant selectivity towards Fe 3+ ions. Probe 1 exhibited high fluorescence emission profile at 447nm, excellent selectivity towards Fe 3+ over other biologically important metal ions (Al 3+ , Ba 2+ , Co 2+ , Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ , Hg 2+ , Pb 2+ and Sn 2+ ). Interestingly, there was ~30-fold decrease in fluorescence intensity upon Fe 3+ binding. The limit of detection of Fe 3+ was found to be 0.76μM (~40ppb). Probe 1 also exhibited high potential as an intracellular chemosensor for Fe 3+ . Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of deer on the photosynthetic performance of invasive and native forest herbs.

PubMed

Heberling, J Mason; Brouwer, Nathan L; Kalisz, Susan

2017-03-01

Overabundant generalist herbivores can facilitate non-native plant invasions, presumably through direct and indirect modifications to the environment that affect plant performance. However, ecophysiological mechanisms behind ungulate-mediated plant invasions have not been well-studied. At a long-term Odocoileus virginianus (white-tailed deer) exclusion site in a temperate deciduous forest, we quantified deer-mediated ecophysiological impacts on an invasive biennial Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) and two palatable native herbaceous perennials, Maianthemum racemosum and Trillium grandiflorum . In mid-summer, we found that leaf-level light availability was higher in unfenced areas compared with areas fenced to exclude deer. Alliaria in unfenced areas exhibited 50 % higher mean maximum photosynthetic rates compared with fenced areas. Further, specific leaf area decreased by 48 % on average in unfenced areas, suggesting leaf structural responses to higher light levels. Similarly, Maianthemum had 42 % higher mean photosynthetic rates and 33 % decreased mean specific leaf area in unfenced areas, but these functional advantages were likely countered by high rates of deer herbivory. By contrast, Trillium exhibited significantly lower (26 %) maximum photosynthetic rates in unfenced areas, but SLA did not differ. Deer-mediated differences in light saturated photosynthetic rates for all three species were only significant during months with overstory tree canopy cover, when light availability in the herb layer was significantly lower in fenced areas. Alliaria 's enhanced photosynthetic rates implicate overabundant deer, a situation that is nearly ubiquitous across its invaded range. Collectively, our results provide empirical evidence that generalist herbivores can alter non-native plant physiology to facilitate invasion.

Piracetam and vinpocetine ameliorate rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in rats

PubMed Central

Zaitone, Sawsan A.; Abo-Elmatty, Dina M.; Elshazly, Shimaa M.

2012-01-01

Objective: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of the nootropic drugs, piracetam (PIR) and vinpocetine (VIN), in rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in rats. Materials and Methods: Sixty male rats were divided into 6 groups of 10 rats each. The groups were administered vehicle, control (rotenone, 1.5 mg/kg/48 h/6 doses, s.c.), PIR (100 and 200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and VIN (3 and 6 mg/kg/day, p.o.). The motor performance of the rats was evaluated by the open field and pole test. Striatal dopamine level, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assayed. Histopathological study of the substantia nigra was also done. Results: Results showed that rotenone-treated rats exhibited bradykinesia and motor impairment in the open-field test. In addition, GSH level was decreased whereas MDA and TNF-α increased in striata of rotenone-treated rats as compared to vehicle-treated rats. Marked degeneration of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) neurons and depletion of striatal dopamine was also observed in the rotenone-treated rats. Treatment with PIR or VIN significantly reversed the locomotor deficits and increased striatal dopamine level. Treatment with VIN significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the striatal level of MDA and GSH in comparison to rotenone group whereas TNF-α production was found to be significantly decreased in PIR group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: VIN and PIR exhibit neuroprotective activity in rotenone-induced Parkinsonism. Hence, these nootropic agents may be considered as possible candidates in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. PMID:23248410

In vivo effect of single oral dose of artemether against early juvenile stages of Schistosoma mansoni Egyptian strain.

PubMed

El-Beshbishi, Samar N; Taman, Amira; El-Malky, Mohamed; Azab, Manar S; El-Hawary, Amira K; El-Tantawy, Dina A

2013-10-01

The current treatment and control of schistosomiasis, rely on a single drug, praziquantel, although, it has minor activity against juvenile stages of the parasite. Studies have shown that artemether (ART) exhibits effects against juveniles of Schistosoma mansoni Liberian and Puerto Rican strains, Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma haematobium. Aiming to assess the in vivo activity of single oral dose of ART against early juvenile stages of S. mansoni Egyptian strain, this study was established. Mice were treated with ART (400 mg/kg) at two time points evenly spaced over the period of larval development (7 and 21 days post-infection; pi), and a third treatment point (day 49 pi) was included to elucidate when susceptibility decreases. Administration of ART on day 7 pi reduced the total worm burden by 85.94%. The greatest reductions were seen when treatment was given on day 21 pi, with total and female worm burden reductions of 91.52% and 90.57%, respectively, and cessation of oviposition. Similar dose given on day 49 pi reduced total worm burden by 55.17% and female worm burden by 66.51%. Moreover, it induced significant reduction in the tissue egg load and significant alterations in the oogram pattern with decreased immature eggs and increased dead eggs. Antipathological activities were evident in significant reductions in granulomata count and diameter. In conclusion, ART exhibits major in vivo schistosomicidal effects against the early larval migratory stages of S. mansoni Egyptian strain, mainly the 21-day old schistosomula, hence preventing disease progression and morbidity. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Beneficial effects of exercise and its molecular mechanisms on depression in rats

PubMed Central

Zheng, Hang; Liu, Yanyou; Li, Wei; Yang, Bo; Chen, Dengbang; Wang, Xiaojia; Jiang, Zhou; Wang, Hongxing; Wang, Zhengrong; Cornelisson, G.; Halberg, F.

2008-01-01

Exercise showed the beneficial effects on mental health in depressed sufferers, whereas, its underlying mechanisms remained unresolved. This study utilized the chronic unpredictable stress (CNS) animal model of depression to evaluate the effects of exercise on depressive behaviors and spatial performance in rats. Furthermore, we tested the hypothesis that the capacity of exercise to reverse the harmful effects of CNS was relative to the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) system and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus. Animal groups were exposed to CNS for 4 weeks with and without access to voluntary wheel running. Stressed rats consumed significantly less of a 1% sucrose solution during CNS and exhibited a significant decrease in open field behavior. On the other hand, they showed impaired spatial performance in Morris water maze test 2 weeks after the end of CNS. Further, CNS significantly decreased hippocampal BDNF mRNA levels. However, voluntary exercise improved or even reversed these harmful behavioral effects in stressed rats. Furthermore, exercise counteracted a decrease in hippocampal BDNF mRNA caused by CNS. In addition, we also found that CMS alone increased circulating corticosterone (CORT) significantly and decreased hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA. At the same time, exercise alone increased CORT moderately and did not affect hippocampal GR mRNA levels. While, when both CNS and exercise were combined, exercise reduced the increase of CORT and the decrease of GR caused by CMS. The results demonstrated that: (1) exercise reversed the harmful effects of CNS on mood and spatial performance in rats and (2) the behavioral changes induced by exercise and/or CNS might be associated with hippocampal BDNF levels, and in addition, the HPA system might play different roles in the two different processes. PMID:16290283

Inhibition of Tumor Necrosis Factor Improves Sleep Continuity in Patients with Treatment Resistant Depression and High Inflammation

PubMed Central

Weinberger, Jeremy F.; Raison, Charles L.; Rye, David B.; Montague, Amy R.; Woolwine, Bobbi J.; Felger, Jennifer C.; Haroon, Ebrahim; Miller, Andrew H.

2014-01-01

Blockade of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in depressed patients with increased inflammation has been associated with decreased depressive symptoms. Nevertheless, the impact of TNF blockade on sleep in depressed patients has not been examined. Accordingly, sleep parameters were measured using polysomnography in 36 patients with treatment resistant major depression at baseline and 2 weeks after 3 infusions (week 8) of either the TNF antagonist infliximab (n=19) or placebo (n=17). Markers of inflammation including c-reactive protein (CRP) and TNF and its soluble receptors were assessed along with depression measured by the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. No differences in sleep parameters were found as a function of infliximab treatment over time. Nevertheless, Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO), the spontaneous arousal index and sleep period time significantly decreased, and sleep efficiency significantly increased, from baseline to week 8 in infliximab-treated patients with high (CRP>5mg/L)(n=9) versus low inflammation (CRP≤5mg/L)(n=10), controlling for changes in scores of depression. Stage 2 sleep also significantly decreased in infliximab-treated patients with high versus low inflammation. Decreases in soluble TNF receptor 1 significantly correlated with decreases in WASO and increases in sleep efficiency in infliximab-treated subjects with high inflammation. Placebo-treated subjects exhibited no sleep changes as a function of inflammation, and no correlations between inflammatory markers and sleep parameters in placebo-treated patients were found. These data suggest that inhibition of inflammation may be a viable strategy to improve sleep alterations in patients with depression and other disorders associated with increased inflammation. PMID:25529904

Cardiovascular and temperature changes in spinal cord injured rats at rest and during autonomic dysreflexia

PubMed Central

Laird, A S; Carrive, P; Waite, P M E

2006-01-01

In patients with high spinal cord injuries autonomic dysfunction can be dangerous, leading to medical complications such as postural hypotension, autonomic dysreflexia and temperature disturbance. While animal models have been developed to study autonomic dysreflexia, associated temperature changes have not been documented. Our aim here was to use radiotelemetry and infrared thermography in rodents to record the development of cardiovascular and skin temperature changes following complete T4 transection. In adult male Wistar rats (n = 5), responses were assessed prior to spinal cord injury (intact) and for 6 weeks following injury. Statistical analysis by a repeated-measure ANOVA revealed that following spinal cord injury (SCI), rats exhibited decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP, average decrease of 26 mmHg; P < 0.035) and elevated heart rate (HR, average increase of 65 bpm, P < 0.035) at rest. The basal core body temperature following SCI was also significantly lower than intact levels (−0.9°C; P < 0.0035). Associated with this decreased basal core temperature following SCI was an increased skin temperature of the mid-tail and hindpaw (+5.6 and +4.0°C, respectively; P < 0.0003) consistent with decreased cutaneous vasoconstrictor tone. Autonomic dysreflexia, in response to a 1 min colorectal distension (25 mmHg), was fully developed by 4 weeks after spinal cord transection, producing increases in MAP greater than 25 mmHg (P < 0.0003). In contrast to the tachycardia seen in intact animals in response to colorectal distension, SCI animals exhibited bradycardia (P < 0.0023). During episodes of autonomic dysreflexia mid-tail surface temperature decreased (approx. −1.7°C, P < 0.012), consistent with cutaneous vasoconstriction. This is the first study to compare cardiovascular dysfunction with temperature changes following spinal cord transection in rats. PMID:16973703

Changes in plasma volume during bed rest - Effects of menstrual cycle and estrogen administration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fortney, S. M.; Beckett, W. S.; Carpenter, A. J.; Davis, J.; Drew, H.

1988-01-01

The effect of increased blood estrogen concentration, caused either during normal menstrual cycles or by exogenous administration of premarin, on the bed-rest (BR) induced decrease in plasma volume (PV) was investigated. In women who underwent duplicate 11-day BR without estrogen supplementation, the PV was found to decrease significantly, during the first 5 days of BR, to a lower level at which it remained for the rest of the BR period. In women who began BR in the periovulatory stage of the menstrual cycle, the loss of PV was delayed, while women who began BR during other stages of the cycle exhibited the usual trend of the PV decrease during the BR. In women who underwent a single 12-day BR period while taking premarin (1.25 mg/day), PV was found to decrease during the first 4-5 days of BR, but then returned toward the pre-BR level during the remainder of the BR, indicating that estrogens have a role in stabilizing body fluid volume.

Novel Barley (1→3,1→4)-β-Glucan Endohydrolase Alleles Confer Increased Enzyme Thermostability.

PubMed

Lauer, Juanita C; Yap, Kuok; Cu, Suong; Burton, Rachel A; Eglinton, Jason K

2017-01-18

Barley (1→3,1→4)-β-glucan endohydrolases (β-glucanases; EI and EII) are primarily responsible for hydrolyzing high molecular weight (1→3,1→4)-β-glucans (β-glucan) during germination. Incomplete endosperm modification during malting results in residual β-glucan that can contribute to increased wort viscosity and beer chill haze. Four newly identified forms of EI and EII and the reference enzymes EI-a and EII-a were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant proteins were characterized for enzyme kinetics and thermostability. EI and EII variants that exhibited higher residual β-glucanase activity than EI-a and EII-a after heat treatment also exhibited increased substrate affinity and decreased turnover rates. The novel EII-l form exhibited significantly increased thermostability compared with the reference EII-a when activity was measured at elevated temperature. EII-l exhibited a T 50 value, which indicates the temperature at which 50% of β-glucanase activity remains, 1.3 °C higher than that of EII-a. The irreversible thermal inactivation difference between EII-a and EII-l after 5 min of heat treatment at 56 °C was 11.9%. The functional significance of the three amino acid differences between EII-a and EII-l was examined by making combinatorial mutations in EII-a using site-directed mutagenesis. The S20G and D284E amino acid substitutions were shown to be responsible for the increase in EII-1 thermostability.

Pleiotropic effects of interleukin-6 in a "two-hit" murine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

PubMed

Goldman, Julia L; Sammani, Saad; Kempf, Carrie; Saadat, Laleh; Letsiou, Eleftheria; Wang, Ting; Moreno-Vinasco, Liliana; Rizzo, Alicia N; Fortman, Jeffrey D; Garcia, Joe G N

2014-06-01

Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) exhibit elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which correlate with increased morbidity and mortality. The exact role of IL-6 in ARDS has proven difficult to study because it exhibits either pro- or anti-inflammatory actions in mouse models of lung injury, depending on the model utilized. In order to improve understanding of the role of this complex cytokine in ARDS, we evaluated IL-6 using the clinically relevant combination of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in IL-6(-/-) mice. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL), whole-lung tissue, and histology were evaluated for inflammatory markers of injury. Transendothelial electrical resistance was used to evaluate the action of IL-6 on endothelial cells in vitro. In wild-type mice, the combination model showed a significant increase in lung injury compared to either LPS or VILI alone. IL-6(-/-) mice exhibited a statistically significant decrease in BAL cellular inflammation as well as lower histologic scores for lung injury, changes observed only in the combination model. A paradoxical increase in BAL total protein was observed in IL-6(-/-) mice exposed to LPS, suggesting that IL-6 provides protection from vascular leakage. However, in vitro data showed that IL-6, when combined with its soluble receptor, actually caused a significant increase in endothelial cell permeability, suggesting that the protection seen in vivo was likely due to complex interactions of IL-6 and other inflammatory mediators rather than to direct effects of IL-6. These studies suggest that a dual-injury model exhibits utility in evaluating the pleiotropic effects of IL-6 in ARDS on inflammatory cells and lung endothelium.

Rates of Ethanol Metabolism Decrease in Sons of Alcoholics Following a Priming Dose of Ethanol

PubMed Central

Bradford, Blair U.; Jackson, Jennifer K.; Powell, Linda L.; Garbutt, James C.

2007-01-01

Rapid changes in rates of ethanol metabolism in response to acute ethanol administration have been observed in animals and humans. To examine whether this phenomenon might vary by risk for alcoholism, 23 young men with a positive family history of alcoholism (FHP) were compared to 15 young men without a family history of alcoholism (FHN). Rates of ethanol metabolism were measured in all subjects first after an initial ethanol dose (0.85 g/kg) and then, several hours later, a second dose (0.3 g/kg), and the two rates were compared. The two groups of subjects were similar in their histories of ethanol consumption. FHP subjects demonstrated faster initial rates of ethanol metabolism, 148 ± 36 mg/kg/hr, compared to FHN subjects, 124 ± 18 mg/kg/hr, p=.01. However, FHN subjects increased their rate of metabolism by 10 ± 27 percent compared to a decrease of -15 ± 24 percent in FHP subjects, p =.007. Fifty-two percent of the FHP and none of the FHN subjects exhibited a decline in metabolic rate of 20% or more, p=.0008. Since a significant proportion of FHP subjects exhibited a decrease in the second rate of ethanol metabolism, these preliminary data might help to partly explain why FHP individuals differ in their sensitivity to ethanol and are more likely to develop alcohol dependence. PMID:17521843

Heterogeneity of Depressive Symptom Trajectories through Adolescence: Predicting Outcomes in Young Adulthood.

PubMed

Chaiton, Michael; Contreras, Gisèle; Brunet, Jennifer; Sabiston, Catherine M; O'Loughlin, Erin; Low, Nancy C P; Karp, Igor; Barnett, Tracie A; O'Loughlin, Jennifer

2013-05-01

This study describes developmental trajectories of depressive symptoms in adolescents and examines the association between trajectory group and mental health outcomes in young adulthood. Depressive symptoms were self-reported every three months from grade seven through grade 11 by 1293 adolescents in the Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) study and followed in young adulthood (average age 20.4, SD=0.7, n=865). Semi-parametric growth modeling was used to identify sex-specific trajectories of depressive symptoms. THREE DISTINCT TRAJECTORY GROUPS WERE IDENTIFIED: 50% of boys and 29% of girls exhibited low, decreasing levels of depressive symptoms; 14% of boys and 28% of girls exhibited high and increasing levels; and 36% of boys and 43% of girls exhibited moderate levels with linear increase. Trajectory group was a statistically significant independent predictor of depression, stress, and self-rated mental health in young adulthood in boys and girls. Boys, but not girls, in the high trajectory group had a statistically significant increase in the likelihood of seeking psychiatric care. Substantial heterogeneity in changes in depressive symptoms over time was found. Because early depressive symptoms predict mental health problems in young adulthood, monitoring adolescents for depressive symptoms may help identify those most at risk and in need of intervention.

Tachycardia, reduced vagal capacity, and age-dependent ventricular dysfunction arising from diminished expression of the presynaptic choline transporter.

PubMed

English, Brett A; Appalsamy, Martin; Diedrich, Andre; Ruggiero, Alicia M; Lund, David; Wright, Jane; Keller, Nancy R; Louderback, Katherine M; Robertson, David; Blakely, Randy D

2010-09-01

Healthy cardiovascular function relies on a balanced and responsive integration of noradrenergic and cholinergic innervation of the heart. High-affinity choline uptake by cholinergic terminals is pivotal for efficient ACh production and release. To date, the cardiovascular impact of diminished choline transporter (CHT) expression has not been directly examined, largely due to the transporter's inaccessibility in vivo. Here, we describe findings from cardiovascular experiments using transgenic mice that bear a CHT genetic deficiency. Whereas CHT knockout (CHT(-/-)) mice exhibit early postnatal lethality, CHT heterozygous (CHT(+/-)) mice survive, grow, and reproduce normally and exhibit normal spontaneous behaviors. However, the CHT(+/-) mouse heart displays significantly reduced levels of high-affinity choline uptake accompanied by significantly reduced levels of ACh. Telemeterized recordings of cardiovascular function in these mice revealed tachycardia and hypertension at rest. After treadmill exercise, CHT(+/-) mice exhibited slower heart rate recovery, consistent with a diminished cholinergic reserve, a contention validated through direct vagal nerve stimulation. Echocardiographic and histological experiments revealed an age-dependent decrease in fractional shortening, increased left ventricular dimensions, and increased ventricular fibrosis, consistent with ventricular dysfunction. These cardiovascular phenotypes of CHT(+/-) mice encourage an evaluation of humans bearing reduced CHT expression for their resiliency in maintaining proper heart function as well as risk for cardiovascular disease.

Diode Laser-Based Detection of Combustor Instabilities with Application to a Scramjet Engine

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-01

Exhibit, Reno, NV, January 9–12, 2006 . [16] G. Rieker, H. Li, X. Liu, et al ., Proc. Combust. Inst. 31 (2007) 3041–3049. [17] H. Li, G.B. Rieker, X...Cincinnati, OH, July 2006 . [24] M. Gruber, J. Donbar, K. Jackson, et al ., J. Propul. Power 17 (2001) 1296–1304. ...in inlet unstart, which causes a significant decrease in captured air massute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 832 G.B. Rieker et al

Diurnal rhythm of melatonin binding in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Laitinen, J.T.; Castren, E.; Vakkuri, O.

1989-03-01

We used quantitative in vitro autoradiography to localize and characterize 2-/sup 125/I-melatonin binding sites in the rat suprachiasmatic nuclei in relation to pineal melatonin production. In a light:dark cycle of 12:12 h, binding density exhibited significant diurnal variation with a peak at the dark-light transition and a trough 12 hours later. Saturation studies suggested that the decreased binding at light-dark transition might be due to a shift of the putative melatonin receptor to a low affinity state.

Impaired responses to sweet taste in vitamin A-deficient rats.

PubMed

Reifen, R; Agami, O; Weiser, H; Biesalski, H; Naim, M

1998-01-01

In brief-exposure, two-choice preference tests (sucrose solution v water), vitamin A-deficient (VAD) rats exhibited a decreased preference for sucrose relative to control rats. There was no difference in total fluid intake from both choices between the two groups, nor was any significant difference found in circumvallate taste papilla keratin size. It is concluded that the impaired preference for sucrose in VAD rats is due to a specific impairment in taste sensation rather than general malaise.

Anatomic changes due to interspecific grafting in cassava (Manihot esculenta).

PubMed

Bomfim, N; Ribeiro, D G; Nassar, N M A

2011-05-31

Cassava rootstocks of varieties UnB 201 and UnB 122 grafted with scions of Manihot fortalezensis were prepared for anatomic study. The roots were cut, stained with safranin and alcian blue, and examined microscopically, comparing them with sections taken from ungrafted roots. There was a significant decrease in number of pericyclic fibers, vascular vessels and tyloses in rootstocks. They exhibited significant larger vessels. These changes in anatomic structure are a consequence of genetic effects caused by transference of genetic material from scion to rootstock. The same ungrafted species was compared. This is the first report on anatomic changes due to grafting in cassava.

Correlation between different markers for the assessment of red chilli pepper powders stability during shelf-life.

PubMed

Bignardi, Chiara; Cavazza, Antonella; Rinaldi, Massimiliano; Corradini, Claudio

2016-06-01

Pungency and red colour of Capsicum powders deteriorate during processing and storage, resulting in a decrease in market value. Two varieties of pepper with different pungencies were monitored for capsaicinoids, colour and furosine. Aliquots were stored at room and at low temperature during one year. At low temperature all indicators were stable in both varieties, while at room temperature, redness and capsacinoids decreased significantly, while furosine increased. High correlation was found between those markers. The more pungent variety exhibited higher stability in terms of all parameters. Differences observed suggest a potential protective effect exerted by capsaicinoids on powder stability. The decrease in capsaicinoids and redness accompanied by furosine increase showed a linkage between those markers never reported before. Considering that capsaicinoids and furosine occurrence have strong impact on the nutritional profile, the findings of this work show relevant changes in the nutritional value of chilli pepper powder after storage.

Hypoglycemic activity of Gymnema sylvestre extracts on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in diabetic rats.

PubMed

Kang, Myung-Hwa; Lee, Min Sun; Choi, Mi-Kyeong; Min, Kwan-Sik; Shibamoto, Takayuki

2012-03-14

Diabetes mellitus, which is associated with oxidative damage, has a significant impact on health, quality of life, and life expectancy. An ethanol extract of Gymnema sylvestre leaf was examined in vitro and in vivo to investigate the role of antioxidants in diabetic rats. The extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity in the assays, including TBA (56%), SOD-like (92%), and ABTS (54%). Blood glucose levels in the diabetic rats fed G. sylvestre extract decreased to normal levels. The presence of the antihyperglycemic compounds gymnemagenin and gymnemic acids in G. sylvestre extract was detected by LC/MS analysis. Lipid peroxidation levels were decreased by 31.7% in serum, 9.9% in liver, and 9.1% in kidney in the diabetic rats fed the extract. Feeding G. sylvestre extract to the diabetic rats decreased the activity of glutathione peroxidase in cytosolic liver and glutamate pyruvate transaminase in serum to normal levels.

High dosage of cannabidiol (CBD) alleviates pentylenetetrazole-induced epilepsy in rats by exerting an anticonvulsive effect

PubMed Central

Mao, Ke; You, Chao; Lei, Ding; Zhang, Heng

2015-01-01

The study was designed to investigate the effect of various concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD) in rats with chronic epilepsy. The chronic epilepsy rat model was prepared by intraperitoneally injecting pentylenetetrazole to the rats pre-treated with CBD (10, 20 and 50 mg/kg) for 28 consecutive days. Behavioral measurements of convulsion following pentylenetetrazole treatment and morphological changes of the hippocampal neurons with hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to observe the epileptic behaviour. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the hippocampus. The mRNA expression of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor subunits (NR1 and NR2B) was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed a significant decrease in the daily average grade of epileptic seizures on treatment with CBD (50 mg/kg). The neuronal loss and astrocyte hyperplasia in the hippocampal area were also decreased. CBD treatment did not affect the expression of iNOS in the hippocampus; however, the expression of NR1 was decreased significantly. Thus, CBD administration inhibited the effect of pentylenetetrazole in rats, decreased the astrocytic hyperplasia, decreased neuronal damage in the hippocampus caused by seizures and selectively reduced the expression of the NR1 subunit of NMDA. Therefore, CBD exhibits an anticonvulsive effect in the rats with chronic epilepsy. PMID:26309534

High dosage of cannabidiol (CBD) alleviates pentylenetetrazole-induced epilepsy in rats by exerting an anticonvulsive effect.

PubMed

Mao, Ke; You, Chao; Lei, Ding; Zhang, Heng

2015-01-01

The study was designed to investigate the effect of various concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD) in rats with chronic epilepsy. The chronic epilepsy rat model was prepared by intraperitoneally injecting pentylenetetrazole to the rats pre-treated with CBD (10, 20 and 50 mg/kg) for 28 consecutive days. Behavioral measurements of convulsion following pentylenetetrazole treatment and morphological changes of the hippocampal neurons with hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to observe the epileptic behaviour. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the hippocampus. The mRNA expression of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor subunits (NR1 and NR2B) was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed a significant decrease in the daily average grade of epileptic seizures on treatment with CBD (50 mg/kg). The neuronal loss and astrocyte hyperplasia in the hippocampal area were also decreased. CBD treatment did not affect the expression of iNOS in the hippocampus; however, the expression of NR1 was decreased significantly. Thus, CBD administration inhibited the effect of pentylenetetrazole in rats, decreased the astrocytic hyperplasia, decreased neuronal damage in the hippocampus caused by seizures and selectively reduced the expression of the NR1 subunit of NMDA. Therefore, CBD exhibits an anticonvulsive effect in the rats with chronic epilepsy.

Pea Fiber and Wheat Bran Fiber Show Distinct Metabolic Profiles in Rats as Investigated by a 1H NMR-Based Metabolomic Approach

PubMed Central

Liu, Guangmang; Xiao, Liang; Fang, Tingting; Cai, Yimin; Jia, Gang; Zhao, Hua; Wang, Jing; Chen, Xiaoling; Wu, Caimei

2014-01-01

This study aimed to examine the effect of pea fiber (PF) and wheat bran fiber (WF) supplementation in rat metabolism. Rats were assigned randomly to one of three dietary groups and were given a basal diet containing 15% PF, 15% WF, or no supplemental fiber. Urine and plasma samples were analyzed by NMR-based metabolomics. PF significantly increased the plasma levels of 3-hydroxybutyrate, and myo-inositol as well as the urine levels of alanine, hydroxyphenylacetate, phenylacetyglycine, and α-ketoglutarate. However, PF significantly decreased the plasma levels of isoleucine, leucine, lactate, and pyruvate as well as the urine levels of allantoin, bile acids, and trigonelline. WF significantly increased the plasma levels of acetone, isobutyrate, lactate, myo-inositol, and lipids as well as the urine levels of alanine, lactate, dimethylglycine, N-methylniconamide, and α-ketoglutarate. However, WF significantly decreased the plasma levels of amino acids, and glucose as well as the urine levels of acetate, allantoin, citrate, creatine, hippurate, hydroxyphenylacetate, and trigonelline. Results suggest that PF and WF exposure can promote antioxidant activity and can exhibit common systemic metabolic changes, including lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, glycogenolysis and glycolysis metabolism, protein biosynthesis, and gut microbiota metabolism. PF can also decrease bile acid metabolism. These findings indicate that different fiber diet may cause differences in the biofluid profile in rats. PMID:25541729

Neurotoxicity induced by methamphetamine-heroin combination in PC12 cells.

PubMed

Tian, Xiang; Ru, Qin; Xiong, Qi; Yue, Kai; Chen, Lin; Ma, Baomiao; Gan, Weimin; Si, Yuanren; Xiao, Huqiao; Li, Chaoying

2017-04-24

Simultaneous administration of psychostimulants and opioids is a major drug abuse problem worldwide. The combination of psychostimulants and opioids produces more serious effects than either drug alone and is responsible for numerous deaths. In recent years, owing to its increased use, methamphetamine (METH), a psychostimulant, has become a popular choice for use in combination with opioids, especially heroin. However, little is known about the neurotoxicity of METH/heroin combination. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether METH/heroin combination was more neurotoxic than either drug alone and analyze the possible neurotoxic mechanisms using rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Our data showed that METH/heroin combination exhibited a significant decrease in cell viability than either drug alone, and the coefficient of drug interaction (CDI) indicated that the combination appeared to produce synergistic effects. Further studies showed that METH/heroin combination induced apoptosis and decreased the mitochondrial potential significantly, compared to either drug alone. This was demonstrated by a significant decrease in the expression of Bcl-2 and an increase in expression of Bax, accompanied by increase in the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9. These results suggest that the combination of METH and heroin is more neurotoxic than either drug alone, and it induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Redox Control of Aphid Resistance through Altered Cell Wall Composition and Nutritional Quality1[OPEN

PubMed Central

Rasool, Brwa; Marcus, Sue E.

2017-01-01

The mechanisms underpinning plant perception of phloem-feeding insects, particularly aphids, remain poorly characterized. Therefore, the role of apoplastic redox state in controlling aphid infestation was explored using transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants that have either high (PAO) or low (TAO) ascorbate oxidase (AO) activities relative to the wild type. Only a small number of leaf transcripts and metabolites were changed in response to genotype, and cell wall composition was largely unaffected. Aphid fecundity was decreased significantly in TAO plants compared with other lines. Leaf sugar levels were increased and maximum extractable AO activities were decreased in response to aphids in all genotypes. Transcripts encoding the Respiratory Burst Oxidase Homolog F, signaling components involved in ethylene and other hormone-mediated pathways, photosynthetic electron transport components, sugar, amino acid, and cell wall metabolism, were increased significantly in the TAO plants in response to aphid perception relative to other lines. The levels of galactosylated xyloglucan were decreased significantly in response to aphid feeding in all the lines, the effect being the least in the TAO plants. Similarly, all lines exhibited increases in tightly bound (1→4)-β-galactan. Taken together, these findings identify AO-dependent mechanisms that limit aphid infestation. PMID:28743764

Masseter motor unit recruitment is altered in experimental jaw muscle pain.

PubMed

Minami, I; Akhter, R; Albersen, I; Burger, C; Whittle, T; Lobbezoo, F; Peck, C C; Murray, G M

2013-02-01

Some management strategies for chronic orofacial pain are influenced by models (e.g., Vicious Cycle Theory, Pain Adaptation Model) proposing either excitation or inhibition within a painful muscle. The aim of this study was to determine if experimental painful stimulation of the masseter muscle resulted in only increases or only decreases in masseter activity. Recordings of single-motor-unit (SMU, basic functional unit of muscle) activity were made from the right masseters of 10 asymptomatic participants during biting trials at the same force level and direction under infusion into the masseter of isotonic saline (no-pain condition), and in another block of biting trials on the same day, with 5% hypertonic saline (pain condition). Of the 36 SMUs studied, 2 SMUs exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) increase, 5 a significant decrease, and 14 no significant change in firing rate during pain. Five units were present only during the no-pain block and 10 units during the pain block only. The findings suggest that, rather than only excitation or only inhibition within a painful muscle, a re-organization of activity occurs, with increases and decreases occurring within the painful muscle. This suggests the need to re-assess management strategies based on models that propose uniform effects of pain on motor activity.

Regression of nifedipine-induced gingival hyperplasia following switch to a same class calcium channel blocker, isradipine.

PubMed

Westbrook, P; Bednarczyk, E M; Carlson, M; Sheehan, H; Bissada, N F

1997-07-01

Patients with nifedipine-induced gingival hyperplasia (GH) often require continued calcium channel blocker therapy. Switches to diltiazem and verapamil have been described; however, these drugs are of a different chemical class and present therapeutic limitations in some patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect on nifedipine-induced GH of a switch to a dihydropyridine derivative with a low incidence of GH. Fourteen patients with nifedipine-induced GH were given a medical exam and a periodontal exam. The following parameters were assessed: probing depth (PD), gingival margin (GM), gingival thickness (GT), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI). Intraoral photographs, study models, and a gingival biopsy for histological examination were taken. Following baseline measures, patients were randomized to continued treatment with nifedipine or an equivalent dose of isradipine in a single-blind fashion. Biweekly periodontal parameters were taken for 8 weeks. At the end of 8 weeks, some patients elected to receive 4 weeks of open label isradipine therapy, with biweekly examination continuing through the open label phase. The isradipine treatment arm showed a mean decrease in PD of 0.59 mm at week 8 (P < 0.05). No other measured parameter (GM, GT, PI, GI) was significantly changed, compared either to baseline or to the alternate treatment arm. Clinically, 60% of patients treated with isradipine exhibited a decrease in hyperplasia, while 66% of patients treated with nifedipine demonstrated an increase in hyperplasia, a significant difference (P < 0.05). When combined with open label data, patients switching therapy to isradipine exhibited an increase in GM (increase in recession) of 0.74 mm from baseline to week 12 (P < 0.05). No patients treated with isradipine exhibited an increase in gingival overgrowth. All patients exhibited adequate control of hypertension. We conclude that in hypertensive patients with nifedipine-induced GH, switching hypertensive therapy to isradipine may result in a regression of GH. When coupled with aggressive oral hygiene treatment, this drug may provide a reasonable option for patients requiring dihydropyridine treatment.

Neural Influences on Sonic Hedgehog and Apoptosis in the Rat Penis1

PubMed Central

Bond, Christopher; Tang, Yi; Podlasek, Carol A.

2010-01-01

The role of sonic hedgehog (SHH) in maintaining corpora cavernosal morphology in the adult penis has been established; however, the mechanism of how SHH itself is regulated remains unclear. Since decreased SHH protein is a cause of smooth muscle apoptosis and erectile dysfunction (ED) in the penis, and SHH treatment can suppress cavernous nerve (CN) injury-induced apoptosis, the question of how SHH signaling is regulated is significant. It is likely that neural input is involved in this process since two models of neuropathy-induced ED exhibit decreased SHH protein and increased apoptosis in the penis. We propose the hypothesis that SHH abundance in the corpora cavernosa is regulated by SHH signaling in the pelvic ganglia, neural activity, or neural transport of a trophic factor from the pelvic ganglia to the corpora. We have examined each of these potential mechanisms. SHH inhibition in the penis shows a 12-fold increase in smooth muscle apoptosis. SHH inhibition in the pelvic ganglia causes significantly increased apoptosis (1.3-fold) and decreased SHH protein (1.1-fold) in the corpora cavernosa. SHH protein is not transported by the CN. Colchicine treatment of the CN resulted in significantly increased smooth muscle apoptosis (1.2-fold) and decreased SHH protein (1.3-fold) in the penis. Lidocaine treatment of the CN caused a similar increase in apoptosis (1.6-fold) and decrease in SHH protein (1.3-fold) in the penis. These results show that neural activity and a trophic factor from the pelvic ganglia/CN are necessary to regulate SHH protein and smooth muscle abundance in the penis. PMID:18256331

Analysis of proximal and distal muscle activity during handwriting tasks.

PubMed

Naider-Steinhart, Shoshana; Katz-Leurer, Michal

2007-01-01

In this study we sought to describe upper-extremity proximal and distal muscle activity in typically developing children during a handwriting task and to explore the relationship between muscle activity and speed and quality of writing. We evaluated 35 third- and fourth-grade Israeli children using the Alef-Alef Ktav Yad Hebrew Handwriting Test. Simultaneously, we recorded the participants' upper trapezius and thumb muscle activity by surface electromyography. Using the coefficient of variation (standard deviation divided by mean amplitude) as a measure of variability within each muscle, we analyzed differences in muscle activity variability within and between muscles. The proximal muscle displayed significantly less variability than the distal muscles. Decreased variability in proximal muscle activity was associated with decreased variability in distal muscle activity, and decreased variability in the distal muscles was significantly associated with faster speed of writing. The lower amount of variability exhibited in the proximal muscle compared with the distal muscles seems to indicate that the proximal muscle functions as a stabilizer during a handwriting task. In addition, decreased variability in both proximal and distal muscle activity appears to be more economical and is related to faster writing speed. Knowledge of the type of proximal and distal muscle activity used during handwriting can help occupational therapists plan treatment for children with handwriting disabilities.

Age-related changes in dopamine signaling in Nurr1 deficient mice as a model of Parkinson’s disease

PubMed Central

Zhang, Lifen; Le, Weidong; Xie, Wenjie; Dani, John A.

2011-01-01

The nuclear receptor related 1 (Nurr1) transcription factor contributes to the development and maintenance of dopamine (DA) neurons in the brain. We found that heterozygous Nurr1 knock-out (Nurr1 +/−) influenced the age-dependent decline in the number of DA neurons and influenced DA signaling. We examined the DA marker, tyrosine hydroxylase, using immunohistochemistry, and we measured DA signaling using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in 3 age groups of wild-type (Nurr1 +/+) and mutant (Nurr1 +/−) mice: 3–6, 9–12, and 15–23 months old. Prior to significant loss of DA neurons and to the onset of parkinsonian symptoms, young Nurr1 +/− mice (3–6 months) exhibited a decrease in peak evoked DA release that was partially countered by a decrease in the rate of DA reuptake. As peak evoked DA release declined with age for both the wild-type and Nurr1 +/− mice, both genotypes manifested decreased DA reuptake. As the DA release fell further with age, decreased DA reuptake eventually could not adequately compensate the Nurr1 +/− mice. The results indicated that Nurr1 deficiency led to impaired DA release even before significant DA neuron loss. PMID:21531044

The bidirectional effects of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in rats.

PubMed

Yu, Dafu; Zhou, Heng; Yang, Yuan; Jiang, Yong; Wang, Tianchao; Lv, Liang; Zhou, Qixin; Yang, Yuexiong; Dong, Xuexian; He, Jianfeng; Huang, Xiaoyan; Chen, Jijun; Wu, Kunhua; Xu, Lin; Mao, Rongrong

2015-03-01

Thyroid hormone disorders have long been linked to depression, but the causal relationship between them remains controversial. To address this question, we established rat models of hypothyroidism using (131)iodine ((131)I) and hyperthyroidism using levothyroxine (LT4). Serum free thyroxine (FT4) and triiodothyronine (FT3) significantly decreased in the hypothyroid of rats with single injections of (131)I (5mCi/kg). These rats exhibited decreased depression-like behaviors in forced swimming test and sucrose preference tests, as well as decreased anxiety-like behaviors in an elevated plus maze. Diminished levels of brain serotonin (5-HT) and increased levels of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were found in the hypothyroid rats compared to the control saline-vehicle administered rats. LT4 treatment reversed the decrease in thyroid hormones and depression-like behaviors. In contrast, hyperthyroidism induced by weekly injections of LT4 (15μg/kg) caused a greater than 10-fold increase in serum FT4 and FT3 levels. The hyperthyroid rats exhibited higher anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, higher brain 5-HT level, and lower hippocampal BDNF levels than the controls. Treatment with the antidepressant imipramine (15mg/kg) diminished serum FT4 levels as well as anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in the hyperthyroid rats but led to a further increase in brain 5-HT levels, compared with the controls or the hypothyroid rats. Together, our results suggest that hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have bidirectional effects on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in rats, possibly by modulating hippocampal BDNF levels. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Antioxidation Mechanism of Polydimethylsiloxane in Oil.

PubMed

Yawata, Miho; Satoh, Tohru; Iwahashi, Maiko; Hori, Ryuji; Takeuchi, Shigeo; Shiramasa, Hiroshi; Totani, Nagao

2015-01-01

Strong and stable antioxidation effects of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are widely accepted and utilized in commercial frying oil; however, the mechanism is not fully established. On the other hand, canola oil contains about 700 ppm (mg/kg-oil) of the natural antioxidant, tocopherol. Canola oil containing 0, 1 and 10 ppm added PDMS was heated at 180°C for 1 h under stirring, then left for 2-3 days at room temperature; this treatment was repeated 5 times. Compared to pure canola oil, PDMS-containing canola oil exhibited remarkably lower peroxide, p-anisidine and acid values, a lower decrease in tocopherol content but a higher oxygen content during the heating experiments, implicating low oxygen consumption for the oxidation. While PDMS has not been known to exhibit antioxidative effects at ambient temperatures, the present results show that PDMS prevents autoxidation as well as thermal oxidation. In addition, PDMS, not tocopherols, provided the major antioxidative effect during intermittent heating, and the decrease of tocopherols was significantly inhibited by PDMS. Phase contrast microscopy confirmed that PDMS contained in canola oil was suspended as particles. Also, the oxygen content in standing PDMS-containing canola oil decreased as the depth of oil increased, corresponding to the PDMS distribution, which also decreased as the depth of oil increased. Moreover, PDMS had a higher affinity for oxygen than canola oil in a mixture of canola oil/PDMS, 1:1 v/v. Thus, it is suggested that PDMS restricted the behavior of oxygen dissolved in canola oil by attracting oxygen in and around the PDMS particles, which is wholly different from the radical scavenging antioxidation of tocopherol.

Effects of JIP3 on epileptic seizures: Evidence from temporal lobe epilepsy patients, kainic-induced acute seizures and pentylenetetrazole-induced kindled seizures.

PubMed

Wang, Z; Chen, Y; Lü, Y; Chen, X; Cheng, L; Mi, X; Xu, X; Deng, W; Zhang, Y; Wang, N; Li, J; Li, Y; Wang, X

2015-08-06

JNK-interacting protein 3 (JIP3), also known as JNK stress-activated protein kinase-associated protein 1 (JSAP1), is a scaffold protein mainly involved in the regulation of the pro-apoptotic signaling cascade mediated by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Overexpression of JIP3 in neurons in vitro has been reported to lead to accelerated activation of JNK and enhanced apoptosis response to cellular stress. However, the occurrence and the functional significance of stress-induced modulations of JIP3 levels in vivo remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the expression of JIP3 in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and in a kainic acid (KA)-induced mouse model of epileptic seizures, and determined whether down-regulation of JIP3 can decrease susceptibility to seizures and neuron damage induced by KA. We found that JIP3 was markedly increased in TLE patients and a mouse model of epileptic seizures; mice underexpressing JIP3 through lentivirus bearing LV-Letm1-RNAi showed decreased susceptibility, delayed first seizure and decreased seizure duration response to the epileptogenic properties of KA. Subsequently, a decreased activation of JNK following seizure induction was observed in mice underexpressing JIP3, which also exhibited less neuronal apoptosis in the CA3 region of the hippocampus, as assessed three days after KA administration. We also found that mice underexpressing JIP3 exhibited a delayed pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling seizure process. Copyright © 2015 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Changes in a Starting Pitcher's Performance Characteristics Across the Duration of a Major League Baseball Game.

PubMed

Whiteside, David; Martini, Douglas N; Zernicke, Ronald F; Goulet, Grant C

2016-03-01

With a view to informing in-game decision making as it relates to strategy and pitcher health, this study examined changes in pitching-performance characteristics across 9 innings of Major League Baseball (MLB) games. 129 starting MLB pitchers met the inclusion criteria for this study. Pitch type, speed, ball movement, release location, and strike-zone data-collected using the MLB's ball-tracking system, PITCHf/x-were obtained for 1,514,304 pitches thrown from 2008 to 2014. Compared with the 1st inning, the proportion of hard pitches thrown decreased significantly until the 7th inning, while the proportions of breaking and off-speed pitches increased. Significant decreases in pitch speed, increases in vertical movement, and decreases in release height emerged no later than the 5th inning, and the largest differences in all variables were generally recorded between the 1st inning and the late innings (7-9). Pitchers were most effective during the 2nd inning and significantly worse in innings 4 and 6. These data revealed that several aspects of a starting pitcher's pitching characteristics exhibited changes from baseline as early as the 2nd or 3rd inning of an MLB game, but this pattern did not reflect the changes in his effectiveness. Therefore, these alterations do not appear to provide reasonable justification for relieving a starting pitcher, although future work must address their relevance to injury. From an offensive standpoint, batters in the MLB should anticipate significantly more hard pitches during the early innings but more breaking and off-speed pitches, with decreasing speed, as the game progresses.

76 FR 25240 - Clothianidin; Pesticide Tolerances

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-04

... neurotoxicity were exhibited in both rats (decreased arousal, motor activity and locomotor activity) and mice... (decreased body weight gains and absolute thymus weights in pups, delayed sexual maturation and an increase.../day FQPA SF = 1x day.. based on decreased body weight gains and delayed sexual maturation, decreased...

Antihyperlipidemic activity of adenosine triphosphate in rabbits fed a high-fat diet and hyperlipidemic patients.

PubMed

Zhang, Lianshan; Liang, Libin; Tong, Tong; Qin, Yuguo; Xu, Yanping; Tong, Xinglong

2016-10-01

Context Recently, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was occasionally found to decrease the triglyceride (TG) levels in several hyperlipidemic patients in our clinical practice. Objective The study investigates the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of ATP in a high-fat fed rabbit model and hyperlipidemic patients. Materials and methods Twenty-four rabbits were randomly divided into three groups of eight animals each as follows: normal diet, high-fat diet and high-fat diet + ATP group. ATP supplementation (40 mg/day) was started at the 20th day and lasted for 10 days. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), TG, LDL-C, HDL-C were measured on the 20th day and 30th day. Heart, liver and aorta were subjected histopathological examination. Twenty outpatients diagnosed primary hyperlipidemia took ATP at a dose of 60 mg twice a day for 1 week. Results Feeding rabbits with a high-fat diet resulted in a significant elevation of lipid parameters including TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C compared to the normal diet group (p < 0.01). ATP treatment significantly decreased serum TG level (p < 0.01), whilst other parameters remained statistically unaltered. Meanwhile, ATP significantly reduced the thickness of fat layer in cardiac epicardium (p < 0.05) and pathological gradation of ballooning degeneration in hepatocytes (p < 0.05). After taking ATP for 1 week, hyperlipidemia patients exhibited a significant decrease of TG (p < 0.01), but other lipid parameters had no significant change. Discussion and conclusion The study indicates that ATP selectively decreases serum TG levels in high-fat diet rabbits and hyperlipidemic patients. Therefore, ATP supplementation may provide an effective approach to control TG level.

Hormonal and neuromuscular responses to mechanical vibration applied to upper extremity muscles.

PubMed

Di Giminiani, Riccardo; Fabiani, Leila; Baldini, Giuliano; Cardelli, Giovanni; Giovannelli, Aldo; Tihanyi, Jozsef

2014-01-01

To investigate the acute residual hormonal and neuromuscular responses exhibited following a single session of mechanical vibration applied to the upper extremities among different acceleration loads. Thirty male students were randomly assigned to a high vibration group (HVG), a low vibration group (LVG), or a control group (CG). A randomized double-blind, controlled-parallel study design was employed. The measurements and interventions were performed at the Laboratory of Biomechanics of the University of L'Aquila. The HVG and LVG participants were exposed to a series of 20 trials ×10 s of synchronous whole-body vibration (WBV) with a 10-s pause between each trial and a 4-min pause after the first 10 trials. The CG participants assumed an isometric push-up position without WBV. The outcome measures were growth hormone (GH), testosterone, maximal voluntary isometric contraction during bench-press, maximal voluntary isometric contraction during handgrip, and electromyography root-mean-square (EMGrms) muscle activity (pectoralis major [PM], triceps brachii [TB], anterior deltoid [DE], and flexor carpi radialis [FCR]). The GH increased significantly over time only in the HVG (P = 0.003). Additionally, the testosterone levels changed significantly over time in the LVG (P = 0.011) and the HVG (P = 0.001). MVC during bench press decreased significantly in the LVG (P = 0.001) and the HVG (P = 0.002). In the HVG, the EMGrms decreased significantly in the TB (P = 0.006) muscle. In the LVG, the EMGrms decreased significantly in the DE (P = 0.009) and FCR (P = 0.006) muscles. Synchronous WBV acutely increased GH and testosterone serum concentrations and decreased the MVC and their respective maximal EMGrms activities, which indicated a possible central fatigue effect. Interestingly, only the GH response was dependent on the acceleration with respect to the subjects' responsiveness.

Effectiveness of Neuromuscular Training Based on the Neuromuscular Risk Profile.

PubMed

Hewett, Timothy E; Ford, Kevin R; Xu, Yingying Y; Khoury, Jane; Myer, Gregory D

2017-07-01

The effects of targeted neuromuscular training (TNMT) on movement biomechanics associated with the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are currently unknown. Purpose/Hypotheses: To determine the effectiveness of TNMT specifically designed to increase trunk control and hip strength. The hypotheses were that (1) TNMT would decrease biomechanical and neuromuscular factors related to an increased ACL injury risk and (2) TNMT would decrease these biomechanical and neuromuscular factors to a greater extent in athletes identified as being at a high risk for future ACL injuries. Controlled laboratory study. Female athletes who participated in jumping, cutting, and pivoting sports underwent 3-dimensional biomechanical testing before the season and after completing TNMT. During testing, athletes performed 3 different types of tasks: (1) drop vertical jump, (2) single-leg drop, and (3) single-leg cross drop. Analysis of covariance was used to examine the treatment effects of TNMT designed to enhance core and hip strength on biomechanical and neuromuscular characteristics. Differences were also evaluated by risk profile. Differences were considered statistically significant at P < .05. TNMT significantly increased hip external rotation moments and moment impulses, increased peak trunk flexion, and decreased peak trunk extension. Athletes with a high risk before the intervention (risk profile III) had a more significant treatment effect of TNMT than low-risk groups (risk profiles I and II). TNMT significantly improved proximal biomechanics, including increased hip external rotation moments and moment impulses, increased peak trunk flexion, and decreased peak trunk extension. TNMT that focuses exclusively on proximal leg and trunk risk factors is not, however, adequate to induce significant changes in frontal-plane knee loading. Biomechanical changes varied across the risk profile groups, with higher risk groups exhibiting greater improvements in their biomechanics.

Nitrate decreases ruminal methane production with slight changes to ruminal methanogen composition of nitrate-adapted steers.

PubMed

Zhao, Liping; Meng, Qingxiang; Li, Yan; Wu, Hao; Huo, Yunlong; Zhang, Xinzhuang; Zhou, Zhenming

2018-03-20

This study was conducted to examine effects of nitrate on ruminal methane production, methanogen abundance, and composition. Six rumen-fistulated Limousin×Jinnan steers were fed diets supplemented with either 0% (0NR), 1% (1NR), or 2% (2NR) nitrate (dry matter basis) regimens in succession. Rumen fluid was taken after two-week adaptation for evaluation of in vitro methane production, methanogen abundance, and composition measurements. Results showed that nitrate significantly decreased in vitro ruminal methane production at 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h (P < 0.01; P < 0.01; P = 0.01). The 1NR and 2NR regimens numerically reduced the methanogen population by 4.47% and 25.82% respectively. However, there was no significant difference observed between treatments. The alpha and beta diversity of the methanogen community was not significantly changed by nitrate either. However, the relative abundance of the methanogen genera was greatly changed. Methanosphaera (P L  = 0.0033) and Methanimicrococcus (P L  = 0.0113) abundance increased linearly commensurate with increasing nitration levels, while Methanoplanus abundance was significantly decreased (P L  = 0.0013). The population of Methanoculleus, the least frequently identified genus in this study, exhibited quadratic growth from 0% to 2% when nitrate was added (P Q  = 0.0140). Correlation analysis found that methane reduction was significantly related to Methanobrevibacter and Methanoplanus abundance, and negatively correlated with Methanosphaera and Methanimicrococcus abundance.

Dimensions of the scala tympani in the human and cat with reference to cochlear implants.

PubMed

Hatsushika, S; Shepherd, R K; Tong, Y C; Clark, G M; Funasaka, S

1990-11-01

The width, height, and cross-sectional area of the scala tympani in both the human and cat were measured to provide dimensional information relevant to the design of scala tympani electrode arrays. Both the height and width of the human scala tympani decreased rapidly within the first 1.5 mm from the round window. Thereafter, they exhibit a gradual reduction in their dimension with increasing distance from the round window. The cross-sectional area of the human scala tympani reflects the changes observed in both the height and width. In contrast, the cat scala tympani exhibits a rapid decrease in its dimensions over the first 6 to 8 mm from the round window. However, beyond this point the cat scala tympani also exhibits a more gradual decrease in its dimensions. Finally, the width of the scala tympani, in both human and cat, is consistently greater than the height.

Long-term temporal trends and spatial patterns in the acid-base chemistry of lakes in the Adirondack region of New York in response to decreases in acidic deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Driscoll, Charles T.; Driscoll, Kimberley M.; Fakhraei, Habibollah; Civerolo, Kevin

2016-12-01

We examined the response of lake water chemistry in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, USA to decreases in acid deposition. Striking declines in the concentrations and fluxes of sulfate and hydrogen ion in wet deposition have been observed since the late 1970s, while significant decreases in nitrate have been evident since the early 2000s. Decreases in estimated dry sulfur and nitrate deposition have also occurred in the Adirondacks, but with no change in dry to wet deposition ratios. These patterns follow long-term decreases in anthropogenic emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the U.S. over the same interval. All of the 48 lakes monitored through the Adirondack Long-Term Monitoring program since 1992 have exhibited significant declines in sulfate concentrations, consistent with reductions in atmospheric deposition of sulfur. Nitrate concentrations have also significantly diminished at variable rates in many (33 of 48) lakes. Decreases in concentrations of sulfate plus nitrate (48 of 48) in lakes have driven widespread increases in acid neutralizing capacity (ANC; 42 of 48) and lab pH (33 of 48), and decreases in the toxic fraction, inorganic monomeric Al (45 of 48). Coincident with decreases in acid deposition, concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) have also increased in some (29 of 48) lakes. While recovery from elevated acid deposition is evident across Adirondack lakes, highly sensitive and impacted mounded seepages lakes and thin till drainage lakes are recovering most rapidly. Future research might focus on how much additional recovery could be achieved given the current deposition relative to future deposition anticipated under the Clean Power Plan, ecosystem effects of increased mobilization of dissolved organic matter, and the influence of changing climate on recovery from acidification.

Opiate-induced Changes in Brain Adenosine Levels and Narcotic Drug Responses

PubMed Central

Wu, Manhong; Sahbaie, Peyman; Zheng, Ming; Lobato, Robert; Boison, Detlev; Clark, J. David; Peltz, Gary

2012-01-01

We have very little information about the metabolomic changes that mediate neurobehavioral responses, including addiction. It was possible that opioid-induced metabolomic changes in brain could mediate some of the pharmacodynamic effects of opioids. To investigate this, opiate-induced brain metabolomic responses were profiled using a semi-targeted method in C57BL/6 and 129Sv1 mice, which exhibit extreme differences in their tendency to become opiate dependent. Escalating morphine doses (10–40 mg/kg) administered over a 4-day period selectively induced a two-fold decrease (p<0.00005) in adenosine abundance in the brainstem of C57BL/6 mice, which exhibited symptoms of narcotic drug dependence; but did not decrease adenosine abundance in 129Sv1 mice, which do not exhibit symptoms of dependence. Based on this finding, the effect of adenosine on dependence was investigated in genetically engineered mice with alterations in adenosine tone in the brain and in pharmacologic experiments. Morphine withdrawal behaviors were significantly diminished (P<0.0004) in genetically engineered mice with reduced adenosine tone in the brainstem, and by treatment with an adenosine receptor1 (A1) agonist (2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine, 0.5 mg/kg) or an A2a receptor (A2a) antagonist (SCH 58261 1 mg/kg). These results indicate that adenosine homeostasis plays a crucial role in narcotic drug responses. Opiate-induced changes in brain adenosine levels may explain many important neurobehavioral features associated with opiate addiction and withdrawal. PMID:23098802

Effects of short-term immersion and brushing with different denture cleansers on the roughness, hardness, and color of two types of acrylic resin.

PubMed

Panariello, Beatriz Helena Dias; Izumida, Fernanda Emiko; Moffa, Eduardo Buozi; Pavarina, Ana Claudia; Jorge, Janaina Habib; Giampaolo, Eunice Teresinha

2015-06-01

To investigate the cumulative effects of brushing (B) or immersion (I), using different cleansing agents, on the surface roughness, hardness and color stability of a heat-polymerized denture resin, Lucitone 550 (L), and a hard chairside reline resin, Tokuyama Rebase Fast II (T). A total of 316 specimens (10 x 2 mm) were fabricated. The specimens (n = 9) were divided into brushing or immersion groups according to the following agents: dentifrice/distilled water (D), 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), Corega Tabs (Pb), 1% chlorhexidine gluconate (Chx), and 0.2% peracetic acid (Ac). Brushing and immersion were tested independently. Assays were performed after 1, 3, 21, 45 and 90 brushing cycles or immersion of 10 seconds each. Data were evaluated statistically by repeated measures ANOVA. Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) post-hoc test was used to determine differences between means (α = 0.05). For L there was no statistically significant difference in roughness, except a significant decrease in roughness by brushing with D. T showed a significant effect on the roughness after 90 immersions with Ac. Hardness values decreased for L when specimens were immersed or brushed in NaOCl and Pb. The hardness of T decreased with increases in the repetitions (immersion or brushing), regardless of the cleaning method. Values of color stability for L resin showed significant color change after brushing with and immersion in Ac and Pb. Brushing with D exhibited a higher incidence of color change. For T there were no significant differences between cleaning agents and repetitions in immersion. A color change was noted after three brushings with the Ac, Chx, and D. Brushing with dentifrice decreased roughness of L. Immersion in or brushing with NaOCl and Pb decreased the hardness of L. For T, hardness decreased with increases in immersions or brushing. Color changes after the immersion in or brushing with cleaning agents were clinically acceptable according to National Bureau of Standards parameters for both resins.

One-pot electrospinning and gas-sensing properties of LaMnO3 perovskite/SnO2 heterojunction nanofibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Dongdong; Yi, Jianxin

2018-03-01

Using nanostructured composite materials is an effective way to obtain high-performance gas sensors. This work used p-type LaMnO3 perovskite-structured semiconductor as a novel promoter for SnO2 nanofibers and studied the gas-sensing characteristics. Nanofibers of 0-2.5-mol% LaMnO3/SnO2 were synthesized via one-pot electrospinning. Compared with pristine SnO2, LaMnO3/SnO2 composite nanofibers exhibited smaller particle size (10-30 nm) and higher BET surface area. XPS revealed that oxygen surface absorption decreased with increasing LaMnO3 content. 0.3-mol% LaMnO3/SnO2 exhibited significantly enhanced ethanol sensitivity relative to pristine SnO2. A response of 20 was obtained at the optimum temperature of 260 °C for 100-ppm ethanol. Higher LaMnO3 loading led to decrease of the ethanol response. The impact of LaMnO3 loading on the sensing behavior of SnO2 nanofibers was discussed in terms of p-n heterojunction formation and changes in the microstructure and catalytic properties.

Transposon mutagenesis reveals differential pathogenesis of Ralstonia solanacearum on tomato and Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Lin, Yu-Mei; Chou, I-Chun; Wang, Jaw-Fen; Ho, Fang-I; Chu, Yu-Ju; Huang, Pei-Cheng; Lu, Der-Kang; Shen, Hwei-Ling; Elbaz, Mounira; Huang, Shu-Mei; Cheng, Chiu-Ping

2008-09-01

Ralstonia solanacearum causes a deadly wilting disease on a wide range of crops. To elucidate pathogenesis of this bacterium in different host plants, we set out to identify R. solanacearum genes involved in pathogenesis by screening random transposon insertion mutants of a highly virulent strain, Pss190, on tomato and Arabidopsis thaliana. Mutants exhibiting various decreased virulence levels on these two hosts were identified. Sequence analysis showed that most, but not all, of the identified pathogenesis genes are conserved among distinct R. solanacearum strains. A few of the disrupted loci were not reported previously as being involved in R. solanacearum pathogenesis. Notably, a group of mutants exhibited differential pathogenesis on tomato and Arabidopsis. These results were confirmed by characterizing allelic mutants in one other R. solanacearum strain of the same phylotype. The significantly decreased mutants' colonization in Arabidopsis was found to be correlated with differential pathogenesis on these two plants. Differential requirement of virulence genes suggests adaptation of this bacterium in different host environments. Together, this study reveals commonalities and differences of R. solanacearum pathogenesis on single solanaceous and nonsolanaceous hosts, and provides important new insights into interactions between R. solanacearum and different host plants.

Composition of the gut microbiota modulates the severity of malaria

PubMed Central

Villarino, Nicolas F.; LeCleir, Gary R.; Denny, Joshua E.; Dearth, Stephen P.; Harding, Christopher L.; Sloan, Sarah S.; Gribble, Jennifer L.; Campagna, Shawn R.; Wilhelm, Steven W.; Schmidt, Nathan W.

2016-01-01

Plasmodium infections result in clinical presentations that range from asymptomatic to severe malaria, resulting in ∼1 million deaths annually. Despite this toll on humanity, the factors that determine disease severity remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the gut microbiota of mice influences the pathogenesis of malaria. Genetically similar mice from different commercial vendors, which exhibited differences in their gut bacterial community, had significant differences in parasite burden and mortality after infection with multiple Plasmodium species. Germfree mice that received cecal content transplants from “resistant” or “susceptible” mice had low and high parasite burdens, respectively, demonstrating the gut microbiota shaped the severity of malaria. Among differences in the gut flora were increased abundances of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in resistant mice. Susceptible mice treated with antibiotics followed by yogurt made from these bacterial genera displayed a decreased parasite burden. Consistent with differences in parasite burden, resistant mice exhibited an elevated humoral immune response compared with susceptible mice. Collectively, these results identify the composition of the gut microbiota as a previously unidentified risk factor for severe malaria and modulation of the gut microbiota (e.g., probiotics) as a potential treatment to decrease parasite burden. PMID:26858424

Apigenin exhibits protective effects in a mouse model of d-galactose-induced aging via activating the Nrf2 pathway.

PubMed

Sang, Ying; Zhang, Fan; Wang, Heng; Yao, Jianqiao; Chen, Ruichuan; Zhou, Zhengdao; Yang, Kun; Xie, Yan; Wan, Tianfeng; Ding, Hong

2017-06-21

The aim of the present research was to study the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of apigenin on d-galactose-induced aging mice. Firstly, apigenin exhibited a potent antioxidant activity in vitro. Secondly, d-galactose was administered by subcutaneous injection once daily for 8 weeks to establish an aging mouse model to investigate the protective effect of apigenin. We found that apigenin supplementation significantly ameliorated aging-related changes such as behavioral impairment, decreased organic index, histopathological injury, increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SAβ-gal) activity and advanced glycation end product (AGE) level. Further data showed that apigenin facilitated Nrf2 nuclear translocation both in aging mice and normal young mice, and the Nrf2 expression of normal young mice was higher than that of natural senile mice. In addition, the expressions of Nrf2 downstream gene targets, including HO-1 and NQO1, were also promoted by apigenin administration. Moreover, apigenin also decreased the MDA level and elevated SOD and CAT activities. In conclusion, focusing on the Nrf2 pathway is a suitable strategy to delay the aging process, and apigenin may exert an anti-senescent effect process via activating the Nrf2 pathway.

A Comparison of Mechanical Properties and Hydrogen Embrittlement Resistance of Austempered vs Quenched and Tempered 4340 Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tartaglia, John M.; Lazzari, Kristen A.; Hui, Grace P.; Hayrynen, Kathy L.

2008-03-01

This study was conducted to compare the hydrogen embrittlement (HE) resistance of austempered 4340 steel with quenched and tempered (Q&T) 4340 steel with an identical yield strength (YS) of 1340 MPa (194 ksi). A baseline comparison showed that the austempered steel with a lower bainite microstructure exhibited higher hardness, tensile strengths, Charpy V-notch (CVN) impact toughness, and ductility at both low 233 K (-40 F) and ambient temperatures, as compared to the Q&T steel with a martensite microstructure. After machining and just prior to testing, subsized CVN specimens and notched bend specimens were immersed in hydrochloric acid-water baths. The HE resistance was higher for the austempered steel than the Q&T steel. No differences in room-temperature CVN energy resulted from hydrogen charging of the austempered and Q&T steels vs their unexposed counterparts. However, in the notched bend specimens, the hydrogen charging caused significant peak load decreases (40 pct) for the Q&T steel, while the austempered steel exhibited only small (6 pct) decreases in peak load. Intergranular (IG) fracture occurred solely in the charged Q&T bend samples, which is further evidence of their embrittlement.

Hypoxia-inducible factor regulates alphavbeta3 integrin cell surface expression.

PubMed

Cowden Dahl, Karen D; Robertson, Sarah E; Weaver, Valerie M; Simon, M Celeste

2005-04-01

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-deficient placentas exhibit a number of defects, including changes in cell fate adoption, lack of fetal angiogenesis, hypocellularity, and poor invasion into maternal tissue. HIF is a heterodimeric transcription factor consisting of alpha and beta aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator or ARNT) subunits. We used undifferentiated trophoblast stem (TS) cells to characterize HIF-dependent adhesion, migration, and invasion. Arnt(-/-) and Hifalpha(-/-) TS cells exhibit reduced adhesion and migration toward vitronectin compared with wild-type cells. Furthermore, this defect is associated with decreased cell surface expression of integrin alphavbeta3 and significantly decreased expression of this integrin in focal adhesions. Because of the importance of adhesion and migration in tumor progression (in addition to placental development), we examined the affect of culturing B16F0 melanoma cells in 1.5% oxygen (O(2)). Culturing B16F0 melanoma cells at 1.5% O(2) resulted in increased alphavbeta3 integrin surface expression and increased adhesion to and migration toward vitronectin. Together, these data suggest that HIF and O(2) tension influence placental invasion and tumor migration by increasing cell surface expression of alphavbeta3 integrin.

Hypoxia-inducible Factor Regulates αvβ3 Integrin Cell Surface Expression

PubMed Central

Cowden Dahl, Karen D.; Robertson, Sarah E.; Weaver, Valerie M.; Simon, M. Celeste

2005-01-01

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-deficient placentas exhibit a number of defects, including changes in cell fate adoption, lack of fetal angiogenesis, hypocellularity, and poor invasion into maternal tissue. HIF is a heterodimeric transcription factor consisting of α and β aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator or ARNT) subunits. We used undifferentiated trophoblast stem (TS) cells to characterize HIF-dependent adhesion, migration, and invasion. Arnt-/- and Hifα-/- TS cells exhibit reduced adhesion and migration toward vitronectin compared with wild-type cells. Furthermore, this defect is associated with decreased cell surface expression of integrin αvβ3 and significantly decreased expression of this integrin in focal adhesions. Because of the importance of adhesion and migration in tumor progression (in addition to placental development), we examined the affect of culturing B16F0 melanoma cells in 1.5% oxygen (O2). Culturing B16F0 melanoma cells at 1.5% O2 resulted in increased αvβ3 integrin surface expression and increased adhesion to and migration toward vitronectin. Together, these data suggest that HIF and O2 tension influence placental invasion and tumor migration by increasing cell surface expression of αvβ3 integrin. PMID:15689487

Effect of root canal obturation with calcium silicate materials on pH change in simulated root resorption defects.

PubMed

Aggarwal, Vivek; Singla, Mamta; Miglani, Sanjay; Sharma, Ritu

2018-01-01

This study evaluated the effect of 3 commercially available calcium silicate materials (CSMs) on pH changes in simulated root resorption defects. Simulated root resorption defects were prepared on the facial root surface of 40 mandibular premolars. The depth of each defect was individually calculated to standardize the remaining dentin thickness to 1 mm. Prepared canals were obturated with the 3 CSMs. Ten specimens were kept as controls, filled with unbuffered normal saline. The pH measurements were taken at 1 hour, 6 hours, 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months. All CSM groups exhibited an initial alkaline pH of 9.0-9.7. The pH decreased to 8.0-8.5 after 2 months of storage. There were no significant differences between pH measurements at other time intervals. The CSM groups exhibited higher pH levels than the control group. The results showed that intracanal placement of the CSMs maintained initial pH levels of 9.0-9.7 inside the simulated resorption defects; these measurements gradually decreased to 8.0-8.5 over the span of 2 months.

Antiplasmodial Activity of [(Aryl)arylsulfanylmethyl]Pyridine▿ †‡

PubMed Central

Kumar, Sanjay; Das, Sajal Kumar; Dey, Sumanta; Maity, Pallab; Guha, Mithu; Choubey, Vinay; Panda, Gautam; Bandyopadhyay, Uday

2008-01-01

A series of [(aryl)arylsufanylmethyl]pyridines (AASMP) have been synthesized. These compounds inhibited hemozoin formation, formed complexes (KD = 12 to 20 μM) with free heme (ferriprotoporphyrin IX) at a pH close to the pH of the parasite food vacuole, and exhibited antimalarial activity in vitro. The inhibition of hemozoin formation may develop oxidative stress in Plasmodium falciparum due to the accumulation of free heme. Interestingly, AASMP developed oxidative stress in the parasite, as evident from the decreased level of glutathione and increased formation of lipid peroxide, H2O2, and hydroxyl radical (·OH) in P. falciparum. AASMP also caused mitochondrial dysfunction by decreasing mitochondrial potential (ΔΨm) in malaria parasite, as measured by both flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, the generation of ·OH may be mainly responsible for the antimalarial effect of AASMP since ·OH scavengers such as mannitol, as well as spin trap α-phenyl-n-tertbutylnitrone, significantly protected P. falciparum from AASMP-mediated growth inhibition. Cytotoxicity testing of the active compounds showed selective activity against malaria parasite with selectivity indices greater than 100. AASMP also exhibited profound antimalarial activity in vivo against chloroquine resistant P. yoelii. Thus, AASMP represents a novel class of antimalarial. PMID:18025110

Evaluation of zinc accumulation, allocation, and tolerance in Zea mays L. seedlings: implication for zinc phytoextraction.

PubMed

Bashmakov, Dmitry I; Lukatkin, Alexander S; Anjum, Naser A; Ahmad, Iqbal; Pereira, Eduarda

2015-10-01

This work investigated the accumulation, allocation, and impact of zinc (Zn; 1.0 μM-10 mM) in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings under simulated laboratory conditions. Z. mays exhibited no significant change in its habitus (the physical characteristics of plants) up to 10-1000 μM of Zn (vs 5-10 mM Zn). Zn tolerance evaluation, based on the root test, indicated a high tolerance of Z. mays to both low and intermediate (or relatively high) concentrations of Zn, whereas this plant failed to tolerate 10 mM Zn and exhibited a 5-fold decrease in its Zn tolerance. Contingent to Zn treatment levels, Zn hampered the growth of axial organs and brought decreases in the leaf area, water regime, and biomass accumulation. Nevertheless, at elevated levels of Zn (10 mM), Zn(2+) was stored in the root cytoplasm and inhibited both axial organ growth and water regime. However, accumulation and allocation of Zn in Z. mays roots, studied herein employing X-ray fluorimeter and histochemical methods, were close to Zn accumulator plants. Overall, the study outcomes revealed Zn tolerance of Z. mays, and also implicate its potential role in Zn phytoextraction.

Study of magnetic field distribution in anisotropic single twin-boundary magnetic shape memory (MSM) element in actuators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gabdullin, N.; Khan, S. H.

2017-10-01

Magnetic shape memory effect exhibited by certain alloys at room temperature is known for almost 20 years. The most studied MSM alloys are Ni-Mn-Ga alloys which exhibit up to 12% magnetic field-induced strain (change in shape) depending on microstructure. A multibillion cycle operation without malfunction along with their “smart” properties make them very promising for application in electromagnetic (EM) actuators and sensors. However, considerable twinning stress of MSM crystals resulting in magneto-mechanical hysteresis decreases the efficiency and output force of MSM actuators. Whereas twinning stress of conventional MSM crystals has been significantly decreased over the years, novel crystals with Type II twin boundaries (TBs) possess even lower twinning stress. Unfortunately, the microstructure of MSM crystals with very low twinning stress tends to be unstable leading to their rapid crack growth. Whilst this phenomenon has been studied experimentally, the magnetic field distribution in anisotropic single twin-boundary MSM elements has not been considered yet. This paper analyses the magnetic field distribution in two-variant single twin-boundary MSM elements and discusses its effects on magnetic field-induced stress acting on the twin boundary.

The different effects of high-frequency stimulation of the nucleus accumbens shell and core on food consumption are possibly associated with different neural responses in the lateral hypothalamic area.

PubMed

Wei, N; Wang, Y; Wang, X; He, Z; Zhang, M; Zhang, X; Pan, Y; Zhang, J; Qin, Z; Zhang, K

2015-08-20

Obesity may result from dysfunction of the reward system, especially in the nucleus accumbens (Acb). Based on this hypothesis, many researchers have tested the effect of high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of the Acb shell (Acb-Sh) and/or core (Acb-Co) on ingestive behaviors, but few studies have explored the possible mechanisms involved in the differences between the Acb-Sh and Acb-Co. The present study tested effects of HFS of the Acb-Sh and Acb-Co on high-fat food (HFF) consumption in rats after 24h of food deprivation. Microdialysis and electrophysiological experiments were carried out in awake rats to explore potential mechanisms. The results showed that the Acb-Sh decreased HFF consumption after food deprivation both during and post-HFS. However, HFS of the Acb-Co did not induce similar changes in food consumption. HFS of the Acb-Sh (Sh-HFS) induced an increase in GABA level in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) during both phases, whereas HFS of the Acb-Co (Co-HFS) did not exhibit similar effects. The electrophysiological experiment showed that nearly all the LHA neurons were inhibited by Sh-HFS, and the mean firing rate decreased significantly both during and post-HFS. In contrast, the mean firing rate of the LHA neurons did not exhibit clear changes during Co-HFS, although some individual neurons appeared to exhibit responses to Co-HFS. Considering all the data, we postulated that Sh-HFS, rather than Co-HFS, might inhibit palatable food consumption after food deprivation by decreasing the reward value of that food, which suggested that it might also disturb the process of developing obesity. The mechanisms involved in the different effects of Sh-HFS and Co-HFS on food consumption may be associated with different neural responses in the LHA. The Acb-Sh has abundant GABAergic projections to the LHA, whereas the Acb-Co has few or no GABAergic innervations to the LHA. Thus, neural activity in the LHA exhibits different responses to Sh-HFS and Co-HFS. Copyright © 2015 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Oxymatrine Inhibits Proliferation and Migration While Inducing Apoptosis in Human Glioblastoma Cells

PubMed Central

Wang, Baocheng; Wang, Jiajia; Li, Qifeng; Meng, Wei

2016-01-01

Oxymatrine (OMT), an alkaloid derived from the traditional Chinese medicine herb Sophora flavescens Aiton, has been shown to exhibit anticancer properties on various types of cancer cells. In this study, we investigate the anticancer properties of OMT on human glioblastoma (GBM) cells and evaluate their underlying mechanisms. MTT assays were performed and demonstrated that OMT significantly inhibits the proliferation of GBM cells. Flow cytometry suggested that OMT at a concentration of 10−5 M may induce apoptosis in U251 and A172 cells. Western blot analyses demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of Bax and caspase-3 and a significant decrease in expression of Bcl-2 in both U251 and A172 cells. Additionally, OMT was found by transwell and high-content screening assays to decrease the migratory ability of the evaluated GBM cells. These findings suggest that the antitumor effects of OMT may be the result of inhibition of cell proliferation and migration and the induction of apoptosis by regulating the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins. OMT may represent a novel anticancer therapy for the treatment of GBM. PMID:27957488

Modulation of radiation-induced and mitomycin C-induced chromosome damage by apigenin in human lymphocytes in vitro.

PubMed

Sharma, Narinder K

2013-09-01

Apigenin (APG), a flavone, is known to exhibit antioxidant, antimutagenic and antitumorigenic activity, both in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this study is to investigate the modulatory effects of APG on human lymphocytes after irradiation with gamma rays (3 Gy) or treatment with the antineoplastic agent, mitomycin C (MMC), in vitro. Cytogenetic biomarkers such as chromosome aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and cytochalasin-B blocked micronuclei (CBMN), were studied in blood lymphocytes treated with radiation, or antineoplastic agent (MMC), and APG. Whole blood lymphocytes were cultured in vitro using a standard protocol. No significant differences were found in the frequency of CAs or micronuclei (MN) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes irradiated with gamma rays (3 Gy) and then post-treated with APG. There was an increase in the frequency of SCEs per cell in APG-treated samples compared with the controls. Lymphocytes treated with MMC in the presence of APG exhibited a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in the frequency of SCEs compared with MMC treatment alone. The data for the MN test indicated that APG treatment significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the frequency of MMC-induced MN.

Modulation of radiation-induced and mitomycin C-induced chromosome damage by apigenin in human lymphocytes in vitro

PubMed Central

Sharma, Narinder K.

2013-01-01

Apigenin (APG), a flavone, is known to exhibit antioxidant, antimutagenic and antitumorigenic activity, both in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this study is to investigate the modulatory effects of APG on human lymphocytes after irradiation with gamma rays (3 Gy) or treatment with the antineoplastic agent, mitomycin C (MMC), in vitro. Cytogenetic biomarkers such as chromosome aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and cytochalasin-B blocked micronuclei (CBMN), were studied in blood lymphocytes treated with radiation, or antineoplastic agent (MMC), and APG. Whole blood lymphocytes were cultured in vitro using a standard protocol. No significant differences were found in the frequency of CAs or micronuclei (MN) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes irradiated with gamma rays (3 Gy) and then post-treated with APG. There was an increase in the frequency of SCEs per cell in APG-treated samples compared with the controls. Lymphocytes treated with MMC in the presence of APG exhibited a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in the frequency of SCEs compared with MMC treatment alone. The data for the MN test indicated that APG treatment significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the frequency of MMC-induced MN. PMID:23764456

Disruption of growth hormone receptor gene causes diminished pancreatic islet size and increased insulin sensitivity in mice.

PubMed

Liu, Jun-Li; Coschigano, Karen T; Robertson, Katie; Lipsett, Mark; Guo, Yubin; Kopchick, John J; Kumar, Ujendra; Liu, Ye Lauren

2004-09-01

Growth hormone, acting through its receptor (GHR), plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism and in promoting postnatal growth. GHR gene-deficient (GHR(-/-)) mice exhibit severe growth retardation and proportionate dwarfism. To assess the physiological relevance of growth hormone actions, GHR(-/-) mice were used to investigate their phenotype in glucose metabolism and pancreatic islet function. Adult GHR(-/-) mice exhibited significant reductions in the levels of blood glucose and insulin, as well as insulin mRNA accumulation. Immunohistochemical analysis of pancreatic sections revealed normal distribution of the islets despite a significantly smaller size. The average size of the islets found in GHR(-/-) mice was only one-third of that in wild-type littermates. Total beta-cell mass was reduced 4.5-fold in GHR(-/-) mice, significantly more than their body size reduction. This reduction in pancreatic islet mass appears to be related to decreases in proliferation and cell growth. GHR(-/-) mice were different from the human Laron syndrome in serum insulin level, insulin responsiveness, and obesity. We conclude that growth hormone signaling is essential for maintaining pancreatic islet size, stimulating islet hormone production, and maintaining normal insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis.

Chios mastic treatment of patients with active Crohn’s disease

PubMed Central

Kaliora, Andriana C; Stathopoulou, Maria G; Triantafillidis, John K; Dedoussis, George VZ; Andrikopoulos, Nikolaos K

2007-01-01

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of mastic administration on the clinical course and plasma inflammatory mediators of patients with active Crohn’s disease (CD). METHODS: This pilot study was conducted in patients with established mild to moderately active CD, attending the outpatient clinics of the hospital, and in healthy controls. Ten patients and 8 controls were recruited for a 4-wk treatment with mastic caps (6 caps/d, 0.37 g/cap). All patients successfully completed the protocol. CD Activity Index (CDAI), Nutritional Risk Index (NRI), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and total antioxidant potential (TAP) were evaluated in the plasma at baseline and at the end of the treatment period. Results were expressed as mean values ± SE and P < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: Patients exhibited significant reduction of CDAI (222.9 ± 18.7 vs 136.3 ± 12.3, P = 0.05) as compared to pretreament values. Plasma IL-6 was significantly decreased (21.2 ± 9.3 pg/mL vs 7.2 ± 2.8 pg/ mL, P = 0.027), and so did CRP (40.3 ± 13.1 mg/mL vs 19.7 ± 5.5, P = 0.028). TAP was significantly increased (0.15 ± 0.09 vs 0.57 ± 0.15 mmol/L uric acid, P = 0.036). No patient or control exhibited any kind of side effects. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that mastic significantly decreased the activity index and the plasma levels of IL-6 and CRP in patients with mildly to moderately active CD. Further double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in a larger number of patients are required to clarify the role of this natural product in the treatment of patients with CD. PMID:17278198

Characterization of osimertinib (AZD9291)-resistant non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H1975/OSIR cell line

PubMed Central

Guo, Xia; Fong, Chi Man Vivienne; Chen, Xiuping; Lu, Jin-Jian

2016-01-01

Osimertinib (OSI, also known as AZD9291) is the newest FDA-approved epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR T790M mutation. However, resistance to OSI is likely to progress and the study of potential OSI-resistant mechanisms in advanced is necessary. Here, the OSI-resistant NCI-H1975/OSIR cells were established. After cells developed resistance to OSI, cell proliferation was decreased while cell migration and invasion were increased. The NCI-H1975/OSIR cells exhibited more resistance to gefitinib, erlotinib, afatinib, rociletinib, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil, meanwhile showing higher sensitivity to paclitaxel, when compared with NCI-H1975 cells. In addition, the NCI-H1975/OSIR cells did not display multidrug resistance phenotype. The activation and expression of EGFR were decreased after cells exhibited resistance. Compared with NCI-H1975 cells, the activation of ERK and AKT in NCI-H1975/OSIR cells could not be significantly inhibited by OSI treatment. Navitoclax (ABT-263)-induced cell viability inhibition and apoptosis were more significant in NCI-H1975/OSIR cells than that in NCI-H1975 cells. Moreover, these effects of navitoclax in NCI-H1975/OSIR cells could be reversed by pretreatment of Z-VAD-FMK. Collectively, loss of EGFR could pose as one of the OSI-resistant mechanisms and navitoclax might be the candidate drug for OSI-resistant NSCLC patients. PMID:27835594

Sub-chronic safety evaluation of aqueous extract of Alangium salvifolium (L.f.) Wangerin leaves in rats.

PubMed

Kapoor, Bhupinder; Kaur, Gagandeep; Gupta, Mukta; Gupta, Reena

2017-01-01

Conventionally, the juice and extract of Alangium salvifolium leaves have been used for the treatment of diabetes, wound healing, dog bite, and as a poultice in rheumatism. To carry out the sub-chronic toxicity and thereafter safety evaluation of A. salvifolium leaves. The aqueous extract of A. salvifolium leaves was administered orally at the doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/day for 90 days. All the animals were observed daily for general behavior, changes in body weight, food, and water consumption. At the end of the treatment period, biochemical and hematological parameters were analyzed; and the animals were sacrificed for histopathological examination of heart, lungs, liver, and kidney. The general behavior and water intake were normal in all the rats. The increase in body weight was observed in female rats of all the groups while body weight was decreased in high dose group animals of both sexes. Hematological parameters were not disturbed by the continuous use of extract. A significant decrease in glucose level was observed in intermediate- and high-dose group animals while urea and creatinine level were significantly high in animals of high-dose group. Although histopathological examination of most of the organs exhibited no structural changes, some tubal damage in kidneys was observed in high-dose group animals. The high dose of extract has shown mild signs of toxicity on kidney function test, but no toxic response was observed on hematological and liver biochemical parameters. The extract also exhibited hypoglycemic potential.

The relationship between phenolics and flavonoids production with total non structural carbohydrate and photosynthetic rate in Labisia pumila Benth. under high CO2 and nitrogen fertilization.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Mohd Hafiz; Jaafar, Hawa Z E; Rahmat, Asmah; Rahman, Zaharah Abdul

2010-12-29

A factorial split plot 4 × 3 experiment was designed to examine and characterize the relationship among production of secondary metabolites (total phenolics, TP; total flavonoids, TF), carbohydrate content and photosynthesis of three varieties of the Malaysian medicinal herb Labisia pumila Benth. namely the varieties alata, pumila and lanceolata under CO(2) enrichment (1,200 µmol mol(-1)) combined with four levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg N ha(-1)). No varietal differences were observed, however, as the levels of nitrogen increased from 0 to 270 kg N ha(-1), the production of TP and TF decreased in the order leaves>roots>stems. The production of TP and TF was related to increased total non structural carbohydrate (TNC), where the increase in starch content was larger than that in sugar concentration. Nevertheless, the regression analysis exhibited a higher influence of soluble sugar concentration (r(2) = 0.88) than starch on TP and TF biosynthesis. Photosynthesis, on the other hand, displayed a significant negative relationship with TP and TF production (r(2) = -0.87). A decrease in photosynthetic rate with increasing secondary metabolites might be due to an increase in the shikimic acid pathway that results in enhanced production of TP and TF. Chlorophyll content exhibited very significant negative relationships with total soluble sugar, starch and total non structural carbohydrate.

Acne phototherapy using UV-free high-intensity narrow-band blue light: a three-center clinical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shalita, Alan R.; Harth, Yoram; Elman, Monica; Slatkine, Michael; Talpalariu, Gerry; Rosenberg, Yitzhak; Korman, Avner; Klein, Arieh

2001-05-01

Propionibacterium. acnes is a Gram positive, microaerophilic bacterium which takes a part in the pathogenesis of inflammatory acne. P. acnes is capable to produce high amounts endogenic porphyrins with no need of any trigger molecules. Light in the violet-blue range (407-420 nm) has been shown to exhibit a phototoxic effect on Propionibacterium acnes when irradiated in vitro. The purpose of our study was to test the clinical effects of a high intensity narrowband blue light source on papulo pustular acne. A total of 35 patients in 3 centers were treated twice a week with a high intensity metal halide lamp illuminating the entire face (20x20 cm2) or the back with visible light in the 407-420 nm range at an intensity of 90 mW/cm2 (CureLight Ltd.) for a total of 4 weeks. UV is totally cut off. In each treatment the patient was exposed to light for 8-15 minutes. After 8 treatments, 80% of the patients with mild to moderate papulo-pustular acne showed significant improvement at reducing the numbers of non- inflammatory, inflammatory and total facial lesions. Inflammatory lesion count decrease by a mean of 68%. No side effects to the treatment were noticed. In conclusion, full face or back illumination with the high intensity pure blue light we used exhibits a rapid significant decrease in acne lesions counts in 8 biweekly treatments.

The influence of sex chromosome aneuploidy on brain asymmetry.

PubMed

Rezaie, Roozbeh; Daly, Eileen M; Cutter, William J; Murphy, Declan G M; Robertson, Dene M W; DeLisi, Lynn E; Mackay, Clare E; Barrick, Thomas R; Crow, Timothy J; Roberts, Neil

2009-01-05

The cognitive deficits present in individuals with sex chromosome aneuploidies suggest that hemispheric differentiation of function is determined by an X-Y homologous gene [Crow (1993); Lancet 342:594-598]. In particular, females with Turner's syndrome (TS) who have only one X-chromosome exhibit deficits of spatial ability whereas males with Klinefelter's syndrome (KS) who possess a supernumerary X-chromosome are delayed in acquiring words. Since spatial and verbal abilities are generally associated with right and left hemispheric function, such deficits may relate to anomalies of cerebral asymmetry. We therefore applied a novel image analysis technique to investigate the relationship between sex chromosome dosage and structural brain asymmetry. Specifically, we tested Crow's prediction that the magnitude of the brain torque (i.e., a combination of rightward frontal and leftward occipital asymmetry) would, as a function of sex chromosome dosage, be respectively decreased in TS women and increased in KS men, relative to genotypically normal controls. We found that brain torque was not significantly different in TS women and KS men, in comparison to controls. However, TS women exhibited significantly increased leftward brain asymmetry, restricted to the posterior of the brain and focused on the superior temporal and parietal-occipital association cortex, while KS men showed a trend for decreased brain asymmetry throughout the frontal lobes. The findings suggest that the number of sex chromosomes influences the development of brain asymmetry not simply to modify the torque but in a complex pattern along the antero-posterior axis. 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Cytosolic Fe-S Cluster Protein Maturation and Iron Regulation Are Independent of the Mitochondrial Erv1/Mia40 Import System.

PubMed

Ozer, Hatice K; Dlouhy, Adrienne C; Thornton, Jeremy D; Hu, Jingjing; Liu, Yilin; Barycki, Joseph J; Balk, Janneke; Outten, Caryn E

2015-11-13

The sulfhydryl oxidase Erv1 partners with the oxidoreductase Mia40 to import cysteine-rich proteins in the mitochondrial intermembrane space. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Erv1 has also been implicated in cytosolic Fe-S protein maturation and iron regulation. To investigate the connection between Erv1/Mia40-dependent mitochondrial protein import and cytosolic Fe-S cluster assembly, we measured Mia40 oxidation and Fe-S enzyme activities in several erv1 and mia40 mutants. Although all the erv1 and mia40 mutants exhibited defects in Mia40 oxidation, only one erv1 mutant strain (erv1-1) had significantly decreased activities of cytosolic Fe-S enzymes. Further analysis of erv1-1 revealed that it had strongly decreased glutathione (GSH) levels, caused by an additional mutation in the gene encoding the glutathione biosynthesis enzyme glutamate cysteine ligase (GSH1). To address whether Erv1 or Mia40 plays a role in iron regulation, we measured iron-dependent expression of Aft1/2-regulated genes and mitochondrial iron accumulation in erv1 and mia40 strains. The only strain to exhibit iron misregulation is the GSH-deficient erv1-1 strain, which is rescued with addition of GSH. Together, these results confirm that GSH is critical for cytosolic Fe-S protein biogenesis and iron regulation, whereas ruling out significant roles for Erv1 or Mia40 in these pathways. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Beneficial effects of Allium sativum L. stem extract on lipid metabolism and antioxidant status in obese mice fed a high-fat diet.

PubMed

Kim, Inhye; Kim, Haeng-Ran; Kim, Jae-Hyun; Om, Ae-Son

2013-08-30

This study was designed to examine the potential health benefits of Allium sativum L. (garlic) stem extract (ASSE) on obesity and related disorders in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Obese mice were orally administered ASSE at doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for 4 weeks. Consumption of ASSE significantly suppressed body weight gain and white adipose tissue (WAT) weight regardless of daily food intake. Obese mice fed ASSE also exhibited a significant decrease in WAT cell size. The decreased level of adiponectin and increased level of leptin in obese mice reverted to near normal mice levels in ASSE-treated mice. ASSE administration significantly improved lipid parameters of the serum and liver and inhibited fat accumulation in the liver by modulating the activities of hepatic lipid-regulating enzymes in obese mice. Administration of ASSE also led to significant increases in antioxidant enzymes and suppressed glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation in hepatic tissue. These results suggest that ASSE may ameliorate obesity, insulin resistance and oxidative damage in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.

Desalination of fish sauce by electrodialysis: effect on selected aroma compounds and amino acid compositions.

PubMed

Chindapan, Nathamol; Devahastin, Sakamon; Chiewchan, Naphaporn; Sablani, Shyam S

2011-09-01

Fish sauce is an ingredient that exhibits unique flavor and is widely used by people in Southeast Asia. Fish sauce, however, contains a significant amount of salt (sodium chloride). Recently, electrodialysis (ED) has been successfully applied to reduce salt in fish sauce; however, no information is available on the effect of ED on changes in compounds providing aroma and taste of ED-treated fish sauce. The selected aroma compounds, amino acids, and sensory quality of the ED-treated fish sauce with various salt concentrations were then analyzed. The amounts of trimethylamine, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, phenols, and all carboxylic acids except for hexanoic acid significantly decreased, whereas benzaldehyde increased significantly when the salt removal level was higher. The amounts of all amino acids decreased with the increased salt removal level. Significant difference in flavor and saltiness intensity among ED-treated fish sauce with various salt concentrations, as assessed by a discriminative test, were observed. Information obtained in this work can serve as a guideline for optimization of a process to produce low-sodium fish sauce by ED. It also forms a basis for further in-depth sensory analysis of low-sodium fish sauce. © 2011 Institute of Food Technologists®

Psychological Evaluation of Animal-assisted Intervention (AAI) Programs Involving Visiting Dogs and Cats for Alcohol Dependents: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Ohtani, Nobuyo; Narita, Shin; Yoshihara, Eiji; Ohta, Mitsuaki; Iwahashi, Kazuhiko

2015-12-01

The purpose of this study was to develop an evaluation method for animal-assisted intervention (AAI) programs involving Mood Check List-Short form.2 (MCL-S.2) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for psychiatric daycare of Japanese alcohol. dependents. A total of 36 alcohol dependents completed the study and questionnaires assessing their state. A single session of AAI reduced both subjective and physiological measures of state anxiety (A-State); and this program induced a significant reduction in the anxiety after an AAI program session with the dogs and cats involved in the intervention (p = 0.001). The Wilcoxon t-test showed that there were also significant differences in the "anxiety", "pleasantness", and "relaxation". scores for MCL-S.2 among the alcohol dependents, before and after AAI; a significantly decreased "anxiety" score (p = 0.006), and increased "pleasantness" (p = 0.002) and "relaxation" (p=0.012) scores for MCL-S.2 after AAI. The results of this study indicated that alcohol dependents who experienced a group AAI session-program exhibited significant improvements in their feeling; decreased anxiety, and increased pleasantness and relaxation.

Direct oral anticoagulants: analysis of worldwide use and popularity using Google Trends

PubMed Central

Mattiuzzi, Camilla; Cervellin, Gianfranco; Favaloro, Emmanuel J.

2017-01-01

Background Four direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been approved for clinical use by many medicines regulatory agencies around the world. Due to increasing use of these drugs in routine practice, we planned an original study to investigate their worldwide diffusion using a popular Web-search engine. Methods Two electronic searches were performed using Google Trends, the former using the keywords “warfarin” AND “heparin” AND “fondaparinux”, and the latter using the keywords “warfarin” AND “dabigatran” AND “rivaroxaban” AND “apixaban” AND “edoxaban”, both using the search criterion “prescription drug”. No language restriction was applied, and the searches were carried out from the first date available in Google Trends (January 1st, 2004) to present time (June 1st, 2017). Results The median Google Trends score of warfarin (i.e., 86) was consistently higher than that of heparin (54; P<0.001), fondaparinux (6; P<0.001), dabigatran (11; P<0.001), rivaroxaban (5; P<0.001), apixaban (1; P<0.001) and edoxaban (1; P<0.001). Specific analysis of the trends shows that the score of warfarin exhibits a highly significant decrease over time (r=−0.40; P<0.001), whilst that of heparin has remained virtually unchanged (r=0.12; P=0.127), and that of fondaparinux has marginally increased (r=0.16; P=0.038). As regards DOACs, the scores of these drugs significantly increased during the search period (dabigatran, r=0.79; rivaroxaban, r=0.99; apixaban, r=0.98; edoxaban, r=0.78; all P<0.001). When the analysis was limited to the past five years, the dabigatran score significantly decreased (r=−0.57; P<0.001), whereas that of the other DOACs exhibited an even sharper increase. Most Google searches for DOACs were performed in North America, central-eastern Europe and Australia. Conclusions The results of our analysis suggest that the popularity of DOACs is constantly increasing around the world, whereas that of warfarin has exhibited a constant and inexorable decline. PMID:28861419

Nasal biopsies of children exposed to air pollutants.

PubMed

Calderón-Garcidueñas, L; Rodriguez-Alcaraz, A; Valencia-Salazar, G; Mora-Tascareño, A; García, R; Osnaya, N; Villarreal-Calderón, A; Devlin, R B; Van Dyke, T

2001-01-01

Southwest Metropolitan Mexico City (SWMMC) atmosphere is a complex mixture of air pollutants, including ozone, particulate matter, and aldehydes. Children in SWMMC are exposed chronically and sequentially to numerous toxicants, and they exhibit significant nasal damage. The objective of this study was to assess p53 accumulation by immunohistochemistry in nasal biopsies of SWMMC children. We evaluated 111 biopsies from 107 children (83 exposed SWMMC children and 24 control children residents in a pollutant-compliant Caribbean island). Complete clinical histories and physical examinations, including an ear-nose-throat (ENT) exam were done. There was a significant statistical difference in the upper and lower respiratory symptomatology and ENT findings between control and exposed children (p < 0.001). Control children gave no respiratory symptomatology in the 3 months prior to the study; their biopsies exhibited normal ciliated respiratory epithelium and were p53-negative. SWMMC children complained of epistaxis, nasal obstruction. and crusting. Irregular areas of whitish-gray recessed mucosa over the inferior and middle turbinates were seen in 25% of SWMMC children, and their nasal biopsies displayed basal cell hyperplasia, decreased numbers of ciliated and goblet cells, neutrophilic epithelial infiltrates, squamous metaplasia. and mild dysplasia. Four of 21 SWMMC children with grossly abnormal mucosal changes exhibited strong transmural nuclear p53 staining in their nasal biopsies (p 0.005, odds ratio 26). In the context of lifetime exposures to toxic and potentially carcinogenic air pollutants, p53 nasal induction in children could potentially represent. a) a checkpoint response to toxic exposures, setting up a selective condition for p53 mutation, or b) a p53 mutation has already occurred as a result of such selection. Because the biological significance of p53 nuclear accumulation in the nasal biopsies of these children is not clear at this point, we strongly suggest that children with macroscopic nasal mucosal abnormalities should be closely monitored by the ENT physician. Parents should be advised to decrease the children's number of outdoor exposure hours and encourage a balanced diet with an important component of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Abnormal trajectories in cerebellum and brainstem volumes in carriers of the fragile X premutation.

PubMed

Wang, Jun Yi; Hessl, David; Hagerman, Randi J; Simon, Tony J; Tassone, Flora; Ferrer, Emilio; Rivera, Susan M

2017-07-01

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder typically affecting male premutation carriers with 55-200 CGG trinucleotide repeat expansions in the FMR1 gene after age 50. The aim of this study was to examine whether cerebellar and brainstem changes emerge during development or aging in late life. We retrospectively analyzed magnetic resonance imaging scans from 322 males (age 8-81 years). Volume changes in the cerebellum and brainstem were contrasted with those in the ventricles and whole brain. Compared to the controls, premutation carriers without FXTAS showed significantly accelerated volume decrease in the cerebellum and whole brain, flatter inverted U-shaped trajectory of the brainstem, and larger ventricles. Compared to both older controls and premutation carriers without FXTAS, carriers with FXTAS exhibited significant volume decrease in the cerebellum and whole brain and accelerated volume decrease in the brainstem. We therefore conclude that cerebellar and brainstem volumes were likely affected during both development and progression of neurodegeneration in premutation carriers, suggesting that interventions may need to start early in adulthood to be most effective. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Silicon Decreases Dimethylarsinic Acid Concentration in Rice Grain and Mitigates Straighthead Disorder.

PubMed

Limmer, Matthew Alan; Wise, Patrick; Dykes, Gretchen E; Seyfferth, Angelia L

2018-04-17

While root Si transporters play a role in the uptake of arsenite and organic As species dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) in rice ( Oryza sativa L.), the impact of Si addition on the accumulation of DMA and MMA in reproductive tissues has not been directly evaluated, particularly in isolation from inorganic As species. Furthermore, DMA and MMA are suspected causal agents of straighthead disorder. We performed a hydroponic study to disentangle the impact of Si on accumulation of DMA and MMA in rice grain. At 5 μM, MMA was toxic to rice, regardless of Si addition, although Si significantly decreased root MMA concentrations. Plants dosed with 5 μM DMA grew well vegetatively but exhibited straighthead disorder at the lowest Si dose, and this DMA-induced yield loss reversed with increasing solution Si. Increasing Si also significantly decreased DMA concentrations in roots, straw, husk, and grain, particularly in mature plants. Si restricted grain DMA through competition for root uptake and downregulation of root Si transporters particularly at later stages of growth when Si uptake was greatest. Our finding that DMA causes straighthead disorder under low Si availability but not under high Si availability suggests Si as a straighthead management strategy.

Consuming fructose-sweetened, not glucose-sweetened, beverages increases visceral adiposity and lipids and decreases insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese humans

PubMed Central

Stanhope, Kimber L.; Schwarz, Jean Marc; Keim, Nancy L.; Griffen, Steven C.; Bremer, Andrew A.; Graham, James L.; Hatcher, Bonnie; Cox, Chad L.; Dyachenko, Artem; Zhang, Wei; McGahan, John P.; Seibert, Anthony; Krauss, Ronald M.; Chiu, Sally; Schaefer, Ernst J.; Ai, Masumi; Otokozawa, Seiko; Nakajima, Katsuyuki; Nakano, Takamitsu; Beysen, Carine; Hellerstein, Marc K.; Berglund, Lars; Havel, Peter J.

2009-01-01

Studies in animals have documented that, compared with glucose, dietary fructose induces dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. To assess the relative effects of these dietary sugars during sustained consumption in humans, overweight and obese subjects consumed glucose- or fructose-sweetened beverages providing 25% of energy requirements for 10 weeks. Although both groups exhibited similar weight gain during the intervention, visceral adipose volume was significantly increased only in subjects consuming fructose. Fasting plasma triglyceride concentrations increased by approximately 10% during 10 weeks of glucose consumption but not after fructose consumption. In contrast, hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and the 23-hour postprandial triglyceride AUC were increased specifically during fructose consumption. Similarly, markers of altered lipid metabolism and lipoprotein remodeling, including fasting apoB, LDL, small dense LDL, oxidized LDL, and postprandial concentrations of remnant-like particle–triglyceride and –cholesterol significantly increased during fructose but not glucose consumption. In addition, fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels increased and insulin sensitivity decreased in subjects consuming fructose but not in those consuming glucose. These data suggest that dietary fructose specifically increases DNL, promotes dyslipidemia, decreases insulin sensitivity, and increases visceral adiposity in overweight/obese adults. PMID:19381015

Mutant Potential Ubiquitination Sites in Dur3p Enhance the Urea and Ethyl Carbamate Reduction in a Model Rice Wine System.

PubMed

Zhang, Peng; Du, Guocheng; Zou, Huijun; Xie, Guangfa; Chen, Jian; Shi, Zhongping; Zhou, Jingwen

2017-03-01

Ubiquitination can significantly affect the endocytosis and degradation of plasma membrane proteins. Here, the ubiquitination of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae urea plasma membrane transporter (Dur3p) was altered. Two potential ubiquitination sites, lysine residues K556 and K571, of Dur3p were predicted and replaced by arginine, and the effects of these mutations on urea utilization and formation under different nitrogen conditions were investigated. Compared with Dur3p, the Dur3p K556R mutant showed a 20.1% decrease in ubiquitination level in yeast nitrogen base medium containing urea and glutamine. It also exhibited a >75.8% decrease in urea formation in yeast extract-peptone-dextrose medium and 41.3 and 55.4% decreases in urea and ethyl carbamate formation (a known carcinogen), respectively, in a model rice wine system. The results presented here show that the mutation of Dur3p ubiquitination sites could significantly affect urea utilization and formation. Modifying the ubiquitination of specific transporters might have promising applications in rationally engineering S. cerevisiae strains to efficiently use specific nitrogen sources.

Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Efficiency of Selenium Nanoparticles Against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatic Damage.

PubMed

Amin, Kamal Adel; Hashem, Khalid Shaban; Alshehri, Fawziah Saleh; Awad, Said T; Hassan, Mohammed S

2017-01-01

Overdoses of acetaminophen (APAP), a famous and widely used drug, may have hepatotoxic effects. Nanoscience is a novel scientific discipline that provides specific tools for medical science problems including using nano trace elements in hepatic diseases. Our study aimed to assess the hepatoprotective role of selenium nanoparticles (Nano-Se) against APAP-induced hepatic injury. Twenty-four male rats were classified into three equal groups: a control group that received 0.9 % NaCl, an APAP-treated group (oral administration), and a group treated with Nano-Se (10-20 nm, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection) and APAP (oral administration). APAP overdose induced significant elevations in liver function biomarkers, hepatic lipid peroxidation, hepatic catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), decreased the reduced glutathione (GSH) content and glutathione reductase (GR) activity, and stimulated significant DNA damage in hepatocytes, compared to control rats. Nano-Se administration improved the hepatic antioxidant protection mechanism and decreased cellular sensitivity to DNA fragmentation. Nano-Se exhibits a protective effect against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity through improved liver function and oxidative stress mediated by catalase, SOD, and GSH and decreases hepatic DNA fragmentation, a hepatic biomarker of cell death. Nano-Se could be a novel hepatoprotective strategy to inhibit oxidative stress.

Effect of nutritional support in children with spastic quadriplegia.

PubMed

Soylu, Ozlem Bekem; Unalp, Aycan; Uran, Nedret; Dizdarer, Gülsen; Ozgonul, Figen Oksel; Conku, Aliye; Ataman, Hamide; Ozturk, Aysel Aydogan

2008-11-01

Malnutrition is a common problem in patients with cerebral palsy. We evaluated the effect of nutritional support on clinical findings in children with spastic quadriplegia. Feeding history, numbers of lower respiratory tract infections, and gastrointestinal and neurologic findings were evaluated via questionnaire. Weight, height, head circumference, midarm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were measured. Height for age, weight for age, weight for height, body mass index, and weight and height z-scores were calculated. Clinical findings and anthropometric parameters were re-evaluated after nutritional support for 6 months. Forty-five patients were enrolled. No difference was evident between the first and the last height z-scores of 31 patients who completed the follow-up. Weight, height, weight z-scores, weight for age, weight for height, body mass index, midarm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness exhibited improvement. Moreover, a significant decrease in number of infections was evident. Frequency of seizures and Gross Motor Function Classification System status did not change. Constipation decreased significantly. Nutritional therapy revealed improvements in some anthropometric findings and a decrease in number of infections. Although there was no difference regarding motor development or seizure frequency, further studies with a longer follow-up are required.

Disruption of lactate dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase for increased hydrogen production and its effect on metabolic flux in Enterobacter aerogenes.

PubMed

Zhao, Hongxin; Lu, Yuan; Wang, Liyan; Zhang, Chong; Yang, Cheng; Xing, Xinhui

2015-10-01

Hydrogen production by Enterobacter aerogenes from glucose was enhanced by deleting the targeted ldhA and adh genes responsible for two NADH-consuming pathways which consume most NADH generated from glycolysis. Compared with the wild-type, the hydrogen yield of IAM1183-ΔldhA increased 1.5 fold. Metabolic flux analysis showed both IAM1183-ΔldhA and IAM1183-Δadh exhibited significant changes in flux, including enhanced flux towards the hydrogen generation. The lactate production of IAM1183-ΔldhA significantly decreased by 91.42%, while the alcohol yield of IAM1183-Δadh decreased to 30%. The mutant IAM1183-ΔldhA with better hydrogen-producing performance was selected for further investigation in a 5-L fermentor. The hydrogen production of IAM1183-ΔldhA was 2.3 times higher than the wild-type. Further results from the fermentation process showed that the pH decreased to 5.39 levels, then gradually increased to 5.96, indicating that some acidic metabolites might be degraded or uptaken by cells. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Changes in neurochemicals within the ventrolateral medullary respiratory column in awake goats after carotid body denervation

PubMed Central

Miller, Justin Robert; Neumueller, Suzanne; Muere, Clarissa; Olesiak, Samantha; Pan, Lawrence; Hodges, Matthew R.

2013-01-01

A current and major unanswered question is why the highly sensitive central CO2/H+ chemoreceptors do not prevent hypoventilation-induced hypercapnia following carotid body denervation (CBD). Because perturbations involving the carotid bodies affect central neuromodulator and/or neurotransmitter levels within the respiratory network, we tested the hypothesis that after CBD there is an increase in inhibitory and/or a decrease in excitatory neurochemicals within the ventrolateral medullary column (VMC) in awake goats. Microtubules for chronic use were implanted bilaterally in the VMC within or near the pre-Bötzinger Complex (preBötC) through which mock cerebrospinal fluid (mCSF) was dialyzed. Effluent mCSF was collected and analyzed for neurochemical content. The goats hypoventilated (peak +22.3 ± 3.4 mmHg PaCO2) and exhibited a reduced CO2 chemoreflex (nadir, 34.8 ± 7.4% of control ΔV̇E/ΔPaCO2) after CBD with significant but limited recovery over 30 days post-CBD. After CBD, GABA and glycine were above pre-CBD levels (266 ± 29% and 189 ± 25% of pre-CBD; P < 0.05), and glutamine and dopamine were significantly below pre-CBD levels (P < 0.05). Serotonin, substance P, and epinephrine were variable but not significantly (P > 0.05) different from control after CBD. Analyses of brainstem tissues collected 30 days after CBD exhibited 1) a midline raphe-specific reduction (P < 0.05) in the percentage of tryptophan hydroxylase–expressing neurons, and 2) a reduction (P < 0.05) in serotonin transporter density in five medullary respiratory nuclei. We conclude that after CBD, an increase in inhibitory neurotransmitters and a decrease in excitatory neuromodulation within the VMC/preBötC likely contribute to the hypoventilation and attenuated ventilatory CO2 chemoreflex. PMID:23869058

Impact of 9 Days of Bed Rest on Hepatic and Peripheral Insulin Action, Insulin Secretion, and Whole-Body Lipolysis in Healthy Young Male Offspring of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

PubMed Central

Alibegovic, Amra C.; Højbjerre, Lise; Sonne, Mette P.; van Hall, Gerrit; Stallknecht, Bente; Dela, Flemming; Vaag, Allan

2009-01-01

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of 9 days of bed rest on insulin secretion, insulin action, and whole-body glucose and fat metabolism in first-degree relative (FDR) and matched control (CON) subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 13 FDR and 20 CON subjects participated in the study. All were studied before and after 9 days of bed rest using the clamp technique combined with indirect calorimetry preceded by an intravenous glucose tolerance test. Glucose and glycerol turnover rates were studied using stable isotope kinetics. RESULTS Bed rest caused a significant decrease in whole-body insulin sensitivity in both groups. Hepatic insulin resistance was elevated in FDR subjects prior to bed rest and was significantly augmented by bed rest in FDR (P < 0.01) but not in CON (P = NS) subjects. The rate of whole-body lipolysis decreased during bed rest in both FDR and CON subjects, with no significant differences between the groups. Insulin resistance induced by bed rest was fully accounted for by the impairment of nonoxidative glucose metabolism in both groups (overall P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Whole-body insulin action in both insulin-resistant FDR and healthy CON subjects deteriorates with 9 days of bed rest, converging toward similar degrees of whole-body insulin resistance. FDR subjects exhibit hepatic insulin resistance (HIR), which, in contrast to CON subjects, deteriorates in response to physical inactivity. FDR subjects exhibit reduced insulin secretion when seen in relation to their degree of HIR but not peripheral insulin resistance. PMID:19720789

Forskolin Modifies Retinal Vascular Development in Mrp4-Knockout Mice

PubMed Central

Matsumiya, Wataru; Kusuhara, Sentaro; Hayashibe, Keiko; Maruyama, Kazuichi; Kusuhara, Hiroyuki; Tagami, Mizuki; Schuetz, John D.; Negi, Akira

2012-01-01

Purpose. Multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4) effluxes a wide variety of endogenous compounds, including cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and is exclusively expressed in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) of the retina. This study aimed to investigate the role of MRP4 in retinal vascular development. Methods. The retinal vascular phenotype of Mrp4−/− mice was examined by whole-mount immunohistochemistry at P3, P6, and P14. The retinas from P6 pups that received an intraperitoneal injection of either solvent control or forskolin, an inducer of intracellular cAMP formation, at P4 and P5 were analyzed in terms of their vascular formation (vascular length, vascular branching, vascular density, and the number of tip cells), cell proliferation and apoptosis, and vessel stability. Results. The Mrp4−/− mice exhibited no overt abnormalities in the development of the retinal vasculature, but retinal vascular development in the Mrp4−/− mice was suppressed in response to forskolin administration. There was a significant decrease in the vascular length, vascular branching, and vascular density, and inhibited tip cell formation at the vascular front. The forskolin-treated Mrp4−/− mice showed an increased number of Ki67-positive and cleaved caspase 3–positive ECs, a significant decrease in the amount of pericyte coverage, and a reduced number of empty sleeves. In pups exposed to hyperoxia (75% oxygen) from P7 to P12, the Mrp4−/− mice showed a significant increase in the unvascularized retinal area. Conclusions. Mrp4−/− mice exhibited suppressed retinal vascular development in response to forskolin treatment. Thus, Mrp4 might have protective roles in retinal vascular development by regulating the intracellular cAMP level. PMID:23154460

Forskolin modifies retinal vascular development in Mrp4-knockout mice.

PubMed

Matsumiya, Wataru; Kusuhara, Sentaro; Hayashibe, Keiko; Maruyama, Kazuichi; Kusuhara, Hiroyuki; Tagami, Mizuki; Schuetz, John D; Negi, Akira

2012-12-07

Multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4) effluxes a wide variety of endogenous compounds, including cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and is exclusively expressed in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) of the retina. This study aimed to investigate the role of MRP4 in retinal vascular development. The retinal vascular phenotype of Mrp4(-/-) mice was examined by whole-mount immunohistochemistry at P3, P6, and P14. The retinas from P6 pups that received an intraperitoneal injection of either solvent control or forskolin, an inducer of intracellular cAMP formation, at P4 and P5 were analyzed in terms of their vascular formation (vascular length, vascular branching, vascular density, and the number of tip cells), cell proliferation and apoptosis, and vessel stability. The Mrp4(-/-) mice exhibited no overt abnormalities in the development of the retinal vasculature, but retinal vascular development in the Mrp4(-/-) mice was suppressed in response to forskolin administration. There was a significant decrease in the vascular length, vascular branching, and vascular density, and inhibited tip cell formation at the vascular front. The forskolin-treated Mrp4(-/-) mice showed an increased number of Ki67-positive and cleaved caspase 3-positive ECs, a significant decrease in the amount of pericyte coverage, and a reduced number of empty sleeves. In pups exposed to hyperoxia (75% oxygen) from P7 to P12, the Mrp4(-/-) mice showed a significant increase in the unvascularized retinal area. Mrp4(-/-) mice exhibited suppressed retinal vascular development in response to forskolin treatment. Thus, Mrp4 might have protective roles in retinal vascular development by regulating the intracellular cAMP level.

Management of combined knee medial compartmental and patellofemoral osteoarthritis with lateral closing wedge osteotomy with anterior translation of the distal tibial fragment: Does the degree of anteriorization affect the functional outcome and posterior tibial slope?

PubMed

Sadek, Ahmed F; Osman, Mohammed K; Laklok, Mohamed A

2016-10-01

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of degree of anterior translation of the distal tibial fragment after lateral closing wedge high tibial osteotomy in patients having combined knee medial compartmental and patellofemoral osteoarthritis. A retrospective study was conducted on 64 patients who were operated on for combined knee medial compartmental and patellofemoral osteoarthritis, by lateral closing wedge high tibial osteotomy with anterior translation of the distal tibial fragment. They were divided into two groups; Group I comprising 32 patients (34 knees, mean age of 51.4±7years) whose degree of anterior translation was <1cm and Group II comprising 32 patients (33 knees, mean age of 52.2±8.3years) whose degree of anterior translation was >1.5cm. The final assessment was performed via: visual analog scale, postoperative Knee Society clinical rating system function score, active range of motion, time to union, degree of correction of mechanical axis, posterior tibial slope, and Insall-Salvati ratio. Group II patients exhibited statistically superior mean postoperative score and better return to their work than Group I (P=0.013, 0.076, respectively). Both groups showed statistically significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative evaluation parameters (P<0.001). The posterior tibial slope was decreased in both groups but with no significant difference (P=0.527). Lateral closing wedge high tibial osteotomy combined with anterior translation of the distal tibial fragment more than 1.5cm achieved significantly better postoperative functional knee score. Both groups exhibited comparatively decreased posterior tibial slope. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Anxiolytic and antidepressant profile of the methanolic extract of Piper nigrum fruits in beta-amyloid (1-42) rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Hritcu, Lucian; Noumedem, Jaurès A; Cioanca, Oana; Hancianu, Monica; Postu, Paula; Mihasan, Marius

2015-03-29

Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae) is employed in traditional medicine of many countries as analgesic, antiinflammatory, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antidepressant and cognitive-enhancing agent. This study was undertaken in order to evaluate the possible anxiolytic, antidepressant and antioxidant properties of the methanolic extract of Piper nigrum fruits in beta-amyloid (1-42) rat model of Alzheimer's disease. The anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of the methanolic extract were studied by means of in vivo (elevated plus-maze and forced swimming tests) approaches. Also, the antioxidant activity in the amygdala was assessed using superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase specific activities, the total content of the reduced glutathione, protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde levels. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significant differences were determined by Tukey's post hoc test. F values for which p < 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. Pearson's correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used in order to evaluate the connection between behavioral measures, the antioxidant defence and lipid peroxidation. The beta-amyloid (1-42)-treated rats exhibited the following: decrease of the exploratory activity, the percentage of the time spent and the number of entries in the open arm within elevated plus-maze test and decrease of swimming time and increase of immobility time within forced swimming test. Administration of the methanolic extract significantly exhibited anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects and also antioxidant potential. Taken together, our results suggest that the methanolic extract ameliorates beta-amyloid (1-42)-induced anxiety and depression by attenuation of the oxidative stress in the rat amygdala.

Defective renal water handling in transgenic mice over-expressing human CD39/NTPDase1

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yue; Morris, Kaiya L.; Sparrow, Shannon K.; Dwyer, Karen M.; Enjyoji, Keiichi; Robson, Simon C.

2012-01-01

Ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 hydrolyzes extracellular ATP and ADP to AMP. Previously, we showed that CD39 is expressed at several sites within the kidney and thus may impact the availability of type 2 purinergic receptor (P2-R) ligands. Because P2-Rs appear to regulate urinary concentrating ability, we have evaluated renal water handling in transgenic mice (TG) globally overexpressing hCD39. Under basal conditions, TG mice exhibited significantly impaired urinary concentration and decreased protein abundance of AQP2 in the kidney compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Urinary excretion of total nitrates/nitrites was significantly higher in TG mice, but the excretion of AVP or PGE2 was equivalent to control WT mice. There were no significant differences in electrolyte-free water clearance or fractional excretion of sodium. Under stable hydrated conditions (gelled diet feeding), the differences between the WT and TG mice were negated, but the decrease in urine osmolality persisted. When water deprived, TG mice failed to adequately concentrate urine and exhibited impaired AVP responses. However, the increases in urinary osmolalities in response to subacute dDAVP or chronic AVP treatment were similar in TG and WT mice. These observations suggest that TG mice have impaired urinary concentrating ability despite normal AVP levels. We also note impaired AVP release in response to water deprivation but that TG kidneys are responsive to exogenous dDAVP or AVP. We infer that heightened nucleotide scavenging by increased levels of CD39 altered the release of endogenous AVP in response to dehydration. We propose that ectonucleotidases and modulated purinergic signaling impact urinary concentration and indicate potential utility of targeted therapy for the treatment of water balance disorders. PMID:22622462

In vitro and in vivo anti-tumour activities of echinoside A and ds-echinoside A from Pearsonothuria graeffei.

PubMed

Zhao, Qin; Xue, Yong; Wang, Jing-feng; Li, Hui; Long, Teng-teng; Li, Zhaojie; Wang, Yu-ming; Dong, Ping; Xue, Chang-hu

2012-03-15

Echinoside A (EA) and ds-echinoside A (DSEA) are triterpene glycosides isolated from the sea cucumber Pearsonothuria graeffei. DSEA, the desulfurisation product of EA, has the following structure: β-D-xylopyranosyl-holost-8(9),11(12)-diene-3β,17α-diol. In the present study, we examined the anti-tumour activities-in particular, the structure-activity relationships-of EA and DSEA in vitro and in vivo. Both EA and DSEA exhibited an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, along with apoptosis-inducing activity, in HepG2 cells. Moreover, they significantly arrested the cell cycle in the G₀/G₁ phase. A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay revealed that EA and DSEA significantly increased the expression of the cell-cycle-related genes, namely, p16, p21 and c-myc, and decreased that of cyclin D₁. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that they down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2, and enhanced mitochondria cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation, and poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase, cleavage. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) expression was significantly decreased by DSEA, but was unaffected by EA. EA and DSEA (2.5 mg kg⁻¹) treatment of mice bearing H22 hepatocarcinoma tumours reduced the tumour weight by 49.8% and 55.0%, respectively. EA and DSEA exhibit marked anti-cancer activity in HepG2 cells, by blocking cell-cycle progression and inducing apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. DSEA-induced apoptosis was more potent than EA-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the two triterpene glycosides derived from P. graeffei may induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells in an NF-κB-dependent or NF-κB-independent manner, depending on their structure. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.

Femoral Head Bone Loss Following Short and Long-Duration Spaceflight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blaber, E. A.; Cheng-Campbell, M.; Almeida, E. A. C.

2016-01-01

Exposure to mechanical unloading during spaceflight is known to have significant effects on the musculoskeletal system. Our ongoing studies with the mouse bone model have identified the failure of normal stem cell-based tissue regeneration, in addition to tissue degeneration, as a significant concern for long-duration spaceflight, especially in the mesenchymal and hematopoietic tissue lineages. The 30-day BionM1 and the 37-day Rodent Research 1 (RR1) missions enabled the possibility of studying these effects in long-duration microgravity experiments. We hypothesized that the inhibition of stem cell-based tissue regeneration in short-duration spaceflight would continue during long-duration spaceflight and furthermore would result in significant tissue alterations. MicroCT analysis of BionM1 femurs revealed 31% decrease in bone volume ratio, a 14% decrease in trabecular thickness, and a 20% decrease in trabecular number in the femoral head of space-flown mice. Furthermore, high-resolution MicroCT and immunohistochemical analysis of spaceflight tissues revealed a severe disruption of the epiphyseal boundary, resulting in endochondral ossification of the femoral head and perforation of articular cartilage by bone. This suggests that spaceflight in microgravity may cause rapid induction of an aging-like phenotype with signs of osteoarthritic disease in the hip joint. However, mice from RR1 exhibited significant bone loss in the femoral head but did not exhibit the severe aging and disease-like phenotype observed during BionM1.This may be due to increased physical activity in the RH hardware. Immunohistochemical analysis of the epiphyseal plate and investigation of cellular proliferation and differentiation pathways within the marrow compartment and whole bone tissue is currently being conducted to determine alterations in stem cell-based tissue regeneration between these experiments. Our results show that the observed inhibition of stem cell-based tissue regeneration persists during long-duration spaceflight. Furthermore, spaceflight femurs from BionM1 indicate onset of an accelerated aging-like phenotype with signs of osteoarthritic disease shown by disruption of the epiphyseal boundary and endochondral ossification. These effects are likely caused by a failure of stem cells to regenerate degraded tissues and may have significant implications for bone and cartilage health following extensive periods of mechanical unloading during long-duration spaceflight.

Femoral Head Bone Loss Following Short and Long-Duration Spaceflight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blaber, Elizabeth A.; Cheng-Campbell, Margareth A.; Almeida, Eduardo A. C.

2016-01-01

Exposure to mechanical unloading during spaceflight is known to have significant effects on the musculoskeletal system. Our ongoing studies with the mouse bone model have identified the failure of normal stem cell-based tissue regeneration, in addition to tissue degeneration, as a significant concern for long-duration spaceflight, especially in the mesenchymal and hematopoietic tissue lineages. The 30-day BionM1 and the 37-day Rodent Research 1 (RR1) missions enabled the possibility of studying these effects in long-duration microgravity experiments. We hypothesized that the inhibition of stem cell-based tissue regeneration in short-duration spaceflight would continue during long-duration spaceflight and furthermore would result in significant tissue alterations. MicroCT analysis of BionM1 femurs revealed 31 decrease in bone volume ratio, a 14 decrease in trabecular thickness, and a 20 decrease in trabecular number in the femoral head of space-flown mice. Furthermore, high-resolution MicroCT and immunohistochemical analysis of spaceflight tissues revealed a severe disruption of the epiphyseal boundary, resulting in endochondral ossification of the femoral head and perforation of articular cartilage by bone. This suggests that spaceflight in microgravity may cause rapid induction of an aging-like phenotype with signs of osteoarthritic disease in the hip joint. However, mice from RR1 exhibited significant bone loss in the femoral head but did not exhibit the severe aging and disease-like phenotype observed during BionM1. This may be due to increased physical activity in the RH hardware. Immunohistochemical analysis of the epiphyseal plate and investigation of cellular proliferation and differentiation pathways within the marrow compartment and whole bone tissue is currently being conducted to determine alterations in stem cell-based tissue regeneration between these experiments. Our results show that the observed inhibition of stem cell-based tissue regeneration persists during long-duration spaceflight. Furthermore, spaceflight femurs from BionM1 indicate onset of an accelerated aging-like phenotype with signs of osteoarthritic disease shown by disruption of the epiphyseal boundary and endochondral ossification. These effects are likely caused by a failure of stem cells to regenerate degraded tissues and may have significant implications for bone and cartilage health following extensive periods of mechanical unloading during long-duration spaceflight.

Proteomic analysis of the impacts of powdery mildew on wheat grain.

PubMed

Li, Jie; Liu, Xinhao; Yang, Xiwen; Li, Yongchun; Wang, Chenyang; He, Dexian

2018-09-30

Powdery mildew of wheat is one of the major foliar diseases, causing significant yield loss and flour quality change. In this study, grain protein and starch response to powdery mildew infection were investigated. Total protein, glutenin and gliadin exhibited a greater increase in grains from infected wheat, while the content of total starch and amylopectin was decreased. Comparative proteomic analysis demonstrated that the overabundant protein synthesis-related proteins might facilitate the accumulation of storage proteins in grains from infected plants. The significant increase in triticin, serpin and HMW-GS in grains from infected wheat might relate to the superior gluten quality. In addition, overabundant carbohydrate metabolism-related proteins in grains from infected wheat were conducive to the depletion of starch, whereas the decreased abundance of ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase might be related to the deficiency of starch synthesis. These results provide a deeper understanding on the change of wheat quality under powdery mildew infection. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of citral and quercetin incorporated kafirin-based bioactive films.

PubMed

Giteru, Stephen Gitonga; Coorey, Ranil; Bertolatti, Dean; Watkin, Elizabeth; Johnson, Stuart; Fang, Zhongxiang

2015-02-01

The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of kafirin-based bioactive films incorporating the plant essential oil citral and the polyphenol quercetin. The addition of quercetin and citral both imparted a yellowish colour to the films. The tensile strength of films significantly decreased and elongation at break increased when citral was incorporated, whereas addition of quercetin did not alter these two film parameters. The rate of water vapour transmission of the films decreased with citral incorporation but the water vapour permeability was not affected by either citral or quercetin incorporation. Furthermore, incorporation of citral and quercetin significantly lowered the oxygen permeability of the films. Film made of kafirin alone had antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, however, films incorporating citral exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against Campylobacter jejuni, L. monocytogenes, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. These results suggest that kafirin-based films incorporating citral and quercetin have potential as bioactive packaging to improve food safety and quality. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measurement of hemodynamics during postural changes using a new wearable cephalic laser blood flowmeter.

PubMed

Fujikawa, Tetsuya; Tochikubo, Osamu; Kura, Naoki; Kiyokura, Takanori; Shimada, Junichi; Umemura, Satoshi

2009-10-01

Patients with orthostatic hypotension have pathologic hemodynamics related to changes in body posture. A new cephalic laser blood flowmeter that can be worn on the tragus to investigate the hemodynamics upon rising from a sitting or squatting posture was developed. The relationship between cephalic hemodynamics and cerebral ischemic symptoms in 63 subjects in a sitting, squatting, and standing positions using the new device was evaluated. Transient decrease in blood pressure within 15 s after rising to an erect position possibly causes dizziness, syncope, and fall. Subjects exhibiting dizziness upon standing showed a significant decrease in the cephalic blood flow (CBF) and indirect beat-to-beat systolic blood pressure, as monitored by the Finometer, and a significant correlation was observed between the drop ratio (drop value on rising/mean value in the squatting position) of CBF and that of systolic blood pressure. This new wearable CBF-meter is potentially useful for estimating cephalic hemodynamics and objectively diagnosing cerebral ischemic symptoms of subjects in a standing posture.

Responses of the autonomic nervous system during periods of perceived high and low work stress in younger and older female teachers.

PubMed

Ritvanen, Tiina; Louhevaara, Veikko; Helin, Pertti; Väisänen, Sari; Hänninen, Osmo

2006-05-01

The aim of this study was to examine the response of the autonomic nervous system in younger (mean age 31 yrs, n=14) and older (mean age 54 yrs, n=14) healthy female teachers during work periods of perceived high and low stress. In the younger participants, heart rate, cortisol excretion rate and psychosomatic symptoms were significantly higher during the high work stress period. The older participants experienced no decrease in their heart rate and cortisol excretion during the low stress period and they exhibited no significant decrease in blood pressure after the work in the evening during both periods. It may be concluded that the recovery from the stress in the older teachers was insufficient particularly in view of their elevated diastolic blood pressure during the low work stress period. Ergonomic and individually tailored measures in terms of work time control, specific relaxation techniques, and a part-time retirement may improve the stress management of older teachers.

Synthesis of Tumor-avid Photosensitizer-Gd(III)DTPA conjugates: impact of the number of gadolinium units in T1/T2 relaxivity, intracellular localization, and photosensitizing efficacy.

PubMed

Goswami, Lalit N; White, William H; Spernyak, Joseph A; Ethirajan, Manivannan; Chen, Yihui; Missert, Joseph R; Morgan, Janet; Mazurchuk, Richard; Pandey, Ravindra K

2010-05-19

To develop novel bifunctional agents for tumor imaging (MR) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), certain tumor-avid photosensitizers derived from chlorophyll-a were conjugated with variable number of Gd(III)aminobenzyl DTPA moieties. All the conjugates containing three or six gadolinium units showed significant T(1) and T(2) relaxivities. However, as a bifunctional agent, the 3-(1'-hexyloxyethyl)pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH) containing 3Gd(III) aminophenyl DTPA was most promising with possible applications in tumor-imaging and PDT. Compared to HPPH, the corresponding 3- and 6Gd(III)aminobenzyl DTPA conjugates exhibited similar electronic absorption characteristics with a slightly decreased intensity of the absorption band at 660 nm. However, compared to HPPH, the excitation of the broad "Soret" band (near 400 nm) of the corresponding 3Gd(III)aminobenzyl-DTPA analogues showed a significant decrease in the fluorescence intensity at 667 nm.

Phenolic acid concentrations in plasma and urine from men consuming green or black tea and potential chemopreventive properties for colon cancer

PubMed Central

Henning, Susanne M.; Wang, Piwen; Abgaryan, Narine; Vicinanza, Roberto; de Oliveira, Daniela Moura; Zhang, Yanjun; Lee, Ru-Po; Carpenter, Catherine L.; Aronson, William J.; Heber, David

2013-01-01

Scope Tea polyphenols are metabolized by the colonic microflora yielding phenolic metabolites, which may contribute to the health benefits of tea. We determined the serum and urine concentrations of phenolic acids, hippuric acid and polyhydroxyphenyl-γ-valerolactones during green tea (GT) and black tea (BT) administration. The effects of (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (3,4-DHPAA) alone and in combination on bioavailability, intracellular metabolism, and antiproliferative activity was determined in HCT-116 colon cancer cells. Methods and Results The concentration of phenolic metabolites was quantified by HPLC with electrochemical detection and MS. Urine concentrations of 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4-HPAA), 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (3-HPAA) and polyhydroxy-γ-valerolactones were increased significantly in men drinking GT compared to control. Urine concentration of 3-O-methylgallic acid (3OMGA) was significantly increased in men drinking BT compared to control. Serum 3,4-DHPAA was significantly increased after consumption of GT and BT and 4-HPAA after GT consumption. In vitro treatment of HCT-116 colon cancer cells with 3,4-DHPAA and EGCG exhibited an additive antiproliferative effect, while methylation of 3,4-DHPAA was significantly decreased. 3OMGA exhibited the strongest antiproliferative activity among the phenolic acids. Conclusions The consumption of both, GT and BT, was associated with a significant increase in urinary and serum phenolic acids. PMID:23319439

The CFTR trafficking mutation F508del inhibits the constitutive activity of SLC26A9.

PubMed

Bertrand, Carol A; Mitra, Shalini; Mishra, Sanjay K; Wang, Xiaohui; Zhao, Yu; Pilewski, Joseph M; Madden, Dean R; Frizzell, Raymond A

2017-06-01

Several members of the SLC26A family of anion transporters associate with CFTR, forming complexes in which CFTR and SLC26A functions are reciprocally regulated. These associations are thought to be facilitated by PDZ scaffolding interactions. CFTR has been shown to be positively regulated by NHERF-1, and negatively regulated by CAL in airway epithelia. However, it is unclear which PDZ-domain protein(s) interact with SLC26A9, a SLC26A family member found in airway epithelia. We have previously shown that primary, human bronchial epithelia (HBE) from non-CF donors exhibit constitutive anion secretion attributable to SLC26A9. However, constitutive anion secretion is absent in HBE from CF donors. We examined whether changes in SLC26A9 constitutive activity could be attributed to a loss of CFTR trafficking, and what role PDZ interactions played. HEK293 coexpressing SLC26A9 with the trafficking mutant F508del CFTR exhibited a significant reduction in constitutive current compared with cells coexpressing SLC26A9 and wt CFTR. We found that SLC26A9 exhibits complex glycosylation when coexpressed with F508del CFTR, but its expression at the plasma membrane is decreased. SLC26A9 interacted with both NHERF-1 and CAL, and its interaction with both significantly increased with coexpression of wt CFTR. However, coexpression with F508del CFTR only increased SLC26A9's interaction with CAL. Mutation of SLC26A9's PDZ motif decreased this association with CAL, and restored its constitutive activity. Correcting aberrant F508del CFTR trafficking in CF HBE with corrector VX-809 also restored SLC26A9 activity. We conclude that when SLC26A9 is coexpressed with F508del CFTR, its trafficking defect leads to a PDZ motif-sensitive intracellular retention of SLC26A9. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

Hepcidin as a Major Component of Renal Antibacterial Defenses against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

PubMed Central

Houamel, Dounia; Ducrot, Nicolas; Lefebvre, Thibaud; Daher, Raed; Moulouel, Boualem; Sari, Marie-Agnes; Letteron, Philippe; Lyoumi, Said; Millot, Sarah; Tourret, Jerome; Bouvet, Odile; Vaulont, Sophie; Vandewalle, Alain; Denamur, Erick; Puy, Hervé; Beaumont, Carole; Gouya, Laurent

2016-01-01

The iron-regulatory peptide hepcidin exhibits antimicrobial activity. Having previously shown hepcidin expression in the kidney, we addressed its role in urinary tract infection (UTI), which remains largely unknown. Experimental UTI was induced in wild-type (WT) and hepcidin-knockout (Hepc−/−) mice using the uropathogenic Escherichia coli CFT073 strain. Compared with infected WT mice, infected Hepc−/− mice showed a dramatic increase in renal bacterial load. Moreover, bacterial invasion was significantly dampened by the pretreatment of WT mice with hepcidin. Infected Hepc−/− mice exhibited decreased iron accumulation in the renal medulla and significant attenuation of the renal inflammatory response. Notably, we demonstrated in vitro bacteriostatic activity of hepcidin against CFT073. Furthermore, CFT073 repressed renal hepcidin, both in vivo and in cultured renal cells, and reduced phosphorylation of SMAD kinase in vivo, suggesting a bacterial strategy to escape the antimicrobial activities of hepcidin. In conclusion, we provide new mechanisms by which hepcidin contributes to renal host defense and suggest that targeting hepcidin offers a strategy to prevent bacterial invasion. PMID:26293821

Molecular structural differences between low methoxy pectins induced by pectin methyl esterase II: effects on texture, release and perception of aroma in gels of similar modulus of elasticity.

PubMed

Kim, Yang; Kim, Young-Suk; Yoo, Sang-Ho; Kim, Kwang-Ok

2014-02-15

Six low-methoxy pectins with different degrees of methylesterification and amidation, and molecular weights were used to prepare gels with similar moduli of elasticity by varying the concentrations of pectin and calcium phosphate. Five aroma compounds were added to the gels and their sensory textural properties, release and perception of aromas were investigated. Sensory firmness, springiness, adhesiveness, chewiness and cohesiveness differed according to the gel type, even though the moduli of elasticity were not significantly different (p<0.05). Release and perception of aromas also displayed significant difference according to the gel type (p<0.05). Low-methoxy amidated pectin exhibited the lowest release and perception for all the aroma compounds, while pectin-methylesterase-treated pectin gels exhibited relatively higher aroma release and perception. These results showed that the structural properties of pectins and gelling factors that increase the non-polar character of the gel matrices could decrease the release and perception of aromas in pectin gel systems. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Highly flexible cross-linked cellulose nanofibril sponge-like aerogels with improved mechanical property and enhanced flame retardancy.

PubMed

Guo, Limin; Chen, Zhilin; Lyu, Shaoyi; Fu, Feng; Wang, Siqun

2018-01-01

Cellulose nanofibril (CNF) aerogel is highly flammable and its mechanical strength is very soft, which is unfavourable due to safety concerns and impractical when used as the thermal insulation material. In this work, we used N-methylol dimethylphosphonopropionamide (MDPA) and 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) as co-additives and then prepared lightweight flame resistant CNF sponge-like aerogels via an eco-friendly freeze-drying and post cross-linking method. The CNF/BTCA/MDPA aerogel exhibited a better flame retardant performance, outstanding self-extinguishing behaviour and significantly increased char residue (by as much as 268%) compared with the neat CNF aerogel. Meanwhile, the resilience of the aerogel samples improved significantly as the flexibility decreased slightly. Furthermore, the aerogel samples still exhibited excellent thermal insulating properties with thermal conductivity as low as 0.03258W/(m k). The combination of these characteristics makes the CNF-based aerogel a promising insulation candidate for thermal protective equipment (e.g., fire-protection clothing or advanced spacesuit elements) in the future. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abnormal maximal finger tapping in abstinent cannabis users.

PubMed

Flavel, Stanley C; White, Jason M; Todd, Gabrielle

2013-11-01

To investigate movement speed and rhythmicity in abstinent cannabis users, we hypothesized that abstinent cannabis users exhibit decreased maximal finger tapping frequency and increased variability of tapping compared with non-drug users. The study involved 10 healthy adult cannabis users and 10 age-matched and gender-matched controls with no history of illicit drug use. Subjects underwent a series of screening tests prior to participation. Subjects were then asked to tap a strain gauge as fast as possible with the index finger of their dominant hand (duration 5 s). The average intertap interval did not significantly differ between groups, but the coefficient of variation of the intertap interval was significantly greater in the cannabis group than in controls (p=0.011). The cannabis group also exhibited a slow tapping frequency at the beginning of the task. Rhythmicity of finger tapping is abnormal in individuals with a history of cannabis use. The abnormality appears to be long lasting and adds to the list of functional changes present in abstinent cannabis users. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Changes in breeding bird populations in North Dakota: 1967 to 1992-93

USGS Publications Warehouse

Igl, L.D.; Johnson, D.H.

1997-01-01

We compared breeding bird populations in North Dakota using surveys conducted in 1967 and 1992-93. In decreasing order, the five most frequently occurring species were Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris), Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), and Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus). The five most abundant species - Horned Lark, Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus), Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, and Brown-headed Cowbird - accounted for 31-41% of the estimated statewide breeding bird population in the three years. Although species composition remained relatively similar among years, between-year patterns in abundance and frequency varied considerably among species. Data from this survey and the North American Breeding Bird Survey indicated that species exhibiting significant declines were primarily grassland- and wetland-breeding birds, whereas species exhibiting significant increases primarily were those associated with human structures and woody vegetation. Population declines and increases for species with similar habitat associations paralleled breeding habitat changes, providing evidence that factors on the breeding grounds are having a detectable effect on breeding birds in the northern Great Plains.

Size effects on the magnetic properties of LaCoO3 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Q.; Zhang, T.; Wang, X. P.; Fang, Q. F.

2012-02-01

Magnetic properties of LaCoO3 nanoparticles prepared by a sol-gel method with average particle size (D) ranging from 20 to 500 nm are investigated. All samples exhibit obvious ferromagnetic transition. With decreasing particle size from 500 to 120 nm, the transition temperature Tc decreases slightly from 85 K, however Tc decreases dramatically when D ≤ 85 nm. Low-field magnetic moment at 10 K decreases with reduction of particle size, while the high-field magnetization exhibits a converse behavior, which is different with previous reports. The coercivity Hc decreases as the particle size is reduced. It is different with other nanosystems that no exchange bias effect is observed in nanosized LaCoO3 particles. These interesting results arise from the surface effect induced by sized effect and the structure change in LaCoO3 nanoparticles.

Mechanical, thermal, rheological and morphological behaviour of irradiated PP/HA composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramírez, C.; Albano, C.; Karam, A.; Domínguez, N.; Sánchez, Y.; González, G.

2005-07-01

Hydroxyapatite (HA) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites are being developed as bone graft materials. In this research, the effect of γ irradiation on mechanical, rheological, thermal and morphological behaviour of PP-HA composites was studied. The melt flow index of polymer increased markedly when it was exposed to radiation. This is indicative of chain scission reaction as the predominant process. During the tensile testing, the composites exhibited brittle behaviour, showing no fluency point. Elongation at break showed a tendency to decrease with the increase in radiation dose while stress at break did not show significant variation with radiation dose. High HA content (>20%) and radiation dose (25 kGy) had significant influence on thermal stability.

Air Circulation and Heat Exchange Under Reduced Pressures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rygalov, V.; Wheeler, R.; Dixon, M.; Fowler, P.; Hillhouse, L.

2010-01-01

Heat exchange rates decrease non-linearly with reductions in atmospheric pressure. This decrease creates risk of thermal stress (elevated leaf temperatures) for plants under reduced pressures. Forced convection (fans) significantly increases heat exchange rate under almost all pressures except below 10 kPa. Plant cultivation techniques under reduced pressures will require forced convection. The cooling curve technique is a reliable means of assessing the influence of environmental variables like pressure and gravity on gas exchange of plant. These results represent the extremes of gas exchange conditions for simple systems under variable pressures. In reality, dense plant canopies will exhibit responses in between these extremes. More research is needed to understand the dependence of forced convection on atmospheric pressure. The overall thermal balance model should include latent and radiative exchange components.

Reduced Autophagy in 5-Fluorouracil Resistant Colon Cancer Cells

PubMed Central

Yao, Cheng Wen; Kang, Kyoung Ah; Piao, Mei Jing; Ryu, Yea Seong; Fernando, Pattage Madushan Dilhara Jayatissa; Oh, Min Chang; Park, Jeong Eon; Shilnikova, Kristina; Na, Soo-Young; Jeong, Seung Uk; Boo, Sun-Jin; Hyun, Jin Won

2017-01-01

We investigated the role of autophagy in SNUC5/5-FUR, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistant SNUC5 colon cancer cells. SNUC5/5-FUR cells exhibited low level of autophagy, as determined by light microscopy, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry following acridine orange staining, and the decreased level of GFP-LC3 puncta. In addition, expression of critical autophagic proteins such as Atg5, Beclin-1 and LC3-II and autophagic flux was diminished in SNUC5/5-FUR cells. Whereas production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was significantly elevated in SNUC5/5-FUR cells, treatment with the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl cysteine further reduced the level of autophagy. Taken together, these results indicate that decreased autophagy is linked to 5-FU resistance in SNUC5 colon cancer cells. PMID:27737524

A new dietary strategy for long-term treatment of the metabolic syndrome is compared with the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines: the MEtabolic Syndrome REduction in NAvarra (RESMENA) project.

PubMed

de la Iglesia, Rocio; Lopez-Legarrea, Patricia; Abete, Itziar; Bondia-Pons, Isabel; Navas-Carretero, Santiago; Forga, Luis; Martinez, J Alfredo; Zulet, M Angeles

2014-02-01

The long-term effects of dietary strategies designed to combat the metabolic syndrome (MetS) remain unknown. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of a new dietary strategy based on macronutrient distribution, antioxidant capacity and meal frequency (MEtabolic Syndrome REduction in NAvarra (RESMENA) diet) for the treatment of the MetS when compared with the American Heart Association guidelines, used as Control. Subjects with the MetS (fifty-two men and forty-one women, age 49 (se 1) years, BMI 36·11 (se 0·5) kg/m²) were randomly assigned to one of two dietary groups. After a 2-month nutritional-learning intervention period, during which a nutritional assessment was made for the participants every 15 d, a 4-month self-control period began. No significant differences were found between the groups concerning anthropometry, but only the RESMENA group exhibited a significant decrease in body weight ( - 1·7%; P= 0·018), BMI ( - 1·7%; P= 0·019), waist circumference ( - 1·8%; P= 0·021), waist:hip ratio ( - 1·4%; P= 0·035) and android fat mass ( - 6·9%; P= 0·008). The RESMENA group exhibited a significant decrease in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentrations ( - 26·8%; P= 0·008 and - 14·0%; P= 0·018, respectively), while the Control group exhibited a significant increase in glucose (7·9%; P= 0·011), AST (11·3%; P= 0·045) and uric acid (9·0%; P< 0·001) concentrations. LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations were increased (Control group: 34·4%; P< 0·001 and RESMENA group: 33·8%; P< 0·001), but interestingly so were the LDL-C:apoB ratio (Control group: 28·7%; P< 0·001, RESMENA group: 17·1%; P= 0·009) and HDL-cholesterol concentrations (Control group: 21·1%; P< 0·001, RESMENA group: 8·7; P= 0·001). Fibre was the dietary component that most contributed to the improvement of anthropometry, while body-weight loss explained changes in some biochemical markers. In conclusion, the RESMENA diet is a good long-term dietary treatment for the MetS.

Addendum to the lattice dynamics of. gamma. -Ce

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stassis, C.; Loong, C.; McMasters, O.D.

1982-05-15

Inelastic neutron scattering techniques have been used to study the temperature dependence of the dispersion curves of ..gamma..-Ce. We find that the frequencies of all but the T (111), branches exhibit normal temperature dependence. Close to the zone boundary the frequencies of the T(111) branch, on the other hand, decrease with decreasing temperature, and at room temperature this branch exhibits a dip at the zone boundary. This anomalous behavior may be related to the fcc..-->..dhcp phase transition.

The effect of cold-light-activated bleaching treatment on enamel surfaces in vitro

PubMed Central

Shi, Xin-Chang; Ma, He; Zhou, Jing-Lin; Li, Wei

2012-01-01

This in vitro study aims to evaluate the crystal and surface microstructure of dental enamel after cold-light bleaching treatment. Twelve sound human premolars were cross-split into four specimens, namely, mesio-buccal (Group LP), disto-buccal (Group P), mesio-lingual (Group NP) and disto-lingual (Group L) specimens. These four groups were treated using the standard cold-light bleaching procedure, a bleaching agent, a peroxide-free bleaching agent and cold-light, respectively. Before and after treatment, all specimens were analyzed by high-resolution, micro-area X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Using a spectrometer, tooth color of all specimens was measured before and after treatment. The phase of the enamel crystals was identified as hydroxyapatite and carbonated hydroxyapatite. After treatment, specimens in Groups LP and P showed significantly weaker X-ray diffraction peaks, significant reduction in crystal size and crystallinity, significant increase in L* but decrease in a* and b*, and obvious alterations in the surface morphology. However, specimens in Groups NP and L did not show any significant changes. The cold-light bleaching treatment leads to demineralization in the enamel surface. The acidic peroxide-containing bleaching agent was the major cause of demineralization, whereas cold-light did not exhibit significant increase or decrease effect on this demineralization. PMID:23258380

Litopenaeus vannamei hemocyanin exhibits antitumor activity in S180 mouse model in vivo

PubMed Central

Aweya, Jude Juventus; Zheng, Zhou; Zhong, Mingqi; Chen, Jiehui; Wang, Fan

2017-01-01

Hemocyanin is a multifunctional glycoprotein, which also plays multiple roles in immune defense. While it has been demonstrated that hemocyanin from some mollusks can induce potent immune response and is therefore undergoing clinical trials to be used in anti-tumor immunotherapy, little is currently known about how hemocyanin from arthropods affect tumors. In this study we investigated the anti-tumor activity of hemocyanin from Litopenaeus vannamei on Sarcoma-180 (S180) tumor-bearing mice model. Eight days treatment with 4mg/kg bodyweight of hemocyanin significantly inhibited the growth of S180 up to 49% as compared to untreated. Similarly, histopathology analysis showed a significant decrease in tumor cell number and density in the tissues of treated mice. Moreover, there was a significant increase in immune organs index, lymphocyte proliferation, NK cell cytotoxic activity and serum TNF-α level, suggesting that hemocyanin could improve the immunity of the S180 tumor-bearing mice. Additionally, there was a significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and a decrease in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and liver, which further suggest that hemocyanin improved the anti-oxidant ability of the S180 tumor-bearing mice. Collectively, our data demonstrated that L. vannamei hemocyanin had a significant antitumor activity in mice. PMID:28854214

Anthriscus nemorosa essential oil inhalation prevents memory impairment, anxiety and depression in scopolamine-treated rats.

PubMed

Bagci, Eyup; Aydin, Emel; Ungureanu, Eugen; Hritcu, Lucian

2016-12-01

Anthriscus nemorosa (Bieb.) Sprengel is used for medicinal purposes in traditional medicine around the world, including Turkey. Ethnobotanical studies suggest that Anthriscus essential oil could improve memory in Alzheimer's disease. The current study was hypothesized to investigate the beneficial effects of inhaled Anthriscus nemorosa essential oil on memory, anxiety and depression in scopolamine-treated rats. Anthriscus nemorosa essential oil was administered by inhalation in the doses of 1% and 3% for 21 continuous days and scopolamine (0.7mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 30min before the behavioral testing. Y-maze and radial arm-maze tests were used for assessing memory processes. Also, the anxiety and depressive responses were studied by elevated plus-maze and forced swimming tests. As expected, the scopolamine alone-treated rats exhibited the following: decrease the percentage of the spontaneous alternation in Y-maze test, increase the number of working and reference memory errors in radial arm-maze test, decrease of the exploratory activity, the percentage of the time spent and the number of entries in the open arm within elevated plus-maze test and decrease of swimming time and increase of immobility time within forced swimming test. However, dual scopolamine and Anthriscus nemorosa essential oil-treated rats showed significant improvement of memory formation and exhibited anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in scopolamine-treated rats. These results suggest that Anthriscus nemorosa essential oil inhalation can prevent scopolamine-induced memory impairment, anxiety and depression. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

L-Tryptophan Production in Escherichia coli Improved by Weakening the Pta-AckA Pathway

PubMed Central

Liu, Lina; Duan, Xuguo; Wu, Jing

2016-01-01

Acetate accumulation during the fermentation process of Escherichia coli FB-04, an L-tryptophan production strain, is detrimental to L-tryptophan production. In an initial attempt to reduce acetate formation, the phosphate acetyltransferase gene (pta) from E. coli FB-04 was deleted, forming strain FB-04(Δpta). Unfortunately, FB-04(Δpta) exhibited a growth defect. Therefore, pta was replaced with a pta variant (pta1) from E. coli CCTCC M 2016009, forming strain FB-04(pta1). Pta1 exhibits lower catalytic capacity and substrate affinity than Pta because of a single amino acid substitution (Pro69Leu). FB-04(pta1) lacked the growth defect of FB-04(Δpta) and showed improved fermentation performance. Strain FB-04(pta1) showed a 91% increase in L-tryptophan yield in flask fermentation experiments, while acetate production decreased by 35%, compared with its parent FB-04. Throughout the fed-batch fermentation process, acetate accumulation by FB-04(pta1) was slower than that by FB-04. The final L-tryptophan titer of FB-04(pta1) reached 44.0 g/L, representing a 15% increase over that of FB-04. Metabolomics analysis showed that the pta1 genomic substitution slightly decreased carbon flux through glycolysis and significantly increased carbon fluxes through the pentose phosphate and common aromatic pathways. These results indicate that this strategy enhances L-tryptophan production and decreases acetate accumulation during the L-tryptophan fermentation process. PMID:27348810

Anti-acetylcholinesterase and Antioxidant Activities of Inhaled Juniper Oil on Amyloid Beta (1-42)-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Rat Hippocampus.

PubMed

Cioanca, Oana; Hancianu, Monica; Mihasan, Marius; Hritcu, Lucian

2015-05-01

Juniper volatile oil is extracted from Juniperus communis L., of the Cupressaceae family, also known as common juniper. Also, in aromatherapy the juniper volatile oil is used against anxiety, nervous tension and stress-related conditions. In the present study, we identified the effects of the juniper volatile oil on amyloid beta (1-42)-induced oxidative stress in the rat hippocampus. Rats received a single intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid beta (1-42) (400 pmol/rat) and then were exposed to juniper volatile oil (200 μl, either 1 or 3 %) for controlled 60 min period, daily, for 21 continuous days. Also, the antioxidant activity in the hippocampus was assessed using superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase specific activities, the total content of the reduced glutathione, protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde levels. Additionally, the acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampus was assessed. The amyloid beta (1-42)-treated rats exhibited the following: increase of the acetylcholinesterase, superoxide dismutase and catalase specific activities, decrease of glutathione peroxidase specific activity and the total content of the reduced glutathione along with an elevation of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels. Inhalation of the juniper volatile oil significantly decreases the acetylcholinesterase activity and exhibited antioxidant potential. These findings suggest that the juniper volatile oil may be a potential candidate for the development of therapeutic agents to manage oxidative stress associated with Alzheimer's disease through decreasing the activity of acetylcholinesterase and anti-oxidative mechanism.

The impact of acute stress on the neural processing of food cues in bulimia nervosa: Replication in two samples.

PubMed

Collins, Brittany; Breithaupt, Lauren; McDowell, Jennifer E; Miller, L Stephen; Thompson, James; Fischer, Sarah

2017-07-01

The impact of acute stress on the neural processing of food cues in bulimia nervosa (BN) is unknown, despite theory that acute stress decreases cognitive control over food and hence increases vulnerability to environmental triggers for binge eating. Thus, the goals of this manuscript were to explore the impact of acute stress on the neural processing of food cues in BN. In Study 1, 10 women with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) BN and 10 healthy controls participated in an fMRI paradigm examining the neural correlates of visual food cue processing pre and post an acute stress induction. Whole brain analysis indicated that women with BN exhibited significant decreases in activation in the precuneus, associated with self-referential processing, the paracingulate gyrus, and the anterior vermis of the cerebellum. Healthy controls exhibited increased activation in these regions in response to food cues poststress. In Study 2, 17 women with DSM-5 BN or otherwise specified feeding and eating disorder with BN symptoms participated in the same paradigm. A region of interest analysis replicated findings from Study 1. Replication of imaging findings in 2 different samples suggests the potential importance of these regions in relation to BN. Decreased activation in the precuneus, specifically, is consistent with models of BN that posit that binge eating serves as a concrete distraction from aversive internal stimuli. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Differential expression of miRNAs in colon cancer between African and Caucasian Americans: implications for cancer racial health disparities.

PubMed

Li, Ellen; Ji, Ping; Ouyang, Nengtai; Zhang, Yuanhao; Wang, Xin Yu; Rubin, Deborah C; Davidson, Nicholas O; Bergamaschi, Roberto; Shroyer, Kenneth R; Burke, Stephanie; Zhu, Wei; Williams, Jennie L

2014-08-01

Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality are higher in African Americans (AAs) than in Caucasian Americans (CAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to be dysregulated in colonic and other neoplasias. The aim of this exploratory study was to identify candidate miRNAs that could contribute to potential biological differences between AA and CA colon cancers. Total RNA was isolated from tumor and paired adjacent normal colon tissue from 30 AA and 31 CA colon cancer patients archived at Stony Brook University (SBU) and Washington University (WU)‑St. Louis Medical Center. miRNA profiles were determined by probing human genome-wide miRNA arrays with RNA isolated from each sample. Using repeated measures analysis of variance (RANOVA), miRNAs were selected that exhibited significant (p<0.05) interactions between race and tumor or significant (fold change >1.5, p<0.05) main effects of race and/or tumor. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) was used to confirm miRNAs identified by microarray analysis. Candidate miRNA targets were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. RANOVA results indicated that miR-182, miR152, miR-204, miR-222 and miR-202 exhibited significant race and tumor main effects. Of these miRNAs, q-PCR analysis confirmed that miR-182 was upregulated in AA vs. CA tumors and exhibited significant race:tumor interaction. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the levels of FOXO1 and FOXO3A, two potential miR-182 targets, are reduced in AA tumors. miRNAs may play a role in the differences between AA and CA colon cancer. Specifically, differences in miRNA expression levels of miR-182 may contribute to decreased survival in AA colon cancer patients.

Biomarkers and echocardiography for evaluating the improvement of the ventricular diastolic function after surgical relief of hydronephrosis

PubMed Central

Yeh, Huei-Ming; Lin, Ting-Tse; Yeh, Chih-Fan; Huang, Ho-Shiang; Chang, Sheng-Nan; Lin, Jou-Wei; Tsai, Chia-Ti; Lai, Ling-Ping; Huang, Yi-You

2017-01-01

The pathophysiology of cardio-renal syndrome (CRS) is complex. Hydronephrosis caused by urolithiasis may cause cytokine release and lead to cardiac dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac function changes observed in patients who received double J placement using feasible biomarkers and echocardiography. This was a prospective, single-center study. Eighty-seven patients who presented with acute unilateral hydronephrosis and received ureteroscope stone manipulation were enrolled. Echocardiography and cytokines were measured on the day of the operation and 24 hours after the procedure. Changes before and after surgery were assessed by the paired t-test and Wilcoxon test. Correlation analyses between echocardiographic diastolic indices and cytokine levels were performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Patients with hydronephrosis showed a higher left atrium volume index (LAVI), decreased E', and increased E/ E' ratio, which indicated diastolic dysfunction. Patients with hydronephrosis also exhibited decreased global strain rates during isovolumetric relaxation (SRIVR) and E/ SRIVR, which confirmed the diastolic dysfunction. Significant reductions in LAVI, increases in SRIVR and decreases in E/ SRIVR were observed after the operation. Biomarkers, such as TGF-β and serum NT-proBNP, were significantly decreased after surgery. In addition, a significant correlation was observed between the post-surgical decrease in TGF-β1 and increase in SRIVR. Unilateral hydronephrosis causes cardiac diastolic dysfunction, and relieving hydronephrosis could improve diastolic function. Improvements in cardiac dysfunction can be evaluated by echocardiography and measuring cytokine levels. The results of this study will inform efforts to improve the early diagnosis of CRS and prevent further deterioration of cardiac function when treating patients with hydronephrosis. PMID:29161313

Biomarkers and echocardiography for evaluating the improvement of the ventricular diastolic function after surgical relief of hydronephrosis.

PubMed

Yeh, Huei-Ming; Lin, Ting-Tse; Yeh, Chih-Fan; Huang, Ho-Shiang; Chang, Sheng-Nan; Lin, Jou-Wei; Tsai, Chia-Ti; Lai, Ling-Ping; Huang, Yi-You; Chu, Chun-Lin

2017-01-01

The pathophysiology of cardio-renal syndrome (CRS) is complex. Hydronephrosis caused by urolithiasis may cause cytokine release and lead to cardiac dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac function changes observed in patients who received double J placement using feasible biomarkers and echocardiography. This was a prospective, single-center study. Eighty-seven patients who presented with acute unilateral hydronephrosis and received ureteroscope stone manipulation were enrolled. Echocardiography and cytokines were measured on the day of the operation and 24 hours after the procedure. Changes before and after surgery were assessed by the paired t-test and Wilcoxon test. Correlation analyses between echocardiographic diastolic indices and cytokine levels were performed using Pearson's correlation coefficients. Patients with hydronephrosis showed a higher left atrium volume index (LAVI), decreased E', and increased E/ E' ratio, which indicated diastolic dysfunction. Patients with hydronephrosis also exhibited decreased global strain rates during isovolumetric relaxation (SRIVR) and E/ SRIVR, which confirmed the diastolic dysfunction. Significant reductions in LAVI, increases in SRIVR and decreases in E/ SRIVR were observed after the operation. Biomarkers, such as TGF-β and serum NT-proBNP, were significantly decreased after surgery. In addition, a significant correlation was observed between the post-surgical decrease in TGF-β1 and increase in SRIVR. Unilateral hydronephrosis causes cardiac diastolic dysfunction, and relieving hydronephrosis could improve diastolic function. Improvements in cardiac dysfunction can be evaluated by echocardiography and measuring cytokine levels. The results of this study will inform efforts to improve the early diagnosis of CRS and prevent further deterioration of cardiac function when treating patients with hydronephrosis.

Monitoring the spatio-temporal changes of terrestrial water storage using GRACE data in the Tarim River basin between 2002 and 2015.

PubMed

Yang, Peng; Xia, Jun; Zhan, Chesheng; Qiao, Yunfeng; Wang, Yueling

2017-10-01

With the threat of water shortages intensifying, the need to identify the terrestrial water storage (TWS) variation in the Tarim River Basin (TRB) becomes very significant for managing its water resource. Due to the lack of large-scale hydrological data, this study employed the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) to monitor TWS variation in the TRB during the period of 2002-2015, cooperating with two statistical techniques, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) - Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR). Results indicated that (1) the Tropical rainfall measuring mission (TRMM) data can be applied well in the TRB; (2) the EOF result showed that both the time series of TRMM precipitation and GRACE-derived TWS in the TRB between 2002 and 2015 were dominated by the annual signals, which were followed by the semiannual signals; (3) the linear trend for the spatially averaged GRACE-derived TWS changes exhibited an decrease of 1.6±1.1mm/a, and the EOF result indicated a significant decrease of 4.1±1.5mm/a in the north of TRB; (4) while the precipitation variations was the major driver for the TWS changes, the GLDAS-derived TWS (i.e., soil moisture) decrease and ground water decrease played the major role in the TWS decrease in the north of TRB for the significant correlation (P<0.05). The changes of TWS might be linked to excessive exploitation of water resources, increased population, and shrinking water supplies, which would impact on the water level of the lakes or reservoir. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Oxidation of Sn doped Cu cluster: A first principle study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parida, Ganesh; Majumder, Chiranjib

2017-05-01

Bimetallic clusters have immense potential to exhibit tunable properties in the emerging field of nano catalysis. Using plane wave based pseudopotential approach we have investigated the oxidation behavior of pure and Sn doped Cu13 clusters. The results showed significant modification of the cluster geometry upon interaction with oxygen molecule. The interaction of oxygen with Cu13, Cu12Sn1 and Cu11Sn2 clusters show dissociative chemisorption is more favorable than molecular adsorption. In addition, the adsorption energy is found to decrease with the increase in Sn concentration.

(M)- and (P)-bicelaphanol A, dimeric trinorditerpenes with promising neuroprotective activity from Celastrus orbiculatus.

PubMed

Wang, Luo-Yi; Wu, Jian; Yang, Zhuo; Wang, Xu-Jie; Fu, Yan; Liu, Shuang-Zhu; Wang, Hong-Min; Zhu, Wei-Liang; Zhang, Hai-Yan; Zhao, Wei-Min

2013-04-26

(M)-Bicelaphanol A (1) and (P)-bicelaphanol A (2), two unprecedented dimeric trinorditerpenes existing as atropisomers, together with their monomer celaphanol A (3), were isolated from the root bark of Celastrus orbiculatus. The structures and absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compound 1 exhibited a significant in vitro neuroprotective effect against a hydrogen peroxide-induced cell viability decrease in PC12 cells at 1 μM, while compounds 2 and 3 showed such effects at 10 μM.

Salivary osteocalcin levels are decreased in smoker chronic periodontitis patients.

PubMed

Ozçaka, O; Nalbantsoy, A; Buduneli, N

2011-03-01

 This study was planned to investigate whether smoker chronic periodontitis patients exhibit different salivary concentrations of C-telopeptide pyridinoline cross-links of type I collagen (ICTP) and osteocalcin (OC) compared to the non-smoker counterparts. Whole saliva samples, full-mouth clinical periodontal recordings were obtained from 33 otherwise healthy chronic periodontitis patients and 36 systemically, periodontally healthy control subjects. Chronic periodontitis patients and healthy control subjects were divided into smoker and non-smoker groups according to their self reports. Salivary ICTP, OC levels were determined by Enzyme-linked Immunoassays. Healthy control groups exhibited significantly lower values in all clinical periodontal measurements (P < 0.001). Smoker periodontitis patients revealed similar clinical periodontal index values with non-smoker counterparts (P > 0.05). Chronic periodontitis patients exhibited significantly higher salivary OC levels than healthy controls (P < 0.05). Smoker periodontitis patients revealed lower salivary OC levels than non-smoker counterparts (P < 0.001). Log ICTP levels in non-smoker chronic periodontitis patients were higher than non-smoker controls (P < 0.05). Smoker healthy control group revealed higher log ICTP levels than non-smoker counterparts (P < 0.001). Within the limits of this study, it may be suggested that suppression of salivary osteocalcin level by smoking may at least partly explain the deleterious effects of smoking on periodontal status. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Tachycardia, reduced vagal capacity, and age-dependent ventricular dysfunction arising from diminished expression of the presynaptic choline transporter

PubMed Central

English, Brett A.; Appalsamy, Martin; Diedrich, Andre; Ruggiero, Alicia M.; Lund, David; Wright, Jane; Keller, Nancy R.; Louderback, Katherine M.; Robertson, David

2010-01-01

Healthy cardiovascular function relies on a balanced and responsive integration of noradrenergic and cholinergic innervation of the heart. High-affinity choline uptake by cholinergic terminals is pivotal for efficient ACh production and release. To date, the cardiovascular impact of diminished choline transporter (CHT) expression has not been directly examined, largely due to the transporter's inaccessibility in vivo. Here, we describe findings from cardiovascular experiments using transgenic mice that bear a CHT genetic deficiency. Whereas CHT knockout (CHT−/−) mice exhibit early postnatal lethality, CHT heterozygous (CHT+/−) mice survive, grow, and reproduce normally and exhibit normal spontaneous behaviors. However, the CHT+/− mouse heart displays significantly reduced levels of high-affinity choline uptake accompanied by significantly reduced levels of ACh. Telemeterized recordings of cardiovascular function in these mice revealed tachycardia and hypertension at rest. After treadmill exercise, CHT+/− mice exhibited slower heart rate recovery, consistent with a diminished cholinergic reserve, a contention validated through direct vagal nerve stimulation. Echocardiographic and histological experiments revealed an age-dependent decrease in fractional shortening, increased left ventricular dimensions, and increased ventricular fibrosis, consistent with ventricular dysfunction. These cardiovascular phenotypes of CHT+/− mice encourage an evaluation of humans bearing reduced CHT expression for their resiliency in maintaining proper heart function as well as risk for cardiovascular disease. PMID:20601463

Relative stability of deep- versus shallow-side bone levels in angular proximal infrabony defects.

PubMed

Heins, P; Hartigan, M; Low, S; Chace, R

1989-01-01

The relative changes with time, in the position of the coronal margin of the mesial and distal bone of proximal, angular infrabony defects, were investigated. Tracings of the radiographs of 51 mandibular posterior sites, treated by flap curettage, with a mean post-surgical duration of 11.8 years, were measured using a digitizer pad. The group consisting of shallow-side sites (N = 51), exhibited no significant change in the bone height with time; however, there was a significant decrease in bone height in the deep-side group (N = 51). The mean area of proximal bone decreased significantly with time. The defects were divided into early (N = 25) and advanced (N = 26) angular groups, and then into deep- and shallow-side subgroups. In the early defect group, there was a significant decrease in the mean bone height of the deep-side subgroup. There were no differences in the changes of mean bone level of the remaining 3 subgroups with time. There was no correlation between changes in bone levels of adjacent mesial and distal sides of angular defects with time (r = 0.27). There was no difference between the deep- and shallow-side groups in the number of sites which gained, lost or evidenced no change in bone height. In the study population, the bone height of 73% of the deep-side, and 84% of the shallow-side sites was either unchanged or in a more coronal position.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sex differences in autonomic function following maximal exercise.

PubMed

Kappus, Rebecca M; Ranadive, Sushant M; Yan, Huimin; Lane-Cordova, Abbi D; Cook, Marc D; Sun, Peng; Harvey, I Shevon; Wilund, Kenneth R; Woods, Jeffrey A; Fernhall, Bo

2015-01-01

Heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure variability, (BPV) and heart rate recovery (HRR) are measures that provide insight regarding autonomic function. Maximal exercise can affect autonomic function, and it is unknown if there are sex differences in autonomic recovery following exercise. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine sex differences in several measures of autonomic function and the response following maximal exercise. Seventy-one (31 males and 40 females) healthy, nonsmoking, sedentary normotensive subjects between the ages of 18 and 35 underwent measurements of HRV and BPV at rest and following a maximal exercise bout. HRR was measured at minute one and two following maximal exercise. Males have significantly greater HRR following maximal exercise at both minute one and two; however, the significance between sexes was eliminated when controlling for VO2 peak. Males had significantly higher resting BPV-low-frequency (LF) values compared to females and did not significantly change following exercise, whereas females had significantly increased BPV-LF values following acute maximal exercise. Although males and females exhibited a significant decrease in both HRV-LF and HRV-high frequency (HF) with exercise, females had significantly higher HRV-HF values following exercise. Males had a significantly higher HRV-LF/HF ratio at rest; however, both males and females significantly increased their HRV-LF/HF ratio following exercise. Pre-menopausal females exhibit a cardioprotective autonomic profile compared to age-matched males due to lower resting sympathetic activity and faster vagal reactivation following maximal exercise. Acute maximal exercise is a sufficient autonomic stressor to demonstrate sex differences in the critical post-exercise recovery period.

Mori Folium and Mori Fructus Mixture Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Cognitive Deficits in Mice

PubMed Central

Jeong, Hyun Uk; Park, Gunhyuk; Kim, Hocheol; Lim, Yunsook; Oh, Myung Sook

2015-01-01

Obesity has become a global health problem, contributing to various diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and dementia. Increasing evidence suggests that obesity can also cause neuronal damage, long-term memory loss, and cognitive impairment. The leaves and the fruits of Morus alba L., containing active phytochemicals, have been shown to possess antiobesity and hypolipidemic properties. Thus, in the present study, we assessed their effects on cognitive functioning in mice fed a high-fat diet by performing immunohistochemistry, using antibodies against c-Fos, synaptophysin, and postsynaptic density protein 95 and a behavioral test. C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet for 21 weeks exhibited increased body weight, but mice coadministered an optimized Mori Folium and Mori Fructus extract mixture (2 : 1; MFE) for the final 12 weeks exhibited significant body weight loss. Additionally, obese mice exhibited not only reduced neural activity, but also decreased presynaptic and postsynaptic activities, while MFE-treated mice exhibited recovery of these activities. Finally, cognitive deficits induced by the high-fat diet were recovered by cotreatment with MFE in the novel object recognition test. Our findings suggest that the antiobesity effects of MFE resulted in recovery of the cognitive deficits induced by the high-fat diet by regulation of neural and synaptic activities. PMID:25945108

Mori folium and mori fructus mixture attenuates high-fat diet-induced cognitive deficits in mice.

PubMed

Kim, Hyo Geun; Jeong, Hyun Uk; Park, Gunhyuk; Kim, Hocheol; Lim, Yunsook; Oh, Myung Sook

2015-01-01

Obesity has become a global health problem, contributing to various diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and dementia. Increasing evidence suggests that obesity can also cause neuronal damage, long-term memory loss, and cognitive impairment. The leaves and the fruits of Morus alba L., containing active phytochemicals, have been shown to possess antiobesity and hypolipidemic properties. Thus, in the present study, we assessed their effects on cognitive functioning in mice fed a high-fat diet by performing immunohistochemistry, using antibodies against c-Fos, synaptophysin, and postsynaptic density protein 95 and a behavioral test. C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet for 21 weeks exhibited increased body weight, but mice coadministered an optimized Mori Folium and Mori Fructus extract mixture (2 : 1; MFE) for the final 12 weeks exhibited significant body weight loss. Additionally, obese mice exhibited not only reduced neural activity, but also decreased presynaptic and postsynaptic activities, while MFE-treated mice exhibited recovery of these activities. Finally, cognitive deficits induced by the high-fat diet were recovered by cotreatment with MFE in the novel object recognition test. Our findings suggest that the antiobesity effects of MFE resulted in recovery of the cognitive deficits induced by the high-fat diet by regulation of neural and synaptic activities.

Temporal trends of young-of-year fishes in Lake Erie and comparison of diel sampling periods

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stapanian, M.A.; Bur, M.T.; Adams, J.V.

2007-01-01

We explored temporal trends of young-of-year (YOY) fishes caught in bottom trawl hauls at an established offshore monitoring site in Lake Erie in fall during 1961–2001. Sampling was conducted during morning, afternoon, and night in each year. Catches per hour (CPH) of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) YOY were relatively low and exhibited no temporal trend. This result was consistent with the species’ intolerance to Lake Erie’s adverse winter water temperatures. Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) YOY decreased sharply after 1991, which was consistent with recent oligotrophication of the lake. Following the establishment in 1979 and rapid increase of white perch (Morone americana) YOY, white bass (Morone chrysops) and freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) YOY decreased. Trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus) YOY decreased during 1986–1991, but recovered to previous levels during 1991–2001. The recovery coincided with the resurgence of mayflies (Ephemoptera) in the lake. CPH of spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius) and emerald shiner (N. atherinoides) YOY exhibited no temporal trend between 1961 and the late 1970s to early 1980s. CPH of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) YOY decreased during 1961–1988, and walleye (Sander vitreum) YOY increased overall during the time series. These observations were consistent with published studies of adults in the region. CPH of 4 of the 10 species of YOY considered were greatest during night. CPH for walleye YOY was higher in the morning than in the afternoon, but there was no significant difference between night and morning abundances. The results suggest that (1) CPH of YOY fishes may be a useful monitoring tool for Lake Erie, and (2) offshore monitoring programs that do not include night sampling periods may underestimate recruitment for several common species.

Exploring the relationship between cortical GABA concentrations, auditory gamma-band responses and development in ASD: Evidence for an altered maturational trajectory in ASD.

PubMed

Port, Russell G; Gaetz, William; Bloy, Luke; Wang, Dah-Jyuu; Blaskey, Lisa; Kuschner, Emily S; Levy, Susan E; Brodkin, Edward S; Roberts, Timothy P L

2017-04-01

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is hypothesized to arise from imbalances between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission (E/I imbalance). Studies have demonstrated E/I imbalance in individuals with ASD and also corresponding rodent models. One neural process thought to be reliant on E/I balance is gamma-band activity (Gamma), with support arising from observed correlations between motor, as well as visual, Gamma and underlying GABA concentrations in healthy adults. Additionally, decreased Gamma has been observed in ASD individuals and relevant animal models, though the direct relationship between Gamma and GABA concentrations in ASD remains unexplored. This study combined magnetoencephalography (MEG) and edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in 27 typically developing individuals (TD) and 30 individuals with ASD. Auditory cortex localized phase-locked Gamma was compared to resting Superior Temporal Gyrus relative cortical GABA concentrations for both children/adolescents and adults. Children/adolescents with ASD exhibited significantly decreased GABA+/Creatine (Cr) levels, though typical Gamma. Additionally, these children/adolescents lacked the typical maturation of GABA+/Cr concentrations and gamma-band coherence. Furthermore, children/adolescents with ASD additionally failed to exhibit the typical GABA+/Cr to gamma-band coherence association. This altered coupling during childhood/adolescence may result in Gamma decreases observed in the adults with ASD. Therefore, individuals with ASD exhibit improper local neuronal circuitry maturation during a childhood/adolescence critical period, when GABA is involved in configuring of such circuit functioning. Provocatively a novel line of treatment is suggested (with a critical time window); by increasing neural GABA levels in children/adolescents with ASD, proper local circuitry maturation may be restored resulting in typical Gamma in adulthood. Autism Res 2017, 10: 593-607. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Association of cytosolic sialidase Neu2 with plasma membrane enhances Fas-mediated apoptosis by impairing PI3K-Akt/mTOR-mediated pathway in pancreatic cancer cells.

PubMed

Nath, Shalini; Mandal, Chhabinath; Chatterjee, Uttara; Mandal, Chitra

2018-02-12

Modulation of sialylation by sialyltransferases and sialidases plays essential role in carcinogenesis. There are few reports on sialyltransferase, however, the contribution of cytosolic sialidase (Neu2) remains unexplored in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We observed lower expression of Neu2 in different PDAC cells, patient tissues, and a significant strong association with clinicopathological characteristics. Neu2 overexpression guided drug-resistant MIAPaCa2 and AsPC1 cells toward apoptosis as evidenced by decreased Bcl2/Bax ratio, activation of caspase-3/caspase-6/caspase-8, PARP reduction, reduced CDK2/CDK4/CDK6, and cyclin-B1/cyclin-E with unaffected caspase-9. Neu2-overexpressed cells exhibited higher expression of Fas/CD95-death receptor, FasL, FADD, and Bid cleavage confirming extrinsic pathway-mediated apoptosis. α2,6-linked sialylation of Fas helps cancer cells to survive, which is a substrate for Neu2. Therefore, their removal should enhance Fas-mediated apoptosis. Neu2-overexpressed cells indeed showed increased enzyme activity even on membrane. Interestingly, this membrane-bound Neu2 exhibited enhanced association with Fas causing its desialylation and activation as corroborated by decreased association of Fas with α2,6-sialic acid-binding lectin. Additionally, enhanced cytosolic Neu2 inhibited the expression of several growth factor-mediated signaling molecules involved in PI3K/Akt-mTOR pathway probably through desialylation which in turn also causes Fas activation. Furthermore, Neu2-overexpressed cells exhibited reduced cell migration, invasion with decreased VEGF, VEGFR, and MMP9 levels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of cytosolic Neu2 on membrane, its association with Fas, enhanced desialylation, activation, and Fas-mediated apoptosis. Taken together, our study ascertains a novel concept by which the function of Fas/CD95 could be modulated indicating a critical role of upstream Neu2 as a promising target for inducing apoptosis in pancreatic cancer.

Effectiveness of manual therapy versus surgery in pain processing due to carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C; Cleland, J; Palacios-Ceña, M; Fuensalida-Novo, S; Alonso-Blanco, C; Pareja, J A; Alburquerque-Sendín, F

2017-08-01

People with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) exhibit widespread pressure pain and thermal pain hypersensitivity as a manifestation of central sensitization. The aim of our study was to compare the effectiveness of manual therapy versus surgery for improving pain and nociceptive gain processing in people with CTS. The trial was conducted at a local regional Hospital in Madrid, Spain from August 2014 to February 2015. In this randomized parallel-group, blinded, clinical trial, 100 women with CTS were randomly allocated to either manual therapy (n = 50), who received three sessions (once/week) of manual therapies including desensitization manoeuvres of the central nervous system, or surgical intervention (n = 50) group. Outcomes including pressure pain thresholds (PPT), thermal pain thresholds (HPT or CPT), and pain intensity which were assessed at baseline, and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the intervention by an assessor unaware of group assignment. Analysis was by intention to treat with mixed ANCOVAs adjusted for baseline scores. At 12 months, 95 women completed the follow-up. Patients receiving manual therapy exhibited higher increases in PPT over the carpal tunnel at 3, 6 and 9 months (all, p < 0.01) and higher decrease of pain intensity at 3 month follow-up (p < 0.001) than those receiving surgery. No significant differences were observed between groups for the remaining outcomes. Manual therapy and surgery have similar effects on decreasing widespread pressure pain sensitivity and pain intensity in women with CTS. Neither manual therapy nor surgery resulted in changes in thermal pain sensitivity. The current study found that manual therapy and surgery exhibited similar effects on decreasing widespread pressure pain sensitivity and pain intensity in women with carpal tunnel syndrome at medium- and long-term follow-ups investigating changes in nociceptive gain processing after treatment in carpal tunnel syndrome. © 2017 European Pain Federation - EFIC®.

Combined effects of aerobic exercise and omega-3 fatty acids in hyperlipidemic persons.

PubMed

Warner, J G; Ullrich, I H; Albrink, M J; Yeater, R A

1989-10-01

Because both aerobic exercise and fish oil ingestion have been shown to decrease plasma lipids, we examined the effects of combining these modalities in hyperlipidemic subjects. Thirty-four subjects were randomly assigned to one of four groups as follows: fish oil and exercise (FE), N = 7, 50 ml of oil daily and 3 d.wk-1 of aerobic exercise; fish oil (F), N = 7, 50 ml of oil daily; corn oil (CN), N = 10, 50 ml of oil daily; and control (C), N = 10. Blood samples were drawn at baseline and at the end of 4, 8, and 12 wk. The FE and F groups showed significantly lower triglycerides with respect to treatment as compared to the CN and C groups. The FE, F, and CN groups exhibited lower total cholesterol values than the control group but were not different from each other. HDL cholesterol was significantly increased after treatment in the FE and F groups as compared to the CN and C groups. Serum apo-B, LDL cholesterol, and LDL protein decreased significantly in the FE group but not the F group from baseline to 12 wk. VO2max increased and percent fat decreased only in the FE group. In conclusion, aerobic exercise improved the effects of fish oil on LDL cholesterol and apo-B and improved fitness and body composition in hyperlipidemic subjects.

Hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective seeds mixture diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

PubMed

Makni, Mohamed; Fetoui, Hamadi; Garoui, El Mouldi; Gargouri, Nabil K; Jaber, Hazem; Makni, Jamel; Boudawara, Tahia; Zeghal, Najiba

2010-01-01

In vitro physicochemical and antioxidant properties of mixture of Flax/Sesame (LS) and Flax/Peanut (LA) and in vivo hypolipidemic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities were carried out to ascertain the claim of its utilisation against diseases. The seeds mixture rich in unsaturated fatty acids were prepared with 5/1 ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids and were orally administered ad libitum to rats by standard diet for 30 days. High cholesterol fed diet rats (CD-chol) exhibited a significant increase in total plasma and liver lipid parameters and atherogenicity and a significant decrease in high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and HDL/TC ratio (HTR). Administration of (LS) or (LA) seeds mixture to hypercholesterolemic rats (MS-LSchol and MS-LAchol groups respectively) significantly ameliorated lipid parameters and showed an increase of PUFAs (ALA and LA) and MUFAs and a decrease of SFAs in plasma and liver of MS-LSchol and MS-LAchol groups. Furthermore, malondialdehyde levels decreased and the efficiency of antioxidant defense system was improved compared to CD-chol group. Liver histological sections showed lipid storage in hepatocytes of CD-chol group and an improvement was noted in both supplemented groups. Our results suggested that seeds mixtures of Flax/Sesame and Flax/Peanut have anti-atherogenic and hepatoprotective effects. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of levo-thyroxine treatment on weight and body mass index in children with acquired hypothyroidism.

PubMed

Lomenick, Jefferson P; El-Sayyid, Maysa; Smith, W Jackson

2008-01-01

To determine whether normalization of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in children with acquired hypothyroidism is associated with a decrease in weight or body mass index (BMI). We retrospectively identified 68 subjects with acquired hypothyroidism who were seen at least once in our center in follow-up between 1995 and 2006. Treatment with levo-thyroxine decreased the mean TSH level from 147 microU/mL initially to 5.0 microU/mL at the second visit 4.4 months later. This was not associated with a significant change in weight or BMI. Of the 68 subjects, 31% lost weight by the second visit (mean 2.3 kg). The mean initial TSH level of this group was 349 microU/mL. Thirty of the 68 children had at least 2 years of follow-up, and 19/68 had at least 4 years of follow-up. Over those intervals, weight and BMI percentiles and z scores did not change significantly from baseline values. Most children treated for acquired hypothyroidism exhibited little short-term or long-term change in weight or BMI despite near-normalization of TSH. Those children who lost weight tended to have severe hypothyroidism and to have only a small weight loss. Consequently, practitioners should not expect significant decreases in weight after treatment in most children with hypothyroidism.

Quercetin and rutin ameliorates sulphasalazine-induced spermiotoxicity, alterations in reproductive hormones and steroidogenic enzyme imbalance in rats.

PubMed

Osawe, S O; Farombi, E O

2018-06-01

Certain dietary flavonoids exhibit protective potentials against drug-induced male reproductive toxicities. We investigated the protective effects of quercetin and rutin on sulphasalazine-induced alterations in steroidogenic enzyme activity, hormone profile and spermiotoxicity in rats. Sulphasalazine (SASP, 600 mg/kg bw) was administered alone or in combination with quercetin (20 mg/kg bw) or rutin (10 mg/kg bw) for 14 days. SASP treatment significantly increased relative weights of the epididymis and seminal vesicles. Also, testicular and epididymal sperm numbers (TSN, ESN), motility, daily sperm production (DSP) and acrosome reaction (AR) significantly decreased. SASP altered plasma testosterone, luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels while testicular cholesterol levels, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) activities were decreased. Elevated malondialdehyde levels and concomitant decrease in reduced glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were evident in testis and epididymis of SASP-treated rats. Quercetin or rutin co-treatment with SASP significantly reversed organ weights, preserved sperm integrity, restored plasma hormone levels and increased cholesterol levels, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD activities in testis. Both flavonoids also prevented oxidative stress in testis and epididymis of SASP-treated rats. Quercetin and rutin protect against the negative effects of SASP treatment on reproductive capacity in male rats. © 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Contrasting intra- and extracellular distribution of catalytic ferrous iron in ovalbumin-induced peritonitis.

PubMed

Ito, Fumiya; Nishiyama, Takahiro; Shi, Lei; Mori, Masahiko; Hirayama, Tasuku; Nagasawa, Hideko; Yasui, Hiroyuki; Toyokuni, Shinya

2016-08-05

Iron is an essential nutrient for every type of life on earth. However, excess iron is cytotoxic and can lead to an increased cancer risk in humans. Catalytic ferrous iron [Fe(II)] is an initiator of the Fenton reaction, which causes oxidative stress by generating hydroxyl radicals. Recently, it became possible to localize catalytic Fe(II) in situ with a turn-on fluorescent probe, RhoNox-1. Here, we screened each organ/cell of rats to globally evaluate the distribution of catalytic Fe(II) and found that eosinophils showed the highest abundance. In various cells, lysosomes were the major organelle, sharing ∼40-80% of RhoNox-1 fluorescence. We then used an ovalbumin-induced allergic peritonitis model to study the dynamics of catalytic Fe(II). Peritoneal lavage revealed that the total iron contents per cell were significantly decreased, whereas an increase in the number of inflammatory cells (macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes) resulted in an increased total iron content of the peritoneal inflammatory cells. Notably, macrophages, eosinophils and neutrophils exhibited significantly increased catalytic Fe(II) with increased DMT1 expression and decreased ferritin expression, though catalytic Fe(II) was significantly decreased in the peritoneal lavage fluid. In conclusion, catalytic Fe(II) in situ more directly reflects cellular activity and the accompanying pathology than total iron does. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An essential role for the association of CD47 to SHPS-1 in skeletal remodeling.

PubMed

Maile, Laura A; DeMambro, Victoria E; Wai, Christine; Lotinun, Sutada; Aday, Ariel W; Capps, Byron E; Beamer, Wesley G; Rosen, Clifford J; Clemmons, David R

2011-09-01

Integrin-associated protein (IAP/CD47) has been implicated in macrophage-macrophage fusion. To understand the actions of CD47 on skeletal remodeling, we compared Cd47(-/-) mice with Cd47(+/+) controls. Cd47(-/-) mice weighed less and had decreased areal bone mineral density compared with controls. Cd47(-/-) femurs were shorter in length with thinner cortices and exhibited lower trabecular bone volume owing to decreased trabecular number and thickness. Histomorphometry revealed reduced bone-formation and mineral apposition rates, accompanied by decreased osteoblast numbers. No differences in osteoclast number were observed despite a nonsignificant but 40% decrease in eroded surface/bone surface in Cd47(-/-) mice. In vitro, the number of functional osteoclasts formed by differentiating Cd47(-/-) bone marrow cells was significantly decreased compared with wild-type cultures and was associated with a decrease in bone-resorption capacity. Furthermore, by disrupting the CD47-SHPS-1 association, we found that osteoclastogenesis was markedly impaired. Assays for markers of osteoclast maturation suggested that the defect was at the point of fusion and not differentiation and was associated with a lack of SHPS-1 phosphorylation, SHP-1 phosphatase recruitment, and subsequent dephosphorylation of non-muscle cell myosin IIA. We also demonstrated a significant decrease in osteoblastogenesis in bone marrow stromal cells derived from Cd47(-/-) mice. Our finding of cell-autonomous defects in Cd47(-/-) osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation coupled with the pronounced skeletal phenotype of Cd47(-/-) mice support the conclusion that CD47 plays an important role in regulating skeletal acquisition and maintenance through its actions on both bone formation and bone resorption. Copyright © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Hydrogen Sulfide Alleviates Aluminum Toxicity via Decreasing Apoplast and Symplast Al Contents in Rice

PubMed Central

Zhu, Chun Q.; Zhang, Jun H.; Sun, Li M.; Zhu, Lian F.; Abliz, Buhailiqem; Hu, Wen J.; Zhong, Chu; Bai, Zhi G.; Sajid, Hussain; Cao, Xiao C.; Jin, Qian Y.

2018-01-01

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays a vital role in Al3+ stress resistance in plants, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. In the present study, pretreatment with 2 μM of the H2S donor NaHS significantly alleviated the inhibition of root elongation caused by Al toxicity in rice roots, which was accompanied by a decrease in Al contents in root tips under 50 μM Al3+ treatment. NaHS pretreatment decreased the negative charge in cell walls by reducing the activity of pectin methylesterase and decreasing the pectin and hemicellulose contents in rice roots. This treatment also masked Al-binding sites in the cell wall by upregulating the expression of OsSATR1 and OsSTAR2 in roots and reduced Al binding in the cell wall by stimulating the expression of the citrate acid exudation gene OsFRDL4 and increasing the secretion of citrate acid. In addition, NaHS pretreatment decreased the symplasmic Al content by downregulating the expression of OsNRAT1, and increasing the translocation of cytoplasmic Al to the vacuole via upregulating the expression of OsALS1. The increment of antioxidant enzyme [superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD)] activity with NaHS pretreatment significantly decreased the MDA and H2O2 content in rice roots, thereby reducing the damage of Al3+ toxicity on membrane integrity in rice. H2S exhibits crosstalk with nitric oxide (NO) in response to Al toxicity, and through reducing NO content in root tips to alleviate Al toxicity. Together, this study establishes that H2S alleviates Al toxicity by decreasing the Al content in the apoplast and symplast of rice roots. PMID:29559992

Mineral Content and Biochemical Variables of Aloe vera L. under Salt Stress

PubMed Central

Murillo-Amador, Bernardo; Córdoba-Matson, Miguel Víctor; Villegas-Espinoza, Jorge Arnoldo; Hernández-Montiel, Luis Guillermo; Troyo-Diéguez, Enrique; García-Hernández, José Luis

2014-01-01

Despite the proven economic importance of Aloe vera, studies of saline stress and its effects on the biochemistry and mineral content in tissues of this plant are scarce. The objective of this study was to grow Aloe under NaCl stress of 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 mM and compare: (1) proline, total protein, and enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEP-case) in chlorenchyma and parenchyma tissues, and (2) ion content (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, Fe, P. N, Zn, B, Mn, and Cu) in roots, stems, leaves and sprouts. Proline and PEP-case increased as salinity increased in both parenchyma and chlorenchyma, while total protein increased in parenchyma and decreased in chlorenchyma, although at similar salt concentrations total protein was always higher in chlorenchyma. As salinity increased Na and Cl ions increased in roots, stems, leaves, while K decreased only significantly in sprouts. Salinity increases typically caused mineral content in tissue to decrease, or not change significantly. In roots, as salinity increased Mg decreased, while all other minerals failed to show a specific trend. In stems, the mineral concentrations that changed were Fe and P which increased with salinity while Cu decreased. In leaves, Mg, Mn, N, and B decreased with salinity, while Cu increased. In sprouts, the minerals that decreased with increasing salinity were Mg, Mn, and Cu. Zinc did not exhibit a trend in any of the tissues. The increase in protein, proline and PEP-case activity, as well as the absorption and accumulation of cations under moderate NaCl stress caused osmotic adjustment which kept the plant healthy. These results suggest that Aloe may be a viable crop for soil irrigated with hard water or affected by salinity at least at concentrations used in the present study. PMID:24736276

Hydrogen Sulfide Alleviates Aluminum Toxicity via Decreasing Apoplast and Symplast Al Contents in Rice.

PubMed

Zhu, Chun Q; Zhang, Jun H; Sun, Li M; Zhu, Lian F; Abliz, Buhailiqem; Hu, Wen J; Zhong, Chu; Bai, Zhi G; Sajid, Hussain; Cao, Xiao C; Jin, Qian Y

2018-01-01

Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) plays a vital role in Al 3+ stress resistance in plants, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. In the present study, pretreatment with 2 μM of the H 2 S donor NaHS significantly alleviated the inhibition of root elongation caused by Al toxicity in rice roots, which was accompanied by a decrease in Al contents in root tips under 50 μM Al 3+ treatment. NaHS pretreatment decreased the negative charge in cell walls by reducing the activity of pectin methylesterase and decreasing the pectin and hemicellulose contents in rice roots. This treatment also masked Al-binding sites in the cell wall by upregulating the expression of OsSATR1 and OsSTAR2 in roots and reduced Al binding in the cell wall by stimulating the expression of the citrate acid exudation gene OsFRDL4 and increasing the secretion of citrate acid. In addition, NaHS pretreatment decreased the symplasmic Al content by downregulating the expression of OsNRAT1 , and increasing the translocation of cytoplasmic Al to the vacuole via upregulating the expression of OsALS1 . The increment of antioxidant enzyme [superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD)] activity with NaHS pretreatment significantly decreased the MDA and H 2 O 2 content in rice roots, thereby reducing the damage of Al 3+ toxicity on membrane integrity in rice. H 2 S exhibits crosstalk with nitric oxide (NO) in response to Al toxicity, and through reducing NO content in root tips to alleviate Al toxicity. Together, this study establishes that H 2 S alleviates Al toxicity by decreasing the Al content in the apoplast and symplast of rice roots.

The sensitivity of male rat reproductive organs to monosodium glutamate.

PubMed

Iamsaard, Sitthichai; Sukhorum, Wannisa; Samrid, Rarinthorn; Yimdee, Jindaporn; Kanla, Pipatphong; Chaisiwamongkol, Kowit; Hipkaeo, Wiphawi; Fongmoon, Duriya; Kondo, Hisatake

2014-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the sensitivity of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle, and sperm acrosome reaction (AR) to monosodium L- glutamate (MSG) in rats. Rats were divided into four groups and fed with non-acidic MSG at 0.25, 3 or 6 g/kg body weight for 30 days or without MSG. The morphological changes in the reproductive organs were studied. The plasma testosterone level, epididymal sperm concentration, and sperm AR status were assayed. Compared to the control, no significant changes were discerned in the morphology and weight of the testes, or the histological structures of epididymis, vas deferens and seminal vesicle. In contrast, significant decreases were detected in the weight of the epididymis, testosterone levels, and sperm concentration of rats treated with 6 g/kg body weight of MSG. The weight loss was evident in the seminal vesicle in MSG-administered rats. Moreover, rats treated with MSG 3 and 6 g/kg exhibited partial testicular damage, characterized by sloughing of spermatogenic cells into the seminiferous tubular lumen, and their plasma testosterone levels were significantly decreased. In the 6 g/kg MSG group, the sperm concentration was significantly decreased compared with the control or two lower dose MSG groups. In AR assays, there was no statistically significant difference between MSG-rats and normal rats. Testicular morphological changes, testosterone level, and sperm concentration were sensitive to high doses of MSG while the rate of AR was not affected. Therefore, the consumption of high dose MSG must be avoided because it may cause partial infertility in male. Copyright © 2014 by Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Keto analogues and amino acids supplementation induces a decrease of white blood cell counts and a reduction of muscle damage during intense exercise under thermoneutral conditions.

PubMed

Lima, R C P; Camerino, S R A S; França, T C L; Rodrigues, D S A; Gouveia, M G S; Ximenes-da-Silva, A; Bassini, A; Prado, E S; Cameron, L C

2017-04-19

This study evaluated the acute effect of keto analogue and amino acid (AA-KAAA) supplementation on both white blood cell counts and the established biomarkers of muscle damage during exercise under thermoneutral conditions. Sixteen male cyclists received a ketogenic diet for two days and were divided into two equal groups: a group taking AA-KAAA (KA) or a control group (PL). The athletes performed a two hour cycling session followed by a maximum incremental test until voluntary exhaustion (VExh). Blood samples were obtained at rest and during exercise for further hematological and biochemical analyses. Exercise-induced ammonemia increased in the PL group at VExh (75%) but remained unchanged in the KA group. Both groups exhibited a significant increase in leukocyte and neutrophil counts of ∼85% (∼13 × 10 9 L -1 ), but the shape of the lymphocytes and the eosinophil counts suggest that AA-KAAA supplementation helps prevent lymphocytosis. AA-KAAA supplementation induced a decrease in creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase levels at VExh while showing a significant decrease in lactate dehydrogenase at 120 min. We found that AA-KAAA supplementation decreases both the lymphocyte count response in blood and the established biomarkers of muscle damage after intense exercise under a low heat stress environment.

Protective effects of coenzyme q(10) on decreased oxidative stress resistance induced by simvastatin.

PubMed

Kettawan, Aikkarach; Takahashi, Takayuki; Kongkachuichai, Ratchanee; Charoenkiatkul, Somsri; Kishi, Takeo; Okamoto, Tadashi

2007-05-01

The effects of simvastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), on oxidative stress resistance and the protective effects of coenzyme Q (CoQ) were investigated. When simvastatin was administered orally to mice, the levels of oxidized and reduced CoQ(9) and CoQ(10) in serum, liver, and heart, decreased significantly when compared to those of control. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances induced by Fe(2+)-ascorbate in liver and heart mitochondria also increased significantly with simvastatin. Furthermore, cultured cardiac myocytes treated with simvastatin exhibited less resistance to oxidative stress, decreased time to the cessation of spontaneous beating in response to H(2)O(2) addition, and decreased responsiveness to electrical field stimulation. These results suggested that oral administration of simvastatin suppresses the biosynthesis of CoQ, which shares the same biosynthesis pathway as cholesterol up to farnesyl pyrophosphate, thus compromising the physiological function of reduced CoQ, which possesses antioxidant activity. However, these undesirable effects induced by simvastatin were alleviated by coadministering CoQ(10) with simvastatin to mice. Simvastatin also reduced the activity of NADPH-CoQ reductase, a biological enzyme that converts oxidized CoQ to the corresponding reduced CoQ, while CoQ(10) administration improved it. These findings may also support the efficacy of coadministering CoQ(10) with statins.

Modulation of cGMP by human HO-1 retrovirus gene transfer in pulmonary microvessel endothelial cells.

PubMed

Abraham, Nader G; Quan, Shuo; Mieyal, Paul A; Yang, Liming; Burke-Wolin, Theresa; Mingone, Christopher J; Goodman, Alvin I; Nasjletti, Alberto; Wolin, Michael S

2002-11-01

Carbon monoxide (CO) stimulates guanylate cyclase (GC) and increases guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels. We transfected rat-lung pulmonary endothelial cells with a retrovirus-mediated human heme oxygenase (hHO)-1 gene. Pulmonary cells that expressed hHO-1 exhibited a fourfold increase in HO activity associated with decreases in the steady-state levels of heme and cGMP without changes in soluble GC (sGC) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) proteins or basal nitrite production. Heme elicited significant increases in CO production and intracellular cGMP levels in both pulmonary endothelial and pulmonary hHO-1-expressing cells. N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NOS, significantly decreased cGMP levels in heme-treated pulmonary endothelial cells but not heme-treated hHO-1-expressing cells. In the presence of exogenous heme, CO and cGMP levels in hHO-1-expressing cells exceeded the corresponding levels in pulmonary endothelial cells. Acute exposure of endothelial cells to SnCl2, which is an inducer of HO-1, increased cGMP levels, whereas chronic exposure decreased heme and cGMP levels. These results indicate that prolonged overexpression of HO-1 ultimately decreases sGC activity by limiting the availability of cellular heme. Heme activates sGC and enhances cGMP levels via a mechanism that is largely insensitive to NOS inhibition.

Effects of OPC-51803, a novel, nonpeptide vasopressin V2-receptor agonist, on micturition frequency in Brattleboro and aged rats.

PubMed

Nakamura, Shigeki; Hirano, Takahiro; Yamamura, Yoshitaka; Itoh, Shuji; Kondo, Kazumi; Mori, Toyoki; Kambe, Toshimi

2003-12-01

We assessed the effects of OPC-51803 ((5R)-2-[1-(2-chloro-4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)benzoyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepin-5-yl]-N-isopropylacetamide), a nonpeptide vasopressin V(2)-receptor agonist, on micturition frequency in female homozygous Brattleboro rats (strain carries hereditary diabetes insipidus) and aged male Sprague-Dawley rats with polyuria. Female homozygous Brattleboro rats exhibited more diuresis and a larger micturition frequency over a 24-h period than did the heterozygous controls. In Brattleboro rats, an oral administration of OPC-51803 at 0.03 and 0.3 mg/kg significantly decreased urinary frequency and was accompanied by decreased urine volume. However, little effect was seen in the mean and maximal micturition volume. Aged male Sprague-Dawley rats (25-month-old) showed a significant increase in urine volume throughout a 0- to 24-h period compared with mature (6-month-old) rats. Orally administered OPC-51803 at 0.3 mg/kg decreased not only urine volume but also urinary frequency in aged rats. Furthermore, OPC-51803 prolonged the time prior to the first micturition. Therefore, OPC-51803 decreased micturition frequency in both rat species by reducing urine outflow. This suggests that the compound will be useful for treating micturition disorders that result in frequent micturition, such as that from polyuria, nocturnal polyuria, and some kinds of urinary incontinence.

Radiation Performance of Commercial SiGe HBT BiCMOS-High Speed Operational Amplifiers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Dakai; Pellish, Jonathan; Phan, Anthony; Kim, Hak; Burns, Sam; Albarian, Rafi; Holcombe, Bruce; Little, Bradley; Salzman, James; LaBel, Kenneth

2010-01-01

We present results on heavy-ion and proton irradiations for commercial SiGe BiCMOS operational amplifiers: LTC6400-20 from Linear Technology and THS4304 from Texas Instruments. We found that the devices are susceptible to heavy-ion-induced SETs. The SET cross-sections increase with increasing operating frequency. The LTC6400 exhibits a LET(sub th) < 7.4 MeV·sq cm/mg for frequencies ranging from 10 to 1000 MHz. The THS4304 exhibits a LET(sub th) < 4.4 MeV·sq cm/mg at 200 MHz; the LET(sub th) decreases with increasing frequency. The significance of the SETs also increases with frequency. The SETs at 1000 MHz can erase several signal cycles. We al.so found that the LTC6400 is relatively robust against 198 and 54 MeV protons. We did not observe angular sensitivity from the proton irradiations.

Age-related increase in brain activity during task-related and -negative networks and numerical inductive reasoning.

PubMed

Sun, Li; Liang, Peipeng; Jia, Xiuqin; Qi, Zhigang; Li, Kuncheng

2014-01-01

Recent neuroimaging studies have shown that elderly adults exhibit increased and decreased activation on various cognitive tasks, yet little is known about age-related changes in inductive reasoning. To investigate the neural basis for the aging effect on inductive reasoning, 15 young and 15 elderly subjects performed numerical inductive reasoning while in a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analysis revealed that numerical inductive reasoning, relative to rest, yielded multiple frontal, temporal, parietal, and some subcortical area activations for both age groups. In addition, the younger participants showed significant regions of task-induced deactivation, while no deactivation occurred in the elderly adults. Direct group comparisons showed that elderly adults exhibited greater activity in regions of task-related activation and areas showing task-induced deactivation (TID) in the younger group. Our findings suggest an age-related deficiency in neural function and resource allocation during inductive reasoning.

Magnetic properties of (misch metal, Nd)-Fe-B melt-spun magnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, R.; Shang, R. X.; Xiong, J. F.; Liu, D.; Kuang, H.; Zuo, W. L.; Zhao, T. Y.; Sun, J. R.; Shen, B. G.

2017-05-01

The effect of replacing Nd with misch metal (MM) on magnetic properties and thermal stability has been investigated on melt-spun (Nd1-xMMx)13.5Fe79.5B7 ribbons by varying x from 0 to 1. All of the alloys studied crystallize in the tetragonal 2:14:1 structure with single hard magnetic phase. Curie temperature (Tc), coercivity (Hcj), remanence magnetization (Br) and maximum energy product ((BH)max) all decrease with MM content. The melt-spun MM13.5Fe79.5B ribbons with high ratio of La and Ce exhibit high magnetic properties of Hcj = 8.2 kOe and (BH)max= 10.3 MGOe at room temperature. MM substitution also significantly strengthens the temperature stability of coercivity. The coercivities of the samples with x = 0.2 and even 0.4 exhibit large values close to that of Nd13.5Fe79.5B7 ribbons above 400 K.

Static and high frequency magnetic properties of FeGa thin films deposited on convex flexible substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Ying; Zhan, Qingfeng; Wei, Jinwu; Wang, Jianbo; Dai, Guohong; Zuo, Zhenghu; Zhang, Xiaoshan; Liu, Yiwei; Yang, Huali; Zhang, Yao; Xie, Shuhong; Wang, Baomin; Li, Run-Wei

2015-04-01

Magnetostrictive FeGa thin films were deposited on the bowed flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates, which were fixed on the convex mold. A compressive stress was induced in FeGa films when the PET substrates were shaped from convex to flat. Due to the effect of magnetostriction, FeGa films exhibit an obvious in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy which could be enhanced by increasing the applied pre-strains on the substrates during growth. Consequently, the ferromagnetic resonance frequency of the films was significantly increased, but the corresponding initial permeability was decreased. Moreover, the films with pre-strains less than 0.78% exhibit a working bandwidth of microwave absorption about 2 GHz. Our investigations demonstrated a convenient method via the pre-strained substrates to tune the high frequency properties of magnetic thin films which could be applied in flexible microwave devices.

Synthesis and Anticancer Mechanism Investigation of Dual Hsp27 and Tubulin Inhibitors

PubMed Central

Zhong, Bo; Chennamaneni, Snigdha; Lama, Rati; Yi, Xin; Geldenhuys, Werner J.; Pink, John J.; Dowlati, Afshin; Xu, Yan; Zhou, Aimin; Su, Bin

2013-01-01

Heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) is a chaperone protein, and its expression is increased in response to various stress stimuli including anticancer chemotherapy, which allows the cells to survive and causes drug resistance. We previously identified lead compounds that bound to Hsp27 and tubulin via proteomic approaches. Systematic ligand based optimization in the current study significantly increased the cell growth inhibition and apoptosis inducing activities of the compounds. Compared to the lead compounds, one of the new derivatives exhibited much better potency to inhibit tubulin polymerization but a decreased activity to inhibit Hsp27 chaperone function, suggesting that the structural modification dissected the dual targeting effects of the compound. The most potent compounds 20 and 22 exhibited strong cell proliferation inhibitory activities at subnanomolar concentration against 60 human cancer cell lines conducted by Developmental Therapeutic Program at the National Cancer Institute and represented promising candidates for anticancer drug development. PMID:23767669

Enhancing the supply of oxaloacetate for L-glutamate production by pyc overexpression in different Corynebacterium glutamicum.

PubMed

Guo, Xuan; Wang, Jing; Xie, Xixian; Xu, Qingyang; Zhang, Chenglin; Chen, Ning

2013-06-01

During L-glutamate production, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and pyruvate carboxylase (PCx) play important roles in supplying oxaloacetate to the tricarboxylic acid cycle. To explore the significance of PCx for L-glutamate overproduction, the pyc gene encoding PCx was amplified in Corynebacterium glutamicum GDK-9 triggered by biotin limitation and CN1021 triggered by a temperature shock, respectively. In the fed-batch cultures, GDK-9pXMJ19pyc exhibited 7.4 % lower L-alanine excretion and no improved L-glutamate production. In contrast, CN1021pXMJ19pyc finally exhibited 13 % lower L-alanine excretion and identical L-glutamate production, however, 8.5 % higher L-glutamate production was detected during a short period of the fermentation. It was indicated that pyc overexpression in L-glutamate producer strains, especially CN1021, increased the supply of oxaloacetate for L-glutamate synthesis and decreased byproduct excretion at the pyruvate node.

Compromising the phosphodependent regulation of the GABAAR β3 subunit reproduces the core phenotypes of autism spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Vien, Thuy N; Modgil, Amit; Abramian, Armen M; Jurd, Rachel; Walker, Joshua; Brandon, Nicholas J; Terunuma, Miho; Rudolph, Uwe; Maguire, Jamie; Davies, Paul A; Moss, Stephen J

2015-12-01

Alterations in the efficacy of neuronal inhibition mediated by GABAA receptors (GABAARs) containing β3 subunits are continually implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). In vitro, the plasma membrane stability of GABAARs is potentiated via phosphorylation of serine residues 408 and 409 (S408/9) in the β3 subunit, an effect that is mimicked by their mutation to alanines. To assess if modifications in β3 subunit expression contribute to ASDs, we have created a mouse in which S408/9 have been mutated to alanines (S408/9A). S408/9A homozygotes exhibited increased phasic, but decreased tonic, inhibition, events that correlated with alterations in the membrane stability and synaptic accumulation of the receptor subtypes that mediate these distinct forms of inhibition. S408/9A mice exhibited alterations in dendritic spine structure, increased repetitive behavior, and decreased social interaction, hallmarks of ASDs. ASDs are frequently comorbid with epilepsy, and consistent with this comorbidity, S408/9A mice exhibited a marked increase in sensitivity to seizures induced by the convulsant kainic acid. To assess the relevance of our studies using S408/9A mice for the pathophysiology of ASDs, we measured S408/9 phosphorylation in Fmr1 KO mice, a model of fragile X syndrome, the most common monogenetic cause of ASDs. Phosphorylation of S408/9 was selectively and significantly enhanced in Fmr1 KO mice. Collectively, our results suggest that alterations in phosphorylation and/or activity of β3-containing GABAARs may directly contribute to the pathophysiology of ASDs.

Leukemia-associated gene MLAA-34 reduces arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

PubMed

Zhang, Pengyu; Zhao, Xuan; Zhang, Wenjuan; He, Aili; Lei, Bo; Zhang, Wanggang; Chen, Yinxia

2017-01-01

Our laboratory previously used the SEREX method in U937 cells and identified a novel leukemia-associated gene MLAA-34, a novel splice variant of CAB39L associated with acute monocytic leukemia, that exhibited anti-apoptotic activities in U937 cells. Whether MLAA-34 has an anti-apoptotic role in other tumor cells has not yet been reported. We explored whether MLAA-34 exhibited anti-apoptotic effects in HeLa cervical cancer cells and the possible mechanism of action. We generated a HeLa cell line stably expressing MLAA-34 and found that MLAA-34 overexpression had no effect on the growth, apoptosis and cell cycle of HeLa cells. However, upon treatment with arsenic trioxide (ATO) to induce apoptosis, the cell viability and colony formation ability of ATO-treated MLAA-34 stable HeLa cells were significantly higher than that of ATO-treated controls, and the apoptosis rate and proportion of G2/M cells also decreased. We found that ATO treatment of HeLa cells resulted in significant decreases in the expression of β-catenin mRNA and protein and the downstream target factors c-Myc, cyclin B1, and cyclin D1 in the Wnt signaling pathway. Notably, ATO-treated MLAA-34 stable HeLa cells showed a significant reduction in the ATO-mediated downregulation of these factors. In addition, MLAA-34 overexpression significantly increased the expression of nuclear β-catenin protein in ATO-treated cells compared with HeLa cells treated only with ATO. Thus, here we have found that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in ATO-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. MLAA-34 reduces ATO-induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest, and the anti-apoptotic effect may be achieved by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in HeLa cells.

Human Neural Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicles Improve Recovery in a Porcine Model of Ischemic Stroke

PubMed Central

Webb, Robin L.; Kaiser, Erin E.; Jurgielewicz, Brian J.; Spellicy, Samantha; Scoville, Shelley L.; Thompson, Tyler A.; Swetenburg, Raymond L.; Hess, David C.; West, Franklin D.

2018-01-01

Background and Purpose— Recent work from our group suggests that human neural stem cell–derived extracellular vesicle (NSC EV) treatment improves both tissue and sensorimotor function in a preclinical thromboembolic mouse model of stroke. In this study, NSC EVs were evaluated in a pig ischemic stroke model, where clinically relevant end points were used to assess recovery in a more translational large animal model. Methods— Ischemic stroke was induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and either NSC EV or PBS treatment was administered intravenously at 2, 14, and 24 hours post-MCAO. NSC EV effects on tissue level recovery were evaluated via magnetic resonance imaging at 1 and 84 days post-MCAO. Effects on functional recovery were also assessed through longitudinal behavior and gait analysis testing. Results— NSC EV treatment was neuroprotective and led to significant improvements at the tissue and functional levels in stroked pigs. NSC EV treatment eliminated intracranial hemorrhage in ischemic lesions in NSC EV pigs (0 of 7) versus control pigs (7 of 8). NSC EV–treated pigs exhibited a significant decrease in cerebral lesion volume and decreased brain swelling relative to control pigs 1-day post-MCAO. NSC EVs significantly reduced edema in treated pigs relative to control pigs, as assessed by improved diffusivity through apparent diffusion coefficient maps. NSC EVs preserved white matter integrity with increased corpus callosum fractional anisotropy values 84 days post-MCAO. Behavior and mobility improvements paralleled structural changes as NSC EV–treated pigs exhibited improved outcomes, including increased exploratory behavior and faster restoration of spatiotemporal gait parameters. Conclusions— This study demonstrated for the first time that in a large animal model novel NSC EVs significantly improved neural tissue preservation and functional levels post-MCAO, suggesting NSC EVs may be a paradigm changing stroke therapeutic. PMID:29650593

Leukemia-associated gene MLAA-34 reduces arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

PubMed Central

Zhao, Xuan; Zhang, Wenjuan; He, Aili; Lei, Bo; Zhang, Wanggang; Chen, Yinxia

2017-01-01

Our laboratory previously used the SEREX method in U937 cells and identified a novel leukemia-associated gene MLAA-34, a novel splice variant of CAB39L associated with acute monocytic leukemia, that exhibited anti-apoptotic activities in U937 cells. Whether MLAA-34 has an anti-apoptotic role in other tumor cells has not yet been reported. We explored whether MLAA-34 exhibited anti-apoptotic effects in HeLa cervical cancer cells and the possible mechanism of action. We generated a HeLa cell line stably expressing MLAA-34 and found that MLAA-34 overexpression had no effect on the growth, apoptosis and cell cycle of HeLa cells. However, upon treatment with arsenic trioxide (ATO) to induce apoptosis, the cell viability and colony formation ability of ATO-treated MLAA-34 stable HeLa cells were significantly higher than that of ATO-treated controls, and the apoptosis rate and proportion of G2/M cells also decreased. We found that ATO treatment of HeLa cells resulted in significant decreases in the expression of β-catenin mRNA and protein and the downstream target factors c-Myc, cyclin B1, and cyclin D1 in the Wnt signaling pathway. Notably, ATO-treated MLAA-34 stable HeLa cells showed a significant reduction in the ATO-mediated downregulation of these factors. In addition, MLAA-34 overexpression significantly increased the expression of nuclear β-catenin protein in ATO-treated cells compared with HeLa cells treated only with ATO. Thus, here we have found that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in ATO-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. MLAA-34 reduces ATO-induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest, and the anti-apoptotic effect may be achieved by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in HeLa cells. PMID:29059232

Ecological regime shifts and changes of lake ecosystem service in a shallow Yangtze lake (Taibai Lake, China) over the past 150 years

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, X.; Xu, M.; Yang, X.

2017-12-01

Shallow lakes provide a range of ecosystem services such as water supply, biodiversity, aquaculture, tourism, shipping and flood regulation. Over recent decades, many lakes have become severely deteriorated due to a coupled natural and human disturbance. Given the limited monitoring records, however, we still have little knowledge on how, when and why those lake experienced ecological status shifts, and how the lake ecosystem service changed. Paleolimnological techniques were widely used in understanding the historical environmental and ecological changes. Here, we chose a typical eutrophic shallow lake, Taibai Lake, and acquired geochemistry proxies, grain size, diatom, cladocera and chironomid from a 210Pb and 137Cs dated sediment core. Document records and monitoring data are also included as important marks of social and environmental change. A T-test based algorithm of STARS reveal at least two ecological shifts, respectively in the 1960s and the 1990s. The sudden shift in the 1960s is supposed to be influenced by a dam and sluice construction in the 1950s and another shift in the 1990s should be a critical transition due to the alternation of ecosystem structure for higher fishery production. Correspondingly, lake ecosystem service (LES) also experienced significant changes. Prior to 1930s, different types of LES kept relatively stable with low values. With the dam construction in the 1960s, the changed hydrological condition led to gradual increases in both regulation and provision service. However, with much effort on fishery and reclamation, the regulation service of the lake decreased, exhibiting a tradeoff among LES. After 1990s, with intense aquaculture, most types of LSE suffered a further decrease. The long-term records exhibited that ecosystem services in primary productivity and biodiversity maintenance increased (synergies) whereas services in water-purification and climate regulating decreased significantly (tradeoffs) since 1950s, when local people are seeking higher desired services by human "modification" on lake ecosystem. By long-term records, temporal perspectives on such dynamic tradeoffs and synergies relationship among various ESs under the context of different types resource utilization over time have significant implications for management initiatives.

Assessment the effect of homogenized soil on soil hydraulic properties and soil water transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohawesh, O.; Janssen, M.; Maaitah, O.; Lennartz, B.

2017-09-01

Soil hydraulic properties play a crucial role in simulating water flow and contaminant transport. Soil hydraulic properties are commonly measured using homogenized soil samples. However, soil structure has a significant effect on the soil ability to retain and to conduct water, particularly in aggregated soils. In order to determine the effect of soil homogenization on soil hydraulic properties and soil water transport, undisturbed soil samples were carefully collected. Five different soil structures were identified: Angular-blocky, Crumble, Angular-blocky (different soil texture), Granular, and subangular-blocky. The soil hydraulic properties were determined for undisturbed and homogenized soil samples for each soil structure. The soil hydraulic properties were used to model soil water transport using HYDRUS-1D.The homogenized soil samples showed a significant increase in wide pores (wCP) and a decrease in narrow pores (nCP). The wCP increased by 95.6, 141.2, 391.6, 3.9, 261.3%, and nCP decreased by 69.5, 10.5, 33.8, 72.7, and 39.3% for homogenized soil samples compared to undisturbed soil samples. The soil water retention curves exhibited a significant decrease in water holding capacity for homogenized soil samples compared with the undisturbed soil samples. The homogenized soil samples showed also a decrease in soil hydraulic conductivity. The simulated results showed that water movement and distribution were affected by soil homogenizing. Moreover, soil homogenizing affected soil hydraulic properties and soil water transport. However, field studies are being needed to find the effect of these differences on water, chemical, and pollutant transport under several scenarios.

Chloroplastic responses of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seedlings to ozone exposure.

PubMed

Anderson, Paul D; Palmer, Brent; Houpis, James L J; Smith, Mary K; Pushnik, James C

2003-06-01

Integrity of chloroplast membranes is essential to photosynthesis. Loss of thylakoid membrane integrity has been proposed as a consequence of ozone (O(3)) exposure and therefore may be a mechanistic basis for decreased photosynthetic rates commonly associated with ozone exposure. To investigate this hypothesis, Pinus ponderosa seedlings were exposed to ambient air or ozone concentrations maintained at 0.15 or 0.30 microliter l(-1) for 10 h day(-1) for 51 days during their second growing season. Over the course of the study, foliage samples were periodically collected for thylakoid membrane, chlorophyll and protein analyses. Additionally, gas-exchange measurements were made in conjunction with foliage sampling to verify that observed chloroplastic responses were associated with ozone-induced changes in photosynthesis. Needles exposed to elevated ozone exhibited decreases in chlorophyll a and b content. The decreases were dependent on the duration and intensity of ozone exposure. When based on equal amounts of chlorophyll, ozone-exposed sample tissue exhibited an increase in total protein. When based on equal amounts of protein, ozone-exposed samples exhibited an increase in 37 kDa proteins, possibly consisting of breakdown products, and a possible decrease in 68 kDa proteins, Rubisco small subunit. There was also a change in the ratio of Photosystem I protein complexes CPI and CPII that may have contributed to decreased photosynthesis. Net photosynthetic rates were decreased in the high ozone treatment suggesting that observed structural and biochemical changes in the chloroplast were associated with alterations of the photosynthetic process.

Dispersion of gravitational waves in cold spherical interstellar medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barta, Dániel; Vasúth, Mátyás

We investigate the propagation of locally plane, small-amplitude, monochromatic gravitational waves (GWs) through cold compressible interstellar gas in order to provide a more accurate picture of expected waveforms for direct detection. The quasi-isothermal gas is concentrated in a spherical symmetric cloud held together by self-gravitation. Gravitational waves can be treated as linearized perturbations on the background inner Schwarzschild spacetime. The perturbed quantities lead to the field equations governing the gas dynamics and describe the interaction of gravitational waves with matter. We have shown that the transport equation of these amplitudes provides numerical solutions for the frequency-alteration. The decrease in frequency is driven by the energy dissipating process of GW-matter interactions. The decrease is significantly smaller than the magnitude of the original frequency and too small to be detectable by present second-generation and planned third-generation detectors. It exhibits a power-law relationship between original and decreased frequencies. The frequency deviation was examined particularly for the transient signal GW150914.

Time variation analysis of the daily Forbush decrease indices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patra, Sankar Narayan; Ghosh, Koushik; Panja, Subhash Chandra

2011-08-01

In the present paper we have analyzed the daily Forbush decrease indices from January 1, 1967 to December 31, 2003. First filtering the time series by Simple Exponential Smoothing, we have applied Scargle Method of Periodogram on the processed time series in order to search for its time variation. Study exhibits periodicities around 174, 245, 261, 321, 452, 510, 571, 584, 662, 703, 735, 741, 767, 774, 820, 970, 1062, 1082, 1489, 1715, 2317, 2577, 2768, 3241 and 10630 days with confidence levels higher than 90%. Some of these periods are significantly similar to the observed periodicities of other solar activities, like solar filament activity, solar electron flare occurrence, solar-flare rate, solar proton events, solar neutrino flux, solar irradiance, cosmic ray intensity and flare, spectrum of the sunspot, solar wind, southern coronal hole area and solar cycle, which may suggest that the Forbush decrease behaves similarly to these solar activities and these activities may have a common origin.

Recovery after aerobic exercise is manipulated by tempo change in a rhythmic sound pattern, as indicated by autonomic reaction on heart functioning

PubMed Central

Wallert, John; Madison, Guy

2014-01-01

Physical prowess is associated with rapid recovery from exhaustion. Here we examined whether recovery from aerobic exercise could be manipulated with a rhythmic sound pattern that either decreased or increased in tempo. Six men and six women exercised repeatedly for six minutes on a cycle ergometer at 60 percent of their individual maximal oxygen consumption, and then relaxed for six minutes while listening to one of two sound pattern conditions, which seemed to infinitely either decrease or increase in tempo, during which heart and breathing activity was measured. Participants exhibited more high-frequent heart rate variability when listening to decreasing tempo than when listening to increasing tempo, accompanied by a non-significant trend towards lower heart rate. The results show that neuropsychological entrainment to a sound pattern may directly affect the autonomic nervous system, which in turn may facilitate physiological recovery after exercise. Applications using rhythmic entrainment to aid physical recovery are discussed. PMID:25285076

Biomechanical Properties of The Vaginal Wall: Effect of Pregnancy, Elastic Fiber Deficiency, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse

PubMed Central

Rahn, David D.; Ruff, Matthew D.; Brown, Spencer A.; Tibbals, Harry F.; Word, R. Ann

2009-01-01

Objectives To identify pregnancy-induced changes in biomechanical properties of the vaginal wall and compare these with Fibulin-5 knockout mice (Fbln5-/-) with and without prolapse. Study Design Mid-vaginal segments of nonpregnant and late-pregnant wild type (WT), Fbln5-/- with prolapse, and Fbln5-/- mice without prolapse were studied. Tissue length at failure, maximal strain, maximal stress, and tissue stiffness were determined. Results Compared with nonpregnant mice, vaginas of pregnant and Fbln5-/- (with prolapse) mice exhibited decreased maximal stress, increased distensibility and strain, and decreased stiffness. Tissues from Fbln5-/- mice without prolapse were similar to nonpregnant WT animals. Conclusions Pregnancy confers remarkable changes in the vaginal wall including increased distensibility and decreased stiffness and maximal stress. Elastinopathy alone is insufficient to cause significant changes in these properties, but prolapse confers additional alterations in distensibility and stiffness similar to those observed in pregnancy. These changes may contribute to the poor durability of many restorative surgical procedures for prolapse. PMID:18455541

Reduced calcification and lack of acclimatization by coral colonies growing in areas of persistent natural acidification.

PubMed

Crook, Elizabeth D; Cohen, Anne L; Rebolledo-Vieyra, Mario; Hernandez, Laura; Paytan, Adina

2013-07-02

As the surface ocean equilibrates with rising atmospheric CO2, the pH of surface seawater is decreasing with potentially negative impacts on coral calcification. A critical question is whether corals will be able to adapt or acclimate to these changes in seawater chemistry. We use high precision CT scanning of skeletal cores of Porites astreoides, an important Caribbean reef-building coral, to show that calcification rates decrease significantly along a natural gradient in pH and aragonite saturation (Ωarag). This decrease is accompanied by an increase in skeletal erosion and predation by boring organisms. The degree of sensitivity to reduced Ωarag measured on our field corals is consistent with that exhibited by the same species in laboratory CO2 manipulation experiments. We conclude that the Porites corals at our field site were not able to acclimatize enough to prevent the impacts of local ocean acidification on their skeletal growth and development, despite spending their entire lifespan in low pH, low Ωarag seawater.

Radioprotective effects of Hawthorn against genotoxicity induced by gamma irradiation in human blood lymphocytes.

PubMed

Hosseinimehr, Seyed Jalal; Mahmoudzadeh, Aziz; Azadbakht, Mohammad; Akhlaghpoor, Shahram

2009-02-01

The radioprotective effect of hawthorn (Crataegus microphylla) fruit extract was investigated in cultured blood lymphocytes from human volunteers. Peripheral blood samples were collected from five human volunteers 10 min before and 1, 2 and 3 h after a single oral ingestion of 500 mg hawthorn powder extract. At each time point, the whole blood was exposed in vitro to 150 cGy of cobalt-60 gamma irradiation, and then the lymphocytes were cultured with mitogenic stimulation to determine the micronuclei in cytokinesis-blocked binucleated cell. The lymphocytes in the blood samples collected after extract ingestion exhibited a significant decrease in the incidence of binucleated cells containing micronuclei as compared to similarly irradiated lymphocytes collected prior to extract ingestion. The maximum decrease in the frequency of micronuclei-containing cells was observed at 1 h after ingestion of Hawthorn extract (on average a 44% decrease). These data suggest that it may be possible to use Hawthorn extracts in personnel exposed to radiation in order to protect lymphocytes from radiation effects.

Elevated temperature tensile properties of P9 steel towards ferritic steel wrapper development for sodium cooled fast reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choudhary, B. K.; Mathew, M. D.; Isaac Samuel, E.; Christopher, J.; Jayakumar, T.

2013-11-01

Tensile deformation and fracture behaviour of the three developmental heats of P9 steel for wrapper applications containing varying silicon in the range 0.24-0.60% have been examined in the temperature range 300-873 K. Yield and ultimate tensile strengths in all the three heats exhibited gradual decrease with increase in temperature from room to intermediate temperatures followed by rapid decrease at high temperatures. A gradual decrease in ductility to a minimum at intermediate temperatures followed by an increase at high temperatures has been observed. The fracture mode remained transgranular ductile. The steel displayed signatures of dynamic strain ageing at intermediate temperatures and dominance of recovery at high temperatures. No significant difference in the strength and ductility values was observed for varying silicon in the range 0.24-0.60% in P9 steel. P9 steel for wrapper application displayed strength and ductility values comparable to those reported in the literature.

An experimental study of the effects of water repellant treatment on the acoustic properties of Kevlar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, C. D.; Parrott, T. L.

1978-01-01

The treatment consisted of immersing samples of Kevlar in a solution of distilled water and Zepel. The samples were then drained, dried in a circulating over, and cured. Flow resistance tests showed approximately one percent decrease in flow resistance of the samples. Also there was a density increase of about three percent. It was found that the treatment caused a change in the texture of the samples. There were significant changes in the acoustic properties of the treated Kevlar over the frequency range 0.5 to 3.5 kHz. In general it was found that the propagation constant and characteristic impedance increased with increasing frequency. The real and imaginary components of the propagation constant for the treated Kevlar exhibited a decrease of 8 to 12 percent relative to that for the untreated Kevlar at the higher frequencies. The magnitude of the reactance component of the characteristic impedance decreased by about 40 percent at the higher frequencies.

The Effect of Ultrafine-Grained Microstructure on Creep Behaviour of 9% Cr Steel

PubMed Central

Kral, Petr; Dvorak, Jiri; Sklenicka, Vaclav; Masuda, Takahiro; Horita, Zenji; Kucharova, Kveta; Kvapilova, Marie; Svobodova, Marie

2018-01-01

The effect of ultrafine-grained size on creep behaviour was investigated in P92 steel. Ultrafine-grained steel was prepared by one revolution of high-pressure torsion at room temperature. Creep tensile tests were performed at 873 K under the initially-applied stress range between 50 and 160 MPa. The microstructure was investigated using transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy equipped with an electron-back scatter detector. It was found that ultrafine-grained steel exhibits significantly faster minimum creep rates, and there was a decrease in the value of the stress exponent in comparison with coarse-grained P92 steel. Creep results also showed an abrupt decrease in the creep rate over time during the primary stage. The abrupt deceleration of the creep rate during the primary stage was shifted, with decreasing applied stress with longer creep times. The change in the decline of the creep rate during the primary stage was probably related to the enhanced precipitation of the Laves phase in the ultrafine-grained microstructure. PMID:29757206

Arginine, N-carbamylglutamate, and glutamine exert protective effects against oxidative stress in rat intestine.

PubMed

Xiao, Liang; Cao, Wei; Liu, Guangmang; Fang, Tingting; Wu, Xianjian; Jia, Gang; Chen, Xiaoling; Zhao, Hua; Wang, Jing; Wu, Caimei; Cai, Jingyi

2016-09-01

The objective of the current study is to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with arginine (ARG), N -carbamylglutamate (NCG), and glutamine (GLN) on rat intestinal morphology and antioxidant status under oxidative stress. Rats were fed for 30 d with one of the following iso-nitrogenous diets: basal diet (BD), BD plus 1% ARG, BD plus 0.1% NCG, and BD plus 1% GLN. On day 28, half of the rats fed BD were intraperitoneally injected with 12 mg/kg body weight of diquat (DT; i.e., the DT group) and the other half was intraperitoneally injected with sterile solution (i.e., the control group). The other diet groups were intraperitoneally injected with 12 mg/kg body weight of DT (i.e., DT + 1% GLN [DT + GLN], DT + 1% ARG [DT + ARG], and DT + 0.1% NCG [DT + NCG]). Rat jejunum samples obtained at 48 h after DT injection were analyzed. Results showed that DT significantly decreased catalase (CAT) activity and glutathione (GSH) content by 58.25% and 56.57%, respectively, and elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) content and crypt depth (CD) by 19.39% and 22.13%, respectively, in the jejunum ( P  < 0.05, relative to the control group). Compared with the DT group, the DT + GLN group exhibited significantly improved villus height (VH), villus width (VW), villus surface area (VSA), CD and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity ( P  < 0.05); the DT + ARG group exhibited significantly increased the ratio of VH to CD (H:D) and T-AOC activity ( P  < 0.05); the DT + GLN, DT + ARG and DT + NCG groups exhibited significantly enhanced CAT activity and GSH content as well as decreased MDA content ( P  < 0.05). Moreover, VH, VW, VSA, CD and GSH content in the DT + GLN group were higher whereas MDA content was lower compared with the corresponding values observed in both the DT + ARG and the DT + NCG groups ( P  < 0.05). The H:D ratio in the DT + ARG group significantly increased compared with that in the DT + NCG and DT + GLN groups ( P  < 0.05). Collectively, this study suggested that dietary supplementation with 1% GLN, 0.1% NCG, and 1% ARG was effective in enhancing the antioxidant status and maintaining the morphological structure of rat jejunum under oxidative stress; of these supplements, 1% GLN exerted the greatest effects on mitigating oxidative stress.

Oxygen Tension Regulates Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Paracrine Functions

PubMed Central

Deschepper, Mickael; Moya, Adrien; Logeart-Avramoglou, Delphine; Boisson-Vidal, Catherine; Petite, Hervé

2015-01-01

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have captured the attention and research endeavors of the scientific world because of their differentiation potential. However, there is accumulating evidence suggesting that the beneficial effects of MSCs are predominantly due to the multitude of bioactive mediators secreted by these cells. Because the paracrine potential of MSCs is closely related to their microenvironment, the present study investigated and characterized select aspects of the human MSC (hMSC) secretome and assessed its in vitro and in vivo bioactivity as a function of oxygen tension, specifically near anoxia (0.1% O2) and hypoxia (5% O2), conditions that reflect the environment to which MSCs are exposed during MSC-based therapies in vivo. In contrast to supernatant conditioned media (CM) obtained from hMSCs cultured at either 5% or 21% of O2, CM from hMSCs cultured under near anoxia exhibited significantly (p < .05) enhanced chemotactic and proangiogenic properties and a significant (p < .05) decrease in the inflammatory mediator content. An analysis of the hMSC secretome revealed a specific profile under near anoxia: hMSCs increase their paracrine expression of the angiogenic mediators vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF-C, interleukin-8, RANTES, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 but significantly decrease expression of several inflammatory/immunomodulatory mediators. These findings provide new evidence that elucidates aspects of great importance for the use of MSCs in regenerative medicine and could contribute to improving the efficacy of such therapies. Significance The present study investigated and characterized select aspects of the human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) secretome and assessed its in vitro and in vivo biological bioactivity as a function of oxygen tension, specifically near anoxia (0.1% O2) and hypoxia (5% O2), conditions that reflect the environment to which MSCs are exposed during MSC-based therapies in vivo. The present study provided the first evidence of a shift of the hMSC cytokine signature induced by oxygen tension, particularly near anoxia (0.1% O2). Conditioned media obtained from hMSCs cultured under near anoxia exhibited significantly enhanced chemotactic and proangiogenic properties and a significant decrease in the inflammatory mediator content. These findings provide new evidence that elucidates aspects of great importance for the use of MSCs in regenerative medicine, could contribute to improving the efficacy of such therapies, and most importantly highlighted the interest in using conditioned media in therapeutic modalities. PMID:25979862

Trends in suspended-sediment concentration at selected stream sites in Kansas, 1970-2002

USGS Publications Warehouse

Putnam, James E.; Pope, Larry M.

2003-01-01

Knowledge of erosion, transport, and deposition of sediment relative to streams and impoundments is important to those involved directly or indirectly in the development and management of water resources. Monitoring the quantity of sediment in streams and impoundments is important because: (1) sediment may degrade the water quality of streams for such uses as municipal water supply, (2) sediment is detrimental to the health of some species of aquatic animals and plants, and (3) accumulation of sediment in water-supply impoundments decreases the amount of storage and, therefore, water available for users. One of the objectives of the Kansas Water Plan is to reduce the amount of sediment in Kansas streams by 2010. During the last 30 years, millions of dollars have been spent in Kansas watersheds to reduce sediment transport to streams. Because the last evaluation of trends in suspended-sediment concentrations in Kansas was completed in 1985, 14 sediment sampling sites that represent 10 of the 12 major river basins in Kansas were reestablished in 2000. The purpose of this report is to present the results of time-trend analyses at the reestablished sediment data-collection sites for the period of about 1970?2002 and to evaluate changes in the watersheds that may explain the trends. Time-trend tests for 13 of 14 sediment sampling sites in Kansas for the period from about 1970 to 2002 indicated that 3 of the 13 sites tested had statistically significant decreasing suspended-sediment concentrations; however, only 2 sites, Walnut River at Winfield and Elk River at Elk Falls, had trends that were statistically significant at the 0.05 probability level. Increasing suspended-sediment concentrations were indicated at three sites although none were statistically significant at the 0.05 probability level. Samples from five of the six sampling sites located upstream from reservoirs indicated decreasing suspended-sediment concentrations. Watershed impoundments located in the respective river basins may contribute to the decreasing suspended-sediment trends exhibited at most of the sampling sites because the impoundments are designed to trap sediment. Both sites that exhibited statistically significant decreasing suspended-sediment concentrations have a large number of watershed impoundments located in their respective drainage basins. The relation between percentage of the watershed affected by impoundments and trend in suspended-sediment concentration for 11 sites indicated that, as the number of impoundments in the watershed increases, suspended-sediment concentration decreases. Other conser-vation practices, such as terracing of farm fields and contour farming, also may contribute to the reduced suspended-sediment concentrations if their use has increased during the period of analysis. Regression models were developed for 13 of 14 sediment sampling sites in Kansas and can be used to estimate suspended-sediment concentration if the range in stream discharge for which they were developed is not exceeded and if time trends in suspended-sediment concentrations are not significant. For those sites that had a statistically significant trend in suspended-sediment concentration, a second regression model was developed using samples collected during 2000?02. Past and current studies by the U.S. Geological Survey have shown that regression models can be developed between in-stream measurements of turbidity and laboratory-analyzed sediment samples. Regression models were developed for the relations between discharge and suspended-sediment concentration and turbidity and suspended-sediment concentration for 10 sediment sampling sites using samples collected during 2000?02.

SGLT2 inhibitor-induced changes in body composition and simultaneous changes in metabolic profile: 52-week prospective LIGHT Study with luseogliflozin.

PubMed

Sasaki, Takashi; Sugawara, Masahiro; Fukuda, Masahiro

2018-04-16

It is unclear how changes in body composition induced by sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor treatment correlate with metabolic profile changes. We aimed to clarify how metabolic profile changes correlate with body component changes, and if SGLT2 inhibitor treatment causes sarcopenia and bone mineral content (BMC) loss. Moderately obese Japanese type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, treated with luseogliflozin for a year, were observed prospectively and evaluated for body composition changes. We analyzed the changes in the individual body components during treatment, and their correlation with other clinical variables. The efficacy analysis set comprised 37 of 43 enrolled patients. The total fat mass significantly decreased early in the treatment at and after Week 4, with a mean decrease of -1.97 kg [95% CI: -2.66 to -1.28] at Week 24. The visceral fat area at Week 24 showed an average downward trend, although this was not significant. The changes in visceral fat area in individual patients demonstrated a significant negative correlation with the extent of the baseline visceral fat area (r=-0.399, p=0.023). The skeletal muscle mass index exhibited a significant but small change at and after Week 36. The BMC profile showed a transient significant decrease only at Week 12. No significant change in BMC was noted at other time points. Luseogliflozin treatment brought about favorable changes in body composition and metabolism of moderately obese Japanese T2D patients, accompanied by body fat reduction and minimal muscle and BMC reduction. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

High pressure rotating reverse osmosis for long term space missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christensen Pederson, Cynthia Lynn

Rotating reverse osmosis, which uses reverse osmosis to purify water and rotating filtration to improve the efficacy of filtration, has great potential for wastewater recycling on a long term space mission. Previous investigations of a proof-of-concept device indicated that the most efficient method to improve rotating reverse osmosis performance is to increase the operational pressure. Thus, a second generation device and fluid circuit were designed, fabricated, and tested to permit high pressure operation for long time periods. The design overcame several obstacles including membrane attachment, rotating seal design, and fluid and pressure management. A theoretical model of rotating reverse osmosis was modified to properly account for the flow conditions in the new design. Tests lasting a week were conducted with a variety of model wastewaters. Significant fouling and a decrease in flux were observed after three days of testing regardless of the operational parameters. A semi-empirical model, the fouling potential, was added to the theoretical model to account for the fouling. This allowed the simulation of 48 hour cleaning cycles that significantly increased the flux of the device. Experimental investigation of the rotational speed and concentrate flow rate indicated that an increase in either parameter decreased the fouling slightly. A week long test of a wastewater ersatz with a biocide did not exhibit a decrease in flux around day three that otherwise occurred. Therefore, biofouling was identified as the primary mechanism of fouling. Rotating reverse osmosis was compared with conventional spiral wound reverse osmosis and displayed increased rejection under dead end filtration conditions. The rotating device exhibited similar rejection and increased flux compared to a tubular reverse osmosis device previously used in a NASA wastewater recovery system. The integration of the rotating device into a NASA water recovery management system was evaluated. Lastly, a theoretical model of rotating hemofiltration was developed that demonstrated that the device is not clinically feasible given the permeability of available hemofiltration membranes.

Blunted Day-Night Changes in Luteinizing Hormone Pulse Frequency in Girls With Obesity: the Potential Role of Hyperandrogenemia

PubMed Central

Collins, Jessicah S.; Beller, Jennifer P.; Burt Solorzano, Christine; Patrie, James T.; Chang, R. Jeffrey; Marshall, John C.

2014-01-01

Context: Puberty is marked by sleep-associated changes in LH pulse frequency and amplitude. Early pubertal girls with obesity exhibit blunted day-to-night changes in LH secretion; whether this occurs in late pubertal obese girls is unknown. Objective: The objective of the study was to test two hypotheses: 1) blunted day-to-night changes in LH secretion occur in both early and late pubertal obese girls, and 2) such alterations are specifically associated with hyperandrogenemia. Design: This was a cross-sectional analysis. Setting: The study was conducted at a clinical research center. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-seven early pubertal, premenarcheal girls (12 of whom were obese) and 63 late pubertal (postmenarcheal) girls (27 of whom were obese) participated in the study. Intervention: Blood samples were taken every 10 minutes from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am. Main Outcome Measure: Change in LH pulse frequency [LH interpulse interval (IPI)] from daytime hours (7:00 pm-11:00 pm, while awake) to nighttime hours (11:00 pm to 7:00 am, while generally asleep). Results: Both nonobese and obese postmenarcheal girls demonstrated significant day-to-night decreases in LH pulse frequency (IPI increases of 33% and 16%, respectively), but day-to-night changes were blunted in obese girls (P = .004, obese vs nonobese). Day-to-night LH pulse frequency decreased significantly in postmenarcheal obese subjects with normal T concentrations (26% IPI increase) but not in those with hyperandrogenemia. Similar differences were evident for LH pulse amplitude. Nonobese and obese early pubertal girls exhibited nonsignificant differences in day-night LH pulse frequency (day to night IPI increase of 26% vs decrease of 1%, respectively). Conclusions: Day-to-night changes in LH pulse secretion are blunted in postmenarcheal obese adolescent girls. This phenomenon may in part reflect hyperandrogenemia. PMID:24780043

Apigenin inhibits prostate cancer progression in TRAMP mice via targeting PI3K/Akt/FoxO pathway

PubMed Central

Gupta, Sanjay

2014-01-01

Forkhead box O (FoxO) transcription factors play an important role as tumor suppressor in several human malignancies. Disruption of FoxO activity due to loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog and activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt are frequently observed in prostate cancer. Apigenin, a naturally occurring plant flavone, exhibits antiproliferative and anticarcinogenic activities through mechanisms, which are not fully defined. In the present study, we show that apigenin suppressed prostate tumorigenesis in transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice through the PI3K/Akt/FoxO-signaling pathway. Apigenin-treated TRAMP mice (20 and 50 μg/mouse/day, 6 days/week for 20 weeks) exhibited significant decrease in tumor volumes of the prostate as well as completely abolished distant organ metastasis. Apigenin treatment resulted in significant decrease in the weight of genitourinary apparatus (P < 0.0001), dorsolateral (P < 0.0001) and ventral prostate (P < 0.028), compared with the control group. Apigenin-treated mice showed reduced phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) and FoxO3a (Ser253), which correlated with its increased nuclear retention and decreased binding of FoxO3a with 14-3-3. These events lead to reduced proliferation as assessed by Ki-67 and cyclin D1, along with upregulation of FoxO-responsive proteins BIM and p27/Kip1. Complementing in vivo results, similar observations were noted in human prostate cancer LNCaP and PC-3 cells after apigenin treatment. Furthermore, binding of FoxO3a with p27/Kip1 was markedly increased after 10 and 20 μM apigenin treatment resulting in G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest, which was consistent with the effects elicited by PI3K/Akt inhibitor, LY294002. These results provide convincing evidence that apigenin effectively suppressed prostate cancer progression, at least in part, by targeting the PI3K/Akt/FoxO-signaling pathway. PMID:24067903

Effects of Lactobacillus paracasei CNCM I-4034, Bifidobacterium breve CNCM I-4035 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-4036 on hepatic steatosis in Zucker rats.

PubMed

Plaza-Diaz, Julio; Gomez-Llorente, Carolina; Abadia-Molina, Francisco; Saez-Lara, Maria Jose; Campaña-Martin, Laura; Muñoz-Quezada, Sergio; Romero, Fernando; Gil, Angel; Fontana, Luis

2014-01-01

We have previously described the safety and immunomodulatory effects of Lactobacillus paracasei CNCM I-4034, Bifidobacterium breve CNCM I-4035 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-4036 in healthy volunteers. The scope of this work was to evaluate the effects of these probiotic strains on the hepatic steatosis of obese rats. We used the Zucker rat as a genetic model of obesity. Zucker-Lepr(fa/fa) rats received one of three probiotic strains, a mixture of L. paracasei CNCM I-4034 and B. breve CNCM I-4035, or a placebo for 30 days. An additional group of Zucker-lean+/fa rats received a placebo for 30 days. No alterations in intestinal histology, in the epithelial, lamina propria, muscular layers of the ileal or colonic mucosa, or the submucosae, were observed in any of the experimental groups. Triacylglycerol content decreased in the liver of Zucker-Lepr(fa/fa) rats that were fed L. rhamnosus, B. breve, or the mixture of B. breve and L. paracasei. Likewise, the area corresponding to neutral lipids was significantly smaller in the liver of all four groups of Zucker-Lepr(fa/fa) rats that received probiotics than in rats fed the placebo. Zucker-Lepr(fa/fa) rats exhibited significantly greater serum LPS levels than Zucker-lean+/fa rats upon administration of placebo for 30 days. In contrast, all four groups of obese Zucker-Lepr(fa/fa) rats that received LAB strains exhibited serum LPS concentrations similar to those of Zucker-lean+/fa rats. Serum TNF-α levels decreased in the Zucker-Lepr(fa/fa) rats that received B. breve, L. rhamnosus, or the mixture, whereas L. paracasei feeding decreased IL-6 levels in the serum of Zucker-Lepr(fa/fa) rats. In conclusion, the probiotic strains reduced hepatic steatosis in part by lowering serum LPS, and had an anti-inflammatory effect in obese Zucker rats.

Decomposition and transformation of cutin and cutan biopolymers in soils: effect on their sorptive capabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shechter, M.; Chefetz, B.

2009-04-01

Plant cuticle materials, especially the highly aliphatic biopolymers cutin and cutan, have been reported as highly efficient natural sorbents. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of decomposition on their sorption behavior with naphthol and phenanthrene. The level of cutin and cutan was reduced by 15 and 27% respectively during the first 3 mo of incubation. From that point, the level of the cutan did not change, while the level of the cutin continued to decrease up to 32% after 20 mo. 13C NMR analysis suggested transformation of cutan mainly within its alkyl-C structure which are assigned as crystalline moieties. Cutin, however, did not exhibit significant structure changes with time. The level of humic-like substances increased due to cutin decomposition but was not influenced in the cutan system after 20 mo of incubation. This indicates that the cutin biopolymer has been decomposed and transformed into humic-like substances, whereas the cutan was less subject to transformation. Decomposition affected sorption properties in similar trends for both cutin and cutan. The Freundlich capacity coefficients (KFOC) of naphthol were much lower than phenanthrene and were less influenced by the decomposition, whereas with phenanthrene KFOC values increased significantly with time. Naphthol exhibited non-linear isotherms; and nonlinearity was decreased with incubation time. In contrast, phenanthrene isotherms were more linear and showed only moderate change with time. The decrease in the linearity of naphthol isotherms might relate to the transformation of the sorption sites due to structural changes in the biopolymers. However, with phenanthrene, these changes did not affect sorption linearity but increased sorption affinities mainly for cutan. This is probably due to decomposition of the rigid alkyl-C moieties in the cutan biopolymer. Our data suggest that both biopolymers were relatively stable in the soil for 20 mo. Cutan is less degradable than cutin and therefore is more likely to accumulate in soils and contribute to the refractory aliphatic components of soil organic matter.

SU-E-J-06: A Time Dependence Analysis of CBCT Image Quality and Mechanical Stability.

PubMed

Oves, S; Stenbeck, J; Gebreamlak, W; Alkhatib, H

2012-06-01

To quantify the change, if any, in flexmap correction factors and image quality with the XVI system over a course of several years and from these results, assess their clinical impact. Flexmap, a calibration procedure which corrects for imperfect gantry rotation for cone-beam CT reconstruction, and image quality tests were performed on three Elekta Synergy linacs equipped with XVI. Data was collected per month over three years. U and V values, corresponding to lateral and longitudinal shifts respectively, were acquired through the XVI software. Image quality parameters were obtained through CT imaging of the Catphan 500®. For each reconstruction, pixel values for low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polystyrene materials were recorded. For all three linacs, analysis of the flexmap showed a significant change in the U factor for both month-to-month comparisons and comparisons between machines. The V correction factor exhibited a small variation month to month, and showed a slight, gradual increase over time (0.2 +/-0.08 mm). Image quality analysis showed a near consistent decrease (5-10%) in LDPE and polystyrene. Despite this decrease in pixel values, the ratio of the two pixel values remained constant, thus a similar decreasing trend in contrast was not observed. Analysis of monthly flexmap calibration showed the general monthly change in correction shifts and their general trend over several years. For image quality, our research exhibited roughly 0.5% per month decrease in pixel values of the Catphan®. Our results imply that CBCT images obtained from XVI are not appropriate for treatment planning and despite the decrease in panel response over time, image quality with respect to contrast will remain within acceptable clinical standards. Future studies may be carried out to assess any correlation between image quality and XVI source strength. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Pancreatic effect of andrographolide isolated from Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees.

PubMed

Nugroho, Agung Endro; Rais, Ichwan Ridwan; Setiawan, Iwan; Pratiwi, Pramita Yuli; Hadibarata, Tony; Tegar, Maulana; Pramono, Suwidjiyo

2014-01-01

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees is a plant that originates from India and grows widely to Southeast which used for several purposes mainly as treatment of diabetes mellitus so the aim of this study was evaluate andrographolide for its pancreatic effect in neonatal streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, a model of type 2 diabetic rats. Diabetic condition was induced with an intraperitoneal injection of 90 mg kg(-1) streptozotocin in two-day-old rats. After three months, the neonatal STZ-induced diabetic rats were treated with andrographolide or andrographolide-enriched extract of A. paniculata (AEEAP) for 8 consecutive days. Pancreatic effect was evaluated by estimating mainly the preprandial and postprandial blood glucose levels and other parameters such as morphology of pancreatic islet, beta cells density and morphology and immunohistochemically pancreatic insulin. Andrographolide significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the levels of blood glucose and improved diabetic rat islet and beta cells. However, AEEAP exhibited moderate hypoglycaemic effects on the blood glucose levels. Moderate changes in beta cells were observed after AEEAP treatment. They could restore decreasing of pancreatic insulin contents. Based on these results andrographolide and AEEAP exhibited pancreatic actions in neonatal STZ-induced diabetic rats. The activity of andrographolide was more effective than this of AEEAP.

Decadal ecosystem response to an anomalous melt season in a polar desert in Antarctica.

PubMed

Gooseff, Michael N; Barrett, John E; Adams, Byron J; Doran, Peter T; Fountain, Andrew G; Lyons, W Berry; McKnight, Diane M; Priscu, John C; Sokol, Eric R; Takacs-Vesbach, Cristina; Vandegehuchte, Martijn L; Virginia, Ross A; Wall, Diana H

2017-09-01

Amplified climate change in polar regions is significantly altering regional ecosystems, yet there are few long-term records documenting these responses. The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) cold desert ecosystem is the largest ice-free area of Antarctica, comprising soils, glaciers, meltwater streams and permanently ice-covered lakes. Multi-decadal records indicate that the MDV exhibited a distinct ecosystem response to an uncharacteristic austral summer and ensuing climatic shift. A decadal summer cooling phase ended in 2002 with intense glacial melt ('flood year')-a step-change in water availability triggering distinct changes in the ecosystem. Before 2002, the ecosystem exhibited synchronous behaviour: declining stream flow, decreasing lake levels, thickening lake ice cover, decreasing primary production in lakes and streams, and diminishing soil secondary production. Since 2002, summer air temperatures and solar flux have been relatively consistent, leading to lake level rise, lake ice thinning and elevated stream flow. Biological responses varied; one stream cyanobacterial mat type immediately increased production, but another stream mat type, soil invertebrates and lake primary productivity responded asynchronously a few years after 2002. This ecosystem response to a climatic anomaly demonstrates differential biological community responses to substantial perturbations, and the mediation of biological responses to climate change by changes in physical ecosystem properties.

Ts1Cje Down syndrome model mice exhibit environmental stimuli-triggered locomotor hyperactivity and sociability concurrent with increased flux through central dopamine and serotonin metabolism.

PubMed

Shimohata, Atsushi; Ishihara, Keiichi; Hattori, Satoko; Miyamoto, Hiroyuki; Morishita, Hiromasa; Ornthanalai, Guy; Raveau, Matthieu; Ebrahim, Abdul Shukkur; Amano, Kenji; Yamada, Kazuyuki; Sago, Haruhiko; Akiba, Satoshi; Mataga, Nobuko; Murphy, Niall P; Miyakawa, Tsuyoshi; Yamakawa, Kazuhiro

2017-07-01

Ts1Cje mice have a segmental trisomy of chromosome 16 that is orthologous to human chromosome 21 and display Down syndrome-like cognitive impairments. Despite the occurrence of affective and emotional impairments in patients with Down syndrome, these parameters are poorly documented in Down syndrome mouse models, including Ts1Cje mice. Here, we conducted comprehensive behavioral analyses, including anxiety-, sociability-, and depression-related tasks, and biochemical analyses of monoamines and their metabolites in Ts1Cje mice. Ts1Cje mice showed enhanced locomotor activity in novel environments and increased social contact with unfamiliar partners when compared with wild-type littermates, but a significantly lower activity in familiar environments. Ts1Cje mice also exhibited some signs of decreased depression like-behavior. Furthermore, Ts1Cje mice showed monoamine abnormalities, including increased extracellular dopamine and serotonin, and enhanced catabolism in the striatum and ventral forebrain. This study constitutes the first report of deviated monoamine metabolism that may help explain the basis for abnormal behaviors, including the environmental stimuli-triggered hyperactivity, increased sociability and decreased depression-like behavior in Ts1Cje mice. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effect of moisture absorption on the physical properties of polyurethane shape memory polymer foams.

PubMed

Yu, Ya-Jen; Hearon, Keith; Wilson, Thomas S; Maitland, Duncan J

2011-08-01

The effect of moisture absorption on the glass transition temperature (T(g)) and stress/strain behavior of network polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) foams has been investigated. With our ultimate goal of engineering polyurethane SMP foams for use in blood contacting environments, we have investigated the effects of moisture exposure on the physical properties of polyurethane foams. To our best knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the effects of moisture absorption at varying humidity levels (non-immersion and immersion) on the physical properties of polyurethane SMP foams. The SMP foams were exposed to differing humidity levels for varying lengths of time, and they exhibited a maximum water uptake of 8.0% (by mass) after exposure to 100% relative humidity for 96 h. Differential scanning calorimetry results demonstrated that water absorption significantly decreased the T(g) of the foam, with a maximum water uptake shifting the T(g) from 67 °C to 5 °C. Samples that were immersed in water for 96 h and immediately subjected to tensile testing exhibited 100% increases in failure strains and 500% decreases in failure stresses; however, in all cases of time and humidity exposure, the plasticization effect was reversible upon placing moisture-saturated samples in 40% humidity environments for 24 h.

The effect of moisture absorption on the physical properties of polyurethane shape memory polymer foams

PubMed Central

Yu, Ya-Jen; Hearon, Keith; Wilson, Thomas S.; Maitland, Duncan J.

2011-01-01

The effect of moisture absorption on the glass transition temperature (Tg) and stress/strain behavior of network polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) foams has been investigated. With our ultimate goal of engineering polyurethane SMP foams for use in blood contacting environments, we have investigated the effects of moisture exposure on the physical properties of polyurethane foams. To our best knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the effects of moisture absorption at varying humidity levels (non-immersion and immersion) on the physical properties of polyurethane SMP foams. The SMP foams were exposed to differing humidity levels for varying lengths of time, and they exhibited a maximum water uptake of 8.0% (by mass) after exposure to 100% relative humidity for 96 h. Differential scanning calorimetry results demonstrated that water absorption significantly decreased the Tg of the foam, with a maximum water uptake shifting the Tg from 67 °C to 5 °C. Samples that were immersed in water for 96 h and immediately subjected to tensile testing exhibited 100% increases in failure strains and 500% decreases in failure stresses; however, in all cases of time and humidity exposure, the plasticization effect was reversible upon placing moisture-saturated samples in 40% humidity environments for 24 h. PMID:21949469

Decreased Na+ influx lowers hippocampal neuronal excitability in a mouse model of neonatal influenza infection

PubMed Central

Park, Hoyong; Eun Yu, Ji; Kim, Sungmin; Nahm, Sang-Soep; Chung, ChiHye

2015-01-01

Influenza virus infection is one of common infectious diseases occurring worldwide. The human influenza virus can infect the central nervous system and cause brain dysfunctions affecting cognition and spatial memory. It has been previously shown that infection with the influenza viral protein within the hippocampus decreases Ca2+ influx and reduces excitatory postsynaptic currents. However, the neuronal properties of animals surviving neonatal infection have not been investigated. Using a mouse model of neonatal influenza infection, we performed thorough electrophysiological analyses of hippocampal neurotransmission. We found that animals surviving the infection exhibited reduced spontaneous transmission with no significant defects in evoked neurotransmission. Interestingly, the hippocampus of the infected group conducted synaptic transmission with less fidelity upon repeated stimulations and failed to generate action potentials faithfully upon step current injections primarily due to reduced Na+ influx. The reversal potential for the Na+ current was hyperpolarized and the activation of Na+ channels was slower in the infected group while the inactivation process was minimally disturbed. Taken together, our observations suggest that neonatally infected offsprings exhibit noticeable deficits at rest and severe failures when higher activity is required. This study provides insight into understanding the cellular mechanisms of influenza infection-associated functional changes in the brain. PMID:26310542

Preparation of pectin/silver nanoparticles composite films with UV-light barrier and properties.

PubMed

Shankar, Shiv; Tanomrod, Nattareya; Rawdkuen, Saroat; Rhim, Jong-Whan

2016-11-01

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was synthesized by a green method using an aqueous extract of Caesalpinia mimosoides Lamk (CMLE) as reducing and stabilizing agents, and they were used for the preparation of pectin-based antimicrobial composite films. The AgNPs were spherical in shape with the size in the range of 20-80nm and showed the absorption peak around 500nm. The pectin/AgNPs composite film exhibited characteristic absorption peak of AgNPs at 480nm. The surface color and light transmittance of the pectin films were greatly influenced by the addition of AgNPs. The lightness of the films decreased, however, redness and yellowness of the films increased after incorporation of AgNPs. UV-light barrier property of the pectin film increased significantly with a little decrease in the transparency. Though there were no structural changes in the pectin film by the incorporation of CMLE and AgNPs as indicated by the FTIR results, the film properties such as thermal stability, mechanical strength, and water vapor barrier properties of the pectin films increased. The pectin/AgNPs nanocomposite films exhibited strong antibacterial activity against food-borne pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effect of moisture absorption on the physical properties of polyurethane shape memory polymer foams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Ya-Jen; Hearon, Keith; Wilson, Thomas S.; Maitland, Duncan J.

2011-08-01

The effect of moisture absorption on the glass transition temperature (Tg) and the stress/strain behavior of network polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) foams has been investigated. With our ultimate goal of engineering polyurethane SMP foams for use in blood-contacting environments, we have investigated the effects of moisture exposure on the physical properties of polyurethane foams. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the effects of moisture absorption at varying humidity levels (non-immersion and immersion) on the physical properties of polyurethane SMP foams. The SMP foams were exposed to differing humidity levels for varying lengths of time, and they exhibited a maximum water uptake of 8.0% (by mass) after exposure to 100% relative humidity for 96 h. Differential scanning calorimetry results demonstrated that water absorption significantly decreased the Tg of the foam, with a maximum water uptake shifting the Tg from 67 to 5 °C. Samples that were immersed in water for 96 h and immediately subjected to tensile testing exhibited 100% increases in failure strains and 500% decreases in failure stresses; however, in all cases of time and humidity exposure, the plasticization effect was reversible upon placing moisture-saturated samples in 40% humidity environments for 24 h.

Substantial Humic Acid Adsorption to Activated Carbon Air Cathodes Produces a Small Reduction in Catalytic Activity.

PubMed

Yang, Wulin; Watson, Valerie J; Logan, Bruce E

2016-08-16

Long-term operation of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can result in substantial degradation of activated carbon (AC) air-cathode performance. To examine a possible role in fouling from organic matter in water, cathodes were exposed to high concentrations of humic acids (HA). Cathodes treated with 100 mg L(-1) HA exhibited no significant change in performance. Exposure to 1000 mg L(-1) HA decreased the maximum power density by 14% (from 1310 ± 30 mW m(-2) to 1130 ± 30 mW m(-2)). Pore blocking was the main mechanism as the total surface area of the AC decreased by 12%. Minimization of external mass transfer resistances using a rotating disk electrode exhibited only a 5% reduction in current, indicating about half the impact of HA adsorption was associated with external mass transfer resistance and the remainder was due to internal resistances. Rinsing the cathodes with deionized water did not restore cathode performance. These results demonstrated that HA could contribute to cathode fouling, but the extent of power reduction was relatively small in comparison to large mass of humics adsorbed. Other factors, such as biopolymer attachment, or salt precipitation, are therefore likely more important contributors to long-term fouling of MFC cathodes.

Ninjin'yoeito and ginseng extract prevent oxaliplatin-induced neurodegeneration in PC12 cells.

PubMed

Suzuki, Toshiaki; Yamamoto, Ayano; Ohsawa, Masahiro; Motoo, Yoshiharu; Mizukami, Hajime; Makino, Toshiaki

2015-10-01

Ninjin'yoeito (NYT) is a formula of Japanese traditional kampo medicine composed of 12 crude drugs, and is designed to improve the decline in constitution after recovery from disease, fatigue, anemia, anorexia, perspiration during sleep, cold limbs, slight fever, chills, persistent cough, malaise, mental disequilibrium, insomnia, and constipation. Oxaliplatin (L-OHP) is a platinum-based anticancer drug used to treat colorectal, pancreatic, and stomach cancers. However, it often causes acute and chronic peripheral neuropathies including cold allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia. In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of NYT on neuronal degeneration caused by L-OHP using PC12 cells, which are derived from the rat adrenal medulla and differentiate into nerve-like cells after exposure to nerve growth factor. L-OHP treatment decreased the elongation of neurite-like projection outgrowths in differentiated PC12 cells. When PC12 cells were treated with NYT hot water extract, neurodegeneration caused by L-OHP was significantly prevented in a concentration-dependent manner. Among the 12 crude drugs composing NYT, the extract of Ginseng (the root of Panax ginseng) exhibited the strongest preventive effects on neurodegeneration in differentiated PC12 cells. By activity-guided fractionation, we found that the fraction containing ginsenosides displayed preventive activity and, among several ginsenosides, ginsenoside F2 exhibited significant preventive effects on L-OHP-induced decreases in neurite-like outgrowths in differentiated PC12 cells. These results suggest that NYT and ginseng are promising agents for preventing L-OHP-induced neuropathies and present ginsenoside F2 as one of the active ingredients in ginseng.

Sub-chronic safety evaluation of aqueous extract of Alangium salvifolium (L.f.) Wangerin leaves in rats

PubMed Central

Kapoor, Bhupinder; Kaur, Gagandeep; Gupta, Mukta; Gupta, Reena

2017-01-01

Conventionally, the juice and extract of Alangium salvifolium leaves have been used for the treatment of diabetes, wound healing, dog bite, and as a poultice in rheumatism. To carry out the sub-chronic toxicity and thereafter safety evaluation of A. salvifolium leaves. The aqueous extract of A. salvifolium leaves was administered orally at the doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/day for 90 days. All the animals were observed daily for general behavior, changes in body weight, food, and water consumption. At the end of the treatment period, biochemical and hematological parameters were analyzed; and the animals were sacrificed for histopathological examination of heart, lungs, liver, and kidney. The general behavior and water intake were normal in all the rats. The increase in body weight was observed in female rats of all the groups while body weight was decreased in high dose group animals of both sexes. Hematological parameters were not disturbed by the continuous use of extract. A significant decrease in glucose level was observed in intermediate- and high-dose group animals while urea and creatinine level were significantly high in animals of high-dose group. Although histopathological examination of most of the organs exhibited no structural changes, some tubal damage in kidneys was observed in high-dose group animals. The high dose of extract has shown mild signs of toxicity on kidney function test, but no toxic response was observed on hematological and liver biochemical parameters. The extract also exhibited hypoglycemic potential. PMID:28795025

Multi-segment foot kinematics and ground reaction forces during gait of individuals with plantar fasciitis.

PubMed

Chang, Ryan; Rodrigues, Pedro A; Van Emmerik, Richard E A; Hamill, Joseph

2014-08-22

Clinically, plantar fasciitis (PF) is believed to be a result and/or prolonged by overpronation and excessive loading, but there is little biomechanical data to support this assertion. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences between healthy individuals and those with PF in (1) rearfoot motion, (2) medial forefoot motion, (3) first metatarsal phalangeal joint (FMPJ) motion, and (4) ground reaction forces (GRF). We recruited healthy (n=22) and chronic PF individuals (n=22, symptomatic over three months) of similar age, height, weight, and foot shape (p>0.05). Retro-reflective skin markers were fixed according to a multi-segment foot and shank model. Ground reaction forces and three dimensional kinematics of the shank, rearfoot, medial forefoot, and hallux segment were captured as individuals walked at 1.35 ms(-1). Despite similarities in foot anthropometrics, when compared to healthy individuals, individuals with PF exhibited significantly (p<0.05) (1) greater total rearfoot eversion, (2) greater forefoot plantar flexion at initial contact, (3) greater total sagittal plane forefoot motion, (4) greater maximum FMPJ dorsiflexion, and (5) decreased vertical GRF during propulsion. These data suggest that compared to healthy individuals, individuals with PF exhibit significant differences in foot kinematics and kinetics. Consistent with the theoretical injury mechanisms of PF, we found these individuals to have greater total rearfoot eversion and peak FMPJ dorsiflexion, which may put undue loads on the plantar fascia. Meanwhile, increased medial forefoot plantar flexion at initial contact and decreased propulsive GRF are suggestive of compensatory responses, perhaps to manage pain. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Proliferation-Attenuating and Apoptosis-Inducing Effects of Tryptanthrin on Human Chronic Myeloid Leukemia K562 Cell Line in Vitro

PubMed Central

Miao, Shan; Shi, Xiaopeng; Zhang, Hai; Wang, Siwang; Sun, Jiyuan; Hua, Wei; Miao, Qing; Zhao, Yong; Zhang, Caiqin

2011-01-01

Tryptanthrin, a kind of indole quinazoline alkaloid, has been shown to exhibit anti-microbial, anti-inflammation and anti-tumor effects both in vivo and in vitro. However, its biological activity on human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562 is not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the proliferation-attenuating and apoptosis-inducing effects of tryptanthrin on leukemia K562 cells in vitro and explored the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that tryptanthrin could significantly inhibit K562 cells proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner as evidenced by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. We also observed pyknosis, chromatin margination and the formation of apoptotic bodies in the presence of tryptanthrin under the electron microscope. Nuclei fragmentation and condensation by Hoechst 33258 staining were detected as well. The amount of apoptotic cells significantly increased whereas the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased dramatically after tryptanthrin exposure. K562 cells in the tryptanthrin treated group exhibited an increase in cytosol cyt-c, Bax and activated caspase-3 expression while a decrease in Bcl-2, mito cyt-c and pro-caspase-3 contents. However, the changes of pro-caspase-3 and activated caspase-3 could be abolished by a pan-caspase inhibitor ZVAD-FMK. These results suggest that tryptanthrin has proliferation-attenuating and apoptosis-inducing effects on K562 cells. The underlying mechanism is probably attributed to the reduction in mitochondria membrane potential, the release of mito cyt-c and pro-caspase-3 activation. PMID:21747710

Cell-specific modulation of surfactant proteins by ambroxol treatment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Seifart, Carola; Clostermann, Ursula; Seifart, Ulf

2005-02-15

Ambroxol [trans-4-(2-amino-3,5-dibromobenzylamino)-cyclohexanole hydrochloride], a mucolytic agent, was postulated to provide surfactant stimulatory properties and was previously used to prevent surfactant deficiency. Currently, the underlying mechanisms are not exactly clear. Because surfactant homeostasis is regulated by surfactant-specific proteins (SP), we analyzed protein amount and mRNA expression in whole lung tissue, isolated type II pneumocytes and bronchoalveolar lavage of Sprague-Dawley rats treated with ambroxol i.p. (75 mg/kg body weight, twice a day [every 12 h]). The methods used included competitive polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Northern blotting, Western immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. In isolated type II pneumocytes of ambroxol-treated animals, SP-C protein and mRNAmore » content were increased, whereas SP-A, -B and -D protein, mRNA, and immunoreactivity remained unaffected. However, ambroxol treatment resulted in a significant increase of SP-B and in a decrease of SP-D in whole lung tissue with enhanced immunostaining for SP-B in Clara Cells. SP-A and SP-D were significantly decreased in BAL fluid of ambroxol-treated animals. The data suggest that surfactant protein expression is modulated in a cell-specific manner by ambroxol, as type II pneumocytes exhibited an increase in SP-C, whereas Clara cells exhibited an increase in the immunoreactivity for SP-B accounting for the increased SP-B content of whole lung tissue. The results indicate that ambroxol may exert its positive effects, observed in the treatment of diseases related to surfactant deficiency, via modulation of surfactant protein expression.« less

Targeting the HER family with Pan-HER effectively overcomes resistance to cetuximab

PubMed Central

Iida, Mari; Bahrar, Harsh; Brand, Toni M; Pearson, Hannah E; Coan, John P; Orbuch, Rachel A; Flanigan, Bailey G; Swick, Adam D; Prabakaran, Prashanth; Lantto, Johan; Horak, Ivan D.; Kragh, Michael; Salgia, Ravi; Kimple, Randy J; Wheeler, Deric L

2016-01-01

Cetuximab, an antibody against the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) has shown efficacy in treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), metastatic colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite the clinical success of cetuximab, many patients do not respond to cetuximab. Furthermore, virtually all patients who do initially respond become refractory, highlighting both intrinsic and acquired resistance to cetuximab as significant clinical problems. To understand mechanistically how cancerous cells acquire resistance, we previously developed models of acquired resistance using the H226 NSCLC and UM-SCC1 HNSCC cell lines. Cetuximab-resistant clones showed a robust upregulation and dependency on the HER family receptors EGFR, HER2 and HER3. Here, we examined Pan-HER, a mixture of six antibodies targeting these receptors on cetuximab-resistant clones. In cells exhibiting acquired or intrinsic resistance to cetuximab, Pan-HER treatment decreased all three receptors’ protein levels and down-stream activation of AKT and MAPK. This correlated with decreased cell proliferation in cetuximab-resistant clones. To determine whether Pan-HER had a therapeutic benefit in vivo, we established de novo cetuximab-resistant mouse xenografts and treated resistant tumors with Pan-HER. This regimen resulted in a superior growth delay of cetuximab-resistant xenografts compared to mice continued on cetuximab. Furthermore, intrinsically cetuximab-resistant HNSCC patient-derived xenograft tumors treated with Pan-HER exhibited significant growth delay compared to vehicle/cetuximab controls. These results suggest that targeting HER family receptors simultaneously with Pan-HER is a promising treatment strategy for tumors displaying intrinsic or acquired resistance to cetuximab. PMID:27422810

Smooth muscle of telokin-deficient mice exhibits increased sensitivity to Ca2+ and decreased cGMP-induced relaxation.

PubMed

Khromov, A S; Wang, H; Choudhury, N; McDuffie, M; Herring, B P; Nakamoto, R; Owens, G K; Somlyo, A P; Somlyo, A V

2006-02-14

Cyclic nucleotides can relax smooth muscle without a change in [Ca2+]i, a phenomenon termed Ca2+ desensitization, contributing to vasodilation, gastrointestinal motility, and airway resistance. The physiological importance of telokin, a 17-kDa smooth muscle-specific protein and target for cyclic nucleotide-induced Ca2+ desensitization, was determined in telokin null mice bred to a congenic background. Telokin null ileal smooth muscle homogenates compared to wild type exhibited an approximately 30% decrease in myosin light-chain phosphatase (MLCP) activity, which was reflected in a significant leftward shift (up to 2-fold at pCa 6.3) of the Ca2+ force relationship accompanied by an increase in myosin light-chain phosphorylation. No difference in the Ca2+ force relationship occurred in telokin WT and knockout (KO) aortas, presumably reflecting the normally approximately 5-fold lower telokin content in aorta vs. ileum smooth muscle. Ca2+ desensitization of contractile force by 8-Br-cGMP was attenuated by 50% in telokin KO intestinal smooth muscle. The rate of force relaxation reflecting MLCP activity, in the presence of 50 microM 8-Br-cGMP, was also significantly slowed in telokin KO vs. WT ileum and was rescued by recombinant telokin. Normal thick filaments in telokin KO smooth muscles indicate that telokin is not required for filament formation or stability. Results indicate that a primary role of telokin is to modulate force through increasing MLCP activity and that this effect is further potentiated through phosphorylation by cGMP in telokin-rich smooth tissues.

Natural and ion-exchanged illite clays reduce bacterial burden and inflammation in cutaneous meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in mice

PubMed Central

Otto, Caitlin C.; Kilbourne, Jacquelyn

2016-01-01

Discoveries associated with antibacterial activity of hydrated clays necessitate assessments of in vivo efficacy, practical use and safety. Surface properties of clays can lead to variations in the composition and abundance of bound compounds or ions, thus affecting antibacterial activity. Since exchangeable metal ions released from the clay surface are responsible for in vitro antibacterial activity, we evaluated the in vivo antibacterial efficacy of four natural clays (one illite clay, two montmorillonite clays and one kaolinite clay) and three ion-exchanged, antibacterial clays against superficial, cutaneous meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in mice. Superficial, cutaneous wounds on the back of SKH1-Elite mice were generated and subsequently infected with MRSA. Following twice daily applications of a hydrated clay poultice to infected wounds for 7 days, we observed significant differences in the in vivo antibacterial efficacy between different types of clays. The natural and ion-exchanged illite clays performed best, as measured by bacterial load, inflammatory response and gross wound morphology with significant decreases in bacterial viability and dermatitis. Topical application of kaolinite clay was the least effective, resulting in the lowest decrease in bacterial load and exhibiting severe dermatitis. These data suggest that specific types of clays may offer a complementary and integrative strategy for topically treating MRSA and other cutaneous infections. However, since natural clays exhibit in vitro antibacterial variability and vary vastly in surface chemistries, adsorptive/absorptive characteristics and structural composition, the properties and characteristics of illite clays could aid in the development of standardized and customized aluminosilicates for topical infections. PMID:26508716

Ghrelin treatment causes increased food intake and retention of lean body mass in a rat model of cancer cachexia.

PubMed

DeBoer, Mark D; Zhu, Xin Xia; Levasseur, Peter; Meguid, Michael M; Suzuki, Susumu; Inui, Akio; Taylor, John E; Halem, Heather A; Dong, Jesse Z; Datta, Rakesh; Culler, Michael D; Marks, Daniel L

2007-06-01

Cancer cachexia is a debilitating syndrome of anorexia and loss of lean body mass that accompanies many malignancies. Ghrelin is an orexigenic hormone with a short half-life that has been shown to improve food intake and weight gain in human and animal subjects with cancer cachexia. We used a rat model of cancer cachexia and administered human ghrelin and a synthetic ghrelin analog BIM-28131 via continuous infusion using sc osmotic minipumps. Tumor-implanted rats receiving human ghrelin or BIM-28131 exhibited a significant increase in food consumption and weight gain vs. saline-treated animals. We used dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans to show that the increased weight was due to maintenance of lean mass vs. a loss of lean mass in saline-treated animals. Also, BIM-28131 significantly limited the loss of fat mass normally observed in tumor-implanted rats. We further performed real-time PCR analysis of the hypothalami and brainstems and found that ghrelin-treated animals exhibited a significant increase in expression of orexigenic peptides agouti-related peptide and neuropeptide Y in the hypothalamus and a significant decrease in the expression of IL-1 receptor-I transcript in the hypothalamus and brainstem. We conclude that ghrelin and a synthetic ghrelin receptor agonist improve weight gain and lean body mass retention via effects involving orexigenic neuropeptides and antiinflammatory changes.

Journal of Special Operations Medicine, Volume 7, Edition 3

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

distinctive banana -shaped gametocytes. Al- though P. falciparum does not exhibit relapse, infection by this parasite can exhibit recrudescence. This...obliterated (either with cryotherapy, chemical peels , or topical chemotherapeutic agents), to decrease the risk of developing Bowen’s disease or invasive

Curcumin derivative WZ35 efficiently suppresses colon cancer progression through inducing ROS production and ER stress-dependent apoptosis.

PubMed

Zhang, Junru; Feng, Zhiguo; Wang, Chunhua; Zhou, Huiping; Liu, Weidong; Kanchana, Karvannan; Dai, Xuanxuan; Zou, Peng; Gu, Junlian; Cai, Lu; Liang, Guang

2017-01-01

Colon cancer is characterized by its fast progression and poor prognosis, and novel agents of treating colon cancer are urgently needed. WZ35, a synthetic curcumin derivative, has been reported to exhibit promising antitumor activity. Here, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo activities of WZ35 and explored the underlying mechanisms in colon cancer cell lines. WZ35 treatment significantly decreased the cell viability associated with G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction in colon cancer cell lines. We also show that WZ35 is highly effective in inhibiting tumor growth in a CT26 xenograft mouse model. Mechanistically, WZ35 treatment significantly induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in CT26 cells. Abrogation of ROS production by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) co-treatment almost totally reversed the WZ35-induced cell apoptosis and ER stress activation. Inhibition of p-PERK by GSK2606414 can significantly reverse WZ35-induced cell apoptosis in CT26 cells. Taken together, the curcumin derivative WZ35 exhibited anti-tumor effects in colon cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, via a ROS-ER stress-mediated mechanism. These findings indicate that activating ROS generation could be an important strategy for the treatment of colon cancers.

Combined effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus and β-cyclodextrin on serum cholesterol in pigs.

PubMed

Alonso, L; Fontecha, J; Cuesta, P

2016-01-14

A total of twenty-four Yorkshire gilt pigs of 6-7 weeks of age were used in a 2×2 factorial experiment to determine the individual and combined effects of the inclusion of two dietary factors (cholesterol rich, 3% β-cyclodextrin (BCD) and Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures) on total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in blood serum. Pigs were assigned randomly to treatment groups (n 6). Total serum cholesterol concentrations decreased after 3 weeks in all the experimental treatment groups, including diets with BCD, L. acidophilus or both. Similar trends were observed for serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations among the experimental treatments. No statistically significant differences from the control group were observed in either total serum cholesterol or LDL-cholesterol concentrations (P<0·05) for each of the individual treatment groups: BCD or L. acidophilus. However, significant differences in total serum cholesterol concentrations were observed when comparing the combined treatment group (BCD and L. acidophilus) with the control group, which consisted of a basal diet and sterile milk. The combined treatment group exhibited 17·9% lower total serum cholesterol concentration after 3 weeks. Similar significant differences were observed when comparing the combined effect experimental group with the control group after 3 weeks. The combined treatment group exhibited 27·9% lower serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations.

Frequency and Character of Extreme Aerosol Events in the Southwestern United States: A Case Study Analysis in Arizona

PubMed Central

Lopez, David H.; Rabbani, Michael R.; Crosbie, Ewan; Raman, Aishwarya; Arellano, Avelino F.; Sorooshian, Armin

2016-01-01

This study uses more than a decade’s worth of data across Arizona to characterize the spatiotemporal distribution, frequency, and source of extreme aerosol events, defined as when the concentration of a species on a particular day exceeds that of the average plus two standard deviations for that given month. Depending on which of eight sites studied, between 5% and 7% of the total days exhibited an extreme aerosol event due to either extreme levels of PM10, PM2.5, and/or fine soil. Grand Canyon exhibited the most extreme event days (120, i.e., 7% of its total days). Fine soil is the pollutant type that most frequently impacted multiple sites at once at an extreme level. PM10, PM2.5, fine soil, non-Asian dust, and Elemental Carbon extreme events occurred most frequently in August. Nearly all Asian dust extreme events occurred between March and June. Extreme Elemental Carbon events have decreased as a function of time with statistical significance, while other pollutant categories did not show any significant change. Extreme events were most frequent for the various pollutant categories on either Wednesday or Thursday, but there was no statistically significant difference in the number of events on any particular day or on weekends versus weekdays. PMID:27088005

Infrasound-induced changes on sexual behavior in male rats and some underlying mechanisms.

PubMed

Zhuang, Zhiqiang; Pei, Zhaohui; Chen, Jingzao

2007-01-01

To investigate some bioeffects of infrasound on copulation as well as underlying mechanisms, we inspected the changes of sexual behavior, serum testosterone concentration and mRNA expression levels of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cytochrome P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) in testes of rats exposed to infrasound of 8Hz at 90 or 130dB for 1, 7, 14 and 21 days (2h/day), respectively. Rats exposed to 90dB exhibited significant decrement in sexual behavior, serum testosterone levels and mRNA expression levels of StAR and P450scc at the time point of 1 day but not at the rest time points, and no significantly change of SF-1 mRNA expression was observed over the period of 21 days in spite of mild fluctuation. Rats exposed to 130dB exhibited significant decrement in all aspects above, which became more profound with prolonged exposure. Our conclusion is that adverse bioeffects of infrasound on reproduction depend on some exposure parameters, the mechanism of which could involve in the decreased expression of some key enzymes or regulator for testosterone biosynthesis. Copyright © 2006. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Electrolyte profile of Malaysian mothers' milk.

PubMed

Shaikh Alaudeen; Nor Muslim; Kamarul Faridah; Ali Azman; Hamid Arshat

1988-12-01

The influence of socioeconomic status (ethnicity, income, and parity) on electrolyte composition (sodium and potassium) in human milk is little known. The authors have thus quantitatively analyzed approximately 700 samples of milk (1-90 days postpartum) obtained from healthy Malaysian mothers (Malay, Chinese, and Indians) of full-term infants. Results show that the mean concentration (mmol/1) of sodium is highest 48.2 +/- 1.7; mean +/- SEM) in the Malaysian mothers' colostrum and this value decreased by 30% in their transitional milk and remained constant throughout subsequent days of lactation. Ethnically, it is found that the level of sodium in colostrum of Malay and Chinese mothers was similar but the Indian mothers' colostrum showed apparently higher value (52.7 +/- 3.4 mmpl/1) that is statistically insignificant. The transitional milk of all 3 ethnic groups studied exhibited similar levels of sodium. On subsequent days of lactation (mature milk) the Malay mothers exhibited the lowest concentration (25.9 +/- 2.6 mmol/1) of sodium that is significantly (p .05) different from that of Chinese and Indian mothers. Income and parity do not significantly affect the sodium level in Malaysian mothers' milk during all stages of lactation studied. The level of potassium, however, did not change significantly with days of lactation. Like sodium, potassium too was not influenced by income and parity.

Diurnal rhythms in the human urine metabolome during sleep and total sleep deprivation.

PubMed

Giskeødegård, Guro F; Davies, Sarah K; Revell, Victoria L; Keun, Hector; Skene, Debra J

2015-10-09

Understanding how metabolite levels change over the 24 hour day is of crucial importance for clinical and epidemiological studies. Additionally, the association between sleep deprivation and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity requires investigation into the links between sleep and metabolism. Here, we characterise time-of-day variation and the effects of sleep deprivation on urinary metabolite profiles. Healthy male participants (n = 15) completed an in-laboratory study comprising one 24 h sleep/wake cycle prior to 24 h of continual wakefulness under highly controlled environmental conditions. Urine samples were collected over set 2-8 h intervals and analysed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Significant changes were observed with respect to both time of day and sleep deprivation. Of 32 identified metabolites, 7 (22%) exhibited cosine rhythmicity over at least one 24 h period; 5 exhibiting a cosine rhythm on both days. Eight metabolites significantly increased during sleep deprivation compared with sleep (taurine, formate, citrate, 3-indoxyl sulfate, carnitine, 3-hydroxyisobutyrate, TMAO and acetate) and 8 significantly decreased (dimethylamine, 4-DTA, creatinine, ascorbate, 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, allantoin, 4-DEA, 4-hydroxyphenylacetate). These data indicate that sampling time, the presence or absence of sleep and the response to sleep deprivation are highly relevant when identifying biomarkers in urinary metabolic profiling studies.

Irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking of model austenitic stainless steel.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chung, H. M.; Ruther, W. E.; Strain, R. V.

1999-10-26

Slow-strain-rate tensile (SSRT) tests were conducted on model austenitic stainless steel (SS) alloys that were irradiated at 289 C in He. After irradiation to {approx}0.3 x 10{sup 21} n {center_dot} cm{sup 2} and {approx} 0.9 x 10{sup 21} n {center_dot} cm{sup -2} (E > 1 MeV), significant heat-to-heat variations in the degree of intergranular and transgranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC and TGSCC) were observed. At {approx}0.3 x 10{sup 21} n {center_dot} cm{sup -2}, a high-purity heat of Type 316L SS that contains a very low concentration of Si exhibited the highest susceptibility to IGSCC. In unirradiated state, Types 304 andmore » 304L SS did not exhibit a systematic effect of Si content on alloy strength. However, at {approx}0.3 x 10{sup 21} n {center_dot} cm{sup -2}, yield and maximum strengths decreased significantly as Si content was increased to >0.9 wt.%. Among alloys that contain low concentrations of C and N, ductility and resistance to TGSCC and IGSCC were significantly greater for alloys with >0.9 wt.% Si than for alloys with <0.47 wt.% Si. Initial data at {approx}0.9 x 10{sup 21} n {center_dot} cm{sup -2} were also consistent with the beneficial effect of high Si content. This indicates that to delay onset of and reduce susceptibility to irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC), at least at low fluence levels, it is helpful to ensure a certain minimum concentration of Si. High concentrations of Cr were also beneficial; alloys that contain <15.5 wt.% Cr exhibited greater susceptibility to IASCC than alloys with {approx}18 wt.% Cr, whereas an alloy that contains >21 wt.% Cr exhibited less susceptibility than the lower-Cr alloys under similar conditions.« less

Preparation and characterization of chitosan-based antimicrobial active food packaging film incorporated with apple peel polyphenols.

PubMed

Riaz, Asad; Lei, Shicheng; Akhtar, Hafiz Muhammad Saleem; Wan, Peng; Chen, Dan; Jabbar, Saqib; Abid, Muhammad; Hashim, Malik Muhammad; Zeng, Xiaoxiong

2018-07-15

In the present study, apple peel polyphenols (APP) were incorporated into chitosan (CS) to develop a novel functional film. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyses were performed to study the structure, potential interaction and thermal stability of the prepared films. Physical properties including moisture content, density, color, opacity, water solubility, swelling ration and water vapor permeability were measured. The results revealed that addition of APP into CS significantly improved the physical properties of the film by increasing its thickness, density, solubility, opacity and swelling ratio whereas moisture content and water vapor permeability were decreased. Tensile strength and elongation at break of the CS-APP film with 1% APP was 16.48MPa and 13.33%, respectively, significantly lower than those for CS control film. Thermal stability of the prepared films was decreased while antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the CS-based APP film were significantly increased. CS-APP film with 0.50% APP concentration exhibited good mechanical and antimicrobial properties, indicating that it could be developed as bio-composite food packaging material for the food industry. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Chinese herbal medicine, jia-wei-xiao-yao-san, prevents dimethylnitrosamine-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

PubMed

Chien, Shu-Chen; Chang, Wei-Chiao; Lin, Pu-Hua; Chang, Wei-Pin; Hsu, Shih-Chung; Chang, Jung-Chen; Wu, Ya-Chieh; Pei, Jin-Kuo; Lin, Chia-Hsien

2014-01-01

Jia-wei-xiao-yao-san (JWXYS) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that is widely used to treat neuropsychological disorders. Only a few of the hepatoprotective effects of JWXYS have been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of JWXYS on dimethylnitrosamine- (DMN-) induced chronic hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis in rats and to clarify the mechanism through which JWXYS exerts these effects. After the rats were treated with DMN for 3 weeks, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) levels were significantly elevated, whereas the albumin level decreased. Although DMN was continually administered, after the 3 doses of JWXYS were orally administered, the SGOT and SGPT levels significantly decreased and the albumin level was significantly elevated. In addition, JWXYS treatment prevented liver fibrosis induced by DMN. JWXYS exhibited superoxide-dismutase-like activity and dose-dependently inhibited DMN-induced lipid peroxidation and xanthine oxidase activity in the liver of rats. Our findings suggest that JWXYS exerts antifibrotic effects against DMN-induced chronic hepatic injury. The possible mechanism is at least partially attributable to the ability of JWXYS to inhibit reactive-oxygen-species-induced membrane lipid peroxidation.

Characteristics of airflow and particle deposition in COPD current smokers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Chunrui; Choi, Jiwoong; Haghighi, Babak; Choi, Sanghun; Hoffman, Eric A.; Lin, Ching-Long

2017-11-01

A recent imaging-based cluster analysis of computed tomography (CT) lung images in a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cohort identified four clusters, viz. disease sub-populations. Cluster 1 had relatively normal airway structures; Cluster 2 had wall thickening; Cluster 3 exhibited decreased wall thickness and luminal narrowing; Cluster 4 had a significant decrease of luminal diameter and a significant reduction of lung deformation, thus having relatively low pulmonary functions. To better understand the characteristics of airflow and particle deposition in these clusters, we performed computational fluid and particle dynamics analyses on representative cluster patients and healthy controls using CT-based airway models and subject-specific 3D-1D coupled boundary conditions. The results show that particle deposition in central airways of cluster 4 patients was noticeably increased especially with increasing particle size despite reduced vital capacity as compared to other clusters and healthy controls. This may be attributable in part to significant airway constriction in cluster 4. This study demonstrates the potential application of cluster-guided CFD analysis in disease populations. NIH Grants U01HL114494 and S10-RR022421, and FDA Grant U01FD005837.

Further Studies on Antioxidant Potential and Protection of Pancreatic β-Cells by Embelia ribes in Experimental Diabetes

PubMed Central

Bhandari, Uma; Jain, Neeti; Pillai, K. K.

2007-01-01

This study was designed to examine the antioxidant defense by ethanolic extract of Embelia ribes on streptozotocin-(40 mg/kg, intravenously, single-injection) induced diabetes in Wistar rats. Forty days of oral feeding the extract (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) to diabetic rats resulted in significant (P < .01) decrease in blood glucose, blood glycosylated haemoglobin, serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and increase in blood glutathione levels as compared to pathogenic diabetic rats. Further, the extract also significantly (P < .01) decreased the pancreatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels and significantly (P < .01) increased the superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione levels as compared to above levels in pancreatic tissue of pathogenic diabetic rats. The islets were shrunken in diabetic rats in comparison to normal rats. In the drug-treated diabetic rats, there was expansion of islets. The results of test drug were comparable to gliclazide (25 mg/kg, daily), a standard antihyperglycemic agent. The study concludes that Embelia ribes enhances the antioxidant defense against reactive oxygen species produced under hyperglycemic condition and this protects β-cells against loss, and exhibit antidiabetic property. PMID:17641739

Attachment, invasion, chemotaxis, and proteinase expression of B16-BL6 melanoma cells exhibiting a low metastatic phenotype after exposure to dietary restriction of tyrosine and phenylalanine.

PubMed

Uhlenkott, C E; Huijzer, J C; Cardeiro, D J; Elstad, C A; Meadows, G G

1996-03-01

We previously reported that low levels of tyrosine (Tyr) and phenylalanine (Phe) alter the metastatic phenotype of B16-BL6 (BL6) murine melanoma and select for tumor cell populations with decreased lung colonizing ability. To more specifically characterize the effects of Tyr and Phe restriction on the malignant phenotype of BL6, we investigated in vitro attachment, invasion, proteinase expression, and chemotaxis of high and low metastatic BL6 variants. High metastatic variant cells were isolated from subcutaneous tumors of mice fed a nutritionally complete diet (ND cells) and low metastatic variant cells were isolated from mice fed a diet restricted in Tyr and Phe (LTP cells). Results indicate that attachment to reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) was significantly reduced in LTP cells as compared to ND cells. Attachment to collagen IV, laminin, and fibronectin were similar between the two variants. Invasion through Matrigel and growth factor-reduced Matrigel were significantly decreased in LTP cells as compared to ND cells. Zymography revealed the presence of M(r) 92,000 and M(r) 72,000 progelatinases, tissue plasminogen activator, and urokinase plasminogen activator in the conditioned medium of both variants; however, there were no differences in activity of these secreted proteinases between the two variants. Growth of the variants on growth factor-reduced Matrigel similarly induced expression of the M(r) 92,000 progelatinase. The variants exhibited similar chemotactic responses toward laminin. However, the chemotactic response toward fibronectin by LTP cells was significantly increased. MFR5, a monoclonal antibody which selectively blocks function of the alpha 5 chain of the alpha 5 beta 1 integrin, VLA-5, decreased the chemotactic response toward fibronectin of ND cells by 37%; the chemotactic response by LTP cells was reduced by 49%. This effect was specific for fibronectin-mediated chemotaxis since the chemotaxis toward laminin and invasion through Matrigel were not altered by the presence of MFR5. The surface expression of VLA-5 was significantly increased in LTP cells as compared to ND cells by flow cytometric analysis. These observations suggest that limitation of Tyr and Phe either directly modifies BL6 or selects for subpopulations with altered in vitro invasion, chemotaxis, and integrin expression.

Taxonomy of Individual Variations in Aesthetic Responses to Fractal Patterns

PubMed Central

Spehar, Branka; Walker, Nicholas; Taylor, Richard P.

2016-01-01

In two experiments, we investigate group and individual preferences in a range of different types of patterns with varying fractal-like scaling characteristics. In Experiment 1, we used 1/f filtered grayscale images as well as their thresholded (black and white) and edges only counterparts. Separate groups of observers viewed different types of images varying in slope of their amplitude spectra. Although with each image type, the groups exhibited the “universal” pattern of preference for intermediate amplitude spectrum slopes, we identified 4 distinct sub-groups in each case. Sub-group 1 exhibited a typical peak preference for intermediate amplitude spectrum slopes (“intermediate”; approx. 50%); sub-group 2 exhibited a linear increase in preference with increasing amplitude spectrum slope (“smooth”; approx. 20%), while sub-group 3 exhibited a linear decrease in preference as a function of the amplitude spectrum slope (“sharp”; approx. 20%). Sub-group 4 revealed no significant preference (“other”; approx. 10%). In Experiment 2, we extended the range of different image types and investigated preferences within the same observers. We replicate the results of our first experiment and show that individual participants exhibit stable patterns of preference across a wide range of image types. In both experiments, Q-mode factor analysis identified two principal factors that were able to explain more than 80% of interindividual variations in preference across all types of images, suggesting a highly similar dimensional structure of interindividual variations in preference for fractal-like scaling characteristics. PMID:27458365

Physical, electrochemical, and thermal properties of granulated natural graphite as anodes for Li-ion batteries.

PubMed

Jo, Yong Nam; Park, Min-Sik; Kim, Jae-Hun; Kim, Young-Jun

2013-05-01

Two different types of granulated graphites were synthesized by blending and kneading of natural graphite with pitch followed by sintering methods. The electrochemical performances of granulated graphites were investigated as anode materials for use in Li-ion batteries. The blending type granulated graphite possesses a large amount of cavities and voids, while the kneading type granulated graphite has a relatively compact microstructure, which is responsible for a high tap density. Both granulated graphites show improved the initial coulombic efficiencies as a result of decrease of surface area by the granulations. In particular, the kneading type granulated graphite exhibits an excellent rate-capability without significant capacity loss. In addition, the thermal stabilities of both granulated graphites were also improved, which could be attributed to the decrease of active surface area due to pitch coating.

Gap length effect on electron energy distribution in capacitive radio frequency discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, S. J.; Kim, S. S.; Kim, Jung-Hyung; Seong, Dae-Jin; Shin, Yong-Hyeon; Chang, H. Y.

2007-11-01

A study on the dependence of electron energy distribution function (EEDF) on discharge gap size in capacitive rf discharges was conducted. The evolution of the EEDF over a gap size range from 2.5to7cm in 65mTorr Ar discharges was investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The measured EEDFs exhibited typical bi-Maxwellian forms with low energy electron groups. A significant depletion in the low energy portion of the bi-Maxwellian was found with decreasing gap size. The results show that electron heating by bulk electric fields, which is the main heating process of the low-energy electrons, is greatly enhanced as the gap size decreases, resulting in the abrupt change of the EEDF. The calculated EEDFs based on nonlocal kinetic theory are in good agreement with the experiments.

Turmeric and black pepper spices decrease lipid peroxidation in meat patties during cooking.

PubMed

Zhang, Yanjun; Henning, Susanne M; Lee, Ru-Po; Huang, Jianjun; Zerlin, Alona; Li, Zhaoping; Heber, David

2015-05-01

Spices are rich in natural antioxidants and have been shown to be potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation during cooking of meat. Turmeric contains unique conjugated curcuminoids with strong antioxidant activity. Piperine, one of the main constituents of black pepper, is known to increase the bioavailability of curcuminoids in mouse and human studies when consumed with turmeric. We investigated whether adding black pepper to turmeric powder may further inhibit lipid peroxidation when added to meat patties prior to cooking. The addition of black pepper to turmeric significantly decreased the lipid peroxidation in hamburger meat. When investigating the antioxidant activity of the main chemical markers, we determined that piperine did not exhibit any antioxidant activity. Therefore, we conclude that other black pepper ingredients are responsible for the increased antioxidant activity of combining black pepper with turmeric powder.

Characterization and Prebiotic Effect of the Resistant Starch from Purple Sweet Potato.

PubMed

Zheng, Yafeng; Wang, Qi; Li, Baoyu; Lin, Liangmei; Tundis, Rosa; Loizzo, Monica R; Zheng, Baodong; Xiao, Jianbo

2016-07-19

Purple sweet potato starch is a potential resource for resistant starch production. The effects of heat-moisture treatment (HMT) and enzyme debranching combined heat-moisture treatment (EHMT) on the morphological, crystallinity and thermal properties of PSP starches were investigated. The results indicated that, after HMT or EHMT treatments, native starch granules with smooth surface was destroyed to form a more compact, irregular and sheet-like structure. The crystalline pattern was transformed from C-type to B-type with decreasing relative crystallinity. Due to stronger crystallites formed in modified starches, the swelling power and solubility of HMT and EHMT starch were decreased, while the transition temperatures and gelatinization enthalpy were significantly increased. In addition, HMT and EHMT exhibited greater effects on the proliferation of bifidobacteria compared with either glucose or high amylose maize starch.

Turmeric and black pepper spices decrease lipid peroxidation in meat patties during cooking

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yanjun; Henning, Susanne M.; Lee, Ru-Po; Huang, Jianjun; Zerlin, Alona; Li, Zhaoping; Heber, David

2015-01-01

Abstract Spices are rich in natural antioxidants and have been shown to be potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation during cooking of meat. Turmeric contains unique conjugated curcuminoids with strong antioxidant activity. Piperine, one of the main constituents of black pepper, is known to increase the bioavailability of curcuminoids in mouse and human studies when consumed with turmeric. We investigated whether adding black pepper to turmeric powder may further inhibit lipid peroxidation when added to meat patties prior to cooking. The addition of black pepper to turmeric significantly decreased the lipid peroxidation in hamburger meat. When investigating the antioxidant activity of the main chemical markers, we determined that piperine did not exhibit any antioxidant activity. Therefore, we conclude that other black pepper ingredients are responsible for the increased antioxidant activity of combining black pepper with turmeric powder. PMID:25582173

Exercise cardiac output following Skylab missions - The second manned Skylab mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buderer, M. C.; Mauldin, D. G.; Rummel, J. A.; Michel, E. L.; Sawin, C. F.

1976-01-01

Cardiac output was measured during preflight and postflight exercise-stress tests on the Skylab astronauts. In the postflight tests immediately following the 28-, 59-, and 84-d earth orbital missions, the astronauts exhibited an approximate 30% decrease in cardiac output coupled with an approximate 50% decrease in cardiac stroke volume during exercise. These changes were accompanied by elevated heart rates and significant increases in total systemic peripheral vascular resistance. Mean arterial pressure was unchanged. All parameters returned to normal preflight values within 30 d of the end of the orbital period. Duration of the zero-G exposure did not appear to influence either the magnitude of the hemodynamic changes or the time-course of their return to normal. These results are discussed in relation to other cardiovascular findings and possible mechanisms responsible for the observations are outlined.

Alterations of zinc homeostasis in response to Cryptococcus neoformans in a murine macrophage cell line.

PubMed

Dos Santos, Francine Melise; Piffer, Alícia Corbellini; Schneider, Rafael de Oliveira; Ribeiro, Nicole Sartori; Garcia, Ane Wichine Acosta; Schrank, Augusto; Kmetzsch, Lívia; Vainstein, Marilene Henning; Staats, Charley Christian

2017-05-01

To evaluate alterations of zinc homeostasis in macrophages exposed to Cryptococcus neoformans. Materials & methods: Using a fluorescent zinc probe-based flow cytometry and atomic absorption spectrometry, zinc levels were evaluated in J774.A1 cell lines exposed to C. neoformans H99 cells. The transcription profile of macrophage zinc related homeostasis genes - metallothioneins and zinc transporters (ZnTs) of the SLC30 and SLC39 (Zrt-Irt-protein) families - was analyzed by quantitative PCR. Macrophage intracellular labile zinc levels decreased following exposure to C. neoformans. A significant decrease in transcription levels was detected in specific ZnTs from both the Zrt-Irt-protein and ZnT families, especially 24 h after infection. These findings suggest that macrophages may exhibit zinc depletion in response to C. neoformans infection.

Effect of MLH1 -93G>A on gene expression in patients with colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Funck, Alexandre; Santos, Juliana C; Silva-Fernandes, Isabelle J L; Rabenhorst, Silvia H B; Martinez, Carlos A R; Ribeiro, Marcelo L

2014-09-01

The DNA repair machinery plays a key role in maintaining genomic stability by preventing the emergence of mutations. Furthermore, the -93G>A polymorphism in the MLH1 gene has been associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the expression pattern and effect of this polymorphism in normal and tumour samples from patients with colorectal cancer. The MLH1 -93G>A (rs1800734) polymorphism was detected by PCR-RFLP in 49 cases of colorectal cancer. MLH1 expression was investigated using real-time quantitative PCR. The results indicate a significant decrease in MLH1 expression in tumour samples compared to their normal counterparts. The MLH1 gene was also significantly repressed in samples from patients who had some degree of tumour invasion into other organs. Similarly, those patients who were in a more advanced tumour stage (TNM III and IV) exhibited a significant reduction in MLH1 gene expression. Finally, the mutant genotype AA of MLH1 was associated with a significant decrease in the expression of this gene. This finding suggests that this polymorphism could increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer by a defective mismatch repair system, particularly through the loss of MLH1 expression in an allele-specific manner.

Feed efficiency, food choice, and food reward behaviors in young and old Fischer rats.

PubMed

Frutos, Miriam García-San; Pistell, Paul J; Ingram, Donald K; Berthoud, Hans-Rudolf

2012-01-01

Increased susceptibility to energy imbalance and anorexia in old age are risk factors for malnutrition during aging, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we explored changes in taste-guided hedonic value ("liking") and motivation to obtain ("wanting") palatable foods as potential mediators of age-associated anorexia and weight loss in old Fischer-344 rats. "Liking" as measured by the number of positive hedonic orofacial responses to sucrose and corn oil was not different in old compared with young rats. Taste-guided, low effort "wanting" as measured by the number of licks per 10 seconds was also not different, although old rats exhibited a slight oromotor impairment as revealed by significantly increased interlick intervals. Medium effort "wanting" as measured by performance in the incentive runway was significantly decreased in old versus young rats. Although decreased net running speed was partially accountable, significantly increased duration of distractions suggested additional deficits in motivation and/or reinforcement learning. Together with early satiation on corn oil but not sucrose in aged rats, these changes are likely to have resulted in the significantly greater sucrose preference of old rats in 12-hour tests, and may ultimately lead to reduced energy intake and weight loss. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Metabolic Profiling in Association with Vascular Endothelial Cell Dysfunction Following Non-Toxic Cadmium Exposure

PubMed Central

Li, Xiaofei; Nong, Qingjiao; Mao, Baoyu; Pan, Xue

2017-01-01

This study aimed to determine the metabolic profile of non-toxic cadmium (Cd)-induced dysfunctional endothelial cells using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs (n = 6 per group) were treated with 0, 1, 5, or 10 μM cadmium chloride (CdCl2) for 48 h. Cell phenotypes, including nitric oxide (NO) production, the inflammatory response, and oxidative stress, were evaluated in Cd-exposed and control HUVECs. Cd-exposed and control HUVECs were analysed using gas chromatography time-of-flight/mass spectrometry. Compared to control HUVECs, Cd-exposed HUVECs were dysfunctional, exhibiting decreased NO production, a proinflammatory state, and non-significant oxidative stress. Further metabolic profiling revealed 24 significantly-altered metabolites in the dysfunctional endothelial cells. The significantly-altered metabolites were involved in the impaired tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, activated pyruvate metabolism, up-regulated glucogenic amino acid metabolism, and increased pyrimidine metabolism. The current metabolic findings further suggest that the metabolic changes linked to TCA cycle dysfunction, glycosylation of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP), and compensatory responses to genomic instability and energy deficiency may be generally associated with dysfunctional phenotypes, characterized by decreased NO production, a proinflammatory state, and non-significant oxidative stress, in endothelial cells following non-toxic Cd exposure. PMID:28872622

The adhesive strength and initial viscosity of denture adhesives.

PubMed

Han, Jian-Min; Hong, Guang; Dilinuer, Maimaitishawuti; Lin, Hong; Zheng, Gang; Wang, Xin-Zhi; Sasaki, Keiichi

2014-11-01

To examine the initial viscosity and adhesive strength of modern denture adhesives in vitro. Three cream-type denture adhesives (Poligrip S, Corect Cream, Liodent Cream; PGS, CRC, LDC) and three powder-type denture adhesives (Poligrip Powder, New Faston, Zanfton; PGP, FSN, ZFN) were used in this study. The initial viscosity was measured using a controlled-stress rheometer. The adhesive strength was measured according to ISO-10873 recommended procedures. All data were analyzed independently by one-way analysis of variance combined with a Student-Newman-Keuls multiple comparison test at a 5% level of significance. The initial viscosity of all the cream-type denture adhesives was lower than the powder-type adhesives. Before immersion in water, all the powder-type adhesives exhibited higher adhesive strength than the cream-type adhesives. However, the adhesive strength of cream-type denture adhesives increased significantly and exceeded the powder-type denture adhesives after immersion in water. For powder-type adhesives, the adhesive strength significantly decreased after immersion in water for 60 min, while the adhesive strength of the cream-type adhesives significantly decreased after immersion in water for 180 min. Cream-type denture adhesives have lower initial viscosity and higher adhesive strength than powder type adhesives, which may offer better manipulation properties and greater efficacy during application.

InP/ZnS QDs exposure induces developmental toxicity in rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) embryos.

PubMed

Chen, Yao; Yang, Yang; Ou, Fang; Liu, Li; Liu, Xiao-Hong; Wang, Zhi-Jian; Jin, Li

2018-04-05

We investigated the in vivo toxicity of InP/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) in Chinese rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) embryos. The 72 h post-fertilization (hpf) LC 50 (median lethal concentration) was 1678.007 nmol/L. Rare minnows exposed to InP/ZnS QDs exhibited decreased spontaneous movement, decreased survival and hatchability rates, and an increased malformation rate. Pericardial edema, spinal curvature, bent tails and vitelline cysts were observed. Embryonic Wnt8a and Mstn mRNA levels were significantly up-regulated after InP/ZnS QDs treatment at 48 hpf (200 nmol/L) (p < 0.05). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels at 96 hpf (800 nmol/L) had an increasing trend. Hsp70 mRNA expression was significantly changed at 48 hpf (200 nmol/L), but compared with the blank control, the different InP/ZnS QDs treatments did not significantly change the Olive tail moments (p > 0.05). Thus, InP/ZnS QDs caused teratogenic effects and death during the development of Chinese rare minnow embryos, but InP/ZnS QDs did not cause significant genetic toxicity during Chinese rare minnow development. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of Weight Reduction After Sleeve Gastrectomy on Metabolic Variables in Saudi Obese Subjects in Aseer Province of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

PubMed

Bawahab, Mohammed A; Assiri, Abdullah S; Maksoud, Walid Abdel; Patel, Ayyub; Kadoumi, Osama; Zaman, Gaffar Sarwar; Alessih, Riyad Mohammed Khalil; Haider, Syed Saleem

2017-08-01

The objectives of this study were to investigate the occurrence of oxidative stress, status of protective antioxidants enzymes, inflammatory biomarkers, and some metabolic health variables in the blood and to compare the results between those of the normal controls and obese patients submitted to sleeve gastrectomy-induced weight loss over a 1-year follow-up period. A prospective study was conducted in Aseer Central Hospital and Abha Private Hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January 2012 to January 2013 on 50 normal (BMI = 22-25 kg/m 2 ) control subjects and 50 obese (BMI = 45-50 kg/m 2 ) patients. A subset of 20 men and 80 women patients, aged 20-45 years, was included. The systemic blood cell counts were determined by Beckman Coulter UniCel analyzer. The occurrence of oxidative stress, the status of antioxidant enzyme system in the blood, levels of serum hepatic enzymes, cardiovascular risk factors, and serum sodium, potassium, copper, and zinc levels were determined by spectrophotometric procedures. The concentration of TSH and T 4 were analyzed by Siemens Immunoassay System. Group 1 (Obese: preoperative) This group compared with the normal controls exhibited significant (p < 0.05) increase in inflammatory biomarkers, a significant (p < 0.05) rise in hepatic enzymes, a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum total bilirubin. Concentration of serum total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and fasting blood glucose(FBG) were significantly (p < 0.05) increased, but HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly depleted (p < 0.05). Serum urea and creatinine contents were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. Serum copper and zinc levels were significantly (p < 0.05) increased. Group 2: Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery (Obese: postoperative) This group compared with the obese group, preoperatively, demonstrated a profound reduction in body weight (-32%) as well as in BMI (-29%). Serum malondialdehyde, a stress index, was significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited and conversely, activities of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase(Cu-Zn SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and vitamin C, were remarkably (p < 0.001) increased. Furthermore, remarkable improvements in deranged metabolic variables approaching normality were discernible. Inflammatory biomarkers in the blood and hepatic enzymes in serum were significantly (p < 0.001) decreased. Levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, FBG, and HDL-C in serum exhibited significant (p < 0.05) reductions, a reversal toward normality. Serum albumin and total bilirubin concentrations were significantly increased (p < 0.001). Serum sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, and TSH levels were significantly (p < 0.001) decreased. Obesity is a chronic disease of multifactorial origin and resulted in perturbations of whole body metabolism in this study. It is thus likely that this imbalance was associated with an inhibition in protective antioxidants and occurrence of oxidative stress. The staging concept of sleeve gastrectomy is a safe and effective approach with remarkable efficacy in sustaining weight loss and bringing back normal metabolism of variables in tissues over a 1-year follow-up period.

Aberrant brain functional connectome in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

PubMed

Chen, Li-Ting; Fan, Xiao-Le; Li, Hai-Jun; Ye, Cheng-Long; Yu, Hong-Hui; Xin, Hui-Zhen; Gong, Hong-Han; Peng, De-Chang; Yan, Li-Ping

2018-01-01

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is accompanied by widespread abnormal spontaneous regional activity related to cognitive deficits. However, little is known about the topological properties of the functional brain connectome of patients with OSA. This study aimed to use the graph theory approaches to investigate the topological properties and functional connectivity (FC) of the functional connectome in patients with OSA, based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Forty-five male patients with newly diagnosed untreated severe OSA and 45 male good sleepers (GSs) underwent a polysomnography (PSG), clinical evaluations, and rs-fMRI scans. The automated anatomical labeling (AAL) atlas was used to construct the functional brain connectome. The topological organization and FC of brain functional networks in patients with OSA were characterized using graph theory methods and investigated the relationship between functional network topology and clinical variables. Both the patients with OSA and the GSs exhibited high-efficiency "small-world" network attributes. However, the patients with OSA exhibited decreased σ, γ, E glob ; increased Lp, λ; and abnormal nodal centralities in several default-mode network (DMN), salience network (SN), and central executive network (CEN) regions. However, the patients with OSA exhibited abnormal functional connections between the DMN, SN, and CEN. The disrupted FC was significantly positive correlations with the global network metrics γ and σ. The global network metrics were significantly correlated with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score, and oxygen desaturation index. The findings suggest that the functional connectome of patients with OSA exhibited disrupted functional integration and segregation, and functional disconnections of the DMN, SN, and CEN. The aberrant topological attributes may be associated with disrupted FC and cognitive functions. These topological abnormalities and disconnections might be potential biomarkers of cognitive impairments in patients with OSA.

Topography and Radiative Forcing Patterns on Glaciers in the Karakoram Himalaya

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dobreva, I. D.; Bishop, M. P.; Liu, J. C.; Liang, D.

2015-12-01

Glaciers in the western Himalaya exhibit significant spatial variations in morphology and dynamics. Climate, topography and debris cover variations are thought to significantly affect glacier fluctuations and glacier sensitivity to climate change, although the role of topography and radiative forcing have not been adequately characterized and related to glacier fluctuations and dynamics. Consequently, we examined the glaciers in the Karakoram Himalaya, as they exhibit high spatial variability in glacier fluctuation rates and ice dynamics including flow velocity and surging. Specifically, we wanted to examine the relationships between these glacier characteristics and temporal patterns of surface irradiance over the ablation season. To accomplish this, we developed and used a rigorous GIS-based solar radiative transfer model that accounts for the direct and diffuse-skylight irradiance components. The model accounts for multiple topographic effects on the magnitude of irradiance reaching glacier surfaces. We specifically used the ASTER GDEM digital elevation model for irradiance simulations. We then examined temporal patterns of irradiance at the grid-cell level to identify the dominant patterns that were used to train a 3-layer artificial neural network. Our results demonstrate that there are unique spatial and temporal patterns associated with downwasting and surging glaciers, and that these patterns partially account for the spatial distribution of advancing and retreating glaciers. Lower-altitude terminus regions of surging glaciers exhibited relatively low surface irradiance values that decreased in magnitude with time, demonstrating that high-velocity surging glaciers facilitate relief production and exhibit steeper surface irradiance gradients with altitude. Collectively, these results demonstrate the important role that local and regional topography play in governing climate-glacier dynamics in the Himalaya.

The occurrence of antibodies against single-stranded DNA in the sera of patients with acute and chronic leukaemia.

PubMed Central

Izui, S; Lambert, P H; Carpentier, N; Miescher, P A

1976-01-01

One hundred and seventy-five sera from thirty-three patients with acute myeloid leukaemia, forty-two patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia and twelve patients with acute lymphatic leukaemia were examined by a radioimmunological technique for the presence of antibodies against single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. The levels of single-stranded DNA binding activity was significantly higher in all three types of leukaemia compared to those of healthy controls. In contrast, none of these sera exhibited a positive reaction with double-stranded DNA. In some cases the level of serum anti-DNA antibodies increased after the decrease of the leucocyte count. The presence of anti-DNA antibodies in leukaemic patients may have some biological significance. PMID:780020

Human amniotic epithelial cells inhibit CD4+ T cell activation in acute kidney injury patients by influencing the miR-101-c-Rel-IL-2 pathway.

PubMed

Liu, Junfeng; Hua, Rong; Gong, Zhangbin; Shang, Bin; Huang, Yongyi; Guo, Lihe; Liu, Te; Xue, Jun

2017-01-01

In the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI), the release of multiple interleukins can lead to increased kidney damage. Human amniotic epithelial cells (HuAECs) can inhibit immune cell activation in vivo and in vitro. We hypothesized that HuAECs could weaken patient-derived peripheral blood CD4+ T-cell activation and decreasing the ability of these cells to express and release IL-2. -Cell proliferation assay revealed that under the same culture conditions, activated AKI patient-derived CD4+ T cells had a significantly reduced proliferation rate when were co-cultured with HuAECs. And the level of IL-2 released was also significantly reduced. Western blot and qRT-PCR assays showed that the expression of c-Rel in the CD4+ T cells was also significantly reduced. However, the expression level of endogenous miR-101 in the CD4+ T cells co-cultured with HuAECs was significantly increased. Luciferase reporter assay results suggested that miR-101 could bind to a specific site in the c-Rel 3' UTR and induce the post-transcriptional silencing of c-Rel. Subsequently, we over-expressed miR-101 in AKI patient-derived CD4+ T cells. The qRT-PCR and western blot assay results revealed that the expression of endogenous c-Rel was significantly reduced, while the ELISA results indicated that the level of IL-2 released was also significantly decreased. Finally, ChIP-PCR assay results showed that the miR-101-overexpressing CD4+ T-cell group and the HuAEC co-culture CD4+ T-cell group exhibited significantly decreased binding capacities between the 'c-Rel-NFκB' complex and the IL-2 gene promoter, and the transcriptional activity of IL-2 was also significantly decreased. Therefore, we confirmed that HuAECs can stimulate miR-101 expression in AKI patient-derived peripheral blood CD4+ T cells, thus inhibiting the expression of the miR-101 target gene c-Rel and leading to a reduction in IL-2 expression and release. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spatiotemporal changes of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and response to climate extremes and ecological restoration in the Loess Plateau, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Anzhou; Zhang, Anbing; Liu, Xianfeng; Cao, Sen

2018-04-01

Extreme drought, precipitation, and other extreme climatic events often have impacts on vegetation. Based on meteorological data from 52 stations in the Loess Plateau (LP) and a satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from the third-generation Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS3g) dataset, this study investigated the relationship between vegetation change and climatic extremes from 1982 to 2013. Our results showed that the vegetation coverage increased significantly, with a linear rate of 0.025/10a ( P < 0.001) from 1982 to 2013. As for the spatial distribution, NDVI revealed an increasing trend from the northwest to the southeast, with about 61.79% of the LP exhibiting a significant increasing trend ( P < 0.05). Some temperature extreme indices, including TMAXmean, TMINmean, TN90p, TNx, TX90p, and TXx, increased significantly at rates of 0.77 mm/10a, 0.52 °C/10a, 0.62 °C/10a, 0.80 °C/10a, 5.16 days/10a, and 0.65 °C/10a, respectively. On the other hand, other extreme temperature indices including TX10p and TN10p decreased significantly at rates of -2.77 days/10a and 4.57 days/10a ( P < 0.01), respectively. Correlation analysis showed that only TMINmean had a significant relationship with NDVI at the yearly time scale ( P < 0.05). At the monthly time scale, vegetation coverage and different vegetation types responded significantly positively to precipitation and temperature extremes (TMAXmean, TMINmean, TNx, TNn, TXn, and TXx) ( P < 0.01). All of the precipitation extremes and temperature extremes exhibited significant positive relationships with NDVI during the spring and autumn ( P < 0.01). However, the relationship between NDVI and RX1day, TMAXmean, TXn, and TXx was insignificant in summer. Vegetation exhibited a significant negative relationship with precipitation extremes in winter ( P < 0.05). In terms of human activity, our results indicate a strong correlation between the cumulative afforestation area and NDVI in Yan'an and Yulin during 1998-2013, r = 0.859 and 0.85, n = 16, P < 0.001.

Effects of ethanol and water extracts of propolis (bee glue) on acute inflammatory animal models.

PubMed

Hu, Fuliang; Hepburn, H R; Li, Yinghua; Chen, M; Radloff, S E; Daya, S

2005-09-14

The anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol (EEP) and water (WSD) extracts in ICR mice and Wistar rats were analyzed. Both WSD and EEP exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects in animal models with respect to thoracic capillary vessel leakage in mice, carrageenan-induced oedema, carrageenan-induced pleurisy, acute lung damage in rats. The mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory effects probably involve decreasing prostaglandin-E(2) (PGE(2)) and nitric oxide (NO) levels. In rats with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) induced arthritis, propolis extracts significantly inhibited the increase of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in inflamed tissues, but had no significant effect on levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The results are consistent with the interpretation that EEP and WSD may exert these effects by inhibiting the activation and differentiation of mononuclear macrophages.

Odour identification test and its relation to cardiac 123I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine in patients with drug induced parkinsonism

PubMed Central

Lee, Phil Hyu; Yeo, Seung Hyeon; Yong, Seok Woo; Kim, Yun Joong

2007-01-01

We investigated olfactory function and its relation to cardiac 123I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake in 15 patients with drug induced parkinsonism (DIP). The mean Cross Cultural Smell Identification (CCSI) score was significantly greater in patients with DIP than in those with Parkinson's disease (PD: 6.9 (1.6) vs 4.4 (2.2); p<0.001); however, the mean CCSI score in patients with DIP was not significantly different from controls. One patient with DIP, whose CCSI score was significantly reduced, also exhibited decreased cardiac MIBG uptake. DIP patients with CCSI scores within the normal range had normal cardiac MIBG uptake. Our study suggests that an olfactory function test may be a useful tool for detecting DIP unrelated to PD and for identifying patients with DIP who have subclinical PD. PMID:17557797

Tricholoma matsutake 1-Ocen-3-ol and methyl cinnamate repel mycophagous Proisotoma minuta (Collembola: Insecta)

PubMed Central

Shimano, Satoshi; Suzuki, Masahiro

2007-01-01

Two major volatiles produced by the mycelia and fruiting bodies of Tricholoma matsutake (1-octen-3-ol and methyl cinnamate) repel a mycophagous collembolan, Proisotoma minuta. Aggregation of the collembolans on their diet was significantly inhibited by exposure to 1 ppm methyl cinnamate or 10 to 100 ppm 1-octen-3-ol. The aggregation activity decreased dose-dependently upon exposure to 1-octen-3-ol at concentrations higher than 0.01 ppm. Aggregation in the presence of methyl cinnamate exhibited three phases: no significant effect at concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 0.1 ppm, significant inhibition from 1 to 100 ppm, and strong inhibition at 1,000 ppm. These results may explain why certain collembolan species do not prefer T. matsutake fruiting bodies. PMID:18066606

Zoledronic acid overcomes chemoresistance by sensitizing cancer stem cells to apoptosis.

PubMed

Rouhrazi, H; Turgan, N; Oktem, G

2018-01-01

Unlike low tumorigenic bulk tumor cells (non-CSCs), cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of tumor cells that can self-renew and differentiate into different cancer subtypes. CSCs are considered responsible for tumor recurrence, distant metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug or radiation resistance. CSCs also are resistant to apoptosis. Zoledronic acid (ZA) is a third generation bisphosphonate that reduces cell proliferation and exhibits anti-tumor effects by inducing cell death in some malignancies; however, the effects of ZA on CSCs are unclear. We investigated the anti-cancer effects of ZA on two epithelial cancer cell lines, prostate DU-145 and breast MCF7, focusing primarily on induction and activation of apoptosis. Cluster of differentiation (CD) 133 + /CD44 + prostate CSCs and CD 44 + /CD24 breast CSCs were isolated from the DU-145 human prostate cancer and MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines, respectively, using FACSAria flow cytometry cell sorting. CSCs and non-CSCs were exposed to increasing concentrations of ZA for 24, 48 and 72 h to determine the IC 50 dose. Annexin-V assay for detecting cell death and cell cycle was performed using the Muse™ Cell Analyzer. Prostate CSCs and non-CSCs were assayed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) array for detecting 84 key apoptosis related genes. Gene regulation at the protein level was investigated by immunofluorescence. ZA caused a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability. Treatment with ZA resulted in a concomitant increase in apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at S-phase in CSCs. Significant over/under-expressions were detected in seven of the genes of ZA-treated DU-145 CSCs cells. Expressions of CASP9, CASP4, BAX and BAD genes increased, while the expressions of BIRC3, BIRC2 and BCL2 genes decreased. In the DU-145 non-CSCs, five genes exhibited changes in gene expression after ZA treatment, two exhibited increased expression (CASP7 and BAD) and three exhibited decreased expression (BIRC3, BIRC2 and BCL2). ZA caused cell death of drug resistant breast MCF-7 and prostate DU-145 cancer stem cells by activating apoptosis. ZA can facilitate the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in human prostate CSCs by down-regulating anti-apoptotic genes and up-regulating pro-apoptotic genes. ZA may be an effective therapeutic agent for targeting chemoresistance in CSCs.

Nanocrystalline heterojunction materials

DOEpatents

Elder, Scott H.; Su, Yali; Gao, Yufei; Heald, Steve M.

2003-07-15

Mesoporous nanocrystalline titanium dioxide heterojunction materials are disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, materials comprising a core of titanium dioxide and a shell of a molybdenum oxide exhibit a decrease in their photoadsorption energy as the size of the titanium dioxide core decreases.

3-bromopyruvate ameliorate autoimmune arthritis by modulating Th17/Treg cell differentiation and suppressing dendritic cell activation.

PubMed

Okano, Takaichi; Saegusa, Jun; Nishimura, Keisuke; Takahashi, Soshi; Sendo, Sho; Ueda, Yo; Morinobu, Akio

2017-02-10

Recent studies have shown that cellular metabolism plays an important role in regulating immune cell functions. In immune cell differentiation, both interleukin-17-producing T (Th17) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) exhibit increased glycolysis through the upregulation of glycolytic enzymes, such as hexokinase-2 (HK2). Blocking glycolysis with 2-deoxyglucose was recently shown to inhibit Th17 cell differentiation while promoting regulatory T (Treg) cell generation. However, 2-DG inhibits all isoforms of HK. Thus, it is unclear which isoform has a critical role in Th17 cell differentiation and in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. Here we demonstrated that 3-bromopyruvate (BrPA), a specific HK2 inhibitor, significantly decreased the arthritis scores and the histological scores in SKG mice, with a significant increase in Treg cells, decrease in Th17 cells, and decrease in activated DCs in the spleen. In vitro, BrPA facilitated the differentiation of Treg cells, suppressed Th17 cells, and inhibited the activation of DCs. These results suggested that BrPA may be a therapeutic target of murine arthritis. Although the role of IL-17 is not clarified in the treatment of RA, targeting cell metabolism to alter the immune cell functions might lead to a new therapeutic strategy for RA.

Effects of constant pH and unsteady pH at different free ammonia concentrations on shortcut nitrification for landfill leachate treatment.

PubMed

Zhang, Chaosheng; Zhang, Shaoqing; Zhang, Liqiu; Rong, Hongwei; Zhang, Kefang

2015-04-01

On the basis of achieving shortcut nitrification in a lab-scale SBR, the effects of constant pH and unsteady pH at different free ammonia concentrations on shortcut nitrification for landfill leachate treatment was investigated. The results indicate that under the condition of DO of 0.5 ± 0.2 mg/L and temperature of 30 ± 2 °C, the absolute value of nitrite accumulation increased significantly with the increase in free ammonia (FA) concentration from 5.30 to 48.67 mg/L; however, the nitrite accumulation rate remained almost constant at a constant pH of 8.0 ± 0.1. Ammonia oxidation and the nitrite accumulation become slow with the pH decreased from 8.0 ± 0.1 to 7.5 ± 0.2, and the activities of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) were severely inhibited when the pH further decreased to 6.5. More importantly, this study confirmed that the pH decrease from 8.0 to 6.5 within a short time exhibited significant negative effect on the ammonia oxidation rather than the FA concentration.

Changes in Central Asia’s Water Tower: Past, Present and Future

PubMed Central

Chen, Yaning; Li, Weihong; Deng, Haijun; Fang, Gonghuan; Li, Zhi

2016-01-01

The Tienshan Mountains, with its status as “water tower”, is the main water source and ecological barrier in Central Asia. The rapid warming affected precipitation amounts and fraction as well as the original glacier/snowmelt water processes, thereby affecting the runoff and water storage. The ratio of snowfall to precipitation (S/P) experienced a downward trend, along with a shift from snow to rain. Spatially, the snow cover area in Middle Tienshan Mountains decreased significantly, while that in West Tienshan Mountains increased slightly. Approximately 97.52% of glaciers in the Tienshan Mountains showed a retreating trend, which was especially obvious in the North and East Tienshan Mountains. River runoff responds in a complex way to changes in climate and cryosphere. It appears that catchments with a higher fraction of glacierized area showed mainly increasing runoff trends, while river basins with less or no glacierization exhibited large variations in the observed runoff changes. The total water storage in the Tienshan Mountains also experienced a significant decreasing trend in Middle and East Tienshan Mountains, but a slight decreasing trend in West Tienshan Mountains, totally at an average rate of −3.72 mm/a. In future, water storage levels are expected to show deficits for the next half-century. PMID:27762285

Hydride transfer catalysed by Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis dihydrofolate reductase: coupled motions and distal mutations.

PubMed

Hammes-Schiffer, Sharon; Watney, James B

2006-08-29

This paper reviews the results from hybrid quantum/classical molecular dynamics simulations of the hydride transfer reaction catalysed by wild-type (WT) and mutant Escherichia coli and WT Bacillus subtilis dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Nuclear quantum effects such as zero point energy and hydrogen tunnelling are significant in these reactions and substantially decrease the free energy barrier. The donor-acceptor distance decreases to ca 2.7 A at transition-state configurations to enable the hydride transfer. A network of coupled motions representing conformational changes along the collective reaction coordinate facilitates the hydride transfer reaction by decreasing the donor-acceptor distance and providing a favourable geometric and electrostatic environment. Recent single-molecule experiments confirm that at least some of these thermally averaged equilibrium conformational changes occur on the millisecond time-scale of the hydride transfer. Distal mutations can lead to non-local structural changes and significantly impact the probability of sampling configurations conducive to the hydride transfer, thereby altering the free-energy barrier and the rate of hydride transfer. E. coli and B. subtilis DHFR enzymes, which have similar tertiary structures and hydride transfer rates with 44% sequence identity, exhibit both similarities and differences in the equilibrium motions and conformational changes correlated to hydride transfer, suggesting a balance of conservation and flexibility across species.

Mangiferin exerts antitumor activity in breast cancer cells by regulating matrix metalloproteinases, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and β-catenin signaling pathway.

PubMed

Li, Hongzhong; Huang, Jing; Yang, Bing; Xiang, Tingxiu; Yin, Xuedong; Peng, Weiyan; Cheng, Wei; Wan, Jingyuan; Luo, Fuling; Li, Hongyuan; Ren, Guosheng

2013-10-01

Although mangiferin which is a naturally occurring glucosylxanthone has exhibited promising anticancer activities, the detailed molecular mechanism of mangiferin on cancers still remains enigmatic. In this study, the anticancer activity of mangiferin was evaluated in breast cancer cell line-based in vitro and in vivo models. We showed that mangiferin treatment resulted in decreased cell viability and suppression of metastatic potential in breast cancer cells. Further mechanistic investigation revealed that mangiferin induced decreased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 and -9, and reversal of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, it was demonstrated that mangiferin significantly inhibited the activation of β-catenin pathway. Subsequent experiments showed that inhibiting β-catenin pathway might play a central role in mangiferin-induced anticancer activity through modulation of MMP-7 and -9, and EMT. Consistent with these findings in vitro, the antitumor potential was also verified in mangiferin-treated MDA-MB-231 xenograft mice where significantly decreased tumor volume, weight and proliferation, and increased apoptosis were obtained, with lower expression of MMP-7 and -9, vimentin and active β-catenin, and higher expression of E-cadherin. Taken together, our study suggests that mangiferin might be used as an effective chemopreventive agent against breast cancer. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Vegetation greenness trend (2000 to 2009) and the climate controls in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zhang, Li; Guo, Huadong; Ji, Lei; Lei, Liping; Wang, Cuizhen; Yan, Dongmei; Li, Bin; Li, Jing

2013-01-01

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau has been experiencing a distinct warming trend, and climate warming has a direct and quick impact on the alpine grassland ecosystem. We detected the greenness trend of the grasslands in the plateau using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer data from 2000 to 2009. Weather station data were used to explore the climatic drivers for vegetation greenness variations. The results demonstrated that the region-wide averaged normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) increased at a rate of 0.036  yr−1. Approximately 20% of the vegetation areas, which were primarily located in the northeastern plateau, exhibited significant NDVI increase trend (p-value <0.05). Only 4% of the vegetated area showed significant decrease trends, which were mostly in the central and southwestern plateau. A strong positive relationship between NDVI and precipitation, especially in the northeastern plateau, suggested that precipitation was a favorable factor for the grassland NDVI. Negative correlations between NDVI and temperature, especially in the southern plateau, indicated that higher temperature adversely affected the grassland growth. Although a warming climate was expected to be beneficial to the vegetation growth in cold regions, the grasslands in the central and southwestern plateau showed a decrease in trends influenced by increased temperature coupled with decreased precipitation.

Response of growth and photosynthesis of Emiliania huxleyi to visible and UV irradiances under different light regimes.

PubMed

Xing, Tao; Gao, Kunshan; Beardall, John

2015-01-01

Microalgae are capable of acclimating to changes in light and ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280-400 nm). However, little is known about how the ecologically important coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi responds to UVR when acclimated to different light regimes. Here, we grew E. huxleyi under indoor constant light or fluctuating sunlight with or without UVR, and investigated its growth, photosynthetic performance and pigmentation. Under the indoor constant light regime, the specific growth rate (μ) was highest, while fluctuating outdoor solar radiation significantly decreased the growth rate. Addition of UVR further decreased the growth rate. The repair rate of photosystem II (PSII), as reflected in changes in PSII quantum yield, showed an inverse correlation with growth rate. Cells grown under the indoor constant light regime exhibited the lowest repair rate, while cells from the outdoor fluctuating light regimes significantly increased their repair rate. Addition of UVR increased both the repair rate and intracellular UV-absorbing compounds. This increased repair capability, at the cost of decreased growth rate, persisted after the cells were transferred back to the indoor again, suggesting an enhanced allocation of energy and resources for repair of photosynthetic machinery damage by solar UVR which persisted for a period after transfer from solar UVR. © 2014 The American Society of Photobiology.

No Significant Changes in Topsoil Carbon in the Grasslands of Northern China Between the 1980s and 2000s

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, S.; Yang, Y.; Shen, H.; Hu, H.; Zhao, X.; Li, H.; Liu, T.; Fang, J.

2017-12-01

The grasslands of northern China store a large amount of soil organic carbon (SOC), and the small changes in SOC stock could significantly affect the regional C cycle. However, recent estimates of SOC changes in this region are highly controversial. In this study, we examined and mapped the changes in the SOC density (SOCD) in the upper 30 cm of the grasslands of northern China between the 1980s and 2000s, using an improved approach that integrates field-based measurements into machine learning algorithms (artificial neural network and random forest). The random forest-generated SOCD averaged 5.55 kg C m-2 in the 1980s and 5.53 kg C m-2 in the 2000s. The change ranged between -0.17 and 0.22 kg C m-2 at the 95% confidence level, suggesting that the overall SOCD did not change significantly during the study period. However, the change in SOCD exhibited large regional variability. The topsoil of the Inner Mongolian grasslands experienced a significant C loss (4.86 vs. 4.33 kg C m-2), whereas that of the Xinjiang grasslands exhibited an accumulation of C (5.55 vs. 6.46 kg C m-2). In addition, the topsoil C in the Tibetan alpine grasslands remained relatively stable (6.12 vs. 6.06 kg C m-2). A comparison of different grassland types indicated that SOCD exhibited significant decreases in typical steppe, whereas showed increases in mountain meadow, and were stable in the remaining grasslands (alpine meadow, alpine steppe, mountain steppe and desert steppe). Climate variables were shown to be the main determines of the change of SOCD. Increases in precipitation could lead to SOC increase in temperate grasslands and SOC loss in alpine grasslands, while climate warming is likely to cause SOC loss in temperate grasslands. Overall, our study shows that northern grasslands in China remained a neutral SOC sink between the 1980s and 2000s.

Hormonal and Neuromuscular Responses to Mechanical Vibration Applied to Upper Extremity Muscles

PubMed Central

Di Giminiani, Riccardo; Fabiani, Leila; Baldini, Giuliano; Cardelli, Giovanni; Giovannelli, Aldo; Tihanyi, Jozsef

2014-01-01

Objective To investigate the acute residual hormonal and neuromuscular responses exhibited following a single session of mechanical vibration applied to the upper extremities among different acceleration loads. Methods Thirty male students were randomly assigned to a high vibration group (HVG), a low vibration group (LVG), or a control group (CG). A randomized double-blind, controlled-parallel study design was employed. The measurements and interventions were performed at the Laboratory of Biomechanics of the University of L'Aquila. The HVG and LVG participants were exposed to a series of 20 trials ×10 s of synchronous whole-body vibration (WBV) with a 10-s pause between each trial and a 4-min pause after the first 10 trials. The CG participants assumed an isometric push-up position without WBV. The outcome measures were growth hormone (GH), testosterone, maximal voluntary isometric contraction during bench-press, maximal voluntary isometric contraction during handgrip, and electromyography root-mean-square (EMGrms) muscle activity (pectoralis major [PM], triceps brachii [TB], anterior deltoid [DE], and flexor carpi radialis [FCR]). Results The GH increased significantly over time only in the HVG (P = 0.003). Additionally, the testosterone levels changed significantly over time in the LVG (P = 0.011) and the HVG (P = 0.001). MVC during bench press decreased significantly in the LVG (P = 0.001) and the HVG (P = 0.002). In the HVG, the EMGrms decreased significantly in the TB (P = 0.006) muscle. In the LVG, the EMGrms decreased significantly in the DE (P = 0.009) and FCR (P = 0.006) muscles. Conclusion Synchronous WBV acutely increased GH and testosterone serum concentrations and decreased the MVC and their respective maximal EMGrms activities, which indicated a possible central fatigue effect. Interestingly, only the GH response was dependent on the acceleration with respect to the subjects' responsiveness. PMID:25368995