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Various Organs (various + organ)
Selected AbstractsOCTN2 is associated with carnitine transport capacity of rat skeletal musclesACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2010Y. Furuichi Abstract Aim:, Carnitine plays an essential role in fat oxidation in skeletal muscles; therefore carnitine influx could be crucial for muscle metabolism. OCTN2, a sodium-dependent solute carrier, is assumed to transport carnitine into various organs. However, OCTN2 protein expression and the functional importance of carnitine transport for muscle metabolism have not been studied. We tested the hypothesis that OCTN2 is expressed at higher levels in oxidative muscles than in other muscles, and that the carnitine uptake capacity of skeletal muscles depends on the amount of OCTN2. Methods:, Rat hindlimb muscles (soleus, plantaris, and the surface and deep portions of gastrocnemius) were used for Western blotting to detect OCTN2. Tissue carnitine uptake was examined by an integration plot analysis using l -[3H]carnitine as a tracer. Tissue carnitine content was determined by enzymatic cycling methods. The percentage of type I fibres was determined by histochemical analysis. Results:, OCTN2 was detected in all skeletal muscles although the amount was lower than that in the kidney. OCTN2 expression was significantly higher in soleus than in the other skeletal muscles. The amount of OCTN2 was positively correlated with the percentage of type I fibres in hindlimb muscles. The integration plot analysis revealed a positive correlation between the uptake clearance of l -[3H]carnitine and the amount of OCTN2 in skeletal muscles. However, the carnitine content in soleus was lower than that in other skeletal muscles. Conclusion:, OCTN2 is functionally expressed in skeletal muscles and is involved in the import of carnitine for fatty acid oxidation, especially in highly oxidative muscles. [source] Sef is synexpressed with FGFs during chick embryogenesis and its expression is differentially regulated by FGFs in the developing limbDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 2 2005Haggar Harduf Abstract The signaling pathways leading to growth and patterning of various organs are tightly controlled during the development of any organism. These control mechanisms usually involve the utilization of feedback- and pathway-specific antagonists where the pathway induces the expression of its own antagonist. Sef is a feedback antagonist of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling, which has been identified recently in zebrafish and mammals. Here, we report the isolation of chicken Sef (cSef) and demonstrate the conserved nature of the regulatory relationship with FGF signaling. In chick embryos, Sef is expressed in a pattern that coincides with many known sites of FGF signaling. In the developing limb, cSef is expressed in the mesoderm underlying the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) in the region known as the progress zone. cSef message first appeared after limb budding and AER formation. Expression was intense at stages of rapid limb outgrowth, and gradually decreased to almost undetectable levels when differentiation was clearly apparent. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments showed that FGFs differentially regulate the expression of cSef in various tissues. Thus, removal of the AER down-regulated cSef expression, and FGF2 but not FGF4 or FGF8 beads substituted for the AER in maintaining cSef expression. At sites where cSef is not normally expressed, FGF4 and FGF2, but not FGF8 beads, induced cSef expression. Our results demonstrate the complexity of cSef regulation by FGFs and point to FGF2 as a prime candidate in regulating cSef expression during normal limb development. The spatiotemporal pattern of cSef expression during limb development suggests a role for cSef in regulating limb outgrowth but not limb initiation. Developmental Dynamics 233:301,312, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Thiazolidinediones and the preservation of ,-cell function, cellular proliferation and apoptosisDIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 8 2008Michael Decker The thiazolidinediones (TZDs) or glitazones are pharmaceutical agents that have profound effects on energy expenditure and conservation. They also exert significant anti-inflammatory effects and influence cell proliferation and cell death. The drugs are primarily used in clinical practice in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a disorder of insulin resistance that occurs when the pancreatic ,-cells are unable to produce adequate amounts of insulin to maintain euglycaemia. Loss of pancreatic ,-cell function in type 2 diabetes is progressive and often precedes overt diabetes by 10 years or more, as was shown by the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study. Any therapeutic or preventive approach that would limit or reverse loss of ,-cell function in diabetes would have profound effects on the morbidity associated with this widespread disease. Evidence suggesting a potential role of TZDs in preserving ,-cell function in type 2 diabetes as well as the ability of these agents to exert anti-inflammatory and proapoptotic anticancer effects, and their ability to promote cellular proliferation in various organs is reviewed. [source] Seasonal dynamics of the hepatotoxic microcystins in various organs of four freshwater bivalves from the large eutrophic lake Taihu of subtropical China and the risk to human consumptionENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 6 2005Jun Chen Abstract So far, little is known on the distribution of hepatotoxic microcystin (MC) in various organs of bivalves, and there is no study on MC accumulation in bivalves from Chinese waters. Distribution pattern and seasonal dynamics of MC-LR, -YR and -RR in various organs (hepatopancreas, intestine, visceral mass, gill, foot, and rest) of four edible freshwater mussels (Anodonta woodiana, Hyriopsis cumingii, Cristaria plicata, and Lamprotula leai) were studied monthly during Oct. 2003,Sep. 2004 in Lake Taihu with toxic cyanobacterial blooms in the summer. Qualitative and quantitative determinations of MCs in the organs were done by LC,MS and HPLC. The major toxins were present in the hepatopancreas (45.5,55.4%), followed by visceral mass with substantial amount of gonad (27.6,35.5%), whereas gill and foot were the least (1.8,5.1%). The maximum MC contents in the hepatopancreas, intestine, visceral mass, gill, foot, and rest were 38.48, 20.65, 1.70, 0.64, 0.58, and 0.61 ,g/g DW, respectively. There were rather good positive correlation in MC contents between intestines and hepatopancreas of the four bivalves (r = 0.75,0.97, p < 0.05). There appeared to be positive correlations between the maximum MC content in the hepatopancreas and the ,13C (r = 0.919) or ,15N (r = 0.878) of the foot, indicating that the different MC content in the hepatopancreas might be due to different food ingestion. A glutathione (GSH) conjugate of MC-LR was also detected in the foot sample of C. plicata. Among the foot samples analyzed, 54% were above the provisional WHO tolerable daily intake (TDI) level, and the mean daily intakes from the four bivalves were 8,23.5 times the TDI value when the bivalves are eaten as a whole, suggesting the high risk of consuming bivalves in Lake Taihu. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 20: 572,584, 2005. [source] Bioaccumulation of the hepatotoxic microcystins in various organs of a freshwater snail from a subtropical Chinese Lake, Taihu Lake, with dense toxic Microcystis bloomsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2007Dawen Zhang Abstract In this paper, we describe the seasonal dynamics of three common microcystins (MCs; MC-RR, MC-YR, and MC-LR) in the whole body, hepatopancreas, intestine, gonad, foot, remaining tissue, and offspring of a freshwater snail, Bellamya aeruginosa, from Gonghu Bay of Lake Taihu, China, where dense toxic Microcystis blooms occur in the warm seasons. Microcystins were determined by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrum. Microcystin (MC-RR + MC-YR + MC-LR) content of the offspring and gonad showed high positive correlation, indicating that microcystins could transfer from adult females to their young with physiological connection. This study is the first to report the presence of microcystins in the offspring of the adult snail. The majority of the toxins were present in the intestine (53.6%) and hepatopancreas (29.9%), whereas other tissues contained only 16.5%. If intestines are excluded, up to 64.3% of the toxin burden was allocated in the hepatopancreas. The microcystin content in the intestine, hepatopancreas, and gonad were correlated with the biomass of Microcystis and intracellular and extracellular toxins. Of the analyzed foot samples, 18.2% were above the tolerable daily microcystin intake recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for human consumption. This result indicates that public health warnings regarding human ingestion of snails from Taihu Lake are warranted. In addition, further studies are needed to evaluate the occurrence by Microcystis in relation to spatial and temporal changes in water quality. [source] Methylmercury uptake and distribution kinetics in sheepshead minnows, Cyprinodon variegatus, after exposure to CH3Hg-spiked foodENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 9 2004Joy J. Leaner Abstract The distribution kinetics of methylmercury (CH3Hg[II]) was determined in sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus) after a single dose of different CH3Hg(II)-spiked food to determine what factors influence the bioavailability, uptake, and redistribution of CH3Hg(II) to various organs of C. variegatus. The kinetics of CH3Hg(II) distribution was measured in the different organs during a period of 0.1 to 35 d after dosage. The CH3Hg(II) distribution kinetics in the different tissues was modeled using a simple multicompartmental pharmacokinetic model, which assumed that blood was the conduit linking the CH3Hg(II) exchange between the different organs. The CH3Hg(II) was taken up into the intestinal tissue within hours after feeding, followed by a slow release to the blood and the other organs of the body. Exchange between the blood and the visceral organs was relatively slow, with maximum CH3Hg(II) uptake in the liver and gill occurring at 1.5 d following dietary exposure. Subsequently, the majority of the CH3Hg(II) was channeled from the viscera to the rest of the body with a substantial lag time after feeding. However, the rate of transfer between tissues in the studies reported here were faster than those measured by others for larger fish. [source] Notch ligands Delta-like1, Delta-like4 and Jagged1 differentially regulate activation of peripheral T helper cellsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 8 2005Sascha Rutz Abstract The Notch pathway is involved in cell differentiation processes in various organs and at several developmental stages. The importance of Notch for early T lymphocyte development is well established. Recently, Notch has been implicated in directing naive T helper cell differentiation towards the Th1, Th2 or regulatory T cell lineages. However, the molecular events underlying these processes are poorly understood. We show that the Notch ligands Delta-like1, Delta-like4 and Jagged1 differentially affect early T cell activation and proliferation following T cell receptor cross-linking. Delta-like1 and Jagged1 induce a dose-dependent inhibition of early activation markers CD69 and CD25, as well as inhibition of proliferation after anti-CD3 stimulation of purified CD4+ T cells. Similarly, the rapid activation of transcription factors NF-AT, AP-1 and NF-,B is suppressed. In contrast, triggering of Notch by Delta-like4 enhances T cell activation and proliferation. The observed effects are dependent on simultaneous cross-linking of TCR and Notch but independent of ,-secretase-mediated cleavage of Notch. These data suggest direct interference between Notch and early TCR signal transduction events, independent of the classical Notch pathway via release of the Notch intracellular domain. A Notch-mediated alteration of TCR signaling strength may contribute to the recently described modulation of naïve T cell differentiation by Notch ligands. [source] Membrane orientation of laminin binding proteinFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 18 2003An extracellular matrix bridging molecule of Leishmania donovani Earlier we presented several lines of evidence that a 67-kDa laminin binding protein (LBP) in Leishmania donovani, that is different from the putative mammalian 67-kDa laminin receptor, may play an important role in the onset of leishmaniasis, as these parasites invade macrophages in various organs after migrating through the extracellular matrix. Here we describe the membrane orientation of this Leishmania laminin receptor. Flow cytometric analysis using anti-LBP Ig revealed its surface localization, which was further confirmed by enzymatic radiolabeling of Leishmania surface proteins, autoradiography and Western blotting. Efficient incorporation of LBP into artificial lipid bilayer, as well as its presence in the detergent phase after Triton X-114 membrane extraction, suggests that it may be an integral membrane protein. Limited trypsinization of intact parasite and subsequent immunoblotting of trypsin released material using laminin as primary probe revealed that a major part of this protein harbouring the laminin binding site is oriented extracellularly. Carboxypeptidase Y treatment of the whole cell, as well as the membrane preparation, revealed that a small part of the C-terminal is located in the cytosol. A 34-kDa transmembrane part of LBP could be identified using the photoactive probe, 3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m -iodophenyl)diazirine (TID). Partial sequence comparison of the intact protein to that with the trypsin-released fragment indicated that N-terminal may be located extracellularly. Together, these results suggest that LBP may be an integral membrane protein, having significant portion of N-terminal end as well as the laminin binding site oriented extracellularly, a membrane spanning domain and a C-terminal cytosolic end. [source] Association of immunological disorders in lethal side effect of NSAIDs on ,-glucan-administered miceFEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2001Hideaki Takahashi Abstract (1,3)-,- d -Glucan (,-glucan) is a biological response modifier that regulates host immune response. We have found that the combination of a ,-glucan and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), indomethacin (IND), induced lethal toxicity in mice [Yoshioka et al. (1998) FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol., 21, 171,179]. This study was undertaken to analyze the mechanism of the lethal side effect. Combination of a ,-glucan and IND increased the number of leukocytes, especially macrophages and neutrophils, in various organs and these cells were activated. The activated state of these cells was supported by the enhanced production of interferon-, in the presence of IND in vitro culture of the peritoneal exudate cells. Intestinal bacterial flora was translocated into the peritoneal cavity in these mice to cause peritonitis. Comparing the toxicity of various NSAIDs, nabumetone, a partially cyclooxygenase-2-selective NSAID with weaker toxicity to the gastrointestinal tract, did not exhibit a lethal side effect. These facts strongly suggested that gastrointestinal damage by NSAIDs was more severe in ,-glucan-administered mice, resulting in peritonitis by enteric bacteria and leading to death. [source] Pathophysiological significance of senescence marker protein-30GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2010Naoki Maruyama A novel rat liver protein of 30 kDa, SMP30 decreases with aging. This protein is expressed most prominently in the liver and kidneys among the various organs. Its gene is located on the X chromosome. No functional domain was recognized in the entire amino acid sequence. Recently, we found a homology between rat SMP30 and two species of bacterial gluconolactonase (EC 3.1.1.17). The lactonase reaction with l -gulono-,-lactone is the penultimate step in vitamin C (l -ascorbic acid) biosynthesis. SMP30-knockout (KO) mice fed a vitamin C-deficient diet displayed symptoms of scurvy. In SMP30-KO mice, hepatocytes were more susceptible to apoptosis induced by TNF-, plus actinomycin D than hepatocytes from wild-type mice. Two morphological features considered to be a hallmark of senescence are apparent in SMP30-KO mice. At 12 months of age, SMP30-knockout mice had clearly visible deposits of lipofuscin and senescence-associated ,-galactosidase (SA-,-GAL) in their renal tubular epithelia. These features are compatible with high electron dense deposits in lysosomes. This observation suggests that the SMP30-knockout mouse is a useful model of ordinal senescence. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2010; 10 (Suppl. 1): S88,S98. [source] Tissue Engineering Using Laminar Cellular AssembliesADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 32-33 2009Joseph Yang Abstract As proposed in the late 1980s by Langer and Vacanti, the ultimate goal of tissue engineering is the development of structures that can be used to treat or replace damaged or diseased organs and tissues. For the regeneration of various organs such as the heart, liver, and kidney, the development of adequate vascular networks within the engineered tissues remains a significant obstacle in the formation of cell-dense structures that resemble the native parenchyma. While tissue engineering using biodegradable scaffolds has been successful in the re-creation of tissues where extracellular matrix is abundant, we have developed cell-sheet-based tissue engineering for the construction of tissues using laminar assemblies of cells harvested from temperature-responsive culture dishes. Using cell sheet engineering, we present new strategies for the development of organ-like tissue structures containing well-organized vascular networks. [source] IL-1, IL-18, and IL-33 families of cytokinesIMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2008William P. Arend Summary: The interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-18, and IL-33 families of cytokines are related by mechanism of origin, receptor structure, and signal transduction pathways utilized. All three cytokines are synthesized as precursor molecules and cleaved by the enzyme caspase-1 before or during release from the cell. The NALP-3 inflammasome is of crucial importance in generating active caspase-1. The IL-1 family contains two agonists, IL-1, and IL-1,, a specific inhibitor, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and two receptors, the biologically active type IL-1R and inactive type II IL-1R. Both IL-1RI and IL-33R utilize the same interacting accessory protein (IL-1RAcP). The balance between IL-1 and IL-1Ra is important in preventing disease in various organs, and excess production of IL-1 has been implicated in many human diseases. The IL-18 family also contains a specific inhibitor, the IL-18-binding protein (IL-18BP), which binds IL-18 in the fluid phase. The IL-18 receptor is similar to the IL-1 receptor complex, including a single ligand-binding chain and a different interacting accessory protein. IL-18 provides an important link between the innate and adaptive immune responses. Newly described IL-33 binds to the orphan IL-1 family receptor T1/ST2 and stimulates T-helper 2 responses as well as mast cells. [source] Cowden disease: a reviewINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 4 2007S. Uppal Summary Cowden disease is a genetically inherited disorder presenting with multiple hamartomatous and neoplastic lesions in various organs and tissues. We present a review of the diagnostic criteria, clinical presentation, genetics, and management of this condition. [source] Our experience in eight cases with urinary hydatid disease: A series of 372 cases held in nine different clinicsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 9 2006LMAZ Objectives: Hydatid disease, a parasitic infestation caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus, is diagnosed commonly in the east and south-east regions of Turkey. The aim of this study is to emphasize the relatively frequent occurrences of echinococcosis in our region, and to discuss therapeutic options and treatment results according to current literature. Methods: A retrospective 10-year review of nine different clinics' records of the Research Hospital of the Medical School of Yüzüncü Y,l University revealed 372 hydatid disease cases that were localized in various organs and treated surgically (271 cases) or drained percutaneously (99 cases). Hydatid disease was diagnosed by ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography scans (CT) and confirmed histopathologically. Results: The involved organ was lung in 203 cases (131 adults, 72 children), liver in 150, spleen in 9, brain in 2, kidneys in 7 cases and the retrovesical area in 1 case. The urogenital system is involved at a rate of 2.15%. Two hundred and seventy-one cases were treated surgically and 99 percutaneously. Two cases with renal hydatid cyst refused the surgical procedure (one had a solitary kidney with hydatid cyst). Albendazole was administered to 192 patients; 93 patients had open surgical procedure and 99 patients underwent percutaneous procedure. Cysts were excised totally in the open surgical procedure; however, involved kidneys were removed totally (four cases) except one. Cystectomy and omentoplasty was performed in one case. Complications were as follows: in six cases, cystic material was spilled into the bronchial cavity during the dissection and a renal hydatid cyst ruptured and spilled retroperitoneally. Conclusion: Hydatid disease is a serious health problem in Turkey. The mainly affected organs are liver and lung. It can be treated surgical or by percutaneous aspiration. [source] Fabry Disease: Treatment and diagnosisIUBMB LIFE, Issue 11 2009Paula A. Rozenfeld Abstract Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal disorder that results from a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme ,-galactosidase A leading to accumulation of glycolipids, mainly globotriaosylceramide in the cells from different tissues. Classical Fabry disease affects various organs. Clinical manifestations start at early age and include angiokeratoma, acroparesthesia, hypohydrosis, heat/exercise intolerance, gastrointestinal pain, diarrhea, and fever. The main complications of Fabry disease are more prominent after the age of 30 when kidney, heart, and/or cerebrovascular disorders appear. Most of the heterozygous females are symptomatic. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the only specific treatment for Fabry disease. The beneficial effect of ERT on different organs/systems has been extensively evaluated. Quality of life of patients receiving ERT is improved. Enzyme replacement stabilizes or slows the decline in renal function and reduces left ventricular hypertrophy. Fabry disease may be underdiagnosed because of nonspecific and multiorgan symptoms. Different screening strategies have been carried out in different at-risk populations in order to detect undiagnosed Fabry patients. An increasing knowledge about Fabry disease within the medical community increases the chances of patients to receive a timely diagnosis and, consequently, to access the appropriate therapy. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(11): 1043,1050, 2009 [source] Isolation of epithelial stem cells from dermis by a three-dimensional culture system,JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2006Reinhold J. Medina Abstract Skin is a representative self-renewing tissue containing stem cells. Although many attempts have been made to define and isolate skin-derived stem cells, establishment of a simple and reliable isolation procedure remains a goal to be achieved. Here, we report the isolation of cells having stem cell properties from mouse embryonic skin using a simple selection method based on an assumption that stem cells may grow in an anchorage-independent manner. We inoculated single cell suspensions prepared from mouse embryonic dermis into a temperature-sensitive gel and propagated the resulting colonies in a monolayer culture. The cells named dermis-derived epithelial progenitor-1 (DEEP) showed epithelial morphology and grew rapidly to a more than 200 population doubling level over a period of 250 days. When the cells were kept confluent, they spontaneously formed spheroids and continuously grew even in spheroids. Immunostaining revealed that all of the clones were positive for the expression of cytokeratin-8, ,18, ,19, and E-cadherin and negative for the expression of cytokeratin-1, ,5, ,6, ,14, ,20, vimentin, nestin, a ckit. Furthermore, they expressed epithelial stem cell markers such as p63, integrin ,1, and S100A6. On exposure to TGF, in culture, some of DEEP-1 cells expressed ,-smooth muscle actin. When the cells were transplanted into various organs of adult SCID mice, a part of the inoculated cell population acquired neural, hepatic, and renal cell properties. These results indicate that the cells we isolated were of epithelial stem cell origin and that our new approach is useful for isolation of multipotent stem cells from skin tissues. J. Cell. Biochem. 98: 174,184, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Dynamics of experimental production of Thelohanellus hovorkai (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) in fish and oligochaete alternate hostsJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 10 2003Y S Liyanage Abstract The dynamics of development and production of Thelohanellus hovorkai (Myxozoa) were examined to investigate factors inducing haemorrhagic thelohanellosis in carp, Cyprinus carpio L. Fresh actinospores of T. hovorkai were harvested from the oligochaete alternate host, Branchiura sowerbyi, and used for infection experiments with myxosporean-free carp. Visualization of actinospores by fluorescent labelling revealed that sporoplasms penetrated the gill filaments of carp immersed in an actinospore suspension as early as 30 min post-exposure (PE). Plasmodia of T. hovorkai developed in the connective tissues of various organs and matured 3,5 weeks PE; dispersion of myxospores from degenerate plasmodia occurred 5,7 weeks PE. Challenges with a high dose of actinospores (4.5 × 106 spores per fish) resulted in the onset of disease, which was more easily achieved by the oral intubation of actinospores than by immersion in an actinospore suspension. Actinosporean-free B. sowerbyi were exposed to different densities of myxospores (104,106 spores per oligochaete) and subsequently reared at different temperatures (15, 20, 25 °C). At 20 and 25 °C, actinospore releases were first detected 40,43 days PE, with multiple peaks of release (max. 7 × 105 actinospores day,1) during the next 60 days. We concluded that the developmental cycle of T. hovorkai was completed within 3,5 months at 20,25 °C, and that the ingestion of large numbers of actinospores orally, possibly by feeding on infected oligochaetes, resulted in a disease condition in carp. [source] ALKALOID COMPOSITION OF LUPINUS CAMPESTRIS FROM MEXICOJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2001J. MARTÍNEZ-HERRERA ABSTRACT The content of quinolizidine alkaloids (QA) in Lupinus campestris, Fabaceae family, was analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Samples of various organs of Lupinus campestris collected at different monthly stages of the growing plant, were subjected to extraction in a Merck Extrelut column. The quinolizidine alkaloid patterns of stems, leaves, flowers, pods and seeds were assessed and then identified and quantified by GC. Alkaloid structures were identified according to their mass fragmentation patterns, in combination with their indicative Kovats retention index. Alkaloids found in several developmental stages of the plant were mainly: aphyllidine, 5, 6-dehydrolupanine, aphylline, dehydro-oxosparteine, lupanine, ,-isolupanine, hydroxyaphylline and hydroxyaphyllidine, plus two alkaloids that -were not identified. During the third month the relative abundance of total alkaloids were highest. The main alkaloids found in seeds were hydroxyaphylline and hydroxyaphyllidine. [source] ACTIVITY DISTRIBUTION OF DIGESTIVE PROTEASES FROM NEMIPTERUS VIRGATUS AND THEIR RESPONSES TO pH VALUE AND TEMPERATUREJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2008HONG TAO ABSTRACT In the present study, three groups (I,III) of Nemipterus virgatus, with average body weights of 154.36, 250.72 and 329.09 g, respectively, were used to investigate the changes in the activity and distribution of digestive proteases in different organs and sections of the digestive tract. Another group of N. virgatus (average body weight of 188.41 g) was used to analyze the changes in the activity of digestive proteases in response to various pH values and temperatures. The activity of digestive proteases in all analyzed organs increased with the increase of body weight at the range of 154.36,329.09 g. The activities of digestive proteases in the different sections of the digestive tract were compared, and a similar change was found among groups I,III. The activities of digestive proteases from various organs were in a descending order: pylorus ceca > stomach > foregut > midgut > hindgut > hepatopancreas. Through observing the zymograms of substrate,sodium dodecil sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, many kinds of digestive proteases could be found in different organs and the varieties were changed with the change of body weight. Two peaks in the diagram between protease activity and pH value were found at pH 3.0 and 10.0, respectively. The activity under alkaline condition was 60% higher than that under acidic condition. The optimal temperature for protease activity was 50C, while the protease activity at 10C was only 30% of that at 50C. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Nemipterus virgatus is one of the most important commercial fishes in the East China Sea and South China Sea. The digestive tract of N. virgatus is rich in digestive proteases and they can be employed as important biotechnological tools. The activities of digestive proteases from various organs and the effects of pH value and temperature on them were investigated in this study. The effect of body weight of N. virgatus was also evaluated. All these information would be helpful to extensively utilize this resource for the fish process industry. [source] Novel primary immunodeficiencies relevant to internal medicine: novel phenotypesJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2009L. Maródi Abstract. Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) are often recognized in adults, either because of delayed diagnosis of a paediatric illness, or increasingly because of the recognition of adult onset forms of these diseases. Moreover, a growing fraction of children diagnosed with PIDs reach adulthood. It has become clear that many of these conditions affect various organs and therefore will be referred to professionals from various fields of internal medicine. It is well known that infectious diseases, allergy, auto-immunity and cancer may result from PIDs. Surprisingly, other clinical manifestations were recently found to reflect inborn errors of immunity. Ground-breaking discoveries suggest that atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome, Crohn's disease, and alveolar proteinosis may actually be manifestations of novel PIDs. [source] Ethanol Modulation of TNF-alpha Biosynthesis and Signaling in Endothelial Cells: Synergistic Augmentation of TNF-alpha Mediated Endothelial Cell Dysfunctions by Chronic EthanolALCOHOLISM, Issue 6 2005Corinne Luedemann Despite reported cardio-protective effects of low alcohol intake, chronic alcoholism remains a risk factor in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. Dose related bimodal effects of alcohol on cardiovascular system might reflect contrasting influences of light versus heavy alcohol consumption on the vascular endothelium. Chronic ethanol induced damage to various organs has been linked to the increased release of TNF-alpha (TNF). We have previously shown that TNF, expressed at the sites of arterial injury, suppresses re-endothelialization of denuded arteries and inhibits endothelial cell (EC) proliferation in vitro. Here we report that in vitro chronic ethanol exposure enhances agonist-induced TNF mRNA and protein expression in EC. Ethanol-mediated increment in TNF expression involves increased de novo transcription without affecting mRNA stability. DNA binding assays revealed that ethanol-induced TNF up regulation was AP1 dependent. Functionally, TNF induced EC dysfunction, including reduced proliferation, migration and cyclin A expression, were all markedly enhanced in the presence of ethanol. Additionally, expression of cyclin D1 was significantly attenuated in cells co-treated with TNF and ethanol while each treatment alone had little effect on cyclin D1 expression. Furthermore, exposure to ethanol potentiated and prolonged agonist-induced activation of JNK. Inhibition of JNK by over-expression of dominant negative JNK1 substantially reversed ethanol/TNF-mediated inhibition of cyclin A expression and EC proliferation, suggesting modulation of JNK1 signaling as the mechanism for ethanol/TNF-induced EC dysfunctions. Taken together, these data indicate that chronic ethanol consumption may negatively influence post angioplasty re-endothelialization thereby contributing to the development of restenosis. [source] Renal failure and abdominal hypertension after liver transplantation: Determination of critical intra-abdominal pressureLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 12 2002Gianni Biancofiore MD There is growing interest in measuring intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in postsurgical and critically ill patients because increased pressure can impair various organs and functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different IAP levels on the postoperative renal function of subjects undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. IAP was measured every 8 hours with the urinary bladder pressure method for at least 72 hours after surgery. At the end of the study, the patients were classified on the basis of their IAP values: , 18 mm Hg (group A), 19 to 24 mm Hg (group B), , 25 mm Hg (group C). The three groups were compared in terms of the incidence of acute renal failure (defined as blood creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL or an increase in the same of > 1.1 mg/dL within 72 hours of surgery), hourly diuresis, blood creatinine, the filtration gradient, hemodynamic variations, and outcome. The incidence of renal failure was higher among the subjects in group C (P < .05 versus group A and < .01 versus group B), who also had higher creatinine levels (P < .01), a greater need for diuretics (P < .01) and a worse outcome (P < .05). Receiver Operator Characteristic curve analysis showed that an abdominal pressure of 25 mm Hg had the best sensitivity/specificity ratio for renal failure. An intra-abdominal pressure of , 25 mm Hg is an important risk factor for renal failure in subjects undergoing liver transplant. [source] Facial swelling and gingival enlargement in a patient with sickle cell diseaseORAL DISEASES, Issue 5 2001JE Scipio Sickle cell anemia is a frequent hemoglobinopathy in the Caribbean. While vaso-occlusion induced tissue injury in sickle cell anemia is common in various organs, orofacial lesions are rare. A 14-year-old Afro-Trinidadian boy suffering from sickle cell anemia developed an acute facial swelling, mimicking facial cellulitis of dental origin, which was caused by sickle cell-related hemorrhage. He also exhibited gingival enlargement, considered to be an outcome of repeated hemorrhagic episodes and fibrous repair. A new finding is the presence of erythrocyte-filled intraepithelial blood vessels in the gingival epithelium. We hypothesize this phenomena is a tissue response to hypoxia that occurs in sickle cell disease. [source] Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in human prostate carcinomaPATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2009Yasuhiro Nakamura Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of transcription factors. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR,) plays an important role in the regulation of lipid homeostasis, adipogenesis, insulin resistance, and development of various organs. Agonists of PPAR, have been also reported to inhibit proliferation of prostate carcinoma cells as in other human malignancies, and these synthetic ligands have been used in differentiation-mediated therapy of various human carcinomas associated with high levels of PPAR,. The significance of PPAR, expression, however, was unknown in human prostate carcinoma tissues. The purpose of the present study was therefore to examine the immunolocalization of PPAR, in human prostate cancer tissues (40 cases) and correlate the findings with clinicopathological features of the patients in order to evaluate its possible biological significance. Twenty-nine patients were positive for PPAR, immunoreactivity (73%) and a significant inverse correlation was detected between PPAR, immunoreactivity, pT stage (P = 0.036), and serum concentration of prostate-specific antigen (P = 0.0004). In conclusion, PPAR, immunoreactivity is considered to be a new clinicopathological parameter of human prostate cancer. [source] Aneurysms of the renal arteries associated with segmental arterial mediolysis in a case of polyarteritis nodosaPATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2009Yoshiko Soga This is the first report of segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) accompanied with polyarteritis nodosa (PN), and manifesting aneurysms of the renal arteries. A 73-year-old woman was admitted to hospital because of a high fever. Laboratory tests showed leukocytosis with increased CRP level in the serum. Myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) and proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA were negative. There were no signs indicating infection or malignancy. After admission renal function rapidly deteriorated. Treatment was then started with daily oral prednisolone and hemodialysis. On the 40th day of hospitalization the patient suddenly became comatose. Cranial CT showed a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The patient died and an autopsy was performed. The pathological findings showed necrotizing vasculitis of the small arteries in various organs, but not associated with that of arterioles or renal glomerular lesions, indicating PN. Unexpectedly, the segmental arteries of the bilateral kidneys showed vascular lesions of dissecting aneurysms, indicating SAM. This case indicates that SAM is one of the causes of aneurysms in PN and is clinically important when the clinical course of PN patients rapidly advances. [source] Organ-specific endoglin (CD105) expression in the angiogenesis of human cancersPATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 12 2006Rahmawati Minhajat Some markers of angiogenic endothelial cells are emerging as targets for cancer therapy. The present study compared the expression of CD105 with that of other endothelial markers in cancers from various organs. Surgically resected cancer tissues from 188 patients comprising brain (n = 17), lung (n = 38), breast (n = 30), stomach (n = 30), colon (n = 31), liver (n = 32), and kidney (n = 10) cancers were immunohistochemically analyzed on tissue microarrays using a panel of eight endothelial markers. CD31 was expressed in vascular endothelial cells in cancer lesions as well as in non-cancerous areas (30,100%) in all core tissue samples. CD105 expression was intense and restricted to capillary endothelial cells in cancer lesions (>73%). In contrast, positive expression of CD105 was seen in <20% of non-cancerous areas in the same organs. However, no significant difference in CD105 expression in vascular endothelial cells between cancer lesions and non-cancerous areas from liver and renal cancer samples was found. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Flt1, and Flk1 were also expressed, but only sporadically and in few samples (<30%), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-,1 and TGF-,RII were negative in vascular endothelial cells but generally positive in cancer cells. CD44 was strongly expressed in sinusoidal endothelial cells of the liver (90,100%). These results show that CD105 is expressed specifically in the tumor angiogenesis of brain, lung, breast, stomach, and colon cancers. [source] Phototropism: A "Simple" Physiological Response Modulated by Multiple Interacting Photosensory-response Pathways ,PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2000Emmanuel Liscum ABSTRACT Phototropism is the process by which plants reorient growth of various organs, most notably stems, in response to lateral differences in light quantity and/or quality. The ubiquitous nature of the phototropic response in the plant kingdom implies that it provides some adaptive evolutionary advantage. Upon visual inspection it is tempting to surmise that phototropic curvatures result from a relatively simple growth response to a directional stimulus. However, detailed photophysiological, and more recently genetic and molecular, studies have demonstrated that phototropism is in fact regulated by complex interactions among several photosensory systems. At least two receptors, phototropin and a presently unidentified receptor, appear to mediate the primary photoreception of directional blue light cues in dark-grown plants. PhyB may also function as a primary receptor to detect lateral increases in far-red light in neighbor-avoidance responses of light-grown plants. Phytochromes (phyA and phyB at a minimum) also appear to function as secondary receptors to regulate adaptation processes that ultimately modulate the magnitude of curvature induced by primary photoperception. As a result of the interactions of these multiple photosensory systems plants are able to maximize the adaptive advantage of the phototropic response in ever changing light environments. [source] Inhibitory effect of magnolol on Trp-P-2-induced DNA damage in various organs in micePHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2009Junichiro Saito Abstract Magnolol has been reported to strongly inhibit the mutagenicity induced by indirect mutagens in the Ames test as well as the clastogenicity induced by benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) in the mice micronucleus test. Here, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of magnolol on the DNA damage induced by 3-amino-1-methyl-5H -pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) in various organs using the mice alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCG) assay. Animals were treated with a single oral administration of magnolol (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 mg/kg), followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of Trp-P-2 (10 mg/kg). The liver, lung, and kidney were removed at 3 h after treatment and used in SCG assay. The results indicated that magnolol inhibited Trp-P-2-induced DNA damage in various organs. To elucidate the mechanism of this inhibitory effect against Trp-P-2, we investigated the inhibitory effect of magnolol on in vivo CYP1A2 activity using the zoxazolamine paralysis test. Magnolol significantly prolonged zoxazolamine paralysis time and showed an inhibitory effect on in vivo CYP1A2 activity. These results indicate that magnolol has an inhibitory effect on the DNA damage induced by Trp-P-2 in various organs in vivo. This inhibitory mechanism is considered due to in vivo CYP1A2 inhibition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evaluation of antiprotozoal and plasmodial enoyl-ACP reductase inhibition potential of turkish medicinal plantsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2005D. Tasdemir Abstract A total of 58 extracts of different polarity were prepared from various organs of 16 species of Turkish plants and screened for their antitrypanosomal, antileishmanial and antiplasmodial activities. No significant activity was observed against Trypanosoma cruzi, whereas many extracts showed appreciable trypanocidal potential against T. brucei rhodesiense, with the CHCl3 -soluble portion of Phlomis kurdica being the most active (IC50 2.7 µg[sol ]mL). Almost all extracts, particularly the CHCl3 phases, exhibited growth inhibition activity against Leishmania donovani amastigotes. The CHCl3 -solubles of Putoria calabrica roots (IC50 1.9 µg[sol ]mL), Wendlandia ligustroides leaves (IC50 2.1 µg[sol ]mL) and Rhododendronluteum leaves (IC50 2.3 µg[sol ]mL) displayed the highest leishmanicidal potential. The majority of the extracts also possessed antiplasmodial activity against the multi-drug resistant K1 Plasmodium falciparum strain. The most potent antiplasmodial activity was observed with the CHCl3 extracts of Phlomis kurdica (IC50 1.5 µg[sol ]mL), P. leucophracta (IC50 1.6 µg[sol ]mL), Scrophularia cryptophila (IC50 1.8 µg[sol ]mL), Morina persica (IC50 1.9 µg[sol ]mL) and the aqueous root extract of Asperula nitida subsp. subcapitellata (IC50 1.6 µg[sol ]mL). Twenty-one extracts with significant antimalarial activity (IC50 < 5 µg[sol ]mL) were also tested for their ability to inhibit the purified enoyl-ACP reductase (FabI), a crucial enzyme in the fatty acid biosynthesis of P. falciparum. The CHCl3 extract of Rhododendronungernii leaves (IC50 10 µg[sol ]mL) and the H2O-soluble portion of Rhododendronsmirnovii leaves (IC50 0.4 µg[sol ]mL) strongly inhibited the FabI enzyme. The preliminary data indicate that some (poly)phenolic compounds are responsible for the FabI inhibition potential of these extracts. The presented work reports for the first time the antiprotozoal activity of nine different genera as well as a target specific antimalarial screening for the identification of P. falciparum FabI inhibitors from medicinal plant extracts. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Characterization of Arabidopsis genes involved in biosynthesis of polyamines in abiotic stress responses and developmental stagesPLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 11 2003K. URANO ABSTRACT To characterize the genes for enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of polyamines (PAs), their expression profiles were investigated and the levels of PAs in Arabidopsis thaliana quantified. In the Arabidopsis genome, eight genes involved in PAs biosynthesis were identified and the expression profiles of these genes were analysed, not only under abiotic stress to determine whether they were stress-inducible, constitutive, or stress-repressible, but also in various organs to show their tissue specificity. AtADC2 and AtSPMS mRNAs, encoding arginine decarboxylase and spermine synthase, clearly increased in response to NaCl and dehydration and abscisic acid treatments. Stress-inducible accumulation of AtADC2 mRNA correlated with putrescine (Put) accumulation under NaCl and dehydration treatments. In a cold condition, AtSAMDC2 mRNA increased significantly. AtADC2 and AtSAMDC2 mRNA were expressed in sexual organs such as flowers, buds and immature siliques. PAs also accumulated in sexual organs. These results suggest that the transcripts of eight genes involved in PA biosynthesis show different profiles of expression not only in response to environmental stress but also during plant development. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||