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Selected AbstractsThe effect of modulation of , -glutamyl transpeptidase and nitric oxide synthase activity on GSH homeostasis in HepG2 cellsFUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Inga Kwiecie Abstract High glutathione (GSH) level and elevated , -glutamyl transpeptidase (,GT) activity are hallmarks of tumor cells. Toxicity of drugs and radiation to the cells is largely dependent on the level of thiols. In the present studies, we attempted to inhibit ,GT activity in human hepatoblastoma (HepG2) cells to examine whether the administration of ,GT inhibitors, acivicin (AC) and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) influences cell proliferation and enhances cytostatic action of doxorubicin (DOX) and cisplatin (CP) on HepG2 cells. The effects of these inhibitors were determined by 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan (MTT), BrdU and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) tests and by estimation of GSH level. Additionally, we investigated the changes in caspase-3 activity, which is a marker of apoptosis. The obtained results showed that the ,GT inhibitors introduced to the medium alone elicited cytotoxic effect, which was accompanied by an increase in GSH level in the cells. TIQ concomitantly increased caspase-3 activity. Doxorubicin and CP proved to be cytotoxic, and both inhibitors augmented this effect. As well DOX as CP radically decreased GSH levels, whereas ,GT inhibitors had diverse effects. Therefore, the obtained results confirm that ,GT inhibitors can enhance pharmacological action of DOX and CP, which may permit clinicians to decrease their doses thereby alleviating side effects. Aminoguanidine (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) given alone was little cytotoxic to HepG2 cells, while its introduction to the medium together with DOX and CP significantly increased their cytotoxicity. Aminoguanidine on its own did not show any effect on GSH level in HepG2 cells, but markedly and significantly elevated its concentration when added in combination with CP but not with DOX. This indicates that when CP was used as a cytostatic, GSH level rose after treatment with its combination with both AC and aminoguanidine. [source] Intestinal function and body growth of broiler chickens on maize-based diets supplemented with mimosa tannins and a microbial enzymeJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 12 2004Paul A Iji Abstract A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of tannin (0, 5, 15, 20 and 25 g kg,1 diet) and a microbial enzyme supplement (MES) on the feed consumption, body growth and digestive physiology of broiler chickens between hatch and 22 days of age. Feed intake, body weight and body weight gain declined (p < 0.001) with an increase in dietary tannin content. Feed conversion efficiency was increased (p < 0.001) in line with dietary tannin level, up to 15 g kg,1 diet. There were no significant effects of dietary treatment on the protein content of pancreatic tissue or activities of pancreatic and jejunal enzymes. The ileal digestibilities of energy, protein, arginine, alanine and leucine were reduced (p < 0.001) as dietary tannin level rose to 20 g kg,1 diet and beyond. The digestibilities of methionine and phenylalanine were also negatively affected (p < 0.01) at the highest level of dietary tannins, while phosphorus digestion was improved (p < 0.05) on diets containing tannin. Apart from an increase (p < 0.01) in the protein content of the jejunal mucosa of birds on the diet with 20 g tannin kg,1 diet, there were no significant effects of the MES on most of the variables assessed. The results demonstrate the negative effects of tannin, especially at high levels of inclusion in the diet. However, neither tannins nor MES influenced the activities of digestive enzymes assessed, suggesting that a wider range of factors may be involved in regulating the effects of tannins on poultry. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Controls on trace fossil diversity in an Early Cambrian epeiric sea: new perspectives from northwest ScotlandLETHAIA, Issue 1 2009NEIL S. DAVIES The Lower Cambrian Eriboll Formation of northwest Scotland is renowned for the high density, low diversity trace fossils (Skolithos ichnofacies) found in its upper Pipe Rock Member. Ichnofabric analysis of the member indicates that relatively small examples of Skolithos terminating at the same foreset boundary were formed during a brief colonization window after a single depositional event, that particularly long Skolithos specimens are equilibrichnia, and that palimpsests of Skolithos represent the marginal, slightly deeper water fringes of the Pipe Rock Member depositional environment. Nearest neighbour analysis, however, suggests that such palimpsests were uncommon. A much more diverse trace fossil assemblage is present in the overlying Fucoid Member (An t-Sròn Formation), comprising Cruziana barbata, Dactylophycus, Didymaulichnus, Halopoa imbricata, ?Margaritichnus, Monocraterion, Monomorphichnus, Palaeophycus striatus, P. tubularis, ?Phycodes, Planolites montanus, ?Polarichnus, Rusophycus ramellensis, ?Psammichnites, Skolithos and various unidentified traces, and represents the Cruziana ichnofacies. Above the Fucoid Member, the Salterella Grit Member ichnofauna is more impoverished, yielding only Cruziana, Monocraterion, Rusophycus, Skolithos and ?Spirophyton. The ichnological variations between the Pipe Rock, Fucoid and Salterella Grit members are interpreted as being driven by changes in sea level. The low trace fossil diversity in the Pipe Rock Member indicates opportunistic colonization of laterally extensive, shoreface sediments deposited by regular influxes of terrigenous material, which were overlain by more distal, ichnologically diverse sediments (Fucoid Member) as sea level rose. A minor regression then caused an increase in terrigenous sediment input, producing an impoverished, proximal Cruziana ichnofacies (Salterella Grit Member). [source] Visceral Kaposi's sarcoma with intracranial metastasis: A rare complication of renal transplantationPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2002Elif Bahat Abstract: The incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) has increased in solid organ transplantation recipients. This type of KS tends to be aggressive, involving lymph nodes, mucosa and visceral organs in about half of patients, sometimes in the absence of skin lesions. Brain involvement of KS has rarely been reported. A 16-yr-old Turkish boy underwent renal transplantation from his mother. The immunosuppressive regimen included prednisolone, cyclosporin A and azathioprine. Fourteen months later the azathioprine was changed to cyclophosphamide (3 mg/kg/day) because of the development of a nephrotic syndrome. After 12 weeks, the cyclophosphamide was changed to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to control the nephrotic syndrome. At this time his serum creatinine level rose to 2.1 mg/dL. Polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies were never given. Multiple intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy was detected on abdominal tomography at the 32nd month after renal transplantation. Kaposi's sarcoma was diagnosed via laparotomy and biopsy. He had a generalized tonic and clonic seizure and contrast enhanced cranial tomography showed two intracranial masses which had an abundant vascular component which caused a mild shift. One of the masses was removed via a burr-hole with the aim of diagnosis and treatment of the shift. A pathologic examination of the intracranial lesion was also reported as Kaposi's sarcoma. Herpes virus-8 DNA was detected by PCR in the intracranial lesion. [source] Pregnancy outcome in the setting of extremely low first trimester PAPP-A levelsAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Fergus SCOTT Background: Serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) is part of first trimester Down syndrome screening. Low levels have been associated with adverse outcome as well as chromosomal abnormality. Aims: To assess the incidence of adverse outcome when PAPP-A levels are at or below 0.2 multiples of the median (MoM). Methods: Data on consecutive patients attending a first trimester screening program were collected. Those with PAPP-A levels , 0.2 MoM were divided into three groups: , 0.1 MoM; 0.11,0.15 MoM; and 0.16,0.2 MoM. Results: Screening 44 535 patients resulted in 197 with PAPP-A levels , 0.2 MoM. The incidence of karyotypic abnormality increased with decreasing PAPP-A levels. In the absence of chromosome abnormality, pregnancy outcomes were defined as ,normal' in at least 30% and ,good' in at least 60%, with both percentages increasing as the PAPP-A level rose. The PAPP-A levels were significantly lower in the group with a poor outcome. The incidence of prematurity was similar in the three groups, but higher than the statewide average, while the incidence of extreme prematurity appeared to be related to reducing PAPP-A levels. The incidence of growth restriction in the three groups was similar, but was still double the incidence in the normal population. Conclusion: If the PAPP-A level is , 0.2 MoM and the karyotype is normal, there is an increased risk of adverse outcome. Even with PAPP-A below 0.1 MoM, a good outcome can be expected in 60% of cases. Careful morphological assessment is suggested and later monitoring of fetal growth and well-being. [source] Hypercalcemia and Overexpression of CYP27B1 in a Patient With Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis: Clinical Vignette and Literature Review,,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 6 2009Vivian Y Pao Abstract Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a disease of thickened, hard, hyperpigmented skin lesions with or without systemic fibrosis occurring in patients with renal insufficiency and associated with the administration of gadolinium-containing contrast. The pathogenesis of this disease is unclear, and there is no definitive treatment. We describe a 71-yr-old patient with stable chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and NSF who presented with hypercalcemia in 2006. Before onset of renal insufficiency in 2002, serum calcium, phosphorus, and PTH levels were normal. In 2004, the patient began hemodialysis, and he was diagnosed with NSF in 2005, shortly after undergoing an MRI with gadolinium contrast administration. Over the next 6 mo, albumin-corrected serum total calcium levels rose from 9.9 to 13.1 mg/dl (normal range, 8.5,10.5 mg/dl) with normal serum phosphorus levels. On admission in September 2006, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] levels were elevated at 130.7 pg/ml (normal range, 25.1,66.1 pg/ml). Biopsy of an NSF lesion showed increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D3,1-, hydroxylase (CYP27B1) immunostaining compared with the biopsy from a normal control. This is the first reported association of NSF with hypercalcemia caused by elevated 1,25(OH)2D levels. This metabolic disturbance should be sought in future cases to determine a connection between NSF, 1,25(OH)2D metabolism, and CYP27B1 activation in the skin, which may shed light on the pathogenesis of this unusual local and systemic fibrosing disorder. [source] Pleistocene refugia in an arid landscape: analysis of a widely distributed Australian passerineMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 12 2007ALICIA TOON Abstract While many studies have documented the effect that glacial cycles have had on northern hemisphere species, few have attempted to study the associated effect of aridification at low latitudes in the southern hemisphere. We investigated the past effects that cyclic aridification may have had on the population structure and history of a widespread endemic Australian bird species, the Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen). One thousand one hundred and sixty-six samples from across its native range were analysed for mitochondrial control region sequence variation and variation at six microsatellite loci. Analysis of mitochondrial control region sequence data indicated monophyletic clades that were geographically congruent with an eastern and western region. The contemporary distribution of east and west clades is nonoverlapping but in close proximity. Populations were estimated to have diverged in the Pleistocene around 36 000 years ago. The putative Carpentarian and Nullarbor arid barriers appear to be associated with the divergence between east and west mainland populations. Nested clade analysis indicated a signature of range expansion in the eastern region suggesting movement possibly inland and northward subsequent to the last period of aridity. The island population of Tasmania was of very recent origin, possibly since sea levels rose 16 000 years ago. Given the east-west structure, there was no congruence between morphology and recent history of this species indicating a lack of support for morphological taxa. Overall mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite variation suggest that increasing aridity and Pleistocene refugia played a role in structuring populations of the Australian magpie; however, the dispersal ability and generalist habitat requirements may have facilitated the movement of magpies into an almost contiguous modern distribution across the continent. This study supports the idea that Pleistocene aridification played an important role in structuring intraspecific variation in low latitudinal southern hemisphere avian species. [source] Variation in fecal testosterone levels, inter-male aggression, dominance rank and age during mating and post-mating periods in wild adult male ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 12 2007L. Gould Abstract In primate species exhibiting seasonal reproduction, patterns of testosterone excretion in adult males are variable: in some species, peaks correlate with female receptivity periods and heightened male,male aggression over access to estrous females, in others, neither heightened aggression nor marked elevations in testosterone have been noted. In this study, we examined mean fecal testosterone ( f,T) levels and intermale aggression in wild adult male ring-tailed lemurs residing in three groups at Beza Mahafaly Reserve, Madagascar. Results obtained from mating and post-mating season 2003 were compared to test Wingfield et al. [1990. Am Nat 136:829,846] "challenge hypothesis", which predicts a strong positive relationship between male testosterone levels and male,male competition for access to receptive females during breeding season. f,T levels and rates of intermale aggression were significantly higher during mating season compared to the post-mating period. Mean f,T levels and aggression rates were also higher in the first half of the mating season compared with the second half. Number of males in a group affected rates of intermale agonism, but not mean f,T levels. The highest-ranking males in two of the groups exhibited higher mean f,T levels than did lower-ranking males, and young males exhibited lower f,T levels compared to prime-aged and old males. In the post-mating period, mean male f,T levels did not differ between groups, nor were there rank or age effects. Thus, although male testosterone levels rose in relation to mating and heightened male,male aggression, f,T levels fell to baseline breeding levels shortly after the early mating period, and to baseline non-breeding levels immediately after mating season had ended, offsetting the high cost of maintaining both high testosterone and high levels of male,male aggression in the early breeding period. Am. J. Primatol. 69:1325,1339, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Time-dependent Variations in Ischemia-modified Albumin Levels in Mesenteric IschemiaACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 6 2009Abdulkadir Gunduz MD Abstract Objectives:, The objective was to determine the value of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) in the diagnosis of mesenteric embolism. The authors investigated whether or not plasma IMA levels rose in the acute period in a rat model of mesenteric ischemia and the related time-dependent changes. Methods:, In this randomized, controlled, nonblinded trial, 36 mature female Wistar rats were divided into six groups: three control (Groups I, III, and V) and three ischemia (Groups II, IV, and VI). In the control groups, blood was sampled at 30 minutes (Group I), 2 hours (Group III), and 6 hours (Group V) following a simple laparotomy. In the ischemia groups, following laparotomy, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was clamped using a bulldog clamp, and blood samples were taken at 30 minutes (Group II), 2 hours (Group IV), and 6 hours (Group VI). Results:, Plasma IMA levels in the ischemia groups were significantly higher compared to those of the control groups (p < 0.004). In addition, levels were higher in the 6-hour blood samples of the ischemia group than in the 2-hour and 30-minute samples (p < 0.001). Serum IMA was also higher in the 2-hour blood samples of the ischemia group than in the 30-minute samples (p < 0.001). Conclusions:, These preliminary findings suggest that serum IMA levels may represent a significant parameter in the early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia and that further studies are necessary. [source] Low vitamin K status is associated with osteoarthritis in the hand and knee,ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 4 2006Tuhina Neogi Objective Poor intake of vitamin K is common. Insufficient vitamin K can result in abnormal cartilage and bone mineralization. Furthermore, osteophyte growth, seen in osteoarthritis (OA), may be a vitamin K,dependent process. We undertook this study to determine whether vitamin K deficiency is associated with radiographic features of OA. Methods We conducted an analysis among 672 participants (mean age 65.6 years, 358 women) in the Framingham Offspring Study, a population-based prospective observational cohort. Levels of plasma phylloquinone (the primary form of vitamin K) had previously been measured in these participants, for whom we also had bilateral hand and knee radiographs. The main outcomes were 1) prevalence ratios (PRs) of OA, osteophytes, and joint space narrowing (JSN) per quartile of plasma phylloquinone level for each joint, adjusting for correlated joints using generalized estimating equations, and 2) adjusted mean number of joints with each feature per quartile of plasma phylloquinone level. Analyses were conducted in hands and knees separately and adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, total energy intake, plasma vitamin D, and femoral neck bone mineral density. Results The PRs for OA, osteophytes, and JSN and adjusted mean number of joints with all 3 features in the hand decreased significantly with increasing plasma phylloquinone levels (P , 0.03 for all). For example, as plasma phylloquinone levels rose, the PR for hand OA decreased from 1.0 to 0.7 (P = 0.005). For the knee, only the PR for osteophytes and the adjusted mean number of knee joints with osteophytes decreased significantly with increasing plasma phylloquinone levels (PR decreased from 1.0 to 0.6, P = 0.01). Conclusion These observational data support the hypothesis of an association between low plasma levels of vitamin K and increased prevalence of OA manifestations in the hand and knee. [source] Continuous fermentative hydrogen production from a wheat starch co-product by mixed microfloraBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 6 2003I. Hussy Abstract For the transition to the hydrogen economy, hydrogen must be produced sustainably, e.g., by the fermentation of agricultural material. Continuous fermentative production of hydrogen from an insoluble substrate in nonsterile conditions is yet to be reported. In this study hydrogen production using mixed microflora from heat-treated digested sewage sludge in nonsterile conditions from a particulate co-product of the wheat flour industry (7.5 g L,1 total hexose) at 18- and 12-hour hydraulic retention times, pH 4.5 and 5.2, 30°C and 35°C was examined. In continuous operation, hydrogen yields of approximately 1.3 moles hydrogen/mole hexose consumed were obtained, but decreased if acetate or propionate levels rose, indicating metabolism shifted towards hydrogen consumption by homoacetogenesis or propionate producers. These shifts occurred both at pH 4.5 and 5.2. Sparging the reactor with nitrogen to reduce hydrogen in the off-gas from 50% to 7% gave stable operation with a hydrogen yield of 1.9 moles hydrogen /mole hexose consumed over an 18-day period. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng84: 619,626, 2003. [source] Interferon- ,1b treatment modulates cytokines in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosisACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2006A. Dressel Objectives,,, It is unknown whether the immunological effects of , -interferon (IFN- ,) differ in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) when compared with relapsing,remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Therefore, we investigated the effects of IFN- ,1b treatment in PPMS on proliferation and cytokine pattern of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) serum level. Methods,,, Eighteen patients were treated with IFN- ,1b for 12 months in an open-label trial. Serum and PBMC were collected longitudinally. Results,,, Interleukin-10 serum levels increased (P = 0.02) during treatment. Tumor necrosis factor- , was increased in anti CD3 (OKT3) antibody stimulated PBMC during treatment (P = 0.04), whereas secretion of IL-10 was decreased in OKT3 (P = 0.04), but increased in concavalin A stimulated PBMC (P = 0.02). Conclusions,,, Interleukin-10 serum levels rose in IFN- ,1b-treated patients as has been observed in RRMS. The changes in cytokine patterns secreted by T-lymphocytes of PPMS patients, however, differ from effects observed in RRMS supporting the hypothesis that PPMS differs in some immunological aspects from RRMS. [source] | |||||||||||||