Quantitative Proteome Analysis of Brain Subregions and Spinal Cord from Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mice by TMT‐Based Mass Spectrometry

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS); its cause is unknown. To understand the pathogenesis of MS, researchers often use the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model. Here, the aim is to build a proteome map of the biological changes that occur during MS at the major onset sites—the brain and the spinal cord. Quantitative proteome profiling is performed in five specific brain regions and the spinal cord of EAE and healthy mice with high‐resolution mass spectrometry based on tandem mass tags. On average, 7400 proteins per region are quantified, with the most differentially expressed proteins in the spinal cord (1691), hippocampus (104), frontal cortex (83), cerebellum (63), brainstem (50), and caudate nucleus (41). Moreover, region‐specific and commonly expressed proteins in each region are identified and bioinformatics analysis is performed. Pathway analysis reveals that protein clusters resemble their functions in disease pathogenesis (i.e., by inducing inflammatory responses, immune activation, and cell–cell adhesion). In conclusion, the study provides an understanding of the pathogenesis of MS in the EAE animal model. It is expected that the comprehensive proteome map of the brain and spinal cord can be used to identify biomarkers for the pathogenesis of MS.     

In vitro differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells to epithelial lineage

Our study examined whether human bone marrow-derived MSCs are able to differentiate, in vitro, into functional epithelial-like cells. MSCs were isolated from the sternum of 8 patients with different hematological disorders. The surface phenotype of these cells was characterized.To induce epithelial differentiation, MSCs were cultured using Epidermal Growth Factor, Keratinocyte Growth Factor, Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Insulin-like growth Factor-II. Differentiated cells were further characterized both morphologically and functionally by their capacity to express markers with specificity for epithelial lineage. The expression of cytokeratin 19 was assessed by immunocytochemistry, and cytokeratin 18 was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR (Taq-man). The data demonstrate that human MSCs isolated from human bone marrow can differentiate into epithelial-like cells and may thus serve as a cell source for tissue engineering and cell therapy of epithelial tissue.     

Complex compounds of Pd(II), Pt(II), Ni(II), Hg(II) and Cu(I) with 1-benzylidene-2-phenazinoylhydrazine

Synthesis and physical-chemistry characterization of five new genuine complex compounds of 1-Benzylidine-2-phenazinoylhydrazine with Pd(II), Pt(II), Ni(II), Hg(II) and Cu(I) are presented. The chemical structure for these complexes is suggested by the elemental chemical analysis, molecular mass measurements, electric conductivities as well as by IR and UV-VIS spectra. The metal:ligand molar ratio is found 1:1, the obtained complexes belonging to the square planar geometry D4h.     

Familial lupus anticoagulant

The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is defined by widespread arterial and venous thromboses associated with elevated plasma levels of antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA). The primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (PAPS) appear to be a fairly homogeneous disease, and HLA, family and other studies provide new insights into this cause of thrombosis and vascular disease. We describe two patients with PAPS (lupus anticoagulant positive), whose family members were analyzed for clinical and laboratory abnormalities associated with APS. Familial screening seems to be important, in order to prevent the thrombotic events. Low dose aspirin is the first line treatment in asymptomatic subjects with APLA, previous or present thrombosis requiring long-term, possibly life-long anticoagulation.     

Complex compounds of Pd(II), Pt(II), Cu(I) and Hg(II) with tertiary thioamides

Synthesis and chemical and physical characterization of four new complex compounds of thiobenzpyrolidide [1-(pyrolidine)-thiobenzoyl] with Pd(II), Pt(II), Cu(I) and Hg(II) are presented. The purposed chemical structure for these complexes is suggested by the elemental chemical analysis, molecular mass measurements, electric conductivities as well as by UV-VIS and IR spectra. The obtained compounds may in principle be used as enzyme inhibitors having a pronounced insecticidal action.     

Experimental studies on bacterial product cantastim derived from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. VI. Protection in tolerant mice

Endotoxin tolerance is defined as a hyporesponsiveness state to a second stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This refractory state is primarily associated with an attenuated cytokine production. Whether this down-regulation of cytokine production results in an increased susceptibility to infection remains a matter of controversy. The aim of this study was to investigate the resistance of tolerant mice to a subsequent bacterial infection and the role of bacterial immunomodulator CANTASTIM (CS) in this experimental model. We have shown that the LPS-tolerant mice (intraperitoneally inoculated with LPS Salmonella typhimurium 10 microg/mouse, daily for two days) were protected against a challenge with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (LD 100) administered 24 h later. On the contrary, when the animals were challenged 1 h after the last LPS injection, they did not survive. However if these animals were pre-treated with CS 3 days before LPS treatment, they became resistant to a subsequent bacterial challenge. More interestingly, if the treatment with LPS was substituted with CS (same schedule, route of administration and doses) there was a significant increase in the survival of mice challenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa after either 1 h or 24 h. In this case, the increase in the rate of survival was correlated with an enhanced production of IL-10 in the peritoneal cavities of CS treated mice as compared to LPS treated mice.     

(In search of) probabilistic P systems

The aim of this paper is to (preliminarily) discuss various ways of introducing probabilities in membrane systems. We briefly present both ideas already circulated in the literature and new proposals, trying to have a systematic overview of possibilities of associating probabilities with the ingredients of a membrane system: with (localization of) single objects, with multiplicities of objects (hence with the multisets), with the rules (depending or not on the previous applied rule), with the communication targets. For a certain mode of using the probabilities associated with the evolution rules (in string-object P systems) we obtain the computational universality.     

Nature and prevalence of risk factors associated to type B and C acute viral hepatitis cases in Bucharest, 1998-2000

The main objective of the study was to calculate and report the prevalence of probable risk factors involved in the transmission of pathogenic agents among type B and C acute viral hepatitis cases confirmed in Bucharest (1998-2000). The standardized values of the risks detected in the 45-180 days preceding the onset of illness suggest that in both types of acute viral hepatitis considered in our study transmission associated to the individuals' behaviour (19.0%-hepatitis B and 20.1%-hepatitis C) seems more frequent than "iatrogenic" transmission; in case of hepatitis B, sexual contacts with more than one partner coming first (15.7%), whilst in case of hepatitis C the use of i.v. drugs (heroine) was most frequently incriminated (12.4%). The study reviews the present knowledge of the risk factors involved in the transmission of the disease and approaches prevention strategies.     

Venous ulcer infection caused by Arcanobacterium haemolyticum

A. haemolyticum has been described as an unusual pathogen causing pharyngotonsillitis and extra pharyngeal infections like ulcerative lesions infection mainly in patients with underlying condition (peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, alcoholism). A case of A. haemolyticum venous leg ulcer infection is reported in a 66 year-old diabetic male patient. Bacteriological diagnosis is based on conventional culture technique. But, due to its coryneform appearance and time growing, it is probably underreported.