Echocardiographic assessment of subclinical left ventricular eccentric hypertrophy in adult-onset GHD patients by geometric remodeling: an observational case-control study

Background

Most patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) show high body mass index. Overweight subjects, but GHD patients, were demonstrated to have high left ventricular mass index (LVMi) and abnormal LV geometric remodeling. We sought to study these characteristics in a group of GHD patients, in an attempt to establish the BMI-independent role of GHD.

Methods

Fifty-four patients, 28 F and 26 M, aged 45.9 ± 13.1, with adult-onset GHD (pituitary adenomas 48.2%, empty sella 27.8%, pituitary inflammation 5.5%, cranio-pharyngioma 3.7%, not identified pathogenesis 14.8%) were enrolled. To minimize any possible interferences of BMI on the aim of this study, the control group included 20 age- and weight-matched healthy subjects. The LV geometry was identified by the relationship between LVMi (cut-off 125 g/m²) and relative wall thickness (cut-off 0.45) at echocardiography.

Results

There was no significant between-group difference in resting cardiac morphology and function, nor when considering age-related discrepancy. The majority of patients had normal-low LVM/LVMi, but about one fourth of them showed higher values. These findings correlated to relatively high circulating IGF-1 and systolic blood pressure at rest. The main LV geometric pattern was eccentric hypertrophy in 22% of GHD population (26% of with severe GHD) and in 15% of controls (p = NS).

Conclusion

Though the lack of significant differences in resting LV morphology and function, about 25% of GHD patients showed high LVMi (consisting of eccentric hypertrophy), not dissimilarly to overweight controls. This finding, which prognostic role is well known in obese and hypertensive patients, is worthy to be investigated in GHD patients through wider controlled trials.     

Adenosine triphosphate concentration and beta-D-glucuronidase activity as indicators of sea bass semen quality

The most common parameters used to evaluate sperm quality are motility rate and duration and fertilization ability. In this study, chemical and biochemical parameters of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) sperm were investigated to find an alternative method for evaluating sperm fertilization ability before and after cryopreservation. The biochemical and chemical analyses were performed with fresh and frozen-thawed sperm and seminal plasma. To cryopreserve sperm, 250-microl straws were used. Fertilization ability was evaluated by inseminating eggs (obtained from hormonally stimulated females) with fresh and cryopreserved sperm. The results revealed a linear relationship (P < 0.05) between semen fertilization capacity and some seminal plasma (beta-D-glucuronidase activity, potassium concentration) and sperm (ATP concentration, aspartate aminotransferase activity) parameters. Variations in semen fertilization rate could be best described by two multiple regression models: one including the sperm parameters and another including the seminal plasma parameters. For practical application, the use of simple regression models is of value. Fertilization rate in both fresh and cryopreserved sperm was reliably predicted by determining the ATP concentration or the beta-D-glucuronidase activity or both.     

The G protein-coupled receptor GPR30 mediates c-fos up-regulation by 17beta-estradiol and phytoestrogens in breast cancer cells

A growing body of evidence concerning estrogen effects cannot be explained by the classic model of hormone action, which involves the binding to estrogen receptors (ERs) alpha and ERbeta and the interaction of the steroid-receptor complex with specific DNA sequences associated with target genes. Using c-fos proto-oncogene expression as an early molecular sensor of estrogen action in ERalpha-positive MCF7 and ER-negative SKBR3 breast cancer cells, we have discovered that 17beta-estradiol (E2), and the two major phytoestrogens, genistein and quercetin, stimulate c-fos expression through ERalpha as well as through an ER-independent manner via the G protein-coupled receptor homologue GPR30. The c-fos response is repressed in GPR30-expressing SKBR3 cells transfected with an antisense oligonucleotide against GPR30 and reconstituted in GPR30-deficient MDA-MB 231 and BT-20 breast cancer cells transfected with a GPR30 expression vector. GPR30-dependent activation of ERK1/2 by E2 and phytoestrogens occurs via a Gbetagamma-associated pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway that requires both Src-related and EGF receptor tyrosine kinase activities. The ability of E2 and phytoestrogens to regulate the expression of growth-related genes such as c-fos even in the absence of ER has interesting implications for understanding breast cancer progression.     

Effects of defoliation caused by the leaf miner<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Cameraria ohridella</Emphasis> on wood production and efficiency in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Aesculus hippocastanum</Emphasis> growing in north-eastern Italy

The leaf miner Cameraria ohridella causes premature defoliation of Aesculus hippocastanum trees. Repeated defoliation has been reported to cause decrease in radial growth of trees and a progressive decline due to reduced production and allocation of photosynthates. Our study represents an attempt to estimate the impact of C. ohridella on annual wood increments and the hydraulic properties of the wood as well as on the dry mass of seeds. Twenty-two adult horse chestnut trees were selected, four of which had been chemically treated to prevent attack (controls). All other trees were heavily infested. The ground cover (GC) of each tree, measured from monthly hemispherical photographs, revealed that infested trees were completely defoliated in September and the slope of the GC-to-measurement dates relationship (named GC decrease index) was positively related to the number of mines per leaf. Anatomical observations showed that infested trees produced more wood per year than controls through more false rings with wider xylem conduits and, hence, with higher conductive area and theoretical flow. In fact, the theoretical flow was positively related to the defoliation intensity. In contrast, the allocation of photosynthates to seeds was strongly reduced in infested trees with respect to controls (up to 50% less). The hypothesis was advanced that horse chestnut trees reacted to C. ohridella attacks by increasing the hydraulic efficiency of the wood, thus ameliorating the water and nutrient supply to leaves between the spring and mid-summer and, therefore, compensating, at least partly, the reduced leaf lifespan.     

Parkin Transcript Variants in Rat and Human Brain

Alternative splicing has an important role in expanding protein diversity. We have identified complementary DNA species from adult rat and fetal human brain encoding seven new splice variants of parkin, a gene mutated in autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism (ARJP). Alternative splicing affects almost all previously characterized exons, plus 3 new exons of 72, 156, and 180 nucleotides. This creates the potential to express hundreds of different isoforms. The encoded parkin isoforms have different amino acid composition, post-translational modifications, and, most important, molecular architectures. They diverge for the presence or absence of the ubiquitin-like domain, one or two C3HC4 ring fingers, the in-between ring fingers (IBR) domain, and a thiol proteases active site, which has not been previously characterized. Distinct expression patterns occur in primary cultures of neuronal and glial cells. Extensive splicing of parkin produces regional and structural diversity and may have important implications for the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying ARJP.     

Malondialdehyde in benign prostate hypertrophy: a useful marker?

Benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) is the most common benign tumor in men due to obstruction of the urethra and, finally, uremia. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a product derived from peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and related esters. Evaluation of MDA in serum represents a non-invasive biomarker of oxidative stress. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a sensitive marker for prostatic hypertrophy and cancer. We analyzed MDA serum levels to evaluate the oxidative stress in BPH. To this end, 22 BPH patients and 22 healthy donors were enrolled. Data show an increase of MDA level in BPH patients and a positive correlation between PSA and MDA levels. In conclusion, we describe a previously unknown relationship between PSA and MDA as an index of inflammation and oxidative stress in BPH.     

Effect of levodopa on interleukin-15 and RANTES circulating levels in patients affected by Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an extra-pyramidal neurodegenerative disorder, in which alterations of the immune system are involved. Interleukin (IL)-15 stimulates cellular immune response and induces growth and differentiation of various immune cells. RANTES, promoting leukocyte infiltration to sites of inflammation, mediates the trafficking and homing of immune cells. To clarify the potential effect of levodopa on the immunological network of PD, we analyzed IL-15 and RANTES serum levels in PD patients, treated or not with levodopa, and in healthy donors. Levodopa-treated patients showed significantly higher IL-15 and RANTES circulating levels with respect to healthy controls and higher, although not significantly, levels with respect to untreated patients. So, we hypothesize that the immunological alterations found in PD may be linked, at least in part, to levodopa therapy.     

Assessment of DNA vaccine potential for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) by intramuscular injection of a reporter gene

Naked circular plasmid DNA containing the cytomegalovirus (CMV)-promoter-driven lacZ reporter gene (pCMV-LacZ) was injected in the epaxial muscle of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). A mosaic pattern of expression of beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) in the myofibres at the site of injection was visualised by in situ histochemical staining using 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside. As measured by o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside assay, beta-gal enzymatic activity was found to steadily increase for at least 50 days post injection (p.i.) in pCMV-LacZ-injected muscle. In parallel, foreign DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction in injected muscles (but not in other tissues) up to 60 days p.i., persisting most probably in an extrachromosomal, non-replicative, circular form. Neither beta-gal activity nor pCMV-LacZ-related amplification products were found 90 days p.i. Antibodies against beta-gal were demonstrated in pCMV-LacZ-injected fish sampled 45 days p.i. The results suggest that intramuscular delivery of foreign genes represents a realistic approach for DNA vaccine technology for the prevention of infectious diseases in gilthead sea bream.