Differentiated macrophyte types as a habitat for rotifers in small mid-forest water bodies

The rotifer community structure may be shaped by a variety of environmental factors, including biological parameters, such as predation or competition, as well as by physical-chemical factors, among which the kind of macrophyte substratum and parameters relating to the trophic state and to the catchment area conditions are of great importance. Another impact on rotifer composition, abundance and frequency may be expected when considering differentiated macrophyte types (including helophytes, nymphaeids and elodeids) within a group of eight ponds located within a mid-forest catchment area, which was the main aim of the present study. Detailed analysis on the participation of indicator eutrophic rotifer species provided an additional goal of this investigation in order to qualify the trophic state of this kind of water body located within the Wielkopolska region, in the central western part of Poland. The presence of 117 taxa, including 7 species that are rare or infrequently distributed in the Polish fauna was recorded. The number of taxa and rotifer abundance differed greatly in respect to the specific water body and to the type of substratum. The vegetated zones dominated by elodeids were characterised by the most various and most abundant rotifer communities as well as by the highest values of the Shannon-Weaver index. This reflects a positive relationship between the heterogeneity of habitat and the structure of rotifer communities. It was also found that helophytes and the open water zone possessed the highest, while elodeids the lowest percentage of eutrophic species.     

Amino-caprolactam γ-secretase inhibitors showing potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Herein we describe the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of amino-caprolactam analogs derived from amino-caprolactam benzene sulfonamide 1, highlighting affects on the potency of γ-secretase inhibition, selectivity for the inhibition of APP versus Notch processing by γ-secretase and selected pharmakokinetic properties. Amino-caprolactams that are efficacious in reducing the cortical Aβ_x-40 levels in FVB mice via a single 100 mpk IP dose are highlighted.     

Extramedullary plasmacytoma imitating neoplasm of the gallbladder fossa after cholecystectomy

Extramedullary plasmacytomas are plasma cell tumors that arise outside of the bone marrow. They account for approximately 3% of plasma cell neoplasms and are most frequently located in the head and neck region. Five months after undergoing cholecystectomy, a 69-year-old patient presented with the pain under the right costal margin and a 12 kg weight loss. Computed tomography of the abdomen demonstrated irregular, vascular mass in the gallbladder fossa that dents towards the duodenum and the pylorus and lowers caudally to the hepatic flexure. His laboratory tests indicated normocytic anemia and showed elevated sedimentation rate. During operative procedure, a tumorous mass in the gallbladder fossa was found, inseparable of the peritoneum of the hepatoduodenal ligament and the IVb liver segment. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining determined the diagnosis of the plasmacytoma. Total resection of the tumor was achieved and after 24-month follow-up patient showed no signs of local recurrence or dissemination of the disease.     

Design,synthesis, and structure–activity relationship of novel orally efficacious pyrazole/sulfonamide based dihydroquinoline γ-secretase inhibitors

In this Letter, we report our strategy to design potent and metabolically stable γ-secretase inhibitors that are efficacious in reducing the cortical Aβx-40 levels in FVB mice via a single PO dose.     

Dynamic compression counteracts IL-1β induced inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression in chondrocyte/agarose constructs

Background  

Nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂play pivotal roles in both the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and catabolic processes in articular cartilage. These mediators are influenced by both IL-1β and mechanical loading, and involve alterations in the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 enzymes. To identify the specific interactions that are activated by both types of stimuli, we examined the effects of dynamic compression on levels of expression of iNOS and COX-2 and involvement of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.     

Dispositional optimism and acceptance of illness among a group of individuals with Graves-Basedow's disease

INTRODUCTION: Dispositional optimism is a general tendency to positively perceive the world and one's own future. We can consider what kind of connection with ability to cope with difficulties. One situation which is very stressful for an individual is an illness, particularly a chronic one. The aim of the paper was to define the connection between dispositional optimism and acceptance of illness among the group with Graves-Basedow disease. This is autoimmunizational illness and diseases of this kind are particularly sensitive to the influence of psychological factors, as there are many connections between the immune system and the human psyche. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 59 individuals with Graves-Basedow disease, 50 women and 9 men and 55 of healthy ones, 49 women and 6 men according to age, sex and a level of education. The patients filled out three psychological questionnaires: The Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and The Personal Questionnaire. RESULTS: of the study in question indicate a lack of differences between individuals with Graves-Basedow disease and healthy ones concerning the level of dispositional optimism. There no differences in the level of dispositional optimism as regards of criterion of health: by the levels of hormones TSH, fT3 and fT4, complications and a time of duration of disease. Instead, if they suffer additionally from others diseases, they have a lower level of dispositional optimism. There exist a connection between intensification of level of dispositional optimism and acceptance of illness among testing group. CONCLUSIONS: The dispositional optimism as a supply of individual helps her or his in adaptation to difficulty situation, which is a chronic disease. It is a reason way it is worth to help of patients to grow it stronger.     

Medical and psychological parameters in overweight and obese persons seeking treatment

The aim of the study was to analyse psychological characteristics and medical parameters in obese and overweight to identify the possible psychosocial consequences of obesity that may occur along with the numerous medical problems associated with excess body weight. Analysis was made on 296 patients (103 males and 193 females, median age 50, range 16-81) divided in three groups, depending on their Body mass index (BMI). Group I included 41 patients with BMI ranging from 25 to 29.9, group II included 170 patients with BMI from 30 to 34.9, and group III 85 patients with BM > or =35. We compared medical (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body fat percentage) and psychological parameters (anxiety, depression, pros and cons of losing weight, self efficacy and four stages of change) in the patients included in the study. Univariate analysis has shown statistically significant difference among obese and overweight patients in goal weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body fat percentage, glucose and cholesterol serum level. People with higher BMI (>30) found more advantages (pros) over disadvantages (cons) of weight loss but the level of anxiety and depression did not differ significantly among those 3 groups of patients. The results have shown that overweight and obese people have serious medical problems. They also differ in some psychological characteristics which have to be taken into consideration. Therefore, approach to these patients should be multidisciplinary, including dietary care, physical activity, psychological and medical care.     

Nonrandom location of IS1 elements in the genomes of natural isolates of Escherichia coli

We have studied the spatial distribution of IS1 elements in the genomes of natural isolates comprising the ECOR reference collection of Escherichia coli. We find evidence for nonrandomness at three levels. Many pairs of IS1 elements are in much closer proximity (< 10 kb) than can be accounted for by chance. IS1 elements in close proximity were identified by long-range PCR amplification of the genomic sequence between them. Each amplified region was sequenced and its map location determined by database screening of DNA hybridization. Among the ECOR strains with at least two IS1 elements, 54% had one or more pairs of elements separated by < 10 kb. We propose that this type of clustering is a result of "local hopping," in which we assume that a significant proportion of tranposition events leads to the insertion of a daughter IS element in the vicinity of the parental element. A second level of nonrandomness is found in strains with a modest number of IS1 elements that are mapped through the use of inverse PCR to amplify flanking genomic sequences: in these strains, the insertion sites tend to be clustered over a smaller region of chromosome than would be expected by chance. A third level of nonrandomness is observed in the composite distribution of IS elements across strains: among 20 mapped IS1 elements, none were found in the region of 48-77 minutes, a significant gap. One region of the E. coli chromosome, at 98 min, had a cluster of IS1 elements in seven ECOR strains of diverse phylogenetic origin. We deduce from sequence analysis that this pattern of distribution is a result of initial insertion in the most recent common ancestor of these strains and therefore not a hot spot of insertion. Analysis using long- range PCR with primers for IS2 and IS3 also yielded pairs of elements in close proximity, suggesting that these elements may also occasionally transpose by local hopping.      

A novel S phase inhibitor in fission yeast.

We have cloned a novel fission yeast gene, spd1, which causes G1 arrest when overexpressed. Deleting the gene results in cells being accelerated through G1 into S phase in certain circumstances when the G1-->S phase control is compromised. We have found that the encoded 14 kDa protein is cell cycle regulated, declining in level during S phase, and that p14spd1 physically associates with p34cdc2 in vivo when overexpressed, suggesting that p14spd1 may regulate S phase progression via an interaction with p34cdc2. We conclude that p14spd1 is a negative regulator of S phase, and that it may be part of the control ensuring an orderly onset of S phase or part of a G1-->S phase checkpoint control.