Differential expression of genes participating in cardiomyocyte electrophysiological remodeling via membrane ionic mechanisms and Ca2+-handling in human heart failure

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Excitation–contraction coupling in normal cardiac function is performed with well balanced and coordinated functioning but with complex dynamic...     

Oxidative brain and cerebellum injury in diabetes and prostate cancer model: Protective effect of metformin

The body can host the spread of prostate cancer cells. Metastases from prostate cancer are more frequently seen in the brain, liver, lungs, and lymph nodes. A well-known antidiabetic drug, metformin, is also known to have antitumor effects. Our study focuses on the evaluation of potential metformin protective effects on brain and cerebellum damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic and Dunning prostate cancer models. In this investigation, six groups of male Copenhagen rats were created: control, diabetic (D), cancer (C), diabetic + cancer (DC), cancer + metformin, and diabetic + cancer + metformin. The brain and cerebellum tissues of the rats were taken after sacrifice. Oxidative stress markers including reduced glutathione level, lipid peroxidation, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase activities, reactive oxygen species, total oxidant and total antioxidant status, lactate dehydrogenase, xanthine oxidase, acetylcholinesterase activities, protein carbonyl contents, nitric oxide and OH-proline levels, sodium potassium ATPase, carbonic anhydrase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities; glycoprotein levels including hexose, hexosamine, fucose, and sialic acid levels; and histone deacetylase activity as a cancer marker were determined. Oxidative stress markers were impaired and glycoprotein levels and histone deacetylase activity were increased in the D, C, and DC groups. Metformin therapy reversed these effects. Metformin was found to protect the brain and cerebellum of STZ-induced diabetic rats with Dunning prostate cancer from harm caused by MAT-Lylu metastatic cells.     

Microtubular structures in a stable staphylococcal L-form.

Microtubular structures, which were demonstrated as straight, dense-walled cylinders attached to cell membranes, were found in a stable staphylococcal L-form grown in the absence of antibiotic.     

Corelike structures in a stable L-form ofStreptococcus pyogenes

Corelike structures, which were interpreted as straight, large cylinders containing ribosome-like particles surrounded by an amorphous substance of low electron density, were found in a stable L-form ofStreptococcus pyogenes grown in the absence of antibiotics.     

Anaerobic coryneforms isolated from human bone marrow and skin. Chemical, biochemical and serological studies and some of their biological activities.

Eighteen isolates if anaerobic coryneforms from human bone marrow and skin and four type strains of Propionibacterium were studied chemically, biochemically and antigenically. All of the isolates were identified as Propionibacterium acnes; of the 18 isolates,16 belonged to sterotype I and two to serotype II. By means of gas liquid chromatography and mass spectral analysis, a large amount of iso-type fatty acids, such as iso-pentadecanoic and iso-heptadecanoic acids were detected in whole cells of isolates and type strains. Antitumor and adjuvant effects of the isolates and type strains were found to differ considerably among the strains. One of the isolates, P. acnes C-7, which showed potent biological activities was fractionated by hot phenol-water extraction. The resulting insoluble middle layer was found the most effective in tumor protection, adjuvant action in immune response and phagocytic activity in mice.     

Species diversity and phylogeography of Cornus kousa (Asian dogwood) captured by genomic and genic microsatellites

Cornus kousa (Asian dogwood), an East Asia native tree, is the most economically important species of the dogwood genus, owing to its desirable horticultural traits and ability to hybridize with North America‐native dogwoods. To assess the species genetic diversity and to better inform the ongoing and future breeding efforts, we assembled an herbarium and arboretum collection of 131 noncultivated C. kousa specimens. Genotyping and capillary electrophoresis analyses of our C. kousa collection with the newly developed genic and published nuclear genomic microsatellites permitted assessment of genetic diversity and evolutionary history of the species. Regardless of the microsatellite type used, the study yielded generally similar insights into the C. kousa diversity with subtle differences deriving from and underlining the marker used. The accrued evidence pointed to the species distinct genetic pools related to the plant country of origin. This can be helpful in the development of the commercial cultivars for this important ornamental crop with increased pyramided utility traits. Analyses of the C. kousa evolutionary history using the accrued genotyping datasets pointed to an unsampled ancestor population, possibly now extinct, as per the phylogeography of the region. To our knowledge, there are few studies utilizing the same gDNA collection to compare performance of genomic and genic microsatellites. This is the first detailed report on C. kousa species diversity and evolutionary history inference.     

The neuroprotective effect of acute moderate alcohol consumption on caspase-3 mediated neuroapoptosis in traumatic brain injury: The role of lysosomal cathepsin L and nitric oxide

Our aim in this study was to investigate the effect of moderate acute alcohol administration on cysteine protease mediated neuronal apoptosis and nitric oxide production in the traumatic brain injury. A total of 29 adult Sprague–Dawley male rats weighing 250–300 g were used. The rats were allocated into four groups. The first group was the control (sham-operated) group in which only a craniotomy was performed, the others were alcohol, trauma and trauma + alcohol groups. Caspase-3 enzyme activity in the trauma group increased significantly in comparison with the control group. The alcohol given group showed a decreased caspase-3 enzyme activity compared to the trauma group. The level of caspase-3 enzyme activity in the alcohol + trauma group decreased in comparison to the trauma group. SF/FEL ratio of cathepsin-L enzyme activity in the trauma group was significantly higher than in the control group. Our results indicate that moderate alcohol consumption may have protective effects on apoptotic cell death after traumatic brain injury. Protective effects of moderate ethanol consumption might be related to inhibition of lysosomal protease release and nitric oxide production.     

Contrasted levels of genetic diversity in a benthic Mediterranean octocoral: Consequences of different demographic histories?

Understanding the factors explaining the observed patterns of genetic diversity is an important question in evolutionary biology. We provide the first data on the genetic structure of a Mediterranean octocoral, the yellow gorgonian Eunicella cavolini, along with insights into the demographic history of this species. We sampled populations in four areas of the Mediterranean Sea: continental France, Algeria, Turkey, and the Balearic and Corsica islands. Along French coasts, three sites were sampled at two depths (20 and 40 m). We demonstrated a high genetic structure in this species (overall F_ST = 0.13), and most pairwise differentiation tests were significant. We did not detect any difference between depths at the same site. Clustering analyses revealed four differentiated groups corresponding to the main geographical areas. The levels of allelic richness and heterozygosity were significantly different between regions, with highest diversity in Algeria and lowest levels in Turkey. The highest levels of private allelic richness were observed in Algeria followed by Turkey. Such contrasted patterns of genetic diversity were not observed in other Mediterranean octocorals and could be the result of different evolutionary histories. We also provide new empirical evidence of contrasting results between tests and model‐based studies of demographic history. Our results have important consequences for the management of this species.     

Ethanol production from rice hull using Pichia stipitis and optimization of acid pretreatment and detoxification processes

The goal of this study was to produce ethanol from rice hull hydrolysates (RHHs) using Pichia stipitis strains and to optimize dilute acid hydrolysis and detoxification processes by response surface methodology (RSM). The optimized conditions were found as 127.14°C, solid:liquid ratio of 1:10.44 (w/v), acid ratio of 2.52% (w/v), and hydrolysis time of 22.01 min. At these conditions, the fermentable sugar concentration was 21.87 g/L. Additionally, the nondetoxified RHH at optimized conditions contained 865.2 mg/L phenolics, 24.06 g/L fermentable sugar, no hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), 1.62 g/L acetate, 0.36 g/L lactate, 1.89 g/L glucose, and 13.49 g/L fructose + xylose. Furthermore, RHH was detoxified with various methods and the best procedures were found to be neutralization with CaO or charcoal treatment in terms of the reduction of inhibitory compounds as compared to nondetoxified RHH. After detoxification procedures, the content of hydrolysates consisted of 557.2 and 203.1 mg/L phenolics, 19.7 and 21.60 g/L fermentable sugar, no HMF, 0.98 and 1.39 g/L acetate, 0 and 0.04 g/L lactate, 1.13 and 1.03 g/L glucose, and 8.46 and 12.09 g/L fructose + xylose, respectively. Moreover, the base‐line mediums (control), and nondetoxified and detoxified hydrolysates were used to produce ethanol by using P. stipitis strains. The highest yields except that of base‐line mediums were achieved using neutralization (35.69 and 38.33% by P. stipitis ATCC 58784 and ATCC 58785, respectively) and charcoal (37.55% by P. stipitis ATCC 58785) detoxification methods. Results showed that the rice hull can be utilized as a good feedstock for ethanol production using P. stipitis. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:872–882, 2016     

Is problematic mobile phone use explained by chronotype and personality?

In this study, the relationships among problematic mobile phone use, age, gender, personality and chronotype of Turkish university students were examined. The study included 902 university students (73% female, 27% male) and their participation in the study was anonymous and voluntary. Data were collected from each participant by assessing a demographic questionnaire, Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM) as a measure of chronotype, the Big Five Inventory (BIG-5) for personality assessment and Mobile Phone Problem Usage Scale (MPPUS). The most important result was that CSM scores were the best predictor for problematic mobile phone usage, and as a consequence, evening-oriented university students scored higher on the MPPUS. This result remained, even when compared with the most influential personality predictor, conscientiousness. In addition, while extraversion positively predicted, emotional stable and chronotype negatively predicted problematic mobile phone use. Lastly, age and gender were not predictors of problematic mobile phone use.