Does balneotherapy with low radon concentration in water influence the endocrine system? A controlled non-randomized pilot study

Radon bath is a well-established modality of balneotherapy for the management of degenerative musculoskeletal disorders. The present study was conducted to ascertain whether baths of relatively low (80 Bq/l) radon concentration have any influence on the functioning of the endocrine system. In the study, a non-randomized pilot study, 27 patients with degenerative musculoskeletal disorders received 30-min radon baths (of 31–32°C temperature and 80 Bq/l average radon concentration) daily, for 15 days. Twenty-five patients with matching pathologies were subjected to balneotherapy according to the same protocol, using thermal water with negligible radon content (6 Bq/l). Serum thyroid stimulating hormone, prolactin, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and dehydroepiandrosterone levels were measured before and after a balneotherapy course of 15 sessions. Comparison of the accumulated data using the Wilcoxon test did not reveal any significant difference between pre- and post-treatment values or between the two patient groups. It is noted that while the beneficial effects of balneotherapy with radon-containing water on degenerative disorders is widely known, only few data have been published in the literature on its effect on endocrine functions. The present study failed to demonstrate any substantial effect of thermal water with relatively low radon content on the functioning of the endocrine system.     

Assessment of thermal dehydration using the human eye: What is the potential?

Human hydration assessment is a key component for the prevention and proper treatment of heat-related fluid and electrolyte imbalances within military, sports and clinical medicine communities. Despite the availability of many different methods for assessing hydration status, the need for a valid method or technology that is simple, rapid, non-invasive, universal (detects both hypertonic and isotonic hypovolaemia) and is applicable for static (single point in time) and dynamic (change across time) hydration assessment is widely acknowledged. The eye is one candidate body region that might afford such a measure given the intricate balance between ocular dynamics (tear and aqueous humor formation) and blood (plasma osmolality and volume), which is considered the criterion measure for hydration assessment. The aim of this review is to introduce and discuss the potential for using ocular measurements for non-invasive hydration assessment, including tear fluid osmolarity (Tosm), non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) and intraocular pressure (IOP). There is a relevant physiological basis for testing the merit of ocular measures for human hydration assessment and recent data indicate that Tosm and IOP may have utility. Further investigations are warranted to determine the degree to which ocular measures can act as accurate and reliable non-invasive hydration status markers.     

Does a biological clock reside in the eye of quail?

The site (intra- vs. extraocular) of the circadian clock driving an ocular melatonin rhythm in Japanese quail was investigated by alternately covering the left and right eyes of individual quail, otherwise held in constant light (LL), for 12-hr periods. This procedure exposed each eye to a light-dark (LD) 12:12 light cycle 180 degrees (12 hr) out of phase with the LD 12:12 light cycle experienced by the other eye. This protocol entrained the melatonin rhythm in the left eye of quail 180 degrees out of phase with the rhythm expressed in the right eye. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that an independent light-entrainable circadian pacemaker resides in each eye; they are incompatible with the hypothesis that a single (or functionally single) extraocular pacemaker drives the ocular melatonin rhythm in both eyes. However, the results are also compatible with a model in which two independent extraocular circadian pacemakers, each with an exclusive photic input from one eye, drive the ocular melatonin rhythm.     

Does the position of the electron-donating nitrogen atom in the ring system influence the efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell? A computational study

Electronic structure of the XeOF₂ molecule and its two complexes with HX (X= F, Cl, Br, I) molecules have been studied in the gas phase using quantum chemical topology methods: topological analysis of electron localization function (ELF), electron density, ρ(r), reduced gradient of electron density |RDG(r)| in real space, and symmetry adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) in the Hilbert space. The wave function has been approximated by the MP2 and DFT methods, using APF-D, B3LYP, M062X, and B2PLYP functionals, with the dispersion correction as proposed by Grimme (GD3). For the Xe-F and Xe=O bonds in the isolated XeOF₂ molecule, the bonding ELF-localization basins have not been observed. According to the ELF results, these interactions are not of covalent nature with shared electron density. There are two stable F₂OXe^…HF complexes. The first one is stabilized by the F-H^…F and Xe^…F interactions (type I) and the second by the F-H^…O hydrogen bond (type II). The SAPT analysis confirms the electrostatic term, E_elst ⁽¹⁾ and the induction energy, E_ind ⁽²⁾ to be the major contributors to stabilizing both types of complexes.

     

Does the liposuction method influence the phenotypic characteristic of human adipose-derived stem cells?

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) possess a high differentiation and proliferation potential. However, the phenotypic characterization of ASCs is still difficult. Until now, there is no extensive analysis of ASCs markers depending on different liposuction methods. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyse 242 surface markers and determine the differences in the phenotypic pattern between ASCs obtained during mechanical and ultrasound-assisted liposuction. ASCs were isolated from healthy donors, due to mechanical and ultrasound-assisted liposuction and cultured in standard medium to the second passage. Differentiation potential and markers expression was evaluated to confirm the mesenchymal nature of cells. Then, the BD LyoplateTM Human Cell Surface Marker Screening Panel was used. Results shown that both population of ASCs are characterized by high expression of markers specific for ASCs: cluster of differentiation (CD)9, CD10, CD34, CD44, CD49d, CD54, CD55, CD59, CD71 and low expression of CD11a, CD11c and CD144. Moreover, we have noticed significant differences in antigen expression in 58 markers from the 242 studied. Presented study shows for the first time that different liposuction methods are not a significant factor which can influence the expression of human ASCs surface markers.     

Does improvement management of atopic dermatitis influence the appearance of respiratory allergic diseases? A follow-up study

Background

Flavonoids, a large group of polyphenolic metabolites derived from plants have received a great deal of attention over the last several decades for their properties in inflammation and allergy. Quercetin, the most abundant of plant flavonoids, exerts a modulatory action at nanomolar concentrations on human basophils. As this mechanism needs to be elucidated, in this study we focused the possible signal transduction pathways which may be affected by this compound. Methods: K2-EDTA derived leukocyte buffy coats enriched in basophil granulocytes were treated with different concentrations of quercetin and triggered with anti-IgE, fMLP, the calcium ionophore A23187 and the phorbol ester PMA in different experimental conditions. Basophils were captured in a flow cytometry analysis as CD123bright/HLADRnon expressing cells and fluorescence values of the activation markers CD63-FITC or CD203c-PE were used to produce dose response curves. The same population was assayed for histamine release.

Results

Quercetin inhibited the expression of CD63 and CD203c and the histamine release in basophils activated with anti-IgE or with the ionophore: the IC50 in the anti-IgE model was higher than in the ionophore model and the effects were more pronounced for CD63 than for CD203c. Nanomolar concentrations of quercetin were able to prime both markers expression and histamine release in the fMLP activation model while no effect of quercetin was observed when basophils were activated with PMA. The specific phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin exhibited the same behavior of quercetin in anti-IgE and fMLP activation, thus suggesting a role for PI3K involvement in the priming mechanism.

Conclusions

These results rule out a possible role of protein kinase C in the complex response of basophil to quercetin, while indirectly suggest PI3K as the major intracellular target of this compound also in human basophils.     

Do Ringtailed lemurs (Lemur catta) reconcile in the hour post-conflict?: A pilot study

A previous study byKappeler (1993) showed that no reconciliation occurred in the ringtailed lemur (Lemur catta). Like the majority of studies dealing with reconciliation, the post-conflict period lasted 10 minutes. An identical study using a 70-min post-conflict period was conducted on one of the same semi-free ranging group studied six years earlier byKappeler. Results showed that individuals who never interacted within 10 min did engage in friendly interactions in the longer lasting postconflict period.     

Does space in the jaw influence the timing of molar crown initiation? A model using baboons (Papio anubis) and great apes (Pan troglodytes, Pan paniscus)

Radiographic and histological studies of baboon (Papio hamadryas, P. anubis) and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) permanent tooth development have found that periods of molar crown mineralization overlap markedly in chimpanzees but are staggered in baboons. Here we test the hypothesis that these intertaxon differences in molar initiation are primarily due to the space available in the mandibles of each species for these teeth. This study includes radiographic, linear measurement, and three-dimensional (3D) coordinate landmark data taken from baboon (Papio anubis n=51) and great ape (Pan paniscus n=43, P. troglodytes n=60) mandibles and permanent molars across a broad developmental range for each taxon. Unexpectedly, 3D multivariate statistical shape analysis of the molar crypt, crown, and root data shows that all three species trajectories of molar row shape change are indistinguishable from each other. Qualitative analysis of these 3D data reveals subtle and inconclusive intergeneric differences in the space maintained between adjacent molars during growth. The space distal to each newly initiated molar is slightly greater in the baboon. Bivariate analyses comparing molar row and mandibular corpus proportions in Papio and Pan fail to show clear or consistent taxonomic differences in the ratio of space afforded developing molars in the alveolar bone. Thus, there is a poor correlation between mandibular proportion and both intermolar spacing and 3D molar development pattern. Contrary to earlier studies, these results suggest that pattern of molar crown initiation and temporal overlap of adjacent mineralizing crowns is not significantly different between Papio and Pan. This may be due in part to the inclusion here of not only 3D molar crown data but also 3D molar crypt data. This study strongly refutes the hypothesis that space available in the mandible directly underlies different times of permanent molar crown initiation between Papio and Pan.     

Do photobionts influence the ecology of lichens? A case study of environmental preferences in symbiotic green alga Asterochloris (Trebouxiophyceae)

The distribution patterns of symbiotic algae are thought to be conferred mainly by their hosts, however, they may originate in algal environmental requirements as well. In lichens, predominantly terrestrial associations of fungi with algae or cyanobacteria, the ecological preferences of photobionts have not been directly studied so far. Here, we examine the putative environmental requirements in lichenized alga Asterochloris, and search for the existence of ecological guilds in Asterochloris-associating lichens. Therefore, the presence of phylogenetic signal in several environmental traits was tested. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated set of internal transcribed spacer rDNA and actin type I intron sequences from photobionts associated with lichens of the genera Lepraria and Stereocaulon (Stereocaulaceae, Ascomycota) revealed 13 moderately to well-resolved clades. Photobionts from particular algal clades were found to be associated with taxonomically different, but ecologically similar lichens. The rain and sun exposure were the most significant environmental factor, clearly distinguishing the Asterochloris lineages. The photobionts from ombrophobic and ombrophilic lichens were clustered in completely distinct clades. Moreover, two photobiont taxa were obviously differentiated based on their substrate and climatic preferences. Our study, thus reveals that the photobiont, generally the subsidiary member of the symbiotic lichen association, could exhibit clear preferences for environmental factors. These algal preferences may limit the ecological niches available to lichens and lead to the existence of specific lichen guilds.     

Does elevation influence mayfly emergence timing? A case study using New Zealand's endemic ephemeropteran fauna

1. The timing of adult emergence in stream insects is tightly constrained by environmental cues. Emergence is therefore predicted to be delayed at higher elevations, although few studies have empirically demonstrated this phenomenon. 2. We analysed the collection records of New Zealand's entire endemic mayfly fauna (52 species, 20 genera, 8 families) to test for correlations between adult emergence timing and elevation. 3. Significant positive associations between emergence timing and elevation were detected in more than half (11/21) of the taxa included in detailed analyses, with emergence delays for individual taxa (mean 3.2 ± 2.6 days per 100 m) similar to those previously observed in other freshwater insect taxa. Interspecific analyses accounting for phylogenetic relatedness revealed a non-significant positive relationship (P = 0.14) between median elevation and median collection date. 4. While elevation often has significant effects on insect emergence, these results also emphasise the idiosyncratic responses of individual insect taxa to environmental conditions. More detailed temporal studies are crucial for assessing the ongoing impacts of climate-driven shifts on insect phenology.     

Does the width of isolated ravine forests influence moss and liverwort diversity and composition?—A study of temperate forests in South Africa

The evidence of microclimatic edge effects through forest/open area ecotones is firm. How this affects the species composition near edges is less well understood and documented. In south-western South Africa shrub-dominated regularly burnt vegetation (i.e. fynbos) is the most common vegetation with indigenous temperate forests naturally occurring mostly in ravines on mountain slopes. The size and width of these forest patches varies considerably. In order to understand how the width of forest patches affects species composition of mosses and liverworts we investigated 20 forest patches of different width. In each forest patch we compiled a total species list, and collected data on selected environmental variables, for a plot of 10×20 m. No significant relationship was found between patch width and the number of either moss or liverwort species. However, the species composition of mosses (but not liverworts) changed along the gradient of patch width. The variation in number of species was large (8–29 mosses and 11–33 liverworts) among the plots and we propose that factors other than distance to the forest edge may be more important in structuring the bryophyte community of these ravine forests. One such factor that is likely to be important is the climatic difference among the plots. There is variation in features, such as precipitation, summer temperature, cloudiness, and the amount of fog, for which we do not have data but that could overrule the microclimatic differences due to edge effects.     

Is lipoprotein(A) a risk factor for atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries?

Elevated plasma Lp(a) has been linked to development of coronary artery disease (CAD). There is no data about plasma Lp(a) and atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries. Therefore the purpose of this study was to assess the risk of retinal vessels atherosclerosis conferred by elevated plasma Lp(a) levels in 73 adult males. The results were compared with those in 45 matched apparently healthy males with no retinal vessel changes. The atherosclerotic changes of the retinal vessels were determined by direct ophthalmoscopy and graded (1-4) according to Scheie. Plasma levels of Lp(a) were measured by radial immunodiffusion. The results were compared using chi-square test. Although a very weak correlation between plasma Lp(a) levels and the incidence of retinal atherosclerosis was found, no significant association between the degree of atherosclerotic changes and plasma Lp(a) levels could be proven. Thus it could be concluded that plasma Lp(a) level is not a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries.     

Does the anthropometric model influence whole-body center of mass calculations in gait?

Examining whole-body center of mass (COM) motion is one of method being used to quantify dynamic balance and energy during gait. One common method for estimating the COM position is to apply an anthropometric model to a marker set and calculate the weighted sum from known segmental COM positions. Several anthropometric models are available to perform such a calculation. However, to date there has been no study of how the anthropometric model affects whole-body COM calculations during gait. This information is pertinent to researchers because the choice of anthropometric model may influence gait research findings and currently the trend is to consistently use a single model. In this study we analyzed a single stride of gait data from 103 young adult participants. We compared the whole-body COM motion calculated from 4 different anthropometric models (Plagenhoef et al., 1983; Winter, 1990; de Leva, 1996; Pavol et al., 2002). We found that anterior-posterior motion calculations are relatively unaffected by the anthropometric model. However, medial-lateral and vertical motions are significantly affected by the use of different anthropometric models. Our findings suggest that the researcher carefully choose an anthropometric model to fit their study populations when interested in medial-lateral or vertical motions of the COM. Our data can provide researchers a priori information on the model determination depending on the particular variable and how conservative they may want to be with COM comparisons between groups.     

Does the angulation of the mandibular third molar influence the fragility of the mandibular angle after trauma to the mandibular body? A three-dimensional finite-element study

The relationship between mandibular third molar (M3) angulation and mandibular angle fragility is not well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of M3 angulation on the mandibular angle fragility when submitted to a trauma to the mandibular body region. A three-dimensional (3D) mandibular model without M3 (Model 0) was obtained by means of finite-element analysis (FEA). Four models were generated from the initial model, representing distoangular (Model D), horizontal (Model H), mesioangular (Model M) and vertical (Model V) angulations. A blunt trauma with a magnitude of 2000 N was applied perpendicularly to the sagittal plane in the mandibular body. Maximum principal stress (P_max) (tensile stress) values were calculated in the bone. The lowest P_max stress values were noted in Model 0. When the M3 was present extra stress fields were found around marginal bone of second molar and M3. Comparative analysis of the models with M3 revealed that the highest level of stress was found in Model V, whereas Model D showed the lowest stress values. The angulation of M3 affects the stress levels in the mandibular angle and has an impact on mandibular fragility. The mandibular angle becomes more fragile in case of vertical impaction when submitted to a trauma to the mandibular body region.     

Does the size of small objects influence chemical reactivity in living systems?

Previous theoretical works showed that chemical reactions in micro- and nano-droplets, bubbles and solid particles were strongly affected by their confinement. In particular, the smallness of the systems leads to high internal pressure compared to the external pressure, which then significantly modifies the values of chemical equilibrium and kinetic constants. In addition, surface tension or surface stress, reactional dilatation and surface charge play also a major role on the chemical reactivity. As living systems are also made of very complex dispersed subsystems, i.e. organelles, it seemed obvious to illustrate our theory by some biological actual examples encountered in pulmonary alveolae, in vacuolae and in medical applications, such as dissolution of gallstones.     

A study of the dynamic properties of membrane proteins using M?ssbauer spectroscopy

While studying the parameters of "narrow" and "broad" lines appearing in M?ssbauer spectra of undehydrated membrane proteins heated from 80 to 280 K it has been for the first time found for proteins that the behavior of the complete area of spectrum S does not differ from that of Debye-Waller factor. An abrupt decrease of quadrupole splitting value from delta = 0.7 mm/s to delta = 0 within the temperature range 220-270 K. Computation of the spectra with their division into 3 components responding respectively by heat, diffusion and conformational movement made possible explanation of all the evolutionary changes proceeding in them with the temperature rise. Preservation of the complete area of the spectrum S (T) is conditioned by the increase of the component responsive to conformational changes of Fe atom within 230-270 K. These movements "suppress" quadrupole splitting observed in the spectra at low temperatures. Dynamic mobility is considered in terms of the Fe atom movement in the biphase potential.     

Does reduced heterozygosity influence dispersal? A test using spatially structured populations in an alpine ungulate

Despite having a profound effect on population dynamics, the reasons that animals disperse are poorly understood. Evolutionary explanations have focused on inbreeding and competition, where the potential cost of philopatry is negated through dispersal. Such scenarios lead to the prediction that less successful individuals preferentially disperse, termed 'fitness-associated dispersal'. Since heterozygosity is associated with fitness, we assessed whether dispersed animals had less observed heterozygosity (H(O)) than residents. We tested this prediction using both genetic and population-monitoring data of mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus). Individuals classified as dispersers through cross-assignment had the lowest mean H(O), followed by residents, and then admixed individuals. Dispersed individuals had 6.3 per cent less H(O) than their subpopulation of origin. In the long-term study of the mountain goat herd at Caw Ridge, Alberta, immigrants had the lowest H(O); however, the opposite pattern was seen in emigrants, which may be related to density dependence. This study is the first to provide empirical evidence that heterozygosity is associated with dispersal.     

Does interhemispheric communication relate to the bilateral function of muscles? A study of scapulothoracic muscles using transcranial magnetic stimulation

Interhemispheric connections have been demonstrated between the motor cortex controlling muscle pairs. However, these investigations have tended to concentrate upon hand muscles. We have extended these investigations to proximal muscles that control the scapula upon the trunk and help to move and stabilise the shoulder. Using a paired pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation protocol, the interhemispheric interactions between different shoulder girdle muscle pairs, serratus anterior, upper trapezius and lower trapezius were investigated. Test motor evoked potentials were conditioned using conditioning pulse intensities of 80% and 120% of active motor threshold at three different condition-test intervals, during three different tasks. Interhemispheric inhibition was observed in upper trapezius using a conditioning intensity of 120% and condition-test interval of 8 ms (17 ± 18%, p < 0.007). A trend towards inhibition was observed in lower trapezius and serratus anterior using a conditioning intensity of 120% and a condition-test interval of 8 ms (13 ± 22%; p < 0.07 and 10 ± 19% respectively; p < 0.07). No interhemispheric facilitation was evoked. The study demonstrates that a low level of interhemispheric inhibition rather than interhemispheric facilitation could be evoked between these muscle pairs.