Anti-inflammatory and redox-protective activities of citronellal

The anti-inflammatory and redox protective effects of the citronellal (CT) were evaluated using in vivo and in vitro tests. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of CT (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) inhibited (p < 0.05) the carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity. Additionally, the carrageenan- and arachidonic acid-induced rat hind paw edema was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) by i.p. administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg of the compound. When the redox activity was evaluated, CT (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced hepatic lipoperoxidation (p < 0.001), as well as oxidation of plasmatic (p < 0.05) and hepatic (p < 0.01) proteins. The results of the present study support the hypothesis that CT possesses anti-inflammatory and redox protective activities. It is suggested that its effects are associated with the inhibition of the enzymes in the arachidonic acid pathway, which prevent cell migration by inhibiting leukotriene production, edema formation and the increase of reactive oxygen species in tissues. Therefore, CT is of potential benefit to manage inflammatory disorders and correlated damages caused by oxidant agents.     

GLUT12 functions as a basal and insulin-independent glucose transporter in the heart

Glucose uptake from the bloodstream is the rate-limiting step in whole body glucose utilization, and is regulated by a family of membrane proteins called glucose transporters (GLUTs). Although GLUT4 is the predominant isoform in insulin-sensitive tissues, there is recent evidence that GLUT12 could be a novel second insulin-sensitive GLUT. However, its physiological role in the heart is not elucidated and the regulation of insulin-stimulated myocardial GLUT12 translocation is unknown. In addition, the role of GLUT12 has not been investigated in the diabetic myocardium. Thus, we hypothesized that, as for GLUT4, insulin regulates GLUT12 translocation to the myocardial cell surface, which is impaired during diabetes. Active cell surface GLUT (-4 and -12) content was quantified (before and after insulin stimulation) by a biotinylated photolabeled assay in both intact perfused myocardium and isolated cardiac myocytes of healthy and type 1 diabetic rodents. GLUT localization was confirmed by immunofluorescent confocal microscopy, and total GLUT protein expression was measured by Western blotting. Insulin stimulation increased translocation of GLUT-4, but not -12, in the healthy myocardium. Total GLUT4 content of the heart was decreased during diabetes, while there was no difference in total GLUT12. Active cell surface GLUT12 content was increased in the diabetic myocardium, potentially as a compensatory mechanism for the observed downregulation of GLUT4. Collectively, our data suggest that, in contrast to GLUT4, insulin does not mediate GLUT12 translocation, which may function as a basal GLUT located primarily at the cell surface in the myocardium.     

Comparing FE human body model rib geometry to population data

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology - Finite element human body models (HBMs) are used to assess injury risk in a variety of impact scenarios. The ribs are a key structural component within...     

Rapid Isolation of Extracellular Vesicles from Cell Culture and Biological Fluids Using a Synthetic Peptide with Specific Affinity for Heat Shock Proteins

Recent studies indicate that extracellular vesicles are an important source material for many clinical applications, including minimally-invasive disease diagnosis. However, challenges for rapid and simple extracellular vesicle collection have hindered their application. We have developed and validated a novel class of peptides (which we named venceremin, or Vn) that exhibit nucleotide-independent specific affinity for canonical heat shock proteins. The Vn peptides were validated to specifically and efficiently capture HSP-containing extracellular vesicles from cell culture growth media, plasma, and urine by electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, sequencing of nucleic acid cargo, proteomic profiling, immunoblotting, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. All of these analyses confirmed the material captured by the Vn peptides was comparable to those purified by the standard ultracentrifugation method. We show that the Vn peptides are a useful tool for the rapid isolation of extracellular vesicles using standard laboratory equipment. Moreover, the Vn peptides are adaptable to diverse platforms and therefore represent an excellent solution to the challenge of extracellular vesicle isolation for research and clinical applications.     

Use of glacier river-fed estuary channels by juvenile Coho Salmon: transitional or rearing habitats?

Estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems in the world and provide important rearing environments for a variety of fish species. Though generally considered important transitional habitats for smolting salmon, little is known about the role that estuaries serve for rearing and the environmental conditions important for salmon. We illustrate how juvenile coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch use a glacial river-fed estuary based on examination of spatial and seasonal variability in patterns of abundance, fish size, age structure, condition, and local habitat use. Fish abundance was greater in deeper channels with cooler and less variable temperatures, and these habitats were consistently occupied throughout the season. Variability in channel depth and water temperature was negatively associated with fish abundance. Fish size was negatively related to site distance from the upper extent of the tidal influence, while fish condition did not relate to channel location within the estuary ecotone. Our work demonstrates the potential this glacially-fed estuary serves as both transitional and rearing habitat for juvenile coho salmon during smolt emigration to the ocean, and patterns of fish distribution within the estuary correspond to environmental conditions.