Lithium effect on glutamate induced damage in glioblastoma cells

Lithium, besides mood stabilization, might be involved in neuroprotection. Previously we have found that the treatment with lithium increased the levels of p21(WAF/Cip1 and survivin in human glioblastoma A1235 cells. The aim of the present study was to examine the cytotoxic effect of glutamate on these cells, and to determine whether lithium can protect A1235 cells against toxic effects of glutamate. Cytotoxicity of glutamate was examined by spectrophotometric MTT assay, while the expression of apoptosis related genes was examined by Western blot method. Glutamate was excessively cytotoxic for A1235 cells only in concentrations higher than 100 mM. It did not induce apoptosis, but rather suppressed survivin expression and increased the level of p21(WAf/Cip1). Pretreatment with lithium (2 mM) partially reverted change in survivin expression induced by glutamate, suggesting that lithium may have beneficial effect on glutamate induced cell damage in glioblastoma cells.     

Effects of anabolic steroids and antioxidant vitamins on ethanol-induced tissue injury

Various mechanisms are involved in the process of ethanol-induced tissue impairment. Oxidative stress and its effects are among the most important. We compared the effects of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C and E in combination) and steroids (testosterone and nandrolone separately) on the toxicity of ethanol in rats. Animals (male Wistar rats, n = 48) were randomised into following groups-Control, Ethanol, Testosterone, Ethanol + Testosterone, Ethanol + Nandrolone, Ethanol + Vitamins. Alcohol was given daily by gavage in a dose of 5 g/kg of body weight. On the 27th day of the study the animals were sacrificed by decapitation and tissue samples were taken. Metabolic status, parameters of the hepatic metabolism, hormone levels (testosterone, ACTH, corticosterone), lipoperoxidation markers (malondialdehyde and conjugated diens in forebrain cortex and in cerebellum) and advanced glycation end-products were analysed. Tissue samples underwent histological examination. Histological outcomes showed a protective effect of antioxidants on hepatic and cerebellar injury caused by chronic ethanol intake. Anabolic steroids protected especially the central nervous tissue against the toxicity of alcohol. Both, antioxidant vitamins and anabolic steroids protect against the ethanol-induced toxicity, however, this effect is tissue specific.     

Soluble cell adhesion molecules s-VCAM-1 and s-ICAM-1 in subjects with familial combined hyperlipidemia

Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH) is the most common familial hyperlipidemia with a high risk for early atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to compare levels of soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (s-ICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (s-VCAM-1) in asymptomatic members of FCH families with healthy controls and to determine the relation between s-ICAM-1, s-VCAM-1 and risk factors accompanying FCH. We also investigated the association between adhesion molecules and the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery, a recognized morphological marker of early atherosclerosis. 82 members of 29 FCH families were divided into the 2 groups: HL (probands and hyperlipidemic first-degree relatives, n = 47) and NL (normolipidemic first-degree relatives, n = 35). The control groups--HL-C (n = 20) and NL-C (n = 20)--consisted of sex- and age-matched healthy individuals. Hyperlipidemic members had significantly higher concentration of s-ICAM-1 (633.7 +/- 169.6 ng/ml versus 546.2 +/- 155.9 ng/ml, p < 0.05). The elevation of s-VCAM-1 was not significant (880.8 +/- 202.9 ng/ml versus 826.5 +/- 174.6 ng/ml, N.S.). Levels of s-ICAM-1 and of s-VCAM-1 in normolipidemic relatives were not significantly different from the control group (530.8 +/- 113.9 ng/ml versus 530.0 +/- 101.0 ng/ml and 860.2 +/- 265.7 ng/ml versus 822.1 +/- 197.0 ng/ml respectively). There was a significant correlation between s-ICAM-1 and apoB (r = 0.42; p < 0.01) in hyperlipidemic subjects and between s-ICAM-1 and proinsulin (r = 0.54; p < 0.01) in normolipidemic subjects. S-ICAM-1 correlated with IMT (r = 0.32; p < 0.05) in all members of FCH families. The increase of s-ICAM-1 in asymptomatic hyperlipidemic members of FCH families reflects their high cardiovascular risk. The positive association between s-ICAM-1 and IMT could indicate s-ICAM-1 as a potential predictor of atherosclerosis manifestation.     

Epidemiological study of suicide in Croatia (1993-2003)--comparison of Mediterranean and continental areas

The aim of this study is to analyze eventual differences in characteristic of suicide between two areas of the Republic of Croatia, mediterranean and continental, according to the following variables: suicidal rates, season, month, day, method, places, socioeconomic variables such as gender, ages, marital status, employment, education, and psychiatric or medical characteristic. Data were collected from the Suicide register of the Ministry of Interior, and Croatian Bureau of Statistic. Analysis was done on all suicide cases committed in the period 1993-2003. According to the Suicide Register of Ministry of Interior, 11,359 suicides were reported in period between 1993 and 2003. The average suicide rate in the Mediterranean area was lower (16.44 suicides per year) than in continental area of Croatia (26.34 suicides per year). Suicide committers in the Mediterranean area was statistically significant younger than suicide committers in the continental area of Croatia. In the continental area male suicide committers were more often than in the Mediterranean area of Croatia. In the Mediterranean area suicide committers were in most cases with high school education while in continental area of Croatia most cases of suicide committers were with elementary school education. Alcohol dependence, family conflicts, and medical disorders were more often present as suicidal motive in suicide committers in continental area of Croatia than in the Mediterranean area where undefined and unknown reason of suicide is present in majority of suicide cases. Cold steel, drowning, and jumping from height were more often present as suicidal method in the Mediterranean area of Croatia opposite to continental area of Croatia where jumping in front of car or train and suicide with firearms and explosive were more often. Also, in the Mediterranean area of Croatia suicides was mostly committed on open spaces and public places while in continental area of Croatia suicides was mostly committed in private plot.     

Release of cytokeratin-18 and -19 fragments (TPS and CYFRA 21-1) into the extracellular space during apoptosis

Serum fragments of cytokeratins-18 and -19 (measured as TPS and CYFRA 21-1, respectively) have traditionally been considered as markers of tumor proliferation, although the evidence is scarce for a causative relationship between proliferation and levels of TPS and CYFRA 21-1. We examined whether apoptosis might produce TPS and CYFRA 21-1 fragments. MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with mitomycin C or agonistic anti-CD95 antibody, and levels of TPS and CYFRA 21-1 in tissue culture supernatants were compared with the frequency of cells exhibiting the following markers of cell death: intracellular cytokeratin-18 cleavage, surface staining with annexin-V, propidium iodide uptake, DNA fragmentation. Twenty-four hours after inducing apoptosis, levels of TPS and CYFRA 21-1 were elevated > or = 4-fold in culture supernatants. Elevations in TPS and CYFRA 21-1 coincided with apoptosis measured by the first three cell death markers but preceded DNA fragmentation. These mitomycin C- and CD95-mediated elevations were completely inhibited by co-incubation with the caspase inhibitors Z-VAD.fmk and Z-IETD.fmk, respectively. We conclude that TPS and CYFRA 21-1 can be abundantly released into the extracellular space during the intermediate stage of epithelial cell apoptosis.     

Amperometric ascorbic acid sensor based on doped ferrites nanoparticles modified glassy carbon paste electrode

In this study, a novel electrochemical sensor for quantification of ascorbic acid with amperometric detection in physiological conditions was constructed. For this purpose, cobalt and nickel ferrites were synthesized using microwave and ultrasound assistance, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and used for modification of glassy carbon paste electrode (GCPE). It was shown that introducing these nanoparticles to the structure of GCPE led to increasing analytical performance. Co ferrite modified GCPE (CoFeGCPE) showed better characteristics toward ascorbic acid sensing. The limit of detection (LOD) obtained by sensor was calculated to be 0.0270 mg/L, with linear range from 0.1758 to 2.6010 mg/L. This sensor was successfully applied for practical analysis, and the obtained results demonstrated that the proposed procedure could be a promising replacement for the conventional electrode materials and time-consuming and expensive separation methods.     

Statcking and separatio of photosystem I and photosystem II in plant thylak oid membranes: A physico-chemical view

The main objective of this article is to highlight important experimental findings and discuss current theories on photosystem segregation and stacking in thylakoid membranes. The facts are put in a framework of recent theoretical developments in the field of membrane biochemistry and biophysics. Some important experiments not considered by the currently accepted theories are discussed. Modifications of these theories in order to incorporate new results are proposed. The currently accepted theories on formation of membrane domains (probably responsible for segregation of photosystem 1 and II) and on interlamellar interactions (stacking) are discussed. Finally, a scheme is put forward summarising the forces which are responsible for organisation of functional structure of thylakoid membranes.     

Different strategies for the synthesis of 2'-O-aminoethyl adenosine building blocks

The chemical modification of the 2'-O-position of nucleosides proved to be of great importance for the RNA stability. Greater stability of RNA duplexes allows a longer half life in the cell and, therefore, a better effect of RNA Interference. Here we investigated the synthesis of 2'-O-aminoethyl adenosine as a cationic modified building block.     

Psychosocial implications of disfigurement and the future of human face transplantation

Although the first face transplants have been attempted, the social and psychological debates concerning the ethics and desirability of the procedure continue. Critics contend that these issues have not yet been sufficiently addressed. With this in mind, the present article seeks to elaborate on key psychological and social factors that will be central for addressing the ethical and psychosocial challenges necessary to move face transplantation into mainstream medicine. The goals of this article are to (1) discuss the psychosocial sequelae of facial disfiguration and how face transplantation may relieve those problems, and (2) delineate inclusion and exclusion criteria for the selection of research subjects for face transplantation. The article uses concepts from symbolic interaction theory in sociology to articulate a theoretically coherent scheme for comprehending the psychosocial difficulties of facial disfiguration and the advantages offered by facial transplantation. The authors conclude that the psychosocial implications of disfigurement warrant surgical intervention and that research in the area of face transplantation should continue.