Compounds of Mo, V and W in biochemistry and their biomedical activity.

Molybdenum, vanadium and tungsten compounds are widely applied as analytical reagents for determination of numerous pharmacologically active substances and different biochemical parameters. Recent data from the available literature pointed to a very potent biomedical activity of compounds containing these trace elements. The present paper represents a survey on the structure and chemical properties of these compounds, as well as on their biological activity, mostly based on their interaction with cations of biomolecules, such as phospholipids and proteins. Besides, their potent inhibitory effects on cellular targets, bacterial and viral DNA and RNA polymerases will be discussed, as well. Numerous authors clearly demonstrated the antiviral (especially anti-HIV), anticoagulant and antineoplastic properties of the compounds containing the above trace elements. It has been also shown that these compounds act on some cellular enzymatic systems leading to the normalisation of blood pressure, blood glucose and serum lipid levels. Also, compounds of these trace elements represent potent antiobesity agents and express hepatoprotective and antioxidative stress activity.     

Imaging of brain activation by odorants in humans

Application of positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging has provided several new insights into various olfactory functions. One is that sniffing and smelling engage separate subsystems in the human olfactory cortex. Another is that perception of odorous compounds (odorants) is mediated by a set of core regions, which are partly different for pure olfactory than for olfactory plus trigeminal odorants. Depending on the task associated with odor perception, the core regions are recruited together with other circuits, in a parallel and hierarchical manner. The sense of smell seems, therefore, to be organized similarly to other sensory modalities, and the specific psychophysical characteristics of olfaction should be attributed to an early involvement of the limbic system rather than to a conceptually different mode of processing.     

Cell-wall-deficient forms ofStaphylococcus aureus as lung pathogens: an ultrastructural study

The interaction between stable protoplast L forms ofStaphylococcus aureus and the alveolar wall of infected rats was observed in the course of experimental pulmonary infection (days 3, 7, 14 and 30 p.i.). The L forms were successfully cultivated from bronchoalveolar lavage samples taken throughout the tested interval. The ultrastructural results demonstrated the ability of the L forms to invade the alveolar wall where they established, grew and reproduced mainly in the interstitium. The infection caused lung lesions: granulomas, focal fibroses and destruction of type I alveolar epithelial cells.     

High-resolution phylogenetic analysis of southeastern Europe traces major episodes of paternal gene flow among Slavic populations

The extent and nature of southeastern Europe (SEE) paternal genetic contribution to the European genetic landscape were explored based on a high-resolution Y chromosome analysis involving 681 males from seven populations in the region. Paternal lineages present in SEE were compared with previously published data from 81 western Eurasian populations and 5,017 Y chromosome samples. The finding that five major haplogroups (E3b1, I1b* (xM26), J2, R1a, and R1b) comprise more than 70% of SEE total genetic variation is consistent with the typical European Y chromosome gene pool. However, distribution of major Y chromosomal lineages and estimated expansion signals clarify the specific role of this region in structuring of European, and particularly Slavic, paternal genetic heritage. Contemporary Slavic paternal gene pool, mostly characterized by the predominance of R1a and I1b* (xM26) and scarcity of E3b1 lineages, is a result of two major prehistoric gene flows with opposite directions: the post-Last Glacial Maximum R1a expansion from east to west, the Younger Dryas-Holocene I1b* (xM26) diffusion out of SEE in addition to subsequent R1a and I1b* (xM26) putative gene flows between eastern Europe and SEE, and a rather weak extent of E3b1 diffusion toward regions nowadays occupied by Slavic-speaking populations.     

Ontogenetic changes in protein dephosphorylating activity of the cytosolic compartment of rat erythrocytes

Total casein phosphatase activity of erythrocytes from one-month-old rats was separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography into three peaks--E1, E2 and E3--and only into two peaks--E1 and E3--when the erythrocyte donors were six- and 12-month-old rats. The activity of E1 (Mr 330 K) decreased continuously in erythrocytes during the first year of postnatal life. E2 (Mr 230 K) also decreased and completely disappeared from the cells of 12-month-old rats. E3 (Mr 180 K) was the dominant molecular form in the cytosol of erythrocytes during the first year of life. It decreased only up to six months of life. In this form E3 seems to be cooperative with respect to the substrate and to inhibitor molecules. The decrease of its kinetic parameters (Vmax and K0.55) was also found during postnatal ontogenesis. E3 isolated from erythrocytes of older rats (6 and 12 months) was more susceptible to inhibitory effect of pyrophosphate and to the change of ionic strength of eluting buffer than the enzyme from one-month-old rats. 0.2 mol.1(-1) NaCl lowered Mr of E3 phosphatase from 180 K to 128 K only in older rats.     

Changes in Data Sharing and Data Reuse Practices and Perceptions among Scientists Worldwide

The incorporation of data sharing into the research lifecycle is an important part of modern scholarly debate. In this study, the DataONE Usability and Assessment working group addresses two primary goals: To examine the current state of data sharing and reuse perceptions and practices among research scientists as they compare to the 2009/2010 baseline study, and to examine differences in practices and perceptions across age groups, geographic regions, and subject disciplines. We distributed surveys to a multinational sample of scientific researchers at two different time periods (October 2009 to July 2010 and October 2013 to March 2014) to observe current states of data sharing and to see what, if any, changes have occurred in the past 3–4 years. We also looked at differences across age, geographic, and discipline-based groups as they currently exist in the 2013/2014 survey. Results point to increased acceptance of and willingness to engage in data sharing, as well as an increase in actual data sharing behaviors. However, there is also increased perceived risk associated with data sharing, and specific barriers to data sharing persist. There are also differences across age groups, with younger respondents feeling more favorably toward data sharing and reuse, yet making less of their data available than older respondents. Geographic differences exist as well, which can in part be understood in terms of collectivist and individualist cultural differences. An examination of subject disciplines shows that the constraints and enablers of data sharing and reuse manifest differently across disciplines. Implications of these findings include the continued need to build infrastructure that promotes data sharing while recognizing the needs of different research communities. Moving into the future, organizations such as DataONE will continue to assess, monitor, educate, and provide the infrastructure necessary to support such complex grand science challenges.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of opiorphin in human saliva

Opiorphin, QRFSR-peptide, is a mature product of the PROL1 (proline rich, lacrimal 1) protein that showed beneficial effects in pain management, antidepressant-like actions as well as involvement in colonic motility and erectile physiology. Using opiorphin as a potential biomarker of different pathological states requires the development of robust and sensitive methods. We report a highly sensitive and specific liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS/MS) analytical method for the analysis of opiorphin in human saliva. Quantification was based on multiple reaction monitoring using characteristic transitions (m/z 347/120 - as quantifying ion; 347/175 and 347/268 as qualifying ions). The assay was linear in the range of 0-110 ng/ml and the lower limit of quantification reached was 1.0 ng/ml. The intra-day precision and accuracy were between 2.7-5.6% and -2.3 to 3.2%, respectively. The inter-day precision and accuracy were between 10.8-13.7% and -11.0 to 52%, respectively. Mean recovery was 106% and mean matrix effect was 0.97. Opiorphin in TFA treated saliva samples was stable for at least 12h at room temperature and up to 30 days at -20°C. Opiorphin levels in human saliva samples collected from young healthy individuals ranged from 2.8 to 25.9 ng/ml.