Deficient dopamine D2 receptor function causes renal inflammation independently of high blood pressure

Renal dopamine receptors participate in the regulation of blood pressure. Genetic factors, including polymorphisms of the dopamine D(2) receptor gene (DRD2) are associated with essential hypertension, but the mechanisms of their contribution are incompletely understood. Mice lacking Drd2 (D(2)-/-) have elevated blood pressure, increased renal expression of inflammatory factors, and renal injury. We tested the hypothesis that decreased dopamine D(2) receptor (D(2)R) function increases vulnerability to renal inflammation independently of blood pressure, is an immediate cause of renal injury, and contributes to the subsequent development of hypertension. In D(2)-/- mice, treatment with apocynin normalized blood pressure and decreased oxidative stress, but did not affect the expression of inflammatory factors. In mouse RPTCs Drd2 silencing increased the expression of TNFα and MCP-1, while treatment with a D(2)R agonist abolished the angiotensin II-induced increase in TNF-α and MCP-1. In uni-nephrectomized wild-type mice, selective Drd2 silencing by subcapsular infusion of Drd2 siRNA into the remaining kidney produced the same increase in renal cytokines/chemokines that occurs after Drd2 deletion, increased the expression of markers of renal injury, and increased blood pressure. Moreover, in mice with two intact kidneys, short-term Drd2 silencing in one kidney, leaving the other kidney undisturbed, induced inflammatory factors and markers of renal injury in the treated kidney without increasing blood pressure. Our results demonstrate that the impact of decreased D(2)R function on renal inflammation is a primary effect, not necessarily associated with enhanced oxidant activity, or blood pressure; renal damage is the cause, not the result, of hypertension. Deficient renal D(2)R function may be of clinical relevance since common polymorphisms of the human DRD2 gene result in decreased D(2)R expression and function.     

Ectopic expression of Arabidopsis thaliana plasma membrane intrinsic protein 2 aquaporins in lily pollen increases the plasma membrane water permeability of grain but not of tube protoplasts

To investigate the role of aquaporin-mediated water transport during pollen grain germination and tube growth, Arabidopsis thaliana plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) were expressed in pollen of Lilium longiflorum (lily). Successful expression of AtPIPs in particle-bombarded lily pollen grains was monitored by co-expression with fluorescent proteins and single-cell RT-PCR, and by measuring the water permeability coefficient (P(os)) in swelling assays using protoplasts prepared from transformed pollen grains and tubes. Expression of AtPIP1;1 and AtPIP1;2 in pollen grains resulted in P(os) values similar to those measured in nontransformed pollen grain protoplasts (6.65 +/- 2.41 microm s(-1)), whereas expression of AtPIP2 significantly increased P(os) (AtPIP2;1, 13.79 +/- 6.38; AtPIP2;2, 10.16 +/- 3.30 microm s(-1)). Transformation with combinations of AtPIP1 and AtPIP2 did not further enhance P(os). Native pollen tube protoplasts showed higher P(os) values (13.23 +/- 4.14 microm s(-1)) than pollen grain protoplasts but expression of AtPIP2;1 (18.85 +/- 7.60 microm s(-1)) did not significantly increase their P(os) values. Expression of none of the tested PIPs had any effect on pollen tube growth rates. The ectopic expression of AtPIP2s in lily pollen increased the water permeability of the plasma membrane in pollen grains, but not in pollen tubes. The measured endogenous water permeability does not limit water uptake during tube growth, but has to be regulated to prevent tube bursting.     

Pure manganese(III) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin (MnTBAP) is not a superoxide dismutase mimic in aqueous systems: a case of structure–activity relationship as a watchdog mechanism in experimental therapeutics and biology

Superoxide is involved in a plethora of pathological and physiological processes via oxidative stress and/or signal transduction pathways. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimics have, thus, been actively sought for clinical and mechanistic purposes. Manganese(III) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin (MnTBAP) is one of the most intensely explored "SOD mimics" in biology and medicine. However, we show here that this claimed SOD activity of MnTBAP in aqueous media is not corroborated by comprehensive structure-activity relationship studies for a wide set of Mn porphyrins and that MnTBAP from usual commercial sources contains different amounts of noninnocent trace impurities (Mn clusters), which inhibited xanthine oxidase and had SOD activity in their own right. In addition, the preparation and thorough characterization of a high-purity MnTBAP is presented for the first time and confirmed that pure MnTBAP has no SOD activity in aqueous medium. These findings call for an assessment of the relevance and suitability of using MnTBAP (or its impurities) as a mechanistic probe and antioxidant therapeutic; conclusions on the physiological and pathological role of superoxide derived from studies using MnTBAP of uncertain purity should be examined judiciously. An unequivocal distinction between the biological effects due to MnTBAP and that of its impurities can only be unambiguously made if a pure sample is/was used. This work also illustrates the contribution of fundamental structure-activity relationship studies not only for drug design and optimization, but also as a "watchdog" mechanism for checking/spotting eventual incongruence of drug activity in chemical and biological settings.     

Species‐specific TaqMan probes for simultaneous identification of (Gadus morhua L.), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus L.) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus L.).

We report the development of a multiplex, single tube (TaqMan) PCR assay for the identification of three commercially important gadoid species, the cod (Gadus morhua L.), the haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus L.) and the whiting (Merlangius merlangus L.). The assay unambiguously identifies known adult tissue samples, and ethanol‐preserved eggs from all three species with greater than 98% accuracy, providing a powerful tool for the development of catch independent stock assessment methods, mapping of spawning sites and the detection of commercial fraud in the fishing and food production industries.     

The role of patient expectations in predicting outcome after total knee arthroplasty

Introduction  

Patient's expectations are variably reported to influence self-rated outcome and satisfaction after medical treatment; this prospective study examined which of the following was the most important unique determinant of global outcome/satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty (TKA): baseline expectations; fulfilment of expectations; or current symptoms and function.     

Quiet violence: Savannah Sparrows respond to playback‐simulated rivals using low‐amplitude songs as aggressive signals

When animals compete over resources such as breeding territories, they often use signals to communicate their aggressive intentions. By studying which signals are associated with aggressive interactions, we gain a deeper appreciation of animal behaviour. We studied aggressive signalling in male Savannah Sparrows, Passerculus sandwichensis, focusing on signals that precede physical attack against territorial intruders. We simulated intruders using song playback and taxidermic models, and we determined which behaviours were associated with physical attack. Previous studies that have used this approach suggest that many species produce songs of dramatically lower amplitude, or “soft songs,” as signals of aggressive intention. Savannah Sparrows, however, are not known to produce soft songs, and therefore, they provided an interesting system for testing signals that predict attack. Of 93 playback subjects, 23 males attacked the simulated intruder and 70 did not. To our surprise, Savannah Sparrows produced soft songs, and the number of soft songs was a significant predictor of attack on the simulated intruder. Birds also showed a nonsignificant tendency to produce more “chip” calls prior to attack on the simulated intruder, whereas three other measured behaviours (aggressive calls, wing waving and passes over the model) did not predict attack. Our study contributes to the growing body of research on aggressive territorial signals and reveals that soft song is an even more widespread signal of aggression in songbirds than previously recognized.     

Phycoremediation potential,physiological, and biochemical response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amphora subtropica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dunaliella</Emphasis> sp. to nickel pollution

Metal pollution can produce many biological effects on aquatic environments. The marine diatom Amphora subtropica and the green alga Dunaliella sp. possess a high metal absorption capacity. Nickel (Ni) removal by living cells of A. subtropica and Dunaliella sp. was tested in cultures exposed to different Ni concentrations (100, 200, 300, and 500 mg L^?1). The amount of Ni removed by the microalgae increased with the time of exposure and the initial Ni concentration in the medium. The metal, which was mainly removed by bioadsorption to Dunaliella sp. cell surfaces (93.63% of total Ni (for 500 mg Ni L^?1) and by bioaccumulation (80.82% of total Ni (for 300 mg Ni L^?1) into Amphora subtropica cells, also inhibited growth. Exposure to Ni drastically reduced the carbohydrate and protein concentrations and increased total lipids from 6.3 to 43.1 pg cell^?1, phenolics 0.092 to 0.257 mg GAE g^?1 (Fw), and carotenoid content, from 0.08 to 0.59 mg g^?1 (Fw), in A. subtropica. In Dunaliella sp., total lipids increased from 26.1 to 65.3 pg cell^?1, phenolics from 0.084 to 0.289 mg GAE g^?1 (Fw), and carotenoid content from 0.41 to 0.97 mg g^?1 (Fw). These compounds had an important role in protecting the algae against ROS generated by Ni. In order to cope with Ni stress shown by the increase of TBARS level, enzymatic (SOD, CAT, and GPx) ROS scavenging mechanisms were induced.