Effect of liposuction on skin perfusion

Clinical reports of full-thickness skin necrosis have raised concern about the thermal and dermal ischemic effects of ultrasound-assisted liposuction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate skin perfusion in patients treated with ultrasound-assisted liposuction or suction-assisted liposuction. Patients (n = 75) were studied prospectively in the perioperative period surrounding their suction-assisted liposuction (31 patients) or ultrasound-assisted liposuction (64 patients). The laser Doppler flowmeter was used to monitor skin perfusion in the treated regions preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively at a series of time intervals. The effects of the anesthetic, wetting solution, and type of liposuction (suction-assisted liposuction or ultrasound-assisted liposuction) on skin perfusion were measured. Anesthetic induction significantly increased measured skin perfusion. Wetting solution infusion significantly decreased skin perfusion (-57.4 percent +/- 2.0) by 15 minutes postinfusion. Skin perfusion in the ultrasound-assisted liposuction group was significantly greater than that of the suction-assisted liposuction patients at 1 hour, 1 day, and 1 week postoperatively; however, by 2 to 5 weeks, no difference in skin perfusion was noted and skin perfusion had returned to preoperative levels in both groups. Although skin perfusion in the suction-assisted liposuction group was significantly lower than in the ultrasound-assisted liposuction group in the early postoperative period, no differences in skin perfusion between the groups were noted beyond 1 week postoperatively, suggesting that neither technique impairs perfusion.     

A quantitative method for determining polarization of neutrophil adhesion molecules associated with ischemia reperfusion

Ischemia-reperfusion-induced neutrophil adhesion to endothelium is CD18-dependent, but information regarding polarity of CD18 adhesion molecules remains speculative. This study evaluated neutrophil adhesion using an in vitro cell adhesion assay and introduces a quantitative method of measuring CD18 membrane distribution using confocal microscopy. Neutrophils from normal animals were isolated from whole blood and incubated with plasma from rat gracilis muscle flaps with no ischemia and reperfusion (nonischemic control, n = 10) or 4 hours of ischemia and 90 minutes of reperfusion (ischemia/reperfusion, n = 10), on coverslips pretreated with and without (phosphate-buffered saline) soluble intercellular adhesion molecules. Coverslips without intercellular adhesion molecules represented a negative control (intercellular adhesion molecules were required for adhesion). Percent adherence to intercellular adhesion molecules was expressed as a ratio of adherent cells/total cells. CD18 polarization was assessed by staining neutrophils with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled anti-CD11b, followed by confocal microscopy and Z-stack analysis. Membrane-associated CD18 was expressed as fluorescence intensity units in three equal areas of the cell membrane. Capping was defined as twice as much fluorescence in 33 percent of the cell membrane as in the remaining 67 percent. Neutrophils exposed to ischemia and reperfusion plasma showed a significant increase in adhesion (0.8 +/- 0.1 percent versus 16.7 +/- 2.2 percent, p < 0.001) and CD18 polarization (6.2 +/- 1.7 percent versus 43.9 +/- 12.2 percent, p = 0.0206) compared with controls. This article describes an in vitro assay that reliably reproduces the neutrophil adhesion phenomenon associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury. Results from confocal microscopy allowed for quantitative estimation of membrane-associated receptor polarization.     

Derivation of economic values for productive and reproductive traits of Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) from profit equation

Using a deterministic model of profit equation compatible to cocoon production system in Iran, equations for estimating economic values of cocoon weight, shell weight, shell percentage, fecundity, fertility, and hatchability of three commercial varieties of silkworm Bombyx mori (L.) were derived. Economic values of these traits as well as their relative economic importance (REI) compared with cocoon weight were estimated. Estimates of economic value of a given trait differed among the varieties. Cocoon weight, shell weight, and shell percentage had the highest economic value in variety 107. The highest economic value for fecundity, fertility, and hatchability was estimated in variety 110. Shell weight and shell percentage were the most important production traits, and fecundity was the most important reproduction trait. The REI values of shell weight and shell percentage were higher than that of cocoon weight. The sensitivity of estimated economic values to principal factors of production system was studied by altering cocoon weight, shell percentage, fecundity, variable costs, and cocoon price by +/- 10%. The traits varied in the rate of sensitivity of their economic values to changes in production factors. Economic values of cocoon weight, fecundity, fertility, and hatchability had the most sensitivity to the changes in shell percentage. The most important factor affecting economic values of shell weight and shell percentage was the grade 1 cocoon price. Economic value equations provided in this study can help silkworm breeders to concentrate on the most important factors in predicting the future. Furthermore, when these factors change, silkworm breeders will be able to determine to what extent breeding goals have to change.     

G protein dependent alterations in [125I]iodocyanopindolol and±cyanopindolol binding at 5-HT1B binding sites in rat brain membranes

Several manipulations that affect G protein/receptor coupling also alter the binding of [¹²⁵I]iodocyanopindolol ([¹²⁵I]ICYP)±cyanopindolol (±CYP) to rat brain 5-HT_1B binding sites in radiologand binding assays. Inclusion of 5 mM MgSO₄ in these assays results in a small but significant increase in the affinity of [¹²⁵I]ICYP (fromK _D=0.046 nM toK _D=0.037 nM). In contrast, 100 M Gpp(NH)p, GTP, or GDP reduce [¹²⁵I]ICYP affinity (K _D=0.056 nM with GTP) while ATP and GMP are less effective.±CYP affinity for 5-HT_1B sites labeled by [³H]dihydroergotamine ([³H]DE) also displays a small but significant reduction (from K_i=1.4 nM to K_i=3.5nM) by the inclusion of 100 M GTP. Pre-treatment of the brain membranes with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) in concentrations known to inactivate many G proteins reduces 5-HT_1B specific binding of [¹²⁵I]ICYP. The NEM induced reduction in [¹²⁵I]ICYP binding can be reversed by reconstitution with purified exogenous G proteins (Go and Gi), demonstrating directly that high affinity binding of [¹²⁵I]ICYP to 5-HT_1B sites is dependent on G proteins. The effects of Mg²⁺ ion, guanine nucleotides, NEM and G protein reconstitution on [¹²⁵I]ICYP and ±CYP binding are all hallmarks of agonist binding to G protein linked receptors. The effect of GTP, however, is quantitatively much less for the binding of these pindolol derivatives than for the binding of 5-HT, a presumed full agonist at 5-HT_1B sites. The relatively slight stabilization of [¹²⁵I]ICYP and ±CYP binding conferred by G protein/5-HT_1B receptor interaction may reflect the molecular events underlying previous observations that these compounds are partial 5-HT_1B agoinists.     

Mitochondrial stress and mitokines in aging

Mitokines are signaling molecules that enable communication of local mitochondrial stress to other mitochondria in distant cells and tissues. Among those molecules are FGF21, GDF15 (both expressed in the nucleus) and several mitochondrial-derived peptides, including humanin. Their responsiveness to mitochondrial stress induces mitokine-signaling in response for example to exercise, following mitochondrial challenges in skeletal muscle. Such signaling is emerging as an important mediator of exercise-derived and dietary strategy-related molecular and systemic health benefits, including healthy aging. A compensatory increase in mitokine synthesis and secretion could preserve mitochondrial function and overall cellular vitality. Conversely, resistance against mitokine actions may also develop. Alterations of mitokine-levels, and therefore of mitokine-related inter-tissue cross talk, are associated with general aging processes and could influence the development of age-related chronic metabolic, cardiovascular and neurological diseases; whether these changes contribute to aging or represent “rescue factors” remains to be conclusively shown. The aim of the present review is to summarize the expanding knowledge on mitokines, the potential to modulate them by lifestyle and their involvement in aging and age-related diseases. We highlight the importance of well-balanced mitokine-levels, the preventive and therapeutic properties of maintaining mitokine homeostasis and sensitivity of mitokine signaling but also the risks arising from the dysregulation of mitokines. While reduced mitokine levels may impair inter-organ crosstalk, also excessive mitokine concentrations can have deleterious consequences and are associated with conditions such as cancer and heart failure. Preservation of healthy mitokine signaling levels can be achieved by regular exercise and is associated with an increased lifespan.     

Identification of microRNAs from Plutella xylostella larvae associated with parasitization by Diadegma semiclausum

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as small non-coding RNAs play important roles in many biological processes such as development, cell signaling and immune response. Small RNA deep sequencing technology provided an opportunity for a thorough survey of miRNAs in a global key pest Plutella xylostella as well as comparative analysis of miRNA expression profile of the insect in association with parasitization by Diadegma semiclausum. Combining the deep sequencing data and bioinformatics, 235 miRNAs were identified from P. xylostella. Differential expression of host cellular miRNAs in response to parasitism was examined by making small RNA libraries from parasitized and naive second instar larvae of P. xylostella. Bantam, miR-276*, miR-10, miR-31 and miR-184 were detected as five most abundant miRNAs in both libraries and 96 miRNAs were identified that were differentially expressed after parasitization. Bantam*, miR-184 and miR-281* were significantly down-regulated and two miRNAs miR-279b and miR-2944b* were highly induced in parasitized larvae. Interestingly, high copy numbers and differential expression of several miRNA passenger strands (miRNA*) suggest their potential roles in host-parasitoid interaction. In conclusion, expression profiling of miRNAs provided insights into their possible involvement in insect immune response to parasitism and offer an important resource for further studies.