Energy transfer in monomeric phycoerythrocyanin

We describe the involvement of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 1 and 2 (PARP-1 and -2) and poly(ADP-ribose)glycohydrolase (PARG) in the response of rat germinal cells to the action of the NO donors, 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1) and spermine nonoate (SNO). Primary spermatocytes and round spermatids showed a differential sensitivity to DNA damage induced by acute exposure to SIN-1 and SNO. Spermatocytes were able to repair DNA damage caused by the release of NO from SNO but neither spermatocytes nor spermatids could recover from the release of NO and O2*- from SIN-1. Addition of the PARPs inhibitor, 3-aminobenzamide, and the PARG inhibitor, gallotannin (GT), to germ cell cultures impaired DNA repair significantly. Consistent with the DNA repair seen in primary spermatocytes, both SIN-1 and SNO induced PARPs activation in these cells. In the case of SIN-1, there was an immediate but transient response while SNO induced a delayed but more sustained increase in PARPs activity. Chronic exposure of spermatocytes to SIN-1 and SNO, however, committed the cells to apoptosis, which coincided with proteolysis of PARP-1. The data indicate a dual role for PARPs and PARG in germinal cells as key proteins in processes that sense and repair DNA damage as well as in the commitment to apoptosis following prolonged oxidative stress.     

Inhibin/activin subunits alpha, beta-A and beta-B are differentially expressed in normal human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle

Inhibins are dimeric glycoproteins composed of an alpha () subunit and one of two possible beta (-) subunits (A or B). The aims of this study were to assess the frequency and tissue distribution patterns of the inhibin subunits in normal human endometrium. Samples from human endometrium from proliferative phase (PP; n=32), early secretory phase (ES; n=10) and late secretory phase (LS; n=12) were obtained. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and a statistical analysis were performed. All three inhibin subunits were expressed by normal endometrium by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Inhibin- was primarily detected in glandular epithelial cells, while inhibin- subunits were additionally localised in stromal tissue. Inhibin- staining reaction increased significantly between PP and ES (P<0.05), PP and LS (P<0.01), and ES and LS (P<0.02). Inhibin-A and -B were significant higher in LS than PP (P<0.05) and LS than ES (P<0.05). All three inhibin subunits were expressed by human endometrium varying across the menstrual cycle. This suggests substantial functions in human implantation of inhibin- subunit, while stromal expression of the subunits could be important in the paracrine signalling for adequate endometrial maturation. The distinct expression in human endometrial tissue suggests a synthesis of inhibins into the lumen and a predominant secretion of activins into the stroma.I. Mylonas and U. Jeschke contributed equally to this work     

DFT studies of COOH tip-functionalized zigzag and armchair single wall carbon nanotubes

Structure and energy calculations of pristine and COOH-modified model single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) of different length were performed at B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. From 1 to 9 COOH groups were added at the end of the nanotube. The differences in structure and energetics of partially and fully functionalized SWCNTs at one end of the nanotube are observed. Up to nine COOH groups could be added at one end of (9,0) zigzag SWCNT in case of full functionalization. However, for (5,5) armchair SWCNT, the full functionalization was impossible due to steric crowding and rim deformation. The dependence of substituent attachment energy on the number of substituents at the carbon nanotube rim was observed.     

Predictors of the Onset of Manic Symptoms and a (Hypo)Manic Episode in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Objective

One third of patients with a major depressive episode also experience manic symptoms or, even, a (hypo)manic episode. Retrospective studies on the temporal sequencing of symptomatology suggest that the majority of these patients report depressive symptoms before the onset of manic symptoms. However, prospective studies are scarce and this study will, therefore, prospectively examine the onset of either manic symptoms or a (hypo)manic episode in patients with a major depressive disorder. In addition, we will consider the impact of a large set of potential risk factors on both outcomes.

Methodology

Four-year follow-up data were used to determine the onset of manic symptoms as well as a CIDI-based (hypo)manic episode in a large sample (n = 889, age: 18–65 years) of outpatients with a major depressive disorder and without manic symptoms at baseline. Baseline vulnerability (i.e., sociodemographics, family history of depression, childhood trauma, life-events) and clinical (i.e., isolated manic symptoms, depression characteristics, and psychiatric comorbidity) factors were considered as potential risk factors.

Results

In our sample of depressed patients, 15.9% developed manic symptoms and an additional 4.7% developed a (hypo)manic episode during four years. Baseline isolated manic symptoms and comorbid alcohol dependence predicted both the onset of manic symptoms and a (hypo)manic episode. Low education only predicted the onset of manic symptoms, whereas male gender, childhood trauma and severity of depressive symptoms showed strong associations with, especially, the onset of (hypo)manic episodes.

Conclusions

A substantial proportion (20.6%) of patients with a major depressive disorder later developed manic symptoms or a (hypo)manic episode. Interestingly, some identified risk factors differed for the two outcomes, which may indicate that pathways leading to the onset of manic symptoms or a (hypo)manic episode might be different. Our findings indirectly support a clinical staging model.     

Effects of phytoestrogen extracts isolated from rye, green and yellow pea seeds on hormone production and proliferation of trophoblast tumor cells Jeg3

BACKGROUND: Phytoestrogens are a diverse group of non-steroidal plant compounds. Because they have chemical structures similar to estrogens they are able to bind on estrogen receptors in humans. Objectives: In this study, we tested the effects of crude phytoestrogen extracts from rye (Secale cereale), green pea (Pisum sativum) and yellow pea seeds (Pisum sativum cv.) on cell proliferation and the production of progesterone in trophoblast tumor cells of the cell line Jeg3. METHODS: Isoflavone extracts from green and yellow pea seeds and lignan extracts from rye seeds were obtained, using different extraction methods. Isolated extracts were incubated in different concentrations with trophoblast tumor cells. Untreated cells were used as controls. At designated times, aliquots were removed and tested for estradiol and progesterone production. In addition, we tested the effects of the phytoestrogen extracts on cell proliferation. RESULTS: Cell proliferation is significantly inhibited by potential phytoestrogens isolated from rye, green and yellow pea seeds in trophoblast tumor cells of the cell line Jeg3. We found a correlation between the effects of proliferation and production of estradiol in isoflavone extracts from green and yellow pea seeds in Jeg3 cells. In addition, higher concentrations of isoflavones isolated from green pea seeds and lignans from rye showed also a inhibition of progesterone production whereas higher concentrations of rye lignans elevated estradiol production in Jeg3 cells. CONCLUSION: A useful indicator test system for potential phytoestrogens could be established. Based on the obtained results it is proposed that green and yellow pea seeds contain measurable concentrations of isoflavones and rye seeds contain lignans which can be isolated and used for special human diet programs.     

Immunological and biological characterization of Plasmodium falciparum exoantigens

Exoantigens (E-antigens) of P. falciparum prepared by cationic exchange chromatography from asynchronous culture supernatant were evaluated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Chromatofocusing, Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA), Gel Electrophoresis of Derivated ELISA (GEDELISA) and Immunoblotting. Their mol. wt after denaturation and immunoblotting were: 170,000,135,000 and 100,000. Their isoelectric points (pI) in their native forms were: ⩾ 6.3, 4.1 and ⩽ 3.7. Thermostability tests showed that 65% of their antigenic activity remained after 5 min at 100°C. Metabolic labelling with ³H glucosamine, periodate oxidation and borohydride reduction showed that they were in part glycoproteins. These antigens are excreted or secreted during merozoite release and invasion of erythrocytes. Metabolically labelled (³Ft leucine) culture fluid from synchronous P. falciparum cultures was analysed by Inhibition ELISA (ELISA-I) and CounterImmunoElectrophoresis (CIE) to determine the presence of E-antigens. These antigens inhibited the in vitro growth of Plasmodium falciparum.     

TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL IN CALIFORNIA MENTAL HOSPITALS

Diagnosis, the first step in tuberculosis control, is accomplished in the mental hospitals of California by x-ray examination of all patients annually and of new or returning patients on admission. This routine has been carried on since 1937.Tuberculous patients with active disease are segregated in one of three specially staffed and equipped units at the Patton, Sonoma and Napa hospitals. Those in whom disease is likely to recur are likewise segregated for special care and observation. Those in whom disease is inactive or not definitely diagnosed are not segregated but are observed by physicians of the Bureau of Tuberculosis Control of the California Department of Public Health in collaboration with the staffs of the institutions.Since the establishment of this program the proportion of new or previously unrecognized cases of tuberculosis has been reduced from 0.83 per cent, a year after the program was begun, to 0.37 per cent, while recurrence or progression of previously recognized disease has been reduced from 12.3 per cent at the first survey to 5 per cent at the most recent.Overcrowding in all hospitals has been the chief obstacle to the success of the program.     

Reliquiae Opizianae

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

The linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex regulates TRAIL-induced gene activation and cell death

The linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC) is the only known E3 ubiquitin ligase which catalyses the generation of linear ubiquitin linkages de novo. LUBAC is a crucial component of various immune receptor signalling pathways. Here, we show that LUBAC forms part of the TRAIL-R-associated complex I as well as of the cytoplasmic TRAIL-induced complex II. In both of these complexes, HOIP limits caspase-8 activity and, consequently, apoptosis whilst being itself cleaved in a caspase-8-dependent manner. Yet, by limiting the formation of a RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL-containing complex, LUBAC also restricts TRAIL-induced necroptosis. We identify RIPK1 and caspase-8 as linearly ubiquitinated targets of LUBAC following TRAIL stimulation. Contrary to its role in preventing TRAIL-induced RIPK1-independent apoptosis, HOIP presence, but not its activity, is required for preventing necroptosis. By promoting recruitment of the IKK complex to complex I, LUBAC also promotes TRAIL-induced activation of NF-κB and, consequently, the production of cytokines, downstream of FADD, caspase-8 and cIAP1/2. Hence, LUBAC controls the TRAIL signalling outcome from complex I and II, two platforms which both trigger cell death and gene activation.