Immunohistochemical localization of irisin in mole rats (Spalax leucodon)

Irisin was first identified in skeletal muscle cells. It is an exercise protein that is secreted into the circulation; it causes conversion of white adipose tissue to brown adipose tissue. We investigated irisin immunoreactivity in mole rat (Spalax leucodon) tissues. We examined cerebellum, pituitary, heart, liver, pancreas, spleen, uterus, kidney and striated muscle in female adult mole rats. Tissues were processed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 5 μm and stained immunohistochemically for irisin. Irisin immunostaining was detected in the cytoplasm of stained cells; the cytoplasm of Purkinje cells was unstained. We found that irisin may be synthesized in many tissues. The function of locally synthesized irisin currently is unknown.     

Biochemical and histochemical characteristics of proteins homologous to calf lens membrane proteins with high calcium-binding capacity

Proteins with high affinity and capacity for calcium are present in the membranes of calf lens fiber and epithelial cells. They can be extracted from these membranes by means of EDTA or EGTA. The tissue specificity and localization of these 30-38 kD EDTA-extractable proteins (EEP) have been examined. Antibodies raised against calf lens fiber EEP specifically form immune complexes with distinct proteins of 30-38 kD in a great variety of non-lenticular tissues. By indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using anti-EEP antiserum, the EEP-like proteins could be detected in fibroblasts, retinal Müller cells, endothelial cells and some types of epithelial cells. Only covering epithelia (cornea, glomerulus) contained significant amounts of these proteins, irrespective of the shape of the cells. EEP-like proteins were absent in secreting epithelial cells of liver, kidney tubules and pancreas. In addition, they were not detected in muscle, nerve and fat cells, erythrocytes and lymphocytes. The localization and the number of EEP-like proteins varied among different cell types. In fibroblasts, containing only two EEP-like proteins (molecular weight (MW) 33.0 and 31.5 kD in calf tissue), predominantly the nucleus was stained. In vitro studies with permeabilized cultured fibroblasts from several species have shown that the nuclear staining was built up of bright spots around unstained nucleoli. In epithelial and endothelial cells of calf tissue, however, most fluorescent label was found in the plasma membranes. Immunoblotting experiments revealed the presence in these cell types of at least five EEP-like proteins, including a 33.0 and 31.5 kD component. The difference in staining pattern between these cells and fibroblasts might thus indicate that the nature or the localization of some of the EEP-like proteins is cell type-specific. Because of their extractability from various tissue membrane fractions by means of EDTA or EGTA it is suggested that at least part of the EEP-like proteins is bound to membrane structures via calcium. This characteristic feature, together with the MW values and the cross-reactivity with anti-EEP antiserum indicate that these proteins and the lens membrane proteins with high calcium-binding capacity share a very high degree of homology and may even be identical.     

Vivid molecular divergence over volcanic remnants: the phylogeography of Megadromus guerinii on Banks Peninsula,New Zealand

Megadromus guerinii, an endemic carabid beetle (Carabidae), is the most common carabid throughout its restricted range on Banks Peninsula, a formation of extinct volcanoes in Canterbury, New Zealand. This study characterises the small-scale phylogeographic patterns of M. guerinii across the formerly volcanically active Banks Peninsula using mitochondrial and ribosomal genes. Between the eastern and western areas of the peninsula, the mitochondrial, but not nuclear, DNA has a well-defined geographic distribution. Specifically, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO1) identifies two distinct groups (> 6% divergence between eastern and western beetles) while ribosomal genes show no discernible pattern. Whether such a pattern represents male-biased dispersal, Wolbachia infection, a recent range expansion of a divergent lineage, or a deeper historic separation is explored. There is potential that male-biased dispersal could have occurred. Wolbachia infection was not detected. We conclude that historical processes have likely separated taxa in the eastern and western peninsula.     

Vasospasm is a significant factor in cyclosporine-induced neurotoxicity: Case report

Background

The aetiology of central nervous system lesions observed in cerebral cyclosporine neurotoxicity remains controversial.

Case presentation

We report a 48-year-old woman with a non-severe aplastic anaemia who presented with stroke-like episodes while on cyclosporine treatment.Transcranial Doppler ultrasound revealed severely elevated flow velocities in several cerebral vessels, consistent with vasospasm. Immediately after reducing the cyclosporine dose, the stroke-like episodes disappeared. Only after cyclosporine withdrawal the transcranial Doppler ultrasound abnormalities fully resolved.

Conclusions

This case demonstrates a significant role of vasospasm in the pathway of cyclosporine-induced neurotoxicity. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound is an effective tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of cyclosporine-induced vasospasm.

     

Aspergillus terreus and its toxic metabolites as a food contaminant in some Egyptian Bakery products and grains

A. terreus isolates isolated from some bakery products, corn and rice were found to be able to produce territrems. 90% of theA. terreus isolated from bakery products were able to produce territrem A, with a mean of 0.09 ppm, while 80% ofA. terreus isolates produce territrem B with a mean of 0.24 ppm. On the other hand 31.8% of the isolates ofA. terreus from corn were able to produce territrem A with a mean of 0.44 ppm. ConcerningA. terreus isolates from rice, 66.7% were found to produce territrem A, with a mean of 5.28 ppm, and 77.8% of the isolates produced territrem B with a mean of 1.79 ppm.     

Comparing Tolerability and Efficacy of Generic versus Brand Alendronate: A Randomized Clinical Study in Postmenopausal Women with a Recent Fracture

Introduction

An increasing number of generic alendronate formulations have become available. Although expected to have the same tolerability and efficacy, head-to head comparison of generic and brand alendronate was never performed. Therefore, we compared the tolerability and efficacy of generic and brand alendronate.

Methods

In a randomized double-blinded single centre cross-over study in 37 postmenopausal women (mean age 65.4±6.4 years) with osteoporosis were treated with generic and branded alendronate during 24 (2x12) weeks. Tolerance was evaluated by the Gastro intestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and self-reported side effects. Efficacy was assessed by serum bone turnover markers, carboxy terminal telopeptide (CTX) and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP). No wash out period was allowed (ethical reasons). Because of possible carry over effect only data of the first 12 weeks were analyzed using linear mixed models.

Results

There were no significant differences in overall tolerance (GSRS) between treatment groups. However, for subscale abdominal pain, patients using generic had a significantly higher mean GSRS score at week 4 (estimated mean difference (B): 0.40; 95%CI: 0.05 to 0.74, p = 0.024). The level of bone turnover markers significantly decreased over 12 weeks of follow-up for generic and branded alendronate (p < 0.001). Mean level of CTX was significantly lower with branded at week 4 (B: 121.3; 95%CI: 52.0 to 190.5), but not at week 12 (B: 53.6; 95%CI:-3.7 to 110.9). No significant differences were found for PINP at week 4 or 12.

Conclusions

Bone turnover markers were significantly reduced with branded and generic alendronate. With branded, CTX was significantly lower at 4 weeks. Generic caused significantly higher abdominal pain scores in the first 4 weeks of treatment. Therefore, generic alendronate may not have the same tolerability and efficacy as branded alendronate in the first weeks after starting treatment in patients with a recent fracture.

Trial Registration

Dutch Trial Register NTR number 1867 http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=1867     

Mitral prolapsing volume is associated with increased cardiac dimensions in patients with mitral annular disjunction

Netherlands Heart Journal - In patients with mitral annular disjunction (MAD), it can be difficult to assess the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR), as they present with a&nbsp;prolapsing...