Genetic diversity of the relict moss <Emphasis Type=Italic>Rhytidium rugosum</Emphasis> (Hypnales) in Europe inferred from the ITS region (nrDNA)

Post-glacial survival, potential migration routes, genetic diversity and phylogeography of the boreal moss species Rhytidium rugosum have been studied. This species is considered to be one of glacial relics of the wide but scattered Holarctic range. According to molecular data sampling from the selected European, American and Asian populations high genetic diversity of this species is present, even if this species is mostly sterile and produced sex organs extremely rarely and spread mostly asexually. Analysing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA, it can be concluded that the populations of this species survived glaciations in various places in Europe and settled and re-settled present range space in various times from various refuges.     

Visualization of 2-arachidonoylglycerol accumulation and cannabinoid CB1 receptor activity in rat brain cryosections by functional autoradiography

In neuronal signalling mediated by the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol, both synthetic and inactivating enzymes operate within close proximity to the G(i/o)-coupled pre-synaptic CB(1) receptors, thus allowing for rapid onset and transient duration of this lipid modulator. In rat brain, 2-arachidonoylglycerol is inactivated mainly via hydrolysis by serine hydrolase inhibitor-sensitive monoacylglycerol lipase activity. We show in this study that comprehensive pharmacological elimination of this activity in brain cryosections by methyl arachidonylfluorophosphonate or hexadecylsulphonyl fluoride results in endocannabinoid-mediated CB(1) receptor activity, which can be visualized by functional autoradiography. URB597, a specific inhibitor of anandamide hydrolysis proved ineffective. TLC indicated that the bioactivity resided in 2-arachidonoylglycerol-containing fraction and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy detected elevated levels of monoacylglycerols, including 2-arachidonoylglycerol in this fraction. Although two diacylglycerol lipase inhibitors, tetrahydrolipstatin (THL) and RHC80267, blocked the bulk of 2-arachidonoylglycerol accumulation in methyl arachidonylfluorophosphonate-treated sections, only THL reversed the endocannabinoid-dependent CB(1) receptor activity. Further studies indicated that at the used concentrations, THL rather specifically antagonized the CB(1) receptor. These findings confirm that in brain sections there is preservation of enzymatic pathways regulating the production of endogenous receptor ligands. Furthermore, the presently described methodology may serve as an elegant and intuitive approach to identify novel membrane-derived lipid modulators operating in the CNS.     

Systemic overexpression of antizyme 1 in mouse reduces ornithine decarboxylase activity without major changes in tissue polyamine homeostasis

Polyamines, spermidine, spermine and their precursor putrescine, are ubiquitous cell components essential for normal cell growth. Increased polyamine levels and enhanced biosynthesis have been associated with malignant transformation and tumor formation, and thus, the polyamines have been considered to be a meaningful target to cancer therapies. However, clinical cancer treatment trials using inhibitors of polyamine synthesis have been unsuccessful probably due to compensatory uptake of polyamines from extracellular sources. The antizyme proteins regulate both polyamine biosynthesis and transport, and thus, the antizymes could provide an efficient approach to control cellular proliferation compared to the mere inhibition of biosynthesis. To define the role of antizymes in proliferative processes associated with the whole animal, we have generated transgenic mice overexpressing mouse antizyme 1 gene under its own regulatory sequences. Antizyme 1 protein was abundantly expressed in various organs and the expressed antizyme protein was functional as ornithine decarboxylase activity was significantly reduced in all tissues analyzed. However, antizyme 1 overexpression caused only minor changes in tissue polyamine levels demonstrating the challenges in using the “antizyme approach” to deplete polyamines in a living animal. Neither were there any changes in cellular proliferation in the proliferative tissues of transgenic animals. Interestingly though, there was occurrence of abnormally high level of apoptosis in the non-proliferating part of the colon epithelia. Otherwise, the transgenic founder mice appeared healthy and out of seven founders six were fertile. However, none of the founders could transmit the transgene suggesting that the antizyme 1 overexpression may be deleterious to transgenic gametes.     

Epidemiological study of suicide in Croatia (1993-2003)--comparison of Mediterranean and continental areas

The aim of this study is to analyze eventual differences in characteristic of suicide between two areas of the Republic of Croatia, mediterranean and continental, according to the following variables: suicidal rates, season, month, day, method, places, socioeconomic variables such as gender, ages, marital status, employment, education, and psychiatric or medical characteristic. Data were collected from the Suicide register of the Ministry of Interior, and Croatian Bureau of Statistic. Analysis was done on all suicide cases committed in the period 1993-2003. According to the Suicide Register of Ministry of Interior, 11,359 suicides were reported in period between 1993 and 2003. The average suicide rate in the Mediterranean area was lower (16.44 suicides per year) than in continental area of Croatia (26.34 suicides per year). Suicide committers in the Mediterranean area was statistically significant younger than suicide committers in the continental area of Croatia. In the continental area male suicide committers were more often than in the Mediterranean area of Croatia. In the Mediterranean area suicide committers were in most cases with high school education while in continental area of Croatia most cases of suicide committers were with elementary school education. Alcohol dependence, family conflicts, and medical disorders were more often present as suicidal motive in suicide committers in continental area of Croatia than in the Mediterranean area where undefined and unknown reason of suicide is present in majority of suicide cases. Cold steel, drowning, and jumping from height were more often present as suicidal method in the Mediterranean area of Croatia opposite to continental area of Croatia where jumping in front of car or train and suicide with firearms and explosive were more often. Also, in the Mediterranean area of Croatia suicides was mostly committed on open spaces and public places while in continental area of Croatia suicides was mostly committed in private plot.     

Comparison of hippocampal volumes in schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolar disorder

The reduction of hippocampal volume was frequently reported in schizophrenia, but not in bipolar disorder This volume reduction is associated with clinical features of schizophrenia, in particular with working and verbal memory impairments. Schizoaffective disorder, as a specific disorder sharing clinical features of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is rarely analyzed as a separate disorder in neurobiological studies. The aim of this study was to compare hippocampal volumes in separate groups of patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolar disorder. Hippocampal volumes were estimated using high resolution magnetic resonance imaging in 60 subjects, 15 subjects in each patient and one healthy volunteer (control) group. There were no significant differences in hippocampal volume between bipolar disorder and control group. Hippocampal volume was statistically significantly reduced in the group of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, compared to either bipolar disorder or control group, thus supporting the hypothesis that hippocampal volume reduction could be considered as a possible neurobiological basis for clinical aspects of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder associated with working and verbal memory impairment.     

Right thyroid hemiagenesis with adenoma and hyperplasia of parathyroid glands -case report

The uncertainties regarding dose similarities between basal long-acting insulin analogues remain. Recent real-world studies indicate dose similarities between insulin detemir and insulin glargine, but further studies are still warranted. The aim of this study was to compare real-life daily doses of insulin detemir and insulin glargine in type 2 diabetes patients when administered once daily. We analysed 536 patient cases from general practice (63%) and endocrinological outpatient clinics (37%). A self-administered questionnaire completed by the treating physician was used to obtain data on patient characteristics (gender, age, weight, height, latest HbA1c-value), daily doses, administration of and number of years treated with insulin detemir and insulin glargine, concomitant insulin use and use of non-insulin anti-diabetic medication. Both bivariate analyses and multivariate regression analyses were applied to examine whether there were differences in the daily doses of insulin detemir and insulin glargine. There was no significant difference in the mean daily doses of insulin detemir (0.414 U/kg) and insulin glargine (0.416 U/kg) (p = 0.4341). In multivariate regression analyses, age and BMI had a significant influence on daily insulin dose with the dose increasing 0.003 U/kg (p = 0.0375) and 0.008 U/kg (p = 0.0003) with every 1 increment in age and BMI, respectively. Dose similarities between insulin detemir and insulin glargine were seen in type 2 diabetes patients when administered once daily. Thus, the use of insulin detemir and insulin glargine is not associated with different medical costs if the price and treating algorithm are similar.     

Aspects of astrocyte energy metabolism,amino acid neurotransmitter homoeostasis and metabolic compartmentation

Astrocytes are key players in brain function; they are intimately involved in neuronal signalling processes and their metabolism is tightly coupled to that of neurons. In the present review, we will be concerned with a discussion of aspects of astrocyte metabolism, including energy-generating pathways and amino acid homoeostasis. A discussion of the impact that uptake of neurotransmitter glutamate may have on these pathways is included along with a section on metabolic compartmentation.     

Wetter is Better: Rewetting of Minerotrophic Peatlands Increases Plant Production and Moves Them Towards Carbon Sinks in a Dry Year

Ecosystems - Peatlands are effective carbon sinks as more biomass is produced than decomposed under the prevalent anoxic conditions. Draining peatlands coupled with warming releases stored carbon,...