MRI-based modeling for radiocarpal joint mechanics: validation criteria and results for four specimen-specific models

The objective of this study was to validate the MRI-based joint contact modeling methodology in the radiocarpal joints by comparison of model results with invasive specimen-specific radiocarpal contact measurements from four cadaver experiments. We used a single validation criterion for multiple outcome measures to characterize the utility and overall validity of the modeling approach. For each experiment, a Pressurex film and a Tekscan sensor were sequentially placed into the radiocarpal joints during simulated grasp. Computer models were constructed based on MRI visualization of the cadaver specimens without load. Images were also acquired during the loaded configuration used with the direct experimental measurements. Geometric surface models of the radius, scaphoid and lunate (including cartilage) were constructed from the images acquired without the load. The carpal bone motions from the unloaded state to the loaded state were determined using a series of 3D image registrations. Cartilage thickness was assumed uniform at 1.0 mm with an effective compressive modulus of 4 MPa. Validation was based on experimental versus model contact area, contact force, average contact pressure and peak contact pressure for the radioscaphoid and radiolunate articulations. Contact area was also measured directly from images acquired under load and compared to the experimental and model data. Qualitatively, there was good correspondence between the MRI-based model data and experimental data, with consistent relative size, shape and location of radioscaphoid and radiolunate contact regions. Quantitative data from the model generally compared well with the experimental data for all specimens. Contact area from the MRI-based model was very similar to the contact area measured directly from the images. For all outcome measures except average and peak pressures, at least two specimen models met the validation criteria with respect to experimental measurements for both articulations. Only the model for one specimen met the validation criteria for average and peak pressure of both articulations; however the experimental measures for peak pressure also exhibited high variability. MRI-based modeling can reliably be used for evaluating the contact area and contact force with similar confidence as in currently available experimental techniques. Average contact pressure, and peak contact pressure were more variable from all measurement techniques, and these measures from MRI-based modeling should be used with some caution.     

Effects of Chronic Boron Exposure on Semen Profile

The possible changes in semen quality were studied in men living in a boron mining area. The subjects in the boron group had exposure to boron at an average level of 6.5 mg/day, as determined by urinary analysis. The results obtained by the boron group were compared to those obtained for the control group whose subjects were living in the same geographical area but away from the boron region; average exposure level was 1.4 mg/day for this group. The semen samples were analyzed according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization. Boron levels were established in the water samples obtained from various locations in the study region. In the boron mining fields where the subjects in the boron group live, water samples contained boron in the range of 1.4–6.5 mg/L, while the values were <0.01 mg/L for the water samples obtained from the region where the subjects of the control group reside. No negative effects were found in the sperm samples obtained from the subjects of the boron group.     

The Relationship Between Serum Levels of Zn and Cu and Severity of Coronary Atherosclerosis

The essential trace elements play important roles in the maintainance of the normal structure and physiology of cells. Several research groups have demonstrated that they also play important roles in states of cardiovascular diseases. Our aim is to investigate whether there is a relationship between trace elements (Zn and Cu) and the degree of atherosclerosis. The sample consisted of 67 patients with coronary artery disease and 26 clinically healthy individuals. Ninety-three subjects were separated into four groups according to their Gensini scores, the number of diseased vessels, the presence of acute coronary syndrome, and ejection fraction. Each group was divided into three subgroups, and serum zinc and copper levels were measured for each individual. The serum levels of zinc and copper were found to be significantly lower in patients with atherosclerosis than in the control group, but there were no significant differences in the serum levels of Cu and Zn between severe atherosclerosis and mild atherosclerosis. In Spearman's rank correlation, the zinc and copper levels were correlated with the Gensini score and the number of diseased vessels. The present study revealed a relationship between the serum levels of zinc and copper and atherosclerosis, but not between these levels and the severity of the disease.     

The very rare and little‐known fishes along the coasts of Izmir (Aegean Sea,Turkey) in the past 40 years (1969–2008)

The objective of this study was to document the frequency of occurrence of very rare fish species as well as to note the changes in diversity over time. Fish species recorded fewer than five times over the past 40 years (1969–2008) from the coasts of Izmir (central Aegean Sea) were included in the account and considered as being very rare. The records are listed chronologically. Fish species recently recorded in the area for the first time are also included. Changes in qualitative and quantitative composition of the ichthyofauna along the coasts of Izmir are also discussed.     

The effects of 4-thujanol on chromosome aberrations,sister chromatid exchanges and micronucleus in human peripheral blood lymphocytes

4-Thujanol, a bicyclic monoterpene alcohol, is present in the essential oils of many medicinal and aromatic plants. It is commonly used as a fragrance and flavouring ingredient in a lot of different products. The potential genotoxic effects of 4-thujanol on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were investigated in vitro by the chromosome aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), and micronucleus (MN) tests. The cells were treated with 13, 26 and 52 μg/mL 4-thujanol in the presence and absence of a metabolic activator (S9 mix). 4-Thujanol induced CA (P < 0.001) and MN formation (P < 0.05) at all concentrations (13, 26 and 52 μg/mL) in the presence and absence of the S9 mix without a concentration-dependent manner. However, the treatment of peripheral lymphocytes with 4-thujanol did not produce a statistical difference in the frequency of SCEs when compared with control group. Furthermore, this monoterpene did not significantly decrease the mitotic index (MI), proliferation index (PI), and nuclear division index (NDI). In conclusion, 4-thujanol had a significant clastogenic effect at the tested concentrations (13, 26 and 52 μg/mL) for human PBLs. In addition, no cytotoxic and/or cytostatic effects were observed regardless of the concentrations used. This work presents the first report on genotoxic properties of 4-thujanol.     

Molecular cloning, phylogenetic analysis, and expression profiling of a grape CMP-sialic acid transporter-like gene induced by phytohormone and abiotic stress

Nucleotide sugars are synthesized in the cytosol and nucleus and transported into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus via nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs). Because NSTs exhibit high similarities with triose phosphate translocators (TPTs), they are classified into the NST/TPT superfamily. Here, we identified 38 members of the NST/TPT family by screening the grapevine genome and proteome 12× database. Vitis vinifera NST/TPT proteins can be classified into two groups on the basis of their phylogenetic relationships. From these, we isolated a full-length cDNA encoding a putative NST and named it VvCSTLP1. VvCSTLP1 comprises 15 exons and 14 introns and exhibits high similarities with OsCSTLP2. A search for cis-regulatory elements in the promoter region of VvCSTLP1 revealed that this protein is probably regulated by phytohormones and abiotic stresses. The VvCSTLP1 cDNA encodes an open reading frame of 1065 bp, and the predicted polypeptide is 354 amino acids long with a molecular mass of 39.11 kDa. Expression of VvCSTLP1 was elevated during early berry development, and dramatically decreased after the initiation of ripening. VvCSTLP1 was highly expressed in old leaves and mature leaves, and at low levels in young leaves, pollen, roots, and tendrils. Finally, VvCSTLP1 expression was induced in response to 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, salicylic acid (SA), and boric acid treatments, but was decreased by drought stress. The regulation of VvCSTLP1 expression led us to conclude that it may play a role in cell wall composition and structure and in the cross-talk between the auxin, SA, and abiotic stress signaling pathways.     

Neuroprotective effect of rutin against colistin-induced oxidative stress,inflammation and apoptosis in rat brain associated with the CREB/BDNF expressions

The purpose of the current study was to examine the neuroprotective effect of rutin against colistin-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Thirty-five male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. The control group (orally received physiological saline), the rutin group (orally administered 100 mg/kg body weight), the colistin group (i.p. administered 15 mg/kg body weight), the Col?+?Rut 50 group (i.p. administered 15 mg/kg body weight of colistin, and orally received 50 mg/kg body weight of rutin), the Col?+?Rut 100 group (i.p. administered 15 mg/kg body weight of colistin, and orally received 100 mg/kg body weight of rutin). Administration of colistin increased levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor and acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities while decreasing level of cyclic AMP response element binding protein and extracellular signal regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) expressions. Colistin increased oxidative impairments as evidenced by a decrease in level of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities, and increased malondialdehyde content. Colistin also increased the levels of the apoptotic and inflammatoric parameters such as cysteine aspartate specific protease-3 (caspase-3), p53, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Rutin treatment restored the brain function by attenuating colistin-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, histopathological and immunohistochemical alteration suggesting that rutin supplementation mitigated colistin-induced neurotoxicity in male rats.

     

Regulation of biofilm formation by marT in Salmonella Typhimurium

Molecular Biology Reports - In this study, we aimed at identifying the regulatory role of marT gene, known as the regulator of misL, on 15 different biofilm-related genes in S. Typhimurium 14028...