Plasma values of oxidants and antioxidants in acute brain hemorrhage

The levels of oxidants xanthine oxidase (XO), nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione reductase (GRD) were determined in plasma within 24 h after onset of hemorrhagic stroke in 17 patients (9 men and 8 women, aged 60.7+/-11.5 yr) and in 20 healthy controls (12 men and 8 women, aged 62.5+/-8.3 yr). Compared to controls, the plasma SOD and total superoxide scavenger activities (TSSA) were significantly lower and the NO levels were significantly higher among the stroke patients. XO showed a slight, nonsignificant increase in the patients, but the levels of MDA, NSSA, GRD, and GSH-Px did not show any significant differences between the two groups. The hemorrhage volume was negatively correlated with the initial score of the Glasgow Coma Scale and a positive correlation with lethal outcome, but it did not correlate significantly with any of the measured parameters. The results suggest that free radicals might play a role in the development of brain injury following brain hemorrhage.     

Influence of smoking on serum and milk malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and antioxidant potential levels in mothers at the postpartum seventh day

The aim of the study was to investigate simultaneously serum and milk malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and antioxidant potential (AOP) in active-smoking, passive-smoking, and nonsmoking mothers and to search if there is any difference between serum and milk oxidant/ antioxidant status caused by smoking. According to their smoking status, 60 mothers (age range: 20–35 yr) were classified into one of three groups: the active-smoking mothers (n=15), the passive-smoking mothers (n=22), and the nonsmoking mothers (n=23). Serum and milk MDA, SOD, GPx, and AOP values were determined in mothers on the postpartum seventh day by the spectrophotometric method. Serum Zn and Cu concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). There was no significant difference in serum samples with respect to MDA (p=0.17), SOD (p=0.51) and AOP (p=0.36) levels, but there was a significant difference in serum GPx (p=0.002) levels among the study groups. The significant differences were also found in milk samples in terms of MDA (p=0.002) and SOD (p=0.011), but not in GPx (p=0.11) and AOP (p=0.29) levels among the study groups. No significant difference was seen in serum zinc concentration (p=0.49), but copper concentration differed significantly among the groups (p=0.005). These observations suggest that human milk is more vulnerable to oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation than serum samples in smoking mothers, even if they are passive smokers.     

Left hemispheric advantage for numerical abilities in the bottlenose dolphin

In a two-choice discrimination paradigm, a bottlenose dolphin discriminated relational dimensions between visual numerosity stimuli under monocular viewing conditions. After prior binocular acquisition of the task, two monocular test series with different number stimuli were conducted. In accordance with recent studies on visual lateralization in the bottlenose dolphin, our results revealed an overall advantage of the right visual field. Due to the complete decussation of the optic nerve fibers, this suggests a specialization of the left hemisphere for analysing relational features between stimuli as required in tests for numerical abilities. These processes are typically right hemisphere-based in other mammals (including humans) and birds. The present data provide further evidence for a general right visual field advantage in bottlenose dolphins for visual information processing. It is thus assumed that dolphins possess a unique functional architecture of their cerebral asymmetries.     

Identification of "Candidatus Thioturbo danicus," a microaerophilic bacterium that builds conspicuous veils on sulfidic sediments

Molecular analysis of bacteria enriched under in situ-like conditions and mechanically isolated by micromanipulation showed that a hitherto-uncultivated microaerophilic bacterium thriving in oxygen-sulfide counter-gradients (R. Thar and M. Kühl, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 68:6310-6320, 2000) is affiliated with the epsilon-subdivision of the Proteobacteria. The affiliation was confirmed by the use of whole-cell hybridization with newly designed specific oligonucleotide probes. The bacterium belongs to a new genus and received the provisional name "Candidatus Thioturbo danicus."     

Serum E-selectin and erythrocyte membrane Na+K+ ATPase levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

We conducted this study to assess serum soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) levels and erythrocyte membrane Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and correlate the levels with disease activity. Levels of sE-selectin were measured in the serum of 20 patients with RA and 20 control subjects by an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity was determined by a colorimetric method in RA patients and healthy controls. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to demographic data such as age and sex (p > 0.05). The serum levels of sE-selectin, ESR and C-reactive protein (CRP) in RA patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Erythrocyte membrane Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity was significantly lower in the RA group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between soluble E-selectin and ESR (r = 0.457; p < 0.05) and CRP (r = 0.682; p < 0.01) levels. There were statistically significant negative correlations between erythrocyte membrane Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity and ESR (r = -0.450; p < 0.05) and CRP (r = -0.446; p < 0.05) levels. Additionally, a significant negative correlations between sE-selectin and Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity was observed (r = -0.80; p < 0.001). These results show that decreases in erythrocyte membrane Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity and increases in sE-selectin are observed in RA, and that increased levels of sE-selectin may also reflect disease status or activity.     

Immunohistochemical localization of beta1 and beta4 integrins in mouse endometrium during implantation and early pregnancy

Implantation presents the remarkable synchronisation between the development of embryo and differentiation of endometrium. Cell-cell adhesion is an important phenomenon taking place during blastocyst implantation in uterine membrane. We think that the investigation of existence and the level of integrins in women can be a guide for treatment of infertility. Our purpose in this study was to show expression beta1 and beta4 integrins on gestational days 4, 6, 12 by immunohistochemical methods and to investigate whether beta4 integrin is a useful marker for receptivity. beta1 and beta4 integrin were exhibited on surface epithelium on gestational day 4. On the other hand, strong beta4 immunoreactivity was detected on surface epithelium and glandular cells on gestational day 12 but no beta1 reactivity was present in the surface epithelium and glandular cells on day 12. In conclusion, both beta1 and beta4 integrins may have a role in implantation process because positive immunoreactivity was seen on apical membrane of surface epithelium on day 4 when implantation occurred. The localization to apical pole of surface epithelium suggest a role for beta1, beta4 integrins in initial embryo and endometrium interaction. It does not seem that beta1 integrin has a role supporting pregnancy since expression of beta4 on surface epithelium and glandular epithelium disappeared on day 12. beta4 integrin expression increasing on day 12 of pregnancy leads us to think a possible functional role supporting pregnancy.     

Insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene in coronary artery disease in southern Turkey

Genetic factors are important in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion(I)/deletion(D) polymorphism is one of the genetic factor found to be related with CAD. We investigated the association between I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and the presence of CAD. Three hundred and seven patients (187 males and 120 females, aged between 35-80, mean 54.3 +/-9.8 years) who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography were included in the study. ACE I/D polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction. Of the 307, 176 had CAD. The most frequently observed genotype in all subjects was ID (47.9 %). However, in patients with CAD the frequency of II genotype was lower whereas DD genotype was higher compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The number of D allele carrying subjects were also higher (p < 0.05) in CAD patients. The logistic regression analysis indicated that the ACE D allele is an independent risk factor (odds ratio = 1.48, 95 % CI = 1.01-2.18, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the I/D polymorphism of ACE gene (carrying D allele) is an independent risk factor for CAD in the studied Turkish population.     

Immunoblotting analysis of somatic components of Dirofilaria immitis

SDS-PAGE analysis of Dirofilaria immitis extracts demonstrated the complexity of somatic protein component of adult male similar to that of adult female worm. Western blot analysis showed six major peptide bands of 85, 66, 42, 20, 16.2 and 14.5 kDa recognized in the sera of infected dogs. Western blotting sera from dogs with Dirofilaria immitis infection suggest that antigenic components in the low molecular weight region may be related to the anti-parasitic mechanism of the host.     

Structural characterization of lipid A from nontypeable and type f Haemophilus influenzae: variability of fatty acid substitution

Lipid A isolated by mild acid hydrolysis from lipopolysaccharides of 22 nontypeable and 2 type f Haemophilus influenzae strains was investigated using electrospray ionization coupled to quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry. The lengths, positions, and number of acyl chains in the lipid A molecule were determined using multiple-step tandem mass spectrometry (MSn). All of the analyzed strains showed a major lipid A molecule comprising beta-2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose-(1-->6)-alpha-2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose phosphorylated at the C4' and C1 positions. The C2/C2' and C3/C3' positions were substituted by amide-linked and ester-linked 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid chains, respectively. The fatty acid chains on C3' and C2' were further esterified by tetradecanoic acid chains. In all strains, minor amounts of lipid A molecules with different acylation patterns were identified. Thus, structures comprising the hexaacylated lipid A with the C2 or C3 position being substituted by 3-hydroxydecanoic acid, and hexaacylated lipid A with the C3 and C3' positions being substituted by 3-hydroxydodecanoic or dodecanoyloxytetradecanoic acid, respectively, were found. In addition, lipid A with an acetyl group attached to the 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid groups attached to the C2 or C3 position was detected in two nontypeable H. influenzae strains.     

The avian 'prefrontal cortex' and cognition

Both mammals and birds can flexibly organize their behavior over time. In mammals, the mental operations generating this ability are called executive functions and are associated with the prefrontal cortex. The corresponding structure in birds is the nidopallium caudolaterale. Anatomical, neurochemical, electrophysiological and behavioral studies show these structures to be highly similar. The avian forebrain displays no lamination that corresponds to the mammalian neocortex, hence lamination does not seem to be a requirement for higher cognitive functions. Because all other aspects of the neural architecture of the mammalian and the avian prefrontal areas are extremely comparable, the freedom to create different neural architectures that generate prefrontal functions seems to be very limited.