Cytokine secretion by decidual lymphocytes in transient hypertension of pregnancy and pre-eclampsia

BACKGROUND: Transient hypertension (TH) and preeclampsia (PE) are believed to have different pathophysiology. However, 15-25% of pregnant women initially diagnosed as having TH develop PE. To clarify the immuno-pathogenetical connections between the two syndromes, we studied the pattern of T helper cell (Th)1/Th2 cytokine balance disturbances existing inside maternal decidua in normal pregnancy (NP) and pregnancies complicated with TH and PE. METHODS: Third-trimester decidual tissue was obtained by curettage of uterine cavity during elective caesarean sections in NP (n = 11), TH (n = 17) and PE (n = 21) patients. Cell suspensions were prepared by an electromechanical dispersal method and centrifugated using a standard gradient sedimentation technique. Isolated lymphocytes were placed in medium (RPMI 1640, 10% fetal calf serum, L-glutamine, penicillin, streptomycin) and cultured for 72 h with or without mitogen phytohaemaglutinine (PHA). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used for estimation of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in culture supernatant. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The Kruskal-Wallis and the Mann-Whitney U tests were used (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Both spontaneous and PHA-stimulated secretion of Th2-type cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 was decreased in PE patients compared with TH and NP patients. The concentration of Th1-type cytokine IFN-gamma was increased in patients suffering both from TH and PE. CONCLUSION: On the base of decidual cytokine secretion, both PE and TH are syndromes of local Th1/Th2 cytokine balance disturbances as compared with NP, and TH seems to be an intermediate step to PE.     

In vivo spin trapping of nitric oxide from animal tumors.

Spin trapping/electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy allows specific detection of nitric oxide (NO) generation, in vivo. However, in order to detect an EPR signal in living organism, usually a stimulation of immune system with LPS is used to achieve higher than physiological NO levels. Here, we report non-invasive spin trapping of NO in tumors of non-treated, living animals. EPR spectroscopy was performed at S-band to detect NO in Cloudman S91 melanoma tumors growing in the tail of living, syngeneic hosts-DBA/2 mice. Iron (II) N-(dithiocarboxy)sarcosine Fe2+(DTCS)(2) was used as the spin trap. The results were confirmed by X-band ex vivo study. A characteristic three-line spectrum of NO-Fe(DTCS)(2) (A(N)=13 G) was observed (n=4, out of total n=6) in non-treated tumors and in tumors of animals treated with l-arginine. Substrate availability did not limit the detection of NO by spin trapping. Half-life time of the NO-Fe(DTCS)(2) in tumor tissue was about 60 min. The feasibility of non-invasive spin trapping/EPR spectroscopic detection of NO generated in tumor tissue in living animals, without additional activation of the immune system, was demonstrated for the first time.     

An environmental life cycle assessment of forklift operation: a well-to-wheel analysis

Purpose

Among the many publications on the environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) of transport, there are only a few examples of works dedicated to means of internal transport. For this reason, it was decided to gather energy-oriented inventory data and to assess the environmental impact related to the operation of selected forklift trucks, as the most commonly used means of internal transport. This paper presents the main assumptions and the results in relation to the four phases of LCA: the goal and scope definition, the life cycle inventory, the life cycle impact assessment results, and the interpretation.

Methods

Ten forklifts with different engines were selected in order to carry out the life cycle assessment study. The research was based on the results of measuring the operating fuel consumption and exhaust gas emissions, conducted using the SEMTECH-DS mobile device from the PEMS group of devices. In order to make the measurements under a circumstance close to the real conditions of forklift exploitation, it was decided to slightly modify the operating cycle proposed in VDI 2198. The environmental impact of the fuel/electricity usage and exhaust gas emissions was assessed using the ISO 14040x guidelines and the IMPACT 2002+ method.

Results and discussion

The study showed that using an electric forklift to transport 1 t of payload over a distance of 1 km has a significantly smaller environmental impact than using one of the selected forklifts powered by an internal combustion engine. Using forklifts powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engines leads to a significantly higher environmental impact whilst the use of vehicles with diesel engines has an impact at a level several times lower. In a case of drives without load, where functional unit was defined as covering 1-km distance with no vehicle load, a lower impact for the electric vehicles was also obtained. The analysis includes the influences of the upstream processes of fuel and electrical energy production.

Conclusions

Even when Poland’s production scenario (based almost entirely on fossil fuels) is taken into consideration, the electric forklifts still show a clear advantage. It should be expected that, if the technological mix of electrical energy production for countries with a higher share of renewable or nuclear energy were to be taken into account, the environmental indicators for electric vehicles would be even lower. It is worth noting that only the energy aspects of forklift operation were analysed. Further studies aiming to collect inventory data relating to other exploitation aspects, as well as the production and utilization of the same vehicles, are planned as a continuation of this research.

     

Atomic resolution crystal structure of HV‐BBI protease inhibitor from amphibian skin in complex with bovine trypsin

Protease inhibitors of the Bowman‐Birk (BBI) family are commonly found in plants and animals where they play a protective role against invading pathogens. Here, we report an atomic resolution (1Å) crystal structure of a peptide inhibitor isolated from a skin secretion of a Chinese bamboo odorous frog Huia versabilis (HV‐BBI) in complex with trypsin. HV‐BBI shares significant similarities in sequence with a previously described inhibitor from a diskless‐fingered odorous frog Odorrana graham (ORB). However, the latter is characterized by more than a 16,000 fold higher K_i against trypsin than HV‐BBI. Comparative analysis of trypsin cocrystal structures of HV‐BBI and ORB and additionally that of Sunflower Trypsin Inhibitor (SFTI‐1) together with accessory information on the affinities of inhibitor variants allowed us to pinpoint the inhibitor moiety responsible for the observed large difference in activity and also to define the extent of modifications permissible within the common protease‐binding loop scaffold of BBI inhibitors. We suggest that modifications outside of the inhibitory loop permit the evolution of specificity toward different enzymes characterized by trypsin‐like specificity. Proteins 2015; 83:582–589. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The plasma concentration of advanced oxidation protein products and arterial stiffness in apparently healthy adults

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) are markers of oxidative stress and mediators of inflammation. Increased arterial stiffness is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between an indirect marker of arterial stiffness and the AOPP level in apparently healthy individuals. METHODS AND RESULTS: Arterial stiffness was estimated with the use of the stiffness index (SI(DVP)) which significantly correlated with age, mean blood pressure, body fat content and AOPP. The SI(DVP) was associated with AOPP concentration in both single (R = 0.22, p = 0.03) and multiple regression models adjusted for age, sex, mean blood pressure and body fat content (R(2) = 42%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The AOPP concentration is elevated in healthy people with increased values of stiffness index. This finding supports the concept that oxidative stress may contribute to arterial stiffening in humans.     

The metabolic activity of denitrifying microorganisms accumulating polyphosphate in response to addition of fusel oil

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - The effect of distillery waste product (fusel oil) as an alternative external organic carbon source (EOCS) was investigated in terms of the metabolic...