Induced movements of giant vesicles by millimeter wave radiation

Our previous study of interaction between low intensity radiation at 53.37 GHz and cell-size system – such as giant vesicles – indicated that a vectorial movement of vesicles was induced. This effect among others, i.e. elongation, induced diffusion of fluorescent dye di-8-ANEPPS, and increased attractions between vesicles was attributed to the action of the field on charged and dipolar residues located at the membrane–water interface. In an attempt to improve the understanding on how millimeter wave radiation (MMW) can induce this movement we report here a real time evaluation of changes induced on the movement of giant vesicles. Direct optical observations of vesicles subjected to irradiation enabled the monitoring in real time of the response of vesicles. Changes of the direction of vesicle movement are demonstrated, which occur only during irradiation with a “switch on” of the effect. This MMW-induced effect was observed at a larger extent on giant vesicles prepared with negatively charged phospholipids. The monitoring of induced-by-irradiation temperature variation and numerical dosimetry indicate that the observed effects in vesicle movement cannot be attributed to local heating.     

Intermediate conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channel (KCa3.1) in the inner mitochondrial membrane of human colon cancer cells

Patch–clamping mitoplasts isolated from human colon carcinoma 116 cells has allowed the identification and characterization of the intermediate conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺-selective channel K_Ca3.1, previously studied only in the plasma membrane of various cell types. Its identity has been established by its biophysical and pharmacological properties. Its localisation in the inner membrane of mitochondria is indicated by Western blots of subcellular fractions, by recording of its activity in mitochondria made fluorescent by a mitochondria-targeted fluorescent protein and by the co-presence of channels considered to be markers of the inner membrane. Moderate increases of mitochondrial matrix [Ca²⁺] will cause mtK_Ca3.1 opening, thus linking inner membrane K⁺ permeability and transmembrane potential to Ca²⁺ signalling.     

Sampling bias and model choice in continuous phylogeography: Getting lost on a random walk

Phylogeographic inference allows reconstruction of past geographical spread of pathogens or living organisms by integrating genetic and geographic data. A popular model in continuous phylogeography—with location data provided in the form of latitude and longitude coordinates—describes spread as a Brownian motion (Brownian Motion Phylogeography, BMP) in continuous space and time, akin to similar models of continuous trait evolution. Here, we show that reconstructions using this model can be strongly affected by sampling biases, such as the lack of sampling from certain areas. As an attempt to reduce the effects of sampling bias on BMP, we consider the addition of sequence-free samples from under-sampled areas. While this approach alleviates the effects of sampling bias, in most scenarios this will not be a viable option due to the need for prior knowledge of an outbreak’s spatial distribution. We therefore consider an alternative model, the spatial Λ-Fleming-Viot process (ΛFV), which has recently gained popularity in population genetics. Despite the ΛFV’s robustness to sampling biases, we find that the different assumptions of the ΛFV and BMP models result in different applicabilities, with the ΛFV being more appropriate for scenarios of endemic spread, and BMP being more appropriate for recent outbreaks or colonizations.     

Metabolic syndrome,Mediterranean diet,and polyphenols: Evidence and perspectives

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as the co-occurrence of metabolic risk factors that includes insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and visceral obesity. The clinical significance of MetS consists of identifying a subgroup of patients sharing a common physiopathological state predisposing to chronic diseases. Clinical and scientific studies pinpoint lifestyle modification as an effective strategy aiming to reduce several features accountable for the risk of MetS onset. Among the healthy dietary patterns, the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) emerges in terms of beneficial properties associated with longevity. Current evidence highlights the protective effect exerted by MedDiet on the different components of MetS. Interestingly, the effect exerted by polyphenols contained within the representative MedDiet components (i.e., olive oil, red wine, and nuts) seems to be accountable for the beneficial properties associated to this dietary pattern. In this review, we aim to summarize the principal evidence regarding the effectiveness of MedDiet–polyphenols in preventing or delaying the physiopathological components accountable for MetS onset. These findings may provide useful insights concerning the health properties of MedDiet–polyphenols as well as the novel targets destined to a tailored approach to MetS.     

The properties of the mitochondrial megachannel in mitoplasts from human colon carcinoma cells are not influenced by Bax

This paper explores the relationship between Bax and the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP). Isolated human colon tumor (HCT116) Bax- mitochondria exposed to recombinant Bax exhibited a slow, cyclosporin A-sensitive swelling, but only at [Bax]>200 nM. The amount of Bax incorporated was much higher than that found in organelles isolated from HCT116 Bax+ staurosporine- or etoposide-treated apoptotic cells, casting doubts on the significance of the putative PT induction for apoptosis. Bax did not influence the electrophysiological properties of an approximately 1 nS channel ascribed to the Ca2+-dependent mitochondrial permeability transition pore. These observations indicate that the PTP is independent of Bax.     

Safety of Daily Co-Trimoxazole in Pregnancy in an Area of Changing Malaria Epidemiology: A Phase 3b Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Introduction

Antibiotic therapy during pregnancy may be beneficial and impacts positively on the reduction of adverse pregnancy outcomes. No studies have been done so far on the effects of daily Co-trimoxazole (CTX) prophylaxis on birth outcomes. A phase 3b randomized trial was conducted to establish that daily CTX in pregnancy is not inferior to SP intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) in reducing placental malaria; preventing peripheral parasitaemia; preventing perinatal mortality and also improving birth weight. To establish its safety on the offspring by measuring the gestational age and birth weight at delivery, and compare the safety and efficacy profile of CTX to that of SP.

Methods

Pregnant women (HIV infected and uninfected) attending antenatal clinic were randomized to receive either daily CTX or sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine as per routine IPT. Safety was assessed using standard and pregnancy specific measurements. Women were followed up monthly until delivery and then with their offspring up to six weeks after delivery.

Results

Data from 346 pregnant women (CTX = 190; SP = 156) and 311 newborns (CTX = 166 and SP = 145) showed that preterm deliveries (CTX 3.6%; SP 3.0%); still births (CTX 3.0%; SP 2.1%), neonatal deaths (CTX 0%; SP 1.4%), and spontaneous abortions (CTX 0.6%; SP 0%) were similar between study arms. The low birth weight rates were 9% for CTX and 13% for SP. There were no birth defects reported. Both drug exposure groups had full term deliveries with similar birth weights (mean of 3.1 Kg). The incidence and severity of AEs in the two groups were comparable.

Conclusion

Exposure to daily CTX in pregnancy may not be associated with particular safety risks in terms of birth outcomes such as preterm deliveries, still births, neonatal deaths and spontaneous abortions compared to SP. However, more data are required on CTX use in pregnant women both among HIV infected and un-infected individuals.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00711906","term_id":"NCT00711906"}}NCT00711906.     

Ferredoxin activation by rhodanese

Rhodanese was extracted from Brassica oleracea leaves and purified 150-fold. The enzyme was shown to have optimum activity at pH 8-8.5 and a temperature range of 50-55°; a K_m of 0.4 mM at 30° for thiosulphate and cyanide. and mol. wt around 32000. The electrophoretically pure enzyme is able to produce the biological and spectral properties of ferredoxin when added to apoferredoxin in the presence of thiosulphate.     

Significance of Automatically Detected Word Recurrences in Dream Associations

Verbal data files including dream reports and associations with the report items were subjected to automatic analysis aiming at the recognition of word recurrences. The research was based on the following assumptions: the associations can provide information about the dream sources; the recognition of word recurrences in text files can be a useful tool for the study of dreaming; the identification of links between different dream sources can provide an interesting insight into the phenomenon of dreaming. The principal result obtained was that word recurrences often evidence possible significant links between dream sources. A number of the possible links evidenced by the automatic analysis not only escaped the subject's notice, but might also be unexpected for an analyzer not assisted by a computer.     

Inhibition of D1, D2, and a cyclin expression in HL-60 cells by the lipid peroxydation product 4-hydroxynonenal

4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE), a product of lipid peroxidation, is an highly reactive aldehyde that, at concentration similar to those found in normal cells, blocks proliferation and induces a granulocytic-like differentiation in HL-60 cells. These effects are accompained by a marked increase in the proportion G0/G1 cells. The mechanisms of HNE action were investigated by analyzing the expression of the cyclins and cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs), controlling the cell cycle progression. Data obtained by exposing cells to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were used for comparison. 4-Hydroxynonenal downregulated both mRNA and protein contents of cyclins D1, D2, and A until 24 h from the treatments, whereas DMSO inhibited cyclin D1 and D2 expression until the end of experiment (2 days) and induces an increase of cyclin A until 1 day. Cyclins B and E, and protein kinase CDK2 and CDK4 expressions were not affected by HNE, whereas DMSO induced an increase of cyclin E, B, and CDK2 from 8 h to 1 day. These data are in agreement with previous results indicating a different time-course of accumulation in G0/G1 phases of cells treated with HNE and DMSO and suggest that the HNE inhibitory effect on proliferation and cell cycle progression may depend by the downregulation of D1, D2, and A cyclin expression.