Spatial distribution of 222Rn concentrations and dose estimations in various waters

In this article, the levels of ²²²Rn concentrations, annual effective doses, and excess lifetime cancer risk estimations were investigated for water samples in the city of Osmaniye, located in the southern part of Turkey. The measurements were conducted using a radon gas analyzer (AlphaGUARD PQ 2000 PRO). The arithmetic average of ²²²Rn concentrations was 0.44 Bq.L^?1 with a geometric standard deviation of 0.19 and geometric average 0.41 Bq.L^?1. The results obtained were compared with the findings of other studies. All measured radon concentrations were below the values recommended by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The associated radiological parameters such as annual effective doses (AED) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) from consumption of these waters were calculated. The computed average annual effective doses for ingestion and inhalation as well as excess lifetime cancer risk were estimated to be 1.13 μSv.y^?1, 1.10 μSv.y^?1, and 3.95 × 10^?6, respectively. ²²²Rn concentration, AED, and ELCR interpolated values of the region were determined and mapped using the Kriging method. The results of radon concentrations in this study provide a data baseline for future studies on subsequent evaluations of possible future environmental contamination of Osmaniye Province.     

Association of cholesteryl ester transfer protein −629C > A polymorphism with high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in coronary artery disease patients

In Turkish population, plasma HDL‐C levels were found to be lower than in any other country and it is suggested that this is associated with genetic origin. The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) ?629C > A polymorphism is associated with lower plasma CETP concentration, with increased HDL‐C level. In the present study, the frequency of ?629C > A polymorphism in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) was investigated and the effect of genotype on HDL‐C was evaluated in a Turkish population. For this aim CETP ?629C > A polymorphism was studied in angiographically documented CAD patients and healthy controls. There was no statistical significance in the distribution of genotypes between patients and controls. Although A allele carriers with CAD had significantly lower HDL‐C levels than controls, plasma lipid levels showed no difference according to the genotypes. Adjustment by a logistic regression model predicting CAD status through HDL‐C and including some risk factors as covariate indicated that the HDL‐C doesn't have a significant association with CAD risk in CA and AA genotype carriers. Smoking, gender and hypertension were the common predictors for the HDL‐C levels in CA and AA carriers. Although HDL‐C appeared to be the only significant predictor of CAD in our study groups, the contribution of CETP ?629C > A polymorphism to the alterations in HDL‐C level appears to be weak to mention a protective effect of this polymorphism for CAD. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicate that the CETP ?629C > A polymorphism is not among the determinants of the coronary artery disease in Turks. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intracellular pH regulation by Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger-1 (NHE1) is required for growth factor-induced mammary branching morphogenesis

Regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) and protection against cytosolic acidification is primarily a function of the ubiquitous plasma membrane Na+/H+exchanger-1 (NHE1), which uses a highly conserved process to transfer cytosolic hydrogen ions (H+) across plasma membranes in exchange for extracellular sodium ions (Na+). Growth factors, which are essential regulators of morphogenesis, have also been found to be key activators of NHE1 exchanger activity; however, the crosstalk between both has not been fully evaluated during organ development. Here we report that mammary branching morphogenesis induced by transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFα) requires PI3K-dependent NHE1-activation and subsequent pHi alkalization. Inhibiting NHE1 activity after TGFα stimulation with 10 μM of the NHE1-specific inhibitor N-Methyl-N-isobutyl Amiloride (MIA) dramatically disrupted branching morphogenesis, induced extensive proliferation, ectopic expression of the epithelial hyper-proliferative marker Keratin-6 and sustained activation of MAPK. Together these findings indicate a novel developmental signaling cascade involving TGFα>PI3K>NHE1>pHi alkalization, which leads to a permissible environment for MAPK negative feedback inhibition and thus regulated mammary branching morphogenesis.     

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on aspiration pneumonia

We have studied whether hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) prevents different pulmonary aspiration materials-induced lung injury in rats. The experiments were designed in 60 Sprague-Dawley rats, ranging in weight from 250 to 300 g, randomly allotted into one of six groups (n = 10): saline control, Biosorb Energy Plus (BIO), hydrochloric acid (HCl), saline + HBO treated, BIO + HBO treated, and HCl + HBO treated. Saline, BIO, HCl were injected into the lungs in a volume of 2 ml/kg. A total of seven HBO sessions were performed at 2,4 atm 100% oxygen for 90 min at 6-h intervals. Seven days later, rats were sacrificed, and both lungs in all groups were examined biochemically and histopathologically. Our findings show that HBO inhibits the inflammatory response reducing significantly (P < 0.05) peribronchial inflammatory cell infiltration, alveolar septal infiltration, alveolar edema, alveolar exudate, alveolar histiocytes, interstitial fibrosis, granuloma, and necrosis formation in different pulmonary aspiration models. Pulmonar aspiration significantly increased the tissue HP content, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased (P < 0.05) the antioxidant enzyme (SOD, GSH-Px) activities. HBO treatment significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the elevated tissue HP content, and MDA levels and prevented inhibition of SOD, and GSH-Px (P < 0.05) enzymes in the tissues. Furthermore, there is a significant reduction in the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase, TUNEL and arise in the expression of surfactant protein D in lung tissue of different pulmonary aspiration models with HBO therapy. It was concluded that HBO treatment might be beneficial in lung injury, therefore, shows potential for clinical use.     

The abelson tyrosine kinase (c-Abl) expression on the mouse uterus and placenta during gestational period

c-Abl is a protein tyrosine kinase which has very important roles in signal transduction, control of the cell cycle, cell motility, proliferation, and inhibition of apoptosis. We hypothesized that c-Abl may play an important role on uterine remodeling during pre-receptive, receptive and non-receptive endometrium. Our aim is to investigate the expression of c-Abl protein tyrosine kinase in uterine remodeling and placental development in mouse gestational stage. We performed c-Abl immunohistochemistry on mouse uterine tissue sections on days 1–9, 11, 13, and 15 of pregnancy. c-Abl was highly upregulated in the uterine luminal epithelium and other endometrial structures including glands and blood vessels in pre-receptive and receptive endometrium. Therefore these results demonstrate a role for c-Abl in uterine remodeling during decidualization, implantation, and placentation throughout gestation.     

Contributions of root uptake and remobilization to grain zinc accumulation in wheat depending on post-anthesis zinc availability and nitrogen nutrition

Background and aims

Whether root Zn uptake during grain filling or remobilization from pre-anthesis Zn stores contributes more to grain Zn in wheat is subject to an on-going debate. This study investigated the effects of N nutrition and post-anthesis Zn availability on the relative importance of these sources.

Methods

Durum wheat plants were grown in nutrient solution containing adequate Zn (0.5?μM) and three different N levels (0.5; 1.5; 4.5?mM). One third of the plants were harvested when they reached anthesis. One half of the remaining plants were grown to maturity with adequate Zn, whereas the Zn supply to the other half was discontinued at anthesis. Roots, straw and grains were harvested separately and analyzed for Zn and N.

Results

Depending on the N supply, Zn remobilization from pre-anthesis sources provided almost all of grain Zn when the Zn supply was withheld at anthesis; otherwise up to 100?% of grain Zn could be accounted for by Zn taken up post-anthesis. By promoting tillering and grain yield and extending the grain filling, higher N supply favored the contribution of Zn uptake to grain Zn accumulation.

Conclusion

Remobilization is critical for grain Zn accumulation when Zn availability is restricted during grain filling. However, where root uptake can continue, concurrent Zn uptake during grain development, favored by higher N supply, overshadows net remobilization.     

Biomechanical correlates of symptomatic and asymptomatic neurophysiological impairment in high school football

Concussion is a growing public health issue in the United States, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is the chief long-term concern linked to repeated concussions. Recently, attention has shifted toward subconcussive blows and the role they may play in the development of CTE. We recruited a cohort of high school football players for two seasons of observation. Acceleration sensors were placed in the helmets, and all contact activity was monitored. Pre-season computer-based neuropsychological tests and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) tests were also obtained in order to assess cognitive and neurophysiological health. In-season follow-up scans were then obtained both from individuals who had sustained a clinically-diagnosed concussion and those who had not. These changes were then related through stepwise regression to history of blows recorded throughout the football season up to the date of the scan. In addition to those subjects who had sustained a concussion, a substantial portion of our cohort who did not sustain concussions showed significant neurophysiological changes. Stepwise regression indicated significant relationships between the number of blows sustained by a subject and the ensuing neurophysiological change. Our findings reinforce the hypothesis that the effects of repetitive blows to the head are cumulative and that repeated exposure to subconcussive blows is connected to pathologically altered neurophysiology.     

Effect of iron ions (Fe<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript>) on the formation and structure of aerobic granular sludge

Aerobic granulation is a promising technology for wastewater treatment, but problems regarding its formation and stability need to be solved. Divalent metal ions, especially Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺, have been demonstrated to play an important role in the process of aerobic granulation. Here, we studied whether iron ions can affect aerobic granulation. Granular sludge formed without iron ion addition (<0.02 mg Fe²⁺ L^?1) was fluffy and had a finger-type structure and filamentous out-growth. The addition of iron ions to concentrations of 1 and 10 mg Fe²⁺ L^?1 repressed the finger-type structure and filamentous out-growth. The results show that chemical precipitation in the granules with iron ion addition was higher than that in the granules without ferrous addition. The amount of precipitates was higher inside the granules than outside. This study demonstrates that iron ions (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺) increase the size and stability of aerobic granular sludge but do not affect the granulation time, which is the time that the first granular sludge is observed. The study shows that aerobic granular sludge technology can be confidently applied to actual wastewater containing a high concentration of iron compounds.     

Localization of vascular endothelial growth factor in the zona pellucida of developing ovarian follicles in the rat: a possible role in destiny of follicles

There is increasing evidence that in many species angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), may have important roles in folliculogenesis. The aim of this study is to determine the localization of VEGF and its receptors, Flt-1 and KDR, and bFGF expression in the rat ovary and to evaluate their distributions throughout the different follicular stages. Out of 20 virginal female rats, 10 were studied during the natural ovarian cycle without any ovulation induction. The other 10 were superovulated and their ovaries were studied by western analysis and immunohistochemistry. Granulosa cells (GC) and oocytes of primordial follicles were negative for VEGF. In early primary follicles, VEGF was present in the oocyte but its immunoreactivity was weak, while newly developing zona pellucida (ZP) of primary follicles was negative for VEGF. Subsequently, with the commencement of antral spaces between GC of the secondary follicle, ZP of some secondary follicles became strongly positive for VEGF, forming a continuous ring around the oocyte. In preovulatory mature follicles granulosa and theca interna (TI) cells showed a weak immunoreactivity for VEGF. Western blot analyses have also demonstrated that VEGF, a 26-kDa protein, was present in follicles. Moreover, in ovulated cumulus–oocyte complex we observed a halo-like immunoreactivity of VEGF around the fully mature oocyte. The immunoreactivity for Flt-1 and KDR receptors in growing follicles was mostly limited to GC and TI cells. Anti-bFGF did not exhibit any immunoreactivity in ZP of follicles at any stage. Its expression was weak in GC of the follicles at different stages, whereas, it could be localized to some extent in the blood capillaries of TI of antral follicles and in blood vessels localized in the stroma. Interestingly, VEGF immunoreactivity in the ZP of some secondary follicles is very striking. Accordingly, the possibility that VEGF may be an important regulatory molecule for the dominant follicle selection or atresia should be considered.