Fresh and cryopreserved amniotic membrane secrete the trefoil factor family peptide 3 that is well known to promote wound healing

Amniotic membrane (AM) is often used for the treatment of ocular surface ulcerations and other corneal defects. Trefoil factor family (TFF) peptide 3 is produced by conjunctival goblet cells, participates in tear film physiology and has also been shown to be involved in ocular surface restitution after corneal injury. In the present study, we questioned whether AM also might be a source of TFF3 and if yes whether the secretion rate of TFF3 is changed by proinflammatory cytokines or by cryoconservation of AM. By means of RT-PCR, the mRNA expression of all three known TFF peptides could be detected in AM. Immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded sections localized TFF3 protein and also TFF2 in AM cells and Western blot analysis revealed TFF3 protein in AM. Stimulation experiments with proinflammatory cytokines and subsequent TFF3 ELISA measurements revealed that the secretion rate of fresh or cryoconserved AM was not significantly changed. The results indicate that TFF peptides are produced by AM. TFF3 may contribute to ocular surface wound healing after AM transplantation, but its production by AM is not further inducible by proinflammatory stimuli. Cryopreservation has no effect on the secretion rate of TFF3 supporting the use of cryopreserved AM for transplantation.     

Geographical variation in the influence of density dependence and climate on the recruitment of Norwegian moose

The effects of variation in climate on population dynamics are likely to differ within the distributional range of a species, yet the consequences of such regional variation on demography and population dynamics are rarely considered. Here we examine how density dependence and different climate variables affect spatio-temporal variation in recruitment rates of Norwegian moose using data collected over a large geographical area during the hunting season. After accounting for observation error by a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo technique, temporal variation in recruitment rates was relatively independent of fluctuations in local population size. In fact, a positive relationship was as common as a density-dependent decrease in fecundity rates. In general, high recruitment rates were found during autumn 1 year after years with a warm February, and after a warm May or cold June in year t − 1 or in year t. Large regional variation was also found in the effects of some of the weather variables, especially during spring. These patterns demonstrate both direct and delayed effects of weather on the recruitment of moose that possibly operate through an effect of body mass on the proportion of the females that sexually mature as 1.5 or 2.5 years old.     

Investigation of ash deposition in a pilot-scale fluidized bed combustor co-firing biomass with lignite

This study presents the results from investigation of ash deposition characteristics of a high ash and sulfur content lignite co-fired with three types of biomass (olive residue, 49 wt%; hazelnut shell, 42 wt%; and cotton residue, 41 wt%) in 0.3 MW(t) Middle East Technical University (METU) Atmospheric Bubbling Fluidized Bed Combustion (ABFBC) Test Rig. Deposit samples were collected on an air-cooled probe at a temperature of 500 degrees C. Samples were analyzed by SEM/EDX and XRD methods. The results reveal that co-firing lignite with olive residue, hazelnut shell and cotton residue show low deposition rates. High concentrations of silicon, calcium, sulfur, iron, and aluminum were found in deposit samples. No chlorine was detected in deposits. Calcium sulfate and potassium sulfate were detected as major and minor components of the deposits, respectively. High sulfur and alumina-silicate content of lignite resulted in formation of alkali sulfates instead of alkali chlorides. Therefore, fuel blends under consideration can be denoted to have low-fouling propensity.     

Participation of phospholipase D and alpha/beta-protein kinase C in growth factor-induced signalling in C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts

We have studied phospholipase D (PLD) activation in relation to protein kinase C (PKC) and the involvement of PLD in extracellularly regulated kinase 1 (MAPK) (ERK1) activation and c-fos mRNA expression in C3H/10T1/2 (Cl8) fibroblasts. In these cells, the PLD activity was significantly increased by porcine platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). PLD activation by PDGF-BB and PMA, but not EGF, was inhibited in Cl8 cells expressing the HAbetaC2-1 peptide (Cl8 HAbetaC2-1 cells), with a sequence (betaC2-1) shown to bind receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) and inhibit c-PKC-mediated cell functions [Science 268 (1995) 247]. A role of alpha-PKC in PLD activation is further underscored by co-immunoprecipitation of alpha-PKC with PLD1 and PLD2 in non-stimulated as well as PMA- and PDGF-BB-stimulated Cl8 cells. However, only PKC in PLD1 precipitates was activated by these agonists, while the PKC in the PLD2 precipitates was constitutively activated. The c-fos mRNA levels in Cl8 cells increased more than 30-fold in response to either PDGF-BB, EGF, or PMA. Approximately 60% inhibition of this increase in c-fos mRNA levels was observed in Cl8 HAbetaC2-1 cells. Formation of phosphatidylbutanol (PtdBut) at the expense of phosphatidic acid (PtdH) in the presence of n-butanol inhibited ERK1 activation and c-fos mRNA expression in PDGF-BB-treated Cl8 cells. ERK activation by PMA was unaffected by n-butanol in Cl8 cells but almost abolished by n-butanol in Cl8 HAbetaC2-1 cells, showing that ERK activation by PMA is heavily dependent on PKC and PLD1. In contrast, ERK activation by EGF in both cell types was not sensitive to n-butanol. These results indicate (1) a role of a functional interaction between the RACK1 scaffolding protein and a alphaPKC-PLD complex for achieving full PLD activity in PDGF-BB- and PMA-stimulated Cl8 cells; (2) PLD-mediated PtdH formation is needed for optimal ERK1 activation by PDGF-BB and maximal increase in c-fos mRNA expression. These findings place PLD as an important component in PDGF-BB- and PMA-stimulated intracellular signalling leading to gene activation in Cl8 cells, while EGF does not require PLD.     

Choline derived from the phosphatidylcholine specific phospholipase D is not directly available for the CDP choline pathway in phorbol ester- treated C3H10T1/2 C18 fibroblasts

We have shown that 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) increases protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated choline transport, incorporation of choline into phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) and PtdCho degradation by phospholipase D (PLD) in C3H10T1/2 Cl 8 cells. Dual prelabeling experiment using [³H]/[¹⁴C]choline indicated that intracellular choline generated from the PLD reaction was not directly recycled to PtdCho synthesis within the cell, and that a large fraction of the choline was transported out of the TPA-treated cells. In contrast, medium derived choline was preferably channeled to PtdCho synthesis. These results indicate that in TPA-treated cells, the choline derived from the PKC-mediated increased PLD activity and the choline newly taken up by the cell behave as two distinctly different metabolic pools.     

Can sunspot activity and ultraviolet-B radiation explain cyclic outbreaks of forest moth pest species?

Cyclic outbreaks of forest moth pest species have long remained a puzzle for foresters and ecologists. This paper presents time-series exhibiting a strong negative relationship between sunspot numbers and population indices of autumnal and winter moths, both in a mountain birch forest in central Norway and in a mixed lowland forest in southern Norway. In the latter area, also the population level of a moth species feeding entirely on lichens was negatively related to sunspot numbers. Low sunspot activity leads to a thinner ozone layer and thus higher surface ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation. As winter moth larvae prefer leaves subjected to enhanced UV-B radiation, we suggest that the causal relationship between sunspots and moths is that the metabolic costs of producing UV-B-protective pigments during periods of low sunspot activity reduce trees' and lichens' resistance to herbivores, and thus increase the survival of moth larvae. Higher peak densities of moth cycles in mountain forests could be explained by the general higher UV-B radiation at higher altitudes.     

The First Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from Eucalyptus Trees in South Aegean and Mediterranean Regions of Anatolia in Turkey despite Taurus Mountains alkalinity

Between April 2001 and April 2002 were studied 106 women with a clinical diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis seen at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Ambulatory of the Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Goiás. The patients were assessed on two occasions, before starting treatment with itraconazole or fluconazole (initial visit) and 14 days after treatment (return). At two visits the signs and symptoms were recorded and vaginal secretion was collected. According to the clinical evaluation, itraconazole was effective in 64.3%, while fluconazole was effective in 71.0% of the patients. The mycological cure rates (negative culture) in the return were 64.3% for the patients treated with itraconazole and 78.9% for the patients treated with fluconazole. The MICs of itraconazole and fluconazole for 80 Candida isolates were determined by Etest method. We investigated the correlation between in vitro susceptibility (Susceptible, Susceptibility Depending Dose and Resistant) to itraconazole and fluconazole with clinical outcome of the patients. The success rates were 63.9% for itraconazole and 90.6% for fluconazole in the susceptible category, 100.0% for both drugs in the susceptible dose dependent category, and 0.0% for both drugs in the resistant category. Our results showed there were a positive correlation between in vitro susceptibility test results with clinical outcome in vaginal Candida infections and that both drugs might be one choice in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.     

Serum levels of soluble P-selectin are increased and associated with disease activity in patients with Behçet's syndrome

Beh?et's syndrome (BS) is a relapsing, chronic, inflammatory disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction, atherothromboembogenesis, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis with complex immunologic molecular interactions. Generalized derangements of the lymphocyte and neutrophil populations, activated monocytes, and increased PMNLs motility with upregulated cell surface molecules such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin, which are found on the endothelial cells, leukocytes, and platelets, have all been demonstrated during the course of BS. Our aim is to investigate the association of serum concentrations of soluble P-selectin in patients with BS, and to evaluate whether disease activity has an effect on their blood levels. This multicenter study included 31 patients with BS (15 men and 16 women) and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy control volunteers (11 men and nine women). Neutrophil count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and acute-phase reactants as well as soluble P-selectin levels were determined. The mean age and sex distributions were similar (P > .05) between BS patients (35 years) and control volunteers (36 years). Serum levels of soluble P-selectin in patients with BS (399 +/- 72 ng/mL) were significantly (P < .001) higher when compared with control subjects (164 +/- 40 ng/mL). In addition, active BS patients (453 +/- 37 ng/mL) had significantly (P < .001) elevated levels of soluble P-selectin than those in inactive period (341 +/- 52 ng/mL). This study clearly demonstrated that serum soluble P-selectin levels are increased in BS patients when compared with control subjects, suggesting a modulator role for soluble P-selectin during the course of platelet activation and therefore, atherothrombogenesis formation in BS, especially in active disease.