Allyl isothiocyanate attenuates oxidative stress and inflammation by modulating Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB pathways in traumatic brain injury in mice

Molecular Biology Reports - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in young adults and children in the industrialized countries; however, there are presently...     

The involvement of nitric oxide in the analgesic effects of ketamine

We investigated the contribution of NO-cyclic GMP (cGMP) pathway to the antinociceptive effects of ketamine in mice by using the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, nitro(g)- L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Intraperitoneal (i.p.) (1, 5 or 10 mg/kg) or intrathecal (i.th.) (10, 30 or 60 microg/mouse) administration of ketamine produced dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in the acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin tests but not in the tail-flick nor in hot-plate tests. Pretreatment of mice with L-NAME (10 mg/kg, i.p.) which produced no antinociception on its own, significantly inhibited the antinociceptive effect of ketamine (1, 5 or 10 mg/kg, i.p.). However, L-NAME (30 microg/mouse) was given intrathecally, it neither modified the antinociceptive effect of i.th. ketamine (10, 30 or 60 microg/mouse) nor did it produce an antinociceptive effect alone. These data suggest that the activation of the NO-cGMP pathway probably at the supraspinal level, but not spinal level, contributes to the antinociceptive effects of ketamine.     

The tripeptide feG ameliorates systemic inflammatory responses to rat intestinal anaphylaxis

Background  

Food allergies are generally associated with gastrointestinal upset, but in many patients systemic reactions occur. However, the systemic effects of food allergies are poorly understood in experimental animals, which also offer the opportunity to explore the actions of anti-allergic drugs. The tripeptide D-phenylalanine-D-glutamate-Glycine (feG), which potentially alleviates the symptoms of systemic anaphylactic reactions, was tested to determine if it also reduced systemic inflammatory responses provoked by a gastric allergic reaction.     

Effects of coenzyme Q10 on the heart ultrastructure and nitric oxide synthase during hyperthyroidism

Coenzyme Q10 is an important component of mitochondrial electron transport chain and antioxidant. Hyperthyroidism manifests hyperdynamic circulation with increased cardiac output, increased heart rate and decreased peripheral resistance. The heart is also under the oxidative stress in the hyperthyroidism. The aim of this study was to examine both how the coenzyme Q10 can affect heart ultrastructure in the hyperthyroidism and how the relationship between nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and heart damage and coenzyme Q10. Swiss Black C57 mice received 5 mg/kg L-thyroxine. Coenzyme Q10 (1.5 mg/kg) and L-thyroxine together was given to second group mice. Coenzyme Q10 and serum physiologic were applied to another two groups, respectively. All treatments were performed daily for 15 days by gavage. Free triiodothyronine and thyroxine were increased in two groups given L-thyroxine; thyroid-stimulating hormone level did not change. Hyperthyroid heart showed an increased endothelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) immunoreactivity in the tissue. Coenzyme Q10 administration decreased these NOS immunoreactivities in the hyperthyroid animals. Cardiomyocytes of the hyperthyroid animals was characterized by abnormal shape and invaginated nuclei, and degenerative giant mitochondria. Desmosome plaques reduced in density. In hyperthyroid mice given coenzyme Q10, the structural disorganization and mitochondrial damage regressed. However, hearts of healthy mice given coenzyme Q10 displayed normal ultrastructure, except for increased mitochondria and some of them were partially damaged. Coenzyme Q10 increased the glycogen in the cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, coenzyme Q10 administration can prevent the ultrastructural disorganization and decrease the iNOS and eNOS increment in the hyperthyroid heart.     

Distribution of HSV-1 IgG antibodies by two methods comparing in Turkish atopic children

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) is a ubiquitous pathogen. Other than known diseases, HSV-1 may have an important role in the pathogenesis of atopy by causing immortality of th2 cells. From June 1st to July 31st 2006, seventy five blood samples were collected from atopic children referred to the allergy clinic of the hospital. The bloods samples were used to detect HSV-1 IgG antibodies by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Virus Neutralization Test. HSV-1 IgG antibody seroprevalence in atopic children was found high, 62.6% by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and 57.3% by Virus Neutralization Test. Thus Virus Neutralization Test sensitivity was 92.15% and specificity was 100% regarding to the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay technic. Although Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay was more sensitive than Virus Neutralization Test, there was no significant difference between two technics (p > 0.05) in detecting HSV-1 IgG antibodies in serum.     

Genetic impacts of Anacapa deer mice reintroductions following rat eradication

The Anacapa deer mouse is an endemic subspecies that inhabits Anacapa Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, California. We used mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit II gene (COII) and 10 microsatellite loci to evaluate the levels of genetic differentiation and variation in ~1400 Anacapa deer mice sampled before and for 4 years after a black rat (Rattus rattus) eradication campaign that included trapping, captive holding and reintroduction of deer mice. Both mitochondrial and microsatellite analyses indicated significant differentiation between Anacapa deer mice and mainland mice, and genetic variability of mainland mice was significantly higher than Anacapa mice even prior to reintroduction. Bayesian cluster analysis and Principal Coordinates Analysis indicated that East, Middle and West Anacapa mice were genetically differentiated from each other, but translocation of mice among islands resulted in the East population becoming less distinct as a result of management. Levels of heterozygosity were similar before and after management. However, numerous private alleles in the founder populations were not observed after reintroduction and shifts in allele frequencies occurred, indicating that the reintroduced populations experienced substantial genetic drift. Surprisingly, two mitochondrial haplotypes observed in an earlier study of Anacapa deer mice were lost in the 20 years prior to the rat eradication program, leaving only a single haplotype in Anacapa deer mice. This study demonstrates how genetic monitoring can help to understand the re-establishment of endemic species after the eradication of invasive species and to evaluate the effectiveness of the management strategies employed.     

The role of ERp44 in maturation of serotonin transporter protein

In heterologous and endogenous expression systems, we studied the role of ERp44 and its complex partner endoplasmic reticulum (ER) oxidase 1-α (Ero1-Lα) in mechanisms regulating disulfide bond formation for serotonin transporter (SERT), an oligomeric glycoprotein. ERp44 is an ER lumenal chaperone protein that favors the maturation of disulfide-linked oligomeric proteins. ERp44 plays a critical role in the release of proteins from the ER via binding to Ero1-Lα. Mutation in the thioredoxin-like domain hampers the association of ERp44C29S with SERT, which has three Cys residues (Cys-200, Cys-209, and Cys-109) on the second external loop. We further explored the role of the protein chaperones through shRNA knockdown experiments for ERp44 and Ero1-Lα. Those efforts resulted in increased SERT localization to the plasma membrane but decreased serotonin (5-HT) uptake rates, indicating the importance of the ERp44 retention mechanism in the proper maturation of SERT proteins. These data were strongly supported with the data received from the N-biotinylaminoethyl methanethiosulfonate (MTSEA-biotin) labeling of SERT on ERp44 shRNA cells. MTSEA-biotin only interacts with the free Cys residues from the external phase of the plasma membrane. Interestingly, it appears that Cys-200 and Cys-209 of SERT in ERp44-silenced cells are accessible to labeling by MTSEA-biotin. However, in the control cells, these Cys residues are occupied and produced less labeling with MTSEA-biotin. Furthermore, ERp44 preferentially associated with SERT mutants (C200S, C209S, and C109A) when compared with wild type. These interactions with the chaperone may reflect the inability of Cys-200 and Cys-209 SERT mutants to form a disulfide bond and self-association as evidenced by immunoprecipitation assays. Based on these collective findings, we hypothesize that ERp44 together with Ero1-Lα plays an important role in disulfide formation of SERT, which may be a prerequisite step for the assembly of SERT molecules in oligomeric form.     

The combined effects of warming and drying suppress CO2 and N2O emission rates in an alpine meadow of the eastern Tibetan Plateau

The eastern Tibetan Plateau has become increasingly warmer and drier since the 1990s. Such warming and drying has a great impact on ecosystem processes on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. To determine their combined effects on CO₂ and N₂O emission rates, we conducted a field manipulative experiment in an alpine meadow of the eastern Tibetan Plateau during the growing season of 2009. The experiment showed that warming manipulation increased soil temperature by 1?°C, and drying manipulation decreased soil water content by 6.8?%. We found that by counteracting the effect of low temperature in the area, experimental warming significantly increased soil microbial biomass, the number of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, ammonifying bacteria, nitrobacteria and denitrifying bacteria, and facilitated the emission rates of CO₂ and N₂O by 33.4 and 31.5?%, respectively. However, decreased precipitation further aggravated soil water stress and inhibited the numbers of these organisms, and reduced the emission rates of CO₂ and N₂O by 47.4 and 37.9?%, respectively. So decreased soil water content tended to offset the positive effect of warming. Compared to the positive effects of warming, decreased soil water content was shown in our study to have even greater impact on the eastern Tibetan Plateau during the growing season. Therefore, inhibition of CO₂ and N₂O emission rates (32.3 and 29.3?%, respectively) by warming and drying will intensify if the combined effects of these climatic trends persist in the region.     

白马雪山阴坡林线长苞冷杉(Abies georgei)种群结构特征

长苞冷杉（Abies georgei）是青藏高原特有林线树种。对白马雪山阴坡海拔4 400 m以上林线0.8 hm2样地长苞冷杉种群进行每木调查,分析其种群结构、数量特征及空间分布格局。结果表明：(1）结构呈典型金字塔型,幼苗和幼树在种群中所占比重大,表现为增长型种群,种群个体数随径级的增加而减少,密度为幼苗>幼树>成年树;(2）存活曲线接近Deevy-III型,高径级种群趋于稳定,种群具两个死亡高峰,低径级种群尤其幼苗死亡率高达90％,这是林线区的气候条件如低温、强光照、积雪及冬季冻害等综合作用的结果,种群另一死亡高峰出现于V~VI龄级,种内和种间对空间、光照和养分等生存因子的激烈竞争引起自疏,导致死亡率再度上升;(3）长苞冷杉种群各龄级空间点格局在不同尺度上表现为聚集、随机和均匀分布,以聚集分布为主,由于幼苗来源于种子库且依赖成年树的微生境,幼苗聚集强度和尺度都最大;各龄级关系密切,在不同尺度上表现出显著的相关性。     

Monitoring vegetation recovery after China’s May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake using Landsat TM time-series data: a case study in Mao County

The Wenchuan earthquake (Richter scale 8) on 12 May 2008 in southwestern China caused widespread ecosystem damage in the Longmenshan area. It is important to evaluate natural vegetation recovery processes and provide basic information on ecological aspects of the recovering environment after the earthquake. To circumvent the weather limits of remote sensing in the Wenchuan earthquake-hit areas, and to meet the need for regional observation analyses, three Landsat TM images pre- and post-earthquake in Mao County were used for analysis. Post-earthquake normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values were compared to pre-earthquake values with an NDVI-based index differencing method to determine the extent to which the vegetation was damaged in relation to the pre-earthquake pattern, and the rate of recovery was evaluated. The spatial characteristics of vegetation loss and natural recovery patterns were analyzed in relation to elevation, slope and aspect. The results indicated that severely damaged sites occurred mainly in river valleys, within a range of 1,500?C2,500?m elevation and on slopes of 25?C55°. The distance from rivers, rather than the distance from active faults, controls the damage patterns. After 1?year of natural regeneration, 36?% of the destroyed areas showed a decrease in NDVI value, 28.8?% showed very little change, 19.1?% showed an increase, and 16.1?% also increased with a recovery rate greater than 100?%. Moreover, there is a good correlation between recovery rate and both slope and elevation, but recovery patterns in the damaged area are complicated. Our results indicate that natural recovery in this arid valley is a slow process.