Multifocal periventricular leukomalacia in children up to 1 year of life

The authors present an analysis of the multifocal leucoencephalomalacia in children under 1 year of life based on the material obtained from 2.398 autopsies. It was found that 32 autopsied children suffered from this disease (1.33%). Twenty four of these children were premature. The disease was more frequent in the infants (23 cases) than in neonates (9 cases), and in boys (20 cases) than in girls (12 cases). Multifocal leucoenephalomalacia was manifested mainly as spastic infantile paralysis in the majority of the infants (14 cases). Morphological lesions to the brain most frequently embraced white substance adjacent to the cerebral ventricles (foci of leucoencephalomalacia of 1 cm in diameter) and cerebral vessels. Widening of the ventricular system of the brain was seen in 15 cases. Pathological reaction resulted from the brain anoxia and ischemia in perinatal period (20 cases) or septicaemia (12 cases) while predisposing factors included: prematurity, respiratory failure with hyaline membranes in the lungs and congenital abnormalities of the heart.     

DNA degradation at elevated temperatures after plasmid amplification in amino acid-starved Escherichia coli cells

Summary Amino acid starvation of Escherichia coli relA mutants may be used as a method for efficient plasmid DNA amplification. Here we demonstrate DNA degradation which occurs at elevated temperatures (42–43°C) after plasmid amplification in amino acid-starved bacteria. These results may explain the previously described low efficiency of plasmid DNA amplification at elevated temperatures.     

Interconversion of the salicylic acid signal and its glucoside in tobacco

Salicylic acid (SA) has been proposed to play a role in the induction of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins and systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in tobacco. Since SA is rapidly converted to salicylic acid β-glucoside (SAG) in tobacco, we have attempted to assess the role of SAG in pathogenesis by application of chemically synthesized SAG to tobacco leaves. SAG was as active as SA in induction of PR-1 gene expression. This induction was preceded by a transient release of SA, which occurred in the extracellular spaces. The existence of a mechanism that releases SA from SAG suggests a possible role for SAG in SAR.     

Population genetic structure,parasite infection and somatic condition of pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus (Actinopterygii: Centrarchidae) in the Oder river basin

In Poland, distribution of non-native pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus (Centrarchidae) is strictly limited to the Oder river basin, where it was introduced in the early 20th century. Recently, several populations have been found in waterbodies adjacent to the Oder, particularly in its lower reaches. In this study, we compare the genetic relatedness of populations in the Oder basin with other European populations using nuclear (microsatellite) and mitochondrial (partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I; cox1) markers. Microsatellite analysis indicated that four populations in the lower Oder form a separate cluster, while one in the middle Oder clustered with Danubian populations, from where probably having been introduced. Microsatellite data suggested that the lower Oder populations differ from other non-native European populations, making it impossible to estimate the source of introduction. Nevertheless, analysis of cox1 indicated that Oder pumpkinseeds belong to the same haplotype as the vast majority of European populations. Parasitological examination confirmed the presence of two North American species, the monogenean Onchocleidus dispar and trematode Posthodiplostomum centrarchi, in the lower Oder, both previously unknown in the region. Fifteen other parasite species were acquired, including glochidia of invasive Sinanodonta woodiana. In the middle Oder, parasite infection was more limited. Fish from the Gryfino Canal, considered one of the most invasive populations in Europe, showed the highest parasite abundance and diversity, and the highest somatic condition and growth rate due to warm water released from the Dolna Odra power plant. Our results highlight significant differences in somatic condition and parasite infection in long-established non-native pumpkinseed populations in the same river system, reflecting mainly environmental conditions.     

Release of Endocannabinoids into the Cerebrospinal Fluid during the Induction of the Trigemino-Hypoglossal Reflex in Rats

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in pain processing and modulation. Since the specific effects of endocannabinoids within the orofacial area are largely unknown, we aimed to determine whether an increase in the endocannabinoid concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) caused by the peripheral administration of the FAAH inhibitor URB597 and tooth pulp stimulation would affect the transmission of impulses between the sensory and motor centers localized in the vicinity of the third and fourth cerebral ventricles. The study objectives were evaluated on rats using a method that allowed the recording of the amplitude of evoked tongue jerks (ETJ) in response to noxious tooth pulp stimulation and URB597 treatment. The amplitude of ETJ was a measure of the effect of endocannabinoids on the neural structures. The concentrations of the endocannabinoids tested (AEA and 2-AG) were determined in the CSF, along with the expression of the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) in the tissues of the mesencephalon, thalamus, and hypothalamus. We demonstrated that anandamide (AEA), but not 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), was significantly increased in the CSF after treatment with a FAAH inhibitor, while tooth pulp stimulation had no effect on the AEA and 2-AG concentrations in the CSF. We also found positive correlations between the CSF AEA concentration and cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) expression in the brain, and between 2-AG and cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R), and negative correlations between the CSF concentration of AEA and brain CB2R expression, and between 2-AG and CB1R. Our study shows that endogenous AEA, which diffuses through the cerebroventricular ependyma into CSF and exerts a modulatory effect mediated by CB1Rs, alters the properties of neurons in the trigeminal sensory nuclei, interneurons, and motoneurons of the hypoglossal nerve. In addition, our findings may be consistent with the emerging concept that AEA and 2-AG have different regulatory mechanisms because they are involved differently in orofacial pain. We also suggest that FAAH inhibition may offer a therapeutic approach to the treatment of orofacial pain.     

The transient receptor potential family of ion channels

The transient receptor potential (TRP) multigene superfamily encodes integral membrane proteins that function as ion channels. Members of this family are conserved in yeast, invertebrates and vertebrates. The TRP family is subdivided into seven subfamilies: TRPC (canonical), TRPV (vanilloid), TRPM (melastatin), TRPP (polycystin), TRPML (mucolipin), TRPA (ankyrin) and TRPN (NOMPC-like); the latter is found only in invertebrates and fish. TRP ion channels are widely expressed in many different tissues and cell types, where they are involved in diverse physiological processes, such as sensation of different stimuli or ion homeostasis. Most TRPs are non-selective cation channels, only few are highly Ca²⁺ selective, some are even permeable for highly hydrated Mg²⁺ ions. This channel family shows a variety of gating mechanisms, with modes of activation ranging from ligand binding, voltage and changes in temperature to covalent modifications of nucleophilic residues. Activated TRP channels cause depolarization of the cellular membrane, which in turn activates voltage-dependent ion channels, resulting in a change of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration; they serve as gatekeeper for transcellular transport of several cations (such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺), and are required for the function of intracellular organelles (such as endosomes and lysosomes). Because of their function as intracellular Ca²⁺ release channels, they have an important regulatory role in cellular organelles. Mutations in several TRP genes have been implicated in diverse pathological states, including neurodegenerative disorders, skeletal dysplasia, kidney disorders and pain, and ongoing research may help find new therapies for treatments of related diseases.