A biometric study of some hybridizing Crataegus populations in Denmark

Crataegus curvisepala Lindm., C. laevigata (Poiret) DC. and C. monogyna Jacq. (Rosaceae) form hybrid complexes in Denmark due to introgression. C. palmstruchii Lindm. seems to be variously introgressed individuals of C. laevigata. C. eremitagensis Raunk., C. raavadensis Raunk. and C. schumacheri Raunk. apparently belong to C. curvisepala x laevigata. The delimitation between C. curvisepala x laevigata and C. laevigata x monogyna is discussed.     

The effect of yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> red pigment on the expression of cloned human α-synuclein

Two transgenic yeast strains expressing human α-synuclein were used to study the impact of yeast red pigment exhibiting antiamyloid properties. It has been demonstrated that the endogenous red pigment produced under special conditions in strains carrying an ade1 mutation inhibits the expression of the hybrid protein α-synuclein-GFP. This was evident from the reduced mean value of GFP fluorescence and diminished number of cells accumulating cytoplasmic inclusions of α-synuclein-GFP. Exogenous forms of the purified red pigment (natural, synthetic and hydrolyzed derivatives) differ from the endogenous red pigment by their effect on α-synuclein. Exogenous red pigments increased the number of both cells expressing GFP fluorescence and those containing cytoplasmic inclusions. However, both endogenous and exogenous red pigments reduced the cloned α-synuclein toxicity and resulted in redistribution of the α-synuclein in cells. α-Synuclein content decreased in cell lysate pellets and increased in supernatants.     

Effects of alcohol on the major steps of reverse cholesterol transport

The effects of moderate alcohol consumption on the capacity of blood sera to promote acceptance of cholesterol (C) from Fu5AH hepatoma cells, esterification of delivered free C, and transfer of produced cholesteryl esters to apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins have been studied. Twenty male subjects with relatively high (>50 mg/dl, n = 10) and low (<50 mg/dl, n = 10) high density lipoprotein (HDL) C levels consumed for eight weeks red grape wine (0.3 g ethanol/kg body mass per day). Alcohol consumption reduced total C and low density lipoprotein C levels in both groups of subjects. Low HDL C subjects showed an increase in HDL C, apo AI, apo AII, and lipoprotein (Lp) AI particle levels after alcohol consumption. Alcohol did not affect free C efflux from the cells. However, after the following period of substitution of alcohol with an isocaloric amount of red grape juice, cellular C efflux markedly reduced. While lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity increased during alcohol consumption only in subjects with low HDL C, high HDL C subjects showed a significant decrease in cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity. At the same time, alcohol consumption reduced the endogenous C esterification rate and increased the transfer of endogenous cholesteryl esters to apo B-containing lipoproteins in both groups. Thus, alcohol consumption in moderate doses enhanced the anti-atherogenicity of the serum lipoprotein spectrum, supporting more effective C efflux from peripheral cells and transport of accepted C to apo B-containing lipoproteins. The effects of alcohol on the reverse cholesterol transport depend on the initial HDL C level.     

On the history of nuclear matrix manifestation

The nonchromatin proteinous residue of the cell nucleus was revealed in our laboratory as early as in 1948 and then identified by light and electron microscopy as residual nucleoli,intranuclear network and nuclear envelope before 1960,This structure termed afterwards as “nuclear residue“,“nuclear skeleton“,“nuclear cage“,“nuclear carcass“etc.,was much later(in 1974) isolated,studied and entitled as “nuclear matrix“ by Berezney and Coffey,to whom the discovery of this residual structure is often wronly ascribed.The real history of nuclear matrix manifestation is reported in this paper.     

Does urbanization affect selective pressures and life‐history strategies in the common blackbird (Turdus merula L.)?

Urbanization, one of the most extreme land‐use alterations, is currently spreading, and the number of species confronting these changes is increasing. However, contradictory results of previous studies impede a clear interpretation of which selective pressure (nest predation or food limitation) is more important in urban habitats compared with natural situations, and whether birds can confront them by adjusting their life‐history strategies. We investigated life‐history syndromes of three common blackbird (Turdus merula) populations differing in their human influence (urban, rural, and woodland). We analysed daily nest predation and nestling starvation rates to assess the relative importance of these selection pressures in each habitat. Simultaneously, several life‐history traits were investigated to determine if T. merula seem adapted to their main source of selection. Food limitation was more important in the city, whereas nest predation was the most important selective force in the forest. The rural habitat was characterized by an intermediate influence of these two factors. Life‐history syndromes, as the covariation of a suite of traits, confirmed these results because T. merula seem well adapted to the main cause of selection in each habitat. Our results are consistent with urbanization imposing new challenges on birds, and that they adaptively respond to them. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 101 , 759–766.     

Function of the serotoninergic system of the thyrotoxic thyroid

The state of serotoninergic system in thyrotoxic and euthyroid gland were compared. It was shown that in patients with hyperthyroidism (diffuse toxic goiter) serotonin and 5-hydroxytryptophan content, velocity and the latter uptake were augmented. The authors stress the role of the delay in serotonin oxidative deamination as one of the reasons for increased serotonin content in thyrotoxic thyroid gland. Possible ways of increasing intrathyroid serotonin accumulation and its role in the development of thyroid hyperfunction are discussed.     

Spontaneous activation of fish eggs is abolished by protease inhibitors

During spawning, eggs of most fish species entering the aquatic environment remain fertilizable for a relatively short period of time. This is due to the “spontaneous egg activation” giving rise to the fertilization membrane, which prevents the penetration of excessive and foreign sperm into the egg during normal fertilization. This work demonstrates that the fertilization membrane formation and the loss of fertilizability in aqueous solutions of different composition are inhibited by protease inhibitors, in particular, leupeptin and aprotinin. The presence of natural protease inhibitors in the ovarian fluid that prevent spontaneous egg activation is proposed. The decrease in the concentration of these inhibitors as the ovarian fluid is diluted in aquatic medium during spawning can explain egg activation in the absence of sperm.     

Variability of ceftazidime pharmacokinetics in children with suppurative-septic diseases

Marked variability of the ceftazidime pharmacokinetics (Cmax and T1/2) was observed in 3 newborns and 2 infants with purulent septic infections. The patients were under complex treatment in a reanimation unit (artificial pulmonary ventilation, infusions). It was recommended to perform the treatment with monitoring the antibiotic plasma concentrations to prevent the drug failure because of the changes in the distribution and excretion patterns. The use of HPLC for the purpose is advisable.     

Exploring the pharmacokinetic properties of phosphorus-containing selective HDAC 1 and 2 inhibitors (SHI-1:2)

We report the preparation and structure–activity relationships of phosphorus-containing histone deacetylase inhibitors. A strong trend between decreasing phosphorus functional group size and superior mouse pharmacokinetic properties was identified. In addition, optimized candidates showed tumor growth inhibition in xenograft studies.