Distribution and altitudinal structuring of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in southern Anatolia, Turkey: their relation to human cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The two Old World genera, Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia, were both recorded in southern Anatolia in Turkey. Phlebotomus species predominated and comprised about 93% of the entire collection (3,172 specimens). Out of the sixteen species identified, two belonged to the genus Sergentomyia: S. dentata and S. theodori. The remaining fourteen species in the genus Phlebotomus were grouped under four subgenera including some species that are elsewhere known to act as vectors of human cutaneous leishmaniasis. Most of the Phlebotomus were P. tobbi (32.5%), but P. papatasi, P. transcaucasicus, P. halepensis, P. galilaeus, P. sergenti, P. syriacus, P. neglectus, P. simici, P. alexandri, P. similis, P jacusieli, P. perfiliewi, and P. brevis were also identified. There were two associations of sand fly fauna with altitudinal gradient; the first one at relatively higher altitudes and the second one at lower altitudes. The transition between these two assemblages was within the range of 800-1,000 m. It is likely that Adana and Hatay provinces are transitional areas between western and eastern Anatolia. Mountains do not appear to be important geographical barriers for sand fly distribution. We also found that the proven vector P. sergenti is a widely distributed species throughout southern Anatolia and this species, together with its closely related species P. similis, shows sympatry in Konya Province.     

A Novel Glial Growth Inhibitory Factor, Gliostatin, Derived from Neurofibroma

Neurofibroma tissue was investigated for the presence of glial growth modulators that would suppress the proliferation of glial cells. A novel endogenous polypeptide inhibitor of proliferation and DNA synthesis in glial cells, gliostatin, was purified from the extracts of neurofibroma by a procedure comprising dye and anion-exchange column chromatography, and HPLC. A monoclonal antibody raised against partially purified gliostatin showed no cross-reactivity with known cytokines, but adsorbed the growth inhibitory activity of gliostatin and immunochemically visualized the putative gliostatin bands on western blot analyses. Although the product showed an apparent M(r) of 100,000 accompanied by an inhibitory activity on gel filtration column chromatography, it migrated at a lower apparent M(r) of 50,000 under the reducing conditions on western blotting, indicating that a homodimeric structure of native gliostatin consisted of 50-kDa subcomponents. Gliostatin was a potent growth inhibitor acting at nanomolar concentrations against all glial tumor cells and glia maturation factor-stimulated astroblasts, but not neuronal cells.     

Natural transformation in Gram-negative bacteria thriving in extreme environments: from genes and genomes to proteins,structures and regulation

Extremophiles - Extremophilic prokaryotes live under harsh environmental conditions which require far-reaching cellular adaptations. The acquisition of novel genetic information via natural...     

The Effect of Chronic Long-Term Intermittent Hypobaric Hypoxia on Bone Mineral Density in Rats: Role of Nitric Oxide

Intermittent hypoxia is the most common pattern of hypoxic exposure in humans. The effect of chronic long-term intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CLTIHH) on bone metabolism is not investigated. We examined the effect of CLTIHH on bone metabolism and the role of nitric oxide (NO) in this process. The rats were divided into three groups in this study. The animals in groups I and II have been exposed to CLTIHH. The animals in group II were also treated with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. To obtain CLTIHH, rats were placed in a hypobaric chamber (430 mm Hg; 5 h/day, 5 days/week, 5 weeks). The group III (control) rats breathed room air in the same environment. At the begining of the experiments, bone mineral density (BMD) of the animals were measured, and blood samples were collected from the tail vein. After the 5-week CLTIHH period, the same measurements were repeated. Parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphate, bone alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP), NO, interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were determined. The cytokines, NO levels, and BMD in CLTIHH-induced rats were higher compared with baseline and control values. The cytokines, b-ALP, and BMD increased while NO levels decreased in the group II compared with baseline values. BMD values of group II were lower than group I but higher than control group. Our results suggested that CLTIHH has positive effects on bone density. Intermittent hypoxia protocols may be developed for treatment and prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis.     

Effect of stress-induced lipid peroxidation on functions of rat peritoneal macrophages

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of stress-induced lipid peroxidation on macrophages' functions. Animals were subjected to 4 h immobilization at 4 degrees C in restraining devices. The peritoneal macrophages obtained from rats exposed to cold and restraint stress exhibited an increase in lipid peroxidation and a decline of chemotaxis and phagocytosis compared with control rats. After supplementation with vitamin E, the increment in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content as the oxidative stress marker and the decline of chemotaxis and phagocytosis in peritoneal macrophages observed during cold-restraint stress was significantly removed. No significant change in catalase activity of peritoneal macrophages was observed in groups exposed to cold-restraint stress and treated with vitamin E. These findings indicate that phagocytic and chemotactic capacities of peritoneal macrophages are decreased by cold-restraint stress and this effect of stress may be related to lipid peroxidation.     

A novel germ line-specific gene of the phosducin-like protein (PhLP) family. A meiotic function conserved from yeast to mice

We identified a new member of the phosducin-like (PhLP) protein family that is predominantly, if not exclusively, expressed in male and female germ cells. In situ analysis on testis sections and analysis of purified spermatogenic cell fractions evidenced a stage-specific expression with high levels of RNA and protein in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Three mRNA species were detected, which correspond to different polyadenylation sites and vary in abundance during germ cell maturation. Only low levels of RNA were detected in whole ovary extracts, but expression of the protein became detectable within hours after hormonal induction of superovulation. The gene (Mgcphlp) is located on mouse chromosome 5 in the immediate vicinity of the Clock locus. The predicted amino acid sequence shows extensive similarities not only with the known mammalian PhLP proteins but also with the yeast phosducin-like protein Plp2, required for the production and growth of haploid cells. Expression of the murine protein was found to complement the defect of a yeast plp2 Delta mutant. We propose that MgcPhLP/Plp2 proteins exert a function in germ cell maturation that is conserved from yeast to mammals.     

Comparison of circadian rhythm characteristics of blood pressure and heart rate in patients before and after elective coronary artery bypass surgery

Coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABGS) is done to reperfuse the ischemic myocardium of coronary disease patients. This study was designed to analyze the circadian rhythm characteristics of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) of patients before and after CABGS. Fifty-one patients undergoing elective CABGS were studied; 21 patients received one, 12 two and 18 three or more grafts. BP was monitored for 24h before and after CABGS while patients were recumbent in the hospital. Systolic (S) and diastolic (D) BP and HR were assessed every 30 min. Of the 51 patients, 37 (73%) had nondipper 24h BP patterns (nocturnal decline in BP < 10% of daytime mean level) in the preoperative baseline assessment. The peak and MESOR (rhythm-adjusted 24h mean) values of the circadian rhythm in SBP, DBP, and pulse pressure (PP) significantly declined following surgery, while HR and rate-pressure product (RPP = SBP x HR) markedly increased. The double amplitude (peak-to-trough variation) of the circadian rhythm in SBP and DBP was significantly reduced postoperatively, and that of the rhythm in HR and RPP significantly increased. The slopes of the morning rise and evening dip in the 24h SBP profile were reduced significantly after bypass grafting. The corresponding slopes of the HR profile, in contrast, were markedly increased.     

Unikaryon phyllotretae sp. n. (Protista,Microspora), a new microsporidian pathogen of Phyllotreta undulata (Coleoptera; Chrysomelidae)

The microsporidium Unikaryon phyllotretae sp. n., a new pathogen of Phyllotreta undulata, is described based on light microscopic and ultrastructural characteristics. Microscopic examination of parasitized individuals revealed two types of spores. The majority of the spores were of the first type, which are oval and measured 2.74±0.17×1.93±0.17 μm when fresh. Fresh spores of the second type (very rare) are elongated and measured 4.39±0.18×1.61±0.20 μm. All life stages have single nuclei. Sporogony ends with uninucleate single sporoblasts and spores. The spores were only observed in Malpighian tubules. The isofilar polar filament of the parasite has six to eight coils, and a well-developed polaroplast was of the lamellated type, with closely packed anterior lamellae and loosely packed posterior lamellae.     

Seleno <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l-</Emphasis>Methionine Acts on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Kidney Toxicity

The anticancer drug cyclophosphamide (CP) has nephrotoxic effects besides its urotoxicity, which both in turn limit its clinical utility. The nephrotoxicity of CP is less common compared to its urotoxicity, and not much importance has been given for the study of mechanism of CP-induced nephrotoxicity so far. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during inflammation is one of the reasons of the kidney injury. Selenoproteins play crucial roles in regulating ROS and redox status in nearly all tissues; therefore, in this study, the nephrotoxicity of CP and the possible protective effects of seleno l-methionine (SLM) on rat kidneys were investigated. Forty-two Sprague–Dawley rats were equally divided into six groups of seven rats each. The control group received saline, and other rats were injected with CP (100 mg/kg), SLM (0.5 or 1 mg/kg), or CP + SLM intraperitoneally. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in kidney homogenates of rats were measured, and kidney tissues were examined under the microscope. CP-treated rats showed a depletion of renal GSH levels (28% of control), while CP + SLM-injected rats had GSH values close to the control group. MDA levels increased 36% of control following CP administration, which were significantly decreased after SLM treatment. Furthermore, these biochemical results were supported by microscopical observations. In conclusion, the present study not only points to the therapeutic potential of SLM in CP-induced kidney toxicity but also indicates a significant role for ROS and their relation to kidney dysfunction.