Hormone deprivation alters mitochondrial function and lipid profile in the hippocampus

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common hallmark in aging. In the female, reproductive senescence is characterized by loss of ovarian hormones, many of whose neuroprotective effects converge upon mitochondria. The functional integrity of mitochondria is dependent on membrane fatty acid and phospholipid composition, which are also affected during aging. The effect of long-term ovarian hormone deprivation upon mitochondrial function and its putative association with changes in mitochondrial membrane lipid profile in the hippocampus, an area primarily affected during aging and highly responsive to ovarian hormones, is unknown. To this aim, Wistar adult female rats were ovariectomized or sham-operated. Twelve weeks later, different parameters of mitochondrial function (O2 uptake, ATP production, membrane potential and respiratory complex activities) as well as membrane phospholipid content and composition were evaluated in hippocampal mitochondria. Chronic ovariectomy reduced mitochondrial O2 uptake and ATP production rates and induced membrane depolarization during active respiration without altering the activity of respiratory complexes. Mitochondrial membrane lipid profile showed no changes in cholesterol levels but higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids and a higher peroxidizability index in mitochondria from ovariectomized rats. Interestingly, ovariectomy also reduced cardiolipin content and altered cardiolipin fatty acid profile leading to a lower peroxidizability index. In conclusion, chronic ovarian hormone deprivation induces mitochondrial dysfunction and changes in the mitochondrial membrane lipid profile comparable to an aging phenotype. Our study provides insights into ovarian hormone loss-induced early lipidomic changes with bioenergetic deficits in the hippocampus that may contribute to the increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other age-associated disorders observed in postmenopause.Fil: Zarate, Sandra Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Astiz, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata ; ArgentinaFil: Magnani, Natalia Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad Medicina. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Imsen, Mercedes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Merino, Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Silvia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad Medicina. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Reines, Analia Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Seilicovich, Adriana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; Argentin

Regenwald Report. Nr. 3, 2010 : Was die Welt verliert

* Vertreibung aus dem Paradies * Artenvielfalt ist lebenswichtig * Die Lerche singt nicht mehr * Vattenfall auf dem Holzwe

Towards a Simpler Selection Process for Maintenance Strategies

Recent research at four large manufacturing sites in the North East of England showed that maintenance organisations were failing because they were locked in a cycle of quick fix and mend despite deploying extensive planned maintenance policies. Consequently they were unable to plan and formulate strategies because they did not have the time. Simple and quick tools were needed to select the best maintenance approach for the machines and the plant. Two possible selection tools were developed. Firstly a truth table was produced based on the key characteristics of each maintenance approach and these mapped against simplified failure mode combinations. This offered a quick and easy selection method for machines, based on failure mode patterns. Secondly, the macro level was addressed using a conceptual model employing a 2x2 matrix. This consisted of two axes, the level of machine failures and the level of improvement activity. The resulting framework was used to predict how maintenance organisations would progress from a state of reactive maintenance towards world class. Then informed by the truth table it was possible to select an appropriate maintenance approach which was most suitable for each stage. It is suggested that these two methods offer simple and quick approaches to guide vital maintenance decision making at plants in difficulty. This of course does not preclude the need to develop maintenance strategies but rather facilitates this process by freeing up time and resources

Faculty Recital Series: Bonnie Pomfret, January 18, 2013

This is the concert program of the Faculty Recital Series: Bonnie Pomfret performance on Friday, January 18, 2013 at 8:00 p.m., at the Boston University Concert Hall, 855 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts. The work performed was Italienisches Liederbuch, for soprano and baritone by Hugo Wolf. Digitization for Boston University Concert Programs was supported by the Boston University Humanities Library Endowed Fund

From Purgatory to the Primavera: Some Observations on Botticelli and Dante

In diesem Artikel, der bereits in einer Sonderpublikation zum Gedenken an den Künstler und Kunsthistoriker Philipp P. Fehl veröffentlicht wurde, wird Botticellis Primavera im Kontext der literarischen und intellektuellen Philosophie des Künstlers, insbesondere seiner lebenslangen Fazination mit Dante, untersucht. Das Gemälde wird als Versuch des Künstlers betrachtet, die Thematik von Dantes irdischem Paradies am Ende des Purgatorio in sein Medium zu übertragen. Diese Themen werden im Kontext von Cristoforo Landinos Kommentar zu Dante aus dem Jahr 1481 in Augenschein genommen. Landino sah in Dantes irdischem Paradies eine Allegorie der moralischen und geistigen Reise von Dantes Seele vom vita voluptuosa über dem vita activa bis zum vita contemplativa, eine Reise, die sich, wie Dantes Weg insgesamt, unter dem Einfluß der himmlischem Venus vollzog. Die Primavera wird als visuelle Variation der selben Thematik betrachtet, im all'antica Stil und im Einklang mit Dantes klassischen Anspielungen, insbesondere wie sie von Landino gedeutet wurden. Die Primavera zeugt noch immer von einer Ausdruckskraft, mit der Botticelli sich anderen Dante-Schülern wie Leonardo da Vinci und Michelangelo versuchte, sich zu vergleichen. Erstmals publizierte in: Artibus et Historiae 24, no. 48, 2003, p.199-212