Maternal hypoxia decreases capillary supply and increases metabolic inefficiency leading to divergence in myocardial oxygen supply and demand

Maternal hypoxia is associated with a decrease in left ventricular capillary density while cardiac performance is preserved, implying a mismatch between metabolism and diffusive exchange. We hypothesised this requires a switch in substrate metabolism to maximise efficiency of ATP production from limited oxygen availability. Rat pups from pregnant females exposed to hypoxia (FIO2=0.12) at days 10-20 of pregnancy were grown to adulthood and working hearts perfused ex vivo. 14 C-labelled glucose and 3 H-palmitate were provided as substrates and metabolism quantified from recovery of 14CO2 and 3 H2O, respectively. Hearts of male offspring subjected to Maternal Hypoxia showed a 20% decrease in cardiac output (P<0.05), despite recording a 2-fold increase in glucose oxidation (P<0.01) and 2.5-fold increase (P<0.01) in palmitate oxidation. Addition of insulin to Maternal Hypoxic hearts, further increased glucose oxidation (P<0.01) and suppressed palmitate oxidation (P<0.05), suggesting preservation in insulin signalling in the heart. In vitro enzyme activity measurements showed that Maternal Hypoxia increased both total and the active component of cardiac pyruvate dehydrogenase (both P<0.01), although pyruvate dehydrogenase sensitivity to insulin was lost (NS), while citrate synthase activity declined by 30% (P<0.001) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity was unchanged by Maternal Hypoxia, indicating realignment of the metabolic machinery to optimise oxygen utilisation. Capillary density was quantified and oxygen diffusion characteristics examined, with calculated capillary domain area increased by 30% (P<0.001). Calculated metabolic efficiency decreased 4-fold (P<0.01) for Maternal Hypoxia hearts. Paradoxically, the decline in citrate synthase activity and increased metabolism suggest that the scope of individual mitochondria had declined, rendering the myocardium potentially more sensitive to metabolic stress. However, decreasing citrate synthase may be essential to preserve local PO2, minimising regions of hypoxia and hence maximising the area of myocardium able to preserve cardiac output following maternal hypoxia

Dissociated Representations of Pleasant and Unpleasant Olfacto-Trigeminal Mixtures: An fMRI Study

How the pleasantness of chemosensory stimuli such as odorants or intranasal trigeminal compounds is processed in the human brain has been the focus of considerable recent interest. Yet, so far, only the unimodal form of this hedonic processing has been explored, and not its bimodal form during crossmodal integration of olfactory and trigeminal stimuli. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate this question. To this end, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used in an experiment comparing brain activation related to a pleasant and a relatively unpleasant olfacto-trigeminal mixture, and to their individual components (CO2 alone, Orange alone, Rose alone). Results revealed first common neural activity patterns in response to both mixtures in a number of regions: notably the superior temporal gyrus and the caudate nucleus. Common activations were also observed in the insula, although the pleasant mixture activated the right insula whereas the unpleasant mixture activated the left insula. However, specific activations were observed in anterior cingulate gyrus and the ventral tegmental area only during the perception of the pleasant mixture. These findings emphasized for the firs time the involvement of the latter structures in processing of pleasantness during crossmodal integration of chemosensory stimuli

HIV-1 Nef increases astrocyte sensitivity towards exogenous hydrogen peroxide

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>HIV-1 infected individuals are under chronic exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) considered to be instrumental in the progression of AIDS and the development of HIV-1 associated dementia (HAD). Astrocytes support neuronal function and protect them against cytotoxic substances including ROS. The protein HIV-1 Nef, a progression factor in AIDS pathology is abundantly expressed in astrocytes in patients with HAD, and thus may influence its functions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Endogenous expressed HIV-1 Nef leads to increased sensitivity of human astrocytes towards exogenous hydrogen peroxide but not towards TNF-alpha. Cell death of <it>nef</it>-expressing astrocytes exposed to 10 μM hydrogen peroxide for 30 min occurred within 4 h.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>HIV-1 Nef may contribute to neuronal dysfunction and the development of HAD by causing death of astrocytes through decreasing their tolerance for hydrogen peroxide.</p

Towards reconciling structure and function in the nuclear pore complex

The spatial separation between the cytoplasm and the cell nucleus necessitates the continuous exchange of macromolecular cargo across the double-membraned nuclear envelope. Being the only passageway in and out of the nucleus, the nuclear pore complex (NPC) has the principal function of regulating the high throughput of nucleocytoplasmic transport in a highly selective manner so as to maintain cellular order and function. Here, we present a retrospective review of the evidence that has led to the current understanding of both NPC structure and function. Looking towards the future, we contemplate on how various outstanding effects and nanoscopic characteristics ought to be addressed, with the goal of reconciling structure and function into a single unified picture of the NPC

Neuronal Chemokines: Versatile Messengers In Central Nervous System Cell Interaction

Whereas chemokines are well known for their ability to induce cell migration, only recently it became evident that chemokines also control a variety of other cell functions and are versatile messengers in the interaction between a diversity of cell types. In the central nervous system (CNS), chemokines are generally found under both physiological and pathological conditions. Whereas many reports describe chemokine expression in astrocytes and microglia and their role in the migration of leukocytes into the CNS, only few studies describe chemokine expression in neurons. Nevertheless, the expression of neuronal chemokines and the corresponding chemokine receptors in CNS cells under physiological and pathological conditions indicates that neuronal chemokines contribute to CNS cell interaction. In this study, we review recent studies describing neuronal chemokine expression and discuss potential roles of neuronal chemokines in neuron–astrocyte, neuron–microglia, and neuron–neuron interaction

Reproduction, embryo and larvae development of comet fish (Carassius auratus L., 1758)

Bu araştırmada, kornet Japon balığının (Carassius auratus L.,1758) üremesi, embriyo, larva ve yavru gelişmesi incelenmiştir. Çalışmada; boy ve ağırlıkları sırasıyla, dişide 12,2 cm ve 117,0 g erkekde 15,4 cm ve 73,0 g olan anaç balıklar kullanılmıştır. Akvaryumun su sıcaklığı termostattı ısıtıcı ile 202C'ye ayarlanmış ve devamlı aynı seviyede tutulmuştur. Yeni yumurtlanmış yumurtanın kısa ve uzun ekseni sırasıyla ortalama 0,830,02 mm ve 1,100,17 mm olarak belirlenmiştir. İnkubasyon süresi döllenmeden sonra 58 saat olarak belirlenmiştir. Larvalar besin kesesini 78 saatte absorbe edip 5,100,024 mm total boya ulaşmışlardır. Yavrular besin kesesinin absorbesinden 33 gün sonra ortalama 17,130,31 mm total boy ve ortalama 0,0850,10 g ağırlığa ulaşmışlardır.In this study, reproduction, embryo and larvae development of comet fish (Carassius auratus L.I758) were investigated. In the research, two broodstocks, which mean length and mean weight are 12.2 cm and 117.0 g for female and 15.4 cm and 73.0 g 9.3&plusmn;0.05 cm for males, respectively, were used. Water temperature of the aquarium was kept at 20&plusmn;2&deg;C by a thermostatically controlled heater. It was determined that newly ovulated eggs were measured as 0.83&plusmn;0.02 mm and 1.10&plusmn;0.17 mm in the mean short and long axes, respectively, incubation duration was determined as 58 h after fertilisation. Yolk sac was observed about 78 h and reached 5.10&plusmn;0.024 mm mean total length. After 33 days-later, fish fry reached mean total length 17.13&plusmn;0.31 mm and mean weight 0.085&plusmn;0.10g

The Embryonic, Larval Developme nt and Fecundity of Palaemon adspersus Rathke, 1837

Bu araştırma ile Sinop ili Akliman Bölgesinde yakalanan , Palaemon adspersus Rathke, 1837’nin üreme biyolojisi, larva gelişimi ile yaşama oranlarının tespiti amaçlanmıştır. Akvaryuma yerleştirilen canlı ağırlığı ortalama 2,0 1 9 ± 0, 70 2 g ve total boyu ortalama 6,09 ± 0,57 cm olan 15 adet yumurtalı anaçta embriyonik gelişmenin 3 saf h ada t a m a m l and ı ğ ı gözl e nm i ş tir. Larv a ç ı k ı ş ı nda n so nra , 20 0 adet l a r v a n ı n ya ş a m a oran ı ile b ü y ü m e ö zellik leri in celen m i ş ti r. Artemia sa lina n a u p li ile b e slen en P. ads p er sus larvalar ı 2 5 ºC ’ d e ve ‰ 1 8 t u z l ul ukt a k i de ni z suy u nda 20 g ün i çeri s i nde p o st l a rva sa f h as ı na ul a ş m ı ş lard ı r. Bu safha d a, larvalar ı n y a ş am a ora n ı v e ortala m a to tal b o yu s ı ras ı ile %8 5 v e 6,58± 0,62 mm o l ar ak tesp it edilm i ş tir. Yumurta çapı ve verimi , ortalama ağırlık ve total boyları sırasıyla 3,120±1,050 g ve 6,62±0,67 cm olan 26 adet yumurtalı P. adspersus bireyinden hesaplanmıştır. Birey başına yumurta verimi ortalama 2118±152 adet ve yumurta çapıkısa ve uzun eksenleri için sırsı ile 0,5 9 ± 0 , 39 m m ve 0,82 ± 0,48 mm olarak hesaplanmıştır. Anahtar Kelimeler: Palaemon adspersus, Yumurta verimi, Karides larvası , Larva gelişimi, Karaden i z.The ai m of t h i s st udy was t o det e rm i n e repro d u ct i on bi ol ogy , l a r v al de vel o pm ent and sur v i v al rate o f s h rim p ( Pa l a emon ad spersus R a t hke, 1 8 3 7 ) col l ect ed f r o m Si nop, A k l i m a n area, were i nvest i g at e d . 1 5 gra v i d fem a le ha vi n g a n a v erage wei ght o f 2 . 0 1 9 ± 0 . 7 02 g a n d an ave r a g e t o t a l l e n g t h o f 6. 09 ± 0 . 57 cm were st oc ke d i n t o aq ua ri um . It i s obser ve d t h at em bry oni c devel o pm ent was di vi de d i n t o th ree catego r ies. After h a tch i n g , th e su rv iv al rate a nd l a r v a l devel o pm ent of 20 0 l a r v ae were i n vest i g at ed. P . ad sp e r su s l a rvae fe d by Artemia sa lina n a upl i a nd ke pt i n 2 5 ̊ C and 1 8 ‰ salin ity in sea water reached to po stlarv al stag e in 20 d a ys. In t h is stage, th e survi v al rate a n d ave r age total le ngt h were 85% a n d 6. 58 ± 0 . 6 2 m m , res p ect i v el y . 26 gra v i d fem a l e s of P . ad sp e r su s ha vi n g an ave r age we i ght o f 3. 1 2 0 ± 1. 05 0 g a nd a n ave r age to tal len g t h of 6 . 6 2 ±0 .6 7 cm were in v e st ig ated in terms o f to tal fecu nd ity and egg size. Th e t o ta l f ecund ity o f per f e m a le w a s 2 118 ±15 2 and th e m ean eg g lon g and short ax is d i a m eter w e r e 0 . 59 ±0 .3 9 m m and 0 . 8 2 ± 0. 48 m m , respect i v el y . Keyw or ds: P a laemon ads p er sus , Fecu nd ity, Shrim p larv ae, Larvae growth, Black Sea

The embryonic, larval development and fecundity of palaemon adspersus rathke, 1837

Bu araştırma ile Sinop ili Akliman Bölgesinde yakalanan, Palaemon adspersus Rathke, 1837'nin üreme biyolojisi, larva gelişimi ile yaşama oranlarının tespiti amaçlanmıştır. Akvaryuma yerleştirilen canlı ağırlığı ortalama 2,0190,702 g ve total boyu ortalama 6,090,57 cm olan 15 adet yumurtalı anaçta embriyonik gelişmenin 3 safhada tamamlandığı gözlenmiştir. Larva çıkışından sonra, 200 adet larvanın yaşama oranı ile büyüme özellikleri incelenmiştir. Anemia salma naupli ile beslenen P. adspersus larvaları 25C'de ve %o18 tuzluluktaki deniz suyunda 20 gün içerisinde postlarva safhasına ulaşmışlardır. Bu safhada, larvaların yaşama oranı ve ortalama total boyu sırası ile %85 ve 6,580,62 mm olarak tespit edilmiştir. Yumurta çapı ve verimi, ortalama ağırlık ve total boyları sırasıyla 3,1201,050 g ve 6,620,67 cm olan 26 adet yumurtalı P. adspersus bireyinden hesaplanmıştır. Birey başına yumurta verimi ortalama 2118152 adet ve yumurta çapı kısa ve uzun eksenleri için sırası ile ortalama 0,590,39 mm ve 0,820,48 mm olarak hesaplanmıştır.The aim of this study was to determine reproduction biology, larval development and survival rate of shrimp (Palaemon adspersus Rathke, 1837) collected from Sinop, Akliman area, were investigated. 15 gravid female having an average weight of 2.019&plusmn;0.702 g and an average total length of 6.09&plusmn;0.57 cm were stocked into aquarium. It is observed that embryonic development was divided into three categories. After hatching the survival rate and larval development of 200 larvae were investigated. P. adspersus larvae fed by Artemia salina naupli and kept in 25&deg;C and 18%o salinity in sea water reached to postlarval stage in 20 days. In this stage, the survival rate and average total length were 85% and 6.58&plusmn;0.62 mm, respectively. 26 gravid females of P. adspersus having an average weight of 3.1201.050 g and an average total length of 6.62&plusmn;0.67 cm were investigated in terms of total fecundity and egg size. The total fecundity of per female was 2118152 and the mean egg long and short axis diameter were 0.590.39 mm and 0.82&plusmn;0.48 mm, respectively