The involvement of Na+/K+-ATPase in the development of platelet procoagulant response

In circulation, platelets may come into contact with both exogenous (cardiac glycoside treatment) and endogenously produced inhibitors of Na+/K+-ATPase. We examined whether blocking of platelet Na+/K+-ATPase by ouabain results in generation of procoagulant activity. It was shown that an in vitro treatment of platelets with ouabain (20-200 µM for 20 to 60 min) is associated with an intracellular accumulation of sodium ([Na+]i), generation of a weak calcium signal, and expression of procoagulant activity. The ouabain-induced procoagulant response was dose- and time-related, less pronounced than that evoked by collagen and similar to that produced by gramicidin, not affected by EDTA or aspirin, and strongly reduced in the absence of extracellular Na+ or by hyperosmolality. Flow cytometry studies revealed that ouabain treatment results in a unimodal left shift in the forward and side scatter of the entire platelet population indicating morphological changes of the plasma membrane. The shift was dose related, weaker than that evoked by collagen and similar to that produced by gramicidin. Ouabain-treated platelets express phosphatidylserine (PS). The ouabain-evoked PS expression was dose- and time-dependent, weaker than that produced by collagen and similar to that evoked by gramicidin. Electronic cell sizing measurements showed a dose-dependent increase in mean platelet volume upon treatment with ouabain. Hypoosmotically-evoked platelet swelling resulted in the appearance of procoagulant activity. Thromboelastography measurements indicate that, in whole blood, nanomolar (50-1000 nM, 15 min) concentrations of ouabain significantly accelerate the rate of clot formation initiated by contact and high extracellular concentration of calcium. We conclude that inefficiently operating platelet Na+/K+-ATPase results in a rise in [Na+]i. An increase in [Na+]i and the swelling associated with it may produce PS exposure and a rise in membrane curvature leading to the generation of a procoagulant activity

Quantum spin correlations in relativistic Møller scattering

We present the relativistic spin correlation function (and the corresponding probabilities) for a pair of polarized electrons originating from the Moller scattering. This particular state is easy to prepare experimentally; therefore, the results are discussed in view of a possible measurement. We also discuss the state after the Moller scattering in terms of entanglement and polarization transfer

Quantum spin correlations in relativistic Møller scattering

We present the relativistic spin correlation function (and the corresponding probabilities) for a pair of polarized electrons originating from the Moller scattering. This particular state is easy to prepare experimentally; therefore, the results are discussed in view of a possible measurement. We also discuss the state after the Moller scattering in terms of entanglement and polarization transfer

Searching for Effective Methods of Diagnosing Nervous System Lesions in Patients with Alström and Bardet–Biedl Syndromes

Bardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS) and Alström syndrome (ALMS) are rare multisystem diseases with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance and genetic heterogeneity, characterized by visual impairment, hearing impairment, cardiomyopathy, childhood obesity, and insulin resistance. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the indicators of nervous system changes occurring in patients with ALMS and BBS using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) methods compared to a group of healthy subjects. The OCT results showed significantly lower macular thickness in the patient group compared to the control group (p = 0.002). The MRS study observed differences in metabolite levels between the study and control groups in brain areas such as the cerebellum, thalamus, and white matter. After summing the concentrations from all areas, statistically significant results were obtained for N-acetylaspartate, total N-acetylaspartate, and total creatine. Concentrations of these metabolites were reduced in ALMS/BBS patients by 38% (p = 0.0004), 35% (p = 0.0008), and 28% (p = 0.0005), respectively. Our results may help to understand the pathophysiology of these rare diseases and identify strategies for new therapies

A project to measure quantum spin correlations of relativistic electron pairs in Møller scattering

A project to measure quantum spin correlations for relativistic particles with mass is presented. It aims at testing spin observables in relativistic quantum mechanics. The measurement will be performed for pairs of entangled electrons originating from Møller scattering. A double Mott polarimeter, allowing for simultaneous measurement of the spin projections of both electrons, was designed for this purpose

PET/MRI-Evaluated Activation of Brown Adipose Tissue via Cold Exposure Impacts Lipid Metabolism

Although brown adipose tissue (BAT) is considered to play a protective role against obesity and type 2 diabetes, the mechanisms of its activation and associations with clinical parameters are not well described. Male adults underwent a 2 h cold exposure (CE) to activate BAT and, based on the results of PET/MRI performed after the CE, were divided into BAT(+) and BAT(−) groups. During the CE procedure, blood samples were collected and alterations in plasma metabolome in both groups were investigated using LC-MS. Additionally, associations between clinical factors and BAT were examined. Moreover, levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, TNF-α, FGF21, and FABP4 were assessed in serum samples. In the BAT(+) group, levels of LPC(17:0), LPE(20:4), LPE(22:4), LPE(22:6), DHA, linoleic acid, and oleic acid increased during CE, whereas levels of sphinganine-phosphate and sphingosine-1-phosphate decreased. Levels of LPE(O-18:0), 9-HpODE, and oleic acid were elevated, while the level of LPE(20:5) was reduced in BAT(+) compared to BAT(−) subjects. AUCs of LPC(18:2), LPC(O-18:2)/LPC(P-18:1), and SM(d32:2) negatively correlated with BAT. In the BAT(+) group, the concentration of FABP4 during and after CE was decreased compared to the basal level. No alterations were observed in the BAT(−) group. In conclusion, using untargeted metabolomics, we proved that the plasma metabolome is affected by cold-induced BAT activation

A project to measure quantum spin correlations of relativistic electron pairs in Møller scattering

A project to measure quantum spin correlations for relativistic particles with mass is presented. It aims at testing spin observables in relativistic quantum mechanics. The measurement will be performed for pairs of entangled electrons originating from Møller scattering. A double Mott polarimeter, allowing for simultaneous measurement of the spin projections of both electrons, was designed for this purpose