The effect of oral administration of monosodium glutamate on epileptogenesis in infant rats

Aim: Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is widely distributed throughout the brain. An increase in glutamate concentration or sensitivity of glutamate receptors triggers neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy in particular. Monosodium glutamate is a substance added to foods to enhance flavour. We investigated the effect of monosodium glutamate on epileptogenesis, as well asheight and weight, in rats that were just weaned. Methods: Twenty-four male and female 21-day-old Wistar Albino rats were divided into two groups: one with monosodium glutamate added to the drinking water, and a control in which NaCl was added to the drinking water. The electrical stimulation threshold values were determined in animals to which the hippocampal kindling process was applied, and the stimulations at these threshold values were invariably applied to the animals until they were kindled. Results: The electrical stimulation threshold values of the monosodium glutamate group did not statistically change, whereas the number of required stimulations for kindled rats was significantly lower compared with the control group. Conclusion: These results reveal that long-term oral administration of glutamate salts causes an increase in excitability in the central nervous system during ontogenetic development. © 2020 Epileptic Disorder

The Interdomain Linker of AAV-2 Rep68 Is an Integral Part of Its Oligomerization Domain: Role of a Conserved SF3 Helicase Residue in Oligomerization

The four Rep proteins of adeno-associated virus (AAV) orchestrate all aspects of its viral life cycle, including transcription regulation, DNA replication, virus assembly, and site-specific integration of the viral genome into the human chromosome 19. All Rep proteins share a central SF3 superfamily helicase domain. In other SF3 members this domain is sufficient to induce oligomerization. However, the helicase domain in AAV Rep proteins (i.e. Rep40/Rep52) as shown by its monomeric characteristic, is not able to mediate stable oligomerization. This observation led us to hypothesize the existence of an as yet undefined structural determinant that regulates Rep oligomerization. In this document, we described a detailed structural comparison between the helicase domains of AAV-2 Rep proteins and those of the other SF3 members. This analysis shows a major structural difference residing in the small oligomerization sub-domain (OD) of Rep helicase domain. In addition, secondary structure prediction of the linker connecting the helicase domain to the origin-binding domain (OBD) indicates the potential to form α-helices. We demonstrate that mutant Rep40 constructs containing different lengths of the linker are able to form dimers, and in the presence of ATP/ADP, larger oligomers. We further identified an aromatic linker residue (Y224) that is critical for oligomerization, establishing it as a conserved signature motif in SF3 helicases. Mutation of this residue critically affects oligomerization as well as completely abolishes the ability to produce infectious virus. Taken together, our data support a model where the linker residues preceding the helicase domain fold into an α-helix that becomes an integral part of the helicase domain and is critical for the oligomerization and function of Rep68/78 proteins through cooperative interaction with the OBD and helicase domains

Effects of different durations of treadmill training exercise on bone mineral density in growing rats

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of different durations of treadmill training exercise (daily for 30 min and 60 min) on bone mineral density (BMD) in young growing rats. Training consisted of treadmill running at 5 days per week during a period of 13 weeks. The rats in 30 min and 60 min exercise groups began to training on day 63 of life and had maintained for at least a week, with a minimal progression as a guide to the rats’ training and adaptation to the treadmill. Running time was gradually increased from 15 min to 30 and 60 min per session for two exercise groups respectively. Control rats were kept in the cages at the same environmental conditions and daily inspected to control their health. At the end of 13 weeks, bone mineral densities of the bilateral tibia of all rats were measured .with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) (QDR 4500/W, Hologic Inc., Bedford, MA, USA) and results were evaluated. There were significantly increases in BMD of right and left tibia of rats in 30 min exercise group at post-exercise period (p<0.01 for both sides) when compared to the control group. BMD of right and left tibia of rats were also correlated with each other (r=0.556 and p=0.003). Otherwise, there is a positive correlation between pre- and post-exercise body weights of rats (r=0.588 and p=0.002). From our results, we concluded that subjects should perform moderate running exercise for development of bone mass and its protection during the lifelong. However, intensity and duration of performing exercise are required to put in order for every ages or actual physical conditions

Hydrogen enriched waste oil biodiesel usage in compression ignition engine

In the present study, hydrogen enrichment for biodiesel-diesel blends was evaluated to investigate the performance and emission characteristics of a compression ignition engine. Biodiesel was obtained from waste oil and blended to pure diesel fuel by volume fraction of 0%, 10% and 20%. After that, pure hydrogen was introduced through the intake air at different flow rates. Effects of pure hydrogen on performance and emission characteristics were investigated by evaluating power, torque, specific fuel consumption, CO, CO2 and NOx emissions. Experimental study revealed that waste oil biodiesel usage deteriorated performance and emission parameters except CO emissions. However, the enrichment test fuels with hydrogen fuel can improve performance characteristics and emission parameters, whereas it increased NOx emissions. Brake thermal efficiency and specific fuel consumption were improved when the test fuels enriched with hydrogen gas. Because of absence of carbon atoms in the chemical structure of the hydrogen fuel, hydrogen addition dropped CO and CO2 emissions but increment in cylinder temperature caused rising in NOx emissions. © 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LL

Factors affecting the accuracy of 18F‑FDG PET/CT in evaluating axillary metastases in invasive breast cancer

Background and Aim: There are conflicting results of studies on accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) for axillary staging. The aim of this study is to determine the factors affecting the efficacy of 18F‑fluorodeoxyglucose (18F‑FDG) PET/CT in detecting axillary metastases in invasive breast cancer.Materials and Methods: Data of 232 patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent 18F‑FDG PET/CT  examination before surgery between January 2013 and September 2017 were reviewed retrospectively.  Histopathological examination of axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) was used as a reference to assess the efficacy of 18F‑FDG PET/CT in detecting axillary metastases. Results: While 134 (57.8%) patients had axillary metastases as detected in 18F‑FDG PET/CT scans,  histopathologically axillary metastases were detected in 164 (70.7%) patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive  predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy of 18F‑FDG PET/CT in detection of axillary metastasis were 72.56%, 77.94%, 88.8%, 54%, and 74.1%, respectively. The false‑negative and false‑positive rates were 27.4% and 22%, respectively. In univariate analysis, patients’ age, estrogen receptor positivity, higher ALN SUVmax, greater tumor size, and lymph node size determined by 18F‑FDG PET/CT were all significantly associated with accuracy of 18F‑FDG PET/CT for axillary metastasis. In multivariate analysis, tumor size determined by 18F‑FDG PET/CT and ALN SUVmax were independent variables associated with axillary metastasis. The accuracy of 18F‑FDG PET/CT for axillary metastasis was higher in  patients with a larger tumor (≥19.5 mm) and a higher ALN SUVmax (≥3.2).Conclusion: 18F‑FDG PET/CT should not be routinely used for axillary  staging, especially in patients with small tumors. It cannot eliminiate the necessity of sentinel lymph node biopsy. When it is used, both visual information and optimal cut‑off value of axillary node SUVmax should be taken into consideration.Keywords: Axillary metastasis, breast cancer, positron emission tomography/computed tomography, sentinel lymph node, sentinel lymph node biops

Abnormal 99mTc-MDP uptake in radiation nephritis: A Case Report

The radiation nephritis is a long-term degenerative injury involving nephron and mesangium after radiation exposure. 51 year-old male patient who underwent gastric surgery due to adenocarcinoma 18 months ago and had postoperative chemo-radiotherapy using FUFA Mayo Clinic regimen after surgical resection of gastric cancer. After one year from end of the radiation therapy, bone scan showed markedly increased 99mTc-MDP uptake in the upper pole of the left kidney. [Med-Science 2012; 1(2.000): 125-130

Is FDG-PET/CT used correctly in the combined approach for nodal staging in NSCLC patients?

BACKGROUND: The most widely accepted approach nowadays in nodal staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the combined use of 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) and endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). However, this approach may not be sufficient, especially for early stages. AIMS: Our aim was to assess whether more satisfactory results can be obtained with standardized uptake value maximum lymph node/standardized uptake value mean mediastinal blood pool (SUVmax LN/SUVmean MBP), SUVmax LN/Primary tumor, or a novel cut-off value to SUVmax in this special group. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with diagnosed NSCLC and underwent FDG-PET/CT were reviewed retrospectively. 168 LNs of 52 early stage NSCLC patients were evaluated. The LNs identified in surgery/pathology reports were found in the FDG-PET/CT images. Anatomic and metabolic parameters were measured. Statistical analysis was performed by using of MedCalc Statistical Software. RESULTS: Regardless of LNs size; sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of SUVmax >2.5 were 91.5%, 65.9%, 58.2%, and 95.1%, respectively. Optimum cut-off value of SUVmax was >4.0. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were found as 81.0%, 90.0%, 81.0%, and 90.0% respectively. Optimum cut-off value of SUVmax LN/SUVmean MBP was >1.71. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were found as 94.7%, 80.0%, 71.1%, and 96.7%, respectively. Optimum cut-off value of SUVmax LN/Primary tumor was >0.28. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were found as 81.1%, 85.1%, 72.9% and 90.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: SUVmax LN/SUVmean MBP >1.71 has higher PPV than currently used, with similar NPV and sensitivity. This can provide increase in the accuracy of combined approach. In this way, faster nodal staging/treatment decisions, cost savings for healthcare system and time saving of medical professionals can be obtained

Is FDG-PET/CT used correctly in the combined approach for nodal staging in NSCLC patients?

Background: The most widely accepted approach nowadays in nodal staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the combined use of 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) and endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). However, this approach may not be sufficient, especially for early stages. Aims: Our aim was to assess whether more satisfactory results can be obtained with standardized uptake value maximum lymph node/standardized uptake value mean mediastinal blood pool (SUVmax LN/SUVmean MBP), SUVmax LN/Primary tumor, or a novel cut-off value to SUVmax in this special group. Subjects and Methods: Patients with diagnosed NSCLC and underwent FDG-PET/CT were reviewed retrospectively. 168 LNs of 52 early stage NSCLC patients were evaluated. The LNs identified in surgery/pathology reports were found in the FDG-PET/CT images. Anatomic and metabolic parameters were measured. Statistical analysis was performed by using of MedCalc Statistical Software. Results: Regardless of LNs size; sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of SUVmax >2.5 were 91.5%, 65.9%, 58.2%, and 95.1%, respectively. Optimum cut-off value of SUVmax was >4.0. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were found as 81.0%, 90.0%, 81.0%, and 90.0% respectively. Optimum cut-off value of SUVmax LN/SUVmean MBP was >1.71. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were found as 94.7%, 80.0%, 71.1%, and 96.7%, respectively. Optimum cut-off value of SUVmax LN/Primary tumor was >0.28. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were found as 81.1%, 85.1%, 72.9% and 90.1%, respectively. Conclusion: SUVmax LN/SUVmean MBP >1.71 has higher PPV than currently used, with similar NPV and sensitivity. This can provide increase in the accuracy of combined approach. In this way, faster nodal staging/treatment decisions, cost savings for healthcare system and time saving of medical professionals can be obtained. © 2020 Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice - Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow

Hydrogen bonding of the dissociated histidine ligand is not required for formation of a proximal NO adduct in cytochrome c’

Cytochromes c', that occur in methanotrophic, denitrifying and photosynthetic bacteria, form unusual proximal penta-coordinate NO complexes via a hexa-coordinate distal NO intermediate. Their NO binding properties are similar to those of the eukaryotic NO sensor, soluble guanylate cyclase, for which they provide a valuable structural model. Previous studies suggested that hydrogen bonding between the displaced proximal histidine (His120) ligand (following its dissociation from heme due to trans effects from the distally bound NO) and a conserved aspartate residue (Asp121) could play a key role in allowing proximal NO binding to occur. We have characterized three variants of Alcaligenes xylosoxidans cytochrome c' (AXCP) where Asp121 has been replaced by Ala, Ile and Gln, respectively. In all variants, hydrogen bonding between residue 121 and His120 is abolished yet 5-coordinate proximal NO species are still formed. Our data therefore demonstrate that the His120-Asp121 bond is not essential for proximal NO binding although it likely provides an energy minimum for the displaced His ligand. All variants have altered proximal pocket structure relative to native AXCP