Endothelial cell apoptosis in chronically obstructed and reperfused pulmonary artery

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Endothelial dysfunction is a major complication of pulmonary endarterectomy (PTE) that can lead to pulmonary edema and persistent pulmonary hypertension. We hypothesized that endothelial dysfunction is related to increased endothelial-cell (EC) death.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In piglets, the left pulmonary artery (PA) was ligated to induce lung ischemia then reimplanted into the main PA to reperfuse the lung. Animals sacrificed 5 weeks after ligation (n = 5), 2 days after reperfusion (n = 5), or 5 weeks after reperfusion (n = 5) were compared to a sham-operated group (n = 5). PA vasoreactivity was studied and eNOS assayed. EC apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL in the proximal and distal PA and by caspase-3 activity assay in the proximal PA. Gene expression of pro-apoptotic factors (thrombospondin-1 (Thsp-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1)) and anti-apoptotic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was investigated by QRT-PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Endothelium-dependent relaxation was altered 5 weeks after ligation (<it>p </it>= 0.04). The alterations were exacerbated 2 days after reperfusion (p = 0.002) but recovered within 5 weeks after reperfusion. EC apoptosis was increased 5 weeks after PA ligation (<it>p </it>= 0.02), increased further within 2 days after reperfusion (<it>p </it>< 0.0001), and returned to normal within 5 weeks after reperfusion. Whereas VEGF and bFGF expressions remained unchanged, TSP and PAI-1 expressions peaked 5 weeks after ligation (<it>p </it>= 0.001) and returned to normal within 2 days after reperfusion.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Chronic lung ischemia induces over-expression of pro-apoptotic factors. Lung reperfusion is followed by a dramatic transient increase in EC death that may explain the development of endothelial dysfunction after PE. Anti-apoptotic agents may hold considerable potential for preventing postoperative complications.</p

Screening for Y-chromosome microdeletions in a population of infertile males in the Gaza Strip

Infertility is an extraordinary public health problem in the Arab world, as it affects about 15% of couples seeking children. The male partner is responsible for infertility in approximately half of these cases. Classic microdeletions of the Y-chromosome involving the azoospermia factor (AZF) regions are known to be associated with spermatogenic impairment, and non-obstructive azoospermia must be differentiated on the basis of endocrine evaluation and testicular biopsy. Partial AZFc deletions remain controversial because there is no clear agreement regarding their role in spermatogenic failure. In the current study, 50 fertile males (controls) and 125 patients with primary idiopathic male infertility were studied in order to describe the frequency of Y-chromosome mirodeletions among male infertility patients in the Gaza Strip-Palestine area. No Y chromosome classical microdeletions could be detected in any of the 125 infertile men, suggesting that ethnic factors, genetic background, and Y chromosome haplogroups are key factors in such deletions. On the other hand, six gr/gr and one b1/b3 AZFc partial deletions were detected in the infertile population. The gr/gr deletion was also noted in relatives of four of the six patients with this deletion, and in one of the fertile controls. In conclusion, our study shows that the incidence of Y-chromosome microdeletions in our population is rare; these data suggest that other genetic, epigenetic, nutritional and/or local factors are responsible for impairments in semen parameters observed in this Gazan population. We further hypothesise that the gr/gr deletion is not associated with male infertility, at least in this sub-group

Chromosomal aberrations in males occupationally exposed to chemical pollutants in the gaza strip-palestine

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes from Palestinian males exposed to various chemical pollutants during their daily work. Subjects and Methods: The study population consisted of 32 males (mean age 35.5 years) distributed as: 14 farmers, 3 plumbers, 5 taxi drivers, 6 paint factory workers, and 4 gas station workers, exposed to pollutants like pesticide, petrol derivatives etc. The control group consisted of 10 healthy Palestinian individuals of the same age and gender, but not exposed directly to pollutants in their jobs. Chromosomes were prepared from peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures using standard methods. The evaluation of chromosomal aberrations was performed following the IPCS (International Program Chemical Safety) guidelines for the monitoring of genotoxicity effects of carcinogens in humans. Results: A significantly higher incidence (2.14%, p< 0.05) of chromosomal aberrations (chromatid breaks, iso-chromatid breaks, chromatid deletions, and acentric fragments) were detected in lymphocyte of the study population. Interestingly, no chromosomal damage at all was recorded in the control group lymphocyte. Conclusion: These results suggest that occupational exposure to chemical pollutants is the cause of the chromosomal aberrations observed in the study population, which could be related to exposure time, since chromosomal aberrations were more frequent in workers exposed for longer times. The increased chromosomal damage detected in the study population can be attributed to the complex mixture of genotoxic compounds to which

Biological explorations of Sinai: flora and fauna of Wadi Isla and Hebran, St Katherine Protectorate, Egypt

A comprehensive survey was accomplished for two of the most important and beautiful wadis in the Sinai, Wadi Isla &amp; Hebran. The biodiversity of the two wadis are surveyed including plant species and their associated insects, spiders and scorpions. The list includes 20 plant families with 51 species, 8 insect orders with 54 families and 138 species, and 4 arachnid orders with 17 families and 23 species. The highest number of species recorded were Coleoptera and Hymenoptera.Keywords: Biodiversity, checklist, plants, insects, spider

Bone marrow fat is increased in chronic kidney disease by magnetic resonance spectroscopy

In aging, the bone marrow fills with fat and this may lead to higher fracture risk. We show that a bone marrow fat measurement by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), a newer technique not previously studied in chronic kidney disease (CKD), is useful and reproducible. CKD patients have significantly higher bone marrow fat than healthy adults. INTRODUCTION: Renal osteodystrophy leads to increased morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. Traditional bone biopsy histomorphometry is used to study abnormalities in CKD, but the bone marrow, the source of osteoblasts, has not been well characterized in patients with CKD. METHODS: To determine the repeatability of bone marrow fat fraction assessment by MRS and water-fat imaging (WFI) at four sites in patients with CKD, testing was performed to determine the coefficients of reproducibility and intraclass coefficients (ICCs). We further determined if this noninvasive technique could be used to determine if there are differences in the percent bone marrow fat in patients with CKD compared to matched controls using paired t tests. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects with CKD was 59.8 ± 7.2 years, and the mean eGFR was 24 ± 8 ml/min. MRS showed good reproducibility at all sites in subjects with CKD and controls, with a coefficient of reproducibilities ranging from 2.4 to 13 %. MRS and WFI assessment of bone marrow fat showed moderate to strong agreement (ICC 0.6-0.7) at the lumbar spine, with poorer agreement at the iliac crest and no agreement at the tibia. The mean percent bone marrow fat at L2-L4 was 13.8 % (95 % CI 8.3-19.7) higher in CKD versus controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MRS is a useful and reproducible technique to study bone marrow fat in CKD. Patients with CKD have significantly higher bone marrow fat than healthy adults; the relationship with bone changes requires further analyses

Electrical properties of a-antimony selenide

This paper reports conduction mechanism in a-\sbse over a wide range of temperature (238K to 338K) and frequency (5Hz to 100kHz). The d.c. conductivity measured as a function of temperature shows semiconducting behaviour with activation energy $\Delta$E= 0.42 eV. Thermally induced changes in the electrical and dielectric properties of a-\sbse have been examined. The a.c. conductivity in the material has been explained using modified CBH model. The band conduction and single polaron hopping is dominant above room temperature. However, in the lower temperature range the bipolaron hopping dominates.Comment: 9 pages (RevTeX, LaTeX2e), 9 psfigures, also at http://pu.chd.nic.in/ftp/pub/san16 e-mail: gautam%[email protected]

Outcomes of listing for lung and heart–lung transplantation in pulmonary hypertension: comparative experience in France and the UK

\ua9 The authors 2024.Background Lung or heart–lung transplantation (LT/HLT) for severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) as the primary disease indication carries a high risk of waiting list mortality and post-transplant complications. France and the UK both have coordinated PH patient services but with different referral pathways for accessing LT services. Methods We conducted a comparative analysis of adult PH patients listed for LT/HLT in the UK and France. Results We included 211 PH patients in France (2006–2018) and 170 in the UK (2010–2019). Cumulative incidence of transplant, delisting and waiting list death within 3 years were 81%, 4% and 11% in France versus 58%, 10% and 15% in the UK (p&lt;0.001 for transplant and delisting; p=0.1 for death). Median nonpriority waiting time was 45 days in France versus 165 days in the UK (p&lt;0.001). High-priority listing occurred in 54% and 51% of transplanted patients respectively in France and the UK (p=0.8). Factors associated with achieving transplantation related to recipients’ height, male sex, clinical severity and priority listing status. 1-year post-transplant survival was 78% in France and 72% in the UK (p= 0.04). Conclusion Access to transplantation for PH patients is better in France than in the UK where more patients were delisted due to clinical deterioration because of longer waiting time. High rates of priority listing occurred in both countries. Survival for those achieving transplantation was slightly better in France. Ensuring optimal outcomes after transplant listing for PH patients is challenging and may involve early listing of higher risk patients, increasing donor lung utilisation and improving allocation rules for these specific patients

Neogene to Quaternary evolution of carbonate and mixed carbonate-siliciclastic systems along New Caledonia's eastern margin (SW Pacific)

Neogene and Quaternary shallow-water carbonate records surrounding New Caledonia main island, Grande Terre, provide a good example for understanding the stratigraphic architecture of tropical mixed carbonate-siliciclastic systems. Due to a southeastern tilt of the eastern margin, the eastern shelf of Grande Terre has been better preserved from erosion than the western part, favouring the development and preservation of shallow-water carbonates. Based on the integration of bathymetric and seismic data, along with paleoenvironmental and biostratigraphic constraints derived from dredged carbonate rocks, a comprehensive geomorphological and architectural characterization of the offshore eastern margin of Grande Terre has been made. During the Mio-Pliocene, a wide, up to 750 m-thick carbonate build-up developed and extended over at least 350 km from north to south. This Mio-Pliocene build-up, currently lying at 300 to 600 m water depths, is overlain by a Pleistocene-Holocene barrier reef-lagoon complex and associated slope deposits. The switch from aggrading Neogene carbonate banks to backstepping Quaternary platforms likely reflects an increase in accommodation due to a high subsidence rate or to relative sea-level rise, and/or results from a switch in carbonate producers associated with global environmental changes. The internal architecture of the Quaternary barrier reef-lagoon complex is highlighted, especially the development of lowstand siliciclastic prisms alternating with transgressive shallow-water carbonate sequences. This pattern agrees with the reciprocal sedimentation model typically invoked for mixed sedimentary systems. This stratigraphic pattern is well developed in front of the Cap Bayes inlet in the north of our study area, yet it is not observed southward along the eastern margin. This difference suggests that other factors than relative sea-level variations directed the architecture of the margin, such as low terrigenous inputs, lagoon paleo-drainage networks or sediment by-pass towards deep basins

Avaliação de diferentes proporções de água e de uréia sobre a composição bromatológica da palha de arroz.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a composição bromatológica da palha de arroz submetida a diferentes doses de uréia e água, em que se utilizou um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3x3, com 20%,30% e 40% de água e 2%, 4% e 6% de uréia fertilizante com base na matéria seca. Verificou-se interação significativa(P<0,05) entre água e uréia adicionadas para os teores médios de proteína bruta (PB). A adição de 4% e 6% de uréia e 20% e 30% de umidade permitiu maiores reduções (P<0,05)nos teores médios de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN). Foi observado que 4% e 6% de uréia e 40% de água permitiram maiores reduções nos teores médios de fibra em detergente ácido (FDA). Foram observadas maiores reduções de hemicelulose com a interação (P<0,05) 2% e 4% de uréia com20% e 30% de água. Concluiu-se que com a adição de 4% de uréia e 30% de água houve um aumento dos teores médio de PB e proporcionaram maiores reduções nos teores médio de FDA, FDN e hemicelulose na palha de arroz

CD105 (Endoglin): A Potential Anticancer Therapeutic Inhibits Mitogenesis and Map Kinase Pathway Activation.

BACKGROUND: CD105 is highly expressed on human activated endothelial cells (ECs), is an important component of the TGF-β1 receptor complex and is essential for angiogenesis. CD105 expression is up-regulated in activated ECs and is an important potential marker for cancer prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro rat myoblasts transfected with the L-CD105 and S-CD105 transfectants. The transfectants were treated with TGF-β1 for the angiogenesis study. RESULTS: L-CD105 affects cell proliferation in the presence and absence of TGF-β1, and inhibits p-ERK1/2, p-MEK1/2 and p-c-Jun in L-CD105 transfectants compared to controls. The induction of phospho-ERK1/2 following treatment with TGF-β1 remained significantly lower in L-CD105 transfectants compared to controls. CONCLUSION: L-CD105 inhibits the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, MEK1/2, c-Jun1/2/3, and associated signalling intermediates. CD105 modulates cell growth and TGF-β1 induced cell signalling through ERK-c-Jun expression