Lack of inhibition of thrombin-induced rise in intracellular Ca2+ levels and 5-hydroxytryptamine secretion by 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol in human platelets

AbstractThe effect of 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) on the thrombin-induced rise in intracellular Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) and 5-hydroxy[14C]tryptamine ([14C]5HT) secretion was studied. In washed human platelets prelabelled with [14C]5HT and quin 2, OAG (10–50 μgml) induced no significant aggregation, [14C]5HT secretion or rise in [Ca2+]i in the presence or absence of fibrinogen. However, addition of OAG (10–50 μgml) 10 s to 5 min before or 10–60 s after addition of threshold concentrations of thrombin ( < 0.03 Uml) resulted in a significant potentiation of aggregation and [14C]5HT secretion without any effect on the thrombin-induced rise in [Ca2+]i. Both EGTA, which abolished the latter and creatine phosphate/creatine phosphokinase, the ADP scavenger, totally inhibited the aggregation but only partially reduced [14C]5HT secretion in response to thrombin plus OAG. At higher concentrations of thrombin, neither the rise in [Ca2+]i nor the extent of [14C]5HT secretion was significantly altered by OAG addition. The results demonstrate that, unlike phorbol esters, OAG has no inhibitory effect on thrombin-induced [Ca2+]i mobilisation but can synergize with low concentrations of thrombin in potentiating [14C]5HT secretion even at basal [Ca2+]i

New Rotation Periods in the Pleiades: Interpreting Activity Indicators

We present results of photometric monitoring campaigns of G, K and M dwarfs in the Pleiades carried out in 1994, 1995 and 1996. We have determined rotation periods for 18 stars in this cluster. In this paper, we examine the validity of using observables such as X-ray activity and amplitude of photometric variations as indicators of angular momentum loss. We report the discovery of cool, slow rotators with high amplitudes of variation. This contradicts previous conclusions about the use of amplitudes as an alternate diagnostic of the saturation of angular momentum loss. We show that the X-ray data can be used as observational indicators of mass-dependent saturation in the angular momentum loss proposed on theoretical grounds

Potential of wastewater grown algae for biodiesel production and CO2 sequestration

Algae have been proposed as a potential renewable fuel source. Photosynthetic CO2 fixation to substrates that can be converted to biodiesel by microalgae is thought to be a feasible technology with energy-saving and environment-friendly approach. In the present study, potential of microalgae, from wastewater stabilization pond, as a feedstock for biodiesel production and CO2 sequestration was evaluated. Mixed algae sample showed the highest CO2 fixation rate, followed by Chlorella sp., Scenedesmus incrassatulus, Scenedesmus dimorphus and Chroococcus cohaerens (2.807, 1.627, 1.501, 1.270 and 0.786 g L-1 d-1, respectively). Nile red stain was used for detection of lipid in microalgal sample which was further extracted and analysed by gas chromatography (GC). The main fatty acids present in the mixed algae sample were fatty acids with C14–C18 (&gt;98%) that are generated after natural CO2 sequestration. At ambient CO2 concentration, total fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) mainly comprised of myristic acid (C14:0), 0.0718%; palmitic acid (C16:0), 2.558%; octadecenoic acid (C18:1), 28.98% and linoleic acid (C18:2), 12.54% which makes the microalgal biomass a suitable feedstock for biodiesel production and CO2 mitigation.Keywords: Biodiesel, carbon dioxide fixation, fatty acid profile, microalgae, wastewater stabilization pondAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(20), pp. 2939-294

Global DNA methylation profiling of manganese-exposed human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells reveals epigenetic alterations in Parkinson’s disease-associated genes

Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element required for optimal functioning of cellular biochemical pathways in the central nervous system. Elevated exposure to Mn through environmental and occupational exposure can cause neurotoxic effects resulting in manganism, a condition with clinical symptoms identical to idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Epigenetics is now recognized as a biological mechanism involved in the etiology of various diseases. Here, we investigated the role of DNA methylation alterations induced by chronic Mn (100 µM) exposure in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells in relevance to Parkinson’s disease. A combined analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression data for Parkinson’s disease-associated genes was carried out. Whole-genome bisulfite conversion and sequencing indicate epigenetic perturbation of key genes involved in biological processes associated with neuronal cell health. Integration of DNA methylation data with gene expression reveals epigenetic alterations to PINK1, PARK2 and TH genes that play critical roles in the onset of Parkinsonism. The present study suggests that Mn-induced alteration of DNA methylation of PINK1–PARK2 may influence mitochondrial function and promote Parkinsonism. Our findings provide a basis to further explore and validate the epigenetic basis of Mn-induced neurotoxicity

New rotation periods in the Pleiades: Interpreting activity indicators

We present results of photometric monitoring campaigns of G, K and M dwarfs in the Pleiades carried out in 1994, 1995 and 1996. We have determined rotation periods for 18 stars in this cluster. In this paper, we examine the validity of using observables such as X-ray activity and amplitude of photometric variations as indicators of angular momentum loss. We report the discovery of cool, slow rotators with high amplitudes of variation. This contradicts previous conclusions about the use of amplitudes as an alternate diagnostic of the saturation of angular momentum loss. We show that the X-ray data can be used as observational indicators of mass-dependent saturation in the angular momentum loss proposed on theoretical grounds.Comment: 24 pages, LaTex (AASTeX); includes 8 postscript figures and 4 Latex tables. To appear in ApJ, Feb. 1, 1998. Postscript version of preprint can be obtained from http://casa.colorado.edu/~anitak/pubs.htm

The health burden and economic costs averted by ambient PM 2.5 pollution reductions in Nagpur, India

National estimates of the health and economic burdens of exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in India reveal substantial impacts. This information, often lacking at the local level, can justify and drive mitigation interventions. Here, we assess the health and economic gains resulting from attainment of WHO guidelines for PM2.5 concentrations – including interim target 2 (IT-2), interim target 3 (IT-3), and theWHO air quality guideline (AQG) – in Nagpur district to inform policy decision making for mitigation. We conducted a detailed assessment of concentrations of PM2.5 in 9 areas, covering urban, peri-urban and rural environments, from February 2013 to June 2014. We used a combination of hazard and survival analyses based on the life table method to calculate attributed annual number of premature deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for five health outcomes linked to PM2.5 exposure: acute lower respiratory infection for children b5 years, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke and lung cancer in adults !25 years. We used GBD 2013 data on deaths and DALYs for these diseases. We calculated averted deaths, DALYs and economic loss resulting from planned reductions in average PM2.5 concentration from current level to IT-2, IT-3 and AQG by the years 2023, 2033 and 2043, respectively. The economic cost for premature mortality was estimated as the product of attributed deaths and value of statistical life for India, while morbidity was assumed to be 10% of the mortality cost. The annual average PM2.5 concentration in Nagpur district is 34± 17 μg m−3 and results in 3.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.6, 4.2) thousand premature deaths and 91 (95% CI: 68, 116) thousand DALYs in 2013 with economic loss of USD 2.2 (95% CI: 1.7, 2.8) billion in that year. It is estimated that interventions that achieve IT-2, IT-3 and AQG by 2023, 2033 and 2043,would avert, respectively, 15, 30 and 36%, of the attributed health and economic loss in those years, translating into an impressively large health and economic gain. To achieve this, we recommend an exposure-integrated source reduction approach

Reducing recurrent stroke: methodology of the motivational interviewing in stroke (MIST) randomized clinical trial

Recurrent stroke is prevalent in both developed and developing countries, contributing significantly to disability and death. Recurrent stroke rates can be reduced by adequate risk factor management. However, adherence to prescribed medications and lifestyle changes recommended by physicians at discharge after stroke is poor, leading to a large number of preventable recurrent strokes. Using behavior change methods such as Motivational Interviewing early after stroke occurrence has the potential to prevent recurrent stroke

Photospheric and chromospheric activity on the young solar-type star HD 171488

We present the results of contemporaneous spectroscopic and photometric monitoring of the young solar-type star HD171488 (Prot~1.337 d) aimed at studying surface inhomogeneities at photospheric/chromospheric levels. Echelle FOCES spectra (R~40000) and Johnson photometry have been performed in 2006. Spectral type, rotational velocity, metallicity, and gravity were determined using a code developed by us. The metallicity was measured from the analysis of iron lines. The spectral subtraction technique was applied to the most relevant chromospheric diagnostics included in the FOCES spectral range (CaII IRT, Halpha, HeI-D3, Hbeta, CaII H&K). A model with two large high-latitude spots is sufficient to reproduce the B/V light curves and the radial velocity modulation, if a temperature difference between photosphere and spots of 1500 K is used. A Doppler imaging analysis of photospheric lines confirms a similar spot distribution. With the help of an analogous geometric two-spot model, we are able to reproduce the modulations in the residual chromospheric emissions adopting different values of ratios between the flux of plages and quiet chromosphere (5 for Halpha and 3 for CaII). Facular regions of solar type appear to be the main responsible for the modulations of chromospheric diagnostics. Both the spot/plage model and the cross-correlation between the light curve and the chromospheric line fluxes display a lead effect of plages with respect to spots (20-40 deg in longitude). The active regions of the rapidly rotating star HD171488 are similar to the solar ones in some respect, because the spot temperature is close to that of sunspot umbrae and the plage flux-contrast is consistent with the average solar values. The main differences with respect to the Sun are larger sizes and higher latitudes.Comment: Abstract shortened. 15 pages, 7 figures, 5 tables. Accepted for the publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

decolorisation,biodegration and detoxificatio of benzidine based azo dye

The present study deals with the decolorisation,biodegration and detoxification of Direct Black-38,a benzidine based azodyes, by a mixed microbial culture isolated from an aerobic bioreactor treating textile wastewater. The studies revealed a biotransforma-tion of Direct Black-38 into benzidine and 4-aminobiphenyl followed by complete decolorisation and biodegradation of these toxic intermediates. From cytotoxicity studies, it was concluded that detoxification of the dye took place after degradation of the toxic intermediates by the culture