The multifaceted role of astrocytes in regulating myelination

Astrocytes are the major glial cell of the central nervous system (CNS), providing both metabolic and physical support to other neural cells. After injury, astrocytes become reactive and express a continuum of phenotypes which may be supportive or inhibitory to CNS repair. This review will focus on the ability of astrocytes to influence myelination in the context of specific secreted factors, cytokines and other neural cell targets within the CNS. In particular, we focus on how astrocytes provide energy and cholesterol to neurons, influence synaptogenesis, affect oligodendrocyte biology and instigate cross-talk between the many cellular components of the CNS

Rhodacyanine Derivative Selectively Targets Cancer Cells and Overcomes Tamoxifen Resistance

MKT-077, a rhodacyanine dye, was shown to produce cancer specific cell death. However, complications prevented the use of this compound beyond clinical trials. Here we describe YM-1, a derivative of MKT-077. We found that YM-1 was more cytotoxic and localized differently than MKT-077. YM-1 demonstrated this cytotoxicity across multiple cancer cell lines. This toxicity was limited to cancer cell lines; immortalized cell models were unaffected. Brief applications of YM-1 were found to be non-toxic. Brief treatment with YM-1 restored tamoxifen sensitivity to a refractory tamoxifen-resistant MCF7 cell model. This effect is potentially due to altered estrogen receptor alpha phosphorylation, an outcome precipitated by selective reductions in Akt levels (Akt/PKB). Thus, modifications to the rhodocyanine scaffold could potentially be made to improve efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties. Moreover, the impact on tamoxifen sensitivity could be a new utility for this compound family

Challenging the Science Curriculum Paradigm: TeachingPrimary Children Atomic-Molecular Theory

Solutions to global issues demand the involvement of scientists, yet concern exists about retention rates in science as students pass through school into University. Young children are curious about science, yet are considered incapable of grappling with abstract and microscopic concepts such as atoms, sub-atomic particles, molecules and DNA. School curricula for primary (elementary) aged children reflect this by their limitation to examining only what phenomena are without providing any explanatory frameworks for how or why they occur. This research challenges the assumption that atomic-molecular theory is too difficult for young children, examining new ways of introducing atomic theory to 9 year olds and seeks to verify their efficacy in producing genuine learning in the participants. Early results in three cases in different schools indicate these novel methods fostered further interest in science, allowed diverse children to engage and learn aspects of atomic theory, and satisfied the children’s desire for intellectual challenge. Learning exceeded expectations as demonstrated in the post-interview findings. Learning was also remarkably robust, as demonstrated in two schools eight weeks after the intervention, and in one school, one year after their first exposure to ideas about atoms, elements and molecules

Biosorption and separation/preconcentration of lead and nickel on rhodococcus ruber biomass

At the present time emphasis is given to the utilization of microorganisms because of their great ability to absorb metal ions from aqueous solution. Hence, in this study, Pb2+ and Ni2+ ions at trace levels were separated and preconcentrated on a column containing a bacterium, Rhodococcus ruber bacterial biomass (RrBB), as a new solid phase extraction technique prior to their flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) determination. The optimum experimental and analytical parameters such as pH of sample solution, volume and concentration of eluent, flow rate of sample solution and eluent, sample volume, effect of common matrix ions and capacity of biosorbent were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the preconcentration factors for Pb2+ and Ni2+ were calculated as 150 and 100, respectively. The analytical detection limits for Pb2+ and Ni2+ were 0.32µgL-1 and 0.24 µgL-1 respectively. The Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity of biomass was estimated as 42.91 and 6.78 mg g-1 for Pb2+ and Ni2+, respectively. Certified reference material (NIST SRM 1640a) was also used to confirm the accuracy of the method. The developed solid phase extraction method was applied successfully for the determination of Pb2+ and Ni2+ in various water samples. © by PSP

Surgical anatomy of the cervical sympathetic trunk

Lack of knowledge of the anatomy of the cervical sympathetic trunk (CST) may complicate surgical procedures on the cervical spine. This study aims to define linear and angular relations of the CST with respect to consistent Structures around it, including the number and size of the cervical ganglia, the distances between the CST and the longus colli muscle and the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae. Morphometric parameters of the 24 CSTs of 12 adults were measured on both sides. The CST had superior, middle, and inferior (or cervicothoracic) ganglia in 20.8% of specimens; superior and inferior (or cervicothoracic) ganglia in 45.8%; superior, middle, vertebral, inferior, or cervicothoracic ganglia in 12.5%, and superior, vertebral, inferior or cervicothoracic ganglia in 20.8% of specimens. The superior ganglion was observed in all specimens, the middle ganglion and vertebral ganglion were each observed in 33.3%. There was no difference between the number of superior and vertebral Ganglia between the right and left sides. The average distance between the CST and the medial border of the ipsilateral longus colli muscle (LCM) was 17.2 mm at C3 and 12.4 mm at C7. As the CSTs converged caudally, the LCMs diverged. The average distance between the anterior tubercles of transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae and the lateral borders of the ipsilateral CST was 3.4 mm at C4, 3.2 min at C5, and 3.9 min at C6. The presence of a vertebral ganglion and variations, such as the localization of the CST within the carotid sheath, are important. The anatomical landmarks described should assist the spinal surgeon to avoid injury of the CST. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss. Inc

Antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities of deprenyl and estradiol co-administration in aged rat kidney

Aging is a progressive degeneration process in living organisms. Deprenyl is an irreversible monoamineoxidase B inhibitor which has antioxidant, antiapoptotic and neuroprotective effects. Estradiol is also a neuroprotective and antioxidant hormone. The objective of this study was to determine whether the antioxidative effects of deprenyl can suppress apoptotic activity, with or without estradiol, in aged female rat kidney. Wistar Albino female rats were divided into six groups as follows; young (3 months old) control, aged (24 months old) control, aged deprenyl treated, aged estradiol treated, aged deprenyl plus estradiol treated and sham. All rats except for the sham group were injected for 21 days. Determination of oxidative stress parameter was performed spectrophotometrically. To detect apoptotic cells, TUNEL staining and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry were performed. Deprenyl and estradiol administration, alone or in combination, decreased significantly the levels of lipid peroxidation relative to aged control and sham-injected rats. The number of TUNEL positive cells decreased significantly in deprenyl and estradioltreated rats compared with aged control and sham rats. Deprenyl and estradiol replacement attenuated age-related changes in renal morphology. The results indicate that deprenyl treatment alone, or in combination with estradiol, may modulate age-related apoptotic changes in rat kidney by decreasing oxidative stress

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIAPOPTOTIC ACTIVITIES OF DEPRENYL AND ESTRADIOL CO-ADMINISTRATION IN AGED RAT KIDNEY

Aging is a progressive degeneration process in living organisms. Deprenyl is an irreversible monoamine-oxidase B inhibitor which has antioxidant, antiapoptotic and neuroprotective effects. Estradiol is also a neuroprotective and antioxidant hormone. The objective of this study was to determine whether the antioxidative effects of deprenyl can suppress apoptotic activity, with or without estradiol, in aged female rat kidney. Wistar Albino female rats were divided into six groups as follows; young (3 months old) control, aged (24 months old) control, aged deprenyl treated, aged estradiol treated, aged deprenyl plus estradiol treated and sham. All rats except for the sham group were injected for 21 days. Determination of oxidative stress parameter was performed spectrophotometrically. To detect apoptotic cells, TUNEL staining and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry were performed. Deprenyl and estradiol administration, alone or in combination, decreased significantly the levels of lipid peroxidation relative to aged control and sham-injected rats. The number of TUNEL positive cells decreased significantly in deprenyl and estradiol-treated rats compared with aged control and sham rats. Deprenyl and estradiol replacement attenuated age-related changes in renal morphology. The results indicate that deprenyl treatment alone, or in combination with estradiol, may modulate age-related apoptotic changes in rat kidney by decreasing oxidative stress

Intravenous paracetamol versus dexketoprofen in acute migraine attack in the emergency department: A randomised clinical trial

Objective Migraine is a common form of headache that is a major burden for patients who often seek emergency care. The goal of this study was to compare the effectiveness of intravenous non-steroidal antiinflammatory medication (dexketoprofen) with paracetamol (acetaminophen) in the treatment of an acute migraine attack. Materials and methods This prospective, randomised, double blind, controlled study was conducted in a tertiary care emergency unit. Study patients were randomised into two groups to receive either 50 mg of dexketoprofen trometamol or 1000 mg of paracetamol intravenously by rapid infusion in 150 mL of normal saline. Pain reduction was measured at baseline, and after 15 and 30 min, using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)) as the primary outcome. VAS is a measurement tool ranging from 0 (no pain) to 100 mm (worst pain). Results 200 patients were included in the final analysis. Mean (SD) age of the study subjects was 30.1±11 years and 81% (n=162) were women. Median reduction in VAS score at 30 min was 56 (IQR 30-78.5) for the paracetamol group and 55 (IQR 34-75) for the dexketoprofen group, with a difference of 1 mm (95% CI -7 to 10) between the two groups. Conclusions Intravenous paracetamol and dexketoprofen appear to produce equivalent pain relief for migraine in the emergency department