Poststroke Depression as a Factor Adversely Affecting the Level of Oxidative Damage to Plasma Proteins during a Brain Stroke

Poststroke depression, the second most serious psychosomatic complication after brain stroke, leads to delay of the rehabilitation process and is associated with an increased disability and cognitive impairment along with increase in termmortality. Research into the biochemical changes in depression is still insufficiently described. The aim of our study was therefore to evaluate the possible association between plasma protein oxidative/nitrative damages and the development of poststroke depression. We evaluated oxidative/nitrative modifications of specific proteins by measurement of 3-nitrotyrosine and carbonyl groups levels using ELISA test. Additionally, we checked differences in proteins thiol groups by spectrophotometric assay based on reaction between DTNB and thiols. We also evaluated catalase activity in erythrocytes measured as ability to decompose H2O2. Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman’s rank. We observed significant ( < 0.001) differences in all oxidative/nitrative stress parameters in brain stroke patients compared to healthy group.Our research shows that oxidative damage of proteins is correlated with the degree of poststroke depression, while nitrative changes do not show any relationship.We demonstrate a positive correlation between the concentration of carbonyl groups and the Geriatric Depression Scale and a negative correlation between the degree of depression and the concentration of -SH groups or catalase activity

Gender based prescriptions: evidence for altruism

This paper analyzes the way in which men and women are expected to behave differently in an experimental situation. To do so, we concentrate on a single topic: altruism. Since the dictator game provides the most suitable design for studying altruism and generosity in the lab setting, we use a modified version to study the beliefs involved in the game. Our results are substantial: men and women are expected to behave differently and both believe that women are more generous. These two premises affect their behavior.prescriptions, dictator game, beliefs, generosity, gender

Functional role of PGAM5 multimeric assemblies and their polymerization into filaments.

PGAM5 is a mitochondrial protein phosphatase whose genetic ablation in mice results in mitochondria-related disorders, including neurodegeneration. Functions of PGAM5 include regulation of mitophagy, cell death, metabolism and aging. However, mechanisms regulating PGAM5 activation and signaling are poorly understood. Using electron cryo-microscopy, we show that PGAM5 forms dodecamers in solution. We also present a crystal structure of PGAM5 that reveals the determinants of dodecamer formation. Furthermore, we observe PGAM5 dodecamer assembly into filaments both in vitro and in cells. We find that PGAM5 oligomerization into a dodecamer is not only essential for catalytic activation, but this form also plays a structural role on mitochondrial membranes, which is independent of phosphatase activity. Together, these findings suggest that modulation of the oligomerization of PGAM5 may be a regulatory switch of potential therapeutic interest

Are women expected to be more generous?

This paper analyzes if men and women are expected to behave dif- ferently regarding altruism. Since the dictator game provides the most suitable design for studying altruism and generosity in the lab setting, we use a modi.ed version to study the beliefs involved in the game. Our results are substantial: men and women are expected to behave di¤er- ently. Moreover, while women believe that women are more generous, men consider women as generous as men.Financial support is gratefully acknowledge by Spanish Ministry SEJ2007-62081/ECON, Junta de Andalucia P07-02547 and CEA (SOCH2.05/43)

American dream delayed: shifting determinants of homeownership

This paper develops and estimates a dynamic model of discrete choice for labor supply, fertility and transition from tenant to homeowner, to investigate the secular decline in homeownership over the past several decades, wholly attributable to households postponing the purchase of their first home. House prices only partly explain the decline; higher base level wages led to lower fertility also contributing to the decline, because households with children are more likely to own a home than those without. Somewhat surprisingly we find higher levels of female education ameliorated this trend, highly educated women placing greater value on homeownership

Draft Genome Sequence of Antibiotic-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis Strain UMB0843, Isolated from the Female Urinary Tract

Here, we introduce the 2.8-Mbp draft genome of Enterococcus faecalis strain UMB0843, isolated from the female urinary tract. E. faecalis is a leading cause of nosocomial infections, and many strains are often resistant to multiple antibiotics. We focus our genome analysis on the multiple genes involved in antibiotic resistance in this strain