The influence of Mn2+ on DNA structure in the presence of Na+ ions: a Raman spectroscopic study

The influence of Mn(2+) ions on the structure of natural calf thymus DNA was studied by Raman spectroscopy. Measurements were done at room temperature and pH 6.2±0.2, in the presence of the physiological concentration of 150 mM Na+ ions, and in the presence of Mn(2+) concentrations that varied between 0 and 600 mM. No condensation of DNA was observed at any of the Mn(2+) concentrations. At 5 mM Mn(2+) and 150 mM Na(+) no significant influence of Mn(2+) ions on the DNA structure can be observed. Compared with our previous results obtained at 10 mM Na(+) ions, binding of Mn(2+) ions to charged phosphate groups and to DNA bases is inhibited in the presence of 150 mM Na(+) ions. DNA backbone conformational changes were not observed in the whole concentration range of Mn(2+) ions as judging from the Raman spectra. No evidence for DNA melting was identified. A high Mn(2+) affinity for binding to guanine N7 and possibly, in a much lesser extent, to adenine have been found

Antenatal and postpartum immunological markers levels in women with HIV infection and malnutrition in a low resource setting: A pilot study

Supplemental Material for Antenatal and postpartum immunological markers levels in women with HIV infection and malnutrition in a low resource setting: A pilot study by Panashe Chandiwana , Privilege T Munjoma, Arthur J Mazhandu, Lovemore R Mazengera, Benjamin Misselwitz, Sebastian Jordi, Bahtiyar Yilmaz and Kerina Duri in European Journal of Inflammation</p

Differentiation Between Type I and Type II Substrate Binding to Cytochrome P450 by Temperature Studies

The binding reactions of type J and type II substances to cytochrome P450 solubilized from phenobarbital induced rat liver microsomes show different dependence on temperature. With increasing temperature the type II binding is lowered whereas the stability of type I substrate complexes increases. The binding enthalpies were calculated from the van\u27t Hoff plots and discussed in connection with the entropy and Gibbs energy of substrate binding to cytochrome P450. Our data on temperature dependence provide further evidence pointing to a difference between the binding sites of the two classes of substrates, and support the view that the type I binding site is located in a hydrophobic part of the cytochrome P450 molecule

Rivaroxaban versus enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis after hip arthroplasty.

This phase 3 trial compared the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban, an oral direct inhibitor of factor Xa, with those of enoxaparin for extended thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.In this randomized, double-blind study, we assigned 4541 patients to receive either 10 mg of oral rivaroxaban once daily, beginning after surgery, or 40 mg of enoxaparin subcutaneously once daily, beginning the evening before surgery, plus a placebo tablet or injection. The primary efficacy outcome was the composite of deep-vein thrombosis (either symptomatic or detected by bilateral venography if the patient was asymptomatic), nonfatal pulmonary embolism, or death from any cause at 36 days (range, 30 to 42). The main secondary efficacy outcome was major venous thromboembolism (proximal deep-vein thrombosis, nonfatal pulmonary embolism, or death from venous thromboembolism). The primary safety outcome was major bleeding.A total of 3153 patients were included in the superiority analysis (after 1388 exclusions), and 4433 were included in the safety analysis (after 108 exclusions). The primary efficacy outcome occurred in 18 of 1595 patients (1.1\%) in the rivaroxaban group and in 58 of 1558 patients (3.7\%) in the enoxaparin group (absolute risk reduction, 2.6\%; 95\% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 3.7; P<0.001). Major venous thromboembolism occurred in 4 of 1686 patients (0.2\%) in the rivaroxaban group and in 33 of 1678 patients (2.0\%) in the enoxaparin group (absolute risk reduction, 1.7\%; 95\% CI, 1.0 to 2.5; P<0.001). Major bleeding occurred in 6 of 2209 patients (0.3\%) in the rivaroxaban group and in 2 of 2224 patients (0.1\%) in the enoxaparin group (P=0.18).A once-daily, 10-mg oral dose of rivaroxaban was significantly more effective for extended thromboprophylaxis than a once-daily, 40-mg subcutaneous dose of enoxaparin in patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty. The two drugs had similar safety profiles. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00329628.

Widely differing screening and treatment practice for osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases in the Swiss IBD cohort study.

Low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis remain frequent problems in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Several guidelines with nonidentical recommendations exist and there is no general agreement regarding the optimal approach for osteoporosis screening in IBD patients. Clinical practice of osteoporosis screening and treatment remains insufficiently investigated.In the year 2014, a chart review of 877 patients included in the Swiss IBD Cohort study was performed to assess details of osteoporosis diagnostics and treatment. BMD measurements, osteoporosis treatment, and IBD medication were recorded.Our chart review revealed 253 dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans in 877 IBD patients; osteoporosis was prevalent in 20% of tested patients. We identified widely differing osteoporosis screening rates among centers (11%-62%). A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified predictive factors for screening including steroid usage, long disease duration, and perianal disease; even after correction for all risk factors, the study center remained a strong independent predictor (odds ratio 2.3-21 compared to the center with the lowest screening rate). Treatment rates for patients with osteoporosis were suboptimal (55% for calcium, 65% for vitamin D) at the time of chart review. Similarly, a significant fraction of patients with current steroid medication were not treated with vitamin D or calcium (treatment rates 53% for calcium, 58% for vitamin D). For only 29% of patients with osteoporosis bisphosphonate treatment was started. Treatment rates also differed among centers, generally following screening rates. In patients with longitudinal DXA scans, calcium and vitamin D usage was significantly associated with improvement of BMD over time.Our analysis identified inconsistent usage of osteoporosis screening and underuse of osteoporosis treatment in IBD patients. Increasing awareness of osteoporosis as a significant clinical problem in IBD patients might improve patient care

Low serum zinc levels predict presence of depression symptoms, but not overall disease outcome, regardless of ATG16L1 genotype in Crohn's disease patients.

Zinc deficiency (ZD) in Crohn's disease (CD) is considered a frequent finding and may exacerbate CD activity. ZD is associated with depression in non-CD patients. We aimed to assess the prevalence of ZD in CD patients in clinical remission, its association with mood disturbances and to analyze a potential impact on future disease course. Zinc levels from CD patients in clinical remission at baseline and an uncomplicated disease course within the next 3 years ( &lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 47) were compared with those from patients developing complications ( &lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 50). Baseline symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. Mean zinc level in the 97 patients (40.4 ± 15.7 years, 44.3% males) was 18.0 ± 4.7 μmol/l. While no ZD (&lt;11 μmol/l) was observed, we found low zinc levels (&lt;15.1 μmol/l) in 28 patients (28.9%). Males had higher zinc levels compared with females (19.4 ± 5.7 &lt;i&gt;versus&lt;/i&gt; 16.8 ± 3.3, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.006). Patients with low zinc levels more often reported depression symptoms compared with patients with higher levels (27.3 &lt;i&gt;versus&lt;/i&gt; 9.4%, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.047). In a multivariate analysis, zinc levels were an independent negative predictor for depression symptoms [odds ratio (OR) 0.727, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.532-0.993, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.045]. Zinc levels of patients with a complicated disease course were not different from those of patients without (17.7 ± 4.3 &lt;i&gt;versus&lt;/i&gt; 18.3 ± 5.1, n.s.). Baseline zinc levels did not predict disease outcome regardless of ATG16L1 genotype. Low-normal zinc levels were an independent predictor for the presence of depression symptoms in CD patients. Zinc levels at baseline did not predict a complicated disease course, neither in CD patients overall, nor ATG16L1 &lt;sup&gt;T300A&lt;/sup&gt; carriers

Because I'm happy - positive affect and its predictive value for future disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: While the detrimental impact of negative emotions on the clinical course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and quality of life has been extensively investigated, evidence for a potential impact of positive emotions is scarce. OBJECTIVES: We aim to analyse contributing factors of positive affect and their predictive value for disease course in IBD patients. DESIGN: In this retrospective cohort study, epidemiological, psychosocial and IBD disease characteristics of Swiss IBD cohort study patients were analysed longitudinally. METHODS: Epidemiological, psychosocial and disease characteristics were extracted from the database of the Swiss IBD cohort study. Participants' positive emotions were assessed cross-sectionally with the seven-item Marburg questionnaire (range 1-6) addressing positive affect in different aspects of daily life. Predictors of positive emotions were identified by linear regression. The quantitative longitudinal impact of positive emotions on the further disease course was analysed using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Among 702 IBD patients, those reporting more positive emotions were found to have significantly less intense medical treatment, less pain and fewer depressive symptoms (p  3.5) experienced longer flare-free survival, also after adjusting for confounders (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.39, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The absence of pain and depressive symptoms were the strongest drivers for high positive affect. Higher scores of positive affect were associated with longer disease-free survival in IBD patients

The Oxysterol Synthesising Enzyme CH25H Contributes to the Development of Intestinal Fibrosis

Intestinal fibrosis and stenosis are common complications of Crohn's disease [CD], frequently requiring surgery. Anti-inflammatory strategies can only partially prevent fibrosis; hence, anti-fibrotic therapies remain an unmet clinical need. Oxysterols are oxidised cholesterol derivatives with important roles in various biological processes. The enzyme cholesterol 25-hydroxylase [CH25H] converts cholesterol to 25-hydroxycholesterol [25-HC], which modulates immune responses and oxidative stress. In human intestinal samples from CD patients, we found a strong correlation of CH25H mRNA expression with the expression of fibrosis markers. We demonstrate reduced intestinal fibrosis in mice deficient for the CH25H enzyme, using the sodium dextran sulphate [DSS]-induced chronic colitis model. Additionally, using a heterotopic transplantation model of intestinal fibrosis, we demonstrate reduced collagen deposition and lower concentrations of hydroxyproline in CH25H knockouts. In the heterotopic transplant model, CH25H was expressed in fibroblasts. Taken together, our findings indicate an involvement of oxysterol synthesis in the pathogenesis of intestinal fibrosis

Проектирование автоматизированной групповой замерной установки при разработке Макарьевского месторождения нефти на проточном-1 лицензионном участке недр Томской области

В данной дипломной работе произведено обоснование оптимальной конфигурации и проектирование автоматизированной группой замерной установки для системы сбора продукции эксплуатационных скважин в рамках прогноза эффективности разработки Макарьевского месторождения Томской области.In this graduation work the study of the optimal configuration and design of automated group measuring system for the collection system of production wells within the forecast development efficiency Makar deposits of Tomsk region