The effects of 17β-estradiol on striatal dopamine transmission and its implications for responsivity to antipsychotics in female rats

There are sex differences in the symptom manifestation of schizophrenia as well as in the response to antipsychotics. For example, women respond better to antipsychotic treatment when estrogens are used as an adjuvant therapy. This has led to the question of whether sex hormones play a role in the neurobiology of this disorder and/or the response to treatments. The earliest version of the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia proposed that this disorder is associated with hyperactive striatal dopamine transmission and most antipsychotics antagonize dopamine D2 receptors. Yet, estrogens themselves have been shown to enhance striatal dopamine transmission; suggesting a paradox. This thesis examined the relationship between one estrogen, 17β-estradiol, and dopamine, and the mechanisms through which 17β-estradiol affects D2 receptors. Specifically, the effects of 17β-estradiol on tonic/phasic dorsal striatal dopamine release was measured. The effects of 17β-estradiol on specifically phasic dorsal striatal dopamine release was examined. It was shown that 17β-estradiol rapidly increases both tonic and phasic dorsal striatal dopamine release in vivo in anesthetized female rats. The rodent model of amphetamine sensitization, which mimics in rats some of the neuronal changes thought to occur in schizophrenia, was then used for the ensuing two studies. In those experiments, the mechanisms through which 17β-estradiol and the antipsychotic, haloperidol, affect dopamine transmission were explored via their effects on dopamine D2 receptor affinity and some of its second messenger proteins (i.e., Akt, phosphorylated Akt, and β-arrestin). Both 17β-estradiol and haloperidol increase the affinity of D2High and D2Low receptors. Additionally, the combination of 17β-estradiol and haloperidol together decrease the proportion of dopamine D2 receptors in the high affinity state. However, there were no observed effects on second messenger proteins. These studies provide one potential mechanism, i.e., via dopamine D2 receptor affinity state, through which 17β-estradiol in conjunction with the antipsychotic, haloperidol, may enhance its effects on reducing striatal dopamine transmission despite increasing dopamine release. These data have implications for the beneficial effects of estrogens in the treatment of schizophrenia in women

Comparison between Mesh Hernioplasty and Simple Suture Repair in the treatment of Paraumbilical Hernias at Bahawalpur Hospitals

To compare the rate of recurrence between mesh hernioplasty and simple suture repair in the management of paraumbilical hernias. Total 215 patients were selected in medical ward of Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. They were subdivided into three groups. Group A 112 patients were repaired in traditional way and group B 88 patients underwent mesh repair and the in third group C 15 patients undergone other ways of repair which we did not covered in our study. And the patients who showed the recurrence of hernia were selected and those were subject of interest. A comparison was made between two groups in terms of, complications and rate of recurrence. In Group A, 12(10.71%) patients had recurrence which was quite high compared to the group B which had only 2(2.27%) patients. Rate of infection was higher in group B (12%). There were incidences of postoperative hematomas and seromas formation in group A but none in group B. Mesh hernioplasty significantly reduced the recurrence rate as compared to the traditional suture repair. Unlike results of the other studies, infection rate was not high in mesh group. Keywords: Paraumbilical hernia, Mesh repair, Simple suture repair

The Serine/Threonine-Protein Phosphatase 1 From Haemonchus contortus Is Actively Involved in Suppressive Regulatory Roles on Immune Functions of Goat Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Serine/threonine-protein phosphatases (STPs), as integral constituents of parasitic excretory/secretory proteins, are assumed to be released during the host–parasite interactions. However, knowledge about these phosphatases and their immunoregulatory and immune protective efficiencies with host peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is scant. In this study, an open reading frame of STP from Haemonchus contortus designated as HcSTP-1 was amplified and cloned using reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. The 951-bp nucleotides sequence was encoded to a protein of 316 amino acid residues, conserved in characteristics motifs GDXHG, GDYVDRG, GNHE, HGG, RG, and H. The HcSTP-1 protein was detected at approximately 35 kDa as recombinant protein fused in an expression vector system and resolved on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Immunohistochemically, HcSTP-1 was found to be localized in both male and female adult worm sections. Using immunofluorescence assay, the binding activity of rHcSTP-1 was confirmed on surface of goat PBMCs, which resulted in expression of multiple cytokines and various immunoregulatory activities in vitro. The RT-PCR results showed that mRNA level of interleukin-2, TGF-β1, IFN-γ, and IL-17 (with 10 µg/ml) was upregulated and IL-10 was decreased. However, IL-6 showed no change after PBMCs incubated with rHcSTP-1 protein. Further functional analysis showed that migratory activity of cells, intracellular nitrite production (NO), and apoptotic efficiency of PBMCs were elevated at significant level, whereas the proliferation of goat PBMCs and monocytes-associated major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and MHC-II expressions were decreased significantly at concentration-dependent fashion. Our results showed that the HcSTP-1 protein engaged in vital suppressive regulatory roles on host immune cells, which might represent a potential molecular target for controlling H. contortus infection in future

Rosistilla oblonga gen. nov., sp. nov. and Rosistilla carotiformis sp. nov., isolated from biotic or abiotic surfaces in Northern Germany, Mallorca, Spain and California, USA

Planctomycetes are ubiquitous bacteria with fascinating cell biological features. Strains available as axenic cultures in most cases have been isolated from aquatic environments and serve as a basis to study planctomycetal cell biology and interactions in further detail. As a contribution to the current collection of axenic cultures, here we characterise three closely related strains, Poly24$^{T}$, CA51$^{T}$ and Mal33, which were isolated from the Baltic Sea, the Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, respectively. The strains display cell biological features typical for related Planctomycetes, such as division by polar budding, presence of crateriform structures and formation of rosettes. Optimal growth was observed at temperatures of 30–33 °C and at pH 7.5, which led to maximal growth rates of 0.065–0.079 h$^{-1}$, corresponding to generation times of 9–11 h. The genomes of the novel isolates have a size of 7.3–7.5 Mb and a G + C content of 57.7–58.2%. Phylogenetic analyses place the strains in the family Pirellulaceae and suggest that Roseimaritima ulvae and Roseimaritima sediminicola are the current closest relatives. Analysis of five different phylogenetic markers, however, supports the delineation of the strains from members of the genus Roseimaritima and other characterised genera in the family. Supported by morphological and physiological differences, we conclude that the strains belong to the novel genus Rosistilla gen. nov. and constitute two novel species, for which we propose the names Rosistilla carotiformis sp. nov. and Rosistilla oblonga sp. nov. (the type species). The two novel species are represented by the type strains Poly24$^{T}$ (= DSM 102938$^{T}$ = VKM B-3434$^{T}$ = LMG 31347$^{T}$ = CECT 9848$^{T}$) and CA51$^{T}$ (= DSM 104080$^{T}$ = LMG 29702$^{T}$), respectively

The Effectiveness of Weekly Iron Supplementation in Increasing Haemoglobin Level and Preventing Anaemia in Infants

Background: To determine the effect of weekly iron supplementation on haemoglobin values and prevention of anaemia compared with control in otherwise healthy infants.Methods: In this randomized controlled study healthy infants between ages 6-12 months were enrolled through consecutive sampling technique and randomized each to one of two study groups; Intervention Group-1 was given 5mg of elemental iron per kilogram of body weight once weekly and control Group-2 received Placebo once weekly. Anthropometric and haematological measurements were performed for both groups before and 12weeks after intervention.Results: Ninety eight infants were included and 76 completed the study with mean age of 9.36months. The average weight and length of infants in both groups increased significantly in the study period with no difference among both the groups. Mean haemoglobin increased significantly in Group-1 from 10.62±1.03g/dl to 11.83±0.76g/dl while the change in haemoglobin concentration was minor in Group-2 from 10.90±1.14g/dl to 11.08±1.11g/dl. Initial values of haematocrit 32.32±2.81%(Group-1), 32.78±2.92%(Group-2) and MCV 65.45±5.12fl(Group-1), 67.13±4.92fl(Group-2) were comparable between the groups, but after treatment haematocrit 36.5±2.37%(Group-1), 33.84±3.20%(Group-2) and MCV 72.45±3.27fl(Group-1), 69.52±4.86fl (Group-2) increased significantly in group 1.Serum Ferritin levels in Group-1 increased from 17.25±26.88ug/L to 53.00±23.69ug/L but it remained unchanged in Group-2 from 13.50±7.49ug/L to 12.55±4.73ug/L.Conclusion: Once-weekly iron supplementation is an effective, cheap, and simple intervention that significantly increases haemoglobin level and improves iron status in infants

Tourists’ Safety Perception Clues in the Urban Forest Environment: Visual Quality, Facility Completeness, Accessibility—A Case Study of Urban Forests in Fuzhou, China

The service quality and safety perception of urban forests are important factors that influence tourists to choose them as recreation destinations. This study aims to propose a theoretical model of multivariate relationships to explore the relationship between service quality (including visual quality, facility completeness, and accessibility) and safety perception to examine whether visual quality, facility completeness, and accessibility on tourists’ safety perception in the urban forest and to explain the specific reasons for the impact. We collected sample data from many urban forest green spaces in Fuzhou through a two-stage field survey (N = 891), and controlling for potential confounders, a structural equation model was used to estimate relationships. Safety perception was divided into safety environment perception, control perception, and safety emotion. Visual quality of an urban forest positively affected safety emotion. Traffic accessibility positively affected control perception. Facility completeness had a positive impact on safety emotion and control perception. Both safety emotion and control perception played an important intermediary role in improving the perception of a safe environment in the multivariate model. Visual quality, facility completeness, and accessibility all had a positive impact on tourists’ safety perception of urban forests. The findings suggest that improving the service quality of a green space can effectively improve tourists’ evaluation of the safety of the urban forest environment. Specifically, tourists’ psychological tolerance to threats and their self-confidence in survival can be enhanced by improving the service quality of a green space

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Ampelocalamus scandens (Arundinarodae)

Ampelocalamus scandens is native to Guizhou Province, China, and grows at an altitude of 260–320 m. It can be used as a raw material for weaving and papermaking. In the current study, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of A. scandens was sequenced and is reported for the first time. The complete cp sequence was 139,504 bp, include large single-copy (LSC), small single-copy (SSC), and a pair of invert repeats (IR) region of 83,103 bp, 12,813 bp, and 21,793 bp, respectively. Besides, the plastid genome comprised a total of 132 genes, including protein-coding, tRNA, and rRNA genes as 85, 39, and 8 genes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 28 cp genomes reveals that A. scandens is closely associated with Ampelocalamus melicoideus in Arundinarodae

Photosynthetic Responses of Anthurium × ‘Red’ under Different Light Conditions

Light is an essential energy source for plant photosynthesis, although it can also be a stress-causing element. Therefore, the current research was aimed to compare photosynthetic responses of Anthurium × ‘Red’ leaves at different positions (bottom old leaf, 1; center mature leaf, 2; top expanded leaf, 3) established under three photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs): 550 μmol·m−2·s−1 as high (H), 350 μmol·m−2·s−1 as medium (M), and 255 μmol·m−2·s−1 as low (L). After six months, all the replicates were relocated to interior rooms with a PPFD of 30 μmol·m−2·s−1. There were no significant differences in chlorophyll concentration of the old leaf among treatments, before (Day 0) and after shifting the plants to interior rooms (Day 30). The total chlorophyll concentrations of the mature and top leaves increased significantly. In greenhouse conditions, H and M treatments did not show any significant change for net photosynthetic rate (Pn) at various leaf positions. However, M2 exhibited an improved Pn in the interior conditions. Plants grown under M treatment were greener and had bigger leaves compared to other treatments. Our study reveals that Anthurium × ‘Red’ photosynthesis responses to different light conditions varied distinctly. However, M treatment can keep the plants looking green by accumulating enough energy for indoor conditions, and middle and lower leaves may be triggered to restore photosynthetic activity under low light or indoor conditions

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Bambusa contracta L.C.Chia & H.L.Fung (Bambusodae)

Bambusa contracta L. C. Chia & H. L. Fung is widely distributed in the foothills of Guangxi province, China, and used as a raw material for the production of various bamboo weaving products. In the present work, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of B. contracta was characterized by Illumina pair-end sequencing. The chloroplast genome of B. contracta was 139,470 bp in total length, containing a large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,187 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 12,897 bp, and two inverted repeats (IR) regions of 21,693 bp. The genome consisted of a total of 127 genes, with 83 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Based on 14 chloroplast genomes, the phylogenetic analysis revealed that B. contracta is closely related to B. emeiensis in Bambusodae

Characterization of Haemonchus contortus Excretory/Secretory Antigen (ES-15) and Its Modulatory Functions on Goat Immune Cells In Vitro

Small size excretory/secretory (ES) antigens of the Haemonchus contortus parasite have intense interest among researchers for understanding the molecular basis of helminths immune regulation in term of control strategies. Immunomodulatory roles of H. contortus ES-15 kDa (HcES-15) on host immune cells during host–parasite interactions are unknown. In this study, the HcES-15 gene was cloned and expression of recombinant protein (rHcES-15) was induced by isopropyl-ß-d-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). Binding activity of rHcES-15 to goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was confirmed by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and immunohistochemical analysis showed that H. contortus 15 kDa protein localized in the outer and inner structure of the adult worm, clearly indicated as the parasite’s ES antigen. The immunoregulatory role on cytokines production, cell proliferation, cell migration, nitric oxide (NO) production, apoptosis, and phagocytosis were observed by co-incubation of rHcES-15 with goat PBMCs. The results showed that cytokines IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, the production of nitric oxide (NO), PBMCs apoptosis, and monocytes phagocytosis were all elevated after cells incubated with rHcES-15 at differential protein concentrations. We also found that IFN-γ, TGF-β1, cells proliferation and migration were significantly suppressed with the interaction of rHcES-15 protein. Our findings indicated that low molecular ES antigens of H. contortus possessed discrete immunoregulatory roles, which will help to understand the mechanisms involved in immune evasion by the parasite during host–parasite interactions