The Effects of Nitric Oxide Donor Molsidomine on Skeletal Muscle Damage in a Rat Hind Limb Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion

Background: In this experimental study, we aimed to examine the protective effect of molsidomine (MS), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, against ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury in a rat skeletal muscle model. Methods: Ischemia was achieved by application of an elastic rubber band as high as possible on the left thigh of the rats. Group 1: the control group received a sham operation. Group 2: the I-R group received I-R injury to the left hind limbs. Group 3: the I-R/MS group underwent the same model of I-R injury and received MS. Group 4: the I-R/L -NAME (N-omega-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester) group underwent the same model of I-R injury and received L -NAME, an inhibitor of NO synthase. Results: In groups 2 and 4, malondialdehyde increased significantly when compared to groups 1 and 3. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase increased significantly in group 3 compared to groups 2 and 4. The NO levels were significantly elevated in group 3 compared to groups 2 and 4. In addition, the histopathological score was considerably lower in group 3 than in group 4. The number of necrotic muscle fibers and infiltration of neutrophils were significantly reduced in the MS-treated group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that MS can exert a protective effect against skeletal muscle injury caused by I-R in the rats. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Base

Performance of a salt gradient solar pond with reflective covered surface and derivation of analytic functions for air and soil temperatures for isparta region

6th International Conference of the Balkan-Physical-Union -- AUG 22-26, 2006 -- Istanbul, TURKEYWOS: 000246647900188In this study, salt gradient solar pond having a surface area of 3.5x3.5 m(2) and depth of 2 m has been constructed in Isparta/Turkiye and a computer software, capable of giving the temporal temperature variation at any point inside or outside a insulated solar pond at any time is presented. Hourly average values of air temperature and daily average soil temperature for the site were used as input parameters. These parameters have been calculated from analytical functions derived by using the hourly and daily temperature values for air and soil data obtained from the local meteorological station in Isparta region, respectively. The results obtained using analytic functions were in good agreement with the experimental results. Performance of the pond has been investigated theoretically and experimentally.Balkan Phys Union, Turkish Phys Soc, Istanbul Univ, Yildiz Tech Univ, Bogaz Univ, Dogus Univ, European Phys Soc, Govt Istanbul, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipal, Turkish Atomic Energy Author, Sci & Technol Res Council Turkey, United Natl Educ Sci & Cultutal Org, NEL Electroni

X-ray spectromicroscopy of biomolecular matter and soils

The aim of this study is the comparison of samples at dry and aqueous ambient conditions. Especially in biological and environmental sciences, x-ray spectromicroscopy is a powerful tool for investigating key questions, e.g., the study of structures in soil samples or cells showing dimensions on the nanoscale, concurrently gaining insight into chemical interactions. The spectral range around the C K-edge, in the so-called water window (285 eV – 523 eV), is especially well suited for the samples mentioned above, since it allows for working under aqueous and natural conditions. Exemplarily we present x-ray spectromicroscopy experiments of three different samples of high carbon content to demonstrate the importance of a sample environment as close to natural conditions as possible

Unstable Belief Formation and Slowed Decision-making: Evidence That the Jumping-to-Conclusions Bias in Schizophrenia Is Not Linked to Impulsive Decision-making

Background Jumping-to-conclusions (JTC) is a prominent reasoning bias in schizophrenia (SCZ). While it has been linked to not only psychopathological abnormalities (delusions and impulsive decision-making) but also unstable belief formation, its origin remains unclear. We here directly test to which extend JTC is associated with delusional ideation, impulsive decision-making, and unstable belief formation. Methods In total, 45 SCZ patients were compared with matched samples of 45 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 45 healthy controls (HC) as delusions and JTC also occur in other mental disorders and the general population. Participants performed a probabilistic beads task. To test the association of JTC with measures of delusions (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS](positive), PANSS(positive-factor), and Peter Delusions Inventory [PDI]), Bayesian linear regressions were computed. For the link between JTC and impulsive decision-making and unstable beliefs, we conducted between-group comparisons of "draws to decision" (DTD), "decision times" (DT), and "disconfirmatory evidence scores" (DES). Results Bayesian regression obtained no robust relationship between PDI and DTD (all |R-adj(2)| = .022, all Bayes Factors [BF01] = .216; numerically higher DT in other trials). Further, SCZ had unstable beliefs about the correct source jar whenever unexpected changes in bead sequences (disconfirmatory evidence) occurred (compared with MDD: all P = .232; compared with HC: numerically higher DES). No significant correlation was observed between DT and DTD (all P >= .050). Conclusions Our findings point toward a relationship of JTC with unstable belief formation and do not support the assumption that JTC is associated with impulsive decision-making

Coffee consumption and NAFLD: a community based study on 1223 subjects

Background: Objective of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the impact of caffeine consumption on fatty liver and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations in a random population sample. Methods: All subjects (n = 1452; 789 women, 663 men; average age 42.3 ± 12.8 years) underwent ultrasonographic examination of the liver and completed a standardized questionnaire regarding personal and lifestyle data, in particular relating to coffee consumption and past medical history. In addition, anthropometric data were documented and laboratory examinations performed. Statistical interpretation of the data was performed descriptively and by means of bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Data of the present study demonstrated a significant association between hepatic steatosis male gender (p < 0.0001), advanced age (p < 0.0001) and elevated body-mass index (BMI; p < 0.0001). No association between caffeine consumption and fatty liver was identified. An association between caffeine consumption and elevated serum ALT concentrations was not identified. Conclusions: The findings of the present study provide no evidence for an association between caffeine consumption and either the prevalence of hepatic steatosis or serum ALT concentrations.Published versio

Rise of oceanographic barriers in continuous populations of a cetacean: the genetic structure of harbour porpoises in Old World waters

Background: Understanding the role of seascape in shaping genetic and demographic population structure is highly challenging for marine pelagic species such as cetaceans for which there is generally little evidence of what could effectively restrict their dispersal. In the present work, we applied a combination of recent individual-based landscape genetic approaches to investigate the population genetic structure of a highly mobile extensive range cetacean, the harbour porpoise in the eastern North Atlantic, with regards to oceanographic characteristics that could constrain its dispersal