Altered expression of human endogenous retroviruses syncytin-1, syncytin-2 and their receptors in human normal and gestational diabetic placenta

Introduction: Syncytins belong to the Human Endogenous Retrovirus family. The syncytin-1 receptor, SLC1A5, and syncytin-2 receptor, MFSD2, interact with their respective syncytin proteins to induce syncytiotrophoblast formation. However, there is no information about syncytins in gestational diabetic placenta. Therefore, we studied the expression and localization of syncytins and their receptors during normal placental development and in gestational diabetic placenta. Methods: Immunohistochemistry and Western-blot methods were performed with antibodies against syncytin-1, syncytin-2, SLC1A5 and MFSD2 in human first trimester placental tissues, normal term and gestational diabetic placentas. Syncytin-1, syncytin-2 and MFSD2 mRNA transcripts were determined by qRTPCR in normal and diabetic term placentas. Results: Cytoplasmic syncytin-1, syncytin-2, SLC1A5 and MFSD2 immunoreactions were observed in the trophoblastic layers in all placental samples. Some of the stromal cells showed strong cytoplasmic punctate staining. There were significantly weak syncytin-2 and MFSD2 immunoreaction intensities in diabetic placentas by ImageJ analysis, in parallel with decreased syncytin-2 and MFSD2 proteins in diabetic placentas by Westernblot. Protein expression of SLC1A5 increased dramatically in early pregnancy compared to term placenta. Syncytin-1, syncytin-2 and MFSD2 mRNA transcripts showed similar relative expression pattern by qRT-PCR. Discussion: Syncytins were localized not only in cytotrophoblast cells and the basement membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast but also in the apical microvillous membrane, cytoplasm of syncytiotrophoblast, some of the stromal cells and endothelium. Decreased syncytin-2 and MFSD2 proteins in gestational diabetic placentas might cause abnormal syncytiotrophoblast formation and possibly be involved in the pathology. Therefore, our study highlights an important potential relationship between syncytins and gestational diabetic placenta

Feeling Of Liberty And Internalized Stigma: Comparison Of Inpatient And Outpatient Cases Receiving Psychiatric Treatment

Objective: In this study, we investigated whether liberty-restricting and other factors can predict internalized stigma among psychiatric inpatients and outpatients. Method: The study sample comprised of 129 inpatients, admitted at least once to psychiatry ward, and 100 outpatients who have never been hospitalized, receiving psychiatric treatment. In addition to demographic and clinical features, patients were evaluated for perceived deprivation of liberty and internalized stigma levels. Results: Patients stated that their liberty was restrained mostly due to involuntary treatment, communication problems, side effects of medical treatment and inability to choose their treatment team. Regression analysis showed that internalized stigma was predicted by perceived deprivation of liberty, marital status and number of admissions to ward. Stigma was related to marital status and admissions to the psychiatry ward. Perceived deprivation of liberty predicts stigma regardless of the disease severity Conclusion: Perception of stigma leads to self-isolation, behavioral avoidance and refusal of aid-seeking. Our study indicated that perceived deprivation of liberty is one of the most important factors that lead to increased stigma. Based on our findings, we can say that as patients experience less perceived deprivation of liberty, they would have less stigma and thus, their compliance would increase

Arrangement of collagen fibers in human placental stem villi

The aim of the study was to investigate the arrangements and related localization patterns of different collagen types in the stroma of placental stem villi by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. A total of 14 normal human term placental tissue samples were studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed in order to localize collagen types I, III, IV, V and cytokeratin 7 on tissue sections. Parallel tissue samples were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Semi-quantitative analysis of immunolabeling intensities was also performed to determine the distribution of fibers in stem villi stroma. All. collagen types, especially collagen type V, were strongly immunopositive in the triangular areas of the stem villi stroma. However, there was no collagen type I or type III immunolabeling in the subtrophoblastic regions. Membrane collagen type IV immunolabeling was also observed in the stroma of stem villi. Ultrastructurally, collagen fibers showed different configurations in cross, longitudinal, circular, oblique and parallel directions compared to the villous axis. We conclude that the organization of collagen fiber bundles in stem villi shows a very specific arrangement: a compact coat formed by fibrillar bundles between the vascular wait and extravascular stroma of stem villi correlated with the functional activity. (C) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved

CCM2 and CCM3 proteins contribute to vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in human placenta

Placenta as an ideal model to study angiogenic mechanisms have been established in previous studies. There are two processes, vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, involved in blood vessel formation during placental development. Therefore, blood vessel formation is a crucial issue that might cause vascular malformations. One of the vascular malformations is cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) in the central nervous system, consisting of endothelium-lined vascular channels without intervening normal brain parenchyma. Three CCM loci have been mapped as Ccm1, Ccm2, Ccm3 genes in CCM. In order to investigate whether CCM proteins participate in blood vessel formation, we report here the expression patterns of CCM2 and CCM3 in developing and term human placenta by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. CCM2 and CCM3 were obviously detected in the vascular endothelium during early pregnancy. Moreover, vascular endothelium of stem villi revealed a moderate immunostaining for CCM2 and, to a lesser extent, in the endothelium of mature intermediate villi in term placenta. Interestingly, CCM3 immunostaining was weakly localized in the endothelium of mature intermediate villi and showed lesser expression going toward stem villi in term placenta. The expression patterns of the proteins were clearly identified in the vascular endothelium of human placenta, suggesting that they might play roles during angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Furthermore, with this study, CCM2 and CCM3 have been described for the first time in the human placenta

Effects of excess vitamin B6 intake on serum lipid profile and cerebral cortex in rats

Aim: The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of dietary excess of vitamin B6 on certain blood parameters [serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and total lipid] and the cerebral cortex. Materials and Methods: A total of 36 albino rats were included in the study. Saline solution was administered to control groups (CG-10, n = 6 for 10 days; CG-15, n = 6 for 15 days; CG-20, n = 6 for 20 days). The experimental groups (EG-10, n = 6; EG-15, n = 6; EG-20, n = 6) received 5 mg/kg vitamin B6 daily for 10 days, 15 days and 20 days, respectively. Serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and total lipid levels were measured and compared in CGs and EGs. The cerebral cortex tissue samples were examined by electron microscopy. Results: The total serum cholesterol levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) although serum HDL levels were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in all EGs. Total serum lipid levels were higher in EG-15 and EG-20 groups than in CGs. The structural degenerations in the perikaryon and neuropil were found prominent in EG-15 and EG-20 groups but not in EG-10. Marked damage in the neuronal and neuropilic structure was observed in rats who received long-term high doses of vitamin B6. Based on these results, a relationship between cerebral cortex damage and serum total lipid and HDL levels in the EG-15 and EG-20 groups is suggested. Conclusions: Dietary excess of vitamin B6 intake reduces serum total cholesterol levels, but not serum HDL and total lipid levels, and also causes cerebral cortex damage in long-term treatment. Thus, a careful diet plan and monitoring of vitamin B 6 dose are recommended in patients who are supplemented with this vitamin. © TÜBİTAK

Changes in the brain cortex of rabbits on a cholesterol-rich diet following supplementation with a herbal extract of Tribulus terrestris

Extracts of the medicinal herb Tribulus terrestris (TT) are used for treating various diseases. The saponins, a component of TT, play a role in regulating blood pressure and in treatment of hyperlipidemia. The aim of the study was to investigate the immunohistochemical and ultrastructural alterations in the cerebral cortex of experimental rabbits on a cholesterol rich diet treated with TT. The rabbits were divided into three groups and followed for 12 weeks as control group (CG); experimental group I (EG-I), fed with a cholesterol-rich diet; experimental group II (EG-II), treated with an extract of TT (5mg/kg/day) after a cholesterol-rich diet of 4 weeks. In EG-I there were ultrastructural changes, including mitochondrial degeneration, increased lipofuscin pigments, myelin sheath damage with axoplasmic shrinkage and electron dense granules in the neurovascular unit. The number of synapses apparently decreased in both experimental groups. Administration of TT extract in EG-II led to marked ultrastructural alterations in neurons, including decreased mitochondrial degeneration (P<0.001) and extensive oedematous areas in the neurovascular unit. However, in EG-II, lamellar myelin, axonal structures and mitochondria were well protected. These alterations possibly indicate that saponins have an effect on the neurons either directly or by its conversion to steroidal saponins. Therefore, these findings add further evidence supporting the protective claims of TT in cerebral architecture in dietary induced hyperlipidemia

The Impact of Psycho-Educational Training on the Psychosocial Adjustment of Caregivers of Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patients

WOS: 000339651800005PubMed ID: 24932601Objective: To investigate the impact of a psycho-educational program developed for the caregivers of patients diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Methods: The participants consisted of 16 caregivers. The study was designed as a quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test type study consisting of 10 semi-structured three-hour training sessions. The data were collected using the "Introductory Information Form" and appropriate scales (Burden Interview, Coping Strategies Scale, Problem-Solving Inventory and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale). The results were evaluated by descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, one-way variance analysis and Bonferroni analysis. Results: Psychosocial adjustment levels of the caregivers of OI patients before their participation in the educational program were found to be associated with styles of coping with stress, problem-solving skills and care burden. After the psycho-educational training, the majority of the participants reported favorable changes in their lives. Following the offered psycho-education resulted in positive changes in the mean scores of the caregivers (p<0.05). Conclusion: Before the education program, the participants were not able to deal efficiently with many aspects of their caregiver responsibilities and suffered from an emotional burden due to lack of knowledge. The program appears to have provided them both with support to achieve significant psychosocial transformation and with an opportunity to reconsider their lives in multiple dimensions.The Ege University Scientific Research Project FundEge University [12-TIP-034]The work was supported by "The Ege University Scientific Research Project Fund" with the project code 12-TIP-034 beginning in April, 2012