Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1, Biliverdin Reductase and H-Ferritin in Lung Macrophage in Smokers with Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Role of HIF-1α

Few data concern the pathophysiology of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), which is associated with alveolar hypoxia/reoxygenation. This study tested the hypothesis that PSP is associated with oxidative stress in lung macrophages. We analysed expression of the oxidative stress marker 4-HNE; the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory proteins heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), biliverdin reductase (BVR) and heavy chain of ferritin (H-ferritin); and the transcription factors controlling their expression Nrf2 and HIF-1alpha, in lung samples from smoker and nonsmoker patients with PSP (PSP-S and PSP-NS), cigarette smoke being a risk factor of recurrence of the disease.mRNA was assessed by RT-PCR and proteins by western blot, immunohistochemistry and confocal laser analysis. 4-HNE, HO-1, BVR and H-ferritin were increased in macrophages from PSP-S as compared to PSP-NS and controls (C). HO-1 increase was associated with increased expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA and protein in alveolar macrophages in PSP-S patients, whereas Nrf2 was not modified. To understand the regulation of HO-1, BVR and H-ferritin, THP-1 macrophages were exposed to conditions mimicking conditions in C, PSP-S and PSP-NS patients: cigarette smoke condensate (CS) or air exposure followed or not by hypoxia/reoxygenation. Silencing RNA experiments confirmed that HIF-1alpha nuclear translocation was responsible for HO-1, BVR and H-ferritin induction mediated by CS and hypoxia/reoxygenation.PSP in smokers is associated with lung macrophage oxidative stress. The response to this condition involves HIF-1alpha-mediated induction of HO-1, BVR and H-ferritin

Perceived managerial and leadership effectiveness in UAE and Egypt: a comparison through the combined lenses of Islamic work ethics and Islamic leadership

Despite the increasing awareness that societal, sectorial, and organizational variables have a significant impact on manager and employee behavior, most studies in Asian and Middle Eastern (ME) countries, whether conducted by Western or indigenous scholars, continue to be informed by frameworks derived from the United States (US), Canada, or Western European countries (Leung, 2007; Li, 2012; Tsui, 2006) . This approach is problematic because the insights gleaned from such studies may fall only within Western theoretical constructs (Tsui, 2007; see also Shahin & Wright, 2004), thereby compromising insights regarding novel country-specific phenomena and the development of indigenous management/leadership knowledge. Consequently, many scholars (Rosenzweig, 1994; Rousseau & Fried, 2001) have called for the generation of indigenous management theories based on local conditions and socio-cultural factors, and for indigenous management and leadership research within non-Western countries (see Holtbrugge, 2013; Wolfgramm, Spiller & Voyageur, 2014; Shahin & Wright, 2004). This call is also pertinent for ME countries, where there is generally a paucity of indigenous management/leadership research and more specifically, of inductive emic (context-specific

Effects of chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla) extract on pancreatic B cells in streptozotocin-diabetic rats: a morphological and biochemical study

Chard (Beta vulgaris L. var, cicla) is used as a hypoglycemic agent by diabetic patients in Turkey. The present study was carried out in order to detect whether this plant, used in folk remedies for decreasing blood glucose levels, affects pancreatic B cells and blood glucose. In the diabetic group, a decrease in the number of B cells of Langerhans islets and in the secretory materials, a swollen granular endoplasmic reticulum cisternae and widened intercellular areas in some of B cells were observed. But, in a diabetic group given chard extract, an increase in the number of B cells of Langerhans islets and in the secretory granules were noted, together with many hypertrophic Golgi apparatus and granules of low densities. The extract while having no effect on blood glucose and body weight in the normal group, reduced the blood glucose value in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic animals. But, in a diabetic group given chard, the body weight significantly increased in comparison to the diabetic group; maximum reduction in blood glucose levels was observed on the 42nd day. According to the morphological and biochemical results obtained, it is concluded that the extract of this plant when administered by gavage may reduce blood glucose levels by regeneration of the B cells. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd

Effects of Petroselinum crispum extract on pancreatic B cells and blood glucose of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

This study investigated both morphologically and biochemically whether parsley (Petroselinum crispum), which is used as a folk remedy to decrease blood glucose, has any antidiabetic effect on pancreatic B cells of rats. Parsley extract was given to male diabetic rats. In the diabetic group given parsley extract, it was detected that the number of secretory granules and cells in islets and other morphologic changes were not different from the control diabetic group, while the blood glucose levels in the diabetic group given the plant extract were reduced in comparison to the diabetic group. In addition, a decrease was observed in the weight of the control diabetic group and the diabetic group given the plant extract. It is suggested that the plant therapy can provide blood glucose homeostasis and cannot regenerate B cells of the endocrine pancreas

Proximate composition and fatty acid profile of shabbout (Barbus grypus Heckel) caught from the Ataturk Dam Lake, Turkey

Shabbout (Barbus grypus;Cyprinidae) is an omnivorus, fast growing, highly appreciated and one of the main candidate fish species for aquaculture in the Tigris and Euphrates fluvial system. The nutritional quality of this wild species is still unknown and consequently this study was designed to investigate the proximal composition and fatty acid profile of Shabbout filet, and to note whether this species is suitable for fish farming in the area. Samples of two mature males and six females at different stages of maturity, obtained from local fishermen between May and June, were used in the study. Significant differences in proximate composition were observed among the samples, the moisture, ash, lipid and protein contents being 70.8 - 76.1%, 1.4-2.4%, 2.0-5.3% and 15.0-21.6% wet weight, respectively. Variations in lipid content between genders were detected, with significantly higher lipid levels in males. Maturity stage of fish is considered one of the reasons for intra-specific variation in the proximate composition, especially in the case of lipids. Thus, the differences observed among shabbout females in the present study might be attributed to variations in the stage of maturity. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were the highest fatty acid group followed by saturated (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the flesh of all the samples. PUFA content of shabbout ranged between 19.2% and 26.1% being docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6?3), linoleic acid (LA, C18:2?6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5?3) and eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3?3), the most important PUFAs. According to the present results in ?3 series, shabbout is a good source for EPA and DHA as well as for the ratios ?3/?6 (2.4 - 4.8) and ?6/?3 (0.2 - 0.4) that were found to be within the recommended limits for human nutrition

Nutritional quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) caught from the Atatürk Dam lake in Turkey

This study was carried out to determine the proximate, fatty acid, cholesterol, mineral and trace element compositions of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), which is commonly consumed in Turkey. The moisture, protein, lipid and ash contents of the rainbow trout were 71.65, 19.60, 4.43 and 1.36%, respectively. Total lipids were mainly characterized by low cholesterol levels (35.04 mg/100 g). The composition of fatty acids showed that total monounsaturated fatty acids (35.56%) were the highest, followed by saturated fatty acids (27.65%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (23.09%). The mineral and trace elements determined were Ca, Na, K, P, Mg, Mn, Zn, Fe, Pb, Hg, As, Cd, Cu, Ni and Co. Among the minerals analyzed, K was the highest followed by Mg, Na, P and Ca. The most abundant trace elements were Co, Cu, Zn followed by Fe, and all trace elements were present in amounts below the limits proposed by the World Health Organization and the Turkish Food Codes for human consumption in the meat of rainbow trout. This investigation provides practical and useful information on the chemical composition of rainbow trout, which is widely consumed in Turkey. These results will be important for the fishing industry, nutritionists, investigators for improving processing and marketing. It is also helpful for similar academic studies and to prepare tables of compositions of food. © 2008, Blackwell Publishing