Molecular characterization and validation of commercially available methods for haptoglobin measurement in bottlenose dolphin

AbstractHaptoglobin (Hp) is a positive acute-phase protein and a valuable marker of inflammation in both human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to validate the molecular characterization of Hp in dolphins and to validate commercially available Hp measurement methods such as Hp-ELISA (originally designed for pigs) and Hp–hemoglobin (Hb) binding assay. The dolphin Hp (dHp) amino acid sequence appeared most similar to pig Hp by sequence homology and phylogenetic clustering. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that dHp comprises the Hp1 form of α1 and β chains. The anti-pig Hp antibody cross-reacted with both recombinant dHp, expressed by Escherichia coli, and dHp from serum. The intra- and inter-assay levels of imprecision of pig Hp-ELISA and the Hp–Hb binding assay were found to be tolerable for the determination of Hp in dolphin, and there was no significant discrepancy between the two determination methods. The ability of the assay to differentiate between healthy and inflammation groups was investigated, and a significant increase in Hp concentration was detected in inflammatory conditions. Thus, Hp is a useful inflammation marker for dolphin, and the Hp concentration in dolphin serum samples can be reliably measured using commercially available pig Hp-ELISA and Hp–Hb binding assay

Predictors towards entrepreneurial intention: a Malaysian case study

The bumiputra population in Malaysia seems unable to match the nonbumiputras especially the Chinese in terms of their entrepreneurial character. The small number of small business startup by the bumiputras in Malaysia evidently shows this. One reason suggested by many academics is the risktaking propensity by the bumiputras. This research intends to investigate the relationship between risk taking propensity and entrepreneurial intention among the bumiputras and Chinese in Malaysia. The respondents for this study were 746 students studying in Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Questionnaires were used in the data collection process. The results revealed that the Chinese respondents had significantly higher risk taking scores than the bumiputras. The Chinese were also found to be more intent to become entrepreneurs upon graduation from the university. This clearly explains why the Chinese are predominantly involved in business in Malaysia as compared to the bumiputras. Significant differences were also found between genders whereby male respondents were found to have higher risk taking scores and more intent to become entrepreneurs than the females. The degree programs in which the students are enrolled in also showed significant differences with the Science students having the highest risk taking scores followed by the Business and the Arts students. The regression result examining the relationship between risk taking propensity and intention to become an entrepreneur was found to be significant. However, the ability of risk taking propensity to explain the variance in entrepreneurial intention is very small. Suggestions were given to overcome the problems of low risk taking propensity among the bumiputras

Candida albicans

Genotypes of Candida spp. isolated from exhalation of 20 dolphins, 11 water samples from captive pools, and 24 oral cavities of staff members in an aquarium using a combination of multiple drug resistance 1 gene (MDR1) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 5.8s-ITS 2 regions of ribosomal RNA gene (ITS rDNA) sequences were studied. The holding ratios of the dolphins, captive pools, and staff members were 70, 90, and 29%, respectively. Isolated pathogenic yeast species common to the dolphins and environments were Candida albicans and C. tropicalis. Identical genotypes in both Candida spp. based on the combination of MDR1 and ITSrDNA were found in some dolphins, between a dolphin and a staff, among dolphins and environments, and among environments. The results indicated the diffusion and exchange of pathogenic yeasts at the aquarium among dolphins and environments. The isolates at the aquarium showed higher rates of resistance to azole antifungals compared to reference isolates

Expression and Localization of Mitochondrial Ferritin mRNA in Alzheimer's Disease Cerebral Cortex

Mitochondrial ferritin (MtF) has been identified as a novel ferritin encoded by an intron-lacking gene with specific mitochondrial localization located on chromosome 5q23.1. MtF has been associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Friedreich ataxia and restless leg syndrome. However, little information is available about MtF in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, therefore, we investigated the expression and localization of MtF messenger RNA (mRNA) in the cerebral cortex of AD and control cases using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as well as in situ hybridization histochemistry. We also examined protein expression using western-blot assay. In addition, we used in vitro methods to further explore the effect of oxidative stress and β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) on MtF expression. To do this we examined MtF mRNA and protein expression changes in the human neuroblastoma cell line, IMR-32, after treatment with Aβ, H2O2, or both. The neuroprotective effect of MtF on oxidative stress induced by H2O2 was measured by MTT assay. The in situ hybridization studies revealed that MtF mRNA was detected mainly in neurons to a lesser degree in glial cells in the cerebral cortex. The staining intensity and the number of positive cells were increased in the cerebral cortex of AD patients. Real-time PCR and western-blot confirmed that MtF expression levels in the cerebral cortex were significantly higher in AD cases than that in control cases at both the mRNA and the protein level. Cell culture experiments demonstrated that the expression of both MtF mRNA and protein were increased by treatment with H2O2 or a combination of Aβ and H2O2, but not with Aβ alone. Finally, MtF expression showed a significant neuroprotective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress (p<0.05). The present study suggests that MtF is involved in the pathology of AD and may play a neuroprotective role against oxidative stress

Ute och inne: Kritisk dialog mellan personalkollektiv inom psykiatrin

Treatment ideologies and working models replace each other quickly in today's society. During the 1980s a dramatic dismantling of the psychiatric institutions occurred. The health care system was supposed to be transferred to non-institutional care. This was, however, not possible for all groups of patients. At an institution, specialized in so called demanding patients and patients who received care according to the Compulsory Psychiatric Care Act or the Forensic Psychiatric Care Act, an alternation process was initiated during the 1990s as a de-institutionalization within. New rehabilitation oriented working operations were initiated alongside the already existing ward care. This resulted in two local cultures who developed different rhetorical forms, with one common denominator: to present oneself as professionally and morally competent in relation to the politically correct ideology. The personnel, who worked with the rehabilitation outside the ward used an offensive counter rhetoric. They worked with the generally celebrated methods. In criticizing the others' characteristics of the total institution were used. In the interviews the professional role and self-image of the outside personnel was intimately entwined: they let the light from the new methods shine on themselves as individuals. The personnel at the ward didn't openly criticize the new working method nor openly defended their own. Within the framework of a defensive rhetoric they avoided attacks on their own personal morale. E.g with the use of a collective "we-perspective" distance were built up between themselves as individuals and their professional role. They empazised the difficulty in integrating the rehabilitation idea with the demand of total security. They also used an accepted counter rhetoric: they agreed with the advantages of the new methods and the disadvantages of their own, but explained apologeticly why it was like this. With the help of contrast - their own work was described as heavy, difficult and dangerous, the outside personnel's as easy and fun- the effort's of their their own work value was emphasized. All interviewees used the same rhetorical cultural repertoire, e.g similar typifications of the personnel - strictly a contrast between a new and old working method- yet in different ways. The purpose was, however, the same: to turn the criticism away from one self by pointing towards other groups. The credibility in the delivered messages was built up with the use of e.g concrete examples, quotations as well as references to opinions and expressions from persons, who, through their positions were looked upon as confidence-inspiring. An unassailable argument, that everybody used, was that they worked for the greater good of the patients. Another reoccurring rhetorical strategy was the usage of subtle criticism, e.g. quoting a colleague's response and by doing so making oneself unimpeachable to attack. Critical messages were defused or softened by the use of particles, rephrases and less accurate wording

Assessment Of Cell Kinetics In The Tissues Of Brownbanded Bamboosharks (Chiloscyllium Punctatum) By Using Bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) And Anti-Brdu Monoclonal Antibody

Abstract: The 5-bromo-2&apos;-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling method has been used to assess the quantity of proliferative potential in organs and tissues in various mammals. For application of this method in fish, it was necessary to determine conditions that optimize the detection of the BrdU epitope. In the present investigation, we investigated the localization of proliferative cells as well as various conditions for detection of S-phase cells in the tissues of adult brownbanded bamboosharks by means of the BrdU immunohistochemical method. Our results demonstrated that BrdU-positive cells were satisfactorily demonstrated in the tissues of brownbanded bamboosharks treated with BrdU at a dose of 6 mg/kg or higher. However, there was no difference in BrdU reactivity between routes of administration, including intravenous, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal injections. BrdU-incorporated cells were detected both in formalin-fixed and 70% ethanol-fixed tissues with enzymatic treatment and acid hydrolysis in the shark tissues, while formalin-and ethanol-fixed brownbanded bambooshark tissues that did not undergo the enzymatic procedure showed no BrdU reactive cells. Importantly, samples were quickly fixed in heated formalin solution and treated with 5N HCL and 0.01% Nagarase at 37 C for 30 seconds to one minute. In conclusion, the BrdU labeling method was useful in a cell kinetic study detecting S-shaped cells in sharks, as in other mammals