Effects of tetracaine and lidocaine on intracellular Zn2+ levels in rat neurons : Preliminary analysis with FluoZin-3 fluorescence

There are some differences in cytotoxic actions between local anesthetics. In a study performed using rat thymocytes, lidocaine increased intracellular Zn2+ concentration whereas tetracaine decreased it. However, thymocytes are not subject to local anesthetics. This study was conducted to confirm the actions of tetracaine and lidocaine on neurons. Tetracaine and lidocaine changed intracellular Zn2+ levels in rat cerebellar granule neurons, as had been observed in rat thymocytes. The changes in intracellular Zn2+ levels by these local anesthetics were statistically significant, but small. The mechanism of lidocaine-induced increase in intracellular Zn2+ levels in neurons was similar to that in rat thymocytes. The mechanism of tetracaine-induced decrease in intracellular Zn2+ levels in neurons did not seem to be consistent with that in rat thymocytes. Further studies will be needed to see if the changes in intracellular Zn2+ levels by local anesthetics correspond to differences in cytotoxic activities since their actions on intracellular Zn2+ levels of neurons were weak

CHANGES IN SPRINT PERFORMANCE AND KINETICS DURING THE ACCELERATION PHASE OF RUNNING OF A WORLD RECORD HOLDER

INTRODUCTION: Previously, it was reported that faster athletes tend to produce vertical ground reaction force (GRF) impulse during the acceleration phase of sprint (Hunter et al. 2005). The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in sprint performance and kinetics during the acceleration phase of running for a world record holder

EFFECTS OF JOINT MOVEMENT ON THE ACCURACY OF 3-POINT SHOOTING IN BASKETBALL

INTRODUCTION: The 3-point shot is particularly important, since a player is required to shoot from a distance that requires both momentum of a ball and movement accuracy. However, there have been only few studies on a 3-point shot. The purpose of this study is to clarify characteristics of players who possess high accuracy of a 3-point shot with respect to joint movements and the ball trajectory

Cell death process induced by hydrogen peroxide is accelerated by clioquinol in rat thymocytes

We examined the effect of clioquinol on the process of cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using a flow cytometric technique with propidium iodide and annexin V-FITC in order to see if clioquinol augments the toxicity caused by oxidative stress. Clioquinol (100 nM) alone did not change the process of spontaneous cell death. However, the agent accelerated the process of cell death induced by 300 μM H2O2. Result indicates that clioquinol augments the cytotoxicity induced by H2O2. Therefore, the use of clioquinol may be inadequate for the treatment of some diseases related to oxidative stress

Role of Zn2+ in restoration of nonprotein thiol content in the cells under chemical stress induced by triclocarban

We have proposed that intracellular Zn2+ release during oxidative stress is a trigger to restore cellular thiol content that is decreased by oxidative stress. Recently, we found that the incubation with triclocarban for 1 h decreased cellular thiol content and increased intracellular Zn2+ concentration. It was reminiscent of the possibility that the increase in intracellular Zn2+ concentration by triclocarban could become a trigger to restore the cellular content of nonprotein thiols. To test the possibility, we cytometrically examined the effects of prolonged incubation (3 h) with triclocarban on the cellular content of nonprotein thiols, presumably glutathione, by the use of 5-chloromethylfluorescein (5-CMF) diacetate, a fluorescent indicator of cellular nonprotein thiols, in rat thymocytes. The intensity of 5-CMF fluorescence after the 3 h incubation with 300 nM triclocarban was significantly higher than that after the 1 h incubation. In the presence of a chelator of intracellular Zn2+, such a significant difference was not observed. The results suggest that the increase in intracellular Zn2+ concentration by triclocarban is one of triggers to restore cellular content that is decreased by triclocarban

Nonivamide, a natural analog of capsaicin, affects intracellular Ca2+ level in rat thymic lymphocytes

Effect of nonivamide, a natural analog of capsaicin, on intracellular Ca2+ level of rat thymocytes was examined using a flow-cytometric technique with appropriate fluorescent probes in order to further characterize the cytotoxicity because nonivamide can be used as an active intergradient of antifouling paints. Nonivamide at concentrations ranging from 30 μM to 300 μM significantly increased the intensity of Fluo-3 fluorescence. The potency of 100 μM nonivamide to increase the fluorescence was similar to that of 100 μM capsaicin. The increase in Fluo-3 fluorescence by 100 μM nonivamide was attenuated under an external Ca2+-free condition. Nonivamide at 100 μM also increased the intensity of Fluo-3 fluorescence in the continued presence of 100 μM capsaicin. It is suggested that nonivamide at high micromolar concentrations increases intracellular Ca2+ level via the activation of vanilloid receptors. Nonivamide concentrations (30 μM or more) that increase intracellular Ca2+ level in rat thymocytes are comparable to those in algal cells. However, it is something hard to argue the implications in environmental science because nonivamide doesn’t seem to be released into environment in such a high concentration, and because bioaccumulation of nonivamide has not been reported

Effects of N,N-dimethyldodecylamine-N-oxide on some cellular parameters of rat thymocytes

N,N-Dimethyldodecylamine-N-oxide (DDAO) is an amphoteric surfactant used in many detergents for kitchens. In this study, the effects of DDAO (10–100 μM) on cell lethality, intracellular Ca2+ level, intracellular Zn2+ level, and cellular content of nonprotein thiol were examined in mammalian cells (rat thymocytes) to further characterize its cytotoxicity. DDAO at the concentration of 100 μM (22.9 mg/L) slightly, but significantly, increased the parameters described above, and it showed no significant effect at the concentrations of 30 μM (6.87 mg/L) or less. Therefore, it is unlikely that DDAO at environmentally-relevant concentrations (< 10–70 ng/L) exerts toxic actions on wild mammals and humans

Preparation and Organization of Golf Tournament

Import 05/08/2014Cílem této bakalářské práce je popsat a objasnit všechny náležitosti přípravy a organizace golfového turnaje. Zaměřil jsem se na pořádání regionálního amatérského golfového turnaje. Zvolenou situaci jsem řešil za pomocí fiktivního příkladu golfového turnaje. V této práci jsem použil výzkumné metody SWOT analýza, SMART analýza, introspekce a výzkumné techniky rozhovor a pozorování. Díky zvolenému příkladu přípravy a organizování golfového turnaje bylo možné, aplikovat obecné zákonitosti a dílčí procesy a hodnoty do reálné situace, která přibližuje všechny detaily pořádání sportovně společenské akce a zároveň reflektuje postavení golfu v České republice. Tato práce by měla sloužit jako návod a zdroj informací pro potenciální organizátory golfových turnajů.The goal of this bachelor thesis is to describe and clarify all the essentials of preparation and organization of a golf tournament. I aimed at running a regional amateur golf tournament. I solved the situation by creating fictive example of a golf tournament. In this thesis I used the exploratory methods SWOT analysis, SMART analysis and introspection and exploratory techniques dialogue and observation. Thanks to the example of preparation and organization of the golf tournament I was able to apply general regularities and particular processes and values to the real situation, which introduces all the details of running a sports-social event and also reflects the condition of golf in the Czech Republic. This bachelor thesis should be instrumental towards the potential organizers of the golf tournament as a guideline and source of information.115 - Katedra managementuvelmi dobř

Effect of triclocarban on membrane potential of rat thymocytes : Assessment with bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid)trimethine oxonol

The effect of triclocarban (TCC), an　environmental pollutant from household items and health care products, on membrane potential of rat thymocytes was examined by a flow cytometry with a fluorescent probe sensitive to membrane potential, bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid)trimethine oxonol, because TCC changes intracellular ionic circumstance that may affect the membrane potential. TCC at 0.3 μM or more (up to 3 μM) depolarized the membranes. This TCC-induced phenomenon was against our prediction because TCC increases intracellular Ca2+ concentration that activates Ca2+-dependent K+ channels, resulting in a hyperpolarization. The depolarization was still observed under Ca2+-free condition, but not under Na+-free condition. Furthermore, TCC hyperpolarized the membranes under Ca2+- and Na+-free condition. To see if TCC inhibits Ca2+-dependent hyperpolarization, the effect of A23187, a calcium ionophore, on the membrane potential was examined in the cells treated with TCC. A23187 induced large depolarization in the cells treated with 0.3–3 μM TCC. The A23187-induced depolarization in the presence of TCC was greatly attenuated under Na+-free or Ca2+-free condition whereas A23187 elicited hyperpolarization in the cells treated with 0.3–3 μM TCC under Ca2+- and Na+-free condition. Results suggest that 0.3–3 μM TCC increases membrane permeability of Na+ and Ca2+, resulting in the depolarization. Large depolarization induced by TCC in the presence of external Ca2+ and Na+ may mask the hyperpolarization elicited via the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration by TCC. Thus, there is a possibility that TCC depolarizes membranes of lymphocytes, resulting in alteration of cellular functions of lymphocytes

Efficacy and safety of monthly oral minodronate in patients with involutional osteoporosis

Summary Monthly minodronate at 30 or 50 mg had similar efficacy as 1 mg daily in terms of change in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers with similar safety profiles. This new regimen provides patients with a new option for taking minodronate. Introduction Minodronate at a daily oral dose of 1 mg has been proven to have antivertebral fracture efficacy. In the present study, the efficacy and safety of oral minodronate at monthly doses of either 30 mg or 50 mg were compared with a daily dose of 1 mg. Methods A total of 692 patients with involutional osteoporosis were randomized to receive minodronate at either 30 or 50 mg monthly or a daily dose of 1 mg. The primary endpoint was the percent change from baseline in lumbar spine (LS) BMD at 12 months. Total hip BMD, bone turnover markers, serum calcium (Ca), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were also evaluated. Results Minodronate at monthly doses of 30 or 50 mg were noninferior to the 1 mg daily dose in terms of change in LS-BMD. Changes in total hip BMD were also comparable. Although a transient decrease in serum Ca and increase in PTH levels were observed in all three groups at slightly different magnitudes and time courses, changes in bone turnover markers were comparable among the differentdosage groups with a similar time course. Safety profiles were also comparable. Conclusion Minodronate at monthly doses of 30 or 50 mg has similar efficacy to the daily 1 mg dose in terms of BMD and bone turnover markers with similar tolerability