1,689 research outputs found
Tissue distribution of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and search for active demethylation intermediates.
5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (hmC) was recently detected as the sixth base in mammalian tissue at so far controversial levels. The function of the modified base is currently unknown, but it is certain that the base is generated from 5-methylcytosine (mC). This fuels the hypothesis that it represents an intermediate of an active demethylation process, which could involve further oxidation of the hydroxymethyl group to a formyl or carboxyl group followed by either deformylation or decarboxylation. Here, we use an ultra-sensitive and accurate isotope based LC-MS method to precisely determine the levels of hmC in various mouse tissues and we searched for 5-formylcytosine (fC), 5-carboxylcytosine (caC), and 5-hydroxymethyluracil (hmU) as putative active demethylation intermediates. Our data suggest that an active oxidative mC demethylation pathway is unlikely to occur. Additionally, we show using HPLC-MS analysis and immunohistochemistry that hmC is present in all tissues and cell types with highest concentrations in neuronal cells of the CNS
Superficies que engañan: dos experiencias
Two fieldwork experiences are compared here. At a first glance they seem to be quite different: On the one side, a traditionalist society is defending its culture and does not take the anthropologist for important. On the other side, a community depending on non-indigenous merchants respects the anthropologist as one more of those mighty invaders with whom you better cooperate. But in both cases, at the end the anthropologist must admit that he had not understood the situation. Under the surface of the differences, he discovers parallels. At a second glance, the indigenous society apparently dependent proves to be quite strong. And this is the anthropologist’s profession: To understand the apparent and the occult of a society we visit, to the degree up to which this society decides to admit our understanding.Se comparan dos experiencias de trabajo de campo que a primera vista parecen muy diferentes: Por un lado, una sociedad tradicionalista que defiende su cultura y no da mucha importancia al antropólogo. Por otro lado, una comunidad dependiente de comerciantes no indígenas y que considera al antropólogo como otro invasor representante de la sociedad nacional poderosa con el que hay que colaborar. En los dos casos, el antropólogo al final debe admitir que no había comprendido muy bien la situación: debajo de las diferencias, descubre paralelos. La sociedad indígena a primera vista destruida y dependiente, a segunda vista se mantiene muy fuerte. Y es una esencia del trabajo antropológico: comprender lo aparente y lo oculto en la medida en que la sociedad a la que se visita quieran bien dejarnos comprender
Spin-Waves in the Mid-Infrared Spectrum of Antiferromagnetic YBaCuO
The mid-infrared spin-wave spectrum of antiferromagnetic
YBaCuO\ was determined by infrared transmission and reflection
measurements (\bbox{k} \!\! \parallel c) at ~K.\@ Excitation of
single magnons of the optical branch was observed at
~meV.\@ Two further peaks at ~meV
() and ~meV
() both belong to the two-magnon spectrum. Linear
spin wave theory is in good agreement with the measured two-magnon spectrum,
and allows to determine the exchange constant to be about ~meV,
whereas the intrabilayer coupling is approximately .Comment: 3 figures in uuencoded for
Takotsubo Syndrome: Impact of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress
Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS) is characterized by a transient left ventricular dysfunction recovering spontaneously within days or weeks. Although the pathophysiology of TTS remains obscure, there is growing evidence suggesting TTS to be associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may be involved in causing transient coronary and peripheral endothelial dysfunction leading to a transient impairment of myocardial contraction due to stunning (apical ballooning). Endothelial dysfunction is mainly caused by decreased vascular and myocardial nitric oxide bioavailability in response to increased ROS production. Accordingly, studies in humans and animal models demonstrated increased myocardial dihydroethidium staining of the myocardium in endomyocardial biopsy specimens, increased levels of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde as well as reduced glutathione levels compatible with increased oxidative stress. As significant superoxide sources the mitochondria and the NADPH oxidase isoform NOX-4 and the NOX-2 regulating cytosolic subunit p67phox have been identified. Treatment with antioxidants such as sodium hydrosulfide reduced superoxide production in mitochondria and reduced expression of NOX-4 and p67phox, respectively. The presence of superoxide and nitric oxide also provides the basis for the concept of nitro-oxidative as well as nitrosative stress in TTS
Investigating myelination and remyelination in zebrafish
Central nervous system (CNS) myelination is important for proper nervous system
function in vertebrates. In demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis,
autoimmune-mediated myelin destruction results in neurological impairment; and
although remyelination does occur spontaneously, it is poorly understood and
insufficient in humans. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are known to harbour tremendous
regenerative capacity of various CNS tissues; however, there is presently only little
knowledge of their myelin repair efficiency. An experimental model of myelin injury
in zebrafish would permit study of the mechanisms involved in successful
remyelination and could potentially guide the development of novel therapeutic
agents for mammalian remyelination. This doctoral thesis describes the
characterisation of the novel myelin protein Claudin k in zebrafish, demonstrates
the establishment of adult zebrafish as an experimental model for CNS de- and
remyelination and explores some mechanisms underlying myelin repair.
A variety of myelin markers have previously been investigated in zebrafish,
including myelin basic protein and myelin protein zero. However, the use of these is
limited by either late developmental expression or presence in compact myelin
only. Claudin k is a novel tight junction protein specific to zebrafish CNS and PNS,
which can be observed early in development and throughout nervous system
regeneration. Utilising specific antibodies and a novel transgenic zebrafish line, in
which the claudin k promoter drives the expression of green fluorescent protein in
myelinating cells, the studies herein characterise the expression of Claudin k,
demonstrate the fidelity of the transgenic construct, and investigate the
relationship of Claudin k with established myelin and CNS inflammation markers.
Data demonstrate that Claudin k expression closely resembles expression patterns
of the endogenous gene, and as such provides a key tool for examining CNS
myelination in zebrafish.
For the study of de- and remyelination in the zebrafish, the experiments herein
describe the use of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), a detergent-like myelin toxin,
which is used widely in rodent models to demyelinate axons. Its application to the
adult zebrafish optic nerve induced focal demyelinating lesions, critically without
detectable axonal injury, and permitted the study of time course and efficiency of
remyelination. Myelin in the lesion area was reduced as detected by both
immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy at 8 days post lesion (dpl), and
return of the markers to control levels suggested regeneration by 28 dpl. In addition
microglial activation was observed along the optic pathway, which also returned to
levels compared to unlesioned control by 28 dpl. In young zebrafish (aged 4-6
months), the myelin thickness of remyelinated fibres showed no difference to the
pre-lesion state, which is different to mammals, where the myelin thickness is
reduced. However, in old fish (aged 18+ months), remyelinated fibres presented
with thinner myelin, suggesting that the regenerative capacity of zebrafish declines
with age.
While the zebrafish as an experimental system has tremendous benefits, such as
potential for drug screens using the transparent larvae, capacity for transgenesis
and live imaging, experimental models in zebrafish potentially bear several
limitations, in particular their distant relationship to humans. To determine whether
zebrafish remyelination involves homologous signalling mechanisms to mammals,
demyelinated zebrafish optic nerves were treated with human recombinant
Semaphorin 3A, an axonal guidance molecule which is well known to inhibit
oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) recruitment and remyelination in mammals.
Results demonstrated fewer oligodendroglial cells at 14 dpl and less myelinated
fibres at 28 dpl in the optic nerve lesion area compared to control treated animals,
supporting the hypothesis that zebrafish remyelination may indeed respond to
human signalling molecules.
Taken together, the findings in this doctoral thesis suggest that this new
experimental zebrafish-based model of CNS remyelination can be added to the suite
of current models to better understand the remyelination process and that some
signalling mechanisms observed in mammals around myelination and OPC
recruitment are likely conserved in the zebrafish. In addition, it could potentially be
used to discover novel therapeutic targets that promote myelination in injury
Effects of tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and waterpipe smoking on endothelial function and clinical outcomes
Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of non-communicable disease globally and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and lung disease. Importantly, recent data by the World Health Organizations (WHO) indicate that in the last two decades global tobacco use has significantly dropped, which was largely driven by decreased numbers of female smokers. Despite such advances, the use of e-cigarettes and waterpipes (shisha, hookah, narghile) is an emerging trend, especially among younger generations. There is growing body of evidence that e-cigarettes are not a harm-free alternative to tobacco cigarettes and there is considerable debate as to whether e-cigarettes are saving smokers or generating new addicts. Here, we provide an updated overview of the impact of tobacco/waterpipe (shisha) smoking and e-cigarette vaping on endothelial function, a biomarker for early, subclinical, atherosclerosis from human and animal studies. Also their emerging adverse effects on the proteome, transcriptome, epigenome, microbiome, and the circadian clock are summarized. We briefly discuss heat-not-burn tobacco products and their cardiovascular health effects. We discuss the impact of the toxic constituents of these products on endothelial function and subsequent CVD and we also provide an update on current recommendations, regulation and advertising with focus on the USA and Europe. As outlined by the WHO, tobacco cigarette, waterpipe, and e-cigarette smoking/vaping may contribute to an increased burden of symptoms due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to severe health consequences
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