1,554 research outputs found
I Jornadas Rebiun de Préstamo Interbibliotecario, 27 de marzo de 2009
Sección: Noticias externasConvocada y organizada por el Grupo de Trabajo de Préstamo Interbibliotecario de REBIUN, del que formamos parte en representación de las bibliotecas de nuestra red, celebramos en Toledo una jornada dedicada a este servicio que es posiblemente el que interrelaciona más a los bibliotecarios de distintos centros.N
Bax-dependent apoptosis induced by ceramide in HL-60 cells
AbstractCeramide is an important lipid messenger involved in mediating a variety of cell functions including apoptosis. In this study, we show that antisense bax inhibits cytochrome c release, poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase cleavage and cell death induced by ceramide in HL-60 cells. In addition, ceramide induces translocation of Bax to mitochondria. The addition of the broad spectrum caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk prevented ceramide-induced apoptotic cell death but did not inhibit translocation of Bax and mitochondrial cytochrome c release. Furthermore, ceramide inhibits the expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL with an increase in the ratio of Bax to Bcl-xL. These data provide direct evidence that Bax plays an important role in regulating ceramide-induced apoptosis
Characterization of Fabry mice treated with recombinant adeno-associated virus 2/8-mediated gene transfer
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) is currently the most effective therapeutic strategy for patients with Fabry disease, a lysosomal storage disease. However, ERT has limitations of a short half-life, requirement for frequent administration, and limited efficacy for patients with renal failure. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector-mediated gene therapy for a Fabry disease mouse model and compared it with that of ERT.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A pseudotyped rAAV2/8 vector encoding α-Gal A cDNA (rAAV2/8-hAGA) was prepared and injected into 18-week-old male Fabry mice through the tail vein. The α-Gal A expression level and globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) levels in the Fabry mice were examined and compared with Fabry mice with ERT. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies were conducted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Treatment of Fabry mice with rAAV2/8-hAGA resulted in the clearance of accumulated Gb3 in tissues such as liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and brain with concomitant elevation of α-Gal A enzyme activity. Enzyme activity was elevated for up to 60 weeks. In addition, expression of the α-Gal A protein was identified in the presence of rAAV2/8-hAGA at 6, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment. α-Gal A activity was significantly higher in the mice treated with rAAV2/8-hAGA than in Fabry mice that received ERT. Along with higher α-Gal A activity in the kidney of the Fabry mice treated with gene therapy, immunohistochemical studies showed more α-Gal A expression in the proximal tubules and glomerulus, and less Gb3 deposition in Fabry mice treated with this gene therapy than in mice given ERT. The α-gal A gene transfer significantly reduced the accumulation of Gb3 in the tubules and podocytes of the kidney. Electron microscopic analysis of the kidneys of Fabry mice also showed that gene therapy was more effective than ERT.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The rAAV2/8-hAGA mediated α-Gal A gene therapy provided improved efficiency over ERT in the Fabry disease mouse model. Furthermore, rAAV2/8-hAGA-mediated expression showed a greater effect in the kidney than ERT.</p
Transgressive segregation of primary and secondary metabolites in F2 hybrids between Jacobaea aquatica and J. vulgaris
Hybridization between plant species can have a number of biological consequences; interspecific hybridization has been tied to speciation events, biological invasions, and diversification at the level of genes, metabolites, and phenotypes. This study aims to provide evidence of transgressive segregation in the expression of primary and secondary metabolites in hybrids between Jacobaeavulgaris and J. aquaticus using an NMR-based metabolomic profiling approach. A number of F2 hybrid genotypes exhibited metabolomic profiles that were outside the range encompassed by parental species. Expression of a number of primary and secondary metabolites, including jacaronone analogues, chlorogenic acid, sucrose, glucose, malic acid, and two amino acids was extreme in some F2 hybrid genotypes compared to parental genotypes, and citric acid was expressed in highest concentrations in J. vulgaris. Metabolomic profiling based on NMR is a useful tool for quantifying genetically controlled differences between major primary and secondary metabolites among plant genotypes. Interspecific plant hybrids in general, and specifically hybrids between J. vulgaris and J. aquatica, will be useful for disentangling the ecological role of suites of primary and secondary metabolites in plants, because interspecific hybridization generates extreme metabolomic diversity compared to that normally observed between parental genotypes
Ordinary kriging approach to predicting long-term particulate matter concentrations in seven major Korean cities
Objectives Cohort studies of associations between air pollution and health have used exposure prediction approaches to estimate individual-level concentrations. A common prediction method used in Korean cohort studies is ordinary kriging. In this study, performance of ordinary kriging models for long-term particulate matter less than or equal to 10 μm in diameter (PM10) concentrations in seven major Korean cities was investigated with a focus on spatial prediction ability. Methods We obtained hourly PM10 data for 2010 at 226 urban-ambient monitoring sites in South Korea and computed annual average PM10 concentrations at each site. Given the annual averages, we developed ordinary kriging prediction models for each of the seven major cities and for the entire country by using an exponential covariance reference model and a maximum likelihood estimation method. For model evaluation, cross-validation was performed and mean square error and R-squared (R2) statistics were computed. Results Mean annual average PM10 concentrations in the seven major cities ranged between 45.5 and 66.0 μg/m3 (standard deviation=2.40 and 9.51 μg/m3, respectively). Cross-validated R2 values in Seoul and Busan were 0.31 and 0.23, respectively, whereas the other five cities had R2 values of zero. The national model produced a higher crossvalidated R2 (0.36) than those for the city-specific models. Conclusions In general, the ordinary kriging models performed poorly for the seven major cities and the entire country of South Korea, but the model performance was better in the national model. To improve model performance, future studies should examine different prediction approaches that incorporate PM10 source characteristics
Concept analysis of transition to motherhood: a methodological study
Purpose Although the term “transition to motherhood” is commonly used in research, the concept is not clear. This study, hence, was conducted to clarify the concept of “transition to motherhood.” Methods The concept analysis framework developed by Walker and Avant is used to analyze the concept of transition to motherhood. Results Transition to motherhood is defined as the physical, psychological, social, and relational (mother-baby relationship/interpersonal relationship) changes that happen to a woman after pregnancy and delivery of a baby. The attributes of the transition to motherhood include: 1) adapting to physical changes after pregnancy and childbirth; 2) experiencing various psychological changes; 3) changing of her social perception from being a woman to someone’s mother; and 4) forming and developing a relationship with the newborn, adjusting priorities, and redefining the relationship between family and others. Meeting the newborn is regarded as an antecedent of the transition to motherhood. Redefining identity and physical image, ensuring mother’s well-being, maternal attachment, and confidence in the maternal role are regarded as consequences of the transition to motherhood. The concept was clarified by the presentation of model, borderline, and contrary cases. Conclusion The significance of this study lies in the clarification of the concept of transition to motherhood and defining its attributes. It is recommended that tools be developed to measure transition to motherhood based on the results of this study. Furthermore, nurses and midwives can use study findings to better understand the concept of transition to motherhood in providing care and support to mothers who experience it
Metabolic characterization of green pods from Vanilla planifolia accessions grown in La Reunion.
Large phenotypic variation has been observed between the cultivated vanillas since a single genetic source of Vanilla planifolia was spread to the Indian Ocean and the Indonesia in the 19th century. In order to differentiate the cultivated vanilla plants, genetic studies have been conducted in the past on the plants grown in various regions such as the French island, La Réunion. However, the genetic difference was not big enough to differentiate diverse accessions of V. planifolia. In this study, metabolomics, in which genetic variation could be amplified, was employed to delve into the variation between the cultivated vanilla plants. To obtain a broad view of the metabolome, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was applied to the analysis of V. planifolia green pods. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) of the data showed that the accessions could be differentiated according to their glucovanillin and glucosides A and B contents. Furthermore, a correlation between the glucovanillin content and the pod length, number of flower and growth capacity of the accessions has been observed from the multivariate data analysis
A Case of Myxoid Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a slowly growing dermal spindle cell tumor and its myxoid variant, a rare type of DFSP, is characterized by extensive myxoid degeneration. We present the case of a 69-year-old woman with a multinodular reddish plaque on her trunk. Histopathologically, the tumor was located in the dermis and consisted of uniform spindle-shaped cells, showing strongly positive reaction for CD34, and negative for both S-100 and desmin. In addition to the typical storiform pattern, prominent myxoid stromal changes were demonstrated. Herein, we report an interesting case of myxoid DFSP, rarely reported in the dermatology literature
The Pattern of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Macular Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness Changes in Glaucoma
Background/Aims. To investigate the patterns of retinal ganglion cell damage at different stages of glaucoma, using the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macula ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thicknesses. Methods. In 296 eyes of 296 glaucoma patients and 55 eyes of 55 healthy controls, the correlations of mean deviation (MD) with the superior and inferior quadrant RNFL/GCIPL thickness (defined as the average of three superior and inferior sectors, resp.) were analyzed. Results. In early to moderate glaucoma, most of the RNFL/GCIPL thicknesses had significant positive correlations with the MD. In advanced glaucoma, the superior GCIPL thickness showed the highest correlation with MD (r=0.495), followed by the superior RNFL (r=0.452) (all; P<0.05). The correlation coefficient of the inferior RNFL thickness with MD (r<0.471) was significantly stronger in early to moderate glaucoma compared to that in advanced glaucoma (r=0.192; P<0.001). In contrast, the correlations of the superior GCIPL thickness with MD (r=0.452) in advanced glaucoma was significantly stronger compared to that in early to moderate glaucoma (r=0.159; P<0.001). Conclusions. The most preserved region in advanced glaucoma appears to be the superior macular GCIPL, whereas the most vulnerable region for initial glaucoma is the inferior RNFL around the optic disc
Supplementary data for the article: Krstić, G.; Anđelković, B.; Choi, Y. H.; Vajs, V.; Stević, T.; Tešević, V.; Gođevac, D. Metabolic Changes in Euphorbia Palusrtis Latex after Fungal Infection. Phytochemistry 2016, 131, 17–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2016.08.005
Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2016.08.005]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2335
- …