Heat stroke induces autophagy as a protection mechanism against neurodegeneration in the brain.

Heat stroke (HS) is defined clinically as a condition when core body temperature rises above 40°C and is accompanied by central nervous system abnormalities. In this study, we established a rat model of HS by exposing anesthetized rats to elevated ambient temperature (40°C) until core temperature reaching 40.5°C (HS onset).

Oxidative stress and erythropoietin response in altitude exposure.

Purpose: Oxidative stress and erythropoietin (EPO) levels are increased following high altitude exposure. We hypothesized that the altitude-oxidative stress and EPO response would be associated with the presence or absence of acute mountain sickness (AMS) in subjects exposed at high altitude.

Methods: The study enrolled 29 healthy volunteers exposed at altitudes without strenuous physical exercise.

Characterization of an iron-responsive promoter in the protozoan pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis.

Iron has been shown to regulate transcription in the protozoan pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis. In this study, a DNA transfection system was developed to monitor ap65-1 promoter activity in response to changing iron supply. In conjunction with electrophoretic mobility shift assay, iron-induced transcription of the ap65-1 gene was shown to be regulated by multiple closely spaced DNA elements spanning an iron-responsive region (-110/-54), including an iron-responsive DNA element ((-98)AGATAACGA(-90)), which overlaps with a 3'-MYB-like protein binding sequence ((-95)TAACGATAT(-87)), and three nearby T-rich sequences ((-110)ATTTTT(-105), (-78)ATTATT(-73), and (-59)ATTTTT(-54)).