Repeated Oral Administration of Human Serum Albumin Protects from the Cerebral Ischemia in Rat Brain Following MCAO.

Albumin is known to have neuroprotective effects. The protein has a long half-life circulation, and its effects can therefore persist for a long time to aid in the recovery of brain ischemia. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of human serum albumin (HSA) on brain hemodynamics.

Cerebral Hemodynamics and Vascular Reactivity in Mild and Severe Ischemic Rodent Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Stroke Models.

Ischemia can cause decreased cerebral neurovascular coupling, leading to a failure in the autoregulation of cerebral blood flow. This study aims to investigate the effect of varying degrees of ischemia on cerebral hemodynamic reactivity using in vivo real-time optical imaging. We utilized direct cortical stimulation to elicit hyper-excitable neuronal activation, which leads to induced hemodynamic changes in both the normal and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) ischemic stroke groups.

Crystal Structure of Hypothetical Fructose-Specific EIIB from Escherichia coli.

We have solved the crystal structure of a predicted fructose-specific enzyme IIB(fruc) from Escherichia coli (EcEIIB(fruc)) involved in the phosphoenolpyruvate-carbohydrate phosphotransferase system transferring carbohydrates across the cytoplasmic membrane. EcEIIB(fruc) belongs to a sequence family with more than 5,000 sequence homologues with 25-99% amino-acid sequence identity. It reveals a conventional Rossmann-like α-β-α sandwich fold with a unique β-sheet topology.

The real-time in vivo electrochemical measurement of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide release upon direct epidural electrical stimulation of the rat neocortex.

This study reports real-time, in vivo functional measurement of nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), two gaseous mediators in controlling cerebral blood flow. A dual electrochemical NO/CO microsensor enables us to probe the complex relationship between NO and CO in regulating cerebrovascular tone. Utilizing this dual sensor, we monitor in vivo change of NO and CO simultaneously during direct epidural electrical stimulation of a living rat brain cortex.

Effect of nitric oxide on conformational changes of ovalbumin accompanying self-assembly into non-disease-associated fibrils.

Ovalbumin (OVA), one of the members of the serpin-superfamily, is the major protein in chicken eggs. Many studies have demonstrated the polymerization ability of OVA but the detailed molecular mechanisms demonstrating its conformational changes accompanying fibril formation are still unclear. This study revealed nitric oxide (NO) induced conformational changes and oligomerization of egg white OVA, resulting in polymerized fibrils.

Development of an albumin copper binding (ACuB) assay to detect ischemia modified albumin.

Myocardial ischemia (MI) induces many changes in the body, including pH decrease and electrolyte imbalance. No obvious symptoms of MI appear until irreversible cellular injuries occur. Since early treatment is critical for recovery from ischemia, the development of reliable diagnostic tool is demanded to detect the early ischemic status.

A preliminary X-ray study of murine Tnfaip8/Oxi-α.

Tnfaip8/oxidative stress regulated gene-α (Oxi-α) is a novel protein expressed specifically in brain dopaminergic neurons and its over-expression has been reported to protect dopaminergic cells against OS-induced cell death. In this study, murine C165S mutant Tnfaip8/Oxi-α has been crystallized and X-ray data have been collected to 1.8 Å using synchrotron radiation.

Evaluation of albumin structural modifications through cobalt-albumin binding (CAB) assay.

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in the human body. HSA injections prepared by fractionating human blood have mainly covered the demand for albumin to treat hypoalbuminemia, the state of low concentration of albumin in blood. HSA in solution may exist in various forms such as monomers, oligomers, polymers, or as mixtures, and its conformational change and/or aggregation may occur easily.

Molecular assembly of thyroglobulin induced by in vitro nitric oxide treatments: implication its role in thyroid cells.

The formation of amyloid-like fibrils, which polymerize from various soluble proteins under physiological and acidic conditions, causes a wide range of protein-folding diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Fibril assembly in in vitro solutions containing nitric oxide, a free radical that functions as an important signalling molecule involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes, has not been reported. Here, we investigated the protein assembly that occur in thyroglobulin under mildly acidic conditions in the presence of nitric oxide.

2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl (R)-3-methoxy-3-oxo-2-stearamidopropyl phosphate promotes megakaryocytic differentiation of myeloid leukaemia cells and primary human CD34⁺ haematopoietic stem cells.

In this study we showed that 2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl (R)-3-methoxy-3-oxo-2-stearamidopropyl phosphate [(R)-TEMOSPho], a derivative of an organic chemical identified from a natural product library, promotes highly efficient differentiation of megakaryocytes. Specifically, (R)-TEMOSPho induces cell cycle arrest, cell size increase and polyploidization from K562 and HEL cells, which are used extensively to model megakaryocytic differentiation. In addition, megakaryocyte-specific cell surface markers showed a dramatic increase in expression in response to (R)-TEMOSPho treatment.

Study of the primo-vascular system and location-dependent oxygen levels for a mouse embryo.

The two major circulatory systems, the lymph system and the blood vessel system, play significant roles in controlling embryonic development. The primo-vascular system (PVS) was recently reported as an additional circulatory system in various animals. In this paper, the PVS in a mouse embryo was investigated.

Heterogeneity of skin surface oxygen level of wrist in relation to acupuncture point.

The distribution of partial oxygen pressure (pO(2)) is analyzed for the anterior aspect of the left wrist with an amperometric oxygen microsensor composed of a small planar Pt disk-sensing area (diameter = 25 μm). The pO(2) levels vary depending on the measurement location over the wrist skin, and they are systematically monitored in the analysis for both one-dimensional single line (along the wrist transverse crease) and two-dimensional square area of the wrist region. Relatively higher pO(2) values are observed at certain area in close proximity to the position of acupuncture points with statistical significance, indicating strong relationship between oxygen and acupuncture point.

Phosphorescent sensor for biological mobile zinc.

A new phosphorescent zinc sensor (ZIrF) was constructed, based on an Ir(III) complex bearing two 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine (dfppy) cyclometalating ligands and a neutral 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligand. A zinc-specific di(2-picolyl)amine (DPA) receptor was introduced at the 4-position of the phen ligand via a methylene linker. The cationic Ir(III) complex exhibited dual phosphorescence bands in CH(3)CN solutions originating from blue and yellow emission of the dfppy and phen ligands, respectively.

Primo vascular system of murine melanoma and heterogeneity of tissue oxygenation of the melanoma.

Murine melanoma requires the complex development of lymphatic, vascular, and non-vascular structures. A possible relationship between the primo vascular system (PVS) and the melanoma metastasis has been proposed. In particular, the PVS may be involved in oxygen transport.

Electrochemical nanosensor for real-time direct imaging of nitric oxide in living brain.

As gaseous nitric oxide (NO), a critical and multifaceted biomarker, diffuses easily once released, identifying the precise sources of NO release is a challenge. This study developed a new technique for real-time in vivo direct NO imaging by coupling an amperometric NO nanosensor with scanning electrochemical microscopy. This technique provides three-dimensional information of the NO releasing sites in an intact living mouse brain with high sensitivity and spatial resolution.

Reactive oxygen species regulate M-CSF-induced monocyte/macrophage proliferation through SHP1 oxidation.

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) stimulation results in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that participate in the proliferation of monocyte/macrophage. However, the molecular mechanisms whereby ROS modulate the signaling processes of M-CSF remain poorly defined. We report here that the redox-sensitive Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP1) is a critical regulator of M-CSF-mediated signaling in bone marrow monocyte/macrophage lineage cells (BMMs).

Real-time evaluation of nitric oxide (NO) levels in cortical and hippocampal areas with a nanopore-based electrochemical NO sensor.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important biomolecule for regulating various brain functions, such as the control of neurovascular tone. NO, however, cannot be stored inside cells where NO is produced and immediately diffuses through the cellular membrane and decays rapidly, which makes the detection of NO extremely hard in an in vivo setting. We constructed an amperometric NO nanosensor and utilized it to directly measure NO release in the living brain.

Real-time in vivo simultaneous measurements of nitric oxide and oxygen using an amperometric dual microsensor.

This paper reports a real-time study of the codynamical changes in the release of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen (O(2)) consumption in a rat neocortex in vivo upon electrical stimulation using an amperometric NO/O(2) dual microsensor. Electrical stimulation induced transient cerebral hypoxia due to the increased metabolic demands that were not met by the blood volume inside the stimulated cortical region. A NO/O(2) dual microsensor was successfully used to monitor the pair of real-time dynamic changes in the tissue NO and O(2) contents.

Heterogeneity of skin oxygen density distribution: relation to location of acupuncture points.

To investigate possible functions of acupuncture, oxygen (O(2)) levels were measured at two different acupuncture points (APs) [Hegu and Laogong] and at the corresponding non-APs (3-5 cm away from the APs) in real time using a high sensitive electrochemical O(2) microsensor. The sensor had a small planar sensing platinum disk (diameter = 25 microm) and therefore was able to monitor the O(2) levels at the localized APs. Significantly higher O(2) levels (p < 0.

Bonghan system as mesenchymal stem cell niches and pathways of macrophages in adipose tissues.

A new technique for visualizing Bonghan ducts (BHDs) and Bonghan corpuscles (BHCs) was developed by using a vivi-staining dye, Trypan blue. The dye stains BHDs and BHCs preferentially to adipocytes so that tracking a BHD and a BHC, even inside adipose tissues, is possible. Concerning the functions of the BHD and the BHC in adipose tissues, we propose conjectures: the Bonghan system may be niches for mesenchymal stem cells, which can differentiate into adipocytes, and pathways for macrophages involved in adipogenesis.

Chloroform extract of deer antler inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption.

It has been reported that deer antler extract has anti-bone resorptive activity in vivo. However, little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanism of this effect. In this study, we investigated the effects of deer antler extracts on osteoclast differentiation and bone-resorption in vitro.

Enhanced radiosensitization of p53 mutant cells by oleamide.

Purpose: Effect of oleamide, an endogenous fatty-acid primary amide, on tumor cells exposed to ionizing radiation (IR) has never before been explored.

Methods And Materials: NCI H460, human lung cancer cells, and human astrocytoma cell lines, U87 and U251, were used. The cytotoxicity of oleamide alone or in combination with IR was determined by clonogenic survival assay, and induction of apoptosis was estimated by FACS analysis.

The effects of a bioabsorbable barrier membrane containing safflower seed extracts on periodontal healing of 1-wall intrabony defects in beagle dogs.

Background: Recently, there has been much research done into the regenerative potential of materials used in oriental medicine. In several studies, evidence was found that these materials have an effect on bone regeneration. Among these materials, safflower seeds are of particular interest as they have been used for the treatment of blood stasis, bone fracture, and osteoporosis in traditional Korean medicine.

HSP25 inhibits radiation-induced apoptosis through reduction of PKCdelta-mediated ROS production.

Since radiation-induced caspase-dependent apoptosis and ROS generation were partially prevented by HSP25 overexpression, similar to the treatment of control cells with antioxidant agents such as DPI and tiron, questions arise whether radiation-mediated ROS generation contributes to the apoptotic cell death, and also whether HSP25 overexpression can reduce ROS mediated apoptotic cell death. In the present study, radiation-induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria and activation of caspases accompanied by a decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential in Jurkat T cells were shown to be inhibited by mitochondrial complex I inhibitor rotenone, suggesting that mitochondrial ROS might be important in radiation-induced caspase-dependent apoptosis. When HSP25 was overexpressed, effects similar to the treatment of cells with the antioxidants were obtained, indicating that HSP25 suppressed radiation-induced mitochondrial alteration that resulted in apoptosis.

HSP25 inhibits protein kinase C delta-mediated cell death through direct interaction.

Heat shock protein 25 (HSP25) interferes negatively with apoptosis through several pathways that involve its direct interaction with cytochrome c or Akt. Here we show that HSP25 inhibits protein kinase C (PKC) delta-mediated cell death through direct interaction. HSP25 binds to kinase-active PKCdelta to inhibit its kinase activity and translocation to the membrane, which results in reduced cell death.