Desulfosoma profundi sp. nov., a thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium isolated from a deep terrestrial geothermal spring in France.

A novel strictly anaerobic bacterium designated SPDX02-08(T) was isolated from a deep terrestrial geothermal spring located in southwest France. Cells (1-2 × 2-6 μm) were non-motile, non sporulating and stained Gram negative. Strain SPDX02-08(T) grew at a temperature between 40 and 60°C (optimum 55°C), pH between 6.

Caldilinea tarbellica sp. nov., a filamentous, thermophilic, anaerobic bacterium isolated from a deep hot aquifer in the Aquitaine Basin.

An anaerobic, thermophilic, filamentous (0.45 × >100 µm) bacterium, designated D1-25-10-4(T), was isolated from a deep hot aquifer in France. Cells were non-motile and Gram-negative.

Synthesis and study of antiproliferative activity of novel thienopyrimidines on glioblastoma cells.

The receptor tyrosine kinases (for example EGFR, PDGFR, VEGFR) are a transmembrane protein family which plays a crucial role in tumor growth, survival, metastasis dissemination and angiogenesis. During the past 10 years, many tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been approved for cancer treatment (imatinib, gefitinib, erlotinib, sunitinib, sorafenib). These compounds generally possess a pyrrolo- or pyrimido- pyrimidine scaffold or approaching molecular structure.

Anticancer drugs exert differential apoptotic and cytotoxic effects on glioblastoma primary cultures with various EGFR and bcl-2 profiles.

The aim of this study was to determine the apoptotic and cytotoxic effects induced on glioblastoma cells by various anticancer agents that possess different mechanisms of action (alkylating drugs, anti-EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor receptor), proteasome inhibitor). Primary cell cultures were obtained from patients who underwent surgery for their glioblastoma. The cytotoxic effects of drugs were determined by MTT (dimethylthiazolyl diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay and apoptosis was evaluated by measuring mitochondrial potential by flow cytometry.

In vitro effects of nanoparticles on renal cells.

Background: The ability of nanoparticles to cross the lung-blood barrier suggests that they may translocate to blood and to targets distant from their portal of entry. Nevertheless, nanotoxicity in organs has received little attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate nanotoxicity in renal cells using in vitro models.

Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of bortezomib and gefitinib compared to alkylating agents on human glioblastoma cells.

Glioblastoma is a malignant astrocytic tumor with a median survival of about 12 months for which new therapeutic strategies are required. We therefore examined the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs with different mechanisms of action on two human glioblastoma cell lines expressing various levels of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor). Apoptosis induced by these anticancer agents was evaluated by flow cytometry.

Cytotoxicity of folpet fungicide on human bronchial epithelial cells.

Folpet, a widely used dicarboximide fungicide, has been detected in the ambient air of several vine-growing regions of France. It is present in particle form in the environment; however, no study exploring its potential health impact on airways and the respiratory system has been published. Here, the biological effect of these particles was investigated in vitro on human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE14o-).

Role of the sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporters and absorptive endocytosis in the uptake of low concentrations of uranium and its toxicity at higher concentrations in LLC-PK1 cells.

It has been suggested that uranium uptake and toxicity could be mediated by endocytosis and/or the type IIa sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-IIa). The aim of this study was therefore to characterize in vitro the role of these two cellular mechanisms in the uptake and toxicity of low (200-3200 nM) and high (0.5 and 0.

Physicochemical characteristics and bronchial epithelial cell cytotoxicity of Folpan 80 WG(R) and Myco 500(R), two commercial forms of folpet.

Background: Pesticides, in particular folpet, have been found in rural and urban air in France in the past few years. Folpet is a contact fungicide and has been widely used for the past 50 years in vineyards in France. Slightly water-soluble and mostly present as particles in the environment, it has been measured at average concentration of 40.

ICP/OES application for assessing cadmium uptake (or toxicity) in glomerular cells: influence of extracellular calcium.

The risks of metals for health are highlighted by their chemical stability and their persistence in the environment. Chronic exposure to low cadmium (Cd) concentrations results in renal dysfunction mainly. Cd has been regarded primarily as a renal tubular toxicant, but glomerular structures may also be affected.

Interindividual differences in anticancer drug cytotoxicity in primary human glioblastoma cells.

Glioblastoma multiforme is a malignant astrocytic tumor characterized by rapid growth, extensive invasiveness and high vascularity. Despite advances in surgical techniques and in the development of new protocols in radio- and chemotherapy, the prognosis for patients suffering from this malignancy remains poor. Since the clinical response to chemotherapy varies greatly owing to different interindividual gene expression profiles, it would be of considerable interest to develop an in vitro model able to evaluate anticancer drug toxicity and the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies on cells obtained from individual patients.

Cadmium induces direct morphological changes in mesangial cell culture.

The cadmium produced by industrial and agricultural practice represents a major environmental pollutant which may induce severe damage, especially in the kidney where cadmium accumulates. While cadmium is known to severely impair renal tubular functions, glomerular structures are also potential targets. The present study investigated the effects of cadmium on glomerular mesangial cell cultures after short- and long-term exposures, requiring for each endpoint specific culture conditions.

Circadian rhythm in plasma aldosterone concentration and its seasonal modulation in the camel (Camelus dromedarius) living in the Algerian Sahara desert.

Five male camels dwelling in the Algerian Sahara were studied for circadian rhythmicity in plasma aldosterone concentration and its seasonal modulation. Blood was sampled at a frequency of 1 h or less for a span of 27 h during each season of the year. The mean plasma aldosterone concentration exhibited a significant circadian rhythmicity in every season of the year.