Alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in mouse plasma detected by polyacrylamide-gel disk electrophoresis.

Plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity is frequently measured in toxicity studies. In the present study, we assessed the usefulness of a commercially available polyacrylamide-gel (PAG) disk electrophoresis kit used in humans (AlkPhor System, Jokoh Co., Ltd.

Static friction as a function of waiting time probed by the dynamics of driven vortices in La(2 - x)Sr(x)CuO4 thin films.

We systematically investigated the waiting-time dependence of the maximum static friction force, F(s)(t(w)), using the dynamics of driven vortices in a high-T(c) superconductor as a model system. F(s)(t(w)) was measured in La(2 - x)Sr(x)CuO(4) thin films with different structures, sample sizes and pinning force. We found that F(s)(t(w)) by thermal fluctuation is strongly affected by the pinning strength, the vortex bundle size and the system size.

Mammalian ER stress sensor IRE1β specifically down-regulates the synthesis of secretory pathway proteins.

Accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causes ER stress. The ER stress sensor inositol requiring enzyme-1beta (IRE1β), which is specifically expressed in intestinal epithelial cells, is thought to be involved in translational repression. However, its mechanism of action is not fully understood.

Highly selective c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 2 and 3 inhibitors with in vitro CNS-like pharmacokinetic properties prevent neurodegeneration.

In this Letter, we describe the discovery of selective JNK2 and JNK3 inhibitors, such as 10, that routinely exhibit >10-fold selectivity over JNK1 and >1000-fold selectivity over related MAPKs, p38α and ERK2. Substitution of the naphthalene ring affords an isoform selective JNK3 inhibitor, 30, with approximately 10-fold selectivity over both JNK1 and JNK2. A naphthalene ring penetrates deep into the selectivity pocket accounting for the differentiation amongst the kinases.

High-precision temperature control and stabilization using a cryocooler.

We describe a method for precisely controlling temperature using a Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryocooler that involves inserting fiber-reinforced-plastic dampers into a conventional cryosystem. Temperature fluctuations in a GM cryocooler without a large heat bath or a stainless-steel damper at 4.2 K are typically of the order of 200 mK.

Design of an orally efficacious hydroxyethylamine (HEA) BACE-1 inhibitor in a preclinical animal model.

In this Letter, we describe our efforts to design HEA BACE-1 inhibitors that are highly permeable coupled with negligible levels of permeability-glycoprotein activity. These efforts culminate in producing 16 which lowers Αβ by 28% and 32% in the cortex and CSF, respectively, in the preclinical wild type Hartley guinea pig animal model when dosed orally at 30mpk BID for 2.5days.

A randomized, controlled trial of immersive virtual reality analgesia, during physical therapy for pediatric burns.

This randomized, controlled, within-subjects (crossover design) study examined the effects of immersive virtual reality as an adjunctive analgesic technique for hospitalized pediatric burn inpatients undergoing painful physical therapy. Fifty-four subjects (6-19 years old) performed range-of-motion exercises under a therapist's direction for 1-5 days. During each session, subjects spent equivalent time in both the virtual reality and the control conditions (treatment order randomized and counterbalanced).

Necrotizing sialometaplasia of the parotid gland associated with angiocentric T-cell lymphoma: a case report and review of the literature.

A very rare case of necrotizing sialometaplasia of the parotid gland associated with angiocentric T-cell lymphoma was described. A 66-year-old male had left neck and pharyngeal masses and biopsy specimen showed a monotonous proliferation of atypical lymphoid cells with massive necrosis in the parotid gland. Angiocentric pattern or vascular invasion by the lymphoid cells was observed and the involved parotid gland exhibited squamous metaplasia of the ducts and acini; necrotizing sialometaplasia.

Effects of pregnancy and lactation on warfarin-induced changes in blood coagulation-related parameters in rats.

Effects of pregnancy and lactation on warfarin-induced changes in blood coagulation-related parameters were examined in rats. Warfarin (0.5 mg/kg/day) was given orally to pregnant and non-pregnant rats for 3 days from gestation day (GD) 17 to 19 or to lactating and non-pregnant rats for 3 days from post partum day (PPD) 10 to 12.

Postconditioning effect in the hepatic ischemia and reperfusion in rats.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of postconditioning protection in liver tissue of rats submitted to ischemia and reperfusion.

Methods: 25 Wistar male rats were randomized in three groups: Group A (ischemia and reperfusion - I/R), with 10 rats, which was made ischemia by vascular clamp application in hepatic hilum for 30 minutes and reperfusion for 60 minutes by removal of the clamp; Group B (Postconditioning - IPo), with 10 rats, with same procedure plus postconditioning (3 cycles of reperfusion inserted by 3 cycles of ischemia, 30 seconds for each phase, between ischemia and reperfusion phases); and Group C (Sham), with 5 rats, which took place only laparotomy and manipulation of the hepatic hilum. Specimens were examined (histological evaluation) and dosage of serum AST and ALT was made.

Bisphenol A may cause testosterone reduction by adversely affecting both testis and pituitary systems similar to estradiol.

Bisphenol A (BPA) causes reproductive toxicities, but the mechanisms are still unclear. In the present study, we sought to clarify these mechanisms in comparison with those of 17beta-estradiol (E2). Prepubertal Wistar/ST male rats (4 weeks old) were subcutaneously administered BPA (0, 20, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day) or E2 (10 and 100 microg/kg/day) for 6 weeks.

Agmatine-conjugated cytidine in a tRNA anticodon is essential for AUA decoding in archaea.

A modified base at the first (wobble) position of some tRNA anticodons is critical for deciphering the genetic code. In eukaryotes and eubacteria, AUA codons are decoded by tRNAsIle with modified bases pseudouridine (and/or inosine) and lysidine, respectively. The mechanism by which archaeal species translate AUA codons is unclear.

Optimization of the hybridization-based method for purification of thermostable tRNAs in the presence of tetraalkylammonium salts.

We found that both tetramethylammonium chloride (TMA-Cl) and tetra-ethylammonium chloride (TEA-Cl), which are used as monovalent cations for northern hybridization, drastically destabilized the tertiary structures of tRNAs and enhanced the formation of tRNA*oligoDNA hybrids. These effects are of great advantage for the hybridization-based method for purification of specific tRNAs from unfractionated tRNA mixtures through the use of an immobilized oligoDNA complementary to the target tRNA. Replacement of NaCl by TMA-Cl or TEA-Cl in the hybridization buffer greatly improved the recovery of a specific tRNA, even from unfractionated tRNAs derived from a thermophile.

Broken sperm, cytoplasmic droplets and reduced sperm motility are principal markers of decreased sperm quality due to organophosphorus pesticides in rats.

Objectives: Recent reports have shown significant associations between organopshophorus pesticide (OP) exposure and decreased sperm motility in workers and laboratory animals. However, the notion that OPs possess spermatotoxicity has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of OP exposure on detailed sperm toxicity markers, i.

The effect of virtual reality on pain and range of motion in adults with burn injuries.

Few studies have empirically investigated the effects of immersive virtual reality (VR) on postburn physical therapy pain control and range of motion (ROM). We performed a prospective, randomized controlled study of the effects of adding VR to standard therapy in adults receiving active-assisted ROM physical therapy, by assessing pain scores and maximal joint ROM immediately before and after therapy on two consecutive days. Thirty-nine inpatients, aged 21 to 57 years (mean 35 years), with a mean TBSA burn of 18% (range, 3-60%) were studied using a within-subject, crossover design.

Burn rehabilitation and research: proceedings of a consensus summit.

Burn rehabilitation is an essential component of successful patient care. In May 2008, a group of burn rehabilitation clinicians met to discuss the status and future needs of burn rehabilitation. Fifteen topic areas pertinent to clinical burn rehabilitation were addressed.

Carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in pregnant and lactating rats.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is well known to induce hepatotoxicity after being metabolized to trichloromethyl free radical ((.)CCl3) by CYP2E1. In the present study, the hepatotoxicity induced by a single oral dose (2,000 mg/kg) of CCl4 was compared between pregnant (gestation days (GD) 13 and 19) or postpartum (postpartum days (PPD) 1, 13 and 27) and non-pregnant rats.

Pulmonary valve endocarditis caused by right ventricular outflow obstruction in association with sinus of valsalva aneurysm: a case report.

Background: Right-sided infective endocarditis is uncommon. This is primarily seen in patients with intravenous drug use, pacemaker or central venous lines, or congenital heart disease. The vast majority of cases involve the tricuspid valve.

Molecular mechanism of trichloroethylene-induced hepatotoxicity mediated by CYP2E1.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1 was suggested to be the major enzyme involved in trichloroethylene (TRI) metabolism and TRI-induced hepatotoxicity, although the latter molecular mechanism is not fully understood. The involvement of CYP2E1 in TRI-induced hepatotoxicity and its underlying molecular mechanism were studied by comparing hepatotoxicity in cyp2e1+/+ and cyp2e1-/- mice. The mice were exposed by inhalation to 0 (control), 1000, or 2000 ppm of TRI for 8 h a day, for 7 days, and TRI-hepatotoxicity was assessed by measuring plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities and histopathology.

Differential sensitivity of various human tumour-derived cell types to apoptosis by organic derivatives of selenium.

Selenium is an important trace element with anti-cancer properties. In the present study, the apoptosis-inducing effects of organic selenium derivatives, namely methyl-L-selenocysteine and selenomethionine, were evaluated in vitro on human tumour-derived cell lines from breast, liver, colon, brain, skin and a non-tumorigenic line of epithelial origin. Apoptosis was assessed by cell-death detection immunoassay on cytoplasmic cell lysates.

Restoration of blood total glutathione status and lymphocyte function following alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in patients with HIV infection.

Objectives: To determine whether supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a glutathione-replenishing disulfide, modulates whole blood total glutathione (GSH + GSSG) levels and improves lymphocyte function in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects with history of unresponsiveness to highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART).

Design And Setting: Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial conducted at two study sites: an eye clinic at a county hospital in San Jose and a research clinic in San Francisco, California.

Subjects: A total of 33 HIV-infected men and women with viral load >10,000 copies/cm(3), despite HAART, aged 44-47 years, approximately 36% nonwhite, were enrolled.

Tunable thermoassociation of binary guanosine gels.

It is well-known that aqueous solutions of individual guanosine compounds can form gels through reversible self-assembly. Typically, gelation is favored at low temperature and acidic pH. We have discovered that binary mixtures of 5'-guanosine monophosphate (GMP) and guanosine (Guo) can form stable gels at neutral pH over a temperature range that can be tuned by varying the relative proportions of the hydrophobic Guo and the hydrophilic GMP in the mixture.

Factors influencing the efficacy of virtual reality distraction analgesia during postburn physical therapy: preliminary results from 3 ongoing studies.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and side effects of immersive virtual reality (VR) distraction analgesia, as well as patient factors associated with VR analgesic efficacy in burn patients who require passive range-of-motion (ROM) physical therapy (PT).

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled, within-subject trials.

Setting: Regional level I burn center in a university-affiliated urban hospital.

A study on systemic arterial hypertension in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.

Objectives: To detect the actual prevalence of systemic hypertension in the city of Campo Grande, MS, Brazil, and frequent factors.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with a randomized sample of the adult population of the city of Campo Grande, MS, in a total of 892 individuals. A questionnaire on age, gender, level of education, smoking, alcohol consumption, and aspects of the treatment was applied.