Serum ischemia-modified albumin as a novel marker of ovarian torsion: an experimental study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of ovarian torsion on serum levels of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) in an experimental model.

Study Design: Sixteen female adult Sprague-Dawley rats were involved in the study. Rats were allocated randomly to group I or group II on the day of the experiment.

Irreversible, direct bonding of nanoporous polymer membranes to PDMS or glass microdevices.

A method for integrating porous polymer membranes such as polycarbonate, polyethersulfone and polyethylene terephthalate to microfluidic devices is described. The use of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as a chemical crosslinking agent was extended to integrate membranes with PDMS and glass microfluidic channels. A strong, irreversible bond between the membranes and microfluidic structure was achieved.

Characterization of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the rabbit fetal liver.

Physiological attributes of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) including straightforward manipulation, multilineage differentiation, immunoregulation, and tropism for injury settings render them ideal therapeutic agents for tissue repair/regeneration. Nevertheless, further studies in suitable animal models of disease are needed to translate the potential of MSCs into clinical applications. We report here the isolation and preliminary characterization of MSCs from fetal rabbit liver (fl-MSCs).

beta-Carboline alkaloids in Peganum harmala and inhibition of human monoamine oxidase (MAO).

Peganum harmala L. is a multipurpose medicinal plant increasingly used for psychoactive recreational purposes (Ayahuasca analog). Harmaline, harmine, harmalol, harmol and tetrahydroharmine were identified and quantified as the main beta-carboline alkaloids in P.

X-ray diffraction, solution structure, and computational studies on derivatives of (3-sec-butyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-4-ylidene)acetic acid: compounds with activity as calpain inhibitors.

A thorough experimental and computational study of derivatives of (3-sec-butyl-2,3-dihydroisoquinolin-4-ylidene)acetic acid was performed. Some of these compounds are calpain inhibitors and could be useful as therapeutic agents, since this enzyme is a Ca(2+)-dependent cysteine protease involved in a wide variety of metabolic and physiological processes, whose over-activation is associated to several pathological conditions. To gain a better understanding of the structure-activity relationships, a structural analysis was carried out with (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations together with the X-ray diffraction data of three compounds.

Financing the response to HIV in low-income and middle-income countries.

Objectives: To describe levels of national HIV spending and examine programmatic allocations according to the type of epidemic and country income.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of HIV expenditures from 50 low-income and middle-income countries. Sources of information included country reports of domestic spending by programmatic activity and HIV services.

Glycolytic pyruvate regulates P-Glycoprotein expression in multicellular tumor spheroids via modulation of the intracellular redox state.

Unlabelled: ABC transporters like P-glycoprotein (P-gp/ABCB1) are membrane proteins responsible for the transport of toxic compounds out of non-malignant cells and tumor tissue.

Aim: To investigate the effect of glycolysis and the tissue redox state on P-gp expression in multicellular tumor spheroids derived from prostate adenocarcinoma cells (DU-145), glioma cells (Gli36), and the human cervix carcinoma cell line KB-3-1 transfected with a P-gp-EGFP fusion gene that allows monitoring of P-gp expression in living cells. During cell culture of DU-145, Gli36, and KB-3-1 tumor spheroids P-gp expression was observed as well as increased lactate and decreased pyruvate levels and expression of glycolytic enzymes.

ESR and electrochemical study of 1,2-disubstituted 5-nitroindazolin-3-ones and 2-substituted 3-alkoxy-5-nitro-2H-indazoles: reactivity and free radical production capacity in the presence of biological systems.

Two families of 5-nitroindazole derivatives were electrochemically studied in an aprotic solvent using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. The produced nitro-anion radical species were characterized using electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR). Also, we examined the interaction between the radical species generated from nitroindazole derivatives and glutathione (GSH).

Couples' opinions regarding the fate of surplus frozen embryos.

With the passing of Act 45/2003, research with viable human embryos became legal in Spain. Since then, Institut Universitari Dexeus has been in contact with couples whose embryos had been frozen for more than 2 years to inform them about the new legal options and gather their opinions. A reply was received from 35.

Antibody responses of turbot Psetta maxima against various antigen formulations of scuticociliates Ciliophora.

The kinetics of the antibody production and the protection at challenge were studied in turbot inoculated with various scuticociliate antigen preparations: live ciliates putatively attenuated through long-term in vitro culture (Trial 1) and formalin-killed ciliates without or with GERBU adjuvant in Trials 2, 3, and 4. Antigen used in killed preparations was a mixture of 3 different ciliate isolates (V3) in the case of Trials 2 and 3, whereas in Trial 4, monovalent (V1), trivalent (V3) or pentavalent (V5) antigens were used. A booster injection was administered 28 to 29 d post-priming in all trials.

New potent 5-nitroindazole derivatives as inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi growth: synthesis, biological evaluation, and mechanism of action studies.

New 5-nitroindazole derivatives were developed and their antichagasic properties studied. Eight compounds (14-18, 20, 26 and 28) displayed remarkable in vitro activities against Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi).

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) longer alleles spanning the promoter region may confer protection to bilateral Meniere's disease.

Conclusion: The longer alleles (CA)17-20 of the promoter region of PARP-1 gene may confer some protection against bilateral Meniere's disease (BMD).

Objective: To analyze microsatellite (CA)(n) polymorphisms in the promoter region of PARP-1 gene and seek out risk and protective variants for BMD.

Subjects And Methods: Eighty patients from two ethnically defined groups with definite BMD, according to the diagnostic scale of the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, were compared with a group of 371 normal controls from the same origin in a prospective multicenter study.

Large retroperitoneal schwannoma mimicking ovarian carcinoma: case report and literature review.

Unlabelled: In this article we present a case of retroperitoneal schwannoma localized in the pelvic cavity with complete cystic degeneration, mimicking ovarian carcinoma.

Case: A 25-year-old nulligravid woman was admitted to our gynecology out-patient clinic with the complaint of abdominal distension, right flank pain and pollakiuria. Sonographic study showed a cytic mass containing necrotic areas and filling the whole pelvic cavity.

Elevated anti-streptococcal antibodies in patients with recent narcolepsy onset.

Study Objectives: Narcolepsy-cataplexy has long been thought to have an autoimmune origin. Although susceptibility to narcolepsy, like many autoimmune conditions, is largely genetically determined, environmental factors are involved based on the high discordance rate (approximately 75%) of monozygotic twins. This study evaluated whether Streptococcus pyogenes and Helicobacter pylori infections are triggers for narcolepsy.

[Transsexuality and public health in Brazil].

The article aims to discuss transsexuality in the context of the Brazilian public health policies. Firstly, it questions the necessity of the diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder as a condition of access to treatment in the public health service, searching to understand the historical construction of transsexuality as a pathological phenomenon. After that, it analyzes the debate on public health policies for transsexuals, considering the process of legalization of the reassignment surgery in the country, the resolutions of the Federal Council of Medicine and the constitution of representative forums of the Health Ministry, as well as professionals of the area and representatives of the social movement.

Nitroindazole compounds inhibit the oxidative activation of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) neurotoxin to neurotoxic pyridinium cations by human monoamine oxidase (MAO).

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) B is a mitochondrial enzyme selectively involved in the oxidative activation of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) neurotoxin to toxic pyridinium cations producing Parkinsonism in animal models. Various synthesized 5-nitroindazoles, 6-nitroindazole and the neuroprotectant 7-nitroindazole were examined as inhibitors of MAO and as antioxidants and radical scavengers. The oxidation of MPTP by human MAO-B and mitochondria was assessed by HPLC.

Boundary sequences stabilize transgene expression from subtle position effects in retroviral vectors.

Transgene expression shut-down, attenuation and/or variability from integrated retroviral vectors pose a major obstacle to gene therapy trials involving hematopoietic cells. We have undertaken a systematic assessment of the behavior of different configurations containing IFN-beta SAR and/or 5'HS4 beta-globin insulator sequences within a gammaretroviral vector optimized for high-level expression, focusing on the long-term achievement of stable, homogeneous transgene expression in the successfully transduced cells. Introduction of these cis regulatory elements did not perturb virus production and stability.

TWEAK stimulation of kidney resident cells in the pathogenesis of graft versus host induced lupus nephritis.

The cytokine TWEAK demonstrates potent kidney proinflammatory and proliferative effects. Recently, we have shown that interactions of TWEAK with its receptor Fn14 are instrumental in the pathogenesis of nephritis in the chronic graft-versus-host (cGVH) induced model of lupus. Fn14 is expressed by macrophages and resident kidney cells; we hypothesized that TWEAK binding to both cell types contributes to the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.

Timing of levosimendan in cardiac surgery.

Objective: Levosimendan (LS) is a new inodilator agent that improves cardiac contractility by increasing the sensitivity of troponin C to calcium, which usage in cardiac surgery has been growing in the recent years. We aimed to determine the best timing of the administration of LS in high-risk patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery.

Methods: Fifteen patients were evaluated retrospectively who have left ventricular dysfunction, underwent open-heart surgery and were applied LS in different phases of operation.

Typical 2-Cys peroxiredoxins--modulation by covalent transformations and noncovalent interactions.

2-Cys peroxiredoxins are peroxidases devoid of prosthetic groups that mediate in the defence against oxidative stress and the peroxide activation of signaling pathways. This dual capacity relies on the high reactivity of the conserved peroxidatic and resolving cysteines, whose modification embraces not only the usual thiol-disulfide exchange but also higher oxidation states of the sulfur atom. These changes are part of a complex system wherein the cooperation with other post-translational modifications - phosphorylation, acetylation - may function as major regulatory mechanisms of the quaternary structure.

Molecular encapsulation of 5-nitroindazole derivatives in 2,6-dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin: electrochemical and spectroscopic studies.

Four different 5-nitroindazole derivatives (1-4) and its inclusion with Heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (DMbetaCD) were investigated. The stoichiometric ratios and stability constants describing the extent of formation of the complexes were determined by phase-solubility measurements obtaining in all cases a type-A(L) diagram. Also electrochemical studies were carried out, where the observed change in the E(PC) value indicated a lower feasibility of the nitro group reduction.

The changing landscape of European and international regulation on embryonic stem cell research.

Legislation in individual member states of the European Union on human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research is as divergent as the different cultural, ethical, and religious views on the issue. On the occasion of the public launch of the European Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry (hESCreg: www.hescreg.

Oxidative metabolism of the bioactive and naturally occurring beta-carboline alkaloids, norharman and harman, by human cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Norharman and harman are naturally occurring beta-carboline alkaloids exhibiting a wide range of biological, psychopharmacological, and toxicological actions. They occur in foods and tobacco smoke and also appear endogenously in humans. In this research, metabolic and kinetic studies with cytochrome P450 enzymes and human liver microsomes showed that beta-carbolines were efficiently oxidized to several ring-hydroxylated and N-oxidation products that were subsequently identified and quantified.

Characterization of two distinct binding modes between syntaxin 4 and Munc18c.

Interaction of SM (Sec1/Munc18) proteins with their cognate syntaxins represents an important regulatory mechanism of SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein-attachment protein receptor)-mediated membrane fusion. Understanding the conserved mechanisms by which SM proteins function in this process has proved challenging, largely due to an apparent lack of conservation of binding mechanisms between different SM-syntaxin pairs. In the present study, we have identified a hitherto uncharacterized mode of binding between syntaxin 4 and Munc18c that is independent of the binding mode shown previously to utilize the N-terminal peptide of syntaxin 4.