Composition and antimicrobial activity of Marrubium incanum Desr. (Lamiaceae) essential oil.

The essential oil from the aerial parts of Marrubium incanum Desr. (Lamiaceae), obtained by hydrodistillation, was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Forty-six compounds were identified, representing 96.

Evaluation of Hypericum perforatum oil extracts for an antiinflammatory and gastroprotective activity in rats.

Oil extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. (Oleum Hyperici) were prepared in three different ways according to the prescriptions from traditional medicine. Variability of constituents and biological activity were evaluated in the obtained oil extracts.

Contaminated soils (II): in vitro dermal absorption of nickel (Ni-63) and mercury (Hg-203) in human skin.

Dermal absorption of heavy metal soil contaminants was tested in vitro with chloride salts of radioactive nickel (Ni-63) and mercury (Hg-203). Aqueous soil suspensions, spiked with either Ni-63 or Hg-203, were applied to fresh viable human breast skin tissue in Bronaugh diffusion cells perfused with Hanks HEPES buffered (pH 7.4) receptor containing 4% bovine serum albumin (BSA).

99mTc-red blood cells SPECT and planar scintigraphy in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomas.

The aim of the study is the assessment of the value of SPECT (single photon emission computerized tomography) using 99mTc-labeled red blood cells in the detection of liver hemangioma, in comparison to planar imaging. With planar red blood cell scintigraphy, sensitivity of the method was 76%, specificity 98%, positive predictive value 98% and negative predictive value 79%. With SPECT, sensitivity of the method was 95%, specificity 98%, positive predictive value 98% and negative predictive value 94%.

The antiinflammatory, gastroprotective and antioxidant activities of Hieracium gymnocephalum extract.

The present study investigated the antiinflammatory, gastroprotective and antioxidant activities of a CH(2)Cl(2) extract of western Balkan endemic Hieracium gymnocephalum Griseb. ex Pant. (Compositae).

Association of stress hyperglycemia and atrial fibrillation in myocardial infarction.

Background: Stress hyperglycemia has an untoward effect on prognosis in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Evidence on the interrelationship between stress hyperglycemia and atrial fibrillation (AF) in AMI is sparse. We hypothesized that stress hyperglycemia and AF, both being markers of worse in-hospital prognosis, may be interrelated and we therefore analyzed the relationship between stress hyperglycemia and AF in AMI.

Increased acid load and deletion of AE1 increase Slc26a7 expression.

Background/aims: Slc26a7 is a member of a family of anion transport proteins, Solute-Linked Carrier 26 (Slc26). Slc26a7, which can mediate Cl-/HCO3- exchange, is expressed in the acid-secreting, A-intercalated cells of the kidney collecting duct. On the basolateral side of the A-intercalated cells, Slc26a7 co-localizes with the anion exchanger 1 (AE1), a Cl-/HCO3- exchanger that mediates bicarbonate reabsorption in the collecting duct.

Radioprotective effects of Gentianella austriaca fractions and polyphenolic constituents in human lymphocytes.

The aim of this study was to identify active principles of Gentianella austriaca responsible for the reduction of the incidence of micronuclei in irradiated lymphocytes in vitro. The radioprotective effects of ether (EF) and methanolic (MeF) fractions, water-soluble xanthones demethylbellidifolin (1), demethylbellidifolin 8-O-glucoside (2), bellidifolin 8-O-glucoside (3), and flavonoid swertisin (4) against chromosomal damage induced by gamma-rays were determined using the micronucleus test. EF and MeF showed better protection in treatment of human lymphocytes after gamma-irradiation than did isolated compounds.

[The relationship between clinical findings and therapeutic approach in the treatment of fractured frontal sinus walls].

Introduction: The incidence of fractured frontal sinus walls vary from 6% to 12% of all craniofacial injuries.

Objective: Estimated relation between clinical findings and performed therapeutic procedures in treating fractured frontal sinus walls. To estimate success in performed therapeutic procedures, according to the incidence of postoperative complications and the integrity of injured regions from the functional and esthetical aspect.

A nasal proteosome adjuvant activates microglia and prevents amyloid deposition.

Objective: We assessed whether peripheral activation of microglia by a nasal proteosome-based adjuvant (Protollin) that has been given safely to humans can prevent amyloid deposition in young mice and affect amyloid deposition and memory function in old mice with a large amyloid load.

Methods: Amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic (Tg) J20 mice received nasal treatment with Protollin weekly for 8 months beginning at age 5 months. Twenty-four-month-old J20 mice were treated weekly for 6 weeks.

Decreased expression of Slc26a4 (Pendrin) and Slc26a7 in the kidneys of carbonic anhydrase II-deficient mice.

Background/aims: Intercalated cells (ICs) of the kidney collecting duct are rich in carbonic anhydrase II (CAII), which facilitates proton and bicarbonate transport. Bicarbonate secretion is mediated via Pendrin (Slc26a4), which is expressed on the apical membrane of B-ICs and nonA-nonB ICs in the cortical collecting ducts (CCD). Bicarbonate absorption is mediated via anion exchanger 1 (AE1-Slc4a1) in the CCD and via AE1 and possibly Slc26a7 in the OMCD.

Glycosylation of IgG B cell receptor (IgG BCR) in multiple myeloma: relationship between sialylation and the signal activity of IgG BCR.

Little is known about the glycosylation of the isotype switched B cell receptor (BCR) in multiple myeloma, and the way it might affect receptor function. In this work IgG BCRs isolated from the individual lysates of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of 32 patients with IgG multiple myeloma and healthy controls were investigated for the expression of sialic acid (SA), galactose (Gal) and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), the sugars known to specify the glycoforms of human serum IgG. The degree of glycosylation and signaling status of all 32 isolated myeloma IgG BCRs were correlated and compared with the glycosylation of the IgG paraproteins isolated from sera of the same patients.

Slc26a6 (PAT1) deletion downregulates the apical Na+/H+ exchanger in the straight segment of the proximal tubule.

Background/aim: Slc26a6 (PAT1, CFEX) is a major chloride/base exchanger located on the apical membrane of the kidney proximal tubule. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of Slc26a6 deletion on the apical Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3) in the straight segment (S3) of the proximal tubule, which is the major site for the reabsorption of filtered chloride in the kidney.

Methods: The proximal tubule S3 segment was perfused and the intracellular pH and apical Na+/H+ exchanger activity and expression were measured.

Signaling status of IgG B cell receptor (IgG BCR) is indicative for an activated state of circulating B cells in multiple myeloma.

Circulating post-switch B cells have been proposed as proliferative and disseminating progenitors in multiple myeloma. It is unclear whether the class-switched antigen receptor expressed at the surface of these cells plays a role in their expansion. In this work, the signaling status of IgG B cell receptor (BCR) isolated from the lysates of peripheral blood lymphocytes of 32 patients with IgG multiple myeloma, at the time of diagnosis, was investigated by examining whether phosphorylation of BCR Igalpha and Igbeta signal transducer factors (co-receptors) or other signaling molecules was abnormal in these cells when compared with healthy controls.

A biased Gm haplotype and Gm paraprotein allotype in multiple myeloma suggests a role for the Gm system in myeloma development.

The association between a particular Gm haplotype and susceptibility to multiple myeloma (MM) is not clear. The reason is probably because no investigations have so far been carried out on the relationship between the Gm haplotype, which represents the inherited combination of IgG Gm allotypes, and the Gm allotype expressed at the IgG paraprotein (M-component), which reflects the enhanced gene expression within the haplotype in MM. We studied the incidence of Gm allotypic markers present in IgG subclasses in the serum from 52 patients with MM and in parallel with the isolated IgG paraproteins.

Antioxidant activity of Filipendula hexapetala flowers.

The antioxidant activity of the methanol extract of Filipendula hexapetala flowers was assessed by the assay for ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), the assay for DPPH free radical scavenging ability (DPPH) and the assay for the influence of lipid peroxidation in liposomes, induced by Fe(2+)/ascorbate system and measured by the TBA test (LP). The activity of the investigated extract in all test-systems was found to be significant. The principal constituent responsible for the observed effects was isolated and identified as spiraeoside.

Hypogalactosylation of salivary and gingival fluid immunoglobulin G in patients with advanced periodontitis.

Background: Altered glycosylation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) has been found to affect certain immunological activities of IgG and to correlate with increased inflammation in various disease states. This work deals with the changes in distribution and galactosylation of IgG subclasses present in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with initial and advanced periodontitis and of normal controls.

Methods: IgG subclasses were quantified by dot-blot assay, and the degrees of expression of galactose in the total IgG and its individual subclasses were estimated by lectin immunoblot assay after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) separation of IgG and by capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using biotinylated Ricinus communis (RCA-I) and Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BS-II) lectins.

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antioxidant activities of Carlina acanthifolia root essential oil.

The root of Carlina acanthifolia All. (Asteraceae) has been traditionally used in the treatment of various disorders including stomach and skin diseases. We studied antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antioxidant activities of Carlina acanthifolia root essential oil, in order to validate some of the ethnopharmacological claims.

Vitamin B12 reduces ribavirin-induced genotoxicity in phytohemaglutinin-stimulated human lymphocytes.

Ribavirin, an N-glycosyl nucleoside (1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1, 2, 4-triazole-3 carboxamide), is a synthetic purine nucleoside analogue with a broad spectrum of antiviral activity, however, its high toxicity poses a major disadvantage of its use as a therapeutic. Various studies have shown that vitamin B12 plays a significant role in maintaining the stability of the human genome. We therefore investigated the potential beneficial effect of vitamin B12 in reducing ribavirin-induced genotoxicity.

Unexpected features of acute T lymphoblastic lymphomas in Notch1IC transgenic rats.

Dysregulated Notch signaling accounts for the majority of acute T lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL) cases in humans. Here, we characterize lymphomas from Notch1IC transgenic rats, which develop T-ALL shortly after weaning, and show that they display a number of previously undocumented features. Starting from monoclonal thymic tumors, the CD4(+)CD8alphaalpha(+) lymphoma cells infiltrate the bone marrow and then spread to secondary lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs.

Inhibition of rat brain ecto-atpase activity by various drugs.

The in vitro effect of digoxin, verapamil, propranolol, carbamazepine, diazepam and promethazine were investigated on the ecto-ATPase activity of synaptosomal plasma membranes from the rat brain. ATP hydrolyzing activities of the enzyme were not affected by digoxin while the use of all other drugs resulted in significant and dose-dependent ihibition in ATP hydrolysis. According to values of IC(50) and K(iapp), the order of inhibitory potency of the drugs applied was: diazepam > promethazine > verapamil > propranolol >> carbamazepine.

Regulation of acid-base transporters by vasopressin in the kidney collecting duct of Brattleboro rat.

Aim: The objective of these studies was to examine the effects of long-term vasopressin treatment on acid-base transporters in the collecting duct of rat kidney.

Methods: Brattleboro rats were placed in metabolic cages and treated with daily injections of 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP), a selective V2-receptor agonist, or its vehicle (control) for up to 8 days.

Results: dDAVP treatment resulted in a significant reduction in serum bicarbonate concentration, and caused the upregulation of key ammoniagenesis enzymes, along with increased urinary NH4+ excretion.

Development of a dermal cancer slope factor for benzo[a]pyrene.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are commonly found at environmentally impacted sites in both Canada and the United States, and also occur naturally. Typically, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is selected as a standard to which the cancer potencies of other carcinogenic PAHs are compared. Cancer potency estimates for B[a]P have been published for the oral and inhalation routes of exposure, however, no such estimate has been established by a regulatory agency for dermal exposure.

Antioxidant activity of four endemic Stachys taxa.

Methanol extracts of aerial flowering parts of four endemic Stachys taxa: S. anisochila VIS. et PANCIC, S.

Abeta-induced meningoencephalitis is IFN-gamma-dependent and is associated with T cell-dependent clearance of Abeta in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Vaccination against amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) has been shown to be successful in reducing Abeta burden and neurotoxicity in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, although Abeta immunization did not show T cell infiltrates in the brain of these mice, an Abeta vaccination trial resulted in meningoencephalitis in 6% of patients with AD. Here, we explore the characteristics and specificity of Abeta-induced, T cell-mediated encephalitis in a mouse model of the disease.