Myocardial deposition of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, and lead accelerates heart failure and alters UPRmt in humans.

In the myocardium of control subjects and patients undergoing heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation (LVAD), we analyzed concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Pb, and Ni using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Myocardial generation of oxidative-stress-induced lipid peroxidation was analyzed by quantifying concentration of 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) with ELISA and pro-apoptotic DAPK2 gene expression was determined with quantitative RT-PCR. Compared to six control hearts, myocardial samples of 128 individuals undergoing heart transplantation or LVAD implantation exhibited a moderate increase in deposition of five tested non-essential elements, which was significantly increased only for Cd and cumulative deposition of Al, As, Cd, and Pb.

Single-strand DNA-binding protein suppresses illegitimate recombination in Escherichia coli, acting in synergy with RecQ helicase.

Single-strand DNA-binding proteins SSB/RPA are ubiquitous and essential proteins that bind ssDNA in bacteria/eukaryotes and coordinate DNA metabolic processes such as replication, repair, and recombination. SSB protects ssDNA from degradation by nucleases, while also facilitating/regulating the activity of multiple partner proteins involved in DNA processes. Using Spi assay, which detects aberrantly excised λ prophage from the E.

Di-mannosylation enhances the adjuvant properties of adamantane-containing desmuramyl peptides .

Muramyl dipeptide (MDP) is the smallest essential peptidoglycan substructure capable of promoting both innate and adaptive immune responses. Herein, we report on the design, synthesis, and study of the adjuvant properties of two novel MDP analogs containing an achiral adamantyl moiety attached to the desmuramyl dipeptide (DMP) pharmacophore and additionally modified by one mannosyl subunit (derivative 7) or two mannosyl subunits (derivative 11). Mannose substructures were introduced in order to assess how the degree of mannosylation affects the immune response and nucleotide-binding oligomerization-domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) binding affinity, compared to the reference compound ManAdDMP.

Heart failure in patients is associated with downregulation of mitochondrial quality control genes.

Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of key factors causing heart failure. We performed a comprehensive analysis of expression of mitochondrial quality control (MQC) genes in heart failure.

Methods: Myocardial samples were obtained from patients with ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathy in a terminal stage of heart failure and donors without heart disease.

Posterior fossa ischemic infarction: single-center retrospective review of non-surgical and surgical cases.

Cerebellar ischemic stroke (CIS) is a morbid neurological event, with potentially fatal consequences. There is currently no objective standard of care regarding when surgical procedures are required for this entity. We retrospectively reviewed 763 patients with CIS, 247 patients of which had a stroke larger than 1 cm in greatest dimension on cranial imaging.