Screening of the anticonvulsant activity of some plants from Fabaceae family in experimental seizure models in mice.

Background And Purpose Of The Study: Fabaceae is the third largest family of flowering plants. Lack of essential oils in the plants of this family can be an advantage in search for safe and effective medicines. In this study the anticonvulsant effect of the leaves of Albizzia julibrissin, Acacia juliflora, Acacia nubica and aerial parts of Astragalus obtusifolius was evaluated in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and maximal electroshock (MES) seizure tests.

A role for mitochondria in NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

An inflammatory response initiated by the NLRP3 inflammasome is triggered by a variety of situations of host 'danger', including infection and metabolic dysregulation. Previous studies suggested that NLRP3 inflammasome activity is negatively regulated by autophagy and positively regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from an uncharacterized organelle. Here we show that mitophagy/autophagy blockade leads to the accumulation of damaged, ROS-generating mitochondria, and this in turn activates the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Nanoparticles activate the NLR pyrin domain containing 3 (Nlrp3) inflammasome and cause pulmonary inflammation through release of IL-1α and IL-1β.

Nanoparticles are increasingly used in various fields, including biomedicine and electronics. One application utilizes the opacifying effect of nano-TiO(2), which is frequently used as pigment in cosmetics. Although TiO(2) is believed to be biologically inert, an emerging literature reports increased incidence of respiratory diseases in people exposed to TiO(2).

Activation of hypoxia inducible factor 1 is a general phenomenon in infections with human pathogens.

Background: Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1 is the key transcriptional factor involved in the adaptation process of cells and organisms to hypoxia. Recent findings suggest that HIF-1 plays also a crucial role in inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Methodology/principal Findings: Using patient skin biopsies, cell culture and murine infection models, HIF-1 activation was determined by immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting and reporter gene assays and was linked to cellular oxygen consumption.

Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in malignant melanoma can occur independently of the BRAF T1799A mutation.

BRAF exon 15 mutations have been identified in a large proportion of malignant melanomas, melanoma metastases and melanocytic nevi. Mutated BRAF is one of the potential activators of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway by phosphorylating ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase). We therefore analyzed the correlation of BRAF V600E and ERK-activation in 20 malignant melanomas and 21 subsequently evolved, paired metastases of the same donor by BRAF exon 15 DNA sequencing and phospho-specific immunohistochemistry for ERK.

The role of the inflammasome in nonmyeloid cells.

Inflammasomes are cytosolic multiprotein complexes that can proteolytically activate caspase-1. Activated caspase-1 is needed for the maturation and secretion of interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-18. In the past decade, there has been tremendous progress in our knowledge of inflammasome function and IL-1 signaling, mainly in cells of the innate immune system, such as monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells.

SIGIRR/TIR-8 is an inhibitor of Toll-like receptor signaling in primary human cells and regulates inflammation in models of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Single-immunoglobulin interleukin-1 receptor-related (SIGIRR), which is also known as Toll/interleukin-1 receptor 8 (TIR-8), is a member of the TIR domain-containing family of receptors and was first characterized as an inhibitor of interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling. In the Dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis model, SIGIRR(-/-) mice were shown to have increased inflammation and to be more susceptible to endotoxin challenge. Increasing evidence implicates TLR and IL-1R signaling in the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) in patients with auditory neuropathy: Auditory neuropathy or audiovestibular neuropathy?

Conclusion: Our results suggest that isolated auditory or vestibular involvement is unlikely and in fact audiovestibular neuropathy can better explain auditory neuropathy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate saccule and related neural pathways in auditory neuropathy patients.

Methods: Three males and five females diagnosed with auditory neuropathy were included in this prospective study.

Inflammatory caspases in innate immunity and inflammation.

Caspases are best known for their role in apoptosis. More recently, they have gained prominence as critical mediators of innate immune responses. The so-called 'inflammatory caspases' include human caspase-1, -4, -5 and -12 and murine caspase-1, -11 and -12.

Transnasal endoscopic marsupialization of bilateral nasoalveolar cysts.

Nasoalveolar cysts are uncommon nonodontogenic and developmental cysts with an uncertain pathogenesis. This cyst has been reported to occur bilaterally in 10-11% of cases. This case report describes a 45-year-old woman in whom the clinicopathologic findings were consistent with bilateral nasoalveolar cysts.

Determination of 3-nitroaniline in water samples by directly suspended droplet three-phase liquid-phase microextraction using 18-crown-6 ether and high-performance liquid chromatography.

Liquid-liquid-liquid microextraction (LLLME) with directly suspended droplet in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been applied as a new, rapid and easy method for the determination of 3-nitroaniline in environmental water samples. The target compound was extracted from the aqueous sample solution (donor phase, pH 13) into an organic phase and then was back-extracted into a directly suspended droplet of an acidic aqueous solution (acceptor phase, pH 0.3).

Prevention of polymorphic light eruption with a sunscreen of very high protection level against UVB and UVA radiation under standardized photodiagnostic conditions.

Polymorphic light eruption (PLE), with an overall prevalence of 10-20%, is mainly provoked by ultraviolet A (UVA) (320-400 nm) and to a lesser degree by UVB (280-320 nm). The most effective prophylaxis of PLE, application of UV protection clothing, is not feasible for all sun-exposed areas of the skin and UV-hardening is time-consuming and may be associated with side-effects. Most sunscreens protect predominantly against UVB and therefore fail to prevent PLE.

Effects of Transcendental Meditation on mental health: a before-after study.

Background: Transcendental Meditation is a mental practice to put the body and mind into a state of relaxation and rest. The method was shown to reduce anxiety and stress in previous reports. This study investigates its potential benefits in enhancing mental health of an adult Muslim population.

Liquid-liquid-liquid phase microextraction of aromatic amines in water using crown ethers by high-performance liquid chromatography with monolithic column.

Liquid-liquid-liquid phase microextraction (LLLME) coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the analysis of some aromatic amines is described. These compounds were extracted from 4.0mL aqueous sample that adjusted to pH 13 with, NaOH-NaCl buffer solution (donor phase, P(1)) into an organic phase (P(2)) 150mul benzyl alcohol and ethyl acetate (2:1) and then back extracted into a microdrop of aqueous acceptor phase (P(3)), adjusted at pH 2, with Na(2)HPO(4)-H(3)PO(4) buffer solution.

Mercury release from dental amalgam restorations after magnetic resonance imaging and following mobile phone use.

In the 1st phase of this study, thirty patients were investigated. Five milliliter stimulated saliva was collected just before and after MRI. The magnetic flux density was 0.

Effect of decompression on complete spinal cord injury in rats.

To examine whether spinal cord decompression improves functional recovery and decreases lesion volumes in paraplegic (not paraparetic) rats and, if so, at what postoperative time it is most efficacious. The spinal cords of 63 female rats were compressed at T9 with Yasargil clips. Rats were assigned randomly to five different treatment groups of 3 s, 1 hr, 6 hr, 3 weeks, and 10 weeks.

Separation and determination of amitriptyline and nortriptyline by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with gas chromatography flame ionization detection.

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) was applied for the determination of two tricyclic antidepressant drugs (TCAs), amitriptyline and nortriptyline, from water samples. This method is a very simple and rapid method for the extraction and preconcentration of these drugs from environmental sample solutions. In this method, the appropriate mixture of extraction solvent (18 microL Carbon tetrachloride) and disperser solvent (1 mL methanol) are injected rapidly into the aqueous sample (5.

TNFR1 signaling and IFN-gamma signaling determine whether T cells induce tumor dormancy or promote multistage carcinogenesis.

Immune responses may arrest tumor growth by inducing tumor dormancy. The mechanisms leading to either tumor dormancy or promotion of multistage carcinogenesis by adaptive immunity are poorly characterized. Analyzing T antigen (Tag)-induced multistage carcinogenesis in pancreatic islets, we show that Tag-specific CD4+ T cells home selectively into the tumor microenvironment around the islets, where they either arrest or promote transition of dysplastic islets into islet carcinomas.

Lichen aureus with clonal T cells in a child possibly induced by regular consumption of an energy drink.

Lichen aureus is a rare disease of unknown origin that is classified under the group of pigmented purpuric dermatoses. Its most important differential diagnosis is both clinically and histologically mycosis fungoides, into which the disease can proceed in very rare cases. We describe an unusual multilocular lichen aureus possibly induced by the almost daily consumption of an energy drink.

Hypoxia-independent activation of HIF-1 by enterobacteriaceae and their siderophores.

Background & Aims: Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is the key transcriptional regulator during adaptation to hypoxia. Recent studies provide evidence for HIF-1 activation during bacterial infections. However, molecular details of how bacteria activate HIF-1 remain unclear.

Usefulness of the tail-flick reflex in the prognosis of functional recovery in paraplegic rats.

Background: This study examines whether return of the TFR is predictive of locomotor recovery after complete SCI in rats.

Methods: We evaluated TFRs in 39 adult female rats. The spinal cords of rats were compressed at T9 with Yasargil clips.

Inflammasome activation in delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions.

The inflammasome is a protein complex cleaving the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and IL-18 into their active forms by caspase-1 activation. The cytosolic protein complex can be activated by danger signals, such as bacterial and viral components, ATP, or uric acid crystals, and reacts as a sensor of innate immunity. In the skin, sensitizing agents promote induction of specific T-cell-mediated contact hypersensitivity.