The diagnosis of gastritis and helicobacter-like organisms infection in endoscopic biopsies of the canine gastric mucosa.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLO) and gastritis in the gastric mucosa of dogs with gastric disorders. Tissue samples of the gastric mucosa were obtained from 30 dogs with gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, abdominal pain or discomfort, loss of appetite) during endoscopy. Histopathological examinations were performed and occurrence of GHLO infection, gastritis and other mucosal changes were estimated.

Exposure to TNF-alpha but not IL-1beta impairs insulin-dependent phosphorylation of protein kinase B and p70S6k in mouse C2C12 myogenic cells.

Unlabelled: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is a proinflammatory cytokine considered to play an important role in muscle catabolism, but little is known about the mechanisms of its action. The aim of the present study was therefore to examine the effect of TNF-alpha pretreatment on glucose uptake and protein synthesis as well as the cellular content and phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB), p70S6k, Mitogen Activated Protein (MAP) kinase and p90rsk in mouse C2C12 myotubes stimulated with insulin. To determine whether interleukin (IL)-1beta might be involved in the catabolic action of TNF-alpha, the effects of IL-1beta were also tested.

Not only insulin stimulates mitochondriogenesis in muscle cells, but mitochondria are also essential for insulin-mediated myogenesis.

Viability and myogenesis from C2C12 muscle cells and L6 rat myoblasts were dose-dependently stimulated by insulin. The metabolic inhibitors of phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase (PI-3K, LY294002) and of MAPKK/ERK kinase (MEK, PD98059) differently affected insulin-stimulated myogenesis of the cells. After LY294002 and PD98059 treatment, viability deteriorated and apparently an additive effect of both metabolic inhibitors was observed, irrespective of the method of measurement (neutral red or MTT assay).

Clusterin: the missing link in the calcium-dependent resistance of cancer cells to apoptogenic stimuli.

The resistance of cancer cells to artificially induced apoptosis comprises a major pitfall in contemporary chemotherapy. In recent years, a wide range of molecular mechanisms was revealed that allow cancer cells to overcome apoptosis. In prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers, a protein named clusterin was identified with anti- or proapoptotic activity regulated by calcium homeostasis.

Vibrational and microbiological study on alkaline metal picolinates and o-iodobenzoates.

FT-IR and Raman experimental data were assigned to appropriate bond vibrations and used to compare the different electronic charge distributions in the aromatic rings and carboxylic anions of various lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and caesium o-iodobenzoates and picolinates. Then principal component analysis (PCA) was applied in order to attempt to distinguish the biological activities of these compounds according to selected band wavenumbers. The growth of the bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis and the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Hansenula anomala under optimal growth conditions were measured after 24 hours of incubation by the classical plate method.

Great differences in antioxidant properties exist between 56 apple cultivars and vegetation seasons.

The contents of ascorbate, thiols, and phenolic compounds and antioxidative enzyme activity were measured in the apple peel of 56 genotypes after harvest in two vegetation seasons, 2003 and 2004. The main reason of great interest in these bioactive compounds is their well-established physiological role in all living systems. The biggest differences between tested genotypes were noted for ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase (GR) activity, followed by total ascorbate, phenolics, and glutathione concentration; the least difference was observed in the case of catalase.

Preliminary studies on phenothiazine-mediated reversal of multidrug resistance in mouse lymphoma and COLO 320 cells.

The ability of phenothiazine derivatives to inhibit the transport activity of P-glycoprotein in resistant mouse lymphoma and MDR/COLO 320 cells was studied. A rhodamine 123 efflux from the above-mentioned neoplastic cells in the presence of tested compounds was examined by flow cytometry. Two of the phenothiazine derivatives, namely perphenazine and prochlorperazine dimaleate, proved to be effective inhibitors of the rhodamine efflux.

Influence of low protein diet on nonthyroidal illness syndrome in chronic renal failure.

Renal failure causes alterations in thyroid hormone metabolism known as nonthyroidal illness syndrome. In the present study we have examined the effect of a low protein diet (LPD) on circulating levels of hormones of the pituitary-thyroid axis, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in patients with chronic renal failure. Seventeen subjects with conservatively treated chronic renal failure (estimated creatinine clearance 39.

Serine:glyoxylate aminotransferases from maize and wheat leaves: purification and properties.

Photorespiratory enzyme serine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (SGAT, EC 2.6.1.

The impairment of IGF-I-stimulated protein synthesis and activation of protein kinase B, p70(S6k), MAP kinase, and p90(rsk) in mouse C2C12 myogenic cells exposed to high glucose and high insulin.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of high glucose alone and in combination with high insulin on IGF-I-stimulated protein synthesis and the activation of IGF-I signaling pathways in mouse C2C12 myogenic cells. Experiments were performed on mouse C2C12 myoblasts subjected to differentiation under normal glucose (5 mmol/I), high glucose alone (15 mmol/l), or in combination with high insulin (50 nmol/l). Six-day differentiation under high glucose alone or in combination with high insulin resulted in IGF-I resistance, which was manifested by the abolition of the stimulatory effect on protein synthesis.

Changes of insulin-mediated protein kinases phosphorylation and the expression of IGFBP-3 in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin-diabetic mice.

Unlabelled: The purpose of the present study was to investigate potential changes in expression and activation of Ser/Thr protein kinases as well as in the level of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic mice. We have examined the basal and insulin-mediated phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB), protein kinase Czeta (PKCzeta), p70(S6k), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/p90(rsk) pathway and the expression of IGFBP-3, -4, and -5 in mice selected for body weight gain (line C) and reduction (line L). Apart from IGFBP-3 level, which was higher in C line, the diabetes-associated changes in signaling components examined in present work were similar in both lines of mice.

Changes in structure of lymphatic organs in foals died due to Rhodococcus equi infection.

The aim of this study was to investigate the structure of lymphatic organs in foals which died due to Rhodococcus equi infection. The material for this study consisted of 9 foals, of both genders, various breeds, 6-14 weeks old. The routine histopathological examination and immunocytochemical reaction for cytokeratine-3 receptors revealed the disturbances in the thymus epithelial cells development.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism of exon 2 Ovar-DRB1 gene in Polish Heath Sheep and Polish Lowland Sheep.

Exon 2 of the Ovar-DR gene is known to encode the MHC outer domain (alpha or beta chain) that forms the binding area to antigens presented. The study was aimed at analysing exon 2 Ovar -DRB1 gene polymorphism in Polish Heath Sheep and Polish Lowland Sheep (Zelazna variety). A total of 101 and 99 ewes of the respective breeds were included in this study.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 upregulates myostatin expression in mouse C2C12 myoblasts.

Myostatin (MSTN) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) belong to the same TGF-beta superfamily of proteins. They are involved in regulation of skeletal muscle growth and development as well as muscle catabolism. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between MSTN and TGF-beta1 expression in proliferating and differentiating mouse C2C12 myoblasts cultured in normal and catabolic conditions and to evaluate the effect of exogenous TGF-beta1 as well as "knock down" of TGF-beta1 receptor type II on MSTN expression in proliferating and differentiating myogenic cells.

Dissimilar effects of LY 294002 and PD 098059 in IGF-I-mediated inhibition of TGF-beta1 expression and apoptosis in bovine mammary epithelial cells.

In mammary epithelial cells (MEC) TGF-beta(1) is the auto-/paracrine growth inhibitor and inducer of apoptosis and therefore is considered as an important local regulator of mammary tissue involution. However, the mechanisms of controlled TGF-beta(1) expression in the course of bovine mammary gland remodelling are still unclear. Recent study performed in this laboratory support the evidence that TGF-beta(1) expression in bovine MEC is regulated by hormones of somatotropic axis (GH, IGF-I and somatostatin).

Cathepsins and BID are involved in the molecular switch between apoptosis and autophagy in breast cancer MCF-7 cells exposed to camptothecin.

The details of molecular switching points between apoptosis and autophagy in tumor cells have still not been fully elucidated. This study focused on the role of cathepsin B and its substrate, BID as molecular links between apoptosis and autophagy in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells exposed to camptothecin. Apoptosis occurred rapidly with a peak in 60 min after drug administration, whereas autophagy developed at a much slower rate with continuous progression during 24 h of cell exposure to the drug.

Apoptosis and autophagy induced by TGF-B1 in bovine mammary epithelial BME-UV1 cells.

Mammary gland growth and involution is based on a dynamic equilibrium between proliferation and apoptosis of mammary gland epithelial cells (MEC). TGF-beta1 is an important antiproliferative and apoptogenic factor for mammary gland epithelial cells, acting in auto/paracrine matter and thus considered an important local regulator of mammary tissue involution. So far the studies on mammary gland involution concerned only apoptosis as a type I of MEC programmed cell death (PCD).

Position of STAT-1 alpha in cycloheximide-dependent apoptosis triggered by TNF-alpha in human colorectal COLO 205 cancer cell line; role of polyphenolic compounds.

"Immune escape" is a crucial instrument used by carcinoma cells to overcome numerous strategies of immune system to delete transformed cells. Cellular factors that make cancer cells immune to defence mechanisms are incompletely understood while some remain ambiguous. Up to date evidence points to some proteins and/or signaling molecules that might be a basis for unusual behavior of cancer cells.

Cycloheximide-mediated sensitization to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cell line COLO 205; role of FLIP and metabolic inhibitors.

Current efforts are focused on revealing the cellular factors that determine the "immune escape" of cancer cells. As an example in our study human colorectal cancer cell line COLO 205 was resistant to TNF-alpha - a death inducing ligand. Nonetheless, co-incubation TNF-alpha (10 ng/ml) with cycloheximide (5 micro g/ml, CHX) caused time-dependent (6, 12, 24 hours) cell death even though, at that concentration cycloheximide did not exert cytotoxic effect unless 24 hour of treatment.

Into the unknown--the death pathways in the neonatal gut epithelium.

Apoptosis is a fundamental process in the development of the fast growing intestinal mucosa. Apoptotic cells are present along the whole length of the villi and in the crypts. The mechanisms involved in the induction of apoptosis in the gut mucosa are still unknown.

Autophagy is the dominant type of programmed cell death in breast cancer MCF-7 cells exposed to AGS 115 and EFDAC, new sesquiterpene analogs of paclitaxel.

The molecular mechanism of cell death induced by AGS 115 and EFDAC, sesquiterpene analogs of paclitaxel, was investigated in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The study was carried out using laser scanning cytometry, homeostatic confocal microscopy, atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy. AGS 115 and EFDAC exhibited a microtubule-stabilizing effect as confirmed by a significant increase in alpha-tubulin aggregation.

Perineal hernia in 3 cats.

Cases of perineal hernias in three cats are described. All the cats were male (2 castrated, 1 intact). The hernias were situated between the external anal sphincter and the levator ani muscle.

Prevalence of the suilysin gene in Streptococcus suis strains isolated from diseased and healthy carrier pigs.

Knowledge of virulence factors of Streptococcus suis is limited. Several virulence factor candidates have been proposed, among them suilysin, which is responsible for a toxic effect on epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to detect the suilysin gene sequence in Streptococcus suis strains of various origin.

Concentration of ascorbic acid in the blood of cows with subclinical mastitis.

The aim of the investigations was evaluation of ascorbic acia concentration in the blood or cows in the subclinical form of mastitis. The research was conducted on 56 cows. The cows were divided into 4 groups: A, B, and C with subclinical form of mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia col, and D control.