bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pink1 suppresses α-synuclein-induced phenotypes in a Drosophila model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Todd Amy M. , Staveley Brian E.
Published: December 2008

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most prevalent human neurodegenerative movement disorder and is characterized by a selective and progressive loss of the dopaminergic neurons. Mutations in the genes parkin and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) result in autosomal recessive forms of PD. It has been suggested that parkin and Pink1 function in the same pathway in Drosophila , with Pink1 acting upstream of parkin. Previous work in our laboratory has shown the ability of parkin to rescue an α-synuclein-induced PD-like phenotype in Drosophila. To investigate the ability of Pink1 to protect against α-synuclein-induced toxicity, we have performed longevity, mobility, and histological studies to determine whether Drosophila Pink1 can rescue the α-synuclein phenotypes. We have found that overexpression of Pink1 results in the rescue of the α-synuclein-induced phenotype of premature loss of climbing ability, suppression of degeneration of the ommatidial array, and the suppression of α-synuclein-induced developmental defects in the Drosophila eye. These results mark the first demonstration of Pink1 counteracting PD phenotypes in a protein toxicity animal model, and they show that Pink1 is able to impart protection against potentially harmful proteins such as α-synuclein that would otherwise result in cellular stress.
Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for analysis of population differentiation in the tree legumeAcacia koa(Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) in the Hawaiian Islands
Authors: Fredua-Agyeman Rudolph , Adamski Daniel , Liao Richard Junfu , Morden Clifford , Borthakur Dulal
Published: December 2008

The aim of this research was to develop and use microsatellite markers to characterize the high-value timber tree Acacia koa (koa), which is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Genomic DNA fragments of 300–1000 bp were cloned and sequenced following enrichment for microsatellite motifs by PCR using 7 oligonucleotide repeat primers in separate reactions. Among 96 sequences analyzed, 63 contained unique microsatellite motifs flanked by variable sequences. A dual PCR method involving a primer walking step was used to develop 15 primer pairs. Another 16 primer pairs were developed directly from the variable sequences on both sides of the microsatellite motifs. These 31 primer pairs were tested on 172 koa plants representing 11 populations collected from 4 of the major Hawaiian Islands. Nine of the primers that identified polymorphic microsatellite loci and 3 that detected unique alleles exclusively in some populations were used for genetic diversity studies of koa. Cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling of the allelic phenotype data revealed that koa from Kauai formed a distinct group separate from koa of the neighboring islands of Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii. The oldest of the four islands, Kauai, also had the most diverse populations of koa.
Phylogenetic relationships between annual and perennial species of Helianthus: evolution of a tandem repeated DNA sequence and cytological hybridization experiments
Authors: Natali L. , Ceccarelli M. , Giordani T. , Sarri V. , Zuccolo A. , Jurman I. , Morgante M. , Cavallini A. , Cionini P. G.
Published: December 2008

The amplification and chromosomal localization of tandem repeated DNA sequences from Helianthus annuus (clone HAG004N15) and the physical organization of ribosomal DNA were studied in annual and perennial species of Helianthus . HAG004N15-related sequences, which did not show amplification in other Asteraceae except for Viguiera multiflora , were redundant in all the Helianthus species tested, but their frequency was significantly higher in perennials than in annuals. These sequences were located at the ends and intercalary regions of all chromosome pairs of annual species. A similar pattern was found in the perennials, but a metacentric pair in their complement was not labelled. Ribosomal cistrons were carried on two chromosome pairs in perennials and on three pairs in annuals except for H. annuus, where rDNA loci were on four pairs. No difference was observed between cultivated H. annuus and its wild accessions in the hybridization pattern of the HAG004N15 and ribosomal probes. These findings support the hypothesis that the separation between annual and perennial Helianthus species occurred through interspecific hybridization involving at least one different parent. However, GISH in H. annuus using genomic DNA from the perennial Helianthus giganteus as blocking DNA failed to reveal different genomic assets in annual and perennial species.
Endothelial cell-derived nitric oxide mobilization is attenuated in copper-deficient rats
Authors: Falcone Jeff C. , Lominadze David , Johnson W. Thomas , Schuschke Dale A.
Published: December 2008

The attenuation of endothelium-dependent nitric oxide (NO) mediated vasodilation is a consistent finding in both conduit and resistance vessels during dietary copper (Cu) deficiency. Although the effect is well established, evidence for the mechanism remains circumstantial. This study was designed to determine the relative amount of NO produced in and released from the vascular endothelium. Using the fluorescent NO indicator, 4-amino-5-methylamino-2′,7′-difluorofluorescein (DAF-FM), we now demonstrate the effect of a Cu-deficient diet on the production of NO from the endothelium of resistance arterioles. In one group of experiments, control and Cu-chelated lung microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) were used to assay NO production and fluorescence was observed by confocal microscopy. Weanling Sprague–Dawley rats were fed purified diets that were either Cu adequate (6.3 micrograms Cu per gram of food) or Cu deficient (0.3 micrograms Cu per gram of food) for 4 weeks. In the second series of experiments, first-order arterioles were microsurgically isolated from the rat cremaster muscle, cannulated, and pressurized with (3[N-morpholino]propanesulfonic acid) physiologic salt solution (MOPS-PSS). DAF-FM (5 µmol·L–1) was added in the lumen of the vessel to measure NO release. Baseline DAF-FM fluorescence was significantly lower in Cu-chelated ECs than in controls. In response to 10−6 mol·L–1 acetylcholine, fluorescent intensity was significantly less in chelated ECs and in the lumen of Cu-deficient arterioles. The results suggest that production and release of NO by the vascular endothelium is inhibited by a restriction of Cu. This inhibition may account for the attenuated vasodilation previously reported in Cu-deficient rats.
Vastus lateralis surface and single motor unit EMG following submaximal shortening and lengthening contractions
Authors: Altenburg Teatske M. , de Ruiter Cornelis J. , Verdijk Peter W.L. , van Mechelen Willem , de Haan Arnold
Published: December 2008

A single shortening contraction reduces the force capacity of muscle fibers, whereas force capacity is enhanced following lengthening. However, how motor unit recruitment and discharge rate (muscle activation) are adapted to such changes in force capacity during submaximal contractions remains unknown. Additionally, there is limited evidence for force enhancement in larger muscles. We therefore investigated lengthening- and shortening-induced changes in activation of the knee extensors. We hypothesized that when the same submaximal torque had to be generated following shortening, muscle activation had to be increased, whereas a lower activation would suffice to produce the same torque following lengthening. Muscle activation following shortening and lengthening (20° at 10°/s) was determined using rectified surface electromyography (rsEMG) in a 1st session (at 10% and 50% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)) and additionally with EMG of 42 vastus lateralis motor units recorded in a 2nd session (at 4%–47%MVC). rsEMG and motor unit discharge rates following shortening and lengthening were normalized to isometric reference contractions. As expected, normalized rsEMG (1.15 ± 0.19) and discharge rate (1.11 ± 0.09) were higher following shortening (p < 0.05). Following lengthening, normalized rsEMG (0.91 ± 0.10) was, as expected, lower than 1.0 (p < 0.05), but normalized discharge rate (0.99 ± 0.08) was not (p > 0.05). Thus, muscle activation was increased to compensate for a reduced force capacity following shortening by increasing the discharge rate of the active motor units (rate coding). In contrast, following lengthening, rsEMG decreased while the discharge rates of active motor units remained similar, suggesting that derecruitment of units might have occurred.
Caffeine and carbohydrate supplementation during exercise when in negative energy balance: effects on performance, metabolism, and salivary cortisol
Authors: Slivka Dustin , Hailes Walter , Cuddy John , Ruby Brent
Published: December 2008

The ingestion of carbohydrate (+CHO) and caffeine (+CAF) during exercise is a commonly used ergogenic practice. Investigations are typically conducted with subjects who are in a rested state after an overnight fast. However, this state of positive energy balance is not achieved during many work and exercise circumstances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the substrate use and performance effects of caffeine and carbohydrate consumed alone and in combination while participants were in negative energy balance. Male participants (n = 9; 23 ± 3 years; 74.1 ± 10.6 kg) completed 4 trials in random order: –CAF/–CHO, –CAF/+CHO, +CAF/–CHO, and +CAF/+CHO. Diet and exercise were prescribed for 2 days before each trial to ensure negative energy balance. For each trial, before and after 2 h of cycling at 50% of maximal watts, a saliva sample and a muscle biopsy (vastus lateralis) were obtained. A simulated 20 km time trial was then performed. The respiratory exchange ratio was higher (p < 0.05) in +CHO trials and lower (p < 0.05) in the +CAF/+CHO trial than in the –CAF/+CHO trial. Salivary cortisol response was higher (p < 0.05) in the +CAF/–CHO trial than in any of the other trials. Muscle glycogen and heart rates were similar in all trials. Performance in the 20 km time trial was better in the –CAF/+CHO trial than in the –CAF/–CHO trial (p < 0.05), but the +CAF/+CHO trial was no better than the +CAF/–CHO trial (p > 0.05), or any of the other trials. When co-ingested with carbohydrate, caffeine increased fat use and decreased nonmuscle glycogen carbohydrate use over carbohydrate alone when participants are in negative energy balance; however, caffeine had no effect on the 20 km cycling time trial performance.
Conjugated linoleic acid prevents growth attenuation induced by corticosteroid administration and increases bone mineral content in young rats
Authors: Roy Brian. D. , Bourgeois Jacqueline , Rodriguez Christine , Payne Eric , Young Kathleen , Shaughnessy Stephen G. , Tarnopolosky Mark A.
Published: December 2008

Corticosteroids are a common therapy in many disease states, despite frequent and potentially serious side effects. Nutritional supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to increase fat-free mass, whereas supplementation with n-3 and n-6 fatty acids has been shown to increase bone mineral density (BMD). To determine whether CLA can attenuate the side effects of 8 weeks of corticosteroid administration, we randomized twenty-four 5-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats into 1 of 4 groups: control; control + methylprednisolone (7 mg·kg–1·week–1); CLA diet (1% CLA w/w); or CLA plus methylprednisolone. Body composition, bone mineral content (BMC), and BMD were assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the onset and at the end of the 8-week intervention. The mechanical properties of bone were determined using 3-point femur bending at the end of the intervention. Methylprednisolone resulted in an attenuation of the increase in body mass and lean mass over the 8 weeks (p < 0.05). CLA prevented the methylprednisolone-induced attenuation of body mass and lean mass accumulation. CLA also resulted in a greater increase in BMC (p < 0.05) in the lumbar spine. The energy at failure of the isolated femurs was increased with CLA (p < 0.05). Dietary CLA prevents many of the growth- and bone-related side effects arising from 8 weeks of corticosteroid administration, results in greater increases in BMC and BMD, and can contribute to an improvement in some of the mechanical properties of bone.
Critical power in adolescent boys and girls — an exploratory study
Authors: Williams Craig A. , Dekerle Jeanne , McGawley Kerry , Berthoin Serge , Carter Helen
Published: December 2008

The purpose of the study was to identify critical power (CP) in boys and girls and to examine the physiological responses to exercise at and 10% above CP (CP+10%) in a sub-group of boys. Nine boys and 9 girls (mean age 12.3 (0.5) y performed 3 constant-load tests to derive CP. Eight of the boys then exercised, in random order, at CP and CP+10% until volitional exhaustion. CP was 123 (28) and 91 (26) W for boys and girls, respectively (p < 0.02), which was equivalent to 75 (6) and 72 (10) % of peak oxygen uptake, respectively (p > 0.47). Boys’ time to exhaustion at CP was 18 min 37 s (4 min 13 s), which was significantly longer (p < 0.007) than that at CP+10% (9 min 42 s (2 min 31 s)). End-exercise values for blood lactate concentration (B[La]) and maximal oxygen uptake were higher in the CP+10% trial (5.0 (2.4) mmol·L–1 and 2.15 (0.4) L·min–1, respectively) than in the CP trial, (B[La], 4.7 (2.1) mmol·L–1; maximal oxygen uptake, 2.05 (0.35) L·min–1; p > 0.13). Peak oxygen uptake (expressed as a percentage of the peak value) was not attained at the end of the trials (94 (12) and 98 (14) % for CP and CP+10%, respectively). These results provide information about the boundary between the heavy and severe exercise intensity domains in children, and have demonstrated that CP in a group of boys does not represent a sustainable steady-state intensity of exercise.
Time course alterations of plasma obestatin and growth hormone levels in response to short-term anaerobic exercise training in college women
Authors: Manshouri Mahnaz , Ghanbari-Niaki Abbass , Kraemer Robert R. , Shemshaki Afsaneh
Published: December 2008

Obestatin is a 23-amino-acid peptide encoded by the same gene as ghrelin. Because there is a paucity of data concerning the effects of exercise on obestatin, this study investigated the effect of anaerobic exercise training–detraining on obestatin and growth hormone (GH) plasma levels. Ten young female volunteers participated. Blood was collected 24 h before, and 24 h, 48 h and 7 days after the training. The data indicate that anaerobic training caused a significant reduction in GH levels but had no effect on plasma obestatin concentrations.
Effects of xanthine oxidase inhibition on oxidative stress and swimming performance in rats
Authors: Veskoukis Aristidis S. , Nikolaidis Michalis G. , Kyparos Antonios , Kokkinos Dimitrios , Nepka Charitini , Barbanis Sotiris , Kouretas Dimitrios
Published: December 2008

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, on oxidative stress and physical performance after swimming until exhaustion in rats. Blood and gastrocnemius muscle samples were collected before, immediately after, and 5 h after exercise and the respective timepoints after allopurinol administration. Xanthine oxidase and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined in plasma and muscle, whereas catalase activity and reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione were measured in erythrocytes and muscle. Thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyls (PC) were determined in plasma, erythrocytes, and muscle. As expected, allopurinol inhibited xanthine oxidase activity. Compared with their nonallopurinol-treated counterparts, rats treated with allopurinol showed a 35% decrease in physical performance, as indicated by the shorter swimming time to exhaustion. Exercise alone increased PC and TBARS concentration in plasma, erythrocytes, and gastrocnemius muscle. Similarly, allopurinol alone increased PC and TBARS concentration in erythrocytes and gastrocnemius muscle, decreased TAC in plasma and gastrocnemius muscle, and decreased the GSH:GSSG ratio in erythrocytes. Our data illustrate that, in general, exercise and allopurinol alone increased the levels of most of the oxidative stress markers measured in plasma, erythrocytes, and gastrocnemius muscle. Xanthine oxidase inhibition provoked a marked reduction in physical performance.
Between-day variability of net and gross oxygen uptake during graded treadmill walking: effects of different walking intensities on the reliability of locomotion economy
Authors: Vilhena de Mendonça Gonçalo , Pereira Fernando Duarte
Published: December 2008

There have been few studies of clinical relevance conducted on the reliability of walking economy. This study was designed to determine if walking economy reproducibility increases as a function of walking intensity, and if there is any advantage in expressing walking economy as net oxygen uptake (VO2) rather than gross VO2 for reproducibility purposes. Sixteen participants (9 males, 7 females; mean age, 22.3 ± 4.3 years) performed resting, submaximal, and maximal protocols on 2 different days, under identical circumstances, within a 7 day period. The submaximal protocol consisted of five 5 min walks (4 km·h–1) at treadmill grades of 0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10%. Findings indicate that increments of 2.5% in treadmill grade effectively increased gross and net VO2 during walks. The reliability of net and gross measures increased as a function of walking relative intensity, reporting intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.89–0.94 and 0.87–0.91, respectively, and mean coefficients of variation (CV) from 7.3%–3.6% and 8.8%–4.4%, respectively. There were no significant differences between the CV for gross and for net VO2 across the spectrum of walking relative intensities. In conclusion, there is no advantage of expressing walking economy as net VO2 instead of gross VO2 for reproducibility purposes, and a single treadmill testing session at a constant speed of 4 km·h–1 is reliable for estimating group and individual walking economy, particularly at higher percent grades.
Effects of aerobic training on the exercise-induced decline in short-passing ability in junior soccer players
Authors: Impellizzeri Franco M. , Rampinini Ermanno , Maffiuletti Nicola A. , Castagna Carlo , Bizzini Mario , Wisløff Ulrik
Published: December 2008

To examine the effects of aerobic interval training on the decline in short-passing ability caused by a short bout of high-intensity intermittent activities. For this randomized controlled trial, 26 junior soccer players (mean age, 17.8 ± 0.6 years; mean height, 178 ± 5 cm; mean body mass, 74.5 ± 6.9 kg) were recruited. After baseline measurements, subjects were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups: the control group (CG) or the aerobic interval training group (ITG). The ITG completed 4 weeks of high-intensity aerobic training, consisting of 4 bouts of running for 4 min at 90%–95% of maximal heart rate, with 3 min of active recovery between sets, in addition to normal training. Maximum oxygen uptake, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (YYIRT), and short-passing ability (measured using the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT)) were measured before and after a 5 min high-intensity simulation (HIS), reproducing the most intense phase of a match. The ITG (n = 11), but not the CG (n = 10), showed a significant 12% and 4% increase in YYIRT and maximal oxygen consumption after training, respectively, and reduced the worsening in LSPT penalty time after the HIS (p < 0.05). The relative exercise intensity during HIS decreased in the ITG only (p < 0.01). Our results demonstrated that junior soccer players may benefit from aerobic training to attenuate the decline in short-passing ability caused by a short bout of intermittent activities completed at the same pretraining workload.
Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer
Authors: van Dam Rob M.
Published: December 2008

Numerous epidemiological studies have evaluated the association between coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and various cancers. This paper briefly reviews the evidence for a relation between coffee consumption and these conditions, with particular attention to methodological issues. Several early studies suggested that coffee consumption could result in a marked increase in risk of coronary heart disease and several types of cancer. However, more recent prospective cohort studies that are less prone to selection and information bias have not confirmed these findings. High consumption of unfiltered types of coffee, such as French press and boiled coffee, has been shown to increase low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations. In addition, limiting caffeinated coffee intake during pregnancy seems a prudent choice. However, evidence has been accumulating that frequent consumption of coffee may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes and liver cancer. Further experimental studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and possibly identify the components in coffee that are responsible for these putative effects. In sum, the currently available evidence on coffee and risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer is largely reassuring, and suggests that, for the general population, addressing other health-related behaviors has priority for the prevention of chronic diseases.
Precision and reliability of strength (Jamar vs. Biodex handgrip) and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry vs. bioimpedance analysis) measurements in advanced cancer patients
Authors: Trutschnigg Barbara , Kilgour Robert D. , Reinglas Jason , Rosenthall Leonard , Hornby Laura , Morais José A. , Vigano Antonio
Published: December 2008

Important deteriorations in body composition and strength occur and need to be accurately measured in advanced cancer patients (ACPs). The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between a single-frequency bioimpedance analyzer (BIA) and the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer (DXA), as well as the Jamar handgrip dynometer and the Biodex handgrip attachment, and to determine the precision of each of these instruments in ACPs. Eighty-one ACPs with non-small-cell lung cancer and gastrointestinal cancer were recruited from the McGill University Health Centre (Montreal, Que.). Consecutive paired measurements, with repositioning between measurements, were obtained for total-body DXA, BIA, Biodex handgrip, and BIA plus Jamar handgrip. The total-body percent coefficient of variation (%CV) for the BIA and DXA were 1.34 and 1.56 for fat mass (FM), respectively, and 0.42 and 0.72 for fat free mass (FFM), respectively. The %CV for the Jamar and Biodex handgrips were 6.3 and 16.7, respectively. Bland–Altman plots were used to characterize the limits of agreement between DXA and BIA for FM (4.60 ± 7.80 (–3.19 to 12.39) kg) and FFM (–1.87 ± 7.16 (–9.03 to 5.29) kg). Both DXA and BIA demonstrate good short-term precision in ACPs. However, given its poor accuracy, it remains to be determined if BIA can be used to monitor ACPs for changes in total-body tissue composition as a function of time, whether for observation or response to treatment. Furthermore, because of wide limits of agreement, the DXA and BIA cannot be used interchangeably in research or clinical settings. The Jamar handgrip dynamometer shows more consistency than the Biodex handgrip attachment in ACPs, and should therefore be the preferred measure of changes in strength over time.
Coffee, glucose homeostasis, and insulin resistance: physiological mechanisms and mediators
Authors: Tunnicliffe Jasmine M. , Shearer Jane
Published: December 2008

Epidemiological studies show coffee consumption to be correlated to large risk reductions in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Such correlations are seen with decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee, and occur regardless of gender, method of brewing, or geography. They also exist despite clear evidence showing that caffeine causes acute postprandial hyperglycemia and lower whole-body insulin sensitivity. As the beneficial effects of coffee consumption exist for both decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee, a component of coffee other than caffeine must be responsible. This review examines the specific coffee compounds responsible for coffee’s effects on T2D, and their potential physiological mechanisms of action. Being plant-derived, coffee contains many beneficial compounds found in fruits and vegetables, including antioxidants. In fact, coffee is the largest source of dietary antioxidants in industrialized nations. When green coffee is roasted at high temperatures, Maillard reactions create a number of unique compounds. Roasting causes a portion of the antioxidant, chlorogenic acid, to be transformed into quinides, compounds known to alter blood glucose levels. Coffee consumption may also mediate levels of gut peptides (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1), hormones intimately involved in the regulation of satiety and insulin secretion. Finally, coffee may have prebiotic-like properties, altering gut flora and ultimately digestion. In summary, it is evident that a better understanding of the role of coffee in the development and prevention of T2D has the potential to uncover novel therapeutic targets and nutraceutical formulations for the disease.
Structural alterations of erythrocyte membrane components induced by exhaustive exercise
Authors: Brzeszczynska Joanna , Pieniazek Anna , Gwozdzinski Lukasz , Gwozdzinski Krzysztof , Jegier Anna
Published: December 2008

Physical exercise was used as a model of the physiological modulator of free radical production to examine the effects of exercise-induced oxidative modifications on the physico-biochemical properties of erythrocyte membrane. The aim of our work was to investigate conformational changes of erythrocyte membrane proteins, membrane fluidity, and membrane susceptibility to disintegration. Venous blood was taken before, immediately after, and 1 h after an exhaustive incremental cycling test (30 W·min–1ramp), performed by 11 healthy untrained males on balanced diets (mean age, 22 ± 2 years; mean body mass index, 25 ± 4.5 kg·m–2). In response to this exercise, individual maximum heart rate was 195 ± 12 beats·min–1and maximum wattage was 292 ± 27 W. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to investigate alterations in membrane proteins and membrane dynamics, and to measure production of radical species. The reducing potential of plasma (RPP) was measured using the reduction of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the ferric-reducing ability of plasma. Exercise induced decreases in erythrocyte membrane fluidity in the polar region (p < 0.0001) and alterations in the conformational state of membrane proteins (p < 0.05). An increase in RPP was observed immediately after exercise (p < 0.001), with a further increase 1 h postexercise (p < 0.0001). Supporting measurements of lipid peroxidation showed an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances immediately after exercise (p < 0.05) and at 1 h of recovery (p < 0.001); however, free radicals were not detected. Results indicate the existence of early postexercise mild oxidative stress after single-exercise performance, which induced structural changes in erythrocyte membrane components (protein aggregation) and in the membrane organization (lipids rigidization) that followed lipid peroxidation but did not lead to cellular hemolysis.
Strength predictions of pile caps by a strut-and-tie model approach
Authors: Park JungWoong , Kuchma Daniel , Souza Rafael
Published: December 2008

In this paper, a strut-and-tie model approach is presented for calculating the strength of reinforced concrete pile caps. The proposed method employs constitutive laws for cracked reinforced concrete and considers strain compatibility. This method is used to calculate the load-carrying capacity of 116 pile caps that have been tested to failure in structural research laboratories. This method is illustrated to provide more accurate estimates of behavior and capacity than the special provisions for slabs and footings of the 1999 American Concrete Institute (ACI) code, the pile cap provisions in the 2002 CRSI design handbook, and the strut-and-tie model provisions in either the 2005 ACI code or the 2004 Canadian Standards Association (CSA) A23.3 standard. The comparison shows that the proposed method consistently well predicts the strengths of pile caps with shear span-to-depth ratios ranging from 0.49 to 1.8 and concrete strengths less than 41 MPa. The proposed approach provides valuable insight into the design and behavior of pile caps.
Analysis and design of rehabilitated built-up hybrid steel compression members
Authors: Shek Katherine K.-W. , Bartlett F. Michael
Published: December 2008

Compression members in steel bridges designed before 1960 may be deficient according to current design code requirements and so require strengthening. This paper explores the response of steel wide-flange columns reinforced with new steel flange cover plates, accounting for: residual and locked-in dead-load stresses; different yield strengths of the original W shape and the new cover plates; initial out-of-straightness; and load eccentricity at the member ends. A refined numerical analysis model is formulated and validated that computes the compressive resistance from principles of equilibrium, compatibility, and force–deformation relationships. Parametric studies conducted indicate that the capacity of the reinforced column is relatively insensitive to the magnitude of the locked-in dead-load stress in the original member, and that the strong axis capacity is insensitive to the magnitude of the residual stresses in the original member. A preliminary approach for designing strengthening for these members is presented and illustrated with an example calculation.
Design of stilling basin for circular pipe outlets
Authors: Goel Arun
Published: December 2008

Experimental work leading to the design of a stilling basin for pipe outlets is reported in this paper. The stilling basin designed on the basis of present study has been compared with the stilling basin design proposed by Garde et al. in 1986. The experiments were performed by taking two pipe outlets of 10 and 7.5 cm diameter and varying inflow Froude numbers. In the present study, the new design is arrived at by conducting a systematic experimentation on the various stilling basin models and keeping the basin floor at the invert level of the pipe outlet. The location as well as the arrangements of appurtenances, such as a wedge-shaped splitter block, modified grid, row of wedge-shaped baffle blocks, and end sill, were also varied in the experiments. A nondimensional number has been defined to compare the performance of the stilling basin models on the basis of developed scour downstream of the basin. The performance of the proposed stilling basin (model M-71) is much better as compared with that of the stilling basin G-D* proposed by Garde et al. in 1986.
Modeling of salinity intrusion under different hydrological conditions in the Arvand River Estuary
Authors: Zahed Fatemeh , Etemad-Shahidi Amir , Jabbari Ebrahim
Published: December 2008

Arvand River Estuary is the most important inland water body of Iran and its discharge has been reduced in the last decades due to construction of several dams. Hence, a two-dimensional laterally averaged time dependent hydrodynamic and water quality model called CE-QUAL-W2 was applied to this estuary to assess the impacts of river discharge reduction. The model was first implemented with three different closure schemes for parameterization of vertical transport of mass and momentum. It was found that the W2N scheme performs better than the other schemes in predicting the vertical salinity structure. The model was then used for prediction of salinity intrusion in different hydrological conditions and a simple equation was obtained for estimation of the intrusion length as a function of upstream freshwater discharge.
Analytical estimation of effective discharge for small southern Ontario streams
Authors: Quader A. , Guo Y. , Stedinger J. R.
Published: December 2008

The effective discharge (Qe) of a channel reach may be analytically determined by fitting the flow–duration relationship with a distribution model and representing the bed-material transport with a power function. Analysis of streamflow data from small southern Ontario streams showed that the commonly used lognormal distribution does not provide a good fit to many streamflow records. A mixed exponential distribution model is proposed and a formula for computing the resulting Qe is derived. The results from this new Qe formula were compared with those obtained using other analytical distribution functions and those from empirical sediment transport effectiveness curves. These comparisons indicate that the new analytical solution provides on average the most accurate estimates of Qe when the exponent β of the power function describing sediment transport at the channel reach is not more than 2; when β > 2, a gamma distribution provides the most accurate estimates followed closely by the mixed exponential distribution.
Assessment of spillway modeling using computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Chanel Paul G. , Doering John C.
Published: December 2008

Throughout the design and planning period for future hydroelectric generating stations, hydraulic engineers are increasingly integrating computational fluid dynamics (CFD) into the process. As a result, hydraulic engineers are interested in the reliability of CFD software to provide accurate flow data for a wide range of structures, including a variety of different spillways. In the literature, CFD results have generally been in agreement with physical model experimental data. Despite past success, there has not been a comprehensive assessment that looks at the ability of CFD to model a range of different spillway configurations, including flows with various gate openings. In this article, Flow-3D is used to model the discharge over ogee-crested spillways. The numerical model results are compared with physical model studies for three case study evaluations. The comparison indicates that the accuracy of Flow-3D is related to the parameter P/Hd.
Encapsulation of glutamine synthetase in mouse erythrocytes: a new procedure for ammonia detoxification
Authors: Kosenko Elena A. , Venediktova Natalia I. , Kudryavtsev Andrey A. , Ataullakhanov Fazoil I. , Kaminsky Yury G. , Felipo Vicente , Montoliu Carmina
Published: December 2008

There are a number of pathological situations in which ammonia levels increase leading to hyperammonemia, which may cause neurological alterations and can lead to coma and death. Currently, there are no efficient treatments allowing rapid and sustained decrease of ammonia levels in these situations. A way to increase ammonia detoxification would be to increase its incorporation in glutamine by glutamine synthetase. The aim of this work was to develop a procedure to encapsulate glutamine synthetase in mouse erythrocytes and to assess whether administration of these erythrocytes containing glutamine synthetase (GS) reduce ammonia levels in hyperammonemic mice. The procedure developed allowed the encapsulation of 3 ± 0.25 IU of GS / mL of erythrocytes with a 70% cell recovery. Most metabolites, including ATP, remained unaltered in glutamine synthetase-loaded erythrocytes (named ammocytes by us) compared with native erythrocytes. The glutamine synthetase-loaded ammocytes injected in mice survived and retained essentially all of their glutamine synthetase activity for at least 48 h in vivo. Injection of these ammocytes into hyperammonemic mice reduced ammonia levels in the blood by about 50%. The results reported indicate that ammocytes are able to keep their integrity, normal energy metabolism, the inserted glutamine synthetase activity, and can be useful to reduce ammonia levels in hyperammonemic situations.
Effect of oxidative stress on the expression of t-PA, u-PA, u-PAR, and PAI-1 in endothelial cells
Authors: Oszajca Katarzyna , Bieniasz Magdalena , Brown George , Swiatkowska Maria , Bartkowiak Jacek , Szemraj Janusz
Published: December 2008

In this study we examined the effects of exogenous nitric oxide (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the expression level of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (u-PAR), and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The expression of selected genes involved in fibrynolysis under the influence of oxidative stress was analyzed at the levels of mRNA, protein, and promoter activity. The results of the conducted studies revealed that oxidative stress in endothelial cells causes a significant increase in PAI-1 and u-PAR expression and a moderate increase in t-PA and u-PA expression at all of the investigated levels. We attempted to elucidate the molecular signaling mechanisms by which SNP and H2O2 regulate expression of the respective fibrinolytic factors. Therefore, we tested the protein levels of AP-1, NF-κB, and HIF-1 and their DNA-binding activity in endothelial cells subjected to oxidative stress. We found strong correlation between AP-1, NF-κB, and HIF-1 in the contribution of regulation of selected genes. In addition, we also found that the inhibition of PAI-1 synthesis by antisense oligonucleotide to PAI-1 mRNA results in markedly increased u-PAR expression and that NF-κB and AP-1 are involved in this regulation.
Amyloid peptide inhibits ATP release from human erythrocytes
Authors: Misiti Francesco , Orsini Federica , Clementi M. Elisabetta , Masala Daniele , Tellone Ester , Galtieri Antonio , Giardina Bruno
Published: December 2008

The oxygen required to meet metabolic needs of all tissues is delivered by the erythrocyte, a small, flexible cell, which, in mammals, is devoid of a nucleus and mitochondria. Despite its simple appearance, this cell has an important role in its own distribution, enabling the delivery of oxygen to precisely meet localized metabolic need. When an erythrocyte enters in a hypoxic area, a signalling pathway is activated within the cell resulting in the release of ATP in amounts adequate to activate purinergic receptors on vascular endothelium, which trigger secretion of nitric oxide and other factors resulting in vasodilatation. Among other mechanisms, binding of deoxyhemoglobin to the cytoplasmic domain of the anion-exchange protein band 3 is probably involved in this pathway. The present study investigates the effect of amyloid β peptide exposure on this molecular mechanism. We report that deoxygenated human erythrocytes fail to release ATP following 24 h exposure to amyloid β peptide. Concurrently, amyloid β peptide induces caspase 3 activation. Preincubation of amyloid β peptide treated erythrocytes with a specific inhibitor of caspase 3 prevents amyloid-induced caspase 3 activation and restores the erythrocyte’s ability to release ATP under deoxygenated conditions. Since the activity of red cell phosphofructokinase, a key step in glycolytic flux, is not modified within the red cell following amyloid peptide exposure, it is likely that ATP release reduction is not dependent on glycolytic flux alterations. It has also been suggested that the heterotrimeric G protein, Gi, and adenylyl cyclase are downstream critical components of the pathway responsible for ATP release. We show that cAMP synthesis and ATP release are not failed in amyloid-peptide-treated erythrocytes in response to incubation with mastoparan 7 or forskolin plus 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine, agents that stimulate cAMP synthesis. In conclusion, these results indicate that amyloid β peptide inhibits ATP release from deoxygenated erythrocytes by activating red cell caspase 3, suggesting a pathophysiologic role for vascular amyloid peptide in Alzheimer’s disease.
Involvement of myosin VI immunoanalog in pinocytosis and phagocytosis in Amoeba proteus
Authors: Sobczak Magdalena , Wasik Anna , Kłopocka Wanda , Rędowicz Maria Jolanta
Published: December 2008

Recently, we found a 130-kDa myosin VI immunoanalog in amoeba, which bound to actin in an ATP-sensitive manner and in migrating amoebae colocalized to filamentous actin and dynamin II-containing vesicular structures. To further characterize this protein, we assessed its involvement in amoeba pinocytosis and phagocytosis. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy of immunogold-stained cells revealed that, in pinocytotic and phagocytotic amoebae, the myosin VI immunoanalog was visible throughout the cells, including pinocytotic channels and pinocytotic vesicles as well as phagosomes and emerging phagocytic cups. Blocking endogenous protein with anti-porcine myosin VI antibody (introduced into cells by means of microinjection) caused severe defects in pinocytosis and phagocytosis. In comparison with control cells, the treated amoebae formed ~75% less pinocytotic channels and phagocytosed ~65% less Tetrahymena cells. These data indicate that the myosin VI immunoanalog has an important role in pinocytosis and phagocytosis in Amoeba proteus (Pal.).
Therapeutic effect and mechanism of proanthocyanidins from grape seeds in rats with TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis
Authors: Li Xiao-Li , Cai Yong-Qing , Qin Hong , Wu Yong-Jie
Published: December 2008

The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of proanthocyanidins from grape seeds (GSPE) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Rats were intragastrically administered different doses of GSPE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) per day for 7 days after UC was twice-induced by intracolonic injection of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)dissolved in 50% ethanol. Sulfasalazine (SASP) at 200 mg/kg was used as a positive control drug. Macroscopic and microscopic damage scores and changes in weight/length ratio (mg/mm) of colon segments were analyzed. The levels of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the colon tissues and MPO activity in the serum were all measured by biochemical methods or double antibody sandwich ELISA methods. Compared with the TNBS control group, GSPE treatment facilitated recovery of pathologic changes in the colon after insult with TNBS, as demonstrated by increased body weight (p < 0.01) and decreased colonic weight/length ratio (p < 0.01); GSPE also notably reduced the colonic macroscopic and microscopic damage scores (p < 0.01). The MPO activity in colon tissues and serum of rats treated with GSPE was significantly lower than that in the TNBS control group. The MDA and IL-1β levels of colon tissues were also decreased in GSPE groups. The intestinal antiinflammatory effect of GSPE was accompanied by a significant improvement of IL-2 and IL-4 levels in the colon tissues of rats in the high-dose GSPE group (p < 0.05). Compared with the SASP group, GSPE groups had no significant difference in the therapeutic effect (p > 0.05). GSPE exerts a beneficial antiinflammatory effect in the acute phase of TNBS-induced colitis in rats by downregulating some of the mediators involved in the intestinal inflammatory response, inhibiting inflammatory cell infiltration and antioxidation damage, promoting damaged tissue repair to improve colonic oxidative stress, decreasing production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, and increasing production of antiinflammatory cytokines IL-2 and IL-4.
Detrimental effects of nicotine on the acute gastric mucosal injury induced by ethanol: role of asymmetric dimethylarginine
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Zhou Yuan , Zou Yi-You , Wang Li , Yang Zhi-Chun , Guo Ren , Li Dai , Peng Jun , Li Yuan-Jian
Published: December 2008

The aim of this study was to determine whether asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), is responsible for the detrimental effects of nicotine on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury and its underlying mechanisms. Gastric mucosal injury was induced by an injection of ethanol in the stomach in rats. Animals were pretreated with nicotine for 28 days before ethanol injection. The gastric mucosal ulcer index (UI) and the levels of ADMA and NO in gastric juice were determined. In vitro, the cultured mucosal epithelial cells were treated with nicotine in the presence or absence of ethanol. The concentration of ADMA in the culture medium and the ratio of cell apoptosis were measured, and the effect of nicotine or ADMA alone on cell apoptosis was also examined. In rats treated with ethanol, the UI and ADMA levels were increased and the NO level was decreased, and these effects of ethanol were augmented by pretreatment with nicotine. Administration of nicotine alone did not show significant impact on UI, ADMA level, or NO level. In vitro, incubation of human epithelial cells with ethanol induced cell injury accompanied by increased ADMA levels in the culture medium, an effect which was amplified in the presence of nicotine. Similarly, ethanol was able to induce epithelial cell apoptosis that was exacerbated by nicotine. Incubation of epithelial cells with nicotine alone did not induce cell apoptosis, but administration of ADMA alone did induce cell apoptosis. The results suggest that the gastric mucosal injury induced by ethanol is augmented by nicotine, which is related to the increased ADMA level.
Clutch and egg size of the tropical lizardTropidurus torquatus(Tropiduridae) along its geographic range in coastal eastern Brazil
Authors: Kiefer M. C. , Van Sluys M. , Rocha C. F.D.
Published: December 2008

The tropidurid lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Wied, 1820) has a set of populations inhabiting coastal sand dune habitats (“restinga”) along the eastern Brazilian coast. Despite its wide geographic range, there is no information about geographic variation in reproductive features among its populations. In the present study we compared some reproductive aspects of females in 10 coastal populations of T. torquatus, aiming to evaluate to what extension they vary geographically. The minimum size at maturity was relatively similar to most populations, but mean female body size had a considerable variation. Clutch size of almost all coastal populations of T. torquatus had little variation and was composed predominantly of two eggs. Interpopulational variation in the mean egg volume was relatively wide and strongly influenced by the variation in mean female body size. The data of the present study indicated that females of almost all coastal populations of T. torquatus produce, predominantly, clutches with two eggs and invest more energy in egg size instead of clutch size, probably as a consequence of morphological and environmental factors. The increased reproductive investment in egg size was confirmed by the values obtained for the relative clutch mass, which remained relatively constant along the coastal geographic distribution of T. torquatus.