Correlations between lipid levels and age, gender, glycemia, obesity, diabetes, and smoking

A low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is an important cardiovascular risk factor. Dietary measures and pharmacological agents are often not sufficient to reach the HDL-C target level of 40 mg/dl in patients with low baseline HDL-C. This study assesses the association between lipid levels and age, gender, body mass index (BMI), glycemia, diabetes and smoking and focuses on the parameters influencing HDL-C. In the town of Lede (Belgium) all patients aged between 45 and 64 years were invited during 1999 for a free of charge health check-up and blood test. Blood pressure, weight, length and smoking habits were recorded. Serum levels for glycemia and lipoproteins were determined. In total, 629 subjects attended for the check-up. In a logistic regression analysis age above 50 years was correlated with low HDL-C (OR = 2.27 CI = 1.10-4.68). Male gender was correlated with low HDL-C (OR = 3.85 CI = 1.77-8.43) and with high triglycerides (TG) (OR = 1.94 CI = 1.14-3.30). From the level of 90 mg/dl glycemia was correlated with low HDL-C (OR = 2.56 CI = 1.02-6.39) and high TG (OR = 2.12 CI = 1.16-4.06). Obesity was correlated with low HDL-C (OR = 2.36 CI = 1.18-4.71) and high TG (OR = 2.17 CI = 1.88-5.23). This study provides some evidence to sharpen the target levels for glycemia and BMI among patients with low HDL-C and high TG. For these patients, the target glycemia should be around 90 mg/dl and BMI around 25 kg/m2. Physical activity and diet are also important in the achievement of these target levels.     

Lumbar spine radiographic features and demographic,clinical, and radiographic knee,hip, and hand osteoarthritis

Objective

To determine the prevalence of lumbar spine individual radiographic features (IRFs) of disc space narrowing (DSN), osteophytes (OST), and facet joint osteoarthritis (FOA); to describe the frequencies of demographic, clinical, and radiographic knee, hip, and hand osteoarthritis (OA) across lumbar spine IRFs; and to determine factors associated with lumbar spine IRFs.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 840 participants enrolled in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project (2003–2004). Sample‐based prevalence estimates were generated for each lumbar spine IRF. The associations between lumbar spine IRFs and demographic, clinical, and peripheral joint OA were determined with logistic regression models.

Results

Sample‐based prevalence estimates were similar for DSN (57.6%) and FOA (57.9%) but higher for OST (88.1%), with significant differences across race and sex. Hand and knee OA frequencies increased across IRFs, whereas the effect was absent for hip OA. African Americans had lower odds of FOA (adjusted odds ratio [OR_adj] 0.45 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.32–0.62]), while there was no racial association with DSN and OST. Low back symptoms were associated with DSN (OR_adj 1.37 [95% CI 1.04–1.80]) but not OST or FOA. Knee OA was associated with OST (OR_adj 1.62 [95% CI 1.16–2.27]) and FOA (OR_adj 1.69 [95% CI 1.15–2.49]) but not DSN. Hand OA was associated with FOA (OR_adj 1.67 [95% CI 1.20–2.28]) but not with DSN or OST. No associations were found with hip OA.

Conclusion

These findings underscore the importance of analyzing lumbar spine IRFs separately as the associations with demographic, clinical, and radiographic knee, hip, and hand OA differ widely.     

Thyronamines--past, present, and future

Thyronamines (TAMs) are a newly identified class of endogenous signaling compounds. Their structure is identical to that of thyroid hormone and deiodinated thyroid hormone derivatives, except that TAMs do not possess a carboxylate group. Despite some initial publications dating back to the 1950s, TAMs did not develop into an independent area of research until 2004, when they were rediscovered as potential ligands to a class of G protein-coupled receptors called trace-amine associated receptors. Since this discovery, two representatives of TAMs, namely 3-iodothyronamine (3-T(1)AM) and thyronamine (T(0)AM), have been detected in vivo. Intraperitoneal or central injection of 3-T(1)AM or T(0)AM into mice, rats, or Djungarian hamsters caused various prompt effects, such as metabolic depression, hypothermia, negative chronotropy, negative inotropy, hyperglycemia, reduction of the respiratory quotient, ketonuria, and reduction of fat mass. Although their physiological function remains elusive, 3-T(1)AM and T(0)AM have already revealed promising therapeutic potential because they represent the only endogenous compounds inducing hypothermia as a prophylactic or acute treatment of stroke and might thus be expected to cause fewer side effects than synthetic compounds. This review article summarizes the still somewhat scattered data on TAMs obtained both recently and more than 20 yr ago to yield a complete and updated picture of the current state of TAM research.     

Neutropenia, fever, and infection

With the advances in the management of various neoplastic diseases and subsequent improvement in "disease-free" states, complications of therapy--particularly, infectious complications--have evolved as stumbling blocks to survival. Among neutropenic (absolute neutrophil count below 1,000/mm3) patients with cancer, infection is the major autopsy-determined cause of death. With expected "cure rates" of childhood leukemia approaching 60 to 70 percent, it seems unreasonable to lose such patients to an infectious cause of death, yet this, indeed, happens. The purpose of this review is to (1) define the magnitude of the problem; (2) describe the various agents responsible for infections in neutropenic patients; (3) attempt to more sharply define degrees of neutropenia and mechanical defenses; and (4) consider various approaches to studying and treating these infections.     

Smoking, coffee, and pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES: We studied relationships of cigarette smoking and coffee drinking to risk of pancreatitis. METHODS: This was a cohort study among 129,000 prepaid health plan members who supplied data about demographics and habits in 1978-85. Among 439 persons subsequently hospitalized for pancreatitis, probable etiologic associations were cholelithiasis (168/439 = 38%), alcohol (125/439 = 29%), idiopathic (110/430 = 25%), and miscellaneous (36/439 = 8%). Cox proportional hazards models with seven covariates (including alcohol intake) yielded relative risk estimates for smoking and coffee use. RESULTS: Increasing smoking was strongly related to increased risk of alcohol-associated pancreatitis, less related to idiopathic pancreatitis, and unrelated to gallstone-associated pancreatitis. Relative risks (95% confidence intervals, CI) of one pack per day (vs never) smokers for pancreatitis groups were: alcohol = 4.9 (2.2-11.2, p < 0.001), idiopathic = 3.1 (1.4-7.2, p < 0.01), and gallstone = 1.3 (0.6-3.1). The relationship of smoking to alcohol-associated pancreatitis was consistent in sex and race subsets. Drinking coffee, but not tea, was weakly inversely related to risk only of alcohol-associated pancreatitis, with relative risk (95% CI) per cup per day = 0.85 (0.77-0.95; p= 0.003). Male sex, black ethnicity, and lower-educational attainment were other predictors of alcohol-associated pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for alcohol-associated and idiopathic pancreatitis. Coffee drinking is associated with reduced risk of alcohol-associated pancreatitis. The data are compatible with the hypotheses that smoking may be toxic to the pancreas or may potentiate other pancreatic toxins while some ingredient in coffee may have a modulating effect.     

Acanthosis Nigricans, insulin action, and hyperandrogenism: clinical, histological, and biochemical findings

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a frequent clinical finding in hyperandrogenic women. Its presence has been used to subgroup such women. We performed this study in order to determine the actual histological prevalence of AN and its relationship to sex hormone levels and insulin action. Insulin-mediated glucose disposal was determined by the euglycemic clamp technique, and neck or axillary skin biopsies were graded blind for the presence and severity of AN in lean and obese women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) and in age- and weight-matched normal ovulatory controls. AN was present on clinical examination in 11 of 13 obese PCO, 3 of 6 lean PCO, 4 of 14 obese normal, and 0 of 4 lean normal women. AN was present on histological examination in 13 of 13 obese PCO, 5 of 6 lean PCO, 13 of 14 obese normal, and 1 of 4 lean normal women. The severity of histological AN was most highly correlated with insulin-mediated glucose disposal (r = -0.61; P less than 0.001) rather than fasting (r = 0.46; P less than 0.05) or glucose-stimulated insulin levels (r = 0.48; P less than 0.01). The only sex steroid correlated with histological AN was dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (r = 0.46; P less than 0.01). We conclude that 1) clinical skin examination was very insensitive for detecting AN; 2) the best biochemical correlate of histological AN was decreased insulin action, rather than insulin or androgen levels per se; and 3) AN is a very common epiphenomenon of insulin resistance, and its clinical presence should not be used as a criterion for stratifying hyperandrogenic women.     

Genomic Characterization of Yogue,Kasokero, Issyk-Kul,Keterah, Gossas,and Thiafora Viruses: Nairoviruses Naturally Infecting Bats,Shrews, and Ticks

The genus Nairovirus of arthropod-borne bunyaviruses includes the important emerging human pathogen, Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), as well as Nairobi sheep disease virus and many other poorly described viruses isolated from mammals, birds, and ticks. Here, we report genome sequence analysis of six nairoviruses: Thiafora virus (TFAV) that was isolated from a shrew in Senegal; Yogue (YOGV), Kasokero (KKOV), and Gossas (GOSV) viruses isolated from bats in Senegal and Uganda; Issyk-Kul virus (IKV) isolated from bats in Kyrgyzstan; and Keterah virus (KTRV) isolated from ticks infesting a bat in Malaysia. The S, M, and L genome segments of each virus were found to encode proteins corresponding to the nucleoprotein, polyglycoprotein, and polymerase protein of CCHFV. However, as observed in Leopards Hill virus (LPHV) and Erve virus (ERVV), polyglycoproteins encoded in the M segment lack sequences encoding the double-membrane-spanning CCHFV NSm protein. Amino acid sequence identities, complement-fixation tests, and phylogenetic analysis indicated that these viruses cluster into three groups comprising KKOV, YOGV, and LPHV from bats of the suborder Yingochiroptera; KTRV, IKV, and GOSV from bats of the suborder Yangochiroptera; and TFAV and ERVV from shrews (Soricomorpha: Soricidae). This reflects clade-specific host and vector associations that extend across the genus.     

Trust,benefit, satisfaction,and burden

BACKGROUND: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches that actively engage communities in a study are assumed to lead to relevant findings, trusting relationships, and greater satisfaction with the research process. OBJECTIVE: To examine community members' perceptions of trust, benefit, satisfaction, and burden associated with their participation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A randomized controlled trial tested a cancer prevention intervention in members of African-American churches. Data were collected at baseline and 1-year follow-up. MEASUREMENTS: Subscales measured perception of trust in the research project and the project team, benefit from involvement with the project, satisfaction with the project and the team, and perception of burden associated with participation. MAIN RESULTS: Overall, we found high levels of trust, perceived benefit, and satisfaction, and low perceived burden among community members in Partnership to Reach African Americans to Increase Smart Eating. In bivariate analyses, participants in the intervention group reported more perceived benefit and trust (P <.05). Participants in smaller churches reported more benefit, satisfaction and trust, while participants from churches without recent health activities perceived greater benefit, greater satisfaction, and lower burden with the project and the team (P <.05). Participants whose pastors had less educational attainment noted higher benefit and satisfaction; those whose pastors were making personal lifestyle changes noted higher benefit and satisfaction, but also reported higher burden (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: A randomized clinical trial designed with a CBPR approach was associated with high levels of trust and a perceived benefit of satisfaction with the research process. Understanding variations in responses to a research partnership will be helpful in guiding the design and implementation of future CBPR efforts.     

Platelets, leukocytes, and coagulation

Considerable data now support the hypothesis that platelets actively regulate the propagation of coagulation by (1) expressing specific, high-affinity receptors for coagulation proteases, zymogens, and cofactors; (2) protecting the bound coagulation enzymes from inactivation/inhibition; (3) restricting coagulant activity to the site of vascular injury; and (4) amplifying the initiating stimulus to lead to explosive thrombin generation. Thrombin generation is sustained at the site of vascular injury by the recruitment of circulating monocytes and neutrophils to the growing thrombus via the interaction of PSGL-1, which is constitutively expressed by leukocytes, with P-selectin, which is expressed by activated platelets. Unique among cells, monocytes can provide the appropriate membrane surface for the assembly and function of all the coagulation complexes required for tissue factor-initiated thrombin production. More studies are required to further delineate the roles of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the procoagulant response. This review will discuss the recent investigations and controversies regarding the various mechanisms by which platelets and leukocytes function in, and regulate, thrombin generation.     

Cardiovascular,diabetes, and cancer strips: evidences,mechanisms, and classifications

Objectives

To report and name firstly that there are cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM) and cancers (CDC) strips; and disclose their mechanisms, classifications, and clinical significances.

Study design

Narrative and systematic review study and interpretive analysis.

Methods

Data sources and study selection: to collect and present related evidences on CDC strips from evidence-based, open-access, both Chinese- and English-language literatures in recent 10 years on clinical trials from PubMed according to keywords “CVD, DM and cancers” as well as authors’ extensive clinical experience with the treatment of more than fifty thousands of patients with CVD, diabetes and cancers over the past decades, and analyze their related mechanisms and categories which based on authors’ previous works. Data extraction: data were mainly extracted from 48 articles which are listed in the reference section of this review. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed data were included, narratively and systematically reviewed.

Results

With several conceptual and technical breakthrough, authors present related evidences on CDC strips, these are, CVD and DM, DM and cancers, cancers and CVD linked, respectively; And “Bad SEED” +/– “bad soil” theory or doctrine may explain this phenomenon due to “internal environmental injure, abnormal or unbalance” in human body resulting from the role of risk factors (RFs) related multi-pathways and multi-targets, which including organ & tissue (e.g., vascular-specific), cell and gene-based mechanisms. Their classifications include main strips/type B, and Branches/type A as showed by tables and figures in this article.

Conclusions

There are CDC strips and related mechanisms and classifications. CDC strips may help us to understand, prevent, and control related common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as well as these high risk strips.     

Drunkenness,Hangover, and the Heart

Cardiac effects of ethanol ingestion (1.75 g/kg within 3 hours) were examined in 8 healthy males by echocardiography and systolic time intervals in a controlled study. Heart rate (HR) was increased by 15% (p<0.05) during intoxication when blood ethanol (mean±SD) was 33.7 ±4.1 mmol/l. Left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic dimension was simultaneously shortened by 4% (p<0.01) and LV end-systolic dimension by 3% (p<0.05). Stroke volume was reduced by 12% (p<0.05). Most subjects experienced hangover symptoms 12 hours after the beginning of ethanol intake; blood ethanol was 8.8 ± 4.0 mmol/l. At this time, HR was raised by 17% (p<0.05), ejection fraction by 7% (p<0.05), and circumferential fiber shortening velocity by 19% (p<0.01); total peripheral resistance was decreased by 17% (p<0.001). The resultant increase in cardiac output amounted to 22% (p<0.01). In short, the main effect of ethanol at modest blood concentrations was to reduce LV preload without detectably impairing myocardial performance. Hangover was characterized by vasodilation as well as intensified LV myocardial and pump performances.     

Effects of lactate, reoxygenation, and fast drive on hypoxic, hyperkalemic, and acidotic Purkinje fibers

The effects of hypoxia, hyperkalemia, and acidosis (HHA) and subsequent reoxygenation were studied in isolated canine Purkinje tissue. After 60-70 minutes of HHA, in the absence of exogenous lactate, reoxygenation reduced action potential duration (APD), increased amplitude, made maximum diastolic potential (Emax) more negative, increased diastolic depolarization rate (DD) of the action potential (AP), and increased developed force initially, compared to these values in the prehypoxic stage (control). In the presence of exogenous lactate (20-22 mmol) during HHA, reoxygenation after HHA leads to the development of afterdepolarization in the AP, prolongation of APD90, subsequent arrhythmia, cessation of developed force, and residual small potentials at a depolarized level. Higher stimulus voltage (by 70%) and higher driving rate (2 Hz) may restore normal APD and force sooner than when the rate of drive and the stimulus strength are kept unchanged.     

Depression, antidepressants, and sexual function

Recent studies have suggested that serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's), prescribed for the relief of depression, can cause sexual dysfunction in up to fifty percent of those taking them. The SSRI's--including fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil)--affect mood stabilization by promoting the transmission of the neurotransmitter serotonin, although enhancing serotonergic function can decrease libido or lead to erectile difficulties. As an alternative to lowering antidepressant dosages and risking losing therapeutic gains, administering serotonin-blockers, such as cyproheptadine (Periactin) and yohimbine (Yocon), has been shown to restore sexual function. However, the serotonin antagonist, cyproheptadine, causes sedation and can reverse the antidepressant or anti-obsessive effect of the SSRI. Yohimbine enhances transmission of the neurotransmitter epinephrine, increasing the flow of blood to erectile tissue and stimulating sexual desire by activating the cerebral cortex. Its drawbacks are increased levels of panic attacks and higher required dosages. Other potential biochemical stratagems are: amantadine (Symmetrel), bromcriptine (Parlodel), and buspirone (Buspar), which enhance dopamine and serotonin transmission; and bethanecol (Urechline), which enhances choline transmission. One study indicates improved sexual response when the nonserotonergic, mildly dopamine-enhancing buproprion (Welbutrin) is substituted for fluoxetine.     

Alcoholism, leukopenia, and pneumococcal sepsis

Pneumococcal bacteremia is associated with a high morbidity and mortality, especially when leukopenia is present. To define further the possible factors associated with death in pneumococcal bacteremia, we reviewed all cases at 2 hospitals over a 1-yr period. Overall, increased mortality was associated with women (p = 0.009), nosocomial acquisition of the disease (p = 0.001), the presence of leukopenia (p = 0.00002) or thrombocytopenia (p = 0.025), shock (p = 4 X 10(-8)), and adult respiratory distress syndrome (p = 2 X 10(-7)). Leukopenic and nonleukopenic patients were compared further to ascertain factors that may predispose to leukopenia. Alcoholism was the only associated condition correlating with the presence of leukopenia (p = 0.036), and alcoholism and leukopenia occurred in a group of younger men. We conclude that the association of alcoholism, leukopenia, and pneumococcal sepsis is a distinct clinical entity seen in younger patients and is associated with a very high mortality.     

Physical activity, adiponectin, and cardiovascular structure and function

Physical activity (PA) may modify cardiovascular structure and function as well as insulin sensitivity and level of plasma adipokines in relation to its extent, duration, and intensity. To evaluate the associations of average daily PA and bouts of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA with cardiovascular and metabolic measures, 45 healthy volunteers (mean age = 42 ± 9 years) not involved in regular intensive exercise training and competitive sport activity underwent the following examinations: (1) accelerometer monitoring of ambulatory movements (average monitoring time = 6.1 ± 1.3 days); (2) complete carotid and cardiac ultrasound; (3) measurement of carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity; (4) anthropometric measurements; (5) euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp; and (6) assessment of plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Average PA measured by accelerometer correlated with carotid beta-stiffness index (inversely) and with longitudinal systolic myocardial velocity (directly), independently of age, anthropometric, hemodynamic, and metabolic parameters. Subjects with periods of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA lasting at least 10 min (n = 28) had higher left ventricular (LV) mass index and lower plasma adiponectin, leptin, and hsCRP (P < 0.05 for all) compared with those who spent the monitoring time only in sedentary and light-intensity PA (n = 17). Minutes per day spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA correlated with LV mass index (directly) and with plasma adiponectin (inversely). Plasma adiponectin was an independent determinant of LV mass, together with body surface area, stroke volume, and systolic blood pressure (cumulative r ² = 0.80). We conclude that in healthy subjects, average daily PA is independently related to longitudinal systolic myocardial function and to local carotid stiffness. Bouts of moderate-to-vigorous PA seem to induce LV mass increase, which may be partially related to a decrease in plasma adiponectin level.     

Levels of Dihydrotestosterone, Testosterone, Androstenedione, and Estradiol in Canalicular, Saccular, and Alveolar Mouse Lungs

Androgens and estrogens are known regulators of fetal and postnatal lung development, but their levels in the developing lung have never been determined. We present here, for the first time, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) quantification of dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, androstenedione, and estradiol in canalicular, saccular, and alveolar stage lungs of both sexes. Testosterone, androstenedione, and estradiol were observed in all the analyzed lung samples from gestation day (GD) 16.5 to postnatal day (PN) 30, totalizing 383 individual mice. Levels of these three steroids decreased between birth and PN 5. In contrast, dihydrotestosterone was detected only in male samples on GD 19.5, PN 0, and PN 30. A significant sex difference was observed for testosterone and androstenedione but not for estradiol. Steroid levels were also determined in skinned hind legs for comparison. Three-way analysis of variance revealed that tissue (lung or leg) had a significant effect on testosterone levels for both sexes, but not on androstenedione and estradiol levels. Low but significant testosterone and androstenedione levels were observed in all the females and in prepubertal male samples. These levels must be sufficient to induce androgen receptor activation, as suggested by our recent report showing the presence of androgen receptor in the nucleus of several lung cells in corresponding developmental ages and sexes.     

Nocturnal and diurnal levels of prolactin,LH, FSH,estrogens, and progesterone in middle-aged,spontaneously persistent estrous rats

Reproductive research in aging animals is often performed with very old rats manifesting spontaneous persistent estrus (SPE). However, Charles River (CD) Sprague Dawley rats present SPE as early as 6 months of age and thus are potentially very useful in such studies since the concomitant pathologies associated with old age can be avoided. Serum levels of LH, FSH, prolactin, estrogens, and progesterone were measured by RIA in 8 to 12 month SPE rats after rapid decapitation at 0300, 1000 or 1600 hr (8–11 rats/group). As reported by others in very old SPE rats, proiactin was high at 1600 hr (169±40 ng/ml) compared with levels at 0300 hr (43 ± 7 ng/ml) or 1000 hr (95 ± 25 ng/ml). LH and FSH values did not change with time of day, but those of FSH were consistently above baseline values of cyclic rats. Total estrogens were low (75 ± 9 pg/ml) at 1000 hr but significantly higher at both 0300 hr (127 ± 11.7 pg/ml) and 1600 hr (141 ± 23 pg/ml), resembling levels at about 1000 hr on proestrus in cyclic rats (125 ± 16 pg/ml). Average progesterone concentrations resembled baseline values of cyclic rats but varied widely (0.02 to 25 ng/ml). These findings suggest that the middle-aged SPE rat may be used in studies of the aging reproductive system, and that future studies with SPE rats should consider variations in prolactin, estrogen and progesterone with the time of day.     

Blood coagulation, inflammation, and malaria

Malaria remains a highly prevalent disease in more than 90 countries and accounts for at least 1 million deaths every year. Plasmodium falciparum infection is often associated with a procoagulant tonus characterized by thrombocytopenia and activation of the coagulation cascade and fibrinolytic system; however, bleeding and hemorrhage are uncommon events, suggesting that a compensated state of blood coagulation activation occurs in malaria. This article (i) reviews the literature related to blood coagulation and malaria in a historic perspective, (ii) describes basic mechanisms of coagulation, anticoagulation, and fibrinolysis, (iii) explains the laboratory changes in acute and compensated disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), (iv) discusses the implications of tissue factor (TF) expression in the endothelium of P. falciparum infected patients, and (v) emphasizes the procoagulant role of parasitized red blood cells (RBCs) and activated platelets in the pathogenesis of malaria. This article also presents the Tissue Factor Model (TFM) for malaria pathogenesis, which places TF as the interface between sequestration, endothelial cell (EC) activation, blood coagulation disorder, and inflammation often associated with the disease. The relevance of the coagulation-inflammation cycle for the multiorgan dysfunction and coma is discussed in the context of malaria pathogenesis.     

Calpains, mitochondria, and apoptosis

Mitochondrial activity is critical for efficient function of the cardiovascular system. In response to cardiovascular injury, mitochondrial dysfunction occurs and can lead to apoptosis and necrosis. Calpains are a 15-member family of Ca(2+)-activated cysteine proteases localized to the cytosol and mitochondria, and several have been shown to regulate apoptosis and necrosis. For example, in endothelial cells, Ca(2+) overload causes mitochondrial calpain 1 cleavage of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger leading to mitochondrial Ca(2+) accumulation. Also, activated calpain 1 cleaves Bid, inducing cytochrome c release and apoptosis. In renal cells, calpains 1 and 2 promote apoptosis and necrosis by cleaving cytoskeletal proteins, which increases plasma membrane permeability and cleavage of caspases. Calpain 10 cleaves electron transport chain proteins, causing decreased mitochondrial respiration and excessive activation, or inhibition of calpain 10 activity induces mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. In cardiomyocytes, calpain 1 activates caspase 3 and poly-ADP ribose polymerase during tumour necrosis factor-α-induced apoptosis, and calpain 1 cleaves apoptosis-inducing factor after Ca(2+) overload. Many of these observations have been elucidated with calpain inhibitors, but most calpain inhibitors are not specific for calpains or a specific calpain family member, creating more questions. The following review will discuss how calpains affect mitochondrial function and apoptosis within the cardiovascular system.     

Electrochemical Recovery and Behaviors of Rare Earth (La,Ce, Pr,Nd, Sm,Eu, Gd,Tb, Dy,Ho, Er,Tm, and Yb) Ions on Ni Sheets

The electrochemical behaviors of rare earth (RE) ions have extensively been studied because of their high potential applications to the reprocessing of used nuclear fuels and RE-containing materials. In the present study, we fully investigated the electrochemical behaviors of RE(III) (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb) ions over a Ni sheet electrode in 0.1 M NaClO₄ electrolyte solution by cyclic voltammetry between +0.5 and −1.5 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Amperometry electrodeposition experiments were performed between −1.2 and −0.9 V to recover RE elements over the Ni sheet. The successfully RE-recovered Ni sheets were fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The newly reported recovery data for RE(III) ions over a metal electrode provide valuable information on the development of the treatment methods of RE elements.