The effects of temperature and metal exposures on the profiles of metallothionein-like proteins in Oreochromis niloticus

Freshwater fish Oreochromis niloticus were exposed individually to 1mg/L concentrations of cadmium and zinc for 14 days at 20, 25 and 30°C. Heat-treated (80°C) liver tissue homogenates were run on a column packed with Sephadex G-75 to obtain eluats for determination of metallothionein-like proteins, sulfhydryl groups and metal concentrations. Elution profiles of the liver showed that there were three heat-resistant protein peaks detected at 254 and 280nm in all samples. Approximate molecular weights of proteins obtained from the first, second and third peaks were 70,000, 43,000 and 6500Da, respectively. Metallothionein-like proteins (6500) of control fish contained sulfhydryl groups and zinc, but not cadmium. Concentrations of zinc and cadmium in MT-like proteins increased in metal exposed fish and these increases were temperature dependent. However, zinc concentration in control fish decreased in relation to temperature increase. Data indicated that temperature plays significant role on metals bound on metallothioneins. This suggests that season of sampling should be taken into account when natural monitoring studies are carried out with metallothioneins.     

Effects of long‐term heat stress and dietary restriction on the expression of genes of steroidogenic pathway and small heat‐shock proteins in rat testicular tissue

The aim was to investigate the effects of long‐term heat stress and dietary restriction on the expression of certain genes involving in steroidogenic pathway and small heat‐shock proteins (sHSPs) in rat testis. Sprague Dawley rats (n = 24) were equally divided into four groups. Group I and II were kept at an ambient temperature of 22°C, while Groups III and IV were reared at 38°C for 9 weeks. Feed was freely available for Group I and Group III, while Group II and Group IV were fed 60% of the diet consumed by their ad libitum counterparts. At the end of 9 weeks, testicles were collected under euthanasia. Total RNA was isolated from testis tissue samples. Expression profiles of the genes encoding androgen‐binding protein, follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor, androgen receptor, luteinising hormone receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cyclooxygenase‐2 and sHSP genes were assessed at mRNA levels using qPCR. Long‐term heat stress decreased the expression of StAR and HspB10 genes while dietary restriction upregulated StAR gene expression. The results suggested that long‐term heat stress negatively affected the expression of StAR and HspB10 genes and the dietary restriction was able to reverse negative effect of heat stress on the expression of StAR gene in rat testis.     

Responses of the Antioxidant and Osmoregulation Systems of Fish Erythrocyte Following Copper Exposures in Differing Calcium Levels

Freshwater fish Oreochromis niloticus were exposed to Cu in differing Ca²⁺ levels (15, 30 and 90 mg/L), using acute (0.3 µM, 3 d) and chronic (0.03 µM, 30 d) exposure protocols and enzyme activities related to the antioxidant (catalase, CAT, EC 1.11.1.6; superoxide dismutase, SOD, EC 1.15.1.1; glutathione peroxidase, GPx, EC 1.11.1.9) and osmoregulation (Total, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, EC 3.6.3.9, Mg²⁺-ATPase, EC 3.6.3.2) systems in the erythrocytes were measured. Activities of antioxidant enzymes generally decreased significantly following either Ca²⁺ alone or Ca²⁺+Cu combinations in both acute and chronic exposures. Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity significantly decreased in chronic exposures, though there was no clear trend in acute exposures. Mg²⁺-ATPase activity increased significantly in acute exposures, but not in chronic ones. There were more significant alterations in acute exposure compared to chronic ones. There was no clear trend regarding Cu toxicity and its relationship with Ca²⁺, which may possibly be prompted by the compensatory mechanisms of the enzymes. It may be concluded that freshwater fish erythrocytes may face different degrees of more physiological stress from different waters.     

Morgagni hernia in a patient with Morquio syndrome

Summary Morgagni hernia is a type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia which constitutes 2–6% of congenital diaphragmatic hernia cases. Morquio syndrome, a type of lysosomal hydrolase deficiency, results in keratan sulphate accumulation and skeletal dystrophy. Other anomalies such as cardiac anomalies and trisomy 21 may accompany the Morquio syndrome; however Morgagni hernia has not been previously reported with this syndrome. A patient with Morquio syndrome that presented with bilateral Morgagni hernias is described. During surgery primary repair is preferred, however when there are large defects synthetic mesh grafts may also be used.     

Trace elements in nasal polyps

The aim of our study is to evaluate the status of selenium and zinc in nasal polyp tissues and to investigate the possible role of trace elements and antioxidants including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in nasal polyps. In this study, the antioxidant enzyme and trace element levels measured in polyp tissues of 37 patients were compared with the levels measured in conchal mucosa of 27 control cases. The antioxidant enzyme and trace element levels in tissues were measured with graphite and flame spectrophotometry methods using Shimatsu UV.1601 spectrophotometer and Perkin Elmer atomic spectrometer. The mean tissue zinc and selenium levels were, respectively, 2.55 μg/g and 30.03 pg/g in patient group, 4.37 μg/g and 44.95 pg/g in control group. The mean tissue SOD and GSH-Px levels were, respectively, 4.27 and 0.69 U/mg protein in patient group, 7.09 and 0.77 U/mg protein in control group. When the measured levels in patients and control cases were compared, there were statistically significant differences between zinc, selenium, and SOD levels (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference between GSH-Px levels (P = 0.465). In conclusion, it has been revealed that the levels of zinc, selenium, and SOD in nasal polyps were significantly lower, and it may be concluded that this may have a role in the development of nasal polyps.     

Glomerular filtration rate after a 12-wk resistance exercise program with post-exercise protein ingestion in community dwelling elderly

ObjectiveIncreased protein intake and resistance exercise can be beneficial for maintenance of lean body mass (LBM) in older adults. However, these factors could also negatively affect renal function. We investigated changes in renal function after a 12-wk resistance exercise program combined with protein supplementation in community dwelling older adults.MethodsPatients (N = 237, 73.7 ± 5.7 y, 58.2% female) participated in a 12-wk resistance exercise program (3 times/wk) designed to increase strength and muscle mass of major muscle groups. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three dietary supplements consumed directly after training: whey protein drink (20 g whey protein, 20 g carbohydrates), milk protein drink (20 g milk protein, 20 g carbohydrates), or carbohydrate drink (40 g carbohydrates). Renal function was estimated as glomerular filtration rate (GFR, Cockcroft-Gault formula), and dietary intake was measured as 3-d-weighed food record at baseline and endpoint.ResultsDuring the intervention, energy intake did not increase. Carbohydrate intake increased in the carbohydrate group and protein intake increased in the milk group, both approximately in accordance with the supplementation. In the whey group, protein intake did not increase, but carbohydrate intake did. GFR increased after the intervention (+4.4 mL/min/1.73 m²; P < 0.001), and the changes were similar in men and women or in the age quartiles. Changes in GFR at endpoint were not associated with LBM, dietary supplements, or total protein intake.ConclusionsA 12-wk resistance exercise program combined with protein supplementation in community dwelling older adults does not negatively affect GFR. The supplementation had only minor effects on total dietary intake.     

Risk factors resulting in conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the standard treatment for symptomatic gallbladder diseases. However, there still is a substantial proportion of patients in whom laparoscopic cholecystectomy cannot be successfully performed, and for whom conversion to open surgery is required. METHODS: In this study, 1,000 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed at Ankara Numune Hospital, Fourth Department of Surgery, from March 1992 to July 1999 were prospectively analyzed. The patients studied included 804 women (80.4%) and 196 men (19.6%) with a mean age of 43.8 years (range, 30-80 years). From the data collected, only factors available to the surgeon preoperatively were considered for analysis. These factors included age, gender, history of acute cholecystitis, jaundice or pancreatitis, previous abdominal surgery, obesity and concomitant disease, white blood cell (WBC) count, preoperative liver function tests, ultrasound findings of the gallbladder, preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and suspicion of common bile duct stones. Also we analyzed the case numbers as a measure of institutional experience. RESULTS: Of the 1,000 patients in whom laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted, 48 (4.8%) required conversion to open surgery. The most common reason for conversion was inability to define anatomy in patients with inflamed contracted gallbladder (n = 34). Significantly independent predictive factors for conversion were male gender, previous abdominal surgery, acute cholecystitis, thickened gallbladder wall on preoperative ultrasonography, and suspicion of common bile duct stones. CONCLUSIONS: An appreciation for the aforementioned predictors of conversion will allow appropriate planning by the patient, the institution, and the surgeon.     

Factors affecting recurrence in tension-free hernioplasties

Summary We investigated the factors affecting recurrence rate in tension-free hernioplasties in the hope of obtaining better results. Tension-free hernioplasty is an easy procedure with very low reported recurrence rates of 0–1.7%. But the causes of failures in open mesh repairs have not been well estabushed. During this prospective study from January 1993 to December 1997 a total of 383 tension free hernioplasties were performed. The influence of some factors including age, sex, type of repaired hernia according to the Nyhus classification, simultaneous bilateral repair, previous hernia operation on the opposite side, chronic constipation, chronic obstructive lung disease, benign prostatic hypertrophy, smoking, previous appendectomy, early postoperative complications and surgical site infection on the recurrence rate were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. After a follow-up period of 16 to 62 months (mean 38.2 months) 5 out of 383 repairs failed with a recurrence rate of 1.3%. As a result of logistic regression analysis direct hernia, chronic constipation and surgical site infection were found to be independent risk factors for recurrence. The recurrence rates of tension-free hernioplasties can be reduced by the use of proper surgical techniques, early management of surgical site infection and treatment of chronic constipation.     

Developing a general post-classification framework for land-cover mapping improvement using high-spatial-resolution remote sensing imagery

In this letter, a general post-classification framework (GPCF) is proposed to enhance initial results. Traditional post-classification techniques usually improve classification accuracy by considering the contextual information in a single classified image. In contrast to traditional techniques, the proposed GPCF aims to integrate multi-source classified images obtained through different classification approaches. In the proposed framework, the label of a central pixel is determined by its surrounding voting in each classified image. In this manner, the GPCF can integrate the advantages of different classification approaches. In our experiments, a hyperspectral image and an aerial image with high spatial resolution (HSR) are used to evaluate the proposed GPCF. Compared with two relevant post-classification approaches, the proposed framework can provide a land-cover map with lower noise in visual comparison and achieve higher classification accuracies. Therefore, the proposed GPCF presents better performance in HSR image classification.