Direct effects of second-generation H1-receptor antagonists on the activation of human basophils

The present study was performed to investigate the putative suppressive effects of H₁-receptor antagonists (HRA) of the second generation (astemizole (AS), cetirizine (CT), loratadine (LO), oxatomide (OX) and terfenadine (TF)) on the mediator release from human basophils activated by two classical stimuli. Anti-IgE-mediated histamine release was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by TF (maximum inhibitory value: 33.8±7.6%, 100 μM,n=7), whereas the other HRA exhibited weaker activity. The anti-IgE-induced LTC₄ production was strongly suppressed by TF, LO and OX (92.4±6.3%, 90.8±6.0% and 88.5±5.6%, 100 μM,n=4−5), while As was less active (56.4±4.1%, 100 μM,n=5). Histamine release induced by incubation with grass pollen antigen (0.01%) was inhibited by TF (40.7±4.1%, 50 μM,n=4), but the other HRA showed only low activity. The present findings suggest that some HRA might exhibit direct inhibitory effects on activation of IgE-receptor bearing cells.

     

Investigations with the selective PKC inhibitor chelerythrine on human basophils

Modulation of protein kinase C (PKC) activity in basophils (B) can influence IgE-mediated histamine release (HR). The present study investigated the effects of chelerythrine, which inhibits isolated PKC (IC₅₀ 0.7 M), on different activation pathways in B. FcRI-mediated HR was strongly inhibited by chelerythrine (86.5±5.4%, 5 M,n=11). TPA-induced mediator release was also suppressed: 77.1±8.5% inhibition (7.5 M). HR due to non-immunological stimuli (A23187, FMLP) was strongly inhibited by chelerythrine. Previously, other selective PKC-inhibitors have been shown to potentiate IgE-mediated HR from B suggesting a negative modulatory role of PKC, whereas non-specific inhibitors such as staurosporine inhibited HR. Chelerythrine might therefore be less selective for PKC. This may be indicated by the fact that chelerythrine inhibits PKC at its catalytic domain, which is homologous with other protein kinases.     

Promoting reading and spelling in children with computer programs

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: Sixteen students trained their reading and spelling skills with the computer programmes Budenberg 1 and 2 and the Comles Package for 1000 minutes over a one-month period. RESULTS: Following one month of computer training, reading test scores had improved for seven of the 16, and spelling test scores for three children whose basic performance had been poor. Three and a half months of school instruction later, the reading test scores had improved for nine children, while there was no effect upon the spelling scores for most of the students.     

Transcriptional consequences of aneuploidy

Aneuploidy, or an aberrant karyotype, results in developmental disabilities and has been implicated in tumorigenesis. However, the causes of aneuploidy-induced phenotypes and the consequences of aneuploidy on cell physiology remain poorly understood. We have performed a metaanalysis on gene expression data from aneuploid cells in diverse organisms, including yeast, plants, mice, and humans. We found highly related gene expression patterns that are conserved between species: genes that were involved in the response to stress were consistently upregulated, and genes associated with the cell cycle and cell proliferation were downregulated in aneuploid cells. Within species, different aneuploidies induced similar changes in gene expression, independent of the specific chromosomal aberrations. Taken together, our results demonstrate that aneuploidies of different chromosomes and in different organisms impact similar cellular pathways and cause a stereotypical antiproliferative response that must be overcome before transformation.     

Sports Nutrition and Food Knowledge among Malaysian University Athletes

Sports nutrition and food knowledge can influence athletes’ dietary intake, potentially affecting athletic performance. Limited studies have been conducted to identify sports nutrition and food knowledge among Malaysian university athletes. This study aimed to determine Malaysian university athletes’ knowledge of sports nutrition and food, and their reference sources and preferred sports nutrition education programme. Seventy athletes (52.9% females, mean weight = 61.8 kg; height = 1.66 m) aged 18.5–22.4 years responded to an online survey administered using a Google Form. A score of ≥60% was considered as adequate knowledge. The average overall knowledge score was 58.6%. The highest knowledge score was for sports nutrition, specifically food intake periodicity (84.8%), while the lowest was for general food knowledge on fat (44.6%). An analysis of specific questions revealed a lack of understanding about the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables (only 14.3% answered correctly), the roles of vitamins and minerals in energy production (21.4%), and good sources of unsaturated fat (37.2%). The academician was the primary reference source (81%), while magazines were the least referred to sources (36%). The university athletes preferred sports camps (33%) over the other nutrition education programme options. More initiatives are needed to improve Malaysian university athletes’ understanding and knowledge of sports nutrition and general food.