Purification and characterization of the carbonic anhydrase enzyme from Black Sea trout (Salmo trutta Labrax Coruhensis) kidney and inhibition effects of some metal ions on enzyme activity

In this study, the carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme was purified from Black Sea trout (Salmo trutta Labrax Coruhensis) kidney with a specific activity of 603.77 EU/mg and a yield of 35.5% using Sepharose-4B-l-tyrosine- sulphanilamide affinity column chromatography. For determining the enzyme purity and subunit molecular mass, sodiumdodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was performed and single band was observed. The molecular mass of subunit was found approximately 29.71 kDa. The optimum temperature, activation energy (E_a), activation enthalpy (ΔH) and Q₁₀ values were obtained from Arrhenius plot. K_m and V_max values for p-nitrophenyl acetate of the purified enzyme were calculated from Lineweaver-Burk graphs. In addition, the inhibitory effects of different heavy metal ions (Fe²⁺, Pb²⁺, Co²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺) on Black Sea trout kidney tissue CA enzyme activities were investigated by using esterase method under in vitro conditions. The heavy metal concentrations inhibiting 50% of enzyme activity (IC₅₀) were obtained. Finally K_i values and inhibition types were calculated from Lineweaver-Burk graphs.     

A modality-specific somatosensory evoked potential test protocol for clinical evaluation: A feasibility study

ObjectiveWe aimed to establish an objective neurophysiological test protocol that can be used to assess the somatosensory nervous system.MethodsIn order to assess most fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system, repetitive stimuli of seven different modalities (touch, vibration, pinprick, cold, contact heat, laser, and warmth) were synchronized with the electroencephalogram (EEG) and applied on the cheek and dorsum of the hand and dorsum of the foot in 21 healthy subjects and three polyneuropathy (PNP) patients. Latencies and amplitudes of the modalities were assessed and compared. Patients received quantitative sensory testing (QST) as reference.ResultsWe found reproducible evoked potentials recordings for touch, vibration, pinprick, contact-heat, and laser stimuli. The recording of warm-evoked potentials was challenging in young healthy subjects and not applicable in patients. Latencies were shortest within Aβ-fiber-mediated signals and longest within C-fibers. The test protocol detected function loss within the Aβ-fiber and Aδ-fiber-range in PNP patients. This function loss corresponded with QST findings.ConclusionIn this pilot study, we developed a neurophysiological test protocol that can specifically assess most of the somatosensory modalities. Despite technical challenges, initial patient data appear promising regarding a possible future clinical application.SignificanceEstablished and custom-made stimulators were combined to assess different fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system using modality-specific evoked potentials.     

Potentilla anserine L. polysaccharide protects against cadmium-induced neurotoxicity

Cadmium is a toxic metal that can damage the brain and other organs. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of Potentilla anserine L. polysaccharide (PAP) against CdCl₂-induced neurotoxicity in N2a and SH-SY5Y cells and in the cerebral cortex of BALB/c mice. In addition, we aimed to identify the potential mechanisms underlying these protective effects. Relative to CdCl₂ treatment alone, pretreatment with PAP prevented the reduction in cell viability evoked by CdCl₂, decreased rates of apoptosis, promoted calcium homeostasis, decreased ROS accumulation, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited cytochrome C and AIF release, and prevented the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. In addition, PAP significantly decreased the CdCl₂-induced phosphorylation of CaMKII, Akt, and mTOR. In conclusion, PAP represents a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of Cd-induced neurotoxicity, functioning in part via attenuating the activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and the Ca²⁺-CaMKII-dependent Akt/mTOR pathway.     

含有黄嘌呤衍生物的N-杂环卡宾金属配合物的生物活性研究进展

N-杂环卡宾(NHC)是一类多功能的配体,能够与过渡金属形成稳定的配位化合物,在催化、药学和材料科学等领域有着广泛的应用。黄嘌呤衍生物具有抗肿瘤转移和抗血管生成等生物活性,且结构易于修饰。将黄嘌呤衍生的NHC配体与过渡金属相结合有望得到具有全新生物活性的金属配合物。综述黄嘌呤衍生物的生物活性,以及黄嘌呤衍生的NHC金属配合物的结构特点和生物活性,并对黄嘌呤NHC金属配合物的研究进行了总结和展望,以期为进一步的研究提供参考。     

Endogenous motion of liver correlates to the severity of portal hypertension

BACKGROUND Degree of portal hypertension(PH) is the most important prognostic factor for the decompensation of liver cirrhosis and death, therefore adequate care for patients with liver cirrhosis requires timely detection and evaluation of the presence of clinically significant PH(CSPH) and severe PH(SPH). As the most accurate method for the assessment of PH is an invasive direct measurement of hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG), the search for non-invasive methods to diagnose these conditions is actively ongoing.AIM To evaluate the feasibility of parameters of endogenously induced displacements and strain of liver to assess degree of PH.METHODS Of 36 patients with liver cirrhosis and measured HVPG were included in the casecontrol study. Endogenous motion of the liver was characterized by derived parameters of region average tissue displacement signal(dantero, dretro, d RMS) and results of endogenous tissue strain imaging using specific radiofrequency signal processing algorithm. Average endogenous strain μ and standard deviation σ of strain were assessed in the regions of interest(ROI)(1 cm × 1 cm and 2 cm × 2 cm in size) and different frequency subbands of endogenous motion(0-10 Hz and 10-20 Hz).RESULTS Four parameters showed statistically significant(P 0.05) correlation with HVPG measurement. The strongest correlation was obtained for the standard deviation of strain(estimated at 0-10 Hz and 2 cm × 2 cm ROI size). Three parameters showed statistically significant differences between patient groups with CSPH, but only dretro showed significant results in SPH analysis. According to ROC analysis area under the curve(AUC) of the σROI[0…10 Hz, 2 cm × 2 cm] parameter reached 0.71(P = 0.036) for the diagnosis of CSPH; with a cut-off value of 1.28 μm/cm providing 73% sensitivity and 70% specificity. AUC for the diagnosis of CSPH for μROI[0…10 Hz, 1 cm × 1 cm] was 0.78(P = 0.0024); with a cut-off value of 3.92 μm/cm providing 73% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Dretro parameter had an AUC of 0.86(P = 0.0001) for the diagnosis of CSPH and 0.84(P = 0.0001) for the diagnosis of SPH. A cut-off value of-132.34 μm yielded 100% sensitivity for both conditions, whereas specificity was 80% and 72% for CSPH and SPH respectively.CONCLUSION The parameters of endogenously induced displacements and strain of the liver correlated with HVPG and might be used for non-invasive diagnosis of PH.     

Endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to septic arthritis caused by group A Streptococcus infection: A case report and literature review

Streptococcus pyogenes is a rare pathogen that causes endogenous endophthalmitis (EE). A healthy 58-year-old woman was diagnosed with EE secondary to septic arthritis caused by S. pyogenes. She underwent enucleation after hospitalization for 14 days with appropriate antibiotic cover. A literature search for outcomes of this condition revealed reports on only 10 eyes among 8 cases identified: 8 eyes (80%) developed poor visual outcome and 5 eyes (50%) underwent enucleation. There were no cases with immunocompromise. Our case report and literature review suggest the importance of awareness of the occurrence of S. pyogenes infection in immunocompetent hosts, and thus early diagnosis and aggressive treatment may be required to improve visual outcome.     

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester,a propolis polyphenolic,attenuates potentially cadmium-induced testicular dysfunction in mice

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) as environmental pollutant can induce severe damage, particularly to the testis. This study investigated the effects of Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on testicular dysfunction induced by Cd. Adult mice were intraperitoneally injected with cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) with different doses of CAPE pretreatment. After CdCl₂ injection, body/testis weight ratio decreased, Cd levels accumulated and zinc levels decreased in testis. Furthermore, Cd intoxication caused a significant increase of oxidative stress levels, antioxidant enzymes activities, and glutathione levels. Interestingly, significant improvements were observed after the administration of CAPE. Our results demonstrated the protective effect of CAPE, linking Cd testicular dysfunction to oxidative stress.     

经口摄入高硒镉对大鼠肝,肾组织中镉,锌,铜含量影响的研究

选用4周龄SD大鼠,经口染毒高硒(5.68mg/kg)、富硒(0.73mg/kg)和(或)高镉(33.3mg/kg)12周,并分别在实验的第3、6、9、12周末各处死一批大鼠,研究经口摄入高硒高镉对大鼠肝、肾组织中镉、锌、铜含量的影响。结果表明:同时摄入高硒高镉组大鼠体内镉蓄积明显低于单纯摄入高镉组;对单独摄入高硒、高镉所诱导的大鼠肝脏锌含量增加表现为拮抗作用;对单独摄入高硒所致大鼠肾脏锌含量降低的影响表现为拮抗作用;对单独摄入高硒、高镉所致大鼠肾脏铜含量增加的影响表现为协同作用。     

激素替代治疗对绝经后Ⅱ型糖尿病和高血压患者肾脏微血管病变的影响

目的 :探讨激素替代治疗对绝经后Ⅱ型糖尿病和高血压患者肾脏微血管病变的影响。方法 :36例患有Ⅱ型糖尿病和高血压的绝经后妇女随机分为治疗组和安慰剂组各 18例 ,采用双盲法予口服克龄蒙或安慰剂 1片 /日 ,共 4 5个周期 ,测量用药前后各参数值并进行比较及线性相关分析。结果 :治疗组用药前后 2 4小时尿蛋白定量由 ( 0 4 45± 0 0 36 )g降到 ( 0 36 1± 0 0 32 ) g(P <0 0 1) ,内生肌酐清除率由 ( 92 0± 5 2 )ml/min增到 ( 99 1± 4 8)ml/min (P <0 0 5) ,空腹血糖由 ( 7 0 2± 0 4 3)mmol/L降到 ( 6 55± 0 31)mmol/L(P <0 0 5) ,血清总胆固醇由 ( 6 6 6±0 2 8)mmol/L降到 ( 5 71± 0 71)mmol/L(P <0 0 1) ,血压无明显改变。 2 4小时尿蛋白定量和内生肌酐清除率与其他参数间无显著相关性。安慰剂组用药前后各项指标无明显改变。结论 :激素替代治疗对绝经后Ⅱ型糖尿病和高血压患者肾脏微血管病变有改善作用