A molecular design towards sulfonyl aza-BODIPY based NIR fluorescent and colorimetric probe for selective cysteine detection

A new fluorescent and colorimetric probe based-on sulfonyl aza-BODIPY (BDP-1–3) are designed and synthesized for selective cysteine detection.

The benefits of hypothermic machine perfusion are enhanced with Vasosol and α-tocopherol in rodent donation after cardiac death livers

The use of hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) has recently been used to show an improvement in both standard and extended criteria donor liver grafts but creating a more dynamic preservation environment that can be supplemented with a variety of additives to aid in cold temperature metabolism and vasodilatation. Increasing the benefits of HMP, we explore the use of α-tocopherol in reducing inflammatory markers and apoptotic pathways to reduce the incidence of preservation injury. We explored the use of a donation after cardiac death (DCD) rodent model to test the additive benefits of α-tocopherol in HMP. The addition of α-tocopherol reduced the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) over the course of reperfusion as well, reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines within a 90 minute reperfusion biopsy. Further benefit was seen with α-tocopherol through the reduction of the level of caspase 3/7 in the circulation, shown to be a result of the reduction of the levels of Cytochrome C mRNA. Liver perfusion with Vasosol® and HMP could benefit further from the addition of α-tocopherol to existing formulations of Vasosol®.

Hypothermic machine preservation reduces molecular markers of ischemia/reperfusion injury in human liver transplantation

Hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) is in its infancy in clinical liver transplantation. Potential benefits include diminished preservation injury (PI) and improved graft function. Molecular data to date has been limited to extrapolation of animal studies. We analyzed liver tissue and serum collected during our Phase 1 trial of liver HMP. Grafts preserved with HMP were compared to static cold stored (SCS) transplant controls. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed on liver biopsies. Expression of inflammatory cytokines, adhesion molecules and chemokines, oxidation markers, apoptosis and acute phase proteins and the levels of CD68 positive macrophages in tissue sections were evaluated. RT-PCR of reperfusion biopsy samples in the SCS group showed high expression of inflammatory cytokines, adhesion molecules and chemokines, oxidative markers and acute phase proteins. This upregulation was significantly attenuated in livers that were preserved by HMP. Immunofluorescence showed larger numbers of CD68 positive macrophages in the SCS group when compared to the HMP group. TEM samples also revealed ultrastructural damage in the SCS group that was not seen in the HMP group. HMP significantly reduced proinflammatory cytokine expression, relieving the downstream activation of adhesion molecules and migration of leukocytes, including neutrophils and macrophages when compared to SCS controls.

154. EFFECT OF KOREAN RED GINSENG EXTRACT IN STEROID-INDUCED POLYCYSTIC OVARY MURINE MODEL

Experimental induction of polycystic ovary (PCO) resembling some aspects of human PCO syndrome was produced using the long-acting compound estradiol valerate (EV). Our previous study on the role of Korean red ginseng total saponins in a steroid-induced PCO rat model demonstrated that electro-acupuncture modulates nerve growth factor (NGF) concentration in the ovaries. In fact, the involvement of a neurogenic component in the pathology of PCO-related ovarian dysfunction is preceded by an increase in sympathetic outflow to the ovaries. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that Korean red ginseng extract (KRGE) administration modulates sympathetic nerve activity in rats with PCO. This was done by analysing NGF protein and NGF mRNA expression involved in the pathophysiological process underlying steroid-induced PCO. EV injection resulted in significantly higher ovarian NGF protein and NGF mRNA expression in PCO rats compared to control rats, and PCO ovaries were counteracted by KRGE administration with significantly lower expression of NGF protein and NGF mRNA compared to EV treated ovaries. These results indicate that EV modulates the neurotrophic state of the ovaries, which may be a component of the pathological process by which EV induces cyst formation and anovulation in rodents.

An observation on the mercury contents of scalp hair in the urban residents of South Korea

The average value of total mercury (THg) in scalp hair of male residents in Seoul city was 1.7+/-0.18 ppm (mean+/-S.E.) and that of methylmercury (MeHg), 1.0+/-0.12 ppm (58.8% THg). In female, level of THg was 1.1+/-0.15 ppm and MeHg was 0.5+/-0.14 ppm (45.5%). Mercury was found more in the scalp hair of male than female (P<0.01). THg/MeHg increased with age of subjects in male (P<0.01), but not female. Coefficients of correlation (r) between THg and MeHg contents in scalp hair of male was +0.877 (P<0.01) and that of female was +0.508 (P<0.01), respectively.

Alterations in the carnitine metabolism in epileptic children treated with valproic acid

Serum concentrations of total carnitine, free carnitine and acylcarnitine were measured in forty-one epileptic patients treated with valproic acid (VPA). Among them, 14 patients were on VPA monotherapy and 27 were on VPA polytherapy. Forty-one age and sex matched healthy normal controls were also evaluated for carnitine metabolism. The mean total and free carnitine were significantly lower in both the VPA monotherapy and polytherapy groups compared with the controls. However, there were no significant differences in concentrations of carnitine between the VPA polytherapy and VPA monotherapy groups. Patients treated with VPA polytherapy had lower carnitine than those treated with VPA monotherapy. An inverse correlation was found between serum concentrations of carnitine and duration of treatment in patients treated with VPA. However, there was no significant correlations between serum concentrations of carnitine and those of VPA. Also, correlation between serum concentrations of carnitine and the activities of serum GOT and GPT was not significant. After L-carnitine supplementation in eleven patients with hypocarnitinemia, the concentrations of carnitine were significantly increased.

Angiographic features in tubular-papillary adenocarcinoma of the kidney

Angiography and nephrotomography are essential in evaluation of avascular or hypovascular space occupying lesions of the kidney. Ultrasound adds another dimension in differentiating solid from cystic masses. Two cases of tubular-papillary adenocarcinoma were reported. Their angiographic findings consisted of a few neovascularities. Nephrotomography and ultrasonography in the second case showed a solid mass.