Exploration of molecular factors impairing superoxide dismutase isoforms activity in human senile cataractous lenses.

PURPOSE: To explore different molecular factors impairing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoforms in senile cataractous lenses. METHODS: Enzyme activity of SOD isoforms, levels of their corresponding cofactors copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and expression of mRNA transcripts and proteins were determined in the lenses of human subjects with and without cataract. DNA from lens epithelium (LE) and peripheral blood was isolated. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) followed by sequencing was carried out to screen somatic mutations. The impact of intronic insertion/deletion (INDEL) variations on the splicing process and on the resultant transcript was evaluated. Genotyping of IVS4+42delG polymorphism of SOD1 gene was done by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS: A significant decrease in Cu/Zn- and Mn-SOD activity (P < 0.001) and in Cu/Zn-SOD transcript (P < 0.001) and its protein (P < 0.05) were found in cataractous lenses. No significant change in the level of copper (P = 0.36) and an increase in the level of manganese (P = 0.01) and zinc (P = 0.02) were observed in cataractous lenses. A significant positive correlation between the level of Cu/Zn-SOD activity and the levels of Cu (P = 0.003) and Zn (P = 0.005) was found in the cataractous lenses. DNA sequencing revealed three intronic INDEL variations in exon4 of SOD1 gene. Splice-junction analysis showed the potential of IVS4+42delG in creating a new cryptic acceptor site. If it is involved in alternate splicing, it could result in generation of SOD1 mRNA transcripts lacking exon4 region. Transcript analysis revealed the presence of complete SOD1 mRNA transcripts. Genotyping revealed the presence of IVS4+42delG polymorphism in all subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in the activity of SOD1 isoform in cataractous lenses was associated with the decreased level of mRNA transcripts and their protein expression and was not associated with either modulation in the level of enzyme cofactors or with INDEL variations.

Estrogen mediated protection of cytoskeleton against oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Cytoskeletal proteins are deregulated during oxidative stress and cataract formation. However, estrogen which protects against cataract formation and harmful effects of oxidative stress has not been tested on the cytoskeleton of lens epithelial cells (LECs). The current study was undertaken to assess if the protection rendered to LECs by estrogen was mediated by preserving the cytoskeletal proteins. METHODS: Oxidative stress was induced by 50 µM of H 2 O 2 in cultured goat LECs (gLECs) and effect of 1 µM 17ß-estradiol (E 2 ) was tested. After treatment, morphological analysis of cells was carried out using haematoxylin-eosin staining and cell density was also quantified. Cell viability was determined using Hoechst (Ho), YO-Pro (YP) and propidium iodide (PI). F-actin and vimentin were localized using phalloidin and anti-vimentin antibody, respectively, and viewed under fluorescence microscopy. Vimentin was further analysed at protein level by Western blotting. RESULTS: H 2 O 2 led to increased condensation of nucleus, cell death and apoptosis but these were prevented with pre- and co-treatment of E 2 with increase in cell viability (P<0.001). E 2 also prevented H 2 O 2 mediated depolymerization of cytoskeleton but was not able to reverse the changes when given after induction of oxidative stress. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that E 2 helped in preventing deteriorating effect of H 2 O 2 , inhibited cell death, apoptosis and depolymerisation of cytoskeletal proteins in LECs. However, the exact mechanism by which estrogen renders this protection to cytoskeleton of lens epithelial cells remains to be determined.

Cx43, ZO-1, alpha-catenin and beta-catenin in cataractous lens epithelial cells.

Specimens of the anterior lens capsule with an attached monolayer of lens epithelial cells (LECs) were obtained from patients (n=52) undergoing cataract surgery. Specimens were divided into three groups based on the type of cataract: nuclear cataract, cortical cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC). Clear lenses (n=11) obtained from donor eyes were used as controls. Expression was studied by immunofluorescence, real-time PCR and Western blot. Statistical analysis was done using the student's t-test. Immunofluorescence results showed punctate localization of Cx43 at the cell boundaries in controls, nuclear cataract and PSC groups. In the cortical cataract group, cytoplasmic pools of Cx43 without any localization at the cell boundaries were observed. Real-time PCR results showed significant up-regulation of Cx43 in nuclear and cortical cataract groups. Western blot results revealed significant increase in protein levels of Cx43 and significant decrease of ZO-1 in all three cataract groups. Protein levels of alpha-catenin were decreased significantly in nuclear and cortical cataract group. There was no significant change in expression of beta-catenin in the cataractous groups. Our findings suggest that ZO-1 and alpha-catenin are important for gap junctions containing Cx43 in the LECs. Alterations in cell junction proteins may play a role during formation of different types of cataract.

Comparison of automated and static pulse respiratory mechanics during supported ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare respiratory mechanics estimated by the (pulse) technique in spontaneously breathing patients during proportional assist ventilation (PAV) with load-adjustable gain factor (PAV+) mode with those measured using the flow-interruption technique during controlled ventilation. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Observational study of 21 haemodynamically stable post-cardiac surgery patients with routine weaning from mechanical ventilation (Puritan-Bennett 840 ventilator) in the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bland-Altman and linear correlation of respiratory system compliance and inspiratory resistance estimated during PAV+ (C(pulse) and R(pulse)) with that measured during controlled mechanical ventilation (C(int) and Rint). RESULTS: C(pulse) overestimated C(int) (67.4 [SD, 27.7] v 51.6 [SD, 9.7] mL/cmH(2)O; P = 0.02), although the correlation between C(int) and C(pulse) was strong. Using the Bland-Altman method, the bias and limits of agreement were outside a clinically useful range. R(pulse) underestimated Rint (9.3 [SD, 3.0] v 11.5 [SD, 3.0] cmH(2)O/L/s; P = 0.02), with a weak positive correlation. Although the bias calculated by the Bland-Altman method was small, the limits of agreement were too large to be clinically useful. CONCLUSION: Based on these data, respiratory mechanics estimated from the (pulse) technique are too inaccurate to be clinically useful.

Protic acid immobilized on solid support as an extremely efficient recyclable catalyst system for a direct and atom economical esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols.

A convenient and clean procedure of esterification is reported by direct condensation of equimolar amounts of carboxylic acids with alcohols catalyzed by an easy to prepare catalyst system of perchloric acid immobilized on silica gel (HClO(4)-SiO(2)). The direct condensation of aryl, heteroaryl, styryl, aryl alkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, and long-chain aliphatic carboxylic acids with primary/secondary alkyl/cycloalkyl, allyl, propargyl, and long-chain aliphatic alcohols has been achieved to afford the corresponding esters in excellent yields. Chiral alcohol and N-t-Boc protected chiral amino acid also resulted in ester formation with the representative carboxylic acid or alcohol without competitive N-t-Boc deprotection and detrimental effect on the optical purity of the product demonstrating the mildness and chemoselectivity of the procedure. The esters of long-chain (>C(10)) acids and alcohols are obtained in high yields. The catalyst is recovered and recycled without significant loss of activity. The industrial application of the esterification process is demonstrated by the synthesis of prodrugs of ibuprofen and a few commercial flavoring agents. Other protic acids such as H(2)SO(4), HBr, TfOH, HBF(4), and TFA that were adsorbed on silica gel were less effective compared to HClO(4)-SiO(2) following the order HClO(4)-SiO(2) >> H(2)SO(4)-SiO(2) > HBr-SiO(2) > TfOH-SiO(2) >> HBF(4)-SiO(2) approximately TFA-SiO(2). When HClO(4) was immobilized on other solid supports the catalytic efficiency followed the order HClO(4)-SiO(2) > HClO(4)-K10 > HClO(4)-Al(2)O(3) (neutral) > HClO(4)-Al(2)O(3) (acidic) > HClO(4)-Al(2)O(3) (basic).

Pulmonary haemorrhage associated with negative-pressure pulmonary oedema: a case report.

Negative-pressure pulmonary oedema caused by upper airway obstruction after tracheal extubation is well recognised, but extensive pulmonary haemorrhage is rare. We report a case of post-extubation, laryngospasm-induced pulmonary oedema with associated pulmonary haemorrhage. The patient required mechanical ventilation with high positive end-expiratory pressure.