Prenatal acrylamide exposure results in time-dependent changes in liver function and basal hematological, and oxidative parameters in weaned Wistar rats.

Acrylamide (ACR) is a toxic compound commonly found in fried, baked and heat-processed starchy foods. The current study investigated the time-dependent effects of maternal exposure to non-toxic ACR doses on the oxidative stress, liver function, and basal blood morphology of the rat offspring. Pregnant, Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group or the groups administrated with ACR (3 mg/kg b.w./day): long exposure for 15 days, medium exposure for 10 days and short exposure for 5 days during pregnancy. Body mass, blood morphology and hematology, serum concentrations of growth hormone, IGF-1, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and insulin, liver histomorphometry, liver activity of beclin1, LC2B and caspase3, markers of oxidative stress and the activity of antioxidative enzymes in blood serum and the liver were measured in offspring at weaning (postnatal day 21). Even short prenatal exposure to ACR led to oxidative stress and resulted in changes in liver histomorphometry and upregulation of autophagy/apoptosis. However, the most significant changes were observed following the long period of ACR exposure. This study has shown for the first time that ACR is responsible for changes in body mass in a time-dependent manner, which could lead to more serious illnesses like overweight and diabetes later in life.

Effect of reduced atmospheric pressure on growth and quality of two lettuce cultivars.

Future space missions will likely include plants to provide fresh foods and bioregenerative life support capabilities. Current spacecraft such as the International Space Station (ISS) operate at 1 atm (101 kPa) pressure, but future missions will likely use reduced pressures to minimize gas leakage and facilitate rapid egress (space walks). Plants for these missions must be able to tolerate and grow reliably at these reduced pressures. We grew two lettuce cultivars, 'Flandria' a green bibb-type and 'Outredgeous,' a red, loose-leaf type, under three pressures: 96 kPa (ambient control), 67 kPa (2/3 atm), and 33 kPa (1/3 atm) for 21 days in rockwool using recirculating nutrient film technique hydroponics. Each treatment was repeated three times using a different hypobaric chamber each time. A daily light integral of 17.2 Moles Photosynthetically Active Radiation per day was provided with metal halide lamps set to deliver 300 µmol m-2s -1 photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) for a 16 h photoperiod at 22 °C. Oxygen was maintained at 21 kPa (equal to 21% at 1 atm) and CO2 at 0.12 kPa (equal to 1200 ppm at 1 atm). Leaf area for 'Outredgeous' was reduced 20% and 38% at 67 kPa and 33 kPa respectively; shoot fresh mass was reduced 22% and 41% at 67 kPa and 33 kPa respectively when compared to control plants at 96 kPa. These trends were not statistically significant at P ≥ 0.05. Leaf area for 'Flandria' showed no difference between 96 and 67 kPa but was reduced 31% at 33 kPa; shoot fresh mass was reduced 6% and 27% at 66 kPa and 33 kPa respectively compared to 96 kPa. There were 10% and 25% increases in anthocyanin concentration at 66 kPa and 33 kPa compared to 96 kPa, potentially increasing the bioprotective capacity of the plant. Previous studies with other cultivars of lettuce showed slight change in growth across this range of pressures, suggesting responses may vary among genotypes, hypobaric exposure treatments, and / or environmental conditions. Collectively, the findings suggest further testing is needed to understand the effects of atmospheric pressure on plant growth.

Analysis of mechanical properties of bones and tendons shows that modern hybrid rye can be introduced to corn-wheat based diet in broiler chickens as an alternative energy source irrespective of xylanase supplementation.

This study focused on analyzing the effects of inclusion of modern hybrid rye to corn-wheat diet on mechanical properties of bones and tendons. A total of 224 broiler chickens were fed a diet without rye inclusion or a diet containing 15% of hybrid rye cv. Brasetto. The diets were either unsupplemented or supplemented with xylanase (minimum activity 1000 FXU/g, dose 200 mg/kg of feed). Each dietary group consisted of 56 birds. On day 42, selected chickens (n = 7 from each group) were slaughtered. Tibia were analyzed for mineralization, geometry, and biomechanical characteristics of bone mid-diaphysis. The mechanical properties of digital flexor III tendon were also assessed. Bone mineral density and bone ash percentage did not differ when both diets were given without xylanase. Enzyme supplementation increased bone mineral density (P < 0.01) in both dietary groups, whereas bone ash percentage (P < 0.01) increased only for corn-wheat diet. Rye inclusion had no effect on bone mid-shaft geometrical traits related to tibia weight-bearing capacity (cross-sectional area, cortical index, and mean relative wall thickness). Performed bending test showed no effect of hybrid rye inclusion on bone mechanical endurance. When xylanase was supplemented, bone length (P < 0.01) and weight (P < 0.05) decreased, whereas yield load (P < 0.01), stiffness (P < 0.05), Young modulus (P < 0.05), elastics stress (P < 0.01), and ultimate stress (P < 0.01) increased, irrespective of rye presence. The tendon tensile strain test showed that in corn-wheat diet enzyme supplementation positively influenced rupture force (P < 0.05) and tendon stiffness (P < 0.01). Xylanase supplementation increased the value of energy required to tendon rupture, irrespective of rye inclusion (P < 0.05). Study showed that modern hybrid rye varieties can be introduced to corn-wheat diets of broiler chickens in the aspect of animal welfare related to the development and homeostasis of musculoskeletal system, irrespective of xylanase supplementation. The enzyme addition positively affected biomechanical properties of bones and tendons.

Microbial Community Dynamics and Response to Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms in the Rhizosphere of Four Common Food Crops Cultivated in Hydroponics.

Plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) of the plant root zone microbiome have received limited attention in hydroponic cultivation systems. In the framework of a project aimed at the development of a biological life support system for manned missions in space, we investigated the effects of PGPMs on four common food crops (durum and bread wheat, potato and soybean) cultivated in recirculating hydroponic systems for a whole life cycle. Each crop was inoculated with a commercial PGPM mixture and the composition of the microbial communities associated with their root rhizosphere, rhizoplane/endosphere and with the recirculating nutrient solution was characterised through 16S- and ITS-targeted Illumina MiSeq sequencing. PGPM addition was shown to induce changes in the composition of these communities, though these changes varied both between crops and over time. Microbial communities of PGPM-treated plants were shown to be more stable over time. Though additional development is required, this study highlights the potential benefits that PGPMs may confer to plants grown in hydroponic systems, particularly when cultivated in extreme environments such as space.

The influence of dexamethasone administered prenatally on cartilage of newborn spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) offspring.

Considering the negative effects of glucocorticoid treatment, especially during fetal development it is important to investigate effectors decreasing such disadvantages. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of prenatally administered dexamethasone (Dex), a synthetic glucocorticoid, on the histomorphometry of the femur in the offspring of spiny mice. The study was performed on 24 pregnant spiny mice. The time of the experiment included the prenatal period between the 20th day of gestation until birth (pregnancy lasts on average of 36-38 days). The mice from the experimental group received dexamethasone per os in a dose of 125 mg/kg birth weight daily. At the end, the newborns from the experimental and control group were weighted and euthanized. Maternal Dex treatment resulted in a 17% decrease in birth weight in newborns. Dex administration significantly reduced the thickness of the hypertrophy zone of the growth plate by 34% and total thickness by 8,7%. In addition, Dex decreased the number of cells in the articular cartilage by 27% and significantly decreased their diameter by 5%. Dex also affected the structure and spatial distribution of thick and thin collagen fibers, lowering the proportion of thin fibers compared with the control group. Moreover, Dex treatment considerably lowered the amount of proteoglycans in articular and growth cartilages. Exposure to glucocorticoids in pregnant spiny mice affects cartilage development by accelerating maturity of collagen fibers and growth plate, presumably along with further disruption of longitudinal growth of long bones.

Acrylamide-induced prenatal programming of intestine structure in guinea pig.

Potential effects of prenatal administration of acrylamide (ACR) on postnatal development of the small intestine were not examined experimentally yet. The aim of this study was to establish changes of morphological parameters of the small intestine damaged by prenatal action of ACR in guinea pigs. The 3 mg/kg body weight of ACR was given in drinking water every day during the last 35 days of the pregnancy in guinea pigs. The histomorphometry of the duodenum and jejunum was determined. Immunohistochemical staining with anti cadherin antibody was performed. Maternal treatment with ACR led to the decrease of the expression of cadherin in the epithelium. Maternal ACR treatment increased the number of total, divided and inactive crypt, and the number of damaged villi in the duodenum and jejunum of newborn guinea pigs. The thickness of myenteron and submucosa, mucosa fractal dimension and the depth of crypts in the duodenum were increased by ACR. Additionally, in offspring born by mothers administered with ACR the decrease of villi epithelium thickness and active crypt number was observed. Moreover, ACR decreased goblet cells and inact villi number in the duodenum, mucosa thickness and crypts width in the jejunum. Intestine absorptive surface was affected by ACR in the jejunum as well. Results of measurements showed that maternal ACR treatment had negative influence on small intestine histomorphometry. ACR acting prenatally influenced small intestine nervous plexuses that became enlarged by 2.5 times compared with the control group. In conclusion, our results showed the negative impact of maternal ACR treatment on histological structure, integrity and innervation of small intestine wall as well as on absorptive function of small intestine mucosa.

Humeral fracture in arm wrestling: bone morphology as a permanent risk factor. Indications for safety measures in arm wrestling.

BACKGROUND: Arm wrestling has been recognized as a popular and potentially dangerous competition. Reports on injuries related to arm wrestling are increasing. The most important of these injuries are humeral shaft fractures. The generally accepted theory states that the shoulder joint is actively internally rotated against the opponent while the elbow is fixed in flexion resulting in enormous violent torque forces across the humeral shaft. METHODS: The reported fracture morphology seems similar so we theorized that the basis of this fracture type is the bone structure. There is no experimental model of the arm wrestling fracture other than a virtual one. We assess morphology of the humeral bone by means of the bone cutting procedures and to verify the theory that the structure of humeral bone is a basis of the arm-wrestling fracture by means of newly developed model on human bones. RESULTS: Results of the study suggest that the humeral shaft fracture morphology during arm wrestling is based on the spiral structure of the bone combined with the direction of the revolving, rotational force during the match. CONCLUSION: The safety rules of the arm-wrestling match based on results of our experimental study and the literature metaanalysis are also formulate.

Posterior urethra rupture: contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan and urethrocystography demonstrations.

In the follow-up study of patients with pelvic fractures, rupture of the posterior urethra is registered in 3-25% of cases (Koraitim et al., 1996). The diagnostic gold standard for the assessment of hemodynamically stable trauma patients is contrast-enhanced CT scan, especially helical CT. Nevertheless, simultaneous suprapubic cystography and ascending urethrograms (the so-called up-and-downogram) are the investigation of choice in assessing the site, severity, and length of urethral injuries. (Carlin and Resnick, 1995) This paper discusses the evaluation and diagnosis of urethral injury in multiple-trauma patient.

A non-apoptotic function of caspase-3 in pharmacologically-induced differentiation of K562 cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Several anticancer drugs with diverse chemical structures can induce differentiation of cancer cells. This study was undertaken to explore the potential contribution of caspase-3 to pharmacologically-induced differentiation of K562 cells. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We assessed differentiation by measuring the expression of glycophorin A and haemoglobin synthesis in K562 cells treated with low concentrations of doxorubicin, hydroxyurea, cytosine arabinoside, cisplatin and haemin. Caspase-3 activation, mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation and viability were assessed by FACS. GATA-1-binding activity was evaluated by EMSA. KEY RESULTS: Treatment of K562 cells with low concentrations of the tested drugs activated caspase-3 but did not trigger detectable apoptosis. Instead, elevated levels of haemoglobin-positive and glycophorin A/caspase-3-double-positive cells were observed, suggesting involvement of caspase-3 in drug-induced differentiation. Inhibition of caspase-3 activity significantly reduced the ability of K562 cells to execute the differentiation programme. Mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation was observed, indicating involvement of the mitochondrial pathway. Binding activity of GATA-1, transcription factor responsible for differentiation and cell survival, was not diminished by increased caspase-3 activity during drug-stimulated differentiation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Our results could explain how anticancer drugs, with diverse structures and modes of action, can stimulate erythroid differentiation in leukaemic cells with appropriate genetic backgrounds. Our findings imply that some similarities exist between pharmacologically-induced differentiation of erythroleukaemic cells and normal erythropoiesis, both involving caspase-3 activation at high levels of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-X(L) and chaperone protein Hsp70 (heat shock protein 70). Therefore, the functions of caspase-3, unrelated to cell death, can be extended to pharmacologically-induced differentiation of some cancer cells.

Plasticization of poly(L-lactide) with poly(propylene glycol).

A new plasticizer for poly(L-lactide) (PLA)-poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) is proposed. The advantage of using PPG is that it does not crystallize, has low glass transition temperature, and is miscible with PLA. PLA was plasticized with PPGs with nominal Mw of 425 and 1000 g/mol. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), long known as a plasticizer for PLA, with nominal Mw of 600 g/mol, was also used to plasticize PLA for comparison. The thermal and tensile properties of PLA and PLA with 5-12.5 wt % of the plasticizers were studied. In blends of PLA with PPGs the glass transition temperature was lower than that of neat PLA. Both PPGs enhanced the crystallizability of PLA albeit less than PEG. All of the plasticizers increased also the ability of PLA to plastic deformation which was reflected in a decrease of yield stress and in an increase of elongation at break. The effect was enhanced by the higher PPG content and also by lower molecular weight of PPG. A phase separation occurred only in the blend containing 12.5 wt % of PPG with higher molecular weight. The evidences of crazing were found in deformed samples of PLA with low plasticizer content, whereas the samples with higher content of plasticizers crystallized due to deformation.

Early brain spect in patients after minor craniocerebral trauma.

A prospective study made 57 measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF) by Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) in post-traumatic patients. The aim of the investigation was to evaluate CBF in patients after minor craniocerebral trauma (mCCT) to ascertain the clinicotopographic correlation of the CBF changes, and to study SPECT in comparison with computed tomography (CT) findings. In addition, evaluation of the usefulness of SPECT for forensic medicine, assessment of secondary brain injury by SPECT and the predictive value of hypofrontalism were performed. A direct correlation was shown between mCCT and the observed CBF disorders, and between the CBF disorders and clinical symptoms as well as better SPECT sensitivity in comparison with CT. The usefulness of SPECT for forensic medicine purposes was also shown. Secondary brain injuries were disclose and the predictive value of hypofrontalism was confirmed. No correlation between GCS and CBF changes was found.

The effect of early specific feeding on food conditioning in cats.

Four cats were fed with beef only (beef cats) and 4 cats were fed with tuna only (tuna cats) during the first 6 months of their lives. Thus, they were deprived of a variety of food tastes. The cats then were trained in instrumental conditioning. After criterion performance was achieved, they were retrained with alternated food: In the beef cats, tuna was used, and in tuna cats, beef was used. There were six stages with alternated food. The beef cats acquired a pushing response markedly slower than the tuna cats because they often refused to eat the beef reward. Moreover, both the beef and the tuna cats preferred tuna in stages with alternated food. In contrast, there was no difference in attractiveness between beef or tuna in another 4 cats nondeprived of a variety of food tastes. Hence, early deprivation of a variety of food tastes may reveal an inborn food preference.

Food conditioning is impaired in cats deprived of the taste of food in early life.

Cats were fed by stomach tube during the first 75 days of their life. Thus, they were deprived of the taste of food and the food reward. The cats were then trained to find food behind the gate. They acquired this simple response very slowly and during the first weeks of training they often refused to eat the food reward. Moreover, they extinguished the response poorly. We conclude that the deprived cats did not originally perceive the food reward as attractive, but they were able to learn this, and they were poorly able to form both excitatory and inhibitory food conditioned connections.

C-terminally shortened alamethicin on templates: influence of the linkers on conductances.

In order to test the influence of chemical modifications designed to allow covalent coupling of channel-forming peptide motifs into variable sized oligomers, a series of alamethicin derivatives was prepared. The building block encompassing the N-terminal 1-17 residues of alamethicin behaved normally in the conductance assay on planar lipid bilayers, albeit at higher concentration and with a slightly reduced voltage-dependence. A linker Ac-K-OCH(2)C(6)H(4)CH(3)p attached via the epsilon amino group of lysine to the C-terminus of alamethicin(1-17) increased membrane affinity. The latter was further enhanced in a dimer and a tetramer in which alamethicin(1-17) chains were tethered to di- or tetra-lysine linkers, respectively, but macroscopic current-voltage curves displayed much reduced voltage-dependencies and reversed hysteresis. An usual behaviour with high voltage-dependence was restored with the modified dimer of alamethicin(1-17) in which alanine separated the two consecutive lysine residues in the linker. Of special interest was the development of a 'negative resistance' branch in macroscopic current-voltage curves for low concentrations of this dimer with the more flexible linker. Single channel events displayed only one single open state with fast kinetics and whose conductance matches that of the alamethicin heptamer or octamer.

Sealed environment chamber for canopy light interception and trace hydrocarbon analyses.

Two sealed chambers were constructed, each measuring approximately 4.5 m x 3 m x 2.5 m (LxWxH). Heat exchangers and air handling components were integrated within the sealed environment. Construction materials were chosen to minimize off-gassing and oxidation. Acceptable materials included stainless steel, Teflon (TM), glass and Heresite (TM) or baked enamel coated metal parts. The glass-topped chambers have externally mounted microwave powered light sources providing minimum PAR at canopy level of 1000 micrometers m-2 s-1. Major gases (CO2, O2) were monitored. Other environmental variables relevant to plant production (humidity, temperature, nutrient solution) were monitored and controlled continuously. Typical environment control capability and system specifications are presented. The facility is described as a venue ideally suited to address specific research objectives in plant canopy light interception, such as the roles of novel microwave powered overhead and inner-canopy light sources for dense plant canopies. In addition, control of recycled hydroponic nutrient solutions and analysis of trace atmospheric hydrocarbons in the context of sealed environment life support can be concurrently monitored.

EEG activity in cat's isolated brainstem.

Midbrain and pons were isolated together by two brainstem transections, at the junctions between midbrain and forebrain on one hand and the medulla and pons on the other hand. Low-voltage, high-frequency and high-voltage, low-frequency EEG activity were present in the isolated brainstem. This is in contrast to previous findings, showing that in the midbrain and pons separately isolated the EEG activity was greatly depressed, although accompanied by brisk single-unit spike activity. Thus, neural connections between pons and midbrain may lead to synchronization of single-unit activity.

Lack of projections from medial geniculate body to suprasylvian cortex in cat: a study with horseradish peroxidase.

Because both electrophysiological and behavioral methods have implicated the suprasylvian cortex of cat in audition, its afferents were studied using retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase. The bulk-filling method was used to maximize the likelihood that virtually all afferents to the area would be labeled. Despite the vivid retrograde labeling of many thalamic cells with this procedure, no direct auditory projections to the suprasylvian cortex could be found in the thalamus (i.e. in medial geniculate body or in the dorsolateral part of the posterior nucleus). Furthermore, very few cells were labeled in the primary auditory cortex of the nearby ectosylvian gyrus. The source of afferents to the suprasylvian cortex originate mostly from the pulvinar-lateral posterior complex and to a lesser extent from ventral lateral and ventral anterior nuclei of the thalamus.

Alpha-hydroxymethylserine as a peptide building block: synthetic and structural aspects.

A synthetic methodology has been developed for peptide bond formation with alpha-hydroxmethylserine as the carboxyl or amino component and also for the preparation of homo-sequences. The key intermediate, O,O-protected alpha-hydroxymethylserine in the form of an isopropylidene derivative, is easily accessible and represents the first example of a heterocyclic C(alpha,alpha)-disubstituted amino acid containing an 1,3-dioxane ring. The use of this intermediate facilitates protection of the sterically hindered amino and carboxyl groups and is advantageous for the coupling and deprotection steps. X-ray structure determination of Z-HmS(Ipr)-Ala-OMe revealed that the two crystallographically independent molecules present in the asymmetric unit adopt an S-shaped conformation. In the one molecule the achiral HmS(Ipr) residue has the torsion angle values (phi = 61.4 degrees, psi, = 40.8 degrees) in the left-handed helical region of the Ramachandran map, while in the second molecule the negative torsion angles (phi = -60.1 degrees, psi = -44.4 degrees) are associated with the right-handed helix.

Increasing plant productivity in closed environments with inner canopy illumination.

Due to the high cost of habitable real estate associated with space travel and colonization, and the ultimate use of plants as the primary method of life support, it is necessary to develop cultivation methods whereby the highest sustainable level of productivity is achieved within the least amount of space. It is well known that in a dense plant canopy, lower leaves become shaded from above and eventually no longer contribute to carbon gain. In fact, they contribute to net respiratory carbon losses. One method of improving biomass production is to introduce light of suitable quantity and quality to the inner canopy, thereby utilizing unused photosynthetic capacity. By coupling microwave-powered lights to 100-mm-diameter glass tubes lined with 3M Optical Lighting Film, light with a spectral quality similar to that of sunlight was delivered to the inner canopy of a developing soybean crop. Results indicated that increases in productivity of 23-87%, as measured by CO2 assimilation, can be achieved in dense plant canopies (LAI approximately 6) when overhead lighting (40O-1200 micromoles m-2 s-1) is supplemented with inner canopy illumination.