Proteomic analysis of the carotid body: a preliminary study.

We present a proteomic analysis of the rat carotid body (CB) preparation by comparison between normoxia and hypoxia. Proteomic investigation would be helpful to identify the stress-induced protein during hypoxia and to know what O(2) species are being sensed by CB cells. Adult Wistar rats were used, one group was kept in room air (21% O(2)) as control, and the other was kept in a Plexiglas chamber for 12 days in chronic hypoxia (10-11% inspired oxygen). A total protein extract for each lysated tissue was separated using a broad pH range no-linear IPG strip (3-10) and the second dimension was performed on a 9-16% polyacrylamide gel. Exposure to hypoxia for 12 days produced significant changes in protein expression, providing an initial insight into the mechanism underlying differences in susceptibility to hypoxia. Further investigation is needed to have an overview of the specific set of proteins present in the CB and the functions of such proteins in signal transduction and adaptation during hypoxia.

Biochemical and molecular genetic characterisation of a novel laccase produced by the aquatic ascomycete Phoma sp. UHH 5-1-03.

A laccase from the aquatic ascomycete Phoma sp. UHH 5-1-03 (DSM 22425) was purified upon hydrophobic interaction and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Mass spectrometric analysis of the laccase monomer yielded a molecular mass of 75.6 kDa. The enzyme possesses an unusual alkaline isoelectric point above 8.3. The Phoma sp. laccase undergoes pH-dependent dimerisation, with the dimer ( approximately 150 kDa, as assessed by SEC) predominating in a pH range of 5.0 to 8.0. The enzyme oxidises common laccase substrates still at pH 7.0 and 8.0 and is remarkably stable at these pH values. The laccase is active at high concentrations of various organic solvents, all together indicating a considerable biotechnological potential. One laccase gene (lac1) identified at the genomic DNA level and transcribed in laccase-producing cultures was completely sequenced. The deduced molecular mass of the hypothetical protein and the predicted isoelectric point of 8.1 well agree with experimentally determined data. Tryptic peptides of electrophoretically separated laccase bands were analysed by nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. By using the nucleotide sequence of lac1 as a template, eight different peptides were identified and yielded an overall sequence coverage of about 18%, thus confirming the link between lac1 and the expressed laccase protein.

Purification and biochemical characterization of a laccase from the aquatic fungus Myrioconium sp. UHH 1-13-18-4 and molecular analysis of the laccase-encoding gene.

Myrioconium sp. strain UHH 1-13-18-4 is an ascomycete anamorph isolated from the river Saale, Central Germany. An extracellular, monomeric, and glycosylated laccase with a molecular mass of 72.7 kDa as determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry and an isoelectric point below 2.8 was purified from CuSO(4) and vanillic acid amended liquid fungal cultures grown in malt extract medium. The catalytic efficiencies (k(cat)/K(m)) for the oxidation of syringaldazine, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) were 67.3, 46.9, and 28.2 s(-1) mM(-1), respectively, with K(m) values of 4.2, 67.8, and 104.9 microM. After pre-incubation at different pH values and temperatures for 1 h, more than 80% of the initial laccase activity was retained between pH 4 to 6 and 15 degrees C. The laccase-encoding gene was identified and sequenced at both the genomic and complementary DNA (cDNA) level, and corresponding structural characteristics and putative regulatory elements of the promoter region are reported. The identification of two tryptic peptides of the purified enzyme by mass spectrometry confirmed the identity of the functional laccase protein with the translated genomic sequence of the Myrioconium sp. laccase. Myrioconium sp. laccase shows the highest degree of identity with laccases from ascomycetes belonging to the family Sclerotiniaceae, order Helotiales.

The level of intelligence and heart rate variability in men after myocardial infarction.

Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects periodic changes taking place in heart rhythm, which are controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and external factors. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between HRV and the level of intelligence using the Raven Advanced Matrices Test in 95 men (mean age 41.6 +/-3.7 SD yr) who experienced myocardial infarction during two years preceding the psychophysiological examination. HRV was analyzed from the EEG signal recordings in the time and spectral domains. It was found that post-myocardial infarct men of the higher than average intelligence had significantly increased HRV; the finding was reflected in the analysis of both time and frequency domains. Although both sympathetic and parasympathetic components showed an increase in the frequency domain, the former did disproportionately more, achieving substantial predominance. The results indicate that active mental processes and attitude, linked to a higher intelligence level, might be a beneficial prognostic marker, as is higher HRV, for the overall post-infarction cardiac mortality and for return of such subjects back to normal life. The corollary is that the assessment of IQ in post-infarction patients seems a simple screening method that may help presage the health and social course the patient takes.

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia among menopausal women after exposition to extremely-low-frequency magnetic fields.

In this paper I endeavored to show that respiratory sinus arrhythmia closely corresponds with the perception of psychosomatic complaints. To achieve this aim, two groups of menopausal women, each consisting of 85 subjects, were compared, one of which exhibiting troubles with falling asleep, frequent awakening at night, and sweating and fatigability sensations during the day and the other being asymptomatic. Comparative non-invasive biometric analysis included the following: total, inspiratory, and expiratory heart rate, breathing rate, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia. Overall, I found that the respiratory sinus arrhythmia and heart and breathing rates were substantially greater in women with psychosomatic complaints. In this group, the cardiorespiratory indices were further enhanced following exposure to extremely-low-frequency magnetic fields. The study suggests the predominance of sympathetic aspects of the autonomic nervous system as a result of psychosomatic complaints in menopausal women and calls for a caution in using the extremely-low-frequency magnetic stimulation in such women, which may exacerbate untoward heart and respiratory responses.

[Psychologic factors for imminent lower extremity pain caused by peripheral angiopathy disorders in middle-age and elderly persons]. / Psychologiczne czynniki zagrozenia bólem konczyn dolnych spowodowanym chorobami naczyn obwodowych u ludzi w wieku srednim i starszym.

The aim of the study was to determine factors of pain threat in lower extremities caused by peripheral angiopathy disorders using the following psychometric methods: Cattell's 16 PF, Gough's CPI, and Gough and Helibrun's ACL-37 with the instructions: This is how I was This is how I am. In the comparative inter- and intra-group analysis the following risk factors were identified: active way of life, self-control, balance, self awareness free from dependence on the social environment and defense mechanisms and such needs as dominance, order, change, which can become a guarantee of a more effective pharmacological treatment. In the application consideration was given to legitimacy of those factors in prevention of such pain caused by peripheral angiopathy vessels.

[The role of psychologic factors in adaptive behavior of younger and older people]. / Udzial czynników psychologicznych w mozliwosciach przystosowawczych ludzi mlodszych i starszych wiekiem.

Contemporary view on the issue of adjustment potential in an aging human being is presented. In a prognostic model the following features, ranked according to their importance, were identified: for younger individuals--friendship, warmth, responsibility, thoroughness, persistence, control of conditioned and unconditioned reflexes, sensitivity, tenderness, wide range of interests, tolerance towards other people and high level of intellectual efficiency; for older individuals--self control, social maturity and balanced approach to the others, lack of conflicts in interpersonal relationships, self sufficiency and independence, tolerance with a tendency to self subordination and psychological immunity. Attention is drawn to the results of the obtained prognostic models which will constitute a reference base for psychologists working in geriatric wards.

[Evolution of somatic and psychological symptoms in patients hospitalized for pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with neurotic anxiety reactions in the course of the treatment]. / Dynamika objawów somatycznych i psychicznych u chorych hospitalizowanych z powodu gruzlicy pluc powiklanej nerwicowymi reakcjami lekowymi w przebiegu leczenia przeciwpratkowego.

Evolution of both somatic and psychic symptoms in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated and non-complicated with neurotic anxiety reactions has been studied. Comparative analyses have shown that patients with tuberculosis complicated by neurotic anxiety reactions have markedly lower psychic and somatic immunity, probably delaying the achievement of negative sputum in the foreseen period of time. This phenomenon requires further studies. A role of basic psychotherapy in the phthisiology, and psychophysiological biofeedback is emphasized.

Habituation and sensitization as phenomena modeling learning processes in two groups of children: normally developing and mentally deficient in biofeedback research. / Habituacja i sensytyzacja jako zjawiska modelujace proces uczenia dzieci normalnie sie rozwijajacych i uposledzonych umyslowo w badaniach droga biofeedbacku.

Problems of habituation and sensitization as phenomena which help to control and to predict results of the learning speed in the 8-13 olds, depending on the level of their intellectual development, expressed by the intelligence quotient, were carried out with the use of the biofeedback method. The statistical analysis proved that there is relationship between the intelligence quotient and the level of the general organismic excitation has been observed in children with the intelligence quotient between 62 and 77, whereas the decreased one--at the intelligence quotient between 115 and 138. It seems that changes towards either the habituation or may a priori indicate the intelligence quotient value and vice versa. The correlation value has to be identified by further statistical-psychological analyses.

[Dynamics of somatic and psychic manifestations in elderly patients hospitalized for a psychasthenic form of cerebral artery atherosclerosis during the course of hypolipidemic treatment]. / Dynamika objawów somatycznych i psychicznych u osób w podeszlym wieku hospitalizowanych z powodu postaci psychastenicznej miazdzycy tetnic mózgowych w przebiegu leczenia hipolipemizujacego.

Out of a group of patients aged 60 years and more with the diagnosis of psychasthenic form of cerebral arteriosclerosis complicated by hyperlipoproteinaemia three subgroups matched for sex, education, social class and place of residence but differing in disease duration were isolated, and three analogous subgroups were selected from healthy subjects which were regarded as controls in the statistical analysis. As the results of statistical analysis it was found that in elderly patients, taking of hypolipaemic drugs influenced evidently negatively the emotional sphere, and that short duration of neuro- and psychasthenic forms of cerebral artery atherosclerosis had greater influence on the frequency of conflicts in nearest surroundings since short duration of the disease probably made impossible full adaptation and acceptation of the disease. The attention was paid to the necessity of introduction of psychotherapy into hypolipaemic treatment.

[Structure of psychological needs of patients over 60 years of age, hospitalized for ischemic heart disease complicated by asthenic- depressive syndrome, and in healthy persons]. / Struktura potrzeb psychicznych chorych po 60 roku zycia hospitalizowanych z powodu niedokrwiennej choroby serca powiklanej zespolem asteniczno-depresyjnym, niedokrwiennej choroby serca i u osób zdrowych.

Using psychotherapy methods such as MMPI-Wiskad, ACL-37 and 16PF the patterns of psychological needs were studied in postproductive-age subjects with ischaemic heart disease complicated or not with asthenia-depression syndrome and in healthy subjects. Statistical analysis showed that in relation to old people with ischaemic heart disease or without it patients with ischaemic heart disease and depression with asthenia showed a higher psychological sensitivity and their needs were concentrated around the need for self-manifestation, aid-seeking and taking care of oneself. In old people a tendency was maintained for persistence of psychological needs in the previously formulated forms.

[Psychosomatic factors in a population of men who have pulmonary tuberculosis at a young age and are full of strength]. / Czynniki psychosomatyczne w populacji mezczyzn z gruzlica pluc w wieku mlodym i w pelni sil.

The structure of anxiety and fear was studied in young men in good condition after three months of chemotherapy given for pulmonary tuberculosis, correlating the results with the effects of chemotherapy (sputum-negativity achieved or not achieved during the treatment). With age the aggressiveness was found to increase and the resistance to the threat decreased. This correlation was particularly evidence in the subgroups of men in whom sputum-negativity was not achieved. These findings suggest hypotheses requiring verification.

[Dynamics of somatic and psychic symptoms in patients hospitalized for pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with neurotic anxiety reactions during antituberculous treatment]. / Dynamika objawów somatycznych i psychicznych u chorych hospitalizowanych z powodu gruzlicy pluc powiklanej nerwicowymi reakcjami lekowymi w przebiegu leczenia przeciwpratkowego.

The dynamics of the somatic and psychic symptoms was studied in patients hospitalized for pulmonary tuberculosis complicated or not with neurotic anxiety reactions and in patients with this tuberculosis complicated with diabetes. As a result of comparative analysis a significant diminution of psychic resistance was noted in patients with neurotic anxiety reactions during pulmonary tuberculosis, which probably reduced the probability of achieving sputum-negativity at expected term. These observations suggest the necessity for an explanatory hypothesis. Attention is called to the necessity of raising of the importance of elementary psychotherapy in phthisiatric practice.

[The temperamental basis of personality and the degree of tuberculosis progression and its treatment in epidemiological studies]. / Temperamentalne podloze osobowosci a stopien zaawansowania gruzlicy i jej leczenie w badaniach epidemiologicznych.

Using a Sheet of personality Self-estimation of Le Senne eight subgroups were isolated from a group of patients with sputum-positive pulmonary tuberculosis, and analogous subgroups were isolated from healthy subjects which served as control subgroups. By the inquiry method and by the Test of Sentence Completion IG the clinical form of tuberculosis, degree of pulmonary tissue damage, extent and location of pulmonary lesions, and the intensity of conflict areas were determined. The statistical analysis showed that no temperament type was an epidemiological barrier protecting the organism against invasion by and development of M. tuberculosis. As compared to other temperament types the sentimentalists showed most intense conflict areas which was reflected in antituberculosis treatment. Attention is called to the usefulness of psychological testing for epidemiological studies on tuberculosis and to the necessity of their more widespread use in the programmes of postgraduate studies.