Chloroquine-Induced Accumulation of Autophagosomes and Lipids in the Endothelium

Chloroquine (CQ) is an antimalarial drug known to inhibit autophagy flux by impairing autophagosome–lysosome fusion. We hypothesized that autophagy flux altered by CQ has a considerable influence on the lipid composition of endothelial cells. Thus, we investigated endothelial responses induced by CQ on human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). HMEC-1 cells after CQ exposure were measured using a combined methodology based on label-free Raman and fluorescence imaging. Raman spectroscopy was applied to characterize subtle chemical changes in lipid contents and their distribution in the cells, while the fluorescence staining (LipidTox, LysoTracker and LC3) was used as a reference method. The results showed that CQ was not toxic to endothelial cells and did not result in the endothelial inflammation at concentrations of 1–30 µM. Notwithstanding, it yielded an increased intensity of LipidTox, LysoTracker, and LC3 staining, suggesting changes in the content of neutral lipids, lysosomotropism, and autophagy inhibition, respectively. The CQ-induced endothelial response was associated with lipid accumulation and was characterized by Raman spectroscopy. CQ-induced autophagosome accumulation in the endothelium is featured by a pronounced alteration in the lipid profile, but not in the endothelial inflammation. Raman-based assessment of CQ-induced biochemical changes offers a better understanding of the autophagy mechanism in the endothelial cells.     

Effect of different fibres on texture,rheological and sensory properties of acid casein processed cheese sauces

The objective of this study was the evaluation of different fibres (bamboo, acacia, potato or citrus) addition on texture, rheological and sensory properties of acid casein processed cheese sauces. Fibres used in production of sauces had an impact on the texture, viscosity, viscoelastic and sensory properties. The largest increase in viscosity was observed in products with addition of potato fibre, which have good water holding and adsorption capacity. Processed cheese sauce with the addition of citrus fibre was characterised by the highest values in general, and the increase of this feature in the tested samples was regular. Adhesiveness was the highest in products with 1% addition of every fibre. The lowest values of viscosity single shear, G′ and G″ moduli, among all tested, had sauces with acacia fibre. Moreover, they had the most thin liquid consistency, which was different from preferred one.     

A review of new oncotropic tracers for PET imaging

We have developed three biochemical probes to determine if they are sensitive probes of early biochemical change in a tumor. All three probes appear to have the appropriate properties for in vivo imaging, but must now be evaluated as probes for the sensitive detection of changes in early malignant disease.     

Muscarinic cholinergic receptor measurements with [18F]FP-TZTP: control and competition studies

[18F]Fluoropropyl-TZTP (FP-TZTP) is a subtype-selective muscarinic cholinergic ligand with potential suitability for studying Alzheimer's disease. Positron emission tomography studies in isofluorane-anesthetized rhesus monkeys were performed to assess the in vivo behavior of this radiotracer. First, control studies (n = 11) were performed to characterize the tracer kinetics and to choose an appropriate model using a metabolite-corrected arterial input function. Second, preblocking studies (n = 4) with unlabeled FP-TZTP were used to measure nonspecific binding. Third, the sensitivity of [18F]FP-TZTP binding to changes in brain acetylcholine (ACh) was assessed by administering physostigmine, an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, by intravenous infusion (100 to 200 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) beginning 30 minutes before tracer injection (n = 7). Tracer uptake in the brain was rapid with K1 values of 0.4 to 0.6 mL x min(-1) x mL(-1) in gray matter. A model with one tissue compartment was chosen because reliable parameter estimates could not be obtained with a more complex model. Volume of distribution (V) values, determined from functional images created by pixel-by-pixel fitting, were very similar in cortical regions, basal ganglia, and thalamus, but significantly lower (P < 0.01) in the cerebellum, consistent with the distribution of M2 cholinergic receptors. Preblocking studies with unlabeled FP-TZTP reduced V by 60% to 70% in cortical and subcortical regions. Physostigmine produced a 35% reduction in cortical specific binding (P < 0.05), consistent with increased ACh competition. The reduction in basal ganglia (12%) was significantly smaller (P < 0.05), consistent with its markedly higher AChE activity. These studies indicate that [18F]FP-TZTP should be useful for the in vivo measurement of muscarinic receptors with positron emission tomography.     

Poisoning and overdose

The differential diagnosis of all patients with altered mental status must include drug toxicity. In particular, intentional or unintentional overdosing and/or poisoning are common emergency department presenting complaints. A comprehensive approach to managing these patients must incorporate aggressive information gathering, a careful physical examination looking for toxic syndromes, and diagnostic testing. Proper decontamination is the key to effective management, as is the use of specific antidotes when indicated.     

Comparison of different modes of excitation in X-ray emission spectroscopy in the detection of trace elements in coal and coal ash

Three different modes of sample excitation in X-ray emission spectroscopy were used in trace element analysis of coal and coal ash: proton beam, Mo X-ray tube and radioactive sources ⁵⁷Co and ¹⁰⁹Cd. The results of analysis are presented and methods and their possibilities are compared in order to indicate the most appropriate technique for the particular purpose.     

Improved sauerkraut production with probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum L4 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides LMG 7954

Probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum L4 and strain Leuconostoc mesenteroides LMG 7954 were applied for the controlled fermentation of cabbage heads. The parameters of the controlled and spontaneous fermentations, including antimicrobial effect of cabbage brines obtained at the end of both fermentations, were monitored. To check out the influence of starter culture strains, 10 randomly chosen lactic acid bacteria, isolated at the end of controlled cabbage heads fermentation were identified by API 50 CHL test, and the presence of the probiotic culture was confirmed by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis. The starter cultures applied for cabbage heads fermentation allowed lowering of NaCl concentrations from 4.0% to 2.5% (w/v), considerably accelerated fermentation process by 14 d, and improved the product quality. The produced sauerkraut heads are considered probiotic product as viable probiotic cells count in final product was higher than 10(6) colony-forming units (CFU) per gram of product. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The results of this research could be applied in the production of fermented cabbage heads with added functional (probiotic) value and with lower NaCl concentration with expected shortened fermentation time. This could not only be of economic but also of ecological importance.     

A new method to combine IBA of fine aerosols with Radon-222 to determine source characteristics

Accelerator based ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques were used to determine the elemental composition of aerosol samples from four sites near Sydney, Australia. Hourly measurements of atmospheric Radon-222 (radon) concentration were made at the same sites. We evaluate a new method for quantifying the degree of distribution of aerosol sources based on the correlation analysis of two consecutive years (2007-2008) of IBA and radon data.Seasonal cycles and trends in concentrations of key elemental constituents of the sampled aerosols are characterised, and explained in terms of the regional Sydney climatology and proximity of measurement sites to the coast. Site-to-site correlation analysis was then undertaken between elements to quantify the extent to which a source had a regional impact or was only local to a site (site-specific). This was followed by correlation analysis of elements and radon at each site to identify the degree of spatial and temporal uniformity of the source at each site.Silicon concentrations (usually associated with soil sources), were overall well correlated between three of the four sites, indicative of a regional source for three sites and a local source for the fourth site. Conversely, the highest sulfur correlations were observed between sites that were closest together.On a site-by-site basis, radon was well correlated with black carbon and potassium and particularly during winter when domestic heating constitutes a distributed source. However, in summer the correlation of radon with BC and K was poor indicating that the distribution of these sources varies over the summer fetch region. Radon was also positively correlated with silicon and titanium, but the correlation coefficient for the entire data set was smaller than for black carbon. In summer and winter, when fetch regions were constrained by the prevailing meteorology, silicon and titanium showed a better correlation with radon. A small negative correlation was seen between sodium (a marker for sea salt) and radon.     

The Apollo Alpha Spectrometer

Located in the Science Instrument Module of Apollo 15 and 16, the Alpha Particle Spectrometer was designed to detect and measure the energy of alpha particles emitted by the radon isotopes and their daughter products. The spectrometer sensor consisted of an array of totally depleted silicon surface barrier detectors. Biased amplifier and linear gate techniques were utilized to reduce resolution degradation, thereby permitting the use of a single 512 channel PHA. Sensor identification and in-flight radioactive calibration were incorporated to enhance data reduction.