The Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy: Development, validation, and reliability.

The authors present 3 studies on the initial validity and reliability of the Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy (SEE), a self-report instrument that measures empathy toward people of racial and ethnic backgrounds different from one's own. Specifically, the exploratory factor analysis yielded 4 factors: Empathic Feeling and Expression, Empathic Perspective Taking, Acceptance of Cultural Differences, and Empathic Awareness. A confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence for the stability and generalizability of this 4-factor solution. The SEE was correlated in the predicted directions with general empathy and attitudes toward people's similarities and differences. High internal consistency and test-retest reliability estimates were also found across the three studies. A discussion of how this scale can add to the research and practice regarding empathy and multicultural issues is provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessment of copper-nickel industry impact on a subarctic lake ecosystem

The Kuetsj?rvi lake ecosystem has been subject to intensive pollution generated by the Pechenganickel Company activities for more than 50 years. This article considers the effects of emissions from the copper-nickel smelter, that uses out-of-date technology, on a subarctic lake ecosystem. Six years of investigations revealed changes occurring at all ecosystem levels. It was found that the content of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, etc.) in lake sediments was dozens of times higher than the background values. Phyto- and zooplankton communities were in an unstable condition, while fish had pathologies of functionally important organs (gill, liver and kidney). The concentration of nickel in zoobenthos and fish was correlated its accumulation in sediments.     

Tracing residual recombinant feed molecules during digestion and rumen bacterial diversity in cattle fed transgene maize

The aim of this study was to trace selected nucleic acid and protein components of isogene versus Bt transgene maize within the bovine gastrointestinal tract (GIT). After feeding 22 cattle for 4 weeks with Bt176 maize, different plant genes and the recombinant protein CryIAb were quantified during digestion. Furthermore, a first initial characterization of rumen bacteria was approached, using 16rDNA gene sequencing comparing isogene- against transgene-fed animals. Ingesta samples of different GIT sections (rumen, abomasum, jejunum, colon) were analysed for chloroplast, maize invertase, zein and Bt toxin (CryIAb) gene fragments using quantitative real-time PCR. First, the initial gene dose of these maize genes was detected in maize silage. During digestion, a significant reduction of high-to-medium abundant plant gene fragments was shown depending on the dwell-time and the initial gene copy number. Immunoreactive CryIAb protein was quantified by ELISA in intestinal samples indicating a significant loss of that protein. Remarkable amounts of Bt toxin were found in all contents of the GIT and the protein was still present in faeces. For the first time, the influence of CryIAb transgene maize on rumen bacterial microflora was investigated compared to isogene material through analysis of 497 individual bacterial 16S rDNA sequences. In principle, specific bacterial leader-species could be identified in all bovine rumen extracts, but no significant influence of Bt176 maize feed was found on the composition of the microbial population. This investigation provides supplementing data to further evaluate the fate of novel recombinant material originating from transgene feed or food within the mammalian GIT.     

6‐Methyluracil Derivatives as Bifunctional Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Novel 6‐methyluracil derivatives with ω‐(substituted benzylethylamino)alkyl chains at the nitrogen atoms of the pyrimidine ring were designed and synthesized. The numbers of methylene groups in the alkyl chains were varied along with the electron‐withdrawing substituents on the benzyl rings. The compounds are mixed‐type reversible inhibitors of cholinesterases, and some of them show remarkable selectivity for human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE), with inhibitory potency in the nanomolar range, more than 10 000‐fold higher than that for human butyrylcholinesterase (hBuChE). Molecular modeling studies indicate that these compounds are bifunctional AChE inhibitors, spanning the enzyme active site gorge and binding to its peripheral anionic site (PAS). In vivo experiments show that the 6‐methyluracil derivatives are able to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB), inhibiting brain‐tissue AChE. The most potent AChE inhibitor, 3 d (1,3‐bis[5‐(o‐nitrobenzylethylamino)pentyl]‐6‐methyluracil), was found to improve working memory in scopolamine and transgenic APP/PS1 murine models of Alzheimer's disease, and to significantly decrease the number and area of β‐amyloid peptide plaques in the brain.     

Cellular and Molecular Targets of Nucleotide-Tagged Trithiolato-Bridged Arene Ruthenium Complexes in the Protozoan Parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma brucei

Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite that infects and proliferates within many different types of host cells and infects virtually all warm-blooded animals and humans. Trypanosoma brucei is an extracellular kinetoplastid that causes human African trypanosomiasis and Nagana disease in cattle, primarily in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Current treatments against both parasites have limitations, e.g., suboptimal efficacy and adverse side effects. Here, we investigate the potential cellular and molecular targets of a trithiolato-bridged arene ruthenium complex conjugated to 9-(2-hydroxyethyl)-adenine (1), which inhibits both parasites with IC₅₀s below 10⁻⁷ M. Proteins that bind to 1 were identified using differential affinity chromatography (DAC) followed by shotgun-mass spectrometry. A trithiolato-bridged ruthenium complex decorated with hypoxanthine (2) and 2-hydroxyethyl-adenine (3) were included as controls. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed distinct ultrastructural modifications in the mitochondrion induced by (1) but not by (2) and (3) in both species. DAC revealed 128 proteins in T. gondii and 46 proteins in T. brucei specifically binding to 1 but not 2 or 3. In T. gondii, the most abundant was a protein with unknown function annotated as YOU2. This protein is a homolog to the human mitochondrial inner membrane translocase subunit Tim10. In T. brucei, the most abundant proteins binding specifically to 1 were mitochondrial ATP-synthase subunits. Exposure of T. brucei bloodstream forms to 1 resulted in rapid breakdown of the ATP-synthase complex. Moreover, both datasets contained proteins involved in key steps of metabolism and nucleic acid binding proteins.     

The Memory Benefit to Aged APP/PS1 Mice from Long-Term Intranasal Treatment of Low-Dose THC

THC has been used as a promising treatment approach for neurological disorders, but the highly psychoactive effects have largely warned off many scientists from pursuing it further. We conducted an intranasal treatment using low-dose THC on 12-month-old APP/PS1 mice daily for 3 months to overcome any potential psychoactive response induced by the systemic delivery. Our results demonstrate that the THC nasal treatment at 0.002 and 0.02 mg/kg significantly slowed the memory decline compared to that in the vehicle-treated transgenic mouse control group. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the Aβ1–40 and 1–42 peptides decreased in the THC-treated groups. The Western blot data indicate that long-term low-dose THC intranasal administration promoted p-tau level reduction and mitochondrial function marker redistribution. The blood biochemical parameter data demonstrate some insignificant changes in cytokine, immunoglobulin, and immune cell profiles during intranasal THC treatment. Intranasal delivery is a non-invasive and convenient method that rapidly targets therapeutics to the brain, minimizing systemic exposure to avoid unwanted adverse effects. Our study provides new insights into the role of low-dose THC intranasal treatment as a pharmacological strategy to counteract alterations in Alzheimer’s disease-related cognitive performance.     

Ex Vivo and In Vitro Antiaging and Antioxidant Extract Activity of the Amelanchier ovalis from Siberia

Phenolic acids are biologically active substances that prevent aging and age-related diseases, e.g., cancer, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, etc. Cellular senescence is related to oxidative stress. The Siberian Federal District is rich in medicinal plants whose extracts contain phenolic acids. These plants can serve as raw materials for antiaging, antioxidant food supplements, and Amelanchier ovalis is one of them. In the present research, we tested the phytochemical profile of its extract for phenolic acids. Its geroprotective and antioxidant properties were studied both ex vivo and in vitro using Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y-564 as a model organism. The chromotographic analysis revealed gallic, p-hydroxybenzoic, and protocatechuic acids, as well as derivatives of chlorogenic and gallic acids. The research involved 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/mL extracts of Amelanchier ovalis, all of which increased the growth and lifespan of yeast cells. In addition, the extracts increased the survival rate of yeast under oxidative stress. An in vitro experiment also demonstrated the antioxidant potential of Amelanchier ovalis against ABTS radicals. Therefore, the Amelanchier ovalis berry extract proved to be an excellent source of phenolic acids and may be recommended as a raw material for use in antioxidant and geroprotective food supplements.