Estrogen effects on the hyperactivity induced by (+)-MDMA and cocaine in female rats.

This study compared the effects of estrogen (E) on the hyperactivity induced by (+)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) with E effects on cocaine-evoked hyperactivity in female rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized (OVX); half of them received a 17β-estradiol (E?) implant (OVX + E). Three weeks later, rats received saline, (+)-MDMA (1, 2, or 4 mg/kg) or cocaine (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg), and locomotor activity was monitored. OVX + E rats exhibited greater locomotor hyperactivity in response to both psychostimulants than did OVX rats. The enhanced response to cocaine appeared within 5 min following drug injection whereas the enhanced response to (+)-MDMA was delayed for approximately 30 min. The differential effects of E on hyperactivity may be due to the unique profiles of dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) in response to (+)-MDMA and cocaine. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interstate forensic psychology consultations: A call for reform and proposal of a model rule.

Forensic psychology has made important gains in professional recognition and stature in the courts, resulting in increasing demands for mobility of expertise. Current regulations regarding the interjurisdictional temporary forensic practice of psychology, however, are characterized by variability of regulations, ambiguity and inaccessibility, and continuing total barriers. A uniform, well-reasoned policy is needed. A conceptual basis for such a policy is provided by a discussion of licensing rationales and the application of these to forensic practice. Uniformity, public and professional protection, and practicability are identified as fundamental regulatory criteria. A Model Rule Regarding the Temporary Forensic Practice of Psychology is proposed for adoption by state licensing boards on a nationwide basis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Talk in virtual contexts: reflecting on participation and online learning models

Computer-mediated conferencing has been adopted, particularly for purposes of online course provision, as a method that can deliver community. Widespread interest in a communities-of-practice approach within both informal and formal learning has strengthened perceptions of the value of creating a community online. A case study of asynchronous computer conferencing for the purposes of leadership development in schools is the focus for a study of the features and the discursive quality of the online interaction that occurred. Two analytical approaches are used: discourse analysis and social network analysis. These highlighted different aspects of the case, in terms of the role of peers versus the expert moderator (or 'hotseat guest'), the extent of readership versus contribution and the tone and content of the discussion. Evidence that contributors were learning from the interaction was identified and strong links with place-based communities of practice were also evident. Nevertheless, the online interaction could not be said to constitute a community or to be evidently developing in that direction. Its features as a network, where weak links were key to a sharing and knowledge-construction process, were more salient. Networks offer the potential for weak connections that have a particular value for connecting across dispersed practitioners and potentially bridging between communities of practice and other forms of organisation and groupings.     

Urinary concentrations of benzophenone-type UV filters in U.S. women and their association with endometriosis

Benzophenone (BP)-type UV filters are widely used in a variety of personal care products for the protection of skin and hair from UV irradiation. Despite the estrogenic potencies of BP derivatives, few studies have examined the occurrence of these compounds in human matrices. Furthermore, associations among exposure to these compounds and estrogen-dependent diseases (such as endometriosis) have not been examined previously. In this study, we determined the concentrations of five BP derivatives, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (2OH-4MeO-BP), 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (2,4OH-BP), 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (2,2'OH-4MeO-BP), 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (2,2',4,4'OH-BP), and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4OH-BP), in urine collected from 625 women in Utah and California, using liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The association of urinary concentrations of BP derivatives with an increase in the odds of a diagnosis of endometriosis was examined in 600 women who underwent laparoscopy/laparotomy (n = 473: operative cohort) or pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (n = 127: population cohort), during 2007-2009. 2OH-4MeO-BP, 2,4OH-BP, and 4OH-BP respectively were detected in 99.0%, 93.3%, and 83.8% of the urine samples analyzed, whereas the detection rates for 2,2',4,4'OH-BP and 2,2'OH-4MeO-BP were below 6.0%. Significant regional differences (higher concentrations in California) and monthly variations (higher concentrations in July and August) were found for urinary concentrations of 2OH-4MeO-BP and 2,4OH-BP. In addition, urinary concentrations of 2OH-4MeO-BP and 2,4OH-BP tended to be higher in more affluent, older, and leaner women. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for the urinary concentrations of BP derivatives and the odds of an endometriosis diagnosis; ORs increased across quartiles of 2OH-4MeO-BP and 2,4OH-BP concentrations, but a significant trend was observed only between 2,4OH-BP and the odds of an endometriosis diagnosis in the operative cohort (OR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.01, 1.41). When women in the highest quartile of 2,4OH-BP concentrations were compared with women in the first three quartiles, the OR increased considerably (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.53). Given that 2,4OH-BP possesses an estrogenic activity higher than that of 2OH-4MeO-BP, our results invite the speculation that exposure to elevated 2,4OH-BP levels may be associated with endometriosis.     

In vitro antioxidant activity of anthocyanins of black soybean seed coat in human low density lipoprotein (LDL)

The objectives of this study were to determine the phenolic and anthocyanin contents in black soybean Mallika and Cikuray variety seed coat extract and to examine antioxidant activity of extract against DPPH radical and LDL oxidation. Black soybean seed coat of Mallika (M) and Cikuray (C) was extracted using methanol-1%HCl. The phenolic and anthocyanin contents were determined with Folin–Ciocalteu and pH differential methods, respectively. Individual anthocyanidins were identified with HPLCdiode array detector, and antioxidant activity was examined, using DPPH and TBARS assay with LDL as the oxidation substrate. BHT and rutin were used as antioxidant references. The phenolic content in M and C were 8.15 ± 0.23 and 6.46 ± 0.11 g GAE/100 g, respectively. The anthocyanin contents were 11.36 ± 0.12 and 1.45 ± 0.13 g/100 g, respectively. Cyanidin, delphinidin, and pelargonidin were found as individual anthocyanidins. The optimum DPPH radical scavenging capacity (%) of M and C were 92.78% and 91.50%, respectively, BHT and rutin were 77.0% and 91.94%, respectively. The optimum inhibition of TBARS formation from M and C were 37.10 and 30.37 nmol MDA equivalents/g LDL protein, respectively, and rutin were 30.10 nmol MDA equivalents/g LDL protein, respectively. These results suggest that black soybean seed coat has high levels of phenolic and anthocyanin, and also demonstrated considerable antioxidant activity of black soybean seed coat.     

The distribution of brominated long-chain fatty acids in sponge and symbiont cell types from the tropical marine spongeAmphimedon terpenensis

The tropical marine spongeAmphimedon terpenensis (family Niphatidae, order Haplosclerida) has previously been shown to possess unusual lipids, including unusual fatty acids. The biosynthetic origin of these fatty acids is of interest as the sponge supports a significant population of eubacterial and cyanobacterial symbionts. The total fatty acid composition of the sponge was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of the methyl esters. Among the most abundant of the fatty acids in intact tissue were 16∶0, 18∶0 and 3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecanoic (phytanic) acid. In addition, three brominated fatty acids, (5E,9Z)-6-bromo-5,9-tetracosadienoic acid (24∶2Br), (5E,9Z)-6-bromo-5,9-pentacosadienoic acid (25∶2Br) and (5E,9Z)-6-bromo-5,9-hexacosadienoic acid (26∶2Br) were also present. The three brominated fatty acids, together with phytanic acid, were isolated from both ectosomoal (superficial) and choanosomal (internal) regions of the sponge. Analysis of extracts prepared from sponge/symbiont cells, partitioned by density gradient centrifugation on Ficoll, indicated that phytanic acid and the three brominated fatty acids were associated with sponge cells only. Further, a fatty acid methyl ester sample from intact tissue ofA. terpenensis was partitioned according to phospholipid class, and the brominated fatty acids were shown to be associated with the phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine fractions that are commonly present in marine sponge lipids. The phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol fractions were rich in the relatively shorter chain fatty acids (16∶0 and 18∶0). The association of brominated long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) with sponge cells has been confirmed. The findings allow comment on the use of fatty acid profiles in chemotaxonomy and permit further interpretation of LCFA biosynthetic pathways in sponges. The assignment of the sponge studied, which is currently placed asA. terpenensis, is being supported to some extent, but the species is unusual in having C₂₅ fatty acids as the major constituent in this group. Other factors, such as season or microenvironmental conditions, may influence observed fatty acid composition which tends to reduce the usefulness of fatty acid profiles as markers in sponge chemotaxonomy.     

Aromatase and dual aromatase-steroid sulfatase inhibitors from the letrozole and vorozole templates

Concurrent inhibition of aromatase and steroid sulfatase (STS) may provide a more effective treatment for hormone‐dependent breast cancer than monotherapy against individual enzymes, and several dual aromatase–sulfatase inhibitors (DASIs) have been reported. Three aromatase inhibitors with sub‐nanomolar potency, better than the benchmark agent letrozole, were designed. To further explore the DASI concept, a new series of letrozole‐derived sulfamates and a vorozole‐based sulfamate were designed and biologically evaluated in JEG‐3 cells to reveal structure–activity relationships. Amongst achiral and racemic compounds, 2‐bromo‐4‐(2‐(4‐cyanophenyl)‐2‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)ethyl)phenyl sulfamate is the most potent DASI (aromatase: IC₅₀=0.87 nM ; STS: IC₅₀=593 nM ). The enantiomers of the phenolic precursor to this compound were separated by chiral HPLC and their absolute configuration determined by X‐ray crystallography. Following conversion to their corresponding sulfamates, the S‐(+)‐enantiomer was found to inhibit aromatase and sulfatase most potently (aromatase: IC₅₀=0.52 nM ; STS: IC₅₀=280 nM ). The docking of each enantiomer and other ligands into the aromatase and sulfatase active sites was also investigated.     

Covalent immobilization of nisin on multi-walled carbon nanotubes: superior antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties

Despite unique and useful properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) such as high strength and a low synthesis cost, their weak antimicrobial property hampers their use as an antimicrobial material. Herein, we demonstrate that the immobilization of nisin, a natural and inexpensive antimicrobial peptide, with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG(1000)) as a linker significantly enhanced the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties of MWNTs. The MWNT-nisin composite showed up to 7-fold higher antimicrobial property than pristine MWNTs against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. Moreover, the MWNT-nisin composite had a dramatically improved capability to prevent biofilm formation both on a deposited film and in suspension. In particular, the MWNT-nisin deposit film exhibited a 100-fold higher anti-biofilm property than the MWNT deposit film. Further, it has been shown that PEG and nisin are covalently attached to MWNTs with excellent stability against leaching. We envision that our novel MWNT-nisin composite can serve as an effective and economical antimicrobial material.