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At least 721 records · Page 40Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Species distribution of polymeric aluminium-ferrum--timed complexation colorimetric analysis method of Al-Fe-ferron.

The effects of the colorimetric buffer solutions were investigated while the two colorimetric reactions of Al-ferron complex and Fe-ferron complex occurred individually, and the effects of the testing wavelength and the pH of the solutions were also investigated. A timed complexation colorimetric analysis method of Al-Fe-ferron in view of the total concentration of (Al + Fe) was then established to determine the species distribution of polymeric Al-Fe. The testing wavelength was recommended at 362 nm and the testing pH value was 5. With a comparison of the ratios of nAl/nFe, the standard adsorption curves of the polymeric Al-Fe solutions were derived from the experimental results. Furthermore, the solutions' composition were various in both the molar nAl/nFe ratios, i.e. 0/0, 5/5, 9/1 and 0/10, and the concentrations associated with the total [Al + Fe] which ranged from 10(-5) to 10(-4) mol/L.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1998

Microbial contamination of advanced life support (ALS) systems poses a moderate threat to the long-term stability of space-based bioregenerative systems.

Microbial contamination of terrestrial hydroponic plant-growing systems provides an effective analogue for studying microbial contamination issues for space-based advanced life support (ALS) systems. If aggressive root or foliar pathogens are introduced into ALS hydroponic systems, severe epidemics are probable. Greater than 80% of the reported outbreaks of root pathogens in terrestrial hydroponic systems describe epidemics caused by fungal species of Fusarium, Phytophthora, and Pythium. However, it is likely that a comprehensive sanitation and quarantine program for space-based ALS modules will prevent contamination by Phytophthora and Pythium spp. because these pathogens are general soilborne. However, Fusarium spp. are typically airborne, can grow saprophytically on diverse substrates, and have been common contaminants of American spacecraft. If comprehensive sanitation and quarantine programs are established for space-based ALS modules, then the threat of pathogen introductions into these systems will be significantly mitigated. Microbial contamination studies in spacecraft over the last 30 years indicate that a high diversity of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes are commonly carried on board probably via clothing, equipment, air currents during spacecraft handling and loading, food, and the astronauts themselves. Species of Alternaria, Aspergillus, Botrytis, Candida, Cephalosporium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillium, Phoma, and Trichoderma were the most prevalent fungi recovered, and species of Bacillus, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus were the most prevalent bacteria recovered from spacecraft. Most of these genera contain species that have been reported as plant pathogens. Strict quarantine procedures were not effective in preventing contamination of spacecraft during these missions. Research must be initiated to better understand how microorganisms interact with plants and animals in microgravity environments because microbial contamination of spacecraft and ALS modules cannot be avoided. An integrated pest management (IPM) program likely will be developed for managing plant disease outbreaks in space-based ALS systems.

Ecological Systems, Closed↗
PubMed2005

Does apoptosis occur in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? TUNEL experience from human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) tissues.

The role that apoptosis plays in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is still unclear. From our autopsy samples, we have undertaken an effort to verify if apoptosis in ALS really occurs or if can at least be detected. The study was performed using TUNEL method for screening the apoptotic changes in the autopsy samples from 8 ALS cases compared with 16 control cases. No features of apoptosis (DNA cleavages) were noted in any of the investigated regions of the central nervous system in ALS cases as well as in controls. These preliminary results seem to support the reports, which deny the role of apoptosis in human ALS. The following investigations using additional methods will be performed for detection the apoptotic signals in ALS.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Absence of echoviral RNA sequences in medulla oblongata samples taken from patients who died of ALS].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The role of viral infection in the pathogenesis of ALS has been raised many times in the previous papers. The presence of an enterovirus genome has previously been confirmed using PCR RT and PCR in situ in spinal cord tissue samples taken from patients who died of ALS. Viral genome sequencing has also been used to show 91% and 88% homogeneity with ECHO 6 and 7 viruses, respectively. A year later the same method did not confirm the presence of the virus in spinal cord fragments taken from 30 patients who died of ALS nor in an 18 person control group. The present study was aimed to find persistent ECHO 6 and 7 viral infections in tissue samples taken from patients who died of ALS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: RNA was isolated from frozen medulla oblongata samples taken from six patients who died of ALS (hospitalized in the Neurological Clinic CSK AM in the years 2000-2002). The presence of RNA was confirmed using RNA beta-actine. Oligo 2 and 3 as well as pEforward and pErevers primers were used for amplification. RESULTS: All samples returned negative results. CONCLUSIONS: In the samples studied no correlation was found between ECHO 6 and 7 viral infections and ALS.

Actins↗
PubMed1989

[The excessive activity of cytochrome P450 system in ALS--the metabolic ratio of sparteine].

The activity of cytochrome P450 family was studied in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in an attempt to evaluate the susceptibility to environmental substances including possible some neurotoxin. The metabolic ratio (MR) of sparteine sulfate was measured in 30 patients with ALS and 41 controls for the evaluation of the sparteine nitro (N)-oxidation with cytochrome P450 system. The population of phenotypes designed as extensive metabolisers (EMs), intermediate metabolisers (IMs), and poor metabolisers (PMs) for sparteine nitro (N)-oxidation was determined in each group. The lower MR (p less than 0.02) and higher frequency of EMs (p less than 0.05) were observed in ALS group, suggesting the excessive activity of N-oxidation with cytochrome P450 pathway in the ALS group. Especially in 15 patients with ALS age before 60, these tendencies were more remarkable with a significant lower MR (p less than 0.01) and extremely high frequency of EMs (p less than 0.005). The present study might suggest the possible participation of cytochrome P450 pathway in the development of ALS.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Deranged Ca, Al and Mg content in the tissues of patients with chronic renal failure, as measured by non-destructive neutron activation analysis.

Ca, Al and Mg content in the bone, aorta, skin and hair of 55 persons was measured by non-destructive neutron activation analysis. The Ca content in the bone of nondialyzed and dialyzed patients was found to decrease. Al and Mg were relatively higher than Ca in the patients compared to the controls. The present study suggests that fluctuation in the content of Al and Mg may have some relation to renal osteodystrophy such as osteomalacia as well as similar and related disorders. Al and Mg content in the aorta, and that of Ca in the hair of uremic patients, were higher than the controls. The mean Ca content in the skin of the patients was 25% higher than the controls. These findings indicate 1) that Al and Mg are possibly related to the advance of osteodystrophy, and 2) that Ca, Al and Mg deposits in the organs of uremic patients are a reflection of metabolic disorders in chronic renal failure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

[Use of the immune tolerance induction in the production of an antilymphocyte serum (ALS) free of antibodies against serum proteins].

The possibility has been investigated of a direct gain of ALS free of undesirable antibodies against serum proteins by inducing immunologic tolerance in productive animals (pigs). Preliminary experiments made with tolerogenic amounts of 10 and 50 ml of sera and with immunization by the serum alone proved applicability of this method. Electrophoresis showed antibodies against 6 to 7 and 2 to 3 fractions in animals tolerated with 10 and 50 ml respectively, compared to 18 to 20 fractions in the control group, which was not tolerated. This has been confirmed when preparing ALS in practice, where the toleration was carried out with 25 ml of serum or with the same amount of serum with the addition of hemoglobin and immunization by lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood. Final ALS of untolerated animals contained antibodies against 7 to 8 fractions, whereas that of experimental group tolerated with serum and Hb was free of antibodies against serum protein, hemoglobin included. ALS of the group tolerated with normal serum contained only antibodies against hemoglobin. In vitro tests (i.e. lymphoagglutination t., lymphocytotoxicity t., rosette inhibition t.) proved that by inducing tolerance towards serum protein the activity of ALS was in no was affected. According to the results this method can be employed not only for the preparation of ALS, but also for other purposes, such as preparation of monovalent antisera for immunoelectrophoresis.

Agglutinins↗
PubMed1997

[Cerebrovascular stroke, the cause of the death of the caliph al-Hakam II].

al-Hakam II was the ninth sovereign in the Hispano-Omeyan dynasty and the second caliph of Spain under the Moors. In the night of the 1st of October 976 he died as the result of a disease that had afflicted him for two years old. Cerebrovascular stroke first manifested as hemiplegia. The disease that afflicted the caliph was called al-'illat alfalichiya, or alfeliche in Castilian Spanish, which means the disease of hemiplegia. The caliph was 61 years old and led a sedentary life and was therefore predisposed to suffer ischemic cerebrovascular events. Climate may have played a role in triggering the stroke. Several authors have found that the incidences of ischemic infarcts and intracranial hemorrhages increase during the winter months and on cold days, particularly in patients under 65. The chronicler of the al-Razi period tells us that heavy snow fell in and around Córdoba in 974 and that the following months saw rain and strong winds. We can deduce that caliph al-Hakam II died of a cerebrovascular event and that, based on the few data available, it is likely that the infarction was ischemic and of atherothrombotic origin. Caliph al-Hakam II moved his household from Madinat al-Zahra' to Alcázar de Córdoba as a result of the "recommendation of his doctors because the cold of the Sierra stirred up his humors". This interpretation is correct according to Arab medicine, which is following the line of the ancient Greeks regarding natural faculties, the elements and their corresponding humors.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗
PubMed2000

The ALS Health Profile Study: quality of life of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and carers in Europe.

The measurement of functioning and well-being from the perspective of the patient has in recent years become central to the assessment of health and the evaluation of treatment regimes. The past decade has seen an enormous growth in the application of measures designed to assess quality of life in a vast array of medical specialties. However, the use of such measures in neurology has been relatively limited, and this has certainly been the case in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The European ALS Health Profile Study is a longitudinal survey of patients diagnosed with ALS or other motor neurone diseases in which patients are asked to complete questionnaires concerning their subjective health status. Data from clinical assessments are also collected. It is intended that the information collected will provide more systematic and detailed evidence of the impact of the disease from the perspective of the patient. This contribution documents results from baseline assessment obtained from data supplied by clinicians, carers and patients themselves. Three outcome measures are assessed in this paper: the SF-36, a generic measure of well being and functioning, the ALS Functional Rating Scale and the Carer Strain Index. The evidence presented here suggests that these measures provide a meaningful and valid picture of the impact of the disease. The data indicate that ALS has substantial adverse effects both upon the functioning and well being of patients and carers, as well as an association between the emotional health status of patients and carers, and between the physical health status of patients and carers.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of Vindelov et al. and bromodeoxyuridine/DNA double-staining flow cytometry methods for analysis of cell cycle distribution in rat thymocytes.

This study compares the cell cycle distribution in rat thymocytes obtained by means of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) labeling of S-phase cells and the analysis of the S-phase fraction obtained according to the technique of Vindelov et al. (Cytometry 3:332-338, 1983). The proportion of BrdUrd-labeled cells was analyzed in single cell suspensions of adult rat thymocytes after in vivo injection of BrdUrd and the results then compared with those obtained after measuring the cell DNA contents according to the Vindelov et al. method. The percentage of BrdUrd-positive cells was greater than the S-phase fraction obtained using the Vindelov et al. technique. By contrast, no major differences were observed between the percentage of BrdUrd-positive cells and the S-phase fraction obtained after analyzing the DNA histograms of the same data files with the RFIT mathematical model. The elimination of trypsin treatment used in the Vindelov et al. method did not alter the results, whereas the use of DNA denaturation with 2N HCl was shown to increase the percentage of S-phase rat thymocytes (calculated from DNA histograms) independently of whether trypsin treatment was used or not. However, the value of the S-phase fraction was not as great as that obtained after BrdUrd labeling. Thus when comparing BrdUrd-labeling and the Vindelov et al. technique, important differences in the percentage of S-phase adult rat thymocytes were observed. Selective G0/G1 cell loss during washing and centrifugation steps performed after the DNA denaturation used for BrdUrd detection was the main reason for these differences.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Ontogeny and evolution of pelvic diameters in anthropoid primates and in Australopithecus afarensis (AL 288-1).

Pelvic diameters (both anteroposterior [AP] and transverse [TR]) were investigated in a series of anthropoid primates. The ratio of diameters (AP/TR) in each of three pelvic planes (inlet, midpelvis, and outlet) was calculated. In addition to the above, the length of the iliac, pubic, and ischial axes and the angles between these axes were determined. The AP/TR ratio at the pelvic inlet is (reported in millimeters, +/- SD, unless otherwise specified) 1.81 +/- 0.27 in New World monkeys (Cebidae) and Macaca mulatta; 1.53 +/- 0.17 in hylobatids and pongids; 0.87 +/- 0.08 in Homo sapiens; and 0.58 in Australopithecus afarensis (AL 288-1). The AP/TR ratio in the midpelvis is 1.61 +/- 0.23 in nonhominid primates (Cebidae, M. mulatta, hylobatids, and pongids), 1.12 +/- 0.11 in humans, and 0.59 in AL 288-1. In monkeys (Cebidae and M. mulatta), hylobatids, pongids, H. sapiens, and AL 288-1, the ratios of the length of the pubic axis over the ischial axis were 0.84 +/- 0.06, 0.95 +/- 0.07, 1.10 +/- 0.15, and 1.46, respectively; the pubis-ilium angles were 96 +/- 11, 120 +/- 10, 131 +/- 11, and 147 degrees, respectively; and the ischium-pubis angles were 106 +/- 11, 86 +/- 8, 96 +/- 7, and 68 degrees, respectively. In none of these pelvic features was AL 288-1 "intermediate" between pongids and H. sapiens. The anatomical peculiarities of the pelvis in AL 288-1 are explained primarily as the result of early adaptation to erect posture, which resulted in the reduction of the distance between the sacroiliac joint and the hip joint. As a consequence, the sacral promontory moved toward the pubic symphysis, and this resulted in shortening of the AP diameter and widening of the TR diameter at the pelvic inlet.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Cyclooxygenase 2 inhibition protects motor neurons and prolongs survival in a transgenic mouse model of ALS.

The pathogenesis of cell death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may involve glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, oxidative damage, and apoptosis. We used a transgenic mouse model of ALS to determine the effect of inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 in treating the disease. Cyclooxygenase-2, present in spinal neurons and astrocytes, catalyzes the synthesis of prostaglandin E2. Prostaglandin E2 stimulates glutamate release from astrocytes, whereas cyclooxygenase-2 also plays a key role in the production of proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species, and free radicals. Treatment with a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, markedly inhibited production of prostaglandin E2 in the spinal cords of ALS mice. Celecoxib treatment significantly delayed the onset of weakness and weight loss and prolonged survival by 25%. Spinal cords of treated ALS mice showed significant preservation of spinal neurons and diminished astrogliosis and microglial activation. Our results suggest that cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition may benefit ALS patients.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗
PubMed2001

Amaranthus palmeri resistance and differential tolerance of Amaranthus palmeri and Amaranthus hybridus to ALS-inhibitor herbicides.

Suspected imazaquin-resistant accessions of Amaranthus palmeri were studied to determine the magnitude of resistance and cross-resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides and compare differential tolerance of A palmeri and Amaranthus hybridus to ALS inhibitors. Five of seven A palmeri accessions were resistant to imazaquin. The most imazaquin-resistant accession, accession 7, also showed 74, 39 and 117 times higher resistance than the susceptible biotype to chlorimuron, diclosulam and pyrithiobac, respectively. Resistance to imazaquin and cross-resistance to other ALS inhibitors in A palmeri was due to a less-sensitive ALS enzyme. A palmeri was 70 times more tolerant to imazaquin than A hybridus. A palmeri was also seven times more tolerant to pyrithiobac than A hybridus. Differences in ALS enzyme sensitivity could not fully account for the high tolerance of A palmeri to imazaquin compared to A hybridus. Both species were equally affected by chlorimuron and diclosulam.

Acetolactate Synthase↗
PubMed1995

Antibodies to calcium channels from ALS patients passively transferred to mice selectively increase intracellular calcium and induce ultrastructural changes in motoneurons.

Antibodies to Ca channels in ALS patients IgG can be demonstrated to enhance Ca current and cause cell injury and death in a motoneuron cell line in vitro. To determine whether these antibodies can alter neuronal calcium homeostasis in vivo IgG fractions from six ALS patients were injected intraperitoneally into mice, and neurons assayed by ultrastructural techniques for calcium content. After 24 h, all six ALS IgG by (40 mg/animal) increased vesicle number in spinal motoneuron axon terminals, and in boutons synapsing on spinal motoneurons. Using the oxalate-pyroantimonate technique for calcium precipitation, these antibodies produced dose-dependent calcium increases either in axon terminal synaptic vesicles and mitochondria, or in rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and Golgi complex of spinal motoneuron and frontal cortex pyramidal cells. ALS IgG was itself internalized and also induced neurofilament H phosphorylation. The observed changes in ultrastructure and calcium compartmentation were restricted to motoneurons; normal and disease control IgG, which did not possess antibodies enhancing calcium entry, did not exert similar effects. These data demonstrate that ALS IgG containing Ca-channel antibodies can alter calcium homeostasis of motoneurons in vivo.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗
PubMed1998

Heme oxygenase in the experimental ALS mouse.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress protein inducible in some cells by oxidative stress. The status of heme oxygenase was investigated in a transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) since oxidative mechanisms are postulated in neuronal injury. Three ALS mice [(SOD1-G93A)1Gur] and three controls [(SOD-1)2Gur] were obtained from The Jackson Laboratory. Behavioral differences suggestive of neurodegeneration in ALS mice developed at 4-5 months of age. All mice were killed at 7-8 months of age. Tissue vacuolation, cell loss, and the presence of GFAP+ cells were noted in the spinal cords of ALS mice. Spinal cord motor neurons in both control and ALS mice stained positive for heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2). While not precluding the presence of low levels of HO-1 neither immunohistochemical staining nor Western blot analysis provided evidence for significant HO-1 induction in degenerating spinal cord.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗
PubMed2000

Vibrational Spectroscopy Study of Selenate and Sulfate Adsorption Mechanisms on Fe and Al (Hydr)oxide Surfaces.

The coordination and speciation of selenate (SeO(4)) and sulfate (SO(4)) on goethite and Al oxide were studied using Raman and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Raman spectra were collected from pastes of suspensions containing 4 mM SeO(4) or SO(4). For SO(4), complementary data were collected by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy in goethite systems with 1 mM SO(4) and in Al oxide systems with 4 mM SO(4). The combined data set of Raman and ATR-FTIR spectra indicate that both inner- and outer-sphere surface complexes of SeO(4) and SO(4) occur on these metal (hydr)oxide surfaces. These spectral data show that SeO(4) and SO(4) have a similar complexation behavior on the same adsorbent. On goethite, these form predominantly monodentate inner-sphere surface complexes at pH <6, while at pH >6 these anions exist predominantly as outer-sphere surface complexes. On Al oxide, in contrast, these anions exist predominantly as outer-sphere surface complexes, but a small fraction is also present as an inner-sphere complex at pH <6. A comparison of the spectral intensities of these anions on goethite and Al oxide shows that complexation of these anions with Al oxide is weaker than with Fe oxide. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis of Monodisperse Al-Substituted Hematite Particles from Highly Condensed Metal Hydroxide Gels.

Monodispersed aluminum-substituted hematite particles were synthesized from concentrated mixed solutions of FeCl(3) and AlCl(3) using the gel/sol process. With increasing aluminum content (Al/(Fe+Al)) in the starting solutions, hematite particles became more and more elongated. The product particles exhibited ellipsoidal, rod- and peanut-like shapes, depending on Al concentration. Higher Al content (>20 mol%) in the system greatly suppressed the formation of hematite. Atomic emission spectrometry analysis and lattice parameter measurement confirmed the substitution of Al in hematite particles. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

The Eph kinase ligand AL-1 is expressed by rostral muscles and inhibits outgrowth from caudal neurons.

In the peripheral nervous system, neurons derived from specific rostrocaudal levels of the neuraxis selectively synapse on targets that arise from corresponding body positions. To identify molecules involved in such position-dependent connectivity, we used subtractive hybridization to isolate genes selectively expressed in rostral or caudal skeletal muscle. One mRNA that was more abundant in neck than in hindlimb muscles encoded the mouse ortholog of human AL-1 and chick RAGS, membrane-associated ligands of Eph tyrosine kinases that have recently been implicated in cortical axon fasciculation and retinotectal connectivity, respectively. We show here that mouse AL-1 is expressed in discrete regions of the central and peripheral nervous systems and in a subset of developing skeletal muscles. The abundance of AL-1 RNA in immortalized myogenic cell lines derived from rostral muscles is higher than in caudally derived lines, suggesting that levels are heritably maintained. Growth of neurites from cultured sensory ganglia and spinal cords is specifically inhibited by cells expressing AL-1, suggesting that this molecule could serve to guide peripheral axons. The inhibitory effects of AL-1 are position dependent, such that axons derived from caudal (lumbar) ganglia are more affected than those derived from rostral (cervical) ganglia. Together, these results support the notion that Eph kinases and their ligands regulate topographically appropriate neural connectivity in the peripheral nervous system, as well as in the central nervous system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗