Volatile anesthetics for periprocedural cardiac protection. A review.

All volatile anesthetics have cardiac depressant effects that decrease myocardial oxygen demand and may, therefore, have a beneficial role on the myocardial oxygen balance during ischemia. Recently, experimental evidence has clearly demonstrated that in addition to these indirect protective effects, volatile anesthetic agents also have direct protective properties against ischemic myocardial damage. The implementation of these properties during clinical anesthesia can provide an additional tool in the treatment or prevention, or both, of ischemic cardiac dysfunction in the perioperative period. A recent meta-analysis showed that desflurane and sevoflurane reduce postoperative mortality and incidence of myocardial infarction following cardiac surgery with significant advantages in terms of postoperative cardiac troponin release, need for inotrope support, time on mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit and overall hospital stay. Multicenter, randomized clinical trials had previously demonstrated that the use of desflurane can reduce the postoperative release of cardiac troponin I, the need for inotropic support, and the number of patients requiring prolonged hospitalization, following coronary artery bypass graft surgery, either with and without cardiopulmonary bypass. Evidence in non-coronary surgical settings is contradictory and will be reviewed in this paper together with the mechanism of cardiac protection by volatile agents.

The superstatistical nature and interoccurrence time of atmospheric mercury concentration fluctuations.

The probability density function (PDF) of the time intervals between subsequent extreme events in atmospheric Hg0 concentration data series from different latitudes has been investigated. The Hg0 dynamic possesses a long-term memory autocorrelation function. Above a fixed threshold Q in the data, the PDFs of the interoccurrence time of the Hg0 data are well described by a Tsallis q-Exponential function. This PDF behavior has been explained in the framework of superstatistics, where the competition between multiple mesoscopic processes affects the macroscopic dynamics. An extensive parameter µ, encompassing all possible fluctuations related to mesoscopic phenomena, has been identified. It follows a χ 2-distribution, indicative of the superstatistical nature of the overall process. Shuffling the data series destroys the long-term memory, the distributions become independent of Q, and the PDFs collapse on to the same exponential distribution. The possible central role of atmospheric turbulence on extreme events in the Hg0 data is highlighted.

Immunochemical characterization of human liver and heart ferritins with monoclonal antibodies.

A library of 27 murine monoclonal antibodies was obtained by using human liver and heart ferritins as immunogens. The specificity of the antibodies for the two ferritins and their subunits was studied with five different methods. The antibodies elicited by the liver ferritin bound preferentially the immunogen and were specific for the L subunit. Some antibodies elicited by the heart ferritin had characteristics similar to the anti-liver antibodies, other ones bound preferentially the heart over the liver ferritin and were specific for the H subunit. Only two antibodies were able to bind both ferritins and subunits. Some anti-H and anti-L chain antibodies were used to develop and compare four types of immunoassay to quantitate isoferritins. The results indicate that heart ferritin is immunologically more heterogeneous than liver, the H and L subunits having large immunological differences with few, if any, identical epitopes; and that that the architecture of the immunoassays have a strong influence on the crossreactivity of the antibodies with the two isoferritins, probably because H and L chains are not arranged randomly in the assembled protein.

Anti-HIV activity of dibenzylbutyrolactone-type lignans from Phenax species endemic in Costa Rica.

Previously, we isolated two new dibenzylbutyrolactone-type lignans, named phenaxolactones and, from the leaves of Phenax angustifolius Wedd. (Urticaceae). In this investigation three new dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans (phenaxolactones), together with phenaxolactone, and flavones vitexin, isovitexin, were isolated from Phenax rugosus Wedd. leaves collected in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. The structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry. Phenaxolactones and flavones and were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against HIV-1MN in infected C8166 cells. The most promising compound was phenaxolactone with an EC50 value of 3.0 microM, no cytotoxicity at 112 microM and a therapeutic index value of 37.3.

Biotechnology, animal health and animal welfare within the framework of European Union legislation.

Experimental and farm animals are used in biomedical research and in biotechnology studies that are designed to improve agricultural productivity. European legislation governing such research, which is modelled on existing National Laws regarding animal health and welfare, is agreed after several preliminary sessions in which contributions and opinions from large sections of European society are sought. Special attention is paid to opinions expressed by ethical and animal rights associations, which emphasise that animals should be considered as 'sentient beings' and not mere 'goods' or 'property'. A statement to this effect is included in the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, which was signed in Rome in 2004 by the 25 European Union member states.

Molecular analysis of encephalomyocarditis viruses isolated from pigs and rodents in Italy.

Partial nucleotide sequences of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) viruses isolated from five, apparently independent, outbreaks of fatal myocarditis in pigs in Italy were compared with three EMC viruses isolated from wild rodents from a different geographic region in the same country. These viruses were also compared with EMC viruses isolated from pigs in other European countries and three historical strains. All the Italian EMC viruses were closely related (> 94.6% nucleotide identity), but were distinct from viruses occurring in Belgium in 1991 (< 80.5% nucleotide identity), Greece in 1990 (< 83.3% nucleotide identity) and the three older viruses (< 82.9% nucleotide identity). An EMC virus isolated from pigs in the Netherlands in 1988, was closely related to the Italian viruses (95.3-99.3% nucleotide identity). It is suggested that pigs may play a role in the movement of EMC viruses between different geographic regions.

Partial characterization of an 89-kDa highly immunoreactive protein from Chlamydia psittaci A/22 causing ovine abortion.

An 89-kDa immunogen from Chlamydia psittaci A/22 causing ovine abortion was partially characterized. The 89-kDa protein, localized on the outer membrane complex of chlamydiae, was synthesized relatively early in the developmental cycle. The protein contained cysteine but was not extensively cross-linked by disulfide bonds. Treatment with proteases apparently did not cleave the protein. The infectivity of strain A/22 was partially (60%) reduced by treatment of chlamydial elementary bodies with monoclonal antibody BS/89 specifically reacting with the 89-kDa antigen. Species-specific as well as strain-specific antigenic determinants were present on the 89-kDa protein.

Complement-mediated in vitro bactericidal activity of monoclonal antibodies reactive with outer-surface-protein OspB of Borrelia burgdorferi.

Murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were obtained against the outer-surface-protein OspA and OspB and against the 41-kDa flagellar antigen of Borrelia burgdorferi. The specificity of mAb was determined by the Western blotting technique and the surface association of the antigens was inferred by immunofluorescence of living bacteria. In an in vitro assay in the presence of complement, two mAbs reactive with the Ospa were able to kill borreliae, whereas several mAbs reactive with the OspA as well as with the 41-kDa flagellar protein were not.

Variable expression and geographic distribution of Mycoplasma agalactiae surface epitopes demonstrated with monoclonal antibodies.

Species-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were developed against Mycoplasma agalactiae reference strain PG2 and French isolate P89 to study the in vitro expression of surface epitopes and to probe the antigenic profiles of 245 field isolates originating from 10 different countries. Colony immunostaining with MAbs on clonal lineage showed that 4 out of 9 species-specific epitopes exhibited a high rate of variation, demonstrating that M. agalactiae possesses a capacity for phenotypic diversification of its surface antigenicity. The emphasis was on dot immunobinding screening of the field isolates with MAbs recognizing permanently expressed epitopes. Eight different profiles could be defined. Great differences in epitope conservation were demonstrated with some area-specific strains completely lacking certain specific determinants. These results indicate that the antigenic variability of M. agalactiae relies not only upon surface switching mechanisms but also upon true epitope differences, partially related to the geographic origin of the isolates.

Development of two novel monoclonal antibody-based ELISAs for the detection of antibodies and the identification of swine isotypes against swine vesicular disease virus.

Two novel formats of ELISA for the detection of antibodies against swine vesicular disease (SVD) virus were developed. One of the tests described is a monoclonal antibody-based competitive ELISA (MAC-ELISA). In this test, specific antibodies in serum are detected due to their ability to compete with a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (MAb). The second is an indirect trapping ELISA which employs isotype-specific MAbs to detect swine IgG or IgM specific for SVD virus. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the MAC-ELISA was studied on 5671 field sera of known origin, enabling the cut-off level to be defined. Using the MAC-ELISA, 100% of sera from infected pigs were found positive, whereas only 0.45% of negative sera gave a false-positive result. A positive correlation between MAC-ELISA and virus neutralizing titres was recorded for pig sera collected sequentially after experimental infections. The results from the isotype-specific ELISA revealed the dynamics of the antibody response to SVD virus in pigs. The first antibodies were detectable as early as 3 days after experimental infection. Up to the 10th day, demonstrable antibodies were exclusively of the IgM class. IgG developed later, between 11 and 14 days postinfection and remained at a plateaux level throughout the whole investigation period. The two tests satisfy different diagnostic requirements: the MAC-ELISA is useful as a screening test, the isotype-specific ELISA has potential application for the determination of stage of infection. Both tests benefit from the use of MAbs in terms of specificity and standardization and have advantages over the virus neutralization test.

Two flavonol glycosides from Chenopodium quinoa.

Two new flavonol glycosides from the seeds of Chenopodium quinoa have been isolated. Their structures were established as kaempferol 3-apiofuranosyl(1"'----2")rhamnopyranosyl(1""----6")galactoside and kaempferol 3-apiofuranosyl(1"'----2")rhamnopyranosyl(1""----6")galactoside. The main flavonoid glycoside was kaempferol 3-(2,6-dirhamnopyranosyl)galactoside.

Quinovic acid glycosides from Uncaria guianensis.

From the bark of Uncaria guianensis, two new quinovic acid glycosides, quinovic acid 3 beta-O-beta-D-quinovopyranoside and quinovic acid 3 beta-O-beta-D-fucopyranosyl-(27----1)-beta-D-glucopyranosylester, have been isolated, in addition to known quinovic acid 3 beta-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----3)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl]-(27----1)- beta-D-glucopyranosylester and quinovic acid 3 beta-O-beta-D-fucopyranoside. Their structures were elucidated by spectral and chemical studies.

The antiproliferative effects of Uncaria tomentosa extracts and fractions on the growth of breast cancer cell line.

Uncaria tomentosa, also known as "Uña de gato", is a Rubiaceae species widely used in South-American folk medicine for the treatment of cancer, arthritis, gastritis and epidemic diseases. Extracts of the plant have been shown to possess cytostatic and anti-inflammatory activity as well as mutagenic and antimutagenic properties. However, to date no studies have been carried out to verify the direct antitumor activity of the extracts. The present study investigates the effects of some extracts and their chromatographic fractions from the bark of U. tomentosa on the growth of a human breast cancer cell line (MCF7). Our data indicated that, in addition to the antimutagenic activity, U. tomentosa extracts and fractions exert a direct antiproliferative activity on MCF7. The bioassay-directed fractionation from barks and leaves resulted in the isolation of two active fractions, which displayed an IC50 of 10 mg/ml and 20 mg/ml, respectively and an antiproliferative effect, with about 90% of inhibition at a concentration of 100 mg/ml.

Antigen heterogeneity and epitope variable expression in Mycoplasma meleagridis isolates.

Immunoblotting was used to check the antigenic profiling of 27 Mycoplasma meleagridis strains isolated in different countries. Hyperimmune polyclonal rabbit antiserum as well as monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against M. meleagridis (MM) showed antigen heterogeneity among strains. Five anti-MM MAbs were selected for lack of reaction against heterologous avian mycoplasma. Three of these five Mabs did not cross-react with 63 mycoplasma strains from six species affecting turkeys other than M. meleagridis. The five Mabs used to analyse the epitopes of 30 M. meleagridis strains indicated that some epitopes were not expressed in all strains. Moreover, other epitopes were located on proteins which differed according to number or molecular mass from strain to strain. The five Mabs therefore, recognised variable surface proteins, among which two were amphiphilic membrane proteins. Three of the selected Mabs recognised 29 or 30 of the 30 tested strains. The in vitro expression of surface epitopes in M. meleagridis ATCC 25284 was investigated by colony immunobinding and allowed demonstration of a variable antigenic system.

New 12a-hydroxyrotenoids from gliricidia sepium bark

The investigation of a methanolic extract of Gliricidia sepium bark afforded, in addition to vestitol and 2'-O-methylvestitol, three new 12a-hydroxyrotenoids, gliricidol (1), 2-methoxygliricidol (2), and gliricidin (3). The structures of 1-3 were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data. Compounds 1-3 exhibited activity against Artemia salina larvae.

Carica candicans Gray (Mito), an alimentary resource from Peruvian flora.

In addition to some histological observations, the chemical composition of Carica candicans Gray (Caricaceae) fruit and seeds, a plant common in Peruvian nutritional habits, was determined. The fruit contains high amounts of total proteins (8.2% on dry weight basis) and carbohydrates (70.1%) and appreciable contents of vitamin C and minerals. The oil extracted from seeds is in high amount (41. 6%). The fatty acid composition, with a prevalence of oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids, suggests a possible use of this oil in alimentation.

Studies on the constituents of Cyclanthera pedata fruits: isolation and structure elucidation of new triterpenoid saponins.

The isolation of nine triterpenoid saponins (1-9), among them six new natural compounds (1-6), from the MeOH extract of the fruits of Cyclanthera pedata is reported. All of the structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including the concerted application of one-dimensional (1)H-(1)H total correlation spectroscopy, (1)H-(1)H nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy), and (13)C-(13)C DEPT-NMR and two-dimensional NMR techniques (double-quantum filtered correlated spectroscopy, rotating-frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy, heteronuclear single quantum coherence, and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation). A comparative study of seeds and fruits has been also carried out.

Studies on the constituents of Gliricidia sepium (Leguminosae) leaves and roots: isolation and structure elucidation of new triterpenoid saponins and aromatic compounds.

Our research program on the Central American fooder plant Gliricidia sepium led to the discovery of two new triterpene saponins (1 and 2) and known aromatic compounds. The new compounds possess 3beta,21beta, 24-trihydroxy-22-oxoolean-12-ene as an aglycon. The oligosaccharide moiety linked to C-3 of the aglycon contained two pyranoses (glucuronic acid and xylose); in addition the glucose residue of both 1 and 2 is also linked to C-21. Structure elucidation of these new compounds through the extensive use of 1D and 2D NMR techniques have provided detailed information about the sapogenin and the saccharide chains, inclusive of sugar sequence and the position of glycosylation.

Studies on the constituents of Cyclanthera pedata fruits: isolation and structure elucidation of new flavonoid glycosides and their antioxidant activity.

The isolation of six flavon glycosides (1-6), among them four new natural compounds (1-4), from the CHCl(3)/MeOH extract of the fruits of Cyclanthera pedata is reported. All of the structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including the concerted application of one-dimensional ((1)H, (1)H TOCSY, (13)C, and (13)C DEPT-NMR) and two-dimensional NMR techniques (DQF-COSY, HSQC, and HMBC). For all of the isolated compounds the antioxidant activity was determined by measuring the free radical scavenging activity, using the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) method, and the coupled oxidation of beta-carotene and linoleic acid.