Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by severe neuronal loss in the cortex and striatum that leads to motor and behavioral deficits. Excitotoxicity is thought to be involved in HD and several studies have indicated that NMDA receptor (NMDAR) overactivation can play a role in the selective neuronal loss found in HD. Interestingly, a small subset of striatal ne...

A 34-year-old man presented with two episodes of generalized tonic–clonic seizures and fever for 1 day. Two months back, he was admitted with high grade fever, productive cough, cervical lymphadenopathy, left lower lobe consolidation, and multiple skin abscesses. The pus from the abscess was drained and the abscess wall histopathology revealed intracellular oval shaped fungal organisms with nar...

As part of a comprehensive survey of the impact of the environmental pollutant and hepatocarcinogen 2,3,7,8tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on the proteome of hepatic cells, we have performed a high resolution twodimensional gel electrophoresis study on the rat hepatoma cell line 5L. 78 protein species corresponding to 73 different proteins were identified as upor down-regulated following exp...

PURPOSE The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to oxidative stress, which is a strong contributory factor to many ocular diseases. In this study, the removal of trophic factors is used as a model system to investigate the effects of stress in the retina. The aims were to determine if both rod and cone photoreceptor cells produce ROS when they are deprived of trophic factor sup...

As part of a comprehensive survey of the impact of the environmental pollutant and hepatocarcinogen 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on the proteome of hepatic cells, we have performed a high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis study on the rat hepatoma cell line 5L. 78 protein species corresponding to 73 different proteins were identified as up- or down-regulated following...

Organic amine-based buffer compounds such as HEPES (Good's buffers) are commonly applied in experimental systems, including those where the biological effects of peroxynitrite are studied. In such studies 3-morpholinosydnonimine N-ethylcarbamide (SIN-1), a compound that simultaneously releases nitric oxide (.NO) and superoxide (O-2), is often used as a source for peroxynitrite. Whereas in mere ...

In contrast to C5a, which represents a well-established potent activator of the respiratory burst in polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes (PMN), the functional role of C3a in the activation of PMN is, so far, poorly understood. Herein, the potential role of human C3a in the activation of the respiratory burst in human PMN was investigated. The release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of ...

The classical view of sickle cell anemia has always focused on the primary genetic defect — the abnormal sickle hemoglobin that polymerizes when deoxygenated. Polymerization within the red cell causes it to deform, to become rigid, to obstruct blood flow, and to produce acute and chronic tissue damage because of poor perfusion. A more holistic view sees the sickle red cell with its abnormal con...

The regulation of the intracelluar pH (pHi) during spreading of human neutrophils was studied by a combination of fluorescence imaging and video microscopy. Spreading on adhesive substrates caused a rapid and sustained cytosolic alkalinization. This pHi increase was prevented by the omission of external Na+, suggesting that it results from the activation of Na+/H+ exchange. Spreading-induced al...

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) include both free radicals and non-radical compounds. ESR spectroscopy, especially employing spin traps, is the unique technique allowing for detection, identification and quantification of free radicals in vitro and their imaging in vivo. However, the sensitivity of this technique is limited and essays based on the use of more sensitive fluorogenic and luminogenic...