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PubMed1992

Onset of erythropoietin response in murine erythroid colony-forming units: assignment to early S-phase in a specific cell generation.

Murine erythroid colony-forming units (CFU-E) representing successive cell generations in a six-generation long in vitro maturation sequence were tested for their response to erythropoietin (Epo) by measurement of Epo-exposure times necessary to stimulate heme biosynthesis. Generation I CFU-E, which produce mainly 32-cell erythroid colonies, were isolated in 82% average purity from spleens of thiamphenicol-treated anemic animals via differential centrifugation. Generation II CFU-E, which produce mainly 16-cell colonies, were similarly isolated in 51% average purity. Although both types of CFU-E had equivalent dose sensitivity to and affinity for Epo, generation II CFU-E responded to shorter pulses of Epo than did generation I. Correlations between DNA cell-cycle profiles and 59Fe-heme biosynthesis resulting from pulsed exposures established that appreciable Epo response only begins when CFU-E attain early S-phase of generation II. Because CFU-E did not require Epo or other serum factors to pass from generation I to II and because the onset of Epo responsiveness coincided with the beginning of DNA replication in generation II, we suppose that differentiation has reprogrammed one or more of the events associated with generation II S-phase in CFU-E and that these alterations allow Epo to act. Further comparisons between CFU-E from generation I and II may allow us to identify the alterations in question and the nature of their interaction with Epo.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Comparison of clinical course of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome among the multiple generations of nosocomial transmission.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is characterized by both an atypical pneumonia and efficient nosocomial transmission. However, it remains unknown whether the infectivity and the virulence of the pathogen will change throughout the successive transmission. This study was conducted to compare the clinical features and management regimens of patients with SARS among the multiple generations from nosocomial transmission initiated by a super-spreader. METHODS: The clinical data of 84 epidemiologically-linked SARS patients from a hospital outbreak were retrospectively studied. All patients, in whom a clear-cut transmission generation could be noted, had a direct or indirect exposure to the index patient and the epidemic successively propagated through the multiple generations of cases within a short period of time. RESULTS: There were 66 women and 18 men with mean age of (29.2 +/- 10.3) years in this cluster; and 96.4% of whom were health care workers. Detailed contact tracing identified 35 (41.7%) first-generation cases, 34 (40.5%) second-generation cases, and 15 (17.8%) third-generation cases. No statistical differences among the multiple generations of transmission were found in terms of age, gender, incubation period and length of hospital stay. With the advanced transmission generations, the initial temperature lowered, the number of cases with dry cough decreased. There were no statistical differences in the peak temperature and duration of fever, other accompanying symptoms, leucopenia; however, the time from initial pulmonary infiltrates to radiographic recovery shortened (P < 0.05). No differences were found in maximum number of lung fields involved, duration from the onset of fever to the occurrence of pulmonary infiltrates and time from the initial pulmonary infiltrate to its peak among the multiple transmission generations (P > 0.05). No statistical differences were found in modes of oxygen therapy and sorts of antibiotics prescribed among the various transmission generations (P > 0.05); however, as with the advanced transmission generations, the number of cases prescribed with methylprednisolone, human gamma-globulin, interferon-alpha, antiviral drugs (oral ribavirin or oseltamivir) increased (P < 0.05) and time from admission to starting these medication shortened (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence that SARS infection will evolve or transmit within a fashion that permits it to become less powerful throughout the successive transmission within a short time.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Cyanide-induced generation of oxidative species: involvement of nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2.

In cerebellar granule cells, potassium cyanide (KCN) activates the NMDA receptor resulting in generation of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS). To study the mechanism by which KCN stimulates ROS generation, the action of cyanide on the enzymatic pathways known to generate ROS were studied. The oxidant-sensitive fluorescent dye, 2,7-dichlorofluorescin was used to measure intracellular levels of nitric oxide and ROS in cerebellar granule cells. Using selective enzyme inhibitors, it was shown that both protein kinase C and phospholipase A2 are involved in KCN-stimulated generation of NO and ROS. In cells treated with indomethacin or nordihydroguairetic acid, inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) respectively, attenuated (approximately 35%) KCN-induced generation of oxidant species. When L-NAME (LG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NOS) was combined with either indomethacin or nordihydroguairetic acid, generation of oxidant species was blocked by more than 80%. Pretreatment with NS398 (COX-2 inhibitor) significantly decreased ROS generation indicating the involvement of COX-2 in KCN-induced oxidant generation. Treatment with L-NAME + NS398 blocked oxidant species generation, reflecting involvement of NOS. The participation of cytochrome P450 was not evident because SKF525A did not significantly reduce KCN-induced ROS generation. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between oxidant generation and lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes (as determined by thiobarbituric acid levels). Pretreatment with inhibitors of protein kinase C, phospholipase A2 or COX, LOX, COX-2 partially blocked KCN-induced formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, whereas coincubation of L-NAME with the inhibitors decreased lipid peroxidation by 60 to 90%. In cytotoxicity studies, KCN-induced cell death was partially blocked by the inhibitors and significant protection was observed when L-NAME was combined with these compounds. These findings show that activation of phospholipase A2 and subsequent metabolism of arachidonic acid by the COX-2 and LOX pathways and NOS contribute to cyanide-induced ROS production.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Angiostatin generation by human tumor cell lines: involvement of plasminogen activators.

Angiostatin is a tumor-derived angiogenesis inhibitor consisting of an internal fragment of plasminogen. Little is known about the production of angiostatin by human tumors. In this study, we examined the in vitro angiostatin-generating capacities of a panel of human tumor cell lines (total n = 75) and the proteolytic molecule(s) involved. Angiostatin formation was determined by assessing the level of plasminogen digestion in conditioned medium by Western-blot analysis. We found that the capacity to produce angiostatin is a common feature of many cell lines, depending on the tumor type. All 6 bladder-carcinoma and 6 out of 7 prostate-carcinoma cell lines showed intermediate to potent angiostatin-generating activity. In contrast, only 2 out of 7 colon-carcinoma and 2 out of 9 renal-cell carcinoma cell lines were able to generate angiostatin at intermediate levels. Out of 25 melanoma cell lines, only one line failed to generate angiostatin. In the other cell-line groups (cervix, breast and ovary), angiostatin formation varied. Remarkably, angiostatin bands were not of equal size in all plasminogen digests. Since reported data have indicated that plasminogen activators (uPA and tPA) were able to excise the angiostatin fragment from the plasminogen parent molecule via plasmin generation, we determined levels of uPA and tPA and PAI-1 antigen in the conditioned media, and correlated the results with angiostatin-generating capacity. Whereas prostate- and bladder-carcinoma lines capable of generating high levels of angiostatin showed high uPA levels, angiostatin generation in melanoma cell lines was correlated with tPA levels. Generally, angiostatin non-producers did not express uPA or tPA. In 6 out of 75 cell lines, however, we found angiostatin generation combined with low or absent levels of plasminogen activator, suggesting the involvement of alternative proteolytic pathways in the generation of angiostatin.

Angiostatins↗

PubMed1998

Substrate and site specificity of hydrogen peroxide generation in mouse mitochondria.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms of mitochondrial H2O2 generation in mouse organs by determining the nature of their differences in substrate utilization, inhibitor sensitivity, and the site specificity affecting H2O2 production. Mitochondria were isolated from heart, brain, and kidney and the rate of H2O2 generation was measured using the FADH-linked substrates succinate and alpha-glycerophosphate as well as the NADH-linked substrates pyruvate/malate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and glutamate. Respiratory inhibitors, antimycin and rotenone, were added singly and sequentially to each substrate-supported H2O2 generation reaction mixture to determine the mitochondrial site(s) of generation and the optimal condition(s) for maximal rates of generation. Succinate supported the highest rate of mitochondrial H2O2 generation. Moreover, it was the preferred substrate for the heart mitochondria. alpha-Glycerophosphate is a poor substrate for H2O2 generation in heart mitochondria. Inhibitor studies showed that heart mitochondria were the most sensitive and responsive to antimycin, while brain was the most sensitive to rotenone. A surprising finding was that NADH-linked substrate-supported H2O2 generation in kidney mitochondria was not responsive to rotenone. The contribution from each of the three sites (ubiquinone, NADH dehydrogenase, and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase) of mitochondrial H2O2 generation to the total was both substrate and organ dependent. Results indicate that assay conditions must be considered before comparisons of sites and rates of mitochondrial H2O2 generation among different organs can be made.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effect of steroidal saponins of Anemarrhenae rhizoma on superoxide generation in human neutrophils.

Effect of six steroidal saponins isolated from Anemarrhenae rhizoma on superoxide generation in human neutrophils was investigated. The steroidal saponins examined were anemarrhenasaponin-I (An-I), anemarrhenasaponin-Ia (An-Ia), timosaponin B-I (TB-I), timosaponin B-II (TB-II), timosaponin B-III (TB-III) and timosaponin A-III (TA-III). An-I, An-Ia, and TB-III suppressed the superoxide generations induced by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and arachidonic acid (AA) in a concentration-dependent manner, but enhanced that induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). While TB-II also suppressed and enhanced the superoxide generations induced by fMLP and PMA, respectively, the compound significantly enhanced the AA-induced superoxide generation. TB-I enhanced the fMLP-induced superoxide generation in a low concentration range (peak at 40 microM), gave no effect on the PMA-induced superoxide generation and weakly enhanced the AA-induced superoxide generation. TA-III enhanced the fMLP-induced superoxide generation more than twice as much as that by TB-I in the same concentration range. However, TA-III enhanced the PMA-induced superoxide generation and most significantly suppressed the AA-induced superoxide generation.

Arachidonic Acid↗

PubMed1994

Generation of lymphokine-activated killer activity in rodents but not in humans is nitric oxide dependent.

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the generation of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells was investigated. Here we report that L-arginine analog NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), a specific inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, prevents LAK cell generation from cultured rat splenic cells. Accumulated NO endproduct nitrite (NO2-), as measured in the supernatants of rat splenic cells, correlated well with the generation of LAK cells. In contrast, cell proliferation induced by rIL-2 or by Con A was not affected by NMMA. Similarly, phenotypic expression of CD25 in rIL-2-stimulated cultures was unaffected. Furthermore, we could not observe differences in percentages of CD5-CD8+ cells (NK and LAK cell phenotype markers in rats) between rIL-2-stimulated cultures performed in the presence or absence of NMMA. LAK cell generation could no longer be blocked if NMMA was added to the rat cell cultures 24 hr after rIL-2 stimulation. To further confirm the role of NO in LAK cell generation, rat splenic cells were cultured in medium without L-arginine. Under such conditions rIL-2 could not induce LAK cell generation. Hemoglobin, which is a scavenger of NO, also inhibited LAK cell generation. Finally, addition of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) which releases NO in cultures was able to overcome blocking effects of NMMA. To attempt the identification of NO-producing cells, lysosomotropic agent, L-leucine methyl ester (LME), was used. Generation of LAK cell activity was virtually abolished in cell cultures treated with LME. Addition of SNP to cultures, however, sufficed to restore LAK cell generation. These results suggest that LAK cell precursors depend on a exogenous NO supply from other cell types in order to display their full cytotoxic potential. Similar results were also obtained by using mouse splenocytes as responder cells. In contrast, NMMA did not affect generation of LAK cells from human peripheral blood or spleen mononuclear cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Evidence for the existence of at least two timing mechanisms that contribute to oligodendrocyte generation in vitro.

We have been studying oligodendrocyte generation in vitro to obtain insights into how the timely generation of these cells might be regulated. Our studies suggest the existence of timing mechanisms quite different from those of existing models, wherein it is proposed that timely oligodendrocyte generation is associated with synchronous and symmetric differentiation controlled by cell-intrinsic biological clocks. Our results are most consistent with the hypothesis that the propensity of a clone of dividing oligodendrocyte type-2 astrocyte (O-2A) progenitors initially to generate at least one oligodendrocyte may be regulated by cell-intrinsic mechanisms, but that cell-extrinsic signals regulate the extent of further oligodendrocyte generation. In cultures of embryonic rat cortex grown in the presence of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), oligodendrocytes appeared in a timely manner in the absence of clonal differentiation. In contrast with previous suggestions, the presence or absence of thyroid hormone (T3) did not alter the probability of individual clones of O-2A progenitors generating at least one oligodendrocyte in vitro at a time equal to the rat's day of birth. Instead, T3 increased the proportion of oligodendrocytes generated within clones. For postnatally derived progenitor cells, the initial appearance of oligodendrocytes also was followed by further asymmetric generation of these cells, with the ratio of progenitors to oligodendrocytes within clones being regulated by environmental signals. T3 and ciliary neurotrophic factor increased oligodendrocyte generation, while neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) suppressed oligodendrocyte generation. Also in contrast to previous reports, NT-3 was not required for the promotion of extensive division of O-2A progenitor cells by PDGF.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Poly L-histidine. A potent stimulator of superoxide generation in human blood leukocytes.

Poly-L-histidine (PHSTD) of molecular weight 26,000 induced the generation of large amounts of superoxide (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in human neutrophils (PMNs). Despite its low solubility at neutral pH, PHSTD was bound very rapidly to the PMN surfaces. Maximal generation of O2- took place with 4-5 X 10(-6) M of PHSTD, starting after a lag of about 25 sec and proceeding for 15-17 min at a rate of 150 nmol/10(7) PMNs/min, suggesting that this polycation is one of the most potent stimulators of O2- generation known, PHSTD was found to be non-toxic for PMNs even at millimolar concentrations. Generation of O2- by PHSTD depended on extracellular calcium; it was inhibited by calcium channel blockers and by trifluoperazine, and it triggered a sharp rise in intracellular calcium as determined by the Quin 2 fluorescence technique. The generation of both O2- and H2O2 by PHSTD was partially inhibited by cytochalasin B or (CYB, CYE). On the other hand, CYB markedly enhanced the generation of both O2- and H2O2 following stimulation of PMNs either by PHSTD, polyarginine, histone, or by antibody-opsonized group A streptococci. Electron microscopic analysis and NBT reduction tests revealed that both PHSTD and PHSTD-opsonized streptococci were avidly phagocytosed by PMNs. Since CYB totally inhibited internalization of both PHSTD and the PHSTD-opsonized streptococci, it was suggested that these agents stimulated oxygen radical generation mainly on the leukocyte surfaces. Complexes (CX) formed between PHSTD and polyanethole sulfonate (a strong polyanion) or between histone and the polyanion mimicked immune CX in their ability to trigger the generation of large amounts of O2- which were inhibited by CYB. Generation of O2- and chemiluminescence either by PHSTD or by PHSTD-opsonized streptococci were markedly inhibited by poly-L-glutamate, suggesting that PHSTD acted as a cationic agent which interacted via electrostatic forces with some negatively charged sites in the leukocyte membrane. Generation of H2O2 by PHSTD was also markedly inhibited by deoxyglucose, KCN, DASA, as well as by the lipoxygenase inhibitors nordihydroguaiaretic acid, phenidone, and propylgallate. On the other hand, cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as aspirin, indomethacin, and piroxicam were inactive, suggesting that arachidonic acid metabolism via lipoxygenase pathway might have been involved in the activation by PHSTD of the NADPH oxidase in PMNs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed1985

NADPH and "cocktails" containing polyarginine reactivate superoxide generation in leukocytes lysed by membrane-damaging agents.

Human blood leukocytes generated large amounts of superoxide (O2-) following stimulation by certain "cocktails" of soluble agents consisting of poly-L-arginine (PARG), phytohemagglutinin, the chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and polyanethole sulfanote (liquoid). A variety of cytochalasins, which markedly boosted O2- generation by the soluble cocktails, markedly depressed luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL) which had been induced either by opsonized streptococci or by soluble agents. Glutathione, which totally reversed the inhibition of LDCL induced by cytochalasin A, failed to reverse the inhibition of LDCL induced by cytochalasin B. Generation of O2- by all the soluble agents employed, except PMA, was strongly inhibited either by the omission of extracellular calcium and magnesium or by treatment with the calcium blocker TMB-8. Generation of O2- was enhanced following stimulation of leukocytes with soluble agents if the cells had been exposed to slightly hypotonic buffers. Leukocytes, which had been preincubated for short periods (5 min) with PARG, saponin, digitonin, or lysolecithin (LL) and which lost their viability, and their O2- and LDCL-generating capacities following stimulation by soluble agents containing cytochalasin B, nevertheless regained these activities by the addition of NADPH. It is suggested that the lytic agents induced the leakage out of NADPH rather than acting as inactivators of the oxidase in the leukocyte membranes. Prolonged incubation of leukocytes with lytic agents failed to allow restoration, by NADPH, of the generation of SOD-inhibitable O2- generation. Since PARG acted both as a cytolytic agent and as a inducer of O2- generation, we postulate that lytic agents might also act as "primers" of the nascent membrane oxidase which could, however, be further potentiated and activated by soluble agents acting in "multiple hits," PARG could be totally replaced either by LL or by digitonin in the generation of O2- provided that both PHA and cytochalasin B were present in the reaction mixtures. We suggest that the various ingredients of the soluble "cocktails" may help to assemble components of the NADPH oxidase. Such an assembly and regulations are prerequisite for stimulation of the NADPH oxidase and the generation of oxygen radicals in leukocytes.

Cell Membrane↗

PubMed1985

Review of in vitro activity of third-generation cephalosporins and other newer beta-lactam antibiotics against clinically important bacteria.

The third-generation cephalosporins and some newer beta-lactam compounds such as the monobactams and carbapenems, when compared with first- and second-generation cephalosporins, have an extended spectrum of activity and generally greater activity against gram-negative bacilli of clinical importance. The increased spectrum includes the Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Although the third-generation cephalosporins have some activity against P. aeruginosa, of those drugs now available in the United States, ceftazidime and cefoperazone are much more active than the others, and ceftazidime is more active than cefoperazone. The activity of the third-generation compounds against Acinetobacter species and other Pseudomonas species is limited. These compounds inhibit the growth of Hemophilus and Neisseria species (including beta-lactamase-producing isolates), nonenterococcal streptococci, and anaerobic gram-positive cocci. They also inhibit the growth of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci but generally are not as active against these organisms as are the first-generation cephalosporins. They do not inhibit methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The activity of third-generation cephalosporins against anaerobes varies, but moxalactam and ceftizoxime are similar in activity to cefoxitin, a second-generation compound. The third-generation cephalosporins do not inhibit the growth of Listeria. A majority of organisms resistant to cephalothin and cefamandole (first- and second-generation cephalosporins) and to aminoglycosides are inhibited by third-generation cephalosporins.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1992

Generation of free radicals from lipid hydroperoxides by Ni2+ in the presence of oligopeptides.

The generation of free radicals from lipid hydroperoxides by Ni2+ in the presence of several oligopeptides was investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) utilizing 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) as a spin trap. Incubation of Ni2+ with cumene hydroperoxide or t-butyl hydroperoxide did not generate any detectable free radical. In the presence of glycylglycylhistidine (GlyGlyHis), however, Ni2+ generated cumene peroxyl (ROO.) radical from cumene hydroperoxide, with the free radical generation reaching its saturation level within about 3 min. The reaction was first order with respect to both cumene hydroperoxide and Ni2+. Similar results were obtained using t-butyl hydroperoxide, but the yield of t-butyl peroxyl radical generation was about 7-fold lower. Other histidine-containing oligopeptides such as beta-alanyl-L-histidine (carnosine), gamma-aminobutyryl-L-histidine (homocarnosine), and beta-alanyl-3-methyl-L-histidine (anserine) caused the generation of both cumene alkyl (R.) and cumene alkoxyl (RO.) radicals in the reaction of Ni2+ with cumene hydroperoxide. Similar results were obtained using t-butyl hydroperoxide. Glutathione also caused generation of R. and RO. radicals in the reaction of Ni2+ with cumene hydroperoxide but the yield was approximately 25-fold greater than that produced by the histidine-containing peptides, except GlyGlyHis. The ratio of DMPO/R. and DMPO/RO. produced with glutathione and cumene hydroperoxide was approximately 3:1. Essentially the same results were obtained using t-butyl hydroperoxide except that the ratio of DMPO/R. to DMPO/RO. was approximately 1:1. The free radical generation from cumene hydroperoxide reached its saturation level almost instantaneously while in the case of t-butyl hydroperoxide, the saturation level was reached in about 3 min. In the presence of oxidized glutathione, the Ni2+/cumene hydroperoxide system caused DMPO/.OH generation from DMPO without forming free hydroxyl radical. Since glutathione, carnosine, homocarnosine, and anserine are considered to be cellular antioxidants, the present work suggests that instead of protecting against oxidative damage, these oligopeptides may facilitate the Ni(2+)-mediated free radical generation and thus may participate in the mechanism(s) of Ni2+ toxicity and carcinogenicity.

Benzene Derivatives↗

PubMed1992

Interleukin-7 mediates the generation and expansion of murine allosensitized and antitumor CTL.

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a 25-kDa cytokine that was initially described as a pre-B cell growth factor and more recently has been shown to cause T cell proliferation. We have investigated the in vitro effects of IL-7 on mature T cells to include the generation and further expansion of allospecific and antitumor CTL. B6 anti-DBA allospecific CTL were generated in the presence of IL-7, IL-2, the combination IL-7 plus IL-2, or no cytokine. IL-7 alone or when combined with IL-2 enhanced the generation of allospecific CTL. To evaluate the proliferative effects of IL-7, 4-day B6 anti-DBA cultures were cultured in IL-7, IL-2, or no cytokine. Cell proliferation and duration of growth of cells cultured in IL-7 were significantly greater than cells cultured in IL-2 or in the absence of cytokine. Allospecific cytolytic activity was maintained during proliferation in IL-7 to a maximum of 60 days. In contrast with the ability of IL-2 to generate LAK cells, murine splenocytes cultured at varying doses of IL-7 (1 to 10,000 ng/ml), resulted in minimal LAK cell activity. The effect of IL-7 in the generation of CTL with antitumor activity was also studied. Seven days after footpad injection of MCA 203 or 205 sarcoma, draining lymph nodes (DLN) were harvested and restimulated in vitro with MCA 203 or 205, respectively, and maintained in culture with either IL-7, IL-2, the combination of IL-7 plus IL-2, or no cytokine. After 10 days in culture, cells generated in IL-7 or IL-2 exhibited similar cytotoxicity against the syngeneic autologous MCA tumor. IL-7 generated cells, however, showed specificity when tested by 51Cr release which was not seen with IL-2-generated cells. Cells generated in IL-7 plus IL-2 were more cytolytic than cells cultured with either cytokine alone. To further define the mechanism of action of IL-7 in antitumor CTL cultures, a monoclonal antibody, S4B6.1, capable of blocking murine-specific IL-2 was employed. The partial inhibition by this mAb of the generation of antitumor CTL demonstrated that IL-7 acted, in part, by an IL-2-dependent mechanism. Finally, IL-7 cultures restimulated at Day 11 with autologous MCA 203 showed greater proliferation than IL-2 cultures and remained lytic at Day 21 of culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Electron paramagnetic resonance evidence that cellular oxygen toxicity is caused by the generation of superoxide and hydroxyl free radicals.

Cells require molecular oxygen for the generation of energy through mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation; however, high concentrations of oxygen are toxic and can cause cell death. A number of different mechanisms have been proposed to cause cellular oxygen toxicity. One hypothesis is that reactive oxygen free radicals may be generated; however free radical generation in hyperoxic cells has never been directly measured and the mechanism of this radical generation is unknown. In order to determine if cellular oxygen toxicity is free radical mediated, we applied electron paramagnetic resonance, EPR, spectroscopy using the spin trap 5,5'-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide, DMPO, to measure free radical generation in hyperoxic pulmonary endothelial cells. Cells in air did not give rise to any detectable signal. However, cells exposed to 100% O2 for 30 min exhibited a prominent signal of trapped hydroxyl radical, DMPO-OH, while cell free buffer did not give rise to any detectable radical generation. This cellular radical generation was demonstrated to be derived from the superoxide radical since the observed signal was totally quenched by superoxide dismutase, but not by equal concentrations of the denatured enzyme. It was confirmed that the hydroxyl radical was generated since in the presence of ethanol the CH3 CH(OH) radical was formed. Loss of cell viability as measured by uptake of trypan blue dye was observed paralleling the measured free radical generation. Thus, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals are generated in hyperoxic pulmonary endothelial cells and this appears to be an important mechanism of cellular oxygen toxicity.

Animals↗

PubMed2007

Simultaneous generation of CD34+ primitive hematopoietic cells and CD73+ mesenchymal stem cells from human embryonic stem cells cocultured with murine OP9 stromal cells.

OBJECTIVE: Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have been shown to generate CD34(+) primitive hematopoietic cells after several days of coculturing with the OP9 murine stromal cell line. CD73(+) multipotent mesenchymal cells have also been isolated from hESC/OP9 cocultures after several weeks. We hypothesized that generation of CD34(+) hematopoietic cells and CD73(+) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may follow similar kinetics, so we investigated the generation of CD73(+) cells in the first 2 weeks of hESC/OP9 cocultures, at a time when CD34(+) cells are generated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We cocultured hESCs with OP9 cells and examined the time course of appearance of human CD34(+) and CD73(+) cells using flow cytometry. We tested the hematopoietic progenitor potentials of CD34(+) cells generated using hematopoietic colony-forming assays, and the multipotent mesenchymal properties of CD73(+) cells generated using in vitro differentiation assays. RESULTS: We observed that in the first 2 weeks of the hESC/OP9 coculture system CD34(+) hematopoietic and CD73(+) MSC generation follows a similar pattern. We sorted the CD34(+) cells and showed that they can generate hematopoietic progenitor colonies. Starting with cocultured cells on day 8, and through an enrichment procedure, we also could generate a pure population of MSCs. These hESC-derived MSCs had typical morphological and cell surface marker characteristics of adult bone marrow-derived MSCs, and could be differentiated toward osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic cells in vitro, a hallmark property of MSCs. CONCLUSIONS: OP9 cells when cocultured with hESCs support simultaneous generation of CD34(+) primitive hematopoietic cells and CD73(+) MSCs from hESCs.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

PubMed2005

Solid waste generation from oil and gas industries in United Arab Emirates.

Solid wastes generated from oil and gas industrial activities are very diverse in their characteristics, large in their amounts and many of which are hazardous in nature. Thus, quantifying and characterizing the generated amounts in association with their types, classes, sources, industrial activities, and their chemical and biological characteristics is an obvious mandate when evaluating the possible management practices. This paper discusses the types, amounts, generation units, and the factors related to solid waste generation from a major oil and gas field in the United Arab Emirates (Asab Field). The generated amounts are calculated based on a 1-year data collection survey and using a database software specially developed and customized for the current study. The average annual amount of total solid waste generated in the studied field is estimated at 4061 t. Such amount is found equivalent to 650 kg/capita, 0.37 kg/barrel oil, and 1.6 kg/m3 of extracted gas. The average annual amount of hazardous solid waste is estimated at 55 t and most of which (73%) is found to be generated from gas extraction-related activities. The majority of other industrial non-hazardous solid waste is generated from oil production-related activities (41%), The present analysis does also provide the estimated generation amounts per waste type and class, amounts of combustible, recyclable, and compostable wastes, and the amounts dumped in uncontrolled way as well as disposed into special hazardous landfill facilities. The results should help the decision makers in evaluating the best alternatives available to manage the solid wastes generated from the oil and gas industries.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗

PubMed2005

Humans can consciously generate random number sequences: a possible test for artificial intelligence.

Computer algorithms can only produce seemingly random or pseudorandom numbers whereas certain natural phenomena, such as the decay of radioactive particles, can be utilized to produce truly random numbers. In this study, the ability of humans to generate random numbers was tested in healthy adults. Subjects were simply asked to generate and dictate random numbers. Generated numbers were tested for uniformity, independence and information density. The results suggest that humans can generate random numbers that are uniformly distributed, independent of one another and unpredictable. If humans can generate sequences of random numbers then neural networks or forms of artificial intelligence, which are purported to function in ways essentially the same as the human brain, should also be able to generate sequences of random numbers. Elucidating the precise mechanism by which humans generate random number sequences and the underlying neural substrates may have implications in the cognitive science of decision-making. It is possible that humans use their random-generating neural machinery to make difficult decisions in which all expected outcomes are similar. It is also possible that certain people, perhaps those with neurological or psychiatric impairments, are less able or unable to generate random numbers. If the random-generating neural machinery is employed in decision making its impairment would have profound implications in matters of agency and free will.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Age-related changes in non-receptor dependent generation of reactive oxygen species from phagocytes of healthy adults.

Several authors have shown that neutrophil generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) declines with advancing age. Similar changes have also been suggested in monocytes. In both cases alterations in second messenger activity have been implicated as the most likely explanation for these observations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of age on phagocyte ROS generation, stimulated by the direct activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Venous blood was drawn from normal healthy subjects, cells were separated on a double density gradient into mononuclear and polymorphonuclear (pmn) cells. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was employed as a cell stimulus. Superoxide generation was measured by cytochrome c reduction and myeloperoxidase (MPO) products by measurement of peak luminol chemiluminescence (CL). Fifty-eight subjects, 25 males and 33 females, were studied, median age 49 years (range 26-88 years). Polymorphonuclear cell superoxide generation was significantly higher in males and there was a trend towards higher pmn MPO product generation in males. Using Spearman's ranked correlation coefficient, monocyte superoxide generation was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.473, P < 0.001). No changes in the generation of MPO products was found. There were also trends towards a negative correlation of pmn cytochrome c reduction and peak luminol CL with age in males but not females. Since PMA directly activates protein kinase C, reduced monocyte superoxide generation with increasing age appears to be related to alterations in the ROS generating system downstream of the cell receptor. Impaired monocyte superoxide generation may have implications for non-specific defence against certain infections and early tumour growth in the elderly. Factors underlying these changes in monocyte function therefore require further study.

Adult↗