Search results for " ALPHA"

Nitrate Reductase Activity of Mitochondrial Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH-2) as a Redox Sensor for Cardiovascular Oxidative Stress

2009

In 2002, mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-2) was identified as an organic nitrate bioactivating enzyme. This so-called nitrate reductase activity denitrates nitroglycerin (glycerol trinitrate) to its 1,2-glycerol dinitrate metabolite and nitrite. This reaction relies on reduced thiols at the active site of the enzyme and on the presence of reduced dithiols as the electron source. During bioconversion of nitroglycerin, and also in the presence of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, the active site thiols of ALDH-2 are oxidized and the enzyme looses its activity. We, therefore, speculated that ALDH-2 activity could be a useful marker for cardiovascular oxidative stress. Indeed, th…

Specific and Nonspecific Regulation of GPCR Function by Cholesterol

2012

Response to letter from Professor Peter Ferenci

2005

Hating Adolescents Test (HAT): a preliminary development of a measure to assess hating among adolescents

2020

The phenomenon of haters is becoming common among adolescents. The aims of the present research were to evaluate the preliminary psychometric properties of the Hating Adolescents Test (HAT), an ad hoc questionnaire created to evaluate online and offline hate (Study 1), and possible risk factors connected with hate (Study 2). Participants (202 female and 200 male) of this study completed the HAT, the How I Think Questionnaire, the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were applied. Preliminary data suggest how males reported higher level of hate than…

Integrin α2β1 Mediates Isoform-Specific Activation of p38 and Upregulation of Collagen Gene Transcription by a Mechanism Involving the α2 Cytoplasmic…

1999

Two collagen receptors, integrins alpha1beta1 and alpha2beta1, can regulate distinct functions in cells. Ligation of alpha1beta1, unlike alpha2beta1, has been shown to result in recruitment of Shc and activation of the Ras/ERK pathway. To identify the downstream signaling molecules activated by alpha2beta1 integrin, we have overexpressed wild-type alpha2, or chimeric alpha2 subunit with alpha1 integrin cytoplasmic domain in human osteosarcoma cells (Saos-2) lacking endogenous alpha2beta1. The chimeric alpha2/alpha1 chain formed a functional heterodimer with beta1. In contrast to alpha2/alpha1 chimera, forced expression of alpha2 integrin resulted in upregulation of alpha1 (I) collagen gene …

Not All Academics Are Alike: First Validation of the Academics' Quality of Life at Work Scale (AQoLW)

2018

Background: Relating to the macro-level changes and the increasing complexity of the academic system, a growing number of studies began to investigate the perceived working context impact on well-being and job satisfaction of academics. A unique duality characterizes this context: academics cannot be longer defined as stress-free, but at the same time they are still satisfied and engaged in their work. There is a need to evaluate the academic environment not only in terms of stressor and strain, but also in terms of which experiences are sources of fulfillment. The study aimed to explore psychometric properties of a new instrument (AQoLW) for assessing context-specific features of the acade…

Dabīgu imūnmodulatoru kvalitātes kontroles metožu izvērtējums un stimulējošās iedarbības salīdzinājums ar baktēriju endotoksīnu

2016

Darba mērķis bija raksturot dabīga imūnmodulatora AMP dezamināzes aktivitāti saturoša glikoproteīnu kompleksa (AMPD) darbību in vitro un novērtēt, vai šī iedarbība nav saistīta ar iespējamo endotoksīna (LPS) piesārņojumu. Tika izvērtētas AMPD attīrīšanas metodes, salīdzināta AMPD, LPS un lentināna ietekme uz iekaisuma citokīnu sekrēciju mononukleārajās šūnās, kā arī uz dermas fibroblastu proliferāciju. AMPD frakcijas sastāvs un polisaharīda daļas iespējami strukturālā līdzība ar LPS sarežģīja kvalitātes kontroli. Tāpat kā LPS, AMPD stimulēja TNF un IL-6 produkciju un veicināja dermas fibroblastu proliferāciju ar imūnšūnu sekretēto proteīnu starpniecību. LPS neitralizēšanai izmantojamās met…

Enhanced Lipid Peroxidation and Platelet Activation in the Early Phase of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

2003

Background— To investigate early events possibly related to the development of diabetic angiopathy, we examined whether 8-iso-prostaglandin F 2α (8-iso-PGF 2α ) formation, a marker of in vivo oxidant stress, is altered in different stages of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and whether it correlates with the rate of thromboxane (TX) A 2 biosynthesis, a marker of in vivo platelet activation. We also investigated the relationship between inflammatory markers and F 2 -isoprostane formation in this setting. Methods and Results— A cross-sectional study was performed in 23 insulin-treated patients aged <18 years with new-onset T1DM (≤6 weeks, group A), matched for age and gender with 23 patients with s…

Monitoring biomarkers during preseason preparation period in professional soccer players

2011

Aim. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of a 3-week experimental intervention on biomarkers in professional soccer players during the preseason preparation-period. Methods. Eight participants (age 22.5±2.2 yrs) were enrolled in the study. During the physical preparation period players have attended a training program (51,9 hours) planned by coaches of “Equipe-Sicilia-2009”. Results. At rest, the lipid profile, the creatine kinase (CK), the lactic-acid dehydrogenase (LDH) and the expression of nuclear receptors peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR α/γ) were analyzed before starting and after 3 weeks of training sessions. The plasma level of CK in our samples sho…

2019

The etiology of overweight and obesity is a mixture of genetic determinants, environmental factors and health behaviors. Especially intra- and interpersonal inactive behaviors, here termed convenience seems to play an important role. The objective was to develop and validate the Convenience Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) to assess convenience-related items and their association with overweight and obesity in a large population. A sample of 1233 subjects aged 18 to 82 years from six population groups took part in a self-administered questionnaire. Test-retest reliability was estimated and the independent association between convenience-related items and overweight and obesity was investigated.…