Acido solfidrico nella letteratura internazionale Studi inseriti in PubMed nel mese di giugno 2015

(aggiornamento all' 8 luglio 2015)

(1) Tsai CY, Wen SY, Shibu MA, Yang YC, Peng H, Wang B, et al. Diallyl trisulfide protects against high glucose-induced cardiac apoptosis by stimulating the production of cystathionine gamma-lyase-derived hydrogen sulfide. Int J Cardiol 2015 Sep 15;195:300-10. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE)-derived hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a potent cardioprotective agent. We investigated the effects of diallyl trisulfide (DATS) on CSE expression and H2S generation in myocardium and examined whether DATS-mediated H2S generation effectively protects rat heart from diabetes-induced cardiac damage. METHODS: The correlations between the effects of hyperglycemia and diabetes on CSE expression and the effects of DATS and H2S on hyperglycemia and diabetes were examined in vitro in the cardiomyocyte cell line H9c2 and in vivo in hearts from rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (DM). RESULTS: Expression of CSE, a catalyst of H2S production, was suppressed in H9c2 cells treated with high glucose (33mM) and in DM rat hearts. CSE suppression also correlated with a decrease in the activation of the pro-survival protein kinase Akt. Treatment of H9c2 cells with DATS resulted in increased CSE expression and a reduction in apoptosis via a mechanism involving IGF1R/pAkt signaling and by modulating the expression of reactive oxygen species-related enzymes. The role CSE plays in the cardioprotective effects of DATS was further confirmed by CSE inhibition assays including inhibitors and siRNA. CONCLUSION: DATS produces H2S as efficiently as NaSH and DATS-derived H2S provides effective cardioprotection. Further, our data indicate that H2S plays a major role in the protective effect of DATS against apoptosis of cardiomyocytes

(2) Yu F, Gao M, Li M, Chen L. A dual response near-infrared fluorescent probe for hydrogen polysulfides and superoxide anion detection in cells and in vivo. Biomaterials 2015 Sep;63:93-101. Abstract: Intracellular reactive sulfur species play important roles in physiological and pathological processes. Emerging evidences suggest that sulfane sulfur instead of H2S is the actual signaling molecule in these processes. Sulfane sulfur can be generated as a result of the reaction between [Formula: see text] and H2S in mitochondria. Therefore, we develop a near-infrared mitochondria-targeting probe that allows multiresponse to [Formula: see text] and H2Sn successively for investigating this biosynthetic reaction. The probe exhibits highly selective fluorescent response to [Formula: see text] and H2Sn successively in presence of potential biological interferants. Fluorescent imaging studies and flow cytometry analysis of RAW264.7 cells elaborate that the probe can be used to reveal the continuous process of [Formula: see text] burst and H2Sn production in situ and in real-time. The mitochondria isolation indicates that the probe can specifically localize in mitochondria. Finally, the fluorescent probe has been successfully applied to detect [Formula: see text] and H2Sn in mice

(3) Yang B, Zhang W, Tian R, Wang Y, Qian PY. Changing composition of microbial communities indicates seepage fluid difference of the Thuwal Seeps in the Red Sea. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2015 Aug;108(2):461-71. Abstract: Cold seeps are unique ecosystems that are generally characterized by high

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salinity and reducing solutions. Seepage fluid, the major water influx of this system, contains hypersaline water, sediment pore water, and other components. The Thuwal cold seeps were recently discovered on the continental margin of the Red Sea. Using 16S rRNA gene pyro-sequencing technology, microbial communities were investigated by comparing samples collected in 2011 and 2013. The results revealed differences in the microbial communities between the two sampling times. In particular, a significantly higher abundance of Marine Group I (MGI) Thaumarchaeota was coupled with lower salinity in 2013. In the brine pool, the dominance of Desulfobacterales in 2011 was supplanted by MGI Thaumarchaeota in 2013, perhaps due to a reduced supply of hydrogen sulfide from the seepage fluid. Collectively, this study revealed a difference in water components in this ecosystem between two sampling times. The results indicated that the seawater in this cold seep displayed a greater number of characteristics of normal seawater in 2013 than in 2011, which might represent the dominant driving force for changes in microbial community structures. This is the first study to provide a temporal comparison of the microbial biodiversity of a cold seep ecosystem in the Red Sea

(4) Sheng QK, Yang ZJ, Zhao HB, Wang XL, Guo JF. Effects of L-tryptophan, Fructan, and Casein on Reducing Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Skatole in Fermented Swine Manure. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2015 Aug;28(8):1202-8. Abstract: The effects of daily dietary Bacillus subtilis (Bs), and adding L-tryptophan, fructan, or casein to fecal fermentation broths were investigated as means to reduce the production of noxious gas during manure fermentation caused by ammonia, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and 3-methylindole (skatole). Eighty swine (50.0+/-0.5 kg) were equally apportioned to an experimental group given Bs in daily feed, or a control group without Bs. After 6 weeks, fresh manure was collected from both groups for fermentation studies using a 3x3 orthogonal array, in which tryptophan, casein, and fructan were added at various concentrations. After fermentation, the ammonia, H2S, L-tryptophan, skatole, and microflora were measured. In both groups, L-tryptophan was the principle additive increasing skatole production, with significant correlation (r = 0.9992). L-tryptophan had no effect on the production of ammonia, H2S, or skatole in animals fed Bs. In both groups, fructan was the principle additive that reduced H2S production (r = 0.9981). Fructan and Bs significantly interacted in H2S production (p = 0.014). Casein was the principle additive affecting the concentration of ammonia, only in the control group. Casein and Bs significantly interacted in ammonia production (p = 0.039). The predominant bacteria were Bacillus spp. CWBI B1434 (26%) in the control group, and Streptococcus alactolyticus AF201899 (36%) in the experimental group. In summary, daily dietary Bs reduced ammonia production during fecal fermentation. Lessening L-tryptophan and increasing fructan in the fermentation broth reduced skatole and H2S

(5) Sun YF, Li JH, Cui L, Hua B, Cui SH, Li J, et al. A-site-deficiency facilitated in situ growth of bimetallic Ni-Fe nano-alloys: a novel coking-tolerant fuel cell anode catalyst. Nanoscale 2015 Jul 7;7(25):11173-81. Abstract: To date, most investigations of Ni-Fe bimetallic catalysts for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have focused on materials with micro-scale particle sizes, which severely restrict their catalytic activity. In this study, we fabricated a Ni- and/or Fe-doped A-site-deficient LaSrCrO3 perovskite (A-LSC) bimetallic anode material on which the in situ exsolution of uniformly dispersed nano Ni, Fe and Ni-Fe alloy with an average particle size of 25 to 30 nm was facilitated by the introduction of A-site deficiency under a reducing atmosphere. The dopants were shown to significantly enhance the electrical conductivity of the material by many orders of magnitude. Further characterization of the bimetallic material showed that the addition of Fe changed the reduction behavior and increased the amount of oxygen vacancies in the material. Fuel cell performance tests demonstrated that the prepared bimetallic anode catalyst with a highly catalytically active nano Ni-Fe alloy promoted the electrochemical performance in 5000 ppm H2S-syngas and improved the carbon deposition resistance compared to a monometallic anode catalyst

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(6) Nagarkar SS, Desai AV, Ghosh SK. A Nitro-Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework as a Reaction-Based Fluorescence Turn-On Probe for Rapid and Selective H2 S Detection. Chemistry 2015 Jul 6;21(28):9994-7. Abstract: The toxic gas H2 S has recently emerged as one of the important signaling molecules in biological systems. Thus understanding the production, distribution, and mode of action of H2 S in biological system is important, but the fleeting and reactive nature of H2 S makes it a daunting task. Herein we report a biocompatible, nitro-functionalized metal-organic framework as reaction-based fluorescence turn-on probe for fast and selective H2 S detection. The selective turn-on performance of MOF remains unaffected even in presence of competing biomolecules

(7) Li X, Xu J, Lv Z, Wang J, Sun S, Zhu W, et al. Inadequate activation of the HBsAg-specific Th cells by APCs leads to hyporesponsiveness to HBsAg vaccine in B10.S mice. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2015 Jul 3;11(7):1735-43. Abstract: Hepatitis B can be effectively prevented by hepatitis B vaccination. However, hyporesponse to the hepatitis B vaccine has been found in both human and inbred mice with particular MHC alleles or haplotypes, but the mechanisms underlying this poor response remains elusive. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the hyporesponse to hepatitis B vaccination using B10.S-H2s/SgMcdJ (B10.S, H-2(s), poor responder) and C57BL/10J (B10, H-2(b), good responder) mice. We observed that the B10.S mice displayed a hyporesponse to HBsAg vaccine but a normal response to 3 other foreign antigens (influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine, tetanus toxoid and ovalbumin). In B10.S mice immunized with HBsAg, the levels of serum anti-HBs IgG, the number of HBsAg-specific IgG-secreting plasma cells and HBsAg-specific Th cells were considerably lower than that in B10 mice. Further, the findings of the insufficient maturation (CD86), co-stimulation (CD40) and migration (CCR7) activities of DCs together with the inadequate activation of the HBsAg-specific Th cells by APCs were identified as part of the reason for the HBsAg hyporesponse in B10.S mice, which supports the hypothesis that measures aimed at promoting the maturation, co-stimulation or migration of APCs to enhance Th cell activation may be a useful strategy for the development of new hepatitis B vaccines

(8) Mishra PK, Saha T, Talukdar P. Hydrogen sulfide mediated cascade reaction forming an iminocoumarin: applications in fluorescent probe development and live-cell imaging. Org Biomol Chem 2015 Jul 2;13(27):7430-6. Abstract: The study on a fluorescent probe that undergoes a H2S mediated cascade reaction to form an iminocoumarin fluorophore is reported. The probe features better water solubility and fast sensing time (t1/2 = 6.1 min and response time = 24 min) as key advances compared to the reported probe that works on a similar mechanism. The sensing mechanism of the probe was demonstrated by mass spectrometric, HPLC titration and FT-IR titration methods. H2S sensing by the probe was characterized by a 31-fold fluorescence enhancement and alimit of detection of 169 nM. Application of the probe was demonstrated by imaging of H2S in live cells

(9) Das A, Samidurai A, Hoke NN, Kukreja RC, Salloum FN. Hydrogen sulfide mediates the cardioprotective effects of gene therapy with PKG-Ialpha. Basic Res Cardiol 2015 Jul;110(4):42. Abstract: Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) is a serine-threonine kinase that mediates the cardioprotective effect of ischemic and pharmacologic preconditioning. Since hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been implicated in mediating the cardioprotective effects of the cGMP modulators tadalafil and cinaciguat, we tested the hypothesis that myocardial gene therapy with PKG exerts cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury through a mechanism involving H2S. Adult rat cardiomyocytes were infected with adenoviral vector encoding PKGIalpha or inactive mutant PKGIalphaK390A (K390A) for 24 h. Necrosis and apoptosis (n = 6/group) were determined after 90 min of simulated ischemia and 1 or 18 h of reoxygenation, respectively. To study the effect of PKGIalpha in vivo, mice received

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intramyocardial injections of adenoviral PKGIalpha or K390A. Four days later, the hearts were subjected to 30 min of ischemia followed by reperfusion for 24 h. The inhibitor of H2S-producing enzyme, cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE), dl-propargylglycine (PAG, 50 mg/kg, ip) was given 30 min before ischemia. PKGIalpha overexpression induced CSE expression, whereas cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase expression was not changed. PKGIalpha overexpression increased H2S in the heart and cardiomyocytes in relation to control and PKGIalphaK390A. Moreover, PAG abolished protection with PKGIalpha in vitro by increasing necrosis (35.2 +/- 1.7%, P < 0.05) and apoptosis (23.5 +/- 1.8 %, P < 0.05) as compared to PKGIalpha-overexpressing cells (necrosis: 17.2 +/- 0.9% and apoptosis: 13.2 +/- 0.8%). In vivo, PKGIalpha overexpression reduced infarct size and preserved left ventricular fractional shortening as compared with K390A (P < 0.05) and PAG abolished the cardioprotective effect of PKGIalpha. The protective effect of myocardial gene therapy with PKGIalpha against I/R injury is mediated through a mechanism involving H2S signaling

(10) Mishanina TV, Libiad M, Banerjee R. Biogenesis of reactive sulfur species for signaling by hydrogen sulfide oxidation pathways. Nat Chem Biol 2015 Jul;11(7):457-64. Abstract: The chemical species involved in H2S signaling remain elusive despite the profound and pleiotropic physiological effects elicited by this molecule. The dominant candidate mechanism for sulfide signaling is persulfidation of target proteins. However, the relatively poor reactivity of H2S toward oxidized thiols, such as disulfides, the low concentration of disulfides in the reducing milieu of the cell and the low steady-state concentration of H2S raise questions about the plausibility of persulfide formation via reaction between an oxidized thiol and a sulfide anion or a reduced thiol and oxidized hydrogen disulfide. In contrast, sulfide oxidation pathways, considered to be primarily mechanisms for disposing of excess sulfide, generate a series of reactive sulfur species, including persulfides, polysulfides and thiosulfate, that could modify target proteins. We posit that sulfide oxidation pathways mediate sulfide signaling and that sulfurtransferases ensure target specificity

(11) Lam YY, Ha CW, Hoffmann JM, Oscarsson J, Dinudom A, Mather TJ, et al. Effects of dietary fat profile on gut permeability and microbiota and their relationships with metabolic changes in mice. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2015 Jul;23(7):1429-39. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To distinguish the effects of dietary fat profile on gut parameters and their relationships with metabolic changes and to determine the capacity of n-3 fatty acids to modify gut variables in the context of diet-induced metabolic dysfunctions. METHODS: Mice received control or high-fat diets emphasizing saturated (HFD-sat), n-6 (HFD-n6), or n-3 (HFD-n3) fatty acids for 8 weeks. In another cohort, mice that were maintained on HFD-sat received n-3-rich fish oil or resolvin D1 supplementation. RESULTS: HFD-sat and HFD-n6 induced similar weight gain, but only HFD-sat increased index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), colonic permeability, and mesenteric fat inflammation. Hydrogen sulfide-producing bacteria were one of the major groups driving the diet-specific changes in gut microbiome, with the overall microbial profile being associated with changes in body weight, HOMA-IR, and gut permeability. In mice maintained on HFD-sat, fish oil and resolvin D1 restored barrier function and reduced inflammation in the colon but were unable to normalize HOMA-IR. CONCLUSIONS: Different dietary fat profiles led to distinct intestinal and metabolic outcomes that are independent of obesity. Interventions targeting inflammation successfully restored gut health but did not reverse systemic aspects of diet-induced metabolic dysfunction, implicating separation between gut dysfunctions and disease-initiating and/or -maintaining processes

(12) Passow CN, Greenway R, rias-Rodriguez L, Jeyasingh PD, Tobler M. Reduction of Energetic Demands through Modification of Body Size and Routine Metabolic Rates in Extremophile Fish. Physiol Biochem Zool 2015 Jul;88(4):371-83. Abstract: Variation in energy availability or maintenance costs in extreme environments can exert selection for efficient energy use, and reductions in organismal energy demand can

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be achieved in two ways: reducing body mass or metabolic suppression. Whether long-term exposure to extreme environmental conditions drives adaptive shifts in body mass or metabolic rates remains an open question. We studied body size variation and variation in routine metabolic rates in locally adapted populations of extremophile fish (Poecilia mexicana) living in toxic, hydrogen sulfide-rich springs and caves. We quantified size distributions and routine metabolic rates in wild-caught individuals from four habitat types. Compared with ancestral populations in nonsulfidic surface habitats, extremophile populations were characterized by significant reductions in body size. Despite elevated metabolic rates in cave fish, the body size reduction precipitated in significantly reduced energy demands in all extremophile populations. Laboratory experiments on common garden-raised fish indicated that elevated routine metabolic rates in cave fish likely have a genetic basis. The results of this study indicate that adaptation to extreme environments directly impacts energy metabolism, with fish living in cave and sulfide spring environments expending less energy overall during routine metabolism

(13) Yuan Z, Lu F, Peng M, Wang CW, Tseng YT, Du Y, et al. Selective Colorimetric Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide Based on Primary Amine-Active Ester Cross-Linking of Gold Nanoparticles. Anal Chem 2015 Jun 30. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a highly toxic environmental pollutant and also an important gaseous transmitter. Therefore, selective detection of H2S is very important, and visual detection of it with the naked eye is preferred in practical applications. In this study, thiolated azido derivates and active esters functionalized gold nanoparticles (AE-AuNPs)-based nanosensors have been successfully prepared for H2S perception. The sensing principle consists of two steps: first, H2S reduces the azide group to a primary amine; second, a cross-linking reaction between the primary amine and active ester induces the aggregation of AuNPs. The AE-AuNPs-based nanosensors show high selectivity toward H2S over other anions and thiols due to the specific azide-H2S chemistry. Under optimal conditions, 0.2 muM H2S is detectable using a UV-vis spectrophotometer, and 4 muM H2S can be easily detected by the naked eye. In addition, the practical application of the designed nanosensors was evaluated with lake water samples

(14) Koller TM, Heller A, Rausch MH, Wasserscheid P, Economou IG, Froba AP. Mutual and Self-Diffusivities in Binary Mixtures of [EMIM][B(CN)] with Dissolved Gases by Using Dynamic Light Scattering and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Phys Chem B 2015 Jun 30. Abstract: Ionic liquids (ILs) are possible working fluids for the separation of carbon dioxide (CO2) from flue gases. For evaluating their performance in such processes, reliable mutual-diffusivity data are required for mixtures of ILs with relevant flue gas components. In the present study, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used for the investigation of the molecular diffusion in binary mixtures of the IL 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetracyanoborate ([EMIM][B(CN)4]) with the dissolved gases carbon dioxide, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, oxygen, and hydrogen sulfide at temperatures from 298.15 to 363.15 K and pressures up to 63 bar. At conditions approaching infinite dilution of a gas, the Fick mutual diffusivity of the mixture measured by DLS and the self-diffusivity of the corresponding gas calculated by MD simulations match, which could be generally found within combined uncertainties. The obtained diffusivities are in agreement with literature data for the same or comparable systems as well as with the general trend of increasing diffusivities for decreasing IL viscosities. The DLS and MD results reveal distinctly larger molecular diffusivities for [EMIM][B(CN)4]-hydrogen mixtures compared to mixtures with all other gases. This behavior results in the failure of an empirical correlation with the molar volumes of the gases at their normal boiling points. The DLS experiments also showed that there is no noticeable influence of the dissolved gas and temperature on the thermal diffusivity of the studied systems

(15) Lv C, Aitchison EW, Wu D, Zheng L, Cheng X, Yang W. Comparative exploration of hydrogen sulfide and water transmembrane free energy surfaces via orthogonal space

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tempering free energy sampling. J Comput Chem 2015 Jun 29. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2 S), a commonly known toxic gas compound, possesses unique chemical features that allow this small solute molecule to quickly diffuse through cell membranes. Taking advantage of the recent orthogonal space tempering (OST) method, we comparatively mapped the transmembrane free energy landscapes of H2 S and its structural analogue, water (H2 O), seeking to decipher the molecular determinants that govern their drastically different permeabilities. As revealed by our OST sampling results, in contrast to the highly polar water solute, hydrogen sulfide is evidently amphipathic, and thus inside membrane is favorably localized at the interfacial region, that is, the interface between the polar head-group and nonpolar acyl chain regions. Because the membrane binding affinity of H2 S is mainly governed by its small hydrophobic moiety and the barrier height inbetween the interfacial region and the membrane center is largely determined by its moderate polarity, the transmembrane free energy barriers to encounter by this toxic molecule are very small. Moreover when H2 S diffuses from the bulk solution to the membrane center, the above two effects nearly cancel each other, so as to lead to a negligible free energy difference. This study not only explains why H2 S can quickly pass through cell membranes but also provides a practical illustration on how to use the OST free energy sampling method to conveniently analyze complex molecular processes. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

(16) Jupiter RC, Yoo D, Pankey EA, Reddy VG, Edward JA, Polhemus DJ, et al. Analysis of Erectile Responses to H2S donors in the Anesthetized Rat. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2015 Jun 26;ajpheart. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a biologically active endogenous gasotransmitter formed in penile tissue that has been shown to relax isolated cavernosal smooth muscle. In the present study erectile responses to the H2S donors sodium sulfide (Na2S) and sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) were investigated in the anesthetized rat. Intracavernosal (ic) injections of Na2S in doses of 0.03-1 mg/kg increased intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and transiently decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP) in a dose dependent manner. Blood pressure responses to Na2S were rapid in onset and short in duration. Responses to Na2S and NaHS were similar at doses up to 0.3 mg/kg, after which a plateau in the erectile response to NaHS was reached. Increases in ICP in response to Na2S were attenuated by tetraethylammonium (TEA; K+ channel inhibitor) and iberiotoxin (large conductance calcium-activated K+ channel (BKCa) inhibitor), whereas glybenclamide (KATP channel inhibitor) and inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), cyclooxygenase, and cytochrome p450 epoxygenase had no effect. These data indicate that erectile responses to Na2S are mediated by a TEA- and iberiotoxin-sensitive mechanism and that KATP channels, NO, or arachidonic acid metabolites are not involved. Na2S did not alter erectile responses to sodium nitroprusside (NO donor) or cavernosal nerve stimulation indicating that neither NO nor cGMP metabolism are altered. Thus, Na2S has erectile activity mediated by BKCa channels. It is suggested that strategies that increase H2S formation in penile tissue may be useful in the treatment of erectile dysfunction when NO bioavailability, KATP channel function, or poor responses to PGE1 are present

(17) Wedmann R, Zahl A, Shubina TE, Durr M, Heinemann FW, Bugenhagen BE, et al. Does Perthionitrite (SSNO) Account for Sustained Bioactivity of NO? A (Bio)chemical Characterization. Inorg Chem 2015 Jun 26. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO) are important signaling molecules that regulate several physiological functions. Understanding the chemistry behind their interplay is important for explaining these functions. The reaction of H2S with S-nitrosothiols to form the smallest S-nitrosothiol, thionitrous acid (HSNO), is one example of physiologically relevant cross-talk between H2S and nitrogen species. Perthionitrite (SSNO-) has recently been considered as an important biological source of NO that is far more stable and longer living than HSNO. In order to experimentally address this issue here, we prepared

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(18) Zhao C, Zhang X, Li K, Zhu S, Guo Z, Zhang L, et al. Forster Resonance Energy Transfer Switchable Self-Assembled Micellar Nanoprobe: Ratiometric Fluorescent Trapping of Endogenous HS Generation via Fluvastatin-Stimulated Upregulation. J Am Chem Soc 2015 Jun 26. Abstract: H2S produced in small amounts by mammalian cells has been identified in mediating biological signaling functions. However, the in situ trapping of endogenous H2S generation is still handicapped by a lack of straightforward methods with high selectivity and fast response. Here, we encapsulate a semi-cyanine-BODIPY hybrid dye (BODInD-Cl) and its complementary energy donor (BODIPY1) into the hydrophobic interior of an amphiphilic copolymer (mPEG-DSPE), especially for building up a ratiometric fluorescent H2S nanoprobe with extraordinarily fast response. A remarkable red-shift in the absorption band with a gap of 200 nm in the H2S response can efficiently switch off the Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from BODIPY1 to BODInD-Cl, subsequently recovering the donor fluorescence. Impressively, both the interior hydrophobicity of supramolecular micelles and electron-withdrawing nature of indolium unit in BODInD-Cl can sharply increase aromatic nucleophilic substitution with H2S. The ratiometric strategy based on the unique self-assembled micellar aggregate NanoBODIPY achieves an extremely fast response, enabling in situ imaging of endogenous H2S production and mapping its physiological and pathological consequences. Moreover, the amphiphilic copolymer renders the micellar assembly biocompatible and soluble in aqueous solution. The established FRET-switchable macromolecular envelope around BODInD-Cl and BODIPY1 enables cellular uptake, and makes a breakthrough in the trapping of endogenous H2S generation within raw264.7 macrophages upon stimulation with fluvastatin. This study manifests that cystathione gamma-lyase (CSE) upregulation contributes to endogenous H2S generation in fluvastatin-stimulated macrophages, along with a correlation between CSE/H2S and activating Akt signaling pathway

(19) Cui Y, Duan X, Li H, Dang B, Yin J, Wang Y, et al. Hydrogen Sulfide Ameliorates Early Brain Injury Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats. Mol Neurobiol 2015 Jun 26. Abstract: Increasing studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in central nervous system (CNS) diseases. However, the potential application value of H2S in the therapy of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is still not well known. This study was to investigate the potential effect of H2S on early brain injury (EBI) induced by SAH and explore the underlying mechanisms. The role of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a donor of H2S, in SAH-induced EBI, was investigated in both in vivo and in vitro. A prechiasmatic cistern single injection model was used to produce experimental SAH in vivo. In vitro, cultured primary rat cortical neurons and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to OxyHb at concentration of 10 muM to mimic SAH. Endogenous production of H2S in the brain was significantly inhibited by SAH. The protein levels of the predominant H2S-generating enzymes in the brain, including cystathionineb-synthase (CBS) and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase (3MST), were also correspondingly reduced by SAH, while treatment with NaHS restored H2S production and the expressions of CBS and 3MST. More importantly, NaHS treatment could significantly attenuate EBI (including brain edema, blood-brain barrier disruption, brain cell apoptosis, inflammatory response, and cerebral vasospasm) after SAH. In vitro, H2S protects neurons and endothelial function by functioning as an antioxidant and antiapoptotic mediator. Our results suggest that NaSH as an exogenous H2S donor could significantly reduce EBI induced by SAH

(20) Wei C, Zhao Y, Wang L, Peng X, Li H, Zhao Y, et al. H S restores the cardioprotection from ischemic post-conditioning in isolated aged rat hearts. Cell Biol Int 2015 Jun 25. Abstract: This study explored the mechanisms underlying the recovery of myocardial protection from ischemic post-conditioning (PC) by exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) in aged rat hearts. We observed that ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and promoted phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in both young hearts and aged hearts. PC up-

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regulated ERK1/2 phosphorylations and down-regulated p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylations. Exogenous H2 S further enhanced the role of PC in the young hearts. In the aged hearts, PC failed to affect all these 3 MAPK members, while co-treatment with exogenous H2 S induced ERK1/2 and reduced p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylations. These results suggest that exogenous H2 S recovers PC-induced cardioprotection via MAPK pathway in the aged hearts

(21) Hammers MD, Taormina MJ, Cerda MM, Montoya LA, Seidenkranz DT, Parthasarathy R, et al. A Bright Fluorescent Probe for HS Enables Analyte-Responsive, 3D Imaging in Live Zebrafish Using Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy. J Am Chem Soc 2015 Jun 25. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a critical gaseous signaling molecule emerging at the center of a rich field of chemical and biological research. As our understanding of the complexity of physiological H2S in signaling pathways evolves, advanced chemical and technological investigative tools are required to make sense of this interconnectivity. Toward this goal, we have developed an azide-functionalized O-methylrhodol fluorophore, MeRho-Az, which exhibits a rapid >1000-fold fluorescence response when treated with H2S, is selective for H2S over other biological analytes, and has a detection limit of 86 nM. Additionally, the MeRho-Az scaffold is less susceptible to photoactivation than other commonly used azide-based systems, increasing its potential application in imaging experiments. To demonstrate the efficacy of this probe for H2S detection, we demonstrate the ability of MeRho-Az to detect differences in H2S levels in C6 cells and those treated with AOAA, a common inhibitor of enzymatic H2S synthesis. Expanding the use of MeRho-Az to complex and heterogeneous biological settings, we used MeRho-Az in combination with light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) to visualize H2S in the intestinal tract of live zebrafish. This application provides the first demonstration of analyte-responsive 3D imaging with LSFM, highlighting the utility of combining new probes and live imaging methods for investigating chemical signaling in complex multicellular systems

(22) Miwa JA, Dendzik M, Gronborg SS, Bianchi M, Lauritsen JV, Hofmann P, et al. Van der Waals Epitaxy of Two-Dimensional MoS2-Graphene Heterostructures in Ultrahigh Vacuum. ACS Nano 2015 Jun 23;9(6):6502-10. Abstract: In this work, we demonstrate direct van der Waals epitaxy of MoS2-graphene heterostructures on a semiconducting silicon carbide (SiC) substrate under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements show that the electronic structure of free-standing single-layer (SL) MoS2 is retained in these heterostructures due to the weak van der Waals interaction between adjacent materials. The MoS2 synthesis is based on a reactive physical vapor deposition technique involving Mo evaporation and sulfurization in a H2S atmosphere on a template consisting of epitaxially grown graphene on SiC. Using scanning tunneling microscopy, we study the seeding of Mo on this substrate and the evolution from nanoscale MoS2 islands to SL and bilayer (BL) MoS2 sheets during H2S exposure. Our ARPES measurements of SL and BL MoS2 on graphene reveal the coexistence of the Dirac states of graphene and the expected valence band of MoS2 with the band maximum shifted to the corner of the Brillouin zone at K in the SL limit. We confirm the 2D character of these electronic states via a lack of dispersion with photon energy. The growth of epitaxial MoS2-graphene heterostructures on SiC opens new opportunities for further in situ studies of the fundamental properties of these complex materials, as well as perspectives for implementing them in various device schemes to exploit their many promising electronic and optical properties

(23) Gupta N, Reja SI, Bhalla V, Gupta M, Kaur G, Kumar M. A bodipy based dual functional probe for the detection of hydrogen sulfide and H2S induced apoptosis in cellular systems. Chem Commun (Camb ) 2015 Jun 23;51(54):10875-8. Abstract: A bodipy based dual functional probe 1 has been designed and synthesized, which selectively detects H2S as well as monitors H2S induced apoptosis in cells

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(24) Lackey JC, Peppley B, Champagne P, Maier A. Composition and uses of anaerobic digestion derived biogas from wastewater treatment facilities in North America. Waste Manag Res 2015 Jun 19. Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the current knowledge of biogas production and its use at municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across North America. Information was provided by municipal WWTPs across Canada and the US. It was determined that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and silicon (Si) compounds had sufficient variability to be of concern. The only biogas production trend that could be identified was a possible seasonal relationship with sludge input and biogas production. Secondary analysis was performed to observe trends in biogas usage in urban areas larger than 150,000 in the US and 50,000 in Canada; 66% of facilities had anaerobic digestion systems and, of those, only 35% had an energy recovery system. Climatic, population, and socio-political influences on the trends were considered. The primary conclusion was that more data is required to perform significant analyses on biogas production and composition variation

(25) Zhang L, Zhao W, Zheng Z, Wang T, Zhao C, Zhou G, et al. Reduction of hydrogen sulfide synthesis enzymes in the esophagus of patients with achalasia: effect of hydrogen sulfide in achalasia. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2015 Jun 18. Abstract: BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the synthesis of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) was altered in achalasia patients and to determine the effects of H2 S on esophageal motility. METHODS: (1) Tissue samples in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) were obtained from 22 achalasia patients during peroral endoscopic myotomy. LES muscle from eight esophageal carcinoma patients was obtained as control. The expression of cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) was detected by immunohistochemical staining. (2) Rabbit esophageal smooth muscle strips were used to measure isometric contractions. The effects of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) and L-cysteine on contractile activity and bethanechol-stimulated contractile activity were evaluated. The contraction of esophageal muscle strips was also measured after the inhibition of CBS and CSE by aminooxyacetic acid (AOA) and propargylglycine (PAG). KEY RESULTS: Both CBS and CSE could be detected in biopsies from achalasia patients and controls. Compared with controls, the expression of CBS and CSE in the LES of achalasia patients was significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Both NaHS and L-cysteine concentration-dependently inhibited esophageal contractile activity (both p < 0.05). After inhibition of CBS and CSE by PAG and AOA, esophageal contractile activity increased significantly, and this effect could be restored by NaHS but not L-cysteine (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: H2 S synthesis enzymes are significantly reduced in patients with achalasia compared with the controls. H2 S inhibits esophageal contractile activity concentration-dependently, and the inhibition of H2 S synthesis enzymes increases esophageal contractile activity. H2 S might be involved in the development of achalasia

(26) Minh VN, Kim D, Kim H. Porous Au-embedded WO3 Nanowire Structure for Efficient Detection of CH4 and H2S. Sci Rep 2015;5:11040. Abstract: We developed a facile method to fabricate highly porous Au-embedded WO3 nanowire structures for efficient sensing of CH4 and H2S gases. Highly porous single-wall carbon nanotubes were used as template to fabricate WO3 nanowire structures with high porosity. Gold nanoparticles were decorated on the tungsten nanowires by dipping in HAuCl4 solution, followed by oxidation. The surface morphology, structure, and electrical properties of the fabricated WO3 and Au-embedded WO3 nanowire structures were examined by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and current-voltage measurements. Formation of a nanowire structure resulted in significant enhancement in sensing response to H2S and CH4 gases. Furthermore, Au embedment into the WO3 nanowire structures remarkably improved the performance of the sensors. The increase in response performance of sensors and adsorption-desorption kinetic processes on the sensing layers were discussed in relation with the role of Au embedment

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(27) Wallace JL, Ianaro A, Flannigan KL, Cirino G. Gaseous mediators in resolution of inflammation. Semin Immunol 2015 Jun 18. Abstract: There are numerous gaseous substances that can act as signaling molecules, but the best characterized of these are nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide. Each has been shown to play important roles in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. This article is focused on the effects of these gasotransmitters in the context of inflammation. There is considerable overlap in the actions of nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide with respect to inflammation, and these mediators appear to act primarily as anti-inflammatory substances, promoting resolution of inflammatory processes. They also have protective and pro-healing effects in some tissues, such as the gastrointestinal tract and lung. Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made in the development of novel anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective drugs that release of one or more of these gaseous mediators

(28) Chebbi A, Mhiri N, Rezgui F, Ammar N, Maalej A, Sayadi S, et al. Biodegradation of malodorous thiols by a Brevibacillus sp. strain isolated from a Tunisian phosphate factory. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2015 Jun 17. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and thiols (RSH) generated by the phosphate industry cause harmful effects on human health and life quality. The present study aims to investigate and evaluate a bacterial strain CAT37 isolated from gas-washing wastewaters in terms of its properties and ability to degrade malodorous thiols. Gas-washing wastewater samples were submitted to physico-chemical analyses and used for the isolation of thiol-degrading bacteria. The results from GC-MS analysis revealed that the isolated strain CAT37 was able to oxidize approximately 99% of each thiol, decanethiol and dodecanethiol used as sole carbon and energy sources after 30 days of incubation at 37 degrees C. The strain CAT37 displayed a biodegradative potential on several thiols known by their toxicity and odors. The results from phylogenetic and phenotypic analysis revealed that the CAT37 isolate belonged to the genus Brevibacillus, showing highest sequence similarity with Brevibacillus agri. Overall, the results indicated that the strain CAT37 exhibited a number of attractive biodegradation abilities against thiols and could be considered a promising candidate for industrial application in future thiol biodesodorization strategies

(29) Wei L, Zhu Z, Li Y, Yi L, Xi Z. A highly selective and fast-response fluorescent probe for visualization of enzymatic H2S production in vitro and in living cells. Chem Commun (Camb ) 2015 Jun 16;51(52):10463-6. Abstract: An o-fluorinated-azido-capped rhodamine probe can react with H2S efficiently and selectively to give large off-on fluorescence enhancement. The probe was used to develop an assay for cystathionine beta-synthase acitivity and for in situ visualization of endogenously produced H2S in living cells

(30) Balaban CL, Rodriguez JV, Tiribelli C, Guibert EE. The effect of a hydrogen sulfide releasing molecule (NaS) on the cold storage of livers from cardiac dead donor rats. A study in an ex vivo model. Cryobiology 2015 Jun 16. Abstract: Liver transplantation is currently the preferred treatment option for end-stage liver disease. Donation after cardiac death was a common practice in the early years of organ donation before brain death criteria were established. Those organs were subjected to variable periods of warm ischemia that might intensify cold ischemia/reperfusion injuries. In the present, shortage of brain dead donors has led to the reassessment of organ donation after cardiac death. Since many cytoprotective roles have been describe for H2S during ischemia/reperfusion on a variety of tissues, we hypothesized that graft exposure to this bioactive gas might improve preservation of non-heart beating donated organs. Therefore, to establish a rat model of donation post-cardiac arrest and using this approach to judge H2S delivery effects on graft hypothermic preservation, were the main objectives of this investigation. Cardiopulmonary arrest was induced in sedated rats by overload of potassium (K+). Livers were surgically removed and subsequently stored in HTK Solution (Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate) at 0-4 degrees C. After 24h of hypothermic

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preservation, livers were rewarmed in an ex vivo model. Three experimental groups were established as follows: I - Livers procured before cardiac death and cold stored 24h in HTK (BCD); II - Livers procured after cardiac death (45min) and cold stored 24h in HTK (ACD); III - Livers procured after cardiac death (45min) and cold stored 24h in HTK+10muM Sodium Sulfide (Na2S) (ACD-SS). Data suggest that after 45min of warm ischemia, viability parameters assessed during reperfusion in the ex vivo model were significantly impaired. Real time PCR revealed that after ex vivo reperfusion there is an increased expression of HO-1 and TNF-alpha and a modest drop in Bcl-2 mRNA, which could be interpreted as the cellular response to the hypoxic insult sustained during warm ischemia. On the other hand, warm ischemic livers exposed to H2S during cold storage, improved microcirculation, morphology and viability parameters during ex vivo reperfusion and showed significant modulation of HO-1 mRNA expression. In conclusion, HTK supplementation with Na2S arose as a potential treatment to recover non-heart beating harvested organs. Furthermore, an appropriate model of cardiac dead liver donors was successfully developed

(31) Van der SE, Slot DE, Bakker E, Van der Weijden GA. The effect of water on morning bad breath: a randomized clinical trial. Int J Dent Hyg 2015 Jun 16. Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of water on the parameters of 'morning bad breath' (MBB) and to evaluate whether there is a difference between rinsing with water and drinking a glass of water. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 participants were recruited and were randomly divided into two equal groups. One group rinsed with 15 ml of water for 30 s, and another group drank 200 ml of water within 30 s. Clinical assessments were carried out during one visit between 7:30 am and 12:00 pm. Pre- and post-intervention measures were assessed organoleptically as primary outcome parameters, and a secondary outcome parameter was assessed using both the Halimeter(R) and OralChroma apparatuses to evaluate volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs), hydrogen sulphide (H2 S), methyl mercaptan (CH3 SH) and dimethyl sulphide ((CH3 )2 S). In addition, the presence of tongue coating (discoloration/thickness) and tongue fissures was assessed. RESULTS: All 50 participants completed the study. In both groups, a significant reduction in the organoleptic score and the OralChroma H2 S and CH3 SH readings was obtained after the intervention. Both regimens resulted in a CH3 SH reduction of approximately 60%, whereas the reduction in H2 S was between 30% and 50%. The acceptable change between pre- and post-assessments of the clinical parameters was not significantly different between the drinking and rinsing groups. CONCLUSION: Rinsing with water or drinking a glass of water had a statistically significant effect on the MBB parameters. No significant difference was obtained between the two regimens

(32) Yoo D, Jupiter RC, Pankey EA, Reddy VG, Edward JA, Swan KW, et al. Analysis of Cardiovascular Responses to the H2S donors Na2S and NaHS in the Rat. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2015 Jun 12;ajpheart. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenous gaseous molecule formed from L-cysteine in vascular tissue. In the present study, cardiovascular responses to H2S donors Na2S and NaHS were investigated in the anesthetized rat. The intravenous injections of Na2S and NaHS 0.03 - 0.5 mg/kg produced dose-related decreases in systemic arterial pressure and heart rate, and at higher doses decreases in cardiac output, pulmonary arterial pressure, and systemic vascular resistance. H2S infusion studies show that decreases in systemic arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance are well-maintained and responses to Na2S are reversible. Decreases in heart rate were not blocked by atropine suggesting that the bradycardia was independent of parasympathetic activation and was mediated by an effect on the sinus node. The decreases in systemic arterial pressure were not attenuated by hexamethonium, glybenclamide, L-NAME, sodium meclofenamate, ODQ, miconazole, 5-hydroxymethonium, or TEA suggesting that ATP-sensitive potassium channels, nitric oxide, arachidonic acid metabolites, cyclic GMP, p450 epoxygenase metabolites, or large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels are not involved in mediating hypotensive responses to the H2S donors in the rat and that responses are not centrally mediated. The present data

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indicate that decreases in systemic arterial pressure in response to the H2S donors can be mediated by decreases in vascular resistance and cardiac output and that the donors have an effect on the sinus node independent of the parasympathetic system. The present data indicate that the mechanism of the peripherally mediated hypotensive response to the H2S donors is uncertain in the intact rat

(33) Lucy CH, Juzheng H, Sacheen K, Sam TP, Timothy RO, George BH, et al. Analysis of exhaled breath volatile organic compounds in inflammatory bowel disease: a pilot study. J Crohns Colitis 2015 Jun 12. Abstract: Background and AimsDistinguishing between the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is important for determining management and prognosis. Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) may be used to analyse volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath: these may be altered in disease states, and distinguishing breath VOC profiles can be identified. The aim of this pilot study was to identify, quantify and analyse VOCs present in the breath of IBD patients and controls, potentially providing insights into disease pathogenesis and complementing current diagnostic algorithms.MethodsSIFT-MS breath profiling of 56 individuals (20 UC, 18 CD and 18 healthy controls) was undertaken. Multivariate analysis included principal components analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis with orthogonal signal correction (OSC-PLS-DA). Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed for each comparative analysis using statistically significant VOCs.ResultsOSC-PLS-DA modelling was able to distinguish both CD and UC from healthy controls and from one other with good sensitivity and specificity. ROC analysis using combinations of statistically significant VOCs (dimethyl sulphide, hydrogen sulphide, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, butanal and nonanal) gave integrated areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.86 (CD vs healthy controls), 0.74 (UC vs healthy controls) and 0.83 (CD vs UC).ConclusionsExhaled breath VOC profiling was able to distinguish IBD patients from controls, as well as separate UC from CD, using both multivariate and univariate statistical techniques

(34) Sonke E, Verrydt M, Postenka CO, Pardhan S, Willie CJ, Mazzola CR, et al. Inhibition of endogenous hydrogen sulfide production in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma cell lines and xenografts restricts their growth, survival and angiogenic potential. Nitric Oxide 2015 Jun 9;49:26-39. Abstract: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is characterized by Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)-deficiency, resulting in pseudohypoxic, angiogenic and glycolytic tumours. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenously-produced gasotransmitter that accumulates under hypoxia and has been shown to be pro-angiogenic and cytoprotective in cancer. It was hypothesized that H2S levels are elevated in VHL-deficient ccRCC, contributing to survival, metabolism and angiogenesis. Using the H2S-specific probe MeRhoAz, it was found that H2S levels were higher in VHL-deficient ccRCC cell lines compared to cells with wild-type VHL. Inhibition of H2S-producing enzymes could reduce the proliferation, metabolism and survival of ccRCC cell lines, as determined by live-cell imaging, XTT/ATP assay, and flow cytometry respectively. Using the chorioallantoic membrane angiogenesis model, it was found that systemic inhibition of endogenous H2S production was able to decrease vascularization of VHL-deficient ccRCC xenografts. Endogenous H2S production is an attractive new target in ccRCC due to its involvement in multiple aspects of disease

(35) Wang R, Szabo C, Ichinose F, Ahmed A, Whiteman M, Papapetropoulos A. The role of HS bioavailability in endothelial dysfunction. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2015 Jun 9. Abstract: Endothelial dysfunction (EDF) reflects pathophysiological changes in the phenotype and functions of endothelial cells that result from and/or contribute to a plethora of cardiovascular diseases. We review the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the pathogenesis of EDF, one of the fastest advancing research topics. Conventionally treated as an environment pollutant, H2S is also produced in endothelial cells and participates in the fine regulation of endothelial integrity and functions. Disturbed H2S bioavailability has

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been suggested to be a novel indicator of EDF progress and prognosis. EDF manifests in different forms in multiple pathologies, but therapeutics aimed at remedying altered H2S bioavailability may benefit all

(36) Anantharaman K, Breier JA, Dick GJ. Metagenomic resolution of microbial functions in deep-sea hydrothermal plumes across the Eastern Lau Spreading Center. ISME J 2015 Jun 5. Abstract: Microbial processes within deep-sea hydrothermal plumes affect ocean biogeochemistry on global scales. In rising hydrothermal plumes, a combination of microbial metabolism and particle formation processes initiate the transformation of reduced chemicals like hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, methane, iron, manganese and ammonia that are abundant in hydrothermal vent fluids. Despite the biogeochemical importance of this rising portion of plumes, it is understudied in comparison to neutrally buoyant plumes. Here we use metagenomics and bioenergetic modeling to describe the abundance and genetic potential of microorganisms in relation to available electron donors in five different hydrothermal plumes and three associated background deep-sea waters from the Eastern Lau Spreading Center located in the Western Pacific Ocean. Three hundred and thirty one distinct genomic 'bins' were identified, comprising an estimated 951 genomes of archaea, bacteria, eukarya and viruses. A significant proportion of these genomes is from novel microorganisms and thus reveals insights into the energy metabolism of heretofore unknown microbial groups. Community-wide analyses of genes encoding enzymes that oxidize inorganic energy sources showed that sulfur oxidation was the most abundant and diverse chemolithotrophic microbial metabolism in the community. Genes for sulfur oxidation were commonly present in genomic bins that also contained genes for oxidation of hydrogen and methane, suggesting metabolic versatility in these microbial groups. The relative diversity and abundance of genes encoding hydrogen oxidation was moderate, whereas that of genes for methane and ammonia oxidation was low in comparison to sulfur oxidation. Bioenergetic-thermodynamic modeling supports the metagenomic analyses, showing that oxidation of elemental sulfur with oxygen is the most dominant catabolic reaction in the hydrothermal plumes. We conclude that the energy metabolism of microbial communities inhabiting rising hydrothermal plumes is dictated by the underlying plume chemistry, with a dominant role for sulfur-based chemolithoautotrophy.The ISME Journal advance online publication, 5 June 2015; doi:10.1038/ismej.2015.81

(37) Sen S, Kawahara B, Gupta D, Tsai R, Khachatryan M, Chowdhuri SR, et al. Role of Cystathionine beta- synthase in Human breast Cancer. Free Radic Biol Med 2015 Jun 4. Abstract: Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) is an enzyme in the transulfuration pathway that can catalyze the condensation of homocysteine (Hcy) and cysteine (Cys) to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and cystathionine (CTH). CBS-derived H2S is important in angiogenesis and drug resistance in colon and ovarian cancers respectively. However, the mechanisms by which cancer cell- derived H2S is utilized by cancer cells as a protective agent against host derived activated macrophages are not yet investigated. This study investigated the mechanistic role of CBS derived H2S in the protection of human breast cancer (HBC) cells against activated macrophages. HBC patient derived tissue arrays and immunoblot analysis of HBC cells exhibited significantly increased levels of CBS when compared with their normal counterparts. This was associated with increased levels of H2S and CTH. Silencing of CBS in HBC cells caused a significant decrease in the levels of H2S and CTH but did not affect the growth of these cells per se, in in-vitro cultures. However CBS silenced cells exhibited significantly reduced growth in the presence of activated macrophages and in xenograft models. This was associated with an increase in the steady state levels of reactive aldehyde derived protein adducts. Exogenous addition of H2S countered, the effects of CBS silencing in the presence of macrophages. Conversely overexpression of CBS in human breast epithelial (HBE) cells (which do not naturally express CBS) protected them from activated macrophages, which were otherwise susceptible to the latter

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(38) Zhao L, Wang Y, Yan Q, Lv W, Zhang Y, He S. Exogenous hydrogen sulfide exhibits anti-cancer effects though p38 MAPK signaling pathway in C6 glioma cells. Biol Chem 2015 Jun 3. Abstract: It has been documented that H2S, in some types of cancer, promotes tumor proliferation, whereas, in the other types, it inhibits the tumor cell growth. In the present study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects and relevant mechanisms of NaHS in C6 glioma cells. C6 cells were subjected to different concentrations of NaHS, then cell viability and morphological changes were examined by MTT assay and Hoechst staining. The protein expression of Caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), and p53 was measured by Western blotting. This work demonstrated that NaHS could reduce cell number and induce apoptosis of C6 gliomas cells. The protein expression of Caspase-3 and Bax was up-regulated, while the protein expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated. Additionally, p38 MAPK and p53 were activated in response to NaHS. Moreover, p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, counteracted the inhibitory effect of NaHS on C6 glioma cells. These data suggest that NaHS can effectively reduce cell number of C6 cells by triggering the apoptosis via Caspase-dependent pathway. p38 MAPK and p53 play an important role in NaHS-induced apoptosis in C6 cells. These findings imply that administration of NaHS may represent a new strategy for the treatment of glioma

(39) Li JJ, Li Q, Du HP, Wang YL, You SJ, Wang F, et al. Homocysteine Triggers Inflammatory Responses in Macrophages through Inhibiting CSE-H2S Signaling via DNA Hypermethylation of CSE Promoter. Int J Mol Sci 2015;16(6):12560-77. Abstract: Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is an independent risk factor of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, Hcy-lowering strategies were found to have limited effects in reducing cardiovascular events. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Increasing evidence reveals a role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of HHcy. Homocysteine (Hcy) is a precursor of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which is formed via the transsulfuration pathway catalyzed by cystathionine beta-synthase and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) and serves as a novel modulator of inflammation. In the present study, we showed that methionine supplementation induced mild HHcy in mice, associated with the elevations of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in the plasma and reductions of plasma H2S level and CSE expression in the peritoneal macrophages. H2S-releasing compound GYY4137 attenuated the increases of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in the plasma of HHcy mice and Hcy-treated raw264.7 cells while CSE inhibitor PAG exacerbated it. Moreover, the in vitro study showed that Hcy inhibited CSE expression and H2S production in macrophages, accompanied by the increases of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) expression and DNA hypermethylation in cse promoter region. DNMT inhibition or knockdown reversed the decrease of CSE transcription induced by Hcy in macrophages. In sum, our findings demonstrate that Hcy may trigger inflammation through inhibiting CSE-H2S signaling, associated with increased promoter DNA methylation and transcriptional repression of cse in macrophages

(40) Gong H, Chen Z, Zhang X, Li Y, Zhang J, Chen Y, et al. Urotensin II Protects Cardiomyocytes from Apoptosis Induced by Oxidative Stress through the CSE/H2S Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2015;16(6):12482-98. Abstract: Plasma urotensin II (UII) has been observed to be raised in patients with acute myocardial infarction; suggesting a possible cardiac protective role for this peptide. However, the molecular mechanism is unclear. Here, we treated cultured cardiomyocytes with H2O2 to induce oxidative stress; observed the effect of UII on H2O2-induced apoptosis and explored potential mechanisms. UII pretreatment significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes induced by H2O2; and it partly abolished the increase of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and the decrease of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in cardiomyocytes induced by H2O2. SiRNA targeted to the urotensin II receptor (UT) greatly inhibited these effects. Further analysis revealed that UII increased the production of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and the level of cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) by activating the ERK signaling in H2O2-treated-cardiomyocytes. Si-CSE or ERK inhibitor not only greatly

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inhibited the increase in CSE level or the phosphorylation of ERK induced by UII but also reversed anti-apoptosis of UII in H2O2-treated-cadiomyocytes. In conclusion, UII rapidly promoted the phosphorylation of ERK and upregulated CSE level and H2S production, which in turn activated ERK signaling to protect cardiomyocytes from apoptosis under oxidative stress. These results suggest that increased plasma UII level may protect cardiomyocytes at the early-phase of acute myocardial infarction in patients

(41) Fan HN, Chen NW, Shen WL, Zhao XY, Zhang J. Endogenous hydrogen sulfide is associated with angiotensin II type 1 receptor in a rat model of carbon tetrachlorideinduced hepatic fibrosis. Mol Med Rep 2015 Jun 2. Abstract: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on the expression levels of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1) in a rat model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)induced hepatic fibrosis. A total of 56 Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Normal control group, model group, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) group, and DLpropargylglycine (PAG) group. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by CCl4. The rats in the PAG group were intraperitoneally injected with PAG, an inhibitor of cystathioninegammalyase (CSE). The rats in the NaHS group were intraperitoneally injected with NaHS. An equal volume of saline solution was intraperitoneally injected into both the control and model groups. All rats were sacrificed at week three or four following treatment. The serum levels of hyaluronidase (HA), laminin protein (LN), procollagen III (PcIII), and collagen IV (cIV) were detected using ELISA. The serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and albumin (ALB) were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The liver mRNA expression levels of CSE were detected by reverse transcriptionquantitative polymerase chain reaction. The liver expression levels of AGTR1 and the plasma expression levels of H2S were detected using western blot analyses. The results indicated that the severity of hepatic fibrosis, the serum expression levels of HA, LN, PcIII, cIV, ALT, and AST, the liver expression levels of CSE and AGTR1, and the plasma expression levels of H2S were significantly higher in the PAG group, as compared with the model group (P<0.05). Conversely, the expression levels of ALB were significantly lower in the PAG group, as compared with the model group. In addition, the severity of hepatic fibrosis, the serum expression levels of HA, LN, PcIII, cIV, ALT, and AST, the liver expression levels of CSE and AGTR1, and the plasma expression levels of H2S were significantly lower in the NaHS group, as compared with the model group (P<0.05). These results suggest that endogenous H2S is associated with CCl4induced hepatic fibrosis in rats, and may exhibit antifibrotic effects. Furthermore, H2S reduced the liver expression levels of AGTR1, which may be associated with the delayed progression of hepatic fibrosis

(42) Vieira RP, Thompson JR, Beraldo H, Storr T. Partial conversion of thioamide into nitrile in a copper(II) complex of 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(thiosemicarbazone), a drug prototype for Alzheimer's disease. Acta Crystallogr C Struct Chem 2015 Jun;71(Pt 6):430-4. Abstract: This work reports the crystal structure of [(Z)-2-((E)-1-{6-[1-({[amino(sulfanidyl-kappaS)methylidene]amino}imino-kappaN)eth yl]pyridin-2-yl-kappaN}ethylidene)-1-cyanohydrazinido-kappaN(1)]copper(II), [Cu(C11H11N7S)], the first description of a copper(II) complex of 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(thiosemicarbazone) showing partial conversion of a thioamide group to a nitrile group. The asymmetric ligand coordinates to the metal centre in an N,N',N'',S-tetradentate manner via the pyridine N atom, an imine N atom, the hydrazinide N atom and the sulfanidyl S atom, displaying a square-planar geometry. Ligand coordination results in two five-membered chelate rings and one six-membered chelate ring, and in crystal packing based on N-H...N hydrogen bonds of the cyanohydrazinide and hydrazinecarbothioamidate arms of the ligand. The correlation between the partial conversion upon metal complexation, H2S release and possible effects on the activity of bis(thiosemicarbazone)s as drug prototypes for Alzheimer's disease is also discussed

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(43) Davila S, Ilic JP, Beslic I. Real-time dissemination of air quality information using data streams and Web technologies: linking air quality to health risks in urban areas / Izvjescivanje o kvaliteti zraka u stvarnom vremenu kontinuiranim prijenosom podataka i web tehnologijama - povezivanje kvalitete zraka sa zdravstvenim rizicima u urbanim sredinama. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2015 Jun 1;66(2):171-80. Abstract: This article presents a new, original application of modern information and communication technology to provide effective real-time dissemination of air quality information and related health risks to the general public. Our on-line subsystem for urban real-time air quality monitoring is a crucial component of a more comprehensive integrated information system, which has been developed by the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health. It relies on a StreamInsight data stream management system and service-oriented architecture to process data streamed from seven monitoring stations across Zagreb. Parameters that are monitored include gases (NO, NO2, CO, O3, H2S, SO2, benzene, NH3), particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), and meteorological data (wind speed and direction, temperature and pressure). Streamed data are processed in real-time using complex continuous queries. They first go through automated validation, then hourly air quality index is calculated for every station, and a report sent to the Croatian Environment Agency. If the parameter values exceed the corresponding regulation limits for three consecutive hours, the web service generates an alert for population groups at risk. Coupled with the Common Air Quality Index model, our web application brings air pollution information closer to the general population and raises awareness about environmental and health issues. Soon we intend to expand the service to a mobile application that is being developed

(44) Loeffler MJ, Hudson RL. Descent without Modification? The Thermal Chemistry of H2O2 on Europa and Other Icy Worlds. Astrobiology 2015 Jun;15(6):453-61. Abstract: The strong oxidant H2O2 is known to exist in solid form on Europa and is suspected to exist on several other Solar System worlds at temperatures below 200 K. However, little is known of the thermal chemistry that H2O2 might induce under these conditions. Here, we report new laboratory results on the reactivity of solid H2O2 with eight different compounds in H2O-rich ices. Using infrared spectroscopy, we monitored compositional changes in ice mixtures during warming. The compounds CH4 (methane), C3H4 (propyne), CH3OH (methanol), and CH3CN (acetonitrile) were unaltered by the presence of H2O2 in ices, showing that exposure to either solid H2O2 or frozen H2O+H2O2 at cryogenic temperatures will not oxidize these organics, much less convert them to CO2. This contrasts strongly with the much greater reactivity of organics with H2O2 at higher temperatures, and particularly in the liquid and gas phases. Of the four inorganic compounds studied, CO, H2S, NH3, and SO2, only the last two reacted in ices containing H2O2, NH3 making [Formula: see text] and SO2 making [Formula: see text] by H(+) and e(-) transfer, respectively. An important astrobiological conclusion is that formation of surface H2O2 on Europa and that molecule's downward movement with H2O-ice do not necessarily mean that all organics encountered in icy subsurface regions will be destroyed by H2O2 oxidation. Key Words: Europa-Laboratory investigations-Icy moons-Infrared spectroscopy-H2O2 resistance. Astrobiology 15, 453-461

(45) Yandrapu H, Sarosiek J. Protective Factors of the Gastric and Duodenal Mucosa: An Overview. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2015 Jun;17(6):452. Abstract: The structural and functional integrity of the gastric and duodenal mucosa represents equilibrium between aggressive factors and protective mechanisms. Mucus-buffers-phospholipid layer as pre-epithelial barrier, enhanced by prostaglandins and epidermal growth factor, remains a vanguard of mucosal protection. It maintains a neutral pH at the surface epithelial luminal interface, facing luminal pH dropping to 1.0, i.e., hydrogen ion concentration gradient equal 1,000,000. The surface epithelial cells, elaborating mucins, buffers, phospholipids, prostaglandins, trefoil peptides, peptide growth factor and their receptors, heat shock proteins, cathelicidins, and beta-defensins form the second line of defense. Endothelium exerts mucosal protection through production of

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potent vasodilators like nitric oxide and prostacyclins and through release of angiogenic growth factors, securing adequate blood flow and representing the third and an ultimate line of mucosal protection. This microcirculation is instrumental for supply of oxygen, nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide and removal of ad hoc generated toxic substances as well as for continuous mucosal cell renewal from progenitor cells, secured by growth factors accompanied by survivin preventing early apoptosis

(46) Yang L, Chen Z, Zhang X, Liu Y, Xie Y. Comparison study of landfill gas emissions from subtropical land fi ll with various phases : A case study in Wuhan, China. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 2015 Jun 1. Abstract: The compositions and annual variations of landfill gas (LFG) were studied at two large-scale sites of Chen-Jia-Chong landfill. 76 wells were built and used for the collection and measurement of LFG. The investigation revealed the similarities and differences of LFG components and variations at two sites with different phases. It was found that ambient temperature and rainfall exhibited strong correlations with LFG components at both sites. CH4 contents showed excellent correlations with CO2 at both two sites. Notable correlations between H2S and major components (CH4 and CO2) were only observed in unstable methane phase. Especially, the CH4/CO2 volumetric ratio could act as an excellent indicator for anaerobic reaction stage by judging their phasic variations. The study is beneficial for the efficient operation of LFG collection system, and could shed light on gas purification and utilization. Implication Statement The results in this paper could provide some beneficial information for landfill operators. Especially, the CH4/CO2 volumetric ratio could act as an excellent indicator for anaerobic reaction stage by judging their phasic variations. Moreover, the study could shed light on landfill gas purification and utilization

(47) Kfir H, Rimbrot S, Markel A. Toxic effects of hydrogen sulfide. Experience with 3 simultaneous patients. QJM 2015 Jun 1.

(48) Gottschlich M, Hummel T. Effects of handedness on olfactory event-related potentials in a simple olfactory task. Rhinology 2015 Jun;53(2):149-53. Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to re-investigate the influence of handedness on simple olfactory tasks to further clarify the role of handedness in chemical senses. Similar to language and other sensory systems, effects of handedness should be expected. Young, healthy subjects participated in this study, including 24 left-handers and 24 right-handers, with no indication of any major nasal or health problems. The two groups did not differ in terms of sex and age (14 women and 10 men in each group). They had a mean age of 24.0 years. Olfactory event-related potentials were recorded after left or right olfactory stimulation with the rose-like odor phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA) or the smell of rotten eggs (hydrogen sulfide, H2S). Results suggested that handedness has no major influence on amplitude or latency of olfactory event-related potentials when it comes to simple olfactory tasks

(49) Erovic AS, Lingstrom P, Renvert S. The effect of different mouth rinse products on intra-oral halitosis. Int J Dent Hyg 2015 May 31. Abstract: AIM: To evaluate the effect of different mouth rinses 12 h after rinsing on genuine intra-oral halitosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four adults with halitosis were included in a double-blind, crossover, randomized clinical trial. Halitosis was evaluated 12 h after rinsing with placebo and five mouth rinse products containing zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate; zinc lactate, chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride; zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate with reduced amounts of mint and menthol; zinc chloride and essential oil; and chlorine dioxide using the organoleptic method and a gas chromatograph. Test periods were separated by 1 week. RESULTS: Hydrogen sulphide (H2 S), methyl mercaptan (MM) and the organoleptic scores (OLS) were significantly reduced 12 h following rinsing with all substances compared to placebo (P < 0.05). H2 S was more effectively reduced after rinsing with zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate and zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate with reduced amounts of mint and menthol

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compared to rinsing with zinc chloride and essential oil (P < 0.05), and significantly lower values of MM were obtained after rinsing with zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate compared to zinc lactate, chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride (P < 0.05). The percentage effectively treated individuals (H2 S (<112 ppb), MM (<26 ppb) and OLS score <2) varied from 58% percentage (zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate) to 26% (zinc chloride and essential oil). CONCLUSION: All treatments resulted in reduction in halitosis 12 h after rinsing compared to placebo. H2 S and MM were most effectively reduced by zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate

(50) Sayouri H, Boudier A, Vigneron C, Leroy P, Le TS. [Hydrogen sulfide: A promising therapy in neuroprotection following cardiac arrest?]. Ann Pharm Fr 2015 May 29. Abstract: Each year, in France, the number of cardiac arrests is evaluated between 30,000 to 50,000. When a patient survives, he undergoes a post-resuscitation syndrome which can aggravate the injuries and for which nowadays, no medication is available. In some kinds of cardiac arrest, a hypothermia protocol can be applied with a need for monitoring because of the appearance of side effects. In this context, hydrogen sulfide, which is a gasotransmitter with numerous physiological and pharmacological properties, may be interesting. Indeed, its use could protect against oxidative, inflammatory and apoptotic troubles induced by the post-resuscitation syndrome. The implied biochemical mechanisms are adenosine triphosphate potassium channels activation and cytochrome c oxidase inhibition. This molecule can also induce a suspended animation state characterized by a metabolism decrease, which could give a delay for physicians to start a therapeutic monitoring. Thus, in spite of a modest and sometimes contradictory literature, this compound could become the first neuroprotective molecule in cardiac arrest

(51) Kawagoe R, Takashima I, Usui K, Kanegae A, Ozawa Y, Ojida A. Rational Design of a Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe Based on Arene-Metal-Ion Contact for Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Detection in Living Cells. Chembiochem 2015 May 28. Abstract: We report the design and development of a fluorescent CdII ion complex that is capable of the ratiometric detection of H2 S in living cells. This probe exploits the metal-ion-induced emission red shift resulting from direct contact between the aromatic ring of a fluorophore and a metal ion (i.e., arene-metal-ion or "AM" contact). The CdII complex displays a large emission blue shift upon interaction with H2 S as the CdII -free ligand is released by the formation of cadmium sulfide. Screening of potential ligands and fluorophores led to the discovery of a pyronine-type probe, 6CdII , that generated a sensitive and rapid ratio value change upon interaction with H2 S, without interference from the glutathione that is abundant in the cell. The membrane-impermeable 6CdII was successfully translocated into live cells by using an oligo-arginine peptide and pyrenebutylate as carriers. As such, 6CdII was successfully applied to the ratiometric detection of both exogenous and endogenous H2 S produced by the enzymes in living cells, thus demonstrating the utility of 6CdII in biological fluorescence analysis

(52) Sun X, Jiang G, Bond PL, Keller J. Impact of fluctuations in gaseous HS concentrations on sulfide uptake by sewer concrete: The effect of high HS loads. Water Res 2015 May 23;81:84-91. Abstract: The acid production from the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in sewer air results in serious corrosion of exposed concrete surfaces in sewers. Large fluctuations of gaseous H2S concentrations occur in sewers due to the diurnal profiles of sewage flow and retention times and the necessity of intermittent pumping of sewage from pressure pipes into gravity pipes. How the high concentrations of H2S due to these events may affect H2S uptake and subsequent corrosion by concrete sewers is largely unknown. This study determined the effect of short- and long-term increases in H2S levels on the sulfide uptake rate (SUR) of concrete surfaces with an active corrosion layer. The results showed that during the high load situation the SUR increased significantly but then decreased (compared to the baseline SUR) by about 7-14% and 41-50% immediately after short- and long-term H2S high-load periods, respectively. For both exposure conditions, the SUR

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gradually (over several hours) recovered to approximately 90% of the baseline SUR. Further tests suggest multiple factors may contribute to the observed decrease of SUR directly after the high H2S load. This includes the temporary storage of elemental sulfur in the corrosion layer and inhibition of sulfide oxidizing bacteria (SOB) due to high H2S level and temporary acid surge. Additionally, the delay of the corrosion layer to fully recover the SUR after the high H2S load suggests that there is a longer-term inhibitive effect of the high H2S levels on the activity of the SOB in the corrosion layer. Due to the observed activity reductions, concrete exposed to occasional short-term high H2S load periods had an overall lower H2S uptake compared to concrete exposed to constant H2S levels at the same average concentration. To accurately predict H2S uptake by sewer concrete and hence the likely maximum corrosion rates, a correction factor should be adopted for the H2S fluctuations when average H2S levels are used in the prediction

(53) Gong C, Jiang X. Application of bacteriophages to reduce biofilms formed by hydrogen sulfide producing bacteria on surfaces in a rendering plant. Can J Microbiol 2015 May 21;1-6. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide producing bacteria (SPB) in raw animal by-products are likely to grow and form biofilms in the rendering processing environments, resulting in the release of harmful hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas. The objective of this study was to reduce SPB biofilms formed on different surfaces typically found in rendering plants by applying a bacteriophage cocktail. Using a 96-well microplate method, we determined that 3 SPB strains of Citrobacter freundii and Hafnia alvei are strong biofilm formers. Application of 9 bacteriophages (107 PFU/mL) from families of Siphoviridae and Myoviridae resulted in a 33%-70% reduction of biofilm formation by each SPB strain. On stainless steel and plastic templates, phage treatment (108 PFU/mL) reduced the attached cells of a mixed SPB culture (no biofilm) by 2.3 and 2.7 log CFU/cm2 within 6 h at 30 degrees C, respectively, as compared with 2 and 1.5 log CFU/cm2 reductions of SPB biofilms within 6 h at 30 degrees C. Phage treatment was also applied to indigenous SPB biofilms formed on the environmental surface, stainless steel, high-density polyethylene plastic, and rubber templates in a rendering plant. With phage treatment (109 PFU/mL), SPB biofilms were reduced by 0.7-1.4, 0.3-0.6, and 0.2-0.6 log CFU/cm2 in spring, summer, and fall trials, respectively. Our study demonstrated that bacteriophages could effectively reduce the selected SPB strains either attached to or in formed biofilms on various surfaces and could to some extent reduce the indigenous SPB biofilms on the surfaces in the rendering environment

(54) Diaz I, Ramos I, Fdz-Polanco M. Economic analysis of microaerobic removal of HS from biogas in full-scale sludge digesters. Bioresour Technol 2015 May 19;192:280-6. Abstract: The application of microaerobic conditions during sludge digestion has been proven to be an efficient method for H2S removal from biogas. In this study, three microaerobic treatments were considered as an alternative to the technique of biogas desulfurization applied (FeCl3 dosing to the digesters) in a WWTP comprising three full-scale anaerobic reactors treating sewage sludge, depending on the reactant: pure O2 from cryogenic tanks, concentrated O2 from PSA generators, and air. These alternatives were compared in terms of net present value (NPV) with a fourth scenario consisting in the utilization of iron-sponge-bed filter inoculated with thiobacteria. The analysis revealed that the most profitable alternative to FeCl3 addition was the injection of concentrated O2 (0.0019euro/m3 biogas), and this scenario presented the highest robustness towards variations in the price of FeCl3, electricity, and in the H2S concentration

(55) Sanchez-Garcia M, Alburquerque JA, Sanchez-Monedero MA, Roig A, Cayuela ML. Biochar accelerates organic matter degradation and enhances N mineralisation during composting of poultry manure without a relevant impact on gas emissions. Bioresour Technol 2015 May 15;192:272-9. Abstract: A composting study was performed to assess the impact of biochar addition to a mixture of poultry manure and barley straw. Two treatments: control (78% poultry

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manure+22% barley straw, dry weight) and the same mixture amended with biochar (3% dry weight), were composted in duplicated windrows during 19weeks. Typical monitoring parameters and gaseous emissions (CO2, CO, CH4, N2O and H2S) were evaluated during the process as well as the agronomical quality of the end-products. Biochar accelerated organic matter degradation and ammonium formation during the thermophilic phase and enhanced nitrification during the maturation phase. Our results suggest that biochar, as composting additive, improved the physical properties of the mixture by preventing the formation of clumps larger than 70mm. It favoured microbiological activity without a relevant impact on N losses and gaseous emissions. It was estimated that biochar addition at 3% could reduce the composting time by 20%

(56) Ahmad A, Sattar MA, Rathore HA, Khan SA, Lazhari MI, Afzal S, et al. A critical review of pharmacological significance of Hydrogen Sulfide in hypertension. Indian J Pharmacol 2015 May;47(3):243-7. Abstract: In the family of gas transmitters, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is yet not adequately researched. Known for its rotten egg smell and adverse effects on the brain, lungs, and kidneys for more than 300 years, the vasorelaxant effects of H2S on blood vessel was first observed in 1997. Since then, research continued to explore the possible therapeutic effects of H2S in hypertension, inflammation, pancreatitis, different types of shock, diabetes, and heart failure. However, a considerable amount of efforts are yet needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the therapeutic effects of H2S, such as nitric oxide-dependent or independent vasodilation in hypertension and regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. More than a decade of good repute among researchers, H2S research has certain results that need to be clarified or reevaluated. H2S produces its response by multiple modes of action, such as opening the ATP-sensitive potassium channel, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, and calcium channel blockade. H2S is endogenously produced from two sulfur-containing amino acids L-cysteine and L-methionine by the two enzymes cystathionine gamma lyase and cystathionine beta synthase. Recently, the third enzyme, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase, along with cysteine aminotransferase, which is similar to aspartate aminotransferase, has been found to produce H2S in the brain. The H2S has interested researchers, and a great deal of information is being generated every year. This review aims to provide an update on the developments in the research of H2S in hypertension amid the ambiguity in defining the exact role of H2S in hypertension because of insufficient number of research results on this area. This critical review on the role of H2S in hypertension will clarify the gray areas and highlight its future prospects

(57) Meng G, Wang J, Xiao Y, Bai W, Xie L, Shan L, et al. GYY4137 protects against myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis in rats. J Biomed Res 2015 May;29(3):203-13. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter that regulates cardiovascular functions. The present study aimed to determine the protective effect of slow-releasing H2S donor GYY4137 on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury and to investigate the possible signaling mechanisms involved. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with GYY4137 at 12.5 mg/(kg.day), 25 mg/(kg.day) or 50 mg/(kg.day) intraperitoneally for 7 days. Then, rats were subjected to 30 minutes of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion for 24 hours. We found that GYY4137 increased the cardiac ejection fraction and fractional shortening, reduced the ischemia area, alleviated histological injury and decreased plasma creatine kinase after myocardial I/R. Both H2S concentration in plasma and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) activity in the myocardium were enhanced in the GYY4137 treated groups. GYY4137 also decreased malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels in serum, attenuated superoxide anion level and suppressed phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinases in the myocardium after I/R. Meanwhile, GYY4137 increased the expression of Bcl-2 but decreased the expression of Bax, caspase-3 activity and apoptosis in the myocardium. The data suggest

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that GYY4137 protects against myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis

(58) Siciliani de CM, Viciani S, Galli I, Mazzotti D, Sorci F, Severi M, et al. Note: An analyzer for field detection of H2S by using cavity ring-down at 1.57 mum. Rev Sci Instrum 2015 May;86(5):056108. Abstract: A prototype analyzer for the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy, is described. The device exploits, whenever possible, optical fibers, in order to simplify the alignment and to improve the stability. A trade-off between low detection level and simplicity has been pursued. The experimental results obtained during tests on different kinds of H2S samples are shown

(59) Tang Y, Li Z, Zu X, Ma J, Wang L, Yang J, et al. Room-temperature NH gas sensors based on Ag-doped gamma-FeO/SiO composite films with sub-ppm detection ability. J Hazard Mater 2015 Apr 18;298:154-61. Abstract: In this report, NH3 gas sensors based on Ag-doped gamma-Fe2O3/SiO2 composite films are investigated. The composite films were prepared with a sol-gel process, and the films' electrical resistance responded to the change of NH3 concentration in the environment. The SEM and AFM investigations showed that the films had a porous structure, and the XRD investigation indicated that the size of Ag particles changed with the modification of Ag loading content. Through a comparative gas sensing study among the Ag-doped composite films, undoped composite film, gamma-Fe2O3 film, and SiO2 film, the Ag-doped composite films were found to be much more sensitive than the sensors based on the undoped composite film and gamma-Fe2O3 film at room temperature, indicating the significant influences of the SiO2 and Ag on the sensing property. Moreover, the sensor based on Ag-doped (4%) gamma-Fe2O3/SiO2 composite film was able to detect the NH3 gas at ppb level. Conversely, the responses of the sensor to other test gases (C2H5OH, CO, H2, CH4 and H2S) were all markedly low, suggesting excellent selectivity

(60) Beltowski J, Guranowski A, Jamroz-Wisniewska A, Wolski A, Halas K. Hydrogen-sulfide-mediated vasodilatory effect of nucleoside 5'-monophosphorothioates in perivascular adipose tissue. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2015 Mar 24;1-11. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is synthesized in perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and induces vasorelaxation. We examined whether the sulfur-containing AMP and GMP analogs AMPS and GMPS can serve as the H2S donors in PVAT. H2S production by isolated rat periaortic adipose tissue (PAT) was measured with a polarographic sensor. In addition, phenylephrine-induced contractility of aortic rings with (+) or without (-) PAT was examined. Isolated PAT produced H2S from AMPS or GMPS in the presence of the P2X7 receptor agonist BzATP. Phenylephrine-induced contractility of PAT(+) rings was lower than of PAT(-) rings. AMPS or GMPS had no effect on the contractility of PAT(-) rings, but used together with BzATP reduced the contractility of PAT(+) rings when endogenous H2S production was inhibited with propargylglycine. A high-fat diet reduced endogenous H2S production by PAT. Interestingly, AMPS and GMPS were converted to H2S by PAT of obese rats, and reduced contractility of PAT(+) aortic rings isolated from these animals even in the absence of BzATP. We conclude that (i) AMPS and GMPS can be hydrolyzed to H2S by PAT when P2X7 receptors are activated, (ii) a high-fat diet impairs endogenous H2S production by PAT, (iii) AMPS and GMPS restore the anticontractile effects of PAT in obese animals without P2X7 stimulation

(61) Tian ZX, Zhang X, Liu CL, Meng QG, Yan J. Feasibility Study on Quantitative Analysis of Sulfide Concentration and pH of Marine Sediment Pore Water via Raman Spectroscopy. Guang Pu Xue Yu Guang Pu Fen Xi 2015 Mar;35(3):649-56. Abstract: Marine sediment pore water is one of the important objects in the study of global environmental change, marine geology and biogeochemistry. Anoxic pore water in highly reducing deep-sea sediments commonly contains a large amount of dissolved sulfide (H2S and HS-). The sulfide species within sediment pore water are significant not only because

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the importance of themselves, but also because they exist as a function of pH which is another key parameter in pore water study. As degassing and chemical equilibrium altering are both inevitable, concentrations of sulfide species and pH value of marine sediment pore water acquired with traditional non-in situ technologies are of great uncertainty, and cannot represent the real geochemistry information. However, the recent deployment of an in situ laser Raman pore water sampler allows us to observe spectral sulfide signals of marine sediments in situ and in real time, which provide us a new technique to solve this problem. Sulfide species in water have a relatively strong Raman signal, which often appears in the form of a characteristic overlapping peak between 2

(62) Zheng D, Dong S, Li T, Yang F, Yu X, Wu J, et al. Exogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Attenuates Cardiac Fibrosis Through Reactive Oxygen Species Signal Pathways in Experimental Diabetes Mellitus Models. Cell Physiol Biochem 2015;36(3):917-29. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress inducing hyperglycemia and high glucose play an important role in the development of cardiac fibrosis associated with diabetic cardiomyopathy. The endogenous gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can act in a cytoprotective manner. However, whether H2S could inhibit the fibrotic process is unclear. The purpose of our study was to examine the role of H2S in the development and underlying mechanisms behind diabetic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Diabetic cardiomyopathy was induced in rats by injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Cardiac fibrosis and proliferation of rat neonatal cardiac fibroblasts were induced by hyperglycemia and high glucose. We tested the effects of GYY4137 (a slow-releasing H2S donor), NaHS (an exogenous H2S donor) and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) siRNA on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, MMP-2,9, cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE), NOX4, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) to reveal the effects of H2S on the cardiac fibrosis of diabetic cardiomyopathy. RESULT: In vivo, NaHS treatment inhibited hyperglycemia-induced expression of type I and III collagen, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in diabetic hearts. Rat neonatal cardiac fibroblast migration and cell survival were inhibited by administration of GYY4137. NOX4 expression was increased by hyperglycemia and high glucose, but was reduced in cardiac fibroblasts treated by NaHS and GYY4137. ROS production, ERK1/2 phosphorylation and MMP-2 and 9 expression were decreased in rat neonatal cardiac fibroblasts treated with GYY4137 and NOX4 siRNA. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that enhanced NOX4 expression results in cardiac fibrosis through ROS-ERK1/2-MAPkinase-dependent mechanisms in diabetic cardiomyopathy. NOX4 could be an important target for H2S to regulate redox homeostasis in cardiac fibrosis of diabetic cardiomyopathy. (c) 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel

(63) Plotnikova LN, Berezovskii VA, Veselskii SP. [Effect of reduced oxygen concentrations and hydrogen sulfide on the amino acid metabolism and mesenchymal cells proliferation]. Fiziol Zh 2015;61(1):56-62. Abstract: We investigated the effect of hydrogen sulfide donor (10(-12) mol/l NaHS--I group) alone and together with the reduced oxygen concentrations (5% O2--II group, 3% O2--III group, 24 h) on the biological processes of human stem cells culture. It was shown that the cells proliferation by the third day of cultivation in I, II and III group decreased 1,7; 2,8 and 4,2 times. On the 4th day of culture proliferation inhibited in I, II and III group by 29; 33 and 54% compared to the control. Thus, adverse effects NaHS enhanced by reducing the oxygen concentration. It was established that in all experimental versions rapidly absorbed from the culture medium amino acids: cysteine and cystine, serine and aspartic acid, valine and tryptophan, proline and hydroxyproline, which are involved in the synthesis of proteins, in particular collagen. In the culture medium increased the concentration of free amino acids of the three factions: arginine, histidine and taurine; glycine and methionine; alanine and glutamine. We believe that in the applied concentration of hydrogen sulfide donor in conditions of low oxygen in a gaseous medium incubation inhibits the proliferation and alters the amino acid metabolism of human cells line 4BL

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(64) Kotsuruba AV, Kopjak BS, Sagach VF, Spivak NJ. [Nanocerium restores the erythrocytes stability to acid hemolysis by inhibition of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species in old rats]. Fiziol Zh 2015;61(1):3-9. Abstract: In experiments in vivo the effect of nanocerium (cerium oxide nanoparticles) on the stability of red blood cells to acid hemolysis, levels of both ROS and RNS generation and H2S pools in plasma and erythrocytes of old rats were investigated. In red blood cells of old rats the proton penetration into the matrix of erythrocytes showed a significant raising and the fate of labile "aging" erythrocytes in old animals compared with adult were up- regulated. These phenomena paralleled with significant up-regulation of ROS and RNS generation. Introduction for 14 days per os to old rats 0.1 mg/kg of nanocerium fully restored resistance of erythrocytes to acid hemolysis by ROS and RNS in both plasma and erythrocytes reduction. Nanocerium decreased the erythrocytes and, conversely, significantly increased the plasma's pools of H2S

(65) Chen C, Copley JT, Linse K, Rogers AD, Sigwart JD. The heart of a dragon: 3D anatomical reconstruction of the 'scaly-foot gastropod' (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Neomphalina) reveals its extraordinary circulatory system. Front Zool 2015;12:13. Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The 'scaly-foot gastropod' (Chrysomallon squamiferum Chen et al., 2015) from deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems of the Indian Ocean is an active mobile gastropod occurring in locally high densities, and it is distinctive for the dermal scales covering the exterior surface of its foot. These iron-sulfide coated sclerites, and its nutritional dependence on endosymbiotic bacteria, are both noted as adaptations to the extreme environment in the flow of hydrogen sulfide. We present evidence for other adaptations of the 'scaly-foot gastropod' to life in an extreme environment, investigated through dissection and 3D tomographic reconstruction of the internal anatomy. RESULTS: Our anatomical investigations of juvenile and adult specimens reveal a large unganglionated nervous system, a simple and reduced digestive system, and that the animal is a simultaneous hermaphrodite. We show that Chrysomallon squamiferum relies on endosymbiotic bacteria throughout post-larval life. Of particular interest is the circulatory system: Chrysomallon has a very large ctenidium supported by extensive blood sinuses filled with haemocoel. The ctenidium provides oxygen for the host but the circulatory system is enlarged beyond the scope of other similar vent gastropods. At the posterior of the ctenidium is a remarkably large and well-developed heart. Based on the volume of the auricle and ventricle, the heart complex represents approximately 4 % of the body volume. This proportionally giant heart primarily sucks blood through the ctenidium and supplies the highly vascularised oesophageal gland. Thus we infer the elaborate cardiovascular system most likely evolved to oxygenate the endosymbionts in an oxygen poor environment and/or to supply hydrogen sulfide to the endosymbionts. CONCLUSIONS: This study exemplifies how understanding the autecology of an organism can be enhanced by detailed investigation of internal anatomy. This gastropod is a large and active species that is abundant in its hydrothermal vent field ecosystem. Yet all of its remarkable features-protective dermal sclerites, circulatory system, high fecundity-can be viewed as adaptations beneficial to its endosymbiont microbes. We interpret these results to show that, as a result of specialisation to resolve energetic needs in an extreme chemosynthetic environment, this dramatic dragon-like species has become a carrying vessel for its bacteria

(66) Wang Q, Song B, Jiang S, Liang C, Chen X, Shi J, et al. Hydrogen Sulfide Prevents Advanced Glycation End-Products Induced Activation of the Epithelial Sodium Channel. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:976848. Abstract: Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are complex and heterogeneous compounds implicated in diabetes. Sodium reabsorption through the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) at the distal nephron plays an important role in diabetic hypertension. Here, we report that H2S antagonizes AGEs-induced ENaC activation in A6 cells. ENaC open probability (P O ) in A6 cells was significantly increased by exogenous AGEs and that this AGEs-induced ENaC activity was abolished by NaHS (a donor of H2S) and TEMPOL. Incubating A6 cells with the catalase inhibitor 3-aminotriazole (3-AT) mimicked the effects

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of AGEs on ENaC activity, but did not induce any additive effect. We found that the expression levels of catalase were significantly reduced by AGEs and both AGEs and 3-AT facilitated ROS uptake in A6 cells, which were significantly inhibited by NaHS. The specific PTEN and PI3K inhibitors, BPV(pic) and LY294002, influence ENaC activity in AGEs-pretreated A6 cells. Moreover, after removal of AGEs from AGEs-pretreated A6 cells for 72 hours, ENaC P O remained at a high level, suggesting that an AGEs-related "metabolic memory" may be involved in sodium homeostasis. Our data, for the first time, show that H2S prevents AGEs-induced ENaC activation by targeting the ROS/PI3K/PTEN pathway

(67) Yu H, Xu H, Liu X, Zhang N, He A, Yu J, et al. Superoxide Mediates Depressive Effects Induced by Hydrogen Sulfide in Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:927686. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood pressure and oxidative stress. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that H2S exerts its cardiovascular effects by reducing oxidative stress via inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). We examined cell distributions of cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) and effects of H2S on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). We found that CBS was expressed in neurons of the RVLM, and the expression was lower in SHRs than in Wistar-Kyoto rats. Microinjection of NaHS (H2S donor), S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM, a CBS agonist), or Apocynin (NADPH oxidase inhibitor) into the RVLM reduced the ROS level, NADPH oxidase activity, and MAP, whereas microinjection of hydroxylamine hydrochloride (HA, a CBS inhibitor) increased MAP. Furthermore, intracerebroventricular infusion of NaHS inhibited phosphorylation of p47(phox), a key step of NADPH oxidase activation. Since decreasing ROS level in the RVLM reduces MAP and heart rate and increasing H2S reduces ROS production, we conclude that H2S exerts an antihypertensive effect via suppressing ROS production. H2S, as an antioxidant, may be a potential target for cardiovascular diseases

(68) Shen Y, Shen Z, Luo S, Guo W, Zhu YZ. The Cardioprotective Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide in Heart Diseases: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Potential. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:925167. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is now recognized as a third gaseous mediator along with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), though it was originally considered as a malodorous and toxic gas. H2S is produced endogenously from cysteine by three enzymes in mammalian tissues. An increasing body of evidence suggests the involvement of H2S in different physiological and pathological processes. Recent studies have shown that H2S has the potential to protect the heart against myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, hypertrophy, fibrosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and heart failure. Some mechanisms, such as antioxidative action, preservation of mitochondrial function, reduction of apoptosis, anti-inflammatory responses, angiogenic actions, regulation of ion channel, and interaction with NO, could be responsible for the cardioprotective effect of H2S. Although several mechanisms have been identified, there is a need for further research to identify the specific molecular mechanism of cardioprotection in different cardiac diseases. Therefore, insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying H2S action in the heart may promote the understanding of pathophysiology of cardiac diseases and lead to new therapeutic targets based on modulation of H2S production

(69) Zhang L, Pei Y, Wang H, Jin Z, Liu Z, Qiao Z, et al. Hydrogen Sulfide Alleviates Cadmium-Induced Cell Death through Restraining ROS Accumulation in Roots of Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:804603. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a cell signal molecule produced endogenously and involved in regulation of tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress in plants. In this work, we used molecular biology, physiology, and histochemical methods to investigate the effects of H2S on cadmium- (Cd-) induced cell death in Chinese cabbage roots. Cd stress stimulated a rapid increase of endogenous H2S in roots. Additionally, root length was closely related

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to the cell death rate. Pretreatment with sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a H2S donor, alleviated the growth inhibition caused by Cd in roots-this effect was more pronounced at 5 muM NaHS. Cd-induced cell death in roots was significantly reduced by 5 muM NaHS treatment. Under Cd stress, activities of the antioxidant enzymes were significantly enhanced in roots. NaHS + Cd treatment made their activities increase further compared with Cd exposure alone. Enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity led to a decline in reactive oxygen species accumulation and lipid peroxidation. In contrast, these effects were reversed by hydroxylamine, a H2S inhibitor. These results suggested that H2S alleviated the cell death caused by Cd via upregulation of antioxidant enzyme activities to remove excessive reactive oxygen species and reduce cell oxidative damage

(70) Wu B, Teng H, Zhang L, Li H, Li J, Wang L, et al. Interaction of Hydrogen Sulfide with Oxygen Sensing under Hypoxia. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:758678. Abstract: Based on the discovery of endogenous H2S production, many in depth studies show this gasotransmitter with a variety of physiological and pathological functions. Three enzymes, cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS), cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MST), are involved in enzymatic production of H2S. Emerging evidence has elucidated an important protective role of H2S in hypoxic conditions in many mammalian systems. However, the mechanisms by which H2S senses and responses to hypoxia are largely elusive. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) function as key regulators of oxygen sensing, activating target genes expression under hypoxia. Recent studies have shown that exogenous H2S regulates HIF action in different patterns. The activation of carotid bodies is a sensitive and prompt response to hypoxia, rapidly enhancing general O2 supply. H2S has been identified as an excitatory mediator of hypoxic sensing in the carotid bodies. This paper presents a brief review of the roles of these two pathways which contribute to hypoxic sensing of H2S

(71) Jin S, Pu SX, Hou CL, Ma FF, Li N, Li XH, et al. Cardiac H2S Generation Is Reduced in Ageing Diabetic Mice. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:758358. Abstract: Aims. To examine whether hydrogen sulfide (H2S) generation changed in ageing diabetic mouse hearts. Results. Compared to mice that were fed tap water only, mice that were fed 30% fructose solution for 15 months exhibited typical characteristics of a severe diabetic phenotype with cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and dysfunction. H2S levels in plasma, heart tissues, and urine were significantly reduced in these mice as compared to those in controls. The expression of the H2S-generating enzymes, cystathionine gamma-lyase and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, was significantly decreased in the hearts of fructose-fed mice, whereas cystathionine-beta-synthase levels were significantly increased. Conclusion. Our results suggest that this ageing diabetic mouse model developed diabetic cardiomyopathy and that H2S levels were reduced in the diabetic heart due to alterations in three H2S-producing enzymes, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy

(72) Zong Y, Huang Y, Chen S, Zhu M, Chen Q, Feng S, et al. Downregulation of Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Pathway Is Involved in Mitochondrion-Related Endothelial Cell Apoptosis Induced by High Salt. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:754670. Abstract: BACKGROUND: The study aimed to investigate whether endogenous H2S pathway was involved in high-salt-stimulated mitochondria-related vascular endothelial cell (VEC) apoptosis. METHODS: Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used in the study. H2S content in the supernatant was detected. Western blot was used to detect expression of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE), cleaved-caspase-3, and mitochondrial and cytosolic cytochrome c (cytc). Fluorescent probes were used to quantitatively detect superoxide anion generation and measure the in situ superoxide anion generation in HUVEC. Mitochondrial membrane pore opening, mitochondrial membrane potential, and caspase-9 activities were measured. The cell apoptosis was detected by cell death ELISA and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) methods. RESULTS: High-salt treatment downregulated the endogenous VEC H2S/CSE pathway, in association

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with increased generation of oxygen free radicals, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, enhanced the opening of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore and leakage of mitochondrial cytc, activated cytoplasmic caspase-9 and caspase-3 and subsequently induced VEC apoptosis. However, supplementation of H2S donor markedly inhibited VEC oxidative stress and mitochondria-related VEC apoptosis induced by high salt. CONCLUSION: H2S/CSE pathway is an important endogenous defensive system in endothelial cells antagonizing high-salt insult. The protective mechanisms for VEC damage might involve inhibiting oxidative stress and protecting mitochondrial injury

(73) Zhang YX, Hu KD, Lv K, Li YH, Hu LY, Zhang XQ, et al. The Hydrogen Sulfide Donor NaHS Delays Programmed Cell Death in Barley Aleurone Layers by Acting as an Antioxidant. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:714756. Abstract: H2S is a signaling molecule in plants and animals. Here we investigated the effects of H2S on programmed cell death (PCD) in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) aleurone layers. The H2S donor NaHS significantly delayed PCD in aleurone layers isolated from imbibed embryoless barley grain. NaHS at 0.25 mM effectively reduced the accumulation of superoxide anion (.O2 (-)), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA), promoted the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and decreased those of lipoxygenase (LOX) in isolated aleurone layers. Quantitative-PCR showed that NaHS treatment of aleurone tissue led to enhanced transcript levels of the antioxidant genes HvSOD1, HvAPX, HvCAT1, and HvCAT2 and repressed transcript levels of HvLOX (lipoxygenase gene) and of two cysteine protease genes HvEPA and HvCP3-31. NaHS treatment in gibberellic acid- (GA-) treated aleurone layers also delayed the PCD process, reduced the content of .O2 (-), and increased POD activity while decreasing LOX activity. Furthermore, alpha-amylase secretion in barley aleurone layers was enhanced by NaHS treatment regardless of the presence or absence of GA. These data imply that H2S acted as an antioxidant in delaying PCD and enhances alpha-amylase secretion regardless of the presence of GA in barley aleurone layers

(74) Meng G, Zhu J, Xiao Y, Huang Z, Zhang Y, Tang X, et al. Hydrogen Sulfide Donor GYY4137 Protects against Myocardial Fibrosis. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:691070. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter which regulates multiple cardiovascular functions. However, the precise roles of H2S in modulating myocardial fibrosis in vivo and cardiac fibroblast proliferation in vitro remain unclear. We investigated the effect of GYY4137, a slow-releasing H2S donor, on myocardial fibrosis. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were administrated with GYY4137 by intraperitoneal injection daily for 4 weeks. GYY4137 decreased systolic blood pressure and inhibited myocardial fibrosis in SHR as evidenced by improved cardiac collagen volume fraction (CVF) in the left ventricle (LV), ratio of perivascular collagen area (PVCA) to lumen area (LA) in perivascular regions, reduced hydroxyproline concentration, collagen I and III mRNA expression, and cross-linked collagen. GYY4137 also inhibited angiotensin II- (Ang II-) induced neonatal rat cardiac fibroblast proliferation, reduced the number of fibroblasts in S phase, decreased collagen I and III mRNA expression and protein synthesis, attenuated oxidative stress, and suppressed alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) expression as well as Smad2 phosphorylation. These results indicate that GYY4137 improves myocardial fibrosis perhaps by a mechanism involving inhibition of oxidative stress, blockade of the TGF-beta1/Smad2 signaling pathway, and decrease in alpha-SMA expression in cardiac fibroblasts

(75) Zhang L, Qi Q, Yang J, Sun D, Li C, Xue Y, et al. An Anticancer Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in Human Gastric Cancer Cells. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:636410. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can be synthesized in mammalian cells by cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) and/or cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS). Both CSE and CBS are expressed in rat gastric tissues but their role in human gastric neoplasia has been unclear. The aims of the present study were to detect CSE and CBS proteins in human gastric

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cancer and determine the effect of exogenous NaHS on the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. We found that both CSE and CBS proteins were expressed in human gastric cancer cells and upregulated in human gastric carcinoma mucosa compared with those in noncancerous gastric samples. NaHS induced apoptosis of gastric cancer cells by regulating apoptosis related proteins. Also, NaHS inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion. An antigastric cancer role of H2S is thus indicated

(76) Zhu DB, Hu KD, Guo XK, Liu Y, Hu LY, Li YH, et al. Sulfur Dioxide Enhances Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Accumulation and Alleviates Oxidative Stress Induced by Aluminum Stress in Germinating Wheat Seeds. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:612363. Abstract: Aluminum ions are especially toxic to plants in acidic soils. Here we present evidences that SO2 protects germinating wheat grains against aluminum stress. SO2 donor (NaHSO3/Na2SO3) pretreatment at 1.2 mM reduced the accumulation of superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde, enhanced the activities of guaiacol peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase, and decreased the activity of lipoxygenase in germinating wheat grains exposed to Al stress. We also observed higher accumulation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in SO2-pretreated grain, suggesting the tight relation between sulfite and sulfide. Wheat grains geminated in water for 36 h were pretreated with or without 1 mM SO2 donor for 12 h prior to exposure to Al stress for 48 h and the ameliorating effects of SO2 on wheat radicles were studied. SO2 donor pretreatment reduced the content of reactive oxygen species, protected membrane integrity, and reduced Al accumulation in wheat radicles. Gene expression analysis showed that SO2 donor pretreatment decreased the expression of Al-responsive genes TaWali1, TaWali2, TaWali3, TaWali5, TaWali6, and TaALMT1 in radicles exposed to Al stress. These results suggested that SO2 could increase endogenous H2S accumulation and the antioxidant capability and decrease endogenous Al content in wheat grains to alleviate Al stress

(77) Zhang S, Pan C, Zhou F, Yuan Z, Wang H, Cui W, et al. Hydrogen Sulfide as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Fibrosis. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:593407. Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), produced endogenously by the activation of two major H2S-generating enzymes (cystathionine beta-synthase and cystathionine gamma-lyase), plays important regulatory roles in different physiologic and pathologic conditions. The abnormal metabolism of H2S is associated with fibrosis pathogenesis, causing damage in structure and function of different organs. A number of in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that both endogenous H2S level and the expressions of H2S-generating enzymes in plasma and tissues are significantly downregulated during fibrosis. Supplement with exogenous H2S mitigates the severity of fibrosis in various experimental animal models. The protective role of H2S in the development of fibrosis is primarily attributed to its antioxidation, antiapoptosis, anti-inflammation, proangiogenesis, and inhibition of fibroblasts activities. Future studies might focus on the potential to intervene fibrosis by targeting the pathway of endogenous H2S-producing enzymes and H2S itself

(78) Song K, Li Q, Yin XY, Lu Y, Liu CF, Hu LF. Hydrogen Sulfide: A Therapeutic Candidate for Fibrotic Disease? Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:458720. Abstract: Fibrotic diseases including chronic kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic disease account for 45% mortality in the developed countries and pose a great threat to the global health. Many great targets and molecules have been reported to be involved in the initiation and/or progression of fibrosis, among which inflammation and oxidative stress are well-recognized modulation targets. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the third gasotransmitter with potent properties in inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress in various organs. Recent evidence suggests that plasma H2S level is decreased in various animal models of fibrotic diseases and supplement of exogenous H2S is able to ameliorate fibrosis in the kidney, lung, liver, and heart. This leads us to propose that modulation of H2S production may represent a promising therapeutic venue for the treatment of a variety of fibrotic diseases. Here, we summarize and discuss the current

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data on the role and underlying mechanisms of H2S in fibrosis diseases related to heart, liver, kidney, and other organs

(79) Jin Z, Pei Y. Physiological Implications of Hydrogen Sulfide in Plants: Pleasant Exploration behind Its Unpleasant Odour. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:397502. Abstract: Recently, overwhelming evidence has proven that hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which was identified as a gasotransmitter in animals, plays important roles in diverse physiological processes in plants as well. With the discovery and systematic classification of the enzymes producing H2S in vivo, a better understanding of the mechanisms by which H2S influences plant responses to various stimuli was reached. There are many functions of H2S, including the modulation of defense responses and plant growth and development, as well as the regulation of senescence and maturation. Additionally, mounting evidence indicates that H2S signaling interacts with plant hormones, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and other molecules in signaling pathways

(80) Zhang W, Xu C, Yang G, Wu L, Wang R. Interaction of H2S with Calcium Permeable Channels and Transporters. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:323269. Abstract: A growing amount of evidence has suggested that hydrogen sulfide (H2S), as a gasotransmitter, is involved in intensive physiological and pathological processes. More and more research groups have found that H2S mediates diverse cellular biological functions related to regulating intracellular calcium concentration. These groups have demonstrated the reciprocal interaction between H2S and calcium ion channels and transporters, such as L-type calcium channels (LTCC), T-type calcium channels (TTCC), sodium/calcium exchangers (NCX), transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, beta-adrenergic receptors, and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) in different cells. However, the understanding of the molecular targets and mechanisms is incomplete. Recently, some research groups demonstrated that H2S modulates the activity of calcium ion channels through protein S-sulfhydration and polysulfide reactions. In this review, we elucidate that H2S controls intracellular calcium homeostasis and the underlying mechanisms

(81) Yang G, An SS, Ji Y, Zhang W, Pei Y. Hydrogen Sulfide Signaling in Oxidative Stress and Aging Development. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:357824.

(82) Wu D, Wang J, Li H, Xue M, Ji A, Li Y. Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2015;2015:186908. Abstract: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the major causes of high morbidity, disability, and mortality in the world. I/R injury remains a complicated and unresolved situation in clinical practice, especially in the field of solid organ transplantation. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the third gaseous signaling molecule and plays a broad range of physiological and pathophysiological roles in mammals. H2S could protect against I/R injury in many organs and tissues, such as heart, liver, kidney, brain, intestine, stomach, hind-limb, lung, and retina. The goal of this review is to highlight recent findings regarding the role of H2S in I/R injury. In this review, we present the production and metabolism of H2S and further discuss the effect and mechanism of H2S in I/R injury

(83) Sonobe T, Chenuel B, Cooper TK, Haouzi P. Immediate and Long-Term Outcome of Acute H2S Intoxication Induced Coma in Unanesthetized Rats: Effects of Methylene Blue. PLoS One 2015;10(6):e0131340. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Acute hydrogen sulfide (H2S) poisoning produces a coma, the outcome of which ranges from full recovery to severe neurological deficits. The aim of our study was to 1- describe the immediate and long-term neurological effects following H2S-induced coma in un-anesthetized rats, and 2- determine the potential benefit of methylene blue (MB), a compound we previously found to counteract acute sulfide cardiac toxicity. METHODS: NaHS was administered IP in un-sedated rats to produce a coma (n = 34). One minute into coma, the rats received MB (4 mg/kg IV) or saline. The surviving rats were

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followed clinically and assigned to Morris water maze (MWM) and open field testing then sacrificed at day 7. RESULTS: Sixty percent of the non-treated comatose rats died by pulseless electrical activity. Nine percent recovered with neurological deficits requiring euthanasia, their brain examination revealed major neuronal necrosis of the superficial and middle layers of the cerebral cortex and the posterior thalamus, with variable necrosis of the caudate putamen, but no lesions of the hippocampus or the cerebellum, in contrast to the typical distribution of post-ischemic lesions. The remaining animals displayed, on average, a significantly less effective search strategy than the control rats (n = 21) during MWM testing. Meanwhile, 75% of rats that received MB survived and could perform the MWM test (P<0.05 vs non-treated animals). The treated animals displayed a significantly higher occurrence of spatial search than the non-treated animals. However, a similar proportion of cortical necrosis was observed in both groups, with a milder clinical presentation following MB. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in rats surviving H2S induced coma, spatial search patterns were used less frequently than in control animals. A small percentage of rats presented necrotic neuronal lesions, which distribution differed from post-ischemic lesions. MB dramatically improved the immediate survival and spatial search strategy in the surviving rats

(84) Batty CA, Cauchi M, Lourenco C, Hunter JO, Turner C. Use of the Analysis of the Volatile Faecal Metabolome in Screening for Colorectal Cancer. PLoS One 2015;10(6):e0130301. Abstract: Diagnosis of colorectal cancer is an invasive and expensive colonoscopy, which is usually carried out after a positive screening test. Unfortunately, existing screening tests lack specificity and sensitivity, hence many unnecessary colonoscopies are performed. Here we report on a potential new screening test for colorectal cancer based on the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the headspace of faecal samples. Faecal samples were obtained from subjects who had a positive faecal occult blood sample (FOBT). Subjects subsequently had colonoscopies performed to classify them into low risk (non-cancer) and high risk (colorectal cancer) groups. Volatile organic compounds were analysed by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) and then data were analysed using both univariate and multivariate statistical methods. Ions most likely from hydrogen sulphide, dimethyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide are statistically significantly higher in samples from high risk rather than low risk subjects. Results using multivariate methods show that the test gives a correct classification of 75% with 78% specificity and 72% sensitivity on FOBT positive samples, offering a potentially effective alternative to FOBT

(85) Zerrouki S, Rihani R, Bentahar F, Belkacemi K. Anaerobic digestion of wastewater from the fruit juice industry: experiments and modeling. Water Sci Technol 2015;72(1):123-34. Abstract: Anaerobic digestion of wastewater from the fruit juice industry was carried out in a batch digester. To study the effect of the pH values as well as the nutrient medium on the fermentation process, different parameters were monitored under mesophilic temperature, such as cumulative biogas volume, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total sugar, and biomass growth. It was found that for all cases, the COD concentration decreased with time. The lowest value reached was obtained when the nutrient medium was added; it was about 110 g/L after 480 h. In such cases, the COD removal reached about 80%; the highest cumulative biogas volume of about 5,515.8 NmL was reached after 480 h testing; and the lowest value reached was about 2,862.3 NmL in the case of peach-substrate containing sodium sulfite. The addition of nutrient medium improved the cumulative biogas production as well as the COD abatement. Measurement of the biogas composition highlighted three gaseous components, namely, methane (56.52%), carbon dioxide (20.14%), and hydrogen sulfide (23.34%). The modified Gompertz equation and the first-order kinetic model were used to describe the cumulative biogas production and the organic matter removal, respectively. A good agreement was found between simulated and experimental data

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(86) Chen J, Chen R, Hong M. Influence of pH on hexavalent chromium reduction by Fe(II) and sulfide compounds. Water Sci Technol 2015;72(1):22-8. Abstract: Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of pH on Cr(VI) reduction with Fe(II), sulfide and mixtures of Fe(II) and sulfide at pH 3.0-12.0. The results showed that Fe(II) could reduce Cr(VI) with a high removal of nearly 100% in the pH range of 3.0-9.0, while the reduction of Cr(VI) decreased to approximately 60% considering the oxygenation of Fe(II) at pH 12.0. The reaction between Cr(VI) and sulfide, however, was largely pH dependent. H2S was the main sulfide species with the Cr(VI) removal of approximately 80% at pH < 7.0, while sulfide mainly existed in the forms as HS(-) or S(2-) at pH >/= 7.0, which had very limited removal of Cr(VI) (no more than 10%). The Cr(VI) removal by the mixtures of Fe(II) and sulfide was also compared with the sum of separate ones at different pH values. The sum of Cr(VI) removal by single Fe(II) and S(-II) was similar to that by the mixtures at pH 3.0-5.0 and pH 12.0, while the removal of Cr(VI) by the mixtures was observed to be more effective than the sum of the single-species removals at pH 7.0-9.0; the promoting effect was primarily attributed to the catalysis of ferric ion generated during the reduction process

(87) Mulopo J, Schaefer L. Biological regeneration of ferric (Fe(3+)) solution during desulphurisation of gaseous streams: effect of nutrients and support material. Water Sci Technol 2015;71(11):1672-8. Abstract: This paper evaluates the biological regeneration of ferric Fe(3+) solution during desulphurisation of gaseous streams. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is absorbed into aqueous ferric sulphate solution and oxidised to elemental sulphur, while ferric ions Fe(3+) are reduced to ferrous ions Fe(2+). During the industrial regeneration of Fe(3+), nutrients and trace minerals usually provided in a laboratory setup are not present and this depletion of nutrients may have a negative impact on the bacteria responsible for ferrous iron oxidation and may probably affect the oxidation rate. In this study, the effect of nutrients and trace minerals on ferrous iron oxidation have been investigated and the results showed that the presence of nutrients and trace minerals affects the efficiency of bacterial Fe(2+)oxidation. The scanning electron microscopy analysis of the geotextile support material was also conducted and the results showed that the iron precipitate deposits appear to play a direct role on the bacterial biofilm formation

(88) Ahmed A. Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications of the carbon monoxide/hmox1 and the hydrogen sulfide/CSE pathways in the prevention of pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Pregnancy Hypertens 2014 Jul;4(3):243-4. Abstract: The exact aetiology of preeclampsia is unknown, but there is a good association with an imbalance in angiogenic growth factors and abnormal placentation (Ahmad and Ahmed, 2004). The incidence of preeclampsia is reduced by a third in smokers, but not in snuff users. Soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin (sEng) are increased prior to the clinical onset of preeclampsia. Animals exposed to high circulating levels of sFlt-1 and sEng elicit severe preeclampsia-like symptoms. Smokers have reduced circulating sFlt-1 and cigarette smoke extract decreases sFlt-1 release from placental villous explants. An anti-inflammatory enzyme, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and its metabolite carbon monoxide (CO), inhibit sFlt-1 and sEng release. Women with preeclampsia exhale less CO than women with normal pregnancies and HO expression decreases as the severity of preeclampsia increases. In contrast, sFlt-1 levels increase with increasing severity. More importantly, chorionic villous sampling from women at eleven weeks gestation shows that HO-1 mRNA expression is decreased in women who go on to develop preeclampsia. Collectively, these facts provide compelling evidence to support the proposition that the pathogenesis of preeclampsia is largely due to loss of HO activity. This results in an increase in inflammation and excessive elevation of the two key anti-angiogenic factors responsible for the clinical signs of preeclampsia. The identification of a protective role for HO-1 in pregnancy, offers HO/CO pathway as a target for the treatment of preeclampsia. The cardiovascular drugs, statins, stimulate HO-1 expression and inhibit sFlt-1 release in vivo and in vitro, suggesting statins have the potential to ameliorate preeclampsia. The

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StAmP trial is underway to address this and if positive, its outcome will lead to the very first therapeutic intervention to prolong affected pregnancies. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), a gaseous messenger produced mainly by cystathionineY-lyase (CSE), is pro-angiogenic vasodilator (Yang et al., 2008; Papapetropoulos et al., 2009). We hypothesized that a reduction in CSE activity may alter the angiogenic balance in pregnancy and induce abnormal placentation and maternal hypertension. Plasma levels of H2S were significantly decreased in preeclamptic women (p<-0.01), which was associated with reduced CSE message and protein expression in human placenta as determined by real - time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Inhibition of CSE activity by DL-propargylglycine (PAG) in first trimester (8-12weeks gestation) human placental explants had reduced placenta growth factor (PIGF) production as assessed by ELISA and inhibited trophoblast invasion in vitro. Endothelial CSE knockdown by siRNA transfection increased the endogenous release of soluble fms-Like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin, (sEng) from human umbilical vein endothelial cells while adenoviral-mediated CSE overexpression inhibited their release. Administration of PAG to pregnant mice induced hypertension, liver damage, and promoted abnormal labyrinth vascularisation in the placenta and decreased fetal growth. Finally, a slow releasing, H2S-generating compound, GYY4137, inhibited circulating sFlt-1 and sEng levels and restored fetal growth that was compromised by PAG-treatment demonstrating that the effect of CSE inhibitor was due to inhibition of H2S production. These results imply that endogenous H2S is required for healthy placental vasculature and a decrease in of CSE/ H2S activity may contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This work was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council (G0601295 and G0700288) and Aston University StrategicFunds