Three maize root-specific genes are not correctly expressed in regenerated caps in the absence of the quiescent center

The quiescent center is viewed as an architectural template in the root apical meristem of all angiosperm and gymnosperm root tips. In roots of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., the quiescent center inhibits differentiation of contacting initial cells and maintains the surrounding initial cells as stem cells. Here, the role of the quiescent center in the development of the maize (Zea mays L.) root cap has been further explored. Three maize root-specific genes were identified. Two of these were exclusively expressed in the root cap and one of them encoded a GDP-mannose-4,6-dehydratase. Most likely these two genes are structural, tissue-specific markers of the cap. The third gene, a putative glycine-rich cell wall protein, was expressed in the cap and in the root epidermis and, conceivably is a positional marker of the cap. Microsurgical and molecular data indicate that the quiescent center and cap initials may regulate the positional and structural expression of these genes in the cap and thereby control root cap development. Received: 22 September 1999 / Accepted: 9 November 1999     

Relationship between T-wave amplitude and oxygen pulse in guinea pigs in hyperbaric helium and hydrogen

Diving isknown to induce a change in the amplitude of the T wave(A_Tw) ofelectrocardiograms, but it is unknown whether this is linked to achange in cardiovascular performance. We analyzed A_Tw in guinea pigs at 10-60atm and 25-36°C, breathing 2%O₂ in either helium (heliox;n = 10) or hydrogen (hydrox;n = 9) for 1 h at each pressure. Coretemperature and electrocardiograms were detected by using implantedradiotelemeters. O₂ consumption rate was measured by using gas chromatography. In a previous study (S. R. Kayar and E. C. Parker. J. Appl.Physiol. 82: 988-997, 1997), we analyzed theO₂ pulse, i.e., theO₂ consumption rate per heartbeat, in the same animals. By multivariate regression analysis, weidentified variables that were significant toO₂ pulse: body surface area,chamber temperature, core temperature, and pressure. In this study,inclusion of A_Tw made asignificantly better model with fewer variables. After normalizing forchamber temperature and pressure, theO₂ pulse increased with increasing A_Tw in heliox(P = 0.001) but with decreasingA_Tw in hydrox(P < 0.001). ThusA_Tw is associated with thedifferences in O₂ pulse foranimals breathing heliox vs. hydrox.

     

Design,synthesis, and docking of highly hypolipidemic agents: Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a new model for evaluating α-asarone-based HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

A series of α-asarone-based analogues was designed by conducting docking experiments with published crystal structures of human HMG-CoA reductase. Indeed, synthesis and evaluation of this series showed a highly hypocholesterolemic in vivo activity in a murine model, as predicted by previous docking studies. In agreement with this model, the polar groups attached to the benzene ring could play a key role in the enzyme binding and probably also in its biological activity, mimicking the HMG-moiety of the natural substrate. The hypolipidemic action mechanism of these compounds was investigated by developing a simple, efficient, and novel model for determining HMG-CoA reductase inhibition. The partial purification of the enzyme from Schizosaccharomyces pombe allowed for testing of α-asarone- and fibrate-based analogues, resulting in positive and significant inhibitory activity.     

Spag17 Deficiency Results in Skeletal Malformations and Bone Abnormalities

Height is the result of many growth and development processes. Most of the genes associated with height are known to play a role in skeletal development. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the SPAG17 gene have been associated with human height. However, it is not clear how this gene influences linear growth. Here we show that a targeted mutation in Spag17 leads to skeletal malformations. Hind limb length in mutants was significantly shorter than in wild-type mice. Studies revealed differences in maturation of femur and tibia suggesting alterations in limb patterning. Morphometric studies showed increased bone formation evidenced by increased trabecular bone area and the ratio of bone area to total area, leading to reductions in the ratio of marrow area/total area in the femur. Micro-CTs and von Kossa staining demonstrated increased mineral in the femur. Moreover, osteocalcin and osterix were more highly expressed in mutant mice than in wild-type mice femurs. These data suggest that femur bone shortening may be due to premature ossification. On the other hand, tibias appear to be shorter due to a delay in cartilage and bone development. Morphometric studies showed reduction in growth plate and bone formation. These defects did not affect bone mineralization, although the volume of primary bone and levels of osteocalcin and osterix were higher. Other skeletal malformations were observed including fused sternebrae, reduced mineralization in the skull, medial and metacarpal phalanges. Primary cilia from chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from knockout mice were shorter and fewer cells had primary cilia in comparison to cells from wild-type mice. In addition, Spag17 knockdown in wild-type MEFs by Spag17 siRNA duplex reproduced the shorter primary cilia phenotype. Our findings disclosed unexpected functions for Spag17 in the regulation of skeletal growth and mineralization, perhaps because of its role in primary cilia of chondrocytes and osteoblasts.     

Increased Zn/Glutathione Levels and Higher Superoxide Dismutase-1 Activity as Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Women with Long-Term Dental Amalgam Fillings: Correlation between Mercury/Aluminium Levels (in Hair) and Antioxidant Systems in Plasma

Background

The induction of oxidative stress by Hg can affect antioxidant enzymes. However, epidemiological studies have failed to establish clear association between dental fillings presence and health problems.

Objectives

To determine whether heavy metals (in hair), antioxidant enzymes (SOD-1) and glutathione levels could be affected by the chronic presence of heavy metals in women who had dental amalgam fillings.

Materials and Methods

55 hair samples (42 females with amalgam fillings and 13 female control subjects) were obtained. All subjects (mean age 44 years) who had dental amalgam filling for more than 10 years (average 15 years). Certain metals were quantified by ICP-MS (Mass Spectrophotometry) in hair (μg/g: Al, Hg, Ba, Ag, Sb, As, Be, Bi, Cd, Pb, Pt, Tl, Th, U, Ni, Sn, Ti) and SOD-1 and Glutathione (reduced form) levels in plasma. Data were compared with controls without amalgams, and analyzed to identify any significant relation between metals and the total number of amalgam fillings, comparing those with four or less (n = 27) with those with more than four (n = 15). As no significant differences were detected, the two groups were pooled (Amlgam; n = 42).

Findings

Hg, Ag, Al and Ba were higher in the amalgam group but without significant differences for most of the heavy metals analyzed. Increased SOD-1 activity and glutathione levels (reduced form) were observed in the amalgam group. Aluminum (Al) correlated with glutathione levels while Hg levels correlated with SOD-1. The observed Al/glutathione and Hg/SOD-1 correlation could be adaptive responses against the chronic presence of mercury.

Conclusions

Hg, Ag, Al and Ba levels increased in women who had dental amalgam fillings for long periods. Al correlated with glutathione, and Hg with SOD-1. SOD-1 may be a possible biomarker for assessing chronic Hg toxicity.     

Detection of K1 antigen of Escherichia coli rods isolated from pregnant women and neonates

The K1 antigen is an important virulence determinant of Escherichia coli strains and has been shown to be associated particularly with neonatal meningitis, bacteraemia and septicaemia. Thus, its detection seems to be useful, especially in the case of E. coli strains isolated from pregnant women and newborns. In this study, the sensitivity and specificity of the latex agglutination test (Pastorex Meningitis) for identification of E. coli serogroup K1 were assessed, using PCR as the gold standard. Our results showed that consistency of results between latex agglutination test and PCR amounted to 98.5 %. Therefore, Pastorex Meningitis is a good alternative to PCR and could be used for rapid K1 antigen detection, especially in local non-specialized laboratories with limited resources where PCR assay is not applied.     

Synthesis of PEGylated lactose analogs for inhibition studies on <Emphasis Type="Italic">T.cruzi</Emphasis> trans-sialidase

Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, expresses a unique enzyme, the trans-sialidase (TcTS) involved in the transfer of sialic acid from host glycoconjugates to mucins of the parasite. The enzyme is shed to the medium and may affect the immune system of the host. We have previously described that lactose derivatives effectively inhibited the transfer of sialic acid to N-acetyllactosamine. Lactitol also prevented the apoptosis caused by the TcTS, although it is rapidly eliminated from the circulatory system. In this paper we report covalent conjugation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with lactose, lactobionolactone and benzyl β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-amino-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside (1) with the hope to improve the bioavailability, though retaining their inhibitory properties. Different conjugation methods have been used and the behavior of the PEGylated products in the TcTS reaction was studied.