High Resolution Proton NMR Spectroscopy of Multiple Sclerosis Lesions

Abstract: Tissue from postmortem multiple sclerosis and normal control brains was extracted with perchloric acid and analysed using proton NMR spectroscopy. The content of N -acetyl-derived groups (the sum of N -acetylaspartate, acetate, and N -acetylaspartylglutamate) was decreased in multiple sclerosis plaques compared with normal control white matter (mean, 4.36 vs. 6.64 µmol/g wet weight). In normal appearing white matter adjacent to plaques a corresponding decrease was seen, with no change in white matter distant from plaques. A decrease in the content of total creatine was observed in multiple sclerosis plaques in comparison with normal control white matter (mean, 4.64 vs. 6.56 µmol/g wet weight), which correlated strongly with the decrease in N -acetyl-derived groups. No changes in other metabolites such as total choline or myo -inositol were seen. The decreases in content of N -acetyl-derived groups are in agreement with observations from in vivo proton NMR spectroscopy in multiple sclerosis patients. The decrease in total creatine is in contrast to most of the observations made in vivo where total creatine is assumed to be unchanged and metabolite levels are often expressed as a total creatine ratio. The use of a total creatine ratio in vivo could lead to an underestimation of reductions in N -acetylaspartate and an apparent increase in other metabolites in the multiple sclerosis lesion.     

rec genes and homologous recombination proteins in Escherichia coli

The twenty-five years since the first published report of recA mutants in Escherichia coli has seen the identification of more than 12 other recombination genes. The genes are usually grouped into three pathways named RecBCD, RecE and RecF for prominent genes which function in each. A proposal is made here that there are two RecF pathways, one sensitive and one resistant to exonuclease I, the SbcB enzyme. Five methods of grouping the genes functionally are discussed: 1) by enzyme activity, 2) by common indirect suppressor, 3) by common phenotype, 4) by common regulation and 5) by epistasis. Five classes of enzyme activities implicated in recombination are discussed according to their involvement in presynapsis, synapsis or postsynapsis: 1) nucleases 2) helicases 3) DNA-binding proteins 4) topoisomerases and 5) ligases. Plausible presynaptic steps for the RecBCD, RecF (SbcBS) and RecE pathways show the common feature of generating 3'-terminated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). On this ssDNA it is proposed that a RecA protein filament is generated discontinuously. This implies the existence of nucleation and possibly measurement and 3' end protection proteins. Specific proposals are made for which recombination genes might encode such products. Finally the generality of the RecA-ssDNA-filament mechanism of synapsis in the cellular biological world is discussed.     

Cloning and preliminary characterization of srf-2020 and srf-801, the recF partial suppressor mutations which map in recA of Escherichia coli K-12

We have located the single nucleotide changes suffered in recA sequence of 2 recF partial suppressor mutations: srf-2020 at codon 121 and srf-801 at codon 257. srf-2020 changes codon 121 from threonine (ACC) to isoleucine (ATC). srf-801 changes codon 257 from glutamine (CAG) to proline (CCG). Consequently these mutations were renamed recA2020 and recA801 respectively. Preliminary characterization of recA2020 revealed that it is transdominant to recA+, like recA803, another recF partial suppressor. Interactions of recA2020 with recA803 were examined using genetic studies. Heterozygotes containing recA2020 and recA803 failed to produce a synergistic suppression effect in suppressing the recF deficiency. Presence of both recA2020 and recA803 mutations in the same recA gene also failed to produce any greater amount of UV resistance to a uvrA6recF143del(recA) strain indicating no interactions between these suppressors.     

Interaction of soil moisture and elevated CO2 on the above-ground growth rate, root length density and gas exchange of turves from temperate pasture

Interactions between water availability and elevated atmosphericCO₂ concentrations have the potential to be important factorsin determining future forage supply from temperate pastures.Using large turves from an established pasture, the responseof these communities at 350 or 700 l l^–1 CO₂ to a soilmoisture deficit and to recovery from the deficit in comparisonto turves that were well-watered throughout was measured. Priorto this experiment the turves had been exposed to the CO₂ treatmentsfor 324 d. Net CO₂ exchange continued at elevated CO₂ even when the volumetricsoil moisture content was less than 0.10 m³ m^–3 soil;at the same moisture deficit gas exchange at ambient CO₂ waszero. The additional carbon fixed by the elevated CO₂ turveswas primarily allocated below-ground as shown by the maintenanceof root length density at the same level as in well-wateredturves. When the dry turves were rewatered there was compensatorygrowth at ambient CO₂ so that the above-ground growth rate exceededthat of turves that had not experienced a moisture deficit.At the start of this experiment, the turves that were growingat 700 l I^–1 CO₂ had a greater proportion of legume (principallywhite clover, Trifolium repens L.) in the harvested herbage.There was a trend for the legume content at elevated CO₂ tobe reduced under a soil moisture deficit. The results indicate different strategies in response to soilmoisture deficits depending on the CO₂ concentration. At ambientCO₂, growth stopped, but plants were able to respond stronglyon rewatering; while at elevated CO₂ growth continued (particularlybelow-ground), but no additional growth was evident on rewatering.Ecosystem gas exchange measurements taken at the end of theexperiment (after 429 d of exposure to CO₂) showed 33% moreCO₂ was fixed at elevated CO₂ with only a small (12%) and nonsignificantdownward regulation. Key words: Carbon dioxide, climate change, grassland, gas exchange, soil moisture deficit     

POMC gene-derived peptides activate melanocortin type 3 receptor on murine macrophages, suppress cytokine release, and inhibit neutrophil migration in acute experimental inflammation.

To investigate the relevance of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) therapy in human gouty arthritis, we have tested the effect of several ACTH-related peptides in a murine model of experimental gout. Systemic treatment of mice with ACTH4-10 (MEHFRWG) (10-200 microgram s. c.) inhibited neutrophil accumulation without altering peripheral blood cell counts or circulating corticosterone levels. A similar effect was seen with alpha- and beta-melanocyte stimulating hormones (1-30 microgram s.c.). In vivo release of the chemokine KC-(detected in the lavage fluids before maximal influx of neutrophils) was significantly reduced (-50 to -60%) by ACTH4-10. Macrophage activation in vitro, determined as phagocytosis and KC release, was inhibited by ACTH and ACTH4-10 with approximate IC50 values of 30 nM and 100 microM, respectively. The melanocortin receptor type 3/4 antagonist SHU9119 prevented the inhibitory actions of ACTH4-10 both in vitro and in vivo. However, melanocortin type 3, but not type 4, receptor mRNA was detected in mouse peritoneal macrophages by RT-PCR. Therefore, we propose that activation of this receptor type by ACTH4-10 and related amino acid sequences attenuates KC release (and possibly production of other cytokines) from macrophages with consequent inhibition of the host inflammatory response, thus providing a notional anti-inflammatory mechanism for ACTH that is unrelated to stimulation of glucocorticoid release.     

Modeling the Role of Negative Cooperativity in Metabolic Regulation and Homeostasis

A significant proportion of enzymes display cooperativity in binding ligand molecules, and such effects have an important impact on metabolic regulation. This is easiest to understand in the case of positive cooperativity. Sharp responses to changes in metabolite concentrations can allow organisms to better respond to environmental changes and maintain metabolic homeostasis. However, despite the fact that negative cooperativity is almost as common as positive, it has been harder to imagine what advantages it provides. Here we use computational models to explore the utility of negative cooperativity in one particular context: that of an inhibitor binding to an enzyme. We identify several factors which may contribute, and show that acting together they can make negative cooperativity advantageous.     

Clinical risk management in obstetrics: eclampsia drills

Problem Infrequent presentation of patients with eclampsia, leading to staff inexperienced in the condition and untested emergency systems.Design “Fire drill” programme using on-site simulation of patients with eclampsia.Setting Tertiary referral obstetric unit.Key measures for improvement Successful implementation of measures to optimise management of eclampsia.Strategies for change Rapid activation of emergency team after one call, development and dissemination of evidence based protocol for eclampsia, strategically placed “eclampsia boxes,” individual staff feedback and education.Effects of change Efficient and appropriate management of subsequent simulated patients.Lessons learnt On-site simulation can identify and correct potential deficiencies in the care of patients with eclampsia.