Effects of the new adiponectin paralogous protein CTRP-3 and of LPS on cytokine release from monocytes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aims/Hypothesis: It was the aim to investigate the hypothesis that the new C1q/TNF-family member CTRP-3 (C1q/TNF-related protein-3) acts anti-inflammatory in human monocytes from healthy controls and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Methods: Monocytes were isolated from 20 healthy controls and 30 patients with T2D. IL-6 and TNF concentrations were measured by ELISA. CTRP-3 was expressed in insect cells and used for stimulation experiments. Results: Basal IL-6 and TNF were not different in control and in T2D monocytes. LPS-stimulation (1 μg/ml) significantly (p < 0.001) increased IL-6 and TNF in the supernatants of control and in T2D monocytes to a similar extent. CTRP-3 (1 μg/ml) significantly (p = 0.03) inhibited LPS-induced IL-6 in control monocytes but not in T2D monocytes. TNF upon co-stimulation with LPS and CTRP-3 was significantly (p = 0.012) lower in control than in T2D monocytes. LPS-induced TNF concentration was significantly and positively correlated with serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in T2D patients. Conclusions: CTRP-3 inhibits LPS-induced IL-6 and TNF release. This anti-inflammatory effect is lost in T2D. Serum cholesterol concentration affects the pro-inflammatory potential of LPS to induce TNF release from T2D monocytes in the presence or absence of CTRP-3. CTRP-3 might partly account for the pro-inflammatory state in T2D.     

The 2DX robot: A membrane protein 2D crystallization Swiss Army knife

Among the state-of-the-art techniques that provide experimental information at atomic scale for membrane proteins, electron crystallography, atomic force microscopy and solid state NMR make use of two-dimensional crystals. We present a cyclodextrin-driven method for detergent removal implemented in a fully automated robot. The kinetics of the reconstitution processes is precisely controlled, because the detergent complexation by cyclodextrin is of stoichiometric nature. The method requires smaller volumes and lower protein concentrations than established 2D crystallization methods, making it possible to explore more conditions with the same amount of protein. The method yielded highly ordered 2D crystals diffracting to high resolution from the pore-forming toxin Aeromonas hydrophila aerolysin (2.9 Å), the plant aquaporin SoPIP2;1 (3.1 Å) and the human aquaporin-8 (hAQP8; 3.3 Å). This new method outperforms traditional 2D crystallization approaches in terms of accuracy, flexibility, throughput, and allows the usage of detergents having low critical micelle concentration (CMC), which stabilize the structure of membrane proteins in solution.     

Application of a full body inertial measurement system in alpine skiing: a comparison with an optical video based system

This study aims at determining the accuracy of a full body inertial measurement system in a real skiing environment in comparison with an optical video based system. Recent studies have shown the use of inertial measurement systems for the determination of kinematical parameters in alpine skiing. However, a quantitative validation of a full body inertial measurement system for the application in alpine skiing is so far not available. For the purpose of this study, a skier performed a test-run equipped with a full body inertial measurement system in combination with a DGPS. In addition, one turn of the test-run was analyzed by an optical video based system. With respect to the analyzed angles, a maximum mean difference of 4.9° was measured. No differences in the measured angles between the inertial measurement system and the combined usage with a DGPS were found. Concerning the determination of the skier's trajectory, an additional system (e.g., DGPS) must be used. As opposed to optical methods, the main advantages of the inertial measurement system are the determination of kinematical parameters without the limitation of restricted capture volume, and small time costs for the measurement preparation and data analysis.     

Structure of the nervous system in Tubiluchus troglodytes (Priapulida)

Abstract. The nervous system of the meiobenthic priapulid species Tubiluchus troglodytes is described by immunohistochemistry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The brain is circumpharyngeal, consisting of a central ring of neuropil and both anterior and posterior somata. From the brain emerges a ventral nerve cord, which shows ganglion-like swellings in the neck and caudal region. The introvert includes longitudinal neurite bundles running below and between the rows of scalids, with a small cluster of sensory cells under each scalid. In the body wall of the neck and trunk region, longitudinal and circular neurite bundles are present in an orthogonal pattern. The tail is innervated from the caudal swelling of the ventral nerve cord; it also includes longitudinal and circular bundles in an orthogonal pattern. The pharynx has a reticulated system of neurite bundles running between the pharyngeal teeth and fimbrillae. Below each tooth and fimbrilus is a ganglion-like cluster of somata. The intestine is surrounded by a nerve net. The data on the nervous system are compared within other priapulids and with other species of Scalidophora (Kinorhyncha and Loricifera).     

Time Trends of Helicobacter pylori Resistance to Antibiotics in Children Living in Vienna,Austria

Background: Increase of antibiotic resistance is a worldwide problem. Within the 4 years before the turn of the millennium Helicobacter pylori strains isolated in children living in Vienna, Austria, showed a primary clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance of 20% and 16%, respectively. The aim of this retrospective follow‐up survey was to assess the further development and current antimicrobial resistance status. Methods: Children having undergone upper endoscopy between March 2002 and March 2008 at the same two co‐operating pediatric gastroenterology units which had also been collaborating on the prior assessment were included. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by rapid urease test, histology, and culture. If the latter was positive, susceptibility testing to amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole by E‐test followed. From March 2004 onwards, susceptibility to levofloxacin, tetracycline and rifampin was additionally assessed. Results: Out of 897 children, 153 had a proven infection with H. pylori and no history of prior eradication treatment. Their median age was 11.5 years (range 0.5–20.9 years). Primary resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole were 34% and 22.9%, respectively; dual resistance was found in 9.8% of the strains; 0.9% was resistant to tetracycline and rifampin, respectively. No case of amoxicillin resistance was detected. The only independent risk factor for clarithromycin resistance turned out to be the origin of a child from Austrian parents. Conclusions: In the last decade, the rate of primary resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin continued to rise. No significant change was found regarding primary resistance to metronidazole or dual resistance to metronidazole and clarithromycin, respectively.