Vaspin gene expression in human adipose tissue: association with obesity and type 2 diabetes

Recently, vaspin was identified as an adipokine with insulin-sensitizing effects, which is predominantly secreted from visceral adipose tissue in a rat model of type 2 diabetes. In this study, we examined whether vaspin mRNA expression is a marker of visceral obesity and correlates with anthropometric and metabolic parameters in paired samples of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue from 196 subjects with a wide range of obesity, body fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, and glucose tolerance. Vaspin mRNA expression was only detectable in 23% of the visceral and in 15% of the subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissue samples. Vaspin mRNA expression was not detectable in lean subjects (BMI<25) and was more frequently detected in patients with type 2 diabetes. No significant correlations were found between visceral vaspin gene expression and visceral fat area or SC vaspin expression. However, visceral vaspin expression significantly correlates with BMI, % body fat, and 2 h OGTT plasma glucose. Subcutaneous vaspin mRNA expression is significantly correlated with WHR, fasting plasma insulin concentration, and glucose infusion rate during steady state of an euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed % body fat as strongest predictor of visceral vaspin and insulin sensitivity as strongest determinant of SC vaspin mRNA expression. In conclusion, our data indicate that induction of human vaspin mRNA expression in adipose tissue is regulated in a fat depot-specific manner and could be associated with parameters of obesity, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism.     

Sensitive fluorescence in situ hybridization signal detection in maize using directly labeled probes produced by high concentration DNA polymerase nick translation

The signal produced by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) often is inconsistent among cells and sensitivity is low. Small DNA targets on the chromatin are difficult to detect. We report here an improved nick translation procedure for Texas red and Alexa Fluor 488 direct labeling of FISH probes. Brighter probes can be obtained by adding excess DNA polymerase I. Using such probes, a 30 kb yeast transgene, and the rp1, rp3 and zein multigene clusters were clearly detected.     

Energy crops as a new bird habitat: utilization of oilseed rape fields by the rare Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

As part of the expanding cultivation of renewable primary products, oilseed rape has become a prominent part of the agricultural landscape of many European countries. However, the ecological impacts of increasing cultivation of oilseed rape have received little attention so far. In this study, we provide the first systematic investigation of the suitability of oilseed rape as a habitat for the Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica cyanecula), an endangered and highly specialized bird species. We conducted territorial mapping and a habitat analysis, revealing the distinct habitat requirements of L. s. cyanecula in oilseed rape fields over three breeding seasons. The soil type was identified as the crucial factor for habitat occupancy. It acts as a surrogate for soil moisture and this in turn decisively influences food availability. Ditches can further improve habitat quality, whereas reed is not a necessary structure, although it is a regular feature in the primary habitat of the Bluethroat. Occupied oilseed rape stands were structurally different from the semi-natural reed habitat, but provided similar essential habitat requirements, such as shelter from predation and moist, bare soil. Our results clearly demonstrate the utilization of oilseed rape by a rare and threatened wetland bird species and suggest that this crop may act as a secondary habitat.     

Synthesis and evaluation of substituted hexahydronaphthalenes as novel inhibitors of the Mcl-1/BimBH3 interaction

Mcl-1, an anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 protein family, is overexpressed in a broad range of human cancers and plays a critical role in conferring resistance to chemotherapy. In the course of screening a natural product-like library of sesquiterpenoid analogs, we identified substituted hexahydronaphthalenes that showed activity against the Mcl-1/BimBH3 interaction in vitro. Here, we describe the synthesis of a small library of analogs and their biological evaluation. The most potent inhibitor in the series (19) exhibits an IC(50) of 8.3μM by ELISA and disrupts the interaction between endogenously expressed Mcl-1 and Bim in cultured MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells.     

NAC functions as a modulator of SRP during the early steps of protein targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum

Nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC) was initially found to bind to any segment of the nascent chain except signal sequences. In this way, NAC is believed to prevent mistargeting due to binding of signal recognition particle (SRP) to signalless ribosome nascent chain complexes (RNCs). Here we revisit the interplay between NAC and SRP. NAC does not affect SRP function with respect to signalless RNCs; however, NAC does affect SRP function with respect to RNCs targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). First, early recruitment of SRP to RNCs containing a signal sequence within the ribosomal tunnel is NAC dependent. Second, NAC is able to directly and tightly bind to nascent signal sequences. Third, SRP initially displaces NAC from RNCs; however, when the signal sequence emerges further, trimeric NAC·RNC·SRP complexes form. Fourth, upon docking to the ER membrane NAC remains bound to RNCs, allowing NAC to shield cytosolically exposed nascent chain domains not only before but also during cotranslational translocation. The combined data indicate a functional interplay between NAC and SRP on ER-targeted RNCs, which is based on the ability of the two complexes to bind simultaneously to distinct segments of a single nascent chain.     

The rust fungi (Uredinales) on ferns in South Africa

The rust fungi (Uredinales, basidiomycota) occuring on ferns (Pteridophyta) in South Africa are described, illustrated and keyed out. All species belong to the pucciniastraceous genera Milesina (M. blechni), Uredinopsis (U. pteridis) or to the related uredinial anamorph genus Milesia (M. nervisequa, M. cf. magellanica, M. silvae-knysnae). Milesia silvae-knysnae on Polystichum pungens is new to science; it probably belongs to the teleomorph genus Milesina. Milesina blechni is reported from South Africa for the first time on the new hosts Blechnum punctulatum and Rumohra adiantoides; it has hitherto been known only from the Northern Hemisphere on Blechnum spicant. Rust specimens collected on Asplenium aethiopicum and A. rutifolium were tentatively assigned to Milesia magellanica which has been known so far only from southern Chile. Hyalopsora neocheilanthis, Milesina neoexigua and M. neovogesiaca are proposed as new names for Hyalopsora cheilanthis, Milesia exigua and M. vogesiaca. It is discussed that the pucciniastraceous fern rusts could have reached South Africa either by migration (M. blechni) or by long-distance air dispersal. In the absence of their gametophyte hosts, species of Abies (Pinaceae), the rusts have to propagate in South Africa by urediniospores infecting fern to fern. Taxonomical novelties Milesia silvae-knysnae R. Berndt Milesina neoexigua R. Berndt Milesina neovogesiaca R. Berndt Hyalopsora neocheilanthis R. Berndt     

Galectin-4 controls intestinal inflammation by selective regulation of peripheral and mucosal T cell apoptosis and cell cycle

Galectin-4 is a carbohydrate-binding protein belonging to the galectin family. Here we provide novel evidence that galectin-4 is selectively expressed and secreted by intestinal epithelial cells and binds potently to activated peripheral and mucosal lamina propria T-cells at the CD3 epitope. The carbohydrate-dependent binding of galectin-4 at the CD3 epitope is fully functional and inhibited T cell activation, cycling and expansion. Galectin-4 induced apoptosis of activated peripheral and mucosal lamina propria T cells via calpain-, but not caspase-dependent, pathways. Providing further evidence for its important role in regulating T cell function, galectin-4 blockade by antisense oligonucleotides reduced TNF-alpha inhibitor induced T cell death. Furthermore, in T cells, galectin-4 reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion including IL-17. In a model of experimental colitis, galectin-4 ameliorated mucosal inflammation, induced apoptosis of mucosal T-cells and decreased the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our results show that galectin-4 plays a unique role in the intestine and assign a novel role of this protein in controlling intestinal inflammation by a selective induction of T cell apoptosis and cell cycle restriction. Conclusively, after defining its biological role, we propose Galectin-4 is a novel anti-inflammatory agent that could be therapeutically effective in diseases with a disturbed T cell expansion and apoptosis such as inflammatory bowel disease.     

No effect of mobile phone-like RF exposure on patients with atopic dermatitis

This study investigates the effect of exposure to a mobile phone-like radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic field on people with atopic dermatitis (AD). Fifteen subjects with AD were recruited and matched with 15 controls without AD. The subjects were exposed for 30 min to an RF field at 1 W/kg via an indoor base station antenna attached to a 900 MHz GSM mobile phone. Blood samples for ELISA analysis of the concentration of substance P (SP), tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF R1), and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in serum were drawn before and after the provocation (exposure/sham). Baseline heart rate and heart rate variability, local blood flow, and electrodermal activity were also recorded. No significant differences between the subject groups were found for baseline neurophysiological data. The cases displayed a serum concentration of TNF R1 significantly higher than the control subjects and a significantly lower serum concentration of BDNF in the baseline condition. For SP there was no difference between groups. However, no effects related to RF exposure condition were encountered for any of the measured substances. As to symptoms, a possible correlation with exposure could not be evaluated, due to too few symptom reports. The result of the study does not support the hypothesis of an effect of mobile phone-like RF exposure on serum levels of SP, TNF R1, and BDNF in persons with AD.