Central Adiposity Determines Prevalence Differences of the Metabolic Syndrome

Objective: To compare the expression of the metabolic syndrome in Spain and San Antonio, TX, two populations with major differences regarding their cardiovascular risk profile. Research Methods and Procedures: Cross‐sectional analysis of population‐based, epidemiological surveys using the metabolic syndrome definition of the National Cholesterol Education Program. In San Antonio, we limited our analysis to non‐Hispanic whites because non‐Hispanic whites are largely of European ancestry (n = 1339 in San Antonio and 2947 in Spain) Results: In men, increased central adiposity was more prevalent in San Antonio than in Spain (29.7 vs. 23.0%, p < 0.0001); in women, it was less prevalent in San Antonio than in Spain (40.2 vs. 66.4%, p < 0.0001). The metabolic syndrome followed that same pattern: more prevalent in men (28.9 vs. 20.8%, p = 0.019) and less in women from San Antonio (27.1 vs. 30.9%, p < 0.0001). In subjects with the metabolic syndrome, most women had increased central adiposity (92.6% in San Antonio and 97.5% in Spain), and most men had either increased central adiposity or blood pressure (99.2% in San Antonio and 95.0% in Spain). Discussion: Contrary to men, the metabolic syndrome is more prevalent in Spanish women than in women from San Antonio with differences that mirror differences in central adiposity. Central adiposity and blood pressure may be used to exclude the metabolic syndrome. Considering recent secular trends in obesity, we predict there will be an increase in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in both populations in the coming years.     

The effect of packing hydrophilization on bacterial attachment and the relationship with the performance of biotrickling filters

Many bioprocesses depend on the effective formation of a biofilm on a solid support. In the present study, three different surface treatments (sandblasting, pure‐O₂ plasma, and He–O₂ plasma treatments) were conducted on polypropylene (PP) Pall rings used as a support in biotrickling filters for air pollution control. The intent was to modify the ring surface and/or electrochemical properties in order to possibly improve cell adhesion, wetting properties, and possibly reduce the start‐up time and increase the performance of the biotrickling filters. The surface treatments were found to generally increase the hydrophilicity and the zeta potential of the surfaces. However, the startup and performance of lab‐scale biotrickling filters packed with treated Pall rings were not significantly different than the control with untreated rings. Cell and colloid deposition experiments conducted in flow cells showed that the treated surfaces and the hydrodynamic conditions were not favorable for cell deposition indicating that there could be significant opportunities for improving packings used in environmental bioprocess applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 1060–1067. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Yeast oxysterol-binding proteins: sterol transporters or regulators of cell polarization?

Oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP) and OSBP-related proteins (ORPs) are a conserved family of soluble cytoplasmic proteins that can bind sterols, translocate between membrane compartments, and affect sterol trafficking. These properties make ORPs attractive candidates for lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) that directly mediate nonvesicular sterol transfer to the plasma membrane. To test whether yeast ORPs (the Osh proteins) are sterol LTPs, we studied endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-plasma membrane (PM) sterol transport in OSH deletion mutants lacking one, several, or all Osh proteins. In conditional OSH mutants, ER-PM ergosterol transport slowed ~20-fold compared with cells expressing a full complement of Osh proteins. Although this initial finding suggested that Osh proteins act as sterol LTPs, the situation is far more complex. Osh proteins have established roles in Rho small GTPase signaling. Osh proteins reinforce cell polarization and they specifically affect the localization of proteins involved in polarized cell growth such as septins, and the GTPases Cdc42p, Rho1p, and Sec4p. In addition, Osh proteins are required for a specific pathway of polarized secretion to sites of membrane growth, suggesting that this is how Osh proteins affect Cdc42p- and Rho1p-dependent polarization. Our findings suggest that Osh proteins integrate sterol trafficking and sterol-dependent cell signaling with the control of cell polarization.     

Effects of calcium in the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis between actinorhizal <Emphasis Type="Italic">Discaria trinervis</Emphasis> (Rhamnaceae) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Frankia</Emphasis>

We have analysed the growth and symbiotic performance of actinorhizal Discaria trinervis at various Ca supply regimes. We aimed at discriminating between specific, if any, effects on nodulation and general growth stimulation by Ca. The hypothesis that a high Ca supply would interfere with nodulation by Frankia was also tested. Results showed that plant growth increased with Ca supply. Nodulation was stimulated by moderate levels of Ca, but inhibited by Ca higher than 0.77 mM. Growth of nodules was less affected by Ca than shoot and root growth. Ca concentration of symbiotic plants increased with Ca supply, but nitrogen concentration was independent of Ca at concentrations which did not impair plant growth. All together, these results show that Ca has a positive effect on the establishment and functioning of the symbiosis between Discaria trinervis and Frankia. However, the positive influence of Ca was more likely due to a promotion of plant growth rather than a direct effect on nodule growth and nitrogen fixation itself. At high levels of Ca supply nodulation was impaired. Given the intercellular infection pathway in Discaria trinervis, we suggest that the increment of Ca availability would strengthen its root cell walls, thus decreasing Frankia penetration of the root.     

Evolutionary history of trypanosomes from South American caiman (Caiman yacare) and African crocodiles inferred by phylogenetic analyses using SSU rDNA and gGAPDH genes

In this study, using a combined data set of SSU rDNA and gGAPDH gene sequences, we provide phylogenetic evidence that supports clustering of crocodilian trypanosomes from the Brazilian Caiman yacare (Alligatoridae) and Trypanosoma grayi, a species that circulates between African crocodiles (Crocodilydae) and tsetse flies. In a survey of trypanosomes in Caiman yacare from the Brazilian Pantanal, the prevalence of trypanosome infection was 35% as determined by microhaematocrit and haemoculture, and 9 cultures were obtained. The morphology of trypomastigotes from caiman blood and tissue imprints was compared with those described for other crocodilian trypanosomes. Differences in morphology and growth behaviour of caiman trypanosomes were corroborated by molecular polymorphism that revealed 2 genotypes. Eight isolates were ascribed to genotype Cay01 and 1 to genotype Cay02. Phylogenetic inferences based on concatenated SSU rDNA and gGAPDH sequences showed that caiman isolates are closely related to T. grayi, constituting a well-supported monophyletic assemblage (clade T. grayi). Divergence time estimates based on clade composition, and biogeographical and geological events were used to discuss the relationships between the evolutionary histories of crocodilian trypanosomes and their hosts.     

O‐glycoside sequence of pentacyclic triterpene saponins from Phytolacca bogotensis using HPLC‐ESI/multi‐stage tandem mass spectrometry

Introduction – The lack of pharmacopoeial methodologies for the quality control of plants used for therapeutic purposes is a huge problem that impacts directly upon public health. In the case of saponins, their great structural complexity, weak glycoside bonds and high polarity hinder their identification by conventional techniques. Objective – To apply high‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐ESI/MSⁿ) to identify the O‐glycoside sequence of saponins from the roots of Phytolacca bogotensis. Methodology – Saponins were isolated by preparative HPLC and characterised by NMR spectroscopic experiments. Collision‐induced dissociation (CID) of isolated saponins was performed producing typical degradation reactions that can be associated with several glycosidic bonds as empirical criteria. A method using solid‐phase extraction (SPE) and HPLC/ESI‐MSⁿ for the characterisation of saponins and identification of novel molecules is described. Results – Three saponins reported for the first time in P. bogotensis were isolated and characterised by NMR spectroscopy. Characteristic cross ring cleavage reactions have been used as empirical criteria for the characterisation of the glycosidic bonds most frequently reported for Phytolacca saponins. One new saponin was proposed on the basis of empirical criteria, and other five saponins were identified for the first time for P. bogotensis using HPLC‐ESI/MSⁿ. Conclusion – Electrospray ionisation in combination with tandem mass spectrometry has been established as a powerful tool for the profiling of saponins from roots of P. bogotensis. CID proved to be a useful tool for the characterisation and identification of known and novel saponins from the plant family Phytolaccaceae and can be used for quality control purposes of crude plant extracts. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.