Lipid peroxidation in chronic gastritis; any influence of Helicobacter pylori?

In an attempt to investigate the significance of lipid peroxidation in the pathogenesis of gastritis associated with or without Helicobacter pylori infection, malonodialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by the thiobarbiturate assay in the gastric juice of 101 patients undergoing upper GI endoscopy and correlated with histopathological findings. Elevated MDA levels were found in all patients with gastritis compared with controls. MDA levels were significantly correlated with the extent of the mucosal inflammation and with disease activity in patients with reactive gastritis. In patients with H. pylori associated gastritis MDA levels were not correlated with disease activity but rather with the degree of atrophy. In this case, MDA levels were equal or even less than in patients with reactive gastritis. MDA levels were not affected by the history of consumption of PPIs, of H(2)-blockers or of NSAIDs over the last month before the endoscopy. It is concluded that lipid peroxidation is a mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of gastritis associated or not to H. pylori infection.     

Complete genome sequence of the aquatic bacterium Runella slithyformis type strain (LSU 4(T))

Runella slithyformis Larkin and Williams 1978 is the type species of the genus Runella, which belongs to the Cytophagaceae, a family that was only recently classified to the order Cytophagales in the class Cytophagia. The species is of interest because it is able to grow at temperatures as low as 4°C. This is the first completed genome sequence of a member of the genus Runella and the sixth sequence from the family Cytophagaceae. The 6,919,729 bp long genome consists of a 6.6 Mbp circular genome and five circular plasmids of 38.8 to 107.0 kbp length, harboring a total of 5,974 protein-coding and 51 RNA genes and is a part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.     

Complete genome sequence of the aerobic, heterotroph Marinithermus hydrothermalis type strain (T1(T)) from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney

Marinithermus hydrothermalis Sako et al. 2003 is the type species of the monotypic genus Marinithermus. M. hydrothermalis T1(T) was the first isolate within the phylum "Thermus-Deinococcus" to exhibit optimal growth under a salinity equivalent to that of sea water and to have an absolute requirement for NaCl for growth. M. hydrothermalis T1(T) is of interest because it may provide a new insight into the ecological significance of the aerobic, thermophilic decomposers in the circulation of organic compounds in deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems. This is the first completed genome sequence of a member of the genus Marinithermus and the seventh sequence from the family Thermaceae. Here we describe the features of this organism, together with the complete genome sequence and annotation. The 2,269,167 bp long genome with its 2,251 protein-coding and 59 RNA genes is a part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.     

Complete genome sequence of Halopiger xanaduensis type strain (SH-6(T))

Halopiger xanaduensis is the type species of the genus Halopiger and belongs to the euryarchaeal family Halobacteriaceae. H. xanaduensis strain SH-6, which is designated as the type strain, was isolated from the sediment of a salt lake in Inner Mongolia, Lake Shangmatala. Like other members of the family Halobacteriaceae, it is an extreme halophile requiring at least 2.5 M salt for growth. We report here the sequencing and annotation of the 4,355,268 bp genome, which includes one chromosome and three plasmids. This genome is part of a Joint Genome Institute (JGI) Community Sequencing Program (CSP) project to sequence diverse haloarchaeal genomes.     

Permanent draft genome sequence of the gliding predator Saprospira grandis strain Sa g1 (= HR1)

Saprospira grandis Gross 1911 is a member of the Saprospiraceae, a family in the class 'Sphingobacteria' that remains poorly characterized at the genomic level. The species is known for preying on other marine bacteria via 'ixotrophy'. S. grandis strain Sa g1 was isolated from decaying crab carapace in France and was selected for genome sequencing because of its isolated location in the tree of life. Only one type strain genome has been published so far from the Saprospiraceae, while the sequence of strain Sa g1 represents the second genome to be published from a non-type strain of S. grandis. Here we describe the features of this organism, together with the complete genome sequence and annotation. The 4,495,250 bp long Improved-High-Quality draft of the genome with its 3,536 protein-coding and 62 RNA genes is a part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.     

Complete genome sequence of Serratia plymuthica strain AS12

A plant-associated member of the family Enterobacteriaceae, Serratia plymuthica strain AS12 was isolated from rapeseed roots. It is of scientific interest because it promotes plant growth and inhibits plant pathogens. The genome of S. plymuthica AS12 comprises a 5,443,009 bp long circular chromosome, which consists of 4,952 protein-coding genes, 87 tRNA genes and 7 rRNA operons. This genome was sequenced within the 2010 DOE-JGI Community Sequencing Program (CSP2010) as part of the project entitled "Genomics of four rapeseed plant growth promoting bacteria with antagonistic effect on plant pathogens".     

Glucocorticoid and estrogen receptors are reduced in mitochondria of lung epithelial cells in asthma

Mitochondrial glucocorticoid (mtGR) and estrogen (mtER) receptors participate in the coordination of the cell's energy requirement and in the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation enzyme (OXPHOS) biosynthesis, affecting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and induction of apoptosis. Although activation of mtGR and mtER is known to trigger anti-inflammatory signals, little information exists on the presence of these receptors in lung tissue and their role in respiratory physiology and disease. Using a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation disease and applying confocal microscopy, subcellular fractionation, and Western blot analysis we showed mitochondrial localization of GRα and ERβ in lung tissue. Allergic airway inflammation caused reduction in mtGRα, mtERβ, and OXPHOS enzyme biosynthesis in lung cells mitochondria and particularly in bronchial epithelial cells mitochondria, which was accompanied by decrease in lung mitochondrial mass and induction of apoptosis. Confirmation and validation of the reduction of the mitochondrial receptors in lung epithelial cells in human asthma was achieved by analyzing autopsies from fatal asthma cases. The presence of the mitochondrial GRα and ERβ in lung tissue cells and especially their reduction in bronchial epithelial cells during allergic airway inflammation suggests a crucial role of these receptors in the regulation of mitochondrial function in asthma, implicating their involvement in the pathophysiology of the disease.     

Miscibility study of chitosan/2-hydroxyethyl starch blends and evaluation of their effectiveness as drug sustained release hydrogels

Polymeric matrices of chitosan (CS), 2-hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and their blends prepared by solvent evaporation technique, have been tested as sustained release hydrogels of ropinirole drug. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and viscometry measurements showed that the two polymers can form miscible blends. This miscibility is owed to formed hydrogen bonds taking place between the reactive groups of CS and HES and one glass transition is recorded in all blends. Neat polymers were used to prepare solid dispersion formulations with ropinirole drug. It was found that drug was released immediately within 15-30 min from HES while the release was slower from CS matrix. Completely different were the release rates from ropinirole with physical mixtures using neat polymers and their blends. Due to the different solubility and swelling behaviour of CS and HES the release rates showed a sustained profile from the blends containing high amounts of CS.     

Interactions of the dipeptide paralysin beta-Ala-Tyr and the aminoacid Glu with phospholipid bilayers

Existing evidence points out that the biological activity of beta-Ala-Tyr may in part related to its interactions with the cell membranes. For comparative reasons the effects of Glu were also examined using identical techniques and conditions. In order to examine their thermal and dynamic effects on membrane bilayers a combination of DSC, Raman and solid state NMR spectroscopy on DPPC/water model membranes were applied and the results were compared. DSC data showed that Glu perturbs to a greater degree the model membrane compared to beta-Ala-Tyr. Thus, alteration of the phase transition temperature and half width of the peaks, abolishment of the pretransition and influence on the enthalpy of the phase transition were more pronounced in the Glu loaded bilayers. Raman spectroscopy showed that incorporation of Glu in DPPC/water bilayers increased the order in the bilayers in contrast to the effect of the dipeptide. Several structural and dynamical properties of the DPPC multilamellar bilayers with and without the dipeptide or Glu were compared using high resolution C-13 MAS (Magic Angle Spinning) spectra and spectral simulations of inhomogeneously broadened, stationary P-31 NMR lineshapes measured under CP (Cross-polarization) conditions. These methods revealed that the aminoacid Glu binds in the close realm of the phosphate in the hydrophilic headgroup of DPPC while beta-Ala-Tyr is located more deeply inside the hydrophobic zone of the bilayer. The P-31 NMR simulations indicated restricted fast rotary motion of the phospholipids about their long axes in the organized bilayer structure. Finally, by the applied methodologies it is concluded that the two molecules under study exert dissimilar thermal and dynamic effects on lipid bilayers, the Glu improving significantly the packing of the lipids in contrast to the smaller and opposite effect of the dipeptide.