Web-based weight management programs in an integrated health care setting: a randomized, controlled trial

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a Web‐based tailored behavioral weight management program compared with Web‐based information‐only weight management materials. Research Methods and Procedures: Participants, 2862 eligible overweight and obese (BMI = 27 to 40 kg/m²) members from four regions of Kaiser Permanente's integrated health care delivery system, were randomized to receive either a tailored expert system or information‐only Web‐based weight management materials. Weight change and program satisfaction were assessed by self‐report through an Internet‐based survey at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up periods. Results: Significantly greater weight loss at follow‐up was found among participants assigned to the tailored expert system than among those assigned to the information‐only condition. Subjects in the tailored expert system lost a mean of 3 ± 0.3% of their baseline weight, whereas subjects in the information‐only condition lost a mean of 1.2 ± 0.4% (p < 0.0004). Participants were also more likely to report that the tailored expert system was personally relevant, helpful, and easy to understand. Notably, 36% of enrollees were African‐American, with enrollment rates higher than the general proportion of African Americans in any of the study regions. Discussion: The results of this large, randomized control trial show the potential benefit of the Web‐based tailored expert system for weight management compared with a Web‐based information‐only weight management program.     

Zinc release of Zn₇-metallothionein-3 induces fibrillar type amyloid-β aggregates

The reactive oxygen species H?O? promotes the Zn?-metallothionein-3 induced Aβ(40) aggregation of fibrillar type structures via slow cysteine oxidation and Zn(2+) release, whereas amorphous aggregates are formed by addition of Zn(2+) to Aβ(40).     

Actinomyces hongkongensis sp. nov. a novel Actinomyces species isolated from a patient with pelvic actinomycosis

A bacterium was isolated from the pus of a patient with pelvic actinomycosis. The cells were strictly anaerobic, straight, non-sporulating, Gram-positive rods. It grows on sheep blood agar as non-haemolytic, pinpoint colonies after 24 hours of incubation at 37 degrees C in anaerobic environment. It is non-motile and does not produce catalase. 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing showed that there were 6.6% difference between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the bacterium that of Actinomyces marimammalium (GenBank Accession no. AJ276405), a new species described in 2001, isolated from two seals and a porpoise. For these reasons a new species, Actinomyces hongkongensis sp. nov., is proposed, for which HKU8(T) is the type strain. Further studies should be performed to ascertain the potential of this bacterium to become an important cause of actinomycosis.     

Using PC12 cells to evaluate poly(caprolactone) and collagenous microcarriers for applications in nerve guide fabrication

Tissue-engineered nerve guides can provide mechanical support as well as chemical stimulation for nerve regeneration. PC12 cells were used to test the novel combination of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) and macroporous collagen-based microcarriers (CultiSphers) as an initial phase in the fabrication of multichanneled nerve guides. Laminin-coated PCL was an effective matrix for the attachment, proliferation, and viability of PC12 cells, relative to uncoated PCL. PC12 cells attached to laminin-coated PCL and extended neurites when cultured in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF). PC12 cells attached and proliferated on CultiSphers and extended neurites in response to NGF. A novel PCL/CultiSpher composite material also supported PC12 attachment and proliferation and provides a potentially useful material for the fabrication of synthetic nerve guides.     

The Drosophila Wnt,wingless, provides an essential signal for pre- and postsynaptic differentiation

At vertebrate neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), Agrin plays pivotal roles in synapse development, but molecules that activate synapse formation at central synapses are largely unknown. Members of the Wnt family are well established as morphogens, yet recently they have also been implicated in synapse maturation. Here we demonstrate that the Drosophila Wnt, Wingless (Wg), is essential for synapse development. We show that Wg and its receptor are expressed at glutamatergic NMJs, and that Wg is secreted by synaptic boutons. Loss of Wg leads to dramatic reductions in target-dependent synapse formation, and new boutons either fail to develop active zones and postsynaptic specializations or these are strikingly aberrant. We suggest that Wg signals the coordinated development of pre- and postsynaptic compartments.     

The fate of IgE bound to rat basophilic leukemia cells.

The present study investigates the fate of the cell-bound IgE by using a well-characterized rat basophilic leukemia cell line and a purifed IgE myeloma protein. Both histamine-releasing and nonreleasing cell lines were examined. In both cases, no evidence for cell-mediated IgE catabolism could be elicited. Both the dissociated IgE and the receptors remained intact for prolonged periods of time, as demonstrated by binding assays. Internalization and/or recycling of membrane-bound IgE could not be demonstrated by E. M. autoradiography. We found only limited time-dependent changes in accessibility to anti-IgE antibody, trypsin, or elution at low pH (2.9 to 3.1). A biphasic dissociation of cell-bound 125I-IgE during incubation in the presence of excess unlabeled IgE was reproducibly observed; the more slowly dissociated IgE was also less readily dissociated at pH 3.4. These studies lead us to conclude that, in vitro, IgE resides in a functional orientation on the surface of RBL-1 cells, for prolonged periods of time.     

Linear electric field effect in electron paramagnetic resonance for two bisimidazole--heme complexes, model compounds for B and H hemichromes of hemoglobin and for cytochrome b5.

Bisimidazole-ferric heme is considered to be the structure at the heme site of cytochrome b5 and two different low spin ferric hemochromes spontaneously formed from ferric hemoglobin. The addition of strong base to bisimidazole-ferric heme in organic solvents alters the optical and magnetic properties of this compound. With the use of the linear electric field effect in the electron paramagnetic resonance, we demonstrate that addition of base does not lead to the exchange of hydroxide anion for ligated imidazole and that the bisimidazole structure is retained. Analysis of optical titrations indicates that 2 equiv of base react reversibly with bisimidazole-ferric heme. It is suggested that the two hemichromes formed from hemoglobin differ in structure from one another by the state of protonation of N-1 in the bound imidazoles.