Effects of the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal on the aggregation of human platelets

The stimulation by ADP or arachidonic acid of the aggregation of human platelets in plasma was inhibited by 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). This reduction of aggregation was time related, and was increased by prolonged preincubation of the platelets with the aldehyde. HNE was more potent than its homologue 4-hydroxypentenal (HPE). HNE was less active in decreasing the aggregation induced by calcium ionophore A23187 or collagen in comparison with ADP. HNE was inactive against aggregation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) stimulated by thrombin whereas it potently inhibited the aggregation of washed platelets in response to both thrombin and collagen. Platelets were found to degrade HNE, and mechanisms additional to covalent binding to glutathione are indicated by the results obtained. The aldehydes, including HNE, generated by platelets originated principally from arachidonic acid metabolism.     

Central Coherence in Eating Disorders: A Synthesis of Studies Using the Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure Test

BackgroundLarge variability in tests and differences in scoring systems used to study central coherence in eating disorders may lead to different interpretations, inconsistent findings and between study discrepancies. This study aimed to address inconsistencies by collating data from several studies from the same research group that used the Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (Rey Figure) in order to produce norms to provide benchmark data for future studies.MethodData was collated from 984 participants in total. Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, recovered Anorexia Nervosa, unaffected family members and healthy controls were compared using the Rey Figure.ResultsPoor global processing was observed across all current eating disorder sub-groups and in unaffected relatives. There was no difference in performance between recovered AN and HC groups.ConclusionsThis is the largest dataset reported in the literature and supports previous studies implicating poor global processing across eating disorders using the Rey Figure. It provides robust normative data useful for future studies.     

Clinical and pathological features of six cases of sarcoidosis presenting with renal failure

Six patients with biopsy-proven renal sarcoidosis presented with renal failure of unknown origin; in none was the diagnosis of sarcoidosis initially considered. The serum creatinine concentration at the time of presentation ranged from 265 to 1380 μmol/l (3.0 to 15.6 mg/dl), with a mean of 787 μmol/l (8.9 mg/dl). Although only two patients were hypercalcemic at the time of presentation, the 24-hour urinary excretion of calcium was increased in three of the four patients in whom it was measured, and renal calculi were present in one case. Renal biopsy revealed interstitial nephritis and tubular atrophy in all cases, as well as nephrocalcinosis in three cases and noncaseating granulomas negative for acid-fast bacilli in four cases. In each patient steroid therapy led to a rapid improvement in renal function (mean post-treatment serum creatinine level 274 μmol/l [3.1 mg/dl]). The follow-up period ranged from 8 months to 8 years (mean 3.0 years). In three patients renal function remained stable with low-dose steroid therapy. In two cases recurrent hypercalcemia and deteriorating renal function accompanied steroid withdrawal but resolved with its reinstitution. In one additional case reversible deterioration in renal function accompanied tapering of the steroid dose; however, there was no hypercalcemia.This report emphasizes the importance of considering sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure of unknown origin. Long-term follow-up of such patients is essential, as relapse is common.     

中国大陆青冈分布区东缘大金山岛种群种子形态变异

在大陆青冈分布区东缘的大金山岛种群中按不同坡向取样,旨在揭示相对均一条件下青冈种子的形态变异及变异的来源,以从不同侧面研究环境对形态变异的作用。大金山岛种群青冈种子的长度、直径和重量分别为1.557±0.128cm、1.175±0.112cm、1.321±0.310g,处于青冈种子正常分布范围内。单颗种子的长度、直径符合正态分布,而重量则明显偏离正态分布。不同坡向青冈种子间差异很小,表明微地形的影响较小;种群变异的来源株内和株间约各占一半,说明种子表型具有一定的可塑性,主要由于种子处于植株不同部位的缘故。     

Mitochondrial haplogroups, control region polymorphisms and malignant melanoma: a study in middle European Caucasians

Background

Because mitochondria play an essential role in energy metabolism, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis, sequence variation in the mitochondrial genome has been postulated to be a contributing factor to the etiology of multifactorial age-related diseases, including cancer. The aim of the present study was to compare the frequencies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups as well as control region (CR) polymorphisms of patients with malignant melanoma (n = 351) versus those of healthy controls (n = 1598) in Middle Europe.

Methodology and Principal Findings

Using primer extension analysis and DNA sequencing, we identified all nine major European mitochondrial haplogroups and known CR polymorphisms. The frequencies of the major mitochondrial haplogroups did not differ significantly between patients and control subjects, whereas the frequencies of the one another linked CR polymorphisms A16183C, T16189C, C16192T, C16270T and T195C were significantly higher in patients with melanoma compared to the controls. Regarding clinical characteristics of the patient cohort, none of the nine major European haplogroups was associated with either Breslow thickness or distant metastasis. The CR polymorphisms A302CC-insertion and T310C-insertion were significantly associated with mean Breslow thickness, whereas the CR polymorphism T16519C was associated with metastasis.

Conclusions and Significance

Our results suggest that mtDNA variations could be involved in melanoma etiology and pathogenesis, although the functional consequence of CR polymorphisms remains to be elucidated.     

Comparative 13C metabolic flux analysis of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex-deficient, L-valine-producing Corynebacterium glutamicum

L-Valine can be formed successfully using C. glutamicum strains missing an active pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme complex (PDHC). Wild-type C. glutamicum and four PDHC-deficient strains were compared by (13)C metabolic flux analysis, especially focusing on the split ratio between glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Compared to the wild type, showing a carbon flux of 69% ± 14% through the PPP, a strong increase in the PPP flux was observed in PDHC-deficient strains with a maximum of 113% ± 22%. The shift in the split ratio can be explained by an increased demand of NADPH for l-valine formation. In accordance, the introduction of the Escherichia coli transhydrogenase PntAB, catalyzing the reversible conversion of NADH to NADPH, into an L-valine-producing C. glutamicum strain caused the PPP flux to decrease to 57% ± 6%, which is below the wild-type split ratio. Hence, transhydrogenase activity offers an alternative perspective for sufficient NADPH supply, which is relevant for most amino acid production systems. Moreover, as demonstrated for L-valine, this bypass leads to a significant increase of product yield due to a concurrent reduction in carbon dioxide formation via the PPP.     

Sequencing complete mitochondrial and plastid genomes

Organelle genomics has become an increasingly important research field, with applications in molecular modeling, phylogeny, taxonomy, population genetics and biodiversity. Typically, research projects involve the determination and comparative analysis of complete mitochondrial and plastid genome sequences, either from closely related species or from a taxonomically broad range of organisms. Here, we describe two alternative organelle genome sequencing protocols. The "random genome sequencing" protocol is suited for the large majority of organelle genomes irrespective of their size. It involves DNA fragmentation by shearing (nebulization) and blunt-end cloning of the resulting fragments into pUC or BlueScript-type vectors. This protocol excels in randomness of clone libraries as well as in time and cost-effectiveness. The "long-PCR-based genome sequencing" protocol is specifically adapted for DNAs of low purity and quantity, and is particularly effective for small organelle genomes. Library construction by either protocol can be completed within 1 week.     

The specificity of SNARE pairing in biological membranes is mediated by both proof-reading and spatial segregation

Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment receptor (SNARE) proteins mediate organelle fusion in the secretory pathway. Different fusion steps are catalyzed by specific sets of SNARE proteins. Here we have used the SNAREs mediating the fusion of early endosomes and exocytosis, respectively, to investigate how pairing specificity is achieved. Although both sets of SNAREs promiscuously assemble in vitro, there is no functional crosstalk. We now show that they not only colocalize to overlapping microdomains in the membrane of early endosomes of neuroendocrine cells, but also form cis-complexes promiscuously, with the proportion of the different complexes being primarily dependent on mass action. Addition of soluble SNARE molecules onto native membranes revealed preference for cognate SNAREs. Furthermore, we found that SNAREs are laterally segregated at endosome contact sites, with the exocytotic synaptobrevin being depleted. We conclude that specificity in endosome fusion is mediated by the following two synergistically operating mechanisms: (i) preference for the cognate SNARE in 'trans' interactions and (ii) lateral segregation of SNAREs, leading to relative enrichment of the cognate ones at the prospective fusion sites.