Urinary nucleic acid oxidation product levels show differential associations with pharmacological treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes

The relationship between RNA and DNA oxidation and pharmacological treatment has not been systematically investigated in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to investigate the association between pharmacological treatments and levels of urinary markers of nucleic acid oxidation in T2D patients. Vejle Diabetes Biobank cohort data was nested into nationwide registry data. Multiple logistic regression was used to associate drug usage with risk of high (above median) RNA and DNA oxidation. Data from 2664 T2D patients (64% male, age range: 25–75) were included. Questionnaire-validated lipid lowering drug use was associated with low RNA oxidation (Odds ratio, OR 0.71, 95% CI: [0.59–0.87]). Insulin and non-specific antidiabetic drugs were associated with low DNA oxidation (insulin: OR 0.60, 95% CI [0.49–0.73]). Oral antidiabetics were associated with high DNA oxidation and RNA oxidation (OR 1.30, 95% CI [1.10–1.53] and OR 1.26, 95% CI [1.07–1.29]). Our findings indicate that diabetes-related drugs are associated with RNA and DNA oxidation and further studies are required to determine causality in T2D patients.     

Contrasting patterns in trophic niche evolution of polymorphic Arctic charr populations in two subarctic Norwegian lakes

Hydrobiologia - Lipid biomarkers in sediments, which are indicative of biological production, provide important information regarding the environmental conditions in and around lakes, and can be...     

Prognostic molecular markers in pediatric liver disease – Are there any?

Pediatric liver disease (PLD) is a major cause of severe morbidity and prolonged hospitalizations in children. Stratifying patients in terms of prognosis remains challenging. The limited knowledge about molecular mechanisms causing and accompanying PLD remains the main obstacle in a search for reliable prognostic biomarkers. A systematic search of MEDLINE via PubMed and Embase via OVID was conducted on studies published between August 2007 and August 2017. Molecular markers with a prognostic potential in terms of survival, need for liver transplantation or disease progression/regression were selected. In general, identified studies were single center smaller case-control studies or case series with a low level of evidence and a high risk of bias. Only 23 studies comprising 898 patients could be included, mostly focusing on biliary atresia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and LT; and markers related to morphogenesis and fibrosis. Furthermore, molecular markers in metabolic pathways and inflammation shown to be relevant, however requiring further validation. Hence, further biological and clinical studies are needed to gain greater molecular insight into PLD.     

Untreated silicone breast implant rupture

Implant rupture is a well-known complication of breast implant surgery that can pass unnoticed by both patient and physician. To date, no prospective study has addressed the possible health implications of silicone breast implant rupture. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether untreated ruptures are associated with changes over time in magnetic resonance imaging findings, serologic markers, or self-reported breast symptoms. A baseline magnetic resonance imaging examination was performed in 1999 on 271 women who were randomly chosen from a larger cohort of women having cosmetic breast implants for a median period of 12 years (range, 3 to 25 years). A follow-up magnetic resonance imaging examination was carried out in 2001, excluding women who underwent explantation in the period between the two magnetic resonance imaging examinations (n = 44). On the basis of these examinations, the authors identified 64 women who had at least one ruptured implant at the first magnetic resonance imaging examination and, for comparison, all women who had intact implants at both examinations (n = 98). Magnetic resonance images from the two examinations were compared and changes in rupture configuration were evaluated. Comparisons were also made for self-reported breast symptoms occurring during the study period and for changes in serum values of antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, and cardiolipin antibodies immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M. The majority of the women with implant rupture had no visible magnetic resonance imaging changes of their ruptured implants. For 11 implants (11 percent) in 10 women, the authors observed progression of silicone seepage, either as a conversion from intracapsular into extracapsular rupture (n = 7), as progression of extra-capsular silicone (n = 3), or as increasing herniation of the silicone within the fibrous capsule (n = 1); however, in most cases, these changes were minor. Some changes could be ascribed to trauma, but others seemed spontaneous. There was no increase in levels of autoantibodies during the study period in either study group. Women with untreated implant ruptures reported a significant increase in nonspecific breast changes (odds ratio, 2.1; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.2 to 3.8) compared with women without ruptures. On the basis of this first study of women with untreated silicone breast implant rupture, the authors conclude that implant rupture is a relatively harmless condition, which only rarely progresses and gives rise to notable symptoms. Even so, because of a small risk of silicone spread, the authors suggest that women with implant ruptures be followed clinically, if not operated on. Because implant ruptures often occur asymptomatically, any woman with silicone implants, regardless of rupture status, should be evaluated at regular intervals.     

Rhizopogon spore bank communities within and among California pine forests

In this study we examine the distribution of Rhizopogon species in spore banks from five California pine forests. Four of the forest sites were discontinuous populations of Pinus muricata and a fifth was a Pinus ponderosa stand in Sierra National Forest. Rhizopogon species were retrieved by bioassaying the soils with pine seedlings followed by isolation of axenic cultures from individual root tips with typical Rhizopogon ectomycorrhizal morphology. The cultures were screened by ITS-RFLP and all unique patterns were sequenced. These sequences then were compared with those derived from identified sporocarp material. Bioassaying proved to be an efficient way to bring Rhizopogon species into culture. Approximately 50% of the pots contained ectomycorrhizal tips with Rhizopogon-like morphology, and axenic Rhizopogon cultures were obtained from half these pots. Our results showed that Rhizopogon spores usually are well distributed within local forest areas, while there is significant structuring of species at the regional scale. Spore longevity and homogenization by soil and water movement might explain their distribution within local forest areas, while the regional pattern might be explained by limited long distance dispersal or climatic and edaphic differences.     

The Danish Registry for Plastic Surgery of the Breast: establishment of a nationwide registry for prospective follow-up,quality assessment,and investigation of breast surgery

Although numerous epidemiologic studies have examined the long-term safety of silicone breast implants during the past decade, there is a relative lack of surveillance data on short-term health effects and complications following cosmetic surgery of the breast. The Danish Registry for Plastic Surgery of the Breast, established in May of 1999, provides plastic surgeons with a nationwide system for the collection of preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data on women undergoing breast implantation, breast reduction, or mastopexy. The purpose of the Registry is to examine short-term and, eventually, long-term local complications and possible health effects, and to contribute to an ongoing evaluation of surgical results and surveillance of the products. Furthermore, the Registry will allow the identification of new areas for research into cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. Women accepting registration in the Danish Registry for Plastic Surgery of the Breast complete a self-administered questionnaire focusing on medical history and demographic and behavioral factors. Preoperative blood samples are drawn for storage. Surgical data, postoperative results, and complications are registered following surgery and at postoperative visits. Currently, registration has been initiated at 24 private and public clinics, representing more than 80 percent of the plastic surgery clinics in Denmark. As of November of 2001, a total of 1472 women with breast implants and 560 women with breast reduction were included in the Registry. These figures are expected to increase annually by 1000 women undergoing breast implantation and 500 women undergoing breast reduction or mastopexy. The authors present their experience of establishing the first nationwide comprehensive clinical-epidemiologic database and biological bank for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures.     

Riboflavin-photosensitized changes in aqueous solutions of alginate. Rheological studies

Interactions between photoexcited riboflavin (RF), promoted by irradiation in the range of 310-800 nm, and alginate have been studied in air equilibrated aqueous solutions with the aid of rheological methods. Light irradiation of RF causes under aerobic conditions fragmentation of alginate and a decrease in the shear viscosity and other rheological parameters of its solutions. The decrease is most pronounced in concentrated polymer solutions. The photochemical degradation of alginate is inhibited in the presence of the quenchers/scavengers d-mannitol, glutathione, potassium iodide, and sodium azide and in excess oxygen. The addition of thiourea to alginate-RF solutions leads to enhanced degradation of the polymer. Significant shear-thinning effects and deviations from the Cox-Merz rule are observed at higher polymer concentrations.     

Parallel increase in substance P and VIP in rat duodenum in response to irradiation

Irradiation was administered to the upper abdomen of rats, whereupon the duodenum was examined. Numerous vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)- and substance P (SP)-like immunoreactive nerve fibers were seen in the damaged mucosa, often in close association to each other. The intensity of the SP- and VIP-like immunoreaction was increased in several of the tissue compartments and, as measured with radioimmunoassay, the contents of SP- and VIP-like materials were increased after 30 Gray. The results show that SP and VIP levels increase after irradiation and suggest that SP and VIP are involved in interactive reactions in the reorganization and inflammatory processes in the gut after abdominal irradiation.     

The Use of Fluorogenic Substrates To Measure Fungal Presence and Activity in Soil

Our objective was to determine if 4-methylumbelliferyl-labelled enzyme substrates could be used to detect and quantify specific components of chitinase and cellulase activities as specific indicators of the presence and activity of fungal biomass. The fluorogenic substrates 4-methylumbelliferyl (MUF) N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminide and MUF β-d-lactoside were used for the detection and quantification of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) (NAGase) and endo 1,4-β-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4)/cellobiohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.91) (CELase), respectively. Culture screenings on solid media showed a widespread ability to produce NAGase among a taxonomically diverse selection of fungi on media with and without added chitin. NAGase activity was expressed only in a limited number of bacteria and on media supplemented with chitin. The CELase activity was observed only in a limited number of fungi and bacteria. Bacterial CELase activity was expressed on agar media containing a cellulose-derived substrate. In soil samples, NAGase activity was significantly correlated with estimates of fungal biomass, based on the content of two fungus-specific indicator molecules, 18:2ω6 phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and ergosterol. CELase activity was significantly correlated with the PLFA-based estimate of fungal biomass in the soil, but no correlation was found with ergosterol-based estimates of fungal biomass.The determination of enzyme activities is a simple approach to the study of microbially mediated processes within the soil environment. Thus, soil enzyme activities have been interpreted as indirect measures of microbial biomass, rhizosphere effects, soil productivity, and mineralization potential of naturally occurring substrates or xenobiotics (4). However, few studies have attempted to correlate soil enzyme activities with the presence and activities of specific components of the microbial community. The ability of soil-inhabiting fungi to produce a range of enzymes capable of degrading complex litter substances could make the use of an enzymatic approach to study soil fungal populations possible. These enzymes must be specific for fungal presence and activity. In one study of chitinase in soil (24), chitinase activity and the number of fungal propagules in chitin-amended soils were strongly correlated. The same correlation was not found for actinomycetes or bacteria. Thus, chitinase activity appears to be a suitable indicator of actively growing fungi in the soil. The hydrolysis of cellulose requires the interaction of a number of hydrolases produced by cellulolytic microorganisms. A major role is played by the cellulase system, which consists of several distinct enzymes that are produced by a large number of microorganisms, including fungi, actinomycetes, and bacteria. However, fungi have been suggested as the predominant source of β-d-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) (16, 17) and endo 1,4-β-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) (23) activity in soils.Fluorogenic 4-methylumbelliferyl (MUF)-labelled enzyme substrates have been introduced for process-oriented studies in aquatic systems (3, 18) and, more recently, in peatlands (11). MUF substrates have been used to assay cell-bound activities in pure cultures of fungi, as the soluble substrate can enter the cell wall, making periplasmic enzyme activity detectable (15). These substrates have been used to detect fungal chitinolytic activities (17a) and cellulases (6) in vitro. The substrates may be added to environmental samples and, when hydrolyzed, release 4-methyl-umbelliferone (4-MU), which fluoresces and can be quantified in nanomolar concentrations (3).A variety of methods to quantify fungi in soil have been described. The techniques include direct microscopic observation and extraction of fungus-specific indicator molecules such as glucosamine or ergosterol (9). More recently, the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) 18:2ω6 has been proposed as an indicator of fungal biomass (7, 12). Our objectives in the present study were to determine if (i) components of chitinase and cellulase activities could be used as indicators of the presence and activity of fungal biomass and (ii) enzyme activities detected with specific MUF substrates in soil samples were correlated with the content of the fungus-specific indicator molecules 18:2ω6 PLFA and ergosterol.