Neuron-restrictive silencer factor functions to suppress Sp1-mediated transactivation of human secretin receptor gene

In the present study, a functional neuron restrictive silencer element (NRSE) was initially identified in the 5′ flanking region (− 83 to − 67, relative to ATG) of human secretin receptor (hSCTR) gene by promoter assays coupled with scanning mutation analyses. The interaction of neuron restrictive silencer factor (NRSF) with this motif was later indicated via gel mobility shift and ChIP assays. The silencing activity of NRSF was confirmed by over-expression and also by shRNA knock-down of endogenous NRSF. These studies showed an inverse relationship between the expression levels of NRSF and hSCTR in the cells. As hSCTR gene was previously shown to be controlled by two GC-boxes which are regulated by the ratio of Sp1 to Sp3, in the present study, the functional interactions of NRSF and Sp proteins to regulate hSCTR gene was investigated. By co-immunoprecipitation assays, we found that NRSF could be co-precipitated with Sp1 as well as Sp3 in PANC-1 cells. Interestingly, co-expressions of these factors showed that NRSF could suppress Sp1-mediated, but not Sp3-mediated, transactivation of hSCTR. Taken together, we propose here that the down-regulatory effects of NRSF on hSCTR gene expression are mediated via its suppression on Sp1-mediated transactivation.     

Development and growth of fruit bodies and crops of the button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus

We studied the appearance of fruit body primordia, the growth of individual fruit bodies and the development of the consecutive flushes of the crop. Relative growth, measured as cap expansion, was not constant. It started extremely rapidly, and slowed down to an exponential rate with diameter doubling of 1.7 d until fruit bodies showed maturation by veil breaking. Initially many outgrowing primordia were arrested, indicating nutritional competition. After reaching 10 mm diameter, no growth arrest occurred; all growing individuals, whether relatively large or small, showed an exponential increase of both cap diameter and biomass, until veil breaking. Biomass doubled in 0.8 d. Exponential growth indicates the absence of competition. Apparently there exist differential nutritional requirements for early growth and for later, continuing growth. Flushing was studied applying different picking sizes. An ordinary flushing pattern occurred at an immature picking size of 8 mm diameter (picking mushrooms once a day with a diameter above 8 mm). The smallest picking size yielded the highest number of mushrooms picked, confirming the competition and arrested growth of outgrowing primordia: competition seems less if outgrowing primordia are removed early. The flush duration (i.e. between the first and last picking moments) was not affected by picking size. At small picking size, the subsequent flushes were not fully separated in time but overlapped. Within 2 d after picking the first individuals of the first flush, primordia for the second flush started outgrowth. Our work supports the view that the acquisition of nutrients by the mycelium is demand rather than supply driven. For formation and early outgrowth of primordia, indications were found for an alternation of local and global control, at least in the casing layer. All these data combined, we postulate that flushing is the consequence of the depletion of some unknown specific nutrition required by outgrowing primordia.     

New echocardiographic techniques in the evaluation of left ventricular function in obesity

Objective:

Obesity has reached global epidemic proportions and is associated with numerous comorbidities, including major cardiovascular (CV) diseases.

Design and Methods:

It has many adverse effects on hemodynamics and CV structure and function: it increases total blood volume and cardiac output, and the cardiac workload is greater. Typically, obese patients have a higher cardiac output but a lower level of total peripheral resistance at any given level of arterial pressure. Most of the increase in cardiac output in obesity is caused by stroke volume, although heart rate typically mildly increases also due to enhanced sympathetic activation.

Results:

Over the last few years, experimental investigations have unraveled some important pathogenetic mechanisms that may underlie a specific form of “obesity cardiomyopathy.” Bariatric surgery represents an effective alternative to treat obesity when nonsurgical weight loss programs (diet + behavior modifications + regular exercise) have failed. A great numbers of questions are still open in the global comprehension of the pathophysiological interactions between obesity and heart.

Conclusion:

Conventional two‐dimensional Doppler echocardiography, integrated by relative new technological ultrasonic approaches, represents the reference technique to study and possibly clarify both the very complex hemodynamic changes induced by obesity and those relative to obesity treatment.     

Associations of Whole Blood n-3 and n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids with Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents – Results from the IDEFICS/I.Family Cohort

BackgroundPolyunsaturated n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are precursors of biologically active metabolites that affect blood pressure (BP) regulation. This study investigated the association of n-3 and n-6 PUFA and BP in children and adolescents.MethodsIn a subsample of 1267 children aged 2–9 years at baseline of the European IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants) cohort whole blood fatty acids were measured by a validated gas chromatographic method. Systolic and diastolic BP was measured at baseline and after two and six years. Mixed-effects models were used to assess the associations between fatty acids at baseline and BP z-scores over time adjusting for relevant covariables. Models were further estimated stratified by sex and weight status.ResultsThe baseline level of arachidonic acid was positively associated with subsequent systolic BP (β = 0.08, P = 0.002) and diastolic BP (β = 0.07, P<0.001). In thin/normal weight children, baseline alpha-linolenic (β = -1.13, P = 0.003) and eicosapentaenoic acid (β = -0.85, P = 0.003) levels were inversely related to baseline and also to subsequent systolic BP and alpha-linolenic acid to subsequent diastolic BP. In overweight/obese children, baseline eicosapentaenoic acid level was positively associated with baseline diastolic BP (β = 0.54, P = 0.005).ConclusionsLow blood arachidonic acid levels in the whole sample and high n-3 PUFA levels in thin/normal weight children are associated with lower and therefore healthier BP. The beneficial effects of high n-3 PUFA on BP were not observed in overweight/obese children, suggesting that they may have been overlaid by the unfavorable effects of excess weight.     

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations ≥40 ng/ml Are Associated with >65% Lower Cancer Risk: Pooled Analysis of Randomized Trial and Prospective Cohort Study

BackgroundHigher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations have been associated with a lower risk of multiple cancer types across a range of 25(OH)D concentrations.ObjectivesTo investigate whether the previously reported inverse association between 25(OH)D and cancer risk could be replicated, and if a 25(OH)D response region could be identified among women aged 55 years and older across a broad range of 25(OH)D concentrations.MethodsData from two cohorts representing different median 25(OH)D concentrations were pooled to afford a broader range of 25(OH)D concentrations than either cohort alone: the Lappe cohort (N = 1,169), a randomized clinical trial cohort (median 25(OH)D = 30 ng/ml) and the GrassrootsHealth cohort (N = 1,135), a prospective cohort (median 25(OH)D = 48 ng/ml). Cancer incidence over a multi-year period (median: 3.9 years) was compared according to 25(OH)D concentration. Kaplan-Meier plots were developed and the association between 25(OH)D and cancer risk was examined with multivariate Cox regression using multiple 25(OH)D measurements and spline functions. The study included all invasive cancers excluding skin cancer.ResultsAge-adjusted cancer incidence across the combined cohort (N = 2,304) was 840 cases per 100,000 person-years (1,020 per 100,000 person-years in the Lappe cohort and 722 per 100,000 person-years in the GrassrootsHealth cohort). Incidence was lower at higher concentrations of 25(OH)D. Women with 25(OH)D concentrations ≥40 ng/ml had a 67% lower risk of cancer than women with concentrations <20 ng/ml (HR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.12–0.90).Conclusions25(OH)D concentrations ≥40 ng/ml were associated with substantial reduction in risk of all invasive cancers combined.     

Identification and inhibition of carbonic anhydrases from nematodes

Abstract

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are metalloenzymes, and classified into the evolutionarily distinct α, β, γ, δ, ζ, and η classes. α-CAs are present in many living organisms. β- and γ-CAs are expressed in most prokaryotes and eukaryotes, except for vertebrates. δ- and ζ-CAs are present in phytoplanktons, and η-CAs have been found in Plasmodium spp. Since the identification of α- and β-CAs in Caenorhabditis elegans, the nematode CAs have been considered as an emerging target in research focused on antiparasitic CA inhibitors. Despite the presence of α-CAs in both helminths and vertebrates, structural studies have revealed different kinetic and inhibition results. Moreover, lack of β-CAs in vertebrates makes this enzyme as an attractive target for inhibitory studies against helminthic infection. Some CA inhibitors, such as sulfonamides, have been evaluated against nematode CAs. This review article aims to present comprehensive information about the nematode CAs and their inhibitors as potential anthelminthic drugs.     

Diverse mechanisms of metaeffector activity in an intracellular bacterial pathogen,Legionella pneumophila

Pathogens deliver complex arsenals of translocated effector proteins to host cells during infection, but the extent to which these proteins are regulated once inside the eukaryotic cell remains poorly defined. Among all bacterial pathogens, Legionella pneumophila maintains the largest known set of translocated substrates, delivering over 300 proteins to the host cell via its Type IVB, Icm/Dot translocation system. Backed by a few notable examples of effector–effector regulation in L. pneumophila, we sought to define the extent of this phenomenon through a systematic analysis of effector–effector functional interaction. We used Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an established proxy for the eukaryotic host, to query > 108,000 pairwise genetic interactions between two compatible expression libraries of ~330 L. pneumophila‐translocated substrates. While capturing all known examples of effector–effector suppression, we identify fourteen novel translocated substrates that suppress the activity of other bacterial effectors and one pair with synergistic activities. In at least nine instances, this regulation is direct—a hallmark of an emerging class of proteins called metaeffectors, or “effectors of effectors”. Through detailed structural and functional analysis, we show that metaeffector activity derives from a diverse range of mechanisms, shapes evolution, and can be used to reveal important aspects of each cognate effector's function. Metaeffectors, along with other, indirect, forms of effector–effector modulation, may be a common feature of many intracellular pathogens—with unrealized potential to inform our understanding of how pathogens regulate their interactions with the host cell.