Increasing blood flow before exercise in spinal cord-injured individuals does not alter muscle fatigue.

Previous studies have shown increased fatigue in paralyzed muscle of spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients (Castro M, Apple D Jr, Hillegass E, and Dudley GA. Eur J Appl Physiol 80: 373-378, 1999; Gerrits H, Hopman MTE, Sargeant A, and de Haan A. Clin Physiol 21: 105-113, 2001). Our purpose was to determine whether the increased muscle fatigue could be due to a delayed rise in blood flow at the onset of exercise in SCI individuals. Isometric electrical stimulation was used to induce fatigue in the quadriceps femoris muscle of seven male, chronic (>1 yr postinjury), complete (American Spinal Injury Association, category A) SCI subjects. Cuff occlusion was used to elevate blood flow before electrical stimulation, and the magnitude of fatigue was compared with a control condition of electrical stimulation without prior cuff occlusion. Blood flow was measured in the femoral artery by Doppler ultrasound. Prior cuff occlusion increased blood flow in the first 30 s of stimulation compared with the No-Cuff condition (1,350 vs. 680 ml/min, respectively; P < 0.001), although blood flow at the end of stimulation was the same between conditions (1,260 +/- 140 vs. 1,160 +/- 370 ml/min, Cuff and No-Cuff condition, respectively; P = 0.511). Muscle fatigue was not significantly different between prior cuff occlusion and the control condition (32 +/- 13 vs. 35 +/- 10%; P = 0.670). In conclusion, increased muscle fatigue in SCI individuals is not associated with the prolonged time for blood flow to increase at the onset of exercise.     

An important role of G638 in the cis-cleavage reaction of the Neurospora VS ribozyme revealed by a novel nucleotide analog incorporation method

We describe a chemical coupling procedure that allows joining of two RNAs, one of which contains a site-specific base analog substitution, in the absence of divalent ions. This method allows incorporation of nucleotide analogs at specific positions even into large, cis-cleaving ribozymes. Using this method we have studied the effects of substitution of G638 in the cleavage site loop of the VS ribozyme with a variety of purine analogs having different functional groups and pK(a) values. Cleavage rate versus pH profiles combined with kinetic solvent isotope experiments indicate an important role for G638 in proton transfer during the rate-limiting step of the cis-cleavage reaction.     

A lipophilic adjuvant carrier system for antigenic peptides

Summary A lipoamino acid based synthetic peptide, (Lipid Core Peptide, LCP) derived from the conserved region of group A streptococci (GAS) was evaluated as potential candidate in a vaccine to prevent GAS-associated diseases, including rheumatic heart disease and post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis. Multiple copies of a peptide sequence from the bacterial surface M protein were incorporated into a lipid core and it was used to immunize mice with and without the application of adjuvant. The LCP construct had significantly enhanced immunogenicity compared with the monomeric peptide epitope. Furthermore, the peptides incorporated into the LCP system generated antibodies without the use of any conventional adjuvant.     

Quantitative methods for the analysis of protein phosphorylation in drug development

Most signal transduction and cell signaling pathways are mediated by protein kinases. Protein kinases have emerged as important cellular regulatory proteins in many aspects of neoplasia. Protein kinase inhibitors offer the opportunity to target diseases such as cancer with chemotherapeutic agents specific for the causative molecular defect. In order to identify possible targets and assess kinase inhibitors, quantitative methods for analyzing protein phosphorylation have been developed. This review examines some of the current formats used for quantifying kinase function for drug development.     

The light sensitivity of ATP synthase mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants defective in the chloroplast ATP synthase are highly sensitive to light. The ac46 mutant is affected in the MDH1 gene, required for production or stability of the monocistronic atpH mRNA encoding CF(O)-III. In this and other ATP synthase mutants, we show that short-term exposure to moderate light intensities-a few minutes-induces an inhibition of electron transfer after the primary quinone acceptor of photosystem II (PSII), whereas longer exposure-several hours-leads to a progressive loss of PSII cores. An extensive swelling of thylakoids accompanies the initial inhibition of electron flow. Thylakoids deflate as PSII cores are lost. The slow process of PSII degradation involves the participation of ClpP, a chloroplast-encoded peptidase that is part of a major stromal protease Clp. In the light of the above findings, we discuss the photosensitivity of ATP synthase mutants with respect to the regular photoinhibition process that affects photosynthetic competent strains at much higher light intensities.     

Differential modulation of immune recognition molecules by interleukin-7 in human acute leukaemias

Clinical animal models and in vitro data afford evidence for anti-leukaemia immunity. Many reports have underlined the interest of interleukin-7 (IL-7) use in cancer and its pivotal role in immune recognition. This cytokine, initially identified as a B cell growth factor, enhances the anti-tumour properties of immune effector cells via T lymphocyte activation, increased specific cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion. Nonetheless, few data are available regarding the effect of IL-7 on the expression at the leukaemia cell surface of molecules involved in the immune response, which defective expression could induce tolerance or anergy. This prompted us to study the effects of IL-7 on 20 cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and 9 cases of lymphoid leukaemia (ALL), in comparison with gamma-interferon, a potent inducer of immune regulation molecule expression. In AML and ALL, IL-7 increased MHC class I molecule expression, while class II molecules were weakly modified. The expression of the tumour necrosis factor family members CD40 and Fas/CD95, together with the adhesion molecules ICAM-1/CD54 and CD58/LFA-3, was also increased in both types of leukaemia. The IL-7 was an efficient inducer of B7-2/CD86 expression in AML and ALL, while increased expression of B7-1/CD80 was only observed in AML. In the corresponding, co-cultured T lymphocyte population, IL-7 more particularly increased B7-1/CD80 and CD58/LFA-3 expression. Finally, pre-incubation of leukaemic cells with IL-7 increased the proliferation of responding, normal allogenic T lymphocytes and their secretion of gamma-IFN and IL-2 in mixed the lymphocyte-tumour reaction. We concluded that IL-7 is efficient at increasing the membrane expression of molecules which are central for the development of the immune response, and at improving allogenic immune recognition. The clinical implications of such data require further in vivo investigation.     

Phylloplane fungi in Hong Kong mangroves: evaluation of study methods

Many methods have been used to study phylloplane fungi, most of which have constraints and may result in biased results. This study used light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate fungal abundance on the leaves of the most common mangrove trees in Hong Kong, Kandelia candel and Aegiceras corniculatum. Species richness was investigated using light microscopy and a leaf washing method. Methods to study phylloplane fungi are discussed and the performances of these three investigation methods are evaluated. Seven mitosporic fungal taxa were found by light microscopy, while 30 sporulating taxa and 18 Mycelia sterilia were isolated using the leaf washing method. Fungal abundance in terms of percentage cover investigated with light microscopy was similar using the SEM method, and was significantly higher on Aegiceras corniculatum than on Kandelia candel. Fungal abundance peaked in the summer and was lowest in the winter. This study indicates that light microscopy reveals the most typical phylloplane fungi and is more efficient than SEM, while the leaf washing method reveals many casual species and is not quantitative.     

The effects of aging and activity on muscle blood flow

Background

Our purpose was to determine if aging had an influence on muscle blood flow independent of habitual physical activity levels.

Methods

Blood flow was measured in the femoral artery by Doppler ultrasound after cuff occlusion of 10 minutes. Active and inactive older subjects (73 ± 7 years) were compared to active and inactive young subjects (26 ± 6 years).

Results

Peak blood flow capacity when normalized to lean muscle mass was related to activity level (p < 0.001), but not to age. Specifically, the young active group had higher peak blood flows than the young inactive (p = 0.031) or older inactive (p = 0.005) groups. Resting blood flow and conductance were not significantly different between groups. Mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in the older compared to young group (p = 0.002). Conductance was related to both activity (p = 0.002) and age (p = 0.003). A prolonged time for blood flow to recover was found in the older compared to the young group (p = 0.038) independent of activity status.

Conclusions

The prolonged recovery time in the older subjects may suggest a reduced vascular reactivity associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Peak blood flow capacity is maintained in older subjects by physical activity. In summary, maximal flow capacity and prolonged recovery of blood flow are influenced by different mechanisms in young and older active and inactive subjects.