Chronic hypoxia attenuates resting and exercise-induced VEGF, flt-1, and flk-1 mRNA levels in skeletal muscle.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a hypoxia-inducible angiogenic mitogen. However, chronic hypoxia is generally not found to increase mammalian skeletal muscle capillarity. We sought to determine the effect of chronic hypoxia (8 wk, inspired O2 fraction = 0.12) on skeletal muscle gene expression of VEGF, its receptors (flt-1 and flk-1), basic fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor-beta1. Wistar rats were exposed to chronic hypoxia (n = 12) or room air (n = 12). After the exposure period, six animals from each group were subjected to a single 1-h treadmill exercise bout (18 m/min on a 10 degrees incline) in room air while the remaining six animals served as rest controls. Morphological analysis revealed that chronic hypoxia did not increase skeletal muscle capillarity. Northern blot analyses showed that chronic hypoxia decreased resting VEGF, flt-1, and flk-1 mRNA by 23, 68, and 42%, respectively (P < 0.05). The VEGF mRNA response to exercise was also decreased (4.1- and 2.7-fold increase in room air and chronic hypoxia, respectively, P < 0.05). In contrast, neither transforming growth factor-beta1 nor basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA was significantly altered by chronic hypoxia. In conclusion, prolonged exposure to hypoxia attenuated gene expression of VEGF and its receptors flt-1 and flk-1 in rat gastrocnemius muscle. These findings may provide an explanation for the lack of mammalian skeletal muscle angiogenesis that is observed after chronic hypoxia.     

Role of Ca(2+) fluctuations in L6 myotubes in the regulation of the hexokinase II gene.

Expression of the hexokinase (HK) II gene in skeletal muscle is upregulated by electrically stimulated muscle contraction and moderate-intensity exercise. However, the molecular mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Alterations in intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis accompany contraction and regulate gene expression in contracting skeletal muscle. Therefore, as a first step in understanding the exercise-induced increase in HK II, the ability of Ca(2+) to increase HK II mRNA was investigated in cultured skeletal muscle cells, namely L6 myotubes. Exposure of cells to the ionophore A-23187 resulted in an approximately threefold increase in HK II mRNA. Treatment of cells with the extracellular Ca(2+) chelator EGTA did not alter HK II mRNA, nor was it able to prevent the A-23187-induced increase. Treatment of cells with the intracellular Ca(2+) chelator 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl) ester (BAPTA-AM) also resulted in an approximately threefold increase in HK II mRNA in the absence of ionophore, which was similar to the increase in HK II mRNA induced by the combination of BAPTA-AM and A-23187. In summary, a rise in intracellular Ca(2+) is not necessary for the A-23187-induced increase in HK II mRNA, and increases in HK II mRNA occur in response to treatments that decrease intracellular Ca(2+) stores. Depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores may be one mechanism by which muscle contraction increases HK II mRNA.     

Computational Investigations of the Chalcogen-Substituted Carboxylic Acids RC(=O)XH and RC(=X)OH and their Dimers [RC(=O)XH]2 and [RC(=X)OH]2 (X=S, Se, Te)

Semiempirical and ab initio theoretical methods have been used to investigate molecular structures of the chalcogen-substituted carboxylic acid isomers RC(=O)XH (chalcogenol acid) and RC(=X)OH (chalcogenon acid). A recent experimental report suggests that the chalcogenon isomers, although less stable at room temperature, predominate at low temperature in polar solvents and that there is only a small barrier to isomerization between the isomers. Theoretical calculations have been used to locate minimum energy structures of chalcogen-substituted carboxylic acid isomers and to calculate energy differences between pairs of isomers. Carboxylic acids are well known to dimerize, especially in the gas phase and in non-polar solvents. We have, therefore, also calculated energies of dimerization of the chalcogen-substituted acids by optimizing the geometries of the symmetric dimers. We note that the PM3 level of theory is only qualitatively correct for sulfur- and selenium-containing species but fails even qualitatively for the tellurium-containing compounds. Ab initio results confirm the experimental observations and provide good estimates of both isomerization and dimerization energies. We conclude that for many functional groups with tautomers RC(=X)YH and RC(=Y)XH, the more acidic tautomer is the one with the acid proton on the smaller, more electronegative atom, although in many cases this may not be the more stable tautomer.Electronic Supplementary Material available.     

In vivo neutralization of TNF-alpha promotes humoral autoimmunity by preventing the induction of CTL.

Neutralization of TNF-alpha in humans with rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease has been associated with the development of humoral autoimmunity. To determine the effect of TNF-alpha neutralization on cell-mediated and humoral-mediated responses, we administered anti-TNF-alpha mAb to mice undergoing acute graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) using the parent-into-F(1) model. In vivo neutralization of TNF-alpha blocked the lymphocytopenic features characteristic of acute GVHD and induced a lupus-like chronic GVHD phenotype (lymphoproliferation and autoantibody production). These effects resulted from complete inhibition of detectable antihost CTL activity and required the presence of anti-TNF-alpha mAb for the first 4 days after parental cell transfer, indicating that TNF-alpha plays a critical role in the induction of CTL. Moreover, an in vivo blockade of TNF-alpha preferentially inhibited the production of IFN-gamma and blocked IFN-gamma-dependent up-regulation of Fas; however, cytokines such as IL-10, IL-6, or IL-4 were not inhibited. These results suggest that a therapeutic TNF-alpha blockade may promote humoral autoimmunity by selectively inhibiting the induction of a CTL response that would normally suppress autoreactive B cells.     

Metabolic rate in diapause and nondiapause brown locust eggs correlated with embryonic development

Insects use dormancy to survive adverse conditions. Brown locust Locustana pardalina (Walk.) eggs offer a convenient model to study dormancy (diapause and quiescence), which contributes to their survival under arid conditions. The metabolic rates of developing nondiapause, diapause and quiescent eggs are compared in the present study using closed‐system respirometry. The embryo becomes committed to continue development and hatch or to enter diapause 6 days after the eggs are placed on moist soil. The metabolic rate of nondiapause eggs increases exponentially until hatching, whereas that of diapause eggs is low and stable. The metabolic rate of diapause laboratory eggs (1.9 ± 0.6 µL CO₂ mg^?1 h^?1) is significantly higher than that of field eggs (0.5 ± 0.3 µL CO₂ mg^?1 h^?1), although the ranges of metabolic rate overlap and the embryos are all in late anatrepsis. The metabolic rate of quiescent eggs is similar to that of diapause eggs but decreases with time. Low metabolic rates during arrested development allow eggs to persist over long periods before hatching.     

Ear wax and otitis media in children.

A study was designed to find the prevalence of ear wax in children aged 3 to 10 years and to test the belief that large amounts of wax are unlikely to be seen when otitis media is present. Roughly a quarter of the children had appreciable amounts of wax, and there was a gradual decline in prevalence with age. The amount of ear wax appeared to decrease when otitis media was present. The results did not support removing wax when assessing children''s ears in general practice.     

Seasonal changes in the ruminal microflora of the high-arctic Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus).

The dominant rumen bacteria in high-arctic Svalbard reindeer were characterized, their population densities were estimated, and ruminal pH was determined in summer, when food quality and availability are good, and in winter, when they are poor. In summer the total cultured viable population density was (2.09 +/- 1.26) X 10(10) cells ml-1, whereas in winter it was (0.36 +/- 0.29) X 10(10) cells ml-1, representing a decrease to 17% of the summer population density. On culture, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens represented 22% of the bacterial population in summer and 30% in winter. Streptococcus bovis represented 17% of the bacterial population in summer but only 4% in winter. Methanogenic bacteria were present at 10(4) cells ml-1 in summer and 10(7) cells ml-1 in winter. In summer and winter, respectively, the proportions of the viable population showing the following activities were as follows: starch utilization, 68 and 63%; fiber digestion, 31 and 74%; cellulolysis, 15 and 35%; xylanolysis, 30 and 58%; proteolysis, 51 and 28%; ureolysis, 40 and 54%; and lactate utilization, 13 and 4%. The principal cellulolytic bacterium was B. fibrisolvens, which represented 66 and 52% of the cellulolytic population in summer and winter, respectively. The results indicate that the microflora of the rumen of Svalbard reindeer is highly effective in fiber digestion and nitrogen metabolism, allowing the animals to survive under the austere nutritional conditions typical of their high-arctic habitat.     

Lens regeneration from cultured newt irises stimulated by retina-derived growth factors (EDGFs)

It has been shown that lens regeneration from the iris of the newt Notophthalmus viridescens is dependent on the presence of neural retinal tissue in organ culture and in vivo. The recent discovery of various eye-derived growth factors (EDGFs) in the bovine retina [14] prompted us to investigate whether one of these factors may be involved in the stimulation of lens regeneration. Dorsal irises were cultured for 20 days in serum-supplemented diluted Eagle's medium. Growth factors from bovine retina of various degrees of purification were added. Lens regeneration was assessed on the basis of morphological lens-regeneration stages and by immunofluorescent detection of a lens-specific marker protein, alpha-crystallin. Crude isotonic retinal extract at 80-800 micrograms/ml significantly augmented lens regeneration. Very similar results were obtained when EDGF III, the nonretained retinal factor after heparin-affinity chromatography, was present at 2-20 micrograms/ml. Lens regeneration was also significantly increased when EDGF II, the retinal form of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) at 50-500 ng/ml was added to the cultures. On the other hand, EDGF I at 4-40 ng/ml and brain basic FGF at 5-50 ng/ml did not seem to significantly stimulate lens regeneration under the conditions used. Our results suggest that at least two retina-derived growth factors (EDGF II and III) can stimulate lens regeneration. These growth factors may be the putative signal that is naturally produced by the retina during lens regeneration in the newt.     

Predicted impact of exotic vines on an endangered ecological community under future climate change

Potential interactions between climate change and exotic plant invasions may affect areas of high conservation value, such as land set aside for the protection of endangered species or ecological communities. We investigated this issue in eastern Australia using species distribution models for five exotic vines under climate regimes for 2020 and 2050. We examined how projected changes in the distribution of climatically suitable habitat may coincide with the remaining remnants of an endangered ecological community—littoral rainforests—in this region. The number of known infestations of each weed in tropical, subtropical and temperate areas was used to assess the likelihood of further expansion into areas projected to provide suitable habitat under future conditions. Littoral rainforest reserves were consistently predicted to provide bioclimatically suitable habitat for the five vines examined under both current and future climate scenarios. We explore the consequences and potential strategies for managing exotic plant invasions in these protected areas in the coming decades.     

Utility of peptide-protein affinity complexes in proteomics: identification of interaction partners of a tumor suppressor peptide.

We used a N-biotinylated peptide analog of the C-terminal domain of the tumor suppressor protein, p21cip1/waf1 to elucidate peptide/protein interacting partners. The C-terminal domain of p21cip1/waf1 protein spanning 141-160 amino acid residues is known to bind PCNA and this interaction is important in many biological processes including cell-cycle control. This C-terminal 20-mer efficiently extracts PCNA in the presence of a variety of N- or C-terminally attached affinity tags. Using difference silver stained 2D gels combined with in-gel tryptic digests, we identified the difference spots using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry-based peptide mass fingerprinting followed by a database search using PROFOUND against NCBIs human nonredundant protein sequence data bank. Identified spots include the p48 subunit of chromatin assembly factor-1, the heat shock 70 protein analog BiP, calmodulin, nucleolin and a spot similar in size to dimeric PCNA. In contrast, microcapillary ion-trap LC-MS/MS analysis of a tryptic digest of entire affinity extracts derived from both control and experimental runs followed by database searches using SEQUEST confirmed the presence of most of the above proteins. This strategy also identified hnRNPA1, HPSP90alpha, HSP40 and T-complex protein 1, a protein similar to prothymosin, and a possible allelic variant of the p21cip1/waf1 protein. The use of N-biotinylated peptide derived from the C-terminal domain of p21cip1/waf1 protein in proteomic analysis exemplified here suggests that peptides obtained from intracellular functional screens could also potentially serve as efficient baits to discover new drug targets.