Lipid metabolism and osteoarthritis: lessons from atherosclerosis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related degenerative disease comprising the main reason of handicap in the Western world. Interestingly, to date, there are neither available biomarkers for early diagnosis of the disease nor any effective therapy other than symptomatic treatment and joint replacement surgery. OA has long been associated with obesity, mainly due to mechanical overload exerted on the joints. Recent studies however, point to the direction that OA is a metabolic disease, as it also involves non-weight bearing joints. In fact, altered lipid metabolism may be the underlying cause. First, adipokines have been shown to be key regulators of OA pathogenesis. Second, epidemiological studies have shown serum cholesterol to be a risk factor for OA development. Third, lipid deposition in the joint is observed at the early stages of OA before the occurrence of histological changes. Fourth, proteomic analyses have shown an important connection between OA and lipid metabolism. Finally, recent gene expression studies reveal a deregulation of cholesterol influx and efflux and in the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes. Interestingly, lipids and lipid metabolism are known to be implicated in the development and progression of another age-related degenerative disease, atherosclerosis (ATH). Thus, although it is tempting to speculate that the osteoarthritic chondrocyte has been transformed to foam cell, it has not been proven yet. However, this may be an intriguing theory linking ATH and OA, which may open new avenues to novel therapeutic interventions for OA taking advantage of previous knowledge from ATH.     

An allelopathic investigation of the domination of the introduced invasive Conyza canadensis L.

The introduced, invasive species Conyza canadensis L. covers large areas of the sandy levees next to the River Tamiš (Serbia), forming dense microcomplexes and dominating the other herbaceous species in the ruderal phytocoenosis with its aboveground mass and abundance. In addition to this species, a further 28 plant species were found, but the abundance and cover of these was significantly lower. The allelopathic influence of the species C. canadensis was investigated through analyzing the total phenolics and phenolic acids, as the main allelochemicals, in dead and vegetative parts and the soil beneath them. Seed germination and seedling growth of the target plants (Dactylis glomerata L. and Trifolium repens L.), which grow in this community, served as a measure of the inhibitory capacity of this species. It was established that the content of total phenolics and phenolic acids (p-coumaric, ferulic, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic and syringic) varies, following the order: vegetative plant parts > dead plant parts > sandy soil under C. canadensis. Water leachate and soils inhibited seed germination and seedling growth of the test plants to varying degrees, following the order: vegetative parts > dead parts > sandy soil, which is directly related to the content of total phenolics and phenolic acids in them. It was concluded that the pioneer species C. canadensis plays a decisive role in the first phases of vegetation succession and the process of soil formation on the barren sandy levees, owing to the synthesis of secondary phenolic metabolites.     

Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli in chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and cattle in Austria

We assessed the prevalence of verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) in chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and livestock grazing on a mountain pasture in Austria during June-August 2009. We detected VTEC throughout the sampling period in high numbers in cattle as well as in chamois, leading to the assumption that the degree of contamination of the environment is high. This is the first report of pathogenic E. coli identified in chamois, implicating chamois as a new potential reservoir of these zoonotic pathogens. Because the study area also serves recreational purposes, there is a risk of humans acquiring infection via direct or indirect contact.     

The tomato terpene synthase gene family

Compounds of the terpenoid class play numerous roles in the interactions of plants with their environment, such as attracting pollinators and defending the plant against pests. We show here that the genome of cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) contains 44 terpene synthase (TPS) genes, including 29 that are functional or potentially functional. Of these 29 TPS genes, 26 were expressed in at least some organs or tissues of the plant. The enzymatic functions of eight of the TPS proteins were previously reported, and here we report the specific in vitro catalytic activity of 10 additional tomato terpene synthases. Many of the tomato TPS genes are found in clusters, notably on chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 8, and 10. All TPS family clades previously identified in angiosperms are also present in tomato. The largest clade of functional TPS genes found in tomato, with 12 members, is the TPS-a clade, and it appears to encode only sesquiterpene synthases, one of which is localized to the mitochondria, while the rest are likely cytosolic. A few additional sesquiterpene synthases are encoded by TPS-b clade genes. Some of the tomato sesquiterpene synthases use z,z-farnesyl diphosphate in vitro as well, or more efficiently than, the e,e-farnesyl diphosphate substrate. Genes encoding monoterpene synthases are also prevalent, and they fall into three clades: TPS-b, TPS-g, and TPS-e/f. With the exception of two enzymes involved in the synthesis of ent-kaurene, the precursor of gibberellins, no other tomato TPS genes could be demonstrated to encode diterpene synthases so far.     

Heterotrophic bacterial production on solid fish waste: TAN and nitrate as nitrogen source under practical RAS conditions

The drumfilter effluent from a recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) can be used as substrate for heterotrophic bacteria production. This biomass can be re-used as aquatic feed. RAS effluents are rich in nitrate and low in total ammonia nitrogen (TAN). This might result in 20% lower bacteria yields, because nitrate conversion into bacteria is less energy efficient than TAN conversion. In this study the influence of TAN concentrations (1, 12, 98, 193, 257mgTAN/l) and stable nitrate-N concentrations (174+/-29mg/l) on bacteria yields and nitrogen conversions was investigated in a RAS under practical conditions. The effluent slurry was supplemented with 1.7gC/l sodium acetate, due to carbon deficiency, and was converted continuously in a suspended bacteria growth reactor (hydraulic retention time 6h). TAN utilization did not result in significantly different observed yields than nitrate (0.24-0.32gVSS/gC, p=0.763). However, TAN was preferred compared to nitrate and was converted to nearly 100%, independently of TAN concentrations. TAN and nitrate conversions rates were differing significantly for increasing TAN levels (p<0.000 and p=0.012), and were negatively correlated. It seems, therefore, equally possible to supply the nitrogenous substrate for bacteria conversion as nitrate and not as TAN. The bacteria reactor can, as a result, be integrated into an existing RAS as end of pipe treatment.     

Two new phenylpiperazines with atypical antipsychotic potential

Two new series of substituted arylpiperazines with heterocyclic 3-propoxy-benzimidazole or 3-propoxy-benzimidazole-2-thione groups were synthesized and their in vitro binding affinities for the D(2), 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(2A), and alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors determined. Among them, only two compounds with phenyl aryl-constituent (8a and 9a) showed 5-HT(2A)/D(2) pK(i) binding ratios proposed for atypical neuroleptics. As to their behavioral screening on rodents, both compounds exhibited a non-cataleptic action in rats and antagonized D-amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion in mice, suggesting their possible atypical antipsychotic potency.     

Utility of p16(ink4a) immunocytochemistry in liquid-based cytology specimens from women treated for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether p16(ink4a) immunocytochemical (ICC) expression detected intraepithelial disease in liquid-based cytology (LBC) specimens from women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), whose specimen was labeled negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignany (NILM). STUDY DESIGN: Residual LBC specimens from women treated for HSIL (n = 21), whose LBC test was interpreted as NILM including marked benign inflammatory changes (BCC) were used. The control (n = 25) consisted of residual LBC specimens from women with documented HSIL. ICC for p16p(16k4a) was performed on a second ThinPrep (ThinPrep 2000, Cylyl Corporation, Boxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.A.) preparation; the percentage ofpositive cells and intensity of immunostaining were recorded. Standard LBC preparations for p16(ink4a) ICC-positive and ICC-negative control cases were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-four of 25 (96%) of the HSIL control group were ICC p16(ink4a) positive. In the NILM/BCC group, 2 of 21 with adequate LBC residua were ICC p16(ink4a) positive; on review both were reclassified as epithelial abnormality--1 HSIL and 1 atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL. In both, subsequent colposcopic biopsy yielded HSIL. CONCLUSION: p16(ink4a) ICC positivity on NILM/BCC LBC residua from patients with HSIL may identify cases that merit cytologic review and possible reclassification. The utility of p16(ink4a) ICC in this situation requires further study.