Gastrointestinal microflora,food components and colon cancer prevention

Evidence that the intestinal microbiota is intrinsically linked with overall health, including cancer risk, is emerging. Moreover, its composition is not fixed but can be influenced by several dietary components. Dietary modifiers, including the consumption of live bacteria (probiotics) and indigestible or limited digestible food constituents such as oligosaccharides (prebiotics) and polyphenols or both (synbiotics), are recognized modifiers of the numbers and types of microbes and have been reported to reduce colon cancer risk experimentally. Microorganisms also have the ability to generate bioactive compounds from food components. Examples include equol from isoflavones, enterodiol and enterolactone from lignans and urolithins from ellagic acid, which have also been demonstrated to retard experimentally induced cancers. The gastrointestinal microbiota can also influence both sides of the energy balance equation, namely, as a factor influencing energy utilization from the diet and as a factor that influences host genes that regulate energy expenditure and storage. Because of the link between obesity and cancer incidence and mortality, this complex complexion deserves greater attention. Overall, a dynamic interrelationship exists between the intestinal microbiota and colon cancer risk, which can be modified by dietary components and eating behaviors.     

Cytokeratin provides a specific marker for human arachnoid cells grown in vitro

Cells from cranial and spinal arachnoid membranes of humans were grown in culture. Their growth characteristics, morphology and details of their cytoskeletal composition are described. Arachnoid membranes, obtained at autopsy, were finely minced and incubated in tissue culture medium. Monolayers of cells of homogeneous morphology grew from these tissue fragments. The cells were flat and polygonal. They divided slowly to form non-overlapping monolayers of low cell density. Electron microscopic examination of cultured arachnoid cells revealed numerous desmosome-like tight junctions and abundant intermediate filaments (tonofilaments). Both morphological features are characteristic of arachnoid cells in situ, but not of cells in the fibroblast-rich dura mater. Immunofluorescence microscopy with monoclonal antibodies demonstrated cytokeratin in the cytoplasm of primary cultures of arachnoid cells. Thus we demonstrated that these cultured cells retained certain of the specific differentiated properties of arachnoid cells in situ and that they are not fibroblasts (which lack tight junctions and cytokeratins). To our knowledge, there have been no previous reports of in vitro growth of arachnoid cells. This in vitro model should be useful in studying the response of arachnoid cells to a variety of substances thought to be involved in the chronic inflammatory condition of the meninges known as arachnoiditis.     

Genome Sequence and Comparative Genomics Analysis of a Vibrio cholerae O1 Strain Isolated from a Cholera Patient in Malaysia

The genome sequence analysis of a clinical Vibrio cholerae VC35 strain from an outbreak case in Malaysia indicates multiple genes involved in host adaptation and a novel Na⁺-driven multidrug efflux pump-coding gene in the genome of Vibrio cholerae with the highest similarity to VMA_001754 of Vibrio mimicus VMA223.     

Impacts of section 404 permits requiring compensatory mitigation on wetlands in California (USA)

We analyzed data from Section 404 permits issued in California from January 1971 through November 1987 that involved impacts to wetlands and required compensatory mitigation (wetland creation, restoration, or preservation). The purpose of this study was to determine patterns and trends in permitting activity and to document cumulative effects of associated management decisions on the California wetland resource. The 324 permits examined documented that 387 compensatory wetlands (1255.9 ha) were required as mitigation for impacts to 368 wetlands (1176.3 ha). The utility of the data on wetland area was limited, however, since 38.0% of the impacted wetlands and 41.6% of the compensatory wetlands lacked acreage data. The wetland type most frequently impacted (37.8% of impacted wetlands) and used in compensation (38.2% of compensatory wetlands) was palustrine forested wetlands. Estuarine intertidal emergent wetlands had the most area impacted (52.3%) and compensated (62.5%). The majority of the wetlands were small (less than or equal to 4.0 ha in size). Wildlife habitat was the most frequently listed function of impacted wetlands (90.7% of the permits) and objective of compensatory wetlands (83.3%). Endangered species were listed as affected in 20.4% of impacted and 21.0% of compensatory projects. The number of permits requiring compensatory mitigation and the number of impacted and compensatory wetlands increased from 1971 to 1986.Documentation of the details of Section 404 permit decisions was inadequate for the permits we examined. Area information and specific locations of impacted and compensatory wetlands were lacking or of poor quality. Follow-up information was also inadequate. For example, project completion dates were specified in the permit for only 2.2% of compensatory wetlands. Furthermore, less than one-third (31.5%) of the permits required the compensatory wetland to be monitored by at least one site visit. We recommend improved documentation, regular reporting, and increased monitoring for better evaluation of the Section 404 permitting system.     

Identification and characterization of an {alpha}-mannosidase from Trypanosoma cruzi

In this report we describe the first purification and characterizationof the acid -mannosidase from the human parasite Trypanosomacruzi. The purified enzyme exhibited a native mol. wt of 240000 Da and is apparently composed of four identical subunitsof mol. wt 58 000 Da. Each of the four subunits contains oneN-linked high-mannose-type oligosaccharide. The -mannosidaseexhibited a pH optimum of 3.5 and a pI of 5.9. This low pH optimumand the ability of swainsonine to inhibit its activity suggestthat the -mannosidase is a lysosomal enzyme. Antibodies againstthe T.cruzi enzyme did not react with mammalian lysosomal -mannosidaseand, conversely, antibody against a rat lysosomal -mannosidasedid not react with the T.cruzi enzyme. Thus, the T.cruzi enzymeappears to be distinct from its mammalian counterpart. -mannosidase lysosomal enzyme Trypanosoma cruzi     

Antipolarity in the ilv operon of Escherichia coli K-12

The genes governing three of the enzymes of the isoleucine-valine biosynthetic pathway form the operon: operator-ilvA-ilvD-ilvE. The enzymes are: ilvA, l-threonine deaminase; ilvD, dihydroxy acid dehydrase; and ilvE, transaminase B. A nonsense mutation in the ilvD gene (D-ochre) and a nonsense mutation in the ilvE gene (E-amber) affect the properties of the proximal gene product, l-threonine deaminase (TD), in addition to inactivating the enzymes produced by the genes in which the mutations have occurred. The D-ochre mutation causes TD to move in diffusion and gel filtration experiments as though it were 30% smaller than the wild-type enzyme. The E-amber mutation causes TD to move in similar experiments as though it were much larger than the wild-type enzyme. Both mutations completely abolish the sensitivity of TD to l-isoleucine, the normal feedback inhibitor of the wild-type enzyme. The effects of the nonsense mutations on TD can be reversed in three ways: by genetic reversion of the D-ochre mutation; by treatment of the altered enzymes with 3.0 m urea; and by forming a heterozygous diploid, containing the wild-type allele as well as the mutant allele of ilvD or ilvE. The results suggest that the subunits of TD undergo abnormal aggregation in the presence of the partial polypeptides produced by the mutant alleles of ilvD or ilvE; multi-enzyme aggregates in extracts of wild type, however, could not be detected.     

Elektronenmikroskopischer Beitrag zur Differenzierung des Ependyms am Rückenmark von Hühnerembryonen

Zusammenfassung Am Rückenmark von 2, 3, 41/2, 51/2, 8, 81/2, 9, 13 und 16 Tage alten Hühnerembryonen wurde die Ependymdifferenzierung des Zentralkanals elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht und mit den Befunden bei jungen Küken verglichen. Die Ependymentwicklung geht von den undifferenzierten neuroektodermalen Matrixzellen aus, führt über die primitiven und polaren Glioblasten (die Spongioblasten der älteren Literatur) zu den Ependymoblasten und schließlich zu den reifen Ependymzellen. Elektronenmikroskopisch gelingt der Nachweis, daß die Entwicklung der Ependymzellen nicht nur mit charakteristischen Gestaltänderungen, sondern auch mit typischen Veränderungen der Zytoplasmafeinstruktur verbunden ist. Dabei zeigen sich Unterschiede zwischen den zentralen (apikalen) und den peripheren (basalen) Fortsätzen. Allen diesen Zellen ist eine sich immer mehr aufprägende Bipolarität eigen. Vor allem die polaren Glioblasten haben schon eine starke Polarisierung, erkennbar an den Unterschieden der zentralen und peripheren Fortsätze. Die apikale Zytoplasmadifferenzierung wird beherrscht von der Bildung zahlreicher Mikrovilli und Zilien an der freien Oberfläche und einer durch die quantitativen Veränderungen der Zellorganellen gekennzeichneten Zytoplasmaaktivierung. An den peripheren Fortsätzen kann schon im ersten Drittel der Embryonalperiode die Synthese von Gliafilamenten beobachtet werden, was auf die später immer deutlicher werdende gliöse Differenzierung hinweist. Die elektronenmikroskopischen Befunde erlauben den Schluß, daß die Entwicklung des Ependyms einem bipolaren Differenzierungstyp entspricht. Auf die entwicklungsgeschichtlichen elektronenmikroskopischen Untersuchungen am Ventrikelependym wird vergleichend eingegangen. Funktionelle Aspekte der embryonalen Ependymzellen werden nur am Rande berührt.

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Summary An electronmicroscopic study of the ependymal differentiation and the development of the central canal has been carried out on the spinal cord of chicken embryos incubated for 2, 3, 41/2, 51/2, 8, 81/2, 9, 13 and 16 days old. The ependymal cells arise from the undifferentiated matrix cells. The first stage of differentiation is the formation of primitive and polar glioblasts (spongioblasts) in the region of the basal and roof plates. The fine structure of the polar glioblasts differs in the regions of the internal processes, the perikarya and the long processes extending towards the surface of the neural tube. The cytoplasmic differentiation within the internal region of these glioblasts is characterized by the development of diverse microvilli and of cilia on the surface, the accumulation of mitochondria and the development of a prominent Golgi apparatus in the cytoplasm. The synthesis of glial filaments occurs only in the peripheral processes. In the region of the perikaryon there are numerous free ribosomes and some profiles of a granular endoplasmic reticulum. The differentiation of the polar glioblasts into ependymal cells leads to a modified bipolar glial-epithelial structure. On the other hand, the transformation of the polar glioblasts into migrating glioblasts and finally into protoplasmatic and fibrous astrocytes—studied in the region of the glial septum dorsale—is characterized by a retraction of the internal processes with loss of epithelial differentiation. During all stages of development the ependymal cells retain their basic bipolarity, but time-related modifications of this nature can be observed.