Effect of weight loss,independent of change in diet composition,on apolipoprotein AI kinetic in men with metabolic syndrome

We investigated the effect of weight loss, independent of change in diet composition, on HDL and apoAI metabolism in men with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Subjects (19 men with MetS [NCEP-ATPIII]) were fed an isoenergetic Mediterranean-style diet for 5 weeks (all foods provided). Participants then underwent a 20-week free-living period during which they were counseled to restrict energy intake, after which they were again fed an isoenergetic Mediterranean-style diet for 5 weeks. At the end of the two controlled diets, participants received a single bolus of [5,5,5-²H₃] _L-leucine, and fasting blood samples were collected over a 96 h period. ApoAI kinetic was assessed using multicompartmental modeling of the tracer enrichment data. Participants achieved a 9.1 ± 2.8% reduction in body weight (P < 0.001). Weight loss resulted in an increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations of 6.0% (P = 0.059) and HDL₃-C of 7.9% (P = 0.045), attributable to a reduction in apoAI fractional catabolic rate (−7.8%; P = 0.046) with no change in apoAI production rate (2.2%; P = 0.58). These data indicate that weight loss, independent of variation in diet composition, increases plasma HDL primarily by delaying the catabolism of apoAI.     

The basolateral sorting signals of the thyrotropin and luteinizing hormone receptors: an unusual family of signals sharing an unusual distal intracellular localization, but unrelated in their structures

The mechanisms of the basolateral targeting of G protein-coupled receptors remain largely unknown. Mutagenesis experiments have allowed us to identify the basolateral sorting signals of the TSH and LH receptors expressed in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells and thyroid follicular FRT cells. Unexpectedly these signals (amino acids 731-746 and 672-689, respectively) share an unusual localization in the distal part of the intracellular domain of the receptors at a marked distance from the membrane. When grafted onto the p75-neurotropin receptor, these signals redirect this normally apically expressed protein to the basolateral cell surface. They are independent of the endocytosis signal. The basolateral sorting signals of TSH, LH, and FSH receptors do not exhibit primary sequence homology with each other or with any other known signal. Furthermore, circular dichroism studies show that the three signals exhibit distinct secondary structures. The TSH receptor has a stable helical structure, the LH receptor has both helix and beta-sheet structures, and the FSH receptor sorting signal has a main random coil structure. This means that even in closely-related receptors different secondary structures can be found for basolateral signals unrelated to internalization signals. This observation contrasts with what is known about basolateral signals related to internalization signals for which a common beta-turn structure has been described. Deletion of the basolateral sorting signals results in apical targeting of the receptors, suggesting the existence of apical sorting information. However, a soluble form of the TSH receptor, which harbors all N- and putative O-linked oligosaccharides, is secreted in a nonpolarized fashion. This implies that apical sorting information must be located elsewhere, either in the transmembrane or in the intracellular domains of the receptor.     

Treatment failure with antagonists of TNF-α: mechanisms and implications for the care of patients

The use of TNF-α antagonists has substantially improved the care of many patients with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, approximately one third of such patients fail to respond well to treatment, regardless of the antagonist used or of the underlying disease. The mechanisms underlying these failures are analyzed in this review, and proposals made concerning how best to adapt therapeutic decisions in these instances.     

Discovery of novel 5-(ethyl or hydroxymethyl) analogs of 2'-'up' fluoro (or hydroxyl) pyrimidine nucleosides as a new class of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium inhibitors

Discovery of novel antimycobacterial compounds that work on distinctive targets and by diverse mechanisms of action is urgently required for the treatment of mycobacterial infections due to the emerging global health threat of tuberculosis. We have identified a new class of 5-ethyl or hydroxy (or methoxy) methyl-substituted pyrimidine nucleosides as potent inhibitors of Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Ra, H37Rv) and Mycobacterium avium. A series of 2'-'up' fluoro (or hydroxy) nucleosides (1, 2, 4-6, 9, 10, 13, 16, 18, 21, 24) was synthesized and evaluated for antimycobacterial activity. Among 2'-fluorinated compounds, 1-(3-bromo-2,3-dideoxy-2-fluoro-β-d-arabinofuranosyl)-5-ethyluracil (13) exhibited promising activity against M. bovis and Mtb alone, and showed synergism when combined with isoniazid. The most active compound emerging from these studies, 1-(β-d-arabinofuranosyl)-4-thio-5-hydroxymethyluracil (21) inhibited Mtb (H37Ra) (MIC(50)=0.5 μg/mL) and M. bovis (MIC(50)=0.5 μg/mL) at low concentrations, and was ten times more potent against Mtb (H37Ra) than cycloserine (MIC(50)=5.0 μg/mL), a second line drug. It also showed an additive effect when combined with isoniazid. Compound 21 retained sensitivity against a rifampicin-resistant (H37Rv) strain of Mtb (MIC(50)=1 μg/mL) at concentrations similar to that for a rifampicin-sensitive (H37Rv) strain, suggesting that it has no cross-resistance to a first-line anti-TB drug. In addition, the replication of M. avium was also inhibited by 21 (MIC(50)=10 μg/mL). No cellular toxicity of 13 or 21 was observed up to the highest concentration tested (CC(50)>100 μg/mL). These observations offer promise for a new drug treatment regimen to augment and complement the current chemotherapy of TB.     

Study of the threshold dose of penicillin which induces an epileptogenic focus during ontogenesis in the rabbit]

A local application on the cortex surface of a very small drop of Ringer solution containing Penicillin was performed to establish the threshold dose required to elicit and epileptogenic focus and consequently the occuring latency of it. Threshold doses are small (20 - 60 International Units) and show a significant decrease during the maturation of the C.N.S. On the other hand latencies, whatever the animal's age, decrease fairly. The results are confronted to the various supposed modes of action of penicillin, modes which involve a dysfonctioning of the Na+ and K+ ionic pump.     

Effects of bile acids on actin polymerization in vitro

Bile acids are major determinants of canalicular bile secretion, and there are indications that choleretic bile acids increase bile canalicular contractions, in isolated rat hepatocytes. Therefore, we examined the influence of various bile acids on the rate of actin polymerization in vitro. The free forms of cholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, and chenodeoxycholic acid, as well as their taurine and glycine conjugates, were incubated with purified muscle actin, at a concentration of 100-300 nmoles/mg actin. The rate of actin polymerization was measured by viscometry and the fluorescence of the pyrene probe, linked to actin. Results showed that all bile acids slow the rate of polymerization, and that the effect was dose-dependent. However, the reduction by chenodeoxycholic acid was greater than that caused by the other bile acids. The results indicate that bile acids, particularly in high concentrations interact with actin, a finding that may be related to the increased bile canalicular contractility, and altered canalicular membrane morphology, induced by choleretic bile acids.     

Measurement of a wide range of intracellular sodium concentrations in erythrocytes by 23Na nuclear magnetic resonance.

The accuracy of the 23Na nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method for measuring the sodium concentration in erythrocytes was tested by comparing the NMR results to those obtained by emission-flame photometry. Comparisons were made on aqueous solutions, hemolysates, gels, ghosts, and intact erythrocytes. The intra- and extracellular 23Na NMR signals were distinguished by addition of the dysprosium tripolyphosphate [Dy(PPP)7-2] shift reagent to the extracellular fluid. The intra- and extracellular volumes of ghosts and cells were determined by the isotope dilution method. Our results indicate that greater than 20% of the intracellular signal remains undetected by NMR in ghosts and cells. When the cells are hemolyzed, the amount of NMR-detectable sodium varies depending on the importance of gel formation. In hemolysates prepared by water addition, the NMR and flame photometry results are identical. The loss of signal in ghosts, cells, and undiluted hemolysates is attributed to partial binding of the Na+ ion to intracellular components, this binding being operative only when these components exist in a gel state. In a second part, 31P NMR was used to monitor the penetration of the shift reagent into the cells during incubation. Our data demonstrate that free Dy3+ can slowly accumulate inside the red cell.     

3D joint dynamics analysis of healthy children's gait

The 3D joint moments and 2D joint powers have been largely explored in the literature of healthy children's gait, in particular to compare them with pathologic subjects’ gait. However, no study reported on 3D joint power in children which could be due to the difficulties in interpreting the results. Recently, the analysis of the 3D angle between the joint moment and the joint angular velocity vectors has been proposed in order to help 3D joint power interpretation.Our hypothesis is that this 3D angle may help in characterizing the level of gait maturation. The present study explores 3D joint moments, 3D joint power and the proposed 3D angle for both children's and adults’ gaits to highlight differences in the strategies used. The results seem to confirm that children have an alternative strategy of mainly ankle stabilization and hip propulsion compared to the adults’ strategy of mainly ankle resistance and propulsion and hip stabilization.In the future, the same 3D angle analysis should be applied to different age groups for better describing the evolution of the 3D joint dynamic strategies during the growth.     

Antimycobacterial activities of 5-alkyl (or halo)-3'-substituted pyrimidine nucleoside analogs

Several 5-alkyl (or halo)-3'-azido (amino or halo) analogs of pyrimidine nucleosides have been synthesized and evaluated against Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium. Among these compounds, 3'-azido-5-ethyl-2',3'-dideoxyuridine (3) was found to have significant antimycobacterial activities against M. bovis (MIC(50)=1μg/mL), M. tuberculosis (MIC(50)=10μg/mL) and M. avium (MIC(50)=10μg/mL).