Inhibition of the biosynthesis ofN-acetylneuraminic acid by metal ions and seleniumin vitro

In liver homogenate the biosynthesis ofN-acetylneuraminic acid usingN-acetylglucosamine as precursor can be followed stepwise by applying different chromatographic procedures. In this cell-free system 16 metal ions (Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, La³⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, VO ₃ ^– , Pb²⁺, Ce³⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Al³⁺, Sn²⁺, Cs⁺ and Li⁺) and the selenium compounds, selenium(IV) oxide and sodium selenite, have been checked with respect to their ability to influence a single or possible several steps of the biosynthesis ofN-acetylneuraminic acid. It could be shown that the following enzymes are sensitive to these metal ions (usually applied at a concentration of 1 mmoll^–1):N-acetylglucosamine kinase (inhibited by Zn²⁺ and vandate), UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-2-epimerase (inhibited by zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, VO ₃ ^– , Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cs⁺, Li⁺, selenium(IV) oxide and selenite), andN-acetylmannosamine kinase (inhibited by Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Co²⁺). Dose dependent measurements have shown that Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and selenite are more efficient inhibitors of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-2-epimerase than vanadate. As for theN-acetylmannosamine kinase inhibition, a decreasing inhibitory effect exists in the following order Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺. In contrast, La³⁺, Al³⁺ and Mn²⁺ (1 mmoll^–1) did not interfere with the biosynthesis ofN-acetylneuraminic acid. Thus, the conclusion that the inhibitory effect of the metal ions investigated cannot be regarded as simply unspecific is justified.Dedicated to Professor Theodor Günther on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

An antibody against SSEA-5 glycan on human pluripotent stem cells enables removal of teratoma-forming cells

An important risk in the clinical application of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (hESCs and hiPSCs), is teratoma formation by residual undifferentiated cells. We raised a monoclonal antibody against hESCs, designated anti-stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA)-5, which binds a previously unidentified antigen highly and specifically expressed on hPSCs--the H type-1 glycan. Separation based on SSEA-5 expression through fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) greatly reduced teratoma-formation potential of heterogeneously differentiated cultures. To ensure complete removal of teratoma-forming cells, we identified additional pluripotency surface markers (PSMs) exhibiting a large dynamic expression range during differentiation: CD9, CD30, CD50, CD90 and CD200. Immunohistochemistry studies of human fetal tissues and bioinformatics analysis of a microarray database revealed that concurrent expression of these markers is both common and specific to hPSCs. Immunodepletion with antibodies against SSEA-5 and two additional PSMs completely removed teratoma-formation potential from incompletely differentiated hESC cultures.     

A taxonomic review of ichneumon-flies (Hymenoptera,Ichneumonidae), parasitoids of gall-forming sawflies (Hymenoptera,Tenthredinidae) on Salix. Part II. Review of the Palaearctic species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saotis</Emphasis> Förster with description of four new species

This is the second communication on Ichneumonidae, parasitoids of gall-making sawflies on Salix. Twenty-one Palaearctic species of the specialized genus Saotis are revised and classified into 12 species groups. Original data on 29 species of Saotis hosts are given: 18 spp. of Phyllocolpa, 10 Pontania and 1 species of Pontopristia. A key to species and subspecies is given and illustrated by 55 figures. For each species the literature, synonymy, diagnosis, material and hosts are given. Four new species are described: Saotis alpinator sp. n., S. boreator sp. n., S. granulator sp. n. and S. subarctor sp. n.     

A meta-analysis of molecular marker genetic datasets for eastern Africa trees supports the utility of potential natural vegetation maps for planning climate-smart restoration initiatives

Tree Genetics & Genomes - Forest and woodland landscape restoration is a key undertaking of renewed interest for forestry and conservation practitioners, but is hampered by the lack of...     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Changes in Abdominal Compartments in Obese Diabetics during a Low-Calorie Weight-Loss Program

ObjectivesTo investigate changes in the fat content of abdominal compartments and muscle area during weight loss using confounder-adjusted chemical-shift-encoded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in overweight diabetics.MethodsTwenty-nine obese diabetics (10/19 men/women, median age: 59.0 years, median body mass index (BMI): 34.0 kg/m²) prospectively joined a standardized 15-week weight-loss program (six weeks of formula diet exclusively, followed by reintroduction of regular food with gradually increasing energy content over nine weeks) over 15 weeks. All subjects underwent a standardized MRI protocol including a confounder-adjusted chemical-shift-encoded MR sequence with water/fat separation before the program as well at the end of the six weeks of formula diet and at the end of the program at 15 weeks. Fat fractions of abdominal organs and vertebral bone marrow as well as volumes of visceral and subcutaneous fat were determined. Furthermore, muscle area was evaluated using the L4/L5 method. Data were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for paired samples.ResultsMedian BMI decreased significantly from 34.0 kg/m² to 29.9 kg/m² (p < 0.001) at 15 weeks. Liver fat content was normalized (14.2% to 4.1%, p < 0.001) and vertebral bone marrow fat (57.5% to 53.6%, p = 0.018) decreased significantly throughout the program, while fat content of pancreas (9.0%), spleen (0.0%), and psoas muscle (0.0%) did not (p > 0.15). Visceral fat volume (3.2 L to 1.6 L, p < 0.001) and subcutaneous fat diameter (3.0 cm to 2.2 cm, p < 0.001) also decreased significantly. Muscle area declined by 6.8% from 243.9 cm² to 226.8 cm².ConclusionMRI allows noninvasive monitoring of changes in abdominal compartments during weight loss. In overweight diabetics, weight loss leads to fat reduction in abdominal compartments, such as visceral fat, as well as liver fat and vertebral bone marrow fat while pancreas fat remains unchanged.     

Taxonomic review and key to European Ichneumon flies (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), parasitoids of gall-forming sawflies of the genera Pontania Costa, Phyllocolpa Benson, and Euura Newman (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae) on willows: Part I

Extensive material on parasitoids of the family Ichneumonidae reared from gall-making sawflies on Salix is identified. The general host—parasite list includes 75 species of hosts—Pontania (40 spp.), Phyllocolpa (21 spp.), Euura (14 spp.), their food plants (33 species of Salix), and their parasitoids of the family Ichneumonidae; many data on hosts and parasitoids are recorded for the first time. The complex of ichneumonids on gallforming sawflies is composed of about 45 species belonging to 15 genera of 6 subfamilies. The annotated list of about 30 species of ichneumonids (except for species of Saotis) reared from gall-making sawflies is given with data on the literature, studied material, distribution, and hosts. Two new species Anoncus gallicola sp. n. and Rhinotorus brachycerus sp. n. are described. A key to the species of the Ichneumonidae of this complex is given.     

Predictors of Technical Success and Rate of Complications of Image-Guided Percutaneous Transthoracic Lung Needle Biopsy of Pulmonary Tumors

Purpose

To investigate predictors of technical success and complications of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy of potentially malignant pulmonary tumors.

Material and Methods

From 2008 to 2009, technical success and rate of complications of CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic lung needle biopsies of patients with suspicious pulmonary tumors were retrospectively evaluated. The influence on technical success and rate of complications was assessed for intervention-related predictors (lesion diameter, length of biopsy pathway, number of pleural transgressions, and needle size) and patient-related predictors (age, gender, reduced lung function). In addition, technical success and rate of complications were compared between different interventional radiologists.

Results

One hundred thirty-eight patients underwent biopsies by 15 interventional radiologists. The overall technical success rate was 84.1% and was significantly different between interventional radiologists (range 25%-100%; p<0.01). Intervention-related and patient-related predictors did not influence the technical success rate. The overall complication rate was 59.4% with 39.1% minor complications and 21.0% major complications. The rate of complications was influenced by lesion diameter and distance of biopsy pathway. Interventional radiologist-related rates of complications were not statistically different.

Conclusions

Technical success of percutaneous, transthoracic lung needle biopsies of pulmonary tumors is probably dependent on the interventional radiologist. In addition, lesion diameter and length of biopsy pathway are predictors of the rate of complications.     

Inactivation of stable viruses in cell culture facilities by peracetic acid fogging

Looking for a robust and simple method to replace formaldehyde fumigation for the disinfection of virus-handling laboratories and facilities, we tested peracetic acid fogging as a method to inactivate stable viruses under practical conditions. Peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide (5.8%/27.5%, 2.0 mL/m3) was diluted in sufficient water to achieve ≥ 70% relative humidity and was vaporized as <10 μm droplets in a fully equipped 95 m3 laboratory unit. High titers of reovirus 3, MVM parvovirus and an avian polyomavirus were coated on frosted glass carriers and were exposed to the peracetic acid fog in various positions in the laboratory. After vaporization, a 60 min exposure time, and venting of the laboratory, no residual virus was detected on any of the carriers (detection limit <1 infectious unit/sample volume tested). The log reduction values were 9.0 for reovirus, 6.4 for MVM parvovirus, and 7.65 for the polyomavirus. After more than 10 disinfection runs within 12 months, no damage or functional impairment of electrical and electronic equipment was noted.