Relationship between postabsorptive respiratory exchange ratio and plasma free fatty acid concentrations

The relationship between overnight postabsorptive (fasting) respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and plasma FFA concentrations was addressed using data from three separate protocols, each of which involved careful control of the antecedent diet. Protocol 1 examined the relationship between fasting RER and the previous daytime RER. In Protocol 2 fasting, RER and plasma palmitate concentrations were measured in 29 women and 31 men (body mass index <30 kg·m⁻²). Protocol 3 analyzed data from Nielsen et al. (Nielsen, S., Z. K. Guo, J. B. Albu, S. Klein, P. C. O''Brien, M. D. Jensen. 2003. Energy expenditure, sex and endogenous fuel availability in humans. J. Clin. Invest. 111: 981-988.) to understand how fasting RER and palmitate concentrations relate within individuals during four consecutive measurements. The results were as follows: 1) Fasting RER was correlated (r = 0.74, P < 0.001) with the previous day''s average RER, and less so with RER variability. 2) Fasting RER was correlated (r = −0.39, P = 0.007) with fasting plasma palmitate concentrations. 3) The pattern of the RER/palmitate relationship was similar within individuals and between individuals; a negative slope was observed significantly more often than a positive slope (χ² test; P < 0.001). Our findings suggest that, despite a fixed food quotient, the slight departures from energy equilibrium in a controlled General Clinical Research Center environment can effect plasma FFA concentrations. We suggest that including indirect calorimetry as part of FFA metabolism studies may aid in data interpretation.     

Evidence for Inbreeding and Genetic Differentiation among Geographic Populations of the Saprophytic Mushroom Trogia venenata from Southwestern China

During the past 40 years, more than 400 Sudden Unexplained Deaths (SUDs) have occurred in Yunnan, southwestern China. Epidemiological and toxicological analyses suggested that a newly discovered mushroom called Trogia venenata was the leading culprit for SUDs. At present, relatively little is known about the genetics and natural history of this mushroom. In this study, we analyzed the sequence variation at four DNA fragments among 232 fruiting bodies of T. venenata collected from seven locations. Our ITS sequence analyses confirmed that all the isolates belonged to the same species. The widespread presence of sequence heterozygosity within many strains at each of three protein-coding genes suggested that the fruiting bodies were diploid, dikaryotic or heterokaryotic. Within individual geographic populations, we found significant deviations of genotype frequencies from Hardy-Weinberg expectations, with the overall observed heterozygosity lower than that expected under random mating, consistent with prevalent inbreeding within local populations. The geographic populations were overall genetically differentiated. Interestingly, while a positive correlation was found between population genetic distance and geographic distance, there was little correlation between genetic distance and barium concentration difference for the geographic populations. Our results suggest frequent inbreeding, geographic structuring, and limited gene flow among geographic populations of T. venenata from southwestern China.     

Heritability of Eating Behavior Assessed Using the DEBQ (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire) and Weight‐related Traits: The Healthy Twin Study

The heritability of eating behavior and body weight–related traits in Asian populations has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to estimate the heritability of eating behavior and the body weight–related traits of current weight and self‐reported past weight among twins and their families. Study subjects were 2,144 Korean, adult, same‐sex twins and their families at the ages between 20 and 65 years (443 monozygotic (MZ) and 124 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs, and 1,010 individuals of their family). The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) was used to assess three eating behavior subscales measuring restraint, emotional eating, and external eating. A variance component approach was used to estimate heritability. After consideration of shared environmental effects and adjustment for age and sex effects, the heritability estimates ± s.e. among twins and their family members were 0.31 ± 0.036 for restraint, 0.25 ± 0.098 for emotional eating, 0.25 ± 0.060 for external eating, 0.77 ± 0.032 for measured current body weight, and 0.70 ± 0.051 for self‐reported weight at 20 years old. The three DEBQ subscales were associated with all weight related traits after adjustment for age and sex. These results suggest eating behaviors and weight‐related traits have a genetic influence, and eating behaviors are associated with obesity indexes. Our findings from Korean twin family were similar to those reported in Western populations.     

Natural,semisynthetic and synthetic tyrosinase inhibitors

Tyrosinase plays a pivotal role in the synthesis of melanin pigment synthesis on skin utilizing tyrosine as a substrate. Melanin is responsible for the protection against harmful ultraviolet irradiation, which can cause significant pathological conditions, such as skin cancers. However, it can also create esthetic problems when accumulated as hyperpigmented spots. Various skin-whitening ingredients which inhibit tyrosinase activity have been identified. Some of them, especially ones with natural product origins, possess phenolic moiety and have been employed in cosmetic products. Semi-synthetic and synthetic inhibitors have also been developed under inspiration of the natural inhibitors yet some of which have no phenolic groups. In this review, tyrosinase inhibitors with natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic origins are listed up with their structures, activities and characteristics. Further, a recent report on the adverse effect of a natural melanin synthesis inhibitor which was included in skin-whitening cosmetics is also briefly discussed.     

Expression of mosquitocidal crystal protein genes in non-insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis

Bacillus thuringiensis NTB-1 isolated from soil samples in Korea produces ovoidal parasporal inclusions with proteins of approximately 24–40 kDa in size. Although serological study indicated that the isolate has a flagella (H) antigen identical with subsp. israelensis , it seemed to be non-insecticidal against Lepidoptera and Coleoptera as well as Diptera. To investigate the activity of non-insecticidal B. thuringiensis transformed with insecticidal crystal protein genes, cryIVD and cytA genes of B. thuringiensis subsp. morrisoni PG-14, highly toxic to mosquito larvae, were introduced into the isolate NTB-1. The expression of mosquitocidal crystal protein genes in NTB-1 was characterized by SDS–PAGE analysis and electron microscopy. The results showed that crystalline inclusions of host, CryIVD and CytA were stably expressed in the transformant. However, the mosquitocidal activity of transformant was similar to that of B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki Cry⁻ B harbouring cryIVD and cytA genes, demonstrating that a synergistic effect by an interaction of both introduced insecticidal and resident non-insecticidal crystal proteins was not observed.     

Long-term effects of postovulatory aging of mouse oocytes on offspring: a two-generational study.

Aims of this study were to analyze the long-term effects of postovulatory aging of mouse oocytes on 1) reproductive traits of parental (F(0)) and first (F(1))-generation females (pregnancy rate, gestation length, litter size, perinatal death, and sex ratio of offspring) and 2) developmental and behavioral variables of F(1) and second-generation (F(2)) offspring (birth weight and weight gain during preweaning development, postnatal day of attainment of immediate righting, spontaneous motor activity, and passive and active conditioned learning ability). Hybrid (C57BL/6JIco x CBA/JIco) females were artificially inseminated at 13 h (control group) or 22 h (oocyte-aged group) after GnRH injection. Experimental (oocyte-aged group) F(0) females exhibited lower pregnancy rate, shortened gestation length, decreased litter size, higher perinatal death of their pups, and increased percentage of male offspring compared to control F(0) females. Postovulatory aging of oocytes was also associated with increased number of growth-retarded pups, delayed development of the righting reflex, and higher spontaneous motor activity and emotionality of F(1) offspring. Postovulatory aging of F(0) oocytes did not affect birth weight, weight gain during preweaning development, passive and active conditioned learning ability of F(1) offspring, or reproductive traits of F(1) females or developmental and behavior variables of F(2) offspring.     

Role of TARP interaction in S-SCAM-mediated regulation of AMPA receptors

Scaffolding proteins are involved in the incorporation, anchoring, maintenance, and removal of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) at synapses, either through a direct interaction with AMPARs or via indirect association through auxiliary subunits of transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins (TARPs). Synaptic scaffolding molecule (S-SCAM) is a newly characterized member of the scaffolding proteins critical for the regulation and maintenance of AMPAR levels at synapses, and directly binds to TARPs through a PDZ interaction. However, the functional significance of S-SCAM–TARP interaction in the regulation of AMPARs has not been tested. Here we show that overexpression of the C-terminal peptide of TARP-γ2 fused to EGFP abolished the S-SCAM-mediated enhancement of surface GluA2 expression. Conversely, the deletion of the PDZ-5 domain of S-SCAM that binds TARPs greatly attenuated the S-SCAM-induced increase of surface GluA2 expression. In contrast, the deletion of the guanylate kinase domain of S-SCAM did not show a significant effect on the regulation of AMPARs. Together, these results suggest that S-SCAM is regulating AMPARs through TARPs.     

Interleukin-1-β and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Increase Peripheral-Type Benzodiazepine Binding Sites in Cultured Polygonal Astrocytes

Peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding sites (PTBBS) are markedly increased in the injured CNS. Astrocytes appear to be the primary cell type which express increased PTBBS. Because certain cytokines within the injured CNS are potent mitogens for astrocytes, we examined the effects of two such cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), on PTBBS in cultured astrocytes using [3H]Ro 5-4864 as the specific ligand. Purified cultures of either polygonal or process-bearing astrocytes were prepared from neonatal rat cerebral hemispheres. At a concentration of 1.8 nM, specific binding of the radioactive ligand to polygonal astrocytes reached equilibrium within 60 min and was half-maximal by 5-10 min. By contrast, specific binding to process-bearing astrocytes barely exceeded background levels. IL-1 and TNF increased PTBBS within polygonal astrocytes in both dose- and time-dependent manners. At 10-50 ng/ml, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha elevated [3H]Ro 5-4864 binding in polygonal astrocyte cultures 65 and 87%, respectively, above the level in control cultures. However, no changes in PTBBS were seen within polygonal astrocytes after IL-2 treatment. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding experiments suggested that the increase in PTBBS promoted by TNF was due to an increased number of binding sites present in polygonal astrocytes and not due to an increase in receptor affinity. Binding data suggested that PTBBS within cultures of process-bearing astrocytes were virtually absent irrespective of the treatment. These in vitro data suggest that certain cytokines found in the injured brain may be involved in up-regulating PTBBS within a particular subtype of astrocyte.