Length–weight and length–length relationships of fish species from the Aegean Sea (Greece)

We present the relationships between total (TL), fork (FL) and standard (SL) length for 37 fish species and the relationships between TL and wet weight for 40 fish species from the Aegean Sea (Cyclades; Greece). The relationships between TL, FL and SL were all linear (for all cases: r ² > 0.928). The values of the exponent b of the length–weight relationships ranged from 2.235 to 3.704.     

IgM anti-hepatitis C virus in patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis and their relationship to viral replication

Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may have different patterns of antibody response to various structural and non-structural viral antigens. We have correlated the serological patterns to the clinical features of chronic infection and to viral replication in 68 HCV-Ab-positive patients with chronic liver disease at different stages (19 with cirrhosis-hepatocellular carcinoma, 38 with chronic active hepatitis and 11 with chronic persistent hepatitis). Serum samples from each patient were assayed for HCV-IgM by enzyme immunoassay and for HCV-RNA by the polymerase chain reaction using primer sets derived from the 5'-non-coding region. The prevalence of HCV-IgM was high (54 patients (79.4%)) and the study showed a good correlation between high values of anti-HCV-IgM and the presence of HCV-RNA in serum, since HCV-RNA was detected in 35 of the 54 IgM-positive patients (64.8%) and notably in 19 of the 20 subjects with high levels of specific IgM. Conversely, all the 35 sera containing HCV-RNA were also reactive for HCV-IgM, while none of the HCV-IgM-negative sera was HCV-RNA reactive. Positivity rates for both HCV-RNA and IgM anti-HCV were higher in the more advanced stages of disease; thus, the clinical pattern of HCV chronic hepatitis seems to be strictly related to the serological pattern and the presence of HCV-RNA.     

Exchange of Cytosolic Content between T Cells and Tumor Cells Activates CD4 T Cells and Impedes Cancer Growth

Background

T cells are known to participate in the response to tumor cells and react with cytotoxicity and cytokine release. At the same time tumors established versatile mechanisms for silencing the immune responses. The interplay is far from being completely understood. In this study we show contacts between tumor cells and lymphocytes revealing novel characteristics in the interaction of T cells and cancer cells in a way not previously described.

Methods/ Findings

Experiments are based on the usage of a hydrophilic fluorescent dye that occurs free in the cytosol and thus transfer of fluorescent cytosol from one cell to the other can be observed using flow cytometry. Tumor cells from cell lines of different origin or primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells were incubated with lymphocytes from human and mice. This exposure provoked a contact dependent uptake of tumor derived cytosol by lymphocytes – even in CD4⁺ T cells and murine B cells – which could not be detected after incubation of lymphocytes with healthy cells. The interaction was a direct one, not requiring the presence of accessory cells, but independent of cytotoxicity and TCR engagement.Electron microscopy disclosed 100-200nm large gaps in the cell membranes of connected cells which separated viable and revealed astonishing outcome. While the lymphocytes were induced to proliferate in a long term fashion, the tumor cells underwent a temporary break in cell division. The in vitro results were confirmed in vivo using a murine acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) model. The arrest of tumor proliferation resulted in a significant prolonged survival of challenged mice.

Conclusions

The reported cell-cell contacts reveal new characteristics i.e. the enabling of cytosol flow between the cells including biological active proteins that influence the cell cycle and biological behaviour of the recipient cells. This adds a completely new aspect in tumor induced immunology.     

Adiposity,blood pressure,and carotid intima‐media thickness in greek adolescents

Objective:

In children and adolescents with cardiovascular risk factors, the assessment of subclinical target‐organ damage is of paramount importance. This study investigated factors associated with carotid intima‐media thickness (cIMT) in adolescents.

Design and Methods:

A cross‐sectional study was performed in 448 apparently healthy adolescents recruited from schools (mean age 14 ± 2.2 years, 211 boys), which involved cIMT measurements (common carotid artery) and assessment of lipid profile, glucose, and blood pressure (BP).

Results:

The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 28.1%/12.7% and of BP ≥95th percentile 19.6%. Left cIMT was correlated with age (r = 0.10), waist circumference (WC) (0.15), and BP (0.21/0.13, systolic/diastolic) (all P < 0.05). Right cIMT was correlated with waist to hip ratio (WHR) (0.10), whereas the mean of left and right cIMT was correlated with WC (0.12), WHR (0.12), and systolic BP (0.14) (all P < 0.05). After the age of 13 years, boys tended to have higher cIMT than girls, which was significant in the 13‐15 years subgroup (P < 0.05). In stepwise multivariate analysis (independent variables: age, gender, WC, WHR, body mass index z‐score, lipid parameters, glucose, BP), left cIMT was independently associated with systolic BP; right cIMT with WHR; mean left and right cIMT with WC. Adolescents with BP ≥90th percentile had higher left cIMT than those <90th percentile (0.63 ± 0.09 vs. 0.61 ± 0.09 mm respectively, P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Central adiposity and systolic BP appear to be independently associated with increased cIMT values in apparently healthy adolescents. Left side cIMT appears to be superior to right side measurements in terms of association with cardiovascular risk factors.     

Plant functional types and temperature control carbon input via roots in peatland soils

Plant and Soil - During historical yield improvement in soybean, breeders have seldom considered selection for root traits, generally focusing selection on yield traits. Yet, it is not known how...     

3-Hydroxy-4-arylsulfonyltetrahydropyranyl-3-hydroxamic acids are novel inhibitors of MMP-13 and aggrecanase

N-Hydroxy-3-hydroxy-4-arylsulfonyltetrahydropyranyl-3-carboxamides were designed as novel inhibitors of MMP-13 and aggrecanase based on known endocyclic hydroxamate inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases. These compounds offer favorable physicochemical properties and low metabolic clearance. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships are reported.     

Synthesis and in vitro activity of 2-thiazolylhydrazone derivatives compared with the activity of clotrimazole against clinical isolates of Candida spp

In this paper, we report on the synthesis of a novel series of 2-thiazolylhydrazone derivatives and the influence of the substituents on the thiazole ring on antifungal activity. All synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro activities against 22 clinical isolates of Candida spp., representing six different species, compared to clotrimazole as a reference compound. Some of the tested compounds were found to possess significant antifungal activity when compared to clotrimazole, in particular compound 14 which exhibited higher potency against most of the Candida spp. considered. The compounds that were most active as anti-Candida agents were also submitted to cytotoxic screening by the Trypan Blue dye exclusion assay and in general they were shown to induce low cytotoxic effects.     

Potential effects of nutrient profiles on nutrient intakes in the Netherlands, Greece, Spain, USA, Israel, China and South-Africa

Introduction

Nutrient profiling is defined as the science of categorising foods based on their nutrient composition. The Choices Programme is a nutrient profile system with criteria that determine whether foods are eligible to carry a “healthier option” stamp. The Daily Menu Method which has been developed to evaluate these criteria is described here. This method simulates the change in calculated nutrient intakes which would be the result of consumers changing their diets in favour of food products that comply with the criteria.

Methods

Average intakes of energy, trans fatty acids (TFA), saturated fatty acids (SAFA), sodium, added sugar and fibre were derived from dietary intake studies and food consumption surveys of 7 countries: The Netherlands, Greece, Spain, the USA, Israel, China and South Africa. For each of the key nutrients, these average intakes were translated into three Typical Daily Menus per country. Average intakes based on these three menus were compared with average intakes from three Choices Daily Menus. To compose the Choices Menus, foods from the Typical Menus that did not comply with the Choices criteria were replaced with foods that did comply and are available on the market.

Results

Comparison of intakes from the Choices Menus with the survey data showed that calculated intakes of energy, SAFA, TFA, sodium and added sugar were reduced. Fibre intakes were increased. The size of the effect differed per country.

Conclusion

The Daily Menu Method is a useful means to predict the potential effects of nutrient profiles such as the Choices criteria, on daily nutrient intakes. The method can be applied internationally and confirms that the criteria of the Choices Programme are in line with the aim of the programme: to improve nutrient intakes in the direction of the recommendations.