Mechanisms for LEPR-mediated regulation of leptin expression in brown and white adipocytes in rat pups

To investigate the underlying mechanisms for leptin receptor (LEPR)-mediated regulation of leptin gene (Lep) expression in brown (BAT) and white (WAT) adipose tissue and resultant effects on plasma leptin concentrations (plasma-LEP), we examined effects of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, caloric balance, and body fat content on leptin mRNA levels in BAT and WAT in 10-day-old rat pups segregating for Lepr(fa). In mother-reared pups, Lep mRNA levels were fa/fa > +/fa = +/+ in BAT and was fa/fa > +/fa > +/+ in WAT. The genotype effects on Lep expression in BAT and plasma-LEP were virtually eliminated when the differences in SNS activity between fa/fa and +/fa pups were equalized by artificial rearing of pups under thermoneutral conditions with or without oral norepinephrine (NE) administration. NE administration alone had little effect on the Lepr(fa)-dependent stratification of Lep expression in WAT. BAT-Lep mRNA was the main determinant of plasma-LEP. Metabolic rate, a surrogate indicator of SNS activity, explained 87% of the variation in BAT-Lep mRNA (R(2) = 0.93), whereas caloric balance (40%) and body fat mass (6%) accounted for most of the variation in WAT-Lep mRNA (R(2) = 0.53). We conclude that feedback regulation of Lep expression in BAT is primarily via central nervous system-mediated effects of leptin on SNS activity, whereas the control of leptin expression in WAT is more likely via mechanisms not directly dependent on SNS activity.

Leptin responsiveness of juvenile rats: proof of leptin function within the physiological range

To bridge the gap between studies demonstrating leptin's role in protecting fat stores when food is scarce and other studies demonstrating the effects of treatment with leptin at doses that increase plasma levels to values found in overfed animals, we investigated whether leptin serves an adipostatic function within the normal range of free-feeding lean animals, i.e. within the very small range of endogenous plasma levels at which no leptin resistance occurs. For this purpose we applied recombinant leptin via mini-osmotic pumps to rats between 15 and 24 days of age and between 25 and 34 days of age and studied its dose-dependent effects on body mass and fat mass at plasma leptin concentrations extending down to the normal levels in lean animals. Using percentage change of fat mass (relative to that of saline-treated littermates) as the measure, a linear dose-response curve was found up to doses of 2 microg g(-1) day(-1), corresponding to plasma leptin concentrations between the normal physiological range and 50 ng ml(-1). In 15- to 24-day-old animals, analysis of the correlation (r = -0.89) between individual plasma concentrations and the corresponding leptin-induced changes of body fat content for a range extending down towards zero (i.e. towards the average fat content of the controls) yielded a zero value of 3.1 ng ml(-1), which was within the 2-4 ng ml(-1) range of plasma leptin concentrations found in the control pups. Likewise, regression analysis for the data from the 25- to 34-day-old pups (r = -0.88), for which the control range was 1-3 ng ml(-1), yielded a zero value of 1.9 ng ml(-1). We conclude that normal plasma leptin levels represent an adipostatic signal. Steady-state levels of plasma leptin in free-feeding lean animals thus provide a signal not only for protecting sufficiency but also for limiting increases of body fat stores.

Effects of gaseous NO2 on cells of Nitrosomonas eutropha previously incapable of using ammonia as an energy source

Cells of Nitrosomonas eutropha grown under anoxic conditions with hydrogen as electron donor and nitrite as electron acceptor were initially unable to oxidize ammonia (ammonium) and hydroxylamine when transferred to oxic conditions. Recovery of ammonia and hydroxylamine oxidation activity was dependent on the presence of NO2. Under oxic conditions, without addition of NO2, ammonia consumption started after 8 - 9 days, and small amounts of NO and NO2 were detectable in the gas atmosphere. Removing these nitrogen oxides by intensive aeration, ammonia oxidation activity decreased and broke off after 15 days. Addition of gaseous NO2 (25 ppm1) led to a fast recovery of ammonia oxidation (3 days). Simultaneously, the arrangement of intracytoplasmic membranes (ICM) changed from circular to flattened vesicles, the protein pattern revealed an increase in the concentration of a 27 and a 30 kDa polypeptide, and the cytochrome c content increased significantly.

Copper(II) complexes of inverted porphyrin and its methylated derivatives

The inverted porphyrins 2-aza-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrin (CTPPH2) and its methylated derivatives 2-aza-2-methyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrin (2-NCH3CTPPH) and 2-aza-2-methyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-methyl-21-carbaporphyrin (2-NCH3-21-CH3CTPPH) stabilize the rare organocopper(II) complexes (CTPP)CuII (1), (2-NCH3CTPP)CuII (2), (CTPPH)CuIIX (3-X), (2-NCH3CTPPH)CuIIX (4-X) (X = Cl-, TFA), and (2-NCH3-21-CH3CTPP)CuIICl (5). The EPR spectra recorded for 1, 2, 4, and 5 revealed typical features diagnostic of the copper(II) electronic structure. The superhyperfine coupling pattern indicates a presence of three nitrogen donors in the first coordination sphere. An addition of HX acid to 1 and 2 to yield the species 3-X and 4-X. The reaction mechanism includes protonation of the inner C(21) carbon accompanied by an axial coordination of anion. Methylation of (2-NCH3CTPP)CuII (2) with methyl iodide resulted in formation of (2-NCH3-21-CH3CTPP)CuIICl (5) which implies an existence of a sigma-carbanion-copper(II) bond in 2. The 2H NMR investigations carried out for the pyrrole deuterated derivatives (CTPP-d7)CuII, (2-NCH3-21-CH3CTTP-d7)CuIICl, and the methyl deuterated (2-NCH3-21-CD3CTPP)CuIICl one confirmed independently the copper(II) electronic structure with the considerable dx2-y2 metal orbital contribution to the SOMO. The redox properties of copper(II) inverted porphyrins were studied by the cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry. The halfwave potentials indicate a metal-centered oxidation of 1 (390 mV) and 2 (343 mV). The dimethylated homologue 5 reveals the reduction process at -224 mV attributed to the CuII/CuI transformation.

[Significance of unresolved financial compensation for the course of cervical root compression]

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of claims for financial compensation on the results of physiotherapeutic McKenzie treatment for cervical nerve root compression. This study was based on prospectively collected data for quality assurance purpose with baseline classification and included a follow-up postal questionnaire to measure the outcomes: Neck and arm pain, disability, use of analgesics and the perceived effect of the treatment registered by the patient. At baseline, patients with or without compensation issues were identical in regard to their neurological and clinical signs. The study showed that 6-12 months later there was no improvement in six out of seven patients with claims for compensation involvement, in contrast to the 21 patients without claims for financial compensation who all showed significant improvement. The results applied to all five outcome measures. In conclusion, compensation involvement seems to act as a negative factor on treatment results for patients with cervical nerve root compression who were treated conservatively.

Rapid functional plasticity of the somatosensory cortex after finger amputation

Recent research indicates that areas of the primary somatosensory (SI) and primary motor cortex show massive cortical reorganization after amputation of the upper arm, forearm or fingers. Most of these studies were carried out months or several years after amputation. In the present study, we describe cortical reorganization of areas in the SI of a patient who underwent amputation of the traumatized middle and ring fingers of his right hand 10 days before cortical magnetic source imaging data were obtained. Somatosensory-evoked magnetic fields (SEF) to mechanical stimuli to the finger tips were recorded and single moving dipoles were calculated using a realistic volume conductor model. Results reveal that the dipoles representing the second and fifth fingers of the affected hand were closer together than the comparable dipoles of the unaffected hand. Our findings demonstrate that neural cell assemblies in SI which formerly represented the right middle and ring fingers of this amputee became reorganized and invaded by neighbouring cell assemblies of the index and little finger of the same hand. These results indicate that functional plasticity occurs within a period of 10 days after amputation.

Interaction of genetic and environmental programming of the leptin system and of obesity disposition

Possible adverse interactions between an usually inconspicuous genetic trait and early environmental factors favoring the development of obesity were investigated in rats heterozygous for the leptin receptor defect "fatty" (fa). Pups were exposed to early postnatal overfeeding by reducing litter size from normally 10-12 to only 4. Rearing +/+ and +/fa pups from day 3 to 21 in small litters increased fat-free dry mass and body fat, but only in the latter did a significant interaction with genotype occur. Pronounced differences in the responsiveness of +/+ and +/fa pups to "prophylactic" leptin treatment (from day 1 to 21) were observed, with +/fa females from small litters being nearly as fat and unresponsive as previously reported for normally reared fa/fa pups. Clear heterozygous differences in total hypothalamic leptin binding, but no litter size effect, paralleling the differences in leptin responsiveness, were observed. By early postnatal overfeeding an usually inconspicuous genetic trait may thus become etiologic for the development of obesity via physiological changes other than the decreased leptin binding characterizing the genetic defect.

Confined space synthesis. A novel route to nanosized zeolites

Confined space synthesis is a novel method in zeolite synthesis. It involves crystallization of the zeolite inside the pore system of an inert mesoporous matrix. In this way it is possible to prepare nanosized zeolites with a controlled size distribution by proper choice of the inert matrix. Here, confined space synthesis was adopted to prepare nanosized ZSM-5, zeolite Beta, zeolite X, and zeolite A with tailored crystal size distributions using mesoporous carbon blacks as inert matrices. All zeolites were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption prior to and after removal of the carbon matrix. ZSM-5 with Si/Al ratios of 50, 100, and infinity (silicalite-1) were synthesized with controlled average crystal sizes in the range 20-75 nm. Nanosized zeolite Beta (7-30 nm), zeolite X (22-60 nm), and zeolite A (25-37 nm) were prepared similarly. Removal of the carbon matrix by controlled combustion allows a convenient method for isolation of the pure and highly crystalline zeolites. Therefore, confined space synthesis appears to be an attractive method for preparation of zeolites with a controlled size distribution.

The homeodomain of Nkx2.2 carries two cooperatively acting nuclear localization signals

NK-2 family members of homeodomain proteins have been identified as important regulators of growth and development in the ventral forebrain, heart, lung, and thyroid. In addition, Nk2.2 expression has been detected in the pancreas, where it is vital for the final differentiation of beta-cells. In our present paper, we have analyzed the domains necessary for nuclear transport of Nkx2.2. With the help of deletion mutants we identified two separate nuclear localization signals (NLS). Interestingly, both NLSs are situated in the homeodomain. They belong to the monopartite class of NLS; the proximal NLS has the sequence KKRKRR and lies at the very N-terminus of the homeodomain, while the more distal NLS RYKMKRAR is at the homeodomain C-terminus. Each NLS per se is sufficient for nuclear transport of Nkx2.2 into the nucleus, although inefficiently. Both identified NLSs act cooperatively in mediating complete nuclear transport of Nkx2.2.

Preparation and crystal structures of formato complexes of the [MIV3O4]4+ and [MIV3S4]4+ (M = Mo, W) clusters. Convenient precursors to the corresponding aqua complexes

In the aqueous chemistry of molybdenum(IV) and tungsten(IV), trinuclear, incomplete cubane-like, oxo and sulfido clusters of the type [M3E4]4+ (M = Mo, W; E = O, S) play a central role. We here describe how formato complexes of all these cluster cores can be prepared in high yields by crystallization from methanol-water or ethanol-water mixtures. Since potassium and ammonium formate are very soluble in these alcohol-water mixtures, high formate concentrations could be accomplished in the solutions from which the corresponding salts of cluster formato complexes crystallized. The [Mo3O4]4+ compounds could be synthesized without requiring the use of noncomplexing acids in the process. Some [M3E4]4+ compounds were characterized by single-crystal structure determinations. [NH4]3.20[K]0.80[H3O][Mo3O4(HCO2)8][HCO2].H2O was triclinic, space group P1 (No. 2) with a = 11.011(2) A, b = 13.310(2) A, c = 9.993(1) A, alpha = 106.817(7) degrees, beta = 91.651(9) degrees, gamma = 88.340(9) degrees, and two formula units per cell. [K]6[W3S4(HCO2)9][HCO2].2.27H2O.0.73CH3OH was monoclinic, space group C2/m (No. 12) with a = 19.605(6) A, b = 14.458(7) A, c = 13.627(5) A, beta = 118.94(2) degrees, and four formula units per cell. Generally, the nine coordination sites of [M3E4]4+ were occupied either by a mixture of monodentate and mu 2-bridging formato ligands or by monodentate formato ligands only. By dissolution in noncomplexing strong acid, all the formato complexes immediately hydrolyzed to form [M3E4(H2O)9]4+ aqua complexes. This allows, for example, high concentrations of [Mo3S4(H2O)9]4+ in CF3SO3H to be obtained and these solutions to be used for the synthesis of bimetallic clusters containing the cubane-like motif Mo3M'S4.

[The Marjolin's ulcer": a malignant and rarely complication after burn trauma of the upper extremity - a case report]

The,Marjolin's ulcer" is a malignant lesion which is developed especially at chronic wounds after burn trauma. The latency from primary trauma to the malignant transformation is about 30 years. The lesion is more aggressive than other squamous cell carcinomas. We report on the combined radiation and surgical therapy of an 65-year-old patient with this lesion on the right hand and regional lymph node metastases. The extensive tissue defect after wide excision was reconstructed with a reversal radial forearm flap.

Significance of gaseous NO for ammonia oxidation by Nitrosomonas eutropha

Nitrification by the obligately lithoautotrophic ammonia oxidizer Nitrosomonas eutropha was significantly inhibited when nitric oxide was removed from the culture medium by means of intensive aeration and turbulence. Nearly complete recovery of ammonia oxidation could be achieved by adding 100 ppm NO to the supplied air. Inhibition of ammonia oxidation occurred also upon addition of the NO binding agent 2,3-Dimercapto-1-propane-sulfonic acid (DMPS). Recovery of ammonia oxidation occurred within 3 h in the presence of 100 ppm NO and within 76 h in the absence of externally added NO. In co-cultures of N. eutropha and the NO detoxifying bacterium Pseudomonas PS88, hardly any nitrification was detectable and release of NO was extremely low when the heterotroph was provided with an organic substrate. When cells of Pseudomonas PS88 were added to a mixotrophically nitrifying culture of N. eutropha the release of NO decreased drastically upon the addition and ammonia oxidation ceased. These results confirm for the first time the significance of NO in the course of ammonia oxidation by N. eutropha.

Safety issues for plasma derivatives and benefit from NAT testing

Manufacturing processes for plasma derivatives are in general highly effective for removal or inactivation of enveloped viruses and the products are safe with regard to the clinically important viruses HIV, HCV and HBV. They are not so effective for the elimination for non-enveloped viruses, especially Parvovirus B19 (B19). A certain risk remains of B19 contamination for some plasma derivatives that is caused, firstly, by the occurrence of highly contaminated donations (up to 10(14)genomes/ml) and secondly, by the extreme heat resistance and small size of B19 which makes it difficult to remove or inactivate. NAT is a beneficial tool for detection of virus contamination. It is routinely used for the detection of HCV-RNA in plasma pools, thereby preventing the processing of HCV-RNA positive material. NAT assays may also be valuable for testing the removal of viruses during manufacturing. This may be especially important if a virus cannot be tested by infectivity assays.

Mutation in the leptin receptor (Leprfa) causes fat-storage-independent hyperleptinaemia in neonatal rats

The plasma leptin concentration adjusted for fat mass is affected by mutant gene dosage in older animals segregating for Leprfa. Because the plasma of neonatal rats contains leptin, although their adipocytes contain virtually no triglyceride, we determined whether mutation dose-dependent differences in plasma leptin concentration exist before the postnatal onset of triglyceride storage. Plasma samples were obtained 10 min after birth of each rat pup and leptin concentration determined by radioimmunoassay. Plasma leptin in homozygous wild-type (+/+) pups was 1.6 +/- 0.2 ng/ml (n = 20) and 2.4 +/- 0.2 ng/ml in +/fa (n = 32) littermates (least-square means +/- SE, P < 0.05, two-way ANOVA with litter and genotype as factors). The corresponding values for +/fa (n = 21) and fa/fa (n = 15) littermates were 2.4 +/- 0.2 and, 4.0 +/- 0.3 ng/ml respectively (P < 0.001). Leprfa gene dose-dependent elevations in plasma leptin are, therefore, present at birth and constitute the only Leprfa-related phenotypic trait presently known to precede the onset of increased fat storage.

The nuclear localization signal (NLS) of PDX-1 is part of the homeodomain and represents a novel type of NLS

The beta-cell homeodomain transcription factor PDX-1 has vital functions both in controlling the expression of pancreatic polypeptide hormones and in the development of the pancreas. The transactivating and DNA-binding properties of PDX-1 have been well characterized, but nuclear transport is still undefined. Here we show that PDX-1 bears a nuclear localization signal (NLS) that is part of helix 3 of the homeodomain. PDX-1 deletion mutants were tagged with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and expressed in COS-7 cells. Subcellular localization of the respective PDX-1-EGFP fusion proteins was analyzed by direct fluorescence microscopy and Western immunoblotting using an anti-(GFP). As a result we were able to demonstrate that the homeodomain or helix 3 alone was sufficient and necessary for transport into the nucleus. Point mutations of basic amino acid residues within helix 3 led to identification of an NLS with six amino acids being crucial for nuclear transport of PDX-1. Because this NLS does not match known examples of NLSs, the PDX-1 NLS may represent a novel class of NLS.

Leptin responsiveness and gene dosage for leptin receptor mutation (fa) in newborn rats

To determine the degree to which the leptin receptor mutation (fa) influences the responsiveness to leptin during the first postnatal week, we injected recombinant leptin (600 pmol. g-1. day-1 sc from day 1 to day 7) into wild-type (+/+), heterozygous (+/fa), and fatty (fa/fa) rat pups. Growth and final body fat content of these leptin-treated pups were compared with those of saline-treated littermates of the same genotype. The body mass of the leptin-treated +/+ pups, but not that of the +/fa and fa/fa pups, increased more slowly than that of their respective controls, and fat content at day 7 was reduced by 37% in +/+ pups, by 22% in +/fa pups, but not at all in fa/fa pups. Plasma leptin remained excessively high throughout the day under this treatment, but a 30-fold lower leptin dose, causing only moderate changes of plasma leptin, still reduced the body fat of +/+ pups significantly. We conclude that leptin participates in the control of even the earliest stages of fat deposition and that the response to supraphysiological doses of leptin is markedly reduced in 1-wk-old pups with one fa allele and absent in pups with two fa alleles.

Development of vasomotor control in lean (+/?) and genetically obese (fa/fa) rat pups

Using laser Doppler flowmetry, we determined whether vasomotor control is already functional in 7-, 11-, and 16-day-old rat pups, and whether differences in vasomotor responses between 16-day-old lean (+/?) and fatty (fa/fa) pups occur. For 3 h, at the end of their daily light phase, the pups were exposed to 30-min step changes of ambient temperature (Ta) alternating between thermoneutrality and cold loads resulting in a 50-100% increase of metabolic rate (MR) above its thermoneutral value, while core temperature (Tc), skin blood flux at the hindpaw, and MR were recorded. In all age groups, blood flux changed significantly in response to these Ta changes. The time needed for a significant change in blood flux was shorter in the 7-day-old than in the 16-day-old lean pups, while the Ta dependency of Tc was more pronounced in the younger pups. Comparison of the responses of the 16-day-old fatty and lean pups showed a parallel shift to lower values in the correlation of Ta with MR in the fa/fa pups, but no difference in the correlation of Ta with blood flux. This demonstrates that the vasomotor control system in the rat is already functional by the age of 7 days, and that the fa/fa lesion influences the vasomotor control less than the metabolic cold defense.

Organization of the motor centres for the innervation of different muscles of the tongue: a neuromorphological study in the frog

Cobalt labelling studies on the localization and morphology of the frog's hypoglossal nucleus have revealed three subnuclei. The dorsomedial subnucleus innervates the geniohyoid, hyoglossus, genioglossus and the intrinsic tongue muscles. The ventrolateral subnucleus supplies the sternohyoid, geniohyoid, omohyoid and intrinsic tongue muscles. The intermediate subnucleus innervates the omohyoid, geniohyoid and intrinsic tongue muscles. Neurons innervating protractor, retractor and intrinsic tongue muscles differ in their soma surface area and in their dendritic arborization pattern. It is concluded that there exists a musculotopic organization in the frog's hypoglossal nucleus and that motoneurons subserving different function in tongue movements disclose characteristic morphological differences.

Leptin increases energy expenditure of a marsupial by inhibition of daily torpor

Leptin plays an important role in regulating body fat stores of placental mammals, but the contribution of changes in energy expenditure to this adjustment remains controversial. We were interested in how recombinant murine leptin would affect metabolic rate (MR) and body temperature (Tb) of a marsupial mammal (Sminthopsis macroura, 25 g) known to display daily torpor but lacking thermogenetically active brown adipose tissue. In a group of eight animals deprived of food for 1 day at 18 degreesC, leptin treatment halved the duration of torpor bouts (time at Tb < 30 degreesC) and raised the average daily minimum Tb by 4.5 degreesC and minimum MR by 2.2-fold. Leptin treatment thus increased daily energy expenditure by 9%, although MR and Tb during the activity phase were not raised. Body mass was also not affected. These findings in a marsupial suggest that the adjustment of thermoregulatory energy expenditure during the rest phase in accordance with energy availability is a phylogenetically old function of leptin.