A food-grade system for production of pediocin PA-1 in nisin-producing and non-nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis strains: application to inhibit Listeria growth in a cheese model system

Food-grade heterologous production of pediocin PA-1 in nisin-producing and non-nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis strains, previously selected because of their technological properties for cheese making, was achieved. Plasmid pGA1, which contains the complete pediocin operon under the control of the strong P32 promoter and is devoid of any antibiotic marker, was introduced into L. lactis ESI 153 and L. lactis ESI 515 (Nis+). Transformation of L. lactis ESI 515 with pGA1 did not affect its ability to produce nisin. The antimicrobial activity of the pediocin-producing transformants on the survival of Listeria innocua SA1 during cheese ripening was also investigated. Cheeses were manufactured from milk inoculated with 1% of the lactic culture and with or without approximately 4 log CFU/ml of the Listeria strain. L. lactis ESI 153, L. lactis ESI 515, and their transformants (L. lactis GA1 and GA2, respectively) were used as starter cultures. At the end of the ripening period, counts of L. innocua in cheeses made with the bacteriocin-producing lactococcal strains were below 50 CFU/g in the L. lactis GA1 cheeses and below 25 CFU/g in the L. lactis GA2 ones, compared with 3.7 million CFU/g for the controls without nisin or pediocin production.

Phase I/II study of a 3 weekly liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin/docetaxel/pegfligrastrim in combination with weekly trastuzumab as primary treatment in HER2 positive (HER2+) early stage breast cancer (ESBC) patients (pt). GEICAM 2003–03 study

11032

Background: The liposome-encapsulated form of doxorubicin (Myocet™) (M) seems to be safe in terms of cardiotoxicity in combination with standard doses of trastuzumab (H) and paclitaxel in BC. This phase I/II study of M, H, docetaxel (T) and pegfligrastrim (N) was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination, and define the MTD, in order to examine the selected regimen in a phase II trial. Methods: Cohorts of 3 HER2+ (FISH+) ESBC pt were treated at fixed dose of N (6 mg) and H (2 mg/kg/week). M and T were administered at the following dose levels (DL) (mg/m2): DL0, 60/75; DL-1, 55/75; DL-2, 50/70; DL-3, 50/65; DL-4, 50/60. The MTD was defined as >1/6 pt in any cohort experiencing a predefined dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) in cycle (cy) 1 or 2. LVEF was assessed at baseline and every 2 cy. Results: Nineteen pt have been enrolled in phase I; all are evaluable for efficacy and toxicity. Median age was 45. Twelve pt (63%) were premenopausal. Median tumour size was 45 mm (20–80); 13 (68%) and 6 pt (32%) presented with stage II and IIIA BC respectively. Six (32%) of tumours were G3. DLT were G3 diarrhoea, febrile neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, infection, and G4 asthenia. Three additional pt were treated at DL-4 for confirmation of the recommended dose; none of them had a DLT. One pt (DL-2) experienced asymptomatic, reversible LVEF decrease to 49%. All pt have been assessed for pathological response: 6 (32%) and 5 pt (26%) achieved one pCR and one pPR in breast, defined as Miller and Payne score of 5 and 4, respectively. Conclusions: Concomitant administration of M plus THN is highly active regimen with manageable toxicity in pt with HER2+ ESBC tumours. DL-4 has been selected as the DL for the ongoing phase II study with an enrolment target of 59 pt.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Degree of public awareness regarding intensive care units (ICUs) and intensive care physicians in Castilla y León]

AIM

To determine degree of public awareness regarding the activities and health care professionals that comprise intensive care units (ICUs) in the autonomous community of Castilla y León.

DESIGN

Questionaire in the form of a true-false test dealing with a) description of an ICU; b) description of ICU patients, and c) degrees and qualifications held by ICU physicians.

LOCATION

Waiting rooms of outpatient clinics and ICUs of 9 hospitals in Castilla y León.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

During the period from 1 October 2003 to 29 February 2004, there were surveyed a group of those persons accompanying outpatients arriving for appointments (OP, n = 2,293), and a group comprised of relatives of ICU patients (ICU, n = 727) upon discharge from the ICU.

RESULTS

The average age of those subjects surveyed was 45.6 years old. 62.1% were women and 52.8% had received education through secondary level or higher. Of the 1,354 analyzed OP questionnaires, 27.7%, 25.5% and 48.4% responded correctly to questions A, B and C, respectively. Of the 284 analyzed ICU questionnaires, 38.6%, 41.0%, and 63.5% responded correctly to questions A, B and C, respectively. Differences between results from the two surveyed groups were statistically significant, and the best results from the ICU group were found among those subjects whose family members had remained in ICU for 2 days or more.

CONCLUSIONS

In the described scope, of the citizens of Castilla y León, 27.7% know as it is a ICU, 25.5% know what type of patients usually is entered there, and 48.4% recognize their doctors like ICU specialists specifically. These knowledge improve significantly after having some relative entered in ICU for more than 2 days.

Effects of Policosanol on Patients with Ischemic Stroke: A Pilot Open Study

Stroke is a major health problem worldwide. Its pharmacological management includes thrombolytic therapy for the acute phase and antiplatelet drugs for stroke recovery and prevention. Statins can help in the acute phase and in preventing stroke in secondary prevention patients. Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug with concomitant antiplatelet effects, with protective effects in stroke models. This observational study investigated the effects of policosanol (20 mg/day) administered during the acute phase and for 5 years later on the neurological recovery of patients with ischemic stroke treated with antiplatelets and vitamins. After hospital discharge, patients were followed up every 3 (first year) and 6 (thereafter) months. Neurological improvement was assessed with the modified Canadian Neurological Scale. Adverse events were recorded. Fifty patients were included; all completed the study. Neurological score improved throughout the study. No patient died, and most [40 (80.0%)] did not experience new vascular events; only one (2.0%) suffered a new stroke, and two (4.0%) suffered more than one transient ischemic attack. The time to the first recurrent event was 46.2 months. Policosanol persistently lowered serum total cholesterol, with such reduction correlating with the neurological improvement (R = 0.995253301). Triglycerides were unchanged. Treatment was well tolerated. Policosanol administered to patients suffering ischemic stroke treated with aspirin and vitamins showed good results on neurological outcomes and recurrent events. This study, however, has limitations, since it was open and uncontrolled, and patients also consumed aspirin and vitamins. New randomized, controlled studies are needed to assess the usefulness of policosanol in stroke management.

Lactobacillus salivarius CECT 5713, a potential probiotic strain isolated from infant feces and breast milk of a mother-child pair

In this study, Lactobacillus salivarius CECT 5713 was originally isolated from feces of a one-month-old breast-fed infant. Since it has been suggested that the gut microbiota of breast-fed infants reflects that of the maternal breast milk, we investigated if this specific strain was present in breast milk of the respective mother. RAPD and PFGE analysis revealed the presence of the strain L. salivarius CECT 5713 in this biological fluid. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a L. salivarius strain isolated from breast milk. L. salivarius CECT 5713 produced l-lactate, acetate and hydrogen peroxide, which may be responsible for its antimicrobial activity against most of the indicator organisms used in this study; in addition, this strain showed a high survival rate after exposition to conditions simulating those found in the gastrointestinal tract. Finally, it was strongly adhesive to Caco-2 and HT-29 cells did not produce biogenic amines and were unable to degrade gastric mucin in vitro.

Public opinion survey after capsule endoscopy: patient's point of view on its utility

AIM

When programming a medical test such as capsule endoscopy (CE), finding the closest point between the patient's experience and his/her expectation is essential to improve any further explorations. For this purpose we designed a form which tries to collect the information required.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From December 2003 to January 2005 we examined the small intestine of 98 patients with the help of CE. Later they were sent an anonymous questionnaire in July 2005, which included 10 questions upon the origin and previous knowledge of the patient about this technique, their tolerance to it, and the value they attached to it with regard to finding a new diagnosis and assigning different treatments, and also the incidence in the positive or negative evolution of their disease in particular and of medicine in general.

RESULTS

Answer rate reached 58% and was slightly higher among women and people over 70 years; 80% of repliers had been informed about CE by a physician, while nearly all the rest had received previous information from the media; 37% had had symptoms for more than 12 months, while only 17% had suffered them for one month before the exploration. A bit over 30% did not know what the specific diagnostic field of the test was (most of them women and young people), although most of them were not surprised by the procedure. Over 75% showed "acceptable" or "excellent" tolerance, while 5.5% (most of them young people) found it hard to bear. The opinion about its utility in the diagnosis was 37%, and although 70% thought that CE had revealed nothing new about their pathology, over 60% declared feeling better after the test; 84% pointed out that it had achieved a breakthrough for their quality of life (most of them men and very old people), and only 13% thought it was worthless. However, nearly all the answers agreed in that CE was an "important" or "very important" diagnostic device.

CONCLUSIONS

After the test using CE, the diagnostic benefit detected by the patient is not the same as that shown by technical studies. Nevertheless, the test can be highly satisfactory for the patient in particular, and also in an overall view. CE is a well-tolerated test, applied in our setting to chronic diseases and that, contrary to what we supposed, is explained to patients mainly by a physician. Most of them are not familiar with its specific indications.

MLPA vs multiprobe FISH: comparison of two methods for the screening of subtelomeric rearrangements in 50 patients with idiopathic mental retardation

Subtelomeric rearrangements not visible by conventional cytogenetic analysis have been reported to occur in approximately 5% of patients with unexplained mental retardation (MR). As the prevalence of MR is high, many patients need to be screened for these chromosomal abnormalities routinely. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) is a new technique for measuring sequence dosage, allowing large number of samples to be processed simultaneously and thus significantly reducing laboratory work. We have assessed its performance for the detection of subtelomeric rearrangements by comparing the results with those of our previous multiprobe fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay. We have tested 50 patients with idiopathic MR, dysmorphic features, congenital malformations, and/or familial history of MR. Our results show a high degree of concordance between the two techniques for the 50 samples tested. On the basis of these results, we conclude that MLPA is a rapid, accurate, reliable, and cost-effective alternative to FISH for the screening of subtelomeric rearrangements in patients with idiopathic MR.

Euchromatic variant 16p+. Implications in prenatal diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Euchromatic imbalances at the cytogenetic level are usually associated with phenotypic consequences. Among the exceptions are euchromatic variants of chromosome 16 (16p+) with normal phenotype. There is a growing list of euchromatic duplications and deletions involving both G-positive and G-negative bands that seem to be phenotypically neutral, but these euchromatic variants are rare.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this report is to describe a new familial case of euchromatic variant 16p+ and to emphasise the misinterpretation of these rare euchromatic variants particularly when ascertained at prenatal diagnosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fluorescence in situ hybridisation with clone RP11-261A7 showed an amplified signal in the larger chromosome 16. This clone contains FLJ43855 gene, similar to sodium- and chloride-dependent creatine transporter.

CONCLUSION

So, this 16p+ variant that involves amplification of pseudogenetic sequences is considered a polymorphism in normal individuals.

Comparative study of three diagnostic approaches (FISH, STRs and MLPA) in 30 patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is commonly diagnosed using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with commercial probes. The chromosomal breakpoints and deletion size are subsequently characterized by short tandem repeat (STR) segregation tests or by further FISH probes. Recently, a multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) single tube assay was developed to detect deletions of the 22q11.2 region and other chromosomal regions associated with DiGeorge/velocardiofacial syndrome. We have compared the results of these three techniques in a group of 30 patients affected with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. MLPA correctly called all patients who had been previously diagnosed by FISH. The MLPA results were concordant in all patients with the STR analysis in respect to deletion size. Furthermore, this novel technique resolved seven cases that were undetermined by STR analysis. These results confirm the efficiency of MLPA as a rapid, reliable, economical, high-throughput method for the diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

Characterization of a reuterin-producing Lactobacillus coryniformis strain isolated from a goat's milk cheese

Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT 5711, a strain isolated from a goat's milk cheese, displayed a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity; as a consequence, its ability to produce the antagonistic compounds associated to lactic acid bacteria, including bacteriocins, hydrogen peroxide, lactic acid, acetic acid, and reuterin (3-hydroxypropionaldehyde, 3-HPA) was investigated. Production of bacteriocins or hydrogen peroxide by this strain could not be detected. However, in addition to lactic acid and acetic acid, it produced reuterin and cobalamin, a cofactor required for conversion of glycerol to 3-HPA through a glycerol dehydratase. The gene encoding a glycerol dehydratase subunit was detected by PCR and the corresponding amplicon was sequenced. This strain showed a high survival after exposition to conditions simulating those existing in the gastrointestinal tract as well as a notable ability to adhere to intestinal cells, which suggests that its reuterin-producing ability may be used for the host benefit. In addition, the strain showed a strong beta-galactosidase activity. Production of biogenic amines and degradation of mucin could not be detected.

[Dietary intake of a group of patients with irritable bowel syndrome; relation between dietary fiber and symptoms]

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to evaluate the oral dietary intake of a group of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and to compare with international recommendations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 53 patients with irritable bowel syndrome was enrolled in a non-propabilistic sample. Patients were diagnose with Roma II criteria. In all patients were determined, weight, height, body mass index, dietary intake of 3 days and a symptoms scoring system.

RESULTS

The average age of 53 patients was 45.67+/-13.6 years with a distribution of sex (22 males/31 females). Caloric intakes was right in absolute terms and corrected by weight. Distribution of calories was 41.5% of carbohydrates, a 19.8% of proteins, and a 38.7% of lipids, showing a high intake of lipids and low of carbohydrates. A low intake of vitamin A and D was detected. High intake of vitamin B12, vitamin C and niacine was observed. A low intake of calcium, magnesium, yodo and zinc was detected. Intake of soluble fiber was lower than insoluble fiber (1.46+/-0.74 g/day) (19%) vs 6.21+/-2.67 g/day (71%). Intake of fiber corrected by calories was low 4.5+/-1.2 g/1000 calories. In correlation analysis, insoluble fiber (r=0.46; p < 0.05) and soluble fiber (r=0.42; p < 0.05) were inverse correlated with general symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome showed a deviation of mineral and vitamin dietary. Fiber intake is low, a correlation between fiber intake and general symptoms was detected.

Effects of D-003, a mixture of very long chain fatty acids purified from sugar cane wax, at 5 and 10 mg/day on platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers

D-003 is a mixture of high molecular weight aliphatic primary acids purified from sugar cane wax with antiplatelet and cholesterol-lowering effects. Previous studies showed that D-003 (10-20 mg/day) administered for a short time inhibits platelet aggregation, 14 days being the longest duration investigated. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of D-003 (5 and 10 mg/day) for 30 days on platelet aggregation in normocholesterolemic subjects. This report shows the effects of D-003 on platelet aggregation to arachidonic acid (AA) (1.5 mM), collagen (2 microg/ml) and adenosine 5'-diphosphate ADP (2 microM) assessed at baseline and at treatment completion. Fifty-four subjects were randomized to placebo or D-003 (5 or 10 mg/day) for 30 days. Platelet aggregation to AA, collagen and ADP were assessed. D-003 at the lowest dose (5 mg/day) significantly but modestly inhibited (p < 0.01) platelet aggregation to AA (5.0%) and (p < 0.01) to collagen (7.5%). D-003 at 10 mg/day inhibited (p < 0.001) platelet aggregation to AA and collagen (p < 0.01) by 20.3% and 14.7%, respectively. ADP-induced aggregation, however, was unchanged. D-003 at 10 mg/day, but not at 5 mg/day, lowered (p < 0.01) plasma fibrinogen. D-003 (5 and 10 mg/day) reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 17.7% and 26.4%, respectively, and total cholesterol (TC) by 14.5% and 18.5%, while at 10 mg/day, but not at 5 mg/day, it increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) by 9.6%. Triglycerides, however, were unchanged with D-003. No disturbances in safety indicators were induced with D-003. One subject (D-003 5 mg/day) discontinued the study and four patients (three taking D-003 and one taking placebo) reported adverse effects (AE) (headache in two patients taking D-003 and one patient taking placebo, and polyphagia in one patient taking D-003). In conclusion, D-003 (5-10 mg/day) for 30 days inhibited platelet aggregation to AA and collagen but not to ADP Therefore, the antiplatelet effect was present with the longer treatment, even at a dose of 5 mg/day. The cholesterol-lowering effects of D-003 were consistent with those expected for such a short treatment. In addition, D-003 at 10 mg/day significantly lowered plasma fibrinogen. The treatment was well tolerated.

A comparison of the effects of D-003 and policosanol (5 and 10 mg/day) in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia: a randomized, double-blinded study

The main goal of hypercholesterolemia management for coronary prevention is to reduce serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. D-003 is a mixture of high molecular weight aliphatic acids purified from sugarcane wax, while policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug purified from the same source, consisting in a mixture of higher aliphatic alcohols. No previous comparative study of both drugs in humans has been reported. This randomized, double-blind study compares the efficacy and tolerability of D-003 and policosanol (5 and 10 mg/day) in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. After a baseline period, 100 patients were randomized to D-003 or policosanol both at 5 mg/day and 10 mg/day, for 8 weeks. D-003 and policosanol 5 mg/day reduced (p < 0.0001) LDL-C by 26.9% and 20.9%, respectively. These reductions increased with 10 mg/day (35.1% for D-003, 25.1% for policosanol. The reductions of LDL-C achieved with D-003 5 mg/day and 10 mg/day were greater (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively) than with policosanol. The frequency of patients treated with D-003 (5 mg/day) reaching LDL-C reductions > or = 15% (22/25, 88%) was greater (p < 0.01) than with policosanol (5 mg/day) (19/25, 76%), and the same was true for D-003 10 mg/day (25/25, 100%) and policosanol (22/25, 88%; p < 0.01). D-003 and policosanol (5 mg/day) also lowered (p < 0.001) total cholesterol (TC) (16.2% and 13.5%, respectively), and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) by 15.3% (D-003) and 6.7% (policosanol). At 10 mg/day, D-003 and policosanol reduced (p < 0.001) TC (21.3% and 16.0%, respectively), while HDL-C was increased by 17.3% and 9.8%, respectively, D-003 being more effective than policosanol. Treatments did not affect triglycerides. Both drugs were well tolerated, with D-003 tolerated as well as policosanol. Three patients discontinued the study, none due to adverse events (AEs). Seven patients (three from the D-003 group and four from the policosanol group) experienced mild AEs. In conclusion, D-003 (5 and 10 mg/day) administered to patients with type II hypercholesterolemia was more effective than policosanol in lowering LDL-C and TC, and in increasing HDL-C. D-003 could be useful for treating type II hypercholesterolemia, but this subject deserves further clinical research.

Effects of Addition of Policosanol to??Omega-3 Fatty Acid Therapy on the??Lipid Profile of Patients with Type??II Hypercholesterolaemia

BACKGROUND

Policosanol is a mixture of higher aliphatic primary alcohols purified from sugar-cane wax. The mixture has cholesterol-lowering efficacy, its specific effects being to reduce serum total (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The effects of policosanol on triglycerides (TG) are modest and inconsistent. Omega-3 fatty acids (FA) from fish oil protect against coronary disease, mainly through antiarrhythmic and antiplatelet effects. Omega-3 FA also have lipid-modifying effects, mostly relating to TG reduction. Thus, potential benefits could be expected from combined therapy with omega-3 FA and policosanol.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether combined therapy with omega-3 FA + policosanol offers benefits compared with omega-3 FA + placebo with respect to the lipid profile of patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia.

METHODS

This randomised, double-blind study was conducted in 90 patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia. After 5 weeks on a cholesterol-lowering diet, patients were randomised to omega-3 FA + placebo, omega-3 FA + policosanol 5 mg/day or omega-3 FA + policosanol 10 mg/day for 8 weeks. Omega-3 FA was supplied as 1g capsules (two per day); placebo and policosanol were provided in tablet form. Physical signs and laboratory markers were assessed at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks on therapy. Drug compliance and adverse experiences (AEs) were assessed at weeks 4 and 8. The primary efficacy variable was LDL-C reduction; other lipid profile markers were secondary variables.

RESULTS

After 8 weeks, omega-3 FA + policosanol 5 and 10 mg/day, but not omega-3 FA + placebo, significantly reduced LDL-C by 21.1% and 24.4%, respectively (both p < 0.0001). Omega-3 FA + policosanol 5 mg/day also significantly lowered TC (12.7%; p < 0.01) and TG (13.6%; p < 0.05), and significantly increased HDL-C (+14.4%; p < 0.001). Omega-3 FA + policosanol 10 mg/day significantly decreased TC (15.3%; p < 0.001) and TG (14.7%; p < 0.01), and significantly increased HDL-C (+15.5%; p < 0.0001). Omega-3 FA + placebo significantly reduced TG (14.2%; p < 0.05) but had no significant effect on other lipid profile variables. The proportion of randomised patients in the omega-3 FA + policosanol 5 or 10 mg/day groups that achieved LDL-C targets or reductions 15% was significantly greater than in the omega-3 FA + placebo group (p < 0.001). Combined therapy with omega-3 FA + policosanol 5 or 10 mg/day resulted in significantly greater changes in LDL-C, TC and HDL-C than treatment with omega-3 FA + placebo, but did not modify the TG response compared with the omega-3 FA + placebo group. Four patients (two in the omega-3 FA + placebo group and two in the omega-3 FA + policosanol 10 mg/day group) withdrew from the study; none of these withdrawals was due to AEs. Two patients reported mild AEs, namely nausea/headache (one in the omega-3 FA + placebo group) and heartburn (one in the omega-3 FA + policosanol 5 mg/day group).

CONCLUSIONS

Policosanol 5 or 10 mg/day administered concomitantly with omega-3 FA 1 g/day improved LDL-C, TC and HDL-C, maintained the reduction in TG attributable to omega-3 FA monotherapy, and was well tolerated. Treatment with omega-3 FA + policosanol could be useful for regulating lipid profile in patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia, but further studies involving larger sample sizes are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn.

The effect of D-003 (10 mg/day) on biochemical parameters of bone remodelling in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind study

Biphosphonates, which are antiresorptive agents used to treat osteoporosis, inhibit the mevalonate pathway, preventing protein prenylation and inhibiting osteoclast activity. Statins decrease cholesterol biosynthesis by blocking the mevalonate pathway and have been reported to have beneficial effects on bone. D-003 is a mixture of high molecular weight acids purified from sugarcane wax that inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis before mevalonate production. D-003 prevents bone loss and resorption in rats with osteoporosis induced with ovariectomy or corticoids. Biochemical markers of bone turnover are used to monitor the short-term efficacy of antiosteoporotic therapy. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was undertaken to investigate the short-term effects of D-003 (10 mg/day) on biochemical markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD). After 4 weeks on a low-fat diet, 34 women were randomized to D-003 (10 mg/day) or placebo for 6 months. Pre- and post-treatment samples were analyzed for urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline (DPD)/creatinine (Cr), a marker of bone resorption, and serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), a marker of bone formation. The effects on lipid profile and safety indicators, as well as adverse events (AE), were investigated. D-003 (10 mg/day) lowered urinary excretion of tDPD/Cr versus baseline (20.6%) (p < 0.001) and placebo (33.7%) (p < 0.01), but did not modify serum BSAP. D-003 decreased low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (32.8%), total cholesterol (TC) (16.4%) and the TC/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (34.7%), increased HDL-C (30.3%) (p < 0.001) and did not modify triglycerides. The effects on these variables were significant as early as 3 months after treatment initiation. D-003 was well tolerated. Three patients (one in the placebo group and two in the D-003 group) withdrew from the study. Two of these withdrawals were due to AE: abdominal pain (placebo) and heartburn (D-003). Five patients (four in the placebo group [22.2%] and one in the D-003 group [6.3%]) reported mild AE. In conclusion, D-003 (10 mg/day) reduced urinary excretion of tDPD/Cr, a bone resorption marker and did not change serum BSAP, a bone formation marker, while it lowered cholesterol in study patients. These preliminary results suggest that D-003 could be useful in treating postmenopausal women with low BMD. However, the potential value of D-003 in treating or preventing osteoporosis deserves further clinical investigation.

Identification of specific in vivo-induced (ivi) genes in Yersinia ruckeri and analysis of ruckerbactin, a catecholate siderophore iron acquisition system

This work reports the utilization of an in vivo expression technology system to identify in vivo-induced (ivi) genes in Yersinia ruckeri after determination of the conditions needed for its selection in fish. Fourteen clones were selected, and the cloned DNA fragments were analyzed after partial sequencing. In addition to sequences with no significant similarity, homology with genes encoding proteins putatively involved in two-component and type IV secretion systems, adherence, specific metabolic functions, and others were found. Among these sequences, four were involved in iron acquisition through a catechol siderophore (ruckerbactin). Thus, unlike other pathogenic yersiniae producing yersiniabactin, Y. ruckeri might be able to produce and utilize only this phenolate. The genetic organization of the ruckerbactin biosynthetic and uptake loci was similar to that of the Escherichia coli enterobactin gene cluster. Genes rucC and rupG, putative counterparts of E. coli entC and fepG, respectively, involved in the biosynthesis and transport of the iron siderophore complex, respectively, were analyzed further. Thus, regulation of expression by iron and temperature and their presence in other Y. ruckeri siderophore-producing strains were confirmed for these two loci. Moreover, 50% lethal dose values 100-fold higher than those of the wild-type strain were obtained with the rucC isogenic mutant, showing the importance of ruckerbactin in the pathogenesis caused by this microorganism.

Sign-consistent dynamical couplings betweenab initiothree-center wave functions

We present a method to ensure the sign consistency of dynamical couplings between ab initio three-center wave functions. The method also allows to systematically "diabatize" avoided crossings between two potential energy surfaces, including conical intersections. Illustrations are presented for H(3)(+), LiH(2)(+), and NH(2)(5+) quasimolecules.