The mutL repair gene of Escherichia coli K-12 forms a superoperon with a gene encoding a new cell-wall amidase

We report a molecular genetic analysis of the region immediately upstream from the Escherichia coli mutL DNA repair gene at 94.8 min. An open reading frame ending 9 bp upstream from the start of mutL corresponds to a 48 kDa polypeptide detected previously in minicells. The predicted amino acid sequence of this 48 kDa polypeptide shows homology to the major N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase autolysin of Bacillus subtilis, a known amidase of Bacillus licheniformis, and the product of a Salmonella typhimurium gene that maps near 50 min. Insertions in this upstream gene, which we named amiB, or in mutL did not affect cell shape or viability; however, overexpression of the AmiB polypeptide caused cell lysis, hypersensitivity to osmotic shock and treatment with water, and temporary autolysis by low levels of antibiotics, which are all consistent with AmiB acting as a cell-wall hydrolase. Analysis of chromosomal transcription demonstrated that amiB forms a complex operon with mutL and two additional upstream genes. mutL transcripts also originated from an internal promoter, designated PmutL, located in amiB 312 bp upstream from the translational start of mutL. Together, these results suggest that E. coli contains a second amidase possibly involved in cell-wall hydrolysis, septation, or recycling, and that transcription of this amidase is directly linked to a gene central for DNA repair.

Involvement of the gapA- and epd (gapB)-encoded dehydrogenases in pyridoxal 5'-phosphate coenzyme biosynthesis in Escherichia coli K-12

We show that epd (gapB) mutants lacking an erythrose 4-phosphate (E4P) dehydrogenase are impaired for growth on some media and contain less pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate (PMP) than their epd+ parent. In contrast to a previous report, we found that gapA epd double mutants lacking the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and E4P dehydrogenases are auxotrophic for pyridoxine. These results implicate the GapA and Epd dehydrogenases in de novo PLP and PMP coenzyme biosynthesis.

An unexpected counter-regulatory role of IL-10 in B-lymphocyte-mediated transplantation tolerance

Monoclonal antibody against the CD45RB protein induces stable transplantation tolerance to multiple types of allograft. We have previously established that this tolerance protocol relies on the regulatory function of B lymphocytes for its effect. B lymphocytes have also been reported to participate in immune regulation in several other settings. In most of these systems, the regulatory function of B lymphocytes depends on the production of IL-10. Therefore, we investigated the role of IL-10 in the anti-CD45RB model of B-cell-mediated transplantation tolerance. Surprisingly, using antibody-mediated neutralization of IL-10, IL-10-deficient recipients and adoptive transfer of IL-10-deficient B lymphocytes, we found that IL-10 actually counter-regulates tolerance induced by anti-CD45RB. Furthermore, neutralization of IL-10 reduced the development of chronic allograft vasculopathy compared to anti-CD45RB alone and reduced the production of graft reactive alloantibodies. These data suggest that the participation of regulatory B lymphocytes in transplantation tolerance may be distinct from how they operate in other systems. Identifying the specific B lymphocytes that mediate transplantation tolerance and defining their mechanism of action may yield new insights into the complex cellular network through which antigen-specific tolerance is established and maintained.

Menopausal symptoms: experience of Chinese women

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of symptoms in middle-aged Chinese rural and city women of different occupations; and to explore the relationship between symptoms, hormone levels and other factors.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 806 women aged 41-60 years, selected by multistage cluster sampling and a structured interview questionnaire. The response rate was 95%. The sample compromised 402 professional urban women and 404 women farmers living in rural areas. Some 209 women were randomly selected from the two groups for hormonal assay and bone mineral density screening.

RESULTS

The professional group was more symptomatic than the farming group (p < 0.01). The presence of symptoms was significantly related to an increasing level of education. There were no significant differences between occupational groups in levels of estradiol follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Estradiol level and bone mineral density were decreased and FSH and LH increased in the postmenopausal group (p < 0.05) compared with the other menopausal groups. Hot flushes were the only symptom to be significantly associated with hormone levels (estradiol and LH). The occurrence of symptoms was significantly related to indications of bone and joint disease, heart disease, primary dysmenorrhea, decline in sexual interest, irregular menses and feelings of becoming older, sad and lost. These factors were all reported more often by the professional women than by the farmers.

CONCLUSION

Symptom experience in mid-life Chinese women is related to both biological and psychosocial factors.

Anoxia-reoxygenation versus ischemia in isolated rat lungs

Oxidant generation in anoxia-reoxygenation and ischemia-reperfusion was compared in isolated rat lungs. Anoxia-reoxygenation was produced by N2 ventilation followed by O2 ventilation. After anoxia, lung ATP content was decreased by 59%. Oxygenated ischemia was produced by discontinuing perfusion while ventilation with O2 was maintained. With anoxia-reoxygenation, oxidant generation, evaluated by oxidation of dichlorodihydrofluorescein (H2DCF) to fluorescent dichlorofluorescein, increased 3.6-fold, lung thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) increased 342%, conjugated dienes increased 285%, and protein carbonyl content increased 46%. Pretreatment of lungs with 100 microM allopurinol inhibited the reoxygenation-mediated increase in lung fluorescence by 75% and TBARS by 69%. Oxygenated ischemia resulted in an approximately eightfold increase in lung H2DCF oxidation and a fourfold increase in TBARS, but allopurinol had no effect. On the other hand, 100 microM diphenyliodonium (DPI) inhibited the ischemia-mediated increase in lung fluorescence by 69% and lung TBARS by 70%, but it had no effect on the increase with anoxia-reoxygenation. Therefore, both ischemia-reperfusion and anoxia-reoxygenation result in oxidant generation by the lung, but a comparison of results with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor (allopurinol) and a flavoprotein inhibitor (DPI) indicate that the pathways for oxidant generation are distinctly different.

Role of ice nucleation and antifreeze activities in pathogenesis and growth of snow molds

ABSTRACT We examined the ability of snow molds to grow at temperatures from -5 to 30 degrees C and to influence the growth of ice through assays for ice nucleation and antifreeze activities. Isolates of Coprinus psychromorbidus (low temperature basidiomycete variant), Microdochium nivale, Typhula phacorrhiza, T. ishikariensis, T. incarnata, and T. canadensis all grew at -5 degrees C, whereas Sclerotinia borealis and S. homoeocarpa did not grow at temperatures below 4 degrees C. The highest threshold ice nucleation temperature was -7 degrees C. Because snow molds are most damaging to their hosts at temperatures above this, our results imply that the pathogenesis of these fungi is not dependent on ice nucleation activity to cause freeze-wounding of host plants. All snow molds that grew at subzero temperatures also exhibited antifreeze activity in the growth medium and in the soluble and insoluble hyphal fractions, with the exception of M. nivale and one isolate of T. canadensis. The lack of high ice nucleation activity combined with the presence of antifreeze activity in all fungal fractions indicates that snow molds can moderate their environment to inhibit or modify intra- and extracellular ice formation, which helps explain their ability to grow at subzero temperatures under snow cover.

Lowering dietary saturated fat and total fat reduces the oxidative susceptibility of LDL in healthy men and women

The present study examined the effects of reducing dietary total fat and saturated fat (SFA) on LDL oxidative susceptibility in 27 healthy men and women (age 24-65 y). Each subject consumed each of three diets for 8 wk: an average American diet (AAD, 34% energy from fat, 15% from SFA), a Step-1 diet (29% fat, 9% SFA) and a very low SFA diet (Low-Sat, 25% fat, 6% SFA). In vitro LDL oxidation was assessed by copper-mediated oxidation, as measured by the kinetics of conjugated diene formation and lipid peroxide formation. Compared with the AAD, plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL cholesterol levels were 8% lower (P: = 0.16 and P: = 0.11, respectively), in subjects when they consumed the Step-1 diet and 11% (P: < 0.03) and 14% (P: < 0.057) lower, respectively, when they consumed the Low-Sat diet. Conjugated diene production and oxidation rate were 7% (P: < 0. 05) and 9% (P: < 0.05) lower, respectively. The reduction of lipid peroxide formation was 9% (P: < 0.05) in subjects when they consumed the Low-Sat diet vs. the AAD. In addition, lipid peroxide and conjugated diene formation were positively correlated with plasma total and LDL-C and apolipoprotein B (apo B) levels (r = 0.5-0.6, P: < 0.001), suggesting that quantity of LDL is an important determinant of oxidative modification. Furthermore, at the same level of apo B or LDL-C, LDL from subjects when they consumed either Step-1 or Low-Sat diets was less susceptible (P: < 0.05) to oxidation than those when they consumed the AAD, suggesting that qualitative changes also affect LDL oxidative susceptibility. Therefore, the benefits of lowering dietary SFA may extend beyond decreasing LDL-C levels and include favorable qualitative changes in LDL that further decrease risk of coronary heart disease.

Phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C and D in stimulation of RAW264.7 mouse macrophage-like cells by lipopolysaccharide

The purpose of these studies was to identify the role of phospholipases in the activation of macrophages by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Tricyclodecan-9-yl-xanthogenate (D609), an inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC); butanol, an inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine phospholipase D (PC-PLD); and propranolol, an inhibitor of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase, were used in the study. Treatment of RAW264.7 murine macrophage-like cells with LPS resulted in expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The expression was partially inhibited by D609, butanol, or propranolol and was completely blocked by the combination of D609 and butanol. RAW264.7 cells constitutively produced low basal levels of diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid; production of both was significantly increased after stimulation with LPS, reaching a peak in 2-3 min and remaining elevated after 30 min. In LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, diacylglycerol was suppressed by each of the three inhibitors alone and almost abolished by D609 plus butanol or D609 plus propranolol. Phosphatidic acid was reduced to basal level by butanol after LPS stimulation for 2.5 min and by butanol plus D609 after LPS stimulation for 2.5 or 10 min. Taken together, these data indicate that activation of RAW264.7 cells by LPS can be mediated by the activities of both PC-PLC and PC-PLD.

Role of iron in ischemia-reperfusion oxidative injury of rat lungs

We have previously shown that isolated, oxygen-ventilated rat lungs generate reactive oxygen species during ischemia and reperfusion. To evaluate the role of free iron in lung ischemia/reperfusion injury, we measured desferrioxamine-chelatable iron (DC-Fe), protein carbonyls, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in lungs subjected to global ischemia and reperfusion. There were no changes in DC-Fe, TBARS, or protein carbonyls during 2 h of control perfusion. There was a 2.3-fold increase in DC-Fe during 1 h ischemia and a further doubling during reperfusion. Results were similar when lungs were ventilated with O2 or N2. Lung TBARS increased 214% during ischemia/reperfusion with oxygen ventilation; unlike DC-Fe release, this change was blocked by N2 ventilation. Protein carbonyl content of the lung also increased significantly (113%) with ischemia/reperfusion. Ferric 8-hydroxyquinoline added to the perfusate before ischemia increased DC-Fe in lung tissue and significantly enhanced the lipid and protein oxidation of ischemic/reperfused lungs. The added perfusate iron had no effect on control lungs. Proteins isolated from the iron-supplemented ischemic/reperfused lungs were resistant to further in vitro oxidation induced by hydrogen peroxide (30 microM) whereas proteins from control perfused lungs were oxidized under these conditions. These results indicate that DC-Fe plays an important role in lung oxidative injury with ischemia/reperfusion. DC-Fe is released from iron-storage sites during ischemia and promotes tissue oxidation when oxygenation is maintained during ischemia or restored during reperfusion.

16S rRNA is bound to era of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Era is an essential membrane-associated GTPase that is present in bacteria and mycoplasmas. Era appears to play an important role in the regulation of the bacterial cell cycle. In this study, we expressed the native and glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion forms of Streptococcus pneumoniae Era in Escherichia coli and purified both proteins to homogeneity. We showed that RNA was copurified with the GST-Era protein of S. pneumoniae during affinity purification and remained associated with the protein after removal of the GST tag by thrombin cleavage. The thrombin-treated and untreated GST-Era proteins could bind and hydrolyze GTP and exhibited similar kinetic properties (dissociation constant [kD], Km, and Vmax). However, the native Era protein purified by using different chromatographic columns had a much lower GTPase activity than did GST-Era, although it had a similar k(D). In addition, RNA was not associated with the protein. Purified GST-Era protein was shown to be present as high (600-kDa)- and low (120-kDa)-molecular-mass forms. The high-molecular-mass form of GST-Era was associated with RNA and exhibited a very high GTPase activity. Approximately 40% of purified GST-Era protein was associated with RNA, and removal of the RNA resulted in a significant reduction in GTPase activity. The RNA associated with GST-Era was shown to be predominantly 16S rRNA. The native Era protein isolated directly from S. pneumoniae was also present as a high-molecular-mass species (600 kDa) complexed with RNA. Together, our results suggest that 16S rRNA is associated with Era and might stimulate its GTPase activity.

Biochemical and molecular analyses of the Streptococcus pneumoniae acyl carrier protein synthase, an enzyme essential for fatty acid biosynthesis

Acyl carrier protein synthase (AcpS) is an essential enzyme in the biosynthesis of fatty acids in all bacteria. AcpS catalyzes the transfer of 4'-phosphopantetheine from coenzyme A (CoA) to apo-ACP, thus converting apo-ACP to holo-ACP that serves as an acyl carrier for the biosynthesis of fatty acids and lipids. To further understand the physiological role of AcpS, we identified, cloned, and expressed the acpS and acpP genes of Streptococcus pneumoniae and purified both products to homogeneity. Both acpS and acpP form operons with the genes whose functions are required for other cellular metabolism. The acpS gene complements an Escherichia coli mutant defective in the production of AcpS and appears to be essential for the growth of S. pneumoniae. Gel filtration and cross-linking analyses establish that purified AcpS exists as a homotrimer. AcpS activity was significantly stimulated by apo-ACP at concentrations over 10 microm and slightly inhibited at concentrations of 5-10 microm. Double reciprocal analysis of initial velocities of AcpS at various concentrations of CoA or apo-ACP indicated a random or compulsory ordered bi bi type of reaction mechanism. Further analysis of the inhibition kinetics of the product (3',5'-ADP) suggested that it is competitive with respect to CoA but mixed (competitive and noncompetitive) with respect to apo-ACP. Finally, apo-ACP bound tightly to AcpS in the absence of CoA, but CoA failed to do so in the absence of apo-ACP. Together, these results suggest that AcpS may be allosterically regulated by apo-ACP and probably proceeds by an ordered reaction mechanism with the first formation of the AcpS-apo-ACP complex and the subsequent transfer of 4'-phosphopantetheine to the apo-ACP of the complex.

Carbon ring-disk ultramicroelectrodes

Novel ring-disk ultramicroelectrodes (RD-UMEs) with analytical tip diameters as small as 25-30 microns were fabricated. Carbon RD-UMEs were reproducibly prepared by the chemical vapor deposition of alternating concentric layers of silica and carbon on resistively heated 10 microns carbon fibers. High-quality films with excellent adhesion at the interfaces between the carbon and silica layers were shown by electrochemical and scanning electron microscopy measurements. Electrochemical measurements of a solution of 1.0 mM ferrocene with 200 mM LiClO4 in CH3CN were used to characterize the single- and dual-electrode response lf the RD-UME. The electrochemical responses of the ring and the disk are sigmoidal in shape and indicated that radial diffusion is the primary mode of mass transport at each electrode at slow scan rates. Diffusion-controlled generation-collection experiments showed that the concentric dual-electrode configuration exhibits high collection efficiencies at the ring electrode with a 2-5 microns separation between electrodes and a 2-4 microns ring thickness. Close proximity of the ring and disk electrodes led to enhanced detection sensitivity due to back diffusion of regenerated molecules of a reversible redox couple from the collector to the generator electrode.

Fluorescent Bocillins: synthesis and application in the detection of penicillin-binding proteins

Novel fluorescent analogs of penicillin V were synthesized and evaluated for efficacy in the detection of penicillin binding proteins (PBPs). These molecules include the full structure of penicillin V, with the potent Bodipy fluorophore attached to the para-position of the penicillin V phenyl group. The green fluorescent Bocillin FL and the near-infrared (IR) fluorescent Bocillin 650/665 probes were shown to bind to PBPs, both purified and from membrane preparations, with high affinity and specificity. These reagents allow for facile detection of 2-4 ng of purified PBP with the aid of a fluorescent scanner.

2D square arrays of protein nanocages through channel-directed electrostatic interactions with poly(α, l-lysine)

Reconstructed ferritin nanocages with expanded 4-fold channels can self-assemble into 2D square arrays through channel-directed electrostatic interactions with poly(α, l-lysine) at pH 7.0. Structurally, protein cages are aligned along their common 4-fold symmetry axis, imposing a fixed disposition of neighboring ferritins.

MiR-204 regulates HMGA2 expression and inhibits cell proliferation in human thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

Analysis using publicly available algorithms has found that high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), a key transcriptional regulatory factor, is a potential target of microRNA-204 (miR-204). Some studies have shown that both miR-204 and HMGA2 are associated with cancer development.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the possible relationship between miR-204 and HMGA2 in the development of thyroid cancer.

METHODS

We assessed miR-204 expression in thyroid cancer specimens and cell lines using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the target associations. The effect of miR-204 on cell proliferation was confirmed with tetrazolium and colony formation assays. Gene and protein expression were examined using real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively.

RESULTS

MiR-204 was downregulated in the thyroid cancer specimens and cell lines, and targeted the 3^\prime untranslated region of HMGA2 directly. MiR-204 overexpression decreased cyclin D1 and Ki67 expression and increased P21 expression, which subsequently inhibited thyroid cancer cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that miR-204 plays a protective role by inhibiting thyroid cancer cell proliferation, and may identify new targets for anti-cancer treatment.

Enhanced CD4 reconstitution by grafting neonatal porcine tissue in alternative locations is associated with donor-specific tolerance and suppression of preexisting xenoreactive T cells

BACKGROUND

Donor-specific xenograft tolerance can be achieved by grafting fetal porcine thymus tissue to thymectomized (ATX) mice treated with natural killer (NK) and T-cell-depleting monoclonal antibodies plus 3 Gy of total body irradiation (TBI). Grafting of neonatal, instead of fetal, thymus, along with neonatal pig spleen, leads to a lower level of mouse CD4 cell reconstitution, with less reliable tolerance induction. For a number of reasons, it would be advantageous to use neonatal rather than fetal pigs as donors. We therefore investigated the possibility that grafting larger amounts of neonatal porcine thymus tissue to different sites could allow improved outcomes to be achieved.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Multiple or single fragments of neonatal porcine thymus tissue were grafted with a splenic fragment to different sites (mediastinum, mesentery, and kidney capsule) of ATX B6 mice treated with T- and NK-cell-depleting antibodies and 3Gy TBI. Mice also received an intraperitoneal injection containing 1 x 10(7) donor splenocytes. Donor-specific skin graft tolerance was evaluated, and CD4 reconstitution and mouse anti-donor xenoantibodies were followed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Peripheral repopulation of CD4+ cells occurred by 7 weeks after transplantation in mice grafted with four fragments of neonatal porcine tissue in either the mediastinum or the mesentery, but not in mice grafted under both kidney capsules with the same amount of tissue. The level of CD4 reconstitution correlated with skin graft tolerance and an absence of induced anti-donor xenoantibodies. Seventy-five percent of mice with >20% of CD4+ cells among peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) by 13 weeks posttransplantation accepted donor porcine skin, while rejecting either non-donor neonatal porcine or mouse BALB/c skin allografts. In contrast, only 29% of grafted mice with <20% CD4+ cells in the peripheral blood at 13 weeks accepted donor porcine skin. Grafted mice with poor reconstitution showed either low or high levels of anti-pig xenoantibodies of the IgM, IgG1, and IgG2a isotypes. Grafted mice with >20% CD4+ cells all had low levels of anti-pig xenoantibodies of these isotypes and displayed mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) tolerance to donor pig major histocompatibility complex (MHC), with responsiveness to allogeneic mouse stimulators.

CONCLUSION

Grafting neonatal porcine thymus into either the mediastinum or mesentery provides earlier and more efficient reconstitution of the CD4 compartment than does grafting under the kidney capsule. Good CD4 reconstitution was associated with optimal donor-specific skin graft tolerance and avoidance of the anti-donor xenoantibody responses observed in mice with poor CD4 reconstitution. These results also suggest that there is a suppressive component to the porcine xenograft tolerance induced with this approach.

Tissue plasminogen activator protects hippocampal neurons from oxygen-glucose deprivation injury

We have previously shown that tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) participates in the neurotoxicity of microglial conditioned medium (MgCM). Killing of hippocampal neurons by MgCM was prevented by both plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and anti-tPA antibody. An N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker protected neurons from MgCM, suggesting that this subtype of glutamate receptor is involved. Whereas glutamate receptor-mediated events are important in cerebral ischemia and tPA has previously been shown to enhance excitotoxicity in hippocampus, we hypothesized that tPA would exaggerate oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) injury in cultures of hippocampal neurons. Dissociated rat hippocampal cells were grown under conditions designed to optimize neuronal growth while minimizing glial replication. At 7--10 days, cultures were subjected to OGD for 2.5 hr. Recombinant human tPA (1,000 IU) was added immediately after OGD. Viability was assessed 24 hr later. Viable, apoptotic, and necrotic cells were classified and quantified based on staining patterns of acridine orange and ethidium bromide under fluorescence microscopy. tPA alone did not alter neuronal integrity. OGD produced significant neuronal death (viability reduced by 45%, P < 0.001). tPA completely protected OGD-exposed cultures. Potential mechanisms of tPA protection were explored. Whereas tPA antibody abolished the protective effect of tPA, its proteolytic inhibitor PAI-1 did not alter the effect. The effect of tPA was tested in separate free radical and excitatory amino acid insults. It did not protect neurons from hydrogen peroxide (1 microM), S-nitro-acetylpenicillamine (10 microM), glutamate (50 microM), or NMDA (10 microM) damage but significantly attenuated injury caused by 250 microM kainate. We conclude that tPA is capable of protecting hippocampal neurons from OGD by a nonproteolytic action. The mechanism of protection was not defined, although attenuation of AMPA/kainate glutamate receptors may play a role.

The aroQ-encoded monofunctional chorismate mutase (CM-F) protein is a periplasmic enzyme in Erwinia herbicola

Enteric bacteria possess two species of chorismate mutase which exist as catalytic domains on the amino termini of the bifunctional PheA and TyrA proteins. In addition, some of these organisms possess a third chorismate mutase, CM-F, which exists as a small monofunctional protein. The CM-F gene (denoted aroQ) from Erwinia herbicola was cloned and sequenced for the first time. A strategy for selection by functional complementation in a chorismate mutase-free Escherichia coli background was devised by using a recombinant plasmid derivative of pUC18 carrying a Zymomonas mobilis tyrC insert which encodes cyclohexadienyl dehydrogenase. The aroQ gene is 543 bp in length, predicting a 181-residue protein product having a calculated molecular mass of 20,299 Da. The E. herbicola aroQ promoter is recognized by E. coli, and a putative sigma-70 promoter region was identified. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the purified CM-F protein indicated cleavage of a 20-residue signal peptide. This was consistent with the monomeric molecular mass determined for the enzyme of about 18,000 Da. The native enzyme is a homodimer. The implied translocation of CM-F was confirmed by osmotic shock experiments which demonstrated a periplasmic location. Immunogold electron microscopy indicated a polar localization within the periplasm. Polyclonal antibody raised against E. herbicola CM-F did not cross-react with the CM-F protein from the closely related Serratia rubidaea, as well as from a number of other gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, when the E. herbicola aroQ gene was used as a probe in Southern blot hybridizations with EcroRI digests of chromosomal DNA from S. rubidaea and other enteric organisms, no hybridization was detected at low stringency. Thus, the aroQ gene appears to be unusually divergent among closely related organisms. The deduced CM-F amino acid sequence did not exhibit compelling evidence for homology with the monofunctional chorismate mutase protein of Bacillus subtilis.

Reduced NO-dependent arteriolar dilation during the development of cardiomyopathy

Our previous studies have suggested that there is reduced nitric oxide (NO) production in canine coronary blood vessels after the development of pacing-induced heart failure. The goal of these studies was to determine whether flow-induced NO-mediated dilation is altered in coronary arterioles during the development of heart failure. Subepicardial coronary arterioles (basal diameter 80 microm) were isolated from normal canine hearts, from hearts with dysfunction but no heart failure, and from hearts with severe cardiac decompensation. Arterioles were perfused at increasing flow or administered agonists with no flow in vitro. In arterioles from normal hearts, flow increased arteriolar diameter, with one-half of the response being NO dependent and one-half prostaglandin dependent. Shear stress-induced dilation was eliminated by removing the endothelium. Arterioles from normal hearts and hearts with dysfunction but no failure responded to increasing shear stress with dilation that reached a maximum at a shear stress of 20 dyn/cm(2). In contrast, arterioles from failing hearts showed a reduced dilation, reaching only 55% of the dilation seen in vessels of normal hearts at a shear stress of 100 dyn/cm(2). This remaining dilation was eliminated by indomethacin, suggesting that the NO-dependent component was absent in coronary microvessels after the development of heart failure. Similarly, agonist-induced NO-dependent coronary arteriolar dilation was markedly attenuated after the development of heart failure. After the development of severe dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure, the NO-dependent component of both shear stress- and agonist-induced arteriolar dilation is reduced or entirely absent.

Survey of acrylamide levels in Chinese foods

A survey of levels of acrylamide (AA) in 349 food products obtained from the Chinese market was conducted. AA was determined by an liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method in four different matrices ranged from 0.8 to 10 µg kg(-1) and from 4.0 to 25 µg kg(-1), respectively. The results from this survey indicated that AA was present in all samples except drinking water and tea. AA contents in different samples varied greatly according to the raw materials and processing conditions. The highest level of AA was found in potato products, with an average level of 1467 µg kg(-1). Preliminary estimates of AA exposure and risk assessment of AA from foods in the Chinese population were performed using a combination of data obtained in the present survey and 2002 dietary consumption survey carried out in 2002 for the Chinese population. The average dietary exposure of AA was estimated to be 0.38 µg kg(-1) body weight day(-1), which is relatively low compared with the result reported by the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). Furthermore, the margin of exposure for neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and carcinogenicity of AA was calculated to be 1318, 5250, and 787, respectively.

Dietary fat: assessing the evidence in support of a moderate-fat diet; the benchmark based on lipoprotein metabolism

There is a growing database that has evaluated the effects of varying amounts of total fat on risk factors for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and overweight and obesity. The evidence clearly suggests that extremes in dietary fat should be avoided, and instead a diet moderate in total fat (25-35 % energy) is preferable for the majority of individuals. Moreover, we now appreciate the importance of individualizing dietary fat recommendations within this range of total fat. With respect to cardiovascular disease, a diet higher in total fat (30-35 % energy) affects the lipid and lipoprotein risk profile more favourably than a lower-fat diet; this is also the case for individuals with diabetes, with the added benefit of better glycaemic control. Dietary fibre (> or = 25 g/d) attenuates and even prevents the potentially adverse lipid and lipoprotein effects of a lower-fat diet. With respect to weight control, a moderate-fat diet can be as, or even more, effective than a lower-fat diet, because of advantages with long-term adherence and potentially favourable effects on lipids and lipoproteins. Thus, there is now a convincing scientific basis to advocate a diet moderate in total fat for the majority of individuals. Implicit to this position is that unsaturated fat has numerous beneficial health effects. However, because fat is energy dense, moderation in fat intake is essential for weight control. Consequently, a simple message to convey is to avoid diets that are very low and very high in fat. Moreover, within the range of a moderate-fat diet it is still important to individualize the total fat prescription. Nonetheless, the guiding principle is that moderation in total fat is the defining benchmark for a contemporary diet that reduces risk of chronic disease.