The Role of m6A/m-RNA Methylation in Stress Response Regulation

N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) and N⁶,2′-O-dimethyladenosine (m⁶Am) are abundant mRNA modifications that regulate transcript processing and translation. The role of both, here termed m⁶A/m, in the stress response in the adult brain in vivo is currently unknown. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of the stress epitranscriptome using m⁶A/m-seq, global and gene-specific m⁶A/m measurements. We show that stress exposure and glucocorticoids region and time specifically alter m⁶A/m and its regulatory network. We demonstrate that deletion of the methyltransferase Mettl3 or the demethylase Fto in adult neurons alters the m⁶A/m epitranscriptome, increases fear memory, and changes the transcriptome response to fear and synaptic plasticity. Moreover, we report that regulation of m⁶A/m is impaired in major depressive disorder patients following glucocorticoid stimulation. Our findings indicate that brain m⁶A/m represents a novel layer of complexity in gene expression regulation after stress and that dysregulation of the m⁶A/m response may contribute to the pathophysiology of stress-related psychiatric disorders.

•

m⁶A/m mRNA methylation in the adult mouse brain is regulated by stress

•

m⁶A/m mRNA regulation is brain region, time, and gene specific

•

Mettl3 and Fto cKO alter m⁶A/m, fear memory, expression, and synaptic plasticity

•

The m⁶A/m glucocorticoid response is impaired in major depressive disorder patients

Vitamin K intake and hip fractures in women: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Vitamin K mediates the gamma-carboxylation of glutamyl residues on several bone proteins, notably osteocalcin. High serum concentrations of undercarboxylated osteocalcin and low serum concentrations of vitamin K are associated with lower bone mineral density and increased risk of hip fracture. However, data are limited on the effects of dietary vitamin K.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the hypothesis that high intakes of vitamin K are associated with a lower risk of hip fracture in women.

DESIGN

We conducted a prospective analysis within the Nurses' Health Study cohort. Diet was assessed in 72327 women aged 38-63 y with a food-frequency questionnaire in 1984 (baseline). During the subsequent 10 y of follow-up, 270 hip fractures resulting from low or moderate trauma were reported.

RESULTS

Women in quintiles 2-5 of vitamin K intake had a significantly lower age-adjusted relative risk (RR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.53, 0.93) of hip fracture than women in the lowest quintile (< 109 microg/d). Risk did not decrease between quintiles 2 and 5 and risk estimates were not altered when other risk factors for osteoporosis, including calcium and vitamin D intakes, were added to the models. Risk of hip fracture was also inversely associated with lettuce consumption (RR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.40, 0.78) for one or more servings per day compared with one or fewer servings per week), the food that contributed the most to dietary vitamin K intakes.

CONCLUSIONS

Low intakes of vitamin K may increase the risk of hip fracture in women. The data support the suggestion for a reassessment of the vitamin K requirements that are based on bone health and blood coagulation.

Effect of EGCG on lipid absorption and plasma lipid levels in rats

Catechins, compounds derived from green tea, have been shown to reduce plasma cholesterol levels and the rate of cholesterol absorption. We investigated the dose response and the mechanism of action of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on these parameters in rats. Wistar rats were fed a diet high in cholesterol and fat containing either none, 0.25% (0.2 g/day/kg BW), 0.5% (0.4 g/day/kg/BW) or 1.0% (0.7 g/day/kg BW) of EGCG. After 4 weeks of treatment, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein plasma levels were significantly reduced in the group fed 1% EGCG when compared to the no treatment group. Plasma triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein levels did not change significantly. Following a single oral application of a liquid test-meal, intestinal cholesterol absorption in Wistar rats was 79.3% in the control group. In the group treated with 0.1 g/kg BW EGCG intestinal cholesterol absorption decreased to 73.7% and in the group treated with 0.5 g/kg BW of EGCG intestinal cholesterol absorption fell significantly to 62.7% (P = 0.005). Total fat absorption was very efficient in the control group (99.5% of the applied dose) and decreased significantly but moderately in the group treated with the highest doses of EGCG (0.75, 1 g/kg BW). In an in-vitro biliary micelle model, the addition of 55 microM to 1300 microM EGCG not only decreased cholesterol solubility dose-dependently in these micelles but also altered the size of the mixed lecithin/taurocholate/cholesterol micelles as demonstrated by light scattering. This study provides evidence suggesting that the cholesterol-lowering effect of green tea is mainly elicited by EGCG, one of the most abundant catechins contained in green tea. It is suggested that one of the underlying mechanisms by which EGCG affects lipid metabolism is by interfering with the micellar solubilization of cholesterol in the digestive tract, which then in turn decreased cholesterol absorption.

ATM mutations and phenotypes in ataxia-telangiectasia families in the British Isles: expression of mutant ATM and the risk of leukemia, lymphoma, and breast cancer

We report the spectrum of 59 ATM mutations observed in ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) patients in the British Isles. Of 51 ATM mutations identified in families native to the British Isles, 11 were founder mutations, and 2 of these 11 conferred a milder clinical phenotype with respect to both cerebellar degeneration and cellular features. We report, in two A-T families, an ATM mutation (7271T-->G) that may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in both homozygotes and heterozygotes (relative risk 12.7; P=. 0025), although there is a less severe A-T phenotype in terms of the degree of cerebellar degeneration. This mutation (7271T-->G) also allows expression of full-length ATM protein at a level comparable with that in unaffected individuals. In addition, we have studied 18 A-T patients, in 15 families, who developed leukemia, lymphoma, preleukemic T-cell proliferation, or Hodgkin lymphoma, mostly in childhood. A wide variety of ATM mutation types, including missense mutations and in-frame deletions, were seen in these patients. We also show that 25% of all A-T patients carried in-frame deletions or missense mutations, many of which were also associated with expression of mutant ATM protein.

(S)-1-((S)-2-{[1-(4-amino-3-chloro-phenyl)-methanoyl]-amino}-3,3-dimethyl-butanoyl)-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid ((2R,3S)-2-ethoxy-5-oxo-tetrahydro-furan-3-yl)-amide (VX-765), an orally available selective interleukin (IL)-converting enzyme/caspase-1 inhibitor, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the release of IL-1beta and IL-18

(S)-1-((S)-2-{[1-(4-amino-3-chloro-phenyl)-methanoyl]-amino}-3,3-dimethyl-butanoyl)-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid ((2R,3S)-2-ethoxy-5-oxo-tetrahydro-furan-3-yl)-amide (VX-765) is an orally absorbed prodrug of (S)-3-({1-[(S)-1-((S)-2-{[1-(4-amino-3-chlorophenyl)-methanoyl]-amino}-3,3-dimethyl-butanoyl)-pyrrolidin-2yl]-methanoyl}-amino)-4-oxo-butyric acid (VRT-043198), a potent and selective inhibitor of interleukin-converting enzyme/caspase-1 subfamily caspases. VRT-043198 exhibits 100- to 10,000-fold selectivity against other caspase-3 and -6 to -9. The therapeutic potential of VX-765 was assessed by determining the effects of VRT-043198 on cytokine release by monocytes in vitro and of orally administered VX-765 in several animal models in vivo. In cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and whole blood from healthy subjects stimulated with bacterial products, VRT-043198 inhibited the release of interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-18, but it had little effect on the release of several other cytokines, including IL-1alpha, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8. In contrast, VRT-043198 had little or no demonstrable activity in cellular models of apoptosis, and it did not affect the proliferation of activated primary T cells or T-cell lines. VX-765 was efficiently converted to VRT-043198 when administered orally to mice, and it inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine secretion. In addition, VX-765 reduced disease severity and the expression of inflammatory mediators in models of rheumatoid arthritis and skin inflammation. These data suggest that VX-765 is a novel cytokine inhibitor useful for treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Inactivation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated gene in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

BACKGROUND

Patients with the inherited disorder ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) have an increased susceptibility to lymphoid malignancies. In these patients mutations affect both alleles of the A-T gene (ATM). We have looked for mutations in the ATM gene in sporadic cases of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL).

METHODS

32 cases of B-CLL were analysed by restriction endonuclease fingerprinting to detect mutations within ATM. In six of the cases in which mutations were detected in tumour samples, germline DNA was screened to assess ATM carrier status. The samples in 20 cases were also studied by western blot for abnormal expression of ATM protein.

FINDINGS

Expression of the ATM protein was impaired in eight (40%) of the 20 tumours analysed, being absent in three and decreased in five. Mutations within ATM were detected in six (18%) of the 32 patients. These point mutations, deletions, and one insertion were distributed across the coding sequence of ATM. Germline mutations, which indicate ATM carrier status, were found in two of these six patients compared with a frequency within the general population of below 1 in 200.

INTERPRETATION

Abnormal expression of ATM protein is a frequent finding in B-CLL. Although the precise function of this protein is unknown, it is thought to have a role in programmed cell death, a deficiency of which would fit with the characteristic phenotype of prolonged cell survival seen in B-CLL tumour cells. Our results also suggest that carriers of ATM mutations may be at a particular risk for the development of B-CLL and this may partly explain the known genetic susceptibility to this disease.

Epigallocatechin gallate supplementation alleviates diabetes in rodents

As the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing at an alarming rate, effective nutritional and exercise strategies for the prevention of this disease are required. Specific dietary components with antidiabetic efficacy could be one aspect of these strategies. This study investigated the antidiabetic effects of the most abundant green tea catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, TEAVIGO), in rodent models of type 2 diabetes mellitus and H4IIE rat hepatoma cells. We assessed glucose and insulin tolerance in db/db mice and ZDF rats after they ingested EGCG. Using gene microarray and real-time quantitative RT-PCR we investigated the effect of EGCG on gene expression in H4IIE rat hepatoma cells as well as in liver and adipose tissue of db/db mice. EGCG improved oral glucose tolerance and blood glucose in food-deprived rats in a dose-dependent manner. Plasma concentrations of triacylglycerol were reduced and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was enhanced. In H4IIE cells, EGCG downregulated genes involved in gluconeogenesis and the synthesis of fatty acids, triacylgycerol, and cholesterol. EGCG decreased the mRNA expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in H4IIE cells as well as in liver and adipose tissue of db/db mice. Glucokinase mRNA expression was upregulated in the liver of db/db mice in a dose-dependent manner. This study shows that EGCG beneficially modifies glucose and lipid metabolism in H4IIE cells and markedly enhances glucose tolerance in diabetic rodents. Dietary supplementation with EGCG could potentially contribute to nutritional strategies for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Probiotics and the Gut Immune System: Indirect Regulation

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) represents the largest interface between the human organism and the external environment. In the lumen and upper part of the mucus layer, this organ hosts an enormous number of microorganisms whose composition affects the functions of the epithelial barrier and the gut immune system. Consequentially, the microorganisms in the GIT influence the health status of the organism. Probiotics are living microorganisms which, in specific conditions, confer a health benefit to the host. Among others, probiotics have immunomodulatory properties that usually act directly by (a) increasing the activity of macrophages or natural killer cells, (b) modulating the secretion of immunoglobulins or cytokines, or indirectly by (c) enhancing the gut epithelial barrier, (d) altering the mucus secretion, and (e) competitive exclusion of other (pathogenic) bacteria. This review focuses on specific bacteria strains with indirect immunomodulatory properties. Particularly, we describe here the mechanisms through which specific probiotics enhance the gut epithelial barrier and modulate mucus production. Moreover, we describe the antimicrobial properties of specific bacteria strains. Recent data suggest that multiple pathologies are associated with an unbalanced gut microflora (dysbiosis). Although the cause-effect relationship between pathology and gut microflora is not yet well established, consumption of specific probiotics may represent a powerful tool to re-establish gut homeostasis and promote gut health.

A single ascending dose study of epigallocatechin gallate in healthy volunteers

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the safety, tolerability and plasma kinetic behaviour of single oral doses of 94% pure crystalline bulk epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) under fasting conditions in 60 healthy male volunteers. In each group of 10 subjects, eight received oral EGCG in single doses of 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg, 800 mg or 1600 mg, and two received placebo. Blood samples were taken at intervals until 26 h later. The area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to infinity (AUC(0-infinity)), the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of EGCG, the time taken to reach the maximum concentration (Tmax), and the terminal elimination half-life (t1/2z) of EGCG were determined. Safety and tolerability were assessed. In each dosage group, the kinetic profile revealed rapid absorption with a one-peak plasma concentration versus time course, followed by a multiphasic decrease consisting of a distribution phase and an elimination phase. The mean AUC(0-infinity) of total EGCG varied between 442 and 10,368 ng.h/ml. The according mean Cmax values ranged from 130 to 3392 ng/ml and were observed after 1.3-2.2 h. The mean t1/2z values were seen between 1.9 and 4.6 h. Single oral doses of EGCG up to 1600 mg were safe and very well tolerated.

Inhibition of monoamine oxidases by functionalized coumarin derivatives: biological activities, QSARs, and 3D-QSARs

A large series of coumarin derivatives (71 compounds) were tested for their monoamine oxidase A and B (MAO-A and MAO-B) inhibitory activity. Most of the compounds acted preferentially on MAO-B with IC(50) values in the micromolar to low-nanomolar range; high inhibitory activities toward MAO-A were also measured for sulfonic acid esters. The most active compound was 7-[(3, 4-difluorobenzyl)oxy]-3,4-dimethylcoumarin, with an IC(50) value toward MAO-B of 1.14 nM. A QSAR study of 7-X-benzyloxy meta-substituted 3,4-dimethylcoumarin derivatives acting on MAO-B yielded good statistical results (q(2)() = 0.72, r(2)() = 0.86), revealing the importance of lipophilic interactions in modulating the inhibition and excluding any dependence on electronic properties. CoMFA was performed on two data sets of MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitors. The GOLPE procedure, with variable selection criteria, was applied to improve the predictivity of the models and to facilitate the graphical interpretation of results.

Safety and efficacy of peripheral nerve stimulation of the occipital nerves for the management of chronic migraine: results from a randomized, multicenter, double-blinded, controlled study

BACKGROUND

Chronic migraine (CM) is a debilitating neurological disorder with few treatment options. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) of the occipital nerves is a potentially promising therapy for CM patients.

METHODS

In this randomized, controlled multicenter study, patients diagnosed with CM were implanted with a neurostimulation device near the occipital nerves and randomized 2:1 to active (n = 105) or sham (n = 52) stimulation. The primary endpoint was a difference in the percentage of responders (defined as patients that achieved a ≥50% reduction in mean daily visual analog scale scores) in each group at 12 weeks.

RESULTS

There was not a significant difference in the percentage of responders in the Active compared with the Control group (95% lower confidence bound (LCB) of -0.06; p = 0.55). However, there was a significant difference in the percentage of patients that achieved a 30% reduction (p = 0.01). Importantly, compared with sham-treated patients, there were also significant differences in reduction of number of headache days (Active Group = 6.1, baseline = 22.4; Control Group = 3.0, baseline = 20.1; p = 0.008), migraine-related disability (p = 0.001) and direct reports of pain relief (p = 0.001). The most common adverse event was persistent implant site pain.

CONCLUSION

Although this study failed to meet its primary endpoint, this is the first large-scale study of PNS of the occipital nerves in CM patients that showed significant reductions in pain, headache days, and migraine-related disability. Additional controlled studies using endpoints that have recently been identified and accepted as clinically meaningful are warranted in this highly disabled patient population with a large unmet medical need.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical trials.gov (NCT00615342).

Relationship between the gut microbiome and brain function

It has become increasingly evident in recent years that the gut microbiome and the brain communicate in a bidirectional manner, with each possibly affecting the other's functions. Substantial research has aimed to understand the mechanisms of this interaction and to outline strategies for preventing or treating nervous system-related disturbances. This review explores the evidence demonstrating how the gut microbiome may affect brain function in adults, thereby having an impact on stress, anxiety, depression, and cognition. In vitro, in vivo, and human studies reporting an association between a change in the gut microbiome and functional changes in the brain are highlighted, as are studies outlining the mechanisms by which the brain affects the microbiome and the gastrointestinal tract. Possible modes of action to explain how the gut microbiome and the brain functionally affect each other are proposed. Supplemental probiotics to combat brain-related dysfunction offer a promising approach, provided future research elucidates their mode of action and possible side effects. Further studies are warranted to establish how pre- and probiotic interventions may help to balance brain function in healthy and diseased individuals.

Diagnosis of thoracic aortic dissection. Magnetic resonance imaging versus transesophageal echocardiography

BACKGROUND

Aortic dissection requires prompt and reliable diagnosis to reduce the high mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of both ECG-triggered magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography combined with color-coded Doppler flow imaging (TEE) for the diagnosis of thoracic aortic dissection and associated epiphenomena.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifty-three consecutive patients with clinically suspected aortic dissection were subjected to a dual noninvasive imaging protocol in random order; imaging results were compared and validated against the independent morphological "gold standard" of intraoperative findings (n = 27), necropsy (n = 7), and/or contrast angiography (n = 53). No serious side effects were encountered with either imaging method. In contrast to a precursory screening transthoracic echogram, the sensitivities of both MRI and TEE were 100% for detecting a dissection of the thoracic aorta irrespective of its location. The specificity of TEE, however, was lower than the specificity of MRI for a dissection (TEE, 68.2% versus MRI, 100%; p less than 0.005), which resulted mainly from false-positive TEE findings confined to the ascending segment of the aorta (TEE, 78.8% versus MRI, 100%; p less than 0.01). In addition, MRI proved to be more sensitive than TEE in detecting the formation of thrombus in the false lumen of both the aortic arch (p less than 0.01) and the descending segment of the aorta (p less than 0.05). There were no discrepancies between the two imaging techniques in detecting the site of entry to a dissection, aortic regurgitation, or pericardial effusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Both MRI and TEE are atraumatic, safe, and highly sensitive methods to identify and classify acute and subacute dissections of the entire thoracic aorta. TEE, however, is associated with lower specificity for lesions in the ascending aorta. These results may still favor TEE as a semi-invasive diagnostic procedure after a precursory screening transthoracic echogram in suspected aortic dissection, but they establish MRI as an excellent method to avoid false-positive findings. Anatomic mapping by MRI may emerge as the most comprehensive approach and morphological standard to guide surgical interventions.

TEAVIGOTM (Epigallocatechin Gallate) Supplementation Prevents Obesity in Rodents by Reducing Adipose Tissue Mass

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the antiobesity effects of TEAVIGO, a product providing the most abundant green tea catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), in a pure form. Two models of diet-induced obesity and an in vitro adipocyte differentiation assay were employed.

METHODS

Prevention and regression of diet-induced obesity by dietary supplementation with EGCG was studied in C57BL/6J mice and Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively. Expression of genes regulating lipid metabolism was assessed in adipose tissue. The effects of EGCG on adipocyte differentiation were investigated in vitro.

RESULTS

In C57BL/6J mice, EGCG supplementation prevented diet-induced increases in body weight and in fed state plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, and leptin. EGCG decreased subcutaneous and epididymal adipose tissue weights. Supplementation of EGCG reversed the established obesity in Sprague-Dawley rats. Fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 mRNA levels were markedly decreased in adipose tissue of EGCG-supplemented mice. EGCG dose dependently inhibited adipocyte differentiation in vitro.

CONCLUSION

This study shows for the first time that supplementation with the most abundant green tea polyphenol, EGCG, abolishes diet-induced obesity. This effect is at least partly mediated via a direct influence on adipose tissue. Thus, dietary supplementation with EGCG should be considered as a valuable natural treatment option for obesity.

Comprehensive processing, display and analysis for in vivo MR spectroscopic imaging

Image reconstruction for magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) requires specialized spatial and spectral data processing methods and benefits from the use of several sources of prior information that are not commonly available, including MRI-derived tissue segmentation, morphological analysis and spectral characteristics of the observed metabolites. In addition, incorporating information obtained from MRI data can enhance the display of low-resolution metabolite images and multiparametric and regional statistical analysis methods can improve detection of altered metabolite distributions. As a result, full MRSI processing and analysis can involve multiple processing steps and several different data types. In this paper, a processing environment is described that integrates and automates these data processing and analysis functions for imaging of proton metabolite distributions in the normal human brain. The capabilities include normalization of metabolite signal intensities and transformation into a common spatial reference frame, thereby allowing the formation of a database of MR-measured human metabolite values as a function of acquisition, spatial and subject parameters. This development is carried out under the MIDAS project (Metabolite Imaging and Data Analysis System), which provides an integrated set of MRI and MRSI processing functions. It is anticipated that further development and distribution of these capabilities will facilitate more widespread use of MRSI for diagnostic imaging, encourage the development of standardized MRSI acquisition, processing and analysis methods and enable improved mapping of metabolite distributions in the human brain.

Bioactive compounds: definition and assessment of activity

Biomarkers and their role in evaluating efficacy and safety were the topic of the 23rd Hohenheim Consensus Meeting at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart. Scientists who had published and reviewed scientific and regulatory papers on the topic were invited, among them basic researchers, toxicologists, clinicians, and nutritionists. The participants were presented with 11 questions (in bold font), which were discussed and answered (in italic font) at the workshop, with the aim of summarizing the current state of knowledge on the subject. The explicatory text accompanying the short answers was produced and agreed on after the conference and was backed up by corresponding references.

Prospective study of nosocomial pneumonia and of patient and circuit colonization during mechanical ventilation with circuit changes every 48 hours versus no change

Circuits on mechanical ventilators with cascade humidifiers are routinely changed every day or every other day, although humidifying cascades have been considered unlikely to increase the risk of respiratory infection because they do not generate aerosols. Moreover, changing ventilator tubings every 24 rather than every 48 h increases the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia. To study the effects of ventilator circuit changes on the rate of nosocomial pneumonia and on patient and circuit colonization, 73 consecutive patients requiring continuous mechanical ventilation for more than 48 h were randomly assigned to either ventilator circuit changes every 48 h (Group 1, n = 38) or no change (Group 2, n = 35). Patients dying or being weaned before 96 h were not analyzed (Group 1 n = 3; Group 2 n = 7; leaving Group 1 n = 35 and Group 2 n = 28; p = 0.13). Ventilator-associated pneumonia was defined as the occurrence during mechanical ventilation or within 48 h after weaning of a new and persistent infiltrate on chest X-ray, purulent tracheal secretions, and a positive culture of a protected brush specimen (greater than or equal to 10(3) cfu/ml). Bacterial colonization was assessed every 48 h by quantitative cultures of pharyngeal swab, tracheal aspirate, humidifying cascade, and expiratory tubing trap. The two groups were similar in terms of age, indication for and duration of ventilation, and severity of illness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prediction of Late Death or Disability at Age 5 Years Using a Count of 3 Neonatal Morbidities in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), serious brain injury, and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) as predictors of poor long-term outcome in very low birth weight infants.

STUDY DESIGN

We examined the associations between counts of the 3 morbidities and long-term outcomes in 1514 of 1791 (85%) infants with birth weights of 500-1250 g who were enrolled in the Caffeine for Apnea of Prematurity trial from October 1999, to October 2004, had complete morbidity data, and were alive at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). BPD was defined as use of supplemental oxygen at 36 weeks PMA. Serious brain injury on cranial ultrasound included grade 3 and 4 hemorrhage, cystic periventricular leucomalacia, porencephalic cysts, or ventriculomegaly of any cause. Poor long-term outcome was death after 36 weeks PMA or survival to 5 years with 1 or more of the following disabilities: motor impairment, cognitive impairment, behavior problems, poor general health, deafness, and blindness.

RESULTS

BPD, serious brain injury, and severe ROP occurred in 43%, 13%, and 6% of the infants, respectively. Each of the 3 morbidities was similarly and independently correlated with poor 5-year outcome. Rates of death or disability (95% CI) in children with none, any 1, any 2, and all 3 morbidities were 11.2% (9.0%-13.7%), 22.9% (19.6%-26.5%), 43.9% (35.5%-52.6%), and 61.5% (40.6%-79.8%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In very low birth weight infants who survive to 36 weeks PMA, a count of BPD, serious brain injury, and severe ROP predicts the risk of a late death or survival with disability at 5 years.

Vitamin D: a critical and essential micronutrient for human health

Vitamin D is a micronutrient that is needed for optimal health throughout the whole life. Vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol) can be either synthesized in the human skin upon exposure to the UV light of the sun, or it is obtained from the diet. If the photoconversion in the skin due to reduced sun exposure (e.g., in wintertime) is insufficient, intake of adequate vitamin D from the diet is essential to health. Severe vitamin D deficiency can lead to a multitude of avoidable illnesses; among them are well-known bone diseases like osteoporosis, a number of autoimmune diseases, many different cancers, and some cardiovascular diseases like hypertension are being discussed. Vitamin D is found naturally in only very few foods. Foods containing vitamin D include some fatty fish, fish liver oils, and eggs from hens that have been fed vitamin D and some fortified foods in countries with respective regulations. Based on geographic location or food availability adequate vitamin D intake might not be sufficient on a global scale. The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has collected the 25-hydroxy-vitamin D plasma levels in populations of different countries using published data and developed a global vitamin D map. This map illustrates the parts of the world, where vitamin D did not reach adequate 25-hydroxyvitamin D plasma levels: 6.7% of the papers report 25-hydroxyvitamin D plasma levels below 25 nmol/L, which indicates vitamin D deficiency, 37.3% are below 50 nmol/Land only 11.9% found 25-hydroxyvitamin D plasma levels above 75 nmol/L target as suggested by vitamin D experts. The vitamin D map is adding further evidence to the vitamin D insufficiency pandemic debate, which is also an issue in the developed world. Besides malnutrition, a condition where the diet does not match to provide the adequate levels of nutrients including micronutrients for growth and maintenance, we obviously have a situation where enough nutrients were consumed, but lacked to reach sufficient vitamin D micronutrient levels. The latter situation is known as hidden hunger. The inadequate vitamin D status impacts on health care costs, which in turn could result in significant savings, if corrected. Since little is known about the effects on the molecular level that accompany the pandemic like epigenetic imprinting, the insufficiency-triggered gene regulations or the genetic background influence on the body to maintain metabolic resilience, future research will be needed. The nutrition community is highly interested in the molecular mechanism that underlies the vitamin D insufficiency caused effect. In recent years, novel large scale technologies have become available that allow the simultaneous acquisition of transcriptome, epigenome, proteome, or metabolome data in cells of organs. These important methods are now used for nutritional approaches summarized in emerging scientific fields of nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, or nutriepigenetics. It is believed that with the help of these novel concepts further understanding can be generated to develop future sustainable nutrition solutions to safeguard nutrition security.

Relative effectiveness of oral 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and vitamin D3 in raising wintertime serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in older adults

BACKGROUND

The relative potency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to vitamin D3 needs to be better defined so that food-composition tables can better reflect the true vitamin D nutritive value of certain foods.

OBJECTIVE

We performed a randomized, controlled intervention study in apparently healthy, free-living adults to investigate whether the intake of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is 5 times more potent in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] during winter compared with an equivalent amount of vitamin D3.

DESIGN

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind intervention study was conducted in adults aged ≥50 y (n = 56) who consumed a placebo, 20 μg vitamin D3, or 7 or 20 μg 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 daily throughout 10 wk of winter. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by using an enzyme-linked immunoassay, and serum albumin-corrected calcium (S-Ca) was assessed colorimetrically at the baseline, midpoint, and endpoint of the study.

RESULTS

The mean (±SD) increases (per microgram of vitamin D compound) in serum 25(OH)D concentrations over baseline after 10 wk of supplementation were 0.96 ± 0.62, 4.02 ± 1.27, and 4.77 ± 1.04 nmol · L(-1) · μg intake(-1) for the 20-μg vitamin D3/d and 7- and 20-μg 25-hydroxyvitamin D3/d groups, respectively. A comparison of the 7- and 20-μg 25-hydroxyvitamin D3/d groups with the 20-μg vitamin D3/d group yielded conversion factors of 4.2 and 5, respectively. There was no effect of treatment on S-Ca concentrations and no incidence of hypercalcemia (S-Ca >2.6 nmol/L).

CONCLUSIONS

Each microgram of orally consumed 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was about 5 times more effective in raising serum 25(OH)D in older adults in winter than an equivalent amount of vitamin D3. This conversion factor could be used in food-compositional tables for relevant foods. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01398202.

Crystal structure of aurora-2, an oncogenic serine/threonine kinase

Aurora-2 is a key member of a closely related subgroup of serine/threonine kinases that plays important roles in the completion of essential mitotic events. Aurora-2 is oncogenic and amplified in various human cancers and could be an important therapeutic target for inhibitory molecules that would disrupt the cell cycle and block proliferation. We report the first crystal structure of Aurora-2 kinase in complex with adenosine. Analysis of residues in the active site suggests differences with structurally and biologically related protein kinases. The activation loop, which contains residues specific to the Aurora family of kinases, has a unique conformation. These results provide valuable insight into the design of selective and highly potent ATP-competitive inhibitors of the Aurora kinases.