Persistence of colonization of intestinal mucosa by a probiotic strain,Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus Lcr35, after oral consumption

The colonization by the probiotic Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus Lcr35 of the gastrointestinal tracts of mice and humans was studied. The mice were orally given 10(9) CFU of Lcr35 either once or three times at 24-h intervals. A 16S ribosomal nucleic probe used in hybridization assays detected Lcr35 in the feces of mice for up to 3 days after the feeding, at a level of 10(8) to 10(9) CFU/g of feces. In the human assay, 12 healthy volunteers were enrolled in a randomized trial and ingested Lcr35 at a dosage of 10(8) or 10(10) or 10(12) CFU every day for 7 days. Then, after a 3-week posttreatment period, there was a second intake period similar to the first one. Analysis of fecal samples showed significant increases in the number of lactobacilli during the first intake period, whatever the dose given. The greatest increases were observed in subjects harboring the lowest indigenous population of Lcr35-like bacteria. During the 3-week posttreatment period, the number of CFU slightly decreased over time, and an increase, although not a statistically significant one, was observed during the second test period. These findings suggest that Lcr35 is able to survive within the gastrointestinal tract.     

Low molecular weight poly(imide-amide)s obtained by copolycondensation of 4,4′-methylenedi(phenyl isocyanate), trimellitic anhydride and benzoic acid in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 3. Absolute number-average molecular weights and glass transition temperatures

In depth study of low molecular weight poly(imide-amide)s (PIA) obtained by copolycondensation of 4,4′-methylenedi(phenyl isocyanate), trimellitic anhydride and benzoic acid by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and size-exclusion chromatography allows the determination of their absolute number-average molecular weights M?_{n, abs}. Viscosimetric measurements reveal that, dissolved in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, these low molecular weight PIAs should be semi-rigid because of the presence of very short crystalline chains. By using the semi-empirical Fox-Flory relation, the extrapolated glass transition temperature equals 300°C for high molecular weight.     

Impact of a patient education program on adherence to HIV medication: a randomized clinical trial

Patients' knowledge of their HIV condition and its treatment, which has been recognized as a factor that influences adherence to antiretroviral therapy, can be improved through educational programs. This prospective, randomized, controlled trial compared an experimental group that participated in an educational program and a control group with standard care. The study evaluated the impact of an educational intervention on adherence to antiretroviral therapy, patients' knowledge, quality of life, and therapeutic response in patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy. Three hundred twenty-six patients were analyzed at inclusion. A higher level of adherence was associated with patients who were older, had higher incomes, and did not smoke. CD4 cell count and plasma viral load were correlated with adherence at entry. The educational intervention had an impact on adherence and knowledge in the experimental group at 6 months, which was maintained at 12 and 18 months. A delayed increase in adherence was observed in the control group at 12 months. No significant impact on quality of life was observed over time. The patients' health status improved in 56% of the experimental group subjects and 50% of the control subjects. However, no significant impact was shown on CD4 cell count and plasma viral load. This study shows that an educational intervention improves adherence to antiretroviral regimens and health status and suggests that it should be initiated early in therapy.     

Novel OCTN2 mutations: No genotype–phenotype correlations: Early carnitine therapy prevents cardiomyopathy

Primary systemic carnitine deficiency or carnitine uptake defect (OMIM 212140) is a potentially lethal, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by progressive infantile‐onset cardiomyopathy, weakness, and recurrent hypoglycemic hypoketotic encephalopathy, which is highly responsive to L ‐carnitine therapy. Molecular analysis of the SLC22A5 (OCTN2) gene, encoding the high‐affinity carnitine transporter, was done in 11 affected individuals by direct nucleotide sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products from all 10 exons. Carnitine uptake (at Km of 5 μM) in cultured skin fibroblasts ranged from 1% to 20% of normal controls. Eleven mutations (delF23, N32S, and one 11‐bp duplication in exon 1; R169W in exon 3; a donor splice mutation [IVS3+1 G > A] in intron 3; frameshift mutations in exons 5 and 6; Y401X in exon 7; T440M, T468R and S470F in exon 8) are described. There was no correlation between residual uptake and severity of clinical presentation, suggesting that the wide phenotypic variability is likely related to exogenous stressors exacerbating carnitine deficiency. Most importantly, strict compliance with carnitine from birth appears to prevent the phenotype. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Galectin-1 is overexpressed in nasal polyps under budesonide and inhibits eosinophil migration

Because of the importance of galectins for various cellular activities, the influence of the glucocorticoid budesonide on the level of expression of galectins-1 and -3 was investigated in human nasal polyposis. Ten nasal polyps obtained from surgical resection were maintained for 24 hours in the presence of various concentrations of budesonide. As quantitatively demonstrated by means of computer-assisted microscopy, 250 ng/ml (the highest dose tested) induced a pronounced increase of galectin-1 expression. This feature was observed in nasal polyps from allergic patients but not in those from nonallergic patients. Since eosinophils represent the main inflammatory cell population in nasal polyps, we investigated the effect of galectin-1 on their migration levels by means of quantitative phase-contrast computer-assisted videomicroscopy. Our results show that galectin-1 (coated on plastic supports) markedly reduced the migration levels of eosinophils in comparison to P-selectin. On the cellular level, marked modifications in the polymerization/depolymerization dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton (as revealed by means of computer-assisted fluorescence microscopy) and, to a much lesser extent, an increase in the adhesiveness of eosinophils to tested substrata were detectable. The present study therefore reveals a new galectin-1-mediated mechanism of action for glucocorticoid-mediated anti-inflammatory effects.     

No Association between SNP rs498055 on Chromosome 10 and Late-Onset Alzheimer Disease in Multiple Datasets

SNP rs498055 in the predicted gene LOC439999 on chromosome 10 was recently identified as being strongly associated with late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD). This SNP falls within a chromosomal region that has engendered continued interest generated from both preliminary genetic linkage and candidate gene studies. To independently evaluate this interesting candidate SNP we examined four independent datasets, three family-based and one case-control. All the cases were late-onset AD Caucasian patients with minimum age at onset ≥ 60 years. None of the three family samples or the combined family-based dataset showed association in either allelic or genotypic family-based association tests at p < 0.05. Both original and OSA two-point LOD scores were calculated. However, there was no evidence indicating linkage no matter what covariates were applied (the highest LOD score was 0.82). The case-control dataset did not demonstrate any association between this SNP and AD (all p-values > 0.52). Our results do not confirm the previous association, but are consistent with a more recent negative association result that used family-based association tests to examine the effect of this SNP in two family datasets. Thus we conclude that rs498055 is not associated with an increased risk of LOAD.     

Novel FARS2 variants in patients with early onset encephalopathy with or without epilepsy associated with long survival

Mitochondrial translation is essential for the biogenesis of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) that synthesizes the bulk of ATP for the cell. Hypomorphic and loss-of-function variants in either mitochondrial DNA or in nuclear genes that encode mitochondrial translation factors can result in impaired OXPHOS biogenesis and mitochondrial diseases with variable clinical presentations. Compound heterozygous or homozygous missense and frameshift variants in the FARS2 gene, that encodes the mitochondrial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase, are commonly linked to either early-onset epileptic mitochondrial encephalopathy or spastic paraplegia. Here, we expand the genetic spectrum of FARS2-linked disease with three patients carrying novel compound heterozygous variants in the FARS2 gene and presenting with spastic tetraparesis, axial hypotonia and myoclonic epilepsy in two cases.Subject terms: Metabolic disorders, Mutation     

Identification and characterization of a Neospora caninum microneme-associated protein (NcMIC4) that exhibits unique lactose-binding properties

Microneme proteins have been shown to play an important role in the early phase of host cell adhesion, by mediating the contact between the parasite and host cell surface receptors. In this study we have identified and characterized a lectin-like protein of Neospora caninum tachyzoites which was purified by alpha-lactose-agarose affinity chromatography. Upon separation by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, this lactose-binding protein migrated at 70 and 55 kDa under reducing and nonreducing conditions, respectively. Immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy with affinity-purified antibodies showed that the protein was associated with the tachyzoite micronemes. Mass spectrometry analyses and expressed sequence tag database mining revealed that this protein is a member of the Neospora microneme protein family; the protein was named NcMIC4 (N. caninum microneme protein 4). Upon two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, NcMIC4 separated into seven distinct isoforms. Incubation of extracellular parasites at 37 degrees C resulted in the secretion of NcMIC4 into the medium as a soluble protein, and the secreted protein exhibited a slightly reduced M(r) but retained its lactose-binding properties. Immunofluorescence was used to investigate the temporal and spatial distribution of NcMIC4 in tachyzoites entering their host cells and showed that reexpression of NcMIC4 took place 30 min after entry into the host cell. Incubation of secreted fractions and purified NcMIC4 with Vero cells demonstrated binding of NcMIC4 to Vero cells as well as binding to chondroitin sulfate A glycosaminoglycans.     

SOST expression is restricted to the great arteries during embryonic and neonatal cardiovascular development.

Spatial-temporal regulation of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Wnt activity is essential for normal cardiovascular development, and altered activity of these growth factors causes maldevelopment of the cardiac outflow tract and great arteries. In the present study, we show that SOST, a Dan family member reported to antagonize BMP and Wnt activity, is expressed within the medial vessel wall of the great arteries containing smooth muscle cells. The ascending aorta, aortic arch, brachiocephalic artery, common carotids, and pulmonary trunk were all associated with SOST expressing smooth muscle cells, while the heart itself, including the valves, and more distal arteries, that is, pulmonary arteries, subclavian arteries, and descending aorta, were negative. SOST was expressed from embryonic day 15.5 up to the neonatal period. SOST expression, however, did not correspond with inhibition of Smad-dependent BMP activity or beta-catenin-dependent Wnt activity in the great arteries. Activity of both signaling pathways was already down-regulated before induction of SOST expression.