The effects of organic solvents and temperature on the desorption of yeast 3-phosphoglycerate kinase from immunoadsorbent.

Physicochemical parameters governing the elution of yeast 3-phosphoglycerate kinase from its immunoadsorbent were studied. Non-denaturing elution conditions were determined (alkali medium containing 50%, v/v, ethylene glycol) and the method was applied to one-step isolation of enzyme from a crude yeast preparation.     

Comparative study of invertebrate actins: Antigenic cross-reactivity versus sequence variability

Summary The immunological similarities or differences between various actins from muscles of invertebrates were investigated. We elicited antibodies to actin purified from the adductor muscle of the mollusc,Pecten maximus. The antiserum comprised a major population that was specific for the N-terminal extremity of this isoform. This antibody population was used together with other antibodies specific for various domains on the surface of skeletal muscle actin to compare seven actins from invertebrate muscles. The N-terminal extremity showed close homologies between invertebrates (except for Crustacea) but differences were observed with vertebrate skeletal and cytoplasmic actins. In contrast, sequence 18–28, which constitutes part of the myosin interaction domain, appears to be conserved in all actins studied. Other regions (sequences 40–113, 168–226 and 285–375) presented a variable behaviour depending on the particular invertebrate species.     

Desirable intakes of polyunsaturated fatty acids in Indonesian adults

A Indonesian Advisory Group on Fatty Acid Nutrition and Health was established in 2004 to consider the increasing incidence of nutritionally-related cardiovascular disease in Indonesia. Emerging international recommendations, often focused on dietary fat and may not have been relevant to the national situation. Traditional dietary patterns were apparently protective against ischaemic heart disease often with fat derived dominantly from a particular source like coconut, soy, peanut or fish. These fats were used in ways which promoted the use of potentially cardioprotective foods like legumes, vegetables, fruits and aquatic food. Optimal intakes of polyunsaturated fatty acids in Indonesia are likely to reflect both absolute intakes and the relationships between n-3 and n-6 fatty acids of longer chain lengths. This leaves some issues for active and continuing review, like the intakes of trans fatty acids, and the regulatory and food labelling implications. Some studies underway and others which need implementation will enable the Advisory Group to prepare a second report with more basis in Indonesian evidence. In the meantime, the Advisory Group has recommended that the AHA (American Heart Association) and ISSFAL (International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids) recommendations obtain until the end of 2007.     

Comparison of body compositional indices assessed by underwater weighing, bioelectrical impedance and anthropometry in Indonesian adolescent girls

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the accuracy of bioelectric impedance analysis and anthropometry to assess percentage body fat (BF %) against underwater weighing (UW). DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross sectional study, 102 girls, aged 11-15, were recruited from two Junior High Schools in Jakarta. MEASUREMENTS: Measurements of percent-age body fat (BF%) using underwater weighing (UW), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), Tanita BIA, body mass index (BMI) and skinfold equations. RESULTS: Correlation between different methods was significant (p < 0.001). The mean difference of BF % from BIA, Tanita, BMI and skinfold compared to UW were 1.87 +/- 3.14, -3.46 +/- 3.28, 1.57 +/- 2.90 and -0.360 +/- 3.09, respectively. Assessments between UW and other methods were significantly different (p < 0.0001) except for skinfolds (p = 0.3031). CONCLUSION: The results between UW and other methods was significantly different, except for skinfolds. There was overestimation and underestimation of BF%. The agreement between skinfold measurement and underwater weighing was also influenced by menarche status.     

The Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC): Recommendations on Best Practices for Cervical Neurostimulation

IntroductionThe International Neuromodulation Society convened a multispecialty group of physicians based on expertise with international representation to establish evidence-based guidance on the use of neurostimulation in the cervical region to improve outcomes. This Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) project intends to provide evidence-based guidance for an often-overlooked area of neurostimulation practice.Materials and MethodsAuthors were chosen based upon their clinical expertise, familiarity with the peer-reviewed literature, research productivity, and contributions to the neuromodulation literature. Section leaders supervised literature searches of MEDLINE, BioMed Central, Current Contents Connect, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed from 2017 (when NACC last published guidelines) to the present. Identified studies were graded using the US Preventive Services Task Force criteria for evidence and certainty of net benefit. Recommendations are based on the strength of evidence or consensus when evidence was scant.ResultsThe NACC examined the published literature and established evidence- and consensus-based recommendations to guide best practices. Additional guidance will occur as new evidence is developed in future iterations of this process.ConclusionsThe NACC recommends best practices regarding the use of cervical neuromodulation to improve safety and efficacy. The evidence- and consensus-based recommendations should be utilized as a guide to assist decision making when clinically appropriate.     

FGF21 is required for the metabolic benefits of IKKε/TBK1 inhibition

The protein kinases IKKε and TBK1 are activated in liver and fat in mouse models of obesity. We have previously demonstrated that treatment with the IKKε/TBK1 inhibitor amlexanox produces weight loss and relieves insulin resistance in obese animals and patients. While amlexanox treatment caused a transient reduction in food intake, long-term weight loss was attributable to increased energy expenditure via FGF21-dependent beiging of white adipose tissue (WAT). Amlexanox increased FGF21 synthesis and secretion in several tissues. Interestingly, although hepatic secretion determined circulating levels, it was dispensable for regulating energy expenditure. In contrast, adipocyte-secreted FGF21 may have acted as an autocrine factor that led to adipose tissue browning and weight loss in obese mice. Moreover, increased energy expenditure was an important determinant of improved insulin sensitivity by amlexanox. Conversely, the immediate reductions in fasting blood glucose observed with acute amlexanox treatment were mediated by the suppression of hepatic glucose production via activation of STAT3 by adipocyte-secreted IL-6. These findings demonstrate that amlexanox improved metabolic health via FGF21 action in adipocytes to increase energy expenditure via WAT beiging and that adipocyte-derived IL-6 has an endocrine role in decreasing gluconeogenesis via hepatic STAT3 activation, thereby producing a coordinated improvement in metabolic parameters.     

Using a cervical spine cage to reconstruct malunited fibular fractures

Purpose

Anatomical reduction and fixation of unstable ankle fractures is necessary to prevent post-traumatic arthritis. Malunion of the distal fibula in unstable ankle fractures can lead to late degenerative changes of the ankle. Late reconstruction of the ankle can improve its function and postpone the need for ankle fusion or replacement.

Methods

We discuss three patients who presented with fibular malunion. All developed medial gutter opening, syndesmotic widening, and lateral shift and/or talar tilt. Surgery involved an anteromedial approach to clean the medial gutter, an anterolateral approach to clean the syndesmotic interval, elongation of the fibula by six to eight millimetres and stabilisation with a cervical spine cage and a locked plate.

Results

After one year, all patients had radiologically demonstrated reduction of the talus in the mortise. Improved function was recorded at final follow up. The cage provides several advantages over other fixation methods, including osteoconductive properties, avoiding bone graft donor site morbidity, and the range of sizes allows the surgeon to adjust the amount of elongation.

Conclusions

Using spinal cages to treat malunited fibula fractures has several advantages compared to bone graft and good results can be expected.