Caroline Trapp
Feb 1, 2012; 25:38-44
Nutrition FYI

Telomeres are specific nucleoprotein structures that are located at the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes and play crucial roles in genomic stability. Telomere DNA consists of simple repeats of a short G-rich sequence: TTAGGG in mammals and TTTAGGG in most plants. In recent years, the mammalian telomeric G-rich repeats have been shown to form G-quadruplex (G4) structures, which are crucial for modulating telomere functions. Surprisingly, even though plant telomeres are essential for plant growth, development, and environmental adaptions, only few reports exist on plant telomeric G4 DNA (pTG4). Here, using bulk and single-molecule assays, including CD spectroscopy, and single-molecule FRET approaches, we comprehensively characterized the structure and dynamics of a typical plant telomeric sequence, d[GGG(TTTAGGG)3]. We found that this sequence can fold into mixed G4s in potassium, including parallel and antiparallel structures. We also directly detected intermediate dynamic transitions, including G-hairpin, parallel G-triplex, and antiparallel G-triplex structures. Moreover, we observed that pTG4 is unfolded by the AtRecQ2 helicase but not by AtRecQ3. The results of our work shed light on our understanding about the existence, topological structures, stability, intermediates, unwinding, and functions of pTG4.

(University of California - Santa Cruz) Restoration ecologist Karen Holl has a simple message for anyone who thinks planting 1 trillion trees will reverse the damage of climate change: 'We can't plant our way out of climate change.'

24 July 2019

Cyberattacks are increasingly challenging critical national infrastructure. This paper considers the security by design approach for civil nuclear power plants and analyses areas of risk and opportunities for the nuclear industry.

We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in a pediatric population and explore its feasibility during response assessment. Methods: This retrospective study included 28 pediatric transplant recipients who underwent a total of 32 ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans due to clinical suspicion of PTLD within an 8-year period. Pathology reports and 2-year follow-up were used as reference standard. Twenty-one response assessment ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans were re-evaluated according to the Lugano criteria. Results: The diagnosis of PTLD was established in 14 patients (49%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of PTLD in children with a clinical suspicion of this disease, was 50% (7/14), 100% (18/18), 100% (7/7), and 72% (18/25), respectively. False-negative results occurred in patients with PTLD in the Waldeyer’s ring, cervical lymph nodes or small bowel with either non-destructive or polymorphic PTLD. Two of 5 interim ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans and 3 of 9 end-of-treatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans were false-positive. Conclusion: ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT had good specificity and positive predictive value but low to moderate sensitivity and negative predictive value for the detection of PTLD in a 28 pediatric patient cohort with a clinical suspicion of this disease. False-negative results were confirmed in the Waldeyer’s ring, cervical lymph nodes and small bowel with either non-destructive or polymorphic PTLD subtypes. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT appears to have a limited role in the response assessment setting of pediatric PTLD, given the observed high proportions of false-positives both at interim and end-of-treatment evaluations.

Glycosylation is a common modification of proteins and critical for a wide range of biological processes. Differences in protein glycosylation between sexes have already been observed in humans, nematodes and trematodes, and have recently also been reported in the rice pest insect Nilaparvata lugens. Although protein N-glycosylation in insects is nowadays of high interest because of its potential for exploitation in pest control strategies, the functionality of differential N-glycosylation between sexes is yet unknown. In this study, therefore, the occurrence and role of sex-related protein N-glycosylation in insects were examined. A comprehensive investigation of the N-glycosylation sites from the adult stages of N. lugens was conducted, allowing a qualitative and quantitative comparison between sexes at the glycopeptide level. N-glycopeptide enrichment via lectin capturing using the high mannose/paucimannose-binding lectin Concanavalin A, or the Rhizoctonia solani agglutinin which interacts with complex N-glycans, resulted in the identification of over 1300 N-glycosylation sites derived from over 600 glycoproteins. Comparison of these N-glycopeptides revealed striking differences in protein N-glycosylation between sexes. Male- and female-specific N-glycosylation sites were identified, and some of these sex-specific N-glycosylation sites were shown to be derived from proteins with a putative role in insect reproduction. In addition, differential glycan composition between males and females was observed for proteins shared across sexes. Both lectin blotting experiments as well as transcript expression analyses with complete insects and insect tissues confirmed the observed differences in N-glycosylation of proteins between sexes. In conclusion, this study provides further evidence for protein N-glycosylation to be sex-related in insects. Furthermore, original data on N-glycosylation sites of N. lugens adults are presented, providing novel insights into planthopper's biology and information for future biological pest control strategies.

Inês Magro dos Reis
Apr 14, 2020; 0:jlr.RA120000632v1-jlr.RA120000632
Research Articles

Niemann–Pick type C1 (NPC1) disease is a rare genetic condition in which the function of the lysosomal cholesterol transporter NPC1 protein is impaired. Consequently, sphingolipids and cholesterol accumulate in lysosomes of all tissues, triggering a cascade of pathological events that culminate in severe systemic and neurological symptoms. Lysosomal cholesterol accumulation is also a key-factor in the development of atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In these two metabolic diseases, the administration of plant stanol esters has been shown to ameliorate cellular cholesterol accumulation and inflammation. Given the overlap of pathological mechanisms among atherosclerosis, NASH and NPC1 disease, we sought to investigate whether dietary supplementation with plant stanol esters improves the peripheral features of NPC1 disease. To this end, we used an NPC1 murine model featuring an Npc1 null allele (Npc1^nih), creating a dysfunctional NPC1 protein. Npc1^nih mice were fed a two or six percent plant stanol esters–enriched diet over the course of 5 weeks. During this period, hepatic and blood lipid and inflammatory profiles were assessed. Npc1^nih mice fed the plant stanol–enriched diet exhibited lower hepatic cholesterol accumulation, damage and inflammation than regular chow–fed Npc1^nih mice. Moreover, plant stanol consumption shifted circulating T-cells and monocytes in particular towards an anti-inflammatory profile. Overall, these effects were stronger following dietary supplementation with 6% stanols, suggesting a dose-dependent effect. The findings of our study highlight the potential use of plant stanols as an affordable complementary means to ameliorate disorders in hepatic and blood lipid metabolism and reduce inflammation in NPC1 disease.

Hypo-vascularised diabetic non-healing wounds are due to reduced number and impaired physiology of endogenous endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) population that, limits their recruitment and mobilization at the wound site. To enrich the EPC repertoire from non-endothelial precursors, abundantly available mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were reprogrammed into induced-endothelial cells (iECs). We identified cell signaling molecular targets by meta-analysis of microarray datasets. BMP-2 induction leads to the expression of inhibitory Smad 6/7-dependent negative transcriptional regulation of ID1, rendering the latter's reduced binding to TWIST1 during transdifferentiation of WJ-MSC into iEC. TWIST1, in turn, regulates endothelial genes transcription, positively of pro-angiogenic-KDR and negatively, in part, of anti-angiogenic-SFRP4. Twist1 reprogramming enhanced the endothelial lineage commitment of WJ-MSC, increased the vasculogenic potential of reprogrammed EC (rEC). Transplantation of stable TWIST1-rECs into full-thickness type 1 and 2 diabetic-splinted wound healing murine model enhanced the microcirculatory blood flow and accelerated the wound tissue regeneration. An increased or decreased co-localization of GFP with KDR/SFRP4 and CD31 in the regenerated diabetic wound bed with TWIST1 overexpression or silencing (piLenti-TWIST1-shRNA-GFP), respectively further confirmed improved neovascularization. This study depicted the reprogramming of WJ-MSCs into rECs using unique transcription factors, TWIST1 for an efficacious cell transplantation therapy to induce neovascularization–mediated diabetic wound tissue regeneration.

Fruit Plant Original Pelangsing Badan Herbal terbuat dari Sayuran Dan Buah-Buahan Berkualitas Tinggi Mampu Menjadikan Sehat Serta Langsing Secara Cepat

The host environment is a crucial factor for considering the transplant of stem cell–derived immature pancreatic cells in patients with type 1 diabetes. Here, we investigated the effect of insulin (INS)-deficient diabetes on the fate of immature pancreatic endocrine cell grafts and the underlying mechanisms. Human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived pancreatic endocrine progenitor cells (EPCs), which contained a high proportion of chromogranin A⁺ NK6 homeobox 1⁺ cells and very few INS⁺ cells, were used. When the EPCs were implanted under the kidney capsule in immunodeficient mice, INS-deficient diabetes accelerated increase in plasma human C-peptide, a marker of graft-derived INS secretion. The acceleration was suppressed by INS infusion but not affected by partial attenuation of hyperglycemia by dapagliflozin, an INS-independent glucose-lowering agent. Immunohistochemical analyses indicated that the grafts from diabetic mice contained more endocrine cells including proliferative INS-producing cells compared with that from nondiabetic mice, despite no difference in whole graft mass between the two groups. These data suggest that INS-deficient diabetes upregulates the INS-secreting capacity of EPC grafts by increasing the number of endocrine cells including INS-producing cells without changing the graft mass. These findings provide useful insights into postoperative diabetic care for cell therapy using stem cell–derived pancreatic cells.

HYDERABAD, India (AP) — A gas leak at a chemical factory owned by a South Korean company in southern India early Thursday left at least 11 people dead and about 1,000 struggling to breathe. The chemical styrene, used to make plastic and...

Renal transplantation improves quantity and quality of life compared with chronic dialysis. A UK general practice with 8000 patients will have around four patients with a functioning renal transplant, one patient on the transplant waiting list, and several under consideration for transplantation. Many medical problems in renal transplant...

bmj;369/may07_6/m1803/FAF1faPhoto credit: Abbas GhazanfarOn 25 March Adil El-Tayar, a renowned organ transplantation specialist, became the first working NHS surgeon to die from covid-19 in hospital...

OBJECTIVE

In patients with type 1 diabetes and end-stage renal disease, it is controversial whether a simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation improves survival compared with kidney transplantation alone. We compared long-term survival in SPK and living- or deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE

Reparixin is an inhibitor of CXCR1/2 chemokine receptor shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory adjuvant in a pilot clinical trial in allotransplant recipients.

Bernhard J. Hering
Jul 1, 2016; 39:1230-1240
Emerging Technologies and Therapeutics

Franca B. Barton
Jul 1, 2012; 35:1436-1445
Diabetes Care Symposium

At least eight people died and hundreds were hospitalized after toxic gas leaked from a chemical factory in southern India early Thursday, officials said.

Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine opened Dec. 5 its Center for Implant and Digital Technology, which will serve as a state-of-the-art space for digital dentistry-focused education, patient care and research.

Chevron bought a Houston refinery for $350 million from Petrobras that had cost the Brazilian state oil company over $1.2 billion little over a decade earlier.

Nearly 5,000 workers in 115 meat processing workers across 19 states have been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to figures released Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This recipe was featured on Foodie Tuesday, a weekly segment with Raf Epstein on Drive, 774 ABC Melbourne, 3:30 PM, courtesy of Alice in Frames. www.aliceinframes.com

This recipe features on Foodie Tuesday, a weekly segment on 774 Drive with Raf Epstein, 3.30PM, courtesy of Justine Schofield. Justine's latest book is "Dinner With Justine".

Caterpillars -- Australia, Southern -- Identification -- Pictorial works.

London : J. Murray, 1877.