Diverse microbial signatures within the intestinal microbiota have been associated with intestinal and systemic inflammatory diseases, but whether these candidate microbes actively modulate host ...phenotypes or passively expand within the altered microbial ecosystem is frequently not known. Here we demonstrate that colonization of mice with a member of the genus Prevotella, which has been previously associated to colitis in mice, exacerbates intestinal inflammation. Our analysis revealed that Prevotella intestinalis alters composition and function of the ecosystem resulting in a reduction of short-chain fatty acids, specifically acetate, and consequently a decrease in intestinal IL-18 levels during steady state. Supplementation of IL-18 to Prevotella-colonized mice was sufficient to reduce intestinal inflammation. Hence, we conclude that intestinal Prevotella colonization results in metabolic changes in the microbiota, which reduce IL-18 production and consequently exacerbate intestinal inflammation, and potential systemic autoimmunity.
When Temptations Come Alive HUR, JULIA D.; KOO, MINJUNG; HOFMANN, WILHELM
The Journal of consumer research,
08/2015, Letnik:
42, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
We examine how anthropomorphizing a temptation impacts consumer self-control. Six studies show that anthropomorphizing a tempting product impairs self-control not by boosting desire strength but by ...decreasing consumers’ experience of conflict toward consuming the product—an alarm that signals a need for self-control. As a result, consumers are less likely to initiate self-control and are more likely to indulge in the product. This process occurs because an anthropomorphized product acts as another agent in the self-control dilemma, which decreases the extent to which consumers attribute the cause of and responsibility for their consumption to themselves (i.e., internal attribution).
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to cardiac (patho)physiology. Aging is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease with cardiomyocyte apoptosis as one underlying cause. Here, we report ...the identification of the aging-regulated lncRNA Sarrah (ENSMUST00000140003) that is anti-apoptotic in cardiomyocytes. Importantly, loss of SARRAH (OXCT1-AS1) in human engineered heart tissue results in impaired contractile force development. SARRAH directly binds to the promoters of genes downregulated after SARRAH silencing via RNA-DNA triple helix formation and cardiomyocytes lacking the triple helix forming domain of Sarrah show an increase in apoptosis. One of the direct SARRAH targets is NRF2, and restoration of NRF2 levels after SARRAH silencing partially rescues the reduction in cell viability. Overexpression of Sarrah in mice shows better recovery of cardiac contractile function after AMI compared to control mice. In summary, we identified the anti-apoptotic evolutionary conserved lncRNA Sarrah, which is downregulated by aging, as a regulator of cardiomyocyte survival.
The obligate anaerobe, spore forming bacterium
(formerly
) causes nosocomial and community acquired diarrhea often associated with antibiotic therapy. Major virulence factors of the bacterium are the ...two large clostridial toxins TcdA and TcdB. The production of both toxins was found strongly connected to the metabolism and the nutritional status of the growth environment. Here, we systematically investigated the changes of the gene regulatory, proteomic and metabolic networks of
630Δ
underlying the adaptation to the non-growing state in the stationary phase. Integrated data from time-resolved transcriptome, proteome and metabolome investigations performed under defined growth conditions uncovered multiple adaptation strategies. Overall changes in the cellular processes included the downregulation of ribosome production, lipid metabolism, cold shock proteins, spermine biosynthesis, and glycolysis and in the later stages of riboflavin and coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis. In contrast, different chaperones, several fermentation pathways, and cysteine, serine, and pantothenate biosynthesis were found upregulated. Focusing on the Stickland amino acid fermentation and the central carbon metabolism, we discovered the ability of
to replenish its favored amino acid cysteine by a pathway starting from the glycolytic 3-phosphoglycerate via L-serine as intermediate. Following the growth course, the reductive equivalent pathways used were sequentially shifted from proline via leucine/phenylalanine to the central carbon metabolism first to butanoate fermentation and then further to lactate fermentation. The toxin production was found correlated mainly to fluxes of the central carbon metabolism. Toxin formation in the supernatant was detected when the flux changed from butanoate to lactate synthesis in the late stationary phase. The holistic view derived from the combination of transcriptome, proteome and metabolome data allowed us to uncover the major metabolic strategies that are used by the clostridial cells to maintain its cellular homeostasis and ensure survival under starvation conditions.
We report the frequent, convergent loss of two genes encoding the substrate-binding protein and the ATP-binding protein of an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter from the genomes of unrelated
...strains. This specific genomic deletion was strongly associated with the reduced uptake of tyrosine and phenylalanine and production of derived Stickland fermentation products, including
-cresol, suggesting that the affected ABC transporter had been responsible for the import of aromatic amino acids. In contrast, the transporter gene loss did not measurably affect bacterial growth or production of enterotoxins. Phylogenomic analysis of publically available genome sequences indicated that this transporter gene deletion had occurred multiple times in diverse clonal lineages of
, with a particularly high prevalence in ribotype
isolates, where 48 of 195 genomes (25%) were affected. The transporter gene deletion likely was facilitated by the repetitive structure of its genomic location. While at least some of the observed transporter gene deletions are likely to have occurred during the natural life cycle of
, we also provide evidence for the emergence of this mutation during long-term laboratory cultivation of reference strain R20291.
The thermoacidophilic Crenarchaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus is a model organism for archaeal adaptation to extreme environments and renowned for its ability to degrade a broad variety of substrates. ...It has been well characterised concerning the utilisation of numerous carbohydrates as carbon source. However, its amino acid metabolism, especially the degradation of single amino acids, is not as well understood. In this work, we performed metabolic modelling as well as metabolome, transcriptome and proteome analysis on cells grown on caseinhydrolysate as carbon source in order to draw a comprehensive picture of amino acid metabolism in S. solfataricus P2. We found that 10 out of 16 detectable amino acids are imported from the growth medium. Overall, uptake of glutamate, methionine, leucine, phenylalanine and isoleucine was the highest of all observed amino acids. Our simulations predict an incomplete degradation of leucine and tyrosine to organic acids, and in accordance with this, we detected the export of branched‐chain and aromatic organic acids as well as amino acids, ammonium and trehalose into the culture supernatants. The branched‐chain amino acids as well as phenylalanine and tyrosine are degraded to organic acids via oxidative Stickland reactions. Such reactions are known for prokaryotes capable of anaerobic growth, but so far have never been observed in an obligate aerobe. Also, 3‐methyl‐2‐butenoate and 2‐methyl‐2‐butenoate are for the first time found as products of modified Stickland reactions for the degradation of branched‐chain amino acids. This work presents the first detailed description of branched‐chain and aromatic amino acid catabolism in S. solfataricus.
Sulfolobus solfataricus is a thermoacidophilic model organism for archaeal adaptation to extreme environments. We examined the organism's amino acid catabolism using metabolic modelling, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics analysis. For the first time in an obligate aerobe, we observed the incomplete degradation of branched‐chain and aromatic amino acids to organic acids via oxidative Stickland reactions and propose the relevant enzyme candidates.
Dermatoscopy of genital warts Dong, Huiting, MD, DMSc; Shu, Dan, MD; Campbell, Terri M., BBmed Sc (Hons) ...
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology,
05/2011, Letnik:
64, Številka:
5
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Background Genital warts may mimic a variety of conditions, thus complicating their diagnosis and treatment. The recognition of early flat lesions presents a diagnostic challenge. Objective We sought ...to describe the dermatoscopic features of genital warts, unveiling the possibility of their diagnosis by dermatoscopy. Methods Dermatoscopic patterns of 61 genital warts from 48 consecutively enrolled male patients were identified with their frequencies being used as main outcome measures. Results The lesions were examined dermatoscopically and further classified according to their dermatoscopic pattern. The most frequent finding was an unspecific pattern, which was found in 15/61 (24.6%) lesions; a fingerlike pattern was observed in 7 (11.5%), a mosaic pattern in 6 (9.8%), and a knoblike pattern in 3 (4.9%) cases. In almost half of the lesions, pattern combinations were seen, of which a fingerlike/knoblike pattern was the most common, observed in 11/61 (18.0%) cases. Among the vascular features, glomerular, hairpin/dotted, and glomerular/dotted vessels were the most frequent finding seen in 22 (36.0%), 15 (24.6%), and 10 (16.4%) of the 61 cases, respectively. In 10 (16.4%) lesions no vessels were detected. Hairpin vessels were more often seen in fingerlike (χ2 = 39.31, P = .000) and glomerular/dotted vessels in knoblike/mosaic (χ2 = 9.97, P = .008) pattern zones; vessels were frequently missing in unspecified (χ2 = 8.54, P = .014) areas. Limitations Only male patients were examined. Conclusions There is a correlation between dermatoscopic patterns and vascular features reflecting the life stages of genital warts; dermatoscopy may be useful in the diagnosis of early-stage lesions.
Objective To establish a hospital-based nocturnal hemodialysis (NHD) program for children and adolescents. Study design Sixteen patients (age, 0.5 to 17 years) were prospectively included. ...Uremia-associated measures as well as amount and dosage of medication were enumerated. Quality of life also was evaluated. Results were compared with data of the same patients on conventional hemodialysis and with matched control subjects (conventional HD). Results NHD was well tolerated. Median Kt/V values increased. Predialytic mean arterial pressure, urea, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone levels decreased. There was an increase in protein catabolic rate. Dietary and fluid restrictions could be lifted. Amount and dosage of phosphate and potassium binders and antihypertensive medication could be reduced. Quality of life improved and days of absence from school decreased in all patients. Conclusions In addition to a better control of uremia-associated measures, NHD allows free dietary and fluid intake and improves patient well-being. Given the continuing shortage of donor organs for kidney transplantation and the high morbidity and mortality on conventional HD, intensified dialysis regimens are a much-needed therapeutic option.
Objectives To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and behavior of triplets compared with matched singletons at adolescent age and to identify medical and sociodemographic predictors of ...outcome. Study design Fifty-four triplets (19 sets, mean SD gestational age 32.0 2.4 weeks, birth weight 1580 450 g) and 51 gestational age-, birth weight-, and sex-matched singleton controls self-rated their HRQoL at age 14.5 (0.3) years. Proxy reports about HRQoL and behavior were obtained by parents and teachers. HRQoL was measured with the Kidscreen-52 questionnaire child and parent form, and behavior with the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist. Results Self- and parent-reported HRQoL values was similar in both groups except for the dimensions “mood and emotions” and “autonomy,” which were better ( P = .001, P = .03) in triplets. Parents reported significantly less behavioral problems in triplets compared with controls. Compared with community norms, both HRQoL and behavior measures in triplets were in the normal range. Parent-reported HRQoL was predicted by dichorionicity. Conclusions HRQoL and behavioral outcome in adolescent triplets was good in our study and was, in some aspects, better than in matched singleton controls. Dichorionicity is an important outcome determinant.
Objective The majority of wound infections after median sternotomy in obese patients are triggered by the breakdown of skin sutures and subsequent seepage of skin flora. The purpose of this study was ...to evaluate negative pressure wound dressing treatment for the prevention of infection. We hypothesized that negative pressure wound dressing treatment for 6 to 7 days applied immediately after skin closure reduces the numbers of wound infections. Methods In a prospective study, 150 consecutive obese patients (body mass index ≥ 30) with cardiac surgery performed via median sternotomy were analyzed. In the negative pressure wound dressing treatment group (n = 75), a foam dressing (Prevena, KCI, Wiesbaden, Germany) was placed immediately after skin suturing, and negative pressure of −125 mm Hg was applied for 6 to 7 days. In the control group (n = 75), conventional wound dressings were used. The primary end point was wound infection within 90 days. Mann–Whitney U test and Fisher exact test were used. Freedom from infection was estimated by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results Three of 75 patients (4%) with continuous negative pressure wound dressing treatment had wound infections compared with 12 of 75 patients (16%) with conventional sterile wound dressing ( P = .0266; odds ratio, 4.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-16.94). Wound infections with Gram-positive skin flora were found in only 1 patient in the negative pressure wound dressing treatment group compared with 10 patients in the control group ( P = .0090; odds ratio, 11.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-91.36). Conclusions Negative pressure wound dressing treatment over clean, closed incisions for the first 6 to 7 postoperative days significantly reduces the incidence of wound infection after median sternotomy in a high-risk group of obese patients.
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