Edible Azorean macroalgae as source of rich nutrients with impact on human health

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Risk of colorectal cancer associated with the C677T polymorphism in 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase in Portuguese patients depends on the intake of methyl-donor nutrients

Background: Polymorphisms located in genes involved in the metabolism of folate and some methyl-related nutrients are implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC). Objective: We evaluated the association of 3 genetic polymorphisms [C677T MTHFR (methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase), A2756G MTR (methionine synthase), and C1420T SHMT (serine hydroxymethyltransferase)] with the intake of methyl-donor nutrients in CRC risk. Design: Patients withCRC(n 196) and healthy controls (n 200) matched for age and sex were evaluated for intake of methyl-donor nutrients and the 3 polymorphisms. Results: Except for folate intake, which was significantly lower in patients (P 0.02), no differences were observed in the dietary intake of other methyl-donor nutrients between groups. High intake of folate ( 406.7 g/d) was associated with a significantly lower risk of CRC (odds ratio: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.99). The A2756G MTR polymorphism was not associated with the risk of developing CRC. In contrast, homozygosity for the C677TMTHFRvariant (TT) presented a 3.0-fold increased risk of CRC (95% CI: 1.3, 6.7). Similarly, homozygosity for the C1420T SHMT polymorphism also had a 2.6-fold increased risk (95% CI: 1.1, 5.9) of developing CRC. When interactions between variables were studied, low intake of all methyl-donor nutrients was associated with an increased risk ofCRC in homozygous participants for the C677T MTHFR polymorphism, but a statistically significant interaction was only observed for folate (odds ratio: 14.0; 95% CI: 1.8, 108.5). No significant associations were seen for MTR or SHMT polymorphisms. Conclusion: These results show an association between the C677T MTHFR variant and different folate intakes on risk of CRC.

Gastrointestinal translocation as a possible source of candidemia in an AIDS patient

Apart from cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis, which are mycoses contained by T cell-mediated mechanisms of host defense, fungemia is rarely found in AIDS patients. The frequency of fungemia due to Candida spp. has been reported to be as low as 1 %. We report a non-neutropenic AIDS patient who presented a candidemia which probably arose from her gastrointestinal tract.

Serpentine bacteria influence metal translocation and bioconcentration of Brassica juncea and Ricinus communis grown in multi-metal polluted soils

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of inoculation of rhizosphere or endophytic bacteria (Psychrobacter sp. SRS8 and Pseudomonas sp. A3R3, respectively) isolated from a serpentine environment on the plant growth and the translocation and accumulation of Ni, Zn, and Fe by Brassica juncea and Ricinus communis on a multi-metal polluted serpentine soil (SS). Field collected SS was diluted to 0, 25, 50, and 75% with pristine soil in order to obtain a range of heavy metal concentrations and used in microcosm experiments. Regardless of inoculation with bacteria, the biomass of both plant species decreased with increase of the proportion of SS. Inoculation of plants with bacteria significantly increased the plant biomass and the heavy metal accumulation compared with non-inoculated control in the presence of different proportion of SS, which was attributed to the production of plant growth promoting and/or metal mobilizing metabolites by bacteria. However, SRS8 showed a maximum increase in the biomass of the test plants grown even in the treatment of 75% SS. In turn, A3R3 showed maximum effects on the accumulation of heavy metals in both plants. Regardless of inoculation of bacteria and proportion of SS, both plant species exhibited low values of bioconcentration factor (<1) for Ni and Fe. The inoculation of both bacterial strains significantly increased the translocation factor (TF) of Ni while decreasing the TF of Zn in both plant species. Besides this contrasting effect, the TFs of all metals were <1, indicating that all studied bacteria–plant combinations are suitable for phytostabilization. This study demonstrates that the bacterial isolates A3R3 and SRS8 improved the growth of B. juncea and R. communis in SS soils and have a great potential to be used as inoculants in phytostabilization scenarios of multi-metal contaminated soils.

Exposure of Lycopersicon Esculentum to Microcystin-LR: Effects in the Leaf Proteome and Toxin Translocation from Water to Leaves and Fruits

Natural toxins such as those produced by freshwater cyanobacteria have been regarded as an emergent environmental threat. However, the impact of these water contaminants in agriculture is not yet fully understood. The aim of this work was to investigate microcystin-LR (MC-LR) toxicity in Lycopersicon esculentum and the toxin accumulation in this horticultural crop. Adult plants (2 month-old) grown in a greenhouse environment were exposed for 2 weeks to either pure MC-LR (100 μg/L) or Microcystis aeruginosa crude extracts containing 100 μg/L MC-LR. Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured, leaf proteome investigated with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF)/TOF, and toxin bioaccumulation assessed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS. Variations in several protein markers (ATP synthase subunits, Cytochrome b6-f complex iron-sulfur, oxygen-evolving enhancer proteins) highlight the decrease of the capacity of plants to synthesize ATP and to perform photosynthesis, whereas variations in other proteins (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit and ribose-5-phosphate isomerase) suggest an increase of carbon fixation and decrease of carbohydrate metabolism reactions in plants exposed to pure MC-LR and cyanobacterial extracts, respectively. MC-LR was found in roots (1635.21 μg/kg fw), green tomatoes (5.15–5.41 μg/kg fw), mature tomatoes (10.52–10.83 μg/kg fw), and leaves (12,298.18 μg/kg fw). The results raise concerns relative to food safety and point to the necessity of monitoring the bioaccumulation of water toxins in agricultural systems affected by cyanotoxin contamination.

Molecular characterization of a de novo t (11;18) translocation associated with Peter´s anomaly

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Genética Molecular e Biomedicina

Post-splenectomy infections in chronic schistosomiasis as a consequence of bacterial translocation

INTRODUCTION : Bacterial translocation is the invasion of indigenous intestinal bacteria through the gut mucosa to normally sterile tissues and internal organs. Schistosomiasis may cause alterations in the immune system and damage to the intestines, portal system and mesenteric lymph nodes. This study investigated bacterial translocation and alterations in the intestinal microbiota and mucosa in schistosomiasis and splenectomized mice. METHODS : Forty female 35-day-old Swiss Webster mice were divided into the following four groups with 10 animals each: schistosomotic (ESF), splenectomized schistosomotic (ESEF), splenectomized (EF) and control (CF). Infection was achieved by introduction of 50 Schistosoma mansoni (SLM) cercariae through the skin. At 125 days after birth, half of the parasitized and unparasitized mice were subjected to splenectomy. Body weights were recorded for one week after splenectomy; then, the mice were euthanized to study bacterial translocation, microbiota composition and intestinal morphometry. RESULTS : We observed significant reductions in the weight increases in the EF, ESF and ESEF groups. There were increases of at least 1,000 CFU of intestinal microbiota bacteria in these groups compared with the CF. The EF, ESF and ESEF mice showed decreases in the heights and areas of villi and the total villus areas (perimeter). We observed frequent co-infections with various bacterial genera. CONCLUSIONS : The ESEF mice showed a higher degree of sepsis. This finding may be associated with a reduction in the immune response associated with the absence of the spleen and a reduction in nutritional absorption strengthened by both of these factors (Schistosoma infection and splenectomy).

Estudos sôbre a alimentação mineral da mandioca (Manihot utilissima Pohl.)

1. The present work was carried out to study the effects of mineral nutrients in the yield as well as in the composition of cassava roots. The variety "Branca de Sta. Catarina" was grown by the sand culture method, the following treatments being used: N0 P0 K0, N0 P1 Kl, N1 P0 K1, N2 P1 K0, N2 P1 K1, N1 P2 K1, and N1 P1 K2, where the figures 0, 1, and 2 denote the relative proportion of a given element. The nutrients were given as follows: N = 35 grams of ammonium nitrate per pot loaded with 120 pounds of washed sand; P1 = 35 grams of monocalcium phosphate; Kl = 28 grams of sulfate of potash. Besides those fertilizers, each pot received 26 grams of magnesium sulfate and weekly doses of micronutrients as indicated by HOAGLAND and ARNON (1939). To apply the macronutrients the total doses were divided in three parts evenly distributed during the life cycle of cassava. 2. As far yield of roots and foliage are concerned, there are a few points to be considered: 2.1. the most striking effect on yield was verified when P was omitted from the fertilization; this treatment gave the poorest yields of the whole experiment; the need of that element for the phosphorylation of the starchy reserves explains such result; 2.2. phosphorus and nitrogen, under the experimental conditions, showed to be the most important nutrients for cassava; the effect of potassium in the weight of the roots produced was much less marked; it is noteworthy to mention, that in absence of potassium, the roots yield decreased whereas the foliage increased; as potassium is essential for the translocation of carbohydrates it is reasonable to admit that sugars produced in the leaves instead of going down and accumulate as starch in the roots were consumed in the production of more green matter. 3. Chemical analyses of roots revealed the following interesting points: 3.1. the lack of phosphorus brought about the most drastic reduction in the starch content of the roots; while the treatment N1 P1 K1 gave 32 per cent of starch, with NI PO Kl the amount found was 25 per cent; this result can be explained by the requirement of P for the enzymatic synthesis of starch; it has to be mentioned that the decrease in the starch content was associated with the remarkable drop in yield observed when P was omitted from the nutrient medium; 3.2. the double dosis of nitrogen in the treatment N2 P1 K1, gave the highest yields; however the increase in yield did not produce any industrial gain: whereas the treatment N1 P1 K1 gave 32 per cent of starch, by raising the N level to N2, the starch content fell to 24 per cent; now, considering the total amount of starch present in the roots, one can see, that the increase in roots yield did not compensate for the marked decrease in the starch content; that is, the amount of starch obtained with N1 P1 K1 does not differ statistically from the quantity obtained with N2 P1 K1; as far we know facts similar to this had been observed in sugar beets and sugar cane, as a result of the interaction between nitrogen and sugar produced; the biochemical aspect of the problem is very interesting: by raising the amount of assimilable nitrogen, instead of the carbohydrates polymerize to starch, they do combine to the amino groups to give proteinaceous materials; actually, it did happen that the protein content increased from 2.91 to 5.14 per cent.

Growth and exportation of nutrients by apple fruits

In order to obtain informations concerning the dry matter production and extraction of nutrients by the fruits of the varieties 'Ohio Beauty' and 'Brasil', a trial was conducted on a Latossol Vermelho Escuro-Orto (USTOX) at Buri , State of São Paulo, Brazil. The fruits were collected from trees grafted on 'Doucin' being 1-2; 3-4; 4-5, and 6-7 years old. Chemical analysis were run on the fruits for: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Mo; as well for the dry mat ter production. The main conclusions are as follows: a) differences were observed on dry matter production of fruits by the two varieties at the different stages of growth; b) differences were observed on exportation of nutrients between the two varieties concerning the fruit growth period- the nutrient exportation by the fruits obeyed following order: K>N>P>S>Ca>Mg>Fe>B > Cu > Mn > Zn > Mo.

Concentration of nutrients in the apple fruits at different ages

On an apple grove situated at Buri, State of São Paulo, fruits were collected from trees 1-2; 3-4; 4-5, and 6 - 7 years old. The fruits were analysed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. The authors concluded: a) the concentrations of the nutrients in the fruits differ according to the variety, age of the tree and age of the fruit; b) the concentrations of nutrients decrease with aging of the fruits; c) the concentrations of the macronutrients obey the following order: N>K>P>Ca>S> Mg; d) for the micronutrients, the following order was ob -served: Fe > B > Mn > Cu > Zn.

Identificació de variables d'estat del sistema costaner sensibles a la càrrega de nutrients

Projecte de recerca elaborat a partir d’una estada a la Napier University, Gran Bretanya, des d’octubre del 2006 a febrer del 2007. Els ecosistemes marins costaners són sistemes complexos, tant pel que fa a l’estructura de les comunitats que hi viuen com per la seva dinàmica, amb processos que impliquen múltiples escales d’espai i de temps. Aquesta complexitat natural s’ha incrementat al llarg de les darreres dècades com a conseqüència directa del creixement urbà al litoral. L’augment de població a les zones costaneres ha comportat no només un augment generalitzat en l’aport de nutrients inorgànics al mar, sinó també una forta intervenció sobre la línia de costa –construcció de ports, dics- i canvis en el moviment de les masses d’aigua. En aquest context, la interacció entre els factors turbulència-nutrients a la zona costanera pot ser clau per a millorar la nostra comprensió sobre el funcionament dels sistemes planctònics i, en darrer terme, per a derivar-ne mesures de gestió. A diferència de treballs experimentals previs, que adrecen els efectes de la turbulència i/o els nutrients sobre grups específics de plàncton, per avaluar la resposta conjunta de la comunitat necessitem paràmetres integradors, que relacionin diversos processos i donin una idea general de l’estat i funcionament de l’ecosistema. Durant l’estada de recerca alguns dels algoritmes que es fan servir per la costa escocesa van reformular-se i recalcular-se amb dades de la Mediterrània (dades procedents de la badia de Blanes i de la costa de Barcelona). Els resultats mostren una capacitat de resposta molt ràpida del plàncton als increments de nutrients, una variabilitat anual marcada (quant a diversitat d’organismes planctònics) i apunten el fòsfor com a principal limitant del creixement dels organismes en aquesta zona de la Mediterrània.

A t(7;12) balanced translocation with breakpoints overlapping those of the Williams-Beuren and 12q14 microdeletion syndromes.

The molecular characterization of balanced chromosomal rearrangements have always been of advantage in identifying disease-causing genes. Here, we describe the breakpoint mapping of a de novo balanced translocation t(7;12)(q11.22;q14.2) in a patient presenting with a failure to thrive associated with moderate mental retardation, facial anomalies, and chronic constipation. The localization of the breakpoints and the co-occurrence of Williams-Beuren syndrome and 12q14 microdeletion syndrome phenotypes suggested that the expression of some of the dosage-sensitive genes of these two segmental aneuploidies were modified in cells of the proposita. However, we were unable to identify chromosomes 7 and/or 12-mapping genes that showed disturbed expression in the lymphoblastoids of the proposita. This case showed that position-effect might operate in some tissues, but not in others. It also illustrates the overlap of phenotypes presented by patients with the recently described 12q14 structural rearrangements.

Subcellular investigation of photosynthesis-driven carbon assimilation in the symbiotic reef coral Pocillopora damicornis.

Reef-building corals form essential, mutualistic endosymbiotic associations with photosynthetic Symbiodinium dinoflagellates, providing their animal host partner with photosynthetically derived nutrients that allow the coral to thrive in oligotrophic waters. However, little is known about the dynamics of these nutritional interactions at the (sub)cellular level. Here, we visualize with submicrometer spatial resolution the carbon and nitrogen fluxes in the intact coral-dinoflagellate association from the reef coral Pocillopora damicornis by combining nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) and transmission electron microscopy with pulse-chase isotopic labeling using [(13)C]bicarbonate and [(15)N]nitrate. This allows us to observe that (i) through light-driven photosynthesis, dinoflagellates rapidly assimilate inorganic bicarbonate and nitrate, temporarily storing carbon within lipid droplets and starch granules for remobilization in nighttime, along with carbon and nitrogen incorporation into other subcellular compartments for dinoflagellate growth and maintenance, (ii) carbon-containing photosynthates are translocated to all four coral tissue layers, where they accumulate after only 15 min in coral lipid droplets from the oral gastroderm and within 6 h in glycogen granules from the oral epiderm, and (iii) the translocation of nitrogen-containing photosynthates is delayed by 3 h. IMPORTANCE: Our results provide detailed in situ subcellular visualization of the fate of photosynthesis-derived carbon and nitrogen in the coral-dinoflagellate endosymbiosis. We directly demonstrate that lipid droplets and glycogen granules in the coral tissue are sinks for translocated carbon photosynthates by dinoflagellates and confirm their key role in the trophic interactions within the coral-dinoflagellate association.

Translocation of the yeast dolichol-phosphate-mannose synthase into microsomal membranes.

Dolichol-phosphate-mannose synthase catalyzes the formation of Dolichol-phosphate-mannose from Dolichol-phosphate and GDP-mannose. Analysis of the primary amino acid sequence of the yeast enzyme predicts a luminal orientation of the enzyme in the endoplasmic reticulum. We analysed the translocation of the Dolichol-phosphate-mannose synthase into dog pancreatic microsomal membranes: resistance to proteolytic attack provides evidence of its luminal orientation and asks for a reevaluation of the topology of the reaction.

Recurrent loss of heterozygosity in 1p36 associated with TNFRSF14 mutations in IRF4 translocation negative pediatric follicular lymphomas.

Pediatric follicular lymphoma is a rare disease that differs genetically and clinically from its adult counterpart. With the exception of pediatric follicular lymphoma with IRF4-translocation, the genetic events associated with these lymphomas have not yet been defined. We applied array-comparative genomic hybridization and molecular inversion probe assay analyses to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 18 patients aged 18 years and under with IRF4 translocation negative follicular lymphoma. All evaluable cases lacked t(14;18). Only 6 of 16 evaluable cases displayed chromosomal imbalances with gains or amplifications of 6pter-p24.3 (including IRF4) and deletion and copy number neutral-loss of heterozygosity in 1p36 (including TNFRSF14) being most frequent. Sequencing of TNFRSF14 located in the minimal region of loss in 1p36.32 showed nine mutations in 7 cases from our series. Two subsets of pediatric follicular lymphoma were delineated according to the presence of molecular alterations, one with genomic aberrations associated with higher grade and/or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma component and more widespread disease, and another one lacking genetic alterations associated with more limited disease.