Transfer of Cholesterol and Other Lipids From a Lipid Nanoemulsion to High-density Lipoprotein in Heart Transplant Patients

Background: Beyond the first year after a heart transplant (HT) procedure, patients often develop dyslipidemias, which may be implicated in the genesis of transplant coronary heart disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) has a several anti-atherogenic properties, but the status of HDL in HT patients is still controversial. Nonetheless, determination of HDL cholesterol concentration is not sufficient for evaluation of the overall HDL protective role. In this study, a fundamental functional property of HDL, the ability to simultaneously receive the major lipid classes, was tested in HT patients. Methods: Twenty HT patients and 20 healthy normolipidemic subjects paired for gender, age and body mass index were studied. Blood samples were collected after 12-hour fasting for determination of plasma lipids, glucose, paraxonase I (PON 1) activity, HDL diameter and transfer of labeled lipids from an artificial nanoemulsion to HDL. Results: Plasma triglycerides (159 +/- 63 vs 94 +/- 35 mg/dl) and glucose (104 +/- 20 vs 86 +/- 10 mg/dl) were greater in HT patients than in control subjects. HDL cholesterol was lower and HDL diameter was smaller in the HT group (HDL cholesterol: 44 +/- 11 vs 55 +/- 15 mg/dl; HDL diameter: 8.8 +/- 0.6 vs 9.0 +/- 1.2 nm). PON 1 activity did not differ (87 +/- 47 vs 75 +/- 37 nmol/min/ml). The transfer rates of free cholesterol and cholesteryl esters were diminished in HT patients (HT: 8.4 +/- 1.2% and 3.8 +/- 0.6%; controls: 9.7 +/- 1.9% and 4.7 +/- 1.2%, respectively). Conclusions: The transfer of free cholesterol and cholesteryl esters to HDL is diminished in HT patients; disturbance in the ability of HDL to receive lipids may affect the anti-atherogenic properties of the lipoprotein. J Heart Lung Transplant 2009;28:1075-80. Copyright (C) 2009 by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.

The role of R&D technology in asymmetric research joint ventures

We characterize asymmetric equilibria in two-stage process innovation games and show that they are prevalent in the different models of R&D technology considered in the literature. Indeed, cooperation in R&D may be accompanied by high concentration in the product market. We show that while such an increase may be profitable, it may be socially inefficient.

Mannan-binding lectin MBL2 gene polymorphism in chronic hepatitis C: association with the severity of liver fibrosis and response to interferon therapy

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of hepatic disease and of liver transplantation worldwide. Mannan-binding lectin (MBL), encoded by the MBL2 gene, can have an important role as an opsonin and complement activating molecule in HCV persistence and liver injury. We assessed the MBL2 polymorphism in 102 Euro-Brazilian patients with moderate and severe chronic hepatitis C, paired for gender and age with 102 HCV seronegative healthy individuals. Six common single nucleotide polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene, three in the promoter (H/L, X/Y and P/Q) and three in exon 1 (A, the wild-type, and B, C or D also known as O) were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction with fluorescent hybridization probes. The concentration of MBL in plasma was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The frequency of the YA/YO genotype was significantly higher in the HCV patients compared with the controls (P = 0.022). On the other hand, the genotypes associated with low levels of MBL (XA/XA, XA/YO and YO/YO) were decreased significantly in the patients with severe fibrosis (stage F4), when compared with the patients with moderate fibrosis (stage F2) (P = 0.04) and to the control group (P = 0.011). Furthermore, MBL2 genotypes containing X or O mutations were found to be associated with non-responsiveness to pginterferon and ribavirin treatment (P = 0.023). MBL2 polymorphisms may therefore be associated not only with the development of chronic hepatitis C, but also with its clinical evolution and response to treatment.

Influence of gender on the clinical and laboratory spectra of patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to evaluate the differences between males and females in the clinical and biochemical manifestations of primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (PAPS). The method involved 49 patients (38 premenopausal females and 11 males) diagnosed with PAPS (according to the Sapporo criteria) and their demographic data, clinical data, medications used and antiphospholipid antibodies were analyzed. The results of this study are as follows. Both the groups of patients were statistically similar regarding age, race, weight and body mass index. However, males were significantly taller than females (172 +/- A 8.9 vs. 159.2 +/- A 6.2 cm, p < 0.0001). The duration of disease was similar for females and males. The prevalence of pulmonary thromboembolism was higher in females than in males (34.2 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.024). Regarding other PAPS manifestations (arterial events, venous events, deep venous thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, acute myocardial infarction, angina, cerebrovascular accidents and Sneddon syndrome), comorbidities (arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia), lifestyle (physical activity, previous smoking and current smoking) and the use of medications (current and previous use of corticosteroids, as well as the use of statins or chloroquine), both groups were statistically similar (p > 0.05). More females than males tested positive for IgM anticardiolipin antibodies (76.3 vs. 36.4%, p = 0.025) or for at least one of the antiphospholipid antibodies tested (either IgM anticardiolipin or IgG anticardiolipin 84.2 vs. 45.5%, p = 0.016). However, both groups were similar regarding the frequency of positivity for lupus anticoagulant and isolated IgG anticardiolipin, as well as regarding mean levels of IgG and IgM anticardiolipin (p > 0.05). We concluded that, among PAPS patients, the frequency of pulmonary thromboembolism and of positivity for IgM anticardiolipin is higher in females than in males. Our findings show that there are gender differences in PAPS, differences that might be related to alterations in sex hormones.

Gender differences in work satisfaction

This paper explores differences between men and women in levels of work satisfaction, employing data from the Australian component of the International Project on Class Structure and Class Consciousness. While moment tend to be concentrated in low-status, low-paid positions, that is the secondary labour market, the data suggest that, in general, they are more satisfied with paid employment than men. Employment constraints are found to be a key factor in the observed differences in levels of work satisfaction. For both groups, however, it is clear that work satisfaction derives primarily from work-related factors.

The Role of SRY Mutations in the Etiology of Gonadal Dysgenesis in Patients with 45,X/46,XY Disorder of Sex Development and Variants

Background: The potential involvement of SRY in abnormal gonadal development in 45,X/46,X,der(Y) patients was proposed following the identification of SRY mutations in a few patients with Turner syndrome (TS). However, its exact etiological role in gonadal dysgenesis in patients with Y chromosome mosaicisms has not yet been clarified. Aims: It was the aim of this study to screen for allelic variation in SRY in a large cohort of patients with disorders of sex development due to chromosomal abnormalities with 45, X/46, X, der(Y) karyotype. Patients: Twenty-seven patients, 14 with TS and 13 with mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD), harboring 45, X/46, X, der(Y) karyotypes were selected. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of all patients and from gonadal tissue in 4 cases. The SRY coding region was PCR amplified and sequenced. Results: We identified only 1 polymorphism (c.561C -> T) in a 45,X/46,XY MGD patient, which was detected in blood and in gonadal tissue. Conclusion: Our results indicate that mutations in SRY are rare findings in patients with Y chromosome mosaicisms. Therefore, a significant role of mutated SRY in the etiology of gonadal dysgenesis in patients harboring 45, X/46, XY karyotype and variants seems very unlikely. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

The role of micro-anchor devices in medial canthopexy

Telecanthus, the lateral displacement of the medial canthus, can be a congenital deformity or can occur after facial trauma or tumor resection. Treatment of telecanthus remains a challenge for plastic surgeons. For proper correction, it is necessary to shift the medial canthus medially, fixing its tendon to the bone. The ideal technique would allow easy, safe, and stable fixation of the tendon, permit a unilateral approach with minimal incisions, and be cost-effective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and results (immediate and long-term) of medial telecanthus repair using ipsilateral titanium microanchor fixation. Nine patients, 7 with unilateral telecanthus and 2 with bilateral telecanthus, underwent ipsilateral canthopexy involving a microanchor device. Anthropometric measurements of the orbital regions were taken before, immediately after, and at 1 year after surgery. Data for the affected sides were compared with those for the unaffected sides, and the evolution of those values was assessed throughout the 1-year follow-up period. For all patients, the final values were lower than those initially obtained. At 1 year after surgery, the intercanthal distance was reduced to age-adjusted normal values in all cases. On the operated side, stable improvement was observed in terms of the distance from the medial canthus to the midline, although some degree of recurrence was noted in most of the patients. The use of a microanchor system for medial canthopexy can be considered an easily performed and effective option for treating canthal dystopia, especially when an ipsilateral approach is preferred.

The role of vaccines in the control of STDs: HPV vaccines

Prophylactic vaccines for genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection have been shown to be feasible in animal models, and suitable vaccine material based on virus-like particles can be produced in bulk at reasonable cost. Initiation of phase III clinical trials will follow definition of trial outcome measures through further epidemiological studies, and development-of assays of host protective immunity. Vaccines could in principle eliminate HPV-related disease, as the human race is the only natural host for the relevant papillomaviruses (PVs). Therapeutic vaccines for genital HPV infection are also possible, but have not yet been demonstrated as feasible in practice because the choice of vaccine antigens is difficult, the method of their optimal delivery is uncertain, and the nature of the relevant antiviral immunity is unknown. PV species specificity will require trials to be conducted in man, which will slow definition of an ideal vaccine.

Labour flexibility and gender in the service sector: A study of employment practices in law and accounting firms

In seeking to increase the flexibility of their use of employee time, employers can pursue strategies based on the employment of casual and part-time workers (numerical flexibility) or strategies based on ad hoc variation of the working hours of permanent employees (working time flexibility). Patterns of flexibility strategies and their implications are examined in the context of a highly feminised sector of work-clerical and administrative employment in law and accounting firms. We consider whether, as is often assumed, working time flexibility strategies are generally better for employees because they avoid the substitution of core, high quality jobs with the peripheral, relatively insecure employment often associated with casualisation. Analysing data drawn from a survey of law and accounting firms, we argue that there are three distinct flexibility strategies adopted by employers, and that the choice of strategy is influenced by the size of the firm and the extent of feminisation. The quality of employment conditions associated with each strategy is investigated through an analysis of the determinants of training provision for clerical and administrative workers. Rather than an expected simple linear relationship between increasing casualisation and decreasing training provision, we find that firm size and feminisation are implicated. Larger firms that tend to employ at least some men and use a combination of working time and numerical flexibility strategies tend to provide more training than the small, more fully feminised firms that tend to opt for either casualisation or working time flexibility strategies. This suggests that, from an employee perspective, working time flexibility may not be as benevolent as is often thought.

The role of physiological understanding in plant breeding; From a breeding perspective

The role of physiological understanding in improving the efficiency of breeding programs is examined largely from the perspective of conventional breeding programs. Impact of physiological research to date on breeding programs, and the nature of that research, was assessed from (i) responses to a questionnaire distributed to plant breeders and physiologists, and (ii) a survey of literature abstracts. Ways to better utilise physiological understanding for improving breeding programs are suggested, together with possible constraints to delivering beneficial outcomes. Responses from the questionnaire indicated a general view that the contribution by crop physiology to date has been modest. However, most of those surveyed expected the contribution to be larger in the next 20 years. Some constraints to progress perceived by breeders and physiologists were highlighted. The survey of literature abstracts indicated that from a plant breeding perspective, much physiological research is not progressing further than making suggestions about possible approaches to selection. There was limited evidence in the literature of objective comparison of such suggestions with existing methodology, or of development and application of these within active breeding programs. It is argued in this paper that the development of outputs from physiological research for breeding requires a good understanding of the breeding program(s) being serviced and factors affecting its performance. Simple quantitative genetic models, or at least the ideas they represent, should be considered in conducting physiological research and in envisaging and evaluating outputs. The key steps of a generalised breeding program are outlined, and the potential pathways for physiological understanding to impact on these steps are discussed. Impact on breeding programs may arise through (i) better choice of environments in which to conduct selection trials, (ii) identification of selection criteria and traits for focused introgression programs, and (iii) identifying traits for indirect selection criteria as an adjunct to criteria already used. While many breeders and physiologists apparently recognise that physiological understanding may have a major role in the first area, there appears to be relatively Little research activity targeting this issue, and a corresponding bias, arguably unjustified, toward examining traits for indirect selection. Furthermore, research on traits aimed at crop improvement is often deficient because key genetic parameters, such as genetic variation in relevant breeding populations and genetic (as opposed to phenotypic) correlations with yield or other characters of economic importance, are not properly considered in the research. Some areas requiring special attention for successfully interfacing physiology research with breeding are discussed. These include (i) the need to work with relevant genetic populations, (ii) close integration of the physiological research with an active breeding program, and (iii) the dangers of a pre-defined or narrow focus in the physiological research.