Exercise training, postprandial hypertriglyceridemia, and LDL subfraction distribution

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in postprandial hypertriglyceridemia (PP-HTG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) subfraction distribution among groups of men and women with different fitness levels. Fifty-four men and women (ages 30-53 yr) were recruited based on their previous two-year activity level: sedentary (S), recreational exercisers (R), and endurance trained (T). After a 24-h dietary preparation, blood was collected, and LDL subfractions were separated and analyzed for cholesterol (C) and apoprotein B100. Plasma triglyceride (TG) concentration was assessed before and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after fat meal. PP-HTG was significantly higher for the S group compared with the two activity groups. LDL3-C and LDL3-apoprotein B100 were significantly higher for the S group compared with the T group and for men compared with women. These findings suggest that both recreational and competitive aerobic training are associated with a lower TG response after a fatty meal. However, higher volume aerobic training may be necessary to reduce the number of dense LDL molecules and their cholesterol content.     

High-level expression of bovine beta-lactoglobulin in Pichia pastoris and characterization of its physical properties

Bovine beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) variant A has been expressed in the methylotropic yeast Pichia pastoris by fusion of the cDNA to the sequence coding for the alpha-mating factor prepro-leader peptide from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. P. pastoris Mut+ transformants were obtained by single cross-over integration of the BLG-containing vector into the AOX1 locus. In a fed-batch fermenter, a cell density of approximately 300 mg/ml was achieved by controlled glycerol feeding for a total of 24 h. After 72 h of methanol induction, the secreted BLG reached levels of > 1 g/l. The secreted protein could be purified to homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography. Amino-terminal sequencing of the secreted BLG revealed that the Glu-Ala spacer repeats inserted between the mature protein and the alpha-factor prepro-leader were still present. The purified protein was characterized by a number of methods, including CD spectroscopy, guanidine-HCl unfolding, crystallization and two-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy. By all of these measures, the physical characteristics of recombinant BLG were indistinguishable from those of the native purified bovine BLG, making it useful as a model for protein folding and other biophysical studies.     

Personality research in a non-Western culture: The Philippines.

Here I review personality research in one non-Western culture, the Philippines. Reports from diverse cultures remind one that personality findings reflect the cultural setting from which they emerge, lead to "cross-indigenous" comparisons between alternative cultural perspectives, and suggest hypotheses about cultural generality versus uniqueness. I illustrate the impact of cultural context on topics studied; on the applicability of concepts, methods, and measures; and on the practice of psychology by using the Philippine case. I also discuss issues regarding the cultural universality versus uniqueness of Filipino personality concepts, current efforts toward developing an indigenous Philippine psychology, and the language issue. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of a strong magnetic field on the damping of second sound in dilute3He-4He mixtures below 100 mK

We have measured the increase in damping of second sound in 0.1% and 0.05%³He-⁴He solutions upon application of a magnetic field of 10 T. The increase is caused by changes in the thermal conductivity and viscosity of the mixture as the system becomes spin polarized. We show how to fit the data for the viscosity in zero-field to obtain an estimate of the interaction between the³He quasiparticles. It is then possible to predict the viscosity in a field of 10 T using the calculation of Hampson et al. The data agree with the theory to within 2%.