Hypolipidaemic Effect of Walnut (Juglans regia) Kernel and its Oil in Rats

Walnut (Juglans regia) kernel and its oil were found to reduce serum cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and total lipids in cholesterol bilesalt stressed hypercholesterolaemic rats. Kernel was as effective as its oil (unrefined or refined); thus the efficacy of kernel was due to its oil content having about 70 % polyunsaturated fatty acids. Both unrefined and refined oils having different contents of unsaponifiable matter and sterols behaved in a similar way indicating that unsaponifiable matter and sterol contents of oil were not responsible for their efficacy. There was no difference in faecal cholesterol in animals given vanaspati, walnut kernel or its oil; thus hypolipidaemic effect observed with walnut kernel or its oil could not be attributed to any differences in faecal cholesterol. Serum SGO-T activity of animals of groups given vanaspati, walnut kernel, walnut oil and safflower oil was similar and normal. The blend of vanaspati and walnut oil (1:1) was as effective as walnut kernel and its oil. The study brings to light special value of walnut kernel as a food material in reducing serum lipid constituents.     

A prospective, multicenter study of a pneumonia practice guideline

Two-dimensional 1H detected 13C NMR spectroscopy has been used to study the intracellular metabolism of [3-(13)C]pyruvate in Halobacterium salinarium. The method, resulting in considerable improvement in spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, is well suited for studying transient metabolic intermediates. Pyruvate utilization by the bacterium is a double exponential function with rate constants of 49.13 and 4.67x10(-3) per min. The relative 13C enrichment is the fastest for C-3 glutamate. Glutamate C-4 labeling decreases initially and increases later on during incubation, while glutamine C-3 is high to begin with and exhibits a declining trend. The glutamate labeling indicates a high initial flux through pyruvate carboxylase and extensive randomizing of the label in the tricarboxylic acid cycle.     

Isolated plantar venous thrombosis. Report of a case

We report the case of a patient with isolated plantar thrombophlebitis as a post operative complication of saphenectomy. Risk factors such as prolonged bed rest, perioperative inflammation and surgery of the greater saphenous vein itself should be considered. Moreover multiple episodes of superficial venous thrombosis had already occurred as complication of the superficial venous insufficiency. Literature on this unusual outcome is lacking. Ultrasound imaging revealed this superficial thrombosis. Usual echographic signs (non compressible vein, hypoechogenicity of the vessel lumen) can be found. The main problem is to differentiate veins from adjacent tendinous structures. Slow mobilisation of the toes and comparative analysis on contralateral foot are helpful. Thrombosis of the plantar veins must be considered as a possible diagnosis of unexplained plantar unilateral pains. Development of ultrasonic investigations and knowledge of its occurrence could further improve its diagnosis.     

Over-production of stereoselective nitrile hydratase from Pseudomonas putida 5B in Escherichia coli: activity requires a novel downstream protein

The stereoselective nitrile hydratase (NHase) from Pseudomonas putida 5B has been over-produced in Escherichia coli. Maximal enzyme activity requires the co-expression of a novel downstream gene encoding a protein (P14K) of 127 amino acids, which shows no significant homology to any sequences in the protein database. Nitrile hydratase produced in transformed E. coli showed activity as high as 472 units/mg dry cell (sixfold higher than 5B), and retained the stereoselectivity observed in the native organism. Separated from the end of the beta subunit by only 51 bp, P14K appears to be part of an operon that includes the alpha and beta structural genes of nitrile hydratase, and other potential coding sequences.     

Influence of ionizing radiation on proliferation, c-myc expression and the induction of apoptotic cell death in two breast tumour cell lines differing in p53 status

PURPOSE: To determine the capacity of ionizing radiation to inhibit proliferation, to suppress c-myc expression and to induce apoptotic cell death in the p53 wild-type MCF-7 cell line and the p53 mutated MDA-MB231 cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Growth inhibition and cell killing were determined by cell number and trypan blue exclusion. Apoptosis was assessed through cell morphology and fluorescent end-labelling. c-myc expression was monitored by Northern blotting. RESULTS: Inhibition of cell proliferation by ionizing radiation was similar in both cell lines. MDA-MB231 cells accumulated in G2 while MCF-7 cells accumulated in both the G1 and G2 phases of the cell cycle after irradiation. There was no evidence of apoptosis in either cell line. In MCF-7 cells, growth inhibition correlated closely with an early dose-dependent suppression of c-myc expression; in MDA-MB231 cells, there was no correspondence between growth inhibition and a transient, dose-independent reduction in c-myc message. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that in the absence of classical apoptotic cell death, radiosensitivity is not predictably related to the p53 status of the cell. While both p53 and c-myc may be linked to the DNA damage response pathway, neither p53 nor c-myc are essential for growth arrest in response to ionizing radiation.     

Flavonoids, dietary-derived inhibitors of cell proliferation and in vitro angiogenesis

Consumption of a plant-based diet can prevent the development and progression of chronic diseases associated with extensive neovascularization, including solid malignant tumors. In previous studies, we have shown that the plant-derived isoflavonoid genistein is a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation and in vitro angiogenesis. In the present study, we report that certain structurally related flavonoids are more potent inhibitors than genistein. Indeed, 3-hydroxyflavone, 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone, 2',3'-dihydroxyflavone, fisetin, apigenin, and luteolin inhibited the proliferation of normal and tumor cells, as well as in vitro angiogenesis, at half-maximal concentrations in the low micromolar range. We have previously demonstrated that genistein concentrations in the urine of subjects consuming a plant-based diet is 30-fold higher than in subjects consuming a traditional Western diet. The wider distribution and the more abundant presence of flavonoids in the plant kingdom, together with the present results, suggest that flavonoids may contribute to the preventive effect of a plant-based diet on chronic diseases, including solid tumors.