Survival factors regulating ovarian apoptosis -- dependence on follicle differentiation

Only a minute fraction of the ovarian follicles present in a fetal ovary will complete the path to ovulation. Most of the follicles will undergo atresia, a hormonally controlled apoptotic process. Apoptosis occurs at each stage of follicular development and there is a marked reduction in the number of follicles present at birth. Stage-dependent mechanisms of follicle survival can be postulated to achieve co-ordinated development, leading to ovulation of a small fraction of follicles. Indeed, hormone and growth factor regulation of follicular atresia is stage-specific. This short review considers the factors that promote survival of ovarian follicles throughout development, including endocrine, locally produced and intracellular mediators, as exemplified mainly by follicular development in rodents. In primordial follicles, oocyte apoptosis is considered to be the cause of subsequent follicle degeneration. In slow-growing preantral follicles, FSH is not a survival factor, but some locally produced growth factors are. Progression to the antral follicle stage is probably the most critical stage of follicle development in vivo, and FSH is a major survival factor at this stage. In addition, insulin-like growth factor I and interleukin 1beta are potent survival factors for cultured rat follicles at the antral stage. Preovulatory follicles express receptors for LH, and both of the gonadotrophins are survival factors at this stage. Relatively little is known about the period between the LH surge and ovulation; however, it has been suggested that at this stage progesterone acts as a survival factor.     

Interaction of cholesterol with sphingomyelins and acyl-chain-matched phosphatidylcholines: a comparative study of the effect of the chain length

In this study we have synthesized sphingomyelins (SM) and phosphatidylcholines (PC) with amide-linked or sn-2 linked acyl chains with lengths from 14 to 24 carbons. The purpose was to examine how the chain length and degree of unsaturation affected the interaction of cholesterol with these phospholipids in model membrane systems. Monolayers of saturated SMs and PCs with acyl chain lengths above 14 carbons were condensed and displayed a high collapse pressure ( approximately 70 mN/m). Monolayers of N-14:0-SM and 1(16:0)-2(14:0)-PC had a much lower collapse pressure (58-60 mN/m) and monounsaturated SMs collapsed at approximately 50 mN/m. The relative interaction of cholesterol with these phospholipids was determined at 22 degreesC by measuring the rate of cholesterol desorption from mixed monolayers (50 mol % cholesterol; 20 mN/m) to beta-cyclodextrin in the subphase (1.7 mM). The rate of cholesterol desorption was lower from saturated SM monolayers than from chain-matched PC monolayers. In SM monolayers, the rate of cholesterol desorption was very slow for all N-linked chains, whereas for PC monolayers we could observe higher desorption rates from monolayers of longer PCs. These results show that cholesterol interacts favorably with SMs (low rate of desorption), whereas its interaction (or miscibility) with long chain PCs is weaker. Introduction of a single cis-unsaturation in the N-linked acyl chain of SMs led to faster rates of cholesterol desorption as compared with saturated SMs. The exception was monolayers of N-22:1-SM and N-24:1-SM from which cholesterol desorbed almost as slowly as from the corresponding saturated SM monolayers. The results of this study suggest that cholesterol is most likely capable of interacting with all physiologically relevant (including long-chain) SMs present in the plasma membrane of cells.     

The functional role of sphingomyelin in cell membranes

Sphingomyelins (SM) constitute an important class of phospholipids in the membranes of most eukaryotic cells. In mammalian tissues, SM usually constitute 2–15% of the total organ phospholipid, but certain tissues such as brain, peripheral nervous tissue and ocular lenses have even higher SM contents. Typical properties of SM include their low degree of unsaturation, an asymmetric molecular structure, and their extensive hydrogen‐bonding properties. These features are all very important for the structural role of SM in biological membranes. SM interact favorably with cholesterol (and other sterols) and there is an established co‐localization of SM and cholesterol in the plasma membranes of cells and at the surface of lipoprotein particles. Together they form SM/sterol‐rich domains that often are more ordered than the surrounding phase in biological membranes. The growing body of evidence regarding their favorable interaction with sterols indicates that the functional role of SM per se is largely related to being a regulator of cholesterol distribution within cellular membranes and cholesterol homeostasis in cells. Together with other sphingolipids, SM also have an important functional role as precursors of sphingolipid signaling molecules, extensively reviewed elsewhere and not to be discussed here in more detail.     

The persistence of infectious adenovirus (type 35) in mussels (Mytilus edulis) and oysters (Ostrea edulis)

Microbiological analyses of fruits and vegetables produced by farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin were conducted to determine the prevalence of Escherichia coli in pre-harvest fruits and vegetables. During the 2003 and 2004 harvest seasons, 14 organic (certified by accredited organic agencies), 30 semi-organic (used organic practices but not certified) and 19 conventional farms were sampled to analyze 2029 pre-harvest produce samples (473 organic, 911 semi-organic, 645 conventional). Before each harvest season, a farmer survey was conducted to collect relevant information on farm management practices that might affect the risk of E. coli contamination in fresh produce. The use of animal wastes for fertilization of produce plants increased the risk of E. coli contamination in organic (OR = 13.2, 95% CI = 2.2–61.2, P-value < 0.0001) and semi-organic (OR = 12.9, 95% CI = 2.9–56.3, P-value < 0.0001) produce significantly. Improper ageing of untreated animal manure significantly increased this risk in organic produce (OR = 4.2 95% CI = 1.7–12.3, P-value = 0.005) grown using such manure as a fertilizer. Organic growers who used cattle manure for fertilization of their crops showed significantly greater risk of contamination with the E. coli (OR = 7.4, 95% CI = 1.6–36.8, P-value = 0.003), compared to those who used other types of manure-based fertilizer. In Minnesota, organic and semi-organic produce collected from the southeastern (SE) part of the state were at a significantly greater risk of E. coli contamination (OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.8–35.2, P = 0.008), compared to those collected from farms located in the southern (S) regions of the state. In Wisconsin, organic and semi-organic produce collected from the southern (S) cluster of farms were at approximately 3-times greater risk of E. coli contamination (OR = 2.67, 95% CI = 1.3–9.4, P = 0.004), compared to those grown in the northern (N) cluster of farms.     

Electrophoretic transport in surfactant nanotube networks wired on microfabricated substrates

Nanofluidic devices are rapidly emerging as tools uniquely suited to transport and interrogate single molecules. We present a simple method to rapidly obtain compact surfactant nanotube networks of controlled geometry and length. The nanotubes, 100-300 nm in diameter, are pulled from lipid vesicles using a micropipet technique, with multilamellar vesicles serving as reservoirs of surfactant material. In a second step, the nanotubes are wired around microfabricated SU-8 pillars. In contrast to unrestrained surfactant networks that minimize their surface free energy by minimizing nanotube path length, the technique presented here can produce nanotube networks of arbitrary geometries. For example, nanotubes can be mounted directly on support pillars, and long stretches of nanotubes can be arranged in zigzag patterns with turn angles of 180 degrees. The system is demonstrated to support electrophoretic transport of colloidal particles contained in the nanotubes down to the limit of single particles. We show that electrophoretic migration velocity is linearly dependent on the applied field strength and that a local narrowing of the nanotube diameter results from adhesion and bending around SU-8 pillars. The method presented here can aid in the fabrication of fully integrated and multiplexed nanofluidic devices that can operate with single molecules.     

Gastrointestinal transit survival of an Enterococcus faecium probiotic strain administered with or without vancomycin

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate if an ingested probiotic, containing viable Enterococcus faecium could survive gastrointestinal transit and if so, correlate the amount of the recovered probiotic strain with the host's own enterococci. The second aim was to investigate if simultaneous vancomycin intake influenced the survival and persistence of the probiotic strain and the stability of endogenous enterococci strains. Twenty healthy volunteers were given the probiotic product once daily for 10 days. Half of the subjects were simultaneously given vancomycin. Isolates of E. faecium strains were genotypically or phenotypically analysed with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and the PhenePlate system, respectively. In eight of the ten volunteers given only the probiotic, the ingested E. faecium could be detected on day 10, while in none on day 31. From subjects given both probiotic and vancomycin no ingested E. faecium could be detected on day 10 or day 31. The estimated amount of ingested E. faecium recovered from faeces on day 10 ranged from 1.2 x 10(3) to 4.2 x 10(6) colony forming units per gram faeces, which in several cases were a substantial part of the total amount of E. faecium. The E. faecium isolated before probiotic plus vancomycin administration showed no close relationship to the ones isolated 3 weeks after ceased intake in any subjects. In conclusion, the ingested E. faecium strain can survive gastrointestinal transit. After intake, the E. faecium probiotic strain might become a large part of the total E. faecium population. The occurrence of the probiotic strain in the human gut seems to be transient after intake stop. Re-colonization of E. faecium after simultaneous probiotic plus vancomycin intake occurs mainly with strains without close genetic relationship to the strains harboured before treatment or to the ingested E. faecium strain.     

Evaluation of retail fresh meat packagings covered with stretch films of plasticized PVC and non‐PVC alternatives

The characteristics and performance of several non‐PVC stretch films were compared to those of plasticized PVC. Initially the main polymer components of the film were identified by infrared spectrometry and differential scanning calorimetry. The differences between films in mechanical properties, such as puncture resistance and tensile strength, varied about a factor of two, while the differences in elongation at break were considerably higher. Plasticized PVC showed properties somewhere in the middle. The water vapour transmission was highest for PVC, while its permeability to oxygen was the lowest. The potential for overall migration was assessed by substitute testing, using 95% ethanol and isooctane as test media, and the migration from PVC was found to be the highest. However, after use of the appropriate reduction factor of four, as allowed for fresh meat, the PVC film also proved to conform to legislation. The potential for specific migration was investigated by solvent extraction followed by gas chromatography. Twenty‐four components were identified, of which 11 could be compared to relevant migration limits based on evaluations of the EU Scientific Committee for Food. The release of solvents was estimated by direct thermal desorption at 100°C. Four films of different composition were used in a storage experiment with fresh beef. The meat quality was followed by measurements of colour, microbiological quality (total colony forming units and lactic acid bacteria) and lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) through a prolonged shelf‐life test. No differences in meat quality during normal shelf‐life were seen as a function of the film used. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrodialytic remediation of soils polluted with Cu,Cr, Hg,Pb and Zn

Electrodialytic remediation of heavy metal polluted soil is a method which combines the technique of electrodialysis with the electromigration of ions in the polluted soil. Results from laboratory-scale remediation experiments of soil samples from three real contaminated sites with different heavy metals are presented. In the three cases it was possible to mobilize and reduce the amount of the pollutants in the soil. The pollutants were (1) copper and chromium, (2) mercury and (3) copper, lead and zinc. For a loamy sand polluted with copper and chromium it was possible to decontaminate the soil to an extent lower than the recommended critical values for metal concentration in soil. Parameters that were identified as important for the efficiency of the electrodialytic remediation method were pH in the soil, lime content and speciation of the heavy metal. ©1997 SCI     

Lymphatic recovery of exogenous oleic acid in rats on long chain or specific structured triacylglycerol diets

Specific structured triacylglycerols, MLM (M=medium-chain fatty acid, L=long-chain fatty acid), rapidly deliver energy and long-chain fatty acids to the body and are used for longer periods in human enteral feeding. In the present study rats were fed diets of 10 wt% MLM or LLL (L=oleic acid [18∶1n−9], M=caprylic acid [8∶0]) for 2 wk. Then lymph was collected 24 h following administration of a single bolus of ¹³C-labeled MLM or LLL. The total lymphatic recovery of exogenous 18∶1n−9 24 h after administration of a single bolus of MLM or LLL was similar in rats on the LLL diet (43% and 45%, respectively). However, the recovery of exogenous 18∶1n−9 was higher after a single bolus of MLM compared with a bolus of LLL in rats on the MLM diet (40% and 24%, respectively, P=0.009). The recovery of lymphatic 18∶1n−9 of the LLL bolus tended to depend on the diet triacylglycerol structure and composition (P=0.07). This study demonstrated that with a diet containing specific structured triacylglycerol, the lymphatic recovery of 18∶1n−9 after a single bolus of fat was dependent on the triacylglycerol structure of the bolus. This indicates that the lymphatic recovery of long-chain fatty acids from a single meal depends on the overall long-chain fatty acid composition of the habitual diet. This could have implications for enteral feeding for longer periods.