Linkage analysis of candidate genes in autoimmune thyroid disease: 1. Selected immunoregulatory genes. International Consortium for the Genetics of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

Graves' and Hashimoto's diseases are autoimmune thyroid diseases in which the genetic contribution is complex. For this reason, identification of necessary susceptibility genes has been difficult. However, a number of immunoregulatory genes have been implicated by association studies, including: CTLA-4, a recently described protein involved in antigen presentation, located on chromosome 2q33; the T-cell receptor V alpha and V beta gene complexes, located on 14q11 and 7q35, respectively; and the Ig gene complex (IgH), located on 15q11. We used polymorphic microsatellite markers located within these genes, or gene complexes, to test for linkage (rather than association), to each of these candidates. Using markers within the loci allowed us to assume a fixed recombination fraction of 0.01 in the tested model. Three hundred eight subjects from 48 multiplex families were studied, with 142 affected subjects. Using this set of families, we have previously shown evidence of linkage with a major susceptibility locus for Graves' disease (GD-1) on 14q24.3-31, with a maximum lod (logarithm + odds) score of 2.1, at a penetrance of 80% and with a dominant mode of inheritance. In the present study, we obtained consistently negative lod scores for each of the candidate genes, assuming either dominant or recessive modes of inheritance. These data, therefore, showed evidence against linkage with all the candidate genes. Unlike association studies, linkage analyses detect major genetic influences on disease susceptibility exerted by the linked loci. The lack of linkage for the immunoregulatory genes that were studied indicated, therefore, that they were not major contributors to disease etiology.     

Changes in carbohydrates during germination of lentils

Summary The effect of germination on soluble carbohydrates, total and digestible starch, and components of dietary fiber (neutral detergent fiber, cellulose and hemicellulose) in two varieties of lentils (Lens culinaris medicus var. vulgaris and variabilis) were investigated. In germinated lentils the amount of total soluble sugars decreased (from 4.3% to 2.0% and from 5.3% to 2.2%, respectively); glucose, not present in raw seeds, was relatively high (0.6% and 0.7%), fructose increased slightly, and sucrose decreased slightly. The oligosaccharides of the raffinose family disappeared from germinated seeds. Total starch decreased considerably in germinated lentils (from 60.3% to 41.4% and from 57.4% to 36.4%), but the digestibility of the starch was greatly improved. In germinated lentils, the content of neutral detergent fiber and hemicellulose were lower but that of cellulose and lignin were higher than in raw lentils. Thus, the nutritive value of both varieties of lentils may increase with germination processes.

---

Veränderungen im Kohlenhydratgehalt in keimenden Linsen

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde der Einfluß der Keimung auf die Gehalte an löslichen Kohlenhydraten, Gesamt- und verdaulicher Stärke und Komponenten der Rohfaser (neutral detergent fiber, Cellulose und Hemicellulose), in zwei Linsensorten (Lens culinaris medicus var. vulgaris und variabilis) untersucht. Der Gesamtzuckergehalt nimmt durch die Keimung bei beiden Sorten ab (von 4,3% bis 2,0% und von 5,3% bis 2,2%). Glucose, die sich in rohen Samen nicht findet, lag bei 0,6% und 0,7% in den gekeimten Linsen. Fructose und Sucrose änderten sich nur wenig. Die Raffinose-Oligosaccharide sind bei den gekeimten Linsen nicht vorhanden. Die Gesamt-Stärke nimmt deutlich während der Keimung ab (von 60,27% bis 41,39% und von 57,41% bis 36,39%), aber die Verdaulichkeit der Stärke wurde signifikant verbessert. Die Gehalte an neutral detergent fiber und Hemicellulose bei gekeimten Linsen waren niedriger als bei rohen Linsen, aber die Cellulose- und Ligningehalte waren nach der Keimung größer. Der Proteinnährwert bei beiden Linsensorten kann durch die Keimung verbessert werden.

     

Available niacin content in processed legumes

Summary There different legumes, chick peas, kidney beans, and lentils, were soaked and boiled in distilled water under normal and high pressure. The cooked legumes were kept at 35° C for 5 h, simulating catering systems, and the niacin contents were determined by HPLC. Data were obtained for raw and boiled legumes on both a wet weight and a dry matter basis. The niacin content of the raw legumes on a wet weight basis was always higher than that of the processed legumes, but on a dry matter basis there were small, though occasionally significant, increases in niacin content. In most cases simulated catering also led to a significant increase in the available niacin.

---

Gehalt an verfügbarem Niacin in verarbeiteten Hülsenfrüchten

Zusammenfassung Drei verschiedene Hülsenfrüchte, Kichererbsen, Schminkbohnen und Linsen, wurden in destilliertem Wasser eingeweicht und anschließend unter normalem und erhöhtem Druck gekocht. Zur Simulation eines Catering-Systemes wurden die gekochten Hülsenfrüchte 5 h bei 35 °C gelagert. In den rohen, den gekochten und den gelagerten Hülsenfrüchten wurde der Niacingehalt mittels Hochleistungsflüssigchromatographie (HPLC) bestimmt. Die erhaltenen Resultate zeigten, daß der Gehalt an verfügbarem Niacin, bezogen auf das Frischgewicht des Rohmaterials, durch den Kochprozeß in jedem Falle vermindert wird. Auf Trockensubstanz bezogen wurden kleine, zum Teil signifikante, Erhöhungen des Niacingehaltes gegenüber dem Rohmaterial beobachtet. Die Simulation von Catering-Bedingungen führte ebenfalls in den meisten Fällen zu einer signifikanten Erhöhung des verfügbaren Niacins.

     

High-performance-liquid-chromatographic determination of carbohydrates in soft drinks

Summary The sugar content of fourteen soft drinks amply consumed in Spain has been determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The method, fast and reliable requires a minimum of sample preparation. For the total sugar content, a comparison is made with the classical column chromatography.

---

Bestimmung von Kohlenhydraten in Erfrischungsgetränken durch Hochdruckflüssigkeitschromatographie

Zusammenfassung Der Zuckergehalt von vierzehn Erfrischungsgetränken, deren Verbrauch in Spanien sehr groß ist, wurde durch die Hochdruckflüssigkeitschromatographie (HPLC) festgestellt. Diese schnelle und zuverlässige Methode erfordert ein Minimum an Vorbereitungen. Für den gesamten Zuckergehalt wird ein Vergleich mit der klassischen Säulenchromatographie durchgeführt.

     

White cabbage fermentation improves ascorbigen content,antioxidant and nitric oxide production inhibitory activity in LPS-induced macrophages

Consumption of foods rich in dietary antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds is becoming a key strategy to lower oxidative stress and inflammation. The objective of this work was to study the effect of fermentation and starter culture on ascorbigen (ABG) and vitamin C content, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata cv. Megaton). Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 748 (LP), Leuconostoc mesenteroides CECT 219 (LM) or a mixed culture of both strains at 1:1 ratio (LPM) were used as starter cultures in sauerkraut manufacture. Microbiological and sensorial quality of sauerkraut was also examined. White cabbage fermentation increased (P < 0.05) ABG content (up to 12-fold), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values (up to 2-fold) and NO production inhibitory potency (up to 2.6-fold). Vitamin C content slightly decreased (P < 0.05) up to 1.4-fold during fermentation. LM sauerkraut showed the highest (P < 0.05) ABG concentration (204.8 μmol/100 g d.w.), ORAC values (164.0 μmol Trolox/g d.w.) and NO inhibitory potency (IC₅₀ = 60.8 μg extract/mL). The microbiological quality of LM, LP and LPM sauerkrauts was satisfactory. Experimental sauerkrauts showed higher overall acceptability (P < 0.05) compared to commercial products. Consequently, selection of starter culture is of great importance in the manufacture of sauerkraut with improved content of bioactive compounds and health-promoting potential.     

Impact of fermentation conditions and refrigerated storage on microbial quality and biogenic amine content of sauerkraut

White cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata cv. Bronco) was fermented, at 0.5% and 1.5% NaCl, using Lactobacillus plantarum or Leuconostoc mesenteroides as starter cultures and, subsequently, sauerkraut was stored at 4 °C for 3 months. Microbial populations and six biogenic amines (putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, spermine and spermidine) were investigated. Fermentation and storage increased aerobic mesophilic bacteria and LAB populations in sauerkrauts, and this was accompanied by a rise in biogenic amine content. L. plantarum sauerkrauts produced with 0.5% NaCl had the highest microbial counts, whilst no differences between salt contents were found with L. mesenteroides. Total biogenic amine amount was lower at 0.5% NaCl than at 1.5% in both induced fermentations and L. mesenteroides produced a lower content than did L. plantarum. Spermidine was the major contributor to the total biogenic amine content, followed by putrescine, whilst histamine was present at the lowest level. The individual and total biogenic amine levels in the experimental sauerkrauts stored at 4 °C for 3 months were below the upper limits reported in the literature for fermented products, indicating good quality and safety of the sauerkrauts. L. mesenteroides starter and 0.5% NaCl were the optimal fermentation conditions for producing sauerkrauts with the lowest biogenic amine contents.     

Classical/nonclassical hybrid cannabinoids: southern aliphatic chain-functionalized C-6beta methyl, ethyl, and propyl analogues

The stereoelectronic requirements for interaction of the southern aliphatic hydroxyl of cannabimimetic pharmacophores with the CB1 and CB2 receptors are explored. The stereoselective syntheses of three series of classical/nonclassical hybrid cannabinoids are described. These compounds were designed to investigate the importance of the southern aliphatic hydroxyl (SAH) pharmacophore for cannabimimetic activity. Variation in the chain length of the SAH moiety in these 6beta-(hydroxyalkyl)dihydrobenzopyran analogues, from 6beta-hydroxymethyl to 6beta-(omega-hydroxyethyl) and 6beta-(omega-hydroxypropyl), and the effects of replacing the hydroxyl functionality by hydride and iodide are reported. Our results indicate that the SAH pharmacophore has less pronounced effects than the C-3 aliphatic chain on cannabinoid activity. Furthermore, it appears that this southern molecular component is capable of interacting with two different subsites on the receptor and that the nature of this interaction is determined by the terminal substituent on the C-6beta alkyl group. One of the subsites can accommodate the relatively polar SAH pharmacophore, while the second subsite interacts with more hydrophobic C-6beta substituents and can accommodate large spherical pharmacophores separated by three methylene carbons from the tricyclic cannabinoid template.     

Advances and Applications of Biodegradable Elastomers in Regenerative Medicine

When elastomers were first proposed as useful materials for regenerative medicine a few decades ago, their high versatility and suitability for a diverse and wide range of in vivo applications could not have been predicted. Due to their ability to recover after deformation, these materials were first introduced in tissue engineering in an attempt to mimic the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix. Furthermore, elastomeric characteristics have been described as important criteria for cell interaction by modulating cellular behavior. From soft to hard tissues, elastomers have demonstrated degradation, mechanical, and biocompatibility requirements in accordance with the target tissue. In this feature article, biodegradable synthetic polyester elastomers that have been reported in the literature are discussed, with special focus on those that show promise for in vivo tissue replacement. Their satisfactory performance in vivo shows the promise of elastomers for use in regenerative medicine. However, further investigation is required to demonstrate the prospect of elastomer‐based therapies in clinical trials.