GLUT1 deficiency syndrome: an update.

INTRODUCTION: Glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome is caused by heterozygous, mostly de novo, mutations in the SLC2A1 gene encoding the glucose transporter GLUT1. Mutations in this gene limit brain glucose availability and lead to cerebral energy deficiency. STATE OF THE ART: The phenotype is characterized by the variable association of mental retardation, acquired microcephaly, complex motor disorders, and paroxysmal manifestations including seizures and non-epileptic paroxysmal episodes. Clinical severity varies from mild motor dysfunction to severe neurological disability. In patients with mild phenotypes, paroxysmal manifestations may be the sole manifestations of the disease. In particular, the diagnosis should be considered in patients with paroxysmal exercise-induced dyskinesia or with early-onset generalized epilepsy. Low CSF level of glucose, relative to blood level, is the best biochemical clue to the diagnosis although not constantly found. Molecular analysis of the SLC2A1 gene confirms the diagnosis. Ketogenic diet is the cornerstone of the treatment and implicates a close monitoring by a multidisciplinary team including trained dieticians. Non-specific drugs may be used as add-on symptomatic treatments but their effects are often disappointing. CONCLUSION: Glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome is likely under diagnosed due to its complex and pleiotropic phenotype. Proper identification of the affected patients is important for clinical practice since the disease is treatable.

Bioactive compounds in cranberries and their biological properties.

Cranberries are healthy fruit that contribute color, flavor, nutritional value, and functionality. They are one of only three fruits native to America. Over the past decade, public interest for the North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) has been rising with reports of their potential health benefits linked to the numerous phytochemicals present in the fruit--the anthocyanins, the flavonols, the flavan-3-ols, the proanthocyanidins, and the phenolic acid derivatives. The presence of these phytochemicals appears to be responsible for the cranberry property of preventing many diseases and infections, including cardiovascular diseases, various cancers, and infections involving the urinary tract, dental health, and Helicobacter pylori-induced stomach ulcers and cancers. Recent years have seen important breakthroughs in our understanding of the mechanisms through which these compounds exert their beneficial biological effects, yet these remain to be scientifically substantiated. In this paper these characteristics, as well as the antioxidant, radical scavenging, antibacterial, antimutagen, and anticarcinogen properties of cranberry major bioactive compounds are explained.

Analyzing cranberry bioactive compounds.

There is a growing public interest for the North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) as a functional food because of the potential health benefits linked to phytochemical compounds present in the fruit--the anthocyanin pigments, responsible for its brilliant red color, and other secondary plant metabolites (flavonols, flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins, and phenolic acid derivatives). Isolation of these phenolic compounds and flavonoids from a sample matrix is a prerequisite to any comprehensive analysis scheme. By far the most widely employed analytical technique for the characterization of these compounds has been high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) coupled with ultraviolet-visible(UV/Vis) and mass spectrometer(MS) detection. This review covers the cranberry major bioactive compounds, the extraction and purification methods, and the analytical conditions for HPLC used to characterize them. Extraction, chromatographic separation and detection strategies, analyte determinations, and applications in HPLC are discussed and the information regarding methods of specific cranberry analyte analyses has been summarized in tabular form to provide a means of rapid access to information pertinent to the reader.

Effect of gamma-irradiation on membrane fatty acids and peptidoglycan's muropeptides of Pantoea agglomerans, a plant pathogen.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gamma-irradiation on the fatty acids (FA) and muropeptides content of two strains of an Enterobacteriacea: Pantoea agglomerans. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pantoea agglomerans strains ATCC 49174 and RL1 isolated from irradiated carrots were used for this study. Radiation treatments (1 and 3.5 kGy) were performed to study the radiotolerance. Total lipids were obtained by multiple extractions using methanol/chloroform (2 : 1) and were quantified by GC. Muropeptides were purified by successive enzymatic digestions and analysed using a reverse phase C(18) column in high performance liquid chromatography. A significant (P

Effect of gamma radiation on heat shock protein expression of four foodborne pathogens.

AIMS: The effects of gamma radiation on three heat shock proteins (Hsps) (GroEL, DnaK and GroES) synthesis in two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Salmonella serotype Typhimurium) and two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes) bacteria were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: The bacterial strains were treated with three radiation doses to induce cell damage, to obtain a viable but nonculturable state, and to cause cell death. Western blot analysis and quantification of Hsps in bacteria were performed immediately after irradiation treatment. In the four foodborne pathogens, GroEL was strongly induced by gamma rays in a dose-dependent manner, confirming the involvement of this protein in the cellular response to the stress generated by ionizing radiation. In addition, it was found that E. coli exposed to gamma radiation showed a significantly induction of DnaK and GroES proteins when compared with nonirradiated bacteria, whereas a GroES slight induction and a DnaK inhibition were observed in Salm. Typhimurium. CONCLUSIONS: The gamma rays influence the synthesis of Hsps in foodborne pathogen in a way that critically depends on the radiation dose. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study of stress response to several radiation doses was undertaken to elucidate how bacteria can survive in harsh conditions and cope with gamma radiation used to control foodborne pathogens and to characterize their adaptative response to this treatment.

Carotenoids' influence on radiotolerance of Pantoea agglomerans, a plant pathogen.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gamma radiation on the carotenoid content of two strains of the Enterobacteriaceae: Pantoea agglomerans. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pantoea agglomerans strains ATCC 49174 and RL1 were used for this study. Successive radiation treatments were performed to study the radiotolerance. Total carotenoids were obtained by multiple extraction using chloroform/methanol (2 : 1), quantified by measuring the optical density at 453 nm and their antioxidant activity measured by a colorimetric method. The D(10) studies were conducted using a UC-15A irradiator loaded with 60Co. Bacterial counts from various dilutions were carried out after irradiation. Strain ATCC 49174 irradiated at 1 kGy produced 4.3 times more carotenoids than the control, whereas carotenoid synthesis increased by 2.9-fold in the strain RL1. However, there was no significant difference in the D(10) values. CONCLUSION: Carotenoid increased production is influenced by gamma radiation but does not modify the tolerance to radiations. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the effects of gamma radiation on carotenoid production levels.

Combined effects of antimicrobial coating, modified atmosphere packaging, and gamma irradiation on Listeria innocua present in ready-to-use carrots (Daucus carota).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an edible antimicrobial coating combined with modified atmosphere (MA) packaging (60% O2, 30% CO2, and 10% N2) and gamma irradiation on peeled minicarrots inoculated with Listeria innocua. Carrots were inoculated with L. innocua (10(3) CFU/g) and then coated with an antimicrobial coating based on calcium caseinate containing trans-cinnamaldehyde. The same formulation without trans-cinnamaldehyde was used as an inactive coating. Coated and uncoated carrots were packed under the MA or under air, irradiated at 0.25 or 0.5 kGy, and stored at 4 +/- 1 degrees C for 21 days. Samples were evaluated periodically for enumeration of L. innocua. Unirradiated carrots stored under air had the highest concentrations of L. innocua after 21 days of storage: 2.23 CFU/g in the uncoated samples and 2.26 CFU/ g in samples coated with the inactive coating. These results suggest that the inactive coating did not have any antimicrobial effect against L. innocua. However, the addition of the antimicrobial coating resulted in a 1.29-log reduction in the concentration of L. innocua in carrots packed under air after 21 days of storage and a 1.08-log reduction in carrots packed under MA after 7 days of storage. After 7 days of storage, no L. innocua was detected in samples treated at 0.5 kGy under air or in samples treated at 0.25 kGy under MA. A complete inhibition of L. innocua was also observed during all storage periods in uncoated and coated samples treated at 0.5 kGy under MA. These results indicate that the combination of irradiation and MA conditions play an important role in the radiosensitization of L. innocua.

Influence of antimicrobial compounds and modified atmosphere packaging on radiation sensitivity of Listeria monocytogenes present in ready-to-use carrots (Daucus carota).

Radiosensitization of Listeria monocytogenes was determined in the presence of trans-cinnamaldehyde, Spanish oregano, winter savory, and Chinese cinnamon on peeled minicarrots packed under air or under a modified atmosphere (60% O2, 30% CO2, and 10% N2). Samples were inoculated with L. monocytogenes HPB 2812 serovar 1/2a (106 CFU/g) and were coated separately with each active compound (0.5%, wt/wt) before being packaged under air or the modified atmosphere and irradiated at doses from 0.07 to 2.4 kGy. Results indicated that the bacterium was more resistant to irradiation under air in the absence of active compound. The dose required to reduce L. monocytogenes population by 1 log CFU (D10) was 0.36 kGy for samples packed under air and 0.17 kGy for those packed under the modified atmosphere. The active compounds evaluated in this study had an effect on the radiation sensitivity of L. monocytogenes on carrots. The most efficient compound was trans-cinnamaldehyde, where a mean 3.8-fold increase in relative radiation sensitivity was observed for both atmospheres compared with the control. The addition of winter savory and Chinese cinnamon produced a similar increase in relative radiation sensitivity but only when samples where packed under modified atmosphere conditions.

Combined effects of coating, modified atmosphere packaging, and gamma irradiation on quality maintenance of ready-to-use carrots (Daucus carota).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an edible coating combined with modified atmosphere (MA; 60% O2, 30% CO2, and 10% N2) packaging and gamma irradiation on the microbiological stability and physicochemical quality of minimally processed carrots. A coating based on calcium caseinate and whey protein isolates was used. Coated and uncoated peeled minicarrots were packed under the MA or air (78.1% N2, 20.9% O2, and 0.036% CO2), irradiated at 0.5 or 1 kGy, and stored at 4 +/- 1 degrees C for 21 days. Samples were evaluated periodically for aerobic plates counts (APCs) and physicochemical properties (firmness, white discoloration, and whiteness index). Gamma irradiation did not significantly affect the physicochemical properties of the carrots (P > 0.05). Microbiological analysis revealed that for uncoated carrots irradiation at 0.5 and 1 kGy under air and MA reduced the APCs by 3.5 and 4 log CFU/g and by 4 and 4.5 log CFU/g, respectively. For coated carrots, irradiation at 0.5 and 1 kGy under air and MA reduced the APCs by 4 and 4.5 log CFU/g and by 3 and 4.25 log CFU/g, respectively. The coating was able to protect carrots against dehydration during storage under air. Coating and irradiation at 1 kGy were also able to protect carrot firmness during storage under air. MA packaging retarded whitening of uncoated carrots but had a detrimental effect on firmness. The edible coating used in this study did not significantly inhibit (P > 0.05) microbial growth on carrots.

Microbial and sensory quality of marinated and irradiated chicken.

Chicken legs were subjected to two pretreatments (packaged in air or marinated in natural plant extracts and then packaged in air) followed by irradiation (0, 3, or 5 kGy). The control and irradiated chicken legs were stored at 4 degrees C and underwent microbial analysis (mesophilic aerobic plate counts and Salmonella detection) and sensory evaluation at predetermined intervals. Microbial analysis indicated that irradiation had a significant effect (P < or = 0.05) on the mesophilic aerobic plate counts of the poultry. For each treatment, the bacterial growth decreased with an increase of irradiation dose. The marinade had an additive effect with irradiation in reducing bacterial growth and controlling proliferation during storage at 4 +/- 1 degree C. No Salmonella was observed until day 12 in marinated chicken irradiated at 3 kGy and for all experiments with chicken legs stored under air or marinated at 5 kGy. However, Salmonella was found in chicken legs irradiated at 3 kGy in air and in nonirradiated samples. The sensory evaluation indicated a significant (P < or = 0.05) difference in odor and flavor intensities between the irradiated chicken at 5 kGy and the control. No significant difference was found (P > 0.05) between the marinated chicken irradiated at 5 kGy and the control.

Factors controlling 7Be and 210Pb atmospheric deposition as revealed by sampling individual rain events in the region of Geneva, Switzerland.

Bulk atmospheric deposition of 7Be and 210Pb has been measured at Versoix, close to Geneva, Switzerland. Collectors were continuously deployed from November 1997 through November 1998 for periods from 1 to 22 days depending on the frequency of rain. The activities of 7Be and 210Pb integrated over the sampling interval were moderately well correlated with rainfall (r2 of 0.66 and 0.55, respectively; p < 0.001) and well correlated one with the other (r2 of 0.91; p < 0.001). The 7Be/210Pb activity ratio is close to 13.5, except for samples collected in the periods of very low precipitation which have a distinctly lower ratio. A simple model accounting for rainfall, seasonal variations and reload of the local atmosphere after a rain event explains 90% of the variance of 7Be and 210Pb deposition. Concentrations of 210Pb and Ca++ in rain were correlated with transport time of air masses over the continent as indicated by reconstruction of air mass trajectories over three days.

[Community-acquired pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus in non-HIV infected adult patients]. / Pneumonies communautaires à staphylococcus aureus chez des patients adultes non VIH.

Staphylococcus aureus is the sixth frequent cause of community-acquired pneumonia. We report 19 cases of staphylococcal pneumonia in 3 women and 16 men, mean age 55 years. Predisposing factors were: age > 65 years, alcoholism, chronic bronchopulmonary disease, immunodepression, renal failure, diabetes. The portal was usually the respiratory tract. Symptom onset was progressive. Thirteen patients had signs of severe disease. Radiology showed localized excavated infiltrations in 8 cases, with a pleural reaction in 9. Bacteriological diagnosis was made on fibroscopic brushings on pleural fluid. Blood cultures were positive in 6 of 16 cases. Meti-S S. aureus was found in 17/19 cases. Outcome was favorable in 15 patients. These often severe infections require early antibiotic therapy using beta lactams active against S. aureus, combined when necessary with another antibiotic.

Analysis of the chromosome X exome in patients with autism spectrum disorders identified novel candidate genes, including TMLHE.

The striking excess of affected males in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) suggests that genes located on chromosome X contribute to the etiology of these disorders. To identify new X-linked genes associated with ASD, we analyzed the entire chromosome X exome by next-generation sequencing in 12 unrelated families with two affected males. Thirty-six possibly deleterious variants in 33 candidate genes were found, including PHF8 and HUWE1, previously implicated in intellectual disability (ID). A nonsense mutation in TMLHE, which encodes the ɛ-N-trimethyllysine hydroxylase catalyzing the first step of carnitine biosynthesis, was identified in two brothers with autism and ID. By screening the TMLHE coding sequence in 501 male patients with ASD, we identified two additional missense substitutions not found in controls and not reported in databases. Functional analyses confirmed that the mutations were associated with a loss-of-function and led to an increase in trimethyllysine, the precursor of carnitine biosynthesis, in the plasma of patients. This study supports the hypothesis that rare variants on the X chromosome are involved in the etiology of ASD and contribute to the sex-ratio disequilibrium.

Bacteriological and chemical changes occurring in Bunker-stored silage covered with biodegradable coating.

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of a biodegradable silage coating for the ability to protect timothy (Phleum pratensa) type silage against spoilage and its quality under natural conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Triplicate mini-silos of silage were prepared for three treatments (1: uncoated; 2: coated with biodegradable coating and 3: sealed with plastic), two types of storage (unprotected or protected from rain) and 10 sampling times (0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56, 63 and 70 days postensiling). Triplicate mini-silos were opened at each sampling time for microbiological (total aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, moulds and yeasts) and biochemical analyses [pH, dry matter (DM), water-soluble sugars (WSC), lactic (LA), acetic, propionic and butyric acids content]. The study showed that at day 70, counts of moulds and yeasts in silages protected against rain and coated with biodegradable coating were 5.98 log CFU g(-1) when compared with 5.92 and 3.62 log CFU g(-1) in samples from plastic-sealed silage and uncoated silage, respectively. The pH was low and stable pH (4.34) when compared with uncoated (7.17) and plastic sealed (8.34) silages (P < or = 0.05). A DM, WSC and LA content of 421.7, 13.4 and 20.9 g kg(-1) was, respectively, observed. For silage stored outdoors, a level of moulds and yeasts of 3.77 log CFU g(-1) of silage was also observed in silages coated with biodegradable coating after 28 days of storage. A stable pH showing a mean value of 4 was also observed. The pH, DM, WSC and LA content were, respectively, 4.18, 341.1, 13.34 and 31.8 g kg(-1) in these samples. After 70 days of storage, the level of moulds and yeasts on silage sealed with biodegradable coating was 7.73 log CFU g(-1). A DM, WSC and LA content of 291.9, 5.56 and 10.0 g kg(-1) was, respectively, observed. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with uncoated silage, the application of biodegradable coating can preserve the quality of silage for up to a month when exposed to rain and up to 70 days when protected from rain. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Results emphasize the possibility of the use of a biodegradable coating as an alternative to plastic film for sealing horizontal bunker silos.