Fluorimetric screening assay for protein carbonyl evaluation in biological samples.

Many assays are available for the detection of protein carbonyls (PCs). Currently, the measurement of PC groups after their derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenol hydrazine (DNPH) is widely used for measuring protein oxidation in biological samples. However, this method includes several washing steps. In this context, we have developed a rapid, sensitive, and accurate fluorimetric method adapted to 96-well microplates for the convenient assessment of protein carbonyl level in biological samples. The method reported here is based on the reaction of carbonyl content in proteins with 7-hydrazino-4-nitrobenzo-2,1,3-oxadiazole (NBDH) to form highly fluorescent derivatives via hydrazone formation. PCs were determined using the DNPH and NBDH assays in fully reduced bovine serum albumin (BSA) and plasma and liver homogenates obtained from healthy control rats up the addition of various amounts of HOCl-oxidized BSA (OxBSA). Using the NBDH assay, PC concentrations as low as 0.2 nmol/mg were detected with precision as low as 5%. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectroscopy was used to successfully identify the formation of the NBDH adducts after derivatization with standard oxidized peptides. Finally, the two methods were further used for PC determination in plasma and liver samples from diabetic and normal rats, showing that the NBDH assay can be reliably used in biological experiments.

Measles outbreak in an asylum-seekers' shelter in Germany: comparison of the implemented with a hypothetical containment strategy.

In order to contain a measles outbreak in a German asylum-seekers' shelter, serological testing of all residents was performed, followed by selective vaccination of those with negative test results/not tested. In this paper we describe the outbreak epidemiologically and then compare the implemented strategy with a hypothetical mass vaccination of all individuals unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status born after 1970 as recommended by the German Standing Committee on Vaccination in terms of potentially avoided cases, logistics, and costs. Three hundred (70%) residents participated in the serological testing, of which 39 (13%) were seronegative. In total, 144 individuals were eligible for vaccination, while a mass vaccination would have targeted 359 persons. However, serological testing was time- and personnel consuming and revealed several logistical problems. Its costs amounted to €90 000, double that of mass vaccination that additionally might have avoided three of the eight cases. Mass vaccination seems the preferred measure for measles outbreak control in such settings.

Oxygen reduction in the strict anaerobe Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough: characterization of two membrane-bound oxygen reductases.

Although Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough (DvH) is a strictly anaerobic bacterium, it is able to consume oxygen in different cellular compartments, including extensive periplasmic O2 reduction with hydrogen as electron donor. The genome of DvH revealed the presence of cydAB and cox genes, encoding a quinol oxidase bd and a cytochrome c oxidase, respectively. In the membranes of DvH, we detected both quinol oxygen reductase [inhibited by heptyl-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide (HQNO)] and cytochrome c oxidase activities. Spectral and HPLC data for the membrane fraction revealed the presence of o-, b- and d-type haems, in addition to a majority of c-type haems, but no a-type haem, in agreement with carbon monoxide-binding analysis. The cytochrome c oxidase is thus of the cc(o/b)o3 type, a type not previously described. The monohaem cytochrome c553 is an electron donor to the cytochrome c oxidase; its encoding gene is located upstream of the cox operon and is 50-fold more transcribed than coxI encoding the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. Even when DvH is grown under anaerobic conditions in lactate/sulfate medium, the two terminal oxidase-encoding genes are expressed. Furthermore, the quinol oxidase bd-encoding genes are more highly expressed than the cox genes. The cox operon exhibits an atypical genomic organization, with the gene coxII located downstream of coxIV. The occurrence of these membrane-bound oxygen reductases in other strictly anaerobic Deltaproteobacteria is discussed.

Outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo associated with a dietary food supplement flagged in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) in Germany, 2010.

In March 2010 the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) was used to inform about Salmonella Montevideo in a herbal food supplement, formulated in capsules, distributed under a Dutch label in Germany. Simultaneous to the first RASFF notice, in the last two weeks of March 2010 an unusual number of 15 infections with S. Montevideo was notified within the electronic reporting system for infectious diseases at the Robert Koch Institute. Adult women (median age: 43, range: 1-90 years) were mainly affected. An outbreak was suspected and the food supplement hypothesised to be its vehicle. Cases were notified from six federal states throughout Germany, which required efficient coordination of information and activities. A case-control study (n=55) among adult women showed an association between consumption of the specific food supplement and the disease (odds ratio (OR): 27.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.1-infinity, p-value=0.002). Restricting the case-control study to the period when the outbreak peaked (between 29 March and 11 April 2010) resulted in an OR of 43.5 (95% CI: 4.8-infinity, p-value=0.001). Trace-back of the supplement's main ingredient, hemp seed flour, and subsequent microbiological testing by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis supported its likely role in transmission. This outbreak investigation illustrates that information from RASFF may aid in hypothesis generation in outbreak investigations, though likely late in the outbreak.

Pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 breakthrough infections and estimates of vaccine effectiveness in Germany 2009-2010.

During the 2009 influenza pandemic, a monovalent AS03-adjuvanted vaccine was almost exclusively used in Germany for immunisation against the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus. One-dose vaccination was recommended for all age groups. We applied the screening method for the rapid assessment of vaccine effectiveness (VE) based on reported data of vaccinated and unvaccinated pandemic influenza cases and vaccination coverage estimates. Preliminary results demonstrate excellent VE in persons aged 14-59 years (96.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 95.2-97.9) and moderately high VE in those 60 years or older (83.3%; 95% CI: 71.0-90.5).

[Nosocomial Legionnaires' disease--results from the analysis of Germany's surveillance data; 2004-2006]. / Legionärskrankheit in Deutschland unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der im Krankenhaus oder in einer Pflegeeinrichtung erworbenen Erkrankungen, 2004-2006.

Legionella bacteria colonize drinking water systems and can cause severe pneumonia in humans (Legionnaires' disease (LD)). The German network for community-acquired pneumonia (CAPNETZ) estimates 15,000-30,000 new cases of LD per year in Germany. LD cases are divided into those that were acquired in the context of a stay in a hospital or nursing home (healthcare-associated; HCA), in the community (community-acquired (CA)) or during travel (travelassociated (TA)). According to the recommendations of the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC; UK) and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC; USA) a single case of nosocomial LD should prompt an epidemiologic and, depending on its results, also technical investigation of the institution. In this study we present data from nosocomial cases of LD in the context of all cases of LD that were reported to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) within the mandatory surveillance system from 2004 through 2006. We calculated the number of cases per population (incidence), the number of cases per person-days at risk (incidence rate) and case fatality. The analysis comprised 1,339 cases of LD. Among the 942 cases with one of the three categories of exposure CALD was reported in 58 % (547 cases), TALD in 29 % (270 cases) and HCA-LD in 13 % (125 cases). The incidence rate of TALD was 9-fold, but that of HCA-LD 15-fold higher than that of CALD. Case fatality of HCA-LD was 13 % and thus higher than that of CALD (9 %) and TALD (5 %). HCA-LD cases were reported from all states and included 77 different counties. Reporting counties represent the place of residence of the LD case-patients. German notification data show that cases of LD, and likely also HCALD, are underreported. Incidence rate and case fatality are highest in HCA-LD. HCA-LD occurs widespread. These results and the preventability of HCA-LD support the recommendation to thoroughly investigate single cases of HCA-LD in hospitals and nursing homes.

Inhibition of porcine liver carboxylesterase by a new flavone glucoside isolated from Deverra scoparia.

An endemic North African Saharan plant from of the Apiaceae family, Deverra scoparia, used locally for medicinal preparations, showed a strong inhibitory effect on porcine liver carboxylesterase. The active compound from the aerial part of the plant was purified by semi-preparative HPLC and photodiode array detection, and structurally determined by (1)H, (13)C NMR and mass spectroscopy methods. This compound was identified as flavone-3,4',7-trihydroxy-3'-methoxy-7-glucoside and it was found to be a powerful competitive inhibitor of porcine liver carboxylesterase with a inhibition constant value of 16 microM. Based on the structural features of the inhibitor and the enzyme active site region, it seems that the flavonoside binds to the surface of the enzyme. The low K(i) value suggests some physiological significance of such inhibitory activity, especially concerning the bio-transformation of xenobiotics.

Maackiain 3-O-(6'-O-malonyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside) from Oudneya africana, a powerful inhibitor of porcine kidney acylase I.

The inhibitory effect of phenolic extracts of several plants from the Algerian Atlas used traditionally in Arab folk medicine was tested on the porcine kidney acylase I activity. An endemic Saharan plant of the Brassicaceae family, Oudneya africana, has shown a strong inhibitory effect. The active compound was isolated and purified by semi-preparative HPLC and HPLC-photodiode array detection, and structurally determined using 1H, 13C NMR and mass spectroscopy methods. Results indicate that maackiain 3-O-(6'-O-malonyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside) showed a competitive inhibition of porcine kidney acylase I with a Ki value of 11 microM. The malonyl moiety appeared to be a structural key element for the inhibitory activity. This observation indicates interesting structure-activity relationships for the inhibitory action of this compound on the acylase I and its potential role in the toxicity of haloalkene-derived mercapturates and that of the enzyme in detoxication and bioactivation.

Fate of the junction phosphate in alternating forward and reverse self-splicing reactions of group II intron RNA.

The RNA-catalysed self-splicing reaction of group II intron RNA is assumed to proceed by two consecutive transesterification steps, accompanied by lariat formation. This is effectively analogous to the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP)-mediated nuclear pre-mRNA splicing process. Upon excision from pre-RNA, a group II lariat intervening sequence (IVS) has the capacity to re-integrate into its cognate exons, reconstituting the original pre-RNA. The process of reverse self-splicing is presumed to be a true reversion of both transesterification steps used in forward splicing. To investigate the fate of the esterified phosphate groups in splicing we assayed various exon substrates (5'E-*p3'E) containing a unique 32P-labelled phosphodiester at the ligation junction. In combined studies of alternating reverse and forward splicing we have demonstrated that the labelled phosphorus atom is displaced in conjunction with the 3' exon from the ligation junction to the 3' splice site and vice versa. Neither the nature of the 3' exon sequence nor its sequence composition acts as a prominent determinant for both substrate specificity and site-specific transesterification reactions catalysed by bI1 IVS. A cytosine ribonucleotide (pCp; pCOH) or even deoxyoligonucleotides could function as an efficient substitute for the authentic 3' exon in reverse and in forward splicing. Furthermore, the 3' exon can be single monophosphate group. Upon incubation of 3' phosphorylated 5' exon substrate (5'E-*p) with lariat IVS the 3'-terminal phosphate group is transferred in reverse and forward splicing like an authentic 3' exon, but with lower efficiency. In the absence of 3' exon nucleotides, it appears that substrate specificity is provided predominantly by the base-pairing interactions of the intronic exon binding site (EBS) sequences with the intron binding site (IBS) sequences in the 5' exon. These studies substantiate the predicted transesterification pathway in forward and reverse splicing and extend the catalytic repertoire of group II IVS in that they can act as a potential and sequence-specific transferase in vitro.

Autosomal dominant GH deficiency due to an Arg183His GH-1 gene mutation: clinical and molecular evidence of impaired regulated GH secretion.

G to A transition at position 6664 of the GH-1 gene results in the substitution of Arg183 by His (R183H) in human GH protein and causes a new form of autosomal dominant isolated GH deficiency (type II). Although a weak GH release after standard pharmacological provocation tests is observed in these affected individuals, the dominant inheritance pattern is postulated to be caused by a blockade of the GH-regulated secretion in the somatotrophs. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of this autosomal dominant mutation not only at a clinical, but also at a cellular, level. The results of the different stimulation tests showed first that the patient possesses a severely impaired, but releasable, GH store, and second that the GH secretion is blocked in a time-dependent and reversible way. To confirm these clinical data, cell culture studies were performed looking at the regulated secretory pathway of GH using AtT-20 cells. Importantly, we were able to show that when the R183H mutant GH was expressed in AtT-20 cells, secretagogue (forskolin) induced a normal R183H GH-regulated secretion, but in AtT-20 cells coexpressing both the R183H mutant GH and the normal GH, forskolin-induced GH secretion was markedly reduced. Together, the experiments seem to support the hypothesis that R183H mutant GH severely impaired the GH-regulated secretion and may, therefore, be the cause of this specific form of isolated GH deficiency type II.

CYP3A4 allelic variants with amino acid substitutions in exons 7 and 12: evidence for an allelic variant with altered catalytic activity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the existence of mutant and variant CgammaP3A4 alleles in three racial groups and to assess functions of the variant alleles by complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) expression. METHODS: A bacterial artificial chromosome that contains the complete CgammaP3A4 gene was isolated and the exons and surrounding introns were directly sequenced to develop primers to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplify and sequence the gene from lymphocyte DNA. DNA samples from Chinese, black, and white subjects were screened. Mutating the affected amino acid in the wild-type cDNA and expressing the variant enzyme with use of the baculovirus system was used to functionally evaluate the variant allele having a missense mutation. RESULTS: To investigate the existence of mutant and variant CgammaP3A4 alleles in humans, all 13 exons and the 5'-flanking region of the human CgammaP3A4 gene in three racial groups were sequenced and four alleles were identified. An A-->G point mutation in the 5'-flanking region of the human CgammaP3A4 gene, designated CgammaP3A4*1B, was found in the three different racial groups. The frequency of this allele in a white population was 4.2%, whereas it was 66.7% in black subjects. The CgammaP3A4*1B allele was not found in Chinese subjects. A second variant allele, designated CgammaP3A4*2, having a Ser222Pro change, was found at a frequency of 2.7% in the white population and was absent in the black subjects and Chinese subjects analyzed. Baculovirus-directed cDNA expression revealed that the CYP3A4*2 P450 had a lower intrinsic clearance for the CYP3A4 substrate nifedipine compared with the wild-type enzyme but was not significantly different from the wild-type enzyme for testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation. Another rare allele, designated CgammaP3A4*3, was found in a single Chinese subject who had a Met445Thr change in the conserved heme-binding region of the P450. CONCLUSIONS: These are the first examples of potential function polymorphisms resulting from missense mutations in the CgammaP3A4 gene. The CgammaP3A4*2 allele was found to encode a P450 with substrate-dependent altered kinetics compared with the wild-type P450.

Effect of flavonoids from various Mediterranean plants on enzymatic activity of intestinal carboxylesterase.

Flavonol compounds of three Mediterranean plants from the Algerian Atlas used traditionally in Arab folk medicine, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Rhamnus alaternus and Thapsia garganica, were found to inhibit the enzymatic activities of both rat intestine and purified porcine liver carboxylesterase in a concentration-dependent manner. Results indicate that the flavonol compounds from the aerial part of these plants lead to the inactivation of the CE pI = 5.1 with Ki of micromolar range. These results encourage us to perform further biological investigation.

Analysis of drug transport and metabolism in cell monolayer systems that have been modified by cytochrome P4503A4 cDNA-expression.

Human CYP3A4, the major human, intestinal, drug metabolizing cytochrome P450, has been introduced into three mammalian cell lines (Caco-2, MDCK and LLC-PK1) suitable for making drug permeability measurements. The levels and stability of expression were analyzed by enzyme assays (testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase and nifedipine oxidase). Long term, stable CYP3A4 expression/cell growth rate was obtained in MDCK cells. In the LLC-PK1 system, shorter term, stable expression was achieved. However, in Caco-2 cells, derivatives with better properties than those previously reported could not be obtained. The highest level of CYP3A4 catalytic activity was obtained in LLC-PK1 cells. In this system, CYP3A4 activity levels appeared comparable to median level human intestinal microsomes. Metabolite formation and inhibition kinetics were examined in cell monolayers. Nifedipine was found to be extensively metabolized (19%) during passage across cell monolayers. In general, affinity related parameters (apparent Km and apparent Ki) were 1.5- to three-fold higher under conditions of flux through the monolayers relative to steady-state conditions. These systems should be useful for examining the role of intestinal CYP3A4 in first-pass metabolism and drug-drug interactions.

A point about electron paramagnetic resonance detection of irradiated foodstuffs.

This paper makes a point about the identification of irradiated foodstuffs by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) or electron spin resonance (ESR). EPR is the most accurate method for such routine applications since radicals are stabilised for a long time in all (or part of) foods that are in solid and dry states; consequently, EPR can be applied to meat and fish bones, fruit and relative products (from vegetal origin). More details are given for mollusc shells, such as oysters and mussels.

[Oxidative stress and human disease. Current knowledge and perspectives for prevention]. / Stress oxydant et pathologies humaines. Bilan et perspectives préventives.

DYNAMIC BALANCE: The antibiotic status of the human organism results from the dynamic balance between the antioxidant system and the production of reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress occurs when this balance shifts in favor of pro-oxidants as can occur in several disease situations. ROS: Part of the oxygen used by cells is transformed into toxic metabolites, reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can be the cause or consequence of tissue and molecular disorders. Some of the most prominent diseases linked with oxidative stress include atherosclerosis, cancer, allergy, neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's disease. PERSPECTIVES FOR PREVENTION: Actions designed to prevent the environmental cause, such as eviction of a exposure to toxins or a change in eating habits, can be an effective means of reducing the lesions induced. Study of total antioxidant potential could be quite useful for detecting and monitoring environmental damage and for clinical follow-up. It could also help in determining, for each individual, the negative or positive development of a therapy on the anti-free radical action. Treatments must be personalized according to the tested response.

High throughput assay for evaluation of reactive carbonyl scavenging capacity.

Many carbonyl species from either lipid peroxidation or glycoxidation are extremely reactive and can disrupt the function of proteins and enzymes. 4-hydroxynonenal and methylglyoxal are the most abundant and toxic lipid-derived reactive carbonyl species. The presence of these toxics leads to carbonyl stress and cause a significant amount of macromolecular damages in several diseases. Much evidence indicates trapping of reactive carbonyl intermediates may be a useful strategy for inhibiting or decreasing carbonyl stress-associated pathologies. There is no rapid and convenient analytical method available for the assessment of direct carbonyl scavenging capacity, and a very limited number of carbonyl scavengers have been identified to date, their therapeutic potential being highlighted only recently. In this context, we have developed a new and rapid sensitive fluorimetric method for the assessment of reactive carbonyl scavengers without involvement glycoxidation systems. Efficacy of various thiol- and non-thiol-carbonyl scavenger pharmacophores was tested both using this screening assay adapted to 96-well microplates and in cultured cells. The scavenging effects on the formation of Advanced Glycation End-product of Bovine Serum Albumin formed with methylglyoxal, 4-hydroxynonenal and glucose-glycated as molecular models were also examined. Low molecular mass thiols with an α-amino-ß-mercaptoethane structure showed the highest degree of inhibitory activity toward both α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes and dicarbonyls. Cysteine and cysteamine have the best scavenging ability toward methylglyoxal. WR-1065 which is currently approved for clinical use as a protective agent against radiation and renal toxicity was identified as the best inhibitor of 4-hydroxynonenal.