Identification of a novel growth factor-like lipid, 1-O-cis-alk-1'-enyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphate (alkenyl-GP) that is present in commercial sphingolipid preparations.

Lysophosphatidic acid, a member of the acidic phospholipid autacoid (APA) family of lipid mediators, elicits diverse cellular effects that range from mitogenesis to the prevention of programmed cell death. Sphingosine 1-phosphate and sphingosylphosphorylcholine have also been proposed to be ligands of the APA receptors. However, key observations that provide the foundation of this hypothesis have not been universally reproducible, leading to a controversy in the field. We provide evidence that 1-O-cis-alk-1'-enyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphate (alkenyl-GP) is present in some commercial sphingolipid preparations and is responsible for many of their APA-like effects, which were previously attributed to sphingosylphosphorylcholine. Alkenyl-GP was generated by acidic and basic methanolysis from ethanolamine lysoplasmalogen, which was present in the sphingomyelin fraction that is used to manufacture sphingosylphosphorylcholine. We present the structural identification of alkenyl-GP, using 1H and 13C NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and mass spectrometry. Alkenyl-GP was a potent activator of the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2 and elicited a mitogenic response in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. In contrast, sphingosylphosphorylcholine at a concentration of 10 microM was only a weak mitogen and only weakly activated the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases. Alkenyl-GP has recently been detected as an injury-induced component in the anterior chamber of the eye (Liliom, K., Guan, Z., Tseng, H., Desiderio, D. M., Tigyi, G., and Watsky, M. (1998) Am. J. Physiol. 274, C1065-C1074), indicating that this lipid is a naturally occurring member of the APA mediator family.

The consulting nutritionist in an employee health office.

In this time of rising health costs, corporations are striving to limit their employee health care expenditures by using preventive health education and programs. The time is ripe for nutritionists to market their expertise in the corporate setting. As corporations have not traditionally hired nutritionists as health consultants, the nutritionist needs to propose the idea and define her role. Identifying the appropriate contact person is the first step. Subsequent discussions with this person develop the nutrition service. The practical aspects of fees, hours, and coordination and documentation of services should be in contract form. Identification of employee needs and publicizing the service also fall within the nutritionist's realm. In the author's experience, employees presented with nutritional problems common to ambulatory settings: obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemias, and diabetes. Preliminary evaluation of the nutrition education showed a change in diet as documented by food records and 24-hour recalls and changes in the key parameters of weight, blood pressure, and blood glucose. Further documentation and long-term assessment of the company's health care costs are needed.

Wheat Leaf Rust: Control by 4-n-Butyl-1,2,4-triazole, a Systemic Fungicide.

Compound 4-n-butyl-1,2,4-triazole was demonstrated as an enduring and selective systemic fungicide for the control of wheat leaf rust by foliar and soil applications. Among several species of rust fungi treated, only wheat leaf rust (Puccinia recondita Rob.) was controlled. Wheat stem rust, for example, was unaffected by either soil or foliar applications.