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Publications and source records attributed to M J Lewis.
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Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery assessed by high-resolution ultrasound is widely used to measure endothelial function. However, the technique is not standardized, with different groups using occlusion of either the wrist or the upper arm to induce increased blood flow. The validity of the test as a marker of endothelial function rests on the assumption that the dilatation observed is endothelium-dependent and mediated by nitric oxide (NO). We sought to compare the NO component of brachial artery dilatation observed following wrist or upper arm occlusion. Dilatation was assessed before and during intra-arterial infusion of the NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) following occlusion of (i) the wrist (distal to ultrasound probe) and (ii) the upper arm (proximal to ultrasound probe) for 5 min in ten healthy males. Dilatation was significantly greater after upper arm occlusion (upper arm, 11.62+/-3.17%; wrist, 7.25+/-2.49%; P=0.003). During L-NMMA infusion, dilatation after wrist occlusion was abolished (from 7.25+/-2.49% to 0.16+/-2.24%; P<0.001), whereas dilatation after upper arm occlusion was only partially attenuated (from 11.62+/-3.17% to 7.51+/-2.34%; P=0.006). The peak flow stimulus was similar after wrist and upper arm occlusion. We conclude that dilatation following upper arm occlusion is greater than that observed after wrist occlusion, despite a similar peak flow stimulus. L-NMMA infusion revealed that FMD following wrist occlusion is mediated exclusively by NO, while dilatation following upper arm occlusion comprises a substantial component not mediated by NO, most probably related to tissue ischaemia around the brachial artery. FMD following wrist occlusion may be a more valid marker of endothelial function than dilatation following upper arm occlusion.
The Borago officinalis Delta6 fatty acid desaturase (Boofd6) shares 58% identity in its amino acid sequence with Boofd8, a Delta8 sphingolipid desaturase from the same plant species. In order to localise the distinct catalytic properties of Boofd6 and Boofd8 to individual regions within them, a set of chimeras of these two enzymes were constructed and expressed in yeast. Chimera 2 is different from the other chimeras and Boofd6 in that it did not have any detectable desaturase activity on 18 carbon fatty acids. However, it desaturated C16 palmitoleic and C14 myristoleic acid, and the conversion rate for the later one was more than three times higher than that of Boofd6. These results suggest that the predicted membrane helices 1 and 2 of Boofd6 are involved in forming the substrate-binding site. This site appears to place constraints on the chain length of fatty acid substrates, which is similar to hydrophobic substrate binding pockets.
Nitric oxide (( small middle dot)NO) plays a central role in vascular homeostasis via regulation of smooth muscle relaxation and platelet aggregation. Although mechanisms for ( small middle dot)NO formation are well known, removal pathways are less well characterized, particularly in cells that respond to ( small middle dot)NO through activation of soluble guanylate cyclase. Herein, we report that ( small middle dot)NO is catalytically consumed by prostaglandin H synthase-1 (PGHS-1) through acting as a reducing peroxidase substrate. With purified ovine PGHS-1, ( small middle dot)NO consumption requires peroxide (LOOH or H(2)O(2)), with a K(m)( (app)) for 15(S)hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HPETE) of 3. 27 +/- 0.35 microm. During this, 2 mol ( small middle dot)NO are consumed per mol HPETE, and loss of HPETE hydroperoxy group occurs with retention of the conjugated diene spectrum. Hydroperoxide-stimulated ( small middle dot)NO consumption requires heme incorporation, is not inhibited by indomethacin, and is further stimulated by the reducing peroxidase substrate, phenol. PGHS-1-dependent ( small middle dot)NO consumption also occurs during arachidonate, thrombin, or activation of platelets (1-2 microm.min(-1) for typical plasma platelet concentrations) and prevents ( small middle dot)NO stimulation of platelet soluble guanylate cyclase. Platelet sensitivity to ( small middle dot)NO as an inhibitor of aggregation is greater using a platelet-activating stimulus () that does not cause ( small middle dot)NO consumption, indicating that this mechanism overcomes the anti-aggregatory effects of ( small middle dot)NO. Catalytic consumption of ( small middle dot)NO during eicosanoid synthesis thus represents both a novel proaggregatory function for PGHS-1 and a regulated mechanism for vascular ( small middle dot)NO removal.
OBJECTIVES: First, we sought to study the effects of short- and long-term vitamin C therapy on oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in chronic heart failure (CHF), and second, we sought to investigate the role of neutrophils as a cause of oxidative stress in CHF. BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress may contribute to endothelial dysfunction in CHF. Vitamin C ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in CHF, presumably by reducing oxidative stress, but this is unproven. METHODS: We studied 55 patients with CHF (ischemic and nonischemic etiologies) and 15 control subjects. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery was measured by ultrasound wall-tracking, neutrophil superoxide anion (O2-) generation by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence and oxidative stress by measurement of free radicals (FRs) in venous blood using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Measurements were performed at baseline in all subjects. The effects of short-term (intravenous) and long-term (oral) vitamin C therapy versus placebo were tested in patients with nonischemic CHF. RESULTS: At baseline, FRs were higher in patients with CHF than in control subjects (p < 0.01), TBARS were greater (p < 0.005), neutrophil O2- -generating capacity was enhanced (p < 0.005) and FMD was lower (p < 0.0001). Compared with placebo, short-term vitamin C therapy reduced FR levels (p < 0.05), tended to reduce TBARS and increased FMD (p < 0.05), but did not affect neutrophil O2- -generating capacity. Long-term vitamin C therapy reduced FR levels (p < 0.05), reduced TBARS (p < 0.05) and improved FMD (p < 0.05), but also reduced neutrophil O2- -generating capacity (p < 0.05). Endothelial dysfunction was not related to oxidative stress, and improvements in FMD with vitamin C therapy did not relate to reductions in oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress is increased in ischemic and nonischemic CHF, and neutrophils may be an important cause. Vitamin C reduces oxidative stress, increases FMD and, when given long term, decreases neutrophil O2- generation, but the lack of a correlation between changes in endothelial function and oxidative stress with vitamin C implies possible additional non-antioxidant benefits of vitamin C.
To investigate the immunological features of human T lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) infection and specific mechanisms whereby HTLV-II might influence the progression of HIV-1 disease in coinfected individuals, we have analyzed the production of the C-C chemokines RANTES and macrophage inflammatory proteins 1alpha and 1alpha (MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta) by PBMCs from HTLV-II-infected and HTLV-II/HIV-1-coinfected individuals. We observed spontaneous production of significant levels of MIP-1alpha and -1beta and, to a lesser extent, RANTES, from individuals infected with HTLV-II alone or with concomitant HIV-1 infection. Spontaneous C-C chemokine production was not observed in PBMCs from uninfected or HIV-1-infected individuals. Although HTLV-II is known to preferentially infect CD8+ lymphocytes in vivo, we observed that whereas RANTES was produced exclusively by the CD8+-enriched fraction, MIP-1alpha and -1beta were produced by both the CD8+-enriched and CD8+-depleted fractions of HTLV-II-infected PBMCs. RT-PCR demonstrated active expression of the HTLV-II regulatory protein Tax in the infected CD8+ T lymphocyte population, and it was further shown that Tax transactivates the promoters of MIP-1beta and RANTES. Therefore, it appears that HTLV-II stimulates the production of C-C chemokines both directly at a transcriptional level via the viral transactivator Tax and also indirectly. Although the HTLV-II-infected individuals in this study are all virtually asymptomatic, they certainly display an abnormal immune phenotype. Moreover, our findings suggest that HTLV-II, via chemokine production, would be expected to alter the progression of HIV-1 infection in coinfected individuals.
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Wounding leaves or stems of Lactuca species releases a milky latex onto the plant surface. We have examined the constituents of latex from Lactuca sativa (lettuce) cv. Diana. The major components were shown to be novel 15-oxalyl and 8-sulfate conjugates of the guaianolide sesquiterpene lactones, lactucin, deoxylactucin, and lactucopicrin. The oxalates were unstable, reverting to the parent sesquiterpene lactone on hydrolysis. Oxalyl derivatives have been reported rarely from natural sources. The sulfates were stable and are the first reported sesquiterpene sulfates from plants. Unusual tannins based on 4-hydroxyphenylacetyl conjugates of glucose were also identified. Significant qualitative and quantitative variation was found in sesquiterpene lactone profiles in different lettuce varieties and in other Lactuca spp. The proportions of each conjugate in latex also changed depending on the stage of plant development. A similar profile was found in chicory, in which oxalyl conjugates were identified, but the 8-sulfate conjugates were notably absent. The presence of the constitutive sesquiterpene lactones was not correlated with resistance to pathogens but may have a significant bearing on the molecular basis of the bitter taste of lettuce and related species. The induced sesquiterpene lactone phytoalexin, lettucenin A, was found in the Lactuca spp. but not in chicory.
We believe that no experimental study has yet tested Darwin's idea that, as well as generating trait elaboration, intersexual selection might sometimes drive sex-biased trait reduction. Here we present the results of two experiments exploring the negative relationship between tail length and reproductive success in male golden-headed cisticolas (Cisticola exilis). In the first experiment, artificially shortening a male's tail produced a dramatic increase in his reproductive success, measured as either the number of females nesting or number of chicks Hedged on his territory. A second experiment, in which manipulated birds were flown through a maze, revealed that short tails also impose costs by reducing aerodynamic performance during slow-speed foraging flight. Because tail shortening yields reproductive benefits and viability costs, we conclude it has evolved via sexual selection. Disentangling exactly how short tails enhance male reproductive success is more difficult. Male-male competition appears partly responsible: aerodynamic theory predicts that tail reduction enhances high-speed flight and, in line with this, shortened-tail males spent more time engaged in high-speed aerial chases of rivals and defended higher-quality territories. However, shortened-tail males had higher reproductive success independent of territory quality and spent more time in aerial displays which may be directed at females. This suggests that tail shortening is also favoured via female choice based on male phenotype.
A Caenorhabditis elegans ORF encoding the presumptive condensing enzyme activity of a fatty acid elongase has been characterized functionally by heterologous expression in yeast. This ORF (F56H11. 4) shows low similarity to Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes involved in fatty acid elongation. The substrate specificity of the C. elegans enzyme indicated a preference for Delta(6)-desaturated C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Coexpression of this activity with fatty acid desaturases required for the synthesis of C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids resulted in the accumulation of arachidonic acid from linoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid from alpha-linolenic acid. These results demonstrate the reconstitution of the n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthetic pathways. The C. elegans ORF is likely to interact with endogenous components of a yeast elongation system, with the heterologous nematode condensing enzyme F56H11.4 causing a redirection of enzymatic activity toward polyunsaturated C18 fatty acid substrates.
Analysis of human T-lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) isolates from North America and Europe have demonstrated the existence of two molecular subtypes of the virus, HTLV-IIa and HTLV-IIb. Recently, studies on HTLV-II infections in Brazil have revealed isolates that are related phylogenetically to the HTLV-IIa subtype but have a HTLV-IIb phenotype with respect to the transactivating protein, tax. To more clearly define this relationship, HTLV-II was isolated from peripheral blood of an IVDA from Sao Paulo, Brazil (SP-WV), and the complete provirus was cloned and sequenced. Comparison of HTLV-II(SP-WV) nucleotide sequences to other available complete HTLV-II proviral sequences revealed that HTLV-II(SP-WV) is most closely related to HTLV-II(Mo), the prototypic HTLV-IIa subtype sequence. Phylogenetic analysis of LTR, env, and tax regions unequivocally demonstrated that HTLV-II(SP-WV) and all other Brazilian sequences examined are members of the IIa subtype. The predicted amino acid sequences of the major coding regions of HTLV-II(SP-WV) are also most closely related to HTLV-II(Mo), with the important exception of tax. The tax protein encoded by HTLV-II(SP-WV) is 96-99% identical to the tax of IIb isolates and is similar in that it has an additional 25 amino acids at the carboxy-terminus compared to the HTLV-II(Mo) tax with which it shares 91% identity. Analysis of tax stop codon usage of a number of HTLV-IIa isolates from North American, Europe, and Brazil demonstrated that isolates from the last region appear to be unique in their extended tax phenotype. It could be demonstrated that the extended tax proteins in the HTLV-IIb and Brazilian isolates had equivalent ability to transactivate the viral LTR, and studies with deletion mutants indicated that the extended C-terminus is not essential for transactivation. In contrast, the HTLV-IIa tax was found to have a greatly diminished ability to transactivate the viral LTR, which appeared to be a consequence of reduced expression of the protein. The studies show that although the Brazilian strains do not represent an entirely new subtype based on nucleotide sequence analysis they are a phenotypically unique molecular variant within the HTLV-IIa subtype.
BACKGROUND: Exaggerated postprandial lipemia (PPL) is a factor in atherogenesis, involving endothelial dysfunction and enhanced oxidative stress. We examined the effect of ciprofibrate therapy on these parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty patients entered a 3-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Each subject was studied fasting and after a fatty meal, at baseline, and after 3 months of treatment. Glucose and lipid profiles were measured over an 8-hour postprandial period. Endothelial function (flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilatation [FMD]) and oxidative stress (electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy) were measured after fasting and 4 hours postprandially. At baseline, both groups exhibited similar PPL and deterioration in endothelial function. After ciprofibrate, fasting and postprandial FMD values were significantly higher (from 3.8+/-1. 8% and 1.8+/-1.3% to 4.8+/-1.1% and 3.4+/-1.1%; P<0.05). This was mirrored by a fall in fasting and postprandial triglycerides (3. 1+/-2.1 and 6.6+/-4.1 mmol/L to 1.5+/-0.8 and 2.8+/-1.3 mmol/L, P<0. 05). Fasting and postprandial HDL cholesterol was also elevated (0. 9+/-0.1 and 0.8+/-0.1 mmol/L and 1.2+/-0.2 and 1.2+/-0.1 mmol/L, P<0. 05). There were no changes in total or LDL cholesterol. Fasting and postprandial triglyceride enrichment of all lipoproteins was attenuated, with cholesterol depletion of VLDL and enrichment of HDL. There were similar postprandial increases in oxidative stress in both groups at baseline, which was significantly attenuated by ciprofibrate (0.3+/-0.6 versus 1.5+/-1.1 U, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that fibrate therapy improves fasting and postprandial endothelial function in type 2 diabetes. Attenuation of PPL and the associated oxidative stress, with increased HDL cholesterol levels, may be important.
Concentrations of LH, cortisol, estradiol-17beta (E(2)), prolactin and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGFM) were determined in cows with experimentally induced clinical mastitis during early lactation. Cows free of intramammary infection (IMI) and in the luteal phase of the estrous cycle were balanced by lactation number and days in milk and assigned to either control (n=5) or treatment (n=5) groups. Treated cows were infected experimentally (day 0), in two mammary quarters, with Streptococcus uberis and developed clinical mastitis within 60 h after inoculation as evidenced by increased mastitis scores, elevated rectal temperatures, mammary swelling and isolation of S. uberis pathogen. Four days following bacterial challenge, blood samples were collected every 20 min for 8 h for determination of PGFM and LH following administration of oxytocin and GnRH, respectively. Blood samples were also collected on days 0, 4 and 7 of the experiment to determine concentrations of E(2), prolactin and cortisol. Four days after bacterial challenge, concentrations of cortisol were higher (P=0.04) in experimentally infected cows than controls. Experimentally challenged cows had increased (P=0.02) concentrations of cortisol on days 4 and 7 compared with day 0. Control cows had no significant increase in blood cortisol during the experimental period. Baseline concentrations of PGFM did not differ between groups; however, peak concentrations of PGFM following oxytocin challenge were elevated (P=0.006) in cows with clinical mastitis compared with control animals. Prolactin, E(2) and LH did not differ between cows with clinical mastitis or controls. Experimentally induced mastitis during early lactation elevated concentrations of cortisol during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. Furthermore, mastitic cows demonstrated an increased PGFM response following oxytocin administration. Altered reproductive efficiency in cows with clinical mastitis caused by Gram-positive pathogens may be the result of increased uterine sensitivity to prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)).
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with elevated plasma angiotensin II (Ang II) levels and endothelial dysfunction. The relationship between Ang II and endothelial dysfunction remains unknown, however, but it may involve an alteration in endothelial cell redox state. We therefore investigated the effect of Ang II on NADH/NADPH oxidase-mediated superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) production by cultured guinea pig coronary microvascular endothelial cells (CMVEs) and CMVEs freshly isolated from a guinea pig, pressure-overload model of LVH. Lucigenin chemiluminescence was used to measure O(2)(-) production in the particulate fraction of CMVE lysates. In cultured cells, incubation with Ang II (0.1 nmol/L to 1 micromol/L for 18 hours) resulted in significant (P<0.01) increases in both NADH- and NADPH-dependent O(2)(-) production, with a peak effect at 1 nmol/L. The latter was significantly (P<0.01) inhibited by the AT(1) receptor antagonist losartan (1 micromol/L for 18 hours). In contrast, the O(2)(-) response to Ang II (0.1 nmol/L to 1 micromol/L for 18 hours) was largely unaffected by concomitant exposure to the AT(2) antagonist PD 123319 (1 micromol/L). In freshly isolated CMVEs from nonoperated animals, NADH- and NADPH-dependent O(2)(-) production was not different from that in sham-operated animals but was significantly (P<0.05) elevated in the aortic-banded animals. Plasma Ang II levels were significantly (P<0.001) elevated in the aortic-banded (1.25+/-0.12 microg/L, n=12) compared with sham-operated animals (0.63+/-0.06 microg/L, n=12). These data suggest that the endothelial dysfunction associated with LVH may be due, at least in part, to the Ang II-induced upregulation of NADH/NADPH oxidase-dependent O(2)(-) production.
OBJECTIVE: This work was undertaken to determine whether dietary supplementation with marine omega-3 fatty acids improve systemic large artery endothelial function in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. BACKGROUND: Marine omega-3 fatty acids improve vascular function, but the underlying mechanism(s) are unclear. We studied the effects of marine omega-3 fatty acids on large artery endothelial function in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: Hypercholesterolemic subjects with no other known cause for endothelial dysfunction were recruited to a prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. Treatment with omega-3 fatty acids at a dose of 4 g/day (n = 15/group) was compared with placebo, at the beginning (day 0) and end (day 120) of a four-month treatment period. Endothelial function was assessed pre- and posttreatment by noninvasive ultrasonic vessel wall tracking of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). RESULTS: Treatment with marine omega-3 fatty acids resulted in a significant improvement in FMD (0.05 +/- 0.12 to 0.12 +/- 0.07 mm, p < 0.05) and a significant reduction in triglycerides (2.07 +/- 1.13 to 1.73 +/- 0.95 mmol/liter, p < 0.05), whereas treatment with placebo resulted in no change in FMD (0.03 +/- 0.10 to 0.04 +/- 0.10 mm) or triglycerides (2.29 +/- 2.09 to 2.05 +/- 1.36 mmol/liter) (both p < 0.05 treated compared with control). Responses to sublingual glyceryl trinitrate were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Marine omega-3 fatty acids improve large artery endothelium-dependent dilation in subjects with hypercholesterolemia without affecting endothelium-independent dilation.
Choice analyses, especially R. J. Herrnstein's (1961, 1970) matching law, have recently been extended to substance abuse and drug research. The experiment reported here used a limited-access paradigm to engender ethanol consumption in Sprague-Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus). After stable ethanol consumption was established, several 2-bottle choice tests were run. Relative volumes of solutions consumed were compared to relative ethanol concentrations as an application of the matching law. The formula for the generalized matching law confirmed that although biases varied, they were small, and more important, sensitivities to the relative concentrations were positive in 24 of 28 subjects. The results also revealed a high positive correlation between baseline ethanol consumption (g/kg) and subsequently assessed sensitivity. Overall, these findings suggest that a matching law analysis can be useful for examining ethanol intake in randomly bred rats.
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The gibberellin (GA) 20-oxidase (CmGA20ox1) from immature pumpkin seed produces predominantly inactive tricarboxylic acid GAs. We expressed CmGA20ox1 under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter in Solanum dulcamara to assess the usefulness of this gene for reducing GA content in transgenic plants. All transgenic plants obtained were semi-dwarfs with smaller, deep-green leaves and highly pigmented stems compared to the wild-type. Such transformants flowered earlier than the wild-type plants and produced more fruit and more seeds per fruit. The transgene was efficiently expressed, producing high levels of CmGA20ox1 transcript and protein. Furthermore, the concentration of GA(1) was reduced in leaves of the transformants to approximately 20% or less of that in the wild-type and to about 40% or less in stems. The concentrations of other 13-hydroxylated GAs were also reduced, except for the tricarboxylic acid, GA(17), which accumulated in the transformants due to 13-hydroxylation of GA(25). By contrast, the concentrations of non-13-hydroxylated GAs, GA(4) and GA(34), were not consistently reduced, indicating that the effect of expressing the pumpkin gene may not be predictable. Transcript abundance for a native GA 20-oxidase gene was higher in the leaves and stems of S. dulcamara transformed with the pumpkin gene than in wild-type, reflecting the feedback control of 20-oxidase gene expression that serves as a homeostatic mechanism for GAs.