Bovine glycomacropeptide promotes the growth of Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis and modulates its gene expression.

Bovine milk glycomacropeptide (GMP) is derived from κ-casein, with exclusively o-linked glycosylation. Glycomacropeptide promoted the growth of Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis in a concentration-dependent manner, and this activity was lost following periodate treatment of the GMP (GMP-P), which disables biological recognition of the conjugated oligosaccharides. Transcriptional analysis of B. longum ssp. infantis following exposure to GMP revealed a substantial response to GMP relative to bacteria treated with GMP-P, with a greater number of differentially expressed transcripts and larger fold changes versus the control. Therefore, stimulation of B. longum ssp. infantis growth by GMP is intrinsically linked to the peptide's O-linked glycosylation. The pool of differentially expressed transcripts included 2 glycoside hydrolase (family 25) genes, which were substantially upregulated following exposure to GMP, but not GMP-P. These GH25 genes were present in duplicated genomic islands that also contained genes encoding fibronectin type III binding domain proteins and numerous phage-related proteins, all of which were also upregulated. Homologs of this genomic arrangement were present in other Bifidobacterium species, which suggest it may be a conserved domain for the utilization of glycosylated peptides. This study provides insights into the molecular basis for the prebiotic effect of bovine milk GMP on B. longum ssp. infantis.

Unique glycosignature for intervertebral disc and articular cartilage cells and tissues in immaturity and maturity.

In this study, on/off markers for intervertebral disc (IVD) and articular cartilage (AC) cells (chondrocytes) and distinct glycoprofiles of cell and tissue-types were identified from immaturity to maturity. Three and eleven month-old ovine IVD and AC tissues were histochemically profiled with a panel of lectins and antibodies. Relationships between tissue and cell types were analysed by hierarchical clustering. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) composition of annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP) and AC tissues was determined by HPLC analysis. Clear on/off cell type markers were identified, which enabled the discrimination of chondrocytes, AF and NP cells. AF and NP cells were distinguishable using MAA, SNA-I, SBA and WFA lectins, which bound to both NP cells and chondrocytes but not AF cells. Chondrocytes were distinguished from NP and AF cells with a specific binding of LTA and PNA lectins to chondrocytes. Each tissue showed a unique CS composition with a distinct switch in sulfation pattern in AF and NP tissues upon disc maturity while cartilage maintained the same sulfation pattern over time. In conclusion, distinct glycoprofiles for cell and tissue-types across age groups were identified in addition to altered CS composition and sulfation patterns for tissue types upon maturity.

Space flight alters bacterial gene expression and virulence and reveals a role for global regulator Hfq.

A comprehensive analysis of both the molecular genetic and phenotypic responses of any organism to the space flight environment has never been accomplished because of significant technological and logistical hurdles. Moreover, the effects of space flight on microbial pathogenicity and associated infectious disease risks have not been studied. The bacterial pathogen Salmonella typhimurium was grown aboard Space Shuttle mission STS-115 and compared with identical ground control cultures. Global microarray and proteomic analyses revealed that 167 transcripts and 73 proteins changed expression with the conserved RNA-binding protein Hfq identified as a likely global regulator involved in the response to this environment. Hfq involvement was confirmed with a ground-based microgravity culture model. Space flight samples exhibited enhanced virulence in a murine infection model and extracellular matrix accumulation consistent with a biofilm. Strategies to target Hfq and related regulators could potentially decrease infectious disease risks during space flight missions and provide novel therapeutic options on Earth.

Occupational stress in special education: a challenge for school health professionals.

Results of this study support the hypothesis that the majority of special educators, their support personnel, and general education administrators do not experience more job dissatisfaction than comparable occupational groups. However, they do report lower levels of subjective well-being when compared with normal populations. Furthermore, 18% of the educators in the study perceived themselves as failing to cope with their job, experienced more frequent symptoms of poor physical health, and reported significantly poorer subjective well-being. Health promotion programs for public school personnel should initiate prevention-oriented health education programs for all employees. For those identified as more vulnerable to stress-related mental and physical health problems, therapeutic approaches may be necessary. However, self-help and mutual support groups may offer both groups a social support system to help meet human needs in addition to offering the potential for reducing perceived occupational stress. School health personnel may be in the best position to influence policies, procedures, and practices in schools that would support the work-related needs of all employees.

A health promotion program for school personnel.

Though public schools traditionally have been concerned about the mental and physical health of children, programs that provide support for the health and well-being of school employees are rare. A health promotion program that focused on self-help in the areas of self-management, coping and adapting, exercise and fitness, and nutrition and well-being was designed for school employees. Before the program began, surveys of teachers and school administrators were conducted to document general well-being, health protective behaviors, and perceived occupational stress. A prevention-oriented educational program was implemented that provided for trained facilitators to influence small groups of employees to work together to maintain or improve their health. Results indicate that school employees who meet specified criteria can be trained to facilitate a health promotion program within the public school environment. Also, as a result of the facilitator training program, knowledge levels, attitudes, and certain health behaviors of participants are significantly influenced. However, feasibility will depend on a social process during which stakeholders are given opportunity to make decisions concerning implementation. An algorithm is useful to communicate the social process for decision making as it translates abstract principles of formative evaluation into concrete procedures that will assist planners in determining the feasibility of implementing the program in a school.

Immunocytochemical localization of angiotensin II and vasopressin in rat hypothalamus: evidence for production in the same neuron.

1. By immunoperoxidase technique, immunoreactive angiotensin II (ANG II) was located in the cell bodies of many magnocellular neurons in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus and their pathways to median eminence and posterior pituitary gland in the rat. 2. Like vasopressin and its neurophysin, but not oxytocin, ANG II was also found in parvocellular neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. 3. Analysis of these peptides in the same magnocellular neurons reveals that ANG II is localized primarily in vasopressin cells. 4. Like vasopressin and its precursor, ANG II is deficient in homozygous Brattleboro rats with diabetes insipidus. 5. In adrenalectomized rats increases in vasopressin and its neurophysin in median eminence are associated with increases in ANG II. 6. The data suggest that the ANG II demonstrated shares antigenic determinants with the vasopressin precursor, or is regulated in a similar way to vasopressin in the same neurons.

The Harlem regional stroke program: an overview.

The Harlem regional stroke program has been a demonstration model designed to detect, treat, and follow up stroke and hypertension patients through collaboration with a municipal teaching hospital, community practitioners, local service organizations and a major medical school. Many aspects of the stroke program appear suitable for replication at the local or regional levels in varied settings. In particular, the program has demonstrated the need to link community outreach programs, stressing early detection and preventive-care education, with sustained treatment and follow-up programs. The stroke program has also suggested ways in which specialized programs can be incorporated into long-term comprehensive health planning and care facilities at local and regional levels.

Adolescent hypertension.

The present appraisal indicates that blood pressure patterns in adolescence differ from those in adulthood and that the design of hypertension detection programs needs to be modified for this age group. Routine blood pressure screening within the school system would appear to be the most effective means for early detection of hypertension. Links with established hypertension clinics, preferably within an adolescent unit, should be forged so that health preservation becomes a meaningful part of the educational process. Although primary hypertension has been documented in the adolescent age group, the incidence is unknown and careful diagnostic evaluation is warranted until our knowledge of its characteristics is more fully expanded.