Dietary patterns, insulin sensitivity and inflammation in older adults.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Several studies have linked dietary patterns to insulin sensitivity and systemic inflammation, which affect risk of multiple chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary patterns of a cohort of older adults, and to examine relationships of dietary patterns with markers of insulin sensitivity and systemic inflammation. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study is a prospective cohort study of 3075 older adults. In Health ABC, multiple indicators of glucose metabolism and systemic inflammation were assessed. Food intake was estimated with a modified Block food frequency questionnaire. In this study, dietary patterns of 1751 participants with complete data were derived by cluster analysis. RESULTS: Six clusters were identified, including a 'healthy foods' cluster, characterized by higher intake of low-fat dairy products, fruit, whole grains, poultry, fish and vegetables. In the main analysis, the 'healthy foods' cluster had significantly lower fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance values than the 'breakfast cereal' and 'high-fat dairy products' clusters, and lower fasting glucose than the 'high-fat dairy products' cluster (P≤0.05). No differences were found in 2-h glucose. With respect to inflammation, the 'healthy foods' cluster had lower interleukin-6 than the 'sweets and desserts' and 'high-fat dairy products' clusters, and no differences were seen in C-reactive protein or tumor necrosis factor-α. CONCLUSIONS: A dietary pattern high in low-fat dairy products, fruit, whole grains, poultry, fish and vegetables may be associated with greater insulin sensitivity and lower systemic inflammation in older adults.

The Bacillus subtilis DivIVA protein has a sporulation-specific proximity to Spo0J.

The Bacillus subtilis DivIVA protein controls the positioning of the division site and the relocation of the chromosome during sporulation. By performing coimmunoprecipitation experiments, we demonstrated that a myc-DivIVA protein is in proximity to FtsZ and MinD during vegetative growth and Spo0J during the first 120 min of sporulation.

Identification of a polar targeting determinant for Bacillus subtilis DivIVA.

The Bacillus subtilis protein DivIVA controls both the positioning of the vegetative cell division site and the polar attachment of the chromosome during sporulation. In vegetative growth DivIVA attracts the bipartite cell division inhibitor MinCD away from the cell centre and towards the cell pole. This process ensures the inactivation of old polar division sites and leaves the cell centre free for the assembly of a new cell division complex. During sporulation MinCD and DivIVA levels fall, but DivIVA remains at the cell poles and becomes involved in the migration of the chromosomes to the pole. In order to investigate polar targeting of DivIVA, we undertook a mutational analysis of the 164-amino-acid protein. These studies identified one mutant (divIVA(R18C)) that could not localize to the cell pole but which retained the ability to support both vegetative growth and 50% sporulation efficiency. Further analysis revealed that, in the absence of polar targeting, DivIVA(R18C) localized to the nucleoid during vegetative growth in a Spo0J/Soj-dependent manner and required Spo0J/Soj and MinD to orientate the chromosomes correctly during sporulation. We demonstrate that polar targeting of DivIVA(R18C) is not essential during vegetative growth because the mutant can recognize the cell division site and influences the localization of MinD. Similarly we show that DivIVA(R18C) can function during sporulation because it can support the Spo0J/Soj orientation of the chromosome. In addition, we establish that both residues 18 and 19 constitute a DivIVA polar targeting determinant.

The embryo MADS domain factor AGL15 acts postembryonically. Inhibition of perianth senescence and abscission via constitutive expression.

AGL15 (AGAMOUS-like 15), a member of the MADS domain family of regulatory factors, accumulates preferentially throughout the early stages of the plant life cycle. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern and possible roles of postembryonic accumulation of AGL15. Using a combination of reporter genes, RNA gel blot analysis, and immunochemistry, we found that the AGL15 protein accumulates transiently in the shoot apex in young Arabidopsis and Brassica seedlings and that promoter activity is associated with the shoot apex and the base of leaf petioles throughout the vegetative phase. During the reproductive phase, AGL15 accumulates transiently in floral buds. When AGL15 was expressed in Arabidopsis under the control of a strong constitutive promoter, we noted a striking increase in the longevity of the sepals and petals as well as delays in a selected set of age-dependent developmental processes, including the transition to flowering and fruit maturation. Although ethylene has been implicated in many of these same processes, the effects of AGL15 could be clearly distinguished from the effects of the ethylene resistant1-1 mutation, which confers dominant insensitivity to ethylene. By comparing the petal breakstrength (the force needed to remove petals) for flowers of different ages, we determined that ectopic AGL15 had a novel effect: the breakstrength of petals initially declined, as occurs in the wild type, but was then maintained at an intermediate value over a prolonged period. Abscission-associated gene expression and structural changes were also altered in the presence of ectopic AGL15.

You can make a difference.

Inaccuracies, injustices, bad advice, and insensitivity are irritating. Most of us feel powerless to do anything about such situations or don't have the time or energy to try to make changes. A strategy is described that allows the author to address her concerns. Examples are given of changes that occurred because of her efforts through writing letters. Childbirth educators become aware of policies and situations that need change; as advocates, they are encouraged to take the risk and enjoy the challenge of creating change.

The MADS-domain protein AGAMOUS-like 15 accumulates in embryonic tissues with diverse origins.

AGL15 (AGAMOUS-like 15), a member of the MADS-domain family of regulatory factors, accumulates preferentially in the organs and tissues derived from double fertilization in flowering plants (i.e. the embryo, suspensor, and endosperm). The developmental role of AGL15 is still undefined. If it is involved in embryogenesis rather than some other aspect of seed biology, then AGL15 protein should accumulate whenever development proceeds in the embryonic mode, regardless of the origin of those embryos or their developmental context. To test this, we used AGL15-specific antibodies to analyze apomictic embryogenesis in dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), microspore embryogenesis in oilseed rape (Brassica napus), and somatic embryogenesis in alfalfa (Medicago sativa). In every case, AGL15 accumulated to relatively high levels in the nuclei of the embryos. AGL15 also accumulated in cotyledon-like organs produced by the xtc2 (extra cotyledon2) mutant of Arabidopsis and during precocious germination in oilseed rape. Furthermore, the subcellular localization of AGL15 appeared to be developmentally regulated in all embryogenic situations. AGL15 was initially present in the cytoplasm of cells and became nuclear localized before or soon after embryogenic cell divisions began. These results support the hypothesis that AGL15 participates in the regulation of programs active during the early stages of embryo development.

The MADS domain protein AGL15 localizes to the nucleus during early stages of seed development.

Little is known about regulatory factors that act during the earliest stages of plant embryogenesis. The MADS domain protein AGL15 (for AGAMOUS-like) is expressed preferentially during embryogenesis and accumulates during early seed development in monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous flowering plants. AGL15-specific antibodies and immunohistochemistry were used to demonstrate that AGL15 accumulates before fertilization in the cytoplasm in the cells of the egg apparatus and moves into the nucleus during early stages of development in the suspensor, embryo, and endosperms. Relatively high levels of AGL15 are present in the nuclei during embryo morphogenesis and until the seeds start to dry in Brassica, maize, and Arabidopsis. AGL15 is associated with the chromosomes during mitosis, and gel mobility shift assays were used to demonstrate that AGL15 binds DNA in a sequence-specific manner. To assess whether AGL15 is likely to play a role in specifying the seed or embryonic phase of development, AGL15 accumulation was examined in Arabidopsis mutants that prematurely exit embryogenesis. lec1-2 mutants show an embryo-specific loss of AGL15 at the transition stage, suggesting that AGL15 interacts with regulators in the leafy cotyledons pathway.

AGL15, a MADS domain protein expressed in developing embryos.

To extend our knowledge of genes expressed during early embryogenesis, the differential display technique was used to identify and isolate mRNA sequences that accumulate preferentially in young Brassica napus embryos. One of these genes encodes a new member of the MADS domain family of regulatory proteins; it has been designated AGL15 (for AGAMOUS-like). AGL15 shows a novel pattern of expression that is distinct from those of previously characterized family members. RNA gel blot analyses and in situ hybridization techniques were used to demonstrate that AGL15 mRNA accumulated primarily in the embryo and was present in all embryonic tissues, beginning at least as early as late globular stage in B. napus. Genomic and cDNA clones corresponding to two AGL15 genes from B. napus and the homologous single-copy gene from Arabidopsis, which is located on chromosome 5, were isolated and analyzed. Antibodies prepared against overexpressed Brassica AGL15 lacking the conserved MADS domain were used to probe immunoblots, and AGL15-related proteins were found in embryos of a variety of angiosperms, including plants as distantly related as maize. Based on these data, we suggest that AGL15 is likely to be an important component of the regulatory circuitry directing seed-specific processes in the developing embryo.

Envelope membrane proteins that interact with chloroplastic precursor proteins.

The post-translational transport of cytoplasmically synthesized precursor proteins into chloroplasts requires proteins in the envelope membranes. To identify some of these proteins, label transfer cross-linking was performed using precursor to the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (prSSU) that was blocked at an early stage of the transport process. Two envelope proteins were identified: an 86-kD protein and a 75-kD protein, both present in the outer membrane. Labeling of both proteins required prSSU and could not be accomplished with SSU lacking a transit peptide. Labeling of the 75-kD protein occurred only when low levels of ATP were present, whereas labeling of the 86-kD protein occurred in the absence of exogenous ATP. Although both labeled proteins were identified as proteins of the outer envelope membrane, the labeled form of the 75-kD protein could only be detected in fractions containing mixed envelope membranes. Based on these observations, we propose that prSSU first binds in an ATP-independent fashion to the 86-kD protein. The energy-requiring step is association with the 75-kD protein and assembly of a translocation contact site between the inner and outer membrane of the chloroplastic envelope.

The business of being an expert witness and legal consultant.

Nurses serve as expert witnesses and provide legal and other consultation for which they receive compensation. Although numerous articles describe the process of serving as an expert witness and providing consultation, the business aspects of such consultation is seldom addressed. Most nurses have little experience in managing the business and financial aspects of such consultation. To be a successful consultant, clinical expertise and business acumen are necessary. Suggestions are given for creating a system of record keeping, keeping track of expenses, billing for services, reporting expenses and income for tax purposes, and marketing services.

Inbreeding avoidance in rhesus macaques: whose choice?

Whether nonhuman primates avoid copulating with close kin living in their social group is controversial. If sexual aversion to relatives occurs, it should be stronger in females than in males because of females' greater investment in each offspring and hence greater costs resulting from less viable offspring. Data presented here show that adult male rhesus macaques breeding in their natal groups at Cayo Santiago experienced high copulatory success, but copulated less with females of their own matrilineages than with females of other matrilineages. Adult females were never observed to copulate with males of their own matrilineage during their fertile periods. Although natal males sometimes courted their relatives, examination of two measures of female mate choice showed that females chose unrelated natal males over male kin. Female aversion to male kin was specific to the sexual context; during the birth season, females did not discriminate against their male relatives in distributing grooming. Evolved inbreeding avoidance mechanisms probably produce different outcomes at Cayo Santiago than in wild rhesus macaque populations. Gender differences in sexual aversion to relatives may be partly responsible for differences between studies in reported frequency of copulations by related pairs.

The neuroscience nurse as an expert witness.

Serving as an expert witness in cases alleging nursing negligence is an interesting, rewarding and stressful role. Having knowledge about qualifications of an expert, what is expected of the expert, how to assess adequacy of nursing care, and how to bill for services may lower the stress. If after careful consideration you choose to serve as an expert witness, you should experience satisfaction knowing you are fulfilling a professional responsibility to maintain standards of care and to protect nurses accused unjustly of negligence.

The clinical nurse specialist as expert witness.

A clinical nurse specialist is an ideal expert witness in cases alleging nursing negligence. Nurses choose to serve in this capacity for a variety of reasons. As an expert witness, a clinical nurse specialist may act as a consultant, review medical records, give depositions, translate medical jargon, testify in court, educate attorneys, suggest questions for attorneys to ask of witnesses, and provide opinions about the standard of care a client received. Guidelines for qualifications of an expert, reviewing medical records, preparing opinions, and testifying are given. Reactions to serving as an expert are discussed.

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency. A genetic disorder of cardiovascular regulation.

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) deficiency is a genetic disorder in which affected patients cannot synthesize norepinephrine, epinephrine, and octopamine in either the central nervous system or the peripheral autonomic neurons. Dopamine acts as a false neurotransmitter in their noradrenergic neurons. Neonates with DBH deficiency have had episodic hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and hypotension, but survivors sometimes cope relatively well until late childhood when overwhelming orthostatic hypotension profoundly limits their activities. The hypotension may be so severe that clonic seizures supervene. Most currently recognized patients are young or middle-aged adults. The diagnosis is established by the observation of severe orthostatic hypotension in a patient whose plasma norepinephrine/dopamine ratio is much less than one.

Synthetic analogues of a transit peptide inhibit binding or translocation of chloroplastic precursor proteins.

Although amino-terminal transit peptides of chloroplastic precursor proteins are known to be necessary and sufficient for import into chloroplasts, the mechanism by which they mediate this process is not understood. Another important question is whether different precursors share a common transport apparatus. We used 20-residue synthetic peptides corresponding to regions of the transit peptide of the precursor to the small subunit of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (prSS) as competitive inhibitors for the binding and translocation of precursor proteins into chloroplasts. Synthetic peptides with sequences corresponding to either end of the transit peptide had little to no effect on binding of prSS to chloroplasts, but significantly inhibited its translocation. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the central region of the transit peptide inhibited binding of prSS to chloroplasts. Each of the peptides inhibited binding or translocation of precursors to light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein, ferredoxin, and plastocyanin in the same manner and to a similar extent as prSS transport was inhibited. The results presented in this paper suggest that the central regions of the transit peptide of prSS mediate binding to the chloroplastic surface, whereas the ends of this transit peptide are more important for translocation across the envelope. Furthermore, all of the precursors tested appear to share components in the transport apparatus even though they are sorted to different chloroplastic compartments.

Linkage analysis of the human dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene.

The human gene for dopamine beta-hydroxylase (D beta H) has been mapped to chromosome 9q34. Using polymerase chain reaction amplification of exon 11 of the D beta H gene followed by digestion of the reaction products with FnuDII (BstUI), we detected a low-frequency restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The CEPH panel of family DNAs was genotyped for this RFLP, enabling us to determine the linkage relationships between D beta H and four other loci previously mapped to human chromosome 9q. We obtained two-point recombination frequencies (theta) between D beta H and arginosuccinate synthetase (theta = 0, LOD = 7.37), the ABO blood group locus (theta = 0, LOD = 4.5), CRI-P111 (theta = 0, LOD = 2.1), and D9S31 (theta = .06, LOD = 2.81).