Inulin effects on bioavailability of soy isoflavones and their calcium absorption enhancing ability

The effect of inulin on isoflavone absorption and the effect of isoflavones and synergy with inulin on calcium absorption in rats was investigated. Rats (n = 48) were divided into three groups and fed inulin (50 mg/g), isoflavone (8 mg/g) or inulin + isoflavone (50 mg/g + 8 mg/g) diets for 21 days. After a 2-h fast, rats were given (45)Ca orally or intraperitoneally, together with 25 mg of calcium as calcium acetate. Blood and femurs were collected 4 days later. Sera were analyzed for isoflavones using HPLC-MS, femurs for (45)Ca by beta-scintillation counting, and total femoral calcium by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Both groups fed isoflavones had similar and significantly higher weight-adjusted total femoral calcium content compared to the inulin-fed group (p < 0.0001). (45)Ca absorption was significantly higher (p < 0.01) when isoflavones were added to the diet, and serum equol was significantly lower (p < 0.01) when inulin was added to the diet containing isoflavones. We conclude that isoflavones enhance calcium absorption, without synergy from inulin, and that inulin decreases equol production.     

Quantitative determination of sulfur-containing wine odorants at sub parts per billion levels. 2. Development and application of a stable isotope dilution assay

[(2)H(10)]-4-Mercapto-4-methylpentan-2-one (d(10)-1), [(2)H(2)]-3-mercaptohexan-1-ol (d(2)-2), and [(2)H(5)]-3-mercaptohex-1-yl acetate (d(5)-3), deuterated analogues of impact odorants of wines, were used to determine quantitatively the natural compounds in white wines (Muscadet, Sauvignon, and Bacchus) with a stable isotope dilution assay using gas chromatography coupled either with ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-ITMS-MS) or with atomic emission detection monitored on sulfur-selective acquisition (GC-AED). The thiol compounds were recovered from wines by liquid-liquid extraction, then purified from the wine extracts by covalent chromatography, and analyzed. The quantitative determination of 4-mercapto-4-methylpentan-2-one 1 in the wines that were analyzed was performed better with GC-AED than with GC-ITMS-MS under the conditions that were used. However, the detection limit of the method was higher than the odor threshold of 4-mercapto-4-methylpentan-2-one 1 in wine (5 vs 0.8 ng/L). The levels of this compound in the Sauvignon and Bacchus wines were much higher than its odor threshold, but it was not detectable in the Muscadet wines. On the contrary, GC-ITMS-MS was much more sensitive than GC-AED for detection of 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol 2 and 3-mercaptohex-1-yl acetate 3, and the detection limits were much lower than their odor thresholds in wine. The former compound was detected in all of the Muscadet wines that were analyzed at levels always higher than its odor detection threshold, while the latter occurred at levels higher than its odor threshold in only one Muscadet wine.     

Rhodanese activity of flooded and nonflooded soils

Rhodanese activity (RA) was studied in 4 soils, incubated under flooded and nonflooded (60% water-holding capacity) conditions. RA in 3 soils including an acid sulphate soil pokkali increased 2.5–6.0-fold (over respective nonflooded soils), while activity of the enzyme decreased markedly in flooded alluvial soil. Similarly, anaerobic incubation of nonflooded soils under N₂ decreased RA in an alluvial soil, but increased it in pokkali soil. RA was negligible in soils, that had been reduced by flooding for 30 days and then sterilized by autoclaving. Rice rhizosphere soil exhibited significantly higher RA than the nonrhizosphere soil samples under flooded or nonflooded conditions. RA in aerobic soils was related to the microbial oxidation of S° to SO^2?₄. But, no relationship could be established between RA and S-oxidation in flooded soils and in rhizosphere soil suspensions of flooded rice plants.     

Frame-shift deletions in patients with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and its less severe form Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are allelic disorders. It has been suggested that in the mutations involving BMD, the translational reading frame of messenger RNA is maintained and a smaller, though partially functional, protein is produced. In order to test this, the exon-intron boundaries of the first ten exons of the DMD gene were determined, and 29 patients were analyzed. In a number of BMD patients (mild and severe BMD), the reading frame of messenger RNA was not maintained. On the basis of these findings, a model for reinitiation from an internal start codon is suggested.     

Amplification and molecular cloning of HTLV-I sequences from DNA of multiple sclerosis patients

Techniques of gene amplification, molecular cloning, and sequence analysis were used to test for the presence of sequences related to human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of six patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 20 normal individuals. HTLV-I sequences were detected in all six MS patients and in one individual from the control group by DNA blot analysis and molecular cloning of amplified DNAs. The viral sequence in MS patients were associated with adherent cell populations consisting predominantly of monocytes and macrophages. Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence analysis indicated that these amplified viral sequences were related to the HTLV-I proviral genome.     

Thunderstorms: an important mechanism in the transport of air pollutants

Acid deposition and photochemical smog are urban air pollution problems, and they remain localized as long as the sulfur, nitrogen, and hydrocarbon pollutants are confined to the lower troposphere (below about 1-kilometer altitude) where they are short-lived. If, however, the contaminants are rapidly transported to the upper troposphere, then their atmospheric residence times grow and their range of influence expands dramatically. Although this vertical transport ameliorates some of the effects of acid rain by diluting atmospheric acids, it exacerbates global tropospheric ozone production by redistributing the necessary nitrogen catalysts. Results of recent computer simulations suggest that thunderstorms are one means of rapid vertical transport. To test this hypothesis, several research aircraft near a midwestern thunderstrom measured carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, ozone, and reactive nitrogen compounds. Their concentrations were much greater in the outflow region of the storm, up to 11 kilometers in altitude, than in surrounding air. Trace gas measurements can thus be used to track the motion of air in and around a cloud. Thunderstorms may transform local air pollution problems into regional or global atmospheric chemistry problems.     

Enrichment of heavy metals and organic compounds in the surface microlayer of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island

Concentrations of lead, iron, nickel, copper, fatty acids, hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons are enriched from 1.5 to 50 times in the top 100 to 150 micrometers of Narragansett Bay water relative to the bulk water 20 centimeters below the surface. Trace metal enrichment was observed in the particulate and organic fractions but not in the inorganic fraction. If these substances are concentrated in films only a few molecular layers thick on the water surface, the actual enrichment factor in the films may be well over 10(4), resulting in extremely high localized pollutant concentrations in the surface microlayer.     

Peroxidase-mediated virucidal systems

Peroxidase (myeloperoxidase or lactoperoxidase), hydrogen peroxide, and a halide such as iodide, bromide, or chloride form a potent virucidal system that is effective against polio and vaccinia viruis, particularly at a low pH. The peroxidase-halide-hydrogen peroxide system may contribute to the host defense against certain viral infections.