Fungal colonization of sago starch in Papua New Guinea

Sago starch is an important source of dietary carbohydrates in lowland Papua New Guinea. Over the past 30 years there have been sporadic reports of severe illness following consumption of sago starch. A common assumption is that fungal metabolites might be associated with the illness, leading to the need for a more thorough investigation of the mycoflora of sago starch. Sago starch was collected from areas of high sago consumption in Papua New Guinea for fungal analysis (69 samples). Storage methods and duration were recorded at the time of collection and pH on arrival at the laboratory. Yeasts were isolated from all samples except two, ranging from 1.2 × 103 to 8.3 × 107 cfu/g. Moulds were isolated from 65 of the 69 samples, ranging from 1.0 × 102 to 3.0 × 106 cfu/g. Of 44 samples tested for ergosterol content, 42 samples showed the presence of fungal biomass. Statistical analyses indicated that sago starch stored for greater than five weeks yielded significantly higher ergosterol content and higher numbers of moulds than sago stored for less than five weeks. The method of storage was also shown to influence mould numbers with storage in natural woven fibre containers returning significantly greater numbers than present in other storage methods tested. Potentially mycotoxigenic genera of moulds including Aspergillus and Penicillium were commonly isolated from sago starch, and as such storage factors that influence the growth of these and other filamentous fungi might contribute to the safety of traditional sago starch in PNG

Mycotoxins and toxigenic fungi in sago starch from Papua New Guinea

Aims: To assay sago starch from Papua New Guinea (PNG) for important mycotoxins and to test fungal isolates from sago for mycotoxin production in culture. Methods and Results: Sago starch collected from Western and East Sepik Provinces was assayed for aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, cyclopiazonic acid, sterigmatocystin, citrinin and zearalenone and all 51 samples were negative. Frequently isolated species of Penicillium (13), Aspergillus (five) and Fusarium (one) were cultured on wheat grain, and tested for the production of ochratoxin A, cyclopiazonic acid, sterigmatocystin, citrinin, patulin and penicillic acid. All 12 isolates of P. citrinin and one of two A. flavipes isolates produced citrinin. A single isolate of A. versicolor produced sterigmatocystin. No other mycotoxins were detected in these cultures. Conclusions: No evidence was found of systemic mycotoxin contamination of sago starch. However, the isolation of several mycotoxigenic fungi shows the potential for citrinin and other mycotoxins to be produced in sago stored under special conditions. Significance and Impact of the study: Sago starch is the staple carbohydrate in lowland PNG and the absence of mycotoxins in freshly prepared sago starch is a positive finding. However, the frequent isolation of citrinin-producing fungi indicates a potential health risk for sago consumers, and food safety is dependant on promoting good storage practices

A randomised controlled trial testing the feasibility and efficacy of a physical activity behavioural change intervention in managing fatigue with gynaecological cancer survivors

Objective To determine the feasibility and efficacy of a physical activity behavioural change intervention in managing cancer-related fatigue among gynaecological cancer survivors during and post anti-cancer treatments. Methods A two arm, single blind, randomised controlled trial was conducted within the Northern Ireland regional Cancer Centre. Thirty three sedentary gynaecological cancer survivors (stage I–III; ≤ 3 years post diagnosis), experiencing cancer-related fatigue (mild–severe) took part. Participants were randomly assigned to a behavioural change, moderate intensity physical activity intervention (n = 16) or a Contact Control group (n = 17). The primary outcome was fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory—Short Form and Functional Assessment in Chronic Illness Therapy—Fatigue subscale). Secondary outcomes included quality of life, physical functioning, positive and negative affect, depression, body composition, sleep dysfunction and self-reported physical activity. Feasibility was assessed based on the recruitment rate, programme and physical activity adherence and participants' programme evaluation, including optional focus groups (n = 16). Results Twenty five percent of eligible women took part (33/134). Participants were 8.7 (SD = 9.1) months post diagnosis, with a mean age of 53 (SD = 10.3) years. The majority of the sample had a diagnosis of ovarian (n = 12) or endometrial cancer (n = 11). Significant differences favouring the intervention group were observed for fatigue at 12 weeks and 6 months follow-up (12 week: mean difference = −11.06; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −21.89 to − 0.23; effect size (d) = 0.13; p = 0.046; 6 month: mean difference = −19.48; 95% {CI} = − 19.67 to − 19.15; effect size (d) = 0.20; p = 0.01). A mean of 10 calls (SD = 1.2 calls) were delivered to the Physical Activity Group, and 10 (SD = 1.6 calls) to the {CC} group. The intervention was positively perceived based on exit questionnaire and focus group findings. Conclusions A physical activity behavioural change intervention for gynaecological cancer survivors is feasible in terms of participants' programme adherence and evaluation, and the intervention demonstrates improvements in fatigue. However, confirmation in the form of a larger fully powered {RCT} is warranted

Hazards and critical control points for traditional sago starch production in Papua New Guinea: implications for food safety education

Sago starch is an important food in lowland Papua New Guinea (PNG), however cases of severe illness following its consumption have been documented. A hazard analysis of traditional sago starch production and consumption was conducted, based on observations of the preparation process, and findings from sociological and microbiological studies. Hazards identified included common pathogenic bacteria and toxigenic fungi. Critical control points (CPP) were identified at various stages of the production process,\ud including tree selection, starch extraction, sago storage and cooking. Storage methods that promoted spontaneous fermentation were deemed the most important risk reduction process in the production of safe sago starch. The CCPs formed the basis of an education campaign that was developed to provide guidance on how to maximise the safety of sago starch within the cultural and socio-economic context of rural PNG

The RNA-binding protein human antigen R controls global changes in gene expression during Schwann cell development.

Contains fulltext : 109744.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)An important prerequisite to myelination in peripheral nerves is the establishment of one-to-one relationships between axons and Schwann cells. This patterning event depends on immature Schwann cell proliferation, apoptosis, and morphogenesis, which are governed by coordinated changes in gene expression. Here, we found that the RNA-binding protein human antigen R (HuR) was highly expressed in immature Schwann cells, where genome-wide identification of its target mRNAs in vivo in mouse sciatic nerves using ribonomics showed an enrichment of functionally related genes regulating these processes. HuR coordinately regulated expression of several genes to promote proliferation, apoptosis, and morphogenesis in rat Schwann cells, in response to NRG1, TGFbeta, and laminins, three major signals implicated in this patterning event. Strikingly, HuR also binds to several mRNAs encoding myelination-related proteins but, contrary to its typical function, negatively regulated their expression, likely to prevent ectopic myelination during development. These functions of HuR correlated with its abundance and subcellular localization, which were regulated by different signals in Schwann cells

Osteoarthritis-related fibrosis is associated with both elevated pyridinoline cross-link formation and lysyl hydroxylase 2b expression

<p>Objective: Fibrosis is a major contributor to joint stiffness in osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated several factors associated with the persistence of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)-induced fibrosis and whether these factors also play a role in OA-related fibrosis.</p><p>Design: Mice were injected intra-articularly (i.a.) with an adenovirus encoding either TGF-beta or connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). In addition, we induced OA by i.a. injection of bacterial collagenase into the right knee joint of C57BL/6 mice. mRNA was isolated from the synovium for Q-PCR analysis of the gene expression of various extracellular matrix (ECM) components, ECM degraders, growth factors and collagen cross-linking-related enzymes. Sections of murine knee joints injected with Ad-TGF-beta or Ad-CTGF or from experimental OA were stained for lysyl hydroxylase 2 (LH2). The number of pyridinoline cross-links per triple helix collagen in synovium biopsies was determined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).</p><p>Results: Expression of collagen alpha-1(I) chain precursor (Colla1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1) and especially procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2b (Plod2b) were highly upregulated by TGF-beta but not by CTGF. Elevated expression of Plod2b mRNA was associated with high lysyl hydroxylase 2 (LH2) protein staining after TGF-beta overexpression and in experimental OA. Furthermore, in experimental OA the number of hydroxypyridinoline cross-links was significant increased compared to control knee joints.</p><p>Conclusions: Our data show that elevated LH2b expression is associated with the persistent nature of TGF-beta-induced fibrosis. Also in experimental OA, LH2b expression as well as the number of hydroxypyridinoline cross-link were significantly upregulated. We propose that LH2b, and the subsequent increase in pyridinoline cross-links, is responsible for the persistent fibrosis in experimental OA. (C) 2012 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</p>