From glycosylation disorders to dolichol biosynthesis defects: a new class of metabolic diseases

Polyisoprenoid alcohols are membrane lipids that are present in every cell, conserved from archaea to higher eukaryotes. The most common form, alpha-saturated polyprenol or dolichol is present in all tissues and most organelle membranes of eukaryotic cells. Dolichol has a well defined role as a lipid carrier for the glycan precursor in the early stages of N-linked protein glycosylation, which is assembled in the endoplasmic reticulum of all eukaryotic cells. Other glycosylation processes including C- and O-mannosylation, GPI-anchor biosynthesis and O-glucosylation also depend on dolichol biosynthesis via the availability of dolichol-P-mannose and dolichol-P-glucose in the ER. The ubiquity of dolichol in cellular compartments that are not involved in glycosylation raises the possibility of additional functions independent of these protein post-translational modifications. The molecular basis of several steps involved in the synthesis and the recycling of dolichol and its derivatives is still unknown, which hampers further research into this direction. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on structural and functional aspects of dolichol metabolites. We will describe the metabolic disorders with a defect in known steps of dolichol biosynthesis and recycling in human and discuss their pathogenic mechanisms. Exploration of the developmental, cellular and biochemical defects associated with these disorders will provide a better understanding of the functions of this lipid class in human

Smoking during pregnancy: comparison of self-reports and cotinine levels in 496 women

Objective. To validate self-reported smoking habits in smoking pregnant women and estimate the prevalence of substantial exposure to passive smoking in non-smoking pregnant women. Design. Retrospective, quantitative study, consecutively collected samples. Setting. One antenatal clinic in Blekinge County, Sweden. Subjects. 509 pregnant women. Method. Information about smoking habits were taken from the antenatal records of 496 women (97%). Serum samples from these women were tested for cotinine, a nicotine metabolite. Main outcome measures. Self-reported smoking habits and cotinine levels in ng/mL. Results. Of 407 women, reporting to be non-smokers, 6% were most likely smokers, and 3% had cotinine levels suggesting exposure to substantial passive smoking. Of 60 women, reporting smoking 1-10 cigarettes per day, 32% were likely to smoke more. Conclusion. If the true facts about exposure to tobacco smoke are not revealed, a number of women who might benefit from information and support at the antenatal clinic will miss the opportunity of such assistance, resulting in increased risks for both the woman and her fetus

Nygotiska kyrkor i Skåne : utveckling i form, material och konstruktion 1840-1910

Denna bok har sin utgångspunkt i 1981/82 års studier i skånskt 1800-talsbyggande där Arkitekturskolans restaureringslinje valde att ägna sitt intresse åt det relativt obeaktade bestånd av nygotiska kyrkor som Skåne erbjuder. Studiernas syfte har varit attförsöka fånga kyrkornas specifika såväl estetiska som tekniska karaktäristiska och beskriva den utveckling som de representerar.