Sequential Voxel-Based Leaflet Segmentation of Complex Lipid Morphologies

[Image: see text] As molecular dynamics simulations increase in complexity, new analysis tools are necessary to facilitate interpreting the results. Lipids, for instance, are known to form many complicated morphologies, because of their amphipathic nature, becoming more intricate as the particle count increases. A few lipids might form a micelle, where aggregation of tens of thousands could lead to vesicle formation. Millions of lipids comprise a cell and its organelle membranes, and are involved in processes such as neurotransmission and transfection. To study such phenomena, it is useful to have analysis tools that understand what is meant by emerging entities such as micelles and vesicles. Studying such systems at the particle level only becomes extremely tedious, counterintuitive, and computationally expensive. To address this issue, we developed a method to track all the individual lipid leaflets, allowing for easy and quick detection of topological changes at the mesoscale. By using a voxel-based approach and focusing on locality, we forego costly geometrical operations without losing important details and chronologically identify the lipid segments using the Jaccard index. Thus, we achieve a consistent sequential segmentation on a wide variety of (lipid) systems, including monolayers, bilayers, vesicles, inverted hexagonal phases, up to the membranes of a full mitochondrion. It also discriminates between adhesion and fusion of leaflets. We show that our method produces consistent results without the need for prefitting parameters, and segmentation of millions of particles can be achieved on a desktop machine

Segmental volvulus of the ileum without malrotation in an infant: A case report

AbstractIntestinal volvulus usually occur secondary to malrotation, and primary segmental volvulus has rarely been reported. A 12-month-old female infant presented with a 3-day history of excessive vomiting. An ultrasonography revealed a “whirlpool sign” in the right upper abdomen, suggesting small bowel volvulus with obstruction. Laparotomy revealed a twisted, viable loop of small bowel in the right upper abdomen, and abnormal adhesions were noted between the distal and mid ileum, with resulting mesenteric narrowing. Attempted mesenteric widening by dissection of the peritoneum overlying the adhesions failed, because of abnormal, taut mesenteric vessels. Subsequent resection of the involved segment cured the patient. Recurrent obstructive symptoms in an infant can be an atypical presentation of segmental volvulus, and segmental volvulus should be included in the differential diagnosis of such cases

Differential metabolic effects of oral butyrate treatment in lean versus metabolic syndrome subjects

Background: Gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been associated with beneficial metabolic effects. However, the direct effect of oral butyrate on metabolic parameters in humans has never been studied. In this first in men pilot study, we thus treated both lean and metabolic syndrome male subjects with oral sodium butyrate and investigated the effect on metabolism. Methods: Healthy lean males (n = 9) and metabolic syndrome males (n = 10) were treated with oral 4 g of sodium butyrate daily for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, insulin sensitivity was determined by a two-step hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp using [6,6-2H2]-glucose. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) uptake of glucose was visualized using 18F-FDG PET-CT. Fecal SCFA and bile acid concentrations as well as microbiota composition were determined before and after treatment. Results: Oral butyrate had no effect on plasma and fecal butyrate levels after treatment, but did alter other SCFAs in both plasma and feces. Moreover, only in healthy lean subjects a significant improvement was observed in both peripheral (median Rd: from 71 to 82 μmol/kg min, p < 0.05) and hepatic insulin sensitivity (EGP suppression from 75 to 82% p < 0.05). Although BAT activity was significantly higher at baseline in lean (SUVmax: 12.4 ± 1.8) compared with metabolic syndrome subjects (SUVmax: 0.3 ± 0.8, p < 0.01), no significant effect following butyrate treatment on BAT was observed in either group (SUVmax lean to 13.3 ± 2.4 versus metabolic syndrome subjects to 1.2 ± 4.1). Conclusions: Oral butyrate treatment beneficially affects glucose metabolism in lean but not metabolic syndrome subjects, presumably due to an altered SCFA handling in insulin-resistant subjects. Although preliminary, these first in men findings argue against oral butyrate supplementation as treatment for glucose regulation in human subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Adipocyte ATP-binding cassette G1 promotes triglyceride storage, fat mass growth, and human obesity

The role of ATP-binding Cassette G1 (ABCG1) transporter in human pathophysiology is still largely unknown. Indeed, beyond its role in mediating free cholesterol efflux to HDL, ABCG1 transporter equally promotes lipid accumulation in a triglyceride (TG)-rich environment through regulation of the bioavailability of Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL).As both ABCG1 and LPL are expressed in adipose tissue, we hypothesize that ABCG1 is implicated in adipocyte TG storage and could be then a major actor in adipose tissue fat accumulation.Silencing of Abcg1 expression by RNAi in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes compromised LPL-dependent TG accumulation during initial phase of differentiation. Generation of stable Abcg1 Knockdown 3T3-L1 adipocytes revealed that Abcg1 deficiency reduces TG storage and diminishes lipid droplet size through inhibition of Pparγ expression. Strikingly, local inhibition of adipocyte Abcg1 in adipose tissue from mice fed a high fat diet led to a rapid decrease of adiposity and weight gain. Analysis of two frequent ABCG1 SNPs (rs1893590 (A/C) and rs1378577 (T/G)) in morbidly obese individuals indicated that elevated ABCG1 expression in adipose tissue was associated with an increased PPARγ expression and adiposity concomitant to an increased fat mass and BMI (haplotype AT&gt;GC). The critical role of ABCG1 regarding obesity was further confirmed in independent populations of severe obese and diabetic obese individuals.For the first time, this study identifies a major role of adipocyte ABCG1 in adiposity and fat mass growth and suggests that adipose ABCG1 might represent a potential therapeutic target in obesity

Reduced CETP glycosylation and activity in patients with homozygous B4GALT1 mutations

The importance of protein glycosylation in regulating lipid metabolism is becoming increasingly apparent. We set out to further investigate this by studying the effects of defective glycosylation on plasma lipids in patients with B4GALT1-CDG, caused by a mutation in B4GALT1 with defective N-linked glycosylation. We studied plasma lipids, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) glyco-isoforms with isoelectric focusing followed by a western blot and CETP activity in three known B4GALT1-CDG patients and compared them with 11 age- and gender-matched, healthy controls. B4GALT1-CDG patients have significantly lowered non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and total cholesterol to HDL-c ratio compared with controls and larger HDL particles. Plasma CETP was hypoglycosylated and less active in B4GALT1-CDG patients compared to matched controls. Our study provides insight into the role of protein glycosylation in human lipoprotein homeostasis. The hypogalactosylated, hypo-active CETP found in patients with B4GALT1-CDG indicates a role of protein galactosylation in regulating plasma HDL and LDL. Patients with B4GALT1-CDG have large HDL particles probably due to hypogalactosylated, hypo-active CETP

Targeting macrophage Histone deacetylase 3 stabilizes atherosclerotic lesions

Macrophages are key immune cells found in atherosclerotic plaques and critically shape atherosclerotic disease development. Targeting the functional repertoire of macrophages may hold novel approaches for future atherosclerosis management. Here, we describe a previously unrecognized role of the epigenomic enzyme Histone deacetylase 3 (Hdac3) in regulating the atherosclerotic phenotype of macrophages. Using conditional knockout mice, we found that myeloid Hdac3 deficiency promotes collagen deposition in atherosclerotic lesions and thus induces a stable plaque phenotype. Also, macrophages presented a switch to anti-inflammatory wound healing characteristics and showed improved lipid handling. The pro-fibrotic phenotype was directly linked to epigenetic regulation of the Tgfb1 locus upon Hdac3 deletion, driving smooth muscle cells to increased collagen production. Moreover, in humans, HDAC3 was the sole Hdac upregulated in ruptured atherosclerotic lesions, Hdac3 associated with inflammatory macrophages, and HDAC3 expression inversely correlated with pro-fibrotic TGFB1 expression. Collectively, we show that targeting the macrophage epigenome can improve atherosclerosis outcome and we identify Hdac3 as a potential novel therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease

Quantitative techniques in 18FDG PET scanning in oncology

The clinical applications of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (18FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in oncology are becoming established. While simple static scanning techniques are used for the majority of routine clinical examinations, increasing use of PET in clinical trials to monitor treatment response with 18FDG and novel tracers reflecting different pharmacodynamic end points, often necessitates a more complex and quantitative analysis of radiopharmaceutical kinetics. A wide range of PET analysis techniques exist, ranging from simple visual analysis and semiquantitative methods to full dynamic studies with kinetic analysis. These methods are discussed, focusing particularly on the available methodologies that can be utilised in clinical trials

Intestinal Ralstonia pickettii augments glucose intolerance in obesity

An altered intestinal microbiota composition has been implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic disease including obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Low grade inflammation, potentially initiated by the intestinal microbiota, has been suggested to be a driving force in the development of insulin resistance in obesity. Here, we report that bacterial DNA is present in mesenteric adipose tissue of obese but otherwise healthy human subjects. Pyrosequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes revealed that DNA from the Gram-negative species Ralstonia was most prevalent. Interestingly, fecal abundance of Ralstonia pickettii was increased in obese subjects with pre-diabetes and T2DM. To assess if R. pickettii was causally involved in development of obesity and T2DM, we performed a proof-of-concept study in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. Compared to vehicle-treated control mice, R. pickettii-treated DIO mice had reduced glucose tolerance. In addition, circulating levels of endotoxin were increased in R. pickettii-treated mice. In conclusion, this study suggests that intestinal Ralstonia is increased in obese human subjects with T2DM and reciprocally worsens glucose tolerance in DIO mice.Peer reviewe

Elevated [11C]-D-Deprenyl Uptake in Chronic Whiplash Associated Disorder Suggests Persistent Musculoskeletal Inflammation

There are few diagnostic tools for chronic musculoskeletal pain as structural imaging methods seldom reveal pathological alterations. This is especially true for Whiplash Associated Disorder, for which physical signs of persistent injuries to the neck have yet to be established. Here, we sought to visualize inflammatory processes in the neck region by means Positron Emission Tomography using the tracer 11C-D-deprenyl, a potential marker for inflammation. Twenty-two patients with enduring pain after a rear impact car accident (Whiplash Associated Disorder grade II) and 14 healthy controls were investigated. Patients displayed significantly elevated tracer uptake in the neck, particularly in regions around the spineous process of the second cervical vertebra. This suggests that whiplash patients have signs of local persistent peripheral tissue inflammation, which may potentially serve as a diagnostic biomarker. The present investigation demonstrates that painful processes in the periphery can be objectively visualized and quantified with PET and that 11C-D-deprenyl is a promising tracer for these purposes

Rise and Fall of an Anti-MUC1 Specific Antibody

So far, human antibodies with good affinity and specificity for MUC1, a transmembrane protein overexpressed on breast cancers and ovarian carcinomas, and thus a promising target for therapy, were very difficult to generate.A human scFv antibody was isolated from an immune library derived from breast cancer patients immunised with MUC1. The anti-MUC1 scFv reacted with tumour cells in more than 80% of 228 tissue sections of mamma carcinoma samples, while showing very low reactivity with a large panel of non-tumour tissues. By mutagenesis and phage display, affinity of scFvs was increased up to 500fold to 5,7×10(-10) M. Half-life in serum was improved from below 1 day to more than 4 weeks and was correlated with the dimerisation tendency of the individual scFvs. The scFv bound to T47D and MCF-7 mammalian cancer cell lines were recloned into the scFv-Fc and IgG format resulting in decrease of affinity of one binder. The IgG variants with the highest affinity were tested in mouse xenograft models using MCF-7 and OVCAR tumour cells. However, the experiments showed no significant decrease in tumour growth or increase in the survival rates. To study the reasons for the failure of the xenograft experiments, ADCC was analysed in vitro using MCF-7 and OVCAR3 target cells, revealing a low ADCC, possibly due to internalisation, as detected for MCF-7 cells.Antibody phage display starting with immune libraries and followed by affinity maturation is a powerful strategy to generate high affinity human antibodies to difficult targets, in this case shown by the creation of a highly specific antibody with subnanomolar affinity to a very small epitope consisting of four amino acids. Despite these "best in class" binding parameters, the therapeutic success of this antibody was prevented by the target biology