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Impact of Lifestyle Intervention on HDL-Induced eNOS Activation and Cholesterol Efflux Capacity in Obese Adolescent

Background. Endothelial dysfunction occurs in obese children and adolescent and is regarded as a key step in the development of atherosclerosis. Important components for the development of endothelial dysfunction are reduced activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and an increase in cholesterol deposition in the vessel wall, due to reduced reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) activity. High density lipoprotein (HDL) exhibits antiatherosclerotic properties including modulation of eNOS activity and cholesterol efflux capacity. Lifestyle intervention programs can modify endothelial dysfunction in obese adolescents, but their impact on HDL-mediated eNOS activation and RCT is unknown so far. Methods. Obese adolescents (15±1 years, BMI > 35 kg/m2) where randomized either to an intervention group (IG, n=8; restricted diet and exercise) or to a usual care group (UC, n=8). At the beginning and after 10 months of treatment HDL-mediated eNOS phosphorylation and cholesterol efflux capacity were evaluated. Results. Ten months of treatment resulted in a substantial weight loss (−31%), an improvement of endothelial function, and an increase in HDL-mediated eNOS-Ser1177 phosphorylation and RCT. A correlation between change in eNOS-Ser1177 phosphorylation or RCT and change in endothelial function was noted. Conclusion. A structured lifestyle intervention program improves antiatherosclerotic HDL functions, thereby positively influencing endothelial function

Factors influencing the acclimation period preceding the mineralization of organic chemicals by microbial communities

An acclimated mixed culture of degrading bacteria and a degradable substance (4-Nitrophenol) were introduced into differently treated water samples. It could be shown that in all cases where an acclimated inoculum was used, degradation took place almost immediately compared to not acclimated cultures, where it took at least 10 days. The rate and extent of mineralization was influenced by low temperature, the presence of other organic nutrients and especially protozoan grazing. The data suggest that one of the main reasons for the acclimation period was the very small initial population of degrading bacteria. The role of other carbon sources is ambivalent. Low concentrations of organic chemicals which cannot sustain growth slow down acclimation and the degradation rate. Another important factor slowing down growth is grazing by protozoa, which can inhibit effective degradation

Pruefung der biologischen Abbaubarkeit von organischen Chemikalien im umweltrelevanten Konzentrationsbereich

SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RN 8908(91-055) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman

Pruefung der biologischen Abbaubarkeit von organischen Chemikalien im umweltrelevanten Konzentrationsbereich

In the estuary of the river Elbe as well as in the North and Baltic Sea, the mineralization of some chemicals in low concentrations by natural microbial communities in water and sediment samples was studied. The following substances were examined: 4-nitrophenol, 2-nitrophenol, phenol, diethylene glycole (DEG), ethylendiamine-tetraacetate (EDTA), thiourea (THIO), 4-chloraniline, 4-naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid (NDSS), 2,4,6-trichlorphenol (TCP) and tetrapropylenebenzenesulfonic acid (TPBS). The three first phenolic substances can be biodegraded relatively easy in eutrophicated or already chemically polluted aquatic habitats. In marine habitats there was either no degradation of these substances of it was slow, incomplete or an acclimation period was observed. DEG, THIO and chloraniline often showed longer turnover times at different stations than the phenols. The biodegradability of these substances differed strongly between habitats. EDTA was not mineralized for more than 20%. NDSS, TCP and TPBS were not degraded by natural microbial communities. (orig.)Im Elbeaestuar, sowie in der Nord- und der Ostsee wurde die Abbaubarkeit folgender Fremdstoffe in niedrigen Konzentrationen durch natuerliche Bakterienpopulationen im Wasser und im Sediment untersucht: 4-Nitrophenol, 2-Nitrophenol, Phenol, Diethylenglycol (DEG), Ethylendiamintetraacetat (EDTA), Thioharnstoff (THIO), Chloranilin, 2,4,6-Trichlorphenol (TCP), 4-Naphthalin-1, 5-disulfonsaeure (NDSS) und Tetrapropylenbenzolsulfonat (TPBS). Die drei ersten phenolischen Verbindungen konnten durch Bakterien aus eutrophierten oder bereits durch Chemikalien belasteten Gewaessern relativ rasch und vollstaendig abgebaut werden. In marinen Biotopen war entweder keine Umsetzung dieser Substanzen zu beobachten, oder der Abbau lief unvollstaendig und langsam ab. Fuer DEG, THIO und Chloranilin konnten bei den einzelnen Stationen haeufig laengere Umsetzungszeitraeume gemessen werden als fuer die Phenole. Die Abbaubarkeit dieser Substanzen schwankte stark von Biotop zu Biotop. EDTA wurde nur zu max. 20% mineralisiert. NDSS, TCP und TPBS konnten nicht von natuerlichen Bakterienpopulationen abgebaut werden. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RN 8422(1992,33) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman