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Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is the intracellular bacterium responsible for tuberculosis disease (TD). Inside the phagosomes of activated macrophages, M. tuberculosis is exposed to cytotoxic hydroperoxides such as hydrogen peroxide, fatty acid hydroperoxides and peroxynitrite. Thus, the characterization of the bacterial antioxidant systems could facilitate novel drug developments. In this work, we characterized the product of the gene Rv1608c from M. tuberculosis, which according to sequence homology had been annotated as a putative peroxiredoxin of the peroxiredoxin Q subfamily (PrxQ B from M. tuberculosis or MtPrxQ B). The protein has been reported to be essential for M. tuberculosis growth in cholesterol-rich medium. We demonstrated the M. tuberculosis thioredoxin B/C-dependent peroxidase activity of MtPrxQ B, which acted as a two-cysteine peroxiredoxin that could function, although less efficiently, using a one-cysteine mechanism. Through steady-state and competition kinetic analysis, we proved that the net forward rate constant of MtPrxQ B reaction was 3 orders of magnitude faster for fatty acid hydroperoxides than for hydrogen peroxide (3x10(6) vs 6x10(3) M-1 s(-1), respectively), while the rate constant of peroxynitrite reduction was (0.6-1.4) x10(6) M-1 s(-1) at pH 7.4. The enzyme lacked activity towards cholesterol hydroperoxides solubilized in sodium deoxycholate. Both thioredoxin B and C rapidly reduced the oxidized form of MtPrxQ B, with rates constants of 0.5x10(6) and 1x10(6) M-1 s(-1), respectively. Our data indicated that MtPrxQ B is monomeric in solution both under reduced and oxidized states. In spite of the similar hydrodynamic behavior the reduced and oxidized forms of the protein showed important structural differences that were reflected in the protein circular dichroism spectra.
Monitoring the apple polyphenol oxidase-modulated adduct formation of phenolic and amino compounds
(2016)
Minimally processed fruit products such as smoothies are increasingly coming into demand. However, they are often combined with dairy ingredients. In this combination, phenolic compounds, polyphenoloxidases, and amino compounds could interact. In this work, a model approach is presented where apple serves as a source for a high polyphenoloxidase activity for modulating the reactions. The polyphenoloxidase activity ranged from 128 to 333 nakt/mL in different apple varieties. From these, ‘Braeburn’ was found to provide the highest enzymatic activity. The formation and stability of resulting chromogenic conjugates was investigated. The results show that such adducts are not stable and possible degradation mechanisms leading to follow-up products formed are proposed. Finally, apple extracts were used to modify proteins and their functional properties characterized. There were retaining antioxidant properties inherent to phenolic compounds after adduct formation. Consequently, such interactions may also be utilized to improve the textural quality of food products.
In this study, the applicability of semi-direct cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) during postharvest processing of Tenebrio molitor flour is investigated. Besides analyzing the decontamination efficacy, plasma induced impact on techno-functionality, protein solubility, composition and structure was determined and compared to heat induced effects. Following CAPP treatment, the total microbial load of the Tenebrio flour of 7.72 log(10) cfu/g was reduced to 7.10 (1 min), 6.72 (2.5 min), 5.79 (5 min), 5.19 (7.5 min), 521 (10 min) and 4.73 (15 min) log(10) cfu/g. With increasing exposure to CAPP, protein solubility at pH 4 almost linearly decreased to a minimum of 54%. Water binding capacity decreased from 0.79 to 0.64 gwatedg whereas oil binding capacity increased from 0.59 to 0.66 g(oil)/g. Gel electrophoresis revealed a decrease of all protein fractions at pH 4 whereas at pH 10 the band pattern significantly shifted to protein fractions with higher molecular weights. Industrial relevance: Edible insects are rich in valuable protein, fat, fibre, minerals and micronutrients. Although a wide range of species represent a valuable alternative protein source that could contribute to food and feed security, they are industrially hardly exploited. The tailored application of proper processing technologies could lead to novel insect-based high-protein food and feed products with unique functional properties supporting the increase in acceptability among potential consumers. Current research concentrates on developing processing chains including innovative nonthermal approaches. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) has gained attention as an effective technology for the decontamination and modification of fresh and dry agricultural products. In the postharvest chain of edible insects, the application of CAPP could contribute to the development of safe and high-quality insect-based products in the food and feed sector. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is known that GDM is associated with an altered placental function and changes in placental gene regulation. More recent studies demonstrated an involvement of epigenetic mechanisms. So far, the focus regarding placental epigenetic changes in GDM was set on gene-specific DNA methylation analyses. Studies that robustly investigated placental global DNA methylation are lacking. However, several studies showed that tissue-specific alterations in global DNA methylation are independently associated with type 2 diabetes. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize global placental DNA methylation by robustly measuring placental DNA 5-methylcytosine (5mC) content and to examine whether differences in placental global DNA methylation are associated with GDM. Methods: Global DNA methylation was quantified by the current gold standard method, LC-MS/MS. In total, 1030 placental samples were analyzed in this single-center birth cohort study. Results: Mothers with GDM displayed a significantly increased global placental DNA methylation (3.22 +/- 0.63 vs. 3.00 +/- 0.46 %; p = 0.013; +/- SD). Bivariate logistic regression showed a highly significant positive correlation between global placental DNA methylation and the presence of GDM (p = 0.0009). Quintile stratification according to placental DNA 5mC levels revealed that the frequency of GDM was evenly distributed in quintiles 1-4 (2.9-5.3 %), whereas the frequency in the fifth quintile was significantly higher (10.7 %; p = 0.003). Bivariate logistic models adjusted for maternal age, BMI, ethnicity, recurrent miscarriages, and familiar diabetes predisposition clearly demonstrated an independent association between global placental DNA hypermethylation and GDM. Furthermore, an ANCOVA model considering known predictors of DNA methylation substantiated an independent association between GDM and placental DNA methylation. Conclusions: This is the first study that employed a robust quantitative assessment of placental global DNA methylation in over a thousand placental samples. The study provides large scale evidence that placental global DNA hypermethylation is associated with GDM, independent of established risk factors.
Maternal environmental factors can impact on the phenotype of the offspring via the induction of epigenetic adaptive mechanisms. The advanced fetal programming hypothesis proposes that maternal genetic variants may influence the offspring's phenotype indirectly via epigenetic modification, despite the absence of a primary genetic defect. To test this hypothesis, heterozygous female eNOS knockout mice and wild type mice were bred with male wild type mice. We then assessed the impact of maternal eNOS deficiency on the liver phenotype of wild type offspring. Birth weight of male wild type offspring born to female heterozygous eNOS knockout mice was reduced compared to offspring of wild type mice. Moreover, the offspring displayed a sex specific liver phenotype, with an increased liver weight, due to steatosis. This was accompanied by sex specific differences in expression and DNA methylation of distinct genes. Liver global DNA methylation was significantly enhanced in both male and female offspring. Also, hepatic parameters of carbohydrate metabolism were reduced in male and female offspring. In addition, male mice displayed reductions in various amino acids in the liver. Maternal genetic alterations, such as partial deletion of the eNOS gene, can affect liver metabolism of wild type offspring without transmission of the intrinsic defect. This occurs in a sex specific way, with more detrimental effects in females. This finding demonstrates that a maternal genetic defect can epigenetically alter the phenotype of the offspring, without inheritance of the defect itself. Importantly, these acquired epigenetic phenotypic changes can persist into adulthood.
Overweight and obesity are associated with hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and a low-grade inflammation. Although hyperinsulinemia is generally thought to result from an attempt of the beta-cell to compensate for insulin resistance, there is evidence that hyperinsulinaemia itself may contribute to the development of insulin resistance and possibly the low-grade inflammation. To test this hypothesis, U937 macrophages were exposed to insulin. In these cells, insulin induced expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta, IL-8, CCL2, and OSM. The insulin-elicited induction of IL-1 beta was independent of the presence of endotoxin and most likely mediated by an insulin-dependent activation of NF-kappa B. Supernatants of the insulin-treated U937 macrophages rendered primary cultures of rat hepatocytes insulin resistant; they attenuated the insulin-dependent induction of glucokinase by 50%. The cytokines contained in the supernatants of insulin-treated U937 macrophages activated ERK1/2 and IKK beta, resulting in an inhibitory serine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate. In addition, STAT3 was activated and SOCS3 induced, further contributing to the interruption of the insulin receptor signal chain in hepatocytes. These results indicate that hyperinsulinemia per se might contribute to the low-grade inflammation prevailing in overweight and obese patients and thereby promote the development of insulin resistance particularly in the liver, because the insulin concentration in the portal circulation is much higher than in all other tissues.
The ever-increasing fat content in Western diet, combined with decreased levels of physical activity, greatly enhance the incidence of metabolic-related diseases. Cancer cachexia (CC) and Metabolic syndrome (MetS) are both multifactorial highly complex metabolism related syndromes, whose etiology is not fully understood, as the mechanisms underlying their development are not completely unveiled. Nevertheless, despite being considered “opposite sides”, MetS and CC share several common issues such as insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation. In these scenarios, tissue macrophages act as key players, due to their capacity to produce and release inflammatory mediators. One of the main features of MetS is hyperinsulinemia, which is generally associated with an attempt of the β-cell to compensate for diminished insulin sensitivity (insulin resistance). There is growing evidence that hyperinsulinemia per se may contribute to the development of insulin resistance, through the establishment of low grade inflammation in insulin responsive tissues, especially in the liver (as insulin is secreted by the pancreas into the portal circulation). The hypothesis of the present study was that insulin may itself provoke an inflammatory response culminating in diminished hepatic insulin sensitivity. To address this premise, firstly, human cell line U937 differentiated macrophages were exposed to insulin, LPS and PGE2. In these cells, insulin significantly augmented the gene expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators IL-1β, IL-8, CCL2, Oncostatin M (OSM) and microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase (mPGES1), and of the anti-inflammatory mediator IL-10. Moreover, the synergism between insulin and LPS enhanced the induction provoked by LPS in IL-1β, IL-8, IL-6, CCL2 and TNF-α gene. When combined with PGE2, insulin enhanced the induction provoked by PGE2 in IL-1β, mPGES1 and COX2, and attenuated the inhibition induced by PGE2 in CCL2 and TNF-α gene expression contributing to an enhanced inflammatory response by both mechanisms. Supernatants of insulin-treated U937 macrophages reduced the insulin-dependent induction of glucokinase in hepatocytes by 50%. Cytokines contained in the supernatant of insulin-treated U937 macrophages also activated hepatocytes ERK1/2, resulting in inhibitory serine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate. Additionally, the transcription factor STAT3 was activated by phosphorylation resulting in the induction of SOCS3, which is capable of interrupting the insulin receptor signal chain. MicroRNAs, non-coding RNAs linked to protein expression regulation, nowadays recognized as active players in the generation of several inflammatory disorders such as cancer and type II diabetes are also of interest. Considering that in cancer cachexia, patients are highly affected by insulin resistance and inflammation, control, non-cachectic and cachectic cancer patients were selected and the respective circulating levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and microRNA-21-5p, a posttranscriptional regulator of STAT3 expression, assessed and correlated. Cachectic patients circulating cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher than those of non-cachectic and controls, and the expression of microRNA-21-5p was significantly lower. Additionally, microRNA-21-5p reduced expression correlated negatively with IL-6 plasma levels. These results indicate that hyperinsulinemia per se might contribute to the low grade inflammation prevailing in MetS patients and thereby promote the development
of insulin resistance particularly in the liver. Diminished MicroRNA-21-5p expression may enhance inflammation and STAT3 expression in cachectic patients, contributing to the development of insulin resistance.
Gut bacteria exert beneficial and harmful effects in metabolic diseases as deduced from the comparison of germfree and conventional mice and from fecal transplantation studies. Compositional microbial changes in diseased subjects have been linked to adiposity, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. Promotion of an increased expression of intestinal nutrient transporters or a modified lipid and bile acid metabolism by the intestinal microbiota could result in an increased nutrient absorption by the host. The degradation of dietary fiber and the subsequent fermentation of monosaccharides to short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) is one of the most controversially discussed mechanisms of how gut bacteria impact host physiology. Fibers reduce the energy density of the diet, and the resulting SCFA promote intestinal gluconeogenesis, incretin formation and subsequently satiety. However, SCFA also deliver energy to the host and support liponeogenesis. Thus far, there is little knowledge on bacterial species that promote or prevent metabolic disease. Clostridium ramosum and Enterococcus cloacae were demonstrated to promote obesity in gnotobiotic mouse models, whereas bifidobacteria and Akkermansia muciniphila were associated with favorable phenotypes in conventional mice, especially when oligofructose was fed. How diet modulates the gut microbiota towards a beneficial or harmful composition needs further research. Gnotobiotic animals are a valuable tool to elucidate mechanisms underlying diet-host-microbe interactions.
Background:
First metabolomics studies have indicated that metabolic fingerprints from accessible tissues might
be useful to better understand the etiological links between metabolism and cancer. However, there is still a lack
of prospective metabolomics studies on pre-diagnostic metabolic alterations and cancer risk.
Methods:
Associations between pre-diagnostic levels of 120 circulating metabolites (acylcarnitines, amino acids,
biogenic amines, phosphatidylcholines, sphingolipids, and hexoses) and the risks of breast, prostate, and colorectal
cancer were evaluated by Cox regression analyses using data of a prospective case-cohort study including 835
incident cancer cases.
Results:
The median follow-up duration was 8.3 years among non-cases and 6.5 years among incident cases of
cancer. Higher levels of lysophosphatidylcholines (lysoPCs), and especially lysoPC a C18:0, were consistently related
to lower risks of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, independent of background factors. In contrast, higher
levels of phosphatidylcholine PC ae C30:0 were associated with increased cancer risk. There was no heterogeneity
in the observed associations by lag time between blood draw and cancer diagnosis.
Conclusion:
Changes in blood lipid composition precede the diagnosis of common malignancies by several years.
Considering the consistency of the present results across three cancer types the observed alterations point to a
global metabolic shift in phosphatidylcholine metabolism that may drive tumorigenesis.
The whey protein beta-lactoglobulin has been proposed as a transporter for covalent bound bioactive compounds in order to enhance their stability and reduce their sensory perception. The garlic derived compounds allicin and diallyl disulfide were bound covalently to the native and heat denatured protein. The binding site and the influence of the modification on the digestibility were determined by mass spectrometric analysis of the modified beta-lactoglobulin. Further, the conformation of the modified protein was assessed by circular dichroism and dynamic light scattering. The free thiol group of Cys(121) turned out to be the major binding site. After proteolysis with trypsin at pH 7 but not with pepsin at pH 2, a limited transfer to other cysteinyl residues was observed. The covalently bound ligands did not mask any proteolytic cleavage sites of pepsin, trypsin or chymotrypsin. The modified beta-lactoglobulin showed a native like conformation, besides a moderate loosening of protein folding. The covalent binding of organosulfur compounds to beta-lactoglobulin provides a bioactive ingredient without impairing the digestibility and functional properties of the protein. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) MMP-2 and MMP-9 are physiological regulators of vascular remodelling. Their dysregulation could contribute to vascular calcification. We examined the role of the MMP-2 and MMP-9 in uraemic vascular calcification in vivo and in vitro. The impact of pharmacological MMP inhibition on the development of media calcifications was explored in an aggressive animal model of uraemic calcification. In addition, the selective effects of addition and inhibition, respectively, of MMP-2 and MMP-9 on calcium-/phosphate-induced calcifications were studied in a murine cell line of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). High-dose calcitriol treatment of uraemic rats given a high phosphate diet induced massive calcifications, apoptosis and increased gene expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and of osteogenic transcription factors and proteins in aortic VSMC. The MMP inhibitor doxycycline prevented the VSMC transdifferentiation to osteoblastic cells, suppressed transcription of mediators of matrix remodelling and almost completely blocked aortic calcifications while further increasing apoptosis. Similarly, specific inhibitors of either MMP-2 or -9, or of both gelatinases (Ro28-2653) and a selective knockdown of MMP-2/-9 mRNA expression blocked calcification of murine VSMC induced by calcification medium (CM). In contrast to MMP inhibition, recombinant MMP-2 or MMP-9 enhanced CM-induced calcifications and the secretion of gelatinases. These data indicate that both gelatinases provide essential signals for phenotypic VSMC conversion, matrix remodelling and the initiation of vascular calcification. Their inhibition seems a promising strategy in the prevention of vascular calcifications.
In this article, we examined to what extent parental offending influences the timing of entry into parenthood of children. Based on a literature review, we hypothesized that children of delinquent parents would be more likely to enter into parenthood at a relatively young age, and that part of that association could be explained by differences between children of delinquent and non-delinquent parents in the timing of entry into marriage and in their own delinquent behaviour. Using data from a five-generation study of high risk families in the Netherlands, we found that parental delinquency increases the chance of early childbearing among daughters, but not among sons. Among sons, parental delinquency increased son's delinquency, suggesting that parental delinquency has different consequences for the life courses of their sons and daughters.
BackgroundWheat is one of the most common food allergens in early childhood. In contrast to other food allergies, wheat-specific IgE correlates badly with clinical symptoms and relevant components have been identified mostly for wheat-depended exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Moreover, a high percentage of patients present with immediate type symptoms but wheat-specific IgE cannot be detected with commercial available systems. ObjectiveWe addressed the question whether the IgE recognition pattern between wheat allergic (WA) and clinically tolerant (WT) children differs in order to identify individual proteins useful for component-resolved diagnostics. MethodsSera of 106 children with suspected wheat allergy, of whom 44 children had clinical relevant wheat allergy and 62 were tolerant upon oral food challenge, were analyzed for wheat-specific IgE using the ImmunoCap system as well as immunoblots against water and salt soluble, and water-insoluble protein fractions. 40 randomly selected sera were analyzed for specific IgE to 5-gliadin. ResultsSixty-three percent of the WT and 86% of the WA children were sensitized to wheat with >0.35 kU(A)/l in ImmunoCAP analysis. We could confirm the role of -, ss-, -, and -gliadins, and LMW glutenin subunits as major allergens and found also IgE binding to a broad spectrum of water- and salt-soluble protein bands. It is of great importance that wheat allergic and tolerant patients showed IgE binding to the same protein bands. WT and WA did not significantly differ in levels of 5-gliadin-specific IgE. Conclusions & Clinical RelevanceChildren with challenge proven clinical relevant food allergy and tolerant ones had a similar spectrum of IgE binding to the same protein bands. These findings imply that component-resolved diagnostics might not be helpful in the diagnostic work-up of wheat allergy.
Despite high-dose vitamin A supplementation of very low birth weight infants (VLBW, <1500 g), their vitamin A status does not improve substantially. Unknown is the impact of urinary retinol excretion on the serum retinol concentration in these infants. Therefore, the effect of high-dose vitamin A supplementation on the urinary vitamin A excretion in VLBW infants was investigated. Sixty-three VLBW infants were treated with vitamin A (5000 IU intramuscular, 3 times/week for 4 weeks); 38 untreated infants were classified as control group. On days 3 and 28 of life, retinol, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, and Tamm-Horsfall protein were quantified in urine. On day 3 of life, substantial retinol and RBP4 losses were found in both groups, which significantly decreased until day 28. Notwithstanding, the retinol excretion was higher (P<0.01) under vitamin A supplementation as compared to infants of the control group. On day 28 of life, the urinary retinol concentrations were predictive for serum retinol concentrations in the vitamin A treated (P<0.01), but not in the control group (P=0.570). Conclusion: High urinary retinol excretion may limit the vitamin A supplementation efficacy in VLBW infants. Advanced age and thus postnatal kidney maturation seems to be an important contributor in the prevention of urinary retinol losses.
The essential trace element zinc is indispensable for proper immune function as zinc deficiency accompanies immune defects and dysregulations like allergies, autoimmunity and an increased presence of transplant rejection. This point to the importance of the physiological and dietary control of zinc levels for a functioning immune system. This study investigates the capacity of zinc to induce immune tolerance. The beneficial impact of physiological zinc supplementation of 6 mu g/day (0.3 mg/kg body weight) or 30 mu g/day (1.5 mg/kg body weight) on murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for multiple sclerosis with a Th1/Th17 (Th, T helper) cell-dominated immunopathogenesis, was analyzed. Zinc administration diminished EAE scores in C57BL/6 mice in vivo (P<.05), reduced Th17 ROR gamma T+ cells (P<.05) and significantly increased inducible iTreg cells (P<.05). While Th17 cells decreased systemically, iTreg cells accumulated in the central nervous system. Cumulatively, zinc supplementation seems to be capable to induce tolerance in unwanted immune reactions by increasing iTreg cells. This makes zinc a promising future tool for treating autoimmune diseases without suppressing the immune system. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Background Dietary calcium (Ca) concentrations might affect regulatory pathways within the Ca and vitamin D metabolism and consequently excretory mechanisms. Considering large variations in Ca concentrations of feline diets, the physiological impact on Ca homeostasis has not been evaluated to date. In the present study, diets with increasing concentrations of dicalcium phosphate were offered to ten healthy adult cats (Ca/phosphorus (P): 6.23/6.02, 7.77/7.56, 15.0/12.7, 19.0/17.3, 22.2/19.9, 24.3/21.6 g/kg dry matter). Each feeding period was divided into a 10-day adaptation and an 8-day sampling period in order to collect urine and faeces. On the last day of each feeding period, blood samples were taken. Results Urinary Ca concentrations remained unaffected, but faecal Ca concentrations increased (P < 0.001) with increasing dietary Ca levels. No effect on whole and intact parathyroid hormone levels, fibroblast growth factor 23 and calcitriol concentrations in the blood of the cats were observed. However, the calcitriol precursors 25(OH)D-2 and 25(OH)D-3, which are considered the most useful indicators for the vitamin D status, decreased with higher dietary Ca levels (P = 0.013 and P = 0.033). Increasing dietary levels of dicalcium phosphate revealed an acidifying effect on urinary fasting pH (6.02) and postprandial pH (6.01) (P < 0.001), possibly mediated by an increase of urinary phosphorus (P) concentrations (P < 0.001). Conclusions In conclusion, calcitriol precursors were linearly affected by increasing dietary Ca concentrations. The increase in faecal Ca excretion indicates that Ca homeostasis of cats is mainly regulated in the intestine and not by the kidneys. Long-term studies should investigate the physiological relevance of the acidifying effect observed when feeding diets high in Ca and P.
Physiological response of two different Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strains to light-dark rhythms
(2016)
Cells of a cell-wall deficient line (cw15-type) of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and of the corresponding wild type were grown during repetitive light-dark cycles. In a direct comparison, both lines showed approximately the same relative biomass increase during light phase but the cw-line produced significantly more, and smaller, daughter cells. Throughout the light period the average cellular starch content, the cellular chlorophyll content, the cellular rate of dark respiration, and the cellular rate of photosynthesis of the cw-line was lower. Despite this, several non-cell volume related parameters like the development of starch content per cell volume were clearly different over time between the strains. Additionally, the chlorophyll-based photosynthesis rates were 2-fold higher in the mutant than in the wild-type cells, and the ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b as well as the light-saturation index were also consistently higher in the mutant cells. Differences in the starch content were also confirmed by single cell analyses using a sensitive SHG-based microscopy approach. In summary, the cw15-type mutant deviates from its genetic background in the entire cell physiology. Both lines should be used in further studies in comparative systems biology with focus on the detailed relation between cell volume increase, photosynthesis, starch metabolism, and daughter cell productivity.
Background/Aims: Preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) significantly influence mortality and morbidity of the offspring in early life and also have long-term consequences in later life. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of preterm birth could provide new insights regarding putative preventive strategies. Metabolomics provides a powerful analytic tool to readout complex interactions between genetics, environment and health and may serve to identify relevant biomarkers. In this study, the association between 163 targeted maternal blood metabolites and gestational age was investigated in order to find candidate biomarkers for PTB. Methods: Five hundred twenty-three women were included into this observational study. Maternal blood was obtained before delivery. The concentration of 163 maternal serum metabolites was measured by flow injection tandem mass spectrometry. To find putative biomarkers for preterm birth, a three-step analysis was designed: bivariate correlation analysis followed by multivariable regression analysis and a comparison of mean values among gestational age groups. Results: Bivariate correlation analysis showed that 2 acylcarnitines (C16:2, C2), 1 amino acids (xLeu), 8 diacyl-PCs (PCaaC36:4, PCaaC38:4, PCaaC38:5, PCaaC38:6, PCaaC40:4, PCaaC40:5, PCaaC40:6, PCaaC42:4), and 1 Acylalkyl-PCs (PCaeC40:5) were inversely correlated with gestational age. Multivariable regression analysis confounded for PTB history, maternal body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy, systolic blood pressure at the third trimester, and maternal body weight at the third trimester, showed that the diacyl-PC PCaaC38:6 was the only metabolite inversely correlated with gestational age. Conclusions: Maternal blood concentrations of PCaaC38:6 are independently associated with gestational age. (C) 2016 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel