An Hfe-dependent pathway mediates hyposideremia in response to lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in mice

Inflammation influences iron balance in the whole organism. A common clinical manifestation of these changes is anemia of chronic disease (ACD; also called anemia of inflammation). Inflammation reduces duodenal iron absorption and increases macrophage iron retention, resulting in low serum iron concentrations (hyposideremia). Despite the protection hyposideremia provides against proliferating microorganisms, this 'iron withholding' reduces the iron available to maturing red blood cells and eventually contributes to the development of anemia. Hepcidin antimicrobial peptide (Hamp) is a hepatic defensin-like peptide hormone that inhibits duodenal iron absorption and macrophage iron release. Hamp is part of the type II acute phase response and is thought to have a crucial regulatory role in sequestering iron in the context of ACD. Mice with deficiencies in the hemochromatosis gene product, Hfe, mounted a general inflammatory response after injection of lipopolysaccharide but lacked appropriate Hamp expression and did not develop hyposideremia. These data suggest a previously unidentified role for Hfe in innate immunity and ACD.     

Mutations in a new member of the chromodomain gene family cause CHARGE syndrome

CHARGE syndrome is a common cause of congenital anomalies affecting several tissues in a nonrandom fashion. We report a 2.3-Mb de novo overlapping microdeletion on chromosome 8q12 identified by array comparative genomic hybridization in two individuals with CHARGE syndrome. Sequence analysis of genes located in this region detected mutations in the gene CHD7 in 10 of 17 individuals with CHARGE syndrome without microdeletions, accounting for the disease in most affected individuals.     

The transulfuration of sulfinates by polysulfides

Riassunto È stato dimostrato che la transulfurazione che consegue alla incubazione dei solfinati con zolfo ed un composto tiolico è dovuta in parte alla produzione di un polisolfuro organico, formato dal tiolo e zolfo, ed in parte al polisolfuro inorganico, formato dalla decomposizione di quello organico. L'entità della transulfurazione prodotta direttamente dal polisolfuro organico varia con il tipo di polisolfuro e dipende dalla sua stabilità nelle condizioni usate.     

Teratogenic effects induced in tail ofBufo arenarum tadpoles following treatment with carcinogens

Riassunto Si descrivono gli effetti teratogeni indotti nella coda del girino delBufo arenarum in uno stadio premetamorfosico, come conseguenza dell'impianto di cristalli di idrocarburi cancerigeni. Tanto il MC come il BP o il DMBA producono alette sopranumerarie che ripetono le strutture istologiche delle alette normali; ed inoltre il DMBA induce la formazione di una seconda notocorda parallela alla normale.

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Career investigator of Argentine CNICT.

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Fellow of Argentine CNICT.     

Stimulation of pyruvate carboxylation by gastric secretagogues

Summary Pyruvate carboxylation was stimulated by 2 gastric secretagogues, histamine and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, and by butyrate. Thiocyanate, an inhibitor of acid secretion, produced a slight decrease. Avidin significantly reduced acid secretion and this effect was overcome by biotin and oxalacetate. The results suggest that carboxylation of pyruvate is one of the reactions controlling oxidative metabolism and acid secretion in toad gastric mucosa.This investigation was supported by Consejo de Desarrollo Científico y Humanístico de la Universidad del Zulia, and by CONICIT Grant S1-0455.     

On the synthesis of poliovirus RNA at supraoptimal temperatures

Riassunto La scarsa incorporazione di precursori dello ARN in cellule infette da poliovirus ed incubate a 41,5°C è dovuta ad una inibizione della sintesi dello ARN virale più che non ad una sua digestione ad opera di nucleasi.

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Work supported by a Grant of Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome.