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The present study examines the interactive effects of three fatty acids: myristic, palmitic and stearic acids, with dietary cholesterol, on lipoprotein metabolism in the hamster. Each saturated fatty acid was fed at a concentration of 100 g pure synthetic triacylglycerol/kg in the presence of 100 g triolein/kg and was fed in the presence of 0.05, 1.2 or 2.4 g dietary cholesterol/kg. Dietary cholesterol increased the concentration of cholesterol in each of the major plasma lipoprotein fractions. The largest effects on VLDL and LDL were seen in the presence of tripalmitin where the increase between the lowest and highest dietary cholesterol groups were 129% and 38% respectively. In contrast, HDL showed the greatest change in the tristearin group when the equivalent increase was 59%. No interactive effects of dietary cholesterol and fat were seen on hepatic mRNA concentrations for the LDL receptor, hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase or the microsomal triacylglycerol transfer protein. As the amount of cholesterol in the diet increased, large differences were seen in the storage of hepatic cholesterol ester. At the highest dietary cholesterol intake the amount of hepatic cholesterol ester was 1.7-fold higher in the animals fed trimyristin compared with those fed tripalmitin. These results suggest that, as the amount of cholesterol in the diet is increased, palmitic acid becomes more hypercholesterolaemic. This is associated with a reduced ability to store cholesterol ester in the liver.

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While it is well established that the fatty acid composition of dietary fat is important in determining plasma lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, the effects of changing the absolute quantities of the individual fatty acids are less clear. In the present study Golden Syrian hamsters were fed on isoenergetic, low cholesterol (0.05 g/kg) diets containing 100, 150 or 200 g added fat/kg. This consisted of triolein (TO) alone, or equal proportions of TO and either trimyristin (TM), tripalmitin (TP) or tristearin (TS). Each trial also included a control group fed on a diet containing 50 g TO/kg. As the mass of TO in the diet increased, plasma VLDL-cholesterol concentrations rose. The TM-rich diets produced a concentration-dependent increase in total plasma cholesterol which was a result of significant increases in both VLDL and HDL levels. The TP-rich diets increased plasma LDL- and HDL-cholesterol levels in a concentration-dependent manner. TS-containing diets did not increase the cholesterol content of any of the major lipoprotein fractions. Hepatic LDL-receptor mRNA concentrations were significantly decreased in animals fed on TP, while apolipoprotein B mRNA concentrations were significantly increased. Thus, on a low-cholesterol diet, increasing the absolute amount of dietary palmitic acid increases LDL-cholesterol more than either myristic or stearic acid. These effects on lipoprotein metabolism may be exerted through specific modulation of the expression of the LDL receptor and apolipoprotein B genes.

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By extending functional primers attached to a solid phase and incorporating a digoxigenin label, it is possible to visualise PCR products as discrete spots on specific regions of a solid support after colorimetric detection. The technique has been used for the detection of the point mutation associated with porcine malignant hyperthermia.

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The advantages are becoming increasingly apparent of designing livestock breeding programmes around the detection of specific sequences in genomic DNA using amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, by subjecting the products of such reactions to restriction enzyme digestion, important information conveyed by single-base substitutions can be retrieved and used in marker-assisted selection. The potential for the rapid diagnosis of several DNA markers simultaneously would seem to offer particular benefits in the field of in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer, where only a few cells constitute the source of the DNA, and where keeping the duration of the tests to a minimum is imperative. However, where the markers to be detected fall into different categories, different kinds of amplification reactions may need to be combined. The present study with porcine DNA combines a one-step multiplex PCR test for sex-determination with a specialised PCR reaction designed to diagnose the Ryrl or 'halothane' genotype. A total of seven primers have been utilised to amplify by, firstly, a control sequence related to the Zfx/y genes present in both sexes, secondly to amplify a Y chromosome sex-specific sequence related to the Sry gene and lastly, to detect either allele of the Ryr1 mutation associated with porcine stress syndrome and pale, soft exudative meat. The presence of PCR products of characteristic size on agarose gel electrophoresis gives a visual read-out of animal sex and halothane genotype. Although primarily a model system, the test may have direct applications in the context of embryo transfer, sperm separation technology and also in the characterisation of pork samples undergoing sensory evaluation by meat scientists.

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In hamsters fed high fat diets enriched in trimyristin, tripalmitin or tristearin, increased dietary cholesterol content was associated with increased plasma concentrations of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and triacylglycerol (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0017, respectively). Hepatic microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) mRNA concentration also increased (p < 0.0001), independent of the nature of dietary fat, and was significantly correlated with the plasma VLDL lipid concentrations (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0106 for cholesterol and triacylglycerol, respectively) and hepatic cholesterol concentrations. Increased expression of the MTP gene may be part of a coordinated response to hepatic cholesterol accumulation leading to increased VLDL lipid secretion.

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Unlike other saturated fatty acids, dietary stearic acid does not appear to raise plasma cholesterol. The reason for this remains to be established, although it appears that it must be related to inherent differences in the metabolism of the fatty acid. In the present study, we have looked at the metabolism of palmitic acid and stearic acid, in comparison with oleic acid, by cultured hamster hepatocytes. Stearic acid was taken up more slowly and was poorly incorporated into both cellular and secreted triacylglycerol. Despite this, stearic acid stimulated the synthesis and secretion of triacylglycerol to the same extent as the other fatty acids. Incorporation into cellular phospholipid was lower for oleic acid than for palmitic acid and stearic acid. Desaturation of stearic acid, to monounsaturated fatty acid, was found to be greater than that of palmitic acid. Oleic acid produced from stearic acid was incorporated into both triacylglycerol and phospholipid, representing 13% and 6% respectively of the total after a 4 h incubation. Significant proportions of all of the fatty acids were oxidized, primarily to form ketone bodies, but by 8 h more oleic acid had been oxidized compared with palmitic acid and stearic acid.

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A point mutation in the Ryr1 gene encoding the ryanodine receptor in porcine skeletal muscle is associated with enhanced growth characteristics and leanness but also with porcine stress syndrome and pale, soft exudative meat in some animals. The current diagnostic test for the mutation is based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by a restriction enzyme digestion step, prior to agarose gel electrophoresis. Using a technique known as mutagenically separated PCR (MS-PCR), a one-step procedure for the identification of the point mutation associated with porcine stress syndrome has been developed. This removes the requirement of the current PCR-based test for restriction enzyme digestion, is consequently quicker to perform, and may lend itself more readily to automation. DNA from blood samples from a series of animals were genotyped using both the conventional test and MS-PCR, and complete agreement between the two methods was obtained.

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Different dietary fatty acids exert specific effects on plasma lipids but the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Hamsters were fed on low-cholesterol diets containing triacylglycerols enriched in specific saturated fatty acids, and effects on plasma lipids and the expression of genes involved in hepatic lipoprotein metabolism were measured. Trimyristin and tripalmitin caused significant rises in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol which were accompanied by significant reductions in hepatic LDL receptor mRNA levels. Tripalmitin also increased hepatic expression of the apolipoprotein B gene, implying an increased production of LDL via very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and decreased removal of LDL in animals fed this fat. Hepatic levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase mRNA did not vary significantly between the groups. Compared with triolein, tristearin had little effect on hepatic gene expression or total plasma cholesterol. However, it caused a marked decrease in VLDL cholesterol and a rise in LDL cholesterol such that overall it appeared to be neutral. Lipid analysis suggested a rapid desaturation of much of the dietary stearate. The differential changes in plasma lipids and hepatic mRNA levels induced by specific dietary fats suggests a role for fatty acids or a metabolite thereof in the regulation of the expression of genes involved in lipoprotein metabolism.

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A novel assay has been developed for 2-deoxy-2-sulphamido-D-glucose (GlcNS) sulphamidase from Flavobacterium heparinum. This has enabled the 1930-fold purification of the enzyme from a soluble fraction of bacterial homogenate. From SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the enzyme was shown to have a relative molecular mass of 81,500. Ca2+ was essential for enzyme activity. Inorganic phosphate and sulphate inhibited activity by 28% and 29% respectively at 5 mmol dm-3. The purified sulphamidase had a pH optimum of 7.0 and a Km of 8.32 mumol dm-3 for GlcNS. The degradation of 2-deoxy-2-sulphamido-6-O-sulpho-D-glucose (GlcNS-6S) was also re-investigated. The two sulphate groups were hydrolysed sequentially in a single non-bifurcate manner, in contrast to previous reports [Dietrich, C.P., Silva, M.E. and Michelacci, Y.M. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 6408-6415].

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A specific glyco-6-O-sulphatase has been purified to homogeneity from Flavobacterium heparinum. The enzyme hydrolyses the 6-O-sulphates of 2-deoxy-2-sulphamido-6-O-sulpho-D-glucose (GlcNS-6S), 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-sulpho-D-glucose (GlcNAc-6S) and 2-amino-2-deoxy-6-O-sulphato-D-glucose (GlcN-6S). The activity was purified 2100-fold by successive chromatography on CM-Sepharose CL-6B, Sepharose CL-4B, hydroxyapatite and blue-Sepharose CL-6B. Sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a protein of relative molecular mass 64000. Four novel assays were developed using 35S-labelled and 14C-labelled monosaccharides. The purified enzyme was free of all other known heparin-degrading enzymes. In particular this was the first resolution of the 6-O-sulphatase from the sulphamidase. Optimal activity was at pH 7.5. Enzyme activity was virtually unaffected by Na+ and K+ ions. Enhancements of activity of 12% and 30% were effected by Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions respectively. Inorganic phosphate and sulphate (both 0.005 mol dm-3) inhibited activity by 48% and 50% respectively. The Km value for the free amino substrate GlcN-6S was 1.35 mmol dm-3. In contrast the Km values for the GlcNAc-6S and GlcNS-6S were 54 mumol dm-3 and 16 mumol dm-3 respectively.

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A novel bacterial sulphatase has been discovered in an extract of Flavobacterium heparinum. The enzyme hydrolyses the 3-O-sulphate from 2-deoxy-2-sulphamido-3-O-sulpho-D-glucose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-sulpho-D-glucose. The activity was purified 10 800-fold by chromatography successively on CM-Sepharose CL-6B, hydroxyapatite, taurine-Sepharose CL-4B and CM-Sepharose CL-6B. Sodium dodecylsulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed the enzyme to be homogeneous and of relative molecular mass 56 000. Two novel assays were developed using 2-[14C]acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-sulpho-D-glucose and 2-deoxy-2-sulphamido-3-O-sulpho-D-glucose as respective substrates. The purified 3-O-sulphatase was shown to be free of all other known heparin-degrading enzymes. Optimal activity was at pH 7.5 for the disulphated substrate and pH 8.0 for the N-acetylated substrate. Enzyme activity was virtually unaffected by Na+, K+ or Mg2+ ions. A 1.2-fold enhancement of activity was effected by 0.002 mol dm-3 Ca2+. Inorganic phosphate and sulphate inhibited 3-O-sulphatase activity. The Km value of the N-acetylated substrate was determined to be 42 mumol dm-3. No activity was detected with 2-amino-2-deoxy-3-O-sulpho-D-glucose.

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The glycosulphatase which hydrolyses the 2-O-sulphate of the disaccharide, 4-deoxy-2-O-sulphato-alpha-L-threohex-4-enopyranosyl uronic acid-(1----4)-2-deoxy-2-sulphamido-6-O-sulphato-D-glucose (delta UA-2S----GlcNS-6S), has been isolated from the soluble fraction of disrupted Flavobacterium heparinum. The activity was purified 3300-fold by chromatography on CM-Sepharose CL-6B, hydroxyapatite, taurine-Sepharose CL-4B and blue-Sepharose CL-6B. From sodium dodecylsulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the enzyme was homogeneous and of 62000 Mr. A novel assay was devised using the de-N-sulphonated [1-3H]alditol, 4-deoxy-2-O-sulphato-alpha-L-threo-hex-4-enopyranosyl uronic acid-(1----4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-6-O-sulphato-D-[1-3H]glucitol (delta UA-2S----[1-3H]GlcNH2-ol-6S). This alditol was shown by 13C-NMR to be desulphated in the analogous manner to the original reducing trisulphated disaccharide. The purified 2-O-sulphatase was completely free of heparinase I, heparinase II (heparitinase), chondroitinases AC, chondroitinase B, the delta 4,5-glycuronidase for heparin delta 4,5-disaccharides, the 6-O-sulphatase and the 2-sulphamidase. It was optimally active over the range pH 5.5-6.5 and was practically unaffected by Na, K, Ca or Mg ions. Inorganic phosphate inhibited the activity. The Km value for the alditol substrate was 1.22 mmol dm-3. Using 13C-NMR, the 2-O-sulphatase was found to hydrolyse the analogous esters of higher delta 4,5-oligosaccharides from heparin. This contrasts with the findings of other authors [Dietrich, C. P., Silva, M. E., and Michelacci, Y. M. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 6408-6415].

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Two neonates with clinical features of meconium plug syndrome (MPS) were found to have ileocolic intussusception associated with meconium plugs inspissated in the distal ileum. Hydrostatic reduction of the intussusception relieved the intestinal obstruction. Cystic fibrosis was excluded by sweat test and follow-up.

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