Mechanisms of ageing: growth hormone, dietary restriction, and metformin.

Tackling the mechanisms underlying ageing is desirable to help to extend the duration and improve the quality of life. Life extension has been achieved in animal models by suppressing the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis and also via dietary restriction. Metformin has become the focus of increased interest as a possible anti-ageing drug.

Biosynthesis of versatile PHA copolymers by thermophilic members of the genus Aneurinibacillus.

Thermophilic members of the genus Aneurinibacillus constitute a remarkable group of microorganisms that exhibit extraordinary flexibility in terms of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) synthesis. In this study, we demonstrate that these Gram-positive bacteria are capable of the utilization of selected lactones, namely, γ-valerolactone (GVL), γ-hexalactone (GHL), and δ-valerolactone (DVL) as the structural precursors of related PHA monomers. In the presence of GVL, a PHA copolymer consisting of 3-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyvalerate, and also 4-hydroxyvalerate was synthesized, with a 4 HV fraction as high as 53.

Novel thermophilic polyhydroxyalkanoates producing strain Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus CCM 8960.

Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus CCM 8960 is a thermophilic bacterium isolated from compost in Brno. The bacterium accumulates polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a biodegradable and renewable alternative to petrochemical polymers. The bacterium reveals several features that make it a very interesting candidate for the industrial production of PHA.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates synthesis by halophiles and thermophiles: towards sustainable production of microbial bioplastics.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are microbial polyesters produced by numerous prokaryotes. These materials are generally considered to be renewable and biodegradable alternatives to petrochemical polymers in numerous applications. PHA are accumulated by microbial cells in form of intracellular granules primarily as storage compounds; nevertheless, numerous recent reports also highlight the importance of PHA for the stress robustness of bacteria.

Complete Genome Sequence of the Type Strain Tepidimonas taiwanensis LMG 22826T, a Thermophilic Alkaline Protease and Polyhydroxyalkanoate Producer.

Tepidimonas taiwanensis is a moderately thermophilic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, chemoorganoheterotrophic, motile bacterium. The alkaline protease producing type strain T. taiwanensis LMG 22826T was recently reported to also be a promising producer of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)-renewable and biodegradable polymers representing an alternative to conventional plastics.

Biotechnological Conversion of Grape Pomace to Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) by Moderately Thermophilic Bacterium .

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are microbial polyesters that have recently come to the forefront of interest due to their biodegradability and production from renewable sources. A potential increase in competitiveness of PHA production process comes with a combination of the use of thermophilic bacteria with the mutual use of waste substrates. In this work, the thermophilic bacterium LMG 22826 was identified as a promising PHA producer.

The First Insight into Polyhydroxyalkanoates Accumulation in Multi-Extremophilic and .

Actinobacteria belonging to the genus are known for their multi-extremophilic growth conditions-they are highly radiation-resistant, halotolerant, thermotolerant or even thermophilic. This work demonstrates that the members of the genus are capable of accumulating polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) since PHA-related genes are widely distributed among spp. whose complete genome sequences are available in public databases.

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) by a thermophilic strain of Schlegelella thermodepolymerans from xylose rich substrates.

The aim of this work was to investigate the thermophilic bacterium Schelegelella thermodepolymerans DSM 15344 in terms of its polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) biosynthesis capacity. The bacterium is capable of converting various sugars into PHA with the optimal growth temperature of 55 °C; therefore, the process of PHA biosynthesis could be robust against contamination. Surprisingly, the highest yield was gained on xylose.

Introducing the Newly Isolated Bacterium sp. H1 as an Auspicious Thermophilic Producer of Various Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) Copolymers-2. Material Study on the Produced Copolymers.

sp. H1 is a promising, moderately thermophilic, novel Gram-positive bacterium capable of the biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) with tunable monomer composition. In particular, the strain is able to synthesize copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), 4-hydroxybutyrate (4HB) and 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) with remarkably high 4HB and 3HV fractions.

Introducing the Newly Isolated Bacterium sp. H1 as an Auspicious Thermophilic Producer of Various Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) Copolymers-1. Isolation and Characterization of the Bacterium.

Extremophilic microorganisms are considered being very promising candidates for biotechnological production of various products including polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). The aim of this work was to evaluate the PHA production potential of a novel PHA-producing thermophilic Gram-positive isolate sp. H1.

Metformin to reduce metabolic complications and inflammation in patients on systemic glucocorticoid therapy: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept, phase 2 trial.

Background: An urgent need to reduce the metabolic side-effects of glucocorticoid overexposure has been recognised, as glucocorticoid excess can lead to Cushing's syndrome, which is associated with high morbidity. We aimed to evaluate the potential of metformin to reverse such effects while sparing the anti-inflammatory benefits of glucocorticoids.

Methods: We did a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept, phase 2 trial involving four hospitals in the UK.

Application of osmotic challenge for enrichment of microbial consortia in polyhydroxyalkanoates producing thermophilic and thermotolerant bacteria and their subsequent isolation.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates are microbial polyesters which are considered being biological alternatives to petrochemical polymers. Extremophiles, such as thermophilic PHA producers, hold promise to improve competitiveness of PHA production process. Therefore, this work aimed at isolation of new strains, which could produce PHA under elevated temperature.

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates on waste frying oil employing selected Halomonas strains.

The aim of this work was to study the potential of selected Halomonas species for conversion of waste frying oil into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). In total nine Halomonas strains were experimentally screened for their capability of PHA production. Among them, Halomonas neptunia and Halomonas hydrothermalis were identified as potent PHA producers.

Biotechnological Production of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate--4-Hydroxybutyrate-3-Hydroxyvalerate) Terpolymer by sp. DSM 19379.

The terpolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV), and 4-hydroxybutyrate (4HB) was produced employing sp. DSM 19379. Growth in the presence of γ-butyrolactone, ε-caprolactone, 1,4-butanediol, and 1,6-hexanediol resulted in the synthesis of a polymer consisting of 3HB and 4HB monomers.

Characterization of the promising poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) producing halophilic bacterium Halomonas halophila.

This work explores molecular, morphological as well as biotechnological features of the highly promising polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) producer Halomonas halophila. Unlike many other halophiles, this bacterium does not require expensive complex media components and it is capable to accumulate high intracellular poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) fractions up to 82% of cell dry mass. Most remarkably, regulating the concentration of NaCl apart from PHB yields influences also the polymer's molecular mass and polydispersity.

Involvement of polyhydroxyalkanoates in stress resistance of microbial cells: Biotechnological consequences and applications.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are polyesters accumulated by numerous prokaryotes as storage materials; they attract attention as "green" alternatives to petrochemical plastics. Recent research has demonstrated that their biological role goes beyong their storage function, since they presence in cytoplasm enhances stress resistance of microorganisms. To address these complex functions, this review summarizes the protective effects of PHA for microrganisms; the involvement of PHA in stress resistance is discussed also from a praxis-oriented perspective.

Metformin prevents metabolic side effects during systemic glucocorticoid treatment.

Objectives: Patients receiving glucocorticoid treatment are prone to develop metabolic complications. In preclinical studies, metformin prevented the development of the metabolic syndrome during glucocorticoid excess. We herein investigated the metabolic effect of metformin during glucocorticoid treatment in non-diabetic patients.

Increased Population Risk of AIP-Related Acromegaly and Gigantism in Ireland.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) founder mutation R304 (or p.R304 ; NM_003977.3:c.

Metformin--mode of action and clinical implications for diabetes and cancer.

Metformin has been the mainstay of therapy for diabetes mellitus for many years; however, the mechanistic aspects of metformin action remained ill-defined. Recent advances revealed that this drug, in addition to its glucose-lowering action, might be promising for specifically targeting metabolic differences between normal and abnormal metabolic signalling. The knowledge gained from dissecting the principal mechanisms by which metformin works can help us to develop novel treatments.

Sympathetic activation and vasoregulation in response to carbohydrate ingestion in patients with congestive heart failure.

Background: In normal individuals, carbohydrate ingestion increases sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity but causes net vasodilatation in the same vascular bed. This study quantified the effects of carbohydrate ingestion on muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and vasoregulation in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). We hypothesized that high resting levels of MSNA in patients with CHF would blunt further increases in MSNA following carbohydrate ingestion and that their sympathetic activation would restrain vasodilatation.

An endocrinologist's guide to the clock.

Context: It has long been recognized that a "biological clock" residing in the suprachiasmatic nucleus controls circadian or daily variations in physiological processes. Old observations are now being revisited after the discovery of the cellular mechanism of timekeeping, the molecular clock, an autoregulatory feedback loop of transcription factors that cycles over a period of approximately 24 h. Its functioning or breakdown impinges upon the physiology and pathophysiology of numerous systems, including the endocrine system and metabolism.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a review of the literature.

Although takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare entity, it is an important differential in patients presenting with symptoms, signs, and electrocardiographic changes suggestive of an acute myocardial infarction. Since it was first recognized in 1991, it has gained increasing attention worldwide; however, its etiology and consequently the optimal management still remains unclear. Here, the authors provide a review of the current literature accompanied with images of a typical case from our department.