No abstract

In this study, genome-wide expression analyses were used to study the response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to stress throughout a 15-day wine fermentation. Forty per cent of the yeast genome significantly changed expression levels to mediate long-term adaptation to fermenting grape must. Among the genes that changed expression levels, a group of 223 genes was identified, which was designated as fermentation stress response (FSR) genes that were dramatically induced at various points during fermentation. FSR genes sustain high levels of induction up to the final time point and exhibited changes in expression levels ranging from four- to 80-fold. The FSR is novel; 62% of the genes involved have not been implicated in global stress responses and 28% of the FSR genes have no functional annotation. Genes involved in respiratory metabolism and gluconeogenesis were expressed during fermentation despite the presence of high concentrations of glucose. Ethanol, rather than nutrient depletion, seems to be responsible for entry of yeast cells into the stationary phase.

To examine hypotheses regarding air pollution health effects, we conducted an exploratory study to evaluate relationships between personal and ambient concentrations of particles with measures of cardiopulmonary health in a sample of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) . Sixteen currently non -smoking COPD patients ( mean age = 74 ) residing in Vancouver were equipped with a particle ( PM 2.5 ) monitor for seven 24 -h periods. Subjects underwent ambulatory heart monitoring, had their lung function and blood pressure ( BP ) measured, and recorded symptoms and medication use. Ambient PM 2.5 , PM 10 , sulfate, and gaseous pollutant concentrations were monitored at five sites within the study area. Although no associations between air pollution and lung function were statistically significant, an estimated effect of 3% and 1% declines in daily FEV 1 change ( ÁFEV 1 ) for each 10 g / m 3 increase in ambient PM 10 and PM 2.5 , respectively, was observed. Increases of 1 g / m 3 in personal or ambient sulfate were associated with 1.0% and 0.3% declines in ÁFEV 1 , respectively. Weak associations were observed between particle concentrations and increased supraventricular ectopic heartbeats and with decreased systolic BP. No consistent associations were observed between any particle metric and diastolic BP, heart rate, or heart rate variability ( r -MSSD or SDNN ) , symptom severity, or bronchodilator use. Of the pollutants measured, ambient PM 10 was most consistently associated with health parameters; the use of personal exposures did not improve the strength of any associations or lead to increased effect estimates.