Oxido-reduction reactions are a fundamental part of the life due to support many vital biological processes as cellular respiration and glucose oxidation. In the redox reactions, one substance ...transfers one or more electrons to another substance. An important electron carrier is the coenzyme NAD+, which is involved in many metabolic pathways. De novo biosynthesis of NAD+ is through the kynurenine pathway, the major route of tryptophan catabolism, which is sensitive to redox environment and produces metabolites with redox capacity, able to alter biological functions that are controlled by redox-responsive signaling pathways. Kynurenine pathway metabolites have been implicated in the physiology process and in the physiopathology of many diseases; processes that also share others factors as dysregulation of calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death, which impact the redox environment. This review examines in detail the available evidence in which kynurenine pathway metabolites participate in redox reactions and their effect on cellular redox homeostasis, since the knowledge of the main factors and mechanisms that lead to cell death in many neurodegenative disorders and other pathologies, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and kynurenines imbalance, will allow to develop therapies using them as targets.
This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘The Kynurenine Pathway in Health and Disease’.
•Kynurenine pathway (KP) is modulated by redox environment.•KP metabolites have redox properties.•In pathological conditions KP components can contribute to alter redox homeostasis.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
•3-Hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HANA) scavenge OH and ONOO−.•3-HK and 3-HANA decrease mitochondrial membrane potential both in vitro and in vivo.•Early ROS production is ...not related with the mitochondrial alteration induced by these kynurenines.•3-HK and 3-HANA induce cellular dysfunction.
The kynurenines 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HANA) and its precursor 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) are metabolites derived from tryptophan degradation. 3-HK, has been related to diverse neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases that share mitochondrial metabolic dysregulation. Nevertheless, the direct effect of these kynurenines on mitochondrial function has not been investigated despite it could be regulated by their redox properties that are controversial. A body of literature has suggested a ROS mediated cell death induced by 3-HK and 3-HANA. On the other hand, some works have supported that both kynurenines have antioxidant effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate 3-HK and 3-HANA effects on mitochondrial and cellular function in rat cultured cortical astrocytes (rCCA) and in animals intrastriatally injected with these kynurenines as well as to determinate the ROS role on these effects. First, we evaluated 3-HK and 3-HANA effect on cellular function, ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential in vivo and in vitro in rCCA. Our results show that both kynurenines decreased MTT reduction in a concentration-dependent manner together with mitochondrial membrane potential. These observations were accompanied with increased cell death in rCCA and in circling behavior and morphological changes of injected animals. Interestingly, we found that ROS production was not increased in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, and accordingly lipid peroxidation (LP) was neither increased in striatal tissue of animals injected with both kynurenines. The lack of effect on these oxidative markers is in agreement with the OH and ONOO− scavenging capacity of both kynurenines detected by chemical combinatorial assays. Altogether, these data indicate that both kynurenines exert toxic effects through mechanisms that include impairment of cellular energy metabolism which are not related to early ROS production.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Abstract Batoids (rays and skates) are cartilaginous fishes whose jaws are not articulated directly to the neurocranium. The only point of contact between them are the hyomandibular cartilages, ...resulting in a unique mandibular suspension called euhyostyly. Due to this decoupling of the jaws from the skull, muscles play an essential role in modulating mandibular movements during the feeding process, especially during mandibular protrusion. The main objectives of our study were: (1) to examine the mandibular musculature of eight batoid species from different orders in the Batoidea and (2) establish a standardized musclulature terminology for future comparative myological studies in batoids. For each muscle bundle, the general characteristics of each cranial muscle were described and their origin and insertions were identified. The number of muscle bundles differed intraspecifically. On the dorsal surface, we reported the first evidence of the presence of the precranial muscle (PCM) in U. halleri , as well as the ethmoideo‐parethmoidalis muscle (ETM) in R. velezi , P. glaugostigma and Z. exasperata ; in addition, the insertion of the spiracularis muscle (SP) extended to the ventral surface of the oropharyngeal tract in myliobatiforms. On the ventral surface of the head, both N. entemedor and M. californica exhibited additional muscles in the mandibular area. These muscles were renamed as part of the standardization of mandibular terminology: the depressor mandibularis minor (DMM) in N. entemedor and the adductor mandibulae profundus (AMP) in M. californica . The standardization of terminology is essential for futures studies of the mandibular apparatus in batoids, to facilitate the morphological description of muscles in species without anatomical accounts and for continuity in broader comparative analyses.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The effect of two different anionic membranes on manganese deposition was studied in a two-compartment electrochemical reactor with a titanium cathode and a dimensionally stable RuO
2
|Ti anode. ...Chronopotentiometry, ICP-OES, SEM, XRD and elemental mapping were used to understand the changes in concentration and characteristics of the metallic deposition at different current densities with the anionic membranes AMI 7001s and Neosepta AMX. The results demonstrate that AMI reduces more manganese than AMX below −100 A m
−2
, generating more metallic deposition but also more low-solubility manganous by-products, whereas both membranes exhibited similar behaviours above −100 A m
−2
reaching the maximum current efficiency (63%) at −200 A m
−2
. It was also observed that the membranes have a significant effect on sulphate consumption since they are anions.
A more stable deposit was obtained with both membranes at current densities greater than 100 A m
−2
and maximum efficiency of 63% at −200 Am
−2
(with a purity of 92%), but the consumption of sulphate ions is different in each.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, UL, UM, UPUK
Summary
Ante‐mortem studies of stress in rabbits are few and can potentially impact the haematologic response and physicochemical parameters of muscle meat. The aim of this study was to investigate ...the induction of stress by transport and simulation at two different times. Two hundred rabbits divided in a similar proportion of male and female were stressed by vehicular transportation and with motion simulation, using a vibration platform. They were divided into five groups: Control (without stress), Stress with Short Transportation (30 min), Stress with Long Transportation (60 min), Stress with Short Vibration Platform (30 min) and Stress with Long Vibration Platform (60 min). Transportation caused a decrease in the haematic potassium in both sexes (<5.2 mmol/L). The glucose and lactate concentrations increased in the transported rabbits (>219 and >61 mg/dl respectively). The differences between sexes showed that the PCO2 in males decreased <8.5 mmHg in stress groups compared to without stress group. Glucose concentration was 61.5 mg/dl for females and 38.0 mg/dl for males (p < .01). We concluded that in rabbits induced stress by transport increased the energetic metabolites in the blood tissue. This increase did not affect the production parameters and the quality of muscle meat.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Aging is a physiological decline process. The number of older adults is growing around the world; therefore, the incidence of cognitive impairment, dementia, and other diseases related to aging ...increases. The main cellular factors that converge in the aging process are mitochondrial dysfunction, antioxidant impairment, inflammation, and immune response decline, among others. In this context, these cellular changes have an influence on the kynurenine pathway (KP), the main route of tryptophan (Trp) catabolism. KP metabolites have been involved in the aging process and neurodegenerative diseases. Although there are changes in the metabolite levels with age, at this time, there is no study that has evaluated cognitive decline as a consequence of Trp catabolism fluctuation in aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between the changes in Trp catabolism and cognitive impairment associated with age through KP metabolites level alterations in women over 50 years of age. Seventy-seven nondemented women over 50 years old were examined with a standardized cognitive screening evaluation in Spanish language (Neuropsi), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), and the geriatric depression scale (GDS). Also, serum levels of Trp, kynurenine (Kyn), kynurenic acid (KYNA), and 3-hydroykynurenine (3-HK) and the glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) were measured. Results showed a negative correlation between age and Trp levels and a positive correlation between age and KYNA/Trp and 3-HK/Trp ratios. The level of cognitive impairment showed a significant positive association with age and with kynurenine pathway activation and a significant negative correlation with Trp levels. The GSH/GSSG ratio correlated positively with Trp levels and negatively with Kyn/Trp and 3-HK/Trp ratios. The depression score correlated negatively with Trp and positively with the 3-HK/Trp ratio. We concluded that KP activation increases with age and it is strongly associated with the level of cognition performance in nondemented women over 50 years of age.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Macromycetes are important for ecosystem functioning due to their role in the nutrient cycling, and their function as pathogens and mutualists. Diversity metrics based on functional traits are robust ...predictors of ecosystem functionality since they incorporate an evolutionary and ecologic background. We examined diversity patterns of macrofungi using functional trait-based metrics of diversity along an altitudinal gradient in a seasonally dry tropical forest in southern Mexico. Our findings show that: (1) functional diversity varies with elevation, relating more to climatic variables than to vegetation structure; (2) functional diversity indexes exhibited contrasting patterns, so measures reflecting heterogeneity on trait abundance and niche complementarity tend to increase with elevation, whereas the measure of trait evenness decreases; and (3) functional diversity patterns depend on the type of functional trait considered and how they respond to environmental conditions. Our results indicate that functional diversity analyses help understanding of how macrofungal communities respond to environmental variation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Trypanosoma cruzi antigens TSA-1 and Tc24 have shown promise as vaccine candidates in animal studies. We evaluated here the recall immune response these antigens induce in Chagasic patients, as a ...first step to test their immunogenicity in humans. We evaluated the in vitro cellular immune response after stimulation with recombinant TSA-1 (rTSA-1) or recombinant Tc24 (rTc24) in mononuclear cells of asymptomatic Chagasic chronic patients (n = 20) compared to healthy volunteers (n = 19) from Yucatan, Mexico. Proliferation assays, intracellular cytokine staining, cytometric bead arrays, and memory T cell immunophenotyping were performed by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from Chagasic patients showed significant proliferation after stimulation with rTc24 and presented a phenotype of T effector memory cells (CD45RA-CCR7-). These cells also produced IFN-γ and, to a lesser extent IL10, after stimulation with rTSA-1 and rTc24 proteins. Overall, both antigens recalled a broad immune response in some Chagasic patients, confirming that their immune system had been primed against these antigens during natural infection. Analysis of HLA-A and HLA-B allele diversity by PCR-sequencing indicated that HLA-A03 and HLA-B07 were the most frequent supertypes in this Mexican population. Also, there was a significant difference in the frequency of HLA-A01 and HLA-A02 supertypes between Chagasic patients and controls, while the other alleles were evenly distributed. Some aspects of the immune response, such as antigen-induced IFN-γ production by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and CD8+ proliferation, showed significant association with specific HLA-A supertypes, depending on the antigen considered. In conclusion, our results confirm the ability of both TSA-1 and Tc24 recombinant proteins to recall an immune response induced by the native antigens during natural infection in at least some patients. Our data support the further development of these antigens as therapeutic vaccine against Chagas disease.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The function reported after arm transplantation is deemed beneficial relative to the marked disability that upper arm amputation causes.
We report a 51-year-old man with a Disabilities of the Arm, ...Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score of 75.83 who underwent bilateral arm transplantation in October 2015.
The right arm was transplanted at the glenohumeral joint level, including transplantation of the humeral head, joint capsule, and rotator cuff ligaments and tendons. Additionally, neurorrhaphies were performed at the origin of the terminal branches of the brachial plexus, including the axillary and musculocutaneous nerves. Therefore, this was considered a total arm transplantation. The left arm was transplanted at the transhumeral level, with complete transplantation of the biceps and triceps brachii, and terminolateral neurorrhaphy of the donor musculocutaneous nerve to the receptor radial nerve. A maintenance triple immunosuppression scheme was administered, with tacrolimus levels kept at 10 ng/mL.
At 18 months post-transplantation, the intrinsic musculature in the left hand showed electrical registry, DASH score was 67.5, Carroll test score was 28 in both extremities, Hand Transplant Score System was 67.5 in the right extremity and 77.5 in the left extremity, and Short Form-36 score was 96.1. The patient was healthy, with restored body integrity. He could lift medium-sized weightless objects, eat and go to the bathroom by himself, drink liquids with bimanual grasp, swim, dress almost independently, and drive.
The functional evolution of the patient was similar to previously reported transplanted arms, even though the right arm transplant involved the glenohumeral joint and axillary and musculocutaneous nerve repair.
•Case report of bilateral arms transplantation is presented.•Functional outcomes of a total and midarm transplantation are described.•Functionality of transplanted arms is satisfactory.•Arm transplantation evolution without complications is discussed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Background
Multidisciplinary interventions may be useful for children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus (DM), especially in areas where new blood glucose monitoring and control technologies are ...difficult to access.
Methods
PAANDA, a care program for adolescents and children with diabetes, was implemented in patients aged 0 to 18 years and 11 months. The effect of the intervention was determined by self‐blood glucose monitoring (SBGM) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels at start and after 6 months.
Results
A total of 121 patients with DM were evaluated, mean age of 14.27 years (SD: 4.60 years). Blood glucose measurements in range (70‐120 mg/dL pre‐prandial or 70‐180 mg/dL post‐prandial) increased by 20.67% before breakfast, 8.14% after breakfast (both P‐value <.001), 5.02% before lunch (P‐value = .02), 8.66% after lunch (P‐value <.001), 11.50% before dinner (P‐value <.001), 11.87% after dinner (P‐value <.001), and 8.00% at dawn (P‐value = .001). This change was accompanied by fewer values in the hyperglycemic category (−19.49% before breakfast, −7.73% after breakfast, both P‐value <.001) and hypoglycemia (−1.18%). HbA1C levels decreased significantly 1.8% (P‐value = .018). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed an increase in glycemic control associated with each month after the intervention time in the PAANDA program (P‐value <.001 for all the time points evaluated) and a significant decrease in glycemic variability.
Conclusions
The multidisciplinary PAANDA intervention had a beneficial effect on glycemic control, with an improved time in range in a population of children and adolescents with DM.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK