Ion channel conformational changes within the lipid membrane are a key requirement to control ion passage. Thus, it seems reasonable to assume that lipid composition should modulate ion channel ...function. There is increasing evidence that this implicates not just an indirect consequence of the lipid influence on the physical properties of the membrane, but also specific binding of selected lipids to certain protein domains. The result is that channel function and its consequences on excitability, contractility, intracellular signaling or any other process mediated by such channel proteins, could be subjected to modulation by membrane lipids. From this it follows that development, age, diet or diseases that alter lipid composition should also have an influence on those cellular properties. The wealth of data on the non-annular lipid binding sites in potassium channel from Streptomyces lividans (KcsA) makes this protein a good model to study the modulation of ion channel structure and function by lipids. The fact that this protein is able to assemble into clusters through the same non-annular sites, resulting in large changes in channel activity, makes these sites even more interesting as a potential target to develop lead compounds able to disrupt such interactions and hopefully, to modulate ion channel function. This Article is Part of a Special Issue Entitled: Membrane Structure and Function: Relevance in the Cell's Physiology, Pathology and Therapy.
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•Specific lipids bound to ion channels modulate their structure and function.•Non-annular lipid binding sites on KcsA mediate interactions leading to protein clustering.•Lipid–protein and protein–protein interactions strongly modulate KcsA function.
Olive mill solid waste (OMSW) is a pollutant waste coming from olive oil elaboration by the two-phase centrifugation system. OMSW has a high organic matter content and unbalanced carbon to nitrogen ...(C/N) ratio, 31/1, which avoids obtaining high methane yields in the anaerobic digestion of this waste. In the present study a microalgae, Dunaliella salina, was employed as co-substrate for the OMSW anaerobic digestion in order to decrease the C/N ratio and increase its biodegradability. Different co-digestion mixtures (C/N ratios) were studied. The increase of D. salina from 25% to 50% in the co-digestion mixture clearly increased the biodegradability of the sole substrates. The highest biodegradability was found for the co-digestion mixture 50% OMSW-50% D. salina. Nevertheless, the maximum methane production, 330mLCH4/gVSadded, and the highest methane production rate were obtained for the co-digestion mixture 75% OMSW-25% D. salina, keeping a C/N ratio near to 26.7/1.
Abstract
Understanding the formation and evolution of our Galaxy requires accurate distances, ages, and chemistry for large populations of field stars. Here, we present several updates to our ...spectrophotometric distance code, which can now also be used to estimate ages, masses, and extinctions for individual stars. Given a set of measured spectrophotometric parameters, we calculate the posterior probability distribution over a given grid of stellar evolutionary models, using flexible Galactic stellar-population priors. The code (called StarHorse) can accommodate different observational data sets, prior options, partially missing data, and the inclusion of parallax information into the estimated probabilities. We validate the code using a variety of simulated stars as well as real stars with parameters determined from asteroseismology, eclipsing binaries, and isochrone fits to star clusters. Our main goal in this validation process is to test the applicability of the code to field stars with known Gaia-like parallaxes. The typical internal precisions (obtained from realistic simulations of an APOGEE+Gaia-like sample) are ${\simeq } 8\,\,\rm{per\,\,cent}$ in distance, ${\simeq } 20\,\,\rm{per\,\,cent}$ in age, ${\simeq } 6\,\,\rm{per\,\,cent}$ in mass, and ≃ 0.04 mag in AV. The median external precision (derived from comparisons with earlier work for real stars) varies with the sample used, but lies in the range of ${\simeq } 0,2\,\,\rm{per\,\,cent}$ for distances, ${\simeq } 12,31\,\,\rm{per\,\,cent}$ for ages, ${\simeq } 4,12\,\,\rm{per\,\,cent}$ for masses, and ≃ 0.07 mag for AV. We provide StarHorse distances and extinctions for the APOGEE DR14, RAVE DR5, GES DR3, and GALAH DR1 catalogues.
Materials that exhibit ferromagnetism, interfacial stability, and tunability are highly desired for the realization of emerging magnetoelectronic phenomena in heterostructures. Here we present the ...GdAg2 monolayer alloy, which possesses all such qualities. By combining X-ray absorption, Kerr effect, and angle-resolved photoemission with ab initio calculations, we have investigated the ferromagnetic nature of this class of Gd-based alloys. The Curie temperature can increase from 19 K in GdAu2 to a remarkably high 85 K in GdAg2. We find that the exchange coupling between Gd atoms is barely affected by their full coordination with noble metal atoms, and instead, magnetic coupling is effectively mediated by noble metal–Gd hybrid s,p–d bands. The direct comparison between isostructural GdAu2 and GdAg2 monolayers explains how the higher degree of surface confinement and electron occupation of such hybrid s,p–d bands promote the high Curie temperature in the latter. Finally, the chemical composition and structural robustness of the GdAg2 alloy has been demonstrated by interfacing them with organic semiconductors or magnetic nanodots. These results encourage systematic investigations of rare-earth/noble metal surface alloys and interfaces, in order to exploit them in magnetoelectronic applications.
Introduction
Both in consultations with the general practitioner and with the psychiatrist, antidepressants are one of the most used drugs (1). These have multiple indications, and there are ...different groups according to their mechanism of action. In relation to this case, we are going to talk about Venlafaxine, a dual-type antidepressant, that is, it inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. One of the most common side effects is digestive discomfort, which usually resolves after a few weeks (2). However, we should not ignore these symptoms, since they can hide something more serious.
Objectives
Presentation of a clinical case on a patient who presented an increase in pancreatic amylase after starting treatment with Venlafaxine.
Methods
Bibliographic review including the latest articles in Pubmed on side effects of antidepressant treatment, and more specifically at the gastrointestinal level (in this case we will talk about pancreatitis).
Results
We present the case of a 49-year-old woman, who was hospitalized 2 years ago, due to a first depressive episode. During this admission, psychopharmacological treatment was started for the first time, on that occasion with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), treatment of first choice (3). The patient had no side effects at that time, but the response was very modest, so it was decided to replace that antidepressant with Venlafaxine (with dual action), up to 150mg. The depressive symptoms improved markedly, however the patient began to feel digestive discomfort (which at first did not seem to be of great importance). A general analysis was performed, in which an increase in lipase (978 U/L) and amylase (528 U/L) was detected. An echoendoscopy, an abdominal scan, and a magnetic resonance cholangiography were performed; Pancreatitis secondary to drugs was suspected (a severe condition). Luckily, no significant lesions were found in the tests, and the levels of amylase and lipase decreased when Venlafaxine treatment was withdrawn (without reaching the normal range). The patient was discharged and continued to attend consultations. In the last control, amylase had dropped to 225 U/L. His abdominal pain disappeared. Treatment with Vortioxetine (a multimodal antidepressant) was started, however the amylase levels continue to be monitored, and the patient continues to see the gastroenterologist.
Conclusions
Gastrointestinal side effects are very common when taking antidepressant treatment, and in most cases they do not usually represent a serious problem.
However, it is described in the scientific literature that in some cases, acute pancreatitis secondary to some drugs, including Venlafaxine, can occur (4). In order to detect it, it is necessary to perform a blood test and sometimes also other complementary tests.
For its treatment, the fundamental thing is to withdraw the causing drug, trying to find other alternatives, and carry out a control to monitor possible complications
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most worrisome infectious bacteria due to its intrinsic and acquired resistance against several antibiotics and the recalcitrance of its infections; hence, the ...development of novel antimicrobials effective against multidrug‐resistant P. aeruginosa is mandatory. In this work, silver nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis using a leaf extract and fungi were tested against a battery of clinical strains from cystic fibrosis, pneumonia and burnt patients, some of them with multidrug resistance. Both nanoparticles showed a potent antibacterial effect, causing severe damage to the cell wall, membrane and DNA, and inducing the production of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, the nanoparticles derived from fungi showed synergistic antibacterial effects with the antibiotics meropenem and levofloxacin for some clinical strains and both kinds of nanoparticles were nontoxic for larvae of the moth Galleria mellonella, encouraging further research for their implementation in the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.
Significance and Impact of the Study: The continuous rise of antibiotic resistance in bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a serious threat to human health, hence it is mandatory to identify novel ways to combat its infections. In this work, silver nanoparticles were synthesized in a green way using leaves and fugal extracts and its antibacterial effects were tested against clinical strains. The nanoparticles killed the strains due severe cellular damage affecting the membranes, the DNA and generating reactive oxygen species, in addition they were nontoxic and displayed synergy with some antibiotics; therefore, being a promising alternative to treat MDR P. aeruginosa infections.
Aging leads to a gradual decline in physical activity and disrupted energy homeostasis. The NAD
-dependent SIRT6 deacylase regulates aging and metabolism through mechanisms that largely remain ...unknown. Here, we show that SIRT6 overexpression leads to a reduction in frailty and lifespan extension in both male and female B6 mice. A combination of physiological assays, in vivo multi-omics analyses and
C lactate tracing identified an age-dependent decline in glucose homeostasis and hepatic glucose output in wild type mice. In contrast, aged SIRT6-transgenic mice preserve hepatic glucose output and glucose homeostasis through an improvement in the utilization of two major gluconeogenic precursors, lactate and glycerol. To mediate these changes, mechanistically, SIRT6 increases hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression, de novo NAD
synthesis, and systemically enhances glycerol release from adipose tissue. These findings show that SIRT6 optimizes energy homeostasis in old age to delay frailty and preserve healthy aging.
Median concentration of total PBDEs in maternal serum, paternal serum, umbilical cord serum, and breast milk samples were 12, 12, 17, and 6.1 ng/g lipid weight (lw) in Vallecas and 9.7, 12, 15, and ...5.5 ng/g lw in Getafe. The median value found in placentas was 1.9 ng/g lw (in Vallecas). BDE 47 was the predominant congener in serum samples (maternal, paternal, and umbilical cord), while BDE 209 was predominant in placenta and breast milk samples. BDEs 196 and 197 were detected in most of the placenta and breast milk samples. The results show that PBDEs, like other POPs, can cross the placenta barrier, although the speed of the process seems to differ for each PBDE congeners. The total PBDE concentrations found in this study are consistent with research reported elsewhere. They are in the same range as those recently reported by other European and Asian studies and lower than those conducted in the U.S.A. No significant differences were found (p > 0.05) between regions, sexes, and ages, while statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between maternal serum, umbilical cord serum, and breast milk samples. The presence of PBDEs in cord blood and placenta samples indicates that there is prenatal exposure of PBDEs, which could continue after birth via breast milk.
This work investigates the application of the electro-oxidation technology provided with boron doped diamond (BDD), an electrode material which has shown outstanding properties in oxidation of ...organic and inorganic compounds, for the treatment of reverse osmosis (RO) concentrates generated in tertiary wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium and several anions were measured during the electro-oxidation process, and the influence of the applied current density (20–200
A/m
2) was analysed on process kinetics. Analytical assessment showed that several emerging pollutants (pharmaceuticals, personal care products, stimulants, etc.) were presented both in the effluent of the secondary WWTP as well as in the RO concentrate. For this reason, a group of 10 emerging pollutants, those found with higher concentrations, was selected in order to test whether electro-oxidation can be also applied for their mitigation. In the removal of emerging pollutants the electrical current density in the range 20–100
A/m
2 did not show influence likely due to the mass transfer resistance developed in the process when the oxidized solutes are present in such low concentrations. Their removal rates were fitted to first order expressions, and the apparent kinetic constants for the anodic oxidation of each compound were calculated. Finally, the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs) has been checked; concluding that after selecting the appropriate operational conditions the attained concentration is lower than the standards for drinking water established in European and EPA regulations.
Context. Star formation rate (SFR), metallicity, and stellar mass are among the most important parameters of star-forming (SF) galaxies characterizing their formation and evolution. They are known to ...be related to each other both at low and high redshift in the mass-metallicity, mass-SFR, and metallicity-SFR relations. Aims. We demonstrate the existence of a plane in a 3D parameter space defined by the axes SFR log (SFR)($M_{\odot}$ yr-1) , gas metallicity 12 + log (O/H), and stellar mass log (Mstar/$M_{\odot}$) of SF galaxies. Methods. We used SF galaxies from the “main galaxy sample” of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey-Data Release 7 (SDSS-DR7) in the redshift range 0.04 < z < 0.1 and r-magnitudes between 14.5 and 17.77. Metallicities, SFRs, and stellar masses were taken from the Max-Planck-Institute for Astrophysics-John Hopkins University (MPA-JHU) emission-line analysis database. Results. From a final sample of 32 575 galaxies, we find for the first time a fundamental plane for field galaxies relating the SFR, gas metallicity, and stellar mass for SF galaxies in the local universe. One of the applications of this plane would be to estimate stellar masses from SFR and metallicity. High redshift data from the literature at redshift ~0.85, 2.2, and 3.5, do not show evidence of evolution in this fundamental plane.
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