Many studies have focused on the effect of fresh fruits on the risk of developing cancer and other diseases involved with reactive species and free radicals. The intake of frozen fruits has spread ...widely in the last years, but, until now, their biological activity is not completely known. In this study, 23 samples of frozen fruits were analyzed for their nutritional composition, total polyphenols, total carotenoids, and vitamin C content. Antioxidant, mutagenic, and antimutagenic effects were also evaluated. Antioxidant assays included 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH(.)) scavenging activity and determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD)- and catalase (CAT)-like activities. Mutagenic and antimutagenic evaluations were performed in eukaryotic cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. Most samples (74%) showed antioxidant activity similar to vitamin C in the DPPH(.) assay, and this activity was positively correlated (r = 0.366; P <or= .01) with carotenoid contents. All samples showed CAT-like activity. SOD-like activity was detected in 56% of samples assayed. Only four fruits (acai, cashew apple, kiwi fruit, and strawberry) showed mutagenic activity when tested in high (5%, 10%, and 15% wt/vol) concentrations. Twelve samples presented antimutagenic effects against hydrogen peroxide, and this effect was positively correlated with CAT-like activity (r = 0.400; P <or= .01). Evaluation of polyphenols, carotenoids, and ascorbic acid showed considerable levels of these compounds in frozen fruits, even after freezing. These data suggest that frozen fruits contribute to the prevention of biological damages.
Most pathogen-derived peptides recognized by CD8+ CTL are produced by proteasomes and delivered to the endoplasmic reticulum by the TAP transporters associated with Ag processing. Alternative ...proteases also produce antigenic peptides, but their actual relevance is unclear. There is a need to quantify the contribution of these supplementary pathways in vitro and in vivo. A well-defined TAP-independent secretory route of Ag processing involves the trans-Golgi network protease furin. Quantitation of this route by using OVA constructs encoded by vaccinia viruses indicates that it provides approximately one-third of all surface complexes of peptide and MHC class I molecules. Generation of the epitope carboxyl terminus is a dramatic rate-limiting step, since bypassing it increased efficiency by at least 1000-fold. Notably, the secretory construct activated a similar percentage of Ag-specific CD8+ T cells in wild type as in TAP1-deficient mice, which allow only secretory routes but which have a 10- to 20-fold smaller CD8 compartment. Moreover, these TAP1(-/-) OVA-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes accomplished elimination of epitope-bearing cells in vivo. The results obtained with this experimental system underscore the potential of secretory pathways of MHC class I Ag presentation to elicit functional CD8+ T lymphocytes in vivo and support the hypothesis that noncytosolic processing mechanisms may compensate in vivo for the lack of proteasome participation in Ag processing in persons genetically deficient in TAP and thus contribute to pathogen control.
Lactoferrin is a highly multifunctional glycoprotein involved in many physiological functions, including regulation of iron absorption and immune responses. Moreover, there is increasing evidence for ...neuroprotective effects of lactoferrin. We used Caenorhabditis elegans as a model to test the protective effects, both on phenotype and transcriptome, of a nutraceutical product based on lactoferrin liposomes. In a dose‐dependent manner, the lactoferrin‐based product protected against acute oxidative stress and extended lifespan of C. elegans N2. Furthermore, Paralysis of the transgenic C. elegans strain CL4176, caused by Aβ1‐42 aggregates, was clearly ameliorated by treatment. Transcriptome analysis in treated nematodes indicated immune system stimulation, together with enhancement of processes involved in the oxidative stress response. The lactoferrin‐based product also improved the protein homeostasis processes, cellular adhesion processes, and neurogenesis in the nematode. In summary, the tested product exerts protection against aging and neurodegeneration, modulating processes involved in oxidative stress response, protein homeostasis, synaptic function, and xenobiotic metabolism. This lactoferrin‐based product is also able to stimulate the immune system, as well as improving reproductive status and energy metabolism. These findings suggest that oral supplementation with this lactoferrin‐based product could improve the immune system and antioxidant capacity. Further studies to understand the molecular mechanisms related with neuronal function would be of interest.
We determiend that a lactoferrin‐based product protected against acute oxidative stress and extended lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans. Paralysis of the transgenic C. elegans strain CL4176, caused by Aβ1‐42 aggregates, was clearly ameliorated by treatment. Transcriptome analysis in treated nematodes indicated immune system stimulation, together with enhancement of processes involved in the oxidative stress response, protein homeostasis processes, cellular adhesion processes, and neurogenesis in the nematode.
To determine the impact of different baseline clinical characteristics on the improvement in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) who underwent the ...intravitreal dexamethasone implant (DEX) Ozurdex
.
This was a single center retrospective study conducted on patients with DME, either naïve or previously treated, who were treated with one or more DEX and had a follow-up of at least 6 months. The main outcome measure was the proportion of DEX achieving an improvement ≥15 letters in BCVA.
The study analyzed 192 DEX implants administered to 97 eyes (65 patients). Among the 192 DEX analyzed, 57 (29.7%) implants achieved a BCVA improvement ≥15 letters (ETDRS) from baseline, with a mean time for achieving such improvement of 89.2 (39.7) days. Eyes who received an additional DEX and those with a duration of DME < 6 months had a greater probability of achieving a BCVA improvement ≥15 letters (odds-ratio: 2.55, p = 0.0028 and odds-ratio: 1.93, p = 0.0434). The mean (standard deviation) change in BCVA from baseline was 7.5 (14.5) letters, p < 0.0001. The mean change in central macular thickness (CMT) from baseline was -128.0 (151.0) µm, p < 0.0001. The mean number of DEX implanted was 1.9 (0.8). Four (2.1%) DEX experienced an intraocular pressure increased ≥10 mm Hg; all the cases were successfully managed with topical antiglaucoma medication.
The results of this study confirmed previous evidence suggesting that DEX is effective for improving BCVA and CMT in patients with DME.
We provide a model able to predict the shielding effectiveness (SE) of carbon fiber composite (CFC) panels made of stacked layers of conducting fibers. This model permits us to obtain simple formulas ...in which the only parameters needed are the sheet square resistance and the effective panel thickness. These tools let us predict a minimum SE, which always increases with the frequency and therefore constituting the worst case, from an electromagnetic shielding perspective. Consequently, the measurement of minimum SE requirements can be simply measured with a micro-ohmmeter using an specific experimental setup which is also described here. Additionally, this method allows to measure very high SE falling far beyond the dynamic range of the values measurable with the most commonly used standard, the ASTM D4935. After describing the modeling technique and the different test setups used, across-validation between theoretical and experimental results is made for four different samples of CFC; two designed to test the modeling assumptions and two which are representative of the ones nowadays used in a real aircraft.
Ramalina farinacea is an epiphytic lichen-forming fungus with a broad geographic distribution, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. In the eighties of the last century, it was hypothesized that R. ...farinacea had originated in the Macaronesian–Mediterranean region, with the Canary Islands as its probable southernmost limit, and thereafter it would have increased its distribution area. In order to explore the phylogeography of this emblematic lichen, we analyzed 120 thalli of R. farinacea collected in 38 localities distributed in temperate and boreal Europe, the Western Mediterranean Basin, and several Macaronesian archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean. Data from two nuclear markers (nrITS and uid70) of the mycobiont were obtained to calculate genetic diversity indices to infer the phylogenies and haplotype networks and to investigate population structure. In addition, dating analysis was conducted to provide a valuable hypothesis of the timing of the origin and diversification of R. farinacea and its close allies. Our results highlight that phylogenetic species circumscription in the “Ramalina farinacea group” is complex and suggests that incomplete lineage sorting is at the base of conflicting phylogenetic signals. The existence of a high number of haplotypes restricted to the Macaronesian region, together with the diversification of R. farinacea in the Pleistocene, suggests that this species and its closest relatives originated during relatively recent geological times and then expanded its range to higher latitudes. However, our data cannot rule out whether the species originated from the Macaronesian archipelagos exclusively or also from the Mediterranean Basin. In conclusion, the present work provides a valuable biogeographical hypothesis for disentangling the evolution of this epiphytic lichen in space and time.
Abstract
Background
Cognitive and negative symptoms are key determinants in schizophrenia functionality. Cognitive remediation (CR) has shown to improve cognition in patients with schizophrenia but ...the impact on functionality is still unsatisfactory. On the other hand, an improvement in negative symptoms has also been described with CR and some studies have shown physical exercise (PE) may also improve negative symptoms. The present study sets out to investigate the effects of CR+PE in overall negative symptoms, and more specifically, in the avolition and expression factor, as well as in functionality, in a sample of patients diagnosed with multi-episode schizophrenia. Furthermore, it sets out to investigate determinants of functionality at follow-up.
Methods
Randomized controlled trial with two groups: CR+PE and CR plus lifestyle promotion (LP) (control group) (www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT 02864576). Participants: Subjects fulfilling DSM-IV-TR criteria for schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder diagnosis, aged between 25–60 years, with an illness duration >o = 10 years, clinically stable and with low physical activity were included. Each randomly assigned intervention consists of 36 sessions carried out 3-times/week in groups of 4–6 participants of CR+PE or CR+LP. Analyses: Baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were assessed at baseline in both groups. Repeated measures of multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed for negative symptoms (BNSS total scale and avolition and expression factors) and functionality (GAF score) with group (CR+PE vs CR+LP) as the between-subject factor and time (pre-treatment and post-treatment) as the within-group factor. The main effects of time, group, and time × group were examined. Multiple regression analysis (whole sample) with GAF at follow-up as the dependent variable and avolition, expression and PANSS-P subscale at follow-up, and gender and age as independent variables was also carried out.
Results
43 patients were included and randomized. 38 patients completed the study, 19 in each group. There were not statistically significant differences between both groups at baseline. There was a time x grup effect on GAF at follow-up (F=4.25 p= 0.047) and on the avolition factor (F=2.99 p= 0.09), with improvements in favour of the CR+ PE group. Furthermore, GAF at follow-up was only related with the avolition factor in the multiple regression analysis (B= -0.63, t -2.84, p=0.009 (CI -1.09-0.17)).
Discussion
CR+PE is associated with an improvement in negative symptoms, and more specifically, in the avolition factor, as well as in functionality. This specific improvement in the avolition factor is important, as functionality at follow-up is specifically associated with the avolition factor in our study, in accordance with previous studies.
This work is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III-Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación, with the Research Project PI15/00453.
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