Inhibition of pancreatic lipase (PL) is used to treat dyslipidemias and obesity. Phenolic compounds are highly bioactive molecules that can inhibit various enzymes. Our aim was to evaluate the ...inhibitory activity of selected phenolic compounds of increasing molecular complexity, namely, phenolic acids, mangiferin, penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (PGG) and tannic acid (TA) against porcine PL, according to in vitro and in silico methodologies. TA and PGG were effective inhibitors (IC50 22.4 and 64.6 μM, respectively), with strong affinity towards the enzyme-substrate complex (uncompetitive inhibition). Fluorescence quenching suggested phenolic-enzyme interactions, which may occur at the PL-colipase complex interface, according to molecular docking. Interactions are likely between hydroxyl groups and polar amino acid residues. We conclude that TA and PGG, but not simple phenolic acids, are effective PL inhibitors, likely due to their numerous hydroxyl groups, which promote phenolic-enzyme interactions. Thus, their consumption may exert health benefits derived from their effects on this digestive enzyme.
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•Inhibition of phenolic compounds against pancreatic lipase (PL) was analyzed.•Polymeric compounds (gallotannins) were effective PL inhibitors.•Compounds preferentially bound to the enzyme-substrate complex.•Hydroxyl groups of gallotannins formed hydrogen bonds with polar aminoacid residues.•Complexity and number of hydroxyl groups on phenolics promote PL inhibition
KIC 8462852: Will the Trojans return in 2021? Ballesteros, Fernando J; Arnalte-Mur, Pablo; Fernandez-Soto, Alberto ...
Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Letters,
01/2018, Volume:
473, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Abstract KIC 8462852 stood out among more than 100 000 stars in the Kepler catalogue because of the strange features of its light curve: a wide, asymmetric dimming taking up to 15 per cent of the ...light at D793 and a period of multiple, narrow dimmings happening approximately 700 d later. Several models have been proposed to account for this abnormal behaviour, most of which require either unlikely causes or a finely tuned timing. We aim at offering a relatively natural solution, invoking only phenomena that have been previously observed, although perhaps in larger or more massive versions. We model the system using a large, ringed body whose transit produces the first dimming and a swarm of Trojan objects sharing its orbit that causes the second period of multiple dimmings. The resulting orbital period is T ≈ 12 yr, with a semi-major axis a ≈ 6 au. Our model allows us to make two straightforward predictions: we expect the passage of a new swarm of Trojans in front of the star starting during the early months of 2021, and a new transit of the main object during the first half of 2023.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) are important signaling proteins that regulate dendritic growth and maintenance in the central nervous system ...(CNS). After binding of BDNF, TrkB is endocytosed into endosomes and continues signaling within the cell soma, dendrites, and axon. In previous studies, we showed that BDNF signaling initiated in axons triggers long-distance signaling, inducing dendritic arborization in a CREB-dependent manner in cell bodies, processes that depend on axonal dynein and TrkB activities. The binding of BDNF to TrkB triggers the activation of different signaling pathways, including the ERK, PLC-γ and PI3K-mTOR pathways, to induce dendritic growth and synaptic plasticity. How TrkB downstream pathways regulate long-distance signaling is unclear. Here, we studied the role of PLC-γ-Ca 2+ in BDNF-induced long-distance signaling using compartmentalized microfluidic cultures. We found that dendritic branching and CREB phosphorylation induced by axonal BDNF stimulation require the activation of PLC-γ in the axons of cortical neurons. Locally, in axons, BDNF increases PLC-γ phosphorylation and induces intracellular Ca 2+ waves in a PLC-γ-dependent manner. In parallel, we observed that BDNF-containing signaling endosomes transport to the cell body was dependent on PLC-γ activity and intracellular Ca 2+ stores. Furthermore, the activity of PLC-γ is required for BDNF-dependent TrkB endocytosis, suggesting a role for the TrkB/PLC-γ signaling pathway in axonal signaling endosome formation.
Active membranes and food packaging containing antioxidants like catechin and epicatechin, combined with the use of materials made of biopolymers obtained from renewable sources, could create a novel ...alternative to reduce oxidation in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products. Poly(94% l-lactic acid) films containing 1.28% catechin and 1.50% epicatechin were extruded in a pilot plant-scale extrusion machine. The diffusion kinetics of catechin and epicatechin into 95% ethanol at 20, 30, 40, and 50 °C and 50% ethanol at 40 °C displayed Fickian release behavior and diffusion coefficients between 0.5 and 50 × 10–11 cm2/s. According to the Arrhenius equation, the energy of activation for the diffusion of catechin and epicatechin in the films was 110.43 and 98.92 kJ/mol, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the films was measured in methanol extracts containing 46.42 μg/mL of catechin and 57.52 μg/mL of epicatechin as 32.90 and 36.68% of scavenging the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, respectively.
•Neuronal differentiation in adult dentate gyrus occurs despite PSD95 knockdown.•PSD95 knockdown does not affect migration of adult-born granule neurons.•PSD95 is required for proper dendritic and ...spine maturation of adult-born neurons.
In the adult hippocampus new neurons are generated in the dentate gyrus from neural progenitor cells. Adult-born neurons integrate into the hippocampal circuitry and contribute to hippocampal function. PSD95 is a major postsynaptic scaffold protein that is crucial for morphological maturation and synaptic development of hippocampal neurons. Here we study the function of PSD95 in adult hippocampal neurogenesis by downregulating PSD95 expression in newborn cells using retroviral-mediated RNA interference. Retroviruses coding for a control shRNA or an shRNA targeting PSD95 (shPSD95) were stereotaxically injected into the dorsal dentate gyrus of 2-month-old C57BL/6 mice. PSD95 knockdown did not affect neuronal differentiation of newborn cells into neurons, or migration of newborn neurons into the granule cell layer. Morphological analysis revealed that newborn neurons expressing shPSD95 showed increased dendritic length and increased number of high-order dendrites. Concomitantly, dendrites from shPSD95-expressing newborn granule neurons showed a reduction in the density of dendritic spines. These results suggest that PSD95 is required for proper dendritic and spine maturation of adult-born neurons, but not for early stages of neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
El objetivo de esta presentación es dar a conocer el manejo de la miositis piógena del músculo obturador interno en un paciente pediátrico que fue tratado mediante un drenaje percutáneo guiado por ...ecografía. Se trata de un niño de 5 años de edad, con manifestaciones clínicas y valores de laboratorio de infección muscular profunda en el obturador interno. Se identificó específicamente con resonancia magnética, es un área de difícil acceso quirúrgico, por lo cual se realizó un tratamiento percutáneo guiado por ecografía que permitió drenar el contenido purulento de la zona afectada. La resonancia magnética hizo posible lograr un diagnóstico más acertado en los casos de infección piógena temprana y, a su vez, decidir la vía de abordaje más adecuada. En ocasiones, se puede optar por la guía ecográfica con la cual se evita el abordaje quirúrgico formal y así disminuyen las complicaciones de la herida y la mayor morbimortalidad. La adición de procedimientos percutáneos guiados por imágenes es una herramienta muy útil para tratar enfermedades infecciosas y una gran ayuda para el ortopedista.
The Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus has an exceptionally broad distribution in North America, with the southernmost populations found in central Mexico. The species has experienced severe ...declines throughout its range, and thus, is of conservation concern, particularly in USA and Canada. Life history data is scarce for Mexico, where both resident and migratory populations are found. In this study we provide information on the breeding biology of a population of Loggerhead Shrikes near the southern limit of its distribution in central Mexico. Based on data from 70 nests over three breeding seasons (2007–2009), we estimated the average nest density as 0.85 nests/ha with most nests built in mesquite trees Prosopis laevigata. Average clutch initiation date was March 28, with variation among years. The breeding period averaged 3.5 months, starting at the end of February, and extending to early June. The laying period averaged 4.6 days, incubation averaged 18 days, and the average brooding period 16.6 days, for a total average of 39.2 days from egg laying to the end of brooding. Clutch size averaged 4.1 eggs (range 2–5) with a mode of four eggs. The nesting success for the three years combined was 64.3% (range 54.5–68.9%). Daily survival rate was estimated to be 0.749 using logistic exposure. The average number of fledglings at successful nests was 1.5. Predation was the main cause of nest failure, accounting for 35.7% of all active nests. In general, life history traits of this Mexican Loggerhead Shrike population are like those reported for breeding populations in more northern parts of its range; however, clutch size was smaller and average incubation period was significantly longer, probably because of latitudinally-related environmental factors.
In this paper I set out to provide a close reading of Carroll’s “The Mouse’s Tale” with special focus on parts of the Greek mythologico-dramatic tradition. I argue that Carroll’s poem about a trial ...involving Fury and a Mouse can be traced to two ancient counterparts who partook in the most famous trial in the Greek mythological tradition: the Furies and Apollo.
Screening for urine proteins is recommended for the detection of albuminuria in high risk groups. The aim of this study was to compare the Clinitek Atlas PRO12 reagent urine strip with quantitative ...methods for the determination of protein/creatinine ratio and to evaluate the usefulness of the semi-quantitative Clinitek Atlas PRO12 reagent urine strip as a tool in the early detection of albuminuria among the general population.
Six hundred first morning urine specimens were collected from outpatients with various clinical conditions.
The results showed that the test data for the urine dipstick Clinitek Atlas PRO12 show good agreement with the quantitative measurement of protein, creatinine and protein/creatinine ratio. In addition, this study shows that 97.2% of the samples which gave "normal" protein/creatinine ratios by the semi-quantitative method, showed albumin/creatinine ratio < 30 mg/g by the quantitative methods.
Our results show that Clinitek Atlas PRO12 reagent strips can be used for the purposes of albuminuria screening in the general population.
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