Display omitted
•The usage of Melatonin increases the levels of BMAL1 clock gene in Parkinson`s disease patients.•High-dose of Melatonin failed to decrease the presence of insomnia.•Melatonin could ...reduce motor symptoms in OFF Parkinson´s disease.
Sleep disorders are a widespread condition in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), which has been linked to a deregulation of the circadian cycle and therefore of the clock genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of melatonin (MEL) on the PER1 and BMAL1 clock genes in patients with PD. A double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial pilot study was conducted in 26 patients with stage 1–3 PD according to the Hoehn & Yahr scale, who received either 25 mg of MEL or a placebo at noon and 30 min before bedtime for three months. The relative expression of the PER1 and BMAL1 genes was measured, as well as the presence of daytime, nocturnal, and global sleepiness, and the progression of PD. The levels of the PER1 and BMAL1 genes at baseline were 0.9 (0.1–3) vs. 0.56 (0.1−2.5), respectively; while after the intervention with MEL or placebo the BMAL1 levels increased to 2.5 (0−3.70) vs. 2.2 (0.10–3.30), respectively (d = 0.387). Fifty percent (50 %) of patients had daytime sleepiness and sixty-five percent (65 %) had abnormal nighttime sleepiness, yet neither group showed changes after the intervention. Patients with PD exhibited an alteration in the levels of the clock genes: MEL increased the levels of BMAL1, but the PER1 levels remained unchanged.
HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha) mediates the responses of mammalian cells to hypoxia/ischemia by inducing the expression of adaptive gene products (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor ...(VEGF) and erythropoietin (EPO)). Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) and cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) are common neonatal diseases considered as paradigms of hypoxemia. Since the expression HIF-1α, VEGF and EPO in newborns diagnosed with these diseases has yet to be studied, we set out to define the expression of these genes in peripheral blood from newborn infants diagnosed with PPHN and CCHD.
The mRNA transcripts encoding HIF-1α, VEGF and EPO were measured by RT-PCR in healthy newborn infants and infants diagnosed with PPHN and CCHD.
An important increase in HIF-1α expression was observed in both pathological conditions, accompanied by significant increases in VEGF and EPO expression when compared to healthy infants.
HIF-1α mRNA expression increases in newborn infants with PPHN or CCHD, as does the expression of its target genes VEGF and EPO.
Importance
Altough disease-modifying factors such as malnutrition and diet have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), little is known about the effects of pharmacological therapies on the ...nutritional status of AD patients.
Objective
To evaluate the nutritional status, prealbumin, and albumin serum levels and several anthropometric measurements in patients with probable moderate-stage AD, with and without rivastigmine drug treatment.
Study design
A cross-sectional study.
Setting and participants
34 patients were included, 17 with rivastigmine treatment and 17 without pharmacological treatment, over 60 years of both sexes.
Measurements
The nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Albumin and prealbumin (transthyretin) levels and anthropometric evaluation were assessed using standard methods.
Results
A polarity of malnutrition was detected in the untreated group. According to the MNA survey, the risk of malnutrition is higher without rivastigmine treatment (p = 0.0001). There are a less loss of appetite, less psychological stress, greater mobility and independence in those patients receiving rivastigmine (p = 0.003, 0.008, 0.016 and 0.018, respectively). The body mass index does not show a statistical difference, however, categorizing it for older adults, this index was improved in those receiving rivastigmine (p = 0.016). The serum levels of albumin and prealbumin showed no significant statistical difference between the groups.
Conclusions
Rivastigmine treatment shows a protective effect on malnutrition in patients with moderate-stage AD.
Abstract Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) is a master transcription factor that regulates the response to hypoxia and ischemia and induces the expression of various genes, including vascular ...endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and erythropoietin (EPO). This study shows the systemic response of increased HIF-1α, EPO, and VEGF mRNA and protein. In addition, VEGF expression was increased in neurons and over-expressed in glial cells in a model of neuroexcitotoxicity in the hippocampus, in which rats were neonatally exposed to high glutamate concentrations. Simultaneous increases in HIF-1α, EPO and VEGF mRNA in peritoneal macrophages were also observed. Our study is consistent with the hypothesis that these genes exert a protective effect in response to neurotoxicity.
The
HLA-DRB1*15:01
allele has a demonstrated risk for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) in most populations around the world. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3129934 is found in ...linkage disequilibrium with the risk haplotype formed by the
HLA-DRB1*15:01
and
HLA-DQB1*06:02
alleles, and it is considered a reliable marker of the presence of this haplotype. Native Americans have a null or low prevalence of MS. In this study, we sought to identify the frequency of rs3129934 in the
Wixárika
ethnic group as well as in Mestizo (mixed race) patients with MS and in controls from western Mexico. Through real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using TaqMan probes, we analyzed the allele and genotype frequencies of rs3129934 in Mestizo individuals with and without MS and in 73
Wixárika
subjects from the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The
Wixárika
subjects were homozygote for the C allele of rs3129934. The allele and genotype frequency in Mestizos with MS was similar to that of other MS populations with Caucasian ancestry. The absence of the T risk allele rs3129934 (associated with the haplotype
HLA-DRB1*15:01
,
HLA-DQ1*06:02
) in this sample of
Wixárika
subjects is consistent with the unreported MS in this Amerindian group, related to absence of such paramount genetic risk factor.
Objective:To evaluate genotoxicity of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) in male bodybuilders by a micronucleus assay in buccal mucosa cells.Methods:11 male bodybuilders volunteered to participate in ...this study and two groups were formed: group 1 (n = 6), without AAS consumption and group 2 (n = 5), with AAS consumption. A sample of buccal epithelium was taken from each participant once a week for 6 weeks. Samples were fixed, stained and analysed by a light microscope, and 2000 cells were counted from each slide. Results are expressed as micronucleated cells (MNC) per 1000 cells and were analysed by the Mann–Whitney U test and Wilcoxon’s test.Results:A marked increased in MNC was seen in bodybuilders with AAS consumption compared with those without AAS consumption (mean (SD) 4.1 (2.4) MNC/1000 cells vs 0.4 (0.4) MNC/1000 cells, respectively; p<0.004). Intragroup comparisons showed no differences in the MNC frequencies during the sampling time in group 1, whereas the MNC frequency in group 2 varied significantly, reaching the highest MNC frequencies in the third and fourth week of sampling (5.9 (2.4) MNC/1000 cells; 5.8 (1.8) MNC/1000 cells, respectively); frequency in the first sampled week was 1.1 (0.1) MNC/1000 cells. Significant differences in all sampled weeks were found between the two groups.Conclusion:AAS consumption increased the frequency of MNC from buccal mucosa in bodybuilders.
Self organization in oleic acid-coated CoFe2O4 colloids: a SAXS study Fernández van Raap, M. B.; Mendoza Zélis, P.; Coral, D. F. ...
Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology,
09/2012, Letnik:
14, Številka:
9
Journal Article
Odprti dostop
We report a structural study of magnetic colloids composed of CoFe
2
O
4
nanoparticles (mean radii in the range 2–7 nm) synthesized by thermal decomposition of different high boiling temperature ...organic solvents in the presence of oleic acid and oleylamine, and subsequently re-suspended in hexane. Although the surfactant layer prevents permanent aggregation and precipitation of the disperse phase, competition between attractive interactions (i.e., dipolar and van der Waals) and repulsive steric interaction leads to self organization of the magnetic nanoparticles. Our small angle X-ray scattering results evidence the presence of distinctive self organized structures in the liquid colloid depending on the type of solvent used in the synthesis. A completely homogeneous dispersion is obtained for those colloids synthesized with benzyl-ether and octadecene. Bi-disperse systems, in which nanoclusters coexist with free nanoparticles, appear when phenyl-ether and trioctylamine are used. Chain-like structures are observed in a colloid containing the particles synthesized using phenyl-ether, while more compact 3D structures form in colloids prepared with particles synthesized with trioctylamine. The presented results have important implications in the design and selection of magnetic nanoparticles for those applications where the size dispersion determines the final efficiency of the material, such as magnetic fluid hyperthermia clinical therapy.
There is great interest in Mexico in reducing imports of grain and becoming self‐sufficient in cereal production. Identifying high‐yielding and stable maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids from different ...research institutions could contribute to increasing maize production in the highlands of Mexico. In this study, 16 early white maize hybrids were evaluated at 37 highland sites in several Mexican states with the objective of identifying high‐yielding and stable hybrids, as well as high‐yielding sites. Using the site regression model, it was possible to identify some outstanding hybrids (CHLHW09035, CHLHW02517, and HIBRIDO 2010) with acceptable grain yield production that were also stable across most of the 37 sites. Hybrids ST‐010 and ASPROS‐823 were less stable but produced acceptable yields. Sites with higher stability included Site 26 (Amealco, Queretaro), Site 7 (Epitacio Huerta, Michoacan), Site 37 (Tlachaloya, State of Mexico), Site 34 (Ciudad Hidalgo, Michoacan), and Site 29 (Metepec, State of Mexico). Other sites with satisfactory stability included Site 20 (Jilotepec, State of Mexico), Site 5 (Quecholac, Puebla), Site 6 (Huejotzingo, Puebla), Site 13 (Ajacuba, Hidalgo), and Site 19 (Santo Domingo, Oaxaca).
Summary Tryptophan (TRP), which plays an important role in immune system regulation, protein synthesis, serotonin (5-HT) and melatonin production, is a potent endogenous free radical scavenger and ...antioxidant. The aim of this work was to determine the efficacy of TRP in neuro-inflammation induced by systemic administration of lipopolysacharide (LPS, 20 mg/kg) which promotes the synthesis of free radical (LPO: MDA and 4-HDA), and pro-inflammatory cytokine Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in different brain regions (cerebral cortex and hippocampus) of rats. Experiments were performed on adult female, pregnant and lactating rats fed with a diet of TRP content (0.5 mg/100 g protein), cerebral cortex and hippocampus were evaluated for lipid peroxidation (LPO) products, nitrites, nitrates and plasmatic concentration of IFN-γ. LPO levels in LPS+TRP groups were significantly decreased than that obtained in the LPS group. However, there were no observed differences in plasmatic levels of nitrites and nitrates as well as IFN-γ, neither in the cerebral cortex or hippocampus. The TRP has protective effect in the oxidative damage in a model of endotoxic shock in the breading nurslings induced by the systemic administration of LPS, acting as a scavenger of free radicals. So, it can be proposed as an innocuous protector agent in the endotoxic shock process.
Neuronal death and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were evaluated in the cerebral cortices of neonatal rats after exposure to monosodium
L-glutamate (MSG) to induce neuroexcitotoxicity. A ...time–response profile for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression was drawn, with measurements taken every 6 h after the first dose of MSG during the first 8 postnatal days, and at days 10 and 14 after birth. An increase in neuronal loss accompanied by high LDH activity and high TNF-α levels was observed at 8 and 10 days. These results indicate that neuronal loss may occur via an apoptosis-like mechanism directed selectively against neurons that express glutamate receptors, mainly the
N-methyl-
d-aspartate, which it may be strengthen by high TNF-α levels through a feedback mechanism to induce cell death via apoptosis.
PDF
