Discovery of a neuropeptide that acts as an autotomy-promoting factor.

One of the most remarkable adaptations to survive attacks from predators is to detach an appendage-a process known as autotomy. This occurs in a variety of animals, including lizards (tail), crabs (legs), and starfish (arms). There has been extensive investigation of the evolution, ecology, and biomechanical impact of autotomy, but little is known about neural mechanisms controlling autotomy in animals.

Immunohistochemical localisation of vasopressin/oxytocin-type, corazonin-type and luqin-type neuropeptide expression in the starfish Asterias rubens using antibodies to the C-terminal region of precursor proteins.

Neuropeptides derived from larger precursor proteins are secreted as signalling molecules by neurons and regulate diverse physiological and behavioural processes in animals. Recently, we reported the discovery of ArCRZ (HNTFTMGGQNRWKAG-NH) and ArLQ (EEKTRFPKFMRW-NH)-novel neuropeptides in the starfish Asterias rubens that are orthologs of arthropod corazonins and molluscan luqins, respectively. However, our efforts to generate antibodies to ArCRZ and ArLQ have been unsuccessful, precluding immunohistochemical analysis of their expression.

Somatostatin-type and allatostatin-C-type neuropeptides are paralogous and have opposing myoregulatory roles in an echinoderm.

Somatostatin (SS) and allatostatin-C (ASTC) are inhibitory neuropeptides in chordates and protostomes, respectively, which hitherto were identified as orthologs. However, echinoderms have two SS/ASTC-type neuropeptides (SS1 and SS2), and here, our analysis of sequence data indicates that SS1 is an ortholog of ASTC and SS2 is an ortholog of SS. The occurrence of both SS-type and ASTC-type neuropeptides in echinoderms provides a unique context to compare their physiological roles.

Biotechnology of functional proteins and peptides for hair cosmetic formulations.

Cosmetics procedures and products combined with environmental insults and daily routines induce irreversible changes in hair. As result of damage, the hair loses some of its properties like strength, elasticity, and smoothness. Recent studies revealed the positive effects of protein-based cosmetics in providing protection to hair.

Ancient role of sulfakinin/cholecystokinin-type signalling in inhibitory regulation of feeding processes revealed in an echinoderm.

Sulfakinin (SK)/cholecystokinin (CCK)-type neuropeptides regulate feeding and digestion in protostomes (e.g. insects) and chordates.

Ohmic heating as an innovative approach for the production of keratin films.

Ohmic heating is a thermal processing method based on the application of electric fields directly into a semi-conductive medium. In this study, we explored for the first time the use of ohmic heating to obtain keratin films. The properties of the films prepared by ohmic heating and conventional heating were evaluated and compared under similar thermal profiles.

Crystallin Fusion Proteins Improve the Thermal Properties of Hair.

Styling hair with straightening irons is a popular daily hair routine that significantly damage the hair keratin fiber due to the high temperature applied. In this study, we investigate the effect of two fusion proteins based on the human eye γD-crystallin conjugated with a keratin-based peptide (KP-Cryst Wt and KP-Cryst Mut) on hair exposed to thermal damage. The mutant form was designed to improve protein stability and promote interaction with the hair.

Fusion proteins with chromogenic and keratin binding modules.

The present research relates to a fusion protein comprising a chromogenic blue ultramarine protein (UM) bound to a keratin-based peptide (KP). The KP-UM fusion protein explores UM chromogenic nature together with KP affinity towards hair. For the first time a fusion protein with a chromogenic nature is explored as a hair coloring agent.

Ancient role of vasopressin/oxytocin-type neuropeptides as regulators of feeding revealed in an echinoderm.

Background: Vasopressin/oxytocin (VP/OT)-type neuropeptides are well known for their roles as regulators of diuresis, reproductive physiology and social behaviour. However, our knowledge of their functions is largely based on findings from studies on vertebrates and selected protostomian invertebrates. Little is known about the roles of VP/OT-type neuropeptides in deuterostomian invertebrates, which are more closely related to vertebrates than protostomes.

Characterization of NGFFYamide Signaling in Starfish Reveals Roles in Regulation of Feeding Behavior and Locomotory Systems.

Neuropeptides in deuterostomian invertebrates that have an Asn-Gly motif (NG peptides) have been identified as orthologs of vertebrate neuropeptide-S (NPS)-type peptides and protostomian crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP)-type neuropeptides. To obtain new insights into the physiological roles of NG peptides in deuterostomian invertebrates, here we have characterized the NG peptide signaling system in an echinoderm-the starfish . The neuropeptide NGFFYamide was identified as the ligand for an NPS/CCAP-type receptor, providing further confirmation that NG peptides are orthologs of NPS/CCAP-type neuropeptides.

Albumin/asparaginase capsules prepared by ultrasound to retain ammonia.

Asparaginase reduces the levels of asparagine in blood, which is an essential amino acid for the proliferation of lymphoblastic malign cells. Asparaginase converts asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia. The accumulation of ammonia in the bloodstream leads to hyperammonemia, described as one of the most significant side effects of asparaginase therapy.

Leptin expression is rhythmic in brain and liver of goldfish (Carassius auratus). Role of feeding time.

Daily rhythms of feeding regulators are currently arousing research interest due to the relevance of the temporal harmony of endocrine regulators for growth and welfare in vertebrates. However, it is unknown the leptin circadian pattern in fish. The aim of this study is to investigate if leptin (gLep-aI and gLep-aII) expression is rhythmic in goldfish (Carassius auratus) liver and brain, and if such rhythms are driven by feeding time through a food entrainable oscillator.

Role of oleoylethanolamide as a feeding regulator in goldfish.

Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is a bioactive lipid mediator, produced in the intestine and other tissues, which is involved in energy balance regulation in mammals, modulating feeding and lipid metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the presence and possible role of OEA in feeding regulation in goldfish (Carassius auratus). We assessed whether goldfish peripheral tissues and brain contain OEA and their regulation by nutritional status.

Ghrelin increases food intake, swimming activity and growth in juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta).

Several key functions of ghrelin are well conserved through vertebrate phylogeny. However, some of ghrelin's effects are contradictory and among teleosts only a limited number of species have been used in functional studies on food intake and foraging-related behaviors. Here we investigated the long-term effects of ghrelin on food intake, growth, swimming activity and aggressive contest behavior in one year old wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) using intraperitoneal implants.

[Association of carotid intima media thickness with blood pressure and HDL cholesterol in children].

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors must be controlled since childhood.

Aim: To assess the association of carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) with the components of the metabolic syndrome in Children.

Material And Methods: Cross sectional assessment of 299 children aged 11.

Ankle dynamic in stroke patients: agonist vs. antagonist muscle relations.

Introduction: Atypical ankle patterns of muscle activity during gait are commonly reported in patients with stroke. These findings can be due to changes between tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (SOL) coactivation mechanisms.

Objective: To compare the electromyographic activity (EMGa) of SOL and TA muscles and antagonist coactivation (C) level in the contralateral (CONTRA) and ipsilateral (IPSI) limbs to the side of the stroke lesion during the stance phase of the gait cycle.

Light-dark cycle and feeding time differentially entrains the gut molecular clock of the goldfish (Carassius auratus).

The aim of the present study was to investigate how photocycle and feeding-time cues regulate the daily expression of Per1a, Per2a, Per3, and Cry3 in the goldfish hindgut. For this purpose, we studied the daily rhythmicity of these genes in fish maintained under different lighting conditions and under different feeding regimes (scheduled or not). We also studied whether the timing of just one meal is able to reset the hindgut molecular clock.

Leptins and leptin receptor expression in the goldfish (Carassius auratus). Regulation by food intake and fasting/overfeeding conditions.

Leptin is a hormone involved in feeding and body weight regulation in vertebrates, but the relationship between energy status and leptin has not been clearly established in fish. The aim of this study was to investigate in a teleost, the goldfish (Carassius auratus), the tissue expression pattern of two leptins (gLep-aI and gLep-aII) and leptin receptor (gLepR); and the effect of feeding on expression of these genes. Leptin system expression in goldfish was firstly analyzed in fish under overfeeding (2 weeks) or fasting (1 week), and secondly, at different postfeeding times (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12h).