A multifunctional role for riboflavin in the yellow nectar of Capsicum baccatum and Capsicum pubescens.

A few Capsicum (pepper) species produce yellow-colored floral nectar, but the chemical identity and biological function of the yellow pigment are unknown. A combination of analytical biochemistry techniques was used to identify the pigment that gives Capsicum baccatum and Capsicum pubescens nectars their yellow color. Microbial growth assays, visual modeling, and honey bee preference tests for artificial nectars containing riboflavin were used to assess potential biological roles for the nectar pigment.

Effect of extended days on feed on carcass gain, efficiency, and quality of individually fed beef steers.

Crossbred steers ( = 114, initial BW = 334 kg; SEM = 5 kg) were serially harvested to evaluate the change in carcass composition by feeding cattle 21 or 42 d longer than the 2014 industry average subjective measure of finish, 1.27 cm of 12th rib fat thickness. Carcass ultrasound measurements were collected on 76 steers at 1, 78, and 134 days on feed (DOF) to project appropriate harvest date.

Pharmacogenetic Factors Influence Escitalopram Pharmacokinetics and Adverse Events in Youth with a Family History of Bipolar Disorder: A Preliminary Study.

Escitalopram is an effective and generally well-tolerated antidepressant, but children of parents with bipolar disorder (BD) may be at increased risk for adverse events associated with antidepressants, including increased irritability, restlessness, impulsivity, and manic symptoms. This risk may be influenced by polymorphisms in genes encoding cytochrome P450 enzymes ( or ), the serotonin transporter (), and the serotonin receptor 2A subtype (). We explored whether gene-drug interactions influence the emergence of adverse events in depressed and/or anxious youth with a family history of BD.

Aberrant brain network topology in youth with a familial risk for bipolar disorder: a task-based fMRI connectome study.

Background: Youth with a family history of bipolar disorder (BD) may be at increased risk for mood disorders and for developing side effects after antidepressant exposure. The neurobiological basis of these risks remains poorly understood. We aimed to identify biomarkers underlying risk by characterizing abnormalities in the brain connectome of symptomatic youth at familial risk for BD.

A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Topiramate in Manic Adolescents Treated with Olanzapine.

To conduct a pilot study to examine topiramate for the treatment of weight gain associated with olanzapine in manic adolescents with bipolar disorder. We conducted a 12-week double-blind randomized placebo-controlled pilot study of topiramate (300-400 mg/day) versus placebo in manic youth (ages 10-18 years) with bipolar disorder who were treated with olanzapine (10-20 mg/day). The primary outcome measure was gender- and weight-normed change in body mass index (BMI z-score).

Post-secretory synthesis of a natural analog of iron-gall ink in the black nectar of Melianthus spp.

The black nectar produced by Melianthus flowers is thought to serve as a visual attractant to bird pollinators, but the chemical identity and synthesis of the black pigment are unknown. A combination of analytical biochemistry, transcriptomics, proteomics, and enzyme assays was used to identify the pigment that gives Melianthus nectar its black color and how it is synthesized. Visual modeling of pollinators was also used to infer a potential function of the black coloration.

Family environment of youth with first episode Mania.

Background: The purpose is to compare youth- and caregiver-reported characteristics of family environment, within and between families with a child experiencing a first manic episode of bipolar disorder (BPD), and families without a child with BPD or familial history of psychiatric disorders (HF).

Methods: Family environment of 61 families with a child with BPD and 44 HF were assessed with Family Environment Scale (FES). We compared FES subscale scores between families with BPD and HF, and caregiver- and youth-rated scores.

Well-being and experiences of adults in German federal states under pandemic conditions.

Research on people's experiences during the Covid-19-pandemic provides growing evidence on subjective well-being and distress under pandemic conditions, however mainly at a country, not state level. The relationship between positive and negative experiences is described in Diener's conceptualization of subjective well-being. We assumed that people who experience well-being and positive affect through connectedness with nature, and social support during the pandemic feel relatively less alone, distressed, depressed, self-focused, and thoughtless.

Influence of intraoperative fluid replacement on ampicillin serum levels and surgical site infections.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) occur despite antimicrobial prophylaxis and increase postoperative morbidity and mortality. This could be caused by an intraoperative decrease in antibiotic serum concentrations such as ampicillin after major abdominal surgery due to blood loss and fluid therapy, which possibly promotes SSI. This hypothesis was tested in the present study.

A preliminary study of the effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on structural brain networks in mood-dysregulated youth with a familial risk for bipolar disorder.

Background: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for children (MBCT-C), as a psychotherapeutic intervention, has been shown to be effective for treating mood dysregulation (MD). While previous neuroimaging studies of MD have reported both pre-treatment structural and functional alterations, the effects of MBCT-C on brain morphological network organisation has not been investigated.

Methods: We investigated brain morphological network organisation in 10 mood-dysregulated youth with familial risk for bipolar disorder and 15 matched healthy comparison youth (HC).

Determination of the LD with the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay as a promising alternative in nanotoxicological evaluation.

Toxicity tests in rodents are still considered a controversial topic concerning their ethical justifiability. The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay may offer a simple and inexpensive alternative. The CAM assay is easy to perform and has low bureaucratic hurdles.

Network-level functional topological changes after mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in mood dysregulated adolescents at familial risk for bipolar disorder: a pilot study.

Background: Given that psychopharmacological approaches routinely used to treat mood-related problems may result in adverse outcomes in mood dysregulated adolescents at familial risk for bipolar disorder (BD), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C) provides an alternative effective and safe option. However, little is known about the brain mechanisms of beneficial outcomes from this intervention. Herein, we aimed to investigate the network-level neurofunctional effects of MBCT-C in mood dysregulated adolescents.

Finding Nemo's clock reveals switch from nocturnal to diurnal activity.

Timing mechanisms play a key role in the biology of coral reef fish. Typically, fish larvae leave their reef after hatching, stay for a period in the open ocean before returning to the reef for settlement. During this dispersal, larvae use a time-compensated sun compass for orientation.

Lipid presentation by the protein C receptor links coagulation with autoimmunity.

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) cause severe autoimmune disease characterized by vascular pathologies and pregnancy complications. Here, we identify endosomal lysobisphosphatidic acid (LBPA) presented by the CD1d-like endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) as a pathogenic cell surface antigen recognized by aPLs for induction of thrombosis and endosomal inflammatory signaling. The engagement of aPLs with EPCR-LBPA expressed on innate immune cells sustains interferon- and toll-like receptor 7-dependent B1a cell expansion and autoantibody production.

Development of an Analytical Assay for Electrochemical Detection and Quantification of Protein-Bound 3-Nitrotyrosine in Biological Samples and Comparison with Classical, Antibody-Based Methods.

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) cause oxidative damage, which is associated with endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, but may also contribute to redox signaling. Therefore, their precise detection is important for the evaluation of disease mechanisms. Here, we compared three different methods for the detection of 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), a marker of nitro-oxidative stress, in biological samples.

An Examination of the Association Between Emotion Reactivity and Distress Tolerance Among College Students.

The goal of the present investigation was to examine associations between emotion reactivity in global and specific distress tolerance domains. Participants were 113 undergraduates (65.5% female, 82.

Hydrocarbon-stapled lipopeptides exhibit selective antimicrobial activity.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) occur widely in nature and have been studied for their therapeutic potential. AMPs are of interest due to the large number of possible chemical structural combinations using natural and unnatural amino acids, with varying effects on their biological activities. Using physicochemical properties from known naturally occurring amphipathic cationic AMPs, several hydrocarbon-stapled lipopeptides (HSLPs) were designed, synthesized, and tested for antimicrobial properties.

Exploitation of the Ornithine Effect Enhances Characterization of Stapled and Cyclic Peptides.

A method to facilitate the characterization of stapled or cyclic peptides is reported via an arginine-selective derivatization strategy coupled with MS/MS analysis. Arginine residues are converted to ornithine residues through a deguanidination reaction that installs a highly selectively cleavable site in peptides. Upon activation by CID or UVPD, the ornithine residue cyclizes to promote cleavage of the adjacent amide bond.

Quantitative determination of four immunosuppressants by high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS).

Background: Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) utilizing triple-quadrupole instruments has been widely used for quantification of endogenous compounds, drugs or metabolites in clinical laboratories. In contrast, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) is typically used for compound identification due to its limited dynamic range. Recently HRMS instruments with enhanced linear dynamic range have become available.

Formation of 2-nitrophenol from salicylaldehyde as a suitable test for low peroxynitrite fluxes.

There has been some dispute regarding reaction products formed at physiological peroxynitrite fluxes in the nanomolar range with phenolic molecules, when used to predict the behavior of protein-bound aromatic amino acids like tyrosine. Previous data showed that at nanomolar fluxes of peroxynitrite, nitration of these phenolic compounds was outcompeted by dimerization (e.g.

Utilizing data consortia to monitor safety and effectiveness of biosimilars and their innovator products.

Background: The Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act, introduced as part of the Affordable Care Act, directed the FDA to create an approval pathway for biologic products shown to be biosimilar or interchangeable with an FDA-approved innovator drug. These biosimilars will not be chemically identical to the reference agent. Investigational studies conducted with biosimilar agents will likely provide limited real-world evidence of their effectiveness and safety.