Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms in adults over 60 years of age with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease in different Venezuelan populations.

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease represents a serious public health problem that tends to worsen over time. Among the most important genetic predisposing factors is the presence of the ε4 allele of the apoprotein E gene (APOE). Objective: To determine the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the APOE isoforms in adults over 60 years old with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease in Gran Caracas and in the indigenous Pemón community of the Kamarata-Kanaimö area, Bolívar State.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Cross-Benzannulation of Conjugated Enynes and Diynes.

The [4 + 2] cross-benzannulation of conjugated enynes and diynes under cobalt-catalysis led to 1,2,3-trisubstituted benzene derivatives in good yields. The reaction proceeds smoothly in absolute regiospecific control when symmetrical diynes are applied. Moreover, the use of unsymmetrical diynes was investigated, resulting in the formation of the unprecedented regioisomers as major products, which is in contrast to the results obtained in palladium-catalyzed benzannulation reactions.

A Novel non-sense Mutation in Keratin 10 Causes a Familial Case of Recessive Epidermolytic Ichthyosis.

Epidermolytic ichthyosis (EI) is a rare skin disorder characterized by generalized erythroderma and cutaneous blistering at birth, which is substituted by hyperkeratosis later in life. It is caused by autosomal dominant mutations in highly conserved regions of and . To date, only 4 mutations with autosomal recessive inheritance of EI have been described in consanguineous families.

Effects of hydroxamate metalloendoprotease inhibitors on botulinum neurotoxin A poisoned mouse neuromuscular junctions.

Currently the only therapy for botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) poisoning is antitoxin. Antidotes that are effective after BoNT/A has entered the motor nerve terminals would dramatically benefit BoNT/A therapy. Inhibition of proteolytic activity of BoNT/A light chain by metalloendoprotease inhibitors (MEIs) is under development.

Capsaicin protects mouse neuromuscular junctions from the neuroparalytic effects of botulinum neurotoxin a.

Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A), the most toxic, naturally occurring protein, cleaves synapse-associated protein of 25 kDa and inhibits acetylcholine release from motor nerve endings (MNEs). This leads to paralysis of skeletal muscles. Our study demonstrates that capsaicin protects mouse neuromuscular junctions from the neuroparalytic effects of BoNT/A.

Motor unit number estimate as a predictor of motor dysfunction in an animal model of type 1 diabetes.

Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes that leads to severe morbidity. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of motor unit number estimate (MUNE) to detect early motor axon dysfunction in streptozotocin (STZ)-treated mice. We compared the findings with in vitro changes in the morphology and electrophysiology of the neuromuscular junction.

Optimized transport setup for high repetition rate pulse-separated analysis in laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

An optimized laser ablation setup, proposed for high repetition rate inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) analyses such as 2D imaging or depth profiling, is presented. For such applications, the particle washout time needs to be as short as possible to allow high laser pulse frequencies for reduced analysis time. Therefore, it is desirable to have an ablation setup that operates as a laminar flow reactor (LFR).

Peptide-toxin tools for probing the expression and function of fetal and adult subtypes of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Although the neuromuscular nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is one of the most intensively studied ion channels in the nervous system, the differential roles of fetal and adult subtypes of the nAChR under normal and pathological conditions are still incompletely defined. Until recently, no pharmacological tools distinguished between fetal and adult subtypes. Waglerin toxins (from snake venom) and alphaA(S)-conotoxins (from cone-snail venom) have provided such tools.

Depth analysis of polymer-coated steel samples using near-infrared femtosecond laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

The viability of near-infrared femtosecond laser ablation (fs-LA) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) for the in-depth analysis of polymer coatings over galvanized steel substrates has been studied. A good depth resolution was obtained modifying the femtosecond Gaussian beam to a flat-top beam by using a liquid-crystal display. In order to avoid mixing of information coming from successive shots, a low repetition rate was accomplished and signals were monitored shot by shot.

Diversity of long-chain toxins in Tityus zulianus and Tityus discrepans venoms (Scorpiones, Buthidae): molecular, immunological, and mass spectral analyses.

In Venezuela, stings by Tityus zulianus scorpions produce cardiorespiratory arrest, whereas envenoming by Tityus discrepans involves gastrointestinal/pancreatic complications, suggesting structural and/or functional differences. We sought to compare their toxin repertoires through immunological, molecular, and mass spectral analyses. First, in vivo tests showed that neutralization of T.

Isolation, molecular cloning and functional characterization of a novel beta-toxin from the Venezuelan scorpion, Tityus zulianus.

Sting in children by Tityus zulianus scorpions (western Venezuela) often produces cardiorespiratory arrest and death by pulmonary oedema. To assess its toxicity, lethality in mice of T. zulianus soluble venom was determined.