Jumping Dynamics of Cyanomethyl Radicals on Corrugated Graphene/Ru(0001) Substrates.

Graphene adsorbed on Ru(0001) has been widely used as a template for adsorbing and isolating molecules, assembling organic-molecule structures with desired geometric and electronic properties and even inducing chemical reactions that are challenging to achieve in the gas phase. To fully exploit the potential of this substrate, for example, by being able to tune a graphene-based catalyst to perform optimally under specific conditions, it is crucial to understand the factors and mechanisms governing the molecule-substrate interaction. To contribute to this effort, we have conducted a combined experimental and theoretical study of the adsorption of cyanomethyl radicals (-CHCN) on this substrate below room temperature by performing scanning tunneling microscopy experiments and density functional theory simulations.

Therapeutic Efficacy of the Inositol D-Pinitol as a Multi-Faceted Disease Modifier in the 5×FAD Humanized Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Amyloidosis.

Background/objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD), a leading cause of dementia, lacks effective long-term treatments. Current therapies offer temporary relief or fail to halt its progression and are often inaccessible due to cost. AD involves multiple pathological processes, including amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, insulin resistance, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, and systemic inflammation accelerated by gut microbiota dysbiosis originating from a leaky gut.

NEW RECORDS OF MOSQUITO SPECIES FROM NORTHERN ARGENTINA.

Changes in the ecosystems of vector-borne diseases can make the environment more or less favorable for mosquito vectors, animal reservoirs, and disease transmission. We report for the 1st time Anopheles marajoara in Argentina. In addition, An.

Elongation capacity of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the annelid .

Elongation of very long-chain fatty acid (Elovl) proteins plays pivotal functions in the biosynthesis of the physiologically essential long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA). Polychaetes have important roles in marine ecosystems, contributing not only to nutrient recycling but also exhibiting a distinctive capacity for biosynthesizing LC-PUFA. To expand our understanding of the LC-PUFA biosynthesis in polychaetes, this study conducted a thorough molecular and functional characterization of Elovl occurring in the model organism .

A complete biosynthetic pathway of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in an amphidromous fish, ayu sweetfish Plecoglossus altivelis (Stomiati; Osmeriformes).

The biosynthetic capability of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in teleosts are highly diversified due to evolutionary events such as gene loss and subsequent neo- and/or sub-functionalisation of enzymes encoded by existing genes. In the present study, we have comprehensively characterised genes potentially involved in LC-PUFA biosynthesis, namely one front-end desaturase (fads2) and eight fatty acid elongases (elovl1a, elovl1b, elovl4a, elovl4b, elovl5, elovl7, elovl8a and elovl8b) from an amphidromous teleost, Ayu sweetfish, Plecoglossus altivelis. Functional analysis confirmed Fads2 with Δ6, Δ5 and Δ8 desaturase activities towards multiple PUFA substrates and several Elovl enzymes exhibited elongation capacities towards C or C PUFA substrates.

Sex-based differences in growth-related IGF1 signaling in response to PAPP-A2 deficiency: comparative effects of rhGH, rhIGF1 and rhPAPP-A2 treatments.

Background: Children with pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A2 (PAPP-A2) mutations resulting in low levels of bioactive insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) and progressive postnatal growth retardation have improved growth velocity and height following recombinant human (rh)IGF1 treatment. The present study aimed to evaluate whether Pappa2 deficiency and pharmacological manipulation of GH/IGF1 system are associated with sex-specific differences in growth-related signaling pathways.

Methods: Plasma, hypothalamus, pituitary gland and liver of Pappa2 mice of both sexes, showing reduced skeletal growth, and liver of these mice treated with rhGH, rhIGF1 and rhPAPP-A2 from postnatal day (PND) 5 to PND35 were analyzed.

A whole-body transcriptome assembly of the annelid worm Hediste diversicolor.

The Annelida phylum is composed of a myriad of species exhibiting key phenotypic adaptations. They occupy key ecological niches in a variety of marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Importantly, the increment of omic resources is rapidly modifying the taxonomic landscape and knowledge of species belonging to this phylum.

Clinical characteristics of complete responders versus non-complete responders to omalizumab, benralizumab and mepolizumab in patients with severe asthma: a long-term retrospective analysis.

Background: Some patients with severe asthma may benefit from treatment with biologics, but evidence has been mostly collected from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), in which patients' characteristics are different from those encountered in asthma patients in the real-world setting. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features of complete responders versus non-complete responders to long-term treatment with biologics in patients with severe asthma attended in routine daily practice.

Methods: Data of a cohort of 90 patients with severe asthma who were treated with biologics (omalizumab, benralizumab, and mepolizumab) for at least 12 months and were followed up to March 2022.

The Influence of Mesoscopic Surface Structure on the Electrocatalytic Selectivity of CO Reduction with UHV-Prepared Cu(111) Single Crystals.

The key role of morphological defects (e.g., irregular steps and dislocations) on the selectivity of model Cu catalysts for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO (CORR) is illustrated here.

Caterpillar Envenomation (Lepidopterism) in a Panamanian Jungle: About a Case.

Caterpillar venom has the potential to cause acute pain and systemic symptoms in individuals seeking medical attention in the jungles of Panama. Although this is not an obligatory notifiable disease, the hazards associated with exposure to this animal are widely recognized within the local community. Here, we present a case of a patient who sought medical attention after being rescued from a river in a Panamanian jungle after feeling acute pain in an upper extremity associated with shortness of breath and how tropical medicine teleconsult allowed for quick identification of the cause and assisted in the management.

Genetic testing in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: in whom and when?

Background: Genetic causes are increasingly recognized in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), but it remains unclear which patients should undergo genetic study. Our objective was to determine the frequency and distribution of genetic variants in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome FSGS (SRNS-FSGS) and in FSGS of undetermined cause (FSGS-UC).

Methods: We performed targeted exome sequencing of 84 genes associated with glomerulopathy in patients with adult-onset SRNS-FSGS or FSGS-UC after ruling out secondary causes.

Examination of gammarid transcriptomes reveals a widespread occurrence of key metabolic genes from epibiont bdelloid rotifers in freshwater species.

Previous data revealed the unexpected presence of genes encoding for long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) biosynthetic enzymes in transcriptomes from freshwater gammarids but not in marine species, even though closely related species were compared. This study aimed to clarify the origin and occurrence of selected LC-PUFA biosynthesis gene markers across all published gammarid transcriptomes. Through systematic searches, we confirmed the widespread occurrence of sequences from seven elongases and desaturases involved in LC-PUFA biosynthesis, in transcriptomes from freshwater gammarids but not marine species, and clarified that such occurrence is independent from the gammarid species and geographical origin.

Functionally diverse front-end desaturases are widespread in the phylum Annelida.

Aquatic single-cell organisms have long been believed to be unique primary producers of omega-3 long-chain (≥C) polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 LC-PUFA). Multiple invertebrates including annelids have been discovered to possess methyl-end desaturases enabling key steps in the de novo synthesis of ω3 LC-PUFA, and thus potentially contributing to their production in the ocean. Along methyl-end desaturases, the repertoire and function of further LC-PUFA biosynthesising enzymes is largely missing in Annelida.

Novel insights into D-Pinitol based therapies: a link between tau hyperphosphorylation and insulin resistance.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the amyloid accumulation in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is mainly mediated by the phosphorylation and aggregation of tau protein. Among the multiple causes of tau hyperphosphorylation, brain insulin resistance has generated much attention, and inositols as insulin sensitizers, are currently considered candidates for drug development.

CADORmed: a tool for internal dose assessment.

CADORmed is a free bespoke Excel® tool for committed effective dose assessment using latest dose coefficients from ICRP OIR publications. The field of application of CADORmed is special monitoring, and it is not available for the dose assessment of chronic exposure. Calculations are made according to EURADOS guidelines and principles (EURADOS report 2013-1).

Functionalized Biochars as Supports for Ru/C Catalysts: Tunable and Efficient Materials for γ-Valerolactone Production.

Cotton stalks-based biochars were prepared and used to synthetize Ru-supported catalysts for selective production of γ-valerolactone from levulinic acid in aqueous media. Different biochars' pre-treatments (HNO, ZnCl, CO or a combination of them) were carried out to activate the final carbonaceous support. Nitric acid treatment resulted in microporous biochars with high surface area, whereas the chemical activation with ZnCl substantially increases the mesoporous surface.

Functional characterization reveals a diverse array of metazoan fatty acid biosynthesis genes.

Long-chain (≥C ) polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are physiologically important fatty acids for most animals, including humans. Although most LC-PUFA production occurs in aquatic primary producers such as microalgae, recent research indicates the ability of certain groups of (mainly marine) invertebrates for endogenous LC-PUFA biosynthesis and/or bioconversion from dietary precursors. The genetic pathways for and mechanisms behind LC-PUFA biosynthesis remain unknown in many invertebrates to date, especially in non-model species.

The Re-Identification of Previously Unidentifiable Clinical Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Isolates Shows Great Species Diversity and the Presence of Other Acid-Fast Genera.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria that cannot be identified at the species level represent a challenge for clinical laboratories, as proper species assignment is key to implementing successful treatments or epidemiological studies. We re-identified forty-eight isolates of Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN)-staining-positive "acid-fast bacilli" (AFB), which were isolated in a clinical laboratory and previously identified as species but were unidentifiable at the species level with the hsp65 PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PRA). As most isolates also could not be identified confidently via , , or DNA sequencing and a nBLAST search analysis, we employed a phylogenetic method for their identification using the sequences of the rDNA, which resulted in the identification of most AFB and a species diversity not found before in our laboratory.

Pharmacokinetics and Endocrine Effects of an Oral Dose of D-Pinitol in Human Fasting Healthy Volunteers.

The present study characterizes the oral pharmacokinetics of D-Pinitol, a natural insulin mimetic inositol, in human healthy volunteers (14 males and 11 females). D-Pinitol absorption was studied in (a) subjects receiving a single oral dose of 15 mg/kg ( = 10), or (b) 5 mg/kg pure D-Pinitol ( = 6), and (c) subjects receiving D-Pinitol as part of carbohydrate-containing carob pods-derived syrup with a 3.2% D-Pinitol (Dose of 1600 mg/subject, = 9).

Covalent Adsorption of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes on a Copper Oxide Surface.

Tuning the properties of oxide surfaces through the adsorption of designed ligands is highly desirable for several applications, such as catalysis. N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been successfully employed as ligands for the modification of metallic surfaces. On the other hand, their potential as modifiers of ubiquitous oxide surfaces still needs to be developed.

Endocrine and Metabolic Impact of Oral Ingestion of a Carob-Pod-Derived Natural-Syrup-Containing D-Pinitol: Potential Use as a Novel Sweetener in Diabetes.

The widespread use of added sugars or non-nutritive sweeteners in processed foods is a challenge for addressing the therapeutics of obesity and diabetes. Both types of sweeteners generate health problems, and both are being blamed for multiple complications associated with these prevalent diseases. As an example, fructose is proven to contribute to obesity and liver steatosis, while non-nutritive sweeteners generate gut dysbiosis that complicates the metabolic control exerted by the liver.

The S-palmitoylome and DHHC-PAT interactome of Drosophila melanogaster S2R+ cells indicate a high degree of conservation to mammalian palmitoylomes.

Protein S-palmitoylation, the addition of a long-chain fatty acid to target proteins, is among the most frequent reversible protein modifications in Metazoa, affecting subcellular protein localization, trafficking and protein-protein interactions. S-palmitoylated proteins are abundant in the neuronal system and are associated with neuronal diseases and cancer. Despite the importance of this post-translational modification, it has not been thoroughly studied in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster.