Hydroxypyridinethione Inhibitors of Human Insulin-Degrading Enzyme.

Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is a human mononuclear Zn -dependent metalloenzyme that is widely regarded as the primary peptidase responsible for insulin degradation. Despite its name, IDE is also critically involved in the hydrolysis of several other disparate peptide hormones, including glucagon, amylin, and the amyloid β-protein. As such, the study of IDE inhibition is highly relevant to deciphering the role of IDE in conditions such as type-2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer disease.

Examining the Relationship Between Engagement and Perceived Stress-Related Cognitive Complaints in the Argentinian Working Population.

Stress has a negative impact on cognitive functioning and occupational well-being. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship among perceived stress, cognitive complaints and work engagement in public employees from Córdoba, Argentina. In this cross-sectional study, self-report questionnaires were administered to 240 participants.

Quantitative, High-Throughput Assays for Proteolytic Degradation of Amylin.

Amylin is a pancreatic peptide hormone that regulates glucose homeostasis but also aggregates to form islet amyloid in type-2 diabetes. Given its role in both health and disease, there is renewed interest in proteolytic degradation of amylin by insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) and other proteases. Here, we describe the development and detailed characterization of three novel assays for amylin degradation, two based on a fluoresceinated and biotinylated form of rodent amylin (fluorescein-rodent amylin-biotin, FrAB), which can be used for any amylin protease, and another based on an internally quenched fluorogenic substrate (FRET-based amylin, FRAM), which is more specific for IDE.

Cathepsin D regulates cerebral Aβ42/40 ratios via differential degradation of Aβ42 and Aβ40.

Background: Cathepsin D (CatD) is a lysosomal protease that degrades both the amyloid β-protein (Aβ) and the microtubule-associated protein, tau, and has been genetically linked to late-onset Alzheimer disease (AD). Here, we sought to examine the consequences of genetic deletion of CatD on Aβ proteostasis in vivo and to more completely characterize the degradation of Aβ42 and Aβ40 by CatD.

Methods: We quantified Aβ degradation rates and levels of endogenous Aβ42 and Aβ40 in the brains of CatD-null (CatD-KO), heterozygous null (CatD-HET), and wild-type (WT) control mice.

[Auditory processing self-report: How do normal-hearing individuals perceive themselves?].

Background: Hearing results from processes of modulation of the acoustic signal performed by the auditory pathway and cortical activity. Sound detection, location, discrimination, intelligibility in noise and silence require integrity of the auditory system.

Objective: To recognize the auditory variability in competent users and examine the relationship of auditory processing abilities with peripheral sensitivity.

[Answers and latencies dichotic digit test normoacoustic majoring in hearing].

Neurocognitive assessment by dichotic digit test provides selective stimulation of auditory pathway with contralateral suppression of the ipsilateral showing interhemispheric differences in concurrent tasks. In order to recognize the pattern of responses, recovery order of digits and latencies heard the original test was modified with the addition of a record of an audio track of the responses. The sample includes subjects with a history in hearing specialization linked to the music and listen to comprehensive second language, normoacoustic without otologic diseases or neurological.

[Psychosocial risk of fossilization by occupationally-used non-native Englishin information and communication technologists of Argentina].

Aims: Companies use non-native language (L2) as a service tool, and they may incur in occupational psychosocial risks. Interlanguage can be chronic under poor communicative situations, leading to fossilization. It could be an adverse effect because of its impact in productivity and occupational health.

Importance of early combined N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin T measurements for long-term risk stratification of patients with decompensated heart failure.

Background: Markers of myocardial necrosis and natriuretic peptides are risk predictors in decompensated heart failure (DHF). We prospectively studied the optimal timing of combined cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurements for long-term risk stratification.

Methods: cTnT and NT-proBNP were measured upon admission, and before discharge in 76 patients hospitalized for DHF (mean age 62.

Atorvastatin has an important acute anti-inflammatory effect in patients with acute coronary syndrome: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are associated with cardiovascular risk. We assessed the hypothesis that atorvastatin might have anti-inflammatory effects in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) as shown by CRP reduction.

Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 90 consecutive patients admitted within 48 hours of onset of ACS with CRP levels > or =1.

Minor myocardial damage detected by troponin T is a powerful predictor of long-term prognosis in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Background: The progression of chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by frequent exacerbation requiring hospitalization and high mortality. Clinical deterioration is triggered by many factors that could promote ongoing myocytes injury. We sought to determine whether a specific marker of cardiac injury, troponin T (cTnT), is associated with prognosis in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

Ongoing myocardial injury in stable severe heart failure: value of cardiac troponin T monitoring for high-risk patient identification.

Background: The progression of chronic heart failure (CHF) is related to ongoing myocyte loss, which can be detected by cardiac troponin T (cTnT). We examined the prevalence and prognostic value of increased cTnT concentrations in serial blood specimens from patients with severe CHF.

Methods And Results: Clinical, echocardiographic, and 6-minute walk test data were collected prospectively at baseline and at 1 year in 115 outpatients (mean age, 61+/-11 years; 75% men; 62% coronary heart disease) with CHF and a left ventricular ejection fraction <40%.

High levels of troponin T are associated with ventricular remodeling and adverse in-hospital outcome in heart failure.

Background: Heart failure progression is associated with ventricular remodeling and ongoing myofibrillar degradation. We hypothesized that myocardial damage, detected by high levels of troponin T, would correlate with echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular remodeling and worse in-hospital course in decompensated heart failure.

Material/methods: 159 patients with decompensated heart failure without acute coronary event were included.

Cardiac troponin T levels are associated with poor short- and long-term prognosis in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

Background: The clinical determinants of increased cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema are not well defined, and the ability of this marker to predict long-term mortality has not yet been documented.

Methods: Eighty-four patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema without acute myocardial infarction were prospectively enrolled. cTnT was measured in samples obtained 6 and 12 hours after admission.