Kadsurenin F, a natural neolignan-type compound, has been described as a constituent of various members of the Lauraceae family such as Aniba spp. or Nectandra spp., but can also be found in various Piper species such as Piper kadsura Ohwi (Piperaceae).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe use of as a biological platform to study the effect of diet and food bioactives on the metabolome remains a highly unexplored subject. Aiming to establish alternative solutions for the investigation of nutritional interventions with bioactive natural products by employing LC-MS-based metabolomics approaches, we assessed the effect of a phytonutrient-rich extract from the endemic Mediterranean plant (stamnagkàthi) on a population. The extract's modulating effect on the proteostasis network and metabolism of young flies was evaluated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe modulation of insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) is associated with altered nutritional and metabolic states. The genome encodes eight insulin-like peptides, whose activity is regulated by a group of secreted factors, including Ecdysone-inducible gene L2 (), which acts as a potent IIS inhibitor. We recently reported that cncC (cncC/Nrf2), the fly ortholog of Nrf2, is a positive transcriptional regulator of ImpL2, as part of a negative feedback loop aiming to suppress cncC/Nrf2 activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlong with their level of protection against COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies decline over time following vaccination with BNT162b2. However, relevant data on AZD1222 are scarce. In this context, the aim of this study was to compare SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody (NAb) levels at one, three and six months after second vaccination with the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine and the ChAdOx1 (AZD1222) viral vector vaccine (NCT04743388).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVaccination against SARS-CoV-2 with BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine plays a critical role in COVID-19 prevention. Although BNT162b2 is highly effective against COVID-19, a time-dependent decrease in neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) is observed. The aim of this study was to identify the individual features that may predict NAbs levels after vaccination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBetween June and November 2020, we assessed plasma antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid protein in 4996 participants (aged 18-82 years, 34.5% men) from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The weighted overall prevalence was 1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLife (Basel)
September 2020
Due to early implementation of public health measures, Greece had low number of SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 severe incidents in hospitalized patients. The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (ΝΚUA), especially its health-care/medical personnel, has been actively involved in the first line of state responses to COVID-19. To estimate the prevalence of antibodies (Igs) against SARS-CoV-2 among NKUA members, we designed a five consecutive monthly serosurvey among randomly selected NKUA consenting volunteers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBeing an assembly of protein machines, cells depend on adequate supply of energetic molecules for retaining their homeodynamics. Consequently, mitochondria functionality is ensured by quality control systems and mitochondrial dynamics (fusion/fission). Similarly, proteome stability is maintained by the machineries of the proteostasis network.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAging is a complex phenomenon caused by the time-dependent loss of cellular homeodynamics and consequently of physiological organismal functions. This process is affected by both genetic and environmental (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDNA damage is constantly produced by both endogenous and exogenous factors; DNA lesions then trigger the so-called DNA damaged response (DDR). This is a highly synchronized pathway that involves recognition, signaling and repair of the damage. Failure to eliminate DNA lesions is associated with genome instability, a driving force in tumorigenesis.
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