Humans do not synthesize chitin, yet they produce a number of active and inactive chitinases. One of the active enzymes is chitotriosidase whose serum levels are elevated in a number of diseases such as Gaucher's disease and upon fungal infection. Since the biological role of chitotriosidase in disease pathogenesis is not understood we screened a panel of mammalian GlcNAc-containing glycoconjugates as alternate substrates. LacNAc and LacdiNAc-terminating substrates are hydrolyzed, the latter with a turnover comparable to that of pNP-chitotriose. Glycolipids or glycoproteins with LacNAc and LacdiNAc represent potential chitinase substrates and the subsequent alteration of glycosylation pattern could be a factor in disease pathogenesis.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.febslet.2013.12.035 | DOI Listing |
Pharmazie
December 2024
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and debilitating mental disorder that has been linked to hyperhomocysteinemia and folate deficiency. These conditions are influenced by the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase () gene, which plays a crucial role in converting homocysteine to methionine and is essential for folate metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis, including serotonin. : This study explored the association between and polymorphisms among Saudi MDD patients attending the Erada Complex for Mental Health and Erada Services outpatient clinic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Rev Allergy Immunol
January 2025
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
In recent years, epigenetic modifications have attracted significant attention due to their unique regulatory mechanisms and profound biological implications. Acting as a bridge between environmental stimuli and changes in gene activity, they reshape gene expression patterns, providing organisms with regulatory mechanisms to respond to environmental changes. A growing body of evidence indicates that epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of psoriasis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZ Gerontol Geriatr
January 2025
Geriatrie, Universität Witten-Herdecke, Alfred Herrhausenstraße 50, 58455, Witten, Germany.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a frequent disease from which approximately 8% of individuals aged 40 years and above suffer. The prevalence increases up to fivefold as age advances. Following an introduction including the etiology, measurement, characteristic features and classification of COPD, this article presents the consensus recommendations of the German Working Group on Pneumology in Older Patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSemin Immunopathol
January 2025
Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
The brain-gut axis constitutes the basis for the bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract driven by neural, hormonal, metabolic, immunological, and microbial signals. Alterations in the gut microbiome composition as observed in inflammatory bowel diseases can modulate brain function and emerging empirical evidence has indicated that interactions among the brain-gut microbiome-axis seem to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of both inflammatory bowel diseases and psychiatric disorders and their comorbidity. Yet, the immunological and molecular mechanisms underlying the co-occurrence of inflammatory bowel diseases and psychological symptoms are still poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLasers Med Sci
January 2025
College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of mankind's most common diseases with a nonspecific etiology. Lasers are gaining traction in dentistry due to their remarkable effects on pain reduction. Their convenience and lack of side effects have made them an attractive alternative to conventional interventions.
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