Expression of Opioid Receptors in Cells of the Immune System

The observation of the immunomodulatory effects of opioid drugs opened the discussion about possible mechanisms of action and led researchers to consider the presence of opioid receptors (OR) in cells of the immune system. To date, numerous studies analyzing the expression of OR subtypes in animal and human immune cells have been performed. Some of them confirmed the expression of OR at both the mRNA and protein level, while others did not detect the receptor mRNA either. Although this topic remains controversial, further studies are constantly being published. The most recent articles suggested that the expression level of OR in human peripheral blood lymphocytes could help to evaluate the success of methadone maintenance therapy in former opioid addicts, or could serve as a biomarker for chronic pain diagnosis. However, the applicability of these findings to clinical practice needs to be verified by further investigations.     

Scytodecamide from the Cultured Scytonema sp. UIC 10036 Expands the Chemical and Genetic Diversity of Cyanobactins

Cyanobactins are a large family of cyanobacterial ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) often associated with biological activities, such as cytotoxicity, antiviral, and antimalarial activities. They are traditionally described as cyclic molecules containing heterocyclized amino acids. However, this definition has been recently challenged by the discovery of short, linear cyanobactins containing three to five amino acids as well as cyanobactins containing no heterocyclized residues. Herein we report the discovery of scytodecamide ( 1 ) from the freshwater cyanobacterium Scytonema sp. UIC 10036. Structural elucidation based on mass spectrometry, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and Marfey's method revealed 1 to be a linear decapeptide with an N-terminal N-methylation and a C-terminal amidation. The genome of Scytonema sp. UIC 10036 was sequenced, and bioinformatic analysis revealed a cyanobactin-like biosynthetic gene cluster consistent with the structure of 1 . The discovery of 1 as a novel linear peptide containing an N-terminal N-methylation and a C-terminal amidation expands the chemical and genetic diversity of the cyanobactin family of compounds.     

Synthesis and characterization of Co5Cr2(P2O7)4 - New pyrophosphate as a colouring substance

A new pyrophosphate(V) of the formula Co₅Cr₂(P₂O₇)₄ was obtained in the system Co₂P₂O₇–Cr₄(P₂O₇)₃ as a result of solid-state reactions taking place between different reactants. The new compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and belongs to the family of pyrophosphates of the general formula M₅²⁺M₂³⁺(P₂O₇)₄ and is probably isostructural with Fe₅²⁺Fe₂³⁺(P₂O₇)₄. Powder diffraction pattern, infrared spectrum and SEM image of the new compound were presented. As a new potential inorganic pigment, Co₅Cr₂(P₂O₇)₄ was tested for its thermal stability, particle size distribution and colour properties, which were studied both for powder and after introduction into organic matrix and leadless ceramic glaze. The colour of Co₅Cr₂(P₂O₇)₄ powder was defined as deep grey with the colour coordinates L*/a*/b* = 60.63/-1.42/-3.41 and according to the hue angle (h° = 247.39°) it belongs to the blue region. Co₅Cr₂(P₂O₇)₄, with its relatively high thermal stability (t _m = 1230 ± 10 °C) and appropriate colour properties, is a good candidate to be used as inorganic pigment for colouring of acrylic paints. In the case of leadless glaze, the obtained compound acts as a dye.     

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy in Novel Porcine Model of Diffuse Liver Damage Induced by Repeated Biliary Obstruction

In liver surgery, biliary obstruction can lead to secondary biliary cirrhosis, a life-threatening disease with liver transplantation as the only curative treatment option. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been shown to improve liver function in both acute and chronic liver disease models. This study evaluated the effect of allogenic MSC transplantation in a large animal model of repeated biliary obstruction followed by partial hepatectomy. MSC transplantation supported the growth of regenerated liver tissue after 14 days (MSC group, n = 10: from 1087 ± 108 (0 h) to 1243 ± 92 mL (14 days); control group, n = 11: from 1080 ± 95 (0 h) to 1100 ± 105 mL (14 days), p = 0.016), with a lower volume fraction of hepatocytes in regenerated liver tissue compared to resected liver tissue (59.5 ± 10.2% vs. 70.2 ± 5.6%, p < 0.05). Volume fraction of connective tissue, blood vessels and bile vessels in regenerated liver tissue, serum levels of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP and GGT) and liver metabolites (albumin, bilirubin, urea and creatinine), as well as plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and TGF-β, were not affected by MSC transplantation. In our novel, large animal (pig) model of repeated biliary obstruction followed by partial hepatectomy, MSC transplantation promoted growth of liver tissue without any effect on liver function. This study underscores the importance of translating results between small and large animal models as well as the careful translation of results from animal model into human medicine.     

A comparative study of the behavior of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Spirulina platensis in solar catalytic pyrolysis

The aim of this study was to investigate the behavior of two distinct microalgae species during solar catalytic pyrolysis and the influence of their chemical composition and the process variables (biomass charge, reaction time, and catalyst percentage) on the product yields and bio-oil composition. For this purpose, solar catalytic pyrolysis of Spirulina platensis and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was performed using hydrotalcite-derived mixed oxides as the catalyst. To gain more insight into the effect of composition on pyrolysis behavior, the biomasses were analyzed using various analytical techniques. The results indicated that a high percentage of catalyst (47.1%) culminated in liquid yields of 42.48% and 21.31% for Chlamydomonas pyrolysis and Spirulina pyrolysis, respectively. Additionally, Spirulina pyrolysis resulted in higher solid yields compared with Chlamydomonas pyrolysis. The results also showed that Spirulina bio-oil was rich in oxygenated compounds, probably due to its high carbohydrate content, whereas Chlamydomonas bio-oil was rich in nitrogenated compounds because of its higher protein content. The microalgae composition (lipids, protein, carbohydrates) exerted a large influence on the catalytic pathways and led to differences in yield and product distribution. A high percentage of catalysts preferentially promoted a deoxygenation of the bio-oil obtained from Spirulina solar pyrolysis compared with that obtained from Chlamydomonas pyrolysis.     

Action–reaction. Survival strategies of tenants and landlords in the private rental sector in Belgium

The private rental sector (PRS) is growing in many Western countries after a period of decline. In Belgium, a renewed policy interest in the PRS emerges and the sector is believed to play an important role in addressing housing needs of low-income households. Steering these households to the PRS is however not without problems. The supply side of the market is not necessarily willing to accommodate vulnerable renters. Landlords and real estate brokers install mechanisms to exclude financially vulnerable households throughout the entire rental procedure. These in turn develop (counter)strategies to get round the obstacles and to increase their chances. In this article, we apply an interactional perspective to study the interplay of strategies developed by both sides of the market. The article is based on 58 in-depth interviews with landlords and brokers, testimonies of low-income tenants from 15 focus groups plus 5 in-depth interviews about the influence of different discrimination grounds on their private rental experiences.     

Formational bounds of link prediction in collaboration networks

Scientometrics - With an ever increasing number of academic conferences being offered and a growing concern regarding the appearance of “predatory conferencing”, the optimal use of...     

Untargeted metabolomics reveals links between Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) and its geographical origin by metabolome changes associated with membrane lipids

Tiger nuts and tiger nut milk are well-known Valencian products, and step-by-step these tubers and the tuber-based beverage are becoming more and more relevant products in international markets. However, the increasing demand and success of Valencian tiger nuts did not allow protected designation of origin (PDO) tuber to supply the domestic and international markets. Therefore, the verification of the geographical origin is highly required. In this research, the main objective was to combine an advance analytical method and chemometrics tools in order to decipher the geographical origin of 45 tiger nut samples from (i) ‘Xufa de València’ PDO and (ii) African samples. The analytical method, based on solid-liquid extraction followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) metabolomics approach, highlighted sensitivity and wide linear dynamic range in order to simultaneously analyse polar and non-polar metabolites. After data processing, a pronounced sample clustering according to the geographical origin was clearly observed using unsupervised models, and supervised models revealed that tiger nuts lipidome was associated with the geographical origin. As a result, African samples highlighted an overexpression of phospholipids, such as phosphatidylethanolamine 34:1, and triacylgricerols crosslinked to environmental stress and alteration of membrane lipid compositions.     

Separation of Trimethyl Borate from a Liquid Mixture by Pervaporation

Four commercial polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes were applied to the pervaporation of an azeotropic mixture containing trimethyl borate, a precursor to boronic acids used in Suzuki couplings and a gaseous anti‐oxidant in solder flux or brazing. The degree of cross‐linking of the chains in the active layer played a crucial role in the membrane process using the membranes PERVAP 4155‐80, PERVAP 4155‐40 and PERVAP 4155‐30. PERVAP 4155‐30 reached the best results from all tested membranes; an impressive selectivity with fast permeation was also achieved with the PERVAP 4060 membrane. Methanol preferentially passed through PERVAP 4155‐30, but trimethyl borate was favorably pervaporated from the mixture by PERVAP 6040, due to the diverse affinities of the membranes.