Thyroid cancer. Epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic features

This study presents a survey on the demand for out-patient neurological-neuropsychological rehabilitation. Neurologists working in acute care and in in-patient rehabilitation settings as well as neurologists and neuropsychologists with out-patient practice were asked to rate the demand for and the present means to realize out-patient neuropsychological rehabilitation. The results show a great demand for out-patient rehabilitation. The preferred concept and model of out-patient rehabilitation depends on the setting where the participants of the study work with a tendency to favour flexible programs close to patients' habitation.     

Enzymatic characterization of refolded human rhinovirus type 14 2A protease expressed in Escherichia coli

Reported here is the production of recombinant human rhinovirus 14 (HRV14) 2A protease from bacterial cells transformed with a heat-inducible plasmid containing the HRV14 2A cDNA sequence. Overexpressed 2A protein partitioned into the inclusion bodies was solubilized in urea and then refolded in the presence of Zn2+ Transition metals were required for the restoration of 2A protease activity as a structural component, but appeared to be inhibitory if added exogenously once the enzyme was refolded. Based on the cleavage specificity studies, a colorimetric assay was developed for the highly purified HRV14 2A protease. A peptide with the sequence RKGDIKSY-p-nitroanilide was found to be cleaved by the 2A protease with a k(cat)/Km ratio of approximately 335 M(-1)s(-1), which allows its activity to be measured continuously with a spectrophotometer or a microplate reader.     

β Cell GHS-R Regulates Insulin Secretion and Sensitivity

Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) is widely known to regulate food intake and adiposity, but its role in glucose homeostasis is unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression of GHS-R in mouse pancreatic islets and its role in glycemic regulation. We used Ghsr-IRES-tauGFP mice, with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) as a surrogate for GHS-R, to demonstrate the GFP co-localization with insulin and glucagon expression in pancreatic islets, confirming GHS-R expression in β and α cells. We then generated β-cell-specific GHSR-deleted mice with MIP-Cre/ERT and validated that GHS-R suppression was restricted to the pancreatic islets. MIP-Cre/ERT;Ghsr^f/f mice showed normal energy homeostasis with similar body weight, body composition, and indirect calorimetry profile. Interestingly, MIP-Cre/ERT;Ghsr^f/f mice exhibited an impressive phenotype in glucose homeostasis. Compared to controls, MIP-Cre/ERT;Ghsr^f/f mice showed lower fasting blood glucose and insulin; reduced first-phase insulin secretion during a glucose tolerance test (GTT) and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) test in vivo. The isolated pancreatic islets of MIP-Cre/ERT;Ghsr^f/f mice also showed reduced insulin secretion during GSIS ex vivo. Further, MIP-Cre/ERT;Ghsr^f/f mice exhibited improved insulin sensitivity during insulin tolerance tests (ITT). Overall, our results confirmed GHS-R expression in pancreatic β and α cells; GHS-R cell-autonomously regulated GSIS and modulated systemic insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, β cell GHS-R was an important regulator of glucose homeostasis, and GHS-R antagonists may have therapeutic potential for Type 2 Diabetes.     

Metagenomic Microbial Diversity in Aguamiel from Two Agave Species During 4-Year Seasons

Aguamiel is the sap of “maguey pulquero” and can be consumed as a fresh beverage or after a cooking process. Further, it is also fermented for the production of “pulque,” a traditional Mexican alcoholic beverage. Use of aguamiel as a functional beverage has been suggested due to prebiotic activity of its fructooligosaccharides and probiotic activity of lactic acid bacteria that it contains. There are some reports about the culturable microbial diversity in aguamiel; however, the total microbial diversity has not been characterized. The objective of this study was to identify metagenomic populations in aguamiel using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and 26SrRNA gene regions. Microbial diversity in aguamiel from two maguey species was evaluated: Agave salmiana and Agave atrovirens, during the four seasons of the year. The highest diversity was found during summer season in aguamiel samples from both Agave species, detecting presence of Leuconostoc sp., Leuconostoc gelidum, Lactococcus lactis, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Pediococcus sp., uncultured Trichococcus sp., uncultured Leuconostoc, uncultured Lactococcus, Kazachstania zonata (not previously reported in aguamiel), Kluyveromyces marxianus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Knowledge about the microbial populations of this beverage throughout the different seasons will provide advantages through understanding of aguamiel for application areas such as syrup elaboration and pulque making. In addition, this beverage could be industrialized as a functional beverage with a consistent quality.     

Self direction and factors influencing technology use: Examining the relationships for the 21st century workplace

Self-direction and technology use are both identified as increasingly important skills for the 21st century workforce. In an effort to define effective pedagogies for students entering the workplace, this study examines the relationship between selected factors of self-directed learning and factors influencing technology use. University seniors provided a sample representing new workforce entrants and the workplace of the immediate future. Examining self-direction using the PRO-model of self-direction and technology use through the lens of computer self-efficacy, 572 graduating seniors provided a look at their preparation for the workplace for self-direction and technology use. Results indicated a significant but very weak relationship between self-direction and technology use that accounted for less than 7% of the variance for any one factor examined. Based on these results, this study includes implications for practice as well as recommendations for future research.     

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity are differentially affected by drying processes in celery,coriander and parsley leaves

Convective drying (CO) is the most common technique for drying herbs, although it may diminish phenolic compounds content. Microwave drying (MW) has been suggested as an alternative, although its effects on phenolic compounds remain to be explored. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of different convective temperatures (40, 80 and 120 °C) and microwave powers (100, 500 and 1000 W) on drying time, polyphenols classes (HPLC-DAD) and antioxidant capacity in celery, coriander and parsley leaves. Microwave procedure reduced drying time (MW: 3 h–7 min; CO: 25–1.5 h) resulting more effective than CO. Increasing temperatures led to an initial decrease in total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity followed by an increase, potentially by the release of bound phenolic acids. Regarding MW, the highest polyphenol content was generally observed at 500 W, probably due to the hydroxycinnamic acid's rise. Antioxidant capacity was similar at 500 and 1000 W. There was a good agreement between TPC and antioxidant capacity. Consequently, MW seems a good alternative to reduce drying time. However, the maintenance or improvement of phenolic activity depends on the food matrix. Indeed, the best drying system and conditions to preserve phenolic compounds were variable depending on the herb type: celery (CO at 40 °C), coriander (both CO at 40 °C and MW at 500 W) and parsley (MW at 100 W).     

In vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic effects of anthocyanins from Maqui Berry (Aristotelia chilensis)

We used a murine model of type II diabetes, which reproduces the major features of the human disease, and a number of cellular models to study the antidiabetic effect of ANC, a standardised anthocyanin-rich formulation from Maqui Berry (Aristotelia chilensis). We also isolated delphinidin 3-sambubioside-5-glucoside (D3S5G), a characteristic anthocyanin from Maqui Berry, and studied its antidiabetic properties. We observed that oral administration of ANC improved fasting blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance in hyperglycaemic obese C57BL/6J mice fed a high fat diet. In H4IIE rat liver cells, ANC decreased glucose production and enhanced the insulin-stimulated down regulation of the gluconeogenic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphatase. In L6 myotubes ANC treatment increased both insulin and non-insulin mediated glucose uptake. As with the ACN, oral administration of pure D3S5G dose-dependently decreased fasting blood glucose levels in obese C57BL/6J mice, and decreased glucose production in rat liver cells. D3S5G also increased glucose uptake in L6 myotubes and is at least partially responsible for ANC’s anti-diabetic properties.     

Microwave assisted synthesis and characterization of Sago starch‐g‐acrylamide

In the present investigation, sago starch was modified through microwave assisted chemical synthesis using acrylamide as grafting monomer. Grafted copolymer was characterized by fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray powder diffractometer (XRD) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Swelling study was also performed at various temperatures to access its suitability in diverse industrial application. The optimum reaction conditions were found as follows: starch, 1 g; acrylamide (AMD), 5 g; microwave power, 600 W, reaction time, 3 h. Grafting on the starch backbone confirmed by FTIR spectral analysis, while XRD confirmed formation of more crystalline structure after AMD grafting. TGA analysis showed formation of more thermostable copolymer after grafting, while swelling study proved its suitability for various industrial applications due to its extensive swelling at higher temperatures.