Quantitative Proteomics Analysis Reveals That Cyclooxygenase-2 Modulates Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Complex IV in Cardiomyocytes

The biochemical mechanisms of cell injury and myocardial cell death after myocardial infarction remain unresolved. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), a key enzyme in prostanoid synthesis, is expressed in human ischemic myocardium and dilated cardiomyopathy, but it is absent in healthy hearts. To assess the role of COX-2 in cardiovascular physiopathology, we developed transgenic mice that constitutively express functional human COX-2 in cardiomyocytes under the control of the α-myosin heavy chain promoter. These animals had no apparent phenotype but were protected against ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated hearts, with enhanced functional recovery and diminished cellular necrosis. To further explore the phenotype of this animal model, we carried out a differential proteome analysis of wild-type vs. transgenic cardiomyocytes. The results revealed a tissue-specific proteomic profile dominated by mitochondrial proteins. In particular, an increased expression of respiratory chain complex IV proteins was observed. This correlated with increased catalytic activity, enhanced respiratory capacity, and increased ATP levels in the heart of COX-2 transgenic mice. These data suggest a new link between COX-2 and mitochondria, which might contribute to the protective cardiac effects of COX-2 against ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Efficacy of Eribulin Plus Gemcitabine Combination in L-Sarcomas

Although the overall survival of advanced soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) patients has increased in recent years, the median progression-free survival is lower than 5 months, meaning that there is an unmet need in this population. Among second-line treatments for advanced STS, eribulin is an anti-microtubule agent that has been approved for liposarcoma. Here, we tested the combination of eribulin with gemcitabine in preclinical models of L-sarcoma. The effect in cell viability was measured by MTS and clonogenic assay. Cell cycle profiling was studied by flow cytometry, while apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and Western blotting. The activity of eribulin plus gemcitabine was evaluated in in vivo patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. In L-sarcoma cell lines, eribulin plus gemcitabine showed to be synergistic, increasing the number of hypodiploid events (increased subG1 population) and the accumulation of DNA damage. In in vivo PDX models of L-sarcomas, eribulin combined with gemcitabine was a viable scheme, delaying tumour growth after one cycle of treatment, being more effective in leiomyosarcoma. The combination of eribulin and gemcitabine was synergistic in L-sarcoma cultures and it showed to be active in in vivo studies. This combination deserves further exploration in the clinical context.     

Chemical,Functional, and Structural Properties of Spent Coffee Grounds and Coffee Silverskin

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) and coffee silverskin (CS) represent a great pollution hazard if discharged into the environment. Taking this fact into account, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, functional properties, and structural characteristics of these agro-industrial residues in order to identify the characteristics that allow their reutilization in industrial processes. According to the results, SCG and CS are both of lignocellulosic nature. Sugars polymerized to their cellulose and hemicellulose fractions correspond to 51.5 and 40.45 % w/w, respectively; however, the hemicellulose sugars and their composition significantly differ from one residue to another. SCG and CS particles differ in terms of morphology and crystallinity, but both materials have very low porosity and similar melting point. In terms of functional properties, SCG and CS present good water and oil holding capacities, emulsion activity and stability, and antioxidant potential, being therefore great candidates for use on food and pharmaceutical fields.     

A low-cost alternative scheme to detect a 100 Gbps PM-DQPSK signal

We propose and demonstrate a low-cost alternative scheme of direct-detection to detect a 100 Gbps polarization-multiplexed differential quadrature phase-shift keying (PM-DQPSK) signal. The proposed scheme is based on a delay line and a polarization rotator; the phase-shift keying signal is first converted into a polarization shift keying signal. Then, this signal is converted into an intensity-modulated signal by a polarization beam splitter. Finally, the intensity-modulated signal is detected by balanced photodetectors. In order to demonstrate that our proposed receiver is suitable for using as a PM-DQPSK demodulator, a set of simulations have been performed. In addition to testing the sensitivity, the performance under various impairments, including narrow optical filtering, polarization mode dispersion, chromatic dispersion and polarization sensitivity, is analyzed. The simulation results show that our performance receiver is as good as a conventional receiver based on four delay interferometers. Moreover, in comparison with the typical receiver, fewer components are used in our receiver. Hence, implementation is easier, and total cost is reduced. In addition, our receiver can be easily improved to a bit-rate tunable receiver.     

Speech Scrambling Based on Imitation of a Target Speech Signal with Non-confidential Content

This paper shows a new approach of speech scrambling using imitation to produce a scrambled speech signal with intelligible content. The secret message imitates a target speech signal with non-confidential content through an adaptation mechanism. Unlike the classical approach, the key is not an input of the system because it is created in the adaptation process. Several tests are conducted in order to validate adaptation as an efficient key generator, and the robustness of the scrambled speech signal against signal manipulation attacks. The advantages of our proposal are (1) the scrambled speech signal is an intelligible speech signal so that it does not generate suspicious about the existence of the secret message, (2) the system does not require an external key generator because the elements are permutated according to the adaptation process, (3) the length of the key is long enough so that it guarantees that the key is not found by brute-force attack, and (4) it works with perfect secrecy because the a priori probability of the secret message is the same as the a posteriori probability, given the scrambled speech signal.     

Comparison of the saturated salt and dynamic vapor sorption methods in obtaining the sorption properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pinea</Emphasis> L.

Several methods are available for obtaining the sorption isotherms of wood. Among these, the saturated salt and dynamic vapor sorption methods are the most frequently used ones. For the first time, the hygroscopic response of wood obtained using these two methods is compared. This is done by determining the 35 and 50?°C adsorption isotherms of juvenile and mature wood of Pinus pinea L. The hygroscopic behavior of the two types of wood is different, as the mature wood has a higher moisture content than the juvenile wood in the isotherms studied. Comparison of the static saturated salt method and dynamic vapor sorption shows few significant differences between the equilibrium moisture content obtained by each method during the adsorption process, both in a point by point comparison and in the comparison of quadratic polynomial forms of the Guggenheim Anderson-de Boer model. Moreover, in both methods the point of relative humidity from which multilayer sorption predominates over monolayer sorption is similar.     

Increasing the levels of 2-phenylethyl acetate in wine through the use of a mixed culture of Hanseniaspora osmophila and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The impact of mixed cultures of Hanseniaspora osmophila and Saccharomyces cerevisiae with different initial yeast ratios on wine composition has been examined. The mixed culture significantly affected sugar consumption, the main enological parameters and ester concentrations, with the exception of glycerol, isoamyl acetate and diethyl succinate levels. Remarkably, in wines obtained with mixed cultures the concentration of 2-phenylethyl acetate was approximately 3- to 9-fold greater than that produced by S. cerevisiae pure culture. Moreover sensory evaluation revealed a stronger fruity character in wines fermented with mixed cultures than in control wines. Independently of the mixed culture used, all wines showed concentrations of acetic acid and ethyl acetate within the ranges described for wines. Our data suggest that a mixed culture of H. osmophila and S. cerevisiae can be used as a tool to increase 2-phenylethyl acetate in wine and that its concentration can be controlled by modulating the initial yeast ratio in the culture.     

Effect of Enzyme Treatments and Drying Temperatures on Methylpyrazine Content in Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao L.) Powder Extract

ABSTRACT:  The effects of combining enzyme treatments and heating protocols on pyrazine formation in cocoa powder extracts have been studied. Five commercial enzyme preparations containing protease and carbohydrase activities were initially assessed for their ability to release amino acids and reducing sugars, both of which are substrates for Maillard reactions. The enzyme preparation Flavourzyme was subsequently selected for further study given its ability to liberate both types of substrate. Cocoa powder solutions were treated with 2 doses of Flavourzyme and processed at 2 drying temperatures. The combination of the higher dose of the enzyme (12% w/w enzyme/substrate) and the higher drying temperature (150 °C) resulted in a synergistic increase in the concentration of methyl- and dimethylpyrazines. A statistically significant increase in the concentration of tetramethylpyrazine occurred in samples treated at 150 °C that was independent of the enzyme dose assayed. No significant changes in trimethylpyrazine content were detected in treated compared to untreated samples.     

Access to common resources and food security: Evidence from National Surveys in Nigeria

Common resources (CRs) provide a “hidden harvest” for rural households and can also act as a safety net in the event of poor agricultural output or seasonal food gaps, hence contributing to food security. Yet only limited empirical research has assessed the relationship between CRs and the self-assessed food security conditions recorded among rural households. This exploratory paper draws on recent data from the Nigerian General Household Survey (GHS), a nationally representative sample of households administered in 2012–2013 as part of the World Bank Living Standards Measurement Study — Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA). A sustainable livelihood framework was used to contextualise CR access within the broader set of food security drivers. In Nigeria, access to common pasture and water resources is significantly associated with less reporting of food insecurity. In contrast, access to common forest tends to be associated with food insecurity, suggesting that households with access to common forest remain vulnerable (i.e. isolated from services and opportunities) despite having the advantage of the forest as a source of food. Echoing existing literature, the relative importance of these commons decreases when income of households increases. However, there are no clear signs that access to commons acts as a seasonal safety net for households during the lean season. The paper advocates streamlining CR data collection alongside agricultural data for a more integrated food security policy intervention aimed at the most vulnerable.