L-Carnitine Functionalization to Increase Skeletal Muscle Tropism of PLGA Nanoparticles

Muscular dystrophies are a group of rare genetic pathologies, encompassing a variety of clinical phenotypes and mechanisms of disease. Several compounds have been proposed to treat compromised muscles, but it is known that pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics problems could occur. To solve these issues, it has been suggested that nanocarriers could be used to allow controlled and targeted drug release. Therefore, the aim of this study was to prepare actively targeted poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) for the treatment of muscular pathologies. By taking advantage of the high affinity for carnitine of skeletal muscle cells due to the expression of Na⁺-coupled carnitine transporter (OCTN), NPs have been actively targeted via association to an amphiphilic derivative of L-carnitine. Furthermore, pentamidine, an old drug repurposed for its positive effects on myotonic dystrophy type I, was incorporated into NPs. We obtained monodispersed targeted NPs, with a mean diameter of about 100 nm and a negative zeta potential. To assess the targeting ability of the NPs, cell uptake studies were performed on C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes using confocal and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed an increased uptake of carnitine-functionalized NPs compared to nontargeted carriers in myotubes, which was probably due to the interaction with OCTN receptors occurring in large amounts in these differentiated muscle cells.     

Interaction between the peptide glutathione and linoleic acid hydroperoxide

Incubation experiments in order to study the influence of some parameters in the fluorescence products formation have been carried out. It has been observed a greater efficiency with the relation linoleic acid hydroperoxide:glutathione, 2:1, and a temperature of 37 °C. The complex formed working with labelled linoleic acid has been separated in two main fractions. The first one (without radioactivity) is fluorescent with excitation and emission maxima at 350 nm and 440 nm, respectively. It has been confirmed that this fraction consists of a complex of glutathione and short chain aldehydes. The fluorescence of the complex did not decrease by treatment with NaBH₄ or with pH. The NH₂ and SH groups take part in the lipid-peptide complex formation. The second, highly radioactive fraction includes free hydroperoxides and short chain hydroxy fatty acids.     

Cushing with transition from pituitary to adrenal origin. Study with SPECT scintigraphy of the adrenal cortex with norcholesterol-I 131 in a case

The case of a 49 yr old alcoholic women with clinical and laboratory findings that suggested a Cushing syndrome is presented. The functional tests showed cortisol suppression greater than 50% of the basal value with 8 mg of dexamethasone and no response in the combined dexamethasone/desmopressin test. Pituitary Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) was negative, Abdominal Computed Axial Tomography suggested hyperplastic adrenal glands; adrenal nodules were not found in the NMR. Pituitary or hipothalamic Cushing with secondary autonomous micronodular adrenal hyperplasia was suspected. Norcholesterol-I131 SPECT scintigraphy under dexamethasone suppression demonstrated a functional adrenal hyperplasia which was hystologically confirmed.     

The role of corn starch,amaranth flour,pea isolate,and Psyllium flour on the rheological properties and the ultrastructure of gluten-free doughs

The removal of gluten from bakery products, in order to produce foods (mainly based on gluten-free cereal flours and starch) for people with celiac disease, impairs dough’s capacity to properly develop during leavening and baking. The main aim of this research was to produce and evaluate some experimental gluten-free (GF) doughs containing different levels of corn starch, amaranth flour (to enhance the nutritional benefits), pea isolate (to increase the protein content) and Psyllium fiber (as thickening agent and fiber source) in order to study the influence of the different ingredients on the rheological properties and on the ultrastructure of the doughs. Psyllium fiber generally enhanced the physical properties of the doughs, due to the film-like structure that it was able to form, and the most complex among the experimental formulations looked promising in terms of final bread technological and nutritional quality even when compared to two different commercial GF mixtures.     

Solubility and heat stability of whey protein concentrates.

Rennet whey protein concentrates have excellent nutritional properties, but their use in fluid food systems is impaired by the poor heat stability of the protein. Heating whey protein concentrated solutions at neutral pH caused up to 70% losses in solubility. In the absence of added calcium, protein coagulation occurred. near the iso-electric zone whereas in the presence of .03 M calcium chloride, similar protein coagulation occurred in the whole pH range (pH 2 to pH 12). Tryptic hydrolysis of the protein increased the heat stability of whey protein concentrates considerably.     

Reliability of coding of diagnoses recorded in the computerized information system at primary health care centers

OBJECTIVE: To find the reliability of the coding of diagnoses in the doctor's note in this computer system and to analyse where there are most discrepancies. DESIGN: An observational study. The concordance between the reason for consultation, codified by an external assessor, and the coding of the main diagnosis. SETTING: Health Districts 17 (Murcia/Barrio del Carmen) and 66 (Molina de Segura/La Ribera) in the Autonomous Community of Murcia. PATIENTS: A sub-sample of 228 consultations, belonging to a larger study of 1,904 general medical consultations (total: 98,768 consultations). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were discrepancies between the coding of the reason for consultation and the diagnosis in 23% of the consultations recorded. The reason for consultation was not correctly recorded in 12.3%. The diagnostic group or section with the highest level of agreement was number XVIII or the supplementary section; and with the least agreement in XVII (injuries and adverse side-effects) and Number V covering mental disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Quality control of information and its validation enables errors and problems in the systems to be identified and corrected. This study points to the need to improve the filling-out of the reason for consultation and activity carried out, in order to obtain afterwards a more reliable coding of the diagnosis.     

Some characteristics of the membranes protecting oil emulsions in protein solutions

Expressed olive juice contains emulsified globules of olive oil. Electron photomicrographs of these globules show a rough membrane protecting them against coalescence. Some features of the membranes, such as the existence of “poles” and deposited microcrystals, are disclosed by the photographs and by electron diffraction patterns. Heavy metals appear to concentrate in the membranes and not in the aqueous medium. Presented at the 50th annual spring meeting, American Oil Chemists' Society, New Orleans, La., April 20–22, 1959.