Neuronal pentraxin receptor, a novel putative integral membrane pentraxin that interacts with neuronal pentraxin 1 and 2 and taipoxin-associated calcium-binding protein 49

We have identified the first putative integral membrane pentraxin and named it neuronal pentraxin receptor (NPR). NPR is enriched by affinity chromatography on columns of a snake venom toxin, taipoxin, and columns of the taipoxin-binding proteins neuronal pentraxin 1 (NP1), neuronal pentraxin 2 (NP2), and taipoxin-associated calcium-binding protein 49 (TCBP49). The predominant form of NPR contains an putative NH2-terminal transmembrane domain and all forms of NPR are glycosylated. NPR has 49 and 48% amino acid identity to NP1 and NP2, respectively, and NPR message is expressed in neuronal regions that express NP1 and NP2. We suggest that NPR, NP1, NP2, and TCBP49 are involved in a pathway responsible for the transport of taipoxin into synapses and that this may represent a novel neuronal uptake pathway involved in the clearance of synaptic debris.     

Neurologic deficit after resection of the sacrum

The authors describe neurologic deficit (sensory, motor, and sphincteral) resulting from sacrifice of the sacral nerve roots removed during resection of the sacrum. The anatomical and functional bases of sphincteral continence and the amount of neurologic deficit are discussed based on level of sacral resection. A large review of the literature on the subject is reported and discussed. The authors emphasize how the neurophysiological bases of sphincteral continence (rectum and bladder) and of sexual ability are still not well known, and how the literature reveals disagreement on the subject. A score system is proposed to evaluate neurologic deficit. The clinical model of neurologic deficit caused by resection of the sacrum may be extended to an evaluation of post-traumatic deficit.     

Pharmacogenetics of OATP Transporters Reveals That SLCO1B1 c.388A>G Variant Is Determinant of Increased Atorvastatin Response

Aims

The relationship between variants in SLCO1B1 and SLCO2B1 genes and lipid-lowering response to atorvastatin was investigated.

Material and Methods

One-hundred-thirty-six unrelated individuals with hypercholesterolemia were selected and treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/day/4 weeks). They were genotyped with a panel of ancestry informative markers for individual African component of ancestry (ACA) estimation by SNaPshot^® and SLCO1B1 (c.388A>G, c.463C>A and c.521T>C) and SLCO2B1 (−71T>C) gene polymorphisms were identified by TaqMan^® Real-time PCR.

Results

Subjects carrying SLCO1B1 c.388GG genotype exhibited significantly high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol reduction relative to c.388AA+c.388AG carriers (41 vs. 37%, p = 0.034). Haplotype analysis revealed that homozygous of SLCO1B1*15 (c.521C and c.388G) variant had similar response to statin relative to heterozygous and non-carriers. A multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that c.388GG genotype was associated with higher LDL cholesterol reduction in the study population (OR: 3.2, CI95%:1.3–8.0, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

SLCO1B1 c.388A>G polymorphism causes significant increase in atorvastatin response and may be an important marker for predicting efficacy of lipid-lowering therapy.     

Desulphurization of some low-rank Turkish lignites with crude laccase produced from Trametes versicolor ATCC 200801

In this paper, data obtained during the oxidative desulphurization of some low-rank Turkish lignites with crude laccase enzyme produced from Trametes versicolor ATCC 200801 are presented. In order to optimize desulphurization conditions, effects of incubation time, pulp density, incubation temperature, medium pH, and also lignite source on the desulphurization have been examined. The values for incubation period, pulp density, temperature and pH in optimum incubation condition were found as 30 min, 5%, 35 °C, and pH 5.0, respectively. Under optimum conditions, treatment of coal samples with crude laccase has caused nearly 29% reduction in their total sulphur content. During the study, the rate of desulphurization of coal sample provided from Tunçbilek with crude laccase was found to be relatively higher than the other examined coal samples. Results of analytical assays have indicated that the treatment of coals with crude laccase has caused no change in their calorific values but reduced their sulphur emissions. 35%, 13%, and 25% reductions of pyritic sulphur, sulphate and organic sulphur in a period of 30 min were achieved, for a particle size of 200 μm under optimal conditions with enzymatic desulphurization. Also, statistical analyses such as Tukey Multiple Comparison tests and ANOVA were performed.     

New sources of raw materials for iron powder production

Conclusions Ferrous sulfate, obtained upon pickling steel sheet, has proved to be an ideal raw material for the manufacture of iron powders with characteristics of high chemical purity.In the metallurgical industry of Italy, more than 3000 tons of iron powder are obtained annually from ferrous sulfate produced by pickling tanks, i.e., enough to meet the needs of the country.The achieved results and the contemplated plans concerning the qualitative aspect of this production should be evaluated on the basis of the presence of vast reserves of the indicated material and (according to some still general data) the economic efficiency of this process.Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, No. 3(75), pp. 101–104, March, 1969.     

Refined fourier-transform method of analysis of full two-dimensional digitized interferograms

A refined Fourier-transform method of analysis of interference patterns is presented. The refinements include a method of automatic background subtraction and a way of treating the problem of heterodyning. The method proves particularly useful for analysis of long sequences of interferograms.     

An optimal set of image segmentation rules

A set of rules for segmenting images was selected based on a quantitative evaluation of performance using a rule-based system. This note presents the rules and summarizes the results of their application.     

Synthesis,Molecular Docking,and Preliminary Evaluation of 2-(1,2,3-Triazoyl)benzaldehydes As Multifunctional Agents for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

We described here our results on the use of thiourea as a ligand in the copper catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) of 2-azidobenzaldehyde with alkynes. Reactions were performed reacting 2-azidobenzaldehyde with a range of terminal alkynes using 10 mol % of copper iodide as a catalyst, 20 mol % of thiourea as a ligand, triethylamine as base, DMSO as solvent at 100 °C under nitrogen atmosphere. The corresponding 2-(1H-1,2,3-triazoyl)-benzaldehydes (2-TBH) were obtained in moderated to excellent yields and according our experiments, the use of thiourea decreases the formation of side products. The obtained compounds were screened for their binding affinity with multiple therapeutic targets of AD by molecular docking: β-secretase (BACE), glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3β) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The three compounds with highest affinity, 5 a (2-(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)benzaldehyde), 5 b (2-(4-(p-tolyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)benzaldehyde), and 5 d (2-(4-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)benzaldehyde) were selected and evaluated on its antioxidant effect, in view of select the most promising one to perform the in vivo validation. Due the antioxidant potential ally to the affinity with BACE, GSK-3β and AChE, compound 5 b was evaluated in a mouse model of AD induced by intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Our results indicate that 5 b (1 mg/kg) treatment during 20 days is able to reverse the cognitive and memory impairment induced by STZ trough the modulation of AChE activity, amyloid cascade and GSK-3β expression.     

Molecular identification of naturally occurring bacteriocinogenic and bacteriocinogenic-like lactic acid bacteria in raw milk and soft cheese

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are currently used by food industries because of their ability to produce metabolites with antimicrobial activity against gram-positive pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. The objectives of this study were to identify naturally occurring bacteriocinogenic or bacteriocinogenic-like LAB in raw milk and soft cheese and to detect the presence of nisin-coding genes in cultures identified as Lactococcus lactis. Lactic acid bacteria cultures were isolated from 389 raw milk and soft cheese samples and were later characterized for the production of antimicrobial substances against Listeria monocytogenes. Of these, 58 (14.9%) LAB cultures were identified as antagonistic; the nature of this antagonistic activity was then characterized via enzymatic tests to confirm the proteinaceous nature of the antimicrobial substances. In addition, 20 of these antagonistic cultures were selected and submitted to genetic sequencing; they were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum (n = 2) and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis (n = 18). Nisin genes were identified by polymerase chain reaction in 7 of these cultures. The identified bacteriocinogenic and bacteriocinogenic-like cultures were highly variable concerning the production and activity of antimicrobial substances, even when they were genetically similar. The obtained results indicated the need for molecular and phenotypic methodologies to properly characterize bacteriocinogenic LAB, as well as the potential use of these cultures as tools to provide food safety.