DNA polymerase of Dictyostelium discoideum

Only one molecular weight species of DNA polymerase was found in different developmental stages of the eukaryotic microorganism Dictyostelium discoideum. The molecular weight of this DNA polymerase is estimated to be about 127 000 by sucrose gradient centrifugation. The enzyme is present in all stages of growth and development, including dormant spores. All DNA polymerase activity is lost upon incubation of the crude extract with N-ethylmaleimide. The reaction properties, molecular weight and N-ethylmaleimide sensitivity of the D. discoideum DNA polymerase are similar to those of the DNA polymerase-alpha from mammalian sources.     

Tracheal obstruction associated with a fungus ball. A case of primary tracheal candidiasis

A case of transient filling defects in the renal pelves and ureters, secondary to spontaneously occurring acquired anticoagulants, is presented. The relationship of this entity to hemophilia, immunologic disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosis, and normal post partum patients is discussed. The differential diagnosis for filling defects in the renal pelvis is reviewed.     

Calcium: A comprehensive review on quantification,interaction with milk proteins and implications for processing of dairy products

Calcium (Ca) is a key micronutrient of high relevance for human nutrition that also influences the texture and taste of dairy products and their processability. In bovine milk, Ca is presented in several speciation forms, such as complexed with other milk components or free as ionic calcium while being distributed between colloidal and serum phases of milk. Partitioning of Ca between these phases is highly dynamic and influenced by factors, such as temperature, ionic strength, pH, and milk composition. Processing steps used during the manufacture of dairy products, such as preconditioning, concentration, acidification, salting, cooling, and heating, all contribute to modify Ca speciation and partition, thereby influencing product functionality, product yield, and fouling of equipment. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the influence of Ca partition on dairy products properties to support the development of kinetics models to reduce product losses and develop added-value products with improved functionality. To achieve this objective, approaches to separate milk phases, analytical approaches to determine Ca partition and speciation, the role of Ca on protein–protein interactions, and their influence on processing of dairy products are discussed.     

Sugar and dietary fibre composition influence, by different hormonal response, the satiating capacity of a fruit-based and a β-glucan-enriched beverage

In this study the satiating capacity of three beverages containing 3 g barley β-glucan, or 2.5 g dietary fibre (DF) from fruit, or without DF (control) was evaluated. Fourteen healthy volunteers were randomized to have isocaloric breakfasts including one of the beverages in different occasions. Appetite ratings over 3 h post-breakfast and energy intakes at ad libitum lunch, blood glucose, insulin, ghrelin, PYY, GLP-1, GIP, and PP concentrations, and 24 h food intake, were assessed. The bevaerages containing DF increased fullness and satiety over 3 h post-breakfast, but only the β-glucan-enriched vs. the control significantly reduced energy intakes by 18% at lunch and 40% over the rest of the day. Blood ghrelin and PP responses were differently modulated by beverages. The fruit-based and the β-glucan-enriched beverage suppressed by 8.9% and 8.1% ghrelin response over the 3 h and the first hour post-breakfast, respectively, while only the latter increased PP response by 34.6%, compared to the control. A sucrose-sweetened beverage providing 3 g barley β-glucans can control food intake by modulating PP response and it can even reduce 24 h energy intake. Ghrelin suppression by fruit dietary fibre and mixed sugars was not sufficient to significantly reduce food intake compared to the control.     

The Role of Testosterone in the Elderly: What Do We Know?

Testosterone is the most important hormone in male health. Aging is characterized by testosterone deficiency due to decreasing testosterone levels associated with low testicular production, genetic factors, adiposity, and illness. Low testosterone levels in men are associated with sexual dysfunction (low sexual desire, erectile dysfunction), reduced skeletal muscle mass and strength, decreased bone mineral density, increased cardiovascular risk and alterations of the glycometabolic profile. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) shows several therapeutic effects while maintaining a good safety profile in hypogonadal men. TRT restores normal levels of serum testosterone in men, increasing libido and energy level and producing beneficial effects on bone density, strength and muscle as well as yielding cardioprotective effects. Nevertheless, TRT could be contraindicated in men with untreated prostate cancer, although poor findings are reported in the literature. In addition, different potential side effects, such as polycythemia, cardiac events and obstructive sleep apnea, should be monitored. The aim of our review is to provide an updated background regarding the pros and cons of TRT, evaluating its role and its clinical applicability in different domains.     

Comparison of electrocardiographic data (P waves): test of a shape-based approach

We tested a method for comparing ECG signals (P waves), in a sample of 10 normal males. In each subject, sets of 219 body surface ECGs were simultaneously recorded during tidal respiration. Only beats at end expiration and peak inspiration were considered. The beats of each group were subdivided into two subgroups of the same size (about 30 beats) and separately averaged. The two averaged beats at end expiration, assumed to be equal, were compared in order to estimate the noise variance (sigma2), i.e., the lowest value of variance at which the beats were statistically similar (P less than 0.05). At the same value of sigma2, the beat at end expiration significantly differed from that at peak inspiration. By considering the individual leads, significant differences were found in more than 50% of the 219 ECGs, in specific thoracic areas. The data indicated that the method can reveal differences between P waves occurring during tidal respiration and provide information on the topographical distribution of the differences.     

Cancer-Related Cachexia: The Vicious Circle between Inflammatory Cytokines,Skeletal Muscle,Lipid Metabolism and the Possible Role of Physical Training

Cachexia is a multifactorial and multi-organ syndrome that is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in late-stage chronic diseases. The main clinical features of cancer-related cachexia are chronic inflammation, wasting of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, insulin resistance, anorexia, and impaired myogenesis. A multimodal treatment has been suggested to approach the multifactorial genesis of cachexia. In this context, physical exercise has been found to have a general effect on maintaining homeostasis in a healthy life, involving multiple organs and their metabolism. The purpose of this review is to present the evidence for the relationship between inflammatory cytokines, skeletal muscle, and fat metabolism and the potential role of exercise training in breaking the vicious circle of this impaired tissue cross-talk. Due to the wide-ranging effects of exercise training, from the body to the behavior and cognition of the individual, it seems to be able to improve the quality of life in this syndrome. Therefore, studying the molecular effects of physical exercise could provide important information about the interactions between organs and the systemic mediators involved in the overall homeostasis of the body.