Paraoxonase,arylesterase and lactonase activities of paraoxonase-1 (PON1) in obese and severely obese women

Obesity is independently associated with disturbances in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, oxidative stress, and is a well-established independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Human paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a pleotropic high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated enzyme with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory proprieties that have been suggested to contribute to the athero-protective function of the lipoprotein. The aim of this study was to investigate whether obesity is associated with PON1 activity and whether this association is influenced by oxidative stress, inflammation and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration. The promiscuous activities, arylesterase and paraoxonase, and the putative physiological activity, lactonase, of PON1 were assessed in the serum of 214 obese and severely obese, 101 overweight and 129 normal-weight women. Levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), hydroperoxides (by-products of lipid oxidative damage) and lipid profiles were also evaluated. Arylesterase activity was the only activity that significantly differed across the groups (ANOVA, p??40?kg/m² compared to controls (p?r?=??0.160, p?相似文献   

Efecto de un programa de actividad física en el medio acuático sobre las constantes hemodinámicas en mujeres embarazadas

Objective

To evaluate the effect of a physical activity programme in the aquatic environment with immersion up to the neck, of six weeks duration, on haemodynamic constants in pregnant women.

Spontaneous catanionic vesicles formed by the interaction between an anionic β-cyclodextrins derivative and a cationic surfactant

The present work shows the synthesis of a new type of catanionic surfactant, ModCD14–BHD, which involves an anionic amphiphilic cyclodextrin and the cationic benzyl-n-hexadecyldimethylammonium (BHD). It is obtained from the simple association of the cationic surfactant benzyl-n-hexadecyldimethylammonium chloride (BHDC) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) monosubstituted with an alkenyl succinate group (Mod-β-CD14). ModCD14–BHD form unilamellar vesicles spontaneously in water, while the individual components (BHDC and Mod-β-CD14) do not. The vesicles were character-ized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ¹H NMR techniques. We suggest that the formation of an inclusion complex between some of the cyclodextrins units and the long hydrocarbon moiety of the cationic surfactant play a crucial role in the vesicles formation. Besides, some or the cavities are available to interact with an external guest. We think that the new surfactant molecule has properties that may lead to important applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences.

Catanionic vesicles containing an anionic β-cyclodextrins derivative and a cationic surfactant.     

Field assessment of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and host survival in the native rodent Octodon degus

Chagas disease is a zoonosis caused by the flagellated parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by triatomine insects to several mammalian species acting as reservoir hosts. In the present study, we assess T. cruzi-prevalence, survivorship and T. cruzi-infection rate of the endemic rodent Octodon degus from a hyper-endemic area of Chagas disease in Chile. Parasite detection is performed by PCR assays on blood samples of individuals captured in austral summer of 2010, and on non-infected individuals recaptured in 2011 as well as on new captures. Results show a high infection level in this species (up to 70%). Infected O. degus have the same chance of surviving to the next reproductive season as uninfected individuals, irrespective of sex. We suggest that O. degus, an abundant long-lived rodent with high dispersal capability, could be considered an important native reservoir of T. cruzi in the wild transmission cycle of Chagas disease in Chile.     

Effect of the combination of cisplatinum and radiation in the rabbit's brain

Abstract

The effect of cisplatinum as a potential radiosensitizer in brain tumors is controversial. We examined the effect of the combination of cisplatinum with radiation compared to radiation alone in rabbits' brain. All rabbits were irradiated and cisplatinum was injected intravenously into part of them. Therapeutic doses of cisplatinum and irradiation were given. The rabbits were euthanised at different intervals according to protocol. The general clinical and neurological condition of the rabbits was unaffected\ and histopathological examination of the rabbit's brain was normal. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of cisplatinum followed by cranial irradiation in therapeutic doses to the normal rabbit's brain. [Neurol Res 1996; 18: 454-456]     

Ein einfacher Klavikulascore

Background

To compile an evaluation system (score) for post-treatment outcomes of midclavicular fractures, 172 patients were studied on average 15 months post-injury. As a control group 45?healthy volunteers were examined. The most relevant elements were filtered out for use in a new classification system, the Clavicle Score (CS).

Methods

The CS is based on a system of three partnered objective/subjective items as well as radiographic assessment of fracture healing. For the partnered items, subjective responses with the most significant correlation to the specific objective parameters were selected. Total score cutoff values (very good, good, moderate, poor) were established to keep interpretation simple. To validate the system, linear regression analysis was performed comparing the CS to two established assessment systems (Constant Score and the DASH Score).

Ergebnisse

The correlation coefficients R=0.756 (Constant) and R=0.687 indicated that the conclusions were comparable and therefore valid. The reliability coefficient Cronbach??s alpha was calculated at 0.8241, indicating high reliability.

Conclusion

The CS is a simple, valid and reliable instrument to assess outcomes post-midclavicular fracture.     

Deficits in sialylation impair podocyte maturation

The role of sialylation in kidney biology is not fully understood. The synthesis of sialoglycoconjugates, which form the outermost structures of animal cells, requires CMP-sialic acid, which is a product of the nuclear enzyme CMAS. We used a knock-in strategy to create a mouse with point mutations in the canonical nuclear localization signal of CMAS, which relocated the enzyme to the cytoplasm of transfected cells without affecting its activity. Although insufficient to prevent nuclear entry in mice, the mutation led to a drastically reduced concentration of nuclear-expressed enzyme. Mice homozygous for the mutation died from kidney failure within 72 hours after birth. The Cmas(nls) mouse exhibited podocyte foot process effacement, absence of slit diaphragms, and massive proteinuria, recapitulating features of nephrin-knockout mice and of patients with Finnish-type congenital nephrotic syndrome. Although the Cmas(nls) mouse displayed normal sialylation in all organs including kidney, a critical shortage of CMP-sialic acid prevented sialylation of nephrin and podocalyxin in the maturing podocyte where it is required during the formation of foot processes. Accordingly, the sialylation defects progressed with time and paralleled the morphologic changes. In summary, sialylation is critical during the development of the glomerular filtration barrier and required for the proper function of nephrin. Whether altered sialylation impairs nephrin function in human disease requires further study.