Reduction of Dopamine Level Enhances the Attractiveness of Male Drosophila to Other Males

Dopamine is an important neuromodulator in animals and its roles in mammalian sexual behavior are extensively studied. Drosophila as a useful model system is widely used in many fields of biological studies. It has been reported that dopamine reduction can affect female receptivity in Drosophila and leave male-female courtship behavior unaffected. Here, we used genetic and pharmacological approaches to decrease the dopamine level in dopaminergic cells in Drosophila, and investigated the consequence of this manipulation on male homosexual courtship behavior. We find that reduction of dopamine level can induce Drosophila male-male courtship behavior, and that this behavior is mainly due to the increased male attractiveness or decreased aversiveness towards other males, but not to their enhanced propensity to court other males. Chemical signal input probably plays a crucial role in the male-male courtship induced by the courtees with reduction of dopamine. Our finding provides insight into the relationship between the dopamine reduction and male-male courtship behavior, and hints dopamine level is important for controlling Drosophila courtship behavior

Widespread GLI expression but limited canonical hedgehog signaling restricted to the ductular reaction in human chronic liver disease

Canonical Hedgehog (Hh) signaling in vertebrate cells occurs following Smoothened activation/translocation into the primary cilia (Pc), followed by a GLI transcriptional response. Nonetheless, GLI activation can occur independently of the canonical Hh pathway. Using a murine model of liver injury, we previously identified the importance of canonical Hh signaling within the Pc+ liver progenitor cell (LPC) population and noted that SMO-independent, GLI-mediated signals were important in multiple Pc-ve GLI2+ intrahepatic populations. This study extends these observations to human liver tissue, and analyses the effect of GLI inhibition on LPC viability/gene expression. Human donor and cirrhotic liver tissue specimens were evaluated for SHH, GLI2 and Pc expression using immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR. Changes to viability and gene expression in LPCs in vitro were assessed following GLI inhibition. Identification of Pc (as a marker of canonical Hh signaling) in human cirrhosis was predominantly confined to the ductular reaction and LPCs. In contrast, GLI2 was expressed in multiple cell populations including Pc-ve endothelium, hepatocytes, and leukocytes. HSCs/myofibroblasts (gt;99%) expressed GLI2, with only 1.92% displaying Pc. In vitro GLI signals maintained proliferation/viability within LPCs and GLI inhibition affected the expression of genes related to stemness, hepatocyte/biliary differentiation and Hh/Wnt signaling. At least two mechanisms of GLI signaling (Pc/SMOdependent and Pc/SMO-independent) mediate chronic liver disease pathogenesis. This may have significant ramifications for the choice of Hh inhibitor (anti-SMO or anti-GLI) suitable for clinical trials. We also postulate GLI delivers a pro-survival signal to LPCs whilst maintaining stemness

Asymmetric total synthesis of Tofacitinib

Marican, A (Marican, Adolfo); Santos, LS (Santos, Leonardo S). Univ Talca, Lab Asymmetr Synth, Chem Inst Nat Resources, Talca, ChileAbstract: A novel stereoselective synthesis of Tofacitinib (CP-690,550), a Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK3) specific inhibitor, has been achieved starting from (5S)-5-hydroxypiperidin-2-one in 10 steps from 2 with a 9.5% overall yield. The potentiality of this synthetic route is the obtention of tert-butyl-(3S,4R)-3-hydroxy-4-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate (6b) as a new chiral precursor involved in the synthesis of CP690,550, in a three-step reaction, without epimerizations, rather than the 5 or more steps used in described reactions to achieve this compound from analogues of 6b. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The binding of 4-ethylguaiacol with polyaniline-based materials in wines

Marican, A (Marican, Adolfo) Univ Talca, Chem Inst Nat Resources, Lab Asymmetr Synth, Santiago, Chile Mostrar los nombres mejorados para organizaciones. Carrasco-Sanchez, V (Carrasco-Sanchez, Veronica) Univ Talca, Nanobiotechnol Div, Fraunhofer Chile Res Fdn Ctr Syst Biotechnol FCR, Talca, Chile Mostrar los nombres mejorados para organizaciones. Laurie, VF (Laurie, V. Felipe) Univ Talca, Sch Agr Sci, Santiago, Chile4-ethylguaiacol (4-EG) is one of the important compounds responsible for the "Brett character" (i.e. spicy and smoky aromas) found in wines contaminated with Brettanomyces yeast. In this trial, the ability of polyaniline-based materials (PANI-EB and PANI-ES) was tested as a potential fining agent for the removal of 4-EG in wine. First, a screening study was developed in order to determine the binding capacity of 4-EG by PANI materials in 12% ethanol solution. Then, the capturing ability of PANI against 4-EG was evaluated with a solution containing gallic acid (GA), 4-methyl-catechol (4-MC), in which the concentration of the phenolic compounds were maintained as in the real wine. The results obtained showed that the retention percentage varied between 0 to 100% (4-EG), 13.81% to 72.32% (GA), and 0 to 17.39% (4-MC), depending on the interaction time and amount of the PANI used. Finally, the capturing capacity of PANI-EB and PANI-ES against 4-EG was evaluated in a real wine sample containing originally 3.10 +/- 0.13 mg L-1 of 4-EG and 2.55 +/- 0.10 g L-1 of other total phenolic compounds. The analyses performed indicated that PANI-EB is more effective in removing 4-EG than PANI-ES, with retention percentages varying between 36 and 50%. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Removal of 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol with polyaniline-based compounds in wine-like model solutions and red wine

Volatile phenols, such as 4-ethyphenol (4-EP) and 4-ethylguaiacol (4-EG), are responsible for the Brett character found in wines contaminated with Brettanomyces yeast (i.e., barnyard, animal, spicy and smoky aromas). In these trials, we explore the effectiveness of polyaniline-based compounds (polyaniline emeraldin salt (PANI-ES) and polyanaline emeraldin base (PANI-EB)), for the removal of 4-EP and 4-EG from acidic model solutions and red wine. First, a screening study, performed in an acidified 12% ethanol solution, was used to optimize parameters such as contact time and the amount of polymers required to remove 4-EP and 4-EG. Then, the trapping ability of PANI agents towards 4-EP and 4-EG was evaluated in a model solution containing other wine phenolics that could potentially be trapped by PANI (i.e., gallic acid and 4-methylcatechol). The results of this trial showed that both PANI compounds were capable of removing 4-EP, 4-EG, regardless of the presence of other phenolic compounds present at a much higher concentration. Finally, the capturing ability of PANI was evaluated in a red wine sample containing 5 mgL(-1) of 4-EP, 5 mgL(-1) of 4-EG and 2.03 +/- 0.02 gL(-1) of total phenolics. The results showed that PANI-EB removed significantly more 4-EP and 4-EG than PANI-ES. For instance, a treatment with 10 mgmL(-1) of PANI-EB produced a 67.8% reduction of 4-EP, 50% reduction of 4-EG and 41.38% decrease in total phenols

Investigation of Lysine-Functionalized Dendrimers as Dichlorvos Detoxification Agents

Lysine-containing polymers have seen broad application due to their amines inherent ability to bind to a range of biologically relevant molecules. The synthesis of multiple generations of polyester dendrimers bearing lysine groups on their periphery is described in this report. Their hydrolytic stabilities with respect to pH and time, their toxicity to a range of cell lines, and their possible application as nano-detoxification agents of organophosphate compounds are all investigated. These zeroth-, first-, and second-generation water-soluble dendrimers have been designed to bear exactly 4, 8, and 16 lysine groups, respectively, on their dendritic periphery. Such monodisperse bioactive polymers show potential for a range of applications including drug delivery, gene delivery, heavy metal binding, and the sequestration of organic toxins. These monodisperse bioactive dendrimers were synthesized using an aliphatic ester dendritic core (prepared from pentaerythritol) and pr otected amino acid moieties. This library of lysine-conjugated dendrimers showed the ability to efficiently capture the pesticide dichlorvos, confirming the potential of dendrimer-based antidotes to maintain acetylcholinesterase activity in response to poisoning events

The relationship between work‐life balance, the need for achievement, and intention to leave: Mixed‐method study

Aims To examine the mediating role of employee well-being on the relationship between work-life balance practices, the need for achievement and intention to leave among nurses in Malaysia. Background Work-life balance practices are associated with employee perceptions of the need for achievement and well-being which subsequently influence their intention to leave the organization. This study contributes new knowledge to nursing studies on work-life balance in an Asian and Islamic society where the expectations for women are to focus on family rather than career. Design A cross-sectional, explanatory mixed methodology. Methods This is a two-phase study conducted between 2015–2017 with 401 nurses in East Malaysia. In Phase 1, researchers surveyed 379 nurses to test eight hypotheses and in Phase 2 researchers interviewed 22 nurses to explore the results of Phase 1. Results Phase 1 revealed job satisfaction mediates the relationship between work-life balance practices (e.g. flexibility and choice in working hours, supportive supervision), financial success, and intention to leave. However, life satisfaction and money as a motivator did not mediate such relationships. Phase 2 identified four important factors that cast light on survey results: working conditions of Malaysian nurses; inadequate compensation in the public healthcare sector; team-based practices; and pressure on senior nurses in both administrative and clinical roles. Conclusion This is one of the first studies to investigate work-life balance issues among nurses in Malaysia. Outcomes of this study extend the debates on work-life balance and employee well-being in an Asian Islamic social context. Impact The use of flexible working arrangements and collectivist teamwork approaches, improving compensation and employment benefits and eliminating the ‘time-based job promotion’ policy may help to mitigate work-life balance issues and intention to leave among nurses in Malaysia

Preparation of Hydrogel/Silver Nanohybrids Mediated by Tunable-Size Silver Nanoparticles for Potential Antibacterial Applications

In this study, a versatile synthesis of silver nanoparticles of well-defined size by using hydrogels as a template and stabilizer of nanoparticle size is reported. The prepared hydrogels are based on polyvinyl alcohol and maleic acid as crosslinker agents. Three hydrogels with the same nature were synthesized, however, the crosslinking degree was varied. The silver nanoparticles were synthesized into each prepared hydrogel matrix achieving three significant, different-sized nanoparticles that were spherical in shape with a narrow size distribution. It is likely that the polymer network stabilized the nanoparticles. It was determined that the hydrogel network structure can control the size and shape of the nanoparticles. The hydrogel/silver nanohybrids were characterized by swelling degree, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated, confirming antimicrobial action of the encapsulated silver nanoparticles into the hydrogels