332 research outputs found
A Structural approach to schistosomiasis: crystal structure of two antigenic proteins with important physiological roles
Nerve growth factor, mast cells and arthritis
Nerve growth factor is a well-characterized neurotrophic protein required for the survival and differentiation of a variety of neuronal cell types both in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Recent studies indicate that nerve growth factor also plays a role in cells originating in the immune system, since it is synthesized by cells of immune system lineage and its level increases during inflammatory responses. Moreover, it has been shown that cytokines such as interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor-α are potent inducers of nerve growth factor secretion. These studies were recently confirmed and extended by demonstrating that cells normally present in inflammatory tissues, such as mast cells and lymphocytes, express nerve growth factor receptors and are receptive to the action of nerve growth factor. The aim of the present review is to outline the current understanding of mast cells and nerve growth factor in autoimmune diseases and particularly in arthritis.Biomedical Reviews 1995; 4: 7-14
Cerebellar BDNF promotes exploration and seeking for novelty
Approach system considered a motivational system that activates reward-seeking behavior is associated with exploration/impulsivity, whereas avoidance system considered an attentional system that promotes inhibition of appetitive responses is associated with active overt withdrawal. Approach and avoidance dispositions are modulated by distinct neurochemical profiles and synaptic patterns. However, the precise working of neurons and trafficking of molecules in the brain activity predisposing to approach and avoidance are yet unclear
Prenatal Exposure to Ethanol Causes Differential Effects in Nerve Growth Factor and its Receptor in the Basal Forebrain of Preweaning and Adult Rats
In this study we investigated nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in the cortex and hippocampus of the offspring of pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats receiving a single intragastric administration of acute ethanol on the 15th day of gestation and compared them
with a control group of rats that received an injection of sucrose. We also examined the distribution of the low-affinity NGF receptor,
p75NGFR, on NGF-responsive neurons that are localized in the septum and the nucleus of Meynert, which receive the respective trophic
support from the hippocampus and the cortex. In the ethanol-treated group, the results show that at post-natal age 15 days, the NGF septohippocampal pathways were markedly affected. At day 15, the NGF level was significantly higher in the offspring of ethanol-treated rats.
By day 40, NGF values in both groups decreased to similar levels. At day 60, however, the NGF level in the ethanol-treated animals decreased to
a significantly lower value than that of the control group, which remained essentially unchanged. In parallel, at day 60 the numbers of
septal cholinergic neurons expressing p75NGFR were also significantly lower in ethanol-treated rats than in control animals. Because ethanol is known to induce neurological disorders, as well as deficits in cell proliferation and differentiation, the results suggest that one cause of the deleterious effects induced by ethanol is the low availability of NGF during certain stages of postnatal brain development
A lithium-ion battery based on a graphene nanoflakes ink anode and a lithium iron phosphate cathode
Li-ion rechargeable batteries have enabled the wireless revolution
transforming global communication. Future challenges, however, demands
distributed energy supply at a level that is not feasible with the current
energy-storage technology. New materials, capable of providing higher energy
density are needed. Here we report a new class of lithium-ion batteries based
on a graphene ink anode and a lithium iron phosphate cathode. By carefully
balancing the cell composition and suppressing the initial irreversible
capacity of the anode, we demonstrate an optimal battery performance in terms
of specific capacity, i.e. 165 mAhg-1, estimated energy density of about 190
Whkg-1 and life, with a stable operation for over 80 charge-discharge cycles.
We link these unique properties to the graphene nanoflake anode displaying
crystalline order and high uptake of lithium at the edges, as well as to its
structural and morphological optimization in relation to the overall battery
composition. Our approach, compatible with any printing technologies, is cheap
and scalable and opens up new opportunities for the development of
high-capacity Li-ion batteries.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figure
Insights into the Catalytic Mechanism of Glutathione S-Transferase: The Lesson from Schistosoma haematobium
SummaryGlutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are involved in detoxification of xenobiotic compounds and in the biosynthesis of important metabolites. All GSTs activate glutathione (GSH) to GS−; in many GSTs, this is accomplished by a Tyr at H-bonding distance from the sulfur of GSH. The high-resolution structure of GST from Schistosoma haematobium revealed that the catalytic Tyr occupies two alternative positions, one external, involving a π-cation interaction with the conserved Arg21, and the other inside the GSH binding site. The interaction with Arg21 lowers the pKa of the catalytic Tyr10, as required for catalysis. Examination of several other GST structures revealed the presence of an external pocket that may accommodate the catalytic Tyr, and suggested that the change in conformation and acidic properties of the catalytic Tyr may be shared by other GSTs. Arginine and two other residues of the external pocket constitute a conserved structural motif, clearly identified by sequence comparison
Numerical Prediction of Internal Flows in He/LOx Seals for Liquid Rocket Engine Cryogenic Turbopumps
Microbial community and antimicrobial resistance in fecal samples from wild and domestic ruminants in Maiella National Park, Italy
This study aimed to provide new insights about antimicrobial resistance genes abundance and microbial communities of wild and domestic ruminants in wildlife-livestock interface. In total, 88 fecal samples were recovered from Apennine chamois, red deer, goat, cattle and sheep, and were collected in pools. The populations under study were selected based on ecological data useful to define sympatric and non-sympatric populations. Samples were screened for commonly used in farms under study or critically important antimicrobial resistance genes (aadA2, TetA, TetB, TetK, TetM, mcr-1). The microbial community composition was found to be different based on the species and land use of animals under study. Indeed, it was mostly characterized by phyla Firmicutes in bovine, Bacteroidota in chamois and Proteobacteria in red deer. Additionally, positive correlations between antibiotic resistance genes and microbial taxa (e.g., Tet genes correlated with Firmicutes and Patescibacteria) were described. Of the antimicrobials investigated, the abundance of mcr-1 gene suggests the importance of monitoring the wildlife in order to detect the emerging resistance genes contamination in environment. This study provides new data that highlight the importance of multidisciplinary and uncultured study in order to describe the spreading of antimicrobial resistance and related contamination in the environment
Occurrence of Tetracycline Resistance Gene TetA(P) in Apennine wolves (Canis lupus italicus) from different human-wildlife interfaces
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Prevalence of Anisakis spp. and Hysterothylacium spp. larvae in teleosts and cephalopods sampled from waters off Sardinia.
A study was carried out on the presence of Anisakis and Hysterothylacium larvae in fish and cephalopods caught in Sardinian waters. A total of 369 specimens of 24 different species of teleosts and 5 species of cephalopods were collected from different fishing areas of Sardinia. Larvae were detected and isolated by both visual inspection and enzymatic digestion. These methods allowed Anisakis type I and type II third-stage larvae and Hysterothylacium third-and fourth-stage larvae to be detected. The prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance were calculated. The results obtained showed the highest prevalence of Anisakidae in Zeus faber (100%) and of Anisakis in Micromesistius poutassou (87.5%). The highest prevalence of Anisakis type I larvae was in M. poutassou (81.2%), and that of Anisakis type II larvae was in Todarodes sagittatus (20%). The highest values for prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance for Hysterothylacium were found in Z. faber. These prevalences and the mean intensity and abundance were higher than those reported by different authors in other Mediterranean areas. This may be because the enzymatic digestive method used in this research resulted in higher recovery levels. The data suggest that Sardinia may be a high-risk area for zoonotic diseases and that measures such as information campaigns, aimed at both sanitary service personnel and consumers, should be employed to limit the spread of such zoonosis. Copyright © International Association for Food Protection
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