Influence of ozonation processes on the microbial degradation of surfactants

The influence of ozonation of aqueous solutions of non-ionic surfactants was investigated in this study. The research was conducted using solutions of amine oxide based surfactants. These surfactants constitute a particular class of non-ionic surfactants that exhibit cationic behaviour in acid solution, they show good foaming properties and are skin compatible. The ozonation process was carried out at 25ºC in a stirred tank reactor for 30 min, where gaseous ozone was bubbled. The degree of mineralization achieved after the ozonation process was evaluated by measuring the total organic carbon before and after ozonation. The influence of ozonation on biodegradability of the solutions was studied using the biodegradation test by Pseudomonas putida. Biodegradation efficiency of the ozonated amine oxides based surfactants was also evaluated. It was found that the effectiveness of ozonation depended on the chemical structure of surfactant molecule. Ozonation only slightly improved biodegradation of these surfactants

Spiritual Practices and Dispositional Optimism in an Underprivileged Population

Optimism seems to foster the ability to manage adverse situations better - a finding especially relevant for disadvantaged populations. Employing a unique sample from a small underprivileged village, we study the association between spiritual practices and dispositional optimism. The village belongs to a developing country that is, by far, the most secular country in Latin America: this makes particularly interesting exploring the role of spiritual practices in this context. We find that spiritual practices are positively associated with higher optimism, measured by the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R): those who practice spirituality, score, on average, 14.4 percentage points higher on the LOT-R than those who do not. And this association seems to be especially robust in the case of the poor and less educated: those with spiritual practices score 20 percentage points higher on the LOT-R. Thus, the role that spiritual practices may play in dispositional optimism in disadvantaged populations deserves more attentio

Spiritual Practices and Dispositional Optimism in an Underprivileged Population

Optimism seems to foster the ability to manage adverse situations better - a finding especially relevant for disadvantaged populations. Employing a unique sample from a small underprivileged village, we study the association between spiritual practices and dispositional optimism. The village belongs to a developing country that is, by far, the most secular country in Latin America: this makes particularly interesting exploring the role of spiritual practices in this context. We find that spiritual practices are positively associated with higher optimism, measured by the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R): those who practice spirituality, score, on average, 14.4 percentage points higher on the LOT-R than those who do not. And this association seems to be especially robust in the case of the poor and less educated: those with spiritual practices score 20 percentage points higher on the LOT-R. Thus, the role that spiritual practices may play in dispositional optimism in disadvantaged populations deserves more attentio

Oleate prevents palmitate-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in chondrocytes

[Abstract] The association between obesity and osteoarthritis (OA) in joints not subjected to mechanical overload, together with the relationship between OA and metabolic syndrome, suggests that there are systemic factors related to metabolic disorders that are involved in the metabolic phenotype of OA. The aim of this work is study the effects of palmitate and oleate on cellular metabolism in an “in vitro” model of human chondrocytes. The TC28a2 chondrocyte cell line was used to analyze the effect of palmitate and oleate on mitochondrial and glycolytic function, Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and lipid droplets accumulation. Palmitate, but not oleate, produces mitochondrial dysfunction observed with a lower coupling efficiency, maximal respiration and spare respiratory capacity. Glycolytic function showed lower rates both glycolytic capacity and glycolytic reserve when cells were incubated with fatty acids (FAs). The production rate of total and mitochondrial ATP showed lower values in chondrocytes incubated with palmitic acid (PA). The formation of lipid droplets increased in FA conditions, being significantly higher when the cells were incubated with oleic acid (OL). These results may help explain, at least in part, the close relationship of metabolic pathologies with OA, as well as help to elucidate some of the factors that can define a metabolic phenotype in OA.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI14/01254Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI16/02124Instituto de Salud Carlos III; RETIC-RIER-RD16/0012/0002Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PRB3-ISCIII-PT17/0019/0014Xunta de Galicia; IN607A2017/1

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups J and H are differentially associated with the methylation status of articular cartilage: potential role in apoptosis and metabolic and developmental processes

[Abstract] Objective. To analyze the influence of mitochondrial genome variation on the DNA methylome of articular cartilage. Methods. DNA methylation profiling was performed using data deposited in the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus database (accession no. GSE 43269). Data were obtained for 14 cartilage samples from subjects with haplogroup J and 20 cartilage samples from subjects with haplogroup H. Subsequent validation was performed in an independent subset of 7 subjects with haplogroup J and 9 with haplogroup H by RNA ‐seq. Correlated genes were validated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction in an independent cohort of 12 subjects with haplogroup J and 12 with haplogroup H. Appropriate analyses were performed using R Bioconductor and qB asePlus software, and gene ontology analysis was conducted using DAVID version 6.8. Results. DNA methylation profiling revealed 538 differentially methylated loci, while whole‐transcriptome profiling identified 2,384 differentially expressed genes, between cartilage samples from subjects with haplogroup H and those with haplogroup J. Seventeen genes showed an inverse correlation between methylation and expression. In terms of gene ontology, differences in correlations between methylation and expression were also detected between cartilage from subjects with haplogroup H and those with haplogroup J, highlighting a significantly enhanced apoptotic process in cartilage from subjects with haplogroup H (P = 0.007 for methylation and P = 0.019 for expression) and repressed apoptotic process in cartilage from subjects with haplogroup J (P = 0.021 for methylation), as well as a significant enrichment of genes related to metabolic processes (P = 1.93 × 10−4 for methylation and P = 6.79 x 10−4 for expression) and regulation of gene expression (P = 0.012 for methylation) in cartilage from subjects with haplogroup H, and to developmental processes (P = 0.015 for methylation and P = 8.25 x 10−12 for expression) in cartilage from subjects with haplogroup J. Conclusion. Mitochondrial DNA variation differentially associates with the methylation status of articular cartilage by acting on key mechanisms involved in osteoarthritis, such as apoptosis and metabolic and developmental processes.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; CIBERCB06/01/0040‐SpainInstituto de Salud Carlos III; CPII17/00026Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI14/01254Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI16/02124Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI17/0021

Potential Effects of MSC-Derived Exosomes in Neuroplasticity in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia affecting regions of the central nervous system that exhibit synaptic plasticity and are involved in higher brain functions such as learning and memory. AD is characterized by progressive cognitive dysfunction, memory loss and behavioral disturbances of synaptic plasticity and energy metabolism. Cell therapy has emerged as an alternative treatment of AD. The use of adult stem cells, such as neural stem cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) from bone marrow and adipose tissue, have the potential to decrease cognitive deficits, possibly by reducing neuronal loss through blocking apoptosis, increasing neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and angiogenesis. These processes are mediated primarily by the secretion of many growth factors, anti-inflammatory proteins, membrane receptors, microRNAs (miRNA) and exosomes. Exosomes encapsulate and transfer several functional molecules like proteins, lipids and regulatory RNA which can modify cell metabolism. In the proteomic characterization of the content of MSC-derived exosomes, more than 730 proteins have been identified, some of which are specific cell type markers and others are involved in the regulation of binding and fusion of exosomes with adjacent cells. Furthermore, some factors were found that promote the recruitment, proliferation and differentiation of other cells like neural stem cells. Moreover, within exosomal cargo, a wide range of miRNAs were found, which can control functions related to neural remodeling as well as angiogenic and neurogenic processes. Taking this into consideration, the use of exosomes could be part of a strategy to promote neuroplasticity, improve cognitive impairment and neural replacement in AD. In this review, we describe how exosomes are involved in AD pathology and discuss the therapeutic potential of MSC-derived exosomes mediated by miRNA and protein cargo

Lack of association between TLR4 rs4986790 polymorphism and risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

This is copy of an article published in the DNA and cell biology 2012 © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.; DNA and cell bilogy is available online at: http://online.liebertpub.comRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) activates the innate immune response via NF-kB pathway and mitogenactivated protein kinase signaling, leading to expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The G allele of TLR4 rs4986790 (+ 896A > G, Asp299Gly) gene polymorphism has been implicated in reduction of risk of atherosclerosis. In this study, 1481 RA patients fulfilling the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were genotyped for the rs4986790 TLR4 variant to determine the influence of this variant in the risk of CV events in these patients. Also, HLA-DRB1 status was determined using molecular based methods. Moreover, potential influence of rs4986790 variant in the development of subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed in a subgroup of RA patients with no history of CV events by the measurement of surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. No statistically significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies for the rs4986790 variant between RA patients who experienced CV events or not were found. Likewise, no significant association between this gene variant and any of the surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis was found. In summary, results in our study do not support the hypothesis that the rs4986790 (+ 896A > G, Asp299Gly) TLR4 variant may influence predisposition for subclinical atherosclerosis and clinically evident CV disease in RA patientsThis study was supported by two grants from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias PI06-0024 and PS09/00748 (Spain). This work was partially supported by RETICS Program, RD08/0075 (RIER) from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), within the VI PN de I +D+ i 2008–2011 (FEDER). M.G.B. is supported by a grant from Fundación Española de Reumatología (FER). R.L.M. is supported by a grant by IFIMAV, Santander (Spain)

Novel coumarins active against Trypanosoma cruzi and toxicity assessment using the animal model Caenorhabditis elegans

From 2nd Latin American Congress of Clinical and Laboratorial Toxicology Porto Alegre, Brazil. 3-6 June 2018Background: Chagas disease (CD) is a tropical parasitic disease. Although the number of people infected is very high, the only drugs available to treat CD, nifurtimox (Nfx) and benznidazole, are highly toxic, particularly in the chronic stage of the disease. Coumarins are a large class of compounds that display a wide range of interesting biological properties, such as antiparasitic. Hence, the aim of this work is to find a good antitrypanosomal drug with less toxicity. The use of simple organism models has become increasingly attractive for planning and simplifying efficient drug discovery. Within these models, Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as a convenient and versatile tool with significant advantages for the toxicological potential identification for new compounds. Methods: Trypanocidal activity: Forty-two 4-methylamino-coumarins were assayed against the epimastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi (Tulahuen 2 strain) by inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50). Toxicity assays: Lethal dose 50% (LD50) and Body Area were determined by Caenorhabditis elegans N2 strain (wild type) after acute exposure. Structure-activity relationship: A classificatory model was built using 3D descriptors. Results: Two of these coumarins demonstrated near equipotency to Nifurtimox (IC50 = 5.0 ± 1 μM), with values of: 11 h (LaSOM 266), (IC50 = 6.4 ± 1 μM) and 11 g (LaSOM 231), (IC50 = 8.2 ± 2.3 μM). In C. elegans it was possible to observe that Nfx showed greater toxicity in both the LD50 assay and the evaluation of the development of worms. It is possible to observe that the efficacy between Nfx and the synthesized compounds (11 h and 11 g) are similar. On the other hand, the toxicity of Nfx is approximately three times higher than that of the compounds. Results from the QSAR-3D study indicate that the volume and hydrophobicity of the substituents have a significant impact on the trypanocidal activities for derivatives that cause more than 50% of inhibition. These results show that the C. elegans model is efficient for screening potentially toxic compounds. Conclusion: Two coumarins (11 h and 11 g) showed activity against T. cruzi epimastigote similar to Nifurtimox, however with lower toxicity in both LD50 and development of C. elegans assays. These two compounds may be a feasible starting point for the development of new trypanocidal drugs

CARD8 rs2043211 (p.C10X) polymorphism is not associated with disease susceptibility or cardiovascular events in spanish rheumatoid arthritis patients

This is a copy of an article published in the DNA Cell Biology (01-01-2013) copyright Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DNA Cell Biology is avalaible online at: http://online.liebertpub.comRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex polygenic inflammatory disease associated with accelerated atherosclerosis, which is the main cause of increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in RA patients. CARD8 is a constituent of inflammasome, which regulates interleukin 1-beta production, and has been associated with a worse disease course in early RA. One thousand six hundred twenty-one patients fulfilling the 1987 ACR classification criteria for RA and 1300 matched controls, were genotyped for the CARD8 rs2043211 (30T > A, p.C10X) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) using predesigned TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. The genotyping success rate in our study was greater than 94%. We assessed CARD8 rs2043211 gene polymorphism results in 1530 Spanish RA patients in whom information on CV disease and CV risk factors was available at the time of the study. Also, a subgroup of patients with no history of CV events (n = 276) was assessed for the potential influence of the rs2043211 variant in the development of subclinical atherosclerosis, by measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and presence of carotid plaques. No statistically significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies for the rs2043211 CARD8 gene variant between patients with RA and controls were seen. Similarly, CARD8 rs2043211 (30T > A, p.C10X) SNP did not influence the development of CV events or the risk of CV events throughout the time. Likewise, no significant association between this gene variant and carotid IMT or the presence of plaques was found. In summary, our results do not support a role of the CARD8 rs2043211 gene variant in susceptibility to RA or in the development of CV disease in patients with RAThis work was supported by grants from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias PI06-0024 and PS09/00748 (Spain), and by RETICS Program, RD08/0075 (RIER) from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), within the VI PN de I +D+ i 2008–2011 (FEDER). M.G.B. is a beneficiary of a grant from Fundación Española de Reumatología (FER)

Implementación de técnicas específicas de minería de datos en aplicaciones web con motores de base de datos relacionales

El presente proyecto pretende implementar técnicas de Datamining o también denominado Minería de Datos en aplicaciones web de sistemas informáticos y procesan la información con motores de Base de Datos Relacionales, es decir efectuar “Análisis Inteligente de Datos”. En el desarrollo de tecnologías web genera la necesidad de contar con herramientas, carencia que se ha analizado y detectado en investigaciones anteriores, por lo que se pretende implementarlo en lenguajes específicos de programación web. Implica obtener ventajas y beneficios de la Minería de Datos ya sea aplicando técnicas específicas de descripción o de aprendizaje automático. Se puede mencionar Redes Neuronales, reglas de asociación, clustering o similares, en cualquier problema genérico de un Sistema Informático desarrollado en un lenguaje de programación web. El objetivo es realizar en los datos un “Análisis Inteligente de Datos”. Para lograr este objetivo es necesario clasificar y estudiar en profundidad las técnicas que representan a la Minería de Datos, aplicándolas en lenguajes de programación web e implementarlos con motores de Base de Datos. Es obligatorio y necesario conocer en detalle los lenguajes involucrados, estudiar la implementación correcta de las técnicas de Minería de Datos y la conectividad con el motor de Base de Datos.Eje: Bases de Datos y Minería de Datos.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informátic