Distinct mechanisms of Drosophila CRYPTOCHROME-mediated light-evoked membrane depolarization and in vivo clock resetting.

Drosophila CRYPTOCHROME (dCRY) mediates electrophysiological depolarization and circadian clock resetting in response to blue or ultraviolet (UV) light. These light-evoked biological responses operate at different timescales and possibly through different mechanisms. Whether electron transfer down a conserved chain of tryptophan residues underlies biological responses following dCRY light activation has been controversial. To examine these issues in in vivo and in ex vivo whole-brain preparations, we generated transgenic flies expressing tryptophan mutant dCRYs in the conserved electron transfer chain and then measured neuronal electrophysiological phototransduction and behavioral responses to light. Electrophysiological-evoked potential analysis shows that dCRY mediates UV and blue-light-evoked depolarizations that are long lasting, persisting for nearly a minute. Surprisingly, dCRY appears to mediate red-light-evoked depolarization in wild-type flies, absent in both cry-null flies, and following acute treatment with the flavin-specific inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium in wild-type flies. This suggests a previously unsuspected functional signaling role for a neutral semiquinone flavin state (FADH•) for dCRY. The W420 tryptophan residue located closest to the FAD-dCRY interaction site is critical for blue- and UV-light-evoked electrophysiological responses, while other tryptophan residues within electron transfer distance to W420 do not appear to be required for light-evoked electrophysiological responses. Mutation of the dCRY tryptophan residue W342, more distant from the FAD interaction site, mimics the cry-null behavioral light response to constant light exposure. These data indicate that light-evoked dCRY electrical depolarization and clock resetting are mediated by distinct mechanisms

Aumento de la fertilidad mediante técnicas de procesamiento avanzado de semen: caso clínico

Current equine reproductive clinic aims to improve subfertile stallions semen quality, (which is furthermore affected by the processing protocol) and maintain this quality during storage. The aim of this paper is to present a case referred to the Hospital Clínico Veterinario Complutense, of a stallion with low sperm quality, and 0% fertility rate in the first batch of mares served. Due to these results it was decided to perform a special semen processing protocol, developed by our laboratory, in order to increase its quality throughout a colloidal centrifugation technique with EquiPure® This system is able to increase semen quality and maintain itduring cooling preservation, obtaining results of around 57,1% of total fertility, which validates this technique as an effective method for subfertile stallions semen processing.La clínica reproductiva equina actual persigue mejorar la calidad seminal de sementales subfértiles, (la cual, además, se ve afectada por el procesamiento del semen) y que ésta se conserve durante el almacenamiento. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un caso clínico remitido al Hospital Clínico Veterinario Complutense, sobre un semental que presenta una baja calidad seminal, siendo la fertilidad del primer lote de yeguas del 0%. Ante estos resultados se decide realizar un procesado del semen, desarrollado por nuestro laboratorio, enfocado a aumentar su calidad mediante un protocolo de centrifugación coloidal con EquiPure® (Nidacon International AB). La aplicación de este protocolo consigue aumentar la calidad seminal y mantenerla durante la conservación en refrigeración, obteniéndose unos resultados de fertilidad total del 57,1%, lo que lo valida como método efectivo para el procesado del semen en casos de sementales subfértiles

Adaptação cultural e validação da versão portuguesa do questionário Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS)

O objectivo deste trabalho é calcular as propriedades psicométricas da versão portuguesa do questionário Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS). Este questionário foi traduzido e adaptado à cultura portuguesa. A amostra é constituída por 101 doentes com doença crónica, utentes de um centro de saúde rural de Portugal. A idade média é 63,4 anos; 56,4% são mulheres. 29% são analfabetos e 2% possuem estudos superiores. 78% sofrem de hipertensão arterial e 56,4% sofrem de diabetes mellitus tipo 2. A consistência interna foi avaliada com o alpha de Cronbach. Depois, foi realizada uma análise factorial exploratória e confirmatória com o objectivo de confirmar a validade e fiabilidade da escala e as suas características multidimensionais. A confiabilidade teste-reteste realizada às duas semanas foi estimada usando a análise kappa ponderado para as variáveis ordinais e o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse para as variáveis quantitativas. A alpha de Cronbach para as subescalas varia entre 0,873 e 0,967 no teste e 0,862 e 0,972 no reteste. A análise factorial exploratória revelou a existência de quatro factores (apoio emocional, material, afectivo e interacção social positiva) que explicam o 72,71% da variância. A análise factorial confirmatória permite concluir a existência destes quatro factores que permitem a aplicação da escala com os itens do questionário original. Os índices de ajustamento são satisfatórios e verificam a estrutura inicial, apresentando valores de χ2/df =2,01; GFI =0,998; CFI=0,999; AGFI =0,998; TLI =0,999; NFI =0,998; SRMR =0,332; RMSEA =0,76. A confiabilidade teste-reteste às duas semanas da versão portuguesa do MOS-SSS foi estimada pelo coeficiente de correlação intraclasse que variou entre 0,941 e 0,966 para as quatro dimensões do questionário e para o índice de apoio total. Os índices kappa ponderados variaram entre 0,67 e 0,87 para todos os itens. A versão portuguesa do MOS-SSS demonstrou boas características psicométricas e parece ser útil para avaliar as características multidimensionais do apoio social em população portuguesa.The aim of this study was the assesment of psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the instrument «Medical Outcomes Study – Social Support Survey (MOSSSS) ». This questionnaire has been translated and adapted in a Portuguese sample of 101 patients with chronic illness of a rural health centre in Portugal. The average age of patients was 63.4 years, 56.4% female. 29% were illiterate and 2% had completed high school. 78% had arterial hypertension and the 56.4% had diabetes mellitus type 2. The internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha. Exploratory and Confirmatory factor analysis were performed in order to confirm reliability and validity of the scale and its multidimensional characteristics. The 2-week test-retest reliability was estimated using weighted kappa for the ordinals variables and intraclass coefficient correlation for the quantitative variables. Cronbach’s alphas for the subscales ranged from 0.873 to 0.967 at test, and 0.862 to 0.972 at retest. Exploratory factor analysis revealed the existence of four factors (emotional, tangible, positive interaction and affection support) that explain the 72.71% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the existence of four factors that allowed the application of the scale with original items. The goodness-of-fit measures corroborate the initial structure, with χ2/ df=2.01, GFI=0.998, CFI=0.999, AGFI=0.998, TLI=0.999, NFI=0.998, SRMR=0.332, RMSEA=0.76. The 2-weeks test-retest reliability of the Portuguese MOS-SSS as measured by the intraclass correlation coefficient was ranged from 0.941 to 0.966 for the four dimensions and the overall support index. The weighted kappa was ranged from 0.67 to 0.87 for all the items. The MOS-SSS Portuguese version demonstrates good psychometric properties and seems to be useful to measure multidimensional aspects of social support in the Portuguese population.Sociedade Espanhola de Medicina Familiar e Comunitária (SEMFYC

Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylative Cyclization of Amines via γ-C(sp3)-H Activation: Late-Stage Diversification of Amino Acids and Peptides

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in ACS Catalysis, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acscatal.6b01987The selective γ-C(sp3)-H carbonylation of N-(2-pyridyl)sulfonyl (N-SO2Py)-protected amines has been accomplished by using palladium catalysis and Mo(CO)6 as carbonyl source. The reaction provides a powerful approach for derivatization of amine-based moieties, including amino acids, into richly functionalized γ-lactams. Not only methyl groups, but also methylene C-H bonds of cyclopropanes and conformationally biased molecules can be activated to provide ring-fused γ-lactam derivatives. This carbonylation protocol is also amenable to the late-stage diversification of more-complex multifunctional molecules such as dipeptides and tripeptides, demonstrating the key role of the N-SO2Py as directing group and its capacity to override other inherent substrate coordinating elements. In addition to providing an attractive solution to the difficulties in handling hazardous CO gas, the use of Mo(CO)6 as an air-stable solid source of CO in substoichiometric amount (0.33 equiv) ensures PdII-catalytic activity by preventing its decomposition or deactivation under excess of CO via reduction of PdII to Pd0 or saturation of the metal coordination sphere. Indeed, significantly lower efficiency is observed when the reactions are carried out under CO atmosphere (1 atm), or in the presence of increased amounts of Mo(CO)6. A series of experimental and DFT mechanistic studies provide important insights about the reaction mechanismWe thank the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO, Project No. CTQ2012-35790), and MINECO/FEDER, UE (Project No. CTQ2015-66954-P) for financial support. E.H. thanks the Gobierno Vasco for a predoctoral fellowship. N.R. thanks the MICINN for a Ramón y Cajal contract and the European Commission for a Marie Curie Foundation (CIG: CHAAS-304085

Graphene catalyzes the reversible formation of a C–C bond between two molecules

Carbon deposits are well-known inhibitors of transition metal catalysts. In contrast to this undesirable behavior, here we show that epitaxial graphene grown on Ru(0001) promotes the reversible formation of a C–C bond between −CH2CN and 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (TCNQ). The catalytic role of graphene is multifaceted: First, it allows for an efficient charge transfer between the surface and the reactants, thus favoring changes in carbon hybridization; second, it holds the reactants in place and makes them reactive. The reaction is fully reversible by injecting electrons with an STM tip on the empty molecular orbitals of the product. The making and breaking of the C–C bond is accompanied by the switching off and on of a Kondo resonance, so that the system can be viewed as a reversible magnetic switch controlled by a chemical reactionJ.J.N., F.C., R.M., and A.L.V.d.P. acknowledge the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) project FIS2015-67367-C2-1-P and Comunidad de Madrid projects MAD2D P2013/MIT-3007 and Nanofrontmag S2013/MIT-2850. M.P., C.D., and F.M. acknowledge the MINECO project FIS2016-77889-R and computer time from the CCC-UAM and the Red Española de Supercomputación. C.D. acknowledges a Ramón y Cajal contract from MINECO (Spain). E.M.P., J.V., and B.N.-O. acknowledge the European Research Council project MINT, ERC-StG-2012-307609. IMDEA Nanoscience acknowledges support from the “Severo Ochoa” Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D (MINECO, grant SEV-2016-0686). IFIMAC acknowledges support from the “María de Maeztu” Programme for Units of Excellence in R&D (MDM-2014-0377

Antioxidant activity and characterization of whey protein-based beverages: Effect of shelf life and gastrointestinal transit on bioactivity

Whey proteins can exhibit antioxidant activity. The objectives of this study were to formulate model whey based beverages with well-established antioxidants (plant polyphenols, vitamins and astaxanthin) to investigate (1) the antioxidant shelf life over a 24-week period and (2) the antioxidant activity after upper gastrointestinal transit. Pilot scale processing (pasteurization, ultra-high temperature or spray drying) was used to prepare beverages which were representative of current product formats. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion of test samples was performed using the standardised INFOGEST method and antioxidant activity of samples was determined using ABTS, FRAP and ORAC. Results from the antioxidant shelf life study provided evidence that powder products functionality was preserved. Whey beverages (pasteurised or spray dried) increased or maintained antioxidant activity during gastrointestinal transit. Combination of whey with additional antioxidant ingredients increased the bioactivity of formulated products; however, this greater bioactivity was altered after gastrointestinal transit, depending on processing type and antioxidant methodology. Industrial relevance: Whey protein-based antioxidant beverages could benefit the elderly consumer to meet their increased protein requirements and boost their antioxidant status. Consumer's acceptance for whey protein-based beverages often improves with clear formulations. This work generated whey protein-based UHT beverages with greater stability and clarity than pasteurised formulations. A novel combination of plant and marine antioxidants increased antioxidant activity of whey protein-based formulations. Furthermore, to suit export markets this work generated spray dried whey protein formulations that did not alter antioxidant potentialThis work was funded by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, FIRM 13F354-WheyGSH and 15F604-TOMI). A. R. Corrochano was in receipt of a Teagasc Walsh Fellowship. E. Arranz also received funding from Enterprise Ireland (MF2018-0151) and the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 71365

Affordable laparoscopic simulator to acquire basic skills in undergraduate surgery students

Background: The simulation emerges as an option that allows students to practice in a safe environment, all this in a scenario that resembles the real situation.Methods: We developed a prototype of a low-cost simulator that mimics the dimensions of the abdominal cavity and allows the undergraduate students to acquire the basic skills in minimally invasive surgery.Results: In the 10 competencies evaluated, statistically significant improvement was found in both groups being higher in the students who were trained by our simulator of laparoscopic surgery compared with students who attended surgeries and participated as seconds assistants, taking as reference a value of p ≤0.05.Conclusions: The simulation as new teaching strategy generates a real environment and scenarios that can be recreated in multiple occasions, being able to change depending on the objectives for the acquisition of skills. This simulator gives the user skills for more types of simulation as it progresses in its surgical training

Incidence and management of inguinodynia after inguinal plasty

Background: Hernia is defined as a defect of fascial and muscle-aponeurotic structures, allowing the protrusion of elements. The most frequent is inguinal region, prevailing in men 3:1 vs female. The most frequent complications are persistent chronic pain.Methods: A descriptive, prospective and cross-sectional study was performed in postoperative inguinal plasty patients, using a laparoscopic approach and open approach, the presence or absence of inguinodynia was studied using the visual analogue pain scale (VAS) and the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament, in addition to a systematic investigation in the following PubMed, Medline, Clinical Key and Index Medicus databases, with articles from July 2019 to April 2020.Results: Inguinodynia was present in laparoscopic surgery and open approach, 58 patients had inguinodynia at two weeks associated with the inflammatory response of the tissues and the presence of a foreign body (mesh), 77% of the patients with persistence of pain at 3 months reported mild pain (VAS 1-4), 21% moderate pain that did not limit their daily activities (VAS 5-8) and 2% of the patients reported severe pain which limited physical activity and effort   (VAS 9-10).Conclusions: Inguinodynia has an impact on hospital costs and quality life, we consider it is essential to domain the anatomical variants of the region. We propose an extensive follow-up of this group of patients, to make a comparison of diagnostic methods, as well as conservative management vs. modern techniques for pain control

Backbone-driven host-dopant miscibility modulates molecular doping in NDI conjugated polymers

Molecular doping is the key to enabling organic electronic devices, however, the design strategies to maximize doping efficiency demands further clarity and comprehension. Previous reports focus on the effect of the side chains, but the role of the backbone is still not well understood. In this study, we synthesize a series of NDI-based copolymers with bithiophene, vinylene, and acetylenic moieties (P1G, P2G, and P3G, respectively), all containing branched triethylene glycol side chains. Using computational and experimental methods, we explore the impact of the conjugated backbone using three key parameters for doping in organic semiconductors: energy levels, microstructure, and miscibility. Our experimental results show that P1G undergoes the most efficient n-type doping owed primarily to its higher dipole moment, and better host–dopant miscibility with N-DMBI. In contrast, P2G and P3G possess more planar backbones than P1G, but the lack of long-range order, and poor host–dopant miscibility limit their doping efficiency. Our data suggest that backbone planarity alone is not enough to maximize the electrical conductivity (σ) of n-type doped organic semiconductors, and that backbone polarity also plays an important role in enhancing σ via host–dopant miscibility. Finally, the thermoelectric properties of doped P1G exhibit a power factor of 0.077 μW m(−1) K(−2), and ultra-low in-plane thermal conductivity of 0.13 W m(−1)K(−1) at 5 mol% of N-DMBI, which is among the lowest thermal conductivity values reported for n-type doped conjugated polymers

Backbone-Driven Host-Dopant Miscibility Modulates Molecular Doping In NDI Conjugated Polymers

Molecular doping is the key to enabling organic electronic devices, however, the design strategies to maximize doping efficiency demands further clarity and comprehension. Previous reports focus on the effect of the side chains, but the role of the backbone is still not well understood. In this study, we synthesize a series of NDI-based copolymers with bithiophene, vinylene, and acetylenic moieties (P1G, P2G, and P3G, respectively), all containing branched triethylene glycol side chains. Using computational and experimental methods, we explore the impact of the conjugated backbone using three key parameters for doping in organic semiconductors: energy levels, microstructure, and miscibility. Our experimental results show that P1G undergoes the most efficient n-type doping owed primarily to its higher dipole moment, and better host–dopant miscibility with N-DMBI. In contrast, P2G and P3G possess more planar backbones than P1G, but the lack of long-range order, and poor host–dopant miscibility limit their doping efficiency. Our data suggest that backbone planarity alone is not enough to maximize the electrical conductivity (σ) of n-type doped organic semiconductors, and that backbone polarity also plays an important role in enhancing σ via host–dopant miscibility. Finally, the thermoelectric properties of doped P1G exhibit a power factor of 0.077 μW m−1 K−2, and ultra-low in-plane thermal conductivity of 0.13 W m−1K−1 at 5 mol% of N-DMBI, which is among the lowest thermal conductivity values reported for n-type doped conjugated polymers