Systematic Review of Energy Drinks and QTc Prolongation

The importance of healthcare providers educating the public regarding the consequences of energy drink consumption is critical as energy drink popularity and consumption continues to rise. The purpose of this systematic review is to add to the research that proves the correlation between energy drink consumption and cardiovascular disease. Energy drinks are a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease which is the number one cause of deaths globally. The four studies reviewed in this systematic review demonstrate a statistically significant correlation between energy drinks and QTc prolongation. Further research is needed to have a better understanding of the correlation between energy drinks and its negative effects on people’s health and wellbeing. Health care providers will have another resource to continue to educate patients regarding cardiovascular disease risk and prevention

Localization of the K+ Lock-in and the Ba2+ Binding Sites in a Voltage-Gated Calcium-Modulated Channel: Implications for Survival of K+ Permeability

Using Ba2+ as a probe, we performed a detailed characterization of an external K+ binding site located in the pore of a large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channel from skeletal muscle incorporated into planar lipid bilayers. Internal Ba2+ blocks BKCa channels and decreasing external K+ using a K+ chelator, (+)-18-Crown-6-tetracarboxylic acid, dramatically reduces the duration of the Ba2+-blocked events. Average Ba2+ dwell time changes from 10 s at 10 mM external K+ to 100 ms in the limit of very low [K+]. Using a model where external K+ binds to a site hindering the exit of Ba2+ toward the external side (Neyton, J., and C. Miller. 1988. J. Gen. Physiol. 92:549–568), we calculated a dissociation constant of 2.7 μM for K+ at this lock-in site. We also found that BKCa channels enter into a long-lasting nonconductive state when the external [K+] is reduced below 4 μM using the crown ether. Channel activity can be recovered by adding K+, Rb+, Cs+, or NH4 + to the external solution. These results suggest that the BKCa channel stability in solutions of very low [K+] is due to K+ binding to a site having a very high affinity. Occupancy of this site by K+ avoids the channel conductance collapse and the exit of Ba2+ toward the external side. External tetraethylammonium also reduced the Ba2+ off rate and impeded the channel from entering into the long-lasting nonconductive state. This effect requires the presence of external K+. It is explained in terms of a model in which the conduction pore contains Ba2+, K+, and tetraethylammonium simultaneously, with the K+ binding site located internal to the tetraethylammonium site. Altogether, these results and the known potassium channel structure (Doyle, D.A., J.M. Cabral, R.A. Pfuetzner, A. Kuo, J.M. Gulbis, S.L. Cohen, B.T. Chait, and R. MacKinnon. 1998. Science. 280:69–77) imply that the lock-in site and the Ba2+ sites are the external and internal ion sites of the selectivity filter, respectively

Enantiomeric Ratio Changes of Terpenes in Essential Oils from Hybrid Eucalyptus grandis × E. tereticornis and its Pure Species

Some Eucalyptus species produce oils with biological activities and the effect of their interspecifc hybridization on the enantiomeric composition of terpenes has not been reported. The enantiomeric excesses of monoterpenes in the essential oil of Eucalyptus grandis × E. tereticornis and its parental taxa were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and to resolve coelutions problems by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)and GC-MS with two columns in series. The essential oil composition of the hybrid presented qualitative and quantitative differences with the composition of its parental taxa. Great differences were found for the enantiomeric ratio in monoterpene alcohols among the three essential oils. Our results suggest that the enantiomeric analysis can be a reliable method for the study of how theinterspecifc hybridization can module the enantiomeric chemical profle in Eucalyptus essential oils. These results suggest the use of interspecifc hybridization to improve or expand the source of bioactive compounds.Fil: Naspi, Cecilia Veronica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez Costa, Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; ArgentinaFil: Lucia, Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Audino, Paola Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; ArgentinaFil: Masuh, Hector Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; Argentin

Cell-to-cell transmission is the main mechanism supporting bovine viral diarrhea virus spread in cell culture

After initiation of an infective cycle, spread of virus infection can occur fundamentally in two different ways: (i) viral particles can be released into the external environment and diffuse through the extracellular space until they interact with a new host cell, or (ii) virions can remain associated with infected cells promoting the direct passage between infected and uninfected cells that is referred to as direct cell-to-cell transmission. Although evidence for cell-associated transmission has accumulated for many different viruses, the ability of members of the genus pestivirus to use this mode of transmission has not been reported. Here we used a novel recombinant virus expressing the envelope glycoprotein E2 fused to mCherry fluorescent protein to monitor the spreading of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV, the type member of pestiviuses) infection. To demonstrate direct cell-to-cell transmission of BVDV we developed a cell co-culture system that allowed us to prove the direct transmission from infected to uninfected cells in the presence of neutralizing antibodies. This mode of transmission requires cell-cell contacts and clathrin-mediated receptor-dependent endocytosis. Notably, it overcomes antibody blocking of the BVDV receptor CD46 indicating that cell-to-cell transmission of the virus involves the engagement of co-receptors on the target cell.Fil: Merwaiss, Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Czibener, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Diego Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas; Argentin

With a Little Help From our Friends: “Global” Incentives and “Local” Challenges to Feminist Politics in Brazil

What are the major challenges facing feminists working to achieve gender justice in the context of development today? How are we to go about facing them? These were two of the major questions addressed by the ‘Gender Myths and Feminist Fables’ workshop participants, but to which no single solution was to be found. My own reactions are best conveyed by outlining current circumstances in Brazil. These reflect my close involvement in recent developments which, I believe, should foster the forging of a more equitable Brazilian society

Síntesis de hidrogeles de n-[3-(dimetilamino) propil] metacrilamida para retención de metales

Crosslinked polymer material containing functional groups (carboxylic acids, amines, hydroxyl and sulfonic acids) can be used as complexing agents for removing metal ions from aqueous solutions, sometimes selectively and with the possibility of their recovery, presenting advantages over other techniques for their removal. The removal of metals is a possible solution to the problem of pollution affecting water quality. Based on this important application, the preparation of new hydrogels of N-[3-(dimethylamine) propyl] methacrylamide with different concentrations of crosslinking agent to be used in the removal of Cu2+ and Pb2+ from aqueous solutions, is presented. The retention was effective and the values of retention, resulted high, especially when solutions of low initial concentrations were used. The results indicated also that the experimental data fit the Langmuir model, which postulates that the surface of the adsorbent has a fixed number of identical and defined active sites, the adsorption is of monolayer type, even on a homogeneous surface without lateral interaction between molecules of the adsorbent in which all active centers have the same enthalpy of adsorptionLos materiales poliméricos entrecruzados que contienen grupos funcionales (ácidos carboxílicos, aminas, hidroxilos y ácidos sulfónicos) pueden ser usados como agentes acomplejantes para eliminación de iones metálicos a partir de soluciones acuosas, a veces en forma selectiva y con la posibilidad de recuperación de los mismos, presentando ventajas frente a otras técnicas de eliminación de los mismos. La eliminación de metales constituye una posible solución al problema de polución que afecta la calidad del agua. En base a esta importante aplicación, en este trabajo se realizó la preparación de nuevos hidrogeles de N-[3-(dimetilamino) propil] metacrilamida con diferentes concentraciones de agente entrecruzante, para analizar el uso de los mismos en la eliminación de Cu2+ y Pb2+ a partir de soluciones acuosas. La retención resultó efectiva, habiéndose logrado valores de retención altos, especialmente cuando se usaron soluciones de concentraciones iníciales bajas. Los resultados indicaron además, que los datos experimentales ajustan al modelo de Langmuir, que postula que la superficie del adsorbente posee un número fijo de centros activos idénticos y definidos, que la adsorción es en monocapas, uniforme, sobre una superficie homogénea, sin interacción lateral entre las moléculas del adsorbente, en el que todos los centros activos tienen la misma entalpía de absorción.Fil: Garcia Manzano, Maria Florencia. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (p); Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez Igarzabal, Cecilia Ines. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (p); Argentina; Argentin

N=1 supersymmetric sigma model with boundaries, I

We study an N=1 two-dimensional non-linear sigma model with boundaries representing, e.g., a gauge fixed open string. We describe the full set of boundary conditions compatible with N=1 superconformal symmetry. The problem is analyzed in two different ways: by studying requirements for invariance of the action, and by studying the conserved supercurrent. We present the target space interpretation of these results, and identify the appearance of partially integrable almost product structures.Comment: 24 pages, LaTeX. v2: minor clarification in section 3.2, reference added. v3: section added on N=2 supersymmetry. v4: typos corrected, published versio

Eating with the enemy? Mimic complex between a stingless bee and assassin bugs

In this study, we record for the first time the genus Notocyrtus (Heteroptera, Reduviidae) from Argentina based on three species: Notocyrtus dorsalis (Gray), Notocyrtus dispersus Carvalho & Costa, and Notocyrtus foveatus Stal. We also describe and illustrate a mimetic complex comprising the three Notocyrtus species and Tetragona clavipes (Fabricius) (Apidae, Meliponini), that were collected on Bahuinia forficata Link (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae). We include biological comments on the plant-reduvid-bee interaction and hypothesize about the functionality of the mimetic complex described.Fil: Alvarez, Leopoldo Jesús. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Zamudio, Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Melo, María Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Entomología; Argentin

CREB3 transcription factors: ER-golgi stress transducers as hubs for cellular homeostasis

CREB3 family of transcription factors are ER localized proteins that belong to the bZIP family. They are transported from the ER to the Golgi, cleaved by S1P and S2P proteases and the released N-terminal domains act as transcription factors. CREB3 family members regulate the expression of a large variety of genes and according to their tissue-specific expression profiles they play, among others, roles in acute phase response, lipid metabolism, development, survival, differentiation, organelle autoregulation, and protein secretion. They have been implicated in the ER and Golgi stress responses as regulators of the cell secretory capacity and cell specific cargos. In this review we provide an overview of the diverse functions of each member of the family (CREB3, CREB3L1, CREB3L2, CREB3L3, CREB3L4) with special focus on their role in the central nervous system.Fil: Sampieri, Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Di Giusto, Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Cecilia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentin

19/20 apuntes sobre la insurrección

La organización de la acción colectiva ocurrida durante el mes de diciembre de 2001 en Argentina fue posible por un cambio en la estructura de oportunidades políticas, producto y expresión de una situación de crisis orgánica. El saldo de esos sucesos, conforme al proceso histórico en que se inscriben, es una recomposición de los lazos sociales entre la población; al tiempo que hacen posible la apertura de un proceso político de reformas. El objetivo de este trabajo es entonces ver cómo y por qué han sucedido estos hechos, considerando sus antecedentes en las acciones colectivas recientes, así como la novedad que presentan sobre la historia argentina.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació