Maximum Parsimony Phylogenetic Inference Using Simulated Annealing

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Characterization of aroma-active compounds in black sapote (Diospyros digyna Jacq.)

The volatile compounds of black sapote fruit were isolated by simultaneous distillation-solvent extraction and analysed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 32 volatile constituents were detected, which represented 4.57 mg kg−1 of the fruit. The composition of volatile constituents of the fruit included 9 terpene compounds (49.1% of the total volatile composition), 11 ketones (9%), 5 aldehydes (29.2%), 4 alcohols (3.6%), 2 esters (8.2%) and a paraffin (0.8%). Major compounds were (Z)-b-ocimene (26.6% of the total volatile composition), (E)-cinnamaldehyde (25.5%) and limonene (17.0%). By application of odour activity values, seven constituents were considered as aroma-active volatiles, from which the most important were (E)-cinnamaldehyde, 3-methylbutanal, limonene, (Z)-β-ocimene, linalool, methyl (E)-cinnamate, and β-caryophyllene

A Bottom-Up Implementation of Path-Relinking for Phylogenetic Reconstruction Applied to Maximum Parsimony

In this article we describe a bottom-up implementation of Path-Relinking for Phylogenetic Trees in the context of the resolution of the Maximum Parsimony problem with Fitch optimality criterion. This bottom-up implementation is compared to two versions of an existing top-down implementation. We show that our implementation is more efficient, more interesting to compare trees and to give an estimation of the distance between two trees in terms of the number of transformation

Insulin and GLP-1 infusions demonstrate the onset of adipose-specific insulin resistance in a large fasting mammal: potential glucogenic role for GLP-1.

Prolonged food deprivation increases lipid oxidation and utilization, which may contribute to the onset of the insulin resistance associated with fasting. Because insulin resistance promotes the preservation of glucose and oxidation of fat, it has been suggested to be an adaptive response to food deprivation. However, fasting mammals exhibit hypoinsulinemia, suggesting that the insulin resistance-like conditions they experience may actually result from reduced pancreatic sensitivity to glucose/capacity to secrete insulin. To determine whether fasting results in insulin resistance or in pancreatic dysfunction, we infused early- and late-fasted seals (naturally adapted to prolonged fasting) with insulin (0.065 U/kg), and a separate group of late-fasted seals with low (10 pM/kg) or high (100 pM/kg) dosages of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) immediately following a glucose bolus (0.5g/kg), and measured the systemic and cellular responses. Because GLP-1 facilitates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, these infusions provide a method to assess pancreatic insulin-secreting capacity. Insulin infusions increased the phosphorylation of insulin receptor and Akt in adipose and muscle of early and late fasted seals; however the timing of the signaling response was blunted in adipose of late fasted seals. Despite the dose-dependent increases in insulin and increased glucose clearance (high dose), both GLP-1 dosages produced increases in plasma cortisol and glucagon, which may have contributed to the glucogenic role of GLP-1. Results suggest that fasting induces adipose-specific insulin resistance in elephant seal pups, while maintaining skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity, and therefore suggests that the onset of insulin resistance in fasting mammals is an evolved response to cope with prolonged food deprivation

Evaluation of bread quality and volatile compounds of breads made by sourdoughs fermented by sediments of pulque (xaxtle) as starter culture

Sourdough is an important modern fermentation method of cereal flour and water. The fermentation process is carried out by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts which confer specific flavor characteristics to the bread. The main aim of this research was to investigate the bread quality and volatile compounds of breads made by sourdoughs inoculated with sediments of pulque (xaxtle) used it as starter culture. Fifty five volatile compounds were found in the bread made with sourdoughs inoculated with xaxtle from three different regions of Mexico. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, compounds as 3-hydroxy-2-butanone; 3-methyl-1-butanol; 2-methyl, 1-butanol; dimethyl disulfide; furfural, nonanal, phenyl ethyl alcohol and butanoic acid were presented in the flavor profile of the breads and having a positive response to sensory analysis made by evaluators. The xaxtle of Nanacamilpa (XN) and the xaxtle of Villa Alta (XV) were the best breads getting 8.3±0.03, 8.8±0.02, 6.2±0.08 and 8.2±0.01 scores in a scale from 0 to 10 in color, smell, texture and flavor attributes respectively which are positive attributes in favor of the quality bread. As a result of fermentation sourdough with LAB and yeasts from the xaxtle during 24 hours (30° C), the bread made with the sourdough inoculated with xaxtle of Milpa Alta (XM) showed the major acid flavor therefore its sample was less acceptable getting 8.1±0.01, 7.8±0.02, 5.3±0.01 and 7.9±0.01 in the same attributes evaluated. The xaxtle of Nanacamilpa, Tlaxcala (XN) run better than the others as starter fermentation culture for sourdoughs

Self-administration of adrenaline for anaphylaxis during in-hospital food challenges improves health-related quality of life

Objective: To assess the impact of anaphylaxis on health-related quality of life (HRQL) and self-efficacy in food-allergic patients undergoing in-hospital food challenge. Design: Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Setting: Specialist allergy centre. Patients: Peanut-allergic young people aged 8–16 years. Interventions: Double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge to peanut, with HRQL and self-efficacy assessed using validated questionnaire, approximately 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks after challenge. Where possible, anaphylaxis was treated with self-injected adrenaline (epinephrine). Main outcome measures: Change in HRQL and self-efficacy. Results: 56 participants had reactions at food challenge, of whom 16 (29%) had anaphylaxis. Overall, there was an improvement in HRQL (mean 2.6 points (95% CI 0.3 to 4.8); p=0.030) and self-efficacy (mean 4.1 points (95% CI 2.4 to 5.9); p<0.0001), independent of whether anaphylaxis occurred. Parents also reported improved HRQL (mean 10.3 points (95% CI 5.9 to 14.7); p<0.0001). We found evidence of discordance between the improvement in HRQL and self-efficacy as reported by young people and that perceived by parents in their child. Conclusions: Anaphylaxis at food challenge, followed by self-administration of injected adrenaline, was associated with an increase in HRQL and self-efficacy in young people with peanut allergy. We found no evidence that the occurrence of anaphylaxis had a detrimental effect. Young people should be encouraged to self-administer adrenaline using their autoinjector device to treat anaphylaxis at in-hospital challenge

Activation of Serine One-Carbon Metabolism by Calcineurin A beta 1 Reduces Myocardial Hypertrophy and Improves Ventricular Function

Background In response to pressure overload, the heart develops ventricular hypertrophy that progressively decompensates and leads to heart failure. This pathological hypertrophy is mediated, among others, by the phosphatase calcineurin and is characterized by metabolic changes that impair energy production by mitochondria. Objectives The authors aimed to determine the role of the calcineurin splicing variant CnAβ1 in the context of cardiac hypertrophy and its mechanism of action. Methods Transgenic mice overexpressing CnAβ1 specifically in cardiomyocytes and mice lacking the unique C-terminal domain in CnAβ1 (CnAβ1Δi12 mice) were used. Pressure overload hypertrophy was induced by transaortic constriction. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography. Mice were characterized using various molecular analyses. Results In contrast to other calcineurin isoforms, the authors show here that cardiac-specific overexpression of CnAβ1 in transgenic mice reduces cardiac hypertrophy and improves cardiac function. This effect is mediated by activation of serine and one-carbon metabolism, and the production of antioxidant mediators that prevent mitochondrial protein oxidation and preserve ATP production. The induction of enzymes involved in this metabolic pathway by CnAβ1 is dependent on mTOR activity. Inhibition of serine and one-carbon metabolism blocks the beneficial effects of CnAβ1. CnAβ1Δi12 mice show increased cardiac hypertrophy and declined contractility. Conclusions The metabolic reprogramming induced by CnAβ1 redefines the role of calcineurin in the heart and shows for the first time that activation of the serine and one-carbon pathway has beneficial effects on cardiac hypertrophy and function, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches

NPS pollution analysis in groundwater and streams of rural watersheds in western and southeastern Pampas, Argentina

Non-point source water pollution is a key question in rural watersheds and it needs to be studied in order to prevent damages to ground and surface water quality. The main goal of this study is to analyze nutrient and chemical loads in groundwater and streams in Pampa region, Argentina. For studying groundwater loads, a set of 19 observation wells were installed in 2011, in western Buenos Aires. The wells were located at three landscape positions (upper, middle and lower hill) in seven agricultural fields and groundwater samples were monthly collected. As for surface water, two watersheds located in southeastern Buenos Aires, were chosen: Napaleofu creek Watershed (34.000 hectares) and Quequen Grande River watershed (938.000 hectares). Daily water samples were taken from the main stream from October 2011 to May 2013, at both watersheds. Water Samples collected from wells and streams, were analyzed to determine N, and chemical loads. A group of 11 herbicides and one insecticide frequently used by farmers in the watershed were chosen for the study. Nitrogen and chemical concentrations were analyzed considering rainfall events and also compared to critical limits. Preliminary results are presented from a subset of samples since remaining samples are currently being processed in laboratory. As for NO3-N concentration, most of wells presented variable concentration depending on monthly precipitation and landscape position. Considering 10 mg/L NO3-N as a standard limit, 52% of the observations exceed this value mostly related to unusual precipitations events at winter 2012. Nitrate-Nconcentration in streamflow at Quequen Grande River and Napaleofu creek were on average 5 ppm. NPS Pollution modeling is a second goal of this on-going research. SWAT validation results are also presented for one of the watersheds under study

Identification of circulating miRNA profiles that distinguish malignant pleural mesothelioma from lung adenocarcinoma

Accurate diagnosis of malignant pleura mesothelioma (MPM) is challenging. Differential diagnosis of MPM versus lung adenocarcinoma (AD) is particularly difficult, yet clinically important since the two neoplasias call for different treatment approaches. Circulating miRNA-profiling to identify miRNAs that can be used to distinguish MPM from AD has not been reported. We conducted a wide screening study of miRNA profiles in serum pools of MPM patients (N = 11), AD patients (N = 36), and healthy subjects (N = 45) to identify non-invasive biomarkers for differential diagnosis of MPM and AD, using deep sequencing. Sequencing detected up to 300 known miRNAs and up to 25 novel miRNAs species in the serum samples. Among known miRNAs, 7 were upregulated in MPM and 12 were upregulated in AD compared to healthy controls. Of these, eight were distinctive for AD and three were unique for MPM. Direct comparison of the miRNA profiles for MPM and AD revealed differences in miRNA levels that could be useful for differential diagnosis. No differentially expressed novel miRNAs were found. Further bioinformatics analysis indicated that three upregulated miRNAs in MPM are associated with the p38 pathway. There are unique alterations in serum miRNAs in MPM and AD compared to healthy controls, as well as differences between MPM and AD profiles. Differing miRNA levels between MPM and AD may be useful for differential diagnosis. A potential association to p38 pathway of three upregulated miRNAs in MPM was revealed