Synthesis of Tetrahydroxyazepanes from Shikimic Acid

The 13th International Electronic Conference on Synthetic Organic Chemistry session General Organic SynthesisWe describe herein a novel synthetical application of shikimic acid, which consist of its transformation into (3R,4S,5R,7S)-7-(hydroxymethyl)azepane-3,4,5-triolWe thank the Spanish Ministry Science and Innovation and the Xunta de Galicia for financial suppor

Hydrolyzing activities of phenyl valerate sensitive to organophosphorus compounds paraoxon and mipafox in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells

The molecular targets of best known neurotoxic effects associated to acute exposure to organophosphorus compounds (OPs) are serine esterases located in the nervous system, although there are other less known neurotoxic adverse effects associated with chronic exposure to OPs whose toxicity targets are still not identified. In this work we studied sensitivity to the non-neuropathic OP paraoxon and to the neuropathic OP mipafox of phenyl valerate esterases (PVases) in intact and lysed human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The main objective was to discriminate different unknown pools of esterases that might be potential targets of chronic effects from those esterases already known and recognized as targets to these acute neurotoxicity effects. Two components of PVases of different sensitivities were discriminated for paraoxon in both intact and lysed cells; while the two components inhibitable by mipafox were found only for intact cells. A completely resistant component to paraoxon of around 30% was found in both intact and lysed cells; while a component of slightly lower amplitude (around 20%) completely resistant to mipafox was also found for both preparations (intact and lysed cells). The comparison of the results between the intact cells and the lysed cells suggests that the plasma membrane could act as a barrier that reduced the bioavailability of mipafox to PVases. This would imply that the discrimination of the different esterases should be made in lysed cells. However, those studies which aim to determine the physiological role of these esterases should be necessarily conducted in intact cultured cells

Gtdap-1 and the role of autophagy during planarian regeneration and starvation

Planarians have been established as an ideal model organism for stem cell research and regeneration. Planarian regeneration and homeostasis require an exquisite balancing act between cell death and cell proliferation as new tissues are made (epimorphosis) and existing tissues remodeled (morphallaxis). Some of the genes and mechanisms that control cell proliferation and pattern formation are known. However, studies about cell death during remodeling are few and far between. We have studied the gene Gtdap-1, the planarian ortholog of human death-associated protein-1 or DAP-1. DAP-1 together with DAP-kinase has been identified as a positive mediator of programmed cell death induced by gamma-interferon in HeLa cells. We have found that the gene functions at the interface between autophagy and cell death in the remodeling of the organism that occurs during regeneration and starvation in sexual and asexual races of planarians. Our data suggest that autophagy of existing cells may be essential to fuel the continued proliferation and differentiation of stem cells by providing the necessary energy and building blocks to neoblasts

Attachment and emotion regulation in substance addictions and behavioral addictions

Background Risky behaviors have been related to emotional regulation and attachment, which may constitute risk factors for developing an addictive behavior. However, there may also be differences between substance and non-substance-related addictions. Aims This study aimed to examine the relationship of emotional regulation and attachment, with substance (alcohol and drug abuse), and non-substance-related addictions (gambling disorder, video game addiction, and problematic Internet use) in adolescents and emerging adults. The study also aimed to examine gender differences for such predictors. Methods The sample comprised 472 students aged 13–21 years recruited from high schools and vocational education centers. Results Findings demonstrated that emotion regulation was predictive of all addictive behaviors assessed in this study (alcohol and drug abuse, gambling disorder, video game addiction, and problematic Internet use), whereas attachment predicted non-substance-related addictions (gambling disorder, video game addiction, and problematic Internet use). In addition, gender differences were found, with females scoring significantly higher in maternal and peer attachment, whereas males scored significantly higher in gambling disorder and video game addiction. Conclusion The findings may be useful for preventive and clinical interventions conducted with youth regarding addictive behaviors

Calendrical Deer, Time-Reckoning and landscape in Iron-Age North-West Spain

The volumen title is ASTRONOMY AND COSMOLOGY IN FOLK TRADITIONS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE Edited by Jonas Vaigkunas. Archaeologia Baltica volume 10 was prepared by Klaipėda University Institute of Baltic Sea Region History and Archaeology and Museum of Molėtai district. Published with a grant from the Ministry of Education and Science of The Republic of Lithuania.[EN]The relationship between petroglyphs and archaeoastronomy has been treated in several ways in the past. In the present study we examine a particular motif found among the rock carvings in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula: a large deer with over-sized horns and an unnatural number of tips on each horn. A multidisciplinary approach combining landscape archaeology, comparative history of religions, and archaeoastronomy suggests a coherent interpretation of the motif. It reveals a unique amalgamation of calendrical motives, landscape relationships and lunisolar events. It may also be significant in relation to the Celtic world-view and its artistic manifestation, and to the relationship between time and landscape.This work is partially financed under the framework of projects P310793 `Arqueoastronomia' of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, AYA2004-01010 `Orientatio ad Sidera' of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, and project PGIDITO6PXIB236147PR `Arqueología e relixión no noroeste peninsular' of the Xunta de Galicia.Peer reviewe

Serum proteomics of active tuberculosis patients and contacts reveals unique processes activated during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most lethal infection among infectious diseases. The specific aim of this study was to establish panels of serum protein biomarkers representative of active TB patients and their household contacts who were either infected (LTBI) or uninfected (EMI-TB Discovery Cohort, Pontevedra Region, Spain). A TMT (Tamdem mass tags) 10plex-based quantitative proteomics study was performed in quintuplicate containing a total of 15 individual serum samples per group. Peptides were analyzed in an LC-Orbitrap Elite platform, and raw data were processed using Proteome Discoverer 2.1. A total of 418 proteins were quantified. The specific protein signature of active TB patients was characterized by an accumulation of proteins related to complement activation, inflammation and modulation of immune response and also by a decrease of a small subset of proteins, including apolipoprotein A and serotransferrin, indicating the importance of lipid transport and iron assimilation in the progression of the disease. This signature was verified by the targeted measurement of selected candidates in a second cohort (EMI-TB Verification Cohort, Maputo Region, Mozambique) by ELISA and nephelometry techniques. These findings will aid our understanding of the complex metabolic processes associated with TB progression from LTBI to active disease

Entropy and equilibrium state of free market models

Many recent models of trade dynamics use the simple idea of wealth exchanges among economic agents in order to obtain a stable or equilibrium distribution of wealth among the agents. In particular, a plain analogy compares the wealth in a society with the energy in a physical system, and the trade between agents to the energy exchange between molecules during collisions. In physical systems, the energy exchange among molecules leads to a state of equipartition of the energy and to an equilibrium situation where the entropy is a maximum. On the other hand, in the majority of exchange models, the system converges to a very unequal condensed state, where one or a few agents concentrate all the wealth of the society while the wide majority of agents shares zero or almost zero fraction of the wealth. So, in those economic systems a minimum entropy state is attained. We propose here an analytical model where we investigate the effects of a particular class of economic exchanges that minimize the entropy. By solving the model we discuss the conditions that can drive the system to a state of minimum entropy, as well as the mechanisms to recover a kind of equipartition of wealth

Chain-branched polyhydroxylated Octahydro-1H-Indoles as potential leads against lysosomal storage diseases

Here, the synthesis and glycosidase inhibition properties of the two first known 3-ethyloctahydro-1H-indole-4,5,6-triols are reported. This study shows the transformation of d-glucose into polyhydroxylated 1-(2-nitrocyclohexane) acetaldehydes, followed by a protocol involving the formation of the azacyclopentane ring. Results of inhibitory potency assays and docking calculations show that at least one of them could be a lead for optimization in the search for compounds that behave like folding chaperones in lysosomal storage diseasesThis work has received financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CTQ2009-08490), the Xunta de Galicia (Centro Singular de Investigación de Galicia, accreditation 2016–2019, ED431B 2018/13; Project CN2011/037 and Project GRC2014/040), and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund-ERDF). It has also received a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) from the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP17K08362) (AK)S

The use of physical restraints in long-term care in Spain: a multi-center cross-sectional study

Background Physical restraint is a procedure used frequently in long-term care. It is a controversial practice because its use is associated with numerous complications and also affects freedom and individual autonomy. The objective of this study was to examine the use of physical restraint of long-term care residents with the ability to move voluntarily. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional observational and correlational multi-center study. Nine centers agreed to participate. Of the 1,200 people present at the time of data collection, those without voluntary movement or in the facility for less than a month were excluded. Thus, the final sample was 920 residents. Data on the use of restraints was collected by direct observation. Information about the age, gender, length of stay, falls, mobility, cognition and functional status of residents was gathered by reviewing clinical records and interviewing nursing staff. A descriptive analysis of the data obtained was conducted. The generalized linear model was used, considering only the principal effects of each variable and using the logit link function. The model has been adjusted for clusters and for other possibly confounding factors. For all analyses, a confidence interval (CI) of 95% was estimated. Results The prevalence of residents with at least one physical restraint was 84.9% (95% CI: 81.7–88.1), with variability between centers of 70.3 to 96.6% (p-value Kruskal Wallis test <0.001). Full-enclosure side rails were most often used (84.5; 95% CI: 81.1–87.9), but other types of restraints were also used frequently. Multivariate analysis showed that the degree of functional impairment increased the probability of the use of restraint. A significant association was also found between restraint use and the impaired cognitive status of residents. Conclusions The prevalence was higher than in studies from other countries. The results emphasize the need to improve the training of nursing staff in the care of residents with impairments in functional and cognitive status. The use of alternative devices and nurse consultants need to be evaluated, and the introduction of specific laws considered.Sociedad Canaria de Geriatría y Gerontología and the Fundación Canaria de Investigación Sanitaria financed this study.S