Recombinant Collagen Engineered to Bind to Discoidin Domain Receptors Functions as a Receptor Inhibitor

A bacterial collagen-like protein Scl2 has been developed as a recombinant collagen model system to host human collagen ligand-binding sequences, with the goal of generating biomaterials with selective collagen bioactivities. Defined binding sites in human collagen for integrins, fibronectin, heparin, and MMP-1 have been introduced into the triple-helical domain of the bacterial collagen and led to the expected biological activities. The modular insertion of activities is extended here to the discoidin domain receptors (DDRs), which are collagen-activated receptor tyrosine kinases. Insertion of the DDR-binding sequence from human collagen III into bacterial collagen led to specific receptor binding. However, even at the highest testable concentrations, the construct was unable to stimulate DDR autophosphorylation. The recombinant collagen expressed in Escherichia coli does not contain hydroxyproline (Hyp), and complementary synthetic peptide studies showed that replacement of Hyp by Pro at the critical Gly-Val-Met-Gly-Phe-Hyp position decreased the DDR-binding affinity and consequently required a higher concentration for the induction of receptor activation. The ability of the recombinant bacterial collagen to bind the DDRs without inducing kinase activation suggested it could interfere with the interactions between animal collagen and the DDRs, and such an inhibitory role was confirmed in vitro and with a cell migration assay. This study illustrates that recombinant collagen can complement synthetic peptides in investigating structure-activity relationships, and this system has the potential for the introduction or inhibition of specific biological activities

MIBiG 3.0: a community-driven effort to annotate experimentally validated biosynthetic gene clusters

Microbial Biotechnolog

The Western Aphasia Battery – Revised (WAB – R): Pilot study and validation in normal Greek Population. [Abstract]

14th Congress of the European Federation of Neurological Societies, Geneva – Switzerland, 25 – 28 September 2010. <br

Nutritious Diet, Physical Activity and Mobiles. the Game Changers of ADHD

Proper nutrition and physical activity over time are alternative interventions for children with ADHD and are recognized in many European countries. Can be applied as an educational and therapeutic practice both in a school environment and in a therapeutic context adjunct to other forms of therapy. THE planning of these interventions aims, on the one hand, to promote its health by reducing the symptoms of ADHD (hyperactivity, behavioral problems) and on the other hand in the development of social and emotional skills such as socializing, playing, and h self-esteem. The purpose of this paper is to record research data on the implementation of diet and exercise programs in the world through a review of the literature. Specifically, many foods have been studied to help children with ADHD, some others are classified as toxic agents and various approaches to physical activity. The results showed that they do exist dietary interventions and physical activity programs that are applied in many countries with positive results in all aspects of the behavior of children with ADHD. The most common foods that help are those high in omega-3 and zinc and those that pose a risk are those that contain sugar and artificial substances. On the other hand, it was checked that they offer positively to children with ADHD approaches such as aerobic exercise and psychomotor activities. Regarding the participants in the interventions, the samples were students with neurodevelopmental disorders studied. The frequency of its application consumption of the labeled foods must be consumed consistently and daily after examinations such as o control ferritin. An aerobic program with a frequency of twice a week and psychomotor intervention once or twice a week is very helpful. In addition, gadgets are listed in this review for the proper organization and regulation of children to cover the difficulties they have, which is very important

High degree of BMI misclassification of malnutrition among Swedish elderly population: Age-adjusted height estimation using knee height and demispan.

Background/Objectives:The degree of misclassification of obesity and undernutrition among elders owing to inaccurate height measurements is investigated using height predicted by knee height (KH) and demispan equations.Subjects/Methods:Cross-sectional investigation was done among a random heterogeneous sample from five municipalities in Southern Sweden from a general population study 'Good Aging in Skåne' (GÅS). The sample comprised two groups: group 1 (KH) including 2839 GÅS baseline participants aged 60-93 years with a valid KH measurement and group 2 (demispan) including 2871 GÅS follow-up examination participants (1573 baseline; 1298 new), aged 60-99 years, with a valid demispan measurement. Participation rate was 80%. Height, weight, KH and demispan were measured. KH and demispan equations were formulated using linear regression analysis among participants aged 60-64 years as reference. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated in kg/m(2).Results:Undernutrition prevalences in men and women were 3.9 and 8.6% by KH, compared with 2.4 and 5.4% by standard BMI, and more pronounced for all women aged 85+ years (21% vs 11.3%). The corresponding value in women aged 85+ years by demispan was 16.5% vs 10% by standard BMI. Obesity prevalences in men and women were 17.5 and 14.6% by KH, compared with 19.0 and 20.03% by standard BMI. Values among women aged 85+ years were 3.7% vs 10.4% by KH and 6.5% vs 12.7% by demispan compared with the standard.Conclusions:There is an age-related misclassification of undernutrition and obesity attributed to inaccurate height estimation among the elderly. This could affect the management of patients at true risk. We therefore propose using KH- and demispan-based formulae to address this issue.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition advance online publication, 10 September 2014; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2014.183

Prospective evAluatIon foR inhalation devices in Greek patients with COPD and asthma: The PAIR study

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma remain a major health burden. Adherence to inhaled therapy is critical in order to optimize treatment effectiveness. Properly designed questionnaires can assess patients’ satisfaction with their inhaler devices. Patients and methods: A total of 766 patients with COPD, asthma or Asthma-COPD Overlap (ACO) were initially enrolled. During their first visit, patients were classified into three groups (Diskus™, Elpenhaler®, Turbuhaler®). Patients completed the FSI-10 questionnaire on Day 0 and Day 60. Test-retest reliability was evaluated. Results: A total of 705 patients completed the study. FSI-10 questionnaire had good test-retest reliability (Total Intraclass Correlation Coefficient: 0.86). All dry powder inhaler (DPIs) yielded satisfactory results. Median score of FSI-10 questionnaire in first visit (FSI-10-I) was significantly higher for patients receiving Elpenhaler® (45, 95% CI: 44 to 46) than patients receiving Diskus™ (42, 95% CI: 41 to 43) and Turbuhaler® (42, 95% CI: 41 to 43) (p &lt; 0.001). Accordingly, median score of FSI-10 questionnaire in the final visit (FSI-10-II) was significantly higher for patients receiving Elpenhaler® (46, 95% CI: 45 to 47) than patients receiving Diskus™ (42, 95% CI: 41 to 43) and Turbuhaler® (43, 95% CI: 42 to 44) (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: FSI-10 questionnaire had good test-retest reliability and thus can be used in the follow-up of patients with COPD, asthma and ACO. All DPIs were highly acceptable among all study groups. Elpenhaler® achieved significantly higher ratings than Diskus™ and Turbuhaler® in FSI-10 score and presented higher preference among patients with obstructive lung diseases. © 201