Sequence identification of bioactive peptides from amaranth seed proteins (Amaranthus hypochondriacus spp.)

Amaranthus hypochondriacus spp. is a commonly grown cereal in Latin America, known for its high protein content. The objective of this study was to separate and identify bioactive peptides found in amaranth seeds through enzymatically-assisted hydrolysis using alcalase and flavourzyme. Hydrolysis was carried out for each enzyme separately and compared to two-step continuous process where both enzymes were combined. The biological activity of the resulting three hydrolysates was analyzed, finding, in general, higher bioactive potential of the hydrolysate obtained in a continuous process (combined enzymes). Its fractions were separated by RP-HPLC, and their bioactivity was analyzed. In particular, two fractions showed the highest biological activity as ACE inhibitors with IC50 at 0.158 and 0.134, thrombin inhibitors with IC50 of 167 and 155, and antioxidants in ABTS assay with SC50 at 1.375 and 0.992 mg/L, respectively. Further sequence analysis of the bioactive peptides was carried out using MALDI-TOF, which identified amino acid chains that have not been reported as bioactive so far. Bibliographic survey allowed identification of similarities between peptides reported in amaranth and other proteins. In conclusion, amaranth proteins are a potential source of peptides with multifunctional activity.S

Enzimska ekstrakcija hidroksicinamičnih kiselina iz otpada nastalog pri proizvodnji kave

Ferulic, caffeic, p-coumaric and chlorogenic acids are classified as hydroxycinnamic acids, presenting anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this work, enzymatic extraction has been studied in order to extract high value-added products like hydroxycinnamic acids from coffee pulp. A commercial pectinase and enzyme extract produced by Rhizomucor pusillus strain 23aIV in solid-state fermentation using olive oil or coffee pulp (CP) as an inducer of the feruloyl esterase activity were evaluated separately and mixed. The total content (covalently linked and free) of ferulic, caffeic, p-coumaric and chlorogenic acids was 5276 mg per kg of coffee pulp. Distribution was as follows (in %): chlorogenic acid 58.7, caffeic acid 37.6, ferulic acid 2.1 and p-coumaric acid 1.5. Most of the hydroxycinnamic acids were covalently bound to the cell wall (in %): p-coumaric acid 97.2, caffeic acid 94.4, chlorogenic acid 76.9 and ferulic acid 73.4. The content of covalently linked hydroxycinnamic acid was used to calculate the enzyme extraction yield. The maximum carbon dioxide rate for the solid-state fermentation using olive oil as an inducer was higher and it was reached in a short cultivation time. Nevertheless, the feruloyl esterase (FAE) activity (units per mg of protein) obtained in the fermentation using CP as an inducer was 31.8 % higher in comparison with that obtained in the fermentation using olive oil as the inducer. To our knowledge, this is the first report indicating the composition of both esterified and free ferulic, caffeic, p-coumaric and chlorogenic acids in coffee pulp. The highest yield of extraction of hydroxycinnamic acids was obtained by mixing the produced enzyme extract using coffee pulp as an inducer and a commercial pectinase. Extraction yields were as follows (in %): chlorogenic acid 54.4, ferulic acid 19.8, p-coumaric acid 7.2 and caffeic acid 2.3. An important increase in the added value of coffee pulp was mainly due to the extraction of chlorogenic acid.Ferulinska, kafeinska, p-kumarinska i klorogena kiselina pripadaju u hidroksicinamične kiseline, koje imaju antikarcinogena, protuupalna i antioksidativna svojstva. U radu je ispitana enzimska ekstrakcija hidroksicinamičnih kiselina iz otpada nastalog pri proizvodnji kave. Upotrijebljene su, zasebno i u smjesi, komercijalna pektinaza te enzimski esktrakt dobiven fermentacijom na čvrstoj podlozi od maslinovog ulja ili otpada nastalog pri proizvodnji kave (da bi se potaknula aktivnost feruloil esteraze), s pomoću Rhizomucor pusillus 23aIV. Ukupni je udio kovalentno vezanih i slobodnih hidroksicinamičnih kiselina bio 5276 mg/kg otpada. Od toga je bilo: 58,7 % klorogene; 37,6 % kafeinske; 2,1 % ferulinske i 1,5 % p-kumarinske kiseline. Većina je hidroksicinamičnih kiselina bila kovalentno vezana za staničnu stijenku, i to: 97,2 % p-kumarinske; 94,4 % kafeinske; 76,9 % klorogene i 73,4 % ferulinske kiseline. Pomoću udjela kovalentno vezanih hidroksicinamičnih kiselina izračunat je prinos ekstrahiranog enzima. Maksimalni je udio fermentacijom proizvedenog CO2 postignut na čvrstoj podlozi od maslinovog ulja, i to za kraće vrijeme nego na podlozi od otpada nastalog pri proizvodnje kave, iako je feruloil esteraza proizvedena primjenom ove druge podloge pokazala aktivnost veću za 31,8 %. Prema spoznajama autora ovo je prvo istraživanje u kojem su određeni udjeli vezanih i slobodnih hidroksicinamičnih kiselina u otpadu nastalom pri proizvodnji kave. Najveći je prinos ekstrakcije hidroksicinamičnih kiselina postignut primjenom komercijalne pektinaze i enzimskog ekstrakta. Pritom je izdvojeno 54,4 % klorogene; 19,8 % ferulinske; 7,2 % p-kumarinske i 2,3 % kafeinske kiseline, pa je zaključeno da je ovaj postupak dobar za ekstrakciju klorogene kiseline

Can bioinformatics help in the identification of moonlighting proteins?

Protein multitasking or moonlighting is the capability of certain proteins to execute two or more unique biological functions. This ability to perform moonlighting functions helps us to understand one of the ways used by cells to perform many complex functions with a limited number of genes. Usually, moonlighting proteins are revealed experimentally by serendipity, and the proteins described probably represent just the tip of the iceberg. It would be helpful if bioinformatics could predict protein multifunctionality, especially because of the large amounts of sequences coming from genome projects. In the present article, we describe several approaches that use sequences, structures, interactomics and current bioinformatics algorithms and programs to try to overcome this problem. The sequence analysis has been performed: (i) by remote homology searches using PSI-BLAST, (ii) by the detection of functionalmotifs, and (iii) by the co-evolutionary relationship between amino acids. Programs designed to identify functional motifs/domains are basically oriented to detect the main function, but usually fail in the detection of secondary ones. Remote homology searches such as PSI-BLAST seem to be more versatile in this task, and it is a good complement for the information obtained from protein-protein interaction (PPI) databases. Structural information and mutation correlation analysis can help us to map the functional sites. Mutation correlation analysis can be used only in very restricted situations, but can suggest how the evolutionary process of the acquisition of the second function took plac

Toma de decisiones compartidas en la atención de pacientes con diabetes mellitus: un desafío para Latinoamérica

Patients with diabetes mellitus often have several medical problems and carry a burden imposed by their illness and treatment. Health care often ignores the values, preferences and context of patients, leading to treatments that do not fit into patients’ overwhelmed lives. Shared Decision Making (SDM) emerges as a way to answer the question: “What’s best for the patient?”. SDM promotes an empathic conversation between patients and clinicians that integrates the best evidence available with their values, preferences and context. We discuss three SDM approaches for patients with diabetes: one focused on sharing information, another on making choices, and a third one on helping patients and clinicians to talk about how to address the problems of living with diabetes and its comorbidities. Despite the benefits demonstrated in studies conducted in the U.S. and Europe, the implementation of SDM continues to be a challenge. In Latin America, healthcare and socio-economic conditions render the implementation of SDM more challenging. Research aimed to respond to this challenge is necessary. Meanwhile, clinicians can practice SDM by sharing evidence-based information, giving voice to patients’ values and preferences in making choices, and creating empathic conversations aimed at decisions aligned with patients’ context, dreams, goals, and life expectations. (Rev Med Chile 2017; 145: 641-649) Key words: Decision Making; Decision Support Techniques; Diabetes Mellitus; Evidence-Based Medicine

Beneficios del uso del hierro parenteral como alternativa eficaz en el manejo de la anemia gestacional en Colombia

Introduction. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 40% of pregnant women worldwide have anemia, and that half of them suffer from iron deficiency. The prevalence of this in Latin America is 40%, and in Colombia, 44.7%. Physiologically, a problem called “dilutional anemia” occurs during pregnancy. There are conditions in pregnant women that predispose them to suffering from pathological anemia. The latter is mainly caused by iron deficiency, hence the importance of diagnosing this entity on time and starting treatment. Iron administration is the basis of treatment of anemia caused by iron deficiency. It can be administered orally, which is the preferred option in the majority of patients. However, when this is not possible, parenteral iron must be used. However, parenteral iron is rarely used as the first line of treatment of gestational anemia. The objective of this article is to carry out a review that allows for the identification of therapy with parenteral iron as an efficient alternative for the treatment for gestational anemia, considering the pharmacological characteristics, administration, and use among the different molecules available in Colombia. Methodology. We carried out a search in databases and electronic libraries. The criteria considered were texts published between 1996 and 2020 in Spanish and English. 95 articles were obtained, of which 49 were selected. The keywords for their search were physiology, parenteral iron, gestational anemia, iron deficit, pregnancy complications, iron compounds, pharmacokinetics, diagnosis, and treatment. Division of Covered Topics. Physiology; diagnostic aids; pharmacological characteristics of parenteral iron; advantages, indications, and contraindications of parenteral iron; secondary effects and application method. Conclusions. Parenteral iron is a safe and efficient treatment to handle anemia during pregnancy. The indications and pharmacology of the molecules must be considered to choose the most appropriate option. In addition, it replaces iron reserves and hemoglobin levels more quickly.Introducción. La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) estima que más del 40% de las mujeres embarazadas a nivel mundial tienen anemia, y la mitad de estas padecen deficiencia de hierro. La prevalencia en América Latina es del 40% y en Colombia del 44.7%. Fisiológicamente en el embarazo se produce una mal llamada “anemia dilucional”, existen condiciones en la embarazada que la predisponen a tener una anemia patológica. Esta última es causada principalmente por un déficit de hierro, de allí la importancia de diagnosticar a tiempo esta entidad e iniciar el manejo. La administración de hierro es la base del tratamiento de la anemia por deficiencia de hierro. Puede ser administrado por vía oral, la cual es la preferida en la mayoría de las pacientes; sin embargo, cuando este no es posible administrarlo, es esencial recurrir al hierro parenteral. No obstante, el hierro parenteral es poco usado como primera línea en el manejo de la anemia gestacional. El presente artículo tiene como objetivo realizar una revisión que permita identificar la terapia con hierro parenteral como una alternativa eficaz de manejo para la anemia gestacional, teniendo en cuenta las características farmacológicas, la administración y el uso entre las diferentes moléculas disponibles en Colombia. Metodología. Corresponde a un estudio de revisión de literatura en bases de datos y bibliotecas electrónicas, los criterios que se tuvieron en cuenta fueron textos publicados entre 1996 y 2020, en español e inglés. Se obtuvo un resultado de 95 artículos, de los cuales se seleccionaron 49. Las palabras clave para su búsqueda fueron fisiología, hierro parenteral, anemia gestacional, déficit de hierro, complicaciones del embarazo, compuestos de hierro, farmacocinética, diagnóstico y tratamiento. División de temas tratados. Fisiología; ayudas diagnósticas; características farmacológicas del hierro parenteral; ventajas, indicaciones y contraindicaciones del hierro parenteral; efectos secundarios y forma de aplicación. Conclusiones. El hierro parenteral es un tratamiento seguro y eficaz para manejar la anemia en el embarazo, se debe tener en cuenta las indicaciones y la farmacología de las moléculas para elegir la más adecuada. Además, repone más rápidamente las reservas de hierro y los niveles de hemoglobina

La imagen y la narrativa como herramientas para el abordaje psicosocial en escenarios de violencia. Departamentos de Bolívar y Sucre

En Colombia, la violencia forjada por los grupos armados ha ocasionado daños físicos, psicológicos y sociales. En este documento, se realiza el respectivo análisis de algunos casos presentados por la Comisión de la verdad, pero para comprender desde una mirada psicosocial a las víctimas de manera individual y colectiva es necesario identificar aquellos emergentes psicosociales que han interferido en la vida cotidiana y en los procesos socio-históricos, además analizar su posición como víctima o sobreviviente, así mismo los significados de violencia a partir de su experiencia subjetiva y los recursos de afrontamiento. Adicionalmente, se acompaña de preguntas circulares, reflexivas y estratégicas para obtener toda la información pertinente evitando la revictimización. Teniendo en cuenta esta problemática presentada en Colombia cabe resaltar que cada víctima está demostrando actitudes negativas a raíz de la violencia vivida, dejando sentimientos de inseguridad y muchos temores. Es por ello, que desde la psicología se implementan recursos y estrategias psicosociales que buscan resaltar las fortalezas, poner en práctica conductas de afrontamiento, reconstrucción emocional, fortalecer las redes de apoyo, de igual manera la identidad individual y colectiva, siendo estos, los aspectos más relevantes a tratar con cada una de las víctimas de la violencia vivida en Colombia. Por otro lado, la narrativa ha sido una herramienta mediante la cual, las víctimas han contado sus historias y los procesos de construcción de memoria desde la subjetividad, evidencia de ello se plasma la sistematización de la experiencia de foto-voz realizada en los departamentos de Bolívar y Sucre.In Colombia, the violence wrought by armed groups has caused physical, psychological and social damage. In this document, the respective analysis of some cases presented by the Truth Commission is carried out, but in order to understand the victims individually and collectively from a psychosocial perspective, it is necessary to identify those psychosocial emergents that have interfered in daily life and in the socio-historical processes, in addition to analyzing their position as a victim or survivor, as well as the meanings of violence from their subjective experience and coping resources. Additionally, circular, reflective and strategic questions are accompanied to obtain all the pertinent information avoiding re-victimization. Taking into account this problem presented in Colombia, it should be noted that each victim is demonstrating negative attitudes as a result of the violence experienced, leaving feelings of insecurity and many fears. That is why, from psychology, psychosocial resources and strategies are implemented that seek to highlight strengths, put coping behaviors into practice, emotional reconstruction, strengthen support networks, as well as individual and collective identity, these being the aspects most relevant to deal with each of the victims of violence experienced in Colombia. On the other hand, the narrative has been a tool through which the victims have told their stories and the processes of memory construction from subjectivity, evidence of this is reflected in the systematization of the photo voice experience carried out in the departments of Bolívar. and Sucre

Occupational Positive Mental Health: proposal of a theoretical model for the positive approach of mental health at work

Se propone un modelo teórico para el abordaje de la salud mental positiva ocupacional basado en la psicología positiva, la psicología ecológica, la salutogénesis y el humanismo. El modelo comprende una estructura de seis factores: bienestar personal en el trabajo, relaciones interpersonales positivas en el trabajo, filosofía de vida laboral, empoderamiento en el trabajo, fortalezas personales en el trabajo, e inmersión en la tarea; lo cual se traduce en cuatro dimensiones; cognitiva, socioafectiva, comportamental y espiritual. Para fundamentar esta propuesta, se realizó un análisis de los dos principales posicionamientos referente a la salud mental, el tradicional, predominantemente negativo, centrado en la supresión o ausencia de enfermedad, y el positivo, enfocado en la promoción de la salud y desarrollo de círculos virtuosos. Derivado del análisis, encontramos una postura mixta y vacíos teóricos que justifican la propuesta de un modelo auténticamente positivo. Finalizamos con algunas conclusiones y las implicaciones prácticas de relevancia social para este tema.We propose a theoretical model for the approach of Occupational Positive Mental Health based on positive psychology, ecologic psychology, salutogenesis and humanism. The model has a six-factor structure: personal wellbeing at work, positive interpersonal relationships at work, work-life philosophy, empowerment at work, personal strengths at work, and task immersion. These six aspects are translated into four dimensions: cognitive, socio-affective, behavioral, and spiritual. In order to support this proposal, an analysis of the two main approaches to mental health was developed, the traditional, focused on the negative, the suppression or absence of sickness, and the positive, focused on health promotion and the development of virtuous circles. Derived from the analysis, we found a mixed approach and a theoretical shortage that justify the need of an authentic positive model proposition. We finalize with some conclusions and practice implications of social relevance for the topic.Propõe-se um modelo teórico para a abordagem da saúde mental positiva ocupacional baseado na psicologia positiva, a psicologia ecológica, a salutogênese e o humanismo. O modelo compreende uma estrutura de seis fatores: bem-estar pessoal no trabalho, relações interpessoais positivas no trabalho, filosofia da vida laboral, empoderamento no trabalho, fortalezas pessoais no trabalho, e imersão no serviço; que é traduzido em quatro dimensões: cognitiva, socioafetiva, de comportamento e espiritual. Para fundamentar essa proposta, foi realizada uma análise dos dois principais posicionamentos referentes a saúde mental: o tradicional, predominantemente negativo, centrado na supressão ou ausência de doença, e o positivo, focado na promoção da saúde e desenvolvimento de círculos virtuosos. Derivado da análise, encontramos uma postura mista e vazios teóricos que justificam a proposta de um modelo autenticamente positivo. Finalizamos com algumas conclusões e implicações práticas de relevância para esse tema

MultitaskProtDB-II : an update of a database of multitasking/moonlighting proteins

Multitasking, or moonlighting, is the capability of some proteins to execute two or more biological functions. MultitaskProtDB-II is a database of multifunctional proteins that has been updated. In the previous version, the information contained was: NCBI and UniProt accession numbers, canonical and additional biological functions, organism, monomeric/oligomeric states, PDB codes and bibliographic references. In the present update, the number of entries has been increased from 288 to 694 moonlighting proteins. MultitaskProtDB-II is continually being curated and updated. The new database also contains the following information: GO descriptors for the canonical and moonlighting functions, three-dimensional structure (for those proteins lacking PDB structure, a model was made using Itasser and Phyre), the involvement of the proteins in human diseases (78% of human moonlighting proteins) and whether the protein is a target of a current drug (48% of human moonlighting proteins). These numbers highlight the importance of these proteins for the analysis and explanation of human diseases and target-directed drug design. Moreover, 25% of the proteins of the database are involved in virulence of pathogenic microorganisms, largely in the mechanism of adhesion to the host. This highlights their importance for the mechanism of microorganism infection and vaccine design. MultitaskProtDB-II is available at http://wallace.uab.es/multitaskII