Localization Analysis of Natural Toxin of Solanum tuberosum L. via Mass Spectrometric Imaging

The use of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) revealed the localization of alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine as natural toxins for Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The content of Potato glycoalkaloids, alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine, were quantitatively determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-based tandem mass spectrometry (MS) could determine alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine from raw potato extraction and section. After budbreak, alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine were produced and localized at periderm and germ compared with that before budbreak. At germ region, these glycoalkaloids did not exist whole germ region but eccentrically localize at germ surface and central region. The amount of alpha-chaconine was twofold higher than alpha-solanine at periderm. At germ region, there was no difference between these toxins

Quelques Aspects du Role du Programme Tempus dans l'Internationalisation de l'Enseignement Supérior.

L’expérience de l’Institut Universitaire de Technologie (I. U. T.) de Béthune (Université d’Artois) dans le programme Tempus-Phare provient de son activité depuis le 1er septembre 1991 dans 17 projets différents générant un budget global d’environ 5 millions d’ECU

Build-up functionalization of anti-EGFR × anti-CD3 bispecific diabodies by integrating high-affinity mutants and functional molecular formats

Designing non-natural antibody formats is a practical method for developing highly functional next-generation antibody drugs, particularly for improving the therapeutic efficacy of cancer treatments. One approach is constructing bispecific antibodies (bsAbs). We previously reported a functional humanized bispecific diabody (bsDb) that targeted epidermal growth factor receptor and CD3 (hEx3-Db). We enhanced its cytotoxicity by constructing an Fc fusion protein and rearranging order of the V domain. In this study, we created an additional functional bsAb, by integrating the molecular formats of bsAb and high-affinity mutants previously isolated by phage display in the form of Fv. Introducing the high-affinity mutations into bsDbs successfully increased their affinities and enhanced their cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. However, there were some limitations to affinity maturation of bsDb by integrating high-affinity Fv mutants, particularly in Fc-fused bsDb with intrinsic high affinity, because of their bivalency. The tetramers fractionated from the bsDb mutant exhibited the highest in vitro growth inhibition among the small bsAbs and was comparable to the in vivo anti-tumor effects of Fc-fused bsDbs. This molecule shows cost-efficient bacterial production and high therapeutic potential

Os cuidados de saúde primários como reguladores do acesso às urgências hospitalares

Prémio de melhor poster científico.O uso dos serviços de urgência por utentes com problemas de saúde considerados não urgentes conduzem à sobrelotação destes serviços e consequente diminuição da satisfação do paciente e da qualidade dos serviços prestados. No entanto, a racionalização da utilização dos serviços de urgência depende da utilização adequada de outros serviços do sistema de saúde como os cuidados de saúde primários. Objetivo do estudo: Avaliar a importância dos Cuidados de Saúde Primários (CSP) na regulação dos serviços de urgência hospitalar.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Binding Specificity of Sea Anemone Toxins to Nav 1.1-1.6 Sodium Channels UNEXPECTED CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DIFFERENCES IN THE IV/S3-S4 OUTER LOOP

Sea anemones are an important source of various biologically active peptides, and it is known that ATX-II from Anemonia sulcata slows sodium current inactivation. Using six different sodium channel genes (from Nav1.1 to Nav1.6), we investigated the differential selectivity of the toxins AFT-II (purified from Anthopleura fuscoviridis) and Bc-III (purified from Bunodosoma caissarum) and compared their effects with those recorded in the presence of ATX-II. Interestingly, ATX-II and AFT-II differ by only one amino acid (L36A) and Bc-III has 70% similarity. The three toxins induced a low voltage-activated persistent component primarily in the Nav1.3 and Nav1.6 channels. An analysis showed that the 18 dose-response curves only partially fit the hypothesized binding of Lys-37 (sea anemone toxin Anthopleurin B) to the Asp (or Glu) residue of the extracellular IV/S3-S4 loop in cardiac (or nervous) Na+ channels, thus suggesting the substantial contribution of some nearby amino acids that are different in the various channels. As these channels are atypically expressed in mammalian tissues, the data not only suggest that the toxicity is highly dependent on the channel type but also that these toxins and their various physiological effects should be considered prototype models for the design of new and specific pharmacological tools

Arthropod Venom Components and Their Potential Usage

Thousands of arthropod species, ranging from arachnids (spiders and scorpions) to hymenopterans (ants, bees, and wasps) and myriapods (centipedes), are venomous and use their venoms for both defense and predation. These venoms are invariably harmful to humans, and some may cause serious injuries, e.g., those from scorpions, spiders, and wasps. Arthropods’ venoms are also known as rich sources of biologically active compounds and have attracted the attention of toxin researchers for years. In this century, venom component analysis has progressed considerable due to the advances in analytical techniques, in particular, mass spectrometry and next-generation deep (DNA and RNA) sequencing. As such, proteomic and peptidomic analyses using LC–MS have enabled the full analysis of venom components, revealing a variety of novel peptide and protein toxins sequences and scaffolds, potentially useful as pharmacological research tools and for the development of highly selective peptide ligands and therapeutic leads, like chlorotoxin. Due to their specificity for numerous ion-channel subtypes, including voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels, arthropod neurotoxins have been investigated to dissect and treat neurodegenerative diseases and control epileptic syndromes. This Special Issue collects information on such progress, encouraging contributions on the chemical and biological characterization of venom components, not only peptides and proteins, but also small molecules, their mechanisms of action, and the development of venom-derived peptide leads

Toxinologic and Pharmacological Investigation of Venomous Arthropods

Arthropods comprise the largest group of living animals, including thousands of species that inhabit marine and terrestrial niches in the biosphere [...

Toxinologic and Pharmacological Investigation of Venomous Arthropods

Arthropods comprise the largest group of living animals, including thousands of species that inhabit marine and terrestrial niches in the biosphere [...