Synergistic assembly of gold and copper-iron oxide nanocatalysts to promote the simultaneous depletion of glucose and glutathione

Glucose and glutathione (GSH) are key biomolecules for the regulation and growth of tumor cells. The use of inorganic nanocatalysts in biomedicine to target and deplete such specific molecules represents a novel and promising strategy against cancer. In this work, we present a ternary assembled nanohybrid based on Au and CuFe2O4 with the capability to simultaneously deplete glucose and GSH and generate reactive oxidative species (ROS) in a cascade process. We describe an example of a synergistic heterogeneous nanoarchitecture able to maintain the glucose oxidase-like activity of Au while preventing its deactivation in the presence of GSH. Au sites remain active due to the rapid response of the Cu–Fe co-catalyst to deplete GSH levels. This example of hybrid heterostructure represents an appealing alternative with dual-activity within the tumor microenvironment (TME) for potential anticancer therapy

Master international en gestion intégrée et valorisation de zones littorales

En prens

Discrete Nonholonomic LL Systems on Lie Groups

This paper applies the recently developed theory of discrete nonholonomic mechanics to the study of discrete nonholonomic left-invariant dynamics on Lie groups. The theory is illustrated with the discrete versions of two classical nonholonomic systems, the Suslov top and the Chaplygin sleigh. The preservation of the reduced energy by the discrete flow is observed and the discrete momentum conservation is discussed.Comment: 32 pages, 13 figure

Are Nested Networks More Robust to Disturbance? A Test Using Epiphyte-Tree, Comensalistic Networks

Recent research on ecological networks suggests that mutualistic networks are more nested than antagonistic ones and, as a result, they are more robust against chains of extinctions caused by disturbances. We evaluate whether mutualistic networks are more nested than comensalistic and antagonistic networks, and whether highly nested, host-epiphyte comensalistic networks fit the prediction of high robustness against disturbance. A review of 59 networks including mutualistic, antagonistic and comensalistic relationships showed that comensalistic networks are significantly more nested than antagonistic and mutualistic networks, which did not differ between themselves. Epiphyte-host networks from old-growth forests differed from those from disturbed forest in several topological parameters based on both qualitative and quantitative matrices. Network robustness increased with network size, but the slope of this relationship varied with nestedness and connectance. Our results indicate that interaction networks show complex responses to disturbances, which influence their topology and indirectly affect their robustness against species extinctions

An Experimental DUAL Model of Advanced Liver Damage

Individuals exhibiting an intermediate alcohol drinking pattern in conjunction with signs of metabolic risk present clinical features of both alcohol-associated and metabolic-associated fatty liver diseases. However, such combination remains an unexplored area of great interest, given the increasing number of patients affected. In the present study, we aimed to develop a preclinical DUAL (alcohol-associated liver disease plus metabolic-associated fatty liver disease) model in mice. C57BL/6 mice received 10% vol/vol alcohol in sweetened drinking water in combination with a Western diet for 10, 23, and 52 weeks (DUAL model). Animals fed with DUAL diet elicited a significant increase in body mass index accompanied by a pronounced hypertrophy of adipocytes, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglycemia. Significant liver damage was characterized by elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels, extensive hepatomegaly, hepatocyte enlargement, ballooning, steatosis, hepatic cell death, and compensatory proliferation. Notably, DUAL animals developed lobular inflammation and advanced hepatic fibrosis. Sequentially, bridging cirrhotic changes were frequently observed after 12 months. Bulk RNA-sequencing analysis indicated that dysregulated molecular pathways in DUAL mice were similar to those of patients with steatohepatitis. Conclusion: Our DUAL model is characterized by obesity, glucose intolerance, liver damage, prominent steatohepatitis and fibrosis, as well as inflammation and fibrosis in white adipose tissue. Altogether, the DUAL model mimics all histological, metabolic, and transcriptomic gene signatures of human advanced steatohepatitis, and therefore serves as a preclinical tool for the development of therapeutic targets.Supported by EXOHEP-CM (S2017/BMD-3727), Ramón y Cajal (RYC-2014-15242 and RYC-2015-17438), NanoLiver-CM (Y2018/NMT-4949), COST Action (CA17112), AMMF (2018/117), ERAB (EA 18/14), MINECO Retos (SAF2016-78711 and SAF2017-87919-R), and German Research Foundation (DFG NE 2128/2-1, SFB 1382-403224013/A02, and SFB/TRR57/P04). FJC is a Gilead Research Liver Scholar. The research group belongs to the validated Research group Ref. 970935 “Liver Pathophysiology”, 920631 “Lymphocyte immunology”, 920361 “Immunogenética e inmunología de las mucosas” and IBL-6 (imas12-associated). FG and KZ are Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) fellows. O.E.-V is supported by Beca FPI (associated to MINECO SAF2017-87919R) and R.B.-U. by Contratos predoctorales de personal investigador en formación UCM-Banco Santander (CT63/19)