Binding of retinoids to uteroglobin

AbstractUteroglobin, a progesterone-binding secretory protein, was shown to bind retinoic acid and retinol in a non-saturable manner, at least up to concentrations of retinoids of 20 μM. Binding is increased about 10-fold by previous reduction of uteroglobin with 10 mM dithothreitol and it is not affected by previous saturation of the progesterone binding site, suggesting different binding sites for the steroid and the retinoids. The results are discussed in relation to a possible physiological role for this protein

Hamiltonian Noether theorem for gauge systems and two time physics

The Noether theorem for Hamiltonian constrained systems is revisited. In particular, our review presents a novel method to show that the gauge transformations are generated by the conserved quantities associated with the first class constraints. We apply our results to the relativistic point particle, to the Friedberg et al. model and, with special emphasis, to two time physics.Comment: 20 pages, Latex, references added, the "massless" sense of (87) is clarifie

A CMOS Mixed Mode Non-Linear Processing Unit for Adaptive Sensor Conditioning in Portable Smart Systems

This paper presents the architecture of a novel non-linear digitally programmable analog unit for sensor output conditioning in battery-operated smart systems. Designed in an 180nm 1.8V standard CMOS technology, by properly setting the 6-bit registers in the arithmetic unit, the voltage inputs are weighted before being processed by a non-linear circuit. Thus, a processing system consisting of a set of these devices suitably tuned and interconnected can be applied to condition a non-linear sensor, improving its behavior both in linearity and operating range, while reducing the effects of cross sensitivity. The robustness of the digital weight tuning is tested simulating a chip-on-the-loop training using a Levenberg-Marquardt-based algorithm. Electric simulations of the proposed unit and the results of its application in a complete neural network-based processing system to improve the linear operating range of a thermistor are presented

High-Linearity Self-Biased CMOS Current Buffer

A highly linear fully self-biased class AB current buffer designed in a standard 0.18 mu m CMOS process with 1.8 V power supply is presented in this paper. It is a simple structure that, with a static power consumption of 48 mu W, features an input resistance as low as 89 Omega, high accuracy in the input-output current ratio and total harmonic distortion (THD) figures lower than -60 dB at 30 mu A amplitude signal and 1 kHz frequency. Robustness was proved through Monte Carlo and corner simulations, and finally validated through experimental measurements, showing that the proposed configuration is a suitable choice for high performance low voltage low power applications

Botánica forestal del género Sorbus en España

Species of the genus Sorbus are studied in Spain, including uses, forestry, conservation and corological, ecological, cultural and linguistics aspects.Se realiza una revisión y síntesis de las especies del género Sorbus en España atendiendo a aspectos corológicos, ecología, conservación, utilidad y aplicaciones forestales, así como culturales y lingüísticos

Bovine leukemia virus non-productive infection of human mammary epithelial cells (MCF10A)

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a retrovirus that causes lymphosarcoma in cattle. Some researchers suggestthat BLV could be related to breast cancer development, however, evidence that the virus can infect thehuman counterpart is lacking. For that reason, the objective of this study was to infect in vitro a humanmammary epithelial cell line (MCF10A) with BLV. The results suggest that the infection is non-productive,since only a fragment of the viral gene pol was detected in the cellular DNA. These results are consistentwith previous studies, where fragments of different BLV genes were found in human mammary tissue.Future studies should investigate whether this non-productive infection can be associated with human breastcancer.Fil: Martinez Cuesta, Lucia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Lendez, Pamela Anahí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Sheahan, Maureen A.. Kansas State University; Estados UnidosFil: Rowland, Raymond R. R.. Kansas State University; Estados UnidosFil: Nieto Farías, María Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Dolcini, Guillermina Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Ceriani, Maria Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; Argentin

Prevalencia de sarcopenia en adultos mayores de dos hogares geriátricos de Pereira, Colombia: Prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults in two retirement homes in Pereira, Colombia

Introduction: Is a risk factor for morbidity, mortality and disability in older adults, so its management is a priority in geriatrics. The aim of this article is to characterize a population of older adults from two geriatric homes and to establish the prevalence of sarcopenia and the degree of dependence. Methods: Cross-sectional study developed in the city of Pereira-Colombia. A population of 72 adults from 65 to 98 years of age was included, using probability sampling. Sarcopenia was determined by means of the Criteria of the European Consensus on Definition and Diagnosis of Sarcopenia, evaluating grip strength, skeletal muscle mass index, in case of sarcopenia, the severity of sarcopenia together with walking speed, and the degree of dependence according to the Barthel scale.  Results: 57 people participated. A total of 68.4% (n=39) were women. The median age was 83 years. Two percent had no sarcopenia, 9% had suspected sarcopenia, 28% had confirmed sarcopenia and 61% had severe sarcopenia. According to the Barthel scale, 31.5% were independent, 45.6% had mild, 15.8% moderate, 5.3% severe and 1.8% total dependence. Conclusions: The prevalence of sarcopenia in nursing homes in Pereira is higher compared to that reported in the literature. Similarly, being in a private nursing home does not guarantee a better physical condition and/or quality of lifeIntroducción: La sarcopenia es un factor de riesgo para morbilidad, mortalidad y discapacidad en adultos mayores, por lo que su manejo es prioridad en geriatría. El objetivo de este artículo, consiste en caracterizar una población de adultos mayores de dos hogares geriátricos y establecer la prevalencia de sarcopenia y el grado de dependencia. Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal desarrollado en la ciudad de Pereira-Colombia. Se incluyó a una población de 72 adultos desde los 65 hasta los 98 años, usando muestreo probabilístico. Se determinó la sarcopenia por medio de los Criterios del Consenso Europeo sobre Definición y Diagnóstico de Sarcopenia; evaluándose la fuerza de prensión, índice de masa muscular esquelética, en caso de presentarse sarcopenia, la severidad de esta junto a la velocidad de marcha, y el grado de dependencia según la escala de Barthel. Resultados: Participaron finalmente 57 personas. El 68,4% (n=39) eran mujeres. La mediana de la edad fue de 83 años. El 2% no presentó sarcopenia, 9% presentaban sospecha de sarcopenia, 28% tenían sarcopenia confirmada y 61% sarcopenia grave. Según la escala de Barthel, el 31,5% eran independientes, 45,6% tenían dependencia leve, 15,8% moderada, 5,3% severa y 1,8% total. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de sarcopenia en los hogares geriátricos de Pereira es mayor en comparación a la reportada en la literatura. Del mismo modo, encontrarse en un hogar geriátrico privado no garantiza una mejor condición física y/o calidad de vida

Hypoglycaemic and Antioxidant Effects of Propolis of Chihuahua in a Model of Experimental Diabetes

Propolis is a bee-collected natural product that has been proven to have various bioactivities. This study tested the effects of a Mexican propolis on streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in a murine model. The results showed that an ethanolic extract of propolis of Chihuahua (EEPCh) significantly inhibited increases in blood glucose and the loss of body weight in diabetic mice. EEPCh increased plasma insulin levels in STZ-diabetic mice, whereas, in untreated diabetic mice, there was no detection of insulin. EEPCh had a high antioxidant capacity (SA50 = 15.75 μg/mL), which was directly related to the concentrations of total phenols (314 mg GAE/g of extract) and flavonoids (6.25 mg QE/g of extract). In addition, increased activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were observed in diabetic mice treated with EEPCh. Compounds such as pinocembrin, quercetin, naringin, naringenin, kaempferol, acacetin, luteolin, and chrysin were identified by HPLC-MS analysis. This investigation demonstrated that propolis of Chihuahua possesses hypoglycaemic and antioxidant activities and can alleviate symptoms of diabetes mellitus in mice. These effects may be directly related to the chemical composition of propolis, as most of the compounds identified in propolis are reportedly active in terms of the different parameters evaluated in this work

Reversion of Severe Mitral Insufficiency in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Using Levosimendan

Idiopathic peripartum cardiomyopathy presenting with heart failure is a true diagnostic and treatment challenge. Goal oriented clinical management aims at the relapse of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. A 35-year-old patient on her 12th day post-delivery presents progressive signs of heart failure. Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe mitral insufficiency, mild left ventricular dysfunction, mild tricuspid insufficiency, severe pulmonary hypertension, and right atrial enlargement. With wet and cold heart failure signs, the patient was a candidate for inodilator cardiovascular support and volume depletion therapy. As the patient presented a persistent tachycardia at rest, levosimendan was chosen over dobutamine. Levosimendan was administered at a dose of 0.2 g/kg/min during a period of 24 hours. After inodilator therapy, the patient's signs and symptoms of heart failure began to decrease, showing improvement of dyspnea, mitral murmur grade went from IV/IV to II/IV, filling pressures and systemic and pulmonary resistance indexes decreased, arterial blood gases improved, and an echocardiography performed 72 h later showed non-dilated cardiomyopathy, mild cardiac contractile dysfunction, mild mitral insufficiency, type I diastolic dysfunction and improvement of pulmonary hypertension. Cardiovascular function in peripartum cardiomyopathy tends to go back to normality in 23-41% of the cases, but in a large group of patients, severe ventricle dysfunction remains months after initial symptoms. This article describes the diagnostic process of a patient with peripartum cardiomyopathy and a successful reversion of a severe case of mitral insufficiency using levosimendan as a new therapeutic strategy in this clinical context