Adsorption features of various inorganic materials for the drug removal from water and synthetic urine medium: A multi-technique time-resolved in situ investigation

Pharmaceutical active compounds, including hundreds of different substances, are counted among the emerging contaminants in waterbodies, whose presence raises a growing concern for the ecosystem. Drugs are metabolized and excreted mainly through urine as an unchanged active ingredient or in the form of metabolites. These emerging contaminants are not effectively removed with the technologies currently in use, making them a relevant environmental problem. This study proposes the treatment of urine and water at the source that can allow an easier removal of dissolved drugs and metabolites. The treatment of synthetic urine, with dissolved ibuprofen as a model compound, by adsorption, using various classes of inorganic materials, such as clays, hierarchical zeolites and ordered mesoporous silica (MCM-41), is presented. A multi-technique approach involving X-ray powder diffraction, solid-state NMR, UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopies was employed to investigate the adsorption process in inorganic adsorbents. Moreover, the uptake, the ensuing competition, the efficiency and selectivity as well as the packing of the model compound in ordered mesoporous silica during the incipient wetness impregnation process were all thoroughly monitored by a novel approach, involving combined complementary time-resolved in situ1 H and13 C MAS NMR spectroscopy as well as X-ray powder diffraction

Apoptotic-induced effects of acacia catechu willd. Extract in human colon cancer cells

The research for innovative treatments against colon adenocarcinomas is still a great challenge. Acacia catechu Willd. heartwood extract (AC) has health-promoting qualities, especially at the gastrointestinal level. This study characterized AC for its catechins content and investigated the apoptosis-enhancing effect in human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells, along with its ability to spare healthy tissue. MTT assay was used to describe the time course, concentration dependence and reversibility of AC-mediated cytotoxicity. Cell cycle analysis and AV-PI and DAPI-staining were performed to evaluate apoptosis, together with ROS formation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes and caspase activities. Rat ileum and colon rings were tested for their viability and functionality to explore AC effects on healthy tissue. Quantitative analysis highlighted that AC was rich in (\ub1)-catechin (31.5 \ub1 0.82 mg/g) and ( 12)-epicatechin (12.5 \ub1 0.42 mg/g). AC irreversibly decreased cell viability in a concentration-dependent, but not time-dependent fashion. Cytotoxicity was accompanied by increases in apoptotic cells and ROS, a reduction in MMP and increases in caspase-9 and 3 activities. AC did not affect rat ileum and colon rings\u2019 viability and functionality, suggesting a safe profile toward healthy tissue. The present findings outline the potential of AC for colon cancer treatment

Usefulness of preclinical models for assessing the efficacy of late-life interventions for sarcopenia

Caloric restriction and physical exercise have proven beneficial against age-associated changes in body composition and declining physical performance; however, little is known regarding what benefit these interventions might have when initiated late in life. The study of mimetics of diet and exercise and the combination thereof may provide additional treatments for a vulnerable elderly population; however, how and when to initiate such interventions requires consideration in developing the most safe and efficacious treatment strategies. In this review, we focus on preclinical late-life intervention studies, which assess the relationship between physical function, sarcopenia, and body composition. We provide a conceptual framework for the ever-changing definition of sarcopenia and a rationale for the use of an appropriate rodent model of this condition. We finish by providing our perspective regarding the implications of this body of work and future areas of research that may also contribute to the ultimate goal of extending healthspan. © 2011 The Author

Sarcopenia in Primary Care: Screening, Diagnosis, Management

Detection of sarcopenia in primary care is a first and essential step in community-dwelling older adults before implementing preventive interventions against the onset of disabling conditions. In fact, leaving this condition undiagnosed and untreated can impact on the individual’s quality of life and function, as well as on healthcare costs. This article summarizes the many instruments today available for promoting an earlier and prompter detection of sarcopenia in primary care, combining insights about its clinical management. Primary care physicians may indeed play a crucial role in the identification of individuals exposed to the risk of sarcopenia or already presenting this condition. To confirm the suspected diagnosis, several possible techniques may be advocated, but it is important that strategies are specifically calibrated to the needs, priorities and resources of the setting where the evaluation is conducted. To tackle sarcopenia, nutritional counselling and physical activity programs are today the two main interventions to be proposed. Multicomponent and personalized exercise programs can (and should) be prescribed by primary care physicians, taking advantage of validated programs ad hoc designed for this purpose (e.g., the Vivifrail protocol). It is possible that, in the next future, new pharmacological treatments may become available for tackling the skeletal muscle decline. These will probably find application in those individuals non-responding to lifestyle interventions

Generación de aplicaciones basada en MDE

La creciente complejidad de los sistemas informáticos exige el desarrollo de productos con niveles de calidad y productividad mayores. Esto es debido a la existencia de un contexto altamente dinámico y con acelerados cambios tecnológicos. Como consecuencia de este contexto el diseño de software se enfrenta continuamente a la heterogeneidad de los sistemas. Tal es el caso de los sistemas distribuidos donde es difícil satisfacer los requisitos de escalabilidad, seguridad y eficiencia. Como contrapartida surge la idea de que si el desarrollo esta dirigido por modelos de software se obtendrán beneficios en cuanto a productividad, portabilidad, interoperabilidad y mantenimiento. El presente trabajo analiza la Ingeniería Dirigida por Modelos (MDE) como propuesta válida para cumplir con las exigencias mencionadas anteriormente. Además se estudia a los Lenguajes Específicos de Dominio (DSL) como la formalización del modelado planteado por MDE. Y avanza en el paso siguiente que es la generación de aplicaciones a partir de los modelos diseñados.Eje: Ingeniería de SoftwareRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Mitochondrial-Derived Vesicles as Candidate Biomarkers in Parkinson's Disease: Rationale, Design and Methods of the EXosomes in PArkiNson Disease (EXPAND) Study

The progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigro-striatal system is a major trait of Parkinson's disease (PD), manifesting clinically as motor and non-motor symptoms. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are alleged pathogenic mechanisms underlying aggregation of misfolded α-synuclein that in turn triggers dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Peripheral processes, including inflammation, may precede and contribute to neurodegeneration. Whether mitochondrial dyshomeostasis in the central nervous system and systemic inflammation are linked to one another in PD is presently unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are delivery systems through which cells can communicate or unload noxious materials. EV trafficking also participates in mitochondrial quality control (MQC) by generating mitochondrial-derived vesicles to dispose damaged organelles. Disruption of MQC coupled with abnormal EV secretion may play a role in the pathogenesis of PD. Furthermore, due to its bacterial ancestry, circulating mitochondrial DNA can elicit an inflammatory response. Therefore, purification and characterisation of molecules packaged in, and secreted through, small EVs (sEVs)/exosomes in body fluids may provide meaningful insights into the association between mitochondrial dysfunction and systemic inflammation in PD. The EXosomes in PArkiNson Disease (EXPAND) study was designed to characterise the cargo of sEVs/exosomes isolated from the serum of PD patients and to identify candidate biomarkers for PD

Skeletal Muscle Apoptotic Signaling Predicts Thigh Muscle Volume and Gait Speed in Community-Dwelling Older Persons: An Exploratory Study

Preclinical studies strongly suggest that accelerated apoptosis in skeletal myocytes may be involved in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. However, evidence in humans is sparse. In the present study, we investigated whether apoptotic signaling in the skeletal muscle was associated with indices of muscle mass and function in older persons.Community-dwelling older adults were categorized into high-functioning (HF) or low-functioning (LF) groups according to their short physical performance battery (SPPB) summary score. Participants underwent an isokinetic knee extensor strength test and 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging of the thigh. Vastus lateralis muscle samples were obtained by percutaneous needle biopsy and assayed for the expression of a set of apoptotic signaling proteins. Age, sex, number of comorbid conditions and medications as well as knee extensor strength were not different between groups. HF participants displayed greater thigh muscle volume compared with LF persons. Multivariate partial least squares (PLS) regressions showed significant correlations between caspase-dependent apoptotic signaling proteins and the muscular percentage of thigh volume (R(2) = 0.78; Q(2) = 0.61) as well as gait speed (R(2) = 0.81; Q(2) = 0.56). Significant variables in the PLS model of percent muscle volume were active caspase-8, cleaved caspase-3, cytosolic cytochrome c and mitochondrial Bak. The regression model of gait speed was mainly described by cleaved caspase-3 and mitochondrial Bax and Bak. PLS predictive apoptotic variables did not differ between functional groups. No correlation was determined between apoptotic signaling proteins and muscle strength or quality (strength per unit volume).Data from this exploratory study show for the first time that apoptotic signaling is correlated with indices of muscle mass and function in a cohort of community-dwelling older persons. Future larger-scale studies are needed to corroborate these preliminary findings and determine if down-regulation of apoptotic signaling in skeletal myocytes will provide improvements in the muscle mass and functional status of older persons