Chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of two quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) flour varieties from Peru

Food insecurity, malnutrition, and environmental problems are critical challenges for which a solution has been sought for decades. However, no great progress has been made. Although organizations such as FAO, UNICEF, WHO, and WFP make efforts to eradicate hunger and malnutrition by 2030, the goal is far from being achieved, making the situation even worse with the pandemic and the Ukrainian war. One of the strategies proposed to solve this problem is the transformation of food systems, considering sustainability and protection of biodiversity, in addition to increasing access to affordable and healthy diets. In this context, researching and disseminating information about ancestral grains such as quinoa is important, considering that this crop originating from the Andes is world-renowned for its nutritional value, functional properties, and agronomic versatility. Two varieties of quinoa flour from Junín Peru, were evaluated: Rosada de Huancayo (RH) and Pasankalla (PK). RH was characterized by a good grain size and white color, while the PK showed red color, indicating potential antioxidant properties. In the proximal evaluation, the protein, insoluble dietary fiber, and soluble dietary fiber contents showed significant differences (p<0.05). RH variety presented the highest protein content (19.41% ± 0.67, dry basis) compared to the PK (17.35% ± 0.54, DB), while for insoluble and soluble dietary fiber, this was higher in the PK variety (14.60% ± 0.46; 0.96 ± 0.13%, DB respectively). In the case of minerals, zinc, manganese, and copper contents were higher in PK, while a higher phosphorus and potassium content was found in RH. Regarding polyphenols and antioxidant capacity, the PK variety had the highest values and showed significant differences (p<0.05) with respect to RH. Both varieties of quinoa presented good nutritional and functional quality, showing values equal to or higher than those of the most consumed cereals such as wheat and corn.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Functional phage display of leech-derived tryptase inhibitor (LDTI): construction of a library and selection of thrombin inhibitors

The recombinant phage antibody system pCANTAB 5E has been used to display functionally active leech-derived tryptase inhibitor (LDTI) on the tip of the filamentous M13 phage, A limited combinatorial library of 5.2 x 10(4) mutants was created with a synthetic LDTI gene, using a degenerated oligonucleotide and the pCANTAB 5E phagemid. the mutations were restricted to the P1-P4' positions of the reactive site. Fusion phages and appropriate host strains containing the phagemids were selected after binding to thrombin and DNA sequencing. the variants LDTI-2T (K8R, I9V, S10, K11W, P12A), LDTI-5T (K8R, I9V, S10, K11S, P12L) and LDTI-10T (K8R, I9L, S10, K11D, P12I) were produced with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression system. the new inhibitors, LDTI-2T and -5T, prolong the blood clotting time, inhibit thrombin (Ki 302 nM and 28 nM) and trypsin (K-i 6.4 nM and 2.1 nM) but not factor Xa, plasma kallikrein or neutrophil elastase, the variant LDTI-10T binds to thrombin but does not inhibit it, the relevant reactive site sequences of the thrombin inhibiting variants showed a strong preference for arginine in position P1 (K8R) and for valine in P1' (I9V), the data indicate further that LDTI-5T might be a model candidate for generation of active-site directed thrombin inhibitors and that LDTI in general may be useful to generate specific inhibitors suitable for a better understanding of enzyme-inhibitor interactions. (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.UNIFESP, Dept Bioquim, EPM, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Munich, Klinikum Innenstadt, Chirurg Klin & Poliklin, Klin Chem & Klin Biochem Abt, D-8000 Munich, GermanyUNIFESP, Dept Med, Disciplina Hematol, EPM, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, Dept Bioquim, EPM, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, Dept Med, Disciplina Hematol, EPM, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Fucoidan Inhibition of Osteosarcoma Cells Is Species and Molecular Weight Dependent.

Fucoidan is a brown algae-derived polysaccharide having several biomedical applications. This study simultaneously compares the anti-cancer activities of crude fucoidans from Fucus vesiculosus and Sargassum filipendula, and effects of low (LMW, 10-50 kDa), medium (MMW, 50-100 kDa) and high (HMW, >100 kDa) molecular weight fractions of S. filipendula fucoidan against osteosarcoma cells. Glucose, fucose and acid levels were lower and sulphation was higher in F. vesiculosus crude fucoidan compared to S. filipendula crude fucoidan. MMW had the highest levels of sugars, acids and sulphation among molecular weight fractions. There was a dose-dependent drop in focal adhesion formation and proliferation of cells for all fucoidan-types, but F. vesiculosus fucoidan and HMW had the strongest effects. G1-phase arrest was induced by F. vesiculosus fucoidan, MMW and HMW, however F. vesiculosus fucoidan treatment also caused accumulation in the sub-G1-phase. Mitochondrial damage occurred for all fucoidan-types, however F. vesiculosus fucoidan led to mitochondrial fragmentation. Annexin V/PI, TUNEL and cytochrome c staining confirmed stress-induced apoptosis-like cell death for F. vesiculosus fucoidan and features of stress-induced necrosis-like cell death for S. filipendula fucoidans. There was also variation in penetrability of different fucoidans inside the cell. These differences in anti-cancer activity of fucoidans are applicable for osteosarcoma treatment

Depression: Childrens also suffer with this disease

Este artigo tem o intuito de discorrer a respeito do conceito de depressão, abordando suas tipologias e sua ocorrência na infância. Para isso também faz breves apontamentos sobre o desenvolvimento humano, uma vez que é por meio dele que se pode compreender o comportamento da criança. Observou-se no decorrer deste texto que é relativamente recente o reconhecimento da presença da depressão em crianças. Atualmente, os sintomas básicos de um episódio depressivo maior são reconhecidamente iguais em crianças, adolescentes e adultos. Assim, o presente trabalho entendeu que a descrição sintetizada das sintomatologias é uma importante forma de transmitir e estimular novos estudos.This paper aims to discuss the concept of depression, addressing their types and their occurrence in childhood. To this also makes brief notes about human development, since it is through him that one can understand the child's behavior. It was observed during this text is relatively recent recognition of the presence of depression in children Currently the basic symptoms of a major depressive episode are admittedly equal in children, adolescents and adults. Thus, this study found that the synthesized description of the symptomatology is an important way to convey and stimulate new studies

Use of recycled material for the construction of didactic material in the teaching of mathematics.

Ao refletir sobre o ensino de Matem?tica, por muito tempo se pensou nas f?rmulas e conceitos. Dado o car?ter abstrato e a forma mec?nica com que era aplicado aos alunos em tempos atr?s, distanciava-os da pr?tica. Atualmente, os alunos apresentam uma fragilidade no aprendizado da matem?tica contextualizado ?s situa??es concretas relacionadas com o mundo real, isso porque ainda existe um ensino que prioriza a mecaniza??o e a memoriza??o. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a participa??o das atividades l?dicas no processo de ensino aprendizagem da matem?tica agregada a educa??o ambiental aproximando o concreto do abstrato, colaborando na cria??o de novos recursos did?ticos que vinculem a interdisciplinaridade e o pensamento matem?tico presentes na Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educa??o 9394/96. Em um primeiro momento foram feitas an?lises de jogos matem?ticos constru?dos com materiais recicl?veis vinculados ao eixo Num?rico e Alg?brico; eixo de Geometria; eixo de Grandezas e Medidas. Posteriormente, foram propostos jogos matem?ticos vinculados a geometria plana que foram aplicados aos alunos das s?ries iniciais do ensino fundamental. O estudo apontou que os alunos puderam identificar e reconhecer figuras geom?tricas, desenvolver e identificar habilidades l?gicas e conceituais, ampliando a curiosidade, criatividade, autoconfian?a e a percep??o da geometria como um desafio que possam vencer. Concluiu-se que no transcorrer dos jogos que os erros estimularam os alunos a novas tentativas, com planejamento de melhores jogadas a partir do conhecimento adquirido anteriormente.Ao refletir sobre o ensino de Matem?tica, por muito tempo se pensou nas f?rmulas e conceitos. Dado o car?ter abstrato e a forma mec?nica com que era aplicado aos alunos em tempos atr?s, distanciava-os da pr?tica. Atualmente, os alunos apresentam uma fragilidade no aprendizado da matem?tica contextualizado ?s situa??es concretas relacionadas com o mundo real, isso porque ainda existe um ensino que prioriza a mecaniza??o e a memoriza??o. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a participa??o das atividades l?dicas no processo de ensino aprendizagem da matem?tica agregada a educa??o ambiental aproximando o concreto do abstrato, colaborando na cria??o de novos recursos did?ticos que vinculem a interdisciplinaridade e o pensamento matem?tico presentes na Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educa??o 9394/96. Em um primeiro momento foram feitas an?lises de jogos matem?ticos constru?dos com materiais recicl?veis vinculados ao eixo Num?rico e Alg?brico; eixo de Geometria; eixo de Grandezas e Medidas. Posteriormente, foram propostos jogos matem?ticos vinculados a geometria plana que foram aplicados aos alunos das s?ries iniciais do ensino fundamental. O estudo apontou que os alunos puderam identificar e reconhecer figuras geom?tricas, desenvolver e identificar habilidades l?gicas e conceituais, ampliando a curiosidade, criatividade, autoconfian?a e a percep??o da geometria como um desafio que possam vencer. Concluiu-se que no transcorrer dos jogos que os erros estimularam os alunos a novas tentativas, com planejamento de melhores jogadas a partir do conhecimento adquirido anteriormente

Specific loss of CatSper function is sufficient to compromise fertilizing capacity of human spermatozoa

STUDY QUESTION Are significant abnormalities of CatSper function present in IVF patients with normal sperm concentration and motility and if so what is their functional significance for fertilization success?SUMMARY ANSWER Sperm with a near absence of CatSper current failed to respond to activation of CatSper by progesterone and there was fertilization failure at IVF.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In human spermatozoa, Ca2+ influx induced by progesterone is mediated by CatSper, a sperm-specific Ca2+ channel. A suboptimal Ca2+ influx is significantly associated with, and more prevalent in, men with abnormal semen parameters, and is associated with reduced fertilizing capacity. However, abnormalities in CatSper current can only be assessed directly using electrophysiology. There is only one report of a CatSper-deficient man who showed no progesterone potentiated CatSper current. A CatSper 2 genetic abnormality was present but there was no information on the [Ca2+]i response to CatSper activation by progesterone. Additionally, the semen samples had indicating significant abnormalities (oligoasthenoteratozoospermia) multiple suboptimal functional responses in the spermatozoon. As such it cannot be concluded that impaired CatSper function alone causes infertility or that CatSper blockade is a potential safe target for contraception.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Spermatozoa were obtained from donors and subfertile IVF patients attending a hospital assisted reproductive techniques clinic between January 2013 and December 2014. In total 134 IVF patients, 28 normozoospermic donors and 10 patients recalled due to a history of failed/low fertilization at IVF took part in the study.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Samples were primarily screened using the Ca2+ influx induced by progesterone and, if cell number was sufficient, samples were also assessed by hyperactivation and penetration into viscous media. A defective Ca2+ response to progesterone was defined using the 99% confidence interval from the distribution of response amplitudes in normozoospermic donors. Samples showing a defective Ca2+ response were further examined in order to characterize the potential CatSper abnormalities. In men where there was a consistent and robust failure of calcium signalling, a direct assessment of CatSper function was performed using electrophysiology (patch clamping), and a blood sample was obtained for genetic analysis.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A total of 101/102 (99%) IVF patients and 22/23 (96%) donors exhibited a normal Ca2+ response. The mean (±SD) normalized peak response did not differ between donors and IVF patients (2.57 ± 0.68 [n = 34 ejaculates from 23 different donors] versus 2.66 ± 0.68 [n = 102 IVF patients], P = 0.63). In recall patients, 9/10 (90%) showed a normal Ca2+ response. Three men were initially identified with a defective Ca2+ influx. However, only one (Patient 1) had a defective response in repeat semen samples. Electrophysiology experiments on sperm from Patient 1 showed a near absence of CatSper current and exon screening demonstrated no mutations in the coding regions of the CatSper complex. There was no increase in penetration of viscous media when the spermatozoa were stimulated with progesterone and importantly there was failed fertilization at IVF.LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION A key limitation relates to working with a specific functional parameter (Ca2+ influx induced by progesterone) in fresh sperm samples from donors and patients that have limited viability. Therefore, for practical, technical and logistical reasons, some men (∼22% of IVF patients) could not be screened. As such the incidence of significant Ca2+ abnormalities induced by progesterone may be higher than the ∼1% observed here. Additionally, we used a strict definition of a defective Ca2+ influx such that only substantial abnormalities were selected for further study. Furthermore, electrophysiology was only performed on one patient with a robust and repeatable defective calcium response. This man had negligible CatSper current but more subtle abnormalities (e.g. currents present but significantly smaller) may have been present in men with either normal or below normal Ca2+ influx.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS These data add significantly to the understanding of the role of CatSper in human sperm function and its impact on male fertility. Remarkably, these findings provide the first direct evidence that CatSper is a suitable and specific target for human male contraception

A total transcriptome profiling method for plasma-derived extracellular vesicles: applications for liquid biopsies

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of intercellular communication. Part of their biological effects can be attributed to the transfer of cargos of diverse types of RNAs, which are promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. EVs found in human biofluids are a valuable source for the development of minimally invasive assays. However, the total transcriptional landscape of EVs is still largely unknown. Here we develop a new method for total transcriptome profiling of plasma-derived EVs by next generation sequencing (NGS) from limited quantities of patient-derived clinical samples, which enables the unbiased characterization of the complete RNA cargo, including both small- and long-RNAs, in a single library preparation step. This approach was applied to RNA extracted from EVs isolated by ultracentrifugation from the plasma of five healthy volunteers. Among the most abundant RNAs identified we found small RNAs such as tRNAs, miRNAs and miscellaneous RNAs, which have largely unknown functions. We also identified protein-coding and long noncoding transcripts, as well as circular RNA species that were also experimentally validated. This method enables, for the first time, the full spectrum of transcriptome data to be obtained from minute patient-derived samples, and will therefore potentially allow the identification of cell-to-cell communication mechanisms and biomarkers.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Gillson-Longenbaugh FoundationNational Institutes of Health (NIH/NCATS) through the NIH Common Fund, Office of Strategic Coordination (OSC)AC Camargo Canc Ctr, Lab Med Genom, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilAC Camargo Canc Ctr, Lab Computat Biol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Cell & Dev Biol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Electron Microscopy Ctr, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Texas MD Anderson Canc Ctr, Dept Expt Therapeut, Houston, TX 77030 USAUniv Texas MD Anderson Canc Ctr, Ctr RNA Interference & Non Coding RNAs, Houston, TX 77030 USAUniv New Mexico, Comprehens Canc Ctr, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USAUniv New Mexico, Sch Med, Div Hematol Oncol, Dept Internal Med, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USAUniv New Mexico, Sch Med, Div Mol Med, Dept Internal Med, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USARockefeller Univ, Lab Mol Immunol, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10021 USAFMUSP, Lab Neurociencias Alzira Denise Hertzog Silva LIM, Inst Psiquiatria, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Electron Microscopy Ctr, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2011/09172-3FAPESP: 2014/26897-0Web of Scienc