A novel combined scientific and artistic approach for the advanced characterization of interactomes: The akirin/subolesin model

The main objective of this study was to propose a novel methodology to approach challenges in molecular biology. Akirin/Subolesin (AKR/SUB) are vaccine protective antigens and are a model for the study of the interactome due to its conserved function in the regulation of different biological processes such as immunity and development throughout the metazoan. Herein, three visual artists and a music professor collaborated with scientists for the functional characterization of the AKR2 interactome in the regulation of the NF-¿B pathway in human placenta cells. The results served as a methodological proof-of-concept to advance this research area. The results showed new perspectives on unexplored characteristics of AKR2 with functional implications. These results included protein dimerization, the physical interactions with different proteins simultaneously to regulate various biological processes defined by cell type-specific AKR– protein interactions, and how these interactions positively or negatively regulate the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-¿B) signaling pathway in a biological context-dependent manner. These results suggested that AKR2-interacting proteins might constitute suitable secondary transcription factors for cell-and stimulus-specific regulation of NF-¿B. Musical perspective supported AKR/SUB evolutionary conservation in different species and provided new mechanistic insights into the AKR2 interactome. The combined scientific and artistic perspectives resulted in a multidisciplinary approach, advancing our knowledge on AKR/SUB interactome, and provided new insights into the function of AKR2–protein interactions in the regulation of the NF-¿B pathway. Additionally, herein we proposed an algorithm for quantum vaccinomics by focusing on the model proteins AKR/SUB. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Proteínas morfogenéticas óseas (BMPs): Efecto de la proteína osteogénica-1 (OP-l/BMP-7) en la condrogénesis y osteogenesis

En la actualidad, los estudios sobre biología molecular han facilitado el análisis de ciertos factores de transformación del crecimiento tipo ß(TGF-ß)I, entre los que destaca una familia de proteínas morfogenéticas óseas (BMPs). Las técnicas de ingeniería genética han permitido replicar alguno de estos factores y localizar los genes que codifican dichas proteínas. La proteína osteogenics-1 (OP-1) ha sido caracterizada y sintetizada in vitro y muestra un elevado potencial osteogénico y condrogénico tanto in vivo como in vitro. Se presenta una revisión de los últimos avances en la aplicación experimental de las BMPs, y especialmente de la OP-1, en el área de la Cirugía Ortopédica y la TraumatologíaNowadays, molecular biology studies have promoted the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) analysis. These multifunctional proteins are structurally related to transforming growth factor-6 (TGF-6). Genetic engineering techniques have allowed to sequence some of these BMPs. It has been characterized the expression and processing of osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1), a bone morphogenetic protein of the TGF-6 family. The OP-1 shows a high osteogenic and chondrogenic potential. The aim of this paper is to review some updated advances of the BMPs experimental applications, particularly OP-1, in relation to Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatolog

The sound of host-SARS-CoV-2 molecular interactions

Host and virus derived factors are key drivers of the COVID-19 pandemic (Gortázar et al., 2020).1 The interaction between the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Spike glycoprotein (S) and host cell membrane angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor is highly dynamic, mediate virus infection and is the main target for protective antibody response.Peer reviewe

A quantum vaccinomics approach based on protein-protein interactions

Vaccines are the most effective preventive intervention to reduce the impact of infectious diseases worldwide. In particular, tick-borne diseases represent a growing burden for human and animal health worldwide and vaccines are the most effective and environmentally sound approach for the control of vector infestations and pathogen transmission. However, the development of effective vaccines for the control of tick-borne diseases with combined vector-derived and pathogen-derived antigens is one of the limitations for the development of effective vaccine formulations. Quantum biology arise from findings suggesting that living cells operate under non-trivial features of quantum mechanics, which has been proposed to be involved in DNA mutation biological process. Then, the electronic structure of the molecular interactions behind peptide immunogenicity led to quantum immunology and based on the definition of the photon as a quantum of light, the immune protective epitopes were proposed as the immunological quantum. Recently, a quantum vaccinomics approach was proposed based on the characterization of the immunological quantum to further advance the design of more effective and safe vaccines. In this chapter, we describe methods of the quantum vaccinomics approach based on proteins with key functions in cell interactome and regulome of vector–host–pathogen interactions for the identification by yeast two-hybrid screen and the characterization by in vitro protein–protein interactions and musical scores of protein interacting domains, and the characterization of conserved protective epitopes in protein interacting domains. These results can then be used for the design and production of chimeric protective antigens.This work was supported by the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Spain) grant BFU2016-79892-P. Marinela Contreras is funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spain, grant FJC-2018-038277-I. Sara Artigas-Jerónimo is supported by a predoctoral fellowship by the University of Castilla-La Mancha, UCLM, Spain.Peer reviewe

A novel combined scientific and artistic approach for the advanced characterization of interactomes: The Akirin/Subolesin model

The main objective of this study was to propose a novel methodology to approach challenges in molecular biology. Akirin/Subolesin (AKR/SUB) are vaccine protective antigens and are a model for the study of the interactome due to its conserved function in the regulation of different biological processes such as immunity and development throughout the metazoan. Herein, three visual artists and a music professor collaborated with scientists for the functional characterization of the AKR2 interactome in the regulation of the NF-κB pathway in human placenta cells. The results served as a methodological proof-of-concept to advance this research area. The results showed new perspectives on unexplored characteristics of AKR2 with functional implications. These results included protein dimerization, the physical interactions with different proteins simultaneously to regulate various biological processes defined by cell type-specific AKR–protein interactions, and how these interactions positively or negatively regulate the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway in a biological context-dependent manner. These results suggested that AKR2-interacting proteins might constitute suitable secondary transcription factors for cell- and stimulus-specific regulation of NF-κB. Musical perspective supported AKR/SUB evolutionary conservation in different species and provided new mechanistic insights into the AKR2 interactome. The combined scientific and artistic perspectives resulted in a multidisciplinary approach, advancing our knowledge on AKR/SUB interactome, and provided new insights into the function of AKR2–protein interactions in the regulation of the NF-κB pathway. Additionally, herein we proposed an algorithm for quantum vaccinomics by focusing on the model proteins AKR/SUB.This work was financially supported by the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Spain) grant BFU2016-79892-P. M.V. was funded by the University of Castilla La Mancha, Spain.Peer reviewe

Planning to reduce 30-day adverse events after discharge of frail elderly patients with acute heart failure: design and rationale for the DEED FRAIL-AHF trial

Objectives: To demonstrate the efficacy of a system for comprehensive care transfer (Multilevel Guided Discharge Plan [MGDP]) for frail older patients diagnosed with acute heart failure (AHF) and to validate the results of MGDP implementation under real clinical conditions. The MGDP seeks to reduce the number of adverse outcomes within 30 days of emergency department (ED) discharge. Material and methods: We will enroll frail patients over the age of 70 years discharged home from the ED with a main diagnosis of AHF. The MGDP includes the following components: 1) a checklist of clinical recommendations and resource activations, 2) scheduling of an early follow-up visit, 3) transfer of information to the primary care doctor, and 4) written instructions for the patient. Phase 1 of the study will be a matched-pair cluster-randomized controlled trial. Ten EDs will be randomly assigned to the intervention group and 10 to the control group. Each group will enroll 480 patients, and the outcomes will be compared between groups. Phase 2 will be a quasi-experimental study of the intervention in 300 new patients enrolled by the same 20 EDs. The outcomes will be compared to those for each Phase-1 group. The main endpoint at 30 days will be a composite of 2 outcomes: revisits to an ED and/for hospitalization for AHF or cardiovascular death. Conclusion: The study will assess the efficacy and feasibility of comprehensive MGDP transfer of care for frail older AHF patients discharged home

Pictavia Aurea

Este volumen, titulado Pictavia aurea, reúne 131 estudios que constituyen una granada muestra de los debates y las presentaciones en torno a la cultura hispánica del Siglo de Oro que entre los días 11 y 15 de julio de 2011 se dieron en la ciudad de Poitiers (Francia) en el marco del IX congreso de la Asociación Internacional “Siglo de Oro”. Auspiciada por la Universidad de Poitiers, a través del Centro de Estudios de la Literatura española de Entre Siglos (siglos xvii-xviii) (CELES XVII-XVIII) y el laboratorio «Formes et Représentations en Linguistique et Littérature» (FoReLL), la convocatoria reunió en la ciudad francesa a 276 participantes y a un centenar de asistentes en la novena edición del Congreso de la Asociación, que celebró entonces la efeméride del 450o aniversario del nacimiento de Luis de Góngora.A Isaías Lerner, maestro de la filología hispánic