Bioconversion of polyphenols and organic acids by gut microbiota of predigested Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyces and Agave (A. tequilana Weber) fructans assessed in a dynamic in vitro model (TIM-2) of the human colon

The present work aimed at understanding gut microbiota bioconversion of phenolic compounds (PC) and organic acids in predigested Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hb) calyces and the mixture of Hb and Agave (Agave tequilana Weber) fructans (AF). With this purpose, dried Hb and Hb/AF were predigested with enzymatic treatment, and then fermented in a dynamic in vitro model of the human colon (TIM-2). After HPLC-ESI-QToF-MS analysis of samples taken at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h of fermentation, it was observed that hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, flavonols, and anthocyanins were mainly transformed into derivatives of hydroxyphenylpropionic, hydroxyphenylacetic and hydroxybenzoic acids. Moreover, organic acids, such as hydroxycitric and hibiscus acids, were formed along with unidentified lactones and reduced compounds. Interestingly, no differences were observed between microbial-derived metabolites formed after the fermentation of Hb and Hb/AF. In conclusion, colonic fermentation of polyphenol-rich Hb yields a wide range of microbial phenolic metabolites with potential effects on health.RMB and SGSA acknowledge to Science and Technology for Development Program (CYTED) through the Ibero-American Network of Underutilized Autonomous Foods (ALSUB-CYTED, 118RT0543). SGSA acknowledges CONACYT-Mexico for the sabbatical grant 260935. The Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Project AGL2015-69986-R) is also acknowledged. This research has been made possible with the support of the Dutch Province of Limburg.Peer reviewe

FOXO3 determines the accumulation of α-synuclein and controls the fate of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the selective degeneration of neuronal populations presumably due to pathogenic interactions between aging and predisposing factors such as increased levels of α-synuclein. Here, we genetically modulate the activity of the transcription factor Forkhead box protein O3 (FOXO3) in adult nigral dopaminergic neurons using viral vectors and explore how this determinant of longevity impacts on neuronal fate in normal and diseased conditions. We find that dopaminergic neurons are particularly vulnerable to changes in FOXO3 activity in the substantia nigra. While constitutive activation has proapoptotic effects leading to neuronal loss, inhibition of FOXO-mediated transcription by a dominant-negative competitor causes oxidative damage and is detrimental at high vector dose. To address the role of FOXO3 in PD, we modulate its activity in dopaminergic neurons overexpressing human α-synuclein. In this pathogenic condition, we find that FOXO inhibition has protective effects, suggesting that this transcription factor ultimately contributes to neuronal cell death. Nevertheless, mild FOXO3 activity also protects nigral neurons against the accumulation of human α-synuclein, albeit to a lesser extent. FOXO3 reduces the amount of α-synuclein present in the soluble protein fraction and promotes the coalescence of dense proteinase K-resistant aggregates, with an accumulation of autophagic vacuoles containing lipofuscin. Consistent with these in vivo observations, we find that FOXO3 controls autophagic flux in neuronal cells. Altogether, these results point to FOXO3 as an important determinant of neuronal survival in the substantia nigra, which may oppose α-synuclein accumulation and proteotoxicit

Bacterial genome adaptation to niches: Divergence of the potential virulence genes in three Burkholderia species of different survival strategies

BACKGROUND: Two closely related species Burkholderia mallei (Bm) and Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp) are serious human health hazards and are potential bio-warfare agents, whereas another closely related species Burkholderia thailandensis (Bt) is a non-pathogenic saprophyte. To investigate the genomic factors resulting in such a dramatic difference, we first identified the Bm genes responsive to the mouse environment, and then examined the divergence of these genes in Bp and Bt. RESULTS: The genes down-expressed, which largely encode cell growth-related proteins, are conserved well in all three species, whereas those up-expressed, which include potential virulence genes, are less well conserved or absent notably in Bt. However, a substantial number of up-expressed genes is still conserved in Bt. Bm and Bp further diverged from each other in a small number of genes resulting from unit number changes in simple sequence repeats (ssr) in the homologs. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that divergent evolution of a small set of genes, rather than acquisition or loss of pathogenic islands, is associated with the development of different life styles in these bacteria of similar genomic contents. Further divergence between Bm and Bp mediated by ssr changes may reflect different adaptive processes of Bm and Bp fine-tuning into their host environments

Análisis comparativo de las características fisicoquímicas de la cascarilla de arroz.

En este estudio se hace un análisis comparativo de las principales propiedades fisicoquímicas de la cascarilla de arroz obtenida por investigaciones realizadas en las universidades de Canadá, California, RP China y de Ibagué Colombia, como punto de partida para la realización del proyecto de transformación de la biomasa arrocera en energía eléctrica y térmica. Se concluye que existe una igualdad entre los rengos de las características fisicoquímicas de la cascarilla de arroz para regiones tan distantes y diferentes como China, Canadá, Estados Unidos y Colombia; y que en ellas las temperaturas de oxidación alcanzada es del orden de 1200K, liberando alrededor del 67% del valor calórico en la etapa dominante de la combustión correspondiente a la combustión de los volátiles

Non-Structural Masonry Walls Strengthened With Gfrp Laminates

One of the major construction systems in Colombia, and in general throughout Latin America, consists of multistory moment resisting reinforced concrete (RC) frames filled with unreinforced masonry (URM) walls. These non-structural masonry walls are conventionally built using clay tiles. Due to the high seismic activity in Colombia, this kind of masonry wall is prone to damage. One of the alternatives being explored in Colombia to prevent the failure or lessen the damages in clay tile URM walls is to strengthen them with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) laminates. This paper presents promising results of experimental tests conducted on twenty-six wallettes of 9x70x70 cm and 9x120x120 cm, which were strengthened with different layouts of GFRP laminates. In addition, a full-scale wall was tested to validate the technology. The paper discusses the effect of GFRP laminates on the failure mechanisms, capacity and ductility parameters as well as on the overall reduction of earthquake damage for clay tile URM walls

Evaluación De La Eficiencia Energética De Un Horno Que Utiliza Como Combustible Cascarilla De Arroz

Existen solo unas pocas maneras mediante las cuales el hombre produce la energía para satisfacer sus necesidades, y la mayoría de estas maneras implican la combustión de un combustible ya sea sólido, líquido ó gaseoso, buscando que la eficiencia térmica y de la combustión se acerque lo más posible al 100 %. En este estudio se discuten los procedimientos para cuantificar la eficiencia térmica y de la combustión, en un horno que utiliza como combustible cascarilla de arroz, mediante la aplicación de la norma soviética y el método indirecto, se analizan los factores más influyentes sobre esta, realizando pruebas experimentales para obtener algunas variables

Duodenal metastasis of alveolar soft part sarcoma

Aveolar soft part sarcoma is a rare tumor responsible for about 1% of all soft tissue sarcomas, affecting mostly adolescents and young adults. ASPS has curious patterns of metastatic spread, with seldom lymph node involvement. Lung, bone and brain are the most common metastatic places. Small bowel metastasis are infrequent, having found reported only one case of duodenal metastasis with polypous appearance. We describe a case of duodenal metastasis presenting as abdominal mass five years after initial diagnosis of alveolar soft part sarcoma