Increase in serum S100B protein level after a swimming

Catalogue Data Abstract/Résumé Physical activity has been shown to be a beneficial stimulus to the central and peripheral nervous systems. The S100B is a cytokine physiologically produced and released predominantly by astrocytes on the central nervous system (CNS). In order to study the possible influence of a nonimpact exercise on S100B serum levels, we measured this protein serum level after a 7,600-meter swimming race. We observed an increase in S100B levels in athletes post-race compared with their baseline values, pointing to a potential acute influence of physical exercise on serum S100B levels not related with CNS injury. We discuss this result and emphasize the possible central and peripheral origins of S100B serum levels. Les bénéfices de l'activité physique sur les systèmes nerveux central et périphérique ne sont plus à prouver. Les S100B sont des cytokines produites physiologiquement et surtout libérées par les astrocytes du système nerveux central (CNS). Pour étudier l'effet potentiel d'une activité physique sans impact, nous avons mesuré les concentrations sériques de cette protéin

COPPADIS-2015 (COhort of Patients with PArkinson's DIsease in Spain, 2015), a global--clinical evaluations, serum biomarkers, genetic studies and neuroimaging--prospective, multicenter, non-interventional, long-term study on Parkinson's disease progressio

Background: Parkinson?s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder causing motor and non-motor symptoms that can affect independence, social adjustment and the quality of life (QoL) of both patients and caregivers. Studies designed to find diagnostic and/or progression biomarkers of PD are needed. We describe here the study protocol of COPPADIS-2015 (COhort of Patients with PArkinson?s DIsease in Spain, 2015), an integral PD project based on four aspects/concepts: 1) PD as a global disease (motor and non-motor symptoms); 2) QoL and caregiver issues; 3) Biomarkers; 4) Disease progression.Methods/design: Observational, descriptive, non-interventional, 5-year follow-up, national (Spain), multicenter (45 centers from 15 autonomous communities), evaluation study. Specific goals: (1) detailed study (clinical evaluations, serum biomarkers, genetic studies and neuroimaging) of a population of PD patients from different areas of Spain, (2) comparison with a control group and (3) follow-up for 5 years. COPPADIS-2015 has been specifically designed to assess 17 proposed objectives. Study population: approximately 800 non-dementia PD patients, 600 principal caregivers and 400 control subjects. Study evaluations: (1) baseline includes motor assessment (e.g., Unified Parkinson?s Disease Rating Scale part III), non-motor symptoms (e.g., Non-Motor Symptoms Scale), cognition (e.g., Parkinson?s Disease Cognitive Rating Scale), mood and neuropsychiatric symptoms (e.g., Neuropsychiatric Inventory), disability, QoL (e.g., 39-item Parkinson?s disease Quality of Life Questionnaire Summary-Index) and caregiver status (e.g., Zarit Caregiver Burden Inventory); (2) follow-up includes annual (patients) or biannual (caregivers and controls) evaluations. Serum biomarkers (S-100b protein, TNF-?, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, vitamin B12, methylmalonic acid, homocysteine, uric acid, C-reactive protein, ferritin, iron) and brain MRI (volumetry, tractography and MTAi [Medial Temporal Atrophy Index]), at baseline and at the end of follow-up, and genetic studies (DNA and RNA) at baseline will be performed in a subgroup of subjects (300 PD patients and 100 control subjects). Study periods: (1) recruitment period, from November, 2015 to February, 2017 (basal assessment); (2) follow-up period, 5 years; (3) closing date of clinical follow-up, May, 2022. Funding: Public/Private. Discussion: COPPADIS-2015 is a challenging initiative. This project will provide important information on the natural history of PD and the value of various biomarkers

Role of S100 proteins in health and disease

The S100 family of proteins contains 25 known members that share a high degree of sequence and structural similarity. However, only a limited number of family members have been characterized in depth, and the roles of other members are likely undervalued. Their importance should not be underestimated however, as S100 family members function to regulate a diverse array of cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, migration and/or invasion, apoptosis, Ca2+ homeostasis, and energy metabolism. Here we detail S100 target protein interactions that underpin the mechanistic basis to their function, and discuss potential intervention strategies targeting S100 proteins in both preclinical and clinical situations

Evidence of spin-density-wave to spin-glass transformation in ynd alloys

Low-temperature ac and de magnetic susceptibility and specific-heat measurements have been carried out on YNd di1ute alloys, where the Nd concentrations are 1.9, 2.5, 4.5, 6.8, and 9.0 at. %. The most concentrated alloys (4.5, 6.8, and 9.0 at. %) present Iong-range antiferromagnetic spin-density-wave (SDW) order be1ow the criticai temperature, but some residual frustration is 1ikely to produce a reentrant behavior at Iow temperatures, where the magnetic data show strong irreversibility effects and the specific heat indicates the occurrence of an anisotropy induced gap near zero frequency in the density of states of the magnetic excitations. For the less concentrated alloys (1.9 and 2.5 at. %), the interacting magnetic state shows typical features of spin-glass behavior. The evolution to this state is ascribed as being due to impurity disorder and frustration which induces a breaking up of the SDW coherence into small domains

Evidence of spin-density-wave to spin-glass transformation in ynd alloys

Low-temperature ac and de magnetic susceptibility and specific-heat measurements have been carried out on YNd di1ute alloys, where the Nd concentrations are 1.9, 2.5, 4.5, 6.8, and 9.0 at. %. The most concentrated alloys (4.5, 6.8, and 9.0 at. %) present Iong-range antiferromagnetic spin-density-wave (SDW) order be1ow the criticai temperature, but some residual frustration is 1ikely to produce a reentrant behavior at Iow temperatures, where the magnetic data show strong irreversibility effects and the specific heat indicates the occurrence of an anisotropy induced gap near zero frequency in the density of states of the magnetic excitations. For the less concentrated alloys (1.9 and 2.5 at. %), the interacting magnetic state shows typical features of spin-glass behavior. The evolution to this state is ascribed as being due to impurity disorder and frustration which induces a breaking up of the SDW coherence into small domains

Influence of solvent properties on the electrical response of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/NaY composites

Different solvents were used for the preparation of poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, and NaY zeolite composites by solvent casting and melt crystallization. Solvents like N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and triethyl phosphate (TEP) were chosen as they present different dielectric constants and can be encapsulated in the porous structure of NaY zeolite introduced in the PVDF/zeolite composites. The solvent molecules encapsulated induce variations in the dielectric response of the composite films according to the solvent dielectric constant. In this way, the solvent with the higher dielectric constant, DMSO, results in the composite with higher dielectric constant, while the opposite happens with TEP. The solvent molecules modify the distribution of intra zeolite cations increasing the dielectric constant of the composite. The zeolite also contribute to the increase of the d.c. conductivity, which is characterized by a double regime indicated by a breaking voltage, which value decreases when the dielectric constant of the solvent increases.This work is supported by the Center of Physics and by the Center of Chemistry and is funded by FEDER funds through the "Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade – COMPETE" and by national funds by FCT- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, project references NANO/NMed-SD/0156/2007, PTDC/CTM-NAN/112574/2009, PEST-C/FIS/UI607/2011 and PEst-C/QUI/UI0686/2011. ACL thanks the FCT for the grant SFRH/BD/62507/2009. The authors also thank support from the COST Action MP1003, the ‘European Scientific Network for Artificial Muscles’ (ESNAM)