FROM MAFIA TO VIOLENT EXTREMIST: EXAMINING THE APPLICATION OF THE RICO ACT TO ANTIFA

Factions within Antifa were responsible for criminal activity during the social injustice protests of 2020 in the United States, leading to some arrests. Despite the economic destruction caused nationally during the protests and Antifa’s continual involvement in criminal acts, not much has been done to hold the group accountable. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act offers one potential option to address Antifa. This thesis explores how the RICO statute has been applied to criminal enterprises similar to Antifa and how it might be applied to prosecute Antifa. This thesis uses a combination of two qualitative research methods: legal analysis and case studies. The legal analysis focuses on the RICO Act’s application to non-economic enterprises and the related First Amendment issues involved when the act is applied to protest groups. The case studies focus on the successful application of the RICO Act to other types of criminal enterprises such as criminal street gangs, white supremacist groups, and other non-traditional criminal enterprises. This thesis finds that the RICO Act’s use for non-traditional criminal enterprises has withstood legal challenges, making it a viable option for combating Antifa.Civilian, Los Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

1,2,3,3′,4′,6′-Hexaacetyl-4,6-O-benzyl­idenesucrose

In the title compound, C31H38O17, the 1,3-dioxane and pyran­oside rings both show 4 C 1 chair conformations while for the d-fructofuran­oside moiety an envelop 3E conformation is observed. The phenyl ring is oriented almost perpendicular to the 1,3-dioxane ring [dihedral angle = 79.3 (2)°], and the acetate groups are equatorial for the pyran­oside ring and axial for the furan­oside ring. The analysis of potential hydrogen bonds shows both intra- and inter­molecular C—H⋯O contacts to be present

Effect of polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency on dipole relaxation in the membrane interface of rat liver microsomes

AbstractThe influence of a fat-free diet on the lipid dynamics of rat liver microsomes and liposomes of microsomal lipids was studied by using different fluorescence methods. Lifetime distribution and rotational diffusion of probes with different localization in the lipid bilayer were measured using multifrequency fluorometry. Lateral mobility was studied by measuring excimer formation of pyrenedodecanoic acid. Dipolar relaxation in the interfacial region was studied using 2-dimethylamino-6-lauroylnaphthalene (Laurdan). In spite of large changes in the fatty acid composition of microsomal lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency showed no effect on the lifetime distribution and rotational mobility of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), 1-(4-(trimethylamino)phenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH), 2-, 7- and 12-(9-anthroiloxy)stearic acids. The treatment did not change the lateral diffusion of pyrenedodecanoic acid, either. However, generalized polarization of Laurdan fluorescence was higher in polyunsaturated fatty acid deficient microsomes as compared to the polyunsaturated fatty acid sufficient ones. This effect was also observed in liposomes of the total microsomal lipids, indicating that the changes in fatty acid composition resulting from polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency produced a small but significant decrease in the rate of dipolar relaxation in the region of the lipid polar groups of the bilayer. The absence of lipid gel phase domains in rat liver microsomes was also indicated by Laurdan fluorescence features

In vivo extracellular matrix protein expression by human periodontal ligament after stimulation with orthodontic force

It is well known that the orthodontic force applied to teeth generates a series of events that remodel the periodontal ligament (PDL). Extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) are described as molecular regulators of these events. However, the exact contribution of these proteins in human PDL modeling by orthodontic force application in vivo is not known. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the protein expression of fibronectin, laminin and vitronectin by human PDL from teeth on which orthodontic force was applied. Twenty healthy individuals were included in the study. PDL was obtained from teeth after a 3-week treatment with orthodontic force. PDL-protein samples were separated on 7.5% SDS-PAGE Western blot analysis with specific monoclonal antibodies for fibronectin, laminin and vitronectin. Bands were visualized with an enhanced chemiluminescence detection system and densitometric. Scanning of bands was carried out to compare differences in protein expression. A significant increment in fibronectin (13.9%), laminin (16.5%) and vitronectin (14.2%) expression was found in PDL from teeth treated with orthodontic force for 3 weeks in comparison with teeth in the control group. Our results support the concept that molecular changes take place by application of orthodontic forces to the PDL. Over expression of these proteins suggests that extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling could be generated in response to mechanical stress.Keywords: Extracellular matrix proteins, periodontal ligament, orthodontic forceAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(34), pp. 5599-5604, 23 August, 201

BACTERIAL FLORA IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF HELIX ASPERSA MÜLLER SNAILS UNDER TWO BREEDING SYSTEMS

El objetivo del estudio fue comparar la flora bacteriana de intestino y hepatopáncreas del caracol Helix aspersa Müller criados en dos sistemas de producción: intensivo y extensivo. Se colectaron 30 caracoles adultos aparentemente sanos por cada sistema de producción, en seis criaderos ubicados en la provincia de Lima. Se tomó muestras de mucosa intestinal y parénquima del hepatopáncreas de cada individuo, empleando protocolos de aislamientos establecidos para bacterias aerobias y aerobias facultativas. Se aisló bacterias de 15 géneros: Escherichia, Citrobacter, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, Hafnia, Proteus, Providencia, Aeromonas, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter; y bacilos gramnegativos no fermentadores (BNF). Se obtuvo 193 cepas en las muestras de caracoles del sistema extensivo, donde el género Escherichia fue el de mayor frecuencia (17.1%, 33/193); mientras que en caracoles del sistema intensivo se aisló 183 cepas, donde el género Klebsiella fue el de mayor frecuencia (17.5%, 32/183). Por otro lado, el género más frecuentemente aislado en intestino y hepatopáncreas fue Klebsiella (13.6%, 25/184 y 17.2%, 33/192, respectivamente). Bacterias de los géneros Providencia y Micrococcus solo se encontraron en el hepatopáncreas. Hubo diferencias estadísticas en la frecuencia de algunas bacterias aisladas dentro de cada tipo de muestra por efecto del sistema de crianza.El objetivo del estudio fue comparar la flora bacteriana de intestino y hepatopáncreas del caracol Helix aspersa Müller criados en dos sistemas de producción: intensivo y extensivo. Se colectaron 30 caracoles adultos aparentemente sanos por cada sistema de producción, en seis criaderos ubicados en la provincia de Lima. Se tomó muestras de mucosa intestinal y parénquima del hepatopáncreas de cada individuo, empleando protocolos de aislamientos establecidos para bacterias aerobias y aerobias facultativas. Se aisló bacterias de 15 géneros: Escherichia, Citrobacter, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, Hafnia, Proteus, Providencia, Aeromonas, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter; y bacilos gramnegativos no fermentadores (BNF). Se obtuvo 193 cepas en las muestras de caracoles del sistema extensivo, donde el género Escherichia fue el de mayor frecuencia (17.1%, 33/193); mientras que en caracoles del sistema intensivo se aisló 183 cepas, donde el género Klebsiella fue el de mayor frecuencia (17.5%, 32/183). Por otro lado, el género más frecuentemente aislado en intestino y hepatopáncreas fue Klebsiella (13.6%, 25/184 y 17.2%, 33/192, respectivamente). Bacterias de los géneros Providencia y Micrococcus solo se encontraron en el hepatopáncreas. Hubo diferencias estadísticas en la frecuencia de algunas bacterias aisladas dentro de cada tipo de muestra por efecto del sistema de crianza

AT514, a cyclic depsipeptide from Serratia marcescens, induces apoptosis of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Interference with the Akt/NF-kB survival pathway

8 páginas, 5 figuras -- PAGS nros. 572-579Clinical treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is limited by the progressive drug resistance and nonselectivity of most drugs towards malignant cells. Depsipeptides are present in certain bacteria and display potent antitumor activity. We have studied the effect of the novel cyclodepsipeptide AT514 (serratamolide) from Serratia marcescens on B-CLL cell viability. AT514 induced apoptosis of B-CLL cells from the 21 patients studied, as confirmed by Annexin-V binding and nuclei condensation, with an average IC50 of 13 M. AT514 was effective in those B-CLL cases resistant to fludarabine, but had no effect on normal PBL. AT514 preferentially activated the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, as evidenced by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-9 and -3, but not of caspase-8. Importantly, AT514 interfered with phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and protein kinase C survival signals since it increased the apoptotic effect of LY294002 and BisI inhibitors, and induced Akt dephosphorylation at Ser 473. AT514 also decreased NF-B activity by dramatically reducing the levels of p65 in B-CLL. This was confirmed on functional assays using NF-B-luc-transfected Raji cells and transgenic mice. Our results establish that AT514 induces apoptosis of primary B-CLL cells and could be useful for clinical treatment of this malignancyThis work was supported by grants 08.3/0030.1/2003 from the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid, SAF2003-00824 from the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (MCyT), and 01/1183 from Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (to AGP); and CIDEM Grant 301888 (Generalitat de Catalunya)/Fundació Bosch i Gimpera, to RPT). E Escobar and E López-Martín were supported by fellowships from MCyTPeer reviewe

A Community Program of Integrated Care for Frail Older Adults: +AGIL Barcelona

Objectives: To assess the 3-month impact on physical function of a program for community-dwelling frail older adults, based on the integration of primary care, geriatric medicine, and community resources, implemented in 'real life'. Design: Interventional cohort study. Setting: Primary care in Barcelona, Spain. Participants: Individuals aged ≥80 years (n=134), presenting at least one sign of frailty (i.e., slow gait speed, weakness, memory complaints, involuntary weight loss, poor social support). Intervention: After frailty screening by the primary care team, candidates were referred to a geriatric team (geriatrician + physical therapist), who performed a comprehensive geriatric assessment and designed a tailored multidisciplinary intervention in the community, including a) multi-modal physical activity (PA) sessions, b) promotion of adherence to a Mediterranean diet c) health education and d) medication review. Measurements: Participants were assessed based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment including physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery -SPPB- and gait speed), at baseline and at a three month follow-up. Results: A total of 112 (83.6%) participants (mean age=80.8 years, 67.9% women) were included in this research. Despite being independent in daily life, participants' physical performance was impaired (SPPB=7.5, SD=2.1, gait speed=0.71, SD=0.20 m/sec). After three months, 90.2% of participants completed ≥7.5 physical activity sessions. The mean improvements were +1.47 (SD 1.64) points (p<0.001) for SPPB, +0.08 (SD 0.13) m/sec (p<0.001) for gait speed, -5.5 (SD 12.10) sec (p<0.001) for chair stand test, and 53% (p<0.001) improved their balance. Results remained substantially unchanged after stratifying the analyses according to the severity of frailty. Conclusions: Our results suggested that a 'real-world' multidisciplinary intervention, integrating primary care, geriatric care, and community services may improve physical function, a marker of frailty, within 3 months. Further studies are needed to address the long-term impact and scalability of this implementation program

Structure-Based Design and Optimization of Multitarget-Directed 2H-Chromen-2-one Derivatives as Potent Inhibitors of Monoamine Oxidase B and Cholinesterases

The multifactorial nature of Alzheimer’s disease calls for the development of multitarget agents addressing key pathogenic processes. To this end, by following a docking-assisted hybridization strategy, a number of aminocoumarins were designed, prepared, and tested as monoamine oxidases (MAOs) and acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase (AChE and BChE) inhibitors. Highly flexible N-benzyl-N-alkyloxy coumarins 2–12 showed good inhibitory activities at MAO-B, AChE, and BChE but low selectivity. More rigid inhibitors, bearing meta- and para-xylyl linkers, displayed good inhibitory activities and high MAO-B selectivity. Compounds 21, 24, 37, and 39, the last two featuring an improved hydrophilic/lipophilic balance, exhibited excellent activity profiles with nanomolar inhibitory potency toward hMAO-B, high hMAO-B over hMAO-A selectivity and submicromolar potency at hAChE. Cell-based assays of BBB permeation, neurotoxicity, and neuroprotection supported the potential of compound 37 as a BBB-permeant neuroprotective agent against H2O2-induced oxidative stress with poor interaction as P-gp substrate and very low cytotoxicity