Twentieth-Century Paleoproteomics: Lessons from Venta Micena Fossils

Proteomics methods can identify amino acid sequences in fossil proteins, thus making it possible to determine the ascription or proximity of a fossil to other species. Before mass spectrometry was used to study fossil proteins, earlier studies used antibodies to recognize their sequences. Lowenstein and colleagues, at the University of San Francisco, pioneered the identification of fossil proteins with immunological methods. His group, together with Olivares’s group at the University of Granada, studied the immunological reactions of proteins from the controversial Orce skull fragment (VM-0), a 1.3-million-year-old fossil found at the Venta Micena site in Orce (Granada province, southern Spain) and initially assigned to a hominin. However, discrepancies regarding the morphological features of the internal face of the fossil raised doubts about this ascription. In this article, we review the immunological analysis of the proteins extracted from VM-0 and other Venta Micena fossils assigned to hominins and to other mammals, and explain how these methods helped to determine the species specificity of these fossils and resolve paleontological controversies.Plan Andaluz de Investigacion, Desarrollo e Innovacion, Groups CTS-564 CTS-20

Sustitución del maíz (Zea mays) por pijuayo (Bactris gasipaes) en alimentación de sajinos (Pecari tajacu)

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo general evaluar la sustitución del maíz por pijuayo en alimentación de pecarí. Fue realizada en el 2008 en el Centro Piloto de Zoocría para la Amazonía – UNAP, Loreto-Perú. El estudio fue de tipo experimental aplicándose el diseño completamente al azar (DCA), con cuatro tratamientos, tres repeticiones y con tres niveles de inclusión de harina de pijuayo (T1 = 50 %, T2 = 75 %, T3 = 100 %), en todas las dietas elaboradas se realizó previamente el análisis bromatológico. Las unidades experimentales fueron doce (dos individuos por unidad experimental), la alimentación se realizó desde el destete hasta los seis meses de edad, con una frecuencia de dos veces por día durante cuatro meses. Los resultados obtenidos se resumen en que el tratamiento dos (T2) obtuvo una mayor ganancia de peso (9,30 kg), mejor tasa de conversión alimenticia (5,03:1), así como el menor costo de alimento/ kilo de carne de pecarí producido a S/.5, 33 nuevos soles (1dolar USA ≈ 3.65 S/.), en relación al testigo y los demás tratamientos, por lo que este es un excelente alimento compuesto para los pecarís en cautiverio que produciría una mejor carne y piel que traería beneficios económicos al país en general.The general objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the substitution of corn for peccary in peccary feeding. It was carried out in 2008 at the Pilot Center of Zoocría for the Amazon - UNAP, Loreto-Peru. The study was experimental, applying the completely randomized design (DCA), with four treatments, three repetitions and with three levels of inclusion of pijuayo flour (T1 = 50%, T2 = 75%, T3 = 100%), in All the diets prepared, the bromatological analysis was previously carried out. The experimental units were twelve (two individuals per experimental unit), feeding was carried out from weaning to six months of age, with a frequency of twice a day for four months. The results obtained are summarized in that treatment two (T2) obtained a greater weight gain (9.30 kg), a better feed conversion rate (5.03: 1), as well as the lowest cost of feed / kilo of meat of peccary produced at S / .5, 33 nuevos soles (1 US dollar ≈ 3.65 S /.), in relation to the control and the other treatments, so this is an excellent compound food for peccaries in captivity that would produce better meat and skin that would bring economic benefits to the country in general.O objetivo geral do presente trabalho foi avaliar a substituição do milho por caititu na alimentação de caititu. Foi realizado em 2008 no Centro Piloto de Zoocría para a Amazônia - UNAP, Loreto-Peru. O estudo foi experimental, aplicando-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DCA), com quatro tratamentos, três repetições e três níveis de inclusão de farinha de pijuayo (T1 = 50%, T2 = 75%, T3 = 100%), em Todas as dietas preparadas, a análise bromatológica foi realizada previamente. As unidades experimentais foram doze (dois indivíduos por unidade experimental), a alimentação foi realizada da desmama aos seis meses de idade, com frequência de duas vezes ao dia durante quatro meses. Os resultados obtidos resumem-se em que o tratamento dois (T2) obteve um maior ganho de peso (9,30 kg), uma melhor taxa de conversão alimentar (5,03: 1), bem como o menor custo de ração / quilo de carne. de queixadas produzidas a S / .5, 33 nuevos soles (1 dólar norte-americano S 3,65 S /.), em relação ao controle e aos demais tratamentos, portanto, este é um excelente alimento composto para catetos em cativeiro que produziria melhor carne e pele que traria benefícios econômicos ao país em geral

Prevalencia de vida de uso de cannabis y rendimiento académico en adolescentes

 Objetivo: Esta investigación compara y establece las diferencias en la prevalencia de vida (consumo alguna vez en la vida) y no prevalencia de vida de uso de cannabis sobre el ren- dimiento académico en adolescentes escolarizados. Método: En este estudio descriptivo de corte transversal se seleccionó una muestra proba- bilística de 156 estudiantes y fueron evaluados con una prueba ad hoc de autopercepción. Las técnicas estadísticas utilizadas fueron análisis de frecuencia, descriptivos, t- student, U de Mann Whitney y Chi2. Resultados: Los resultados señalan diferencias entre los grupos de prevalencia de uso de cannabis y no prevalencia de uso de cannabis en el número de cursos repetidos, días castigados en el último mes, la nota promedio del último mes, problemas escolares y la preocupación por estos, y dificultades para controlar el comportamiento en los últimos seis meses. No hubo diferencias en la comparación entre hombres y mujeres del grupo de pre- valencia de uso de cannabis. Se confirma que el cannabis afecta el rendimiento académico desde algunos factores específicos que afectan por igual a hombres y mujeres. Conclusión: Se concluye que entre el grupo de prevalencia de vida de uso de cannabis hay más repetidores, a su vez, han repetido más cursos, han recibido más castigo en el colegio, tienen calificaciones más bajas, han tenido más problemas escolares y han estado más preocupados respecto a estos, y una mayor dificultad en controlar el comportamiento. En relación con el género no hay diferencias en las consecuencias sobre el rendimiento académico después de probar cannabis

Structural insights into choline-O-sulfatase reveal the molecular determinants for ligand binding

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation/FEDER grants PID2020-116261GB-I00 (JAG) and RTI2018-097991-B-I00 (JLN), Secretaria General de Universidades, Investigacion y Tecnologia, Junta de Andalucia (PY20-00149 and UAL18-BIO-B005-B; ACA) and the University of Granada (grant PPJI2017-1; SMR). Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada/CBUA.Choline-O-sulfatase (COSe; EC 3.1.6.6) is a member of the alkaline phosphatase (AP) superfamily, and its natural function is to hydrolyze choline-O-sulfate into choline and sulfate. Despite its natural function, the major interest in this enzyme resides in the landmark catalytic/substrate promiscuity of sulfatases, which has led to attention in the biotechnological field due to their potential in protein engineering. In this work, an in-depth structural analysis of wild-type Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) meliloti COSe (SmeCOSe) and its C54S active-site mutant is reported. The binding mode of this AP superfamily member to both products of the reaction (sulfate and choline) and to a substrate-like compound are shown for the first time. The structures further confirm the importance of the C-terminal extension of the enzyme in becoming part of the active site and participating in enzyme activity through dynamic intra-subunit and inter-subunit hydrogen bonds (Asn146A–Asp500B–Asn498B). These residues act as the ‘gatekeeper’ responsible for the open/closed conformations of the enzyme, in addition to assisting in ligand binding through the rearrangement of Leu499 (with a movement of approximately 5 A ° ). Trp129 and His145 clamp the quaternary ammonium moiety of choline and also connect the catalytic cleft to the C-terminus of an adjacent protomer. The structural information reported here contrasts with the proposed role of conformational dynamics in promoting the enzymatic catalytic proficiency of an enzyme.Spanish Government European Commission PID2020-116261GB-I00 RTI2018-097991-B-I00Secretaria General de UniversidadesJunta de Andalucia PY20-00149 UAL18-BIO-B005-BUniversity of Granada PPJI2017-

A New L-Proline Amide Hydrolase with Potential Application within the Amidase Process

This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation/FEDER funds grant PID2020-116261GB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (JAG), from the FEDER/Junta de Andalucia-Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades grants P18-FR-3533 (LAC) and P12-FQM-790 (RCM), and from the University of Granada grant PPJI2017-1 (SMR).L-proline amide hydrolase (PAH, EC 3.5.1.101) is a barely described enzyme belonging to the peptidase S33 family, and is highly similar to prolyl aminopeptidases (PAP, EC. 3.4.11.5). Besides being an S-stereoselective character towards piperidine-based carboxamides, this enzyme also hydrolyses different L-amino acid amides, turning it into a potential biocatalyst within the Amidase Process. In this work, we report the characterization of L-proline amide hydrolase from Pseudomonas syringae (PsyPAH) together with the first X-ray structure for this class of L-amino acid amidases. Recombinant PsyPAH showed optimal conditions at pH 7.0 and 35 degrees C, with an apparent thermal melting temperature of 46 degrees C. The enzyme behaved as a monomer at the optimal pH. The L-enantioselective hydrolytic activity towards different canonical and non-canonical amino-acid amides was confirmed. Structural analysis suggests key residues in the enzymatic activity.Spanish GovernmentEuropean Commission PID2020-116261GB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033FEDER/Junta de Andalucia-Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades P18-FR-3533 P12-FQM-790University of Granada PPJI2017-1 CTS-20

Apósito a base de Vaccinium corymbosum L. y quitosano con alta capacidad regenerativa de piel

El estudio estuvo orientado en desarrollar un apósito a base de Vaccinium corymbosum L. y quitosano con alta capacidad regenerativa de piel. Se inició con la obtención del concentrado a partir del fruto de Vaccinium corymbosum L.; luego, se preparó un biofilm de quitosano al 1% p/v, al cual se incorporó el concentrado de Vaccinium corymbosum 10% p/v, para obtener el formulado final. El estudio experimental se basó en la distribución aleatoria de 24 ratas machos cepa albina Lewis en tres grupos de contraste: control, apósito de quitosano, y, apósito del concentrado de Vaccinium corymbosum 10% mas quitosano. Los resultados fueron evaluados en base a la evolución de cicatrización en el área lesionada de 0 a 21 días (nivel macroscópico), y, en el estudio histológico de cicatrización (nivel microscópico). Se concluye que el desarrollo de un apósito de Vaccinium corymbosum L. 10% y quitosano con calidad farmacéutica presentó significativamente mejor capacidad regenerativa al promover la aceleración de la cicatrización de la herida mediante la reducción del área lesionada desde los 7 días de tratamiento, e incrementó la promoción de los procesos de epitelización, neo vascularización, y, proliferación de fibroblastos y colágeno

Bisphenol A Exposure during Adulthood Alters Expression of Aromatase and 5α-Reductase Isozymes in Rat Prostate

The high incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) in elderly men is a cause of increasing public health concern. In recent years, various environmental endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenol A (BPA), have been shown to disrupt sexual organs, including the prostate gland. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. Because androgens and estrogens are important factors in prostate physiopathology, our objective was to examine in rat ventral prostate the effects of adult exposure to BPA on 5α-Reductase isozymes (5α-R types 1, 2, and 3) and aromatase, key enzymes in the biosynthesis of dihydrotestosterone and estradiol, respectively. Adult rats were subcutaneously injected for four days with BPA (25, 50, 300, or 600 µg/Kg/d) dissolved in vehicle. Quantitative RT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemical analyses showed lower mRNA and protein levels of 5α-R1 and 5α-R2 in BPA-treated groups versus controls but higher mRNA levels of 5α-R3, recently proposed as a biomarker of malignancy. However, BPA treatment augmented mRNA and protein levels of aromatase, whose increase has been described in prostate diseases. BPA-treated rats also evidenced a higher plasma estradiol/testosterone ratio, which is associated with prostate disease. Our results may offer new insights into the role of BPA in the development of prostate disease and may be of great value for studying the prostate disease risk associated with exposure to BPA in adulthood.The source of funding that has supported the work is European Fund of Regional Development (FEDER-BFU2008-05340)

Pensamiento Novohispano 17

La colección Pensamiento Novohispano, en este número 17, reúne las siguientes colaboraciones: siete trabajos de investigación pertenecientes al siglo XVI, cinco al siglo XVII y cuatro al siglo XVIII. Nuestro propósito es difundir estos temas vinculados con el Encuentro de Dos Mundos y su colonización. El proceso de Evangelización en el Período Colonial ha dado lugar a una diversidad de significaciones e interpretaciones; unas, acordes con la visión tradicional de la conquista (desde una perspectiva positiva, de aceptación); otras, en oposición al modo y consecuencias que sufrieron los pueblos conquistados (se asume una postura más crítica). En el primer caso, a decir de Boff, el camino de evangelización fue asumido por algunos misioneros que “supieron acercarse a los otros, distintos en cuanto a la raza, la lengua y la religión, mediante una convivencia pacífica, fraterna y amorosa. Trataron de proclamar el evangelio sin hacer uso del aparato del poder, sino únicamente con el amor, el diálogo, el encuentro, la inserción y el ejemplo de la vida.”1 Aquí se presentan manifestaciones y testimonios vivos de estos encuentros, aquellos en donde no es posible dar lugar a la inculturación o aculturación; sólo se puede evangelizar cuando se aprende a convivir con diferentes culturas en el respeto compartido por la diferencia y la preocupación por la calidad de vida común

Genotoxic Effect of Chronic Exposure to DDT on Lymphocytes, Oral Mucosa and Breast Cells of Female Rats

The genotoxicity of some environmental contaminants may affect human health directly by damaging genetic material and thus plays an important role in cancer development. Xenoestrogens are one kind of environmental pollutants that may alter hormonal routes or directly affect DNA. The number of available biomarkers used to assess genetic risk and cancer is very extensive. The present study evaluated genotoxicity produced by the pesticide DDT on systemic and mammary gland cells obtained from adult female Wistar rats. Oral mucosa cells micronuclei were assessed; the comet assay in peripheral blood-isolated lymphocytes and mammary epithelial cells was also carried out. Additionally, oxidative stress was studied in mammary tissue through a lipid peroxidation assay. Our data showed an increase in lipid peroxidation, product of an increase in free oxygen radical levels, which leads to an oxidative stress status. Our results suggest that DDT is genotoxic, not only for lymphocytes but also to mammary epithelial cells