Inhibición de lipasa pancreática por flavonoides: importancia del doble enlace C2=C3 y la estructura plana del anillo C//Inhibition of pancreatic lipase by flavonoids: relevance of the C2=C3 double bond and C-ring planarity

Lipasa pancreática es una enzima clave en el metabolismo de lípidos. Los flavonoides son compuestos bioactivos de gran relevancia debido a sus interacciones con enzimas digestivas. Se evaluó la actividad de lipasa pancreática en presencia de flavonoides. Mediante espectroscopía UVVisible se determinó que el mejor inhibidor fue quercetina, seguido de rutina > luteolina > catequina > hesperetina, con valores de IC50 de 10.30, 13.50, 14.70, 28.50 y 30.50 μM, respectivamente. Todos los flavonoides mostraron una inhibición mixta, excepto catequina que mostró una inhibición acompetitiva. La capacidad inhibitoria de los flavonoides se relacionó con propiedades estructurales compartidas entre los distintos flavonoides, como la hidroxilación en las posiciones C5, C7 (anillo A), C2’ y C3’ (anillo B), y el doble enlace entre C2 y C3 (anillo C). Los resultados de inhibición coincidieron con el análisis de la fluorescencia extrínseca. Los estudios de docking molecular indicaron que la interacción entre lipasa pancreática y los flavonoides fue principalmente mediante interacciones hidrofóbicas (pi-stacking). Las interacciones de todos los flavonoides, excepto rutina, se dieron en el mismo sitio (subsitio 1) de la enzima. La insaturación entre C2 y C3 fue determinante para el acomodo de los flavonoides con la enzima, principalmente por interacciones de pi-stacking.ABSTRACTPancreatic lipase is a key enzyme in lipid metabolism. Flavonoids are bioactive compounds obtained from vegetables with big relevance, due to their intrinsic interaction with digestive enzymes. Pancreatic lipase activity was evaluated in the presence of flavonoids, through UV-Vis spectroscopy. All tested flavonoids showed a mixed-type inhibition, except catechin, which showed a uncompetitive inhibition. The best inhibitor was quercetin followed by rutin > luteolin > catechin > hesperetin, with IC50 values of 10.30, 13.50, 14.70, 28.50 and 30.50 μM, respectively. The flavonoids inhibitory capacity was related to structural properties shared between the different flavonoids, such as the hydroxylation at C5, C7 (ring A), C2’ and C3’ (ring B), and the double bond between C2 and C3 (ring C). The inhibition results are in agreement with the extrinsic fluorescence analysis. Molecular docking studies indicated that the interaction between pancreatic lipase and flavonoids was mainly through hydrophobic interactions (pi-stacking). The interactions of all flavonoids, except rutin, occurred at the same enzyme site (subsite 1). Instauration between C2 and C3 was decisive for the arrangement of flavonoids with the enzyme, mainly due to pi-stacking interactions

In vitro Inhibition of Pancreatic Lipase by Polyphenols: A Kinetic, Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Molecular Docking Study

Svrha je ovog istraživanja bila ispitati molekulsko uklapanje i inhibicijski učinak četiri fenolna spoja pronađena u ljutim papričicama, i to: kavene kiseline, p-kumarne kiseline, kvercetina i kapsaicina, na aktivnost lipaze izolirane iz svinjske gušterače. Najjači inhibicijski učinak imao je kvercetin (IC50=(6.1±2.4) μM), zatim p-kumarna (170.2±20.6) μM) i kavena kiselina (401.5±32.1) μM), dok su kapsaicin i ekstrakt ljute papričice imali iznimno slab učinak. Svi polifenolni spojevi imali su inhibicijski učinak miješanog tipa. Mjerenjem fluorescencije utvrđeno je da su polifenolni spojevi ugasili prirođenu fluorescenciju lipaze izolirane iz gušterače, i to pomoću statičkog mehanizma. Sekvencija Stern-Volmerove konstante bila je: kvercetin, kavena kiselina, te p-kumarna kiselina. Rezultati ispitivanja molekulskih uklapanja pokazali su da se kavena kiselina, kvercetin i p-kumarna kiselina vežu blizu, za razliku od kapsaicina koji se veže daleko od aktivnog mjesta. Vodikove veze i hidrofobne pi-interakcije glavni su načini međusobnog povezivanja polifenolnih spojeva u lipazi izoliranoj iz gušterače.The inhibitory activity and binding characteristics of caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, quercetin and capsaicin, four phenolic compounds found in hot pepper, against porcine pancreatic lipase activity were studied and compared to hot pepper extract. Quercetin was the strongest inhibitor (IC50=(6.1±2.4) μM), followed by p-coumaric acid ((170.2±20.6) μM) and caffeic acid ((401.5±32.1) μM), while capsaicin and a hot pepper extract had very low inhibitory activity. All polyphenolic compounds showed a mixed-type inhibition. Fluorescence spectroscopy studies showed that polyphenolic compounds had the ability to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of pancreatic lipase by a static mechanism. The sequence of Stern-Volmer constant was quercetin, followed by caffeic and p-coumaric acids. Molecular docking studies showed that caffeic acid, quercetin and p-coumaric acid bound near the active site, while capsaicin bound far away from the active site. Hydrogen bonds and π-stacking hydrophobic interactions are the main pancreatic lipase-polyphenolic compound interactions observed

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents from 48 countries: a cross-sectional study

Background: Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we assessed children and adolescents younger than 18 years with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of HeFH at the time of entry into the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) registry between Oct 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2021. Data in the registry were collected from 55 regional or national registries in 48 countries. Diagnoses relying on self-reported history of familial hypercholesterolaemia and suspected secondary hypercholesterolaemia were excluded from the registry; people with untreated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of at least 13·0 mmol/L were excluded from this study. Data were assessed overall and by WHO region, World Bank country income status, age, diagnostic criteria, and index-case status. The main outcome of this study was to assess current identification and management of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Findings: Of 63 093 individuals in the FHSC registry, 11 848 (18·8%) were children or adolescents younger than 18 years with HeFH and were included in this study; 5756 (50·2%) of 11 476 included individuals were female and 5720 (49·8%) were male. Sex data were missing for 372 (3·1%) of 11 848 individuals. Median age at registry entry was 9·6 years (IQR 5·8-13·2). 10 099 (89·9%) of 11 235 included individuals had a final genetically confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and 1136 (10·1%) had a clinical diagnosis. Genetically confirmed diagnosis data or clinical diagnosis data were missing for 613 (5·2%) of 11 848 individuals. Genetic diagnosis was more common in children and adolescents from high-income countries (9427 [92·4%] of 10 202) than in children and adolescents from non-high-income countries (199 [48·0%] of 415). 3414 (31·6%) of 10 804 children or adolescents were index cases. Familial-hypercholesterolaemia-related physical signs, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were uncommon, but were more common in non-high-income countries. 7557 (72·4%) of 10 428 included children or adolescents were not taking lipid-lowering medication (LLM) and had a median LDL-C of 5·00 mmol/L (IQR 4·05-6·08). Compared with genetic diagnosis, the use of unadapted clinical criteria intended for use in adults and reliant on more extreme phenotypes could result in 50-75% of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia not being identified. Interpretation: Clinical characteristics observed in adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia are uncommon in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia, hence detection in this age group relies on measurement of LDL-C and genetic confirmation. Where genetic testing is unavailable, increased availability and use of LDL-C measurements in the first few years of life could help reduce the current gap between prevalence and detection, enabling increased use of combination LLM to reach recommended LDL-C targets early in life

Effect of Hydrocortisone on Mortality and Organ Support in Patients With Severe COVID-19: The REMAP-CAP COVID-19 Corticosteroid Domain Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Evidence regarding corticosteroid use for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. Objective: To determine whether hydrocortisone improves outcome for patients with severe COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants: An ongoing adaptive platform trial testing multiple interventions within multiple therapeutic domains, for example, antiviral agents, corticosteroids, or immunoglobulin. Between March 9 and June 17, 2020, 614 adult patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled and randomized within at least 1 domain following admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory or cardiovascular organ support at 121 sites in 8 countries. Of these, 403 were randomized to open-label interventions within the corticosteroid domain. The domain was halted after results from another trial were released. Follow-up ended August 12, 2020. Interventions: The corticosteroid domain randomized participants to a fixed 7-day course of intravenous hydrocortisone (50 mg or 100 mg every 6 hours) (n = 143), a shock-dependent course (50 mg every 6 hours when shock was clinically evident) (n = 152), or no hydrocortisone (n = 108). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was organ support-free days (days alive and free of ICU-based respiratory or cardiovascular support) within 21 days, where patients who died were assigned -1 day. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model that included all patients enrolled with severe COVID-19, adjusting for age, sex, site, region, time, assignment to interventions within other domains, and domain and intervention eligibility. Superiority was defined as the posterior probability of an odds ratio greater than 1 (threshold for trial conclusion of superiority >99%). Results: After excluding 19 participants who withdrew consent, there were 384 patients (mean age, 60 years; 29% female) randomized to the fixed-dose (n = 137), shock-dependent (n = 146), and no (n = 101) hydrocortisone groups; 379 (99%) completed the study and were included in the analysis. The mean age for the 3 groups ranged between 59.5 and 60.4 years; most patients were male (range, 70.6%-71.5%); mean body mass index ranged between 29.7 and 30.9; and patients receiving mechanical ventilation ranged between 50.0% and 63.5%. For the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively, the median organ support-free days were 0 (IQR, -1 to 15), 0 (IQR, -1 to 13), and 0 (-1 to 11) days (composed of 30%, 26%, and 33% mortality rates and 11.5, 9.5, and 6 median organ support-free days among survivors). The median adjusted odds ratio and bayesian probability of superiority were 1.43 (95% credible interval, 0.91-2.27) and 93% for fixed-dose hydrocortisone, respectively, and were 1.22 (95% credible interval, 0.76-1.94) and 80% for shock-dependent hydrocortisone compared with no hydrocortisone. Serious adverse events were reported in 4 (3%), 5 (3%), and 1 (1%) patients in the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with severe COVID-19, treatment with a 7-day fixed-dose course of hydrocortisone or shock-dependent dosing of hydrocortisone, compared with no hydrocortisone, resulted in 93% and 80% probabilities of superiority with regard to the odds of improvement in organ support-free days within 21 days. However, the trial was stopped early and no treatment strategy met prespecified criteria for statistical superiority, precluding definitive conclusions. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02735707

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Subproductos de frutos secos oleaginosos producidos en México (nuez pecana, pistache y almendra) como fuente de compuestos nutracéuticos y análisis de su actividad biológica

En 2014 se llevó a cabo la formalización de la Red de Investigación, Innovación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Alimentos Funcionales y Nutraceúticos (Red AlFaNutra) del Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (Conacyt). Con esta unión de grupos de investigación y cuerpos académicos multidisciplinarios se logró materializar distintas acciones, como intercambios (académicos, de conocimiento y de infraestructural), desarrollo de proyectos y formación de recursos humanos de alto nivel, entre otras. La difusión de las actividades y resultados generados se cristalizó en eventos colectivos con participación del público en general, estudiantes de posgrado, profesionistas, sector productivo e instancias gubernamentales. En dichos eventos se ha divulgado la actividad de los distintos miembros de la red AlFaNutra en forma de memorias inextenso, artículos de difusión, investigación y libros de texto

Pytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of chiltepin chili (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum), Sonora, Mexico

Quantification of chiltepin hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L. glabriusculum) phytochemicals provides a tool to evaluate the fruit quality and health impact. This study evaluates the phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of chiltepin from different locations of Sonora, Mexico, at two ripening stages (immature and mature). Seeds from Cumpas and Sahuaripa, were grown under greenhouse conditions and phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and ascorbic acid were determined by spectrophotometric techniques. Capsaicinoids were determined by HPLC-DAD. The antioxidant activity was determined through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging and by FRAP techniques. The origin of the seed influenced the antioxidant activity and phytochemical content. Samples from Cumpas, were superior in phytochemicals compared with Sahuaripa. Antioxidant activity and phytochemicals were higher in mature stage. Antioxidant activity correlates mainly with phenolic compounds and carotenoids. This study highlights that mature chiltepin pepper from Sonora could grow under controlled conditions develop bioactive compounds with antioxidant potential