Riqueza florística de las mesadas y su relación con la matriz circundante en los afloramientos basálticos centro-argentinos

Fil: Cantero, J. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina.Fil: Cantero, J. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Mulko, J. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina.Fil: Núñez, C. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina.Fil: Amuchastegui, A. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina.Fil: Barboza, G. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Ariza Espinar, L. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Chiarin, F. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Sfragulla, J. Secretaría de Minería, Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Sfragulla, J. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Brandolin, P. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina.Fil: Martínez, A. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentina.Los afloramientos basálticos son considerados hábitats importantes para la conservación de biodiversidad. En la Sierra de Los Cóndores (Córdoba, Argentina), son frecuentes cerros basálticos con relieve cónico escarpado, en forma de mesada, rodeados por una matriz con materiales geológicos diferentes y más antropizada.Fil: Cantero, J. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina.Fil: Cantero, J. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Mulko, J. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina.Fil: Núñez, C. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina.Fil: Amuchastegui, A. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina.Fil: Barboza, G. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Ariza Espinar, L. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Chiarin, F. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Sfragulla, J. Secretaría de Minería, Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Sfragulla, J. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Brandolin, P. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina.Fil: Martínez, A. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentina.Ciencias de las Plantas, Botánic

Functional Expression of Human Adenine Nucleotide Translocase 4 in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

The adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) mediates the exchange of ADP and ATP across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The human genome encodes multiple ANT isoforms that are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. Recently a novel germ cell-specific member of the ANT family, ANT4 (SLC25A31) was identified. Although it is known that targeted depletion of ANT4 in mice resulted in male infertility, the functional biochemical differences between ANT4 and other somatic ANT isoforms remain undetermined. To gain insight into ANT4, we expressed human ANT4 (hANT4) in yeast mitochondria. Unlike the somatic ANT proteins, expression of hANT4 failed to complement an AAC-deficient yeast strain for growth on media requiring mitochondrial respiration. Moreover, overexpression of hANT4 from a multi-copy plasmid interfered with optimal yeast growth. However, mutation of specific amino acids of hANT4 improved yeast mitochondrial expression and supported growth of the AAC-deficient yeast on non-fermentable carbon sources. The mutations affected amino acids predicted to interact with phospholipids, suggesting the importance of lipid interactions for function of this protein. Each mutant hANT4 and the somatic hANTs exhibited similar ADP/ATP exchange kinetics. These data define common and distinct biochemical characteristics of ANT4 in comparison to ANT1, 2 and 3 providing a basis for study of its unique adaptation to germ cells

Control of Mitochondrial Membrane Permeabilization by Adenine Nucleotide Translocator Interacting with HIV-1 Viral Protein R and Bcl-2

Viral protein R (Vpr), an apoptogenic accessory protein encoded by HIV-1, induces mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP) via a specific interaction with the permeability transition pore complex, which comprises the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) in the outer membrane (OM) and the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) in the inner membrane. Here, we demonstrate that a synthetic Vpr-derived peptide (Vpr52-96) specifically binds to the intermembrane face of the ANT with an affinity in the nanomolar range. Taking advantage of this specific interaction, we determined the role of ANT in the control of MMP. In planar lipid bilayers, Vpr52-96 and purified ANT cooperatively form large conductance channels. This cooperative channel formation relies on a direct protein–protein interaction since it is abolished by the addition of a peptide corresponding to the Vpr binding site of ANT. When added to isolated mitochondria, Vpr52-96 uncouples the respiratory chain and induces a rapid inner MMP to protons and NADH. This inner MMP precedes outer MMP to cytochrome c. Vpr52-96–induced matrix swelling and inner MMP both are prevented by preincubation of purified mitochondria with recombinant Bcl-2 protein. In contrast to König's polyanion (PA10), a specific inhibitor of the VDAC, Bcl-2 fails to prevent Vpr52-96 from crossing the mitochondrial OM. Rather, Bcl-2 reduces the ANT–Vpr interaction, as determined by affinity purification and plasmon resonance studies. Concomitantly, Bcl-2 suppresses channel formation by the ANT–Vpr complex in synthetic membranes. In conclusion, both Vpr and Bcl-2 modulate MMP through a direct interaction with ANT

Rate and duration of hospitalisation for acute pulmonary embolism in the real-world clinical practice of different countries : Analysis from the RIETE registry

publishersversionPeer reviewe

Idraparinux: review of its clinical efficacy and safety for prevention andtreatment of thromboembolic disorders.

1. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2008 May;17(5):773-7. Idraparinux: review of its clinical efficacy and safety for prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders. Prandoni P, Tormene D, Perlati M, Brandolin B, Spiezia L. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Thromboembolism Unit, University of Padua, 35128 - Padua, Italy. [email protected] BACKGROUND: Idraparinux is a synthetic pentasaccharide that binds to antithrombin with high affinity. In view of its long half-life, it is suitable for once-a-week administration. OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence favoring the use of idraparinux for the acute and long-term treatment of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) and for the prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: All preclinical and clinical studies carried out with the use of idraparinux were sought through electronic searches of MEDLINE from January 1, 1999 up to December 31, 2007. RESULTS: The administration of idraparinux in subcutaneous fixed doses of 2.5 mg once weekly was found to be as effective and safe as conventional antithrombotic therapy in the initial treatment of patients with deep vein thrombosis, but less effective than standard therapy in the initial treatment of patients with primary pulmonary embolism. During a 6-month extension of thromboprophylaxis, idraparinux was effective in preventing recurrent VTE but was associated with an increased risk of bleeding versus placebo. Finally, in patients with AF the long-term treatment with idraparinux was as effective as vitamin K antagonists, but caused more bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: In its current formulation, idraparinux can be recommended only for the initial treatment of patients with deep vein thrombosis. The bioequipotency of a biotinylated version of idraparinux (idrabiotaparinux), whose effects can be reversed by a neutralizing agent (avidin), is under investigation in the treatment of VTE at present, as is the use of lower doses in patients with AF. PMID: 18447601 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

The Risk of Cancer Progression in Women With Gynecological Malignancies andThrombophilic Polymorphisms: A Pilot Case-Control Study.

Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2009 Oct;15(5):535-9. Epub 2008 Jun 29. The risk of cancer progression in women with gynecological malignancies and thrombophilic polymorphisms: a pilot case-control study. Tormene D, Beltramello P, Perlati M, Brandolin B, Barbar S, De Toffoli G, Simioni P. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Second Chair of Internal Medicine, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy. [email protected] Cancer produces a hypercoagulable state, which might lead to thrombosis, and on contrary, unprovoked venous thromboembolism might be the manifestation of an occult cancer. In this pilot case-control study, we assessed the risk of gynecological malignant diseases related to the presence of the factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A polymorphisms. Fifty-two women underwent an operation for gynecological malignancy and were enrolled in the study. Women who underwent an operation for gynecological nonmalignant disease in the same days of cases were considered as controls. The presence of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A was assessed in case and control groups. In all, 7 out of 52 cases were carriers of the 2 polymorphisms compared with 20 out of 198 controls (odds ratio = 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-3.0). The results were also similar when the risk was considered separately for the site of cancer. As for advanced and metastatic malignancies, the odds ratios were 2.3 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-6.0) and 3.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.0-11), respectively, compared to noncancer patients. When these 2 groups were compared to nonadvanced cancer group, the odds ratios for carriers of polymorphisms were 2.7 (95%confidence interval, 0.7-11.0) and 3.9 (95%confidence interval, 0.8-18.6) for advanced cancer and metastatic malignancies, respectively. Women with factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A polymorphisms who developed gynecological malignancy might present with a higher stage of cancer at the time of surgery. Larger case-control studies in similar cohort of patients are needed to confirm these findings. PMID: 18591179 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE