Metabolic risk score indexes validation in overweight healthy people

The constellation of adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic risk factors, including elevated abdominal obesity, blood pressure (BP), glucose, and triglycerides (TG) and lowered high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), has been termed the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) [1]. A number of different definitions have been developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) [2], the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) [3], the European Group for the Study of Insulin Resistance (EGIR) [4] and, most recently, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) [5]. Since there is no universal definition of the Metabolic Syndrome, several authors have derived different risk scores to represent the clustering of its components [6-11]

Biochemical Basis of Topoisomerase I Relaxation Activity Reduction by Nonenzymatic Lysine Acetylation

The relaxation activity of topoisomerase I is required for regulation of global and local DNA supercoiling. The in vivo topoisomerase I enzyme activity is sensitive to lysine acetylation⁻deacetylation and can affect DNA supercoiling and growth as a result. Nonenzymatic lysine acetylation by acetyl phosphate has been shown to reduce the relaxation activity of topoisomerase I. In this work, the biochemical consequence of topoisomerase I modification by acetyl phosphate with enzymatic assays was studied. Results showed that noncovalent binding to DNA and DNA cleavage by the enzyme were reduced as a result of the acetylation, with greater effect on DNA cleavage. Four lysine acetylation sites were identified using bottom-up proteomics: Lys13, Lys45, Lys346, and Lys488. The Lys13 residue modified by acetyl phosphate has not been reported previously as a lysine acetylation site for topoisomerase I. We discuss the potential biochemical consequence of lysine acetylation at this strictly conserved lysine and other lysine residues on the enzyme based on available genetic and structural information

Metodología para la caracterización de formaciones de vegetación de ribera y su morfología fluvial asociada utilizando datos LiDAR e imágenes digitales de alta resolución

En el presente documento se presenta una nueva metodología para la caracterización de formaciones de vegetación de ribera y su morfología fluvial asociada. La metodología está basada en la utilización de sensores aerotransportados LiDAR y Cámara Digital multiespectral de gran formato junto a perfiles batimétricos tomados en campo. Este trabajo pone de manifiesto la utilidad de los datos captados por sensores LiDAR y cámaras digitales aerotransportadas en aplicaciones medioambientales

New dimeric inhibitor of heterologous α-amylases encoded by a duplicated gene in the short arm of chromosome 3B of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A new wheat dimeric α-amylase inhibitor, designated WDAI-3, has been characterized. WDAI-3 is a homodimeric protein active against α-amylase from human saliva and from the insect Tenebrio molitor, but inactive against that from pig pancreas or against trypsin. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence is closer to those of the wheat dimeric inhibitors 0.19 and 0.53 (89–91% identical positions in 44 residues) than to that of the monomeric 0.28 inhibitor (69% identical positions). Iha-BI-2, the gene encoding the new inhibitor, is located in the short arm of chromosome 3B, where it is part of an intrachromosomal gene duplication that also codes for the 0.53 inhibitor

Phylogeographical spatial diffusion analysis reveals the journey of Geoffroy's cat through the Quaternary glaciations of South America

Leopardus geoffroyi is a small feline with a widespread distribution in a broad array of habitats. Here we investigate its evolutionary history to characterize the phylogeographical patterns that led to its present distribution using mitochondrial DNA from 72 individuals collected throughout its entire range. All haplotypes conformed to a monophyletic group, including two clades with a central/marginal disposition that is incongruent to the proposed subspecies. Spatial diffusion analysis showed the origin of the species within the oldest and more diverse central clade. A Bayesian Skyline Plot combined with a dispersal through time plot revealed two population increases at 190 000-170 000 and 45 000-35 000 years ago, the latter period accompanied by an increase in the dispersal rate. Species distribution models showed similar patterns between the present and Last Interglacial Period, and a reduction of high-probability areas during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Molecular evidence confirms L. geoffroyi as a monotypic species whose origin is located in Central Argentina. The last glaciation had little effect on the pattern of distribution of the species: the population and range expansion that started before the LGM, although probably being halted, continued after the glaciation and resulted in the presence of this felid in the far south of Patagonia.Fil: Gomez Fernandez, Maria Jimena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Fameli, Alberto Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Rojo Gómez, Julio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Pereira, Javier Adolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Mirol, Patricia Monica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentin

Genetics of the alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitor family in wheat and related species

Several members of an inhibitor family of heterologous a-amylases and of trypsin have been isolated from wheat, barley and rye endosperms. Comparisons of the amino acid sequences of these inhibitors together with the chromosomal locations of their structural genes in the three species, indícate that they are encoded by a disperse multi-gene family that must have originated both by translocations and intrachromosomal duplications events that took place in common ancestors of wheat, barley and probably rye. Homology among some members of the inhibitor family and various proteins of maize, ragi, castor bean and others, indícate that this protein family extends to other phylogenetically distant species

Growth response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains to stressors associated to the vine cycle

Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates from grapes, soil, vine bark and buds collected at seven phenological stages of an annual growth cycle, were molecular typed by Microsatellite Multiplex PCR. Subsequently 30 S. cerevisiae genotypes were selected and the effect of vineyard environmental stressors, in both sublethal upper and lower levels, on their growth parameters was evaluated. The effect of low and high temperature (7–40 ◦C), pH (2.5–8.0), glucose concentration (3.0–300.0 g/L), nitrogen concentration (0.008–8.0 g/L), and copper presence (24 mg/L) were modelled individually using the reparametrized Gompertz equation. Multivariate ANOVA and Generalized Procrustes Analysis were used to determine the environmental stressor’s influence over the lag phase (λ) and the maximum specific growth rate (μmax). Both parameters were significantly affected by the S. cerevisiae genotype, the treatments, and the interaction between them. Despite a generalized reduction in μmax and a variable answer in λ, the 30 S. cerevisiae genotypes were able to overcome all the treatments. Extreme glucose limitation, copper presence and low temperature had the highest impact over the growth parameters. Interestingly, ten genotypes mostly distributed in the vineyard were the least affected, suggesting a greater acclimatization fitness and the possibility to persist in the changing conditions of the vine annual cycle.EEA MendozaFil: Gonzalez, Magali Lucia Rosa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Magali Lucia Rosa. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Valero, Eva. Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica; EspañaFil: Chimeno, Selva Valeria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Garrido Fernandez, Antonio. Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Departamento de Biotecnología de Alimentos, Instituto de la Grasa (IG); España. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC); EspañaFil: Rodriguez Gomez, Francisco. Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Departamento de Biotecnología de Alimentos, Instituto de la Grasa (IG); España. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC); EspañaFil: Rojo, Cecilia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Rojo, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Paolinelli, Marcos. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Arroyo Lopez, Francisco Noe. Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Departamento de Biotecnología de Alimentos, Instituto de la Grasa (IG); España. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC); EspañaFil: Combina, Mariana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Mercado, Laura Analia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza; Argentin

Circulating omentin concentration increases after weight loss

Omentin-1 is a novel adipokine expressed in visceral adipose tissue and negatively associated with insulin resistance and obesity. We aimed to study the effects of weight loss-induced improved insulin sensitivity on circulating omentin concentrations. METHODS: Circulating omentin-1 (ELISA) concentration in association with metabolic variables was measured in 35 obese subjects (18 men, 17 women) before and after hypocaloric weight loss. RESULTS: Baseline circulating omentin-1 concentrations correlated negatively with BMI (r = -0.58, p < 0.001), body weight (r = -0.35, p = 0.045), fat mass (r = -0.67, p < 0.001), circulating leptin (r = -0.7, p < 0.001) and fasting insulin (r = -0.37, p = 0.03). Circulating omentin-1 concentration increased significantly after weight loss (from 44.9 +/- 9.02 to 53.41 +/- 8.8 ng/ml, p < 0.001). This increase in circulating omentin after weight loss was associated with improved insulin sensitivity (negatively associated with HOMA value and fasting insulin, r = -0.42, p = 0.02 and r = -0.45, p = 0.01, respectively) and decreased BMI (r = -0.54, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: As previously described with adiponectin, circulating omentin-1 concentrations increase after weight loss-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity