Solution structure of [d(GGTATACC)]2: wrinkled D structure of the TATA moiety

Phase-sensitive two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectra of [d(GGTATACC)]2 in aqueous deuterium oxide solution at four mixing times were quantified to give all nonoverlapping cross-peak intensities. A structural model for [d(GGTATACC)]2 was built in which the GG- and -CC moieties were in the B-DNA form, while the middle -TATA- moiety was in the wrinkled-D form (BDB model). This model was subjected to energy refinement by molecular mechanics calculations with the program AMBER. Counterions (Na+) were added to neutralize the charges, and water molecules were placed bridging across the minor groove. A complete relaxation matrix analysis was used to calculate two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectra of [d(GGTATACC)]2 from the above models (before and after energy refinement) and from four other [d(GGTATACC)]2 structural models: regular A, crystalline A, regular B, and energy-minimized B. Among them, the energy-minimized BDB model yielded a set of theoretical spectra that gave the best fit to the experimental spectra. It was also the energetically most stable. Therefore, it is a good representation of the ensemble- and time-averaged structure of the octamer in solution. This model has backbone torsion angles similar to those of B-form DNA in the GG- and -CC moieties and torsion angles similar to those of wrinkled D form DNA in the -TATA- moiety. The base stacking and base pairing are not interrupted at the junctions between the two structural moieties. Its minor groove is narrower than that of B DNA, and the solvent-accessible surface of the minor groove forms a closed hydration tunnel in the middle -TATA- segment.     

Structural and Functional Alterations of Subcutaneous Small Resistance Arteries in Severe Human Obesity

Obese persons are at increased cardiovascular risk and exhibit increased arterial stiffness and impaired endothelial function of large‐ and medium‐size arteries. We hypothesized that normotensive subjects suffering from severe obesity would also present remodeling and endothelial dysfunction of small resistance arteries. A total of 16 lean (age: 49.6 ± 2.9 years, BMI: 22.9 ± 0.3 kg/m², mean ± s.e.m.) and 17 age‐matched severely obese (BMI: 41.1 ± 2.3 kg/m²) normotensive subjects were investigated. None had glucose or lipid metabolic abnormalities except for insulin resistance. Resistance arteries, dissected from abdominal subcutaneous tissue, were assessed on a pressurized myograph. For superimposable blood pressure, the media thickness, media cross‐sectional area (CSA), and media‐to‐lumen ratio values of resistance arteries were markedly and significantly greater in obese compared to lean subjects (media thickness 26.3 ± 0.6 vs. 16.2 ± 0.6 µm, CSA 22,272 ± 1,339 vs. 15,183 ± 1,186 µm², and media‐to‐lumen ratio 0.113 ± 0.006 vs. 0.059 ± 0.001, respectively, P < 0.01). Acetylcholine‐induced relaxation was impaired in vessels from obese subjects compared to the lean individuals (?40.4 ± 1.3%, P < 0.01), whereas endothelium‐independent vasorelaxation was similar in all groups. Stiffness of small arteries as assessed by the stress/strain relationship was similar in lean and severely obese subjects. We conclude that severe human obesity is associated with profound alterations in structural and functional characteristics of small arteries, which may be responsible for the presence of elevated cardiovascular risk and increased incidence of coronary, cerebrovascular and renal events reported in obesity.     

Refractive Errors Affect the Vividness of Visual Mental Images

The hypothesis that visual perception and mental imagery are equivalent has never been explored in individuals with vision defects not preventing the visual perception of the world, such as refractive errors. Refractive error (i.e., myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism) is a condition where the refracting system of the eye fails to focus objects sharply on the retina. As a consequence refractive errors cause blurred vision.We subdivided 84 individuals according to their spherical equivalent refraction into Emmetropes (control individuals without refractive errors) and Ametropes (individuals with refractive errors). Participants performed a vividness task and completed a questionnaire that explored their cognitive style of thinking before their vision was checked by an ophthalmologist. Although results showed that Ametropes had less vivid mental images than Emmetropes this did not affect the development of their cognitive style of thinking; in fact, Ametropes were able to use both verbal and visual strategies to acquire and retrieve information. Present data are consistent with the hypothesis of equivalence between imagery and perception.     

Facile, efficient approach to accomplish tunable chemistries and variable biodistributions for shell cross-linked nanoparticles

The in vivo behavior of shell cross-linked knedel-like (SCK) nanoparticles is shown to be tunable via a straightforward and versatile process that advances SCKs as attractive nanoscale carriers in the field of nanomedicine. Tuning of the pharmacokinetics was accomplished by grafting varied numbers of methoxy-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) chains to the amphiphilic block copolymer precursors, together with chelators for the radioactive tracer and therapeutic agent (64)Cu, followed by self-assembly into block copolymer micelles and chemical cross-linking throughout the shell regions. (64)Cu-radiolabeling was then performed to evaluate the SCKs in vivo by means of biodistribution experiments and positron emission tomography (PET). It was found that the blood retention of PEGylated SCKs could be tuned, depending on the mPEG grafting density and the nanoparticle surface properties. A semiquantitative model of the density of mPEG surface coverage as a function of in vivo behavior was applied to enhance the understanding of this system.     

Cytotoxicity,apoptosis, DNA damage and methylation in mammary and kidney epithelial cell lines exposed to ochratoxin A

This study aimed to investigate the in vitro damage induced by ochratoxin A (OTA) in BME-UV1 and MDCK epithelial cells. Both cells lines were treated with OTA (0 up to 10 μg/mL), and cell viability (MTT assay), membrane stability (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay) and apoptotic cell rate (Tunel assay) were investigated. Further, the effect of the incubation with OTA has been evaluated at DNA level by the determination of DNA integrity, by the quantification of DNA adduct formation (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)) and by the assessment of the global DNA methylation status (5-methyl-cytosine (5-mC)). The obtained results showed that after 24 h of OTA treatment, BME-UV1 cell viability was reduced in a dose-dependent way. OTA significantly (P?<?0.05) increased LDH release in BME-UV1 cells at all concentrations tested. OTA (1.25 μg/mL) induced 35 % LDH release in MDCK cells (P?<?0.05). A significant (P?<?0.05) change in percentages of apoptotic BME-UV1 (10?±?0.86) and MDCK (25?±?0.88) cells was calculated when the cells were co-incubated with OTA. The level of 8-OHdG adduct formation was significantly (P?<?0.05) increased in BME-UV1 cells treated with 1.25 μg/mL of OTA. The results of the present study suggest that a different mechanism of action may occur in these cell lines.

Open image in new window

Graphical abstract Study results overview

     

VGF Peptide Profiles in Type 2 Diabetic Patients’ Plasma and in Obese Mice

To address the possible involvement of VGF peptides in obesity and diabetes, we studied type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obese patients, and high-fat diet induced obese mice. Two VGF peptides (NAPP-19 and QQET-30) were identified in human plasma by HPLC-ESI-MS. The VGF C-terminus, the above two cleaved peptides, and the TLQP-21 related peptide/s were studied using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. In euglycemic patients, plasma NAPPE and TLQP like peptides were significantly reduced with obesity (74±10 vs. 167±28, and 92±10 vs. 191±19 pmol/ml, mean+SEM, n = 10 and 6, obese vs. normal BMI, respectively, p<0.03). Upon a standard glucose load, a distinct response was shown for VGF C-terminus, TLQP and QQET-like (ERVW immunoreactive) peptides in euglycemic normal BMI patients, but was virtually abolished in euglycemic obese, and in T2D patients independently of BMI. High-fat diet induced obese mice showed reduced plasma VGF C-terminus, NAPPE and QQET-like (ERVW) peptide/s (3±0.2 vs. 4.6±0.3, 22±3.5 vs. 34±1.3, and 48±7 vs. 100±7 pmol/ml, mean+SEM, n = 8/group, obese vs. slim, respectively, p<0.03), with a loss of the response to glucose for all VGF peptides studied. In immunohistochemistry, TLQP and/or VGF C-terminus antibodies labelled VGF containing perikarya in mouse celiac ganglia, pancreatic islet cells and thin beaded nerve fibres in brown adipose tissues, with fewer in white adipose tissue. Upon the glucose load, tyrosine hydroxylase and VGF C-terminus immunoreactive axons became apparent in pancreatic islets of slim animals, but not in obese animals. Alltogether, a significant loss of VGF peptide immunoreactivity and/or their response to glucose was demonstrated in obese patients, with or without T2D, in parallel with a similar loss in high-fat diet induced obese mice. An involvement of VGF in metabolic regulations, including those of brown and/or white adipose tissues is underlined, and may point out specific VGF peptides as potential targets for diagnosis and/or treatment.     

Improving phosphorus sustainability of sugarcane production in Brazil

Phosphorus (P) use in global food and bioenergy production needs to become more efficient and sustainable to reduce environmental impacts and conserve a finite and critical resource (Carpenter & Bennett, Environmental Research Letters, 2011, 6, 014009; Springmann et al., Nature, 2018, 562, 519). Sugarcane is one crop with a large P footprint because production is centered on P‐fixing soils with low P availability (Roy et al., Nature Plants, 2016, 2, 16043; Withers et al., Scientific Reports, 2018, 8, 2537). As global demand for processed sugar and bioethanol continues to increase, we advocate that improving P efficiency could become a key sustainability goal for the sugarcane industry. Here, we applied the 5R global P stewardship framework (Withers et al., Ambio, 2015, 44, 193) to identify more sustainable options to manage P in Brazilian sugarcane production. We show that current inputs of P fertilizer to the current crop area could be reduced by over 305 Gg, or 63%, over the next three decades by reducing unnecessary P fertilizer use, better utilization of recyclable bioresources and redesigning recommendation systems. Adoption of these 5R options would save the sugarcane industry in Brazil 528 US$ million and help safeguard global food and energy security.     

New retinoid derivatives as back-ups of Adarotene

Adarotene belongs to the so-called class of atypical retinoids. The presence of the phenolic hydroxyl group on Adarotene structure allows a rapid O-glucuronidation as a major mechanism of elimination of the drug, favoring a fast excretion of its glucuronide metabolite in the urines. A series of ether, carbamate and ester derivatives was synthesized. All of them were studied and evaluated for their stability at different pH. The cytotoxic activity in vitro on NCI-H460 non-small cell lung carcinoma and A2780 ovarian tumor cell lines was also tested. A potential back-up of Adarotene has been selected to be evaluated in tumor models.