Optimization of novel monobactams with activity against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae – Identification of LYS228

Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs), such as New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1) have spread world-wide and present a serious threat. Expression of MBLs confers resistance in Gram-negative bacteria to all classes of β-lactam antibiotics, with the exception of monobactams, which are intrinsically stable to MBLs. However, existing first generation monobactam drugs like aztreonam have limited clinical utility against MBL-expressing strains because they are impacted by serine β-lactamases (SBLs), which are often co-expressed in clinical isolates. Here, we optimized novel monobactams for stability against SBLs, which led to the identification of LYS228 (compound 31). LYS228 is potent in the presence of all classes of β-lactamases and shows potent activity against carbapenem-resistant isolates of Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).     

Relationship between molecular and enological features of Patagonian wine yeasts: relevance in selection protocols

Summary In this paper, a study of the relationship between genetic patterns, obtained by the combination of mtDNA-RFLP and PCR-amplified inter-δ sequence DNA polymorphism analysis, and relevant enological phenotypic data (fermentative power, specific productivity, volatile and total acidity) was carried out on Argentinean Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates from north Patagonia. The use of a powerful statistical tool, Generalized Procrustes analysis, allowed us to weigh the relationship for each isolate in particular, denoting a good enough degree of agreement between molecular and physiological data for most of the population analysed. The inclusion of a physiological feature, as the killer sensitivity biotype, within identification methods resulted in a higher degree of discrimination among isolates and in better correlation between both characterizations. The combined use of methods based on molecular polymorphisms and killer biotype could be applied so as not to miss any isolate with differential enological properties in selection protocols.     

β-Amyloid carrying the Dutch mutation has diverse effects on calpain-mediated toxicity in hippocampal neurons

Hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis-Dutch type is a disorder associated with a missense mutation (E693Q) in the β-amyloid (Aβ)-coding region of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). This familial disease is characterized by cognitive deficits secondary to intracerebral hemorrhage and, in some cases, progressive Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like dementia. Although this mutation was the first ever reported in the human APP gene, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the direct toxic effects of this mutated Aβ on central neurons. In the present study, we assessed the role of calpain-mediated toxicity in such effects using an AD primary culture model system. Our results showed that Dutch mutant Aβ (E22Q) induced calpain-mediated cleavage of dynamin 1 and a significant decrease in synaptic contacts in mature hippocampal cultures. These synaptic deficits were similar to those induced by wild-type (WT) Aβ. In contrast, calpain-mediated tau cleavage leading to the generation of a 17-kDa neurotoxic fragment, as well as neuronal death, were significantly reduced in E22Q Aβ-treated neurons when compared with WT Aβ-treated ones. This complex regulation of the calpain-mediated toxicity pathway by E22Q Aβ could have some bearing in the pathobiology of this familial AD form.     

Synthesis,semipreparative HPLC separation,biological evaluation,and 3D-QSAR of hydrazothiazole derivatives as human monoamine oxidase B inhibitors

The present study reports on synthesis in high yields (70–99%), HPLC enantioseparation, inhibitory activity against human monoamino oxidases, and molecular modeling including 3D-QSAR studies, of a large series of (4-aryl-thiazol-2-yl)hydrazones (1–45). Most of the synthesized compounds proved to be potent and selective inhibitors of hMAO-B isoform in the micromolar or nanomolar range, thus demonstrating that hydrazothiazole could be considered a good pharmacophore to design new hMAO-B inhibitors. Due to the presence in some derivatives of a chiral center, we also performed a semipreparative chromatographic enantioseparation of these compounds obtained by a stereoconservative pattern. The separated enantiomers were submitted to in vitro biological evaluation to point out the stereorecognition of the active site of the enzyme towards these structures. Finally, a 3D-QSAR study was carried out using Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA), aiming to deduce rational guidelines for the further structural modification of these lead compounds.     

Development of a panel of genome-wide ancestry informative markers to study admixture throughout the Americas

Most individuals throughout the Americas are admixed descendants of Native American, European, and African ancestors. Complex historical factors have resulted in varying proportions of ancestral contributions between individuals within and among ethnic groups. We developed a panel of 446 ancestry informative markers (AIMs) optimized to estimate ancestral proportions in individuals and populations throughout Latin America. We used genome-wide data from 953 individuals from diverse African, European, and Native American populations to select AIMs optimized for each of the three main continental populations that form the basis of modern Latin American populations. We selected markers on the basis of locus-specific branch length to be informative, well distributed throughout the genome, capable of being genotyped on widely available commercial platforms, and applicable throughout the Americas by minimizing within-continent heterogeneity. We then validated the panel in samples from four admixed populations by comparing ancestry estimates based on the AIMs panel to estimates based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. The panel provided balanced discriminatory power among the three ancestral populations and accurate estimates of individual ancestry proportions (R2 > 0.9 for ancestral components with significant between-subject variance). Finally, we genotyped samples from 18 populations from Latin America using the AIMs panel and estimated variability in ancestry within and between these populations. This panel and its reference genotype information will be useful resources to explore population history of admixture in Latin America and to correct for the potential effects of population stratification in admixed samples in the region.     

Preferred proline puckerings in cis andtrans peptide groups: Implications for collagen stability

The interplay between side-chain and main-chain conformations is a distinctive characteristic of proline residues. Here we report the results of a statistical analysis of proline conformations using a large protein database. In particular, we found that proline residues with the preceding peptide bond in the cis state preferentially adopt a down puckering. Indeed, out of 178 cis proline residues, as many as 145 (81%) are down. By analyzing the 1-4 and 1-5 nonbonding distances between backbone atoms, we provide a structural explanation for the observed trend. The observed correlation between proline puckering and peptide bond conformation suggests a new mechanism to explain the reported shift of the cis-trans equilibrium in proline derivatives. The implications of these results for the current models of collagen stability are also discussed.     

Cholecystokinin Outcome on Markers of Intestinal IgA Antibody Response

Cholecystokinin 8 (CCK8) is an entero-octapeptide that participates in crosstalk with components of intestinal immunity via the CCK receptor (CCKR), but its role in modulation of the IgA response is not fully known under physiological conditions. Male eight-week-old BALB/c mice each were intraperitoneally injected once during 7 days with CCK8, devazapide (CCKR1 antagonist), L365,260 (CCKR2 antagonist) or vehicle (sham group). In intestinal lavages, total and secretory IgA (SIgA) were determined by ELISA; in lamina propria, IgA⁺ B lymphocytes and IgA⁺ plasma cells were analyzed by flow cytometry; mRNA levels of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) in epithelial cells and α chain, interleukins (ILs) in lamina propria cells were assessed by qRTPCR. Regarding the sham conditions, IgA⁺ plasma-cell percentage and IL-2, IL-5, IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) mRNA levels were either increased by CCK8 or decreased by both CCKR antagonists. For IgA/SIgA responses, IL-4/IL-6 mRNA levels were decreased by all drugs and pIgR mRNA was increased by CCK8 and reduced by L365,260. IgA⁺ B cell percentage and α chain mRNA levels were elicited by CCK8 and L365,260. Data suggested a presumable differential role of CCK/CCKR on the IgA-response; outcome of L365,260 on the elicitation of IgA⁺ B cells and α chain mRNA needs further examination.     

Stimulation,Inhibition, or Stabilization of Na,K-ATPase Caused by Specific Lipid Interactions at Distinct Sites

The activity of membrane proteins such as Na,K-ATPase depends strongly on the surrounding lipid environment. Interactions can be annular, depending on the physical properties of the membrane, or specific with lipids bound in pockets between transmembrane domains. This paper describes three specific lipid-protein interactions using purified recombinant Na,K-ATPase. (a) Thermal stability of the Na,K-ATPase depends crucially on a specific interaction with 18:0/18:1 phosphatidylserine (1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-l-serine; SOPS) and cholesterol, which strongly amplifies stabilization. We show here that cholesterol associates with SOPS, FXYD1, and the α subunit between trans-membrane segments αTM8 and -10 to stabilize the protein. (b) Polyunsaturated neutral lipids stimulate Na,K-ATPase turnover by >60%. A screen of the lipid specificity showed that 18:0/20:4 and 18:0/22:6 phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) are the optimal phospholipids for this effect. (c) Saturated phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, but not saturated phosphatidylserine or PE, inhibit Na,K-ATPase activity by 70–80%. This effect depends strongly on the presence of cholesterol. Analysis of the Na,K-ATPase activity and E₁-E₂ conformational transitions reveals the kinetic mechanisms of these effects. Both stimulatory and inhibitory lipids poise the conformational equilibrium toward E₂, but their detailed mechanisms of action are different. PE accelerates the rate of E₁ → E₂P but does not affect E₂(2K)ATP → E₁3NaATP, whereas sphingomyelin inhibits the rate of E₂(2K)ATP → E₁3NaATP, with very little effect on E₁ → E₂P. We discuss these lipid effects in relation to recent crystal structures of Na,K-ATPase and propose that there are three separate sites for the specific lipid interactions, with potential physiological roles to regulate activity and stability of the pump.     

Effects of coypu (Myocastor coypus) abundances and diet selection on a wetland of the Patagonian steppe

We assessed diet selection, impact on vegetation, and explored habitat relationships with marsh birds of coypus (Myocastor coypus) in a steppe lagoon in Argentinean Patagonia. In two consecutive springs, abundance and spatial use of the coypus and nesting marsh birds were estimated by direct counts. The coypu was a selective consumer with seasonal variations in food items, and Myriophyllum sp. and Schoenoplectus californicus dominated its diet. Coypus and marsh birds showed a differential spatial use when rushes cover was high. However, when rushes cover decreased by coypu browsing, there was a similar use of space, and marsh birds were displaced to nest on the open water and other poorly protected areas of the rushes. Our results suggest that high abundances of coypu can have a detrimental effect on wetland ecosystems. Systematic monitoring and evaluation of their effects on wetlands in recently colonized areas is recommended.     

Effects of Shift Work on the Postural and Psychomotor Performance of Night Workers

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of shift work on the psychomotor and postural performance of night workers. The study included 20 polysomnography technicians working schedule of 12-h night shift by 36-h off. On the first day of protocol, the body mass and height were measured, and an actigraph was placed on the wrist of each participant. On the second day of protocol, sleepiness by Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, postural control by force platform (30 seconds) and psychomotor performance by Psychomotor Vigilance Task (10 minutes) were measured before and after 12-h night work. Results showed that after 12-h night work, sleepiness increased by 59% (p<0.001), postural control variables increased by 9% (p = 0.048), and 14% (p = 0.006). Mean reaction time, and the number of lapses of attention increased by 13% (p = 0.006) and 425% (p = 0.015), respectively, but the mean reciprocal reaction time decreased by 7%. In addition, there were correlations between sleepiness and postural control variables with opened eyes (r = 0.616, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.361–0.815; r = 0.538; 95% CI = 0.280–0.748) and closed eyes (r = 0.557; 95% CI = 0.304–0.764, r = 0497; 95% CI = 0.325–0.715) and a pronounced effect of sleepiness on postural sway (R² = 0.393; 95% CI = 0.001–0.03). Therefore, 12-h night work system and sleepiness showed a negative impact in postural and psychomotor vigilance performance of night workers. As unexpected, the force platform was feasibility to detect sleepiness in this population, underscoring the possibility of using this method in the workplace to prevent occupational injuries and accidents.