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BACKGROUND: The wearing-off phenomenon is a key driver of medication change for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) treated with levodopa. Common first-line options include increasing the levodopa dose or adding a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor, but there are no trials comparing the efficacy of these approaches. We evaluated the effectiveness of adjunct opicapone versus an additional 100 mg levodopa dose in PD patients with early wearing-off using pooled data from 2 randomized studies. METHODS: The ADOPTION study program included two similarly designed 4-week, open-label studies conducted in South Korea (NCT04821687) and Europe (NCT04990284). Patients with PD, treated with 3-4 daily doses of levodopa therapy and with signs of early wearing-off were randomized (1:1) to adjunct opicapone 50 mg or an additional dose of levodopa 100 mg. Patient-level data from the two studies were pooled. RESULTS: The adjusted mean [SE] change from baseline to week 4 in absolute OFF time (key endpoint) was - 62.8 min [8.8] in the opicapone group and - 33.8 min [9.0] in the levodopa 100 mg group, the difference significantly favoring opicapone (- 29.0 [- 53.8, - 4.2] min, p = 0.02). Significant differences in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III subscore (- 4.1 with opicapone vs - 2.5 with levodopa 100 mg), also favored opicapone (- 1.7 [- 3.3, - 0.04], p < 0.05). Dyskinesia was the most frequently reported adverse event (opicapone 7.2% vs. levodopa 100 mg 4.2%). CONCLUSIONS: In these short-term trials, introducing adjunct opicapone was more effective at reducing OFF time than adding another 100 mg levodopa dose in PD patients with early signs of wearing-off.
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AIMS: Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DßH) inhibitors, like zamicastat, hold promise for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension. This study aimed to validate the mechanism of action of zamicastat by studying its effect on the overdrive of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). METHODS: A single-centre, prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study evaluated the effect of 400 mg zamicastat in 22 healthy male subjects. Cold pressor test (CPT) was performed at screening and each treatment period on Days -1 and 10. Plasma and 24 h-urine levels of dopamine (DA), epinephrine (EPI) and norepinephrine (NE), and plasma DßH activity, were measured. RESULTS: Compared to placebo, zamicastat showed a - 4.62 mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure during the cold stimulus vs. rest phases on Day 10 of CPT (P = .020). Zamicastat decreased mean arterial pressure response to cold stimulus during CPT (-2.62 mmHg; P = .025). At Day 10, zamicastat significantly increased plasma DA, before CPT (12.63 ng/L; P = .040) and after CPT (19.22 ng/L; P = .001) as well as the estimated plasma EPI change from baseline after CPT (P = .040). Inhibition of plasma DßH activity ranged from 19.8% to 25.0%. At Day 10, significant reductions in 24-h urinary excretion of EPI (P = .002) and NE (P = .001) were observed. Zamicastat Cτ geometric mean ± GSD ranged from 45.86 ± 1.46 ng/mL on Day 3 to 58.64 ± 1.52 ng/mL on Day 10, with moderate inter-individual variability (CV: 32.6%-36.6%). Steady state was already achieved on Day 6. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated the effect of zamicastat on the overdrive sympathetic response to cold stimulus, confirming its potential as SNS modulator.
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A post hoc analysis of data from Asian patients included in the study BIA-2093-304 was conducted to evaluate the long-term safety/tolerability and efficacy of adjunctive eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) in adult Asian patients with refractory focal seizures. Part I was a randomized controlled trial, in which patients received ESL (800 or 1200 mg once daily [QD]) or placebo, assessed over a 12-week maintenance period. Patients completing Part I could enter two open-label extension periods (Part II, 1 year; Part III, ≥2 years), during which all received ESL (400-1600 mg QD). Safety/tolerability was assessed by evaluating treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Efficacy assessments included responder and seizure freedom rates. The safety population included 125, 92, and 23 Asian patients in Parts I, II, and III, respectively. Incidence of ESL-related TEAEs was 61.3%, 45.7%, and 17.4% during Parts I, II, and III, respectively. ESL-related TEAEs (most commonly, dizziness, somnolence, and headache) were consistent with ESL's known safety profile. During Part I, responder rates were higher with ESL 800 (41.7%) and 1200 mg QD (44.4%) versus placebo (32.6%), although not statistically significant. Seizure freedom rates with ESL 800 (5.5%) and 1200 mg QD (11.1%) were also higher versus placebo (0%) (p < 0.05 for ESL 1200 mg QD versus placebo). At the end of Part II, responder and seizure freedom rates were 60.3% and 14.7%, respectively. In summary, adult Asian patients with refractory focal seizures were responsive to treatment with ESL as adjunctive therapy and generally showed treatment tolerance well for up to 3 years. No new/unexpected safety findings were observed.
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Anticonvulsivantes , Povo Asiático , Dibenzazepinas , Humanos , Dibenzazepinas/efeitos adversos , Dibenzazepinas/administração & dosagem , Dibenzazepinas/uso terapêutico , Adulto , Masculino , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Anticonvulsivantes/administração & dosagem , Anticonvulsivantes/efeitos adversos , Resultado do Tratamento , Convulsões/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto Jovem , Método Duplo-Cego , Quimioterapia Combinada/métodos , Epilepsia Resistente a Medicamentos/tratamento farmacológico , Epilepsias Parciais/tratamento farmacológico , Adolescente , IdosoRESUMO
Introduction: Data on medulloblastoma outcomes and experiences in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Latin America, is limited. This study examines challenges in Mexico's healthcare system, focusing on assessing outcomes for children with medulloblastoma in a tertiary care setting. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted, involving 284 patients treated at 21 pediatric oncology centers in Mexico. Results: High-risk patients exhibited markedly lower event-free survival than standard-risk patients (43.5% vs. 78.3%, p<0.001). Influential factors on survival included anaplastic subtype (HR 2.4, p=0.003), metastatic disease (HR 1.9, p=0.001); residual tumor >1.5cm², and lower radiotherapy doses significantly impacted event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). Platinum-based chemotherapy showed better results compared to the ICE protocol in terms of OS and EFS, which was associated with higher toxicity. Patients under 3 years old displayed notably lower OS and EFS compared to older children (36.1% vs. 55.9%, p=0.01).
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One of the current challenges in medicine is to achieve a rapid and unequivocal detection and quantification of extremely low levels of disease biomarkers in complex biological samples. Here, we present the development and analytical evaluation of a low-cost smartphone-based system designed for ultrasensitive detection of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) using two detection alternatives: electrochemical or optical, by coupling the smartphone with a portable potentiostat or magnifying lenses. An antibody tagged with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and indium tin oxide coated polyethylene terephthalate platform (ITO-PET) have been used to develop a sandwich-type immunoassay. Then, a controlled silver electrodeposition on the AuNPs surface is carried out, enhancing their size greatly. Due to such strong nanoparticle-size amplification (from nm to µm), the final detection can be dual, by measuring current intensity or the number of silver-enlarged microstructures generated. The proposed strategies exhibited limit detections (LOD) of 102 and 37 fg/mL for electrochemical and optical detection respectively. The developed immunosensor reaches excellent selectivity and performance characteristics to quantify biomarkers at clinically relevant values without any pretreatment. These proposed procedures could be useful to check and verify possible recurrence after clinical treatment of tumors or even report levels of disease serum biomarkers in early stages.
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Técnicas Eletroquímicas , Ouro , Nanopartículas Metálicas , Antígeno Prostático Específico , Prata , Smartphone , Ouro/química , Antígeno Prostático Específico/sangue , Antígeno Prostático Específico/análise , Nanopartículas Metálicas/química , Prata/química , Humanos , Técnicas Eletroquímicas/métodos , Galvanoplastia , Imunoensaio/métodos , Limite de Detecção , Técnicas Biossensoriais/métodos , Anticorpos/imunologia , Anticorpos/química , Masculino , Compostos de EstanhoRESUMO
Lipids play key roles in the body, influencing cellular regulation, function, and signalling. Tolcapone, a potent catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor described to enhance cognitive performance in healthy subjects, was previously shown to impact fatty acid ß-oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation. However, its impact on the brain lipidome remains unexplored. Hence, this study aimed to assess how tolcapone affects the lipidome of the rat pre-frontal cortex (PFC), a region of the brain highly relevant to tolcapone therapeutic effect, while evaluating its influence on operant behaviour. Tolcapone at 20 mg/kg was chronically administered to Wistar rats during a behavioural task and an untargeted liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HR/MS) approach was employed to profile lipid species. The untargeted analysis identified 7227 features, of which only 33% underwent statistical analysis following data pre-processing. The results revealed an improved cognitive performance and a lipidome remodelling promoted by tolcapone. The lipidomic analysis showed 32 differentially expressed lipid species in tolcapone-treated animals (FC ≥ 1.2, p-value ≤ 0.1), and among these several triacylglycerols, cardiolipins and N-acylethanolamine (NAE 16:2) were found upregulated whereas fatty acids, hexosylceramides, and several phospholipids including phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines were downregulated. These preliminary findings shed light on tolcapone impact on lipid pathways within the brain. Although tolcapone improved cognitive performance and literature suggests the significance of lipids in cognition, this study did not conclusively establish that lipids directly drove or contributed to this outcome. Nevertheless, it underscores the importance of lipid modulation and encourages further exploration of tolcapone-associated mechanisms in the central nervous system (CNS).
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Catecol O-Metiltransferase , Lipidômica , Humanos , Ratos , Animais , Tolcapona/metabolismo , Tolcapona/farmacologia , Benzofenonas , Nitrofenóis , Inibidores Enzimáticos/farmacologia , Ratos Wistar , Dopamina/metabolismo , Inibidores de Catecol O-Metiltransferase/farmacologia , Encéfalo/metabolismo , LipídeosRESUMO
Introducción: La bronquiolitis constituye una de las principales causas de Infecciones Respiratorias Agudas Bajas en Pediatría, y es responsable de una proporción significativa de hospitalizaciones en lactantes, fundamentalmente, en menores de 1 año. Su diagnóstico es clínico, caracterizado por síntomas y signos de amplio grado de gravedad. Objetivo: Describir las características clínico-etiológicas de casos de bronquiolitis en menores de 1 año, internados en un hospital de niños de la ciudad de Santa Fe, durante un periodo de un año. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio observacional, transversal. Se analizaron datos demográficos, clínicos y de laboratorio de fichas médicas de vigilancia epidemiológica. Las técnicas diagnósticas usadas según el agente viral fueron RT-PCR en tiempo real, PCR-punto final e Inmunofluorescencia Indirecta. Resultados: Sobre un total de 108 casos, 90,7% tuvo de 1 a 6 meses de edad. La mediana de internación fue de 5 días, y el nacimiento prematuro fue la condición médica previa más frecuente. Un 78,7% (85) tuvo diagnóstico viral positivo, siendo Rinovirus (hRV) y Virus Sincicial Respiratorio (VSR) los agentes más prevalentes, tanto en infección única como en coinfección. El tiempo de oxigenoterapia fue mayor en los pacientes más graves (p<0,001). El 32,4% (35) recibió alguna medicación que fue, en mayor frecuencia, antibiótico. Se encontró asociación positiva y significativa entre la edad menor de 3 meses y una hospitalización mayor a 5 días (OR=2,5; IC: 1,1-5,8; p=0,02); y entre un diagnóstico VSR positivo y un cuadro grave (OR: 7,7; IC: 1,95-39,6; p<0,001). Conclusión: Las características y condiciones médicas consideradas por la literatura como factores de riesgo para el padecimiento y la gravedad de una IRAB, fueron halladas con mayor frecuencia en la población de estudio. El hRV y el VRS fueron los agentes de mayor rescate viral, encontrándose una asociación positiva entre la infección por VSR y la gravedad del cuadro.
Introduction: Bronchiolitis is one of the main causes of Acute Lower Respiratory Infections in pediatrics, and is responsible for a significant proportion of hospitalizations in infants, mainly in children under 1 year of age. Its diagnosis is clinical. The disease is characterized by a wide variety and degree of signs and symptoms. Objective: To describe the clinical-etiological characteristics of cases of bronchiolitis in children under 1 year of age, admitted to a children's hospital in the city of Santa Fe, over a period of one year. Materials and Methods: This was an observational and cross-sectional study. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data from epidemiological surveillance medical records were analyzed. The diagnostic techniques used, based on the viral agent, were real-time RT-PCR, end-point PCR and Indirect Immunofluorescence. Results: Out of a total of 108 cases, 90.7% were between 1 and 6 months old. The median hospital stay was 5 days, and premature birth was the most common prior medical condition. 78.7% (85) had a positive viral diagnosis, with Rhinovirus (hRV) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) being the most prevalent agents, both in single infection and coinfection. Oxygen therapy time was longer in the most seriously ill patients (p<0.001). 32.4% (35) received some medication, which was, most frequently, antibiotics. A positive and significant association was found between age less than 3 months and hospitalization longer than 5 days (OR=2.5; CI: 1.1-5.8; p=0.02); and between a positive RSV diagnosis and a severe condition (OR: 7.7; CI: 1.95-39.6; p<0.001). Conclusions: The characteristics and medical conditions considered by the literature as risk factors for the morbidity and severity of a lower respiratory tract infection were found more frequently in the study population. hRV and RSV were the most commonly-detected viral agents. We found a positive association between RSV infection and the severity of the condition.
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There are many surgical techniques (packing, Pringle maneuver, etc.) and hemostatic agents to manage hepatic bleeding in trauma surgery. This study compares the effectiveness of two different types of hemostatic agents, one is an active flowable hemostat and the other is a passive hemostat made of modified absorbable polymers [MAP]. Both surgical technique and hemostatic agents can be used together as a means of controlling bleeding. We have hypothesized that a single hemostatic agent might be as effective as a unique hemostatic surgical technique. Twenty swine were prospectively randomized to receive either active Flowable (Floseal) or passive MAP powder (PerClot) hemostatic agents. We used a novel severe liver injury model that caused exsanguinating hemorrhage. The main outcome measure was total blood loss volume. The total volume of blood loss, from hepatic injury to minute 120, was significantly lower in the Flowable group (407.5 cm3; IqR: 195.0-805.0 cm3) compared to MAP group (1107.5 cm3; IqR: 822.5 to 1544.5 cm3) (Hodges-Lehmann median difference: - 645.0 cm3; 95% CI: - 1144.0 to - 280.0 cm3; p = 0.0087). The rate of blood loss was significantly lower in the flowable group compared with the MAP group as measured from time of injury to minutes 3, 9, 12, and 120 (except for 6 min). The mean arterial pressure gradually recovered in the flowable group by 24 h, whereas in the MAP group, the mean arterial pressure was consistently stayed below baseline values. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated similar rates of death between study groups (Logrank test p = 0.3395). Both the flowable and the MAP hemostatic agents were able to effectively control surgical bleeding in a novel severe liver injury model, however, the flowable gelatin-thrombin agent provided quicker and better bleed control.
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Hemostáticos , Trombina , Animais , Suínos , Gelatina/uso terapêutico , Esponja de Gelatina Absorvível , Hemostáticos/uso terapêutico , Perda Sanguínea Cirúrgica/prevenção & controle , Fígado/lesões , Exsanguinação , Polímeros/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
Carbon nanoparticles (CDs) have recently drawn a great attention in (bio)chemical analysis, sensing and bioimaging owing to their photostability, water stability, minimal toxicity, biocompatibility and ease of surface functionalization. While the vast majority of CDs applications rely on exploiting their fluorescent properties, doping such nanomaterials with various elements has recently received increasing attention as an effective approach to modify their optoelectronic characteristics, introducing novel improved optical features such as phosphorescence, upconversion luminescence or multimodal imaging capabilities. This review article focuses in the recent advances on the synthesis of heteroatom-doped CDs, exhibiting distinctive features of high value for sensing and imaging, as well as various functionalization schemes developed for guided analyte labeling. Relevant applications in chemical sensing, bioimaging and disease therapy are here presented. A final section intends to provide an overview towards future developments of such emerging light-emitting nanomaterials in the design of future devices and strategies for (bio)analytical chemistry.
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Nanoestruturas , Pontos Quânticos , Carbono/química , Luminescência , Água , Corantes Fluorescentes/química , Pontos Quânticos/químicaRESUMO
We evaluated the impact of a philanthropic program investing in the conservation of sites along the Pacific Americas Flyway, which spans >16,000 km of coastline and is used by millions of shorebirds. Using a quasi-experimental, mixed methods approach, we estimated what would have happened to shorebird populations at 17 wintering sites without the sustained and additional investment they received. We modeled shorebird populations across the entire flyway and at sites with and without investment. Combining shorebird abundance estimates with a land-cover classification model, we used the synthetic control method to create counterfactuals for shorebird trends at the treatment sites. We found no evidence of an overall effect across three outcome variables. Species- and site-level treatment effects were heterogeneous, with a few cases showing evidence of a positive effect, including a site with a high level of overall investment. Results suggest six shorebirds declined across the entire flyway, including at many Latin American sites. However, the percentage of flyway populations present at the sites remained stable, and the percentage at the treatment sites was higher (i.e., investment sites) than at control sites. Multiple mechanisms behind our results are possible, including that investments have yet to mitigate impacts and negative impacts at other sites are driving declines at the treatment sites. A limitation of our evaluation is the sole focus on shorebird abundance and the lack of data that prohibits the inclusion of other outcome variables. Monitoring infrastructure is now in place to design a more robust and a priori shorebird evaluation framework across the entire flyway. With this framework, it will prove easier to prioritize limited dollars to result in the most positive conservation outcomes.
Evaluación del impacto de la inversión para la conservación enfocada en especies migratorias de largo recorrido Resumen Evaluamos el impacto de un programa filantrópico que invierte en la conservación de sitios a lo largo de la Ruta Migratoria Pacífico-Américas, la cual abarca >16,000 km de la línea costera y millones de aves playeras la usan. Estimamos con una estrategia cuasiexperimental y de métodos mixtos lo que habría pasado con las poblaciones de estas aves en 17 sitios invernales sin la inversión adicional y continua que recibieron. Modelamos estas poblaciones en toda la ruta y en sitios con y sin inversión. Combinamos las estimaciones de aves playeras con el modelo de clasificación de la cobertura del suelo y usamos el método de control sintético para crear contrafactuales para las tendencias de las aves playeras en sitios de tratamiento. No encontramos evidencia alguna de un efecto generalizado en las tres variables de los resultados. Los efectos del tratamiento de especies y de sitio fueron heterogéneos, con unos cuantos casos que mostraron evidencia de un efecto positivo, incluido un sitio con un nivel elevado de inversión general. Los resultados sugieren que seis especies de aves playeras declinaron a lo largo de toda la ruta, incluyendo en varios sitios de América Latina. Sin embargo, el porcentaje de poblaciones de la ruta presentes en los sitios permaneció estable y el porcentaje en los sitios de tratamiento (sitios de inversión) fue más elevado que en los sitios control. Muchos mecanismos son posibles detrás de nuestros resultados, incluidas las inversiones que todavía no han mitigado impactos y los impactos negativos en otros sitios que están causando las declinaciones en los sitios de tratamiento. Una limitación en nuestra evaluación es el enfoque único en la abundancia de aves playeras y la falta de datos que impiden la inclusión de otras variables de los resultados. El monitoreo de la infraestructura ahora está en una posición en la que puede diseñar un marco de evaluación más robusto y a priori de las aves playeras a lo largo de toda la ruta. Con este marco, será más fácil priorizar los dólares limitados para que los resultados de conservación sean lo más positivos posible.
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Background: Antiseizure medications can have negative effects on plasma lipid levels. Objectives: To evaluate plasma lipid changes in patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy treated with eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) or controlled-release carbamazepine (CBZ-CR) monotherapy during a phase III, randomized, double-blind (DB) trial and 2 years of ESL treatment in an open-label extension (OLE). Design: Post hoc analysis of a phase III trial and OLE study. Methods: Proportions of patients with elevated levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were assessed at DB baseline, OLE baseline (last visit of DB trial), and end of OLE. Results: A total of 184 patients received ESL monotherapy during the OLE: 96 received ESL monotherapy in the DB trial and 88 patients received CBZ-CR monotherapy. The proportions of patients with elevated total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol increased significantly during the DB trial in those treated with CBZ-CR monotherapy [total cholesterol, +14.9% (p < 0.001); LDL cholesterol, +11.5% (p = 0.012)] but decreased significantly after switching to ESL monotherapy in the OLE [total cholesterol, -15.3% (p = 0.008); LDL cholesterol, -11.1% (p = 0.021)]. No significant changes were observed in those treated with ESL monotherapy during the DB trial and OLE. At the end of the DB trial, between-group differences (ESL-CBZ-CR) in the proportions of patients with elevated total and LDL cholesterol were -13.6% (p = 0.037) and -12.3% (p = 0.061), respectively; at the end of the OLE, these between-group differences were -6.0% (p = 0.360) and -0.6% (p = 1.000), respectively. Conclusion: A lower proportion of patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy had increased levels of total and LDL cholesterol, compared to baseline, following monotherapy with ESL versus CBZ-CR; after switching from CBZ-CR to ESL, the proportions of patients with increased levels decreased significantly. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01162460/NCT02484001; EudraCT 2009-011135-13/2015-001243-36.
The impact of treatment with either eslicarbazepine acetate or controlled-release carbamazepine on cholesterol levels in patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy Patients with epilepsy have an increased risk of having cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (e.g., myocardial infarction and stroke). Treatment with antiseizure medications can have a negative effect on blood cholesterol levels [such as total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol], which can further increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. We examined the impact of monotherapy treatment (i.e., treatment with only one antiseizure medication) using either eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) or a controlled-release formulation of carbamazepine (CBZ-CR) in 184 patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy (ESL, 96 patients; CBZ-CR, 88 patients). Patients received monotherapy with ESL or CBZ-CR for approximately 1 year in a phase III clinical trial. After this, the patients could continue into a 2-year extension study during which they all received monotherapy with ESL. We assessed the proportions of patients with elevated levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol at the beginning and end of the phase III trial, and at the end of the extension study. At the beginning of the phase III trial, the proportions of patients with elevated total cholesterol and elevated LDL cholesterol were similar between treatment groups. During the phase III trial, the proportions of patients with elevated total cholesterol and elevated LDL cholesterol increased in those treated with CBZ-CR monotherapy (total cholesterol, +14.9%; LDL cholesterol, +11.5%) but decreased after switching to ESL monotherapy in the extension study (total cholesterol, −15.3%; LDL cholesterol, −11.1%). By contrast, the proportions of patients with elevated levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol remained relatively stable in those treated with ESL monotherapy during the phase III trial and extension study. These findings indicate that ESL monotherapy may be an appropriate treatment option for patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy who either already have, or who are at risk of developing, high levels of cholesterol, since this may reduce their likelihood of having cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
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Clathrin assembles at the cells' plasma membrane in a multitude of clathrin-coated structures (CCSs). Among these are flat clathrin lattices (FCLs), alternative clathrin structures that have been found in specific cell types, including cancer cells. Here we show that these structures are also present in different colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines, and that they are extremely stable with lifetimes longer than 8 h. By combining cell models representative of CRC metastasis with advanced fluorescence imaging and analysis, we discovered that the metastatic potential of CRC is associated with an aberrant membranous clathrin distribution, resulting in a higher prevalence of FCLs in cells with a higher metastatic potential. These findings suggest that clathrin organization might play an important yet unexplored role in cancer metastasis.
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Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is a popular modality to create additional contrast in fluorescence images. By carefully analyzing pixel-based nanosecond lifetime patterns, FLIM allows studying complex molecular populations. At the single-molecule or single-particle level, however, image series often suffer from low signal intensities per pixel, rendering it difficult to quantitatively disentangle different lifetime species, such as during Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) analysis in the presence of a significant donor-only fraction. In this article we investigate whether an object localization strategy and the phasor approach to FLIM have beneficial effects when carrying out FRET analyses of single particles. Using simulations, we first showed that an average of â¼300 photons, spread over the different pixels encompassing single fluorescing particles and without background, is enough to determine a correct phasor signature (SD < 5% for a 4-ns lifetime). For immobilized single- or double-labeled dsDNA molecules, we next validated that particle-based phasor-FLIM-FRET readily allows estimating fluorescence lifetimes and FRET from single molecules. Thirdly, we applied particle-based phasor-FLIM-FRET to investigate protein-protein interactions in subdiffraction HIV-1 viral particles. To do this, we first quantitatively compared the fluorescence brightness, lifetime, and photostability of different popular fluorescent protein-based FRET probes when genetically fused to the HIV-1 integrase enzyme in viral particles, and conclude that eGFP, mTurquoise2, and mScarlet perform best. Finally, for viral particles coexpressing FRET-donor/acceptor-labeled IN, we determined the absolute FRET efficiency of IN oligomers. Available in a convenient open-source graphical user interface, we believe that particle-based phasor-FLIM-FRET is a promising tool to provide detailed insights in samples suffering from low overall signal intensities.
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Increasing predation danger can select for safety-enhancing modifications to prey morphology. Here, we document the multi-decade wing lengthening of a Pacific flyway migrant, the western sandpiper (Calidris mauri), and contrast this with contemporaneous wing shortening of the closely related semipalmated sandpiper (C. pusilla) on the Atlantic flyway. We measured >12,000 southbound western sandpipers captured from 1978 to 2020 at a major stopover site in British Columbia. Wing length increased at 0.074 mm year-1 (SE = 0.017; p < .0003) for adults, and 0.087 mm year-1 (SE = 0.029; p < .007) for juveniles. These rates are of similarly large magnitude (4%-5% overall), but opposite in direction, to the rate we previously reported for semipalmated sandpiper adults (-0.103 mm year-1). In both species, the change is specific to wings rather than being part of a general body size change. We interpret both trends as responses to the ongoing strong increase of peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) populations since the mid-1970s, an important predator encountered by these species in contrasting ways during migration. Western sandpipers and peregrine migrations have temporal and spatial overlap. Longer wings enhance migratory speed and efficiency, enabling western sandpipers to decrease overlap by advancing to safer zones ahead of falcon passage. In contrast, semipalmated sandpipers primarily encounter peregrines as residents at migratory staging sites. Shorter wings improve acceleration and agility, helping migrants to escape attacks. Juvenile western sandpiper wing length also shows a component additive to the lengthening trend, shifting between years at 0.055 mm day-1 with the highly variable snowmelt date, with wings shorter following early springs. On the Pacific flyway, the timing of peregrine southward passage advances with snowmelt, increasing the relative exposure of juveniles to post-migratory resident peregrines. We interpret this annual wing length adjustment as an induced defense, made possible because snowmelt timing is a reliable cue to danger in the upcoming migration.
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Motor fluctuations are a significant driver of healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in people with Parkinson's disease (pwPD). A common management strategy is to include catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibition with either opicapone or entacapone in the levodopa regimen. However, to date, there has been a lack of head-to-head data comparing the two COMT inhibitors in real-world settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in HCRU and effect on sleep medications when opicapone was initiated as first COMT inhibitor versus entacapone. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed HCRU outcomes in pwPD naïve to COMT inhibition via UK electronic healthcare records (Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Hospital Episodes Statistics databases, June 2016 to December 2019). HCRU outcomes were assessed before (baseline) and after COMT inhibitor prescription at 0-6 months, 7-12 months and 13-18 months. Opicapone-treated pwPD were algorithm-matched (1:4) to entacapone-treated pwPD. RESULTS: By 6 months, treatment with opicapone resulted in 18.5% fewer neurology outpatient visits compared to entacapone treatment; this effect was maintained until the last follow-up (18 months). In the opicapone group, the mean levodopa equivalent daily dose decreased over the first year and then stabilized, whereas the entacapone-treated group showed an initial decrease in the first 6 months followed by a dose increase between 7 and 18 months. Neither COMT inhibitor had a significant impact on sleep medication use. CONCLUSIONS: This head-to-head study is the first to demonstrate, using 'real-world' data, that initiating COMT inhibition with opicapone is likely to decrease the need for post-treatment HCRU versus initiation of COMT inhibition with entacapone.
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Doença de Parkinson , Humanos , Antiparkinsonianos/uso terapêutico , Catecol O-Metiltransferase , Inibidores de Catecol O-Metiltransferase/uso terapêutico , Inibidores de Catecol O-Metiltransferase/farmacologia , Levodopa/uso terapêutico , Oxidiazóis/uso terapêutico , Doença de Parkinson/tratamento farmacológico , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, chronic, and neurodegenerative disease, and the most common cause of dementia worldwide. Currently, the mechanisms underlying the disease are far from being elucidated. Thus, the study of proteins involved in its pathogenesis would allow getting further insights into the disease and identifying new markers for AD diagnosis. METHODS: We aimed here to analyze protein dysregulation in AD brain by quantitative proteomics to identify novel proteins associated with the disease. 10-plex TMT (tandem mass tags)-based quantitative proteomics experiments were performed using frozen tissue samples from the left prefrontal cortex of AD patients and healthy individuals and vascular dementia (VD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) patients as controls (CT). LC-MS/MS analyses were performed using a Q Exactive mass spectrometer. RESULTS: In total, 3281 proteins were identified and quantified using MaxQuant. Among them, after statistical analysis with Perseus (p value < 0.05), 16 and 155 proteins were defined as upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in AD compared to CT (Healthy, FTD and VD) with an expression ratio ≥ 1.5 (upregulated) or ≤ 0.67 (downregulated). After bioinformatics analysis, ten dysregulated proteins were selected as more prone to be associated with AD, and their dysregulation in the disease was verified by qPCR, WB, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), pull-down, and/or ELISA, using tissue and plasma samples of AD patients, patients with other dementias, and healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: We identified and validated novel AD-associated proteins in brain tissue that should be of further interest for the study of the disease. Remarkably, PMP2 and SCRN3 were found to bind to amyloid-ß (Aß) fibers in vitro, and PMP2 to associate with Aß plaques by IF, whereas HECTD1 and SLC12A5 were identified as new potential blood-based biomarkers of the disease.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer , Demência Frontotemporal , Doenças Neurodegenerativas , Humanos , Doença de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Demência Frontotemporal/genética , Proteômica , Cromatografia Líquida , Espectrometria de Massas em Tandem , Peptídeos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Córtex Pré-Frontal/metabolismo , Biomarcadores , Proteínas tau/metabolismoRESUMO
Migratory storks could be vectors of transmission of bacteria of public health concern mediated by the colonization, persistence and excretion of such bacteria. This study aims to determine genera/species diversity, prevalence, and co-colonization indices of bacteria obtained from tracheal (T) and nasal (N) samples from storks in relation to exposure to point sources through foraging. One-hundred and thirty-six samples from 87 nestlings of colonies of parent white storks with different foraging habits (natural habitat and landfills) were obtained (84 T-samples and 52 N-samples) and processed. Morphologically distinct colonies (up to 12/sample) were randomly selected and identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. About 87.2% of the total 806 isolates recovered were identified: 398 from T-samples (56.6%) and 305 from N-samples (43.4%). Among identified isolates, 17 genera and 46 species of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were detected, Staphylococcus (58.0%) and Enterococcus (20.5%) being the most prevalent genera. S. sciuri was the most prevalent species from T (36.7%) and N (34.4%) cavities of total isolates, followed by E. faecalis (11.1% each from T and N), and S. aureus [T (6.5%), N (13.4%)]. Of N-samples, E. faecium was significantly associated with nestlings of parent storks foraging in landfills (p = 0.018). S. sciuri (p = 0.0034) and M. caseolyticus (p = 0.032) from T-samples were significantly higher among nestlings of parent storks foraging in natural habitats. More than 80% of bacterial species in the T and N cavities showed 1-10% co-colonization indices with one another, but few had ≥ 40% indices. S. sciuri and E. faecalis were the most frequent species identified in the stork nestlings. Moreover, they were highly colonized by other diverse and potentially pathogenic bacteria. Thus, storks could be sentinels of point sources and vehicles of bacterial transmission across the "One Health" ecosystems.
Assuntos
Ecossistema , Staphylococcus aureus , Animais , Espanha/epidemiologia , Antibacterianos , Bactérias Gram-Negativas , Bactérias Gram-Positivas , AvesRESUMO
Nucleic acid-based analytical bioplatforms have gained importance as diagnostic tests for genomics and as early detection tools for diseases such as cancer. In this context, we report the development of an amperometric bioplatform for the determination of a specific human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) sequence. The bioplatform utilizes an immune-nucleic acid hybrid-sandwich assay. A biotinylated RNA capture probe (RNAbCp), complementary to the selected HPV16 target DNA sequence, was immobilised on the surface of streptavidin coated magnetic microbeads (Strep-MBs). The RNA/DNA heteroduplex resulting from the hybridization of the RNAbCP and the HPV16 target sequence was recognised by a commercial antibody that specifically bound to the heteroduplex (AbDNA-RNA). A horseradish-peroxide labeled secondary antibody (antiIgG-HRP) was used for the detection of AbDNA-RNA. Relying on amperometric detection of the resulting HRP-labeled magnetic bioconjugates captured on screen-printed electrodes (SPCEs) in the presence of H2O2 and hydroquinone (HQ), the biotool achieved a low limit of detection (0.5 pM) for the synthetic HPV16 target DNA. In addition, the developed bioplatform was able to discriminate between HPV16 positive and negative human cancer cells using only 25 ng of amplified DNA in a test time of 45 min.