Bioactivity of hydrolysates obtained from bovine casein using artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) proteases.

The objective of this work was to obtain casein hydrolysates with aspartic proteinases present in extracts from the artichoke flower (Cynara scolymus L.) and evaluate their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity in vitro. The casein hydrolysates produced by the action of C. scolymus had elevated antihypertensive and antioxidant activity due to their high hydrophobic peptide content (93.84, 96.58, and 90.54% at 2, 4, and 16 h of hydrolysis, respectively). Hydrolysis time and molecular weight (<3 kDa) had a significant influence on the hypertensive and antioxidant activity of the hydrolysates, which were greater at hydrolysis times of 4 and 16 h and corresponding to the <3 kDa fractions. The <3 kDa fraction of the 16 h hydrolysate had an ACE inhibitory activity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 71.77 µg peptides per mL; DPPH and ABTS•+ radical scavenging activities of 6.27 µM and 6.21 mM Trolox equivalents per mg of peptides, respectively; and iron (II) chelation activity with an IC50 of 221.49 µg of peptides per mL. Antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis was also observed in the hydrolysates. From the peptide sequences identified in the hydrolysates, we detected 22 peptides (from the BIOPEP database) that were already in their bioactive form (AMKPWIQPK, AMKPWIQPKTKVIPYVRYL, ARHPHPHLSFM, DAQSAPLRVY, FFVAPFPEVFGK, GPVRGPFPII, KVLPVPQK, LLYQEPVLGPVRGPFPIIV, MAIPPKKNQDK, NLHLPLPLL, PAAVRSPAQILQ, RELEELNVPGEIVESLSSSEESITR, RPKHPIKHQ, RPKHPIKHQGLPQEVLNENLLRF, SDIPNPIGSENSEK, TPVVVPPFLQP, VENLHLPLPLL, VKEAMAPK, VLNENLLR, VYPFPGPIH, VYQHQKAMKPWIQPKTKVIPYVRY, VYQHQKAMKPWIQPKTKVIPYVRYL) and are reported to display antioxidant, antimicrobial, and ACE inhibitory activity. We also identified 12,116, 14,513, and 25,169 peptide sequences in the hydrolysates at 2, 4, and 16 h, respectively, that were contained in the primary sequence, and these are reported to display ACE inhibitory, antioxidant, dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibition, antithrombotic, opioid, immunomodulation, antiamnesic, anticancer, chelating, and hemolytic bioactivity.

Physical separation and reduction of contact duration with sexually hyperactive bucks decrease testosterone concentrations and sexual behaviour in bucks in sexual rest.

Sexually hyperactive bucks are more efficient than sexually hypoactive bucks in stimulating testosterone secretion and sexual behaviour in other bucks in seasonal sexual rest by the phenomenon that we called the "buck-to-buck effect". Here, we determined whether physical separation and reduction of the duration of contact with the sexually hyperactive bucks would modify those parameters in sexually hypoactive bucks exposed to the "buck-to-buck effect". Bucks were subjected to natural day length throughout the study; this was the sexually hypoactive group. Other bucks were subjected to artificial long days (16 h of light per day) from 15 November to 15 January followed by exposure to natural day length to stimulate their sexual activity during the rest season; this was the sexually hyperactive group. In Experiment 1, we determined testosterone concentrations and sexual behaviour of six sexually hypoactive bucks separated 1.5 m from six sexually hyperactive bucks for 60 days by a metal open work fence, while a control group of six sexually hypoactive bucks was in permanent contact with six sexually hyperactive bucks. In Experiment 2, the duration of contact with sexually hyperactive males was reduced from 31 days (contact group, six bucks) to 10 days (withdraw group, seven bucks). In experiments 1 and 2, there was an effect of time (P < 0.01) and an interaction between time and groups (P < 0.05). In Experiment 1, testosterone plasma concentrations were greater in bucks in contact with sexually hyperactive bucks than in those separated from bucks at 20 and 30 days after the introduction of sexually hyperactive bucks (P < 0.01). The bucks from the contact group also displayed more nudging than bucks from the separated group from 0 to 30 days (P < 0.001). In Experiment 2, testosterone concentrations were greater in the contact group than in those from the withdraw group from 19 to 31 days after the introduction of sexually hyperactive bucks (P < 0.05). Bucks from the withdraw group displayed more nudging than the contact group 7 days after the introduction of the sexually hyperactive bucks (P < 0.05). Afterwards, bucks from the contact group displayed more nudging than the withdraw group 14, 21 and 28 days after the introduction of the sexually hyperactive bucks. We concluded that physical separation and reduction of the duration of contact with the sexually hyperactive bucks decrease testosterone concentrations and sexual behaviour of bucks in sexual rest exposed to the "buck-to-buck effect".

Increased signalling of EGFR and IGF1R, and deregulation of PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway are related with trastuzumab resistance in HER2 breast carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Trastuzumab resistance hampers its well-known efficacy to control HER2-positive breast cancer. The involvement of PI3K/Akt pathway in this mechanism is still not definitively confirmed. METHODS: We selected 155 patients treated with trastuzumab after development of metastasis or as adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy. We performed immunohistochemistry for HER2, ER/PR, epidermal growth factor 1-receptor (EGFR), α-insulin-like growth factor 1-receptor (IGF1R), phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), p110α, pAkt, pBad, pmTOR, pMAPK, MUC1, Ki67, p53 and p27; mutational analysis of PIK3CA and PTEN, and PTEN promoter hypermethylation. RESULTS: We found 46% ER/PR-positive tumours, overexpression of EGFR (15%), α-IGF1R (25%), p110α (19%), pAkt (28%), pBad (22%), pmTOR (23%), pMAPK (24%), MUC1 (80%), PTEN loss (20%), and PTEN promoter hypermethylation (20%). PIK3CA and PTEN mutations were detected in 17% and 26% tumours, respectively. Patients receiving adjuvant trastuzumab with α-IGF1R or pBad overexpressing tumours presented shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (all P≤0.043). Also, p110α and mTOR overexpression, liver and brain relapses implied poor overall survival (OS) (all P≤0.041). In patients with metastatic disease, decreased PFS correlated with p110α expression (P=0.024), whereas for OS were the presence of vascular invasion and EGFR expression (P≤0.019; Cox analysis). CONCLUSION: Our results support that trastuzumab resistance mechanisms are related with deregulation of PTEN/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, and/or EGFR and IGF1R overexpression in a subset of HER2-positive breast carcinomas.

Mass rearing and egg release of Buenoa scimitra Bare as biocontrol of larval Culex quinquefasciatus.

Backswimmers have been recognized as the most promising predators of mosquito larvae. The aim of this investigation was to study mass rearing and egg release of Buenoa scimitra for the biological control of Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Among the most important results were that production of backswimmer eggs occurred for 263 days, and also that eggs were released in artificial containers with production of new individuals until the adult stage was obtained. In addition, a statistically significant reduction in mosquito larval density was observed on some sampling dates.

Chemical and microbiological characteristics of ewes' milk cheese manufactured with extracts from flowers of Cynara cardunculus and Cynara humilis as coagulants.

The chemical and microbial characteristics as well as the flavor and aroma of Los Pedroches cheese made using aqueous extracts of Cynara cardunculus L. flowers were compared with those of cheeses manufactured with extracts of Cynara humilis L. throughout ripening. The two thistle species assayed were found to have no appreciable effect on the moisture, fat, protein, and NaCl contents of the cheese or on its water activity, flavor, and aroma; however, the use of C. humilis resulted in reduced lactic acid content (p < 0.001) and higher pH values (p < 0.05) relative to those of cheese specimens produced with C. cardunculus. The protein breakdown of the cheeses was assessed in terms of soluble nitrogen (SN), nonprotein nitrogen (NPN), and amino acid nitrogen (AAN). Proteolysis was more marked and rapid in cheese containing C. cardunculus as coagulant, the SN and NPN contents of which were significantly higher (p < 0. 01) than those of the cheese obtained with the species C. humilis; AAN contents were similar in both species of Cynara throughout ripening. Although total viable, coliform, and lactobacilli counts were similar in cheeses produced with both types of plant coagulant throughout ripening, enterobacteria and yeasts counts (p < 0.01) and molds counts (p < 0.05) were higher in cheese produced with C. humilis than in cheese obtained with C. cardunculus.

A multivariant study of pituitary adenoma, obtainment of two logistic regression equations as an auxiliary support in the diagnosis of these tumors.

A multivariant analysis was carried out in 120 patients with pituitary adenoma (prolactinoma, HGH-secreting adenoma and nonfunctional adenoma) and an equation was obtained concerning the prolactinoma (whose independent variables were age, galactorrhea, impotence, stage, and pretreatment secretion of ACTH) and another one concerning the nonfunctional adenoma (with age evolution time, visual disturbance evolution and galactorrhea as independent variables). These equations are useful in the differential diagnosis. The internal validity of both equations was obtained by calculating the ROC curve and determining sensibility, specificity and predictive values at the "optimum point" of this curve.

Use of Bactimos briquets (B.t.i. formulation) combined with the backswimmer Notonecta irrorata (Hemiptera:Notonectidae) for control of mosquito larvae.

The efficacies of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bactimos briquets) and the backswimmer Notonecta irrorata were evaluated both individually and in combination to control mosquito larvae in plastic containers in Monterrey, Mexico. The combined strategy proved to be the most effective one.

[Primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate]. / Adenocarcinoma mucinoso prostático primario.

Contribution of a new case of prostatic mucinous adenocarcinoma of primary origin. Diagnosis was established by histochemical techniques alcian blue, PAS and alcian-PAS) processing the fragments from the prostate transurethral resection (PTUR). Neither the existence of extraprostatic tumoration, local infiltration, or metastasis was recognized. No correlation between preoperative prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) (50) and prostatic specific antigen (PSA) values (3ng/m) was evidenced. After radical prostatectomy both markers remain undetected one year after surgery.

Gestación en paciente con insuficiencia ovárica primaria secundaria a mosaicismo de Síndrome de Turner / Pregnancy in a patient with primary ovarian insufficiency owing to a mosaicism of Turner Syndrome

RESUMEN La Insuficiencia Ovárica Primaria se define por una amenorrea secundaria de al menos cuatro meses de duración, deficiencia de esteroides sexuales (estradiol) y altas concentraciones séricas de hormona folículoestimulante (FSH) con al menos un mes de diferencia entre estas determinaciones, en mujeres menores de 40 años. Es una causa insidiosa de infertilidad pero en algunas ocasiones es transitoria y permite una gestación espontánea. El Síndrome de Turner es un trastorno genético caracterizado por la pérdida o anomalías estructurales de un cromosoma X y que afecta a 1 de cada 2.500 mujeres nacidas vivas. Las manifestaciones clínicas varían entre pacientes, pero generalmente se relaciona con talla baja, coartación aórtica, disgenesia gonadal e insuficiencia ovárica primaria. Las técnicas de reproducción asistida como la criopreservación de ovocitos y de tejido ovárico, la maduración in vitro o la donación de ovocitos ofrecen opciones reproductivas en aquellos casos en los que no se produzca un embarazo espontáneo.

ABSTRACT Primary Ovarian Insufficiency is considered a secondary amenorrhea of at least four months duration, sex steroid deficiency (estradiol) and high serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) with at least one month difference between these determinations, in women under 40 years. It is an insidious cause of infertility but sometimes it is transient and allows a spontaneous pregnancy. Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by the loss or structural abnormalities of an X chromosome that affects 1 in 2,500 women born alive. Clinical manifestations vary among patients, but it is usually associated with short stature, aortic coarctation, gonadal dysgenesis, and primary ovarian failure. Assisted reproduction techniques such as cryopreservation of oocytes and ovarian tissue, in vitro maturation or oocyte donation offer reproductive options in those cases in which there is no spontaneous pregnancy.

Sex differences in social investigation: effects of androgen receptors, hormones and test partner.

We examined the role of the androgen receptor (AR) in the investigatory behaviour of conspecifics using mice carrying the testicular feminisation mutation (X(Tfm) Y). Responses to members of the same and opposite sex were evaluated in a habituation/dishabituation task. Adult mice were gonadectomised and treated with oestradiol (E(2) ) or testosterone. After E(2) treatment, regardless of the sex of the stimulus mouse, wild-type (WT) males engaged in significantly more investigation than WT females. X(Tfm) Y males treated with E(2) showed 'male-like' behaviour in response to a male but behaved 'female-like' when the stimulus was a female. Because WT and X(Tfm) Y males behaved the same in response to another male, we used two additional mouse models to ask whether sex chromosomes were responsible for this phenomenon. Regardless of sex chromosome complement, gonadal males displayed high levels of investigation. When mice were treated with testosterone, investigation by WT females was enhanced, which eliminated the sex differences. Most strikingly, X(Tfm) Y males receiving testosterone-treatment increased the investigation of females to levels equal to those shown by WT mice. Given that testosterone, but not its metabolite E(2) , caused X(Tfm) Y males to investigate female conspecifics at high levels, it is plausible that nonclassical actions of AR, and/or activation of a novel AR, may be involved in this behaviour. Taken together, our data show that AR activation during adulthood is not required for males to investigate mice of either sex. However, 'male-like' levels of investigation of a female stimulus may depend on neonatal activation of the classic nuclear AR.

Microbial study of farmhouse ewe cheese during storage in olive oil.

The effect of storing farmhouse ewe cheese in oil and in vacuo over long periods of time on physicochemical properties (water activity and pH) and the microbiota of the cheese was investigated. The storage conditions were found to scarcely influence the sample pH. Also, the initial water activity (a(w) = 0.961) and its value after 9 months of storage (0.927) were both very similar to those for naturally ripened cheese. The incidence of pathogenic microbial groups was found to decrease with storage time (counts fell below 1 log CFU/g). The flora that effects proteolytic changes in cheese consisted of lactic microorganisms (viz. lactococci and lactobacilli), in addition, after 6 months of storage, of enterococci. The last are responsible for the formation of large amounts of soluble nitrogen (SN), non-protein nitrogen (NPN) and aminoacid nitrogen (NH2-N), which provide this type of cheese with very special sensory features while preventing dehydration and thus lengthening its shelf life.

[Palliative radiotherapy of bladder cancer]. / Radioterapia paliativa y cáncer de vejiga.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of a retrospective study which was conducted to analyze the utility of palliative radiotherapy in advanced bladder cancer and to evaluate the results of the different fractionation regimens in relation to the response rate and its duration, overall survival and side effects. METHODS: During a 10-year period, 56 patients with locally advanced bladder cancer received palliative external radiotherapy for the symptoms arising from their condition. The following fractionation schedules were mainly used: conventional irradiation with 40-60 Gy in 22-23 fractions in 20 cases and a low dose of 30 Gy in 10 fractions in 23. Other fractionation modalities were used in 6 patients. Eight patients received radiotherapy for symptomatic relief of pain from bony metastasis. RESULTS: 28 patients (50%) achieved complete remission of the initial symptoms and 15 (26.8%) showed a partial remission. The mean duration of response was 4 months (range 1-108). The overall uncorrected survival rate was 26.7% at one year (15 patients), 12.5% at three years (7 patients) and 7.1% at five years (4 patients), for a mean survival of 7.5 months (range 1-109). CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy is effective in the management of symptoms, specially hematuria, in patients with advanced carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Short fractionation regimens that achieve the same therapeutic results are preferred since visits to the hospital or long hospitalization can be avoided, thereby improving patient quality of life.