NCS-1 protein regulates TRPA1 channel through the PI3K pathway in breast cancer and neuronal cells.

The physical and functional interaction between transient receptor potential channel ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1) was assessed. NCS-1 is a calcium (Ca2+) sensor found in many tissues, primarily neurons, and TRPA1 is a Ca2+ channel involved not only in thermal and pain sensation but also in conditions such as cancer and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, in which NCS-1 is also a regulatory component.We explored the interactions between these two proteins by employing western blot, qRT-PCR, co-immunoprecipitation, Ca2+ transient monitoring with Fura-2 spectrophotometry, and electrophysiology assays in breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) with different levels of NCS-1 expression and neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y).Our findings showed that the expression of TRPA1 was directly correlated with NCS-1 levels at both the protein and mRNA levels. Additionally, we found a physical and functional association between these two proteins. Physically, the NCS-1 and TRPA1 co-immunoprecipitate. Functionally, NCS-1 enhanced TRPA1-dependent Ca2+ influx, current density, open probability, and conductance, where the functional effects depended on PI3K. Conclusion: NCS-1 appears to act not only as a Ca2+ sensor but also modulates TRPA1 protein expression and channel function in a direct fashion through the PI3K pathway. These results contribute to understanding how Ca2+ homeostasis is regulated and provides a mechanism underlying conditions where Ca2+ dynamics are compromised, including breast cancer. With a cellular pathway identified, targeted treatments can be developed for breast cancer and neuropathy, among other related diseases.

Robot-assisted extravascular stent for nutcracker syndrome: A case report.

Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is a rare condition caused by compression of the left renal vein (LRV) between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery. Surgical treatment is reserved for patients with severe symptoms and failure of conservative treatment. A 31-year-old woman diagnosed in adolescence with NCS has had recurrent pain since age 15. For 30 days, she has had severe left flank pain and microhematuria. The patient underwent extravascular stent placement around the LRV with the Da Vinci Xi. In 30 months of follow-up, the patient has no pain and the LRV remained without compressions or thrombosis.

The inhibition of NCS-1 binding to Ric8a rescues fragile X syndrome mice model phenotypes.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by the loss of function of Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). FXS is one of the leading monogenic causes of intellectual disability (ID) and autism. Although it is caused by the failure of a single gene, FMRP that functions as an RNA binding protein affects a large number of genes secondarily. All these genes represent hundreds of potential targets and different mechanisms that account for multiple pathological features, thereby hampering the search for effective treatments. In this scenario, it seems desirable to reorient therapies toward more general approaches. Neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1), through its interaction with the guanine-exchange factor Ric8a, regulates the number of synapses and the probability of the release of a neurotransmitter, the two neuronal features that are altered in FXS and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Inhibitors of the NCS-1/Ric8a complex have been shown to be effective in restoring abnormally high synapse numbers as well as improving associative learning in FMRP mutant flies. Here, we demonstrate that phenothiazine FD44, an NCS-1/Ric8a inhibitor, has strong inhibition ability in situ and sufficient bioavailability in the mouse brain. More importantly, administration of FD44 to two different FXS mouse models restores well-known FXS phenotypes, such as hyperactivity, associative learning, aggressive behavior, stereotype, or impaired social approach. It has been suggested that dopamine (DA) may play a relevant role in the behavior and in neurodevelopmental disorders in general. We have measured DA and its metabolites in different brain regions, finding a higher metabolic rate in the limbic area, which is also restored with FD44 treatment. Therefore, in addition to confirming that the NCS-1/Ric8a complex is an excellent therapeutic target, we demonstrate the rescue effect of its inhibitor on the behavior of cognitive and autistic FXS mice and show DA metabolism as a FXS biochemical disease marker.

Mucilage and cellulosic derivatives as clarifiers for the improvement of the non-centrifugal sugar production process.

Non-centrifugal cane sugar (NCS) is the second most important Colombian agribusiness in social importance. However, the sugar cane industry is facing some challenges caused by the controversial nutritional and safety attributes of NCS. Some Colombian NCS producers employ natural mucilages as clarifiers; but the uncontrolled application of these components has caused a risk of extinction in the mucilage source plants. Other producers employ acrylamide as a clarifier. Health consequences have generated concerns from the consumers and demanded control from the food authorities. Efforts are being made to develop a standard manufacturing methodology to increase NCS productivity and improve its quality, hygiene, and storability. The application of better clarifiers, which provide the best clarifying activity and minimize the toxicity while conserving NCS's natural attributes, is one of the outstanding challenges as well. This study is a proposal which looks for sustainable, natural, nontoxic, and economical clarifiers for the Colombian NCS producers.

Caracterización del síndrome de cascanueces / Characterization of Nutcracker Syndrome

Introducción: El síndrome de cascanueces es una anomalía vascular poco buscada y diagnosticada, por su baja incidencia y por la dificultad de sospecharla ante manifestaciones clínicas frecuentes. Objetivo: Examinar las características clínicas e imagenológicas de los pacientes diagnosticados con el síndrome de cascanueces. Método: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo y prospectivo en pacientes atendidos en el Hospital Pediátrico Universitario William Soler entre enero de 2013 - diciembre de 2017. Cuando se sospechó el síndrome se realizó ultrasonido buscando la dilatación de la vena renal izquierda y el ángulo de salida de la arteria mesentérica superior. En 7 de los pacientes se realizó angio-TAC. Se revisaron variables epidemiológicas, clínicas, de laboratorio e imagenológicas. Presentación de los casos: Del total de 9 pacientes en que se diagnosticó la anomalía vascular, 6 (66,7 por ciento) pertenecen al sexo masculino. La edad media al diagnóstico fue 11,4 años (rango: 7-15). Se diagnosticó cascanueces anterior en 7 (77,7 por ciento), posterior en 1 (11,1 por ciento) y síndrome de Wilkie con fenómeno cascanueces asociado en 1 (11,1 por ciento). En el 100 por ciento de los casos hubo dolor abdominal o lumbar, asociado a hematuria en 4, orinas espumosas en 4 y varicocele izquierdo en 2 de los 6 varones (33,3 por ciento). Conclusiones: El síndrome de cascanueces debe buscarse en los pacientes que presentan dolor abdominal, lumbar o en flanco izquierdo en forma recurrente, episodios de hematuria recurrente o proteinuria ortostática. En el varón con varicocele izquierdo debe descartarse esta posibilidad. El fenómeno cascanueces, puede diagnosticarse cuando se investiga al paciente por causa no relacionada(AU)

Introduction: Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is a vascular anomaly which is rarely searched and diagnosed due to its low incidence and because of the difficulty to suspect on it among other frequent clinical manifestations. Objective: To examine clinical and imaging characteristics of patients diagnosed with NCS. Methods: Descriptive, retrospective and prospective study in patients admitted in William Soler University Pediatric Hospital in the period from January, 2013 to December, 2017. When it was suspected the presence of the syndrome, it was made an ultrasound looking for dilation of the left renal vein and the output angle of the superior mesenteric artery. In 7 patients it was made an angio-TAC. The epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory and imaging variables were reviewed. Presentation of cases: From the total of 9 patients diagnosed with a vascular anomaly; 6 (66,7 percent) were males. The mean age was 11,4 years (range 7-15 years). It was diagnosed front NCS in 7 patients (77.7 percent), back NCS in 1 patient (11.1 percent) and Wilkie syndrome with associated NCS in 1 patient (11.1 percent). 100 percent of the cases presented abdominal or lumbar pain related to hematuria (4 patients), foaming urine (4 patients) and left varicocele in 2 of the male patients (33.3 percent). Conclusions: Nutcracker syndrome should be searched in patients presenting frequent abdominal, lumbar or left side pain, recurrent hematuria or orthostatic proteinuria episodes. In males with left varicocele should be discounted this possibility. Nutcracker phenomenon can be also diagnosed when the patient is being investigated due to not related causes(AU)

Spectroscopic Properties of Si-nc in SiOx Films Using HFCVD.

In the present work, non-stoichiometric silicon oxide films (SiOx) deposited using a hot filament chemical vapor deposition technique at short time and simple parameters of depositions are reported. This is motivated by the numerous potential applications of SiOx films in areas such as optoelectronics. SiOx films were characterized with different spectroscopic techniques. The deposited films have interesting characteristics such as the presence of silicon nanoclusters without applying thermal annealing, in addition to a strong photoluminescence after applying thermal annealing in the vicinity of 1.5 eV, which may be attributed to the presence of small, oxidized silicon grains (less than 2 nm) or silicon nanocrystals (Si-nc). An interesting correlation was found between oxygen content, the presence of hydrogen, and the formation of defects in the material, with parameters such as the band gap and the Urbach energies. This correlation is interesting in the development of band gap engineering for this material for applications in photonic devices.

NCS-1 en la función neuronal / NCS-1 in neuronal function

NCS-1 es una proteína unidora de calcio, que regula el funcionamiento de otras proteínas, con las cuales interactúa a nivel molecular. Su expresión es amplia y no limitada a neuronas. Sus efectos incluyen la regulación de receptores, canales iónicos y enzimas que intervienen en múltiples funciones neuronales. NCS-1 regula la actividad del receptor D2 de dopamina y del receptor A2A de adenosina, ambos fundamentales en diversos procesos de comunicación que involucran control emocional y control de movimientos en varios circuitos. NCS-1 también regula la actividad del receptor de IP3, un canal de calcio intracelular fundamental en la regulación de la homeostasis de este ion, interactúa con IP kinasas, las cuales a su vez desencadenan cascadas de señalización intracelular y modula la actividad de canales de calcio presinápticos; todos estos efectos redundan en regulación de la liberación de neurotransmisores y por ende, de la plasticidad sináptica, lo cual ha sido probado en diversos modelos experimentales. NCS-1 también parece estar involucrada en la regulación de otros canales iónicos de calcio y de potasio que podrían influir en la homeostasis eléctrica de las neuronas y en la supervivencia neuronal a través de la regulación de vías proapoptóticas. Estos amplios efectos de NCS-1 motivan a profundizar la investigación en los mecanismos involucrados en la regulación que ejerce sobre sus proteínas blanco y en nuevos efectos que ayuden a entender el rol de esta proteína en diversos procesos fisiológicos y fisiopatológicos(AU)

NCS-1 is a calcium-binding protein, which regulates the functioning of diverse proteins, with which interacts to a molecular level. Its expression is widespread and it is not limited to neurons. Its effects include the regulation of receptors, ion channels and enzymes, which intervene in multiple neuronal functions. NCS-1 regulates the functioning of D2 dopamine receptor and adenosine A2A receptor, both fundamental in diverse communication processes that involve emotional and movement control in a variety of neural circuits. NCS-1 also regulates the activity of IP 3 receptor, an intracellular calcium ion channel (which is crucial in the regulation of calcium homeostasis), interacts with the IP kinases, which trigger intracellular signaling cascades, and modulates the activity of presynaptic calcium channels. All these effects lead to the regulation of neurotransmitters release and thus, synaptic plasticity, which had been proved in diverse experimental models. NCS-1 also appears to be involved in the regulation of other calcium and potassium channels, which can influence the neuron electric homeostasis and survival through the modulation of proapoptotic pathways. These broad NCS-1 effects motivates further research of the specific mechanisms that are involved in the regulation that this protein exerts on its target proteins and in new effects that may help to understand the role of this protein in physiological and pathophysiological processes(AU)

Physicochemical and sensory (aroma and colour) characterisation of a non-centrifugal cane sugar ("panela") beverage.

Non-centrifugal cane sugar (NCS), also called "panela", is a high carbohydrate-content food obtained by boil evaporation of the sugar cane juice. This study was undertaken to assess physicochemical properties and sensory characteristics of panela beverage at two different concentrations. Evaluation of pH, °Brix, and colour (tristimulus colorimetry) was carried out in all panela drink samples. In order to characterise the odour-active volatiles of the beverage, a simultaneous steam distillation-solvent extraction method was applied using a mixture of diethyl ether-pentane (1:1,w/w) as solvent. The Aroma Extract Dilution Analysis revealed the presence of six odour-active compounds, being 2-methyl pyrazine the key aroma compound of this beverage. PCA (Principal Component Analysis) showed that there were no differences in the aroma and physicochemical properties (pH and °Brix) with respect to the geographical origin of analysed samples; however colour depends on heating during processing of NCS.

Free radical scavenging in vitro and biological activity of diphenyl diselenide-loaded nanocapsules: DPDS-NCS antioxidant and toxicological effects.

Selenium compounds, such as diphenyl diselenide (DPDS), have been shown to exhibit biological activity, including antioxidant effects. However, the use of DPDS in pharmacology is limited due to in vivo pro-oxidative effects. In addition, studies have shown that DPDS-loaded nanocapsules (DPDS-NCS) have greater bioavailability than free DPDS in mice. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant properties of DPDS-NCS in vitro and biological activity in mice. Our in vitro results suggested that DPDS-NCS significantly reduced the production of reactive oxygen species and Fe(II)-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) in brain. The administration of DPDS-NCS did not result in death or change the levels of endogenous reduced or oxidized glutathione after 72 hours of exposure. Moreover, ex vivo assays demonstrated that DPDS-NCS significantly decreased the LPO and reactive oxygen species levels in the brain. In addition, the highest dose of DPDS-NCS significantly reduced Fe(II)- and sodium nitroprusside-induced LPO in the brain and Fe(II)-induced LPO in the liver. Also, δ-aminolevulinate acid dehydratase within the brain was inhibited only in the highest dose of DPDS-NCS. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that DPDS-NCS exhibited low toxicity in mice and have significant antioxidant characteristics, indicating that nanoencapsulation is a safer method of DPDS administration.

E2F1 and E2F2 induction in response to DNA damage preserves genomic stability in neuronal cells.

E2F transcription factors regulate a wide range of biological processes, including the cellular response to DNA damage. In the present study, we examined whether E2F family members are transcriptionally induced following treatment with several genotoxic agents, and have a role on the cell DNA damage response. We show a novel mechanism, conserved among diverse species, in which E2F1 and E2F2, the latter specifically in neuronal cells, are transcriptionally induced after DNA damage. This upregulation leads to increased E2F1 and E2F2 protein levels as a consequence of de novo protein synthesis. Ectopic expression of these E2Fs in neuronal cells reduces the level of DNA damage following genotoxic treatment, while ablation of E2F1 and E2F2 leads to the accumulation of DNA lesions and increased apoptotic response. Cell viability and DNA repair capability in response to DNA damage induction are also reduced by the E2F1 and E2F2 deficiencies. Finally, E2F1 and E2F2 accumulate at sites of oxidative and UV-induced DNA damage, and interact with γH2AX DNA repair factor. As previously reported for E2F1, E2F2 promotes Rad51 foci formation, interacts with GCN5 acetyltransferase and induces histone acetylation following genotoxic insult. The results presented here unveil a new mechanism involving E2F1 and E2F2 in the maintenance of genomic stability in response to DNA damage in neuronal cells.

NCS-1 deficiency causes anxiety and depressive-like behavior with impaired non-aversive memory in mice.

Sensing and regulating intracellular levels of calcium are essential for proper cellular function. In neurons, calcium sensing plays important roles in neuronal plasticity, neurotransmitter release, long-term synapse modification and ion channel activity. Neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) is a member of the highly conserved neuronal calcium sensor family. Although NCS-1 has been associated with psychiatric conditions including autism, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, it is unclear which role NCS-1 plays in behavior. To understand the involvement of NCS-1 in psychiatric conditions, we provided a comprehensive behavioral characterization of NCS-1 knockout (KO) mice. These mice grow and develop normally without apparent abnormalities in comparison to wild type littermates. However, open field showed that NCS-1 deficiency impairs novelty-induced exploratory activity in both KO and heterozygote (HT) mice. Moreover, NCS-1-deficiency also resulted in anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors as demonstrated by elevated plus maze, large open field, forced swim and tail suspension tasks. Furthermore, based on spontaneous object recognition test, non-aversive long-term memory was impaired in NCS-1 KO mice. In contrast, neither social behavior nor a kind of aversive memory was affected under NCS-1 deficiency. These data implicate NCS-1 in exploratory activity, memory and mood-related behaviors, suggesting that NCS-1 gene ablation may result in phenotypic abnormalities associated with neuropsychiatric disorders.