Characterization and Identification of Cryptic Biopeptides in Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh K. Koch) Storage Proteins

The objective of this research was to identify and characterize the encoded peptides present in nut storage proteins of Carya illinoinensis. It was found, through in silico prediction, proteomic analysis, and MS spectrometry, that bioactive peptides were mainly found in albumin and glutelin fractions. Glutelin was the major fraction with ~53% of the nut storage proteins containing at least 21 peptides with different putative biological activities, including antihypertensives, antioxidants, immunomodulators, protease inhibitors, and inhibitors of cell cycle progression in cancer cells. Data showed that using 50 μg/mL tryptic digests of enriched peptides obtained from nut glutelins is able to induce up to 19% of apoptosis in both HeLa and CasKi cervical cancer cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report that shows the potential value of the nut-encoded peptides to be considered as adjuvants in cancer therapies.

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Affective Synchrony and Autonomic Coupling during Cooperation: A Hyperscanning Study

Previous research highlighted that during social interactions people shape each other's emotional states by resonance mechanisms and synchronized autonomic patterns. Starting from the idea that joint actions create shared emotional experiences, in the present study a social bond was experimentally induced by making subjects cooperate with each other. Participants' autonomic system activity (electrodermal: skin conductance level and response: SCL, SCR; cardiovascular indices: heart rate: HR) was continuously monitored during an attentional couple game. The cooperative motivation was induced by presenting feedback which reinforced the positive outcomes of the intersubjective exchange. 24 participants coupled in 12 dyads were recruited. Intrasubject analyses revealed higher HR in the first part of the task, connoted by increased cognitive demand and arousing social dynamic, while intersubject analysis showed increased synchrony in electrodermal activity after the feedback. Such results encourage the use of hyperscanning techniques to assess emotional coupling in ecological and real-time paradigms.

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Comparison between Peritoneal Macrophage Activation by Bougainvillea xbuttiana Extract and LPS and/or Interleukins

Activation of macrophages may be one of the possible approaches in modulating inflammation. We previously reported that Bougainvillea xbuttiana extract showed an immunomodulatory activity. Here we compare the activation of macrophages exposed to B. xbuttiana extract and compare it with the other treatments such as LPS, IL-4, and IL-10. The cytotoxic effect of extract on peritoneal macrophages was determined by the technique of violet crystal staining. To verify the activation of macrophages we used the tests of vacuolization, hydrogen peroxide production, and percentages of cellular expansion and phagocytosis. The levels of interleukins secreted by macrophages treated with the extract, LPS, and cytokines were determined by the biological assay for the determination of TNF levels and by ELISA for all other interleukins. NO levels were evaluated by colorimetric reactions using Griess reagent. Our results showed that B. xbuttiana extract induced (a) low cytotoxicity percentages, (b) increased vacuolization, hydrogen peroxide production and cell expansion and phagocytosis percentages, and (c) decreased production of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6 and potentiated production of IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β. These results suggest that B. xbuttiana extract was able to activate the murine macrophages in a manner similar to those macrophages exposed to IL-4 and IL-10.

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Influence of processing conditions on apparent viscosity and system parameters during extrusion of distiller's dried grains-based snacks

Abstract

A combination of different levels of distillers dried grains processed for food application (FDDG), garbanzo flour and corn grits were chosen as a source of high-protein and high-fiber extruded snacks. A four-factor central composite rotatable design was adopted to study the effect of FDDG level, moisture content of blends, extrusion temperature, and screw speed on the apparent viscosity, mass flow rate or MFR, torque, and specific mechanical energy or SME during the extrusion process. With increase in the extrusion temperature from 100 to 140°C, apparent viscosity, specific mechanical energy, and torque value decreased. Increase in FDDG level resulted in increase in apparent viscosity, SME and torque. FDDG had no significant effect (p > .5) on mass flow rate. SME also increased with increase in the screw speed which could be due to the higher shear rates at higher screw speeds. Screw speed and moisture content had significant negative effect (p < .05) on the torque. The apparent viscosity of dough inside the extruder and the system parameters were affected by the processing conditions. This study will be useful for control of extrusion process of blends containing these ingredients for the development of high-protein high-fiber extruded snacks.

In our study, we have combined pulse flour with ethanol industry by-product which is rich in protein and fiber. We studied the effect of extrusion processing on the viscosity, SME, MFR, and torque. The study provides new experimental data of the influence of extrusion processing on system parameters during single screw extrusion of distiller's dried grains-garbanzo flour-corn grits blends. The results obtained will be of great significance for formulation and development of protein and fiber-rich extruded snacks.

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The decline of basic science publications in major emergency medicine journals and research conferences

Abstract

A recent publication reported on the decline of basic science publications in major medical journals in the last 20 years, making reference to the growing disconnect between basic science and clinical medicine¹. Story Landis, former director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke also noted a striking decrease in grant applications for basic science projects in the same time period².In the 1980s and 90s, a number of emergency physicians commented on the importance of basic science research to the future of emergency medicine^3,4,5.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Pazopanib-Induced Cutaneous Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis: An Exclusion Diagnosis of a Multidisciplinary Approach

In phase II/III trials, cutaneous side effects of pazopanib were reported in less than 20% of patients, with only 1–3% being grade 3/4. We present a case of a 66-year-old man with a previous history of left nephrectomy for a stage II clear cell renal carcinoma. Approximately 18 months later, recurrent disease in the lungs, mediastinum, and left psoas and bulky abdominal/pelvic nodal metastasis were documented. He was initially treated with pazopanib 800 mg q.d. and 1 week after starting this therapy, the patient presented with palpable purpura on his ankles. These lesions regressed within 2 weeks off pazopanib, but had recurred 4 weeks after he resumed medication at 400 mg q.d. Biopsy of the lesions revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Despite tumour response to therapy, pazopanib was discontinued with total resolution of this skin toxicity within 2 weeks of his cutaneous toxicity. To the best of our knowledge, we report a rare yet significant cutaneous adverse reaction to pazopanib.
Case Rep Oncol 2017;10:1041–1049

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Successful Resection of G719X-Positive Pleomorphic Carcinoma after Afatinib Treatment

We report a case of pleomorphic carcinoma with exon 18 mutation (G719X) of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which showed good response to afatinib and resulted in successful resection. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of afatinib for pleomorphic carcinoma followed by the surgical resection. The patient was a 59-year-old woman, who visited our hospital because chest computed tomography showed a 28 × 28-mm nodule in the left upper lobe. Bronchoscopy was performed and the histological findings of transbronchial biopsy revealed adenosquamous carcinoma positive for G719X mutation in exon 18 of the EGFR. Since fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography/computed tomography revealed a positive accumulation in the bilateral hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, the disease was diagnosed as cT1bN3M0, stage IIIB. After 3 months of afatinib therapy, FDG accumulation in primary tumor was almost gone. However, FDG accumulation in lymph nodes remained unchanged. Video-assisted thoracic surgery was planned for further diagnostic information and left upper lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed. The resected tumor included adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and spindle cell components, without lymph node metastasis. Thus, the disease was diagnosed as pleomorphic carcinoma (pT2aN0M0, stage IB). All components in the resected specimen had the same G719X mutation in exon 18 of the EGFR. The patient has shown no signs of recurrence at 1 year after the operation. The present case indicates the possibility of minor EGFR mutations in pleomorphic carcinoma and successful outcome by the use of afatinib and surgical resection.
Case Rep Oncol 2017;10:1035–1040

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