Effect of Culture Conditions and Signal Peptide on Production of Human Recombinant N-Acetylgalactosamine-6-Sulfate Sulfatase in Escherichia coli BL21

( Hernandez Alejandra ),( Olga Velasquez ),( Felice Leonardi ),( Carlos Soto ),( Alexander Rodriguez ),( Lina Lizaraso ),( Angela Mosquera ),( Jorge Bohorquez ),( Alejandra Coronado ),( Angela Espejo 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.5

The production and characterization of an active recombinant N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS) in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) has been previously reported. In this study, the effect of the signal peptide (SP), inducer concentration, process scale, and operational mode (batch and semi-continuous) on GALNS production were evaluated. When native SP was presented, higher enzyme activity levels were observed in both soluble and inclusion bodies fractions, and its removal had a significant impact on enzyme activation. At shake scale, the optimal IPTG concentrations were 0.5 and 1.5 mM for the strains with and without SP, respectively, whereas at bench scale, the highest enzyme activities were observed with 1.5 mM IPTG for both strains. Noteworthy, enzyme activity in the culture media was only detected when SP was presented and the culture was carried out under semi-continuous mode. We showed for the first time that the mechanism that in prokaryotes recognizes the SP to mediate sulfatase activation can also recognize a eukaryotic SP, favoring the activation of the enzyme, and could also favor the secretion of the recombinant protein. These results offer significant information for scaling-up the production of human sulfatases in E. coli.

Poster Session : PS 0387 ; Infectious Disease ; Gastrointestinal Cytomegalovirus Infection in an Immunocompetent Patient. Case Report

( Alejandra Bendezu ) 대한내과학회 2014 대한내과학회 추계학술대회 Vol.2014 No.1

Background: A immunocompetent man of 72 years presents upper and low gastrointestinal bleeding esophagitis and ulcerative colitis being found, so the initial diagnosis is considered a neoplasm of colon. Later, a result of colon biopsy was Cytomegalovirus infection, so treatment began with Valganciclovir evolving favorably and was discharged. Methods: CASE REPORT Results: Colon biopsy on this patient showed classical cytoplasmic inclusions Conclusions: Cytomegalovirus infection should be considered as a cause of infi ammatory bowel disease in immunocompetent patients.

Evaluation of two microcosm systems for co-treatment of LDPEoxo and lignocellulosic biomass for biochar production

Alejandra Castillo-Toro,Juan F. Mateus-Maldonado,Diana N. Céspedes-Bernal,Leonardo Peña-Carranza,Adriana I. Páez-Morales,Raúl A. Poutou-Piñales,Juan C. Salcedo-Reyes,Lucía A. Díaz-Ariza,Laura C. Casti 한국생체재료학회 2021 생체재료학회지 Vol.25 No.3

Background: The co-transformation of solid waste of natural and anthropogenic origin can be carried out through solid-state-fermentation systems to obtain bio-products with higher added value and lower environmental impact. Methods: To evaluate the effect of Pleurotus ostreatus on co-transformation of oxo-degradable low-density polyethylene (LDPEoxo) sheets and lignocellulosic biomass (LCB), were assembled two 0.75 L microcosm systems in vertical (VMS) and horizontal (HMS) position. The pre-treated sheets with luminescent O2 plasma discharges were mixed with pine bark, hydrolyzed brewer’s yeast and paper napkin fragments and incubated for 135 days at 20 ± 1.0 °C in the presence of the fungus. With the co-transformation residues, biochar (BC) was produced at 300 ± 1.0 °C (BC300) for 1 h, then used to carry out adsorption studies, using the malachite green dye (MG) at pH 4.0, 7.0 and 9.0 ± 0.2. Finally, the biochar was the substrate for the germination of carnation seeds (Dianthus caryophyllus) and Ray-grass (Lolium sp.) in vitro. Results: For HMS, the decrease in static contact angle (SCA) was 63.63% (p = 0.00824) and for VMS 74.45% (p =0.00219), concerning the pristine. Plastic roughness in VMS was higher (26%) concerning the control. Throughout the 135 days, there were fungal growth and consequently laccase (Lac), manganese peroxidase (MnP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP) activities. During the first 75 days, CO2 production increased to 4.78 ± 0.01 and 4.98 ± 0.01 mg g-1 for HMS and VMS, respectively. In MG adsorption studies, the highest amount of the colourant adsorbed at both pH 4.0 and 7.0 ± 0.2. Conclusions: Finally, the biochar or the biochar enriched with low concentrations of plant growth-promoting microorganisms and inorganic fertilizer favours the germination of Dianthus caryophyllus and Lolium sp., seeds.

Field efficacy of triflumuron against Aedes and Culex mosquitoes in temperate Argentina

Alejandra Rubio,María V. Cardo,Melania T. Junges,Aníbal E. Carbajo,Darío Vezzani 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.1

Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens s.l. (Linnaeus, 1762 and 1758, respectively) (Diptera: Culicidae) are importantvectors of diseases to humans and a growing public health concern. In order to contribute to the control ofmosquito vectors by low environmental impact approaches we assessed the susceptibility of natural populationsof container-breeding mosquitoes to triflumuron, an insect growth regulator, in temperate Argentina. A field trialwas conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two doses (0.5 ppm and 1 ppm) of triflumuron (SC 48%) againstnatural populations of Ae. aegypti and Culex spp. immatures in flower vases of four cemeteries. The resultsdemonstrated the susceptibility of both target mosquitoes to triflumuron in field conditions. For Ae. aegypti,dose-dependent reductions were achieved in the presence of pupae and the percentage of water-holding containersharbouring L3–4 and/or pupae, whereas the larvae abundance was equally reduced for both doses. ForCulex spp., similar levels of reduction of larvae abundance and pupae presence were achieved with both doses. Significant effects on the response variables measured were recorded up to six to eight weeks post-intervention. Bimonthly applying 1 ppm triflumuron in the context of an integrated mosquito management should achieve alasting control of Ae. aegypti and Culex spp. in small artificial containers with minimal environmental impacts.

Antiproliferative Activity of the Olive Extract Rich in Polyphenols and Modified Pectin on Bladder Cancer Cells

Alejandra Bermudez-Oria,Guillermo Rodrıguez-Gutierrez,Fatima Rubio-Senent,Marta Sanchez-Carbayo,Juan Fernandez-Bolanos 한국식품영양과학회 2020 Journal of medicinal food Vol.23 No.7

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common human cancers. There is an interest in controlling and treating BC and other types of cancer via the use of natural substances and/or combination chemotherapy. Modified forms of pectin have been reported to possess anticancer bioactivity related to the interaction of galactosyl, a main component of pectin, with galectin-3, a carbohydrate-binding protein that is overexpressed on many types of cancer cells. In this study, the antiproliferative effect on BC of novel modified pectins extracted from olives was evaluated. Pectoliv extracts, with high polyphenol content associated to polysaccharides rich in pectin, exhibited an important antiproliferative capacity in vitro against four human BC cells lines, RT112, T24, J82, and SCaBER. Pectoliv treatment reduced the expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 and significantly inhibited the agglutination of erythrocytes. Thus, Pectoliv may have the potential for development as a novel galectin-3 inhibitor.

Genotype–environment interaction for milk production of Gyr cattle in Brazil and Colombia

Alejandra Maria Toro‑Ospina,Ricardo Antonio Faria,Dominguez-Castaño Pablo,Santana Mario Luiz,Gonzalez Luis Gabriel,Espasandin Ana Carolina,Silva Josineudson Augusto II Vasconcelos 한국유전학회 2023 Genes & Genomics Vol.45 No.2

Background Genotype by environment interactions (G × E) can play an important role in cattle populations and should be included in breeding programs in order to select the best animals for different environments. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the G × E for milk production of Gyr cattle in Brazil and Colombia by applying a reaction norm model used genomics information, and to identify genomic regions associated with milk production in the two countries. Methods The Brazilian and Colombian database included 464 animals (273 cows and 33 sires from Brazil and 158 cows from Colombia) and 27,505 SNPs. A two-trait animal model was used for milk yield adjusted to 305 days in Brazil and Colombia as a function of country of origin, which included genomic information obtained with a single-step genomic reaction norm model. The GIBBS3F90 and POSTGSf90 programs were used. Results The results obtained indicate G × E based on the reranking of bulls between Brazil and Colombia, demonstrating environmental differences between the two countries. The findings highlight the importance of considering the environment when choosing breeding animals in order to ensure the adequate performance of their progeny. Within this context, the reranking of bulls and the different SNPs associated with milk production in the two countries suggest that G × E is an important effect that should be included in the genetic evaluation of Dairy Gyr cattle in Brazil and Colombia. Conclusion The Gyr breeding program can be optimized by choosing a selection environment that will allow maximum genetic progress in milk production in different environments within and between countries.

RB1 alteration and poor prognosis in women with high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix: a NeCTuR study

Alejandra Flores Legarreta,Gloria Salvo,Naomi R. Gonzales,Gary Chisholm,R. Tyler Hillman,Michael Frumovitz 대한부인종양학회 2023 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.34 No.4

Objective: To describe the gene alteration status in high-grade neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma (NECC) specimens and to explore the potential association of unique gene alterations with survival. Methods: Results from tumor-based molecular testing on specimens from women with high-grade NECC in the Neuroendocrine Cervical Tumor Registry were reviewed and analyzed. Tumor specimens could be from primary or metastatic sites and obtained at initial diagnosis, during treatment, or at recurrence. Results: Molecular testing results were available for 109 women with high-grade NECC. The genes most frequently mutated were PIK3CA (mutated in 18.5% of patients), TP53 (17.4%), and MYC (14.5%). Other targetable alterations identified were alterations in KIT (7.3%), KRAS (7.3%), and PTEN (7.3%). Women with tumors having an RB1 alteration (6.4%) had a median overall survival (OS) of 13 months, compared to 26 months for women with tumors that did not have an RB1 alteration (p=0.003). None of the other genes evaluated were shown to be associated with OS. Conclusion: Although no individual alteration was found in a majority of tumor specimens from patients with high-grade NECC, a large proportion of women with this disease will have at least one targetable alteration. Treatments based on these gene alterations may offer additional targeted therapies for women with recurrent disease, who currently have very limited therapeutic options. Patients with tumors that harbor RB1 alterations have decreased OS.

Effect of Ursolic Acid on Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity, and Inflammation

Alejandra M. Ramırez-Rodrıguez,Manuel Gonzalez-Ortiz,Esperanza Martınez-Abundis,Natalhie Acuna Ortega 한국식품영양과학회 2017 Journal of medicinal food Vol.20 No.9

To evaluate the effect of ursolic acid on metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 24 patients (30–60 years) with a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome without treatment. They were randomly assigned to two groups of 12 patients, each to receive orally 150 mg of ursolic acid or homologated placebo once a day for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, the components of metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index), and inflammation profile (interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein) were evaluated. After ursolic acid administration, the remission of metabolic syndrome occurred in 50% of patients (P = .005) with significant differences in body weight (75.7 ± 11.5 vs. 71 ± 11 kg, P = .002), body mass index (BMI) (29.9 + 3.6 vs. 24.9 ± 1.2 kg/m2, P = .049), waist circumference (93 ± 8.9 vs. 83 + 8.6 cm, P = .008), fasting glucose (6.0 ± 0.5 vs. 4.7 ± 0.4 mmol/L, P = .002), and insulin sensitivity (3.1 ± 1.1 vs. 4.2 ± 1.2, P = .003). Ursolic acid administration leads to transient remission of metabolic syndrome, reducing body weight, BMI, waist circumference and fasting glucose, as well as increasing insulin sensitivity.

Hot environment on reproductive performance, immunoglobulins, vitamin E, and vitamin A status in sows and their progeny under commercial husbandry

( Alejandra Amavizca-nazar ),( Maricela Montalvo-corral ),( Humberto Gonzalez-rios ),( Araceli Pinelli-saavedra ) 한국축산학회 2019 한국축산학회지 Vol.61 No.6

Hot environments can affect feed intake and lactation, and the subsequent unavailability of important micronutrients to the newborn piglet can impair piglet growth, reduce the viability of newborn piglets and limit their subsequent performance. This work addresses the effects of hot environments (summer season) upon the reproductive performance of sows during gestation and lactation as well as on the serum levels of vitamins and the concentration of immunoglobulins in their litters in comparison with the winter season. Fourteen sows were evaluated over 100 ± 2 days of gestation in each season. The temperature and humidity index (THI) was used as an indirect measure of heat stress during gestation. The reproductive performance, milk yield, and body condition of the sows were recorded. The concentrations of vitamin E and vitamin A in piglets and in sow serum, colostrum, milk and feed were determined by HPLC; immunoglobulins were assessed by an ELISA. The THI index indicated that animals were subject to heat stress only in during the summer. Although the effect was not significant, there were a lower number of piglets at birth and at weaning and the milk yield in summer compared with winter. There was no difference (p > 0.05) in the body condition of sows between seasons. Season had an effect (p < 0.05) on the vitamin A concentration of postpartum sow serum (0.29 μg/mL in winter vs 0.21 μg/mL in summer) and on the vitamin E concentration before birth (2.00 μg/mL in winter vs 0.90 μg/mL in summer). Vitamin E in milk was higher (p < 0.05) in winter than in summer (2.23 vs 1.81 μg/mL). Serum levels of vitamins A and E in piglets at birth were lower (p < 0.05) in winter than in summer. The concentrations of immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA) in colostrum and milk were similar between seasons (p > 0.05), but the IgA in piglet serum was higher in winter than in summer (p < 0.05). High temperatures produced heat stress in sows, which affected certain aspects of production that can be translated into economic losses for this sector.

Pension reforms and employment

Alejandra Cox Edwards 한국국제경제학회 2005 International Economic Journal Vol.19 No.2