Intron 4 VNTR (4a/b) Polymorphism of the Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Is Associated with Breast Cancer in Mexican Women

Ramírez-Patiño Ramiro,Figuera Luis Eduardo,Puebla-Pérez Ana María,Delgado-Saucedo Jorge Ivan,Legazpi-Macias María Magdalena,Mariaud-Schmidt Rocio Patricia,Ramos-Silva Adriana,Gutiérrez-Hurtado Itzae A 대한의학회 2013 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.28 No.11

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene plays an important role in several biological functions. Polymorphisms of the eNOS gene have been associated with cancer. It has been suggested that the VNTR 4 a/b polymorphism may affect the expression of eNOS and contributes to tumor promotion in the mammary gland. We examined the role of the eNOS4 a/b polymorphism by comparing the genotypes of 281 healthy Mexican women with the genotypes of 429 Mexican women with breast cancer (BC). The observed genotype frequencies for control and BC patients were 0.6% and 0.7% for a/a (polymorphic); 87% and 77% for a/a (wild type); and 12% and 22% for a/b respectively. We found that the odds ratio (OR) was 1.9, with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of 1.29-2.95, P=0.001 for genotypes a/a-a/b, b/c. The association was also evident when comparing the distribution of the a/a-a/b genotypes in patients with high levels of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.14-3.28; P=0.015); undergoing menopause with high levels of SGOT (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.84); and with high levels of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.56-8.22). The genotypes a/a-a/b are associated with BC susceptibility in the analyzed samples from the Mexican population.

Solar photocatalysis of a recalcitrant coloured effluent from a wastewater treatment plant

Vilar, Vitor J.P.,Gomes, Ana I.E.,Ramos, Vanessa M.,Maldonadob, Manuel I.,Boaventura, Rui A.R. Korean Society of Photoscience 2009 Photochemical & photobiological sciences Vol.8 No.5

A photocatalytic study of a coloured effluent from a wastewater treatment plant was carried out in a pilot plant using compound parabolic collectors (CPC) in order to find out the best conditions for colour removal, since the discharge limit for this parameter is not achieved after conventional wastewater treatment. The interaction between ultraviolet natural radiation and $TiO_2$ strongly enhanced the colour degradation rate. Different $TiO_2$ concentrations were tested and the optimum concentration achieved was $200\;mg\;L^{-1}$. The use of peroxydisulfate ($S_2{O_8}^{2-}$) as an additional electron scavenger gave a noticeable effect on colour and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal due to the formation of additional powerful oxidant species ($OH^{\cdot}$ and ${SO_4}^{{\cdot}-}$). However, hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) as additional oxidant was more efficient on colour degradation than $S_2{O_8}^{2-}$. The amount of energy necessary for the same colour removal (C/$C_0$ < 0.1) was 6, 14 and $80\;kJ_{UV}\;L^{-1}$, respectively, for the following systems using sunlight: $200\;mg\;L^{-1}$ $TiO_2$ + 5 mM $H_2O_2$, $200\;mg\;L^{-1}$ $TiO_2$ + 2 mM $S_2{O_8}^{2-}$ and $200\;mg\;L^{-1}$ $TiO_2$. The first-order kinetic constants (0.487, 0.207 and $0.053\;L\;kJ^{-1}$) and initial degradation rates (32.1, 10.0 and $2.2\;mg\;kJ^{-1}$) showed the same behaviour.

Short-, Intermediate-, and Long-Term Changes in Basophil Reactivity Induced by Venom Immunotherapy

Ana Rodríguez Trabado,Carmen Cámara Hijón,Alfonso Ramos Cantariño,Silvia Romero-Chala,José Antonio García-Trujillo,Luis Miguel Fernández Pereira 대한천식알레르기학회 2016 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.8 No.5

Purpose: The basophil activation test (BAT) has been used to monitor venom immunotherapy (VIT) due to its high specificity. A previous study has reported a good correlation between a significant decrease in basophil activation during 5 years of VIT and clinical protection assessed by sting challenge. The following prospective study was performed to examine changes in basophil reactivity over a complete VIT period of 5 years. Methods: BAT in a dose-response curve was studied prospectively in 10 hymenoptera venom-allergic patients over 5 years of VIT. BAT was performed at the time of diagnosis, 1 month after finishing the VIT build-up phase, and 3, 6, 12, 24, and 60 months after beginning treatment. The repeated measures ANOVA was applied to evaluate basophil activation changes throughout VIT. A cross-sectional study was also performed in 6 patients who received treatment for more than 3 years, and in another 12 patients who followed immunotherapy for at least 5 years. Results: An early activation decrease was observed during the first 3 months of treatment, compared to pre-treatment values. This activation decrease was not maintained 6 to 18 months after treatment, but was observed again after 2 years of treatment, and maintained until the completion of the 5-year immunotherapy period. In cross-sectional analysis, the 6 patients who received treatment for 3 years, and 9 of the 12 patients who received treatment for 5 years, had negative BAT results. Three patients in this last group had positive BAT results and 2 patients had systemic reactions after field stings. Conclusions: BAT appears to be an optimal non-invasive test for close monitoring of VIT.

Sensitivity analysis for finite element modeling of humeral bone and cartilage

Bola, Ana M.,Ramos, A.,Simoes, J.A Techno-Press 2016 Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering Vol.3 No.2

The finite element method is wide used in simulation in the biomechanical structures, but a lack of studies concerning finite element mesh quality in biomechanics is a reality. The present study intends to analyze the importance of the mesh quality in the finite element model results from humeral structure. A sensitivity analysis of finite element models (FEM) is presented for the humeral bone and cartilage structures. The geometry of bone and cartilage was acquired from CT scan and geometry reconstructed. The study includes 54 models from same bone geometry, with different mesh densities, constructed with tetrahedral linear elements. A finite element simulation representing the glenohumeral-joint reaction force applied on the humerus during $90^{\circ}$ abduction, with external load as the critical condition. Results from the finite element models suggest a mesh with 1.5 mm, 0.8 mm and 0.6 mm as suitable mesh sizes for cortical bone, trabecular bone and humeral cartilage, respectively. Relatively to the higher minimum principal strains are located at the proximal humerus diaphysis, and its highest value is found at the trabecular bone neck. The present study indicates the minimum mesh size in the finite element analyses in humeral structure. The cortical and trabecular bone, as well as cartilage, may not be correctly represented by meshes of the same size. The strain results presented the critical regions during the $90^{\circ}$ abduction.

Sensitivity analysis for finite element modeling of humeral bone and cartilage

Bola, Ana M.,Ramos, A.,Simoes, J.A Techno-Press 2016 Biomaterials and biomedical engineering Vol.3 No.2

The finite element method is wide used in simulation in the biomechanical structures, but a lack of studies concerning finite element mesh quality in biomechanics is a reality. The present study intends to analyze the importance of the mesh quality in the finite element model results from humeral structure. A sensitivity analysis of finite element models (FEM) is presented for the humeral bone and cartilage structures. The geometry of bone and cartilage was acquired from CT scan and geometry reconstructed. The study includes 54 models from same bone geometry, with different mesh densities, constructed with tetrahedral linear elements. A finite element simulation representing the glenohumeral-joint reaction force applied on the humerus during $90^{\circ}$ abduction, with external load as the critical condition. Results from the finite element models suggest a mesh with 1.5 mm, 0.8 mm and 0.6 mm as suitable mesh sizes for cortical bone, trabecular bone and humeral cartilage, respectively. Relatively to the higher minimum principal strains are located at the proximal humerus diaphysis, and its highest value is found at the trabecular bone neck. The present study indicates the minimum mesh size in the finite element analyses in humeral structure. The cortical and trabecular bone, as well as cartilage, may not be correctly represented by meshes of the same size. The strain results presented the critical regions during the $90^{\circ}$ abduction.

The unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina Teod. as a model for abiotic stress tolerance: genetic advances and future perspectives

Ramos, Ana A.,Polle, Jurgen,Tran, Duc,Cushman, John C.,Jin, Eon-Seon,Varela, Joao C. The Korean Society of Phycology 2011 ALGAE Vol.26 No.1

The physiology of the unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina in response to abiotic stress has been studied for several decades. Early D. salina research focused on its remarkable salinity tolerance and ability, upon exposure to various abiotic stresses, to accumulate high concentrations of $\beta$-carotene and other carotenoid pigments valued highly as nutraceuticals. The simple life cycle and growth requirements of D. salina make this organism one of the large-scale commercially exploited microalgae for natural carotenoids. Recent advances in genomics and proteomics now allow investigation of abiotic stress responses at the molecular level. Detailed knowledge of isoprenoid biosynthesis mechanisms and the development of molecular tools and techniques for D. salina will allow the improvement of physiological characteristics of algal strains and the use of transgenic algae in bioreactors. Here we review D. salina isoprenoid and carotenoid biosynthesis regulation, and also the biotechnological and genetic transformation procedures developed for this alga that set the stage for its future use as a production system.

The unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina Teod. as a model for abiotic stress tolerance: genetic advances and future perspectives

Ana A. Ramos,Jürgen Polle,Duc Tran,John C. Cushman,EONSEON JIN,João C. Varela 한국조류학회I 2011 ALGAE Vol.26 No.1

The physiology of the unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina in response to abiotic stress has been studied for several decades. Early D. salina research focused on its remarkable salinity tolerance and ability, upon exposure to various abiotic stresses, to accumulate high concentrations of β-carotene and other carotenoid pigments valued highly as nutraceuticals. The simple life cycle and growth requirements of D. salina make this organism one of the large-scale commercially exploited microalgae for natural carotenoids. Recent advances in genomics and proteomics now allow investigation of abiotic stress responses at the molecular level. Detailed knowledge of isoprenoid biosynthesis mechanisms and the development of molecular tools and techniques for D. salina will allow the improvement of physiological characteristics of algal strains and the use of transgenic algae in bioreactors. Here we review D. salina isoprenoid and carotenoid biosynthesis regulation, and also the biotechnological and genetic transformation procedures developed for this alga that set the stage for its future use as a production system.

Purple Corn (Zea mays L.) Phenolic Compounds Profile and Its Assessment as an Agent Against Oxidative Stress in Isolated Mouse Organs

Fernando Ramos-Escudero,Ana Marı´a Mun˜oz,Carlos Alvarado-Ortı´z,Angel Alvarado,Jaime A. Ya´n˜ez 한국식품영양과학회 2012 Journal of medicinal food Vol.15 No.2

This study was designed to determine the contents of total polyphenols, flavonoids, flavonols, flavanols, and anthocyanins of purple corn (Zea mays L.) extracts obtained with different methanol:water concentrations, acidified with 1% HCl (1 N). Another objective was to determine the antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,20-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and deoxyribose assay, individual phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and endogenous antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], and total peroxidase [TPX]) activity and lipid peroxidation activity (thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances [TBARS] assay) in isolated mouse organs. Overall, the highest total content of polyphenols, anthocyanins,flavonoids, flavonols, and flavanols was obtained with the 80:20 methanol:water extract, acidified with 1% HCl (1 N). The 50%inhibitory concentration values obtained by the DPPH and ABTS assays with this extract were 66.3 lg/mL and 250 lg/mL,respectively. The antioxidant activity by the FRAP assay was 26.1 lM Trolox equivalents/g, whereas the deoxyribose assay presented 93.6% inhibition. Because of these results, the 80:20 methanol:water extract, acidified with 1% HCl (1 N), was used for the remaining tests. Eight phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC: chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, ferulic acid, morin,quercetin, naringenin, and kaempferol. Furthermore, it was observed that the purple corn extract was capable of significantly reducing lipid peroxidation (lower malondialdehyde [MDA] concentrations by the TBARS assay) and at the same time increasing endogenous antioxidant enzyme (CAT, TPX, and SOD) activities in isolated mouse kidney, liver, and brain. On the basis of the results, it was concluded that the purple corn extract contained various bioactive phenolic compounds that exhibited considerable in vitro antioxidant activity, which correlated well with the decreased MDA formation and increase in activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes observed in the isolated mouse organs. This warrants further in vivo studies with purple corn extracts to assess its antioxidant activity and other bioactivities.

Rapid physicochemical characterization of innovative fucoidan/ fructan powders by ATR–FTIR

Gerardo Espinosa-Vela´zquez,Ana Mayela Ramos-de-la-Pen˜a,Julio Montanez,Juan Carlos Contreras-Esquivel 한국식품과학회 2018 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.27 No.2

Functional food has been highly demanded lately because of its benefits in counteracting diseases. Fucoidan and agave fructan are ingredients that enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut (prebiotics). This mixture has great potential to develop innovative products but it has never been explored before. Because of fucoidan is more expensive than agave fructan, the innovative proposed mixture is vulnerable to adulteration. This research was aimed to assess the accuracy of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (ATR–FTIR) coupled with chemometrics to identify and predict concentration of both polysaccharides in powder mixtures (0–100%). Absorption bands at 1240–1255 and 836–840 cm-1 were attributed to fucoidan and a strong peak at * 936 cm-1 confirmed the fructan presence. Peak areas were best fitted into linear models (R2 adj C 0.92, RMSE B 3.54%). This achievement may be useful to certificate ingredients contained in fucoidan– fructan mixtures, preventing adulteration.

Metabolites in cultured cells of Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene display increased hypoglycemic activity compared to that seen in plant roots

Ilse-Yazmín Arciniega-Carreón,María-Guadalupe Ramírez-Sotelo,Ana C. Ramos-Valdivia,Carlos Edmundo Salas,Arturo Ortega,Carmen Oliver-Salvador 한국원예학회 2020 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.61 No.6

Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene, (huereque) is an endemic shrub whose roots are used in traditional medicine to treatdiabetes. Here, we establish cell cultures of I. sonorae to evaluate the presence of antidiabetic metabolites. Stem and rootssections were incubated on media with diff erent concentrations of growth regulators to induce calli. Using B5 mediumcontaining 25 g L −1 sucrose, 150 mg L −1 ascorbic acid, 6 g L −1 agar–agar, supplemented with 0.5 mg L −1 α-naphthaleneaceticacid, 0.5 mg L −1 benzyladenine and 1 mg L −1 indole-3-acetic acid, 95% calli induction was attained. Flavonoids andphenols in I. sonorae cultured cell suspension were investigated. The methanol extracts exhibited antioxidant activity thatwas attributed to phenolic compounds. These extracts stimulated glucose uptake more effi caciously than I. sonorae plantroots. This study demonstrates that in vitro cultured cells stand as a good option for production of hypoglycemic metabolites.