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Abstract Background During intrauterine infection, amniochorionic membranes represent a mechanical and immunological barrier against dissemination of infection. Human beta defensins (HBD)-1, HBD-2, and HBD-3 are key elements of innate immunity that represent the first line of defense against different pathogen microorganisms associated with preterm labor. The aim of this work was to characterize the individual contribution of the amnion (AMN) and choriodecidua (CHD) regions to the secretion of HBD-1, HBD-2 and HBD-3, after stimulation with Candida albicans. Methods Full-thickness human amniochorionic membranes were obtained after delivery by elective cesarean section from women at 37-40 wk of gestation with no evidence of active labor. The membranes were cultured in a two-compartment experimental model in which the upper compartment is delimited by the amnion and the lower chamber by the choriodecidual membrane. One million of Candida albicans were added to either the AMN or the CHD face or to both and compartmentalized secretion profiles of HBD-1, HBD-2, and HBD-3 were quantified by ELISA. Tissue immunolocalization was performed to detect the presence of HBD-1, -2, -3 in tissue sections stimulated with Candida albicans. Results HBD-1 secretion level by the CHD compartment increased 2.6 times (27.30 [20.9-38.25] pg/micrograms protein) when the stimulus with Candida albicans was applied only on this side of the membrane and 2.4 times (26.55 [19.4-42.5] pg/micrograms protein) when applied to both compartments simultaneously. HBD-1 in the amniotic compartment remained without significant changes. HBD-2 secretion level increased significantly in the CHD when the stimulus was applied only to this region (2.49 [1.49-2.95] pg/micrograms protein) and simultaneously to both compartments (2.14 [1.67- 2.91] pg/micrograms protein). When the stimulus was done in the amniotic compartment HBD-2 remained without significant changes in both compartments. HBD-3 remained without significant changes in both compartments regardless of the stimulation modality. Localization of immune-reactive forms of HBD-1, HBD-2, and HBD-3 was carried out by immunohistochemistry confirming the cellular origin of these peptides. Conclusion Selective stimulation of amniochorionic membranes with Candida albicans resulted in tissue-specific secretion of HBD-1 and HBD-2, mainly in the CHD, which is the first region to become infected during an ascending infection.

In this study, the interaction of antimicrobial peptide Maximin 3 (Max3) with three different lipid bilayer models was investigated to gain insight into its mechanism of action and membrane specificity. Bilayer perturbation assays using liposome calcein leakage dose–response curves revealed that Max3 is a selective membrane‐active peptide. Dynamic light scattering recordings suggest that the peptide incorporates into the liposomal structure without producing a detergent effect. Langmuir monolayer compression assays confirmed the membrane inserting capacity of the peptide. Attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the fingerprint signals of lipid phospholipid hydrophilic head groups and hydrophobic acyl chains are altered due to Max3‐membrane interaction. On the other hand, all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) of the initial interaction with the membrane surface corroborated peptide‐membrane selectivity. Peptide transmembrane MDS shed light on how the peptide differentially modifies lipid bilayer properties. Molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area calculations revealed a specific electrostatic interaction fingerprint of the peptide for each membrane model with which they were tested. The data generated from the in silico approach could account for some of the differences observed experimentally in the activity and selectivity of Max3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Chronic dialysis patients have an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection-related complications. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical activity levels of patients undertaking hemodialysis (HD). This was an observational study that compared data from two periods of time, before the COVID-19 pandemic vs pandemic. We used the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form (SF-36) to measure the HRQoL and the Human Activity Profile (HAP) questionnaire was used to measure the physical activity. Data were analyzed with a mixed ordinal linear regression. A total of 27 eligible participants were interviewed during COVID-19 pandemic (median age 78 years). The linear regression model showed that the pandemic, after controlling for the covariates age, comorbidity, albumin, and hemoglobin, had a significant impact on the HRQoL. Physical function (−15.7) and social functioning subscales (−28.0) worsened (p = 0.001), and the physical component scale also showed a significant decrease (−3.6; p = 0.05). Time had a significant impact on the Human Activity Profile, with an average activity score diminished with the pandemic (−13.9; p = 0.003). The COVID-19 pandemic had a very negative impact on HRQoL and physical activity level of subjects undertaking hemodialysis. Interventions to improve HRQoL and activity levels of patients undertaking HD are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to know the effects of a nursing intervention to reduce alcohol use and risk factors for transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Method: randomized single-blinded clinical trial performed by nurses with young women. The study included 66 participants in the intervention group and 66 participants in the control group. The instruments were the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, the HIV Risk Behavior Knowledge and the Condom Use Self-efficacy Scale. Analysis of variance was used. Results: alcohol involvement decreased in the intervention group (F (1.119) = 50.28; p < 0.001; η2p = 0.297), while HIV knowledge (F (1.130) = 34.34; p < 0.001; η2p = 0.209) and condom use self-efficacy increased (F (1.129) = 27.20; p < 0.001; η2p = 0.174). In addition, less participants consumed alcohol in the past week compared to the control group (χ2 = 15.95; p < 0.001). Conclusion: the nursing intervention had positive effects, which could help young women stay away from alcohol use and the risk of sexually transmitted infections. NCT: 02405481. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Liver graft and patient survival in children have improved substantially over the years; nevertheless, graft-related complications persist as the most important risk factor for mortality and graft loss. Doppler ultrasound evaluation is routinely used after liver transplantation; however, there is no consensus defining normal values, timing or frequency of Doppler ultrasound postoperative evaluation. Identification of patients who require an intervention or change in postoperative management is therefore challenging. Methods and analysis We will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to appraise and synthesise evidence describing Doppler ultrasound measurements and their association with graft complications in children who have received a liver transplant. We will search multiple databases: Ovid Medline, Embase, Wiley Cochrane Library, Web of Science—Science Citation Index Expanded, trial registry records and meeting abstracts using a combination of subject headings and keywords for liver transplantation, Doppler ultrasound and paediatric patients. All identified titles and abstracts of studies will be assessed for potential relevance. Selected studies will be retrieved and subjected to a second phase of screening, both selection phases will be done in duplicate by two independent reviewers, and discrepancies will be documented and resolved by a third reviewer. Data extraction will be done independently by two reviewers using a standardised data extraction form. Quality of evidence and risk of bias will be assessed, synthesised and pooled for meta-analysis if possible. We will perform a subgroup analysis if enough data are available.Ethics and dissemination Strategies to disseminate our review include presenting in liver transplant review sessions, publishing in high-impact peer-reviewed medical journals, and presenting at national and international paediatric radiology and liver transplant meetings, conference presentations, events, courses and plain-language summaries. This knowledge will allow easier identification of patients with a higher risk of developing graft-related complications and could potentially improve patient and graft outcomes. We wish to disseminate our results to discover potential areas for future research and drive improved future practices and policies. Our target audience includes researchers, institutions, healthcare professionals, health system decision-makers, policy-makers and research funders community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel production has currently used virgin raw materials that have a direct use for mainly food uses, as in the case of vegetable oils, mainly soybean, and may in some cases affect food safety. Raw materials such as cotton oils that are obtained from seeds, which are the residual products of productive chains, can help food security, energy and the exploration of new sources of energy of less environmental impact. The present work investigated the chemical and physical characteristics of biodiesel produced from cotton oil in comparison to soybean oil (BOA). The results show that the acidity and viscosity of the BOA are within the permissible values of ANP 03/2014, and the viscosity of the BOA product of the transesterification of soybean oil has values of 4.41 ± 0.20 mm2s -1. Finally, it can be concluded that cotton oil may be an alternative to replace soybean oil; however, the availability of raw material may play an important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spices acting as antimicrobial agents can be used in combination with other factors to assure food safety. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of Mexican oregano (Lippia berlandieri Schauer) essential oil (EO) fractions on the growth of Aspergillus spp. using a bread model media. Fungal growth was evaluated on a wheat flour-based medium with controlled Aw (0.925, 0.950) and with five Mexican oregano EO fractions with different concentrations of thymol and carvacrol (50-200 mg/kg). Fungal growth (modified Gompertz equation) was affected by Aw values and the concentration of Mexican oregano EO fractions. Differences on thymol and carvacrol had no significant effect on the fungal growth kinetic parameters. Low Aw (0.925) and fractions with high concentration of carvacrol (1 and 2) at 100 mg/kg showed fungicidal activity. Combined methods for food preservation can include Mexican oregano EO, where Aspergillus spp. fungal growth can be inhibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to discover the relationship between risk perception and alcohol consumption in adolescents in high school. This was a descriptive, correlational study. The sample was probabilistic, stratified by semester with allocation proportional to the size of each stratum, in a sample of 345 adolescents. We used identity cards, the Alcohol Risk Perception Questionnaire and the AUDIT instrument. The results showed a significant negative relationship between the risk perception rate and the AUDIT (rs = - .418, p = .001). We can conclude that the higher the perceived risk, the lower the alcohol consumption among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) govern reward and motivation and dysregulated dopaminergic transmissionmay account for anhedonia and other symptoms of depression. Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is a proline-directed serine/threonine kinase that regulates a broad range of brain functions through phosphorylation of a myriad of substrates, including tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme for dopamine synthesis. We investigated whether and how Cdk5 activity in VTA dopamine neurons regulated depression-related behaviors in mice. Using the Cre/LoxP system to selectively delete Cdk5 in theVTAor in midbrain dopamine neurons in Cdk5loxP/loxP mice, we showed that Cdk5 loss of function in the VTA induced anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors that were associated with decreases in TH phosphorylation at Ser31 and Ser40 in the VTA and dopamine release in its target region, the nucleus accumbens. The decreased phosphorylation ofTHat Ser31 was a direct effect of Cdk5 deletion, whereas decreased phosphorylation ofTH at Ser40 was likely caused by impaired cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling, because Cdk5 deletion decreased cAMP and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB) levels in the VTA. Using Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADD) technology, we showed that selectively increasing cAMP levels in VTA dopamine neurons increased phosphorylation of TH at Ser40 and CREB at Ser133 and reversed behavioral deficits induced by Cdk5 deletion. The results suggest that Cdk5 in the VTA regulates cAMP/PKA signaling, dopaminergic neurotransmission, and depression-related behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antimicrobial activity of oregano has been attributed mainly to the presence of volatile compounds found in its essential oil (EO), mainly carvacrol and thymol. The search for antimicrobial activity of oregano EO with different concentrations of thymol and carvacrol, can lead to products with a wider range of applications. The aim of this work was to describe the in vitro antifungal effect of Mexican oregano ( Lippia berlandieri Schauer) EO fractions on the growth of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Rhizopus sp. The Mexican oregano EO fractions studied had different concentrations of carvacrol, which decreased from fraction 1 to 5 (81% to 23%), while thymol content increased from 3% to 64%. Fungal inhibition was evaluated on a wheat flour-based medium with EO fractions concentrations ranging from 50 to 200 mg/kg. Radial growth curves were fitted using the modified Gompertz model ( R2adj= 0.989 ± 0.01). No significant differences ( P > 0.05) were found with the different composition of the Mexican oregano EO fractions; nevertheless, fraction concentration presented significant ( P < 0.05) mold inhibition as concentration increased. Rhizopus sp. (Rh18) showed a linear reduction on specific growth rate, on the maximum mold growth at the stationary phase, and an increase in the lag time as the concentration of the oregano EO increased; mold growth inhibition were achieved at 150 mg/kg in fractions 1 to 4, and at 100 mg/kg for fraction 5. Aspergillus sp. (As6) and Penicillium sp. (Pe36) were inhibited at 150 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Results obtained suggest that Mexican oregano EO ( Lippia berlandieri Schauer) compounds could be used as antimicrobial agents to prevent fungal growth in bakery products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is an enzyme with proteolytic activity on matrix proteins, particularly basement membrane constituents. A single nucleotide polymorphism C>T transition at –1306 displayed a strong association with several cancers. Our study investigated whether or not the MMP-2 –1306C>T polymorphism contributed to the development of breast cancer (BC) in a Mexican population. Methods: 90 patients with BC and 96 control subjects were analyzed to detect MMP-2 –1306C>T polymorphism. Results: The frequency of MMP-2 CC genotype was significantly higher in BC patients when compared with the control group (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.1–4.1). MMP-2 CC genotype frequency was more pronounced in younger subjects (≤50 years) at diagnosis (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.04–6.96). Conclusion: The data suggest that MMP-2 –1306C>T polymorphism strongly contributes to the development of BC in the population studied, especially among women 50 years old and younger. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antifungal and sensorial properties of spices have been recognized for years. The antifungal compounds are products of the plant's secondary metabolism, and the action of those compounds could be used to inhibit the growth of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms in food. Mexican oregano (Lippia berlandieri) grows wildly in the desert zone of Mexico and is usually added to regional foods. The goal of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of Mexican oregano versus food-contaminant fungi. Fungi were isolated from spoiled fruit and vegetables and identified according to morphological characteristics. The antifungal activity of oregano was evaluated by radial growth measurement on potato dextrose agar added with dried oregano (0.25 to 4.0%). The essential oil antifungal activity of oregano was also evaluated by the diffusion well test. Twenty-one fungal strains were isolated, which included Penicillium, Geotrichum, Aspergillus, and Bipolaris. In seven of the 21 strains, no inhibitory effect was observed at either concentration of oregano. An increase in growth at the lower or higher concentrations of oregano, when compared to the control, was observed in two fungal strains; in 12 strains, a strong inhibitory effect of oregano was evident. The oregano essential oil was inhibitory to all fungal strains, but there were differences in the extent of the effect. Although the antifungal effect of oregano is strongly established, there was a differential effect with the fungal strains studied. Besides pathogenic fungi and bacteria, microbial spoilage flora should be considered when the addition of spices for food preservation is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different types of gold nanoparticles have been synthesized that show great potential in medical applications such as medical imaging, bio-analytical sensing and photothermal cancer therapy. However, their stability, polydispersity and biocompatibility are major issues of concern. For example, the synthesis of gold nanorods, obtained through the elongated micelle process, produce them with a high positive surface charge that is cytotoxic, while gold nanoshells are unstable and break down in a few weeks due to the Ostwald ripening process. In this work, we report the self-assembly of the capsid protein (CP) of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) around spherical gold nanoparticles, gold nanorods and gold nanoshells to form virus-like particles (VLPs). All gold nanoparticles were synthesized or treated to give them a negative surface charge, so they can interact with the positive N-terminus of the CP leading to the formation of the VLPs. To induce the protein self-assembly around the negative gold nanoparticles, we use different pH and ionic strength conditions determined from a CP phase diagram. The encapsidation with the viral CP will provide the nanoparticles better biocompatibility, stability, monodispersity and a new biological substrate on which can be introduced ligands toward specific cells, broadening the possibilities for medical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the interaction of antimicrobial peptide Maximin 3 (Max3) with three different lipid bilayer models was investigated to gain insight into its mechanism of action and membrane specificity. Bilayer perturbation assays using liposome calcein leakage dose-response curves revealed that Max3 is a selective membrane-active peptide. Dynamic light scattering recordings suggest that the peptide incorporates into the liposomal structure without producing a detergent effect. Langmuir monolayer compression assays confirmed the membrane inserting capacity of the peptide. Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the fingerprint signals of lipid phospholipid hydrophilic head groups and hydrophobic acyl chains are altered due to Max3-membrane interaction. On the other hand, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) of the initial interaction with the membrane surface corroborated peptide-membrane selectivity. Peptide transmembrane MDS shed light on how the peptide differentially modifies lipid bilayer properties. Molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area calculations revealed a specific electrostatic interaction fingerprint of the peptide for each membrane model with which they were tested. The data generated from the in silico approach could account for some of the differences observed experimentally in the activity and selectivity of Max3., (© 2024 The Protein Society.)

Background: Developing methods to synthesize highly functionalized and complex 1,2,3- triazoles from various combinations of substrates remains a significant challenge in organic synthesis. Thus, to the best of our knowledge, an organocatalytic approach to synthesize 1,2,3-triazoles derived from fatty acids has not been explored., Objective: In this sense, we describe here the organocatalyzed synthesis and preliminary results of antitumor and cytotoxic activity of a range of 1,2,3-triazoles derived from fatty esters., Methods: To synthesize 1,2,3-triazoles 3 derived from fatty β-ketoesters, we performed the reaction of appropriate aryl azides 2a-j with β -ketoesters 1a-c in the presence of 5 mol% of DBU using DMSO as a solvent at 70 °C for 24 h. The viability of 5637 cells was determined by measuring the reduction of soluble MTT to water-insoluble formazan. The IC50 concentration that inhibits 50% of cell growth and the results were obtained by at least three independent experiments in triplicate for each test., Results: Through enolate-mediated organocatalysis, 1,2,3-triazoles 3 derived from fatty β-ketoesters were synthesized in moderate to excellent yields by reacting fatty esters 1 with aryl azides 2 in the presence of a catalytic amount of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (5 mol%). All compounds derived from palmitic acetoacetate 1a were evaluated regarding induced cytotoxicity in vitro in a human bladder cancer cell line, and compounds 3a, 3d, 3e, and 3g were shown to be promising alternatives for bladder cancer treatment and presented the lowest inhibitory concentration of IC50., Conclusion: We described a synthetic procedure to prepare 1,2,3-triazoles derived from fatty β - ketoesters by DBU-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of fatty esters with different aryl azides. Compounds derived from palmitic acetoacetate were screened for antitumor and cytotoxic activity in vitro in human bladder cancer cell lines, and compounds 3a, 3d, 3e, and 3g showed potential to treat bladder cancer., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Introduction: Obesity is considered a serious public health problem. Efforts have been directed to search for candidate genes such as LEP, LEPR, and MC4R involved in the leptin-melanocortin system. The neuroendocrine regulation of these genes on energy intake and balance influences the pathogenesis of this disease. Contradictory results regarding the association of these genes with obesity raise the need for new research. Objective: To analyze the association between obesity and LEP rs2167270, LEPR rs1137101, and MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms and the clinical and biochemical variables in obese adults from Barranquilla, Colombia. Materials and methods: We analyzed 111 obese adults and 155 non-obese individuals as controls. The polymorphisms were determined by real-time PCR. Besides, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and biochemical tests were evaluated. Results: No statistical differences were found in allele and genotype frequencies of gene polymorphisms between groups. The CC genotype of MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism was associated with increased systolic blood pressure and T allele and TT genotype, with decreased HDL cholesterol in obese adults. The effect of the other polymorphisms on these variables was not evidenced. Conclusions: LEP rs2167270, LEPR rs1137101, and MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms were not associated with obesity in the population under study. MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms were associated with an increase in systolic blood pressure and a decrease in HDL cholesterol.

Aim: To identify the relationship between use of alcohol, number of sexual partners and age of sexual initiation., Method: Descriptive-correlational study. A random sample of 319 young women (age 18-25) from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico was recruited. A sociodemographic data sheet and the AUDIT questionnaire were used. Non-parametric Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Kruskal-Wallis H test were selected., Results: On average the participants were 20.70 years old (±2.1), had had 1.86 sexual partners (±1.27), started drinking alcohol at the age of 16.82 (±1.79), and their first sexual intercourse was at the age of 17.38 (±1.65). There was a decrease in the age of onset of alcohol use (H=16.646, p <.001) and the age at first sexual intercourse (H=26.749, P<.001) on the lower their current age. The overall AUDIT score negatively correlated with the age of the participants on their first sexual intercourse (r s =-.168, P<.001) and positively correlated with the number of sexual partners (r s =.243, P<.001). The aforementioned correlations were more intense among the younger participants (18- and 19-year olds; P<.01)., Conclusions: There was an association between higher use of alcohol, early age of sexual initiation and number of sexual partners. Nursing professionals may address such variables simultaneously through preventive strategies directed specifically at young women., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To identify the effect of apoptotic sperm elimination with MACS in patients that require IVF., Methods: An experimental, cross-sectional, descriptive, prospective and non-blinded study of diagnostic tests performed in patients who required IVF and ICSI from July 2011 to July 2012. Ninety-two couples participated according to the treatment administered to the semen sample; in the control group: the samples were subjected only to density gradients before ICSI, in the study group: the same procedure was performed plus the addition of the MACS technique. Comparing the groups, we assessed the fertilization, division, viable embryos and clinical pregnancy rates in all cases., Results: We found significant differences when using MACS technique in sperm parameters. We found no differences between the total samples of the control and study groups. When separating the own and donated eggs in each group, we found an improvement in the fertilization rates (p<0.001) of the own eggs. In both groups, the handling of donated eggs lead to a significant improvement in the immunological pregnancy test (IPT) and fetal heart rate (FHR) results. Only in the donated eggs group, where MACS was applied, could we see that all cases with positive IPT had a fetal heart rate, which shows a significant difference (p<0.002) when compared with the control group, where the percentage decreased abruptly., Conclusions: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the use of annexins (MACS) in eliminating apoptotic sperm, and when the obtained sperm is applied to good-quality eggs.

Introduction: The genetic variability present in the APOE gene polymorphism is considered an important factor associated with predisposition to diseases affecting lipid metabolism, as well as heart diseases and Alzheimer's disease, among others. Understanding it as a risk factor in different populations and ethnic groups is a useful tool. , Objective: To analyze the APOE gene polymorphism and determine allelic and genotypic frequencies of a representative sample of population from Barranquilla, Colombia. , Materials and Methods: We performed a descriptive and comparative study. The sample size was 227 unrelated individuals from Barranquilla, Colombia. , Results: The most frequent allele was the ε3, with 85%, followed by the ε4 allele (13%) and ε2 (1.8%). The genotypes found were: ε3/ε3: 71.8%, ε3/ε4: 24.2%, ε2/ε3: 2.2%, ε2/ε4: 1.3% and ε4/ε4: 0.4%. The ε2/ε2 genotype was not found in this study. The sample exhibited the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. , Conclusion: The frequency of the ε3 allele and the ε3/ε3 genotype was similar to that reported in the literature in countries like Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and in some Colombian Amerindian ethnic groups. The ε2/ε2 genotype was absent. This result is consistent with those found in other population groups worldwide. The frequency of the ε4 allele and the genotypes associated in this population could be related to the presence of diseases such as hypercholesterolemia, myocardial infarction and Alzheimer.

Dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) govern reward and motivation and dysregulated dopaminergic transmission may account for anhedonia and other symptoms of depression. Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is a proline-directed serine/threonine kinase that regulates a broad range of brain functions through phosphorylation of a myriad of substrates, including tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme for dopamine synthesis. We investigated whether and how Cdk5 activity in VTA dopamine neurons regulated depression-related behaviors in mice. Using the Cre/LoxP system to selectively delete Cdk5 in the VTA or in midbrain dopamine neurons in Cdk5(loxP/loxP) mice, we showed that Cdk5 loss of function in the VTA induced anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors that were associated with decreases in TH phosphorylation at Ser31 and Ser40 in the VTA and dopamine release in its target region, the nucleus accumbens. The decreased phosphorylation of TH at Ser31 was a direct effect of Cdk5 deletion, whereas decreased phosphorylation of TH at Ser40 was likely caused by impaired cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling, because Cdk5 deletion decreased cAMP and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB) levels in the VTA. Using Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADD) technology, we showed that selectively increasing cAMP levels in VTA dopamine neurons increased phosphorylation of TH at Ser40 and CREB at Ser133 and reversed behavioral deficits induced by Cdk5 deletion. The results suggest that Cdk5 in the VTA regulates cAMP/PKA signaling, dopaminergic neurotransmission, and depression-related behaviors.

Petroleum-derived hydrocarbons are among the most persistent soil contaminants, and some hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms can produce biosurfactants to increase bioavailability and degradation. The aim of this work was to identify biosurfactant-producing bacterial strains isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated sites, and to evaluate their biosurfactant properties. The drop-collapse method and minimal agar added with a layer of combustoleo were used for screening, and positive strains were grown in liquid medium, and surface tension and emulsification index were determined in cell-free supernantant and cell suspension. A total of 324 bacterial strains were tested, and 17 were positive for the drop-collapse and hydrocarbon-layer agar methods. Most of the strains were Pseudomonas, except for three strains (Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Rhodococcus). Surface tension was similar in cell-free and cell suspension measurements, with values in the range of 58 to 26 (mN/m), and all formed stable emulsions with motor oil (76-93% E24). Considering the variety of molecular structures among microbial biosurfactants, they have different chemical properties that can be exploited commercially, for applications as diverse as bioremediation or degradable detergents.