Lipid and metabolite correlation networks specific to clinical and biochemical covariate show differences associated with sexual dimorphism in a cohort of nonagenarians

AbstractThis study defines and estimates the metabolite-lipidic component association networks constructed from an array of 20 metabolites and 114 lipids identified and quantified via NMR spectroscopy in the serum of a cohort of 355 Italian nonagenarians and ultra-nonagenarian. Metabolite-lipid association networks were built for men and women and related to an array of 101 clinical and biochemical parameters, including the presence of diseases, bio-humoral parameters, familiarity diseases, drugs treatments, and risk factors. Different connectivity patterns were observed in lipids, branched chains amino acids, alanine, and ketone bodies, suggesting their association with the sex-related and sex-clinical condition-related intrinsic metabolic changes. Furthermore, our results demonstrate, using a holistic system biology approach, that the characterization of metabolic structures and their dynamic inter-connections is a promising tool to shed light on the dimorphic pathophysiological mechanisms of aging at the molecular level.

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Ni Oxidation State and Ligand Saturation Impact on the Capability of Octaazamacrocyclic Complexes to Bind and Reduce CO2

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26144139 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (14) ◽

pp. 4139

Author(s):

Barbora Vénosová ◽

Ingrid Jelemenská ◽

Jozef Kožíšek ◽

Peter Rapta ◽

Michal Zalibera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantum Theory ◽

Oxidation State ◽

Central Atom ◽

Population Analysis ◽

Mulliken Population Analysis ◽

Mulliken Population ◽

Theoretical Methods ◽

Ni Oxidation ◽

Shed Light

Two 15-membered octaazamacrocyclic nickel(II) complexes are investigated by theoretical methods to shed light on their affinity forwards binding and reducing CO2. In the first complex 1[NiIIL]0, the octaazamacrocyclic ligand is grossly unsaturated (π-conjugated), while in the second 1[NiIILH]2+ one, the macrocycle is saturated with hydrogens. One and two-electron reductions are described using Mulliken population analysis, quantum theory of atoms in molecules, localized orbitals, and domain averaged fermi holes, including the characterization of the Ni-CCO2 bond and the oxidation state of the central Ni atom. It was found that in the [NiLH] complex, the central atom is reduced to Ni0 and/or NiI and is thus able to bind CO2 via a single σ bond. In addition, the two-electron reduced 3[NiL]2− species also shows an affinity forwards CO2.

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Corrigendum to “Binding and crossing: Methods for the characterization of membrane-active peptides interactions with membranes at the molecular level” [Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 699 (2021) 108751]

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics ◽

10.1016/j.abb.2021.108827 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 108827

Author(s):

Emmanuelle Sachon ◽

Astrid Walrant ◽

Sandrine Sagan ◽

Sophie Cribier ◽

Nicolas Rodriguez

Keyword(s):

Molecular Level ◽

Active Peptides ◽

Membrane Active Peptides

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Electrophysiological characterization of a diverse group of sugar transporters from Trichoderma reesei

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-93552-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sami Havukainen ◽

Jonai Pujol-Giménez ◽

Mari Valkonen ◽

Ann Westerholm-Parvinen ◽

Matthias A. Hediger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trichoderma Reesei ◽

Scientific Literature ◽

Large Body ◽

Comprehensive Analysis ◽

Transport Function ◽

Sugar Transporters ◽

New Knowledge ◽

Electrophysiological Characterization ◽

Shed Light

AbstractTrichoderma reesei is an ascomycete fungus known for its capability to secrete high amounts of extracellular cellulose- and hemicellulose-degrading enzymes. These enzymes are utilized in the production of second-generation biofuels and T. reesei is a well-established host for their production. Although this species has gained considerable interest in the scientific literature, the sugar transportome of T. reesei remains poorly characterized. Better understanding of the proteins involved in the transport of different sugars could be utilized for engineering better enzyme production strains. In this study we aimed to shed light on this matter by characterizing multiple T. reesei transporters capable of transporting various types of sugars. We used phylogenetics to select transporters for expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes to screen for transport activities. Of the 18 tested transporters, 8 were found to be functional in oocytes. 10 transporters in total were investigated in oocytes and in yeast, and for 3 of them no transport function had been described in literature. This comprehensive analysis provides a large body of new knowledge about T. reesei sugar transporters, and further establishes X. laevis oocytes as a valuable tool for studying fungal sugar transporters.

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Insights into Mycobacterium leprae Proteomics and Biomarkers—An Overview

Proteomes ◽

10.3390/proteomes9010007 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 7

Author(s):

Sakshi Gautam ◽

Devesh Sharma ◽

Anjana Goel ◽

Shripad A. Patil ◽

Deepa Bisht

Keyword(s):

Early Diagnosis ◽

Causative Agent ◽

Mycobacterium Leprae ◽

Pivotal Role ◽

New Biomarkers ◽

Shed Light

Although leprosy is curable, the identification of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of leprosy would play a pivotal role in reducing transmission and the overall prevalence of the disease. Leprosy-specific biomarkers for diagnosis, particularly for the paucibacillary disease, are not well defined. Therefore, the identification of new biomarkers for leprosy is one of the prime themes of leprosy research. Studying Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy, at the proteomic level may facilitate the identification, quantification, and characterization of proteins that could be potential diagnostics or targets for drugs and can help in better understanding the pathogenesis. This review aims to shed light on the knowledge gained to understand leprosy or its pathogen employing proteomics and its role in diagnosis.

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Nanotechnology in Roman Opaque Red Glass from the 2nd Century AD. Archaeometric Investigation in Red Sectilia from the Decoration of the Lucius Verus Villa in Rome

Heritage ◽

10.3390/heritage2030159 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 2597-2611 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mario Bandiera ◽

Patrice Lehuédé ◽

Marco Verità ◽

Luis Alves ◽

Isabelle Biron ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Chemical Characterization ◽

Second Step ◽

Colorimetric Analysis ◽

Historical Sources ◽

Pixe Analysis ◽

X Ray ◽

Colorimetric Measurements ◽

Shed Light

This work aims to characterise the chemical composition of Roman opaque red glass sectilia dated to the 2nd century A.D and to shed light on Roman glassmaking production of different shades of red, from red to reddish-brown. Due to the lack of technical historical sources for this period many questions about technological aspects still remain. In this project a multi-disciplinary approach is in progress to investigate the red glass sectilia with several red hues from the Imperial Villa of Lucius Verus (161–169 A.D.) in Rome. First, colorimetric measurements were taken to identify the various red hues. The second step was chemical characterization of the samples and the identification of crystalline colouring phases. Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE) analysis was used to investigate the chemical composition of these glass samples, while the crystalline phases were identified by Raman Spectroscopy and Scanning Electrons Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS). Using SEM-EDS nanoparticles were detected as a colouring agent, the chemical composition and the morphology of which has been studied in depth. This information has been compared with the colorimetric analysis to establish any correlation with the different colour hues.

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