scholarly journals Plasma Ceramides Pathophysiology, Measurements, Challenges, and Opportunities

Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 719
Author(s):  
Melania Gaggini ◽  
Alessandro Pingitore ◽  
Cristina Vassalle
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Dietary Habit ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Pharmacological Targets ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Cellular Pathways ◽  
Structure And Metabolism

Ceramides are a family of lipid molecules, composed of sphingosine and a fatty acid, and transported by lipoproteins (primarily by low-density lipoproteins) in the bloodstream. They are not only structural lipids, but multifunctional and bioactive molecules with key roles in many important cellular pathways, such as inflammatory processes and apoptosis, representing potential biomarkers of cardiometabolic diseases as well as pharmacological targets. Recent data reported ceramide modulation by diet and aerobic exercise, suggesting nutrients and exercise-targeting sphingolipid pathways as a countermeasure, also in combination with other therapies, for risk and progression of chronic disease prevention and health maintenance. In this review, we focus on the available data regarding remarks on ceramide structure and metabolism, their pathophysiologic roles, and the effect of dietary habit and aerobic exercise on ceramide levels. Moreover, advancements and limitations of lipidomic techniques and simplification attempts to overcome difficulties of interpretation and to facilitate practical applications, such as the proposal of scores, are also discussed.

scholarly journals The Potential of the Synthetic Strigolactone Analogue GR24 for the Maintenance of Photosynthesis and Yield in Winter Wheat under Drought: Investigations on the Mechanisms of Action and Delivery Modes

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1223
Author(s):  
Mojde Sedaghat ◽  
Yahya Emam ◽  
Ali Mokhtassi-Bidgoli ◽  
Saeid Hazrati ◽  
Claudio Lovisolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Antioxidant Enzyme Activities ◽  
Synthetic Analog ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
New Family ◽  
Harsh Environmental Condition

Strigolactones (SLs) have been implicated in many plant biological and physiological processes, including the responses to abiotic stresses such as drought, in concert with other phytohormones. While it is now clear that exogenous SLs may help plants to survive in harsh environmental condition, the best, most effective protocols for treatment have not been defined yet, and the mechanisms of action are far from being fully understood. In the set of experiments reported here, we contrasted two application methods for treatment with a synthetic analog of SL, GR24. A number of morphometric, physiological and biochemical parameters were measured following foliar application of GR24 or application in the residual irrigation water in winter wheat plants under irrigated and drought stress conditions. Depending on the concentration and the method of GR24 application, differentiated photosynthesis and transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, antioxidant enzyme activities and yield in drought conditions were observed. We present evidence that different methods of GR24 application led to increased photosynthesis and yield under stress by a combination of drought tolerance and escape factors, which should be considered for future research exploring the potential of this new family of bioactive molecules for practical applications.

scholarly journals Green Tea and Its Relation to Human Gut Microbiome

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 3907
Author(s):  
Sergio Pérez-Burillo ◽  
Beatriz Navajas-Porras ◽  
Alicia López-Maldonado ◽  
Daniel Hinojosa-Nogueira ◽  
Silvia Pastoriza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Green Tea ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Bioactive Metabolites ◽  
Microbial Dysbiosis ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Middle Man ◽  
Specific Species

Green tea can influence the gut microbiota by either stimulating the growth of specific species or by hindering the development of detrimental ones. At the same time, gut bacteria can metabolize green tea compounds and produce smaller bioactive molecules. Accordingly, green tea benefits could be due to beneficial bacteria or to microbial bioactive metabolites. Therefore, the gut microbiota is likely to act as middle man for, at least, some of the green tea benefits on health. Many health promoting effects of green tea seems to be related to the inter-relation between green tea and gut microbiota. Green tea has proven to be able to correct the microbial dysbiosis that appears during several conditions such as obesity or cancer. On the other hand, tea compounds influence the growth of bacterial species involved in inflammatory processes such as the release of LPS or the modulation of IL production; thus, influencing the development of different chronic diseases. There are many studies trying to link either green tea or green tea phenolic compounds to health benefits via gut microbiota. In this review, we tried to summarize the most recent research in the area.

scholarly journals Sex-Specific Differences in Extracellular Vesicle Protein Cargo in Synovial Fluid of Patients with Osteoarthritis

Life ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 337
Author(s):  
Ravindra Kolhe ◽  
Virgenal Owens ◽  
Ashok Sharma ◽  
Tae Jin Lee ◽  
Wenbo Zhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synovial Fluid ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Extracellular Vesicle ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Paracrine Signaling ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Specific Manner ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Novel Biomarkers ◽  
Cellular Pathways

Women are at a significantly higher risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA) compared to males. The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) in women is poorly understood. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to play an essential role in numerous signaling processes during the pathogenesis of age-related diseases via paracrine signaling. Molecular profiling of the synovial fluid-derived EVs cargo in women may help in the discovery of novel biomarkers and therapeutics for the treatment of OA in women. Previously, we reported that synovial fluid-derived EV miRNA cargo differs in a sex-specific manner. This study aims to characterize synovial fluid-derived EV protein cargo in OA patients. Our data showed sex-specific EVs protein content in OA. We found haptoglobin, orosomucoid, and ceruloplasmin significantly up-regulated, whereas apolipoprotein down-regulated in female OA EVs. In males, we discovered β-2-glycoprotein, and complement component 5 proteins significantly up-regulated and Spt-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase (SAGA)-associated factor 29 down-regulated in male OA EVs. Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and QuickGO analysis revealed OA-specific protein involvement in several biological, molecular, and cellular pathways, specifically in inflammatory processes. In conclusion, synovial fluid EV protein content is altered in a sex-specific manner with OA, explaining the increased prevalence and severity of OA in women.

scholarly journals H″IT″ting the Barriers for Exercising during Social Isolation

Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Souza ◽  
Victor Coswig ◽  
Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira ◽  
Paulo Gentil
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
General Health ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Interval Training ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Efficient Manner ◽  
Practical Applications

Aerobic exercise is traditionally recommended to improve general health and prevent many non-communicable diseases. However, the measures adopted to control the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak culminated with closing of exercise facilities and fitness centers and, as a primary consequence, impaired aerobic exercise practice. This contributed to an increase in risk factors associated with physical inactivity such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure, low-grade inflammation, weight gain, and mental health problems. The scenario is worrisome, and it is important to propose alternatives for exercise practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interval training (IT) emerges as an exercise mode that might be feasible, low-cost, and potentially safe to be performed in many different places. IT consists of interspersing relative brief bouts of high-intensity exercise with recovery periods and promotes similar or greater health benefits when compared to moderate-intensity continuous exercise. Among the different types of IT, sprint interval training and “Tabata protocols” might be particularly useful during social isolation. These protocols can be controlled and performed without the need of complex equipment and can be adapted to different places, including domestic environments. In this article, we present variations of IT as possible alternatives to cope physical inactivity during COVID-19 pandemics with a focus on its practical applications. The protocols suggested can be performed without the need of specialized equipment or facilities, in a time-efficient manner, and aiming to prevent detraining or even improve physical fitness and general health.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities from Targeting Inflammatory Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Narrative Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 4021
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Lariccia ◽  
Simona Magi ◽  
Tiziano Serfilippi ◽  
Marwa Toujani ◽  
Santo Gratteri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Inflammatory Processes ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic that continues to sweep across the world, posing an urgent need for effective therapies and prevention of the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome related to coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). A major hypothesis that is currently guiding research and clinical care posits that an excessive and uncontrolled surge of pro-inflammatory cytokines (the so-called “cytokine storm”) drives morbidity and mortality in the most severe cases. In the overall efforts made to develop effective and safe therapies (including vaccines) for COVID-19, clinicians are thus repurposing ready-to-use drugs with direct or indirect anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Speculatively, there are many opportunities and challenges in targeting immune/inflammatory processes in the evolving settings of COVID-19 disease because of the need to safely balance the fight against virus and aggressive inflammation versus the suppression of host immune defenses and the risk of additional harms in already compromised patients. To this end, many studies are globally underway to weigh the pros and cons of tailoring drugs used for inflammatory-driven conditions to COVID-19 patient care, and the next step will be to summarize the growing clinical trial experience into clean clinical practice. Based on the current evidence, anti-inflammatory drugs should be considered as complementary approaches to anti-viral drugs that need to be timely introduced in the management of COVID-19 according to disease severity. While drugs that target SARS-CoV-2 entry or replication are expected to confer the greatest benefits at the early stage of the infection, anti-inflammatory drugs would be more effective in limiting the inflammatory processes that drive the worsening of the disease.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities in Applied Machine Learning

AI Magazine ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla E. Brodley ◽  
Umaa Rebbapragada ◽  
Kevin Small ◽  
Byron Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Learning Problems ◽  
Open Problems ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Applied Machine Learning ◽  
Fertile Ground ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Real World Problems

Machine learning research is often conducted in vitro, divorced from motivating practical applications. A researcher might develop a new method for the general task of classification, then assess its utility by comparing its performance (such as accuracy or AUC) to that of existing classification models on publicly available datasets. In terms of advancing machine learning as an academic discipline, this approach has thus far proven quite fruitful. However, it is our view that the most interesting open problems in machine learning are those that arise during its application to real-world problems. We illustrate this point by reviewing two of our interdisciplinary collaborations, both of which have posed unique machine learning problems, providing fertile ground for novel research.

scholarly journals NICEdrug.ch, a workflow for rational drug design and systems-level analysis of drug metabolism

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Homa MohammadiPeyhani ◽  
Anush Chiappino-Pepe ◽  
Kiandokht Haddadi ◽  
Jasmin Hafner ◽  
Noushin Hadadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Rational Drug Design ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Lead Discovery ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Rational Drug ◽  
Golden Standard ◽  
And Performance

The discovery of a drug requires over a decade of intensive research and financial investments – and still has a high risk of failure. To reduce this burden, we developed the NICEdrug.ch resource, which incorporates 250,000 bioactive molecules, and studied their enzymatic metabolic targets, fate, and toxicity. NICEdrug.ch includes a unique fingerprint that identifies reactive similarities between drug–drug and drug–metabolite pairs. We validated the application, scope, and performance of NICEdrug.ch over similar methods in the field on golden standard datasets describing drugs and metabolites sharing reactivity, drug toxicities, and drug targets. We use NICEdrug.ch to evaluate inhibition and toxicity by the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil, and suggest avenues to alleviate its side effects. We propose shikimate 3-phosphate for targeting liver-stage malaria with minimal impact on the human host cell. Finally, NICEdrug.ch suggests over 1300 candidate drugs and food molecules to target COVID-19 and explains their inhibitory mechanism for further experimental screening. The NICEdrug.ch database is accessible online to systematically identify the reactivity of small molecules and druggable enzymes with practical applications in lead discovery and drug repurposing.

scholarly journals Acute Aerobic Exercise Based Cognitive and Motor Priming: Practical Applications and Mechanisms

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terence A. Moriarty ◽  
Christine Mermier ◽  
Len Kravitz ◽  
Ann Gibson ◽  
Nicholas Beltz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Motor Priming

A Wide-Ranging Analysis on Ethosomes

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Matilda K ◽  
Charlotte G
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Drug Delivery Systems ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Delivery Systems ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Cationic Drugs ◽  
Delivery Service ◽  
Future Improvement ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
And Training

Ethosomes are noninvasive release carriers that facilitate drugs to attain the deep skin layers and the universal movement. Though ethosomal systems are theoretically complicated, they are effortless in their training, safe for use an arrangement that can highly enlarge their relevance. Ethosomes are soft, compliant vesicles tailored for improved liberation of vigorous agents. Because of their exclusive organization, ethosomes are able to encapsulate and deliver during the skin highly lipophilic molecules such as cannabinoids, testosterone, and minoxidil, as well as cationic drugs such as propranolol, trihexaphenidyl, Cyclosporine, insulin, salbutamol etc. Improved release of bioactive molecules during the skin and cellular membranes by means of an ethosomal delivery service opens numerous challenges and opportunities for the research and future improvement of novel improved therapies. Ethosomes are gaining reputation in designing drug delivery systems for topical and transdermal use for their ability to reach deep skin layers and universal circulation. Although ethosomes are theoretically complicated, they are simple in training and safe for use. Although with their high efficiency, the ethosomes show possible for development of their applications. The aim of the review to make a inclusive description on properties and training of ethosomes followed by the classification and the list of drugs encapsulated in ethosomes.

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