Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xinyuan Wu, Santosh Kulkarni, Rakesh Paul, J. David Becherer, Lyndsay Olson, Bharat Lagu, Stella Ravani, Athanasia Chatzianastasiou, Andreas Papapetropoulos, Sylvia Andrzejewski
Summary: CD38 is involved in various diseases and the enzymatic inhibitor MK-0159 can inhibit its activity and protect the myocardium from damage.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Bharat Lagu, Xinyuan Wu, Santosh Kulkarni, Rakesh Paul, J. David Becherer, Lyndsay Olson, Stella Ravani, Athanasia Chatzianastasiou, Andreas Papapetropoulos, Sylvia Andrzejewski
Summary: CD38 is an important enzyme in mammals that consumes NAD(+) and NADP(+), and is upregulated in age-associated inflammation and metabolic diseases. Activation of CD38 during ischemia/reperfusion leads to depletion of NADP(+), resulting in cardiovascular damage and myocardial infarction. Few CD38 enzymatic inhibitors have been reported to date.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefania Mazzini, Salvatore Princiotto, Roberto Artali, Loana Musso, Anna Avino, Ramon Eritja, Raimundo Gargallo, Sabrina Dallavalle
Summary: PARP1 enzyme is an attractive target for cancer therapy due to its involvement in DNA repair processes. However, the effectiveness of PARP1 inhibitors is being threatened by the emergence of resistance, necessitating the search for alternative strategies to selectively regulate PARP1 activity. A recent study identified a noncanonical G-quadruplex-forming sequence within the PARP1 promoter. This study explores the interaction between known G-quadruplex binders and the G-quadruplex structure found in the PARP gene promoter region, demonstrating various binding modes with small stabilization of the G-quadruplex sequence. Surprisingly, only pyridostatin produces a strong stabilization of the G-quadruplex-forming sequence.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tian Gan, Jingyi Fang, Yuxin Wang, Kaiqiang Liu, Yumin Sang, Hanchi Chen, Yuele Lu, Linjiang Zhu, Xiaolong Chen
Summary: The secretion of sucrose phosphorylase (SPase) in Bacillus subtilis WB800 does not require signal peptide. The combination of strong promoter P-43 and synthetic SPase gene from Bifido-bacterium longum (BloSPase) resulted in high extracellular activity (0.94 U/mL) for L-ascorbic acid (L-AA) glycosylation. The dual-promoter system P-sigH-100-P-43 achieved the highest extracellular and intracellular activity of 5.53 U/mL and 6.85 U/mL, respectively, in fed-batch fermentation. The production of AA-2G reached 113.58 g/L in the supernatant and 146.42 g/L in whole-cells biotransformation. The optimal dual-promoter system in B. subtilis is suitable for food-grade scale-up production of AA-2G.
ENZYME AND MICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Chizuru Sasaki, Kazuo Matsuura, Takeshi Omasa
Summary: This study successfully reduced the production cost of cellulase by using agricultural wastes as carbon sources through solid-state fermentation and achieved similar performance to commercial cellulases.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Xiaohui Xie, Panpan Hu, Yanghua Tian, Bensheng Qiu, Kai Wang, Tongjian Bai
Summary: Through our study of thirty-five PSA patients, we found abnormalities in the ALFF of the left inferior frontal gyrus and functional connectivity with the bilateral supplementary motor area and right superior temporal gyrus. These abnormalities were enhanced and synchronized with the improvement of language performance. Our results suggest reduced intrinsic neural activity and inter-connections within the language network in PSA, which will be normalized synchronously as language performance improves.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Christina Isakoglou, Koen V. V. Haak, Thomas Wolfers, Dorothea L. L. Floris, Alberto Llera, Marianne Oldehinkel, Natalie J. J. Forde, Bethany F. M. Oakley, Julian Tillmann, Rosemary J. J. Holt, Carolin Moessnang, Eva Loth, Thomas Bourgeron, Simon Baron-Cohen, Tony Charman, Tobias Banaschewski, Declan G. M. Murphy, Jan K. K. Buitelaar, Andre F. F. Marquand, Christian F. F. Beckmann
Summary: Sensory atypicalities are common in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the functioning of the somatosensory region and its association with the ASD phenotype is not well understood. In this study, we examined the functional connectivity of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) in autistic and neurotypical individuals. We found that the S1 connectopy is organized along a dorsoventral axis and is associated with adaptive functioning skills. Furthermore, the S1 connectopy showed differences between rest and emotion processing, indicating a task-modulating effect.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Yu Xia, Chuanlong Mou, Hao Wu
Summary: The study investigates the type and occurrence of uranium in the Mangbang Formation in the Hanbazhai area of the Longchuanjiang Basin, China. The experiment reveals that uranium minerals are predominantly present in the samples, with adsorbed uranium mainly found in framboidal pyrites and clay minerals. The uranium minerals in this sedimentary formation are primarily composed of coffinite and uranium phosphosilicates, closely associated with framboidal pyrites, carbon debris, feldspar minerals, and clay minerals. The study discusses the symbiotic relationship and geochemical environment of these minerals.
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Derya Bugra Yarkin
Summary: Charity plays a significant role in capitalism by creating a sense of meaning and safeguarding class impermeability. Capitalism distorts and shapes identities, perceptions, and concepts by reducing individuals to a series of consumer needs that it then caters to in a predatory fashion.
FORMA-REVISTA D ESTUDIS COMPARATIUS ART LITERATURA PENSAMENT
(2021)
Article
International Relations
James Jackson, Daniel Bailey
Summary: The Bank of England has been given a new mandate to facilitate the transition to net zero, but this mandate conflicts with its primary objective of maintaining price and financial stability. The bank's institutional change is limited to extending its existing risk mitigation function rather than facilitating decarbonization through market-shaping governance of the financial sector.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF POLITICS & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elisa Zago, Alessandra Dal Molin, Giovanna Maria Dimitri, Luciano Xumerle, Chiara Pirazzini, Maria Giulia Bacalini, Maria Giovanna Maturo, Tiago Azevedo, Simeon Spasov, Pilar Gomez-Garre, Maria Teresa Perinan, Silvia Jesus, Luca Baldelli, Luisa Sambati, Giovanna Calandra-Buonaura, Paolo Garagnani, Federica Provini, Pietro Cortelli, Pablo Mir, Claudia Trenkwalder, Brit Mollenhauer, Claudio Franceschi, Pietro Lio, Christine Nardini
Summary: This study aims to investigate the relevance of microRNAs as biomarkers of Parkinson's Disease within the ageing framework. The down-regulation of hsa-miR-144-3p in early Parkinson's Disease patients and its involvement in the regulation of coagulation were consistently observed.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Maria Giulia Bacalini, Flavia Palombo, Paolo Garagnani, Cristina Giuliani, Claudio Fiorini, Leonardo Caporali, Michelangelo Stanzani Maserati, Sabina Capellari, Martina Romagnoli, Sara De Fanti, Luisa Benussi, Giuliano Binetti, Roberta Ghidoni, Daniela Galimberti, Elio Scarpini, Marina Arcaro, Enrica Bonanni, Gabriele Siciliano, Michelangelo Maestri, Biancamaria Guarnieri, Morena Martucci, Daniela Monti, Valerio Carelli, Claudio Franceschi, Chiara La Morgia, Aurelia Santoro
Summary: Many physiological processes in the human body follow a 24-hour circadian rhythm controlled by the circadian clock system. Light is a predominant zeitgeber that synchronizes circadian rhythms to light-dark cycles. This study found a significant association between the rs3027178 polymorphism in the PER1 circadian gene and Alzheimer's disease, with the G allele being protective, highlighting the relevance of circadian dysfunction in predisposition to AD and contributing to the discussion on the genetics of age-related diseases and longevity.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Flavio Maria Ceci, Marco Fiore, Francesca Gavaruzzi, Antonio Angeloni, Marco Lucarelli, Carolina Scagnolari, Enea Bonci, Francesca Gabanella, Maria Grazia Di Certo, Christian Barbato, Carla Petrella, Antonio Greco, Marco De Vincentiis, Massimo Ralli, Claudio Passananti, Roberto Poscia, Antonio Minni, Mauro Ceccanti, Luigi Tarani, Giampiero Ferraguti
Summary: This study suggests that high levels of LDH, Ferritin, CRP, and D-dimer may serve as potential predictors of COVID-19 severity and death, based on analysis of early routine blood biomarkers in COVID-19 patients.
Article
Neurosciences
Gaia Meoni, Leonardo Tenori, Sebastian Schade, Cristina Licari, Chiara Pirazzini, Maria Giulia Bacalini, Paolo Garagnani, Paola Turano, Claudia Trenkwalder, Claudio Franceschi, Brit Mollenhauer, Claudio Luchinat
Summary: Parkinson's disease is the neurological disorder with the highest increase in prevalence. The lack of precise diagnosis at early stages remains a challenge. Metabolomics has provided valuable insights into the molecular basis of PD and potential biomarkers for early detection and treatment efficacy. In this study, NMR was used to analyze serum samples from German PD patients, revealing more pronounced pathological characteristics in male patients and confirming altered levels of acetone and cholesterol. Additionally, stronger oxidative stress markers were detected.
NPJ PARKINSONS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Gabanella, Christian Barbato, Nicoletta Corbi, Marco Fiore, Carla Petrella, Marco de Vincentiis, Antonio Greco, Giampiero Ferraguti, Alessandro Corsi, Massimo Ralli, Irene Pecorella, Cira Di Gioia, Francesco Pecorini, Roberto Brunelli, Claudio Passananti, Antonio Minni, Maria Grazia Di Certo
Summary: In this pilot study, the researchers optimized the padlock assay to visualize the genomic and subgenomic regions of SARS-CoV-2 in placental samples from a confirmed COVID-19 case. They found a significant overlap between SARS-CoV-2 RNA and mitochondria in trophoblastic cells, suggesting a potential reprogramming of mitochondrial activity in the maternal-fetal interface during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Francesco Ravaioli, Michele Zampieri, Luca Morandi, Chiara Pirazzini, Camilla Pellegrini, Sara De Fanti, Noemie Gensous, Gian Luca Pirazzoli, Luisa Sambati, Alessandro Ghezzo, Fabio Ciccarone, Anna Reale, Daniela Monti, Stefano Salvioli, Paola Caiafa, Miriam Capri, Alexander Buerkle, Maria Moreno-Villanueva, Paolo Garagnani, Claudio Franceschi, Maria Giulia Bacalini
Summary: This study investigated the DNA methylation and RNA expression levels of rDNA genes in adults with Down syndrome (DS). The results showed that the promoter region of rDNA tends to be hypermethylated in DS, leading to lower intra-individual diversity and lower RNA expression levels. These findings suggest a rearrangement of the epigenetic profile of rDNA in DS to compensate for the excess rDNA copies.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Igor Yusipov, Elena Kondakova, Alena Kalyakulina, Mikhail Krivonosov, Nadezhda Lobanova, Maria Giulia Bacalini, Claudio Franceschi, Maria Vedunova, Mikhail Ivanchenko
Summary: This study found an accelerated aging phenotype in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the underlying inflammatory processes were better quantified by the inflammatory/immunological profile (ipAGE) than by epigenetic clocks.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Fabio Macciardi, Maria Giulia Bacalini, Ricardo Miramontes, Alessio Boattini, Cristian Taccioli, Giorgia Modenini, Rond Malhas, Laura Anderlucci, Yuriy Gusev, Thomas J. Gross, Robert M. Padilla, Massimo S. Fiandaca, Elizabeth Head, Guia Guffanti, Howard J. Federoff, Mark Mapstone
Summary: Recent research suggests that the reactivation of silent transposable elements (TEs) may contribute to brain degeneration through dysregulation of gene expression and immune-mediated inflammation. In this study, the researchers investigated the differential expression of TEs in blood as potential biomarkers for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Using a customized pipeline and RNA-Seq data, they identified and characterized the differentially expressed TEs before and after the onset of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) in aging subjects. Their findings indicate that a storm of differentially expressed TEs occurs before the clinical manifestation of LOAD, and these TEs can accurately discriminate between individuals before and after phenotypic conversion to LOAD.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Peter Lauffer, Nitash Zwaveling-Soonawala, Shaobo Li, Maria G. Bacalini, Oxana Y. Naumova, Joseph Wiemels, Anita Boelen, Peter Henneman, Adam J. de Smith, A. S. Paul van Trotsenburg
Summary: In Down syndrome, there is a high occurrence of congenital hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism. This study found that promoter region hypermethylation of thyroid-related genes may cause transcriptional downregulation, leading to the occurrence of congenital hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism in Down syndrome.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Gabanella, Andrea Colizza, Maria Chiara Mottola, Silvia Francati, Giovanna Blacona, Carla Petrella, Christian Barbato, Antonio Greco, Massimo Ralli, Marco Fiore, Nicoletta Corbi, Giampiero Ferraguti, Alessandro Corsi, Antonio Minni, Marco de Vincentiis, Claudio Passananti, Maria Grazia Di Certo
Summary: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) originates from the mucosal epithelium and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a subtype of HNSCC. This study focuses on the role of the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein in LSCC and explores its impact on cancer-related behaviors. The study also reveals a physical interaction between SMN and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in LSCC. Overall, this study highlights SMN as a potential therapeutic target for LSCC and other subtypes of HNSCC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Gabanella, Annalisa Onori, Cinzia Pisani, Marco Fiore, Giampiero Ferraguti, Andrea Colizza, Marco de Vincentiis, Marco Ceccanti, Maurizio Inghilleri, Nicoletta Corbi, Claudio Passananti, Maria Grazia Di Certo
Summary: The deficiency of SMN protein causes SMA, a rare neuromuscular disease affecting various organs. SMN was found to associate with ABCA1 mRNA and impact its subcellular distribution. Cholesterol accumulation was observed in SMN-depleted human fibroblasts, suggesting dysregulated cholesterol efflux as a contributing factor in SMA pathophysiology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Angelica Giuliani, Maria Giulia Bacalini, Deborah Ramini, Emanuela Mensa, Chiara Giordani, Luciano Xumerle, Paolo Garagnani, Fabiola Olivieri, Antonio Domenico Procopio, Maria Rita Rippo, Jacopo Sabbatinelli
Summary: Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into adipocytes and osteoblasts, but the role of DNA methylation in their function and replicative senescence is still unclear. A genome-wide DNA methylation analysis revealed genome-wide hypomethylation and overlapping differentially methylated positions (DMPs) in replicative senescent BMSCs and HUVECs. Pathway analysis identified common pathways associated with senescence, insulin resistance, molecule adhesion, and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of replicative senescence and BMSC differentiation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Angelica Giuliani, Jacopo Sabbatinelli, Stefano Amatori, Laura Graciotti, Andrea Silvestrini, Giulia Matacchione, Deborah Ramini, Emanuela Mensa, Francesco Prattichizzo, Lucia Babini, Domenico Mattiucci, Elena Marinelli Busilacchi, Maria Giulia Bacalini, Emma Espinosa, Fabrizia Lattanzio, Antonio Domenico Procopio, Fabiola Olivieri, Antonella Poloni, Mirco Fanelli, Maria Rita Rippo
Summary: This study found that the expression of MeCP2 protein is downregulated during adipogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. This downregulation is not dependent on MeCP2 DNA methylation or mRNA levels, but on miRNA regulation. miR-422a and miR-483-5p are upregulated during adipogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. Modulation of miR-422a and miR-483-5p levels can affect MeCP2 expression and adipogenic differentiation.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Katarzyna Malgorzata Kwiatkowska, Eleni Mavrogonatou, Adamantia Papadopoulou, Claudia Sala, Luciano Calzari, Davide Gentilini, Maria Giulia Bacalini, Daniele Dall'Olio, Gastone Castellani, Francesco Ravaioli, Claudio Franceschi, Paolo Garagnani, Chiara Pirazzini, Dimitris Kletsas
Summary: The aim of this study was to characterize DNA methylation patterns in replicative and induced senescence in different human cell types. Three epigenetic signatures were identified: cell type- and treatment-specific signature, cell type-specific senescence-related signature, and cell type-transversal replicative senescence-related signature. Cluster analysis revealed distinct DNA methylation patterns in replicative senescent cells, and enrichment in pathways related to the nervous system was shown. Despite no statistically significant evidence of age acceleration, a trend of increased biological age in replicative senescent cultures of all three cell types was observed. This work highlights the heterogeneity of senescent cells and their impact on tissue homeostasis.
Article
Neurosciences
Luca Baldelli, Chiara Pirazzini, Luisa Sambati, Francesco Ravaioli, Davide Gentilini, Giovanna Calandra-Buonaura, Pietro Guaraldi, Claudio Franceschi, Pietro Cortelli, Paolo Garagnani, Maria Giulia Bacalini, Federica Provini
Summary: Isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD) serves as a strong early indicator for alpha-synucleinopathies. However, little research has been done on the relationship between aging and prodromal phases of neurodegenerative diseases. This study used epigenetic clocks based on DNA methylation to measure biological aging in iRBD patients, as well as videopolysomnography-negative and population-based controls. The findings suggest that accelerated aging is a characteristic of prodromal neurodegeneration in iRBD patients.
NPJ PARKINSONS DISEASE
(2023)