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Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : JDD Sep 2023Regenerative aesthetics aims to restore the structure and function of aging skin. Two products, Radiesse (CaHA) and NCTF 135 HA (micronutrient mesotherapy) have been...
Regenerative aesthetics aims to restore the structure and function of aging skin. Two products, Radiesse (CaHA) and NCTF 135 HA (micronutrient mesotherapy) have been established as minimally invasive treatments that restore the structure and function of various skin components. It has been anecdotally observed by the authors, however, that some patients respond suboptimally to regenerative treatments without a clear indication as to why. It was hypothesized that micronutrient deficiencies in some patients may contribute to their lack of responsiveness and that a concurrent delivery of amino acids and co-enzymes may create a nutritional reservoir necessary for optimal protein synthesis. Noting that CaHA is known to drive the regeneration of extracellular matrix proteins, the aim of this case series was to investigate if “priming” the skin with NCTF 135 HA could lead to enhanced clinical effects of CaHA. The combination treatment resulted in improvements in panfacial aesthetics, skin laxity, wrinkle severity, skin luminosity, hyperpigmentation, and in skin and subcutis thicknesses in 100% of patients following a single treatment. This study is the first to introduce skin priming via diluting a regenerative biostimulator treatment with an amino acid-based diluent. Citation: Theodorakopoulou E, McCarthy A, Perico V, et al. Optimizing skin regenerative response to calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres via poly-micronutrient priming. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(9):925-934. doi:10.36849/JDD.7405.
Topics: Humans; Micronutrients; Calcium; Durapatite; Microspheres; Skin
PubMed: 37683067
DOI: 10.36849/JDD.7405 -
Annals of Botany Jul 2023Silicon and aluminium oxides make the bulk of agricultural soils. Plants absorb dissolved silicon as silicic acid into their bodies through their roots. The silicic acid... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Silicon and aluminium oxides make the bulk of agricultural soils. Plants absorb dissolved silicon as silicic acid into their bodies through their roots. The silicic acid moves with transpiration to target tissues in the plant body, where it polymerizes into biogenic silica. Mostly, the mineral forms on a matrix of cell wall polymers to create a composite material. Historically, silica deposition (silicification) was supposed to occur once water evaporated from the plant surface, leaving behind an increased concentration of silicic acid within plant tissues. However, recent publications indicate that certain cell wall polymers and proteins initiate and control the extent of plant silicification.
SCOPE
Here we review recent publications on the polymers that scaffold the formation of biogenic plant silica, and propose a paradigm shift from spontaneous polymerization of silicic acid to dedicated active metabolic processes that control both the location and the extent of the mineralization.
CONCLUSION
Protein activity concentrates silicic acid beyond its saturation level. Polymeric structures at the cell wall stabilize the supersaturated silicic acid and allow its flow with the transpiration stream, or bind it and allow its initial condensation. Silica nucleation and further polymerization are enabled on a polymeric scaffold, which is embedded within the mineral. Deposition is terminated once free silicic acid is consumed or the chemical moieties for its binding are saturated.
Topics: Silicon Dioxide; Silicic Acid; Silicon; Plants; Polymers
PubMed: 37094329
DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad056 -
Extremophiles : Life Under Extreme... Nov 2023Lignocellulolytic enzymes are used in different industrial and environmental processes. The rigorous operating circumstances of these industries, however, might prevent... (Review)
Review
Lignocellulolytic enzymes are used in different industrial and environmental processes. The rigorous operating circumstances of these industries, however, might prevent these enzymes from performing as intended. On the other side, extremozymes are enzymes produced by extremophiles that can function in extremely acidic or basic; hot or cold; under high or low salinity conditions. These severe conditions might denature the normal enzymes that are produced by mesophilic microorganisms. The increased stability of these enzymes has been contributed to a number of conformational modifications in their structures. These modifications may result from a few amino acid substitutions, an improved hydrophobic core, the existence of extra ion pairs and salt bridges, an increase in compactness, or an increase in positively charged amino acids. These enzymes are the best option for industrial and bioremediation activities that must be carried out under difficult conditions due to their improved stability. The review, therefore, discusses lignocellulolytic extremozymes, their structure and mechanisms along with industrial and biotechnological applications.
Topics: Extremophiles; Biotechnology; Acids; Amino Acids
PubMed: 37950773
DOI: 10.1007/s00792-023-01314-2 -
Nutrients Jul 2023Dietary acid load (DAL) is recognized as a risk factor for several chronic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Recent evidence suggests that an... (Review)
Review
Dietary acid load (DAL) is recognized as a risk factor for several chronic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Recent evidence suggests that an elevated DAL, as measured by the validated potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) scores, could also increase the risk for several cancers. This narrative review summarizes the potential role of DAL in Uruguayan cancer patients and outlines the potentially involved pathophysiological pathways that mediate the role of DAL in both cancer development and growth. Although Uruguay is a developing country, its average diet is a heavily meat-based Western one, translating into a supraphysiological acid burden from diet. In recent years, we have published epidemiologic evidence based on ten case-control studies involving 3736 cancer cases and 9534 hospital-based controls. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for each interest variable to analyze the association between the exposure levels of DAL scores and cancer, calculated by unconditional logistic regression. In a majority of the cases, the highest DAL scores tended to double the cancer risk as compared to the lowest category. We also found high risks for methionine intake, an acidifying amino acid found in higher concentrations in animal-based foods, which may increase cancer risks at least by a joint action based on the pH and the proliferation enhancing properties of the amino acid itself.
Topics: Animals; Uruguay; Diet; Risk Factors; Obesity; Acids; Amino Acids; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37513516
DOI: 10.3390/nu15143098 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023The apricot ( L.) is a fruit that belongs to the Rosaceae family; it has a unique flavor and is of important economic and nutritional value. The composition and content...
The apricot ( L.) is a fruit that belongs to the Rosaceae family; it has a unique flavor and is of important economic and nutritional value. The composition and content of soluble sugars and organic acids in fruit are key factors in determining the flavor quality. However, the molecular mechanism of sugar and acid accumulation in apricots remains unclear. We measured sucrose, fructose, glucose, sorbitol, starch, malate, citric acid, titratable acid, and pH, and investigated the transcriptome profiles of three apricots (the high-sugar cultivar 'Shushanggan', common-sugar cultivar 'Sungold', and low-sugar cultivar 'F43') at three distinct developmental phases. The findings indicated that 'Shushanggan' accumulates a greater amount of sucrose, glucose, fructose, and sorbitol, and less citric acid and titratable acid, resulting in a better flavor; 'Sungold' mainly accumulates more sucrose and less citric acid and starch for the second flavor; and 'F43' mainly accumulates more titratable acid, citric acid, and starch for a lesser degree of sweetness. We investigated the DEGs associated with the starch and sucrose metabolism pathways, citrate cycle pathway, glycolysis pathway, and a handful of sugar transporter proteins, which were considered to be important regulators of sugar and acid accumulation. Additionally, an analysis of the co-expression network of weighted genes unveiled a robust correlation between the brown module and sucrose, glucose, and fructose, with being identified as a hub gene that interacted with four sugar transporter proteins (, , , and ), as well as three structural genes for sugar and acid metabolism (, , and ). Furthermore, we found some lncRNAs and miRNAs that regulate these genes. Our findings provide clues to the functional genes related to sugar metabolism, and lay the foundation for the selection and cultivation of high-sugar apricots in the future.
Topics: Transcriptome; Sugars; Prunus armeniaca; Fruit; Carbohydrates; Glucose; Acids; Sucrose; Citric Acid; Starch; Fructose; Metabolome; Sorbitol
PubMed: 38069317
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316992 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023The human microbiota is symbiotic with the host and can create a variety of metabolites. Under normal conditions, microbial metabolites can regulate host immune function... (Review)
Review
The human microbiota is symbiotic with the host and can create a variety of metabolites. Under normal conditions, microbial metabolites can regulate host immune function and eliminate abnormal cells in a timely manner. However, when metabolite production is abnormal, the host immune system might be unable to identify and get rid of tumor cells at the early stage of carcinogenesis, which results in tumor development. The mechanisms by which intestinal microbial metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), microbial tryptophan catabolites (MTCs), polyamines (PAs), hydrogen sulfide, and secondary bile acids, are involved in tumorigenesis and development by regulating immune responses are summarized in this review. SCFAs and MTCs can prevent cancer by altering the expression of enzymes and epigenetic modifications in both immune cells and intestinal epithelial cells. MTCs can also stimulate immune cell receptors to inhibit the growth and metastasis of the host cancer. SCFAs, MTCs, bacterial hydrogen sulfide and secondary bile acids can control mucosal immunity to influence the occurrence and growth of tumors. Additionally, SCFAs, MTCs, PAs and bacterial hydrogen sulfide can also affect the anti-tumor immune response in tumor therapy by regulating the function of immune cells. Microbial metabolites have a good application prospect in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of tumors, and our review provides a good basis for related research.
Topics: Humans; Hydrogen Sulfide; Carcinogenesis; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Neoplasms; Immunity, Mucosal; Bile Acids and Salts
PubMed: 38169949
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1290414 -
Kidney360 Aug 2023The occurrence of calcium phosphate stones has increased over the past five decades, and this is most notable in female stone formers. High urine pH and hypocitraturia...
KEY POINTS
The occurrence of calcium phosphate stones has increased over the past five decades, and this is most notable in female stone formers. High urine pH and hypocitraturia are the most discriminatory urine parameters between calcium phosphate and calcium oxalate stone formers. High urine pH in calcium phosphate stone formers is independent of the effect of dietary alkali and acid.
BACKGROUND
Urinary parameters, including urine pH and citrate, are recognized as critical in the pathophysiology of calcium-based stones. The factors contributing to variation in these parameters between calcium oxalate (CaOx) and calcium phosphate (CaP) stone formers (SFs) are, however, not well-understood. In this study, using readily available laboratory data, we explore these differences to delineate the odds of forming CaP versus CaOx stones.
METHODS
In this single-center retrospective study, we compared serum and urinary parameters between adult CaP SFs, CaOx SFs, and non–stone formers.
RESULTS
Urine pH was higher and urine citrate lower in CaP SFs compared with same-sex CaOx SFs and non–stone formers. In CaP SFs, higher urine pH and lower citrate were independent of markers of dietary acid intake and gastrointestinal alkali absorption, suggesting abnormal renal citrate handling and urinary alkali excretion. In a multivariable model, urine pH and urine citrate were most discriminatory between CaP SFs and CaOx SFs (receiver-operating characteristic area under the curve of 0.73 and 0.65, respectively). An increase in urine pH by 0.35, a decrease in urine citrate by 220 mg/d, a doubling of urine calcium, and female sex all independently doubled the risk of CaP stone formation compared with CaOx stones.
CONCLUSIONS
High urine pH and hypocitraturia are two clinical parameters that distinguish the urine phenotype of CaP SFs from CaOx SFs. Alkalinuria is due to intrinsic differences in the kidney independent of intestinal alkali absorption and is accentuated in the female sex.
Topics: Citric Acid; Phosphates; Citrates; Calcium Phosphates; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 37307531
DOI: 10.34067/KID.0000000000000184 -
Antioxidants & Redox Signaling Feb 2024Nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (HS) are, to date, the identified members of the gasotransmitter family, which consists of gaseous... (Review)
Review
Nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (HS) are, to date, the identified members of the gasotransmitter family, which consists of gaseous signaling molecules that play central roles in the regulation of a wide variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes, including inflammatory edema. Recent studies show the potential anti-inflammatory and antiedematogenic effects of NO-, CO-, and HS-donors . In general, it has been observed that the therapeutical effects of NO-donors are more relevant when administered at low doses at the onset of the inflammatory process. Regarding CO-donors, their antiedematogenic effects are mainly associated with inhibition of proinflammatory mediators (such as inducible NO synthase [iNOS]-derived NO), and the observed protective effects of HS-donors seem to be mediated by reducing some proinflammatory enzyme activities. The most recent investigations focus on the interactions among the gasotransmitters under different pathophysiological conditions. However, the biochemical/pharmacological nature of these interactions is neither general nor fully understood, although specifically dependent on the site where the inflammatory edema occurs. Considering the nature of the involved mechanisms, a deeper knowledge of the interactions among the gasotransmitters is mandatory. In addition, the development of new pharmacological tools, either donors or synthesis inhibitors of the three gasotransmitters, will certainly aid the basic investigations and open new strategies for the therapeutic treatment of inflammatory edema. 40, 272-291.
Topics: Gasotransmitters; Hydrogen Sulfide; Nitric Oxide; Signal Transduction; Carbon Monoxide
PubMed: 36974358
DOI: 10.1089/ars.2022.0089 -
Compendium of Continuing Education in... May 2024Adhesive dentistry is an essential component in the delivery of direct and indirect restorations. Ongoing discussions among scientists and clinicians have focused on... (Review)
Review
Adhesive dentistry is an essential component in the delivery of direct and indirect restorations. Ongoing discussions among scientists and clinicians have focused on whether or not current self-etch and universal adhesives adequately prepare enamel surfaces to achieve optimal bond strengths. To address these concerns, a selective enamel etch technique has been recommended. The definition of a selective enamel etch technique is as its name suggests. The clinician selectively etches the enamel of a cavity preparation by applying phosphoric acid etchant to the enamel surfaces of the preparation while refraining from applying the etchant to the dentin. This article explores the current research to help guide clinicians to achieve ideal outcomes when using dental adhesives. With few exceptions, the current scientific evidence recommends a selective enamel etch technique in conjunction with the clinician's adhesive system of choice.
Topics: Humans; Dental Enamel; Acid Etching, Dental; Dental Bonding; Phosphoric Acids; Dental Cavity Preparation
PubMed: 38900462
DOI: No ID Found -
Carbohydrate Research Apr 2024The classical Koenigs-Knorr glycosidation of bromides or chlorides promoted with AgO or AgCO works only with reactive substrates (ideally both donor and acceptor). This...
The classical Koenigs-Knorr glycosidation of bromides or chlorides promoted with AgO or AgCO works only with reactive substrates (ideally both donor and acceptor). This reaction was found to be practically ineffective with unreactive donors such as per-O-benzoylated mannosyl bromide. Recently, it was discovered that the addition of catalytic (Lewis) acids to a silver salt-promoted reaction has a dramatic effect on the reaction rate and yield. A tentative mechanism for this cooperatively-catalyzed glycosylation reaction has been proposed, and the improved understanding of the reaction led to more efficient protocols and broader applications to a variety of glycosidic linkages. Since AgO-mediated activation was introduced by German chemists Koenigs and Knorr, and "cooperatively catalyzed" is Kooperativ Katalysiert in German, we refer to this new reaction as "the 4K reaction."
Topics: Glycosylation; Glycosides; Lewis Acids; Catalysis; Bromides
PubMed: 38569333
DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2024.109102