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    Category Biology/Biotechnology

    Exercise Keeps Muscles, and You, Young

    March 30, 2016, Categories  Biology/Biotechnology, Health/Medical

    “These are individuals in their 80s and 90s who actively compete in world masters track and field championships. We have seven world champions. These individuals are the crème de la crème of aging.”

    “These are individuals in their 80s and 90s who actively compete in world masters track and field championships. We have seven world champions. These individuals are the crème de la crème of aging.”

    A Uni of Guelph professor has uncovered the “secret” to staying strong as we age – superb fitness. Geoff Power found elderly people who were elite athletes in their youth or later in life – and who still compete as masters athletes – have much healthier muscles at the cellular level compared to those of non-athletes.

    The study compared world-class track and field athletes in their 80s with people of the same age who are living independently. There have been few such studies of aging and muscle weakening in masters athletes in this age group...

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    Heart, Liver Disease linked to Shutdown of Body’s Antioxidant

    March 30, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    •SQSTM1/p62 is ubiquitylated by TRIM21 at K7 via K63-linkage •p62 K7 ubiquitylation prevents its dimerization and sequestration •TRIM21 negatively regulates Keap1 sequestration and anti-oxidative response •TRIM21 null liver and heart are protected from oxidative tissue damage

    •SQSTM1/p62 is ubiquitylated by TRIM21 at K7 via K63-linkage •p62 K7 ubiquitylation prevents its dimerization and sequestration •TRIM21 negatively regulates Keap1 sequestration and anti-oxidative response •TRIM21 null liver and heart are protected from oxidative tissue damage

    Protein (p62), which is supposed to act as an antioxidant to prevent cell damage, was found not work efficiently in laboratory mice with liver and heart disease that mimicked these conditions in humans. This caused oxidative stress and allowed the release of harmful molecules, called free radicals, which resulted in serious illness. One of the body’s first lines of defense, the cells antioxidant response system is supposed to prevent these harmful invaders from causing a domino effect and damaging other cells.

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    Multiple Sclerosis: Plant Peptide could Prevent Onset of the disease

    March 29, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Synthesis of cyclotides. Cyclotides were assembled as linear precursors using FMOC chemistry, and cyclized using native chemical ligation. (1) Dawson’s resin containing di-Fmoc-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid (Dbz) as linker is the starting point. (2) Couplings are performed using microwave-assisted FMOC synthesis (asterisk marks the first amino acid; the last amino acid is a BOC-protected cysteine). (3) Acylation and activation of the resin bound Dbz-precursor to yield the N-acylurea peptide (Nbz-peptide). (4) Full deprotection and resin cleavage of the Nbz-peptide in one step (Ar, Aryl). Peptide cyclization (5a) via thioesterification, (5b) S, N-intramolecular acyl shift and native chemical ligation and (5c) oxidative folding to yield cyclotides with the native fold. Ribbon representation of a cyclotide (kalata B1, PDB ID code 1NB1) and sequence of [T20K]kalata B1 are shown. Cysteines, disulfide bonds (yellow), and intercysteine loops are indicated.

    Synthesis of cyclotides. Cyclotides were assembled as linear precursors using FMOC chemistry, and cyclized using native chemical ligation. (1) Dawson’s resin containing di-Fmoc-3,4-diaminobenzoic acid (Dbz) as linker is the starting point. (2) Couplings are performed using microwave-assisted FMOC synthesis (asterisk marks the first amino acid; the last amino acid is a BOC-protected cysteine). (3) Acylation and activation of the resin bound Dbz-precursor to yield the N-acylurea peptide (Nbz-peptide). (4) Full deprotection and resin cleavage of the Nbz-peptide in one step (Ar, Aryl). Peptide cyclization (5a) via thioesterification, (5b) S, N-intramolecular acyl shift and native chemical ligation and (5c) oxidative folding to yield cyclotides with the native fold...

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    Sweet, Tasty and Healthy: The new essence of Juice?

    March 29, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Sweet, tasty and healthy -- the new essence of juice?

    A mix of stevia, lime and fibre can make juice healthy and tasty. Credit: Colourbox

    Do you have a sweet tooth but need to keep a wary eye on your weight and blood sugar level? Then a new cocktail consisting of lime, stevia and β-glucans may be the answer to your prayers. In a study at Aarhus University the effect on the sensory experience of adding these 3 ingredients to juice was investigated. This trinity of ingredients means it is possible to make a tasty fruit beverage that is both low in sugar and high in fiber.

    Fruit juice contains beneficial vitamins but often has high sugar and low fiber contents. The challenge is to increase the nutritional value of the juice without spoiling the taste...

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