RESUMEN
Objective: aggregation of the TAU proteins in the form of neurofibrillary tangles [NFTs] in the brain is a common risk factor in tauopathies including Alzheimer's disease [AD]. Several strategies have been implemented to target NFTs, among which chaperones, which facilitate the proper folding of proteins, appear to hold great promise in effectively inhibiting TAU polymerization. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the chaperone Artemin on TAU aggregation in vitro
Materials and Methods: in this experimental study, recombinant TAU- or Artemin proteins were expressed in E.coli bacteria, and purified using ion-exchange and affinity chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE] was used to run the extracted proteins and check their purity. Heparin was used as an aggregation inducer. The interaction kinetics of TAU aggregation and disassembly was performed using thioflavin T [ThT] fluorescence analysis and circular dichroism [CD] spectroscopy
Results: ion-exchange and affinity chromatography yielded highly pure TAU and Artemin proteins for subsequent analyses. In addition, we found that heparin efficiently induced TAU fibrillization 48 hours post-incubation, as evidenced by ThT assay. Importantly, Artemin was observed to effectively block the aggregation of both physiologic- and supraphysiologic TAU concentrations in a dose-dependent manner, as judged by ThT and CD spectroscopy analyses
Conclusion: our collective results show, for the first time, that the chaperone Artemin could significantly inhibit aggregation of the TAU proteins in a dose-dependent manner, and support Artemin as a potential potent blocker of TAU aggregation in people with AD
RESUMEN
To assess postpartum sexual function in mothers using different infant feeding methods. The comparative cross-sectional study comprising women referred to health centres in Mashhad, Iran, was conducted from July 7 to December 11, 2011. Sexual function and infant-feeding method of the subjects were assessed four months after childbirth. Data was collected using the standard Female Sexual Function Index and baby's feeding method questionnaire. SPSS 11.5 was used for statistical analysis. There were 366 women in the study with a mean age of 26.70 +/- 4.70 years who were using four methods of infant-feeding: exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding plus complementary feeding, formula milk, and breastfeeding plus formula. There was a significant difference between women's sexual function score and infant-feeding method [p=0.04]. The highest score 6.23 +/- 3.5 belonged to women who had exclusive breastfeeding. There was a difference in women's sexual function between different groups of infant feeding methods. The highest score of sexual function was found in breastfeeding women. Women need to be educated about exclusive breastfeeding and its positive effects on sexual function