Marche Polytechnic University

About: Marche Polytechnic University is a education organization based out in Ancona, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 5905 authors who have published 15769 publications receiving 382286 citations. The organization is also known as: Universitá Politecnica delle Marche & Universita Politecnica delle Marche.

Enzymology of NAD+ homeostasis in man.

Abstract: This review describes the enzymes involved in human pyridine nucleotide metabolism starting with a detailed consideration of their major kinetic, molecular and structural properties. The presentation encompasses all the reactions starting from the de novo pyridine ring formation and leading to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) synthesis and utilization. The regulation of NAD(+) homeostasis with respect to the physiological role played by the enzymes both utilizing NAD(+) through the nonredox NAD(+)-dependent reactions and catalyzing the recycling of the common product, nicotinamide, is discussed. The salient features of other enzymes such as NAD(+) pyrophosphatase, nicotinamide mononucleotide 5'-nucleotidase, nicotinamide riboside kinase and nicotinamide riboside phosphorylase, described under 'miscellaneous', are likewise presented.

Strawberry and Human Health: Effects beyond Antioxidant Activity

Abstract: The usefulness of a diet rich in vegetables and fruits on human health has been widely recognized: a high intake of antioxidant and bioactive compounds may in fact play a crucial role in the preven...

Renin-angiotensin system, natriuretic peptides, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension: an integrated view in humans.

Abstract: The obesity pandemic is closely related to hypertension and metabolic syndrome Visceral adipose tissue plays a key role in the metabolic and cardiovascular complications of being overweight The pathophysiological link between visceral adiposity and cardiometabolic complications focuses on insulin sensitivity, sympathetic nervous system, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and, only recently, on cardiac natriuretic peptide system (CNPS) RAAS and CNPS are endogenous antagonistic systems on sodium balance, cardiovascular system, and metabolism The circulating RAAS is dysregulated in obese patients, and adipose tissue has a full local renin-angiotensin system that is active at local and systemic level Adipocyte biology and metabolism are influenced by local renin-angiotensin system, with angiotensin II acting as a 'growth factor' for adipocytes CNPS induces natriuresis and diuresis, reduces blood pressure, and, moreover, has powerful lipolytic and lipomobilizing activity in humans but not in rodents In obesity, lower plasmatic natriuretic peptides levels with increasing BMI, waist circumference, and metabolic syndrome have been documented Thus, reduced CNPS effects coupled with increased RAAS activity have a central role in obesity and its deadly complications We propose herein an integrated view of the dysregulation of these two antagonistic systems in human obesity complicated with hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and increased cardiovascular risk

Algal evolution in relation to atmospheric CO2: carboxylases, carbon-concentrating mechanisms and carbon oxidation cycles

Abstract: Oxygenic photosynthesis evolved at least 2.4 Ga; all oxygenic organisms use the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco)–photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle (PCRC) rather than one of the five other known pathways of autotrophic CO2 assimilation. The high CO2 and (initially) O2-free conditions permitted the use of a Rubisco with a high maximum specific reaction rate. As CO2 decreased and O2 increased, Rubisco oxygenase activity increased and 2-phosphoglycolate was produced, with the evolution of pathways recycling this inhibitory product to sugar phosphates. Changed atmospheric composition also selected for Rubiscos with higher CO2 affinity and CO2/O2 selectivity correlated with decreased CO2-saturated catalytic capacity and/or for CO2-concentrating mechanisms (CCMs). These changes increase the energy, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, zinc and manganese cost of producing and operating Rubisco–PCRC, while biosphere oxygenation decreased the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus and iron. The majority of algae today have CCMs; the timing of their origins is unclear. If CCMs evolved in a low-CO2 episode followed by one or more lengthy high-CO2 episodes, CCM retention could involve a combination of environmental factors known to favour CCM retention in extant organisms that also occur in a warmer high-CO2 ocean. More investigations, including studies of genetic adaptation, are needed.

Cerebrovascular Reactivity and Cognitive Decline in Patients With Alzheimer Disease

Abstract: Background and Purpose— The aim of this study was to explore the possible contribution of alterations in cerebral hemodynamics to the evolution of cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). Method— Fifty-three patients with AD were investigated. The evolution of cognitive decline over 12 months was evaluated by means of changes in Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and AD Assessment Scale for Cognition (ADAS-Cog) scores. Demographic characteristics, vascular risk profile, pharmacological treatment, and presence of white matter lesions were assessed at entry. Further, a basal evaluation of cerebrovascular reactivity to hypercapnia was measured with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography using the breath-holding index (BHI). Results— Of all the variables considered, both MMSE and ADAS-Cog changes had the highest correlation with BHI, followed by age and diabetes. After subdividing both cognitive measures reductions into bigger and smaller-than-average decline (2 points for MMSE; 5 points ...