Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare Growth Parameters and Nutrient Adequacy in Children with Picky Eating Behaviors Who Received Nutritional Counseling With or Without an Oral Nutritional Supplement

PubMed Central

Sheng, Xiaoyang; Tong, Meiling; Zhao, Dongmei; Leung, Ting Fan; Zhang, Feng; Hays, Nicholas P; Ge, John; Ho, Wing Man; Northington, Robert; Terry, Donna L; Yao, Manjiang

2014-01-01

In this study, changes in growth parameters and nutrient intake were compared in Chinese children (ages 30–60 months) with picky eating (PE) behaviors and weight-for-height ≤25th percentile, who were randomized to receive nutrition counseling alone (NC; n = 76) or with a nutritional milk supplement (NC + NS; n = 77) for 120 days. Increases in weight-for-height z-scores were significantly greater in the NC + NS group at days 30 and 90 and over the entire study period (all P < 0.05), but not at day 120. Increases in weight-for-age z-scores were significantly greater in the NC + NS group at day 90 (P = 0.025) and over the entire study period (P = 0.046). Mean intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, calcium, phosphorous, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and B6 were significantly higher in the NC + NS group at days 60 and 120 (all P < 0.01). Thus, in young children with PE behaviors, nutritional supplementation given as an adjunct to NC resulted in greater improvements in nutrient intake compared with NC alone. Growth parameters differed between groups at several timepoints during the study, but not at day 120. PMID:25342910

Ameliorating effect of Yokukansan on the development of atopic dermatitis-like lesions and scratching behavior in socially isolated NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Funakushi, Naoko; Yamaguchi, Takuji; Jiang, Ju; Imamura, Sachiko; Kuhara, Takatoshi; Suto, Hajime; Ueki, Rie; Kase, Yoshio; Kobayashi, Hiroyuki; Ogawa, Hideoki; Ikeda, Shigaku

2011-11-01

Yokukansan (YKS) has been used in Japan as a remedy for neurosis, insomnia, and children with night crying. In a previous study, we reported that YKS controls scratching behavior and inhibits the development of atopic dermatitis (AD)-like lesions in NC/Nga mice. In this study, we investigated the effects of YKS on the development of AD-like lesions in socially isolated NC/Nga mice compared with the effects of fexofenadine and elucidated the mechanism of the ameliorating effect of YKS on the skin lesions. Ten-week-old male NC/Nga mice were divided into three groups (n = 5/group): the conventional control, the YKS-treated, and the fexofenadine-treated groups, and were kept isolated under conventional conditions for 6 weeks. Measurements were made of dermatitis scores and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), scratching and grooming behaviors. Immunohistochemistry and mRNA levels were also evaluated. We performed similar experiments under specific pathogen free (SPF) conditions that served as a SPF control. YKS and fexofenadine inhibited the aggravation of skin lesions and decreased TEWL, but only YKS decreased the numbers of scratching and pathologic grooming behaviors. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR revealed that N-methyl-D: -aspartate (NMDA) receptor expression was increased in the skin of conventional control mice and was decreased in YKS-treated mice. Glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) mRNA levels were decreased in the skin of conventional control mice and were increased in YKS-treated mice. The results indicate that YKS ameliorates AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice through a mechanism distinct from that of fexofenadine. Furthermore, the effects of YKS are suggested to be mediated via glutamate signaling in the skin lesions.

Anticoccidial effect of Piper sarmentosum extracts in experimental coccidiosis in broiler chickens.

PubMed

Wang, Dingfa; Zhou, Luli; Li, Wei; Zhou, Hanlin; Hou, Guanyu

2016-06-01

To study the anticoccidial effect of Piper sarmentosum extracts (PSE) in experimental broiler coccidiosis, 270 one-day-old Wenchang broiler chickens were randomly assigned to six groups, each with three replicates (n = 15). The six groups were blank control group (BC), negative control group (NC), positive control group (PC), and another three PSE addition groups. Chickens in three control groups were fed a basal diet without PSE supplementation. Chickens in the three PSE addition groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with PSE at 100 (T100), 200 (T200), and 300 (T300) mg/kg of feed, respectively. At 15 days of age, chickens in group NC, PC, and three PSE addition groups were challenged with an oral dose of 1 × 10(5) Eimeria tenella oocysts each chick. Chickens in group PC were fed with diclazuril solution in water for 5 days after 48 h with oocysts inoculation. The results showed that PSE and diclazuril improved growth performance and significantly (P < 0.05) decreased oocysts per gram in inoculated broiler chickens. PSE and diclazuril significantly (P < 0.05) decreased nitric oxide at 6 and 9 days post-inoculation relative to the NC group, respectively. At 6 and 9 days post-inoculation, PSE supplementation at 200 mg/kg in the diet increased concentration of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) (P < 0.05). PSE supplementation at 200 mg/kg in the diet significantly (P < 0.05) increased mRNA expressions of IFN-γ and IL-2 in the cecum of chickens at 9 days post-inoculation relative to the BC and NC group. The current results showed the anticoccidial properties, and beneficial effect on intestinal mucosa damage of PSE in broiler chickens that had been challenged by coccidiosis.

Hypercholesterolemia enhances thromboembolism in arterioles but not venules: complete reversal by L-arginine.

PubMed

Broeders, Martijn A W; Tangelder, Geert Jan; Slaaf, Dick W; Reneman, Robert S; oude Egbrink, Mirjam G A

2002-04-01

We investigated in vivo the effect of cholesterol diet-induced hypercholesterolemia (HC) on thromboembolism in nonatherosclerotic rabbit mesenteric arterioles and venules (diameter 21 to 45 micrometer). After mechanical vessel wall injury, the ensuing thromboembolic reaction was studied by intravital videomicroscopy. A dramatic prolongation of embolization duration (median >600 seconds) was observed in the arterioles of the HC group compared with the arterioles of a normal chow-fed (NC) control group (142 seconds, P<0.0001); concomitantly, relative thrombus height increased (thrombus height/vessel diameter was 68% for the HC group and 58% for the NC group; P<0.05). By contrast, in venules, cholesterol did not affect embolization duration (42 seconds for HC group, 34 seconds for NC group) and thrombus height (66% for HC group, 64% for NC group). Furthermore, the role of endothelial NO synthesis was studied. In arterioles, stimulation of endogenous NO synthesis through mesenteric superfusion of L-arginine (1 mmol/L) completely reversed cholesterol-enhanced embolization (152 seconds) but did not influence thrombus height (63%). L-Arginine had no effect in venules of the HC group (51 seconds) and nor in the arterioles and venules of the NC group (177 seconds for arterioles, 43 seconds for venules). This study indicates that hypercholesterolemia selectively enhances thrombus formation and embolization in arterioles but not in venules and that stimulation of endogenous NO production antagonizes this enhancement of arteriolar thromboembolism.

Immunogenicity of recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum NC8 expressing goose parvovirus VP2 gene in BALB/c mice.

PubMed

Liu, Yu-Ying; Yang, Wen-Tao; Shi, Shao-Hua; Li, Ya-Jie; Zhao, Liang; Shi, Chun-Wei; Zhou, Fang-Yu; Jiang, Yan-Long; Hu, Jing-Tao; Gu, Wei; Yang, Gui-Lian; Wang, Chun-Feng

2017-06-30

Goose parvovirus (GPV) continues to be a threat to goose farms and has significant economic effects on the production of geese. Current commercially available vaccines only rarely prevent GPV infection. In our study, Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum NC8 was selected as a vector to express the VP2 gene of GPV, and recombinant L. plantarum pSIP409-VP2/NC8 was successfully constructed. The molecular weight of the expressed recombinant protein was approximately 70 kDa. Mice were immunized with a 2 × 10 9 colony-forming unit/200 μL dose of the recombinant L. plantarum strain, and the ratios and numbers of CD11c + , CD3 + CD4 + , CD3 + CD8 + , and interferon gamma- and tumor necrosis factor alpha-expressing spleen lymphocytes in the pSIP409-VP2/NC8 group were higher than those in the control groups. In addition, we assessed the capacity of L. plantarum SIP409-VP2/NC8 to induce secretory IgA production. We conclude that administered pSIP409-VP2/NC8 leads to relatively extensive cellular responses. This study provides information on GPV infection and offers a clear framework of options available for GPV control strategies.

Immunogenicity of recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum NC8 expressing goose parvovirus VP2 gene in BALB/c mice

PubMed Central

Liu, Yu-Ying; Yang, Wen-Tao; Shi, Shao-Hua; Li, Ya-Jie; Zhao, Liang; Shi, Chun-Wei; Zhou, Fang-Yu; Jiang, Yan-Long; Hu, Jing-Tao; Gu, Wei

2017-01-01

Goose parvovirus (GPV) continues to be a threat to goose farms and has significant economic effects on the production of geese. Current commercially available vaccines only rarely prevent GPV infection. In our study, Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum NC8 was selected as a vector to express the VP2 gene of GPV, and recombinant L. plantarum pSIP409-VP2/NC8 was successfully constructed. The molecular weight of the expressed recombinant protein was approximately 70 kDa. Mice were immunized with a 2 × 109 colony-forming unit/200 µL dose of the recombinant L. plantarum strain, and the ratios and numbers of CD11c+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, and interferon gamma- and tumor necrosis factor alpha-expressing spleen lymphocytes in the pSIP409-VP2/NC8 group were higher than those in the control groups. In addition, we assessed the capacity of L. plantarum SIP409-VP2/NC8 to induce secretory IgA production. We conclude that administered pSIP409-VP2/NC8 leads to relatively extensive cellular responses. This study provides information on GPV infection and offers a clear framework of options available for GPV control strategies. PMID:27456769

Anti-diabetic properties of rice-based herbal porridges in diabetic Wistar rats.

PubMed

Senadheera, Senadheera Pathirannehelage Anuruddhika Subhashinie; Ekanayake, Sagarika; Wanigatunge, Chandanie

2014-10-01

The present study aims to investigate anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-hyperlipidaemic and toxic effects of long-term consumption of selected green leafy porridges in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rat model. Porridges made with Asparagus racemosus Willd. (AR), Hemidesmus indicus (L) R. Br. W. T. Aiton (HI), Scoparia dulcis L. (SD) and coconut milk porridge (CM) were incorporated into diets of diabetic Wistar rats. Diabetic control (DM) and normal control groups (NC) were provided with standard rat diet. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c , C reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), liver enzymes and creatinine were measured. Feed and water intake among diabetic groups were significantly high when compared with those of NC (p < 0.05). All rats in SD (mean = 39 ± 19 g) and NC (mean = 114 ± 7 g) groups gained weight, whereas most rats in other diabetic groups lost weight. Among the diabetic groups, SD group had the lowest mean FBG, FBG increment percentage (45%) and HbA1c (5.8 ± 2.1). FBG increment percentage and HbA1c of SD group were not significantly different to those of NC (38%; 4.7 ± 0.7) (p > 0.05). Among the diabetic groups, lowest TC (119 ± 20.6 mg/dL) and highest HDL-C (33 ± 6.3 mg/dL) were also detected in SD group. Alanine transaminase and creatinine were not significantly different (p > 0.05) among diabetic groups but significant when compared with those of NC. When compared with those of NC, aspartate transaminase levels were significantly (p < 0.05) high in SD, CM and DM groups. Body weight : liver weight and body weight : pancreas weight ratios and CRP were not significantly different among all groups. The study proved that SD porridge reduced weight loss, elicited hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic properties, and caused no toxicity in diabetes-induced Wistar rats. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Inhibition of crystallin ascorbylation by nucleophilic compounds in the hSVCT2 mouse model of lenticular aging.

PubMed

Fan, Xingjun; Monnier, Vincent M

2008-11-01

Senile cataracts are associated with oxidation, fragmentation, cross-linking, insolubilization, and yellow pigmentation of lens crystallins. This process is partially explained by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) from ascorbic acid (ASA), as the authors unequivocally demonstrated in an hSVCT2 transgenic mouse. The authors present the first pharmacologic intervention study against ascorbylation in these mice. Five groups of mice from 2 to 9 months of age (10 mice/group) were fed a diet containing 0.1% (wt/wt) aminoguanidine, pyridoxamine, penicillamine, and nucleophilic compounds NC-I and NC-II. AGEs were determined in crystallin digests using high-performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Lens protein extract was incubated in vitro with ASA or dehydroascorbic acid. The ASA level increased approximately 10-fold in all groups and was unaffected by treatment. AGEs were increased several-fold in transgenic compared with control lenses. Body weight, food intake, lenticular glutathione, and glycated lysine level were unaltered. In vitro, all compounds inhibited AGE formation. In vivo, NC-I and NC-II significantly decreased protein fluorescence at lambda(ex)335/(em)385 (P = 0.045, P = 0.017, respectively) and lambda(ex)370/(em)440 (P = 0.029, P = 0.007, respectively). Other inhibitors had no effect. After 7 months, only NC-I and NC-II induced a 50% reduction in pentosidine (P = NS for NC-I; P = 0.035 for NC-II). NC-I also decreased carboxymethyllysine (P = 0.032) and carboxyethyllysine (P = NS). Fluorescent cross-link K2P was decreased by NC-I, NC-II, aminoguanidine, and pyridoxamine (P = NS). Pharmacologically blocking protein ascorbylation with absorbable guanidino compounds is feasible and may represent a new strategy for the delay of age-related nuclear sclerosis of the lens.

Effects of Chinese Medicine as Adjunct Medication for Adjuvant Chemotherapy Treatments of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

PubMed Central

Jiao, Lijing; Dong, Changsheng; Liu, Jiaxiang; Chen, Zhiwei; Zhang, Lei; Xu, Jianfang; Shen, Xiaoyong; Che, Jiaming; Yang, Yi; Huang, Hai; Li, Hegen; Sun, Jianli; Jiang, Yi; Mao, Zhujun; Chen, Peiqi; Gong, Yabin; Jin, Xiaolin; Xu, Ling

2017-01-01

The aim was to evaluate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a combination medication with adjuvant chemotherapy on postoperative early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The 314 patients with completely resected stage IB, II or IIIA cancers were assigned into vinorelbine plus cisplatin/carboplatin (NP/NC) (control, n = 158) and NP/NC with additional TCM (intervention, n = 156) groups. The primary endpoint was QOL scores; secondary endpoints were the toxicity and safety of the regimens. The NP/NC regimen caused mild (grade 1 or 2) non-hematologic toxic effects in the patients comprising vomiting (43.6%), fatigue (36.9%), pain (23%), dry mouth (27.6%) and diarrhea (7.9%). The incidence of adverse events was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (0.57% vs 4.02%, P = 0.037). Transient severe (grade 3 or 4) hematological toxic effects occurred less often (hemoglobin reduction (11.9 vs 22.5 percent) and total bilirubin increased (to 42.1 vs 46.2%) in the intervention compared to the control group during the 2nd chemotherapy cycle. When combined with adjuvant chemotherapy, TCM led to partial relief of symptoms in addition to a reduction of side-effects and adverse events caused by the NP/NC regimens. PMID:28436479

Neonatal outcome and congenital malformations in children born after ICSI with testicular or epididymal sperm: a controlled national cohort study.

PubMed

Fedder, J; Loft, A; Parner, E T; Rasmussen, S; Pinborg, A

2013-01-01

Does neonatal outcome including congenital malformations in children born after ICSI with epididymal and testicular sperm [testicular sperm extraction (TESE)/percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA)/testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) (TPT)] differ from neonatal outcome in children born after ICSI with ejaculated sperm, IVF and natural conception (NC)? Children born after TPT have similar neonatal outcome, including total malformation rates, as have children born after ICSI and IVF with ejaculated sperm. Testing for variance over the four groups may indicate smaller differences in specific malformation rates with TPT as the highest risk group. Regarding neonatal outcome as well as congenital malformations in children born after TPT, studies are few, with limited sample size, heterogeneous and often performed without relevant control groups. Population-based cohort study including all Danish children born after TPT and fresh embryo transfer in Denmark from 1995 to 2009. Children born after transfer of frozen-thawed embryos were excluded. Control groups of children conceived by ICSI with ejaculated sperm, IVF and NC were identified by cross-linkage of the Danish IVF Register, Medical Birth Register (MBR) and National Hospital Discharge Register (HDR). The study group consisted of 466 children born after TPT, while the control groups consisted of 8967 (ICSI with ejaculated sperm), 17 592 (IVF) and 63 854 (NC) children. Neonatal outcomes and congenital malformations were analysed for singletons and twins separately. Risk estimates for low birthweight (LBW, <2500 g) and preterm birth (PTB, <37 gestational weeks) were adjusted for maternal age, parity, child gender and year of childbirth. The study group was identified from the Danish national database on children born after TPT. Control groups were obtained from the IVF register and the MBR. All information included in the study was retrieved from the national registers. Considering singletons and twins as one group, the sex ratio (♂/♀) was significantly lower for children born after TPT (0.89) compared with conventional IVF (1.11; P = 0.017) but did not differ significantly when compared with ICSI with ejaculated sperm (0.94) and NC (1.05). The mean birthweight (BW) for singletons did not differ significantly between groups when including only first-born children. The mean gestational age (GA) in the TPT singletons (279 ± 12 days) was significantly higher compared with IVF (276 ± 18 days; P = 0.02), but similar to ICSI with ejaculated sperm and NC singletons when including only first-born children (277 ± 16 days and 279 ± 14 days, respectively). Rate of stillbirths, perinatal and neonatal mortality in the group of TPT singletons did not differ significantly from any of the control groups. Comparable results were found for the TPT twin group, except for perinatal mortality, which was significantly lower in the TPT group compared with naturally conceived twins. The adjusted risk of LBW was significantly higher for TPT versus NC singletons [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.67 (0.48-0.93)]; however AOR for PTB was similar in the two groups. Regarding twins, similar adjusted risks were observed for PTB and LBW between the TPT and all three control groups. Significantly more Caesarean sections were performed after IVF (27.3% for singletons) and ICSI (25.1% for singletons) with ejaculated sperm compared with the TPT group (16.4% for singletons). The total rate of congenital malformations in the TPT group was 7.7% and did not differ significantly from any of the control groups. However, singleton TPT boys showed an increased rate of cardiac malformations (3.6%) compared with singleton boys after IVF (1.4%; P = 0.04) and NC (1.1%; P = 0.02). Considering the level of male infertility as a continuum over the four groups, tests for variance in the rate of cardiac malformations in singleton boys, and undescended testicles for singleton as well as twin boys were each significantly increased from NC to IVF to ICSI to TPT (P < 0.001). The rate of hypospadias showed the same pattern, but the TPT group did not differ significantly compared with the control groups. One of the limitations is that the TPT group could not be classified according to testicular or epididymal sperm, as these data were not available in the IVF register. Another limitation is that registry-based studies are encumbered with the risk of reporting or coding errors or missing data due to insufficient coding. However, the quality of data on congenital malformations in HDR has, in other studies, been validated and found acceptable for epidemiological research, and furthermore, recordings on study and control groups are performed similarly. Accumulating data show that TPT treatment is equally safe as conventional ICSI and IVF treatment and as NC with regard to neonatal outcome including congenital malformation. This study is supported by Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Scientific Unit, Horsens Hospital. No competing interests declared.

Effects of creep feeding and supplemental glutamine or glutamine plus glutamate (Aminogut) on pre- and post-weaning growth performance and intestinal health of piglets

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Creep feeding is used to stimulate piglet post-weaning feed consumption. L-Glutamine (GLN) is an important source of fuel for intestinal epithelial cells. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of creep feeding and adding GLN or AminoGut (AG; containing glutamine + glutamate) to pre- and post-weaning diets on pig performance and intestinal health. Litters (N = 120) were allotted to four treatments during 14–21 d of lactation: 1) No creep feed (NC, n = 45); 2) creep fed control diet (CFCD, n = 45); 3) creep fed 1% GLN (CFGLN, n = 15); 4) creep fed .88% AG (CFAG, n = 15). After weaning, the NC and CFCD groups were sub-divided into three groups (n = 15 each), receiving either a control nursery diet (NC-CD, CFCD-CD) or a diet supplemented with either GLN (NC-GLN, CFCD-GLN) or with AG (NC-AG, CFCD-AG). Litters that were creep fed with diets containing GLN or AG also were supplemented with those amino acids in the nursery diets (CFGLN-GLN, CFAG-AG). Glutamine was added at 1% in all three post-weaning diet phases and AG was added at .88% in phase 1 and 2 and at .66% in phase 3. Results Feed conversion (feed/gain) showed means among treatment means close to significance (P = 0.056) and Tukey’s test for pairwise mean comparisons showed that Pigs in the CFGLN-GLN group had the best feed conversion (feed/gain) in the first three-week period post-weaning, exceeding (P = 0.044) controls (CFCD-CD) by 34%. The NC-AG group had (P = 0.02) the greatest feed intake in the last three week of the study, exceeding controls (CFCD-CD) by 12%. CFGLN-GLN, CFCD-GLN and sow reared (SR) pigs had the greatest (P = 0.049) villi height exceeding the CFCD-AG group by 18%, 20% and 19% respectively. The CFAG-AG group had the deepest (P = 0.001) crypts among all treatments. CFGLN-GLN, CFCD-GLN and SR groups had the greatest (P = 0.001) number of cells proliferating (PCNA) exceeding those in the NC-CD group by 43%, 54% and 63% respectively. Sow reared pigs showed the greatest (P = 0.001) intestinal absorption capacity for xylose and mannitol. Conclusion Supplementation of creep feed and nursery diets with GLN and/or AminoGut in the first three week improved feed conversion possibly due to improved intestinal health. PMID:23916292

Diversity analysis of gut microbiota in osteoporosis and osteopenia patients.

PubMed

Wang, Jihan; Wang, Yangyang; Gao, Wenjie; Wang, Biao; Zhao, Heping; Zeng, Yuhong; Ji, Yanhong; Hao, Dingjun

2017-01-01

Some evidence suggests that bone health can be regulated by gut microbiota. To better understand this, we performed 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing to analyze the intestinal microbial diversity in primary osteoporosis (OP) patients, osteopenia (ON) patients and normal controls (NC). We observed an inverse correlation between the number of bacterial taxa and the value of bone mineral density. The diversity estimators in the OP and ON groups were increased compared with those in the NC group. Beta diversity analyses based on hierarchical clustering and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) could discriminate the NC samples from OP and ON samples. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria constituted the four dominant phyla in all samples. Proportion of Firmicutes was significantly higher and Bacteroidetes was significantly lower in OP samples than that in NC samples ( p  < 0.05), Gemmatimonadetes and Chloroflexi were significantly different between OP and NC group as well as between ON and NC group ( p  < 0.01). A total of 21 genera with proportions above 1% were detected and Bacteroides accounted for the largest proportion in all samples. The Blautia, Parabacteroides and Ruminococcaceae genera differed significantly between the OP and NC group ( p  < 0.05). Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) results showed one phylum community and seven phylum communities were enriched in ON and OP, respectively. Thirty-five genus communities, five genus communities and two genus communities were enriched in OP, ON and NC, respectively. The results of this study indicate that gut microbiota may be a critical factor in osteoporosis development, which can further help us search for novel biomarkers of gut microbiota in OP and understand the interaction between gut microbiota and bone health.

[Study on Abnormal Topological Properties of Structural Brain Networks of Patients with Depression Comorbid with Anxiety].

PubMed

Wu, Xiuyong; Wu, Xiaoming; Peng, Hongjun; Ning, Yuping; Wu, Kai

2016-06-01

This paper is aimed to analyze the topological properties of structural brain networks in depressive patients with and without anxiety and to explore the neuropath logical mechanisms of depression comorbid with anxiety.Diffusion tensor imaging and deterministic tractography were applied to map the white matter structural networks.We collected 20 depressive patients with anxiety(DPA),18 depressive patients without anxiety(DP),and 28 normal controls(NC)as comparative groups.The global and nodal properties of the structural brain networks in the three groups were analyzed with graph theoretical methods.The result showed that1 the structural brain networks in three groups showed small-world properties and highly connected global hubs predominately from association cortices;2DP group showed lower local efficiency and global efficiency compared to NC group,whereas DPA group showed higher local efficiency and global efficiency compared to NC group;3significant differences of network properties(clustering coefficient,characteristic path lengths,local efficiency,global efficiency)were found between DPA and DP groups;4DP group showed significant changes of nodal efficiency in the brain areas primarily in the temporal lobe and bilateral frontal gyrus,compared to DPA and NC groups.The analysis indicated that the DP and DPA groups showed nodal properties of the structural brain networks,compared to NC group.Moreover,the two diseased groups indicated an opposite trend in the network properties.The results of this study may provide a new imaging index for clinical diagnosis for depression comorbid with anxiety.

Assessment of tenascin-C levels in ventricular noncompaction/hypertrabeculation patients: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Erer, Hatice Betul; Guvenc, Tolga Sinan; Kemik, Ahu Sarbay; Yilmaz, Hale; Kul, Seref; Altay, Servet; Oz, Dilaver; Zeren, Gonul; Ekmekci, Ahmet; Zencirci, Aycan Esen; Sayar, Nurten; Eren, Mehmet

2014-02-01

Ventricular noncompaction/hypertrabeculation (NC/HT) is a rare form of congenital cardiomyopathy. We aimed to investigate the presence of serum tenascin-C (TN-C) in adult patients with NC/HT and evaluate its value. Serum TN-C levels were measured by ELISA in 50 NC/HT patients both with/without systolic dysfunction and in 23 normal controls. Systolic dysfunction was defined as ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 40. Mann-Whitney U-test and ROC curve analysis were done. Of 49 NC/HT patients, 24 (49%) patients had systolic dysfunction (mean age 36 ± 15) and 25 patients (51%) had normal systolic function (mean age 36 ± 17). The ages between groups were not different. The mean levels of serum TN-C in patients with or without systolic dysfunction were 26 ± 10 ng/mL and 26 ± 8 ng/mL respectively, compared to normal controls, 7 ± 2 ng/mL (P < 0.001). No significance was observed between 2 groups of NC/HT patients regarding TN-C levels (P = 0.8). The ROC curve analysis revealed that a TN-C value of 11.7 ng/mL identified patients with NC/HT with 100% sensitivity and specifity. High serum TN-C levels are present in adult NC/HT cardiomyopathy even when left ventricular systolic function remains normal. Also, serum TN-C levels could be regarded as a candidate biomarker in the diagnosis of NC/HT which needs to be tested in larger prospective studies. © 2013, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Costaria costata Extract Suppresses Development of Atopic Dermatitis in chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene-treated NC/Nga Mice.

PubMed

Kim, Ok-Kyung; Lee, Minhee; Kwon, Han Ol; Lee, Dasom; Park, Jeongjin; Kim, Eungpil; You, Yanghee; Lim, Young Tae; Jun, Woojin; Lee, Jeongmin

2018-05-23

We investigated the potential effects of Costaria costata (CC) on atopic dermatitis (AD) development in chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-treated NC/Nga mice. CC is a brown alga distributed across the seas of Korea, China, and Japan. A total of 40 mice were randomly assigned to 5 groups with 8 mice per group: untreated Balb/c mice, AD control (0.1% w/v DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice), positive control (i.e., DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice fed a dietary supplement of 66.6 mg/kg of body weight [b.w.] of CJLP133), DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice fed a dietary supplement of 100 mg/kg b.w. of CCE10 (CCE10 100), and DNCB-treated mice fed a dietary supplement of 300 mg/kg b.w. of CCE10 (CCE10 300) groups. The CCE10 100 and CCE10 300 treatment groups suppressed AD development including clinical and histopathological changes and a reduction in skin hydration induced by DNCB. In addition, Th2 cytokine production in primary splenocytes, serum IgE and histamine production, and mast cell infiltration into the skin were suppressed in the CCE10 300 mice compared to the CCE10 100 mice. Our finding demonstrated an inhibitory effect of CCE10 in AD development by means of improving the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and anti-inflammatory effect in an in vivo model. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Suppression effects of negative pressure on the proliferation and metastasis in human pancreatic cancer cells.

PubMed

Yang, Xiujiang; Sun, Bo; Zhu, Haihang; Jiang, Ziting

2015-01-01

The aim was to explore the effect of negative pressure on the proliferation and metastasis of human pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells. Three groups were conducted in the work: normal control group (NC group, 0 mm Hg), low negative pressure group (LN group, -300 mm Hg), and high negative pressure group (HN group, -600 mm Hg). Cell morphological assay was conducted using an inverted Nikon TE2000-S microscope. Cell viability was assayed using cell counting kit-8 solution. Cell apoptosis was evaluated with flow cytometry. Cell migration was investigated using transwell assay. Compared to LN and HN groups, SW1990 cells in NC group grew quite well, showing a higher density. The NC group represented the highest cell viability. The HN group represented the lowest cell viability, which was lower than that of the LN group (P < 0.01). The apoptosis rate in NC group, LN group and HN group was 1.91% ± 0.13%, 2.31% ± 0.06% and 15.22% ± 0.81%, respectively (P < 0.05). The average number of migration cells in NC group was 53.60 ± 4.14 (× 200), which was decreased to 18.93 ± 3.67 and 11.07 ± 3.01 in LN group and HN group, respectively (P < 0.01). The negative pressure shows suppression effects on the proliferation and metastasis of human pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells. It is indicated that negative pressure may be involved in the development of human pancreatic cancer by influencing cell biological characteristics.

Influence of acidified drinking water on growth performance and gastrointestinal function of broilers.

PubMed

Hamid, H; Shi, H Q; Ma, G Y; Fan, Y; Li, W X; Zhao, L H; Zhang, J Y; Ji, C; Ma, Q G

2018-06-01

The ban on the use of antibiotic feed additives as growth promoters compelled the researchers for exploring the future utility of other alternatives. This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of acidified drinking water on growth performance, gastrointestinal pH, digestive enzymes, intestinal histomorphology, and cecum microbial counting of the broiler chicken. A total of 540 one-day-old male broilers (Arbor Acre) were randomly assigned to 5 treatments, with 6 replicates of 18 chicks per replicate. Broilers received diets and water as follows: NC (negative control, basal diet, normal water), PC (positive control, basal diet + 8 ppm colistin sulfate + 8 ppm enduracidin, normal water), A1 (basal diet, continuous supply of acidified water during whole experiment period), A2 (basal diet, intermittent acidification of water during 0 to 14 d, 22 to 28 d, and 36 to 42 d), and A3 [basal diet, intermittent acidification of water (24 h/d from 0 to 14 d and from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on d 15 to 42)]. During the entire period, the acidified groups (A1, A2, and A3) and PC group showed improve on weight gain, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio compared to NC group (P < 0.05). The pH in crop, proventriculus and ileum at 43 d declined by 0.04, 1.03, 1.23; 0.55, 0.69, 0.70; and 0.63, 0.74, 1.21 in A1, A2, and A3 group, respectively. There was a significant decline of lipase activity in the PC and acidified groups compared to NC group. The A2 group had higher villus height in jejunum than NC group. The PC and acidified groups reduced (P < 0.05) the total aerobic bacteria count of cecum when contrasted to NC group. Therefore, we conclude that acidified drinking water can improve growth performance, compensate for gastric acidity, and control pathogenic bacteria in broilers and may be considered as a potential alternative to improve production parameters. Discontinuous supply of acidified water had the same or even better influence on broilers compared to continuous supply.

Evaluation of in-feed larch sawdust anti-inflammatory effect in sows.

PubMed

Tzika, E D; Tassis, P D; Papatsiros, V G; Pferschy-Wenzig, E M; Siochu, A; Bauer, R; Alexopoulos, C; Kyriakis, S C; Franz, C

2017-03-01

The study aimed to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory activity of larch sawdust as feed supplement in lactating sows' diet and its possible effect on the prevalence of Postpartum Dysgalactia Syndrome under field conditions. In a Greek farrow-to-finish pig farm, fifteen sows were randomly and equally allocated to a negative control group (NC group), a positive control group (PC group), and a treatment group (LT group). The animals of the first two groups received 99% basic diet and 1% corn starch, while LT group animals received 99% basic diet and 1% larch sawdust. The whole trial period lasted 35 days (7 days prior to farrow - day of weaning). At parturition day, animals of the PC group received 2 ml of an anti-inflammatory drug intramuscularly (meloxicam, Metacam®, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica), while the animals of both other groups, received 2 ml of normal saline. Results showed insignificant differences among experimental groups for parameters such as post-partum rectal temperature and piglets performance. On the contrary, a significant increase of mean milk lactation index was observed in LT and PC groups on the 4th day of lactation period, when compared with NC group (p=0.014). Additionally, mean IL-6 concentrations in blood in the LT group showed a tendency for reduction when compared with those found in NC, and insignificant difference (p>0.05) when compared with those observed in PC group 24 hours postpartum. Moreover, the respective TNFα mean level in the LT group at 24 and 72 hours after parturition was similar to that found in PC group, respectively) and significantly lower than that determined in the NC group (p=0.003, p=0.024. The results suggest a possible anti-inflammatory effect of larch sawdust in sows.

Male sexual behavior and catecholamine levels in the medial preoptic area and arcuate nucleus in middle-aged rats.

PubMed

Chen, Joyce C; Tsai, Houng-Wei; Yeh, Kuei-Ying; Tai, Mei-Yun; Tsai, Yuan-Feen

2007-12-12

The correlation between male sexual behavior and catecholamine levels in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) and arcuate nucleus (ARN) was studied in middle-aged rats. Male rats (18-19 months) were assigned to three groups: (1) Group MIE, consisting of rats showing mounts, intromissions, and ejaculations; (2) Group MI, consisting of rats showing mounts and intromissions, but no ejaculation; and (3) Group NC, consisting of non-copulators showing no sexual behavior. Young adult rats (4-5 months) displaying complete copulatory behavior were used as the control group. Dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) tissue levels in the MPOA and ARN were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. There were no differences between MIE rats and young controls in DA or NE tissue levels in these two brain areas. Furthermore, no differences were found between the MI and NC groups in DA or NE tissue levels in either the MPOA or ARN. DA tissue levels in the MPOA and ARN in the MI and NC groups were significantly lower than those in the MIE group. NE tissue levels in the MPOA of the NC group were significantly lower than those in the MIE group, but no differences in NE tissue levels in the ARN were seen between the four groups. These results suggest that, in male rats, complete male sexual performance is related to tissue levels of DA, but not of NE, in the MPOA and/or ARN. Furthermore, ejaculatory behavior might be associated with critical DA tissue levels in the MPOA and/or ARN in middle-aged rats.

Characteristics of napping in community-dwelling insomnia patients.

PubMed

Jang, Kwang Ho; Lee, Jung Hie; Kim, Seong Jae; Kwon, Hyo Jeong

2018-05-01

We aimed to determine napping characteristics of community-dwelling patients with insomnia disorder (ID) compared to characteristics of normal controls (NC), and to examine the effect of napping on nocturnal sleep. Adult volunteers who were more than 18 years old were recruited from three rural public health centers in Korea. Data from actigraphy recording and a sleep diary filled out for seven days were obtained. Finally, 115 ID patients and 80 NC subjects were included in this study. Parameters and timing of nocturnal sleep and nap were compared between the ID and NC groups. Two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to determine the effect of ID diagnosis and napping on sleep parameters. Sleep efficiency (SE) in the ID group was significantly lower (p = 0.010), and wake time after sleep onset (WASO) was significantly greater (p = 0.023), compared to the NC group. There was no significant difference in nocturnal sleep or nap timing between the two groups. Nap frequency in the ID group was significantly higher than that in the NC group (p = 0.025). Although ID diagnosis and napping had no independent effect on fragmentation index, their interaction had a significant effect on fragmentation index (p = 0.021). Nap frequency was positively correlated with PSQI score (r = 0.166, p = 0.033). Insomnia patients showed no significant difference in nap timing or nap duration compared to NC subjects. However, insomnia patients showed higher nap frequency. Frequent napping was associated with poorer subjective sleep quality. Therefore, although napping might not have a negative impact on nocturnal sleep maintenance in NC subjects, it did have an effect on nocturnal sleep in insomnia patients. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of walking with a shopping trolley on spinal posture and loading in subjects with neurogenic claudication.

PubMed

Comer, Christine M; White, Derrick; Conaghan, Philip G; Bird, Howard A; Redmond, Anthony C

2010-10-01

To explore possible mechanisms underpinning symptom relief and improved walking tolerance in patients with neurogenic claudication (NC) when pushing a shopping trolley by evaluating the effects of a shopping trolley on spinal posture and loading patterns. An exploratory study of kinematic and kinetic changes in walking with and without pushing a shopping trolley in persons with NC symptoms and a comparison with asymptomatic control subjects. A primary care-based musculoskeletal service. Participants (n=8) with NC symptoms who have anecdotally reported symptomatic improvement when walking with a shopping trolley and a control group of asymptomatic persons (n=8). Shopping trolley. Changes in lumbar spinal sagittal posture and ground reaction force. Subjects with NC and asymptomatic controls walked with significantly more flexed spinal posture (increase in flexion, 3.40°; z=3.516; P<.001) and reduced mean ground reaction forces (-6.9% of body weight; z=-3.46; P=.001) when walking with a shopping trolley. However, at the midstance point of the gait cycle, controls showed minimal reliance on the trolley, whereas, people with NC showed continued offloading. Both posture and loading are affected by pushing a shopping trolley; however, patients with NC were found to offload the spine throughout the stance phase of gait, whereas asymptomatic controls did not. Copyright © 2010 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development of an animal model of nephrocalcinosis via selective dietary sodium and chloride depletion

PubMed Central

Tuchman, Shamir; Asico, Laureano D.; Escano, Crisanto; Bobb, Daniel A.; Ray, Patricio E.

2013-01-01

Background Nephrocalcinosis (NC) is an important clinical problem seen in critically ill pre-term neonates treated with loop diuretics. No reliable animal models are available to study the pathogenesis of NC in preterm infants. The purpose of this study was to develop a reproducible and clinically relevant animal model of NC for these patients, and to explore the impact of extracellular fluid (ECF) volume contraction induced by sodium and chloride depletion in this process. Methods Three-week old weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets deficient in either chloride or sodium and chloride. A sub-group of rats from each dietary group was injected daily with furosemide (40 mg/kg; i.p.). Results Rats fed a control diet, with or without furosemide, or a chloride depleted diet alone, did not develop NC. In contrast, 50% of the rats injected with furosemide and fed the chloride depleted diet developed NC. Moreover, 94% of the rats fed the combined sodium/chloride depleted diet developed NC, independently of furosemide use. NC was associated with the development of severe ECF volume contraction, hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, increased phosphaturia, and growth retardation. Conclusion Severe ECF volume contraction induced by chronic sodium and chloride depletion appears to play an important role in the pathogenesis of NC. PMID:23174703

The impact of subjective memory complaints on quality of life in community-dwelling older adults.

PubMed

Maki, Yohko; Yamaguchi, Tomoharu; Yamagami, Tetsuya; Murai, Tatsuhiko; Hachisuka, Kenji; Miyamae, Fumiko; Ito, Kae; Awata, Shuichi; Ura, Chiaki; Takahashi, Ryutaro; Yamaguchi, Haruyasu

2014-09-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of memory complaints on quality of life (QOL) in elderly community dwellers with or without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Participants included 120 normal controls (NC) and 37 with MCI aged 65 and over. QOL was measured using the Japanese version of Satisfaction in Daily Life, and memory complaints were measured using a questionnaire consisting of four items. The relevance of QOL was evaluated with psychological factors of personality traits, sense of self-efficacy, depressive mood, self-evaluation of daily functioning, range of social activities (Life-Space Assessment), social network size, and cognitive functions including memory. The predictors of QOL were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis. QOL was not significantly different between the NC and MCI groups. In both groups, QOL was positively correlated with self-efficacy, daily functioning, social network size, Life-Space Assessment, and the personality traits of extraversion and agreeableness; QOL was negatively correlated with memory complaints, depressive mood, and the personality trait of neuroticism. In regression analysis, memory complaints were a negative predictor of QOL in the MCI group, but not in the NC group. The partial correlation coefficient between QOL and memory complaints was -0.623 (P < 0.05), after scores of depressive mood and self-efficacy were controlled. Depressive mood was a common negative predictor in both groups. Positive predictors were Life-Space Assessment in the NC group and sense of self-efficacy in the MCI group. Memory complaints exerted a negative impact on self-rated QOL in the MCI group, whereas a negative correlation was weak in the NC group. Memory training has been widely practised in individuals with MCI to prevent the development of dementia. However, such approaches inevitably identify their memory deficits and could aggravate their awareness of memory decline. Thus, it is critical to give sufficient consideration not to reduce QOL in the intervention for those with MCI. © 2014 The Authors. Psychogeriatrics © 2014 Japanese Psychogeriatric Society.

[Effect of severe burn on growth and development and the level of growth hormone in mice].

PubMed

Wang, Fei; Qiu, Lin; Liu, Cuiping; Tian, Xiaofei; Xiao, Jun

2014-02-01

To analyze the changes in body growth, learning and memory capabilities, exercise capacity, and the level of growth hormone (GH) in mice suffering from severe burn. One hundred and four healthy BALB/c mice aged from 3 to 4 weeks were divided into normal control group (NC, without treatment) , 7 s burn group (inflicted with 20%TBSA deep partial-thickness burn on the back), 10 s burn group (inflicted with 20%TBSA full-thickness burn on the back), and negative control group (simulating the treatment of two burn groups without injury) according to the random number table, with 26 mice in each group. The body weight, body length, and tail length of 8 mice in each group were measured before burn. Respectively 6 mice of two burn groups were sacrificed on post burn day (PBD) 1, 3, and 7 for determination of serum level of GH with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The remaining 8 mice in each of the two burn groups were raised to adulthood. The body weight, body length, and tail length were measured on PBD 62, and the increased percentages of body weight, body length, and tail length were calculated. Morris water maze tests, including escape latency on PBD 66, 67, and 68, frequency of stepping over the platform location and proportion of staying time in the target quadrant on PBD 69, were used to examine the learning and memory capabilities. The time of loaded swimming and the time of pole-climbing on PBD 70 were used to assess the exercise capacity. Above-mentioned indexes were also determined in the two control groups at the same time points. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance; Welch test was applied when equal variance was not assumed; independent samples t test was applied for paired comparison. (1) The level of GH of mice in 7 s burn group on PBD 1 [(3 021 ± 506) pg/mL] was lower than that of group NC [(3 728 ± 412) pg/mL, t = 2.656, P < 0.05], while on PBD 3 and 7 [(3 098 ± 503) , (3 199 ± 275) pg/mL] they were close to those of group NC [(3 872 ± 785), (3 301 ± 600) pg/mL, with t values respectively 2.033 and 0.379, P values all above 0.05]. The levels of GH of mice in 10 s burn group on PBD 1, 3, and 7 were respectively (2 859 ± 447), (2 707 ± 151) , and (2 666 ± 222) pg/mL, which were lower than those of group NC (with t values respectively 3.504, 3.571, 2.429, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (2) The increased percentage of body weight, body length, and tail length of mice in group NC, 7 s burn group, and 10 s burn group were respectively (155 ± 22) %, (46 ± 6) %, (63 ± 10)%; (112 ± 57) %, (32 ± 12) %, (40 ± 15) %; (106 ± 36) %, (30 ± 8) %, (32 ± 7) %. The increased percentage of body weight of mice in 7 s burn group was close to that in group NC (t = 1.997, P > 0.05), while the increased percentages of other indexes of mice in the two burn groups were lower than those in group NC (with t values from 3.092 to 6.910, P values all below 0.01). (3) The escape latency values of mice in 10 s burn group on PBD 67 and 68 were respectively (33 ± 12), (33 ± 11) s, which were longer than those of group NC [(20 ± 8), (20 ± 7) s, with t values respectively 2.421 and 2.692, P values all below 0.05]. The frequency of stepping over the platform location of mice in 10 s burn group [(1.6 ± 1.8) times] was close to that of group NC [(3.2 ± 1.5) times, t = 1.989, P > 0.05]. The proportion of retention time in the target quadrant of mice in 10 s burn group [ (28 ± 7) %] was shorter than that of group NC[(48 ± 16)%, t = 3.076, P < 0.01]. The escape latency of mice in 7 s burn group on PBD 67 [(30 ± 7) s] was longer than that of group NC (t = 2.659, P < 0.05). The frequency of stepping over the platform location and the proportion of retention time in the target quadrant of mice in 7 s burn group [(2.0 ± 1.1) times, (36 ± 11) %, respectively] were close to those of group NC (with t values respectively 1.930, 1.670, P values all above 0.05). (4) The time of pole-climbing [(30 ± 11) s] and the time of loaded swimming [(38 ± 39) min] of mice in 10 s burn group were shorter than those of group NC [(47 ± 11) s, (122 ± 74) min, with t values respectively 3.108, 2.868, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01]. The time of loaded swimming of mice in 7 s burn group [(47 ± 12) min] was shorter than that of group NC (t = 2.855, P < 0.05), while the time of pole-climbing [(33 ± 14) s] was close to that of group NC (t = 2.044, P > 0.05). For mice, severe burn can delay body growth, decrease the learning and memory capabilities, decrease exercise capacities, and reduce the serum level of GH.

[Effect of chronic intake of dietary fiber complex on the intestinal structure and function in hypercholesterolemic rats].

PubMed

Ma, Zhengwei; Zhang, Xizhong

2003-07-01

To investigate the long-term effect of dietary fiber complex (DFC) on intestinal structure and function in hypercholesterolemic rats, 60 healthy SD rats were feed with food rich in lipids and hypercholesterolemic animal models were established. The animals were randomly divided into 5 groups. Rats were fed DFC at levels of 4%, 16%, or 64% for three month in the experimental groups. Wheat fiber was used in the hypercholesterolemic control (HC) group and rats feeding on normal food were used as normal control (NC). Morphology of the small intestine, reticum and caecum were observed by light and electron microscope examination. Intestinal function was measured physically. The results showed that (1) compared with NC group, fecal weight was significantly raised in DFC group of higher level (group D and E, P < 0.05); (2) the weights of small intestine wall in D and E group were significantly higher than those of NC and HC group and weights of caecum wall in E group were significantly higher than those of NC and HC group (P < 0.05); (3) widen villi and thickened muscle layer of small intestine were observed in DFC group of higher level. No demonstrable changes in reticulum morphology in any group of animals were found under the observation of light microscope (4) microvilla becoming short and/or absent, mitochondria swelling, impairment of the integrity of the cristae were commonly observed in DFC groups. Conclusions Long-term intake of DFC composed mainly of Hippophae rhamnoides L, Bran, oat bran and guar gum at higher levels might induce some morphological changes of intestine and caecum. Therefore, DFC might be used at low level as an effective cholesterol-lowering agent.

Changes in body weight, blood pressure and selected metabolic biomarkers with an energy-restricted diet including twice daily sweet snacks and once daily sugar-free beverage

PubMed Central

Piehowski, Kathryn E.; Metzgar, Catherine J.; Miller, Debra L.; Preston, Amy G.

2014-01-01

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES The type of sweet snack incorporated into an energy-restricted diet (ERD) may produce differential effects on metabolic improvements associated with body weight (BW) loss. This study compared effects of incorporating either twice daily energy-controlled dark chocolate snacks plus once daily sugar-free cocoa beverage (DC) to non-chocolate snacks plus sugar-free non-cocoa beverage (NC) into an ERD on BW loss and metabolic outcomes. MATERIALS/METHODS In an 18-week randomized comparative trial, 60 overweight/obese premenopausal women were assigned to DC (n = 30) or NC group (n = 30). Dietary intake was measured at baseline and week 18, and BW, anthropometrics, blood pressure (BP) and serum glucose, insulin and lipid concentrations were measured at baseline, and weeks 6, 12 and 18. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS Using intention-to-treat analysis, women in DC and NC groups reduced energy intake (both P < 0.001) and lost 4.4 ± 0.6 kg and 5.0 ± 0.9 kg (both P < 0.001), respectively. Both groups lowered systolic and diastolic BP [DC = 2.7 (P < 0.05), 2.7 (P < 0.01); NC = 3.4 (P < 0.01), 4.2 (P < 0.01) mmHg, respectively]. Glucose and insulin concentrations decreased by 0.72 mmol/L (P < 0.001) and 13.20 pmol/L (P < 0.01) in DC group and by 0.83 mmol/L (P < 0.001) and 13.20 pmol/L (P < 0.01), respectively, in NC group. Total cholesterol increased in NC group (P < 0.05), with no significant lipid changes in DC group. There were no significant differences in biomarker outcomes between groups. CONCLUSIONS Overweight/obese premenopausal women following an 18-week ERD that included either DC or NC sweet snack and sugar-free beverage lost equivalent amounts of BW and improved BP measurements and glucose and insulin concentrations. PMID:25489410

Comparison of the postoperative analgesic effects of naproxen sodium and naproxen sodium-codeine phosphate for arthroscopic meniscus surgery.

PubMed

Bali, Cagla; Ergenoglu, Pinar; Ozmete, Ozlem; Akin, Sule; Ozyilkan, Nesrin Bozdogan; Cok, Oya Yalcin; Aribogan, Anis

2016-01-01

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used to control arthroscopic pain. Addition of oral effective opioid "codeine" to NSAIDs may be more effective and decrease parenteral opioid consumption in the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and side effects of naproxen sodium and a new preparation naproxen sodium-codeine phosphate when administered preemptively for arthroscopic meniscectomy. Sixty-one patients were randomized into two groups to receive either oral naproxen sodium (Group N) or naproxen sodium-codeine phosphate (Group NC) before surgery. The surgery was carried out under general anesthesia. Intravenous meperidine was initiated by patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for all patients. The primary outcome measure was pain score at the first postoperative hour assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Sedation assessed by Ramsey Sedation Scale, first demand time of PCA, postoperative meperidine consumption, side effects and hemodynamic data were also recorded. The groups were demographically comparable. Median VAS scores both at rest and on movement were significantly lower in Group NC compared with Group N, except 18(th) hour on movement (p<0.05). The median time to the first demand of PCA was shorter in Group N compared with Group NC (p<0.001). Meperidine consumption was higher in Group N compared with Group NC (p<0.001). There was no difference between groups with respect to side effects (p>0.05). The combination of naproxen sodium-codeine phosphate provided more effective analgesia than naproxen sodium and did not increase side effects. Copyright © 2015 Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

[Comparison of the postoperative analgesic effects of naproxen sodium and naproxen sodium-codeine phosphate for arthroscopic meniscus surgery].

PubMed

Bali, Cagla; Ergenoglu, Pinar; Ozmete, Ozlem; Akin, Sule; Ozyilkan, Nesrin Bozdogan; Cok, Oya Yalcin; Aribogan, Anis

2016-01-01

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used to control arthroscopic pain. Addition of oral effective opioid "codeine" to NSAIDs may be more effective and decrease parenteral opioid consumption in the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and side effects of naproxen sodium and a new preparation naproxen sodium-codeine phosphate when administered preemptively for arthroscopic meniscectomy. Sixty-one patients were randomized into two groups to receive either oral naproxen sodium (Group N) or naproxen sodium-codeine phosphate (Group NC) before surgery. The surgery was carried out under general anesthesia. Intravenous meperidine was initiated by patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for all patients. The primary outcome measure was pain score at the first postoperative hour assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Sedation assessed by Ramsey Sedation Scale, first demand time of PCA, postoperative meperidine consumption, side effects and hemodynamic data were also recorded. The groups were demographically comparable. Median VAS scores both at rest and on movement were significantly lower in Group NC compared with Group N, except 18(th) hour on movement (p<0.05). The median time to the first demand of PCA was shorter in Group N compared with Group NC (p<0.001). Meperidine consumption was higher in Group N compared with Group NC (p<0.001). There was no difference between groups with respect to side effects (p>0.05). The combination of naproxen sodium-codeine phosphate provided more effective analgesia than naproxen sodium and did not increase side effects. Copyright © 2015 Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia. Publicado por Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

A Neospora caninum vaccine using recombinant proteins fails to prevent foetal infection in pregnant cattle after experimental intravenous challenge.

PubMed

Hecker, Yanina P; Cóceres, Verónica; Wilkowsky, Silvina E; Jaramillo Ortiz, José M; Morrell, Eleonora L; Verna, Andrea E; Ganuza, Agustina; Cano, Dora B; Lischinsky, Lilian; Angel, Sergio O; Zamorano, Patricia; Odeón, Anselmo C; Leunda, María R; Campero, Carlos M; Morein, Bror; Moore, Dadín P

2014-12-15

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20 and rNcGRA7 recombinant proteins formulated with immune stimulating complexes (ISCOMs) in pregnant heifers against vertical transmission of Neospora caninum. Twelve pregnant heifers were divided into 3 groups of 4 heifers each, receiving different formulations before mating. Immunogens were administered twice subcutaneously: group A animals were inoculated with three recombinant proteins (rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20, rNcGRA7) formulated with ISCOMs; group B animals received ISCOM-MATRIX (without antigen) and group C received sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) only. The recombinant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified nickel resin. All groups were intravenously challenged with the NC-1 strain of N. caninum at Day 70 of gestation and dams slaughtered at week 17 of the experiment. Heifers from group A developed specific antibodies against rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20 and rNcGRA7 prior to the challenge. Following immunization, an statistically significant increase of antibodies against rNcSAG1 and rNcHSP20 in all animals of group A was detected compared to animals in groups B and C at weeks 5, 13 and 16 (P<0.001). Levels of antibodies against rNcGRA7 were statistical higher in group A animals when compared with groups B and C at weeks 5 and 16 (P>0.001). There were no differences in IFN-γ production among the experimental groups at any time point (P>0.05). Transplacental transmission was determined in all foetuses of groups A, B and C by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and nested PCR. This work showed that rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20 and rNcGRA7 proteins while immunogenic in cattle failed to prevent the foetal infection in pregnant cattle challenged at Day 70 of gestation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Safety Outcomes of NOTES Cholecystectomy Versus Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PubMed Central

Peng, Cheng; Ling, Yan; Ma, Chi; Ma, Xiaochun; Fan, Wei; Niu, Weibo

2016-01-01

Objective: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is an endoscopic technique whereby surgical interventions can be performed with a flexible endoscope passed through a natural orifice (mouth, vulva, urethra, anus) then through a transluminal opening of the stomach, vagina, bladder, or colon. Although in the early stage of research and development, NOTES has been clinically applied across the globe, above all the transvaginal cholecystectomy is among the most frequently performed procedures. In the existing 2 types of transvaginal routes, the hybrid NOTES cholecystectomy (NC) is more likely to be accepted. However, there has been controversy regarding the safety outcomes of hybrid NC in comparison with classical laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The primary objective of this meta-analysis is to compare the characteristics between NC and classical LC. Materials and Methods: A meta-analysis of eligible studies comparing NC with classical LC was performed to evaluate the safety outcomes including wound complications, other postoperative complications and intraoperative conversion between the 2 groups. Results: Pooling 3 randomized controlled trials (n=157) and 7 nonrandomized trial (n=593) demonstrated that the rates of wound complications and other postoperative complications in NC group did not significantly differ from those of classical LC group [wound complications: ratio difference (RD)=−0.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.04to 0.01, P=0.23; other postoperative complication: RD=−0.01; 95% CI, −0.03 to 0.02; P=0.6]. The intraoperative conversion rate in NC groups was higher than that of LC groups (RD=0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.06; P=0.02). Conclusions: There is no significate difference between the safety of NC and laparoscope cholecystectomy. NC is associated with a higher rate of intraoperative conversion when compared with LC. It is worthy of further promotion and validation in clinical settings. PMID:27557339

Noninvasive imaging techniques in the assessment of scleroderma spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Murray, Andrea K; Moore, Tonia L; Manning, Joanne B; Taylor, Christopher; Griffiths, Christopher E M; Herrick, Ariane L

2009-08-15

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) affects both microvascular structure and function. Laser Doppler imaging (LDI) and thermal imaging can be used to measure cutaneous blood vessel function. Nailfold capillaroscopy (NC) measures capillary morphology. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between capillary morphology and blood flow, and to determine which combination of techniques allows the best discrimination between patients with SSc, primary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), and healthy controls. NC was performed in 16 patients with SSc, 14 patients with primary RP, and 16 healthy controls. In addition, participants underwent cold stimulus with cold water. Hands were imaged to monitor rewarming and reperfusion. Nailfold morphologic features were measured and baseline images and rewarming curves were analyzed. Significant differences were found between groups (analysis of variance) for capillary morphologic features and rewarming curve characteristics. A correlation (P < 0.001) was found between LDI and thermal imaging at baseline (0.667) and maximum (0.729) blood flow and skin temperature, and for the areas under the rewarming curves (0.684). Receiver operating characteristic curves indicated that NC, thermal imaging, and LDI allowed 89%, 74%, and 72%, respectively, of SSc patient data to be correctly classified versus primary RP patients and controls. NC, LDI, and thermal imaging each independently provide good discrimination between patients with SSc and those with primary RP and healthy controls (NC being the most suitable technique for classifying patient groups). However, a combination of all 3 techniques improves classification. LDI and thermal imaging give equivalent information on dynamic changes in the cutaneous microcirculation; however, these only weakly correspond to capillary morphology.

The role of Homer 1a in increasing locomotor activity and non-selective attention, and impairing learning and memory abilities.

PubMed

Yang, Lei; Hong, Qin; Zhang, Min; Liu, Xiao; Pan, Xiao-Qin; Guo, Mei; Fei, Li; Guo, Xi-Rong; Tong, Mei-Ling; Chi, Xia

2013-06-17

The current study aimed to investigate the possible role of Homer 1a in the etiology and pathogenesis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We divided 32 rats into four groups. The rats in the RNAi-MPH group were given the lentiviral vector containing Homer 1a-specific miRNA (Homer 1a-RNAi-LV) by intracerebroventricular injection, and 7 days later they were given three daily doses of methylphenidate (MPH) by intragastric gavage. The RNAi-SAL group was given Homer 1a-RNAi-LV and saline later. The NC-MPH group was given the negative control lentiviral vector (NC-LV) and MPH later. The NC-SAL group was given NC-LV and saline later. Rats that were given Homer 1a RNAi exhibited increased locomotor activity and non-selective attention, and impaired learning and memory abilities, which is in line with the behavioral findings of animal models of ADHD. However, MPH ameliorated these abnormal behaviors. All findings indicated that Homer 1a may play an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of ADHD. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of Visual Cues on the Resolution of Perceptual Ambiguity in Parkinson’s Disease and Normal Aging

PubMed Central

Díaz-Santos, Mirella; Cao, Bo; Mauro, Samantha A.; Yazdanbakhsh, Arash; Neargarder, Sandy; Cronin-Golomb, Alice

2017-01-01

Parkinson’s disease (PD) and normal aging have been associated with changes in visual perception, including reliance on external cues to guide behavior. This raises the question of the extent to which these groups use visual cues when disambiguating information. Twenty-seven individuals with PD, 23 normal control adults (NC), and 20 younger adults (YA) were presented a Necker cube in which one face was highlighted by thickening the lines defining the face. The hypothesis was that the visual cues would help PD and NC to exert better control over bistable perception. There were three conditions, including passive viewing and two volitional-control conditions (hold one percept in front; and switch: speed up the alternation between the two). In the Hold condition, the cue was either consistent or inconsistent with task instructions. Mean dominance durations (time spent on each percept) under passive viewing were comparable in PD and NC, and shorter in YA. PD and YA increased dominance durations in the Hold cue-consistent condition relative to NC, meaning that appropriate cues helped PD but not NC hold one perceptual interpretation. By contrast, in the Switch condition, NC and YA decreased dominance durations relative to PD, meaning that the use of cues helped NC but not PD in expediting the switch between percepts. Provision of low-level cues has effects on volitional control in PD that are different from in normal aging, and only under task-specific conditions does the use of such cues facilitate the resolution of perceptual ambiguity. PMID:25765890

Fluoride-induced thyroid dysfunction in rats: roles of dietary protein and calcium level.

PubMed

Wang, H; Yang, Z; Zhou, B; Gao, H; Yan, X; Wang, J

2009-02-01

To assess the roles of dietary protein (Pr) and calcium (Ca) level associated with excessive fluoride (F) intake and the impact of dietary Pr, Ca, and F on thyroid function, 144 30-day-old Wistar albino rats were randomly allotted to six groups of 24 (female:male = 1:1). The six groups were fed (1) a normal control (NC) diet (17.92% Pr, 0.85% Ca = NC group); (2) the NC diet and high F (338 mg NaF [=150 mg F ion]/L in their drinking water = NC+F group); (3) low Pr and low Ca diet (10.01% Pr, 0.24% Ca = LPrLCa group); (4) low Pr and low Ca diet plus high F = LPrLCa+F group; (5) high Pr and low Ca diet plus high F (25.52% Pr, 0.25% Ca = HPrLCa+F group); and (6) low Pr and high Ca diet plus high F (10.60% Pr, 1.93% Ca = LPrHCa+F group). The areas of thyroid follicles were determined by Image-Proplus 5.1, and triiodothyronine (T3), free T3 (FT3), thyroxine (T4), and free T4 (FT4) levels in serum were measured by radioimmunoassay. The histopathological study revealed obviously flatted follicular epithelia cells and hyperplastic nodules, consisting of thyroid parafollicular cells that appeared by excessive F ingestion, on the 120th day. Pr or Ca supplementation reverses the F-induced damage in malnutrition. The serum T3, FT3, T4, and FT4 levels in the NC+F group were significantly decreased and significantly increased in the LPrLCa+F group. Thus, excessive F administration induces thyroid dysfunction in rats; dietary Pr and Ca level play key roles in F-induced thyroid dysfunction.

Visual event-related potential changes in two subtypes of multiple system atrophy, MSA-C and MSA-P.

PubMed

Kamitani, Toshiaki; Kuroiwa, Yoshiyuki; Wang, Lihong; Li, Mei; Suzuki, Yume; Takahashi, Tatsuya; Ikegami, Tadashi; Matsubara, Sho

2002-08-01

We investigated the visual event-related potentials (ERPs) in two subtypes of multisystem atrophy (MSA) in 15 MSA-C patients, 12 MSA-P patients, and 21 normal control (NC) subjects. We used a visual oddball task to elicit ERPs. No significant changes were seen in N1 or N2 latency, in either MSA-C or MSA-P, compared with the NC group. An early stage of visual information process related to N1 and a visual discrimination process related to N2 might be preserved in both MSA-C and MSA-P. The P3a peak was more frequently undetectable in MSA than in the NC group. Significant P3a amplitude reduction in both MSA-C and MSA-P suggests impairment of the automatic cognitive processing in both MSA-C and MSA-P. Significant difference was found in P3b latency and P3b amplitude only in MSA-C, compared with the NC group. The result suggests the impairment of the controlled cognitive processing after the visual discrimination process in the MSA-C group. We further investigated the correlation between visual ERP changes and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Quantitative MRI measurements showed reduced size of the pons, cerebellum, perisylvian cerebral area, and deep cerebral gray matter in both MSA-C and MSA-P, and of the corpus callosum only in MSA-P, as compared to NC group. In both MSA-C and MSA-P, P3b latency was significantly correlated with the size on MRI of the pons and the cerebellum. P3b latency in the whole MSA group was also significantly correlated with the size of the pons and the cerebellum. These results indicate that P3b latency changes in parallel with the volume of the pons and the cerebellum in both MSA-C and MSA-P.

Comparison of fluid balance and hemodynamic and metabolic effects of sodium lactate versus sodium bicarbonate versus 0.9% NaCl in porcine endotoxic shock: a randomized, open-label, controlled study.

PubMed

Duburcq, Thibault; Durand, Arthur; Dessein, Anne-Frédérique; Vamecq, Joseph; Vienne, Jean-Claude; Dobbelaere, Dries; Mention, Karine; Douillard, Claire; Maboudou, Patrice; Gmyr, Valery; Pattou, François; Jourdain, Mercé; Tamion, Fabienne; Poissy, Julien; Mathieu, Daniel; Favory, Raphaël

2017-05-19

Sodium lactate has been shown to improve hemodynamics and avoid fluid overload. The objective of this study was to confirm a beneficial effect on fluid balance with sodium lactate infusion and to specify whether the advantage of lactate is related to a negative chloride balance, its particular metabolism, or simply its energy load. This was an interventional, randomized, open-label, controlled experimental study. Fifteen female "large white" pigs (2 months old) were challenged with intravenous infusion of Escherichia coli endotoxin. Three groups of five animals were randomly assigned to receive different fluids: a treatment group received sodium lactate 11.2% (SL group); an isotonic control group received 0.9% NaCl (NC group); and a hypertonic control group, with the same amount of osmoles and sodium as the SL group, received sodium bicarbonate 8.4% (SB group). In order to provide the same energy load in the three groups, control groups were perfused with an equivalent energy supply. Statistical analysis was performed with non-parametric tests and the Dunn correction for multiple comparisons at p < 0.05. Fluid and chloride balance, hemodynamics, oxygenation markers, and microcirculatory parameters were measured over a 5-h period. Cumulative fluid balance was significantly lower in the SL group (550 (415-800) mL; median (interquartile range)) compared to the NC group (1100 (920-1640) mL, p = 0.01) and the SB group (935 (790-1220) mL, p = 0.03). Hemodynamics, cardiac efficiency, and microcirculation were significantly enhanced in the SL group, resulting in a significant improvement in oxygen delivery (SL group 417 (305-565) mL/min/m 2 at 300 min versus the NC (207 (119-272) mL/min/m 2 , p = 0.01) and the SB (278, (211-315) mL/min/m 2 , p = 0.03) groups). Oxygenation markers (arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO 2 )/inspired oxygen fraction (FiO 2 ), mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO 2 ), and venoarterial carbon dioxide tension difference (Pv-aCO 2 ) were enhanced with sodium lactate infusion. Chloride balance was equivalent in both hypertonic groups and significantly reduced compared to the NC group. Sodium lactate infusion improves fluid balance and hemodynamics. The advantage of lactate does not seem to be explained by its energy load or by the induced negative chloride balance with subsequent water movements.

Polysomnographic study of nocturnal sleep in idiopathic hypersomnia without long sleep time.

PubMed

Pizza, Fabio; Ferri, Raffaele; Poli, Francesca; Vandi, Stefano; Cosentino, Filomena I I; Plazzi, Giuseppe

2013-04-01

We investigated nocturnal sleep abnormalities in 19 patients with idiopathic hypersomnia without long sleep time (IH) in comparison with two age- and sex- matched control groups of 13 normal subjects (C) and of 17 patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy (NC), the latter considered as the extreme of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Sleep macro- and micro- (i.e. cyclic alternating pattern, CAP) structure as well as quantitative analysis of EEG, of periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS), and of muscle tone during REM sleep were compared across groups. IH and NC patients slept more than C subjects, but IH showed the highest levels of sleep fragmentation (e.g. awakenings), associated with a CAP rate higher than NC during lighter sleep stages and lower than C during slow wave sleep respectively, and with the highest relative amount of A3 and the lowest of A1 subtypes. IH showed a delta power in between C and NC groups, whereas muscle tone and PLMS had normal characteristics. A peculiar profile of microstructural sleep abnormalities may contribute to sleep fragmentation and, possibly, EDS in IH. © 2012 European Sleep Research Society.

Sodium lactate improves renal microvascular thrombosis compared to sodium bicarbonate and 0.9% NaCl in a porcine model of endotoxic shock: an experimental randomized open label controlled study.

PubMed

Duburcq, Thibault; Durand, Arthur; Tournoys, Antoine; Gnemmi, Viviane; Gmyr, Valery; Pattou, François; Jourdain, Mercedes; Tamion, Fabienne; Besnier, Emmanuel; Préau, Sebastien; Parmentier-Decrucq, Erika; Mathieu, Daniel; Poissy, Julien; Favory, Raphaël

2018-02-14

Sodium lactate seemed to improve fluid balance and avoid fluid overload. The objective of this study was to determine if these beneficial effects can be at least partly explained by an improvement in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)-associated renal microvascular thrombosis. Ancillary work of an interventional randomized open label controlled experimental study. Fifteen female "Large White" pigs (2 months old) were challenged with intravenous infusion of E. coli endotoxin. Three groups of five animals were randomly assigned to receive different fluids: a treatment group received sodium lactate 11.2% (SL group); an isotonic control group received 0.9% NaCl (NC group); a hypertonic control group, with the same amount of osmoles and sodium than SL group, received sodium bicarbonate 8.4% (SB group). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) markers, coagulation and inflammation parameters were measured over a 5-h period. Immediately after euthanasia, kidneys were withdrawn for histological study. Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric tests and the Dunn correction for multiple comparisons. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. The direct immunofluorescence study revealed that the percentage of capillary sections thrombosed in glomerulus were significantly lesser in SL group [5 (0-28) %] compared to NC [64 (43-79) %, p = 0.01] and SB [64 (43-79), p = 0.03] groups. Alterations in platelet count and fibrinogen level occurred earlier and were significantly more pronounced in both control groups compared to SL group (p < 0.05 at 210 and 300 min). The increase in thrombin-antithrombin complexes was significantly higher in NC [754 (367-945) μg/mL; p = 0.03] and SB [463 (249-592) μg/mL; p = 0.03] groups than in SL group [176 (37-265) μg/mL]. At the end of the experiment, creatinine clearance was significantly higher in SL group [55.46 (30.07-67.85) mL/min] compared to NC group [1.52 (0.17-27.67) mL/min, p = 0.03]. In this study, we report that sodium lactate improves DIC-associated renal microvascular thrombosis and preserves GFR. These findings could at least partly explain the better fluid balance observed with sodium lactate infusion.

Working Memory Updating Training Improves Mathematics Performance in Middle School Students With Learning Difficulties.

PubMed

Zhang, Hongxia; Chang, Lei; Chen, Xiaoying; Ma, Liang; Zhou, Renlai

2018-01-01

Working memory (WM) deficit is considered the key cause of learning difficulties (LDs). Studies have shown that WM is plastic and thus can be improved through training. This positive effect is transferable to fluid intelligence and academic performance. This study investigated whether WM updating ability and academic performance in children with LDs could be improved through WM updating training and explored the effects of this training on the children's brain activity. We used a running memory task lasting approximately 40 min per day for 28 days to train a group of 23 children with LDs (TLDs group). We also selected two control groups of 22 children with LDs (CLDs group) and 20 children without LDs (normal control [NC] group). The behavioral results of a pretest indicated that WM updating ability and academic performance in the TLDs and CLDs groups were significantly lower than those in the NC group before training. Compared with the CLDs group, the TLDs group exhibited significant performance improvement in a 2-back WM task, as well as in mathematical ability. Event-related potentials (ERPs) results suggested that the amplitudes of N160 (representative of visual recognition) and P300 (representative of updating processing, which is a valid index for updating WM) in the TLDs and CLDs groups were markedly lower than those in the NC group before training. In the TLDs group, these two components increased considerably after training, approaching levels similar to those in the NC group. The results of this study suggest that WM updating training can improve WM updating ability in children with LDs and the training effect can transfer to mathematical performance in such children. Furthermore, the participants' brain activity levels can exhibit positive changes. This article provides experimental evidence that WM updating training could mitigate the symptoms of LDs to a certain degree.

Association of mitofusin 2 methylation and essential hypertension: a case-control study in a Chinese population.

PubMed

Jin, Fei; Li, Xiao; Wang, Zuoguang; Liu, Ya; Liu, Jielin; Sun, Dongdong; Jin, Yongxin; Wang, Shiqi; Wen, Shaojun; Wei, Yongxiang

2018-06-07

Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), a gene that negatively regulates the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), is expressed at low levels in the VSMCs of hypertensive patients. DNA methylation can inhibit gene expression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Mfn2 methylation and essential hypertension (EH). After bioinformatics analysis, five EH patients and five normal control (NC) subjects were selected for methylation chip screening. Then, bisulfite DNA sequencing was used to analyze the methylation status of differentially methylated fragments of Mfn2 in 40 EH patients and 36 NC subjects. Mfn2 mRNA expression in the blood was detected by RT-qPCR. There were three CpG islands in the full length Mfn2 DNA sequence and some transcription factor binding sites in these regions, including Sp1, Ap2, GATA box, NF-κB, etc. The chip screening showed that only the third CpG island had a significantly high degree of methylation. Subsequent verification experiments found that the EH group had a significantly lower C base rate of methylation than the NC group (2.5% vs. 44.44%, P < 0.0001), but a similar CpG methylation rate (P > 0.05). RT-qPCR detection showed that the level of Mfn2 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the EH group than in the NC group (P = 0.013). Further association analysis showed that the level of Mfn2 methylation was associated with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.902, r = -0.713, respectively) but not the other indexes. The DNA methylation level of Mfn2 was significantly lower in hypertensive patients than in control subjects, which may be an independent risk factor for EH.

Comparison of FDG-PET/CT images between chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis and controls.

PubMed

Toriihara, Akira; Kitazume, Yoshio; Nishida, Hidenori; Kubota, Kazunori; Nakadate, Masashi; Tateishi, Ukihide

2015-01-01

The whole-body 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) distribution in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on hemodialysis would be different from that in subjects with normal renal function, because they lack urinary FDG excretion and remain in a constant volume overload. We evaluated the difference in the physiological uptake pattern of FDG between chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis and control subjects. The subjects for this retrospective study consisted of 24 chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis (HD group) and 24 age- and sex-matched control subjects (NC group). Standardized uptake values normalized by the body weight (SUVbw), ideal body weight (SUVibw), lean body mass (SUVlbm), and body surface area (SUVbsa) in the cerebellum, lungs, liver, gluteal muscles and subcutaneous fat, spleen, thoracolumbar spine, thoracic and abdominal aorta, and right atrium were calculated in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) images. SUVbw in the gluteal muscles, subcutaneous fat, spleen and right atrium was significantly higher in the HD group as compared to that in the NC group (p < 0.05; unpaired t test). In addition, SUVibm, SUVlbm, as well as SUVbsa in the abdominal aorta were significantly higher in the HD group as compared to those in the NC group (p < 0.05; unpaired t test). In conclusion, as compared to normal subjects, chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis show significantly higher physiological FDG uptake in the soft tissues, spleen and blood pool.

Comparison of FDG-PET/CT images between chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis and controls

PubMed Central

Toriihara, Akira; Kitazume, Yoshio; Nishida, Hidenori; Kubota, Kazunori; Nakadate, Masashi; Tateishi, Ukihide

2015-01-01

The whole-body 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) distribution in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on hemodialysis would be different from that in subjects with normal renal function, because they lack urinary FDG excretion and remain in a constant volume overload. We evaluated the difference in the physiological uptake pattern of FDG between chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis and control subjects. The subjects for this retrospective study consisted of 24 chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis (HD group) and 24 age- and sex-matched control subjects (NC group). Standardized uptake values normalized by the body weight (SUVbw), ideal body weight (SUVibw), lean body mass (SUVlbm), and body surface area (SUVbsa) in the cerebellum, lungs, liver, gluteal muscles and subcutaneous fat, spleen, thoracolumbar spine, thoracic and abdominal aorta, and right atrium were calculated in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) images. SUVbw in the gluteal muscles, subcutaneous fat, spleen and right atrium was significantly higher in the HD group as compared to that in the NC group (p < 0.05; unpaired t test). In addition, SUVibm, SUVlbm, as well as SUVbsa in the abdominal aorta were significantly higher in the HD group as compared to those in the NC group (p < 0.05; unpaired t test). In conclusion, as compared to normal subjects, chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis show significantly higher physiological FDG uptake in the soft tissues, spleen and blood pool. PMID:25973341

Platelet-rich plasma, low-level laser therapy, or their combination promotes periodontal regeneration in fenestration defects: a preliminary in vivo study.

PubMed

Nagata, Maria J H; de Campos, Natália; Messora, Michel R; Pola, Natália M; Santinoni, Carolina S; Bomfim, Suely R M; Fucini, Stephen E; Ervolino, Edilson; de Almeida, Juliano M; Theodoro, Letícia H; Garcia, Valdir G

2014-06-01

This study histomorphometrically analyzes the influence of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), or their combination on the healing of periodontal fenestration defects (PFDs) in rats. PFDs were surgically created in the mandibles of 80 rats. The animals were randomly divided into four groups: 1) C (control) and 2) PRP, defects were filled with blood clot or PRP, respectively; 3) LLLT and 4) PRP/LLLT, defects received laser irradiation, were filled with blood clot or PRP, respectively, and then irradiated again. Animals were euthanized at either 10 or 30 days post-surgery. Percentage of new bone (NB), density of newly formed bone (DNB), new cementum (NC), and extension of remaining defect (ERD) were histomorphometrically evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed (analysis of variance; Tukey test, P <0.05). At 10 days, group PRP presented ERD significantly lower than group C. At 30 days, group PRP presented NB and DNB significantly greater than group C. Groups LLLT, PRP, and PRP/LLLT showed significant NC formation at 30 days, with collagen fibers inserted obliquely or perpendicularly to the root surface. NC formation was not observed in any group C specimen. LLLT, PRP, or their combination all promoted NC formation with a functional periodontal ligament. The combination PRP/LLLT did not show additional positive effects compared to the use of either therapy alone.

Proceedings of the IMOG (Interagency Manufacturing Operations Group) Numerical Systems Group. 62nd Meeting

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maes, G.J.

1993-10-01

This document contains the proceedings of the 62nd Interagency Manufacturing Operations Group (IMOG) Numerical Systems Group. Included are the minutes of the 61st meeting and the agenda for the 62nd meeting. Presentations at the meeting are provided in the appendices to this document. Presentations were: 1992 NSG Annual Report to IMOG Steering Committee; Charter for the IMOG Numerical Systems Group; Y-12 Coordinate Measuring Machine Training Project; IBH NC Controller; Automatically Programmed Metrology Update; Certification of Anvil-5000 for Production Use at the Y-12 Plant; Accord Project; Sandia National Laboratories {open_quotes}Accord{close_quotes}; Demo/Anvil Tool Path Generation 5-Axis; Demo/Video Machine/Robot Animation Dynamics; Demo/Certification ofmore » Anvil Tool Path Generation; Tour of the M-60 Inspection Machine; Distributed Numerical Control Certification; Spline Usage Method; Y-12 NC Engineering Status; and Y-12 Manufacturing CAD Systems.« less

Synthesis of nanobelt-like 1-dimensional silver/nanocarbon hybrid materials for flexible and wearable electroncs.

PubMed

Han, Joong Tark; Jang, Jeong In; Cho, Joon Young; Hwang, Jun Yeon; Woo, Jong Seok; Jeong, Hee Jin; Jeong, Seung Yol; Seo, Seon Hee; Lee, Geon-Woong

2017-07-10

Most synthetic processes of metallic nanostructures were assisted by organic/inorganic or polymeric materials to control their shapes to one-dimension or two-dimension. However, these additives have to be removed after synthesis of metal nanostructures for applications. Here we report a straightforward method for the low-temperature and additive-free synthesis of nanobelt-like silver nanostructures templated by nanocarbon (NC) materials via bio-inspired shape control by introducing supramolecular 2-ureido-4[1H]pyrimidinone (UPy) groups into the NC surface. The growth of the Ag nanobelt structure was found to be induced by these UPy groups through observation of the selective formation of Ag nanobelts on UPy-modified carbon nanotubes and graphene surfaces. The synthesized NC/Ag nanobelt hybrid materials were subsequently used to fabricate the highly conductive fibres (>1000S/cm) that can function as a conformable electrode and highly tolerant strain sensor, as well as a highly conductive and robust paper (>10000S/cm after thermal treatment).

Protective effects of parecoxib on rat primary astrocytes from oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide* #

PubMed Central

Ling, Yun-zhi; Li, Xiao-hong; Yu, Li; Zhang, Ye; Liang, Qi-sheng; Yang, Xiao-di; Wang, Hong-tao

2016-01-01

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of parecoxib from oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in rat astrocytes in vitro. Methods: All experiments included 4 groups: (1) negative control (NC) group, without any treatment; (2) H2O2 treatment group, 100 μmol/L H2O2 treatment for 24 h; (3) and (4) parecoxib pretreatment groups, 80 and 160 μmol/L parecoxib treatment for 24 h, respectively, and then treated with 100 μmol/L H2O2. Several indices were investigated, and the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were quantified. Results: Compared to the NC group, exposure to H2O2 resulted in significant morphological changes, which could be reversed by pretreatment of parecoxib. In addition, H2O2 treatment led to loss of viability (P=0.026) and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (P<0.001), and induced apoptosis (P<0.01) in the primary astrocytes relative to the NC group. However, in the parecoxib pretreatment groups, all the above changes reversed significantly (P<0.05) as compared to the H2O2 treatment group, and were nearly unchanged when compared to the NC group. Mechanical investigation showed that dysregulated Bax, Bcl-2, and BDNF could be implicated in these changes. Conclusions: Our results indicated that parecoxib provided a protective effect from oxidative stress induced by exposure to H2O2. PMID:27604861

Protective effects of parecoxib on rat primary astrocytes from oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide.

PubMed

Ling, Yun-Zhi; Li, Xiao-Hong; Yu, Li; Zhang, Ye; Liang, Qi-Sheng; Yang, Xiao-di; Wang, Hong-Tao

2016-09-01

To investigate the protective effects of parecoxib from oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in rat astrocytes in vitro. All experiments included 4 groups: (1) negative control (NC) group, without any treatment; (2) H2O2 treatment group, 100 μmol/L H2O2 treatment for 24 h; (3) and (4) parecoxib pretreatment groups, 80 and 160 μmol/L parecoxib treatment for 24 h, respectively, and then treated with 100 μmol/L H2O2. Several indices were investigated, and the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were quantified. Compared to the NC group, exposure to H2O2 resulted in significant morphological changes, which could be reversed by pretreatment of parecoxib. In addition, H2O2 treatment led to loss of viability (P=0.026) and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (P<0.001), and induced apoptosis (P<0.01) in the primary astrocytes relative to the NC group. However, in the parecoxib pretreatment groups, all the above changes reversed significantly (P<0.05) as compared to the H2O2 treatment group, and were nearly unchanged when compared to the NC group. Mechanical investigation showed that dysregulated Bax, Bcl-2, and BDNF could be implicated in these changes. Our results indicated that parecoxib provided a protective effect from oxidative stress induced by exposure to H2O2.

Role of VIP and substance P in NANC innervation in the longitudinal smooth muscle of the rat jejunum - influence of extrinsic denervation.

PubMed

Kasparek, Michael S; Fatima, Javairiah; Iqbal, Corey W; Duenes, Judith A; Sarr, Michael G

2007-07-01

This study was designed to determine changes in nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) neurotransmission mediated by Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP) and Substance P after small bowel transplantation (SBT). Six groups of rats (n > or = 6 per group) were studied: naïve controls (NC); 1 wk after anesthesia/sham celiotomy (SC-1); 1 or 8 wk after jejunal and ileal transection/reanastomosis (TA-1, TA-8), or syngeneic, orthotopic SBT (SBT-1, SBT-8). Jejunal longitudinal muscle strips were studied under NANC-conditions for spontaneous contractile activity, response to exogenous VIP and Substance P, and electrical field stimulation (EFS). Spontaneous activity did not differ between the six groups. VIP inhibited contractile activity in all groups 1 wk postoperatively (P < 0.05), which was prevented by the NO synthase inhibitor L-N(G)-nitro arginine (L-NNA). In contrast, VIP had no effect in the other groups. Precontraction with Substance P exposed an inhibitory effect of VIP in all groups (P < 0.05 each). Substance P increased contractile activity in all groups, but to a lesser extent in SBT-8 compared with NC, TA-8, and SBT-1 (P < 0.05). The inhibitory effect of EFS at 6 Hz was prevented by L-NNA in NC and TA-8; addition of the VIP antagonist ([D-p-Cl-Phe(6), Leu(17)]-VIP) increased contractile activity in NC, but not in TA-8 and SBT-8. The Substance P antagonist ([D-Pro(2), D-Trp(7,9)]-Substance P) decreased contractile activity during EFS at 50 Hz in NC and SBT-8. SBT decreased response to exogenous Substance P, although release of endogenous Substance P (EFS) is preserved. Changes in VIP signaling are acute and reversible and not caused by effects of SBT.

Asian sand dust aggregate causes atopic dermatitis-like symptoms in Nc/Nga mice.

PubMed

Takeshita, Sayaka; Tokunaga, Takahiro; Tanabe, Yoshiko; Arinami, Tadao; Ichinose, Takamichi; Noguchi, Emiko

2015-01-01

Asian sand dust (ASD) originates from the arid and semiarid areas of China, and epidemiologic studies have shown that ASD exposure is associated with various allergic and respiratory symptoms. However, few studies have been performed to assess the relationship between skin inflammation and ASD exposure. Twelve-week-old NC/Nga mice were divided into 6 groups (n = 8 for each group): hydrophilic petrolatum only (control); hydrophilic petrolatum plus ASD (ASD); hydrophilic petrolatum and heat inactivated-ASD (H-ASD); Dermatophagoides farinae extract (Df); Df and ASD (Df + ASD), and; Df and H-ASD (Df + H-ASD). The NC/Nga mice in each group were subjected to treatment twice a week for 4 weeks. We evaluated skin lesions by symptoms, pathologic changes, and serum IgE levels. ASD alone did not induce atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin symptoms. However, Df alone, Df + H-ASD and Df + ASD all induced AD-like symptoms, and dermatitis scores in the group of Df + ASD group were significantly greater than that of the Df group (P = 0.0011 at day 21; and P = 0.017 at day 28). Mean serum IgE was markedly increased in the Df and Df + ASD groups, compared to the ASD and control groups (P < 0.0001), and serum IgE levels in the Df + ASD group were significantly higher compared to the Df group (P = 0.003). ASD alone did not cause AD-like symptoms in NC/Nga mice. However, AD-like symptoms induced by Df, a major allergen, were enhanced by adding ASD. Although no epidemiological studies have been conducted for the association between ASD and symptoms of dermatitis, our data suggest that it is likely that ASD may contribute to the exacerbation of not only respiratory symptoms, but also skin diseases, in susceptible individuals.

Mental health and developmental outcomes for children born after ART: a comparative prospective study on child gender and treatment type.

PubMed

Punamäki, Raija-Leena; Tiitinen, Aila; Lindblom, Jallu; Unkila-Kallio, Leila; Flykt, Marjo; Vänskä, Mervi; Poikkeus, Piia; Tulppala, Maija

2016-01-01

Do children born after assisted reproductive techniques (ART; IVF/ICSI) display more mental health issues or social and cognitive developmental problems at 7-8 years than naturally conceived (NC) controls, and does child gender play a role? ART children do not differ with regard to mental health or social and cognitive developmental problems when compared with controls, but some gender-specific differences do exist. Systematic reviews have not found any evidence of delays in neurocognitive or sensorimotor development in ART children. However findings on the effect of the type of ART treatment (IVF versus ICSI) on the offspring's physical and mental development have not been uniform. Knowledge of the role of child gender in ART research is scarce. This prospective follow-up study compares mental health and social and cognitive developmental problems between 7-8-year-old ART and NC children, controlling for the father's age, length of the parents' partnership, mother's parity, child's gestational age, and the need of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Further, within the ART group, we analysed whether the treatment type (IVF versus ICSI) and the child's gender are associated with the mental health and developmental outcomes. In this study, 255 singleton ART children (IVF and ICSI) were compared with 278 NC children on parent-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and social (social skills and peer relations) and cognitive development (executive functioning, perception, memory, and language). Within the ART group, 164 IVF and 76 ICSI children were compared on the same outcomes. Statistics included analyses of covariates (ANCOVA) with group main effects, group and gender interaction effects, and Bonferroni post hoc tests. ART and NC children did not differ generally in terms of their internalizing and externalizing symptoms or in the number of social and cognitive developmental problems (Group main effects, P > 0.05), but gender-specific group differences existed. The ART boys showed lower levels of cognitive problems than the NC boys, whereas ART girls showed higher levels of cognitive problems than the NC girls (Group × Gender-interaction effects with Bonferroni post hoc tests on mother-reports, P < 0.01). Further, unlike in the NC group, where boys showed more externalizing symptoms and social and cognitive developmental problems than girls (Group × Gender-interaction effects with Bonferroni post hoc tests for both parents' reports, P < 0.05), gender differences were not found in the ART group. Within the ART group, IVF and ICSI children did not differ in terms of mental health or developmental outcomes, and no significant gender differences emerged. The information on children's mental health and development was based on parental reports only. The dropout rate between the child's first year and the school age assessments was very high for fathers (57.4%) and substantial for mothers (30.1%), and the participating group was biased for older age of both parents and for better education of the fathers. The findings indicate the importance of considering child gender in learning about multiple developmental outcomes among children born after ART. This study was supported by the Academy of Finland (#11232276), the Emil Aaltonen Foundation, The Family Federation of Finland, Helsinki University Central Hospital Research Funds, and the National Graduate School of Psychology. None of authors has any competing interests to declare. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Autonomic Response to Periodic Leg Movements during Sleep in Narcolepsy-Cataplexy

PubMed Central

Dauvilliers, Yves; Pennestri, Marie-Hélène; Whittom, Shirley; Lanfranchi, Paola A.; Montplaisir, Jacques Y.

2011-01-01

Study Objectives: To test the hypothesis of autonomic nervous system dysfunction in patients with narcolepsy-cataplexy (NC) by assessing the physiologic activations associated with periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS). Design: Sleep and heart rate (HR) were recorded during 1 night of polysomnography. Setting: Data were collected at the Sleep Disorders Center, Sacre-Coeur Hospital, Montreal, Canada. Participants: Data from 14 patients with NC (6 men, 8 women, mean age: 52.5 ± 11.9 years) were compared with data from 14 healthy control subjects matched for age and sex. Interventions: NA. Measurements and Results: Analyses included sleep stages, PLMS, microarousals, RR intervals converted into beats per minute on segments lasting 25 heartbeats (10 RR intervals before PLMS and 15 after), and cardiac-activation amplitudes. A Group-by-Heartbeat interaction was noted for PLMS without microarousals; the patients had a tachycardia of lower amplitude and a delayed and lower-amplitude bradycardia, compared with normal control subjects. Similar significant HR modifications were observed for PLMS with microarousals between patients with NC and control subjects. Patients with NC had a reduced magnitude of cardiac activation associated with PLMS with and without microarousals, as compared with control subjects. A negative correlation was noted between cardiac-activation amplitude and age in patients with NC, but no correlation with PLMS index was found in either patients with NC or control subjects. Conclusion: A significant reduction in the amplitude of PLMS-related HR responses in both tachycardia and bradycardia was found in patients with NC. These findings favor the physiologic relevance of the action of hypocretin on autonomic function that may be of clinical significance, i.e., increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Citation: Dauvilliers Y; Pennestri MH; Whittom S; Lanfranchi PA; Montplaisir JY. Autonomic response to periodic leg movements during sleep in narcolepsy-cataplexy. SLEEP 2011;34(2):219-223. PMID:21286243

Psychometric characteristics of the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) as an early detection instrument for dementia and mild cognitive impairment in Brazil.

PubMed

Yassuda, Mônica Sanches; Flaks, Mariana Kneese; Viola, Luciane Fátima; Pereira, Fernanda Speggiorin; Memória, Claudia Maia; Nunes, Paula Villela; Forlenza, Orestes Vicente

2010-09-01

The Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) assesses everyday memory by means of tasks which mimic daily challenges. The objective was to examine the validity of the Brazilian version of the RBMT to detect cognitive decline. 195 older adults were diagnosed as normal controls (NC) or with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD) by a multidisciplinary team, after participants completed clinical and neuropsychological protocols. Cronbach's alpha was high for the total sample for the RBMT profile (PS) and screening scores (SS) (PS = 0.91, SS = 0.87) and for the AD group (PS = 0.84, SS = 0.85), and moderate for the MCI (PS = 0.62, SS = 0.55) and NC (PS = 0.62, SS = 0.60) groups. RBMT total scores, Appointment, Pictures, Immediate and Delayed Story, Immediate and Delayed Route, Delayed Message and Date contributed to differentiate NC from MCI. ROC curve analyses indicated high accuracy to differentiate NC from AD patients, and, moderate accuracy to differentiate NC from MCI. The Brazilian version of the RBMT seems to be an appropriate instrument to identify memory decline in Brazilian older adults.

Imagining the Future in Children with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

PubMed

Lah, Suncica; Gott, Chloe; Epps, Adrienne; Parry, Louise

2018-06-12

Imagining future events is thought to rely on recombination and integration of past episodic memory traces into future events. Future and past events contain episodic and nonepisodic details. Children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) were found to have impaired recall of past episodic (but not semantic) event details. Here, we examined whether severe TBI impairs construction of future events. Children with severe TBI (n = 15) and healthy controls (NC; n = 33) 1) completed tests of anterograde (narrative and relational) memory and executive skills, 2) recalled past events and generated future events, and 3) rated events' phenomenological qualities. Events were scored for episodic (internal) and semantic (external) details. The groups did not differ in generating details of future events, although children with TBI recalled significantly fewer past internal (but not external) events' details relative to NCs. Moreover, the number of past internal details relative to future internal details was significantly higher in the NC group, but not in the TBI groups. Significant correlations between past and future were found for 1) internal details in both groups and 2) external details in the NC group. The TBI group rated their events as being less significant than did the NC group. The groups did not differ on ratings of visual intensity and rehearsal. Our study has shown that children who have sustained severe TBI had impoverished recall of past, but not generation of future, events. This unexpected dissociation between past and future event construction requires further research.

A comparison of recovered bipolar patients, healthy relatives of bipolar probands, and normal controls using the short TEMPS-A.

PubMed

Mendlowicz, Mauro V; Jean-Louis, Girardin; Kelsoe, John R; Akiskal, Hagop S

2005-03-01

To investigate the presence of temperament dysregulation in healthy relatives of bipolar probands (RBP), a population at high risk for developing mood disorders, by comparing them with clinically recovered bipolar patients (BP) and normal controls (NC). 52 RBP and 23 BP were originally recruited for a multicenter genetic study in bipolar disorders. NC (n=102) were also recruited by newspaper advertisement, radio and television announcements, flyers, newsletters, or word of mouth. All volunteers were asked to complete the TEMPS-A Scale, a self-report questionnaire designed to measure temperamental variations in psychiatric patients and healthy volunteers. In scoring temperaments, we relied upon the short validated version of the TEMPS-A [J. Affect. Disord. (2004)], from which traits with loadings <0.035 had been deleted. To examine differences in temperament dimensions among the three groups, a MANCOVA model was constructed using diagnostic group as the fixed factor (BP vs. RBP vs. NC); effects of age and gender were adjusted as covariates. MANCOVA showed overall group effect on the dependent variables (Hotelling's F5,175=6.64, p<0.001). Four dependent variables (dysthymic, cyclothymic, irritable, and anxious temperaments) showed significant between-group differences. RBP showed lower cyclothymic temperament scores than BP, but higher scores than NC. BP and RBP showed higher anxious temperament scores than NC. Hyperthymic scores were significantly highest in the NC. In view of the small cell sizes, bipolar I vs. bipolar II subanalyses could not be conducted. Methodologic strengths of the present analyses is that the BP group had clinically recovered, and we used the validated short version of the TEMPS-A for the present analyses. Our findings suggest that some clinically healthy relatives of bipolar probands exhibit a subclinical cyclothymic instability in mood, interest, self-confidence, sleep, and/or energy as well as anxiety proneness that is not observed among normal controls. These traits may represent vulnerability markers and could presumably be used to identify individuals at high risk for developing bipolar spectrum disorders, or specific clinical subtypes (e.g., bipolar I, bipolar II) within this spectrum. This is a conceptual perspective with many unanswered questions. Resolution of these questions will require innovative definitions of phenotypes to be included in the analyses of the temperament subscales in different populations. The temperament subscales themselves need to be calibrated properly, to find out which traits or specific combinations of trains are most promising. More extensive and complex quantitative trait analyses of these temperaments in a much expanded sample are reported elsewhere in this issue [J. Affect. Disord. (2004)].

Fructose-fed streptozotocin-injected rat: an alternative model for type 2 diabetes.

PubMed

Wilson, Rachel D; Islam, Md Shahidul

2012-01-01

The main objective of the study was to develop an alternative non-genetic rat model for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (190.56 ± 23.60 g) were randomly divided into six groups, namely: Normal Control (NC), Diabetic Control (DBC), Fructose-10 (FR10), Fructose-20 (FR20), Fructose-30 (FR30) and Fructose-40 (FR40) and were fed a normal rat pellet diet ad libitum for 2 weeks. During this period, the two control groups received normal drinking water whilst the fructose groups received 10, 20, 30 and 40% fructose in drinking water ad libitum, respectively. After two weeks of dietary manipulation, all groups except the NC group received a single injection (i.p.) of streptozotocin (STZ) (40 mg/kg b.w.) dissolved in citrate buffer (pH 4.4). The NC group received only a vehicle buffer injection (i.p.). One week after the STZ injection, animals with non-fasting blood glucose levels > 300 mg/dl were considered as diabetic. Three weeks after the STZ injection, the animals in FR20, FR30 and FR40 groups were eliminated from the study due to the severity of diabetes and the FR10 group was selected for the remainder of the 11 weeks experimental period. The significantly (p < 0.05) higher fluid intake, blood glucose, serum lipids, liver glycogen, liver function enzymes and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and significantly (p < 0.05) lower body weight, oral glucose tolerance, number of pancreatic β-cells and pancreatic β-cell functions (HOMA-β) of FR10 group demonstrate that the 10% fructose-fed followed by 40 mg/kg of BWSTZ injected rat can be a new and alternative model for T2D.

Correlation of TLR4 and KLF7 in Inflammation Induced by Obesity.

PubMed

Wang, Cuizhe; Ha, Xiaodan; Li, Wei; Xu, Peng; Gu, Yajuan; Wang, Tingting; Wang, Yan; Xie, Jianxin; Zhang, Jun

2017-02-01

Objective Recent studies have revealed a link between toll-like receptors (TLRs), Kruppel-like factors (KLFs), and the adipose tissue inflammation associated with obesity. TLR4 is associated with chronic inflammation in obesity. KLF7 is known to play an important role in the differentiation of adipocytes, but its role in visceral adipose tissue inflammation has not yet been investigated. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the correlation of TLR4 and KLF7 in inflammation induced by obesity. Methods A total of 32 Wistar male rat subjects were fed in the center for experimental animals of Shihezi University. The rats were divided into normal control (NC) and high-fat diet (HFD) group. Surgical instruments were used to collect rats' visceral adipose tissue samples in the 10th week after HFD feeding. Ninety-five Uygur subjects between 20 and 90 years old were enrolled in the present study. The subjects were divided into two groups: the normal control group (NC, 18.0 kg/m 2  ≤ BMI ≤ 23.9 kg/m 2 , n = 50) and the obesity group (OB, BMI ≥ 28 kg/m 2 , n = 45), and visceral adipose tissue was collected from the subjects. Anthropometric and clinical parameters were measured using standard procedures; biochemical indices were detected using the glucose oxidase-peroxidase method and a standardized automatic biochemistry analyzer; the plasma levels of inflammatory factors and adipocytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the mRNA and protein expression levels of key genes involved in the inflammatory signaling pathway were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot. Results In rats, compared with the NC group, the weight, Lee's index, waist circumference, visceral fat mass, and the plasma level of Glu, TG, FFA, and TNF-α were higher in the HFD group, while the plasma levels of LPT and APN were significantly lower in the HFD group in the 10th week. Furthermore, compared with the NC group, visceral adipose tissue's mRNA expression levels of TLR4, KLF7, and SRC were higher in the HFD group, and KLF7 was significantly positively correlated with LDL, TLR4, SRC, and IL-6 (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, in the Uygur population, the plasma levels of TG, LDL, and TNF-α in the OB group were significantly higher than those in the NC group (P < 0.05). Moreover, compared with the NC group, visceral adipose tissue's mRNA expression levels of TLR4, KLF7, and SRC were significantly higher in the OB group (P < 0.05), and KLF7 was significantly positively correlated with TC, TLR4, MYD88, SRC, and IL-6 (P < 0.05); the protein expression levels of TLR4 and KLF7 were significantly higher than those in the NC group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Higher expression of TLR4 and KLF7 may play a vital role in the process of inflammation induced by obesity in visceral adipose tissue.

Consumption of guar gum and retrograded high-amylose corn resistant starch increases IL-10 abundance without affecting pro-inflammatory cytokines in the colon of pigs fed a high-fat diet.

PubMed

Fan, M Z; Archbold, T; Lackeyram, D; Liu, Q; Mine, Y; Paliyath, G

2012-12-01

Increases in dietary intake of viscous and nonviscous soluble fiber are reported to improve bowel health. However, related biological mechanisms are not very clear. This study was conducted to examine if colonic inflammation would occur in a typical Western diet model and determine if consumption of soluble fiber components would attenuate potential detrimental effects by differentially affecting colonic abundances of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and 2 pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and IL-6 in pigs fed a high-fat basal diet supplemented, respectively, with 15% viscous soluble fiber guar gum (GG) and 15% nonviscous soluble fiber, that is, retrograded high-amylose corn (Zea mays) resistant starch (RS). A total of 24 Yorkshire growing barrows were assigned into a standard corn and soybean (Glycine max) meal (SBM)-based grower diet as a positive control (PC), an animal protein-based high-fat basal diet as the negative control (NC), and 2 NC basal diets supplemented with 15% GG and 15% RS, respectively, according to a completely randomized block design for 4 wk. Abundance of these cytokines in homogenized and extracted colonic tissue supernatant samples was measured by ELISA. Although colonic IL-10 abundance was lower (P < 0.05) in the corn and SBM-based PC group than that in the high-fat basal NC group, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in colonic abundances of TNF-α and IL-6 between NC and PC groups and among all of the treatment groups. Compared with the NC group, consumption of GG and RS at 15% increased (P < 0.05) colonic IL-10 abundance. Moreover, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in colonic IL-10 abundance between the 15% GG and the 15% RS groups. Thus, consumption of a typical high-fat Western diet did not induce colonic inflammation. Diets supplemented with 15% GG or 15% RS may protect the colon from developing inflammation by enhancing IL-10 abundance.

Impact of Motivation on Cognitive Control in the Context of Vigilance Lowering: An ERP Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bonnefond, Anne; Doignon-Camus, Nadege; Hoeft, Alain; Dufour, Andre

2011-01-01

We assessed the effects of time-on-task on cognitive control expressed by the CRN/Nc and the extent to which motivation modulates this relationship. We utilized two groups of participants, who were told that their performance would (evaluation condition) or would not (control condition) be evaluated online. Both groups performed a version of the…

Effects of cat exposure and cat odors on subsequent amphetamine-induced stereotypy.

PubMed

Williams, J L; Barber, R G

1990-06-01

The effect of exposure to a cat, as a predatory stressor, was examined in male and female rats during subsequent tests of amphetamine-induced stereotypy in which cat odors were present or absent. Rats in Group C/O were given a 15-min exposure session to a male cat while they were protected in a wire cage. They were then given an IP injection of d-amphetamine (1 mg/kg) and tested 30 min later for stereotypy in the presence of cat odors (soiled cat litter). Rats in Group NC/O were given a no-cat-exposure control session, and amphetamine tested with cat odors. Groups C/NO and NC/NO were both tested without cat odors (fresh litter), with the former group having been previously exposed to a cat. During the 90-min test sessions, female rats showed significantly more stereotypy than males. More importantly, the male subjects in group C/O exhibited significantly more stereotypy than the males in the other groups, and group NC/NO males showed the least amount of stereotypy. These findings clearly indicate that amphetamine reactivity is influenced by prior exposure to a predator, the presence of predatory odors during testing, and the subject's sex.

Original XPCTM Effect on Salmonella Typhimurium and Cecal Microbiota from Three Different Ages of Broiler Chickens When Incubated in an Anaerobic In Vitro Culture System

PubMed Central

Park, Si Hong; Kim, Sun Ae; Lee, Sang In; Rubinelli, Peter M.; Roto, Stephanie M.; Pavlidis, Hilary O.; McIntyre, Donald R.; Ricke, Steven C.

2017-01-01

Feed supplements are utilized in the poultry industry as a means for improving growth performance and reducing pathogens. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Diamond V Original XPCTM (XPC, a fermented product generated from yeast cultures) on Salmonella Typhimurium ST 97 along with its potential for modulation of the cecal microbiota by using an anaerobic in vitro mixed culture assay. Cecal slurries obtained from three broiler chickens at each of three sampling ages (14, 28, and 42 days) were generated and exposed to a 24 h pre-incubation period with the various treatments: XPC (1% XPC, ceca, and feeds), CO (ceca only), and NC (negative control) group consisting of ceca and feeds. The XPC, CO, and NC were each challenged with S. Typhimurium and subsequently plated on selective media at 0, 24, and 48 h. Plating results indicated that the XPC treatment significantly reduced the survival of S. Typhimurium at the 24 h plating time point for both the 28 and 42 days bird sampling ages, while S. Typhimurium reduction in the NC appeared to eventually reach the same population survival level at the 48 h plating time point. For microbiome analysis, Trial 1 revealed that XPC, CO, and NC groups exhibited a similar pattern of taxa summary. However, more Bacteroidetes were observed in the CO group at 24 and 48 h. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in alpha diversity among samples based on day, hour and treatment. For beta diversity analysis, a pattern shift was observed when samples clustered according to sampling hour. In Trial 2, both XPC and NC groups exhibited the highest Firmicutes level at 0 h but the Bacteroidetes group became dominant at 6 h. Complexity of alpha diversity was increased in the initial contents from older birds and became less complex after 6 h of incubation. Beta diversity analysis was clustered as a function of treatment NC and XPC groups and by individual hours including 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. Overall, addition of XPC influenced microbiome diversity in a similar fashion to the profile of the NC group. PMID:28659891

Experimental RNomics and genomic comparative analysis reveal a large group of species-specific small non-message RNAs in the silkworm Bombyx mori

PubMed Central

Li, Dandan; Wang, Yanhong; Zhang, Kun; Jiao, Zhujin; Zhu, Xiaopeng; Skogerboe, Geir; Guo, Xiangqian; Chinnusamy, Viswanathan; Bi, Lijun; Huang, Yongping; Dong, Shuanglin; Chen, Runsheng; Kan, Yunchao

2011-01-01

Accumulating evidences show that small non-protein coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play important roles in development, stress response and other cellular processes. The silkworm is an important model for studies on insect genetics and control of lepidopterous pests. Here, we have performed the first systematic identification and analysis of intermediate size ncRNAs (50–500 nt) in the silkworm. We identified 189 novel ncRNAs, including 141 snoRNAs, six snRNAs, three tRNAs, one SRP and 38 unclassified ncRNAs. Forty ncRNAs showed significantly altered expression during silkworm development or across specific stage transitions. Genomic comparisons revealed that 123 of these ncRNAs are potentially silkworm-specific. Analysis of the genomic organization of the ncRNA loci showed that 32.62% of the novel snoRNA loci are intergenic, and that all the intronic snoRNAs follow the pattern of one-snoRNA-per-intron. Target site analysis predicted a total of 95 2′-O-methylation and pseudouridylation modification sites of rRNAs, snRNAs and tRNAs. Together, these findings provide new clues for future functional study of ncRNA during insect development and evolution. PMID:21227919

[Effects of 18β-glycyrrhetinic Acid on the Expression of CCL11, AQP1 and EOS in Nasal Mucosa of Allergic Rhinitis Rats].

PubMed

Li, Juan-li; Xi, Ke-hu; Hou, Yun; Jiang, Ying; Gui, Yan; Wang, You-hu; Zhang, Fu-hong; Zhang, Xiao-bing

2015-05-01

To investigate the effects of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) on the expression of eotaxin 1 (CCL11), aquaporin protein 1 (AQP1) and eosinophil (EOS) in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis (AR) rats. Seventy six Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, normal control (NC) group, AR model (AR) group, loratadine (LOA) group and 18β-GA group. All the mice in AR, LOA and 18β-GA groups were sensitized intraperitoneally with OVA and AL(OH), from day 1-14, then induced by intranasal administration with OVA from day 14-21, while the mice in NC group were sensitized with saline. The mice in both LOA and 18β-GA group were given LOA and 18β-GA once a day respectively from the 21 d, while the mice in AR and NC groups were administrated with saline. At the end of 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks, the behavioral changes of mice were observed and recorded, the level of CCL11 mRNA was measured by RT-QPCR, and AQP1 expression was investiaged by SP staing. EOS in nasal mucosa was studied with the methods of HE staining. Compared with NC group, AR group showed typical AR symptoms. With the treatments, AR symptom scores and the expression levels of CCL11, AQP1 and EOS in nasal mucosa were improved significantly (P<0. 05). When compared with AR group, the above statistics in LOA group were down-regulated evidently at different points in time (P<. 05). At the end of 1 week, the above detection results in 18β-GA group were lower than those in AR group (P<0. 05). At the end of 2 weeks, those parameters approached to the levels of LOA and NC group significantly. 18β-GA administration could down-regulate the expression levels of CCL11, AQP1 and EOS in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis rats and cast effects on inhibiting the progress of AR.

Effects of the aqueous extract of white tea (Camellia sinensis) in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes model of rats.

PubMed

Islam, Md Shahidul

2011-12-15

White tea (WT) is very similar to green tea (GT) but it is exceptionally prepared only from the buds and young tea leaves of Camelia sinensis plant while GT is prepared from the matured tea leaves. The present study was investigated to examine the effects of a 0.5% aqueous extract of WT in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes model of rats. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups of 6 animals in each group namely: normal control (NC), diabetic control (DBC) and diabetic white tea (DWT). Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg BW) in DBC and DWT groups except the NC group. After 4 weeks feeding of 0.5% aqueous extracts of WT, the drink intake was significantly (P<0.05) increased in the DWT group compared to the DBC and NC groups. Blood glucose concentrations were significantly decreased and glucose tolerance ability was significantly improved in the DWT group compared to the DBC group. Liver weight and liver glycogen were significantly increased and serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly decreased in the DWT group compared to the DBC group. The food intake, body weight gain, serum insulin and fructosamine concentrations were not influenced by the consumption of WT. Data of this study suggest that the 0.5% aqueous extract of WT is effective to reduce most of the diabetes associated abnormalities in a steptozotocin-induced diabetes model of rats. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Bi-continuous Multi-component Nanocrystal Superlattices for Solar Energy Conversion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kagan, Cherie; Murray, Christopher; Kikkawa, James

2017-06-14

Our SISGR program studied an emerging class of nanomaterials wherein different combinations of semiconductor or semiconductor and plasmonic nanocrystals (NCs) are self-assembled into three-dimensional multi-component superlattices. The NC assemblies were designed to form bicontinuous semiconductor NC sublattices with type-II energy offsets to drive charge separation onto electron and hole transporting sublattices for collection and introduce plasmonic NCs to increase solar absorption and charge separation. Our group is expert in synthesizing and assembling an extraordinary variety of artificial systems by tailoring the NC building blocks and the superlattice unit cell geometry. Under this DOE BES Materials Chemistry program, we introduced chemicalmore » methods to control inter-particle distance and to dope NC assemblies, which enabled our demonstration of strong electronic communication between NCs and the use of NC thin films as electronic materials. We synthesized, assembled and structurally, spectroscopically, and electrically probed NC superlattices to understand and manipulate the flow of energy and charge toward discovering the design rules and optimizing these complex architectures to create materials that efficiently convert solar radiation into electricity.« less

Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Element Distribution in a Mouse Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

PubMed

Chen, Tsung-Sheng; Chen, Yi-Ting; Liu, Chia-Hsin; Sun, Chi-Ching; Mao, Frank Chiahung

2015-12-01

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder and one of the most common causes of anovulatory infertility. In addition, insulin resistance is commonly associated with PCOS and contributed to pathophysiology connected to dietary minerals including chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn). The aims of this study were to explore whether PCOS in mice alters levels of these elements and determine if Cr supplementation resolves changes. Twenty-four female BALB/c mice were divided into three groups of eight mice [normal control (NC), PCOS+placebo milk (PP), and PCOS+Cr-containing milk (PCr)]. Each group received a high-fat diet for 4 weeks. Our results show significantly higher levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (p<0.001), fasting glucose (p<0.05), and fasting insulin (p<0.05) in the PP group compared with both NC and PCr group. However, Cr levels were significantly lower in muscle, bone, and serum in the PP group (p<0.05) compared with NC and PCr groups. In liver, bone, and serum, Fe levels were significantly higher in the PP group compared with the NC group (p<0.05). In addition, we found significant correlations between Cu/Zn ratio and fasting insulin in all mice (r=0.61; p=0.002). Given that significant research shows that Cr supplementation improves fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and metal metabolism disorders for PCOS mice, our data suggest that trace element levels can serve as biomarkers to prescribe therapeutic supplementation to maintain a healthy metabolic balance and treat disease conditions.

Correlation of catecholamine levels in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and reduced sexual behavior in middle-aged male rats.

PubMed

Chen, Joyce C; Tsai, Houng-Wei; Yeh, Kuei-Ying; Tai, Mei-Yun; Tsai, Yuan-Feen

2008-07-01

The correlation between dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) levels in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and male sexual behavior was examined in middle-aged rats. Male rats (18-19 months) were divided into: (a) Group MIE, consisting of rats showing mounts, intromissions, and ejaculations; (b) Group MI, composed of rats showing mounts and intromissions, but no ejaculation; and (c) Group NC, consisting of noncopulators. Young adult rats (4-5 months) displaying complete copulatory behavior were used as the control. Tissue levels of DA, NE, and DA metabolites in the BNST were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. DA, but not NE, levels in MIE rats were significantly lower than those in young controls. DA and NE levels in MIE rats were significantly higher than those in NC rats. These results suggest that DA and NE in the BNST might play an important role in the control of male sexual behavior in middle-aged rats.

Stability of implants placed in augmented posterior mandible after alveolar osteotomy using resorbable nonceramic hydroxyapatite or intraoral autogenous bone: 12-month follow-up.

PubMed

Dottore, Alexandre M; Kawakami, Paulo Y; Bechara, Karen; Rodrigues, Jose Augusto; Cassoni, Alessandra; Figueiredo, Luciene C; Piattelli, Adriano; Shibli, Jamil Awad

2014-06-01

This prospective, controlled split-mouth study evaluated the stability of dental implants placed in the augmented mandibular areas with alveolar segmental "sandwich" osteotomies using nonceramic hydroxyapatite (ncHA) or autogenous bone. This study included 11 bilaterally partially edentulous mandibular patients in a split-mouth design. Alveolar augmentation osteotomies were performed bilaterally with interpositional ncHA graft (test group) or interpositional intraoral autogenous bone graft (control group). After 6 months of healing, four implants (two implants in each side) were placed in each patient. Forty-four implants were inserted and loaded after 6-month healing period. At 1-year follow-up, radiographic, prosthetic, and resonance frequency analysis parameters were assessed. Success criteria included absence of pain, sensitivity, suppuration, and implant mobility; absence of continuous peri-implant radiolucency; and distance between the implant shoulder and the first visible bone contact (DIB) < 2 mm. After a 1-year loading period, the overall implant survival rate was 95.45%, with two implant losses (one of each group). Among the surviving implants (42 out of 44), two did not fulfill the success criteria; therefore, the implant success was 90.90%. DIB was 0.71 ± 0.70 and 0.84 ± 0.72 mm for ncHA and autogenous bone grafts, respectively (p > .05). Implant stability measurements were similar between the groups during the 12-month follow-up (p > .05). Within the limits of this study, the implants placed either in sites augmented with ncHA or autogenous bone seem to represent a safe and successful procedure, at least, after 12-month follow-up. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Identification of cyanobacterial non-coding RNAs by comparative genome analysis.

PubMed

Axmann, Ilka M; Kensche, Philip; Vogel, Jörg; Kohl, Stefan; Herzel, Hanspeter; Hess, Wolfgang R

2005-01-01

Whole genome sequencing of marine cyanobacteria has revealed an unprecedented degree of genomic variation and streamlining. With a size of 1.66 megabase-pairs, Prochlorococcus sp. MED4 has the most compact of these genomes and it is enigmatic how the few identified regulatory proteins efficiently sustain the lifestyle of an ecologically successful marine microorganism. Small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) control a plethora of processes in eukaryotes as well as in bacteria; however, systematic searches for ncRNAs are still lacking for most eubacterial phyla outside the enterobacteria. Based on a computational prediction we show the presence of several ncRNAs (cyanobacterial functional RNA or Yfr) in several different cyanobacteria of the Prochlorococcus-Synechococcus lineage. Some ncRNA genes are present only in two or three of the four strains investigated, whereas the RNAs Yfr2 through Yfr5 are structurally highly related and are encoded by a rapidly evolving gene family as their genes exist in different copy numbers and at different sites in the four investigated genomes. One ncRNA, Yfr7, is present in at least seven other cyanobacteria. In addition, control elements for several ribosomal operons were predicted as well as riboswitches for thiamine pyrophosphate and cobalamin. This is the first genome-wide and systematic screen for ncRNAs in cyanobacteria. Several ncRNAs were both computationally predicted and their presence was biochemically verified. These RNAs may have regulatory functions and each shows a distinct phylogenetic distribution. Our approach can be applied to any group of microorganisms for which more than one total genome sequence is available for comparative analysis.

A vaccine formulation combining rhoptry proteins NcROP40 and NcROP2 improves pup survival in a pregnant mouse model of neosporosis.

PubMed

Pastor-Fernández, Iván; Arranz-Solís, David; Regidor-Cerrillo, Javier; Álvarez-García, Gema; Hemphill, Andrew; García-Culebras, Alicia; Cuevas-Martín, Carmen; Ortega-Mora, Luis M

2015-01-30

Currently there are no effective vaccines for the control of bovine neosporosis. During the last years several subunit vaccines based on immunodominant antigens and other proteins involved in adhesion, invasion and intracellular proliferation of Neospora caninum have been evaluated as targets for vaccine development in experimental mouse infection models. Among them, the rhoptry antigen NcROP2 and the immunodominant NcGRA7 protein have been assessed with varying results. Recent studies have shown that another rhoptry component, NcROP40, and NcNTPase, a putative dense granule antigen, exhibit higher expression levels in tachyzoites of virulent N. caninum isolates, suggesting that these could be potential vaccine candidates to limit the effects of infection. In the present work, the safety and efficacy of these recombinant antigens formulated in Quil-A adjuvant as monovalent vaccines or pair-wise combinations (rNcROP40+rNcROP2 and rNcGRA7+rNcNTPase) were evaluated in a pregnant mouse model of neosporosis. All the vaccine formulations elicited a specific immune response against their respective native proteins after immunization. Mice vaccinated with rNcROP40 and rNcROP2 alone or in combination produced the highest levels of IFN-γ and exhibited low parasite burdens and low IgG antibody levels after the challenge. In addition, most of the vaccine formulations were able to increase the median survival time in the offspring. However, pup survival only ensued in the groups vaccinated with rNcROP40+rNcROP2 (16.2%) and rNcROP2 (6.3%). Interestingly, vertical transmission was not observed in those survivor pups immunized with rNcROP40+rNcROP2, as shown by PCR analyses. These results show a partial protection against N. caninum infection after vaccination with rNcROP40+rNcROP2, suggesting a synergistic effect of the two recombinant rhoptry antigens. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Creative Thinking, Professional Artists, and Parkinson's Disease.

PubMed

Canesi, Margherita; Rusconi, Maria Luisa; Moroni, Federica; Ranghetti, Alessandra; Cereda, Emanuele; Pezzoli, Gianni

2016-01-01

An increase in artistic-like production in Parkinson's disease (PD) has been associated with compulsive and repetitive behaviours after the introduction of dopaminergic treatment (DT). Recent data suggest that it could be due to the emergence of artistic-like skills triggered by DT. In order to evaluate whether artistic production and creative thinking are influenced by DT or linked to artistic-like skills, we characterize creativity features in PD and healthy controls (HC) including professional artists. Three groups of PD out-patients were included consecutively: professional artists (PD-A), patients with (PD-C) and without artistic-like production (PD-NC). Twenty-four gender and age-matched HC were included: professional artists (HC-A) and non-artists (HC-NC). All patients were evaluated by means of a) a battery of neuropsychological tests and a semi-structured interview; b) the Abbreviated Torrance Test for Adults (ATTA) for creative thinking; c) the Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview (mMIDI) and a screening for impulse control disorders (ICDs) for compulsive behaviour. ATTA total score was significantly higher in HC-A and PD-A than in the other groups. Although PD-NC showed the lowest ATTA total score the difference vs HC-NC was not significant. ATTA scores were not significantly correlated with DT dosage and duration. mMIDI tests were positive only in PD. There were no differences in ICDs among PD groups. Our results do not support a relationship between DT and the emergence of artistic creativity. We believe that DT may increase the drive to create and that further studies in "on" and "off" medication are needed to clarify this issue.

Association of assisted reproductive technology with adverse pregnancy outcomes

PubMed Central

Jie, Zhang; Yiling, Ding; Ling, Yu

2015-01-01

Background: More and more infertile patients have accepted the assisted reproductive technique (ART) therapy. Concerns have been raised over an increased risk of adverse maternal outcomes in ART populations as compared with natural conception (NC). Objective: The aim was to improve the ART in clinicial work and to reduce the incidence of pregnancy complications in ART group according to analyzing the reasons of high incidence of pregnancy complications in ART group, comparing the incidence of pregnancy complications in different controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) programs and evaluating the effects of ART which attribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Materials and Methods: In this prospective population-based cohort study,3216 pregnant women with gestational age ≤12 weeks, regular antenatal examination,and ultrasound identification of intrauterine pregnancy were enrolled from January 2010 to June 2013. According to having ART history, the participantswere divided into two groups: ART group (contains fresh embryo transfer group or frozen-thawed embryo transfer group) and NC group. We compared the incidence of pregnancy complications between different groups and evaluated the factors which could affect the occurrence of these complications. Results: When compared to NC group, significantly increased rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (p<0.01), preeclampsia (PE) (p<0.01) and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) (p˂0.01) were observed in ART group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of birth defect between the two groups (p=0.07). Multiple pregnancies and Gonadotropin (Gn) were risk factors in GDM, PE, and ICP. The exogenous progesterone treatment had no effect on GDM, PE or ICP. Conclusion: ART increases the risk of adverse maternal complications such as GDM, PE and ICP. The dosages of Gn should be reduced to an extent and the number of embryo implantation should be controlled. Exogenous progesterone treatment is safe. PMID:26000008

Effect of chromium supplementation on the glucose homeostasis and anthropometry of type 2 diabetic patients: Double blind, randomized clinical trial: Chromium, glucose homeostasis and anthropometry.

PubMed

Guimarães, Marília Mendonça; Carvalho, Ana Clara Martins Silva; Silva, Maria Sebastiana

2016-07-01

To evaluate the effect of chromium supplementation on the glucose homeostasis and anthropometry of type 2 diabetic patients. Fifty-six individuals with type 2 Diabetes were randomized on a double blind clinical trial into three groups: placebo (NC0), 50μg (NC50) and 200μg (NC200) of chromium nicotinate. Glucose homeostasis, anthropometry and physical activity intensity were evaluated at the beginning, at day 45 and at day 90. Energy intake was evaluated at the beginning, between the beginning and 45 days, and between days 45 and 90 of the study. There were no differences within or between groups for HOMA-IR, waist circumference, body fat percentage, lean body mass percentage and total energy intake during the trial. There was an increase of the HOMA-β in group NC0 (p=0.0349) and a decrease of 1.08kg in group NC50 (p=0.0048) at 90 days. The relation between body mass index, body fat percentage and insulin sensitivity did not change in the placebo and supplemented groups (p>0.05). In the effect of the intervention, for each 1cm increase in waist circumference there was an increase of 1.90±0.63 in HOMA-IR (p=0.0087) and 16.31±5.27% in HOMA-β (p=0.0073) in group NC200. No difference was seen in the intensity of physical activity within the groups and in the comparison between the supplemented groups (NC50 and NC200) and placebo (NC0) at 90 days. There was an increase in energy expenditure in physical activity at 90days (p=0.0371) of intervention in the group subjects NC50. As for total energy intake, there were no differences within or between the groups during the study. 50μg and 200μg supplementation with chromium nicotinate for 90days did not promote improvements in glucose homeostasis and anthropometry in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Biological effect of aqueous C60 aggregates on Scenedesmus obliquus revealed by transcriptomics and non-targeted metabolomics.

PubMed

Du, Chunlei; Zhang, Bo; He, Yiliang; Hu, Chaoyang; Ng, Qin Xiang; Zhang, Hui; Ong, Choon Nam; ZhifenLin

2017-02-15

This work evaluated biological effect of nC 60 on Scenedesmus obliquus. The cells were exposed to various concentrations of nC 60 for 7days. Low-dose of nC 60 was found to have a minor growth inhibitory effect. The transcriptomics and metabolomics were integrated to examine intricate molecular and cellular effects of nC 60 on Scenedesmus obliquus. We found that Scenedesmus obliquus cells exposed to nC 60 had several significant alterations in cellular transcription and biochemical processes. During the 7-day exposure to nC 60 , 2234 and 2,448 unigenes were differentially expressed by 0.1mg/L and 1mg/L nC 60 -treated groups compared with the control, including 2085 or 2247 up-regulated genes and 149 or 201 down-regulated genes, respectively. We successfully identified 22 metabolites, including 6 significantly changed metabolites, such as sucrose, d-glucose, and malic acid. The citrate cycle (TCA cycle) (ko00020) was the main target of both differentially expressed genes and metabolic change. However, accumulation of sucrose (end-product) could have induced feedback inhibition of photosynthesis in Scenedesmus obliquus, explaining the slight growth inhibition observed. The results provided a mechanistic understanding of the growth inhibition of nC 60 toxicity. These genes and metabolites are useful biomarkers for future studies and offer new insights into the early detectable changes in Scenedesmus obliquus with nC 60 exposure. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Is there a role for antioxidants in prevention of pulmonary hypoplasia in nitrofen-induced rat model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia?

PubMed

Cigdem, Murat Kemal; Kizil, Goksel; Onen, Abdurrahman; Kizil, Murat; Nergiz, Yusuf; Celik, Yusuf

2010-04-01

Many studies suggest a role for antioxidants in the prevention of lung hypoplasia in nitrofen-induced rat models with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). This study investigates the oxidative status and the histological outcome of prenatal administration of vitamins E and C with synergistic effect, and effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to improve lung maturation of nitrofen-induced rats. CDH was induced by maternal administration of a single oral dose of nitrofen on day 9.5 of gestation, and the Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: nitrofen (N), nitrofen + vitamin C (NC), nitrofen + vitamin E (NE), nitrofen + vitamin C + vitamin E (NCE) and nitrofen + NAC (NNAC). A control group in which only vehicle was administered was included. Cesarean section was performed on day 21. Body weight (BW) and total lung weight (LW) of all fetuses with CDH were recorded; lung histological evaluation was performed, and protein content of lungs, determination of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and the protein carbonyls in tissue samples were determined. A total of 133 rat fetuses with CDH were investigated. The body weight and the lung weight of fetuses of all groups that were exposed to nitrofen were significantly decreased than of the control group (P < 0.05). The animals exposed to nitrofen with different antioxidants showed increased protein levels in lung tissue. However, in the NCE and the NNAC groups, protein levels were significantly increased than in the others. Malondialdehyde levels significantly decreased in the NCE and the NNAC groups when compared with the NC and the NE groups. In addition, the NCE and NNAC groups decreased protein oxidation to control levels, and no significant difference was observed between control and these two antioxidants groups. The N, NC, NE and NNAC groups showed minimal improvement in lung histology; the NCE groups showed the most improvement in lung histology when compared with the other nitrofen plus antioxidant groups. Prenatal administration of NAC and vitamin E in combination with vitamin C represented the best effects to avoid oxidative damage and protein content of the lungs in rat pups with CDH at birth.

Effects of corticopuncture (CP) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the rate of tooth movement and root resorption in rats using micro-CT evaluation.

PubMed

Suzuki, Selly Sayuri; Garcez, Aguinaldo Silva; Reese, Patricia Oblitas; Suzuki, Hideo; Ribeiro, Martha Simões; Moon, Won

2018-05-01

The aim of this study was to compare the rate of tooth displacement, quantity of root resorption, and alveolar bone changes in five groups: corticopuncture (CP), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), CP combined with LLLT (CP + LLLT), control (C), and negative control (NC). A total of 60 half-maxilla from 30 male Wistar rats (10 weeks old) were divided randomly into five groups: three (CP, LLLT, and CP + LLLT) test groups with different stimulation for accelerated-tooth-movement (ATM), one control (C) group, and one negative control (NC) group with no tooth movement. Nickel-titanium coil springs with 50 g of force were tied from the upper left and right first molars to micro-implants placed behind the maxillary incisors. For the CP and CP + LLLT groups, two perforations in the palate and one mesially to the molars were performed. For the LLLT and CP + LLLT groups, GaAlAs diode laser was applied every other day for 14 days (810 nm, 100 mW, 15 s). The tooth displacements were measured directly from the rat's mouth and indirectly from microcomputer (micro-CT) tomographic images. Bone responses at the tension and compression sites and root resorption were analyzed from micro-CT images. The resulting alveolar bone responses were evaluated by measuring bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume fraction (BV/TV), and trabecular thickness (TbTh). Root resorption crater volumes were measured on both compression and tension sides of mesial and distal buccal roots. The tooth displacement in the CP + LLLT group was the greatest when measured clinically, followed by the CP, LLLT, and control groups (C and NC), respectively (p <0.05). The tooth movements measured from micro-CT images showed statistically higher displacement in the CP and CP + LLLT groups compared to the LLLT and control groups. The BMD, BV/TV, and TbTh values were lower at the compression side and higher at the tension side for all three test groups compared to the control group. The root resorption crater volume of the distal buccal root was higher in the control group, followed by CP, LLLT, and CP + LLLT, mostly at the compression site. Combining corticopuncture and low-level laser therapy (CP + LLLT) produced more tooth displacement and less root resorption at the compression side. The combined technique also promoted higher alveolar bone formation at the tension side.

Swallowing in patients with Parkinson's disease: a surface electromyography study.

PubMed

Ws Coriolano, Maria das Graças; R Belo, Luciana; Carneiro, Danielle; G Asano, Amdore; Al Oliveira, Paulo José; da Silva, Douglas Monteiro; G Lins, Otávio

2012-12-01

Our goal was to study deglutition of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and normal controls (NC) using surface electromyography (sEMG). The study included 15 patients with idiopathic PD and 15 age-matched normal controls. Surface electromyography was collected over the suprahyoid muscle group. Conditions were the following: swallow at once 10 and 20 ml of water and 5 and 10 ml of yogurt of firm consistency, and freely drink 100 ml of water. During swallowing, durations of sEMG were significantly longer in PD patients than in normal controls but no significant differences of amplitudes were found. Eighty percent of the PD patients and 20 % of the NC needed more than one swallow to consume 20 ml of water, while 70 % of the PD patients and none of the NC needed more than one swallow to consume 5 ml of yogurt. PD patients took significantly more time and needed significantly more swallows to drink 100 ml of water than normal controls. We conclude that sEMG might be a simple and useful tool to study and monitor deglutition in PD patients.

Connective tissue graft as a biological barrier for guided tissue regeneration in intrabony defects: a histological study in dogs.

PubMed

Ribeiro, Fernando Salimon; Pontes, Ana Emília Farias; Zuza, Elizangela Partata; da Silva, Vanessa Camila; Lia, Raphael Carlos Comelli; Marcantonio Junior, Elcio

2015-06-01

The use of the autogenous periosteal graft as biological barrier has been proposed for periodontal regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histometric findings of the subepithelial connective tissue graft as barrier in intrabony defects compared to a bioabsorbable membrane. Three-walled intrabony defects were created surgically in the mesial aspect of the right and left maxillary canines in five healthy mongrel dogs. The defects were chronified, and two types of barriers were randomly carried out for guided tissue regeneration in a split-mouth design: the test group with a subepithelial connective tissue graft and the control group with a bioabsorbable membrane. The specimens were processed for histometric analyses of the epithelium (E), connective tissue (CT), newly formed cementum (NC), new bone (NB), and total newly formed tissues (NFT). The test side showed smaller mean of NC (3.6 ± 1.2), NB (2.1 ± 0.7), and NFT (7.7 ± 0.8) than the control group (NC 7.3 ± 0.5; NB 5.3 ± 1.3; NFT 10.1 ± 2.2; P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were verified for E (test 3.1 ± 2.0; control 2.8 ± 2.1; P > 0.05) and CT (test 2.5 ± 1.1; control 2.0 ± 0.5; P > 0.05) between groups. The bioabsorbable membrane was more effective in maintaining the space for periodontal regeneration than periosteal connective graft when used as barrier. The bioabsorbable membrane showed more favorable regenerative results in intrabony defects in dogs than the subepithelial connective tissue graft as biological barrier.

Crossed Module Bundle Gerbes; Classification, String Group and Differential Geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jurčo, Branislav

We discuss nonabelian bundle gerbes and their differential geometry using simplicial methods. Associated to any crossed module there is a simplicial group NC, the nerve of the 1-category defined by the crossed module and its geometric realization |NC|. Equivalence classes of principal bundles with structure group |NC| are shown to be one-to-one with stable equivalence classes of what we call crossed module gerbes bundle gerbes. We can also associate to a crossed module a 2-category C'. Then there are two equivalent ways how to view classifying spaces of NC-bundles and hence of |NC|-bundles and crossed module bundle gerbes. We can either apply the W-construction to NC or take the nerve of the 2-category C'. We discuss the string group and string structures from this point of view. Also a simplicial principal bundle can be equipped with a simplicial connection and a B-field. It is shown how in the case of a simplicial principal NC-bundle these simplicial objects give the bundle gerbe connection and the bundle gerbe B-field.

Fundamental research on the action mechanism of the 800 nm semiconductor laser on skin blackheads and coarse pores.

PubMed

Lin, Jie; Jing, Li; Zhu, Hao; Dong, Fu-Sheng

2017-01-01

The aim of the study was to determine the mechanism of action of the 800 nm semiconductor laser on skin blackheads and coarse pores. A total of 24 healthy purebred short-haired male guinea pigs, weighing 350-400 g, were selected and smeared with 0.5 ml coal tar suspension evenly by injector once daily. Treatment was continued for 14 days to form an experimental area of 8×3 cm on the back of the guinea pigs. The animals were divided into the following groups: Normal control group (NC), low-dose laser treatment group (L-LS), high-dose laser treatment group (H-LS), and Q-switched Nd:YAG treatment group (QC). Samples were extracted 1, 7 and 14 days after surgery and hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to identify the following: Epidermis, dermis, sebaceous gland change and hair follicle damage; the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of sebaceous gland cells using immunohistochemistry; sebaceous gland cell apoptosis using TUNEL; and the protein expression of caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 using western blot analysis. With the extension of time, we observed inflammatory cell infiltration, an increase in hair follicle distortion and necrosis of the surrounding hair follicles. The expression levels of PCNA of the L-LS, H-LS and QC groups decreased with time. Regarding the respective time points, the NC group was highest, the L-LS and H-LS groups were next highest and the H-LS group was lowest. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The apoptotic rate of the L-LS, H-LS and QC groups increased with time. With regard to the respective time points, the NC group was lowest, the L-LS and QC groups were next lowest and the H-LS group was highest. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The protein expression of caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 of the L-LS, H-LS and QC groups increased with time. Regarding the respective time points, caspase-3 and Bax protein expression of the NC group was lowest, the L-LS and QC groups were next lowest and the H-LS group was highest. Bcl-2 protein expression of the NC group was highest, protein expression of the NC group was next highest and the H-LS group was lowest. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In conclusion, the low-dose 800 nm semiconductor laser is an effective treatment on skin blackheads and coarse pores, and promotes hair follicle cell apoptosis without reducing the expression of PCNA.

[Inhibitory effect of RNA interference targeting GFI-1 on the proliferation of atypical chronic myelogenous leukemia NT1 cells].

PubMed

Yang, X; Liu, H; Lin, Z H; Qian, J; Xu, X R

2016-08-01

To investigate the inhibitory effects of RNA interference targeting GFI-1 on growth and proliferation of atypical chronic myelogenous leukemia (aCML) NT1 cells. NT1 cells were transfected with PBS and liposome complex (vehicle group), scrambled siRNA and liposome complex (negative control, NC group), and GFI-1 siRNA and liposome complex (GFI-1 siRNA group), respectively. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were performed to examine the expression levels of GFI-1 mRNA and protein, respectively. The proliferation abilities of NT1 cells of the three groups were evaluated by MTT assay. The cell cycle in cells of the three groups was analyzed by flow cytometry. Moreover, nude mouse xenograft model was used to detect the tumor formation ability in the three group cells. Quantitative real-time PCR data showed that the expression level of GFI-1 mRNA in GFI-1 siRNA group was significantly lower than those of NC group and vehicle group [(0.367±0.017) vs. (0.918±0.006) and (1.010±0.005), respectively, (P<0.05)]. Western blot results showed that the GFI-1 protein expression level in the GFI-1 siRNA group was also significantly reduced, compared with those of the NC group and vehicle group (P<0.05 for both). From MTT assay data, the absorbance value of NT1 cells in the GFI-1 siRNA group (0.667±0.059) was significantly lower than those of the NC group (1.096±0.049) and vehicle group (1.193±0.064, P=0.023). Flow cytometry data showed that sub-G1 and G0/G1 phase proportions of the GFI-1 siRNA group were significantly higher than those of the NC and vehicle groups [sub-G1: (8.2±2.5)% vs. (1.9±1.3)% and (2.0±3.6)%, respectively, (P<0.05); G0/G1: (66.7±3.8)% vs. (53.3±4.5)% and (48.6±3.2)%, respectively, (P<0.05)]. Furthermore, the tumor weight in the GFI-1 siRNA group [(0.37±0.02) g] was significantly lower than those in the NC group [(0.83±0.06) g] and vehicle group [(0.92±0.04) g] (P<0.05). RNA interference targeting GFI-1 inhibits the growth and proliferation of NT1 cells, which may provide a new therapeutic target for atypical chronic myelogenous leukemia.

New molecular method to detect denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation bacteria from different environmental niches.

PubMed

Xu, Sai; Lu, Wenjing; Muhammad, Farooq Mustafa; Liu, Yanting; Guo, Hanwen; Meng, Ruihong; Wang, Hongtao

2018-03-01

The denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation is an ecologically important process for reducing the potential methane emission into the atmosphere. The responsible bacterium for this process was Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera belonging to the bacterial phylum of NC10. In this study, a new pair of primers targeting all the five groups of NC10 bacteria was designed to amplify NC10 bacteria from different environmental niches. The results showed that the group A was the dominant NC10 phylum bacteria from the sludges and food waste digestate while in paddy soil samples, group A and group B had nearly the same proportion. Our results also indicated that NC10 bacteria could exist in a high pH environment (pH9.24) from the food waste treatment facility. The Pearson relationship analysis showed that the pH had a significant positive relationship with the NC10 bacterial diversity (p<0.05). The redundancy analysis further revealed that the pH, volatile solid and nitrite nitrogen were the most important factors in shaping the NC10 bacterial structure (p=0.01) based on the variation inflation factors selection and Monte Carlo test (999 times). Results of this study extended the existing molecular tools for studying the NC10 bacterial community structures and provided new information on the ecological distributions of NC10 bacteria. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The three-dimensional structure of a complex of a murine Fab (NC10. 14) with a potent sweetener (NC174): an illustration of structural diversity in antigen recognition by immunoglobulins.

PubMed

Guddat, L W; Shan, L; Broomell, C; Ramsland, P A; Fan, Z; Anchin, J M; Linthicum, D S; Edmundson, A B

2000-09-29

The three-dimensional structure of a complex of an Fab from a murine IgG2b(lambda) antibody (NC10.14) with a high potency sweet tasting hap- ten, N-(p-cyanophenyl)-N'-(diphenylmethyl)-N"-(carboxymethyl)guan idine (NC174), has been determined to 2.6 A resolution by X-ray crystallography. This complex crystallized in the triclinic space group P1, with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. In contrast to a companion monoclonal antibody (NC6.8) with a kappa-type light chain and similar high affinity for the NC174 ligand, the NC10.14 antibody possessed a large and deep antigen combining site bounded primarily by the third complementarity-determining regions (CDR3s) of the light and heavy chains. CDR3 of the heavy chain dominated the site and its crown protruded into the external solvent as a type 1' beta-turn. NC174 was nested against HCDR3 and was held in place by two tryptophan side-chains (L91 and L96) from LCDR3. The diphenyl rings were accommodated on an upper tier of the binding pocket that is largely hydrophobic. At the floor of the site, a positively charged arginine side-chain (H95) stabilized the orientation of the electronegative cyano group of the hapten. The negative charge on the acetate group was partially neutralized by a hydrogen bond with the phenolic hydroxyl group of tyrosine H58. Comparisons of the modes of binding of NC174 to the NC6.8 and NC10.14 antibodies illustrate the enormous structural and mechanistic diversity manifest by immune responses. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

[The counseling of nursing decreases symptomatology and relapses in pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis].

PubMed

Solís-Flores, Laura; Acuña-Rojas, Rosalinda; López-Medina, Leobardo; Meléndez-Mier, Guillermo

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is considered to be a public health problem, therefore it is essential to test health education strategies such as nursing counseling (NC) aimed at population groups such as children with allergic rhinitis and their tutors. This study aimed to measure the health benefits of children with this disease for a year. Longitudinal, randomized, comparative study with a sample of 100 pediatric patients of both sexes, aged 6 to 12 years, with diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, with counseling (study group) and without counseling (control group). In both groups, an informed consent letter signed by both tutors was obtained, in addition to knowledge and assessment papers; the latter included a scale of symptomatology and Morisky Green (adherence to treatment). The children in the study group received intervention based on personalized education, didactic material, support of the multidisciplinary group if necessary (doctor, dermatologist and psychologist). The control group received usual care. In both groups, telephone follow-up was performed, which allowed the number of relapses to be identified in one year. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test (Mann-Whitney) was used to compare the results; the presence of relapses in the control group was statistically significant compared to the study group. It was found that the infant population that receives NC, has as a better benefit the control of the symptomatology and decrease of relapses per year. Copyright © 2017. Publicado por Masson Doyma México S.A.

[EFFECT OF α-LIPOIC ACID IN INHIBITING OXIDATIVE STRESS AND PROMOTING DIABETIC WOUND HEALING BY SUPPRESSING EXPRESSION OF miR-29b IN MICE].

PubMed

Wu, Jun; Tang, Huiqin; Liu, Qun; Gan, Dingyun; Zhou, Man

2016-08-08

To investigate the effect of α-lipoic acid on the oxidative stress of wound tissues and diabetic wound healing in mice with diabetic feet. Sixty male C57BL/6J mice weighting 200-300 g were randomly divided into model group (control group, n =15), α-lipoic acid-treated model group ( n =15), miR-29b mimic group ( n =15), and miR-29b mimic negative control group (NC group, n =15). All animals received intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin to establish the diabetic model. Then, a full thickness wound of 5 mm×2 mm in size was created at 4 weeks after modeling. All mice were administrated with high-sugar-fat-diet. At the same day after modeling, α-lipoic acid-treated model group was continuously given intravenous injection of 100 mg/(kg·d) α-lipoic acid for 14 days; miR-29b mimic group and NC group received the tail intravenous injection of lentiviral vector for miR-29b mimic and miR-29b mimic negative control (a total of 2×10 7 TU), respectively, with the treatment of α-lipoic acid. The wound healing was observed and wound area was measured at 7 and 14 days. The wound tissues were harvested to detect the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) using xanthine oxidase method and 5, 5-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid staining method at 14 days. At the same day, 7, and 14 days after modeling, the relative miR-29b expression in wound tissues from control and α-lipoic acid-treated model groups was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. All mice survived to the experiment end. The wound healing was faster in α-lipoic acid-treated group than control group. At 7 and 14 days, the relative wound area and miR-29b expression level were significantly lower, while the contents of SOD and GSH were significantly higher in α-lipoic acid-treated group than control group ( P <0.05). In addition, miR-29b mimic group had significantly increased relative wound area and significantly decreased the contents of SOD and GSH when compared with NC group at 7 and 14 days ( P <0.05). α-lipoic acid could inhibit oxidative stress and promote diabetic wound healing by suppressing expression of miR-29b in mice.

[Establishment of myocardial targeted nanoparticles and preliminary evaluation of its effects on prevention and treatment of myocardial injury].

PubMed

Liu, Y Y; Wang, C; Luo, P F; Xia, Z F

2017-11-20

Objective: To establish 3-{4-[2-hydroxyl-(1-methylethylamino) propoxy] phenyl} propionic acid cetylesters (PAC) modified nanoparticles, and preliminarily explore its cardiomyocyte-targeting function and protection effects on myocardium. Methods: (1) HL-1 myocardial cells were divided into cyanidin-3 (Cy3) marked non-targeted small interference RNA (Cy3-siNC) group and Cy3 marked small interference RNA designed for the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)-p65 gene (Cy3-si435) group according to the random number table, with 3 wells in each group. Cells in Cy3-siNC group were transfected with Cy3-siNC, while cells in Cy3-si435 group were transfected with Cy3-si435. At transfection hour 24, the mRNA expression of NF-κB-p65 of cells was determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. (2) Multiple emulsificating solvent evaporating method was adopted to prepare PAC modified nanoparticles carried with Cy3-siNC (Cy3-siNC-PAC) and PAC modified nanoparticles carried with Cy3-si435 (Cy3-si435-PAC). The morphology of Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles was observed with scanning electron microscope, and the size and potential of Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles were detected by nanometer particle size and zeta potential analyzer. The entrapment efficiency and drug loadings of Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticle were determined with ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The release of Cy3-si435 of Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles was determined by dialysis method. (3) Another batch of HL-1 cells were divided into 4 groups according to the random number table, with 9 wells in each group. Cells in negative control group were added with 5 μL phosphate buffer. Cells in 25, 50, and 100 mg/mL Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles groups were added with 5 μL 25, 50, and 100 mg/mL Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles, respectively. At transfection hour 6, 12, and 24, proliferation activity of cells in 3 wells of each group was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium method, respectively. (4) Another batch of HL-1 cells were cultured for 24 h, and then treated with 100 μL Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles. At transfection hour 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24, the percentage of cells uptaking Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles in 3 wells were detected by flow cytometry, respectively. (5) Another batch of HL-1 cells were divided into 2 groups according to the random number table, with 3 wells in each group. Cells in Cy3-siNC-PAC group were added with 100 μL Cy3-siNC-PAC nanoparticles, while cells in Cy3-si435-PAC group were added with 100 μL Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles. At transfection hour 24, the mRNA expression of NF-κB-p65 of cells was determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. (6) Six male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 2 groups according to the random number table, with 3 mice in each group. Mice in Cy3-siNC-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group and Cy3-si435-LPS group were respectively injected with 500 μL Cy3-siNC-PAC nanoparticles and Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles (50 mg/mL) in the tail vein. At injection hour 24, mice in the two groups were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg/kg LPS to induce myocardial injury. At post injury hour 24, the distribution of nanoparticles in mice was detected with small animal imager. (7) Another 9 male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 3 groups according to the random number table, with 3 mice in each group. Mice in Cy3-siNC-normal saline (NS) group and Cy3-siNC-LPS group were injected with 500 μL 50 mg/mL Cy3-siNC-PAC nanoparticles in the tail vein, while mice in Cy3-si435-LPS group were injected with 500 μL 50 mg/mL Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles. At injection hour 24, mice in Cy3-siNC-NS group were intraperitoneally injected with NS, while mice in Cy3-siNC-LPS group and Cy3-si435-LPS group were injected with 10 mg/kg LPS to induce myocardial injury. At post injury hour 24, pathological changes of myocardium of mice in each group were observed with HE staining. Data were processed with t test and one-way analysis of variance. Results: (1) The mRNA expression of NF-κB-p65 of cells in Cy3-si435 group was 0.183±0.004, significantly lower than 1.003±0.092 in Cy3-siNC group ( t =15.46, P <0.01). (2) The form of prepared Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles was good, with particle size of 146.0 nm, potential of -29.2 mV, entrapment efficiency of (86.9±1.1) %, drug loadings of (25.4±0.9) %, and stable Cy3-si435 release. (3) At transfection hour 6, 12, and 24, there were no statistically significant differences in proliferation activity of cells in the 4 groups (with F values from 0.129 to 2.512, P values above 0.05). (4) At transfection hour 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24, the percentages of cells uptaking Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles were (0.79±0.06)%, (31.04±1.59)%, (51.64±2.67)%, (68.15±2.60)%, and (83.68±4.67)%, respectively. (5) The mRNA expression of NF-κB-p65 of cells in Cy3-si435-PAC group was 0.286±0.015, significantly lower than 1.002±0.073 in Cy3-siNC-PAC group ( t =16.62, P <0.01). (6) At post injury hour 24, uniform distribution of nanoparticles could be observed in cardiomyocytes of mice in Cy3-siNC-LPS group and Cy3-si435-LPS group. (7) The structure of myocardial fibers of mice in Cy3-siNC-NS group was dense, with no inflammatory cells infiltration and uniform distribution of cytoplasm. The structure of myocardial fibers of mice in Cy3-siNC-LPS group were loose, with inflammatory cells infiltration and scattered distribution of cytoplasm. The structure of myocardial fibers of mice in Cy3-si435-LPS group was denser, with no obvious inflammatory cells infiltration and uniform distribution of cytoplasm. Conclusions: Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles have good morphology, uniform particle size, normal potential distribution, and no cell cytotoxicity. Cy3-si435-PAC nanoparticles can be effectively uptaked by HL-1 cells and suppress NF-κB-p65 mRNA expression. They also can effectively target to mice cardiomyocytes to reduce inflammatory cells infiltration and alleviate the myocardial injury of mice induced by LPS.

Antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects of soymilk fermented via Lactococcus acidophilus MF204.

PubMed

Chen, Jie; Wu, Yan; Yang, Chunmei; Xu, Xuejiao; Meng, Yuecheng

2017-12-13

Previous studies have shown that fermentations can enhance the bioactivity and absorption rate of soybean products. Fermented soybean products can alleviate hyperlipidemia and decrease risks of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of soymilk fermented by Lactococcus acidophilus on blood lipids and antioxidant enzyme activities of rats fed with a high fat diet. Sixty rats were randomly assigned to six groups: normal control group (NC), high-fat control group (HFC), positive control group (cholestyramine, PC), Lactococcus acidophilus group (LA), soymilk group (SM), and fermented soymilk group (FSM), respectively. The NC group was fed with a basic diet, while the other groups were fed with a high-fat diet. After the experimental period (6 W), rats were sacrificed by decapitation. Blood and liver were collected to measure the concentrations of lipids and antioxidant enzyme activities. Results demonstrated that fermented soymilk could regulate lipid levels, restore HDL-c and TG to normal levels, and lower the concentrations of LDL-c than hypolipidemic drugs in hyperlipidemia rats. More importantly, fermented soymilk caused significant reduction in arteriosclerosis index and coronary risk index. Fermented soymilk also improved antioxidant capacities of hyperlipidemia rats. The increase of aglycone isoflavones in fermented soymilk could explain the above phenomena. In conclusion, soymilk fermented by Lactococcus acidophilus reduced risks of arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease by regulating lipid levels and improving the antioxidant capacities of hyperlipidemia rats.

Therapeutic effect of tyndallized Lactobacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 on atopic dermatitis mediated by down-regulation of immunoglobulin E in NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Lee, Seung-Hun; Yoon, Jong-Min; Kim, Young-Hoo; Jeong, Dong-Gu; Park, Soobong; Kang, Dae-Jung

2016-07-01

The therapeutic effect of oral administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 tyndallizate (RHT3201) on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice were investigated. After induction of dermatitis in NC/Nga mice with house-dust mite extract, each group was fed RHT3201 with 1 × 10(8) , 1 × 10(9) , or 1 × 10(10) cells orally once a day for 8 weeks. Dermatitis scores and frequency of scratching were improved by oral feeding with RHT3201. In contrast to the control group, RHT3201-fed mice showed significantly down-regulated mast cell numbers and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations had significantly less IL4 in their axillary lymph node cells. The therapeutic effect of RHT3201 was found to be dose-dependent. These findings indicate that RHT3201 has potential for treating AD. © 2016 The Societies and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

A Pilot Study of Quantitative MRI Measurements of Ventricular Volume and Cortical Atrophy for the Differential Diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

PubMed Central

Moore, Dana W.; Kovanlikaya, Ilhami; Heier, Linda A.; Raj, Ashish; Huang, Chaorui; Chu, King-Wai; Relkin, Norman R.

2012-01-01

Current radiologic diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) requires a subjective judgment of whether lateral ventricular enlargement is disproportionate to cerebral atrophy based on visual inspection of brain images. We investigated whether quantitative measurements of lateral ventricular volume and total cortical thickness (a correlate of cerebral atrophy) could be used to more objectively distinguish NPH from normal controls (NC), Alzheimer's (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). Volumetric MRIs were obtained prospectively from patients with NPH (n = 5), PD (n = 5), and NC (5). Additional NC (n = 5) and AD patients (n = 10) from the ADNI cohort were examined. Although mean ventricular volume was significantly greater in the NPH group than all others, the range of values overlapped those of the AD group. Individuals with NPH could be better distinguished when ventricular volume and total cortical thickness were considered in combination. This pilot study suggests that volumetric MRI measurements hold promise for improving NPH differential diagnosis. PMID:21860791

Effects of a high dose of microbial phytase and myo-inositol supplementation on growth performance, tibia mineralization, nutrient digestibility, litter moisture content, and foot problems in broiler chickens fed phosphorus-deficient diets.

PubMed

Farhadi, D; Karimi, A; Sadeghi, Gh; Rostamzadeh, J; Bedford, M R

2017-10-01

A total of 660 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into eleven dietary treatments. Treatments included a maize-soybean meal-based diet with recommended calcium (Ca) and non-phytate phosphorus (nPP) (positive control; PC), an nPP-deficient diet (negative control; NC), NC diets supplemented with different levels of phytase (0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, and 6,000 FTU/kg), a NC diet plus 0.15% myo-inositol, and a NC diet with reduced Ca level (Ca to nPP ratio same as PC). Feeding the NC diet had no effects on birds' body weight (BW), weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), but decreased (P < 0.05) tibia P contents, crude protein (CP) digestibility, and serum P, but increased (P < 0.05) serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity at 21 d of age. Phytase supplementation at ≥4,000 FTU/kg improved (P < 0.05) BW, WG and digestibility of nutrients. Feeding the NC diet resulted in greater (P < 0.05) litter moisture content (42 d) and poorer gait score (21 d), but 4,000 and 6,000 FTU/kg phytase returned (P < 0.05) these parameters to that of the PC. Supplemental myo-inositol increased (P < 0.05) serum total protein, P retention, and decreased (P < 0.05) litter moisture at 42 d of age. Feeding the low Ca NC diet increased (P < 0.05) serum total protein, ileum Ca, P, and CP digestibility and decreased serum ALP activity, litter moisture and gait score compared to the NC group. In conclusion, phytase in a dose-dependent manner, especially at ≥4,000 FTU/kg levels, was effective in overcoming the negative consequences of NC diets, primarily due to the ability to improve nutrient utilization. In addition, reducing the Ca level or supplementation of inositol of NC diet can correct some the negative effects of feeding a NC diet confirming the negative effect of a wide Ca: P ratio in a P-deficient diet and suggesting that inositol may play a role in the response to phytase addition. © 2017 Poultry Science Association Inc.

First rapid eye movement sleep periods and sleep-onset rapid eye movement periods in sleep-stage sequencing of hypersomnias.

PubMed

Drakatos, Panagis; Kosky, Christopher A; Higgins, Sean E; Muza, Rexford T; Williams, Adrian J; Leschziner, Guy D

2013-09-01

Discrimination between narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, and behavior-induced inadequate sleep syndrome (BIISS) is based on clinical features and on specific nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG) and multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) results. However, previous studies have cast doubt on the specificity and sensitivity of these diagnostic tools. Eleven variables of the NPSG were analyzed in 101 patients who were retrospectively diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy (N+C) (n=24), narcolepsy without cataplexy (N-C) (n=38), idiopathic hypersomnia with long sleep period (IHL) (n=21), and BIISS (n=18). Fifteen out of 24 N+C and 8 out of 38 N-C entered the first rapid eye movement (REM) sleep period (FREMP) from sleep stage 1 (N1) or wake (W), though this sleep-stage sequence did not arise in the other patient groups. FREMP stage sequence was a function of REM sleep latency (REML) for both N+C and N-C groups. FREMP stage sequence was not associated with mean sleep latency (MSL) in N+C but was associated in N-C, which implies heterogeneity within the N-C group. REML also was a useful discriminator. Depending on the cutoff period, REML had a sensitivity and specificity of up to 85.5% and 97.4%, respectively. The FREMP stage sequence may be a useful tool in the diagnosis of narcolepsy, particularly in conjunction with sleep-stage sequence analysis of sleep-onset REM periods (SOREMPs) in the MSLT; it also may provide a helpful intermediate phenotype in the clarification of heterogeneity in the N-C diagnostic group. However, larger prospective studies are necessary to confirm these findings. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Oral supplementation of Lithospermum erythrorhizon prevents the development of atopic dermatitis with reducing ceramide degradation in the epidermis of NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Kim, JungMin; Kim, YoungRan; Seo, DaeBang; Kim, SungHan; Lee, SangJun; Cho, Yunhi

2009-09-01

Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc. (LE) is widely used in the treatment of abnormal skin conditions, but its systemic efficacy, especially in atopic dermatitis (AD), is not clear. To examine the systemic efficacy of LE on the clinical manifestation of AD-like skin lesions, NC/Nga mice, a murine model of AD, were fed a control diet (group CA: atopic control) or a diet with a 70% ethanol extract from 5% LE (group LE) for 10 weeks. In group LE, the clinical manifestation of AD-like skin lesions was prevented as the level of serum IgE, epidermal hyperproliferation, and the number and duration of scratching episodes, which were greater in group CA, were significantly reduced to a similar level of the normal control group of BALB/c mice (group C). In addition, the level of ceramides, the major lipid maintaining the epidermal barrier, in the epidermis of group LE was increased, and was inversely associated with a decreased protein level of ceramidase, an enzyme of ceramide degradation. However, the mRNA and the protein levels of serine palmitoyl transferase (enzyme for de novo ceramide synthesis) in groups C, CA and LE did not differ. It was demonstrated that oral supplementation with LE extract prevented the development of atopic dermatitis with reducing ceramide degradation coupled with a low expression of ceramidase protein.

[Effects of telmisartan on resistin expression in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and insulin resistance].

PubMed

Zhang, Qiuzan; Wang, Yanrong; Liu, Yingli; Yang, Qian; Wang, Xiuru; Wang, Qiang; Zhang, Chenming; Wang, Bangmao

2015-04-01

To investigate the effects of telmisartan on expression of resistin in serum and liver under conditions of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and insulin resistance using a rat model system. Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal control group (NC, n=10), a model control group (MC, n=15), a polyene phosphatidylcholine prevention group (PP, n=10), and a telmisartan prevention group (TP, n=10). The NC group was given a standard diet and the other groups were given a high-fat diet for 16 weeks in order to induce NASH. At the end of week 12, 5 rats in the MC group were sacrificed for pathology confirmation of the NASH model. At the end of week 12, the TP group was given telmisartan (8.0 mg/kg/d) and the PP group was given polyene phosphatidylcholine (8.4 mg/kg/d) for an additional 4 weeks by intragastric administration. At the end of week 16, all rats were sacrificed and body weights recorded. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), resistin, insulin and fasting blood glucose were measured. The insulin resistance value, HOMA-IR, was assessed by homeostasis mode assessment. Liver expression of the resistin protein was detected by western blotting and of the resistin mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. The F test and LSD test were used for statistical analyses. Compared to the NC group, the body weight and HOMA-IR of rats in the MC group were significantly increased (P<0.01). The levels of serum resistin, and of resistin protein and mRNA in liver, were significantly higher in the MC group than in the NC group of rats (all P less than 0.01). The body weight of rats in the TP group was significantly lower than those in the MC group (P<0.05). The levels of serrn resistin, resistin protein and mRNA in the liver, and insulin resistance were significantly lower in the TP group than in the MC group of rats (all P<0.01). The PP group did not show significant differences in any of these measures, except for loss of body weight (P<0.05). Telmisartan elicits preventive and protective effects in a NASH rat model.Telmisartan may improve insulin resistance in NASH rats by decreasing the expression of serum resistin, and liver resistin protein and mRNA.

Carbon tetrachloride-induced liver disease in rats: the potential effect of supplement oils with vitamins E and C on the nutritional status

PubMed Central

Ismail, Rasha S. A.; El-Megeid, Ashraf A. A.; Abdel-Moemin, Aly R.

2009-01-01

The aim of the present investigation was to study the effects of olive oil (OO), corn oil (CO), and flaxseed oil (FO), with or without supplementation of vitamins E and C, on food intake, body weight gain %, liver weight to body weight %, total lipids, liver functions, and liver histology in male rats intoxicated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Forty-two rats were divided into two main groups. The first main group was fed on basal diet (BD) as a negative control group (NC). The second main group received subcutaneous injections of CCl4 in paraffin oil (50% v/v 2ml/kg) twice a week to induce chronic damage in the liver. The group was then divided into six subgroups, three of which were fed on 4% unsupplemented oils (CO, FO, and OO) as positive control for the three oils used. The rest of the groups were fed on 4% of the same oils supplemented with vitamins E and C. The results of the flaxseed oil rat group indicate that supplementing vitamin E and C led to a significant reduction in the mean values of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and liver alanine amino transferase enzyme (ALT). Moreover, it caused an increase of the mean value of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as compared to the negative control group (NC). The olive oil group supplemented with the same vitamins showed a significant decrease in the mean value of serum TC and significant (P<0.05) increase in the mean value of serum HDL-C as compared to NC. The results of the corn oil group supplemented with vitamins showed a significant increase in the mean value of serum HDL-C as compared to the negative control group. The histology results confirmed that the group hepatically injured with CCl4 treatment and fed on supplemented FO or OO showed apparently normal hepatocytes. Conclusion: The most effective treatment was observed with oils supplemented with vitamins E and C. Hierarchically FO achieved the best results compared to other additives, followed by OO and finally CO showing the least effective treatment among the observed groups. PMID:19675745

Carbon tetrachloride-induced liver disease in rats: the potential effect of supplement oils with vitamins E and C on the nutritional status.

PubMed

Ismail, Rasha S A; El-Megeid, Ashraf A A; Abdel-Moemin, Aly R

2009-06-30

The aim of the present investigation was to study the effects of olive oil (OO), corn oil (CO), and flaxseed oil (FO), with or without supplementation of vitamins E and C, on food intake, body weight gain %, liver weight to body weight %, total lipids, liver functions, and liver histology in male rats intoxicated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)). Forty-two rats were divided into two main groups. The first main group was fed on basal diet (BD) as a negative control group (NC). The second main group received subcutaneous injections of CCl(4) in paraffin oil (50% v/v 2 ml/kg) twice a week to induce chronic damage in the liver. The group was then divided into six subgroups, three of which were fed on 4% unsupplemented oils (CO, FO, and OO) as positive control for the three oils used. The rest of the groups were fed on 4% of the same oils supplemented with vitamins E and C. The results of the flaxseed oil rat group indicate that supplementing vitamin E and C led to a significant reduction in the mean values of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and liver alanine amino transferase enzyme (ALT). Moreover, it caused an increase of the mean value of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as compared to the negative control group (NC). The olive oil group supplemented with the same vitamins showed a significant decrease in the mean value of serum TC and significant (P<0.05) increase in the mean value of serum HDL-C as compared to NC. The results of the corn oil group supplemented with vitamins showed a significant increase in the mean value of serum HDL-C as compared to the negative control group. The histology results confirmed that the group hepatically injured with CCl(4) treatment and fed on supplemented FO or OO showed apparently normal hepatocytes. The most effective treatment was observed with oils supplemented with vitamins E and C. Hierarchically FO achieved the best results compared to other additives, followed by OO and finally CO showing the least effective treatment among the observed groups.

Neck circumference predicts renal function decline in overweight women: A community-based prospective cohort study.

PubMed

Yoon, Chang-Yun; Park, Jung Tak; Jhee, Jong Hyun; Kee, Youn Kyung; Seo, Changhwan; Lee, Misol; Cha, Min-Uk; Jung, Su-Young; Park, Seohyun; Yun, Hae-Ryong; Kwon, Young Eun; Oh, Hyung Jung; Han, Seung Hyeok; Yoo, Tae-Hyun; Kang, Shin-Wook

2016-09-01

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by increased risks of morbidity and mortality. Upper-body subcutaneous fat, which is commonly estimated from the neck circumference (NC), was revealed to be the main reservoir of circulating nonesterified fatty acids in overweight patients. Despite a close association between NC and metabolic complications, the relationship of NC with renal function has not been fully investigated. In this study, the impact of NC on the development of incident CKD was elucidated.The data were retrieved from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study cohort. The subjects were followed at 2-year intervals from 2003 to 2011. Overweight was defined as a body mass index of ≥23 kg/m. A total of 4298 cohort subjects were screened. After exclusion, 2268 overweight subjects were included for the final analysis. The primary end point was incident CKD, which was defined as a composite of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m or the development of proteinuria.The mean patient age was 36.3 ± 3.0 years, and 1285 (56.7%) were men. They were divided into 2 groups according to the median NC in male and female subjects, separately. In both sexes, hypertension (men, P < 0.001; women, P = 0.009) and diabetes (men, P = 0.002; women, P < 0.001) were significantly more prevalent in the big NC group than in the small NC group. In contrast, eGFR was significantly lower only in male subjects of the big NC group (P < 0.001), whereas it was comparable between the small and big NC groups (P = 0.167). In multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, NC values were independently associated with incident CKD development in female subjects after adjusting for multiple confounding factors (per 1 cm increase, hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.159 [1.024-1.310], P = 0.019) but not in male subjects.NC is independently associated with the development of CKD in overweight female subjects, suggesting that it could be a practical risk factor for CKD.

Effect of superdosing phytase on productive performance and egg quality in laying hens.

PubMed

Kim, Jong Hyuk; Pitargue, Franco Martinez; Jung, Hyunjung; Han, Gi Ppeum; Choi, Hyeon Seok; Kil, Dong Yong

2017-07-01

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of superdosing phytase on productive performance and egg quality in laying hens. A total of 200 42-wk-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were allotted into 1 of 5 dietary treatments with 5 replicates consisting of 8 hens per replicate. The positive control (PC) and negative control diets (NC) were prepared based on the recommended P levels in layer diets. Supplemental phytase was added to the negative control diet at 10,000 (SD10), 20,000 (SD20), or 30,000 (SD30) fytase units (FTU)/kg. Productive performance was summarized for 6 weeks from 42 weeks to 47 weeks of age. Egg quality was assessed from 4 eggs per replicate randomly collected at the conclusion of the experiment. The SD20 treatment had greater (p<0.05) hen-day egg production than PC, NC, and SD10 treatment groups. There was no difference in hen-day egg production between SD20 and SD30 treatment groups. However, SD30 treatment had greater (p<0.05) hen-day egg production than PC treatment, but showed no difference in hen-day egg production as compared to NC and SD10 treatment groups. However, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were not affected by dietary treatments. Egg quality including eggshell strength, eggshell color, egg yolk color, and haugh unit was not influenced by dietary treatments. Superdosing level of 20,000 FTU/kg phytase in diets has a positive effect on egg production rate, but no beneficial effect on egg quality in laying hens.

Industrial Technology Modernization Program. Project 32. Factory Vision. Phase 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-04-01

instructions for the PWA’s, generating the numerical control (NC) program instructions for factory assembly equipment, controlling the process... generating the numerical control (NC) program instructions for factory assembly equipment, controlling the production process instructions and NC... Assembly Operations the "Create Production Process Program" will automatically generate a sequence of graphics pages (in paper mode), or graphics screens

Differential effects of saturated and unsaturated fatty acid diets on cardiomyocyte apoptosis, adipose distribution, and serum leptin.

PubMed

Okere, Isidore C; Chandler, Margaret P; McElfresh, Tracy A; Rennison, Julie H; Sharov, Victor; Sabbah, Hani N; Tserng, Kou-Yi; Hoit, Brian D; Ernsberger, Paul; Young, Martin E; Stanley, William C

2006-07-01

Fatty acids are the primary fuel for the heart and are ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which regulate the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in fatty acid metabolism. Saturated fatty acids, particularly palmitate, can be converted to the proapoptotic lipid intermediate ceramide. This study assessed cardiac function, expression of PPAR-regulated genes, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats after 8 wk on either a low-fat diet [normal chow control (NC); 10% fat calories] or high-fat diets composed mainly of either saturated (Sat) or unsaturated fatty acids (Unsat) (60% fat calories) (n = 10/group). The Sat group had lower plasma insulin and leptin concentrations compared with the NC or Unsat groups. Cardiac function and mass and body mass were not different. Cardiac triglyceride content was increased in the Sat and Unsat groups compared with NC (P < 0.05); however, ceramide content was higher in the Sat group compared with the Unsat group (2.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.4 +/- 0.2 nmol/g; P < 0.05), whereas the NC group was intermediate (2.3 +/- 0.3 nmol/g). The number of apoptotic myocytes, assessed by terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining, was higher in the Sat group compared with the Unsat group (0.28 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.17 +/- 0.04 apoptotic cells/1,000 nuclei; P < 0.04) and was positively correlated to ceramide content (P < 0.02). Both high-fat diets increased the myocardial mRNA expression of the PPAR-regulated genes encoding uncoupling protein-3 and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4, but only the Sat diet upregulated medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase. In conclusion, dietary fatty acid composition affects cardiac ceramide accumulation, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and expression of PPAR-regulated genes independent of cardiac mass or function.

Momentum-based morphometric analysis with application to Parkinson's disease

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jingyun; Khan, Ali R.; McKeown, Martin J.; Beg, Mirza F.

2011-03-01

We apply the initial momentum shape representation of diffeomorphic metric mapping from a template region of interest (ROI) to a given ROI as a morphometic marker in Parkinson's disease. We used a three-step segmentation-registrationmomentum process to derive feature vectors from ROIs in a group of 42 subjects consisting of 19 Parkinson's Disease (PD) subjects and 23 normal control (NC) subjects. Significant group differences between PD and NC subjects were detected in four basal ganglia structures including the caudate, putamen, thalamus and globus pallidus. The magnitude of regionally significant between-group differences detected ranged between 34-75%. Visualization of the different structural deformation pattern between-groups revealed that some parts of basal ganglia structure actually hypertrophy, presumably as a compensatory response to more widespread atrophy. Our results of both hypertrophy and atrophy in the same structures further demonstrate the importance of morphological measures as opposed to overall volume in the assessment of neurodegenerative disease.

Gene and noncoding RNA regulation underlying photoreceptor protection: microarray study of dietary antioxidant saffron and photobiomodulation in rat retina

PubMed Central

Zhu, Yuan; Valter, Krisztina; Bisti, Silvia; Eells, Janis; Stone, Jonathan

2010-01-01

Purpose To identify the genes and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) involved in the neuroprotective actions of a dietary antioxidant (saffron) and of photobiomodulation (PBM). Methods We used a previously published assay of photoreceptor damage, in which albino Sprague Dawley rats raised in dim cyclic illumination (12 h 5 lux, 12 h darkness) were challenged by 24 h exposure to bright (1,000 lux) light. Experimental groups were protected against light damage by pretreatment with dietary saffron (1 mg/kg/day for 21 days) or PBM (9 J/cm2 at the eye, daily for 5 days). RNA from one eye of four animals in each of the six experimental groups (control, light damage [LD], saffron, PBM, saffronLD, and PBMLD) was hybridized to Affymetrix rat genome ST arrays. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of 14 selected genes was used to validate the microarray results. Results LD caused the regulation of 175 entities (genes and ncRNAs) beyond criterion levels (p<0.05 in comparison with controls, fold-change >2). PBM pretreatment reduced the expression of 126 of these 175 LD-regulated entities below criterion; saffron pretreatment reduced the expression of 53 entities (50 in common with PBM). In addition, PBM pretreatment regulated the expression of 67 entities not regulated by LD, while saffron pretreatment regulated 122 entities not regulated by LD (48 in common with PBM). PBM and saffron, given without LD, regulated genes and ncRNAs beyond criterion levels, but in lesser numbers than during their protective action. A high proportion of the entities regulated by LD (>90%) were known genes. By contrast, ncRNAs were prominent among the entities regulated by PBM and saffron in their neuroprotective roles (73% and 62%, respectively). Conclusions Given alone, saffron and (more prominently) PBM both regulated significant numbers of genes and ncRNAs. Given before retinal exposure to damaging light, thus while exerting their neuroprotective action, they regulated much larger numbers of entities, among which ncRNAs were prominent. Further, the downregulation of known genes and of ncRNAs was prominent in the protective actions of both neuroprotectants. These comparisons provide an overview of gene expression induced by two neuroprotectants and provide a basis for the more focused study of their mechanisms. PMID:20844572

On Colour, Category Effects, and Alzheimer's Disease: A Critical Review of Studies and Further Longitudinal Evidence

PubMed Central

Moreno-Martínez, F. Javier; Rodríguez-Rojo, Inmaculada C.

2015-01-01

The role of colour in object recognition is controversial; in this study, a critical review of previous studies, as well as a longitudinal study, was conducted. We examined whether colour benefits the ability of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and normal controls (NC) when naming items differing in colour diagnosticity: living things (LT) versus nonliving things (NLT). Eleven AD patients were evaluated twice with a temporal interval of 3 years; 26 NC were tested once. The participants performed a naming task (colour and greyscale photographs); the impact of nuisance variables (NVs) and potential ceiling effects were also controlled. Our results showed that (i) colour slightly favoured processing of items with higher colour diagnosticity (i.e., LT) in both groups; (ii) AD patients used colour information similarly to NC, retaining this ability over time; (iii) NVs played a significant role as naming predictors in all the participants, relegating domain to a minor plane; and (iv) category effects (better processing of NLT) were present in both groups. Finally, although patients underwent semantic longitudinal impairment, this was independent of colour deterioration. This finding provides better support to the view that colour is effective at the visual rather than at the semantic level of object processing. PMID:26074675

On Colour, Category Effects, and Alzheimer's Disease: A Critical Review of Studies and Further Longitudinal Evidence.

PubMed

Moreno-Martínez, F Javier; Rodríguez-Rojo, Inmaculada C

2015-01-01

The role of colour in object recognition is controversial; in this study, a critical review of previous studies, as well as a longitudinal study, was conducted. We examined whether colour benefits the ability of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and normal controls (NC) when naming items differing in colour diagnosticity: living things (LT) versus nonliving things (NLT). Eleven AD patients were evaluated twice with a temporal interval of 3 years; 26 NC were tested once. The participants performed a naming task (colour and greyscale photographs); the impact of nuisance variables (NVs) and potential ceiling effects were also controlled. Our results showed that (i) colour slightly favoured processing of items with higher colour diagnosticity (i.e., LT) in both groups; (ii) AD patients used colour information similarly to NC, retaining this ability over time; (iii) NVs played a significant role as naming predictors in all the participants, relegating domain to a minor plane; and (iv) category effects (better processing of NLT) were present in both groups. Finally, although patients underwent semantic longitudinal impairment, this was independent of colour deterioration. This finding provides better support to the view that colour is effective at the visual rather than at the semantic level of object processing.

Episodic memory loss is related to hippocampal-mediated beta-amyloid deposition in elderly subjects.

PubMed

Mormino, E C; Kluth, J T; Madison, C M; Rabinovici, G D; Baker, S L; Miller, B L; Koeppe, R A; Mathis, C A; Weiner, M W; Jagust, W J

2009-05-01

Although beta-amyloid (Abeta) plaques are a primary diagnostic criterion for Alzheimer's disease, this pathology is commonly observed in the brains of non-demented older individuals. To explore the importance of this pathology in the absence of dementia, we compared levels of amyloid deposition (via 'Pittsburgh Compound-B' (PIB) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging) to hippocampus volume (HV) and episodic memory (EM) in three groups: (i) normal controls (NC) from the Berkeley Aging Cohort (BAC NC, n = 20); (ii) normal controls (NC) from the Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative (ADNI NC, n = 17); and (iii) PIB+ mild cognitive impairment subjects from the ADNI (ADNI PIB+ MCI, n = 39). Age, gender and education were controlled for in each statistical model, and HV was adjusted for intracranial volume (aHV). In BAC NC, elevated PIB uptake was significantly associated with smaller aHV (P = 0.0016) and worse EM (P = 0.0086). Within ADNI NC, elevated PIB uptake was significantly associated with smaller aHV (P = 0.047) but not EM (P = 0.60); within ADNI PIB+ MCI, elevated PIB uptake was significantly associated with both smaller aHV (P = 0.00070) and worse EM (P = 0.046). To further understand these relationships, a recursive regression procedure was conducted within all ADNI NC and PIB+ MCI subjects (n = 56) to test the hypothesis that HV mediates the relationship between Abeta and EM. Significant correlations were found between PIB index and EM (P = 0.0044), PIB index and aHV (P < 0.0001), as well as between aHV and EM (P < 0.0001). When both aHV and PIB were included in the same model to predict EM, aHV remained significant (P = 0.0015) whereas PIB index was no longer significantly associated with EM (P = 0.50). These results are consistent with a model in which Abeta deposition, hippocampal atrophy, and EM occur sequentially in elderly subjects, with Abeta deposition as the primary event in this cascade. This pattern suggests that declining EM in older individuals may be caused by Abeta-induced hippocampus atrophy.

Impact of needleless connector change frequency on central line-associated bloodstream infection rate.

PubMed

Sandora, Thomas J; Graham, Dionne A; Conway, Margaret; Dodson, Brenda; Potter-Bynoe, Gail; Margossian, Steven P

2014-05-01

Bloodstream infection is the most common pediatric health care-associated infection and is strongly associated with catheter use. These infections greatly increase the cost of hospital stay. To assess the association between needleless connector (NC) change frequency and central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate, we modeled monthly pediatric stem cell transplant (SCT) CLABSI rate in 3 periods: baseline period during which NC were changed every 96 hours regardless of infusate (period 1); trial period in which NC were changed every 24 hours with blood or lipid infusions (period 2); and a return to NC change every 96 hours regardless of infusate (period 3). Data on potential confounders were collected retrospectively. Autocorrelated segmented regression models were used to compare SCT CLABSI rates in each period, adjusting for potential confounders. CLABSI rates were also assessed for a nonequivalent control group (oncology unit) in which NC were changed every 24 hours with blood or lipid use in periods 2 and 3. SCT CLABSI rates were 0.41, 3.56, and 0.03 per 1,000 central line-days in periods 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In multivariable analysis, the CLABSI rate was significantly higher in period 2 compared with both period 1 (P = .01) and period 3 (P = .003). In contrast, CLABSI rates on the oncology unit were not significantly different among periods. In pediatric SCT patients, changing needleless connectors every 24 hours when blood or lipids are infused is associated with increased CLABSI rates. National recommendations regarding NC change frequency should be clarified. Copyright © 2014 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Transparent luminescent bulk nanocomposites of polysiloxane embedded with CdS nanocrystallines by a direct dispersion process.

PubMed

Shen, Zhu-Rui; Li, Ya-Li; Liu, Jian-Bin; Chen, Ming-Xia; Hou, Feng; Wang, Li-Qun

2012-03-07

Transparent luminescent bulk nanocomposites of polysiloxane (PSO) embedded with semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) have been fabricated by the direct dispersion of CdS NCs in alkyl-(poly)siloxane (APS) followed by co-polymerization. The non-polar characteristics of the APS precursor are compatible with the CdS NC surface (oleylamine), which allows the direct dispersion of the CdS NCs without the need of any surfactant exchange. Chemical crosslinking of the NC-APS dispersion via hydrosilylation between Si-H and the vinyl group in APS immobilizes the CdS NCs in the polysiloxane network. Net-shaped three-dimensional bulk transparent polysiloxane/CdS NC composites were obtained by liquid casting of the NC-precursor dispersion and chemical crosslinking. The PSO/CdS NC composites show visible luminescence under ultraviolet excitation and the luminescent color is tunable from blue to red by controlling the NC concentration in the composite. Photoluminescence spectral analyses reveal the origin of the luminescence as being from the defect emission of the CdS NCs (550-900 nm) and an emission from the PSO matrix (380-550 nm). The luminescent spectra covered a wide range from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared region. The luminescence of the PSO/CdS NC nanocomposites was stable without any apparent degradation after exposure to air for a long time. This simple direct dispersion process is feasible for the fabrication of luminescent nanocomposites with useful optical properties for potential applications in optics and photoelectron devices.

Establishment of lysozyme gene RNA interference systemand its involvement in salinity tolerance in sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus).

PubMed

Tian, Yi; Jiang, Yanan; Shang, Yanpeng; Zhang, Yu-Peng; Geng, Chen-Fan; Wang, Li-Qiang; Chang, Ya-Qing

2017-06-01

The lysozyme gene was silenced using RNA interference (RNAi) to analyze the function of lysozyme in sea cucumber under salt stress. The interfering efficiency of four lysozyme RNAi oligos ranged from 0.55 to 0.70. From the four oligos, p-miR-L245 was used for further interfering experiments because it had the best silencing efficiency. Peristomial film injection of p-miR-L245 (10 μg) was used for further interfering experiments. The lowest gene expression, determined by RT-PCR assay, in muscle, coelomic fluid, and parapodium occurred 48 h after p-miR-L245 injection, while that of body wall and tube foot was 96 h and 24 h, respectively. Lysozyme activity in muscle and body wall was significantly lower than the controls. The lowest lysozyme activity in muscle, body wall and parapodium, was found at 48, 72, and 48 h, respectively, which was consistent with the transcription expression of lysozyme. The lowest point of lysozyme activity was at 96 h in coelomic fluid and tube foot, which was laid behind lysozyme expression in transcription level. The expression profile of the lysozyme transcription level and lysozyme activity in the body wall and tube foot increased at 12 h after p-miR-L245 injection before the interference effect appeared. NKA gene expression was expressed at a high level in the positive control (PC) and negative control (NC) groups at 12, 24, and 48 h, while NKA was expressed at low levels in the lysozyme RNAi injection group at 12 and 24 h. The level of NKA gene expression recovered to the level of the PC and NC group at 48, 72, and 96 h after the lysozyme RNAi injection. NKCC1 gene expression was high in the PC and NC groups at 96 h, while the NKCC1 was expressed at a low level 96 h after lysozyme RNAi injection. The results suggest that lysozyme decay involves NKA and NKCC1 gene expression under salinity 18 psμ. The K + and Cl - concentration after lysozyme RNAi injection was lower than in the PC and NC group. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Validity of a PCR assay in CSF for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis.

PubMed

Carpio, Arturo; Campoverde, Alfredo; Romo, Matthew L; García, Lorena; Piedra, Luis M; Pacurucu, Mónica; López, Nelson; Aguilar, Jenner; López, Sebastian; Vintimilla, Luis C; Toral, Ana M; Peña-Tapia, Pablo

2017-03-01

To prospectively evaluate the validity of a PCR assay in CSF for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis (NC). We conducted a multicenter, prospective case-control study, recruiting participants from 5 hospitals in Cuenca, Ecuador, from January 2015 to February 2016. Cases fulfilled validated diagnostic criteria for NC. For each case, a neurosurgical patient who did not fulfill the diagnostic criteria for NC was selected as a control. CT and MRI, as well as a CSF sample, were collected from both cases and controls. The diagnostic criteria to identify cases were used as a reference standard. Overall, 36 case and 36 control participants were enrolled. PCR had a sensitivity of 72.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 54.8%-85.8%) and a specificity of 100.0% (95% CI 90.3%-100.0%). For parenchymal NC, PCR had a sensitivity of 42.9% (95% CI 17.7%-71.1%), and for extraparenchymal NC, PCR had a sensitivity of 90.9% (95% CI 70.8%-98.9%). This study demonstrated the usefulness of this PCR assay in CSF for the diagnosis of NC. PCR may be particularly helpful for diagnosing extraparenchymal NC when neuroimaging techniques have failed. This study provides Class III evidence that CSF PCR can accurately identify patients with extraparenchymal NC.

Hypocholesterolemic Effects of the Cauliflower Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom, Sparassis crispa (Higher Basidiomycetes), in Diet-Induced Hypercholesterolemic Rats.

PubMed

Hong, Ki Bae; Hong, Sung-Yong; Joung, Eun Young; Kim, Byung Hee; Bae, Song-Hwan; Park, Yooheon; Suh, Hyung Joo

2015-01-01

The cauliflower culinary-medicinal mushroom, Sparassis crispa, possesses various biological activities that have been widely reported to have therapeutic applications. We examined the effects of S. crispa on serum cholesterol, hepatic enzymes related to cholesterol metabolism, and fecal sterol excretion in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet for 4 weeks. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (8 weeks old) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6 mice per group): normal diet (normal control [NC]), cholesterol-rich diet (cholesterol control [CC]), cholesterol-rich diet plus S. crispa fruiting body (SC), cholesterol-rich diet plus S. crispa extract (SCE), and cholesterol-rich diet plus S. crispa residue (SCR). SCE supplementation significantly enhanced hepatic cholesterol catabolism through the upregulation of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression (2.55-fold compared with that in the NC group; P < 0.05) and the downregulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase mRNA expression (0.57-fold compared with that in the NC group; P < 0.05). Additionally, the SCE diet resulted in the highest fecal excretion of cholesterol and bile acid in hypercholesterolemic rats. In conclusion, mRNA expression of CYP7A1 and HMG-CoA reductase were significantly modulated by the absorption of SCE samples. Also, SCE samples had a significant effect on fecal bile acid and cholesterol excretion. These results suggest that SCE samples can induce hypocholesterolic effects through cholesterol metabolism and the reduction of circulating cholesterol levels.

Panax ginseng improves survival and sperm quality in guinea pigs exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin.

PubMed

Hwang, Seock-Yeon; Kim, Wun-Jae; Wee, Jae-Joon; Choi, Jong-Soon; Kim, Si-Kwan

2004-09-01

To further assess the effect of Panax ginseng on survival and sperm quality of guinea pigs exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Eighty male guinea pigs were divided into eight equal groups. The normal control (NC) group received vehicle and saline; one dose of 1 micro g/kg body weight TCDD was injected intraperitoneally into the single TCDD-treated (TT) and test groups (P100, P200, C100, C200); G and NC groups received vehicle instead of TCDD. P. ginseng water extract (PG-WE) was injected intraperitoneally at daily doses of 100 (G100, P100, C100) or 200 mg/kg body weight (G200, P200, C200). The PG-WE was administered to the P and G groups for 12 weeks from 1 week before TCDD exposure, and to the C groups for 10 weeks from 1 week after TCDD exposure. After a 4-week discontinuation of PG-WE treatment after the 13th week the surviving males were then tested for fertility by mating them with females. The litter size, death rate, male/female birth ratio and physical abnormalities of the progeny were investigated. After confirming delivery of the offspring, the parent males were killed at 40 weeks, their testes weighed and sperm quality assessed. All TT animals died within 18 days after TCDD exposure, but 40-70% of the PG-WE-treated groups, depending on the group, survived until death at 40 weeks. All the surviving males were fertile regardless of TCDD exposure; there was no difference in litter size between the NC and test groups. Notably the death rate of progeny born to PG-WE-treated groups was lower than that of progeny born to the NC group. The progeny born to TCDD-exposed groups (P200 and C groups) had a preponderance of females. G Group animals had higher sperm quality than that of NCs even long after discontinuing PG-WE. P. ginseng improves the survival rate and sperm quality in guinea pigs exposed to TCDD.

Effects and mechanism of oridonin on pulmonary hypertension induced by chronic hypoxia-hypercapnia in rats.

PubMed

Wang, Liang-Xing; Sun, Yu; Chen, Chan; Huang, Xiao-Ying; Lin, Quan; Qian, Guo-Qing; Dong, Wei; Chen, Yan-Fan

2009-06-20

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by suppressing apoptosis and enhancing cell proliferation in the vascular wall. Inducing pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) apoptosis had been regarded as a therapeutic approach for PAH. Oridonin can cause apoptosis in many cell lines, while little has been done to evaluate its effect on PASMC. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups: normal control (NC); hypoxia-hypercapnia (HH); Hypoxia-hypercapnia + oridonin (HHO). Rats were exposed to hypoxia-hypercapnia for four weeks. Cultured human PASMC (HPASMC) were assigned to three groups: normoxia (NO); hypoxia (HY); hypoxia + oridonin (HO). The mean pulmonary artery pressure, mass ratio of right ventricle over left ventricle plus septum (RV/(LV + S)), the ratio of thickness of the pulmonary arteriole wall to vascular external diameter (WT%) and the ratio of the vessel wall area to the total area (WA%) were measured. Morphologic changes of pulmonary arteries were observed under light and electron microscopes. The apoptotic characteristics in vitro and in vivo were detected. The mPAP, RV/(LV + S), WT%, and WA% in the HH group were significantly greater than those in the NC (P < 0.01) and HHO groups (P < 0.01); the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and the expressions of Bax, cyt-C and apoptotic index (AI) in the group HH were less than those in the NC and HHO groups; and the expression of Bcl-2 in group HH was greater than that in the NC and HHO groups. HPASMC mitochondrial membrane potentials in group HO was lower than in group HY (P < 0.01), and cyt-C in the cytoplasm, AI, and caspase-9 in the HO group were greater than that in the HY group (P < 0.01), but the expression of Bcl-2 in the HO group was less than that in the HY group (P < 0.05). The results suggest that oridonin can lower pulmonary artery pressure effectively, and inhibit pulmonary artery structural remodeling by inducing smooth cell apoptosis via a mitochondria-dependent pathway.

Primary administration of Lactobacillus johnsonii NCC533 in weaning period suppresses the elevation of proinflammatory cytokines and CD86 gene expressions in skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Inoue, Ryo; Otsuka, Mai; Nishio, Ayako; Ushida, Kazunari

2007-06-01

The administration of probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has been studied for its potential to prevent atopic dermatitis (AD). The objective of this study was to assess the inhibitory mechanism of a skin lesion by LAB using an experimental model that we previously demonstrated in NC/Nga mice. Lactobacillus johnsonii NCC533 (La1) was administered orally to the La1 group from 20 to 22 days after birth, while phosphate-buffered saline was given to the control group. After the induction of skin lesions in 6-week-old mice, the expression of genes supposedly involved in AD was evaluated. Gene expression of the proinflammatory cytokines [interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-12 and IL-23] was significantly enhanced in the lesional skin of the control group by the induction of the lesion, whereas gene expression of those in the La1 group was not elevated. Interestingly, expression of the costimulatory molecule CD86 showed a pattern similar to the expression of the cytokines in the lesional skin. Moreover, the La1 group showed a significantly lower gene expression of CD86 in Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes than the control group. The suppression of proinflammatory cytokines and CD86 by primary administration of La1 may significantly contribute to the inhibitory effect on the skin lesion.

[Effect of postoperative precision nutrition therapy on postoperative recovery for advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy].

PubMed

Zhao, Q; Li, Y; Yu, B; Yang, P G; Fan, L Q; Tan, B B; Tian, Y; Yang, A B

2018-02-23

Objective: To investigate the effect of postoperative precision nutrition therapy on postoperative recovery (PR) of patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC). Methods: 71 subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups. The 34 patients of research group were treated with postoperative precision nutrition treatment according to the indirect energy measurement method. The 31 patients of control group were treated with traditional postoperative nutrition treatment. All participants were measured for body mass index (BMI), NRS2002, PG-SGA and relevant laboratory test within the 1st day before surgery and 7th day after surgery. Moreover, the difference between two groups in short-term effects were evaluated. Results: The daily energy supply of control group was 30.1%-43.74% higher than that of the experimental group ( P <0.05). The resting energy expenditure (REE) of the research group after surgery was lower than that before operation. The levels of prealbumin, albumin and lymphocyte count were higher in research group than the controls at the 7th day after surgery whereas the opposite was true for the creatinine, urea nitrogen, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin ( P <0.05). Similarly, the rate of malnutrition and nutritional risk became lower in the research group ( P <0.05). The gastrointestinal function recovery of patients in the research group was comparable to that of the control group ( P >0.05). Moreover, the complication rate and hospitalization costs of in research group were significantly lower than that of in control group ( P <0.05). For patients with or without nutritional risks before surgery, the nutritional index and inflammatory index in the research group were better than those in the control group. Conclusion: Postoperative precision nutrition therapy may improve the postoperative nutritional status and short-term effects of patients with AGC after NC.

Differences in Brain Morphological Findings between Narcolepsy with and without Cataplexy

PubMed Central

Nakamura, Masaki; Nishida, Shingo; Hayashida, Kenichi; Ueki, Yoichiro; Dauvilliers, Yves; Inoue, Yuichi

2013-01-01

Objective Maps of fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) obtained by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can detect microscopic axonal changes by estimating the diffusivity of water molecules using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We applied an MRI voxel-based statistical approach to FA and ADC maps to evaluate microstructural abnormalities in the brain in narcolepsy and to investigate differences between patients having narcolepsy with and without cataplexy. Methods Twelve patients with drug-naive narcolepsy with cataplexy (NA/CA), 12 with drug-naive narcolepsy without cataplexy (NA w/o CA) and 12 age-matched healthy normal controls (NC) were enrolled. FA and ADC maps for these 3 groups were statistically compared by using voxel-based one-way ANOVA. In addition, we investigated the correlation between FA and ADC values and clinical variables in the patient groups. Results Compared to the NC group, the NA/CA group showed higher ADC values in the left inferior frontal gyrus and left amygdala, and a lower ADC value in the left postcentral gyrus. The ADC value in the right inferior frontal gyrus and FA value in the right precuneus were higher for NA/CA group than for the NA w/o CA group. However, no significant differences were observed in FA and ADC values between the NA w/o CA and NC groups in any of the areas investigated. In addition, no correlation was found between the clinical variables and ADC and FA values of any brain areas in these patient groups. Conclusions Several microstructural changes were noted in the inferior frontal gyrus and amygdala in the NA/CA but not in the NA w/o CA group. These findings suggest that these 2 narcolepsy conditions have different pathological mechanisms: narcolepsy without cataplexy form appears to be a potentially broader condition without any significant brain imaging differences from normal controls. PMID:24312261

Phytoremediation of landfill leachate using Populus

Treesearch

Jill A. Zalesny; Ronald S., Jr. Zalesny; Adam H. Wiese; Richard B. Hall; Bart Sexton

2006-01-01

Proper genotype selection is required for successful phytoremediation. We selected eight Populus clones (NC13460, NC14018, DM115, NC14104, NC14106, DN5, NM2, NM6) of four genomic groups after three cycles of phyto-recurrent selection for a field trial that began June 2005 at the Oneida County Landfill in Rhinelander, WI, USA.

Identification of mildly oxidized low-density lipoprotein (electronegative LDL) and its auto-antibodies IgG in children and adolescents hypercholesterolemic offsprings.

PubMed

Barros, Marcos Roberto Andrade Costa; Bertolami, Marcelo Chiara; Abdalla, Dulcinéia Saes Parra; Ferreira, Waldinai Pereira

2006-01-01

Oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is an essential step in atherogenesis, generating minimally oxidized LDL, also called electronegative LDL [LDL(-)], which has chemotactic, cytotoxic and immunogenic properties. Serum LDL(-) and anti-LDL(-) auto-antibodies (IgG) were evaluated in 28 children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) antecedents, with or without early coronary artery disease in first-degree relatives (eCAD), hypercholesterolemic (hc) or normocholesterolemic (nc) versus a control group of normocholesterolemic children without pathologic antecedents (C). ELISA method was used for detection of LDL(-) and anti-LDL(-) IgG. LDL(-) serum levels did not differ among the four groups (FH-eCAD-hc 41.4 +/- 24.9 microg/dl; FH-hc 38.3 +/- 11.2 microg/dl; FH-nc 47.3 +/- 17.0 microg/dl and C 44.2 +/- 28.8 microg/dl, p = 0.659). However, IgG anti-LDL(-) auto-antibodies were significantly higher in the control group in comparison to the FH groups with or without eCAD, independent of hypercholesterolemia or normocholesterolemia (FH-eCAD-hc 0.825 +/- 0.289 microg/dl; FH-hc 0.667 +/- 0.307 microg/dl; FH-nc 0.763 +/- 0.204 microg/dl and C 1.105 +/- 0.233 microg/dl, p = 0.006). When the auto-antibodies of groups with FH, with or without eCAD and with or without hypercholesterolemia were compared, no differences were found (p = 0.509). These results showed that FH and/or eCAD children and adolescents have lower titers of auto-antibodies anti-LDL(-) than children from normal families, independent of serum LDL-cholesterol or serum LDL(-).

Refinement of the use of food and fluid control as motivational tools for macaques used in behavioural neuroscience research: report of a Working Group of the NC3Rs.

PubMed

Prescott, Mark J; Brown, Verity J; Flecknell, Paul A; Gaffan, David; Garrod, Kate; Lemon, Roger N; Parker, Andrew J; Ryder, Kathy; Schultz, Wolfram; Scott, Leah; Watson, Jayne; Whitfield, Lucy

2010-11-30

This report provides practical guidance on refinement of the use of food and fluid control as motivational tools for macaques used in behavioural neuroscience research. The guidance is based on consideration of the scientific literature and, where data are lacking, expert opinion and professional experience, including that of the members of a Working Group convened by the United Kingdom National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). The report should be useful to researchers, veterinarians and animal care staff responsible for the welfare of macaques used in food and fluid control protocols, as well as those involved with designing, performing and analysing studies that use these protocols. It should also assist regulatory authorities and members of local ethical review processes or institutional animal care and use committees concerned with evaluating such protocols. The report provides a framework for refinement that can be tailored to meet local requirements. It also identifies data gaps and areas for future research and sets out the Working Group's recommendations on contemporary best practice. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of Lycopersicon esculentum extract on hair growth and alopecia prevention.

PubMed

Choi, Jae-Suk; Jung, Sung Kyu; Jeon, Min-Hee; Moon, Jin-Nam; Moon, Woi-Sook; Ji, Yi-Hwa; Choi, In Soon; Wook Son, Sang

2013-01-01

To evaluate the potential hair growth-promoting activity and the expression of cell growth factors of Lycopersicon esculentum extracts, each 3% (w/w) of ethyl acetate extract (EAE), and supercritical CO2 extract (SCE) of L. esculentum and isolated lycopene Tween 80 solution (LTS) and test hair tonic (THT) containing LTS were applied on the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice, once a day for 4 weeks. At week 4, LTS and THT exhibited hair growth-promoting potential similar to that of 3% minoxidil as a positive control (PC). Further, in the LTS group, a significant increase of mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), keratinocyte growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was observed than PC, as well as the negative control (NC). In the THT group, increases in IGF-1 and decrease in VEGF and transforming growth factor-β expression were significant over the NC. In a histological examination in the THT group, the induction of anagen stage of hair follicles was faster than that of NC. In the Draize skin irritation study for THT, no observable edema or erythema was observed on all four sectors in the back skin after exposure for 24 or 72 h for any rabbit. Therefore, this study provides reasonable evidence that L. esculentum extracts promote hair growth and suggests that applications could be found in hair loss treatments without skin irritation at moderate doses.

Destruction of white matter integrity in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease.

PubMed

Sun, Xiaoyan; Salat, David; Upchurch, Kristen; Deason, Rebecca; Kowall, Neil; Budson, Andrew

2014-10-01

Accumulating evidence shows that gradual loss of white matter integrity plays an important role in the development of Alzheimer disease (AD). The aim of this research was to study the microstructural integrity of white matter in AD in vivo. Global fractional anisotropy, global axial diffusivity (AxD), and global radial diffusivity (RD) were analyzed in subjects with normal controls (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD using Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative data (total N = 210). We further compared specific white matter tracts among the 3 groups. Compared with the NC group, the MCI group had significantly increased global AxD and global RD. Compared with the NC and MCI groups, the AD group had significantly decreased global fractional anisotropy, increased global AxD, and increased global RD. With regard to specific white matter tracts, in the MCI group, we found increased AxD and increased RD in the external capsule, part of the lateral cholinergic pathway, in addition to the tracts connecting the limbic regions, predominantly in the left hemisphere. In the AD group, white matter abnormalities were widespread, including in the external capsule (cholinergic pathway) and limbic region tracts as well as tracts connecting anterior to posterior regions bilaterally. The radiographic manifestation of damaged white matter microstructural integrity in the cholinergic pathway in MCI patients may provide a rational basis for the use of cholinesterase inhibitor drugs in the MCI stage of AD.

Big for small: Validating brain injury guidelines in pediatric traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Azim, Asad; Jehan, Faisal S; Rhee, Peter; O'Keeffe, Terence; Tang, Andrew; Vercruysse, Gary; Kulvatunyou, Narong; Latifi, Rifat; Joseph, Bellal

2017-12-01

Brain injury guidelines (BIG) were developed to reduce overutilization of neurosurgical consultation (NC) as well as computed tomography (CT) imaging. Currently, BIG have been successfully applied to adult populations, but the value of implementing these guidelines among pediatric patients remains unassessed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the established BIG (BIG-1 category) for managing pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) without NC (no-NC). We prospectively implemented the BIG-1 category (normal neurologic examination, ICH ≤ 4 mm limited to one location, no skull fracture) to identify pediatric TBI patients (age, ≤ 21 years) that were to be managed no-NC. Propensity score matching was performed to match these no-NC patients to a similar cohort of patients managed with NC before the implementation of BIG in a 1:1 ratio for demographics, severity of injury, and type as well as size of ICH. Our primary outcome measure was need for neurosurgical intervention. A total of 405 pediatric TBI patients were enrolled, of which 160 (NC, 80; no-NC, 80) were propensity score matched. The mean age was 9.03 ± 7.47 years, 62.1% (n = 85) were male, the median Glasgow Coma Scale score was 15 (13-15), and the median head Abbreviated Injury Scale score was 2 (2-3). A subanalysis based on stratifying patients by age groups showed a decreased in the use of repeat head CT (p = 0.02) in the no-NC group, with no difference in progression (p = 0.34) and the need for neurosurgical intervention (p = 0.9) compared with the NC group. The BIG can be safely and effectively implemented in pediatric TBI patients. Reducing repeat head CT in pediatric patients has long-term sequelae. Likewise, adhering to the guidelines helps in reducing radiation exposure across all age groups. Therapeutic/care management, level III.

Effects of the flavanone combination hesperetin-naringenin, and orange and grapefruit juices, on airway inflammation and remodeling in a murine asthma model.

PubMed

Seyedrezazadeh, Ensiyeh; Kolahian, Saeed; Shahbazfar, Amir-Ali; Ansarin, Khalil; Pour Moghaddam, Masoud; Sakhinia, Masoud; Sakhinia, Ebrahim; Vafa, Mohammadreza

2015-04-01

We investigated whether flavanones, hesperetin-naringenin, orange, and grapefruit juices reduce airway inflammation and remodeling in murine chronic asthma model. To establish chronic asthma, mice received house dust mite (HDM) for 3 days in 2 weeks, followed by twice per week for 4 weeks. Concurrently, during the last 4 weeks, mice received hesperetin plus naringenin (HN), orange plus grapefruit juice (OGJ), orange juice (OJ), or grapefruit juice (GJ); whereas the asthmatic control (AC) group and non-asthmatic control (NC) group consumed water ad libitum. In histopathological examination, no goblet cells metaplasia was observed in the HN, OJ, and GJ groups; also, intra-alveolar macrophages decreased compared with those of the AC group. Hesperetin plus naringenin significantly decreased subepithelial fibrosis, smooth muscle hypertrophy in airways, and lung atelectasis compared with the AC group. Also, there was a reduction of subepithelial fibrosis in airways in OJ and GJ groups compared with AC group, but it was not noticed in OGJ group. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, macrophages numbers decreased in OJ and OGJ groups, whereas eosinophil numbers were increased in OJ group compared with NC group. Our finding revealed that hesperetin plus naringenin ameliorate airway structural remodeling more than orange juice and grapefruit juice in murine model of HDM-induced asthma. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An overview on STEP-NC compliant controller development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Othman, M. A.; Minhat, M.; Jamaludin, Z.

2017-10-01

The capabilities of conventional Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine tools as termination organiser to fabricate high-quality parts promptly, economically and precisely are undeniable. To date, most CNCs follow the programming standard of ISO 6983, also called G & M code. However, in fluctuating shop floor environment, flexibility and interoperability of current CNC system to react dynamically and adaptively are believed still limited. This outdated programming language does not explicitly relate to each other to have control of arbitrary locations other than the motion of the block-by-block. To address this limitation, new standard known as STEP-NC was developed in late 1990s and is formalized as an ISO 14649. It adds intelligence to the CNC in term of interoperability, flexibility, adaptability and openness. This paper presents an overview of the research work that have been done in developing a STEP-NC controller standard and the capabilities of STEP-NC to overcome modern manufacturing demands. Reviews stated that most existing STEP-NC controller prototypes are based on type 1 and type 2 implementation levels. There are still lack of effort being done to develop type 3 and type 4 STEP-NC compliant controller.

Effect of subcellular distribution on nC₆₀ uptake and transfer efficiency from Scenedesmus obliquus to Daphnia magna.

PubMed

Chen, Qiqing; Hu, Xialin; Yin, Daqiang; Wang, Rui

2016-06-01

The potential uptake and trophic transfer ability of nanoparticles (NPs) in aquatic organisms have not been well understood yet. There has been an increasing awareness of the subcellular fate of NPs in organisms, but how the subcellular distribution of NPs subsequently affects the trophic transfer to predator remains to be answered. In the present study, the food chain from Scenedesmus obliquus to Daphnia magna was established to simulate the trophic transfer of fullerene aqueous suspension (nC60). The nC60 contaminated algae were separated into three fractions: cell wall (CW), cell organelle (CO), and cell membrane (CM) fractions, and we investigated the nC60 uptake amounts and trophic transfer efficiency to the predator through dietary exposure to algae or algal subcellular fractions. The nC60 distribution in CW fraction of S. obliquus was the highest, following by CO and CM fractions. nC60 uptake amounts in D. magna were found to be mainly relative to the NPs' distribution in CW fraction and daphnia uptake ability from CW fraction, whereas the nC60 trophic transfer efficiency (TE) were mainly in accordance with the transfer ability of NPs from the CO fraction. CW fed group possessed the highest uptake amount, followed by CO and CM fed groups, but the presence of humic acid (HA) significantly decreased the nC60 uptake from CW fed group. The CO fed groups acquired high TE values for nC60, while CM fed groups had low TE values. Moreover, even though CW fed group had a high TE value; it decreased significantly with the presence of HA. This study contributes to the understanding of fullerene NPs' dietary exposure to aquatic organisms, suggesting that NPs in different food forms are not necessarily equally trophically available to the predator. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Large Nc equivalence and baryons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blake, Mike; Cherman, Aleksey

2012-09-01

In the large Nc limit, gauge theories with different gauge groups and matter content sometimes turn out to be “large Nc equivalent,” in the sense of having a set of coincident correlation functions. Large Nc equivalence has mainly been explored in the glueball and meson sectors. However, a recent proposal to dodge the fermion sign problem of QCD with a quark number chemical potential using large Nc equivalence motivates investigating the applicability of large Nc equivalence to correlation functions involving baryon operators. Here we present evidence that large Nc equivalence extends to the baryon sector, under the same type of symmetry realization assumptions as in the meson sector, by adapting the classic Witten analysis of large Nc baryons.

Effect of exercise training on Ca2+ release units of left ventricular myocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

PubMed

Carneiro-Júnior, M A; Quintão-Júnior, J F; Drummond, L R; Lavorato, V N; Drummond, F R; Amadeu, M A; Oliveira, E M; Felix, L B; Cruz, J S; Mill, J G; Natali, A J; Prímola-Gomes, T N

2014-08-29

In cardiomyocytes, calcium (Ca2+) release units comprise clusters of intracellular Ca2+ release channels located on the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and hypertension is well established as a cause of defects in calcium release unit function. Our objective was to determine whether endurance exercise training could attenuate the deleterious effects of hypertension on calcium release unit components and Ca2+ sparks in left ventricular myocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Male Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (4 months of age) were divided into 4 groups: normotensive (NC) and hypertensive control (HC), and normotensive (NT) and hypertensive trained (HT) animals (7 rats per group). NC and HC rats were submitted to a low-intensity treadmill running protocol (5 days/week, 1 h/day, 0% grade, and 50-60% of maximal running speed) for 8 weeks. Gene expression of the ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) and FK506 binding protein (FKBP12.6) increased (270%) and decreased (88%), respectively, in HC compared to NC rats. Endurance exercise training reversed these changes by reducing RyR2 (230%) and normalizing FKBP12.6 gene expression (112%). Hypertension also increased the frequency of Ca2+ sparks (HC=7.61±0.26 vs NC=4.79±0.19 per 100 µm/s) and decreased its amplitude (HC=0.260±0.08 vs NC=0.324±0.10 ΔF/F0), full width at half-maximum amplitude (HC=1.05±0.08 vs NC=1.26±0.01 µm), total duration (HC=11.51±0.12 vs NC=14.97±0.24 ms), time to peak (HC=4.84±0.06 vs NC=6.31±0.14 ms), and time constant of decay (HC=8.68±0.12 vs NC=10.21±0.22 ms). These changes were partially reversed in HT rats (frequency of Ca2+ sparks=6.26±0.19 µm/s, amplitude=0.282±0.10 ΔF/F0, full width at half-maximum amplitude=1.14±0.01 µm, total duration=13.34±0.17 ms, time to peak=5.43±0.08 ms, and time constant of decay=9.43±0.15 ms). Endurance exercise training attenuated the deleterious effects of hypertension on calcium release units of left ventricular myocytes.

Quantitative diagnostic performance of myocardial perfusion SPECT with attenuation correction in women.

PubMed

Wolak, Arik; Slomka, Piotr J; Fish, Mathews B; Lorenzo, Santiago; Berman, Daniel S; Germano, Guido

2008-06-01

Attenuation correction (AC) for myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) had not been evaluated separately in women despite specific considerations in this group because of breast photon attenuation. We aimed to evaluate the performance of AC in women by using automated quantitative analysis of MPS to avoid any bias. Consecutive female patients--134 with a low likelihood (LLk) of coronary artery disease (CAD) and 114 with coronary angiography performed within less than 3 mo of MPS--who were referred for rest-stress electrocardiography-gated 99mTc-sestamibi MPS with AC were considered. Imaging data were evaluated for contour quality control. An additional 50 LLk studies in women were used to create equivalent normal limits for studies with AC and with no correction (NC). An experienced technologist unaware of the angiography and other results performed the contour quality control. All other processing was performed in a fully automated manner. Quantitative analysis was performed with the Cedars-Sinai myocardial perfusion analysis package. All automated segmental analyses were performed with the 17-segment, 5-point American Heart Association model. Summed stress scores (SSS) of > or =3 were considered abnormal. CAD (> or =70% stenosis) was present in 69 of 114 patients (60%). The normalcy rates were 93% for both NC and AC studies. The SSS for patients with CAD and without CAD for NC versus AC were 10.0 +/- 9.0 (mean +/- SD) versus 10.2 +/- 8.5 and 1.6 +/- 2.3 versus 1.8 +/- 2.5, respectively; P was not significant (NS) for all comparisons of NC versus AC. The SSS for LLk patients for NC versus AC were 0.51 +/- 1.0 versus 0.6 +/- 1.1, respectively; P was NS. The specificity for both NC and AC was 73%. The sensitivities for NC and AC were 80% and 81%, respectively, and the accuracies for NC and AC were 77% and 78%, respectively; P was NS for both comparisons. There are no significant diagnostic differences between automated quantitative MPS analyses performed in studies processed with and without AC in women.

Potentially important periods of change in the development of social and role functioning in youth at clinical high risk for psychosis.

PubMed

Velthorst, Eva; Zinberg, Jamie; Addington, Jean; Cadenhead, Kristin S; Cannon, Tyrone D; Carrión, Ricardo E; Auther, Andrea; Cornblatt, Barbara A; McGlashan, Thomas H; Mathalon, Daniel H; Perkins, Diana O; Seidman, Larry J; Tsuang, Ming T; Walker, Elaine F; Woods, Scott W; Reichenberg, Abraham; Bearden, Carrie E

2018-02-01

The developmental course of daily functioning prior to first psychosis-onset remains poorly understood. This study explored age-related periods of change in social and role functioning. The longitudinal study included youth (aged 12-23, mean follow-up years = 1.19) at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis (converters [CHR-C], n = 83; nonconverters [CHR-NC], n = 275) and a healthy control group (n = 164). Mixed-model analyses were performed to determine age-related differences in social and role functioning. We limited our analyses to functioning before psychosis conversion; thus, data of CHR-C participants gathered after psychosis onset were excluded. In controls, social and role functioning improved over time. From at least age 12, functioning in CHR was poorer than in controls, and this lag persisted over time. Between ages 15 and 18, social functioning in CHR-C stagnated and diverged from that of CHR-NC, who continued to improve (p = .001). Subsequently, CHR-C lagged behind in improvement between ages 21 and 23, further distinguishing them from CHR-NC (p < .001). A similar period of stagnation was apparent for role functioning, but to a lesser extent (p = .007). The results remained consistent when we accounted for the time to conversion. Our findings suggest that CHR-C start lagging behind CHR-NC in social and role functioning in adolescence, followed by a period of further stagnation in adulthood.

Anti-diabetic activity of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. leaves' polysaccharide in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

PubMed

Wang, Li; Zhang, Ying; Xu, Maochao; Wang, Yingyao; Cheng, Sujiao; Liebrecht, Alex; Qian, Haifeng; Zhang, Hui; Qi, Xiguang

2013-10-01

Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. (VBT) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The anti-diabetic activity of VBT leaves' polysaccharide (VBTLP) is studied in this paper. The results indicated VBTLP had a dose-dependent decrease on the blood glucose (BG) level, and the time effect of VBTLP on BG level was also significant. The insulin level of high dose group (HDG) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of model control (MC) group. Compared to MC, HDG and lose dose group (LDG) had significantly lower (p<0.05) TC and LDL-C levels, however, TG and HDL-C levels are similar. Compared to non-diabetic control (NC), HDG and LDG had similar plasma lipid levels except for higher LDL-C level. Although body weights of LDG and HDG were significant lower (p<0.05) than that of NC from week 2 to week 6, they were similar to that of PC. The results indicate VBTLP possesses a potential hypoglycemic effect in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Validity of a PCR assay in CSF for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis

PubMed Central

Campoverde, Alfredo; Romo, Matthew L.; García, Lorena; Piedra, Luis M.; Pacurucu, Mónica; López, Nelson; Aguilar, Jenner; López, Sebastian; Vintimilla, Luis C.; Toral, Ana M.; Peña-Tapia, Pablo

2017-01-01

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the validity of a PCR assay in CSF for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis (NC). Methods: We conducted a multicenter, prospective case-control study, recruiting participants from 5 hospitals in Cuenca, Ecuador, from January 2015 to February 2016. Cases fulfilled validated diagnostic criteria for NC. For each case, a neurosurgical patient who did not fulfill the diagnostic criteria for NC was selected as a control. CT and MRI, as well as a CSF sample, were collected from both cases and controls. The diagnostic criteria to identify cases were used as a reference standard. Results: Overall, 36 case and 36 control participants were enrolled. PCR had a sensitivity of 72.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 54.8%–85.8%) and a specificity of 100.0% (95% CI 90.3%–100.0%). For parenchymal NC, PCR had a sensitivity of 42.9% (95% CI 17.7%–71.1%), and for extraparenchymal NC, PCR had a sensitivity of 90.9% (95% CI 70.8%–98.9%). Conclusions: This study demonstrated the usefulness of this PCR assay in CSF for the diagnosis of NC. PCR may be particularly helpful for diagnosing extraparenchymal NC when neuroimaging techniques have failed. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class III evidence that CSF PCR can accurately identify patients with extraparenchymal NC. PMID:28105460

CSF neurofilament concentration reflects disease severity in frontotemporal degeneration

PubMed Central

Scherling, Carole S.; Hall, Tracey; Berisha, Flora; Klepac, Kristen; Karydas, Anna; Coppola, Giovanni; Kramer, Joel H.; Rabinovici, Gil; Ahlijanian, Michael; Miller, Bruce L.; Seeley, William; Grinberg, Lea T.; Rosen, Howard; Meredith, Jere; Boxer, Adam L.

2014-01-01

Objective Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentration is elevated in neurological disorders including frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). We investigated the clinical correlates of elevated CSF NfL levels in FTD. Methods CSF NfL, amyloid-β42 (Aβ42), tau and phosphorylated tau (ptau) concentrations were compared in 47 normal controls (NC), 8 asymptomatic gene carriers (NC2) of FTD-causing mutations, 79 FTD (45 behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia [bvFTD], 18 progressive nonfluent aphasia [PNFA], 16 semantic dementia [SD]), 22 progressive supranuclear palsy, 50 Alzheimer’s disease, 6 Parkinson’s disease and 17 corticobasal syndrome patients. Correlations between CSF analyte levels were performed with neuropsychological measures and the Clinical Dementia Rating scale sum of boxes (CDRsb). Voxel-based morphometry of structural MR images determined the relationship between brain volume and CSF NfL. Results Mean CSF NfL concentrations were higher in bvFTD, SD and PNFA than other groups. NfL in NC2 was similar to NC. CSF NfL, but not other CSF measures, correlated with CDRsb and neuropsychological measures in FTD, and not in other diagnostic groups. Analyses in two independent FTD cohorts and a group of autopsy verified or biomarker enriched cases confirmed the larger group analysis. In FTD, gray and white matter volume negatively correlated with CSF NfL concentration, such that individuals with highest NfL levels exhibited the most atrophy. Interpretation CSF NfL is elevated in symptomatic FTD and correlates with disease severity. This measurement may be a useful surrogate endpoint of disease severity in FTD clinical trials. Longitudinal studies of CSF NfL in FTD are warranted. PMID:24242746

Performance of universal adhesives on bonding to leucite-reinforced ceramic.

PubMed

Kim, Ryan Jin-Young; Woo, Jung-Soo; Lee, In-Bog; Yi, Young-Ah; Hwang, Ji-Yun; Seo, Deog-Gyu

2015-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the microshear bond strength of universal bonding adhesives to leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic. Leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic blocks were polished and etched with 9.5% hydrofluoric acid for 1 min. The specimens were assigned to one of four groups based on their surface conditioning (n = 16): 1) NC: negative control with no further treatment; 2) SBU: Single Bond Universal (3M ESPE); 3) ABU: ALL-BOND Universal (Bisco); and 4) PC: RelyX Ceramic Primer and Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Adhesive (3M ESPE) as a positive control. RelyX Ultimate resin cement (3M ESPE) was placed on the pretreated ceramic and was light cured. Eight specimens from each group were stored in water for 24 h, and the remaining eight specimens were thermocycled 10,000 times prior to microshear bond strength evaluation. The fractured surfaces were examined by stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After water storage and thermocycling, the microshear bond strength values decreased in the order of PC > SBU and ABU > NC (P < 0.05). Thermocycling significantly reduced the microshear bond strength, regardless of the surface conditioning used (P < 0.05). Cohesive failure in the ceramic and mixed failure in the ceramic and resin cement were observed in the fractured specimens. The percentage of specimens with cohesive failure after 24 h of water storage was: NC (50%), SBU (75%), ABU (75%), and PC (87%). After thermocycling, the percentage of cohesive failure in NC decreased to 25%; however, yet the percentages of the other groups remained the same. Although the bond strength between resin and hydrofluoric acid-etched glass ceramic was improved when universal adhesives were used, conventional surface conditioning using a separate silane and adhesive is preferable to a simplified procedure that uses only a universal adhesive for cementation of leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic.

Effects of dietary supplementations with the fibrous root of Rhizoma Coptidis and its main alkaloids on non-specific immunity and disease resistance of common carp.

PubMed

Zhou, Xia; Peng, Yaozong; Li, Ling; He, Kai; Huang, Tao; Mou, Shaoxia; Feng, Min; Han, Bing; Ye, Xiaoli; Li, Xuegang

2016-05-01

The effects of fibrous root of Rhizoma Coptidis (FRC) and its main alkaloids on non-specific immunity and disease resistance of common carp were investigated. The fish were randomly assigned to seven groups: normal control group (NC), groups treated with 12.5 g/kg FRC (FRC-L), 25 g/kg FRC (FRC-M), 50 g/kg FRC (FRC-H), 0.78 g/kg total alkaloids (TA), 0.78 g/kg berberine (BBR), and 0.78 g/kg coptisine (Cop), respectively. Results showed that the activities of myeloperoxidase, lysozyme and respiratory burst were significantly elevated after treated with FRC-M, FRC-H, TA, BBR and Cop, and the complement C3 level and phagocytic activity were significantly increased in FRC-M, TA and BBR treated groups compared with NC group. The real-time PCR analysis indicated that FRC, TA, BBR and Cop could up-regulate the mRNA expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, lysozyme-c and C3, but down-regulate that of IL-10 in the head kidney of common carp. Besides, FRC-M, FRC-H, TA, BBR and Cop significantly enhanced the survival rate of common carp infected with Aeromonas hydrophila, when compared to NC group. It was concluded that the FRC could enhance the non-specific immunity and disease resistance of common carp and the main alkaloids might contribute to these effects. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Variation in n-Alkane Distributions of Modern Plants: Questioning Applications of n-Alkanes in Chemotaxonomy and Paleoecology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bush, R. T.; McInerney, F. A.

2010-12-01

Long chain n-alkanes (n-C21 to n-C37) are synthesized as part of the epicuticular leaf wax of terrestrial plants and are among the most recognizable and widely used plant biomarkers. n-Alkane distributions have been utilized in previous studies on modern plant chemotaxonomy, testing whether taxa can be identified based on characteristic n-alkane profiles. Dominant n-alkanes (e.g. n-C27 or n-C31) have also been ascribed to major plant groups (e.g. trees or grasses respectively) and have been used in paleoecology studies to reconstruct fluctuations in plant functional types. However, many of these studies have been based on relatively few modern plant data; with the wealth of modern n-alkane studies, a more comprehensive analysis of n-alkanes in modern plants is now possible and can inform the usefulness of n-alkane distributions as paleoecological indicators. The work presented here is a combination of measurements made using plant leaves collected from the Chicago Botanic Garden and a compilation of published literature data from six continents. We categorized plants by type: angiosperms, gymnosperms, woody plants, forbs, grasses, ferns and pteridophytes, and mosses. We then quantified n-alkane distribution parameters such as carbon preference index (CPI), average chain length (ACL), and dispersion (a measure of the spread of the profile over multiple chain lengths) and used these to compare plant groups. Among all plants, one of the emergent correlations is a decrease in dispersion with increasing CPI. Within and among plant groups, n-alkane distributions show a very large range of variation, and the results show little or no correspondence between broad plant groups and a single dominant n-alkane or a ratio of n-alkanes. These findings are true both when data from six continents are combined and when plants from a given region are compared (North America). We also compared the n-alkane distributions of woody angiosperms, woody gymnosperms, and grasses with one another in order to test whether n-C27 and n-C29 represent trees and shrubs while n-C31 represents grasses as previously proposed. The average group profiles are not distinguishable from one another due to their large standard deviations. Although n-C31 is the predominant chain length in many (but not all) grasses, other chain lengths such as n-C29 are also abundant. For grasses as a group one chain length does not dominate significantly over the other. In mosses, while the genus Sphagnum appears to be typified by n-C23 and n-C25 alkanes, the same cannot be said for other moss genera which were more dominated by n-C27 and n-C29. Differences in n-alkane distributions may relate more to environmental changes such as temperature and precipitation than to shifts in dominant plant types.

Influence of surfactants on the effectiveness of bleaching gels.

PubMed

Caneppele, Taciana Marco Ferraz; Torres, Carlos Rocha Gomes

2011-02-01

This study evaluated the influence of surfactants on the effectiveness of 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) and 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) bleaching gels. One hundred and forty bovine teeth were used, which were stained by immersion in a coffee, red wine, and tobacco mixture for 7 days. At the end of this process, the color measurement at baseline was taken with the Vita Easyshade spectrophotometer. The teeth were divided into seven groups: (a) negative control (NC), (b) positive control for HP (PC-35), (c) HP + Tween 20 (T20-35), (d) HP + laurel sodium sulfate (LSS-35), (e) positive control for CP (PC-10), (f) CP + Tween 20 (T20-10), and (g) CP + laurel sodium sulfate (LSS-10). Group NC was kept in artificial saliva for 21 days. Groups PC-35, T20-35, and LSS 35 received three applications of bleaching gel for 10 min; the process was repeated after 7 days. Groups PC-10, T20-10, and LSS-10 received the gel for 8 h per day for 14 days. After the bleaching process, the final color was measured. The analysis of variance and Tukey tests showed statistically significant differences for the parameters of ∆L, ∆b, and ∆E of the HP gels with surfactant and positive control group (PC-35). Within the limits of this in vitro study, the addition of surfactants to HP bleaching gel increased the bleaching effectiveness.

Assessment of Pulp Oxygen Saturation Levels by Pulse Oximetry for Pulpal Diseases -A Diagnostic Study.

PubMed

Anusha, Bander; Madhusudhana, Koppolu; Chinni, Suneel Kumar; Paramesh, Yelloji

2017-09-01

Diagnosis of pulpal inflammation is a key to endodontics. Pulse oximetry is a true vitality testing device which relies on oxygen saturation levels of pulp and helps in diagnosis of different pulpal conditions. The aim of the study was to analyse oxygen saturation levels of different pulpally inflamed teeth by using pulse oximetry. Hundred patients were included in the study and categorized into five groups based on pulpal status of the test tooth by using heat test and cold test. Twenty patients were recruited in each of the experimental groups i.e., Reversible Pulpitis (RP), Irreversible Pulpitis (IP), Pulpal Necrosis (PN), Positive Control (PC, healthy teeth), and Negative Control (NC, endodontically treated teeth). Oxygen saturation levels of all the groups were measured along with each patient index finger oxygen saturation readings. Results were analysed by using ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. The mean oxygen saturation levels of RP, IP, PN, PC and NC were 85.4%, 81.6%, 70.7%, 94.6% and 0 respectively. There was significant difference in the oxygen saturation levels between all the groups. Pulse oximeter is an effective tool in diagnosing different pulpal pathologies especially PN which was interpreted inaccurately by thermal tests.

Protection against Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Guinea Pigs via Oral Administration of Recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum Expressing VP1

PubMed Central

Wang, Miao; Pan, Li; Zhou, Peng; Lv, Jianliang; Zhang, Zhongwang; Wang, Yonglu; Zhang, Yongguang

2015-01-01

Mucosal vaccination is an effective strategy for generating antigen-specific immune responses against mucosal infections of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). In this study, Lactobacillus plantarum strains NC8 and WCFS1 were used as oral delivery vehicles containing a pSIP411-VP1 recombinant plasmid to initiate mucosal and systemic immune responses in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs were orally vaccinated (three doses) with NC8-pSIP411, NC8-pSIP411-VP1, WCFS1-pSIP411, WCFS1-pSIP411-VP1 or milk. Animals immunized with NC8-pSIP411-VP1 and WCFS1-pSIP411-VP1 developed high levels of antigen-specific serum IgG, IgA, IgM, mucosal secretory IgA (sIgA) and neutralizing antibodies, and revealed stronger cell-mediated immune responses and enhanced protection against FMDV challenge compared with control groups. The recombinant pSIP411-VP1 effectively improved immunoprotection against FMDV in guinea pigs. PMID:26629822

Palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of amides by carbon-nitrogen cleavage: general strategy for amide N-C bond activation.

PubMed

Meng, Guangrong; Szostak, Michal

2016-06-15

The first palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of amides with boronic acids for the synthesis of ketones by sterically-controlled N-C bond activation is reported. The transformation is characterized by operational simplicity using bench-stable, commercial reagents and catalysts, and a broad substrate scope, including substrates with electron-donating and withdrawing groups on both coupling partners, steric-hindrance, heterocycles, halides, esters and ketones. The scope and limitations are presented in the synthesis of >60 functionalized ketones. Mechanistic studies provide insight into the catalytic cycle of the cross-coupling, including the first experimental evidence for Pd insertion into the amide N-C bond. The synthetic utility is showcased by a gram-scale cross-coupling and cross-coupling at room temperature. Most importantly, this process provides a blueprint for the development of a plethora of metal catalyzed reactions of typically inert amide bonds via acyl-metal intermediates. A unified strategy for amide bond activation to enable metal insertion into N-C amide bond is outlined ().

Comparative Evaluation of the Pharyngeal Airways and Related Soft Tissues of Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients With the Noncleft Individuals.

PubMed

Aras, Isil; Dogan, Servet

2017-01-01

  This study is a comparison of pharyngeal airways and associated soft tissues of unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate patients with the noncleft individuals.   Twenty-four unilateral cleft lip and palate patients (UCLP), 21 bilateral cleft lip and palate patients (BCLP), and 26 noncleft patients (NC) between ages 15 to 17 were included in the study. Eleven linear, 1 angular, and 1 proportional measurements were carried out on pretreatment lateral cephalometric head films of these individuals.   The nasopharyngeal depths were markedly reduced in BCLP when compared with the NC (P < .001) and UCLP (P < .01) with a significant difference (P < .01) also among UCLP and NC. Minimum space behind the tongue concerning BCLP and UCLP were significantly lower compared to the NC (P < .001 and P < .01, respectively). In pairwise comparison among the clefts, BCLP showed significant (P < .05) narrowing of this distance. Tongue heights and velar lengths were significantly (P < .001) lower in cleft groups compared to the controls. Similarly, the hyoid bone was positioned in a significantly (P < .01) anterior and inferior direction in cleft patients. Comparison of the mean ratio of velar length to nasopharyngeal depth of the three groups revealed significant (P < .001) inadequacies in cleft patients with significantly (P < .05) more severely reduced values in BCLP.   Pharyngeal airways and involved soft tissues of cleft patients show serious inadequacies compared to controls, with significant diversities among cleft types pertaining to some of the parameters investigated. It should be kept in mind that these variations can influence function in terms of respiration and phonation.

Cortical thickness in de novo patients with Parkinson disease and mild cognitive impairment with consideration of clinical phenotype and motor laterality.

PubMed

Danti, S; Toschi, N; Diciotti, S; Tessa, C; Poletti, M; Del Dotto, P; Lucetti, C

2015-12-01

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with motor and non-motor symptoms, including cognitive deficits. Several magnetic resonance imaging approaches have been applied to investigate brain atrophy in PD. The aim of this study was to detect early structural cortical and subcortical changes in de novo PD whilst distinguishing cognitive status, clinical phenotype and motor laterality. Eighteen de novo PD with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), 18 de novo PD without MCI (PD-NC) and 18 healthy control subjects were evaluated. In the PD-MCI group, nine were tremor dominant and nine were postural instability gait disorder (PIGD) phenotype; 11 had right-sided symptom dominance and seven had left-sided symptom dominance. FreeSurfer was used to measure cortical thickness/folding, subcortical structures and to study group differences as well as the association with clinical and neuropsychological data. Parkinson's disease with MCI showed regional thinning in the right frontal, right middle temporal areas and left insula compared to PD-NC. A reduction of the volume of the left and right thalamus and left hippocampus was found in PD-MCI compared to PD-NC. PD-MCI PIGD showed regional thinning in the right inferior parietal area compared to healthy controls. A decreased volume of the left thalamus was reported in PD-MCI with right-sided symptom dominance compared to PD-NC and PD-MCI with left-sided symptom dominance. When MCI was present, PD patients showed a fronto-temporo-parietal pattern of cortical thinning. This cortical pattern does not appear to be influenced by motor laterality, although one-sided symptom dominance may contribute to volumetric reduction of specific subcortical structures. © 2015 EAN.

[Regulation of microRNA-199a on adhesion, migration and invasion ability of human endometrial stromal cells].

PubMed

Dai, Lan; Gu, Li-ying; Zhu, Jie; Shi, Jun; Wang, Yao; Ji, Fang; Di, Wen

2011-11-01

To study the regulation of microRNA 199a (miR-199a) on adhesion, migration and invasion ability of human eutopic endometrial stromal cells (ESC) from patients with endometriosis. ESC were transfected with miR-199a mimics or negative control (NC) RNA by lipofectamine 2000. The adhesion, migration and invasion ability of ESC were detected by cell adhesion assay, scratch assay, cell migration assay and matrigel invasion assay, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate whether IKKβ was the target gene of miR-199a. The expression of ikappa B kinase beta (IKKβ), inhibitory kappa B alpha (IκB-α), phospho-IκB-α(p-IκB-α) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) protein were measured by western blot. (1) Adhesion potential: the adhesion inhibitory rates were (14 ± 4)% in miR-199a group and 0 in control group, which showed significant difference (P < 0.01). (2) Migration and invasion: in the scratch assay, ESC transfected with miR-199a exhibited a lower scratch closure rate than that of controls. In migration and invasion assays, the migration and invasion ability of miR-199a group were significantly decreased compared with those of NC group [130 ± 31 vs. 247 ± 36 (P < 0.01); 63 ± 15 vs. 133 ± 17 (P < 0.01), respectively]. (3) The luciferase activity of miR-199a group was significantly lowered than that of control group [0.160 ± 0.006 vs. 0.383 ± 0.083 (P < 0.01)]. The protein levels of IKKβ, p-IκB-α, IκB-α and NF-κB of 0.350 ± 0.195, 0.443 ± 0.076, 1.970 ± 0.486 and 0.454 ± 0.147 in miR-199a group were significantly different compared with the NC group in which the protein levels were set at 1.000 (P < 0.01). miR-199a can inhibit the adhesion, migration and invasion of the ESC. IKKβ is the target gene of miR-199a in ESC. One of the mechanisms of the inhibition effect is probably that miR-199a inhibits the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway by targeting IKKβ gene.

Delayed audiovisual integration of patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease compared with normal aged controls.

PubMed

Wu, Jinglong; Yang, Jiajia; Yu, Yinghua; Li, Qi; Nakamura, Naoya; Shen, Yong; Ohta, Yasuyuki; Yu, Shengyuan; Abe, Koji

2012-01-01

The human brain can anatomically combine task-relevant information from different sensory pathways to form a unified perception; this process is called multisensory integration. The aim of the present study was to test whether the multisensory integration abilities of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) differed from those of normal aged controls (NC). A total of 64 subjects were divided into three groups: NC individuals (n = 24), MCI patients (n = 19), and probable AD patients (n = 21). All of the subjects were asked to perform three separate audiovisual integration tasks and were instructed to press the response key associated with the auditory, visual, or audiovisual stimuli in the three tasks. The accuracy and response time (RT) of each task were measured, and the RTs were analyzed using cumulative distribution functions to observe the audiovisual integration. Our results suggest that the mean RT of patients with AD was significantly longer than those of patients with MCI and NC individuals. Interestingly, we found that patients with both MCI and AD exhibited adequate audiovisual integration, and a greater peak (time bin with the highest percentage of benefit) and broader temporal window (time duration of benefit) of multisensory enhancement were observed. However, the onset time and peak benefit of audiovisual integration in MCI and AD patients occurred significantly later than did those of the NC. This finding indicates that the cognitive functional deficits of patients with MCI and AD contribute to the differences in performance enhancements of audiovisual integration compared with NC.

Delayed Audiovisual Integration of Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease Compared with Normal Aged Controls

PubMed Central

Wu, Jinglong; Yang, Jiajia; Yu, Yinghua; Li, Qi; Nakamura, Naoya; Shen, Yong; Ohta, Yasuyuki; Yu, Shengyuan; Abe, Koji

2013-01-01

The human brain can anatomically combine task-relevant information from different sensory pathways to form a unified perception; this process is called multisensory integration. The aim of the present study was to test whether the multisensory integration abilities of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) differed from those of normal aged controls (NC). A total of 64 subjects were divided into three groups: NC individuals (n = 24), MCI patients (n = 19), and probable AD patients (n = 21). All of the subjects were asked to perform three separate audiovisual integration tasks and were instructed to press the response key associated with the auditory, visual, or audiovisual stimuli in the three tasks. The accuracy and response time (RT) of each task were measured, and the RTs were analyzed using cumulative distribution functions to observe the audiovisual integration. Our results suggest that the mean RT of patients with AD was significantly longer than those of patients with MCI and NC individuals. Interestingly, we found that patients with both MCI and AD exhibited adequate audiovisual integration, and a greater peak (time bin with the highest percentage of benefit) and broader temporal window (time duration of benefit) of multisensory enhancement were observed. However, the onset time and peak benefit of audiovisual integration in MCI and AD patients occurred significantly later than did those of the NC. This finding indicates that the cognitive functional deficits of patients with MCI and AD contribute to the differences in performance enhancements of audiovisual integration compared with NC. PMID:22810093

Distance-informed metric learning for Alzheimer's disease staging.

PubMed

Shi, Bibo; Wang, Zhewei; Liu, Jundong

2014-01-01

Identifying intermediate biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is of great importance for diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. In this study, we develop a new AD staging method to classify patients into Normal Controls (NC), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and AD groups. Our solution employs a novel metric learning technique that improves classification rates through the guidance of some weak supervisory information in AD progression. More specifically, those information are in the form of pairwise constraints that specify the relative Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score disparity of two subjects, depending on whether they are in the same group or not. With the imposed constraints, the common knowledge that MCI generally sits in between of NC and AD can be integrated into the classification distance metric. Subjects from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort (ADNI; 56 AD, 104 MCI, 161 controls) were used to demonstrate the improvements made comparing with two state-of-the-art metric learning solutions: large margin nearest neighbors (LMNN) and relevant component analysis (RCA).

Distributed numerical controllers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orban, Peter E.

2001-12-01

While the basic principles of Numerical Controllers (NC) have not changed much during the years, the implementation of NCs' has changed tremendously. NC equipment has evolved from yesterday's hard-wired specialty control apparatus to today's graphics intensive, networked, increasingly PC based open systems, controlling a wide variety of industrial equipment with positioning needs. One of the newest trends in NC technology is the distributed implementation of the controllers. Distributed implementation promises to offer robustness, lower implementation costs, and a scalable architecture. Historically partitioning has been done along the hierarchical levels, moving individual modules into self contained units. The paper discusses various NC architectures, the underlying technology for distributed implementation, and relevant design issues. First the functional requirements of individual NC modules are analyzed. Module functionality, cycle times, and data requirements are examined. Next the infrastructure for distributed node implementation is reviewed. Various communication protocols and distributed real-time operating system issues are investigated and compared. Finally, a different, vertical system partitioning, offering true scalability and reconfigurability is presented.

[Effects of caspase-1 inhibitor VX765 on cold-restraint stress-induced acute gastric ulcer in mice].

PubMed

Zheng, S Q; Hong, X D; Chen, T S; Luo, P F; Xiao, S C

2017-11-20

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of caspase-1 inhibitor VX765 on gastric mucosa of mice with cold-restraint stress-induced acute gastric ulcer. Methods: Twenty-four specific pathogen free male C57BL/6J mice were divided into normal control group (NC), cold restrain group (CR), VX765 pre-treatment+ cold restrain group (VCR), and rabeprazole pre-treatment+ cold restrain group (RCR) according to the random number table, with 6 mice in each group. Mice in group NC were injected intraperitoneally with solution of 10 mL/kg dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and phosphate buffer solution (PBS). Mice in group CR were inflicted with acute gastric ulcer induced by cold-restraint stress 30 minutes after intraperitoneal injection of solution of DMSO and PBS. Mice in groups VCR and RCR were inflicted with acute gastric ulcer as above 30 minutes after intraperitoneal injection of solution of DMSO and PBS with dose of 12.5 μmol/kg containing 10 mg VX765 and 40 mg/kg containing 20 mg rabeprazole, respectively. Four hour after cold-restraint stress, serum content of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6)was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gross condition of gastric tissue was observed. Ulcer index was evaluated. Pathological change of gastric tissue was observed with HE staining. The relative expression of IL-1β, IL-18, and cleaved-caspase-1 in gastric tissue were detected by Western blotting. Mice in group NC were detected as above at the same time point. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni test. Results: The serum content of TNF-α and IL-6 and the relative expression of cleaved-caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in gastric tissue of mice in group NC were significantly lower than those in group CR (with P values below 0.01). The content of the above-mentioned inflammatory indexes in serum and gastric tissue of mice in group VCR was significantly lower than that in group CR (with P values below 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in content of the above-mentioned inflammatory indexes in serum and gastric tissue of mice between groups RCR and CR (with P values above 0.05). The content of the above-mentioned inflammatory indexes in serum and gastric tissue of mice in group VCR was significantly lower than that in group RCR (with P values below 0.01). Surface of gastric mucosa was smooth and morphology of mucosal cells was normal with clear structure of mice in group NC. Multiple hemorrhage of gastric mucosa, disorderly arrangement of mucosal cells, and large number of inflammatory cell infiltration around necrotic tissue were observed in mice of group CR. Decreased number of gastric mucosa bleeding, intact mucosal structure, and small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration around necrotic tissue were observed in mice of groups VCR and RCR. The ulcer indexes of mice in groups NC, CR, VCR, and RCR were 0, 18.7±1.1, 6.3±1.5, and 8.2±1.3, respectively. The ulcer index of mice in group NC was significantly lower than that in the other 3 groups (with P values below 0.05). The ulcer indexes of mice in groups VCR and RCR were close ( P >0.05), which were significantly lower than ulcer index of mice in group CR (with P values below 0.05). Conclusions: VX765 can effectively inhibit the activation of caspase-1, reduce production of inflammatory factor, and alleviate inflammatory response, which have protective effects on gastric mucosa of mice with cold-restraint stress-induced acute gastric ulcer.

Controlled levels of canonical Wnt signaling are required for neural crest migration.

PubMed

Maj, Ewa; Künneke, Lutz; Loresch, Elisabeth; Grund, Anita; Melchert, Juliane; Pieler, Tomas; Aspelmeier, Timo; Borchers, Annette

2016-09-01

Canonical Wnt signaling plays a dominant role in the development of the neural crest (NC), a highly migratory cell population that generates a vast array of cell types. Canonical Wnt signaling is required for NC induction as well as differentiation, however its role in NC migration remains largely unknown. Analyzing nuclear localization of β-catenin as readout for canonical Wnt activity, we detect nuclear β-catenin in premigratory but not migratory Xenopus NC cells suggesting that canonical Wnt activity has to decrease to basal levels to enable NC migration. To define a possible function of canonical Wnt signaling in Xenopus NC migration, canonical Wnt signaling was modulated at different time points after NC induction. This was accomplished using either chemical modulators affecting β-catenin stability or inducible glucocorticoid fusion constructs of Lef/Tcf transcription factors. In vivo analysis of NC migration by whole mount in situ hybridization demonstrates that ectopic activation of canonical Wnt signaling inhibits cranial NC migration. Further, NC transplantation experiments confirm that this effect is tissue-autonomous. In addition, live-cell imaging in combination with biophysical data analysis of explanted NC cells confirms the in vivo findings and demonstrates that modulation of canonical Wnt signaling affects the ability of NC cells to perform single cell migration. Thus, our data support the hypothesis that canonical Wnt signaling needs to be tightly controlled to enable migration of NC cells. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Selected aspects of microelectronics technology and applications: Numerically controlled machine tools. Technology trends series no. 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sigurdson, J.; Tagerud, J.

1986-05-01

A UNIDO publication about machine tools with automatic control discusses the following: (1) numerical control (NC) machine tool perspectives, definition of NC, flexible manufacturing systems, robots and their industrial application, research and development, and sensors; (2) experience in developing a capability in NC machine tools; (3) policy issues; (4) procedures for retrieval of relevant documentation from data bases. Diagrams, statistics, bibliography are included.

Neural Crest Migration and Survival Are Susceptible to Morpholino-Induced Artifacts

PubMed Central

Jette, Cicely A.

2016-01-01

The neural crest (NC) is a stem cell-like embryonic population that is essential for generating and patterning the vertebrate body, including the craniofacial skeleton and peripheral nervous system. Defects in NC development underlie many birth defects and contribute to formation of some of the most malignant cancers in humans, such as melanoma and neuroblastoma. For these reasons, significant research efforts have been expended to identify genes that control NC development, as it is expected to lead to a deeper understanding of the genetic mechanisms controlling vertebrate development and identify new treatments for NC-derived diseases and cancers. However, a number of inconsistencies regarding gene function during NC development have emerged from comparative analyses of gene function between mammalian and non-mammalian systems (chick, frog, zebrafish). This poses a significant barrier to identification of single genes and/or redundant pathways to target in NC diseases. Here, we determine whether technical differences, namely morpholino-based approaches used in non-mammalian systems, could contribute to these discrepancies, by examining the extent to which NC phenotypes in fascin1a (fscn1a) morphant embryos are similar to or different from fscn1a null mutants in zebrafish. Analysis of fscn1a morphants showed that they mimicked early NC phenotypes observed in fscn1a null mutants; however, these embryos also displayed NC migration and derivative phenotypes not observed in null mutants, including accumulation of p53-independent cell death. These data demonstrate that morpholinos can cause seemingly specific NC migration and derivative phenotypes, and thus have likely contributed to the inconsistencies surrounding NC gene function between species. We suggest that comparison of genetic mutants between different species is the most rigorous method for identifying conserved genetic mechanisms controlling NC development and is critical to identify new treatments for NC diseases. PMID:28005909

Structural and functional connectional fingerprints in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease patients.

PubMed

Son, Seong-Jin; Kim, Jonghoon; Park, Hyunjin

2017-01-01

Regional volume atrophy and functional degeneration are key imaging hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), respectively. We jointly explored regional volume atrophy and functional connectivity to better characterize neuroimaging data of AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). All data were obtained from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. We compared regional volume atrophy and functional connectivity in 10 subcortical regions using structural MRI and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). Neuroimaging data of normal controls (NC) (n = 35), MCI (n = 40), and AD (n = 30) were compared. Significant differences of regional volumes and functional connectivity measures between groups were assessed using permutation tests in 10 regions. The regional volume atrophy and functional connectivity of identified regions were used as features for the random forest classifier to distinguish among three groups. The features of the identified regions were also regarded as connectional fingerprints that could distinctively separate a given group from the others. We identified a few regions with distinctive regional atrophy and functional connectivity patterns for NC, MCI, and AD groups. A three label classifier using the information of regional volume atrophy and functional connectivity of identified regions achieved classification accuracy of 53.33% to distinguish among NC, MCI, and AD. We identified distinctive regional atrophy and functional connectivity patterns that could be regarded as a connectional fingerprint.

Structural and functional connectional fingerprints in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease patients

PubMed Central

Son, Seong-Jin; Kim, Jonghoon

2017-01-01

Regional volume atrophy and functional degeneration are key imaging hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), respectively. We jointly explored regional volume atrophy and functional connectivity to better characterize neuroimaging data of AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). All data were obtained from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. We compared regional volume atrophy and functional connectivity in 10 subcortical regions using structural MRI and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). Neuroimaging data of normal controls (NC) (n = 35), MCI (n = 40), and AD (n = 30) were compared. Significant differences of regional volumes and functional connectivity measures between groups were assessed using permutation tests in 10 regions. The regional volume atrophy and functional connectivity of identified regions were used as features for the random forest classifier to distinguish among three groups. The features of the identified regions were also regarded as connectional fingerprints that could distinctively separate a given group from the others. We identified a few regions with distinctive regional atrophy and functional connectivity patterns for NC, MCI, and AD groups. A three label classifier using the information of regional volume atrophy and functional connectivity of identified regions achieved classification accuracy of 53.33% to distinguish among NC, MCI, and AD. We identified distinctive regional atrophy and functional connectivity patterns that could be regarded as a connectional fingerprint. PMID:28333946

Virtual multiple errands test (VMET): a virtual reality-based tool to detect early executive functions deficit in Parkinson’s disease

PubMed Central

Cipresso, Pietro; Albani, Giovanni; Serino, Silvia; Pedroli, Elisa; Pallavicini, Federica; Mauro, Alessandro; Riva, Giuseppe

2014-01-01

Introduction: Several recent studies have pointed out that early impairment of executive functions (EFs) in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) may be a crucial marker to detect patients at risk for developing dementia. The main objective of this study was to compare the performances of PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) with PD patients with normal cognition (PD-NC) and a control group (CG) using a traditional assessment of EFs and the Virtual Multiple Errands Test (VMET), a virtual reality (VR)-based tool. In order to understand which subcomponents of EFs are early impaired, this experimental study aimed to investigate specifically which instrument best discriminates among these three groups. Materials and methods: The study included three groups of 15 individuals each (for a total of 45 participants): 15 PD-NC; 15 PD-MCI, and 15 cognitively healthy individuals (CG). To assess the global neuropsychological functioning and the EFs, several tests (including the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clock Drawing Test, and Tower of London test) were administered to the participants. The VMET was used for a more ecologically valid neuropsychological evaluation of EFs. Results: Findings revealed significant differences in the VMET scores between the PD-NC patients vs. the controls. In particular, patients made more errors in the tasks of the VMET, and showed a poorer ability to use effective strategies to complete the tasks. This VMET result seems to be more sensitive in the early detection of executive deficits because these two groups did not differ in the traditional assessment of EFs (neuropsychological battery). Conclusion: This study offers initial evidence that a more ecologically valid evaluation of EFs is more likely to lead to detection of subtle executive deficits. PMID:25538578

Virtual multiple errands test (VMET): a virtual reality-based tool to detect early executive functions deficit in Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Cipresso, Pietro; Albani, Giovanni; Serino, Silvia; Pedroli, Elisa; Pallavicini, Federica; Mauro, Alessandro; Riva, Giuseppe

2014-01-01

Several recent studies have pointed out that early impairment of executive functions (EFs) in Parkinson's Disease (PD) may be a crucial marker to detect patients at risk for developing dementia. The main objective of this study was to compare the performances of PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) with PD patients with normal cognition (PD-NC) and a control group (CG) using a traditional assessment of EFs and the Virtual Multiple Errands Test (VMET), a virtual reality (VR)-based tool. In order to understand which subcomponents of EFs are early impaired, this experimental study aimed to investigate specifically which instrument best discriminates among these three groups. The study included three groups of 15 individuals each (for a total of 45 participants): 15 PD-NC; 15 PD-MCI, and 15 cognitively healthy individuals (CG). To assess the global neuropsychological functioning and the EFs, several tests (including the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clock Drawing Test, and Tower of London test) were administered to the participants. The VMET was used for a more ecologically valid neuropsychological evaluation of EFs. Findings revealed significant differences in the VMET scores between the PD-NC patients vs. the controls. In particular, patients made more errors in the tasks of the VMET, and showed a poorer ability to use effective strategies to complete the tasks. This VMET result seems to be more sensitive in the early detection of executive deficits because these two groups did not differ in the traditional assessment of EFs (neuropsychological battery). This study offers initial evidence that a more ecologically valid evaluation of EFs is more likely to lead to detection of subtle executive deficits.

Hydrogen Water Drinking Exerts Antifatigue Effects in Chronic Forced Swimming Mice via Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

PubMed Central

Ara, Jesmin; Lee, Sung Pyo; Jung, Jin Young

2018-01-01

Purpose This study was performed to evaluate antifatigue effect of hydrogen water (HW) drinking in chronic forced exercise mice model. Materials and Methods Twelve-week-old C57BL6 female mice were divided into nonstressed normal control (NC) group and stressed group: (purified water/PW-treated group and HW-treated group). Stressed groups were supplied with PW and HW, respectively, ad libitum and forced to swim for the stress induction every day for 4 consecutive weeks. Gross antifatigue effects of HW were assessed by swimming endurance capacity (once weekly for 4 wk), metabolic activities, and immune-redox activities. Metabolic activities such as blood glucose, lactate, glycogen, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as immune-redox activities such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and the related cytokines were evaluated to elucidate underlying mechanism. Blood glucose and lactate were measured at 0 wk (before swimming) and 4 wk (after swimming). Results HW group showed a higher swimming endurance capacity (p < 0.001) than NC and PW groups. Positive metabolic effects in HW group were revealed by the significant reduction of blood glucose, lactate, and BUN in serum after 4 wk (p < 0.01, resp.), as well as the significant increase of liver glycogen (p < 0.001) and serum LDH (p < 0.05) than PW group. In parallel, redox balance was represented by lower NO in serum (p < 0.01) and increased level of GPx in both serum and liver (p < 0.05) than PW group. In line, the decreased levels of serum TNF-α (p < 0.01), IL-6, IL-17, and liver IL-1β (p < 0.05) in HW group revealed positive cytokine profile compared to PW and NC group. Conclusion This study shows antifatigue effects of HW drinking in chronic forced swimming mice via metabolic coordination and immune-redox balance. In that context, drinking HW could be applied to the alternative and safety fluid remedy for chronic fatigue control. PMID:29850492

Dimerized Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein-Binding Peptide Ameliorates Atopic Dermatitis in NC/Nga Mice.

PubMed

Jin, Xing-Hai; Lim, Juhyeon; Shin, Dong Hae; Maeng, Jeehye; Lee, Kyunglim

2017-01-26

Our previous study showed that dimerized translationally controlled tumor protein (dTCTP) plays a role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. A 7-mer peptide, called dTCTP-binding peptide 2 (dTBP2), binds to dTCTP and inhibits its cytokine-like effects. We therefore examined the protective effects of dTBP2 in house dust mite-induced atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in Nishiki-nezumi Cinnamon/Nagoya (NC/Nga) mice. We found that topical administration of dTBP2 significantly reduced the AD-like skin lesions formation and mast cell infiltration in NC/Nga mice, similarly to the response seen in the Protopic (tacrolimus)-treated group. Treatment with dTBP2 also decreased the serum levels of IgE and reduced IL-17A content in skin lesions and inhibited the expression of mRNAs of interleukin IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). These findings indicate that dTBP2 not only inhibits the release of Th2 cytokine but also suppresses the production of proinflammatory cytokines in AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice, by inhibiting TCTP dimer, in allergic responses. Therefore, dTCTP is a therapeutic target for AD and dTBP2 appears to have a potential role in the treatment of AD.

Large robotized turning centers described

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirsanov, V. V.; Tsarenko, V. I.

1985-09-01

The introduction of numerical control (NC) machine tools has made it possible to automate machining in series and small series production. The organization of automated production sections merged NC machine tools with automated transport systems. However, both the one and the other require the presence of an operative at the machine for low skilled operations. Industrial robots perform a number of auxiliary operations, such as equipment loading-unloading and control, changing cutting and auxiliary tools, controlling workpieces and parts, and cleaning of location surfaces. When used with a group of equipment they perform transfer operations between the machine tools. Industrial robots eliminate the need for workers to form auxiliary operations. This underscores the importance of developing robotized manufacturing centers providing for minimal human participation in production and creating conditions for two and three shift operation of equipment. Work carried out at several robotized manufacturing centers for series and small series production is described.

Overexpression of long intergenic noncoding RNA LINC00312 inhibits the invasion and migration of thyroid cancer cells by down-regulating microRNA-197-3p.

PubMed

Liu, Kai; Huang, Wen; Yan, Dan-Qing; Luo, Qing; Min, Xiang

2017-08-31

The study evaluated the ability of long intergenic noncoding RNA LINC00312 (LINC00312) to influence the proliferation, invasion, and migration of thyroid cancer (TC) cells by regulating miRNA-197-3p. TC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected from 211 TC patients. K1 (papillary TC), SW579 (squamous TC), and 8505C (anaplastic TC) cell lines were assigned into a blank, negative control (NC), LINC00312 overexpression, miR-197-3p inhibitors, and LINC00312 overexpression + miR-197-3p mimics group. The expression of LINC00312, miR-197-3p , and p120 were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Cell proliferation was assessed via CCK8 assay, cell invasion through the scratch test, and cell migration via Transwell assay. In comparison with adjacent normal tissues, the expression of LINC00312 is down-regulated and the expression of miR-197-3p is up-regulated in TC tissues. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that P120 is a target of miR-197-3p The expression of LINC00312 and p120 was higher in the LINC00312 overexpression group than in the blank and NV groups. However, the expression of miR-197-3p was lower in the LINC00312 overexpression group than in the blank and NC groups. The miR-197-3p inhibitors group had a higher expression of miR-197-3p , but a lower expression of p120 than the blank and NC groups. The LINC00312 overexpression and miR-197-3p inhibitor groups had reduced cell proliferation, invasion and migration than the blank and NC groups. These results indicate that a LINC00312 overexpression inhibits the proliferation, invasion, and migration of TC cells and that this can be achieved by down-regulating miR-197-3p . © 2017 The Author(s).

Effects of glutamine supplementation on oxidative stress-related gene expression and antioxidant properties in rats with streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes.

PubMed

Tsai, Pei-Hsuan; Liu, Jun-Jen; Yeh, Chui-Li; Chiu, Wan-Chun; Yeh, Sung-Ling

2012-04-01

There are close links among hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress and diabetic complications. Glutamine (GLN) is an amino acid with immunomodulatory properties. The present study investigated the effect of dietary GLN on oxidative stress-relative gene expressions and tissue oxidative damage in diabetes. There were one normal control (NC) and two diabetic groups in the present study. Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide followed by streptozotocin (STZ). Rats in the NC group were fed a regular chow diet. In the two diabetic groups, one group (diabetes mellitus, DM) was fed a common semi-purified diet while the other group received a diet in which part of the casein was replaced by GLN (DM-GLN). GLN provided 25% of total amino acid N. The experimental groups were fed the respective diets for 8 weeks, and then the rats were killed for further analysis. The results showed that blood thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) mRNA expression in the diabetic groups was higher than that in the NC group. Compared with the DM group, the DM-GLN group had lower glutamine fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 1, a receptor of advanced glycation end products, and Txnip gene expressions in blood mononuclear cells. The total antioxidant capacity was lower and antioxidant enzyme activities were altered by the diabetic condition. GLN supplementation increased antioxidant capacity and normalised antioxidant enzyme activities. Also, the renal nitrotyrosine level and Txnip mRNA expression were lower when GLN was administered. These results suggest that dietary GLN supplementation decreases oxidative stress-related gene expression, increases the antioxidant potential and may consequently attenuate renal oxidative damage in rats with STZ-induced diabetes.

Neuropsychological Profiles Differentiate Alzheimer Disease from Subcortical Ischemic Vascular Dementia in an Autopsy-Defined Cohort.

PubMed

Ramirez-Gomez, Liliana; Zheng, Ling; Reed, Bruce; Kramer, Joel; Mungas, Dan; Zarow, Chris; Vinters, Harry; Ringman, John M; Chui, Helena

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of neuropsychological tests to differentiate autopsy-defined Alzheimer disease (AD) from subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD). From a sample of 175 cases followed longitudinally that underwent autopsy, we selected 23 normal controls (NC), 20 SIVD, 69 AD, and 10 mixed cases of dementia. Baseline neuropsychological tests, including Memory Assessment Scale word list learning test, control oral word association test, and animal fluency, were compared between the three autopsy-defined groups. The NC, SIVD, and AD groups did not differ by age or education. The SIVD and AD groups did not differ by the Global Clinical Dementia Rating Scale. Subjects with AD performed worse on delayed recall (p < 0.01). A receiver operating characteristics analysis comparing the SIVD and AD groups including age, education, difference between categorical (animals) versus phonemic fluency (letter F), and the first recall from the word learning test distinguished the two groups with a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 67%, and positive likelihood ratio of 2.57 (AUC = 0.789, 95% CI 0.69-0.88, p < 0.0001). In neuropathologically defined subgroups, neuropsychological profiles have modest ability to distinguish patients with AD from those with SIVD. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Neuropsychological Profiles Differentiate Alzheimer Disease from Subcortical Ischemic Vascular Dementia in an Autopsy-Defined Cohort

PubMed Central

Ramirez-Gomez, Liliana; Zheng, Ling; Reed, Bruce; Kramer, Joel; Mungas, Dan; Zarow, Chris; Vinters, Harry; Ringman, John M.; Chui, Helena

2018-01-01

Background/Aims The aim of this study was to assess the ability of neuropsychological tests to differentiate autopsy-defined Alzheimer disease (AD) from subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD). Methods From a sample of 175 cases followed longitudinally that underwent autopsy, we selected 23 normal controls (NC), 20 SIVD, 69 AD, and 10 mixed cases of dementia. Baseline neuropsychological tests, including Memory Assessment Scale word list learning test, control oral word association test, and animal fluency, were compared between the three autopsy-defined groups. Results The NC, SIVD, and AD groups did not differ by age or education. The SIVD and AD groups did not differ by the Global Clinical Dementia Rating Scale. Subjects with AD performed worse on delayed recall (p < 0.01). A receiver operating characteristics analysis comparing the SIVD and AD groups including age, education, difference between categorical (animals) versus phonemic fluency (letter F), and the first recall from the word learning test distinguished the two groups with a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 67%, and positive likelihood ratio of 2.57 (AUC = 0.789, 95% CI 0.69–0.88, p < 0.0001). Conclusion In neuropathologically defined subgroups, neuropsychological profiles have modest ability to distinguish patients with AD from those with SIVD. PMID:28595184

Effect of prophylactic oral calcium supplementation on postpartum mineral status and markers of energy balance of multiparous Jersey cows.

PubMed

Valldecabres, A; Pires, J A A; Silva-Del-Río, N

2018-05-01

The effects of prophylactic oral Ca supplementation on blood mineral status and markers of energy balance were evaluated on 205 multiparous Jersey cows at a commercial dairy. Postpartum, cows were systematically assigned to control (n = 105) or oral Ca supplementation (CaOS; 50 to 60 g of Ca as boluses; n = 100) at 0 and 1 d in milk (DIM). Blood samples for analysis of serum minerals (Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Zn, and Cu) were collected before and 1 h after treatment at 0 and 1 DIM, and at 2 DIM. Urine pH was measured immediately before and 1 h after treatment administration (n = 96). A subset of 74 cows was evaluated for plasma glucose and fatty acid concentrations at 0, 1, and 2 DIM. Cows were classified according to their initial calcemic status (Ca status) as normocalcemic (NC; serum Ca >2.12 mmol/L) or subclinically hypocalcemic (SCH; serum Ca ≤2.12 mmol/L). Average serum Ca concentration was higher in CaOS than control cows (2.12 vs. 2.06 mmol/L); this treatment effect was higher for SCH [CaOS (2.03 mmol/L); control (1.89 mmol/L)] than NC cows [CaOS (2.22 mmol/L); control (2.22 mmol/L)]. The incidence of subclinical hypocalcemia was lower for CaOS than control cows (53 vs. 65%); however, at 2 DIM the prevalence of subclinical hypocalcemia tended to be higher for CaOS cows, mostly because it was higher for CaOS-NC than control-NC cows (70 vs. 25%). Urine pH was lower for CaOS than control cows (6.10 vs. 7.04). Lower serum Mg concentration was detected for CaOS-SCH (1.06 mmol/L) than for control-SCH (1.10 mmol/L) cows. Cows in the CaOS group had higher serum K (4.68 vs. 4.53 mmol/L), lower plasma glucose (2.97 vs. 3.10 mmol/L), and at 2 DIM higher plasma fatty acid concentrations (0.43 vs. 0.35 mmol/L) than control cows. Our results showed that postpartum serum Ca concentration increases with oral Ca supplementation, but calcemic status influenced treatment response. Future studies should evaluate the long-term implications on production and reproduction of oral Ca supplementation in Jersey cows. The Authors. Published by FASS Inc. and Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association®. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).

78 FR 54413 - Proposed Establishment of Class E Airspace; Star, NC

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-04

...-0440; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASO-10] Proposed Establishment of Class E Airspace; Star, NC AGENCY... action proposes to establish Class E Airspace at Star, NC, to accommodate a new Area Navigation (RNAV... establish Class E airspace at Star, NC, providing the controlled airspace required to support the new RNAV...

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite with or without platelet-rich fibrin membrane in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects

PubMed Central

Elgendy, Enas Ahmed; Abo Shady, Tamer Elamer

2015-01-01

Background: Nano-sized ceramics may represent a promising class of bone graft substitutes due to their improved osseointegrative properties. Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (NcHA) binds to bone and stimulate bone healing by stimulation of osteoblast activity. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), an intimate assembly of cytokines, glycan chains, and structural glycoproteins enmeshed within a slowly polymerized fibrin network, has the potential to accelerate soft and hard tissue healing. The present study aims to explore the clinical and radiographical outcome of NcHA bone graft with or without PRF, in the treatment of intrabony periodontal defects. Materials and Methods: In a split-mouth study design, 20 patients having two almost identical intrabony defects with clinical probing depth of at least 6 mm were selected for the study. Selected sites were randomly divided into two groups. In Group I, mucoperiosteal flap elevation followed by the placement of NcHA was done. In Group II, mucoperiosteal flap elevation, followed by the placement of NcHA with PRF was done. Clinical and radiographic parameters were recorded at baseline and at 6-month postoperatively. Results: Both treatment groups showed a significant probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction, clinical attachment gain, increase bone density 6-month after surgery compared with baseline. However, there was a significantly greater PPD reduction and clinical attachment gain when PRF was added to NcHA. Conclusion: The NcHA bone graft in combination with PRF demonstrated clinical advantages beyond that achieved by the NcHA alone. PMID:25810595

Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) supplementation enhances epidermal levels of ceramides, glucosylceramides, β-glucocerebrosidase, and acidic sphingomyelinase in NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Kim, Jungmin; Cho, Yunhi

2013-10-01

We have previously reported that dietary gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon; LE) prevents the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) with increased epidermal levels of total ceramide (Cer), the major lipid maintaining epidermal barrier. In this study, we investigated whether the increased level of total Cer induced by dietary LE would be related to the altered metabolism of glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and sphingomyelin (SM), two major precursor lipids in Cer generation. NC/Nga mice, an animal model of AD, were fed a control diet (group CA: atopic control) or a diet with 70% ethanol LE extracts (1% in diet; group LE) for 10 weeks. Individual species of Cer, GlcCer, and SM were analyzed by high-performance thin layer chromatography. In the epidermis of group CA, total Cer (including Cer2 and Cer5-7) and total GlcCer (including GlcCer-B/C/D) were significantly reduced; these levels in group LE were increased to levels similar to the normal control group of BALB/c mice (group C). In addition, protein expressions and activities of β-glucocerebrosidase (β-GlcCer'ase) and acidic sphingomyelinase (aSMase), enzymes for GlcCer or SM hydrolysis, respectively, were increased in group LE. However, alterations of Cer1, Cer3/4, GlcCer-A, and all SM species (including SM1-3) were not significant among groups C, CA, and LE. Dietary gromwell increases GlcCer-B/C/D, and further enhances the generation of Cer2 and Cer5-7 with high protein expressions and activities of β-GlcCer'ase and aSMase.

Tuning Confinement in Colloidal Silicon Nanocrystals with Saturated Surface Ligands.

PubMed

Carroll, Gerard M; Limpens, Rens; Neale, Nathan R

2018-05-09

The optical properties of silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs) are a subject of intense study and continued debate. In particular, Si NC photoluminescence (PL) properties are known to depend strongly on the surface chemistry, resulting in electron-hole recombination pathways derived from the Si NC band-edge, surface-state defects, or combined NC-conjugated ligand hybrid states. In this Letter, we perform a comparison of three different saturated surface functional groups-alkyls, amides, and alkoxides-on nonthermal plasma-synthesized Si NCs. We find a systematic and size-dependent high-energy (blue) shift in the PL spectrum of Si NCs with amide and alkoxy functionalization relative to alkyl. Time-resolved photoluminescence and transient absorption spectroscopies reveal no change in the excited-state dynamics between Si NCs functionalized with alkyl, amide, or alkoxide ligands, showing for the first time that saturated ligands-not only surface-derived charge-transfer states or hybridization between NC and low-lying ligand orbitals-are responsible for tuning the Si NC optical properties. To explain these PL shifts we propose that the atom bound to the Si NC surface strongly interacts with the Si NC electronic wave function and modulates the Si NC quantum confinement. These results reveal a potentially broadly applicable correlation between the optoelectronic properties of Si NCs and related quantum-confined structures based on the interaction between NC surfaces and the ligand binding group.

Tuning Confinement in Colloidal Silicon Nanocrystals with Saturated Surface Ligands

DOE PAGES

Carroll, Gerard M.; Limpens, Rens; Neale, Nathan R.

2018-04-16

The optical properties of silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs) are a subject of intense study and continued debate. In particular, Si NC photoluminescence (PL) properties are known to depend strongly on the surface chemistry, resulting in electron-hole recombination pathways derived from the Si NC band-edge, surface-state defects, or combined NC-conjugated ligand hybrid states. In this Letter, we perform a comparison of three different saturated surface functional groups - alkyls, amides, and alkoxides - on nonthermal plasma-synthesized Si NCs. We find a systematic and size-dependent high-energy (blue) shift in the PL spectrum of Si NCs with amide and alkoxy functionalization relative tomore » alkyl. Time-resolved photoluminescence and transient absorption spectroscopies reveal no change in the excited-state dynamics between Si NCs functionalized with alkyl, amide, or alkoxide ligands, showing for the first time that saturated ligands - not only surface-derived charge-transfer states or hybridization between NC and low-lying ligand orbitals - are responsible for tuning the Si NC optical properties. To explain these PL shifts we propose that the atom bound to the Si NC surface strongly interacts with the Si NC electronic wave function and modulates the Si NC quantum confinement. Furthermore, these results reveal a potentially broadly applicable correlation between the optoelectronic properties of Si NCs and related quantum-confined structures based on the interaction between NC surfaces and the ligand binding group.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Neale, Nathan R; Carroll, Gerard; Limpens, Rens

The optical properties of silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs) are a subject of intense study and continued debate. In particular, Si NC photoluminescence (PL) properties are known to depend strongly on the surface chemistry, resulting in electron-hole recombination pathways derived from the Si NC band-edge, surface-state defects, or combined NC-conjugated ligand hybrid states. In this Letter, we perform a comparison of three different saturated surface functional groups - alkyls, amides, and alkoxides - on nonthermal plasma-synthesized Si NCs. We find a systematic and size-dependent high-energy (blue) shift in the PL spectrum of Si NCs with amide and alkoxy functionalization relative tomore » alkyl. Time-resolved photoluminescence and transient absorption spectroscopies reveal no change in the excited-state dynamics between Si NCs functionalized with alkyl, amide, or alkoxide ligands, showing for the first time that saturated ligands - not only surface-derived charge-transfer states or hybridization between NC and low-lying ligand orbitals - are responsible for tuning the Si NC optical properties. To explain these PL shifts we propose that the atom bound to the Si NC surface strongly interacts with the Si NC electronic wave function and modulates the Si NC quantum confinement. These results reveal a potentially broadly applicable correlation between the optoelectronic properties of Si NCs and related quantum-confined structures based on the interaction between NC surfaces and the ligand binding group.« less

[Effect of febuxostat on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of kidney tubules, serum interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor β(1) in hyperuricemic rats].

PubMed

Lin, Z M; Zhang, R S; Fan, C X; Liang, Y L; Li, L; Zhao, L; Qu, J C; Xu, X; Zhao, H Y; Liu, X N; Zhu, K S

2017-05-01

Objective: To observe the effect of febuxostat on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of kidney tubules and the levels of serum IL-6 nad transforming growth factor (TGF)β(1) in hyperuricemic rats. Methods: Forty male SD rats were divided into 4 groups: normal control group (NC group), oteracil potassium group (OP group), oteracil potassium with febuxostat group (OF group) and oteracil potassium with benzbromarone group (OB group). Each group had 10 rats and balanced in body weights. To induce hyperuricemia, rats were given oteracil potassium by gastric gavage once a day for eight weeks. Rats in OF group and OB group were given either febuxostat or benbromarone starting with oteracil potassium, and rats in NC group was given saline only. Blood samples were taken before, and at the end of 4 and 8 weeks of the treatments and serum uric acid, creatinine, blood usea nitrogen(BUN), IL-6 and TGFβ(1) contents were measured at each time point. Renal pathological changes were observed via HE and Masson staining, and the expression of α-SMA and E-cadherin were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with those in NC group, the levels of serum uric acid, creatinine, BUN, IL-6 and TGFβ(1) in the another three groups were increased significantly (all P <0.01). However, the IL-6 and TGFβ(1) contents in OF group were much lower than those in OP group ( P <0.01). HE and Masson staining showed that OF group had less damage and tubulointerstitial fibrosis than OP group and OB group ( P <0.01). Moreover, the expression of α-SMA was significantly down-regulated ( P <0.01) and that of E-cadherin was significantly up-regulated in OF group compared with those in OP group. Conclusion: Febuxostat treatment significantly inhibited EMT and reduced the levels of IL-6 and TGFβ(1) in hyperuricemia rats.

Effect of the NBD-group position on interaction of fluorescently-labeled cholesterol analogues with human steroidogenic acute regulatory protein STARD1.

PubMed

Tugaeva, Kristina V; Faletrov, Yaroslav V; Allakhverdiev, Elvin S; Shkumatov, Vladimir M; Maksimov, Eugene G; Sluchanko, Nikolai N

2018-02-26

Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR, STARD1) is a key factor of intracellular cholesterol transfer to mitochondria, necessary for adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis, and is an archetypal member of the START protein family. Despite the common overall structural fold, START members differ in their binding selectivity toward various lipid ligands, but the lack of direct structural information hinders complete understanding of the binding process and cholesterol orientation in the STARD1 complex in particular. Cholesterol binding has been widely studied by commercially available fluorescent steroids, but the effect of the fluorescent group position on binding remained underexplored. Here, we dissect STARD1 interaction with cholesterol-like steroids bearing 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl (NBD) group in different positions, namely, with 22-NBD-cholesterol (22NC), 25-NBD-cholesterol (25NC), 20-((NBDamino)-pregn-5-en-3-ol (20NP) and 3-(NBDamino)-cholestane (3NC). While being able to stoichiometrically bind 22NC and 20NP with high fluorescence yield and quantitative exhaustion of fluorescence of some protein tryptophans, STARD1 binds 25NC and 3NC with much lower affinity and poor fluorescence response. In contrast to 3NC, binding of 20NP leads to STARD1 stabilization and substantially increases the NBD fluorescence lifetime. Remarkably, in terms of fluorescence response, 20NP slightly outperforms commonly used 22NC and can thus be used for screening of various potential ligands by a competition mechanism in the future. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PDGF controls contact inhibition of locomotion by regulating N-cadherin during neural crest migration.

PubMed

Bahm, Isabel; Barriga, Elias H; Frolov, Antonina; Theveneau, Eric; Frankel, Paul; Mayor, Roberto

2017-07-01

A fundamental property of neural crest (NC) migration is contact inhibition of locomotion (CIL), a process by which cells change their direction of migration upon cell contact. CIL has been proven to be essential for NC migration in amphibians and zebrafish by controlling cell polarity in a cell contact-dependent manner. Cell contact during CIL requires the participation of the cell adhesion molecule N-cadherin, which starts to be expressed by NC cells as a consequence of the switch between E- and N-cadherins during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the mechanism that controls the upregulation of N-cadherin remains unknown. Here, we show that platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) and its ligand platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGF-A) are co-expressed in migrating cranial NC. Inhibition of PDGF-A/PDGFRα blocks NC migration by inhibiting N-cadherin and, consequently, impairing CIL. Moreover, we identify phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT as a downstream effector of the PDGFRα cellular response during CIL. Our results lead us to propose PDGF-A/PDGFRα signalling as a tissue-autonomous regulator of CIL by controlling N-cadherin upregulation during EMT. Finally, we show that once NC cells have undergone EMT, the same PDGF-A/PDGFRα works as an NC chemoattractant, guiding their directional migration. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Collagen esterification enhances the function and survival of pancreatic β cells in 2D and 3D culture systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ko, Jae Hyung; Kim, Yang Hee; Asan Institute for Life Science, 388-1 Pungnap-2 Dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Collagen, one of the most important components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), may play a role in the survival of pancreatic islet cells. In addition, chemical modifications that change the collagen charge profile to a net positive charge by esterification have been shown to increase the adhesion and proliferation of various cell types. The purpose of this study was to characterize and compare the effects of native collagen (NC) and esterified collagen (EC) on β cell function and survival. After isolation by the collagenase digestion technique, rat islets were cultured with NC and EC in 2 dimensional (2D) and 3more » dimensional (3D) environments for a long-term duration in vitro. The cells were assessed for islet adhesion, morphology, viability, glucose-induced insulin secretion, and mRNA expression of glucose metabolism-related genes, and visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Islet cells attached tightly in the NC group, but islet cell viability was similar in both the NC and EC groups. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was higher in the EC group than in the NC group in both 2D and 3D culture. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of glucokinase in the EC group were higher than those in the NC group and were associated with glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. Finally, SEM observation confirmed that islets had more intact component cells on EC sponges than on NC sponges. These results indicate that modification of collagen may offer opportunities to improve function and viability of islet cells. - Highlights: • We changed the collagen charge profile to a net positive charge by esterification. • Islets cultured on esterified collagen improved survival in both 2D and 3D culture. • Islets cultured on esterified collagen enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin release. • High levels of glucokinase mRNA may be associated with increased insulin release.« less

Parkinson's disease-cognitive rating scale: psychometrics for mild cognitive impairment.

PubMed

Fernández de Bobadilla, Ramón; Pagonabarraga, Javier; Martínez-Horta, Saül; Pascual-Sedano, Berta; Campolongo, Antonia; Kulisevsky, Jaime

2013-09-01

Lack of validated data on cutoff scores for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and sensitivity to change in predementia stages of Parkinson's disease (PD) limit the utility of instruments measuring global cognition as screening and outcome measures in therapeutic trials. Investigators who were blinded to PD-Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS) scores classified a cohort of prospectively recruited, nondemented patients into a PD with normal cognition (PD-NC) group and a PD with MCI (PD-MCI) group using Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale-2 (MDRS-2). The discriminative power of the PD-CRS for PD-MCI was examined in a representative sample of 234 patients (145 in the PD-NC group; 89 in the PD-MCI group) and in a control group of 98 healthy individuals. Sensitivity to change in the PD-CRS score (the minimal clinically important difference was examined with the Clinical Global Impression of Change scale and was calculated with a combination of distribution-based and anchor-based approaches) was explored in a 6-month observational multicenter trial involving a subset of 120 patients (PD-NC, 63; PD-MCI, 57). Regression analysis demonstrated that PD-CRS total scores (P < 0.001) and age (P = 0.01) independently differentiated PD-NC from PD-MCI. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis (AUC, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.90) indicated that a score ≤ 81 of 134 was the optimal cutoff point on the total score for the PD-CRS (sensitivity, 79%; specificity, 80%; positive predictive value, 59%; negative predictive value, 91%). A range of change from 10 to 13 points on the PD-CRS total score was indicative of clinically significant change. These findings suggest that the PD-CRS is a useful tool to identify PD-MCI and to track cognitive changes in nondemented patients with PD. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Late Fecal Incontinence After High-Dose Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: Better Prediction Using Longitudinal Definitions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fiorino, Claudio, E-mail: fiorino.claudio@hsr.it; Rancati, Tiziana; Fellin, Gianni

2012-05-01

Purpose: To model late fecal incontinence after high-dose prostate cancer radiotherapy (RT) in patients accrued in the AIROPROS (prostate working group of the Italian Association of Radiation Oncology) 0102 trial using different endpoint definitions. Methods and Materials: The self-reported questionnaires (before RT, 1 month after RT, and every 6 months for {<=}3 years after RT) of 586 patients were available. The peak incontinence (P{sub I}NC) and two longitudinal definitions (chronic incontinence [C{sub I}NC], defined as the persistence of Grade 1 or greater incontinence after any Grade 2-3 event; and mean incontinence score [M{sub I}NC], defined as the average score duringmore » the 3-year period after RT) were considered. The correlation between the clinical/dosimetric parameters (including rectal dose-volume histograms) and P{sub I}NC (Grade 2 or greater), C{sub I}NC, and M{sub I}NC of {>=}1 were investigated using multivariate logistic analyses. Receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curve were used to assess the predictive value of the different multivariate models. Results: Of the 586 patients, 36 with a Grade 1 or greater incontinence score before RT were not included in the present analysis. Of the 550 included patients, 197 (35.8%) had at least one control with a Grade 1 or greater incontinence score (M{sub I}NC >0). Of these 197 patients, 37 (6.7%), 22 (4.0%), and 17 (3.1%) were scored as having P{sub I}NC, M{sub I}NC {>=}1, and C{sub I}NC, respectively. On multivariate analysis, Grade 2 or greater acute incontinence was the only predictor of P{sub I}NC (odds ratio [OR], 5.9; p = .0009). Grade 3 acute incontinence was predictive of C{sub I}NC (OR, 9.4; p = .02), and percentage of the rectal volume receiving >40 Gy of {>=}80% was predictive of a M{sub I}NC of {>=}1 (OR, 3.8; p = .008) and of C{sub I}NC (OR, 3.6; p = .03). Previous bowel disease, previous abdominal/pelvic surgery, and the use of antihypertensive (protective factor) correlated highly with both C{sub I}NC and M{sub I}NC {>=}1. The predictive values of the models for C{sub I}NC (area under the curve, 0.83) and M{sub I}NC {>=}1 (area under the curve, 0.73) were greater than the ones for P{sub I}NC (area under the curve, 0.62) and more reliable (p = .0001-.0003 against p = .02). Nomograms for the two longitudinal definitions were derived. Conclusions: The longitudinal definitions of fecal incontinence (C{sub I}NC and M{sub I}NC {>=}1) were helpful in accounting for both the persistence and the severity of the incontinence. A significant fraction of peak events was consequential to acute incontinence, and a longer duration of symptoms mainly depended on the rectal dose bath (percentage of rectal volume receiving >40 Gy), and pretreatment clinical factors.« less

Effect of exercise training on Ca2+ release units of left ventricular myocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats

PubMed Central

Carneiro-Júnior, M.A.; Quintão-Júnior, J.F.; Drummond, L.R.; Lavorato, V.N.; Drummond, F.R.; Amadeu, M.A.; Oliveira, E.M.; Felix, L.B.; Cruz, J.S.; Mill, J.G.; Natali, A.J.; Prímola-Gomes, T.N.

2014-01-01

In cardiomyocytes, calcium (Ca2+) release units comprise clusters of intracellular Ca2+ release channels located on the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and hypertension is well established as a cause of defects in calcium release unit function. Our objective was to determine whether endurance exercise training could attenuate the deleterious effects of hypertension on calcium release unit components and Ca2+ sparks in left ventricular myocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Male Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (4 months of age) were divided into 4 groups: normotensive (NC) and hypertensive control (HC), and normotensive (NT) and hypertensive trained (HT) animals (7 rats per group). NC and HC rats were submitted to a low-intensity treadmill running protocol (5 days/week, 1 h/day, 0% grade, and 50-60% of maximal running speed) for 8 weeks. Gene expression of the ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) and FK506 binding protein (FKBP12.6) increased (270%) and decreased (88%), respectively, in HC compared to NC rats. Endurance exercise training reversed these changes by reducing RyR2 (230%) and normalizing FKBP12.6 gene expression (112%). Hypertension also increased the frequency of Ca2+ sparks (HC=7.61±0.26 vs NC=4.79±0.19 per 100 µm/s) and decreased its amplitude (HC=0.260±0.08 vs NC=0.324±0.10 ΔF/F0), full width at half-maximum amplitude (HC=1.05±0.08 vs NC=1.26±0.01 µm), total duration (HC=11.51±0.12 vs NC=14.97±0.24 ms), time to peak (HC=4.84±0.06 vs NC=6.31±0.14 ms), and time constant of decay (HC=8.68±0.12 vs NC=10.21±0.22 ms). These changes were partially reversed in HT rats (frequency of Ca2+ sparks=6.26±0.19 µm/s, amplitude=0.282±0.10 ΔF/F0, full width at half-maximum amplitude=1.14±0.01 µm, total duration=13.34±0.17 ms, time to peak=5.43±0.08 ms, and time constant of decay=9.43±0.15 ms). Endurance exercise training attenuated the deleterious effects of hypertension on calcium release units of left ventricular myocytes. PMID:25296357

Effect of exercise training on Ca²⁺ release units of left ventricular myocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

PubMed

Carneiro-Júnior, M A; Quintão-Júnior, J F; Drummond, L R; Lavorato, V N; Drummond, F R; Amadeu, M A; Oliveira, E M; Felix, L B; Cruz, J S; Mill, J G; Natali, A J; Prímola-Gomes, T N

2014-11-01

In cardiomyocytes, calcium (Ca²⁺) release units comprise clusters of intracellular Ca²⁺ release channels located on the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and hypertension is well established as a cause of defects in calcium release unit function. Our objective was to determine whether endurance exercise training could attenuate the deleterious effects of hypertension on calcium release unit components and Ca²⁺ sparks in left ventricular myocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Male Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (4 months of age) were divided into 4 groups: normotensive (NC) and hypertensive control (HC), and normotensive (NT) and hypertensive trained (HT) animals (7 rats per group). NC and HC rats were submitted to a low-intensity treadmill running protocol (5 days/week, 1 h/day, 0% grade, and 50-60% of maximal running speed) for 8 weeks. Gene expression of the ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) and FK506 binding protein (FKBP12.6) increased (270%) and decreased (88%), respectively, in HC compared to NC rats. Endurance exercise training reversed these changes by reducing RyR2 (230%) and normalizing FKBP12.6 gene expression (112%). Hypertension also increased the frequency of Ca²⁺ sparks (HC=7.61 ± 0.26 vs NC=4.79 ± 0.19 per 100 µm/s) and decreased its amplitude (HC=0.260 ± 0.08 vs NC=0.324 ± 0.10 ΔF/F0), full width at half-maximum amplitude (HC=1.05 ± 0.08 vs NC=1.26 ± 0.01 µm), total duration (HC=11.51 ± 0.12 vs NC=14.97 ± 0.24 ms), time to peak (HC=4.84 ± 0.06 vs NC=6.31 ± 0.14 ms), and time constant of decay (HC=8.68 ± 0.12 vs NC=10.21 ± 0.22 ms). These changes were partially reversed in HT rats (frequency of Ca²⁺ sparks=6.26 ± 0.19 µm/s, amplitude=0.282 ± 0.10 ΔF/F0, full width at half-maximum amplitude=1.14 ± 0.01 µm, total duration=13.34 ± 0.17 ms, time to peak=5.43 ± 0.08 ms, and time constant of decay=9.43 ± 0.15 ms). Endurance exercise training attenuated the deleterious effects of hypertension on calcium release units of left ventricular myocytes.

The effects of yellow soybean, black soybean, and sword bean on lipid levels and oxidative stress in ovariectomized rats.

PubMed

Byun, Jae Soon; Han, Young Sun; Lee, Sang Sun

2010-04-01

Soy isoflavones have been reported to decrease the risk of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. However, the effects of dietary consumption of soybean have not been explored. In this study, we evaluated the effects of consuming yellow soybeans, black soybeans (Glycine max), or sword beans (Canavalia gladiate) on lipid and oxidative stress levels in an ovariectomized rat model. Forty-seven nine-week-old female rats were ovariectomized, randomly divided into four groups, and fed one of the following diets for 10 weeks: a diet supplemented with casein (NC, n = 12), a diet supplemented with yellow soybean (YS, n = 12), a diet supplemented with black soybean (BS, n = 12), or a diet supplemented with sword bean (SB, n = 11). Plasma triglyceride (TG) levels in the BS and SB groups were significantly lower than that in the NC group. Notably, the BS group had significantly lower plasma total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels than the other groups. Hepatic total lipid levels were significantly lower in the YS and SB groups, and cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the SB group than in the NC group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly higher in the groups fed beans compared to the NC group. Hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels were also significantly lower in the BS and SB groups than the NC group. In conclusion, our results suggest that consumption of various types of beans may inhibit oxidative stress in postmenopausal women by increasing antioxidant activity and improving lipid profiles. Notably, intake of black soybean resulted in the greatest improvement in risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.

Effects of dietary glutamine on adhesion molecule expression and oxidative stress in mice with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes.

PubMed

Tsai, Pei-Hsuan; Liu, Jun-Jen; Chiu, Wan-Chun; Pai, Man-Hui; Yeh, Sung-Ling

2011-02-01

Glutamine (Gln) is known to have immunomodulatory effects. Previous studies reported that Gln promotes insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes. However, the effects of Gln on insulin-deficient type 1 diabetes are not clear. This study investigated the effects of dietary Gln supplementation on adhesion molecule expression and oxidative damage in type 1 diabetic mice. There were 1 normal control (NC) group and 2 diabetic groups in this study. Mice in the NC group were fed a regular chow diet. One diabetic group (DM) was fed a common semipurified diet while the other diabetic group received a diet in which part of the casein was replaced by Gln (DM-Gln), which provided 25% of the total amino acid nitrogen for 6 wk. Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples and the liver and kidneys of the animals were collected at the end of the study for further analysis. Plasma glucose, fructosamine contents and adhesion molecule expressions were significantly higher in the diabetic groups than in the NC group. The DM group had higher leukocyte CD11a/CD18 expression. In diabetic mice, nitrotyrosine concentrations and myeloperoxidase activities were higher and the reduced to oxidized glutathione ratio was lower in liver and/or kidney. These alterations were not found in diabetic mice supplemented with Gln. These results suggest that supplemental dietary Gln increased the antioxidant potential and consequently decreased leukocyte adhesion molecule expression and oxidative stress in organs of mice with type 1 diabetes. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

Ovulation induced by mucosa vaginal absorption of buserelin and triptorelin in rabbit.

PubMed

Viudes-de-Castro, M P; Lavara, R; Marco-Jiménez, F; Cortell, C; Vicente, J S

2007-10-15

The aim of this study was to evaluate the supplementation of semen extender with two synthetic GnRH analogues (buserelin and triptorelin) to induce ovulation in rabbit does submitted to artificial insemination. In a first experiment, 255 receptive multiparous does were inseminated with 0.5 mL of Tris-citrate-glucose extender supplemented or not with two GnRH synthetic analogues. Experimental groups were: NC (not supplemented extender), PC (not supplemented extender and does treated with 1 microg of buserelin i.m.), B2 (2 microg per female buserelin supplemented extender), B5 (5 microg per female buserelin supplemented extender), T2 (2 microg per female triptorelin supplemented extender) and T5 (5 microg per female triptorelin supplemented extender). Thirteen does of NC females ovulated, reaching an ovulation rate similar to the other groups. Ovulation rate was similar in all groups (11.4-12.5). The efficiency of ovulation induction was very low (32.5%) in NC group and showed the higher results in PC females (97.8%). Only B5 females reached similar ovulation induction response than PC group. In a second experiment, 702 receptive does were inseminated to compare fertility and prolificacy parameters from the conventional insemination technique (control group, females treated with 1 microg per female of buserelin intramuscularly) versus a supplementation with buserelin or triptorelin (5 microg per female) in semen extender (B5 and T5 groups, respectively). Fertility and prolificacy parameters were similar among the groups (77.8% fertility rate, 73.9% kindling rate, 9.4 live born and 9.9 total born). This study demonstrate the possibility of ovulation induction in rabbits by adding two GnRH synthetic analogues in the seminal doses and open up new prospects for changing rabbit insemination procedures.

Crystal shape controlled H2 storage rate in nanoporous carbon composite with ultra-fine Pt nanoparticle

PubMed Central

Chen, Tsan-Yao; Zhang, Yanhui; Hsu, Liang-Ching; Hu, Alice; Zhuang, Yu; Fan, Chia-Ming; Wang, Cheng-Yu; Chung, Tsui-Yun; Tsao, Cheng-Si; Chuang, Haw-Yeu

2017-01-01

This study demonstrates that the hydrogen storage rate (HSR) of nanoporous carbon supported platinum nanocatalysts (NC) is determined by their heterojunction and geometric configurations. The present NC is synthesized in an average particle size of ~1.5 nm by incipient wetness impregnation of Pt4+ at carbon support followed by annealing in H2 ambient at 102–105 °C. Among the steps in hydrogen storage, decomposition of H2 molecule into 2 H atoms on Pt NC surface is the deciding factor in HSR that is controlled by the thickness of Pt NC. For the best condition, HSR of Pt NC in 1~2 atomic layers thick (4.7 μg/g min) is 2.6 times faster than that (1.3 μg/g min) of Pt NC with higher than 3 atomic layers thick. PMID:28195224

Crystal shape controlled H2 storage rate in nanoporous carbon composite with ultra-fine Pt nanoparticle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Tsan-Yao; Zhang, Yanhui; Hsu, Liang-Ching; Hu, Alice; Zhuang, Yu; Fan, Chia-Ming; Wang, Cheng-Yu; Chung, Tsui-Yun; Tsao, Cheng-Si; Chuang, Haw-Yeu

2017-02-01

This study demonstrates that the hydrogen storage rate (HSR) of nanoporous carbon supported platinum nanocatalysts (NC) is determined by their heterojunction and geometric configurations. The present NC is synthesized in an average particle size of ~1.5 nm by incipient wetness impregnation of Pt4+ at carbon support followed by annealing in H2 ambient at 102-105 °C. Among the steps in hydrogen storage, decomposition of H2 molecule into 2 H atoms on Pt NC surface is the deciding factor in HSR that is controlled by the thickness of Pt NC. For the best condition, HSR of Pt NC in 1~2 atomic layers thick (4.7 μg/g min) is 2.6 times faster than that (1.3 μg/g min) of Pt NC with higher than 3 atomic layers thick.

Male sexual behavior is associated with LHRH neuron number in middle-aged rats.

PubMed

Tsai, Y F; Tsai, H W; Tai, M Y; Huang, R L; Peng, M T

1997-11-21

LHRH administration is reported to facilitate male sexual behavior. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether male sexual behavior is associated with the number of LHRH neurons in the forebrain in middle-aged rats. Male Long-Evans rats (18-19 months) were assigned to three groups on the basis of sexual performance: (1) group MEI consisted of rats showing complete copulatory patterns, including mounts, intromissions and ejaculations, (2) group MI was composed of rats showing mounts and intromissions, but no ejaculation and (3) group NC were non-copulators, i.e. they did not show any copulatory behavior. Young adult rats (4-5 months), displaying sexual behavior, were used as controls. Following the sexual behavior tests, the number of LHRH neurons in the medial septum (MS), organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), preoptic area (POA) and anterior hypothalamus (AH) was determined by immunocytochemistry. No difference was seen in the total number of LHRH neurons in these combined brain areas between group MIE and young controls. In the three middle-aged groups, the total number of LHRH neurons was greatest in group MIE, less in group MI, and lowest in group NC. In general, a similar trend was seen separately in the MS, OVLT and POA. These results suggest that changes in the number of LHRH neurons in the forebrain, in most cases, are age-related, at least in the middle-aged rats, but they also seem to be associated with male sexual performance.

Effects of xylitol on blood glucose, glucose tolerance, serum insulin and lipid profile in a type 2 diabetes model of rats.

PubMed

Islam, Md Shahidul; Indrajit, Mitesh

2012-01-01

The present study was conducted to examine the antidiabetic effects of xylitol in a type 2 diabetes rat model. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control (NC), diabetic control (DBC) and xylitol (XYL). Diabetes was induced only in the DBC and XYL animal groups by feeding them a 10% fructose solution for 2 weeks followed by an injection (i.p.) of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg body weight). One week after the streptozotocin injection, the animals with a nonfasting blood glucose level of >300 mg/dl were considered to be diabetic. The XYL group was fed further with a 10% xylitol solution, whereas the NC and DBC groups were supplied with normal drinking water. After 5 weeks of intervention, food and fluid intake, body weight, blood glucose, serum fructosamine and most of the serum lipids were significantly decreased, and serum insulin concentration and glucose tolerance ability was significantly increased in the XYL group compared to the DBC group. Liver weight, liver glycogen and serum triglycerides were not influenced by feeding with xylitol. The data of this study suggest that xylitol can be used not only as a sugar substitute but also as a supplement to antidiabetic food and other food products. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The effect of enalapril and verapamil on the left ventricular hypertrophy and the left ventricular cardiomyocyte numerical density in rats submitted to nitric oxide inhibition

PubMed Central

Pereira, Leila Maria Meirelles; Mandarim-de-Lacerda, Carlos Alberto

2001-01-01

Forty male Wistar rats were separated into four groups of ten rats each (control and other three groups that have received nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibitor L-NAME) but the last two groups have concomitantly received antihypertensive drugs (Enalapril and Verapamil). After 40 days of experimentation, the heart and the ventricles were measured. The optical disector was used for the calculation of numerical density of the cardiomyocytes (Nv[c]). The left ventricular myocytes number (N[c]) was calculated as the product of Nv[c] and the left ventricular myocardium volume (LVMV) that was determined by using the Scherle's method. In the L-NAME group the blood pressure (BP) had a significant weekly increment. In the enalapril and the verapamil groups, BP increased in the first two weeks, but decreased in the following weeks. The LVMV increased in the L-NAME rats and decreased in the enalapril and verapamil animals. The Nv[c] and N[c] decreased in the L-NAME rats but the verapamil and enalapril treatments maintained the Nv[c] close to the control group. In conclusion, the left ventricular hypertrophy and the significant decrease of the left ventricular cardiomyocyte number caused by the NO synthesis inhibition are efficiently prevented with the use of enalapril and verapamil. PMID:11454102

Reheating of soy oil is detrimental to bone metabolism in oestrogen deficient rats.

PubMed

Ima-Nirwana, S; Ahmad, S Nazrun; Yee, L J; Loh, H C; Yew, S F; Norazlina, M; Abdul, M T Gapor; Kamsiah, J

2007-03-01

The short-term and long- term effects of heated soy oil on bone metabolism in ovariectomised Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Three-month-old female rats, were divided into five groups: normal control (NC); ovariectomised control (OVXC); ovariectomised and fed rat chow with added fresh soybean oil (SOF) or once-heated soy oil (SO1) or five-times-heated soy oil (SO5). Short-term parameters measured after one month were serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and osteocalcin. Long-term parameters measured after six months were the structural bone histomorphometrical parameters. Vitamin E content in the soy oil subjected to the different heating treatments were also measured. Rats in the SO5 group had higher levels of IL-6 after one month compared to the other four groups. Osteocalcin levels in the SO1 and SO5 groups remained high after treatment, while those in the NC and SOF groups declined. After six months, bone mass declined in the SO5 group. Vitamin E assay in the oils showed that levels of alpha-tocopherol decreased after heating the oil once and five times, while levels of gamma- and delta-tocopherols only declined after heating five times. Repeated heating of soy oil destroyed the tocopherols causing raised serum IL-6 and osteocalcin levels, leading to increased bone resorption and osteoporosis in the long term.

Numerical Control/Computer Aided Manufacturing (NC/CAM), A Descom Study

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-07-01

CAM machines operate directly from computers, but most get instructions in the form of punched tape. The applications of NC/CAM are virtually...Although most NC/CAM equipment is metal working, its applications include electronics manufacturing, glass making, food processing, materiel handling...drafting, woodworking, plastics and inspection, just to name a few. Numerical control, like most technologies, is an advancing and evolutionary process

Executive Control of Attention in Narcolepsy

PubMed Central

Bayard, Sophie; Croisier Langenier, Muriel; Cochen De Cock, Valérie; Scholz, Sabine; Dauvilliers, Yves

2012-01-01

Background Narcolepsy with cataplexy (NC) is a disabling sleep disorder characterized by early loss of hypocretin neurons that project to areas involved in the attention network. We characterized the executive control of attention in drug-free patients with NC to determine whether the executive deficits observed in patients with NC are specific to the disease itself or whether they reflect performance changes due to the severity of excessive daytime sleepiness. Methodology Twenty-two patients with NC compared to 22 patients with narcolepsy without cataplexy (NwC) matched for age, gender, intellectual level, objective daytime sleepiness and number of sleep onset REM periods (SOREMPs) were studied. Thirty-two matched healthy controls were included. All participants underwent a standardized interview, completed questionnaires, and neuropsychological tests. All patients underwent a polysomnography followed by multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT), with neuropsychological evaluation performed the same day between MSLT sessions. Principal Findings Irrespective of diagnosis, patients reported higher self-reported attentional complaints associated with the intensity of depressive symptoms. Patients with NC performed slower and more variably on simple reaction time tasks than patients with NwC, who did not differ from controls. Patients with NC and NwC generally performed slower, reacted more variably, and made more errors than controls on executive functioning tests. Individual profile analyses showed a clear heterogeneity of the severity of executive deficit. This severity was related to objective sleepiness, higher number of SOREMPs on the MSLT, and lower intelligence quotient. The nature and severity of the executive deficits were unrelated to NC and NwC diagnosis. Conclusions We demonstrated that drug-free patients with NC and NwC complained of attention deficit, with altered executive control of attention being explained by the severity of objective sleepiness and global intellectual level. Further studies are needed to explore whether medications that promote wakefulness can improve the executive functions in narcolepsy. PMID:22558075

Tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 promotes liver regeneration in mice with acute liver injury.

PubMed

Wang, Sihyung; Lee, Ji-Seon; Hyun, Jeongeun; Kim, Jieun; Kim, Seung U; Cha, Hyuk-Jin; Jung, Youngmi

2015-03-11

Tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 protein (TSG-6), one of the cytokines released by human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSC), has an anti-inflammatory effect and alleviates several pathological conditions; however, the hepatoprotective potential of TSG-6 remains unclear. We investigated whether TSG-6 promoted liver regeneration in acute liver failure. The immortalized hMSC (B10) constitutively over-expressing TSG-6 or empty plasmid (NC: Negative Control) were established, and either TSG-6 or NC-conditioned medium (CM) was intraperitoneally injected into mice with acute liver damage caused by CCl4. Mice were sacrificed at 3 days post-CM treatment. Higher expression and the immunosuppressive activity of TSG-6 were observed in CM from TSG-6-hMSC. The obvious histomorphological liver injury and increased level of liver enzymes were shown in CCl4-treated mice with or without NC-CM, whereas those observations were markedly ameliorated in TSG-6-CM-treated mice with CCl4. Ki67-positive hepatocytic cells were accumulated in the liver of the CCl4+TSG-6 group. RNA analysis showed the decrease in both of inflammation markers, tnfα, il-1β, cxcl1 and cxcl2, and fibrotic markers, tgf-β1, α-sma and collagen α1, in the CCl4+TSG-6 group, compared to the CCl4 or the CCl4+NC group. Protein analysis confirmed the lower expression of TGF-β1 and α-SMA in the CCl4+TSG-6 than the CCl4 or the CCl4+NC group. Immunostaining for α-SMA also revealed the accumulation of the activated hepatic stellate cells in the livers of mice in the CCl4 and CCl4+NC groups, but not in the livers of mice from the CCl4+TSG-6 group. The cultured LX2 cells, human hepatic stellate cell line, in TSG-6-CM showed the reduced expression of fibrotic markers, tgf-β1, vimentin and collagen α1, whereas the addition of the TSG-6 antibody neutralized the inhibitory effect of TSG-6 on the activation of LX2 cells. In addition, cytoplasmic lipid drops, the marker of inactivated hepatic stellate cell, were detected in TSG-6-CM-cultured LX2 cells, only. The suppressed TSG-6 activity by TSG-6 antibody attenuated the restoration process in livers of TSG-6-CM-treated mice with CCl4. These results demonstrated that TSG-6 contributed to the liver regeneration by suppressing the activation of hepatic stellate cells in CCl4-treated mice, suggesting the therapeutic potential of TSG-6 for acute liver failure.

Predictors of Involvement and Warmth of Custodial Fathers in Israel: Comparison with Married and Noncustodial Divorced Fathers.

PubMed

Finzi-Dottan, Ricky; Cohen, Orna

2016-03-01

This study compared the levels and predictors of paternal warmth and involvement of 218 custodial fathers to 222 married fathers and 105 noncustodial (NC) divorced fathers in Israel. The examined predictors were fathers' perceptions of their own fathers; their own caregiving behaviors and parental self-efficacy; and child characteristics and coparental coordination. Results indicated that being a custodial father was associated with more involvement than being a married or NC divorced father. Regression analyses revealed that experience of care with own father predicted fathers' involvement, whereas own father control was related to lower paternal warmth. Lower avoidant caregiving and high paternal self-efficacy predicted both paternal involvement and warmth, whereas perceiving the child as more difficult predicted lower paternal warmth. Higher levels of coparental coordination were associated with more paternal involvement, whereas low coparental coordination was associated with less involvement, primarily among NC divorced fathers. These interactions highlight the distinct paternal behavior of custodial fathers. Unlike married and NC divorced fathers, they showed more warmth, regardless of their avoidant caregiving. Results are discussed in light of the different roles played by fathers in the three groups. © 2015 Family Process Institute.

Phytoaccumulation of sodium and chloride into leaf, woody, and root tissue of Populus irrigated with landfill leachate

Treesearch

Jill A. Zalesny; Ronald S., Jr. Zalesny; Adam H. Wiese; Bart T. Sexton; Richard B. Hall

2007-01-01

Information is limited about the response of Populus to elevated levels of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-). We irrigated eight Populus clones (NC13460, NC14018, NC14104, NC14106, DM115, DN5, NM2, NM6) with fertilized well water (control) (N, P, K) or municipal solid waste landfill leachate weekly during...

Targeted knockout of TNF-α by injection of lentivirus-mediated siRNA into the subacromial bursa for the treatment of subacromial bursitis in rats.

PubMed

Wang, Yi; Li, Quan; Wei, Xianzhao; Xu, Jie; Chen, Qi; Song, Shuang; Lu, Zhe; Wang, Zimin

2015-09-01

Subacromial bursitis (SAB) is the major source of pain in rotator cuff disease. Although multiple investigations have provided support for the role of inflammatory cytokines in SAB, few have focussed on the use these cytokines in the treatment of SAB. The aim of the present study was to observe the therapeutic efficacy of lentivirus‑mediated RNA interference (RNAi) on carrageenan‑induced SAB by injecting lentivirus‑tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α‑RNAi expressing TNF‑α small interfering (si)RNA. Using screened siRNA segments, an siRNA was designed. A lentivirus vector expressing siRNA was established and packed as lentivirus particles. A lentivirus that expressed the negative sequence was used as a lentivirus‑negative control (NC). The carrageenan‑induced SAB model was established in 32 male Sprague‑Dawley rats. The modeled rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Lentivirus‑RNAi treatment group, lentivirus‑NC group, SAB group and phosphate‑buffered saline (PBS) blank control group. The lentivirus was injected (1x10(7) transducing units) into the subacromial bursa of the rats in the lentivirus‑RNAi group and lentivirus‑NC group, whereas 100 µl PBS was injected at the same site in the SAB group and the PBS blank control group. At 5 weeks following injection, the animals were sacrificed and venous blood was obtained. The effect of TNF‑α interference and the expression of inflammatory cytokines were determined by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, hematoxylin and eosin staining, Van Gieson's staining and immunofluorescence. The expression of TNF‑α was decreased in the lentivirus‑TNF‑α‑RNAi group compared with that in the SAB group. Morphological observations revealed that the number of inflammatory cells were reduced and damage to tendon fibers was attenuated in this group, suggesting that the downregulation of the protein expression levels of TNF‑α‑associated nuclear factor‑κB, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)1, MMP9, cyclooxygenase (COX)‑1 and COX‑2 may exert a therapeutic effect on inflammation of the SAB caused by rheumatoid arthritis. It was also found that the expression of stromal cell‑derived growth factor‑1 was downregulated in the lentivirus‑TNF‑α‑RNAi group. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that lentivirus‑mediated TNF‑α RNAi effectively inhibited the inflammatory response in SAB, and that injection of a lentivirus vector into the affected region is an effective way of achieving RNAi in vivo.

Dietary Nisin Modulates the Gastrointestinal Microbial Ecology and Enhances Growth Performance of the Broiler Chickens

PubMed Central

Józefiak, Damian; Kierończyk, Bartosz; Juśkiewicz, Jerzy; Zduńczyk, Zenon; Rawski, Mateusz; Długosz, Jakub; Sip, Anna; Højberg, Ole

2013-01-01

Due to antimicrobial properties, nisin is one of the most commonly used and investigated bacteriocins for food preservation. Surprisingly, nisin has had limited use in animal feed as well as there are only few reports on its influence on microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The present study therefore aimed at investigating effects of dietary nisin on broiler chicken GIT microbial ecology and performance in comparison to salinomycin, the widely used ionophore coccidiostat. In total, 720 one-day-old male Ross 308 chicks were randomly distributed to six experimental groups. The positive control (PC) diet was supplemented with salinomycin (60 mg/kg). The nisin (NI) diets were supplemented with increasing levels (100, 300, 900 and 2700 IU nisin/g, respectively) of the bacteriocin. The negative control (NC) diet contained no additives. At slaughter (35 days of age), activity of specific bacterial enzymes (α- and β-glucosidases, α-galactosidases and β-glucuronidase) in crop, ileum and caeca were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the NC group, and nisin supplementation decreased the enzyme activities to levels observed for the PC group. A similar inhibitory influence on bacterial activity was reflected in the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and putrefactive SCFA (PSCFA) in digesta from crop and ileum; no effect was observed in caeca. Counts of Bacteroides and Enterobacteriacae in ileum digesta were significantly (P<0.001) decreased by nisin and salinomycin, but no effects were observed on the counts of Clostridium perfringens, Lactobacillus/Enterococcus and total bacteria. Like salinomycin, nisin supplementation improved broiler growth performance in a dose-dependent manner; compared to the NC group, the body weight gain of the NI900 and NI2700 groups was improved by 4.7 and 8.7%, respectively. Our findings suggest that dietary nisin exerts a mode of action similar to salinomycin and could be considered as a dietary supplement for broiler chickens. PMID:24376878

Overnight fluid shifts in subjects with and without obstructive sleep apnea

PubMed Central

Ding, Ning; Lin, Wei; Zhang, Xi-Long; Ding, Wen-Xiao; Gu, Bing; Ni, Bu-Qing; Zhang, Wei; Zhang, Shi-Jiang

2014-01-01

Objective To investigate the characteristics of baseline body fluid content and overnight fluid shifts between non-obstructive sleep apnea (non-OSA) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) subjects. Methods A case-controlled study was performed between February 2013 and January 2014, with 36 (18 OSA and 18 non-OSA) outpatients enrolled in this study. Polysomnographic parameters and results of body fluid were compared between the two groups. Results There were no differences in age, weight, and body mass index (BMI) between groups. Compared with the non-OSA group, OSA group had significantly higher neck circumference (NC) and fluid volume shift in the legs. OSA patients had higher left and right leg fluid indices than non-OSA subjects. There were significant correlations between apnoea-hypopnoea index and baseline fluid indices in both legs as well as the reduction in overnight change in both legs fluid volume. The increase in NC was also significantly correlated with the reduction in overnight change in both legs fluid volume, but not with the change in head and neck fluid volume. There were significant correlations between change in NC and increased fluid shifts in head and neck volume. Conclusions OSA patients had a higher baseline fluid content in both legs as compared with non-OSA subjects, which may be the basic factor with regards to fluid shifts in OSA patients. The increase in head and neck fluid shift volume did not directly correlate with the severity of OSA. PMID:25589967

In vitro study of heat production during power reduction of equine mandibular teeth.

PubMed

Allen, Martin L; Baker, Gordon J; Freeman, David E; Holmes, Kenneth R; Marretta, Sandra Manfra; Scoggins, R Dean; Constable, Peter

2004-04-01

To measure the amount of heat generated during 3 methods of equine dental reduction with power instruments. In vitro study. 30 premolar and molar teeth removed from mandibles of 8 equine heads collected at an abbatoir. 38-gauge copper-constantan thermocouples were inserted into the lingual side of each tooth 15 mm (proximal) and 25 mm (distal) from the occlusal surface, at a depth of 5 mm, which placed the tip close to the pulp chamber. Group-NC1 (n = 10) teeth were ground for 1 minute without coolant, group-NC2 (10) teeth were ground for 2 minutes without coolant, and group-C2 (10) teeth were ground for 2 minutes with water for coolant. Mean temperature increase was 1.2 degrees C at the distal thermocouple and 6.6 degrees C at the proximal thermocouple for group-NC1 teeth, 4.1 degrees C at the distal thermocouple and 24.3 degrees C at the proximal thermocouple for group-NC2 teeth, and 0.8 degrees C at the distal thermocouple and -0.1 degrees C at the proximal thermocouple for group-C2 teeth. In general, an increase of 5 degrees C in human teeth is considered the maximum increase before there is permanent damage to tooth pulp. In group-NC2 teeth, temperature increased above this limit by several degrees, whereas in group-C2 teeth, there was little or no temperature increase. Our results suggest that major reduction of equine teeth by use of power instruments causes thermal changes that may cause irreversible pulp damage unless water cooling is used.

On the context dependency of implicit self-esteem in social anxiety disorder.

PubMed

Hiller, Thomas S; Steffens, Melanie C; Ritter, Viktoria; Stangier, Ulrich

2017-12-01

Cognitive models assume that negative self-evaluations are automatically activated in individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) during social situations, increasing their individual level of anxiety. This study examined automatic self-evaluations (i.e., implicit self-esteem) and state anxiety in a group of individuals with SAD (n = 45) and a non-clinical comparison group (NC; n = 46). Participants were randomly assigned to either a speech condition with social threat induction (giving an impromptu speech) or to a no-speech condition without social threat induction. We measured implicit self-esteem with an Implicit Association Test (IAT). Implicit self-esteem differed significantly between SAD and NC groups under the speech condition but not under the no-speech condition. The SAD group showed lower implicit self-esteem than the NC group under the speech-condition. State anxiety was significantly higher under the speech condition than under the no-speech condition in the SAD group but not in the NC group. Mediation analyses supported the idea that for the SAD group, the effect of experimental condition on state anxiety was mediated by implicit self-esteem. The causal relation between implicit self-esteem and state anxiety could not be determined. The findings corroborate hypotheses derived from cognitive models of SAD: Automatic self-evaluations were negatively biased in individuals with SAD facing social threat and showed an inverse relationship to levels of state anxiety. However, automatic self-evaluations in individuals with SAD can be unbiased (similar to NC) in situations without social threat. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Psychosocial factors of chronic hand eczema].

PubMed

Li, Li; Liu, Panpan; Li, Ji; Xie, Hongfu; Kuang, Yehong; Li, Jie; Su, Juan; Zhu, Wu

2017-02-28

To study the psychosocial factors in patient with chronic hand eczema (CHE).
 Methods: Personality traits, emotional state, and quality of life of 240 patients with CHE and 221 normal control (NC) subjects were assessed by General Questionnaire, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety (SAS), and Eczema Quality of Life Scale (EQOLS).
 Results: In comparison, EPQ scores, scores of extraversion (E) factor in patients with CHE were significantly lower than those in NC subjects (P<0.01), but scores of neuroticism (N) factor in patients with CHE were significantly higher than those in NC subjects (P<0.01), while there was no significant difference in scores of psychoticism (P) and lie (L) factors between two groups (P>0.05). Patients with CHE had significantly higher scores in SDS and SAS compared with the NC subjects (P<0.01). Patients with CHE had significantly higher scores in scale of morbid, physical, social, psychological, general quality of life, and total scores of EQOLS compared with the NC subjects (P<0.01). The level of skin lesions and the degree of itch were significantly correlated with scores in scale SDS, SAS, morbid, physical, social, psychological, general quality of life, and total scores of EQOLS compared with the NC subjects (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Personality of patients with CHE is prone to emotional instability of introverts.Patients with CHE have a higher level of depression and anxiety, and exert a negative effect on their quality of life, which is related to severity of disease.

Adapting Certified Safe Farm to North Carolina Agriculture: An Implementation Study.

PubMed

Storm, Julia F; LePrevost, Catherine E; Tutor-Marcom, Robin; Cope, W Gregory

2016-01-01

Certified Safe Farm (CSF) is a multimodal safety and health program developed and assessed through multiple controlled intervention studies in Iowa. Although developed with the intent to be broadly applicable to agriculture, CSF has not been widely implemented outside the midwestern United States. This article describes the CSF implementation process in North Carolina (NC), as piloted on a large-scale in three agriculturally diverse and productive counties of NC, and reports its effectiveness using the Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. Implementation involved (1) capacity building through safety and health training, (2) adaptation of components of Iowa's CSF model to NC agriculture, (3) marketing and recruitment, and (4) formative evaluation, including an online survey and focus group discussion. From 2009 to 2012, 113 farms participated in at least one component of the CSF intervention, representing a NC farm participation rate of 3.1% in the study area. A major adaptation of NC implementation was the utilization of NC Cooperative Extension as the local driver of implementation in contrast to local AgriSafe clinics in Iowa. The most innovative adaptation to CSF components was the development of a defined economic incentive in the form of a cost-share program. The RE-AIM framework was found to be useful and relevant to the field of agricultural health and safety translational research. This study provides effectiveness measures and implementation alternatives useful for those considering implementing CSF. It informs current efforts to move CSF from research to practice through the National Sustainable Model CSF Program initiative.

The Role of Noncriterial Recollection in Estimating Recollection and Familiarity

PubMed Central

Parks, Colleen M.

2007-01-01

Noncriterial recollection (ncR) is recollection of details that are irrelevant to task demands. It has been shown to elevate familiarity estimates and to be functionally equivalent to familiarity in the process dissociation procedure (Yonelinas & Jacoby, 1996). However, Toth and Parks (2006) found no ncR in older adults, and hypothesized that this absence was related to older adults’ criterial recollection deficit. To test this hypothesis, as well as whether ncR is functionally equivalent to familiarity and increases the subjective experience of familiarity, remember-know and confidence-rating methods were used to estimate recollection and familiarity with young adults, young adults in a divided-attention condition (Experiment 1), and older adults. Supporting Toth and Parks’ hypothesis, ncR was found in all groups, but was consistently larger for groups with higher criterial recollection. Response distributions and receiver-operating characteristics revealed further similarities to criterial recollection and suggested that neither the experience nor usefulness of familiarity was enhanced by ncR. Overall, the results suggest that ncR does not differ fundamentally from criterial recollection. PMID:18591986

Emotion Regulation Difficulties in Boys with Oppositional Defiant Disorder/Conduct Disorder and the Relation with Comorbid Autism Traits and Attention Deficit Traits.

PubMed

Schoorl, Jantiene; van Rijn, Sophie; de Wied, Minet; van Goozen, Stephanie; Swaab, Hanna

2016-01-01

Previous research has pointed towards a link between emotion dysregulation and aggressive behavior in children. Emotion regulation difficulties are not specific for children with persistent aggression problems, i.e. oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder (ODD/CD), children with other psychiatric conditions, such as autism spectrum disorders or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, have emotion regulation difficulties too. On a behavioral level some overlap exists between these disorders and comorbidity is high. The aim of this study was therefore twofold: 1) to examine emotion regulation difficulties in 65 boys with ODD/CD in comparison to a non-clinical control group (NC) of 38 boys (8-12 years) using a performance measure (Ultimatum Game), parent report and self-report, and 2) to establish to what extent emotion regulation in the ODD/CD group was correlated with severity of autism and/or attention deficit traits. Results on the Ultimatum Game showed that the ODD/CD group rejected more ambiguous offers than the NC group, which is seen as an indication of poor emotion regulation. Parents also reported that the ODD/CD group experienced more emotion regulation problems in daily life than the NC group. In contrast to these cognitive and behavioral measures, self-reports did not reveal any difference, indicating that boys with ODD/CD do not perceive themselves as having impairments in regulating their emotions. Emotional decision making within the ODD/CD group was not related to variation in autism or attention deficit traits. These results support the idea that emotion dysregulation is an important problem within ODD/CD, yet boys with ODD/CD have reduced awareness of this.

Emotion Regulation Difficulties in Boys with Oppositional Defiant Disorder/Conduct Disorder and the Relation with Comorbid Autism Traits and Attention Deficit Traits

PubMed Central

Schoorl, Jantiene; van Rijn, Sophie; de Wied, Minet; van Goozen, Stephanie; Swaab, Hanna

2016-01-01

Previous research has pointed towards a link between emotion dysregulation and aggressive behavior in children. Emotion regulation difficulties are not specific for children with persistent aggression problems, i.e. oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder (ODD/CD), children with other psychiatric conditions, such as autism spectrum disorders or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, have emotion regulation difficulties too. On a behavioral level some overlap exists between these disorders and comorbidity is high. The aim of this study was therefore twofold: 1) to examine emotion regulation difficulties in 65 boys with ODD/CD in comparison to a non-clinical control group (NC) of 38 boys (8–12 years) using a performance measure (Ultimatum Game), parent report and self-report, and 2) to establish to what extent emotion regulation in the ODD/CD group was correlated with severity of autism and/or attention deficit traits. Results on the Ultimatum Game showed that the ODD/CD group rejected more ambiguous offers than the NC group, which is seen as an indication of poor emotion regulation. Parents also reported that the ODD/CD group experienced more emotion regulation problems in daily life than the NC group. In contrast to these cognitive and behavioral measures, self-reports did not reveal any difference, indicating that boys with ODD/CD do not perceive themselves as having impairments in regulating their emotions. Emotional decision making within the ODD/CD group was not related to variation in autism or attention deficit traits. These results support the idea that emotion dysregulation is an important problem within ODD/CD, yet boys with ODD/CD have reduced awareness of this. PMID:27420110

Neural correlates of incidental memory in mild cognitive impairment: an fMRI study.

PubMed

Mandzia, Jennifer L; McAndrews, Mary Pat; Grady, Cheryl L; Graham, Simon J; Black, Sandra E

2009-05-01

Behaviour and fMRI brain activation patterns were compared during encoding and recognition tasks in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n=14) and normal controls (NC) (n=14). Deep (natural vs. man-made) and shallow (color vs. black and white) decisions were made at encoding and pictures from each condition were presented for yes/no recognition 20 min later. MCI showed less inferior frontal activation during deep (left only) and superficial encoding (bilaterally) and in both medial temporal lobes (MTL). When performance was equivalent (recognition of words encoded superficially), MTL activation was similar for the two groups, but during recognition testing of deeply encoded items NC showed more activation in both prefrontal and left MTL region. In a region of interest analysis, the extent of activation during deep encoding in the parahippocampi bilaterally and in left hippocampus correlated with subsequent recognition accuracy for those items in controls but not in MCI, which may reflect the heterogeneity of activation responses in conjunction with different degrees of pathology burden and progression status in the MCI group.

Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) Supplementation Enhances Epidermal Levels of Ceramides, Glucosylceramides, β-Glucocerebrosidase, and Acidic Sphingomyelinase in NC/Nga Mice

PubMed Central

Kim, Jungmin; Cho, Yunhi

2013-01-01

Abstract We have previously reported that dietary gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon; LE) prevents the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) with increased epidermal levels of total ceramide (Cer), the major lipid maintaining epidermal barrier. In this study, we investigated whether the increased level of total Cer induced by dietary LE would be related to the altered metabolism of glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and sphingomyelin (SM), two major precursor lipids in Cer generation. NC/Nga mice, an animal model of AD, were fed a control diet (group CA: atopic control) or a diet with 70% ethanol LE extracts (1% in diet; group LE) for 10 weeks. Individual species of Cer, GlcCer, and SM were analyzed by high-performance thin layer chromatography. In the epidermis of group CA, total Cer (including Cer2 and Cer5–7) and total GlcCer (including GlcCer-B/C/D) were significantly reduced; these levels in group LE were increased to levels similar to the normal control group of BALB/c mice (group C). In addition, protein expressions and activities of β-glucocerebrosidase (β-GlcCer'ase) and acidic sphingomyelinase (aSMase), enzymes for GlcCer or SM hydrolysis, respectively, were increased in group LE. However, alterations of Cer1, Cer3/4, GlcCer-A, and all SM species (including SM1–3) were not significant among groups C, CA, and LE. Dietary gromwell increases GlcCer-B/C/D, and further enhances the generation of Cer2 and Cer5–7 with high protein expressions and activities of β-GlcCer'ase and aSMase. PMID:24074295

Is there a relationship between complaints of impaired balance and postural control disorder in community-dwelling elderly women? A cross-sectional study with the use of posturography

PubMed Central

Tanaka, Erika H.; Santos, Paulo F.; Reis, Júlia G.; Rodrigues, Natalia C.; Moraes, Renato; Abreu, Daniela C. C.

2015-01-01

Background: Risk of falls increases as age advances. Complaints of impaired balance are very common in the elderly age group. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate whether the subjective perception of impaired balance was associated with deficits in postural control (objective analysis) in elderly community-dwelling women. Method: Static posturography was used in two groups: elderly women with (WC group) and without (NC group) complaints of impaired balance. The area, mean sway amplitude and mean speed of the center of pressure (COP) in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions were analyzed in three stances: single-leg stance, double-leg stance and tandem stance, with eyes open or closed on two different surfaces: stable (firm) and unstable (foam). A digital chronometer was activated to measure the time limit (Tlimit) in the single-leg stance. Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by Mann-Whitney tests, Friedman analyses followed by post hoc Wilcoxon tests and Bonferroni corrections, and Spearman statistical tests were used in the data analysis. Differences of p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The results of posturography variables revealed no differences between groups. The timed single-leg stance test revealed a shorter Tlimit in the left single-leg stance (p=0.01) in WC group compared to NC group. A negative correlation between posturography variables and Tlimit was detected. Conclusions: Posturography did not show any differences between the groups; however, the timed single-leg stance allowed the authors to observe differences in postural control performance between elderly women with and those without complaints of impaired balance. PMID:26083602

Is there a relationship between complaints of impaired balance and postural control disorder in community-dwelling elderly women? A cross-sectional study with the use of posturography.

PubMed

Tanaka, Erika H; Santos, Paulo F; Reis, Júlia G; Rodrigues, Natalia C; Moraes, Renato; Abreu, Daniela C C

2015-01-01

Risk of falls increases as age advances. Complaints of impaired balance are very common in the elderly age group. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the subjective perception of impaired balance was associated with deficits in postural control (objective analysis) in elderly community-dwelling women. Static posturography was used in two groups: elderly women with (WC group) and without (NC group) complaints of impaired balance. The area, mean sway amplitude and mean speed of the center of pressure (COP) in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions were analyzed in three stances: single-leg stance, double-leg stance and tandem stance, with eyes open or closed on two different surfaces: stable (firm) and unstable (foam). A digital chronometer was activated to measure the time limit (Tlimit) in the single-leg stance. Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by Mann-Whitney tests, Friedman analyses followed by post hoc Wilcoxon tests and Bonferroni corrections, and Spearman statistical tests were used in the data analysis. Differences of p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. The results of posturography variables revealed no differences between groups. The timed single-leg stance test revealed a shorter Tlimit in the left single-leg stance (p=0.01) in WC group compared to NC group. A negative correlation between posturography variables and Tlimit was detected. Posturography did not show any differences between the groups; however, the timed single-leg stance allowed the authors to observe differences in postural control performance between elderly women with and those without complaints of impaired balance.

Post-stroke acquired amusia: A comparison between right- and left-brain hemispheric damages.

PubMed

Jafari, Zahra; Esmaili, Mahdiye; Delbari, Ahmad; Mehrpour, Masoud; Mohajerani, Majid H

2017-01-01

Although extensive research has been published about the emotional consequences of stroke, most studies have focused on emotional words, speech prosody, voices, or facial expressions. The emotional processing of musical excerpts following stroke has been relatively unexplored. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of chronic stroke on the recognition of basic emotions in music. Seventy persons, including 25 normal controls (NC), 25 persons with right brain damage (RBD) from stroke, and 20 persons with left brain damage (LBD) from stroke between the ages of 31-71 years were studied. The Musical Emotional Bursts (MEB) test, which consists of a set of short musical pieces expressing basic emotional states (happiness, sadness, and fear) and neutrality, was used to test musical emotional perception. Both stroke groups were significantly poorer than normal controls for the MEB total score and its subtests (p < 0.001). The RBD group was significantly less able than the LBD group to recognize sadness (p = 0.047) and neutrality (p = 0.015). Negative correlations were found between age and MEB scores for all groups, particularly the NC and RBD groups. Our findings indicated that stroke affecting the auditory cerebrum can cause acquired amusia with greater severity in RBD than LBD. These results supported the "valence hypothesis" of right hemisphere dominance in processing negative emotions.

Hormonal contraception use alters stress responses and emotional memory.

PubMed

Nielsen, Shawn E; Segal, Sabrina K; Worden, Ian V; Yim, Ilona S; Cahill, Larry

2013-02-01

Emotionally arousing material is typically better remembered than neutral material. Since norepinephrine and cortisol interact to modulate emotional memory, sex-related influences on stress responses may be related to sex differences in emotional memory. Two groups of healthy women - one naturally cycling (NC women, n=42) and one using hormonal contraceptives (HC women, n=36) - viewed emotionally arousing and neutral images. Immediately after, they were assigned to Cold Pressor Stress (CPS) or a control procedure. One week later, participants received a surprise free recall test. Saliva samples were collected and later assayed for salivary alpha-amylase (biomarker for norepinephrine) and cortisol. Compared to NC women, HC women exhibited significantly blunted stress hormone responses to the images and CPS. Recall of emotional images differed between HC and NC women depending on noradrenergic and cortisol responses. These findings may have important implications for understanding the neurobiology of emotional memory disorders, especially those that disproportionately affect women. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Forsythia suspensa Extract Has the Potential to Substitute Antibiotic in Broiler Chicken

PubMed Central

Han, X.; Piao, X. S.; Zhang, H. Y.; Li, P. F.; Yi, J. Q.; Zhang, Q.; Li, P.

2012-01-01

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the potential for Forsythia suspensa extract (FSE) to substitute for antibiotic in broiler chicken. First, a well-diffusion assay procedure and a 2-fold dilution method were used to determine the bacteriostatic activity of FSE on Escherichia coli K88, staphylococcus aureus, and salmonella was assayed. An inhibitory effect of FSE was observed on the growth of these bacteria. This effect seems to be dose depended, which disappeared after 25.00, 12.50, 1.56 mg/ml. Second, a 42-d trial with 252 broiler chickens (d 1, 38.7±1.1 g BW) was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of FSE in broiler chicken. The feeding program consisted of a starter diet from d 1 to 21 and a finisher diet from d 22 to 42. Dietary treatments included were: i) NC: negative control fed a corn-soybean meal based diet; ii) PC: positive control group fed based diet with chlortetracycline; and iii) FC: a test group fed with 100 mg FSE/kg diet. In this study growth performance did not differ among treatments during the starter period. However, dietary supplemental chlortetracycline and FSE increased (p<0.05) average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared with NC during the finisher and overall phase. Apparent digestibility of calcium on d 21, digestibility of energy and calcium on d 42 of FC was greater (p<0.05) than NC. Moreover, cecal Escherichia coli counts for birds from FC were lower (p<0.05) than NC. Dietary FSE supplementation also improved (p<0.05) villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratios in both duodenum and ileum and decreased (p<0.05) crypt depth in the duodenum. Duodenum villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in both duodenum and ileum from the FC group were also greater (p<0.05). Serum growth hormone and IGF-1 were not influenced by different treatments. Apparently, FSE has the potential to substitute for antibiotic in broiler chicken. PMID:25049598

Oral atorvastatin therapy increases nitric oxide-dependent cutaneous vasodilation in humans by decreasing ascorbate-sensitive oxidants

PubMed Central

Kenney, W. Larry

2011-01-01

Elevated low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are associated with cutaneous microvascular dysfunction partially mediated by increased arginase activity, which is decreased following a systemic atorvastatin therapy. We hypothesized that increased ascorbate-sensitive oxidant stress, partially mediated through uncoupled nitric oxide synthase (NOS) induced by upregulated arginase, contributes to cutaneous microvascular dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic (HC) humans. Four microdialysis fibers were placed in the skin of nine HC (LDL = 177 ± 6 mg/dl) men and women before and after 3 mo of a systemic atorvastatin intervention and at baseline in nine normocholesterolemic (NC) (LDL = 95 ± 4 mg/dl) subjects. Sites served as control, NOS inhibited, L-ascorbate, and arginase-inhibited+L-ascorbate. Skin blood flow was measured while local skin heating (42°C) induced NO-dependent vasodilation. After the established plateau in all sites, 20 mM ≪ngname≫ was infused to quantify NO-dependent vasodilation. Data were normalized to maximum cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) (sodium nitroprusside + 43°C). The plateau in vasodilation during local heating (HC: 78 ± 4 vs. NC: 96 ± 2% CVCmax, P < 0.01) and NO-dependent vasodilation (HC: 40 ± 4 vs. NC: 54 ± 4% CVCmax, P < 0.01) was reduced in the HC group. Acute L-ascorbate alone (91 ± 5% CVCmax, P < 0.001) or combined with arginase inhibition (96 ± 3% CVCmax, P < 0.001) augmented the plateau in vasodilation in the HC group but not the NC group (ascorbate: 96 ± 2; combo: 93 ± 4% CVCmax, both P > 0.05). After the atorvastatin intervention NO-dependent vasodilation was augmented in the HC group (HC postatorvastatin: 64 ± 4% CVCmax, P < 0.01), and there was no further effect of ascorbate alone (58 ± 4% CVCmax, P > 0.05) or combined with arginase inhibition (67 ± 4% CVCmax, P > 0.05). Increased ascorbate-sensitive oxidants contribute to hypercholesteromic associated cutaneous microvascular dysfunction which is partially reversed with atorvastatin therapy. PMID:21715698

Editing of EIA coded, numerically controlled, machine tool tapes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weiner, J. M.

1975-01-01

Editing of numerically controlled (N/C) machine tool tapes (8-level paper tape) using an interactive graphic display processor is described. A rapid technique required for correcting production errors in N/C tapes was developed using the interactive text editor on the IMLAC PDS-ID graphic display system and two special programs resident on disk. The correction technique and special programs for processing N/C tapes coded to EIA specifications are discussed.

Microscale architecture in biomaterial scaffolds for spatial control of neural cell behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meco, Edi; Lampe, Kyle J.

2018-02-01

Biomaterial scaffolds mimic aspects of the native central nervous system (CNS) extracellular matrix (ECM) and have been extensively utilized to influence neural cell (NC) behavior in in vitro and in vivo settings. These biomimetic scaffolds support NC cultures, can direct the differentiation of NCs, and have recapitulated some native NC behavior in an in vitro setting. However, NC transplant therapies and treatments used in animal models of CNS disease and injury have not fully restored functionality. The observed lack of functional recovery occurs despite improvements in transplanted NC viability when incorporating biomaterial scaffolds and the potential of NC to replace damaged native cells. The behavior of NCs within biomaterial scaffolds must be directed in order to improve the efficacy of transplant therapies and treatments. Biomaterial scaffold topography and imbedded bioactive cues, designed at the microscale level, can alter NC phenotype, direct migration, and differentiation. Microscale patterning in biomaterial scaffolds for spatial control of NC behavior has enhanced the capabilities of in vitro models to capture properties of the native CNS tissue ECM. Patterning techniques such as lithography, electrospinning and 3D bioprinting can be employed to design the microscale architecture of biomaterial scaffolds. Here, the progress and challenges of the prevalent biomaterial patterning techniques of lithography, electrospinning, and 3D bioprinting are reported. This review analyzes NC behavioral response to specific microscale topographical patterns and spatially organized bioactive cues.

Anti-apoptosis effect of polysaccharide isolated from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam on cardiomyocytes in aging rats.

PubMed

Sun, Shou-Li; Guo, Li; Ren, Ya-Chao; Wang, Bing; Li, Rong-Hui; Qi, Yu-Shan; Yu, Hui; Chang, Nai-Dan; Li, Ming-Hui; Peng, Hai-Sheng

2014-09-01

To investigate the mechanism of apoptosis in myocardial cells of aging rats induced by D-galactose and to study the effect of the Polysaccharide isolated from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam (PCCL) on apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and its corresponding machinasim in aging rat model. Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Normal control group (NC). D-galactose (100 mg · kg(-1)d(-1) for 56 day) indued aging group (MC), D-galactose plus 100 mg kg(-1) d(-1) PCCL group (ML), D-galactose plus 200 mg kg(-1) d(-1) PCCL group (MM), and D-galactose plus 400 mg kg(-1) d(-1) PCCL group (MH). Same volume of solution (water, or PCCL aqueous solution) was given by gavage for 56 days. Then the hearts were collected and apoptosis parameters were evaluated. Caspase-3 and Cyt c were determined by fluorescence spectrometer, the apoptosis rate was assessed by AnnexinV-FITC method by Flow-Cytometry, [Ca(2+)]i and [Ca(2+)]i overloaded by KCL were observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM); Bcl-2 and Bax were examined by immunohistochemistry. The content of Cyt C, [Ca(2+)]i of cardiomyocytes, the activity of Caspase-3, Bax expression level in D-galactose induced aging group were higher than NC (p < 0.05). The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was decreased in D-galactose induced aging group compared to NC. On the other hand, the content of Cyt C, [Ca(2+)]i of cardiomyocytes, the activity of Caspase-3 and apoptosis rate, as well as Bax expression level in all three PCCL groups were decreased compared to galactose induced group (p < 0.05). Bcl-2/Bax ratio was increased in all PCCL groups compared to galactose induced aging group. PCCL could decrease the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes by the mitochondria apoptosis pathway.

Alcohol exposure during development: analysis of effects on female sexual behavior.

PubMed

Gass, Justin T; Jenkins, William J; Marino, Melissa D; Lugo, Joaquin N; Kelly, Sandra J

2007-12-01

Alcohol exposure during development has been shown to alter a variety of social behaviors in both humans and rodents. Sexual behavior in rodents has been well characterized and lends itself to a detailed investigation of the manner in which ethanol impacts this particular social behavior. Rats were exposed to ethanol during both the prenatal and early postnatal period (ET). Control groups included rats exposed to the administration procedures alone (intubated-control) and nontreated controls (NC). Sexual behavior of intact naïve female rats in estrus was assessed in adulthood (approximately postnatal day 90) and activity was measured by the number of crossings between chambers in the 3-chamber test apparatus. A separate study examined the olfactory preferences for 4 odors by intact naïve female rats in all 3 groups. The 4 odors were the odors resulting from 1 hour of occupation of the test chamber by an intact male, 1 hour of occupation of the test chamber by a gonadectomized male, 0.5 ml of urine from an intact male, and 0.5 ml of urine from a gonadectomized male. ET female rats showed a reduced return latency after ejaculation compared to both control groups. There was a trend toward a reduction in percent exits after all forms of male behavior in the ET animals compared to the control groups. No significant differences across groups were seen in the lordosis quotient, activity, or the behavior of the nonexperimental male. ET female rats showed a reduced preference for the odor from the intact male compared to both control groups and a reduced preference for the odor from the gonadectomized male compared to NC females only. These data suggest that ethanol exposure during the prenatal and postnatal period in females alters sexual motivation and changes the processing of olfactory cues and possibly coital cues from male rats.

Formation of size controlled Ge nanocrystals in Er-doped ZnO matrix and their enhancement effect in 1.54 μm photoluminescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Ranran; Lu, Fei; Li, Kaikai; Liu, Kaijing

2018-06-01

This paper investigated the controllable growth of Ge nanocrystal (nc-Ge) in (Ge, Er) co-doped ZnO film, and the relationship between the size of nc-Ge and the enhancement of Er3+ related 1.54 μm photoluminescence (PL). It was found that nc-Ge with size of ∼5 nm was formed by annealing treatment at 600 °C. The intensity of 1.54 μm was significantly enhanced due to the existence of nc-Ge and showed an obvious dependence on nanocrystal size. The size of nc-Ge increased with the increase of the annealing temperature, and the nanocrystal with size of ∼5 nm made the most obvious contribution to PL enhancement. Prolonging annealing time could improve the crystalline structure of ZnO matrix but had no effect on PL intensity. The experimental results showed that the PL enhancement was mainly achieved by transferring the energy to Er through the resonance absorption of nc-Ge.

Slow Temporal Summation of Pain for Assessment of Central Pain Sensitivity and Clinical Pain of Fibromyalgia Patients

PubMed Central

Staud, Roland; Weyl, Elizabeth E.; Riley, Joseph L.; Fillingim, Roger B.

2014-01-01

Background In healthy individuals slow temporal summation of pain or wind-up (WU) can be evoked by repetitive heat-pulses at frequencies of ≥.33 Hz. Previous WU studies have used various stimulus frequencies and intensities to characterize central sensitization of human subjects including fibromyalgia (FM) patients. However, many trials demonstrated considerable WU-variability including zero WU or even wind-down (WD) at stimulus intensities sufficient for activating C-nociceptors. Additionally, few WU-protocols have controlled for contributions of individual pain sensitivity to WU-magnitude, which is critical for WU-comparisons. We hypothesized that integration of 3 different WU-trains into a single WU-response function (WU-RF) would not only control for individuals’ pain sensitivity but also better characterize their central pain responding including WU and WD. Methods 33 normal controls (NC) and 38 FM patients participated in a study of heat-WU. We systematically varied stimulus intensities of.4 Hz heat-pulse trains applied to the hands. Pain summation was calculated as difference scores of 1st and 5th heat-pulse ratings. WU-difference (WU-Δ) scores related to 3 heat-pulse trains (44°C, 46°C, 48°C) were integrated into WU-response functions whose slopes were used to assess group differences in central pain sensitivity. WU-aftersensations (WU-AS) at 15 s and 30 s were used to predict clinical FM pain intensity. Results WU-Δ scores linearly accelerated with increasing stimulus intensity (p<.001) in both groups of subjects (FM>NC) from WD to WU. Slope of WU-RF, which is representative of central pain sensitivity, was significantly steeper in FM patients than NC (p<.003). WU-AS predicted clinical FM pain intensity (Pearson’s r = .4; p<.04). Conclusions Compared to single WU series, WU-RFs integrate individuals’ pain sensitivity as well as WU and WD. Slope of WU-RFs was significantly different between FM patients and NC. Therefore WU-RF may be useful for assessing central sensitization of chronic pain patients in research and clinical practice. PMID:24558475

Working memory deficits in adults with ADHD: is there evidence for subtype differences?

PubMed Central

Schweitzer, Julie B; Hanford, Russell B; Medoff, Deborah R

2006-01-01

Background Working memory performance is important for maintaining functioning in cognitive, academic and social activities. Previous research suggests there are prevalent working memory deficits in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There is now a growing body of literature characterizing working memory functioning according to ADHD subtypes in children. The expression of working memory deficits in adults with ADHD and how they vary according to subtype, however, remains to be more fully documented. Methods This study assessed differences in working memory functioning between Normal Control (NC) adults (N = 18); patients with ADHD, Combined (ADHD-CT) Type ADHD (N = 17); and ADHD, Inattentive (ADHD-IA) Type (N = 16) using subtests from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III and Wechsler Memory Scale-III and the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT). Results The ADHD groups displayed significant weaknesses in contrast to the NC group on working memory tests requiring rapid processing and active stimulus manipulation. This included the Letter-Number-Sequencing test of the Wechsler scales, PASAT omission errors and the longest sequence of consecutive correct answers on the PASAT. No overall ADHD group subtype differences emerged; however differences between the ADHD groups and the NC group varied depending on the measure and the gender of the participants. Gender differences in performance were evident on some measures of working memory, regardless of group, with males performing better than females. Conclusion In general, the data support a dimensional interpretation of working memory deficits experienced by the ADHD-CT and ADHD-IA subtypes, rather than an absolute difference between subtypes. Future studies should test the effects of processing speed and load on subtype performance and how those variables interact with gender in adults with ADHD. PMID:17173676

[Gene copy number, mRNA transcription and protein expression of PD-1 gene in primary hepatocarcinoma patients].

PubMed

Fan, Hui-Min; Wu, Ling-Jie; Hu, Feng-Yu; Yang, Zhan

2012-08-01

To study the gene copy number, mRNA transcription and protien expression of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) gene in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) patients and normal control individuals (NC) who are anti-HBs positive, and to investigate the variations in PD-1 gene copy numbers and its relationship with PHC. Real-time PCR was adopted to detect the PD-1 gene copy numbers and their mRNA expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 24 samples of PHC patients and 26 of NC. Protein expression level of PD-1 on CD8+ T was analyzed by flow cytometry. In terms of number of PD-1 gene copy numbers, the percentage of cases of haploid (single) was 34.62% and 4.17% in PHC group and control group respectively while the percentage of cases of diploid (double) was 61.54% and 95.83% respectively. The difference between the two was statistically significant (chi2 = 7.639, P = 0.006). The rate of cases with double PD-1 gene copy numbers was found to be higher in patients with PHC than in control group. It was also found that the average expression of PD-1 mRNA was 2.35E-03 in control group and 1.23E-03 in PHC group. The expression level was significant lower in PHC group than that in control group when compared by using Mann-whitey technic (U = 153, P = 0.009). Furthermore, the frequency of PD-1 protein expression on CD8+ T cells was 3.72 +/- 0.32 in control group and 16.13 +/- 1.68 in PHC group. The level of PD-1 mRNA expression was higher in PHC and significant differences was shown between two groups (t = -7.073, P = 0.000). Our study suggests that the variation in PD-1 gene copy number may trigger primary hepatocellular carcinoma to HBV carriers. The relationship between the variation of PD-1 gene copy numbers and its association with primary hepatocellular carcinoma is worth further focus.

Neural crest stem cell multipotency requires Foxd3 to maintain neural potential and repress mesenchymal fates.

PubMed

Mundell, Nathan A; Labosky, Patricia A

2011-02-01

Neural crest (NC) progenitors generate a wide array of cell types, yet molecules controlling NC multipotency and self-renewal and factors mediating cell-intrinsic distinctions between multipotent versus fate-restricted progenitors are poorly understood. Our earlier work demonstrated that Foxd3 is required for maintenance of NC progenitors in the embryo. Here, we show that Foxd3 mediates a fate restriction choice for multipotent NC progenitors with loss of Foxd3 biasing NC toward a mesenchymal fate. Neural derivatives of NC were lost in Foxd3 mutant mouse embryos, whereas abnormally fated NC-derived vascular smooth muscle cells were ectopically located in the aorta. Cranial NC defects were associated with precocious differentiation towards osteoblast and chondrocyte cell fates, and individual mutant NC from different anteroposterior regions underwent fate changes, losing neural and increasing myofibroblast potential. Our results demonstrate that neural potential can be separated from NC multipotency by the action of a single gene, and establish novel parallels between NC and other progenitor populations that depend on this functionally conserved stem cell protein to regulate self-renewal and multipotency.

Regulatory RNAs and control of epigenetic mechanisms: expectations for cognition and cognitive dysfunction.

PubMed

Butler, Anderson A; Webb, William M; Lubin, Farah D

2016-01-01

The diverse functions of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) can influence virtually every aspect of the transcriptional process including epigenetic regulation of genes. In the CNS, regulatory RNA networks and epigenetic mechanisms have broad relevance to gene transcription changes involved in long-term memory formation and cognition. Thus, it is becoming increasingly clear that multiple classes of ncRNAs impact neuronal development, neuroplasticity, and cognition. Currently, a large gap exists in our knowledge of how ncRNAs facilitate epigenetic processes, and how this phenomenon affects cognitive function. In this review, we discuss recent findings highlighting a provocative role for ncRNAs including lncRNAs and piRNAs in the control of epigenetic mechanisms involved in cognitive function. Furthermore, we discuss the putative roles for these ncRNAs in cognitive disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.

Effect of high-dose phytase supplementation in broilers from 22 to 42 days post-hatch given diets severely limited in available phosphorus.

PubMed

Taheri, H R; Heidari, A; Shahir, M H

2015-01-01

1. Two trials were conducted from 22 to 42 d post-hatch to evaluate the effectiveness of high concentrations of supplemental phytase in maize-soya bean meal-based diets severely limited in available phosphorus (P). Growth performance, plasma P and tibia ash (TA) were measured. 2. Each trial used 220 21-d-old male broilers in 20 pens with 11 birds per pen. Dietary treatments included a positive control [PC, 4.3 g/kg nonphytate P (NPP)], negative control [NC, 2.3 g/kg NPP (Trial 1) or 1.4 g/kg NPP (Trial 2)] and NC plus 1000, 2000 or 4000 phytase U/kg of the diet. 3. Birds fed on the PC diet had higher average daily gain (ADG), gain to feed ratio (G:F), plasma P (Trials 1 and 2) and TA (Trial 2) than those fed on the NC. 4. In Trial 1, ADG and G:F values of the NC plus 1000, 2000 or 4000 phytase U/kg reached those of the PC. Plasma P values of the NC plus 2000 or 4000 phytase U/kg reached that of the PC. Although TA values of the NC, NC + 1000 or NC + 2000 reached that of the PC, TA of the NC + 4000 was more than that of the PC. 5. In Trial 2, ADG and G:F values of the NC plus 4000 phytase U/kg reached those of the PC; nevertheless, plasma P values of the NC diets did not come up to that of the PC. While TA values of the NC, NC + 1000 or NC + 2000 did not reach that of the PC, TA of the NC + 4000 was greater than that of the PC. 6. Results of this study showed that, in the diets with 2.3 and 1.4 g/kg NPP, respectively, 1000 and 4000 phytase U/kg can be sufficient to obtain a comparable performance in broilers to those given diets adequate in available P.

Prevention of fetal infection in heifers challenged with bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 1a by vaccination with a type 1c or type 1a vaccine.

PubMed

Packianathan, R; Clough, W J; Hodge, A; Holz, D K; Huang, J; Bryant, G L; Colantoni, C

2017-05-01

To evaluate a vaccine containing type 1c bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus for prevention of fetal infection in pregnant heifers when challenged with New Zealand BVD virus type 1a 6 months after vaccination, compared to unvaccinated heifers and heifers vaccinated with a vaccine containing type 1a BVD virus. Fifty five crossbred Friesian heifers, free from BVD virus and antibody, were randomly allocated to three groups. Twenty five heifers were vaccinated twice with a vaccine containing type 1c BVD virus (T1c group), and 10 heifers with a vaccine containing type 1a BVD virus (T1a group), and 20 heifers were unvaccinated (NC group). After oestrus synchronisation the heifers were bred by artificial insemination followed by natural bull mating. Six months after booster vaccination 15 heifers from the T1c group, eight from the T1a group, and 15 from the NC group, were exposed to four calves that were persistently infected with type 1a BVD virus, for 4 weeks. At the beginning of the challenge phase 36/38 heifers were 72-74 days pregnant and 2/38 heifers were approximately 53 days pregnant. Approximately 52 days after the start of the challenge the heifers were subjected to euthanasia and fetal tissues were collected for the detection of BVD virus by ELISA in fetal heart blood and PCR in fetal tissues. Based on PCR results, BVD virus was detected in 15/15 fetuses in the NC group, compared to 4/14 fetuses in the T1c group and 3/8 fetuses in the T1a group. The proportion of BVD virus-positive fetuses was lower in both vaccinated groups compared to the NC group (p<0.002), but there was no difference in proportions between the vaccinated groups (p=1.00). Fetal protection, expressed as the prevented fraction, was 71.4 (95% CI=41.9-91.6)% and 62.5 (95% CI=24.5-91.5)% for the T1c and T1a groups, respectively. The vaccines containing killed type 1c and type 1a BVD viruses significantly reduced fetal infection following challenge with a New Zealand type 1a BVD virus. Prevention of fetal infection by vaccination may not be 100%, and the risk of persistently infected calves being born to some vaccinated cattle should be acknowledged and managed as part of a BVD control programme.

Comparison of the effects of moderate and severe hypercapnic acidosis on ventilation-induced lung injury.

PubMed

Yang, Wanchao; Yue, Ziyong; Cui, Xiaoguang; Guo, Yueping; Zhang, Lili; Zhou, Huacheng; Li, Wenzhi

2015-04-30

We have proved that hypercapnic acidosis (a PaCO2 of 80-100 mmHg) protects against ventilator-induced lung injury in rats. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the appropriate target PaCO2 or if greater CO2 "doses" (PaCO2 > 100 mmHg) demonstrate this effect. We wished to determine whether severe acute hypercapnic acidosis can reduce stretch-induced injury, as well as the role of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the effects of acute hypercapnic acidosis. Fifty-four rats were ventilated for 4 hours with a pressure-controlled ventilation mode set at a peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) of 30 cmH2O. A gas mixture of carbon dioxide with oxygen (FiCO2 = 4-5%, FiCO2 = 11-12% or FiCO2 = 16-17%; FiO2 = 0.7; balance N2) was immediately administered to maintain the target PaCO2 in the NC (a PaCO2 of 35-45 mmHg), MHA (a PaCO2 of 80-100 mmHg) and SHA (a PaCO2 of 130-150 mmHg) groups. Nine normal or non-ventilated rats served as controls. The hemodynamics, gas exchange and inflammatory parameters were measured. The role of NF-κB pathway in hypercapnic acidosis-mediated protection from high-pressure stretch injury was then determined. In the NC group, high-pressure ventilation resulted in a decrease in PaO2/FiO2 from 415.6 (37.1) mmHg to 179.1 (23.5) mmHg (p < 0.001), but improved by MHA (379.9 ± 34.5 mmHg) and SHA (298.6 ± 35.3 mmHg). The lung injury score in the SHA group (7.8 ± 1.6) was lower than the NC group (11.8 ± 2.3, P < 0.05) but was higher than the MHA group (4.4 ± 1.3, P < 0.05). Compared with the NC group, after 4 h of high pressure ventilation, the MHA and SHA groups had decreases in MPO activity of 67% and 33%, respectively, and also declined the levels of TNF-α (58% versus 72%) and MIP-2 (76% versus 60%) in the BALF. Additionally, both hypercapnic acidosis groups reduced stretch-induced NF-κB activation (p < 0.05) and significantly decreased lung ICAM-1 expression (p < 0.05). Moderate hypercapnic acidosis (PaCO2 maintained at 80-100 mmHg) has a greater protective effect on high-pressure ventilation-induced inflammatory injury. The potential mechanisms may involve alterations in NF-κB activity.

Effect of chronic mild stress on serotonergic markers in the skin and brain of the NC/Nga atopic-like mouse strain.

PubMed

Rasul, Aram; El-Nour, Husameldin; Blakely, Randy D; Lonne-Rahm, Sol-Britt; Forsberg, Johan; Johansson, Björn; Theodorsson, Elvar; Nordlind, Klas

2011-11-01

Atopic eczema is often worsened by stress. While acute stress is associated with increased turnover of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), chronic stress causes a decrease. In chronic stress, there is a decrease of the 5-HT1A receptor (R)- and an increase in the 5-HT2AR-responsiveness to 5-HT. In the present study, the impact of chronic mild stress on the expression of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors and serotonin transporter protein (SERT) was investigated in eczematous skin and brain of atopic-like NC/Nga mice. Twenty-four NC/Nga mice were subjected to chronic mild stress for 12 weeks, and eczema was induced by applying a mite antigen (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) on the ears for the last 4 weeks. The mice were divided into three groups, eight per group, stressed eczematous (SE), non-stressed eczematous (NSE) and stressed control (SC). The biopsies were analysed by immunohistochemistry, using a streptavidin-biotin technique. There was an increased number of 5-HT containing dermal mast cell-like mononuclear cells in the skin of mice with eczema (SE and NSE, respectively) compared with the SC, and a tendency to more 5-HT-positive cells in the SE compared with the NSE group. Increased 5-HT1AR immunoreactivity (IR) in the skin and hippocampus of the eczematous groups compared to the control group was seen, but no difference between the SE and NSE groups. The epidermal immunoreactivity for 5-HT2AR was highest in the SE and NSE compared to the SC group, and was also higher in the SE compared to NSE. 5-HT2AR expression was also seen on nerve bundles, the number and intensity of such bundles being decreased in the SE compared to the NSE group. In the CA1 area of the hippocampus, there was an increase in the quantity of cells immunoreactive for 5-HT2AR in the SE versus the NSE group and also in the SE versus the SC group. SERT-IR was found also on nerve bundles with a decreased number in the SE compared to the NSE and SC group. There is a modulation of the expression of serotonergic markers in the eczematous skin and brain of the atopic-like mouse during chronic mild stress.

Glucose Metabolism during Resting State Reveals Abnormal Brain Networks Organization in the Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment

PubMed Central

Martínez-Montes, Eduardo

2013-01-01

This paper aims to study the abnormal patterns of brain glucose metabolism co-variations in Alzheimer disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients compared to Normal healthy controls (NC) using the Alzheimer Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. The local cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (CMRgl) in a set of 90 structures belonging to the AAL atlas was obtained from Fluro-Deoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography data in resting state. It is assumed that brain regions whose CMRgl values are significantly correlated are functionally associated; therefore, when metabolism is altered in a single region, the alteration will affect the metabolism of other brain areas with which it interrelates. The glucose metabolism network (represented by the matrix of the CMRgl co-variations among all pairs of structures) was studied using the graph theory framework. The highest concurrent fluctuations in CMRgl were basically identified between homologous cortical regions in all groups. Significant differences in CMRgl co-variations in AD and MCI groups as compared to NC were found. The AD and MCI patients showed aberrant patterns in comparison to NC subjects, as detected by global and local network properties (global and local efficiency, clustering index, and others). MCI network’s attributes showed an intermediate position between NC and AD, corroborating it as a transitional stage from normal aging to Alzheimer disease. Our study is an attempt at exploring the complex association between glucose metabolism, CMRgl covariations and the attributes of the brain network organization in AD and MCI. PMID:23894356

NC10 bacteria in marine oxygen minimum zones

PubMed Central

Padilla, Cory C; Bristow, Laura A; Sarode, Neha; Garcia-Robledo, Emilio; Gómez Ramírez, Eddy; Benson, Catherine R; Bourbonnais, Annie; Altabet, Mark A; Girguis, Peter R; Thamdrup, Bo; Stewart, Frank J

2016-01-01

Bacteria of the NC10 phylum link anaerobic methane oxidation to nitrite denitrification through a unique O2-producing intra-aerobic methanotrophy pathway. A niche for NC10 in the pelagic ocean has not been confirmed. We show that NC10 bacteria are present and transcriptionally active in oceanic oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) off northern Mexico and Costa Rica. NC10 16S rRNA genes were detected at all sites, peaking in abundance in the anoxic zone with elevated nitrite and methane concentrations. Phylogenetic analysis of particulate methane monooxygenase genes further confirmed the presence of NC10. rRNA and mRNA transcripts assignable to NC10 peaked within the OMZ and included genes of the putative nitrite-dependent intra-aerobic pathway, with high representation of transcripts containing the unique motif structure of the nitric oxide (NO) reductase of NC10 bacteria, hypothesized to participate in O2-producing NO dismutation. These findings confirm pelagic OMZs as a niche for NC10, suggesting a role for this group in OMZ nitrogen, methane and oxygen cycling. PMID:26918666

The Reich Wreckers: An Analysis of the 306th Bomb Group During World War II

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-04-01

1983), 179-80. 12 Notes 4 Russell A. Strong, First Over Germany : The Story of the 306th Bombardment Group, (Winston-Salem, NC: Hunter Printing Co...306th Bombardment Group (H), GP-306-HI, in USAF Collection, AFHRA, 4. 7 Russell A. Strong, First Over Germany : The Story of the 306th Bombardment...306th Bomb Group Association, 1994), cover. 9 Russell A. Strong, First Over Germany : The Story of the 306th Bombardment Group, (Winston-Salem, NC: Hunter

Fast Track Randomized Controlled Trial to Prevent Externalizing Psychiatric Disorders: Findings from Grades 3 to 9

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2007

2007-01-01

Objective: This study tests the efficacy of the Fast Track Program in preventing antisocial behavior and psychiatric disorders among groups varying in initial risk. Method: Schools within four sites (Durham, NC; Nashville, TN; Seattle, WA; and rural central Pennsylvania) were selected as high-risk institutions based on neighborhood crime and…

[Role of visfatin in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus and its relationship with insulin resistance].

PubMed

Huo, Yan; Liu, Suxin; Feng, Jing; Li, Hongyan; Fan, Yanli; Jin, Ying; Li, Li

2014-08-01

To investigate the role of visfatin in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its correlation with insulin resistance. The study recruited 58 pregnant women of 24 to 28 gestational weeks in People's Hospital of Hebei Province from January to June 2013. Among them, 30 were patients with GDM (GDM group), 28 had normal oral glucose tolerance test and was referred as healthy pregnancy group (NGT group). Fourteen age-matched female who were first-degree relatives (FDR1) of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, and 27 healthy nonpregnant women with normal oral glucose tolerance test were referred as high-risk group and normal controls (NC), respectively. The fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 1 hour and 2 hours postprandial glucose levels were measured by glucose oxidase method. The fasting insulin (FIN) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay and the homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA- IR) was calculated. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerdes (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) were determined. The visfatin levels were measured by ELISA. (1)The levels of FPG were significantly higher in GDM, FDR1 and NC group [(5.5 ± 0.7), (5.1 ±0.6), (5.2 ± 0.4)mmol/L] than that in NGT group [(4.5 ± 0.3) mmol/L], respectively (P < 0.05). (2) The levels of INS [(14 ± 6)mU/L], HOMA- IR (4.0 ± 2.0), 1 hour [(10.9 ± 1.8) mmol/L] and 2 hours [(8.6 ± 1.8) mmol/L] postprandial glucose levels of GDM group were significantly higher than those in NGT group [(12 ± 4) mU/L, 2.0 ± 1.0, (7. 4 ± 1.3) and (6.2 ± 0.9) mmol/L], respectively (P < 0.05). (3) The levels of TC, TG, HDL and LDL levels in GDM group were (5.5 ± 0.9), (2.8 ± 0.8), (1.8 ± 0.4) and (3.3 ± 0.8) mmol/L, and were(5.9 ± 0.8), (2.5 ± 0.7), (1.9 ± 0.4) and (3.4 ± 0.6) mmol/L in NGT group. The levels of lipid in the two groups were significantly higher than those in FDR1 or NC group, respectively(P < 0.05).(4)The levels of visfatin in GDM group and NGT group [(43 ± 10), (45 ± 12) µg/L] were significantly higher than that in FDR1 or NC group [(29 ± 9), (36 ± 7) µg/L], respectively (P < 0.05), but the visfatin levels in FDR1 group were significantly lower than that in NC group (P < 0.05). The visfatin levels in GDM group were slightly lower than that in NGT group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). (5)The visfatin levels in NGT group were negatively correlated to the levels of FPG, HOMA-IR and TC (r = -0.38, -0.44, -0.47, respectively, P < 0.05). But the visfatin levels in GDM group were not correlated with the levels of FPG, HOMA-IR, TC (r = -0.16, -0.01, 0.33, respectively, P > 0.05). While in NC group, the levels of visfatin were negatively correlated with FPG and 2 hours postprandial glucose(r = -0.48, -0.42, respectively, P < 0.05). Visfatin may be an important adipokine that involved in the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in GDM, and is related to the pathogensis of GDM and insulin resistance.

Detection of respiratory allergies caused by environmental chemical allergen via measures of hyper-activation and degranulation of mast cells in lungs of NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Nishino, Risako; Fukuyama, Tomoki; Watanabe, Yuko; Kurosawa, Yoshimi; Koasaka, Tadashi; Harada, Takanori

2016-09-01

Respiratory allergy triggered by exposure to environmental chemical allergen is a serious problem in many Asian countries and has the potential to cause severe health problems. Here, we aimed to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of this disease and develop an in vivo detection method for respiratory allergy induced by environmental chemical allergen. Both BALB/c and NC/Nga mice were sensitized topically for 3 weeks and were then subjected to inhalation challenge with pulverized trimellitic anhydride into particles measuring 2-μm in diameter. On the day after the final challenge, all mice were sacrificed, and IgE levels, immunocyte counts, and cytokine levels in the serum, hilar lymph nodes, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured. We also monitored the expression of genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lung. We found that all endpoints were significantly increased in mice of both strains subjected to trimellitic anhydride inhalation as compared with the respective control groups. However, worsening of respiratory status was noted only in NC/Nga mice. Interestingly, type 2 helper T-cell reactions were significantly increased in BALB/c mice compared with that in NC/Nga mice. In contrast, the number of mast cells, levels of mast cell-related cytokine/chemokines, and production of histamine in NC/Nga mice were significantly higher than those in BALB/c mice. Thus, environmental chemical allergen induced respiratory allergy in NC/Nga mice in terms of functional and inflammatory symptoms. Furthermore, mast cells may be involved in the aggravation of airway allergic symptoms induced by environmental chemical allergens.

Oral administration of Yokukansan inhibits the development of atopic dermatitis-like lesions in isolated NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Jiang, Ju; Yamaguchi, Takuji; Funakushi, Naoko; Kuhara, Takatoshi; Fan, Ping-shen; Ueki, Rie; Suto, Hajime; Kase, Yoshio; Ikeda, Shigaku; Ogawa, Hideoki

2009-10-01

Increasing evidence suggests that stress can trigger and exacerbate atopic dermatitis (AD). Psychotherapy is becoming more important in the treatment of AD patients. Yokukansan (YKS, Yi-Gan San in Chinese), a traditional Japanese medicine, has been widely utilized in the treatment of neurosis, insomnia and anxiety especially in Asian countries. Furthermore, it was reported that YKS inhibited skin lesions in socially isolated mice but not in group-housed mice. Therefore, in the present study it was investigated whether or not YKS was effective in the treatment of AD using socially isolated NC/Nga mice. The present study was designed to assess the effect of YKS on the development of AD-like lesions in socially isolated NC/Nga mice to obtain information about its usefulness in the treatment of AD. Ten-week-old male NC/Nga mice were socially isolated under conventional conditions. YKS was administered orally to mice at the dose of 0.5% or 1.0% together with diet. The efficacy of YKS was evaluated by assessing skin lesion severity, scratching behaviors, skin hydration, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the skin. Grooming behaviors evoked by social isolation stress and serum corticosterone levels were also measured. Oral administration of YKS to socially isolated NC/Nga mice resulted in the inhibition of exacerbation of AD-like skin lesions. It seemed that the inhibition of exacerbation of AD-like skin lesions observed in NC/Nga mice might be due to suppression of the scratching and grooming behaviors, inhibition of the infiltration of mast cells and eosinophils, and retention of humidity in the skin. Serum corticosterone levels were also significantly inhibited in the 1%-YKS-treated mice as compared with those of the control mice. There were no significant differences in the levels of serum total IgE and nerve growth factor (NGF) between the YKS-treated mice and the non-treated control mice. YKS inhibited the development of AD-like skin lesions in socially isolated NC/Nga mice by suppressing scratching and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the skin. These results indicate that YKS possesses an anti-itching property, and its anti-itching may be partly through attenuation on social isolation stress. It is expected that YKS might provide an effective alternative therapy for AD in human patients.

Effect of anabolic steroids on skeletal muscle mass during hindlimb suspension

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsika, R. W.; Herrick, R. E.; Baldwin, K. M.

1987-01-01

The effect of treatment with an anabolic steroid (nandrolone decanoate) on the muscle mass of plantaris and soleus of a rats in hindlimb suspension, and on the isomyosin expression in these muscles, was investigated in young female rats divided into four groups: normal control (NC), normal steroid (NS), normal suspension (N-sus), and suspension steroid (sus-S). Steroid treatment of suspended animals (sus-S vs N-sus) was found to partially spare body weight and muscle weight, as well as myofibril content of plantaris (but not soleus), but did not modify the isomyosin pattern induced by suspension. In normal rats (NS vs NC), steroid treatment did enhance body weight and plantaris muscle weight; the treatment did not alter isomyosin expression in either muscle type.

Abnormal baseline brain activity in suicidal and non-suicidal patients with major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Fan, Tingting; Wu, Xia; Yao, Li; Dong, Jie

2013-02-08

Previous studies have shown that suicide attempts are strongly associated with major depressive disorder (MDD), and MDD patients who attempt suicide have a high risk of death by suicide throughout their lifetimes. We aimed to explore the differences in resting-state brain activity in MDD patients with and without histories of suicide attempt. We accomplished this using an approach named amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF). ALFF reflects the local properties of specific brain regions and provides direct information about impaired regions. This approach differs from functional connectivity. In this study, we compared three groups: MDD patients with and without histories of suicide attempt, and normal controls (NC). The main result is that suicide attempters had increased ALFF in the right superior temporal gyrus (r-STG) relative to both non-suicidal patients (NSU) and NC. In addition, NSU had increased ALFF in the right ventral medial frontal gyrus (r-vMFG) relative to both suicide attempters (SU) and NC. Finally, both NSU and SU had increased ALFF in the left anterior cingulated cortex (l-ACC) and right parahippocampal gyrus (r-PG) and decreased ALFF in the left middle occipital gyrus (l-MOG) and left angular gyrus (l-AG) relative to NC. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lower cognitive reserve in the aging human immunodeficiency virus-infected brain.

PubMed

Chang, Linda; Holt, John L; Yakupov, Renat; Jiang, Caroline S; Ernst, Thomas

2013-04-01

More HIV-infected individuals are living longer; however, how their brain function is affected by aging is not well understood. One hundred twenty-two men (56 seronegative control [SN] subjects, 37 HIV subjects with normal cognition [HIV+NC], 29 with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder [HAND]) performed neuropsychological tests and had acceptable functional magnetic resonance imaging scans at 3 Tesla during tasks with increasing attentional load. With older age, SN and HIV+NC subjects showed increased activation in the left posterior (reserve, "bottom-up") attention network for low attentional-load tasks, and further increased activation in the left posterior and anterior ("top-down") attention network on intermediate (HIV+NC only) and high attentional-load tasks. HAND subjects had only age-dependent decreases in activation. Age-dependent changes in brain activation differed between the 3 groups, primarily in the left frontal regions (despite similar brain atrophy). HIV and aging act synergistically or interactively to exacerbate brain activation abnormalities in different brain regions, suggestive of a neuroadaptive mechanism in the attention network to compensate for declined neural efficiency. While the SN and HIV+NC subjects compensated for their declining attention with age by using reserve and "top-down" attentional networks, older HAND subjects were unable to compensate which resulted in cognitive decline. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Low Calorie Beverage Consumption Is Associated with Energy and Nutrient Intakes and Diet Quality in British Adults

PubMed Central

Gibson, Sigrid A.; Horgan, Graham W.; Francis, Lucy E.; Gibson, Amelia A.; Stephen, Alison M.

2016-01-01

It is unclear whether consumption of low-calorie beverages (LCB) leads to compensatory consumption of sweet foods, thus reducing benefits for weight control or diet quality. This analysis investigated associations between beverage consumption and energy intake and diet quality of adults in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) (2008–2011; n = 1590), classified into: (a) non-consumers of soft drinks (NC); (b) LCB consumers; (c) sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumers; or (d) consumers of both beverages (BB), based on 4-day dietary records. Within-person data on beverage consumption on different days assessed the impact on energy intake. LCB consumers and NC consumed less energy and non-milk extrinsic sugars than other groups. Micronutrient intakes and food choices suggested higher dietary quality in NC/LCB consumers compared with SSB/BB consumers. Within individuals on different days, consumption of SSB, milk, juice, and alcohol were all associated with increased energy intake, while LCB and tea, coffee or water were associated with no change; or reduced energy intake when substituted for caloric beverages. Results indicate that NC and LCB consumers tend to have higher quality diets compared with SSB or BB consumers and do not compensate for sugar or energy deficits by consuming more sugary foods. PMID:26729159

Low Calorie Beverage Consumption Is Associated with Energy and Nutrient Intakes and Diet Quality in British Adults.

PubMed

Gibson, Sigrid A; Horgan, Graham W; Francis, Lucy E; Gibson, Amelia A; Stephen, Alison M

2016-01-02

It is unclear whether consumption of low-calorie beverages (LCB) leads to compensatory consumption of sweet foods, thus reducing benefits for weight control or diet quality. This analysis investigated associations between beverage consumption and energy intake and diet quality of adults in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) (2008-2011; n = 1590), classified into: (a) non-consumers of soft drinks (NC); (b) LCB consumers; (c) sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumers; or (d) consumers of both beverages (BB), based on 4-day dietary records. Within-person data on beverage consumption on different days assessed the impact on energy intake. LCB consumers and NC consumed less energy and non-milk extrinsic sugars than other groups. Micronutrient intakes and food choices suggested higher dietary quality in NC/LCB consumers compared with SSB/BB consumers. Within individuals on different days, consumption of SSB, milk, juice, and alcohol were all associated with increased energy intake, while LCB and tea, coffee or water were associated with no change; or reduced energy intake when substituted for caloric beverages. Results indicate that NC and LCB consumers tend to have higher quality diets compared with SSB or BB consumers and do not compensate for sugar or energy deficits by consuming more sugary foods.

Prevalence of Non-cardiac and Genetic abnormalities in Neonates Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: Analysis of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database

PubMed Central

Patel, Angira; Costello, John M.; Backer, Carl L.; Pasquali, Sara K.; Hill, Kevin D.; Wallace, Amelia S.; Jacobs, Jeffrey P.; Jacobs, Marshall L.

2016-01-01

Background Among congenital heart disease (CHD) patients, the coexistence of non-cardiac congenital anatomic abnormalities (NC), genetic abnormalities (GA), and syndromes (S) may influence therapeutic strategies and outcomes. The appreciated prevalence of these abnormalities has risen, as increased screening and improved diagnostic precision enable identification of these comorbidities in a larger fraction of neonates with CHD. We examined the contemporary prevalence and distribution of NC/GA/S across diagnostic groups among neonates undergoing cardiac surgery using a large, nationally representative clinical registry. Methods The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-Congenital Heart Surgery Database (STS-CHSD) was queried to identify neonates (≤ 30 days) who underwent index cardiac operations from 2010–2013. The fundamental cardiac diagnosis was used to identify 10 diagnostic groups. The prevalence of NC/GA/S was reported across each group. Results The cohort included 15,376 index neonatal operations from 112 centers. Overall 18.8% (2,894/15,376) of operations were performed on neonates with NC/GA/S. Patients with atrioventricular septal defect (212/357, 59.4%), interrupted aortic arch (248/567, 43.7%), truncus arteriosus (204/554, 36.8%), tetralogy of Fallot (417/1383, 30.2%) had the highest prevalence of NC/GA/S abnormalities, whereas those with transposition (111/2778, 4.0%) had the lowest prevalence. The most commonly identified NC/GA/S included: heterotaxy (597/15,376, 3.9%), DiGeorge/22q11 deletion (550/15,376, 3.6%), Down syndrome/trisomy 21 (318/15, 376, 2.1%), intestinal malrotation (220/15,376, 1.4%), and Turner syndrome/45XO (189/15,376, 1.2%). Conclusions The prevalence of NC/GA/S varies widely across CHD diagnostic groups. This information may be useful for patient counseling, recommendations for screening for anomalies and genetic disorders, and perioperative management. PMID:27319986

Role of block copolymer-micelle nanocomposites in dye-bovine serum albumin binding: a combined experimental and molecular docking study.

PubMed

Manna, Anamika; Chakravorti, Sankar

2013-02-02

The role of a nanocomposite (NC), composed of intercalation of the diblock copolymer polyethylene-b-polyethylene glycol (PE-b-PEG) with the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), on the binding characteristics of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with a dye (1,8-naphthalimide, NAPMD) compared to the interaction between the same players in aqueous solution has been examined comprehensively in this paper. Static quenching due to complex formation in both NC medium and in buffer solution has been inferred on the basis of considerable changes in the absorption spectra of BSA on addition of NAPMD, of which the interaction is found to be stronger in NC medium. Temperature dependent fluorescence data also confirm an effective static quenching and stronger binding of NAPMD with BSA in NC medium. Peptide chain unfolding and denaturing of BSA in NC medium have been confirmed from steady state and time-resolved emission and circular dichroism data. This exposes both the tyrosine and tryptophan moieties as a unique case. Increased energy transfer between NAPMD and the tryptophan residue in the unfolded form of BSA helps in the appearance of tyrosine fluorescence in NC medium by quenching the tryptophan band. Ionization of the hydroxyl group in the aromatic ring of the tyrosine residue by the PEG group present in the NC medium produces a downshift of the tyrosine fluorescence band. The use of site selective markers confirms that NAPMD is near tryptophan in Sudlow's site I in NC medium and in buffer solution it is away from tryptophan in Sudlow's site II. The theoretical docking studies also vindicate the results of binding of NAPMD with BSA in site I or site II in NC and buffer media, as observed from different emission experiments including the site selective markers study.

Effects of single or combined dietary supplementation of β-glucan and kefir on growth performance, blood characteristics and meat quality in broilers.

PubMed

Cho, J H; Zhang, Z F; Kim, I H

2013-01-01

1. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary β-glucan and kefir (a fermented milk product) on growth performance, blood profiles, relative organ weight and meat quality in broilers. 2. A total of 375 day-of-hatch mixed sex ROSS 308 broilers (BW of 46 ± 0.1 g) were used in a 5-week experiment and randomly allotted to one of the following dietary treatments: (1) NC, basal diet; (2) PC, basal diet + 40 mg/kg of avilamycin; (3) B, NC + 0.1% β-glucan; (4) K, NC + 0.1% kefir; (5) BK, NC + 0.1% β-glucan + 0.1% kefir. 3. During weeks 0-3, broilers in B, K and BK treatments had higher body weight gain (BWG) than those in NC treatment. During weeks 4-5, BK treatment had a higher BWG than NC treatment. Overall, broilers given PC, K and BK diets had higher BWG than those given NC diet. The feed efficiency ratio (FCR) was improved by PC treatment. 4. Relative liver weight was increased by B treatment, whereas the relative weight of breast meat and gizzard was higher in BK group than that in NC group. Broilers given PC, B and BK diets had greater breast meat redness value and reduced drip loss at d 5 and d 7. The cooking loss was also reduced by B and BK treatments compared with NC treatment. 5. In conclusion, the results suggested that inclusion of 0.1% β-glucan and 0.1% kefir, either individually or combined, would improve growth performance and benefit meat quality in broiler chickens.

The Regulation of Non-Coding RNA Expression in the Liver of Mice Fed DDC

PubMed Central

Oliva, Joan; Bardag-Gorce, Fawzia; French, Barbara A; Li, Jun; French, Samuel W

2010-01-01

Mallory-Denk bodies (MDBs) are found in the liver of patients with alcoholic and chronic nonalcoholic liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Diethyl 1,4-dihydro-2,4,6,-trimethyl-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate (DDC) is used as a model to induce the formation of MDBs in mouse liver. Previous studies in this laboratory showed that DDC induced epigenetic modifications in DNA and histones. The combination of these modifications changes the phenotype of the MDB forming hepatocytes, as indicated by the marker FAT10. These epigenetic modifications are partially prevented by adding to the diet S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) or betaine, both methyl donors. The expression of three imprinted ncRNA genes was found to change in MDB forming hepatocytes, which is the subject of this report. NcRNA expression was quantitated by Real-Time PCR and RNA FISH in liver sections. Microarray analysis showed that the expression of three ncRNAs was regulated by DDC: up regulation of H19, antisense Igf2r (AIR), and down regulation of GTL2 (also called MEG3). S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) feeding prevented these changes. Betaine, another methyl group donor, prevented only H19 and AIR up regulation induced by DDC, on microarrays. The results of the SAMe and betaine groups were confirmed by Real-Time PCR, except for AIR expression. After 1 month of drug withdrawal, the expression of the three ncRNAs tended toward control levels of expression. Liver tumors that developed also showed up regulation of H19 and AIR. The RNA FISH approach showed that the MDB forming cells’ phenotype changed the level of expression of AIR, H19 and GTL2, compared to the surrounding cells. Furthermore, over expression of H19 and AIR was demonstrated in tumors formed in mice withdrawn for 9 months. The disregulation of ncRNA in MDB forming liver cells has been observed for the first time in drug primed mice associated with liver preneoplastic foci and tumors. PMID:19362547

The regulation of non-coding RNA expression in the liver of mice fed DDC.

PubMed

Oliva, Joan; Bardag-Gorce, Fawzia; French, Barbara A; Li, Jun; French, Samuel W

2009-08-01

Mallory-Denk bodies (MDBs) are found in the liver of patients with alcoholic and chronic nonalcoholic liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Diethyl 1,4-dihydro-2,4,6,-trimethyl-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate (DDC) is used as a model to induce the formation of MDBs in mouse liver. Previous studies in this laboratory showed that DDC induced epigenetic modifications in DNA and histones. The combination of these modifications changes the phenotype of the MDB forming hepatocytes, as indicated by the marker FAT10. These epigenetic modifications are partially prevented by adding to the diet S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) or betaine, both methyl donors. The expression of three imprinted ncRNA genes was found to change in MDB forming hepatocytes, which is the subject of this report. NcRNA expression was quantitated by real-time PCR and RNA FISH in liver sections. Microarray analysis showed that the expression of three ncRNAs was regulated by DDC: up regulation of H19, antisense Igf2r (AIR), and down regulation of GTL2 (also called MEG3). S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) feeding prevented these changes. Betaine, another methyl group donor, prevented only H19 and AIR up regulation induced by DDC, on microarrays. The results of the SAMe and betaine groups were confirmed by real-time PCR, except for AIR expression. After 1 month of drug withdrawal, the expression of the three ncRNAs tended toward control levels of expression. Liver tumors that developed also showed up regulation of H19 and AIR. The RNA FISH approach showed that the MDB forming cells' phenotype changed the level of expression of AIR, H19 and GTL2, compared to the surrounding cells. Furthermore, over expression of H19 and AIR was demonstrated in tumors formed in mice withdrawn for 9 months. The dysregulation of ncRNA in MDB forming liver cells has been observed for the first time in drug-primed mice associated with liver preneoplastic foci and tumors.

Efficacy of horse chestnut leaf extract ALH-L1005 as a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor in ligature-induced periodontitis in canine model

PubMed Central

Kim, Se Eun; Kim, Tae Hyun; Park, Shin Ae; Kim, Won Tae; Park, Young Woo; Ahn, Jae Sang; Jeong, Manbok; Kim, Min-Young

2017-01-01

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the main proteinases associated with periodontal tissue destruction and remodeling. Therefore, inhibition of host-derived MMPs has a key role in the prevention and reduction of periodontitis progression. Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) extracts have been used as treatments for inflammatory disease, traditionally. This study assessed the clinical effect as a MMP inhibitor of horse chestnut leaf extract ALH-L1005 on periodontitis. ALH-L1005 was obtained from horse chestnut leaf and its MMP inhibitory activities estimated. Periodontitis was induced in beagles assigned to 4 groups and medicated for 6 weeks: low dose test (LT; ALH-L1005, 100 mg/kg/day), high dose test (HT; ALH-L1005, 200 mg/kg/day), positive control (PC; doxycycline, 10 mg/kg/day), or negative control (NC; placebo). Before and after administration, clinical indices of the teeth and MMP quantity in gingival tissues using zymography were measured. Clinical conditions of the LT, HT, and PC groups were significantly improved after 6 weeks. In zymographic evaluations, gelatinolytic and caseinolytic activities were suppressed in LT, HT, and PC groups but not in the NC group. The results suggest that ALH-L1005 could be an effective agent for clinical prevention and treatment of periodontitis by inhibiting the gelatinase and collagenase activities, which can detach periodontal ligaments from alveolar bone. PMID:27515267

Efficacy of horse chestnut leaf extract ALH-L1005 as a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor in ligature-induced periodontitis in canine model.

PubMed

Kim, Se Eun; Kim, Tae Hyun; Park, Shin Ae; Kim, Won Tae; Park, Young Woo; Ahn, Jae Sang; Jeong, Manbok; Kim, Min-Young; Seo, Kangmoon

2017-06-30

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the main proteinases associated with periodontal tissue destruction and remodeling. Therefore, inhibition of host-derived MMPs has a key role in the prevention and reduction of periodontitis progression. Horse chestnut ( Aesculus hippocastanum L.) extracts have been used as treatments for inflammatory disease, traditionally. This study assessed the clinical effect as a MMP inhibitor of horse chestnut leaf extract ALH-L1005 on periodontitis. ALH-L1005 was obtained from horse chestnut leaf and its MMP inhibitory activities estimated. Periodontitis was induced in beagles assigned to 4 groups and medicated for 6 weeks: low dose test (LT; ALH-L1005, 100 mg/kg/day), high dose test (HT; ALH-L1005, 200 mg/kg/day), positive control (PC; doxycycline, 10 mg/kg/day), or negative control (NC; placebo). Before and after administration, clinical indices of the teeth and MMP quantity in gingival tissues using zymography were measured. Clinical conditions of the LT, HT, and PC groups were significantly improved after 6 weeks. In zymographic evaluations, gelatinolytic and caseinolytic activities were suppressed in LT, HT, and PC groups but not in the NC group. The results suggest that ALH-L1005 could be an effective agent for clinical prevention and treatment of periodontitis by inhibiting the gelatinase and collagenase activities, which can detach periodontal ligaments from alveolar bone.

Topical application of Acheflan on rat skin injury accelerates wound healing: a histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical study.

PubMed

Perini, Jamila Alessandra; Angeli-Gamba, Thais; Alessandra-Perini, Jessica; Ferreira, Luiz Claudio; Nasciutti, Luiz Eurico; Machado, Daniel Escorsim

2015-06-30

Dermal wound healing involves a cascade of complex events including angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling. Several groups have focused in the study of the skin wound healing activity of natural products. The phytomedicine Acheflan®, and its main active constituent is the oil from Cordia verbenacea which has known anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial activities. To our knowledge, no investigation has evaluated the effect of Acheflan® in an experimental model of skin wound healing. The present study has explored the wound healing property of Acheflan® and has compared it with topical effectiveness of collagenase and fibrinolysin by using Wistar rat cutaneous excision wound model. Animals were divided into four groups: untreated animals are negative control (NC), wounds were treated topically every day with Collagenase ointment (TC), with Fibrinolysin ointment (TF) and with cream Acheflan (TAc). Skin samples were collected on zero, 8th and 15th days after wounding. The healing was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE), picrosirius red, hydoxyproline content and immunohistochemical analysis of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9). Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA and Student t-test (p < 0.05). The histological analysis HE of wound in the TAc group was more efficient because it was possible to observe the complete remodeling of the epidermis indicating the regression of lesions compared with the NC. The evaluation of picrosirius staining has demonstrated a significant increase of collagen distribution in the TC and TAc treatments compared with NC and TF groups. These results are corroborated with hydroxyproline content. Skin TC and TAc treated rats have showed an increase of VEGF and MMP-9 compared with NC and TF groups. All parameters were significant (P < 0.05). The phytomedicine Acheflan® (oil of Cordia verbenacea) and TC possess higher therapeutic properties for wound healing compared with TF. These ointments seem to accelerate wound healing, probably due to their involvement with the increase of angiogenesis and dermal remodeling.

Effects of dietary recombinant chlorella supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, blood characteristics, excreta microflora, and nutrient digestibility in broilers.

PubMed

Choi, H; Jung, S K; Kim, J S; Kim, K-W; Oh, K B; Lee, P-Y; Byun, S J

2017-03-01

The use of chlorella as an immune stimulant to enhance nonspecific host defense mechanisms or as an antimicrobial to inhibit bacterial growth has been reported. Thus, the aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of recombinant chlorella supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, and the blood profile, excreta microflora, and nutrient digestibility in broilers. A total of 375 one-day-old ROSS 308 broilers (male and female) were allotted to 5 dietary treatments using 5 cages with 15 chicks per cage. Treatments were: 1) NC, basal diet supplemented with 1.0% E. coli fermented liquor (EFL); 2) PC1, 0.2% EFL with chlorella; 3) PC2, 1.0% EFL with chlorella; 4) T1, 0.2% EFL with chlorella (anti-viral); and 5) T2, 1.0% EFL with chlorella (anti-viral). The broilers in the T2 treatment groups showed higher body weight gain (BGW) by 2.55% (P < 0.01) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) by 2.75% (P < 0.05) compared with those fed the control NC treatment group. Moreover, the blood contents of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and IgA in the broilers of the T2 treatment group were significantly increased by 28.12, 23.07, and 29.72%, respectively -more than those found in the broilers of the NC treatment group (P < 0.01). In contrast, the LDL/C in the blood from the animals in the T2 treatment group was significantly decreased by 23.23% - more than that in the blood from the NC broilers (P < 0.05). Based on these results, we suggest that the dietary supplementation of broilers with recombinant chlorella could improve their growth performance, increase the concentration of IgA and apparently metabolizable nitrogen in the blood, and decrease ammonia emissions. Therefore, our findings have important implications for the effect of recombinant chlorella supplementation through increasing the concentration of IgA and the level of metabolizable nitrogen. © 2016 Poultry Science Association Inc.

Psychological assessment in children and adolescents with Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo.

PubMed

Reale, Laura; Guarnera, Manuela; Grillo, Caterina; Maiolino, Luigi; Ruta, Liliana; Mazzone, Luigi

2011-02-01

Migraine in childhood and adolescence has been associated with the presence of behavioural and emotional difficulties, but only few data are available with respect to unusual types of headache syndromes such as Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo of Childhood (BPVC). Aim of the present study was to evaluate the behavioural and emotional profiles of clinically referred children and adolescents suffering from BPVC and migraine, as compared to normal controls. According to the revised International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-2) the BPVC belongs to the category of "primary headache", as a migraine equivalent, in a subset that is called "periodic syndromes of childhood". A total of 60 clinically referred children and adolescents (4-15 years) 21 suffering from BPVC and 20 from migraine, according to the diagnostic criteria of the ICHD-2, and 19 normal control (NC) were recruited in this study. Psychological assessment were performed using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC). Although most of the patients suffering from headache had scores within the normative non-pathological range, both BPVC and migraine patients had significantly higher CBCL total, internalizing, and externalizing scores, as compared to NC. Furthermore, both BPVC and migraine groups displayed significantly higher CDI and MASC scores than NC group. No differences were found between the two types of headache. In conclusion, clinically referred children and adolescents with BPVC and migraine showed higher indices of behavioural and emotional symptoms, both internalizing and externalizing, as compared to normal peers. Copyright © 2010 The Japanese Society of Child Neurology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Health Care Expenditures and Utilization for Children With Noncomplex Chronic Disease.

PubMed

Hoefgen, Erik R; Andrews, Annie L; Richardson, Troy; Hall, Matthew; Neff, John M; Macy, Michelle L; Bettenhausen, Jessica L; Shah, Samir S; Auger, Katherine A

2017-09-01

Pediatric health care expenditures and use vary by level of complexity and chronic illness. We sought to determine expenditures and use for children with noncomplex chronic diseases (NC-CDs). We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of Medicaid enrollees (ages 0-18 years) from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2013, using administrative claims (the Truven MarketScan Medicaid Database). Patients were categorized by chronicity of illness by using 3M Health Information System's Clinical Risk Groups (CRGs) as follows: without chronic diseases (WO-CDs) (CRG 1-2), NC-CDs (CRG 3-5), and complex chronic diseases (C-CDs) (CRG 6-9). Primary outcomes were medical expenditures, including total annualized population expenditure and per-member per-year expenditure (PMPY). Secondary outcomes included the number of health care encounters over the 2-year period. There were 2 424 946 children who met inclusion criteria, 53% were WO-CD; 36% had an NC-CD; and 11% had a C-CD. Children with NC-CDs accounted for 33% ($2801 PMPY) of the annual spending compared with 20% ($1151 PMPY) accounted for by children WO-CDs and 47% ($12 569 PMPY) by children with C-CDs. The median outpatient visit count by group over the 2-year period was 15 (interquartile range [IQR] 10-25) for NC-CD, 8 (IQR 5-13) WO-CD, and 34 (IQR 19-72) for C-CD. Children with NC-CDs accounted for 33% of pediatric Medicaid expenditures and have significantly higher PMPY and aggregate annual expenditures than children WO-CDs. The annual aggregate expenditures of the NC-CD group represent a significant societal cost because of the high volume of children, extrapolated to ∼$34.9 billion annually in national Medicaid expenditures. Copyright © 2017 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Effect of vaccination of cattle with the low virulence Nc-Spain 1H isolate of Neospora caninum against a heterologous challenge in early and mid-gestation

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Live vaccines have emerged as one of the most potentially cost-effective measures for the control of bovine neosporosis. Previous studies have shown that Nc-Spain 1H is a naturally attenuated isolate of Neospora caninum and that immunisation with live Nc-Spain 1H tachyzoites generated a protective immune response in mice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of immunisation in cattle. N. caninum-seronegative heifers were immunised subcutaneously twice with 107 live Nc-Spain 1H tachyzoites prior to artificial insemination. No adverse reactions or negative effects on reproductive parameters were recorded following immunisation. In immunised and non-challenged heifers, no foetal deaths were observed, and none of the calves was congenitally infected. The efficacy against N. caninum-associated foetal death and vertical transmission was determined after challenge with high doses of the Nc-1 isolate at 70 and 135 days of gestation, respectively. After the challenge in early gestation, the immunisation induced a protection of 50% against foetal death. In addition, the microsatellite analysis performed in PCR-positive tissue samples from foetuses that died after challenge infection showed that the profiles corresponded to the challenge isolate Nc-1. A degree of protection against vertical transmission was observed after challenge at mid-gestation; calves from immunised heifers showed significantly lower pre-colostral Neospora-specific antibody titres than calves from the non-immunised/challenge group (P < 0.05). Strong antibody and interferon gamma responses were induced in the immunised heifers. This study indicates that the immunisation before pregnancy with the Nc-Spain 1H vaccine isolate appeared to be safe and reduced the occurrence of N. caninum-associated abortion and vertical transmission in experimentally infected cattle. In light of these encouraging results, the next step for testing this live attenuated candidate should be the assessment of its efficacy and safety in naturally infected cattle. PMID:24180373

Perceptual, Cognitive, and Personality Rigidity in Parkinson’s Disease

PubMed Central

Díaz-Santos, Mirella; Cao, Bo; Yazdanbakhsh, Arash; Norton, Daniel J.; Neargarder, Sandy; Cronin-Golomb, Alice

2015-01-01

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with motor and non-motor rigidity symptoms (e.g., cognitive and personality). The question is raised as to whether rigidity in PD also extends to perception, and if so, whether perceptual, cognitive, and personality rigidities are correlated. Bistable stimuli were presented to 28 non-demented individuals with PD and 26 normal control adults (NC). Necker cube perception and binocular rivalry were examined during passive viewing, and the Necker cube was additionally used for two volitional-control conditions: Hold one percept in front, and Switch between the two percepts. Relative to passive viewing, PD were significantly less able than NC to reduce dominance durations in the Switch condition, indicating perceptual rigidity. Tests of cognitive flexibility and a personality questionnaire were administered to explore the association with perceptual rigidity. Cognitive flexibility was not correlated with perceptual rigidity for either group. Personality (novelty seeking) correlated with dominance durations on Necker passive viewing for PD but not NC. The results indicate the presence in mild-moderate PD of perceptual rigidity and suggest shared neural substrates with novelty seeking, but functional divergence from those supporting cognitive flexibility. The possibility is raised that perceptual rigidity may be a harbinger of cognitive inflexibility later in the disease course. PMID:25640973

Cocrystal structures of NC6.8 Fab identify key interactions for high potency sweetener recognition: implications for the design of synthetic sweeteners.

PubMed

Gokulan, Kuppan; Khare, Sangeeta; Ronning, Donald R; Linthicum, Scott D; Sacchettini, James C; Rupp, Bernhard

2005-07-26

The crystal structures of the murine monoclonal IgG2b(kappa) antibody NC6.8 Fab fragment complexed with high-potency sweetener compound SC45647 and nontasting high-affinity antagonist TES have been determined. The crystal structures show how sweetener potency is fine-tuned by multiple interactions between specific receptor residues and the functionally different groups of the sweeteners. Comparative analysis with the structure of NC6.8 complexed with the super-potency sweetener NC174 reveals that although the same residues in the antigen binding pocket of NC6.8 interact with the zwitterionic, trisubstituted guanidinium sweeteners as well as TES, specific differences exist and provide guidance for the design of new artificial sweeteners. In case of the nonsweetener TES, the interactions with the receptor are indirectly mediated through a hydrogen bonded water network, while the sweeteners bind with high affinity directly to the receptor. The presence of a hydrophobic group interacting with multiple receptor residues as a major determinant for sweet taste has been confirmed. The nature of the hydrophobic group is likely a discriminator for super- versus high-potency sweeteners, which can be exploited in the design of new, highly potent sweetener compounds. Overall similarities and partial conservation of interactions indicate that the NC6.8 Fab surrogate is representing crucial features of the T1R2 taste receptor VFTM binding site.

Assessment of functional defecation disorders using anorectal manometry.

PubMed

Seong, Moo-Kyung

2018-06-01

The aim was to evaluate the discriminating accuracy of anorectal manometry (ARM) between nonconstipated (NC) subjects and functionally constipated (FC) subjects, and between FC subjects with and without functional defecation disorder (FDD). Among female patients who visited anorectal physiology unit, those who could be grouped to following categories were included; FC group with FDD (+FDD subgroup), or without FDD (-FDD subgroup) and NC group. ARM was performed and interpreted not only with absolute pressure values, but also pattern classification and quantification of pressure changes in the rectum and anus during attempted defecation. There were 76 subjects in NC group and 75 in FC group. Among FC group, 63 subjects were in -FDD subgroup and 12 in +FDD subgroup. In pattern classification of pressure changes, type 0, as 'normal' response, was only slightly more prevalent in NC group than in FC group. When all 'abnormal' types (types 1-5) were considered together as positive findings, the sensitivity and specificity of pattern classification in diagnosing FC among all subjects were 89.3% and 22.7%. Those values in diagnosing FDD among FC group were 91.7% and 11.1%. Manometric defecation index (MDI) as a quantification parameter was significantly different between -FDD and +FDD subgroups. Other conventional absolute pressures were mostly comparable between the groups. Among all parameters of ARM, MDI was useful to diagnose FDD in FC patients. Other parameters including the pattern classification were questionable in their ability to diagnose FDD.

Assessment of functional defecation disorders using anorectal manometry

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

Purpose The aim was to evaluate the discriminating accuracy of anorectal manometry (ARM) between nonconstipated (NC) subjects and functionally constipated (FC) subjects, and between FC subjects with and without functional defecation disorder (FDD). Methods Among female patients who visited anorectal physiology unit, those who could be grouped to following categories were included; FC group with FDD (+FDD subgroup), or without FDD (−FDD subgroup) and NC group. ARM was performed and interpreted not only with absolute pressure values, but also pattern classification and quantification of pressure changes in the rectum and anus during attempted defecation. Results There were 76 subjects in NC group and 75 in FC group. Among FC group, 63 subjects were in −FDD subgroup and 12 in +FDD subgroup. In pattern classification of pressure changes, type 0, as ‘normal’ response, was only slightly more prevalent in NC group than in FC group. When all ‘abnormal’ types (types 1–5) were considered together as positive findings, the sensitivity and specificity of pattern classification in diagnosing FC among all subjects were 89.3% and 22.7%. Those values in diagnosing FDD among FC group were 91.7% and 11.1%. Manometric defecation index (MDI) as a quantification parameter was significantly different between −FDD and +FDD subgroups. Other conventional absolute pressures were mostly comparable between the groups. Conclusion Among all parameters of ARM, MDI was useful to diagnose FDD in FC patients. Other parameters including the pattern classification were questionable in their ability to diagnose FDD. PMID:29854711

Effect of chronic, extrinsic denervation on functional NANC innervation with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and substance P in longitudinal muscle of rat jejunum.

PubMed

Kasparek, M S; Fatima, J; Iqbal, C W; Duenes, J A; Sarr, M G

2008-03-01

Intestinal denervation contributes to enteric motor dysfunction after intestinal transplantation [small bowel transplantation (SBT)]. Our aim was to determine long-term effects of extrinsic denervation on functional non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic innervation with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and substance P. Contractile activity of jejunal longitudinal muscle from six age-matched, naïve control rats (NC) and eight rats 1 year after syngeneic SBT were studied in tissue chambers. Spontaneous contractile activity did not differ between groups. Exogenous VIP inhibited contractile activity dose-dependently in both groups, greater in NC than in SBT. The VIP antagonist ([D-p-Cl-Phe(6),Leu(17)]-VIP) and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l-N(G)-nitro arginine prevented inhibition by exogenous VIP and electrical field stimulation (EFS) in both groups. Exogenous substance P increased contractile activity dose-dependently, greater in NC than in SBT. The substance P antagonist ([D-Pro(2),D-Trp(7,9)]-substance P) inhibited effects of exogenous substance P and increased the EFS-induced inhibitory response. Immunohistofluorescence showed staining for tyrosine hydroxylase in the jejunoileum 1 year after SBT suggesting sympathetic reinnervation. In rat jejunal longitudinal muscle after chronic denervation, response to exogenous VIP and substance P is decreased, while endogenous release of both neurotransmitters is preserved. These alterations in excitatory and inhibitory pathways occur despite extrinsic reinnervation and might contribute to enteric motor dysfunction after SBT.

Effect of chronic, extrinsic denervation on functional NANC innervation with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and substance P in longitudinal muscle of rat jejunum1

PubMed Central

KASPAREK, M. S.; FATIMA, J.; IQBAL, C. W.; DUENES, J. A.; SARR, M. G.

2008-01-01

Intestinal denervation contributes to enteric motor dysfunction after intestinal transplantation [small bowel transplantation (SBT)]. Our aim was to determine long-term effects of extrinsic denervation on functional non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic innervation with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and substance P. Contractile activity of jejunal longitudinal muscle from six age-matched, naïve control rats (NC) and eight rats 1 year after syngeneic SBT were studied in tissue chambers. Spontaneous contractile activity did not differ between groups. Exogenous VIP inhibited contractile activity dose-dependently in both groups, greater in NC than in SBT. The VIP antagonist ([D-p-Cl-Phe6,Leu17]-VIP) and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NG-nitro arginine prevented inhibition by exogenous VIP and electrical field stimulation (EFS) in both groups. Exogenous substance P increased contractile activity dose-dependently, greater in NC than in SBT. The substance P antagonist ([D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]-substance P) inhibited effects of exogenous substance P and increased the EFS-induced inhibitory response. Immunohistofluorescence showed staining for tyrosine hydroxylase in the jejunoileum 1 year after SBT suggesting sympathetic reinnervation. In rat jejunal longitudinal muscle after chronic denervation, response to exogenous VIP and substance P is decreased, while endogenous release of both neurotransmitters is preserved. These alterations in excitatory and inhibitory pathways occur despite extrinsic reinnervation and might contribute to enteric motor dysfunction after SBT. PMID:17971029

Neospora caninum infection during early pregnancy in cattle: how the isolate influences infection dynamics, clinical outcome and peripheral and local immune responses

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

This work studies the influence of Neospora caninum intra-species diversity on abortion outcome, infection dynamics in terms of parasite dissemination and peripheral-local immune responses in pregnant cattle. Animals were intravenously inoculated at day 70 of pregnancy with 107 tachyzoites of two isolates showing marked differences in virulence in vitro and in pregnant mouse models: Nc-Spain7, a high virulence isolate, and Nc-Spain8, a low-to-moderate virulence isolate. After inoculation, pregnancy was monitored, and dams were culled when foetal death was detected. Foetal mortality occurred in all infected heifers between days 24 and 49 post-infection (pi), however, it was detected sooner in Nc-Spain7-infected animals (median day = 34) than those inoculated with Nc-Spain8 (median day = 41) with a trend towards significance (P < 0.11). Similar histological lesions were observed in placentomes and in most of the foetuses from the two infected groups. However, parasites were more frequently detected in the placenta and foetuses by PCR and in the foetal brain by immunohistochemistry in Nc-Spain7-infected animals. Specific antibodies were detected starting at day 13 post-infection in all infected cattle, with higher IgG levels in Nc-Spain7-infected group. IFN-γ and IL-4 profiles also varied between infected groups in PBMC stimulation assays. Infected animals showed significant increases in their cytokine mRNA levels (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12p40 and TNF-α) in the caruncle at time of foetal death. Differences between the infected groups were also observed for cytokine profiles. These results demonstrate the influence of the N. caninum isolate on foetal death outcome, infection dynamics and immune responses in cattle. PMID:24479988

Efficacy of neck circumference to identify metabolic syndrome in 3-10 year-old European children: Results from IDEFICS study.

PubMed

Formisano, A; Bammann, K; Fraterman, A; Hadjigeorgiou, C; Herrmann, D; Iacoviello, L; Marild, S; Moreno, L A; Nagy, P; Van Den Bussche, K; Veidebaum, T; Lauria, F; Siani, A

2016-06-01

Several studies demonstrated that larger neck circumference (NC) in children and adolescents may help to identify obesity and cardio-metabolic abnormalities. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between NC and metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors and to determine the utility of this anthropometric index to identify MetS in European children. The present cross-sectional analysis includes 15,673 children (3-10 years) participating in the IDEFICS study. A continuous MetS (cMetS) score was calculated summing age and sex standardized z-scores of specific MetS risk factors. Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis, stratified by one-year age groups, was used to determine the ability of NC to identify children with unfavorable metabolic profile, corresponding to cMetS score ≥ 90th percentile. The areas under the curve values for NC associated with cMetS score values ≥ 90th percentile were significantly greater in girls than in boys (p < 0.001), except for 5 < 6 years group. For boys, optimal NC cut-off values ranged from 26.2 cm for the lowest age group (3 < 4 years), up to 30.9 cm for the highest age group (9 < 10 years). In girls, corresponding values varied from 24.9 cm to 29.6 cm. The study demonstrated the efficacy of NC in identifying European children with an unfavorable metabolic profile. Copyright © 2016 The Italian Society of Diabetology, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition, and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Effect of moxa-burning heat stimulating Liangmen (ST 21) and Zusanli (ST 36) on proliferation and apoptosis signaling proteins in rats with stress-induced gastric ulcer].

PubMed

Peng, Li; Wang, Yadong; Chang, Xiaorong; Wu, Huangan; Liu, Mi; Wang, Hong; Chen, Jiaolong; Wang Chao; Quan, Renfu; Yang, Zongbao

2016-06-01

To observe the effect of moxa-burning heat stimulating acupoints of Liangmen (ST 21) and Zusanli (ST 36) on the proliferation and apoptosis signaling proteins in rats with stress-induced gastric ulcer. Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups: negative control (NC), ulcer control (UC), acupoints of stomach meridian (ASM), and acupoints control (AC). The acute gastric ulcer model was established by bound and water immersion. Rats in NC and UC groups didn't receive any moxa-burning heat stimulating treatment, while rats in ASM and AC groups were treated with buringmoxa heat stimulating the acupoints of Liangmen (ST 21) and Zusanli (ST 36) and their controlled points, respectively. Rats in all groups were sacrificed after 12 consecutive days treatment. The ulcer index was evaluated by using Guth's method. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), apoptotic protease activating facter-1 (Apaf-1), Caspase-3, p21 activated kinase 1 (PAK1), extracellular regulated protein kinases 2 (ERK2), phosphorylated ERK2 (pERK2), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt) in gastric mucosa was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared with UC group, the ulcer index of ASM and AC groups decreased, and the injured gastric mucosa was improved, the expression of TNF-α, Apaf-1 and Caspase-3 in gastric mucosa was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), while the expression of PAK1, ERK2, pERK2, PI3K and Akt in gastric mucosa was significantly increased (P < 0.05). And ASM showed better effect than AC group (P < 0.05). Moxa-burning Heat stimulating of Liangmen (ST 21) and Zusanli (ST 36) could promote the recovery of gastric mucosal lesion probably by inhibiting cell apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation in stress-induced gastric ulcer.

The burden of nonencapsulated Haemophilus influenzae in children and potential for prevention.

PubMed

Gkentzi, Despoina; Slack, Mary P E; Ladhani, Shamez N

2012-06-01

In countries with established Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) immunization programmes, nonencapsulated H. influenzae (ncHi) is responsible for most invasive H. influenzae infections across all age groups and is associated with higher case fatality. A pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has recently been licensed, which may potentially also protect against invasive H. influenzae infections. Invasive ncHi disease is uncommon in childhood but has a much higher incidence in the first month of life. Most neonates with invasive ncHi infections are born prematurely and develop septicaemia in the first 48 h of life which can be fatal. After this period, invasive ncHi incidence falls rapidly and remains low throughout childhood. Most infants and children who develop invasive ncHi disease have significant underlying comorbidities, particularly neurological disease, malignancy and other conditions requiring immunosuppressive therapy. Although characteristically associated with respiratory tract infections, at least a quarter of invasive ncHi infections present with meningitis. A vaccine against ncHi could have an important preventive role in children with comorbidities. Future studies should focus on assessing specific risk factors for neonatal and childhood ncHi disease and long-term outcomes of children with invasive ncHi meningitis.

NSDNA: a manually curated database of experimentally supported ncRNAs associated with nervous system diseases

PubMed Central

Wang, Jianjian; Cao, Yuze; Zhang, Huixue; Wang, Tianfeng; Tian, Qinghua; Lu, Xiaoyu; Lu, Xiaoyan; Kong, Xiaotong; Liu, Zhaojun; Wang, Ning; Zhang, Shuai; Ma, Heping; Ning, Shangwei; Wang, Lihua

2017-01-01

The Nervous System Disease NcRNAome Atlas (NSDNA) (http://www.bio-bigdata.net/nsdna/) is a manually curated database that provides comprehensive experimentally supported associations about nervous system diseases (NSDs) and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). NSDs represent a common group of disorders, some of which are characterized by high morbidity and disabilities. The pathogenesis of NSDs at the molecular level remains poorly understood. ncRNAs are a large family of functionally important RNA molecules. Increasing evidence shows that diverse ncRNAs play a critical role in various NSDs. Mining and summarizing NSD–ncRNA association data can help researchers discover useful information. Hence, we developed an NSDNA database that documents 24 713 associations between 142 NSDs and 8593 ncRNAs in 11 species, curated from more than 1300 articles. This database provides a user-friendly interface for browsing and searching and allows for data downloading flexibility. In addition, NSDNA offers a submission page for researchers to submit novel NSD–ncRNA associations. It represents an extremely useful and valuable resource for researchers who seek to understand the functions and molecular mechanisms of ncRNA involved in NSDs. PMID:27899613

Empathy in boys with gender identity disorder: a comparison to externalizing clinical control boys and community control boys and girls.

PubMed

Owen-Anderson, Allison F H; Jenkins, Jennifer M; Bradley, Susan J; Zucker, Kenneth J

2008-03-01

The construct of empathy was examined in 20 boys with gender identity disorder (GID), 20 clinical control boys with externalizing disorders (ECC), 20 community control boys (NCB), and 20 community control girls (NCG). The mean age of the children was 6.86 years (range = 4-8 years). It was hypothesized that boys with GID would show similar levels of empathy to those shown by NC girls and higher levels of empathy than the NC and ECC boys. Three measures of empathy were administered: a maternal-report questionnaire, a self-report questionnaire, and an in vivo evaluation in which children's reactions to pain simulations to two adult actors (mother, experimenter) were coded for empathy levels. On the maternal report and in-vivo measures, the NC girls had significantly higher empathy levels than the NC boys, but not on the self-report measure. By maternal report, the NC girls were rated as significantly more empathic than were the GID boys, with a "large" effect size. There were no significant differences between the GID boys and the NC girls on the self-report and in-vivo measures and the effect size differences were "small." No significant differences were observed between the GID and NC boys; however, there were "medium" and "small" effect size differences with boys with GID showing more empathy on the in-vivo and self-report measures, respectively. On the maternal-report measure, the GID boys were rated as significantly more empathic than the ECC boys and there was a trend for the GID boys to show greater levels of empathy than the ECC boys on both the self-report and in-vivo measures. The effect size differences on all three empathy measures were "medium" to "large," with GID boys showing more empathy than ECC boys. Empathy as a dispositional characteristic in the genesis and perpetuation of GID in boys is discussed.

Molecular characterization of freshwater microalgae and nutritional exploration to enhance their lipid yield.

PubMed

Mandal, Madan Kumar; Chaurasia, Neha

2018-05-01

Biomass and lipid yield under nutrient depleted and supplemented conditions of N and Mg in two freshwater isolates, Chlorella sp. NC-MKM and Scenedesmus acutus NC-M2 from Meghalaya were investigated for biodiesel production. Both the strains, Chlorella sp. NC-MKM and Scenedesmus acutus NC-M2 are oleaginous in nature having lipid content of 40.2 ± 1.4 and 37.3 ± 2.6% DCW, respectively. The significant increase (92.8%) in lipid content was found in N-depleted condition while an increase (46.65%) in biomass yield was observed under Mg-supplemented condition in Chlorella sp. NC-MKM. Studying the interactive effects of nutrient depletion and supplementation, combination of N-depleted and Mg-supplemented condition was selected for further investigation to check enhanced lipid yield in Chlorella sp. NC-MKM. The results showed a significant increase in biomass yield, lipid yield and lipid content (30, 66.8, and 28.66%, respectively). Under this condition, accumulation of neutral lipid was also enhanced (47.17% M2 gated cells) compared to control (21.37% M2 gated cells). Further, FAMEs revealed that the relative percentage of saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids increased (66.16%) in Chlorella sp. NC-MKM compared to control that improves biodiesel properties.

The conserved N-terminal basic residues and zinc-finger motifs of HIV-1 nucleocapsid restrict the viral cDNA synthesis during virus formation and maturation

PubMed Central

Didierlaurent, Ludovic; Houzet, Laurent; Morichaud, Zakia; Darlix, Jean-Luc; Mougel, Marylène

2008-01-01

Reverse transcription of the genomic RNA by reverse transcriptase occurs soon after HIV-1 infection of target cells. The viral nucleocapsid (NC) protein chaperones this process via its nucleic acid annealing activities and its interactions with the reverse transcriptase enzyme. To function, NC needs its two conserved zinc fingers and flanking basic residues. We recently reported a new role for NC, whereby it negatively controls reverse transcription in the course of virus formation. Indeed, deleting its zinc fingers causes reverse transcription activation in virus producer cells. To investigate this new NC function, we used viruses with subtle mutations in the conserved zinc fingers and its flanking domains. We monitored by quantitative PCR the HIV-1 DNA content in producer cells and in produced virions. Results showed that the two intact zinc-finger structures are required for the temporal control of reverse transcription by NC throughout the virus replication cycle. The N-terminal basic residues also contributed to this new role of NC, while Pro-31 residue between the zinc fingers and Lys-59 in the C-terminal region did not. These findings further highlight the importance of NC as a major target for anti-HIV-1 drugs. PMID:18641038

Immunolocalization of type X collagen in normal fetal and adult osteoarthritic cartilage with monoclonal antibodies.

PubMed

Girkontaite, I; Frischholz, S; Lammi, P; Wagner, K; Swoboda, B; Aigner, T; Von der Mark, K

1996-09-01

For studies on processing and tissue distribution of type X collagen, monoclonal antibodies were prepared against human recombinant collagen type X (hrCol X) and tested by ELISA, immunoblotting and immunohistology. Forty-two clones were obtained which were grouped into four different subsets based on their reactivity against native and denatured hrCol X, pepsin-treated hrCol X, and the C-terminal NC-1 domain. Here we present results obtained with four monoclonal antibodies: Clone X 53, a representative of group I, binds with high affinity to both native and pepsin-digested hrCol X but with low affinity to the NC-1 dimer; monoclonal antibodies of group II and III recognized native and denatured hrCol X but not NC-1; antibodies of group II, but not III, reacted to some extent with pepsin treated hrCol X; one antibody (X 34) was obtained that reacted strongly with the isolated NC-1 dimer and native hrCol X but not with the NC-1 monomer or pepsin-digested hrCol X (group IV). Antibodies of all groups stained specifically the hypertrophic zone of fetal human epiphyseal cartilage. Mab X 53 stained the peri- and extracellular matrix of hypertrophic chondrocytes in the lower hypertrophic zone and in the calcified cartilage core in endochondral bone trabecules, while clone X 34 stained intracellularly and the pericellular matrix. All other tissues or cells of the epiphysis were negative. Antibody X 53 reacted also with canine, murine and guinea pig hypertrophic cartilage in tissue sections, but not with bovine or porcine type X collagen. In sections of osteoarthritic cartilage, clusters of hypertrophic chondrocytes in the deep zone were stained, confirming previous observations on enhanced chondrocyte hypertrophy and type X collagen expression in osteoarthritic articular cartilage.

Functional network connectivity analysis based on partial correlation in Alzheimer's disease

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Nan; Guan, Xiaoting; Zhang, Yumei; Li, Jingjing; Chen, Hongyan; Chen, Kewei; Fleisher, Adam; Yao, Li; Wu, Xia

2009-02-01

Functional network connectivity (FNC) measures the temporal dependency among the time courses of functional networks. However, the marginal correlation between two networks used in the classic FNC analysis approach doesn't separate the FNC from the direct/indirect effects of other networks. In this study, we proposed an alternative approach based on partial correlation to evaluate the FNC, since partial correlation based FNC can reveal the direct interaction between a pair of networks, removing dependencies or influences from others. Previous studies have demonstrated less task-specific activation and less rest-state activity in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We applied present approach to contrast FNC differences of resting state network (RSN) between AD and normal controls (NC). The fMRI data under resting condition were collected from 15 AD and 16 NC. FNC was calculated for each pair of six RSNs identified using Group ICA, thus resulting in 15 (2 out of 6) pairs for each subject. Partial correlation based FNC analysis indicated 6 pairs significant differences between groups, while marginal correlation only revealed 2 pairs (involved in the partial correlation results). Additionally, patients showed lower correlation than controls among most of the FNC differences. Our results provide new evidences for the disconnection hypothesis in AD.

Adult psychosocial outcome of prepubertal major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Geller, B; Zimerman, B; Williams, M; Bolhofner, K; Craney, J L

2001-06-01

To compare adult psychosocial functioning (PSF) of subjects with prepubertal major depressive disorder (PMDD) to a normal comparison (NC) group. PSF of subjects with PMDD (n = 72) and of NC subjects (n = 28) was compared after prospective follow-up to adulthood. These 100 subjects were 90.9% of the baseline 110 subjects who participated in the "Nortriptyline in Childhood Depression: Follow-up Study." Research nurses who were blind to group status conducted telephone interviews using the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) to obtain PSF data. At follow-up, the PMDD group was 20.7+/-2.0 and the NC subjects were 20.9+/-2.2 years old. The PMDD subjects were 10.3+/-1.5 years old at baseline. Time between baseline and follow-up was 9.9+/-1.5 years. In the PMDD group, subjects with MDD, bipolar disorder, or substance use disorders during the previous 5 years had significantly worse PSF than NC subjects. These PSF impairments included significantly worse relationships with parents, siblings, and friends; significantly worse functioning in household, school, and work settings; and worse overall quality of life and global social adjustment. Although combined treatments for PMDD have little scientific basis, multimodality regimens seem prudent until definitive treatment data become available.

Size-Tunable Photothermal Germanium Nanocrystals.

PubMed

Sun, Wei; Zhong, Grace; Kübel, Christian; Jelle, Abdinoor A; Qian, Chenxi; Wang, Lu; Ebrahimi, Manuchehr; Reyes, Laura M; Helmy, Amr S; Ozin, Geoffrey A

2017-05-22

Germanium nanocrystals (ncGe) have not received as much attention as silicon nanocrystals (ncSi). However, Ge has demonstrated superiority over Si nanomaterials in some applications. Examples include, high charge-discharge rate lithium-ion batteries, small band-gap opto-electronic devices, and photo-therapeutics. When stabilized in an oxide matrix (ncGe/GeO x ), its high charge-retention has enabled non-volatile memories. It has also found utility as a high-capacity anode material for Li-ion batteries with impressive stability. Herein, we report an organic-free synthesis of size-controlled ncGe in a GeO x matrix as well as freestanding ncGe, via the thermal disproportionation of GeO prepared from thermally induced dehydration of Ge(OH) 2 . The photothermal effect of ncGe, quantified by Raman spectroscopy, is found to be size dependent and superior to ncSi. This advance suggests applications of ncGe in photothermal therapy, desalination, and catalysis. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Conversion Discriminative Analysis on Mild Cognitive Impairment Using Multiple Cortical Features from MR Images.

PubMed

Guo, Shengwen; Lai, Chunren; Wu, Congling; Cen, Guiyin

2017-01-01

Neuroimaging measurements derived from magnetic resonance imaging provide important information required for detecting changes related to the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Cortical features and changes play a crucial role in revealing unique anatomical patterns of brain regions, and further differentiate MCI patients from normal states. Four cortical features, namely, gray matter volume, cortical thickness, surface area, and mean curvature, were explored for discriminative analysis among three groups including the stable MCI (sMCI), the converted MCI (cMCI), and the normal control (NC) groups. In this study, 158 subjects (72 NC, 46 sMCI, and 40 cMCI) were selected from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. A sparse-constrained regression model based on the l2-1-norm was introduced to reduce the feature dimensionality and retrieve essential features for the discrimination of the three groups by using a support vector machine (SVM). An optimized strategy of feature addition based on the weight of each feature was adopted for the SVM classifier in order to achieve the best classification performance. The baseline cortical features combined with the longitudinal measurements for 2 years of follow-up data yielded prominent classification results. In particular, the cortical thickness produced a classification with 98.84% accuracy, 97.5% sensitivity, and 100% specificity for the sMCI-cMCI comparison; 92.37% accuracy, 84.78% sensitivity, and 97.22% specificity for the cMCI-NC comparison; and 93.75% accuracy, 92.5% sensitivity, and 94.44% specificity for the sMCI-NC comparison. The best performances obtained by the SVM classifier using the essential features were 5-40% more than those using all of the retained features. The feasibility of the cortical features for the recognition of anatomical patterns was certified; thus, the proposed method has the potential to improve the clinical diagnosis of sub-types of MCI and predict the risk of its conversion to Alzheimer's disease.

An explorative study of metabolic responses to mental stress and yoga practices in yoga practitioners, non-yoga practitioners and individuals with metabolic syndrome.

PubMed

Tyagi, Anupama; Cohen, Marc; Reece, John; Telles, Shirley

2014-11-15

Stress places a metabolic burden on homeostasis and is linked to heightened sympathetic activity, increased energy expenditure and pathology. The yogic state is a hypometabolic state that corresponds with mind-body coherence and reduced stress. This study aimed to investigate metabolic responses to stress and different yoga practices in regular yoga practitioners (YP), non-yoga practitioners (NY) and metabolic syndrome patients (MS). YP (n = 16), NY (n = 15) and MS (n = 15) subjects underwent an experimental protocol that comprised of different 5-minute interventions including mental arithmetic stress test (MAST), alternate nostril breathing (ANB), Kapabhati breathing (KB) and meditation (Med) interspersed with 5 minutes of quiet resting (neutral condition (NC)). During the intervention periods continuous body weight adjusted oxygen consumption (VO2ml/min/kg) was measured using open circuit indirect calorimetry with a canopy hood. This is the first study to report oxygen consumption (OC) in yoga practitioners during and after MAST and the first to report both within and between different populations. The results were analysed with SPSS 16 using 3X9 mixed factorial ANOVAs. The single between-subject factor was group (YP, NY and MS), the single within-subject factor was made up of the nine intervention phases (NC1, MAST, NC2, ANB, NC3, KB, NC4, Med, NC5). The results demonstrated that the regular YP group had significantly less OC and greater variability in their OC across all phases compared to the MS group (p = .003) and NY group (p = .01). All groups significantly raised their OC during the mental arithmetic stress, however the MS group had a significantly blunted post-stress recovery whereas the YP group rapidly recovered back to baseline levels with post stress recovery being greater than either the NY group or MS group. Yoga practitioners have greater metabolic variability compared to non-yoga practitioners and metabolic syndrome patients with reduced oxygen requirements during resting conditions and more rapid post-stress recovery. OC in metabolic syndrome patients displays significantly blunted post-stress recovery demonstrating reduced metabolic resilience. Our results support the findings of previous randomised trials that suggest regular yoga practice may mitigate against the effects of metabolic syndrome. ACTRN12614001075673; Date of Registration: 07/10/2014.

Establishment of a reversible model of prehepatic portal hypertension in rats

PubMed Central

Zhao, Xin; Dou, Jian; Gao, Qing-Jun

2016-01-01

The aim of the present study was to improve upon the traditional model of pre-hepatic portal hypertension in rats, and simulate the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass. A reversible model of portal hypertension was induced by portal vein ligation, with a label ring ligated along the portal vein. A total of 135 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: i) Normal control (NC) group; ii) portal hypertensive control (PHTC) group; and iii) reperfusion (R) group. In the R group, rats with portal hypertension underwent simultaneous clamping of the portal triad and retrohepatic vena cava for 1 h, followed by removal of the clamps to enable blood reperfusion. Portal venography and portal vein pressure were recorded during the surgery. Arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBil) levels were determined, and pathological changes of the liver were investigated by immunohistochemical staining. The results demonstrated that, 3 weeks after portal vein ligation, the vein area and the free portal pressures in the PHTC group were significantly increased compared with those in the NC group. The serum ALT and AST levels in the R group at different time points were significantly elevated compared with those in the PHTC group, and reached their maximal levels at 24 h after reperfusion. Furthermore, the PaO2 at 24 h after reperfusion was significantly decreased. In conclusion, the reversible model of pre-hepatic portal hypertension in rats was successfully established using the introduction of a label ring. This model may be useful for basic research focusing on the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass. PMID:27446299

Establishment of a reversible model of prehepatic portal hypertension in rats.

PubMed

Zhao, Xin; Dou, Jian; Gao, Qing-Jun

2016-08-01

The aim of the present study was to improve upon the traditional model of pre-hepatic portal hypertension in rats, and simulate the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass. A reversible model of portal hypertension was induced by portal vein ligation, with a label ring ligated along the portal vein. A total of 135 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: i) Normal control (NC) group; ii) portal hypertensive control (PHTC) group; and iii) reperfusion (R) group. In the R group, rats with portal hypertension underwent simultaneous clamping of the portal triad and retrohepatic vena cava for 1 h, followed by removal of the clamps to enable blood reperfusion. Portal venography and portal vein pressure were recorded during the surgery. Arterial oxygen pressure (PaO 2 ), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBil) levels were determined, and pathological changes of the liver were investigated by immunohistochemical staining. The results demonstrated that, 3 weeks after portal vein ligation, the vein area and the free portal pressures in the PHTC group were significantly increased compared with those in the NC group. The serum ALT and AST levels in the R group at different time points were significantly elevated compared with those in the PHTC group, and reached their maximal levels at 24 h after reperfusion. Furthermore, the PaO 2 at 24 h after reperfusion was significantly decreased. In conclusion, the reversible model of pre-hepatic portal hypertension in rats was successfully established using the introduction of a label ring. This model may be useful for basic research focusing on the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass.

Comparison of antibiotic supplementation versus a yeast-based prebiotic on the cecal microbiome of commercial broilers.

PubMed

Park, Si Hong; Lee, Sang In; Kim, Sun Ae; Christensen, Karen; Ricke, Steven C

2017-01-01

Prebiotics are defined as fermentable food ingredients that selectively stimulate beneficial bacteria in the lower gastrointestinal tract of the host. The purpose of this study was to assess growth performance of broilers and the cecal microbial populations of an antibiotic, BMD50, supplemented birds compared to broiler chickens fed the prebiotic, Biolex® MB40. Weight response data including feed conversion ratios (FCR), carcasses without giblets (WOG), wing, skin, white meat were collected during processing. Extracted DNA from cecal contents was utilized for microbiome analysis via an Illumina Miseq. In conclusion, white meat yield of Biolex® MB40 supplemented group exhibited significant improvement compared to both negative control (NC) and BMD50 supplemented groups. In addition, antibiotic significantly decreased level of Lactobacillus in 2 wk compared to other groups. A significantly higher percentage of Campylobacter was observed from the 4 wk old birds treated with antibiotic BMD50 compared to the NC and prebiotic group. Retention of broiler performance and improvement of white meat yield suggest that the prebiotic MB40 appears to be a potential alternative to replace the antibiotic growth promoter.

Female conduct disorder: health status in young adulthood.

PubMed

Pajer, Kathleen A; Kazmi, Alamdar; Gardner, William P; Wang, Yun

2007-01-01

One of the risk factors for poor adult health may be adolescent antisocial behavior, especially in girls. This study was conducted to determine if negative young adult health outcomes in girls who previously had adolescent antisocial behavior could be explained by demographic factors and pre-existing health problems. This 3-year longitudinal study recruited 93 girls, ages 15-17 years (52 with conduct disorder [CD]; 41 with no psychiatric illness [normal controls; NC]) from the community. Baseline interviews of girls and parents collected demographic, psychiatric, and medical history data. Three annual interviews collected data about medical problems, health care service utilization, and reproductive health. In addition, the final follow-up included a standardized self-report questionnaire about young adult health status. CD and NC groups did not differ in age, racial composition, social class, proportion of smokers, or drug and alcohol experimentation. They were qualitatively different in baseline medical histories. Controlling for age at follow-up and baseline medical problems, the CD group as young adults had worse overall health, more discomfort, higher rates of unhealthy habits, lower rates of healthy behaviors, and more pregnancies at earlier ages. There were no group differences in rates of disorders, injuries, or health care usage. Adolescent girls with CD as young adults have poorer overall health, more discomfort, more health risk behaviors, and earlier onset of adult reproductive behaviors, even when controlling for demographic factors and pre-existing health history. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

Fibronectin promotes differentiation of neural crest progenitors endowed with smooth muscle cell potential

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Costa-Silva, Bruno; Programa de Pos-graduacao em Neurociencias, Centro de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario - Trindade, 88040-900, Florianopolis, S.C.; Coelho da Costa, Meline

The neural crest (NC) is a model system used to investigate multipotency during vertebrate development. Environmental factors control NC cell fate decisions. Despite the well-known influence of extracellular matrix molecules in NC cell migration, the issue of whether they also influence NC cell differentiation has not been addressed at the single cell level. By analyzing mass and clonal cultures of mouse cephalic and quail trunk NC cells, we show for the first time that fibronectin (FN) promotes differentiation into the smooth muscle cell phenotype without affecting differentiation into glia, neurons, and melanocytes. Time course analysis indicated that the FN-induced effectmore » was not related to massive cell death or proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Finally, by comparing clonal cultures of quail trunk NC cells grown on FN and collagen type IV (CLIV), we found that FN strongly increased both NC cell survival and the proportion of unipotent and oligopotent NC progenitors endowed with smooth muscle potential. In contrast, melanocytic progenitors were prominent in clonogenic NC cells grown on CLIV. Taken together, these results show that FN promotes NC cell differentiation along the smooth muscle lineage, and therefore plays an important role in fate decisions of NC progenitor cells.« less

Effect of Instant Cooked Giant Embryonic Rice on Body Fat Weight and Plasma Lipid Profile in High Fat-Fed Mice

PubMed Central

Chung, Soo Im; Kim, Tae Hyeong; Rico, Catherine W.; Kang, Mi Young

2014-01-01

The comparative effects of instant cooked rice made from giant embryo mutant or ordinary normal rice on body weight and lipid profile in high fat-fed mice were investigated. The animals were given experimental diets for seven weeks: normal control (NC), high fat (HF), and HF supplemented with instant normal white (HF-NW), normal brown (HF-NB), giant embryonic white (HF-GW), or giant embryonic brown (HF-GB) rice. The HF group showed markedly higher body weight, body fat, plasma and hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations, and atherogenic index relative to NC group. However, instant rice supplementation counteracted this high fat-induced hyperlipidemia through regulation of lipogenesis and adipokine production. The GB rice exhibited greater hypolipidemic and body fat-lowering effects than the GW or NB rice. These findings illustrate that the giant embryo mutant may be useful as functional biomaterial for the development of instant rice with strong preventive action against high fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia and obesity. PMID:24932656

Disentangling Emotion Processes in Borderline Personality Disorder: Physiological and Self-reported Assessment of Biological Vulnerability, Baseline Intensity, and Reactivity to Emotionally-Evocative Stimuli

PubMed Central

Kuo, Janice R.; Linehan, Marsha M.

2014-01-01

This study investigated Linehan’s (1993) theory that individuals meeting criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD) have high biological vulnerability to emotion dysregulation, including high baseline emotional intensity and high reactivity to emotionally-evocative stimuli. Twenty individuals with BPD, 20 age-matched individuals with generalized social anxiety disorder (SAD), and 20 age-matched normal controls (NC) participated in two separate emotion induction conditions, a standardized condition and a personally-relevant condition. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), skin conductance response (SCR), and self-report measures were collected throughout the experiment. BPD participants displayed heightened biological vulnerability compared with NC as indicated by reduced basal RSA. BPD participants also exhibited high baseline emotional intensity, characterized by heightened SCR and heightened self-reported negative emotions at baseline. However, the BPD group did not display heightened reactivity as their physiological and self-reported changes from baseline to the emotion inductions tasks were not greater than the other two groups. PMID:19685950

Effect of eating rate on binge size in Bulimia Nervosa

PubMed Central

Kissileff, Harry R; Zimmerli, Ellen J; Torres, Migdalia I; Devlin, Michael J; Walsh, B Timothy

2008-01-01

Effect of eating rate on binge size in bulimia nervosa. Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating. During binge eating episodes, patients often describe the rapid consumption of food, and laboratory studies have shown that during binges patients with BN eat faster than normal controls (NC), but the hypothesis that a rapid rate of eating contributes to the excessive intake of binge meals has not yet been experimentally tested. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of eating rate on binge size in BN, in order to determine whether binge size is mediated, in part, by rate of eating. Thirteen BN and 14 NC subjects were asked to binge eat a yogurt shake that was served at a fast rate (140g/min) on one occasion and at a slow rate (70g/min) on another. NC subjects consumed 169 g more when eating at the fast rate than when eating at the slow rate. In contrast, consumption rates failed to influence binge size in patients with BN (fast: 1205 g; slow: 1195 g). Consequently, there was a significant group by rate interaction. As expected, patients with BN consumed more overall than NC subjects (1200 g vs. 740 g). When instructed to binge in the eating laboratory, patients with BN ate equally large amounts of food at a slow rate as at a fast rate. NC subjects ate less at a slow rate. These findings indicate that in a structured laboratory meal paradigm binge size is not affected by rate of eating. PMID:17996257

Growth performance, diet nutrient digestibility, and bone mineralization in weaned pigs fed pelleted diets containing thermostable phytase.

PubMed

Yáñez, J L; Landero, J L; Owusu-Asiedu, A; Cervantes, M; Zijlstra, R T

2013-02-01

Traditional supplemental dietary phytase loses activity during steam pelleting. The thermal tolerance and bioefficacy of a phytase product with a thermoprotective coating [coated phytase (C-phytase)] was compared in mash and pelleted diets to a traditional, uncoated phytase (U-phytase) added to a negative control (NC) diet, formulated with reduced dietary Ca and P, and compared with a corn-soybean meal based positive control (POC) diet. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and third metacarpal bone characteristics were response variables. Weaned pigs (n = 56; 8.20 ± 0.5 kg initial BW; 28 d of age) were individually housed and randomly allotted to 1 of 7 diets for 21 d. The diets were 1) POC mash, 2) NC mash, 3) NC pelleted at 90°C, 4) NC mash + 500 U/kg U-phytase, 5) NC mash + 500 U/kg C-phytase, 6) NC + 500 U/kg C-phytase pelleted at 80°C, and 7) NC + 500 U/kg C-phytase pelleted at 90°C. The POC and NC diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isolysinic. The content of Ca and available P was 1.01 and 0.40% and 0.83 and 0.22% in the POC and NC diets, respectively. Pig BW and feed intake were measured on d 7, 14, and 21, and feces were collected for 2 d. On d 21, pigs were killed and ileal digesta and the third metacarpal bone collected. Pigs fed POC had greater (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, P digestibility, and bone mineralization but lower (P < 0.01) energy digestibility than pigs fed NC. Pelleting the NC diet did not improve performance, nutrient digestibility, or P use. Adding the U-phytase to NC mash diet increased (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of CP and Ile, Leu, Phe, Thr, Val, and Ser, and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P compared with pigs fed NC. Pigs fed C-phytase in NC mash diets had increased (P < 0.05) G:F and an AID of CP and AA and ATTD of P compared with pigs fed NC but not different than pigs fed U-phytase NC mash diets. Pigs fed pelleted NC diet with C-phytase had a greater (P < 0.05) ATTD of P and energy than pigs fed mash NC diet with C-phytase but had similar growth performance, AID of CP and AA, and bone mineralization to pigs fed U-phytase. In conclusion, release and bioefficacy of phytase after pelleting was not affected by the thermal protective coating.

Aegle marmelos impedes onset of insulin resistance syndrome in rats provided with drinking fructose from weaning to adulthood stages of development - a mechanistic study.

PubMed

Mathur, Rajani; Sehgal, Ratika; Rajora, Preety; Sharma, Shveta; Kumar, Rajesh; Mathur, Sandeep

2017-05-01

In this study, we explored the effect of aqueous extract of leaves of Aegle marmelos (AM) on hepatic carbohydrate metabolism and insulin downstream signalling in rats given fructose (15%) in drinking water from weaning to adulthood. Wistar albino rats (4 weeks old) were randomly divided into normal control (NC), fructose control (FC), and treatment (AMT) groups and were fed for a period of 8 weeks the following diets: chow + water, chow + fructose (15%), and chow + fructose (15%) + AM (500 mg/kg per day, p.o.), respectively. Compared with the NC group, the FC group was found to have significantly (p < 0.05) raised levels of fasting blood glucose, lipid, visceral mass, plasma insulin and leptin, glycogen, and gluconeogenesis enzyme but decreased glycolytic enzyme activity. Raised levels of glucose transporter 2 protein but decreased activity of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K/Akt) and Janus kinase - signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (JAK-STAT3) in hepatic tissue indicate a state of insulin and leptin resistance in the FC group. A significant (p < 0.05) lowering of physical and glycemic parameters, strengthening of the hepatic glycolytic pathway over the gluconeogenic pathway, and upregulation of the PI3K/Akt and JAK-STAT3 pathways was observed in the AMT group, as compared with the FC group. For the first time, the mechanism underlying the development of insulin resistance syndrome is delineated here, along with the potential of A. marmelos to impede it.

Specific oxidative stress parameters differently correlate with nailfold capillaroscopy changes and organ involvement in systemic sclerosis.

PubMed

Riccieri, Valeria; Spadaro, Antonio; Fuksa, Leos; Firuzi, Omidreza; Saso, Luciano; Valesini, Guido

2008-02-01

Oxidative stress is suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of the present study was to clarify such a hypothesis by determination of four different plasmatic parameters of oxidative stress, and to define its role in the microvascular damage, assessed by nailfold capillaroscopy (NC). Plasma samples of 18 patients with SSc were analyzed. The biomarkers measured were: total antioxidant capacity, hydroperoxides (ROOHs), and sulfhydryl (SH) and carbonyl (CO) groups. Each patient had a detailed clinical assessment and underwent an NC. The results showed significantly increased ROOHs in SSc patients compared to control group (5.02 +/- 0.24 vs 3.28 +/- 0.19 micromol/l; p < 0.05). Plasmatic levels of SH groups were significantly lower in SSc (0.466 +/- 0.08 mmol/l) compared to control group (0.542 +/- 0.04 mmol/l; p < 0.002). Plasma levels of ROOHs correlated with the capillaroscopy semiquantitative rating scale score (p < 0.05) and with the rating system for avascular areas (p < 0.03). The levels of CO groups inversely correlated with modified Rodnan's skin score (p < 0.039) and were lower in patients with pulmonary fibrosis (p < 0.045), while the levels of SH groups were lower in those presenting gastrointestinal involvement (p < 0.029). The obtained data indicate augmented free radical-mediated injury in SSc and also show correlations among oxidative abnormalities, some clinical findings, and signs of a more severe microvascular involvement. These results give more evidence to the connection between oxidative impairment and SSc.

Differences in quantitative EEG between frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease as revealed by LORETA.

PubMed

Nishida, K; Yoshimura, M; Isotani, T; Yoshida, T; Kitaura, Y; Saito, A; Mii, H; Kato, M; Takekita, Y; Suwa, A; Morita, S; Kinoshita, T

2011-09-01

To determine the electrophysiological characteristics of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and the distinction with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We performed analyses of global field power (GFP) which is a measure of whole brain electric field strength, and EEG neuroimaging analyses with sLORETA (standardized low resolution electromagnetic tomography), in the mild stages of FTD (n = 19; mean age = 68.11 ± 7.77) and AD (n = 19; mean age = 69.42 ± 9.57) patients, and normal control (NC) subjects (n = 22; mean age = 66.13 ± 6.02). In the GFP analysis, significant group effects were observed in the delta (1.5-6.0 Hz), alpha1 (8.5-10.0 Hz), and beta1 (12.5-18.0 Hz) bands. In sLORETA analysis, differences in activity were observed in the alpha1 band (NC > FTD) in the orbital frontal and temporal lobe, in the delta band (AD>NC) in widespread areas including the frontal lobe, and in the beta1 band (FTD > AD) in the parietal lobe and sensorimotor area. Differential patterns of brain regions and EEG frequency bands were observed between the FTD and AD groups in terms of pathological activity. FTD and AD patients in the early stages displayed different patterns in the cortical localization of oscillatory activity across different frequency bands. Copyright © 2011 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biomimetic Mineralization of Gold Nanoclusters as Multifunctional Thin Films for Glass Nanopore Modification, Characterization, and Sensing.

PubMed

Cao, Sumei; Ding, Shushu; Liu, Yingzi; Zhu, Anwei; Shi, Guoyue

2017-08-01

Hurdles of nanopore modification and characterization restrain the development of glass capillary-based nanopore sensing platforms. In this article, a simple but effective biomimetic mineralization method was developed to decorate glass nanopore with a thin film of bovine serum albumin-protected Au nanocluster (BSA-Au NC). The BSA-Au NC film emitted a strong red fluorescence whereby nondestructive characterization of Au film decorated at the inner surface of glass nanopore can be facilely achieved by a fluorescence microscopy. Besides, the BSA molecules played dual roles in the fabrication of functionalized Au thin film in glass nanopore: they not only directed the synthesis of fluorescent Au thin film but also provided binding sites for recognition, thus achieving synthesis-modification integration. This occurred due to the ionized carboxyl groups (-COO - ) of a BSA coating layer on Au NCs which can interacted with arginine (Arg) via guanidinium groups. The added Arg selectively led to the change in the charge and ionic current of BSA-Au NC film-decorated glass nanopore. Such ionic current responses can be used for quantifying Arg with a detection limit down to 1 fM, which was more sensitive than that of previous sensing systems. Together, the designed method exhibited great promise in providing a facile and controllable solution for glass nanopore modification, characterization, and sensing.

Morphometry Based on Effective and Accurate Correspondences of Localized Patterns (MEACOLP)

PubMed Central

Wang, Hu; Ren, Yanshuang; Bai, Lijun; Zhang, Wensheng; Tian, Jie

2012-01-01

Local features in volumetric images have been used to identify correspondences of localized anatomical structures for brain morphometry. However, the correspondences are often sparse thus ineffective in reflecting the underlying structures, making it unreliable to evaluate specific morphological differences. This paper presents a morphometry method (MEACOLP) based on correspondences with improved effectiveness and accuracy. A novel two-level scale-invariant feature transform is used to enhance the detection repeatability of local features and to recall the correspondences that might be missed in previous studies. Template patterns whose correspondences could be commonly identified in each group are constructed to serve as the basis for morphometric analysis. A matching algorithm is developed to reduce the identification errors by comparing neighboring local features and rejecting unreliable matches. The two-sample t-test is finally adopted to analyze specific properties of the template patterns. Experiments are performed on the public OASIS database to clinically analyze brain images of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and normal controls (NC). MEACOLP automatically identifies known morphological differences between AD and NC brains, and characterizes the differences well as the scaling and translation of underlying structures. Most of the significant differences are identified in only a single hemisphere, indicating that AD-related structures are characterized by strong anatomical asymmetry. In addition, classification trials to differentiate AD subjects from NC confirm that the morphological differences are reliably related to the groups of interest. PMID:22540000

Characterization of Semiconductor Nanocrystal Assemblies as Components of Optoelectronic Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malfavon-Ochoa, Mario

This dissertation presents new insight into the ability of small molecule passivated NCs to achieve intimate approach distances, despite being well passivated, while developing guiding principles in the area of ligand mediated microstructure control and the resulting macroscopic optical and electronic properties that close packing of high quality NCs enables. NC ligand coverage will be characterized quantitatively through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and qualitatively by photoluminescence and electroluminescence, in the case of functional devices; illustrating the importance of practitioner dependent control of ligand coverage through variations in the dispersion precipitation purification procedure. A unique examination of the relative contribution of energy and charge transfer in NC LEDs will demonstrate the ability to achieve charge transfer, at a level competitive with energy transfer, to well passivated NCs at various wt% loading in a polymer matrix. The observation of potential dependent recombination zones within an active layer further suggest novel, NC surface passivation mediated control of blend microstructure during solution processing towards the development of a bi-continuous network. Next, NC self-assembly and resulting microstructure dependent optical and electronic properties will be examined through electroluminescence and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs of functional NC/polymer bulk heterojunction LEDs. The joint characterization of NC optical properties, and self-assembly microstructure provide a deeper understanding of the significant and inseparable effects of minimal changes in NC surface passivation on structure and function, and emphasize the potential to rely on strongly passivating ligands to control physical properties and processing parameters concurrently towards higher efficiency devices via low cost processing. Finally, micro-contact printing of blazed transmission gratings, using stable dispersions of core and core/shell NCs will be shown to produce close packed assemblies of NCs forming near-wavelength luminescent superstructures separated in space. We show the dominant contribution of a two-monolayer thick sharp interface CdS shell to the diffraction efficiency, and necessarily the refractive index, of the NCs, independent of core size. Utilization of these gratings as in-coupling elements at various positions within a device architecture are also examined. These new observations were achieved by unprecedented control of NC architecture during dispersion processing, while maintaining high luminescence, made possible by optimized NC surface passivation. These studies enable the formation of new LED architectures, and new optoelectronic devices based on angle resolved, monochromatic fluorescence from diffraction gratings prepared from simple solution processing approaches. Further, the novel observation of angle amplified interfering fluorescence from these features is argued to be a result of long range radiative coupling and superradiance enabled by the monodispersity and high-quality NC surface passivation described herein.

Oral atorvastatin therapy increases nitric oxide-dependent cutaneous vasodilation in humans by decreasing ascorbate-sensitive oxidants.

PubMed

Holowatz, Lacy A; Kenney, W Larry

2011-09-01

Elevated low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are associated with cutaneous microvascular dysfunction partially mediated by increased arginase activity, which is decreased following a systemic atorvastatin therapy. We hypothesized that increased ascorbate-sensitive oxidant stress, partially mediated through uncoupled nitric oxide synthase (NOS) induced by upregulated arginase, contributes to cutaneous microvascular dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic (HC) humans. Four microdialysis fibers were placed in the skin of nine HC (LDL = 177 ± 6 mg/dl) men and women before and after 3 mo of a systemic atorvastatin intervention and at baseline in nine normocholesterolemic (NC) (LDL = 95 ± 4 mg/dl) subjects. Sites served as control, NOS inhibited, L-ascorbate, and arginase-inhibited+L-ascorbate. Skin blood flow was measured while local skin heating (42°C) induced NO-dependent vasodilation. After the established plateau in all sites, 20 mM ≪ngname≫ was infused to quantify NO-dependent vasodilation. Data were normalized to maximum cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) (sodium nitroprusside + 43°C). The plateau in vasodilation during local heating (HC: 78 ± 4 vs. NC: 96 ± 2% CVC(max), P < 0.01) and NO-dependent vasodilation (HC: 40 ± 4 vs. NC: 54 ± 4% CVC(max), P < 0.01) was reduced in the HC group. Acute L-ascorbate alone (91 ± 5% CVC(max), P < 0.001) or combined with arginase inhibition (96 ± 3% CVC(max), P < 0.001) augmented the plateau in vasodilation in the HC group but not the NC group (ascorbate: 96 ± 2; combo: 93 ± 4% CVC(max), both P > 0.05). After the atorvastatin intervention NO-dependent vasodilation was augmented in the HC group (HC postatorvastatin: 64 ± 4% CVC(max), P < 0.01), and there was no further effect of ascorbate alone (58 ± 4% CVC(max,) P > 0.05) or combined with arginase inhibition (67 ± 4% CVC(max,) P > 0.05). Increased ascorbate-sensitive oxidants contribute to hypercholesteromic associated cutaneous microvascular dysfunction which is partially reversed with atorvastatin therapy.

Conservation of σ28-Dependent Non-Coding RNA Paralogs and Predicted σ54-Dependent Targets in Thermophilic Campylobacter Species

PubMed Central

Le, My Thanh; van Veldhuizen, Mart; Porcelli, Ida; Bongaerts, Roy J.; Gaskin, Duncan J. H.; Pearson, Bruce M.; van Vliet, Arnoud H. M.

2015-01-01

Assembly of flagella requires strict hierarchical and temporal control via flagellar sigma and anti-sigma factors, regulatory proteins and the assembly complex itself, but to date non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have not been described to regulate genes directly involved in flagellar assembly. In this study we have investigated the possible role of two ncRNA paralogs (CjNC1, CjNC4) in flagellar assembly and gene regulation of the diarrhoeal pathogen Campylobacter jejuni. CjNC1 and CjNC4 are 37/44 nt identical and predicted to target the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of genes transcribed from the flagellar sigma factor σ54. Orthologs of the σ54-dependent 5' UTRs and ncRNAs are present in the genomes of other thermophilic Campylobacter species, and transcription of CjNC1 and CNC4 is dependent on the flagellar sigma factor σ28. Surprisingly, inactivation and overexpression of CjNC1 and CjNC4 did not affect growth, motility or flagella-associated phenotypes such as autoagglutination. However, CjNC1 and CjNC4 were able to mediate sequence-dependent, but Hfq-independent, partial repression of fluorescence of predicted target 5' UTRs in an Escherichia coli-based GFP reporter gene system. This hints towards a subtle role for the CjNC1 and CjNC4 ncRNAs in post-transcriptional gene regulation in thermophilic Campylobacter species, and suggests that the currently used phenotypic methodologies are insufficiently sensitive to detect such subtle phenotypes. The lack of a role of Hfq in the E. coli GFP-based system indicates that the CjNC1 and CjNC4 ncRNAs may mediate post-transcriptional gene regulation in ways that do not conform to the paradigms obtained from the Enterobacteriaceae. PMID:26512728

Blood pressure-lowering effects of nifedipine/candesartan combinations in high-risk individuals: subgroup analysis of the DISTINCT randomised trial.

PubMed

Mancia, G; Cha, G; Gil-Extremera, B; Harvey, P; Lewin, A J; Villa, G; Kjeldsen, S E

2017-03-01

The DISTINCT study (reDefining Intervention with Studies Testing Innovative Nifedipine GITS-Candesartan Therapy) investigated the efficacy and safety of nifedipine GITS/candesartan cilexetil combinations vs respective monotherapies and placebo in patients with hypertension. This descriptive sub-analysis examined blood pressure (BP)-lowering effects in high-risk participants, including those with renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate<90 ml min -1 , n=422), type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=202), hypercholesterolaemia (n=206) and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (n=971), as well as the impact of gender, age and body mass index (BMI). Participants with grade I/II hypertension were randomised to treatment with nifedipine GITS (N) 20, 30, 60 mg and/or candesartan cilexetil (C) 4, 8, 16, 32 mg or placebo for 8 weeks. Mean systolic BP and diastolic BP reductions after treatment in high-risk participants were greater, overall, with N/C combinations vs respective monotherapies or placebo, with indicators of a dose-response effect. Highest rates of BP control (ESH/ESC 2013 guideline criteria) were also achieved with highest doses of N/C combinations in each high-risk subgroup. The benefits of combination therapy vs monotherapy were additionally observed in patient subgroups categorised by gender, age or BMI. All high-risk participants reported fewer vasodilatory adverse events in the pooled N/C combination therapy than the N monotherapy group. In conclusion, consistent with the DISTINCT main study outcomes, high-risk participants showed greater reductions in BP and higher control rates with N/C combinations compared with respective monotherapies and lesser vasodilatory side-effects compared with N monotherapy.

NSDNA: a manually curated database of experimentally supported ncRNAs associated with nervous system diseases.

PubMed

Wang, Jianjian; Cao, Yuze; Zhang, Huixue; Wang, Tianfeng; Tian, Qinghua; Lu, Xiaoyu; Lu, Xiaoyan; Kong, Xiaotong; Liu, Zhaojun; Wang, Ning; Zhang, Shuai; Ma, Heping; Ning, Shangwei; Wang, Lihua

2017-01-04

The Nervous System Disease NcRNAome Atlas (NSDNA) (http://www.bio-bigdata.net/nsdna/) is a manually curated database that provides comprehensive experimentally supported associations about nervous system diseases (NSDs) and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). NSDs represent a common group of disorders, some of which are characterized by high morbidity and disabilities. The pathogenesis of NSDs at the molecular level remains poorly understood. ncRNAs are a large family of functionally important RNA molecules. Increasing evidence shows that diverse ncRNAs play a critical role in various NSDs. Mining and summarizing NSD-ncRNA association data can help researchers discover useful information. Hence, we developed an NSDNA database that documents 24 713 associations between 142 NSDs and 8593 ncRNAs in 11 species, curated from more than 1300 articles. This database provides a user-friendly interface for browsing and searching and allows for data downloading flexibility. In addition, NSDNA offers a submission page for researchers to submit novel NSD-ncRNA associations. It represents an extremely useful and valuable resource for researchers who seek to understand the functions and molecular mechanisms of ncRNA involved in NSDs. © The Author(s) 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

The development of non-coding RNA ontology.

PubMed

Huang, Jingshan; Eilbeck, Karen; Smith, Barry; Blake, Judith A; Dou, Dejing; Huang, Weili; Natale, Darren A; Ruttenberg, Alan; Huan, Jun; Zimmermann, Michael T; Jiang, Guoqian; Lin, Yu; Wu, Bin; Strachan, Harrison J; de Silva, Nisansa; Kasukurthi, Mohan Vamsi; Jha, Vikash Kumar; He, Yongqun; Zhang, Shaojie; Wang, Xiaowei; Liu, Zixing; Borchert, Glen M; Tan, Ming

2016-01-01

Identification of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has been significantly improved over the past decade. On the other hand, semantic annotation of ncRNA data is facing critical challenges due to the lack of a comprehensive ontology to serve as common data elements and data exchange standards in the field. We developed the Non-Coding RNA Ontology (NCRO) to handle this situation. By providing a formally defined ncRNA controlled vocabulary, the NCRO aims to fill a specific and highly needed niche in semantic annotation of large amounts of ncRNA biological and clinical data.

Prevalence of Noncardiac and Genetic Abnormalities in Neonates Undergoing Cardiac Operations: Analysis of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database.

PubMed

Patel, Angira; Costello, John M; Backer, Carl L; Pasquali, Sara K; Hill, Kevin D; Wallace, Amelia S; Jacobs, Jeffrey P; Jacobs, Marshall L

2016-11-01

Among patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), the coexistence of noncardiac congenital anatomic abnormalities (NC), genetic abnormalities (GA), and syndromes (S) may influence therapeutic strategies and outcomes. The appreciated prevalence of these abnormalities has risen because increased screening and improved diagnostic precision enable identification of these comorbidities in a larger fraction of neonates with CHD. We examined the contemporary prevalence and distribution of NC/GA/S across diagnostic groups among neonates undergoing cardiac operations using a large nationally representative clinical registry. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database (STS-CHSD) was queried to identify neonates (≤30 days) who underwent index cardiac operations from 2010 to 2013. The fundamental cardiac diagnosis was used to identify 10 diagnostic groups. The prevalence of NC/GA/S was reported across each group. The cohort included 15,376 index neonatal operations from 112 centers. Overall, 18.8% (2,894 of 15,376) of operations were performed in neonates with NC/GA/S. Patients with atrioventricular septal defect (212 of 357 [59.4%]), interrupted aortic arch (248 of 567 [43.7%]), truncus arteriosus (204 of 554 [36.8%]), and tetralogy of Fallot (417 of 1,383 [30.2%]) had the highest prevalence of NC/GA/S abnormalities, whereas those with transposition of the great arteries (111 of 2,778 [4.0%]) had the lowest prevalence. The most commonly identified NC/GA/S included heterotaxy (597 of 15,376 [3.9%]), DiGeorge syndrome or 22q11 deletion (550 of 15,376 [3.6%]), Down syndrome or trisomy 21 (318 of 15, 376 [2.1%]), intestinal malrotation (220 of 15,376 [1.4%]), and Turner syndrome or 45XO (189 of 15,376 [1.2%]). The prevalence of NC/GA/S varies widely across CHD diagnostic groups. This information may be useful for patient counseling, recommendations for screening for anomalies and genetic disorders, and perioperative management. Copyright © 2016 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Unconscious Processing of Facial Expressions in Individuals with Internet Gaming Disorder.

PubMed

Peng, Xiaozhe; Cui, Fang; Wang, Ting; Jiao, Can

2017-01-01

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is characterized by impairments in social communication and the avoidance of social contact. Facial expression processing is the basis of social communication. However, few studies have investigated how individuals with IGD process facial expressions, and whether they have deficits in emotional facial processing remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to explore these two issues by investigating the time course of emotional facial processing in individuals with IGD. A backward masking task was used to investigate the differences between individuals with IGD and normal controls (NC) in the processing of subliminally presented facial expressions (sad, happy, and neutral) with event-related potentials (ERPs). The behavioral results showed that individuals with IGD are slower than NC in response to both sad and neutral expressions in the sad-neutral context. The ERP results showed that individuals with IGD exhibit decreased amplitudes in ERP component N170 (an index of early face processing) in response to neutral expressions compared to happy expressions in the happy-neutral expressions context, which might be due to their expectancies for positive emotional content. The NC, on the other hand, exhibited comparable N170 amplitudes in response to both happy and neutral expressions in the happy-neutral expressions context, as well as sad and neutral expressions in the sad-neutral expressions context. Both individuals with IGD and NC showed comparable ERP amplitudes during the processing of sad expressions and neutral expressions. The present study revealed that individuals with IGD have different unconscious neutral facial processing patterns compared with normal individuals and suggested that individuals with IGD may expect more positive emotion in the happy-neutral expressions context. • The present study investigated whether the unconscious processing of facial expressions is influenced by excessive online gaming. A validated backward masking paradigm was used to investigate whether individuals with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and normal controls (NC) exhibit different patterns in facial expression processing.• The results demonstrated that individuals with IGD respond differently to facial expressions compared with NC on a preattentive level. Behaviorally, individuals with IGD are slower than NC in response to both sad and neutral expressions in the sad-neutral context. The ERP results further showed (1) decreased amplitudes in the N170 component (an index of early face processing) in individuals with IGD when they process neutral expressions compared with happy expressions in the happy-neutral expressions context, whereas the NC exhibited comparable N170 amplitudes in response to these two expressions; (2) both the IGD and NC group demonstrated similar N170 amplitudes in response to sad and neutral faces in the sad-neutral expressions context.• The decreased amplitudes of N170 to neutral faces than happy faces in individuals with IGD might due to their less expectancies for neutral content in the happy-neutral expressions context, while individuals with IGD may have no different expectancies for neutral and sad faces in the sad-neutral expressions context.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment for screening mild cognitive impairment: variations in test performance and scores by education in Singapore.

PubMed

Ng, Tze Pin; Feng, Lei; Lim, Wee Shiong; Chong, Mei Sian; Lee, Tih Shih; Yap, Keng Bee; Tsoi, Tung; Liew, Tau Ming; Gao, Qi; Collinson, Simon; Kandiah, Nagaendran; Yap, Philip

2015-01-01

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was developed as a screening instrument for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We evaluated the MoCA's test performance by educational groups among older Singaporean Chinese adults. The MoCA and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were evaluated in two independent studies (clinic-based sample and community-based sample) of MCI and normal cognition (NC) controls, using receiver operating characteristic curve analyses: area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity (Sn), and specificity (Sp). The MoCA modestly discriminated MCI from NC in both study samples (AUC = 0.63 and 0.65): Sn = 0.64 and Sp = 0.36 at a cut-off of 28/29 in the clinic-based sample, and Sn = 0.65 and Sp = 0.55 at a cut-off of 22/23 in the community-based sample. The MoCA's test performance was least satisfactory in the highest (>6 years) education group: AUC = 0.50 (p = 0.98), Sn = 0.54, and Sp = 0.51 at a cut-off of 27/28. Overall, the MoCA's test performance was not better than that of the MMSE. In multivariate analyses controlling for age and gender, MCI diagnosis was associated with a <1-point decrement in MoCA score (η(2) = 0.010), but lower (1-6 years) and no education was associated with a 3- to 5-point decrement (η(2) = 0.115 and η(2) = 0.162, respectively). The MoCA's ability to discriminate MCI from NC was modest in this Chinese population, because it was far more sensitive to the effect of education than MCI diagnosis. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Albendazole nanocrystals in experimental alveolar echinococcosis: Enhanced chemoprophylactic and clinical efficacy in infected mice.

PubMed

Pensel, Patricia; Paredes, Alejandro; Albani, Clara M; Allemandi, Daniel; Sanchez Bruni, Sergio; Palma, Santiago D; Elissondo, María C

2018-02-15

Human alveolar echinococcosis is caused by the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis and is usually fatal if left untreated. Medical treatment with albendazole (ABZ) remains an effective option. However, due to its low aqueous solubility, ABZ is poorly and erratically absorbed following oral administration resulting in low drug levels in plasma and liver distribution. Thus, there arises the need to find a simple, efficient and scalable method to produce new ABZ formulations with increased bioavailability. Bearing this in mind, ABZ nanocrystals (ABZ-NCs) appears to be a useful tool to achieve this goal. The aim of the current study was to investigate the chemoprophylactic and clinical efficacy of an ABZ-NC formulation on mice infected with E. multilocularis. In the chemoprophylactic efficacy study, mean weight of the cysts recovered from the ABZ-NC group was 50% lower than that recorded from untreated mice, whereas the treatment with ABZ suspension did not show preventive effect. The viability of protoscoleces isolated from ABZ-NC treated mice was significantly lower than control groups. In the clinical efficacy studies, both ABZ formulations resulted in a reduction in the mean weight of the cysts obtained from mice, however only the treatment with the nanosuspension revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) compared to the control groups. Treatment with ABZ-NCs reduced the weight of the cysts by 77% and the viability of their protoscoleces to 34%. All these results coincided with the tissue damage determined at the ultrastructural level. The enhanced chemoprophylactic and clinical efficacy of ABZ-NCs observed in this study could be attributed to an increase in the oral bioavailability of the drug. In a next step, we will characterize the cyst concentration profile after the administration of ABZ-NCs in mice infected with E. multilocularis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Improvements in manual dexterity relate to improvements in cognitive planning after assisted cycling therapy (ACT) in adolescents with down syndrome.

PubMed

Holzapfel, Simon D; Ringenbach, Shannon D R; Mulvey, Genna M; Sandoval-Menendez, Amber M; Cook, Megan R; Ganger, Rachel O; Bennett, Kristen

2015-01-01

We have previously reported beneficial effects of acute (i.e., single session) Assisted Cycling Therapy (ACT) on manual dexterity and cognitive planning ability in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). In the present study, we report the chronic effects of eight weeks of ACT, voluntary cycling (VC), and no cycling (NC), on the same measures in adolescents with DS. Participants completed 8 weeks of ACT, VC, or NC. Those in the ACT and VC groups completed 30min sessions three times per week on a stationary bicycle. During ACT, the mechanical motor of the bicycle augmented the cadence to a rate which was on average 79% faster than the voluntary cadence. During VC, the participants pedaled at a self-selected rate. Unimanual dexterity scores as measured with the Purdue Pegboard test (PPT) improved significantly more for the ACT and VC groups compared to the NC group. ACT lead to greater improvements than VC and NC in the assembly sub-test, which is a task that requires more advanced temporal and spatial processing. The ACT group improved significantly more than the VC group and non-significantly more than the NC group in cognitive planning ability as measured by the Tower of London test (ToL). There were also significant correlations between the assembly subtest of the PPT and all measures of the ToL. These correlations were stronger during post-testing than pre-testing. Pre-post changes in the combined PPT score and ToL number of correct moves correlated positively in the ACT group. These results support the efficacy of the salutary effects of ACT on global fine motor function and executive function in DS. Additionally, the performance on complex bimanual dexterity tasks appears to be related to the capacity of cognitive planning ability. This research has important implications for persons with movement deficits that affect activities of daily living. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Putative Epigenetic Involvement of the Endocannabinoid System in Anxiety- and Depression-Related Behaviors Caused by Nicotine as a Stressor.

PubMed

Hayase, Tamaki

2016-01-01

Like various stressors, the addictive use of nicotine (NC) is associated with emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression, although the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated due to the complicated involvement of target neurotransmitter systems. In the elicitation of these emotional symptoms, the fundamental involvement of epigenetic mechanisms such as histone acetylation has recently been suggested. Furthermore, among the interacting neurotransmitter systems implicated in the effects of NC and stressors, the endocannabinoid (ECB) system is considered to contribute indispensably to anxiety and depression. In the present study, the epigenetic involvement of histone acetylation induced by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors was investigated in anxiety- and depression-related behavioral alterations caused by NC and/or immobilization stress (IM). Moreover, based on the contributing roles of the ECB system, the interacting influence of ECB ligands on the effects of HDAC inhibitors was evaluated in order to examine epigenetic therapeutic interventions. Anxiety-like (elevated plus-maze test) and depression-like (forced swimming test) behaviors, which were observed in mice treated with repeated (4 days) NC (subcutaneous 0.8 mg/kg) and/or IM (10 min), were blocked by the HDAC inhibitors sodium butyrate (SB) and valproic acid (VA). The cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) agonist ACPA (arachidonylcyclopropylamide; AC) also antagonized these behaviors. Conversely, the CB1 antagonist SR 141716A (SR), which counteracted the effects of AC, attenuated the anxiolytic-like effects of the HDAC inhibitors commonly in the NC and/or IM groups. SR also attenuated the antidepressant-like effects of the HDAC inhibitors, most notably in the IM group. From these results, the combined involvement of histone acetylation and ECB system was shown in anxiety- and depression-related behaviors. In the NC treatment groups, the limited influence of SR against the HDAC inhibitor-induced antidepressant-like effects may reflect the characteristic involvement of histone acetylation within the NC-related neurotransmitter systems other than the ECB system.

Effect of high-dose phytase and citric acid, alone or in combination, on growth performance of broilers given diets severely limited in available phosphorus.

PubMed

Taheri, H R; Jabbari, Z; Adibnia, S; Shahir, M H; Hosseini, S A

2015-01-01

1. Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of high-dose phytase alone or in combination with citric acid (CA) in the diet severely limited in available phosphorus (P) on performance, plasma P and plasma Ca of broilers from 22 to 42 d of age. 2. In Trial 1, 297 21-d-old female chicks were placed into 27 pens and allocated to 9 maize-soybean meal-based dietary treatments, which were a positive control [PC, 4.23 g/kg non-phytate P (NPP)] and 8 negative control (NC, 1.35 g/kg NPP) groups consisting of two concentrations of CA (0 and 20 g/kg) and 4 concentrations of phytase (0, 1000, 2000 and 4000 U/kg) in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement. In Trial 2, 192 21-d-old male chicks were placed into 24 pens and allocated to 6 wheat-canola meal-based dietary treatments, which were a PC (4.2 g/kg NPP), a NC (1.68 g/kg NPP) and 4 NC groups consisting of two concentrations of CA (0 and 20 g/kg) and two concentrations of phytase (2000 and 4000 U/kg) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. 3. In both trials, birds fed on the PC had significantly higher average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), plasma P and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) and plasma Ca than those of birds fed on the NC. CA supplementation significantly increased ADG and ADFI. There was a significant interaction between CA and phytase on plasma P where CA improved the effect of phytase on plasma P. In Trial 1, phytase addition improved ADG, ADFI, FCR and plasma Ca linearly. 4. Briefly, this research showed the interaction effect between CA and phytase on plasma P when broilers were fed on diets based on maize-soybean meal or wheat-canola meal. The results showed that CA supplementation lowered the concentration of phytase that is needed in low NPP diets to increase plasma P.

Enhancement of in vitro interleukin-2 production in normal subjects following a single spinal manipulative treatment

PubMed Central

Teodorczyk-Injeyan, Julita A; Injeyan, H Stephen; McGregor, Marion; Harris, Glen M; Ruegg, Richard

2008-01-01

Background Increasing evidence supports somato-visceral effects of manual therapies. We have previously demonstrated that a single spinal manipulative treatment (SMT) accompanied by audible release has an inhibitory effect on the production of proinflammatory cytokines in asymptomatic subjects. The purpose of this study is to report on SMT-related changes in the production of the immunoregulatory cytokine interleukin 2 (IL-2) and to investigate whether such changes might differ with respect to the treatment approach related to the presence or absence of an audible release (joint cavitation). Methods Of 76 asymptomatic subjects, 29 received SMT with cavitation (SMT-C), 23 were treated with SMT without cavitation (SMT-NC) and 24 comprised the venipuncture control (VC) group. The SMT-C and SMT-NC subjects received a single, similar force high velocity low amplitude manipulation, in the upper thoracic spine. However, in SMT-NC subjects, positioning and line of drive were not conducive to cavitation. Blood and serum samples were obtained before and then at 20 and 120 min post-intervention. The production of IL-2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures was induced by activation for 48 hr with Staphylococcal protein A (SPA) and, in parallel preparations, with the combination of phorbol ester (TPA) and calcium ionophore. The levels of IL-2 in culture supernatants and serum were assessed by specific immunoassays. Results Compared with VC and their respective baselines, SPA-induced secretion of IL-2 increased significantly in cultures established from both SMT-C and SMT-NC subjects at 20 min post-intervention. At 2 hr post-treatment, significant elevation of IL-2 synthesis was still apparent in preparations from SMT-treated groups though it became somewhat attenuated in SMT-NC subjects. Conversely, IL-2 synthesis induced by TPA and calcium ionophore was unaltered by either type of SMT and was comparable to that in VC group at all time points. No significant alterations in serum-associated IL-2 levels were observed in any of the study groups. Conclusion The present study demonstrates that, the in vitro T lymphocyte response to a conventional mitogen (SPA), as measured by IL-2 synthesis, can become enhanced following SMT. Furthermore, within a period of time following the manipulative intervention, this effect may be independent of joint cavitation. Thus the results of this study suggest that, under certain physiological conditions, SMT might influence IL-2-regulated biological responses. PMID:18507834

Optical and thermal charge-transfer processes occurring in a series of three-centered, cyanide-bridged intervalent charge-transfer complexes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pfennig, B.W.; Bocarsly, A.B.

1992-01-09

The mixed-valent compound (Pt(NH{sub 3}){sub 4}){sub 2}((NC){sub 5}Fe-CN-Pt(NH{sub 3}){sub 4}-NC-Fe(CN){sub 5} was used as the starting point for the synthesis and characterization of two series of trinuclear {open_quotes}M-Pt-M{close_quotes} compounds. The first group of complexes have the general formula Na{sub 2}(L(NC){sub 4}Fe-CN-Pt(NH{sub 3}){sub 4}-NC-Fe(CN){sub 4}L) (where the sixth coordination site on the terminal iron units has been varied using six different substituted pyridine or pyrazine ligands, L), and the secondary group of compounds have the general formula (Pt(NH){sub 3}){sub 4}){sub 2}((NC){sub 5}M-CN-Pt(NH{sub 3}){sub 4}-NC-M(CN){sub 5}) (where M = Fe, Ru, and Os). All of the compounds yielded an absorption spectrum containingmore » an intervalent charge-transfer (IT) band in the visible. Both series of complexes were modeled using Marcus-Hush theory to estimate the reorganization energies for the optical electron-transfer processes, electron-transfer rate constants, thermal-activation barriers, and the degrees of delocalization of these species. In addition, the kinetics of formation, photochemical decomposition, and a novel solvent-gated charge-transfer process are discussed. 26 refs., 10 figs., 4 tabs.« less

Neck Circumference as a Predictor of Adiposity among Healthy and Obese Children

PubMed Central

Hassan, Nayera E.; Atef, Abeer; El-Masry, Sahar A.; Ibrahim, Amany; Shady, Mones M. Abu; Al-Tohamy, Muhammad; Kamel, Iman H.; Elashry, Galal Ismail Ahmed

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND: Obesity, particularly in the upper part of body, is a major health problem. Because body mass index (BMI) does not adequately describe regional adiposity, other indices of body fatness are being explored. OBJECTIVES: To determine if neck circumference is a valid measure of adiposity (fat distribution) among group of Egyptian children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is a cross sectional study, included 50 obese subjects, aged 7 - 12 years recruited from Endocrine, obesity and Metabolism Pediatric Unit at Children Hospital, Cairo University and 50 healthy children, age and sex matched. All children were subjected to blood pressure assessment (systolic SBP and diastolic DBP), and anthropometric assessment (body weight, height, neck circumference (NC), waist (WC) and hip (HC) circumferences, and skin fold thicknesses at three sites: biceps, triceps and sub scapular. BMI [weight (kg)/height (m2)] was calculated. RESULTS: In healthy females, significant associations were detected between NC and SBP, DBP and all anthropometric measurements. However, in healthy males NC was not significantly associated with BMI, SBP and DBP. In the obese group; both sexes; insignificant association was found between NC and SBP, DBP, BMI and skinfold thickness. CONCLUSION: NC is related to fat distribution among normal healthy female children. However, this relation disappears with increasing adiposity. The results do not support the use of NC as a useful screening tool for childhood obesity. PMID:27275287

Digital genome-wide ncRNA expression, including SnoRNAs, across 11 human tissues using polyA-neutral amplification.

PubMed

Castle, John C; Armour, Christopher D; Löwer, Martin; Haynor, David; Biery, Matthew; Bouzek, Heather; Chen, Ronghua; Jackson, Stuart; Johnson, Jason M; Rohl, Carol A; Raymond, Christopher K

2010-07-26

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are an essential class of molecular species that have been difficult to monitor on high throughput platforms due to frequent lack of polyadenylation. Using a polyadenylation-neutral amplification protocol and next-generation sequencing, we explore ncRNA expression in eleven human tissues. ncRNAs 7SL, U2, 7SK, and HBII-52 are expressed at levels far exceeding mRNAs. C/D and H/ACA box snoRNAs are associated with rRNA methylation and pseudouridylation, respectively: spleen expresses both, hypothalamus expresses mainly C/D box snoRNAs, and testes show enriched expression of both H/ACA box snoRNAs and RNA telomerase TERC. Within the snoRNA 14q cluster, 14q(I-6) is expressed at much higher levels than other cluster members. More reads align to mitochondrial than nuclear tRNAs. Many lincRNAs are actively transcribed, particularly those overlapping known ncRNAs. Within the Prader-Willi syndrome loci, the snoRNA HBII-85 (group I) cluster is highly expressed in hypothalamus, greater than in other tissues and greater than group II or III. Additionally, within the disease locus we find novel transcription across a 400,000 nt span in ovaries. This genome-wide polyA-neutral expression compendium demonstrates the richness of ncRNA expression, their high expression patterns, their function-specific expression patterns, and is publicly available.

Increased expression of Apo-J and Omi/HtrA2 after Intracerebral Hemorrage in rats.

PubMed

Li, Feng; Yang, Jing; Guo, Xiaoyan; Zheng, Xiaomei; Lv, Zhiyu; Shi, Chang Qing; Li, Xiaogang

2018-03-23

To investigate the changes of Apo-J and Omi/HtrA2 protein expression in rats with intracerebral hemorrage. 150 SD adult rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: (1) Normal Control (NC) group, (2) Sham group, (3) Intracerebral Hemorrage (ICH) group. The data were collected at 6h, 12h, 1d, 2d, 3d, 5d and 7d. Apoptosis was measured by Tunel staining. The distributions of the Apo-J and Omi/HtrA2 proteins were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The levels of Apo-J mRNA and Omi/HtrA2 mRNA expressions were examined by RT-PCR. Apoptosis in ICH group was higher than Sham and NC groups (p＜0.05). Both the Apo-J and Omi/HtrA2 expression levels were increased in the peripheral region of hemorrhage, with a peak at 3d. The Apo-J mRNA level positively correlated with HtrA2 mRNA level in ICH group (r=0.883, p＜0.001). The expressions of Apo-J and Omi/HtrA2 paralelly increased in peripheral region of rat cerebral hemorrhage. Local high expressed Apo-J in the peripheral regions might play a neuroprotective role by inhibiting apoptosis via Omi/HtrA2 pathway after hemorrhage. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

[Impairment of spatial learning and memory and changes of oxidative stress in hippocampus from Type 1 diabetic mice].

PubMed

Wang, Chun; Lü, Gaoyou; Li, Yan; Zhao, Shidi; Huang, Li

2018-05-28

To investigate the relevance between spatial learning and memory impairment and the changes of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondiadehyde (MDA) content in hippocampus from Type 1 diabetic mice.
 Methods: Sixty male mice were randomly assigned into a control group (NC group, 20 mice) and a Type 1 diabetic group (DM group, 40 mice). Type 1 diabetic mouse models were established by a large dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (100 mg/kg). The spatial learning and memory abilities of mice were assessed by Morris water maze (MWM) test. After MWM test, we chose 20 mice (diabetic encephalopathy mice) with the worst spatial learning and memory abilities from diabetic model group, and detected the iNOS activity, SOD activity and MDA content in hippocampus in both groups.
 Results: Compared with the NC group, the escape latency was significantly extended and platform crossings were significantly declined in diabetic mice (P<0.01). Furthermore, the activity of iNOS and the content of MDA were markedly increased, and the activity of SOD was significantly decreased in hippocampus of diabetic encephalopathy mice (P<0.01).
 Conclusion: The established Type 1 diabetic mice show symptoms of cognitive dysfunction, which might be related to the increase of oxidative stress in hippocampus.

The Analysis of a Longitudinal Control System for Underwater Vehicles

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-10-01

9 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS Naval Coastal Systems Laboratory Panama City, Florida 32401 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT. PROJECT. TASK...TfM.PH) VCNC + 1 ) = 0# U(NC >»QP/UCNC*1 -) V(NC)=0. FORM NEW KFOUCEn COFF »- ICIFVTS Aft 00 A9 T=1#NC 000u6fl<*0 00006660 OOGu6S70 000O68M0

[Dynamic detection of duck hepatitis B virus cccDNA in serum of ducks with liver injury].

PubMed

Zhao, Ke-kai; Wang, Qing; Miao, Xiao-hui; Xu, Wen-sheng

2010-09-21

To confirm whether DHBV cccDNA could be detected in serum of DHBV-infected ducks after liver injury. Twenty four ducks with persistent DHBV infection were divided into 4 groups with the following treatments: A, D-galactosamine (D-GalN, 2.2 g/kg) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 µg/kg); B, 10 mg/kg of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) every 12 h twice following D-GalN and LPS; C, 15 mg/kg of CCl4 every 12 h twice following D-GalN and LPS; D, normal saline as normal control (NC). At 0 h, 24 h, 36 h and 48 h post-treatment, sera were collected from each duck for determination of serum DHBV load, DHBV cccDNA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). And ducks were eventually sacrificed to obtain liver specimens for pathological assessment of liver lesions and determination of intrahepatic total DHBV DNA and DHBV cccDNA. (1) No obvious pathological change was observed in the liver of ducks from NC group while the indices of liver injury were significantly different between Groups A, B and C; (2) DHBV cccDNA was undetectable in the sera of ducks from NC and A group at all time points. In contrast, DHBV cccDNA, varying from 3.17 × 10(3) copies/ml to 1.72 × 10(4) copies/ml, was detected in the sera of 2 ducks from Group B and 3 ducks from Group C at 36 h post-treatment. The occurrence of DHBV cccDNA in serum was significantly correlated with the degree of liver injury while no significant association with serum ALT level and DHBV load as well as with the level of intrahepatic total DHBV DNA and DHBV cccDNA was observed. DHBV cccDNA may be detected in the serum when the liver of duck is seriously damaged. The incidence of DHBV cccDNA occurrence in the serum is significantly associated with the severity of liver injury.

In-vitro subsurface remineralisation of artificial enamel white spot lesions pre-treated with chitosan.

PubMed

Zhang, Jing; Boyes, Victoria; Festy, Frederic; Lynch, Richard J M; Watson, Timothy F; Banerjee, Avijit

2018-05-08

To test the null hypothesis that chitosan application has no impact on the remineralisation of artificial incipient enamel white spot lesions (WSLs). 66 artificial enamel WSLs were assigned to 6 experimental groups (n=11): (1) bioactive glass slurry, (2) bioactive glass containing polyacrylic acid (BG+PAA) slurry, (3) chitosan pre-treated WSLs with BG slurry (CS-BG), (4) chitosan pre-treated WSLs with BG+PAA slurry (CS-BG+PAA), (5) remineralisation solution (RS) and (6) de-ionised water (negative control, NC). Surface and cross-sectional Raman intensity mapping (960cm -1 ) were performed on 5 samples/group to assess mineral content. Raman spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) were used to identify the type of newly formed minerals. Surface and cross-sectional Knoop microhardness were implemented to evaluate the mechanical properties after remineralisation. Surface morphologies and Ca/P ratio were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Data were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's test. BG+PAA, CS-BG, RS presented significantly higher mineral regain compared to NC on lesion surfaces, while CS-BG+PAA had higher subsurface mineral content. Newly mineralised crystals consist of type-B hydroxycarbonate apatite. CS-BG+PAA showed the greatest hardness recovery, followed by CS-BG, both significantly higher than other groups. SEM observations showed altered surface morphologies in all experimental groups except NC post-treatment. EDX suggested a higher content of carbon, oxygen and silicon in the precipitations in CS-BG+PAA group. There was no significant difference between each group in terms of Ca/P ratio. The null hypothesis was rejected. Chitosan pre-treatment enhanced WSL remineralisation with either BG only or with BG-PAA complexes. A further investigation using dynamic remineralisation/demineralisation system is required with regards to clinical application. Copyright © 2018 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effects of deoxynivalenol-contaminated corn dried distillers grains with solubles in nursery pig diets and potential for mitigation by commercially available feed additives.

PubMed

Frobose, H L; Fruge, E D; Tokach, M D; Hansen, E L; DeRouchey, J M; Dritz, S S; Goodband, R D; Nelssen, J L

2015-03-01

Four experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) from naturally contaminated dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and the efficacy of feed additives in nursery pig diets. In Exp. 1, 180 pigs (10.3 ± 0.2 kg BW) were fed 1 of 5 diets for 21 d. Diets were 1) Positive Control (PC; < 0.5 mg/kg DON), 2) Negative Control (NC; 4 mg/kg DON), 3) NC + 0.10% Biofix (Biomin Inc., Herzogenburg, Austria), 4) NC + 0.15% Cel-can (VAST Inc., Mason City, IA) and 0.50% bentonite clay, and 5) NC + 0.25% Defusion Plus (Cargill Animal Nutrition, Minneapolis, MN). Pigs fed the NC diet had poorer ( < 0.01) ADG than those fed the PC. Pigs fed Defusion Plus had improved ( < 0.03) ADG over those fed NC, whereas pigs fed Biofix or Cel-can with bentonite clay had reduced ADG ( < 0.01) compared with those fed PC. In Exp. 2, 340 pigs (11.7 ± 0.1 kg BW) were fed 1 of 8 diets for 21 d. Diets were 1) PC (< 0.5 mg/kg DON), 2) Low NC (1.5 mg/kg DON), 3) Low NC + 0.15% Biofix, 4) Low NC + 0.30% Biofix, 5) High NC (3.0 mg/kg DON), 6) High NC + 0.30% Biofix, 7) High NC + 0.45% Biofix, and 8) Diet 7 with 5% added water. Increasing the DON level reduced (linear; < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and pig BW, and Biofix did not improve performance. In Exp. 3, 1,008 pigs (12.5 ± 0.3 kg BW) were fed 6 treatments for 24 d. Diets were 1) PC ( < 0.5 mg/kg DON), 2) NC (3 mg/kg DON), 3) NC + 0.25% Defusion, 4) NC + 0.50% Defusion, 5) Diet 3 with supplemental nutrients, and 6) Diet 5, pelleted. Pigs fed the NC had decreased ( < 0.01) ADG and ADFI, but adding Defusion improved (linear; < 0.04) ADG and ADFI over pigs fed NC. Pelleting improved ( < 0.01) both ADG and G:F, resulting in ADG above PC pigs. In Exp. 4, 980 pigs (12.0 ± 0.3 kg BW) were fed 1 of 7 diets in a 28-d trial in a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial arrangement. The 7 treatments were based on 3 diets fed in meal or pellet form: 1) PC (< 0.5 mg/kg DON), 2) NC (3 mg/kg DON), and 3) NC + 0.25% Defusion. Treatment 7 was Diet 3 with supplemental nutrients in pellet form. No interactions were observed between pelleting and Defusion. Pigs fed the NC had decreased ( < 0.01) ADG and ADFI, and pelleting improved ( < 0.01) ADG to PC levels, driven by improved ( < 0.01) G:F. Adding nutrients or Defusion had no effect. Overall, these studies show that Defusion and pelleting can help overcome some of the negative effects of DON, whereas other feed additives and additional nutrients do not.

Controlled nerve growth factor release from multi-ply alginate/chitosan-based nerve conduits.

PubMed

Pfister, Lukas A; Alther, Eva; Papaloïzos, Michaël; Merkle, Hans P; Gander, Bruno

2008-06-01

The delivery kinetics of growth factors has been suggested to play an important role in the regeneration of peripheral nerves following axotomy. In this context, we designed a nerve conduit (NC) with adjustable release kinetics of nerve growth factor (NGF). A multi-ply system was designed where NC consisting of a polyelectrolyte alginate/chitosan complex was coated with layers of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) to control the release of embedded NGF. Prior to assessing the in vitro NGF release from NC, various release test media, with and without stabilizers for NGF, were evaluated to ensure adequate quantification of NGF by ELISA. Citrate (pH 5.0) and acetate (pH 5.5) buffered saline solutions containing 0.05% Tween 20 yielded the most reliable results for ELISA active NGF. The in vitro release experiments revealed that the best results in terms of reproducibility and release control were achieved when the NGF was embedded between two PLGA layers and the ends of the NC tightly sealed by the PLGA coatings. The release kinetics could be efficiently adjusted by accommodating NGF at different radial locations within the NC. A sustained release of bioactive NGF in the low nanogram per day range was obtained for at least 15days. In conclusion, the developed multi-ply NGF loaded NC is considered a suitable candidate for future implantation studies to gain insight into the relationship between local growth factor availability and nerve regeneration.

Ecophysiological differences in tree carbon gain and water use for two fast growing loblolly pine ideotypes that differ in carbon allocation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maier, C. A.; Johnsen, K. H.; Dougherty, P.; Albaugh, T.; Patterson, S.

2013-12-01

We examined the ecophysiological basis for differences in growth efficiency and water-use for two contrasting Pinus taeda (L.) ideotypes: a ';broad-crown' (BC) and a ';narrow crown' (NC) clone, which allocate more growth to leaves and wood, respectively. Tree growth, above and belowground biomass production, fine root turnover, light use efficiency (LUE), and transpiration on a ground (Et) and leaf (EL) basis were measured periodically over eight years. Silviculture treatments were a control consisting of shearing and bedding following local commercial operations and a mulch treatment where chipped logging residue (C/N≈700) was incorporated into the soil during bedding at a rate of 25 Mg ha-1. We hypothesized that: 1) the NC and BC clone would display similar aboveground productivity in the control treatment, but because of lower leaf area and thus lower nitrogen demand, the NC would display higher productivity than BC on the mulch treatment, 2) the NC would have higher LUE, and 3) the NC clone would have lower Et and EL. There were no treatment, clone, or interaction effects on stemwood production. At age eight, standing stem biomass was 80.7 and 86.0 Mg ha-1 (p=0.33), for the NC and BC, respectively. However, there were significant clone effects on carbon allocation. The BC had greater foliage (BC: 8.1, NC: 6.6 Mg ha-1, se=0.2, p=0.01) and branch (BC: 15.0, NC: 12.4 Mg ha-1, se=0.4, p<0.001) biomass, while the NC clone had greater taproot (BC: 14.8, NC: 17.1, Mg ha-1, se=0.4, p=0.003) and coarse root (>2mm) (BC: 9.7, NC: 11.23 Mg ha-1, se=0.2, P<0.001) biomass. In addition, the NC clone averaged on a monthly basis 30% more fine root biomass (<2mm) (BC: 42.4, NC: 61.0 g m-2, se=4.0, p=0.011). The BC clone had 16% more LAI (BC: 3.52×0.12, NC: 2.94×0.14 m2 m-2) at peak foliage biomass and had more leaf area to conducting sapwood area (AL/AS) (BC: 0.175 m2 cm-2, NC: 0.150 m2 cm-2) than the NC clone. Growth efficiency, defined as annual stem increment per unit leaf area was 5.36 and 4.70 Mg ha-1 yr-1 LAI-1 in the NC and BC, respectively (p<0.0001). There were no clone differences in LUE (NC: 1.41, BC 1.35 g MJ-1, p=0.48). Et of the BC clone was 22% (403 mm year-1) greater than the NC (315 mm year-1); however, most of this difference was due to greater water use by the BC clone during the winter and spring. There were no differences in Et during the summer months. For example, EL averaged 1.03×0.07 and 0.69×0.04 mm day-1 in March compared to 0.72×.07 and 0.61×0.05 mm day-1in August for the BC and NC, respectively. Our results show that the contrasting ideotypes had similar stem biomass production, but the NC ideotype produced more stemwood per unit leaf area, which confers greater nutrient use efficiency. In addition, the NC had significantly greater belowground carbon allocation, which could have long-term implications for soil carbon sequestration.

DES-ncRNA: A knowledgebase for exploring information about human micro and long noncoding RNAs based on literature-mining.

PubMed

Salhi, Adil; Essack, Magbubah; Alam, Tanvir; Bajic, Vladan P; Ma, Lina; Radovanovic, Aleksandar; Marchand, Benoit; Schmeier, Sebastian; Zhang, Zhang; Bajic, Vladimir B

2017-07-03

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs) and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), are important players in diseases and emerge as novel drug targets. Thus, unraveling the relationships between ncRNAs and other biomedical entities in cells are critical for better understanding ncRNA roles that may eventually help develop their use in medicine. To support ncRNA research and facilitate retrieval of relevant information regarding miRNAs and lncRNAs from the plethora of published ncRNA-related research, we developed DES-ncRNA ( www.cbrc.kaust.edu.sa/des_ncrna ). DES-ncRNA is a knowledgebase containing text- and data-mined information from public scientific literature and other public resources. Exploration of mined information is enabled through terms and pairs of terms from 19 topic-specific dictionaries including, for example, antibiotics, toxins, drugs, enzymes, mutations, pathways, human genes and proteins, drug indications and side effects, mutations, diseases, etc. DES-ncRNA contains approximately 878,000 associations of terms from these dictionaries of which 36,222 (5,373) are with regards to miRNAs (lncRNAs). We provide several ways to explore information regarding ncRNAs to users including controlled generation of association networks as well as hypotheses generation. We show an example how DES-ncRNA can aid research on Alzheimer disease and suggest potential therapeutic role for Fasudil. DES-ncRNA is a powerful tool that can be used on its own or as a complement to the existing resources, to support research in human ncRNA. To our knowledge, this is the only knowledgebase dedicated to human miRNAs and lncRNAs derived primarily through literature-mining enabling exploration of a broad spectrum of associated biomedical entities, not paralleled by any other resource.

DES-ncRNA: A knowledgebase for exploring information about human micro and long noncoding RNAs based on literature-mining

PubMed Central

Salhi, Adil; Essack, Magbubah; Alam, Tanvir; Bajic, Vladan P.; Ma, Lina; Radovanovic, Aleksandar; Marchand, Benoit; Zhang, Zhang; Bajic, Vladimir B.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs) and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), are important players in diseases and emerge as novel drug targets. Thus, unraveling the relationships between ncRNAs and other biomedical entities in cells are critical for better understanding ncRNA roles that may eventually help develop their use in medicine. To support ncRNA research and facilitate retrieval of relevant information regarding miRNAs and lncRNAs from the plethora of published ncRNA-related research, we developed DES-ncRNA (www.cbrc.kaust.edu.sa/des_ncrna). DES-ncRNA is a knowledgebase containing text- and data-mined information from public scientific literature and other public resources. Exploration of mined information is enabled through terms and pairs of terms from 19 topic-specific dictionaries including, for example, antibiotics, toxins, drugs, enzymes, mutations, pathways, human genes and proteins, drug indications and side effects, mutations, diseases, etc. DES-ncRNA contains approximately 878,000 associations of terms from these dictionaries of which 36,222 (5,373) are with regards to miRNAs (lncRNAs). We provide several ways to explore information regarding ncRNAs to users including controlled generation of association networks as well as hypotheses generation. We show an example how DES-ncRNA can aid research on Alzheimer disease and suggest potential therapeutic role for Fasudil. DES-ncRNA is a powerful tool that can be used on its own or as a complement to the existing resources, to support research in human ncRNA. To our knowledge, this is the only knowledgebase dedicated to human miRNAs and lncRNAs derived primarily through literature-mining enabling exploration of a broad spectrum of associated biomedical entities, not paralleled by any other resource. PMID:28387604

Muscle cell atrophy induced by HSP gene silencing was counteracted by HSP overexpression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Inho; Lee, Joo-Hee; Nikawa, Takeshi; Gwag, Taesik; Park, Kyoungsook; Park, Junsoo

Heat shock proteins (HSP), as molecular chaperones, are known to assist protein quality control under various stresses. Although overexpression of HSP70 was found to contribute to muscle size retention under an unloading condition, it remains largely unclarified whether muscle atrophy is induced by active suppression of HSP expression. In this study, we pre-treated Hsp70 siRNA to rat L6 cells for the HSP gene silencing, and determined myotube diameter, HSP72 expression and anabolic and catabolic signaling activities in the absence or presence of triterpene celastrol (CEL), the HSP70 inducer. Relative to a negative control (NC), muscle cell diameter was reduced 0.89-fold in the siRNA-treated group, increased 1.2-fold in the CEL-treated group and retained at the size of NC in the siRNA+CEL group. HSP72 expression was decreased 0.35-fold by siRNA whereas the level was increased 6- to 8-fold in the CEL and siRNA+CEL groups. Expression of FoxO3 and atrogin-1 was increased 1.8- to 4.8-fold by siRNA, which was abolished by CEL treatment. Finally, phosphorylation of Akt1, S6K and ERK1/2 was not affected by siRNA, but was elevated 2- to 6-fold in the CEL and siRNA+CEL groups. Taken together, HSP downregulation by Hsp gene silencing led to muscle cell atrophy principally via increases in catabolic activities and that such anti-atrophic effect was counteracted by HSP overexpression.

Accuracy of implant impressions without impression copings: a three-dimensional analysis.

PubMed

Kwon, Joo-Hyun; Son, Yong-Ha; Han, Chong-Hyun; Kim, Sunjai

2011-06-01

Implant impressions without impression copings can be used for cement-retained implant restorations. A comparison of the accuracy of implant impressions with and without impression copings is needed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the dimensional accuracy of implant definitive casts that are fabricated by implant impressions with and without impression copings. An acrylic resin maxillary model was fabricated, and 3 implant replicas were secured in the right second premolar, first, and second molars. Two impression techniques were used to fabricate definitive casts (n=10). For the coping group (Group C), open tray impression copings were used for the final impressions. For the no-coping group (Group NC), cementable abutments were connected to the implant replicas, and final impressions were made assuming the abutments were prepared teeth. Computerized calculation of the centroids and long axes of the implant or stone abutment replicas was performed. The Mann-Whitney U test analyzed the amount of linear and rotational distortion between groups (α =.05). At the first molar site, Group NC showed significantly greater linear distortion along the Y-axis, with a small difference between the groups (Group C, 7.8 ± 7.4 μm; Group NC, 19.5 ± 12.2). At the second molar site, increased distortion was noted in Group NC for every linear and rotational variable, except for linear distortion along the Z-axis. Implant impression with open tray impression copings produced more accurate definitive casts than those fabricated without impression copings, especially those with greater inter-abutment distance. Copyright © 2011 The Editorial Council of the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Narcolepsy with Cataplexy Associated with Nocturnal Compulsive Behaviors: A Case-Control Study

PubMed Central

Palaia, Vincenzo; Poli, Francesca; Pizza, Fabio; Antelmi, Elena; Franceschini, Christian; Moghadam, Keivan Kaveh; Provini, Frederica; Pagotto, Uberto; Montagna, Pasquale; Schenck, Carlos H.; Mignot, Emmanuel; Plazzi, Giuseppe

2011-01-01

Study Objectives: To assess the prevalence of sleep related-eating disorder (SRED) and nocturnal smoking (NS) in patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy (NC). Design: Case-control study. Setting: University hospital. Patients or Participants: 65 consecutive adult NC patients (33 men; mean age 43.9 ± 19.2 years) and 65 age-, sex-, and geographical origin-matched controls. Interventions: Validated questionnaires were used to investigate SRED, NS, restless legs syndrome (RLS), and psychopathological traits (using Eating Disorder Inventory-2 [EDI-2]; Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory [MOCI]; and Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]). Measurements and Results: NC patients showed a higher prevalence of SRED (32% vs 3%, P = 0.00001), NS (21% vs 0%, P = 0.00006), and RLS (18% vs 5%, P = 0.013) than controls. Moreover, NC patients presented more frequently with an eating-related pathological profile on the EDI-2 (80% vs 46%, P = 0.00006) and had a higher prevalence of depressed mood on the BDI (41% vs 18%, P = 0.004). In comparison to patients without SRED, NC patients with SRED were more frequently women (71% vs 39%, P = 0.013), had higher “bulimic” (29% vs 2%, P = 0.004) and “social insecurity” (48% vs 18%, P = 0.013) traits on the EDI-2, had higher obsessive-compulsiveness on the MOCI (29% vs 4%, P = 0.009), and were more depressed on the BDI (67% vs 29%, P = 0.005). NC patients with NS showed more frequent pathological profiles on the EDI-2 (100% vs 75%, P = 0.035), including the “bulimic” (29% vs 6%, P = 0.015), “perfectionism” (43% vs 14%, P = 0.016), and “social insecurity” (50% vs 22, P = 0.035) profiles. Conclusion: Our study shows a strong association of the compulsive nocturnal behaviors SRED and NS with adult NC. Citation: Palaia V; Poli F; Pizza F; Antelmi E; Franceschini C; Moghadam KK; Provini F; Pagotto U; Montagna P; Schenck CH; Mignot E; Plazzi G. Narcolepsy with cataplexy associated with nocturnal compulsive behaviors: a case-control study. SLEEP 2011;34(10):1365-1371. PMID:21966068

Integrated Analysis of Dysregulated ncRNA and mRNA Expression Profiles in Humans Exposed to Carbon Nanotubes

PubMed Central

Shvedova, Anna A.; Yanamala, Naveena; Kisin, Elena R.; Khailullin, Timur O.; Birch, M. Eileen; Fatkhutdinova, Liliya M.

2016-01-01

Background As the application of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in consumer products continues to rise, studies have expanded to determine the associated risks of exposure on human and environmental health. In particular, several lines of evidence indicate that exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) could pose a carcinogenic risk similar to asbestos fibers. However, to date the potential markers of MWCNT exposure are not yet explored in humans. Methods In the present study, global mRNA and ncRNA expression profiles in the blood of exposed workers, having direct contact with MWCNT aerosol for at least 6 months (n = 8), were compared with expression profiles of non-exposed (n = 7) workers (e.g., professional and/or technical staff) from the same manufacturing facility. Results Significant changes in the ncRNA and mRNA expression profiles were observed between exposed and non-exposed worker groups. An integrative analysis of ncRNA-mRNA correlations was performed to identify target genes, functional relationships, and regulatory networks in MWCNT-exposed workers. The coordinated changes in ncRNA and mRNA expression profiles revealed a set of miRNAs and their target genes with roles in cell cycle regulation/progression/control, apoptosis and proliferation. Further, the identified pathways and signaling networks also revealed MWCNT potential to trigger pulmonary and cardiovascular effects as well as carcinogenic outcomes in humans, similar to those previously described in rodents exposed to MWCNTs. Conclusion This study is the first to investigate aberrant changes in mRNA and ncRNA expression profiles in the blood of humans exposed to MWCNT. The significant changes in several miRNAs and mRNAs expression as well as their regulatory networks are important for getting molecular insights into the MWCNT-induced toxicity and pathogenesis in humans. Further large-scale prospective studies are necessary to validate the potential applicability of such changes in mRNAs and miRNAs as prognostic markers of MWCNT exposures in humans. PMID:26930275

Effect of high ovarian response on the expression of endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) in peri-implantation endometrium in IVF women

PubMed Central

Xu, Li-Zhen; Gao, Min-Zhi; Yao, Li-Hua; Liang, A-Juan; Zhao, Xiao-Ming; Sun, Zhao-Gui

2015-01-01

Objective: To investigate the effect of ovarian stimulation on the expression of EG-VEGF mRNA and protein in peri-implantation endometrium in women undergoing IVF and its relation with endometrial receptivity (ER). Design: Prospective laboratory study. Setting: University hospital. Patients: Eighteen women in stimulated cycles (SC) as study subjects and 18 women in natural cycles (NC) as controls. Women in SC group were classified with two subgroups, high ovarian response (SC1, n=9) with peak serum E2>5,000 pg/mL and moderate ovarian response (SC2, n=9) with peak serum E2 1,000-5,000 pg/mL. Intervention(s): Endometrial biopsies were collected 6 days after ovulation in NC or after oocyte retrieval in SC. Main outcome measure(s): Endometrium histological dating was observed with HE staining. EG-VEGF mRNA expression levels determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, and protein levels by immunohistochemistry. Results: All endometrial samples were in the secretory phase. The endometrial development in SC1 was 1 to 2 days advanced to NC, and with dyssynchrony between glandular and stromal tissue. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that EG-VEGF protein was predominantly expressed in the glandular epithelial cells and endothelial cells of vessels, and also presented in the stroma. The image analysis confirmed that both the gland and stroma of endometrium in SC1 had a significantly lower EG-VEGF protein expression than that in SC2 and NC endometrium. Moreover, EG-VEGF mRNA levels were significantly lower in SC1 than in NC. Both EG-VEGF protein and mRNA levels had no significant difference between SC2 and NC. Conclusion: Decreased expression of EG-VEGF in the peri-implantation is associated with high ovarian response, which may account for the impaired ER and lower implantation rate in IVF cycles. PMID:26464631

Effect of high ovarian response on the expression of endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) in peri-implantation endometrium in IVF women.

PubMed

Xu, Li-Zhen; Gao, Min-Zhi; Yao, Li-Hua; Liang, A-Juan; Zhao, Xiao-Ming; Sun, Zhao-Gui

2015-01-01

To investigate the effect of ovarian stimulation on the expression of EG-VEGF mRNA and protein in peri-implantation endometrium in women undergoing IVF and its relation with endometrial receptivity (ER). Prospective laboratory study. University hospital. Eighteen women in stimulated cycles (SC) as study subjects and 18 women in natural cycles (NC) as controls. Women in SC group were classified with two subgroups, high ovarian response (SC1, n=9) with peak serum E2>5,000 pg/mL and moderate ovarian response (SC2, n=9) with peak serum E2 1,000-5,000 pg/mL. Endometrial biopsies were collected 6 days after ovulation in NC or after oocyte retrieval in SC. Endometrium histological dating was observed with HE staining. EG-VEGF mRNA expression levels determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, and protein levels by immunohistochemistry. All endometrial samples were in the secretory phase. The endometrial development in SC1 was 1 to 2 days advanced to NC, and with dyssynchrony between glandular and stromal tissue. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that EG-VEGF protein was predominantly expressed in the glandular epithelial cells and endothelial cells of vessels, and also presented in the stroma. The image analysis confirmed that both the gland and stroma of endometrium in SC1 had a significantly lower EG-VEGF protein expression than that in SC2 and NC endometrium. Moreover, EG-VEGF mRNA levels were significantly lower in SC1 than in NC. Both EG-VEGF protein and mRNA levels had no significant difference between SC2 and NC. Decreased expression of EG-VEGF in the peri-implantation is associated with high ovarian response, which may account for the impaired ER and lower implantation rate in IVF cycles.

Blister-inducing antibodies target multiple epitopes on collagen VII in mice

PubMed Central

Csorba, Kinga; Chiriac, Mircea Teodor; Florea, Florina; Ghinia, Miruna Georgiana; Licarete, Emilia; Rados, Andreea; Sas, Alexandra; Vuta, Vlad; Sitaru, Cassian

2014-01-01

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease of mucous membranes and the skin caused by autoantibodies against collagen VII. In silico and wet laboratory epitope mapping studies revealed numerous distinct epitopes recognized by EBA patients' autoantibodies within the non-collagenous (NC)1 and NC2 domains of collagen VII. However, the distribution of pathogenic epitopes on collagen VII has not yet been described. In this study, we therefore performed an in vivo functional epitope mapping of pathogenic autoantibodies in experimental EBA. Animals (n = 10/group) immunized against fragments of the NC1 and NC2 domains of collagen VII or injected with antibodies generated against the same fragments developed to different extent experimental EBA. Our results demonstrate that antibodies targeting multiple, distinct epitopes distributed over the entire NC1, but not NC2 domain of collagen VII induce blistering skin disease in vivo. Our present findings have crucial implications for the development of antigen-specific B- and T cell-targeted therapies in EBA. PMID:25091020

Resources for nurturing childcare practices in urban and rural settings: Findings from the Colombia 2010 Demographic and Health Survey.

PubMed

Urke, H B; Mittelmark, M B; Amugsi, D A; Matanda, D J

2018-05-01

The health and development potential of young children is dependent on nurturing care (NC) provided by primary caregivers. NC encompasses attention to nutrition; symptom management; early learning, attachment, and socialization; and security and safety. Despite the importance of NC to child health and development, the measurement and study of NC are neglected. This has become a point of major concern in the public health field in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Colombia where many families are hard pressed for childcare resources. The aims of this study were therefore to (a) create age-specific NC summary indexes (0-5, 6-11, and 12-23 months) suitable for research in LMICs and (2) examine the relationship of NC to maternal resources. 2010 Colombia Demographic and Health Survey data were obtained from mothers and their children ages 0-5 months (n = 1,357); 6-11 months (n = 1,623); and 12-23 months (n = 3,006). Age-specific NC indexes were created including information on child feeding, immunization, hygiene, response to illness symptoms, and psychosocial care. Independent variables included mother's education level and household assets, and enrolment in a government child development programme. Regression analyses with NC as the outcome variable were conducted with urban and rural subsamples in the 3 age groups. Among rural children, NC was significantly higher with greater household assets, maternal decision latitude, and development programme participation, with variation by child age. Among urban children, higher maternal education and white-collar occupation also predicted higher NC, with some variation by age. It is feasible to measure age-specific NC in survey research, and NC is related to maternal resources. Age and urban-rural differences in how NC is related to social factors are observed. The findings support the importance of subgroup analysis in the study of NC in LMICs such as Colombia. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Subendocardial motion in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: assessment from long- and short-axis views by pulsed tissue Doppler imaging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tabata, T.; Oki, T.; Yamada, H.; Abe, M.; Onose, Y.; Thomas, J. D.

2000-01-01

BACKGROUND: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a recently developed technique that allows the instantaneous measurement of intrinsic regional myocardial motion velocity. Pulsed TDI is capable of separately assessing left ventricular (LV) regional motion velocity caused by circumferential and longitudinal fiber contraction. This particular feature of function is still controversial in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). METHODS: To better characterize intrinsic circumferential and longitudinal LV systolic myocardial function in HC, we used pulsed TDI to measure short- and long-axis LV motion velocities, respectively. The subendocardial motion velocity patterns at the middle of the LV posterior wall (PW) and ventricular septum (IVS) in LV parasternal and apical long-axis views were recorded by pulsed TDI in 19 patients with nonobstructive HC and in 21 normal controls (NC). RESULTS: Peak short- and long-axis systolic subendocardial velocities in both the LV PW and IVS were significantly smaller in the HC group than in the NC group, and the time to peak velocity was significantly delayed. Furthermore, peak PW systolic velocity was significantly greater along the long axis than along the short axis in the NC group (8.8 +/- 1.5 cm/s vs 8.2 +/- 1.4 cm/s, P <.05), whereas the opposite was observed in the HC group (6.1 +/- 1.2 cm/s vs 7.5 +/- 1.0 cm/s, P <.0001). No significant differences were found in either group between the long- and short-axis IVS velocities (HC: 5.9 +/- 1.4 cm/s vs 5.5 +/- 1.3 cm/s; NC: 7.8 +/- 1.3 cm/s vs 7.9 +/- 1.6 cm/s). CONCLUSIONS: By using the capability of pulsed TDI for the evaluation of intrinsic myocardial velocity instantaneously in a specific region and direction, we found impairment of LV myocardial systolic function in patients with HC not only in the hypertrophied IVS but also in the nonhypertrophied LV PW. We also found a greater decrease in LV PW velocities along the long axis than the short axis, suggesting greater impairment of long-axis contraction in patients with HC. Because our HC patients did not appear to have excessive intracavitary pressure, these results suggest that the relatively normal-appearing PW is directly affected by the HC pathologic process.

Multiple sleep latency measures in narcolepsy and behaviourally induced insufficient sleep syndrome.

PubMed

Marti, Isabelle; Valko, Philipp O; Khatami, Ramin; Bassetti, Claudio L; Baumann, Christian R

2009-12-01

Short mean latencies to the first epoch of non-rapid eye movement sleep stage 1 (NREM1) and the presence of >or= 2 sleep onset REM (SOREM) periods on multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) occur in both narcolepsy-cataplexy (NC) and behaviourally induced insufficient sleep syndrome (BIISS). It is not known whether specific MSLT findings help differentiate the two disorders. We analyzed MSLT data including sleep latencies to and between different sleep stages of 60 age-, gender- and body mass index (BMI)-matched subjects (hypocretin-deficient NC, actigraphy-confirmed BIISS, healthy controls: each 20). Mean latency (in minutes) to NREM1 sleep was significantly shorter in NC (1.8+/-1.5) than in BIISS (4.7+/-2.1, p<0.001) and controls (11.4+/-3.3, p<0.001). Mean latency to NREM2 sleep was similar in NC (8.6+/-4.7) and BIISS (8.1+/-2.7, p=0.64); latency to either NREM2 or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (i.e., the sum of the sleep latency to NREM1 and the duration of the first NREM1 sleep sequence), however, was shorter in NC (4.4+/-2.9) than in BIISS (7.9+/-3.5, p<0.001). Referring to all naps with SOREM periods, the sequence NREM1-REM-NREM2 was more common (71%) in NC than in BIISS (15%, p<0.001), reflecting the shorter latency from NREM1 to NREM2 in BIISS (3.7+/-2.5) than in NC (6.1+/-5.9, p<0.001). Our findings show that both sleepiness (as measured by NREM1 sleep latency) and REM sleep propensity are higher in NC than in BIISS. Furthermore, our finding of frequent REM sleep prior to NREM2 sleep in NC is in line with the recent assumption of an insufficient NREM sleep intensity in NC. Together with detailed clinical interviews, sleep logs, actigraphy, and nocturnal polysomnography, mean sleep latencies to NREM1

Frozen-thawed embryo transfer in a natural or mildly hormonally stimulated cycle in women with regular ovulatory cycles: a RCT.

PubMed

Peeraer, Karen; Couck, Isabelle; Debrock, Sophie; De Neubourg, Diane; De Loecker, Peter; Tomassetti, Carla; Laenen, Annouschka; Welkenhuysen, Myriam; Meeuwis, Luc; Pelckmans, Sofie; Meuleman, Christel; D'Hooghe, Thomas

2015-11-01

Can ovarian stimulation with low dose hMG improve the implantation rate (IR) per frozen-thawed embryo transferred (FET) when compared with natural cycle in an FET programme in women with a regular ovulatory cycle? Both IR and live birth rate (LBR) per FET were similar in the group with mild ovarian stimulation and the natural cycle group. Different cycle regimens for endometrial preparation are used prior to FET: spontaneous ovulatory cycles, cycles with artificial endometrial preparation using estrogen and progesterone hormones, and cycles stimulated with gonadotrophins or clomiphene citrate. At present, it is not clear which regimen results in the highest IR or LBR. More specifically, there are no RCTs in ovulatory women comparing reproductive outcome after FET during a natural cycle and during a hormonally stimulated cycle. A total of 410 women scheduled for FET during 579 cycles (December 2003-September 2013) were enrolled in an open-label RCT to natural cycle (NC FET group, n = 291) or to a cycle hormonally stimulated with s.c. gonadotrophins (hMG FET group, 37.5-75 IU per day, n = 288). A total of 672 embryos were transferred during 434 cycles (332 embryos and 213 cycles in the NC FET group; 340 embryos and 221 cycles in the hMG FET group). Assuming a = 0.05 and 80% power, it was calculated that 219 frozen-thawed embryos were required for transfer in each group to demonstrate a difference of 10% in IR. Women were eligible according to the following inclusion criteria: regular ovulatory cycle, female age ≥21 years and ≤45 years, informed consent. FET cycles with preimplantation genetic screening were excluded. The primary outcome was IR per embryo transferred. Secondary outcomes included IR with fetal heart beat (FHB), LBR per embryo transferred and endometrial thickness on the day of hCG administration. Statistical analysis was by intention to treat and controlled for the presence of multiple measures, as eligible women could be randomized in more than one cycle. Chi-square and independent t-test were used to compare categorical and continuous variables. The relative risk (RR) was estimated using a Poisson model with log link. Hierarchical models with random intercepts for patient and cycle were considered to account for clustering of cycles within patients and of embryos within cycles. The primary outcome, IR per embryo transferred, was not statistically different between the NC FET group (41/332 (12.35%)) and in the hMG FET group (55/340 (16.18%)) (RR 1.3 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9-2.0), P = 0.19). Similarly, the secondary outcome, IR with FHB per embryo transferred, was 34/332 (10.24%) in the NC FET group and 48/340 (14.12%) in the hMG FET group (RR 1.4 (95% CI 0.9-2.1), P = 0.15). The LBR per embryo transferred was 32/332 (9.64%) in the NC FET group and 45/340 (13.24%) in the hMG FET group (RR 1.4 (95% CI 0.9-2.2), P = 0.17). Endometrial thickness was also similar in both groups [8.9 (95% CI 8.7-9.1) in the NC FET group and 8.9 (95% CI 8.7-9.1) in the hMG FET group]. The duration of the follicular phase was significantly shorter (P < 0.001) in the hMG FET group [13.7 days (95% CI 13.2-14.2)] than in the NC FET group [15.4 days (95% CI 14.8-15.9)]. Randomization of cycles instead of patients; open-label design; relatively long period of recruitment. Our observation that the IR per embryo transferred is not significantly increased after FET during natural or gonadotrophin stimulated cycle, suggests that the effect of mild hormonal stimulation with gonadotrophins is smaller than what was considered clinically relevant with respect to reproductive outcome after FET. These data suggest that endometrial receptivity is not relevantly improved, but also not impaired after hormonal stimulation with gonadotrophins. Since FET during a natural cycle is cheaper and more patient-friendly, we recommend this regimen as the treatment of choice for women with regular cycles undergoing FET. clinicaltrials.gov NCT00492934. 26 June 2007. 1 December 2003. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Nanocomposite (Janus) paper as 3D cell culture system.

PubMed

Kehr, N S; Motealleh, A

2017-08-01

Nanocomposite (NC) papers using bifunctional nanoparticles are prepared for 3D cell growth experiments. Cells show better affinity to NC papers than to paper itself and differentiate the chemical group on the external surface of the nanoparticles. Cells possess spherical shaped morphology and form agglomerates onto the (NC) papers like as observed by cell growth in 3D materials. Furthermore, the preparation of "Janus" paper and the differentiation of its two distinct faces by cells is presented. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Basal (18)F-FDG PET/CT as a predictive biomarker of tumor response for neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer.

PubMed

García Vicente, A M; Soriano Castrejón, A; Pruneda-González, R E; Fernández Calvo, G; Muñoz Sánchez, M M; Álvarez Cabellos, R; Espinosa Aunión, R; Relea Calatayud, F

2016-01-01

To explore the relation between tumor kinetic assessed by (18)F-FDG PET and final neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) response within a molecular phenotype perspective. Prospective study included 144 women with breast cancer. All patients underwent a dual-time point (18)F-FDG PET/CT previous to NC. The retention index (RI), between SUV-1 and SUV-2 was calculated. Molecular subtypes were re-grouped in low, intermediate and high-risk biological phenotypes. After NC, all residual primary tumor specimens were histopathologically classified in tumor regression grades (TRG) and response groups. The relation between SUV-1, SUV-2 and RI with the TRG and response groups was evaluated in all molecular subtypes and in accordance with the risk categories. Responder's lesions showed significant greater SUVmax compared to non-responders. The RI value did not show any significant relation with response. Attending to molecular phenotypes, statistical differences were observed with greater SUV for responders having high-risk molecular subtypes. Glycolytic tumor characteristics showed a significant correlation with NC response and dependence of risk phenotype. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and SEMNIM. All rights reserved.

Grey-matter volume as a potential feature for the classification of Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: an exploratory study.

PubMed

Guo, Yane; Zhang, Zengqiang; Zhou, Bo; Wang, Pan; Yao, Hongxiang; Yuan, Minshao; An, Ningyu; Dai, Haitao; Wang, Luning; Zhang, Xi; Liu, Yong

2014-06-01

Specific patterns of brain atrophy may be helpful in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, we set out to evaluate the utility of grey-matter volume in the classification of AD and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) compared to normal control (NC) individuals. Voxel-based morphometric analyses were performed on structural MRIs from 35 AD patients, 27 aMCI patients, and 27 NC participants. A two-sample two-tailed t-test was computed between the NC and AD groups to create a map of abnormal grey matter in AD. The brain areas with significant differences were extracted as regions of interest (ROIs), and the grey-matter volumes in the ROIs of the aMCI patients were included to evaluate the patterns of change across different disease severities. Next, correlation analyses between the grey-matter volumes in the ROIs and all clinical variables were performed in aMCI and AD patients to determine whether they varied with disease progression. The results revealed significantly decreased grey matter in the bilateral hippocampus/parahippocampus, the bilateral superior/middle temporal gyri, and the right precuneus in AD patients. The grey-matter volumes were positively correlated with clinical variables. Finally, we performed exploratory linear discriminative analyses to assess the classifying capacity of grey-matter volumes in the bilateral hippocampus and parahippocampus among AD, aMCI, and NC. Leave-one-out cross-validation analyses demonstrated that grey-matter volumes in hippocampus and parahippocampus accurately distinguished AD from NC. These findings indicate that grey-matter volumes are useful in the classification of AD.

Noise in NC-AFM measurements with significant tip–sample interaction

PubMed Central

Lübbe, Jannis; Temmen, Matthias

2016-01-01

The frequency shift noise in non-contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) imaging and spectroscopy consists of thermal noise and detection system noise with an additional contribution from amplitude noise if there are significant tip–sample interactions. The total noise power spectral density D Δ f(f m) is, however, not just the sum of these noise contributions. Instead its magnitude and spectral characteristics are determined by the strongly non-linear tip–sample interaction, by the coupling between the amplitude and tip–sample distance control loops of the NC-AFM system as well as by the characteristics of the phase locked loop (PLL) detector used for frequency demodulation. Here, we measure D Δ f(f m) for various NC-AFM parameter settings representing realistic measurement conditions and compare experimental data to simulations based on a model of the NC-AFM system that includes the tip–sample interaction. The good agreement between predicted and measured noise spectra confirms that the model covers the relevant noise contributions and interactions. Results yield a general understanding of noise generation and propagation in the NC-AFM and provide a quantitative prediction of noise for given experimental parameters. We derive strategies for noise-optimised imaging and spectroscopy and outline a full optimisation procedure for the instrumentation and control loops. PMID:28144538

Noise in NC-AFM measurements with significant tip-sample interaction.

PubMed

Lübbe, Jannis; Temmen, Matthias; Rahe, Philipp; Reichling, Michael

2016-01-01

The frequency shift noise in non-contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) imaging and spectroscopy consists of thermal noise and detection system noise with an additional contribution from amplitude noise if there are significant tip-sample interactions. The total noise power spectral density D Δ f ( f m ) is, however, not just the sum of these noise contributions. Instead its magnitude and spectral characteristics are determined by the strongly non-linear tip-sample interaction, by the coupling between the amplitude and tip-sample distance control loops of the NC-AFM system as well as by the characteristics of the phase locked loop (PLL) detector used for frequency demodulation. Here, we measure D Δ f ( f m ) for various NC-AFM parameter settings representing realistic measurement conditions and compare experimental data to simulations based on a model of the NC-AFM system that includes the tip-sample interaction. The good agreement between predicted and measured noise spectra confirms that the model covers the relevant noise contributions and interactions. Results yield a general understanding of noise generation and propagation in the NC-AFM and provide a quantitative prediction of noise for given experimental parameters. We derive strategies for noise-optimised imaging and spectroscopy and outline a full optimisation procedure for the instrumentation and control loops.

XYLITOL IMPROVES ANTI-OXIDATIVE DEFENSE SYSTEM IN SERUM, LIVER, HEART, KIDNEY AND PANCREAS OF NORMAL AND TYPE 2 DIABETES MODEL OF RATS.

PubMed

Chukwuma, Chika Ifeanyi; Islam, Shahidul

2017-05-01

The present study investigated the anti-oxidative effects of xylitol both in vitro and in vivo in normal and type 2 diabetes (T2D) rat model. Free radical scavenging and ferric reducing potentials of different concentrations of xylitol were investigated in vitro. For in vivo study, six weeks old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups, namely: Normal Control (NC), Diabetic Control (DBC), Normal Xylitol (NXYL) and Diabetic Xylitol (DXYL). T2D was induced in the DBC and DXYL groups. After the confirmation of diabetes, a 10% xylitol solution was supplied instead of drinking water to NXYL and DXYL, while normal drinking water was supplied to NC and DBC ad libitum. After five weeks intervention period, the animals were sacri- ficed and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations as well as superoxide dismutase, catalase glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities were determined in the liver, heart, kidney, pancreatic tissues and serum samples. Xylitol exhibited significant (p < 0.05) in vitro nitric oxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging and ferric reducing activities. In vivo study revealed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in TBARS concentrations in the xylitol consuming groups compared to their respective controls. Significant (p < 0.05) increase in GSH levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were observed in analyzed tissues and serum of xylitol-fed animals compared to their respective controls. Results of this study indicate that xylitol has strong anti-oxidative potential against T2D-associated oxidative stress. Hence, xylitol can be used as a potential supplement in diabetic foods and food products.

Scanning, non-contact, hybrid broadband diffuse optical spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy system.

PubMed

Johansson, Johannes D; Mireles, Miguel; Morales-Dalmau, Jordi; Farzam, Parisa; Martínez-Lozano, Mar; Casanovas, Oriol; Durduran, Turgut

2016-02-01

A scanning system for small animal imaging using non-contact, hybrid broadband diffuse optical spectroscopy (ncDOS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (ncDCS) is presented. The ncDOS uses a two-dimensional spectrophotometer retrieving broadband (610-900 nm) spectral information from up to fifty-seven source-detector distances between 2 and 5 mm. The ncDCS data is simultaneously acquired from four source-detector pairs. The sample is scanned in two dimensions while tracking variations in height. The system has been validated with liquid phantoms, demonstrated in vivo on a human fingertip during an arm cuff occlusion and on a group of mice with xenoimplanted renal cell carcinoma.

Fungal endophytes: diversity and functional roles

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rodriguez, R.J.; White, J.F.; Arnold, A.E.; Redman, R.S.

2009-01-01

All plants in natural ecosystems appear to be symbiotic with fungal endophytes. This highly diverse group of fungi can have profound impacts on plant communities through increasing fitness by conferring abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, increasing biomass and decreasing water consumption, or decreasing fitness by altering resource allocation. Despite more than 100 yr of research resulting in thousands of journal articles, the ecological significance of these fungi remains poorly characterized. Historically, two endophytic groups (clavicipitaceous (C) and nonclavicipitaceous (NC)) have been discriminated based on phylogeny and life history traits. Here, we show that NC-endophytes represent three distinct functional groups based on host colonization and transmission, in planta biodiversity and fitness benefits conferred to hosts. Using this framework, we contrast the life histories, interactions with hosts and potential roles in plant ecophysiology of C- and NC-endophytes, and highlight several key questions for future work in endophyte biology.

Functional Connectivity of Child and Adolescent Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Patients: Correlation with IQ.

PubMed

Park, Bo-Yong; Hong, Jisu; Lee, Seung-Hak; Park, Hyunjin

2016-01-01

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a pervasive neuropsychological disorder that affects both children and adolescents. Child and adolescent ADHD patients exhibit different behavioral symptoms such as hyperactivity and impulsivity, but not much connectivity research exists to help explain these differences. We analyzed openly accessible resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data on 112 patients (28 child ADHD, 28 adolescent ADHD, 28 child normal control (NC), and 28 adolescent NC). We used group independent component analysis (ICA) and weighted degree values to identify interaction effects of age (child and adolescent) and symptom (ADHD and NC) in brain networks. The frontoparietal network showed significant interaction effects ( p = 0.0068). The frontoparietal network is known to be related to hyperactive and impulsive behaviors. Intelligence quotient (IQ) is an important factor in ADHD, and we predicted IQ scores using the results of our connectivity analysis. IQ was predicted using degree centrality values of networks with significant interaction effects of age and symptom. Actual and predicted IQ scores demonstrated significant correlation values, with an error of about 10%. Our study might provide imaging biomarkers for future ADHD and intelligence studies.

Florbetapir PET, FDG PET, and MRI in Down syndrome individuals with and without Alzheimer's dementia.

PubMed

Sabbagh, Marwan N; Chen, Kewei; Rogers, Joseph; Fleisher, Adam S; Liebsack, Carolyn; Bandy, Dan; Belden, Christine; Protas, Hillary; Thiyyagura, Pradeep; Liu, Xiaofen; Roontiva, Auttawut; Luo, Ji; Jacobson, Sandra; Malek-Ahmadi, Michael; Powell, Jessica; Reiman, Eric M

2015-08-01

Down syndrome (DS) is associated with amyloid b (Ab) deposition. We characterized imaging measurements of regional fibrillar Ab burden, cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (rCMRgl), gray matter volumes (rGMVs), and age associations in 5 DS with dementia (DS/AD1), 12 DS without dementia (DS/AD2), and 9 normal controls (NCs). There were significant group differences in mean standard uptake value ratios (SUVRs) for florbetapir with DS/AD1 having the highest, followed by DS/AD2, followed by NC. For [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, posterior cingulate rCMRgl in DS/AD1 was significantly reduced compared with DS/AD2 and NC. For volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (vMRI), hippocampal volumes were significantly reduced for the DS/AD1 compared with DS/AD2 and NC. Age-related SUVR increases and rCMRgl reductions were greater in DS participants than in NCs. DS is associated with fibrillar Ab, rCMRgl, and rGMV alterations in the dementia stage and before the presence of clinical decline. This study provides a foundation for the studies needed to inform treatment and prevention in DS. Copyright © 2015 The Alzheimer's Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Visuoconstructional Impairment in Subtypes of Mild Cognitive Impairment

PubMed Central

Ahmed, Samrah; Brennan, Laura; Eppig, Joel; Price, Catherine C.; Lamar, Melissa; Delano-Wood, Lisa; Bangen, Katherine J.; Edmonds, Emily C.; Clark, Lindsey; Nation, Daniel A.; Jak, Amy; Au, Rhoda; Swenson, Rodney; Bondi, Mark W.; Libon, David J.

2018-01-01

Clock Drawing Test performance was examined alongside other neuropsychological tests in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We tested the hypothesis that clock-drawing errors are related to executive impairment. The current research examined 86 patients with MCI for whom, in prior research, cluster analysis was used to sort patients into dysexecutive (dMCI, n=22), amnestic (aMCI, n=13), and multi-domain (mMCI, n=51) subtypes. First, principal components analysis (PCA) and linear regression examined relations between clock-drawing errors and neuropsychological test performance independent of MCI subtype. Second, between-group differences were assessed with analysis of variance (ANOVA) where MCI subgroups were compared to normal controls (NC). PCA yielded a 3-group solution. Contrary to expectations, clock-drawing errors loaded with lower performance on naming/lexical retrieval, rather than with executive tests. Regression analyses found increasing clock-drawing errors to command were associated with worse performance only on naming/lexical retrieval tests. ANOVAs revealed no differences in clock-drawing errors between dMCI versus mMCI or aMCI versus NCs. Both the dMCI and mMCI groups generated more clock-drawing errors than the aMCI and NC groups in the command condition. In MCI, language-related skills contribute to clock-drawing impairment. PMID:26397732

Genotoxicity induced by Roundup® (Glyphosate) in tegu lizard (Salvator merianae) embryos.

PubMed

Schaumburg, Laura G; Siroski, Pablo A; Poletta, Gisela L; Mudry, Marta D

2016-06-01

Environmental contaminants produce multiple adverse consequences at individual, population and ecosystem levels. High volumes of agrochemicals applied to great variety of crops, together with agricultural expansion, generate great concerns due to the impact for the environment and large risk implicated for wildlife. The lack of data on these threats is striking. The tegu lizard (Salvator merianae) is one of the species that live in environments under contaminant effects. Several characteristics allow proposing this species as a potential sentinel organism for the monitoring of pesticides in their habitat. The present study is the first report about genotoxicity in tegu lizard neonates after embryonic exposure to Roundup® (glyphosate 66.2%). The micronucleus test (MN), nuclear abnormalities (NAs) assay and comet assay (CA) were used as biomarkers of genotoxic effects induced in erythrocytes by topical exposure of the eggs to the glyphosate commercial formulation Roundup® (RU), in laboratory controlled conditions. A total of 96 eggs were distributed in six groups exposed to RU (50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600μg/egg), one positive control (PC; 200μg cyclophosphamide/egg) and one negative control (NC; distilled water). No teratogenic effects were observed in any of the exposed or control neonates. A significant increase in DNA damage was observed in all concentrations higher than 100μg/egg with respect to NC (p<0.05). However, no statistical differences were found in the frequencies of MN and NAs in any group exposed to RU compared to the NC. No statistically significant differences were found in the size of the lizards at birth or after six months post-exposure (p>0.05). Our results provide new information about the undesirable effects of the glyphosate-based herbicide formulations RU on this lizard species that inhabits areas permanently exposed to several pesticide formulations. We consider of utmost necessity a strict regulation of the agrochemical application conditions in those environments near to places where wild populations of terrestrial and aquatic species live, in order to minimize the adverse effects on ecosystems. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Photoluminescent silicon nanocrystal-based multifunctional carrier for pH-regulated drug delivery.

PubMed

Xu, Zhigang; Wang, Dongdong; Guan, Min; Liu, Xiaoyan; Yang, Yanjie; Wei, Dongfeng; Zhao, Chunyan; Zhang, Haixia

2012-07-25

A core-shell structured multifunctional carrier with nanocrystalline silicon (ncSi) as the core and a water-soluble block copolymer as the shell based on a poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) inner shell and polyethylene glycol (MPEG) outer shell (ncSi-MPM) was synthesized for drug delivery. The morphology, composition, and properties of the resulting ncSi-MPM were determined by comprehensive multianalytical characterization, including (1)H NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, XPS spectroscopy, TEM, DLS, and fluorescence spectroscopy analyses. The size of the resulting ncSi-MPM nanocarriers ranged from 40 to 110 nm under a simulated physiological environment. The loading efficiency of model drug doxorubicin (DOX) was approximately 6.1-7.4 wt % for ncSi-MPM and the drug release was pH controlled. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrated that DOX-loaded ncSi-MPM showed high anticancer activity against Hela cells. Hemolysis percentages (<2%) of ncSi-MPM were within the scope of safe values. Fluorescent imaging studies showed that the nanocarriers could be used as a tracker at the cellular level. Integration of the above functional components may result in ncSi-MPM becoming a promising multifunctional carrier for drug delivery and biomedical applications.

Allergies and Disease Severity in Childhood Narcolepsy: Preliminary Findings.

PubMed

Aydinoz, Secil; Huang, Yu-Shu; Gozal, David; Inocente, Clara O; Franco, Patricia; Kheirandish-Gozal, Leila

2015-12-01

Narcolepsy frequently begins in childhood, and is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, with the presence of cataplexy reflecting a more severe phenotype. Narcolepsy may result from genetic predisposition involving deregulation of immune pathways, particularly involving T helper 2 cells (Th2). Increased activation of Th2 cells is usually manifested as allergic conditions such as rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and asthma. We hypothesized that the presence of allergic conditions indicative of increased Th2 balance may dampen the severity of the phenotype in children with narcolepsy. A retrospective chart review of childhood narcolepsy patients was conducted at three major pediatric sleep centers. Patients were divided into those with narcolepsy without cataplexy (NC-) and narcolepsy with cataplexy (NC+). Demographics, polysomnographic and multiple sleep latency test data, and extraction of information on the presence of allergic diseases such allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and asthma was performed. There were 468 children identified, with 193 children in NC- group and 275 patients in the NC+ group. Overall, NC+ children were significantly younger, had higher body mass index, and had shorter mean sleep latencies and increased sleep onset rapid eye movement events. The frequency of allergic conditions, particularly asthma and allergic rhinitis, was markedly lower in NC+ (58/275) compared to NC- patients (94/193; P < 0.0001). Involvement of the immune system plays an important role in the pathophysiology of narcolepsy. Current findings further suggest that an increased shift toward T helper 2 cells, as indicated by the presence of allergic conditions, may modulate the severity of the phenotype in childhood narcolepsy, and reduce the prevalence of cataplexy in these patients. © 2015 Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC.

Nutritional counseling improves quality of life and preserves body weight in systemic immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis.

PubMed

Caccialanza, Riccardo; Palladini, Giovanni; Cereda, Emanuele; Bonardi, Chiara; Milani, Paolo; Cameletti, Barbara; Quarleri, Lara; Cappello, Silvia; Foli, Andrea; Lavatelli, Francesca; Klersy, Catherine; Merlini, Giampaolo

2015-10-01

Malnutrition is associated with mortality and impaired quality of life (QoL) in systemic immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether nutritional counseling is beneficial to patients with AL. In this intervention study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02055534), 144 treatment-naïve outpatients with AL were randomized to usual care (UC; n = 72) and nutritional counseling (NC; n = 72). In the randomized population, although patients in the NC group maintained a stable body weight (weight loss [WL] = 0.6 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.0 to 2.1; P = 0.214), those in the UC group demonstrated a significant decrease (WL = 2.1 kg; 95% CI, 0.2-4.1; P = 0.003). However, the difference in weight between groups was not significant (mean WL difference = 1.6 kg; 95% CI, -0.7 to 3.9; P = 0.179). Patients in the NC group demonstrated more satisfactory energy intake (≥75% of estimated requirements, odds ratio, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.04-4.57; P = 0.048) and a significant increase in the mental component summary of QoL (Short form-36) at 12 mo (mean difference, 8.1; 95% CI, 2.3-13.9; P = 0.007), which was restored to a mean score of 53 (95% CI, 50-53), over the healthy population norms. NC was also associated with better survival (crude hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.35-0.94; P = 0.028). In outpatients with AL, NC was helpful in preserving body weight, effective in improving mental QoL, and associated with better survival. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Digital Genome-Wide ncRNA Expression, Including SnoRNAs, across 11 Human Tissues Using PolyA-Neutral Amplification

PubMed Central

Castle, John C.; Armour, Christopher D.; Löwer, Martin; Haynor, David; Biery, Matthew; Bouzek, Heather; Chen, Ronghua; Jackson, Stuart; Johnson, Jason M.; Rohl, Carol A.; Raymond, Christopher K.

2010-01-01

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are an essential class of molecular species that have been difficult to monitor on high throughput platforms due to frequent lack of polyadenylation. Using a polyadenylation-neutral amplification protocol and next-generation sequencing, we explore ncRNA expression in eleven human tissues. ncRNAs 7SL, U2, 7SK, and HBII-52 are expressed at levels far exceeding mRNAs. C/D and H/ACA box snoRNAs are associated with rRNA methylation and pseudouridylation, respectively: spleen expresses both, hypothalamus expresses mainly C/D box snoRNAs, and testes show enriched expression of both H/ACA box snoRNAs and RNA telomerase TERC. Within the snoRNA 14q cluster, 14q(I-6) is expressed at much higher levels than other cluster members. More reads align to mitochondrial than nuclear tRNAs. Many lincRNAs are actively transcribed, particularly those overlapping known ncRNAs. Within the Prader-Willi syndrome loci, the snoRNA HBII-85 (group I) cluster is highly expressed in hypothalamus, greater than in other tissues and greater than group II or III. Additionally, within the disease locus we find novel transcription across a 400,000 nt span in ovaries. This genome-wide polyA-neutral expression compendium demonstrates the richness of ncRNA expression, their high expression patterns, their function-specific expression patterns, and is publicly available. PMID:20668672

Assisted care as a baseline patient risk characteristic affecting the outcome of transcatheter aortic valve insertion.

PubMed

Traynor, Megan M; Greason, Kevin L; Nkomo, Vuyisile T; Pochettino, Alberto; Holmes, David R; Rihal, Charanjit S; Reeder, Guy S; Bresnahan, John F; Mathew, Verghese

2017-06-01

Objective measures of frailty have not been well defined as risk factors for a poor outcome after transcatheter aortic valve insertion. We hypothesized that assisted care as a baseline patient characteristic was a simple objective measure of frailty. We reviewed our experience to assess for an association between assisted care and outcome of operation. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 597 patients operated with transcatheter aortic valve insertion from November 2008 through July 2015. The study cohort included patients with a dichotomous baseline characteristic of receiving assisted care (AC group, n = 60, 10.1%) or not receiving assisted care (NC group, n = 537, 89.9%). The endpoints of the study were operative stroke/death and 1-year survival. The age of the patients was 80.6 ± 9.0 years, male sex was present in 349 (58.5%), and STS predicted risk of mortality was 9.2 ± 6.2%. Alternate access was used in 26 (43.3%) patients in the AC care group and in 220 (41.0%) in the NC group (P = 0.724). Operative stroke/death occurred in 4 (6.7%) patients in the AC group and in 25 (4.7%) in the NC group (P = 0.492). Mortality at 1 year in the AC group was 14.8 ± 5.2% and in the NC group was 12.9 ± 1.7%; (P = 0. 250). Assisted care as a baseline patient characteristic does not result in increased operative stroke/death or 1-year mortality in patients following transcatheter aortic valve insertion. Assisted care should not by itself preclude operation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Non-coding RNAs in virology: an RNA genomics approach.

PubMed

Isaac, Christopher; Patel, Trushar R; Zovoilis, Athanasios

2018-04-01

Advances in sequencing technologies and bioinformatic analysis techniques have greatly improved our understanding of various classes of RNAs and their functions. Despite not coding for proteins, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as essential biomolecules fundamental for cellular functions and cell survival. Interestingly, ncRNAs produced by viruses not only control the expression of viral genes, but also influence host cell regulation and circumvent host innate immune response. Correspondingly, ncRNAs produced by the host genome can play a key role in host-virus interactions. In this article, we will first discuss a number of types of viral and mammalian ncRNAs associated with viral infections. Subsequently, we also describe the new possibilities and opportunities that RNA genomics and next-generation sequencing technologies provide for studying ncRNAs in virology.

Non-crystallographic nets: characterization and first steps towards a classification.

PubMed

Moreira de Oliveira, Montauban; Eon, Jean Guillaume

2014-05-01

Non-crystallographic (NC) nets are periodic nets characterized by the existence of non-trivial bounded automorphisms. Such automorphisms cannot be associated with any crystallographic symmetry in realizations of the net by crystal structures. It is shown that bounded automorphisms of finite order form a normal subgroup F(N) of the automorphism group of NC nets (N, T). As a consequence, NC nets are unstable nets (they display vertex collisions in any barycentric representation) and, conversely, stable nets are crystallographic nets. The labelled quotient graphs of NC nets are characterized by the existence of an equivoltage partition (a partition of the vertex set that preserves label vectors over edges between cells). A classification of NC nets is proposed on the basis of (i) their relationship to the crystallographic net with a homeomorphic barycentric representation and (ii) the structure of the subgroup F(N).

Systematic identification of non-coding RNA 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine cap structures in Caenorhabditis elegans

PubMed Central

Jia, Dong; Cai, Lun; He, Housheng; Skogerbø, Geir; Li, Tiantian; Aftab, Muhammad Nauman; Chen, Runsheng

2007-01-01

Background The 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine (TMG) cap structure is an important functional characteristic of ncRNAs with critical cellular roles, such as some snRNAs. Here we used immunoprecipitation with both K121 and R1131 anti-TMG antibodies to systematically identify the TMG cap structures for all presently characterized ncRNAs in C. elegans. Results The two anti-TMG antibodies precipitated a similar group of the C. elegans ncRNAs. All snRNAs known to have a TMG cap structure were found in the precipitate, indicating that our identification system was efficient. Other ncRNA families related to splicing, such as SL RNAs and Sm Y RNAs, were also found in the precipitate, as were 7 C/D box snoRNAs. Further analysis showed that the SL RNAs and the Sm Y RNAs shared a very similar Sm binding site element (AAU4–5GGA), which sequence composition differed somewhat from those of other U snRNAs. There were also 16 ncRNAs without an Sm binding site element in the precipitate, suggesting that for these ncRNAs, TMG formation may occur independently of Sm proteins. Conclusion Our results showed that most ncRNAs predicted to be transcribed by RNA polymerase II had a TMG cap, while those predicted to be transcribed by RNA plymerase III or located in introns did not have a TMG cap structure. Compared to ncRNAs without a TMG cap, TMG-capped ncRNAs tended to have higher expression levels. Five functionally non-annotated ncRNAs also have a TMG cap structure, which might be helpful for identifying the cellular roles of these ncRNAs. PMID:17903271

Systematic identification of non-coding RNA 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine cap structures in Caenorhabditis elegans.

PubMed

Jia, Dong; Cai, Lun; He, Housheng; Skogerbø, Geir; Li, Tiantian; Aftab, Muhammad Nauman; Chen, Runsheng

2007-09-29

The 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine (TMG) cap structure is an important functional characteristic of ncRNAs with critical cellular roles, such as some snRNAs. Here we used immunoprecipitation with both K121 and R1131 anti-TMG antibodies to systematically identify the TMG cap structures for all presently characterized ncRNAs in C. elegans. The two anti-TMG antibodies precipitated a similar group of the C. elegans ncRNAs. All snRNAs known to have a TMG cap structure were found in the precipitate, indicating that our identification system was efficient. Other ncRNA families related to splicing, such as SL RNAs and Sm Y RNAs, were also found in the precipitate, as were 7 C/D box snoRNAs. Further analysis showed that the SL RNAs and the Sm Y RNAs shared a very similar Sm binding site element (AAU4-5GGA), which sequence composition differed somewhat from those of other U snRNAs. There were also 16 ncRNAs without an Sm binding site element in the precipitate, suggesting that for these ncRNAs, TMG formation may occur independently of Sm proteins. Our results showed that most ncRNAs predicted to be transcribed by RNA polymerase II had a TMG cap, while those predicted to be transcribed by RNA plymerase III or located in introns did not have a TMG cap structure. Compared to ncRNAs without a TMG cap, TMG-capped ncRNAs tended to have higher expression levels. Five functionally non-annotated ncRNAs also have a TMG cap structure, which might be helpful for identifying the cellular roles of these ncRNAs.

The programming effects of nutrition-induced catch-up growth on gut microbiota and metabolic diseases in adult mice.

PubMed

Zheng, Jia; Xiao, Xinhua; Zhang, Qian; Yu, Miao; Xu, Jianping; Qi, Cuijuan; Wang, Tong

2016-04-01

Substantial evidence indicated that catch-up growth could increase the susceptibility to obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adulthood. However, investigations into the "programming" effects of catch-up growth on gut microbiota in the offspring are limited. C57/BL6 mice were fed on either low protein (LP) or normal chow (NC) diet throughout gestation and lactation. Then, the offspring were randomly weaned to either NC or high fat (HF) diet until 32 weeks of age, generating four experimental groups: NC-NC, NC-HF, LP-NC, and LP-HF. Metabolic parameters and gut microbiota were examined in the offspring. It showed that the NC-HF and LP-HF offspring displayed higher body weight (P < 0.05), impaired glucose tolerance (P < 0.001), and elevated serum lipids (P < 0.05) at 32 weeks of age. Both the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and the Shannon indexes (P < 0.05) showed significantly lower microbial diversity in NC-HF and LP-HF offspring. There were significant variations in the compositions of gut microbiota in the NC-HF and LP-HF offspring, compared with NC-NC offspring (P < 0.05). Furthermore, it indicated Lactobacillus percentage was negatively associated with blood glucose concentrations of intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (r = -0.886, P = 0.019). In conclusion, catch-up growth predisposes the offspring to gut microbiota perturbation, obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Our study is novel in showing the "programming" effects of nutrition-induced catch-up growth on gut microbiota and metabolic diseases in later life. © 2016 The Authors. MicrobiologyOpen published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Social Skills and Social Acceptance in Children with Anxiety Disorders.

PubMed

Scharfstein, Lindsay A; Beidel, Deborah C

2015-01-01

Whereas much is known about the deficits in social behaviors and social competence in youth with social anxiety disorder (SAD), less is known about those characteristics among youth with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This study aimed to better elucidate the social repertoire and peer acceptance of youth with SAD and youth with GAD, relative to normal control (NC) youth. The sample consisted of 58 primarily Caucasian children, ages 6 to 13 years: 20 SAD (12 female), 18 GAD (12 female), and 20 NC (9 female). Diagnoses were based on Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV: Children and Parent Versions interviews. A multimodal assessment strategy included parent and child reports, observer ratings of social performance, computer-based analysis of vocal qualities of speech, and peer ratings of likeability and friendship potential. Whereas self- and parental report did not differentiate the two diagnostic groups, differences on observable behaviors were apparent. Children with SAD exhibited anxious speech patterns, extended speech latencies, a paucity of speech, few spontaneous vocalizations, and ineffective social responses; they were perceived by peers as less likeable and socially desirable. Children with GAD had typical speech patterns and were well liked by their peers but displayed fewer spontaneous comments and questions than NC children. Parent and child reports are less sensitive to what could be important differences in social skill between youth with SAD and GAD. Direct observations, computer-based measures of speech quality, and peer ratings identify specific group differences, suggesting the need for a comprehensive evaluation to inform treatment planning.

Morphometric differences of nasopalatine canal based on 3D classifications: descriptive analysis on CBCT.

PubMed

Fernández-Alonso, A; Suárez-Quintanilla, J A; Rapado-González, O; Suárez-Cunqueiro, María Mercedes

2015-09-01

This descriptive retrospective study analyzed differences among sagittal, coronal and axial NC groups based on the dimensions of nasopalatine canal (NC), buccal bone plate (BBP) and palatal bone plate (PBP) to canal. Measurements were made on 224 CBCTs for NC, BBP and PBP on the three anatomic planes at three levels: level 1, when the incisive foramen is completely closed on the axial plane; level 2, at the midpoint of NC length (NCL) on the sagittal plane; and level 3, at the foramina of Stenson on the sagittal plane. ANOVA tests with post hoc tests were used. The intraclass correlation coefficient and Kappa test were used for evaluating the intraobserver agreement. Regarding coronal classification, these significant differences were found: BBP length (BL)level 1 was lower for the two parallel canals group; PBP length (PL)level 1 was lower for single canal group; and NCL was lower for Y-type canal group. Regarding axial classification, these significant differences were found: LPlevel 1 was lower for 3.1-3 group; PBP width (PW)level 3 was the greatest for 3.1-3; and LPlevel 3 was lower for 1.1. Presurgical evaluation with CBCT in premaxillae region should include analysis on coronal and axial planes and not only on sagittal plane seeing as morphometric differences were found on coronal and axial planes. Following the morphological coronal classification, two parallel canals presented a higher NCL, a higher LP and a lower LV at inferior edge of alveolar ridge.

Nitrogen-atom endohedral fullerene synthesis with high efficiency by controlling plasma-ion irradiation energy and C60 internal energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, Soon Cheon; Kaneko, Toshiro; Ishida, Hiroyasu; Hatakeyama, Rikizo

2015-03-01

The nitrogen-atom endohedral fullerene (N@C60) has been synthesized by controlling the plasma ion irradiation energy (Ei) and fullerene (C60) behavior in the sublimation phase. We examined the relationship between the synthesis purity of N@C60 [molar concentration ratio of N@C60 to pristine fullerene (C60)] and Ei, which was controlled by changing the substrate bias voltages (Vsub) and gas pressure (PN2) during the plasma irradiation process. High-density nitrogen-molecular ions (N2+) with a suitable Ei near 80 eV are confirmed to be the optimum condition of the nitrogen plasma for the synthesis of high-purity N@C60. In addition, high sublimation of C60 contributes to a higher yield due to the high internal energy of C60 and the related cage defects that are present under these conditions. As a result, a purity of 0.83% is realized for the first time, which is almost two orders of magnitude higher than that using other methods.

Increased working memory-related brain activity in middle-aged women with cognitive complaints.

PubMed

Dumas, Julie A; Kutz, Amanda M; McDonald, Brenna C; Naylor, Magdalena R; Pfaff, Ashley C; Saykin, Andrew J; Newhouse, Paul A

2013-04-01

Individuals who report subjective cognitive complaints but perform normally on neuropsychological tests might be at increased risk for pathological cognitive aging. The current study examined the effects of the presence of subjective cognitive complaints on functional brain activity during a working memory task in a sample of middle-aged postmenopausal women. Twenty-three postmenopausal women aged 50-60 completed a cognitive complaint battery of questionnaires. Using 20% of items endorsed as the threshold, 12 women were categorized as cognitive complainers (CC) and 11 were noncomplainers (NC). All subjects then took part in a functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning session during which they completed a visual-verbal N-back test of working memory. Results showed no difference in working memory performance between CC and NC groups. However, the CC group showed greater activation relative to the NC group in a broad network involved in working memory including the middle frontal gyrus (Brodmann area [BA] 9 and 10), the precuneus (BA 7), and the cingulate gyrus (BA 24 and 32). The CC group recruited additional regions of the working memory network compared with the NC group as the working memory load and difficulty of the task increased. This study showed brain activation differences during working memory performance in a middle-aged group of postmenopausal women with subjective cognitive complaints but without objective cognitive deficit. These findings suggest that subjective cognitive complaints in postmenopausal women might be associated with increased cortical activity during effort-demanding cognitive tasks. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An examination of psychopathology and daily impairment in adolescents with social anxiety disorder.

PubMed

Mesa, Franklin; Beidel, Deborah C; Bunnell, Brian E

2014-01-01

Although social anxiety disorder (SAD) is most often diagnosed during adolescence, few investigations have examined the clinical presentation and daily functional impairment of this disorder exclusively in adolescents. Prior studies have demonstrated that some clinical features of SAD in adolescents are unique relative to younger children with the condition. Furthermore, quality of sleep, a robust predictor of anxiety problems and daily stress, has not been examined in socially anxious adolescents. In this investigation, social behavior and sleep were closely examined in adolescents with SAD (n = 16) and normal control adolescents (NC; n = 14). Participants completed a self-report measure and an actigraphy assessment of sleep. Social functioning was assessed via a brief speech and a social interaction task, during which heart rate and skin conductance were measured. Additionally, participants completed a daily social activity journal for 1 week. No differences were observed in objective or subjective quality of sleep. Adolescents with SAD reported greater distress during the analogue social tasks relative to NC adolescents. During the speech task, adolescents with SAD exhibited a trend toward greater speech latency and spoke significantly less than NC adolescents. Additionally, SAD participants manifested greater skin conductance during the speech task. During the social interaction, adolescents with SAD required significantly more confederate prompts to stimulate interaction. Finally, adolescents with SAD reported more frequent anxiety-provoking situations in their daily lives, including answering questions in class, assertive communication, and interacting with a group. The findings suggest that, although adolescents with SAD may not exhibit daily impaired sleep, the group does experience specific behavioral and physiological difficulties in social contexts regularly. Social skills training may be a critical component in therapeutic approaches for this group.

Low susceptibility of NC/Nga mice to the lipopolysaccharide-mediated lethality with D-galactosamine sensitization and the involvement of fewer natural killer T cells.

PubMed

Koide, Naoki; Morikawa, Akiko; Odkhuu, Erdenezaya; Haque, Abedul; Badamtseren, Battuvshin; Naiki, Yoshikazu; Komatsu, Takayuki; Yoshida, Tomoaki; Yokochi, Takashi

2012-02-01

The LPS-mediated lethality of NC/Nga mice, having fewer NKT cells, was examined by using d-galactosamine (d-GalN)-sensitization. The NC/Nga mice were not killed by a simultaneous administration of d-GalN and LPS whereas all C57BL/6 (B6) control mice were killed. The injection of d-GalN and LPS failed to elevate the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and caspase 3 in the liver tissues of NC/Nga mice. Further, the nitric oxide (NO) level of the d-GalN- and LPS-injected NC/Nga mice was much lower than those of the B6 mice. The expression of an inducible NO synthase (iNOS) was significantly reduced in the livers of NC/Nga mice. However, there was no significant difference in LPS-induced TNF-α production between B6 mice and NC/Nga mice. The NC/Nga mice had an impaired expression of IFN-γ protein and mRNA in response to d-GalN and LPS. The pretreatment with α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), which activates Vα14(+) NKT cells and induces the production of IFN-γ, rendered NC/Nga mice more susceptible to the LPS-mediated lethality. The livers of NC/Nga mice had fewer NKT cells compared to B6 mice. Taken together, it is suggested that the resistance of NC/Nga mice to the LPS-mediated lethality with d-GalN sensitization depended on the impaired IFN-γ production caused by fewer NKT cells and reduced NO production that followed.

Nimesulide, a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, suppresses obesity-related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatic insulin resistance through the regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ

PubMed Central

Tsujimoto, Shunsuke; Kishina, Manabu; Koda, Masahiko; Yamamoto, Yasutaka; Tanaka, Kohei; Harada, Yusuke; Yoshida, Akio; Hisatome, Ichiro

2016-01-01

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective inhibitors suppress non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, the precise mechanism of action remains unknown. The aim of this study was to examine how the COX-2 selective inhibitor nimesulide suppresses NAFLD in a murine model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Mice were fed either a normal chow diet (NC), an HFD, or HFD plus nimesulide (HFD-nime) for 12 weeks. Body weight, hepatic COX-2 mRNA expression and triglyceride accumulation were significantly increased in the HFD group. Triglyceride accumulation was suppressed in the HFD-nime group. The mRNA expression of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and the natural PPARγ agonist 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) were significantly increased in the HFD group and significantly suppressed in the HFD-nime group. Glucose metabolism was impaired in the HFD group compared with the NC group, and it was significantly improved in the HFD-nime group. In addition, the plasma insulin levels in the HFD group were increased compared with those in the NC group, and were decreased in the HFD-nime group. These results indicate that HFD-induced NAFLD is mediated by the increased hepatic expression of COX-2. We suggest that the production of 15d-PGJ2, which is mediated by COX-2, induces NAFLD and hepatic insulin resistance by activating PPARγ. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), procollagen-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), as well as the number of F4/80-positive hepatic (Kupffer) cells, were significantly increased in the HFD group compared with the NC group, and they were reduced by nimesulide. In conclusion, COX-2 may emerge as a molecular target for preventing the development of NAFLD and insulin resistance in diet-related obesity. PMID:27431935

Spatial-anatomical mapping of NoGo-P3 in the offspring of alcoholics: Evidence of cognitive and neural disinhibition as a risk for alcoholism

PubMed Central

Kamarajan, Chella; Porjesz, Bernice; Jones, Kevin A.; Chorlian, David B.; Padmanabhapillai, Ajayan; Rangaswamy, Madhavi; Stimus, Arthur T.; Begleiter, Henri

2013-01-01

Objective The concept of disinhibition as a behavioral and biological trait has been considered to be involved in the etiology of alcoholism and its co-existing disorders. The magnitude and functional mapping of event-related potential P3(00) components were analyzed, in order to examine the possible response inhibition deficits in the offspring of alcoholics. Method The P3 components were compared between 50 offspring of alcoholics (OA) and a matched normal control group (NC) using a visual Go/NoGo task. The low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) was used to analyze the functional brain mapping between groups. Results The results indicated that the OA group manifested decreased P3 amplitude during the NoGo but not the Go condition compared to the NC group. The voxel-by-voxel analysis in LORETA showed group differences at several brain regions including prefrontal areas during the processing of NoGo but not Go signals. Conclusions The decreased NoGo-P3 suggests that cognitive and neural disinhibition in offspring of alcoholics may serve as a neurocognitive index for a phenotypic marker in the development of alcoholism and related disorders. Significance Dysfunctional neural and response inhibition in the offspring of alcoholics perhaps provides an endophenotypic marker of risk for the development of alcoholism and related disorders. PMID:15826845

Research on NC motion controller based on SOPC technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Tingbiao; Meng, Biao

2006-11-01

With the rapid development of the digitization and informationization, the application of numerical control technology in the manufacturing industry becomes more and more important. However, the conventional numerical control system usually has some shortcomings such as the poor in system openness, character of real-time, cutability and reconfiguration. In order to solve these problems, this paper investigates the development prospect and advantage of the application in numerical control area with system-on-a-Programmable-Chip (SOPC) technology, and puts forward to a research program approach to the NC controller based on SOPC technology. Utilizing the characteristic of SOPC technology, we integrate high density logic device FPGA, memory SRAM, and embedded processor ARM into a single programmable logic device. We also combine the 32-bit RISC processor with high computing capability of the complicated algorithm with the FPGA device with strong motivable reconfiguration logic control ability. With these steps, we can greatly resolve the defect described in above existing numerical control systems. For the concrete implementation method, we use FPGA chip embedded with ARM hard nuclear processor to construct the control core of the motion controller. We also design the peripheral circuit of the controller according to the requirements of actual control functions, transplant real-time operating system into ARM, design the driver of the peripheral assisted chip, develop the application program to control and configuration of FPGA, design IP core of logic algorithm for various NC motion control to configured it into FPGA. The whole control system uses the concept of modular and structured design to develop hardware and software system. Thus the NC motion controller with the advantage of easily tailoring, highly opening, reconfigurable, and expandable can be implemented.

The Impact of Numerical Control Technology and Computer Aided Manufacturing on Curriculum Development in Industrial Education and Technology. A Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bauch, Klaus Dieter

The study was designed to investigate the effects of Numerical Control Technology and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (NC/CAM) in American industry on industrial education and engineering technology education. The specific purpose was to identify a data base and rationale for curriculum development in NC/CAM through a comparison of views by…

Abnormally high levels of anti-collagen type IV IgG antibodies in the serum of patients with a clinically isolated syndrome correlate with an increased risk of conversion to MS.

PubMed

Sadarzanska-Terzieva, Behidhe; Tzvetanov, Plamen; Hegde, Vishwajit; Al-Hashel, Jasem Y; Rousseff, Rossen Т; Haralanov, Lubomir; Stamenov, Boyko; Atanassova, Milena; Marinova, Iveta; Marinova, Anna; Rousseva, Adelaida

2015-06-01

To investigate anti-collagen-type-IV serum antibodies (ACIVAbs) levels in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), and to determine their predictive value for conversion into multiple sclerosis (MS). Serum levels of IgM and IgG ACIVAbs in 40 untreated patients with CIS (13 male, mean age 34.85±11.4 years, range 16-58 years) were compared to those of 27 gender- and age-matched healthy controls. ACIVAbs were quantified using ELISA. Patients were followed for 5 years by clinical examination and MRI studies. Thirty two patients (80%) converted to MS (converted CIS, C-CIS group) while the rest 8 (20%) did not (non-converted CIS, NC-CIS). The C-CIS patients had significantly higher levels of IgG ACIVAb compared to NC-CIS while the IgM levels did not differ between C-CIS and NC-CIS. Conversion to MS occurred in 66% of patients with IgG ACIVAbs levels exceeding the 95th percentile found in controls. IgG ACIVAbs levels correlated positively with the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases type 9 (r = 0.37; p = 0.003) and inversely with those of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases type 1 (r = -0.43; p = 0.0008). High serum levels of IgG ACIVAbs in patients with CIS correlate strongly with increased risk of conversion to MS. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I) Project Book: Fiscal Year 1992

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-05-12

PSC-3 is a rugged, lightweight (less than 35 lbs including batteries and whip and mdium gain antennas) portable device capable of being paged while...as Materiel Change (NC) projects. They Include: TACFWR Wpgade NC; Water Entry Resolution NC; FIREFIWER Training Device Upgrade MC; and Backplmn Wiringj... devices consist of a sensor . processor addigital display ibplWsd on an Individual air defense mopon system(FAM and NWWI). Two models are in development

Supplementation of protease, alone and in combination with fructooligosaccharide to low protein diet for finishing pigs.

PubMed

Lei, Xin Jian; Cheong, Jin Young; Park, Jae Hong; Kim, In Ho

2017-12-01

Effects of adding protease with or without fructooligosaccharide (FOS) to low protein diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and fecal noxious gas emission were evaluated in 160 finishing pigs (57.70 ± 1.16 kg) in a 9-week study. Pigs were randomly divided into four dietary treatments, PC: positive control diet (15.97% crude protein (CP)); NC: negative control diet (12.94% CP); PRO: NC supplemented with 0.05% protease; PROFOS: NC supplemented with 0.05% protease and 0.1% FOS. During weeks 4-9 and weeks 0-9, gain : feed ratio was impaired (P < 0.05) in pigs fed NC diet compared with those fed PC, PRO and PROFOS diets. Pigs fed PC, PRO and PROFOS diets had higher (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of CP than pigs fed NC diet. Pigs fed PROFOS diet had reduced (P < 0.05) ammonia emissions compared to pigs fed NC and PRO diets. These data indicate that reducing dietary CP concentrations impaired growth performance, decreased ATTD of CP and reduced ammonia emissions. Supplementation of protease in low CP diet improved growth performance and increased ATTD of CP. Dietary supplementation with protease and FOS in low CP diet improved growth performance, increased ATTD of CP and decreased fecal ammonia emission. © 2017 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

Involvement of GTA protein NC2β in Neuroblastoma pathogenesis suggests that it physiologically participates in the regulation of cell proliferation

PubMed Central

Di Pietro, Cinzia; Ragusa, Marco; Barbagallo, Davide; Duro, Laura R; Guglielmino, Maria R; Majorana, Alessandra; Giunta, Veronica; Rapisarda, Antonella; Tricarichi, Elisa; Miceli, Marco; Angelica, Rosario; Grillo, Agata; Banelli, Barbara; Defferari, Isabella; Forte, Stefano; Laganà, Alessandro; Bosco, Camillo; Giugno, Rosalba; Pulvirenti, Alfredo; Ferro, Alfredo; Grzeschik, Karl H; Di Cataldo, Andrea; Tonini, Gian P; Romani, Massimo; Purrello, Michele

2008-01-01

Background The General Transcription Apparatus (GTA) comprises more than one hundred proteins, including RNA Polymerases, GTFs, TAFs, Mediator, and cofactors such as heterodimeric NC2. This complexity contrasts with the simple mechanical role that these proteins are believed to perform and suggests a still uncharacterized participation to important biological functions, such as the control of cell proliferation. Results To verify our hypothesis, we analyzed the involvement in Neuroblastoma (NB) pathogenesis of GTA genes localized at 1p, one of NB critical regions: through RT-PCR of fifty eight NB biopsies, we demonstrated the statistically significant reduction of the mRNA for NC2β (localized at 1p22.1) in 74% of samples (p = 0.0039). Transcripts from TAF13 and TAF12 (mapping at 1p13.3 and 1p35.3, respectively) were also reduced, whereas we didn't detect any quantitative alteration of the mRNAs from GTF2B and NC2α (localized at 1p22-p21 and 11q13.3, respectively). We confirmed these data by comparing tumour and constitutional DNA: most NB samples with diminished levels of NC2β mRNA had also genomic deletions at the corresponding locus. Conclusion Our data show that NC2β is specifically involved in NB pathogenesis and may be considered a new NB biomarker: accordingly, we suggest that NC2β, and possibly other GTA members, are physiologically involved in the control of cell proliferation. Finally, our studies unearth complex selective mechanisms within NB cells. PMID:18538002

The effects of supplementation of a novel bacterial 6-phytase on mineral digestibility and plasma minerals in lactating sows.

PubMed

Nasir, Z; Broz, J; Zijlstra, R T

2012-12-01

Pigs digest P in plant feedstuffs poorly because pigs do not produce sufficient endogenous phytase to hydrolyze P from phytate (inositol hexaphosphate). Supplementation of phytase to diets of piglets and grower-finisher pigs increased digestibility of minerals including P and Ca; however, data on phytase efficacy in lactating sows are scarce. Therefore, effects of adding a bacterial 6-phytase expressed in a strain of Aspergillus oryzae (Ronozyme HiPhos; DSM Nutritional Products, Basel, Switzerland) on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P and Ca was assessed in 45 lactating sows. Three diets were prepared: (i) positive control (PC; 0.52% available P), a regular sow diet containing inorganic P, (ii) negative control (NC; 0.20% available P) without inorganic P, and (iii) NC + 500 units of phytase/kg diet. Each diet was fed randomly to 15 sows for 21 d (from 5 d prior to farrowing to 15 d after farrowing). At day 15 after farrowing, ATTD of P did not differ between PC and NC. Phytase supplementation to NC increased (P < 0.05) ATTD of P from 34 to 46% compared to NC but did not affect (P > 0.05) ATTD of CP and Ca. On day 1 after farrowing, plasma P was 0.66 mmol/L lower (P < 0.05) in sows fed NC than PC. Phytase supplementation to NC increased (P < 0.05) plasma P by 0.40 mmol/L on day 1 but not on day 15 after farrowing. In conclusion, phytase supplementation increased P bioavailability in lactating sows.

Involvement of GTA protein NC2beta in neuroblastoma pathogenesis suggests that it physiologically participates in the regulation of cell proliferation.

PubMed

Di Pietro, Cinzia; Ragusa, Marco; Barbagallo, Davide; Duro, Laura R; Guglielmino, Maria R; Majorana, Alessandra; Giunta, Veronica; Rapisarda, Antonella; Tricarichi, Elisa; Miceli, Marco; Angelica, Rosario; Grillo, Agata; Banelli, Barbara; Defferari, Isabella; Forte, Stefano; Laganà, Alessandro; Bosco, Camillo; Giugno, Rosalba; Pulvirenti, Alfredo; Ferro, Alfredo; Grzeschik, Karl H; Di Cataldo, Andrea; Tonini, Gian P; Romani, Massimo; Purrello, Michele

2008-06-06

The General Transcription Apparatus (GTA) comprises more than one hundred proteins, including RNA Polymerases, GTFs, TAFs, Mediator, and cofactors such as heterodimeric NC2. This complexity contrasts with the simple mechanical role that these proteins are believed to perform and suggests a still uncharacterized participation to important biological functions, such as the control of cell proliferation. To verify our hypothesis, we analyzed the involvement in neuroblastoma (NB) pathogenesis of GTA genes localized at 1p, one of NB critical regions: through RT-PCR of fifty eight NB biopsies, we demonstrated the statistically significant reduction of the mRNA for NC2beta (localized at 1p22.1) in 74% of samples (p = 0.0039). Transcripts from TAF13 and TAF12 (mapping at 1p13.3 and 1p35.3, respectively) were also reduced, whereas we didn't detect any quantitative alteration of the mRNAs from GTF2B and NC2alpha (localized at 1p22-p21 and 11q13.3, respectively). We confirmed these data by comparing tumour and constitutional DNA: most NB samples with diminished levels of NC2beta mRNA had also genomic deletions at the corresponding locus. Our data show that NC2beta is specifically involved in NB pathogenesis and may be considered a new NB biomarker: accordingly, we suggest that NC2beta, and possibly other GTA members, are physiologically involved in the control of cell proliferation. Finally, our studies unearth complex selective mechanisms within NB cells.

Comparison of community structures of Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera-like bacteria of NC10 phylum in different freshwater habitats.

PubMed

Shen, Li-Dong; Wu, Hong-Sheng; Gao, Zhi-Qiu; Liu, Xu; Li, Ji

2016-05-09

Methane oxidation coupled to nitrite reduction is mediated by 'Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera' (M. oxyfera), which belongs to the NC10 phylum. In this study, the community composition and diversity of M. oxyfera-like bacteria of NC10 phylum were examined and compared in four different freshwater habitats, including reservoir sediments (RS), pond sediments (PS), wetland sediments (WS) and paddy soils (PAS), by using Illumina-based 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The recovered NC10-related sequences accounted for 0.4-2.5% of the 16S rRNA pool in the examined habitats, and the highest percentage was found in WS. The diversity of NC10 bacteria were the highest in RS, medium in WS, and lowest in PS and PAS. The observed number of OTUs (operational taxonomic unit; at 3% cut-off) were 97, 46, 61 and 40, respectively, in RS, PS, WS and PAS. A heterogeneous distribution of NC10 bacterial communities was observed in the examined habitats, though group B members were the dominant bacteria in each habitat. The copy numbers of NC10 bacterial 16S rRNA genes ranged between 5.8 × 10(6) and 3.2 × 10(7) copies g(-1) sediment/soil in the examined habitats. These results are helpful for a systematic understanding of NC10 bacterial communities in different types of freshwater habitats.

The association of neck circumference with incident congestive heart failure and coronary heart disease mortality in a community-based population with or without sleep-disordered breathing.

PubMed

Zhang, Jingjing; Guo, Qi; Peng, Liyuan; Li, Jiamei; Gao, Ya; Yan, Bin; Fang, Bangjiang; Wang, Gang

2018-05-31

Neck circumference (NC), representing upper body subcutaneous adipose tissue, may be correlated with increased risk of overweight/obesity, obstructive sleep apnoea, and metabolic and cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between NC and the incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) or mortality due to coronary heart disease (CHD) in a community-based population with and without sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has not yet been clarified. We performed a prospective study using the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS) cohort. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association of different levels of NC with CHF incidence or CHD mortality in 2234 individuals with SDB and 2199 without SDB, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), NC was significantly associated with CHF when comparing the highest NC quartile group with the lowest (hazard ratio, HR, 2.265, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.074-4.777) in the non-SDB population. This association diminished after further adjustment for other risk factors, but remained statistically significant, with an adjusted HR of 1.082 (95% CI 1.003-1.166) per unit increase in NC. Additionally, after adjustment for age, sex, and BMI, NC was also shown to be remarkably associated with CHD mortality (HR 1.141, 95% CI 1.014-1.282) per unit increase in NC in the non-SDB population but not in the SDB population. After adjustment for all the covariates, there was a significant association between NC and CHD death in those without SDB, with an adjusted HR of 1.134 (95% CI 1.001-1.284) per unit increase in NC. NC may correlate with CHF incidence and CHD mortality in population without SDB. NC measurement may help risk stratification for cardiovascular diseases. NCT00005275 , January 1994.

Effects of a bleaching agent with calcium on bovine enamel

PubMed Central

Alexandrino, Larissa; Gomes, Yasmin; Alves, Eliane; Costi, Hilton; Rogez, Hervé; Silva, Cecy

2014-01-01

Objective: This in vitro study analyzed the effects of a bleaching treatment containing 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) with or without calcium on bovine enamel, using the Knoop hardness number (KHN), tristimulus colorimetry (TC), and scanning electron microscopy. Materials and Methods: Forty-five specimens were randomly divided into groups (n = 5), which included artificial saliva (negative control [NC]), 35% HP (positive control [PC]), and 35% HP Blue Calcium (HP Blue). The specimens were subjected to three bleaching sessions. During the sessions, the specimens were immersed in artificial saliva at 37°C. Before and after bleaching, KHN tests were conducted using a force of 25 gf for 5 s. TC was performed using the CIE-L*a*b* system and readouts were obtained at the following 4 time points: Before the bleaching treatment; after the first session, the second session, and the third session. The specimens were dehydrated and coated with gold, and the photomicrographs were analyzed in a double-blind manner with a LEO microscope. Results: Using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test (P < 0.05), a statistically significant difference was identified between the initial and final mean KHNs of the NC and PC groups, while the initial and final mean KHNs were not significantly different in the HP Blue group. The final mean values of ΔE, ΔL, and Δb of the PC and HP Blue groups were significantly higher than the initial values (P < 0.01 for both). The photomicrographs revealed no differences among the groups. Conclusions: Therefore, treatment with HP Blue prevented changes in the KHN without reducing the efficacy of bleaching. PMID:25202210

Tuning Nanocrystal Surface Depletion by Controlling Dopant Distribution as a Route Toward Enhanced Film Conductivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Staller, Corey M.; Robinson, Zachary L.; Agrawal, Ankit; Gibbs, Stephen L.; Greenberg, Benjamin L.; Lounis, Sebastien D.; Kortshagen, Uwe R.; Milliron, Delia J.

2018-05-01

Electron conduction through bare metal oxide nanocrystal (NC) films is hindered by surface depletion regions resulting from the presence of surface states. We control the radial dopant distribution in tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) NCs as a means to manipulate the NC depletion width. We find in films of ITO NCs of equal overall dopant concentration that those with dopant-enriched surfaces show decreased depletion width and increased conductivity. Variable temperature conductivity data shows electron localization length increases and associated depletion width decreases monotonically with increased density of dopants near the NC surface. We calculate band profiles for NCs of differing radial dopant distributions and, in agreement with variable temperature conductivity fits, find NCs with dopant-enriched surfaces have narrower depletion widths and longer localization lengths than those with dopant-enriched cores. Following amelioration of NC surface depletion by atomic layer deposition of alumina, all films of equal overall dopant concentration have similar conductivity. Variable temperature conductivity measurements on alumina-capped films indicate all films behave as granular metals. Herein, we conclude that dopant-enriched surfaces decrease the near-surface depletion region, which directly increases the electron localization length and conductivity of NC films.

Tuning Nanocrystal Surface Depletion by Controlling Dopant Distribution as a Route Toward Enhanced Film Conductivity.

PubMed

Staller, Corey M; Robinson, Zachary L; Agrawal, Ankit; Gibbs, Stephen L; Greenberg, Benjamin L; Lounis, Sebastien D; Kortshagen, Uwe R; Milliron, Delia J

2018-05-09

Electron conduction through bare metal oxide nanocrystal (NC) films is hindered by surface depletion regions resulting from the presence of surface states. We control the radial dopant distribution in tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) NCs as a means to manipulate the NC depletion width. We find in films of ITO NCs of equal overall dopant concentration that those with dopant-enriched surfaces show decreased depletion width and increased conductivity. Variable temperature conductivity data show electron localization length increases and associated depletion width decreases monotonically with increased density of dopants near the NC surface. We calculate band profiles for NCs of differing radial dopant distributions and in agreement with variable temperature conductivity fits find NCs with dopant-enriched surfaces have narrower depletion widths and longer localization lengths than those with dopant-enriched cores. Following amelioration of NC surface depletion by atomic layer deposition of alumina, all films of equal overall dopant concentration have similar conductivity. Variable temperature conductivity measurements on alumina-capped films indicate all films behave as granular metals. Herein, we conclude that dopant-enriched surfaces decrease the near-surface depletion region, which directly increases the electron localization length and conductivity of NC films.

Influence of appearance-related TV commercials on body image state.

PubMed

Legenbauer, Tanja; Rühl, Ilka; Vocks, Silja

2008-05-01

This study investigates the influence of media exposure on body image state in eating-disordered (ED) patients. The attitudinal and perceptual components of body image are assessed, as well as any associations with dysfunctional cognitions and behavioral consequences. Twenty-five ED patients and 25 non-ED controls (ND) viewed commercials either featuring appearance (AC; 5 min) or not featuring appearance (NC; 5 min). Both perceptual and attitudinal body image components changed markedly after the AC condition for ED patients, compared with the ND group and NC condition. Cognitions referring to dietary restraint and internalization/social comparison also changed significantly in ED patients depending on the experimental manipulation, whereas thoughts about body and self-esteem did not. The results suggest that media exposure acts as a stimulus that triggers body-related schemas. Partial support is given to cognitive-behavioral models of eating disorders, which postulate an association between cognitive bias, body image disturbances, and compensatory behavioral consequences.

Synthesis of a stationary phase based on silica modified with branched octadecyl groups by Michael addition and photoinduced thiol-yne click chemistry for the separation of basic compounds.

PubMed

Huang, Guang; Ou, Junjie; Wang, Hongwei; Ji, Yongsheng; Wan, Hao; Zhang, Zhang; Peng, Xiaojun; Zou, Hanfa

2016-04-01

A novel silica-based stationary phase with branched octadecyl groups was prepared by the sequential employment of the Michael addition reaction and photoinduced thiol-yne click chemistry with 3-aminopropyl-functionalized silica microspheres as the initial material. The resulting stationary phase denoted as SiO2 -N(C18)4 was characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, demonstrating the existence of branched octadecyl groups in silica microspheres. The separations of benzene homologous compounds, acid compounds and amine analogues were conducted, demonstrating mixed-mode separation mechanism on SiO2 -N(C18)4 . Baseline separation of basic drugs mixture was acquired with the mobile phase of acetonitrile/H2 O (5%, v/v). SiO2 -N(C18)4 was further applied to separate Corydalis yanhusuo Wang water extracts, and more baseline separation peaks were obtained for SiO2 -N(C18)4 than those on Atlantis dC18 column. It can be expected that this new silica-based stationary phase will exhibit great potential in the analysis of basic compounds. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Genetic Variation of pln Loci Among Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum Group Strains with Antioxidant and Cholesterol-Lowering Ability.

PubMed

Devi, Sundru Manjulata; Halami, Prakash M

2017-10-13

In the present study, 14 different plantaricin-encoding genes of pln loci were studied and compared to available sequences from public domain database of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strains. Based upon the presence and absence of selected genes, pln locus was grouped into eight clusters. Further, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis for seven genes has discriminated the complex pln locus into five types which includes WCFS1 (in Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum MCC 2976 and MCC 2974 and Lactobacillus paraplantarum MCC 2978), closely related to J51 (in Lb. paraplantarum MCC 2973 and MCC 2977), J23 (in Lb. plantarum MTCC 5422), NC8 (in Lb. paraplantarum MTCC 9483), and a new E1 type (in Lb. plantarum subsp. plantarum E1). It was observed that the plnA, EF, NC8βα, NC81F, NC8HK, and G were expressed in E1 strain. Further, southern hybridization confirmed the chromosome-encoded plantaricin in Lb. plantarum group (LPG) strains. Several PCR assays and DNA sequence analysis of the regions amplified in pln loci of E1 isolate suggested a hybrid variant of NC8 and J51 plantaritypes. This indicates the wide distribution of plantaricin with remarkable variation, diversity, and plasticity among the LPG strains of vegetable origin. Further, the selected strains were able to reduce the growth of Kocuria rhizophila ATCC 9341 by 40-54% within 6 h of co-incubation under in vitro pathogen exclusion assay. These isolates also possessed cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant activity suggesting their application in the development of functional foods.

Retaining Physical Therapists in North Carolina Public Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ray, Laurie

2011-01-01

The intent of this research was to describe school-based physical therapists in North Carolina (NC) and examine relationships between personality traits of this group, their job satisfaction and their perception of factors that influence decisions to remain at or leave their jobs. School-based physical therapists across NC (n=97) anonymously…

Notochordal cell conditioned medium stimulates mesenchymal stem cell differentiation toward a young nucleus pulposus phenotype

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Introduction Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer promise for intervertebral disc (IVD) repair and regeneration because they are easily isolated and expanded, and can differentiate into several mesenchymal tissues. Notochordal (NC) cells contribute to IVD development, incorporate into the nucleus pulposus (NP), and stimulate mature disc cells. However, there have been no studies investigating the effects of NC cells on adult stem cell differentiation. The premise of this study is that IVD regeneration is more similar to IVD development than to IVD maintenance, and we hypothesize that soluble factors from NC cells differentiate MSCs to a phenotype characteristic of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells during development. The eventual clinical goal would be to isolate or chemically/recombinantly produce the active agent to induce the therapeutic effects, and to use it as either an injectable therapy for early intervention on disc disease, or in developing appropriately pre-differentiated MSC cells in a tissue engineered NP construct. Methods Human MSCs from bone marrow were expanded and pelleted to form high-density cultures. MSC pellets were exposed to either control medium (CM), chondrogenic medium (CM with dexamethasone and transforming growth factor, (TGF)-β3) or notochordal cell conditioned medium (NCCM). NCCM was prepared from NC cells maintained in serum free medium for four days. After seven days culture, MSC pellets were analyzed for appearance, biochemical composition (glycosaminoglycans and DNA), and gene expression profile (sox-9, collagen types-II and III, laminin-β1 and TIMP1(tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1)). Results Significantly higher glycosaminoglycan accumulation was seen in NCCM treated pellets than in CM or TGFβ groups. With NCCM treatment, increased gene expression of collagen III, and a trend of increasing expression of laminin-β1 and decreased expression of sox-9 and collagen II relative to the TGFβ group was observed. Conclusions Together, results suggest NCCM stimulates mesenchymal stem cell differentiation toward a potentially NP-like phenotype with some characteristics of the developing IVD. PMID:20565707

Using Individualized Brain Network for Analyzing Structural Covariance of the Cerebral Cortex in Alzheimer's Patients.

PubMed

Kim, Hee-Jong; Shin, Jeong-Hyeon; Han, Cheol E; Kim, Hee Jin; Na, Duk L; Seo, Sang Won; Seong, Joon-Kyung

2016-01-01

Cortical thinning patterns in Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been widely reported through conventional regional analysis. In addition, the coordinated variance of cortical thickness in different brain regions has been investigated both at the individual and group network levels. In this study, we aim to investigate network architectural characteristics of a structural covariance network (SCN) in AD, and further to show that the structural covariance connectivity becomes disorganized across the brain regions in AD, while the normal control (NC) subjects maintain more clustered and consistent coordination in cortical atrophy variations. We generated SCNs directly from T1-weighted MR images of individual patients using surface-based cortical thickness data, with structural connectivity defined as similarity in cortical thickness within different brain regions. Individual SCNs were constructed using morphometric data from the Samsung Medical Center (SMC) dataset. The structural covariance connectivity showed higher clustering than randomly generated networks, as well as similar minimum path lengths, indicating that the SCNs are "small world." There were significant difference between NC and AD group in characteristic path lengths (z = -2.97, p < 0.01) and small-worldness values (z = 4.05, p < 0.01). Clustering coefficients in AD was smaller than that of NC but there was no significant difference (z = 1.81, not significant). We further observed that the AD patients had significantly disrupted structural connectivity. We also show that the coordinated variance of cortical thickness is distributed more randomly from one region to other regions in AD patients when compared to NC subjects. Our proposed SCN may provide surface-based measures for understanding interaction between two brain regions with co-atrophy of the cerebral cortex due to normal aging or AD. We applied our method to the AD Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) data to show consistency in results with the SMC dataset.

75 FR 4384 - Pesticide Products; Registration Applications

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-27

... Park, NC 27709. Product name: Indaziflam 500 SC Herbicide. Active ingredient: Herbicide with Indaziflam.... Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Product name: Indaziflam 200 SC Herbicide. Active ingredient: Herbicide with Indaziflam at 19.05%. Proposed use: Preemergent control of annual [[Page 4386...

The effect of He-Ne and Ga-Al-As lasers on the healing of oral mucosa in diabetic mice.

PubMed

Fahimipour, Farahnaz; Houshmand, Behzad; Alemi, Parvin; Asnaashari, Mohammad; Tafti, Mahmoud Akhavan; Akhoundikharanagh, Fatemeh; Farashah, Seyed Emadeddin Najafi; Aminisharifabad, Mohammad; Korani, Aghdas Setoudehnia; Mahdian, Mina; Bastami, Farshid; Tahriri, Mohammadreza

2016-06-01

Delayed wound healing is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used to accelerate wound healing however the effect of LLLT on the hard palate wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic (STZ-D) mice has not yet been characterized. This study aims to determine the effect of LLLT (He-Ne and Ga-Al-As laser) on the process of wound healing in the hard palate among diabetic and non-diabetic mice. 90 adult male mice were divided into six groups. Type 1 diabetes mellitus was induced in three groups by means of injection of STZ. Of these, one group was irradiated with He-Ne laser (DH group), one with Ga-Al-As laser (DG group) and one did not undergo any LLLT (DC group). The remaining groups were non-diabetic which were allotted to laser therapy with He-Ne laser (NH group) or with Ga-Al-As laser (NG group) or no LLLT (NC group). Five animals from each group were killed on the third, seventh, and fourteenth days after surgery, and biopsies were made for histological analysis. On the 3rd and 7th days after the surgery, the number of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells in NH, DH, NG, and DG groups was significantly lower than that of the control groups. On the 3rd, 7th and 14th days, the fibroblasts and new blood vessel counts and collagen fibers in diabetic laser treated groups (DG and DH) were significantly higher compared to that of NC, DC, NH and NG groups. On the 7th and 14th days, the fibroblasts and new blood vessel counts and collagen fibers in NH, DH, NG, and DG groups were also significantly higher than that of the control groups, and the fibroblast and new blood vessel counts and collagen density fibers in NH and DH groups were higher than that of the NG and DG groups. LLLT with He-Ne laser compared to Ga-Al-As laser has a positive healing effect on hard palate gingival wounds in STZ-D mice. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Active control of multiple resistive wall modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brunsell, P. R.; Yadikin, D.; Gregoratto, D.; Paccagnella, R.; Liu, Y. Q.; Bolzonella, T.; Cecconello, M.; Drake, J. R.; Kuldkepp, M.; Manduchi, G.; Marchiori, G.; Marrelli, L.; Martin, P.; Menmuir, S.; Ortolani, S.; Rachlew, E.; Spizzo, G.; Zanca, P.

2005-12-01

A two-dimensional array of saddle coils at Mc poloidal and Nc toroidal positions is used on the EXTRAP T2R reversed-field pinch (Brunsell P R et al 2001 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 43 1457) to study active control of resistive wall modes (RWMs). Spontaneous growth of several RWMs with poloidal mode number m = 1 and different toroidal mode number n is observed experimentally, in agreement with linear MHD modelling. The measured plasma response to a controlled coil field and the plasma response computed using the linear circular cylinder MHD model are in quantitive agreement. Feedback control introduces a linear coupling of modes with toroidal mode numbers n, n' that fulfil the condition |n - n'| = Nc. Pairs of coupled unstable RWMs are present in feedback experiments with an array of Mc × Nc = 4 × 16 coils. Using intelligent shell feedback, the coupled modes are generally not controlled even though the field is suppressed at the active coils. A better suppression of coupled modes may be achieved in the case of rotating modes by using the mode control feedback scheme with individually set complex gains. In feedback with a larger array of Mc × Nc = 4 × 32 coils, the coupling effect largely disappears, and with this array, the main internal RWMs n = -11, -10, +5, +6 are all simultaneously suppressed throughout the discharge (7 8 wall times). With feedback there is a two-fold extension of the pulse length, compared to discharges without feedback.

Evaluation of the Effect of Low Dietary Fermentable Carbohydrate Content on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Characteristics, and Meat Quality in Finishing Pigs

PubMed Central

Hong, S. M.; Hwang, J. H.; Kim, I. H.

2012-01-01

A total of 96 pigs (49.23±3.20 kg) were used in an 11 wk growth trial to evaluate the effect of fermentable carbohydrate (FC) content on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrient, blood profile, and meat quality. The dietary treatments were: i) negative control (NC), basal diet, ii) positive control (PC), NC+antibiotics (positive control diet with 5 ppm flavomycin), iii) PCL, PC-13% lower FC, and iv) NCL, NC-13% lower FC. The growth performance (average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain/feed) didn’t differ among treatments through the whole experiment. These pigs fed the PCL diet had the greater (p<0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter than those from PC and NC treatment at the end of the experiment. No differences were observed in white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), and lymphocyte concentration among different treatments. After the feeding period, meat samples were collected from the pigs at slaughter. The pigs in NCL and PCL treatments had greater (p<0.05) backfat thickness and lower lean percentage. The color value of loin was higher (p<0.05) in NCL treatment compared to PCL treatment. Also, the NCL treatment had higher (p<0.05) marbling value than PC treatment. The drip loss was depressed by PCL and NCL treatment comapared to NC treatments. The water holding capacity (WHC) was higher (p<0.05) in NC and PCL treatment. In conclusion, the low FC can improve digestibility and meat quality of finishing pigs. PMID:25049693

SiRNA-Mediated Down-Regulation of CLIC4 Gene Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Accelerates Cell Apoptosis of Mouse Liver Cancer Hca-F and Hca-P Cells.

PubMed

Yu, Qiu-Yun; Zhou, Xin-Feng; Xia, Qing; Shen, Jia; Yan, Jia; Zhu, Jiu-Ting; Li, Xiang; Shu, Ming

2018-01-01

This study explored the effects involved in silencing CLIC4 on apoptosis and proliferation of mouse liver cancer Hca-F and Hca-P cells. A CLIC4-target small interfering RNA (siRNA) was designed to compound into two individual complementary oligonucleotide chains. A process of annealing and connection to a pSilencer vector was followed by transfection with Hca-F and Hca-P cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting techniques were used to determine CLIC4 mRNA and protein expressions. CCK8 assay and flow cytometry were employed for analysis of the survival and apoptosis rate as well as the cell cycle in an octreotide-induced apoptosis model. Expressions of caspase 3, caspase 9, and cleaved PARP were measured using Western blotting. The CLIC4 mRNA and protein expressions in Hca-F and Hca-P cells transfected by pSilencer-CLIC4 siRNA plasmid in the blank group displayed remarkably decreased levels of expression, when compared with both the control and negative control (NC) groups. Decreased survival rates and cleaved PARP expression, increased cell apoptosis rate,expressions of caspase 3 and caspase 9 in Hca-F and Hca-P cells were detected in groups that had been cultured in a medium containing octreotide. The pSilencer-CLIC4 siRNA-2 group when compared with the control and NC groups exhibited decreased survival rates, cleaved PARP expression, increased cell apoptosis rates, and increased expressions of caspase 3 and caspase 9 of Hca-F and Hca-P cells. The results demonstrated that siRNA-induced down-regulation of CLIC4 could proliferation, while in turn promoting apoptosis of mouse liver cancer Hca-F and Hca-P cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 659-668, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Nc886 is epigenetically repressed in prostate cancer and acts as a tumor suppressor through the inhibition of cell growth.

PubMed

Fort, Rafael Sebastián; Mathó, Cecilia; Geraldo, Murilo Vieira; Ottati, María Carolina; Yamashita, Alex Shimura; Saito, Kelly Cristina; Leite, Katia Ramos Moreira; Méndez, Manuel; Maedo, Noemí; Méndez, Laura; Garat, Beatriz; Kimura, Edna Teruko; Sotelo-Silveira, José Roberto; Duhagon, María Ana

2018-02-02

Nc886 is a 102 bp non-coding RNA transcript initially classified as a microRNA precursor (Pre-miR-886), later as a divergent homologue of the vault RNAs (vtRNA 2-1) and more recently as a novel type of RNA (nc886). Although nc886/vtRNA2-1/Pre-miR-886 identity is still controversial, it was shown to be epigenetically controlled, presenting both tumor suppressor and oncogenic function in different cancers. Here, we study for the first time the role of nc886 in prostate cancer. Nc886 promoter methylation status and its correlation with patient clinical parameters or DNMTs levels were evaluated in TCGA and specific GEO prostate tissue datasets. Nc886 level was measured by RT-qPCR to compare normal/neoplastic prostate cells from radical prostatectomies and cell lines, and to assess nc886 response to demethylating agents. The effect of nc886 recovery in cell proliferation (in vitro and in vivo) and invasion (in vitro) was evaluated using lentiviral transduced DU145 and LNCaP cell lines. The association between the expression of nc886 and selected genes was analyzed in the TCGA-PRAD cohort. Nc886 promoter methylation increases in tumor vs. normal prostate tissue, as well as in metastatic vs. normal prostate tissue. Additionally, nc886 promoter methylation correlates with prostate cancer clinical staging, including biochemical recurrence, Clinical T-value and Gleason score. Nc886 transcript is downregulated in tumor vs. normal tissue -in agreement with its promoter methylation status- and increases upon demethylating treatment. In functional studies, the overexpression of nc886 in the LNCaP and DU145 cell line leads to a decreased in vitro cell proliferation and invasion, as well as a reduced in vivo cell growth in NUDE-mice tumor xenografts. Finally, nc886 expression associates with the prostate cancer cell cycle progression gene signature in TCGA-PRAD. Our data suggest a tumor suppressor role for nc886 in the prostate, whose expression is epigenetically silenced in cancer leading to an increase in cell proliferation and invasion. Nc886 might hold clinical value in prostate cancer due to its association with clinical parameters and with a clinically validated gene signature.

The benefits of endurance training in cardiomyocyte function in hypertensive rats are reversed within four weeks of detraining.

PubMed

Carneiro-Júnior, Miguel Araujo; Quintão-Júnior, Judson Fonseca; Drummond, Lucas Rios; Lavorato, Victor Neiva; Drummond, Filipe Rios; da Cunha, Daise Nunes Queiroz; Amadeu, Marco Aurélio; Felix, Leonardo Bonato; de Oliveira, Edilamar Menezes; Cruz, Jader Santos; Prímola-Gomes, Thales Nicolau; Mill, José Geraldo; Natali, Antonio José

2013-04-01

The aim of the present study was to verify the effects of low-intensity endurance training and detraining on the mechanical and molecular properties of cardiomyocytes from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Male SHRs and normotensive control Wistar rats at 16-weeks of age were randomly divided into eight groups of eight animals: NC8 and HC8 (normotensive and hypertensive control for 8weeks); NT8 and HT8 (normotensive and hypertensive trained at 50-60% of maximal exercise capacity for 8weeks); NC12 and HC12 (normotensive and hypertensive control for 12weeks); NDT and HDT (normotensive and hypertensive trained for 8weeks and detrained for 4weeks). The total exercise time until fatigue (TTF) was determined by a maximal exercise capacity test. Resting heart rate (RHR) and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) were measured. After the treatments, animals were killed by cervical dislocation and left ventricular myocytes were isolated by enzymatic dispersion. Isolated cells were used to determine intracellular global Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) transient and cardiomyocyte contractility (1Hz; ~25°C). [Ca(2+)]i regulatory proteins were measured by Western blot, and the markers of pathologic cardiac hypertrophy by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-RT-PCR). Exercise training augmented the TTF (NC8, 11.4±1.5min vs. NT8, 22.5±1.4min; HC8, 11.7±1.4min vs. HT8, 24.5±1.3min; P<0.05), reduced RHR (NT8initial, 340±8bpm vs. NT8final, 322±10bpm; HT8initial, 369±8bpm vs. HT8final, 344±10bpm; P<0.05), and SBP in SHR animals (HC8, 178±3mmHg vs. HT8, 161±4mmHg; P<0.05). HC8 rats showed a slower [Ca(2+)]i transient (Tpeak, 83.7±1.8ms vs. 71.7±2.4ms; T50%decay, 284.0±4.3ms vs. 264.0±4.1ms; P<0.05) and cell contractility (Vshortening, 86.1±6.7μm/s vs. 118.6±6.7μm/s; Vrelengthening, 57.5±7.4μm/s vs. 101.3±7.4μm/s; P<0.05), and higher expression of ANF (300%; P<0.05), skeletal α-actin (250%; P<0.05) and a decreased α/β-MHC ratio (70%; P<0.05) compared to NC8. Exercise training increased [Ca(2+)]i transient (NC8, 2.39±0.06F/F0 vs. NT8, 2.72±0.06F/F0; HC8, 2.28±0.05F/F0 vs. HT8, 2.82±0.05F/F0; P<0.05), and cell contractility (NC8, 7.4±0.3% vs. NT8, 8.4±0.3%; HC8, 6.8±0.3% vs. HT8, 7.8±0.3%; P<0.05). Furthermore, exercise normalized the expression of ANF, skeletal α-actin, and the α/β-MHC ratio in HT8 rats, augmented the expression of SERCA2a (NC8, 0.93±0.15 vs. NT8, 1.49±0.14; HC8, 0.83±0.13 vs. HT8, 1.32±0.14; P<0.05) and PLBser16 (NC8, 0.89±0.18 vs. NT8, 1.23±0.17; HC8, 0.77±0.17 vs. HT8, 1.32±0.16; P<0.05), and reduced PLBt/SERCA2a (NC8, 1.21±0.19 vs. NT8, 0.50±0.21; HC8, 1.38±0.17 vs. HT8, 0.66±0.21; P<0.05). However, all these adaptations returned to control values within 4weeks of detraining in both SHR and normotensive control animals. In conclusion, low-intensity endurance training induces positive benefits to left ventricular myocyte mechanical and molecular properties, which are reversed within 4weeks of detraining. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Adolescents with and without gestational cocaine exposure: Longitudinal analysis of inhibitory control, memory and receptive language.

PubMed

Betancourt, Laura M; Yang, Wei; Brodsky, Nancy L; Gallagher, Paul R; Malmud, Elsa K; Giannetta, Joan M; Farah, Martha J; Hurt, Hallam

2011-01-01

Preclinical studies of gestational cocaine exposure (GCE) show evidence of changes in brain function at the anatomical, physiological, and behavioral levels, to include effects on developing dopaminergic systems. In contrast, human studies have produced less consistent results, with most showing small effects or no effects on developmental outcomes. Important changes in brain structure and function occur through adolescence, therefore it is possible that prenatal cocaine exposure has latent effects on neurocognitive (NC) outcome that do not manifest until adolescence or young adulthood. We examined NC function using a set of 5 tasks designed to tap 4 different systems: inhibitory control, working memory, receptive language, and incidental memory. For each NC task, data were collected longitudinally at ages 12, 14.5 and 17 years and examined using generalized estimating equations. One hundred and nine children completed at least two of the three evaluations. Covariates included in the final model were assessment number, gender, participant age at first assessment, caregiver depression, and two composites from the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME), Environmental Stimulation and Parental Nurturance. We found no cocaine effects on inhibitory control, working memory, or receptive language (p=0.18). GCE effects were observed on incidental face memory task (p=0.055), and GCE by assessment number interaction effects were seen on the incidental word memory task (p=0.031). Participant performance on inhibitory control, working memory, and receptive language tasks improved over time. HOME Environmental Stimulation composite was associated with better receptive language functioning. With a larger sample size smaller differences between groups may have been detected. This report shows no evidence of latent effects of GCE on inhibitory control, working memory, or receptive language. GCE effects were observed on the incidental face memory task, and GCE by assessment number interaction effects was seen on the incidental word memory task. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Substrate dependent structure of adsorbed aryl isocyanides studied by sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy.

PubMed

Ito, Mikio; Noguchi, Hidenori; Ikeda, Katsuyoshi; Uosaki, Kohei

2010-04-07

Effects of metal substrate on the bonding nature of isocyanide group of two aryl isocyanides, 1,4-phenylene diisocyanide (PDI) and 4-methylphenyl isocyanide (MPI), and tilt angle of MPI were examined by measuring sum frequency generation (SFG) spectra of the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of these molecules on Au, Pt, Ag, and Pd surfaces. The SFG peaks due to "metal bonded" and "free"-NC groups were resolved by comparing the SFG spectra of PDI with IR spectra obtained by DFT calculations and previous results of vibrational spectroscopy. Based on the peak positions of the "metal bonded"-NC, it is clarified that while PDI and MPI were adsorbed at top sites on Au, Ag, and Pt surfaces, they adsorbed at bridge sites on the Pd surface. The tilt angles of MPI were determined from the intensity ratio between the SFG peaks of C-H symmetric and asymmetric stretching vibrational modes of the CH(3) group. The tilt angles of the MPI SAMs were in the order of Pt < Pd < Ag < Au, reflecting the bonding nature between the -NC group and the substrate atoms.

Association of nutrition club membership with markers of health: a cross sectional study.

PubMed

Das, Sai Krupa; Vail, Taylor A; Lebrón-Torres, Namibia; Livingston, Kara A; Roberts, Susan B; Rogers, Gail T; Gilhooly, Cheryl H; Urban, Lorien E; Saltzman, Edward; McKeown, Nicola M; Folta, Sara C

2017-04-11

Nutrition clubs (NC) operate in community settings and provide members with nutrition education and meal replacements for weight management. NC are owned and operated by distributors of Herbalife products. There are over 6200 NC in the US, but there has been no independent assessment of the association of these NC with biomarkers of health. We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study to compare the health status of 100 NC members to 100 community-matched controls (CC) in the greater Boston area. Each CC was matched to a NC member for community of residence (zip code), age category, gender, BMI category, race/ethnicity, education level (category), and readiness to make health changes. Measures obtained included cardio-metabolic risk factors, body composition, markers of nutritional status, reported health status, dietary intake, physical activity, sleep and depression. Participants were predominantly female (64%) and Hispanic (73%). NC members had significantly lower fasting insulin (P < 0.001) and lower HbA1c (P = 0.008), higher levels of 25 hydroxy-vitamin D (P = 0.001), and vitamin E:cholesterol ratio (P < 0.001), and lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (P = 0.02) compared to CC. In addition, most of the NC members (99%) were satisfied with Herbalife NC membership for themselves and their families. A higher percentage of NC members (86%) compared to CC (32%) reported being in much better or somewhat better health compared to a year ago (P < 0.001); and they reported significantly better physical health (P = 0.03), and fewer sleep problems (P = 0.03). Herbalife NC membership was positively associated with perceived health and measured cardiometabolic benefits. However, causality cannot be inferred from these findings.

Less is sometimes more: a comparison of distance-control and navigated-control concepts of image-guided navigation support for surgeons.

PubMed

Luz, Maria; Manzey, Dietrich; Modemann, Susanne; Strauss, Gero

2015-01-01

Image-guided navigation (IGN) systems provide automation support of intra-operative information analysis and decision-making for surgeons. Previous research showed that navigated-control (NC) systems which represent high levels of decision-support and directly intervene in surgeons' workflow provide benefits with respect to patient safety and surgeons' physiological stress but also involve several cost effects (e.g. prolonged surgery duration, reduced secondary-task performance). It was hypothesised that less automated distance-control (DC) systems would provide a better solution in terms of human performance consequences. N = 18 surgeons performed a simulated mastoidectomy with NC, DC and without IGN assistance. Effects on surgical performance, physiological effort, workload and situation awareness (SA) were compared. As expected, DC technology had the same benefits as the NC system but also led to less unwanted side effects on surgery duration, subjective workload and SA. This suggests that IGN systems just providing information analysis support are overall more beneficial than higher automated decision-support. This study investigates human performance consequences of different concepts of IGN support for surgeons. Less automated DC systems turned out to provide advantages for patient safety and surgeons' stress similar to higher automated NC systems with, at the same time, reduced negative consequences on surgery time and subjective workload.

Normal anti-Klebsiella lymphocytotoxicity in ankylosing spondylitis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kinsella, T.D.; Fritzler, M.J.; Lewkonia, R.M.

1986-03-01

We compared in vitro lymphocytotoxicity (LCT) of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), obtained from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and normal controls (NC). Assays were performed with antibacterial antisera prepared from AS- and NC-derived Klebsiella and coliforms Escherichia coli. LCT assessed by eosin staining was not significantly different in PBL of 12 AS patients and 28 controls when reacted with 3 Klebsiella and 1 E coli antisera. LCT assessed by /sup 51/Cr release was not significantly different for PBL of 20 age- and sex-matched pairs of AS patients and NC when reacted with 3 Klebsiella and 1 E coli antisera. Similarly,more » LCT-/sup 51/Cr of PBL of 15 matched AS and NC pairs was not significantly different for anti-K21, a serotype putatively implicated in Klebsiella-HLA-B27 antigenic cross-reactivity. Our results do not support the notion of molecular mimicry between Klebsiella and B27 in the pathogenesis of primary AS.« less

The effects of Taraxacum officinale extracts (TOE) supplementation on physical fatigue in mice.

PubMed

Jinchun, Zhang; Jie, Chen

2011-01-01

The study is to investigate the effect of Taraxacum officinale extracts (TOE) supplementation on physical fatigue based on the forced swimming capacity in mice. Forty Kunming male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., normal control (NC) and three doses of TOE treated group (High-dose, Middle-dose and Low-dose). Three TOE treated groups were treated by oral TOE with 10, 30 and 100mg/kg b.w respectively for a period of 42 days. The normal control group was given a corresponding volume of sterile distilled water. After 6 weeks, the forced swimming capacity and blood biochemical parameters in mice were measured, and the result showed that TOE had an anti- physical fatigue effect. It enhanced the maximum swimming capacity of mice, effectively delayed the lowering of glucose in the blood, and prevented the increase in lactate and triglyceride concentrations.

Expression of keratinocyte growth factor and its receptor in noncholesteatomatous and cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media.

PubMed

Yamamoto-Fukuda, Tomomi; Takahashi, Haruo; Terakado, Mariko; Hishikawa, Yoshitaka; Koji, Takehiko

2010-07-01

The purpose of the study was to test a hypothesis that the keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a key factor in the pathologic difference between cholesteatomatous (C-COM) and noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media (NC-COM). We compared the expression levels of KGF and its receptor (KGFR) and the proliferation activity of epithelial cells between NC-COM and C-COM. The epithelial lesion was surgically excised with subepithelial tissue from 18 patients with NC-COM and 70 patients with C-COM, and was processed for immunohistochemistry for KGF and KGFR. We also examined the proportion of proliferating epithelial cells using Ki-67 and the extent of infiltrating B and T cells. Keratinocyte growth factor was positive in 5 of 18 (28%) NC-COM specimens and in 61 of 69 (88%) C-COM specimens (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, 37 (60%) C-COM specimens were positive for KGFR, but none of NC-COM were positive (0%; p < 0.01). The Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was significantly smaller in NC-COM than in C-COM (p < 0.001). B-Cell LI was almost similar in the 2 groups. T-Cell LI was significantly higher in C-COM than in NC-COM (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, T-cell LI in NC-COM was higher in KGF-positive tissues than in KGF-negative tissues (p < 0.05). The results indicated that coexpression of KGF and KGFR seems to explain the pathologic difference between C-COM and NC-COM, and that KGF may play an important role in the development of cholesteatoma.

[Bioactivity of ultraviolet ray-treated titanium surface in nitrogen storing environment].

PubMed

Wang, Heng; Shang, Ren; Guan, Yun; Wang, Yan; Teng, Wei

2013-05-01

To evaluate the adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast-like cells on the ultraviolet (UV)-treated titanium in different storing environment, and to find a way to enhance the bioactivity of titanium and to prevent its age-related degradation. Acid-etched titanium disks stored under ambient conditions for 4 weeks and treated with UV light for 48 h.Then disks were divided into three groups and placed in a sealed container for 0 h (no-stored,NO group) , 4 weeks (air-stored, AS group) or in a sealed container filled with nitrogen for 4 weeks (nitrogen-stored,NS group) respectively. A group of UV-untreated titanium served as negative control (NC group).The surface morphology was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and hydrophilicity of disks were measured using contact angle measuring device. Cell counting kit-8 was used to measure the cell adhesion and proliferation. Cell differentiation was evaluated by testing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity using ALP reagent kit. There was no difference in surface topography among groups.Contact angels in NS group [(67.70 ± 3.59)°] and NO group [(0.70 ± 0.28)°] were smaller than the others (P < 0.05). Cell adhesion in NS group at 2 h and 4 h point was (0.237 ± 0.006) and (0.578 ± 0.039), respectively, and proliferation at 3 d and 5 d point was (0.743 ± 0.026) and (1.548 ± 0.046) respectively, which were significantly higher than those in AS group [(0.158 ± 0.036), (0.400 ± 0.010), (0.499 ± 0.019) and (1.174 ± 0.062)] and in NC group [(0.161 ± 0.024), (0.390 ± 0.011), (0.508 ± 0.015) and (1.209 ± 0.025)] at the same time point (P < 0.05). How ever the results mention above in the NS group were lower than those in the NO group (P < 0.05). No difference were found between data from the AS group and NS group (P > 0.05). Osteoblast-like cells had an abundant spread on NS and NO group during 2 h incubation, but did not exactly spread on AS and NC group after incubation for 4 h. No difference were found in ALP among groups. UV treatment can enhance bioactivity of titanium, and nitrogen storage can slow down its biological aging.

Reduced Frontal Activations at High Working Memory Load in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

PubMed

Yeung, Michael K; Sze, Sophia L; Woo, Jean; Kwok, Timothy; Shum, David H K; Yu, Ruby; Chan, Agnes S

2016-01-01

Some functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have reported altered activations in the frontal cortex during working memory (WM) performance in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but the findings have been mixed. The objective of the present study was to utilize near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), an alternative imaging technique, to examine neural processing during WM performance in individuals with MCI. Twenty-six older adults with MCI (7 males; mean age 69.15 years) were compared with 26 age-, gender-, handedness-, and education-matched older adults with normal cognition (NC; 7 males; mean age 68.87 years). All of the participants undertook an n-back task with a low (i.e., 0-back) and a high (i.e., 2-back) WM load condition while their prefrontal dynamics were recorded by a 16-channel NIRS system. Although behavioral results showed that the two groups had comparable task performance, neuroimaging results showed that the MCI group, unlike the NC group, did not exhibit significantly increased frontal activations bilaterally when WM load increased. Compared to the NC group, the MCI group had similar frontal activations at low load (p > 0.05 on all channels) but reduced activations at high load (p < 0.05 on 4 channels), thus failing to demonstrate WM-related frontal activations (p < 0.05 on 9 channels). In addition, we found a positive correlation between the left WM-related frontal activations and WM ability primarily in the NC group (rs = 0.42, p = 0.035), suggesting a relationship between frontal hypoactivation and WM difficulties. The present findings suggest the presence of frontal dysfunction that is dependent on WM load in individuals with MCI. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Plasma metabolomic profiling of dairy cows affected with ketosis using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Zhang, Hongyou; Wu, Ling; Xu, Chuang; Xia, Cheng; Sun, Lingwei; Shu, Shi

2013-09-26

Ketosis is an important problem for dairy cows` production performance. However, it is still little known about plasma metabolomics details of dairy ketosis. A gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technique was used to investigate plasma metabolic differences in cows that had clinical ketosis (CK, n=22), subclinical ketosis (SK, n=32), or were clinically normal controls (NC, n=22). The endogenous plasma metabolome was measured by chemical derivatization followed by GC/MS, which led to the detection of 267 variables. A two-sample t-test of 30, 32, and 13 metabolites showed statistically significant differences between SK and NC, CK and NC, and CK and SK, respectively. Orthogonal signal correction-partial least-square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed that the metabolic patterns of both CK and SK were mostly similar, with the exception of a few differences. The development of CK and SK involved disturbances in many metabolic pathways, mainly including fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and the pentose phosphate pathway. A diagnostic model arbitrary two groups was constructed using OPLS-DA and receiver-operator characteristic curves (ROC). Multivariate statistical diagnostics yielded the 19 potential biomarkers for SK and NC, 31 for CK and NC, and 8 for CK and SK with area under the curve (AUC) values. Our results showed the potential biomarkers from CK, SK, and NC, including carbohydrates, fatty acids, amino acids, even sitosterol and vitamin E isomers, etc. 2-piperidinecarboxylic acid and cis-9-hexadecenoic acid were closely associated with metabolic perturbations in ketosis as Glc, BHBA and NEFA for dealing with metabolic disturbances of ketosis in clinical practice. However, further research is needed to explain changes of 2,3,4-trihydroxybutyric acid, 3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid, α-aminobutyric acid, methylmalonic acid, sitosterol and α-tocopherol in CK and SK, and to reveal differences between CK and SK. Our study shows that some new biomarkers of ketosis from plasma may find new metabolic changes to have clinically new utility and significance in diagnosis, prognosis, and prevention of ketosis in the future.

Plasma metabolomic profiling of dairy cows affected with ketosis using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Ketosis is an important problem for dairy cows` production performance. However, it is still little known about plasma metabolomics details of dairy ketosis. Results A gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technique was used to investigate plasma metabolic differences in cows that had clinical ketosis (CK, n=22), subclinical ketosis (SK, n=32), or were clinically normal controls (NC, n=22). The endogenous plasma metabolome was measured by chemical derivatization followed by GC/MS, which led to the detection of 267 variables. A two-sample t-test of 30, 32, and 13 metabolites showed statistically significant differences between SK and NC, CK and NC, and CK and SK, respectively. Orthogonal signal correction-partial least-square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed that the metabolic patterns of both CK and SK were mostly similar, with the exception of a few differences. The development of CK and SK involved disturbances in many metabolic pathways, mainly including fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and the pentose phosphate pathway. A diagnostic model arbitrary two groups was constructed using OPLS-DA and receiver–operator characteristic curves (ROC). Multivariate statistical diagnostics yielded the 19 potential biomarkers for SK and NC, 31 for CK and NC, and 8 for CK and SK with area under the curve (AUC) values. Our results showed the potential biomarkers from CK, SK, and NC, including carbohydrates, fatty acids, amino acids, even sitosterol and vitamin E isomers, etc. 2-piperidinecarboxylic acid and cis-9-hexadecenoic acid were closely associated with metabolic perturbations in ketosis as Glc, BHBA and NEFA for dealing with metabolic disturbances of ketosis in clinical practice. However, further research is needed to explain changes of 2,3,4-trihydroxybutyric acid, 3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid, α-aminobutyric acid, methylmalonic acid, sitosterol and α-tocopherol in CK and SK, and to reveal differences between CK and SK. Conclusion Our study shows that some new biomarkers of ketosis from plasma may find new metabolic changes to have clinically new utility and significance in diagnosis, prognosis, and prevention of ketosis in the future. PMID:24070026

miR-494 up-regulates the PI3K/Akt pathway via targetting PTEN and attenuates hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model.

PubMed

Su, Song; Luo, De; Liu, Xiangdong; Liu, Jiang; Peng, Fangyi; Fang, Cheng; Li, Bo

2017-10-31

A rat HIRI model was constructed and treated with an intraperitoneal injection of agomir- miR-494 or agomir-NC (negative control) for 7 days after the surgery. The pathophysiological changes in sham-operated rats, HIRI, HIRI + agomir- miR-494 , and HIRI + agomir-NC were compared. The effect of miR-494 was also assessed in an H 2 O 2 -induced apoptosis model. Hepatic AML12 cells were transfected with mimics NC or miR-494 mimics, followed by 6-h H 2 O 2 treatment. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by CCK8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Further, the miR-494 target gene was identified by luciferase reporter assay, and verified both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The activity of AKT pathway was further analyzed in vivo by Western blot. HIRI + agomir- miR-494 rats exhibited significantly higher miR-494 expression, lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) level, lower hepatic MDA, TOA, and OSI, alleviated hepatic necrosis, reduced hepatocyte apoptosis, and decreased expression of apoptosis-related proteins, when compared with HIRI + agomir-NC rats ( P <0.05 or 0.01). After H 2 O 2 treatment, AML-12 cells transfected with miR-494 mimics had significantly higher proliferation and lower apoptosis rate compared with mimics NC group ( P <0.01). PTEN was identified as an miR-494 target gene. PTEN expression was significantly down-regulated in AML12 cells transfected with miR-494 mimics, and was up-regulated by treatment of miR-494 inhibitor ( P <0.01). Moreover, HIRI + agomir- miR-494 rats exhibited significantly lower PTEN expression, and higher p-AKT, p-mTOR, and p-p70S6K levels compared with HIRI + agomir-NC rats. Therefore, miR-494 protected rats against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury through down-regulating its downstream target gene PTEN , leading to the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. © 2017 The Author(s).

The effect of dietary fructooligosaccharide supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and immune responses in broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis lipopolysaccharides.

PubMed

Shang, Yue; Regassa, Alemu; Kim, Ji Hyuk; Kim, Woo Kyun

2015-12-01

This study was conducted to examine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) supplementation on growth performance, lymphoid organ weight, intestinal morphology, and immunological status in broilers (n=180) challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Birds were randomly assigned into a 3×2 factorial arrangement that included 1) 3 dietary treatments from d one to 21: positive control (PC), wheat-corn-soybean meal based diet contained antibiotics (virginiamycin and monensin); negative control (NC), as PC without antibiotics; and NC+FOS, as NC supplemented with 0.5% FOS, and 2) 2 intraperitoneal injections: 2 mg/kg Salmonella Enteritidis LPS or sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS) on d 21. Growth performance and relative lymphoid organ weight were not significantly different among the treatments. Villus height, crypt depth, and total mucosa thickness were significantly increased (P<0.05) in the ileum of broiler chickens fed NC+FOS when compared to PC and NC. Birds in NC+FOS treatment had reduced heterophil but increased monocyte count when compared to NC (P<0.05). Significant diet×challenge interaction was observed on natural IgY levels (P<0.0001), and a significant dietary effect was observed on specific IgY levels in chickens fed NC+FOS (P=0.003). Supplementation of FOS also increased the expression of interleukin (IL)-1ß, -10, and interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA in the ileum of the birds. In summary, Salmonella Enteritidis LPS challenge established significant differences in the immune responses in broiler chickens. FOS supplementation increased ileal mucosa thickness and elevated the expressions of certain cytokine genes. It also led to the alteration of leukocyte compositions and serum IgY levels in response to LPS challenge, suggesting FOS supplementation may be effective to induce protective outcomes in gut health and immunity of broiler chickens. © 2015 Poultry Science Association Inc.

Serum phospholipid omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

PubMed

Lou, Da-Jun; Zhu, Qi-Qian; Si, Xu-Wei; Guan, Li-Li; You, Qiao-Ying; Yu, Zhong-Ming; Zhang, Ai-Zhen

2014-01-01

To investigate the relationship between serum phospholipid omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) and insulin resistance (IR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). 51 patients with T2DM and NAFLD (T2DM+NAFLD group), 50 with T2DM alone (T2DM group), 45 with NAFLD alone (NAFLD group), and 42 healthy control subjects (NC group) were studied. Serum ω-3 PUFA profiles were analyzed by gas chromatography, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and serum lipid concentrations were measured. Insulin resistance was assessed by the homeostasis model assessment method (HOMA-IR). HOMA-IR levels were higher in the T2DM+NAFLD group than in the T2DM, NAFLD and NC groups (p<0.05), as were ALT, AST, GGT, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) concentrations (p<0.05). Conversely, serum ω-3 PUFA levels were significantly lower in the T2DM+NAFLD group than in the other groups (p<0.05). The ω-3 PUFA level was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR, TC, LDL-C and TG. Serum phospholipid ω-3 PUFA levels were significantly decreased in patients with T2DM and NAFLD, and were negatively related with insulin resistance. Thus, reduced ω-3 PUFAs may play an important role in the development of T2DM and NAFLD. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Long noncoding RNA H19 upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor A to enhance mesenchymal stem cells survival and angiogenic capacity by inhibiting miR-199a-5p.

PubMed

Hou, Jingying; Wang, Lingyun; Wu, Quanhua; Zheng, Guanghui; Long, Huibao; Wu, Hao; Zhou, Changqing; Guo, Tianzhu; Zhong, Tingting; Wang, Lei; Chen, Xuxiang; Wang, Tong

2018-04-19

Currently, the overall therapeutic efficiency of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease is not satisfactory. The low viability and angiogenic capacity of the implanted cells in the local infarct tissues restrict their further application. Evidence shows that long noncoding RNA H19 (lncRNA-H19) mediates cell survival and angiogenesis. Additionally, it is also involved in MSCs biological activities. This study aimed to explore the functional role of lncRNA-H19 in MSCs survival and angiogenic capacity as well as the underlying mechanism. MSCs were obtained from C57BL/6 mice and cultured in vitro. Cells at the third passage were divided into the following groups: MSCs+H19, MSCs+H19 NC, MSCs+si-H19, MSCs+si-H19 NC and MSCs. The MSCs+H19 and MSCs+H19 NC groups were transfected with lncRNA-H19 and lncRNA-H19 scramble RNA respectively. The MSCs+si-H19 and MSCs+si-H19 NC groups were transfected with lncRNA-H19 siRNA and lncRNA-H19 siRNA scramble respectively. MSCs were used as the blank control. All groups were exposed to normoxia (20% O 2 ) and hypoxia (1% O 2 )/serum deprivation (H/SD) conditions for 24 h. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and vascular densities were assessed. Bioinformatics and dual luciferase reporter assay were performed. Relevant biomarkers were detected in different experimental groups. Overexpression of lncRNA-H19 improved survival and angiogenic capacity of MSCs under both normoxia and H/SD conditions, whereas its knockdown impaired cell viability and their angiogenic potential. MicroRNA-199a-5p (miR-199a-5p) targeted and downregulated vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). MiR-199a-5p was a target of lncRNA-H19. LncRNA-H19 transfection led to a decreased level of miR-199a-5p, accompanied with an elevated expression of VEGFA. However, both miR-199a-5p and VEGFA presented inverse alterations in the condition of lncRNA-H19 knockdown. LncRNA-H19 enhanced MSCs survival and their angiogenic potential in vitro. It could directly upregulate VEGFA expression by inhibiting miR-199a-5p as a competing endogenous RNA. This mechanism contributes to a better understanding of MSCs biological activities and provides new insights for cell therapy based on MSCs transplantation.

Nonclinical and Clinical Enterococcus faecium Strains, but Not Enterococcus faecalis Strains, Have Distinct Structural and Functional Genomic Features

PubMed Central

Kim, Eun Bae

2014-01-01

Certain strains of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis contribute beneficially to animal health and food production, while others are associated with nosocomial infections. To determine whether there are structural and functional genomic features that are distinct between nonclinical (NC) and clinical (CL) strains of those species, we analyzed the genomes of 31 E. faecium and 38 E. faecalis strains. Hierarchical clustering of 7,017 orthologs found in the E. faecium pangenome revealed that NC strains clustered into two clades and are distinct from CL strains. NC E. faecium genomes are significantly smaller than CL genomes, and this difference was partly explained by significantly fewer mobile genetic elements (ME), virulence factors (VF), and antibiotic resistance (AR) genes. E. faecium ortholog comparisons identified 68 and 153 genes that are enriched for NC and CL strains, respectively. Proximity analysis showed that CL-enriched loci, and not NC-enriched loci, are more frequently colocalized on the genome with ME. In CL genomes, AR genes are also colocalized with ME, and VF are more frequently associated with CL-enriched loci. Genes in 23 functional groups are also differentially enriched between NC and CL E. faecium genomes. In contrast, differences were not observed between NC and CL E. faecalis genomes despite their having larger genomes than E. faecium. Our findings show that unlike E. faecalis, NC and CL E. faecium strains are equipped with distinct structural and functional genomic features indicative of adaptation to different environments. PMID:24141120

[Sepsis associated encephalopathy is an independently risk factor for nosocomial coma in patients with supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage: a retrospective cohort study of 261 patients].

PubMed

Wang, Guangsheng; Wang, Shaodan; Zhou, Yeting; Chen, Xiaodong; Ma, Xiaobo; Tong, Daoming

2016-08-01

To investigate whether the presence of sepsis associated encephalopathy (SAE) would predict nosocomial coma (NC) and poor outcome in patients with supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH). A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The adult acute SICH patients with or without coma admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Shuyang People' Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from December 2012 to December 2015 were enrolled. Brain computed tomography (CT) scans were analyzed and the patients were divided into pre-hospital coma (PC) and NC groups. The clinical data and the incidence of SAE of patients in two groups were compared, and the 30-day prognosis was followed up. Univariate and Cox regression analyses were performed to analyze whether SAE would predict NC and poor outcome in patients with SICH. A total of 330 patients with acute SICH and coma were enrolled, excluding 60 cases of infratentorial cerebral hemorrhage, 3 cases of primary intraventricular hemorrhage, and 6 cases of unknown volume hematoma. Finally, 261 patients were included, with 111 patients of NC events, and 150 patients of PC events. 69 (62.2%) SAE in SICH with NC and 33 (22.2%) SAE in SICH with PC was diagnosed, and the incidence of SAE between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Compared with PC group, SICH patients in the NC group had lower incidence of hypertension (81.1% vs. 96.0%), longer time from onset to NC [days: 2.3 (23.9) vs. 0 (0.5)] and length of ICU stay [days: 5.0 (34.0) vs. 3.0 (12.0)], higher initial Glasgow coma score (GCS, 10.2±1.5 vs. 6.6±1.6) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score [4.0 (6.0) vs. 3.0 (3.0)], lower initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (19.4±6.6 vs. 30.2±6.8), as well as more frequent sepsis (78.4% vs. 38.0%), vegetative state (24.3% vs. 14.0%), acute respiratory failure (24.3% vs. 10.0%), pneumonia (37.8% vs. 24.0%), septic shock (8.1% vs. 0), acute liver failure (5.4% vs. 0), hypernatremia (8.1% vs. 0), CT indicating that more frequent vasogenic edema (64.9% vs. 16.0%) and white matter lesion (13.5% vs. 2.0%), and less mannitol usage (94.6% vs. 100.0%), and less brain midline shift (32.4% vs. 68.0%) and hematoma enlargement (8.1% vs. 30.0%), less hematoma volume (mL: 28.0±18.8 vs. 38.3±24.4) in CT, and higher 30-day mortality (54.1% vs. 26.0%) with statistical differences (all P < 0.05). It was shown by Cox regression analyses that SAE [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.5, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.346-6.765, P = 0.000] and SOFA score (HR = 1.8, 95%CI = 1.073-1.756, P = 0.008) were independent risk factors of death of SICH patients with NC, and hematoma enlargement was independent risk factor of death of SICH patients with PC (HR = 3.0, 95%CI = 1.313-5.814, P = 0.000). SAE is the independent factor of inducing NC event and poor prognosis in SICH patients.

Altered functional connectivity of amygdala underlying the neuromechanism of migraine pathogenesis.

PubMed

Chen, Zhiye; Chen, Xiaoyan; Liu, Mengqi; Dong, Zhao; Ma, Lin; Yu, Shengyuan

2017-12-01

The amygdala is a large grey matter complex in the limbic system, and it may contribute in the neurolimbic pain network in migraine. However, the detailed neuromechanism remained to be elucidated. The objective of this study is to investigate the amygdala structural and functional changes in migraine and to elucidate the mechanism of neurolimbic pain-modulating in the migraine pathogenesis. Conventional MRI, 3D structure images and resting state functional MRI were performed in 18 normal controls (NC), 18 patients with episodic migraine (EM), and 16 patients with chronic migraine (CM). The amygdala volume was measured using FreeSurfer software and the functional connectivity (FC) of bilateral amygdala was computed over the whole brain. Analysis of covariance was performed on the individual FC maps among groups. The increased FC of left amygdala was observed in EM compared with NC, and the decreased of right amygdala was revealed in CM compared with NC. The increased FC of bilateral amygdala was observed in CM compared with EM. The correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between the score of sleep quality (0, normal; 1, mild sleep disturbance; 2, moderate sleep disturbance; 3, serious sleep disturbance) and the increased FC strength of left amygdala in EM compared with NC, and a positive correlation between the score of sleep quality and the increased FC strength of left amygdala in CM compared with EM, and other clinical variables showed no significant correlation with altered FC of amygdala. The altered functional connectivity of amygdala demonstrated that neurolimbic pain network contribute in the EM pathogenesis and CM chronicization.

Altered interhemispheric functional connectivity in patients with anisometropic and strabismic amblyopia: a resting-state fMRI study.

PubMed

Liang, Minglong; Xie, Bing; Yang, Hong; Yin, Xuntao; Wang, Hao; Yu, Longhua; He, Sheng; Wang, Jian

2017-05-01

Altered brain functional connectivity has been reported in patients with amblyopia by recent neuroimaging studies. However, relatively little is known about the alterations in interhemispheric functional connectivity in amblyopia. The present study aimed to investigate the functional connectivity patterns between homotopic regions across hemispheres in patients with anisometropic and strabismic amblyopia under resting state. Nineteen monocular anisometropic amblyopia (AA), 18 strabismic amblyopia (SA), and 20 normal-sight controls (NC) were enrolled in this study. After a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, resting-state fMRI scanning was performed in all participants. The pattern of the interhemispheric functional connectivity was measured with the voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) approach. VMHC values differences within and between three groups were compared, and correlations between VMHC values and each the clinical variable were also analyzed. Altered VMHC was observed in AA and SA patients in lingual gyrus and fusiform gyrus compared with NC subjects. The altered VMHC of lingual gyrus showed a pattern of AA > SA > NC, while the altered VMHC of fusiform gyrus showed a pattern of AA > NC > SA. Moreover, the VMHC values of lingual gyrus were positively correlated with the stereoacuity both in AA and SA patients, and the VMHC values of fusiform gyrus were positively correlated with the amount of anisometropia just in AA patients. These findings suggest that interhemispheric functional coordination between several homotopic visual-related brain regions is impaired both in AA and SA patients under resting state and revealed the similarities and differences in interhemispheric functional connectivity between the anisometropic and strabismic amblyopia.

Caffeine increases sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in a free-living population: a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Keast, Russell S J; Swinburn, Boyd A; Sayompark, Dhoungsiri; Whitelock, Susie; Riddell, Lynn J

2015-01-28

Excessive sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has been associated with overweight and obesity. Caffeine is a common additive to SSB, and through dependence effects, it has the potential to promote the consumption of caffeine-containing foods. The objective of the present study was to assess the influence that caffeine has on the consumption of SSB. Participants (n 99) were blindly assigned to either a caffeinated SSB (C-SSB) or a non-caffeinated SSB (NC-SSB) group. Following randomisation, all participants completed a 9 d flavour-conditioning paradigm. They then completed a 28 d ad libitum intake intervention where they consumed as much or as little of C-SSB or NC-SSB as desired. The amount consumed (ml) was recorded daily, 4 d diet diaries were collected and liking of SSB was assessed at the start and end of the intervention. Participants (n 50) consuming the C-SSB had a daily SSB intake of 419 (sd 298) ml (785 (sd 559) kJ/d) over the 28 d intervention, significantly more than participants (n 49) consuming the NC-SSB (273 (sd 278) ml/d, 512 (sd 521) kJ/d) (P=0.05). However, participants who consumed the C-SSB liked the SSB more than those who consumed the NC-SSB (6.3 v. 6.0 on a nine-point hedonic scale, P= 0.022). The addition of low concentrations of caffeine to the SSB significantly increases the consumption of the SSB. Regulating caffeine as a food additive may be an effective strategy to decrease the consumption of nutrient-poor high-energy foods and beverages.

Development of anxiety, depression and health-related quality of life in oncology patients without initial symptoms according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - a comparative study.

PubMed

Thalén-Lindström, Annika; Glimelius, Bengt; Johansson, Birgitta

2017-08-01

Depression and anxiety are associated with decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The knowledge about the development of anxiety, depression and HRQoL in cancer patients without depression or anxiety, that is initially scoring as non-cases (cutoff <8) according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), is sparse. The objectives were: (1) to evaluate changes in anxiety, depression and HRQoL over 6 months in two independent cohorts of oncology patients initially scoring as non-cases by the HADS, (2) to compare stable non-case patients with the general population regarding HRQoL and (3) to explore the outcomes using >4 rather than >7 as cutoff on any of HADS subscales. The study group (SG) included 245 and the validation group (VG), a previous cohort, included 281 non-cases. Patients who were non-cases (HADS <8) at all completed assessments were categorized as stable non-cases (stable-NC); those who were doubtful/clinical cases (HADS >7) in at least one follow-up were categorized as unstable-NC. Questionnaires were completed at baseline, and after 1, 3 and 6 months. Age- and sex-matched EORTC QLQ-C30 data from the general population were used for HRQoL comparisons. One hundred ninety-six (80%) SG and 244 (87%) VG patients were stable-NC and 49 (20%) SG and 37 (13%) VG patients were unstable-NC. SG and VG were similar in all outcomes. Anxiety, depression and HRQoL deteriorated over 6 months for unstable-NC (p < .05). HRQoL for stable-NC was comparable to that in the general population. If >4 had been used as cutoff, most unstable-NC (36/49 and 25/37, respectively) would have been identified at baseline. Most non-cases are stable-NC with a high stable HRQoL, indicating no need for re-assessment. A minority develop anxiety or depression symptoms and impaired HRQoL; for these a cutoff >4 rather than >7 on HADS subscales may be useful for early detection.

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Serum N-linked Glycans from Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Phenotypes

PubMed Central

Gaye, M. M.; Valentine, S. J.; Hu, Y.; Mirjankar, N.; Hammoud, Z. T.; Mechref, Y.; Lavine, B. K.; Clemmer, D. E.

2012-01-01

Three disease phenotypes, Barrett’s esophagus (BE), high-grade dysplasia (HGD), esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), and a set of normal control (NC) serum samples are examined using a combination of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), mass spectrometry (MS) and principal component analysis (PCA) techniques. Samples from a total of 136 individuals were examined, including: 7 characterized as BE, 12 as HGD, 56 as EAC and 61 as NC. In typical datasets it was possible to assign ~20 to 30 glycan ions based on MS measurements. Ion mobility distributions for these ions show multiple features. In some cases, such as the [S1H5N4+3Na]3+ and [S1F1H5N4+3Na]3+ glycan ions, the ratio of intensities of high-mobility features to low-mobility features vary significantly for different groups. The degree to which such variations in mobility profiles can be used to distinguish phenotypes is evaluated for eleven N-linked glycan ions. An outlier analysis on each sample class followed by an unsupervised PCA using a genetic algorithm for pattern recognition reveals that EAC samples are separated from NC samples based on 46 features originating from the 11-glycan composite IMS distribution. PMID:23126309

Noncoding RNAs: New Players in Pulmonary Medicine and Sarcoidosis.

PubMed

Salamo, Oriana; Mortaz, Esmaeil; Mirsaeidi, Mehdi

2018-02-01

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are coded by 98% of human genomic DNA. They are grouped into two major classes according to length: small ncRNAs and long ncRNAs. They regulate genome organization, stability, and physiological processes that maintain cellular homeostasis. Recently, great interest has emerged in ncRNAs because of their significant roles in the development of inflammatory diseases, including sarcoidosis. Some have been introduced as novel markers for disease activity, such as increased levels of microRNA-34a in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with sarcoidosis, re-emphasizing the inflammatory component in sarcoidosis. They are also important factors in the outcome of sarcoidosis. Dysregulation of microRNA-let7f leads to overexpression of profibrotic factors and could be related to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with sarcoidosis, owing to their stimulatory effect on collagen expression and deposition. However, many unanswered questions remain about the association of ncRNAs and sarcoidosis. By understanding the functions of ncRNAs in T-helper cell type 1 and T-helper cell type 17, we may uncover the mechanism of action of those cells in sarcoidosis. Further translational research is needed to define the RNA gene fingerprint of different sarcoidosis stages.

Protective effect of Momordica charantia water extract against liver injury in restraint-stressed mice and the underlying mechanism

PubMed Central

Deng, Yuanyuan; Tang, Qin; Zhang, Yan; Zhang, Ruifen; Wei, Zhencheng; Tang, Xiaojun; Zhang, Mingwei

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Background: Momordica charantia is used in China for its jianghuo (heat-clearing and detoxifying) effects. The concept of shanghuo (the antonym of jianghuo, excessive internal heat) in traditional Chinese medicine is considered a type of stress response of the body. The stress process involves internal organs, especially the liver. Objective: We hypothesized that Momordica charantia water extract (MWE) has a hepatoprotective effect and can protect the body from stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of MWE against liver injury in restraint-stressed mice. Design: The mice were intragastrically administered with MWE (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg bw) daily for 7 days. The Normal Control (NC) and Model groups were administered distilled water. A positive control group was intragastrically administered vitamin C 250 mg/kg bw. After the last administration, mice were restrained for 20 h. Results: MWE reduced the serum AST and ALT, reduced the NO content and the protein expression level of iNOSin the liver; significantly reduced the mitochondrial ROS content, increased the mitochondrial membrane potential and the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and II in restraint-stressed mice. Conclusions: The results indicate that MWE has a protective effect against liver injury in restraint-stressed mice. Abbreviations: MWE: Momordica charantia water extract; M. charantia: Momordica charantia L.; ROS: reactive oxygen species; NO: nitric oxide; iNOS: inducible nitric oxide synthase; IL-1β: interleukin-1 beta; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor alpha; IL-6: interleukin 6; IFN-γ: interferon gamma; VC: vitamin C; ALT: alanine transaminase; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; GSH: glutathione; GSH-PX: glutathione peroxidase; MDA: malondialdehyde; BCA: bicinchoninic acid; TBARS: thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; Trolox: 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid; JC-B: Janus Green B; DW: dry weight; FC: Folin–Ciocalteu; GAE: gallic acid equivalents; bw: body weight; NC: normal control group; Model: restraint stress model group; VC: positive control vitamin C group, 250 mg/kg bw; MWEL: Momordica charantia water extract low-dose group, 250 mg/kg bw; MWEM: Momordica charantia water extract middle-dose group, 500 mg/kg bw; MWEH: Momordica charantia water extract high-dose group, 750 mg/kg bw; HE: hematoxylin and eosin; ORAC: total oxygen radical absorbance capacity; ABAP: dihydrochloride; ATP: adenosine triphosphate PMID:28747868

Protective effect of Momordica charantia water extract against liver injury in restraint-stressed mice and the underlying mechanism.

PubMed

Deng, Yuanyuan; Tang, Qin; Zhang, Yan; Zhang, Ruifen; Wei, Zhencheng; Tang, Xiaojun; Zhang, Mingwei

2017-01-01

Background : Momordica charantia is used in China for its jianghuo (heat-clearing and detoxifying) effects. The concept of shanghuo (the antonym of jianghuo , excessive internal heat) in traditional Chinese medicine is considered a type of stress response of the body. The stress process involves internal organs, especially the liver. Objective : We hypothesized that Momordica charantia water extract (MWE) has a hepatoprotective effect and can protect the body from stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of MWE against liver injury in restraint-stressed mice. Design : The mice were intragastrically administered with MWE (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg bw) daily for 7 days. The Normal Control (NC) and Model groups were administered distilled water. A positive control group was intragastrically administered vitamin C 250 mg/kg bw. After the last administration, mice were restrained for 20 h. Results : MWE reduced the serum AST and ALT, reduced the NO content and the protein expression level of iNOSin the liver; significantly reduced the mitochondrial ROS content, increased the mitochondrial membrane potential and the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and II in restraint-stressed mice. Conclusions : The results indicate that MWE has a protective effect against liver injury in restraint-stressed mice. Abbreviations : MWE: Momordica charantia water extract; M. charantia: Momordica charantia L.; ROS: reactive oxygen species; NO: nitric oxide; iNOS: inducible nitric oxide synthase; IL-1β: interleukin-1 beta; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor alpha; IL-6: interleukin 6; IFN-γ: interferon gamma; VC: vitamin C; ALT: alanine transaminase; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; GSH: glutathione; GSH-PX: glutathione peroxidase; MDA: malondialdehyde; BCA: bicinchoninic acid; TBARS: thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; Trolox: 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid; JC-B: Janus Green B; DW: dry weight; FC: Folin-Ciocalteu; GAE: gallic acid equivalents; bw: body weight; NC: normal control group; Model: restraint stress model group; VC: positive control vitamin C group, 250 mg/kg bw; MWEL: Momordica charantia water extract low-dose group, 250 mg/kg bw; MWEM: Momordica charantia water extract middle-dose group, 500 mg/kg bw; MWEH: Momordica charantia water extract high-dose group, 750 mg/kg bw; HE: hematoxylin and eosin; ORAC: total oxygen radical absorbance capacity; ABAP: dihydrochloride; ATP: adenosine triphosphate.

Preventive Interventions and Sustained Attachment Security in Maltreated Children

PubMed Central

Stronach, Erin Pickreign; Toth, Sheree L.; Rogosch, Fred; Cicchetti, Dante

2013-01-01

Thirteen-month-old maltreated infants (n = 137) and their mothers were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: child-parent psychotherapy (CPP), psychoeducational parenting intervention (PPI), and community standard (CS). A fourth group of nonmaltreated infants (n =52) and their mothers served as a normative comparison (NC) group. A prior investigation found that the CPP and PPI groups demonstrated substantial increases in secure attachment at post-intervention, whereas this change was not found in the CS and NC groups. The current investigation involved the analysis of data obtained at a follow-up assessment that occurred 12-months after the completion of treatment. At follow-up, children in the CPP group had higher rates of secure and lower rates of disorganized attachment than did children in the PPI or CS groups. Rates of disorganized attachment did not differ between the CPP and NC groups. Intention-to-treat analyses (ITT) also showed higher rates of secure attachment at follow-up in the CPP group relative to the PPI and CS groups. However, groups did not differ on disorganized attachment. Both primary and ITT analyses demonstrated that maternal reported child behavior problems did not differ among the four groups at the follow-up assessment. This is the first investigation to demonstrate sustained attachment security in maltreated children 12 months after the completion of an attachment theory-informed intervention. Findings also suggest that, while effective in the short term, parenting interventions alone may not be effective in maintaining secure attachment in children over time. PMID:24229539

Combined plasma gas-phase synthesis and colloidal processing of InP/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals.

PubMed

Gresback, Ryan; Hue, Ryan; Gladfelter, Wayne L; Kortshagen, Uwe R

2011-01-12

Indium phosphide nanocrystals (InP NCs) with diameters ranging from 2 to 5 nm were synthesized with a scalable, flow-through, nonthermal plasma process at a rate ranging from 10 to 40 mg/h. The NC size is controlled through the plasma operating parameters, with the residence time of the gas in the plasma region strongly influencing the NC size. The NC size distribution is narrow with the standard deviation being less than 20% of the mean NC size. Zinc sulfide (ZnS) shells were grown around the plasma-synthesized InP NCs in a liquid phase reaction. Photoluminescence with quantum yields as high as 15% were observed for the InP/ZnS core-shell NCs.

Combined plasma gas-phase synthesis and colloidal processing of InP/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Indium phosphide nanocrystals (InP NCs) with diameters ranging from 2 to 5 nm were synthesized with a scalable, flow-through, nonthermal plasma process at a rate ranging from 10 to 40 mg/h. The NC size is controlled through the plasma operating parameters, with the residence time of the gas in the plasma region strongly influencing the NC size. The NC size distribution is narrow with the standard deviation being less than 20% of the mean NC size. Zinc sulfide (ZnS) shells were grown around the plasma-synthesized InP NCs in a liquid phase reaction. Photoluminescence with quantum yields as high as 15% were observed for the InP/ZnS core-shell NCs. PMID:21711589

Combined plasma gas-phase synthesis and colloidal processing of InP/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gresback, Ryan; Hue, Ryan; Gladfelter, Wayne L.; Kortshagen, Uwe R.

2011-12-01

Indium phosphide nanocrystals (InP NCs) with diameters ranging from 2 to 5 nm were synthesized with a scalable, flow-through, nonthermal plasma process at a rate ranging from 10 to 40 mg/h. The NC size is controlled through the plasma operating parameters, with the residence time of the gas in the plasma region strongly influencing the NC size. The NC size distribution is narrow with the standard deviation being less than 20% of the mean NC size. Zinc sulfide (ZnS) shells were grown around the plasma-synthesized InP NCs in a liquid phase reaction. Photoluminescence with quantum yields as high as 15% were observed for the InP/ZnS core-shell NCs.

Dynamic Organization of lncRNA and Circular RNA Regulators Collectively Controlled Cardiac Differentiation in Humans.

PubMed

Li, Yongsheng; Zhang, Jinwen; Huo, Caiqin; Ding, Na; Li, Junyi; Xiao, Jun; Lin, Xiaoyu; Cai, Benzhi; Zhang, Yunpeng; Xu, Juan

2017-10-01

Advances in developmental cardiology have increased our understanding of the early aspects of heart differentiation. However, understanding noncoding RNA (ncRNA) transcription and regulation during this process remains elusive. Here, we constructed transcriptomes for both long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in four important developmental stages ranging from early embryonic to cardiomyocyte based on high-throughput sequencing datasets, which indicate the high stage-specific expression patterns of two ncRNA types. Additionally, higher similarities of samples within each stage were found, highlighting the divergence of samples collected from distinct cardiac developmental stages. Next, we developed a method to identify numerous lncRNA and circRNA regulators whose expression was significantly stage-specific and shifted gradually and continuously during heart differentiation. We inferred that these ncRNAs are important for the stages of cardiac differentiation. Moreover, transcriptional regulation analysis revealed that the expression of stage-specific lncRNAs is controlled by known key stage-specific transcription factors (TFs). In addition, circRNAs exhibited dynamic expression patterns independent from their host genes. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that lncRNAs and circRNAs play critical roles in pathways that are activated specifically during heart differentiation. We further identified candidate TF-ncRNA-gene network modules for each differentiation stage, suggesting the dynamic organization of lncRNAs and circRNAs collectively controlled cardiac differentiation, which may cause heart-related diseases when defective. Our study provides a foundation for understanding the dynamic regulation of ncRNA transcriptomes during heart differentiation and identifies the dynamic organization of novel key lncRNAs and circRNAs to collectively control cardiac differentiation. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Bovine immune response to inoculation with Neospora caninum surface antigen SRS2 lipopeptides mimics immune response to infection with live parasites.

PubMed

Baszler, Timothy V; Shkap, Varda; Mwangi, Waithaka; Davies, Christopher J; Mathison, Bruce A; Mazuz, Monica; Resnikov, Dror; Fish, Lea; Leibovitch, Benjamin; Staska, Lauren M; Savitsky, Igor

2008-04-01

Infection of cattle with Neospora caninum protozoa, the causative agent of bovine protozoal abortion, results in robust cellular and humoral immune responses, particularly CD4(+) T-lymphocyte activation and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) secretion. In the present study, N. caninum SRS2 (NcSRS2) T-lymphocyte-epitope-bearing subunits were incorporated into DNA and peptide preparations to assess CD4(+) cell proliferation and IFN-gamma T-lymphocyte-secretion immune responses in cattle with predetermined major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotypes. In order to optimize dendritic-cell processing, NcSRS2 DNA vaccine was delivered with granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor and Flt3 ligand adjuvant. The synthesized NcSRS2 peptides were coupled with a palmitic acid molecule (lipopeptide) and delivered with Freund's adjuvant. Cattle vaccinated with NcSRS2 DNA vaccine alone did not induce T-lymphocyte activation or IFN-gamma secretion, whereas subsequent booster inoculation with NcSRS2-lipopeptides induced robust NcSRS2-specific immune responses. Compared to the response in control animals, NcSRS2-lipopeptide-immunized cattle had significantly increased NcSRS2-specific T-lymphocyte proliferation, numbers of IFN-gamma-secreting peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG2a antibody levels. The findings show that N. caninum NcSRS2 subunits bearing T-lymphocyte epitopes induced cell-mediated immune responses similar to the protective immune responses previously described against live parasite infection, namely T-lymphocyte activation and IFN-gamma secretion. The findings support the investigation of NcSRS2 immunogens for protection against N. caninum-induced fetal infection and abortion in cattle.

Suboptimal use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in radical cystectomy patients: A population-based study.

PubMed

Schiffmann, Jonas; Sun, Maxine; Gandaglia, Giorgio; Tian, Zhe; Popa, Ioana; Larcher, Alessandro; Meskawi, Malek; Briganti, Alberto; McCormack, Michael; Shariat, Shahrokh F; Montorsi, Francesco; Graefen, Markus; Saad, Fred; Karakiewicz, Pierre I

2016-01-01

We aimed to assess contemporary rates of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) use. We relied on the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database for non-metastatic, muscle-invasive (T2-T4a) urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder (UCUB) patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) between 1991 and 2009. Multivariable logistic regression analyses tested predictors of NC use, such as: T-stage, N-stage, year of diagnosis, age at diagnosis, gender, race, use of radiotherapy (RT), marital status, urban status, socioeconomic status, tumour grade, and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Overall, 5207 patients treated with RC were identified. Of those, 332 (6.4%) received NC. The rate of NC increased over time from 6.1% (1991) to 15.0% (2009) (p<0.001). In multivariable analyses, year of diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]: 4.7; p<0.001), lower T-stage (T3 vs. T2: OR: 0.7; p=0.003), married status (OR: 1.5; p=0.006), and younger age at diagnosis (≥80 vs. 66-69: OR: 0.6; p=0.006) were associated with a higher odds of NC; all represented independent predictors of NC use. Neither race nor CCI demonstrated statistical significance. We reported lower than anticipated overall (6.4%) use of NC. Nonetheless, the rate increased from 6.1% (1991) to 15.0% (2009). Older and unmarried individuals were less likely to receive NC. NC rates were higher in T2 UCUB patients. Some of the observed discrepancies, such as lower use in unmarried individuals, may require correction. Better adherence to guidelines should be encouraged and implemented, especially based on the confirmed benefits of NC according to randomized, controlled trials. The study is limited by a retrospective design and limited variables.

Nimesulide, a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, suppresses obesity-related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatic insulin resistance through the regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ.

PubMed

Tsujimoto, Shunsuke; Kishina, Manabu; Koda, Masahiko; Yamamoto, Yasutaka; Tanaka, Kohei; Harada, Yusuke; Yoshida, Akio; Hisatome, Ichiro

2016-09-01

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective inhibitors suppress non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, the precise mechanism of action remains unknown. The aim of this study was to examine how the COX-2 selective inhibitor nimesulide suppresses NAFLD in a murine model of high-fat diet (HFD)‑induced obesity. Mice were fed either a normal chow diet (NC), an HFD, or HFD plus nimesulide (HFD-nime) for 12 weeks. Body weight, hepatic COX-2 mRNA expression and triglyceride accumulation were significantly increased in the HFD group. Triglyceride accumulation was suppressed in the HFD-nime group. The mRNA expression of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and the natural PPARγ agonist 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d‑PGJ2) were significantly increased in the HFD group and significantly suppressed in the HFD-nime group. Glucose metabolism was impaired in the HFD group compared with the NC group, and it was significantly improved in the HFD-nime group. In addition, the plasma insulin levels in the HFD group were increased compared with those in the NC group, and were decreased in the HFD-nime group. These results indicate that HFD-induced NAFLD is mediated by the increased hepatic expression of COX-2. We suggest that the production of 15d-PGJ2, which is mediated by COX-2, induces NAFLD and hepatic insulin resistance by activating PPARγ. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP‑1), procollagen-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), as well as the number of F4/80-positive hepatic (Kupffer) cells, were significantly increased in the HFD group compared with the NC group, and they were reduced by nimesulide. In conclusion, COX-2 may emerge as a molecular target for preventing the development of NAFLD and insulin resistance in diet-related obesity.

Controllable nonlinear refraction characteristics in hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zheng, D. Q.; Ye, Q. H.; Shen, W. Z., E-mail: wzshen@sjtu.edu.cn

2014-02-07

Nonlinear refraction (NLR) of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) has been investigated through the close aperture Z-scan method. We demonstrate a significant NLR and a unique feature of controllable NLR characteristics between saturable and Kerr NLR with the incident photon energy. We numerically evaluate the proportion of these two mechanisms in different wavelengths by a modified NLR equation. The band tail of nc-Si:H appears to play a crucial role in such NLR responses.

Haloperidol-loaded lipid-core polymeric nanocapsules reduce DNA damage in blood and oxidative stress in liver and kidneys of rats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roversi, Katiane; Benvegnú, Dalila M.; Roversi, Karine; Trevizol, Fabíola; Vey, Luciana T.; Elias, Fabiana; Fracasso, Rafael; Motta, Mariana H.; Ribeiro, Roseane F.; dos S. Hausen, Bruna; Moresco, Rafael N.; Garcia, Solange C.; da Silva, Cristiane B.; Burger, Marilise E.

2015-04-01

Haloperidol (HP) nanoencapsulation improves therapeutic efficacy, prolongs the drug action time, and reduces its motor side effects. However, in a view of HP toxicity in organs like liver and kidneys in addition to the lack of knowledge regarding the toxicity of polymeric nanocapsules, our aim was to verify the influence of HP-nanoformulation on toxicity and oxidative stress markers in the liver and kidneys of rats, also observing the damage caused in the blood. For such, 28 adult male Wistar rats were designated in four experimental groups ( n = 7) and treated with vehicle (C group), free haloperidol suspension (FH group), blank nanocapsules suspension (B-Nc group), and haloperidol-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules suspension (H-Nc group). The nanocapsules formulation presented the size of approximately 250 nm. All suspensions were administered to the animals (0.5 mg/kg/day-i.p.) for a period of 28 days. Our results showed that FH caused damage in the liver, evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation, plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase, as well as decreased cellular integrity and vitamin C levels. In kidneys, FH treatment caused damage to a lesser extent, observed by decreased activity of δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D) and levels of VIT C. In addition, FH treatment was also related to a higher DNA damage index in blood. On the other hand, animals treated with H-Nc and B-Nc did not show damage in liver, kidneys, and DNA. Our study indicates that the nanoencapsulation of haloperidol was able to prevent the sub-chronic toxicity commonly observed in liver, kidneys, and DNA, thus reflecting a pharmacological superiority in relation to free drug.

A hybrid DNA-templated gold nanocluster for enhanced enzymatic reduction of oxygen

DOE PAGES

Chakraborty, Saumen; Babanova, Sofia; Rocha, Reginaldo C.; ...

2015-08-19

We report the synthesis and characterization of a new DNA-templated gold nanocluster (AuNC) of ~1 nm in diameter and possessing ~7 Au atoms. When integrated with bilirubin oxidase (BOD) and single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), the AuNC acts as an enhancer of electron transfer (ET) and lowers the overpotential of electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) by ~15 mV as compared to the enzyme alone. In addition, the presence of AuNC causes significant enhancements in the electrocatalytic current densities at the electrode. Control experiments show that such enhancement of ORR by the AuNC is specific to nanoclusters and not to plasmonicmore » gold particles. Rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) measurements confirm 4e– reduction of O 2 to H 2O with minimal production of H 2O 2, suggesting that the presence of AuNC does not perturb the mechanism of ORR catalyzed by the enzyme. This unique role of the AuNC as enhancer of ET at the enzyme-electrode interface makes it a potential candidate for the development of cathodes in enzymatic fuel cells, which often suffer from poor electronic communication between the electrode surface and the enzyme active site. In conclusion, the AuNC displays phosphorescence with large Stokes shift and microsecond lifetime.« less

The interplay between noncoding RNAs and insulin in diabetes.

PubMed

Tian, Yan; Xu, Jia; Du, Xiao; Fu, Xianghui

2018-04-10

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs and circular RNAs, regulate various biological processes and are involved in the initiation and progression of human diseases. Insulin, a predominant hormone secreted from pancreatic β cells, is an essential factor in regulation of systemic metabolism through multifunctional insulin signaling. Insulin production and action are tightly controlled. Dysregulations of insulin production and action can impair metabolic homeostasis, and eventually lead to the development of multiple metabolic diseases, especially diabetes. Accumulating data indicates that ncRNAs modulate β cell mass, insulin synthesis, secretion and signaling, and their role in diabetes is dramatically emerging. This review summarizes our current knowledge of ncRNAs as regulators of insulin, with particular emphasis on the implications of this interplay in the development of diabetes. We outline the role of ncRNAs in pancreatic β cell mass and function, which is critical for insulin production and secretion. We also highlight the involvement of ncRNAs in insulin signaling in peripheral tissues including liver, muscle and adipose, and discuss ncRNA-mediated inter-organ crosstalk under diabetic conditions. A more in-depth understanding of the interplay between ncRNAs and insulin may afford valuable insights and novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of diabetes, as well as other human diseases. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Correlation between the physical parameters of the i-nc-Si absorber layer grown by 27.12 MHz plasma with the nc-Si solar cell parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Debajyoti; Mondal, Praloy

2017-09-01

Growth of highly conducting nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si) thin films of optimum crystalline volume fraction, involving dominant <220> crystallographic preferred orientation with simultaneous low fraction of microstructures at a low substrate temperature and high growth rate, is a challenging task for its promising utilization in nc-Si solar cells. Utilizing enhanced electron density and superior ion flux densities of the high frequency (∼27.12 MHz) SiH4 plasma, improved nc-Si films have been produced by simple optimization of H2-dilution, controlling the ion damage and enhancing supply of atomic-hydrogen onto the growing surface. Single junction nc-Si p-i-n solar cells have been prepared with i-nc-Si absorber layer and optimized. The physical parameters of the absorber layer have been systematically correlated to variations of the solar cell parameters. The preferred <220> alignment of crystallites, its contribution to the low recombination losses for conduction of charge carriers along the vertical direction, its spectroscopic correlation with the dominant growth of ultra-nanocrystalline silicon (unc-Si) component and corresponding longer wavelength absorption, especially in the neighborhood of i/n-interface region recognize scientific and technological key issues that pave the ground for imminent advancement of multi-junction silicon solar cells.

Synthesis of MOF-525 Derived Nanoporous Carbons with Different Particle Sizes for Supercapacitor Application.

PubMed

Chang, Ting-Hsiang; Young, Christine; Lee, Min-Han; Salunkhe, Rahul R; Alshehri, Saad M; Ahamad, Tansir; Islam, Md Tofazzal; Wu, Kevin C-W; Hossain, Md Shahriar A; Yamauchi, Yusuke; Ho, Kuo-Chuan

2017-11-02

Nanoporous carbon (NC) materials have attracted great research interest for supercapacitor applications, because of their excellent electrochemical and mechanical stability, good electrical conductivity, and high surface area. Although there are many reports on metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived carbon materials, previous synthetic studies have been hindered by imperfect control of particle sizes and shapes. Here, we show precise control of the particle sizes of MOF-525 from 100 nm to 750 nm. After conversion of MOF-525 to NC, the effects of variation of the particle size on the electrochemical performance have been carefully investigated. The results demonstrate that our NC is a potential candidate for practical supercapacitor applications. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Effect of Toothpaste Application Prior to Dental Bleaching on Whitening Effectiveness and Enamel Properties.

PubMed

Vieira-Junior, W F; Lima, D A N L; Tabchoury, C P M; Ambrosano, G M B; Aguiar, F H B; Lovadino, J R

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on the enamel properties and effectiveness of bleaching using 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) when applying toothpastes with different active agents prior to dental bleaching. Seventy enamel blocks (4 × 4 × 2 mm) were submitted to in vitro treatment protocols in a tooth-brushing machine (n=10): with distilled water and exposure to placebo gel (negative control [NC]) or HP bleaching (positive control [PC]); and brushing with differing toothpastes prior to HP bleaching, including potassium nitrate toothpaste (PN) containing NaF, conventional sodium monofluorophosphate toothpaste (FT), arginine-based toothpastes (PA and SAN), or a toothpaste containing bioactive glass (NM). Color changes were determined using the CIE L*a*b* system (ΔE, ΔL, Δa, and Δb), and a roughness (Ra) analysis was performed before and after treatments. Surface microhardness (SMH) and cross-sectional microhardness (CSMH) were analyzed after treatment. Data were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA for Ra, one-way ANOVA (SMH, ΔE, ΔL, Δa, and Δb), split-plot ANOVA (CSMH), and Tukey post hoc test (α<0.05). The relationship between the physical surface properties and color properties was evaluated using a multivariate Canonical correlation analysis. Color changes were statistically similar in the bleached groups. After treatments, SMH and CSMH decreased in PC. SMH increased significantly in the toothpaste groups vs the negative and positive control (NM > PA = SAN > all other groups) or decreased HP effects (CSMH). Ra increased in all bleached groups, with the exception of NM, which did not differ from the NC. The variation in the color variables (ΔL, Δa, and Δb) explained 21% of the variation in the physical surface variables (Ra and SMH). The application of toothpaste prior to dental bleaching did not interfere with the effectiveness of treatment. The bioactive glass based toothpaste protected the enamel against the deleterious effects of dental bleaching.

Cyclolinear Oligo- and Poly(iminoborane)s: The Missing Link in Inorganic Main-Group Macromolecular Chemistry.

PubMed

Ayhan, Ozan; Riensch, Nicolas A; Glasmacher, Clemens; Helten, Holger

2018-04-17

The reaction of n-C 8 H 17 B[N(Me)SiMe 3 ] 2 (1) with n-C 8 H 17 BCl 2 (2 a) yielded, instead of a linear poly(iminoborane), the aminoborane n-C 8 H 17 B(Cl)N(Me)SiMe 3 (4) and after cyclotrimerization the borazine cyclo-(n-C 8 H 17 BNMe) 3 (6). Side reactions that result in borazine formation were effectively suppressed if 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,3,2-diazaborolidines 7 were employed as co-monomers in combination with dichloro- or dibromoboranes 2 or 8, respectively. Silicon/boron exchange polycondensation led to oligo(iminoborane)s 11 a,b,ac,d. Alternative synthetic routes to such species involve Sn/B exchange of 1,3-bis(trimethylstannyl)-2-n-octyl-1,3,2-diazaborolidine (16) and n-C 8 H 17 BBr 2 (8 a), and the initiated polycondensation of the dormant monomer 14 in the presence of a Brønsted acid (HCl, HOTf, or HNTf 2 ; Tf=trifluoromethylsulfonyl). Although an attempt to obtain an oligo-/poly(iminoborane) with phenyl side groups yielded only insoluble material, the incorporation of aryl groups was proven for a derivative with both phenyl and n-octyl boron substituents (11 ac), as well as for a derivative with 4-n-butylphenyl side groups (11 d). The highest-molecular-weight sample obtained was 11 ac. Featuring about 18 catenated BN units, on average, this is the closest approach to a poly(iminoborane) known. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The association between the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α4 subunit gene (CHRNA4) rs1044396 and Internet gaming disorder in Korean male adults

PubMed Central

Rhee, Je-Keun; Kim, Tae-Min; Kwak, Su-Min; Bang, Sol-hee; Cho, Hyun; Cheon, Young-Hoon; Min, Jung Ah; Yoo, Gil Sang; Kim, Kyudong; Choi, Jung-Seok; Choi, Sam-Wook; Kim, Dai-Jin

2017-01-01

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the genetic predisposition of Internet gaming disorder (IGD), and the secondary aim was to compare the results to those of alcohol dependence (AD). Two independent case-control studies were conducted. A total of 30 male participants with IGD, diagnosed according to the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria, and 30 sex-matched controls participated in study 1. We designed targeted exome sequencing (TES) to test for 72 candidate genes that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of addiction. The genes included seven neurotransmitter (dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, r-aminobutyric acid (GABA), norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and opioid) system genes. A total of 31 male in-patients with AD and 29 normal male controls (NC) were enrolled in study 2. The same 72 genes included in study 1 and ten additional genes related to alcohol-metabolic enzyme were selected as the target genes, and we identified the genetic variants using the same method (TES). The IGD group had a lower frequency of the T allele of rs1044396 in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 4 subunit (CHRNA4), and this variant represents a protective allele against IGD. However, we did not find a significant difference in the polymorphisms of the 72 genes that encode neurotransmitter systems between the AD and NC groups. This study demonstrated that rs1044396 of CHRNA4 was significantly associated with IGD. PMID:29240768

[Neurological complications in the population of children with leukaemia].

PubMed

Martínez-Cayuelas, Elena; Domingo-Jiménez, Rosario; Pascual-Gázquez, Juan F; Martínez-Salcedo, Eduardo; Alarcón-Martínez, Helena; Bermúdez-Cortés, Mar; Fuster-Soler, José L; Pérez-Fernández, Virginia

2015-02-01

Leukaemia is the most frequent type of cancer at the paediatric age. The cure rate is 80% with intensive chemotherapy, which improves survival but also often increases the frequency of adverse side effects, including those of a neurological nature. To describe the frequency and characteristics of the neurological complications (NC) in patients with acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), as well as to identify factors associated to their presence, neurological morbidity and survival rate. A retrospective study was conducted of the NC present in patients with ALL and AML between 1997 and 2012 treated and followed up by the child onco-haematology unit. The following variables were analysed: demographic data, oncological diagnosis, treatment and NC. Altogether 157 patients were included, 145 without infiltration of the central nervous system at diagnosis and eight with infiltration (rate of NC of 14% and 12%, respectively). The most frequent NC were: neuropathies (31%), altered levels of consciousness (27%), convulsions (22%) and headache (12%). Forty per cent of the patients with NC presented sequelae but none of them died as a consequence of the NC. More NC were detected in the age group of children aged under 6 years with high-degree ALL, at higher levels of severity and in patients who had received a haematopoietic stem-cell transplant, all of them with statistically significant differences. Neurological complications are common in patients with acute leukaemia, especially in those at a high-risk stage (above all if they are under the age of 6 years) and with haematopoietic stem-cell transplant. The associated mortality rate is low.

Effects of separate and concurrent supplementation of Nano-sized clinoptilolite and Nigella sativa on oxidative stress, anti-oxidative parameters and body weight in rats with type 2 diabetes.

PubMed

Omidi, Hossein; Khorram, Sirus; Mesgari, Mehran; Asghari-Jafarabadi, Mohammad; Tarighat-Esfanjani, Ali

2017-12-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of separate and concurrent supplementation of natural nano-sized clinoptilolite (NCLN) and Nigella sativa (NS) on oxidative stress (OS), anti-oxidative parameters and body weight (BW) in high-fat-diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats were divided into diabetic (n=36) and non-diabetic (n=6) groups. The diabetic group (DG) was fed with a HFD for one month, then injected with intra-peritoneal single dose STZ (35 mg/kg BW). The DG was divided into 4 subgroups: [1] control (DC), [2] NS 1%/food, [3] NCLN 2%/food, [4] NS 1%/food + NCLN 2%/food. At the end of the 7th week, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. The MDA level was decreased in the NCLN (p = 0.011) and NCLN+NS (p = 0.007) groups compared to the DC group. The GPX level increased in the NS and NCLN groups compared to the DC group (p = 0.014 and p = 0.034). In addition, the level of TAC demonstrated increase in the untreated DG and NS groups, as compared to the normal control (NC) group (p DC  = 0.031 and p NS  = 0.024). Moreover, in the NS+NCLN group, the level of SOD decreased in comparison to the NS and NCLN groups (p < 0.01). At the end of the 7th week, BW decreased in the diabetic subgroups in comparison to the NC group. Treatment with NS and/or NS+NCLN insignificantly prevented severe weight loss in the fifth week of the treatment. According to results, separate supplementation of NS and NCLN was more beneficent on anti-oxidative parameters than concurrent supplementation of NS and NCLN. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Bioengineered Noncoding RNAs Selectively Change Cellular miRNome Profiles for Cancer Therapy.

PubMed

Ho, Pui Yan; Duan, Zhijian; Batra, Neelu; Jilek, Joseph L; Tu, Mei-Juan; Qiu, Jing-Xin; Hu, Zihua; Wun, Theodore; Lara, Primo N; DeVere White, Ralph W; Chen, Hong-Wu; Yu, Ai-Ming

2018-06-01

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) produced in live cells may better reflect intracellular ncRNAs for research and therapy. Attempts were made to produce biologic ncRNAs, but at low yield or success rate. Here we first report a new ncRNA bioengineering technology using more stable ncRNA carrier (nCAR) containing a pre-miR-34a derivative identified by rational design and experimental validation. This approach offered a remarkable higher level expression (40%-80% of total RNAs) of recombinant ncRNAs in bacteria and gave an 80% success rate (33 of 42 ncRNAs). New FPLC and spin-column based methods were also developed for large- and small-scale purification of milligrams and micrograms of recombinant ncRNAs from half liter and milliliters of bacterial culture, respectively. We then used two bioengineered nCAR/miRNAs to demonstrate the selective release of target miRNAs into human cells, which were revealed to be Dicer dependent (miR-34a-5p) or independent (miR-124a-3p), and subsequent changes of miRNome and transcriptome profiles. miRNA enrichment analyses of altered transcriptome confirmed the specificity of nCAR/miRNAs in target gene regulation. Furthermore, nCAR assembled miR-34a-5p and miR-124-3p were active in suppressing human lung carcinoma cell proliferation through modulation of target gene expression (e.g., cMET and CDK6 for miR-34a-5p; STAT3 and ABCC4 for miR-124-3p). In addition, bioengineered miRNA molecules were effective in controlling metastatic lung xenograft progression, as demonstrated by live animal and ex vivo lung tissue bioluminescent imaging as well as histopathological examination. This novel ncRNA bioengineering platform can be easily adapted to produce various ncRNA molecules, and biologic ncRNAs hold the promise as new cancer therapeutics. Copyright © 2018 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Evaluating Recall and Recognition Memory Using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment: Applicability for Alzheimer's and Huntington's Diseases.

PubMed

Van Liew, Charles; Santoro, Maya S; Goldstein, Jody; Gluhm, Shea; Gilbert, Paul E; Corey-Bloom, Jody

2016-12-01

We sought to investigate whether the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) could provide a brief assessment of recall and recognition using Huntington disease (HD) and Alzheimer disease (AD) as disorders characterized by different memory deficits. This study included 80 participants with HD, 64 participants with AD, and 183 community-dwelling control participants. Random-effects hierarchical logistic regressions were performed to assess the relative performance of the normal control (NC), participants with HD, and participants with AD on verbal free recall, cued recall, and multiple-choice recognition on the MoCA. The NC participants performed significantly better than participants with AD at all the 3 levels of assessment. No difference existed between participants with HD and NC for cued recall, but NC participants performed significantly better than participants with HD on free recall and recognition. The participants with HD performed significantly better than participants with AD at all the 3 levels of assessment. The MoCA appears to be a valuable, brief cognitive assessment capable of identifying specific memory deficits consistent with known differences in memory profiles. © The Author(s) 2016.

DNA methylation of tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and adiponectin genes in visceral adipose tissue is related to type 2 diabetes in the Xinjiang Uygur population.

PubMed

Zhang, Jun; Wang, Cuizhe; Ha, Xiaodan; Li, Wei; Xu, Peng; Gu, Yajuan; Wang, Tingting; Wang, Yan; Xie, Jianxin

2017-07-01

The higher probability of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Uygur population is due to a greater waist:  hip ratio and visceral fat. This study investigated DNA methylation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1), and adiponectin (ADIPOQ) in visceral adipose tissue in T2DM. Visceral adipose tissue was collected from Uygur individuals and divided into normal control (NC; n = 50), obese (Ob; n = 48), and T2DM (n = 26) groups. Expression of TNF, ADIPOQ, and MCP1 mRNA and DNA methylation status were quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and denaturing HPLC. The respective methylation-positive rate for ADIPOQ increased gradually from the NC to Ob to T2DM groups (34.0 %, 47.9 %, and 65.4 %; P < 0.05), decreased gradually for TNF (70.0 %, 47.9 %, and 26.9 %; P < 0.01), and did not differ significantly for MCP1 (0 %, 2.08 %, and 0 %). Compared with the NC group, ADIPOQ mRNA expression was significantly lower in the Ob and T2DM groups (median 0.7162 vs 0.4244 and 0.4093, respectively; P < 0.05), whereas TNF and MCP1 expression was significantly higher (median TNF expression: 0.0250 vs 0.1096 and 0.0734 respectively; median MCP1 expression 0.1588 vs 0.1937 and 0.1983, respectively; P < 0.05 for all). Expression of ADIPOQ and TNF was significantly lower in methylation-negative (median 0.7870 and 0.1988, respectively) than methylation-positive (median 0.2700 and 0.0542, respectively) groups (P < 0.01). Lower ADIPOQ and higher TNF and MCP1 mRNA expression in visceral adipose tissue may be correlated with obesity and T2DM in the Uygur population. Promoter DNA methylation affects expression of ADIPOQ and TNF. © 2016 Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Effects of RNA interference-mediated silencing of toll-like receptor 4 gene on proliferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells: An in vitro study.

PubMed

Gao, Xiao-Ling; Yang, Jiao-Jiao; Wang, Shu-Juan; Chen, Yan; Wang, Bei; Cheng, Er-Jing; Gong, Jian-Nan; Dong, Yan-Ting; Liu, Dai; Wang, Xiang-Li; Huang, Ya-Qiong; An, Dong-Dong

2018-06-22

Breast cancer is known as the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide, and has an undeniable negative impact on public health, both physically, and mentally. This study aims to investigate the effects of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene silencing on proliferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer cells to explore for a new theoretical basis for its treatment. TLR4 small interference RNA (siRNA) fragment recombinant plasmids were constructed, including TLR4 siRNA-1, TLR4 siRNA-2, and TLR4 siRNA-3. Human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were assigned into blank, negative control (NC), TLR4 siRNA-1, TLR4 siRNA-2, and TLR4 siRNA-3 groups. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell growth was detected by MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis were conducted to determine the expression of TLR4, CDK4, cyclin D1, Livin, Bcl-2, p53, c-FLIP, and caspase-3. In comparison with the NC and blank groups, the TLR4 siRNA-1, TLR4 siRNA-2, and TLR4 siRNA-3 groups showed decreased the expression of TLR4, inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells and promoted MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell apoptosis, and the cells were blocked in G1 phase. In comparison with the NC and blank groups, in the TLR4 siRNA-1, TLR4 siRNA-2, and TLR4 siRNA-3 groups, siRNA-TLR4 significantly increased expression of p53 and caspase-3 in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, while it decreased the expressions of CDK4, cyclinD1, Livin, Bal-2, and c-FLIP. The study demonstrates that TLR4 gene silencing inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Inhibitory gene expression of the Cav3.1 T-type calcium channel to improve neuronal injury induced by lidocaine hydrochloride.

PubMed

Wen, Xianjie; Xu, Shiyuan; Zhang, Qingguo; Li, Xiaohong; Liang, Hua; Yang, Chenxiang; Wang, Hanbing; Liu, Hongzhen

2016-03-15

Cav3.1 is a low-voltage-activated (LVA) calcium channel that plays a key role in regulating intracellular calcium ion levels. In this study, we observed the effects of lidocaine hydrochloride on the pshRNA-CACNA1G-SH-SY5Y cells that silenced Cav3.1 mRNA by RNA interference, and investigated the roles of p38 MAPK in these effects. We constructed the pNC-puro-CACNA1G-SH-SY5Y cells and pshRNA-CACNA1G -SH-SY5Y cells by the RNA interference. All the cells were cultured with or without 10mM lidocaine hydrochloride for 24 h. The cell morphology, cell viability, Cav3.1 and p38 protein expression, cell apoptosis rate and intracellular calcium ion concentration were detected. We found that all cells treated with 10mM lidocaine hydrochloride for 24 h showed cellular rounding, axonal regression, and cellular floating. Compared with the cells in SH-SY5Y+Lido group and NC+Lido group, those in the RNAi+Lido group showed similar changes, but of smaller magnitude. Additionally, following lidocaine hydrochloride all cells displayed increased Cav3.1 and p38 MAPK protein, apoptosis rate, and intracellular calcium ion levels; however,these changes in the RNAi+Lido group were less pronounced than in the SH-SY5Y+Lido and NC+Lido groups. The cell viability decreased following lidocaine hydrochloride treatment, but viability of the cells in the RNAi+Lido group was higher than in the SH-SY5Y+Lido and NC+Lido groups. The results showed that Cav3.1 may be involved in neuronal injury induced by lidocaine hydrochloride and that p38 MAPK phosphorylation was reduced upon Cav3.1 gene silencing. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enzyme complex containing carbohydrases and phytase improves growth performance and bone mineralization of broilers fed reduced nutrient corn-soybean-based diets.

PubMed

Francesch, M; Geraert, P A

2009-09-01

One experiment was conducted to investigate the benefits of a multi-enzyme complex, containing carbohydrases (from Penicillium funiculosum) and phytase (bacterial 6-phytase) activities, on the performance and bone mineralization of broiler chickens fed corn-soybean meal diets. A total of 2,268 male broilers were allocated to 9 treatments, replicated 6 times, in a randomized complete block design from 1 to 43 d. A positive control (PC) diet formulated to be adequate in nutrients and 4 reduced nutrient diets (NC1 to NC4), with gradual decrease on AME, CP, and digestible amino acids (CP-dAA) and available P (avP) and Ca contents, with or without enzyme supplementation, were tested. The nutrient reductions applied were NC1 (-65 kcal/kg, -1.5% CP-dAA) and NC2 (-85 kcal/kg, -3.0% CP-dAA) both with -0.15 percent point avP and -0.12 percent point Ca and NC3 (-65 kcal/kg, -1.5% CP-dAA) and NC4 (-85 kcal/kg, -3.0% CP-dAA) both with -0.20 percent point avP and -0.16 percent point Ca. Supplementation of the NC diets with the enzyme complex increased ADFI (P<0.001), ADG (P<0.001), and reduced feed:gain (P<0.01). The magnitude of the enzyme effect in increasing feed intake and weight gain was greater for the diets with greatest reductions in avP and Ca. Enzyme supplementation increased (P<0.001) feed intake of birds fed on NC diets close to the level of feed consumption of the PC. Enzyme supplementation to NC diets resulted in all cases in lower (P<0.05) feed:gain than the PC. Enzyme supplementation to NC1 and NC3 diets restored bone mineralization to that of the PC, whereas ash and Ca with NC2 and NC4 diets and P with NC4 diet remained lower (P<0.05). These results suggest that the dietary supplementation with a multi-enzyme complex containing nonstarch polysaccharide enzymes and phytase is efficient in reducing the P, energy, protein, and amino acid specifications of corn-soybean meal diets.

Stokes's Cradle: Newton's Cradle with Liquid Coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donahue, C. M.; Hrenya, C. M.; Davis, R. H.

2010-07-01

Granular flows involving liquid-coated solids are ubiquitous in nature (pollen capture, avalanches) and industry (filtration, pharmaceutical mixing). In this Letter, three-body collisions between liquid-coated spheres are investigated experimentally using a “Stokes’s cradle,” which resembles the popular desktop toy Newton’s cradle (NC). Surprisingly, previous work shows that every possible outcome was observed in the Stokes’s cradle except the traditional NC outcome. Here, we experimentally achieve NC via guidance from a theory, which revealed that controlling the liquid-bridge volume connecting two target particles is the key in attaining the NC outcome. These three-body experiments also provide direct evidence that the fluid resistance upon rebound cannot be completely neglected due to presumed cavitation; this resistance also influences two-body systems yet cannot be isolated experimentally in such systems.

Exploring rationality in schizophrenia.

PubMed

Revsbech, Rasmus; Mortensen, Erik Lykke; Owen, Gareth; Nordgaard, Julie; Jansson, Lennart; Sæbye, Ditte; Flensborg-Madsen, Trine; Parnas, Josef

2015-06-01

Empirical studies of rationality (syllogisms) in patients with schizophrenia have obtained different results. One study found that patients reason more logically if the syllogism is presented through an unusual content. To explore syllogism-based rationality in schizophrenia. Thirty-eight first-admitted patients with schizophrenia and 38 healthy controls solved 29 syllogisms that varied in presentation content (ordinary v. unusual) and validity (valid v. invalid). Statistical tests were made of unadjusted and adjusted group differences in models adjusting for intelligence and neuropsychological test performance. Controls outperformed patients on all syllogism types, but the difference between the two groups was only significant for valid syllogisms presented with unusual content. However, when adjusting for intelligence and neuropsychological test performance, all group differences became non-significant. When taking intelligence and neuropsychological performance into account, patients with schizophrenia and controls perform similarly on syllogism tests of rationality. None. © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2015. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) licence.

Sensitive and selective determination of Cu2+ at D-penicillamine functionalized nano-cellulose modified pencil graphite electrode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taheri, M.; Ahour, F.; Keshipour, S.

2018-06-01

A novel electrochemical sensor based on D-penicillamine anchored nano-cellulose (DPA-NC) modified pencil graphite electrode was fabricated and used for highly selective and sensitive determination of copper (II) ions in the picomolar concentration by square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric (SWV) method. The modified electrode showed better and increased SWV response compared to the bare and NC modified electrodes which may be related to the porous structure of modifier along with formation of complex between Cu2+ ions and nitrogen or oxygen containing groups in DPA-NC. Optimization of various experimental parameters influence the performance of the sensor, were investigated. Under optimized condition, DPA-NC modified electrode was used for the analysis of Cu2+ in the concentration range from 0.2 to 50 pM, and a lower detection limit of 0.048 pM with good stability, repeatability, and selectivity. Finally, the practical applicability of DPA-NC-PGE was confirmed via measuring trace amount of Cu (II) in tap and river water samples.

Selective, age-related autobiographical memory deficits in children with severe traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Lah, Suncica; Gott, Chloe; Parry, Louise; Black, Carly; Epps, Adrienne; Gascoigne, Michael

2017-12-18

Autobiographical memory (AM) is a complex function that involves re-experiencing of past personal events (episodic memory) scaffolded by personal facts (semantic memory). While AM is supported by a brain network and cognitive skills that are vulnerable to disruption by child traumatic brain injury (TBI), AM has not been examined in this patient population. Cross-sectional study. Participants included children with severe closed TBI (n = 14) and healthy control (NC) children (n = 20) of comparable age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Participants completed (1) the Child Autobiographical Interview (Willoughby et al., , Front. Psychol., 3, 53), which required recall of autobiographical events and distinguished episodic (internal) from non-episodic (external) details, and self-rating of event phenomenological qualities, and (2) a battery of neuropsychological tests. Children with TBI recalled significantly fewer internal details relative to NCs, but the between-group difference was eliminated when specific probes were provided. The groups did not differ in either recall of external details or in ratings of events' phenomenological qualities. The gap between the groups in recall of internal details increased with age, as the greater number of internal details was associated with older age in the NC group, but not in the TBI group. Poorer verbal memory and lower IQ were related to recall of fewer internal details in the TBI group. This study unveils, to our knowledge for the first time, that severe child TBI is associated with a selective deficit in autobiographical memory that involves episodic, but spares semantic details, and identifies the risk factors for this impairment. © 2017 The British Psychological Society.

Study of the correlation properties of the surface structure of nc-Si/a-Si:H films with different fractions of the crystalline phase

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alpatov, A. V., E-mail: pgnv@mail.ru; Vikhrov, S. P.; Kazanskii, A. G.

The correlation properties of the structure of nc-Si/a-Si:H films with different volume fractions of the crystalline phase are studied using 2D detrended fluctuation analysis. Study of the surface relief of experimental samples showed that with increasing in volume fraction of the crystalline phase in the nc-Si/a-Si:H films, the size and number of nanoclusters on their surface grow. The size of Si nanocrystals in the a-Si:H matrix (6–8 nm) indicates the formation of coarse nanoclusters due to the self-organization of Si nanocrystals in groups under laser radiation. According to 2D detrended fluctuation analysis data, the number of correlation vectors (harmonic components)more » in the nc-Si/a-Si:H film structure increased with an increase in the nanocrystal fraction in the films.« less

Clinical characteristics and predictive factors of subclinical diabetic nephropathy.

PubMed

Zhang, Y; Yang, J; Zheng, M; Wang, Y; Ren, H; Xu, Y; Yang, Y; Cheng, J; Han, F; Yang, X; Chen, L; Shan, C; Chang, B

2015-02-01

To investigate the clinical characteristics and predictive factors of subclinical diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes patients. A total of 298 type 2 diabetes patients were divided into 3 groups based on 24-h urinary microalbumin and estimated glomerular filtration rate: patients with normal albuminuria and glomerular filtration rate (NC), patients with normoalbuminuria and glomerular hyperfiltration (SDN) and patients with microalbuminuria (EDN). The renal size, tubular injury markers and ambulatory blood pressure were analyzed. Renal size increased in the SDN and EDN groups compared to the NC group (P<0.05), while renal length in the SDN group was greater than the EDN group (P<0.05). Patients in the SDN and EDN groups had higher level of urine retinol binding protein and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase and most of them developed proximal tubular dysfunction. The SDN group had higher 24-h mean and nocturnal diastolic blood pressure than the NC group (P<0.05), while the EDN group had higher systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure than the SDN group (P<0.01). More patients developed abnormal blood pressure rhythm in the SDN and EDN groups. The likelihood of a decrease in nocturnal systolic blood pressure was lower as the microalbuminuria increased. Increased renal size, more abnormal tubular injury markers and higher 24-h mean and nocturnal blood pressure were all risk factors of subclinical diabetic nephropathy. Patients with subclinical diabetic nephropathy had increased renal size, abnormal tubular injury markers, high blood pressure and abnormal circadian rhythm. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Singular spectrum and singular entropy used in signal processing of NC table

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Linhong; He, Yiwen

2011-12-01

NC (numerical control) table is a complex dynamic system. The dynamic characteristics caused by backlash, friction and elastic deformation among each component are so complex that they have become the bottleneck of enhancing the positioning accuracy, tracking accuracy and dynamic behavior of NC table. This paper collects vibration acceleration signals from NC table, analyzes the signals with SVD (singular value decomposition) method, acquires the singular spectrum and calculates the singular entropy of the signals. The signal characteristics and their regulations of NC table are revealed via the characteristic quantities such as singular spectrum, singular entropy etc. The steep degrees of singular spectrums can be used to discriminate complex degrees of signals. The results show that the signals in direction of driving axes are the simplest and the signals in perpendicular direction are the most complex. The singular entropy values can be used to study the indetermination of signals. The results show that the signals of NC table are not simple signal nor white noise, the entropy values in direction of driving axe are lower, the entropy values increase along with the increment of driving speed and the entropy values at the abnormal working conditions such as resonance or creeping etc decrease obviously.

Melatonin inhibits the development of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Kim, Tae-Ho; Jung, Jung-A; Kim, Gun-Dong; Jang, An-Hee; Ahn, Hyun-Jong; Park, Yong Seek; Park, Cheung-Seog

2009-11-01

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common disease in children, and epicutaneous treatment with a chemical hapten such as 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) evokes an AD-like reaction in NC/Nga mice under specific pathogen-free conditions. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is synthesized by the pineal gland, has several different physiologic functions, which include seasonal reproduction control, immune system modulation, free radical scavenging, and inflammatory suppression. In the present study, we investigated whether melatonin suppresses DNFB-induced AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. The topical administration of melatonin to DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice was found to inhibit ear thickness increases and the skin lesions induced by DNFB. Furthermore, interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-gamma secretion by activated CD4(+) T cells from the draining lymph nodes of DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice were significantly inhibited by melatonin, and total IgE levels in serum were reduced. Our findings suggest that melatonin suppresses the development of AD-like dermatitis in DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice by reducing total IgE in serum, and IL-4 and IFN-gamma production by activated CD4(+) T cells.

Neurocysticercosis, a Persisting Health Problem in Mexico

PubMed Central

Fleury, Agnès; Moreno García, Jael; Valdez Aguerrebere, Paulina; de Sayve Durán, María; Becerril Rodríguez, Paola; Larralde, Carlos; Sciutto, Edda

2010-01-01

Background The ongoing epidemiological transition in Mexico minimizes the relative impact of neurocysticercosis (NC) on public health. However, hard data on the disease frequency are not available. Methodology All clinical records from patients admitted in the Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia (INNN) at Mexico City in 1994 and 2004 were revised. The frequencies of hospitalized NC patients in neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry services, as well as NC mortality from 1995 through 2009, were retrieved. Statistical analyses were made to evaluate possible significant differences in frequencies of NC patients' admission between 1994 and 2004, and in yearly frequencies of NC patients' hospitalization and death between 1995 and 2009. Principal Findings NC frequency in INNN is not significantly different in 1994 and 2004. Between these two years, clinical severity of the cases diminished and the proportion of patients living in Mexico City increased. Yearly frequencies of hospitalization in neurology and psychiatry services were stable, while frequencies of hospitalization in neurosurgery service and mortality significantly decreased between 1995 and 2009. Conclusions Our findings show a stable tendency of hospital cases during the last decade that should encourage to redouble efforts to control this ancient disease. PMID:20808759

Effects of DCK knockdown on proliferation, apoptosis and tumorigenicity in vivo of cervical cancer HeLa cells.

PubMed

Shang, Q-Y; Wu, C-S; Gao, H-R

2017-09-01

The present study explored the effect that deoxycytidine kinase (DCK) knockdown had on proliferation, apoptosis and tumorigenicity in vivo of cervical cancer HeLa cells. Human cervical cancer HeLa cells that had received no prior treatment were selected from the HeLa group. The HeLa-negative control (NC) group consisted of cells that had undergone an empty vector treatment, and finally the HeLa-short hairpin RNA (shRNA) group included cells that were treated by means of shRNA-DCK expression. DCK expressions were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in addition to western blotting assays. Cell proliferation was estimated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and cell cycle progression. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. BALB/c nude mice (n=24) were selected to establish transplanted tumor models, with gross tumor volume measured every 3 days. The results in vitro were as follows: compared with the HeLa group, the HeLa-shRNA group exhibited downregulation of DCK expression and inhibition of cell proliferation at 48, 72 and 96 h. Additionally, more cells in the HeLa-shRNA group were arrested in G0/G1 stage and less in S and G2/M stages, as well as in promotion of cell apoptosis. In vivo results are as follows: when comparing the HeLa and HeLa-NC groups, the gross tumor volume of the transplanted tumor in nude mice in the HeLa-shRNA group was found to have decreased in 13, 16, 19 and 22 days. Based on these findings, our study suggests that DCK knockdown facilitates apoptosis while inhibiting proliferation and tumorigenicity in vivo of cervical cancer HeLa cells.

β-1,3/1,6-Glucan alleviated intestinal mucosal barrier impairment of broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.

PubMed

Shao, Yujing; Guo, Yuming; Wang, Zhong

2013-07-01

This study investigated the protective effect of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on gut morphology, intestinal epithelial tight junctions, and bacterial translocation of broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Ninety Salmonella-free Arbor Acre male broiler chickens were randomly divided into 3 groups: negative control group (NC), Salmonella Typhimurium-infected positive group (PC), and the Salmonella Typhimurium-infected group with dietary 100 mg/kg of β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation (T) to determine the effect of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on intestinal barrier function. Salmonella Typhimurium challenge alone significantly decreased villus height (P < 0.001), villus height/crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05), and the number of goblet cells (P < 0.001) in the jejunum at 14 d postinfection (dpi), but significantly increased the number of intestinal secretory IgA (sIgA)-expressing cells at 14 dpi (P < 0.01) and total sIgA levels in the jejunum at 7 (P < 0.05) and 14 dpi (P < 0.01) compared with the unchallenged birds (NC). Dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation not only significantly increased villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and the number of goblet cells (P < 0.01), but also increased the number of sIgA-expressing cells (P < 0.05) and sIgA content in the jejunum at 14 dpi (P < 0.01) in birds challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium in comparison with Salmonella Typhimurium challenge alone. β-1,3/1,6-Glucan addition had significant inhibitory effects (P < 0.05) on cecal Salmonella colonization levels and liver Salmonella invasion of the Salmonella Typhimurium-infected birds compared with the PC group. Intestinal tight junction proteins claudin-1, claudin-4, and occludin mRNA expression in the jejunum at 14 dpi was significantly decreased by Salmonella Typhimurium challenge alone (P < 0.01) compared with that of the NC group, whereas β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation significantly increased claudin-1 and occludin mRNA expression (P < 0.01) at 14 dpi in the jejunum of the Salmonella Typhimurium-infected birds in comparison with the PC group. Our results indicate that dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan can alleviate intestinal mucosal barrier impairment in broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium.

Theranostic multimodular potential of zinc-doped ferrite-saturated metal-binding protein-loaded novel nanocapsules in cancers

PubMed Central

Kamalapuram, Sishir K; Kanwar, Rupinder K; Roy, Kislay; Chaudhary, Rajneesh; Sehgal, Rakesh; Kanwar, Jagat R

2016-01-01

The present study successfully developed orally deliverable multimodular zinc (Zn) iron oxide (Fe3O4)-saturated bovine lactoferrin (bLf)-loaded polymeric nanocapsules (NCs), and evaluated their theranostic potential (antitumor efficacy, magnetophotothermal efficacy and imaging capability) in an in vivo human xenograft CpG-island methylator phenotype (CIMP)-1+/CIMP2−/chromosome instability-positive colonic adenocarcinoma (Caco2) and claudin-low, triple-negative (ER−/PR−/HER2−; MDA-MB-231) breast cancer model. Mice fed orally on the Zn-Fe-bLf NC diet showed downregulation in tumor volume and complete regression in tumor volume after 45 days of feeding. In human xenograft colon cancer, vehicle-control NC diet-group (n=5) mice showed a tumor volume of 52.28±11.55 mm3, and Zn-Fe-bLf NC diet (n=5)-treated mice had a tumor-volume of 0.10±0.073 mm3. In the human xenograft breast cancer model, Zn-Fe-bLf NC diet (n=5)-treated mice showed a tumor volume of 0.051±0.062 mm3 within 40 days of feeding. Live mouse imaging conducted by near-infrared fluorescence imaging of Zn-Fe-bLf NCs showed tumor site-specific localization and regression of colon and breast tumor volume. Ex vivo fluorescence-imaging analysis of the vital organs of mice exhibited sparse localization patterns of Zn-Fe-bLf NCs and also confirmed tumor-specific selective localization patterns of Zn-Fe-bLf NCs. Dual imaging using magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography scans revealed an unprecedented theranostic ability of the Zn-Fe-bLf NCs. These observations warrant consideration of multimodular Zn-Fe-bLf NCs for real-time cancer imaging and simultaneous cancer-targeted therapy. PMID:27099495

The investigation of CD4+T-cell functions in primary HIV infection with antiretroviral therapy

PubMed Central

Sun, Yu; Fu, Yajing; Zhang, Zining; Tang, Tian; Liu, Jing; Ding, Haibo; Han, Xiaoxu; Xu, Junjie; Chu, Zhenxing; Shang, Hong; Jiang, Yongjun

2017-01-01

Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection leads to reduced CD4+T-cell counts and immune dysfunction. Initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV primary infection has been recommended to achieve an optimal clinical outcome, but a comprehensive study on restoration of CD4+T-cell function in primary HIV-infected individuals with ART still needs to be eluciated. We investigated longitudinal changes in the CD4+T-cell counts, phenotypes, and functions in HIV-infected individuals with early ART (initiated within 6 months after HIV infection) or later ART (initiated more than 12 months after HIV infection). Patients from early ART and later ART groups had received ART for at least 1 year. Individuals with early ART had more CD4+T cells, a faster rate of CD4+T-cell recovery than those receiving later ART; the levels of CD4+T-cell activation and senescence were lower in early ART compared to those with later ART (P = .031; P = .016), but the activation was higher than normal controls (NC) (P = .001); thymic emigrant function was more upregulated in early ART than in later ART (P = .015), but still lower than NC (P = .027); proliferative capacity and interferon-γ secretion of CD4+T cells were significantly decreased in primary infection (P < .001; P = .029), and early ART restored these CD4+T-cell functions, there is no difference with NC, later ART could partially restore the functions of CD4+T cells, but it remained lower than that of NC (P = .005; P = .019). Early ART could better improve CD4+T-cell function. PMID:28700479

Effect of administrating polysaccharide from black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) on atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Ashigai, Hiroshi; Komano, Yuta; Wang, Guanying; Kawachi, Yasuji; Sunaga, Kazuko; Yamamoto, Reiko; Takata, Ryoji; Miyake, Mika; Yanai, Takaaki

2018-01-01

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes dry skin and functional disruption of the skin barrier. AD is often accompanied by allergic inflammation. AD patient suffer from heavy itching, and their quality of life is severely affected. Some pharmaceuticals for AD have some side effects such as skin atrophy. So it is necessary to develop mild solutions such as food ingredients without side effects. There are various causes of AD. It is especially induced by immunological imbalances such as IFN-γ reduction. IFN-γ has an important role in regulating IgE, which can cause an allergy reaction. NC/Nga mice develop AD and IgE hyperproduction. In a previous study, we revealed that administration of polysaccharide from black currant ( R. nigrum ) has an effect on immunomodulation. It induces IFN-γ production from myeloid dendritic cells. We named this polysaccharide cassis polysaccharide (CAPS). In this report, we studied the effect of administering CAPS on atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. Thirty NC/Nga mice that developed symptoms of atopic dermatitis were used. We divided them into three groups (control, CAPS administration 12 mg/kg/day, CAPS administration 60 mg/kg/day). For 4 weeks, we evaluated clinical score, serum IgE levels, gene expression of spleen, and skin pathology. We revealed that CAPS administration improves atopic dermatitis symptoms. We also found that CAPS administration suppresses IgE hyperproduction and induces IFN-γ gene transcription in the spleen. Finally, we confirmed that CAPS administration suppresses mast cell migration to epidermal skin. These results indicated that CAPS has an effect on AD.

Resting-state EEG coupling analysis of amnestic mild cognitive impairment with type 2 diabetes mellitus by using permutation conditional mutual information.

PubMed

Wen, Dong; Bian, Zhijie; Li, Qiuli; Wang, Lei; Lu, Chengbiao; Li, Xiaoli

2016-01-01

This study was meant to explore whether the coupling strength and direction of resting-state electroencephalogram (rsEEG) could be used as an indicator to distinguish the patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with or without amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Permutation conditional mutual information (PCMI) was used to calculate the coupling strength and direction of rsEEG signals between different brain areas of 19 aMCI and 20 normal control (NC) with T2DM on 7 frequency bands: Delta, Theta, Alpha1, Alpha2, Beta1, Beta2 and Gamma. The difference in coupling strength or direction of rsEEG between two groups was calculated. The correlation between coupling strength or direction of rsEEG and score of different neuropsychology scales were also calculated. We have demonstrated that PCMI can calculate effectively the coupling strength and directionality of EEG signals between different brain regions. The significant difference in coupling strength and directionality of EEG signals was found between the patients of aMCI and NC with T2DM on different brain regions. There also existed significant correlation between sex or age and coupling strength or coupling directionality of EEG signals between a few different brain regions from all subjects. The coupling strength or directionality of EEG signals calculated by PCMI are significantly different between aMCI and NC with T2DM. These results showed that the coupling strength or directionality of EEG signals calculated by PCMI might be used as a biomarker in distinguishing the aMCI from NC with T2DM. Copyright © 2015 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Childhood narcolepsy with cataplexy: comparison between post-H1N1 vaccination and sporadic cases.

PubMed

Pizza, Fabio; Peltola, Hanna; Sarkanen, Tomi; Moghadam, Keivan K; Plazzi, Giuseppe; Partinen, Markku

2014-02-01

We aimed to compare post-Pandemrix vaccination (postvaccine) childhood narcolepsy with cataplexy (NC) vs. sporadic pre-H1N1 pandemic (pre-H1N1) cases. Clinical, anthropometric, polysomnographic, and cerebrospinal hypocretin 1 (hcrt-1) measurements were collected together with the video recordings of cataplexy in 27 Finnish patients with NC onset after H1N1 Pandemrix vaccination (mean age, 12±4 years; 52% boys) and 42 Italian NC patients with NC onset before the H1N1 pandemic (mean age, 11±3 years; 48% boys). All subjects carried the HLA-DQB1*0602 allele. Postvaccine subjects were older at NC onset (12±3 vs. 9±3 years; P=.008) and displayed a shorter mean sleep latency in multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT) (2.3±2.2 vs. 3.7±2.9 min; P=.026) compared to pre-H1N1 cases. Anthropometric, clinical (core NC symptoms), hcrt-1 deficiency, and polysomnographic data did not differ among groups, but higher disrupted nocturnal sleep was observed in postvaccine subjects. Comparison of cataplexy features at video assessment showed an overlapping picture with the exception for hyperkinetic movements which appeared to be more evident in pre-H1N1 subjects. The clinical picture of childhood NC was similar in postvaccine and pre-H1N1 children. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Stable synthetic bacteriochlorins for photodynamic therapy: role of dicyano peripheral groups, central metal substitution (2H, Zn, Pd), and Cremophor EL delivery.

PubMed

Huang, Ying-Ying; Balasubramanian, Thiagarajan; Yang, Eunkyung; Luo, Dianzhong; Diers, James R; Bocian, David F; Lindsey, Jonathan S; Holten, Dewey; Hamblin, Michael R

2012-12-01

A series of four stable synthetic bacteriochlorins was tested in vitro in HeLa cells for their potential in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The parent bacteriochlorin (BC), dicyano derivative (NC)(2)BC and corresponding zinc chelate (NC)(2)BC-Zn and palladium chelate (NC)(2)BC-Pd were studied. Direct dilution of a solution of bacteriochlorin in an organic solvent (N,N-dimethylacetamide) into serum-containing medium was compared with the dilution of bacteriochlorin in Cremophor EL (CrEL; polyoxyethylene glycerol triricinoleate) micelles into the same medium. CrEL generally reduced aggregation (as indicated by absorption and fluorescence) and increased activity up to tenfold (depending on bacteriochlorin), although it decreased cellular uptake. The order of PDT activity against HeLa human cancer cells after 24 h incubation and illumination with 10 J cm(-2) of near-infrared (NIR) light is (NC)(2)BC-Pd (LD(50)=25 nM) > (NC)(2)BC > (NC)(2)BC-Zn ≈ BC. Subcellular localization was determined to be in the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and lysosomes, depending on the bacteriochlorin. (NC)(2)BC-Pd showed PDT-mediated damage to mitochondria and lysosomes, and the greatest production of hydroxyl radicals as determined using a hydroxyphenylfluorescein probe. The incorporation of cyano substituents provides an excellent motif for the enhancement of the photoactivity and photostability of bacteriochlorins as PDT photosensitizers. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Enhanced Induction of T Cell Immunity Using Dendritic Cells Pulsed with HIV Tat and HCMV-pp65 Fusion Protein In Vitro

PubMed Central

Park, Jung-Sun; Park, Soo-Young; Cho, Hyun-Il; Sohn, Hyun-Jung

2011-01-01

Background Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) appear to play an important role in the control and prevention of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. The pp65 antigen is a structural protein, which has been defined as a potential target for effective immunity against HCMV infection. Incorporation of an 11 amino acid region of the HIV TAT protein transduction domain (Tat) into protein facilitates rapid, efficient entry into cells. Methods To establish a strategy for the generation of HCMV-specific CTLs in vitro, recombinant truncated N- and C-terminal pp65 protein (pp65 N&C) and N- and C-terminal pp65 protein fused with Tat (Tat/pp65 N&C) was produced in E.coli system. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with pp65 N&C or Tat/pp65 N&C protein and immune responses induced was examined using IFN-γ ELISPOT assay, cytotoxicity assay and tetramer staining. Results DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65N&C protein could induce higher T-cell responses in vitro compared with pp65N&C. Moreover, the DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65 N&C could stimulate both of CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell responses. The T cells induced by DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65 N&C showed higher cytotoxicity than that of pp65-pulsed DCs against autologous lymphoblastoid B-cell line (LCL) expressing the HCMV-pp65 antigen. Conclusion Our results suggest that DCs pulsed with Tat/pp65 N&C protein effectively induced pp65-specific CTL in vitro. Tat fusion recombinant protein may be useful for the development of adoptive T-cell immunotherapy and DC-based vaccines. PMID:21860612

Nanocomposites based on Soluplus and Angelica gigas Nakai extract fabricated by an electrohydrodynamic method for oral administration.

PubMed

Lee, Jeong-Jun; Nam, Suyeong; Park, Ju-Hwan; Lee, Song Yi; Jeong, Jae Young; Lee, Jae-Young; Kang, Wie-Soo; Yoon, In-Soo; Kim, Dae-Duk; Cho, Hyun-Jong

2016-12-15

Nanocomposites (NCs) based on Soluplus (SP) were fabricated by an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) method for the oral delivery of Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN). Nano-sized particles were obtained after dispersing the resultant, produced by the EHD technique, in the aqueous environment. AGN/SP2 (AGN:SP=1:2, w/w) NC dispersion in aqueous media exhibited a 130nm mean diameter, narrow size distribution, and robust stability in the tested concentration range of the ethanol extract of AGN (AGN EtOH ext) and at pH 1.2 and 6.8. Amorphization of the components of AGN and their interactions with SP in the AGN/SP2 NC formulation were demonstrated by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis. The released amounts of decursin (D) and decursinol angelate (DA), major components of AGN, from NCs were improved compared with those from the AGN EtOH ext group at both pH 1.2 and 6.8. As D and DA can be metabolized into decursinol (DOH) in the liver after oral administration, the DOH concentrations in plasma were quantitatively determined to evaluate the oral absorption of AGN. In a pharmacokinetic study in rats, higher oral absorption and the maximum concentration in plasma (C max ) were presented in the AGN/SP2 NC group compared with the AGN EtOH ext and AGN NC groups. These findings indicate the successful application of developed SP-based NCs for the oral delivery of AGN. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Identification and prognostic value of differentially expressed proteins of patients with platinum resistance epithelial ovarian cancer in serum].

PubMed

Wu, W J; Wang, Q; Zhang, W; Li, L

2016-07-25

To identified differentially expressed proteins associated with platinum resistance in platinum resistance epithelial oarian cancer(EOC)patients in serum and investigate their clinical value. A total of 106 patients withoverian tumor in affiliated tumor hospital of Guangxi Medical University from August 1998 to September 2013 were enrolled in this study, which include 52 cases od platinum-sensitive(PTS), 44 cases of platinum-resistant(PTR)and 10 cases of benign ovarian cyst(BOC). Thirty-three cases of normal women proceeded physical examination in our hospital in 2008 were chosen as control group(NC). Four groups of patients serum samples of 4 groups were collected and preserved.(1)Differentially express level of serum proteins of 10 cases of every group(PTS & PTR vs NC, PTS & PTR vs BOC, PTS vs PTR)were identified with isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitative(iTRAQ)based quantitative proteomic approach and then was subjected to bioinformatics analysis.(2)Proteins that played a important role in multidrug resistance were validated by western blot(WB)and ELISA in 44 PTR patients, 52 PRS patients and 33 NC women.(3)Pearson correlation analysis was used to explain the relationship between proteins and clinical pathological parameters of PTR individuals. Kaplan-Meier method was supposed to explore serum biomarkers associated with clinical prognosis data. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to determine the diagnostic value of the markers. (1)Based on the result of bioinformatics analysis, 56 proteins, 39 proteins and 62 proteins were identified respectively among PTS & PTR vs NC, PTS & PTR vs BOC, PTS vs PTR. It showed that C6 and CNTN1 have a positive seletion effect among Asians and BCHE among Europeans through searching Haplotter database. CRP, FN1, S100A9, TF, ALB, VWF, APOC2, APOE, CD44, F2, GPX3 and ACTB proein were further verified related with platinum resistance by taking intersection analysis in the COREMINE database and TCGA.(2)The expression level of SERPINA1 protein in serum of PTR group, PTS group and NC groupwere 41.7±9.2, 32.8±6.6 and 14.2±3.6 respectively using WB assay, and(816±246),(686±205)and(756 ± 244)μg/μl respectively using ELISA; the expression level of ORM1 protein in PTR, PTS and NC serum were 37.9±7.0, 27.0±22.5 and 21.7±2.6 respectively using WB assay, and(221±35),(174±23)and(157±18)μg/μl respectively using ELISA; the expression level of FN1 protein in PTR, PTS and NC serum were 30.3±11.4, 18.2±5.2, 23.7±3.9 respectively by WB assay, and(71±13),(62±13),(69±13)ng/μl respectively by ELISA; the expression level of GPX3 protein in PTR, PTS and NC serum were 1.2±0.3, 2.2± 0.3, 1.6±0.3 respectively WB assay. The expression of each protein by using western blot method and ELISA method had the same trend as that using iTRAQ technology.(3)Pearson correlation analysis showed, the expression of SERPINA1, FN1 and ORM1 had a positive correlation with recurrence and death of PTR patients(P <0.01, P <0.05), but was negatively correlated with progress free survival of PTR patients(P <0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that clinical stage, initial treatment outcomes, the express level of SERPINA1, FN1 and ORM1 were significantly related with progression-free survival(P <0.05), the initial treatment outcomes was related with overall survival(P=0.027). The overall predictive accuracy of each protein was reflected by the area under the ROC curve(AUC), FN1 ORM1 and SERPINA with ROC areas of 0.679, 0.910 and 0.666 respectively. The diagnosis value of ORM1 protein in ovarian cancer patients with platinum resistance performance is significantly higher than that of FN1 and SERPINA1 protein(P=0.000) CONCLUSIONS: The differentially express level of FN1, SERPINA1 and ORM1 between PTS and PTR play a essential role in measuring subtle changes in response to platinum-based chemotherapy and may be involved in biological processes of platinum resistance. ORM1 has higher diagnostic efficiency of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer patients. It may be a promising candidate biomarker for screening and diagnosis of ovarian cancer patients with platinum resistance.

THE INFLUENCE OF SERUM BINDING PROTEINS AND FEEDBACK CONTROL OF SERUM ESTRADIOL LEVELS ON THE COMPARATIVE POTENCY OF ENDOCRINE ACTIVE COMPOUNDS

EPA Science Inventory

THE INFLUENCE OF SERUM BINDING PROTEINS ON THE COMPARATIVE RECEPTOR BINDING POTENCY OF ENDOCRINE ACTIVE COMPOUNDS. JG Teeguarden1 and HA Barton2. 1ICF Consulting, Research Triangle Park NC; 2US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, ETD, Pharmacokinetics Branch, RTP, NC.

Accurate comparison of...

Auditory/visual Duration Bisection in Patients with Left or Right Medial-Temporal Lobe Resection

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Melgire, Manuela; Ragot, Richard; Samson, Severine; Penney, Trevor B.; Meck, Warren H.; Pouthas, Viviane

2005-01-01

Patients with unilateral (left or right) medial temporal lobe lesions and normal control (NC) volunteers participated in two experiments, both using a duration bisection procedure. Experiment 1 assessed discrimination of auditory and visual signal durations ranging from 2 to 8 s, in the same test session. Patients and NC participants judged…

Modified natural cycle for embryo transfer using frozen-thawed blastocysts: A satisfactory option.

PubMed

Le, Quoc V; Abhari, Sina; Abuzeid, Omar M; DeAnna, Jennifer; Satti, Mohamed A; Abozaid, Tarek; Khan, Iqbal; Abuzeid, Mostafa I

2017-06-01

To describe pregnancy outcomes of frozen-thawed blastocysts cycles using modified natural cycle frozen embryo transfers (NC-FET) and down-regulated hormonally controlled frozen embryo transfers (HC-FET) protocols. This retrospective cohort study included all patients undergoing either modified NC-FET or down-regulated HC-FET using frozen-thawed day 5 embryos. Cycles with donor blastocysts were excluded. Four hundred twenty eight patients underwent a total of 493 FET cycles. Patients with regular menses and evidence of ovulation underwent modified NC-FET. These patients were given hCG 10,000 IU IM on the day of LH-surge. Vaginal progesterone (P4) was started two days later and blastocyst transfer was planned seven days after detecting the LH surge. Anovulatory patients and some ovulatory patients underwent down-regulated HC-FET. These patients were placed on medroxy-progesterone acetate (10mg) for 10days to bring on menses and were also given a half-dose of GnRH-agonist (GnRH-a) on the third day of medroxy-progesterone acetate. Exogenous estradiol was initiated on the third day of menses. Once serum E2 levels reached >500pg/mL and endometrial lining reached >8mm, intramuscular (IM) P4 in oil was administered. Blastocyst FET was planned 6days after initiating P4. The primary outcomes included clinical pregnancy and delivery rates. There were 197 patients in the modified NC-FET protocol and 181 in the down-regulated HC-FET protocol. Mean age (years), day-3 FSH levels (mIU/mL) and percentage of patients with male factor infertility were significantly higher and mean BMI (kg/m 2 ) was significantly lower in modified NC-FET compared to HC-FET, respectively. Analysis of the first cycle pregnancy outcomes revealed no significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate (54.3% vs. 52.5%) and delivery rate (47.2% vs. 43.6%) between modified NC-FET and HC-FET. Logistic regression analysis showed age (OR=0.939, 95% CI 0.894-0.989, p=0.011), number of blastocysts transferred (OR=1.414, 95% CI 1.046-1.909, p=0.024), and the year of FET (OR=1.127, 95% CI 1.029-1.234, p=0.010) were significant factors impacting clinical pregnancy. An age analysis within three age groups (≤35, 36-39, ≥40) was performed, but no significant difference in clinical pregnancy was observed. Our data suggests that modified NC-FET protocol has comparable pregnancy outcomes to down-regulated HC-FET when utilizing frozen-thawed day 5 embryos. Published by Elsevier B.V.

White matter integrity and cognition in Parkinson's disease: a cross-sectional study

PubMed Central

Auning, Eirik; Kjærvik, Veslemøy Krohn; Selnes, Per; Aarsland, Dag; Haram, Astrid; Bjørnerud, Atle; Hessen, Erik; Esnaashari, Abdolreza; Fladby, Tormod

2014-01-01

Objective We used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to test the following hypotheses: (1) there is decreased white matter (WM) integrity in non-demented Parkinson’s disease (PD), (2) WM integrity is differentially reduced in PD and early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and (3) DTI changes in non-demented PD are specifically associated with cognitive performance. Methods This study included 18 non-demented patients with PD, 18 patients with mild cognitive impairment due to incipient AD and 19 healthy elderly normal control (NC) participants in a cross-sectional design. The participants underwent DTI, and tract-based spatial statistics was used to analyse and extract radial diffusivity and fractional anisotropy. Correlations between scores from a battery of neuropsychological tests and DTI were performed in the PD group. Results Patients with PD had significant differences in DTI in WM underlying the temporal, parietal and occipital cortex as compared with NC. There were no significant differences between the PD and AD groups in the primary region of interest analyses, but compared with NC there was a tendency for more anterior changes in AD in contrast to more posterior changes in PD. In a secondary whole-brain analysis there were frontoparietal areas with significant differences between AD and PD. In patients with PD, there were significant correlations between DTI parameters in WM underlying the prefrontal cortex and executive and visuospatial abilities. Conclusions In early, non-demented PD we found reduced WM integrity underlying the temporal, parietal and occipital cortices. In addition, WM integrity changes in prefrontal areas were associated with executive and visuospatial ability. These findings support that DTI may be an important biomarker in early PD, and that WM changes are related to cognitive impairment in PD. PMID:24448846

CATEGORICAL AND CORRELATIONAL ANALYSES OF BASELINE FLUORODEOXYGLUCOSE POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY IMAGES FROM THE ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE NEUROIMAGING INITIATIVE (ADNI)

PubMed Central

Langbaum, Jessica B.S.; Chen, Kewei; Lee, Wendy; Reschke, Cole; Bandy, Dan; Fleisher, Adam S.; Alexander, Gene E.; Foster, Norman L.; Weiner, Michael W.; Koeppe, Robert A.; Jagust, William J.; Reiman, Eric M.

2010-01-01

In mostly small single-center studies, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with characteristic and progressive reductions in fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) measurements of the regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (CMRgl). The AD Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) is acquiring FDG PET, volumetric magnetic resonance imaging, and other biomarker measurements in a large longitudinal multi-center study of initially mildly affected probable AD (pAD) patients, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients, who are at increased AD risk, and cognitively normal controls (NC), and we are responsible for analyzing the PET images using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Here we compare baseline CMRgl measurements from 74 pAD patients and 142 aMCI patients to those from 82 NC, we correlate CMRgl with categorical and continuous measures of clinical disease severity, and we compare apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 carriers to non-carriers in each of these subject groups. In comparison with NC, the pAD and aMCI groups each had significantly lower CMRgl bilaterally in posterior cingulate, precuneus, parietotemporal and frontal cortex. Similar reductions were observed when categories of disease severity or lower Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores were correlated with lower CMRgl. However, when analyses were restricted to the pAD patients, lower MMSE scores were significantly correlated with lower left frontal and temporal CMRgl. These findings from a large, multi-site study support previous single-site findings, supports the characteristic pattern of baseline CMRgl reductions in AD and aMCI patients, as well as preferential anterior CMRgl reductions after the onset of AD dementia. PMID:19349228

Suppression of the Epidermal Growth Factor-like Domain 7 and Inhibition of Migration and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Pancreatic Cancer PANC-1 Cells.

PubMed

Wang, Yun-Liang; Dong, Feng-Lin; Yang, Jian; Li, Zhi; Zhi, Qiao-Ming; Zhao, Xin; Yang, Yong; Li, De-Chun; Shen, Xiao-Chun; Zhou, Jin

2015-01-01

Epidermal growth factor-like domain multiple 7 (EGFL7), a secreted protein specifically expressed by endothelial cells during embryogenesis, recently was identified as a critical gene in tumor metastasis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was found to be closely related with tumor progression. Accordingly, it is important to investigate the migration and EMT change after knock-down of EGFL7 gene expression in human pancreatic cancer cells. EGFL7 expression was firstly testified in 4 pancreatic cancer cell lines by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and western blot, and the highest expression of EGFL7 was found in PANC-1 cell line. Then, PANC-1 cells transfected with small interference RNA (siRNA) of EGFL7 using plasmid vector were named si-PANC-1, while transfected with negative control plasmid vector were called NC-PANC-1. Transwell assay was used to analyze the migration of PANC-1 cells. Real-time PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression change of EGFL7 gene, EMT markers like E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, Vimentin, Fibronectin and transcription factors like snail, slug in PANC-1, NC- PANC-1, and si-PANC-1 cells, respectively. After successful plasmid transfection, EGFL7 gene were dramatically knock-down by RNA interference in si-PANC-1 group. Meanwhile, migration ability decreased significantly, compared with PANC-1 and NC-PANC-1 group. Meanwhile, the expression of epithelial phenotype marker E-Cadherin increased and that of mesenchymal phenotype markers N-Cadherin, Vimentin, Fibronectin dramatically decreased in si-PANC-1 group, indicating a reversion of EMT. Also, transcription factors snail and slug decreased significantly after RNA interference. Current study suggested that highly-expressed EGFL7 promotes migration of PANC-1 cells and acts through transcription factors snail and slug to induce EMT, and further study is needed to confirm this issue.

Large-scale cortical volume correlation networks reveal disrupted small world patterns in Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Wu, Qiong; Gao, Yang; Liu, Ai-Shi; Xie, Li-Zhi; Qian, Long; Yang, Xiao-Guang

2018-01-01

To date, the most frequently reported neuroimaging biomarkers in Parkinson's disease (PD) are direct brain imaging measurements focusing on local disrupted regions. However, the notion that PD is related to abnormal functional and structural connectivity has received support in the past few years. Here, we employed graph theory to analyze the structural co-variance networks derived from 50 PD patients and 48 normal controls (NC). Then, the small world properties of brain networks were assessed in the structural networks that were constructed based on cortical volume data. Our results showed that both the PD and NC groups had a small world architecture in brain structural networks. However, the PD patients had a higher characteristic path length and clustering coefficients compared with the NC group. With regard to the nodal centrality, 11 regions, including 3 association cortices, 5 paralimbic cortices, and 3 subcortical regions were identified as hubs in the PD group. In contrast, 10 regions, including 7 association cortical regions, 2 paralimbic cortical regions, and the primary motor cortex region, were identified as hubs. Moreover, the regional centrality was profoundly affected in PD patients, including decreased nodal centrality in the right inferior occipital gyrus and the middle temporal gyrus and increased nodal centrality in the right amygdala, the left caudate and the superior temporal gyrus. In addition, the structural cortical network of PD showed reduced topological stability for targeted attacks. Together, this study shows that the coordinated patterns of cortical volume network are widely altered in PD patients with a decrease in the efficiency of parallel information processing. These changes provide structural evidence to support the concept that the core pathophysiology of PD is associated with disruptive alterations in the coordination of large-scale brain networks that underlie high-level cognition. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Salivary cortisol levels, but not salivary α-amylase levels, are elevated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis irrespective of depression.

PubMed

Kim, Hyoun-Ah; Jeon, Ja-Young; Koh, Bo-Ram; Park, Sat-Byul; Suh, Chang-Hee

2016-02-01

Stress is recognized as an important factor in the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, we explored multiple aspects of stress in RA patients. Salivary cortisol and α-amylase levels were measured as markers of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and sympatho-adrenomedullary system activity, respectively. Depression was assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and short-term analysis of the heart rate variability (HRV) was performed to evaluate the autonomic nervous system. The salivary cortisol levels of the RA patients were significantly higher than those of the normal controls (NC; 0.12 ± 0.162 μg/dL vs. 0.068 ± 0.052 μg/dL, P = 0.006). There was no difference in salivary α-amylase levels between the RA and the NC. The BDI levels of the RA patients were significantly higher than the NC (13.7 ± 8.9 vs. 6.4 ± 6.9, P < 0.001). Depression was more prevalent in RA patients than in the NC. The salivary cortisol levels were still significantly higher in the RA than the NC after controlling BDI by logistic regression analysis (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in the HRV of RA patients and the NC. The evaluation of relationship between stress measures and disease activity markers of RA revealed that only BDI was positively correlated with the visual analogue pain scale. Salivary cortisol levels and the BDI of RA patients were higher than those of the NC, and elevated salivary cortisol levels were independent of depression. However, the level of stress may not be correlated with disease activity in RA. © 2013 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Wigner functions for noncommutative quantum mechanics: A group representation based construction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chowdhury, S. Hasibul Hassan, E-mail: shhchowdhury@gmail.com; Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1M8; Ali, S. Twareque, E-mail: twareque.ali@concordia.ca

This paper is devoted to the construction and analysis of the Wigner functions for noncommutative quantum mechanics, their marginal distributions, and star-products, following a technique developed earlier, viz, using the unitary irreducible representations of the group G{sub NC}, which is the three fold central extension of the Abelian group of ℝ{sup 4}. These representations have been exhaustively studied in earlier papers. The group G{sub NC} is identified with the kinematical symmetry group of noncommutative quantum mechanics of a system with two degrees of freedom. The Wigner functions studied here reflect different levels of non-commutativity—both the operators of position and thosemore » of momentum not commuting, the position operators not commuting and finally, the case of standard quantum mechanics, obeying the canonical commutation relations only.« less

Correlation of A2bAR and KLF4/KLF15 with Obesity-Dyslipidemia Induced Inflammation in Uygur Population

PubMed Central

Wang, Cuizhe; Ha, Xiaodan; Li, Wei; Xu, Peng; Gu, Yajuan; Wang, Tingting; Wang, Yan; Xie, Jianxin; Zhang, Jun

2016-01-01

In this paper, the researchers collected visceral adipose tissue from the Uygur population, which were divided into two groups: the normal control group (NC, n = 50, 18.0 kg/m2 ≤ BMI ≤ 23.9 kg/m2) and the obese group (OB, n = 45, BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2), and then use real-time PCR to detect the mRNA expression level of key genes involved in inflammation signaling pathway. The findings suggest that, in obese status, the lower expression level of A2bAR, KLF4, and KLF15 of visceral adipose tissue may correlate with obese-dyslipidemia induced inflammation in Uygur population. PMID:27199507

Symplocos cochinchinensis attenuates streptozotocin-diabetes induced pathophysiological alterations of liver, kidney, pancreas and eye lens in rats.

PubMed

Antu, Kalathookunnel Antony; Riya, Mariam Philip; Mishra, Arvind; Sharma, Sharad; Srivastava, Arvind K; Raghu, Kozhiparambil Gopalan

2014-09-01

The beneficial effects of hydroethanol extract of Symplocos cochinchinensis (SCE) has been explored against hyperglycemia associated secondary complications in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model. The experimental groups consist of normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), DC + metformin 100 mg kg(-1) bwd, DC + SCE 250 and DC + SCE 500. SCEs and metformin were administered daily for 21 days and sacrificed on day 22. Oral glucose tolerance test, plasma insulin, % HbA1c, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, albumin, total protein etc. were analysed. Aldose reductase (AR) activity in the eye lens was also checked. On day 21, DC rats showed significantly abnormal glucose response, HOMA-IR, % HbA1c, decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes and GSH, elevated AR activity, hepatic and renal oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls compared to NC. DC rats also exhibited increased level of plasma urea and creatinine. Treatment with SCE protected from the deleterious alterations of biochemical parameters in a dose dependent manner including histopathological alterations in pancreas. SCE 500 exhibited 46.28% of glucose lowering effect and decreased HOMA-IR (2.47), % HbA1c (6.61), lens AR activity (15.99%), and hepatic, renal oxidative stress and function markers compared to DC group. Considerable amount of liver and muscle glycogen was replenished by SCE treatment in diabetic animals. Although metformin showed better effect, the activity of SCE was very much comparable with this drug. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Training in Temporal Information Processing Ameliorates Phonetic Identification.

PubMed

Szymaszek, Aneta; Dacewicz, Anna; Urban, Paulina; Szelag, Elzbieta

2018-01-01

Many studies revealed a link between temporal information processing (TIP) in a millisecond range and speech perception. Previous studies indicated a dysfunction in TIP accompanied by deficient phonemic hearing in children with specific language impairment (SLI). In this study we concentrate in SLI on phonetic identification, using the voice-onset-time (VOT) phenomenon in which TIP is built-in. VOT is crucial for speech perception, as stop consonants (like /t/ vs. /d/) may be distinguished by an acoustic difference in time between the onsets of the consonant (stop release burst) and the following vibration of vocal folds (voicing). In healthy subjects two categories (voiced and unvoiced) are determined using VOT task. The present study aimed at verifying whether children with SLI indicate a similar pattern of phonetic identification as their healthy peers and whether the intervention based on TIP results in improved performance on the VOT task. Children aged from 5 to 8 years ( n = 47) were assigned into two groups: normal children without any language disability (NC, n = 20), and children with SLI ( n = 27). In the latter group participants were randomly classified into two treatment subgroups, i.e., experimental temporal training (EG, n = 14) and control non-temporal training (CG, n = 13). The analyzed indicators of phonetic identification were: (1) the boundary location (α) determined as the VOT value corresponding to 50% voicing/unvoicing distinctions; (2) ranges of voiced/unvoiced categories; (3) the slope of identification curve (β) reflecting the identification correctness; (4) percent of voiced distinctions within the applied VOT spectrum. The results indicated similar α values and similar ranges of voiced/unvoiced categories between SLI and NC. However, β in SLI was significantly higher than that in NC. After the intervention, the significant improvement of β was observed only in EG. They achieved the level of performance comparable to that observed in NC. The training-related improvement in CG was non-significant. Furthermore, only in EG the β values in post-test correlated with measures of TIP as well as with phonemic hearing obtained in our previous studies. These findings provide another evidence that TIP is omnipresent in language communication and reflected not only in phonemic hearing but also in phonetic identification.

Knowing prior methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection or colonization status increases the empirical use of glycopeptides in MRSA bacteraemia and may decrease mortality.

PubMed

Robinson, J O; Phillips, M; Christiansen, K J; Pearson, J C; Coombs, G W; Murray, R J

2014-06-01

To compare the management and outcome of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia in patients known to be MRSA-colonized/infected (C-patients) with the management and outcome in those not known to be colonized/infected (NC-patients), we conducted a 10-year retrospective review of MRSA bacteraemia in an adult tertiary hospital. Clinical data were obtained by chart review, and mortality data from linked databases. Prior MRSA colonization/infection status was available to treating clinicians at the time of the bacteraemia as a 'Micro-Alert' tag on the patient's labels, in medical charts, and in electronic information systems. C-patients accounted for 35.4% of all MRSA bacteraemia episodes. C-patients were more likely to be indigenous, to be diabetic, or to have a history of previous S. aureus infection. Markers of illness severity (Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS)-II, need for admission to the intensive-care unit, length of stay, and metastatic seeding) were similar in both groups. Empirical therapy included a glycopeptide in 49.3% of C-patients vs. 18.9% of NC-patients (p <0.01), and contained an antibiotic to which the MRSA isolate tested susceptible in vitro in 56.7% of C-patients vs. 45.1% of NC-patients (p 0.13). All-cause 7-day and 30-day mortality were 7.5% vs. 18.9% (p 0.04), and 22.4% vs. 31.1% (p 0.20), in the C-patient and NC-patient groups, respectively. Knowing MRSA colonization status was significantly associated with lower 30-day mortality in Cox regression analysis (p <0.01). These data suggest that mortality from MRSA bacteraemia is lower in C-patients, which may reflect the earlier use of glycopeptides. The low use of empirical glycopeptides in septic patients known to be previously MRSA-colonized/infected may represent a missed opportunity for infection control to positively impact on clinical management. © 2013 The Authors Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2013 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

Direct and correlated responses to selection for milk yield: results and conclusions of regional project NC-2, "improvement of dairy cattle through breeding, with emphasis on selection". NC-2 Technical Committee.

PubMed

Kelm, S C; Freeman, A E

2000-12-01

Measurement of direct and correlated responses to single-trait selection for milk yield was the major objective of regional project NC-2. The NC-2 Technical Committee included representatives from Alaska, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and the USDA. All representatives, except Illinois, Kansas and Nebraska, maintained a selection line formed by using AI sires selected for high estimated transmitting abilities for milk and a second line that served as some type of a control. Stations varied in criteria for selection of bulls for control lines. Farms were managed similarly, including feeding and management of selection and control lines as one herd, random mating within line, and restricted culling policies. Selection for milk yield effectively increased milk production. All selection lines increased milk and net income per lactation more than control lines. Realized gains matched or exceeded gains expected from estimates of breeding values. Yields of milk components increased, but component percentages decreased appreciably for selection lines. Reproduction of nulliparous animals was not affected, but days open for lactating selection cows increased in some of the individual projects. Selected cows tended to have larger health costs, specifically for mammary treatment. Udder and conformation traits did not deteriorate for selection lines, although control lines with selection of sires on genetic evaluations for type received higher type scores. There should be few reservations about undesirable responses correlated with selection for milk yield.

Nicotinate-Curcumin Impedes Foam Cell Formation from THP-1 Cells through Restoring Autophagy Flux

PubMed Central

Gu, Hong-Feng; Li, Hai-Zhe; Tang, Ya-Ling; Tang, Xiao-Qing; Zheng, Xi-Long; Liao, Duan-Fang

2016-01-01

Our previous studies have indicated that a novel curcumin derivate nicotinate-curcumin (NC) has beneficial effects on the prevention of atherosclerosis, but the precise mechanisms are not fully understood. Given that autophagy regulates lipid metabolism, the present study was designed to investigate whether NC decreases foam cell formation through restoring autophagy flux in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-treated THP-1 cells. Our results showed that ox-LDL (100 μg/ml) was accumulated in THP-1 cells and impaired autophagy flux. Ox-LDL-induced impairment of autophagy was enhanced by treatment with the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) and rescued by the autophagy inducer rapamycin. The aggregation of ox-LDL was increased by CQ, but decreased by rapamycin. In addition, colocalization of lipid droplets with LC3-II was remarkably reduced in ox-LDL group. In contrast, NC (10 μM) rescued the impaired autophagy flux by significantly increasing level of LC3-II, the number of autophagolysosomes, and the degradation of p62 in ox-LDL-treated THP-1 cells. Inhibition of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling was required for NC-rescued autophagy flux. Notably, our results showed that NC remarkably promoted the colocalization of lipid droplets with autophagolysosomes, increased efflux of cholesterol, and reduced ox-LDL accumulation in THP-1 cells. However, treatment with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or CQ reduced the protective effects of NC on lipid accumulation. Collectively, the findings suggest that NC decreases lipid accumulation in THP-1 cells through restoring autophagy flux, and further implicate that NC may be a potential therapeutic reagent to reverse atherosclerosis. PMID:27128486

Long-term effects of extrinsic denervation on VIP and substance P innervation in circular muscle of rat jejunum.

PubMed

Kasparek, Michael S; Fatima, Javairiah; Iqbal, Corey W; Duenes, Judith A; Sarr, Michael G

2007-10-01

Intestinal denervation contributes to enteric motor dysfunction after small bowel transplantation (SBT). Our aim was to determine long-term effects of extrinsic denervation on function of nonadrenergic, noncholinergic innervation with substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Contractile activity of jejunal circular muscle strips from six age-matched, naive control rats (NC) and eight rats 1 year after syngeneic SBT was studied in tissue chambers. Spontaneous contractile activity did not differ between groups. Exogenous VIP inhibited contractile activity dose-dependently to a comparable degree in both groups. The VIP antagonist ([D-p-Cl-Phe(6),Leu(17)]-VIP) and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NG-nitro-arginine did not affect VIP-induced inhibition but increased contractile activity during electrical field stimulation (EFS) in both groups. Exogenous substance P increased contractile activity dose-dependently, greater in NC than SBT. The substance P antagonist ([D-Pro(2),D-Trp(7,9)]-substance P) inhibited effects of exogenous substance P and decreased the excitatory EFS response. Immunohistofluorescence showed tyrosine hydroxylase staining after SBT indicating sympathetic reinnervation. In jejunal circular muscle after chronic denervation, response to exogenous substance P, but not VIP, is decreased, whereas endogenous release of both neurotransmitters is preserved. Alterations in balance of excitatory and inhibitory pathways occur despite extrinsic reinnervation and might contribute to enteric motor dysfunction after SBT.

Neonatal handling and environmental enrichment increase the expression of GAP-43 in the hippocampus and promote cognitive abilities in prenatally stressed rat offspring.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhengyu; Zhang, Hua; Du, Baoling; Chen, Zhiqiang

2012-07-26

Neonatal handling and environmental enrichment have been used to aid the treatment and recovery of a diverse variety of brain dysfunctions. However, the underlying mechanism and the effects on cognitive function following neonatal handling and environmental enrichment are still unclear. In this study, we investigated GAP-43 protein levels in the hippocampus of prenatally stressed rat pups by Western blot on postnatal day (P) 10, P20 and P45. The cognitive ability of prenatally stressed rat pups was tested by using the Morris water maze on P45. GAP-43 protein levels were upregulated on P10 in the prenatal restraint stress (RS) group and the prenatal restraint stress plus neonatal handling and environmental enrichment (RE) group compared to the negative control (NC) group. However, the expression of GAP-43 in RS pups was lower on P20 and P45 than that in NC and RE pups. Exposure to prenatal stress prolonged average latency and total swim distance, but neonatal handling and environmental enrichment could reverse the change. Differences were also observed in the selection of search strategies. These results indicate that neonatal handling and environmental enrichment can improve the spatial learning and memory ability of prenatally stressed offspring, and the possible mechanism is the upregulation of GAP-43. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Involvement and Warmth of Fathers with Mental Illness: The Role of the Caregiving System, Parental Self-Efficacy, Social Support and Child Characteristics.

PubMed

Finzi-Dottan, Ricky; Dayan-Gazith, Efrat; Borosh, Tali; Golubchik, Pavel

2016-11-01

This study compares the levels and predictors of paternal warmth and involvement of 69 fathers with serious mental illness (SMI) and 69 matched non-clinical (NC) fathers in Israel. Findings show that the NC fathers were more involved with their children, whereas the SMI fathers reported more warmth and perceived their children as less difficult. The interactions that were found in the regression analyses highlight the differences between the two groups. Among the SMI fathers, but not the NC fathers, higher paternal self-efficacy was associated with increased father involvement, and lower family support was associated with decreased warmth.

Resolving biodegradation patterns of persistent saturated hydrocarbons in weathered oil samples from the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

PubMed

Gros, Jonas; Reddy, Christopher M; Aeppli, Christoph; Nelson, Robert K; Carmichael, Catherine A; Arey, J Samuel

2014-01-01

Biodegradation plays a major role in the natural attenuation of oil spills. However, limited information is available about biodegradation of different saturated hydrocarbon classes in surface environments, despite that oils are composed mostly of saturates, due to the limited ability of conventional gas chromatography (GC) to resolve this compound group. We studied eight weathered oil samples collected from four Gulf of Mexico beaches 12-19 months after the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC), we successfully separated, identified, and quantified several distinct saturates classes in these samples. We find that saturated hydrocarbons eluting after n-C22 dominate the GC-amenable fraction of these weathered samples. This compound group represented 8-10%, or 38-68 thousand metric tons, of the oil originally released from Macondo well. Saturates in the n-C22 to n-C29 elution range were found to be partly biodegraded, but to different relative extents, with ease of biodegradation decreasing in the following order: n-alkanes > methylalkanes and alkylcyclopentanes+alkylcyclohexanes > cyclic and acyclic isoprenoids. We developed a new quantitative index designed to characterize biodegradation of >n-C22 saturates. These results shed new light onto the environmental fate of these persistent, hydrophobic, and mostly overlooked compounds in the unresolved complex mixtures (UCM) of weathered oils.

Frequency of Depressive Syndromes in Elderly Individuals with No Cognitive Impairment, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer's Disease Dementia in a Memory Clinic Setting.

PubMed

Lee, Jun Ho; Byun, Min Soo; Yi, Dahyun; Choe, Young Min; Choi, Hyo Jung; Baek, Hyewon; Sohn, Bo Kyung; Kim, Hyun Jung; Lee, Younghwa; Woo, Jong Inn; Lee, Dong Young

2016-01-01

The aims of this study were to investigate the frequency of various depressive syndromes in elderly individuals with no cognitive impairment (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease dementia (AD) in a memory clinic setting, and then to test whether severe and milder forms of depressive syndromes are differentially associated with the cognitive groups. For 216 NC, 478 MCI, and 316 AD subjects, we investigated the frequency of depressive syndromes, defined by three different categories: major and minor depressive disorder (MaDD and MiDD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, as well as depression according to the National Institute of Mental Health provisional diagnostic criteria for depression in Alzheimer's disease (NIMH-dAD). The frequency of MaDD did not show any significant difference among NC, MCI, and AD. In contrast, the frequencies of MiDD and NIMH-dAD were higher than those of MaDD and showed significant group differences with a gradual increase from NC to AD. The findings suggest that the degenerative process of Alzheimer's disease contributes to the occurrence of mild depressive conditions, but not to severe depression. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The hepcidin gene promoter nc.-1010C > T; -582A > G haplotype modulates serum ferritin in individuals carrying the common H63D mutation in HFE gene.

PubMed

Silva, Bruno; Pita, Lina; Gomes, Susana; Gonçalves, João; Faustino, Paula

2014-12-01

Hereditary hemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe iron overload. It is usually associated with homozygosity for the HFE gene mutation c.845G > A; p.C282Y. However, in some cases, another HFE mutation (c.187C > G; p.H63D) seems to be associated with the disease. Its penetrance is very low, suggesting the possibility of other iron genetic modulators being involved. In this work, we have screened for HAMP promoter polymorphisms in 409 individuals presenting normal or increased serum ferritin levels together with normal or H63D-mutated HFE genotypes. Our results show that the hepcidin gene promoter TG haplotype, originated by linkage of the nc.-1010C > T and nc.-582A > G polymorphisms, is more frequent in the HFE_H63D individuals presenting serum ferritin levels higher than 300 μg/L than in those presenting the HFE_H63D mutation but with normal serum ferritin levels or in the normal control group.Moreover, it was observed that the TG haplotype was associated to increased serum ferritin levels in the overall pool of HFE_H63D individuals. Thus, our data suggest that screening for these polymorphisms could be of interest in order to explain the phenotype. However, this genetic condition seems to have no clinical significance.

Decisional Capacity for Research Participation in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment

PubMed Central

Jefferson, Angela L.; Lambe, Susan; Moser, David J.; Byerly, Laura K.; Ozonoff, Al; Karlawish, Jason H.

2009-01-01

OBJECTIVES To assess decisional capacity performance and the neuropsychological correlates of such performance to better understand higher-level instrumental activities of daily living in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Research center, medical center, or patient’s home. PARTICIPANTS Forty participants with MCI and 40 cognitively normal older controls (NCs) aged 60 to 90 (mean age ± standard deviation 73.3 ± 6.6; 54% female). MEASUREMENTS Capacity to provide informed consent for a hypothetical, but ecologically valid, clinical trial was assessed using the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research. Neuropsychological functioning was assessed using a comprehensive protocol. RESULTS Adjusted between-group comparisons yielded significant differences for most decisional capacity indices examined, including Understanding (P = .001; NC>MCI) and Reasoning (P = .002; NC>MCI). Post hoc analyses revealed that participants with MCI who were categorized as capable of providing informed consent according to expert raters had higher levels of education than those who were categorized as incapable. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that many individuals with MCI perform differently on a measure of decisional capacity than their NC peers and that participants with MCI who are incapable of providing informed consent on a hypothetical and complex clinical trial are less educated. These findings are consistent with prior studies documenting functional and financial skill difficulties in individuals with MCI. PMID:18482298

Non-Abelian fermionization and fractional quantum Hall transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hui, Aaron; Mulligan, Michael; Kim, Eun-Ah

2018-02-01

There has been a recent surge of interest in dualities relating theories of Chern-Simons gauge fields coupled to either bosons or fermions within the condensed matter community, particularly in the context of topological insulators and the half-filled Landau level. Here, we study the application of one such duality to the long-standing problem of quantum Hall interplateaux transitions. The key motivating experimental observations are the anomalously large value of the correlation length exponent ν ≈2.3 and that ν is observed to be superuniversal, i.e., the same in the vicinity of distinct critical points [Sondhi et al., Rev. Mod. Phys. 69, 315 (1997), 10.1103/RevModPhys.69.315]. Duality motivates effective descriptions for a fractional quantum Hall plateau transition involving a Chern-Simons field with U (Nc) gauge group coupled to Nf=1 fermion. We study one class of theories in a controlled limit where Nf≫Nc and calculate ν to leading nontrivial order in the absence of disorder. Although these theories do not yield an anomalously large exponent ν within the large Nf≫Nc expansion, they do offer a new parameter space of theories that is apparently different from prior works involving Abelian Chern-Simons gauge fields [Wen and Wu, Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 1501 (1993), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.70.1501; Chen et al., Phys. Rev. B 48, 13749 (1993), 10.1103/PhysRevB.48.13749].

Synthesis of multifunctional clustered nano-Fe3O4 chitosan nanocomposite for biomedical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villamin, Maria Emma; Kitamoto, Yoshitaka

2018-01-01

Clustered iron oxide nanoparticles covered with chitosan hydrogel (FeOx/Ch NC) have multiple potential functionalities in biomedical applications such as pH-controlled drug release, magnetic hyperthermia, and magnetic non-contact pH sensing. In the present study, the synthesis and characterization of FeOx/Ch NC are demonstrated. Moreover, the heating capability of the nanocomposites is also explored for the potential magnetic hyperthermia application by measuring the temperature curves under different AC frequencies (900 kHz to 2500 kHz). Monodispersed FeOx NPs are first synthesized via thermal decomposition. Then, dried FeOx NPs are combined with chitosan using a homogenizer to form the clustered composites. Synthesized composites are then characterized using XRD, TEM, and FTIR. Temperature curves are measured via a custom-built hyperthermia setup. Results show successful synthesis of clustered Fe3O4-chitosan nanocomposite with XRD peaks corresponding to magnetite (Fe3O4) structure. FTIR results show the presence of functional groups of chitosan (N-H, C-O) and FeOx NPs (Fe-O). These confirms the successful fabrication of FeOx/Ch NC. The temperature curves show maximum temperature changes of about 2°C to 22°C depending on the AC frequency. The heating rate is found to increase with the frequency, which suggests that the resonance frequency is higher than 2500 kHz.

Feedback associated with expectation for larger-reward improves visuospatial working memory performances in children with ADHD.

PubMed

Hammer, Rubi; Tennekoon, Michael; Cooke, Gillian E; Gayda, Jessica; Stein, Mark A; Booth, James R

2015-08-01

We tested the interactive effect of feedback and reward on visuospatial working memory in children with ADHD. Seventeen boys with ADHD and 17 Normal Control (NC) boys underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing four visuospatial 2-back tasks that required monitoring the spatial location of letters presented on a display. Tasks varied in reward size (large; small) and feedback availability (no-feedback; feedback). While the performance of NC boys was high in all conditions, boys with ADHD exhibited higher performance (similar to those of NC boys) only when they received feedback associated with large-reward. Performance pattern in both groups was mirrored by neural activity in an executive function neural network comprised of few distinct frontal brain regions. Specifically, neural activity in the left and right middle frontal gyri of boys with ADHD became normal-like only when feedback was available, mainly when feedback was associated with large-reward. When feedback was associated with small-reward, or when large-reward was expected but feedback was not available, boys with ADHD exhibited altered neural activity in the medial orbitofrontal cortex and anterior insula. This suggests that contextual support normalizes activity in executive brain regions in children with ADHD, which results in improved working memory. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Monitoring the ecotoxicity of γ-Al2O3 and Ni/γ-Al2O3 nanomaterials by means of a battery of bioassays.

PubMed

Svartz, Gabriela; Papa, Mariana; Gosatti, Marina; Jordán, Marianela; Soldati, Analia; Samter, Paula; Guraya, María M; Pérez Coll, Cristina; Perez Catán, Soledad

2017-10-01

The increasing application of nanoparticles (NPs) to a variety of new technologies has become a matter of concern due to the potential toxicity of these materials. Many questions about the fate of NPs in the environment and the subsequent impact on ecosystems need to be answered. The aim of this work was to evaluate the ecotoxicity of two alumina-based nanoceramics, γ-Al2O3 (NC) and Ni/ γ-Al2O3 (NiNC) by means of three different standardized tests: Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), bioassay with luminescent bacteria (Vibrio fischeri; Microtox), and bioassay on amphibian larvae (Rhinella arenarum) (AMPHITOX). BOD5 values of a very biodegradable mixture (glucose/glutamic acid) decreased with the addition of NiNC(43.8%) and NC (31.6%) with respect to control samples (52.9%). Microtox test results indicated that NiNC presents higher toxicity than NC, with EC50s values of 16.1% and 29.9% respectively; a reduced toxicity was observed, however, in presence of organic matter, thus obtaining EC50s of 37.8% and 19.4%. The results of AMPHITOX test showed a significant increase in the toxicity of both substances over time, the NiNC toxicity being greater than that of NC. The values of 96h-LC50 and 504h-LC50 determined for NiNC were 1.58 and 0.83mg/L, respectively, and 14.5 and 10.5mg/L for NC samples. Amphibian larvae exhibited collapsed cavities, edema, axial flexures, and behavioral alterations as hyperkinesia and reduced movements. These results evidence the vulnerability of wildlife to xenobiotics and the need to develop specific standardized ecotoxicity tests in order to help environmental sustainability and natural species conservation. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Designing an extended release waxy matrix tablet containing nicardipine–hydroxy propyl β cyclodextrin complex

PubMed Central

Al-Zein, Hind; Sakeer, Khalil; Alanazi, Fars K.

2011-01-01

Aim The current study aimed to prepare a sustained release tablet for a drug which has poor solubility in alkaline medium using complexation with cyclodextrin. Nicardipine hydrochloride (NC) a weak basic drug was chosen as a model drug for this study. Method Firstly the most suitable binary system NC-HPβCD was selected in order to improve drug solubility in the intestinal media and then embedding the complexed drug into a plastic matrix, by fusion method, consists of glycerol monostearate (GMS) as an inert waxy substance and polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG4000) as a channeling agent, after that the final solid dispersion [(NC:HPβCD):GMS:PEG4000] which was prepared at different ratios was mixed with other excipients, avicel PH101, lactose, and talc, to get a tablet owning dissolution profile complying with the FDA and USP requirements for the extended release solid dosage forms. Results Infrared spectroscopy (IR), differential scanning colorimetry (DSC), polarized microscopy and X-ray diffractometry proved that the coevaporation technique was effective in preparing amorphous cyclodextrin complexes with NC and trapping of NC within the HPβCD cavity by dissolving both in ethanol and evaporate the solvent using a rotavapor at 65 °C. Dissolution profile of NC enhanced significantly in pH 6.8 from NC:HPβCD inclusion complex prepared by the rotavapor (t-test Student p < 0.05). The release of NC from tablet containing [(NC:HPβCD):GMS:PEG4000] [(1):0.75:0.5] (w/w/w) solid dispersion (F8) was complying with the FDA dissolution requirements for extended release dosage forms, and studying the kinetics of the release showed that the diffusional contribution is the major factor controlling the drug release from that formula. Conclusion The prepared waxy matrix tablet containing NC complexes with CD shows promising results as extended release tablets. PMID:23960765

Anthropogenic and biogenic hydrocarbons in soils and vegetation from the South Shetland Islands (Antarctica).

PubMed

Cabrerizo, Ana; Tejedo, Pablo; Dachs, Jordi; Benayas, Javier

2016-11-01

Two Antarctic expeditions (in 2009 and 2011) were carried out to assess the local and remote anthropogenic sources of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as potential biogenic hydrocarbons. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), n-alkanes, biomarkers such as phytane (Ph) and pristane (Pr), and the aliphatic unresolved complex mixture (UCM), were analysed in soil and vegetation samples collected at Deception, Livingston, Barrientos and Penguin Islands (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica). Overall, the patterns of n-alkanes in lichens, mosses and grass were dominated by odd-over-even carbon number alkanes. Mosses and vascular plants showed high abundances of n-C21 to n-C35, while lichens also showed high abundances of n-C17 and n-C19. The lipid content was an important factor controlling the concentrations of n-alkanes in Antarctic vegetation (r(2)=0.28-0.53, p-level<0.05). n-C12 to n-C35 n-alkanes were analysed in soils with a predominance of odd C number n-alkanes (n-C25, n-C27, n-C29, and n-C31), especially in the background soils not influenced by anthropogenic sources. The large values for the carbon predominance index (CPI) and the correlations between odd alkanes and some PAHs suggest the potential biogenic sources of these hydrocarbons in Antarctica. Unresolved complex mixture and CPI values ~1 detected at soils collected at intertidal areas and within the perimeter of Juan Carlos research station, further supported the evidence that even a small settlement (20 persons during the austral summer) can affect the loading of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in nearby soils. Nevertheless, the assessment of Pr/n-C17 and Ph/n-C18 ratios showed that hydrocarbon degradation is occurring in these soils. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A fullerene colloidal suspension stimulates the growth and denitrification ability of wastewater treatment sludge-derived bacteria.

PubMed

Huang, Fei; Ge, Ling; Zhang, Bo; Wang, Yun; Tian, Hao; Zhao, Liping; He, Yiliang; Zhang, Xiaojun

2014-08-01

Fullerene (C60) is a nanoparticle that has been widely studied and applied in numerous commodities. However, there are concerns regarding its potential negative impact on the environment. A fullerene colloidal suspension (nC60) is known for its property of selectively inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. In this study, using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprinting technology, we found that fullerene altered the structure of a sludge-derived microbial community. Specifically, the bacteria from Bacillus, Acidovorax and Cloacibacterium genera were enriched in abundance when supplemented with nC60 at pH 6.5 under aerobic conditions. The effects of the fullerene colloidal suspension on a strain of Bacillus isolated from the same microbial community were evaluated to further characterize the growth-stimulating effect of nC60. The biomass of cultures of this strain incubated with nC60 concentrations ranging from 3 mg L(-1) to 7 mg L(-1) was approximately twice that of the control during the stationary phase. The fullerene also induced higher superoxide dismutase activity in Bacillus cereus. Furthermore, the nitrate removal rate of B. cereus increased to nearly 55% in the presence of 5 mg L(-1) nC60, compared to 35% for the control. Meanwhile, the cumulative loading amount of nitrite was reduced from 33 μg mL(-1) to 25 μg mL(-1) by the addition of 5 mg L(-1) nC60. Our results demonstrate that the fullerene colloidal suspension is conditionally capable of promoting the growth and denitrification metabolism of certain bacteria, such as B. cereus. Fullerene might have both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on microorganisms in various environments. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PEGylated lipid nanocapsules with improved drug encapsulation and controlled release properties.

PubMed

Hervella, Pablo; Alonso-Sande, Maria; Ledo, Francisco; Lucero, Maria L; Alonso, Maria J; Garcia-Fuentes, Marcos

2014-01-01

Drugs with poor lipid and water solubility are some of the most challenging to formulate in nanocarriers, typically resulting in low encapsulation efficiencies and uncontrolled release profiles. PEGylated nanocapsules (PEG-NC) are known for their amenability to diverse modifications that allow the formation of domains with different physicochemical properties, an interesting feature to address a drug encapsulation problem. We explored this problem by encapsulating in PEG-NC the promising anticancer drug candidate F10320GD1, used herein as a model for compounds with such characteristics. The nanocarriers were prepared from Miglyol(®), lecithin and PEG-sterate through a solvent displacement technique. The resulting system was a homogeneous suspension of particles with size around 200 nm. F10320GD1 encapsulation was found to be very poor (<15%) if PEG-NC were prepared using water as continuous phase; but we were able to improve this value to 85% by fixing the pH of the continuous phase to 9. Interestingly, this modification also improved the controlled release properties and the chemical stability of the formulation during storage. These differences in pharmaceutical properties together with physicochemical data suggest that the pH of the continuous phase used for PEG-NC preparation can modify drug allocation, from the external shell towards the inner lipid core of the nanocapsules. Finally, we tested the bioactivity of the drug-loaded PEG-NC in several tumor cell lines, and also in endothelial cells. The results indicated that drug encapsulation led to an improvement on drug cytotoxicity in tumor cells, but not in non-tumor endothelial cells. Altogether, the data confirms that PEG-NC show adequate delivery properties for F10320GD1, and underlines its possible utility as an anticancer therapy.

Feasibility Testing of a Wearable Behavioral Aid for Social Learning in Children with Autism.

PubMed

Daniels, Jena; Haber, Nick; Voss, Catalin; Schwartz, Jessey; Tamura, Serena; Fazel, Azar; Kline, Aaron; Washington, Peter; Phillips, Jennifer; Winograd, Terry; Feinstein, Carl; Wall, Dennis P

2018-01-01

Recent advances in computer vision and wearable technology have created an opportunity to introduce mobile therapy systems for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) that can respond to the increasing demand for therapeutic interventions; however, feasibility questions must be answered first. We studied the feasibility of a prototype therapeutic tool for children with ASD using Google Glass, examining whether children with ASD would wear such a device, if providing the emotion classification will improve emotion recognition, and how emotion recognition differs between ASD participants and neurotypical controls (NC). We ran a controlled laboratory experiment with 43 children: 23 with ASD and 20 NC. Children identified static facial images on a computer screen with one of 7 emotions in 3 successive batches: the first with no information about emotion provided to the child, the second with the correct classification from the Glass labeling the emotion, and the third again without emotion information. We then trained a logistic regression classifier on the emotion confusion matrices generated by the two information-free batches to predict ASD versus NC. All 43 children were comfortable wearing the Glass. ASD and NC participants who completed the computer task with Glass providing audible emotion labeling ( n  = 33) showed increased accuracies in emotion labeling, and the logistic regression classifier achieved an accuracy of 72.7%. Further analysis suggests that the ability to recognize surprise, fear, and neutrality may distinguish ASD cases from NC. This feasibility study supports the utility of a wearable device for social affective learning in ASD children and demonstrates subtle differences in how ASD and NC children perform on an emotion recognition task. Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart.

Clinical Assessment of a Nocardia PCR-Based Assay for Diagnosis of Nocardiosis.

PubMed

Rouzaud, Claire; Rodriguez-Nava, Véronica; Catherinot, Emilie; Méchaï, Frédéric; Bergeron, Emmanuelle; Farfour, Eric; Scemla, Anne; Poirée, Sylvain; Delavaud, Christophe; Mathieu, Daniel; Durupt, Stéphane; Larosa, Fabrice; Lengelé, Jean-Philippe; Christophe, Jean-Louis; Suarez, Felipe; Lortholary, Olivier; Lebeaux, David

2018-06-01

The diagnosis of nocardiosis, a severe opportunistic infection, is challenging. We assessed the specificity and sensitivity of a 16S rRNA Nocardia PCR-based assay performed on clinical samples. In this multicenter study (January 2014 to April 2015), patients who were admitted to three hospitals and had an underlying condition favoring nocardiosis, clinical and radiological signs consistent with nocardiosis, and a Nocardia PCR assay result for a clinical sample were included. Patients were classified as negative control (NC) (negative Nocardia culture results and proven alternative diagnosis or improvement at 6 months without anti- Nocardia treatment), positive control (PC) (positive Nocardia culture results), or probable nocardiosis (positive Nocardia PCR results, negative Nocardia culture results, and no alternative diagnosis). Sixty-eight patients were included; 47 were classified as NC, 8 as PC, and 13 as probable nocardiosis. PCR results were negative for 35/47 NC patients (74%). For the 12 NC patients with positive PCR results, the PCR assay had been performed with respiratory samples. These NC patients had chronic bronchopulmonary disease more frequently than did the NC patients with negative PCR results (8/12 patients [67%] versus 11/35 patients [31%]; P = 0.044). PCR results were positive for 7/8 PC patients (88%). There were 13 cases of probable nocardiosis, diagnosed solely using the PCR results; 9 of those patients (69%) had lung involvement (consolidation or nodule). Nocardia PCR testing had a specificity of 74% and a sensitivity of 88% for the diagnosis of nocardiosis. Nocardia PCR testing may be helpful for the diagnosis of nocardiosis in immunocompromised patients but interpretation of PCR results from respiratory samples is difficult, because the PCR assay may also detect colonization. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

Early identification of MCI converting to AD: a FDG PET study.

PubMed

Pagani, Marco; Nobili, Flavio; Morbelli, Silvia; Arnaldi, Dario; Giuliani, Alessandro; Öberg, Johanna; Girtler, Nicola; Brugnolo, Andrea; Picco, Agnese; Bauckneht, Matteo; Piva, Roberta; Chincarini, Andrea; Sambuceti, Gianmario; Jonsson, Cathrine; De Carli, Fabrizio

2017-11-01

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional pathological stage between normal ageing (NA) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although subjects with MCI show a decline at different rates, some individuals remain stable or even show an improvement in their cognitive level after some years. We assessed the accuracy of FDG PET in discriminating MCI patients who converted to AD from those who did not. FDG PET was performed in 42 NA subjects, 27 MCI patients who had not converted to AD at 5 years (nc-MCI; mean follow-up time 7.5 ± 1.5 years), and 95 MCI patients who converted to AD within 5 years (MCI-AD; mean conversion time 1.8 ± 1.1 years). Relative FDG uptake values in 26 meta-volumes of interest were submitted to ANCOVA and support vector machine analyses to evaluate regional differences and discrimination accuracy. The MCI-AD group showed significantly lower FDG uptake values in the temporoparietal cortex than the other two groups. FDG uptake values in the nc-MCI group were similar to those in the NA group. Support vector machine analysis discriminated nc-MCI from MCI-AD patients with an accuracy of 89% (AUC 0.91), correctly detecting 93% of the nc-MCI patients. In MCI patients not converting to AD within a minimum follow-up time of 5 years and MCI patients converting within 5 years, baseline FDG PET and volume-based analysis identified those who converted with an accuracy of 89%. However, further analysis is needed in patients with amnestic MCI who convert to a dementia other than AD.

Sleep Misperception in Chronic Insomnia Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: Implications for Clinical Assessment.

PubMed

Choi, Su Jung; Suh, Sooyeon; Ong, Jason; Joo, Eun Yeon

2016-11-15

To investigate whether sleep perception (SP), defined by the ratio of subjective and objective total sleep time, and habitual sleep time in various sleep disorders may be based on comorbid insomnia status. We enrolled 420 patients (age 20-79 y) who underwent polysomnography (PSG). They were divided into three groups based on chief complaints: chronic insomnia (CI, n = 69), patients with both obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia (OSA-I, n = 49) or OSA only (OSA, n = 149). Healthy volunteers were also recruited (normal controls [NC], n = 80). We compared differences in PSG parameters and habitual sleep duration and investigated the discrepancy between objective and subjective total sleep time (TST) and sleep latency among four groups. Subjective TST was defined as sleep time perceived by participants the next morning of PSG. SP for TST was highest in the OSA group (median 92.9%), and lowest in the CI group (80.3%). SP of the NC group (91.4%) was higher than the CI, but there was no difference between OSA-I and OSA groups. OSA-I had higher depressive mood compared to the OSA group (p < 0.001). SP was positively associated with the presence of OSA and habitual sleep duration and negatively related to the presence of insomnia and arousal index of PSG. Insomnia patients with (OSA-I) or without OSA (CI) reported the smallest discrepancy between habitual sleep duration and objective TST. Patients with OSA with or without insomnia have different PSG profiles, which suggests that objective measures of sleep are an important consideration for differentiating subtypes of insomnia and tailoring proper treatment. A commentary on this articles appears in this issue on page 1437. © 2016 American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Electron and hole relaxation pathways in semiconductor quantum dots

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klimov, V.I.; McBranch, D.W.; Leatherdale, C.A.

1999-11-01

Femtosecond (fs) broad-band transient absorption (TA) is used to study the intraband relaxation and depopulation dynamics of electron and hole quantized states in CdSe nanocrystals (NC{close_quote}s) with a range of surface properties. Instead of the drastic reduction in the energy relaxation rate expected due to a {open_quotes}phonon bottleneck,{close_quotes} we observe a fast subpicosecond 1P-to-1S electron relaxation, with the rate exceeding that due to phonon emission in bulk semiconductors. The energy relaxation is enhanced with reducing the NC{close_quote}s radius, and does not show any dependence on the NC surface properties (quality of the surface passivation). These data indicate that electron energymore » relaxation occurs by neither multiphonon emission nor by coupling to surface defects, but is likely meditated by Auger-type electron-hole energy transfer. We use fs infrared TA to probe electron and hole intraband transitions, which allows us to distinguish between electron and hole relaxation pathways leading to the depopulation of NC quantized states. In contrast to the electron relaxation, which is controlled by NC surface passivation, the depopulation of hole quantized states is extremely fast (sub-ps-to-ps time scales) in all types of samples, independent of NC surface treatment (including NC{close_quote}s overcoated with a ZnS layer). Our results indicate that ultrafast hole dynamics are not due to trapping at localized surface defects such as a vacancy, but rather arise from relaxation into intrinsic NC states or intrinsically unpassivated interface states. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}« less

Dietary oregano essential oil alleviates experimentally induced coccidiosis in broilers.

PubMed

Mohiti-Asli, M; Ghanaatparast-Rashti, M

2015-06-15

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of oregano essential oil on growth performance and coccidiosis prevention in mild challenged broilers. A total of 250 1-d-old chicks were used in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 5 replicates with 10 birds in each replication. Experimental treatments included: (1) negative control (NC; unchallenged), (2) positive control (PC; challenged with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria), (3) PC fed 200 ppm Diclazuril in diet, (4) PC fed 300 ppm oregano oil in diet, and (5) PC fed 500 ppm oregano oil in diet. At 22 d of age, all the experimental groups except for NC were challenged with 50-fold dose of Livacox T as a trivalent live attenuated coccidiosis vaccine. On d 28, two birds were slaughtered and intestinal coccidiosis lesions were scored 0-4. Moreover, dropping was scored in the scale of 0-3, and oocysts per gram feces (OPG) were measured. Oregano oil at either supplementation rate increased body weight gain (P=0.039) and improved feed conversion ratio (P=0.010) from d 22 to 28, when compared with PC group. Using 500 ppm oregano oil in challenged broilers diet increased European efficiency factor than PC group (P=0.020). Moreover, challenged broilers fed 500 ppm oregano oil or Diclazuril in diets displayed lower coccidiosis lesions scores in upper (P=0.003) and middle (P=0.018) regions of intestine than PC group, with the effect being similar to unchallenged birds. In general, challenged birds fed 500 ppm oregano oil or Diclazuril in diets had lower OPG (P=0.001), dropping scores (P=0.001), litter scores (P=0.001), and pH of litter (P=0.001) than PC group. It could be concluded that supplementation of oregano oil at the dose of 500 ppm in diet may have beneficial effect on prevention of coccidiosis in broilers. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effects of feedback lighting on the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity and the reproductive maturation of the male Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferraro, J. S.

1988-01-01

The non-parametric model of entrainment suggests that brief pulses of light, delivered between dusk and dawn can simulate the phasing effects of full photoperiods or even constant light (LL). Feedback lighting (LDFB) is a lighting condition where individual animals, otherwise in constant darkness (DD), are exposed to light in response to a monitored behavior. The specific purpose of this type of illumination is to expose the circadian cycle to light only during the subjective night. LDFB has been used to support this hypothesis in several species of nocturnal rodents and one species of diurnal primate by producing similar free-running periods in LDFB as in LL. This lighting condition has also been used to test the hypothesis that exposing the subjective night to even short duration light pulses will maintain reproductive function in long day breeders. In the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), however, LDFB is not as photostimulatory as LL despite extensive light exposure during the subjective night. In the experiments presented here, a group of immature male Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were placed in individual light-tight sound attenuated chambers where they had free access to food, water and an activity wheel. The animals were exposed to one of four lighting conditions [DD, LL, LDFB or a neighbor control of feedback lighting (LDFB NC)] for approximately 30 days shortly after weaning. LDFB NC is a lighting condition where a neighbor control hamster receives the identical lighting regime as a paired animal exposing itself to LDFB, yet the neighbor has no control over it. A fifth group was exposed to a light-dark cycle of 16 hours of light and 8 hours of dark (LD16:8). This group was housed in cages in a colony room and did not have access to a running wheel. The free-running periods of the locomotor activity rhythms for hamsters exposed to LDFB and LL were not similar, unlike the results for rats, Syrian hamsters, mice, monkeys and even mature Djungarian hamsters. Immature hamsters exposed to DD and LDFB NC developed more slowly than animals exposed to LL or LD16:8, while hamsters in LDFB developed at an intermediate rate. Thus, it appears that LDFB, although capable of inducing reproductive function in immature Djungarian hamsters, is not as photostimulatory as may have been expected from current photoperiodic models, despite substantial light exposure during the subjective night. Furthermore, this data may suggest that the circadian system of 18-48 day old Djungarian hamsters are still undergoing organizational maturation.

A (S)-(+)-decursin derivative, (S)-(+)-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-acrylic acid 2,2-dimethyl-8-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H,8H-pyrano[3,2-g]-chromen-3-yl-ester, attenuates the development of atopic dermatitis-like lesions in NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Kim, In Sik; Kim, Dong-Hee; Yun, Chi-Young; Lee, Ji-Sook

2013-03-01

(S)-(+)-decursin is a biological coumarin compound isolated from Angelica gigas Nakai. (S)-(+)-decursin and its analogue have a variety of pharmacological activities. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effect of a (S)-(+)-decursin derivative, (S)-(+)-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-acrylic acid 2,2-dimethyl-8-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H,8H-pyrano [3,2-g]-chromen-3-yl-ester (Compound 6, C6), on in vitro and in vivo atopic dermatitis was investigated. C6 suppressed the secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 increase by the house dust mite extract in the eosinophilic leukemia cell line and THP-1 cells. C6 inhibited the production of TARC, IL-6, and IL-8 increase by IFN-γ and TNF-α in the human keratinocyte cell line. In the in vivo experiment, NC/Nga mice were sensitized to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene, and then C6 or dexamethasone (Dex) were orally and dorsally administered for three weeks. C6 treatment reduced the skin severity score compared with that of the control group. C6 inhibited the thickening of the epidermis and inflammatory cell infiltration into the dermis by evaluating the histological examination. The serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) level decreased in the C6-treated group compared with that of the control group. The inhibitory effect of C6 on IgE concentration was similar to that of Dex. The levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin increased after treatment with concanavalin A in mouse splenocytes. The cytokine levels of the C6-treated group were lower than those of the control group. Taken together, C6 may attenuate atopic dermatitis-like lesions through its anti-inflammatory effect, such as inhibition of IgE and inflammatory cytokines, and it may be valuable as a therapeutic drug for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Effectiveness of regional DTI measures in distinguishing Alzheimer's disease, MCI, and normal aging☆

PubMed Central

Nir, Talia M.; Jahanshad, Neda; Villalon-Reina, Julio E.; Toga, Arthur W.; Jack, Clifford R.; Weiner, Michael W.; Thompson, Paul M.

2013-01-01

The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) recently added diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), among several other new imaging modalities, in an effort to identify sensitive biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). While anatomical MRI is the main structural neuroimaging method used in most AD studies and clinical trials, DTI is sensitive to microscopic white matter (WM) changes not detectable with standard MRI, offering additional markers of neurodegeneration. Prior DTI studies of AD report lower fractional anisotropy (FA), and increased mean, axial, and radial diffusivity (MD, AxD, RD) throughout WM. Here we assessed which DTI measures may best identify differences among AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and cognitively healthy elderly control (NC) groups, in region of interest (ROI) and voxel-based analyses of 155 ADNI participants (mean age: 73.5 ± 7.4; 90 M/65 F; 44 NC, 88 MCI, 23 AD). Both VBA and ROI analyses revealed widespread group differences in FA and all diffusivity measures. DTI maps were strongly correlated with widely-used clinical ratings (MMSE, CDR-sob, and ADAS-cog). When effect sizes were ranked, FA analyses were least sensitive for picking up group differences. Diffusivity measures could detect more subtle MCI differences, where FA could not. ROIs showing strongest group differentiation (lowest p-values) included tracts that pass through the temporal lobe, and posterior brain regions. The left hippocampal component of the cingulum showed consistently high effect sizes for distinguishing groups, across all diffusivity and anisotropy measures, and in correlations with cognitive scores. PMID:24179862