Low Chloride Research Articles

Hematologic and plasma biochemical prognostic indicators for stranded free-ranging phocids presented for rehabilitation

This retrospective study used data obtained from medical records of 530 stranded free-ranging harbor (Phoca vitulina), grey (Halichoerus grypus), harp (Pagophilus groenlandicus), and hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) presented to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, New Jersey from January 1998 through December 2016. The objective was to identify hematological and plasma biochemical parameters of seals at time of presentation that were associated with successful rehabilitation and with duration of hospitalization using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. At presentation, animals that subsequently survived rehabilitation had greater alkaline phosphatase activity and absolute lymphocyte and total calcium concentrations and lower blood urea nitrogen, sodium, chloride, phosphorus, and total bilirubin concentrations and lower aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities than animals that eventually died or were euthanized while under care. Results suggest that young, actively growing animals are more likely to survive rehabilitation and that bloodwork consistent with dehydration, systemic disease, and exhaustion are negative prognostic indicators. These results provide prognostic indicators that may aid clinical decision-making for seals presented for rehabilitation.

Serum Chloride and Admission Status Are Potential Prognostic Markers of High-Risk Polyps: A Prospective Characterization of Colorectal Polyps in a Tertiary Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cancer in men in Saudi Arabia. Other than age and family history, clinical and laboratory prognostic surrogates that may aid in streamlining and prioritization of screening colonoscopies are scarce. Through the examination of the local prevalence of advanced and malignant colorectal polyps, we hypothesized that the presence of certain clinical or laboratory parameters may signify an association with having high-risk polyps.Methods: A prospective study over a period of one year starting on January 21, 2018 and involving all adult patients undergoing colonoscopy at King Saud Medical City, Riyadh. Of the total 1,104 recruited patients, 717 were included. The patients were sub-grouped based on the presence or absence of polyps. Patients with polyps were further sub-grouped into high-risk or low-risk polyps. Comparisons between groups were performed using univariate, relative risks (RRs), and multivariate analyses.Results: Our polyp detection rate was 34.7% and our adenoma detection rate was 21.3%. The prevalence of advanced adenoma was 15.2% and the prevalence of malignant polyps was 6.7%. Several prognostic markers were associated with high-risk polyps such as advanced age (RR = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03 to 1.78), male gender (RR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.31), inpatient status (RR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.04 to 2.21), and low serum chloride (RR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.37). With multivariate analysis, the hazard ratios for inpatient status and hypochloremia were 1.67 (95% CI: 1.034 to 2.612) and 1.12 (95% CI: 1.011 to 1.265), respectively.Conclusion: We report the prevalence of malignant colorectal polyps in Saudi Arabia which was not reported before. Two unique prognostic markers for high-risk polyps were identified, namely, inpatient status and hypochloremia.

Germanium Hydride Catalyzed Selective Hydroboration and Cyanosilylation of Ketones

AbstractTwo new examples of β‐diketiminate or NacNac analogues, i. e., conjugated bis‐guanidinate (CBG) stabilized low valent germanium chloride (1) and germanium hydride (2) complexes, are reported. Deprotonation of LH upon treatment with n‐BuLi and an in situ generated LLi further treated with GeCl2⋅dioxane afforded LGeCl in 79 % yield. Compound 1 reacted with hydride source NaHBEt3 in toluene, afforded Ge (II) hydride (2) in 76 % yield. Both compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by NMR and mass spectroscopic methods. Further, germanium hydride catalyzed hydroboration and cyanosilylation of a wide range of ketones have been investigated. Control reactions suggest hydroboration reactions occurred via insertion and Ge−O/B−H bond metathesis pathways. It is worthy of mentioning that, in the case of hydroboration of ketones, reducible groups such as alkene, alkyne, halide, ester, nitro, and heterocycles were untouched. Furthermore, compound 2 was employed for the reduction of carbonate, formate, and anhydride substrates via the hydroboration technique.

Effect of initial serum chloride level on the association between intravenous chloride load and mortality in critically ill patients: A retrospective cohort study.

To assess the effect of intravenous chloride load on prognosis in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with different initial serum chloride levels. Participants from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database were divided into low, normal (>100 and ≤110 mEq/L), and high chloride groups according to initial chloride levels. Records of intravenous fluids were extracted to calculated the volume adjusted chloride load (VACL) and VACL per body weight (VACL-W). The associations of VACL, VACL-W, and changes in serum chloride concentration (ΔCl) with mortalities were investigated in different initial chloride groups. Respectively, 4593 (20.9%), 13,364 (60.9%), and 3978 (18.1%) patients had a low, normal, and high initial chloride level. Interactions were found between initial chloride levels and VACL, VACL-W, and ΔCl on mortality risks. In normal and high chloride groups, increased VACL, VACL-W, and ΔCl were associated with higher ICU and hospital mortalities. However, in the low chloride group, multivariable models found no associations between VACL, VACL-W, or ΔCl with mortalities. High chloride load and increased serum chloride level were associated with poor outcomes in patients with normal or high initial chloride levels, but not in those with a low initial chloride level.

Stress Corrosion Cracking of 13Cr-5Ni-2Mo Martensitic Stainless Steel in Methanol

We report a preliminary study of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of a 13Cr-5Ni-2Mo martensitic stainless steel (UNS S41426), 110 ksi grade in methanol at 82°C. SCC was predominantly intergranular, although transgranular cracking also occurred at low chloride solutions. SCC was eliminated by the absence of oxygen and/or the presence of water. The presence of copper exacerbated the cracking slightly.

Chloride migration and long-term natural carbonation on concretes with calcined clays: A study of calcined clays in Argentina

The use of calcined clays as supplementary cementitious materials is one of the strategies to reduce the CO2 emissions from cement and concrete industry as they provide good mechanical and durable properties after proper calcination and grinding. In Argentina, calcined common brick clays have a significant relevance due to their proximity to the largest Portland cement plants. The aim of this study is to analyze the resistance to chloride ingress and natural carbonation up to 36 months of concretes using calcined common brick clay and calcined low-grade kaolinitic clay. The latter exhibits a much lower chloride migration coefficient than the Portland cement concrete from 28 days on, while the calcined common brick clay requires a 90 days curing to obtain lower chloride ingress. Although the blended concretes exhibit greater carbonation depths than the reference after 36 months, it is lower than the given threshold of 10 mm. Hence, durable concretes with calcined clay can be obtained if they are properly cured.

Review of the Pathophysiologic and Clinical Aspects of Hypokalemia in Children and Young Adults: an Update.

This article examines the regulatory function of the skeletal muscle, renal, and adrenergic systems in potassium homeostasis. The pathophysiologic bases of hypokalemia, systematic approach for an early diagnosis, and therapeutic strategy to avert life-threatening complications are highlighted. By promoting skeletal muscle uptake, intense physical exercise (post), severe trauma, and several toxins produce profound hypokalemia. Hypovolemia due to renal and extra-renal fluid losses and ineffective circulation activate secondary aldosteronism causing urinary potassium wasting. In addition to hypokalemic alkalosis, primary aldosteronism causes low-renin hypertension. Non-aldosterone mineralocorticoid activation leading to low-renin and low-aldosterone hypertension occurs in Liddle’s syndrome and apparent mineralocorticoid excess. Although there is enzymatic inhibition of cortisol synthesis in congenital adrenal hyperplasia, precursors of aldosterone produce low-renin hypokalemic hypertension. In addition to the glucocorticoid effect, hypercortisolism activates mineralocorticoid receptors in Cushing’s syndrome. Genetic mutations involving furosemide-sensitive Na+-K+-2Cl− co-transporters and thiazide-sensitive Na+-Cl− transporters result in (non-hypertensive) salt-wasting nephropathy. Proximal and distal renal tubular acidosis is associated with hypokalemia. Eating disorders causing hypokalemia include bulimia, laxative abuse, and diuretic misuse. Low urinary potassium (<15 mmol/day) and/or low urinary chloride (<20 mol/L) suggest a gastrointestinal pathology. Co-morbidity of hypokalemia with chronic pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases may increase the fatality rate.

Long March Toward Safe and Effective Analgesia by Enhancing Gene Expression of Kcc2: First Steps Taken.

Low intraneuronal chloride in spinal cord dorsal horn pain relay neurons is critical for physiologic transmission of primary pain afferents because low intraneuronal chloride dictates whether GABA-ergic and glycin-ergic neurotransmission is inhibitory. If the neuronal chloride elevates to pathologic levels, then spinal cord primary pain relay becomes leaky and exhibits the behavioral hallmarks of pathologic pain, namely hypersensitivity and allodynia. Low chloride in spinal cord dorsal horn neurons is maintained by proper gene expression of Kcc2 and sustained physiologic function of the KCC2 chloride extruding electroneutral transporter. Peripheral nerve injury and other forms of neural injury evoke greatly diminished Kcc2 gene expression and subsequent corruption of inhibitory neurotransmission in the spinal cord dorsal horn, thus causing derailment of the gate function for pain. Here I review key discoveries that have helped us understand these fundamentals, and focus on recent insights relating to the discovery of Kcc2 gene expression enhancing compounds via compound screens in neurons. One such study characterized the kinase inhibitor, kenpaullone, more in-depth, revealing its function as a robust and long-lasting analgesic in preclinical models of nerve injury and cancer bone pain, also elucidating its mechanism of action via GSK3β inhibition, diminishing delta-catenin phosphorylation, and facilitating its nuclear transfer and subsequent enhancement of Kcc2 gene expression by de-repressing Kaiso epigenetic transcriptional regulator. Future directions re Kcc2 gene expression enhancement are discussed, namely combination with other analgesics and analgesic methods, such as spinal cord stimulation and electroacupuncture, gene therapy, and leveraging Kcc2 gene expression-enhancing nanomaterials.

Coatings Based on Light-Weight Alkali Activated Mortars for Steel Corrosion Protection

Alkali activated materials and geopolymers have attracted a lot of attention in the last 20 years thanks to their excellent mechanical performances, durability and sustainability properties, especially for civil applications. These materials also exhibit promising properties as fire- and corrosion-resistant protection systems. In a previous study, a 20-mm coating based on light-weight alkali activated mortar (LWAAM) suitable for the protection of steel structures against fire was successfully developed. To understand if the same coating is also able to ensure corrosion protection to steel structures, this study reports the results obtained in two different chloride-rich environments. The corrosion performance of the new system based on steel coated by LWAAM (using expanded perlite and hydrogen peroxide in the mix) was compared with a steel coated by a traditional alkali activated mortar (NWAAM). Electrochemical tests on steel samples immersed in an alkaline solution simulating the pore environment of the binder or embedded in the two different types of mortars were carried out in presence of different chloride concentrations. It was found that the alkaline environment is able to passivate the steel surface, however, the increasing of chloride ions concentration, affects passive film stability and promotes steel corrosion. In presence of low chloride concentration (i.e., 0.2M NaCl), the increased porosity of the LWAAM did not impair the steel corrosion protection, when compared with NWAAM.

Effect of Low Chloride and Sulfate Concentrations on Corrosion Behavior of Aluminum and Zinc Arc Thermal Sprayed Coatings

The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of arc sprayed zinc and aluminum coatings as materials for protective coatings of different heating systems. The most aggressive chemical agents occurring in heating water are chloride and sulfate anions. Both ions are responsible for the corrosion of metals due to their high electronegativity and standard electrochemical potential. Water in heating systems should not contain more than 150 mg/L anions, including no more than 50 mg/L of chlorides and 100 mg/L of sulfates. To determine the corrosion resistance of three types of zinc and aluminum coatings, open circuit potential and linear polarization resistance (LPR) tests were conducted in eight alkaline solutions with different sulfate and chloride contents. The SEM/EDS structural properties of sprayed coatings at specific arc process parameters were investigated. Zinc coatings exhibit the most stable corrosion potentials in varying environments but have higher corrosion current density. Aluminum coatings exhibit much higher potential values in a chloride environment than in any other. A chloride environment also causes the lowest corrosion rates for aluminum-coated samples. A small addition of aluminum to the zinc coating (15 wt.%) does not appear to affect the stability of the corrosion potential but does result in a reduction in corrosion rates in chloride solutions.

Effects of elevation of ANP and its deficiency on cardiorenal function.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), encoded by Nppa, is a vasodilatory hormone that promotes salt excretion. Genome-wide association studies identified Nppa as a causative factor of blood pressure development, and in humans, ANP levels were suggested as an indicator of salt sensitivity. This study aimed to provide insights into the effects of ANP on cardiorenal function in salt-sensitive hypertension. To address this question, hypertension was induced in SSNPPA–/– (KO of Nppa in the Dahl salt-sensitive [SS] rat background) or SSWT (WT Dahl SS) rats by a high-salt (HS) diet challenge (4% NaCl for 21 days). Chronic infusion of ANP in SSWT rats attenuated the increase in blood pressure and cardiorenal damage. Overall, the SSNPPA–/– strain demonstrated higher blood pressure and intensified cardiac fibrosis (with no changes in ejection fraction) compared with SSWT rats. Furthermore, SSNPPA–/– rats exhibited kidney hypertrophy and higher glomerular injury scores, reduced diuresis, and lower sodium and chloride excretion than SSWT when fed a HS diet. Additionally, the activity of epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) was found to be increased in the collecting ducts of the SSNPPA–/– rats. Taken together, these data show promise for the therapeutic benefits of ANP and ANP-increasing drugs for treating salt-sensitive hypertension.

Electrochemical redox treatment of denitrification in coastal secondary effluent using Ti/IrO2 anode

In northern coastal industrial park, inlet of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) had the characteristics of low carbon source and high chloride ion concentration, which resulted in its poor biodegradability. In this case, the experiment explored an electrochemistral method to remove nitrogen. Cathodic potential, Ti/IrO2 was confirmed as the anode and − 1.6 V was taken as the potential in order to remove nitrate-N. The findings include: when the initial chloride ion was 2000 and 3000 mg/L, the effect on the removal difference of nitrogen was slight. When the electrolysis time was 60 min, ammonia-N was removed completely, nitrite-N concentration kept 1 mg/L approximately. The ammonia-N removal efficiency went up with the increasing cathodic potential, and was completely removed in different water samples, but nitrate-N removal showed an opposite result. The production amount of nitrite-N was the least at − 1.6 V. As the pH increased, ammonia-N and nitrate-N’s removal efficiency went up first and then down, the removal effect was the best at pH being 9, Nitrite-N was less influenced by pH. After optimizing the raw water sample, Nitrate-N and TN removal efficiency were significantly increased, but the nitrite-N almost kept constant.

MO683: Peritoneal Transport Characteristics, Sodium Sieving and Dialysate Electrolyte Clearance in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: 4.25% Peritoneal Equilibration Test Analysis

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a well-established renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease. The peritoneal equilibration test (PET) is widely used for assessing peritoneal solute transport. Recently, the International Society for PD committee recommended performing PET with 4.25% dextrose solution instead of traditional 2.5% dextrose solution to provide better information on ultrafiltration capacity. This study aims to explore the peritoneal transport characteristics, sodium sieving and electrolyte clearance with PET-4.25%. METHOD We conducted a cross-sectional study in PD patients treated in West China Hospital between June 2021 and December 2021. All patients underwent PET-4.25%. Peritoneal transport characteristics, sodium sieving and dialysate electrolyte clearance were analysed. RESULTS A total of 108 patients (61 males, 56%; mean age 48 ± 4 years old, median PD duration 17 months) were included. Dialysate to plasma (D/P) creatinine values at 4 h were distributed similarly in PET-2.5% and PET-4.25% (Fig. 1). The dialysate sodium decreased at the beginning of PET-4.25% and gradually increased, while other dialysate electrolyte levels continued to increase or decrease during the 4 h (Fig. 2). Most patients had their maximal sodium dip at 2 h (N = 80, 74%). The mean sodium dip at 1 h was 7.28 ± 2.93 mmol/L (sodium sieving ratio 0.057 ± 0.023), and the mean maximal sodium dip was 8.81 ± 4.18 mmol/L. In both univariate and multivariate analyses, sodium sieving was negatively correlated with 4-h D/P creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and positively correlated with PET-4.25% ultrafiltration volume (Fig. 3). The total clearances of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium and phosphate with 2 L of 4.25% dextrose were 66.9 ± 22.4 mmol, 6.64 ± 1.25 mmol, 62.7 ± 27.7 mmol, 0.07 ± 0.27 mmol, 0.63 ± 0.19 mmol and 1.98 ± 0.63 mmol, respectively. The amount of electrolyte clearance was not related to peritoneal transport characteristics. Nine patients were diagnosed with ultrafiltration failure (UFF). Patients with UFF had significantly lower sodium and chloride clearance than non-UFF patients. CONCLUSION PET-4.25% could assess peritoneal transport characteristics with similar results to PET-2.5%, while it could provide more information on ultrafiltration capacity. Four-hour D/P creatinine, GFR and ultrafiltration volume are independent predictors for sodium sieving. Dialysate electrolyte clearance is not related to peritoneal transport characteristics, while sodium clearance is decreased in UFF patients.

Waste glass as a precursor in alkali‐activated materials: Mechanical, durability, and microstructural properties

AbstractThe long‐term characteristics and durability of alkali‐activated mortars based on waste glass are crucial to better understand their performance in aggressive environments. In this regard, the performance of waste glass as a building material and its characteristics such as mechanical (compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths), durability (chloride migration coefficient, sulfate resistance, and drying shrinkage), and microstructural properties [x‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive x‐ray analysis (SEM/EDX)] were evaluated. For this purpose, the specimens with different amounts of silica modulus and Na2O content were prepared. The specimens were cured at 95°C for 20 h and then kept at a relative humidity of 50% at room temperature until testing. The specimen with 10% Na2O and a silica modulus of 1.5 demonstrated the highest compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths. The specimens illustrated a lower chloride migration coefficient and lower expansion than the Portland cement one. By increasing both silica modulus and Na2O contents, the drying shrinkage of the specimens increased due to the presence of more free water. The microstructural results indicated that amorphous gels such as sodium aluminum silicate hydrate (N‐A‐S‐H) and sodium (calcium) silicate aluminum hydrate [N‐(C)‐A‐S‐H] were formed. The results of this study signify the utilization possibility of waste glass as an eco‐friendly material with desirable characteristics.

Abstract #1183604: Check point inhibitor associated multi-endocrine dysfunction presenting with euglycemic ketoacidosis

Immune check point inhibitors have become breakthrough therapy for many types of cancers. They inhibit one of two immune regulatory pathways, the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), and ‘programmed death-1’ (PD-1) and (PD-L1) pathways. Removing immune regulation allows for anti-cancer immune responses. They also cause immune related endocrine dysfunction such as hypophysitis, thyroiditis, diabetes mellitus (DM) and primary adrenal insufficiency (AI). We describe a patient on Pembrolizumab (PEM) (an anti-PD-1 inhibitor) who presented with new onset DM, euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with simultaneous secondary AI. 54-year-old woman with stage 4 non-small cell carcinoma of the lung (NSCLC) with known brain metastasis, was under therapy with carboplastin, paclitaxel and PEM, presented with headache, blurry vision and altered mental status. She had past history of Grave's disease s/p radioactive iodine therapy, currently on levothyroxine. For two weeks, she had decreased oral intake, and generalized weakness. Upon presentation, she was cachectic, BP 152/65, pulse 117 and confabulating. Laboratory evaluation showed: serum glucose 72 mg/dL, Na 139 mmol/L, K 3.2 mmol/L, Cl 113 mmol/L, HCO3 11 mmol/L, anion gap 15 mmol/L, beta-hydroxybutyrate 4.8 mmol/L, lactic acid 0.7 mmol/L, venous pH 7.2 and base excess -16.6 mmol/L. The delta-delta gap was 10 mmol/L, compatible with a mixed anion-gap and hyperchloremic acidosis (HCA). Antibodies to GAD-65, and Zinc transporter-8 were negative. To evaluate euglycemia despite DKA, levels were obtained for serum cortisol 1 mcg/dL, and ACTH < 1 pg/mL confirming secondary AI. MRI neuroimaging showed several metastatic brain lesions, a small pituitary gland without stalk enhancement or thickening. Management of euglycemic ketoacidosis required high dose glucose infusion ( >10 g/hour), stress doses of hydrocortisone (HC), and infusion of low chloride solute for HCA. Awareness of the potential multi-endocrine dysfunction, directed us towards the urgent institution of therapy for DKA with supplementation of stress dose HC for presumed AI, the latter as a cause of relative “hypoglycemia”. Central AI was confirmed with undetectable levels of cortisol and ACTH. Although less frequent than with CTLA-4 inhibitors, PD-1 inhibitors are associated with hypophysitis even without abnormalities on pituitary MRI. The DM (associated with PD-1 inhibitors) although autoimmune is nature, is “antibody” positive approximately 50% of the time. Further therapy for both euglycemic DKA and HCA required adjustment of the conventional management for DKA.

Furosemide prevents membrane KCC2 downregulation during convulsant stimulation in the hippocampus.

In adults, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor (GABAAR)-mediated inhibition depends on the maintenance of low intracellular chloride anion concentration through neuron-specific potassium-chloride cotransporter-2 (KCC2). KCC2 has been widely reported to have a plasticity change during the course of epilepsy development, with an early downregulation and late recovery in neuronal cell membranes after epileptic stimulation, which facilitates epileptiform burst activity. Furosemide is a clinical loop diuretic that inhibits KCC2. Here, we first confirmed that furosemide pretreatment could effectively prevented convulsant stimulation-induced neuronal membrane KCC2 downregulation in the hippocampus in both in vivo and in vitro cyclothiazide-induced seizure model. Second, we verified that furosemide pretreatment rescued KCC2 function deficits, as indicated by EGABA depolarizing shift and GABAAR inhibitory function impairment induced via cyclothiazide treatment. Further, we demonstrated that furosemide also suppressed cyclothiazide-induced epileptiform burst activity in cultured hippocampal neurons and lowered the mortality rate during acute seizure induction. Overall, furosemide prevents membrane KCC2 downregulation during acute seizure induction, restores KCC2-mediated GABA inhibition, and interrupts the progression from acute seizure to epileptogenesis.

Separation of Rare Earths and Transition Metals Using Ionic-Liquid-Based Aqueous Biphasic Systems

An aqueous biphasic system (ABS) based on the ionic liquid (IL) tributyltetradecylphosphonium chloride ([P444,14]Cl) has been developed for the separation of the Sm/Co, Nd/Fe, Eu/Zn, and La/Ni rare-earth element and transition metal pairs. Phase diagrams of the new ABSs based on [P444,14]Cl–CoCl2/SmCl3–H2O were constructed, and these showed that ABS formation was facilitated by higher temperatures (e.g., 50 °C). The effects of salting-out agents (NaCl, LiCl, and HCl) and the amount of IL on metal extractions were investigated for the separation of samarium and cobalt. The graph showing the variation of the distribution ratio of cobalt as a function of the chloride concentrations exhibited a maximum, while the distribution ratios for samarium stayed close to 0 at low chloride concentrations and then gradually increased with increasing chloride concentration. Ferric and zinc ions could be fully transferred to the IL phase without contamination by rare-earth elements at low concentrations of salting-out agents, whereas the maximum in Ni/La selectivity was observed at 8 mol/kg of LiCl in the system. Cobalt was removed from the loaded IL phase by precipitation stripping with Na2CO3, and the quantitative removal of cobalt could be achieved at a Na2CO3 to Co molar ratio of 1.5:1. Infrared spectra confirmed that the precipitate was pure CoCO3 without contamination by the IL. By selecting economic and environmental-friendly ILs, the IL-based ABS can be used for development of sustainable green processes for metal separations.

Association of urine phthalate metabolites, bisphenol A levels and serum electrolytes with 24-h blood pressure profile in adolescents

BackgroundAmong the possible causes of hypertension in adolescence, electrolyte imbalances and environmental pollutants are drawing increasing attention. We aimed to examine the relationship between bisphenol A (BPA), phthalate metabolites, and serum electrolytes and blood pressure.MethodsEighty-six participants aged 12–15 years were included in the study. Body mass index (BMI), office blood pressure and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM), and carotid intima-media thickness were determined. Blood samples were taken for hemogram, renal function tests, and serum electrolytes. Free- and total-BPA and phthalate metabolites were analyzed from urine samples.ResultsOf the participants, 34 were evaluated as normal blood pressure profile, 33 as white-coat hypertension (WCHT), and 19 as ABPM-hypertension. Adolescents in ABPM- hypertension groups had higher BMI-standard deviation score (SDS), leucocyte, platelet count; but lower serum chloride, compared to the normal blood pressure profile group. The percentage of adolescents with detectable urinary mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) was higher in ABPM-hypertension (42.1%) and WCHT groups (33.3%), compared to the normal blood pressure profile group (5.9%, p = 0.004). Associations between MBzP and ABPM- hypertension and WCHT were remained after confounding factor adjustment. Adolescents with detectable MBzP levels had also higher “albumin-corrected calcium” and lower serum phosphate and “albumin-corrected calcium x phosphate product” compared to others. Adolescents with detectable urinary MBzP levels had higher blood pressure profiles in some 24-h (mean arterial pressure-SDS, systolic blood pressure-SDS), daytime (systolic blood pressure-SDS), and night-time (mean arterial pressure-SDS, systolic blood pressure-SDS, and diastolic blood pressure-SDS) measurements, compared to others. WCHT was found to be associated negatively with monomethyl phthalate and the sum of dibutyl phthalate metabolites and ABPM-HT with MCPP. There was no significant association between blood pressure profiles and free- and total-BPA status.ConclusionMBzP was associated with adverse blood pressure profiles in adolescence. Additive follow-up studies are necessary for cause-effect relations.

Liposomes loaded with betel leaf (Piper betle L.) extract: Antibacterial activity and preservative effect in combination with hurdle technologies on tilapia slices

Betel (Piper betle L.) leaf ethanolic extract (BLEE) has shown to possess antibacterial activities. However, the use of BLEE is still limited due to the instability and remaining chlorophylls even after dechlorophyllization. Encapsulation using liposomes might enhance its stability and reduce the color of BLEE, but antibacterial properties of liposomes have not been elucidated. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the antibacterial activity of liposome loaded with BLEE (L/BLEE). Microbial challenge tests using the selected bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella sonnei) were also conducted to evaluate the preservative properties of L/BLEE at different concentrations combined with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and non-thermal plasma (NTP) treatment on tilapia slices stored at 4 °C. Antibacterial activity of BLEE was enhanced (p < 0.05) after loading into liposomes, as witnessed by lower (p < 0.05) MIC and MBC than those of the unencapsulated BLEE. L/BLEE also showed larger inhibition zones, lower triphenyl-2H tetrazolium chloride (TTC) dehydrogenase activity, and higher release rates of K+ and Mg2+ ions (p < 0.05) of bacteria. Additionally, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images showed deformations and perforation on cell walls of bacteria after treatment with L/BLEE. L/BLEE at 400 ppm combined with MAP (CO2: Ar: O2 = 60: 30: 10) and NTP (80 KV-RMS for 5 min) exhibited the highest inhibition effect (p < 0.05) toward all the challenged bacteria over 15 days of storage at 4 °C. The use of L/BLEE at 400 ppm combined with MAP and NTP treatments could preserve tilapia slices for up to 12 days.

Characterization of an engineered mucus microenvironment for in vitro modeling of host\u2013microbe interactions

The human mucus layer plays a vital role in maintaining health by providing a physical barrier to pathogens. This biological hydrogel also provides the microenvironment for commensal bacteria. Common models used to study host–microbe interactions include gnotobiotic animals or mammalian–microbial co-culture platforms. Many of the current in vitro models lack a sufficient mucus layer to host these interactions. In this study, we engineered a mucus-like hydrogel Consisting of a mixed alginate-mucin (ALG-MUC) hydrogel network by using low concentration calcium chloride (CaCl2) as crosslinker. We demonstrated that the incorporation of ALG-MUC hydrogels into an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) co-culture platform can support the growth of a mammalian monolayer and pathogenic bacteria. The ALG-MUC hydrogels displayed selective diffusivity against macromolecules and stability with ATPS microbial patterning. Additionally, we showed that the presence of mucin within hydrogels contributed to an increase in antimicrobial resistance in ATPS patterned microbial colonies. By using common laboratory chemicals to generate a mammalian–microbial co-culture system containing a representative mucus microenvironment, this model can be readily adopted by typical life science laboratories to study host–microbe interaction and drug discovery.