PA Treatment Research Articles

EGFR inhibitors in the treatment of colorectal cancer

This ar cle discusses the use of EGFR inhibitors in the treatment of pa ents with colorectal cancer. The mechanisms of their ac on, speci fi c manifesta ons of toxicity are considered. A review of current literature data on the use of both approved for clinical use (cetuximab, panitumumab) and an -EGFR an bodies at the stage of clinical trials is presented. EGFR inhibitors are one of the main groups of targeted drugs used to treat pa ents with colorectal cancer. The correla on between toxicity and e ffi cacy of these drugs is discussed separately. The scope of their applica on is limited to the treatment of disseminated forms of the disease, but in the future the number of available an -EGFR an bodies may grow, the possibility of their use in new condi ons, including in the framework of chemoradiotherapy.

Apoptotic germ cells regulate Sertoli cell lipid storage and fatty acid oxidation.

The presence of lipid droplets (LD) and the utilization of fatty acids (FA) as a source of energy are Sertoli cell (SC) putative characteristics. It is well known that SCs can phagocyte and degrade apoptotic germ cells (AGC) resulting in increasing lipid content and ATP levels. A relationship between the regulation of lipid storage and of lipid oxidation in SC might be envisaged. The aim of this study was to analyze whether AGC and FA are able to simultaneously regulate molecular mechanisms involved in lipid storage and in FA oxidation in SC. The experimental model utilized in this study consisted in SC cultures obtained from 20-day-old rats that were co-cultured with AGC or treated with palmitic acid (PA, 500 μM) for 24 and 48 h. AGC and PA increase LD, triacylglycerol (TAG) content and mRNA levels of Plin1, Plin2, Plin3 (proteins involved in TAG storage). Simultaneously, AGC and PA rise the extent of FA oxidation and mRNA levels of Cpt1 and Lcad (proteins involved in FA degradation). Results also show that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) transcriptional activity, transcription factor which participate in lipid metabolism regulation, increases by AGC and PA treatment in SC. Additionally, the presence of a PPARg antagonist decreases the upregulation of LD content and Plin1 expression. Similarly, the presence of a PPARb/d antagonist reduces the increase in FA oxidation and Cpt1 mRNA levels. Altogether these results suggest that AGC and FA, which probably generate PPAR ligands, regulate lipid storage and fatty acid utilization, contributing to the energy homeostasis in the seminiferous tubules.

Phytic acid improves intestinal mucosal barrier damage and reduces serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines in a 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced rat colorectal cancer model.

Phytic acid (PA) has been demonstrated to have a potent anticarcinogenic activity against colorectal cancer (CRC). Defects of the intestinal mucosal barrier and inflammation processes are involved in the development and progression of CRC. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of PA on the intestinal mucosal barrier and proinflammatory cytokines. After a 1-week acclimatisation period, sixty Wistar male rats were divided into the following five groups, with twelve rats per group: the control group (CG), model group (MG), low-PA-dose group (0·25 g/kg per d), middle-PA-dose group (0·5 g/kg per d), and high-PA-dose group (1 g/kg per d). 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) at a dosage of 30 mg/kg of body weight was injected weekly to induce CRC for 18 weeks. We examined the expression of genes related to the intestinal mucosal barrier in the model. The results demonstrated that tumour incidence was decreased following PA treatment. The mRNA and protein expression of mucin 2 (MUC2), trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) and E-cadherin in the MG were significantly lower than those in the CG (P<0·05). The mRNA and protein expression of claudin-1 in the MG were significantly higher than those in the CG (P<0·05). PA elevated the mRNA and protein expression of MUC2, TFF3 and E-cadherin, and diminished the mRNA and protein expression of claudin-1. Furthermore, PA decreased serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, which included TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. In conclusion, this study suggests that PA has favourable effects on the intestinal mucosal barrier and may reduce serum proinflammatory cytokine levels.

Psychological Symptoms and Well-Being After Treatment for Primary Aldosteronism.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is an increasingly identified cause of secondary hypertension. PA can be caused by an aldosterone-producing adenoma or by bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, generally treated by adrenalectomy or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, respectively. Recent studies suggest that PA is associated with more psychological symptoms and lower levels of well-being. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between subtype of PA and psychological symptoms and well-being after specific treatment. We analyzed the outcomes of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form and the Symptom Checklist in 160 patients (mean age 57 years; 74.3% males) with PA, comparing the scores for psychological symptoms and well-being between both subtypes of PA. Additionally, we performed subgroup analyses based on gender, age, time since initiation of treatment, and co-morbidity. Moreover, we compared the results with published norm scores. Mean follow-up after adrenalectomy or start of medication was four years and two months. Depressive symptoms, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive thoughts and well-being did not differ between subtypes of PA. Subgroup analysis did not reveal any differences, except for women with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia who scored higher on the anxiety subscale than women after adrenalectomy. Compared to the general population, patients with treated PA reported more psychological symptoms. In contrast, well-being did not differ significantly from norm scores. Subtype and treatment of PA were no important determinants of psychological symptoms and well-being on the long-term. We suggest that physicians should be alert for psychological symptoms, as these were more frequently present in patients with PA.

Arctic, Antarctic, and temperate green algae Zygnema spp. under UV-B stress: vegetative cells perform better than pre-akinetes

Species of Zygnema form macroscopically visible mats in polar and temperate terrestrial habitats, where they are exposed to environmental stresses. Three previously characterized isolates (Arctic Zygnema sp. B, Antarctic Zygnema sp. C, and temperate Zygnema sp. S) were tested for their tolerance to experimental UV radiation. Samples of young vegetative cells (1 month old) and pre-akinetes (6 months old) were exposed to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400–700 nm, 400 μmol photons m−2 s−1) in combination with experimental UV-A (315–400 nm, 5.7 W m−2, no UV-B), designated as PA, or UV-A (10.1 W m−2) + UV-B (280–315 nm, 1.0 W m−2), designated as PAB. The experimental period lasted for 74 h; the radiation period was 16 h PAR/UV-A per day, or with additional UV-B for 14 h per day. The effective quantum yield, generally lower in pre-akinetes, was mostly reduced during the UV treatment, and recovery was significantly higher in young vegetative cells vs. pre-akinetes during the experiment. Analysis of the deepoxidation state of the xanthophyll-cycle pigments revealed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in Zygnema spp. C and S. The content of UV-absorbing phenolic compounds was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in young vegetative cells compared to pre-akinetes. In young vegetative Zygnema sp. S, these phenolic compounds significantly increased (p < 0.05) upon PA and PAB. Transmission electron microscopy showed an intact ultrastructure with massive starch accumulations at the pyrenoids under PA and PAB. A possible increase in electron-dense bodies in PAB-treated cells and the occurrence of cubic membranes in the chloroplasts are likely protection strategies. Metabolite profiling by non-targeted RP-UHPLC-qToF-MS allowed a clear separation of the strains, but could not detect changes due to the PA and PAB treatments. Six hundred seventeen distinct molecular masses were detected, of which around 200 could be annotated from databases. These results indicate that young vegetative cells can adapt better to the experimental UV-B stress than pre-akinetes.

Urea deep placement in combination with Azolla for reducing nitrogen loss and improving fertilizer nitrogen recovery in rice field

Reducing environmental harm and improving fertilizer use efficiency is critical in Chinese agriculture. Azolla has particular value for paddy rice crop due to its biological nitrogen (N) fixation ability; however, the Chinese rice fields are highly fertilized, which will depress the N fixation of Azolla. Urea deep placement (UDP) reduces floodwater NH4+ and ammonia volatilization losses. To date, few studies have explored the effects of UDP combined with Azolla on the N uptake pattern, N recovery and N loss from 15N-labeled urea. Therefore, a 3-year field experiment was conducted with five treatments (control without urea (CK), urea broadcasting without Azolla (B) or with Azolla (BA), and UDP without Azolla (P) or with Azolla (PA)) in an intensive rice cropping system in the Taihu Region of China. The total 15N recovery (soil-plant system), crop 15N uptake (straw and grain) and 15N loss were assessed, and the ammonia (NH3) loss, rice yield, gross return and net economic benefit were measured. The results showed that the UDP treatments had delayed but long-lasting fertilization effects. The PA treatment resulted in the lowest 15N loss and highest total 15N recovery at harvest due to the prolonged N availability and negligible NH3 loss. The PA, P and BA treatments decreased 15N loss by 47%, 33% and 18% and increased total 15N recovery by 58%, 40% and 22%, respectively, compared to urea broadcasting alone. Almost all labeled Azolla-N was released within two months of which approximately 40% could be absorbed by the crop. Little labeled fertilizer N was absorbed by Azolla during the rice season. In addition, the PA, P and BA treatments increased rice yield and gross return by 13%, 10% and 9%, respectively, and they produced similar net economic benefit compared to urea broadcasting alone. In conclusion, UDP combined with Azolla is a potential strategy to further reduce fertilizer N loss and improve total fertilizer N recovery while maximizing rice yield if it can be widely adopted by Chinese rice farmers. However, widespread adoption will require improved technologies with lower labour requirement for mechanized deep placement of urea and for the propagation of Azolla.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging of myocardial mass and fibrosis in primary aldosteronism.

BackgroundPrimary aldosteronism (PA) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity, presumably due to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and fibrosis. However, the degree of fibrosis has not been extensively studied. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) contrast enhancement and novel sensitive T1 mapping to estimate increased extracellular volume (ECV) are available to measure the extent of fibrosis.ObjectivesTo assess LV mass and fibrosis before and after treatment of PA using CMR with contrast enhancement and T1 mapping.MethodsFifteen patients with newly diagnosed PA (PA1) and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (HS) were studied by CMR with contrast enhancement. Repeated imaging with a new scanner with T1 mapping was performed in 14 of the PA1 and 20 of the HS median 18 months after specific PA treatment and in additional 16 newly diagnosed PA patients (PA2).ResultsPA1 had higher baseline LV mass index than HS (69 (53–91) vs 51 (40–72) g/m2; P < 0.001), which decreased significantly after treatment (58 (40–86) g/m2; P < 0.001 vs baseline), more with adrenalectomy (n = 8; −9 g/m2; P = 0.003) than with medical treatment (n = 6; −5 g/m2; P = 0.075). No baseline difference was found in contrast enhancement between PA1 and HS. T1 mapping showed no increase in ECV as a myocardial fibrosis marker in PA. Moreover, ECV was lower in the untreated PA2 than HS 10 min post-contrast, and in both PA groups compared with HS 20 min post-contrast.ConclusionSpecific treatment rapidly reduced LV mass in PA. Increased myocardial fibrosis was not found and may not represent a common clinical problem.

Long-term palmitic acid supplementation interacts with parity in lactating dairy cows: Production responses, nutrient digestibility, and energy partitioning

The objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of long-term palmitic acid (C16:0) supplementation and parity on production, nutrient digestibility, and energy partitioning of mid-lactation dairy cows. Forty mid-lactation Holstein cows (18 primiparous and 22 multiparous) were used in a block design. Cows were assigned to receive either a control diet containing no supplemental fat (CON) or a C16:0-enriched supplemented diet (PA; 1.5% diet dry matter) fed for 10 wk. Compared with CON, PA increased dry matter intake, milk yield, cumulative milk yield, milk fat content, milk fat yield, 16-carbon milk fatty acid (FA) yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield, and energy-corrected milk yield. Additionally, PA increased body weight change, but did not affect body condition score change compared with CON. A tendency for a treatment by parity interaction was observed for milk yield due to PA increasing milk yield in multiparous but not in primiparous cows. In addition, we observed interactions between treatment and parity for fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, and milk fat yield due to PA increasing these variables to a greater extent in multiparous compared with primiparous cows. Interestingly, we observed an interaction between treatment and parity for body weight change, due to PA increasing body weight change in primiparous but not in multiparous cows. The PA treatment increased dry matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities compared with CON. Although PA did not affect 18-carbon FA digestibility, compared with CON, PA decreased 16-carbon and total FA digestibilities and increased total FA intake by 470 g/d and absorbed total FA by 316 g/d. We also observed an interaction between treatment and parity for total absorbed FA due to PA increasing it to a greater extent in multiparous than in primiparous cows. Compared with CON, PA increased apparent energy intake and milk energy output. We observed an interaction between treatment and parity for milk energy output due to PA increasing milk energy output to a greater extent in multiparous than primiparous cows. Additionally, an interaction between treatment and parity was observed for energy output in body reserves due to PA increasing energy output in body reserves in primiparous but not in multiparous cows. In conclusion, production responses of dairy cows to PA were consistent throughout the 10-wk treatment period. In addition, PA supplementation interacted with parity, with production responses increased to a greater extent in multiparous than primiparous cows and energy partitioned to body reserves only increased in primiparous cows.

Effect of Ultrasonic Treatment Combined with Peracetic Acid Treatment Reduces Decay and Maintains Quality in Loquat Fruit

The effects of ultrasonic treatment (UT, 400 watts for 6 min) combined with peracetic acid (PA, 0.4% (W/W)) treatment on fruit decay, browning, and quality and physiological changes in loquat fruit stored at 20°C were investigated. The results showed that treatment with UT or PA alone significantly reduced both decay and browning index in loquat fruit compared with the control. The combined treatment was more effective in decreasing decay and browning index and maintaining higher quality parameters than UT or PA treatment alone. Loquat fruits treated with the combined treatment maintained higher activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) than those treated with other treatments. In addition, UT combined with PA treatment significantly reduced the increase of firmness and increased fruit extractable juice, total soluble solid (TSS), and ascorbic acid content in loquat fruit. Moreover, the contents of total phenolics and total flavonoids were enhanced by the combination of UT and PA treatment. The combination of UT and PA treatment could be a useful method to reduce decay and browning in loquat fruit stored at room temperature, which has potential for application in the loquat industry.

Morphology of CdSe-Based Coatings Formed on Polyamide Substrate.

Cadmium selenide (CdSe)-based layers were formed on the surface of polyamide 6 (PA) substrate film by treating PA film samples with potassium selenotrithionate (K2SeS2O6) solution (seleniumization) and then with cadmium(II) acetate, Cd(CH3COO)2, solution (cadmiumization). The morphology of CdSe-based layers was investigated by atomic force and scanning electron microscopies. It was determined that the formation of CdSe-based layers proceeds unevenly in the form of islands, which later tends to agglomerate. Therefore the surface of the layers formed is relatively uneven and rather rough. After seleniumization and cadmiumization procedures the average height of this layer have tendency to decrease from 337 after 1 h of seleniumization to 153 nm at 2.5 and 3.5 h of seleniumization. It was also determined that the RMS of formed layers slightly increases (from 32 to 42 nm) with the prolongation of PA seleniumization (from 1 to 2.5 hours) and it decreases (from 43 to 22 nm) with the increase of the temperature (from 50 °C to 70 °C) of seleniumized PA treatment by the solution containing Cd(II) salt. XPS data show that in coatings, substantial amounts of both cadmium hydroxide (Cd(OH)2) and cadmium oxide (CdO) are formed on the surface and within deeper layers of formed coatings. It was also determined that only a small fraction (∼0.1%-2%) of cadmium selenide is present on the surface of formed coating after seleniumization and cadmiumization, while within in the deeper layers the concentrations of both Cd and Se were much higher and the fractions of Cd(OH)2 and CdO decreased.

Effects of Buffer Layer Treatments on the Characteristics and Performances of OLEDs

The authors demonstrated the performance of Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) with hexylphosphonic acid (PA) or UV-ozone treatment on their molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) anode buffer layers. The OLEDs with a PA treated (5 mM @1 h) MoO3 layer have lower turn-on voltage and low current efficiency roll-off under high operating current. The hole-only device (ITO/MoO3 with PA or UV-ozone treatment/NPB/Al) was fabricated to calculate the active energy via temperature dependent I-V measurement. When the devices were operated at high temperatures, the activation energy of the UV-ozone treated, and untreated hole-only devices became nonlinear. However, the activation energy of the PA treated devices had a more stable performance at high temperatures. The interfacial resistance of the untreated hole-only devices and the PA and UV-ozone treated devices were calculated by Admittance Spectroscopy (AS) to be 204.5, 363, and 450 Ω. These results indicated that the PA treated devices reduced the activation energy, surface energy mismatch, and interface resistance to enhance the efficiency of carrier injection, which in turn lowers the turn on voltage. Moreover, PA treatment produces a long carbon chain and smooths the morphology of MoO3 to prevent roll-off phenomenon of OLEDs under high operating current.

Modification of polyamide films by semiconductive and conductive copper selenide–copper sulfide layers

Modification of the surface of polyamide 6 (PA) films by semiconductive and electrically conductive layers of mixed copper selenide–copper sulfide, CuxSe–CuyS, was performed using the sorption–diffusion method and the water solutions of potassium selenopentathionate, K2SeS4O6, as the precursor of polymer chalcogeniumization. Selenopentathionate anions containing divalent selenium and sulfur atoms of low oxidation state,–O3S-S-Se-S-SO3–, are sorbed-diffused into PA films if they are treated with selenopentathionate solutions. CuxSe–CuyS layers form on the surface of a PA (polyamide 6) film when a chalcogeniumized polymer is treated with a water solution of copper(II/I) salt: the anions of selenopentathionate react with copper ions. The concentration of sulfur, selenium and copper increases with an increase of the concentration and temperature of a precursor solution and the duration of PA initial chalcogeniumization. The formed layers were characterized for chemical composition, electrical and physical properties. The percentage amounts of selenium, sulfur and copper in CuxSe–CuyS layers on PA films increase with polymer chalcogeniumization time. The X–ray diffraction (XRD) pattern study of CuxSe–CuyS layers showed that they are polycrystalline in nature. The six phases of copper selenides – Cu2Se, CuSe2, CuSe2, Cu3Se2, berzellianite Cu2-xSe and bellidoite Cu2Se, also the four phases of copper sulfides – monoclinic djurleite, Cu1.9375Se, cubic digenite, Cu1.8S, orthorhombic chalcocite, Cu2S, and orthohrombic anilite, Cu1.75S, have been identified. With an increase of the concentration and temperature of the precursor solution and the duration of PA treatment the highest concentration of conductive copper selenides is reached and the composition of CuxSe phases changes in the direction of a decrease of x. XPS results confirmed the formation of copper selenides–copper sulfides layers on the surface of PA. The regularities established enable formation of CuxSe–CuyS layers of the desirable composition and conductivity. Studies by the method of atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that depending on the conditions (duration of chalcogeniumization, concentration and temperature) of the PA initial treatment in the K2SeS4O6 solution (under the same “copperizing” conditions), the formation of copper chalcogenide layers proceeds irregularly in the form of islands which grow into larger agglomerates. The surface of the layer is uneven, rather rough.

UV‐radiation effects on photosynthesis and photoprotection in gametophytic and sporophytic stages of the freshwater red alga Kumanoa ambigua (Rhodophyta, Batrachospermales)

SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to analyze the photosynthetic performance of gametophytic and sporophytic (‘Chantransia’) stages of Kumanoa ambigua in culture under UV radiation. We hypothesized that both life history stages of K. ambigua would exhibit different photosynthetic responses to UVR exposure. Experiments were performed under three conditions: (i) photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) only (400–700 nm), P control; (ii) PAR + UVA (320–700 nm), PA treatment; and (iii) PAR + UVA + UVB (280–700 nm), PAB treatment. The photosynthetic parameters were measured as in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence. Differences were found between life stages, observing higher values of NPQ and effective quantum yields (ΔF/Fm′) under UVA and PAR in gametophytes compared to sporophytes. One type of mycosporine‐like amino acid (MAA) was detected in the gametophyte in all treatments, but not in the ‘Chantransia’ stage. The increased photosynthetic performance for some parameters and the presence of MAA in gametophyte suggest that it is less sensitive to UV radiation, particularly UVA, in comparison to sporophyte under culture conditions. This approach is relevant for a better understanding of the adaptation and physiological acclimation of freshwater Rhodophyta to varying light climates in terms of global changes.

Exogenous Si Alleviation of Autotoxicity in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Seed Germination is Correlated with Changes in Carbohydrate Metabolism

Benzoic and cinnamic acid derivatives such as 3-phenylpropionic acid (PA) are the main autotoxins identified from cucumber root exudates. In this study, we investigated the effects of silicon (Si) supplemented on cucumber seed germination under PA-induced stress. Cucumber bud seedlings were harvested at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after treatment and assessed for plant growth, amylase activity and gene expression, and starch metabolism. Results revealed that PA significantly reduced the seed germination rate, seed vigor, radicle length, number of lateral roots, fresh weight, and soluble sugar content of cucumber bud seedlings. However, PA increased the starch content. The supplement of silicon promoted the growth of PA-treated plants and significantly increased the germination rate, seed vigor, and soluble sugar content of cucumber bud seedlings. Compared with those of the control plants, the levels and activities of α- (AMY) and β-amylase (BMY) during germination significantly decreased after PA treatment. The supplement of silicon significantly improved amylase activity, and total amylase and β-amylase activities reached maximum values at 36 h. PA significantly down-regulated the relative expression levels of AMY and BMY, whereas exogenous silicon significantly increased their transcript levels. These results suggest that supplement of Si alleviated cucumber autotoxicity caused by PA during seed germination at both the physiological and molecular levels.

Altering the ratio of dietary palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids in diets with or without whole cottonseed affects nutrient digestibility, energy partitioning, and production responses of dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of varying the ratio of dietary palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), and oleic (cis-9 C18:1) acids in basal diets containing soyhulls or whole cottonseed on nutrient digestibility, energy partitioning, and production response of lactating dairy cows. Twenty-four mid-lactation multiparous Holstein cows were used in a split-plot Latin square design. Cows were allocated to a main plot receiving either a basal diet with soyhulls (SH, n = 12) or a basal diet with whole cottonseed (CS, n = 12) that was fed throughout the experiment. Within each plot a 4 × 4 Latin square arrangement of treatments was used in 4 consecutive 21-d periods. Treatments were (1) control (CON; no supplemental fat), (2) high C16:0 supplement [PA; fatty acid (FA) supplement blend provided ∼80% C16:0], (3) C16:0 and C18:0 supplement (PA+SA; FA supplement blend provided ∼40% C16:0 + ∼40% C18:0), and (4) C16:0 and cis-9 C18:1 supplement (PA+OA; FA supplement blend provided ∼45% C16:0 + ∼35% cis-9 C18:1). Interactions between basal diets and FA treatments were observed for dry matter intake (DMI) and milk yield. Among the SH diets, PA and PA+SA increased DMI compared with CON and PA+OA treatments, whereas in the CS diets PA+OA decreased DMI compared with CON. The PA, PA+SA, and PA+OA treatments increased milk yield compared with CON in the SH diets. The CS diets increased milk fat yield compared with the SH diets due to the greater yield of de novo and preformed milk FA. The PA treatment increased milk fat yield compared with CON, PA+SA, and PA+OA due to the greater yield of mixed-source (16-carbon) milk FA. The PA treatment increased 3.5% fat-corrected milk compared with CON and tended to increase it compared with PA+SA and PA+OA. The CS diets increased body weight (BW) change compared with the SH diets. Additionally, PA+OA tended to increase BW change compared with CON and PA and increased it in comparison with PA+SA. The PA and PA+OA treatments increased dry matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibility compared with PA+SA and tended to increase them compared with CON. The PA+SA treatment reduced 16-carbon, 18-carbon, and total FA digestibility compared with the other treatments. The CS diets increased energy partitioning toward body reserves compared with the SH diets. The PA treatment increased energy partitioning toward milk compared with CON and PA+OA and tended to increase it compared with PA+SA. In contrast, PA+OA increased energy partitioned to body reserves compared with PA and PA+SA and tended to increase it compared with CON. In conclusion, milk yield responses to different combinations of FA were affected by the addition of whole cottonseed in the diet. Among the combinations of C16:0, C18:0, and cis-9 C18:1 evaluated, fat supplements with more C16:0 increased energy output in milk, whereas fat supplements with more cis-9 C18:1 increased energy storage in BW. The combination of C16:0 and C18:0 reduced nutrient digestibility, which most likely explains the lower performance observed compared with other treatments.

Novel derivative of Paeonol, Paeononlsilatie sodium, alleviates behavioral damage and hippocampal dendritic injury in Alzheimer's disease concurrent with cofilin1/phosphorylated-cofilin1 and RAC1/CDC42 alterations in rats.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a typical hippocampal amnesia and the most common senile dementia. Many studies suggest that cognitive impairments are more closely correlated with synaptic loss than the burden of amyloid deposits in AD progression. To date, there is no effective treatment for this disease. Paeonol has been widely employed in traditional Chinese medicine. This compound improves learning behavior in an animal model; however, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, Paeononlsilatie sodium (Pa), a derivative of Paeonol, attenuated D-galactose (D-gal) and AlCl3-induced behavioral damages in rats based on evaluations of the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze test (EPMT), and Morris water maze test (MWMT). Pa increased the dendritic complexity and the density of dendritic spines. Correlation analysis indicated that morphological changes in neuronal dendrites are closely correlated with behavioral changes. Pa treatment reduced the production of Aβ, affected the phosphorylation and redistribution of cofilin1 and inhibited rod-like formation in hippocampal neurons. The induction of D-gal and AlCl3 promoted the expression of RAC1/CDC42 expression; however, the tendency of gene expression was inhibited by pretreatment with Pa. Taken together, our results suggest that Pa may represent a novel therapeutic agent for the improvement of cognitive and emotional behaviors and dendritic morphology in an AD animal model.

Effect of proanthocyanidin on ultrastructure and mineralization of dentine collagen

ObjectiveProanthocyanidin (PA) is a natural collagen cross-linker that has been used in dentine matrix biomodification for reparative and preventive therapies. This study evaluated the ultrastructure of collagen after its interaction with PA. Furthermore, the mineralization of PA-biomodified collagen matrix was observed. MethodsTen freshly extracted sound human molars were sectioned into 0.5mm×1.7mm×7mm beams for ultrastructural evaluation of PA and dentine matrix under Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Specimens for TEM were completely demineralized and divided into three groups according to PA treatments: deionized water, 2% PA and 6.5% PA. The specimens were fixed, dehydrated, sectioned and examined using TEM. Specimens for FESEM were lightly conditioned with EDTA and similarly divided into the three groups for observation using FESEM. Type I collagen from calf skin was used to analyse the mineral interaction after treatment with 6.5% PA. Formvar- and carbon-coated 400-mesh Ni grids (EMS, Hatfiels, PA, USA) were placed over a 2mg/mL collagen solution prepared from calf skin-derived Type I collagen to achieve self-assembly of collagen fibrils. Grids were treated with 6.5% PA and divided into two groups. One group was floated over a remineralization solution containing 20mM HEPES, 2.25mM CaCl2-2H2O, 1.35mM KH2PO4, 3.08mM NaN3 and 130mM KCl and the other group was over a CPP-ACP solution (Tooth mousse 1:100 dilution with deionized water). The floating samples were kept in a 37°C and 100% humidity chamber. Grids were taken out at selected time durations (24h, 48h and 72h for mineralization solution/24h for CPP-ACP) and observed under TEM without staining. Selected area electron diffractions (SAEDs) were performed at 110kV. ResultsFollowing treatment of demineralized dentine collagen matrix with PA, the size and number of interfibrillar spaces were reduced. The collagen fibrils aggregated together with a reduction in porosity. A characteristic banding pattern of collagen fibrils was observed under TEM. Treatment of PA-biomodified collagen fibrils with remineralization solution increased mineral aggregation along its long axis, when compared to the control group. Furthermore, treatment of PA-biomodified collagen fibrils with CPP-ACP solution enhanced mineral uptake and deposition as well as initiated apatite formation within 24h. ConclusionProanthocyanidin alters the ultrastructure of demineralized dentine collagen matrix. The PA-biomodified collagen matrix promotes remineralization.

Cardiovascular complications in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism

Objective.Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a common reason of secondary arterial hypertension (HTN) and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, chronic kidney disease and mortality. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of cardiovascular complications in patients with PA and HTN and show the peculiarities of cardiovascular system involvement in hyperaldosteronism.Design and methods.We included 191 (77,0 %) females and 57 (23,0 %) males with suspected PA aged from 19 to 86 years old. Other reasons for secondary HTN were excluded. Diagnosis of PA was based on Endocrine Society recommendations (2009).Results.PA diagnosis was confirmed in 41 (16,5 %) subjects. Systolic blood pressure was higherin patients with PA than in patients with essential hypertension, but diastolic blood pressure did not differ. Microalbuminuria was found in 61,0 % of patients with PA and only in 41,6 % of hypertensive subjects (р &lt; 0,05). Study showed that prevalence of stroke, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction as well as arrhythmia were the same in both patients’ group. On the other hand, 29,3 % with PA had chronic heart disease compared to only 12,0 % among patients with essential HTN (p &lt; 0,05).Conclusions.We showed that HTN associated with autonomic aldosterone production leads to more frequent cardiovascular complications. Hence, early PA diagnosis and treatment is an important approach of modern medicine.

Potassium selenotrithionate – the precursor for formation of semiconductive and conductive copper selenide layers on polyamide surface

Semiconducting and electrically conductive layers of copper selenide, CuxSey, on the polyamide 6 (PA) surface were formed using the sorption–diffusion method and the water solutions of potassium selenotrithionate, K2SeS2O6, as the precursor of polymer seleniumization. Selenotrithionate anions containing divalent selenium atoms of low oxidation state, –O3S-Se-SO3–, are sorbed-diffused into PA films if they are treated with selenotrithionate solutions. The concentration of sorbed selenotrithionate increases with an increase of the temperature and concentration of the precursor solution and the duration of PA treatment. CuxSey layers are formed on the surface of a PA film when a chalcogenized polymer is treated with the water solution of copper(II/I) salt: the anions of selenotrithionate react with copper ions. The concentration of copper increases with increasing the concentration and temperature of the precursor solution and the duration of PA initial chalcogenization. The formed layers were characterized for chemical composition, electrical and physical properties. The percentage amounts of selenium and copper in CuxSey layers on PA films with polymer seleniumization time changed as follows: Se from 51.61 to 69.46% and Cu from 48.39 to 30.54%. The most uniform thin layer of CuxSey formed on the polyamide film being seleniumized for 2.5 h was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thickness of CuxSey layers depends on polymer seleniumization time and changed in an interval of 0.98–3.2 μm. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern study of CuxSey layers showed that they are polycrystalline in nature; six phases of copper selenides Cu2Se (27-1131), CuSe2 (74-280), CuSe2 (18-453), Cu3Se2 (72-1421) and the phases of berzellianite Cu2-xSe (6-680) and of bellidoite Cu2Se (29-575) were identified. The XPS results confirmed the formation of copper selenides layers on the surface of PA. The regularities established enable the formation of CuySey layers of a desirable composition and conductivity.

Anesthetic management of cesarean section in cases of placenta accreta, with versus without abdominal aortic balloon occlusion: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPlacenta accreta (PA), a severe complication during delivery, is closely linked with massive hemorrhage which could endanger the lives of both mother and baby. Moreover, the incidence of PA has increased dramatically with the increasing rate of cesarean deliveries in the past few decades. Therefore, studies evaluating the effects of different perioperative managements based on different modalities in the treatment of PA are necessary. Among the numerous treatment measures, prophylactic abdominal aortic balloon occlusion (AABO) in combination with cesarean section for PA seems to be more advantageous than others. However, up to now, all studies on AABO were almost retrospective. Current evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routinely using the AABO technology for control intraoperative hemorrhage in patients with PA. Thus, we hope to carry out a prospective, randomized controlled trial (RCT) study to confirm the effectiveness of the AABO technology in patients with PA.Methods/designThis trial is an investigator-initiated, prospective RCT that will test the superiority of AABO in combination with cesarean section compared to the traditional hysterectomy following cesarean section for parturients with PA. A total of 170 parturients with PA undergoing cesarean section will be randomized to receive either AABO in combination with cesarean section or the traditional hysterectomy following cesarean section. The primary outcome is estimated blood loss. The most important secondary outcome is the occurrence of cesarean hysterectomy during delivery; others include blood transfusion volume, operating time, neonate’s Apgar scores (collected at 1, 5 and 10 min), length of stay in intensive care unit, total hospital stay, and balloon occlusion-relative data.DiscussionThis prospective trial will test the superiority of AABO in combination with cesarean section compared to the traditional hysterectomy following cesarean section for parturients with PA. It may provide strong evidence about the benefits and risks of AABO in combination with cesarean section for parturients with PA.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-INR-16008842. Registered on 14 July 2016.