Impaired Permeability Research Articles

The level of brain-specific protein S 100B in patients with acute coronary syndrome associated with anxiety-depressive disorders

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background In clinical medicine, there is still a need for a highly sensitive laboratory marker that reflects brain damage. In some cases, myocardial infarction proceeds with aggravation of cerebral ischemia, stroke, psychosomatic disorders. One of the candidates for laboratory diagnosis of brain damage is the S 100B protein. Aim of the study to analyze the level of brain-specific protein S 100B in blood plasma in patients with acute coronary syndrome associated with anxiety-depressive disorders. Methods and Results All patients were diagnosed with clinically severe anxiety of 55.2 [40; 64] points and depression of an average degree of 24.5 [19; 28] points. In the hospital, blood samples were taken for S 100B protein. The intragroup analysis of the S 100B protein level revealed that in 3 patients (5%) the S 100B protein level was below the normal limit 42.56 [32.6; 52.6] ng/L, in 13 patients (24%) the S 100B was within the normal range of 84.1 [75.27; 86.57] ng/L. In 38 patients (70%), the concentration of S100B protein was increased to 129.65 [110; 144] ng/L. The analysis of the group with a high concentration of S 100B protein found that the highest indicators of the S 100B protein level were in patients suffering from carbohydrate metabolism disorders, with a long history of hypertension, high levels of anxiety and depression. When studying the mental status of patients, a positive correlation was found between the concentration of the S100B protein and the level of anxiety (p = 0.00065). In 5 patients (9%), the maximum increase in the level of protein S 100 B 184.6 [166.26; 209.34] ng/L was revealed. These patients aged 60 to 70 years, had stroke in the past, had a long history of ischemic heart disease, type 2 diabetes, the course of AMI proceeded with a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction to 34-40%. Patients with a protein level of 84.1 [75.27; 86.57] ng/L were younger, age 50-60 years, without a history of diabetes, with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Conclusion An increase in the S 100B protein level was observed in polymorbid patients, with a history of possible impairment of the blood-brain barrier permeability, which could have formed due to the toxic effect of the S 100B protein. This group of patients has more pronounced anxiety-depressive symptoms. Thus, the S 100B protein can be considered as a potential therapeutic target.

Purification and antibacterial properties of a novel bacteriocin against Escherichia coli from Bacillus subtilis isolated from blueberry ferments

The novel bacteriocin JS17 was obtained from Bacillus subtilis JSX-5, isolated from blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) ferments. JS17 was purified by ÄKTA Purifier, semi-preparative reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography, and nano liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, in succession. Its molecular mass was 652.37 Da and its amino acid sequence was identified as L-F-R-A-F. A homology BLAST search confirmed JS17 as a novel bacteriocin. JS17 was found to have an extensive antibacterial activity spectrum against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. JS17 showed heat tolerance, and it was highly stable over pH 2–10 and was sensitive to proteinase K and pepsin. This indicates that JS17 exhibits protein properties and has application potential under high temperature and acid-base conditions. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericide concentration of JS17 against Escherichia coli were 10.56 μg/mL and 22.03 μg/mL, respectively, which is lower than that of most previously described bacteriocins. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy showed that JS17 bactericidally destroyed the cell membrane integrity of E. coli, resulting in cell dissolution and impaired membrane permeability. This study first purified B. subtilis bacteriocin from fruit ferments, suggesting the potential for using JS17 as a food bio-preservative.

Adaptive responses of Kluyveromyces marxianus CCT 7735 to 2-phenylethanol stress: Alterations in membrane fatty-acid composition, ergosterol content, exopolysaccharide production and reduction in reactive oxygen species

2-phenylethanol (2-PE) is a higher aromatic alcohol with a rose-like aroma used in the cosmetic and food industries as a flavoring and displays potential for application as an antifungal. Biotechnological production of 2-PE from yeast is an interesting alternative due to the non-use of toxic compounds and the generation of few by-products. Kluyveromyces marxianus CCT 7735 is a thermotolerant strain capable of producing high 2-PE titers from L-Phenylalanine; however, like other yeast species, its growth has been strongly inhibited by this alcohol. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the effect of 2-PE on cell growth, cell viability, membrane permeability, glucose uptake, metabolism, and morphology in K. marxianus CCT 7735, as well as its adaptive responses. The stress condition was imposed after 4 h of cultivation by adding 3.0 g.L−1 of 2-PE in exponential growing cells. 2-PE stress impaired yeast growth, glucose uptake, fermentative metabolism, membrane permeability, and cell viability. Moreover, the stress condition provoked changes in both morphology and surface roughness. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased immediately on exposure to 2-PE. Changes in membrane fatty-acid composition, ergosterol content, exopolysaccharides production, and reduction of the ROS levels appear to be the result of adaptive responses in K. marxianus. Our results provided insights into a better understanding of the effects of 2-PE on K. marxianus and its adaptive responses.

Pore-Scale Simulations of Particles Migration and Deposition in Porous Media Using LBM-DEM Coupling Method

This paper studies the migration and deposition of suspended particles in porous media. This problem results from the fact that during the operation of a groundwater source heat pump, the recharging process will contribute to the impairment of soil permeability. A coupling lattice Boltzmann method, discrete element method and immersed moving boundary method were used to investigate the migration of particles in porous media. The DKT (Drifting, Kissing, Tumbling) phenomena were employed to validate our program. The coupled effects of concentration, flow rate and pH on the clogging mechanism of the porous media were analyzed. Results show that, due to the repulsive barrier between the particles and porous media, there is a critical velocity. At a low flow rate, the deposition ratio increases with the increase in velocity. Beyond the critical velocity, the deposition ratio decreases when the velocity increases due to higher shear force. Permeability impairment increases with the increase in concentration, especially in the low flow rate condition. Changes in pH mainly affect the repulsive barrier. For a low flow rate, the decrease in repulsive barrier greatly promotes the deposition of particles. Under the condition of favorable deposition, the increase in flow rate reduces the deposition phenomenon. Under the condition of unfavorable deposition, the lower flow rate condition has a lower deposition ratio. The process of particle deposition and the dynamic motion after deposition were observed such as particles gliding over the surface. Accumulated particles in the downstream form bridges and hinder fluid flow. At a high flow rate, strong shear force is more capable of destroying bridges and recovering permeability. Adsorbed particles glide on the surface of the grain and deposit in the downstream. This paper aims to help understanding of the micro-events of particle deposition and the clogging process.

Abstract P487: Cerebral Endothelial Cell-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Enhance Neurovascular Function and Neurological Recovery in Rat Ischemic Stroke

Background: Treatment of patients with cerebral large vessel occlusion with thrombectomy and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) often leads to incomplete reperfusion. There is a compelling need to develop therapies to enhance the perfusion and to improve neurological outcomes. Methods: Using rat models of embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (eMCAO) and transient MCAO (tMCAO), we investigated the effect of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from healthy rat cerebral endothelial cells (CECs) administered intravenously in combination with tPA (CECs/tPA) and as an acute intraarterial adjunct therapy with mechanical reperfusion on stroke outcomes. Recanalization, cerebral blood flow (CBF), and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability were analyzed. MicroRNAs (miRs) and proteins were analyzed in CECs harvested from ischemic rats by RT-PCR and Western blots. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to analyze the brain distribution of CEC-sEVs. The effect of sEVs derived from clots acquired from patients undergone thrombectomy was tested on human CEC permeability. Results: CEC-sEVs/tPA given 4h after eMCAO or CEC-sEVs given upon reperfusion after 2h tMCAO significantly reduced infarct volume by ~36% and ~43%, respectively, and robustly improved neurological outcomes compared with tPA or ischemia/reperfusion alone (n=10 rats/group). CEC-sEVs/tPA and upon reperfusion after eMCAO or tMCAO, resepectively, significantly increased recanalization of the occluded MCA, enhanced CBF and reduced BBB leakage. CEC-sEVs/tPA substantially reduced a network of microRNAs and proteins that mediate thrombosis, coagulation and inflammation in CECs. Moreover, CEC-sEVs intravenously administered crossed the BBB and were internalized by CECs cells, astrocytes, and neurons. Stroke patient-clot derived exosomes impaired human CEC permeability and upregulated pro-inflammatory and -coagulatant proteins, which were blocked by CEC-sEVs. Conclusion: CEC-sEVs have a therapeutic effect on acute ischemic stroke in rats by reducing neurovascular damage. Suppressing the network of pro-thrombotic, -coagulant and -inflammatory microRNAs and proteins in CECs by CEC-sEVs likely contributes to the therapeutic effect of CEC-sEVs.

Laboratory Formation Damage Test Data Upscaled With Computational Fluid Dynamics

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Judy Feder, contains highlights of paper SPE 199268, “Upscaling Laboratory Formation Damage Laboratory Test Data,” by Michael Byrne, SPE, Lesmana Djayapertapa, and Ken Watson, SPE, Lloyd’s Register, et al., prepared for the 2020 SPE International Conference and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control, Lafayette, Louisiana, 19-21 February. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Through several case histories, the complete paper demonstrates applications of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to upscaling of laboratory-measured formation damage and reveals implications for well and completion design. The value of laboratory testing is quantified and interesting challenges to conventional wisdom are highlighted. Introduction Laboratory formation damage testing is often used to help select optimal drilling and completion fluids. Test procedures such as sand retention and return permeability represent an attempt to simulate near-wellbore conditions during well construction and production. To determine what degree of permeability impairment is allowable, further interpretation that cannot be provided using classical nodal analysis or reservoir simulation methods is required. The complete paper describes the evolution of, and potential for, more-comprehensive upscaling and outlines the importance of consideration of full well geometry when designing and interpreting coreflood tests for formation damage. CFD simulations provide a means to upscale suitable laboratory test data to predict effect on well performance. Methods CFD simulations use a relatively simple, steady-state, static damage model that takes endpoint data from laboratory core tests and translates the data into parameters that are used for input into well geometry. Although this method has its merits and is a considerable advance on previous, more-simplistic upscaling attempts, it does not necessarily present the full picture of damage evolution in the near-wellbore. A transient model of damage with data again derived from laboratory coreflood data could reveal more about well cleanup and progressive damage removal. Steady-State Modeling. No API recommended practice for return permeability testing exists. Laboratories have their own procedures that comply broadly with recommended procedures developed some time ago. Operators and consultants, too, have their own procedures, which they often ask laboratories to follow. Although no recommended practice exists, evaluation of drilling and completion fluids usually involves measurement of a base permeability and remeasurement of a return permeability—or several—after application of the test fluid or fluids. In many cases, the laboratory removes the external mud cake or trims a slice of the end of the plug to measure return permeability without mud cake (Fig. 1).

Acid stimulation in carbonates: A laboratory test of a wormhole model based on Damköhler and Péclet numbers

Acid stimulation has been used worldwide as a stimulation technique either by matrix acidizing to remove the near-wellbore permeability impairment which is referred to as formation damage or acid fracturing to enhance the connectivity between wells and reservoirs. Carbonate acid stimulation improves the near-wellbore permeability through the creation of deeply penetrating fluid pathways referred to as wormholes. The stimulation success depends on the length and width of these wormholes. Here, we test the results of a theoretical study which suggests that the effect of acid flow in a reactive porous medium can be fully defined by just two significant dimensionless numbers, the non-dimensional Damköhler and Péclet numbers. The approach was validated in an idealized numerical study and is here tested in a systematically controlled laboratory experiment for real carbonate rocks. In order to obtain statistically meaningful results, we pushed the envelope by testing the prediction of the critical point for the wormholing phenomenon in a difficult domain, where sufficient randomly distributed pathways exist such that the wormholing domain is rarely achieved. The result confirmed that for a randomly-structured highly porous media, the critical point for dissolution pattern formation including the wormholing phenomenon can be fully captured by a domain diagram of inverse Damköhler versus Péclet number as predicted by the theoretical model. The model also holds for moderately tight formations, however, breaks down when the natural permeability drops well below 100 mDarcy. We conclude that the result of this research can be applied to reliably predict the wormholes initiation and various dissolution structures under various injection rate and HCl-concentration.

Effect of electrostatic interaction on the retention and remobilization of colloidal particles in porous media

We investigate the effect of pH on external hematite colloidal particles entrapment and remobilization by core-flood experiments combined with X ray computed tomography. Suspensions of calibrated hematite colloidal particles were injected into Bentheimer sandstones sample, composed mainly of well-sorted quartz and small clay fraction (up to 1 wt%), consisting mainly of kaolinite. We have found that permeability impairment due to an external cake build-up can be reversed when pH exceeds the point of zero charge of hematite particles. This effect could be successfully interpreted by the switching of the surface charge of hematite particles from positive to the negative, similar to the rock surface. The experimentally verified pH-controlled electrostatic retention and remobilization technique can be extended to other colloidal particles, having pH-dependent surface charge, including natural clay minerals in hydrocarbon and geothermal reservoirs. Therefore, varying pH of injected fluid can be applied for targeted external cake build-up and transportation of colloidal particles within a reservoir.

Diet and Nutrition in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Both genetic and environmental factors are involved in the onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In particular, diet composition is suspected to significantly contribute to IBD risk. In recent years, major interest has raised about the role of nutrition in disease pathogenesis and course, and many studies have shown a clear link between diet composition and intestinal permeability impairment. Moreover, many IBD-related factors, such as poor dietary intake, nutrients loss and drugs interact with nutritional status, thus paving the way for the development of many therapeutic strategies in which nutrition represents the cornerstone, either as first-line therapy or as reversing nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition in IBD patients. Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is the most rigorously supported dietary intervention for the treatment of Crohn’s Disease (CD), but is burdened by a low tolerability, especially in pediatric patients. Promising alternative regimens are represented by Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED), and other elimination diets, whose use is gradually spreading. The aim of the current paper is to provide a comprehensive and updated overview on the latest evidence about the role of nutrition and diet in pediatric IBD, focusing on the different nutritional interventions available for the management of the disease.

An Integrated Simulation Approach To Predict Permeability Impairment under Simultaneous Aggregation and Deposition of Asphaltene Particles

Summary Formation damage mechanisms in general lower the quality of the near wellbore, often manifested in the form of permeability reduction, and thus reducing the productivity of production wells and injectivity of injection wells. Asphaltene deposition, as one of the important causes, can trigger serious formation damage issues and significantly restrict the production capacity of oil wells. Several mechanisms acting simultaneously contribute to the complexity associated with prediction of permeability impairment owing to asphaltene deposition; thus, integration of modeling efforts for asphaltene aggregation and deposition mechanisms seems inevitable for improved predictability. In this work, an integrated simulation approach is proposed to predict permeability impairment in porous medium. The proposed approach is novel because it integrates various mathematical models to study permeability impairment considering porosity reduction, particle aggregation, and pore connectivity loss caused by asphaltene deposition. To improve the accuracy of simulation results, porous media is considered as a bundle (different size) of capillary tubes with dynamic interconnectivity. The total volume change of interconnected tubes will directly represent permeability reduction realized in porous media. The prediction of asphaltene deposition in porous media is improved in this paper via integration of the particle aggregation model into calculation. The simulation results were verified by comparing with existing experimental data sets. After that, a sensitivity analysis was performed to study parameters that affect permeability impairment. The simulation results show that our permeability impairment model—considering asphaltene deposition, aggregation, and pore connectivity loss—can accurately reproduce the experimental results with fewer fitting or empirical parameters needed. The sensitivity analysis shows that longer aggregation time, higher flow velocity, and bigger precipitation concentration will lead to a faster permeability reduction. The findings of this study can help provide better understanding of the permeability impairment caused by asphaltene deposition and pore blockage, which provides useful insights for prediction of production performance of oil wells.

Factor XIII and Fibrin Clot Properties in Acute Venous Thromboembolism.

Coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) is converted by thrombin into its active form, FXIIIa, which crosslinks fibrin fibers, rendering clots more stable and resistant to degradation. FXIII affects fibrin clot structure and function leading to a more prothrombotic phenotype with denser networks, characterizing patients at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Mechanisms regulating FXIII activation and its impact on fibrin structure in patients with acute VTE encompassing pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are poorly elucidated. Reduced circulating FXIII levels in acute PE were reported over 20 years ago. Similar observations indicating decreased FXIII plasma activity and antigen levels have been made in acute PE and DVT with their subsequent increase after several weeks since the index event. Plasma fibrin clot proteome analysis confirms that clot-bound FXIII amounts associated with plasma FXIII activity are decreased in acute VTE. Reduced FXIII activity has been associated with impaired clot permeability and hypofibrinolysis in acute PE. The current review presents available studies on the role of FXIII in the modulation of fibrin clot properties during acute PE or DVT and following these events. Better understanding of FXIII’s involvement in the pathophysiology of acute VTE might help to improve current therapeutic strategies in patients with acute VTE.

Experimental Study on the Effect of Long-Term Water Injection on Micropore Structure of Ultralow Permeability Sandstone Reservoir

During the long-term waterflooding (LTWF) in oil reservoirs, the formation is subject to permeability reduction as clay release and fine migration. At present, the mechanisms of permeability impairment in both macroscopic and microscopic pore structures in ultralow permeability reservoirs under LTWF are unclear. This statement epitomizes the main objective of this work: to understand how long-term waterflood changes porous structures and thus compromises permeability. The standard core flow experiments in conjunction with a couple of tests consisting of online nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-pressure mercury intrusive penetration (HPMIP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were performed to determine the mineral compositions, macrophysical properties, and micropore structures of two kinds of cores with different natures of pore distribution (i.e., unimodal and bimodal) before and after LTWF in Yan Chang field China. Results showed that the permeability decreased while the porosity increased after the LTWF. With respect to the pore size distribution, the small pores (SPs) decreased and the large pores (LPs) increased for both cores. For the unimodal core, the distribution curve shifted upwards with little change in the radius of the connected pores. For the bimodal core, the curve shifted to the right with an increasing radius of connected pores. With respect to the characteristic parameters, the average pore radius, median pore radius, structural coefficient, and tortuosity increased, while the relative sorting coefficient decreased. The relative changes of the parameters for the unimodal core were much smaller than those for the bimodal core. With respect to the clays, chlorite accounted for a majority proportion of the clays, and its content increased after LTWF. According to these changes, the mechanism of LTWF at different stages was interpreted. At the early stages, the blockage of the released clays occurred in SPs. Some of the middle pores (MPs) and LPs became larger due to the release and some of them became smaller due to the accumulation. At the middle stage, the blockage of SPs weakened. Some flow channels formed by MPs and LPs became dominant flow channels gradually. The effluxes of particles occurred, resulting in a significant increase in porosity. At the late stage, the stable flow channels have formed. The higher response of the bimodal core to LTWF could be attributed to its higher content of chlorite, which was more likely to accumulate. This study clarifies the mechanism of fine-migration-induced formation damage in microscopic pore structures and the migration pattern of clay minerals in ultralow permeability reservoirs. The work provides potential guidance for optimizing waterflood strategies in ultralow permeability reservoirs.

Evaluation of Permeability Impairment Due to Surfactant Flooding

In the course of chemical flooding of crude oil reservoirs with surfactants, retention of surfactant particles in the pores of the reservoir rock can cause a major reduction of the reservoir permeability. This can cause serious problems thus unfavourably influencing the economics of oil recovery. An appropriate assessment of the reduction in permeability is essential for the recovery of hydrocarbons. During tertiary recovery of crude oil, a critical evaluation of formation damage is necessary to evade operating costs, as the reservoir rock is extremely sensitive to chemicals injected. The extent to which permeability is reduced cannot be comprehensive for core field scales; it is consequently paramount to study the reduction in the permeability of a core at laboratory scale before field scale estimation. In this paper, an experimental investigation on the reduction in permeability after surfactant injection cores is presented. Surfactants were used to flood the core samples. The permeability of the cores was calculated at the beginning and end of every flood by measuring the differential pressure during surfactant flooding of the cores. From the results, it is evident that there is a strong influence of surfactants on the process of adsorption on reservoir rocks and consequently leading to reduction in permeability.

Chondroitin 6-sulfate represses keratinocyte proliferation in mouse skin, which is associated with psoriasis

Chondroitin sulfates are implicated in epidermal biology, but functional significance of chondroitin sulfates remains unclear. Here, we report that chondroitin 6-sulfate is important for the maintenance of epidermal homeostasis. Mice deficient in chondroitin 6-O-sulfotransferase-1 (C6st-1), which is involved in biosynthesis of chondroitin 6-sulfate, exhibited keratinocyte hyperproliferation and impaired skin permeability barrier function. Chondroitin 6-sulfate directly interacted with the EGF receptor and negatively controlled ligand-induced EGF receptor signaling. Normal function of hyperproliferative C6st-1-knockout mouse-derived keratinocytes was rescued by treatment with exogenous chondroitin 6-sulfate. Epidermal hyperplasia, induced using imiquimod, was more severe in C6st-1-knockout mice than in C6st-1 wild-type mice. Taken together, these findings indicate that chondroitin 6-sulfate represses keratinocyte proliferation in normal skin, and that the expression level of C6st-1 may be associated with susceptibility to psoriasis.

Blood platelets in the development of sepsis, septic shock and multiple organ failure syndrome

Participation of blood platelets in the development of sepsis is clearly illustrated by hemocoagulation disorders and frequently observed thrombocytopenia. In the patients with sepsis, thrombocytopenia develops rapidly, with minimal platelet counts registered on the fourth day of observation, after which the platelet counts usually rise. Continuous thrombocytopenia and absence of a relative increase in platelets are considered predictors of patient death. The mechanisms of thrombocytopenia developing in sepsis are quite diverse, but the processes in periphery are prevailing, e.g., the so-called “platelet consumption” which is determined by their activation, chemotaxis and isolation in the microvasculature. Recently, a mechanism has been identified for the accelerated removal of platelets with desialized surface glycoproteins from the circulation. Sialidases, also known as neuraminidases, are widely present in viruses and bacteria, and pharmacological inhibition of sialidases is able to withstand thrombocytopenia in the infectious process. The key role of platelets in the development of septic shock was revealed. Sequestration of platelets in the microvessels of the lungs and brain (manifesting as thrombocytopenia) is accompanied by rapid serotonin release, thus underlying the main clinical manifestations, e.g., decreased blood pressure, heart rate and increased capillary permeability. To counteract sharp release of this mediator, pharmacological attempts are made to inhibit the SERT transporter by means of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Blood platelets are key participants in the pathogenesis of multiple organ failure syndromes, such as acute renal damage, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial dysfunction, and sepsis-associated encephalopathy. To restore impaired vascular permeability in these conditions, in particular, sepsis-associated encephalopathy, a pharmacological S1P receptor mimetic is under study. The review specifies possible pathogenetically significant targets that can be used to perform pharmacological correction of conditions associated with sepsis and concomitant thrombocytopenia.

High concentration of blood cobalt is associated with the impairment of blood-brain barrier permeability

Excess heavy metals can lead to many kinds of adverse effects in human. The present study is designed to investigate whether the internal excess burden of heavy metals relate to the disturbance of the Blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and oxidative stress (OS) in subjects, and identify specific metallic constituents responsible for the disturbance. We collected the blood from recruited 122 subjects for our comparison study, 69 were living at an area near e-waste dismantling factories (exposed group), who have higher levels of heavy metals in the body; and others were in a chosen reference area (reference group), who were the general residents in city, in December 2017 in Taizhou, Zhejiang province. The analyses showed that the concentrations of altogether 4 metals, including nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), mercury (Hg) and stannum (Sn), and the triggers of BBB disruption (Apolipoprotein E4 and matrix-metalloproteinase-9), indicators of BBB (Myelin basic protein, serotonin and dopamine) and biomarkers of OS (Malondialdehyde and 8-isoprostane) were statistically significant higher in exposed group than in reference group. Moreover, they are also significantly positively correlated with each other. Among all the metals, both Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression showed Co was positive correlated with almost all biomarkers. Considering the explicit correlation between Co and BBB permeability, we speculated that high burden of Co in blood may have a connection with neurodegenerative diseases, which propose a requirement for constructing the environmental criteria for Co and might provide a potential new hint for the intervention of dementia.

Rapid Evaluation of Intestinal Paracellular Permeability Using the Human Enterocytic-Like Caco-2/TC7 Cell Line.

Paracellular permeability of the intestinal epithelium is a feature of the intestinal barrier, which plays an important role in the physiology of gut and the whole organism. Intestinal paracellular permeability is controlled by complex processes and is involved in the passage of ions and fluids (called pore pathway) and macromolecules (called leak pathway) through tight junctions, which seal the intercellular space. Impairment of intestinal paracellular permeability is associated with several diseases. The identification of a defect in intestinal paracellular permeability may help to understand the implication of gut barrier as a cause or a consequence in human pathology. Here we describe two complementary methods to evaluate alteration of paracellular permeability in cell culture, using the human intestinal cell line Caco-2 and its clone Caco-2/TC7.

Intestinal permeability in cirrhotic patients with and without ascites

Introduction Patients with liver cirrhosis are at high risk of developing complications. Vulnerability to the bacterial infections in those patients is owing to numerous anomalies in defense mechanisms. Increased permeability of intestine may cause translocation of bacteria, endotoxins, and pathogen-associated molecular patterns into the portal tract and other sites. Objective The purpose of this study was assessment and evaluation of permeability of intestine in patients with liver cirrhosis with and without ascites. Patients and methods This study involved 50 patients with liver cirrhosis, comprising 25 with ascites and 25 without ascites. Permeability of intestine was detected by lactulose and mannitol ratio. The lactulose and mannitol were given orally in 100 ml of water and then patient's urine was obtained for the next 5 h. Determination of lactulose and mannitol in urine was entirely done by enzymatic methods. Results The study showed significant impairment of permeability of intestine in cirrhotic patients compared with controls. From 50 cirrhotic patients, permeability of intestine was impaired in 32 (64%) patients, representing one (3%) patient with Child A, 10 (31%) patients with Child B, and 21 (65%) patients with Child C, and permeability was normal in 18 (36%) cirrhotic patients. Conclusion Permeability of intestine was impaired in cirrhotic patients and the degree of impairment is related to the severity of disease, which increased the risk of complications.

Impact of impaired permeability on percolating water level and on condition of rock-fill hydrotechnical facility

Impact of impaired permeability on percolating water level and on condition of rock-fill hydrotechnical facility

A novel bacteriocin from Lactobacillus salivarius against Staphylococcus aureus: Isolation, purification, identification, antibacterial and antibiofilm activity

Bacteriocins are known to inhibit various foodborne bacteria and their biofilms; however, few bacteriocins with activity against food-derived Staphylococcus aureus have been reported. Here, a novel bacteriocin (XJS01) from the Lactobacillus salivarius strain CGMCC2070 was obtained, purified, and extensively characterized. Molecular mass and amino acid composition of XJS01 were 666.31 Da and F–S-G-L-A-G-D, respectively. XJS01 inhibited the S. aureus strain 2612:1606BL1486 (S. aureus_26), which was originally isolated from chicken meat. Also, XJS01 showed good resistance to heat treatment, and was only susceptible to pepsin treatment. The minimum inhibitory concentration of XJS01 against S. aureus_26 was 9.85 μg/mL, which is lower than previously reported levels for most described bacteriocins. Furthermore, exposure to XJS01 also decreased viability and significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) planktonic S. aureus_26 cells. Biofilm formation of S. aureus_26 was also significantly inhibited (p < 0.05). The results of electron microscopy showed that XJS01 impaired membrane permeability in S. aureus_26, caused leakage of cytoplasmic content, and led to cell deformation. In summary, this study identifies the bacteriocin XJS01 as a potentially candidate for the control of S. aureus in foods in either planktonic or biofilm states.