Reducing Activity Research Articles

Use of Syzygium aromaticum L. Fermented Plant Extract to Enhance Antioxidant Potential: Fermentation Kinetics

The concept of our research is related to the use of stems from S. aromaticum L. in the fermentation process in order to obtain new cosmetic raw materials with high antioxidant potential that are safe for human fibroblasts (HDFs) and keratinocytes (HaCaTs). This evaluation involves treating cell lines with different concentrations of fermented extracts to establish a noncytotoxic dose range. The focus was on evaluating antioxidant activity (AA), total polyphenol content (TPC), and lactic acid efficiency (LAe). For this purpose, the most favourable technological parameters of the fermentation process of stems were determined, including the type of microorganisms, initial sugar content, plant raw material content, and fermentation time. In the present study, lactic acid was obtained with maximum efficiency by stem fermentation in the presence of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molasses as a source of six-carbon sugars. In addition, fermentation kinetics was investigated, the essence of which was to identify the technological parameters that allow the highest values of the main functions describing the process (AA, TPC LAe). Two kinetic models were used to determine the kinetics of process function changes during fermentation. The most favourable fermentation conditions for maximum antioxidant activity (26.88 mmol Tx/L ± 0.19), total polyphenol content (5.96 mmol GA/L ± 0.19), and lactic acid efficiency (88% ± 1) were: type of microorganism L. rhamnosus MI-0272, initial sugar content 3.20%, plant raw material content 6.40%, and a fermentation time of 9 days. The values of chelating activity (ChA), AA, and TPC in the fermented stems increased more than two-fold compared to the non-fermented extracts. Reducing activity (RA) and LAe increased to 46.22 mmol Fe3+/L ± 0.29 and 88% ± 1, respectively. Of the kinetic models adopted, follow-up reaction equations and first-order equations best described the time-dependent changes taking place. This study shows that the process function values of AA and LAe are dependent on the LAB strain and the content of the plant material, and the rate of change of TPC may largely depend on the forms of phenolic compounds formed during fermentation.

Green Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Lotus Seedpod (Receptaculum Nelumbinis) Assisted by Ultrasound Coupled with Glycerol.

Lotus Receptaculum Nelumbinis has been sparking wide research interests due to its rich phenolic compounds. In the present work, ultrasonic-assisted extraction coupled with glycerol was employed to extract phenolic compounds from Receptaculum Nelumbinis and the process was optimized using a response surface methodology with Box-Behnken design (BBD). The optimal conditions for the total phenolic content (TPC) extract were obtained: glycerol concentration of 40%, an extraction temperature of 66 °C, ultrasonic time of 44 min, and the solvent-to-solid ratio of 55 mL/g. Under these optimum extraction conditions, the extraction yield of TPC was 92.84 ± 2.13 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) /g. Besides, the antioxidant activities demonstrated the ability of free radical scavenging by four different methods that included 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and reducing activity (RA) were 459.73 ± 7.07, 529.97 ± 7.30, 907.61 ± 20.28, and 983.66 ± 11.80 μmol TE/g, respectively. Six phenolic compounds were identified by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography combined with triple-time-of-flight mass spectrophotometry (UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS) from the extracts. Meanwhile, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was conducted to identify the characteristic functional groups of the extracts and thus reflected the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) illustrated the microstructure difference of four treatments, which might explain the relationships between antioxidant activities and the structures of phenolic compounds.

Fatigue in the general population- associations to age, sex, socioeconomic status, physical activity, sitting time and self-rated health: the northern Sweden MONICA study 2014

BackgroundFatigue is widespread in the population and a common complaint in primary care. Little is known about prevalence of fatigue in the population and its predictors.We aimed to describe the pattern of fatigue in the general population and to explore the associations with age, sex, socioeconomic status, self-reported physical activity, sitting time and self-rated health.MethodsOne thousand, five hundred and fifty-seven out of 2500 invited subjects in the Northern Sweden MONICA Study 2014, aged 25–74 years, filled out the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), consisting of four subscales: General fatigue (GF), Physical fatigue (PF), Reduced activity (RA) and Mental fatigue (MF). Questions regarding age, sex, socioeconomic status, physical activity, sitting time and self-rated health were also included.ResultsHigher age correlated significantly with lower fatigue scores for the GF and MF subscales. Women had higher fatigue scores than men on all subscales (p < 0.05). Among men, higher socioeconomic status was related to lower fatigue for the GF, PF and RA subscales (age adjusted p < 0.05). Among women, higher socioeconomic status was related to lower fatigue for the PF and MF subscales (age adjusted p < 0.05). Higher physical activity was connected to lower levels of fatigue for all subscales (age and sex adjusted p < 0.001) except for MF. Longer time spent sitting was also related to more fatigue on all subscales (age and sex adjusted p < 0.005) except for MF. Better self-rated health was strongly associated with lower fatigue for all subscales (age and sex adjusted p < 0.001).ConclusionOlder, highly educated, physically active men, with little sedentary behavior are generally the least fatigued. Self-rated health is strongly related to fatigue. Interventions increasing physical exercise and reducing sedentary behavior may be important to help patients with fatigue and should be investigated in prospective studies.

Erratum to: Long-term follow-up and role of FDG PET in advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine patients treated with 177Lu-D OTATATE.

Lu-DOTATATE (Lu-PRRT) is a valid therapeutic option in differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (P-NETs). FDG PET seems to be an important prognostic factor in P-NETs. We evaluated the efficacy of Lu-PRRT and the role of FDG PET in 60 patients with advanced P-NETs. From March 2008 to June 2011, 60 consecutive patients with P-NETs were enrolled in the study. Follow-up lasted until March 2016. Eligible patients were treated with two different total cumulative activities (18.5 or 27.8 GBq in 5 cycles every 6–8 weeks), according to kidney and bone marrow parameters. Twenty-eight patients received a mean full activity (FA) of 25.9 GBq and 32 a mean reduced activity (RA) of 18.5 GBq. The disease control rate (DCR), defined as the sum of CR+PR+SD was 85.7 % in the FA group and 78.1 % in the RA group. Median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 53.4 months in the FA group and 21.7 months in the RA group (P = 0.353). Median overall survival (mOS) was not reached (nr) in FA patients and was 63.8 months in the RA group (P = 0.007). Fifty-five patients underwent an FDG PET scan before Lu-PRRT, 32 (58 %) showing an increased FDG uptake in tumor sites. mPFS was 21.1 months in FDG PET-positive patients and 68.7 months in the FDG PET-negative group (P < 0.0002), regardless of the total activity administered. Both FA and RA are active in patients undergoing Lu-PRRT. However, an FA of 27.8 GBq of Lu-PRRT prolongs PFS and OS compared to an RA of 18.5 GBq. Our results indicate that FDG PET is an independent prognostic factor in this patient setting.

Evaluation of multidimensional COPD-related subjective fatigue following a Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme

Subjective fatigue has been recognised as an important, multi-component symptom in COPD. Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) improves fatigue component of the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire, a quality of life (QoL) measure. However, it is not clear if all fatigue dimensions are affected equally. This study aims to evaluate changes in subjective multidimensional fatigue among people with COPD who participated in PR. Thirty seven stable COPD patients were recruited; 23 patients (15 male) mean age 68.5 (range 49-86) yrs, mean (SD) %predicted FEV1 45.3 (19.8); completed 7 weeks of PR. Assessments (pre and post PR) consisted of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), QoL (SGRQ), Anxiety and Depression (HADS), the London Chest Activity of Daily Living Scale (LCADL), muscle strength, incremental (ISWT) and endurance (ESWT) shuttle walk tests. The differences between pre and post PR fatigue were tested using Wilcoxon's test and relationships with other outcomes were examined using Spearman's correlation. There were statistically significant improvements in Reduced Activity (RA) (p=0.01), General (GF) (p<0.01) and Physical Fatigue (PF) (p=0.03) components of MFI-20 after PR, but there were no differences in Motivation or Mental Fatigue (p>0.05). There were significant improvements in ISWT (p<0.05), ESWT (p<0.01) and muscle strength (p=0.03). Statistically significant correlations (p<0.05) were found between changes in GF and in both ISWT (r=-0.43) and SGRQ impact (r=0.46); and between RA and ESWT changes (r=-0.45). Some dimensions of fatigue in COPD are modifiable by a 7-week PR programme. Change in fatigue dimensions in COPD may be associated with a change in maximal or endurance walking distances or QoL.

Reliability and structural validity of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease

IntroductionThe Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) is commonly used in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, most measurement properties have not been investigated in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate internal consistency, test-retest reliability, measurement error, structural validity, and floor and ceiling effects of the MFI in PD. MethodsPatients with PD (N = 153) completed the MFI at baseline and week 3 in a randomized clinical trial. Cronbach's α, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and the smallest detectable change (SDC) were calculated. Bland and Altman analysis was performed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to explore structural validity. Floor and ceiling effects were investigated. ResultsCronbach's α for the MFI-total and subscales ranged from 0.74 (reduced motivation (RM)) to 0.92 (MFI-total). ICC's ranged from 0.65 (mental fatigue (MF) to 0.81 (physical fatigue (PF)), SDC ranged from 4 points (PF and RM) to 15 points (MFI-total). Bland and Altman analysis showed no systematic differences between assessments. A floor effect was found for MF and ceiling effects for PF and reduced activity (RA). A four-factor model was extracted, combining general fatigue (GF) and PF as one factor. ConclusionsThe MFI is reliable and valid to assess fatigue in patients with PD. Clinicians and researchers interested in assessing specific aspects of fatigue should consider interpreting GF and PF as one subscale measuring physical aspects of fatigue. To establish whether the MFI can detect meaningful changes, studies on anchor-based responsiveness and the minimal important change are needed in PD.

Does conjugation of antioxidants improve their antioxidative/anti-inflammatory potential?

A series of symmetric and asymmetric spermine (SPM) conjugates with all- trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), acitretin (ACI), ( E)-3-(trioxsalen-4′-yl)acrylic acid (TRAA) and l-DOPA, amides of ACI, l-DOPA and TRAA with 1-aminobutane, benzylamine, dopamine and 1,12-diaminobutane as well as hybrid conjugates of O, O′-dimethylcaffeic acid (DMCA) with TRAA or N-fumaroyl-indole-3-carboxanilide (FICA) and 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol were synthesized and their antioxidant properties were studied. The reducing activity (RA)% of the compounds were evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging assay and found to be in the range 0–92(20 min)%/96(60 min)% at 100 μM, the most powerful being the conjugates l-DOPA-SPM- l-DOPA ( 8, RA = 89%/96%) and l-DOPA-dopamine ( 13, RA = 92%/92%). Conjugate DMCA-NH(CH 2CH 2O) 2-FICA ( 14) was the most powerful LOX inhibitor with IC 50 33.5 μM, followed by the conjugates ACI-NHCH 2Ph ( 10, IC 50 40.5 μM), ACI-SPM-TRAA ( 7, IC 50 41.5 μM), DMCA-NH(CH 2CH 2O) 2-TRAA ( 15, IC 50 65 μM), 13 (IC 50 81.5 μM) and ACI-dopamine ( 11, IC 50 87 μM). The most potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation at 100 μM were the conjugates 15 (98%) and ACI-SPM-ACI ( 4, 97%) whereas all other compounds showed activities comparable or lower than trolox. The most interesting compounds, namely ATRA-SPM-ATRA ( 3), 4, 10, 11 and 15, as well as unconjugated compounds such as ATRA and dopamine, were studied for their anti-inflammatory activity in vivo on rat paw oedema induced by Carrageenan and found to exhibit, for doses of 0.01 mmol/mL of conjugates per Kg of rat body weight, weaker anti-inflammatory activities (3.6–40%) than indomethacin (47%) with conjugate 3 being the most potent (40%) in this series of compounds. The cytocompatibility of selected compounds was evaluated by the viability of RAMEC cells in the presence of different concentrations (0.5–50 μM) of the compounds. Conjugates 3 (IC 50 2.6 μM) and 4 (IC 50 4.7 μM) were more cytotoxic than the corresponding unconjugated retinoids ATRA (IC 50 18.3 μM) and ACI (IC 50 14.6 μM), whereas conjugate 15 (IC 50 12.9 μM) was less cytotoxic than either DCSP (IC 50 11.3 μM) or the tert-butyl ester of TRAA (IC 50 2.9 μM).

The Relationship Between Plasma Homocysteine Level and C677T MTHFR Genotype in Drug-Naive Patients With Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease

Backgrounds: The cause o f id iopath ic Parkinson 's d isease (IPD ) is unknown, but reduced activ ity o f com plex I o f the e lectron -transport cha in has been im p licated in the pathogenes is o f IPD . H yperhom ocyste inem ia is a wellestab lished risk factor for card iovascu lar and cerebrovascu lar d iseases. However, recent evidence suggests that changes in the m etabo lic fate of hom ocyste ine, lead ing to hyperhom ocyste inem ia, m ay a lso p lay a ro le in the pathophys io logy of IPD . M ethods: Age and sex-m atched 41 drug -na ive IPD patients (16 m en and 25 wom en) and 161 hea lthy contro ls (66 m en and 95 wom en) were inc luded in th is study. The ir fasting p lasm a hom ocyste in and fo la te leve l, and the genotypes of m ethylenetetrahydrofo late reductase (M THFR ) were ana lyzed. Resu lts : The p lasm a leve l o f hom ocyste ine was h igher in untreated IPD patients (12 .0±2 .9 μm ol/L) com pared to the contro ls (9 .0±2 .6 μm ol/L) (p=0 .001 ). The frequenc ies of M THFR C677T genotypes were not d ifferent between patients (CC :CT:TT=7 :23 :11 ) and contro ls (CC :CT:TT=27:86 :48 ) (p=0 .930 ). The ad justed odds ratio o f hom ocyste ine was rem arkab le (ad justed OR=1 .149, 95% confidentia l interva l=1 .66 -2 .28 , p=0 .004 ). Conclus ions : IPD patients have higher plasma homocysteine level than healthy controls but MTHFR C667T genotype was not related to the homocysteine leve l. It can be suggested that increased p lasm a hom ocyste ine leve l m ay contribute to the pathogenes is o f IPD . Journal of Movement Disorders 1(2):71-74, 2008

Multidimensional fatigue and its correlates in hospitalised advanced cancer patients

Although fatigue is a multidimensional concept, multidimensional fatigue is rarely investigated in hospitalised cancer patients. We determined the levels and correlates of multidimensional fatigue in 100 advanced cancer patients admitted for symptom control. Fatigue dimensions were general fatigue (GF), physical fatigue (PF), reduced activity (RA), reduced motivation (RM) and mental fatigue (MF). Investigated correlates were tumour load, prior anti-tumour treatment, medication use, haemoglobin levels, serum biochemical variables, physical symptoms and mood. Median GF, PF and RA scores were very high; median RM and MF scores were moderate, and differed from the GF, PF and RA scores. Multiple regression analyses showed that symptoms and mood correlated with all fatigue dimensions. Each fatigue dimension had different relationships with other factors. Hospitalised advanced cancer patients differ in fatigue levels depending on the fatigue dimension, and each fatigue dimension has different correlates. The results confirm that fatigue should be regarded as a multidimensional concept.

The psychometric properties of the Swedish Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory MFI-20 in four different populations

The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) scale is widely used for measuring fatigue in cancer care. This questionnaire has been translated into Swedish and used in Swedish cancer populations, and the aim of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Swedish version in four populations, with a total of 584 patients. The participants were classified into four groups: palliative cancer patients, cancer patients receiving radiation therapy, non-cancer outpatients, and a group of hospital staff. The MFI-20 consists of five subscales of fatigue: General Fatigue (GF), Physical Fatigue (PF), Reduced Motivation (RM), Reduced Activity (RA) and Mental Fatigue (MF). We have tested the convergent validity of the MFI-20 using the Category Ratio instrument (CR-10). The validity and the reliability of MFI-20 were acceptable. All subscales of the MFI-20 were correlated, and all were also correlated with the CR-10 score (p ≤0.001). General Fatigue was highly correlated with Physical Fatigue for the three patient groups, but this was not the fact for healthy staff. Deleting some items increased Cronbach's α of the subscale to which these items belonged (where α measures the reliability of the results). The level of non-response was low (less than 1.2%) and there was no pattern to the items omitted. We conclude that the MFI-20 is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring fatigue in patients and in healthy individuals. The results support, to some extent, earlier findings and one item can be removed from the Swedish version of the MFI-20.

Sensitivity of Shallow Land Burial to neutron environment and activation cross sections in IFE thick-liquid concepts

A comprehensive assessment on the eligibility of reduced activation (RA) steels as structural chamber material in Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) thick-liquid concepts is performed. As far as alloying elements, it is shown that the activation of tungsten is a question to debate. Regarding impurity elements, it is analyzed if they could question the possibility of obtaining real RA steels for shallow land burial (SLB). The effect of the thickness of the liquid wall on the SLB response of alloying and impurity elements is computed. And above all, we have estimated the impact of cross section uncertainties when addressing the former questions, and we identify those to be improved. The necessary improvement of some tungsten and niobium cross sections is justified.

Small Angle Neutron Scattering Study of Irradiated Martensitic Steels: Relation Between Microstructural Evolution and Hardening

Abstract Martensitic/ferritic steels (containing 7–13 % Cr) are candidate materials for internal structures in pressurized water, fast breeder, and fusion reactors. Approval for use requires verification of structural stability under neutron irradiation in relation to the evolution of mechanical properties. In this context, several conventional and Reduced Activation (RA) martensitic materials were neutron irradiated at 325°C up to 6 dpa. They were investigated by Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) under a magnetic field after various doses. It was shown that when the Cr content of the b.c.c. ferritic matrix was larger than a critical threshold value (∼ 7.2 at.% at 325°C), the ferrite separated under neutron irradiation into two isomorphous phases, Fe-rich (α) and Cr-rich (α′). The kinetics of phase separation is much faster than under thermal aging. The quantity of precipitated α′ phase increases with the Cr content and the irradiation dose. In the case of steel with the lowest Cr content (F82H) irradiated at 5.6 dpa at 325°C, the α′ phase does not form, and the SANS signal suggests a small contribution due to vacancy clusters. It was believed that these could contribute to the “black dots” observed by TEM. Furthermore, we studied the microstructural features responsible for the secondary hardening phenomenon detected in the as-quenched F82H martensitic steel during irradiation or annealing. In addition, the microstructural evolution of the Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) steel MA957, which presents an excellent hardening/ductility compromise after irradiation, has been also characterized. The stability of the oxides has been elucidated, and an important α′ volume fraction has been detected. The contribution of α′ to the irradiation-induced hardening was assessed. This, although not negligible, is not the critical factor in normalized and tempered or cold-worked steels. However, it may be the main contribution to hardening in MA957.

Effect of activation cross-section uncertainties in selecting steels for the HYLIFE-II chamber to successful waste management

We perform the waste management assessment of the different types of steels proposed as structural material for the inertial fusion energy (IFE) HYLIFE-II concept. Both recycling options, hands-on (HoR) and remote (RR), are unacceptable. Regarding shallow land burial (SLB), 304SS has a very good performance, and both Cr–W ferritic steels (FS) and oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) FS are very likely to be acceptable. The only two impurity elements that question the possibility of obtaining reduced activation (RA) steels for SLB are niobium and molybdenum. The effect of activation cross-section uncertainties on SLB assessments is proved to be important. The necessary improvement of some tungsten and niobium cross-sections is justified.

Thermodynamic Modeling in Reduced Activation Steels

Reduced Activation (RA) martensitic steels of the 9/11CrWVTa type are promising candidates for fusion reactor applications as long as they exhibit good mechanical properties—similar to those of commercial martensitic steels of the 9/12CrMo(NbV) type—and satisfy design criteria related to the behavior under irradiation. A contribution on thermodynamic modeling in RA steels is presented. The current status of the development of a thermodynamic database in the framework of the CALPHAD approach is reported. Thermodynamic calculations concerning RA alloys are discussed which can be helpful to interpret experimental observations on phase relationships, phase compositions, transition temperatures, etc.

A SANS investigation of the irradiation-enhanced α–α ′ phases separation in 7–12 Cr martensitic steels

Five reduced activation (RA) and four conventional martensitic steels, with chromium contents ranging from 7 to 12 wt%, were investigated by small angle neutron scattering (SANS) under magnetic field after neutron irradiation (0.7–2.9 dpa between 250 and 400 °C). It was shown that when the Cr content of the b.c.c. ferritic matrix is larger than a critical threshold value (∼7.2 at.% at 325 °C), the ferrite separates under neutron irradiation into two isomorphous phases, Fe-rich (α) and Cr-rich (α ′). The kinetics of phase separation are much faster than under thermal aging. The quantity of precipitated α ′ phase increases with the Cr content, the irradiation dose, and as the irradiation temperature is reduced. The influence of Ta and W added to the RA steels seems negligible. Cold-work pre-treatment increases slightly the coarsening of irradiation-induced precipitates in the 9Cr–1Mo (EM10) steel. In the case of the low Cr content F82H steel irradiated 2.9 dpa at 325 °C, where α ′ phase does not form, a small irradiation-induced SANS intensity is detected, which is probably due to point defect clusters. The α ′ precipitates contribute significantly to the irradiation-induced hardening of 9–12 wt% Cr content steels.

Mechanical behavior of reduced-activation and conventional martensitic steels after neutron irradiation in the range 250–450°C

The objective of this work is to examine the susceptibility to hardening and embrittlement of Fe7.5/11CrWTaV reduced-activation (RA) and conventional 9/12Cr–Mo martensitic steels as a function of fluence up to 10 dpa and irradiation temperature in the range of 250–450°C. For this purpose, materials were irradiated in the Osiris Reactor (Saclay) at 325°C for various doses ranging from 0.8 dpa to a maximum dose of 8–9 dpa. Available data concern the evolution of tensile properties for doses from 0.8 to 3.4 dpa. On the other hand, RA-steels were irradiated as Charpy V and tensile specimens in the high flux reactor (HFR) at Petten at temperatures ranging from 250°C to 450°C with a dose of about 2.4 dpa.

Assessment of the Integral Toxicity of Aquatic Medium Contamination with Oil and Oil Products Using Bacterial Tests

A biotest kit was used to assess the integral toxicity level of aquatic environment contamination with oil and oil products. The integral toxicity dynamics were also monitored during biodegradation of oil and oil products by an association of oil-degrading strains, including Acinetobacter sp., Mycobacterium flavescens, and Rhodococcussp. The following bacterial tests were used: the bioluminescence (BL) test based on Photobacterium leiognathi; electroorientation (EO), optoosmotic (OO), and growth tests; and the reducing activity (RA) test based on an Agrobacterium radiobacter culture. No significant increase in the integral toxicity level of the aquatic medium was observed when diesel fuel and kerosene contamination had been subjected to biodegradation. Although rapid biotests (EO, OO, RA, and BL) detected a pronounced increase in the integral toxicity of the aquatic environment, long-term growth biotests revealed no statistically significant increase in the toxicity level.