Se Group Research Articles

Glutathione and Selenium Supplementation Attenuates Liver Injury in Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Hepatocarcinogenic Mice by Enhancing Glutathione-Related Antioxidant Capacities

Excess oxidative stress and inadequate antioxidant capacities are critical features in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed to determine whether supplementation with glutathione (GSH) and/or selenium (Se), as antioxidants, attenuates diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice. C57BL/6J male mice were randomly assigned to control, DEN, DEN + GSH, DEN + Se, and DEN + GSH + Se groups for 20 weeks. Daily supplementation with GSH and/or Se commenced in the first experimental week and continued throughout the study. DEN was administered in weeks 2–9 and 16–19 of the experimental period. DEN administration induced significant pathological alterations of hepatic foci, evidenced by elevated levels of liver function, accompanied by high malondialdehyde (MDA) levels; low GSH levels; and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities. Supplementation with GSH and Se significantly ameliorated liver pathological changes, reducing liver function and MDA levels while increasing GSH levels and GPx, GR, and GST activities. Notably, combined supplementation with GSH and Se more effectively increased the GSH/glutathione disulfide ratio and GPx activity than individual supplementation. Supplementation with GSH and Se attenuated liver injury in DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenic mice by enhancing GSH and its related antioxidant capacities, thereby mitigating oxidative damage.

Selenium efficiency in protecting sperm quality and testicular parameters of South African indigenous Zulu rams exposed to heat stress.

The study investigated selenium's (Se) efficiency in preserving South African Zulu rams' sperm quality and testicular parameters when they were exposed to heat stress. Indigenous Zulu rams (20) between 2 and 5 years old were allocated into four groups, namely the Se, testicular heat stress (THS), selenium plus testicular heat stress (SeTHS), and control. Each group comprised five rams; the groups were balanced according to the rams' body weight and scrotal circumference. The Se and SeTHS groups received sodium selenite orally bi-weekly for 5 months. To induce heat stress, testicular heat insulation bags were wrapped around the testes of the rams receiving the THS and SeTHS treatments for 49 days. Semen was collected from the rams weekly from the third month onward; the first two months were for Se & THS acclimatization. In addition, testicular measurements were taken bi-weekly. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the sperm quality data. Duncan's multiple range test was used to compare the groups' data for significant differences. The results showed that the Se-supplemented rams' scrotal circumference was smaller (p < 0.05) compared with the other groups. The Se, SeTHS, and control groups demonstrated similar total sperm motility; in contrast, the THS and SeTHS groups recorded low and high total sperm motility, respectively, compared with other treatment groups (p < 0.05). The semen from the rams that received THS without Se displayed a significantly higher number of immotile sperm cells (p < 0.05) and poor sperm quality, including total and progressive motility, and kinematic parameters when compared with other treatments, suggesting that Se protects sperm against THS. We concluded that selenium protected some sperm parameters (TSM, PSM, MV, VCL, VSL) of THS- treated rams while others did not improve (RV, NSM, C, STR).

The effects of selenium administration on mean platelet volume, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and red cell distribution width in critically ill older adults: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial

BackgroundLow serum Selenium (Se) levels in critical patients have been associated with poor clinical outcomes and higher mortality rates. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Se administration on mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (N/L), and red cell distribution width (RDW) in older adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). MethodThis study was a double-blinded randomized clinical trial. Critically ill patients were randomly divided into two groups of Se and placebo. The Se group (N=30) initially received 3000 mg of Se at once within 3 hours, followed by a dose of 1500 mg daily for 10 days as a one-hour infusion. The control group (N=30) received normal saline for 10 days. A venous blood sample was collected on the first and 10th day. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.26 statistical software. To analyze quantitative data in two groups, based on the estimated normality, an independent t-test was used. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. ResultsOn day 10, the MPV value in the Se group was significantly lower compared to the placebo group (9.32 ± 1.78 and 10.43 ± 2.06, respectively, p = 0.03). Within the Se group, contrary to the controls, the MPV value decreased significantly from day 1 to day 10 (p<0.001). Further, the RDW value in the Se group was significantly lower compared to the placebo group (13.77 ± 1.57 and 15.32 ± 2.42, respectively, p = 0.005). The N/L ratio remained similar between the two groups before and after the intervention. ConclusionOur findings suggest that Se can affect the MPV and RDW parameters in older adults hospitalized in the ICU. However, further studies with a larger population are necessary to support these findings. Clinical Relevancy StatementThe effects of selenium administration on hematological parameters in older adults admitted to the ICU are not well-established. There is limited direct evidence linking serum selenium levels to erythrocyte and hemoglobin stability in humans. The current clinical trial promotes the current literature and shows that selenium holds potential in management of the older ICU patients.

Effect of exercise intensity on growth performance, serum biochemistry parameters, liver antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in recirculating aquaculture system

This study examined the impact of different exercise intensities on the growth performance, serum biochemistry, liver antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). A total of 270 common carp with an initial weight of 63.91 ± 1.45 g were divided into three groups: a Sustained Exercise group [SE, 1 bl/s (body length per second), 24 h/day], an Intermittent Exercise group (IE, 1 bl/s, 8 h/day), and a Control group (CG, 3 cm/s) for a 90-days experiment. The results demonstrated that exercise substantially improved weight gain rates in common carp. Analysis of serum biochemical parameters revealed that increased exercise intensity significantly reduced levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (T-CHO), and glucose (GLU) (P < 0.05). Post-exercise evaluations also indicated significant reductions in immune-related markers, including lysozyme (LZM), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Regarding liver antioxidant enzyme activities, the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) were significantly higher in the IE group relative to the CG group (P < 0.05). Conversely, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was significantly lower in the SE group than in the CG group (P < 0.05). In terms of intestinal health, intermittent exercise significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes and increased gut villus length. Additionally, an increase in exercise intensity significantly enhanced the activities of intestinal amylase and lipase. Analysis of the intestinal microbiota through 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that intermittent exercise fostered a more diverse microbial community. Specifically, with an increase in exercise intensity, the relative abundance of Fusobacteriota rose, while those of Firmicutes decreased. At the genus level, the abundances of Cetobacterium and Aeromonas increased, contrasting with declines in Muribaculaceae, Bacteroides, and Escherichia-Shigella. PICRUSt2 functional predictions suggest that exercise might modify the intestinal environment by increasing the prevalence of pathogenic bacterial communities, potentially leading to intestinal damage and adversely affecting the physiological state of the intestine. An observed increase in riboflavin metabolism in the SE group likely contributed to its markedly improved growth performance relative to other groups. In summary, sustained exercise at 1 bl/s improved growth and intestinal digestive enzyme activity in common carp. However, it also induced stress, potentially compromising physiological health, liver function, and immune strength, consequently elevating the risk of disease. These findings provide crucial insights for optimizing growth and physiological health in common carp and other fish species in recirculating aquaculture systems through exercise.

PSXIII-8 Determining the effects of selenium content of high-selenium forages on weight gain in growing lambs

Abstract High selenium (Se) forages grow on seleniferous soils in many parts of the world and upon Se-contaminated rangelands such as in the Western Phosphate Resource Area in the western United States. When consumed in large enough amounts or for extended durations, animals can be poisoned, developing acute or chronic selenosis. Naïve livestock will indiscriminately consume forage with increased concentrations of Se if available. However, most animals upon ingesting a sublethal Se dose will become averted to Se-rich plants and select forages with decreased Se concentrations. The purpose of this study was to determine Se concentrations in feed that cause reduced feed intake and decreased body weight (BW) gain in growing lambs (6 to 8 mo of age). Lambs (n = 5) were randomly divided into four groups and were fed a control pellet (&amp;lt; 1 ppm Se) at 1.5% of their BW and had free choice to a custom Se alfalfa pellet containing &amp;lt; 1 (control), 10, 20, or 40 ppm Se for 8 wk. During the 8 wk period the lambs gained 32.9 ± 4.1, 27.8 ± 1.8, 18.9 ± 9.2, and 7.4 ± 2.8% (mean ±SD) of their initial BW in the &amp;lt; 1 (control), 10, 20, or 40 ppm Se groups, respectively. After the 8 wk were completed, the lambs were fed only the custom Se alfalfa pellets, with &amp;lt; 1 (control), 10, 20, or 40 ppm Se, free choice for four additional weeks. As Se concentration in the pellets fed increased, the feed intake and BW gains significantly decreased. Lambs in the control and 10 ppm Se groups ate approximately 2-fold more than the lambs in the 40 ppm Se group, which lost over 3% of their initial BW. Understanding the concentration of Se in forages and how it affects appetite and BW gain allows range managers to better manage seleniferous or Se-contaminated ranges to safely use sheep on these types of rangelands. Additional work is needed to better understand the management of other livestock species grazing on high Se-containing ranges and pastures.

Physiological and immune responses of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) under the regulation of exercise intensity: An integrated perspective of blood, liver and intestinal analysis

This study examined the effects of different water flow durations on serum biochemical indices, liver antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). During a 90-day experiment, 270 largemouth bass (initial weight 96.05 ± 18.87 g) were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group (CG) with a constant flow velocity of 0.3 cm/s, an interval exercise group (IE) with a water flow velocity of 2 bl/s for 8 h/day, and a sustained exercise group (SE) with a continuous flow velocity of 2 bl/s for 24 h/day. The results showed that the IE group had higher total protein (TP) levels than the CG and SE groups (P < 0.05). In contrast, the SE group had lower triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (CHO) levels (P < 0.05), indicating that exercise intensity significantly affects serum biochemical parameters. The study also evaluated the effects of sustained swimming on liver antioxidant capacity, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal health, and microbial community composition. Antioxidant assays revealed significantly increased activities of superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the SE group, along with the lowest malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (P < 0.05), indicating enhanced antioxidant defenses. Enzyme assays showed a significant increase in trypsin and lipase activities due to swimming exercise (P < 0.05). Intestinal morphology analysis showed increased villus height and wall thickness in the SE group, without visible tissue damage, suggesting improved intestinal structural integrity. Gene expression analysis showed a significant upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes in the IE group and an increase in anti-inflammatory gene expression in the SE group. Microbial community analysis showed no significant differences in alpha diversity, species richness, or total diversity among the groups. However, variations in microbial species distribution at the phylum and genus level were observed, which were likely influenced by exercise intensity. In conclusion, sustained swimming exercise significantly improved antioxidant capacity, intestinal health, and modulated the immune response in largemouth bass. This highlights its potential to improve fish health and sustainability in RAS.

Single-cell transcriptome sequencing reveals altered peripheral blood immune cells in patients with severe tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a serious global health burden, resulting in millions of deaths each year. Several circulating cell subsets in the peripheral blood are known to modulate the host immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in different ways. However, the characteristics and functions of these subsets to varying stages of tuberculosis infection have not been well elucidated. Peripheral blood immune cells (PBICs) were isolated from healthy donors (HD group), individuals with mild tuberculosis (MI group), and individuals with severe tuberculosis (SE group). CD4+ naive T cells and CD8+ T cells were decreased in the SE and MI groups, while CD14+ monocytes were increased in the SE group. Further analysis revealed increased activated CD4+ T cells, transitional CD8+ T cells, memory-like NK cells, and IGHG3highTTNhighFCRL5high B cells were increased in all patients with tuberculosis (SE and MI group). In contrast, Th17 cells, cytotoxic NK cells, and cytotoxic CD4+ T cells were decreased. Moreover, the increase of CD14+CD16+ monocytes correlated with severe tuberculosis, and the GBP5highRSAD2high neutrophils were unique to patients with severe tuberculosis. Cellular communication analysis revealed that CD8+ T cells exhibited the highest incoming interaction strength in the SE group. The increased CD8+ T cell incoming interactions are associated with the MHC-I and LCK pathways, with HLA-(A-E)-CD8A, HLA-(A-E)-CD8B, and LCK-(CD8A+CD8B) being ligand–receptor pairs. Patients with tuberculosis, especially severe tuberculosis, have profound changes in peripheral blood immune cell profiles. CD8+ T cells showed the highest incoming interaction strength in patients with severe tuberculosis, with the main signals being MHC-I and LCK pathways.

Effects of in ovo supplementation of selenium (Se) and zinc (zn) on hatchability and production performance of broiler chickens.

The current research was conducted to assess the effect of in ovo feeding (IOF) of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) on hatchability, production performance, liver, intestinal morphology, antioxidant levels and expression levels of immune-related genes in broiler chickens. A total of 400 fertilized eggs were equally divided into four groups: control (non-injected), sham (in ovo injection of 0.75% NaCl), Se (@ 1.5µg/egg in ovo injection) and Zn (500µg/egg in ovo injection) groups respectively. On the seventeenth day of incubation, treatment solutions were administered into amniotic fluid of fertilized eggs. The results revealed that Se and Zn supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced hatchability, post-hatch growth, organ development, and liver antioxidant capability. Histopathological examination revealed a typical hepatocyte morphology, well-arranged cells, and a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in apoptosis in both selenium and zinc groups. Additionally, selenium and zinc produced auspicious effects on intestinal epithelium and villi surface area. Interestingly, our results revealed that IOF of Se and Zn modulated the expression of immune-related genes in comparison to the control and sham groups. Conclusively, IOF of Se and Zn augmented health and productivity by enhancing the cellular immunity in the broiler chickens, thus IOF can be utilized as an effective strategy to promote health and immunity in broiler chickens.

Influence of Different Application Modes of a Universal Adhesive System on the Bond Strength of Bulk-Fill Composite Resin to Enamel and Dentin in Primary Teeth.

The objective of this study was to assess how the application mode of a universal adhesive system affects the microshear bond strength (μSBS) of bulk-fill and conventional composite resins to enamel and dentin in primary teeth. A total of 80 caries-free primary second molars were randomly assigned to eight experimental groups (n = 10) based on the bonding substrate (enamel or dentin), the application mode of the universal adhesive system (etch and rinse [E&R], or self-etch [SE]), and the type of composite resin used (bulk-fill or conventional). After bonding the composite resin to enamel or dentin, the μSBS of the bonded composite resins was measured. The mean μSBS value of bulk-fill composite resin was significantly higher than that of conventional composite resin for both enamel and dentin substrates, regardless of the application mode (p < 0.001). An interaction effect between the bonding substrate and the application mode of the adhesive system was observed, indicating a significant relationship (p < 0.001). The highest μSBS values for primary teeth enamel were achieved using the E&R mode with bulk-fill composite resin, while for dentin specimens, the SE mode with bulk-fill composite resin yielded the highest μSBS values. The μSBS of the E&R group was significantly higher than that of the SE group for enamel specimens (p < 0.001), whereas the μSBS of the SE group was significantly higher than that of the E&R group for dentin specimens (p < 0.001). Bulk-fill composite resin demonstrated higher μSBS in comparison to conventional composite resin. The universal adhesive system exhibited superior performance in the SE mode compared to the E&R mode on primary dentin. Pre-etching the enamel before the application of the universal adhesive enhanced the μSBS to primary teeth enamel, highlighting the importance of selectively acid etching the enamel of primary teeth.

Shear bond strength and adhesive remnant index evaluation of three different orthodontic adhesive systems using three different light curing times

BackgroundSuccess of long orthodontic treatment using orthodontic brackets depends mainly on the efficiency of the adhesive system used and it's degree of resistance in the face of stresses and foresees applied during treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets bonded with three adhesive systems using different light curing times. Materials and methodsThe 126 human extracted premolars were randomly divided into three equal groups (n = 42) depending on the type of adhesive system used; total-etch (Transbond XT), self-etch (Transbond Plus), and self-adhesive (GC-Ortho Connect) system. Then each group was randomly subdivided into three subgroups (n = 14) based on the curing time; 1-s, 3-s, and 20-s. The shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) were evaluated in each subgroup using universal testing machine and stereomicroscope respectively. The data were analyzed statistically by a two-way ANOVA for SBS, and Scheirer Ray Hare Test for ARI. The significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. ResultsThe results showed a statistically significant difference in shear bond strength at the three-time points for each adhesive system (p < 0.001) with the highest SBS value in 20-sec groups followed by 3-sec groups while 1-sec groups was the lowest. However, there was no statistically significant difference in Shear bond strength between the three adhesive systems except 20-sec groups (p < 0.001). ARI showed a statistically significant difference between all adhesive systems with the highest scores in TE groups, while the lowest in SE groups. ConclusionAll adhesive systems provided acceptable values of SBS at all curing times except the 1-sec group in SE and SA adhesive systems where the SBS values were the lowest and below the acceptable range.

Comparative evaluations of shear bond strength of mineral trioxide aggregate, Biodentine, and calcium-enriched mixture to bulk-fill flowable composite using three different adhesive systems: An in vitro study.

The objective of the study was to assess the shear bond strength of bulk-fill flowable composite resin smart dentin replacement plus when bonded to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-angelus, biodentine, and calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) at two different aging periods (15 min and 72 h) using three distinct adhesive systems. In addition, the study identified the specific modes of failure (adhesive, cohesive, or mixed) using a stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. One hundred and twenty-six cylindrical acrylic blocks used in the study were sorted into three groups based on the bioactive substance used to fill the 3-mm diameter and 3-mm high hole in the center of each block. The groups were MTA, Biodentine, and CEM. The specimens were then divided into subgroups based on the aging interval (15 min and 72 h) of the bioactive material and the adhesive system used (two-step total-etch, two-step self-etch [SE], and one-step SE) while bonding to the restorative bulk-fill flowable composite. The shear bond strength values were measured with a universal testing machine, and the data were analyzed using two-way and one-way analysis of variance, followed by a post hoc test. The specimens were assessed under stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope to characterize the mode of bond failure (cohesive, adhesive, or mixed). The study showed that the type of adhesive system and the time of bonding affected the shear bond strength of bulk-fill composite to the pulp capping agents (P < 0.05). For MTA, the highest bond strength was observed with two-step SE group at 15 min (18.16 ± 2.97 MPa) (P < 0.05). CEM exhibited the highest bond strength with two-step SE group at 72 h intervals (8.77 ± 1.76) (P < 0.05). The highest bond strength for biodentine group was observed with total-etch group (8.54 ± 1.35 Mpa) and two-step SE (8.19 ± 1.94 Mpa) bonded at 72 h interval (P < 0.05). The majority of the samples in the MTA group (29/42) and CEM group (20/42) showed a cohesive fracture, whereas Biodentine group (22/42) had an adhesive fracture in most of its samples. MTA demonstrated the highest bond strength with two-step SE group at 15 min, and CEM exhibited the highest bond strength with two-step SE groups at 72 h interval. For biodentine group, the type of adhesive used did not impact the bond strength values.

The Kinematic Models of the SINS and Its Errors on the SE(3) Group in the Earth-Centered Inertial Coordinate System.

In this paper, the kinematic models of the Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (SINS) and its errors on the SE(3) group in the Earth-Centered Inertial frame (ECI) are established. On the one hand, with the ECI frame being regarded as the reference, based on the joint representation of attitude and velocity on the SE(3) group, the dynamic of the local geographic coordinate system (n-frame) and the body coordinate system (b-frame) evolve on the differentiable manifold, respectively, and the high-order expansion of the Baker-Campbell-Haussdorff equation compensates for the non-commutative motion errors stimulated by strong maneuverability. On the other hand, the kinematics of the left- and right-invariant errors of the n-frame and the b-frame on the SE(3) group are separately derived, where the errors of the b-frame completely depend on inertial sensor errors, while the errors of the n-frame rely on position errors and velocity errors. In this way, the errors brought by the inconsistency of the reference coordinate system are tackled, and a novel attitude error definition is introduced to separate and decouple the factors affecting the dynamic of the n-frame errors and the b-frame errors for better attitude estimation. Through a turntable experiment and a car-mounted field experiment, the effectiveness of the proposed kinematic models in estimating attitude has been verified, with a remarkable improvement in yaw angle accuracy in the case of large initial misalignment angles, and the models developed have better robustness compared to the traditional SE(3) group-based model.

Effect of duration of estradiol exposure on embryo survival and endometrial gene expression in anestrous embryo recipient mares

Previous studies indicate a positive correlation between the duration of estrus prior to ovulation and likelihood of pregnancy in embryo recipient mares. However, the mechanisms by which the duration of estrus before may affect fertility remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the effect of different durations of estradiol exposure, prior to progesterone administration, on embryo viability in anestrous recipient mares, and endometrial expression of genes thought to influence embryo survival. Three groups of anestrous recipient mares treated with different duration of estradiol were used: long (LE), short (SE) and no treatment (NE). Day 8 embryos were transferred into recipient mares four days after long-acting progesterone administration and recovered 48h later to examine embryo growth and viability. The endometrial gene expression profile of selected genes was also investigated. The likelihood of recovering an embryo 48h after transfer was 46.1% (6/13), 62.5% (5/8) and 85.7% (6/7) for recipient mares from the NE, SE and LE groups, respectively (P = .09). Embryos recovered from the different groups of recipients did not, however, differ in size, morphology or the proportion of nuclei undergoing mitosis (P > .05). Abundance of mRNA for uterocalin (P19) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) were increased in the LE compared to the NE group, while fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), progesterone receptor (PGR) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) transcript abundances were increased (P < 0.05) in the NE group compared to both SE and LE groups. In conclusion, a longer exposure of the endometrium to estradiol before progesterone tended to improve embryo survival within 48h of transfer. However, the grade, growth rate, and proportion of mitotic cells in surviving embryos did not differ among groups. If embryos are destined to fail in a suboptimal endometrial environment, they die and disappear quickly. Moreover, a more adequately estradiol-primed uterus, before the progesterone rise, seems to create a uterine environment, in terms of P19, IGF1, FGF2 and PGR gene expression, more conducive to embryo survival and further development.

Effect of Self-etch Silane Contamination on Dentin Bond Strength to Resin Composite

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of self-etch silane contamination on dentin bond strength to resin composite when using different adhesive systems. Methods: 40 flat occlusal dentin surfaces were prepared and randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10): group ER (Optibond FL); group SE (Clearfil SE bond); group SiER and group SiSE (Monobond Etch and Prime (MEP) followed by Optibond FL and Clearfil SE bond, respectively). Microtensile bond strength (µTBS) data was analyzed by two-way and one-way ANOVA followed by the post hoc Tukey honest test. The failure mode data was analyzed using Pearson Chi-square test. After undergoing different contamination procedures (distill water, phosphoric acid, and acidic primer with and without MEP contamination), 6 additional specimens were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The two-way ANOVA indicated that the adhesive system and silane contamination significantly influenced the µTBS. µTBS (MPa) of all (ER 47.79±3.48; SiER 41.16±11; SE 39.77±3.16; SiSE 35.10±4.12) groups were significantly different from each other, except for the SE versus SiER group. The silane contamination significantly decreased the µTBS for both adhesive systems. Adhesive failure was the most common failure mode for the SiER, SE, and SiSE groups. Conclusions: Self-etch silane cross-contamination on dentin negatively impacted the µTBS of etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesive systems. However, the etch-and-rinse adhesive system may be more effective in mitigating the effects of dentin contamination than the self-etch adhesive system.

Effects of environmental enrichment on GLUT expression in the visual cortex of amblyopic rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential changes of glucose metabolism and glucose transporter protein (GLUT) in the visual cortex of formally deprived amblyopic rats, as well as the effects of enriched environments on the levels of nerve conduction and glucose metabolism in the visual cortex of amblyopic rats. Methods36 rats were randomly divided into three groups: CON + SE (n = 12), MD + SE (n = 12) and MD + EE (n = 12). The right eyelids of both MD + SE and MD + EE groups were sutured. After successful modelling, the MD + EE group was maintained in an enriched environment, and the other two groups were kept in the same environment. Pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEP) was used to confirm models' effect, glucose metabolism was analyzed by Micro-PET/CT (18F-FDG), and the protein as well as mRNA expression levels of GLUT were detected by Western Blot and quantitative RT-PCR (quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction) analyses, site of GLUT expression by immunofluorescence (IF). ResultsAfter suture modelling, both the MD + EE and MD + SE groups objective visual nerve conduction function decreased, the glucose metabolism in the visual cortex was markedly lower. After the enriched environment intervention, it recovered in the MD + EE group. The expression levels of GLUT1 and GLUT3 were increased in the MD + EE group in comparison with the MD + SE group. GLUT1 was primarily expressed on astrocytes and endothelial cells, but GLUT3 was mainly expressed on neurons. ConclusionEnrichment of the environment exhibited a therapeutic effect on amblyopia, which could be related to the enhancement of glucose metabolism and GLUT expression in the visual cortex.

Impact of Dietary Supranutritional Selenium on Improving the Meat Quality of Goats

Selenium (Se) a crucial micronutrient, is required in many biochemical processes in animals. Supranutritional levels of Se in the diet have been suggested to potentially enhance meat quality in livestock. However, limited research exists on the impact of dietary supranutritional Se on meat quality in goats. Objective: To evaluate the influence of dietary supranutritional Se on goat muscle meat quality, examining pH, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking and drip losses, moisture, protein, fat, ash, and glycogen contents. Methods: Sixteen male goats were randomly grouped into two viz., A and B (n = 8 per group) and offered basal diets without (group A) or with addition of Se (group B) for 10 weeks. Meat samples were collected from the longissimus dorsi (LD) and semimembranosus (SM) muscles at the completion of trial and the physico-chemical characteristics were determined. Results: Supranutritional Se supplementation resulted in significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) WHC and lower (P &lt; 0.05) cooking and drip losses in both LD and SM muscles compared with control. Additionally, the protein and fat contents were significantly elevated (P &lt; 0.05) and the ash contents lowered (P &lt; 0.05) in both LD and SM muscles of goats fed Se supplemented diet compared with control. However, the pH and glycogen contents were not altered (P &gt; 0.05) between the two groups. Conclusions: The findings of present trial demonstrated that supranutritional Se supplementation improved the quality of goat meat, contributing to its nutritional value and consumer acceptance.

Status Epilepticus after mechanical thrombectomy: The role of early EEG assessment in Stroke Unit, clinical and radiological prognostication

BackgroundConvulsive (CSE) and non-convulsive (NCSE) Status Epilepticus are a complication in 0.2–0.3% ischemic strokes. Large stroke and cortical involvement are the main risk factors for developing SE. This study evaluates the prevalence of SE in patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) through EEG recording within 72- h from admission. Moreover, we compared clinical, radiological, and outcome measures in SE and no-SE patients. Materials and MethodsWe collected retrospectively demographical and clinical characteristics of acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent EVT, admitted in the Stroke Unit (SU) of the University Hospital of Trieste between January 2018 and March 2020 who underwent EEG recording within 72- h from the symptoms’ onset. ResultsOut of 247 EVT patients, 138 met the inclusion criteria, of whom 9 (6.5%) showed SE with median onset time of 1 day (IQR 1–2). No difference was found between the two groups as for age, sex, risk factors, grade of recanalization, etiology of stroke, and closed vessel. The no-SE group presented higher NIHSS improvement rate (p=0.025) compared to the SE group. The sum of the lobes involved in the ischemic lesion was significantly higher in SE group (p=0.048). ConclusionSE after EVT in large strokes is a non-rare complication, with most being NCSE. Performing a rapid EEG assessment in a Stroke Unit setting may allow for a prompt recognition and treatment of SE in the acute/hyper-acute phase. SE may be correlated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with large vessel occlusion.

Microscopic tumor mapping of post-neoadjuvant therapy pancreatic cancer specimens to predict post-surgical recurrence: A prospective cohort study

BackgroundAlthough various pathological grading systems are available for evaluating the response of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT), their prognostic value has not been thoroughly validated. This study examined whether microscopic tumor mapping of post-NAT specimens could predict tumor recurrence. MethodsThis prospective study enrolled 52 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy after NAT for PDAC between 2019 and 2021. Microscopic mapping was performed to identify residual tumor loci within the tumor bed using 4 mm2 pixels. Patients were divided into small extent (SE; n = 26) and large extent (LE; n = 26) groups using a cutoff value of 226 mm2. The diagnostic performance for predicting tumor recurrence was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. ResultsCarbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels were normalised after NAT in more patients in the SE group (SE 21 [80.8%] vs. LE 13 [50.0%]; P = 0.041). Tumor size (P < 0.001), T stage (P < 0.001), positive lymph node yield (P = 0.024), and perineural invasion rate (P = 0.018) were significantly greater in the LE group. The 3-year disease-free survival rate was significantly lower in the LE group (SE 83.3% vs. LE 50.0%, P = 0.004). The area under the ROC curve for mapping extent was 0.743, which was greater than that of the other tumor response scoring systems. ConclusionsMicroscopic tumor mapping of the residual tumor in post-NAT specimens is a significant predictor of post-surgical recurrence, and offers better prognostic performance than the current grading systems.

Selective Apoptotic Effects of Resilon and Epiphany Se: In Vitro Investigation in Cell Cultures

Objective: The aim of this investigation is to examine the programmed cell death mechanism using Resilon, a root canal filling material, and Epiphany SE, a root canal sealant, in a microenvironment of cultured epithelial-like cells. Methods: Vero cells were distributed into a 24-well plate at a density of 2 x 105 cells/ml per well. Fol- lowing an incubation period of 18 hours, Resilon was applied to the cell monolayer. The monolayer was combined with Resilon and covered with a pre-warmed medium before being incubated at 37 0 C in a 5% CO2 incubator. Following this, the wells were treated with a 50% diluted eluate of Epiphany SE. Resilon and Epiphany SE were then left to incubate for 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours at 37 0C. Data were analyzed in IBM SPSS V23. Statistical analysis involved determining the differences in means of the specimens using a one-way ANOVA, followed by Duncan’s multiple range test to as- sess specific statistical differences across various time periods. Results: It was found that between 0 and 6 hours, it was unclear whether Resilon and Epiphany SE induce apoptosis in Vero cells. Significant differences were observed 12 hours after examination comparing both the Resilon and Epiphany SE groups to the examination time prior to 12 hours (p &lt; 0.05). These cells decreased at 18 and 24 hours. However, necrotic cells increased at each stage of the study period. The increase in the number of necrotic cells was statistically significant at 18 and 24 hours (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: It is inferred that necrosis of fibroblastic cells is caused by the cytotoxic effects of both Resilon and Epiphany SE. Hence, it can cause problems with root canal over obturation.

Optimizing phototherapy efficiency via dynamic adjusting the contributions of photodynamic and photothermal therapy of diketopyrrolopyrrole-based compounds

Three diketopyrrolopyrrole-based photosensitizers (S1, Se1 and Se2) were designed to optimize the contributions of photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal (PTT) therapy in tumor phototherapy via adjusting the spin-orbit coupling constant and the intersystem crossing efficacy. The photo-physicochemical as well as biological properties indicated that the introduction of Se and methoxy group can increase the ISC rate of the photosensitizers with increased PDT efficiency and decreased PTT effects, which were in accordance with the results of DFT and TD-DFT calculations. Importantly, the in vivo evaluations revealed that supramolecular nanoparticles Se2-NPs showed excellent phototherapeutic performance via synergistic PDT and PTT against cancer. These findings suggest that controlling the relative contributions of PDT and PTT may be an effective way to improve phototherapy efficiency.