Slow Loss Research Articles

Preparation of PCL/lecithin/bacteriocin CAMT6 antimicrobial and antioxidant nanofiber films using emulsion electrospinning: Characteristics and application in chilled salmon preservation

Multi-functional packaging materials are an important development for food preservation. Emulsion electrospinning is a novel and simple method that can be used to prepare multi-functional packaging materials, which can effectively protect the loaded active substances during the preparation process. In this study, PCL/lecithin/bacteriocin CAMT6 nanofiber films with antimicrobial and antioxidant activity were prepared by emulsion electrostatic spinning. The morphology and homogeneity of the prepared nanofibrous membranes could be improved by optimising the formulation of the emulsion for electrospinning. Analytical testing of the prepared nanofiber films revealed that the nanofibers had a core-shell structure, with bacteriocin CAMT6 effectively encapsulated in the core layer and the PCL and phospholipids homogeneously mixed to form the shell layer. Additionally, the nanofiber films had acceptable tensile properties and water absorption capacity. In chilled salmon meat, the nanofiber film effectively inhibited the growth of bacteria, slowed the oxidation of oil and slowed water loss, which was a good protective effect. This study provides a reference for the encapsulation application of food-active packaging materials and bacteriocins.

Weight loss maintenance following an augmented intervention for early slow weight loss responders: An adaptive trial.

Early slow weight loss during treatment is associated with less weight loss overall. The impact of an augmented intervention designed for early slow weight loss responders compared with a standard diabetes prevention intervention was evaluated following 12 months of treatment and 6 months of no contact. The impact of standard vs. augmented intervention sequences on weight and glycemia also was determined. Adults were ≥21 years old with overweight or obesity and prediabetes (n = 174). Slow responders were stratified to augmented treatment if they failed to achieve >2.5% weight loss (%WL) at Week 5. Matched within-sex pairs of participants were created based on %WL at Month 5 following the intensive intervention phase, and each person within the pair was randomly assigned to treatment for Months 5-12 during the extended intervention phase. Both 12-month interventions included a ≥7%WL goal. Mean 12-month %WL was 5.29% (95% CI: 4.27%-6.31%; P < .0001) and 18-month %WL was 3.34% (95% CI: 2.01%-4.66%; P < .0001) overall. %WL was greater for the standard (9.55%) than the augmented (4.0%) intervention (P = .0001); no differences occurred in weight regain between early and slow responders (P = .9476). No differences occurred in mean %WL at 12 months between the standard and augmented groups after controlling for %WL at Week 5 and sex (P = .23) nor in the change in glycemia (all P > .05). WL following the first month of treatment predicted 12- and 18-month WL success regardless of intervention sequence; however, even early slow responders achieved significant WL during treatment. Further research is needed to support effective WL maintenance for people with prediabetes.

Assessment of Nanoscale Configuration of Dentin in Non-carious Cervical Lesions.

Introduction Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) are structural deformities or tissue loss in the cervical region of teeth, which are closer to the gum linethat do not result from caries (tooth decay). On the tooth enamel at the gingival margin, these lesions are frequently seen as V- or U-shaped notches. The causes of NCCLs are multifaceted and involve intricate relationships between chemical, mechanical, and biological elements. The slow loss of enamel and dentin in the cervical area occurs due to mechanical causes like abrasive toothbrushing and occlusal tension, as well as chemical variables such as erosive acidic food components. As NCCLs advance, dental discomfort, aesthetic issues, and impaired tooth function may result. The aim of this study was to assess the nanoscale configuration of dentin in non-carious cervical lesions using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Methodology Sterilized teeth samples were selected from the extracted tooth repository of Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai. Tooth samples were thinly sliced using a diamond bur. The sliced teeth were examined using a scanning electron microscope. Ionic configuration was assessedusing EDS and elemental analysis. Results The findings showed the nanoscale morphology and elemental configurations present. Elemental mapping showed specific elemental localization in the affected area. Conclusion NCCLs can be attributed as a predominant factor leading to gingival recession causing dentin exposure and hypersensitivity. NCCLs can also threaten the integrity of dentin; therefore, early diagnosis of non-carious cervical lesions is crucial to ensure proper treatment plan and therapeutic regimens.

Silkworm pupa protein peptide improved DSS-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice through the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway

Numerous studies have revealed the multifunctional activities of silkworm pupa peptides (SPP). In this study, we investigated the protective effects of SPP on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. The results showed that SPP improved the clinical symptoms of colitis in mice, including increased colon length, slowed weight loss, and reduced disease activity index (DAI) scores. Furthermore, SPP significantly alleviated DSS-induced colonic injury by reducing the expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in colonic tissues, enhancing mucin secretion in the colon, and decreasing colonic cell apoptosis. SPP also mitigated the severity of colitis by modulating serum inflammatory factors and improving colonic oxidative stress levels. Western blot analysis revealed that SPP suppressed the activation of the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. In conclusion, SPP protected against DSS-induced colitis in mice by reducing cell apoptosis, attenuating inflammatory responses, and improving oxidative stress levels, potentially through the inhibition of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Melatonin treatment maintains the quality and delays senescence of postharvest cattails (Typha latifolia L.) during cold storage.

Melatonin treatment was investigated for the sensory quality and senescence in postharvest cattails (Typha latifolia L.) during cold storage. The 0.75mM melatonin treatment reduced surface browning and delaying lignification of Cattails stored at 4°C. The results showed that melatonin treatment slowed weight loss and firmness, maintained sensory quality and reducing sugar content. Melatonin treatment reduced browning by inhibiting the increase of MDA and H2O2 contents and POD activity. Melatonin treatment maintained high non-enzymatic antioxidant components (Vitamin C and total phenolic content) and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and APX), thereby alleviating the browning and senescence of postharvest cattails. These findings indicate that melatonin treatment can maintain postharvest cattails quality.

Omega-3 supplementation effects on cardiovascular risk and inflammatory profile in chronic kidney disease patients in hemodialysis treatment: An intervention study

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is characterized by slow, progressive, and irreversible kidney function loss and the disease itself and hemodialysis treatment can predispose an inflammatory state that increased cardiovascular complications, being one of major mortality causes in kidney patients. The study purpose was to evaluate nutritional profile and impacts of w-3 fatty acid supplementation on inflammatory parameters and cardiovascular events risk in patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis treatment. Non-randomized clinical trial, patients with CKD were randomly grouped into a control (n=29) and supplemented (n=30) group. Supplemented group patients were instructed to consume two w-3 capsules a day (2g/day) for 8 weeks for further analysis of pre- and post-supplementation C-reactive protein (CRP) and other blood parameters. To nutritional status assessment, anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance data were measured, carried out close to supplementation start. 59 patients were evaluated, 49.1% (n=29) were overweight and 70.7% (n=41) had high percentage of body fat. Comparing control versus supplemented groups after supplementation serum CRP levels have reduced, no differences were observed (p=0.716) nevertheless there was reduction in cardiovascular events risk according to C-reactive protein classification (p=0.004). Ferritin levels have improved in all groups. Changes in the levels of other biochemical markers hemoglobin, hematocrit, urea, creatinine, and Kt/v have happened. However, group that received w-3 showed an improvement in serum albumin levels (p=0.014), in addition to demonstrating greater adequacy classification of albumin after supplementation (p=0.022). Omega-3 supplementation have caused an improvement in albumin plasma levels suitableness in Chronic Kidney Disease patients, however, it did not demonstrate statistical effects to reducing CRP levels, although this helped to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Portrait of Dysferlinopathy: Diagnosis and Development of Therapy.

Dysferlinopathy is a disease caused by a dysferlin deficiency due to mutations in the DYSF gene. Dysferlin is a membrane protein in the sarcolemma and is involved in different functions, such as membrane repair and vesicle fusion, T-tubule development and maintenance, Ca2+ signalling, and the regulation of various molecules. Miyoshi Myopathy type 1 (MMD1) and Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2B/R2 (LGMD2B/LGMDR2) are two possible clinical presentations, yet the same mutations can cause both presentations in the same family. They are therefore grouped under the name dysferlinopathy. Onset is typically during the teenage years or young adulthood and is characterized by a loss of Achilles tendon reflexes and difficulty in standing on tiptoes or climbing stairs, followed by a slow progressive loss of strength in limb muscles. The MRI pattern of patient muscles and their biopsies show various fibre sizes, necrotic and regenerative fibres, and fat and connective tissue accumulation. Recent tools were developed for diagnosis and research, especially to evaluate the evolution of the patient condition and to prevent misdiagnosis caused by similarities with polymyositis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The specific characteristic of dysferlinopathy is dysferlin deficiency. Recently, mouse models with patient mutations were developed to study genetic approaches to treat dysferlinopathy. The research fields for dysferlinopathy therapy include symptomatic treatments, as well as antisense-mediated exon skipping, myoblast transplantation, and gene editing.

Temporal and Spatial Dynamics of Organ Water Content in Maize with Different Senescence Types.

Understanding the water status of specific organs can be helpful in evaluating the life activities and growth conditions of maize. To accurately judge organ growth conditions and thus design appropriate interventions, it is necessary to clarify the true water dynamics of each maize organ. Using multiple maize cultivars with different growth periods, spatio-temporal water dynamics were analyzed here in the leaves, stalks, and ear components. Leaf water content was found to gradually decrease from both the bottom and top of the plant to the middle, whereas stalk water content decreased sequentially from the top to the bottom. Each successively higher node from the bottom of the plant was associated with decreases of 0.99% and 1.27% water content in the leaves and stalks, respectively. The water dynamics in leaves and internodes showed three clear stages: the slow loss, rapid loss, and balance stage. A water content of 60% appeared to be an irreversible turning point for initiation of senescence. Using normalized growth period as a measure, each of the tested cultivars could be assigned into one of two types based on their water dynamics: stay-water or general type. General-type cultivars had a shorter duration with a high water content and a water loss rate approximately twice as high as that of the stay-water type. This may have been related to the leaf senescence characteristics. However, the stay-water trait did not interfere with water dynamics of the ear components. Therefore, it may not be robust to evaluate the kernel dehydration of maize according to leaf senescence conditions due to the weak correlation between kernel water content and leaf senescence characteristics.

Early and slow weight loss responders' perceptions of an adaptive diabetes prevention trial: A qualitative perspective.

Behavioural weight loss interventions demonstrate success on average, yet participants who respond more slowly may benefit from an augmented, tailored approach. Thus, an augmented intervention for early, slow weight loss responders was implemented. This qualitative analysis explored participants' perceptions of and experiences of the 12-month weight loss programme to inform future intervention development and implementation. Individual interviews were conducted post-treatment. In-person, in-depth interviews were offered prior to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic; videoconferencing interviews were offered following the pandemic onset. A Midwestern US university workplace. Adults ⩾21 years old with overweight or obesity and prediabetes (n = 39) were recruited and volunteered to participate in a semi-structured interview. Content analysis identified recurring themes among early and early slow weight loss responders. Social support received during weekly group sessions was a critical intervention component. Some early slow responders expressed difficulty with self-regulatory strategies such as setting specific yet attainable goals, and requested additional contact prior to the maintenance study phase - treatment randomisation at month 5 disrupted group dynamics. Early slow responders who received the intervention via videoconferencing believed the format interfered with their ability to establish friendships with other participants and gain insight and support from others' lived experiences. Weight loss interventions may be more efficacious when considering participant heterogeneity during implementation of behavioural strategies. Findings suggest early slow weight loss responders may benefit from greater emphasis on goal setting and striving, agentic thinking, and social support. Future research is needed to examine the implications of these insights on intervention outcomes.

Abstract 019: Perimenopause Exacerbates Hypertension In Doca-salt Rats

Blood pressure (BP) is lower in premenopausal women than in age-matched men, but after menopause BP rates and the incidence of hypertension (HTN) show opposite tendencies. The mechanisms by which fluctuating ovarian hormone environment during that period impacts the onset and development of HTN are poorly understood, and strategies to reduce HTN risk in peri- and postmenopausal females are lacking. An ovary-intact rat model of perimenopause using the chemical, 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD), has been developed to accelerate the natural process of slow follicular loss. Daily dosing with VCD for 15 days selectively destroys primordial and primary follicles in ovaries of mice and rats by accelerating atresia processes, thus inducing precocious perimenopause/menopause. Hypothesis: The induction of perimenopause by VCD will increase susceptibility to the development of HTN in DOCA-salt rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats at post-natal day 28 received subcutaneous injection of VCD (160mg/kg) or corn oil (control) for 15 days. 57 days after the first injections, nephrectomy and telemetric pressure transducer implantation were performed. After 2 weeks of recovery, a 100 mg/kg DOCA silicone or placebo pellet was implanted subcutaneously. The rats that received DOCA were provided 0.9% saline during the 21 days of DOCA protocol and mean arterial pressure (MAP) was continuously evaluated. Rats were housed weekly in metabolic cages for 24 hours to measure saline intake and urine volume. After protocol completion the animals were decapitated, and blood was collected for the measurement of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and estradiol (E2) by ELISA. The AMH plasma levels were reduced in the periestropause rats (VCD + DOCA, n=9) compared to oil (Oil + DOCA, n=6) confirming the VCD-induced follicular depletion. The steady state increase in MAP (day 21 of DOCA-salt) was higher in periestropause (±45.7mmHg) compared to oil (±28.6 mmHg). Urine volume was higher in periestropause rats compared to oil. No differences were observed in the saline intake between the groups. Our data demonstrate that periestropause rats showed greater susceptibility to the development of HTN in a DOCA-salt rat model.

Zellweger Spectrum Disorder: Ophthalmic Findings from a New Natural History Study Cohort and Scoping Literature Review

Individuals with Zellweger spectrum disorder (ZSD) manifest a spectrum of clinical phenotypes but almost all have retinal degeneration leading to blindness. The onset, extent, and progression of retinal findings have not been well described. It is crucial to understand the natural history of vision loss in ZSD to define reliable endpoints for future interventional trials. Herein, we describe ophthalmic findings in the largest number of ZSD patients to date. Retrospective review of longitudinal data from medical charts and review of cross-sectional data from the literature. Sixty-six patients with ZSD in the retrospective cohort and 119 patients reported in the literature, divided into 4 disease phenotypes based on genotype or clinical severity. We reviewed ophthalmology records collected from the retrospective cohort (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01668186) and performed a scoping review of the literature for ophthalmic findings in patients with ZSD. We extracted available ophthalmic data and analyzed by age and disease severity. Visual acuity (VA), posterior and anterior segment descriptions, nystagmus, refraction, electroretinography findings, visual evoked potentials, and OCT results and images. Visual acuity was worse at younger ages in those with severe disease compared with older patients with intermediate to mild disease for all 78 participants analyzed, with a median VA of 0.93 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen 20/320). Longitudinal VA data revealed slow loss over time and legal blindness onset at an average age of 7.8 years. Funduscopy showed retinal pigmentation, macular abnormalities, small or pale optic discs, and attenuated vessels with higher prevalence in milder severity groups and did not change with age. Electroretinography waveforms were diminished in 91% of patients, 46% of which were extinguished and did not change with age. OCT in milder patients revealed schitic changes in 18 of 23 individuals (age range 1.8 to 30 years), with evolution or stable macular edema. In ZSD, VA slowly deteriorates and is associated with disease severity, serial electroretinography is not useful for documenting vision loss progression, and intraretinal schitic changes may be common. Multiple systematic measures are required to assess retinal dystrophy accurately in ZSD, including functional vision measures. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Discovery of triazole-bridged aryl adamantane analogs as an intriguing class of multifunctional agents for treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder associated with slow loss of brain functions leading to memory failure and modest changes in behavior. The multifactorial neuropathological condition is due to a depletion of cholinergic neurons and accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques. Recently, a multi-target-directed ligand (MTDL) strategy has emerged as a robust drug discovery tool to overcome current challenges. In this research work, we aimed to design and develop a library of triazole-bridged aryl adamantane analogs for the treatment of AD. All synthesized analogs were characterized and evaluated through various in vitro and in vivo biological studies. The optimal compounds 32 and 33 exhibited potent inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (32 - IC50 = 0.086 μM; 33 - 0.135 μM), and significant Aβ aggregation inhibition (20 μM). N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (GluN1-1b/GluN2B subunit combination) antagonistic activity of compounds 32 and 33 measured upon heterologous expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes showed IC50 values of 3.00 μM and 2.86 μM, respectively. The compounds possessed good blood-brain barrier permeability in the PAMPA assay and were safe for SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma (10 μM) and HEK-293 cell lines (30 μM). Furthermore, in vivo behavioral studies in rats demonstrated that both compounds improved cognitive and spatial memory impairment at a dose of 10 mg/kg oral administration. Together, our findings suggest triazole-bridged aryl adamantane as a promising new scaffold for the development of anti-Alzheimer's drugs.

Significance of Tissue Inhibitors of Matrix Metalloproteinases Expression in Pathogenesis and Differential Diagnosis of Periodontal Pathology

Background. The balance of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) is crucial for the manifestation and progression of periodontal diseases and is one of the promising areas of scientific research in terms of developing methods for selective inhibition of MMPs. Aims to determine the significance of TIMP1 and TIMP2 expression parameters in gingival biopsies to identify the type of periodontitis at the stage of disease manifestation. Methods. A prospective study with parallel inclusion of patients with different forms of periodontitis in the compared groups was performed. The object of this study were patients with various forms of periodontitis. Pathological examination with morphometric analysis of TIMPs expression and subsequent statistical data analysis was performed using AperioImageScope v12.4.0.5043, Statistica 10.0, MedCalc19.6. Results. The study included 67 patients with aggressive (AgP, Grade C, n = 19), chronic simplex (CSP, Grade В, n = 10) and chronic complex (CCP, in the presence of occlusal trauma, Grade В, n = 38) periodontitis and 15 conditionally healthy patients (control group). The expression of TIMP1 and TIMP2 was detected with variable intensity both in the epithelium and in the stroma of the gingiva, and was significantly higher in periodontitis groups compared with the control group (MeTIMP1/2 = 32%/70%). Parameters of TIMP1 and TIMP2 expression had no significant differences in the groups with AgP (MeTIMP1/2 = 84%/98%) and CCP (MeTIMP1/2 = 83%/94%), except for higher parameters of the positivity of epithelial expression of TIMP2 (U = 61 372; p 0.05) and lower levels of intensity of its expression in AgP (MeAgP/CCP=180/171; U = 56 491; p 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed an inverse relationship of TIMPs expression parameters with those MMPs, including those most significant for the development of AgP MMP1 ( = 0.40), MMP8 ( = 0.34), and MMP14 ( = 0.24). ROC analysis established acceptable informativeness of all studied parameters of total expression and positivity of epithelial expression of TIMP1, as well as positivity of total expression and intensity of epithelial expression of TIMP2 to distinguish between aggressive and chronic forms of periodontitis at the stage of disease manifestation. Conclusion. Our results show an increase in the expression of TIMP1 and TIMP2 in various forms of periodontitis and an inverse relationship with the MMPs inhibited by them. This complements both the fundamental knowledge of the development and progression of periodontal pathology and may have applied significance in terms of using the studied TIMP1 and TIMP2 expression criteria to establish the aggressive course of periodontitis already at the stage of disease manifestation, which will allow to individualize treatment, prevent or slow down tooth loss in order to preserve and/or improve the quality of life of this patient group.

Effect of processing with vinegar on efficacy of Curcuma longa in treatment of dysmenorrhea in rats with syndrome of liver depression and Qi stagnation

This study compared the effects of Curcuma longa before and after processing with vinegar on the rat model of dysmenorrhea with the syndrome of liver depression and Qi stagnation to reveal the mechanism of vinegar processing in improving the role of C. longa in soothing liver and relieving pain. The rat model of dysmenorrhea with the syndrome of liver depression and Qi stagnation was established according to the Preparation of the Animal Model of Dysmenorrhea(Draft) and the chronic unpredictable stress me-thod. The changes in the body weight, organ indexes, writhing latency, writhing score, and serum levels of six liver function indicators, sex hormones, pain factors, and blood rheological indicators were measured to evaluate the efficacy of C. longa processed with vinegar or not in treating dysmenorrhea in the rats with syndrome of liver depression and qi stagnation. Compared with the model group, the C. longa group(processed with vinegar or not) showed slow weight loss, increase in writhing latency, and decrease in writhing response(P&lt;0.05). The inhibition rates on writhing in raw C. longa, vinegar-processed C. longa, and positive groups were 33.780%, 64.611%, and 62.466%, respectively. The significantly higher inhibition rate of the vinegar processing group indicated that vinegar-processed C. longa demonstrated more significant therapeutic effect. The vinegar-processed C. longa group showed lower levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), direct bilirubin(DBIL), and total bilirubin(TBIL) and higher level of albumin(ALB)(P&lt;0.05), which indicated that vinegar processing enhanced the therapeutic effect of C. longa on liver injury. The serum levels of estradiol(E_2) and oxytocin(OT) were lower in the vinegar-processed C. longa group(P&lt;0.05), indicating that the vinegar-processed C. longa could regulate the sex hormone levels, reduce the activity of uterine smooth muscle and contraction of uterus, and alleviate the symptoms of dysmenorrhea in rats. Moreover, the vinegar-processed C. longa group showed lower interleukin-6(IL-6) and arginine vasopressin(AVP) levels and higher beta-endorphin(β-EP) level(P&lt;0.05), which indicated that vinegar-processed C. longa regulated the levels of pain factors to exert the pain-relieving effect. Drug intervention decreased the whole blood viscosity low-cut, medium-cut and high-cut values, plasma viscosity, whole blood reduction viscosity low-cut and high-cut values, erythrocyte cumulative pressure, and equation K value of erythrocyte sedimentation rate(P&lt;0.05), and the vinegar-processed C. longa group outperformed other groups. This result indicated that vinegar processing enhanced the function of C. longa in improving the local blood rheology. C. longa processed with vinegar can enter the liver to relieve the da-mage to the heart, liver, kidney, and uterus, repair the liver function, and recover the sex hormone levels and immune function by regulating the levels of sex hormones and pain factors and improving the blood rheology. It activates the pain-relieving mechanism to relieve the pain, protect the liver, and fight inflammation, which is consistent with the theory that vinegar processing facilitates C. longa entering the liver to sooth liver and relieve pain.

3,4-Desaturation of retinoic acid by cytochrome P450 27C1 prevents P450-mediated catabolism

Cytochrome P450 (P450, CYP) 27C1 is expressed in human skin and catalyzes the 3,4-desaturation of retinoids. The enzyme has a relatively high specificity constant (kcat/Km), and ∼¼ of the retinoids in human skin are in the desaturated form but their function is unknown. 3,4-Dehydroretinoic acid (also didehydroretinoic acid, ddRA) has similar affinity as all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) for retinoid X and retinoic acid receptors (RXRs/RAR). The metabolism of ddRA is unknown, and we considered the hypothesis that desaturation might be a protective mechanism in maintaining active retinoid levels in the body. There are limited theoretical products that can result from ddRA oxidation. We optimized conditions for oxidation of atRA by human liver microsomes—a slow loss of atRA was seen due to 4-oxidation but no loss of ddRA was observed under the same conditions. We evaluated the HPLC peaks that were observed in microsomal incubations with ddRA using UV spectroscopy, NaBH4 and NaBD4 reduction, and mass spectrometry. None were potential ddRA oxidation products, and none were increased in the presence of the P450 cofactor NADPH. Known P450 inhibitors had no effects on the levels of these compounds. We conclude that ddRA is not readily oxidized by P450s and that one role of desaturation may be the maintenance of levels of functional retinoids.

Loss Of Flow Accident (LOFA) with protection in NUR nuclear research reactor; three dimensional analysis of a Fast LOFA and a Slow LOFA

The Loss Of Flow Accident (LOFA), with protection and without intervention of natural convection in the cooling process, is studied in the NUR nuclear research reactor for two accident configurations; a Fast Loss Of Flow Accident (FLOFA) and a Slow Loss Of Flow Accident (SLOFA). The accident is due to an inadvertent partial closure of coolant loop isolation valve. All the sequences of each accident are presented, namely the steady-state, the transient (SLOFA or FLOFA), the nuclear reactor emergency shutdown (SCRAM), the cooling of the decay heat and the contribution of 20% of flow to guarantee a good nuclear reactor core cooling. In order to be able to follow the thermalhydraulic accident down to the smallest detail, the equation set-up, based on the three conservation equations of continuity, momentum and energy, in three dimensions of space and one dimension of time, coupled to the turbulence model K−ω SST, is established. The models of the distribution of thermal power and decay heat are introduced into the mathematical model as well as the exponential flow loss equation. The boundary conditions for each sequence of the accident are fixed. The resolution of all the equations was carried out using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) through FLUENT calculation code. It was possible to show the evolution of the temperature of the coolant and the cladding in the respective planes of each physical quantity for each time step of the accident, one second for the FLOFA and 2 s for the SLOFA. The evolution of the reactor power is presented before, during and after the SCRAM for each accident. After the SCRAM, the decay heat is taken into account and the average evolution of the temperature of the coolant and the cladding is presented as a function of time. The cooling of decay heat with no adding flow and with adding 20% flow was also studied as a function of time and the difference between the two approaches is presented. The FLOFA was studied for 2.2 s and the SLOFA for 25 s. The results obtained for the FLOFA and the SLOFA show that these accidents generates high temperatures but always remaining below the critical temperatures whether for the heat transfer fluid or for the cladding for the conditions and the data which have been retained for this work.

Effect of a low versus intermediate tidal volume strategy on pulmonary complications in patients at risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome-a randomized clinical trial.

There is no consensus on whether invasive ventilation should use low tidal volumes (VT) to prevent lung complications in patients at risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The purpose of this study is to determine if a low VT strategy is more effective than an intermediate VT strategy in preventing pulmonary complications. A randomized clinical trial was conducted in invasively ventilated patients with a lung injury prediction score (LIPS) of >4 performed in the intensive care units of 10 hospitals in Spain and one in the United States of America (USA) from 3 November 2014 to 30 August 2016. Patients were randomized to invasive ventilation using low VT (≤ 6 mL/kg predicted body weight, PBW) (N = 50) or intermediate VT (> 8 mL/kg PBW) (N = 48). The primary endpoint was the development of ARDS during the first 7 days after the initiation of invasive ventilation. Secondary endpoints included the development of pneumonia and severe atelectases; the length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay; and ICU, hospital, 28- and 90-day mortality. In total, 98 patients [67.3% male], with a median age of 65.5 years [interquartile range 55-73], were enrolled until the study was prematurely stopped because of slow recruitment and loss of equipoise caused by recent study reports. On day 7, five (11.9%) patients in the low VT group and four (9.1%) patients in the intermediate VT group had developed ARDS (risk ratio, 1.16 [95% CI, 0.62-2.17]; p = 0.735). The incidence of pneumonia and severe atelectasis was also not different between the two groups. The use of a low VT strategy did neither affect the length of ICU and hospital stay nor mortality rates. In patients at risk for ARDS, a low VT strategy did not result in a lower incidence of ARDS than an intermediate VT strategy.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02070666.

Integrative omics framework for characterization of coral reef ecosystems from the Tara Pacific expedition

Coral reef science is a fast-growing field propelled by the need to better understand coral health and resilience to devise strategies to slow reef loss resulting from environmental stresses. Key to coral resilience are the symbiotic interactions established within a complex holobiont, i.e. the multipartite assemblages comprising the coral host organism, endosymbiotic dinoflagellates, bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses. Tara Pacific is an ambitious project built upon the experience of previous Tara Oceans expeditions, and leveraging state-of-the-art sequencing technologies and analyses to dissect the biodiversity and biocomplexity of the coral holobiont screened across most archipelagos spread throughout the entire Pacific Ocean. Here we detail the Tara Pacific workflow for multi-omics data generation, from sample handling to nucleotide sequence data generation and deposition. This unique multidimensional framework also includes a large amount of concomitant metadata collected side-by-side that provide new assessments of coral reef biodiversity including micro-biodiversity and shape future investigations of coral reef dynamics and their fate in the Anthropocene.

Shikimic Acid Regulates the NF-κB/MAPK Signaling Pathway and Gut Microbiota to Ameliorate DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis.

Shikimic acid (SA) is a compound extracted from the plant anise and has anti-inflammatory effects. However, any impact on intestinal inflammation or mechanisms involved has not been investigated. The present study used a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse colitis model to investigate the effects of SA on intestinal inflammation. Intragastric administration of SA slowed DSS-induced weight loss, reduced disease activity index (DAI) score, enhanced the intestinal barrier, reduced the destruction of the colonic structure, inhibited the phosphorylation of key proteins in MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and MPO (P < 0.05), decreased IFN-γ expression (P < 0.05), and increased immunoglobulin IgG content (P < 0.05). After 50 mg/kg SA treatment, the content of Bacteroidetes increased and Proteobacteria decreased in the cecal feces of mice with colitis (P < 0.05) and the richness of gut species increased. In conclusion, SA could improve intestinal inflammation and enhance intestinal immunity, indicating its suitability as a therapeutic candidate.

Description of a natural infection with decapod iridescent virus 1 in farmed swimming crab

As an emerging viral pathogen, Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1) is a severe threat to the farmed and wild crustaceans, and it can spread between shrimp and crabs. Although swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) was identified as one of the DIV1 susceptible species by experimental infection mimicking the natural pathway, no case of natural infection was reported to date. Samples of Po. trituberculatus suffered from severe mortality were collected from a farm in Shandong Province of China. Diseased Po. trituberculatus exhibited slow movement and loss of appetite, while dying crabs showed empty stomachs and guts. Real-time PCR revealed that Po. trituberculatus samples were DIV1 positive and had a very high DIV1 load (up to 5.68 × 1010 copies/μg DNA) in gill tissue. Histopathological examination revealed eosinophilic inclusions and pyknosis in the hemocytes of the Po. trituberculatus gill tissue. Transmission electron microscopy of ultrathin sections showed that there were typical DIV1 particles in the gill tissue and hemocytes, which confirmed the disease of the farmed Po. trituberculatus was caused by the infection with Decapod iridescent virus 1 (iDIV1). Further bioassay by oral administration with tissues of diseased crabs and hemolymph coagulation examination showed that the diseased Po. trituberculatus had a significantly longer coagulation time than in healthy individuals. This study reported a severe case of natural infection with DIV1 in cultured swimming crab, further confirming the risk of DIV1 to the swimming crab farming industry and providing a new approach for on-site diagnosis of iDIV1 or other potential pathogens in Po. trituberculatus.