Stimulation of the autonomic nervous system in colorectal surgery: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

In this study we describe the sociodemographic characteristics of people participating in a clinical trial on the safety and immunogenicity of a H5N1 influenza vaccine and we identify the main motivations for joining it.     

The difference in LET and ion species dependence for induction of initially measured and non-rejoined chromatin breaks in normal human fibroblasts

We studied the LET and ion species dependence of the induction of chromatin breaks measured immediately after irradiation as initially measured breaks and after 24 h postirradiation incubation (37 degrees C) as non-rejoined breaks in normal human fibroblasts with different heavy ions, such as carbon, neon, silicon and iron, generated by the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC) at the National Institute of Radiological Science (NIRS). Chromatin breaks were measured as an excess number of fragments of prematurely condensed chromosomes using premature chromosome condensation (PCC). The results showed that the number of excess fragments per cell per Gy for initially measured chromatin breaks was dependent on LET in the range from 13.3 to 113.1 keV/mum but was not dependent on ion species. On the other hand, the number of non-rejoined chromatin breaks detected after 24 h postirradiation incubation was clearly dependent on both LET and ion species. No significant difference was observed in the cross section for initially measured breaks, but a statistically significant difference was observed in the cross section for non-rejoined breaks among carbon, neon, silicon and iron ions. This suggests that the LET-dependent structure in the biological effects is reflected in biological consequences of repair processes.     

Glyphosate-induced impairment of plant growth and micronutrient status in glyphosate-resistant soybean (Glycine max L.)

This investigation demonstrated potential detrimental side effects of glyphosate on plant growth and micronutrient (Mn, Zn) status of a glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean variety (Glycine max cv. Valiosa), which were found to be highly dependent on the selected growth conditions. In hydroponic experiments with sufficient Mn supply [0.5 μM], the GR cv. Valiosa produced similar plant biomass, root length and number of lateral roots in the control treatment without glyphosate as compared to its non-GR parental line cv. Conquista. However, this was associated with 50% lower Mn shoot concentrations in cv. Conquista, suggesting a higher Mn demand of the transgenic cv. Valiosa under the selected growth conditions. Glyphosate application significantly inhibited root biomass production, root elongation, and lateral root formation of the GR line, associated with a 50% reduction of Mn shoot concentrations. Interestingly, no comparable effects were detectable at low Mn supply [0.1 μM]. This may indicate Mn-dependent differences in the intracellular transformation of glyphosate to the toxic metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in the two isolines. In soil culture experiments conducted on a calcareous loess sub-soil of a Luvisol (pH 7.6) and a highly weathered Arenosol (pH 4.5), shoot biomass production and Zn leaf concentrations of the GR-variety were affected by glyphosate applications on the Arenosol but not on the calcareous Loess sub-soil. Analysis of micronutrient levels in high and low molecular weight (LMW) fractions (80% ethanol extracts) of young leaves revealed no indications for internal immobilization of micronutrients (Mn, Zn, Fe) by excessive complexation with glyphosate in the LMW phase.     

Self-organized flocking in mobile robot swarms

In this paper, we study self-organized flocking in a swarm of mobile robots. We present Kobot, a mobile robot platform developed specifically for swarm robotic studies. We describe its infrared-based short range sensing system, capable of measuring the distance from obstacles and detecting kin robots, and a novel sensing system called the virtual heading system (VHS) which uses a digital compass and a wireless communication module for sensing the relative headings of neighboring robots. We propose a behavior based on heading alignment and proximal control that is capable of generating self-organized flocking in a swarm of Kobots. By self-organized flocking we mean that a swarm of mobile robots, initially connected via proximal sensing, is able to wander in an environment by moving as a coherent group in open space and to avoid obstacles as if it were a “super-organism”. We propose a number of metrics to evaluate the quality of flocking. We use a default set of behavioral parameter values that can generate acceptable flocking in robots, and analyze the sensitivity of the flocking behavior against changes in each of the parameters using the metrics that were proposed. We show that the proposed behavior can generate flocking in a small group of physical robots in a closed arena as well as in a swarm of 1000 simulated robots in open space. We vary the three main characteristics of the VHS, namely: (1) the amount and nature of noise in the measurement of heading, (2) the number of VHS neighbors, and (3) the range of wireless communication. Our experiments show that the range of communication is the main factor that determines the maximum number of robots that can flock together and that the behavior is highly robust against the other two VHS characteristics. We conclude by discussing this result in the light of related theoretical studies in statistical physics.     

Protective effect of resveratrol against pembrolizumab-induced hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity in male rats

The present study investigates the effects of resveratrol (RSV) on brain and liver tissues in rats with pembrolizumab (PEMB)-induced toxicity. Obtained for the study were 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats (3–4 months old) which were divided into four groups: Group 1: Control. Group 2: Administered PEMB at 5 mg/kg/day i.p. for a week. Group 3: Administered RSV orally at the dose of 20 mg/kg/day for 30 days by gavage. Group 4: Administered PEMB and RSV at 20 and 5 mg/kg/day RSV, respectively, for 30 days. The results of this study revealed that PEMB leads to a significant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels and a significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and glutathione (GSH) levels in the liver and brain tissues. The decreased SOD, CAT, GPx activities, and GSH levels increased significantly following RSV treatment in Group 4. The PEMB treatment showed histopathological alterations associated with strong positive cysteinyl aspartic acid-protease-3 (caspase-3) immunoreactivity, while RSV treatment reduced both the expression of caspase-3 protein and the histopathological changes. RSV administration prevents the biochemical, immunological, and histological alterations induced by PEMB. It can be suggested that the lower caspase-3 immunoreactivity in the PEMB + RSV group than in the PEMB group led to an inhibition of RSV on apoptosis.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for bruchid (Caryedon serratus Olivier) resistance components in cultivated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Groundnut bruchid (Caryedon serratus Olivier) is a major storage insect pest that significantly lowers the quality and market acceptance of the produce. Screening for resistance against groundnut bruchid in field conditions is difficult due to the variation in environmental factors and possible occurrence of biotypes. Hence, identification of tightly linked markers or quantitative trait loci (QTLs) is needed for selection and pyramiding of resistance genes for durable resistance. A population of recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between VG 9514 (resistant) and TAG 24 (susceptible) was screened for five component traits of bruchid resistance in 2 years. The same population was genotyped with 221 polymorphic marker loci. A genetic linkage map covering 1,796.7 cM map distance was constructed with 190 marker loci in cultivated groundnut. QTL analysis detected thirteen main QTLs for four components of bruchid resistance in nine linkage groups and 31 epistatic QTLs for total developmental period (TDP). Screening in 2 years for bruchid resistance identified two common main QTLs. The common QTL for TDP, qTDP-b08, explained 57–82 % of phenotypic variation, while the other common QTL for adult emergence, qAE2010/11-a02, explained 13–21 % of phenotypic variation. Additionally, three QTLs for TDP, adult emergence and number of holes and one QTL for pod weight loss were identified which explained 14–39 % of phenotypic variation. This is the first report on identification of multiple main and epistatic loci for bruchid resistance in groundnut.     

High level synthesis of levan by a novel Halomonas species growing on defined media

A novel halophilic isolate from soil samples taken from Çamalt? Saltern area in Turkey, Halomonas sp. AAD6 (JCM 15723) strain, was found to produce high levels of exopolysaccharides (EPS), in the presence of sucrose in defined media, by flasks and bioreactor condition yielded 1.073 g L^?1 and 1.844 g L^?1, respectively. Sugar analysis, methylation studies and NMR analysis of EPS indicated the repeating unit of this polysaccharide was composed of β-(2,6)-d-fructofuranosyl residues. Hence with this work, Halomonas sp. has been described as a levan producer microorganism for the first time. Biocompatibility studies showed this EPS did not affect cellular viability and proliferation of osteoblasts and murine macrophages. The protective effect of the polymer against the toxic activity of avarol implied its additional use as an anti-cytotoxic agent. Halomonas sp. AAD6 could represent an alternative cheap source of levan polymer when grown on defined media hypothesizing its larger employment in industrial application being non pathogenic microorganism.     

Thymoquinone Induces Telomere Shortening,DNA Damage and Apoptosis in Human Glioblastoma Cells

Background

A major concern of cancer chemotherapy is the side effects caused by the non-specific targeting of both normal and cancerous cells by therapeutic drugs. Much emphasis has been placed on discovering new compounds that target tumour cells more efficiently and selectively with minimal toxic effects on normal cells.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The cytotoxic effect of thymoquinone, a component derived from the plant Nigella sativa, was tested on human glioblastoma and normal cells. Our findings demonstrated that glioblastoma cells were more sensitive to thymoquinone-induced antiproliferative effects. Thymoquinone induced DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the glioblastoma cells. It was also observed that thymoquinone facilitated telomere attrition by inhibiting the activity of telomerase. In addition to these, we investigated the role of DNA-PKcs on thymoquinone mediated changes in telomere length. Telomeres in glioblastoma cells with DNA-PKcs were more sensitive to thymoquinone mediated effects as compared to those cells deficient in DNA-PKcs.

Conclusions/Significance

Our results indicate that thymoquinone induces DNA damage, telomere attrition by inhibiting telomerase and cell death in glioblastoma cells. Telomere shortening was found to be dependent on the status of DNA-PKcs. Collectively, these data suggest that thymoquinone could be useful as a potential chemotherapeutic agent in the management for brain tumours.     

Plasma levels of osteopontin identify patients at risk for organ damage in systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction

Osteopontin (OPN) has been implicated as a mediator of Th17 regulation via type I interferon (IFN) receptor signaling and in macrophage activity at sites of tissue repair. This study assessed whether increased circulating plasma OPN (cOPN) precedes development of organ damage in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE) and compared it to circulating plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (cNGAL), a predictor of increased SLE disease activity.

Methods

cOPN and cNGAL were measured in prospectively followed pSLE (n = 42) and adult SLE (aSLE; n = 23) patients and age-matched controls. Time-adjusted cumulative disease activity and disease damage were respectively assessed using adjusted-mean SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) (AMS) and SLICC/ACR damage index (SDI).

Results

Compared to controls, elevated cOPN and cNGAL were observed in pSLE and aSLE. cNGAL preceded worsening SLEDAI by 3-6 months (P = 0.04), but was not associated with increased 6-month AMS. High baseline cOPN, which was associated with high IFNalpha activity and expression of autoantibodies to nucleic acids, positively correlated with 6-month AMS (r = 0.51 and 0.52, P = 0.001 and 0.01 in pSLE and aSLE, respectively) and was associated with SDI increase at 12 months in pSLE (P = 0.001). Risk factors for change in SDI in pSLE were cOPN (OR 7.5, 95% CI [2.9-20], P = 0.03), but not cNGAL, cumulative prednisone, disease duration, immunosuppression use, gender or ancestry using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The area under the curve (AUC) when generating the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) of baseline cOPN sensitivity and specificity for the indication of SLE patients with an increase of SDI over a 12 month period is 0.543 (95% CI 0.347-0.738; positive predictive value 95% and negative predictive value 38%).

Conclusion

High circulating OPN levels preceded increased cumulative disease activity and organ damage in SLE patients, especially in pSLE, and its value as a predictor of poor outcome should be further validated in large longitudinal cohorts.     

The phenotype and genotype of rheumatoid arthritis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction

Little is known about rheumatoid arthritis in the black, particularly in Congolese, populations. Our objective was to describe the phenotype and genotype of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Congolese.

Methods

All consecutive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients attending Kinshasa University Hospital in a three-year time period were included. Demographics, clinical features and tobacco consumption were noted. Disease Activity Score (DAS)-28 based on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (CCP) antibodies and rheumatoid factor (RF) were determined. Radiographs were scored according to Sharp-van der Heijde. On a subset of patients and controls HLA-DRB1 typing was performed.

Results

A total of 114 females and 14 males aged 51.2 ± 14.9 were included. Mean duration of symptoms was four years. Moderate tobacco consumption was reported in a minority of patients. DAS-28 at first visit was >5.1 and HAQ ≥0.5 in all patients. X-rays showed joint erosions and/or joint space narrowing, mostly of a moderate grade in 55.8% of patients. Anti-CCP and/or RF were present in 48.6% of patients with available data (n = 72) and in 3.0% of controls (n = 67). Radiographic changes and nodules were more frequent in RF or anti-CCP positive patients. One copy of the shared epitope was found in 13 patients (35.1%) and 3 controls (12.5%). Two copies were found in one patient (2.7%) and in one control (4.2%).

Conclusion

Congolese patients with RA consult long after disease onset. Despite this delay, the majority presents without major damage and is RF, anti-CCP and SE negative. We put forward the hypothesis that besides different environmental factors there is probably also a particular genetic risk profile in Congolese patients, different from the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope.