Ex vivo three-dimensional elemental imaging of mouse brain tissue block by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Measurement and reconstruction of an elemental image of large brain tissue will be beneficial to the diagnosis of neurological brain diseases. Herein, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is introduced for three dimensional (3D) elemental analysis of paraffin-embedded mouse brain tissue blocks. It is used for the first time towards the mapping of mouse brain block samples. A micro-LIBS prototype is developed for brain elemental imaging and a layer-by-layer approach is used to reconstruct the 3D distribution of Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, and P in the brain tissue. Images are captured with 50 μm lateral resolution and 300 μm depth resolution. The images show that the reclamation area of the cortex surface is enriched with Ca and Mg. In contrast, the Cu distribution is circular and is found primarily in the entirety of the cerebral cortex for the paraffin-embedded brain samples. Elemental imaging results suggest that the highest P intensity is found in the cerebellum nearby the middle sagittal plane in the left-brain paraffin block. These preliminary results indicate that LIBS is a potentially powerful tool for elemental bioimaging of the whole brain and may further improve the understanding of complex brain mechanisms.     

Photo-mediated optimized synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the extracts of outer shell fibre of Cocos nucifera L. fruit and detection of its antioxidant,cytotoxicity and antibacterial potential

Presently, photo-mediated optimized synthesis of SNPs (CS-AgNPs) was carried out with the help of aqueous extracts of coconut (Cocos nucifera) outer shell fibre. Green synthesis of CS-AgNPs was undertaken under laboratory light conditions and characterized by several standard techniques such as UV–visible spectrophotometer (UV–Vis), X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). UV–Vis spectra displayed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 468 nm equivalent to CS-AgNPs, and the FT-IR spectra confirmed the association of biological molecules from the extract in the synthesis process. The SEM image data confirmed the round and circular nature of CS-AgNPs. The EDX data presented the elemental configuration with a solid peak at 3 KeV that matched with the Ag. The synthesized CS-AgNPs exhibited substantial cytotoxicity potential against the HepG2 cells with (effective concentration (IC₅₀) value of 15.28 µg/ml along with robust antioxidant potential, with respect to its 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging (IC₅₀ of 96.39 µg/ml) and reducing assay (IC_0.5 of 209.96 µg/ml). The CS-AgNPs demonstrated encouraging antimicrobial potential against four different pathogenic bacteria and one Candida sp. with inhibition zone diameter ranged between 8.87 and 13.07 mm. Overall, the existing investigation suggested that CS-AgNPs can be an attractive, cost-effective, and environment-friendly candidate for its possible uses in the food, cosmetics, and therapeutic fields.     

Aptamer‐mediated synthesis of multifunctional nano‐hydroxyapatite for active tumour bioimaging and treatment

ObjectivesThe nano‐hydroxyapatite (nHAp) is widely used to develop imaging probes and drug carriers due to its excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility. However, traditional methods usually need cumbersome and stringent conditions such as high temperature and post‐modification to prepare the functionalized nHAp, which do not benefit the particles to enter cells due to the increased particle size. Herein, a biomimetic synthesis strategy was explored to achieve the AS1411‐targeted tumour dual‐model bioimaging using DNA aptamer AS1411 as a template. Then, the imaging properties and the biocompatibility of the synthesized AS‐nFAp:Gd/Tb were further investigated.Materials and methodsThe AS‐nFAp:Gd/Tb was prepared under mild conditions through a one‐pot procedure with AS1411 as a template. Besides, the anticancer drug DOX was loaded to AS‐nFAp:Gd/Tb so as to achieve the establishment of a multifunctional nano‐probe that integrated the tumour diagnosis and treatment. The AS‐nFAp:Gd/Tb was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy disperse X‐ray Spectroscopy (EDS) mapping, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectrum, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), fourier‐transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, capillary electrophoresis analyses, zeta potential and particle sizes. The in vitro magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence imaging were performed on an MRI system and a confocal laser scanning microscope, respectively. The potential of the prepared multifunctional nHAp for a targeted tumour therapy was investigated by a CCK‐8 kit. And the animal experiments were conducted on the basis of the guidelines approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of Sichuan University, China.ResultsIn the presence of AS1411, the as‐prepared AS‐nFAp:Gd/Tb presented a needle‐like morphology with good monodispersity and improved imaging performance. Furthermore, due to the specific binding between AS1411 and nucleolin up‐expressed in cancer cells, the AS‐nFAp:Gd/Tb possessed excellent AS1411‐targeted fluorescence and MRI imaging properties. Moreover, after loading chemotherapy drug DOX, in vitro and in vivo studies showed that DOX@AS‐nFAp:Gd/Tb could effectively deliver DOX to tumour tissues and exert a highly effective tumour inhibition without systemic toxicity compared with pure DOX.ConclusionsThe results indicated that the prepared multifunctional nHAp synthesized by a novel biomimetic strategy had outstanding capabilities of recognition and treatment for the tumour and had good biocompatibility; hence, it might have a potential clinical application in the future.     

Intradiscal application of rhBMP-7 does not induce regeneration in a canine model of spontaneous intervertebral disc degeneration

IntroductionStrategies for biological repair and regeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) by cell and tissue engineering are promising, but few have made it into a clinical setting. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 7 (rhBMP-7) has been shown to stimulate matrix production by IVD cells in vitro and in vivo in animal models of induced IVD degeneration. The aim of this study was to determine the most effective dose of an intradiscal injection of rhBMP-7 in a spontaneous canine IVD degeneration model for translation into clinical application for patients with low back pain.MethodsCanine nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) were cultured with rhBMP-7 to assess the anabolic effect of rhBMP-7 in vitro, and samples were evaluated for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and DNA content, histology, and matrix-related gene expression. Three different dosages of rhBMP-7 (2.5 μg, 25 μg, and 250 μg) were injected in vivo into early degenerated IVDs of canines, which were followed up for six months by magnetic resonance imaging (T2-weighted images, T1rho and T2 maps). Post-mortem, the effects of rhBMP-7 were determined by radiography, computed tomography, and macroscopy, and by histological, biochemical (GAG, DNA, and collagen), and biomolecular analyses of IVD tissue.ResultsIn vitro, rhBMP-7 stimulated matrix production of canine NPCs as GAG deposition was enhanced, DNA content was maintained, and gene expression levels of ACAN and COL2A1 were significantly upregulated. Despite the wide dose range of rhBMP-7 (2.5 to 250 μg) administered in vivo, no regenerative effects were observed at the IVD level. Instead, extensive extradiscal bone formation was noticed after intradiscal injection of 25 μg and 250 μg of rhBMP-7.ConclusionsAn intradiscal bolus injection of 2.5 μg, 25 μg, and 250 μg rhBMP-7 showed no regenerative effects in a spontaneous canine IVD degeneration model. In contrast, intradiscal injection of 250 μg rhBMP-7, and to a lesser extent 25 μg rhBMP-7, resulted in extensive extradiscal bone formation, indicating that a bolus injection of rhBMP-7 alone cannot be used for treatment of IVD degeneration in human or canine patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-015-0625-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Determination of free amino acids in burley tobacco by high performance liquid chromatography

A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for determining free amino acids in burley tobacco. The test was done by OPA/3-mercaptopropionic acid as the pre-column derivatizing reagent. Chromatographic column was Elitte C¹⁸ column (4.6 mm × 250 mm i.d., 5 μm). Mobile phase A was 18 mol/l NaAc (pH7.2) including 0.002%(v/v) triethylamine and 0.3%(v/v) furanidine. Mobile phase B was 100 mol/l NaAc (pH7.2)–acetonitrile–methanol (v/v = 1:2:2). The column temperature was 40 °C and the flow rate was 1.0 ml/min. The fluorescence detector was used with 350 nm excitation wave length and 450 nm emission wave length. The average recoveries of the method ranged from 95.3–100.7% with the relative standard deviation of 2.32–9.24%. The method is simple, accurate and has good repeatability. The results of the determination of seventeen kinds of free amino acids in burley leaves were produced by the way of different ratios of cake fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer. The results show that Aspartic acid has the highest content however ratio of cake fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer. The contents of most of the free amino acids are increased and then gradually decreased with the increase in organic manure. The contents of most of the free amino acids are very close at 15:85% ratio and 30:70% ratio of cake fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer. The total amount of free amino acids is the highest at 30:70% ratio of cake fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer. Considering comprehensively, the quality of burley leaves is the best at 30:70% ratio of cake fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer.     

Noninvasive Assessment of Losartan-Induced Increase in Functional Microvasculature and Drug Delivery in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE: Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, can reduce desmoplasia and enhance drug delivery and efficacy through improving interstitial transport and vascular perfusion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) models in mice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) and micro–positron emission tomography (PET) measurements could respectively detect improvements in tumor vascular parameters and drug uptake in orthotopic PDAC in mice treated with losartan. METHOD AND MATERIALS: All experiments were approved by the local Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. FVB mice with orthotopic PDAC were treated daily with an i.p. injection of losartan (70 mg/kg) or saline (control vehicle) for 5 days. In order to calculate the fractional blood volume, vessel size index, and vessel density index, MRI was performed at 4.7 T following the injection of 3 mg/kg iron ferumoxytol (i.v.). Dynamic PET images were also acquired for 60 minutes using an ¹⁸F-5FU tracer dose of 200 μCi and analyzed for time activity curves normalized to muscle. Statistical analyses compared both cohorts using an unpaired two-tailed t test. RESULTS: In comparison to the control treatment, the losartan administration significantly increased the fractional blood volume (mean ± SEM) [12.1 ± 1.7 (n = 19) vs 6.7 ± 1.1 (n = 20); P < .02] and vessel size index (128.2 ± 35.6 vs 57.5 ± 18; P < .05). Losartan also induced a significant increase in the intratumoral uptake of ¹⁸F-5FU by 53% (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: MRI using FDA-approved MNPs provides a noninvasive, translatable means of assaying microvascular parameters induced by losartan in pancreatic cancer. PET measurements demonstrated that losartan significantly increased the uptake of ¹⁸F-5FU.     

Tolerability of High-Volume Subcutaneous Injections of a Viscous Placebo Buffer: A Randomized,Crossover Study in Healthy Subjects

Monoclonal antibody biotherapeutics are often administered by subcutaneous (SC) injection. Due to dose requirements and formulation limitations, SC injections >1 mL are often required. We used a viscous placebo buffer (5 cP), characteristic of a high-concentration antibody formulation, to investigate the effect of dose volume and injection rate on the tolerability of higher-volume SC injections. In this randomized, crossover, single-center study, 48 healthy adults received one 1.2-mL bolus injection over 5 s and three 3.5-mL injections over 1, 4, and 10 min in different abdominal quadrants, with each injection separated by approximately 2 h. The primary objective was to compare pain scores associated with the injections, immediately after administration and 1 h later, using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary objectives included assessment of adverse events, including injection site reactions and swelling. Mean age was 38.4 (11.6) years and 20 subjects (42%) were female. Lowest mean VAS score was for the 10-min (6.83 mm) and highest for the 1-min injection (19.13 mm). One hour after administration, mean VAS scores were <3.5 mm for all injections. Swelling was similar among the three 3.5-mL injections. After needle removal, leakage occurred following 14 (29%) 1.2-mL injections, eight (17%) 4-min injections, five (10%) 1-min injections, and four (8%) 10-min injections. Fifteen subjects (31%) experienced an adverse event, none of which was serious, fatal, or led to study discontinuation. All injection durations were well tolerated, suggesting a single large-volume SC injection of a biotherapeutic agent could be used instead of multiple injections.KEY WORDS: placebo buffer, subcutaneous injections, tolerability, viscous     

Telomere length and metabolic syndrome traits: A Mendelian randomisation study

Observational studies have revealed associations between short leucocyte telomere length (LTL), a TL marker in somatic tissues and multiple Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) traits. Animal studies have supported these findings by showing that increased telomere attrition leads to adipose tissue dysfunction and insulin resistance. We investigated the associations between genetically instrumented LTL and MetS traits using Mendelian Randomisation (MR). Fifty‐two independent variants identified at FDR<0.05 from a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) including 78,592 Europeans and collectively accounting for 2.93% of LTL variance were selected as genetic instruments for LTL. Summary‐level data for MetS traits and for the MetS as a binary phenotype were obtained from the largest publicly available GWAS and two‐sample MR analyses were used to estimate the associations of LTL with these traits. The combined effect of the genetic instruments was modelled using inverse variance weighted regression and sensitivity analyses with MR‐Egger, weighted‐median and MR‐PRESSO were performed to test for and correct horizonal pleiotropy. Genetically instrumented longer LTL was associated with higher waist‐to‐hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (β = 0.045 SD, SE = 0.018, p = 0.01), raised systolic (β = 1.529 mmHg, SE = 0.332, p = 4x10⁻⁶) and diastolic (β = 0.633 mmHg, SE = 0.222, p = 0.004) blood pressure, and increased MetS risk (OR = 1.133, 95% CI 1.057–1.215). Consistent results were obtained in sensitivity analyses, which provided no evidence of unbalanced horizontal pleiotropy. Telomere shortening might not be a major driver of cellular senescence and dysfunction in human adipose tissue. Future experimental studies should examine the mechanistic bases for the links between longer LTL and increased upper‐body fat distribution and raised blood pressure.     

Scalable Nanohelices for Predictive Studies and Enhanced 3D Visualization

Spring-like materials are ubiquitous in nature and of interest in nanotechnology for energy harvesting, hydrogen storage, and biological sensing applications.  For predictive simulations, it has become increasingly important to be able to model the structure of nanohelices accurately.  To study the effect of local structure on the properties of these complex geometries one must develop realistic models.  To date, software packages are rather limited in creating atomistic helical models.  This work focuses on producing atomistic models of silica glass (SiO₂) nanoribbons and nanosprings for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Using an MD model of “bulk” silica glass, two computational procedures to precisely create the shape of nanoribbons and nanosprings are presented.  The first method employs the AWK programming language and open-source software to effectively carve various shapes of silica nanoribbons from the initial bulk model, using desired dimensions and parametric equations to define a helix.  With this method, accurate atomistic silica nanoribbons can be generated for a range of pitch values and dimensions.  The second method involves a more robust code which allows flexibility in modeling nanohelical structures.  This approach utilizes a C++ code particularly written to implement pre-screening methods as well as the mathematical equations for a helix, resulting in greater precision and efficiency when creating nanospring models.  Using these codes, well-defined and scalable nanoribbons and nanosprings suited for atomistic simulations can be effectively created.  An added value in both open-source codes is that they can be adapted to reproduce different helical structures, independent of material.  In addition, a MATLAB graphical user interface (GUI) is used to enhance learning through visualization and interaction for a general user with the atomistic helical structures.  One application of these methods is the recent study of nanohelices via MD simulations for mechanical energy harvesting purposes.     

Set-up uncertainty during postmastectomy radiotherapy with Segmented Photon Beams Technique

Aim

To verify the reproducibility of patients irradiated after mastectomy on the immobilization system designed and manufactured for our hospital and to compare the Internal Protocol (IP) with the modified-No Action Level Protocol.

Background

Application of forward IMRT techniques requires a good reproducibility of patient positioning. To minimize the set-up error, an effective immobilization system is important.

Materials and methods

The study was performed for two groups of 65 each. In the first group, portal images for anterior field were taken in 1–3 fractions and, subsequently, three times a week. In this group, the mNAL protocol was used. In the second group, the IP was used. The portal images from the anterior field and from the gantry 0 were taken during the 1–3 and 10 fractions. In both groups, image registration was performed off-line. For each group the systematic and random errors and PTV margin were calculated.

Results

In the first group the value of the population systematic errors and random errors were 1.6 ± 1.6 mm for the left–right, and 1.5 ± 1.7 mm for the cranial–caudal directions, respectively, 1.7 ± 1.3 mm, and 1.9 ± 1.3 mm for the second group. The PTV margins for the left–right and cranial–caudal directions were 5.1 and 4.9 mm for the first group and 5.4 and 6.4 mm for the second group.

Conclusions

For patients immobilized with our support device treated according to the mNAL protocol or IP, a good set-up reproducibility was obtained. Implementation of IP limits the number of required images.     

The Power of Kawaii: Viewing Cute Images Promotes a Careful Behavior and Narrows Attentional Focus

Kawaii (a Japanese word meaning “cute”) things are popular because they produce positive feelings. However, their effect on behavior remains unclear. In this study, three experiments were conducted to examine the effects of viewing cute images on subsequent task performance. In the first experiment, university students performed a fine motor dexterity task before and after viewing images of baby or adult animals. Performance indexed by the number of successful trials increased after viewing cute images (puppies and kittens; M ± SE = 43.9±10.3% improvement) more than after viewing images that were less cute (dogs and cats; 11.9±5.5% improvement). In the second experiment, this finding was replicated by using a non-motor visual search task. Performance improved more after viewing cute images (15.7±2.2% improvement) than after viewing less cute images (1.4±2.1% improvement). Viewing images of pleasant foods was ineffective in improving performance (1.2±2.1%). In the third experiment, participants performed a global–local letter task after viewing images of baby animals, adult animals, and neutral objects. In general, global features were processed faster than local features. However, this global precedence effect was reduced after viewing cute images. Results show that participants performed tasks requiring focused attention more carefully after viewing cute images. This is interpreted as the result of a narrowed attentional focus induced by the cuteness-triggered positive emotion that is associated with approach motivation and the tendency toward systematic processing. For future applications, cute objects may be used as an emotion elicitor to induce careful behavioral tendencies in specific situations, such as driving and office work.     

Quantitative Ultrasound Spectroscopic Imaging for Characterization of Disease Extent in Prostate Cancer Patients

Three-dimensional quantitative ultrasound spectroscopic imaging of prostate was investigated clinically for the noninvasive detection and extent characterization of disease in cancer patients and compared to whole-mount, whole-gland histopathology of radical prostatectomy specimens. Fifteen patients with prostate cancer underwent a volumetric transrectal ultrasound scan before radical prostatectomy. Conventional-frequency (~ 5 MHz) ultrasound images and radiofrequency data were collected from patients. Normalized power spectra were used as the basis of quantitative ultrasound spectroscopy. Specifically, color-coded parametric maps of 0-MHz intercept, midband fit, and spectral slope were computed and used to characterize prostate tissue in ultrasound images. Areas of cancer were identified in whole-mount histopathology specimens, and disease extent was correlated to that estimated from quantitative ultrasound parametric images. Midband fit and 0-MHz intercept parameters were found to be best associated with the presence of disease as located on histopathology whole-mount sections. Obtained results indicated a correlation between disease extent estimated noninvasively based on midband fit parametric images and that identified histopathologically on prostatectomy specimens, with an r² value of 0.71 (P < .0001). The 0-MHz intercept parameter demonstrated a lower level of correlation with histopathology. Spectral slope parametric maps offered no discrimination of disease. Multiple regression analysis produced a hybrid disease characterization model (r² = 0.764, P < .05), implying that the midband fit biomarker had the greatest correlation with the histopathologic extent of disease. This work demonstrates that quantitative ultrasound spectroscopic imaging can be used for detecting prostate cancer and characterizing disease extent noninvasively, with corresponding gross three-dimensional histopathologic correlation.     

Biogenic proficient synthesis of (Au-NPs) via aqueous extract of Red Dragon Pulp and seed oil: Characterization,antioxidant, cytotoxic properties,anti-diabetic anti-inflammatory,anti-Alzheimer and their anti-proliferative potential against cancer cell lines

Gold nanoparticles with tiny sizes and biostability are particularly essential and are employed in a variety of biomedical applications. Using a reducing agent and a stabilising agent to make gold nanoparticles has been reported in a number of studies. Gold nanoparticles with a particle size of 25.31 nm were synthesized in this study utilising Hylocereus polyrhizus (Red Pitaya) extract, which functions as a reducing and stabilising agent. The extract of Red Pitaya is said to be a powerful antioxidant and anti-cancer agent. Because of its substantial blood biocompatibility and physiological stability, green production of gold nanoparticles with H. polyrhizus fruit extract is an alternative to chemical synthesis and useful for biological and medical applications. The formation and size distribution of gold nanoparticles were confirmed by HPLC, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The well-analysed NPs were used in various biological assays, including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-Alzheimer, and antioxidant (DPPH), and cytotoxic investigations. The NPs also showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic activity against HCT-116, HepG2 and MCF-7 cell lines, with IC₅₀ of 100 µg/mL for HCT-116 cells, 155 µg/mL for HepG2, and for MCF-7 cells the value was 165 µg/mL respectively. Finally, the outstanding biocompatibility of Au-NPs has led to the conclusion that they are a promising choice for various biological applications.     

Measurement of Coherence Decay in GaMnAs Using Femtosecond Four-wave Mixing

The application of femtosecond four-wave mixing to the study of fundamental properties of diluted magnetic semiconductors ((s,p)-d hybridization, spin-flip scattering) is described, using experiments on GaMnAs as a prototype III-Mn-V system.  Spectrally-resolved and time-resolved experimental configurations are described, including the use of zero-background autocorrelation techniques for pulse optimization.  The etching process used to prepare GaMnAs samples for four-wave mixing experiments is also highlighted.  The high temporal resolution of this technique, afforded by the use of short (20 fsec) optical pulses, permits the rapid spin-flip scattering process in this system to be studied directly in the time domain, providing new insight into the strong exchange coupling responsible for carrier-mediated ferromagnetism.  We also show that spectral resolution of the four-wave mixing signal allows one to extract clear signatures of (s,p)-d hybridization in this system, unlike linear spectroscopy techniques.   This increased sensitivity is due to the nonlinearity of the technique, which suppresses defect-related contributions to the optical response. This method may be used to measure the time scale for coherence decay (tied to the fastest scattering processes) in a wide variety of semiconductor systems of interest for next generation electronics and optoelectronics.     

Induction of Labour in Sheep and in Humans by Single Doses of Corticosteroids

In sheep the administration of single intramuscular injections of dexamethasone into the fetus was shown to be an effective method of initiating parturition. In a controlled trial in women who had gone beyond the 41st week of pregnancy 20 mg betamethasone in saline (six patients) or saline alone (five patients) was injected into the amniotic fluid. In the betamethasone-treated group delivery occurred 78·9 ± 10·2 (S.D.) hours after injection while in the control group it occurred 323 ± 62 (S.D.) hours after injection (P < 0·01). In one woman with an anencephalic pregnancy intra-amniotic injection failed to initiate parturition but delivery occurred 88·5 hours after intramuscular injection of betamethasone into the fetus.     

Diffusional Properties of Methanogenic Granular Sludge: 1H NMR Characterization

The diffusive properties of anaerobic methanogenic and sulfidogenic aggregates present in wastewater treatment bioreactors were studied using diffusion analysis by relaxation time-separated pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and NMR imaging. NMR spectroscopy measurements were performed at 22°C with 10 ml of granular sludge at a magnetic field strength of 0.5 T (20 MHz resonance frequency for protons). Self-diffusion coefficients of H₂O in the investigated series of mesophilic aggregates were found to be 51 to 78% lower than the self-diffusion coefficient of free water. Interestingly, self-diffusion coefficients of H₂O were independent of the aggregate size for the size fractions investigated. Diffusional transport occurred faster in aggregates growing under nutrient-rich conditions (e.g., the bottom of a reactor) or at high (55°C) temperatures than in aggregates cultivated in nutrient-poor conditions or at low (10°C) temperatures. Exposure of aggregates to 2.5% glutaraldehyde or heat (70 or 90°C for 30 min) modified the diffusional transport up to 20%. In contrast, deactivation of aggregates by HgCl₂ did not affect the H₂O self-diffusion coefficient in aggregates. Analysis of NMR images of a single aggregate shows that methanogenic aggregates possess a spin-spin relaxation time and self-diffusion coefficient distribution, which are due to both physical (porosity) and chemical (metal sulfide precipitates) factors.     

Nutrigenomics approach elucidates health-promoting effects of high vegetable intake in lean and obese men

We aimed to explore whether vegetable consumption according to guidelines has beneficial health effects determined with classical biomarkers and nutrigenomics technologies. Fifteen lean (age 36 ± 7 years; BMI 23.4 ± 1.7 kg m⁻²) and 17 obese (age 40 ± 6 years; BMI 30.3 ± 2.4 kg m⁻²) men consumed 50- or 200-g vegetables for 4 weeks in a randomized, crossover trial. Afterward, all subjects underwent 4 weeks of energy restriction (60 % of normal energy intake). Despite the limited weight loss of 1.7 ± 2.4 kg for the lean and 2.1 ± 1.9 kg for the obese due to energy restriction, beneficial health effects were found, including lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HbA1c concentrations. The high vegetable intake resulted in increased levels of plasma amino acid metabolites, decreased levels of 9-HODE and prostaglandin D3 and decreased levels of ASAT and ALP compared to low vegetable intake. Adipose tissue gene expression changes in response to vegetable intake were identified, and sets of selected genes were submitted to network analysis. The network of inflammation genes illustrated a central role for NFkB in (adipose tissue) modulation of inflammation by increased vegetable intake, in lean as well as obese subjects. In obese subjects, high vegetable intake also resulted in changes related to energy metabolism, adhesion and inflammation. By inclusion of sensitive omics technologies and comparing the changes induced by high vegetable intake with changes induced by energy restriction, it has been shown that part of vegetables’ health benefits are mediated by changes in energy metabolism, inflammatory processes and oxidative stress.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12263-013-0343-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Estrogen and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation have a synergistic hypotriglyceridemic effect in ovariectomized rats

The n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), EPA and DHA, as well as estrogen have been shown to decrease circulating levels of triglyceride (TG), but their underlying mode of action is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of n-3 PUFA consumption and estrogen injection on TG metabolism. Rats (n = 48) were fed a modified AIN-93G diet with 0, 1, or 2 % EPA + DHA relative to the total energy intake during 12 weeks. At 8 weeks, rats were ovariectomized (OVX), and after a 1-week recovery, rats were injected with either 17β-estradiol-3-benzoate (E₂) or corn oil for the last 3 weeks. The n-3 PUFA consumption and E₂ injection independently decreased the hepatic expressions of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, fatty acid synthase (FAS), and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) (P < 0.05). There were interactions between n-3 PUFA consumption and E₂ injection on hepatic expression of FAS and DGAT2. In addition, n-3 PUFA consumption and E₂ injection up-regulated the expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphorylated AMPK, peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor α, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 in liver and skeletal muscle. E₂ injection increased the expression of estrogen receptor α and β in skeletal muscle and liver, but n-3 PUFA consumption increased the expression of both receptors only in skeletal muscle. The present study suggests that the hypotriglyceridemic effects of n-3 PUFA consumption and E₂ injection could be due to the down-regulation of hepatic TG synthesis and up-regulation of TG oxidation in liver and skeletal muscle in OVX rats.     

Comparison of two treatment strategies for irradiation of regional lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer: Lymph flow guided portals versus standard radiation fields

Aim and Background

Radiotherapy being an essential part of breast cancer treatment, we evaluate various radiotherapy strategies in patients with breast cancer.

Materials and methods

Lymph node (LN) scintigraphy was performed in 172 primary patients with BC. LN visualization started 30–360 min after intratumoral injection of 75–150 MBq of 99mTc-nanocolloids.Our standard recommendation for postoperative radiotherapy in patients with LN invasion by BC were as follows: for patients with external localization of tumour – breast + axillary (Ax) + sub-supraclavicular (SSCL) regions; with internal localization – all above + internal mammary nodes (IM). Proposed strategy of lymph flow guided radiotherapy is based on the assumption that only regions that contain ‘hot’ LNs must be included in a treatment volume.

Results

Among 110 patients with external localization of BC, Ax LNs were visualized in all cases and in 62 patients it was the only region with ‘hot’ LN. Twenty-three patients (20.9%) had drainage to Ax + SSCL, 12 (10.9%) – Ax + IM, 13 (11.8%) – Ax + SSCL + IM regions. After the visualization of lymph flow patterns, standard treatment volume was changed in 87/110 cases (79.1%): in 56.4%, reduced, in 22.7%, enlarged or changed.In 62 patients with tumours in internal quadrants, we revealed the following patterns of lymph-flow: only to the Ax region in 23 (37.1%); Ax + IM, 13 (21%); Ax + SSCL, 15 (24.2%); Ax + IM + ISSCL, 11 (17.7%) cases. After lymph-flow visualization, the standard irradiation volume was reduced in 53/62 (85.5%) cases.

Conclusion

Visualization of an individual lymph flow pattern from BC can be used for the optimization of standard fields used for irradiation of regional LNs.     

Solid-state Graft Copolymer Electrolytes for Lithium Battery Applications

Battery safety has been a very important research area over the past decade. Commercially available lithium ion batteries employ low flash point (<80 °C), flammable, and volatile organic electrolytes. These organic based electrolyte systems are viable at ambient temperatures, but require a cooling system to ensure that temperatures do not exceed 80 °C. These cooling systems tend to increase battery costs and can malfunction which can lead to battery malfunction and explosions, thus endangering human life. Increases in petroleum prices lead to a huge demand for safe, electric hybrid vehicles that are more economically viable to operate as oil prices continue to rise. Existing organic based electrolytes used in lithium ion batteries are not applicable to high temperature automotive applications. A safer alternative to organic electrolytes is solid polymer electrolytes. This work will highlight the synthesis for a graft copolymer electrolyte (GCE) poly(oxyethylene) methacrylate (POEM) to a block with a lower glass transition temperature (T_g) poly(oxyethylene) acrylate (POEA). The conduction mechanism has been discussed and it has been demonstrated the relationship between polymer segmental motion and ionic conductivity indeed has a Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher (VTF) dependence. Batteries containing commercially available LP30 organic (LiPF₆ in ethylene carbonate (EC):dimethyl carbonate (DMC) at a 1:1 ratio) and GCE were cycled at ambient temperature. It was found that at ambient temperature, the batteries containing GCE showed a greater overpotential when compared to LP30 electrolyte. However at temperatures greater than 60 °C, the GCE cell exhibited much lower overpotential due to fast polymer electrolyte conductivity and nearly the full theoretical specific capacity of 170 mAh/g was accessed.