Olfactory Proxy Detection of Dietary Antioxidants in Drosophila

SummaryBackgroundDietary antioxidants play an important role in preventing oxidative stress. Whether animals in search of food or brood sites are able to judge the antioxidant content, and if so actively seek out resources with enriched antioxidant content, remains unclear.ResultsWe show here that the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster detects the presence of hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs)—potent dietary antioxidants abundant in fruit—via olfactory cues. Flies are unable to smell HCAs directly but are equipped with dedicated olfactory sensory neurons detecting yeast-produced ethylphenols that are exclusively derived from HCAs. These neurons are housed on the maxillary palps, express the odorant receptor Or71a, and are necessary and sufficient for proxy detection of HCAs. Activation of these neurons in adult flies induces positive chemotaxis, oviposition, and increased feeding. We further demonstrate that fly larvae also seek out yeast enriched with HCAs and that larvae use the same ethylphenol cues as the adults but rely for detection upon a larval unique odorant receptor (Or94b), which is co-expressed with a receptor (Or94a) detecting a general yeast volatile. We also show that the ethylphenols act as reliable cues for the presence of dietary antioxidants, as these volatiles are produced—upon supplementation of HCAs—by a wide range of yeasts known to be consumed by flies.ConclusionsFor flies, dietary antioxidants are presumably important to counteract acute oxidative stress induced by consumption or by infection by entomopathogenic microorganisms. The ethylphenol pathway described here adds another layer to the fly’s defensive arsenal against toxic microbes

Left Main Coronary Artery Revascularization in Patients with Impaired Renal Function: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Introduction: The evidence about the optimal revascularization strategy in patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease and impaired renal function is limited. Thus, we aimed to compare the outcomes of LMCA disease revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] vs. coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]) in patients with and without impaired renal function. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 2,138 patients recruited from 14 centers between 2015 and 2,019. We compared patients with impaired renal function who had PCI (n= 316) to those who had CABG (n = 121) and compared patients with normal renal function who had PCI (n = 906) to those who had CABG (n = 795). The study outcomes were in-hospital and follow-up major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Results: Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of in-hospital MACCE was significantly higher in CABG compared to PCI in patients with impaired renal function (odds ratio [OR]: 8.13 [95% CI: 4.19–15.76], p < 0.001) and normal renal function (OR: 2.59 [95% CI: 1.79–3.73]; p < 0.001). There were no differences in follow-up MACCE between CABG and PCI in patients with impaired renal function (HR: 1.14 [95% CI: 0.71–1.81], p = 0.585) and normal renal function (HR: 1.12 [0.90–1.39], p = 0.312). Conclusions: PCI could have an advantage over CABG in revascularization of LMCA disease in patients with impaired renal function regarding in-hospital MACCE. The follow-up MACCE was comparable between PCI and CABG in patients with impaired and normal renal function

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Effect of rotation on the surface wave propagation in magneto-thermoelastic materials with voids

The present investigation is focused on studying the surface wave propagation in a generalized magneto-thermoelastic materials taking (Green Lindsay) model with voids. The general surface wave speed is derived to study the effects of magnetic field and rotation on surface wave in the presence of voids. In addition the present study can be comprehensively applied to the magneto-thermoelastic medium with voids. The possible non-dimensional frequency of surface wave propagation has been obtained as the solution of an algebraic equation involving a determinant whose elements contain the material parameters, the direction of applied magnetic field and rotation of surface wave propagation. The comparisons for the physical quantities are established numerically and represented  graphically in different cases with respect to the used effects. Keywords: Green Lindsay theory, Thermoelasticity, Surface wave

Pathological study of liver lesions in cattle slaughtered at Kirkuk province abattoir

Current study aimed to identify the gross and microscopic lesions and their percentage in liver of cattle slaughtered in Kirkuk province abattoir. A total of 6211 liver sample were examined during period from 01/08/2016 until 01/12/2016 with total cattle liver that showed gross lesions 738 cases. A gross examination was applied to affected liver and tissue sample were taken from lesions for histopathological examination. The result of current study showed that the total liver lesions in cattle is about 11.88% (738/6211) which distributed as liver fluke infestation 3.34% (213/6211), hydatid cyst 3.12% (194/6211), liver abscess 2.29% (142/6211), cholangiohepatitis 2.01% (125/6211), and hepatic hemorrhage with congestion 1.03% (64/6211). The results of gross and microscopic examination of liver infested with liver fluke showed presence of thickening in bile ducts with adult fluke as well as liver atrophy with hyperplasia of epithelial cell in affected bile ducts with dystrophic calcification. While in case of hydatid cyst the lesions composed from presence of larval stage in form of white cyst in different size and their walls composed from hyperplasia of fibrocytes and fibrin strands. In case of hepatic hemorrhage and congestion the result showed sever congestion with staining of liver tissue by blood color, with presence of red blood cells in association with inflammatory cells between hepatocytes. While in case of hepatic abscess we noticed presence of white to yellow solid lesions that randomly distributed in different shape and size composed from necrotic center with infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells and hyperplasia of fibrocytes. While in case of cholangiohepatitis the affected area showed paleness with accumulation of bile material inside bile ducts, as well as hyperplasia of affected ducts and fibrosis in portal areas with infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells in liver tissue with dystrophic calcification in bile ducts. We concluded from current study that wide spread of hepatic lesions in liver of cattle in Kirkuk province and this result should be taken in more serious action which can result in economic losses as well as possibility of zoonosis of these pathogens to human, also the gross lesions described by current study were identically similar to microscopic lesions

The effect of the combination of Malva sylvestris L. and Althaea digitata Boiss. on prevention of acute radiation proctitis in patients with prostate cancer

The effect of a combination of Malva sylvestris and Althaea digitata flower powder in prevention of acute radiation proctitis was assessed in patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer. This double-blind randomized controlled study was conducted at three centers in Iran. Before starting RT, patients (N = 65) received a 4 g packet of flower powder or placebo to use 3 times a day as an infusion from the first day of RT and for five consecutive weeks including the three weeks of RT. They were visited by a physician 3 times during this period. Acute morbidity was classified according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria. Severity of proctitis symptoms was assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) with 10 points. Non-statistical significant differences were observed between the groups in relation to RTOG grade criteria (grade 0: drug 22.8 (N = 8), placebo 10 (N = 3), difference 12.8; grade 1: drug 65.8, placebo 64.4, difference 1.4; grade 2: drug 11.4 (N = 8), placebo 26.6 (N = 4), difference 15.2. (P =.059)) According to VAS, the most common complaint was anal burning and diarrhea in the flower powder group showing a significant decrease in these symptoms at the end of the study as compared to the placebo; flower powder (1.56 ± 1.07) vs placebo (3.82 ± 1.67) for burning (P <.05) and flower powder (1.06 ± 0.58) vs placebo (1.95 ± 0.79) for diarrhea (P =.046). The flower powder prevented anal discomfort and diarrhea induced by prostate radiotherapy, although there were no significant differences between the two groups in RTOG. No serious side effects were reported, so the combination could be suggested for patients who cannot tolerate symptoms of proctitis after further studies. © 2018 Elsevier Gmb

The effect of the combination of Malva sylvestris L. and Althaea digitata Boiss. on prevention of acute radiation proctitis in patients with prostate cancer

The effect of a combination of Malva sylvestris and Althaea digitata flower powder in prevention of acute radiation proctitis was assessed in patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer. This double-blind randomized controlled study was conducted at three centers in Iran. Before starting RT, patients (N = 65) received a 4 g packet of flower powder or placebo to use 3 times a day as an infusion from the first day of RT and for five consecutive weeks including the three weeks of RT. They were visited by a physician 3 times during this period. Acute morbidity was classified according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria. Severity of proctitis symptoms was assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) with 10 points. Non-statistical significant differences were observed between the groups in relation to RTOG grade criteria (grade 0: drug 22.8 (N = 8), placebo 10 (N = 3), difference 12.8; grade 1: drug 65.8, placebo 64.4, difference 1.4; grade 2: drug 11.4 (N = 8), placebo 26.6 (N = 4), difference 15.2. (P = .059)) According to VAS, the most common complaint was anal burning and diarrhea in the flower powder group showing a significant decrease in these symptoms at the end of the study as compared to the placebo; flower powder (1.56 ± 1.07) vs placebo (3.82 ± 1.67) for burning (P < .05) and flower powder (1.06 ± 0.58) vs placebo (1.95 ± 0.79) for diarrhea (P = .046). The flower powder prevented anal discomfort and diarrhea induced by prostate radiotherapy, although there were no significant differences between the two groups in RTOG. No serious side effects were reported, so the combination could be suggested for patients who cannot tolerate symptoms of proctitis after further studies. © 2018 Elsevier Gmb

Laser processing of dry, wet and immersed polyamide nanofiber nonwovens with different laser sources

Electrospun nanofiber scaffolds of different polymers are used in tissue engineering to mimic the extracellular matrices with favourable conditions for cell growth and proliferation. Structures such as cavities, holes and cuts in the scaffolds can be used to optimize cell growth. We investigated the influence of different laser sources used for direct laser writing on the cutting and structuring quality of electrospun polyamide nonwovens. Ablation thresholds and rates were determined. Because of different approaches in cell colonization with scaffolds, the investigations were carried out on dry, wet and immersed nonwovens. The results show that femto- and picosecond lasers are very well suited for processing of dry nonwovens. Processing with green wavelengths is more effective and leads to similar minimum feature sizes than in the ultraviolet range. Ablation rates up to 8000 µm³/pulse were obtained which are about a factor of 100 higher than those for polyamide bulk material. Nanosecond UV lasers produced structures of reduced quality. Excimer lasers at 193 nm offer a possible alternative for large-area structures when operated at low fluences. Processing of wet and immersed nanofibers is possible with smaller processing speed and with a slightly degraded quality