Andreev reflection at QGP/CFL interface

In this letter we address the question of the phenomena of Andreev reflection between the cold quark-gluon plasma phase and CFL color superconductor. We show that there are two different types of reflections connected to the structure of the CFL phase. We also calculate the probability current at the interface and we show that it vanishes for energy of scattering quarks below the superconducting gap.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure. Minor changes in the "Conclusions

Modifying Serum Plant Sterol Concentrations: Effects on Markers for Whole Body Cholesterol Metabolism in Children Receiving Parenteral Nutrition and Intravenous Lipids

Background: Non-cholesterol sterols are validated markers for fractional intestinal cholesterol absorption (cholestanol) and endogenous cholesterol synthesis (lathosterol). This study’s objective was to evaluate markers for cholesterol synthesis and absorption in children exposed to two different intravenous lipid emulsions that rapidly change serum plant sterol concentrations as part of their parenteral nutrition (PN). Methods: Serum samples from two different studies were used: (1) nine PN-dependent children with intestinal failure associated liver disease (IFALD) whose soy-based, plant sterol-rich lipid (SO) was replaced with a fish-based, plant sterol-poor (FO) lipid; and (2) five neonates prescribed SO after birth. In the first study, samples were collected at baseline (prior to FO initiation) and after 3 and 6 months of FO. In study 2, samples were collected at 1 and 3 weeks of age. Results: In study 1, a 7-fold reduction in campesterol, a 12-fold reduction in sitosterol, and a 15-fold reduction in stigmasterol was observed 6 months after switching to FO. Serum cholesterol concentrations did not change, but cholesterol-standardized lathosterol increased (3-fold) and cholesterol-standardized cholestanol decreased (2-fold). In study 2, after 3 weeks of SO, sitosterol and campesterol concentrations increased 4-5 fold. At the same time, cholesterol-standardized lathosterol increased 69% and cholesterol-standardized cholestanol decreased by 29%. Conclusion: Based on these finding we conclude that changes in serum plant sterol concentrations might have direct effects on endogenous cholesterol synthesis, although this needs to be confirmed in future studies. Moreover, we speculate that this changed synthesis subsequently affects intestinal cholesterol absorption

Enteral Administration of High-Fat Nutrition Before and Directly After Hemorrhagic Shock Reduces Endotoxemia and Bacterial Translocation

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether potential enhancement of endotoxin neutralization via high-fat enteral nutrition affects endotoxemia and bacterial translocation after hemorrhage. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Endotoxin and bacterial translocation due to gut barrier failure are important initiating events in the pathogenesis of sepsis after hemorrhage. Systemic inhibition of endotoxin activity attenuates bacterial translocation and distant organ damage. Triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins constitute a physiological means of binding and neutralizing endotoxin effectively. We hypothesized that enhancement of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins via high-fat enteral nutrition would reduce endotoxemia and prevent bacterial translocation. METHODS: A rat model of nonlethal hemorrhagic shock was used. Hemorrhagic shock (HS) rats were divided into 3 groups: rats starved overnight (HS-S); rats fed with a low-fat enteral diet (HS-LF), and rats receiving a high-fat enteral diet (HS-HF). RESULTS: Circulating triacylglycerol and apolipoprotein B, reflecting the amount of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins, were elevated in HS-HF rats compared with both HS-S rats (P ≤ 0.005 and P ≤ 0.05, respectively) and HS-LF rats (P ≤ 0.005 and P ≤ 0.05). Circulating endotoxin was lower in HS-HF rats (7.2 ± 10.2 pg/ml) compared with both HS-S rats (29.1 ± 13.4 pg/ml, P ≤ 0.005) and HS-LF rats (29.9 ± 5.2 pg/ml, P ≤ 0.005). In line, bacterial translocation was lower in HS-HF rats (incidence 4/8 rats; median 3 [range 0–144] cfu/g) compared with both HS-S rats (8/8; 212 [60–483] cfu/g; P = 0.006), and HS-LF rats (8/8; 86 [30–209] cfu/g; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to show that high-fat enteral nutrition, leading to increased plasma triacylglycerol and apolipoprotein B levels, significantly decreases endotoxemia and bacterial translocation after hemorrhage

Prevalence of bladder and bowel dysfunction in duchenne muscular dystrophy using the childhood bladder and bowel dysfunction questionnaire

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and gastrointestinal (GI) problems are common in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but not systematically assessed in regular care. We aimed to determine the prevalence of bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) in DMD patients compared with healthy controls (HC). Methods: The Childhood Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Questionnaire (CBBDQ) based on the International Rome III criteria and the International Children’s Continence Society was filled out by 57 DMD patients and 56 HC. Additionally, possible associations of BBD with, for example, medication use or quality of life were evaluated in an additional questionnaire developed by experts. Results: In 74% of patients versus 56% of HC ≥1 LUTS (n.s.) were reported, 68% of patients versus 39% of HC reported ≥1 bowel symptom (p = 0.002) and 53% of patients versus 30% of HC reported combined LUTS and bowel symptoms (p = 0.019). A negative impact of BBD on daily life functioning was reported by 42% of patients. Conclusions: These data underscore that standard screening for BBD is needed and that the CBBDQ could be of added value to optimize DMD care.</p