Identification of angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitory and radical scavenging bioactive peptides from sea cucumber (Stichopus vastus) collagen hydrolysates through optimization

The sea cucumber (Stichopus vastus) is an underutilized species, as most of its parts, including the integument (high collagen content) are thrown away during processing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different hydrolysis conditions (substrate to enzyme ratio (S/E), reaction temperature, and hydrolysis time) on the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory and radical scavenging (RSc) activities of the hydrolysates produced from trypsin hydrolysis of S. vastus collagen. Optimal conditions predicted by Box-Behnken Design modelling for producing ACE inhibitory and RSc hydrolysates were found to be S/E ratio (15), reaction temperature (55°C), and hydrolysis time (1 h). Under optimal conditions, ACE inhibitory and RSc activities were estimated to be as high as 67.8% and 77.9%, respectively. Besides, some novel bioactive peptides were identified through mass spectrometry analysis. These results indicate that S. vastus hydrolysates might be used as a functional ingredient in food and nutraceutical products

The Survey of Noise and Light Effects on Body Posture During the Study in Male Dormitory of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Noise and light can affect on body posture during the study. With regard to the importance of the mentioned factors and their effect on body posture, measurement and assessment of these parameters seems essential in the study rooms. This study aimed to measure and assess these factors and their relationship with students' postural status. Methods: In this cross-sectional (descriptive- analytical) study, 167 male and single students in dormitories of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) were selected. Measurement of noise and lighting was done according to the standards of the Iran National Committee on Occupational Health. The RULA method was used to assess the students' posture. Results: In this study, light (433.88 ± 114.83 lux) and sound pressure levels (49.59 ± 4.64 dB) were obtained. The results of assessment of physical exposure to musculoskeletal risks by RULA technique showed that in 34.7% of the studied subjects, the level of exposure to musculoskeletal risks was in Action Level (AC) 2, 41.3% in AC 3 and 24% in AC 4. Results showed no significant correlation between the sound the students' posture, but significant correlation was observed between light and the students' postural status. Conclusion: Posture of students during the study has correlation with light. Therefore, improved lightening can improve student posture and consequently a remarkable help to increase the students comfort

Multifaceted immune dysregulation characterizes individuals at-risk for rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Molecular markers of autoimmunity, such as antibodies to citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA), are detectable prior to inflammatory arthritis (IA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and may define a state that is ‘at-risk’ for future RA. Here we present a cross-sectional comparative analysis among three groups that include ACPA positive individuals without IA (At-Risk), ACPA negative individuals and individuals with early, ACPA positive clinical RA (Early RA). Differential methylation analysis among the groups identifies non-specific dysregulation in peripheral B, memory and naïve T cells in At-Risk participants, with more specific immunological pathway abnormalities in Early RA. Tetramer studies show increased abundance of T cells recognizing citrullinated (cit) epitopes in At-Risk participants, including expansion of T cells reactive to citrullinated cartilage intermediate layer protein I (cit-CILP); these T cells have Th1, Th17, and T stem cell memory-like phenotypes. Antibody-antigen array analyses show that antibodies targeting cit-clusterin, cit-fibrinogen and cit-histone H4 are elevated in At-Risk and Early RA participants, with the highest levels of antibodies detected in those with Early RA. These findings indicate that an ACPA positive at-risk state is associated with multifaceted immune dysregulation that may represent a potential opportunity for targeted intervention