Genetic and Molecular Basis of Individual Differences in Human Umami Taste Perception

Umami taste (corresponds to savory in English) is elicited by L-glutamate, typically as its Na salt (monosodium glutamate: MSG), and is one of five basic taste qualities that plays a key role in intake of amino acids. A particular property of umami is the synergistic potentiation of glutamate by purine nucleotide monophosphates (IMP, GMP). A heterodimer of a G protein coupled receptor, TAS1R1 and TAS1R3, is proposed to function as its receptor. However, little is known about genetic variation of TAS1R1 and TAS1R3 and its potential links with individual differences in umami sensitivity. Here we investigated the association between recognition thresholds for umami substances and genetic variations in human TAS1R1 and TAS1R3, and the functions of TAS1R1/TAS1R3 variants using a heterologous expression system. Our study demonstrated that the TAS1R1-372T creates a more sensitive umami receptor than -372A, while TAS1R3-757C creates a less sensitive one than -757R for MSG and MSG plus IMP, and showed a strong correlation between the recognition thresholds and in vitro dose - response relationships. These results in human studies support the propositions that a TAS1R1/TAS1R3 heterodimer acts as an umami receptor, and that genetic variation in this heterodimer directly affects umami taste sensitivity

Impact of seminal trace element and glutathione levels on semen quality of Tunisian infertile men

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Growing evidence indicates that oxidative stress can be a primary cause of male infertility. Non-enzymatic antioxidants play an important protective role against oxidative damages and lipid peroxidation. Human seminal plasma is a natural reservoir of antioxidants. The aim of this study was to determine glutathione (GSH) concentrations, trace element levels (zinc and selenium) and the lipid peroxidation end product, malondialdehyde (MDA), in the seminal plasma of men with different fertility potentials.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Semen samples from 60 fertile men (normozoospermics) and 190 infertile patients (74 asthenozoospermics, 56 oligozoospermics, and 60 teratozoospermics) were analyzed for physical and biochemical parameters. Zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) levels were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Total GSH (GSHt), oxidized GSH (GSSG), reduced GSH (GSHr) and MDA concentrations were measured spectrophotometrically.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Zn and Se concentrations in seminal plasma of normozoospermics were more elevated than the three abnormal groups. Nevertheless, only the Zn showed significant differences. On the other hand, Zn showed positive and significant correlations with sperm motility (P = 0.03, r = 0.29) and count (P < 0.01, r = 0.49); however Se was significantly correlated only with sperm motility (P < 0.01, r = 0.36). GSHt, GSSG and GSHr were significantly higher in normozoospermics than in abnormal groups. We noted a significant association between seminal GSHt and sperm motility (P = 0.03). GSSG was highly correlated to sperm motility (P < 0.001) and negatively associated to abnormal morphology (P < 0.001). GSHr was significantly associated to total sperm motility (P < 0.001) and sperm count (P = 0.01). MDA levels were significantly higher in the three abnormal groups than in normozoospermics. Rates of seminal MDA were negatively associated to sperm motility (P < 0.01; r = -0.24) and sperm concentration (P = 0.003; r = -0.35) Meanwhile, there is a positive correlation between seminal lipid peroxidation and the percentage of abnormal morphology (P = 0.008).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This report revealed that decreased seminal GSH and trace element deficiencies are implicated in low sperm quality and may be an important indirect biomarker of idiopathic male infertility. Our results sustain that the evaluation of seminal antioxidant status in infertile men is necessary and can be helpful in fertility assessment from early stages.</p

Off-Label Biologic Regimens in Psoriasis: A Systematic Review of Efficacy and Safety of Dose Escalation, Reduction, and Interrupted Biologic Therapy

Objectives: While off-label dosing of biologic treatments may be necessary in selected psoriasis patients, no systematic review exists to date that synthesizes the efficacy and safety of these off-label dosing regimens. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate efficacy and safety of off-label dosing regimens (dose escalation, dose reduction, and interrupted treatment) with etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab, and alefacept for psoriasis treatment

Bandwidth Estimation for Admission Control in MANET: Review and Conceptual MANET Admission Control Framework

The widespread of wireless mobile network have increased the demand for its applications. Providing a reliable QoS in wireless medium, especially mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), is quite challenging and remains an ongoing research trend. One of the key issues of MANET is its inability to accurately predict the needed and available resources to avoid interference with already transmitting traffic flow. In this work, we propose a resource allocation and admission control (RAAC) solution. RAAC is an admission control scheme that estimates the available bandwidth needed within a network, using a robust and accurate resource estimation technique. Simulation results obtained show that our proposed scheme for MANET can efficiently estimate the available bandwidth and outperforms other existing approaches for admission control with bandwidth estimation

German evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of Psoriasis vulgaris (short version)

Psoriasis vulgaris is a common and chronic inflammatory skin disease which has the potential to significantly reduce the quality of life in severely affected patients. The incidence of psoriasis in Western industrialized countries ranges from 1.5 to 2%. Despite the large variety of treatment options available, patient surveys have revealed insufficient satisfaction with the efficacy of available treatments and a high rate of medication non-compliance. To optimize the treatment of psoriasis in Germany, the Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft and the Berufsverband Deutscher Dermatologen (BVDD) have initiated a project to develop evidence-based guidelines for the management of psoriasis. The guidelines focus on induction therapy in cases of mild, moderate, and severe plaque-type psoriasis in adults. The short version of the guidelines reported here consist of a series of therapeutic recommendations that are based on a systematic literature search and subsequent discussion with experts in the field; they have been approved by a team of dermatology experts. In addition to the therapeutic recommendations provided in this short version, the full version of the guidelines includes information on contraindications, adverse events, drug interactions, practicality, and costs as well as detailed information on how best to apply the treatments described (for full version, please see Nast et al., JDDG, Suppl 2:S1–S126, 2006; or http://www.psoriasis-leitlinie.de)

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

Meeting abstrac

Outcomes associated with conventional versus lipid-based formulations of amphotericin B in propensity-matched groups

Rebecca S Campbell,1 Paresh Chaudhari,2 Harlen D Hays,1 Robert J Taylor,1 Brian H Nathanson,3 Samuel A Bozzette,1 David Horn4 1Cerner Research, Culver City, CA, USA; 2Astellas Scientific and Medical Affairs, Inc., Northbrook, IL, USA; 3OptiStatim, LLC, Longmeadow, MA, USA; 4David Horn LLC, Doylestown, PA, USA Background: Lipid-based formulations of amphotericin B (LF-AMB) are indicated for treatment of invasive fungal infections in patients intolerant to conventional amphotericin B (CAB) or with refractory infections. Physicians still may choose to administer CAB to such patients. We described the use of CAB and LF-AMB in this population and quantified differences in post-amphotericin B length of stay (LOS) among survivors and hospital mortality in matched patients. Methods: Data were extracted from Health Facts (Cerner Corporation, Kansas City, MO, USA) for a retrospective cohort analysis. Inpatients aged &ge;18 years with evidence of fungal infection and with orders for LF-AMB or CAB on&nbsp; &ge;2 days from January 2001 to June 2010 were identified. Patients were required to have renal insufficiency or other relative contraindications to use of CAB, exposure to nephrotoxic agents, or evidence of a CAB-refractory infection. Multilevel (hierarchical) mixed-effects logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with initial exposure to LF-AMB versus CAB. Multivariate adjustment of outcomes was done using propensity score matching. Results: 655 patients were identified: 322 patients initiated therapy with CAB and 333 initiated treatment with LF-AMB. Compared to those initiating CAB, patients initiating LF-AMB had greater acuity and underlying disease severity. In unadjusted analyses, hospital mortality was significantly higher in the LF-AMB group (32.2% versus 23.7%; P = 0.02). After propensity score matching and covariate adjustment, mortality equalized and observed differences in LOS after amphotericin B initiation decreased. Conclusion: Among patients at risk for amphotericin B toxicity, differences between CAB and LF-AMB seen in crude outcomes analyses relate to channeling of sicker patients to initiate treatment with LF-AMB. Failing to account for differences among patients that drive clinical decision-making will result in inaccurate conclusions about the real-world effectiveness of different amphotericin B formulations. Keywords: amphotericin, outcomes, mortality, hospitalizatio

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Not Available• Data base on salt affected soils and poor quality waters in the country needs to be updated on priority taking the help of modern tools such as GIS, remote sensing and GPS based surveys. Policy decision is required on this issue to enhance allocation of funds and infrastructural support to delineate the areas affected by salinity/ alkalinity for developing appropriate technologies for their reclamation. • Research on low-cost amendments (alternatives to gypsum) for alkaline /vertisol soils should be expedited and new generation problems related to soil fertility, salinity should be diagnosed and effective remedial measures should be explored. • New refinements in research technologies related to sub-surface drainage and integrated approach involving fast-growing plantation based technologies (biodrainage) should be investigated both for inland and coastal conditions. • Second generation problems of resodification as well as decline in productivity from the reclaimed alkali soils needs to be addressed on priority. Research on laser land levelling, zero tillage planting or turbo seeding needs to be accelerated in different crop rotations. • Research efforts should be advanced on management of dry-land salinity and coastal salinity in the scenario of climate change. • More research efforts are needed to develop multiple stress tolerance cultivars with the help of genetic engineering and use of salt tolerant genes. Priority may be given on identification and selection of potential halophytic crops for domestication in highly saline and waterlogged areas. • Application of new research tools such as nano-technology and use of microbiology in reclamation of salty soils, micro irrigation, smart agriculture technologies etc. for increasing productivity, improving crops and phytoremediation processes must get priority. • During reclamation of alkali soils, addition of salt tolerant bacteria in the form of a commercial culture ‘CSR Bio’ to the soil enhances performance of banana and some other crops also. Policy support in the form of appropriate subsidy etc. could help reclaim large areas through these horticultural interventions, in the form of a tie-up with developmental schemes like National Horticulture Mission. • New integrated farming systems involving agroforestry technologies must be developed for increasing farm productivity in salty waterlogged areas. Several land shaping technologies have been developed, in inland alkaline waterlogged as well as coastal saline waterlogged conditions to reduce salinity build-up. Policy decisions needs to be undertaken to provide appropriate subsidy for implementing these land shaping technologies to the resource poor farming communities of the region. • Decision support systems needs to be developed to enhance productivity of salt affected areas, both under inland and coastal conditions. • Research efforts may also be made on value addition and quality of produce under saline agriculture and other stress conditions. • Social, economic, policy and political dimensions related to saline agriculture may be explored in recent scenarios.Not Availabl