Diatom extraction: A new technique with heated H2O2. A technical note

The best method of diatom identification in animal and human tissues is still an important discussion topic, in terms of effectiveness and reliability. In this technical note, authors propose a new method of extraction of diatoms using heated hydrogen peroxide from animal and human tissue samples. This method has been compared with the traditional method of digestion with acids. The results of the comparison show that heated hydrogen peroxide extraction is more efficient in terms of reduction of sediment, extraction of the material and preservation of diatoms proving to be a viable alternative to conventional approaches with acids in terms of costs and operator safety

label free discrimination of cells undergoing apoptosis by hyperspectral confocual reflectance imaging

Among the optical techniques used for exploring the properties of cells and tissues, those based on hyperspectral label-free analysis are particularly interesting due to their non-invasive character and their ability to fast collect a huge number of information on the different sample constituents and their spatial distribution. Here we present results obtained with a novel hyperspectral reflectance confocal microscope of label-free discrimination of cells undergoing apoptosis. Our data, analyzed by means of a powerful statistical method, enable to obtain information on the biological status at a single cell level through the local measurement of reflectivity. Furthermore, an optical model of the local dielectric response gives an additional insight of the parameters linking the optical responsivity to the biological status

Aplicação do método AID estendido na identificação de linhagens de frangos resistentes a coccidiosis (Eimeria tenella).

O objetivo foi analisar dados de pesagens (y) de bovinos. De cada animal foram feitas nove pesagens do nascimento aos dois anos de idade. A variável y foi transformada por yl = (yl-1)/l (l 1 0), a qual foi eficiente na redução dos coeficientes de assimetria e da heterogeneidade de variância dos dados

Ig Glycosylation in Ulcerative Colitis: It’s Time for New Biomarkers

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing disease, which needs a continue monitoring, especially during biological therapies. An increasing number of patients is treated with anti-Tumor Necrosis factor (TNF) drugs, and current research is focalized to identify biomarkers able to monitor the disease and to predict therapeutic outcome. Methods: We enrolled consecutive UC patients treated with anti-TNF, naïve to biologic drugs. Therapeutic outcome was evaluated after 54 weeks of treatment in terms of clinical remission (Partial Mayo Score -PMS- <2) and mucosal healing (Mayo Endoscopic Score <2). On serum samples collected at baseline and after 54 weeks of treatment, a Lectin-based ELISA assay was performed, and specific glycosylation patterns were evaluated by biotin-labelled lectins. We have also collected 21 healthy controls (NHS) samples, age and sex-matched. Results: Out of 44 UC patients enrolled, 22 achieved clinical remission and mucosal healing after 54 weeks. At baseline, when Protein A was used as coating, UC patients non-responders showed a reduced reactivity to Jacalin (JAC) in comparison with NHS (p = 0.04). After one year of treatment, a decrease in JAC binding was seen only in responders, in comparison with baseline (p = 0.04). When JAC binding was tested selecting IgG by means of Fab anti-IgG Fab, UC patients displayed an increased reactivity after anti-TNF therapy (p < 0,0001 vs controls). At baseline, PMS inversely correlates with JAC binding when Fab anti-IgG Fab was used in solid phase (r2 = 0,2211; p = 0,0033). Patients with higher PMS at baseline (PMS ≥5) presented lower binding capacity for JAC in comparison with NHS and with lower PMS patients (p = 0,0135 and p = 0,0089, respectively). Conclusion: Ig glycosylation was correlated with clinical and endoscopic activity in patients with UC. JAC protein A-selected Ig showed a possible role in predicting therapeutic effectiveness. If these data would be confirmed, Ig glycosylation could be used as biomarker in UC

A low-FODMAP diet for irritable bowel syndrome: Some answers to the doubts from a long-term follow-up

A low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet (LFD) is a possible therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study investigates the short-and long-term efficacy and nutritional adequacy of an LFD and the patients’ long-term acceptability. Patients’ adherence and ability to perceive the “trigger” foods were also evaluated. Seventy-three IBS patients were given an LFD (T0) and after 2 months (T1), 68 started the reintroduction phase. At the end of this period (T2), 59 were advised to go on an Adapted Low-FODMAP Diet (AdLFD) and 41 were evaluated again after a 6–24 month follow-up (T3). At each time, questionnaires and Biolectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) were performed. The LFD was effective in controlling digestive symptoms both in the short-and long-term, and in improving quality of life, anxiety and depression, even if some problems regarding acceptability were reported and adherence decreased in the long term. The LFD improved the food-related quality of life without affecting nutritional adequacy. When data collected at T0 were compared with those collected at T2, the perception of trigger foods was quite different. Even if some problems of acceptability and adherence are reported, an LFD is nutritionally adequate and effective in improving IBS symptoms also in the long term

A model to explain angular distributions of J/ψJ/\psi and ψ(2S)\psi(2S) decays into ΛΛ‾\Lambda\overline{\Lambda} and Σ0Σ‾0\Sigma^0\overline{\Sigma}^0

BESIII data show a particular angular distribution for the decay of the $J/\psi$ and $\psi(2S)$ mesons into the hyperons $\Lambda\overline{\Lambda}$ and $\Sigma^0\overline{\Sigma}^0$. More in details the angular distribution of the decay $\psi(2S) \to \Sigma^0\overline{\Sigma}^0$ exhibits an opposite trend with respect to that of the other three channels: $J/\psi \to \Lambda\overline{\Lambda}$, $J/\psi \to \Sigma^0\overline{\Sigma}^0$ and $\psi(2S) \to \Lambda\overline{\Lambda}$. We define a model to explain the origin of this phenomenon.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, to be published in Chinese Physics

Multifunctional Epoxy/Nanocomposites Based on Natural Moroccan Clays with High Antimicrobial Activity: Morphological, Thermal and Mechanical Properties

In this study, a series of new epoxy/clay nanocomposites (ECN) has been prepared and characterized in order to investigate the properties and compare the effect of the unmodified Moroccan clay on the structure and properties of the composite materials. Five natural clays have been used to reinforce the neat epoxy resin with 1% wt and 5% wt achieving the clay dispersion only through strong milling and mechanical stirring without previous organic modifications of the clays. The quality of clay dispersion in the epoxy matrix and the morphology of nanocomposites have been studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mechanical and thermal properties have also been investigated. The antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposites has been tested against E. coli and S. aureus in order to evaluate their applicability as advanced antimicrobial materials. The results showed that the epoxy/crude clay nanocomposites exhibited a high inhibition action attending 99% against both bacteria in the case of the clay labeled A5

Multifunctional Epoxy/Nanocomposites Based on Natural Moroccan Clays with High Antimicrobial Activity: Morphological, Thermal and Mechanical Properties

In this study, a series of new epoxy/clay nanocomposites (ECN) has been prepared and characterized in order to investigate the properties and compare the effect of the unmodified Moroccan clay on the structure and properties of the composite materials. Five natural clays have been used to reinforce the neat epoxy resin with 1% wt and 5% wt achieving the clay dispersion only through strong milling and mechanical stirring without previous organic modifications of the clays. The quality of clay dispersion in the epoxy matrix and the morphology of nanocomposites have been studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mechanical and thermal properties have also been investigated. The antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposites has been tested against E. coli and S. aureus in order to evaluate their applicability as advanced antimicrobial materials. The results showed that the epoxy/crude clay nanocomposites exhibited a high inhibition action attending 99% against both bacteria in the case of the clay labeled A5