Thermogenic effect and substrate oxidation of protein from animal and plant sources in adults

Background: Changing nutrient source is one of the efforts to increase thermogenic effect (TEF) which may be significant for body weight reduction.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high protein diets using animal (chicken) and plant (tofu) sources on the thermogenic effect (TEF) and substrate oxidation.Method: Ten female adults (mean age 20.8+1.2 y) participated in two isocaloric diet ingestions. Each meal provided 30% of the daily basal energy need (32/26/42% as protein/fat/carbohydrates, respectively). Postprandial energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry.Results: There were no significant differences in TEF and substrate oxidation. The postprandial fat oxidation rate was higher than that at the preprandial state, while carbohydrate and protein oxidation rates were lower.Conclusion: No differences were observed in TEF and substrate oxidation in animal- and plant-based diets. A high protein diet could be beneficial for weight loss, but animal protein does not appear to offer superior benefits compared to plant protein

Enhancing photoluminescence quantum efficiency of metal halide perovskites by examining luminescence-limiting factors

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) show superior optoelectronic properties, which give them the great potential for use in next generation light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In particular, their narrow emission linewidths can achieve ultrahigh color purity. However, the reported luminescence efficiency (LE) values are not high enough to be commercialized in displays and solid-state lightings. Moreover, the operational stability of LEDs associated with the overshooting of luminance and the high relative standard deviation of reported external quantum efficiencies are still problematic. In this perspective, we review photophysical factors that limit the photoluminescence quantum efficiency of perovskite-based LEDs. These factors are categorized into (i) weak exciton binding, (ii) nonradiative recombinations, (iii) slow cooling of long-lived hot carriers, (iv) deep-level defects, and (v) interband transition rates. We then present various physicochemical methods to effectively overcome these luminescence-limiting factors. We finally suggest some useful research directions to further improve the LE of MHP emitters as core components in displays and solid-state lightings.

Sonographic measurements of normal gallbladder sizes in children.

PurposeOur goal was to establish the range of sonographic measurements of normal gallbladders in children.MethodsSix hundred ten children aged 0-16 years (male:female ratio, 1.5:1) with normal clinical and laboratory findings were included in this study. The sonographic parameters were the length, width, and calculated volume of the gallbladder, and the clinical parameters were the age, height, weight, and body surface area of the children. Statistical significance was determined through correlation and regression analyses.ResultsThe length of the gallbladder showed significant positive correlations with age (r = 0.65), height (r = 0.67), weight (r = 0.63), and body surface area (r = 0.65; p < 0.01). The calculated volume of the gallbladder also showed moderate correlations with age (r = 0.53), height (r = 0.55), weight (r = 0.61), and body surface area (r = 0.57; p < 0.01). The gallbladder width showed modest but significant correlations with age (r = 0.48), height (r = 0.53), weight (r = 0.53), and body surface area (r = 0.55; p < 0.01). The highest correlation coefficients were found between the gallbladder length and subject age (r = 0.65; p < 0.01) and between the gallbladder length and subject height (r = 0.67; p < 0.01). For all correlations, statistical significance remained after regression analysis (p < 0.01).ConclusionsValues for the size of the normal pediatric gallbladder are defined and will be helpful in the diagnosis of gallbladder abnormalities

Dieulafoy's Lesion of Jejunum: Presenting Small Bowel Mass and Stricture

Dieulafoy's lesion is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Hemorrhage occurs through mucosal erosion from an abnormally dilated submucosal artery. Although Dieulafoy's lesion is usually located in the stomach, it may occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. We report here on a case of jejunal Dieulafoy's lesion presenting as a mass and short segment stricture on CT and enteroclysis

Xenopus: An alternative model system for identifying muco-active agents

The airway epithelium in human plays a central role as the first line of defense against environmental contaminants. Most respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and respiratory infections, disturb normal muco-ciliary functions by stimulating the hypersecretion of mucus. Several muco-active agents have been used to treat hypersecretion symptoms in patients. Current muco-active reagents control mucus secretion by modulating either airway inflammation, cholinergic parasympathetic nerve activities or by reducing the viscosity by cleaving crosslinking in mucin and digesting DNAs in mucus. However, none of the current medication regulates mucus secretion by directly targeting airway goblet cells. The major hurdle for screening potential muco-active agents that directly affect the goblet cells, is the unavailability of in vivo model systems suitable for high-throughput screening. In this study, we developed a high-throughput in vivo model system for identifying muco-active reagents using Xenopus laevis embryos. We tested mucus secretion under various conditions and developed a screening strategy to identify potential muco-regulators. Using this novel screening technique, we identified narasin as a potential muco-regulator. Narasin treatment of developing Xenopus embryos significantly reduced mucus secretion. Furthermore, the human lung epithelial cell line, Calu-3, responded similarly to narasin treatment, validating our technique for discovering muco-active reagent