Sex-driven variability in TSPO-expressing microglia in MS patients and healthy individuals

Background: Males with multiple sclerosis (MS) have a higher risk for disability progression than females, but the reasons for this are unclear.Objective: We hypothesized that potential differences in TSPO-expressing microglia between female and male MS patients could contribute to sex differences in clinical disease progression.Methods: The study cohort consisted of 102 MS patients (mean (SD) age 45.3 (9.7) years, median (IQR) disease duration 12.1 (7.0–17.2) years, 72% females, 74% relapsing–remitting MS) and 76 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. TSPO-expressing microglia were measured using the TSPO-binding radioligand [11C](R)-PK11195 and brain positron emission tomography (PET). TSPO-binding was quantified as distribution volume ratio (DVR) in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM), thalamus, whole brain and cortical gray matter (cGM).Results: Male MS patients had higher DVRs compared to female patients in the whole brain [1.22 (0.04) vs. 1.20 (0.02), p = 0.002], NAWM [1.24 (0.06) vs. 1.21 (0.05), p = 0.006], thalamus [1.37 (0.08) vs. 1.32 (0.02), p = 0.008] and cGM [1.25 (0.04) vs. 1.23 (0.04), p = 0.028]. Similarly, healthy men had higher DVRs compared to healthy women except for cGM. Of the studied subgroups, secondary progressive male MS patients had the highest DVRs in all regions, while female controls had the lowest DVRs.Conclusion: We observed higher TSPO-binding in males compared to females among people with MS and in healthy individuals. This sex-driven inherent variability in TSPO-expressing microglia may predispose male MS patients to greater likelihood of disease progression.<br/

Effect of ripening temperature on the chemical composition of lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) of northern and southern origin

Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) from two locations, northern (69◦N, 18◦E) and southern (59◦N, 10◦E) Norway, were grown under controlled conditions in a phytotron at two temperatures (9 and 15 ◦C) to study the effects of the ripening temperature and origin on the chemical composition of the berries. The concentrations of phenolic compounds, sugars, and organic acids as well as the profile of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were determined using chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods. Five anthocyanins, eleven flavonols, eight cinnamic acid derivatives, three flavan-3-ols, three sugars, three organic acids, and 77 VOCs were identified, of which 40 VOCs had not previously been reported in lingonberries. Berries from both locations, were found to have higher contents of anthocyanins and cinnamic acid derivatives when ripened at lower temperature (9 ◦C), compared to the higher temperature (15 ◦C). Lingonberries of northern origin had a different VOC profile and higher contents of anthocyanins and organic acids than berries originating from the south. Lingonberries from the northern location also had higher proportions of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside than lingonberries from the southern location. The results show that the composition of lingonberries is influenced by both the environment and the origin of the plants, with phenolic compounds mainly influenced by the growth temperature and VOCs mainly influenced by plant origin

FLIM reveals alternative EV-mediated cellular up-take pathways of paclitaxel

In response to physiological and artificial stimuli, cells generate nano-scale extracellular vesicles (EVs) by encapsulating biomolecules in plasma membrane-derived phospholipid envelopes. These vesicles are released to bodily fluids, hence acting as powerful endogenous mediators in intercellular signaling. EVs provide a compelling alternative for biomarker discovery and targeted drug delivery, but their kinetics and dynamics while interacting with living cells are poorly understood. Here we introduce a novel method, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to investigate these interaction attributes. By FLIM, we show distinct cellular uptake mechanisms of different EV subtypes, exosomes and microvesicles, loaded with anti-cancer agent, paclitaxel. We demonstrate differences in intracellular behavior and drug release profiles of paclitaxel-containing EVs. Exosomes seem to deliver the drug mostly by endocytosis while microvesicles enter the cells by both endocytosis and fusion with cell membrane. This research offers a new real-time method to investigate EV kinetics with living cells, and it is a potential advancement to complement the existing techniques. The findings of this study improve the current knowledge in exploiting EVs as next-generation targeted drug delivery systems.Peer reviewe

Analysis of flavour compounds and prediction of sensory properties in sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) berries

The aim of this study was to investigate sugars, organic acids, flavonol glycosides (FGs), proanthocyanidins and volatiles as flavour compounds in sea buckthorn (SB) berries of five cultivars and to predict the sensory properties of berries. The profiles of flavour compounds in SB berries varied significantly among the cultivars. Total proanthocyanidins and FGs were highest in 'Pertsik' and 'Raisa', respectively. Total volatiles were highest in 'Vorobyevskaya' and lowest in 'Raisa'. A previously established PLS model was used to predict the sensory properties of SB berries based on the non-volatile flavour compounds. The mouth-drying astringency can be predicted the most reliably, which has the highest regression coefficients with quinic acid, isorhamnetin-3-O-sophoroside-7-O-rhamnoside and total proanthocyanidins. Bitterness cannot be predicted using the model. 'Pertsik' berries were predicted to be more mouth-drying astringency and sour than those of 'Raisa'. The research supports the cultivar selection in cultivation and industry of SB berries

Leisure-time physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and feelings of hopelessness in men

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and cardiorespiratory fitness contribute to mental health. Hopelessness has been linked to impaired mental health, cardiovascular events and mortality. Previous studies have focused on physical exercise and depression. We examined the associations of LTPA and cardiorespiratory fitness with feelings of hopelessness.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this cross-sectional study leisure-time physical activity, maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max), hopelessness and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in a population-based cohort of 2428 men aged 42 – 60 years old at baseline.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Men feeling more hopeless about their future and reaching goals were less physically active, less fit and had a higher prevalence of many cardiovascular risk factors than men with lower levels of hopelessness. In a logistic regression model adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, cardiovascular disease and socioeconomic status, men engaging in less than 60 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous LTPA were 37% (95% CI 11 – 67%) more likely to feel hopeless than those engaging in at least 2.5 h/wk of LTPA. After further adjusting for elevated depressive symptoms the association of LTPA and hopelessness remained significant. VO_2maxwas also associated with hopelessness, but not after adjustment for depressive symptoms.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Moderate and vigorous LTPA and cardiorespiratory fitness were inversely associated with hopelessness in these middle-aged men. These findings suggest that physical inactivity and poor cardiorespiratory fitness is an important associate of hopelessness, a distinct element of low subjective well-being.</p

New rotation periods in the Pleiades: Interpreting activity indicators

We present results of photometric monitoring campaigns of G, K and M dwarfs in the Pleiades carried out in 1994, 1995 and 1996. We have determined rotation periods for 18 stars in this cluster. In this paper, we examine the validity of using observables such as X-ray activity and amplitude of photometric variations as indicators of angular momentum loss. We report the discovery of cool, slow rotators with high amplitudes of variation. This contradicts previous conclusions about the use of amplitudes as an alternate diagnostic of the saturation of angular momentum loss. We show that the X-ray data can be used as observational indicators of mass-dependent saturation in the angular momentum loss proposed on theoretical grounds.Comment: 24 pages, LaTex (AASTeX); includes 8 postscript figures and 4 Latex tables. To appear in ApJ, Feb. 1, 1998. Postscript version of preprint can be obtained from http://casa.colorado.edu/~anitak/pubs.htm

Mortality and subsequent fractures of patients with olecranon fractures compared to other upper extremity osteoporotic fractures

Background: The incidence rate of olecranon fractures is highest in the elderly population. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients with olecranon fractures have similar demographic and risk characteristics compared to patients with osteoporotic upper extremity fractures.Methods: A retrospective data analysis was performed with diagnoses for olecranon fracture, distal radius fracture and proximal humerus fracture between 2014 and 2016.Results: A total of 157 olecranon, 1022 distal radius and 451 proximal humerus fractures were identified. The risk of mortality after olecranon and distal radius fractures was comparable but statistically significantly higher after proximal humerus fractures (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.19–3.27). The risk of subsequent osteoporotic fractures after an olecranon fracture was 10% at 1 year and 14% at 5 years and the risks did not differ statistically after a proximal humerus fracture, 6% and 11% (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.40–1.06). After a distal radius fracture, the risks were statistically significantly lower: 2% and 5% (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.22–0.56).Discussion: Patients with olecranon fractures have essentially similar demographic characteristics compared to patients with distal radius fractures, but the probability for a subsequent fracture is significantly higher and more comparable to patients with proximal humerus fractures.</p

Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Oenococcus oeni, and Lactobacillus brevis on Composition of Bog Bilberry Juice

This study investigated the impact of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Oenococcus oeni Viniflora((R)) Oenos and Lactobacillus brevis CICC 6239 on bog bilberry juice with a considerably low pH and rich in anthocyanins content. Moreover, the effects of the strains on the composition of phenolic compounds, amino acids, ammonium ion, biogenic amines, reduced sugars, organic acids, and color parameters of the juice were studied. All three bacteria consumed sugars and amino acids but exhibited different growth patterns. Lactic acid was detected only in L. acidophilus inoculated juice. The content of the phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins, decreased in juice after inoculation. The CIELa*b* analysis indicated that the juice inoculated with L. acidophilus and O. oeni showed a decrease on a* and b* (less red and yellow) but an increase on L (more lightness), whereas the color attributes of L. brevis inoculated juice did not significantly change. Based on this study, L. brevis showed the most optimal performance in the juice due to its better adaptability and fewer effects on the appearance of juice. This study provided a useful reference on the metabolism of lactic acid bacteria in low pH juice and the evolution of primary and secondary nutrients in juice after inoculated with lactic acid bacteria