The juvenile hormone analogue, pyriproxifen, alters protein and fat composition of Tenebrio molitor larvae

Maximising the yield of product from livestock is common practice in the agriculture industry and there is potential to extend this practice to the emerging insect industry, to produce high-quality, sustainable protein. Tenebrio molitor larvae, commonly called yellow mealworms, were fed for 28 days on wheat bran containing the juvenile hormone analogue, pyriproxifen at either 2 mg pyriproxifen/kg wheat bran (JH-PL) or 15 mg pyriproxifen/kg wheat bran (JH-PH). As expected, pupation was inhibited in both pyriproxifen treated groups and significant changes in nutritional composition were observed. Pyriproxifen treated mealworms had a higher protein content per 100 grams of dried material, while fat content was reduced 68% in JH-PH compared to control. These changes were associated with an increase in moisture content and reduction in energy content. The fatty acid profile of extracted fat also displayed significant alterations, with pyriproxifen treated mealworms showing an increase in proportions of saturated fatty acids, reduction in oleic acid but no effect on linoleic acid. The amino acid composition also exhibited a change in composition as a result of pyriproxifen treatment, including an increase in the essential amino acid, lysine, in JH-PH treated mealworms. This change in amino acid profile was associated with a change in the protein composition as observed on SDS-PAGE, with the appearance of a new band identified as the egg-yolk protein, vitellogenin, which has lipid-transporter activity. Hence, pyriproxifen treatment of mealworms has a repartitioning effect, resulting in an increase in the proportion of protein and a decrease in fat on a dry matter basis, demonstrating that mealworm nutrient composition can be manipulated to provide a higher value feed ingredient

Changes in nutrient composition and gene expression in growing mealworms (Tenebrio molitor)

Insects are of high interest as a sustainable source of nutrients to be included in the food production system. The larvae of Tenebrio molitor, commonly known as yellow mealworms (MW), have a high protein content, which means potential applications in the animal feed and human food sectors. However, previous reports have shown considerable variability in the nutrient composition of mealworms, which may in part, be due to harvesting at different developmental stages. A better understanding of the regulation of composition during development would potentially facilitate future attempts to manipulate nutrient content, perhaps through gene editing, to maximize commercial value. In the present study, mealworms were harvested at various time points within a 24 day period leading up to the start of pupation. At the earliest time points (between days −24 and −17), a 44% increase in fat content was seen, which was maintained throughout the rest of development. By day −12, protein content fell by 12%, a change that was also maintained. Throughout development there was a change in fatty acid composition, with a shift from oleic acid being the major fatty acid at day −24, to linoleic acid being predominant at later time points. In an attempt to better understand the genetic basis of these changes, an analysis of the transcriptome was undertaken. In the absence of a specific annotated genome for the mealworm, an Affymetrix GeneChip microarray for Drosophila was utilized. The hybridisation of RNA extracted from five developmental stages (larvae and pupae) showed differential gene expression; and some potential orthologs were identified which may be involved in regulating nutrient composition during development. However, we were unable to identify a significant proportion of the most highly regulated genes, highlighting the need for a fully annotated mealworm genome

Changes in nutrient composition and gene expression in growing mealworms (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>)

Insects are of high interest as a sustainable source of nutrients to be included in the food production system. The larvae of Tenebrio molitor, commonly known as yellow mealworms (MW), have a high protein content, which means potential applications in the animal feed and human food sectors. However, previous reports have shown considerable variability in the nutrient composition of mealworms, which may in part, be due to harvesting at different developmental stages. A better understanding of the regulation of composition during development would potentially facilitate future attempts to manipulate nutrient content, perhaps through gene editing, to maximize commercial value. In the present study, mealworms were harvested at various time points within a 24 day period leading up to the start of pupation. At the earliest time points (between days -24 and -17), a 44% increase in fat content was seen, which was maintained throughout the rest of development. By day -12, protein content fell by 12%, a change that was also maintained. Throughout development there was a change in fatty acid composition, with a shift from oleic acid being the major fatty acid at day -24, to linoleic acid being predominant at later time points. In an attempt to better understand the genetic basis of these changes, an analysis of the transcriptome was undertaken. In the absence of a specific annotated genome for the mealworm, an Affymetrix GeneChip microarray for Drosophila was utilized. The hybridisation of RNA extracted from five developmental stages (larvae and pupae) showed differential gene expression; and some potential orthologs were identified which may be involved in regulating nutrient composition during development. However, we were unable to identify a significant proportion of the most highly regulated genes, highlighting the need for a fully annotated mealworm genome.</p

The SuperCam Instrument Suite on the Mars 2020 Rover: Science Objectives and Mast-Unit Description

On the NASA 2020 rover mission to Jezero crater, the remote determination ofthe texture, mineralogy and chemistry of rocks is essential to quickly and thoroughly characterize an area and to optimize the selection of samples for return to Earth. As part of the Perseverance payload, SuperCam is a suite of five techniques that provide critical and complementary observations via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Time-ResolvedRaman and Luminescence (TRR/L), visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (VISIR), highresolution color imaging (RMI), and acoustic recording (MIC). SuperCam operates at remote distances, primarily 2–7 m, while providing data at sub-mm to mm scales. We reporton SuperCam’s science objectives in the context of the Mars 2020 mission goals and waysthe different techniques can address these questions. The instrument is made up of three separate subsystems: the Mast Unit is designed and built in France; the Body Unit is providedby the United States; the calibration target holder is contributed by Spain, and the targetsthemselves by the entire science team. This publication focuses on the design, development,and tests of the Mast Unit; companion papers describe the other units. The goal of this workis to provide an understanding of the technical choices made, the constraints that were imposed, and ultimately the validated performance of the flight model as it leaves Earth, and itwill serve as the foundation for Mars operations and future processing of the dat

Ezetimibe added to statin therapy after acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND: Statin therapy reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular events, but whether the addition of ezetimibe, a nonstatin drug that reduces intestinal cholesterol absorption, can reduce the rate of cardiovascular events further is not known. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized trial involving 18,144 patients who had been hospitalized for an acute coronary syndrome within the preceding 10 days and had LDL cholesterol levels of 50 to 100 mg per deciliter (1.3 to 2.6 mmol per liter) if they were receiving lipid-lowering therapy or 50 to 125 mg per deciliter (1.3 to 3.2 mmol per liter) if they were not receiving lipid-lowering therapy. The combination of simvastatin (40 mg) and ezetimibe (10 mg) (simvastatin-ezetimibe) was compared with simvastatin (40 mg) and placebo (simvastatin monotherapy). The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring rehospitalization, coronary revascularization ( 6530 days after randomization), or nonfatal stroke. The median follow-up was 6 years. RESULTS: The median time-weighted average LDL cholesterol level during the study was 53.7 mg per deciliter (1.4 mmol per liter) in the simvastatin-ezetimibe group, as compared with 69.5 mg per deciliter (1.8 mmol per liter) in the simvastatin-monotherapy group (P<0.001). The Kaplan-Meier event rate for the primary end point at 7 years was 32.7% in the simvastatin-ezetimibe group, as compared with 34.7% in the simvastatin-monotherapy group (absolute risk difference, 2.0 percentage points; hazard ratio, 0.936; 95% confidence interval, 0.89 to 0.99; P = 0.016). Rates of pre-specified muscle, gallbladder, and hepatic adverse effects and cancer were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: When added to statin therapy, ezetimibe resulted in incremental lowering of LDL cholesterol levels and improved cardiovascular outcomes. Moreover, lowering LDL cholesterol to levels below previous targets provided additional benefit

An international assessment of the adoption of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS®) principles across colorectal units in 2019–2020

Aim: The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society guidelines aim to standardize perioperative care in colorectal surgery via 25 principles. We aimed to assess the variation in uptake of these principles across an international network of colorectal units. Method: An online survey was circulated amongst European Society of Coloproctology members in 2019–2020. For each ERAS principle, respondents were asked to score how frequently the principle was implemented in their hospital, from 1 (‘rarely’) to 4 (‘always’). Respondents were also asked to recall whether practice had changed since 2017. Subgroup analyses based on hospital characteristics were conducted. Results: Of hospitals approached, 58% responded to the survey (195/335), with 296 individual responses (multiple responses were received from some hospitals). The majority were European (163/195, 83.6%). Overall, respondents indicated they ‘most often’ or ‘always’ adhered to most individual ERAS principles (18/25, 72%). Variability in the uptake of principles was reported, with universal uptake of some principles (e.g., prophylactic antibiotics; early mobilization) and inconsistency from ‘rarely’ to ‘always’ in others (e.g., no nasogastric intubation; no preoperative fasting and carbohydrate drinks). In alignment with 2018 ERAS guideline updates, adherence to principles for prehabilitation, managing anaemia and postoperative nutrition appears to have increased since 2017. Conclusions: Uptake of ERAS principles varied across hospitals, and not all 25 principles were equally adhered to. Whilst some principles exhibited a high level of acceptance, others had a wide variability in uptake indicative of controversy or barriers to uptake. Further research into specific principles is required to improve ERAS implementation

The impact of conversion on the risk of major complication following laparoscopic colonic surgery: an international, multicentre prospective audit.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: The and E. S. o. C. c. groups (2018). "The impact of conversion on the risk of major complication following laparoscopic colonic surgery: an international, multicentre prospective audit." Colorectal Disease 20(S6): 69-89., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.14371. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy has now been implemented as a standard of care for elective colonic resection around the world. During the adoption period, studies showed that conversion may be detrimental to patients, with poorer outcomes than both laparoscopic completed or planned open surgery. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether laparoscopic conversion was associated with a higher major complication rate than planned open surgery in contemporary, international practice. METHODS: Combined analysis of the European Society of Coloproctology 2017 and 2015 audits. Patients were included if they underwent elective resection of a colonic segment from the caecum to the rectosigmoid junction with primary anastomosis. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day major complication rate, defined as Clavien-Dindo grade III-V. RESULTS: Of 3980 patients, 64% (2561/3980) underwent laparoscopic surgery and a laparoscopic conversion rate of 14% (359/2561). The major complication rate was highest after open surgery (laparoscopic 7.4%, converted 9.7%, open 11.6%, P < 0.001). After case mix adjustment in a multilevel model, only planned open (and not laparoscopic converted) surgery was associated with increased major complications in comparison to laparoscopic surgery (OR 1.64, 1.27-2.11, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate laparoscopic conversion should not be considered a treatment failure in modern practice. Conversion does not appear to place patients at increased risk of complications vs planned open surgery, supporting broadening of selection criteria for attempted laparoscopy in elective colonic resection