86 research outputs found
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Anatomical and behavioral analyses of the inheritance of audiogenic seizures in the progeny of genetically epilepsy-prone and Sprague-Dawley rats.
Our previous studies have shown an increase in the number of GABAergic and total neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) of the genetically epilepsy-prone rat (GEPR-9) as compared to the non-seizing Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. To determine whether an increase in neuron number in the IC is genetically associated with seizure behavior, seizing and non-seizing offspring of GEPR-9 and SD progenitor strains were studied as well as offspring from backcrosses made with F1 and either GEPR-9 or SD rats. In addition, the ontogeny of seizure behavior was studied in seizing rats from these same backgrounds. The development of seizure behavior in GEPR-9s was shown to be dependent on age and the number of exposures to sound stimulus up until the age of 9 weeks. The F1 and F2 generations displayed different audiogenic seizure profiles than those of the two progenitor strains. In the F1 generation, the ratio of seizing to non-seizing rats was always greater than 3:1, and the distribution of seizure scores was similar for males and females. In addition, the off-spring from backcrosses made with F1 rats (high or low seizing) and GEPR-9s displayed maximal audiogenic response scores (ARS) of 9, a characteristic of the GEPR-9s used in this study. The results of these genetic studies indicate a polygenetic inheritance of this autosomal dominant trait of audiogenic seizure susceptibility. For the quantitative study of neuronal density in the IC, neurons were counted from cresyl violet-stained preparations from seizing and non-seizing F1 and F2 rats, backcrosses from different categories and age-matched SD rats. Statistically significant increases in the number of both small (70% increase) and medium-sized (14% increase) neurons occurred in the high seizing animals (ARS = 7-9) as compared to either the non-seizing F2 or SD rats. In addition, a significant increase in the number of small neurons (77% increase) occurred in the high seizing offspring of the F1 X GEPR-9 backcross as compared to that of the non-seizing offspring of the F1 X SD backcross. The data from 25 rats generated a 0.9 coefficient of linear correlation between ARS and the number of small neurons. The results from the anatomical studies suggest that the inheritance of audiogenic seizures appears to be closely linked to the increase in cell number. Therefore, the increase in cell number in the IC may be an important determinant of seizure behavior for GEPR-9s
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Increased levels of amino acid neurotransmitters in the inferior colliculus of the genetically epilepsy-prone rat.
Previous studies have shown an increase in the number of GABAergic and total neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) of the genetically epilepsy-prone rat (GEPR). Amino acid analysis of the central nucleus of the IC, as well as cerebellum, sensorimotor, temporal, and occipital cerebral cortices of GEPRs with high pressure liquid chromatography showed significant increases in the levels of GABA, taurine and glutamate. The IC of GEPR displayed a 2.3-fold increase in GABA as compared to that of non-epileptic rats, a 2.4-fold increase of taurine, and a 1.9-fold increase of glutamate. In addition, taurine and glutamate were increased in the sensorimotor and temporal cortex, respectively. These results are consistent with previous anatomical data on the GABAergic system in the IC and provide additional information. The increase in taurine and glutamate in the IC indicates that other neurotransmitters could be involved in the mechanism of seizure activity
Influence of homogenization conditions on physical properties and antioxidant activity of fully biodegradable pea protein-alpha-tocopherol films
In this study, antioxidant biodegradable films based
on pea protein and alpha-tocopherol were successfully developed
by solution casting. The effect of both the homogenization
conditions (rotor stator and microfluidizer) and the relative
humidity (RH) on the microstructure and physical properties
(transparency, tensile, oxygen and water vapour barrier
properties) of pea protein/alpha-tocopherol-based films was
evaluated. The addition of alpha-tocopherol produced minimal
changes in the films transparency, while providing them
with antioxidant properties and improved water vapour and
oxygen barrier properties (up to 30 % in both water vapour
and oxygen permeability) when films were at low and intermediate
RH. The addition of alpha-tocopherol in
microfluidized films gave rise to an increase in their resistance
to break and extensibility (up to 27 % in E values) at intermediate
and high RH. These results add a new insight into the
potential of employing pea protein and alpha-tocopherol in the
development of fully biodegradable antioxidant films which
are of interest in food packagingThe authors acknowledge the financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia throughout the project AGL2010-20694, co-funded by FEDER. Author M.J.Fabra is a recipient of a Juan de la Cierva contract from the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad.Fabra, MJ.; JimĂ©nez, A.; Talens Oliag, P.; Chiralt, A. (2014). Influence of homogenization conditions on physical properties and antioxidant activity of fully biodegradable pea protein-alpha-tocopherol films. Food and Bioprocess Technology. 7(12):3569-3578. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-014-1372-0S35693578712ASTM (1995). Standard test methods for water vapor transmission of materials. Standards Desingnations: E96-95. In: Annual Book of ASTM Standards (pp. 406-413); American Society for Testing and Materials: Philadelphia, PA.ASTM (2001). Standard test method for tensile properties of thin plastic sheeting. Standard D882. In: Annual book of American Standard Testing Methods (pp 162-170). D882. Philadelphia:ASTM.Bertan, L. C., Tanada-Palmu, P. S., Siani, A. C., & Grosso, C. R. F. (2005). Effect of fatty acids and âBrazilian elemiâ on composite films based on gelatin. Food Hydrocolloids, 19(1), 73â82.Byun, Y., Kim, Y. T., & Whiteside, S. (2010). Characterization of an antioxidant polylactic acid (PLA) film prepared with alpha-tocopherol, BHT and polyethylene glycol using film cast extruder. Journal of Food Engineering, 100, 239â244.Cerqueira, M. A., Costa, M. J., Fuciños, C., Pastrana, L. M., & Vicente, A. A. (2014). Development of active and nanotechnology-based smart edible packaging systems: physical-chemical characterization. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 7(5), 1472â1482.Choi, W. S., & Han, J. H. (2001). Physical and mechanical properties of peaâprotein-based edible films. Journal of Food Science, 66, 319â322.Choi, W. S., & Han, J. H. (2002). Film-forming mechanism and heat denaturation effects on the physical and chemical properties of pea-protein-isolate edible films. Journal of Food Science, 67, 1399â1406.Fabra, M. J., Talens, P., & Chiralt, A. (2009). Microstructure and optical properties of sodium caseinate films containing oleic acidebeeswax mixtures. Food Hydrocolloids, 23, 676â683.Fabra, M. J., Talens, P., & Chiralt, A. (2010). Water sorption isotherms and phase transitions of sodium caseinateâlipid films as affected by lipid interactions. Food Hydrocolloids, 24, 384â391.Fabra, M. J., Hambleton, A., Talens, P., Debeaufort, F., & Chiralt, A. (2011). Effect of ferulic acid and α-tocopherol antioxidants on properties of sodium caseinate edible films. Food Hydrocolloids, 25, 1441â1447.Fabra, M. J., Talens, P., Gavara, R., & Chiralt, A. (2012). Barrier properties of sodium caseinate films as affected by lipid composition and moisture content. Journal of Food Engineering, 109, 372â379.Frankel, E. N., Huang, S. W., Kanner, J., & German, J. B. (1994). Interfacial phenomena in the evaluation of antioxidants: bulk oils vs emulsions. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 42(5), 1054â1059.GĂłmez-Estaca, J., GimĂ©nez, B., Montero, P., & GĂłmez-GuillĂ©n, M. C. (2009). Incorporation of antioxidant borage extract into edible films based on sole skin gelatin or a commercial fish gelatin. Journal of Food Engineering, 92, 78â85.Huang, S. W., Frankel, E. N., & German, J. B. (1994). Antioxidant activity of alpha.- and.gamma.-tocopherols in bulk oils and in oil-in-water emulsions. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 42(10), 2108â2114.Hutchings, J. B. (1999). Food and colour appearance (2nd ed.). Gaithersburg: Chapman and Hall Food Science Book, Aspen Publication.JimĂ©nez, A., Fabra, M. J., Talens, P., & Chiralt, A. (2010). Effect of lipid self-association on the microstructure and physical properties of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose edible films containing fatty acids. Carbohydrate Polymers, 82(3), 585â593.JimĂ©nez, A., Fabra, M. J., Talens, P., & Chiralt, A. (2013). Physical properties and antioxidant capacity of starch-sodium caseinate films containing lipids. Journal of Food Engineering, 116(3), 695â702.Jung, M. Y., & Min, D. B. (1990). Effects of alpha-. Îł-, and ÎŽ-tocopherols on oxidative stability of soybean oil. Journal of Food Science, 55(5), 1464â1465.LĂłpez-de-Dicastillo, C., Alonso, J. M., CatalĂĄ, R., Gavara, R., & HernĂĄndez-Muñoz, P. (2010). Improving the antioxidant protection of packaged food by incorporating natural flavonoids into ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) films. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58, 10958â10964.Ma, W., Tang, C.-H., Yin, S.-W., Yang, X. Q., Qi, J. R., & Xia, N. (2012). Effect of homogenization conditions on properties of gelatin-olive oil composite films. Journal of Food Engineering, 113(1), 136â142.Mauer, L. J., Smith, D. E., & Labuza, T. P. (2000). Water vapor permeability, mechanical, and structural properties of edible ÎČ-casein films. International Dairy Journal, 10(5â6), 353â358.Mc Hugh, T. H., Avena-Bustillos, R., & Krochta, J. M. (1993). Hydrophobic edible films:modified procedure for water vapor permeability and explanation of thickness effects. Journal of Food Science, 58(4), 899â903.McHugh, T. H., & Krochta, J. M. (1994). Dispersed phase particle size effects on water vapour permeability of whey proteinâbeeswax emulsion films. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 18, 173â188.Ozkan, G., Simsek, B., & Kuleasan, H. (2007). Antioxidant activities of Satureja cilicica essential oil in butter and in vitro. Journal of Food Engineering, 79, 1391â1396.Pereira de Abreu, D. A., Paseiro Losada, P., Maroto, J., & Cruz, J. M. (2011). Natural antioxidant active packaging film and its effect on lipid damage in frozen blue shark (Prionace glauca). 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W. S., Cerqueira, A., Casariego, A., Lima, A. M. P., Teixeira, J. A., & Vicente, A. A. (2009). Effect of moderate electric fields in the permeation properties of chitosan coatings. Food Hydrocolloids, 23, 2110â2115
TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access
Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives
A HIF-independent, CD133-mediated mechanism of cisplatin resistance in glioblastoma cells
Purpose
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the commonest brain tumour in adults. A population of cells, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), is thought to mediate chemo/radiotherapy resistance. CD133 is a cell surface marker to identify and isolate CSCs. However, its functional significance and the relevant microenvironment in which to study CD133 remain unknown. We examined the influence of hypoxia on CD133 expression and the potential functional significance of CD133 in glioblastoma chemoresistance.
Methods
Gene expression was analysed by qRT-PCR. siRNA technique was used to downregulate genes and confirmed by flow cytometry. IC50 values was evaluated with the Alamar blue assay.
Results
CD133 expression was upregulated in hypoxia in 2D and 3D models. There was increased resistance to chemotherapeutics, cisplatin, temozolomide and etoposide, in cells cultured in hypoxia compared to normoxia. siRNA knockdown of either HIF1a or HIF2a resulted in reduced CD133 mRNA expression with HIF2a having a more prolonged effect on CD133 expression. HIF2a downregulation sensitized GBM cells to cisplatin to a greater extent than HIF1a but CD133 knockdown had a much more marked effect on cisplatin sensitisation than knockdown of either of the HIFs suggesting a HIF-independent mechanism of cisplatin resistance mediated via CD133. The same mechanism was not involved in temozolomide resistance since downregulation of HIF1a but not HIF2a or CD133 sensitized GBM cells to temozolomide.
Conclusion
Knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the novel hypoxia-induced CD133-mediated resistance to cisplatin observed might lead to identification of new strategies that enable more effective use of current therapeutic agents
Capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry-based saliva metabolomics identified oral, breast and pancreatic cancer-specific profiles
Saliva is a readily accessible and informative biofluid, making it ideal for the early detection of a wide range of diseases including cardiovascular, renal, and autoimmune diseases, viral and bacterial infections and, importantly, cancers. Saliva-based diagnostics, particularly those based on metabolomics technology, are emerging and offer a promising clinical strategy, characterizing the association between salivary analytes and a particular disease. Here, we conducted a comprehensive metabolite analysis of saliva samples obtained from 215 individuals (69 oral, 18 pancreatic and 30 breast cancer patients, 11 periodontal disease patients and 87 healthy controls) using capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOF-MS). We identified 57 principal metabolites that can be used to accurately predict the probability of being affected by each individual disease. Although small but significant correlations were found between the known patient characteristics and the quantified metabolites, the profiles manifested relatively higher concentrations of most of the metabolites detected in all three cancers in comparison with those in people with periodontal disease and control subjects. This suggests that cancer-specific signatures are embedded in saliva metabolites. Multiple logistic regression models yielded high area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUCs) to discriminate healthy controls from each disease. The AUCs were 0.865 for oral cancer, 0.973 for breast cancer, 0.993 for pancreatic cancer, and 0.969 for periodontal diseases. The accuracy of the models was also high, with cross-validation AUCs of 0.810, 0.881, 0.994, and 0.954, respectively. Quantitative information for these 57 metabolites and their combinations enable us to predict disease susceptibility. These metabolites are promising biomarkers for medical screening
TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access
Plant traitsâthe morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plantsâdetermine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of traitâbased plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traitsâalmost complete coverage for âplant growth formâ. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and traitâenvironmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives
Clinicopathological characteristics of non-diabetic renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a northeastern Chinese medical center: a retrospective analysis of 273 cases
International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis
Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICARâRS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICARâRSâ2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidenceâbased findings of the document. Methods: ICARâRS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidenceâbased reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidenceâbased reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICARâRSâ2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidenceâbased management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICARâRSâ2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidenceâbased recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS
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