Plantar flexor muscles asymmetry and their lower strength is maybe related to development of low back pain during prolonged standing

Purpose: Research has shown that there are some risk factors for creating and developing low back pain with prolonged standing. For attempt to recognition of predisposing factors to development of LBP during prolonged standing, the purpose of this study was to investigate to maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) at selected groups of muscles and some of the psychological aspects in back-healthy subjects who developed LBP during prolonged standing.Methods: In this cross sectional study, 25 back-healthy subjects and 14 chronic nonspecific LBP completed anxiety inventory (STAI), Tampa Scale for kinesiophobia (TSK) and pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) questionnaires. Dynamometer was used to assess MVC of the selected groups of muscles. Finally back-healthy subjects get tested for 2 h prolonged standing protocol and based on a visual analog scale (VAS) were categorized as pain developers (PD) or non-pain developers (NPD).Results: Ten subjects (% 40) with developing pain were categorized as PD. There were no significant difference at psychological aspects between three groups of PD, NPD and LBP had. But analysis of MVC showed PD and LBP groups had less MVC at the left plantar flexors than left plantar flexors of the NPD group. Also PD and LBP groups had significantly more between two sides asymmetry at MVC at the plantar flexors compared to  NPD group.Conclusion: This preliminary data suggests less MVC and asymmetry of MVC at plantar flexor muscles maybe related to development of the LBP during prolonged standing in the back-healthy peoples. Future study is needed to investigate other function of plantar flexors and their probably relations to development of LBP during prolonged standing

Physical, mechanical and antibacterial properties of the gelatin film obtained from the by-product of Talang queenfish, Scomberoides commersonnianus

In this study, gelatin was extracted from the by-product of Scomberoides commersonnianus, and after evaluating its characteristics, a biodegradable film was prepared from the gelatin. The results showed that the yield of extracting gelatin, pH and hardness were 12%, 5, and 100 grams, respectively. The gelation time and temperature were 18°C in 175 seconds. Evaluation of the mechanical properties of the edible film based on fish gelatin showed that the tensile strength and elongation at the break point were 3.6 MPa and 27.2%, respectively. The physical properties of thickness, humidity, solubility, and water vapor permeability were reported as 0.08 mm, 5.2%, 21.3%, and 5.8 g mm/h mm2kpa × 10-6, respectively. SEM images showed a smooth structure without pores. Moreover, gelatin film did not show antibacterial properties against E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus cereus. However, based on the results of the fish gelatin film can be introduced as a suitable candidate for the preparation of composite films with other biopolymers, and the addition of antibacterial compounds can improve their antibacterial property

Immune priming using DC- and T cell-targeting gene therapy sensitizes both treated and distant B16 tumors to checkpoint inhibition

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma, but most tumors show resistance. Resistance is connected to a non-T cell inflamed phenotype partially caused by a lack of functional dendritic cells (DCs) that are crucial for T cell priming. Herein, we investigated whether the adenoviral gene vehicle mLOAd703 carrying both DC- and T cell-activating genes can lead to inflammation in a B16-CD46 model and thereby overcome resistance to checkpoint inhibition therapy. B16-CD46 cells were injected subcutaneously in one or both flanks of immuno-competent C57BL/6J mice. mLOAd703 treatments were given intratumorally alone or in combination with intraperitoneal checkpoint inhibition therapy (anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-TIM-3). Tumor, lymph node, spleen, and serum samples were analyzed for the presence of immune cells and cytokines/chemokines. B16-CD46 tumors were non-inflamed and resistant to checkpoint blockade. In contrast, mLOAd703 treatment led to infiltration of the tumor by CD8(+) T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and CD103(+) DCs, accompanied by a systemic increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-27 (IL-27). This response was even more pronounced after combining the virus with checkpoint therapy, in particular with anti-PD-L1 and anti-TIM-3, leading to further reduced tumor growth in injected lesions. Moreover, anti-PD-L1 combination also facilitated abscopal responses in non-injected lesions

Effect of various postmortem processing times and blanching methods on quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) waste oil

Oil extracted from fish waste is considered as a value‐added product. The effect of postmortem processing times (0, 3, 6, and 9 hr) and blanching methods (sodium chloride, pH shift, and high temperature) on the extracted oil from rainbow trout viscera was studied. Blanching was applied six hours prior to oil extraction to counteract the effects of delayed processing time and increasing the oil stability. Autolysis by digestive enzymes is main culprit of higher contents of free fatty acids, lipid oxidation, saponified compound, and saturation degrees in case of postponed oil extraction. Results showed that PV was increased after pH shift and high temperature blanching, while there were no significant differences by using salt blanching. The lowest amount of TBA, AV, Totox, and saponification index was observed in salt blanched treatment. The colorimetric values including L*, b*, and whiteness index were decreased after pH shift, whereas redness was increased. Unfavorable coloration could be attributed to the lipid oxidation process that giving rise nonvolatile decomposition products with carbonyl groups. Our results indicated that salt blanching could reduce the effects of delayed processing time and lead to higher quality value‐added product from rainbow trout viscera

Systemic immunity upon local oncolytic virotherapy armed with immunostimulatory genes may be supported by tumor-derived exosomes

Immunostimulatory gene therapy utilizing oncolytic viruses (OVs) as gene vehicles is a promising immunotherapy for cancer. Since viruses are immunogenic, systemic delivery can be troublesome due to neutralizing antibodies. Nevertheless, local delivery by intratumoral injection seems to induce systemic immune reactions. In this study, we demonstrate a novel mechanism of action of armed OV therapy suggesting that exosomes released by tumor cells infected with armed OV may participate to activate the immune system and this may also support systemic immunity. Tumor cell-derived exosomes commonly exert immunosuppressive functions. We hypothesized that exosomes derived from OV-infected tumor cells may instead be immunostimulatory. Human melanoma cells were infected by OVs armed with costimulatory molecules CD40 ligand (CD40L) and 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL). Exosomes were purified and investigated for the presence of CD40L/4-1BBL mRNA and protein, and for their capacity to stimulate immune responses. The results show that the exosomes cargo transgenes. The exosomes from CD40L/4-1BBL-expressing tumor cells, or the viruses themselves, could stimulate robust dendritic cell (DC) activation with an enhanced level of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and costimulatory molecules. Hence, exosomes after OV infection can locally activate immune responses at the tumor site and encounter immune cells such as DCs

Impact of starvation on digestive enzymes activities and plasma metabolites in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii, Brandt, 1869)

To increase the current knowledge about the relationship between nutritional status and the digestive capacity of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii), we addressed the effect of starvation-refeeding and macronutrient composition on growth parameters and key digestive enzyme activities in A. baerii. Acipenser baerii juveniles were fed four different diets for 3 weeks, then starved for 2 weeks and allowed to refed for 5 weeks with the same diets. Another group of fish were fed 10 weeks with the corresponding diets. Among 10-week fed fish, high-protein diets promoted higher body weight values, while the lowest specific growth rate was observed in fish fed a low-protein, medium-carbohydrate, high-lipid diet (p .05) and α-amylase activity in the intestine as well as pepsin in the stomach (p < .05). Our findings suggest that A. baerii maintains a high capacity to digest proteins and lipids after 2 weeks of starvation and that α-amylase can be used as an indicator of the nutritional status in fish submitted to starvation-refeeding cycles. Indeed, refeeding with high-protein and CHO:L ratio diets after starvation could improve the growth rate of A. baerii in culture

Immunostimulatory oncolytic virotherapy for multiple myeloma targeting 4-1BB and/or CD40

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy that is characterized by immune dysregulation. MM is commonly treated with immunomodulating agents, but still remains incurable. Herein, we proposed and evaluated immunostimulatory Lokon oncolytic adenoviruses (LOAd) for MM treatment. LOAd viruses are serotype 5/35 chimera, which enables infection of hematopoietic cells. Oncolysis is restricted to cells with a dysregulated retinoblastoma protein pathway, which is frequently observed in MM. Further, LOAd viruses are armed with human immunostimulatory transgenes: trimerized membrane-bound CD40L (LOAd700, LOAd703) and 4-1BBL (LOAd703). LOAd viruses were assessed in a panel of MM cell lines (ANBL-6, L363, LP-1, OPM-2, RPMI-8226, and U266-84). All cells were sensitive to infection, leading to viral replication and cell killing as analyzed by quantitative PCR and viability assay. Transgene expression was verified post infection with flow cytometry. Cell phenotypes were further altered with a downregulation of markers connected to MM progression (ICAM-1, CD70, CXCL10, CCL2, and sIL-2Rα) and an upregulation of the death receptor Fas. In a co-culture of immune and MM cells, LOAd viruses promoted activation of cytotoxic T cells as seen by higher CD69, CD107a, and IFNγ expression. This was most prominent with LOAd703. In conclusion, LOAd viruses are of interest for MM therapy

CD40 stimulation via CD40 ligand enhances adenovirus-mediated tumour immunogenicity including 'find-me', 'eat-me', and 'kill-me' signalling

Immunostimulatory gene therapy using oncolytic viruses is currently evaluated as a promising therapy for cancer aiming to induce anti-tumour immunity. Here, we investigate the capacity of oncolytic adenoviruses (LOAd) and their transgenes to induce immunogenicity in the infected tumour cells. Oncolysis and death-related markers were assessed after infection of eight human solid cancer cell lines with different LOAd viruses expressing a trimerized, membrane-bound (TMZ)-CD40L, TMZ-CD40L and 41BBL, or no transgenes. The viruses induced transgene expression post infection before they were killed by oncolysis. Death receptors TRAIL-R1, TRAIL-R2 and Fas as well as immunogenic cell death marker calreticulin were upregulated in cell lines post infection. Similarly, caspase 3/7 activity was increased in most cell lines. Interestingly, in CD40+ cell lines there was a significant effect of the TMZ-CD40L-encoding viruses indicating activation of the CD40-mediated apoptosis pathway. Further, these cell lines showed a significant increase of calreticulin, and TRAIL receptor 1 and 2 post infection. However, LOAd viruses induced PD-L1 upregulation which may hamper anti-tumour immune responses. In conclusion, LOAd infection increased the immunogenicity of infected tumour cells and this was potentiated by CD40 stimulation. Due to the simultaneous PD-L1 increase, LOAd viruses may benefit from combination with antibodies blocking PD1/PD-L1.De två sista författarna delar sistaförfattarskapet</p