A randomised, controlled trial of a dietary intervention for adults with major depression (the "SMILES" trial): study protocol

Despite increased investment in its recognition and treatment, depression remains a substantial health and economic burden worldwide. Current treatment strategies generally focus on biological and psychological pathways, largely neglecting the role of lifestyle. There is emerging evidence to suggest that diet and nutrition play an important role in the risk, and the genesis, of depression. However, there are limited data regarding the therapeutic impact of dietary changes on existing mental illness. Using a randomised controlled trial design, we aim to investigate the efficacy and cost-efficacy of a dietary program for the treatment of Major Depressive Episodes. <br /

Global phylogeography and ancient evolution of the widespread human gut virus crAssphage

Microbiomes are vast communities of microorganisms and viruses that populate all natural ecosystems. Viruses have been considered to be the most variable component of microbiomes, as supported by virome surveys and examples of high genomic mosaicism. However, recent evidence suggests that the human gut virome is remarkably stable compared with that of other environments. Here, we investigate the origin, evolution and epidemiology of crAssphage, a widespread human gut virus. Through a global collaboration, we obtained DNA sequences of crAssphage from more than one-third of the world's countries and showed that the phylogeography of crAssphage is locally clustered within countries, cities and individuals. We also found fully colinear crAssphage-like genomes in both Old-World and New-World primates, suggesting that the association of crAssphage with primates may be millions of years old. Finally, by exploiting a large cohort of more than 1,000 individuals, we tested whether crAssphage is associated with bacterial taxonomic groups of the gut microbiome, diverse human health parameters and a wide range of dietary factors. We identified strong correlations with different clades of bacteria that are related to Bacteroidetes and weak associations with several diet categories, but no significant association with health or disease. We conclude that crAssphage is a benign cosmopolitan virus that may have coevolved with the human lineage and is an integral part of the normal human gut virome

Global phylogeography and ancient evolution of the widespread human gut virus crAssphage

Microbiomes are vast communities of microorganisms and viruses that populate all natural ecosystems. Viruses have been considered to be the most variable component of microbiomes, as supported by virome surveys and examples of high genomic mosaicism. However, recent evidence suggests that the human gut virome is remarkably stable compared with that of other environments. Here, we investigate the origin, evolution and epidemiology of crAssphage, a widespread human gut virus. Through a global collaboration, we obtained DNA sequences of crAssphage from more than one-third of the world’s countries and showed that the phylogeography of crAssphage is locally clustered within countries, cities and individuals. We also found fully colinear crAssphage-like genomes in both Old-World and New-World primates, suggesting that the association of crAssphage with primates may be millions of years old. Finally, by exploiting a large cohort of more than 1,000 individuals, we tested whether crAssphage is associated with bacterial taxonomic groups of the gut microbiome, diverse human health parameters and a wide range of dietary factors. We identified strong correlations with different clades of bacteria that are related to Bacteroidetes and weak associations with several diet categories, but no significant association with health or disease. We conclude that crAssphage is a benign cosmopolitan virus that may have coevolved with the human lineage and is an integral part of the normal human gut virome

Characterization of Mouthguard Materials: A Comparison of a Commercial Material to a Novel Thiolene Family

The goal of this study is to compare the thermal and mechanical properties of a commercial mouthguard material with a novel class of thermoset polymers based on thiolene click chemistry. Ternary thiolene systems modified with urethane or acrylate [urethane-modified thiolene network (UMTEN) and acrylate-modified thiolene network (AMTEN), respectively] were synthesized and their properties compared with commercially available Polyshok. Durometer hardness (ASTM D2240-05), water absorption [ASTM D570-98 (2005)], tear strength (ASTM D624-00), and impact attenuation [ASTM D6110-06f (modified)] were measured for physical property comparison. Differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis were used as a means to compare thermal properties. One-way analysis of variance and independent t tests were used to test for differences between Polyshok, AMTEN and UMTEN samples. It was found that the novel thiolene networks exhibit higher impact attenuation at intraoral temperature compared with Polyshok, although Polyshok demonstrates lower water absorption and hardness, as well as higher tear strength. With further modification, this family of thiolene materials may provide a platform for developing next-generation mouthguard materials. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40402

3D Printing of Dual-Core Benzoxazine Networks

A novel 3D printing formulation based on a multifunctional benzoxazine (BOX) monomer possessing both photo and thermally polymerizable functional groups is reported. Printing formulation viscosity is readily tuned using a monofunctional-acrylate reactive diluent to enable Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. In the primary curing step, the printing formulation is UV-cured by SLA 3D printing to prepare accurate parts on the millimeter size scale. The 3D printed parts are then heated in the secondary curing step to activate a thermally initiated BOX ring opening polymerization. Dynamic mechanical analysis demonstrated that the 3D printed parts exhibit a single Tan δ peak after both the primary UV-cure and secondary thermal cure steps, suggesting the two polymerizations behave as one crosslinked network. The unique dual-cure strategy demonstrated in this research utilizes both photo and thermally initiated polymerizations to expand the library of materials available for 3D printing applications

Highly Tunable Thiol-Ene Networks via Dual Thiol Addition

Throughout the past decade, investigations of thick thermoset thiol-ene networks (TENs) have become increasingly prominent in the literature due to facile, quantitative synthesis giving rise to unique network characteristics, specifically high mechanical energy damping. This article reports the synthesis and thermomechanical properties of ternary thiol-thiol-ene systems that exhibit tunable glass transitions that maintain high, narrow tan delta values in the glass transition region. We begin with a base network of a trifunctional thiol and a trifunctional ene and then systematically substitute the trifunctional thiol with a series of difunctional thiols while maintaining stoichiometric balance between total thiol and ene content. The resultant ternary networks exhibit glass transition temperatures that follow the Fox equation. In contrast to other ternary thiol-ene networks, we observe minimal broadening of the glass transition region, which implies that we can retain the energy-absorbing capabilities of the thiol-ene system. This approach has high potential as a simple tool for scientists and researchers to tune T(g)s for select networks without detrimentally affecting other physical properties

Impact Properties of Thiol-Ene Networks

In this study, a series of thiol–ene networks having glass transition temperatures ranging from −30 to 60 °C were synthesized utilizing several multifunctional thiols and two trifunctional alkenes. Thermomechanical properties were determined using dynamic mechanical analysis, and impact properties were determined using pendulum impact and drop impact testing protocols. The impact behavior was found to directly correlate to the glass transition temperature, except when the temperature at which the impact event occurs overlaps with the range of temperatures corresponding to the viscoelastic dissipation regime of the polymer. Additionally, we discuss insight into the spatial limitations of energy dissipation for thiol–ene network polymers and establish a platform for predictability in similar systems

Sequential Thiol Click Reactions: Formation of Ternary Thiourethane/Thiol–Ene Networks with Enhanced Thermal and Mechanical Properties

We report the physical properties of thiol–ene networks modified with thiourethane or urethane linkages, either along the main chain or as a branched component in the network, respectively. Because of the robust and orthogonal nature of thiol-isocyanate and thiol–ene reactions, these networks can be formed in a two-step, one-pot synthesis. Resultant networks were characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis, mechanical testing and other complementary techniques. It was found that incorporating (thio)­urethanes into the networks increased <i>T</i>_g, but also increased strain at break and toughness while decreasing cross-link density. The changes in physical properties are discussed in terms of a proposed dual network morphology. These facile modifications to thiol–ene networks demonstrate how molecular-level, nanoscale changes can have a profound influence on the macroscale properties through hierarchical development of network morphology