Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester on visfatin and apelin in lean and overweight (cafeteria diet-fed) rats

Previous studies have demonstrated that the n-3 fatty acid EPA improves insulin resistance induced by high-fat diets. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of visfatin and apelin in the insulin-sensitising effects of EPA ethyl ester. The effects of EPA on muscle and adipose GLUT mRNA, as well as on liver glucokinase (GK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activity, were investigated. Male Wistar rats fed on a standard diet or a high-fat cafeteria diet were daily treated by oral administration with EPA ethyl ester (1 g/kg) for 5 weeks. A significant decrease (P,0·01) in white adipose tissue (WAT) visfatin mRNA levels was found in the cafeteria-fed rats, which was reversed by EPA administration (P,0·05). Moreover, a negative relationship was observed between homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) and the visfatin:total WAT ratio. In contrast, cafeteria-diet feeding caused a significant increase (P,0·01) in apelin mRNA in visceral WAT. EPA increased (P,0·01) apelin gene expression, and a negative relationship between HOMA index with visceral apelin mRNA and serum apelin:total WAT ratio was also observed. EPA treatment did not induce changes in skeletal muscle GLUT1, GLUT4 or insulin receptor mRNA levels. Neither liver GK and G6Pase activity nor the GK:G6Pase ratio was modified by EPA. These data suggest that somehow the insulin-sensitising effects of EPA could be related to its stimulatory action on both visfatin and apelin gene expression in visceral fat, while changes in skeletal muscle GLUT, as well as in hepatic glucose production, are not likely to be the main contributing factors in the improvement in insulin resistance induced by EPA

Fuel economy optimization from the interaction between engine oil and driving conditions

[EN] Low viscosity engine oils have shown to be an effective solution to the fuel consumption reduction target, however, their potential is closely linked to the vehicle and engine design and to the real driving conditions. In this study the interaction between engine oil and driving conditions of two urban routes and one rural route in Spain and the United Kingdom has been put to test with the aim to evaluate their joint effect over fuel economy of a freight transport vehicle. In a first approximation, six different oil formulations, three of them belonging to the new API CK-4 and FA-4 categories and two with molybdenum-based friction modifier, were tested under stationary conditions with a medium-duty diesel engine. Followed by tests under real driving conditions of a freight transport vehicle, developed by means of computer simulations with an adjusted vehicle model, taking the fuel consumption maps of the six oil formulations, vehicle characteristics and the selected driving cycles as inputs to the model. Results of engine bench tests and simulations with oils of lower HTHS viscosity showed fuel consumption reduction values as expected. However unexpected results were found between the oils with molybdenum-based friction modifier added to their formulation.The authors would like to thank to the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad for supporting the EFICOIL project (TRA2015-70785-R) and to the program Ayudas de Investigacion y Desarrollo (PAID-01-17) of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Tormos, B.; Pla Moreno, B.; Bastidas-Moncayo, KS.; Ramirez-Roa, LA.; Perez, T. (2019). Fuel economy optimization from the interaction between engine oil and driving conditions. Tribology International. 138:263-270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2019.05.042S263270138Edwards, M. R., Klemun, M. M., Kim, H. C., Wallington, T. J., Winkler, S. L., Tamor, M. A., & Trancik, J. E. (2017). Vehicle emissions of short-lived and long-lived climate forcers: trends and tradeoffs. Faraday Discussions, 200, 453-474. doi:10.1039/c7fd00063dDente, S. M. R., & Tavasszy, L. (2018). Policy oriented emission factors for road freight transport. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 61, 33-41. doi:10.1016/j.trd.2017.03.021Hofer, C., Jäger, G., & Füllsack, M. (2018). Large scale simulation of CO2 emissions caused by urban car traffic: An agent-based network approach. Journal of Cleaner Production, 183, 1-10. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.02.113Lepitzki, J., & Axsen, J. (2018). The role of a low carbon fuel standard in achieving long-term GHG reduction targets. Energy Policy, 119, 423-440. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2018.03.067Solaymani, S. (2019). CO2 emissions patterns in 7 top carbon emitter economies: The case of transport sector. Energy, 168, 989-1001. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2018.11.145European Union, The European Union explained: transport, EU publications doi:10.2775/13082.Eurostat statistics explained. road freight transport statistics, [Accessed: 10/01/2019]. URL https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Road_freight_transport_statistics.Kin, B., Spoor, J., Verlinde, S., Macharis, C., & Van Woensel, T. (2018). Modelling alternative distribution set-ups for fragmented last mile transport: Towards more efficient and sustainable urban freight transport. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 6(1), 125-132. doi:10.1016/j.cstp.2017.11.009Edwards, J. B., McKinnon, A. C., & Cullinane, S. L. (2010). Comparative analysis of the carbon footprints of conventional and online retailing. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 40(1/2), 103-123. doi:10.1108/09600031011018055Manerba, D., Mansini, R., & Zanotti, R. (2018). Attended Home Delivery: reducing last-mile environmental impact by changing customer habits. IFAC-PapersOnLine, 51(5), 55-60. doi:10.1016/j.ifacol.2018.06.199Gao, J., Chen, H., Tian, G., Ma, C., & Zhu, F. (2019). An analysis of energy flow in a turbocharged diesel engine of a heavy truck and potentials of improving fuel economy and reducing exhaust emissions. Energy Conversion and Management, 184, 456-465. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2019.01.053O. Delgado, F. Rodríguez, R. Muncrief, Fuel efficiency technology in european heavy-duty vehicles: baseline and potential for the 2020 2030 time frame, Tech. rep., Int. Counc. Clean. Transport.(2017) https://www.theicct.org/publications/fuel-efficiency-technology-european-heavy-duty-vehicles-baseline-and-potential-2020.J. Norris, G. Escher, Heavy duty vehicles technology potential and cost study, Tech. rep., Int. Counc. Clean. Transport. (2017)https://www.theicct.org/publications/heavy-duty-vehicles-technology-potential-and-cost-study.Ezhilmaran, V., Vasa, N. J., & Vijayaraghavan, L. (2018). Investigation on generation of laser assisted dimples on piston ring surface and influence of dimple parameters on friction. Surface and Coatings Technology, 335, 314-326. doi:10.1016/j.surfcoat.2017.12.052Arslan, A., Masjuki, H. H., Kalam, M. A., Varman, M., Mosarof, M. H., Mufti, R. A., … Khurram, M. (2017). Investigation of laser texture density and diameter on the tribological behavior of hydrogenated DLC coating with line contact configuration. Surface and Coatings Technology, 322, 31-37. doi:10.1016/j.surfcoat.2017.05.037Marian, M., Tremmel, S., & Wartzack, S. (2018). Microtextured surfaces in higher loaded rolling-sliding EHL line-contacts. Tribology International, 127, 420-432. doi:10.1016/j.triboint.2018.06.024Triantafyllopoulos, G., Kontses, A., Tsokolis, D., Ntziachristos, L., & Samaras, Z. (2017). Potential of energy efficiency technologies in reducing vehicle consumption under type approval and real world conditions. Energy, 140, 365-373. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2017.09.023Macián, V., Tormos, B., Bermúdez, V., & Ramírez, L. (2014). Assessment of the effect of low viscosity oils usage on a light duty diesel engine fuel consumption in stationary and transient conditions. Tribology International, 79, 132-139. doi:10.1016/j.triboint.2014.06.003Macián, V., Tormos, B., Ruíz, S., & Ramírez, L. (2015). Potential of low viscosity oils to reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of urban buses fleets. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 39, 76-88. doi:10.1016/j.trd.2015.06.006Souza de Carvalho, M. J., Rudolf Seidl, P., Pereira Belchior, C. R., & Ricardo Sodré, J. (2010). Lubricant viscosity and viscosity improver additive effects on diesel fuel economy. Tribology International, 43(12), 2298-2302. doi:10.1016/j.triboint.2010.07.014Macián, V., Tormos, B., Ruiz, S., & Miró, G. (2016). Low viscosity engine oils: Study of wear effects and oil key parameters in a heavy duty engine fleet test. Tribology International, 94, 240-248. doi:10.1016/j.triboint.2015.08.028Taylor, R., Selby, K., Herrera, R., & Green, D. A. (2011). The Effect of Engine, Axle and Transmission Lubricant, and Operating Conditions on Heavy Duty Diesel Fuel Economy: Part 2: Predictions. SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 5(1), 488-495. doi:10.4271/2011-01-2130Permude, A., Pathak, M., Kumar, V., & Singh, S. (2012). Influence of Low Viscosity Lubricating Oils on Fuel Economy and Durability of Passenger Car Diesel Engine. SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 5(3), 1426-1435. doi:10.4271/2012-28-0010Tormos, B., Ramírez, L., Johansson, J., Björling, M., & Larsson, R. (2017). Fuel consumption and friction benefits of low viscosity engine oils for heavy duty applications. Tribology International, 110, 23-34. doi:10.1016/j.triboint.2017.02.007Van Dam, W., Miller, T., Parsons, G. M., & Takeuchi, Y. (2011). The Impact of Lubricant Viscosity and Additive Chemistry on Fuel Economy in Heavy Duty Diesel Engines. SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 5(1), 459-469. doi:10.4271/2011-01-2124Skjoedt, M., Butts, R., Assanis, D. N., & Bohac, S. V. (2008). Effects of oil properties on spark-ignition gasoline engine friction. Tribology International, 41(6), 556-563. doi:10.1016/j.triboint.2007.12.001Rao, L., Zhang, Y., Kook, S., Kim, K. S., & Kweon, C.-B. (2019). Understanding in-cylinder soot reduction in the use of high pressure fuel injection in a small-bore diesel engine. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 37(4), 4839-4846. doi:10.1016/j.proci.2018.09.013Fan, C., Song, C., Lv, G., Wei, J., Zhang, X., Qiao, Y., & Liu, Y. (2019). Impact of post-injection strategy on the physicochemical properties and reactivity of diesel in-cylinder soot. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 37(4), 4821-4829. doi:10.1016/j.proci.2018.08.001Yamamoto, K., Kotaka, A., & Umehara, K. (2010). Additives for Improving the Fuel Economy of Diesel Engine Systems. Tribology Online, 5(4), 195-198. doi:10.2474/trol.5.195Marx, N., Ponjavic, A., Taylor, R. I., & Spikes, H. A. (2017). Study of Permanent Shear Thinning of VM Polymer Solutions. Tribology Letters, 65(3). doi:10.1007/s11249-017-0888-7Cui, J., Oberoi, S., Goldmints, I., & Briggs, S. (2014). Field and Bench Study of Shear Stability of Heavy Duty Diesel Lubricants. SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 7(3), 882-889. doi:10.4271/2014-01-2791Rizzoni, G., Guzzella, L., & Baumann, B. M. (1999). Unified modeling of hybrid electric vehicle drivetrains. IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 4(3), 246-257. doi:10.1109/3516.789683Green, D. A., Selby, K., Mainwaring, R., & Herrera, R. (2011). The Effect of Engine, Axle and Transmission Lubricant, and Operating Conditions on Heavy Duty Diesel Fuel Economy. Part 1: Measurements. SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 5(1), 480-487. doi:10.4271/2011-01-212

Study of CT Images Processing with the Implementation of MLEM Algorithm using CUDA on NVIDIA’S GPU Framework

In medicine, the acquisition process in Computed Tomography Images (CT) is obtained by a reconstruction algorithm. The classical method for image reconstruction is the Filtered Back Projection (FBP). This method is fast and simple but does not use any statistical information about the measurements. The appearance of artifacts and its low spatial resolution in reconstructed images must be considered. Furthermore, the FBP requires of optimal conditions of the projections and complete sets of data. In this paper a methodology to accelerate acquisition process for CT based on the Maximum Likelihood Estimation Method (MLEM) algorithm is presented. This statistical iterative reconstruction algorithm uses a GPU Programming Paradigms and was compared with sequential algorithms in which the reconstruction time was reduced by up to 3 orders of magnitude while preserving image quality. Furthermore, they showed a good performance when compared with reconstruction methods provided by commercial software. The system, which would consist exclusively of a commercial laptop and GPU could be used as a fast, portable, simple and cheap image reconstruction platform in the future

A cross-sectional analysis of the association between physical activity, depression, and all-cause mortality in Americans over 50 years old

Depression is estimated to be the second leading cause of disability in the United States and is associated with a 52% increased risk of death. Lifestyle components may have an important role in depression pathogenesis. The aims of this study were to analyze the association of meeting the physical activity (PA) recommendation guidelines and depression, and to analyze the all-cause mortality risk of the joint association of PA and depression. This cross-sectional study included 7201 participants from the 2007–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey aged ≥ 50 years and linked to National Death Index records through December 31, 2015. Depression was defined as a score ≥ 10 using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). PA was self-reported, and total PA was used to classify participants as more active (≥ 600 MET-min/week) or less active (< 600 MET-min/week). The odds ratios for depression were examined according to be more active or less active. The hazard ratios (HR) for the association of PA level and depression status with all-cause mortality were examined. Being more active was associated with reduced odds for depression. Compared with less active participants with depression, those who were more active and having depression had HR 0.45 (95% CI 0.22, 0.91, p = 0.026) for all-cause mortality. Being more active is associated with lower odds for depression and seems to be a protective factor against the increased all-cause mortality risk due to depression

p120-Catenin Mediates Inflammatory Responses in the Skin

SummaryAlthough p120-catenin regulates adherens junction (AJ) stability in cultured cells, genetic studies in lower eukaryotes have not revealed a role for this protein in vivo. Using conditional targeting in mice, we show that p120 null neonatal epidermis exhibits reduced intercellular AJ components but no overt disruption in barrier function or intercellular adhesion. As the mice age, however, they display epidermal hyperplasia and chronic inflammation, typified by hair degeneration and loss of body fat. Using skin engraftments and anti-inflammatory drugs, we show that these features are not attributable to reductions in junctional cadherins and catenins, but rather NFkB activation. Both in vivo and in vitro, p120 null epidermal cells activate nuclear NFkB, triggering a cascade of proinflammatory NFkB targets. Although the underlying mechanism is likely complex, we show that p120 affects NFkB activation and immune homeostasis in part through regulation of Rho GTPases. These findings provide important new insights into p120 function

TR3 A Multi-National Survey Assessing the Relationship Between Prophylaxis Treatment and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Severe Hemophilia a Patients in Latin America

Pericas, Enric;Ordóñez, Estrell

Análisis funcional de efectores candidatos de Podosphaera xanthii

Los oídios son patógenos biotrofos obligados que requieren células vivas para su desarrollo, por lo que deben eludir o inhibir las respuestas de defensa de la planta mediante la secreción de efectores para completar su ciclo de vida. El haustorio, estructura del hongo especializada en la toma de nutrientes, es también la vía de intercambio de factores con las células huésped. Hasta la fecha, son muy numerosos los efectores identificados en diversos hongos fitopatógenos, sin embargo, los efectores de los oídios están poco caracterizados todavía. En este trabajo hemos desarrollado un método para la identificación y el análisis de efectores candidatos de Podosphaera xanthii (ECP), el principal agente causal del oídio de las cucurbitáceas, mediante silenciamiento génico inducido por hospedador (HIGS) y la sobrexpresión de estos efectores en cotiledones de melón, utilizando para ello Agrobacterium tumefaciens. El silenciamiento de algunos de los ECP analizados provocó la acumulación en las células de la planta de compuestos relacionados con las respuestas de defensa como peróxido de hidrógeno (H2O2) y calosa, lo que sugiere un importante papel en el establecimiento de la infección. En concreto, ECPEc2 parece interferir específicamente con la formación de la papila, primera barrera de defensa de la planta que impide o ralentiza la penetración de la célula vegetal. En el caso de ECP5191, su silenciamiento se traduce un aumento del número de células que acumulaban H2O2 y calosa, así como una disminución en el número de puntos de penetración del hongo, observándose todo lo contrario cuando se sobrexpresa dicho efector. Además, la fusión traduccional CSEP5191-GFP ha permitido localizar este efector en los puntos de penetración y vesículas del haustorio del hongo.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por ayudas del Plan Nacional de I+D+I del anterior Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (AGL2010-21848-CO2-01), cofinanciado con fondos FEDER (UE)y una ayuda del Plan Propio de Investigación de la Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Evidence Against the Sciama Model of Radiative Decay of Massive Neutrinos

We report on spectral observations of the night sky in the band around 900 angstroms where the emission line in the Sciama model of radiatively decaying massive neutrinos would be present. The data were obtained with a high resolution, high sensitivity spectrometer flown on the Spanish MINISAT satellite. The observed emission is far less intense than that expected in the Sciama model.Comment: 9 pages, accepted to Ap