Analysis of Lead, Copper and Zinc Concentrations in Flesh and Shell of Snail Litoraria Melanostoma in the West Coast of Karimun Besar Island of Riau Islands

The research was conducted in February 2015 to determine the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cu and Zn) in the flesh and shell of snail L. melanostoma collected from the west coast of Karimun Besar Island of Riau Islands Province. The differences in metal concentrations between shell and flesh as well as between stations were discussed. Higher concentrations of Pb and Cu were found in the flesh, whilst zinc concentration was found to be higher in the shell of the snail. The highest Pb concentration was found in Station I (8.105 μg/g) and the lowest was in Station III (6.476 μg/g). The highest Cu concentration was found in Station II (5.193 μg/g) and the lowest was in Station III (4.333 μg/g). Meanwhile the highest Zn concentration was found in Station III (7.675 μg/g) and the lowest was in Station II (7.408 μg/g). The MPI value of the metals in the west coast of Karimun Besar Island still quite low when compared with other reported regional studies

Diagnostic Laparoscopy for Small Intestinal Intussusception in a Horse

Laparoscopy is a low-invasive diagnostic and surgical technique for examining and performing surgical procedures in the equine peritoneal cavity. This article is a case study of a horse with weakly expressed, irregular symptoms of colic occurring over a period of four weeks. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed, and liver and spleen tissue samples were collected for a histopathological analysis. An endoscopic examination of the abdominal cavity ruled out small intestinal intussusception, and a histopathological analysis supported the identification of the causes of colic

Metode Menghilangkan Cairan Buah Tomat dalam Uji Perkecambahan Biji Tomat( Lycopersicum Esculentum Mill.)

Budidaya tanaman tomat tidak terlepas dari ketersediaan bibit yang baik yang berasal dari biji yang berkualitas sebagai benih. Dalam penyediaan bibit di lapangan, petani tomat lebih senang menggunakan biji tomat dari toko-toko pertanian walaupun harganya lebih mahal dibandingkan dengan menyediakan sendiri. Penyediaan biji sendiri selain memerlukan waktu yang lebih lama juga daya perkecambahannya rendah karena di bagian luar biji tomat terdapat cairan buah yang dapat menghambat perkecambahan biji sehingga tidak menghasilkan bibit yang maksimal. Dengan demikian, perlu dicari metode yang tepat untuk menghilangkan cairan buah tomat pada biji. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Laboratorium Botani FMIPA Universitas Lampung, dari bulan Agustus- September 2012. Percobaan dirancang secara Acak Lengkap (RAL) dengan 8 perlakuan diulang sebanyak 4 kali. Parameter yang diukur adalah persentase perkecambahan dan kecepatan perkecambahan. Data yang diperoleh diuji homogenitas kemudian dilakukan uji ANARA dan dilanjutkan dengan uji lanjut Duncan pada taraf α = 5%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: metode yang tepat untuk menghilangkan cairan buah tomat yang menyelubungi biji tomat adalah dengan cara dicuci dan dikeringkan

Circulating microRNAs in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma: Sensitive Tool for Detection of Secondary CNS Involvement, Monitoring of Therapy and Prediction of CNS Relapse in Aggressive B-NHL Lymphomas

Lymphoma with secondary central nervous system (CNS) involvement represents one of the most aggressive malignancies, with poor prognosis and high mortality. New diagnostic tools for its early detection, response evaluation, and CNS relapse prediction are needed. We analyzed circulating microRNAs in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of 162 patients with aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (B-NHL) and compared their levels in CNS-involving lymphomas versus in systemic lymphomas, at diagnosis and during treatment and CNS relapse. We identified a set of five oncogenic microRNAs (miR-19a, miR-20a, miR-21, miR-92a, and miR-155) in CSF that detect, with high sensitivity, secondary CNS lymphoma involvement in aggressive B-NHL, including DLBCL, MCL, and Burkitt lymphoma. Their combination into an oncomiR index enables the separation of CNS lymphomas from systemic lymphomas or nonmalignant controls with high sensitivity and specificity, and high Receiver Operating Characteristics (DLBCL AUC = 0.96, MCL = 0.93, BL = 1.0). Longitudinal analysis showed that oncomiR levels reflect treatment efficacy and clinical outcomes, allowing their monitoring and prediction. In contrast to conventional methods, CSF oncomiRs enable detection of early and residual CNS involvement, as well as parenchymal involvement. These circulating oncomiRs increase 1–4 months before CNS relapse, allowing its early detection and improving the prediction of CNS relapse risk in DLBCL. Similar effects were detectable, to a lesser extent, in plasma

Comparison of trunk muscle exercises in supine position during short arm centrifugation with 1 g at centre of mass and upright in 1 g

Spaceflight is associated with reduced antigravitational muscle activity, which results in trunk muscle atrophy and may contribute to post-flight postural and spinal instability. Exercise in artificial gravity (AG) performed via short-arm human centrifugation (SAHC) is a promising multi-organ countermeasure, especially to mitigate microgravity-induced postural muscle atrophy. Here, we compared trunk muscular activity (mm. rectus abdominis, ext. obliques and multifidi), cardiovascular response and tolerability of trunk muscle exercises performed during centrifugation with 1 g at individual center of mass on a SAHC against standard upright exercising. We recorded heart rate, blood pressure, surface trunk muscle activity, motion sickness and rating of perceived exertion (BORG) of 12 participants (8 male/4 female, 34 ± 7 years, 178.4 ± 8.2 cm, 72.1 ± 9.6 kg). Heart rate was significantly increased (p < 0.001) during exercises without differences in conditions. Systolic blood pressure was higher (p < 0.001) during centrifugation with a delayed rise during exercises in upright condition. Diastolic blood pressure was lower in upright (p = 0.018) compared to counter-clockwise but not to clockwise centrifugation. Target muscle activation were comparable between conditions, although activity of multifidi was lower (clockwise: p = 0.003, counter-clockwise: p < 0.001) and rectus abdominis were higher (clockwise: p = 0.0023, counter-clockwise: < 0.001) during centrifugation in one exercise type. No sessions were terminated, BORG scoring reflected a relevant training intensity and no significant increase in motion sickness was reported during centrifugation. Thus, exercising trunk muscles during centrifugation generates comparable targeted muscular and heart rate response and appears to be well tolerated. Differences in blood pressure were relatively minor and not indicative of haemodynamic challenge. SAHC-based muscle training is a candidate to reduce microgravity-induced inter-vertebral disc pathology and trunk muscle atrophy. However, further optimization is required prior to performance of a training study for individuals with trunk muscle atrophy/dysfunction

Harmonization of experimental procedures to assess mitochondrial respiration in human permeabilized skeletal muscle fibers

Aim: High-resolution respirometry in human permeabilized muscle fibers is extensively used for analysis of mitochondrial adaptions to nutrition and exercise interventions, and is linked to athletic performance. However, the lack of standardization of experimental conditions limits quantitative inter- and intra-laboratory comparisons. Methods: In our study, an international team of investigators measured mitochondrial respiration of permeabilized muscle fibers obtained from three biopsies (vastus lateralis) from the same healthy volunteer to avoid inter-individual variability. High-resolution respirometry assays were performed together at the same laboratory to assess whether the heterogenity in published results are due to the effects of respiration media (MiR05 versus Z) with or without the myosin inhibitor blebbistatin at low- and high-oxygen regimes. Results: Our findings reveal significant differences between respiration media for OXPHOS and ETcapacities supported by NADH&succinate-linked substrates at different oxygen concentrations. Respiratory capacities were approximately 1.5-fold higher in MiR05 at high-oxygen regimes compared to medium Z near air saturation. The presence or absence of blebbistatin in human permeabilized muscle fiber preparations was without effect on oxygen flux. Conclusion: Our study constitutes a basis to harmonize and establish optimum experimental conditions for respirometric studies of permeabilized human skeletal muscle fibers to improve reproducibility

Skeletal muscle ATP synthesis and cellular H+ handling measured by localized 31P-MRS during exercise and recovery

31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is widely used for non-invasive investigation of muscle metabolism dynamics. This study aims to extend knowledge on parameters derived from these measurements in detail and comprehensiveness: proton (H+) efflux, buffer capacity and the contributions of glycolytic (L) and oxidative (Q) rates to ATP synthesis were calculated from the evolutions of phosphocreatine (PCr) and pH. Data are reported for two muscles in the human calf, for each subject and over a wide range of exercise intensities. 22 subjects performed plantar flexions in a 7T MR-scanner, leading to PCr changes ranging from barely noticeable to almost complete depletion, depending on exercise protocol and muscle studied by localized MRS. Cytosolic buffer capacity was quantified for the first time non-invasively and individually, as was proton efflux evolution in early recovery. Acidification started once PCr depletion reached 60–75%. Initial and end-exercise L correlated with end-exercise levels of PCr and approximately linear with pH. Q calculated directly from PCr and pH derivatives was plausible, requiring fewer assumptions than the commonly used ADP-model. In conclusion, the evolution of parameters describing cellular energy metabolism was measured over a wide range of exercise intensities, revealing a relatively complete picture of muscle metabolism

Effects of 30days bed rest and exercise countermeasures on PBMC bioenergetics

Abstract Aim: Altered mitochondrial function across various tissues is a key determinant of spaceflight-induced physical deconditioning. In comparison to tissue biopsies, blood cell bioenergetics holds promise as a systemic and more readily accessible biomarker, which was evaluated during head-down tilt bed rest (HDTBR), an established ground-based analog for spaceflight-induced physiological changes in humans. More specifically, this study explored the effects of HDTBR and an exercise countermeasure on mitochondrial respiration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods: We subjected 24 healthy participants to a strict 30-day HDTBR protocol. The control group (n=12) underwent HDTBR only, while the countermeasure group (n=12) engaged in regular supine cycling exercise followed by veno-occlusive thigh cuffs post-exercise for 6h. We assessed routine blood parameters 14 days before bed rest, the respiratory capacity of PBMCs via highresolution respirometry, and citrate synthase activity 2days before and at day 30 of bed rest. We confirmed PBMC composition by flow cytometry. Results: The change of the PBMC maximal oxidative phosphorylation capacity (OXPHOS) amounted to an 11% increase in the countermeasure group, while it decreased by 10% in the control group (p=0.04). The limitation of OXPHOS increased in control only while other respiratory states were not affected by either intervention. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between white blood cells, lymphocytes, and basophils with PBMC bioenergetics in both groups. Conclusion: This study reveals that a regular exercise countermeasure has a positive impact on PBMC mitochondrial function, confirming the potential application of blood cell bioenergetics for human spaceflight

Differences in Physiological Responses to Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Adults With and Without Type 1 Diabetes: A Pooled Analysis

OBJECTIVE To investigate physiological responses to cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) testing in adults with type 1 diabetes compared with age-, sex-, and BMI-matched control participants without type 1 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We compared results from CPX tests on a cycle ergometer in individuals with type 1 diabetes and control participants without type 1 diabetes. Parameters were peak and threshold variables of VO2, heart rate, and power output. Differences between groups were investigated through restricted maximum likelihood modeling and post hoc tests. Differences between groups were explained by stepwise linear regressions (P < 0.05).RESULTS Among 303 individuals with type 1 diabetes (age 33 [interquartile range 22; 43] years, 93 females, BMI 23.6 [22; 26] kg/m2, HbA1c 6.9% [6.2; 7.7%] [52 (44; 61) mmol/mol]), VO2peak (32.55 [26.49; 38.72] vs. 42.67 ± 10.44 mL/kg/min), peak heart rate (179 [170; 187] vs. 184 [175; 191] beats/min), and peak power (216 [171; 253] vs. 245 [200; 300] W) were lower compared with 308 control participants without type 1 diabetes (all P < 0.001). Individuals with type 1 diabetes displayed an impaired degree and direction of the heart rate-to-performance curve compared with control participants without type 1 diabetes (0.07 [−0.75; 1.09] vs. 0.66 [−0.28; 1.45]; P < 0.001). None of the exercise physiological responses were associated with HbA1c in individuals with type 1 diabetes.CONCLUSIONS Individuals with type 1 diabetes show altered responses to CPX testing, which cannot be explained by HbA1c. Intriguingly, the participants in our cohort were people with recent-onset type 1 diabetes; heart rate dynamics were altered during CPX testing

Illusory Memories of Emotionally Charged Words in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Further Evidence for Atypical Emotion Processing Outside the Social Domain

Recent evidence suggests that individuals with ASD may not accumulate distinct representations of emotional information throughout development. On the basis of this observation we predicted that such individuals would not be any less likely to falsely remember emotionally significant as compared to neutral words when such illusory memories are induced by asking participants to study lists of words that are orthographically associated to these words. Our findings showed that typical participants are far less likely to experience illusory memories of emotionally charged as compared to neutral words. Individuals with ASD, on the other hand, did not exhibit this emotional modulation of false memories. We discuss this finding in relation to the role of emotional processing atypicalities in ASD