Oxidation products of DNA, lipid and protein among the individuals progressing towards metabolic syndrome

Oxidative stress (OS) is an early event and at the same time also a consequence in the pathology of MetS. We investigated if oxidation markers of DNA, lipid and protein increased with an increase in the risk parameters of MetS. Participants (male:70, female:90 ≥ 20 yrs) were categorized based on the number of risk factors they had as 3 Risk, 2 Risk, 1 Risk and 0 Risk for MetS and were evaluated for various oxidation markers. Protein carbonyl and advanced oxidation protein product (protein oxidation marker) differed significantly between the four study group while malondialdehyde and hydroxynonenal (lipid peroxidation marker) did not. “8-OH dG” (DNA oxidation marker) differed significantly (P< 0.05) while total antioxidant capacity did not demonstrate significant difference in its values across the group (P> 0.05). Pairwise comparison for statistically significant markers(Protein oxidation markers and 8-OH dG), demonstrated that only 8-OH dG differed significantly between 0 Risk- 3 Risk (P< 0.012) but not between 0 Risk -2 Risk and 0 Risk-1 Risk. Oxidative stress markers of DNA, lipid and protein do not increase with an increase in the risk parameters of MetS. However, it is indeed high in MetS with 3 and more risk parameters. Presence of 2 or 1 Risk also increases OS compared to 0 Risk. There is oxidative stress damage in MetS to lipid and protein but DNA damage was of significant consequence

Astrocytes and diffusive spread of substances in brain extracellular space

Brain function is based on communication between individual cells, neurons and glia. From a traditional point of view, neurons play a central role in the fast transfer of information in the central nervous system while astrocytes, major type of glia, serve as housekeeping elements maintaining homeostasis of the extracellular microenvironment. This view has dramatically changed in recent years as many findings ascribe new roles to astrocytes. It is becoming evident that astrocytes communicate with neurons via chemical signals released to the extracellular space (ECS). Astrocytes also have communication systems of their own, such as calcium waves that use gap junctions in combination with purinergic signaling through the ECS. Here we discuss yet another important role for astrocytes: that they regulate diffusion of signaling molecules and therapeutic agents in the extracellular microenvironment by contributing to the structural properties of ECS. There is a wealth of morphological data showing that each astrocyte is an exclusive occupant of a small volume of brain tissue, and that many fine astrocytic processes ensheathe neuronal processes and bodies. The functional significance of these unique morphological features is largely unknown with the exception of astrocytic coverage of synaptic formations. At the synapses, astrocytic processes play an active role by restricting neurotransmitter diffusion to the synaptic cleft and its immediate vicinity. Recent work suggests that astrocytic processes work in a similar fashion throughout the ECS and thus control the diffusive spread of substances over both short and long distances

Gut microbiota composition in himalayan and andean populations and its relationship with diet, lifestyle and adaptation to the high-altitude environment

Human populations living at high altitude evolved a number of biological adjustments to cope with a challenging environment characterised especially by reduced oxygen availability and limited nutritional resources. This condition may also affect their gut microbiota composition. Here, we explored the impact of exposure to such selective pressures on human gut microbiota by considering different ethnic groups living at variable degrees of altitude: the high-altitude Sherpa and low-altitude Tamang populations from Nepal, the high-altitude Aymara population from Bolivia, as well as a low-altitude cohort of European ancestry, used as control. We thus observed microbial profiles common to the Sherpa and Aymara, but absent in the low-altitude cohorts, which may contribute to the achievement of adaptation to high-altitude lifestyle and nutritional conditions. The collected evidences suggest that microbial signatures associated to these rural populations may enhance metabolic functions able to supply essential compounds useful for the host to cope with high altitude-related physiological changes and energy demand. Therefore, these results add another valuable piece of the puzzle to the understanding of the beneficial effects of symbiosis between microbes and their human host even from an evolutionary perspective

Evaluating financial sustainability along the sanitation value chain using a financial flow simulator (eSOSView™)

A majority of the world's population use onsite sanitation systems, which store or treat excreta close to where it is generated. Sludge from these systems needs to be managed through a series of stages, known as the sanitation value chain. There is a huge diversity of service providers, not only within each part of the chain, but also along the chain bridging the different components. These service providers are linked not only by the flow of materials, but also by the transfer of money. Therefore for this system to be considered financially sustainable all services from the toilet to reuse or disposal need to be considered. A tool has been developed (eSOSView™) to simulate, evaluate, and optimise the financial flows along and within the sanitation value chain. In this paper eSOSView™ was tested, validated (using existing data), and piloted (including data collection). This paper demonstrates how eSOSView ™ can be used to evaluate different financial flow models, to assess financial sustainability in different parts of the sanitation value chain and optimise the financial sustainability along the sanitation value chain

Neurovascular Coupling Remains Intact During Incremental Ascent to High Altitude (4240 m) in Acclimatized Healthy Volunteers

Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the temporal link between neuronal metabolic activity and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF), supporting adequate delivery of nutrients. Exposure to high altitude (HA) imposes several stressors, including hypoxia and hypocapnia, which modulate cerebrovascular tone in an antagonistic fashion. Whether these contrasting stressors and subsequent adaptations affect NVC during incremental ascent to HA is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess whether incremental ascent to HA influences the NVC response. Given that CBF is sensitive to changes in arterial blood gasses, in particular PaCO2, we hypothesized that the vasoconstrictive effect of hypocapnia during ascent would decrease the NVC response. 10 healthy study participants (21.7 ± 1.3 years, 23.57 ± 2.00 kg/m2, mean ± SD) were recruited as part of a research expedition to HA in the Nepal Himalaya. Resting posterior cerebral artery velocity (PCAv), arterial blood gasses (PaO2, SaO2, PaCO2, [HCO3-], base excess and arterial blood pH) and NVC response of the PCA were measured at four pre-determined locations: Calgary/Kathmandu (1045/1400 m, control), Namche (3440 m), Deboche (3820 m) and Pheriche (4240 m). PCAv was measured using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Arterial blood draws were taken from the radial artery and analyzed using a portable blood gas/electrolyte analyzer. NVC was determined in response to visual stimulation (VS; Strobe light; 6 Hz; 30 s on/off × 3 trials). The NVC response was averaged across three VS trials at each location. PaO2, SaO2, and PaCO2 were each significantly decreased at 3440, 3820, and 4240 m. No significant differences were found for pH at HA (P > 0.05) due to significant reductions in [HCO3-] (P < 0.043). As expected, incremental ascent to HA induced a state of hypoxic hypocapnia, whereas normal arterial pH was maintained due to renal compensation. NVC was quantified as the delta (Δ) PCAv from baseline for mean PCAv, peak PCAv and total area under the curve (ΔPCAv tAUC) during VS. No significant differences were found for Δmean, Δpeak or ΔPCAv tAUC between locations (P > 0.05). NVC remains remarkably intact during incremental ascent to HA in healthy acclimatized individuals. Despite the array of superimposed stressors associated with ascent to HA, CBF and NVC regulation may be preserved coincident with arterial pH maintenance during acclimatization

Cardiorespiratory hysteresis during incremental high altitude ascent-descent quantifies the magnitude of ventilatory acclimatization

Maintenance of arterial blood gases is achieved through sophisticated regulation of ventilation, mediated by central and peripheral chemoreflexes. Respiratory chemoreflexes are important during exposure to high altitude due to the competing influence of hypoxia and hypoxic hyperventilation‐mediated hypocapnia on steady‐state ventilatory drive. Inter‐individual variability exists in ventilatory acclimatization to high altitude, potentially affecting the development of acute mountain sickness (AMS). We aimed to quantify ventilatory acclimatization to high altitude by comparing differential ascent and descent values (i.e. hysteresis) in steady‐state cardiorespiratory variables. We hypothesized that (a) the hysteresis area formed by cardiorespiratory variables during ascent and descent would quantify the magnitude of ventilatory acclimatization, and (b) larger hysteresis areas would be associated with lower AMS symptom scores during ascent. In 25 healthy, Diamox‐free trekkers ascending to and descending from 5160 m, cardiorespiratory hysteresis was measured in the pressure of end‐tidal (PET)CO2, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), minute ventilation (V̇E), chemoreceptor stimulus index (SI; PETCO2/SpO2) and the calculated steady‐state chemoreflex drive (SS‐CD; V̇E/SI) using portable devices (capnograph, peripheral pulse oximeter and respirometer, respectively). AMS symptoms were assessed daily using the Lake Louise Questionnaire. We found that (a) ascent‐descent hysteresis was present in all cardiorespiratory variables, (b) SS‐CD is a valid metric for tracking ventilatory acclimatization to high altitude and (c) highest AMS scores during ascent were significantly, moderately and inversely‐correlated to SS‐CD hysteresis magnitude (rs = ‐0.408, P = 0.043). We propose that ascent‐descent hysteresis is a novel and feasible way to quantify ventilatory acclimatization in trekkers during high altitude exposure

Banking in the shadows: a comparative study of China and India

YesRecent years have seen the increasing concern for the flourish of shadow banking in China and India. In this paper, we aim to get a better understanding of the differences in trends and investigate the factors leading to the rise of shadow banking in these two major emerging economies. We find that financial exclusion is a common factor leading to the rise of shadow banking in China and India. While financial reform has taken place in India, financial repressive policies still prevail in China. Although several regulatory measures have been adopted in India and China, the size of the shadow banking in these two countries remains underestimated. Thus, streamlining and enhancing data collection is a key priority for both India and China. We also argue that the regulation in both countries should be more activity focused rather than sector or entity based, and it should be at par with banks. As shadow banks provide last mile connectivity and enhance financial inclusion, a balanced approach is required keeping in view both benefits and costs of the shadow banking system