Probiotic Supplementation and High-Intensity Interval Training Modify Anxiety-Like Behaviors and Corticosterone in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Mice

Evidence supports the role of exercise training and probiotics on reducing obesity. Considering the relationship between obesity and high-fat diet with anxiety indices, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of probiotic supplementation and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on anxiety-like behaviors, corticosterone and obesity indices in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice. Thirty male adult C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: (1) Control with normal diet (CON), (2) High-fat diet (HFD), (3) HFD + exercise training (HT), (4) HFD + probiotics supplement (HP) and (5) HFD + exercise training +probiotics (HTP). Exercise training consisted of 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs. Probiotics supplement included 0.2 mL Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Anxiety-like behaviors were measured by open field (OF) and Elevated plus maze (EPM). OF and EPM tests, visceral fat mass (VFM) measurement, and blood sampling for corticosterone were performed after the intervention. Bodyweight was measured at different stages during the intervention. HFD regime in C57BL/6 mice increased bodyweight, VFM, and serum corticosterone levels and anxiety-like behaviors (p < 0.05). HIIT, probiotic and their combination, decreased bodyweight, VFM, and serum corticosterone levels and improved anxiety-like behavior in the HFD mice (p < 0.05). The effect of a combination of HIIT and probiotic on most of the anxiety indices was more than each one separately (p < 0.5). HIIT and probiotic supplements separately or above all in combination, may have beneficial effects in reducing obesity and anxiety indices.     

Optical-thermal simulation of human tonsillar tissue irradiation: clinical implications

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mucosa intact laser tonsillar ablation is an alternative to conventional tonsillectomy. The efficacy of this procedure was demonstrated in canines, but establishing the safety of irradiating human tonsils is paramount. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: An optical-thermal simulation of tonsillar tissue irradiation was previously developed, but the effect of varying parameters was not investigated. The tissue response to irradiation at 5-25 watts for 1 minute and 10 watts for 10 seconds to 162 seconds is simulated. RESULTS: At 15 watts and greater, the peak temperature is over 100 degrees C and the mucosal temperature is over 70 degrees C. At the depth of the tonsil, the temperature does not vary significantly. The peak temperature is at 1 mm. The radial temperature profile is not significantly altered by longer irradiation times. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal dosimetry parameters for irradiation of human tonsillar tissue at 805 nm with the MILTA technique is under 15 watts for approximately 1 minute.     

Evaluation of a biosimilar recombinant alpha epoetin in the management of anemia in hemodialysis patients

Background: The efficacy of human recombinant erythropoietins (rHuEPOs) in the treatment of anemia with different etiologies is proven. Development of biosimilar rHuEPO products with lower cost and wider availability is important for the care of anemic patients. Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the bioequivalence and safety of a biosimilar rHuEPO (Pastopoitin^®) and compare it with the innovator product Eprex^®, as a standard rHuEPO. Methods: One hundred and seven anemic patients on stable hemodialysis were recruited to this randomized double-blind comparative trial and assigned to either subcutaneous Pastopoitin (n = 50) or Eprex (n = 57). Each study group received rHuEPO at a dose of 80–120 IU/kg/week in 2–3 divided doses for a period of 3 months. Hematologic parameters including Hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC, EBC, platelet, MCV, MCH and MCHC were checked every 2 weeks. Blood iron, ferritin, TIBC, creatinine, BUN and electrolytes (Na, K, Ca and P) were evaluated monthly over the 3 months. Results: A significant increase in hemoglobin, hematocrit and RBC was observed by the end of study in both Pastopoitin and Eprex groups (p < 0.001). However, these factors were not significantly different between the groups, neither at baseline nor at the end of study (p > 0.05). Likewise, the groups were comparable regarding MCV, MCH, MCHC, iron, ferritin, TIBC, creatinine, BUN and electrolytes at baseline as well as at the end of trial. Adverse events were not serious and occurred with the same frequency in the study groups. Conclusion: Pastopoitin showed comparable efficacy and safety profile with Eprex in anemic patients on hemodialysis. Hence, Pastopoitin may be considered as a rHuEPO with a lower cost and wider availability compared with the innovator product Eprex.     

Application of full field optical studies for pulsatile flow in a carotid artery phantom

A preliminary comparative measurement between particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) and laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) to study pulsatile flow using ventricular assist device in a patient-specific carotid artery phantom is reported. These full-field optical techniques have both been used to study flow and extract complementary parameters. We use the high spatial resolution of PIV to generate a full velocity map of the flow field and the high temporal resolution of LASCA to extract the detailed frequency spectrum of the fluid pulses. Using this combination of techniques a complete study of complex pulsatile flow in an intricate flow network can be studied.OCIS codes: (100.0100) Image processing, (170.0170) Medical optics and biotechnology, (230.0230) Optical devices, (290.0290) Scattering     

Respiration and heart rate complexity: Effects of age and gender assessed by band-limited transfer entropy

Aging and disease are accompanied with a reduction of complex variability in the temporal patterns of heart rate. This reduction has been attributed to a break down of the underlying regulatory feedback mechanisms that maintain a homeodynamic state. Previous work has established the utility of entropy as an index of disorder, for quantification of changes in heart rate complexity. However, questions remain regarding the origin of heart rate complexity and the mechanisms involved in its reduction with aging and disease. In this work we use a newly developed technique based on the concept of band-limited transfer entropy to assess the aging-related changes in contribution of respiration and blood pressure to entropy of heart rate at different frequency bands. Noninvasive measurements of heart beat interval, respiration, and systolic blood pressure were recorded from 20 young (21–34 years) and 20 older (68–85 years) healthy adults. Band-limited transfer entropy analysis revealed a reduction in high-frequency contribution of respiration to heart rate complexity (p < 0.001) with normal aging, particularly in men. These results have the potential for dissecting the relative contributions of respiration and blood pressure-related reflexes to heart rate complexity and their degeneration with normal aging.     

Molecularly engineered electroplex emission for an efficient near-infrared light-emitting electrochemical cell (NIR-LEC)

Electroplex emission is rarely seen in ruthenium polypyridyl complexes, and there have been no reports from light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) to date. Here, for the first time, near-infrared (NIR) emission via the electroplex mechanism in a LEC based on a new blend of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes is described. The key factor in the design of the new complexes is the 0.4 V decrease in the oxidation half-potential of Ru(ii)/Ru(iii) in [Ru(DPCO)(bpy)₂]ClO₄ (DPCO = diphenylcarbazone, bpy = 2,2 bipyridine), which is about one-third of the value for benchmark [Ru(bpy)₃](ClO₄)₂, as well as the long lifetime of excited states of 350–450 ns. The LEC based on the new blend with a narrow band gap (≈1.0 eV) of a Ru(DPCO) complex and Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ can produce an electroluminescence spectrum centred at about 700 nm, which extends to the NIR region with a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 0.93% at a very low turn-on voltage of 2.6 V. In particular, the very simple LEC structure was constructed from indium tin oxide (anode)/Ru(DPCO):Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/Ga:In (cathode), avoiding any polymer or transporting materials, as well as replacing Al or Au by a molten alloy cathode. This system has promising applications in the production of LECs via microcontact or inkjet printing.

Electroplex emission is rarely seen in ruthenium polypyridyl complexes, and there have been no reports from light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) to date. Here, near-infrared (NIR) emission via the electroplex mechanism in a LEC was reported.     

Doxorubicin-conjugated D-glucosamine- and folate- bi-functionalised InP/ZnS quantum dots for cancer cells imaging and therapy

Nanoscaled quantum dots (QDs), with unique optical properties have been used for the development of theranostics. Here, InP/ZnS QDs were synthesised and functionalised with folate (QD-FA), D-glucosamine (QD-GA) or both (QD-FA-GA). The bi-functionalised QDs were further conjugated with doxorubicin (QD-FA-GA-DOX). Optimum Indium to fatty acid (In:MA) ratio was 1:3.5. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs revealed spherical morphology for the QDs (11?nm). Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) spectrum confirmed the chemical composition of the QDs. MTT analysis in the OVCAR-3 cells treated with bare QDs, QD-FA, QD-GA, QD-FA-GA and QD-FA-GA-DOX (0.2?mg/mL of QDs) after 24?h indicated low toxicity for the bare QDs and functionalised QDs (about 80–90% cell viability). QD-FA-GA-DOX nanoparticles elicited toxicity in the cells. Cellular uptake of the engineered QDs were investigated in both folate receptor (FR)-positive OVCAR-3 cells and FR-negative A549 cells using fluorescence microscopy and FACS flow cytometry. The FA-functionalised QDs showed significantly higher uptake in the FR-positive OVCAR-3 cells, nonetheless the GA-functionalised QDs resulted in an indiscriminate uptake in both cell lines. In conclusion, our findings indicated that DOX-conjugated FA-armed QDs can be used as theranostics for simultaneous imaging and therapy of cancer.     

Comparing the effect of Toll-like receptor agonist adjuvants on the efficiency of a DNA vaccine

We have investigated whether poly(I:C) Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and resiquimod Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonists can serve as vaccine adjuvants and promote the efficiency of therapeutic DNA vaccination against tumors expressing the human papilloma virus 16 (HPV-16) E7 protein. For this purpose, C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with 2 × 10⁵ TC-1 cells, and they were then immunized with HPV-16 E7 DNA vaccine alone or with 50 μg of resiquimod or poly(I:C) individually. We found that poly(I:C) and resiquimod could induce more antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation and cytolytic activity compared to vaccination with E7 DNA alone. While E7 DNA had no significant inhibitory effect on tumor growth, co-administration of poly(I:C) and resiquimod with E7 DNA induced significant tumor regression. Peripheral and local cytokine assays demonstrated that co-administration of poly(I:C) and resiquimod with E7 DNA induced circulating antigen-specific IFN-γ and nonspecific intratumoral IL-12. TLR3 and TLR7 agonists can be used to enhance the immune response to DNA vaccine immunogens. Taken together, these data indicate that combined vaccination with DNA encoding HPV-16 E7 plus TLR agonists provides a strategy for improving the efficacy of a vaccine as a possible immunotherapeutic strategy for cervical cancer.     

Energy Transport along α-Helix Protein Chains: External Drives and Multifractal Analysis

Energy transport within biological systems is critical for biological functions in living cells and for technological applications in molecular motors. Biological systems have very complex dynamics supporting a large number of biochemical and biophysical processes. In the current work, we study the energy transport along protein chains. We examine the influence of different factors such as temperature, salt concentration, and external mechanical drive on the energy flux through protein chains. We obtain that energy fluctuations around the average value for short chains are greater than for longer chains. In addition, the external mechanical load is the most effective agent on bioenergy transport along the studied protein systems. Our results can help design a functional nano-scaled molecular motor based on energy transport along protein chains.