Effects of pH and Nutrients (Nitrogen) on Growth and Toxin Profile of the Ciguatera-Causing Dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus polynesiensis (Dinophyceae)

Ciguatera poisoning is a foodborne disease caused by the consumption of seafood contaminated with ciguatoxins (CTXs) produced by dinoflagellates in the genera Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa. Ciguatera outbreaks are expected to increase worldwide with global change, in particular as a function of its main drivers, including changes in sea surface temperature, acidification, and coastal eutrophication. In French Polynesia, G. polynesiensis is regarded as the dominant source of CTXs entering the food web. The effects of pH (8.4, 8.2, and 7.9), Nitrogen:Phosphorus ratios (24N:1P vs. 48N:1P), and nitrogen source (nitrates vs. urea) on growth rate, biomass, CTX levels, and profiles were examined in four clones of G. polynesiensis at different culture age (D10, D21, and D30). Results highlight a decrease in growth rate and cellular biomass at low pH when urea is used as a N source. No significant effect of pH, N:P ratio, and N source on the overall CTX content was observed. Up to ten distinct analogs of Pacific ciguatoxins (P-CTXs) could be detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in clone NHA4 grown in urea, at D21. Amounts of more oxidized P-CTX analogs also increased under the lowest pH condition. These data provide interesting leads for the custom production of CTX standards.     

Comparison of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate and Valsalva maneuver for detection of obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Introduction

A left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction assessment with a provoking test should be a routine part of the evaluation of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The aim of this study was to compare the utility of the Valsalva maneuver (VM) and sublingual spray application of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) for detection of an obstruction.

Material and methods

We prospectively evaluated 81 consecutive HCM patients without severe rest LVOT obstruction (defined as peak rest pressure gradient (PG) ≥ 50 mm Hg). We measured PG at rest, during the VM, after sublingual ISDN spray, and during the VM after ISDN. An obstruction was defined as a PG ≥ 30 mm Hg.

Results

An obstruction was present in 15 patients (19%) at rest (median and interquartile range of PG 16 (7–26) mm Hg), in 38 patients (47%) during the VM (PG 28 (12–49) mm Hg), in 50 (62%) patients after ISDN (PG 50 (12–79) mm Hg), and in 55 patients (68%) during the VM after ISDN (PG 59 (20–87) mm Hg). The difference in occurrence of obstruction among different provoking tests was statistically significant for all comparisons (p < 0.001, except for the comparison of the ISDN test with the VM during ISDN, p = 0.025).

Conclusions

The ISDN test and the VM are useful screening methods for the detection of an HCM obstruction. Although ISDN appears to be more precise than the VM, the best option is a combination of both methods, which maximizes inducement of LVOT obstruction in patients with HCM.     

2006-2010年岷县土源性线虫病监测点流行趋势分析

目的 通过对甘肃省岷县国家级土源性线虫病监测点人群土源性线虫感染率和土壤蛔虫卵检出率的连续监测,观察其流行趋势,为制定防治策略提供依据.方法 2006-2010年期间,每年在岷县监测点整户调查1000人,改良加藤厚涂片法检测蛔虫、鞭虫虫卵,分析感染率;饱和硝酸钠漂浮法检测土壤蛔虫卵;对调查的10户土壤样品蛔虫卵计数与家庭成员蛔虫卵感染度做相关性分析.结果5年期间人群土源性线虫感染率由20.31％下降到11.08％,下降44.26％;0 ～ 15岁组为高发病人群;土源性线虫感染率最高的分别是散居儿童,其次是幼托儿童和学生;证实调查户土壤蛔虫卵计数与蛔虫感染度呈正相关,单侧t检验有统计学意义(t =4.40,P＜0.10).结论 2006-2010年岷县监测点土源性线虫感染率有明显下降,但仍在当地人群保持低发病率的流行状态.     

Melatonin protects against epirubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

We investigated the cytoprotective effect of melatonin in epirubicin-induced cardiotoxicity using four experimental groups of male Wistar rats: untreated control rats, epirubicin-treated rats, epirubicin+melatonin-treated rats, and melatonin-treated rats. We examined the histopathological and biochemical effects of melatonin on the epirubicin-induced changes and measured the levels of the lipid peroxidation end-product (malondialdehyde, MDA), an indicator of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis (nitrite/nitrate production), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the heart. We also studied the extracellular matrix components (fibronectin, laminin) in the heart. Vacuole formation, mitochondrial deformation and degeneration, and disordered myofibrillary structures were detected ultrastructurally in the epirubicin-treated group. The degeneration was reduced in the heart tissues of the epirubicin+melatonin group. Epirubicin increased the nitrite/nitrate production, but did not change the MDA and GSH levels significantly. Melatonin treatment lowered the nitrite/nitrate concentrations, while increasing the GSH levels, which exceeded the levels in epirubicin+melatonin-treated rats. We conclude that the epirubicin increased the nitrozative stress, not the oxidative stress, in heart tissue, and the cardioprotective effect of melatonin was partially attributed to the suppression of epirubicin-induced nitrozative stress. These results suggest that melatonin partially protects against epirubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.     

Hydrolytic stability of composite repair bond

The hydrolytic stability of composite repairs is a desirable property. In the present study, the composite repair microtensile bond strength, failure mode distribution, and nanoleakage occurrence before and after thermocycling were evaluated. Standardized, 1-month-old composite substrates were roughened, cleaned, and randomly assigned to seven groups according to the intermediate agent applied. Resin-based, silane-based, and combined silane/adhesive coupling agents were investigated. The same resin composite as the substrate was used for repair. For each group, repaired samples were wet stored for 24 h (37 degrees C) or thermocycled (5,000 cycles, 5-55 degrees C). Failure mode and silver nitrate penetration were examined by stereomicroscopy. Intermediate agent, experimental condition, and their interaction were significant factors. Hydrophobic flowable composites resulted in statistically higher repair strengths, lower occurrence of adhesive failures, and good quality interfacial coupling without any silver uptake in both conditions. Light-curing, hydrophilic resin monomer-based intermediate agents, although not affected by thermocycling, showed a more pronounced silver penetration. The composite repair strength of a self-curing silane/adhesive agent was significantly affected by thermal stresses, despite the absence of silver uptake. A prehydrolized silane agent recorded the lowest repair strength, with minimal or no evidence of interfacial silver impregnation after thermocycling. In conclusion, flowability and hydrophobic nature can be considered important properties when selecting intermediate agents for composite repair.     

Salivary nitrate--an ecological factor in reducing oral acidity

Human oral cavities represent a novel environment with a constant supply of concentrated nitrate. For humans, over 80% of dietary nitrate originates from fruit and vegetables. With a healthy, balanced diet, rich in fruit and vegetables, the concentration of nitrate in saliva can reach up to more than three times the European drinking water standard. The physiological function of the active excretion of salivary nitrate is unknown. Furthermore, little is known of the ecological function of oral nitrate and the effect on the oral environment during its subsequent oral microbial conversions. The objectives of the research were to investigate the effect on salivary pH coupled with oral microbial nitrate and/or nitrite reduction. Human saliva samples were incubated anaerobically in the presence of 111.0 mmol glucose (2%), with and without 1.5 mmol nitrate/nitrite, and pH and nitrate/nitrite consumption were measured during the time-course of the incubations. We found that anaerobic incubation of saliva containing a mixture of oral bacteria in the presence of nitrate/nitrite substrates and glucose resulted in a higher pH than was found in controls in the absence of nitrate/nitrite. These results suggest that the presence of these electron acceptors repressed acid fermentation, or increased alkali production, or consumed acid produced, thus reducing salivary acidity. This finding identifies salivary nitrate as a possible ecological factor in reducing oral acidity. The possibility that a symbiotic relationship between host nitrate excretion and nitrate-reducing microorganisms might help to protect against tooth decay should be explored further.     

The efficacy of three desensitizing agents in treatment of dentine hypersensitivity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three desensitizing agents vs. placebo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and six hypersensitive teeth of 26 patients were included in this study, and the baseline hypersensitivity level of all teeth was established as 'moderate' by using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The teeth were divided into four groups: to the first group 5% potassium nitrate bio-adhesive gel, to the second 2% sodium fluoride bio-adhesive gel and to the third one step adhesive system Prompt L-Pop were applied as desensitizing agents. Group 4 was the control group in which a desensitizer-free bio-adhesive gel was used as placebo. Post treatment and eighth week control measurements were recorded on VAS. RESULTS: It was observed that the efficacy of three desensitizing agents did not differ from each other (P >0.05) and except for placebo all reduced moderate dentin hypersensitivity effectively (P <0.05). Clinical relevance: Five per cent potassium nitrate, 2% sodium fluoride bio-adhesive gels and one-step bonding agent Prompt L-Pop were effective in reducing moderate dentine hypersensitivity.     

阿维莫泮合成中Aza-Michael加成反应的优化

目的改进阿维莫泮关键中间体的合成工艺。方法在阿维莫泮的手性诱导合成—（3R,4R）-4-（3-羟苯基）-3,4-二甲基哌啶与α,β-不饱和酯（或酰胺）的Aza-Michael加成反应中,添加硝酸铈铵（CAN）可以提高反应的立体选择性和收率,缩短反应时间。结果当底物为α,β-不饱和酰胺时,加入硝酸铈铵,-20℃下反应6 h,两个非对映异构体产物的比例为15.5∶1,收率达到88%。结论该路线简捷,昂贵的哌啶原料消耗少,具有较好的应用价值。     

Pre-Exercise Nutrition: The Role of Macronutrients,Modified Starches and Supplements on Metabolism and Endurance Performance

Endurance athletes rarely compete in the fasted state, as this may compromise fuel stores. Thus, the timing and composition of the pre-exercise meal is a significant consideration for optimizing metabolism and subsequent endurance performance. Carbohydrate feedings prior to endurance exercise are common and have generally been shown to enhance performance, despite increasing insulin levels and reducing fat oxidation. These metabolic effects may be attenuated by consuming low glycemic index carbohydrates and/or modified starches before exercise. High fat meals seem to have beneficial metabolic effects (e.g., increasing fat oxidation and possibly sparing muscle glycogen). However, these effects do not necessarily translate into enhanced performance. Relatively little research has examined the effects of a pre-exercise high protein meal on subsequent performance, but there is some evidence to suggest enhanced pre-exercise glycogen synthesis and benefits to metabolism during exercise. Finally, various supplements (i.e., caffeine and beetroot juice) also warrant possible inclusion into pre-race nutrition for endurance athletes. Ultimately, further research is needed to optimize pre-exercise nutritional strategies for endurance performance.