Effect of Dietary Protein and Processing on Gut Microbiota—A Systematic Review

The effect of diet on the composition of gut microbiota and the consequent impact on disease risk have been of expanding interest. The present review focuses on current insights of changes associated with dietary protein-induced gut microbial populations and examines their potential roles in the metabolism, health, and disease of animals. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol was used, and 29 highly relevant articles were obtained, which included 6 mouse studies, 7 pig studies, 15 rat studies, and 1 in vitro study. Analysis of these studies indicated that several factors, such as protein source, protein content, dietary composition (such as carbohydrate content), glycation of protein, processing factors, and protein oxidation, affect the digestibility and bioavailability of dietary proteins. These factors can influence protein fermentation, absorption, and functional properties in the gut and, consequently, impact the composition of gut microbiota and affect human health. While gut microbiota can release metabolites that can affect host physiology either positively or negatively, the selection of quality of protein and suitable food processing conditions are important to have a positive effect of dietary protein on gut microbiota and human health.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids and Evaluating Their Performance as Asphaltene Dispersants

With the projected increase in the production of heavy oil due to the energy crisis, asphaltene-related issues are likely to come to the forefront. This leads to operational problems, safety hazards, and oil production deficiencies, resulting in huge economic losses for the petroleum industry. Therefore, in this work, we aimed to inhibit asphaltene precipitation using ionic liquid (IL) compounds. ILs with long alkyl chains can inhibit the precipitation of asphaltene molecules due to the π–π* interactions between them and the formation of hydrogen bonds. A series of imidazolium-based ionic liquids, IL-0, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-16, were synthesized with yield percents of 79, 81, 80, and 83%, respectively. The prepared materials were characterized well using FTIR, ¹H-NMR, and Elemental Analysis. The surface tension, interfacial tension (IFT), and different surface parameters were investigated at different temperatures to simulate the reservoir temperature. IL-0, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-16 displayed their γ_cmc values at 35, 34, 31, and 32 mN/m at 303 °K, respectively. It was found that the prepared ILs are good surfactants with low values of interfacial tension. Quantum structure–activity relationships using Density Functional Theory (DFT) were used to investigate the geometry optimization electronic structures, the energy gap (ΔE), and the reactivity of the cations of the prepared ILs. The synthesized ILs were evaluated as asphaltene dispersants using two different techniques. The viscometric technique showed that the asphaltene onset precipitation was 28.5 vol.%. This percent was postponed to 42.8, 50, 78.5, and 64.3 vol.%, after adding IL-0, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-16, respectively, and the spectroscopic technique confirmed the results.     

Impact of Early versus Late Amniotomy on Induction of Labor in Nulliparous Women after Vaginally Administered Misoprostol: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective::To investigate the effect of early versus late amniotomy after induction of labor (IOL) with vaginally administered misoprostol.Methods::This randomi...     

Neurólise do tronco celíaco com o uso de agulha única versus agulha dupla no manejo da dor abdominal maligna: estudo randômico controlado

BackgroundComputerized tomography‐guided celiac plexus neurolysis has become almost a safe technique to alleviate abdominal malignancy pain. We compared the single needle technique with changing patients’ position and the double needle technique using posterior anterocrural approach.MethodsIn Double Needles Celiac Neurolysis Group (n = 17), we used two needles posterior anterocrural technique injecting 12.5 mL phenol 10% on each side in prone position. In Single Needle Celiac Neurolysis Group (n = 17), we used single needle posterior anterocrural approach. 25 mL of phenol 10% was injected from left side while patients were in left lateral position then turned to right side. The monitoring parameters were failure block rate and duration of patient positioning, technique time, Visual Analog Scale, complications (hypotension, diarrhea, vomiting, hemorrhage, neurological damage and infection) and rescue analgesia.ResultsThe failure block rate and duration of patient positioning significantly increased in double needles celiac neurolysis vs. single needle celiac neurolysis (30.8% vs. 0.13.8±1.2 vs. 8.9 ± 1; p = 0.046, p ≤ 0.001 respectively). Also, the technique time increased significantly in double needles celiac neurolysis than single needle celiac neurolysis (24.5 ± 5.1 vs. 15.4 ± 1.8; p ≤ 0.001). No significant differences existed as regards visual analogue scale: double needles celiac neurolysis = 2 (0‐5), 2 (0‐4), 3 (0‐6), 3 (2‐6) and single needle celiac neurolysis = 3 (0‐5), 2 (0‐5), 2 (0‐4), 4 (2‐6) after 1 day, 1 week, 1 and 3 months respectively. However, visual analogue scale in each group reduced significantly compared with basal values (p ≤ 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences as regards rescue analgesia and complications (p > 0.05).ConclusionSingle needle celiac neurolysis with changing patients’ position has less failure block rate, less procedure time, shorter duration of patient positioning than double needles celiac neurolysis in abdominal malignancy.     

Dynamic cyclic and torsional fatigue resistance of TruNatomy compared with different nickel–titanium rotary instruments

This study evaluated the dynamic cyclic and torsional fatigue resistance of recently introduced TruNatomy instruments (TRN) and compare with HyFlex CM (HFC), Vortex Blue (VB) and FlexMaster (FM) instruments. Size 20, 0.04 taper of TRN, HFC, VB and FM instruments was tested for dynamic cyclic and torsional fatigue resistance. Dynamic cyclic fatigue resistance was evaluated using an artificial canal with a radius of 5 mm and a 90° angle of curvature. The number of cycles to failure (NCF) was calculated. The dynamic torsional fatigue resistance was evaluated by holding a 5 mm of the tip of each instrument in a metal block with composite resin. Torsional fatigue resistance was recorded by counting the number of load applications before fracture for each instrument. The HFC instruments had greater fatigue resistance than VB, TRN and FM. FM had a higher resistance to torsional stress than TRN, HFC and VB instruments.     

Intravenous Alfacalcidol Once Versus Twice or Thrice Weekly in Hemodialysis Patients

Secondary hyperparathyroidism remains a serious problem in hemodialysis patients. The use of vitamin D analogs still constitutes a basis for its treatment. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous administration of alfacalcidol once versus twice or thrice weekly in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Twenty‐nine end‐stage renal disease patients maintained on hemodialysis for more than one year were included in this prospective study after signing the consent. These patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism had been on intravenous alfacalcidol twice or thrice per week and were followed up to 4 months (stage 1). Then they were shifted to intravenous alfacalcidol once weekly starting with the last total weekly intravenous dose for another 4 months (stage 2). The dose of alfacalcidol was adjusted according to intact parathyroid hormone, serum calcium and phosphorus levels, and calcium‐phosphorus product. Intact parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus, calcium‐phosphorus product were measured monthly. Parathyroid ultrasound was done as a baseline and then repeated at the end of stage 1 and stage 2. The intact parathyroid hormone was reduced from 49.72 ± 2.72 pmol/L (mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM] during stage 1 to 42.13 ± 2.15 pmol/L during stage 2 (P = 0.005). Dose of alfacalcidol was reduced from 18.80 ± 1.15 µg/month (mean ± SEM) in stage 1 to 15.18 ± 1.27 µg/month in stage 2 (P = 0.008), and consequently the cost of alfacalcidol was reduced from 21.05 ± 1.25 US$/month (mean ± SEM) during stage 1 to 16.87 ± 1.40 US$/month during stage 2 (P = 0.008). Although the phosphorus level increased from 1.56 ± 0.36 mmol/L (mean ± SD) in stage 1 to 1.70 ± 0.46 mmol/ L in stage 2 (P = 0.003), and calcium‐phosphorus product increased from 3.48 ± 0.82 mmol²/L² (mean ± SD) in stage 1 to 3.76 ± 1.00 mmol²/L² in stage 2 (P = 0.017), they remained in the target levels recommended by the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines. No serious effects were observed during stage 1 and stage 2, respectively. Intravenous alfacalcidol once weekly is effective, safe and less costly in suppressing intact parathyroid hormone compared to twice or thrice weekly administration in chronic hemodialysis patients.     

Organometallic‐Mediated Radical Polymerization: Developing Well‐Defined Complexes for Reversible Transition Metal‐Alkyl Bond Homolysis

Organometallic‐mediated radical polymerization (OMRP) has emerged as a powerful new class of living controlled radical polymerization. In order to fulfill its potential in the polymerization of vinyl acetate (VOAc) and other challenging monomers, the effects of ancillary ligands on the metal‐alkyl bond dissociation energy in OMRP reagents must be thoroughly explored. Recent results investigating structure‐activity relationships in well‐defined cobalt, iron and chromium complexes will be discussed. The involvement of radical intermediates in oxidative addition of secondary alkyls for catalytic cross‐coupling reactions catalyzed by first row transition metals will also be examined for relevant design concepts.