Ammonium accumulation and chemokine decrease in culture media of Gcdh−/− 3D reaggregated brain cell cultures

Glutaric Aciduria type I (GA-I) is caused by mutations in the GCDH gene. Its deficiency results in accumulation of the key metabolites glutaric acid (GA) and 3-hydroxyglutaric acid (3-OHGA) in body tissues and fluids. Present knowledge on the neuropathogenesis of GA-I suggests that GA and 3-OHGA have toxic properties on the developing brain.We analyzed morphological and biochemical features of 3D brain cell aggregates issued from Gcdh^?/? mice at two different developmental stages, day-in-vitro (DIV) 8 and 14, corresponding to the neonatal period and early childhood. We also induced a metabolic stress by exposing the aggregates to 10 mM l-lysine (Lys).Significant amounts of GA and 3-OHGA were detected in Gcdh^?/? aggregates and their culture media. Ammonium was significantly increased in culture media of Gcdh^?/? aggregates at the early developmental stage. Concentrations of GA, 3-OHGA and ammonium increased significantly after exposure to Lys. Gcdh^?/? aggregates manifested morphological alterations of all brain cell types at DIV 8 while at DIV 14 they were only visible after exposure to Lys. Several chemokine levels were significantly decreased in culture media of Gcdh^?/? aggregates at DIV 14 and after exposure to Lys at DIV 8.This new in vitro model for brain damage in GA-I mimics well in vivo conditions. As seen previously in WT aggregates exposed to 3-OHGA, we confirmed a significant ammonium production by immature Gcdh^?/? brain cells. We described for the first time a decrease of chemokines in Gcdh^?/? culture media which might contribute to brain cell injury in GA-I.     

Is Endocan a Novel Diagnostic Marker for the Severity of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Very Low Birth Weight Infants?

IntroductionEndocan levels were found to be associated with severity and mortality of the respiratory system diseases.ObjectiveWe aimed to figure out whether endocan was an important marker for the diagnosis, severity and follow-up of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).Materials and methodsInfants with moderate/severe BPD, and who required hydrocortisone treatment were included in the study group. Infants without BPD were allocated in the control group. Endocan levels were compared between the control group and the study group, and before and after the treatment in the study group.ResultsA total of 148 infants, 74 infants in the control group and 74 infants in the BPD group, were included. The endocan level was higher in the BPD group than in the control group (P = .001). Endocan levels before treatment in the BPD group was found to be higher than endocan level after treatment (P = .021).ConclusionOur study found that endocan levels increased in moderate/severe BPD. Serum endocan levels may be a safe and novel indicator for the follow-up of response to treatment and the prognosis of the severity of the disease.     

An Introduction to Health Disparities for the Practicing Radiologist

A substantial and growing body of literature explores health disparities in radiology and imaging. The term “health disparities” refers to health differences related to disadvantages experienced by vulnerable populations, often caused by underlying social determinants of health. As such, health disparities are often closely tied to issues of social justice. Radiologists can work to reduce health disparities in different ways, including through supporting education, diversity and inclusion efforts, disparities research, and advocacy.     

不同处理对鱼香草种子萌发的影响

目的研究鱼香草的种子形态和不同处理对种子萌发的影响,为鱼香草人工栽培种苗培育提供科学依据。方法测定种子长宽、千粒质量,对种子设置不同温度、不同光质以及不同浓度的赤霉素(GA3)和KNO3浸种处理,观察记录种子发芽数,计算发芽率、发芽指数和活力指数。结果鱼香草种子椭圆形,长(1.77±0.01)mm,宽(1.13±0.01)mm,千粒质量(1 175.5±21.02)mg,吸水量为其风干种子质量的8.8倍;种子发芽最适宜温度为30℃;白色光照最有利于种子萌发,全黑暗最不利于种子萌发;GA3、0.25%KNO3浸种可显著提高种子发芽率、发芽指数及活力指数。结论得到鱼香草种子萌发最适宜的处理条件,对鱼香草人工栽培种苗培育具有重要指导作用。     

优化的贴片型测量探头及其生物医学应用研究

采用时域有限差分（FDTD）法结合遗传算法（GA）优化设计了适用于浅表生物组织高频测量的宽带同轴贴片探头，并用该探头测量了人体背部1～7GHz频带内的反射特性。优化设计出的圆形同轴贴片探头具有轴对称特点，辐射近场在生物组织中透人深、反射系数的频率响应特性好。所获得的人体背部反射特性的测量结果将为背部浅表组织电特性的重建提供有利的依据。