Increased muscular triglyceride content and hyperglycemia in Goto-Kakizaki rat are decreased by egg white hydrolysate

We investigated the fat metabolic characteristics in non-obese and diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat and the effects of dietary egg white hydrolysate (EWH) on glucose and fat metabolism. Wistar (W) and GK (G) rats were placed into dietary casein (WC and GC) or EWH (WE and GE) group, and fed their respective diet for six weeks. Triglyceride (TG) content and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) indices in the soleus muscle were higher in the GC group than WC group in parallel with worsening serum glucose metabolic parameters. The glucose metabolic parameters were significantly improved in the GE group. The TG accumulation and SCD indices in the soleus muscle were also significantly lower in the GE group than in the GC group. In conclusion, dietary EWH not only improved glucose metabolism but also reduced both TG accumulation and SCD indices in the soleus muscle of GK rat.     

Association between sexuality knowledge and sexual dysfunction in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients and their partners

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association of sexual knowledge with sexual desire, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients and partners, and their willingness to participate in sexual education.MethodsThis is a multi-center survey. Patients were eligible if they had received HSCT. Patients’ current sexual partners were invited to the study unless they had limitations on sexual activity. Sexual desire, activity and satisfaction was assessed using the Sexual Activity Questionnaire. Sexual knowledge, experience of information seeking, sexual counseling or education, and willingness of participate in sexual education were assessed using questionnaire.ResultsOf 151 participants, 61.8 % had experience of receiving counseling about their sexual issues after HSCT. Compared to the lower sexual knowledge group, participants with higher sexual knowledge reported to be 1.91 times more sexually active with 3.04 times higher sexual desire. Among the participants, 79.4 % of participants had the willingness to receive sexual education after HSCT and preferred to receive sexual education from sexual education specialistsConclusionsHigher sexual knowledge was associated with higher sexual desire, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction.Practice implicationsSexual education should be provided to patients and their partners after HCST by trained experts for HSCT patient’s sexual life.     

Variations in Athlete Heat-Loss Potential Between Hot-Dry and Warm-Humid Environments at Equivalent Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature Thresholds

ContextMany organizations associated with sports medicine recommend using wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT)-based activity-modification guidelines that are uniform across the country. However, no consideration has been given to whether the WBGT thresholds are appropriate for different weather conditions, such as warm-humid (WH) relative to hot-dry (HD), based on known differences in physiological responses to these environments.ObjectiveTo identify if personnel in regions with drier conditions and greater evaporative cooling potential should consider using WBGT-based activity-modification thresholds that differ from those in more humid weather.DesignObservational study.SettingWeather stations across the contiguous United States.Main Outcome Measure(s)A 15-year hourly WBGT dataset from 217 weather stations across the contiguous United States was used to identify particular combinations of globe temperature, wet-bulb temperature, and air temperature that produce WBGTs of 27.9°C, 30.1°C, and 32.3°C. A total of 71 302 observations were clustered into HD and WH environmental conditions. From these clusters, maximum heat-loss potential and heat-flux values were modeled at equivalent WBGT thresholds with various activity levels, clothing, and equipment configurations.ResultsWe identified strong geographic patterns, with HD conditions predominant in the western half and WH conditions predominant in the eastern half of the country. Heat loss was systematically greater in HD than in WH conditions, indicating an overall less stressful environment, even at equivalent WBGT values. At a WBGT of 32.3°C, this difference was 11 W·m⁻² at an activity velocity of 0.3 m·s⁻¹, which doubled for an activity velocity of 0.7 m·s⁻¹. The HD and WH difference increased with the WBGT value, demonstrating that evaporative cooling differences between HD and WH conditions were even greater at a higher, rather than lower, WBGT.ConclusionsPotential heat loss was consistently greater in HD than in WH environments despite equal WBGTs. These findings support the need for further clinical studies to determine the appropriate WBGT thresholds based on environmental and physiological limits to maximize safety while avoiding unnecessary limitations.     

基于近红外光谱分析技术评价运动对老年人认知功能改善的作用

文题释义： 认知老化：增龄性的认知功能减退,成年之后,随着年龄的增加,记忆、注意、推理能力在达到高峰之后,便开始缓慢的下降,抑制无关刺激影响的能力减弱,进入老年之后,认知功能的衰退加快。 运动负荷：包括负荷强度和负荷量。负荷强度是指运动对机体刺激的深度,通常用最大摄氧量百分比或者最大心率百分比来表示;负荷数量是指练习的重复次数,在训练计划中与负荷强度呈反比的关系。 背景：认知老化是增龄性相关的认知功能衰退,临床上目前没有明确的治疗原则可循,进入终末期发展成为认知功能障碍,运动延缓认知老化得到普遍认可。 目的：总结目前基于近红外光谱分析技术评价运动延缓认知老化的进展和不足。 方法：遵循PRISMA指南,由第一作者以“运动,近红外光谱,认知,老年人,组织蛋白酶B,脑源性神经营养因子”为中文检索词,以“exercise,near-infrared spectroscopy,cognition,elderly or older adults,cathepsin B,brain-derived neurotrophic factor”为英文检索词,对PubMed,WOS,CNKI,万方等数据库分别进行检索,对文献中基于近红外光谱技术的运动,老年人的认知功能的文献,保留37篇文献进一步总结分析。 结果与结论：综合目前基于近红外光谱技术分析运动延缓认知老化的研究,证实运动改善不同脑区皮质的激活程度,进而改善认知功能。长期的有氧运动对认知功能改善的效果较短期运动优,更有利于延缓认知老化。其潜在的生理学机制可能在于运动改善大脑的血流灌注,其次运动刺激骨骼肌分泌神经营养因子,促进神经元的生长、存活、增殖。但干预方案无统一标准,诸多环节,如个体差异、不同脑区指标的结合,被试的身体状况(心血管疾病和肺部疾病)的测试程序均有待于进一步完善,提高参数的可靠性和有效性。 ORCID: 0000-0002-1771-5008(王兴) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

含镁多孔支架材料的体外抗菌活性和生物相容性

文题释义：快速成型：是一种材料加工方法,它是在现代CAD/CAM技术、激光技术、计算机数控技术、精密伺服驱动技术及新材料技术的基础上集成发展起来的。不同种类的快速成型系统因所用成形材料不同,成形原理和系统特点也各有不同,但基本原理都是“分层制造,逐层叠加”。 聚乳酸：是以乳酸为主要原料聚合得到的聚合物,具有良好的生物降解性、生物相容性以及延展性,但其机械强度不足,且降解后会产生酸性代谢产物,限制了其应用范围,常与其他一种或多种生物材料复合使用,以增强骨生物活性或生物力学强度。 背景：将多聚物材料与生物陶瓷材料复合制成有机/无机复合三维支架材料,可赋予支架骨传导所必需的理化特性,同时强化材料的力学性能,但大多数骨替代材料无法预防缺损部位的感染。研究发现由于镁的降解可产生局部碱性环境,使镁具有一定的抗菌活性。 目的：探讨含镁多孔支架材料的体外抗菌活性和细胞相容性。 方法：应用低温快速成型技术制备聚乳酸/β-磷酸三钙/镁多孔支架材料,其中β-磷酸三钙与镁的质量比分别为2∶1和1∶2,分别设为PTM(2∶1)组、PTM(1∶2)组;同时应用低温快速成型技术制备聚乳酸与聚乳酸/β-磷酸三钙多孔支架材料,分别设为P组、PT组。检测4组支架的表面形貌、孔径、孔隙率及压缩模量。将金黄色葡萄球菌(ATCC 35923)接种于4组支架表面24 h,通过涂板计数法和激光共聚焦显微镜观察材料的抗菌活性。将小鼠前成骨细胞MC3T3-E1分别与4组支架材料共培养,通过CCK-8法分析材料对细胞黏附和增殖的影响。 结果与结论：①4组支架材料表面都形成相对均匀的多孔结构,4组支架间孔径大小和孔隙率比较差异均无显著性意义(P > 0.05);②PTM(2∶1)组和PTM(1∶2)组压缩模量明显高于P组、PT组(P < 0.05),PTM(1∶2)组明显高于PTM(2∶1)组(P < 0.05);③涂板计数实验显示,PTM(2∶1)组、PTM(1∶2)组菌落形成单位明显低于P组、PT组(P < 0.05),其余组间比较差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05);④培养6 h,PT组、PTM(2∶1)组、PTM(1∶2)组黏附细胞数量多于P组(P < 0.05),PTM(2∶1)组和PTM(1∶2)组比较差异均无显著性意义(P > 0.05);⑤培养1 d时,仅PT组细胞增殖优于P组(P < 0.05);培养4,7 d时,PT组、PTM(2∶1)组、PTM(1∶2)组细胞增殖均优于P组(P < 0.05),PTM(2∶1)组和PTM(1∶2)组比较差异均无显著性意义(P > 0.05);⑥结果表明,聚乳酸/β-磷酸三钙/镁多孔支架材料不但具有良好的抗菌活性,而且具有优良的细胞相容性和一定的抗压能力。 ORCID: 0000-0002-3367-674X(马瑞) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程     

Synergic production of neutrophil chemotactic activity by colonic epithelial cells and eosinophils

The presence of eosinophils in the lumen and mucosa of the intestine is characteristic of both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). There is evidence of eosinophil activation in the intestine during acute inflammatory episodes of these diseases; these episodes are also characterized by an influx of neutrophils, which have the potential to cause extensive tissue damage. We undertook a study to determine whether eosinophils in contact with colonic epithelial cells produce factors that may attract neutrophils in response to immunological stimulation. Neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA) and concentrations of three neutrophil-attracting CXC chemokines – CXCL1 (Groα), CXCL5 (Ena78) and CXCL8 (IL8) – were measured in supernatants of T84 colonic epithelial cells and blood eosinophils or eosinophil-like myeloid leukaemia cells (AML14.3D10), alone or in combination. Cells were stimulated with serum-opsonized zymosan (OZ) particles. NCA (P < 0.005) and CXCL5 levels (P < 0.05) in the supernatants of OZ-stimulated epithelial/eosinophil co-cultures were significantly higher than in the supernatants of either cell type alone. Release of CXCL1 (P < 0.05) and CXCL8 (P < 0.01) from OZ-stimulated co-culture supernatants was significantly higher than from OZ-stimulated eosinophils but not higher than from OZ-stimulated epithelial cells. Eosinophils and colonic epithelial cells exhibit synergy in production of neutrophil chemoattractants in response to immunological stimulation. This may represent a mechanism for exaggerated recruitment of neutrophils to the intestine in response to acute infection in conditions that are characterized by the presence of eosinophils in the bowel.     

The Flavonoid Constitunts of Leucaena Leucocephala. Growing in Egypt,and Their Biological Activity

Background

Leucaena leucocephala is native to Southern Mexico and Northern Central America, but is now naturalized throughout the tropics. The phyto-chemical data of L. leucocephala revealed the presence of terpenes, flavonoids, coumarins and sterols. Various parts of L. leucocephala have been reported to have medicinal properties.

Materials and Methods

Flavonoids were isolated from the aerial parts of L. leucocephala. Antioxidant activity of the extracts and the isolated compounds was evaluated using (DPPH), as well as their cytotoxic activity using a single tumor [Ehrlish ascites carcinoma cells].

Results

The flavonoidal constituents isolated from chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of the aqueous alcoholic extract of aerial parts of Leucaena leucocephala were identified as Caffeic acid, Isorhamnetin, Chrysoeriol, Isorhamnetin 3-O-galactoside, Kaempferol-3-O-rubinoside, Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside and Luteolin-7-glucoside. Chemical structures of the isolated compounds were identified by TLC, PC and spectral techniques (UV, ¹H-NMR and MS). The ethyl acetate fraction and the isolated flavonoidal compounds showed high antioxidant activity compared to Trolox (standard antioxidant compound). The different fractions and isolated compounds of Leucaena leucocephala exhibited no cytotoxic activity against Ehrlich-ascitis carcinoma cell line at the tested concentrations.

Conclusion

This is the first record of the flavonoids in the aerial parts of Leucaena leucocephala (L.) except Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside.     

Risk for losing physical independence in older adults: The role of sedentary time,light, and moderate to vigorous physical activity

This study examined the association of a range of physical activity intensities and sedentary behavior with the risk of losing physical independence later in life in community-dwelling older adults. A total of 131 males and 240 females, aged 65–103 years, were enrolled. Physical activity (PA) and sedentary time were assessed with accelerometers and the risk for losing physical independence in later years was assessed with the self-reported composite physical function (CPF) scale adjusted for age. Participants were divided in two groups – high risk group (HRG) and low risk group (LRG), according current CPF. According to the multiple logistic regression analyses, sedentary time was not a significant predictor. The odds of a male participant being in the LRG were 12.19 times higher than those of a female (95% CI 5.06–29.39). Both, light PA (OR = 1.01; 95% CI 1.01–1.02) and MVPA (OR = 1.432; 95% CI 1.21–1.69) had a significant main effect on the risk of losing physical independence. Age and gender interacted with moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) to predict the risk of losing physical independence. Thus, as age increases, participants that are more physically active became less likely (OR = 0.997; 95% CI 0.995–0.999) to be in the HRG than younger participants. Similarly, the odds of a physically active women being physical independent in later life are higher (OR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.91–0.96) than those of a physically active men. These new findings suggest that light PA, and MVPA are significantly associated with the risk of losing physical independence later in life, and age and gender combined with MVPA have an interaction effect on physical independence of older adults.