Microalgae: a novel ingredient in nutrition

Microalgae are known for centuries, but their commercial large-scale production started a few decades ago. They can be grown in open-culture systems such as lakes or highly controlled close-culture systems, have higher productivity than the traditional crops and can be grown in climatic conditions and regions where other crops cannot be grown, such as desert and coastal areas. The edible microalgae are the green algae (chlorophyta) and the cyanobacteria. Microalgae contain substances of high biological value, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, amino acids, pigments, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They are promising sources for novel products and applications and they can be used in the diet of humans and animals as natural foods with health benefits. Moreover, they can find use in the protection of the environment, as well as in pharmaceuticals, biofuel production and cosmetics.     

Effects of a Texture-Modified,Enriched, and Reshaped Diet on Dietary Intake and Body Weight of Nursing Home Residents with Chewing and/or Swallowing Problems: An Enable Study

Abstract

This proof-of-concept study investigated the effects of an innovative nutrition concept, comprising texture modification, enrichment, and reshaping, on dietary intake and nutritional status of 16 nursing home residents with chewing and/or swallowing problems (mean age 86.5?±?7.4 years) in a pre-test post-test design. During 6?weeks with usual texture-modified diet (P1) energy and protein intake were constant. After the implementation of the innovative diet, daily energy intake increased by 204.2 (median) [interquartile range 95.8–444.4] kcal (P?=?0.011), and protein intake by 18.3 [9.9–26.3] g (P?<?0.001) and remained constant during the following 6?weeks (P2). Body weight decreased during P1 (–0.5 [–1.4 to 0.2] kg), and increased during P2 (+1.1 [0.0 to 1.7] kg, P?=?0.004). The present nutrition concept turned out to be a promising strategy for nutritional management of chewing and/or swallowing problems, however, the effects need to be confirmed in larger studies.     

环境化学物暴露对2型糖尿病基因的富集进程和通路影响研究

目的 探讨2型糖尿病（T2DM）共同差异表达基因的富集进程和通路，并进一步发现影响T2DM的环境化学物质。方法 通过比较毒理基因组学数据库（CTD）中获取直接作用的T2DM相关基因及化学物质，从GEO数据库中获取T2DM关联的基因。对T2DM关联的共同关键基因进行富集分析，获取共同基因/蛋白可能参与的生物进程或信号通路。结果 共有469个与T2DM关联的基因，200个关键基因/蛋白富集发现，这些关键基因/蛋白参与了MAPK级联正调控、细胞因子介导的信号通路、ER到高尔基体的顺行转运、细胞外刺激应答等信号通路。结论 环境化学物质能在基因水平上影响T2DM的发生发展。     

DNA transfer: The role of temperature and drying time

It has previously been shown, and reconfirmed here, that biological material on a substrate will transfer readily upon contact with another substrate when wet but hardly when dry. There is however a paucity of data regarding the speed at which body fluids dry and how this may affect its transfer upon contact. Here we conduct transfer experiments at 4 °C, 22 °C and 40 °C at multiple time points during the drying process. The speed at which blood dries is dependent on the temperature, with the drying process complete within 15–60 min. The percentage of deposited DNA transferred upon contact follows an exponential pattern of decline from soon after deposition, decreasing until the sample is dry. There are no differences in transfer rates upon contact among the different temperature conditions within the first 5 min or after 60 min since deposit, but significant variation occurs between these time points. When considering the likelihood of a proposed scenario that incorporates one or more contact situations it is important to consider the timing of the potential transfer event(s) relative to when the biological sample in question was initially deposited. The results of this study will assist the interpretation and evaluation of alternative scenarios involving transfer of biological substances.     

环境内分泌干扰物与多囊卵巢综合征关系的研究进展

环境内分泌干扰物（EED）广泛存在于日常生活中，是一类可以干扰激素行为的外源性化学物。EED可以结合人体内不同的受体，通过多种机制增强或抑制体内正常的内分泌功能，从而引发多种疾病。多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）病因复杂，已有研究结果表明PCOS的发生与环境因素有关。相关流行病学和基础实验研究表明，EED参与PCOS的发生、发展，但具体作用机制仍需进一步研究。现就EED与PCOS的关系及可能的相关作用机制进行阐述，总结EED与PCOS的关系,为干预PCOS患者的生活方式并阻断疾病发生提供新的线索。     

Excessive TV watching in patients with frontotemporal dementia

The “environmental dependency syndrome” refers to a loss of personal autonomy such that a person’s environment almost entirely controls their actions. The goal of this study is to learn if patients with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) exhibit prolonged TV watching, a behavior which may be a symptom of environmental dependency. We recruited 40 patients with FTD and 48 patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and asked these participants’ caregivers about TV watching behaviors including total viewing time and channel/show preference, along with other behaviors indicative of environmental dependency. Compared to AD patients, FTD patients watched TV for a longer time. In addition, the patients who watched more TV showed more signs of environmental dependency. Increased TV watching may be a sign of environmental dependency, however further research is needed to explore other hypotheses.