Comparison of the in vitro toxicity of ancient Triticum monococcum varieties ID331 and Monlis

Abstract

Triticum monococcum L. is one of the oldest ancestors of wheat. There is some evidence that einkorn encloses forms of gliadin-deriving peptides which may potentially exert a reduced toxicity to consumers with gluten-related disorders. Accordingly, ID331 and Monlis lines were comparatively investigated in this study. The biological effects of gastro-resistant peptides deriving from an in vitro simulated digestion were evaluated on 21 d differentiated Caco-2 cells. Triticum aestivum digested gliadin was included as the positive control. ID331 neither enhanced cell permeability nor induced zonulin release in Caco-2 monolayers. Monlis exerted a detectable toxicity as confirmed by the reorganisation of enterocyte cytoskeleton, in addition to changes both in monolayers permeability and apical release of zonulin. Differences in patterns of gastro-resistant prolamins may account for the differences. Outcomes support the use of ID331 as a prospective candidate for the development of innovative approaches to reduce wheat flour toxicity.     

Observation of the morphology and calcium content of vestibular otoconia in rats after simulated weightlessness

Conclusions

Reduction in bone formation may have been the main reason for the lower calcium content of the otoconia after simulated weightlessness in rats. The head-ward distribution of blood volume may explain the morphological changes observed in the middle and inner ears.

Objective

To observe morphological changes in the vestibular organs and measure the calcium content of otoconia in rats after simulated weightlessness.

Material and methods

We used a tail suspension model of simulated weightlessness and then investigated changes in the vestibular organs using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis.

Results

In comparison to untreated rats, the vestibular otoconia of the rats subjected to simulated weightlessness were small, irregularly shaped or fissured, and were arranged loosely and out of order. In addition, the calcium content of the otoconia was markedly decreased.     

The effectiveness of simulation activities on the cognitive abilities of undergraduate third‐year nursing students: a randomised control trial

Aims and objectives. To provide evidence on the effectiveness of simulation activities on the clinical decision‐making abilities of undergraduate nursing students. Based on previous research, it was hypothesised that the higher the cognitive score, the greater the ability a nursing student would have to make informed valid decisions in their clinical practice. Background. Globally, simulation is being espoused as an education method that increases the competence of health professionals. At present, there is very little evidence to support current investment in time and resources. Methods. Following ethical approval, fifty‐eight third‐year undergraduate nursing students were randomised in a pretest–post‐test group‐parallel controlled trial. The learning environment preferences (LEP) inventory was used to test cognitive abilities in order to refute the null hypothesis that activities in computer‐based simulated learning environments have a negative effect on cognitive abilities when compared with activities in skills laboratory simulated learning environments. Results. There was no significant difference in cognitive development following two cycles of simulation activities. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that two simulation tasks, either computer‐based or laboratory‐based, have no effect on an undergraduate student’s ability to make clinical decisions in practice. However, there was a significant finding for non‐English first‐language students, which requires further investigation. Conclusions. More longitudinal studies that quantify the education effects of simulation on the cognitive, affective and psychomotor attributes of health science students and professionals from both English‐speaking and non‐English‐speaking backgrounds are urgently required. It is also recommended that to achieve increased participant numbers and prevent non‐participation owing to absenteeism, further studies need to be imbedded directly into curricula. Relevance to clinical practice. This investigation confirms the effect of simulation activities on real‐life clinical practice, and the comparative learning benefits with traditional clinical practice and university education remain unknown.     

Purification of cell culture-derived influenza A virus via continuous anion exchange chromatography on monoliths

The continuously increasing demand for potent and safe vaccines and the intensifying economic pressure on health care systems underlines the need for further optimization of vaccine manufacturing. Here, we focus on downstream processing of human influenza vaccines, investigating the purification of serum-free cell culture-derived influenza virus (A/PR/8/34 H1N1) using continuous chromatography. Therefore, quaternary amine anion exchange monoliths (CIM® QA) were characterized for their capacity to capture virus particles from animal cells cultivated in different media and their ability to separate virions from contaminating host cell proteins and DNA. The continuous chromatography was implemented as simulated moving bed chromatography (SMB) in a three zone open loop configuration with a detached high salt zone for regeneration.SMBs exploiting 10% and 50% of the monoliths’ dynamic binding capacity, respectively, allowed the depletion of >98% of the DNA and >52% of the total protein. Based on the hemagglutination assay (HA assay), the virus yield was higher at 10% capacity use (89% vs. 45%). Both SMB separations resulted in a ratio of total protein to hemagglutinin antigen (based on single radial diffusion assay, SRID assay) below the required levels for manufacturing of human vaccines (less than 100 µg of protein per virus strain per dose). The level of contaminating DNA was five-times lower for the 10% loading, but still exceeded the required limit for human vaccines. A subsequent Benzonase® treatment step, however, reduced the DNA contamination below 10 ng per dose. Coupled to continuous cultivations for virus propagation, the establishment of integrated processes for fully continuous production of vaccines seems to be feasible.     

学生标准化病人在内科护理学客观结构化临床考试中的应用

目的了解内科护理学客观结构化临床考试（OSCE）中学生标准化病人（SSP）的模拟水平，分析SSP在模拟病人方面存在的问题，从而为进一步改进SSP提供依据。方法自行设计问卷，以我院参加内科护理学出科考试的74名学生作为调查对象，评价SSP的模拟水平。结果学生对SSP模拟病人逼真程度评价总分为（15．69±1．951）分，其中SPP能自然地回答学生提出的问题评价评价得分为（3．24±0．463）分。所有学生均认为运用SSP考核学生的临床能力是有效的，97％学生认为与传统考试模式相比标准化病人考核模式更能真实地反映学生的临床实际水平。结论培训护理专业学生为sP用于内科护理学OSCE考试可行性好，但需要进一步采取措施提高SSP模拟体征的逼真程度及各站SSP表演的协调一致性程度。     

In vitro and in vivo correlation for lipid-based formulations: Current status and future perspectives

Lipid-based formulations (LBFs) have demonstrated a great potential in enhancing the oral absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, construction of in vitro and in vivo correlations (IVIVCs) for LBFs is quite challenging, owing to a complex in vivo processing of these formulations. In this paper, we start with a brief introduction on the gastrointestinal digestion of lipid/LBFs and its relation to enhanced oral drug absorption; based on the concept of IVIVCs, the current status of in vitro models to establish IVIVCs for LBFs is reviewed, while future perspectives in this field are discussed. In vitro tests, which facilitate the understanding and prediction of the in vivo performance of solid dosage forms, frequently fail to mimic the in vivo processing of LBFs, leading to inconsistent results. In vitro digestion models, which more closely simulate gastrointestinal physiology, are a more promising option. Despite some successes in IVIVC modeling, the accuracy and consistency of these models are yet to be validated, particularly for human data. A reliable IVIVC model can not only reduce the risk, time, and cost of formulation development but can also contribute to the formulation design and optimization, thus promoting the clinical translation of LBFs.     

仿真假体视觉下的人脸识别研究进展

目的：综述基于仿真假体视觉的人脸识别研究的主要进展。方法：回顾了近年来各研究小组基于仿真假体视觉的人脸识别研究进展,讨论假体视觉下人脸识别的可能性,分析了假体视觉下人脸识别的影响因素。结果：在仿真假体视觉下,分辨率和缺失率是影响人脸识别的主要因素,分辨率增加或是缺失率减小,对人脸的识别率有显著提高;其它光幻视参数中,一定程度内的灰度提高对假体下的人脸识别率有显著提高,而点大小、点间隙、对比度对其影响稍小,正方形的光幻视阵列排布的识别率高于六边形和极坐标排布。另外,图像处理策略如基于感兴趣区域的放大和对比度增强等,能帮助被试进行人脸识别。结论：由心理物理学方法得出,在假体视觉下,仍能完成基本的人脸识别任务;改变光幻视的参数或图像处理策略,会影响识别率。这些结果将帮助研究者们优化视觉假体中的信息处理和图像处理策略,并为术后康复训练提供了实验理论依据。     

Variations in Digestive Physiology of Rats After Short Duration Flights Aboard the US Space Shuttle

The purpose of this work was to assess the influence of microgravity on several endogenous and microbial parameters of digestive physiology. On the occasion of two Spacelab Life Sciences missions, SLS-1 (a 9-day space flight) and SLS-2 (a 14-day space flight), Sprague-Dawley rats flown aboard the US space shuttle were compared to age-matched ground-based controls. In both flights, exposure to microgravity modified cecal fermentation: concentration and profile of short-chain fatty acids were altered, whereas urea and ammonia remained unchanged. Only in SLS-1 was there an induction of intestinal glutathione-S-transferase. Additional analyses in SLS-2 showed a decrease of hepatic CYP450 and of colonic goblet cells containing neutral mucin. After a postflight recovery period equal to the mission length, only modifications of the hepatic and intestinal xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes still persisted. These findings should help to predict the alterations of digestive physiology and detoxification potential likely to occur in astronauts. Their possible influence on health is discussed.