Anaplasma capra is an emerging tickborne human pathogen initially recognized in China in 2015; it has been reported in ticks and in a wide range of domestic and wild animals worldwide. We describe ...whole-genome sequences of 2 A. capra strains from metagenomic sequencing of purified erythrocytes from infected goats in China. The genome of A. capra was the smallest among members of the genus Anaplasma. The genomes of the 2 A. capra strains contained comparable G+C content and numbers of pseudogenes with intraerythrocytic Anaplasma species. The 2 A. capra strains had 54 unique genes. The prevalence of A. capra was high among goats in the 2 endemic areas. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the A. capra strains detected in this study were basically classified into 2 subclusters with those previously detected in Asia. Our findings clarify details of the genomic characteristics of A. capra and shed light on its genetic diversity.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Pickering High Internal Phase Emulsions (HIPEs) stabilized by food-grade particles have received considerable attention. In this work, we first demonstrated the use of chitosan-caseinophosphopeptides ...(CS-CPP) nanocomplexes as particulate emulsifiers to stabilize the interface of natural oils and water. For this purpose, we developed the CS-CPP nanocomplexes through electrostatic interactions and demonstrated their application in the formation of stable Pickering HIPEs. The microstructures, e.g., interfacial frameworks, of the CS-CPP nanocomplexes partition between the continuous phase and interfacial region, and the states of the droplets of Pickering HIPEs were visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and an optical microscope. The compressed droplets in Pickering HIPEs formed a percolating 3D-network framework that endowed emulsions with viscoelastic, self-supporting, and ideal thixotropic features. In addition, the gelatinous state of Pickering HIPEs combined with robust and compact CS-CPP nanocomplexes formed an interfacial layer around the droplets, thus depressing the oxidation of linseed oil. The contents of primary and secondary oxidation products in HIPEs were lower than that in bulk oil and emulsions stabilized by surfactants. An in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) model was constructed to characterize the lipid oxidation, lipid digestion and curcumin bioaccessibility of Pickering HIPEs. Interestingly, this route enhanced the bioaccessibility of curcumin from 20.49% (bulk oil) to 49.21% (Pickering HIPEs). This work offers a facile method to develop Pickering HIPEs by food-grade particles, which help to fill the gap between the performance of CS-CPP nanocomplexes-stabilized Pickering HIPEs and potential applications as oral delivery systems of nutraceuticals.
Schematic representation of the CS-CPP nanocomplexes stabilized Pickering HIPEs proposed to relate physical performance and digestion fate of emulsions to their microstructure. Display omitted
•Edible Pickering HIPEs were made firstly by CS-CPP nanocomplexes.•Stable Pickering HIPEs had viscoelastic, self-supporting and ideal thixotropic features.•Pickering HIPEs possess promising potential to replace PHOs in processed foods.•Oxidative stability was evaluated under thermally accelerated process and in vitro digestion.•As-prepared Pickering encapsulation enhanced the bio-accessibility of curcumin.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Diets containing partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) expose the human body to trans fatty acids, thus endangering cardiovascular health. Pickering high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) is a promising ...alternative of PHOs. This work attempted to construct stable Pickering HIPEs by engineering interface architecture through manipulating the interfacial, self-assembly, and packing behavior of zein particles using the interaction between protein and pectin. Partially wettable zein/pectin hybrid particles (ZPHPs) with three-phase contact angles ranging from 84° to 87° were developed successfully. ZPHPs were irreversibly anchored at the oil–water interface, resulting in robust and ordered interfacial structure, evidenced by the combination of LB-SEM and CLSM. This situation helped to hold a percolating 3D oil droplet network, which facilitated the formation of Pickering HIPEs with viscoelasticity, excellent thixotropy (>91.0%), and storage stability. Curcumin in HIPEs was well protected from UV-induced degradation and endowed HIPEs with ideal oxidant stability. Fabricated Pickering HIPEs possess a charming application prospect in foods and the pharmaceutical industry.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
This work attempted to engineer emulsions’ interface using the special affinity between proline-rich gliadin and proanthocyanidins (PA), to develop surfactant-free antioxidant Pickering emulsions ...with digestive-resistant properties. This binding interaction between gliadin and PA benefited the interfacial adsorption of the particles to corn oil droplets. Pickering droplets as building units assembled into an interconnected three-dimensional network structure, giving the emulsions viscoelasticity and ultrastability. Oxidative markers in Pickering emulsions were periodically monitored under thermally accelerated storage. Lipid digestion and oxidation fates were characterized using in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) models. The interfacial membrane constructed by antioxidant particles served as a valid barrier against lipid oxidation and digestion, in a PA dose-dependent manner. Briefly, lipid oxidation under storage and simulated GI tract was retarded. Free fatty acid (FFA) fraction released decreased by 55% from 87.9% (bulk oil) to 39.5% (Pickering emulsion), implying engineering interfacial architecture potentially benefited to fight obesity. This study opens a facile strategy to tune lipid oxidation and digestion profiles through the cooperation of the Pickering principle and the interfacial delivery of antioxidants.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
The effects of the second phases on corrosion resistance of AZ91-xGd alloys treated with ultrasonic vibration were revealed by morphological observation, hydrogen evolution and weight loss methods, ...potentiodynamic polarization measurement, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The addition of Gd led to the formation of many fine Al2Gd/Al–Mn–Gd particles that consumed Al and reduced the volume fraction of β-Mg17Al12 phase. Meanwhile, the β-Mg17Al12 phase morphology in ultrasound-treated AZ91-Gd alloys changed from semi-continuous reticular structure to rod-shaped and granular structure. The ultrasound-treated AZ91–1.0 wt% Gd alloy with fine granular β-Mg17Al12 phase and Al2Gd/Al–Mn–Gd particles showed better corrosion resistance than other ultrasound-treated alloys. Micro-galvanic corrosion was formed and rapidly extended to the matrix alloy interior along local coarser reticular β-Mg17Al12 phase, then causing localized serious corrosion. The finer and dispersed rod-shaped β-Mg17Al12 phase and Al2Gd/Al-Mn-Gd particles led to micro-galvanic corrosion uniformly distribute on the surface of alloys, and formed a uniform corrosion layer with 18 μm thickness.
•The second phases in the AZ91-Gd alloys were markedly refined by ultrasonic treated.•The Al2Gd phase with 0.3945 nm interplanar spacing was characterized by HRTEM.•The finer β and Al2Gd phases obviously improved corrosion resistance of AZ91 alloys.•Local serious corrosion extended to the matrix alloy interior along coarser β phase.•A uniform corrosion layer with 18 μm thickness was formed in ultrasonic AZ91-Gd alloy.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents (GBCAs) have been widely used for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. GBCAs or AIS alone may cause the adverse effects on kidney tissue, respectively. However, ...whether GBCAs and AIS would generate a synergistic negative effect remains undefined.
To evaluate synergistic negative effects of AIS and GBCAs on renal tissues in a mouse model of AIS, and to compare the differences of these negative effects between linear and macrocyclic GBCAs.
Animal study.
Seventy-two healthy mice underwent transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) and sham operation to establish AIS and sham model (N = 36/model). 5.0 mmol/kg GBCAs (gadopentetate or gadobutrol) or 250 μL saline were performed at 4.5 hours and 1 day after model establishing (N = 12/group).
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was performed to detect Gd concentrations. Serum biochemical analyzer was performed to measure the serum creatinine (Scr), uric acid (UA), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Pathological staining was performed to observe tubular injury, cell apoptosis, mesangial hyperplasia, and interstitial fibrosis.
Two-way analysis of variances with post hoc Sidak's tests and independent-samples t-tests were performed. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
AIS groups showed higher Gd concentration than sham group on day 1 p.i. regardless of gadopentetate or gadobutrol used. Increased total Gd concentration was also found in AIS + gadopentetate group compared with the sham group on day 28 p.i. Significantly higher rates for renal dysfunction, higher tubular injury scores, and higher numbers of apoptotic cells on days 1 or 28 p.i. were found for AIS mice injected with GBCA. AIS + gadopentetate group displayed more severe renal damage than the AIS + gadobutrol group.
AIS and GBCAs may cause increased total Gd accumulation and nephrotoxicity in a mouse, especially linear GBCAs were used.
1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 4.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Pickering high internal-phase emulsions (HIPEs) and porous materials derived from the Pickering HIPEs have received increased attention in various research fields. Nevertheless, nondegradable ...inorganic and synthetic stabilizers present toxicity risks, thus greatly limiting their wider applications. In this work, we successfully developed nontoxic porous materials through the Pickering HIPE-templating process without chemical reactions. The obtained porous materials exhibited appreciable absorption capacity to corn oil and reached the state of saturated absorption within 3 min. The Pickering HIPE templates were stabilized by gliadin–chitosan complex particles (GCCPs), in which the volume fraction of the dispersed phase (90%) was the highest of all reported food-grade-particle-stabilized Pickering HIPEs so far, further contributing to the interconnected pore structure and high porosity (>90%) of porous materials. The interfacial particle barrier (Pickering mechanism) and three-dimensional network formed by the GCCPs in the continuous phase play crucial roles in stabilization of HIPEs with viscoelastic and self-supporting attributes and also facilitate the development of porous materials with designed pore structure. These materials, with favorable biocompatibility and biodegradability, possess excellent application prospects in foods, pharmaceuticals, materials, environmental applications, and so on.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
Background
The prognostic significance of hyperperfusion after reperfusion therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains controversial.
Purpose
To investigate the clinical factors ...associated with hyperperfusion, and the 90‐day prognostic value of hyperperfusion after mechanical thrombectomy in AIS patients.
Study Type
Retrospective.
Population/Subjects
Fifty‐four AIS patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy.
Field Strength/Sequence
Time‐of‐flight MR angiography, pulsed arterial spin labeling (ASL), diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), and susceptibility‐weighted imaging were performed at 3.0T within 1 week after thrombectomy.
Assessment
Clinical factors including demographics, risk factors, stroke and treatment characteristics were collected and assessed. Hyperperfusion on ASL was defined as a focal increased cerebral blood flow on the affected side ≥130% of its mirror counterpart. Good clinical outcome at 90 days was defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2.
Statistical Tests
The interrater agreement was assessed using Cohen's kappa or the intraclass correlation coefficient. The relationship between hyperperfusion and clinical factors were analyzed by appropriate univariate statistics. Predictors of 90‐day functional outcome were assessed by univariate analyses followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver‐operating‐characteristic curves.
Results
Thirty‐six (66.7%) patients developed hyperperfusion on ASL after thrombectomy. Hyperperfusion was significantly correlated with successful recanalization (P < 0.05) and improvement of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at 24 hours (NIHSS24h) (P < 0.05). A higher incidence of hemorrhage transformation was observed in patients with hyperperfusion than those without (63.9% vs. 50.0%), but no significant difference was found (P = 0.327). NIHSS24h (odds ratio OR, 0.75, 95% confidence interval CI 0.62–0.91, P < 0.05), lesion volume on diffusion‐weighted imaging (OR, 0.97, 95% CI 0.95–1.00, P < 0.05), and hyperperfusion on ASL (OR, 9.8, 95% CI 1.7–55.3, P < 0.05) were independent variables for predicting good functional outcomes.
Data Conclusion
Hyperperfusion on ASL correlated with successful recanalization and may be an independent prognostic marker for good neurological outcomes at 90 days in AIS patients after mechanical thrombectomy.
Level of Evidence
4
Technical Efficacy Stage
2
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Besides the well‐documented ophthalmic manifestations, thyroid‐associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is believed to be related to emotional and psychological abnormalities. Given the previous neuroimaging ...evidence, we hypothesized that TAO patients would have altered neurovascular coupling associated with clinical‐psychiatric disturbances. This study was to investigate neurovascular coupling changes in TAO by combining resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) techniques. Amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was calculated from rs‐fMRI, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) was computed from ASL in 37 TAO patients and 21 healthy controls (HCs). Global neurovascular coupling was assessed by across‐voxel CBF‐ALFF correlation, and regional neurovascular coupling was evaluated by CBF/ALFF ratio. Auxiliary analyses were performed using fractional ALFF (fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) as rs‐fMRI measures. Compared with HCs, TAO patients showed significantly reduced global CBF‐ALFF coupling. Moreover, TAO patients exhibited decreased CBF/ALFF ratio in the left lingual gyrus (LG)/fusiform gyrus (FFG), and increased CBF/ALFF ratio in the bilateral precuneus (PCu). In TAOs, CBF/ALFF ratio in the left LG/FFG was positively correlated with visual acuity, while CBF/ALFF ratio in the bilateral PCu was negatively correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment score. The auxiliary analyses showed trends of reduced global neurovascular coupling (i.e., CBF‐fALFF correlation and CBF‐ReHo correlation), as well as significant altered regional neurovascular coupling (i.e., CBF/fALFF ratio and CBF/ReHo ratio) in several brain regions. These findings indicated that TAO patients had altered neurovascular coupling in the visual and higher‐order cognitive cortices. The neurovascular decoupling might be a possible neuropathological mechanism of TAO.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Rockfill materials undergo additional deformation when immersed in water under constant-stress conditions. This phenomenon caused by flooding is called wetting deformation. Researchers have ...investigated wetting deformation via many factors through laboratory tests on scaled materials. However, the size effect on wetting deformation has seldom been studied due to the limited size of test equipment. To investigate this topic, a set of single-particle crushing tests was conducted on Gushui rockfill materials under wet and dry conditions, and triaxial wetting tests of samples with different grain sizes under constant confining pressure and stress ratio conditions were simulated by discrete element method (DEM). The single-particle crushing tests showed that wetting significantly reduced particle strength and stiffness and that particle strength decreased with increasing particle size. The stress-strain curves obtained by the DEM simulations were in good agreement with the experimental results. The wetting deformation of the large-sized sample was larger than that of the small-sized sample, especially under a high stress ratio and confining pressure. The wetting volumetric and axial strains had a linear relationship during flooding, and their ratio was greatly affected by the stress ratio. The size effect on wetting behavior should not be ignored, especially for high-rockfill dams.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
