Orange juice is a rich source of (poly)phenols, in particular, the flavanones hesperetin-7-O-rutinoside and naringenin-7-O-rutinoside. Following the acute consumption of 500 mL of orange juice ...containing 398 μmol of (poly)phenols by 12 volunteers, 0–24 h plasma and urine samples were analyzed by targeted high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry in order to identify flavanone metabolites and phenolic acid and aromatic catabolites. A total of 19 flavanone metabolitescomprising di-O-glucuronide, O-glucuronide, O-glucuronyl-sulfate, and sulfate derivatives of hesperetin, naringenin, and eriodictyoland 65 microbial-derived phenolic catabolites, such as phenylpropanoid, phenylpropionic, phenylacetic, benzoic, and hydroxycarboxylic acids and benzenetriol and benzoylglycine derivatives, including free phenolics and phase II sulfate, glucuronide, and methyl metabolites, were identified or partially identified in plasma and/or urine samples. The data obtained provide a detailed evaluation of the fate of orange juice (poly)phenols as they pass through the gastrointestinal tract and are absorbed into the circulatory system prior to renal excretion. Potential pathways for these conversions are proposed.
The improvement of rechargeable zinc/air batteries was a hot topic in recent years. Predominantly, the influence of water and additives on the structure of the Zn deposit and the possible dendrite ...formation were studied. However, the effect of the surface structure of the underlying substrate was not focused on in detail, yet. We now show the differences in electrochemical deposition of Zn onto Au(111) and Au(100) from the ionic liquid N‐methyl‐N‐propylpiperidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide. The fundamental processes were initially characterized via cyclic voltammetry and in situ scanning tunnelling microscopy. Bulk deposits were then examined using Auger electron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Different structures of Zn deposits are observed during the initial stages of electrocrystallisation on both electrodes, which reveals the strong influence of the crystallographic orientation on the metal deposition of zinc on gold.
The differences of the electrochemical deposition of Zn onto Au(111) and Au(100) from the ionic liquid N‐methyl‐N‐propylpiperidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide are presented. The clearly different structures of the deposits on both gold single crystal electrodes reveal a strong influence of the crystallographic orientation on the metal deposition of zinc.
Three-dimensional tumor models accurately describe different aspects of the tumor microenvironment and are readily available for mechanistic studies of tumor biology and for drug screening. ...Nevertheless, these systems often overlook biomechanical stimulation, another fundamental driver of tumor progression. To address this issue, we cultured Ewing sarcoma (ES) cells on electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) 3D scaffolds within a flow perfusion bioreactor. Flow-derived shear stress provided a physiologically relevant mechanical stimulation that significantly promoted insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) production and elicited a superadditive release in the presence of exogenous IGF1. This finding is particularly relevant, given the central role of the IGF1/IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) pathway in ES tumorigenesis and as a promising clinical target. Additionally, flow perfusion enhanced in a rate-dependent manner the sensitivity of ES cells to IGF-1R inhibitor dalotuzumab (MK-0646) and showed shear stress-dependent resistance to the IGF-1R blockade. This study demonstrates shear stress-dependent ES cell sensitivity to dalotuzumab, highlighting the importance of biomechanical stimulation on ES-acquired drug resistance to IGF-1R inhibition. Furthermore, flow perfusion increased nutrient supply throughout the scaffold, enriching ES culture over static conditions. Our use of a tissue-engineered model, rather than human tumors or xenografts, enabled precise control of the forces experienced by ES cells, and therefore provided at least one explanation for the remarkable antineoplastic effects observed by some ES tumor patients from IGF-1R targeted therapies, in contrast to the lackluster effect observed in cells grown in conventional monolayer culture.
Ultrathin single-crystalline RuO2(110) films supported on Ru(0001) are employed as model electrodes to extract kinetic information about the industrially important chlorine evolution reaction (CER) ...in a 5M concentrated NaCl solution under well-defined electrochemical conditions and variable temperatures. A combination of chronoamperometry (CA) and online electrochemical mass spectrometry (OLEMS) experiments provides insight into the selectivity issue: At pH = 0.9, the CER dominates over oxygen evolution, whereas at pH = 3.5, oxygen evolution and other parasitic side reactions contribute mostly to the total current density. From temperature-dependent CA data for pH = 0.9, we determine the apparent free activation energy of the CER over RuO2(110) to be 0.91 eV, which compares reasonably well with the theoretical value of 0.79 eV derived from first-principles microkinetics. The experimentally determined apparent free activation energy of 0.91 eV is considered as a benchmark for assessing future improved theoretical modeling from first principles.
Plants are constantly exposed to environmental changes and have to integrate a variety of biotic and abiotic stress stimuli. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are implicated as important ...sensors of Ca(2+) flux in plants in response to these stresses. CDPKs are encoded by multigene families, and expression levels of these genes are spatially and temporally controlled throughout development. In addition, a subset of CDPK genes responds to external stimuli. Biochemical evidence supports the idea that CDPKs are involved in signal transduction during stress conditions. Furthermore, loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies revealed that signalling pathways leading to cold, salt, drought or pathogen resistance are mediated by specific CDPK isoforms
•Small Zr additions to Cu led to significant lattice parameter anisotropy in the as-deposited Cu100−X-ZrX (2.5 at% ≤ x ≤ 5.5 at%) alloy thin films.•XRD line profile analysis confirmed progressive ...generation of dislocations and planar faults with increasing Zr content in Cu-Zr alloy films.•The observed microstructural changes led to the generation of tensile stresses and stress gradients in the Cu-Zr thin films.
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Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were employed to study the microstructure evolution and stress development in the nanocrystalline Cu100−X-ZrX (2.5 at% ≤ x ≤ 5.5 at%) alloy thin films. Small Zr additions to Cu led to significant lattice parameter anisotropy in the as-deposited Cu-Zr thin films both due to macroscopic lattice strain and stacking faults in the Cu matrix. Strain free lattice parameters obtained after the XRD stress analysis of Cu-Zr thin films confirmed formation of a supersaturated substitutional Cu-Zr solid solution. For the first time, the study of film microstructure by XRD line profile analysis (XLPA) confirmed progressive generation of dislocations and planar faults with increasing Zr composition in Cu-Zr alloy films. These microstructural changes led to the generation of tensile stresses in the thin films along with considerable stress gradients across the films thicknesses which are quantified by the traditional dψhkl−Sin2ψ and GIXRD stress measurement methods. The origin of tensile stresses and stress gradients in the Cu-Zr film are discussed on the basis of film growth and heterogeneous microstructure with changing Zr composition.
The goal of (eco-) toxicological testing is to experimentally establish a dose or concentration–response and to identify a threshold with a biologically relevant and probably non-random deviation ...from “normal”. Statistical tests aid this process. Most statistical tests have distributional assumptions that need to be satisfied for reliable performance. Therefore, most statistical analyses used in (eco-)toxicological bioassays use subsequent pre- or assumption-tests to identify the most appropriate main test, so-called statistical decision trees. There are however several deficiencies with the approach, based on study design, type of tests used and subsequent statistical testing in general. When multiple comparisons are used to identify a non-random change against negative control, we propose to use robust testing, which can be generically applied without the need of decision trees. Visualization techniques and reference ranges also offer advantages over the current pre-testing approaches. We aim to promulgate the concepts in the (eco-) toxicological community and initiate a discussion for regulatory acceptance.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of blindness in premature and low birth weight infants. Here, the authors examine the incidence of ROP in the United States and evaluate risk ...factors associated with ROP development.
The National Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database was queried for all newborns with and without ROP. Adjusted odds ratios were constructed for predictors of ROP using multivariate logistic regression modeling.
The incidence of ROP increased from 14.70% in 2000 to 19.88% in 2012. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that female gender, birth weight, and gestational age predicted ROP. The frequency of ROP was 2.40% in newborns weighing more than 2,500 grams (g) and 30.22% in newborns with a birth weight between 750 g and 999 g.
The authors' report examines a nationwide cohort of ROP infants and reveals an increase in the incidence of ROP from 2000 to 2012. This trend is inversely related to a simultaneous decline in newborn mortality. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina . 2017;48:553-562..
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION
Are there any differences in the pubertal development and reproductive hormone status during adolescence between singletons following ICSI therapy or spontaneous conception ...(SC)?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Pubertal development and reproductive hormone levels are largely similar between ICSI and SC adolescents, except for a tendency towards lower inhibin B levels as well as significantly higher estradiol levels and a lower testosterone-to-estradiol-ratio in male adolescents.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Previous data are scarce and partly inconclusive regarding pubertal development in female ICSI adolescents as well as demonstrating a tendency towards lower inhibin B serum levels in male ICSI offspring.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
Prospective controlled study including 274 singleton ICSI-conceived adolescents (141 girls, 133 boys) followed up for the third time, and 273 SC controls (142 girls, 131 boys) from seven German registration offices (Aachen, Eichstätt, Erfurt, Lübeck, Hamburg, Heidelberg and Schwerin).
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Pubertal development assessed by Tanner staging (breast, genital and pubic hair development), age at menarche and reproductive hormone levels were analyzed in ICSI and SC adolescents at the mean age of 16.5 years. Differences were analyzed by multinomial regression (Tanner stages) or t test and linear regression for hormonal assessments.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Both female and male ICSI and SC adolescents showed adequate pubertal maturation according to their age, and the mean age at menarche (at 12.7 versus 12.8 years) was similar. Tanner stages as well did not display any relevant or significant differences between the groups. Reproductive hormone levels in female adolescents not using hormonal contraception were largely similar before and after adjustment for several factors such as preterm birth, Tanner stages, BMI or physical activity. In male ICSI adolescents, a tendency towards lower inhibin B (−14.8 pg/ml, 95% CI: −34.2 to 4.6 pg/ml), significantly higher estradiol (2.6 ng/l, 95% CI: 0.0 to 5.2 ng/l) and a significantly lower testosterone-to estradiol ratio (−0.047, 95% CI: −0.089 to −0.004) was found.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
The all-over response rate and the willingness to participate in the blood test and medical examination were very low in the control group. Participating control families may have greater health awareness, and selection bias cannot be ruled out. Hormonal data in the females were measured irrespective of the cycle day and restricted to those not using hormonal contraception. Some parameters from the questionnaire data such as usage of hormonal contraception might suffer from reporting bias. As this is an observational study, we can draw only limited causal conclusions from the findings.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Differences in male reproductive hormones may indicate altered testicular function. However, at this time possible consequences for later reproductive success are unknown.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
DFG research grant KA 1643/4-1. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
To date, no specific marker exists for the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTC) from different types of sarcomas, though tools are available for detection of CTCs in peripheral blood of ...patients with cancer for epithelial cancers. Here, we report cell-surface vimentin (CSV) as an exclusive marker on sarcoma CTC regardless of the tissue origin of the sarcoma as detected by a novel monoclonal antibody. Utilizing CSV as a probe, we isolated and enumerated sarcoma CTCs with high sensitivity and specificity from the blood of patients bearing different types of sarcoma, validating their phenotype by single cell genomic amplification, mutation detection, and FISH. Our results establish the first universal and specific CTC marker described for enumerating CTCs from different types of sarcoma, thereby providing a key prognosis tool to monitor cancer metastasis and relapse.
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