Vitamin E is considered a powerful biological antioxidant; however, its characteristics such as high hydrophobicity and low stability limit its application. We propose to use nanotechnology as an ...innovative tool in spermatology, formulating nanoemulsions (NE) that accommodate vitamin E, protecting it from oxidation and promoting its release into the medium. The protective effect of the NE against oxidative stress was assessed in red deer epididymal sperm incubated at 37 °C. Cryopreserved sperm from eleven stags were thawed and extended to 400 × 106 sperm/ml in Bovine Gamete Medium (BGM). Once aliquoted, the samples were supplemented with the NE at different concentrations (0, 6 and 12 mM), with or without induced oxidative stress (100 μM Fe2+/ascorbate). The samples were evaluated after 0, 2 and 4 h of incubation at 37 °C. Motility (CASA), viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, acrosomal status, lipoperoxidation (C11 BODIPY 581/591), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA status (SCSA®) were assessed. After 2 and 4 h of incubation, the NE were able to prevent the deleterious effects of oxidative stress, thus improving total and progression motility (P ˂0.05). Moreover, the highest concentration tested (12 mM) improved almost every sperm kinematic variable (P ˂0.05) and preserved sperm viability in samples subjected to oxidative stress. In addition, 12 mM of NE protected the acrosomes integrity, maintained and protected mitochondrial activity, prevented sperm lipoperoxidation and reduced ROS production (P ˂0.05) in samples subjected to oxidative stress. This work indicates for the first time that vitamin E formulated in NE could be a new approach against sperm oxidative damage. This could be highly relevant for sperm physiology preservation in the context of assisted reproduction techniques.
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The piezoresistive response of multiscale composite laminates under monotonic and cyclic flexural loading was experimentally investigated herein. For that purpose, unidirectional glass fibers were ...coated with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by spray coating technique in order to create electrically percolated networks into composites. Then three-point bending tests and electrical resistance measurements were simultaneously conducted on both tensile and compressive sides of the beam-type specimens. The results of the electromechanical tests indicated that the multiscale composite laminates show good piezoresistive sensing characteristics with excellent cyclic stability and reproducibility suitable for in-situ damage detection and strain monitoring through their electrical resistance change. Determination of the gauge factors of specimens with different MWCNTs contents exhibited a significant sensitivity enhancement for composites comprising MWCNTs content higher than 0.5 wt.%. Fractured specimen examination by scanning electron microscopy revealed failure modes mainly located near the top surface of the specimens, being in good agreement with piezoresistive measurements.
Collective electronic modes or lattice vibrations usually prohibit propagation of electromagnetic radiation through the bulk of common materials over a frequency range associated with these ...oscillations. However, this textbook tenet does not necessarily apply to layered crystals. Highly anisotropic materials often display nonintuitive optical properties and can permit propagation of subdiffractional waveguide modes, with hyperbolic dispersion, throughout their bulk. Here, we report on the observation of optically induced electronic hyperbolicity in the layered transition metal dichalcogenide tungsten diselenide (WSe
). We used photoexcitation to inject electron-hole pairs in WSe
and then visualized, by transient nanoimaging, the hyperbolic rays that traveled along conical trajectories inside of the crystal. We establish here the signatures of programmable hyperbolic electrodynamics and assess the role of quantum transitions of excitons within the Rydberg series in the observed polaritonic response.
Ketoacidosis is a potentially lethal condition caused by the imbalance between hepatic production and extrahepatic utilization of ketone bodies. We performed exome sequencing in a patient with ...recurrent, severe ketoacidosis and identified a homozygous frameshift mutation in the gene encoding monocarboxylate transporter 1 (SLC16A1, also called MCT1). Genetic analysis in 96 patients suspected of having ketolytic defects yielded seven additional inactivating mutations in MCT1, both homozygous and heterozygous. Mutational status was found to be correlated with ketoacidosis severity, MCT1 protein levels, and transport capacity. Thus, MCT1 deficiency is a novel cause of profound ketoacidosis; the present work suggests that MCT1-mediated ketone-body transport is needed to maintain acid-base balance.
Immune protection relies on the capacity of neutrophils to infiltrate challenged tissues. Naive tissues, in contrast, are believed to remain free of these cells and protected from their toxic cargo. ...Here, we show that neutrophils are endowed with the capacity to infiltrate multiple tissues in the steady-state, a process that follows tissue-specific dynamics. By focusing in two particular tissues, the intestine and the lungs, we find that neutrophils infiltrating the intestine are engulfed by resident macrophages, resulting in repression of
transcription, reduced G-CSF in plasma, and reinforced activity of distant bone marrow niches. In contrast, diurnal accumulation of neutrophils within the pulmonary vasculature influenced circadian transcription in the lungs. Neutrophil-influenced transcripts in this organ were associated with carcinogenesis and migration. Consistently, we found that neutrophils dictated the diurnal patterns of lung invasion by melanoma cells. Homeostatic infiltration of tissues unveils a facet of neutrophil biology that supports organ function, but can also instigate pathological states.
The composition of the diet (what we eat) has been widely related to the microbiota profile. However, whether the timing of food consumption (when we eat) influences microbiota in humans is unknown. ...A randomized, crossover study was performed in 10 healthy normal‐weight young women to test the effect of the timing of food intake on the human microbiota in the saliva and fecal samples. More specifically, to determine whether eating late alters daily rhythms of human salivary microbiota, we interrogated salivary microbiota in samples obtained at 4 specific time points over 24 h, to achieve a better understanding of the relationship between food timing and metabolic alterations in humans. Results revealed significant diurnal rhythms in salivary diversity and bacterial relative abundance (i.e., TM7 and Fusobacteria) across both early and late eating conditions. More importantly, meal timing affected diurnal rhythms in diversity of salivary microbiota toward an inverted rhythm between the eating conditions, and eating late increased the number of putative proinflammatory taxa, showing a diurnal rhythm in the saliva. In a randomized, crossover study, we showed for the first time the impact of the timing of food intake on human salivary microbiota. Eating the main meal late inverts the daily rhythm of salivary microbiota diversity which may have a deleterious effect on the metabolism of the host.— Collado, M. C., Engen, P. A., Bandíín, C., Cabrera‐Rubio, R., Voigt, R. M., Green, S. J., Naqib, A., Keshavarzian, A., Scheer, F. A. J. L., Garaulet, M. Timing of food intake impacts daily rhythms of human salivary microbiota: a randomized, crossover study. FASEB J. 32, 2060–2072 (2018). www.fasebj.org
Highlights • The small molecule inhibitor of the inflammasome, MC950, attenuates Aβ+LPS-induced inflammasome activation in microglia. • It increases phagocytosis of Aβ by microglia in vitro. • Oral ...administration of MC950, reduces Aβ accumulation in APP/PS1 mice. • This is accompanied by improved cognitive function and decreased neuroinflammation.
The use of fiber-reinforced composites in marine applications such as components of tidal turbines and wave energy converters is becoming attractive because of their reduced weight and improved ...corrosion resistance. However, when these polymer matrix composite structures are exposed to seawater environment, degradation of material properties is produced affecting reliability. A deep understating of seawater ageing effect on composite structures is essential to ensure long-term performance and durability. A systematic investigation was conducted in this work to evaluate the effect of seawater ageing on mechanical properties of five different composites manufactured with two types of fiber fabrics (unidirectional glass and carbon) and three types of resin systems (epoxy, vinylester and polyester). The behavior of samples with and without accelerated seawater ageing and subjected to tensile, compressive, flexural and shear loading was evaluated. A significant strength reduction due to seawater ageing was observed on composites with epoxy and polyester matrices. Low strength and stiffness values of composites with vinylester matrix are in general observed; however, seawater ageing makes these properties increase slightly. Fracture surface examination by scanning electron microscopy revealed delamination, fiber debonding and resin crumbling due to seawater effect.
Summary
Background
Coeliac disease is a substantially underdiagnosed disorder, with clinical testing currently guided by case finding.
Aim
To determine the presence of indications for diagnostic ...testing and frequency of clinical testing in undiagnosed coeliac disease.
Methods
This was a case‐control study of adults without prior diagnosis of coeliac disease. Undiagnosed cases were identified through sequential serology, and unaffected age‐ and gender‐matched controls were selected. Medical records were systematically reviewed for indications for and evidence of clinical testing.
Results
Of 47 557 adults, 408 cases of undiagnosed coeliac disease were identified. 408 serology negative matched controls were selected. Eight‐matched pairs were excluded, leading to 800 included individuals (61% female; median age 44.2 years). The odds of any indication for clinical testing were similar among undiagnosed coeliac disease and controls (odds ratio (OR) 1.18; 95% CI: 0.85‐1.63, P = 0.32). Most individual indications were not associated with serologic status. Exceptions to this include hypothyroidism, which was more likely in cases of undiagnosed coeliac disease, and dyspepsia and chronic diarrhoea, which were less likely. Cases of undiagnosed coeliac disease were more likely to develop osteoporosis (P = 0.005), dermatitis herpetiformis (P = 0.006), chronic fatigue (P = 0.033), thyroiditis (P = 0.003), autoimmune diseases (P = 0.008), and have a family member diagnosed with coeliac disease (P = 0.001).
Conclusion
This study strongly suggests that current case finding is not effective in detecting undiagnosed coeliac disease. Individuals with undiagnosed coeliac disease were more likely than controls to develop indications for testing overtime. A more effective method for detection of coeliac disease is needed.
Linked ContentThis article is linked to Lebwohl and Green paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14670.
Is the DuoStim strategy an effective alternative to two conventional ovarian stimulation cycles in poor-prognosis patients undergoing preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) to ...improve euploidy rates and obtain the first euploid embryo in less time?
This randomized controlled trial was performed at IVI Madrid between June 2017 and December 2020 and included 80 patients with a suboptimal profile aged 38 or older undergoing PGT-A cycles. Patients were blindly randomized into two groups: 39 women underwent two ovarian stimulations in consecutive cycles (control group), whereas the double stimulation strategy was applied to 41 women (DuoStim group). The main outcome was the euploidy rate in each group. The secondary outcomes were the time it took to obtain a euploid embryo and the main cycle outcomes.
The baseline characteristics of the patients were similar. No differences were found between the control group and the DuoStim group in the mean days of stimulation (21.3 ± 1.6 versus 23.0 ± 1.4, P = 0.10), total gonadotrophins (4005 ± 450 versus 4245 ± 430, P = 0.43), metaphase II oocytes (8.7 ± 1.8 versus 6.8 ± 1.7, P = 0.15) or euploid embryos obtained (0.8 ± 0.4 versus 0.6 ± 0.4, P = 0.45). The euploid rate per randomized patient (ITT) was 16.1% in the control group versus 22.7% in the DuoStim group, with P-values of 0.371, and the euploidy rate per patient treated was 39.0% versus 45.7% in the control versus DuoStim groups. However, there was a significant difference in the average number of days it took to obtain a euploid blastocyst, favouring the DuoStim group (44.1 ± 2.0 versus 23.3 ± 2.8, P < 0.001).
The use of the DuoStim strategy in poor-prognosis patients undergoing PGT-A cycles maintains a similar euploidy rate while reducing the time required to obtain a euploid blastocyst.
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