Milk from cows fed a diet with a high forage:concentrate ratio improves inflammatory state,oxidative stress,and mitochondrial function in rats

Excessive energy intake may evoke complex biochemical processes characterized by inflammation, oxidative stress, and impairment of mitochondrial function that represent the main factors underlying noncommunicable diseases. Because cow milk is widely used for human nutrition and in food industry processing, the nutritional quality of milk is of special interest with respect to human health. In our study, we analyzed milk produced by dairy cows fed a diet characterized by a high forage:concentrate ratio (high forage milk, HFM). In view of the low n-6:n-3 ratio and high content of conjugated linoleic acid of HFM, we studied the effects of this milk on lipid metabolism, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress in a rat model. To this end, we supplemented for 4 wk the diet of male Wistar rats with HFM and with an isocaloric amount (82 kJ, 22 mL/d) of milk obtained from cows fed a diet with low forage:concentrate ratio, and analyzed the metabolic parameters of the animals. Our results indicate that HFM may positively affect lipid metabolism, leptin:adiponectin ratio, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress, providing the first evidence of the beneficial effects of HFM on rat metabolism.     

Application of the novel Droplet digital PCR technology for identification of meat species

The authenticity and traceability of meat products are issues of primary importance to ensure food safety. Unfortunately, food adulteration (e.g. the addition of inexpensive cuts to minced meat products) and mislabelling (e.g. the inclusion of meat from species other than those declared) happens frequently worldwide. The aim of this study was to apply a droplet digital PCR assay for the detection and quantification (copies μL⁻¹) of the beef, pork, horse, sheep, chicken and turkey in meat products. The analysis conducted on commercial meat showed the presence of traces of DNA from other animal species than those declared. We show that the method is highly sensitive, specific and accurate (accuracy = 100%). This method could be adopted by competent food safety authorities to verify compliance with the labelling of meat products and to ensure quality and safety throughout the meat supply chain, from primary production to consumption.     

To treat or not to treat: comparison of different criteria used to determine whether weight loss is to be recommended

Background  

Excess body fat is a major risk factor for disease primarily due to its endocrine activity. In recent years several criteria have been introduced to evaluate this factor. Nevertheless, treatment need is currently assessed only on the basis of an individual's Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated as body weight (in kg) divided by height in m². The aim of our study was to determine whether application of the BMI, compared to adiposity-based criteria, results in underestimation of the number of subjects needing lifestyle intervention.     

A neural network architecture for understanding discrete three-dimensional scenes in medical imaging.

Magnetic resonance and computed tomography produce sets of tomograms which are termed discrete 3D scenes. Usually, discrete 3D scenes are analyzed in two dimensions by observing each tomogram on a screen so that the three-dimensional information contained in the scene can be recovered only partially and qualitatively. The three-dimensional reconstruction of the shape of biological structures from discrete 3D scenes would allow a complete and quantitative recovery of the available information, but this task has proved hard for conventional processing techniques. In this paper we present a system architecture based on neural networks for the fully automated segmentation and recognition of structures of interest in discrete 3D scenes. The system includes a retina and two main processing modules, an Attention-Focuser System and a Region-Finder System, which have been implemented by using feed-forward nets trained with the back-propagation algorithm. This architecture has been tested on computer-simulated structures and has been applied to the reconstruction of the spinal cord and the brain from sets of tomograms.     

High-electric-field effects and degradation of AlGaAs/GaAs power HFETs: a numerical study

This work presents a numerical study of high-field degradation and reliability issues of AlGaAs/GaAs power HFETs. A commercial two-dimensional drift–diffusion tool is used to investigate electric-field distributions, the effects of electron capture at the device surface under hot-carrier conditions, and the impact of drain recess scaling on such effects. Wherever experimental data are available for direct comparison, a good match is observed with our simulations. The main results of this study are (1) a validation of the hypothesis that attributes the main high-field degradation effects to electron capture over the gate–drain access region, and (2) design indications pointing out to the possibility of a reverse correlation between the gate–drain breakdown voltage and the device hot-carrier reliability.     

Development of spontaneous classificatory behavior in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Investigated the development of spontaneous classificatory behavior in 5 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) tested at different ages and analyzed Ss' spontaneous constructive interactions with sets of logically structured objects. The results show that chimpanzees possess a natural capacity to react to similarities and differences among test stimuli and construct classes. The general progression of their classificatory development is very similar to that reported for human infants from 6 to 24 mo. In both species, classification progresses from constructing single classes by different properties of objects to constructing single classes by similar or identical properties of objects. In addition, like humans, older chimpanzees spontaneously coordinate relations of similarities between sets and construct 2 class-consistent groupings. Chimpanzees' results are compared with those from a similar study with capuchins and macaques. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Energy oscillations in electron transport across a triangularbarrier

Carrier transport across the semiconductor space-charge region of a silicon triangular barrier diode was investigated by a Monte Carlo simulation. Oscillations of the electron mean kinetic energy are observed as a function of position along the uphill slope of the barrier under bias. At a given point on the uphill slope, the energy distribution function shows an oscillatory behavior, with a periodicity corresponding to the optical phonon energy. These oscillations are shown to be due to the nonequilibrium dynamics of the electron interaction with optical phonons in the situation when other inelastic electron scattering processes are negligible. The energy oscillations are superimposed on a smooth cooling of the distribution in the transport toward the top of the barrier, as current flows through the system. A comparison with the thermionic theory quantifies the importance of nonequilibrium effects in short-range electronic transport     

Hyperhomocysteinemia and Cardiovascular Disease: Is the Adenosinergic System the Missing Link?

The influence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCy) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear. HHCy is associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis, and it is an independent risk factor for CVD, stroke and myocardial infarction. However, homocysteine (HCy)-lowering therapy does not affect the inflammatory state of CVD patients, and it has little influence on cardiovascular risk. The HCy degradation product hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a cardioprotector. Previous research proposed a positive role of H₂S in the cardiovascular system, and we discuss some recent data suggesting that HHCy worsens CVD by increasing the production of H₂S, which decreases the expression of adenosine A_2A receptors on the surface of immune and cardiovascular cells to cause inflammation and ischemia, respectively.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blocking Pyrroline Derivatives Endowed with Both Antiarrhythmic and Antioxidant Activities

Under the hypothesis that cardioprotective agents might benefit from synergism between antiarrhythmic activity and antioxidant properties, a small series of mexiletine analogues were coupled with the 2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrroline moiety, known for its antioxidant effect, in order to obtain dual-acting drugs potentially useful in the protection of the heart against post-ischemic reperfusion injury. The pyrroline derivatives reported herein were found to be more potent as antiarrhythmic agents than mexiletine and displayed antioxidant activity. The most interesting tetramethylpyrroline congener, a tert-butyl-substituted analogue, was at least 100 times more active as an antiarrhythmic than mexiletine.     

Stereoselective Synthesis and Antiallodynic Activity of 3-Hydroxylated Paroxetines

The design, stereoselective synthesis and in vivo antiallodynic activity of four novel paroxetine analogs, named 3-hydroxy paroxetines (3HPXs), is reported herein. Among the novel synthesized compounds, three showed an antiallodynic effect, while (R,R)-3HPX was found to be 2.5 times more bioactive than (-)-paroxetine itself in neuropathic rats. Consequently, the current investigation not only discloses a novel promising analgesic drug, but also reveals that functionalization at the C3 position of paroxetine could be as effective as the common functionalization at either C4 or within the sesamol group.