Urine Metabolomic Profile of Breast- versus Formula-Fed Neonates Using a Synbiotic-Enriched Formula

The aim of this study was to compare the urine metabolic fingerprint of healthy neonates exclusively breastfed with that of neonates fed with a synbiotic-enriched formula (Rontamil^® Complete 1) at four time points (the 3rd and 15th days of life and the 2nd and 3rd months). The determination of urine metabolic fingerprint was performed using NMR metabolomics. Multivariate data analyses were performed with SIMCA-P 15.0 software and R language. Non-distinct profiles for both groups (breastfeeding and synbiotic formula) for the two first time points (3rd and 15th days of life) were detected, whereas after the 2nd month of life, a discrimination trend was observed between the two groups, which was further confirmed at the 3rd month of life. A clear discrimination of the synbiotic formula samples was evident when comparing the metabolites taken in the first days of life (3rd day) with those taken in the 2nd and 3rd months of life. In both cases, OPLS-DA models explained more than 75% of the metabolic variance. Non-distinct metabolomic profiles were obtained between breastfed and synbiotic-formula-fed neonates up to the 15th day of life. Discrimination trends were observed only after the 2nd month of the study, which could be attributed to breastfeeding variations and the consequent dynamic profile of urine metabolites compared to the stable ingredients of the synbiotic formula.     

DNA replication in the fission yeast: robustness in the face of uncertainty

DNA replication, the process of duplication of a cell's genetic content, must be carried out with great precision every time the cell divides, so that genetic information is preserved. Control mechanisms must ensure that every base of the genome is replicated within the allocated time (S-phase) and only once per cell cycle, thereby safeguarding genomic integrity. In eukaryotes, replication starts from many points along the chromosome, termed origins of replication, and then proceeds continuously bidirectionally until an opposing moving fork is encountered. In contrast to bacteria, where a specific site on the genome serves as an origin in every cell division, in most eukaryotes origin selection appears highly stochastic: many potential origins exist, of which only a subset is selected to fire in any given cell, giving rise to an apparently random distribution of initiation events across the genome. Origin states change throughout the cell cycle, through the ordered formation and modification of origin-associated multisubunit protein complexes. State transitions are governed by fluctuations of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity and guards in these transitions ensure system memory. We present here DNA replication dynamics, emphasizing recent data from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and discuss how robustness may be ensured in spite of (or even assisted by) system randomness.     

Exhausted but Not Senescent T Lymphocytes Predominate in Lupus Nephritis Patients

Lupus nephritis (LN), a chronic inflammatory disease, is characterized by the substantial disruption of immune homeostasis. This study examines its effects on the T lymphocyte phenotype and, particularly, its senescence- and exhaustion-related immune alterations. T cell subpopulations were determined with flow cytometry in 30 LN patients and 20 healthy controls (HCs), according to the expression of senescence- (CD45RA, CCR7, CD31, CD28, CD57), and exhaustion- (PD1) related markers. The immune phenotype was associated with disease activity and renal histology. LN patients were characterized by pronounced lymphopenia, mainly affecting the CD4 compartment, with a concurrent reduction in the naïve, central and effector memory subsets compared to the HCs. In the CD8 compartment, the naïve subsets were significantly lower than that of the HCs, but a shift in the T cells occurred towards the central memory population. CD4+PD1+ and CD8+PD1+ cells were increased in the LN patients compared to the HCs. However, in CD4 T cells, the increase was limited to CD45RA+, whereas in CD8 T cells, both CD45RA+ and CD45RA− subsets were affected. Disease activity was correlated with CD4+PD1+ and highly differentiated CD4+CD28-CD57+ cells. Histology was only associated with CD4 T cell disturbances, with stage IV presenting reduced naïve and increased senescent subsets. Exhausted T lymphocyte subpopulations predominate within LN patients, while the T cell phenotype varies depending on disease activity.     

Chalcopyrite thin film solar cells by electrodeposition

This paper reviews the state of the art in using electrodeposition to prepare chalcopyrite absorber layers in thin film solar cells. Most of the studies deal with the direct preparation of Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ films, and show that the introduction of gallium in the films is now becoming possible from single bath containing all the elements. Electrodeposition can also be used to form precursor films with stacked layer structures, of pure elements or of combinations with binary or even ternary films. Thermal annealing treatments are of dramatic importance to provide suitable electronic quality to the layers. They are often done in the presence of a chalcogen (selenium or sulfur) over pressure and there is a tendency to use rapid thermal processes. Less studies are devoted to complete solar cell formation. Significant progresses have been made in the recent period with several groups achieving cell efficiencies around 8–10% on different substrates. A record efficiency of 11.3% is reported for a cell with an absorber presenting a band gap of 1.47 eV. First results on the manufacturability of the corresponding process to large areas are presented.     

Highly dispersed carbon nanotube reinforced cement based materials

The remarkable mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT) suggest that they are ideal candidates for high performance cementitious composites. The major challenge however, associated with the incorporation of CNTs in cement based materials is poor dispersion. In this study, effective dispersion of different length multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in water was achieved by applying ultrasonic energy and in combination with the use of a surfactant. The effects of ultrasonic energy and surfactant concentration on the dispersion of MWCNTs at an amount of 0.08 wt.% of cement were investigated. It is shown that for proper dispersion the application of ultrasonic energy is absolutely required and for complete dispersion there exists an optimum weight ratio of surfactant to CNTs. For a constant ratio of surfactant to MWCNTs, the effects of MWCNT type (short and long) and concentration on the fracture properties, nanoscale properties and microstructure of nanocomposite materials were also studied. Results suggest that MWCNTs improve the nano- and macromechanical properties of cement paste.     

Highly concentrated carbon nanotube admixture for nano-fiber reinforced cementitious materials

The use of effectively dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/aqueous/surfactant suspensions in cement based materials have been shown to substantially improve their mechanical properties. The produced MWCNT suspensions have a high aqueous content, which corresponds to the mixing water. In the present work, a method for preparing highly concentrated MWCNT suspensions is presented, thus reducing the volume of the resulting admixture that is required in cement based materials. A centrifugal process, that uses two different ultracentrifuge rotors, was employed to reduce the quantity of water in the suspensions. Optical absorbance spectroscopy shows that the ultracentrifugation process increases the concentration of the MWCNT suspensions by a factor of 5. Using the highly concentrated MWCNT suspensions following dilution results in nanocomposites with mechanical properties that are comparable to the performance of samples prepared using the non-concentrated suspensions. These results verify that the ultracentrifugation concentration method successfully preserves the solubility of the MWCNT suspensions without affecting the reinforcing properties of the admixture. In this manner, the ultracentrifugation concentration method may constitute an effective preparation step for large-scale implementation of MWCNT admixtures.     

Volatile organic compounds of mountainous plant species and the produced milk as affected by altitude in Greece: A preliminary study

The objective of this study was to characterise the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profile of plant species, bulk forage grazed by sheep and produced milk at different mountainous areas of Greece. The most abundant plant species of vegetation at 800 m (hill‐land) and 1300 m (highland) altitude, bulk forage and milk samples, were collected. The VOCs profiles of the plant species and milk varied. Common VOCs in milk from both areas were identified, whereas others were discriminatory for each area. Overall, the VOCs composition of mountainous milk could provide a basis for Feta cheese identification with its region.     

Loading and Delivery of Anticancer Drugs using Montmorillonite

This study aimed to investigate in vitro the montmorillonite (MMT) as carrier for gemcitabine hydrochloride (dFdU.HCl) and oxaliplatin (DACH‐Pt). The maximum adsorption capacities of MMT and their respective mechanisms were determined through a soaking procedure (387.5 mg dFdU.HCl/g MMT were adsorbed in 32 h, 83 mg DACH‐Pt/g MMT in 48 h). Release kinetics studies were carried out soaking the samples of loaded MMT in simulated body fluids (SBF). Finally, in an attempt to explain the mechanism of drug delivery, the chemical interactions were studied theoretically, according to the adsorption and release profiles.     

Adsorption and release of gemcitabine hydrochloride and oxaliplatin by hydroxyapatite

The aim of this study was to investigate the adsorption and the release profile of two anticancer drugs, gemcitabine hydrochloride (dFdU.HCl) and oxaliplatin (DACH-Pt), from hydroxyapatite (HAP) in order to evaluate HAP as local drug delivery system (DDS). Various initial concentrations of drug aqueous solutions were used in order to determine the maximum adsorption capacity of HAP after 48 h shaking. The maximum adsorption capacity of dFdU.HCl (400 mg/g HAP) was achieved after 40 h while the maximum adsorption capacity of DACH-Pt (49.1 mg/g HAP) was accomplished after 20 h. Adsorption processes for both drugs were found to fit the Freundlich equation. The release processes were studied by soaking the samples of loaded HAP in simulation body fluids (SBF). After only 1 h 65% of dFdU.HCl was released while the release of DACH-Pt from the HAP was more gradual since 55% of DACH-Pt was released in the first 24 h. Finally, in an attempt to understand the molecular basis of the drug action, the chemical interactions involved in the complex processes of drug delivery were studied theoretically.