Effects of olive oil and its minor phenolic constituents on obesity-induced cardiac metabolic changes

Background

Olive oil and its minor constituents have been recommended as important dietary therapeutic interventions in preventive medicine. However, a question remains to be addressed: what are the effects of olive oil and its phenolic compounds on obesity-induced cardiac metabolic changes?

Methods

Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups (n = 24/group): (C) receiving standard-chow; (Ob) receiving hypercaloric-chow. After 21 days C and Ob groups were divided into four subgroups (n = 6/group):(C) standard-chow and saline; (C-Olive)standard-chow and olive-oil (3.0 g/kg.day); (C-Oleuropein)standard-chow and oleuropein (0.023 mg/kg/day); (C-Cafeic) standard-chow and cafeic-acid (2.66 mg/kg/day); (Ob)receiving hypercaloric-chow and saline;(Ob-Olive) hypercaloric-chow and olive-oil;(Ob-Oleuropein) hypercaloric-chow and oleuropein;(Ob-Cafeic) hypercaloric-chow and cafeic-acid. Treatments were given twice a week during 21 days.

Results

After 42 days, obesity was evidenced in Ob rats from enhanced body-weight, surface-area, and body-mass-index. Energy-expenditure, oxygen consumption(VO₂) and fat-oxidation were lower in Ob-group than in C. Despite no morphometric changes, Ob-Olive, Ob-Oleuropein and Ob-Cafeic groups had higher VO₂, fat-oxidation, myocardial beta-hydroxyacyl coenzyme-A dehydrogenase and lower respiratory-quotient than Ob. Citrate-synthase was highest in Ob-Olive group. Myocardial lipid-hydroperoxide(LH) and antioxidant enzymes were unaffected by olive-oil and its compounds in obesity condition, whereas LH was lower and total-antioxidant-substances were higher in C-Olive and C-Oleuropein than in C.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated for the first time that olive-oil, oleuropein and cafeic-acid enhanced fat-oxidation and optimized cardiac energy metabolism in obesity conditions. Olive oil and its phenolic compounds improved myocardial oxidative stress in standard-fed conditions.

     

Functionalized oligoesters from poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate)s containing reactive end group for click chemistry: Application to novel copolymer synthesis with poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)

Well defined poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) PHAs containing an alkyne end group were prepared in a one step reaction by direct alcoholysis from natural polyesters using propargyl alcohol. The reactions were allowed to proceed with dibutyltin dilaurate as catalyst at different concentrations from 0.5 up to 24% mol/mol of the alcohol. Oligoesters were obtained with molar masses ranging from 44,500 to 2700 g mol⁻¹. Analysis of the MALDI-TOF mass spectra of the obtained oligomers has revealed the presence of alkyne group on one side and hydroxyl end group on the other side when the reaction was conducted in dried chloroform. The reaction rate of oligomer formation was depending on the nature of the PHAs and decreased with the length of the side chains. The Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition has been investigated between the alkyne group of PHAs and 2-azido-2-deoxy-d-glucose or azido-poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (N₃-POXZ). The click reaction allowed the preparation of novel diblock copolymer PHA-b-POXZ soluble in water.     

Analysis of the interface and bond strength of resin-based endodontic cements to root dentin

This study evaluated by scanning electron microscopy the interface between root dentin and resin cements, with or without additional application of a dual-cured one-step self-etching dentin adhesive. In addition, the push-out bond strength of these materials to dentin was evaluated. Root canals of 50 maxillary human canines were subjected to biomechanical preparation and randomly assigned into five groups (n = 10) according to the obturation employed: I. AH Plus/gutta-percha; II. Endo-REZ/gutta-percha; III. Epiphany SE/Resilon; IV. Endo-REZ/gutta-percha + adhesive; and V. Epiphany SE/Resilon + adhesive. After obturation, two cross sections of 1.0 mm of each third of the root were obtained and analyzed by SEM and push-out. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests (α = 5%). Significant differences occurred between scores for gap parameters and tags; greater tag formation resulted for Epiphany SE (P < 0.05). There were also significant differences between groups for the bond strength. AH Plus (1.24 ± 0.70) showed higher values (P < 0.05) compared to groups II (0,17 ± 0.19), III (0.10 ± 0.06), IV (0.09 ± 0.08), and V (0.06 ± 0.03), which were statistically similar (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the root thirds (P > 0.05). It was concluded that the use of a self-etching adhesive system did not improve the adhesion of resin-based sealers to dentin and that AH Plus showed better bond strength when compared to other cements.     

Hydroxyl radical formation and soluble trace metal content in particulate matter from renewable diesel and ultra low sulfur diesel in at-sea operations of a research vessel

Reactive oxygen species, including hydroxyl radicals generated by particles, play a role in both aerosol aging and PM2.5 mediated health effects. We assess the impacts of switching marine vessels from conventional diesel to renewable fuel on the ability of particles to generate hydroxyl radical when extracted in a simulated lung lining fluid or in water at pH 3.5, for samples of engine emissions from a research vessel when operating on ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel (HDRD). Samples were collected during dedicated cruises in 2014 and 2015, including aged samples collected by re-intercepting the ship plume. After normalizing to particle mass, particles generated from HDRD combustion had slightly to significantly (5–50%) higher OH generation activity than those from ULSD, a difference that was statistically significant for some permutations of year/fuel/engine speed. Water soluble trace metal concentrations and fuel metal concentrations were similar, and compared to urban Los Angeles samples lower in soluble iron and manganese, but similar for most other trace metals. Because PM mass emissions were higher for HDRD, normalizing to fuel increased this difference. Freshly emitted PM had lower activity than the “plume chase” samples, and samples collected on the ship had lower activity than the urban reference. The differences in OH production correlated reasonably well with redox-active transition metals, most strongly with soluble manganese, with roles for vanadium and likely copper and iron. The results also suggest that atmospheric processing of fresh combustion particles rapidly increases metal solubility, which in turn increases OH production.

Copyright © 2017 American Association for Aerosol Research     

An information processing model of some seriation tasks.

Children were video-tape recorded while trying to solve one of Piaget's weight seriation tasks. Detailed protocol analyses and computer simulations of the behavior of three children at different stages of intellectual development are presented. The programs, organized as systems of production rules, simulate the Ss' behavior in detail. They show how intellectual development is related to the Ss' (a) progressive sophistication in structuring their environment, (b) better use of memory, (c) span for drawing inferences, and (d) initial conception of what a seriation is, as reflected in such parameters as the adequacy of their stop rules and single vs. multiple block comparisons. Two additional experiments (N=35) compare length with weight seriation; access to information is controlled in one of the length seriation conditions. Results indicate that the typically observed décalage in performance on the two tasks largely disappears when a systematic effort is made to render the information-processing requirements of the two tasks isomorphic. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Buss-Durkee assessment and validation with violent versus nonviolent chronic alcohol abusers.

26 male 27–47 yr old chronic alcohol abusers who had been violent while intoxicated and 25 male 34–52 yr old nonviolent alcohol abusers were administered the Buss-Durkee Hostility-Guilt Inventory. All Ss were Caucasians with a reported daily intake of ethanol of 227 ml?±?89 ml for at least the last 5 yrs. Violence was documented by police records and by patient and family reports. Violent drinkers scored significantly higher than controls on the Total Hostility score and on subscales measuring Assault, Irritability, Verbal Hostility, Indirect Hostility, and Resentment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Study of the myenteric and submucous plexuses after BAC treatment in the intestine of rats.

A morphological and quantitative study in the ileal and colonic myenteric and submucous plexuses of rats after BAC denervation was performed. Four groups were employed: SI--ileum control; CBI--denervated ileum; SC--colon control; and CBC--denervated colon. We used the Myosin-V immunohistochemistry technique to study the myenteric and submucous plexuses. In the submucous plexus of the ileum and colon there was not a significant decrease in the number of neurons/mm2 and of ganglia/mm2. The denervation of the myenteric plexus in the group CBI was 44.7% and in the group CBC, 68.3%. In the myenteric plexus there was also a significant decrease in the number of ganglia/mm2 (13.8% in group CBI and 52.14% in group CBC) and in the number of neurons/ganglion (33.9% in group CBI and 39.6% in group CBC). The morphological analyses showed that there was an alteration in the shape of the ganglia of the ileal and colonic myenteric plexus. The area of the cell bodies had a significant increase both in the myenteric and the submucous plexus in groups CBI and CBC. These data demonstrate that the BAC treatment causes morphologic and quantitative changes in the myenteric plexus and quantitative changes in the cell body area of the submucous plexus.     

Environmental impact of poultry production systems on surface water: monitoring the Taquari-Antas basin,southern Brazil

ABSTRACT

The research evaluated the impact of poultry farming on the quality of surface waters in a mountainous area of southern Brazil, in order to collect data and assist in the decision-making for sustainable development. The study monitored 13 spots for two years in the sub-basins with intense poultry activity. The water samples were submitted to physicochemical and microbiological analyses in order to assess the Water Quality Index (WQI). The data were analysed by principal component analysis and Pearson’s correlation. Some zones are able to receive future investments and could serve as a basis for the installation of new agricultural units. Others require greater attention from the environmental control agencies.     

Biodegradable polyurethane nanocomposites containing dexamethasone for ocular route

The treatment of posterior segment ocular diseases, such as uveitis, by using eye drops and oral drugs is usually not effective due to the body's natural barriers to drug penetration. In this study, ocular implants to treat uveitis were synthesized by incorporating dexamethasone acetate, an important type of corticoid used in the treatment of some uveitis, into a biodegradable polyurethane containi clay nanoparticles. Biodegradable polyurethane nanocomposites having poly(caprolactone) oligomers as soft segments were obtained by delaminating clay particles within a polyurethane aqueous dispersion. The drug was incorporated into the polymer by dispersing it in the waterborne polyurethane followed by a drying step. Nanoparticles derived from clay were demonstrated to be able to tailor the mechanical properties of polyurethanes to achieve values that can match the properties of ocular soft tissues. Infrared spectra (FTIR) showed that the presence of clay particles was able to change the microphase separation process typical of polyurethanes. X-ray diffraction and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) results were explored to show that the incorporation of both dexamethasone acetate and nanocomponents derived from clay led to a less defined two-phase polyurethane. The presence of clay nanoparticles increased the rate of drug release measured in vitro. Human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) were cultured in contact with polyurethanes and polyurethane nanocomposites, and the viability of them (evaluated by using MTT assay after 7 days) showed that no toxic components were released from polyurethanes containing no drugs during the test.     

By-Passing Large Screening Experiments Using Sequencing as a Tool to Identify scFv Fragments Targeting Atherosclerotic Lesions in a Novel In Vivo Phage Display Selection

Atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease that may develop into vulnerable lesions leading to thrombosis. To interrogate the molecular components involved in this process, single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) from a semi-synthetic human antibody library were selected on the lesions induced in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis after two rounds of in vivo phage display. Homing Phage-scFvs were isolated from (1) the injured endothelium, (2) the underlying lesional tissue and (3) the cells within the intima. Clones selected on the basis of their redundancy or the presence of key amino acids, as determined by comparing the distribution between the native and the selected libraries, were produced in soluble form, and seven scFvs were shown to specifically target the endothelial cell surface and inflamed intima-related regions of rabbit tissue sections by immunohistology approaches. The staining patterns differed depending on the scFv compartment of origin. This study demonstrates that large-scale scFv binding assays can be replaced by a sequence-based selection of best clones, paving the way for easier use of antibody libraries in in vivo biopanning experiments. Future investigations will be aimed at characterizing the scFv/target couples by mass spectrometry to set the stage for more accurate diagnostic of atherosclerosis and development of therapeutic strategies.