Alterations in Serum Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Eicosanoids in Patients with Mild to Moderate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Smoking is a major risk factor for several diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To better understand the systemic effects of cigarette smoke exposure and mild to moderate COPD—and to support future biomarker development—we profiled the serum lipidomes of healthy smokers, smokers with mild to moderate COPD (GOLD stages 1 and 2), former smokers, and never-smokers (n = 40 per group) (ClinicalTrials.gov registration: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01780298","term_id":"NCT01780298"}}NCT01780298). Serum lipidome profiling was conducted with untargeted and targeted mass spectrometry-based lipidomics. Guided by weighted lipid co-expression network analysis, we identified three main trends comparing smokers, especially those with COPD, with non-smokers: a general increase in glycero(phospho)lipids, including triglycerols; changes in fatty acid desaturation (decrease in ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and an increase in monounsaturated fatty acids); and an imbalance in eicosanoids (increase in 11,12- and 14,15-DHETs (dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids), and a decrease in 9- and 13-HODEs (hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids)). The lipidome profiles supported classification of study subjects as smokers or non-smokers, but were not sufficient to distinguish between smokers with and without COPD. Overall, our study yielded further insights into the complex interplay between smoke exposure, lung disease, and systemic alterations in serum lipid profiles.     

A microgenetic approach to word association.

3 experiments were conducted to test certain general hypotheses derived from a microgenetic approach to word association. Association responses given under time pressure were compared with those given without time pressure in groups of college students. Word associations of schizophrenics and a group of hospital aides were similarly compared without time pressure. The results in part supported the hypothesis that word associations of the college students performing under time pressure would differ from those of the Ss without time pressure in the same way that responses of the schizophrenics would differ from those of the aides. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Metabolomic Evidence for Peroxisomal Dysfunction in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic and debilitating disease characterized by unexplained physical fatigue, cognitive and sensory dysfunction, sleeping disturbances, orthostatic intolerance, and gastrointestinal problems. People with ME/CFS often report a prodrome consistent with infections. Using regression, Bayesian and enrichment analyses, we conducted targeted and untargeted metabolomic analysis of plasma from 106 ME/CFS cases and 91 frequency-matched healthy controls. Subjects in the ME/CFS group had significantly decreased levels of plasmalogens and phospholipid ethers (p < 0.001), phosphatidylcholines (p < 0.001) and sphingomyelins (p < 0.001), and elevated levels of dicarboxylic acids (p = 0.013). Using machine learning algorithms, we were able to differentiate ME/CFS or subgroups of ME/CFS from controls with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values up to 0.873. Our findings provide the first metabolomic evidence of peroxisomal dysfunction, and are consistent with dysregulation of lipid remodeling and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. These findings, if validated in other cohorts, could provide new insights into the pathogenesis of ME/CFS and highlight the potential use of the plasma metabolome as a source of biomarkers for the disease.     

骆驼乳对慢性酒精性肝损伤小鼠肠道菌群的影响

目的:探究骆驼乳对慢性酒精性肝损伤小鼠肠道菌群多样性及结构的影响。将雄性C57BL/6NCr小鼠随机分为4组:对照组(Con,n=6)、模型组(Et,n=6)、骆驼乳剂量组(EtCM,n=6)和牛乳剂量组(EtNM,n=6);实验期为8周,前4周饲喂Lieber-DeCarli液体饲料(含对照),后4周在饲喂Lieber-DeCarli液体饲料的基础上,灌胃相应的乳或生理盐水。灌胃结束后,按照5 g/kg剂量一次性灌胃31.5%酒精溶液,建立NIAAA模型。检测血清LPS含量,并在无菌条件下取小鼠结肠粪便,进行16S rRNA测序,分析肠道菌群α多样性、β多样性及基于门、属水平的物种结构。血清指标结果显示,EtCM组和EtNM组小鼠血清LPS显著降低(P<0.01)。16S r RNA测序结果表明,骆驼乳和牛乳能显著提高ALD小鼠结肠肠道菌群的丰度和均匀度,更好地调整肠道菌群结构,其中骆驼乳较牛乳显示出更好的α多样性。在门水平上,骆驼乳和牛乳显著提高拟杆菌门的丰度,降低厚壁菌门的丰度。在属水平上,骆驼乳和牛乳显著提高副拟杆菌属、拟杆菌属、阿克曼菌属的丰度,降低瘤胃菌科下的未知属Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013丰度。其中,骆驼乳的有益菌丰度较牛乳高出9%。结论:骆驼乳通过改变ALD小鼠肠道菌群环境,来调节肠道菌群结构,可作为调节肠道菌群的功能性乳制品,可预防慢性ALD引起的肠道屏障功能障碍。     

Design trade-offs in self-management technology: the HeartMan case

ABSTRACT

Health self-management technology has the potential to significantly improve the Quality of Life of patients suffering from chronic diseases. However, designing the technology involves numerous highly context-dependent design decisions. In this paper, we analyse a case study of self-monitoring technology in the field of congestive heart failure. We analyse the design process of the technology from the perspective of design trade-offs. Three important trade-offs related to health self-monitoring technology are described in detail, related to patient autonomy, technology appropriation, and patient well-being. For each of the trade-offs, various mediating factors that influence design decisions are described in detail. On a practical level, this analysis can inform future developments in self-management technology. In addition, this design trade-off analysis provides intermediary knowledge that can contribute to a better theoretical understanding of health self-management technology.     

米力农治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭疗效评价

目的 探讨米力农治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭的疗效。方法 将122 例不同病因的慢性充血性心力衰竭患者随机分为两组,米力农组66 例,使用米力农治疗,10 mg·d^-1,连用5 d;多巴酚丁胺组使用多巴酚丁胺治疗,160 mg·d^-1,连用5 d 。结果 米力农组心功能改善总有效率为93.9%,优于多巴酚丁胺组56 例(76.7%),差异具有显著性意义,且心率明显减慢,而血压则无明显变化。结论 米力农治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭疗效肯定。     

Label-Free Quantitative Proteomics Reveals Differences in Molecular Mechanism of Atherosclerosis Related and Non-Related to Chronic Kidney Disease

The major cause of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is atherosclerosis related to traditional and non-traditional risk factors. However, the understanding of the molecular specificity that distinguishes the risk factors for classical cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CKD-related atherosclerosis (CKD-A) is far from complete. In this study we investigated the disease-related differences in the proteomes of patients with atherosclerosis related and non-related to CKD. Plasma collected from patients in various stages of CKD, CVD patients without symptoms of kidney dysfunction, and healthy volunteers (HVs), were analyzed by a coupled label-free and mass spectrometry approach. Dysregulated proteins were confirmed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All proteomic data were correlated with kidney disease development and were subjected to bioinformatics analysis. One hundred sixty-two differentially expressed proteins were identified. By directly comparing the plasma proteomes from HVs, CKD, and CVD patients in one study, we demonstrated that proteins involved in inflammation, blood coagulation, oxidative stress, vascular damage, and calcification process exhibited greater alterations in patients with atherosclerosis related with CKD. These data indicate that the above nontraditional risk factors are strongly specific for CKD-A and appear to be less essential for the development of “classical” CVD.     

Calcium and Vitamin D in the Regulation of Energy Balance: Where Do We Stand?

There is a pandemic of obesity and associated chronic diseases. Dietary calcium and vitamin D have many extra-skeletal roles in human health. In this review we have summarized the current understanding of their influence on human energy balance by examining the epidemiological, clinical, animal, cellular and molecular evidence. We opine that while calcium and vitamin D are functional nutrients in the battle against obesity, there is a need for prospective human trials to tilt the balance of evidence in favour of these nutrients.     

Synthesis,characterization, toxicological and antibacterial activity evaluation of Cu@ZnO nanocomposites

Cu@ZnO is an important class of material with applications as catalysts, photocatalysts, optoelectronic devices and antimicrobial agents. Because of its potential for large-scale applications and its high redox activity, detailed examination of the properties and risk assessment of this class of materials should be performed. In this work, Cu@ZnO composites were synthesized using a two-step procedure. ZnO crystalline nanostructured materials were prepared within minutes by a solvothermal microwave-assisted method. Deposition of copper nanoparticles on the surface of ZnO was conducted by reduction of Cu²⁺ in ethylene glycol (EG). Copper nanoparticles with different morphologies (needle-like and spheres) were deposited on the surface of ZnO. The antibacterial activity of Cu@ZnO composites was evaluated using E. coli and S. aureus as model organisms. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were evaluated for Cu@ZnO composites under visible light radiation (VLR) and in the dark (D). The composites exhibit antibacterial activity under VLR at low concentrations: 250 μg/mL and 750 μg/mL for E. coli, and 250 μg/mL and 500 μg/mL for S. aureus. Copper nanoparticles exert antibacterial activity and can be used to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in the absence of irradiation of Cu@ZnO material. Better antibacterial activity of Cu@ZnO material was achieved under radiation, demonstrating the synergic activity of Cu and ZnO materials for disinfection. Toxicity of the material was assessed towards Daphnia magna (D. magna) and Lecane papuana (L. papuana). Composites exert toxicity at lower concentrations than ZnO, observing LC50 values for L. papuana of 79.30 ± 6.70 μg/mL, and 5.59 ± 0.46 μg/mL for ZnO and Cu@ZnO, respectively. For D. magna, a LC50 of 9.66 ± 1.22 μg/mL (Cu@ZnO) was observed. Although Cu@ZnO can be considered as potential candidate for the development of efficient antibacterial agents, its antibacterial activity is achieved at doses that can be harmful to aquatic invertebrates. Thus, its application should avoid its entry to aquatic environments.     

Cervid Prion Protein Polymorphisms: Role in Chronic Wasting Disease Pathogenesis

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease found in both free-ranging and farmed cervids. Susceptibility of these animals to CWD is governed by various exogenous and endogenous factors. Past studies have demonstrated that polymorphisms within the prion protein (PrP) sequence itself affect an animal’s susceptibility to CWD. PrP polymorphisms can modulate CWD pathogenesis in two ways: the ability of the endogenous prion protein (PrP^C) to convert into infectious prions (PrP^Sc) or it can give rise to novel prion strains. In vivo studies in susceptible cervids, complemented by studies in transgenic mice expressing the corresponding cervid PrP sequence, show that each polymorphism has distinct effects on both PrP^C and PrP^Sc. It is not entirely clear how these polymorphisms are responsible for these effects, but in vitro studies suggest they play a role in modifying PrP epitopes crucial for PrP^C to PrP^Sc conversion and determining PrP^C stability. PrP polymorphisms are unique to one or two cervid species and most confer a certain degree of reduced susceptibility to CWD. However, to date, there are no reports of polymorphic cervid PrP alleles providing absolute resistance to CWD. Studies on polymorphisms have focused on those found in CWD-endemic areas, with the hope that understanding the role of an animal’s genetics in CWD can help to predict, contain, or prevent transmission of CWD.