Cerebral and extracerebral distribution of radioactivity associated with oxytocin in rabbits after intranasal administration: Comparison of TTA-121, a newly developed oxytocin formulation, with Syntocinon

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with deficits in social interactions/communication. Despite the large number of ASD patients, there is no drug approved to treat its core symptoms. Recently, Syntocinon (oxytocin nasal spray) has been reported to have a therapeutic effect on ASD. However, the disadvantage of Syntocinon for ASD treatment is that 6 puffs/administration are required to achieve the effective pharmacological dose. Furthermore, there are no published reports evaluating the cerebral distribution profile of oxytocin after intranasal administration. TTA-121 is a newly developed intranasal oxytocin formulation with high bioavailability produced by optimizing the physicochemical properties. In this study, we prepared the same formula as Syntocinon as the control formulation (CF), and the cerebral and extracerebral distribution of oxytocin in rabbits after single intranasal administration of 3H-labeled oxytocin formulations—[3H]TTA-121 and [3H]CF were examined and compared. The area under the concentration-time curve to the time of the last quantifiable concentration (AUCt) in the whole brain was 3.6-fold higher in the [3H]TTA-121 group than in the [3H]CF group, indicating increased delivery of radioactivity to the brain by TTA-121 than by CF. Since the distribution profiles showed no notable differences in radioactivity between the olfactory bulb and trigeminal nerve, intranasally-administered oxytocin was probably transferred to the brain via both pathways. The results also showed an increase in radioactivity in the prefrontal area and the precuneus, which are probable sites of pharmacological action as shown in clinical studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), confirming that intranasally-administered oxytocin could reach these tissues.

New Supramolecular Drug Carriers: The Study of Organogel Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles

An aqueous solution of sodium citrate stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNP) in the presence of N-lauroyl-L-alanine (C12ALA) forms a stable gel. The structure of the gel and the distribution profile of AuNP in it were analyzed. Will nanoparticles separated from each other with sodium citrate behave in the same way in solution and trapped in the gel matrix? Will the spatial limitation of solvent molecules aggregate nanoparticles and destroy their homogeneity? These questions are very important from the point of view of the use of gold nanoparticles, trapped in the gel structure as carriers of drugs in the slow-release process. The lack of homogeneity of this distribution will have a major impact on the rate of release of the appropriate amount of therapeutic drug from the matrix. In this work, we attempt to answer these questions. The performed biological assays revealed that both C12ALA and C12ALA-AuNP show an excellent level of biological neutrality. They might be used as a transporting medium for a drug delivery without affecting the drug’s activity.

Occurrence, Profile, and Potential Risks of Novel and Legacy Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Bullfrogs: Pilot Study in an Intensive Aquaculture Region, China

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have captured worldwide attention due to their persistent and bioaccumulative characteristics. The bullfrog is a highly nutritious and edible aquatic product, but the PFAS accumulation characteristics of bullfrogs had not been paid attention. The present study analyzed the PFAS concentrations in different tissues of cultured bullfrogs and relevant water and sediments collected from the aquaculture region in the coastal area of South China. Results showed that total PFAS concentrations were 50.26–364.25 ng/L in water, with a mean of 135.58 ng/L; concentrations in effluent water were significantly higher than those in influent water, which means bullfrog farming could increase contaminants into the surroundings. The total PFAS concentrations varied from 2.89 to 162.26 ng/g·dw in sediment. The distribution profile of PFASs in sediment was similar to that of water, with short chain playing a significant role. Total PFASs in bullfrog tissues were 3.36–84.07 ng/g·dw, with the highest values in the digestive system (intestines and stomach). As for one novel PFAS alternative, chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (F-53B) was found at high detectable levels in all habitat samples and had a higher value of logarithmic bioaccumulation factors. The estimated dietary intake (EDI) for residents in the study area was generally higher than that in other regions; however, the hazard ratios (HRs) for most detected PFASs were far below the safety threshold value “1.” These results suggest that frequent consumption of these bullfrogs would basically not cause severe health effects on local residents in terms of PFASs.

The model of degradation of an InGaN/GaN LED during current tests taking into account the inhomogeneous distribution of the defects density in the heterostructure

A model of the optical power degradation of an InGaN/GaN LED during testing under direct current, which takes into account the inhomogeneous distribution of the defects density in the heterostructure, is presented. According to the simulation results, the rate of degradation of the LED optical power significantly depends on the degree of inhomogeneity of the defects density distribution profile. Experimental testing of the model has been carried out. The proposed model makes it possible to predict the rate of degradation of InGaN-based LEDs with varying degrees of inhomogeneity of the defects density distribution profile and can be used to develop a technique for rejecting defective and potentially unreliable LEDs.

Methods of reduction of interference signals in electromagnetic conductors that measure fluid flow

The pressure in the fluid flow, especially in the pipes of closed water supply systems, is generated mainly by pumps, and the water flow is usually pulsating. Electromagnetic transducers used to measure such nonstationary and pulsating fluid flow rates must have low inertia and high dynamic accuracy. In such cases, the frequency characteristics of electromagnetic transducers that measure fluid flow are their main parameters. It should be noted that the performance of the converters used to measure the flow rate of pulsating fluids should not depend on the change in the distribution profile of the flow velocities, otherwise additional measurement errors will occur. It is used in measuring non-stationary and pulsating fluid flow rates in controlled and controlled technological processes.

Effects of Food-Specific IgG on Health Outcomes of Asymptomatic Physical Examination Population

Background: Although food-specific IgG is associated with the development and progression of some diseases as shown by many studies, it is also present in the population without clinical symptoms. However, the damage of the immune response it evokes to the health of such population has not been studied yet.Methods: The asymptomatic physical examination population (APEP) was selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the physical examination data were collected. The subjects were divided into IgG-positive group (IgG-po group) and IgG-negative group (IgG-neg group). The hematologic and imaging examination results were compared between the two groups, and their odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated using binary logistic regression to determine the relationship between food-specific IgG and different health outcomes. Results: The data of 28,292 subjects were included in the analysis of the study. The overall IgG positive rate was up to 52.3%, with mild to moderate IgG positive predominantly. Compared with IgG negative group, IgG positive group was associated with a decrease in the risks of hypertriglyceridemia, abnormal fasting blood glucose and overweight(OR=0.87,95%:CI:0.83-0.92; OR=0.93,95%CI:0.87-0.99; OR=0.92,95%CI:0.87-0.96) and with an increase in the incidence rate of thyroid nodule (OR=1.09,95%CI:1.04-1.15).Conclusion: Food-specific IgG is generally present in APEP and has an unique distribution profile, which plays a positive role in maintaining normal body weight and metabolic indicators(triglyceride(TG) and fasting blood glucose(FBG)), without influencing the nutritional status. The physiological mechanism is worth further study.

Stability Analysis of Unsteady MHD Rear Stagnation Point Flow of Hybrid Nanofluid

Previous studies have reported that investigating the stagnation point flow is relevant in a variety of industrial and technological processes, including extrusion and the polymer industries. Hence, the present work aims to analyse the heat transfer performance of unsteady magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) in hybrid nanofluid and heat generation/absorption impact. The multivariable differential equations with partial derivatives are converted into a specific type of ordinary differential equations by using valid similarity transformations. The resulting mathematical model is clarified utilising the bvp4c function. The results of various control parameters were analysed, and it was discovered that increasing the nanoparticle concentration and magnetic field increases the coefficient of skin friction along the stretching/shrinking surface. The inclusion of the heat generation parameter displays an upward trend in the temperature distribution profile, consequently degrading the heat transfer performance. The findings are confirmed to have more than one solution, and this invariably leads to a stability analysis, which confirms the first solution’s feasibility.