In vivo evaluation of nanostructured lipid carrier systems (NLCs) in mice bearing prostate cancer tumours

Nanostructure lipid carriers (NLCs) were developed for the delivery of curmumin (CRN), a potent anticancer agent with low bioavailability, for the treatment of prostate cancer. NLCs prepared using high pressure homogenization (HPH) with around 150 nm particle size, − 40 V ζ-potential and excellent long-term stability. Cellular uptake of CRN-SLN showed nanoparticle localization in the cytoplasm around the nucleus. CRN-NLCs were assessed using flow cytometry and found to cause early and late apoptotic events at 100 μg/ml CRN concentrations. CRN-NLC nanoparticles were administrated to nude mice with LNCaP prostate cancer xenografts and demonstrated substantial tumour volume suppression (40%) with no weight loss compared to pure CRN (ethanolic solution). Overall, NLCs were proved a suitable carrier for passive drug delivery and cancer treatment. Graphical abstract

Post hoc Analysis of Clinical Outcomes in Placebo- and Pirfenidone-Treated Patients with IPF Stratified by BMI and Weight Loss

Background: Weight loss is frequently reported in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and may be associated with worse outcomes in these patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and weight loss, and outcomes over 1 year in patients with IPF. Methods: Data were included from placebo patients enrolled in ASCEND (NCT01366209) and CAPACITY (NCT00287716 and NCT00287729), and all patients in INSPIRE (NCT00075998) and RIFF Cohort A (NCT01872689). An additional analysis included data from pirfenidone-treated patients. Outcomes (annualized change in percent predicted forced vital capacity [%FVC], percent predicted carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, 6-min walk distance, St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire total score, hospitalization, mortality, and serious adverse events) were analyzed by baseline BMI (<25 kg/m2, 25 kg/m2–<30 kg/m2, or ≥30 kg/m2) and annualized percent change in body weight (no loss, >0–<5% loss, or ≥5% loss). Results: Placebo-treated patients with a baseline BMI <25 kg/m2 or annualized weight loss may experience worse outcomes versus those with a baseline BMI ≥25 kg/m2 or no weight loss. The proportion of placebo-treated patients who experienced a relative decline of ≥10% in %FVC or death up to 1 year post-randomization was highest in patients with a baseline BMI <25 kg/m2. Pirfenidone-treated patients with an annualized weight loss ≥5% may also experience worse outcomes versus those with no weight loss. Conclusions: Patients with a baseline BMI <25 kg/m2 or annualized weight loss of >0–<5% or ≥5% may experience worse outcomes over 1 year versus those with a baseline BMI ≥25 kg/m2 or no weight loss.

A quasi-experimental examination of weight-reducing dehydration practices in collegiate male rowers

Background Lightweight rowers commonly utilize weight loss techniques over 24-h before competition to achieve the qualifying weight for racing. The objective was to investigate, using a quasi-experimental design, whether changes in weight resulting from dehydration practices are related to changes in proxies of bodily systems involved in rowing and whether these relationships depend on the dehydration technique used. Methods Twelve elite male rowers performed a power test, an incremental VO2max test, and a visuomotor battery following: weight loss via thermal exposure, weight loss via fluid abstinence and then thermal exposure, and no weight loss. The total percent body mass change (%BMC), %BMC attributable to thermal exposure, and %BMC attributable to fluid abstinence were used to predict performance variables. Results Fluid abstinence but not thermal exposure was related to a lower total wattage produced on a incremental VO2max test (b = 4261.51 W/1%BMC, 95%CI = 1502.68–7020.34), lower wattages required to elicit 2 mmol/L (b = 27.84 W/1%BMC, 95%CI = 14.69–40.99) and 4 mmol/L blood lactate (b = 20.45 W/1%BMC, 95%CI = 8.91–31.99), and slower movement time on a visuomotor task (b = -38.06 ms/1%BMC, 95%CI = -62.09–-14.03). Conclusions Dehydration related weight changes are associated with reductions in some proxies of bodily systems involved in rowing but depend on the dehydration technique used.

In Vivo Evaluation of Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Systems (NLCs) in Mice Bearing Prostate Cancer Tumours

Nanostructure lipid carriers (NLCs) were developed for the delivery of curmumin (CRN), a potent anticancer agent with low bioavailability, for the treatment of prostate cancer. NLCs prepared using High Pressure Homogenization (HPH) with around 150 nm particle size, -40V ζ-potential and excellent long-term stability. Cellular uptake of CRN-SLN, showed nanoparticle localization in the cytoplasm around the nucleus. CRN-NLCs were assessed using flow cytometry and found to cause early and late apoptotic events at 100 μg/ml CRN concentrations. CRN-NLC nanoparticles were administrated to nude mice with LNCaP prostate cancer xenografts and demonstrated substantial tumour volume suppression (40%) with no weight loss compared to pure CRN (ethanolic solution). Overall, NLCs were proved a suitable carrier for passive drug delivery and cancer treatment.

Atypical Presentations of Appendicitis

Appendicitis has its acute, subacute, recurrent and chronic forms. Appendicitis is commonly predisposed to and precipitated by a single or a combination of multiple discrete factors like obstruction of lumen, ischemia from thromboembolic episodes, infection or idiopathic etc. Typically, it starts as umbilical or peri-umbilical or midline abdominal dull aching pain that soon gets localized in the right iliac region. Movements worsen the pain. Other typical features include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, pyrexia, preference to lie down with or without curling up, chills, constipation, diarrhea, fever, shaking etc. The atypical symptoms of appendicitis include a dull or sharp pain anywhere in the abdomen, back, rectum, painful urination, bloating, flatulence, generalized abdominal tenderness, distension simulating acute intestinal obstruction, enlarging abdominal mass with or without overlying skin erythema, normal bowel movements, normal vital signs and even with no pain, no nausea, no vomiting no pyrexia or no weight loss. These atypical symptoms very often misguide the primary care physicians and the surgeons resulting in failure of diagnosis putting the patients to the risks of life-endangering complications. Diagnosis of appendicitis in absence of typical features are to be made from pre-occupied knowledge and clinical suspicion with or without the help of biochemical and/or imaging studies. Early and timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to save the life and to reduce the morbidity as well. Appendicitis should be thought in all cases of abdominal pain irrespective of its type and location, as must meningitis be thought in all cases of headaches. KYAMC Journal.2021;12(02): 101-106

Microplastic consumption induces inflammatory signatures in the colon and prolongs a viral arthritis

Global microplastic (MP) contamination and the effects on the environment are well described. However, the potential for MP consumption to affect human health remains controversial. Mice consuming ≈80 µg/kg/day of 1 µm polystyrene MPs via their drinking water for a month showed no weight loss, nor were MPs detected in organs. The microbiome was also unchanged. MP consumption did lead to small transcriptional changes in the colon suggesting plasma membrane perturbations and mild inflammation. Mice were challenged with the arthritogenic chikungunya virus, with MP consumption leading to a significantly prolonged arthritic foot swelling that was associated with elevated Th1, NK cell and neutrophil signatures. Immunohistochemistry also showed a significant increase in the ratio of neutrophils to monocyte/macrophages. The picture that emerges is reminiscent of enteropathic arthritis, whereby perturbations in the colon are thought to activate innate lymphoid cells that can inter alia migrate to joint tissues to promote inflammation.

Comparative Effects of Rice and Melon Wastes on Sitophillus Zeamais, Storage Pest of Maize Grains in Nigeria

World’s calories supply from maize accounts for 20% but global postharvest grain loss caused by insect pests was estimated to be 10%. Control is mostly by synthetic insecticides with consequences such as insect resurgence and resistance and negative effect on non- target organisms. Maize grain losses to weevils are so enormous that effective local solution has to be sought. Thus this research aimed at assessing the effectiveness of powders and ash of rice husk and melon shell in controlling Sitophillus zeamais (Mots) in stored maize. Four treatments, Rice husk powder (RHP), Rice husk ash (RHA), Melon shell powder (MSP) and Melon shell ash (MSA) were applied at eight levels of 0 - 2.0 g 20 g-1 maize grain in three replicates. Five pairs (males and females) of freshly emerged S. zeamais were introduced into each treatment. Mortality test was carried out on the insects at 48 and 96 hours after introduction. Germination test was conducted on ten randomly selected grains after weevil emergence. Significantly higher (p≤0.05) mortality was recorded in treated seeds than the control. Virtually 100% mortality of S. zeamais was attained in both RHA and MSA treated maize in 96hrs at all application rates. Mean adult emergence in maize treated with both RHA and MSA were zero, with no weight loss like those of grains treated with standard control of P. guinensis. Also maize grain treated with Rice husk ash (RHA) and Melon shell ash (MSA) recorded a mean WPI of zero irrespective of application rates as in P. guinensis. The mean percentage germination of maize grain was significantly higher (p≤0.05) in P. guinensis than those recorded on treatments, while germination of treated maize is higher than the control. Thus rice husk and melon shell are effective alternatives to insecticides against S. zeamais in stored maize.

Properties of Mortars with Recycled Stone Aggregate for the Reconstruction of Sandstone in Historic Buildings

The research concerned the mortars with recycled stone aggregate used for the reconstruction of historic objects. The face of stone walls is exposed to atmospheric, chemical, and biological factors, causing its destruction. The aim of the research was to develop a mortar that would be compatible with the stone both in terms of its external appearance as well as its physical and mechanical properties. For this purpose, three mortars based on recycled sandstone aggregate with three different gradations were prepared. The compatibility of stone and mortar was tested in terms of the physical and mechanical properties as well as the resistance to salt and frost corrosion. The mortars reflect the properties of sandstone and offer great opportunities to adjust them as desired. The frost resistance of the mortars was consistent, with practically no weight loss after 25 test cycles. They achieved lower compression strength than stone, which is an important feature in avoiding destruction by using an excessively strong mortar. Moreover, the absorbability of the mortars turned out to be favorable (max. 25%). Mortars were resistant to the destructive effect of salt and did not show the ability to whitewash and desalinate.

Origins of a Low-Sulfur Superalloy Al2O3 Scale Adhesion Map

Low-sulfur single-crystal Ni-base superalloys have demonstrated excellent cyclic oxidation resistance due to improved Al2O3 scale adhesion. This derives from preventing deleterious interfacial sulfur segregation that occurs at common ppm levels of S impurity. Multiple hydrogen-annealing desulfurization treatments were employed to produce a continuum of levels demonstrating this oxidative transition, using 1 h cyclic oxidation at 1100 °C for 500 h to 1000 h. The sulfur content was determined by glow discharge mass spectrometry. The complete gravimetric database of 25 samples is revealed and correlated with sulfur content. Maximum adhesion (i.e., no weight loss) was achieved at ≤ 0.3 ppmw S, significant spallation (20–30 mg/cm2) above 2 ppmw, with transitional behavior between 0.3 and 2 ppmw S. A map suggested that adhesion was enabled when the total sulfur reservoir was less than one S atom per Ni interface atom. Equilibrium models further suggest that segregation may be minimized (~1% at 0.2 ppmw bulk), regardless of section thickness. 1st order adhesion effects have thus been demonstrated for PWA 1480 having no Y, Zr, or Hf reactive element dopants and no possibility of confounding reactive element effects. The results are compared with 2nd generation PWA 1484, Rene’N5, N6, and CMSX-4® SLS, all having Hf dopants.

Weight loss response following lifestyle intervention associated with baseline gut metagenomic signature in humans

We report a weight-loss response analysis on a small cohort of individuals (N=25) selected from a larger population (N∼5,000) enrolled in a commercial scientific wellness program, which included healthy lifestyle coaching. Each individual had baseline data on blood metabolomics, blood proteomics, clinical labs, lifestyle questionnaires, and stool metagenomes. A subset of these participants (N=15) lost at least 10% of their body weight within a 6-12 month period and saw significant improvement in metabolic health markers (‘weight loss’ group), while another subset of individuals (N=10) undergoing the same lifestyle intervention showed no change in BMI over the same timeframe (‘no weight loss’ group). Only a single baseline blood analyte, a metabolite linked to fried food consumption, was (negatively) associated with weight loss, but a large number of baseline stool metagenomic features, including complex polysaccharide and protein degradation genes, stress-response genes, respiration-related genes, cell wall synthesis genes, and gut bacterial replication rates, were significantly associated with weight loss after explicitly controlling for baseline BMI. Together, these results provide a set of baseline gut microbiome functional features that are associated with weight loss outcomes.