Study of the properties of the ovarian fluid of the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt, 1833) during freezing

The process of freezing the ovarian fluid of the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt, 1833) was analyzed. With gradual cooling from 22°C to -196°C at a rate of 10° per minute, the process of freezing, formation and change of ice microparticles was observed. The ovarian liquid was glazed at -5°C and only at -70°. With the microparticles of ice began to form. From that moment, up to the temperature of liquid nitrogen (-196°C), the microparticles were crushed into smaller ones. The high content of intracellular water in the ovarian fluid of female Russian sturgeon contributes to the formation of the bulk of microparticles of ice, which is confirmed by their shape. These particles, which have sharp edges, are able to damage the thin shells of eggs during deep freezing.

Body Composition Results of Caucasian Young Normal Body Mass Women in the Follicular Proliferative Phase, Measured for the Different Positions of Limbs

The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) became a standardized technique for assessing body composition, but many factors affect the reproducibility of measurement, including body and limbs position. In spite of the fact that it is recommended for patient to be in a supine position, with arms abducted at least 30° and legs abducted at approximately 45°, a lot of authors conduct their measurements with arms and legs of patients separated to not touch the body but not strictly following the recommendations. Taking this into account, the aim of the study was to analyze the body composition results of Caucasian young normal body mass women in the follicular proliferative phase, measured for the different positions of limbs in order to compare the results obtained in the recommended position (with arms abducted at least 30° and legs abducted at approximately 45°) and in the commonly used position (not following strictly the recommendations). The study was conducted in a homogenous group of 100 adult females under the age of 30 years using BIA 101/ASE with the Bodygram Pro software and its equations by Akern Srl, Firenze, Italy, based on the measurement recommendations. The measurements were conducted (1) in a recommended position of arms abducted at least 30° and legs abducted at approximately 45° and (2) with arms spread and legs separated to not touch the body to compare the body composition assessment (fat mass, fat-free mass, body cell mass, muscle mass, water content, extracellular water content, and intracellular water content). It was stated that the results obtained for various positions of limbs were positively correlated (p < 0.0001; R > 0.5). At the same time, the statistically significant differences dependent on the position were observed for the calculated results of body cell mass (lower results for the recommended position for the results observed in kg and % of body mass; p = 0.0165 and p = 0.0075, respectively) and muscle mass (lower results for the recommended position for the results observed in kg and % of body mass; p = 0.0025 and p = 0.0011, respectively), as well as extracellular and intracellular water (higher % of total body water for the extracellular water and lower for intracellular water; p = 0.0049 and p = 0.0115, respectively), resulting from the measured resistance and reactance values. For all listed comparisons of significantly differing variables, weighted κ statistics indicated moderate agreement (values of 0.41–0.60), and the Bland–Altman plot analysis indicated no agreement (Bland–Altman index of >5%). While compared with the reference values, the major differences were observed for extracellular/intracellular water content, as, while applying a method with arms and legs separated to not touch the body (not recommended position), the extracellular water content was underestimated for 31% and intracellular water content was overestimated for 28% of participants. It may be concluded that the recommended body position of arms abducted at least 30° and legs abducted at approximately 45° should be chosen to ensure the reliability of the BIA measurements, as, while the recommendations of a body position are not followed, the results obtained may be misleading and may not reflect the actual body composition.

A multiscale approach to estimate the cellular diffusivity during food drying

Theoretical models for food drying commonly utilize an effective diffusivity solved through curve fitting based on experimental data. This creates models with limited predictive capabilities. Multiscale modeling is one approach which can help transition to a more physics-based model minimizing the empirical information required while improving a model’s predictive capabilities. However, to enable an accurate scaling operation, multiscale models require diffusivity at a fine scale (microscale). Measuring these properties is experimentally costly and time consuming as they are often temperature and/or moisture dependent. This research conducts an inverse analysis on a multiscale homogenization food drying model to deduce the temporal diffusivity of intracellular water. A representation of the real cellular water breakdown was considered and appropriate assumptions to represent its cellular heterogeneity, in relation to time, were investigated. The work uncovered that a linear decrease in intracellular water content could be assumed and thus a function for its diffusivity was developed. The proposed function is in terms of sample temperature and intracellular water content opening the possibilities to be applied to various food materials.

MO731ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SKELETAL MUSCLE MASS AND INTRADIALYTIC HYPOTENSION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE HEMODIALYSIS

Background and Aims Patients undergoing hemodialysis showed higher prevalence of sarcopenia than that of the healthy. As an intracellular water reservoir, skeletal muscle mass would be important to predict intradialytic hypotension. This study was designed to reveal the effect of skeletal muscle mass to intradialytic hypotension, which is also an indicator of volume status in patients under hemodialysis. Method 150 patients from three hemodialysis centers in 2016 and 38 patients from one center under maintenance hemodialysis in 2020 were enrolled in this study, and total 177 patients were finally analyzed. We measured skeletal muscle mass, intracellular water, extracellular water, total body water and phase angle in 50 kHz by bio-impedance analysis just after a hemodialysis session. Information including laboratory tests, chest x-ray, handgrip strength, mid-arm circumference and questionnaire to ask the patients’ general condition was collected. Intradialytic hypotension over three months was observed. We analyzed several factors including skeletal muscle mass which would have association with intradialytic hypotension over three months by multivariate logistic regression model. Results Tertile subgroups divided by the ratio of skeletal muscle to body weight defined as skeletal muscle index were compared. Patients in low skeletal muscle index had a higher rate of intradialytic hypotension (41%) while that of intermediate group was 20% and high group was 5%. Patients in low skeletal muscle mass index group was female-dominant, more obese, more diabetic and had lower handgrip strength than higher skeletal muscle index group. In patients who had higher skeletal muscle mass to body weight, the risk of Intradialytic hypotension was decreased (HR: 0.80 [95% CI 0.75-0.88], adjusted HR: 0.73 [95% CI 0.64–0.84]). Comparing tertile groups by skeletal muscle index, patients in the group of higher skeletal muscle mass index showed lower rate of intradialytic hypotension during hemodialysis, which was similar in inverse probability of treatment weighted analysis. Confounders were age, gender, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, the ratio of ultrafiltration amount to body weight and skeletal muscle index. Model including skeletal muscle index and clinical parameters showed highest AUC area (0.877 [95% 0.823-0.930]) when the model including clinical parameters only (AUC area: 0.807 [95% CI 0.735-0.879]) or with each bioimpedance index (skeletal muscle mass to squared height, AUC area: 0.843 [95% CI 0.823-0.931]; the ratio of extracellular water to total water, AUC area: 0.809 [95% CI 0.736-0.883]; the ratio of intracellular water to total water, AUC area: 0.811 [95% CI 0.738-0.885] and phase angle, AUC area: 0.812 [95% CI 0.738-0.886]). Conclusion This study showed correlation between skeletal muscle mass by body weight and intradialytic hypotension. It especially suggested that skeletal muscle mass to weight would be a good predictor of intradialytic hypotension and would be helpful to decide appropriate dry body weight in hemodialysis.

MMRC (Alhydran®), an Interesting Treatment Option for a Disrupted Skin Barrier

Skin aging, scar formation and some types of eczema are associated with dysregulation of the intracellular water content of the epidermis.

Effect of Mat Pilates on Body Fluid Composition, Pelvic Stabilization, and Muscle Damage during Pregnancy

In this study, according to the exercise intensity (50–60% of HRmax (Maximum Heart Rate), RPE (Rating of Perceived Exertion: 11–13) proposed by The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for pregnant women, mat Pilates exercise is related to body composition, lipid parameters, and pelvic stabilization. The effects on muscle and muscle damage were investigated. The subjects of this study were 16 pregnant women registered at the Cultural Center of Gyeonggi-do C Women’s Hospital, and the gestation period was 16 to 24 weeks. The mat Pilates exercise program (twice a week, 60 min per day, total 12 weeks) changed the Pilates exercise program every 6 weeks according to the subject’s pain level and physical fitness. Body composition before and after exercise, hip flexion, abduction and dilated lipids, inflammation, muscle damage, and stress hormones were measured through blood biochemical analysis. First, the difference in total body water, intracellular water, and skeletal muscle changes (post-pre) increased significantly in the Pilates exercise (PE) group compared to the control (CON) group, while the extracellular/intracellular water ratio significantly decreased. The effect of Pilates on body composition and lipid profile confirmed that, after testing, total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW), and extracellular water (ECW) were significantly greater than pre-test values in both groups (TBW: z = −2.286, p = 0.022, r = 0.572; ICW: z = −2.818, p = 0.005, r = 0.705; ECW: z = −1.232, p = 0.218, r = 0.308), whereas the ECW/ICW ratio decreased significantly only in the PE group (z = −2.170, p = 0.030, r = 0.543); while the increases in TBW and ICW were greater in the PE group than in the CON group, the ECW/ICW ratio decreased significantly in the PE group. Blood tests showed significant increases in body weight (BW), body fat mass (BFM), and percentage of body fat (PBF) in both groups post-test as compared to pre-test (BW: z = −1.590, p = 0.112, r = 0.398; BFM: z = −0.106, p = 0.916; PBF: z = −1.643, p = 0.100, r = 0.411). There was a slight increase in creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which are indices of muscle damage, and in the difference between the periods within the group, the CK and LDH of the CON group showed a tendency to increase significantly after inspection compared to the previous values (CK: z = −1.700, p = 0.089, r = 0.425, LDH: z = −2.603, p = 0.009, r = 0.651). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) decreased significantly in the Pilates exercise group compared to that in the control group, and as a result of confirming the difference in the amount of change in C-reactive protein (CRP), there was no significant difference between the two groups, and the PE group showed a tendency to decrease after inspection compared to the previous period even in the difference between the periods in the group. The CON group showed an increasing trend, but no significant difference was found. Cortisol, a stress hormone, also increased significantly after inspection both groups compared to before (CON group: z = −2.201, p = 0.028; PE group: z = −2.547, p = 0.011). Therefore, the 12 week Pilates exercise program conducted in this study has a positive effect on body water balance and strengthens the muscles related to pelvic stabilization within the range of reducing muscle damage or causing muscle damage and stress in pregnant women. We think that it has an effective exercise intensity.

Low Intracellular Water, Overhydration, and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: In hemodialysis patients, extracellular water (ECW) overload predicts all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The primary aim of the present study was to analyze changes in post-dialysis (i.e., following removal of excess ECW) ECW, intracellular water (ICW), and the overhydration (OH) parameter over time. Additionally, the association of these parameters with mortality was explored. Patients and methods: Prospective study of prevalent hemodialysis patients (n = 124) followed for a median of 20 (interquartile range (IQR) 8–31) months. In three visits, inflammation (C-reactive protein) and post-dialysis fluid status (bioimpedance, BIS) were assessed. Results: During follow-up, the overhydration (OH) parameter increased (−0.696 ± 1.6 vs. 0.268 ± 1.7 L; p = 0.007) at the expense of a decrease in intracellular water (ICW) (19.90 ± 4.5 vs. 18.72 ± 4.1 24 L; p = 0.006) with a non-significant numerical increase in ECW/ICW ratio (0.795 ± 0.129 vs. 0.850 ± 0.143; p = 0.055). Baseline ICW positively correlated with muscle mass and energy intake and negatively with C-reactive protein and it was lower in those who died than in survivors (15.09 ± 2.36 vs. 18.87 ± 4.52 L; p = 0.004). In Kaplan–Meier analysis, patients with low baseline ICW (≤17 L) and high ECW/ICW ratio (≥0.84) were at an increased risk of death. Baseline ICW was also associated with the risk of death in adjusted Cox proportional hazards models (HR 0.62 (0.40–0.98) p = 0.04). Conclusions: In hemodialysis patients, the post-dialysis OH parameter increased over time while ICW decreased, without changes in ECW. Low baseline post-dialysis ICW correlated with muscle wasting and inflammation and was an independent risk factor for mortality.