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Pediatric Research Feb 2024Music for neonatal pain has not been exclusively studied in term neonates in a well-designed trial compared to the standard of care. This study aims to assess the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Music for neonatal pain has not been exclusively studied in term neonates in a well-designed trial compared to the standard of care. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of music intervention as an adjuvant in relieving acute pain in term newborns undergoing minor painful procedures.
METHODS
This randomized, controlled, blinded trial included any term neonate undergoing heel prick. Both control and intervention groups received oral sucrose 2 min before heel prick. Intervention group was exposed to 'Bedtime Mozart' lullaby recorded music via bedside speakers. Pain was measured using Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) at 1-min intervals. Investigators were blinded using noise-canceling headphones that played random music.
RESULTS
A total of 100 neonates were enrolled. Mean gestational age was 39.2 weeks, and mean duration of the procedure was 113 s. Music group was found to have significantly lower pain scores [OR = 0.42 (0.31, 0.56), p < 0.001]. Baseline NIPS scores were similar across groups and there was no interaction effect between groups and time. When NIPS were categorized as pain and no pain, there continued to be statistically significant lower NIPS scores in the music group (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Recorded music, in addition to sucrose, is efficacious in reducing pain, encouraging its use in term neonates.
IMPACT
Recorded music effectively reduces pain induced by minor procedures in term neonates. Clinical studies have shown that live and recorded music induces changes in vital signs and pain scores in the NICU's predominantly preterm population. Most of these studies were also conducted in the white ethnic population. Our study objectively proves reduction in pain scores by using recorded music in a randomized, controlled, blinded study of predominantly non-white, term neonates. Recorded music is effective in reducing acute pain in term neonates and can be widely used even in low-resource nurseries.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Infant; Music; Punctures; Acute Pain; Pain Management; Sucrose
PubMed: 37640940
DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02746-4 -
Journal of Separation Science Dec 2023Sucrose esters (SEs) are crucial tobacco smoke flavor precursors and play a significant role in tobacco's functionality. Due to their structural complexity, the...
Sucrose esters (SEs) are crucial tobacco smoke flavor precursors and play a significant role in tobacco's functionality. Due to their structural complexity, the separation and analysis of SEs in tobacco remain a major challenge, and massive structures of SEs have not yet been fully identified. In this study, the fractions enriched in SEs were obtained from oriental and flue-cured tobacco through a series of pretreatments, and two types of SEs (Types I and II) were distinguished by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS ) analysis, with Type II SEs newly characterized in tobacco. Five groups of main SEs were further purified using preparative high-performance LC (HPLC) coupled to an evaporative light scattering detector, and their structures were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry techniques including H, C, correlation spectroscopy, heteronuclear single quantum correlation, and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation. By combining LC-MS and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, the structures of eight SE isomers were finally proposed, of which four were newly identified. These findings further enhance the understanding of the structural diversity of SEs in tobacco, serving as a valuable reference for future research on the elucidation, synthesis, and metabolism of SEs.
Topics: Esters; Sucrose; Mass Spectrometry; Chromatography, Liquid; Isomerism; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
PubMed: 37802974
DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202300415 -
Plant, Cell & Environment Sep 2023The O enrichment (Δ O) of leaf water affects the Δ O of photosynthetic products such as sucrose, generating an isotopic archive of plant function and past climate....
The O enrichment (Δ O) of leaf water affects the Δ O of photosynthetic products such as sucrose, generating an isotopic archive of plant function and past climate. However, uncertainty remains as to whether leaf water compartmentation between photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic tissue affects the relationship between Δ O of bulk leaf water (Δ O ) and leaf sucrose (Δ O ). We grew Lolium perenne (a C grass) in mesocosm-scale, replicated experiments with daytime relative humidity (50% or 75%) and CO level (200, 400 or 800 μmol mol ) as factors, and determined Δ O , Δ O and morphophysiological leaf parameters, including transpiration (E ), stomatal conductance (g ) and mesophyll conductance to CO (g ). The Δ O of photosynthetic medium water (Δ O ) was estimated from Δ O and the equilibrium fractionation between water and carbonyl groups (ε ). Δ O was well predicted by theoretical estimates of leaf water at the evaporative site (Δ O ) with adjustments that correlated with gas exchange parameters (g or total conductance to CO ). Isotopic mass balance and published work indicated that nonphotosynthetic tissue water was a large fraction (~0.53) of bulk leaf water. Δ O was a poor proxy for Δ O , mainly due to opposite Δ O responses of nonphotosynthetic tissue water (Δ O ) relative to Δ O , driven by atmospheric conditions.
Topics: Sucrose; Poaceae; Water; Carbon Dioxide; Oxygen Isotopes; Plant Leaves; Photosynthesis; Plant Transpiration
PubMed: 37376738
DOI: 10.1111/pce.14655 -
International Journal of Biological... Dec 2023Promiscuous enzymes play a crucial role in organism survival and new reaction mining. However, comprehensive mapping of the catalytic and regulatory mechanisms hasn't...
Promiscuous enzymes play a crucial role in organism survival and new reaction mining. However, comprehensive mapping of the catalytic and regulatory mechanisms hasn't been well studied due to the characteristic complexity. The cellobiose 2-epimerase from Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus (CsCE) with complex epimerization and isomerization was chosen to comprehensively investigate the promiscuous mechanisms. Here, the catalytic frame of ring-opening, cis-enediol mediated catalysis and ring-closing was firstly determined. To map the full view of promiscuous CE, the structure of CsCE complex with the isomerized product glucopyranosyl-β1,4-fructose was determined. Combined with computational calculation, the promiscuity was proved a precise cooperation of the double subsites, loop rearrangement, and intermediate swaying. The flexible loop was like a gear, whose structural reshaping regulates the sway of the intermediates between the two subsites of H377-H188 and H377-H247, and thus regulates the catalytic directions. The different protonated states of cis-enediol intermediate catalyzed by H188 were the key point for the catalysis. The promiscuous enzyme tends to utilize all elements at hand to carry out the promiscuous functions.
Topics: Cellobiose; Racemases and Epimerases; Catalysis; Substrate Specificity
PubMed: 37758108
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127093 -
Marine Drugs Dec 2023Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) with unique structures from marine animals show intriguing pharmacological activities and negligible biological risks, providing more options...
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) with unique structures from marine animals show intriguing pharmacological activities and negligible biological risks, providing more options for us to explore safer agents. The swim bladder is a tonic food and folk medicine, and its GAGs show good anticoagulant activity. In this study, two GAGs, CMG-1.0 and GMG-1.0, were extracted and isolated from the swim bladder of and . The physicochemical properties, precise structural characteristics, and anticoagulant activities of these GAGs were determined for the first time. The analysis results of the CMG-1.0 and GMG-1.0 showed that they were chondroitin sulfate (CS)/dermatan sulfate (DS) hybrid chains with molecular weights of 109.3 kDa and 123.1 kDa, respectively. They were mainly composed of the repeating disaccharide unit of -{IdoA-α1,3-GalNAc-β1,4-}- (DS-A). The DS-B disaccharide unit of -{IdoA-α1,3-GalNAc-β1,4-}- also existed in both CMG-1.0 and GMG-1.0. CMG-1.0 had a higher proportion of CS-O disaccharide unit -{-GlcA-β1,3-GalNAc-β1,4-}- but a lower proportion of CS-E disaccharide unit -{-GlcA-β1,3-GalNAc-β1,4-}- than GMG-1.0. The disaccharide compositions of the GAGs varied in a species-specific manner. Anticoagulant activity assay revealed that both CMG-1.0 and GMG-1.0 had potent anticoagulant activity, which can significantly prolong activated partial thromboplastin time. GMG-1.0 also can prolong the thrombin time. CMG-1.0 showed no intrinsic tenase inhibition activity, while GMG-1.0 can obviously inhibit intrinsic tenase with EC of 58 nM. Their significantly different anticoagulant activities may be due to their different disaccharide structural units and proportions. These findings suggested that swim bladder by-products of fish processing of these two marine organisms may be used as a source of anticoagulants.
Topics: Animals; Chondroitin Sulfates; Dermatan Sulfate; Urinary Bladder; Glycosaminoglycans; Anticoagulants; Disaccharides
PubMed: 38276647
DOI: 10.3390/md22010009 -
The American Journal of Clinical... Feb 2024Studies investigating associations between sweeteners and health yield inconsistent results, possibly due to subjective self-report dietary assessment methods. (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Relative validity of habitual sugar and low/no-calorie sweetener consumption assessed by food frequency questionnaire, multiple 24-h dietary recalls and urinary biomarkers: an observational study within the SWEET project.
BACKGROUND
Studies investigating associations between sweeteners and health yield inconsistent results, possibly due to subjective self-report dietary assessment methods.
OBJECTIVES
We compared the performance of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), multiple 24-h dietary recalls (24hRs), and urinary biomarkers to estimate intake of sugars and low/no-calorie sweeteners (LNCSs).
METHODS
Participants (n = 848, age 54 ± 12 y) from a 2-y observational study completed 1 semiquantitative FFQ and ≥ 3 nonconsecutive 24hRs. Both methods assessed intake of sugars (mono- and disaccharides, sucrose, fructose, free and added sugars) and sweetened foods and beverages (sugary foods, fruit juice, and sugar or LNCS-containing beverages [sugar-sweetened beverages and low/no-calorie sweetened beverages (LNCSBs)]); 24hRs also included LNCS-containing foods and tabletop sweeteners (low/no-calorie sweetened foods [LNCSFs]). Urinary excretion of sugars (fructose+sucrose) and LNCSs (acesulfame K+sucralose+steviol glucuronide+cyclamate+saccharin) were simultaneously assessed using ultrapressure liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry in 288 participants with 3 annual 24-h urine samples. Methods were compared using, amongst others, validity coefficients (correlations corrected for measurement error).
RESULTS
Median (interquartile range) FFQ intakes ranged from 0 (0-7) g/d for LNCSBs to 94 (73-117) g/d for mono- and disaccharides. LNCSB use was reported by 32% of participants. Median LNCSB+LNCSF intake using 24hRs was 1 (0-50) g/d and reported by 58%. Total sugar excretions were detected in 100% of samples [56 (37-85) mg/d] and LNCSs in 99% of urine samples [3 (1-10) mg/d]. Comparing FFQ against 24hRs showed VCs ranging from 0.38 (fruit juice) to 0.74 (LNCSB). VCs for comparing FFQ with urinary excretions were 0.25 to 0.29 for sugars and 0.39 for LNCSBs; for 24hR they amounted to 0.31-0.38 for sugars, 0.37 for LNCSBs, and 0.45 for LNCSFs.
CONCLUSIONS
The validity of the FFQ against 24hRs for the assessment of sugars and LNCSBs ranged from moderate to good. Comparing self-reports and urine excretions showed moderate agreement but highlighted an important underestimation of LNCS exposure using self-reports.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Sweetening Agents; Sugars; Beverages; Sucrose; Fructose; Surveys and Questionnaires; Biomarkers
PubMed: 38043866
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.11.019 -
International Journal of Biological... Dec 2023Printability in 3D extrusion bioprinting encompasses extrudability, filament formation, and shape fidelity. Rheological properties can predict the shape fidelity of...
Printability in 3D extrusion bioprinting encompasses extrudability, filament formation, and shape fidelity. Rheological properties can predict the shape fidelity of printed hydrogels. In particular, tan(δ), the ratio between loss (G'') and storage (G') modulus (G''/G'), is a powerful indicator of printability. This study explores the effect of different salt, sucrose, and MC concentrations on tan(δ), and therefore the printability of methylcellulose (MC) hydrogels. Salt and sucrose increased G', lowering tan(δ) and enabling printing of scaffolds with high shape fidelity. Conversely, MC concentration increased G'' and G', having a lesser effect on tan(δ). Shape fidelity of three formulations with similar G' but varying tan(δ) values were compared. Higher tan(δ) led to reduced height, while lower tan(δ) improved shape fidelity. Cell viability increased when reducing MC content, extrusion rate, and nozzle gauge. Higher MC concentration (G' > 1.5 kPa) increased the influence of needle size and extrusion rate on cell viability. Hydrogels with G' < 1 kPa could be extruded at high rates with small nozzles, minimally affecting cell viability. This work shows a direct relationship between tan(δ) and printability of MC-based hydrogels. Lowering the complex modulus of hydrogels, mitigates extrusion stress, thus improving cell survival.
Topics: Cell Survival; Methylcellulose; Bioprinting; Hydrogels; Sucrose; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds
PubMed: 37852401
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127461 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Oct 2023Nucleic acid vaccines have shown promising results in the clinic against infectious diseases and cancers. To robustly improve the vaccine efficacy and safety, we...
Nucleic acid vaccines have shown promising results in the clinic against infectious diseases and cancers. To robustly improve the vaccine efficacy and safety, we developed an approach to increase the intracellular stability of nucleic acids by transiently inhibiting lysosomal function in targeted tissues using sucrose. To achieve efficient and localized delivery of sucrose in animals, we designed a biomimetic lipid nanoparticle (LNP) to target the delivery of sucrose into mouse muscle cells. Using this approach, viral antigen expression in mouse muscle after DNA vaccination was substantially increased and prolonged without inducing local or systemic inflammation or toxicity. The same change in antigen expression would be achieved if the vaccine dose could be increased by 3,000 folds, which is experimentally and clinically impractical due to material restrictions and severe toxicity that will be induced by such a high dose of nucleic acids. The increase in antigen expression augmented the infiltration and activation of antigen-presenting cells, significantly improved vaccine-elicited humoral and T cell responses, and fully protected mice against the viral challenge at a low dose of vaccine. Based on these observations, we conclude that transient inhibition of lysosome function in target tissue by sucrose LNPs is a safe and potent approach to substantially improve nucleic acid-based vaccines.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Nucleic Acid-Based Vaccines; Vaccines; Vaccines, DNA; Nucleic Acids; Nanoparticles; Lysosomes; Sucrose
PubMed: 37871214
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306465120 -
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research Nov 2023We sought to investigate the effects of gastrointestinal nutrition therapy on gastrointestinal microbial digestion and barrier defense markers in elderly patients with... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
We sought to investigate the effects of gastrointestinal nutrition therapy on gastrointestinal microbial digestion and barrier defense markers in elderly patients with diabetes.
METHODS
A total of 120 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled at our hospital between January 2020 and December 2022. The participants in this study were randomly allocated into either the nutritional group (n = 60) who underwent gastrointestinal nutrition therapy or the control group (n = 60) who underwent conventional T2DM diet management for a period of 12 weeks. Clinical data, as well as small intestinal permeability measured by the lactulose-mannitol urine test, plasma circulating IL-6 and zonulin levels measured by ELISA, and expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-3 in blood analyzed through Western blotting were collected.
RESULTS
The nutrition group demonstrated a higher proportion of patients achieving HbA1c < 7% compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the nutrition group exhibited a greater reduction in fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The concentrations of formate-tetrahydrofolate ligase and acetic CoA transferase were significantly increased in the nutrition group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Fecal analysis revealed higher levels of acetic acid and butyric acid in the nutrition group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The ratio of lactulose to mannitol was higher in the nutrition group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the nutrition group showed lower levels of IL-6 and zonulin compared to the control group (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Personalized gastrointestinal nutrition therapy was found to enhance the production of short-chain fatty acids and preserve intestinal permeability, leading to improved gastrointestinal microbial digestion and barrier defense in elderly patients with diabetes.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Intestinal Mucosa; Lactulose; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Interleukin-6; Nutrition Therapy; Digestion; Mannitol
PubMed: 37821689
DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02518-4 -
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Nov 2023Infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (IR-MALDESI) conventionally utilizes fresh-frozen biological tissues with an... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (IR-MALDESI) conventionally utilizes fresh-frozen biological tissues with an ice matrix to improve the detection of analytes. Sucrose-embedding with paraformaldehyde fixation has demonstrated feasibility as an alternative matrix for analysis by IR-MALDESI by preserving tissue features and enhancing ionization of lipids. However, investigating multi-organ systems provides broader context for a biological study and can elucidate more information about a disease state as opposed to a single organ. Danio rerio, or zebrafish, are model organisms for various disease states and can be imaged as a multi-organ sample to analyze morphological and metabolomic preservation as a result of sample preparation. Herein, whole-body zebrafish were imaged to compare sucrose-embedding with paraformaldehyde fixation against conventional fresh-frozen sample preparation. Serial sections were analyzed with and without an ice matrix to evaluate if sucrose functions as an alternative energy-absorbing matrix for IR-MALDESI applications across whole-body tissues. The resulting four conditions were compared in terms of total putative lipid annotations and category diversity, coverage across the entire m/z range, and ion abundance. Ultimately, sucrose-embedded zebrafish had an increase in putative lipid annotations for the combination of putative annotations with and without the application of an ice matrix relative to fresh-frozen tissues which require the application of an ice matrix. Upon the use of an ice matrix, a greater number of high mass putative lipid annotations (e.g., glycerophospholipids, glycerolipids, and sphingolipids) were identified. Conversely, without an ice matrix, sucrose-embedded sections elucidated more putative annotations in lower molecular weight lipids, including fatty acyls and sterol lipids. Similar to the mouse brain model, sucrose-embedding increased putative lipid annotation and abundance for whole-body zebrafish.
Topics: Animals; Zebrafish; Sucrose; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Tissue Embedding; Lipids
PubMed: 37640826
DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04914-1