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Nutrition Research (New York, N.Y.) Oct 2023Kefir is a natural source of probiotics, and yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a tuberous root rich in fructooligosaccharides, with prebiotic properties. We...
Kefir is a natural source of probiotics, and yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a tuberous root rich in fructooligosaccharides, with prebiotic properties. We hypothesized that kefir and yacon can improve bone and intestinal health and that their synbiotic effects will enhance these benefits. The properties of yacon and kefir and their association were evaluated in the intestinal and bone health in rats. Forty Wistar male rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 10): control (C), kefir (K), yacon (Y), and yacon + kefir (YK) and received an AIN-93 M diet containing 50% of the daily recommendation of calcium for 42 days. Group K received 1 mL/day of kefir containing 10⁸ CFU/mL; group Y received yacon flour (5% fructooligosaccharides); and the YK group received the same treatment as the Y and K groups. Urine and feces were collected to determine the calcium balance. Serum biomarkers of bone formation and resorption, osteocalcin, N telopeptides of collagen type I and C-telopeptide of collagen type I, intraluminal pH, intestinal permeability, and secretory immunoglobulin A were evaluated. Yacon reduced intraluminal pH alone or in association with kefir (groups Y and YK). Yacon also improved intestinal permeability (lowered lactulose and mannitol excretion) and increased calcium balance and osteocalcin, a biomarker of bone formation. In turn, K improved immunity by increasing secretory immunoglobulin A secretion and reducing bone resorption biomarkers (C-telopeptide of collagen type I and N telopeptides of collagen type I). Thus, yacon and kefir had beneficial effects on intestinal and bone health; however, the association between them did not demonstrate a synbiotic effect.
Topics: Rats; Male; Animals; Rats, Wistar; Collagen Type I; Bone Density; Calcium; Kefir; Osteocalcin; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Biomarkers; Asteraceae
PubMed: 37603903
DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2023.07.009 -
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary... Dec 2023Nosocomial infections have been acknowledged as a significant pathogen responsible for human illness due to the rise in the incidence of these infections that are mainly...
INTRODUCTION
Nosocomial infections have been acknowledged as a significant pathogen responsible for human illness due to the rise in the incidence of these infections that are mainly caused by resistant strains. As a result, it is important to prevent nosocomial infections. Therefore, in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of infection bacterial carriage appears to be of great importance and in healthy persons, three patterns of carriage are observed over time. The common ecological niches of microorganisms are the anterior nares and hands; hence, the present study aims to evaluate the surveillance of bacterial carriage from the hands and noses of healthcare workers that involve doctors, nurses, and housekeeping staffs and patients involving pregnant women or mothers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An observational prospective study was conducted for 1.5 years in which collection of swabs from both the hands and nose were taken and inoculated on mannitol salt agar, blood agar, and MacConkey agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 h following which biochemical reactions were performed from isolates and 160 nasal swabs and hand swabs were studied for bacterial growth.
RESULTS
The percentages of bacterial growth in the hands of mothers, doctors, housekeeping staff, and nurses were 17.5, 12.5, 52.5, and 25%, respectively, and in the nose were 7.5, 5, 32.5, and 12.5%, respectively. Total bacterial carriage in hand and nose swabs were 26.87 and 14.37%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Methicillin-resistant was the most common microorganism isolated and as a result to prevent its spread along with other nosocomial microorganisms, appropriate precautions should be taken as the spreading of these organisms can lead to drug resistance strains.
PubMed: 38361861
DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_741_23 -
Surgical Neurology International 2024This study strives to provide a current and thorough assessment of the comparative efficacy and safety between equiosmolar quantities of hypertonic saline (HS) and...
BACKGROUND
This study strives to provide a current and thorough assessment of the comparative efficacy and safety between equiosmolar quantities of hypertonic saline (HS) and mannitol in facilitating brain relaxation for patients undergoing elective craniotomies.
METHODS
This systematic review and meta-analysis, following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, compared the efficacy and safety of equiosmolar concentrations of mannitol and HS in elective craniotomies. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and Proquest databases were searched using keywords related to mannitol, HS, and craniotomy. Results were analyzed through a random-effects model using Mantel-Haenszel risk ratio and standard mean difference. < 0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS
Thirteen randomized controlled trials encompassing 965 patients (516 in the HS group and 448 in the mannitol group) were analyzed. The quality of studies was moderate-to-high, and no significant publication bias was observed. The primary outcome, brain relaxation, favored HS over mannitol without significant heterogeneity. Mannitol was associated with increased urine output compared to HS, irrespective of dose, with high heterogeneity. HS was linked to significantly reduced fluid input, confirmed by subgroup analysis with lower heterogeneity. No significant difference was found in serum osmolality between the two agents. Serum sodium (Na) levels favored HS, whereas arterial blood Na levels also favored HS despite considerable heterogeneity. Maximum mean arterial pressure was higher with HS, but it displayed significant heterogeneity. Maximum central venous pressure showed no significant difference between the two agents, with moderate heterogeneity.
CONCLUSION
HS appears more effective than mannitol in achieving brain relaxation, and it may offer advantages in fluid management and Na balance. Clinicians should consider these findings when selecting hyperosmotic agents for neurosurgical procedures. Further research is needed to address heterogeneity in certain outcomes and guide clinical practice.
PubMed: 38741989
DOI: 10.25259/SNI_994_2023 -
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine Oct 2023Rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR (Rictor) is a critical effector of mTOR protein complex 2 (mTORC2). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of...
Rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR (Rictor) is a critical effector of mTOR protein complex 2 (mTORC2). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Rictor in the mTORC2 signaling pathway in high glucose (HG)-induced diabetic podocyte injury by silencing the expression of Rictor. In the present study, mouse podocytes were treated with glucose (150 mM) and mannitol (200 mM), the gene was silenced using small interfering RNA (siRNA). Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, whereas podocyte cytoskeletal protein expression was detected by western blotting (WB) and immunofluorescence staining. The results demonstrated that, compared with that in the control group, the podocyte apoptotic rate was significantly increased in the mannitol group (negative group) and the groups that were treated with glucose (model groups). The podocyte apoptotic rate in the model + siRNA group was significantly decreased compared with that in the negative, model and the model glucose + siRNA negative control (NC) groups. WB indicated that the protein expression levels of podocalyxin and synaptopodin were reduced in the model and model + siRNA NC groups compared with those in the normal control and negative groups. Additionally, the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and P-AKT/AKT were increased in the model and model + siRNA NC groups compared with the those in control and negative groups. Compared with those the model and model + siRNA NC groups, the protein expression levels of podocalyxin and synaptopodin were increased, whilst those of the α-SMA and P-AKT/AKT proteins were decreased, in the model + Rictor siRNA group. Results from immunofluorescence analysis were basically consistent with those of WB. Therefore, results of the present study suggest that silencing of the gene may reduce the damage to podocytes induced by HG, such that the Rictor/mTORC2 signaling pathway may be involved in the remodeling of podocyte actin cytoskeletal in diabetes.
PubMed: 37753299
DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.12172 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jul 2023Jaundice is a condition caused by the elevation of bilirubin level in the blood. Due to the neurological and neurodevelopmental sequalae of jaundice in newborns, the...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Jaundice is a condition caused by the elevation of bilirubin level in the blood. Due to the neurological and neurodevelopmental sequalae of jaundice in newborns, the high cost of the treatment, and the side effects of the currently used therapies, novel therapeutically approaches are needed. Purgative manna (Shir-e-Khesht) has been used in Persian traditional medicine to reduce serum bilirubin levels of neonates. Neoneaster® is a natural health product formulated by a unique method from the manna of Cotoneaster nummularius Fisch. & C.A.Mey. for treating neonatal jaundice and managing constipation. The main component of Neoneaster®, mannitol, is an osmotic laxative which could increase intestinal transit and reduce the re-absorption of bilirubin in the enterohepatic cycle.
AIM OF THE STUDY
We conducted this study to investigate acute and sub-chronic oral toxicities of Neoneaster in Wistar rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In the acute oral toxicity test, based on OECD 423 we administered Neoneaster to the Wistar rats at doses of 5, 50, 300, and 2000 mg/kg(OECD, 2002). Toxicological effects, including mortality and behavioral changes, were recorded for 14 days and compared to the control group. We also carried out histopathological assessments of the tissues of liver, heart, kidney, and spleen after this period. To evaluate sub-chronic toxicity, while administering 2000 mg/kg of Neoneaster daily to the Wistar rats, we recorded for changes in mortality and behavior for 45 days and compared these to the values of the control group. We also carried out biochemical, hematological, and histopathological assessments after this period.
RESULTS
In both acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity tests, no mortalities, behavioral abnormalities, and histological signs of toxicity was observed in any of the administered doses in comparison to the control group. The percentage of weight gains in acute toxicity test and the weight gain in sub-chronic test were not significant (P>0/05). There were also no significant differences in hematological and biochemical markers (P>0/05). Based on our finding, Neoneaster can be classified as category 5 in the Globally Harmonized Chemical Classification and Labeling System (GHS) as its Lethal Dose 50 (LD50) is higher than 2000 mg/kg.
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that Neoneaster is safe and can be classified as category 5 in the GHS system.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Rats, Wistar; Lethal Dose 50; Liver; Weight Gain; Bilirubin; Jaundice; Toxicity Tests, Acute; Plant Extracts; Toxicity Tests, Subchronic
PubMed: 37001767
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116388 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024Enzymatic synthesis of biochemicals in vitro is vital in synthetic biology for its efficiency, minimal by-products, and easy product separation. However, challenges like...
Coupling protein scaffold and biosilicification: A sustainable and recyclable approach for d-mannitol production via one-step purification and immobilization of multienzymes.
Enzymatic synthesis of biochemicals in vitro is vital in synthetic biology for its efficiency, minimal by-products, and easy product separation. However, challenges like enzyme preparation, stability, and reusability persist. Here, we introduced a protein scaffold and biosilicification coupled system, providing a singular process for the purification and immobilization of multiple enzymes. Using d-mannitol as a model, we initially constructed a self-assembling EE/KK protein scaffold for the co-immobilization of glucose dehydrogenase and mannitol dehydrogenase. Under an enzyme-to-scaffold ratio of 1:8, a d-mannitol yield of 0.692 mol/mol was achieved within 4 h, 2.16-fold higher than the free enzymes. The immobilized enzymes retained 70.9 % of the initial joint activity while the free ones diminished nearly to inactivity after 8 h. Furthermore, we incorporated the biosilicification peptide CotB into the EE/KK scaffold, inducing silica deposition, which enabled the one-step purification and immobilization process assisted by Spy/Snoop protein-peptide pairs. The coupled system demonstrated a comparable d-mannitol yield to that of EE/KK scaffold and 1.34-fold higher remaining activities after 36 h. Following 6 cycles of reaction, the immobilized system retained the capability to synthesize 56.4 % of the initial d-mannitol titer. The self-assembly co-immobilization platform offers an effective approach for enzymatic synthesis of d-mannitol and other biochemicals.
Topics: Mannitol; Enzymes, Immobilized; Glucose 1-Dehydrogenase; Mannitol Dehydrogenases
PubMed: 38723818
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132196 -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Oct 2023The genus was proposed as a novel genus in the in 2022. However, the phylogenetic relationship between and other heterofermentative lactobacilli, and the genetic and...
The genus was proposed as a novel genus in the in 2022. However, the phylogenetic relationship between and other heterofermentative lactobacilli, and the genetic and physiological properties of this genus remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the phylogenetic relationship between and the two closest genera, and , by the phylogenetic analysis and calculation of (core gene) pairwise average amino acid identity. Targeted genomic analysis showed that fructose bisphosphate aldolase was only present in the genome of . Mannitol dehydrogenase was found in genomes of , , and . Untargeted genomic analysis identified the presence of flagellar genes in but not in other closely related genera. Phenotypes related to carbohydrate fermentation and motility matched the genotypes. Motility genes were organized in a single operon and the proteins shared a high amino acid similarity in the genus . The relatively low similarity of motility operons between and other motile lactobacilli indicated the acquisition of motility by the ancestral species. Our findings facilitate the phylogenetic, genetic, and phenotypic understanding of the genus .ImportanceThe genus is a heterofermentative genus in the which includes predominantly isolates from cocoa fermentations in tropical climates. Despite the relevance of the genus in food fermentations, genetic and physiological properties of the genus are poorly characterized and genome sequences became available only after 2020. This study characterized strains of the genus by functional genomic analysis, and by determination of metabolic and physiological traits. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that is the evolutionary link between rod-shaped heterofermentative lactobacilli and the coccoid clade with the genera and as closest relatives. is the only heterofermentative genus in the which comprises predominantly motile strains. The genomic, physiological, and metabolic characterization of may facilitate the potential use of strains of the genus as starter culture in traditional or novel food fermentations.
Topics: Phylogeny; Lactobacillaceae; Lactobacillus; Weissella; Genomics; Amino Acids; Fermentation; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
PubMed: 37728921
DOI: 10.1128/aem.01034-23 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Abiotic stresses pose a major increasing problem for the cultivation of maize. Autophagy plays a vital role in recycling and re-utilizing nutrients and adapting to...
Abiotic stresses pose a major increasing problem for the cultivation of maize. Autophagy plays a vital role in recycling and re-utilizing nutrients and adapting to stress. However, the role of autophagy in the response to abiotic stress in maize has not yet been investigated. Here, , which is essential for ATG8-PE conjugation, was isolated from the maize inbred line B73. The ATG3 sequence was conserved, including the C-terminal domains with HPC and FLKF motifs and the catalytic domain in different species. The promoter of the gene contained a number of elements involved in responses to environmental stresses or hormones. Heterologous expression of in yeast promoted the growth of strain under salt, mannitol, and low-nitrogen stress. The expression of could be altered by various types of abiotic stress (200 mM NaCl, 200 mM mannitol, low N) and exogenous hormones (500 µM ABA). GUS staining analysis of -GUS transgenic Arabidopsis revealed that gene activity increased after abiotic treatment. -overexpressing Arabidopsis plants had higher osmotic and salinity stress tolerance than wild-type plants. Overexpression of up-regulated the expression of other (, and ) under NaCl, mannitol and LN stress. These findings demonstrate that overexpression of can improve tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses.
PubMed: 38931070
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121637 -
Acta Neurologica Belgica Feb 2024Contrast-induced neurotoxicity (CIN) is an increasingly recognised complication following endovascular procedures utilising contrast. It remains poorly understood with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Contrast-induced neurotoxicity (CIN) is an increasingly recognised complication following endovascular procedures utilising contrast. It remains poorly understood with heterogenous clinical management strategies. The aim of this review was to identify commonly employed treatments for CIN to enhance clinical decision making.
METHODS
A systematic search of Embase (1947-2022) and Medline (1946-2022) was conducted. Articles describing (i) patients with a clinical diagnosis of CIN, (ii) with radiological exclusion of other pathologies, (iii) detailed report of treatments, and (iv) discharge outcomes, were included. Data relating to demographics, procedure, symptoms, treatment and outcomes were extracted.
RESULTS
A total of 73 patients were included, with a median age of 64 years. The most common procedures were cerebral angiography (42.5%) and coronary angiography (42.5%), and the median volume of contrast administered was 150 ml. The most common symptoms were cortical blindness (38.4%) and reduced consciousness (28.8%), and 84.9% of patients experienced complete resolution at the time of discharge. Management included intravenous fluids to dilute contrast in the cerebrovasculature (54.8%), corticosteroids to reduce blood-brain barrier damage (47.9%), antiseizure (16.4%) and sedative (16.4%) medications. Mannitol (13.7%) was also utilised to reduce cerebral oedema. Intensive care admission was required for 19.2% of patients. No statistically significant differences were observed between treatment and discharge outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
The clinical management of CIN should be considered on a patient-by-patient basis, but may consist of aggressive fluid therapy alongside corticosteroids, as well as other supportive therapy as required. Further examination of CIN management is required to define best practice.
PubMed: 38329641
DOI: 10.1007/s13760-024-02474-4 -
Journal of Basic and Clinical... Nov 2023Systemic absorption of the irrigating fluid used to flush the operating site is a potentially serious complication in several types of endoscopic operations. To increase...
OBJECTIVES
Systemic absorption of the irrigating fluid used to flush the operating site is a potentially serious complication in several types of endoscopic operations. To increase safety, many surgeons have changed from a monopolar to a bipolar resection technique because 0.9% saline can then be used instead of electrolyte-free fluid for irrigation. The present study examines whether the tendency for excessive plasma volume expansion is greater with saline than with electrolyte-free fluid.
METHODS
Pooled data were analyzed from four studies in which a mean of 1.25 L of either 0.9% saline or an electrolyte-free irrigating fluid containing glycine, mannitol, and sorbitol was given by intravenous infusion on 80 occasions to male volunteers and patients scheduled for transurethral prostatic surgery. The distribution of the infused fluid was analyzed with a population volume kinetic model based on frequently measured hemodilution and the urinary excretion.
RESULTS
Electrolyte-free fluid distributed almost twice as fast and was excreted four times faster than 0.9% saline. The distribution half-life was 6.5 and 10.6 min for the electrolyte-free fluid and saline, respectively, and the elimination half-lives (by urinary excretion) from the plasma volume were 21 and 87 min. Simulation showed that the plasma volume expansion was twice as great from 0.9% saline than from electrolyte-free fluid.
CONCLUSIONS
Isotonic (0.9%) saline expands the plasma volume by twice as much as occurs with electrolyte-free irrigating fluids. This difference might explain why signs of cardiovascular overload are the most commonly observed adverse effects when saline is absorbed during endoscopic surgery.
PubMed: 34563101
DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2021-0032