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Cureus May 2024Background A major development in noninvasive imaging modalities, computed tomographic enterography (CTE) has a number of benefits over conventional computed tomography...
Background A major development in noninvasive imaging modalities, computed tomographic enterography (CTE) has a number of benefits over conventional computed tomography (CT) and capsule endoscopy. Through the utilization of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) technology, CTE expedites the assessment of small bowel diseases, especially in those segments that are not accessible through traditional endoscopy. This study's main goal is to thoroughly evaluate CTE's diagnostic accuracy for a range of small intestinal conditions. Methodology In this investigation, which is a prospective observational study, 40 patients, 25 men and 15 women, with suspected small intestinal disorders and ages ranging from 10 to 70 underwent CTE. To evaluate diagnosis accuracy, a combination of clinical symptoms, imaging data, and histopathological/ultrasonography findings were evaluated. Throughout the research procedure, ethical issues and statistical analysis were incorporated to guarantee validity and adherence to ethical norms. Results The most frequent findings on CTE were bowel thickening and mucosal hyperenhancement, which were seen in 25 (62.5%) and 20 (50%) of the patients, respectively. The majority of patients (65%) exhibited both the ileal and jejunal loops to be adequately distended in grade III. In 35% of the patients, grade II distensibility of the ileal and jejunal loops was seen. Conclusion When it comes to accurately detecting small intestinal disorders, CTE is superior. It evaluates extraintestinal, mural, and intraluminal diseases with efficacy, particularly in places that are difficult to reach. It is essential for directing clinical decisions because of its capacity to assess disease activity prior to endoscopy and see consequences.
PubMed: 38910779
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60915 -
International Journal of Pharmaceutics Jun 2024Labrafac™ MC60 (glycerol monocaprylocaprate) is a lipid-based excipient used in oral formulations as a solubiliser. Due to the high proportions of established...
Labrafac™ MC60 (glycerol monocaprylocaprate) is a lipid-based excipient used in oral formulations as a solubiliser. Due to the high proportions of established permeability enhancers, caprylate (C) and caprate (C), in Labrafac™ MC60, we hypothesised that it might behave as an intestinal permeation enhancer. We therefore evaluated this using two paracellular markers (ex vivo) and insulin (in vivo) as model molecules. Ex vivo studies were conducted in isolated muscle-stripped rat colonic mucosae mounted in Ussing chambers. Apical addition of Labrafac™ MC60 (8, 12, and 16 mg/ml) enhanced the apparent permeability coefficients (P) of [C] mannitol and FITC-dextran 4 kDa (FD4) across colonic mucosae. Similar effects were observed in isolated jejunal mucosae, but at higher concentrations (40 mg/ml). The enhancing capacity of Labrafac™ MC60 was transient due to reversibility of reductions in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) upon wash-out and effects on fluxes were molecular weight-dependent (MW) as suggested by fluxes of a set of high MW FITC-dextrans. The permeability enhancing effects of Labrafac™ MC60 ex vivo were maintained in the presence of simulated intestinal fluids, FaSSIF and FaSSCoF, in both jejunal and colonic mucosae, respectively. Following intra-intestinal regional instillations to rats, the relative bioavailability of 50 IU/kg insulin ad-mixed with Labrafac™ MC60 was 5 % in jejunum (40 mg/ml) and 6 % in colon (8 mg/ml). When Labrafac™ MC60 was combined with PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil (1 % v/v), this further increased the bioavailability of insulin to 8 % in jejunum. Absorption enhancement was also maintained in the presence of FaSSIF in jejunal instillations. Histology after 120 min exposure to Labrafac™ MC60 in vivo for both jejunum and colon was similar to untreated control. Labrafac™ MC60 therefore acts as a non-damaging intestinal permeation enhancer for macromolecules and can be considered as another excipient in screening programmes to develop orally administered macromolecules.
PubMed: 38909926
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124353 -
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery Jun 2024Systematic evaluation of the safety of del Nido cardioplegia compared to cold blood cardioplegia in adult cardiac surgery. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Systematic evaluation of the safety of del Nido cardioplegia compared to cold blood cardioplegia in adult cardiac surgery.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomized clinical trials (published by 14 January 2024) comparing del Nido cardioplegia to cold blood cardioplegia in adult. Our main endpoints were myocardial injury markers and clinical outcomes. We assessed pooled data by use of a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model.
RESULTS
A total of 10 studies were identified, incorporating 889 patients who received del Nido cardioplegia and 907 patients who received cold blood cardioplegia. The meta-analysis results showed that compared with the cold blood cardioplegia, the del Nido cardioplegia had less volume of cardioplegia, higher rate of spontaneous rhythm recovery after cross clamp release, lower levels of postoperative cardiac troponin T and creatinine kinase-myocardial band, all of which were statistically significant. However, there was no statistically significant difference in postoperative troponin I and postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction. The clinical outcomes including mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit stay time, hospital stay time, postoperative stroke, postoperative new-onset atrial fibrillation, postoperative heart failure requiring intra-aortic balloon pump mechanical circulation support, and in-hospital mortality of both are comparable.
CONCLUSION
Existing evidence suggests that del Nido cardioplegia reduced volume of cardioplegia administration and attempts of defibrillation. The superior postoperative results in CTnT and CK-MB may provide a direction for further research on improvement of the composition of cardioplegia.
Topics: Humans; Heart Arrest, Induced; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Cardioplegic Solutions; Adult; Potassium Chloride; Mannitol; Lidocaine; Solutions; Electrolytes; Magnesium Sulfate; Sodium Bicarbonate
PubMed: 38909234
DOI: 10.1186/s13019-024-02846-0 -
ELife Jun 2024Soil-free assays that induce water stress are routinely used to investigate drought responses in the plant . Due to their ease of use, the research community often...
Soil-free assays that induce water stress are routinely used to investigate drought responses in the plant . Due to their ease of use, the research community often relies on polyethylene glycol (PEG), mannitol, and salt (NaCl) treatments to reduce the water potential of agar media, and thus induce drought conditions in the laboratory. However, while these types of stress can create phenotypes that resemble those of water deficit experienced by soil-grown plants, it remains unclear how these treatments compare at the transcriptional level. Here, we demonstrate that these different methods of lowering water potential elicit both shared and distinct transcriptional responses in shoot and root tissue. When we compared these transcriptional responses to those found in roots subject to vermiculite drying, we discovered many genes induced by vermiculite drying were repressed by low water potential treatments on agar plates (and vice versa). Additionally, we also tested another method for lowering water potential of agar media. By increasing the nutrient content and tensile strength of agar, we show the 'hard agar' (HA) treatment can be leveraged as a high-throughput assay to investigate natural variation in growth responses to low water potential.
Topics: Arabidopsis; Water; Transcriptome; Plant Roots; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; High-Throughput Screening Assays; Droughts; Plant Shoots; Gene Expression Profiling
PubMed: 38904663
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.84747 -
Molecular & Cellular Proteomics : MCP Jun 2024Osmotic stress significantly hampers plant growth and crop yields, emphasizing the need for a thorough comprehension of the underlying molecular responses. Previous...
Osmotic stress significantly hampers plant growth and crop yields, emphasizing the need for a thorough comprehension of the underlying molecular responses. Previous research has demonstrated that osmotic stress rapidly induces calcium influx and signaling, along with the activation of a specific subset of protein kinases, notably the Raf-SnRK2 kinase cascades within minutes. However, the intricate interplay between calcium signaling and the activation of RAF-SnRK2 kinase cascades remains elusive. Here in this study, we discovered that Raf-like protein (RAF) kinases undergo hyperphosphorylation in response to osmotic shocks. Intriguingly, treatment with the calcium chelator EGTA robustly activates RAF-SnRK2 cascades, mirroring the effects of osmotic treatment. Utilizing high-throughput DIA-based phosphoproteomics, we unveiled the global impact of EGTA on protein phosphorylation. Beyond the activation of RAFs and sucrose non-fermenting-1-related protein kinase 2s (SnRK2s), EGTA treatment also activates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) cascades, Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs), and receptor-like protein kinases, etc. Through overlapping assays, we identified potential roles of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinases (MAP4Ks) and receptor-like protein kinases in the osmotic-stress-induced activation of RAF-SnRK2 cascades. Our findings illuminate the regulation of phosphorylation and cellular events by Ca signaling, offering insights into the (exocellular) Ca deprivation during early hyperosmolality sensing and signaling.
PubMed: 38901673
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100804 -
Diagnostic Cytopathology Jun 2024We describe a novel alcohol-free preservative composed of glucose, mannitol, disodium hydrogen orthophosphate, thymol, and distilled water (glucose-mannitol-disodium...
BACKGROUND
We describe a novel alcohol-free preservative composed of glucose, mannitol, disodium hydrogen orthophosphate, thymol, and distilled water (glucose-mannitol-disodium dihydrogen orhtophosphate-thymol [GMDT] preservative) in appropriate proportion as an alternative to alcohol prefixation (APF) of body fluids.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the cytomorphologic preservation and staining quality of serous body fluid smears generated by GMDT preservative and compare it with smears processed by standard 50% APF.
METHODOLOGY
The study comprised 151 effusion samples. Each sample was equally divided into four tubes. Equal volumes of APF and GMDT preservatives were added to the first two tubes and left at room temperature for 24 h. Similarly, the corresponding preservatives were added to the third and fourth tubes and stored for 48 h. Two smears were prepared from the centrifuged sediments of each tube (all four tubes) and stained with May-Grünwald Giemsa and Papanicolaou (Pap) stains. Using a three-tiered scoring system, the smear examination was blinded to assess the extent of cellular preservation and the staining quality by two cytotechnologists and two cytopathologists. Statistical analysis was performed by STATA 16.0.
RESULTS
Samples processed with the GMDT preservative at 24 h showed better cytoplasmic preservation and smear background, while nuclear features and staining quality showed no difference between the two preservatives. Mild cytoplasmic and nuclear degenerative changes were noted with the GMDT at 48 h, while all four parameters remained similar with APF at 24 and 48 h.
CONCLUSIONS
The newly developed alcohol-free, GMDT preservative, could be a feasible and cost-effective alternative to 50% APF, preferably when samples are processed within 24 h.
PubMed: 38895827
DOI: 10.1002/dc.25369 -
Health Science Reports Jun 2024Food-borne illness is a public health concern in developing countries because of improper food handling and sanitation practices, irregular medical checkups, lack of...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Food-borne illness is a public health concern in developing countries because of improper food handling and sanitation practices, irregular medical checkups, lack of clean water supplies, and inadequate education among food handlers. This study investigated the burden of bacterial food-borne illness, antibiotic resistance patterns, and associated factors among food handlers in prison and nonprison food establishment settings.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2022 to January 2023 among asymptomatic food handlers in Shewa Robit town. A total of 384 food handlers participated. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Stool and hand swab samples were collected and cultivated onto MacConkey agar, xylose-lysine-deoxycholate, Mannitol salt agar, and blood agar, and incubated at 37°C. Bacterial species were identified using biochemical tests and gram staining. Mueller-Hinton agar was used in Kirby Bauer's disk diffusion method. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis were performed.
RESULTS
Fecal and hand carriage rate of bacterial isolates were 106 (27.6%), and 214 (55.7%), respectively. Out of the 102 bacterial isolates, the most common ones from stool samples were 71 (18.5%), 12 (3.1%), and spp. 7 (1.8%). Among 214 bacterial isolates, coagulase-negative 115 (29.9%) and 66 (17.3%) were identified from hand swab samples. Hand washing practice after restroom with water (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-3.45), irregular medical checkups (AOR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.35-4.59), and did not receive food safety and hygiene training (AOR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.34-4.05) were statistically significant association with food-borne illness.
CONCLUSIONS
Foodborne pathogens pose a serious health risk in the study areas. The level of antimicrobial resistance are also concerning. Food handlers should therefore get strict regular health education, medical checkups, and training programs to prevent the spread of infections to the customers.
PubMed: 38895551
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.2199 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Tourmaline, a boron-bearing mineral, has been extensively applied as a geothermometer, provenance indicator, and fluid-composition recorder in geological studies. In...
Tourmaline, a boron-bearing mineral, has been extensively applied as a geothermometer, provenance indicator, and fluid-composition recorder in geological studies. In this paper, the decomposition capability of an HF-HNO-mannitol mixture for a tourmaline sample was investigated in detail for the first time, and a wet acid digestion method based on the boron-mannitol complex for accurate boron determination in tourmaline by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was proposed. With a digestion temperature of 140 °C, tourmaline samples of 25 mg (±0.5 mg) can be completely decomposed by a ternary mixture, which consisted of 0.6 mL of HF, 0.6 mL of HNO, and 0.7 mL of 2% mannitol (wt.), via a continuous heating treatment of 36 h. Following gentle evaporation at 100 °C, the sample residues were re-dissolved using 2 mL of 40% HNO solution (wt.) and diluted to about 2.0 × 10-fold by a two-step method using 2% HNO solution (wt.). The boron contents in a batch of parallel tourmaline samples were then determined by ICP-MS, and results showed that the boron concentration levels were in a range of 3.20-3.44% with determination RSDs less than 4.0% ( = 5). It was found that the boron concentrations obtained at the mass of B were comparable with results from the measurements at the mass of B. This revealed that the usage of 2% mannitol with a quantity as high as 0.7 mL in this developed approach did not exhibit significant effect on the quantification accuracy of boron at the mass of B. It was also found that the processes including fluoride-forming prevention and fluoride decomposition deteriorated the boron-reserving efficiency of mannitol for tourmaline, causing the averaged boron contents to vary from 2.25% to 3.57% ( = 5). Furthermore, the stability of the boron-mannitol complex under 185 °C by applying the laboratory high pressure-closed digestion method was evaluated, which showed that there existed a 60.36% loss of boron compared to that under 140 °C by using this proposed approach. For this ternary mixture, the tourmaline decomposing efficiency was found to be weakened prominently using 100 °C as the digestion temperature, and tourmaline powders can be observed even after 72 h of continuous heating with B contents within 1.09-1.23% ( = 5). To assess the accuracy of this developed method, the boron recovery of anhydrous lithium tetraborate was studied. It was found that the boron recoveries were within 96.59-102.12% (RSD < 1%, = 5), demonstrating the accuracy and reliability of this proposed method, which exhibits advantages of high B preserving efficiency, and giving concentration information of both B and trace elements simultaneously. By applying such a boron-mannitol complex-based wet acid digestion method, the chemical composition of boron and trace elements in three tourmaline samples from different pegmatites were quantified, which provided valuable information to distinguish regional deposits and the associated evolution stages.
PubMed: 38893574
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112701 -
Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources 2024(Lindner) Klocker 1907 is frequently employed in the fermentation of metabolites such as citric acid, ethanol, mannitol, and pyruvate. Its heat tolerance and...
(Lindner) Klocker 1907 is frequently employed in the fermentation of metabolites such as citric acid, ethanol, mannitol, and pyruvate. Its heat tolerance and alcohol-producing capabilities during fermentation make it a desirable option for bread and wine production. To date, the mitochondrial genome of has not been sequenced. In the present study, we obtained the full mitochondrial genome of , which is 57,302 bp long and has a GC content of 24.40%. This genome contained 14 core protein-coding genes, 3 independent ORFs, 21 intronic ORFs, 25 tRNAs, and 2 rRNA genes. By utilizing the Bayesian inference phylogenetic method, we constructed phylogenetic trees for 24 Saccharomycotina fungi, which indicated that is closely related to .
PubMed: 38887218
DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2024.2364756 -
Fungal Biology Jun 2024Post-harvest decay of fresh agricultural produce is a major threat to food security globally. Synthetic fungicides, commonly used in practice for managing the...
Antagonistic potential of endophytic fungal isolates of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits against post-harvest disease-causing pathogens of tomatoes: An in vitro investigation.
Post-harvest decay of fresh agricultural produce is a major threat to food security globally. Synthetic fungicides, commonly used in practice for managing the post-harvest losses, have negative impacts on consumers' health. Studies have reported the effectiveness of fungal isolates from plants as biocontrol agents of post-harvest diseases, although this is still poorly established in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Jasmine). In this study, 800 endophytic fungi were isolated from mature green and ripe untreated and fungicide-treated tomato fruits grown in open soil and hydroponics systems. Of these, five isolates (Aureobasidium pullulans SUG4.1, Coprinellus micaceus SUG4.3, Epicoccum nigrum SGT8.6, Fusarium oxysporum HTR8.4, Preussia africana SUG3.1) showed antagonistic properties against selected post-harvest pathogens of tomatoes (Alternaria alternata, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Geotrichum candidum, Rhizopus stolonifera, Rhizoctonia solani), with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum as a positive control. P. africana SUG3.1 and C. micaceus SUG4.3 significantly inhibited growth of all the pathogens, with antagonistic capabilities comparable to that exhibited by L. plantarum. Furthermore, the isolates produced an array of enzymes, including among others, amylase, cellulose and protease; and were able to utilize several carbohydrates (glucose, lactose, maltose, mannitol, sucrose). In conclusion, P. africana SUG3.1 and C. micaceus SUG4.3 may complement L. plantarum as biocontrol agents against post-harvest pathogens of tomatoes.
Topics: Solanum lycopersicum; Plant Diseases; Fruit; Endophytes; Fungi; Antibiosis; Biological Control Agents; Fungicides, Industrial
PubMed: 38876537
DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2024.05.006