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PloS One 2024Changes in alcohol consumption may affect older adults' health. We examined prevalence and changes in the alcohol consumption of older women and men (≥65 years) in...
BACKGROUND
Changes in alcohol consumption may affect older adults' health. We examined prevalence and changes in the alcohol consumption of older women and men (≥65 years) in Norway over a 24-year period.
METHODS
Data from three population-based health surveys (The Trøndelag Health Study-HUNT2 1995-97, HUNT3 2006-08, HUNT4 2017-19) were used. Alcohol consumption was measured using self-reported measures and an objective measure of alcohol consumption (Phosphatidylethanol 16:0/18:1, PEth). Self-reported lifetime abstinence, former drinking, current drinking, frequent drinking (≥4 times/week), and risk drinking (≥8 units/week) were measured. The PEth concentrations were stratified: <0.03 μmol/l (abstinence/very low level of alcohol consumption); >0.06 μmol/l (indicating >1 unit/day); >0.10 μmol/l (indicating >3 units/day), and >0.30 μmol/l (heavy alcohol consumption).
RESULTS
In HUNT4, the prevalence of self-reported lifetime abstinence, frequent drinking, and risk drinking was 5.2%, 4.4%, and 5.6%, respectively, while prevalence of PEth <0.03 μmol/l was 68.1% and PEth >0.06 μmol/l was 21.2%. Over the course of the three surveys, the prevalence of self-reported lifetime abstinence decreased, while the prevalence of frequent drinking and risk drinking increased. Men were less often abstainers and more often frequent and risky drinkers than women in all three surveys. Gender differences for abstinence and current drinking reduced with time. From HUNT3 to HUNT4, the prevalence of PEth <0.03 μmol/l decreased, while the prevalence of PEth >0.06 μmol/l increased. Men compared to women, had less often PEth <0.03 μmol/l and more often PEth >0.06 and >0.10 μmol/l in HUNT3 and HUNT4. Women and men ≥75 years were just as likely to have PEth >0.30 μmol/l in HUNT4. The gender differences in PEth concentrations were reduced in HUNT4 among those aged 70-74 years or ≥75 years.
CONCLUSION
Alcohol consumption has increased among Norwegian older adults over a 24-year period, but at a slower pace during the last decade.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Aged; Alcohol Drinking; Self Report; Norway; Prevalence; Glycerophospholipids; Aged, 80 and over; Health Surveys
PubMed: 38820445
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304714 -
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences :... May 2024The glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthetic pathway in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is crucial for generating GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs), which are...
The glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthetic pathway in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is crucial for generating GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs), which are translocated to the cell surface and play a vital role in cell signaling and adhesion. This study focuses on two integral components of the GPI pathway, the PIGL and PIGF proteins, and their significance in trophoblast biology. We show that GPI pathway mutations impact on placental development impairing the differentiation of the syncytiotrophoblast (SynT), and especially the SynT-II layer, which is essential for the establishment of the definitive nutrient exchange area within the placental labyrinth. CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of Pigl and Pigf in mouse trophoblast stem cells (mTSCs) confirms the role of these GPI enzymes in syncytiotrophoblast differentiation. Mechanistically, impaired GPI-AP generation induces an excessive unfolded protein response (UPR) in the ER in mTSCs growing in stem cell conditions, akin to what is observed in human preeclampsia. Upon differentiation, the impairment of the GPI pathway hinders the induction of WNT signaling for early SynT-II development. Remarkably, the transcriptomic profile of Pigl- and Pigf-deficient cells separates human patient placental samples into preeclampsia and control groups, suggesting an involvement of Pigl and Pigf in establishing a preeclamptic gene signature. Our study unveils the pivotal role of GPI biosynthesis in early placentation and uncovers a new preeclampsia gene expression profile associated with mutations in the GPI biosynthesis pathway, providing novel molecular insights into placental development with implications for enhanced patient stratification and timely interventions.
Topics: Trophoblasts; Female; Pregnancy; Cell Differentiation; Animals; Humans; Mice; Placentation; Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; Placenta; Wnt Signaling Pathway; Pre-Eclampsia; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Biosynthetic Pathways; Unfolded Protein Response; CRISPR-Cas Systems
PubMed: 38819479
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05284-2 -
Journal of Integrative Plant Biology May 2024
PubMed: 38818976
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13683 -
Reproduction in Domestic Animals =... May 2024Spermatozoa can experience negative changes when subjected to freezing and thawing, including lowered motility, viability and acrosome response. Herein, the effects of...
Spermatozoa can experience negative changes when subjected to freezing and thawing, including lowered motility, viability and acrosome response. Herein, the effects of different concentrations of soybean lecithin nanoparticles on cryopreserved Holstein bull semen were examined. Semen was collected, cryopreserved and utilized for sperm kinetic parameter analysis following dilution, equilibration and thawing with 0.5% soybean lecithin (E1), the control extender, and 0.75% (E2), 0.5% (E3), 0.25% (E4) and 0.125% (E5) of lecithin nanoparticles. Results revealed that following dilution, the progressive motility (PM) at E3, E4 and E5 of lecithin nanoparticles was higher (p < .05) than it was for E2. After equilibration, compared to the E1, E2, and E3 values, the PM, vitality, normal morphology, membrane integrity and intact acrosome values at the E5 were consistently greater (p < .05). Comparing the percentages of intact acrosome and membrane integrity at E2 and E3 to E4 and E5, a substantial decrease (p < .05) was seen. Following thawing, the percentage of PM improved at E2 and E5, even though their mean PM values were similar (p > .05) compared to E1, E3 and E4. Vigour and progression parameters of sperm (DAP, DCL, DSL, VAP, VCL, VSL and STR) at E5 were higher (p < .05) than those at E1, E2, E3 and E4. In conclusion, the cryopreserved sperm from Holstein bulls revealed outstanding properties both after equilibration and after thawing with 0.125% lecithin nanoparticles, and they were sensitive to high dosages.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Male; Cryopreservation; Glycine max; Insemination, Artificial; Lecithins; Nanoparticles; Semen; Semen Analysis; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa; Semen Preservation
PubMed: 38812417
DOI: 10.1111/rda.14613 -
The Science of the Total Environment Aug 2024Surface modification of graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) may occur in aquatic environment and during intentional preparation. However, the influence of the surface...
Surface modification of graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) may occur in aquatic environment and during intentional preparation. However, the influence of the surface groups on the developmental toxicity of GBNs has not been determined. In this study, we evaluated the developmental toxicity of three GBNs including GO (graphene oxide), RGO (reduced GO) and RGO-N (aminated RGO) by employing zebrafish embryos at environmentally relevant concentrations (1-100 μg/L), and the underlying metabolic mechanisms were explored. The results showed that both GO and RGO-N disturbed the development of zebrafish embryos, and the adverse effect of GO was greater than that of RGO-N. Furthermore, the oxygen-containing groups of GBNs play a more important role in inducing developmental toxicity compared to size, defects and nitrogen-containing groups. Specifically, the epoxide and hydroxyl groups of GBNs increased their intrinsic oxidative potential, promoted the generation of ROS, and caused lipid peroxidation. Moreover, a significant decrease in guanosine and abnormal metabolism of multiple glycerophospholipids were observed in all three GBN-treated groups. Nevertheless, GO exposure triggered more metabolic activities related to lipid peroxidation than RGO or RGO-N exposure, and the disturbance intensity of the same metabolite was greater than that of the other two agents. These findings reveal underlying metabolic mechanisms of GBN-induced developmental toxicity.
Topics: Graphite; Animals; Zebrafish; Glycerophospholipids; Nanostructures; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Lipid Peroxidation
PubMed: 38810761
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173576 -
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Jul 2024Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in horses is currently employed for clinical and commercial uses, but the protocol could be optimized to improve its efficiency....
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in horses is currently employed for clinical and commercial uses, but the protocol could be optimized to improve its efficiency. We have hypothesized that destabilization of plasma and acrosomal membranes prior to injection would positively impact the developmental potential of equine zygotes generated by ICSI. This study evaluated effects of the sperm treatment with lysolecithin on plasma and acrosomal membranes and on oocyte activation ability, initially following heterologous ICSI on bovine oocytes and subsequently employing equine oocytes. The effects of the lysolecithin -treatment on the efficiency of conventional and piezo-assisted equine ICSI were evaluated. To do this, the equine sperm were treated with different concentrations of lysolecithin and the sperm plasma membrane, acrosome and DNA integrity were evaluated by flow cytometry. The results showed that a lysolecithin concentration of 0.08 % destabilized the membranes of all sperm and affected DNA integrity within the range described for the species (8-30 %). In addition, the heterologous ICSI assay showed that lysolecithin treatment was detrimental to the sperm's ability to activate the oocyte, therefore, chemical oocyte activation was used after equine ICSI after injection with lysolecithin -treated sperm. This group showed similar developmental rate to the control group with and without exogenous activation. In conclusion, lysolecithin pre-treatment is not necessary when using ICSI to produce equine embryos in vitro. The results from the current study provide additional insight regarding the factors impacting ICSI in horses.
Topics: Animals; Horses; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; Male; Lysophosphatidylcholines; Spermatozoa; Female; Oocytes
PubMed: 38810588
DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105095 -
Journal of Pharmaceutical and... Sep 2024A polemic is given regarding several of the calculated curve-fit parameters that Zhou and coworkers reported in their published paper. The calculated curve-fit...
A polemic is given regarding several of the calculated curve-fit parameters that Zhou and coworkers reported in their published paper. The calculated curve-fit parameters for the Combined Nearly Ideal Binary Solvent/Redlich-Kister, Jouyban-Acree-van't Hoff, Sun and modified Apelblat models were found to give mole fraction solubilities that exceeded unity. Our analysis also found that the mean relative absolute percent deviations provided by the authors were significantly underestimated.
Topics: Solvents; Thermodynamics; Solubility; Glycerylphosphorylcholine; Models, Chemical; Temperature
PubMed: 38810329
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116217 -
Analytical Chemistry Jun 2024GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) are ubiquitous and essential but exist in low abundances on the cell surface, making their analysis and investigation especially...
GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) are ubiquitous and essential but exist in low abundances on the cell surface, making their analysis and investigation especially challenging. To tackle the problem, a new method to detect and study GPI-APs based upon GPI metabolic engineering and DNA-facilitated fluorescence signal amplification was developed. In this context, cell surface GPI-APs were metabolically engineered using azido-inositol derivatives to introduce an azido group. This allowed GPI-AP coupling with alkyne-functionalized multifluorophore DNA assemblies generated by hybridization chain reaction (HCR). It was demonstrated that this approach could significantly improve the detection limit and sensitivity of GPI-APs, thereby enabling various biological studies, including the investigation of live cells. This new, enhanced GPI-AP detection method has been utilized to successfully explore GPI-AP engineering, analyze GPI-APs, and profile GPI-AP expression in different cells.
Topics: Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Humans; DNA; GPI-Linked Proteins; Animals; Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; Fluorescent Dyes; Azides
PubMed: 38808923
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c01116 -
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B Jun 20245-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an antineoplastic agent known for its low bioavailability and limited cellular penetration, often resulting in adverse effects on healthy cells....
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an antineoplastic agent known for its low bioavailability and limited cellular penetration, often resulting in adverse effects on healthy cells. Thus, finding vehicles that enhance bioavailability, enable controlled release, and mitigate adverse effects is crucial. The study focuses on encapsulating 5-FU within soy lecithin vesicles (SLVs) and assessing its impact on the carrier's properties and functionality. Results show that incorporating 5-FU does not affect SLVs' size or polydispersity, even postlyophilization. Liberation of 5-FU from SLVs requires system disruption rather than spontaneous release, with an encapsulation efficiency of approximately 43% determined using Square Wave Voltammetry. Cytotoxicity assays on colorectal cancer cells reveal SLV-based delivery's significant efficacy, surpassing free drug solution effects with 45% cell viability after 72 h vs 73% viability. The research addresses 5-FU's limited bioavailability by creating a biocompatible nanocarrier for efficient drug delivery, highlighting SLVs as promising for targeted cancer therapy due to sustained antiproliferative effects and improved cellular uptake. The study underscores the importance of tailored drug delivery systems in enhancing therapeutic outcomes and suggests SLV/5-FU formulations as a potential advancement in cancer treatment strategies.
Topics: Fluorouracil; Lecithins; Humans; Drug Carriers; Cell Survival; Glycine max; Drug Liberation; Electrochemical Techniques; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 38808516
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c02202 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024Numerous failures in melanoma treatment as a highly aggressive form of skin cancer with an unfavorable prognosis and excessive resistance to conventional therapies are...
PURPOSE
Numerous failures in melanoma treatment as a highly aggressive form of skin cancer with an unfavorable prognosis and excessive resistance to conventional therapies are prompting an urgent search for more effective therapeutic tools. Consequently, to increase the treatment efficiency and to reduce the side effects of traditional administration ways, herein, it has become crucial to combine photodynamic therapy as a promising therapeutic approach with the selectivity and biocompatibility of a novel colloidal transdermal nanoplatform for effective delivery of hybrid cargo with synergistic effects on melanoma cells.
METHODS
The self-assembled bilosomes, co-stabilized with L-α-phosphatidylcholine, sodium cholate, Pluronic P123, and cholesterol, were designated, and the stability of colloidal vesicles was studied using dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering, also provided in cell culture medium (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium). The hybrid compounds - a classical photosensitizer (Methylene Blue) along with a complementary natural polyphenolic agent (curcumin), were successfully co-loaded, as confirmed by UV-Vis, ATR-FTIR, and fluorescent spectroscopies. The biocompatibility and usefulness of the polymer functionalized bilosome with loaded double cargo were demonstrated in vitro cyto- and phototoxicity experiments using normal keratinocytes and melanoma cancer cells.
RESULTS
The in vitro bioimaging and immunofluorescence study upon human skin epithelial (A375) and malignant (Me45) melanoma cell lines established the protective effect of the PEGylated bilosome surface. This effect was confirmed in cytotoxicity experiments, also determined on human cutaneous (HaCaT) keratinocytes. The flow cytometry experiments indicated the enhanced uptake of the encapsulated hybrid cargo compared to the non-loaded MB and CUR molecules, as well as a selectivity of the obtained nanocarriers upon tumor cell lines. The phyto-photodynamic action provided 24h-post irradiation revealed a more significant influence of the nanoplatform on Me45 cells in contrast to the A375 cell line, causing the cell viability rate below 20% of the control.
CONCLUSION
As a result, we established an innovative and effective strategy for potential metastatic melanoma treatment through the synergism of phyto-photodynamic therapy and novel bilosomal-origin nanophotosensitizers.
Topics: Humans; Skin Neoplasms; Melanoma; Photochemotherapy; Cell Line, Tumor; Photosensitizing Agents; Curcumin; Nanomedicine; Cell Survival; Liposomes; Cholesterol; Phosphatidylcholines; Sodium Cholate; Drug Delivery Systems; Poloxalene
PubMed: 38808148
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S450181