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Nutrients May 2024Since many acutely admitted older adults display signs of dehydration, treatment using balanced crystalloids is an important part of medical care. Additionally, many of... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Since many acutely admitted older adults display signs of dehydration, treatment using balanced crystalloids is an important part of medical care. Additionally, many of these patients suffer from chronic malnutrition. We speculated that the early addition of glucose might ameliorate the hospital-related drop of caloric intake and modify their catabolic status.
METHODS
We included patients 78 years and older, admitted acutely for non-traumatic illnesses. The patients were randomized into either receiving balanced crystalloid (PlasmaLyte; group P) or balanced crystalloid enriched with 100 g of glucose per liter (group G). The information about fluid balance and levels of minerals were collected longitudinally.
RESULTS
In the G group, a significantly higher proportion of patients developed signs of refeeding syndrome, i.e., drops in phosphates, potassium and/or magnesium when compared to group P (83.3 vs. 16.7%, < 0.01). The drop in phosphate levels was the most pronounced. The urinalysis showed no differences in the levels of these minerals in the urine, suggesting their uptake into the cells. There were no differences in the in-hospital mortality or in the 1-year mortality.
CONCLUSION
The short-term administration of balanced crystalloids with glucose induced an anabolic shift of electrolytes in acutely admitted older adults.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Female; Male; Aged, 80 and over; Fluid Therapy; Glucose; Crystalloid Solutions; Water-Electrolyte Balance; Refeeding Syndrome; Dietary Supplements; Dehydration; Hospital Mortality
PubMed: 38892539
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111607 -
Nutrients May 2024The association of hydration knowledge and health habits with hydration status and fluid intake is rarely examined. We sought to determine whether knowledge or physical...
The association of hydration knowledge and health habits with hydration status and fluid intake is rarely examined. We sought to determine whether knowledge or physical health behaviors predict physiological hydration status and fluid intake. Ninety-six participants (59 female; 27 ± 10 year) completed the previously validated hydration survey. Participants then recorded total fluids consumed (TFC), collected urine, and tracked void frequency for 24 h. Hydration status was assessed via 24 h urine specific gravity (USG) and osmolality (U). Health behaviors included self-reported physical activity, BMI, smoking, alcoholic drinking, and sleep status. TFC was significantly correlated with 24 h USG (r = -0.390; < 0.001), U (r = -0.486; < 0.001), total urine volume (r = 0.675; < 0.001), and void frequency (r = 0.518; < 0.001). Hydration knowledge was not correlated with 24 h USG (r = 0.085; = 0.420), U (r = 0.087; = 0.419), urine total volume (r = 0.019; = 0.857), void frequency (r = 0.030; = 0.771), or TFC (r = 0.027; = 0.813). Hydration knowledge did not predict 24 h USG (LR = 1.10; LR = 0.90), U (LR = 0.81; LR = 1.35), or TFC (LR = 1.00; LR = 1.00). Health habits did not predict 24 h USG, U, or TFC. In conclusion, self-reported 24 h diet and fluid log recording is comparable to hydration status verification via 24 h urine collection. Hydration knowledge and health habits are not related to, or predictive of, hydration status.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Drinking; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Behavior; Organism Hydration Status; Young Adult; Specific Gravity; Dehydration; Osmolar Concentration; Surveys and Questionnaires; Exercise; Water-Electrolyte Balance; Self Report
PubMed: 38892475
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111541 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jul 2024Public concern about the effects of pesticides on non-target organisms has increased in the recent years. Nevertheless, there is a limited number of studies that address...
Public concern about the effects of pesticides on non-target organisms has increased in the recent years. Nevertheless, there is a limited number of studies that address the actual toxic effects of herbicides on insects. This study investigated the side effects of herbicides on non-target organisms inhabiting agroecosystems and performing essential ecological and economic functions such as crop pollination. We analysed morphological alterations in the gut, Malpighian tubules and circulating haemocytes of Apis mellifera workers as markers of exposure effects. A commercial formulation of a pendimethalin-based herbicide (PND) was administered orally under laboratory conditions at a realistic concentration admitted in the field (330gL of active ingredient., 4 L ha for cereal and vegetable crops). The worker bees were exposed to a single application of PND for a period of one week, to simulate the exposure that can occur when foraging bees accidentally drink drops of contaminated water upon treatments. Histopathological analyses of the midgut, ileum and Malpighian tubules showed alterations over time (from 24 to 72 h after the beginning of exposure) such as loss of epithelial organisation, cellular vacuolisation and altered pyknotic nuclei as well as disruption of the peritrophic membrane over time. Semiquantitative analyses of the midgut showed a significant increase in the organ injury index 24 and 72 h after the initial exposure in PND-exposed bees compared to control bees. In addition, a change in positivity to Gram staining was observed in the midgut histological sections. A recovery of cytotoxic effects was observed one week after the initial exposure, which was favoured by the periodic renewal of the intestinal epithelium and the herbicide dissipation time. Cytochemical staining with Giemsa of haemocytes from PND-treated workers over 24 and 72 h showed significant nuclear alterations such as lobed or polymorphic nuclei and micronuclei compared to bees in the control group. These results show that the dose of PND used to protect crops from weeds can lead to significant cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in non-target organisms such as honey bees. In croplands, the sublethal effects on cell morphology can impair vital physiological processes such as nutrition, osmoregulation, and resistance to pathogens, contributing to the decline in biodiversity and abundance of species that play a prominent ecological role, such as pollinators.
Topics: Animals; Bees; Herbicides; Aniline Compounds; Malpighian Tubules; DNA Damage
PubMed: 38870738
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116565 -
Skin Research and Technology : Official... Jun 2024Psychological stress alters epidermal barrier function. While intensive studies on the underlying mechanism have been performed in mice, human studies are limited....
INTRODUCTION
Psychological stress alters epidermal barrier function. While intensive studies on the underlying mechanism have been performed in mice, human studies are limited. Non-invasive skin-physiology measures have not yet been directly linked to non-invasive psycho-physiological assessments.
METHODS
Standard measures of (I) transepidermal water loss prior to and after experimental barrier perturbation via tape stripping, (II) skin surface pH, (III) electrodermal activity, and (IV) heart rate function were taken over a 24 h time period. To document perceived stress, a standardized stress self-assessment questionnaire, namely the Trierer Inventar zum chronischen Stress (TICS), was utilized.
RESULTS
Twenty healthy, Caucasian (Fitzpatrick skin phototype I-II), female volunteers (21-32 years, mean age 27, SD = 3.67 years) were included in this study (random sample). Significant correlations were shown for 24 h delta transepidermal water loss changes, that is, barrier repair kinetics (sympathetic activity) and heart rate variability (parasympathetic activity). Further correlations were noted for electrodermal activity and skin surface pH. Perceived stress, as documented by the TICS questionnaire, did not correlate with psycho- and skin physiological parameters, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The presented approaches may provide a basis for non-invasive objective research on the correlation between psychological stressors and epidermal barrier function.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Stress, Psychological; Heart Rate; Water Loss, Insensible; Young Adult; Galvanic Skin Response; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Skin
PubMed: 38853249
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13745 -
Journal of Thermal Biology May 2024When amphibians thermoregulate, they face a fundamental trade-off between the ability to maintain activity and an increased rate of dehydration at higher temperatures....
When amphibians thermoregulate, they face a fundamental trade-off between the ability to maintain activity and an increased rate of dehydration at higher temperatures. Canopy coverage affects both the thermal and hydric conditions of the environment and can therefore influence amphibian thermoregulation. Frogs require proper conditions to thermoregulate to successfully grow, survive, and reproduce. But while we know how canopy and environmental variables typically affect operative temperature, less is known about effects on amphibian water loss rates. In this study, we measure the effect of canopy coverage on the conditions available for thermoregulation at a breeding pond of the California red-legged frog, Rana draytonii. We use agar frog models to estimate the thermal and hydric capacities frogs would experience in locations with different canopy coverage and microhabitats. At each site, we deployed models under four microhabitat treatments: wet/sun, wet/shade, dry/sun, and dry/shade. We modeled how environmental variables affected operative temperature and evaporative water loss from agar frogs. We found positive effects of air temperature, the sun treatment, and reduced canopy cover on operative temperature, and negative direct or indirect effects of these variables on evaporative water loss, consistent with the hypothesized trade-off between thermoregulatory behavior to increase temperature and the increased desiccation risk due to higher water loss. Additionally, our results indicate that the availability of wet microhabitats can allow frogs to reduce water loss, potentially mitigating the risk of desiccation when thermoregulating to achieve higher operative temperatures. Our findings suggest, that with access to proper microhabitats, amphibians can mitigate the fundamental trade-off and receive benefits of thermoregulating at high temperatures.
Topics: Animals; Body Temperature Regulation; Ecosystem; Ranidae; Water Loss, Insensible; Temperature; Models, Biological
PubMed: 38852487
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2024.103864 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jul 2024In recent years micro- and nanoplastics and metal-oxide nanomaterials have been found in several environmental compartments. The Antarctic soft clam Laternula elliptica...
In recent years micro- and nanoplastics and metal-oxide nanomaterials have been found in several environmental compartments. The Antarctic soft clam Laternula elliptica is an endemic Antarctic species having a wide distribution in the Southern Ocean. Being a filter-feeder, it could act as suitable bioindicator of pollution from nanoparticles also considering its sensitivity to various sources of stress. The present study aims to assess the impact of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NP) and the nanometal titanium-dioxide (n-TiO) on genome-wide transcript expression of L. elliptica either alone and in combination and at two toxicological relevant concentrations (5 and 50 µg/L) during 96 h exposure. Transcript-target qRT-PCR was performed with the aim to identify suitable biomarkers of exposure and effects. As expected, at the highest concentration tested, the clustering was clearer between control and exposed clams. A total of 221 genes resulted differentially expressed in exposed clams and control ones, and 21 of them had functional annotation such as ribosomal proteins, antioxidant, ion transport (osmoregulation), acid-base balance, immunity, lipid metabolism, cell adhesion, cytoskeleton, apoptosis, chromatin condensation and cell signaling. At functional level, relevant transcripts were shared among some treatments and could be considered as general stress due to nanoparticle exposure. After applying transcript-target approach duplicating the number of clam samples, four ecologically relevant transcripts were revealed as biomarkers for PS-NP, n-TiO and their combination at 50 µg/L, that could be used for monitoring clams' health status in different Antarctic localities.
Topics: Animals; Bivalvia; Titanium; Antarctic Regions; Nanoparticles; Transcriptome; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Biomarkers; Polystyrenes; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 38850707
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116523 -
BMC Plant Biology Jun 2024The climatic changes crossing the world menace the green life through limitation of water availability. The goal of this study was to determine whether Moringa oleifera...
BACKGROUND
The climatic changes crossing the world menace the green life through limitation of water availability. The goal of this study was to determine whether Moringa oleifera Lam. trees cultivated under Tunisian arid climate, retain their tolerance ability to tolerate accentuated environmental stress factors such as drought and salinity. For this reason, the seeds of M. oleifera tree planted in Bouhedma Park (Tunisian arid area), were collected, germinated, and grown in the research area at the National Institute of Research in Rural Engineering, Waters and Forests (INRGREF) of Tunis (Tunisia). The three years aged trees were exposed to four water-holding capacities (25, 50, 75, and 100%) for 60 days to realise this work.
RESULTS
Growth change was traduced by the reduction of several biometric parameters and fluorescence (Fv/Fm) under severe water restriction (25 and 50%). Whereas roots presented miraculous development in length face to the decrease of water availability (25 and 50%) in their rhizospheres. The sensitivity to drought-induced membrane damage (Malondialdehyde (MDA) content) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) liberation (hydrogen peroxide (HO) content) was highly correlated with ROS antiradical scavenging (ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and (2, 2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyle (DPPH)), phenolic components and osmolytes accumulation. The drought stress tolerance of M. oleifera trees was associated with a dramatic stimulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities.
CONCLUSION
Based on the several strategies adopted, integrated M. oleifera can grow under drought stress as accentuated adverse environmental condition imposed by climate change.
Topics: Moringa oleifera; Water; Droughts; Antioxidants; Tunisia; Stress, Physiological; Reactive Oxygen Species; Multivariate Analysis
PubMed: 38840043
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05040-5 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Initiation of the bradykinin generation cascade is responsible for the occurrence of attacks in some types of angioedema without wheals. Hereditary angioedema due to C1... (Review)
Review
Initiation of the bradykinin generation cascade is responsible for the occurrence of attacks in some types of angioedema without wheals. Hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (HAE-C1-INH) is one such clinical entity. In this paper, we explore the existing evidence that mast cells (MCs) degranulation may contribute to the activation of the kallikrein-kinin system cascade, followed by bradykinin formation and angioedema. We present the multidirectional effects of MC-derived heparin and other polyanions on the major components of the kinin-kallikrein system, particularly on the factor XII activation. Although, bradykinin- and histamine-mediated symptoms are distinct clinical phenomena, they share some common features, such as some similar triggers and a predilection to occur at sites where mast cells reside, namely the skin and mucous membranes. In addition, recent observations indicate a high incidence of hypersensitivity reactions associated with MC degranulation in the HAE-C1-INH patient population. However, not all of these can be explained by IgE-dependent mechanisms. Mast cell-related G protein-coupled receptor-X2 (MRGPRX2), which has recently attracted scientific interest, may be involved in the activation of MCs through a different pathway. Therefore, we reviewed MRGPRX2 ligands that HAE-C1-INH patients may be exposed to in their daily lives and that may affect MCs degranulation. We also discussed the known inter- and intra-individual variability in the course of HAE-C1-INH in relation to factors responsible for possible variability in the strength of the response to MRGPRX2 receptor stimulation. The above issues raise several questions for future research. It is not known to what extent a prophylactic or therapeutic intervention targeting the pathways of one mechanism (mast cell degranulation) may affect the other (bradykinin production), or whether the number of mast cells at a specific body site and their reactivity to triggers such as pressure, allergens or MRGPRX2 agonists may influence the occurrence of HAE-C1-INH attacks at that site.
Topics: Humans; Mast Cells; Cell Degranulation; Bradykinin; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Receptors, Neuropeptide; Animals; Angioedema; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Kallikrein-Kinin System
PubMed: 38812508
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1399459 -
European Journal of Medical Research May 2024Previously identified phenotypes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) could not reveal the dynamic change of phenotypes over time. We aimed to identify novel...
Identifying novel clinical phenotypes of acute respiratory distress syndrome using trajectories of daily fluid balance: a secondary analysis of randomized controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
Previously identified phenotypes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) could not reveal the dynamic change of phenotypes over time. We aimed to identify novel clinical phenotypes in ARDS using trajectories of fluid balance, to test whether phenotypes respond differently to different treatment, and to develop a simplified model for phenotype identification.
METHODS
FACTT (conservative vs liberal fluid management) trial was classified as a development cohort, joint latent class mixed models (JLCMMs) were employed to identify trajectories of fluid balance. Heterogeneity of treatment effect (HTE) for fluid management strategy across phenotypes was investigated. We also constructed a parsimonious probabilistic model using baseline data to predict the fluid trajectories in the development cohort. The trajectory groups and the probabilistic model were externally validated in EDEN (initial trophic vs full enteral feeding) trial.
RESULTS
Using JLCMM, we identified two trajectory groups in the development cohort: Class 1 (n = 758, 76.4% of the cohort) had an early positive fluid balance, but achieved negative fluid balance rapidly, and Class 2 (n = 234, 24.6% of the cohort) was characterized by persistent positive fluid balance. Compared to Class 1 patients, patients in Class 2 had significantly higher 60-day mortality (53.5% vs. 17.8%, p < 0.001), and fewer ventilator-free days (0 vs. 20, p < 0.001). A significant HTE between phenotypes and fluid management strategies was observed in the FACTT. An 8-variables model was derived for phenotype assignment.
CONCLUSIONS
We identified and validated two novel clinical trajectories for ARDS patients, with both prognostic and predictive enrichment. The trajectories of ARDS can be identified with simple classifier models.
Topics: Humans; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Female; Phenotype; Male; Middle Aged; Fluid Therapy; Water-Electrolyte Balance; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Aged
PubMed: 38807163
DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01866-9 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Rice ( L.) is one of the most important food crops worldwide. However, during direct seeding, rice is extremely vulnerable to flooding stress, which impairs rice's...
Rice ( L.) is one of the most important food crops worldwide. However, during direct seeding, rice is extremely vulnerable to flooding stress, which impairs rice's emergence and seedling growth and results in a significant yield loss. According to our research, chitosan oligosaccharides have the potential to be a chemical seed-soaking agent that greatly increases rice's resistance to flooding. Chitosan oligosaccharides were able to enhance seed energy supply, osmoregulation, and antioxidant capacity, according to physiological index assessments. Using transcriptome and metabolomic analysis, we discovered that important differential metabolites and genes were involved in the signaling pathway for hormone synthesis and antioxidant capacity. Exogenous chitosan oligosaccharides specifically and significantly inhibit genes linked to auxin, jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid. This suggested that applying chitosan oligosaccharides could stabilize seedling growth and development by controlling associated hormones and reducing flooding stress by enhancing membrane stability and antioxidant capacity. Finally, we verified the effectiveness of exogenous chitosan oligosaccharides imbibed in seeds by field validation, demonstrating that they can enhance rice seedling emergence and growth under flooding stress.
PubMed: 38790626
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13050521