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Pain Feb 2024Pain is the most common symptom experienced by patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) throughout their lives and is the main cause of hospitalization. Despite the...
Pain is the most common symptom experienced by patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) throughout their lives and is the main cause of hospitalization. Despite the progress that has been made towards understanding the disease pathophysiology, major gaps remain in the knowledge of SCD pain, the transition to chronic pain, and effective pain management. Recent evidence has demonstrated a vital role of gut microbiota in pathophysiological features of SCD. However, the role of gut microbiota in SCD pain is yet to be explored. We sought to evaluate the compositional differences in the gut microbiota of transgenic mice with SCD and nonsickle control mice and investigate the role of gut microbiota in SCD pain by using antibiotic-mediated gut microbiota depletion and fecal material transplantation (FMT). The antibiotic-mediated gut microbiota depletion did not affect evoked pain but significantly attenuated ongoing spontaneous pain in mice with SCD. Fecal material transplantation from mice with SCD to wild-type mice resulted in tactile allodynia (0.95 ± 0.17 g vs 0.08 ± 0.02 g, von Frey test, P < 0.001), heat hyperalgesia (15.10 ± 0.79 seconds vs 8.68 ± 1.17 seconds, radiant heat, P < 0.01), cold allodynia (2.75 ± 0.26 seconds vs 1.68 ± 0.08 seconds, dry ice test, P < 0.01), and anxiety-like behaviors (Elevated Plus Maze Test, Open Field Test). On the contrary, reshaping gut microbiota of mice with SCD with FMT from WT mice resulted in reduced tactile allodynia (0.05 ± 0.01 g vs 0.25 ± 0.03 g, P < 0.001), heat hyperalgesia (5.89 ± 0.67 seconds vs 12.25 ± 0.76 seconds, P < 0.001), and anxiety-like behaviors. These findings provide insights into the relationship between gut microbiota dysbiosis and pain in SCD, highlighting the importance of gut microbial communities that may serve as potential targets for novel pain interventions.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Humans; Mice, Transgenic; Chronic Pain; Hyperalgesia; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Dysbiosis; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anemia, Sickle Cell
PubMed: 37733476
DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003034 -
Cryobiology Dec 2023In order to make dry ice transportation of vitrified embryos practical, a near-equilibrium vitrification was developed using a cryoprotectant solution (EDFS10/10a), by...
In order to make dry ice transportation of vitrified embryos practical, a near-equilibrium vitrification was developed using a cryoprotectant solution (EDFS10/10a), by which mouse embryos at various stages were vitrified in a near-equilibrium environment. EDFS10/10a consisted of 10% (v/v) ethylene glycol, 10% (v/v) MeSO, 0.4 M sucrose and 24% (w/v) Ficoll PM70. This method exhibited the benefits of slow freezing and vitrification, with a low risk of osmotic injury. In this study, we investigated whether mouse oocytes are vitrifiable with EDFS10/10a in a highly dehydrated/concentrated state, and whether they can remain fertilizable and developing into embryos after vitrification. When mature mouse oocytes were vitrified in liquid nitrogen and after 4-28 days of storage at -80 °C, high survival rates were observed (88-99%). Vitrified and warmed oocytes were subjected to partial zona dissection and in vitro fertilized. The rate of 2-cell stage was 80-82%. Blastocyst formation rate was 55-70% which was similar to that of embryos derived from fresh oocytes. After the 2-cell embryos were transferred to recipient mice, the implantation and offspring rates did not differ significantly from those of embryos derived from fresh oocytes, indicating that vitrified oocytes retained the developmental ability. Therefore, it is possible to vitrify mouse oocytes in a near-equilibrium state using EDFS10/10a and conveniently transported using dry ice.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Vitrification; Cryopreservation; Dry Ice; Cryoprotective Agents; Oocytes; Blastocyst
PubMed: 37722470
DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2023.104586 -
The Science of the Total Environment Dec 2023In recent years, Chile has experienced an extraordinary drought that has had significant impacts on both the livelihoods of people and the environment, including the...
In recent years, Chile has experienced an extraordinary drought that has had significant impacts on both the livelihoods of people and the environment, including the Andean glaciers. This study focuses on analyzing the surface processes of Universidad Glacier, a benchmark glacier for the Dry Andes. Multiple remote sensing datasets are used alongside a novel spectral index designed for mapping of rock material located on the glacier's surface. Our findings highlight the precarious state of the glacier, which serves as a crucial water source for the region. The glacier exhibits locally varied debris accumulation and margin retreat. The most significant impacts are observed on the tongue and secondary accumulation cirques, with the latter at risk of disappearing. The debris cover on the tongue is expanding, reaching higher elevations, and is accompanied by glacier retreat, especially at higher altitudes. The equilibrium line is rapidly shifting upglacier, although the mid-season snow cover still frequently reaches the 2013 equilibrium line, even in 2020. Changes in stream density on the glacier tongue indicate an increased water supply in this area, likely due to enhanced melting of glacial ice. These observed processes align well with meteorological data obtained from reanalysis products. The behavior of dust and debris is influenced by precipitation amount, while the rate of retreat is linked to air temperature.
PubMed: 37704148
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166907 -
Global Change Biology Nov 2023Permafrost thaw causes the seasonally thawed active layer to deepen, causing the Arctic to shift toward carbon release as soil organic matter becomes susceptible to...
Permafrost thaw causes the seasonally thawed active layer to deepen, causing the Arctic to shift toward carbon release as soil organic matter becomes susceptible to decomposition. Ground subsidence initiated by ice loss can cause these soils to collapse abruptly, rapidly shifting soil moisture as microtopography changes and also accelerating carbon and nutrient mobilization. The uncertainty of soil moisture trajectories during thaw makes it difficult to predict the role of abrupt thaw in suppressing or exacerbating carbon losses. In this study, we investigated the role of shifting soil moisture conditions on carbon dioxide fluxes during a 13-year permafrost warming experiment that exhibited abrupt thaw. Warming deepened the active layer differentially across treatments, leading to variable rates of subsidence and formation of thermokarst depressions. In turn, differential subsidence caused a gradient of moisture conditions, with some plots becoming consistently inundated with water within thermokarst depressions and others exhibiting generally dry, but more variable soil moisture conditions outside of thermokarst depressions. Experimentally induced permafrost thaw initially drove increasing rates of growing season gross primary productivity (GPP), ecosystem respiration (R ), and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) (higher carbon uptake), but the formation of thermokarst depressions began to reverse this trend with a high level of spatial heterogeneity. Plots that subsided at the slowest rate stayed relatively dry and supported higher CO fluxes throughout the 13-year experiment, while plots that subsided very rapidly into the center of a thermokarst feature became consistently wet and experienced a rapid decline in growing season GPP, R , and NEE (lower carbon uptake or carbon release). These findings indicate that Earth system models, which do not simulate subsidence and often predict drier active layer conditions, likely overestimate net growing season carbon uptake in abruptly thawing landscapes.
PubMed: 37694963
DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16936 -
Health Science Reports Sep 2023Winter endurance athletes have a high prevalence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and asthma, probably due to repeated and prolonged inhalation of cold and...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Winter endurance athletes have a high prevalence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and asthma, probably due to repeated and prolonged inhalation of cold and dry air. Heat- and moisture-exchanging devices (HME) warm and humidify inhaled air and prevent EIB. The aim of this study was to share cross-country skiers and biathletes' experiences of training and competition in low temperatures, views on temperature limits, usage of HME, and consequences of cold exposure on their health.
METHODS
Eleven Swedish World Championship or Olympic medalists in cross-country skiing and biathlon were interviewed and transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
Participants described how cold temperatures predominantly affected the airways, face, and extremities. During training, extreme cold was managed by choosing warmer clothing, modification of planned sessions, use of HME, delaying training, or changing location. In competition, participants described limited possibility for such choices and would prefer adjustment of existing rules (i.e., more conservative temperature limits), especially since they understood elite skiing in low temperatures to present an occupational hazard to their health. Participants had at times used HMEs during training in cold environments but described mixed motives for their use-that HMEs warm and humidify cold inhaled air but introduce additional resistance to breathing and can cause problems due to mucus and ice build-up. Skiers also perceived that they had become more sensitive to cold during the latter part of their careers.
CONCLUSIONS
The present study gives a unique insight into the "cold" reality of being an elite athlete in skiing and biathlon. Cold exposure results in negative health consequences that are preventable, which means that rules must be followed, and organizers should acknowledge responsibility in protecting athletes from occupational hazards. Development of evidence-based guidelines for protection of athletes' respiratory health should be a focus for future translational research.
PubMed: 37662540
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1511 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aug 2023The high mountain ecosystem of the Indian Himalayas has frequently been experiencing primary hazards (like earthquakes, avalanches, and landslides). Often, these events...
The high mountain ecosystem of the Indian Himalayas has frequently been experiencing primary hazards (like earthquakes, avalanches, and landslides). Often, these events are followed by the triggering of secondary hazards (like landslide dams, debris flows, and flooding), thereby posing massive risks to infrastructure and residents in the region. This study was taken up to understand the dynamics of an extraordinary debris flood disaster in the Rishiganga River valley, Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on 7th February 2021. Rapid mass movements (RAMMS)-debris flow software was employed to recreate the entire sequence of the hazard consisting of a rock-ice slide, mass deposition and erosion along the channel, and subsequent debris flood. Forty-nine scenarios were analyzed for accurate calibration of dry-Coulomb type friction coefficient (µ) and viscous-turbulent friction coefficient (ξ). Consequently, the geomorphologic characteristics of the debris flow were validated using high-resolution satellite image interpretation and field photographs. The volume of detached rock-ice mass was estimated to be 26.42 × 10 m. At the same time, the RAMMS-derived model outputs for velocity, flow depth, and momentum were found in good agreement with the extent and height of actual debris on the ground. The study highlights an urgent need to identify the glaciers with a high risk of ice avalanches in the Indian Himalayas. The presented modeling approach may be applied in dynamic mountain ecosystems to simulate potential flash floods due to avalanches. Moreover, the information reported in this study can be vital input for improving the district-level disaster management plan.
Topics: Floods; Ecosystem; Avalanches; Rivers; Environmental Monitoring; Ice Cover
PubMed: 37648891
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11774-w -
Journal of Dairy Science Dec 2023Commercial manufacturing of dairy products involves the addition of dairy ingredients (such as nonfat dry milk and milk protein concentrates), as well as nondairy...
Commercial manufacturing of dairy products involves the addition of dairy ingredients (such as nonfat dry milk and milk protein concentrates), as well as nondairy additives (such as gums, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and texture modifiers) to get the best product appearance, maintain the product quality, and extend shelf life. Though these nondairy additives are not harmful, consumers do not prefer them in dairy food formulations. Therefore, the dairy industry is working on improving the inherent functionality of dairy ingredients using different processes. Recently, fibrillation emerged as a new technique to convert globular proteins such as whey proteins into fibrils, which provide enhanced viscosity, foaming, and emulsification capacity. Therefore, skim milk was subjected to microfiltration followed by ultrafiltration of microfiltration permeate to fractionate whey proteins. Then, whey proteins were selectively fibrillated and mixed back with other streams of microfiltration and ultrafiltration to get fibrillated skim milk. Fibrillated skim milk was spray-dried to get fibrillated nonfat dry milk (NDM). Visible whey protein fibrils were observed in reconstituted fibrillated NDM, which showed survival of fibrils in fibrillated NDM. Fibrillated NDM showed significantly higher viscosity than control NDM. Fibrillated NDM also showed higher emulsification capacity, foaming capacity, and stability than the control NDM but lower gel strength. Considering the improved functionality of fibrillated NDM, they can be used in product formulations such as ice cream mix, where the thickening of a solution, good emulsification, and foaming properties are required.
Topics: Animals; Whey Proteins; Milk Proteins; Milk; Ice Cream; Viscosity; Food Handling
PubMed: 37641309
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23599 -
Journal of Dairy Science Nov 2023The distribution of phospholipids (PL) within the fat and serum phase of ice cream manufacturing was evaluated through partition coefficients (K) after mixing,...
The distribution of phospholipids (PL) within the fat and serum phase of ice cream manufacturing was evaluated through partition coefficients (K) after mixing, pasteurization, freezing, and hardening. Ice creams containing about 40.41 ± 3.45 (± standard deviation; control formulation) and 112.29 ± 9.06 (enriched PL formulation) mg of PL per g of fat were formulated with nonfat dry milk and β-serum, respectively. Overall, the K were lower than 1, indicating that the PL were predominantly found in the fat phase, and only a small amount was left in the serum and sediment. Confocal micrographs visually confirmed this generalization. The addition of PL significantly increased the viscosity of the mixes between 4- and 9-fold, depending on the shear rate. Additionally, mixes containing high PL exhibited higher yield stress than those formulated with low PL (0.15 ± 0.09 and 0.016 ± 0.08 Pa, respectively). Ice creams with high PL delayed the onset of meltdown and exhibited a slower rate of a meltdown than low-PL ice creams (18.53 ± 0.57 and 14.83 ± 0.85 min, and 1.01 ± 0.05 and 0.71 ± 0.04% min, respectively). This study provides useful guidelines for manufacturing ice cream enriched in milk PL. Additionally, the use of β-serum, a byproduct stream, as a source of PL is illustrated. The development will require studying the sensorial description of the product as well as consumer acceptance.
PubMed: 37641266
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-23145 -
International Journal of Food Science 2023The study is aimed at assessing the impacts of postharvest handling practices on the quality and safety of tuna sold at the Honiara Fish Market (HFM), Solomon Islands....
The study is aimed at assessing the impacts of postharvest handling practices on the quality and safety of tuna sold at the Honiara Fish Market (HFM), Solomon Islands. Two major approaches were adopted: (1) face-to-face interviews of 60 participants using questionnaires and physical observations of the supply chains and postharvest handling practices and (2) determination of time-temperature, quality index, histamine, and microbial load of tuna and contact surfaces. Sampling was conducted on both the wet season (WS) and dry season (DS), of which 36 samples from both batches of fresh tuna (FT) and brined tuna (BT) were analyzed. Three critical control points (CCPs) were identified in the supply chains of both FT and BT, where samples were obtained for scientific analyses. The average body temperature for WS tuna exposed for 9-10 h with low or no ice after catch was 3°C for FT and 15°C for BT, while DS samples were 26°C and 31°C for FT and BT, respectively. The quality index (QI) for WS showed a significant difference ( < 0.05) at 0 for FT and 8 for BT, while both DS showed a significant increase at 16 for BT and 5 for FT. Histamine levels for all the samples increased across the three CCPs, however with levels <50 mg/L, while microbial load for both seasons and for both samples were within the required specifications. However, contact surfaces for both seasons revealed high levels of microbial contamination. This study reveals that poor handling practices along the tuna supply chains of fish sold at the HFM were observed; however, all the tuna was safe for consumption when cooked properly.
PubMed: 37637216
DOI: 10.1155/2023/6594017 -
Pharmaceutics Aug 2023In this work, a non-isothermal pore network (PN) model with quasi-steady vapor transport and transient heat transfer is presented for the first time for the application...
In this work, a non-isothermal pore network (PN) model with quasi-steady vapor transport and transient heat transfer is presented for the first time for the application of primary freeze drying. The pore-scale resolved model is physically based and allows for the investigation of correlations between spatially distributed structure and transport conditions. The studied examples were regular PN lattices with a significantly different structure, namely a spatially homogeneous PN, also denoted as monomodal PN, and a PN with significant structure variation, referred to as bimodal PN because of its bimodal pore size distribution. The material properties selected for the solid skeleton in this study are equivalent to those of maltodextrin. The temperature ranges applied here were -28 °C to -18 °C in the PN and -42 °C in the surrounding environment. The environmental vapor pressure was 10 Pa. The PNs were dried with constant temperature boundary conditions, and heat was transferred at the top side by the vapor leaving the PN. It is shown how the structural peculiarities affect the local heat and mass transfer conditions and result in a significant widening of the sublimation front in the case of the bimodal PN. The possibility of spatially and temporally resolved front structures is a unique feature of the PN model and allows the study of situations that are not yet described by classical continuum approaches, namely heterogeneous frozen porous materials. As demonstrated by the thin layers studied here, the pore-scale simulations are of particular interest for such situations, such as in lyomicroscopes or collagen scaffolds, where a length-scale separation between dry and ice-saturated regions is not possible.
PubMed: 37631345
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082131