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Microelectromechanical Transducer to Monitor High-Doses of Nuclear Irradiation.
Endometriosis (EMS) is one of the most prevalent causes for female infertility. Herein, we investigated the effect of the repaglinide (RG), L-carnitine (LC), and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (BMSC-CM) supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) on the quality, maturation, and fertilization rates, as well as embryonic quality and development of oocytes derived from normal and EMS mouse model. Immature oocytes were collected from two groups of normal and EMS-induced female NMRI mice at 6-8 weeks of age. Oocytes were cultured in IVM medium unsupplemented (control group), or supplemented with 1 M RG, 0.3 and 0.6 mg/mL LC, and 25 and 50% BMSC-CM. After 24 h of oocyte incubation, IVM rate and antioxidant status were assessed. Subsequently, the rates of fertilization, cleavage, blastulation, and embryonic development were assessed. Our results demonstrated that supplementation of IVM medium with LC and BMSC-CM, especially 50% BMSC-CM, significantly enhanced IVM and fertilization rates, and markedly improved blastocyst development and total blastocyst cell numbers in EMS-induced mice compared to the control group (53.28±0.24 vs 18.09±0.10%). Additionally, LC and BMSC-CM were able to significantly modulate EMS-induced nitro-oxidative stress by boosting total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and mitigating nitric oxide (NO) levels. Collectively, LC and BMSC-CM supplementation improved oocyte quality and IVM rates, pre-implantation developmental competence of oocytes after in vitro fertilization, and enhanced total blastocyst cell numbers probably by attenuating nitro-oxidative stress and accelerating nuclear maturation of oocytes. this website These outcomes may provide novel approaches to refining the IVM conditions that can advance the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies in infertile couples.Aging is related to a decrease in physiological abilities, especially cognitive functions. To unravel further evidence of age-related cognitive decline, we analyzed which physical and functional variables are predictors of cognitive performance in a sample of 498 Brazilian elderly (67.26% women). To do so, we used the Stroop test as a tool to evaluate executive functions and the General functional fitness index (GFFI) to evaluate the functional fitness of the participants. A linear regression analysis revealed that female sex (β=-0.097; t=-2.286; P=0.023), younger age (β=0.205; t=4.606; P less then 0.0001), more years of education (β=-0.280; t=-6.358; P less then 0.0001), and higher GFFI (β=-0.101; t=-2.347; P less then 0.02) were predictors of better cognitive performance. Body mass index (kg/m2) and nutritional status (underweight, eutrophic, overweight, or obese) were not predictors of cognitive performance. Interestingly, among the GFFI tasks, muscle strength influenced the test execution time, both in upper and lower limbs (elbow flexion β=-0.201; t=-4.672; P less then 0.0001; sit-to-stand β=-0.125; t=-2.580; P less then 0.01). Our findings showed that 1) women performed the Stroop test faster than men; 2) the older the person, the lower was the cognitive performance; 3) the higher the education, the better the test execution time; and 4) higher scores in the GFFI were associated with a better performance in the Stroop test. Therefore, gender, age, education, and functional fitness and capacity were predictors of cognitive performance in the elderly.The aim of the present study was to verify the role of lactate as a signaling molecule in cardiac tissue under physiological conditions. C57BL6/J male mice were submitted to acute running bouts on a treadmill at different exercise intensities (30, 60, and 90% of maximal speed - Smax) under the effect of two doses (0.5 and 5 mM) of α-cyano-4-hydroxycynnamate (CINN), a blocker of lactate transporters. Cardiac lactate levels, activity of the enzymes of glycolytic [hexokinase (HK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] and oxidative metabolism [citrate synthase (CS)], and expression of genes also related to metabolism [LDH, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF-2), cytochrome oxidase IV (COX-IV), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α)] were evaluated. Elevated cardiac lactate levels were observed after high intensity running at 90% of Smax, which were parallel to increased activity of the HK and CS enzymes and mRNA levels of PGC-1α and COX-IV. No changes were observed in cardiac lactate levels in mice running at lower exercise intensities. Interestingly, prior intraperitoneal administration (15 min) of CINN (0.5 mM) significantly reduced cardiac lactate concentration, activities of HK and CS, and mRNA levels of PGC-1α and COX-IV in mice that ran at 90% of Smax. In addition, cardiac lactate levels were significantly correlated to both PGC-1α and COX-IV cardiac gene expression. The present study provides evidence that cardiac lactate levels are associated to gene transcription during an acute bout of high intensity running exercise.Phthalates have been studied due to their linkages with adverse developmental effects; however, metabolites of this class of compounds are undercharacterized and are poorly captured by traditional targeted analysis. In this study, we developed a nontargeted analysis approach for identifying and classifying phthalate metabolites based on a comprehensive study of their fragmentation pathways in electrospray ionization (ESI) quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS). This approach identifies molecular features in the data as phthalate metabolites via the detection of three structurally significant fragment ions. Then phthalate metabolites are classified into four types based on the presence of additional fragment ions specific to each type. Cleavage mechanisms for each class of phthalate metabolite are proposed based on fragmentation patterns generated at various collision energies (CE). All of the tested phthalate metabolites including oxidative and nonoxidative metabolites produced a fragment ion at m/z 121.0295, representing the deprotonated benzoate ion [C6H5COO]-. Most tested phthalate metabolites can produce a specific ion at m/z 147.0088, the deprotonated o-phthalic anhydride ion. However, phthalate carboxylate metabolites can only produce the [M-H-R]- ion at m/z 165.0193 and do not produce the fragment at m/z 147.0088. Other phthalate oxidative metabolites (hydroxyl- and oxo-) follow a different fragmentation pathway than nonoxidative metabolites. With this workflow, eight unknown phthalate metabolites were putatively identified in pooled urine, with one identified as a previously unreported metabolite by a combination of the MS/MS spectrum and the predicted retention time. Method detection limits for phthalate metabolites in urine were also estimated.
Colorectal cancer screening rates remain suboptimal in the US. The Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeks to increase screening in health system clinics through implementation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) and supporting activities (SAs). This program provided an opportunity to assess the uptake of EBIs and SAs in 355 clinics that participated from 2015 to 2018.

The 30 funded awardees of CRCCP partnered with clinics to implement at least 2 of 4 EBIs that CDC prioritized (patient reminders, provider reminders, reducing structural barriers, provider assessment and feedback) and 4 optional strategies that CDC identified as SAs (small media, professional development and provider education, patient navigation, and community health workers).

Clinics completed 3 annual surveys to report uptake, implementation, and integration and perceived sustainability of the priority EBIs and SAs.

In our sample of 355 clinics, uptake of 4 EBIs and 2e CRCCP reported high uptake and perceived sustainability of EBIs that can be integrated into electronic medical record systems but limited uptake of patient navigation and community health workers, which are uniquely suited to reduce cancer disparities. Future research should determine how to promote uptake and assess cost-effectiveness of CRCCP interventions.Pheasants are declining everywhere in the world and therefore updated information about their population and habitats are important for conservation and management. The present study was conducted in the Palas Valley, District Kohistan, Pakistan in late spring (May and June) 2020 and early spring (March and April) 2021 to assess the population and anthropogenic stress. The major focus was on three sympatric pheasant species, including Western Horned Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus), Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus), and Koklass Pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha). We used the "Call Count Method" for the population assessment in the field, and a questionnaire survey was conducted to document the risk assessment of local residents of the valley. The population assessments revealed that the Koklass Pheasant is more adapted to increasing anthropogenic activities and its population appeared more or less similar as 22 years ago. In the past 22 years, Western Tragopan and Himalayan Monal have lost about 40-50% of their populations. Human interference in the form of illegal hunting, deforestation, and overgrazing was found to be common in the valley. The study concludes that the Palas Valley habitat is ideal for pheasant species; however, human interference in the form of urbanization, habitat fragmentation, illegal hunting, and deforestation is occurring at a rapid pace, causing havoc in the pheasant population.This systematic review integrates the data available in the literature regarding the biological activities of the extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from Annona muricata and their secondary metabolites. The search was performed using four electronic databases, and studies' quality was evaluated using an adapted assessment tool. The initial database search yielded 436 results; ten studies were selected for inclusion. The leaf was the most studied part of the plant (in nine studies); Periconia sp. was the most tested fungus (n = 4); the most evaluated biological activity was anticancer (n = 6), followed by antiviral (n = 3). Antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities were also tested. Terpenoids or terpenoid hybrid compounds were the most abundant chemical metabolites. Phenolic compounds, esters, alkaloids, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, aromatic compounds, and peptides were also reported. The selected studies highlighted the biotechnological potentiality of the endophytic fungi extracts from A. muricata. Consequently, it can be considered a promising source of biological compounds with antioxidant effects and active against different microorganisms and cancer cells. Further research is needed involving different plant tissues, other microorganisms, such as SARS-CoV-2, and different cancer cells.The potential of Alhagi maurorum (Boiss.) aqueous extract (AME), used in traditional medicine for treatment or prevention of urolithiasis, to dissolve calcium oxalate stones in vitro was evaluated. In order to determine the litholytic potential of the extract, Calcium oxalate urinary stones were incubated during 12 weeks under continuous shaking in the presence of AME, Rowanix or NaCl 9 g/mL solution were used as controls. After the incubation period, the residual weight of the treated calculi was determined and the rate of dissolution was calculated. The medium pH variation was measured and changes in the calcium oxalate crystals at the stone surface were assessed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed a significant dissolution effect for the extract on the kidney calculi during the experimentation period. At the end of the experiment, the percentages of calculi weight decrease were 41.23, 4.97 and 55.67% for the extract, NaCl solution and Rowanix, respectively. Gas Chromatography analysis revealed mainly the presence of the following phyto-compounds Cyclopropenone, 2,3-diphenyl; 1-Nonadecanol; methyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside; cis-9-Hexadecenal.
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