Tissue explants as tools for studying the epigenetic modulation of the GH-IGF-I axis in farmed fish.

Somatic growth in vertebrates is mainly controlled by the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis. The role of epigenetic mechanisms in regulating this axis in fish is far from being understood. This work aimed to optimize and evaluate the use of short-term culture of pituitary and liver explants from a farmed fish, the gilthead seabream Sparus aurata, for studying epigenetic mechanisms involved in GH/IGF-I axis regulation. Our results on viability, structure, proliferation, and functionality of explants support their use in short-term assays. Pituitary explants showed no variation in gh expression after exposure to the DNA methylation inhibitor decitabine (5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine; DAC), despite responding to DAC by changing dnmt3bb and tet1 expression, and TET activity, producing an increase in overall DNA hydroxymethylation. Conversely, in liver explants, DAC had no effects on dnmt s and tet s expression or activity, but modified the expression of genes from the GH-IGF-I axis. In particular, the expression of igfbp2a was increased and that of igfbp4, ghri and ghrii was decreased by DAC as well as by genistein, which is suggestive of impaired growth. While incubation of liver explants with S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) produced no clear effects, it is proposed that nutrients must ensure the methylation milieu within the liver in the fish to sustain proper growth, which need further in vivo verification. Pituitary and liver explants from S. aurata can be further used as described herein for the screening of inhibitors or activators of epigenetic regulators, as well as for assessing epigenetic mechanisms behind GH-IGF-I variation in farmed fish.

Comparative Analysis of Concurrent (CC), Mixed Flow (MX), and Combined Spray Drying Configurations on the Physicochemical Characteristics of Satsuma Mandarin (Citrus unshiu) Juice Powders.

Satsuma mandarins are good sources of vitamin C and can be used as raw materials to produce novel plant-based food ingredients including satsuma mandarin juice powders (SJP). Food powders produced via spray drying often show thermal degradation due to the drying conditions and high drying air temperatures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of using different spray drying configurations, including concurrent (CC), mixed flow (MX), and combined (CC + MX), at two inlet air temperatures (160 and 180 °C) on the physicochemical properties of SJP. Remarkably, SJP produced using the CC spray drying configuration exhibited a higher vitamin C content (3.56-4.01 mg/g) and lower moisture levels (15.18-16.35 g/100 g) than powders produced via MX or CC + MX. The vitamin C content of MX and CC + MX powders ranged from 2.88 to 3.33 mg/g. Meanwhile, all SJP had water activity values below 0.19. Furthermore, MX powders displayed the largest mean particle sizes (D50) (8.69-8.83 µm), higher agglomeration, and a rapid dissolution. Despite these differences, all SJP variants exhibited consistent color, surface area, and pore volumes. Notably, powders dried at higher inlet air temperatures (180 °C) showed less vitamin C content and increased thermal damage when compared with powders dried at 160 °C inlet air temperature. This study demonstrated the feasibility of producing high-quality SJP with an extended shelf life. SJP can be used as a novel plant-based ingredient in different food applications.

Graphene Oxide: Key to Efficient Charge Extraction and Suppression of Polaronic Transport in Hybrids with Poly (3-hexylthiophene) Nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles (NPs) of conjugated polymers in intimate contact with sheets of graphene oxide (GO) constitute a promising class of water-dispersible nanohybrid materials of increased interest for the design of sustainable and improved optoelectronic thin-film devices, revealing properties exclusively pre-established upon their liquid-phase synthesis. In this context, we report for the first time the preparation of a P3HTNPs-GO nanohybrid employing a miniemulsion synthesis approach, whereby GO sheets dispersed in the aqueous phase serve as a surfactant. We show that this process uniquely favors a quinoid-like conformation of the P3HT chains of the resulting NPs well located onto individual GO sheets. The accompanied change in the electronic behavior of these P3HTNPs, consistently confirmed by the photoluminescence and Raman response of the hybrid in the liquid and solid states, respectively, as well as by the properties of the surface potential of isolated individual P3HTNPs-GO nano-objects, facilitates unprecedented charge transfer interactions between the two constituents. While the electrochemical performance of nanohybrid films is featured by fast charge transfer processes, compared to those taking place in pure P3HTNPs films, the loss of electrochromic effects in P3HTNPs-GO films additionally indicates the unusual suppression of polaronic charge transport processes typically encountered in P3HT. Thus, the established interface interactions in the P3HTNPs-GO hybrid enable a direct and highly efficient charge extraction channel via GO sheets. These findings are of relevance for the sustainable design of novel high-performance optoelectronic device structures based on water-dispersible conjugated polymer nanoparticles.

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma that die during the first year of liver transplantation have high blood sFasL concentrations.

BACKGROUND: Fas ligand (FasL) is one ligand that activates extrinsic apoptosis pathway. High expression in lymphocytes of FasL have been found in patients with acute rejection of liver transplantation (LT). No high blood concentrations of soluble FasL (sFasL) have been found in patients with acute LT rejection; however, the samples size of those studies was small. AIM: To determine whether patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that dead during the first year of LT have higher blood sFasL concentrations previously to LT that those who that remain alive in a study of higher sample size. METHODS: Patients underwent LT due to HCC were included in this retrospective study. Serum sFasL levels prior to LT were measured and one-year LT mortality was registered. RESULTS: Non-surviving patients (n = 14) showed higher serum sFasL levels [477 (269-496) vs 85 (44-382) pg/mL; P < 0.001] than surviving patients (n = 113). Serum sFasL levels (pg/mL) were associated with mortality (OR = 1.006; 95%CI = 1.003-1.010; P = 0.001) independently of age of LT donor in the logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: We report for the first time that HCC patients who die within the first year of HT have higher blood sFasL concentrations prior to HT than those who remain alive.

DNA and RNA oxidative damage in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and mortality during the first year of liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative damage of DNA and RNA has been associated with mortality of patients with different diseases. However, there is no published data on the potential use of DNA and RNA oxidative damage to predict the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing liver transplantation (LT). AIM: To determine whether patients with increased DNA and RNA oxidative damage prior to LT for HCC have a poor LT prognosis. METHODS: Patients with HCC who underwent LT were included in this observational and retrospective study. Serum levels of all three oxidized guanine species (OGS) were measured prior to LT since guanine is the nucleobase that forms DNA and RNA most prone to oxidation. LT mortality at 1 year was the end-point study. RESULTS: Surviving patients (n = 101) showed lower serum OGS levels (P = 0.01) and lower age of the liver donor (P = 0.03) than non-surviving patients (n = 13). An association between serum OGS levels prior to LT and 1-year LT (odds ratio = 2.079; 95% confidence interval = 1.356-3.189; P = 0.001) was found in the logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The main new finding was that high serum OGS concentration prior to LT was associated with the mortality 1 year after LT in HCC patients.

The Brief COPE: Measurement Invariance and Psychometric Properties among Community and At-Risk Portuguese Parents.

Parenting generally brings about high internal and external demands, which can be perceived as stressful when they exceed families' resources. When faced with such stressors, parents need to deploy several adaptive strategies to successfully overcome these challenges. One of such strategies is coping, an important cognitive and behavioural skill. In this study, we intended to examine the psychometric properties of Carver's (1997) Brief COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced), extending its cross-cultural validity among a Portuguese sample of community and at-risk parents. The sample comprised community (n = 153) and at-risk (n = 116) parents who completed the brief COPE, the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales and the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form. Confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, cross sample invariance, convergent and discriminant validity were analysed. Data from the confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the 14-factor model obtained the best fit. The results provided evidence that the Brief COPE is a psychometrically sound instrument that shows measurement invariance across samples and good reliability. Our findings demonstrated that the Portuguese version of brief COPE is a useful, time-efficient tool for both practitioners and researchers who need to assess coping strategies, a relevant construct in family context.

Lesión pancreática aislada tras traumatismo abdominal cerrado: a propósito de un caso / Isolated pancreatic injury after blunt abdominal trauma: a case report

Introducción. La incidencia de lesiones traumáticas del páncreas es baja debido a su localización retroperitoneal, y las lesiones aisladas son excepcionales debido a la proximidad del páncreas a otros órganos y estructuras vasculares. Caso clínico. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 21 años con lesión aislada del páncreas tras traumatismo abdominal cerrado, que precisó manejo quirúrgico. Discusión. Las lesiones pancreáticas aisladas secundarias a traumatismo son raras, pero debemos tenerlas en cuenta en un paciente politraumatizado. Su diagnóstico precoz y manejo adecuado son cruciales para evitar el desarrollo de complicaciones

Introduction. The incidence of traumatic injuries to the pancreas is low due to its retroperitoneal location, and isolated injuries are rare due to the proximity of the pancreas to other vascular organs and structures. Clinical case. We present the case of a 21-year-old man with an isolated lesion of the pancreas after blunt abdominal trauma, which required surgical management.Discussion. Isolated pancreatic injuries secondary to trauma are rare but must be taken into account in a multiple trauma patient. Its early diagnosis and proper management are crucial to avoid the development of complications

Locus coeruleus anchors a trisynaptic circuit controlling fear-induced suppression of feeding.

The circuit mechanisms underlying fear-induced suppression of feeding are poorly understood. To help fill this gap, mice were fear conditioned, and the resulting changes in synaptic connectivity among the locus coeruleus (LC), the parabrachial nucleus (PBN), and the central nucleus of amygdala (CeA)-all of which are implicated in fear and feeding-were studied. LC neurons co-released noradrenaline and glutamate to excite PBN neurons and suppress feeding. LC neurons also suppressed inhibitory input to PBN neurons by inducing heterosynaptic, endocannabinoid-dependent, long-term depression of CeA synapses. Blocking or knocking down endocannabinoid receptors in CeA neurons prevented fear-induced depression of CeA synaptic transmission and fear-induced suppression of feeding. Altogether, these studies demonstrate that LC neurons play a pivotal role in modulating the circuitry that underlies fear-induced suppression of feeding, pointing to new ways of alleviating stress-induced eating disorders.

Isquemia crítica de miembros inferiores en paciente joven: presentación atípica del síndrome de atrapamiento poplíteo / Critical lower extremity ischemia in a young patient: atypical presentation of the popliteal artery entrapment syndrome

Introducción. El síndrome de atrapamiento poplíteo es una entidad infrecuente, cuya incidencia oscila entre 0,17 y 3,5 %, representando una de las principales causas de isquemia en miembros inferiores en adultos jóvenes. Suele manifestarse con claudicación intermitente (69 %) o isquemia aguda (26 %), siendo muy rara su presentación con isquemia crítica de miembros inferiores. Caso clínico. Paciente de 30 años quien presentó úlcera subungueal en primer dedo de pie derecho con dolor intenso. En la exploración física no se palpaban pulsos distales y se observó palidez cutánea intensa y frialdad. Se realizó arteriografía donde se observó defecto de repleción de bordes regulares y desplazamiento medial de la arteria poplítea. La resonancia magnética mostró una inserción anómala del gastrocnemio medial, con lo que se hizo diagnóstico de síndrome de atrapamiento poplíteo tipo I. Mediante abordaje posterior se realizó reconstrucción vascular con injerto venoso y sección tendinosa del gastrocnemio medial. En el postoperatorio inmediato el paciente recupera pulso pedio y en el seguimiento a un año el paciente no presenta clínica de isquemia de miembros inferiores, encontrándose el baipás permeable. Discusión. A pesar de su baja incidencia, es importante incluir el síndrome de atrapamiento poplíteo en el diagnóstico diferencial de isquemia en miembros inferiores en adultos jóvenes. Su presentación con isquemia crítica es excepcional, encontrando muy pocos casos publicados en la literatura. La reconstrucción arterial precoz mediante injerto o plastia con material autólogo constituye el tratamiento de elección

Introduction. The popliteal entrapment syndrome is an infrequent entity, whose incidence ranges between 0.17 and 3.5%, representing one of the main causes of lower limb ischemia in young adults. It usually manifests with intermittent claudication (69%) or acute ischemia (26%), being very rare its presentation with critical ischemia of the lower limbs.Clinical case. A 30-year-old patient with a history of smoking, with no other risk factors, who presented with a subungual ulcer on the first right toe. On physical examination, distal pulses are not palpated, intense skin paleness and coldness are observed. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an anomalous insertion of the medial gastrocnemius with extrinsic compression of the popliteal artery, confirming a diagnosis of popliteal entrapment syndrome type I. Vascular reconstruction with venous graft and tendon section of the medial gastrocnemius was performed through a posterior approach. In the immediate postoperative period, the patient recovers a pediatric pulse and in the one-year follow-up the patient does not present symptoms of lower limb ischemia, finding the bypass patent. Discussion. Despite its low incidence, it is important to include popliteal impingement syndrome in the differential diagnosis of lower limb ischemia in young adults. Its presentation with critical ischemia is exceptional, finding very few cases published in the literature. Early arterial reconstruction by graft or plasty with autologous material is the treatment of choice

EDAS-18: validación de la versión corta de la escala de dependencia y adicción al smartphone / EDAS-18: validation of the dependency and addiction to smartphone scale short-form

Resumen: La Escala de Dependencia y Adicción al Smartphone-EDAS, publicada en 2017, es uno de los instrumentos más recientes validados en población adulta para el estudio de las conductas adictivas derivadas del uso del smartphone. El objetivo del estudio fue la validación de la versión corta del instrumento, implicando la revisión de las propiedades psicométricas de los ítems y su dimensionalidad. Se contó con una muestra de 606 participantes jóvenes y adultos (de 18 a 48 años). Tras el ajuste psicométrico de los ítems y el análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio, los 40 reactivos iniciales se redujeron a 18, quedando agrupados en un solo factor. El instrumento fue renombrado como EDAS-18, alcanzando una consistencia interna de α = .88 y diversas evidencias de validez. Los resultados replican los hallazgos previos sobre las diferencias en el uso del smartphone en función del sexo y la edad.

Abstract: The Dependency and addiction to Smartphone Scale ("Escala de Dependencia y Adicción al Smartphone"-EDAS), published in 2017, is one of the most recent instruments validated in adult population. It allows to study addictive behaviors derived from the use of the Smartphone. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a shorter version of the EDAS, involving the review of the psychometric properties of the items and their dimensionality. A total of 606 young and adult people participated (18 to 48 years old). After the psychometric adjustment of the items and the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the initial 40 items were reduced to 18, being grouped into a single factor. The instrument was renamed EDAS-18, reaching an internal consistency of α = .88 and various evidences of validity. The results replicate the previous research findings on the sex and age differences in the Smartphone use.

Electrochromic selective filtering of chronodisruptive visible wavelengths.

We present evidence of pupil response modification, as well as differential theoretical melatonin suppression through selective and dynamic electrochromic filtering of visible light in the 400-500 nm range to minimize chronodisruptive nocturnal blue light exposure. A lower activation of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), the first step for light to reach a human's internal clock, is related to melatonin secretion therefore avoiding detrimental effects of excessive blue light exposure. Pupillary Light Reflex and Color Naming were experimentally assessed under light filtered by two different coloration states (transmissive and absorptive) of these novel dynamic filters, plus an uncoated test device, in 16 volunteers. Also, different commercial light sources at illuminances ranging from 1 to 1000 lux were differentially filtered and compared in terms of theoretical melatonin suppression. Representative parameters of the pupil responses reflected lower pupil constriction when the electrochromic filters (ECFs) were switched on (absorptive state, blue light is absorbed by the filter) compared to uncoated filters (control sample), but failed to do so under transmissive state (blue light passes through the filter) indicating less activation of ipRGCs under absorptive state (although no significant differences between states was found). Out of eight colors tested, just one showed significant differences in naming between both filter states. Thus, the ECF would have some protecting effect on ipRGC activation with very limited changes in color perception. While there are some limitations of the theoretical model used, the absorptive state yielded significantly lower theoretical melatonin suppression in all those light sources containing blue wavelengths across the illuminance range tested. This would open the way for further research on biological applications of electrochromic devices.

Assessment of Growth, Lipid Metabolism and Gene Expression Responses in Senegalese Sole Larvae Fed With Low Dietary Phospholipid Levels.

Phospholipids (PL) are essential molecules for larval growth and development. In this study, growth, lipid metabolism and gene expression responses associated with different dietary PL levels in pelagic sole larvae were evaluated. In a first trial, the long-term effects on growth and survival of two experimental microdiets (MD) containing high (High-PL) or low (Low-PL) PL levels were tested and compared to a diet based on live prey (rotifers). The MD were supplied from 3 to 10 days post-hatch (dph) and Artemia from day 8 to 29 dph. High-PL fed larvae had higher dry mass (1.2-fold) than Low-PL fed larvae at 8 dph and both MD were smaller (2.9-fold) than larvae fed live preys. However, a compensatory growth (33% between 8 and 20 dph) occurred when MD were substituted by Artemia and by the end of the trial no significant differences in mass or survival occurred between the dietary treatments. In a second trial, growth, lipid metabolism and gene expression profiles of larvae fed with MD up to 8 dph were analyzed. Growth data confirmed that mass of larvae fed with High-PL was higher (1.3-fold) than the those fed Low-PL and they had lower levels of triacylglycerol (2.8-fold), cholesterol (1.2-fold) and cetoleic acid (1.7-fold). Histological analysis indicated an excess of lipid vacuoles in larvae fed with Low-PL and the expression analysis revealed a coordinated response to enhance lipid mobilization since the expression of genes involved in PL intermediate synthesis, PL remodeling as well as eight apolipoprotein was up-regulated. The down-regulation of apolipoprotein apob2 in larvae fed with Low-PL indicated a specific regulation by PL levels. The present work provides insight into the responses associated with dietary PL in early fish larvae, which will be of use for future studies aimed as designing effective larval sole diets.

Impact of an excise tax on the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in young people living in poorer neighbourhoods of Catalonia, Spain: a difference in differences study.

BACKGROUND: Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is contributing to the obesity epidemic. On 28 March 2017, Catalonia enacted a law levying an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages for public health reasons. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the tax on the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in Catalonia (Spain). METHODS: Before-and-after study to assess changes in the prevalence of consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among 1929 persons aged 12 to 40 years residing in low-income neighbourhoods of Barcelona (intervention) and Madrid (control). Beverage consumption frequency was ascertained via a validated questionnaire administered during the month prior to the tax's introduction (May 2017) and again at 1 year after it had come into force. The effect of the tax was obtained using Poisson regression models with robust variance weighted using propensity scores. RESULTS: While the prevalence of regular consumers of taxed beverages fell by 39% in Barcelona as compared to Madrid, the prevalence of consumers of untaxed beverages remained stable. The main reason cited by more than two-thirds of those surveyed for reducing their consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was the increase in price, followed by a heightened awareness of their health effects. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of the Catalonian excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages was followed by a reduction in the prevalence of regular consumers of taxed beverages.