Production and simulated digestion of high-load beads containing Schizochytrium oil encapsulated utilizing prilling technique.

The oil from the heterotroph Schizochytrium is a rich source of n-3 PUFA, particularly DHA, and therefore highly susceptible to oxidation. The present work reports the first application of coaxial prilling for the protection of this oil through microencapsulation. After process optimization, core-shell microparticles were produced with calcium or zinc alginate at different concentrations. Encapsulates were analyzed in their tocopherol and PUFA content. Prilling lowered the earlier but had little effect on the latter. Microcapsules coated with calcium alginate (1 % and 1.75 %) had higher oil load and encapsulation efficiency and were therefore submitted to in vitro digestion together with a simulated meal. Digesta were also analyzed with HPLC-qTOF and 1H NMR and compared to undigested encapsulates. While 1 % calcium shell granted lower oil release and protection from oxidation in the simulated gastrointestinal tract, chromatographic and spectroscopic data of digesta showed higher presence of lipid digestion products.

Sumbawa cattle: a study of growth hormone (GH) gene variants and their association with biometric traits.

The growth hormone (GH) gene plays a vital role in regulating animal metabolism and body size, making it a potential candidate for influencing livestock performance. This study aimed to investigate the polymorphisms within the GH gene and their associations with 10 biometric traits in the Sumbawa cattle population of Indonesia. Biometric trait data and blood samples were collected from 112 Sumbawa cattle individuals, and their GH gene sequences were analyzed using two sets of primers for amplification. Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the GH gene: g.442C>T, g.446G>C, g.558C>T, g.649C>A, g.1492C>A, g.1510C>A, and g.1578G>A. All SNPs were located in the intronic region except for SNP g.558C>T, which was found in the coding sequence (CDS) region. The SNP g.558C>T is classified as a synonymous variant. Haplotype analysis revealed a strong linkage disequilibrium between SNPs g.558C>T and g.649C>A. Distributions of genotypes and alleles of all SNPs were in agreement with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p > 0.05, χ2 < 15.56), except for SNPs g.446G>C and g.1492C>A. The association study showed that the SNP g.442C>T significantly (p < 0.05) affected HL, BL, SH, and PH traits in Sumbawa cattle. Additionally, the g.446G>C and g.558C>T were also found to be associated with PH and CC traits, respectively. The polymorphisms detected in the GH gene could have implications for selection programs to enhance desired biometric traits in Sumbawa cattle. Improving livestock productivity can be done by understanding genetic diversity and its relationship with phenotypic characteristics.

Molar root canal treatment performed by undergraduate dental students; an observational study of procedural errors and student perception.

BACKGROUND: Molar root canal treatment (RCT) is challenging and requires training and specific skills. Rotary instrumentation (RI) reduces the time needed for instrumentation but may increase the risk of certain procedural errors. The aims of this study were to evaluate the quality of molar RCTs provided by undergraduate students, to compare the prevalence of procedural errors following manual and RI, and to assess the students' self-perceived confidence to perform molar RCT without supervision and their preference for either manual or RI. METHODS: Molar RCTs performed by the final year students were evaluated radiographically according to predefined criteria (Appendix 1). The procedural errors, treatment details, and the students' self-perceived confidence to perform molar RCT and their preference for either manual or RI were recorded. Descriptive statistics were performed, and the Chi-squared test was used to detect any statistically significant differences. RESULTS: 60.4% of RCTs were insufficient. RI resulted in more sufficient treatments compared with MI (49% vs. 30.3% respectively. X2: 7.39, p = 0.007), required fewer visits to complete (2.9 vs. 4.6 respectively. X2: 67.23, p < 0.001) and was the preferred technique by 93.1% of students. The most common procedural errors were underextension of the root canal obturation (48.4%), insufficient obturation (45.5%), and improper coronal seal (35.2%) without a significant difference between the two techniques. 26.4% of the participating students reported that they did not feel confident to perform molar RCT without supervision. CONCLUSION: The quality of molar RCT provided by UG students was generally insufficient. RI partially improved the technical quality of RCT compared with MI. UG students need further endodontic training and experience before they can safely and confidently practise molar RCT.

Are geriatric transfer patients with traumatic brain injury at risk for worse outcomes compared to non-geriatric? Propensity-matched study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes between geriatric and non-geriatric patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) transferred to trauma center and effects of anticoagulants/antiplatelets (AC/AP) and reversal therapy. METHODS: A retrospective review of 1,118 patients with TBI transferred from acute care facilities to level 1 trauma center compared in groups: geriatric versus non-geriatric, geriatric with AC/AP therapy versus without, and geriatric AC/AP with AC/AP reversal therapy versus without. RESULTS: Patients with TBI constituted 54.4% of trauma transfers. Mean transfer time was 3.9 h. Propensity matched by Injury Severity Score and Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) head geriatric compared to non-geriatric patients had more AC/AP use (53.9% vs 8.8%), repeat head computed tomography (93.7% vs 86.1%), intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (57.4% vs 45.7%) and mortality (9.8% vs 3.2%), all p < 0.004. Patients on AC/AP versus without had more ICU admissions (69.1% vs 51.8%, p < 0.001). Patients with AC/AP reversals compared to without reversals had more AIS head 5 (32.0% vs 13.1%), brain surgeries (17.8% vs 3.5%) and ICU admissions (84.8% vs 57.1%), all p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: TBI constituted half of trauma transfers and 10% required surgery. Based on higher ICU admissions, mortality, and prevalence of AC/AP therapy requiring reversal, geriatric patients with TBI on anticoagulants/antiplatelets should be considered for direct trauma center admission.

A human milk oligosaccharide prevents intestinal inflammation in adulthood via modulating gut microbial metabolism.

Observational evidence suggests that human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) promote the growth of commensal bacteria in early life and adulthood. However, the mechanisms by which HMOs benefit health through modulation of gut microbial homeostasis remain largely unknown. 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) is the most abundant oligosaccharide in human milk and contributes to the essential health benefits associated with human milk consumption. Here, we investigated how 2'-FL prevents colitis in adulthood through its effects on the gut microbial community. We found that the gut microbiota from adult mice that consumed 2'-FL exhibited an increase in abundance of several health-associated genera, including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. The 2'-FL-modulated gut microbial community exerted preventive effects on colitis in adult mice. By using Bifidobacterium infantis as a 2'-FL-consuming bacterial model, exploratory metabolomics revealed novel 2'-FL-enriched secretory metabolites by Bifidobacterium infantis, including pantothenol. Importantly, pantothenate significantly protected the intestinal barrier against oxidative stress and mitigated colitis in adult mice. Furthermore, microbial metabolic pathway analysis identified 26 dysregulated metabolic pathways in fecal microbiota from patients with ulcerative colitis, which were significantly regulated by 2'-FL treatment in adult mice, indicating that 2'-FL has the potential to rectify dysregulated microbial metabolism in colitis. These findings support the contribution of the 2'-FL-shaped gut microbial community and bacterial metabolite production to the protection of intestinal integrity and prevention of intestinal inflammation in adulthood.IMPORTANCEAt present, neither basic research nor clinical studies have revealed the exact biological functions or mechanisms of action of individual oligosaccharides during development or in adulthood. Thus, it remains largely unknown whether human milk oligosaccharides could serve as effective therapeutics for gastrointestinal-related diseases. Results from the present study uncover 2'-FL-driven alterations in bacterial metabolism and identify novel B. infantis-secreted metabolites following the consumption of 2'-FL, including pantothenol. This work further demonstrates a previously unrecognized role of pantothenate in significantly protecting the intestinal barrier against oxidative stress and mitigating colitis in adult mice. Remarkably, 2'-FL-enhanced bacterial metabolic pathways are found to be dysregulated in the fecal microbiota of ulcerative colitis patients. These novel metabolic pathways underlying the bioactivities of 2'-FL may lay a foundation for applying individual oligosaccharides for prophylactic intervention for diseases associated with impaired intestinal homeostasis.

The assessment of the efficacy of radiography in diagnosing developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants younger than six months with reference to hips graded by Graf classification using ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of radiography for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in infants being younger than six months by comparing the results with hips graded by Graf classification using ultrasonography (US). While US is standard for screening and diagnosing DDH in this age group, radiography may provide broader insights for screening programs and boost diagnostic precision. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective research involved 994 hips from 497 newborns and infants under six months old who underwent hip US and radiography for DDH screening from August 2020 to September 2021. Radiographs were reassessed by an experienced pediatric orthopedic surgeon to identify DDH indications. Hips were graded using the Graf classification, and the primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of pelvic/hip radiography for DDH, using the US Graf classification as a reference. RESULTS: Among the 994 hips assessed, 71 (14.3%) right and 51 (10.3%) left hips showed radiograph signs of DDH. Graf grades IIa to IV were found in the radiographs of 43 (8.7%) right and 47 (9.5%) left hips, which accurately diagnosed right- and left-sided DDH with a specificity of 87.0% and 92.4% respectively. Graf grades IIb to IV appeared in the radiographs of 7 (1.4%) right and 14 (2.8%) left hips, diagnosing right- and left-sided DDH with a specificity of 86.1% and 91.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study results imply that radiographs may be limited in their diagnostic capacity for DDH in newborns and infants during the first six months of life.

Impact of maternal depression on malnutrition treatment outcomes in older children with sickle cell anemia.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition and sickle cell anemia (SCA) result in high childhood mortality rates. Although maternal depression is an established risk factor for malnutrition in younger children, little is known about its impact on treatment response in children with malnutrition. We aimed to determine the relationship, if any, between maternal depression scores and malnutrition treatment outcomes in older children with SCA. METHODS: We conducted a planned ancillary study to our randomized controlled feasibility trial for managing severe acute malnutrition in children aged 5-12 with SCA in northern Nigeria (NCT03634488). Mothers of participants completed a depression screen using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).We used a multivariable linear regression model to describe the relationship between the baseline maternal PHQ-9 score and the trial participant's final body mass index (BMI) z-score. RESULTS: Out of 108 mother-child dyads, 101 with maternal baseline PHQ-9 scores were eligible for inclusion in this analysis. At baseline, 25.7% of mothers (26 of 101) screened positive for at least mild depression (PHQ-9 score of 5 or above). The baseline maternal PHQ-9 score was negatively associated with the child's BMI z-score after 12 weeks of malnutrition treatment (ß=-0.045, p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal depressive symptoms has an impact on malnutrition treatment outcomes. Treatment of malnutrition in older children with sickle cell anemia should include screening for maternal depression and, if indicated, appropriate maternal referral for depression evaluation and treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (#NCT03634488) on January 30, 2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03634488 .

AWARENESS AND PRACTICES TOWARDS PREVENTION OF MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV AMONG MARRIED MEN ATTENDING THE ANTIRETROVIRAL CLINIC IN AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL, KANO, NIGERIA.

Background: The prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programme was introduced as a comprehensive package of interventions with the aim of reducing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. The programme offers an opportunity to capture pregnant women and their partners in order to prevent the transmission of HIV to the baby. This study is aimed at assessing the awareness and practices of married HIV-positive male partners towards PMTCT. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study that interviewed 220 HIV-positive male partners using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: The study revealed that more of the respondents 145 (65.9%) were between the age group of 31 to 40 years. More than half 130 (59%) of the respondents were aware of PMTCT while 135 (61.4%) of the respondents had good practice of PMTCT. Respondents with formal education were 1.5 times more likely to be aware of the PMTCT programme than those having informal education [p=0.03, AOR=1.53, 95%CI=(1.98-4.54)]. Similarly, respondents with formal education were 2.5 times more likely to practice PMTCT programme than those having informal education [p=0.03, AOR=2.53, 95%CI= (1.63-4.54)].In addition, Male partners who were above 30 years of age were 3 times more likely to participate in PMTCT activities compared to those who were less than 30 years [p=0.02, AOR=2.17, 95%CI=(0.01-4.12)]. Conclusion: Raising awareness about the need for male partners' involvement in the PMTCT programme as well as encouraging male partners to partake in PMTCT activities will further increase its uptake.

Platelet indices as a predictor in the differentiation of Behçet's disease from recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate complete blood count parameters in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) who present with oral ulcers and patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) in order to determine whether they could be used as discriminatory biomarkers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted between January 2019 and January 2023. The study population consisted of three groups: patients with BD who had oral ulcer manifestation (n=85, BD-Group), patients with idiopathic RAS (n=186, RAS-Group) and healthy controls (n=90, HC-Group). All data about participants, on their first application, including sociodemographic and clinical data, comorbidity status, laboratory results were collected retrospectively from the hospital computer records and patients' charts. RESULTS: The groups were similar in terms of age (p=0.235) and sex distribution (p=0.450). Mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletcrit values of the BD-Group were significantly lower, while platelet distribution width (PDW) was significantly higher, compared to the other two groups (p<0.001 for all). Low MPV (<9.15) (56.47% sensitivity and 90.86% specificity), high PDW (≥15.75) (75.00% sensitivity and 94.96% specificity) and low plateletcrit (<0.237) (55.29% sensitivity and 79.46% specificity) could significantly distinguish BD patients with oral ulcer onset from patients with RAS. CONCLUSIONS: PDW, MPV, and plateletcrit may be useful biomarkers in the differential diagnosis of oral ulcers when distinguishing between BD and RAS. However, these results need to be supported by further comprehensive studies.

Identification of a functional peptide of a probiotic bacterium-derived protein for the sustained effect on preventing colitis.

Several probiotic-derived factors have been identified as effectors of probiotics for exerting beneficial effects on the host. However, there is a paucity of studies to elucidate mechanisms of their functions. p40, a secretory protein, is originally isolated from a probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Thus, this study aimed to apply structure-functional analysis to define the functional peptide of p40 that modulates the epigenetic program in intestinal epithelial cells for sustained prevention of colitis. In silico analysis revealed that p40 is composed of a signal peptide (1-28 residues) followed by a coiled-coil domain with uncharacterized function on the N-terminus, a linker region, and a ß-sheet domain with high homology to CHAP on the C-terminus. Based on the p40 three-dimensional structure model, two recombinant p40 peptides were generated, p40N120 (28-120 residues) and p40N180 (28-180 residues) that contain first two and first three coiled coils, respectively. Compared to full-length p40 (p40F) and p40N180, p40N120 showed similar or higher effects on up-regulating expression of Setd1b (encoding a methyltransferase), promoting mono- and trimethylation of histone 3 on lysine 4 (H3K4me1/3), and enhancing Tgfb gene expression and protein production that leads to SMAD2 phosphorylation in human colonoids and a mouse colonic epithelial cell line. Furthermore, supplementation with p40F and p40N120 in early life increased H3K4me1, Tgfb expression and differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the colon, and mitigated disruption of epithelial barrier and inflammation induced by DSS in adult mice. This study reveals the structural feature of p40 and identifies a functional peptide of p40 that could maintain intestinal homeostasis.