Andean Crops Germination: Changes in the Nutritional Profile, Physical and Sensory Characteristics. A Review.

Andean crops such as quinoa, amaranth, cañihua, beans, maize, and tarwi have gained interest in recent years for being gluten-free and their high nutritional values; they have high protein content with a well-balanced essential amino acids profile, minerals, vitamins, dietary fiber, and antioxidant compounds. During the germination bioprocess, the seed metabolism is reactivated resulting in the catabolism and degradation of macronutrients and some anti-nutritional compounds. Therefore, germination is frequently used to improve nutritional quality, protein digestibility, and availability of certain minerals and vitamins; furthermore, in specific cases, biosynthesis of new bioactive compounds could occur through the activation of secondary metabolic pathways. These changes could alter the technological and sensory properties, such as the hardness, consistency and viscosity of the formulations prepared with them. In addition, the flavor profile may undergo improvement or alteration, a critical factor to consider when integrating sprouted grains into food formulations. This review summarizes recent research on the nutritional, technological, functional, and sensory changes occur during the germination of Andean grains and analyze their potential applications in various food products.

Trends and patterns of cause-specific hospitalizations in mainland Portugal between 2000 and 2016.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe trends and patterns of cause-specific hospitalizations in mainland Portugal between 2000 and 2016. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational study based on hospital discharge data during the period 2000-2016 in mainland Portugal. METHODS: All inpatient hospital discharges among mainland Portuguese public hospitals were considered to evaluate trends and patterns over the years through hospitalization proportions, number of hospitalizations, age-standardized hospitalization rates (direct standardization using the European standard population), and the number of in-hospital stay days (bed-days). Health Cost and Utilization Project Clinical Classifications Software was used to categorize and cluster inpatients' principal diagnosis. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2002 and between 2014 and 2016, age-standardized hospitalization rates decreased by 8.6%. Moreover, "liveborn," "diseases of the heart," and "respiratory infections" were the leading hospitalization causes in both periods with a variation of -8.8%, -8.3%, and 13.4% on age-standardized hospitalization rate, respectively. The age-standardized hospitalization rate due to "bacterial infection" increased by 108.7%. "Respiratory diseases" are the leading cause responsible for more in-hospital stay days in the period 2014-2016 (48.6% increase). All Portuguese regions presented decreasing overall trends in their age-standardized hospitalization rates in the study period, yet increasing trends were observed until 2004 except for the Lisbon region; in addition, the number of in-hospital stay days remained relatively stable through time. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalizations in mainland Portugal decreased between 2000 and 2016 with heterogeneous patterns considering time, age group, and gender. "Aspiration pneumonitis; food/vomitus," "diseases of the white blood cells," "other nutritional, endocrine, and metabolic disorders," "bacterial infection," and "pathological fractures" revealed substantial increases, and further evaluations and monitoring are required.

Association of Peripheral Blood and Cutaneous Eosinophils With Bullous Pemphigoid Disease Severity and Treatment Outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A dermal inflammatory infiltrate rich in eosinophils is a prominent histological feature of bullous pemphigoid (BP) and peripheral blood eosinophilia has been documented in 50-60% of BP patients. Nevertheless, the impact of circulating and dermal infiltrate eosinophil levels on BP remains poorly understood. The main objective of this work was to investigate the association of peripheral blood and dermal infiltrate eosinophil levels with clinical and immunological characteristics of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including all patients diagnosed with BP between 2011 and 2020. RESULTS: The study cohort included 233 patients with BP. The mean baseline peripheral blood eosinophil count was 956.3±408.6×106/L and the mean number of tissue eosinophils at the dermal hot spot area was 30.5±19.0. Patients with disseminated presentation (i.e. BSA>50%) had significantly higher peripheral blood eosinophil counts (P=0.028). Mucosal involvement was significantly associated with lower dermal eosinophil count (P=0.001). Requiring inpatient care and relapsing were significantly associated with high peripheral blood eosinophil count (P=0.025; P=0.020, respectively). Among the 68 patients who experienced a relapse, 31 had peripheral blood eosinophilia (i.e. >500×106/L) at relapse (44.2%). Peripheral blood eosinophil counts at baseline and at relapse were significantly correlated (r=0.82, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral blood and cutaneous eosinophils levels may be useful biomarkers for disease activity and treatment outcomes in BP. Monitoring peripheral blood eosinophil counts may allow early detection of relapse.

Leukemia cutis and eccrine squamous syringometaplasia.

Eccrine squamous syringometaplasia (ESS) is a histological term describing a mature squamous metaplasia of the eccrine ducts. Eccrine squamous syringometaplasia is not an infrequent histological finding and may be associated with chemotherapy or with a variety of non-specific conditions including infections, neoplastic conditions, and inflammatory skin diseases. We report a 75-year-old man who developed ESS within lesions of leukemia cutis (LC). The patient had an inaugural diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and he was not on chemotherapy when the biopsy was performed.

Evaluating Cr behaviour in two different polluted soils: Mechanisms and implications for soil functionality.

This work investigates the mechanisms determining Cr speciation and availability in two different soils polluted with two chromium sources (an industrial sludge, highly polluted with Cr, and Cr(VI) solution) and the influence of these parameters on the recovery of the soil functions related with biological quality and plant growth. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse conditions using 36 pots of 17 kg for the growth of Silene vulgaris for 21 months. Logistic Regression Model using Lasso estimator shows that soil organic matter (SOM) and pH control Cr availability in studied soils. In soils treated with the sludge, X ray Absorption spectroscopy showed that Cr was present as Cr(III), biological quality indicators increased and plants were able to grow. However, in soils polluted with Cr(VI), Cr availability was significantly different in the two soils. In the alkaline and poor in organic matter soil, 12% of Cr(VI) remained in the soil leading to the decrease of soil quality indicators and the total inhibition of plant growth. In the neutral soil, Cr(VI) was totally reduced to Cr(III) by soil organic matter (SOM), quality indicators were not affected and plants grown properly. Infrared Spectroscopy showed that different functional groups reacted with Cr in the two soils. This study highlights the importance to understand the mechanisms underlaying Cr redox and adsorption reactions in Cr polluted soils as they determine the potential recovery of the functions related with biological quality indicators and plant growth. The methodology proposed allows this study in complex soil samples at realistic concentrations and may be useful for risk assessment and for the planning of managing strategies in Cr polluted soils.

Association between non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and carotid atherosclerosis in postmenopausal middle-aged women.

Background: A novel lipid relation, the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C/HDL-C) ratio gathers information on all atherogenic and antiatherogenic particles on a single date. The relationship between this lipid marker and the presence of carotid atherosclerotic plaque (CAP) in postmenopausal women is unknown. Methods: Postmenopausal women in primary prevention up to 70 years of age were recruited. Association between the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and presence of CAP, assessed by ultrasonography, was analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed. Results: A total of 440 females with a mean age of 58.1 ± 5.3 years were recruited. The mean non-HDL-C/HDL ratio was 3.1 ± 1.2 and 28.2% of woman had CAP. A positive relationship was seen between quintiles of the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and prevalence of CAP (p < 0.001). Regardless of other risk factors, women with higher non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratios had a greater chance of having CAP (odds ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.58, p = 0.009). In the ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve of the non-HDL-C/HDL ratio for detecting CAP was 0.703 (95% confidence interval: 0.640-0.765) and the optimal cut-off point was 3.0 (Youden index 0.395). Conclusion: The present study suggests that the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio might be a strong marker for predicting the risk of CAP in postmenopausal women.

Diabetes-induced microvascular complications at the level of the spinal cord: a contributing factor in diabetic neuropathic pain.

KEY POINTS: Diabetes is thought to induce neuropathic pain through activation of dorsal horn sensory neurons in the spinal cord. Here we explore the impact of hyperglycaemia on the blood supply supporting the spinal cord and chronic pain development. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, neuropathic pain is accompanied by a decline in microvascular integrity in the dorsal horn. Hyperglycaemia-induced degeneration of the endothelium in the dorsal horn was associated with a loss in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A165 b expression. VEGF-A165 b treatment prevented diabetic neuropathic pain and degeneration of the endothelium in the spinal cord. Using an endothelial-specific VEGFR2 knockout transgenic mouse model, the loss of endothelial VEGFR2 signalling led to a decline in vascular integrity in the dorsal horn and the development of hyperalgesia in VEGFR2 knockout mice. This highlights that vascular degeneration in the spinal cord could be a previously unidentified factor in the development of diabetic neuropathic pain. ABSTRACT: Abnormalities of neurovascular interactions within the CNS of diabetic patients is associated with the onset of many neurological disease states. However, to date, the link between the neurovascular network within the spinal cord and regulation of nociception has not been investigated despite neuropathic pain being common in diabetes. We hypothesised that hyperglycaemia-induced endothelial degeneration in the spinal cord, due to suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A/VEGFR2 signalling, induces diabetic neuropathic pain. Nociceptive pain behaviour was investigated in a chemically induced model of type 1 diabetes (streptozotocin induced, insulin supplemented; either vehicle or VEGF-A165 b treated) and an inducible endothelial knockdown of VEGFR2 (tamoxifen induced). Diabetic animals developed mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia. This was associated with a reduction in the number of blood vessels and reduction in Evans blue extravasation in the lumbar spinal cord of diabetic animals versus age-matched controls. Endothelial markers occludin, CD31 and VE-cadherin were downregulated in the spinal cord of the diabetic group versus controls, and there was a concurrent reduction of VEGF-A165 b expression. In diabetic animals, VEGF-A165 b treatment (biweekly i.p., 20 ng g-1 ) restored normal Evans blue extravasation and prevented vascular degeneration, diabetes-induced central neuron activation and neuropathic pain. Inducible knockdown of VEGFR2 (tamoxifen treated Tie2CreERT2 -vegfr2flfl mice) led to a reduction in blood vessel network volume in the lumbar spinal cord and development of heat hyperalgesia. These findings indicate that hyperglycaemia leads to a reduction in the VEGF-A/VEGFR2 signalling cascade, resulting in endothelial dysfunction in the spinal cord, which could be an undiscovered contributing factor to diabetic neuropathic pain.

Molecular basis of dendritic atrophy and activity in stress susceptibility.

Molecular and cellular adaptations in nucleus accumbens (NAc) medium spiny neurons (MSNs) underlie stress-induced depression-like behavior, but the molecular substrates mediating cellular plasticity and activity in MSN subtypes in stress susceptibility are poorly understood. We find the transcription factor early growth response 3 (EGR3) is increased in D1 receptor containing MSNs of mice susceptible to social defeat stress. Genetic reduction of Egr3 levels in D1-MSNs prevented depression-like outcomes in stress susceptible mice by preventing D1-MSN dendritic atrophy, reduced frequency of excitatory input and altered in vivo activity. Overall, we identify NAc neuronal-subtype molecular control of dendritic morphology and related functional adaptations, which underlie susceptibility to stress.

European Society of Paediatric Radiology Abdominal Imaging Task Force recommendations in paediatric uroradiology, part X: how to perform paediatric gastrointestinal ultrasonography, use gadolinium as a contrast agent in children, follow up paediatric testicular microlithiasis, and an update on paediatric contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

At the European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) annual meeting 2017 in Davos, Switzerland, the ESPR Abdominal (gastrointestinal and genitourinary) Imaging Task Force set out to complete the suggestions for paediatric abdominal imaging and its procedural recommendations. Some final topics were addressed including how to perform paediatric gastrointestinal ultrasonography. Based on the recent approval of ultrasound (US) contrast agents for paediatric use, important aspects of paediatric contrast-enhanced US were revisited. Additionally, the recent developments concerning the use and possible brain deposition of gadolinium as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent were presented. The recommendations for paediatric use were reissued after considering all available evidence. Recent insights on the incidence of neoplastic lesions in children with testicular microlithiasis were discussed and led to a slightly altered recommendation.

Presence of ethanol-sensitive glycine receptors in medium spiny neurons in the mouse nucleus accumbens.

KEY POINTS: The nucleus accumbens (nAc) is involved in addiction-related behaviour caused by several drugs of abuse, including alcohol. Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are potentiated by ethanol and they have been implicated in the regulation of accumbal dopamine levels. We investigated the presence of GlyR subunits in nAc and their modulation by ethanol in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the mouse nAc. We found that the GlyR α1 subunit is preferentially expressed in nAc and is potentiated by ethanol. Our study shows that GlyR α1 in nAc is a new target for development of novel pharmacological tools for behavioural intervention in drug abuse. ABSTRACT: Alcohol abuse causes major social, economic and health-related problems worldwide. Alcohol, like other drugs of abuse, increases levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (nAc), facilitating behavioural reinforcement and substance abuse. Previous studies suggested that glycine receptors (GlyRs) are involved in the regulation of accumbal dopamine levels. Here, we investigated the presence of GlyRs in accumbal dopamine receptor medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of C57BL/6J mice, analysing mRNA expression levels and immunoreactivity of GlyR subunits, as well as ethanol sensitivity. We found that GlyR α1 subunits are expressed at higher levels than α2, α3 and ß in the mouse nAc and were located preferentially in dopamine receptor 1 (DRD1)-positive MSNs. Interestingly, the glycine-evoked currents in dissociated DRD1-positive MSNs were potentiated by ethanol. Also, the potentiation of the GlyR-mediated tonic current by ethanol suggests that they modulate the excitability of DRD1-positive MSNs in nAc. This study should contribute to understanding the role of GlyR α1 in the reward system and might help to develop novel pharmacological therapies to treat alcoholism and other addiction-related and compulsive behaviours.

Five Years of Multidisciplinary Care in Hereditary Cancer: Our Experience in a Spanish University Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the evolution of a multidisciplinary heredofamilial cancer unit (HFCU) in a university hospital. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of the activity of our HFCU in its first 5 years of existence. RESULTS: Between July 2010 and July 2015, 1,518 patients from 1,318 families attended our HFCU. Genetic testing was offered to 862 patients. Of those, 833 (96.6%) accepted testing, with available results for 636 (76.4%). Pathogenic mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 were found in 175 patients. Lynch syndrome and adenomatous polyposis were the most frequent syndromes diagnosed (151/175, 86.3%) among 17 different syndromes studied. Of the 404 patients without a previous genetic diagnosis in the family, 62 (15.3%) were found to have mutations in disease-causing genes. Prophylactic surgery and follow-up (33.7%) or follow-up only (66.3%) was proposed for mutation carriers according to international guidelines and patients' preferences. CONCLUSION: We have a high mutation detection rate, genetic test acceptance, and compliance with risk reduction strategies. However, there is room for improvement, especially in genetic testing timing, considering that an increase in the indications for genetic testing is expected.

Portugal and Angola: similarities and differences in Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence and risk factors in pregnant women.

In this study we determined the presence of IgM/IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in sera of 155 and 300 pregnant women from Lisbon (Portugal) and Luanda (Angola), respectively, and evaluated the potential risk factors associated with this infection. DNA detection was performed by PCR assays targeting T. gondii regions (RE/B1). Overall, 21·9% (10·9% IgG, 10·9% IgG/IgM) of the Lisbon women and 27·3% (23·7%, IgG, 2% IgM, 1·7% IgG/IgM) of the Luanda women had antibodies to T. gondii. Single variable and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Based on the latter, contacts with cats (family/friends), and having more than two births were identified as risk factors for Toxoplasma infection in Lisbon women. In Luanda, the risk factors for T. gondii infection suggested by the single variable analysis (outdoor contact with cats and consumption of pasteurized milk/dairy products) were not confirmed by binary logistic regression. This study shows original data from Angola, and updated data from Portugal in the study of infection by T. gondii in pregnant women, indicating that the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies is high enough to alert the government health authorities and implement appropriate measures to control this infection.

Phytoavailability of Cr in Silene vulgaris: The role of soil, plant genotype and bacterial rhizobiome.

Understanding the metal behavior at the soil-root interface is of utmost significance for a successful implementation of phytoremediation. In this study, we investigated the differences in chromium (Cr) uptake, chemical changes in soil solution and the shifts in rhizosphere bacterial communities of two genotypes of Silene vulgaris (SV21, SV38) with different tolerance to Cr. A greenhouse experiment was performed in two soils that differed on pH and organic matter (OM) content. An industrial sludge with high content in Cr was used as pollution source. The soil solution in the rhizosphere was sample by Rhizon Soil Moisture Samplers. The total concentration of Cr reached the highest values in soil solution samplers from calcareous soils with poor contents in OM. Plants grown in this soil also increased the Cr uptake in roots of both genotypes, but the concentration was higher in genotype SV-38 than in SV21. The clustering analysis of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA fragments revealed major differences in bacterial community structure related to Cr pollution, followed by soil type and finally, plant genotype. Diversity indices based on DGGE profiles were the highest in alkaline soil, and between genotypes, values were significantly greater in SV38. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that changes in bacterial community structure of rhizosphere were highly correlated with total Cr concentration and soil solution pH. The isolation and identification of S. vulgaris bacterial rhizosphere revealed a different composition according to soil type and plant genotype. Results suggested the potential role of Pseudomonas fluorescens on Cr mobilization and therefore, on enhanced metal bioavailability and may provide a starting point for further studies aimed at the combined use of tolerant plants and selected metal mobilizing rhizobacteria, in the microbial-assisted phytoremediation of Cr-polluted soils.

Use of Banana (Musa acuminata Colla AAA) Peel Extract as an Antioxidant Source in Orange Juices.

Using banana peel extract as an antioxidant in freshly squeezed orange juices and juices from concentrate was evaluated. Free radical scavenging capacity increased by adding banana peel extracts to both types of orange juice. In addition, remarkable increases in antioxidant capacity using 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical were observed when equal or greater than 5 mg of banana peel extract per ml of freshly squeezed juice was added. No clear effects were observed in the capacity to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Adding 5 mg banana peel extract per ml of orange juice did not substantially modify the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of either type of juice. However, undesirable changes in the sensory characteristics (in-mouth sensations and colour) were detected when equal or greater than 10 mg banana peel extract per ml of orange juice was added. These results confirm that banana peel is a promising natural additive that increases the capacity to scavenge free radicals of orange juice with acceptable sensory and physicochemical characteristics for the consumer.

Up-regulation of P2X7 receptor-mediated inhibition of GABA uptake by nerve terminals of the human epileptic neocortex.

OBJECTIVE: Thirty percent of patients with epilepsy are refractory to medication. The majority of these patients have mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). This prompts for new pharmacologic targets, like ATP-mediated signaling pathways, since the extracellular levels of the nucleotide dramatically increase during in vitro epileptic seizures. In this study, we investigated whether sodium-dependent high-affinity γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate uptake by isolated nerve terminals of the human neocortex could be modulated by ATP acting via slow-desensitizing P2X7 receptor (P2X7R). METHODS: Modulation of [(3) H]GABA and [(14) C]glutamate uptake by ATP, through activation of P2X7R, was investigated in isolated nerve terminals of the neocortex of cadaveric controls and patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (non-MTLE or MTLE) submitted to surgery. Tissue density and distribution of P2X7R in the human neocortex was assessed by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. RESULTS: The P2X7R agonist, 2'(3')-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)ATP (BzATP, 3-100 µm) decreased [(3) H]GABA and [(14) C]glutamate uptake by nerve terminals of the neocortex of controls and patients with epilepsy. The inhibitory effect of BzATP (100 µm) was prevented by the selective P2X7R antagonist, A-438079 (3 µm). Down-modulation of [(14) C]glutamate uptake by BzATP (100 µm) was roughly similar in controls and patients with epilepsy, but the P2X7R agonist inhibited more effectively [(3) H]GABA uptake in the epileptic tissue. Neocortical nerve terminals of patients with epilepsy express higher amounts of the P2X7R protein than control samples. SIGNIFICANCE: High-frequency cortical activity during epileptic seizures releases huge amounts of ATP, which by acting on low-affinity slowly desensitizing ionotropic P2X7R, leads to down-modulation of neuronal GABA and glutamate uptake. Increased P2X7R expression in neocortical nerve terminals of patients with epilepsy may, under high-frequency firing, endure GABA signaling and increase GABAergic rundown, thereby unbalancing glutamatergic neuroexcitation. This study highlights the relevance of the ATP-sensitive P2X7R as an important negative modulator of GABA and glutamate transport and prompts for novel antiepileptic therapeutic targets.

Adenosine A2A receptor and ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 are upregulated in hippocampal astrocytes of human patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE).

Refractoriness to existing medications of up to 80 % of the patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) prompts for finding new antiepileptic drug targets. The adenosine A2A receptor emerges as an interesting pharmacological target since its excitatory nature partially counteracts the dominant antiepileptic role of endogenous adenosine acting via inhibitory A1 receptors. Gain of function of the excitatory A2A receptor has been implicated in a significant number of brain pathologies commonly characterized by neuronal excitotoxicity. Here, we investigated changes in the expression and cellular localization of the A2A receptor and of the adenosine-generating enzyme, ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73, in the hippocampus of control individuals and MTLE human patients. Western blot analysis indicates that the A2A receptor is more abundant in the hippocampus of MTLE patients compared to control individuals. Immunoreactivity against the A2A receptor predominates in astrocytes staining positively for the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). No co-localization was observed between the A2A receptor and neuronal cell markers, like synaptotagmin 1/2 (nerve terminals) and neurofilament 200 (axon fibers). Hippocampal astrogliosis observed in MTLE patients was accompanied by a proportionate increase in A2A receptor and ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 immunoreactivities. Given our data, we hypothesize that selective blockade of excessive activation of astrocytic A2A receptors and/or inhibition of surplus adenosine formation by membrane-bound ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 may reduce neuronal excitability, thus providing a novel therapeutic target for drug-refractory seizures in MTLE patients.

Characterization of bacterial communities associated with Brassica napus L. growing on a Zn-contaminated soil and their effects on root growth.

The interaction between plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and plants can enhance biomass production and metal tolerance of the host plants. This work aimed at isolating and characterizing the cultivable bacterial community associated with Brassica napus growing on a Zn-contaminated site, for selecting cultivable PGPB that might enhance biomass production and metal tolerance of energy crops. The effects of some of these bacterial strains on root growth of B. napus exposed to increasing Zn and Cd concentrations were assessed. A total of 426 morphologically different bacterial strains were isolated from the soil, the rhizosphere, and the roots and stems of B. napus. The diversity of the isolated bacterial populations was similar in rhizosphere and roots, but lower in soil and stem compartments. Burkoholderia, Alcaligenes, Agrococcus, Polaromonas, Stenotrophomonas, Serratia, Microbacterium, and Caulobacter were found as root endophytes exclusively. The inoculation of seeds with Pseudomonas sp. strains 228 and 256, and Serratia sp. strain 246 facilitated the root development of B. napus at 1,000 µM Zn. Arthrobacter sp. strain 222, Serratia sp. strain 246, and Pseudomonas sp. 228 and 262 increased the root length at 300 µM Cd.

Evaluation of the stability of a nanoremediation strategy using barley plants.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of nZVI in reducing the availability of Cd, Cr or Zn in polluted soils. The influence of this nanoremediation process on the development of barley plants as well as its impact on soil properties and the stability of the metal immobilization afterwards were also evaluated in a greenhouse experiment. The application of nZVI reduced the availability of these metals in the soil, but the effectiveness of the immobilization and its stability depended on the metal chemical characteristics. Cadmium distribution in soil fractions showed an important change after the barley crop, favoring the immobilization of Cd in RS fraction for both nZVI-treated and untreated soils. The Cr immobilization was stable over the time studied and the doses of Cr were lethal for the barley plants. In contrast, the decrease of Cr availability reached after the nZVI treatment induced a reduction of soil phytotoxicity and an improvement in the development of the plants, which were able to complete their growing period. The Zn immobilization with nZVI was stable over time, but its effectiveness was moderate, and the growth of barley plants was poorer than that observed in the cases of Cd and Cr. Thus the best results of metal immobilization with nZVI were obtained for Cr-polluted soils. There was no overall increase of Fe in barley plants from nZVI-treated soils. In relation to the soil, no negative effects on its physico-chemical properties were observed after the time exposure with nZVI. Taking into account these results we can conclude that the use of nZVI is a promising remediation strategy, and its effectiveness would be conditioned to the soil properties and the bioavailable metal concentration.

Liver growth factor induces testicular regeneration in EDS-treated rats and increases protein levels of class B scavenger receptors.

The aim of the present work was to determine the effects of liver growth factor (LGF) on the regeneration process of rat testes after chemical castration induced by ethane dimethanesulfonate (EDS) by analyzing some of the most relevant proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism, such as hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD), scavenger receptor SR-BI, and other components of the SR family that could contribute to the recovery of steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in the testis. Sixty male rats were randomized to nontreated (controls) and LGF-treated, EDS-treated, and EDS + LGF-treated groups. Testes were obtained on days 10 (T1), 21 (T2), and 35 (T3) after EDS treatment, embedded in paraffin, and analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. LGF improved the recovery of the seminiferous epithelia, the appearance of the mature pattern of Leydig cell interstitial distribution, and the expression of mature SR-BI. Moreover, LGF treatment resulted in partial recovery of HSL expression in Leydig cells and spermatogonia. No changes in serum testosterone were observed in control or LGF-treated rats, but in EDS-castrated animals LGF treatment induced a progressive increase in serum testosterone levels and 3ß-HSD expression. Based on the pivotal role of SR-BI in the uptake of cholesteryl esters from HDL, it is suggested that the observed effects of LGF would facilitate the provision of cholesterol for sperm cell growth and Leydig cell recovery.

Characterization and intervention for upper extremity exploration & reaching behaviors in infancy.

This article aims to: 1) highlight general exploration, reaching, and object exploration behaviors as key activities of daily living in infancy, 2) describe how knowledge of early warning signs for these behaviors may improve early assessment, and 3) discuss interventions that may advance performance of these behaviors. Early intervention should focus on improving performance of these behaviors because: a) these early, interrelated upper extremity behaviors serve an integral role in global learning and development in infancy, b) among at-risk populations, differences have been observed in the quantity and quality of performance of these behaviors and, in many cases, these differences are associated with related perceptual-motor and cognitive delays. This article highlights how early assessment and intervention can target these key early behaviors in populations at risk for upper extremity disabilities, such as those born preterm, with Down syndrome, brachial plexus palsy, or arthrogryposis multiplex congentia.