Abstract Objective: this study aimed to evaluate whether low-salt low-protein diet (LPD) supplemented with 10 g of inulin could lower serum toxin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), thereby providing evidence for adjusting dietary prescriptions of inhospital patients and outpatient nutrition consultants. Methods: we randomized 54 patients with CKD into two groups. Dietary protein intake compliance was evaluated using a 3-day dietary diary and 24-h urine nitrogen levels. The primary outcomes were indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), and secondary outcomes included inflammation marker levels, nutritional status, and renal function. We assessed 89 patients for eligibility, and a total of 45 patients completed the study, including 23 and 22 in the inulin-added and control groups, respectively. Results: PCS values decreased in both groups after intervention: inulin-added group, ∆PCS -1.33 (-4.88, -0.63) µg/mL vs. LPD group, -4.7 (-3.78, 3.69) µg/mL (p = 0.058). PCS values reduced from 7.52 to 4.02 µg/mL (p < 0.001) in the inulin-added group (p < 0.001). Moreover, IS decreased from 3.42 (2.53, 6.01) µg/mL to 2.83 (1.67, 4.74) µg/mL after adding inulin; ∆IS was -0.64 (-1.48, 0.00) µg/mL, and a significant difference was observed compared with the control group (p = 0.004). The inflammation index decreased after intervention. Conclusion: dietary fiber supplementation may reduce serum IS and PCS levels and modulate their inflammatory status in predialysis CKD patients.

Resumen Objetivo: este ensayo aleatorizado doble ciego comparó el efecto de una dieta baja en proteínas (LPD) con o sin suplementos orales de 10 g de inulina en los niveles de PBUT en pacientes con ERC en prediálisis durante 12 semanas. Métodos: clasificamos aleatoriamente a 54 pacientes con ERC en dos grupos. El cumplimiento de la ingesta dietética de proteínas se evaluó utilizando un diario dietético de 3 días y nitrógeno en orina de 24 horas. Los resultados primarios fueron IS y PCS y los resultados secundarios incluyeron niveles de marcadores de inflamación, estado nutricional y función renal. Evaluamos la elegibilidad de 89 pacientes y 45 completaron la intervención, incluidos 23 y 22 en los grupos de inulina añadida y de control, respectivamente. Resultados: el sodio urinario promedio de 24 horas fue de 86 mmol/día y la ingesta promedio de proteínas fue de ~0,7 g/kg/día. Los valores de PCS exhibieron una tendencia decreciente en ambos grupos después de la intervención: grupo con inulina añadida, ∆PCS -1.33 (-4.88, -0.63) µg/mL vs. grupo LPD, -4.7 (-3.78, 3.69) µg/mL) (p =0,058). Los valores de PCS se redujeron de 7,52 a 4,02 µg/mL (p < 0,001) con inulina (p < 0,001). Además, IS disminuyó de 3,42 (2,53, 6,01) µg/mL a 2,83 (1,67, 4,74) µg/mL después de agregar inulina; El ∆IS fue -0,64 (-1,48; 0,00) µg/mL y se observó una diferencia significativa en comparación con el grupo control (p =0,004). Conclusión: la suplementación con fibra dietética puede reducir las toxinas de unión a proteínas séricas en pacientes con ERC en prediálisis y modular su estado inflamatorio.

Resumo Objetivo: Investigar a expressão diferencial das isoformas da linfopoietina estromal tímica, curta e longa, e discernir suas implicações biológicas na gastroenterite eosinofílica. Métodos: Avaliamos a expressão das isoformas da linfopoietina estromal tímica e suas duas isoformas através da técnica RT-PCR quantitativa em tecidos de controles saudáveis (n = 24) e pacientes com gastroenterite eosinofílica (n = 17). Resultados: Demonstramos que o RNAm das isoformas da linfopoietina estromal tímica estava significativamente reduzido na gastroenterite eosinofílica em comparação com os controles saudáveis (p < 0,0001). Também descobrimos uma quantidade significativamente menor de RNAm das isoformas da linfopoietina estromal tímica curta na gastroenterite eosinofílica em comparação com os controles (p < 0,05) e uma quantidade significativamente maior de RNAm das isoformas da linfopoietina estromal tímica longa na gastroenterite eosinofílica em comparação com os controles (p < 0,05). O pico da contagem eosinofílica está correlacionado positiva e significativamente com a expressão do RNAm das isoformas da linfopoietina estromal tímica longa na mucosa gastrointestinal de pacientes com gastroenterite eosinofílica (rs = 0,623, p < 0,005), enquanto o pico de contagem eosinofílica está negativa e significativamente correlacionado com a expressão do RNAm das isoformas da linfopoietina estromal tímica curta na mucosa gastrointestinal de pacientes com gastroenterite eosinofílica (rs = -0,4474, p < 0,05). Conclusões: A expressão anormal das isoformas da linfopoietina estromal tímica na mucosa pode contribuir para o dano da mucosa gastrointestinal na gastroenterite eosinofílica.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the differential expression of the thymic stromal lymphopoietin isoforms, short and long, and discern their biological implications under eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Methods: The expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin and its two isoforms in tissues was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR in healthy controls (n = 24) and patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis (n = 17). Results: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin mRNA was significantly reduced in eosinophilic gastroenteritis when compared with healthy controls (p < 0.0001). A significantly lower amount of short thymic stromal lymphopoietin mRNA was observed in eosinophilic gastroenteritis when compared with controls (p < 0.05), while a significantly higher amount of long thymic stromal lymphopoietin mRNA was observed in eosinophilic gastroenteritis when compared with controls (p < 0.05). Peak eosinophilic count is significantly positively correlated with the expression of long thymic stromal lymphopoietin mRNA in the gastrointestinal mucosal of patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis (r s = 0.623, p < 0.005), while peak eosinophilic count is significantly negatively correlated with the expression of short thymic stromal lymphopoietin mRNA in the gastrointestinal mucosal of patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis (r s = −0.4474, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Abnormal mucosal thymic stromal lymphopoietin expression may contribute to gastrointestinal mucosa damage in eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

Um esquema rápido e de volume variável de carregamento de amostras para eletroforese não-aquosa em microchip com fluorescência induzida a laser (NAMCE-LIF) foi desenvolvido, incluindo um plugue de polímero poroso, uma bomba de microvácuo de baixo custo e uma fonte de alta tensão com potencial único. O plugue de polímero poroso foi fabricado dentro do canal de separação como uma válvula de seleção, que impedia o tampão de corrida do reservatório de descarte de tampão (BW) de fluir de volta ao canal de separação, mas permitia a migração eletroforética ao longo do canal de separação. Aplicando uma pressão subatmosférica ao headspace do reservatório de descarte (SW), amostra e tampão de corrida eram passados imediatamente ao SW. Concomitantemente, uma parte do fluxo de amostra era conduzido através do plugue de polímero poroso pela força elétrica, formando uma zona de amostra no canal de separação. O comprimento da zona de amostra injetada era proporcional ao tempo de injeção. O método proposto foi aplicado com sucesso na separação de Rodamina 123 (Rh123) e Rodamina 6G (Rh6G). Os limites de detecção para Rh123 e Rh6G baseados em S/N = 3 foram 0,63 e 0,48 nmol L- 1, respectivamente. O sistema provou possuir um potencial para aperfeiçoamento de rendimento, repetibilidade, sensibilidade, desempenho da separação da eletroforese não aquosa em microchip e uma ampla gama de aplicações.

A rapid and variable-volume sample loading scheme for nonaqueous microchip electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection (NAMCE-LIF) was developed, which included a porous polymer plug, a low-cost microvacuum pump, and a single potential supply. The porous polymer plug was fabricated within the separation channel as a select valve, which prevented the running buffer from buffer waste reservoir (BW) flowing back into the separation channel, but allowed electrophoretic migration along the separation channel. By applying a subatmospheric pressure to the headspace of sample waste reservoir (SW), sample and running buffer were drawn immediately to SW. At the same time, a branch of the sample stream was driven across the porous polymer plug by the electric force and formed a sample zone in the separation channel. The injected sample zone length was in proportion with the injection time. The proposed method was successfully applied to separation of Rhodamine 123 (Rh123) and Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G). The limits of detection for Rh123 and Rh6G based on S/N = 3 were 0.63 and 0.48 nmol L- 1, respectively. The system has been proved to possess an exciting potential for improving throughput, repeatability, sensitivity, separation performance of nonaqueous microchip electrophoresis and a wide range of applications.

C-repeat-binding factors (CBFs) are a type of important regulon in stress-related signal transduction pathways that control plant tolerance of abiotic stress. Ammopiptanthus mongolicus is the only evergreen broadleaf shrub in the northwest desert of China. The species shows strong resistance to environmental stress, especially to cold stress. An A. mongolicus CBF1 gene (AmCBF1) was cloned and transformed into tobacco. Expression of AmCBF1 could be detected in A. mongolicus shortly after exposure to low temperature of 4°C. Analysis on ratio of electrolytic leakage, soluble sugar content, free proline content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and peroxidase (POD) activity before and after cold treatment (4°C) for 24 h indicated AmCBF1 conferred higher cold tolerance to AmCBF1 transgenic tobacco compared with the wild type and empty vector transformed tobacco.

The PPARγ2 gene is a key regulator of both proliferation and preadipocyte differentiation in mammals. Herein its genotype and allele frequencies were analyzed using PCR-SSCP in eight pig breeds (N = 416). Two kinds of polymorphisms of the PPARγ2 gene were detected, including a previously reported shift SNP A177G (Met59Val) in exon 1 and a novel silent mutation G876A in exon 5. The results revealed that European pig breeds carry a higher allele A frequency at the A177G locus and a fixed GG genotype at the G876A locus. Allele A at the G876A locus was only found in Jinhua pigs. The association between haplotype (A177G/G876A) and carcass and meat quality traits was analyzed in a Pietrain x Jinhua F2 population (N = 248). The PPARγ2 gene was found to be significantly associated with backfat thickness at the shoulder (p < 0.05), 6-7th ribs (p < 0.01), last rib (p < 0.01), gluteus medius (p <0.05) and ham weight (p < 0.01). Significant effects of different haplotypes on ham weight and backfat thickness at the 6-7th ribs, last rib, and gluteus medius were also observed.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Os anestésicos locais são amplamente utilizados na prevenção ou na reversão de dor aguda e no tratamento de dor crônica. A reação de cardiotoxicidade induzida pelos anestésicos locais é um evento acidental sem terapia farmacológica, exceto a infusão de intralípides relatados recentemente cujo mecanismo de ação ainda não é bem compreendido. CONTEÚDO: A cardiolipina, um fosfolipídio aniônico, desempenha papel relevante na determinação de reação respiratória mitocondrial, metabolismo de ácidos graxos e apoptose celular. A disfunção do metabolismo energético mitocondrial é sugerida em associação com a cardiotoxicidade dos anestésicos locais, a partir de um estudo in vitro de que ela talvez se deva a fortes ligações eletrostáticas entre os anestésicos locais e a cardiolipina na membrana mitocondrial. Não há, contudo, evidência experimental. Portanto, levantamos a hipótese de que as interações anestésico-cardiolipina sejam o principal determinante associado à reação de cardiotoxicidade, o que pode ser estabelecido com a adoção de métodos teóricos e biológicos estruturais. Esse modelo de interação nos daria uma pista sobre o mecanismo da cardiotoxicidade dos anestésicos locais, visando a futuras pesquisas na área de desenvolvimento de fármacos de prevenção a esse evento na prática clínica. CONCLUSÕES: A interação entre a cardiolipina mitocondrial e os anestésicos locais pode ser a principal fonte de sua cardiotoxicidade, em função de seus efeitos sobre o metabolismo energético e o estado eletrostático.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Local anesthetics are used broadly to prevent or reverse acute pain and treat symptoms of chronic pain. Local anesthetic-induced cardiotoxic reaction has been considered the accidental event without currently effective therapeutic drugs except for recently reported intralipid infusion whose possible mechanism of action is not well known. CONTENTS: Cardiolipin, an anionic phospholipid, plays a key role in determining mitochondrial respiratory reaction, fatty acid metabolism and cellular apoptosis. Mitochondrial energy metabolism dysfunction is suggested as associated with local anesthetic cardiotoxicity, from an in vitro study report that the local anesthetic cardiotoxicity may be due to the strong electrostatic interaction of local anesthetics and cardiolipin in the mitochondria membrane, although there is a lack for experimental evidence. Herein we hypothesized that local anesthetic-cardiolipin interactions were the major determinant of local anesthetic-associated cardiotoxic reaction, established by means of theoretic and structural biological methods. This interacting model would give an insight on the underlying mechanism of local anesthetic cardiotoxicity and provide clues for further in depth research on designing preventive drugs for such inadvertent accidence in routine clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The interaction between local anesthetic and mitochondrial cardiolipin may be the underlying mechanism for cardiotoxicity affecting its energy metabolism and electrostatic status.