Comprehensive Exploration of the Growth and Lipid Synthesis Phases of T. oleaginosus Cultures Implementing Design of Experiments and Response Surface Methodology

Trichosporon oleaginosus is an unconventional oleaginous yeast distinguished by its remarkable capacity to accumulate lipids in excess of 70% of its dry weight, particularly when cultivated in nitrogen-restricted conditions with ample carbon sources. A pivotal question that arises pertains to the nutrient dynamics in the culture medium, which give rise to both the excessive lipid content and corresponding lipid concentration. While previous research has predominantly focused on evaluating the impact of the initial carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio on lipid production, the precise critical thresholds of glucose and ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) at which growth and intracellular lipid production are either stimulated or impeded remain inadequately defined. This study employs an experimental design and response surface methodology to investigate the complex mechanism of lipid accumulation and its interaction with cellular growth. Application of the aforementioned methodologies resulted in the production of 10.6 g/L of microbial oil in batch cultures under conditions that correspond to a C/N ratio of 76. However, the primary objective is to generate knowledge to facilitate the development of efficient fed-batch cultivation strategies that optimize lipid production exclusively employing inorganic nitrogen sources by finely adjusting carbon and nitrogen levels. The intricate interaction between these levels is comprehensively addressed in the present study, while it is additionally revealed that as glucose levels rise within a non-inhibitory range, lipid-free biomass production decreases while lipid accumulation simultaneously increases. These findings set the stage for further exploration and the potential development of two-stage cultivation approaches, aiming to fully decouple growth and lipid production. This advancement holds the promise of bringing microbial oil production closer to commercial viability.

Augmented oxidative stress, accumulation of DNA damage and impaired DNA repair mechanisms in thrombotic primary antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare autoimmune disorder with complex pathogenesis. Studies have shown that oxidative stress may contribute to APS pathophysiology. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from thrombotic Primary APS (thrPAPS) patients and age/sex-matched healthy controls (HC), as well as a control group of asymptomatic antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) positive individuals without APS (aPL+/non-APS), we examined oxidative stress, abasic (apurinic/apyrimidinic) sites, and DNA damage response (DDR)-associated parameters, including endogenous DNA damage (single- and double-strand breaks) and DNA repair mechanisms, namely nucleotide excision repair (NER) and double-strand breaks repair (DSB/R). We found that thrPAPS patients exhibited significantly higher levels of endogenous DNA damage, increased oxidative stress and abasic sites, as well as lower NER and DSB/R capacities versus HC (all P < 0.001) and versus aPL+/non-APS subjects (all P < 0.05). Our findings demonstrate that oxidative stress and decreased DNA repair mechanisms contribute to the accumulation of endogenous DNA damage in PBMCs from thrPAPS patients and, if further validated, may be exploited as therapeutic targets and potential biomarkers.

Chronological Age and DNA Damage Accumulation in Blood Mononuclear Cells: A Linear Association in Healthy Humans after 50 Years of Age

Aging is characterized by the progressive deregulation of homeostatic mechanisms causing the accumulation of macromolecular damage, including DNA damage, progressive decline in organ function and chronic diseases. Since several features of the aging phenotype are closely related to defects in the DNA damage response (DDR) network, we have herein investigated the relationship between chronological age and DDR signals in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individuals. DDR-associated parameters, including endogenous DNA damage (single-strand breaks and double-strand breaks (DSBs) measured by the alkaline comet assay (Olive Tail Moment (OTM); DSBs-only by γH2AX immunofluorescence staining), DSBs repair capacity, oxidative stress, and apurinic/apyrimidinic sites were evaluated in PBMCs of 243 individuals aged 18-75 years, free of any major comorbidity. While OTM values showed marginal correlation with age until 50 years (r_s = 0.41, p = 0.11), a linear relationship was observed after 50 years (r = 0.95, p < 0.001). Moreover, individuals older than 50 years showed increased endogenous DSBs levels (γH2Ax), higher oxidative stress, augmented apurinic/apyrimidinic sites and decreased DSBs repair capacity than those with age lower than 50 years (all p < 0.001). Results were reproduced when we examined men and women separately. Prospective studies confirming the value of DNA damage accumulation as a biomarker of aging, as well as the presence of a relevant agethreshold, are warranted.

Hepatic Artery Anatomic Variations and Reconstruction in Liver Grafts Procured in Greece: The Effect on Hepatic Artery Thrombosis

AIMS

Variations of the anatomy of donor hepatic arteries increase the number of arterial anastomoses during liver transplantation and, possibly, the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT). In this study, we describe the arterial anatomic variations in liver grafts procured and transplanted by a single center in Greece, the techniques of arterial anastomosis, and their effect on the incidence of early HAT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2013 to December 2017, the arterial anatomy of 116 grafts procured for liver transplantation were recorded, as well as the technique of arterial anastomosis and the incidence of early hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT <30 days).

RESULTS

A single hepatic artery was recorded in 72.41% of the procured grafts, an aberrant left hepatic artery (accessory or replaced) in 18 grafts (15.52%), and an aberrant right hepatic artery (accessory or replaced) in 17 grafts (14.66%), while other variations were observed in less than 1% of the procured livers. Of the 116 primary liver transplantations, 6 patients (5.17%) developed early HAT <30 days. Two of these patients (1.72%) had 1 anastomosis of the hepatic artery and 4 (3.45%) had 2 anastomoses due to anatomic variations.

CONCLUSIONS

Anatomic variations of the hepatic artery in liver grafts is a common finding and increase the incidence of early HAT but not to a degree to make these grafts unusable.

Effect of α-lipoic acid on symptoms and quality of life in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy

Objective

To examine the effect of α-lipoic acid on neuropathic symptoms in patients with diabetic neuropathy (DN).

Methods

Patients with painful DN were treated with 600 mg/day α-lipoic acid, orally, for 40 days. Neuropathy Symptom Score (NSS), Subjective Peripheral Neuropathy Screen Questionnaire (SPNSQ) and douleur neuropathique (DN)4 questionnaire scores were assessed at baseline and day 40. Quality-of-life treatment effects were assessed by Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). Changes in body weight, arterial blood pressure, fasting serum glucose and lipids were also assessed.

Results

Out of 72 patients included, significant reductions in neuropathic symptoms were shown by reduced NSS, SPNSQ and DN4 scores at day 40 versus baseline. BPI, NPSI, and SDS in terms of work disability, social life disability, and family life disability scores were also significantly reduced. Moreover, 50% of patients rated their health condition as ‘very much better’ or ‘much better’ following α-lipoic acid administration. Fasting triglyceride levels were reduced, but no difference was found in body weight, blood pressure, fasting glucose, or other lipids at day 40 versus baseline.

Conclusions

A-lipoic acid administration was associated with reduced neuropathic symptoms and triglycerides, and improved quality of life.

Building Bridges for Innovation in Ageing: Synergies between Action Groups of the EIP on AHA

The Strategic Implementation Plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) proposed six Action Groups. After almost three years of activity, many achievements have been obtained through commitments or collaborative work of the Action Groups. However, they have often worked in silos and, consequently, synergies between Action Groups have been proposed to strengthen the triple win of the EIP on AHA. The paper presents the methodology and current status of the Task Force on EIP on AHA synergies. Synergies are in line with the Action Groups' new Renovated Action Plan (2016-2018) to ensure that their future objectives are coherent and fully connected. The outcomes and impact of synergies are using the Monitoring and Assessment Framework for the EIP on AHA (MAFEIP). Eight proposals for synergies have been approved by the Task Force: Five cross-cutting synergies which can be used for all current and future synergies as they consider overarching domains (appropriate polypharmacy, citizen empowerment, teaching and coaching on AHA, deployment of synergies to EU regions, Responsible Research and Innovation), and three cross-cutting synergies focussing on current Action Group activities (falls, frailty, integrated care and chronic respiratory diseases).

Stakeholder involvement in nuclear crisis management in Greece

The setting up of the Greek Stakeholders Group in the framework of the EC Food and Agriculture Restoration Management Involving Networked Groups (FARMING) project is described. The Group included members from more than 20 governmental and non-governmental organisations, having interest and/or responsibilities in the management of a crisis following a nuclear accident. The stakeholders, during their meetings in 2002, discussed the agricultural countermeasures and rural waste disposal options which have been compiled by the EC Sustainable Restoration and Long-Term Management of Contaminated Rural, Urban and Industrial Ecosystems (STRATEGY) project. All stakeholders agreed that the most preferable were those options that ensure public acceptance, minimise environmental impact and maintain farming practices and acceptable living and working conditions. Their views are synoptically presented along with the major conclusions from the stakeholders meetings regarding nuclear crisis management.

Prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon in a healthy Greek population

OBJECTIVE

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is comprised of repeated episodes of colour changes of the skin of digits on cold exposure or emotional stress. The prevalence of RP in the general population is variable fluctuating between 4%-15%, among surveys. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of RP in a healthy working Greek population and to investigate the possible association of RP with various demographic, social and other factors.

METHODS

A total of 756 employees of the University Hospital of Ioannina was included in the study. They belong to the administrative (120 subjects), nursing and technical (a representative sample of 418 and 218 subjects, respectively) personnel. Five hundred subjects (111 men and 389 women) responded in a face to face interview based on a specially conformed questionnaire. The study began in November 1997 and was completed in March 1998.

RESULTS

Twenty six subjects with RP (1 man and 25 women) were found. Their mean (SD) age was 32.73 (5.77) years. The prevalence of RP was 5.2% (0.9% in men and 6.4% in women). The sex ratio, male/female, was 1/7.1. An association between RP and migraine was found. However, there were no significant correlations of RP with smoking, alcohol and coffee consumption, dietary habits, occupational history and drug exposure. No social or other demographic parameters associated to RP frequency were found.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of RP (5.2%) in the population studied is relatively low compared with previous studies. RP focuses on the fourth decade of life and affects mainly women. There was no evidence of any correlation of RP with social, environmental or personal parameters while an association of RP with migraine was found. Geographical or genetic factors, or both, may be responsible for these results.

Increased type IV collagen-degrading activity in metastases originating from primary tumors of the human colon

The secretion of specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is considered a prerequisite step for tumor cell invasion and metastasis. In the present study we investigated the expression of type IV collagen-degrading activity in primary tumors of the human colon in correlation to tumor grade and in comparison to activity expressed in arising metastases. We observed that type IV collagen-degrading activity (MMP-2 and MMP-9), purified by ion exchange, gel filtration and affinity chromatography and characterized by gelatin zymography, correlates to tumor grade. Furthermore, in surgical specimens identified as metastases originating from primary tumors of the colon, we observed that enzyme activity was significantly enhanced, relatively to that identified in the primary tumor. This observation should be considered when targeting MMPs as a therapeutic intervention to prevent cancer progression.