Use of vegetables for enhancing oxidative stability of omega-3 oils in the powdered state

The preliminary study examined the effectiveness of various vegetables for the stabilisation of omega-3 oil powders against oxidative deterioration. Purees made from different vegetables (mushroom, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, snow peas, tomato, and garlic) were employed for preparation of vegetable-tuna oil emulsions, which were subsequently freeze-dried into powders. Oxipres® data showed that vegetable-tuna oil powders had longer induction periods than neat tuna oil. During accelerated oxidation storage (40 °C/4weeks), eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in the vegetable-tuna oil powders were protected against oxidation, and there were lower levels of headspace secondary and tertiary oxidation products. Whole vegetable purees were suitable protective matrices for omega-3 oils. Of the various vegetable purees examined for protective effects against omega-3 oxidation, mushroom, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower were superior to snow peas, garlic and tomato. The antioxidant properties of phytonutrients inherent in various vegetables are likely contributors to protection of omega-3 oil powders against oxidation.

One-Stage Repair of Adult Aortic Coarctation and Concomitant Cardiac Diseases: Ascending to Abdominal Aorta Extra-Anatomical Bypass Combined with Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND

To evaluate one-stage repair with ascending to abdominal aorta extra-anatomical bypass combined with cardiac surgery for adult aortic coarctation (COA) concomitant with cardiac diseases.

METHODS

Between February 2009 and September 2016, 24 consecutive patients (79.17% male, mean age 36.04±13.67years) with COA and concomitant cardiac diseases underwent one-stage repair (ascending to abdominal aorta extra-anatomical bypass combined with cardiac surgery). Two (2) patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery surgery combined with ascending to abdominal aorta bypass did not require cardiopulmonary bypass. Twenty-two (22) patients underwent one-stage repair under cardiopulmonary bypass.

RESULTS

No in-hospital mortality was observed. There was a significant reduction in baseline systolic blood pressure from 159.80±23.58 to 127.0±6.86mmHg. Mean upper-lower limb blood gradient pressure decreased significantly from 37.80±8.73 to 11.47±2.12mmHg after surgery. Two (2) patients required prolonged mechanical ventilation for respiratory dysfunction. One patient needed temporary continuous renal replacement therapy. No re-exploration for bleeding and gastrointestinal complications was needed. There was no postoperative paraplegia or permanent neurological abnormalities. Grafts were patent for all patients and no graft-related complications were observed in the hospital. Median follow-up was 41.50 months (interquartile range [IQR] 16.75-64.50 months) and 6-year survival was 76.39%. Median number of antihypertensive drugs was 0 (IQR 0-1), which was a significant reduction compared with preoperative drugs (2, IQR 1-3).

CONCLUSIONS

Ascending to abdominal extra-anatomical aorta bypass combined with cardiac surgery is a safe and effective one-stage repair technique for patients with COA concomitant with cardiac diseases.

Oral hygiene and periodontal conditions in the Chinese patients with aortic aneurysm

Background

This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the association of periodontal conditions and oral hygiene habits in the Chinese patients with an aortic aneurysm (AA).

Methods

A questionnaire and periodontal examinations were carried out in the AA patients and non-AA volunteers recruited from the Center for Cardiac Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University between August 2011 and June 2016. General information (e.g., height and weight), history of systemic diseases, and oral hygiene habits (e.g., brushing methods and regular oral examinations) were collected in the self-reported survey. Periodontal examinations, such as plaque index and bleeding index, were conducted in all the subjects. The correlation between periodontal indices and AA was further explored using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Our analyses revealed that 87.6% of AA patients have chronic periodontitis, which is significantly higher than that of the non-AA patients (55.8%). In addition, AA patients demonstrated more severe periodontal damages with 69.3% moderate and severe periodontitis, compared to only 16.0% in the non-AA group. Using AA as the dependent variable and all the potential risk factors as covariates (e.g., gender, age, smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia), a logistic regression analysis was performed to show clinical attachment loss (CAL) being an independent risk factor for AA (OR = 2.309, 95% CI: 1.623–3.284, p = 0.000). In comparison with the non-AA patients, more AA patients have poor oral hygiene habits and don’t have regular dental appointments for supra-gingival cleaning.

Conclusion

Poor periodontal condition and dental hygiene were identified in the AA patients, suggesting that periodontitis-induced CAL may play a role in AA disease mechanisms.

[Experience of Sun's procedure for chronic type B dissection with aortic arch involvement]

Objective: To study the surgical treatment of chronic type B dissection with aortic arch involvement using Sun's procedure. Methods: Between February 2009 and December 2015, 29 patients [20 males, 9 females, with a mean age of (41±12) years, range 24-64 years] with type B dissection with aortic arch involvement underwent Sun's procedure. Sixteen patient had a history of hypertension. Marfan syndrome was observed in 9 cases, coronary artery disease in 3 cases, mitral regurgitation in 3 patients, cerebrovascular disease in one patient. Twenty-two patients suffered proximal aortic arch disease, 4 cases experienced history of aortic root procedure and 2 subjects had history of pregnancy. Four patients had aortic arch malformation. Results: One case suffered from massive cerebral infarction after surgery and died in another hospital. Concomitant procedures included mitral valve replacement in 3 cases, coronary artery bypass grafting in 3 patients, reconstruction of the right aberrant subclavian artery in one patient. Ventilator support exceeding 24 hours obseved in 2 patients. One of them recieved continuous renal replacement therapy and recovered before discharge. Spinal cord injury was obseved in one case, brain infarction in one patient and pericardial drainage in one case. Two patients required tracheotomy. During 12-94 (43±23) months' follow-up, thoracoabdominal aortic replacment was performed in 4 patients, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in 2 subjects and repair of perivalvular leakage in one patient. Conclusions: Sun's procedure obtained satisfactory results in patients with chronic type B dissection with aortic arch involvement. Concomitant repair of proximal aortic arch lesions and distal type B dissection can be adopted using Sun's procedure.

[Application of evoked potentials monitoring in total thoracoabdominal aorta aneurysm repair]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the application value of evoked potentials (EP) monitoring in patients undergoing aorta-iliac bypass for total thoracoabdominal aorta aneurysm repair (tTAAAR).

METHODS

A prospective study, with a total of 31 patients undergoing tTAAAR and intraoperative EP monitoring from June 2014 to April 2015 was carried out. The results of intraoperative evoked potentials, clinical outcomes and follow-up data of patients were collected for further evaluation.

RESULTS

The EP wave disappeared [motor evoked potentials for (55.6±18.1) min, somatosensory evoked potentials for (50.3±18.7) min] after proximal descending aorta being clamped, and gradually recovered after the segment arteries of spine cord were reconstructed. The EP wave was restored to normal level at the end of operation in all the cases. The somatosensory evoked potentials remained unchanged in 2 cases (false negative). One case died after operation. No spinal cord injury occurred. The median follow-up after operation was 10 months (5-14 months). There was no delayed neurological deficit.

CONCLUSION

EP provided an on-line monitoring of the condition of spinal cord function, which become an intraoperative protocol to avoid the irreversible injury of spinal cord.

Is Previous Cardiac Surgery a Risk Factor for Short and Mid-term Mortality Following Total Aortic Arch Replacement in Patients with Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection?

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate if the previous cardiac surgery (PCS) is the risk factor for short- and mid-term mortality following total aortic arch replacement in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection.

METHODS

Between February 2009 and February 2012, a total of 384 patients who suffered Stanford type A aortic dissection involving aortic arch underwent total aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk. Of these patients, 36 patients had PCS. Logistic regression was used to identify if the previous cardiac surgery was the risk factor for in-hospital mortality. Propensity score-matching (1:1 match) was used to yield patients from the primary surgery group who matched PCS group with respect to pre-operative clinical characteristics and post-operative complications. Survival analysis and differences between the two groups were performed by the Kaplan-Meier estimate and the log-rank test.

RESULTS

The overall in-hospital mortality was 8%. Logistic multiple regression identified that cardiopulmonary bypass time≥ 300minutes (OR=12.05, p<0.001) and surgical period from symptom onset shorter than one week (OR=2.43, p=0.04) were final risk factors for in-hospital mortality and PCS was not the final risk factor. Of 36 patients with PCS, three patients died in the hospital and 33 patients were discharged from the hospital. Of these 33 patients, 32 patients matched primary surgery group successfully. During the follow-up period, two patients died in PCS group, one patient died in primary surgery group. The mean follow-up time was 35.38±14.12 months. The five-year survival was 96% for the primary surgery group. Previous cardiac surgery group five-year survival was 73%. Five-year survival was not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.84 log-rank test).

CONCLUSIONS

PCS is not the risk factor for short- and mid-term mortality following total aortic arch replacement in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection.

Identification and surgical repair of familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection caused by TGFBR1 mutation

BACKGROUND

This study aimed at exploring the causative gene and summarizing the clinical characteristics in a Chinese thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) family.

METHODS

Family members were examined for features of syndromic genetic diseases by clinician and geneticist. Genomic DNA was extracted from 2 distantly related members with definite TAAD for exome sequencing.

RESULTS

A pathogenic mutation (rs111426349, c.1459C >T) of transforming growth factor β receptor 1 (TGFBR1) was confirmed, which result in the amino acid substitution p.R487W. Fourteen TGFBR1 mutation carriers were detected among 39 tested members in this family. The average age at diagnosis of aortic root dilatation or aneurysm was 23.2 ± 12.6 years (range 3-37 years). Early onset of aortic root dilatation was significant in this family without reported phenotypes. The David procedure was performed prophylactically in 3 carriers of this family.

CONCLUSIONS

Familial TAAD caused by TGFBR1 mutation (c.1459C >T) was confirmed in a large Chinese Han ethnic family using exome sequencing. Aggressively prophylactic David procedure may be not necessary at a smaller aortic size in familial TAAD patients with TGFBR1 mutation and further observation is warranted.

Enhanced creaming of milk fat globules in milk emulsions by the application of ultrasound and detection by means of optical methods

The effects of application of ultrasonic waves to recombined milk emulsions (3.5% fat, 7% total solids) and raw milk on fat destabilization and creaming were examined. Coarse and fine recombined emulsions (D[4,3]=9.3 μm and 2.7 μm, respectively) and raw milk (D[4,3]=4.9 μm) were subjected to ultrasound for 5 min at 35°C and 400 kHz or 1.6 MHz (using a single transducer) or 400 kHz (where the emulsion was sandwiched between two transducers). Creaming, as calculated from Turbiscan measurements, was more evident in the coarse recombined emulsion and raw milk compared to that of the recombined fine emulsion. Micrographs confirmed that there was flocculation and coalescence in creamed layer of emulsion. Coalescence was confirmed by particle size measurement. These results imply that ultrasound has potential to pre-dispose fat particles in milk emulsions to creaming in standing wave systems and in systems with inhomogeneous sound distributions.

Effect of strenuous, acute exercise on alpha2-adrenergic agonist-potentiated platelet activation

Vigorous exercise transiently increases the risk of primary cardiac arrest. Strenuous, acute exercise can also increase the release of plasma epinephrine. Previous investigations have indicated that epinephrine can potentiate platelet activation by activating platelet alpha2-adrenoceptors. This study investigated how strenuous, acute exercise affects alpha2-adrenergic agonist-potentiated platelet activation by closely examining 15 sedentary men who exercised strenuously on a bicycle ergometer. Before and immediately after exercise, platelet adhesiveness on fibrinogen-coated surfaces, [Ca2+]i in platelets, the number and affinity of alpha2-adrenergic sites on the platelet surface, and plasma catecholamine levels were determined. The results of this study can be summarized as follows: (1) The affinity of alpha2-adrenergic receptors on platelets decreases while the maximal binding number significantly increases after strenuous exercise, thereby correlating with the rise in plasma catecholamine levels. (2) Basal, clonidine-treated, ADP-treated, and clonidine plus ADP-treated adhesiveness and [Ca2+]i in platelets increased after strenuous exercise. (3) Strenuous exercise is associated with higher percentages of ADP- and clonidine plus ADP-enhanced platelet adhesiveness and [Ca2+]i than at rest. (4) The synergistic effects of clonidine on ADP-enhanced platelet adhesiveness and [Ca2+]i after strenuous exercise are much greater than those at rest. Therefore, we conclude that strenuous, acute exercise enhances platelet activation, possibly by altering the performance of platelet alpha2-adrenergic receptors, facilitating the ability of ADP-activated fibrinogen receptors, and enhancing fibrinogen binding to platelet fibrinogen receptors.

Effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine on the locomotor activity and striatal amines in C57BL/6 mice

The present study examined the effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) on striatal levels of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and their metabolites homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), respectively, as well as their influence on locomotor activity in conscious C57BL/6 mice. High doses (s.c., 35-45 mg/kg per day for 10 days) of MPTP resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase in locomotor activity and a marked decrease of striatal DA levels. Concomitantly, the ratios of HVA to DA and 5-HIAA to 5-HT increased significantly, the latter reflecting increased 5-HIAA levels. In contrast, i.c.v. administration of the serotonergic neurotoxin 5,7-DHT, either alone or following high doses (40 mg/kg per day for 10 days) of MPTP, decreased locomotor activity. Furthermore, striatal levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA as well as the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio decreased significantly. Thus, the increased locomotor activity induced by chronic high doses of MPTP might be due to increased striatal 5-HT levels which appear to compensate for the loss of DA. Furthermore, the locomotor hypoactivity induced by 5,7-DHT may be secondary to the striatal 5-HT deficiency.

Studies of dementia, depression, electrophysiology and cerebrospinal fluid monoamine metabolites in patients with Parkinson's disease

Twenty-two patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) were studied by clinical evaluation, assessments of dementia and depression, as well as electrophysiologic examinations for blink reflex (BR), cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (CSEP), brain stem, and long-latency auditory evoked potentials (BAEP, and LAEP), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assays for monoamine metabolites. Results show that PD patients have a significant decrease of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (p < 0.05) and an increase of Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS) scores (p < 0.01), as well as a longer latencies of R2 in BR, N19 and P22 in CSEP, W4 and W5 in BAEP and P300 in LAEP (p < 0.01), and lower CSF levels of HVA and MHPG (p < 0.05). The findings suggest a correlation between dementia/depression and mesocorticolimbic and mesostriatocortic dysfunction with dopaminergic and noradrenergic deficiencies in PD patients. Furthermore, parkinsonian dementia parallels the length of duration of the disease, but not the severity of motor disability. Parkinsonian depression parallels both the length of duration of the disease and the severity of motor disability.

Signal transduction for taurocholic acid in the olfactory system of Atlantic salmon

Conjugated bile acids such as taurocholic acid (TChA) are potent olfactory stimuli for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). A plasma membrane rich fraction was derived from salmon olfactory rosettes and used to investigate TChA signal transduction and receptor binding. In the presence of GTP gamma S, TChA caused dose-dependent stimulation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) breakdown, half maximal at less than 10(-7) M TChA. Stimulation of PIP2 breakdown by TChA required GTP gamma S, was blocked by GDP beta S, and was mimicked by A1F4-, consistent with a G protein requirement. A1F4- and Ca2+ stimulated breakdown of PIP2, but not phosphatidylcholine, arguing against a non-specific lipase activation. Stimulation of PIP2 breakdown by TChA was maximal at low Ca2+ concentration, < or = 10 nM. Conventional binding analysis with 3H-TChA was inconclusive due to a high degree of non-specific binding and to lack of tissue specificity expected for an olfactory receptor. Analysis of odorant amino acid binding indicated possible interaction of TChA with a putative acidic amino acid receptor but no interaction of TChA with a putative neutral amino acid receptor. We conclude that olfactory discrimination between amino acids and bile acids occurs in part at the receptor level while both classes of odors appear to use the same signal transduction mechanism, G protein mediated activation of phosphoinositide specific phospholipase C (PLC).

Real-time VanderLugt optical correlator that uses photorefractive GaAs

A real-time GaAs and liquid-crystal television- (LCTV-) based optical correlator is demonstrated. The speed of this correlator (video rate) is limited by the LCTV's; with faster spatial light modulators, the potential speed of a GaAs-based correlator may be 1000 frames/s or higher. Comparisons are made between VanderLugt and joint transform configurations and between degenerate and nondegenerate four-wave mixings. The edge-enhancement effect and the Bragg diffraction effect are also discussed.

Ciliary polypeptides and glycoconjugates of wild-type and mutant Tetrahymena thermophila: starved versus nonstarved

To investigate the role of cilia in mating interactions of Tetrahymena thermophila, ciliary membrane-rich fractions were isolated from two wild-type strains, a non-discharge mucocyst mutant which possesses mating behavior similar to wild-type, and a mating mutant which is able to costimulate cells of complementary mating type but cannot enter into pair formation. In each case, proteins from the ciliary membrane-rich fractions of starved, mating-competent ("initiated") cells were compared with those from non-starved, mating-incompetent ("non-initiated") cells, by gel electrophoresis and lectin blotting. In stained gels, a 43 kDa polypeptide was reduced or absent in initiated cells but present in non-initiated cells, in all strains. In silver-stained gels, a 25 kDa polypeptide was present in all strains, both initiated and non-initiated. In blots probed with Con A-peroxidase, a 25 kDa glycoprotein was present in ciliary membrane fractions from non-initiated cells and absent in membranes of initiated cells of the two wild-type strains and the mucocyst mutant, but is present in initiated and non-initiated cells of the mating mutant (several hypotheses are presented to explain these findings). In addition, ciliary proteins of the mating mutant included at least two unique Con A-binding polypeptides. Our results support the idea that development of mating competence during starvation involves an extensive remodeling of ciliary membranes, and identify a 25 kDa glycoconjugate as having a potential role in control of pair formation during mating.

Matrix-vector multiplication in thin photorefractive GaAs crystals

Optical matrix-vector multiplication using four-wave mixing in a thin photorefractive GaAs crystal is demonstrated. Using a thin wafer of GaAs offers the potential to integrate the encoding spatial light modulators directly on the wave-mixing medium.

Optical correlators with fast updating speed using photorefractive semiconductor materials

An updatable optical correlator which uses a photorefractive compound semiconductor to generate real-time matched filters is proposed. Using compound semiconductors offers high speed with low optical input intensities. Here we discuss issues affecting the performance of this correlator. This includes an analysis of the Bragg diffraction and a discussion of the speed and power considerations of these materials. Experimental results obtained using photorefractive GaAs are also presented.

Index grating lifetime in photorefractive GaAs

The index grating lifetime in liquid encapsulated Czochralski-grown undoped semi-insulating GaAs was measured using a beam coupling technique. The largest lifetime measured was ~8 s under a read beam intensity of 0.7 mW/cm(2) with the grating periodicity being 0.63 microm. The measured value decreases to milliseconds as the read beam intensity and the grating periodicity increase to ~10 mW/cm(2) and 4 microm, respectively. This range of grating lifetime in this material is adequate for its use in real-time spatial light modulators, reconfigurable beam steering devices, and dynamic memory elements for optical computing. In addition, the results suggest that, the lifetime is sensitive to residual imperfections in the crystal.

Cross-polarization beam coupling in photorefractive GaAs crystals

We report theoretical and experimental investigations on the cross-polarization coupling of two contradirectional laser beams in a photorefractive GaAs crystal. There is good agreement between these results.

Spatial light modulation by beam coupling in GaAs crystals

We present the first reported demonstration of spatial light modulation in GaAs using the photorefractive effect. The demonstration was done with a special configuration in which polarization rotation created by beam coupling was utilized.