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The aim of this study was to improve the extraction efficiency of lipids from ten Atlantic salmon tissues (spleen, viscera, gall bladder, heart, pyloric caeca, liver, head, ovary, eggs, and muscle) using solvents with low toxicity. The nutritional potential of lipids was evaluated based on their fatty acid (FA) contents, which were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The FAs were derivatized with 10% H2SO4 in methanol to produce fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). A longer derivatization time led to a higher conversion efficiency of FAs to FAMEs. The contents of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 ω-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 ω-3, DHA) in all tissues ranged from 2.86 (0.15) to 92.2 (2.12) mg/g. The highest contents of both EPA and DHA were found in the ovary, followed by the eggs. The ratios of ω-6 to ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in all tissues were typically in the range of 0.27–2.23, indicating that salmon tissues were nutritionally beneficial. The proportions of ω-3 PUFA in the total lipids of all the by-products (except for the eggs) were lower than that in the muscle. However, the contents of ω-3 PUFAs in the liver, viscera, pyloric caeca, ovary, and eggs were two to five times higher than those in the muscle. The analysis showed the potential value of salmon by-products in providing ω-3 FAs.

Abstract This study explored the application of green ultrasound-assisted technology for the extraction of oil from the intestines of rainbow trout. Purification methodologies were incorporated using adsorbents in order to enhance the quality of the extracted oil, which was evaluated based on its color, peroxide value (POV), free fatty acids, organic pollutants, and fatty acid composition. The extraction condition for maximum oil recovery was 60 °C for 30 min, with the addition of 1 g of sodium chloride and a water-to-sample ratio of 0:2. The analysis indicated that silica gel exhibited the highest efficiency as an adsorbent for the elimination of peroxides from extracted oil, with optimal results achieved after adsorption for 60 min. Despite undergoing purification, the POV of fish oil still exceeded the quality standard established by the CODEX Alimentarius Commission. In order to optimize the extraction process, the incorporation of antioxidants, including gallic acid, tannic acid, and Aronia (black chokeberry) powder, was implemented before the oil refining process. The integration of antioxidants and purification further lowered the POV and mitigated the production of organic pollutants, concurrently enhancing oil quality compared to without antioxidants. Notably, the incorporation of antioxidants during the initial stages of the extraction process resulted in a significant increase in the average concentrations of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the final products. Overall, this study revealed that Aronia has the potential to serve as a natural, less-costly antioxidant alternative to pure antioxidants, such as tannic acid and gallic acid. Furthermore, the potential nutritional value of the final refined oil sample derived from rainbow trout intestines can be improved in terms of ω-3 fatty acid content by the developed method.

Macrophages are highly heterogeneous immune cells with a role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, especially in activating the defense response to bacterial infection. Using flow cytometric and single-cell RNA-sequencing analyses of peritoneal cells, we here show that small peritoneal macrophage and immature macrophage populations are enriched in histamine-deficient (Hdc-/-) mice, characterized by a CD11bmiF4/80loCCR2+MHCIIhi and CD11bloF4/80miTHBS1+IL-1α+ phenotype, respectively. Molecular characterization revealed that immature macrophages represent an abnormally differentiated form of large peritoneal macrophages with strong inflammatory properties. Furthermore, deficiency in histamine signaling resulted in significant impairment of the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage populations, conferring high susceptibility to bacterial infection. Collectively, this study reveals the importance of histamine signaling in macrophage differentiation at the molecular level to maintain tissue homeostasis, offering a potential therapeutic target for bacterial infection-mediated diseases.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been suggested to be closely associated with neutrophilic asthma pathogenesis. However, little is known about the factors regulating the production of G-CSF in neutrophilic asthma. We previously reported that a leukotriene B4 receptor 2, BLT2, played an important role in neutrophilic airway inflammation. Therefore, in the current study, we investigated whether BLT2 plays a role in the production of G-CSF in lipopolysaccharide/ovalbumin (LPS/OVA)-induced steroid-resistant neutrophilic asthma. The data showed that BLT2 critically mediated G-CSF production, contributing to the progression of neutrophilic airway inflammation. We also observed that 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO), which catalyzes the synthesis of the BLT2 ligand 12(S)-HETE, was also necessary for G-CSF production. Together, these results suggest that the 12-LO-BLT2-linked signaling network is critical for the production of G-CSF, contributing to the development of neutrophilic airway inflammation. Our findings can provide a potential new target for the therapy of severe neutrophilic asthma.

This study aimed to determine the effect of a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern Kinesio taping (KT) application on the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM) and balance ability in patients with chronic stroke. This crossover study included 18 patients with stroke. The subjects were randomly assigned to three interventions: barefoot, ankle KT (A-KT), and PNF-KT. The A-KT was applied to the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles, and subtalar eversion. The PNF-KT was applied on the extensor hallucis, extensor digitorum, and TA muscles. DR-ROM was measured using the iSen™, a wearable sensor. Balance ability was assessed based on static balance, measured by the Biodex Balance System (BBS), and dynamic balance, measured by the timed up and go (TUG) test and dynamic gait index (DGI). Compared with the barefoot and A-KT interventions, PNF-KT showed significant improvements in the ankle DF-ROM and BBS scores, TUG, and DGI. PNF-KT, for functional muscle synergy, improved the ankle DF-ROM and balance ability in patients with chronic stroke. Therefore, the application of PNF-KT may be a feasible therapeutic method for improving ankle movement and balance in patients with chronic stroke. Additional research is recommended to identify the long-term effects of the PNF-KT.

The stimulation of the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and IL-1β synthesis are associated with chronic respiratory diseases such as neutrophil-dominant severe asthma. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a principal chemoattractant molecule for neutrophil recruitment, and its receptors BLT1 and BLT2 have been suggested to contribute to neutrophil-dominant asthmatic airway inflammation. However, the relationship between BLT1/2 and NLRP3 in neutrophil-dominant asthmatic airway inflammation has not been previously studied. In the present study, we investigated whether BLT1/2 play any roles in stimulating the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1βsynthesis. The blockade of BLT1 or BLT2 clearly suppressed the stimulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β synthesis in house dust mite (HDM)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neutrophilic airway inflammation. The enzymes 5-lipoxygenase and 12-lipoxygenase, which catalyze the synthesis of BLT1/2 ligands [LTB4, 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE), and 12-hydroxyheptadecatreinoic acid (12-HHT)], were also critically associated with the stimulation of NLRP3 and IL-1β synthesis. Together, our results suggest that the 5-/12-LOX-BLT1/2-linked cascade are necessary for the simulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β synthesis, thus contributing to HDM/LPS-induced neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation.

With the introduction of various advanced deep learning algorithms, initiatives for image classification systems have transitioned over from traditional machine learning algorithms (e.g., SVM) to Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) using deep learning software tools. A prerequisite in applying CNN to real world applications is a system that collects meaningful and useful data. For such purposes, Wireless Image Sensor Networks (WISNs), that are capable of monitoring natural environment phenomena using tiny and low-power cameras on resource-limited embedded devices, can be considered as an effective means of data collection. However, with limited battery resources, sending high-resolution raw images to the backend server is a burdensome task that has direct impact on network lifetime. To address this problem, we propose an energy-efficient pre- and post- processing mechanism using image resizing and color quantization that can significantly reduce the amount of data transferred while maintaining the classification accuracy in the CNN at the backend server. We show that, if well designed, an image in its highly compressed form can be well-classified with a CNN model trained in advance using adequately compressed data. Our evaluation using a real image dataset shows that an embedded device can reduce the amount of transmitted data by ∼71% while maintaining a classification accuracy of ∼98%. Under the same conditions, this process naturally reduces energy consumption by ∼71% compared to a WISN that sends the original uncompressed images.

Macrophages are highly heterogeneous immune cells with a role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, especially in activating the defense response to bacterial infection. Using flow cytometric and single-cell RNA-sequencing analyses of peritoneal cells, we here show that small peritoneal macrophage and immature macrophage populations are enriched in histamine-deficient (Hdc-/-) mice, characterized by a CD11bmiF4/80loCCR2+MHCIIhi and CD11bloF4/80miTHBS1+IL-1α+ phenotype, respectively. Molecular characterization revealed that immature macrophages represent an abnormally differentiated form of large peritoneal macrophages with strong inflammatory properties. Furthermore, deficiency in histamine signaling resulted in significant impairment of the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage populations, conferring high susceptibility to bacterial infection. Collectively, this study reveals the importance of histamine signaling in macrophage differentiation at the molecular level to maintain tissue homeostasis, offering a potential therapeutic target for bacterial infection-mediated diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BLT2 is a low-affinity receptor for leukotriene B4, a potent lipid mediator of inflammation generated from arachidonic acid via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate whether BLT2 plays any role in sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by infection. A murine model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis was used to evaluate the role of BLT2 in septic inflammation. In the present study, we observed that the levels of ligands for BLT2 (LTB4 [leukotriene B4] and 12(S)- HETE [12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid]) were significantly increased in the peritoneal lavage fluid and serum from mice with CLP-induced sepsis. We also observed that the levels of BLT2 as well as 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and 12-LO, which are synthesizing enzymes for LTB4 and 12(S)-HETE, were significantly increased in lung and liver tissues in the CLP mouse model. Blockade of BLT2 markedly suppressed the production of sepsis-associated cytokines (IL-6 [interleukin-6], TNF-α[tumor necrosis factor alpha], and IL-1β [interleukin-1β] as well as IL-17 [interleukin-17]) and alleviated lung inflammation in the CLP group. Taken together, our results suggest that BLT2 cascade contributes to lung inflammation in CLP-induced sepsis by mediating the production of inflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that BLT2 may be a potential therapeutic target for sepsis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Exercises that stretch the gastrocnemius (GCM) lead to greater ankle dorsiflexion (DF). GCM stretching combined with talar self-stabilisation has been reported to increase ankle DF range of motion (ROM). However, excessive subtalar and midtarsal pronation during GCM stretching may compensate for reduced ankle DF. Thus, this study examined the combined immediate effect of stretching GCM and stabilising talus and subtalar supination on limited ankle DF. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effect of GCM stretching alone, GCM stretching with talar selfstabilisation and GCM stretching with talar self-stabilisation and subtalar supination on ankle kinematics in subjects with limited ankle DF. METHODS: Fifteen subjects with limited ankle DF were recruited. The subjects performed the three abovementioned methods. RESULTS: GCM stretching with talar self-stabilisation and subtalar supination significantly increased open-chain and closedankle DF ROM compared with GCM stretching alone. Moreover, GCM stretching combined with talar self-stabilisation and subtalar supination significantly increased open-chain ankle DF ROM with knee straight compared with pre-intervention (P < 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: The preferred method to increase ankle DF ROM is GCM stretching combined with talar self-stabilisation and subtalar supination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, high-speed powerline communication gets great attention as the home network backbone for multimedia services because of the low cost and QoS support. Since a home network is mixed with various types of networks, the high-speed powerline communication is often connected with non-QoS networks such as Ethernet. Then it is very difficult to provide end-to-end QoS for multimedia services in the home network environments since traffics are often transported to Ethernet. In this paper we deal with some QoS issues at the bridge for multimedia service when it connects high-speed powerline communication and Ethernet. Also, we introduce a QoS support Ethernet/High-speed powerline communication bridge system and shows some experimental results in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]