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Recently, 5-fluorouracil 0.5%/salicylic acid 10% (5-FU/SA) topical solution has been included in the National Italian portfolio for lesion-directed treatment of grade I/II actinic keratosis (AKs) located on the face or scalp. To describe the utility of dermoscopy and RCM in treatment response monitoring of a series of AKs treated with 5-FU/SA as lesion-directed therapy. Consecutive patients were prospectively treated for a maximum of 12 weeks with 5-FU/SA for AKs located on the face or scalp. Clinical, dermoscopic, and confocal images of one index AK were acquired at each visit and pre-specified criteria were evaluated. Clinical, dermoscopic, and confocal responses were evaluated at last follow-up visit. Fourteen patients were enrolled, of which five were treated for 12 weeks, seven for 8, and two for 4 weeks. At a median follow up of 30 weeks, 64.3% (9/14) index AKs achieved complete clinical, 50% (7/14) complete dermoscopic and 42.9% (6/14) complete confocal clearance. Local skin reaction was mild and significantly decreased during therapy administration. Although the small number of cases, our study underlines the utility of both dermoscopy and in-vivo RCM in 5-FU/SA treatment response monitoring for AKs located on the face or scalp., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Spatial heterogeneity plays a crucial role in the coexistence of species. Despite recognition of the importance of self-organization in creating environmental heterogeneity in otherwise uniform landscapes, the effects of such self-organized pattern formation in promoting coexistence through facilitation are still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of pattern formation on species interactions and community spatial structure in ecosystems with limited underlying environmental heterogeneity, using self-organized patchiness of the aquatic macrophyte Callitriche platycarpa in streams as a model system. Our theoretical model predicted that pattern formation in aquatic vegetation - due to feedback interactions between plant growth, water flow and sedimentation processes - could promote species coexistence, by creating heterogeneous flow conditions inside and around the plant patches. The spatial plant patterns predicted by our model agreed with field observations at the reach scale in naturally vegetated rivers, where we found a significant spatial aggregation of two macrophyte species around C. platycarpa. Field transplantation experiments showed that C. platycarpa had a positive effect on the growth of both beneficiary species, and the intensity of this facilitative effect was correlated with the heterogeneous hydrodynamic conditions created within and around C. platycarpa patches. Our results emphasize the importance of self-organized patchiness in promoting species coexistence by creating a landscape of facilitation, where new niches and facilitative effects arise in different locations. Understanding the interplay between competition and facilitation is therefore essential for successful management of biodiversity in many ecosystems., (© 2018 The Authors Ecology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Ecological Society of America.)

The amount of heat-denatured whey protein is typically determined by pH 4.6 precipitation. Using this method, a significant amount of nondenatured protein was reported even after long heating times. Apparently, a fraction of the unfolded protein refolds into the "native" state rather than form aggregates. This fact is known and has been explained using kinetic models. How the conditions affect the refolding and aggregation is, however, not fully understood. Therefore, this study investigates the unfolding, refolding, and aggregation process of β-lactoglobulin using circular dichroism and size-exclusion chromatography to characterize different folding variants and to quantify their content. The proteins remaining in solution at pH 4.6 were confirmed to be native-like. The nonaggregated fraction contains proteins with a native-like and two types of non-native-like conformations. The nonaggregated fraction increased with decreasing temperature (60-90 °C) and concentration (1-50 g/L) and increasing electrostatic repulsion (pH 7-8; 0-50 mM). The native-like fraction in the nonaggregated fraction was independent of pH, ionic strength, and concentration but increased with decreasing temperature.

Processing beverages containing high concentrations of globular proteins represents a technological challenge due to their instability during heating caused by protein aggregation and gelation. Aggregation of whey protein mixtures was investigated in aqueous model systems at pH 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 at heating conditions resembling conventional industrial treatment (90 °C for 30 s). The extent of aggregation progressively decreased moving away from the pI. Protein aggregates became smaller and had a more open structure compared to higher pH values. Significant loss of protein dispersibility occurred at pH 4.0 and 4.5 above the denaturation T of whey protein (∼70 °C), at which aggregation was caused by intermolecular hydrophobic interactions. Accessible thiol groups were detected in the heat-treated systems, with a higher intensity at higher pH and increasing extent of aggregation. Intermolecular -S-S- bonding played only a minor role in the aggregation at all conditions studied.

Liposoluble bioactive compounds are often included in foods in emulsified lipid carriers. In the present study, the impact of the physical state of the lipid carrier and the interfacial composition of oil-in-water emulsions on the stability of β-carotene was studied. Emulsions with hydrogenated palm kernel oil (HPKO) concentration of 10% (w/w) dispersing 0.05% (w/w) β-carotene, and a water phase at pH 7 containing 30% (w/w) sucrose, were stabilized by 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 3% (w/w) whey protein isolate (WPI). Crystallization and melting behavior of emulsified and bulk HPKO were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The hysteresis of emulsified HPKO crystallization (onset approximately 10 °C; endset approximately 6 °C) and melting (onset approximately 17 °C; endset approximately 45 °C) allowed us to operate at 15 °C on systems with identical compositions but different physical states of the same lipid phase. Surface protein coverage of emulsions was calculated and size of the dispersed particles was characterized by dynamic light scattering. β-Carotene contents of the emulsions during storage at 15 °C was analyzed spectrophotometerically. Results highlighted an impact of the phase of the lipid carrier and of the concentration of WPI on β-carotene degradation. β-Carotene loss showed zero-order kinetics. A liquid dispersed phase resulted in a low degradation rate but a high concentration of protein on a solid lipid carrier was likewise effective for β-carotene protection. Practical Application:  The inclusion of lipophilic bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, is a current trend in the production of functional foods aiming to enhance health and well-being. However, the use of functional ingredients in food products is complicated because of the sensitivity of the active molecules to physical and chemical factors to which they are exposed during processing, storage, and consumption. The present work gives indications of the influence of the lipid carrier physical state and surface structure on ß-carotene stability in formulated oil-in-water liquid food models, suggesting possible strategies for an enhanced stabilization of lipophilic labile compounds., (© 2011 Institute of Food Technologists®)

Inclusion of liposoluble bioactive compounds in fortified foods represents a complex challenge due to the labile nature of such compounds and the instability of oil-in-water emulsion-based delivery systems. In the present study, dispersions prepared with 10% (w/w) sunflower oil (SO) or hydrogenated palm kernel oil (HPKO) containing 0.05% (w/w) β-carotene were stabilized by various concentrations of whey protein isolate (WPI) or sodium caseinate (NaCas) (0.1 to 2.0% w/w) in 30% (w/w) sucrose aqueous solutions. Physicochemical characterization of emulsions was done considering the particle size, the particle surface protein coverage, and the physical state of continuous and dispersed phases. Physical stability of the systems and their protection properties on β-carotene were compared. The lipid carrier type and interfacial structure were investigated as the two key factors which regulate the stability of labile lipophilic bioactive molecules in food model systems. Our results showed high β-carotene stability when O/W systems were stable (protein concentration ≥0.8% w/w.) A (partially) solid lipid carrier (HPKO) enhanced protection compared to the liquid carrier (SO) as the bioactive molecules were entrapped in isolated domains within the solid lattice and kept apart from reactive species in the surroundings. NaCas provided a better barrier than WPI due to the different amino acid composition and interface structure which significantly reduced β-carotene degradation rate.

Thirty-four 'normal' preterm newborns were tested at 40 weeks postconceptional age. To separate electromagnetic artifacts from cochlear potentials and subsequent auditory brainstem responses, a test was given using an insert earphone at 90, 70, 50, 30 dB nHL. The detectability of receptor potentials, waves I, III, V, as a function of stimulus intensity is described: at 90 dB nHL exclusively, we could always identify these peaks because of the better morphological distinctiveness of each potential. When trying to evaluate the acoustic pathway in premature newborns, we suggest that brainstem response audiometry should be performed at 90 dB nHL with an insert earphone.

Phosphatidylcholines (PC) are secreted into the bile via a membrane transport protein(s). Recently, evidence for ATP-dependent mdr2-encoded PC transport as well as for carrier-mediated PC transport had been reported. Therefore, we investigated whether mdr2 P-glycoprotein is involved in the transport of a water-soluble short chain phosphatidylcholine analogue L-alpha-dibutyroyl-PC (diC4PC) induced by expression of liver mRNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Expression of mouse and rat mdr2 cRNA did not result in diC4PC net uptake in Xenopus laevis oocytes. By contrast oocytes showed a similar carrier-mediated uptake activity for diC4PC after injection of mouse, rat and human liver total mRNA (Km 7.7, 9.6, and 11.6 mM). Antisense inhibition of mdr2 mRNA expression increased diC4PC uptake induced by total liver mRNA from mouse and rat. The present data prove the existence of a specific mRNA for a non-mdr2-coded cell membrane PC carrier in mouse, rat, and human liver which exhibits similar transport affinity for diC4PC as the PC carrier in rat liver canalicular membranes.

The gene coding for the prepolypeptides of alpha and beta, obtained as a 429 bp fragment from chromosomal DNA of Rhodospirillum rubrum S1 by polymerase chain reaction amplification, were cloned in tandem into the high-level expression vector pOTSNco 12 for expression in Escherichia coli. The vector pOTSNco12 is a derivative of the pAS vector system, which contains the strong lambda PL promotor and is under tight control by the cI857 repressor encoded by the expression strain AR58. Induction of transcription from the lambda PL promotor is achieved by shifting the growth temperature from 32 to 42 degrees C. Expression of the gene products was monitored by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting. The expressed B875 light-harvesting prepolypeptides were located in the E. coli inner membrane and could not be removed by washing with high salt. The amount of expressed B875 light-harvesting prepolypeptides was estimated to be about 0.1% of the total soluble protein.

Adult swine (n = 18) were studied to compare the effects on neuronal morphology of hypothermic circulatory arrest with hypothermic very-low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass. Animals were anesthetized with halothane and prepared in a standard manner for nonpulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass. Monitored variables included mean arterial pressure, arterial blood gases, the processed electroencephalogram, and subdural brain temperature. Bypass was initiated with pump flows of 100 ml.kg-1.min-1, and mean arterial pressure was kept above 50 mm Hg at all times. Animals were cooled to 18 degrees C, using a heat exchanger, and were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group 1 animals were control animals who underwent 1 hour of hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Group 2 animals underwent 1 hour of circulatory arrest. Group 3 animals underwent 1 hour of very-low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass (10% of normal). At the end of the 1 hour of hypothermic bypass, very-low-flow bypass, or arrest period, animals were rewarmed to 37 degrees C with normal bypass flows, and normothermic perfusion continued for 1 additional hour. Animals were then perfusion fixed with formalin and the brains were removed for electron microscopic analysis. Electron microscopic analysis was used to determine the effects of treatment and was limited to 20 neurons of the CA1 sector of the hippocampus in each animal. Golgi bodies were identified and classified as normal, mildly affected, or severely affected. Animals subjected to either very-low-flow bypass or circulatory arrest had significantly more severely affected and significantly fewer normal Golgi bodies than control animals (p < 0.001). Animals maintained with very-low-flow bypass, however, had significantly more severely affected and fewer normal Golgi bodies than animals subjected to circulatory arrest (p < 0.001). We conclude that under the conditions of this experiment very-low-flow hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with significantly greater neuronal Golgi abnormalities than total circulatory arrest.

This anomaly is protean in its presentations and often hard to diagnose. A case report focuses on embryologic as well as diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

Peroxisomes, participants in lipid metabolism, have been shown to be altered in liver in two metabolic diseases in which long-chain fatty acids accumulate in tissues: Zellweger's syndrome and neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). The intestine also plays a role in lipid metabolism, and we have had the opportunity to compare peroxisomes in normal intestinal epithelium with those from patients with Zellweger's syndrome and neonatal ALD at the electron microscopic level by using the combined techniques of cytochemistry and stereological analysis. Peroxisomes were numerous in intestinal epithelium of the normal individuals. They were ellipsoidal in shape with average diameters of 0.37 by 0.56 micron and filled with coarsely granular, DAB+ content. Peroxisomes in the intestinal epithelium of the ALD patient were similar in appearance and number but smaller in size (0.28 by 0.44 micron). Peroxisomes of normal appearance were absent from the intestinal epithelium of patients with Zellweger's syndrome; DAB+ content, however, was observed in rare, membrane-bound structures of much smaller size (0.12 by 0.19 micron). In liver of patients with Zellweger's syndrome, peroxisomes are lacking; in neonatal ALD they are abnormal in appearance and greatly reduced in number. The presence of rare minute peroxisomes in the intestinal epithelium in Zellweger's syndrome and of small peroxisomes in this epithelium in neonatal ALD indicate that peroxisomes in the intestinal epithelium are affected in these diseases, but to a lesser extent than in the liver. In the ALD intestinal epithelium, DAB+ material was also seen in long, sinuous, tubular or cisternal elements intermingled and occasionally in continuity with peroxisomes. It is suggested that these represent the early stages of peroxisome formation, the peroxisomal reticulum as originally envisioned by Lazarow, while the rare structures seen in Zellweger's represent rudiments of such a reticulum. Lamellar inclusions and clear spaces occurred in the cytoplasm adjacent to these structures indicating either that material accumulated there had been extracted during fixation or that these regions are more susceptible to autolysis. Mitochondria are also involved in lipid metabolism and have been reported to be abnormal in Zellweger's tissue. No qualitative differences were observed in the mitochondria of the intestinal epithelia examined in this study. Although quantitation revealed a greater mean volume, number, and surface density of mitochondria in the intestinal epithelia of neonatal ALD, it was not a statistically significant difference in all cases.

COSAS, an acronym for COmputerized Stereological Analysis System, is software designed to facilitate the process of quantitative morphological analysis. It is a flexible, reliable, and easy to use software system which provides the biologist with a simple means for performing stereological analysis. It provides for estimation of volume and surface density and allows for direct calculation of diameter information from planimetric data. The latter capability is unique to COSAS and provides the ability to calculate longest and shortest diameters for convex profiles, enabling calculation of number density. Access to all intermediate calculations is possible, so the process of transformation of raw data into the stereological descriptors can be completely exposed. This serves two purposes: (1) it provides a means for tracing results; (2) the intermediate values can be utilized independently. This system was used to analyze peroxisomes in tissues from patients with Zellweger's disease and neonatal-onset adrenoleukodystrophy. The system was also used to facilitate an immunocytochemical analysis of cytochrome P450 topology in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.