Hasil untuk "Physiology"

J. Ávila, J. Lucas, Mar Pérez et al.

Jinrong Xu, Zhicheng Cheng, Li Dai et al.

Reproductive-stage drought arrests silk elongation, causing a greater anthesis-silking interval and subsequent kernel loss in maize. Exogenous brassinolide (BR) is known to increase drought tolerance; however, its influence on silk growth under water deficit remains unresolved. Here, we subjected maize to drought before tassel emergence (V13) and then applied foliar BR at concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.5, or 1 mg mL⁻¹, with distilled water-sprayed plants serving as controls. Silk elongation under water-deficit stress was partially restored by 0.1 and 0.5 mg mL⁻¹ BR but suppressed by 1 mg mL⁻¹, with 0.5 mg mL⁻¹ increasing silk length by 2.9-fold compared to the stress control, recovering it to 26.5% of the well-watered level. This protection was underpinned by elevated antioxidant capacity (POD, SOD, and CAT by 31–77%, 12–46%, and 20–33%, respectively) and a 25–76% rise in proline relative to the distilled water-sprayed, which collectively curtailed oxidative damage, as evidenced by 36–67% reductions in O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ levels and a 24% decrease in MDA content. Critically, BR reprogrammed sugar metabolism: sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity declined, while sucrose synthase (SS-I) and vacuolar invertase (VIN) activities surged, thereby shifting carbon partitioning from sucrose toward hexoses to sustain energy supply for silk growth. Genome-wide RNA-seq identified 6171 upregulated and 3295 downregulated genes, significantly enriched in 20 pathways, including starch/sucrose metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The expression of key genes, including sucrose invertase (INV) and hexokinase (HK), was significantly upregulated by 2.4- to 8.7-fold and 2.3- to 4.0-fold, respectively, compared to the distilled water-sprayed control. This multi-level analysis demonstrates that BR mitigates drought-induced silk growth arrest by orchestrating antioxidant defense, osmotic regulation, and metabolic reprogramming into a coordinated network, providing mechanistic insights into brassinosteroid-mediated reproductive stress adaptation in maize.

Mansyah Muh Sutri, Karim La Ode Muhammad, Priadi Revalina Nur Aliyah et al.

This research aims to enhance the understanding of shark fish traders in maintaining ecosystem sustainability at Wameo Market, Baubau City. The market area sells various types of fish, one of which is sharks. However, sharks are prohibited from being traded. Despite this, sales continue to take place. The price per shark is Rp 20,000, even though sharks are endangered, which threatens the sustainability of the ecosystem. It is crucial for fish traders to understand this issue, and for the Baubau City government to take preventive measures or, if necessary, enforcement actions against traders who continue to sell sharks.

Daniel Rojas-Valverde, Jose Pino-Ortega, Carlos Gómez-Carmona et al.

El objetivo de la investigación fue identificar los indicadores de carga externa e interna en balonmano juvenil durante un torneo congestionado en Costa Rica, seleccionando variables a través de Análisis de Componentes Principales (ACP) como técnica de reducción de datos, y determinar si existen diferencias entre sexo. Los datos se obtuvieron de 73 jugadores juveniles de balonmano (33 mujeres y 38 hombres) de ocho clubes locales durante un torneo de partidos congestionados de 3 días. Se analizaron doce partidos (seis masculinos y seis femeninos) utilizando ACP y una prueba t-Student independiente para las diferencias relacionadas entre sexos. Se identificaron seis indicadores principales de carga, cinco de carga externa [distancia relativa (DR); cantidad de aceleraciones (AceR), aceleración máxima (AceMáx), velocidad máxima (VMáx), y diferencia entre aceleraciones y deceleraciones (DfAce-Dec)] y uno de carga interna [frecuencia cardíaca media (FCmedia)]. En hombres, los indicadores más representativos fueron la DR, la FCmedia y AceMáx, explicaron el 39,6% de la varianza. En mujeres fueron la VMáx y AceMáx explicando el 44,4% de la varianza. AceR (p< 0,01), AceMáx (p< 0,01), VMáx (p< 0,01) fueron mayores en hombres respecto a las mujeres. Mientras que la FCmedia (p= 0,02) fue mayor en mujeres que hombres. Se concluye que la carga externa e interna mostró diferencias entre jugadores masculinos y femeninos. Hombres caracterizados por variables asociadas con el volumen, mientras que, para las mujeres fueron más comunes indicadores relacionados con la intensidad. Para torneos congestionados, es importante individualizar según sexo las cargas de entrenamiento, así como priorizar las cualidades físicas a entrenar.

Edet Effiong Asanga, Ndifreke Daniel Ekpo, Affiong Asuquo Edeke et al.

Abstract Background Chemotherapies target the PfEMP-1 and PfPKG proteins in Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria, in an effort to prevent the disease’s high fatality rate. This work identified the phytochemical components of Nauclea latifolia roots and docked the chemical compounds against target proteins, and examined the in vivo antiplasmodial effect of the roots on Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Methods Standard protocols were followed for the collection of the plant’s roots, cleaning, and drying of the roots, extraction and fraction preparation, assessment of the in vivo antiplasmodial activity, retrieval of the PfEMP-1 and PfPKG proteins, GCMS, ADME, and docking studies, chromatographic techniques were employed to separate the residual fraction’s components, and the Swis-ADME program made it possible to estimate the drug’s likeness and pharmacokinetic properties. The Auto Dock Vina 4.2 tool was utilized for molecular docking analysis. Results The residual fraction showed the best therapeutic response when compared favorably to amodiaquine (80.5%) and artesunate (85.1%). It also considerably reduced the number of parasites, with the % growth inhibition of the parasite at 42.8% (D2) and 83.4% (D5). Following purification, 25 compounds were isolated and characterized with GCMS. Based on their low molecular weights, non-permeation of the blood–brain barrier, non-inhibition of metabolizing enzymes, and non-violation of Lipinski’s criteria, betulinic and ursolic acids were superior to chloroquine as the best phytochemicals. Hence, they are lead compounds. Conclusion In addition to identifying the bioactive compounds, ADME, and docking data of the lead compounds as candidates for rational drug design processes as observed against Plasmodium falciparum target proteins (PfEMP-1 and PfPKG), which are implicated in the pathogenesis of malaria, the study has validated that the residual fraction of N. latifolia roots has the best antiplasmodial therapeutic index.

Ioanna Aggeletopoulou, Efthymios P. Tsounis, Athanasia Mouzaki et al.

The microbiome has a major impact on human physiology and plays a critical role in enhancing or impairing various physiological functions such as regulation of the immune system, metabolic activities, and biosynthesis of vitamins and hormones. Variations in the gut microbial community play a critical role in both health and disease. Regulation of calcium and bone metabolism, as well as cellular functions such as proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and immune modulation, are among the known effects of vitamin D. These biological functions are primarily carried out through the binding of vitamin D to the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. The immunomodulatory properties of vitamin D suggest that this molecule plays an important role in various diseases. Maintenance of immune homeostasis appears to occur in part through the interaction of the gut microbiota with vitamin D. Increasing evidence points to the central role of vitamin D in maintaining mucosal barrier function, as vitamin D deficiency has been associated with disruption of gut barrier integrity, translocation of bacteria into the bloodstream, and systemic inflammation. In parallel, a bidirectional interaction between vitamin D and the gut microbiota has been demonstrated as data show upregulation of intestinal VDR expression and downregulation of inflammatory markers in response to fermentation products. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the evidence of a link between the gut microbiome and vitamin D, with a focus on data from experimental models and translational data from human studies related to vitamin D-induced changes in gut microbiota composition.

Muhammad Binyameen, Muhammad Irfan ur Rehman Khan, Muhmmad Naveed Ul Haque et al.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of prepartum dietary energy level on postpartum production and reproduction in Nili Ravi buffaloes (<i>n</i> = 21). The buffaloes were offered low energy (LE: 1.31 Mcal/kg DM NE_L (net energy for lactation)), medium energy (ME: 1.42 Mcal/kg DM NE_L) or high energy (HE: 1.54 Mcal/kg DM NE_L) diet for 63 days prepartum, and received the same lactation diet (LD: 1.22 Mcal/kg DM NE_L) during 14 weeks postpartum. The effects of dietary energy level and week were analyzed with Proc GLIMMIX model. Dry matter intake (DMI) was lower in buffaloes fed the LE diet compared with buffaloes fed the ME or HE diet. Calf birth weight (CBW) was higher in buffaloes fed the HE diet compared with buffaloes fed the ME or LE diet. Milk production was similar in buffaloes fed the HE, ME or LE diet within 14 weeks postpartum and throughout the lactation. Milk fat was higher in buffaloes fed the LE diet compared with buffaloes fed the ME or HE diet. Milk protein and lactose yields was high in buffaloes fed the HE diet compared with buffaloes fed the ME or LE diet. Body condition score was high in HE and was affected by diet × week interactions during pre and postpartum period. The concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and triglycerides in serum was lowest in buffaloes fed the HE diet compared with the buffaloes fed the ME or LE diet. The buffaloes fed the HE diet had early uterine involution (UI), first estrus, short dry days, and calving interval (CI) compared with buffaloes fed the ME or LE diet. None of buffaloes fed the LE diet exhibited estrus during the first 14 weeks postpartum compared with buffaloes fed the ME or HE diet. In conclusion, prepartum feeding of high energy diet can be helpful in improving the postpartum productive and reproductive performance in Nili Ravi buffaloes.

Esteban Vazquez-Hidalgo, Carly M. Farris, Amy C. Rowat et al.

Cellular traction forces that are dependent on actin-myosin activity are necessary for numerous developmental and physiological processes. As traction force emerges as a promising cancer biomarker there is a growing need to understand force generation in response to chemical and mechanical cues. Our goal is to present a unified modeling framework that integrates actin-myosin activity, substrate stiffness, integrin bond type, and adhesion complex dynamics to explain how force develops under specific conditions. Our simulation results show that substrate stiffness and number of myosin motors contribute to the maximum actin-myosin forces that can be generated but do not solely control the force transmitted by the cells to the surface, i.e., the traction force. The kinetics of the bonds between the cell and the substrate plays an equally important role. Overall, we find that while the cell can generate large actin-myosin forces in individual stress fibers (&gt; 300 pN), the maximum force transmitted to the surface per cell-substrate attachment only reaches a fraction of these values (approx. 50 pN). Traction stress, the sum of forces transferred by all cell-substrate attachments in a unit area, is biphasic or sigmoidal with increasing substrate stiffness depending on the number of active myosin motors generating forces. Finally, we conclude that adhesions &lt; 1 μm2 generate widely variable traction forces and that impulse, the magnitude and duration of a force generating event, is a key limiting factor in traction stress.

Holly E. Jenkins, Holly E. Jenkins, Florence Atherden et al.

Calanoid copepods comprise around 90% of Arctic zooplankton biomass and are fundamental to the ecological and biogeochemical functioning of high-latitude pelagic ecosystems. They accumulate lipid reserves during the productive months and represent an energy-rich food source for higher trophic levels. Rapidly changing climate in the Arctic may alter the quantity and composition of the food environment for one of the key copepod species, Calanus finmarchicus, with as yet unquantified effects on its production. Here we present rates of feeding and egg production in female C. finmarchicus exposed to the range of feeding conditions encountered across the Fram Strait in May/June 2018. Carbon (C) budgets were constructed and used to examine the relationship between feeding and growth (= egg production) in these animals. C-specific ingestion rates (mean ± standard deviation) were highly variable, ranging from 0.015 ± 0.004 to 0.645 ± 0.017 day-1 (mean = 0.295 ± 0.223 day-1), and were positively correlated with food availability. C-specific egg production rates ranged from 0.00 to 0.049 day-1 (mean = 0.012 ± 0.011) and were not correlated with either food availability or ingestion rate. Calculated gross growth efficiencies (GGE: growth/ingestion) were low, 0.12 ± 0.13 (range = 0.01 to 0.39). The assembled C budgets indicate that the average fraction of ingested food that was surplus to the requirements for egg production, respiration and losses to faecal pellets was 0.17 ± 0.42. We suggest that this excess occurred, at least in part, because many of the incubated females were still undergoing the energetically (C-) expensive process of gonad maturation at the time of sampling, an assertion that is supported by the relatively high C:N (nitrogen) ratios of the incubated females, the typically low egg production rates, and gonad maturation status. Ontogenetic development may thus explain the large variability seen in the relationship between egg production and ingestion. The apparently excessive ingestion rates may additionally indicate that recently moulted females must acquire additional N via ingestion to complete the maturation process and begin spawning. Our results highlight the need for improved fundamental understanding of the physiology of high-latitude copepods and its response to environmental change.

Paul Richards, Nancy A. Thornberry, Shirly Pinto

Background: The gut-brain axis, which mediates bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal system and central nervous system (CNS), plays a fundamental role in multiple areas of physiology including regulating appetite, metabolism, and gastrointestinal function. The biology of the gut-brain axis is central to the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based therapies, which are now leading treatments for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity. This success and research to suggest a much broader role of gut-brain circuits in physiology and disease has led to increasing interest in targeting such circuits to discover new therapeutics. However, our current knowledge of this biology is limited, largely because the scientific tools have not been available to enable a detailed mechanistic understanding of gut-brain communication. Scope of review: In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of how sensory information from the gastrointestinal system is communicated to the central nervous system, with an emphasis on circuits involved in regulating feeding and metabolism. We then describe how recent technologies are enabling a better understanding of this system at a molecular level and how this information is leading to novel insights into gut-brain communication. We also discuss current therapeutic approaches that leverage the gut-brain axis to treat diabetes, obesity, and related disorders and describe potential novel approaches that have been enabled by recent advances in the field. Major conclusions: The gut-brain axis is intimately involved in regulating glucose homeostasis and appetite, and this system plays a key role in mediating the efficacy of therapeutics that have had a major impact on treating T2DM and obesity. Research into the gut-brain axis has historically largely focused on studying individual components in this system, but new technologies are now enabling a better understanding of how signals from these components are orchestrated to regulate metabolism. While this work reveals a complexity of signaling even greater than previously appreciated, new insights are already being leveraged to explore fundamentally new approaches to treating metabolic diseases.

Miki Haramura, Yohei Takai

This study aims to clarify oxygen uptake (VO2) and heart rate (HR) kinetics of body mass-based squat exercise (SQBM) with relation to age. Fourteen healthy adults and 19 healthy children performed SQBM 200 times as well as an incremental loaded bicycle test to determine maximal VO2 and HR. The VO2 and HR during SQBM were normalized to maximal VO2 (%VO2peak) and HR (%HRmax), respectively. Electromyograms (EMGs) were recorded from the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, vastus medialis and biceps femoris muscles from the right leg. In the VO2 and HR during SQBM, the time constant in children was faster than adults, whereas the physiological load (%VO2peak and %HRmax) was almost the same between children and adults. In both groups, %VO2peak was significantly related to %HRmax during SQBM. The slope of the %VO2peak-%HRmax relationship was 0.92 for children, and 0.73 for adults. The current results demonstrate that, compared to adults, the rise in VO2 and HR after initiation of SQBM is faster in children, and the physiological load during SQBM partially depends on individual maximal aerobic capacity.

Alan Ruddock, Lachlan James, Duncan French et al.

Combat sports have been practiced for millennia and today are predominant sports at the Olympic games, with international organizations that host world, continental and national championships at amateur standard. There are also an increasing number of professional combat sports with global audiences. The growing popularity of professional combat sports and their importance at the Olympic games have led to an increase in scientific studies that characterize the physical, physiological, nutritional, biomechanical and training strategies of combat sports athletes. These studies characterize combat sports as high-intensity sports which require training strategies to develop the high-intensity capabilities of athletes. Therefore, the aim of this article is to (i) summarize the physiological demands of combat sports; (ii) present the primary considerations required to program high-intensity conditioning for athletes; (iii) define and present key high-intensity conditioning methods; and (iv) provide guidance for scientists and coaches to help prepare athletes under common but differing circumstances.

Narcís Prat

Reseña del libro Domínguez, E., Giorgi, A., Gómez N. (Compiladores). (2019). La bioindicación en el monitoreo y evaluación de los sistemas fluviales de la Argentina: bases para el análisis de la integridad ecológica. Eudeba, 98 pp.  Este es un libro fruto de la reflexión sobre el tema de los bioindicadores en cursos fluviales originado en un congreso de la Asociación Argentina de Limnología. En el prólogo los compiladores destacan que se trata de “dejar de hablar entre nosotros y comunicar con la comunidad” y hablan de “analfabetismo ecológico”. La reflexión ha sido amplia pues ha involucrado a 40 autores, 17 revisores y dos colaboradores, muchos de ellos con gran experiencia en el tema y numerosas publicaciones.

Gamal Badr, Eman Abdo Sayed, Hanan Waly et al.

Blerta Shtylla, Marissa Gee, An Do et al.

Type I diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that can be managed, but for which there is currently no cure. Recent discoveries, particularly in mouse models, indicate that targeted modulation of the immune response has the potential to move an individual from a diabetic to a long-term, if not permanent, healthy state. In this paper we develop a single compartment mathematical model that captures the dynamics of dendritic cells (DC and tDC), T cells (effector and regulatory), and macrophages in the development of type I diabetes. The model supports the hypothesis that differences in macrophage clearance rates play a significant role in determining whether or not an individual is likely to become diabetic subsequent to a significant immune challenge. With this model we are able to explore the effects of strengthening the anti-inflammatory component of the immune system in a vulnerable individual. Simulations indicate that there are windows of opportunity in which treatment intervention is more likely to be beneficial in protecting an individual from entering a diabetic state. This model framework can be used as a foundation for modeling future T1D treatments as they are developed.

Mami Yamashita, Hirofumi Okubo, Kazuhiro Kobuke et al.

Abstract Aims/Introduction The severity of insulin resistance is higher in Japanese‐American people with American lifestyles than in native Japanese people with Japanese lifestyles. Recently, the role of gut microbiota in the control of host metabolic homeostasis and organ physiology has been recognized. In addition, gut microbiota alterations have been suggested to contribute to pathogenesis of insulin resistance. The principle aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of a Westernized lifestyle on the gut microbiota of Japanese‐Americans versus native Japanese, and its correlation with insulin resistance. Materials and Methods A total of 14 native Japanese men living in Hiroshima, Japan, and 14 Japanese‐American men living in Los Angeles, USA, were included. A 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test was carried out for all participants to assess their glucose tolerance, and normal glucose tolerance was observed. We compared the insulin response with oral glucose load, the Matsuda Index, and the composition of the gut microbiota between the native Japanese and Japanese‐American men. Results Japanese‐American men showed higher area under the curve values for serum insulin concentrations during the oral glucose tolerance test and lower Matsuda Index than native Japanese men. Gut microbiota composition of the Japanese‐American men was different; in particular, they showed a relatively lower abundance of Odoribacter than native Japanese men. The ratio between relative abundance of Odoribacter and Matsuda Index was positively correlated between the two groups. Conclusions Our findings suggest that Westernized lifestyles alter gut microbiota, and its alteration might induce insulin resistance in non‐diabetic Japanese men.

Richard A. Forsgård, Vannina G Marrachelli, Jere Lindén et al.

Gastrointestinal toxicity is a frequently observed adverse event during cancer treatment with traditional chemotherapeutics. Currently, traditional chemotherapeutics are often combined with targeted biologic agents. These biologics, however, possess a distinct toxicity profile, and they may also exacerbate the adverse effects of traditional chemotherapeutics. In this study, we aimed to characterize the gastrointestinal and metabolic changes after a 2-week treatment period with aflibercept, an antiangiogenic VEGFR decoy, and with erlotinib, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor. Male rats were treated either with aflibercept or erlotinib for 2 weeks. During the 2-week treatment period, the animals in the aflibercept group received two subcutaneous doses of 25 mg/kg aflibercept. The erlotinib group got 10 mg/kg of erlotinib by oral gavage every other day. The control groups were treated similarly but received either saline injections or oral gavage of water. Intestinal toxicity was assessed by measuring intestinal permeability and by histological analyses of intestinal tissues. Metabolic changes were measured with 1H nuclear magnetic resonance in serum and urine. Neither aflibercept nor erlotinib induced changes in intestinal permeability or intestinal tissue morphology. However, aflibercept treatment resulted in stunted body weight gain and altered choline, amino acid, and lipid metabolism. Two-week treatment with aflibercept or erlotinib alone does not induce observable changes in gastrointestinal morphology and function. However, observed aflibercept-treatment related metabolic changes suggest alterations in intestinal microbiota, nutrient intake, and adipose tissue function. The metabolic changes are also interesting in respect to the systemic effects of aflibercept and their possible associations with adverse events caused by aflibercept administration.

Mario Martín, Mario Martín, Javier Béjar et al.

In the anesthetized cat the correlation between the ongoing cord dorsum potentials (CDPs) recorded from different lumbar spinal segments has a non-random structure, suggesting relatively stable patterns of functional connectivity between the dorsal horn neuronal ensembles involved in the generation of these potentials. During the nociception induced by the intradermic injection of capsaicin, the patterns of segmental correlation between the spontaneous CDPs acquire other non-random configurations that are temporarily reversed to their pre-capsaicin state by the systemic injection of lidocaine, a procedure known to decrease the manifestation of neuropathic pain in both animals and humans. We have now extended these studies and utilized machine learning for the automatic extraction and selection of particular classes of CDPs according to their shapes and amplitudes. By using a Markovian analysis, we disclosed the transitions between the different kinds of CDPs induced by capsaicin and lidocaine and constructed a global model based on the changes in the behavior of the CDPs generated along the whole set of lumbar segments. This allowed the identification of the different states of functional connectivity within the whole ensemble of dorsal horn neurones attained during nociception and their transitory reversal by systemic administration of lidocaine in preparations with the intact neuroaxis and after spinalization. The present observations provide additional information on the state of self-organized criticality that leads to the adaptive behavior of the dorsal horn neuronal networks during nociception and antinociception both shaped by supraspinal descending influences.

Ceña-Diez R, Martin-Moreno A, de la Mata FJ et al.

Rafael Ce&ntilde;a-Diez,1,2 Alba Martin-Moreno,1 F Javier de la Mata,2,3 Rafael G&oacute;mez-Ramirez,2,3 Eduardo Mu&ntilde;oz,4 Manuel Ardoy,5 Ma &Aacute;ngeles Mu&ntilde;oz-Fern&aacute;ndez1,2 1Immunology Section, Head Inmuno-Biology Molecular Laboratory, Gregorio Mara&ntilde;&oacute;n University General Hospital, Gregorio Mara&ntilde;&oacute;n Health Research Institute (IiSGM), Spanish HIV HGM BioBank, Madrid, Spain; 2Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain; 3Organic and Inorganic Chemistry Department, Alcal&aacute; University, Alcal&aacute; de Henares, Spain; 4Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Instituto Maim&oacute;nides de Investigaci&oacute;n Biom&eacute;dicas de C&oacute;rdoba (IMIBIC), Reina Sof&iacute;a University Hospital, University of C&oacute;rdoba, C&oacute;rdoba, Spain; 5Human Reproduction Unit, Gregorio Mara&ntilde;on University General Hospital, Madrid, Spain Purpose: HIV-1 and herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) represent two of the most relevant sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) worldwide. Moreover, each year there are &gt;200 million pregnancies worldwide, and more than half are unintended. Continued high rates of unintended pregnancies and spread of HIV-1 and HSV-2 require new approaches to address these problems. G1-S4 and G2-S16 dendrimers emerge as potential candidates for the development of a topical microbicide due to their safety and effectivity against HIV-1 and HSV-2 infection, both in vitro and in vivo. Our goal is to develop a dual topical microbicide to prevent the transmission of STDs and unintended pregnancies. Platycodin D (PD) was selected for its great spermicidal activity, topical application, and biocompatibility. Materials and methods: Toxicology and inhibitory profile of G1-S4/PD and G2-S16/PD were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Spermicidal activity was assessed by a computer-assisted sperm analysis system (CASA). Results: G1-S4/PD and G2-S16/PD presented &gt;95% of HIV-1 inhibition in TZM-bl cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CASA assessment determined that 0.25 mM of PD with therapeutic concentrations of G1-S4 or G2-S16 was able to induce 100% immobilization of the sperm in 30 seconds. To evaluate the toxicity in vivo, a vaginal toxicity assay was performed in BALB/c mice. No significant changes or damage to the vaginal epithelium after 7 consecutive days of application were observed. Conclusion: Our data indicate that G1-S4/PD and G2-S16/PD combinations are promising candidates to be developed for vaginal microbicides with contraceptive activity. Keywords: topical microbicide, HIV-1, HSV-2, Platycodin D, G1-S4 dendrimer, G2-S16 dendrimer

Manhong Shi, Manhong Shi, Chaoying Zhan et al.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a life-threatening condition that, unless treated at an early stage, can lead to congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and myocardial infarction. Early detection of diagnostic features underlying electrocardiography signals is crucial for the identification and treatment of CAD. In the present work, we proposed novel entropy called Renyi Distribution Entropy (RdisEn) for the analysis of short-term heart rate variability (HRV) signals and the detection of CAD. Our simulation experiment with synthetic, physiological, and pathological signals demonstrated that RdisEn could distinguish effectively among different subject groups. Compared to the values of sample entropy or approximation entropy, the RdisEn value was less affected by the parameter choice, and it remained stable even in short-term HRV. We have developed a combined CAD detection scheme with RdisEn and wavelet packet decomposition (WPD): (1) Normal and CAD HRV beats obtained were divided into two equal parts. (2) Feature acquisition: RdisEn and WPD-based statistical features were calculated from one part of HRV beats, and student’s t-test was performed to select clinically significant features. (3) Classification: selected features were computed from the remaining part of HRV beats and fed into K-nearest neighbor and support vector machine, to separate CAD from normal subjects. The proposed scheme automatically detected CAD with 97.5% accuracy, 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity and performed better than most of the existing schemes.