MRI of the occipital cortex, red nucleus, and substantia nigra during visual aura of migraine

PURPOSE: Although radical nephrectomy is the standard treatment for localized unilateral renal cell carcinoma with a normal contralateral kidney, there is ongoing interest in the use of nephron sparing surgery or partial nephrectomy in such cases. The extent of radical surgery in such cases has also been reconsidered in view of the uncertainty regarding the malignant or benign nature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 14,793 autopsies in Jena from 1985 until 1995 there were 260 renal cell carcinomas. Of the 260 renal cell carcinomas the diameter was 40 mm. or less in 104. These 104 tumors were divided into group 1-20 mm. or less (33 cases), group 2-21 to 30 mm. (28) and group 3-31 to 40 mm. (43). RESULTS: Grade 1 renal cell carcinomas decreased in frequency with increasing tumor diameter, while an opposite result was noted for grade 3. Lymph node and distant metastases were well correlated with tumor size. With an increase in tumor size the frequency of venous involvement increased as well. Significantly more multifocal malignant renal cell carcinomas were seen in tumors between 21 and 40 mm. compared to those 20 mm. or less in diameter. CONCLUSIONS: The metastatic potential and biology of these small nodules are not yet known. To lower the risk of local recurrence the results of our study suggest that nephron sparing surgery might be advisable in patients with renal cell carcinoma 20 mm. or less in diameter.     

Application of FTIR spectroscopy to determine transport properties and water-polymer interactions in polypropylene (PP)/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) blend films: Effect of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) content and water activity

This paper reports the use of FTIR spectroscopy along with gravimetric analysis to simultaneously study water sorption, transport properties and water-polymer interactions in PP/EVOH films at 25 °C, as a function of EVOH content and water vapour activity. The results indicate the existence of two different mechanisms, below (dual-mode) and above a critical concentration value close to the clustering limit activity. Several spectroscopically distinguishable “types” of sorbed water molecules with different diffusion rates have been detected, and their evolution as a function of the penetrant concentration followed. The main changes in the water structure take place from the clustering limit activity onwards. Significant differences both in the state of water and diffusion sequence of free/bound water have been found between 90/10 PP/EVOH films and blends with EVOH content ≥20%, suggesting not only composite-dependence but also morphology-dependence.     

Adiponectin and Leptin Exert Antagonizing Effects on HUVEC Tube Formation and Migration Modulating the Expression of CXCL1, VEGF,MMP-2 and MMP-9

Adiponectin and leptin are two abundant adipokines with different properties but both described such as potent factors regulating angiogenesis. AdipoRon is a small-molecule that, binding to AdipoRs receptors, acts as an adiponectin agonist. Here, we investigated the effects of AdipoRon and leptin on viability, migration and tube formation on a human in vitro model, the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) focusing on the expression of the main endothelial angiogenic factors: hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2) and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9). Treatments with VEGF-A were used as positive control. Our data revealed that, at 24 h treatment, proliferation of HUVEC endothelial cells was not influenced by AdipoRon or leptin administration; after 48 h longer exposure time, the viability was negatively influenced by AdipoRon while leptin treatment and the combination of AdipoRon+leptin produced no effects. In addition, AdipoRon induced a significant increase in complete tubular structures together with induction of cell migration while, on the contrary, leptin did not induce tube formation and inhibited cell migration; interestingly, the co-treatment with both AdipoRon and leptin determined a significant decrease of the tubular structures and cell migration indicating that leptin antagonizes AdipoRon effects. Finally, we found that the effects induced by AdipoRon administration are accompanied by an increase in the expression of CXCL1, VEGF-A, MMP-2 and MMP-9. In conclusion, our data sustain the active role of adiponectin and leptin in linking adipose tissue with the vascular endothelium encouraging the further deepening of the role of adipokines in new vessel’s formation, to candidate them as therapeutic targets.     

Reaction Kinetics at High Pressure and Temperature: Effects on Milk Flavor Volatiles and on Chemical Compounds with Nutritional and Safety Importance in Several Foods

Consumers demand, in addition to excellent eating quality, high standards of safety and nutrition in ready-to-eat food. This requires a continuous improvement in conventional processing technologies and the development of new alternatives. Prevailing technologies such as thermal processing can cause extensive and undesirable chemical changes in food composition while minimal processing strategies cannot eliminate all microbial pathogens. This review focuses on pressure-assisted thermal processing, a new alternative for shelf-stable foods. Its implementation requires an analysis of reaction kinetics at high pressure and elevated temperature. Acceleration of the inactivation of bacterial spores by the synergistic effect of pressure and temperature is expected to allow processing at lower temperature, shorter process time, or a combination of both. Therefore, thermal degradation of quality is expected to be lower than that of conventional thermal processes. However, few studies have focused on the effect of the conditions required for the inactivation of bacterial spores on the kinetics of chemical reactions degrading food quality, particularly at the high temperatures required for the processing of low-acid foods.     

Immunonutritional Protease Inhibitors from T. durum and A. sativa Display Metabolic Similarities When Assayed on Human Macrophage-like Cells

This study evaluated the immunonutritional effects caused by protease inhibitors from Avena sativa and Triticum durum to human macrophage-like cells. Macrophages were exposed (3 h) to extracts obtained from flours, and mitochondrial-associated oxygen consumption rates and inflammatory, metabolic, and proteome adaptations were quantified. Mass spectrometry ‘m/z’ signals of the extracts obtained from T. durum and A. sativa revealed molecular weights of 18–35 kDa and 16–22 kDa, respectively, for the compounds present at highest concentrations. Extracts from T. durum exhibited lower susceptibility to degradation by gastrointestinal enzymes than those from A. sativa: 9.5% vs 20.2%. Despite their different botanical origin, both extracts increased TLR4 expression. Metabolic protein levels were indicative of a decreased glycolytic to lactate flux in cell cultures upon stimulation with A. sativa extracts, which improved mitochondrial respiration in relation to those from T. durum. Principal components analysis confirmed relative similarities between immune–metabolic events triggered by immunonutritional ingredients in T. durum and A. sativa. Collectively, immunonutritional effects help to interpret the differences between both crops, worsening or improving, macrophage immune reactivity (tolerogenicity), and better control of inflammatory processes.