Kentgregersen4478

© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Spirulina microalga (Arthrospira platensis) is an interesting phototrophic organism because its high content of nutrients including proteins, lipids, essential amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, polysaccharides and minerals. Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled to linear ion trap (LIT) and Orbitrap Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) via electrospray ionization (ESI) was employed for the separation and characterization of lipid species in A. platensis. Inositolphosphoceramides (IPC) are minor but important constituents of spirulina; their investigation was accomplished by HILIC-ESI-MS including collision-induced dissociation (MS2 , MS3 ) of deprotonated molecules in the LIT analyzer and a schematic fragmentation pattern is described. All four commercial spirulina samples revealed the occurrence of the same IPC species at m/z 796.6 (d180/160;1), 810.6 (d180/170;1), 824.6 (d180/180;1), and 826.6 (d180/170;2) but in diverse relative abundance. This study sets the stage for future investigations on IPC in other algae and microalgae. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.Optical properties of plant leaves are relevant to evaluate their physiological state and stress effect. The main objective of this work was to study how variegation, pigment composition or reflective features modify leaves photophysical behavior. For this purpose, green leaves (Ficus benjamina), purple leaves (Tradescantia pallida), green leaves covered by white trichomes (Cineraria maritima) and variegated leaves (Codiaeum aucubifolium) were analyzed. Firstly, foliar surface morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. UV-vis and near-IR reflectance and transmittance spectra were obtained to calculate absorption (k) and scattering (s) coefficients. The theoretical approaches of Pile of Plates and Kubelka Munk's theory resulted still valid for non-standard leaves with differing surface conditions. However, frequently used spectral indices were not reliable for predicting water content, when leaves differed from conventional ones. The proportionality between the absorption factor and chromophore/pigment concentration was also lost for hairy leaves. A simplified model to describe these facts was presented here. Fluorescence spectra were recorded and corrected, due to light-reabsorption. Water-optical parameter connection and pigment-optical parameter connection were thoroughly discussed. Leaf-surface morphology and pigmentation have not only influenced the optical features of leaves but also played a role in the effect that particulate matter could cause on leaf photosynthesis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.BACKGROUND & AIMS Milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFGE8) has been shown to be a critical extracellular molecule that mediates apoptotic signaling in the pathological process of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MFGE8 is abundantly expressed in hepatocyte, but its function in the pathogenesis of NAFLD has not been characterized. APPROACH & RESULTS In our current study, hepatic MFGE8 showed a protective role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Hepatic MFGE8 deletion largely exacerbated lipid accumulation and inflammatory responses in the liver in response to overnutrition. Mechanistically, intercellular MFGE8 was shown to directly bind to apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) and inhibits its dimerization and phosphorylation under a normal diet. However, under metabolic challenges, decreased cytoplasmic MFGE8 facilitated the dimerization and phosphorylation of ASK1 and subsequent MAPK signaling in hepatocytes. CONCLUSION Hepatic MFGE8 is an endogenous inhibitor that halts the progression of hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Metabolic challenge-induced loss of intracellular MFGE8 facilitates ASK1 dimerization and phosphorylation. Therefore, maintaining hepatic MFGE8 level may serve as an alternative strategy for the treatment of NAFLD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.OBJECTIVES Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurogenetic disorder characterized by mental retardation, morbid obesity, and endocrine and behavior disorders. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/17-DMAG,Hydrochloride-Salt.html We previously showed in a small group of patients that PWS may have a unique prenatal phenotype. We aimed to characterize clinical and ultrasonic features in a larger series of pregnancies with a PWS fetus. METHODS We retrospectively interviewed all mothers of children with PWS followed in the Israel national multidisciplinary PWS clinic. We compared details of the PWS pregnancy with the pregnancies of healthy siblings and with data from the general population. Medical records including ultrasound reports, obstetric records, and genetic results were analyzed. RESULTS Distinct prenatal features of PWS pregnancies included abnormal fetal growth [fetal growth restriction (FGR) (37.3%), increased head to abdominal circumference ratio (44.8%), decreased abdominal circumference (49.2%)], markedly decreased fetal movements (DFM) (80.4%) and polyhydramnios (42.0%) (p less then 0.001 for all). The combination of abnormal growth accompanied by polyhydramnios or DFM was highly suggestive for PWS. CONCLUSIONS Recognition of the unique PWS phenotype should alert obstetricians to consider the possibility of PWS, perform the diagnostic methylation test, provide appropriate counseling, and plan optimal management of the affected pregnancy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.Hemivertebra appears as an angulation of the spine on a coronal section. We evaluated the prevalence of chromosomal defects and outcome of fetuses with hemivertebra detected in the first trimester over a 9-year period in a single tertiary referral unit. There were 10 cases; 9 had other anomalies. Seven couples opted for termination of pregnancy. One pregnancy ended in fetal demise at 16 weeks, and the 2 isolated cases continued the pregnancy with delivery at term. A karyotype analysis was performed in 8 fetuses 5 found to be euploid and 3 having trisomy 18. Comprehensive ultrasound screening allows early prenatal detection and appropriate counseling. © 2020 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.