Protective role of vitamin B6 (PLP) against DNA damage in Drosophila models of type 2 diabetes

Growing evidence shows that improper intake of vitamin B6 increases cancer risk and several studies indicate that diabetic patients have a higher risk of developing tumors. We previously demonstrated that in Drosophila the deficiency of Pyridoxal 5' phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin B6, causes chromosome aberrations (CABs), one of cancer prerequisites, and increases hemolymph glucose content. Starting from these data we asked if it was possible to provide a link between the aforementioned studies. Thus, we tested the effect of low PLP levels on DNA integrity in diabetic cells. To this aim we generated two Drosophila models of type 2 diabetes, the first by impairing insulin signaling and the second by rearing flies in high sugar diet. We showed that glucose treatment induced CABs in diabetic individuals but not in controls. More interestingly, PLP deficiency caused high frequencies of CABs in both diabetic models demonstrating that hyperglycemia, combined to reduced PLP level, impairs DNA integrity. PLP-depleted diabetic cells accumulated Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) that largely contribute to CABs as α-lipoic acid, an AGE inhibitor, rescued not only AGEs but also CABs. These data, extrapolated to humans, indicate that low PLP levels, impacting on DNA integrity, may be considered one of the possible links between diabetes and cancer

Constraints on the χ_(c1) versus χ_(c2) polarizations in proton-proton collisions at √s = 8 TeV

The polarizations of promptly produced χ_(c1) and χ_(c2) mesons are studied using data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, in proton-proton collisions at √s=8  TeV. The χ_c states are reconstructed via their radiative decays χ_c → J/ψγ, with the photons being measured through conversions to e⁺e⁻, which allows the two states to be well resolved. The polarizations are measured in the helicity frame, through the analysis of the χ_(c2) to χ_(c1) yield ratio as a function of the polar or azimuthal angle of the positive muon emitted in the J/ψ → μ⁺μ⁻ decay, in three bins of J/ψ transverse momentum. While no differences are seen between the two states in terms of azimuthal decay angle distributions, they are observed to have significantly different polar anisotropies. The measurement favors a scenario where at least one of the two states is strongly polarized along the helicity quantization axis, in agreement with nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics predictions. This is the first measurement of significantly polarized quarkonia produced at high transverse momentum

Evaluating the thermal stability of chemicals and systems: A review

In the realm of chemical processing, particularly at the industrial scale, safety is of utmost importance. A predominant factor causing accidents within the chemical industry is runaway phenomena, primarily initiated by uncontrolled exothermic reactions. This review critically examines the often-overlooked decomposition mechanisms as a significant contributor to thermal energy release, necessitating a comprehensive revision and understanding of both experimental and theoretical strategies for assessing thermal degradation. Key to this discourse is the explication of calorimetry as the principal experimental technique, alongside ab initio quantum chemistry simulations as a robust theoretical framework for quantifying the most relevant properties. However, more than mere cognisance of these methodologies is required for a meticulous thermal stability assessment. The review emphasizes identifying and quantifying fundamental parameters through experimental and theoretical investigations. Only upon acquiring these parameters, including kinetic, thermodynamic, onset, and peak characteristics of the exothermic decomposition reactions, can one effectively mitigate risks and hazards in designing and optimizing chemical processes and apparatus. Furthermore, this review delineates qualitative and quantitative methodologies for hazard assessment, proffering strategies for estimating safe operational conditions and sizing relief devices. The paper culminates in exploring future trajectories in thermal stability assessments, focusing on emerging applications in lithium-ion batteries, electrolyzers, electrified reactors, ionic liquids, artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches. Thus, the paper underlines the evolving landscape of thermal risk management in contemporary and future chemical industries