Aging as a consequence of misrepair -- A novel theory of aging

It is now increasingly realized that the underlying mechanisms which govern aging is a complex interplay of genetic regulation and damage accumulation. Aging as a result of accumulation of ‘faults’ on cellular and molecular levels, has been proposed in the damage (fault)-accumulation theory by Kirkwood 2006. However, this theory fails to explain some aging phenotypes such as fibrosis and premature aging, since terms such as ‘damage’ and ‘fault’ are not specified. Therefore we introduce here a specification of the underlying mechanism of aging and arrive at a novel theory: aging of the body is a result of the accumulation of Misrepair of tissue. It emphasizes: a) it is Misrepair, not the original damage, that accumulates and leads to aging; and b) aging can occur at different levels, however aging of the body takes place at least on the tissue level, but not necessarily on cellular/molecular level. The novel concept of Misrepair introduced here unifies the understanding of the roles of environmental damage, repair, gene regulation, and multicellular structure in the aging process. The Misrepair-accumulation theory introduced in the present paper gives explanations for the aging phenotypes, premature aging, and the difference of longevity in different species, and is consistent with the point of view of physical theory of complex systems

Multi-point monitoring of nitrous oxide emissions and aeration efficiency in a full-scale conventional activated sludge tank

In this work the biological tank of a WRRF in Italy was monitored placing five floating hoods on a plug-flow-like biological aerated tank surface in order to capture emission dynamics in both time and space domains. The five hoods report which location is more responsible for N2O production at a certain moment of the day. Moreover, with this experimental investigation, a spatial shift in N2O production towards the end of the biological tank could be detected. This provides important insights in the changes in biological dynamics especially with varying incoming load

Partially Demineralized Macroporous (PDM) Allografts for Cranial Tissue Engineering

poster abstractDecompressive Craniectomy is a cranial surgery where a large part of the cranial bone is removed in order to mitigate swelling in the brain tissue. Consequently, a scaffold biomaterial is required to substitute the lost bone. Ideal cranioplasty biomaterials should have the following features: fit the cranial defect and achieve complete closure, radiolucency, resistance to infections, no dilation with heat, resistance to biomechanical wear, pliability, and inexpensive. Partially Demineralized Macroporous (PDM) allografts exhibit such properties to correct these cranial defects. The main objectives of this study include: (1) examining the effects of demineralization and macroporosity formations on the mechanical and biological properties of allograft bone disks; (2) conducting finite element analysis (FEA) to stimulate the mechanical properties of the PDM allografts; and (3) evaluating the in vitro response of the PDM allografts utilizing pre-osteoblast cell lines. Tibias were harvested from Ossabaw mini-pigs and cylindrical cortical bone sections of 2 mm in thickness and 8 mm in diameter were obtained. Macropores of 600 micrometers in diameter were created to generate porosity levels of 0-40% in the bone disks. The bone disks were then demineralized in 14-wt% EDTA for 6 to 48 hours at 37℃. The relative stiffness was determined for each class using a material testing machine with a loading rate of 1 mm/min using a piston-on-ring set up. To analyze the deformation characteristics, FEA software LS-DYNA was employed. In order to understand the in vitro response, biocompatibility of PDM scaffolds were evaluated by culturing MC3T3-E1 cell lines where XTT and ALP assays were conducted. PDM allografts display the suitable stiffness required for cranial defects. The PDM allograft scaffolds aid in osteogenic proliferation and differentiation of pre-osteoblast cell lines in vitro. However, there will be further in vivo testing regarding the validity of PDM allografts in rat cranial defects. Mentor: Tien-Min Gabriel Chu, Department of Restorative DentistryDecompressive Craniectomy is a cranial surgery where a large part of the cranial bone is removed in order to mitigate swelling in the brain tissue. Consequently, a scaffold biomaterial is required to substitute the lost bone. Ideal cranioplasty biomaterials should have the following features: fit the cranial defect and achieve complete closure, radiolucency, resistance to infections, no dilation with heat, resistance to biomechanical wear, pliability, and inexpensive. Partially Demineralized Macroporous (PDM) allografts exhibit such properties to correct these cranial defects. The main objectives of this study include: (1) examining the effects of demineralization and macroporosity formations on the mechanical and biological properties of allograft bone disks; (2) conducting finite element analysis (FEA) to stimulate the mechanical properties of the PDM allografts; and (3) evaluating the in vitro response of the PDM allografts utilizing pre-osteoblast cell lines. Tibias were harvested from Ossabaw mini-pigs and cylindrical cortical bone sections of 2 mm in thickness and 8 mm in diameter were obtained. Macropores of 600 micrometers in diameter were created to generate porosity levels of 0-40% in the bone disks. The bone disks were then demineralized in 14-wt% EDTA for 6 to 48 hours at 37℃. The relative stiffness was determined for each class using a material testing machine with a loading rate of 1 mm/min using a piston-on-ring set up. To analyze the deformation characteristics, FEA software LS-DYNA was employed. In order to understand the in vitro response, biocompatibility of PDM scaffolds were evaluated by culturing MC3T3-E1 cell lines where XTT and ALP assays were conducted. PDM allografts display the suitable stiffness required for cranial defects. The PDM allograft scaffolds aid in osteogenic proliferation and differentiation of pre-osteoblast cell lines in vitro. However, there will be further in vivo testing regarding the validity of PDM allografts in rat cranial defects

Matching in vitro bioaccessibility of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of soluble coffee by Boosted Regression Trees

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in polyphenol profile and antioxidant capacity of five soluble coffees throughout a simulated gastro-intestinal digestion, including absorption through a dialysis membrane. Our results demonstrate that both polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity were characteristic for each type of studied coffee, showing a drop after dialysis. Twenty-seven compounds were identified in coffee by HPLC-MS, while only 14 of them were found after dialysis. Green+roasted coffee blend and chicory+coffee blend showed the highest and lowest content of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity before in vitro digestion and after dialysis, respectively. Canonical correlation analysis showed significant correlation between the antioxidant capacity and the polyphenol profile before digestion and after dialysis. Furthermore, boosted regression trees analysis (BRT) showed that only four polyphenol compounds (5-p-coumaroylquinic acid, quinic acid, coumaroyl tryptophan conjugated, and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid) appear to be the most relevant to explain the antioxidant capacity after dialysis, these compounds being the most bioaccessible after dialysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report matching the antioxidant capacity of foods with the polyphenol profile by BRT, which opens an interesting method of analysis for future reports on the antioxidant capacity of foods.Fil: Podio, Natalia Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: López Froilán, Rebeca. Universidad Complutense de Madrid; EspañaFil: Ramirez Moreno, Esther. Universidad Autónoma de Estado de Hidalgo; México. Universidad Complutense de Madrid; EspañaFil: Bertrand, Lidwina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Baroni, María Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Pérez Rodríguez, María L.. Universidad Complutense de Madrid; EspañaFil: Sánchez Mata, María Cortes. Universidad Complutense de Madrid; EspañaFil: Wunderlin, Daniel A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; Argentin

Structural and Mechanical Improvements to Bone Are Strain Dependent with Axial Compression of the Tibia in Female C57BL/6 Mice

Strain-induced adaption of bone has been well-studied in an axial loading model of the mouse tibia. However, most outcomes of these studies are restricted to changes in bone architecture and do not explore the mechanical implications of those changes. Herein, we studied both the mechanical and morphological adaptions of bone to three strain levels using a targeted tibial loading mouse model. We hypothesized that loading would increase bone architecture and improve cortical mechanical properties in a dose-dependent fashion. The right tibiae of female C57BL/6 mice (8 week old) were compressively loaded for 2 weeks to a maximum compressive force of 8.8N, 10.6N, or 12.4N (generating periosteal strains on the anteromedial region of the mid-diaphysis of 1700 με, 2050 με, or 2400 με as determined by a strain calibration), while the left limb served as an non-loaded control. Following loading, ex vivo analyses of bone architecture and cortical mechanical integrity were assessed by micro-computed tomography and 4-point bending. Results indicated that loading improved bone architecture in a dose-dependent manner and improved mechanical outcomes at 2050 με. Loading to 2050 με resulted in a strong and compelling formation response in both cortical and cancellous regions. In addition, both structural and tissue level strength and energy dissipation were positively impacted in the diaphysis. Loading to the highest strain level also resulted in rapid and robust formation of bone in both cortical and cancellous regions. However, these improvements came at the cost of a woven bone response in half of the animals. Loading to the lowest strain level had little effect on bone architecture and failed to impact structural- or tissue-level mechanical properties. Potential systemic effects were identified for trabecular bone volume fraction, and in the pre-yield region of the force-displacement and stress-strain curves. Future studies will focus on a moderate load level which was largely beneficial in terms of cortical/cancellous structure and cortical mechanical function

Prescription Drug Abuse And Diversion Increase With Age

This study conducted a secondary analysis of quantitative data collected from 2005 through 2009 from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The study found that prescription drug abuse and diversion from 2005 through 2009 showed an increasing usage, which is dependent upon age and drug category. While those aged 18-25 demonstrated higher nonmedical use of prescription drugs for three drug categories, those aged 50 and older were determined to have a higher usage in only one drug category. Overall the study determined that after age 50 nonmedical use of prescription drug and therefore diversion begins to drop significantly except for one drug category, which is sedative. Although this study determined that as age of the prescription drug abuser increases the number of individuals 50 and older that reported nonmedical use and higher averages for days using in a 12-month period

Antioxidant, phase II and III responses induced by lipoic acid in the fish Jenynsia multidentata (Anablapidae) and its influence on endolsulfan accumulation and toxicity

Antioxidants like lipoic acid (LA) are known to trigger augmented antioxidant and phase II and III responses. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of LA in P-glycoprotein (Pgp) expression, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, total antioxidant competence, levels of lipid peroxides (TBARS) and accumulation of the organochlorine insecticide endosulfan (Endo: α-, β-isomers and sulfate metabolite) in different organs of the fish Jenynsia multidentata. One hundred and twenty females (1.55 ± 0.07 g) were fed during 8 days with (n = 60) or without (n = 60) a LA enriched ration (6000 mg/kg). Four experimental groups were defined: −LA/−Endo; +LA/−Endo; −LA/+Endo; and +LA/+Endo. Endo groups were exposed during 24 h to 1.4 μg of insecticide/L. Results showed that only LA induced a significant increment in liver Pgp expression. GST activity was augmented in liver after exposure to LA or Endo. TBARS levels were lowered in liver and gills after LA pre-treatment. Total antioxidant capacity was lowered in liver of Endo exposed fish, a result that was reversed by LA pre-treatment. It is concluded that LA induced the expected effects in terms of Pgp expression, GST activity and reduced TBARS levels although favored α-Endo accumulation in brain. However, the Endo metabolism to the more persistent endosulfan sulfate was not facilitated by LA pre-treatment.Fil: Monserrat, José María. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte; Brasil. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; BrasilFil: Garcia, M. L.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte; Brasil. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; BrasilFil: Ventura Lima, J.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte; Brasil. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; BrasilFil: Gonzalez, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Ballesteros, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Miglioranza, Karina Silvia Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Amé, María Valeria. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Wunderlin, Daniel Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentin

Case Studies of Alberta Clipper Systems and the Impacts on Winter Weather Road Maintenance

Winter weather can cause profound impacts to a variety of economic sectors in the mid-latitudes. In the Great Plains of North America, one sector that is highly impacted by winter weather is road transportation. The burdens to road transportation caused by winter weather have led to the adoption of a Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) by the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT). Using both observational and numerical weather model data, NDOT-MDSS generates both winter weather forecasts and winter road maintenance recommendations. Little is known about how well NDOT-MDSS is forecasting conditions for different winter weather events. Using a case study approach, NDOT-MDSS output for two different winter storms which impacted Nebraska during the 2018-2019 winter are analyzed. Both winter storms were brought on by Alberta clipper systems, one impacting the Omaha area and the other impacting the Lincoln area. Three objectives are undertaken while analyzing each case study. For the first objective, synoptic background conditions are analyzed to get a sense of the environment which produced each system. This is followed by an analysis and comparison of multiple NDOT-MDSS forecast parameters with meteorological variables recorded in both Omaha and Lincoln. For the second objective, parameters pertaining to snowfall are examined for both events to see how NDOT-MDSS handled the generation and timeline of snow. Finally, the last objective includes a comparison of snowfall accumulations produced by NDOT-MDSS for each event to other numerical weather models and forecasts made by the National Weather Service (NWS). A comparison of observed synoptic conditions and the output of NDOT-MDSS between the two different events are then undertaken briefly. This analysis helped in aiding NDOT with insight on the limitations, benefits, and overall effectiveness of the NDOT-MDSS. In both case studies, NDOT-MDSS had a good handle on each event but did present some biases. NDOT-MDSS rarely made any major errors. NDOT-MDSS may be able to be relied on for future winter weather events similar to the two case studies analyzed. Advisor: Mark R. Anderso