A moderate increase in dietary zinc reduces DNA strand breaks in leukocytes and alters plasma proteins without changing plasma zinc concentrations.

BackgroundFood fortification has been recommended to improve a population's micronutrient status. Biofortification techniques modestly elevate the zinc content of cereals, but few studies have reported a positive impact on functional indicators of zinc status.ObjectiveWe determined the impact of a modest increase in dietary zinc that was similar to that provided by biofortification programs on whole-body and cellular indicators of zinc status.DesignEighteen men participated in a 6-wk controlled consumption study of a low-zinc, rice-based diet. The diet contained 6 mg Zn/d for 2 wk and was followed by 10 mg Zn/d for 4 wk. To reduce zinc absorption, phytate was added to the diet during the initial period. Indicators of zinc homeostasis, including total absorbed zinc (TAZ), the exchangeable zinc pool (EZP), plasma and cellular zinc concentrations, zinc transporter gene expression, and other metabolic indicators (i.e., DNA damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress), were measured before and after each dietary-zinc period.ResultsTAZ increased with increased dietary zinc, but plasma zinc concentrations and EZP size were unchanged. Erythrocyte and leukocyte zinc concentrations and zinc transporter expressions were not altered. However, leukocyte DNA strand breaks decreased with increased dietary zinc, and the level of proteins involved in DNA repair and antioxidant and immune functions were restored after the dietary-zinc increase.ConclusionsA moderate 4-mg/d increase in dietary zinc, similar to that which would be expected from zinc-biofortified crops, improves zinc absorption but does not alter plasma zinc. The repair of DNA strand breaks improves, as do serum protein concentrations that are associated with the DNA repair process. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02861352

Exogenous Phytase Added to Lipid Based Nutrient Supplements Increases Fractional and Total Absorption of Zinc Among Young Gambian Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial (OR07-01-19).

Objectives: Dietary phytate inhibits zinc absorption from composite meals in adults. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of adding exogenous phytase to a small-quantity lipid based nutrient supplement (SQ-LNS) on zinc absorption among young children. Methods: In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, intra-individual differences in fractional and total absorption of zinc (FAZ and TAZ, respectively) from SQ-LNS with and without phytase were measured in 30 asymptomatic 18-23 month old children in the Kiang West district of The Gambia. Using a cross-over design, children received for one day each test meals of a millet-based porridge with 20 g SQ-LNS containing 8 mg zinc and either: 1) exogenous phytase (∼500 phytase units (FTU)) or 2) no exogenous phytase. The test meals were provided on consecutive days in randomized order. FAZ was measured using a dual-stable isotope tracer ratio technique with 67 Zn and 70 Zn as oral tracers, randomized independently of SQ-LNS product, and 68 Zn as the intravenous tracer. TAZ was calculated as the product of total dietary zinc (TDZ) intake from test meals (i.e., porridge, SQ-LNS and stable isotope) and FAZ. FAZ and TAZ were compared for meals with and without phytase using mixed-models ANOVA with product, study day, and oral isotope allocation as fixed effects and individual child as a random effect. Results: Twenty-six participants completed the study. The prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting were 20%, 30% and 13%, respectively; no children had low plasma zinc concentrations (< 65 μg/dL). TDZ and phytate intakes from the test meals were 7.2 ± 2.2 mg and 182.9 ± 64.7 mg, respectively (phytate: zinc molar ratio = 2.4 ± 0.2). Mean FAZ increased from 8.6 ± 1.3% to 16.0 ± 1.3% when exogenous phytase was added to the SQ-LNS product (P = 0.0002). Mean TAZ from porridge test meals containing SQ-LNS with phytase was more than double that from test meals containing SQ-LNS without phytase (1.12 ± 0.07 mg and 0.52 ± 0.07 mg, respectively; P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The addition of exogenous phytase to a meal of millet-based porridge with SQ-LNS improved both FAZ and TAZ. These results suggest that phytate reduction may be an important strategy to improve zinc absorption among young children. Funding Sources: Nutriset, SAS

Mobile Malware Propagation and Defense

Over recent years, mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, have become feature-rich computing devices with networking opportunities that often surpass those of traditional PCs. Moreover, the smartphone market alone is now bigger than the PC market and, consequently, we see an exponential growth in the amount of mobile malware developed. Compared to traditional malware, mobile malware exhibits unique properties which require extensive studies to effectively protect the user. This dissertation identifies propagation vectors of mobile malware and examines characteristics of its propagation along with the effectiveness of various defense strategies. I focus on the propagation of mobile malware when spread through direct pairwise communication mechanisms (e.g., Bluetooth). I evaluate, both theoretically and by simulation, the effect of user mobility on propagation, and find that malware can infect the entire susceptible population in days for a campus size area. Proximity malware propagation is "invisible" to the network operator and defending against it is particularly challenging. I explore three defense strategies that span the spectrum from simple local detection to a globally coordinated defense. I find that local proximity-based dissemination of signatures can limit malware propagation, while the globally coordinated strategies that rely upon infrastructure within the mobile operator network can be even more effective. Furthermore, I study the effect of user social behavior on malware propagation. In a particular area I identify frequent and transient visitors and compare propagation using either set or all devices. My analysis indicates that transient visitors, previously considered unimportant, play an important role in propagation. Because direct pair-wise device encounters significantly impact proximity malware propagation, I study the strengths and limitations of deploying static scanners for inferring such encounters that are difficult to observe. By comparing direct and "virtual"-scanner- inferred encounters, I indicate significant statistical differences between the two categories, and find that malware propagation appears slower using inferred compared to actual encounters. The results from our analyses give us a better understanding of the effect of different parameters in mobile malware propagation and defense against it. Our results also pinpoint limitations of using encounters inferred from static scanners for malware and, generally, any data disseminatio

Intracoronary transplantation of autologous adult bone marrow-derived stem cells:Initial experience with an infarction model in pigs

Ein akuter Myokardinfarkt (aMI) ist verantwortlich für die Schädigung der Herzmuskulatur und folglich für eine sehr hohe Morbidität und Mortalität weltweit. Die Transplantation von mononukleären autologen Knochenmarkzellen (MNCs) ist ein viel versprechender Ansatz für die Regeneration nach einem aMI. Ziel der Untersuchung war Etablierung von Infarktmodell am Minischwein, Optimierung der Markierung von MNCs, Bestimmung des optimalen Zeitpunktes und Zellartes für die Transplantation, sowie Verteilung der Zellen im Herzgewebe nach Transplantation. In 32 Minischweinen wurde ein aMI durch Verschluss des Ramus diagonalis 1 der RIVA mittels eines angioplastischen Ballons über 1 Stunde induziert. Zuvor wurden die Zellen aus dem Knochenmark gewonnen, in vitro kultiviert und mit Fluoreszenzfarbstoffen markiert. Nach 10 Minuten bzw. 10 Tagen Reperfusion wurden die Zellen (1 3 x 107 Zellen/Versuchstier) intrakoronar transplantiert (MNCs oder mesenchymale Stammzellen (MSCs)). Nach einer Stunde, 2 Tagen bzw. 2 Wochen wurde das Herzgewebe mikro- und makroskopisch untersucht. Die Induktion eines aMI mittels selektiver Kathetertechnik verlief bei allen Tieren erfolgreich. Die Zellen konnten in vitro erfolgreich mit den Fluoreszenzfarbstoffen CM-DiI und DAPI markiert und in vivo eindeutig identifiziert werden. Die Zellzahl nach Transplantation war während der 2 Wochen konstant. Eine frühe Zelltransplantation wies einen signifikanten Unterschied im Vergleich zu einer späten Transplantation auf. Der Einsatz von MSCs im Vergleich zu MNCs des Knochenmarkes wies keine signifikanten Unterschiede auf. Die überwiegend intravasale Lage der Zellen konnte bei allen Versuchen belegt werden

A Central-California Stalagmite Record of Hydroclimate Variability During the Holocene from White Moon Cave, CA

I present a precisely dated, high-resolution stable isotope (δ13C and δ18O) and trace element (Mg/Ca, Ba/Ca, Sr/Ca, Zn/Ca) record of mid-Holocene hydroclimate variability using a speleothem (WMC5) from White Moon Cave (WMC) in central California. Geochemical analyses of WMC5, which grew from ~8,000–5,900 cal. years BP, reveal a multi-centennial baseline drying trend from ~6400–5,900 cal. years BP. This trend is indicated by more positive δ¹³C and increases in Mg/Ca, Ba/Ca, and Sr/Ca, along with a decrease in Zn/Ca, suggesting the potential regional onset of the mid-Holocene Warm Period (MHWP), a globally expressed yet asynchronous event. Comparison with previously published stable isotope and trace element data from another WMC speleothem (WMC1) demonstrate that WMC5 proxies exhibit a positive offset and higher range of variability. These offsets, alongside weak correlations between WMC5 and WMC1 δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O during coeval growth, suggest complex controls on WMC proxies. Statistical comparison of WMC5 proxy records with coeval paleoclimate records from the western US reveals strong positive and moderate negative correlations with Nevada and Oregon speleothem proxy records, respectively; though, statistical comparison is constrained by the WMC5 record’s comparatively higher temporal resolution. Visual comparison shows that mid-Holocene drying at WMC ~6,400 cal. years BP overlaps warming and drying trends in coeval western US paleoclimate records and wetter conditions in a Pacific Northwest record. Future work extending WMC1 proxy record temporal coverage and resolution will elucidate regional hydroclimate volatility, variable hydroclimate expressions in WMC speleothems, and spatio-temporal dynamics of the MHWP as recorded at WMC

Effect of oral antiseptics on the human cells - an in-vitro-study

Ziel der Untersuchung war, den Effekt von oralen Antiseptika auf humane Fibroblasten und Epithelzellen in Abhängigkeit von der Einwirkzeit zu ermitteln. Fünf Mundspüllösungen wurden verwendet: Chlorhexamed 0,2%®, Listerine®, Meridol®, Betaisodona® und Octenidol®; in der Kontrolle keine Mundspüllösung. Die Zellen waren humane primäre Gingivafibroblasten (HFIB-G, Provitro) sowie humane primäre nasale Epithelzellen (HNEPC, Provitro). Die Zellen wurden in zellspezifischen Medien kultiviert (Ausgangszellzahl: 2x105/ml) und danach für jeweils 1, 5 und 15 Min. mit den Lösungen kontaminiert; anschließend erfolgte ein Auswaschen mit PBS-Lösung. Die Versuche wurden für jede Gruppe und Einwirkzeit 12-mal wiederholt. Folgende Parameter wurden bestimmt: Zelltoxizität (MTT-Test) und Zellzahl, Viabilität sowie Zelldurchmesser (Cellometer). Statistische Auswertung: Zweifaktorielle Varianzanalyse und anschließende Dunnett-Vergleiche sowie t-Test (Bonferroni-adjustiert). Für alle Messparameter war ein signifikanter Einfluss der Spüllösung sowie der Einwirkzeit auf beide Zellarten festzustellen (p0.005). Octenidol® zeigte bei der Fibroblastenzellzahl einen signifikant geringeren Einfluss gegenüber Chlorhexamed®, Meridol® und Listerine® bei 1 und 5 Min. Einwirkzeit (p0.005). Alle oralen Antiseptika zeigten einen negativen Effekt auf humane Fibroblasten und Epithelzellen. Bei der Zelltoxizität waren zwischen den Spüllösungen in Abhängigkeit von Einwirkzeit und Zelltyp keine Unterschiede festzustellen. Bei der Zellzahl, Zellviabilität und Zelldurchmesser hingegen zeigten Octenidol® und Betaisodona® einen geringeren negativen Effekt.Objectives: The aim was to investigate the effect of the oral antiseptics on metabolism, number of fibroblasts and epithelium cells, viability and cell diameter in relation to contact time. Methods: The following mouthrinses were used: Chlorhexamed® 0,2% (CHX), Listerine® (essential oils), Meridol® (AmF/ZnF), Octenidol®, Betaisodona® (PVP-Jod); control: medium only. The cells, human primary gingiva fibroblasts (HFIB-G, Provitro) and human primary nasal epithelium cells (HNEPC, Provitro), were cultivated in cell specific medium (initial cell number: 2x105/ml), than they were treated with the mouthrinses for 1, 5, and 15 min. Each test was carried out 12 times. Subsequently metabolism activity (MTT-test), cell number, viability and cell diameter (cell counter) were determined. Statistics: Two-way analysis of variance and subsequent Dunnett tests, additional t-tests (adjusted by the method of Bonferroni). Results: For all parameters a significant effect of the mouthrinse as well as the contact time in both cell lines was observed (p0.005). Regarding the number of fibroblasts the effect of Octenidol® was less compared to Chlorhexamed®, Meridol® and Listerine® after 1 and 5 min.; the difference was significant (p0.005), whereas the viability of the epithelium cells was less influenced by Octenidol® than by Chlorhexamed®, Meridol® and Listerine® (p<0.005). The diameter of the fibroblasts and the epithelium cells was also less influenced by Octenidol® than by Chlorhexamed®, Meridol® and Listerine® (p<0.005).Conclusions: All of the oral antiseptics showed a negative effect on metabolism activity of human fibroblasts and epithelium cells. However, regarding the number, the viability and the diameter of cells Octenidol® and Betaisodona® showed a less negative effect