Efectos del aceite esencial de Eucalyptus globulus cargado en nanoemulsiones y en nanocápsulas en la reproducción de la garrapata bovina (Rhipicephalus microplus)

La infestación por garrapatas (Rhipicephalus microplus), genera importantes pérdidas en la producción bovina. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar si el aceite esencial de Eucalyptus globulus en diferentes nanosistemas (nanoemulsiones y nanocápsulas) es capaz de potenciar el efecto negativo sobre la reproducción de la garrapata, interfiriendo en su oviposición y eclosión de los huevos. Las hembras engordadas de R. microplus se obtuvieron de vacas naturalmente infestadas. En condiciones experimentales, estas hembras fueron sumergidas en soluciones de ensayo a concentraciones de 1, 5 y 10%, conteniendo aceite esencial puro de eucalipto; Y soluciones de la misma en nanocápsulas y nanoemulsiones, a concentraciones de 0,5, 1 y 5%. Las pruebas con aceite esencial de eucalipto puro, a concentraciones de 5 y 10%, mostraron 85 y 97,8% de eficacia, respectivamente. Sin embargo, el aceite encapsulado no fue capaz de potenciar el efecto carrapaticida, presentando 61,2% y 50% de eficacia (al 5%), utilizando nanoemulsiones y nanocápsulas. Por lo tanto, nuestros resultados nos permitieron concluir que el aceite esencial de E. globulus, en su forma pura, interfería negativamente en la reproducción de R. microplus; Sin embargo, las formas nanoestructuradas tenían baja eficacia.

Effects of feeding legume-grass pasture and different concentrate levels on fatty acid profile, volatile compounds, and off-flavor of the M. longissimus thoracis

Pasture-finished beef is becoming more popular among consumers due to concerns related to fatty acid content and sustainable practices. The effects of finishing crossbred steers on legume-grass pasture comprised of oats, ryegrass, and clover (PAST), legume-grass pasture plus whole corn grain (WCG) supplementation (SUPP), and only with WCG (GRAIN) on fatty acids profile, volatile compounds, sensory, and texture attributes were studied. Pasture diets (PAST and SUPP) led to lower n-6/n-3 ratio (P < 0.001), and highest deposition of C18:2 cis-9 trans-11 (P < 0.001) in the lean. Beef from steers fed GRAIN had the highest values of volatile compounds associated with lipid oxidation. Off-flavor intensity was significantly greater on beef from steers fed GRAIN when compared to PAST. Overall, muscles from steers finished on PAST and SUPP showed similar attributes but differ when compared to GRAIN. The presence of forage is essential to improve fatty acid profile, decrease volatile compounds associated with lipid oxidation, and minimize off-flavor.

F-18-FDG-PET bei Schilddrüsen-Autonomien

Ziel: Die Schilddrüsenautonomie im lodmangelgebiet beruht in der Mehrzahl der Fälle auf konstitutiven, funktionsaktivierenden Mutationen des Thyreotropin-(TSH-)Rezeptors. Diese Studie evaluiert F-18-Fluoro-Deoxy-Glukose-(F-18-FDG-)PET der Schilddrüse bei Patienten mit funktionell relevanter Autonomie der Schilddrüse. Methoden: 20 Patienten mit fokaler und 10 Patienten mit disseminierter Autonomie der Schilddrüse wurden am Tag vor geplanter Radioiod-Therapie mit FDG-PET untersucht. 20 Patienten mit Kopf/Halstumoren und normaler Schilddrüsenfunktion dienten als Kontrollgruppe. Ergebnisse: Die F-18-FDG-Aufnahme in die Schilddrüse war signifikant höher bei Patienten mit funktionell relevanter Autonomie im Vergleich zu den Kontrollen. Fokale Autonomien zeichneten sich ausnahmslos durch einen intensiven, fokal gesteigerten Glukose-Uptake aus, während disseminierte Autonomien ein variables Muster globaler Steigerungen des Glukose-Uptakes zeigten. Schlußfolgerung: Funktionelle Autonomien der Schilddrüse zeigen einen gleichzeitig gesteigerten Glukose- und lodstoffwechsel als Folge der konstitutiven Mutation des TSH-Rezeptors, wobei das Ausmaß beider Veränderungen positiv korreliert.

F-18-FDG-PET der Schilddrüse bei Morbus Basedow

Ziel: Diese Studie evaluiert F-18-Fluoro-Deoxy-Glukose (F-18-FDG) PET der Schilddrüse bei Patienten mit M. Basedow. Methoden: 30 Patienten wurden am Tag vor Radioiod-Therapie, 15 Patienten am 3.-1 O. Tag nach Radioiod-Therapie untersucht. 20 Patienten mit Kopf/Halstumoren und normaler Schilddrüsenfunktion dienten als Kontrollgruppe. Ergebnisse: Die F-18-FDG-Aufnahme in die Schilddrüse war signifikant höher bei Patienten mit M. Basedow im Vergleich zu den Kontrollen. Sie stieg mit höheren, antithyreoidalen Antikörpern und sank bei längerer 1-131-Halbwertzeit. Es bestand eine Korrelation einer reduzierten Gluko- se-Utilisation bei höherer absorbierter Schilddrüsendosis nach Radioiod-Therapie. Schlußfolgerung: Damit erscheint die F-18-FDG-PET- Untersuchung zur biologischen Aktivitätsbeurteilung des M. Basedow und Darstellung von frühen Strahleneffekten geeignet.

A step towards understanding the beneficial influence of a LIPON-based artificial SEI on silicon thin film anodes in lithium-ion batteries

In this work, we present a comprehensive study on the influence of lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LIPON) as a possible "artificial SEI layer" on the electrochemical performance of pure silicon (Si) thin film electrodes for a possible application in microbatteries or on-chip batteries. Si thin film anodes (140 nm) with and without an additional amorphous LIPON surface layer of different thicknesses (100-300 nm) were prepared by magnetron sputter deposition. The LIPON surface coating was characterized thoroughly by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. In situ electrochemical dilatometry and ex situ cross-section analysis of the electrodes after cycling could prove that the LIPON coating greatly diminishes the volume expansion of the Si electrode and, therefore, significantly improves the cycling stability and capacity retention. Furthermore, the LIPON coating remarkably reduces parasitic electrolyte decomposition reactions that originate from the Si volume expansion and contribute to the overall electrode volume expansion, as observed by the enhanced Coulombic efficiency over ongoing charge/discharge cycling. Overall, this article focuses on the preparation of optimized Si-based thin film electrodes in combination with LIPON solid electrolyte coatings for use in high-energy lithium ion batteries.

QRS Width as a Predictor of Right Ventricular Remodeling After Percutaneous Pulmonary Valve Implantation

Recent data showed a right ventricular dyssynchrony in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) has become an important procedure to treat a pulmonary stenosis and/or regurgitation of the right ventricular outflow tract in these patients. Despite providing good results, there is still a considerable number of nonresponders to PPVI. The authors speculated that electrical dysfunction of the right ventricle plays an underestimated role in the outcome of patients after PPVI. This study aimed to investigate the influence of right ventricular electrical dysfunction, i.e., right bundle branch block (RBBB) on the RV remodeling after PPVI. The study included consecutive patients after correction of TOF with or without RBBB, who had received a PPVI previously at the Heart Center of the University of Leipzig, Germany during the period from 2012 to 2015. 24 patients were included. Patients without RBBB, i.e., with narrow QRS complexes pre-intervention, had significantly better RV function and had smaller right ventricular volumes. Patients with pre-interventionally QRS width below 150 ms showed a post-interventional remodeling of the right ventricle with the decreasing RV volumes (p = 0.001). The parameters of LV function and volume as well as RV ejection fraction remained unaffected by RBBB. The presented data indicate that the QRS width seems to be a valuable parameter in the prediction of right ventricular remodeling after PPVI, as it represents both electrical and mechanical functions of the right ventricle and may serve as an additional parameter for optimal timing of a PPVI.