Intelligent modeling of hydrogen sulfide solubility in various types of single and multicomponent solvents

This study aims to study the solubility of acid gas, i.e., hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in different solvents. Three intelligent approaches, including Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) and Radial Basis Function (RBF) were used to construct reliable models based on an extensive databank comprising 5148 measured samples from 54 published sources. The analyzed data cover 95 single and multicomponent solvents such as amines, ionic liquids, electrolytes, organics, etc., in broad pressure and temperature ranges. The proposed models require just three simple input variables, i.e., pressure, temperature and the equivalent molecular weight of solvent to determine the solubility. A competitive examination of the novel models implied that the GPR-based one gives the most appropriate estimations with excellent AARE, R² and RRMSE values of 4.73%, 99.75% and 4.83%, respectively for the tested data. The mentioned intelligent model also performed well in describing the physical behaviors of H₂S solubility at various operating conditions. Furthermore, analyzing the William's plot for the GPR-based model affirmed the high reliability of the analyzed databank, as the outlying data points comprise just 2.04% of entire data. In contrast to the literature models, the newly presented approaches proved to be applicable for different types of single and multicomponent H₂S absorbers with AAREs less than 7%. Eventually, a sensitivity analysis based on the GPR model reflected the fact that the solvent equivalent molecular weight is the most influential factor in controlling H₂S solubility.

Combined Exercise Training Positively Affects Muscle Wasting in Tumor-Bearing Mice

INTRODUCTION

Cancer cachexia is characterized by loss of muscle mass and function. Increased protein catabolism, inflammation, impaired anabolism, and mitochondrial function markedly contribute to the pathogenesis of this syndrome. Physical activity has been suggested as a useful tool to prevent or at least delay the onset and progression of cancer-induced muscle wasting. Two main types of exercise can be adopted, namely, resistance and endurance training. The present study is aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a combined (resistance + endurance) exercise protocol in preventing/reverting cancer-induced muscle wasting.

METHODS

Mice bearing the C26 colon carcinoma have been used as a model of cancer cachexia. They have been exposed to combined exercise training during 6 wk (4 before tumor implantation, 2 during tumor growth). Climbing a 1-m ladder inclined at 85° has been used for resistance training, while aerobic (endurance) exercise has been carried out on the same day using a motorized wheel.

RESULTS

In C26-bearing mice, both muscle mass and strength are improved by combined training, while just the latter increased in exercised healthy animals. Such a pattern is associated with modulations of two markers of autophagy, namely, LC3B-I/II ratio, increased in sedentary tumor hosts and reduced in exercised C26-bearing mice, and p62, steadily increased in both sedentary and trained tumor-bearing animals. Finally, combined training is not able to modify PGC-1α protein levels, but it improves succinate dehydrogenase activity, both reduced in the muscle of the C26 hosts.

CONCLUSION

The data reported in the present study show that combined training improves muscle mass and function in the C26 hosts, likely modulating autophagy and improving mitochondrial function; these observations suggest that combined exercise might become part of a multimodal approach to treat cancer cachexia.

Moderate exercise in mice improves cancer plus chemotherapy-induced muscle wasting and mitochondrial alterations

Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by anorexia, body wasting, and muscle and adipose tissue loss, impairing patient's tolerance to anticancer treatments and survival. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects induced in mice by tumor growth alone (C26) or in combination with chemotherapy [C26 oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil (oxfu)] and to evaluate the potential of moderate exercise. Oxfu administration to C26 mice exacerbated muscle wasting and triggered autophagy or mitophagy, decreased protein synthesis, and induced mitochondrial alterations. Exercise in C26 oxfu mice counteracted the loss of muscle mass and strength, partially rescuing autophagy and mitochondrial function. Nevertheless, exercise worsened survival in C26 oxfu mice in late stages of cachexia. In summary, chemotherapy further impinges on cancer-induced alterations, worsening muscle wasting. An ideal multifactorial and early intervention to prevent cancer cachexia could take advantage of exercise, improving patient's energy metabolism, mobility, and quality of life.-Ballarò, R., Beltrà, M., De Lucia, S., Pin, F., Ranjbar, K., Hulmi, J. J., Costelli, P., Penna, F. Moderate exercise in mice improves cancer plus chemotherapy-induced muscle wasting and mitochondrial alterations.

The impact of rapid weight loss on the leptin, adiponectin levels, and insulinresistance among adult free style wrestlers

AIM

Recent studies, shows the effective role of adipose tissue as an active endocrine organ. Leptin level increases in obese bodies while adiponectin as an antirisk factor reduction that contributes to decrease insulin resistance and anthropometric profiles. Hence, expected to the negative effects of weight loss on wrestlers' physiological function; leptin and adiponectin behaviors and insulin resistance in young wrestlers during their rapid weight loss program were examined.

METHODS

Fifteen young (23±1 yr) freestyle wrestlers with (weight 67.6±0.8 kg, BMI 22.5±0.2 kg/m²) in two (60 and 66 kg) weight categories were selected randomly. Caloric intake and anthropometric characteristics measured by standard methods. The leptin and adiponectin hormones and insulin resistance index were measured by sandwich and HOMA-IR methods respectively. Wrestlers performed a week rapid weight loss Protocol (average of 4% of body weight loss) under the supervision of their coach. Eventually, selected factors were measured after 12 and 24 hours of recovery, again.

RESULTS

The rapid weight loss (4%) program had a significantly reduced impact on anthropometric factors; leptin level, insulin resistance, and increased beta cell function, while the changes of adiponectin were not significant after weight loss.

CONCLUSION

Findings of this study shows that dramatic decrease in anthropometric factors follow the weight loss program that having a significant decrease on leptin, L/A ratio and HOMA-IR, without significant changes in adiponectin levels. These changes may have harmful physiological effects on wrestlers' bodies but they can be useful to regulate of fatty acid, glucose metabolism, and insulin resistance.