Impairment of methylglyoxal detoxification systems causes mitochondrial dysfunction and schizophrenia-like behavioral deficits

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a cytotoxic α-dicarbonyl byproduct of glycolysis. Our bodies have several bio-defense systems to detoxify MG, including an enzymatic system by glyoxalase (GLO) 1 and a scavenge system by vitamin B6 (VB6). We know a population of patients with schizophrenia impaired MG detoxification systems. However, the molecular mechanism connecting them remains poorly understood. We created a novel mouse model for MG detoxification deficits by feeding Glo1 knockout mice VB6-lacking diets (KO/VB6(-)) and evaluated the effects of impaired MG detoxification systems on brain function. KO/VB6(-) mice accumulated MG in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus, and striatum, and displayed schizophrenia-like behavioral deficits. Furthermore, we found aberrant gene expression related to mitochondria function in the PFC of the KO/VB6(-) mice. We demonstrated respiratory deficits in mitochondria isolated from the PFC of KO/VB6(-) mice. These findings suggest that MG detoxification deficits might cause schizophrenia-like behavioral deficits via mitochondrial dysfunction in the PFC.

Experimental Study on Two-Phase Flows in Scavenge Pump for Aircraft Engine Oil System

This work is the continuation of previous studies on gerotor-type pump performance in turbofan engine oil systems operated as feed pumps in single-phase liquid oil. The focus here is on scavenge pumps whose role is to pump a mix of air and oil. This paper is intended to present the modifications that had to be made on the test rig from the previous studies to model a scavenge system and more generally to add two-phase flow capacity. The paper presents results from the first successful experimental test campaign. The aim is to characterize the performance of a typical pump, already tested as a feed pump, in the scavenge system. The critical performance parameter studied is the volumetric efficiency which determines the size and weight of the pump. This paper ends by drawing conclusions on the rig and the results, and linking them with the previous single-phase flows studies.