Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preparation and characterization of flexible and elastic porous tubular PTMC scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering

Vascular grafts with an inner diameter less than 6 mm are urgently needed due to the increasing prevalence of vascular disease. In this study, tubular scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering were fabricated by photo-crosslinking of acrylate-functionalized poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) macromers of different molecular weights in a glass mold. Porous structures were prepared by means of salt leaching. Tubular scaffolds were obtained with an inner diameter of 3 mm, a wall thickness of 1 mm, and a length of 4.5 cm. Pore sizes ranged from 0 to 290 µm, and the porosity was around 70%. The pores were homogeneously distributed and interconnected. PTMC macromers with a molecular weight of 4, 8, 13, 17, and 22 kg/mol were used. With increasing PTMC macromer molecular weight from 4 to 22 kg/mol, the E-modulus and maximum tensile strength of the scaffolds in the radial direction increased from 0.56 to 1.12 MPa and 0.12 to 0.55 MPa, respectively. Stress–strain curves for scaffolds made of 13, 17, and 22 kg/mol PTMC macromers showed a “toe” region characteristic for native arteries, followed by a linear increase until the maximum stress was reached. The E-moduli of the latter scaffolds are comparable to those of native arteries, whereas the maximum tensile strengths are approximately fourfold lower. This can be improved, however, by cell seeding in the porous scaffolds and subsequent mechanical stimulation in a bioreactor. It is concluded that the porous tubular scaffolds made of 13, 17, and 22 kg/mol PTMC macromers are suitable scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering
Sequential gating in the human heart K+ channel Kv1.5 incorporates Q 1 and Q 2 charge components.

On-gating current from the Kv1.5 cardiac delayed rectifier K+ channel expressed in HEK-293 cells was separated into two distinct charge systems, Q 1 and Q 2, obtained from double Boltzmann fits to the charge-voltage relationship. Q 1 and Q 2 had characteristic voltage dependence and sensitivity with half-activation potentials of -29.6 ± 1.6 and -2.19 ± 2.09 mV and effective valences of 1.87 ± 0.15 and 5.53 ± 0.27 e -, respectively. The contribution to total gating charge was 0.20 ± 0.04 for Q 1 and 0.80 ± 0.04 ( n = 5) for Q 2. At intermediate depolarizations, heteromorphic gating current waveforms resulted from relatively equal contributions from Q 1 and Q 2, but with widely different kinetics. Prepulses to -20 mV moved only Q 1, simplified on-gating currents, and allowed rapid Q 2 movement. Voltage-dependent on-gating current recovery in the presence of 4-aminopyridine (1 mM) suggested a sequentially coupled movement of the two charge systems during channel activation. This allowed the construction of a linear five-state model of Q 1 and Q 2 gating charge movement, which predicted experimental on-gating currents over a wide potential range. Such models are useful in determining state-dependent mechanisms of open and closed channel block of cardiac K+ channels.
A deficit of detoxification enzymes: pesticide sensitivity and environmental response in the honeybee

The honeybee genome has substantially fewer protein coding genes (≈ 11 000 genes) than Drosophila melanogaster (≈ 13 500) and Anopheles gambiae (≈ 14 000). Some of the most marked differences occur in three superfamilies encoding xenobiotic detoxifying enzymes. Specifically there are only about half as many glutathione‐S‐transferases (GSTs), cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) and carboxyl/cholinesterases (CCEs) in the honeybee. This includes 10‐fold or greater shortfalls in the numbers of Delta and Epsilon GSTs and CYP4 P450s, members of which clades have been recurrently associated with insecticide resistance in other species. These shortfalls may contribute to the sensitivity of the honeybee to insecticides. On the other hand there are some recent radiations in CYP6, CYP9 and certain CCE clades in A. mellifera that could be associated with the evolution of the hormonal and chemosensory processes underpinning its highly organized eusociality.
Placenta accreta: diagnosis, management and the molecular biology of the morbidly adherent placenta

Abstract Placenta accreta is now the chief cause of postpartum hemorrhage resulting in maternal and neonatal morbidity. Prenatal diagnosis decreases blood loss at delivery and intra and post-partum complications. Ultrasound is critical for diagnosis and MRI is a complementary tool when the diagnosis is uncertain. Peripartum hysterectomy has been the standard of therapy but conservative management is increasingly being used. The etiology of accreta is due to a deficiency of maternal decidua resulting in placental invasion into the uterine myometrium. The molecular basis for the development of invasive placentation is yet to be elucidated but may involve abnormal paracrine/autocrine signaling between the deficient maternal decidua and the trophoblastic tissue. The interaction of hormones such as Relaxin which is abundant in maternal decidua and insulin-like 4, an insulin-like peptide found in placental trophoblastic tissue may play role in the formation of placenta accreta.
Genetic variants in the promoter region of the calcium‐sensing receptor gene are associated with its down‐regulation in neuroblastic tumors

We have previously reported that the calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) is expressed in benign, differentiated neuroblastic tumors, and epigenetically silenced in undifferentiated, malignant cases. Furthermore, cinacalcet, an allosteric activator of the CaSR, reduces neuroblastoma tumor growth in preclinical models. However, to identify patients that might benefit from this treatment, a complete understanding of mechanisms governing CaSR expression in these tumors would be required. We have now analyzed two polymorphisms in the promoter region of the CASR gene (rs7652589 and rs1501899) by allelic discrimination in neuroblastoma patients and cell lines. Association of genotypes and haplotypes with CaSR mRNA levels and CASR promoter P2 methylation status was determined. Data presented show that minor alleles rs7652589 and rs1501899, present either in homo‐ or heterozygosis, were correlated with reduced CaSR mRNA levels in matching primary tumors and this association was independent of CASR promoter P2 hypermethylation. Haplotype AA was independently associated with reduced CaSR expression after adjusting by promoter P2 methylation status. These polymorphisms were identified in some ganglioneuromas in which CaSR expression is low despite exhibiting a high degree of differentiation. Furthermore, homozygous variants rs7652589 and rs1501899 were detected in SH‐SY5Y cells, which are devoid of CaSR expression in the absence of hypermethylation of CASR promoter P2. In summary, minor alleles rs7652589 and rs1501899 are associated with reduced CaSR expression in neuroblastic tumors and neuroblastoma cell lines in which the CASR gene promoter P2 is not hypermethylated. Therefore, they potentially represent an additional mechanism of CASR transcriptional regulation in this group of developmental malignancies. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Natural rheological modifiers for personal care

The development of personal care formulations incorporates the deliberation of the prerequisite product rheology and the right rheology modifier to deliver these effects. While the effectiveness of the finished product will hinge on the selection and level of active ingredients and excipients, the esthetics and even the penetration of these actives into the stratum corneum will be affected by the product rheology. Rheology modifiers are frequently denoted as thickeners, and while increasing the apparent viscosity should enhance the perception of quality in a formulation, this is only one aspect of rheological control. The product itself can be Newtonian or pseudoplastic, thixotropic, existing as a ringing gel or a stringy flowable liquid. This changes the way that the product appears in the bottle, the ease with which aliquots are poured or scooped from the packaging, the process of rubbing it into the skin or along the hair shaft, and upon using, the rinsing and removal of the product. It will also be vital to select the correct rheological characteristics to guarantee the stability of the finished formulation. By changing the structure of polymeric rheology modifiers, the impact on the sensorial properties and performance characteristics can be investigated. Careful selection of monomers, structure and other co-ingredients will result in products optimized for use in skin care formulations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal carotenoid status modifies the incorporation of dietary carotenoids into immune tissues of growing chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus).

Carotenoids provide pigmentation to avian species, and also have immunomodulatory potential, although experimental results are often inconsistent. Therefore, dietary carotenoid deposition into immune tissue of growing chicks was examined in relation to their maternal carotenoid status (i.e., yolk carotenoid level). Single-comb white leghorn chicks were hatched from carotenoid-replete (C+) or carotenoid-deplete (C-) eggs. For 4 wk posthatch, chicks were fed diets whose carotenoid level ranged from 0 to 38 mg total carotenoid/kg. Carotenoid additions consisted of lutein + canthaxanthin at a ratio of 4:1. After 4 wk, the carotenoid concentration of thymus, bursa, liver, plasma and shank epithelium was measured by HPLC. Egg yolk-derived carotenoids were detectable in chicks fed 0 dietary carotenoids for 4 wk. Chicks hatched from C+ eggs had significantly greater tissue lutein, zeaxanthin and/or canthaxanthin for all tissues (P < 0.05), compared to chicks hatched from C- eggs. Only bursa carotenoids were not dependent on chick diet (P = 0.24); for all other tissues, C+ chicks incorporated dietary carotenoids in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01), whereas C- chicks never achieved the same level of carotenoid incorporation. This study demonstrated the importance of maternal carotenoid status on incorporation of yolk- and diet-derived tissue carotenoids in an avian model, and may explain some variability in carotenoid-based research, given that maternal carotenoid status is rarely controlled.
Meta-analysis of resting metabolic rate in formerly obese subjects.

BACKGROUND A low resting metabolic rate (RMR) for a given body size and composition is partly genetically determined and has been suggested to be a risk factor for weight gain. Moreover, a low relative RMR has been reported in some, but not all, studies of formerly obese persons. The inconsistent reports may be due to a lack of statistical power to detect small differences in RMR and improper adjustment for body size and composition. OBJECTIVE We conducted a meta-analysis based on published studies of RMR in formerly obese persons [body mass index (in kg/m2) < or = 27] and matched control subjects who had never been obese. DESIGN We performed both an individual subject data meta-analysis and a traditional meta-analysis. RESULTS The individual subject data meta-analysis included 124 formerly obese and 121 control subjects. RMR adjusted for differences in fat-free mass and fat mass was 2.9% lower in formerly obese subjects than in control subjects (P = 0.09). A low relative RMR (> 1 SD below the mean of the control group) was found in 3.3% of the control subjects and in 15.3% of the formerly obese subjects [difference: 12% (95% CI: 4.7%, 19.3%); P < 0.003]. The traditional meta-analysis was based on 12 studies (including 94 formerly obese and 99 control subjects) and included 3 studies not represented in the individual subject data analysis. In this analysis, relative RMR was lower in the formerly obese group than in the control group by 5.1% (95% CI: 1.7%, 8.6%). CONCLUSIONS Formerly obese subjects had a 3-5% lower mean relative RMR than control subjects; the difference could be explained by a low RMR being more frequent among the formerly obese subjects than among the control subjects. Whether the cause of the low RMR is genetic or acquired, the existence of a low RMR is likely to contribute to the high rate of weight regain in formerly obese persons.
Birth weight predicts response to vaccination in adults born in an urban slum in Lahore, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND Substantial evidence exists linking small size at birth to later-life susceptibility to chronic disease. Evidence is also emerging that some components of immune function may be programmed in early life. However, this evidence is limited and requires confirmation. OBJECTIVE We investigated the association between size at birth and response to vaccination in a cohort of 257 adults (mean age: 29.4 y; 146 men) born in an urban slum in Lahore, Pakistan, during 1964-1978. DESIGN A single dose of Vi polysaccharide vaccine for Salmonella typhi and 2 doses of rabies vaccine were given to each subject. Antibody titers were measured in prevaccination serum samples (Vi) and in postvaccination samples (Vi and rabies). RESULTS The mean birth weight of the subjects was 3.24 kg; 14% of the subjects had low birth weights (<2.5 kg). Vaccine responses were not consistently associated with contemporary variables (month of study, sex, current age, or indicators of wealth). Response to typhoid vaccination was positively related to birth weight (anti-Vi immunoglobulin G: r = 0.138, P = 0.031; anti-Vi immunoglobulin M: r = 0.197, P = 0.034). Response to the rabies vaccine was not significantly associated with birth weight. CONCLUSIONS These findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that components of the immune system may be permanently programmed by events in early life. The contrasting effects on typhoid and rabies responses suggest that antibody generation to polysaccharide antigens, which have greater B cell involvement, is compromised by fetal growth retardation.
A prospective study of carotenoid intake and risk of cataract extraction in US men.

BACKGROUND Dietary antioxidants, including carotenoids, are hypothesized to decrease the risk of age-related cataracts by preventing oxidation of proteins or lipids within the lens. However, prospective epidemiologic data concerning this phenomenon are limited. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to examine prospectively the association between carotenoid and vitamin A intakes and cataract extraction in men. DESIGN US male health professionals (n = 36644) who were 45-75 y of age in 1986 were included in this prospective cohort study. Others were subsequently included as they became 45 y of age. A detailed dietary questionnaire was used to assess intake of carotenoids and other nutrients. During 8 y of follow-up, 840 cases of senile cataract extraction were documented. RESULTS We observed a modestly lower risk of cataract extraction in men with higher intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin but not of other carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, and beta-cryptoxanthin) or vitamin A after other potential risk factors, including age and smoking, were controlled for. Men in the highest fifth of lutein and zeaxanthin intake had a 19% lower risk of cataract relative to men in the lowest fifth (relative risk: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.65, 1.01; P for trend = 0.03). Among specific foods high in carotenoids, broccoli and spinach were most consistently associated with a lower risk of cataract. CONCLUSIONS Lutein and zeaxanthin may decrease the risk of cataracts severe enough to require extraction, although this relation appears modest in magnitude. The present findings add support for recommendations to consume vegetables and fruit high in carotenoids daily.
Psychometric properties of the Oswestry Disability Index

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) in a large cross-sectional cohort of individuals with chronic low back pain by defining its internal consistency, construct structure and validity, and its ability to differentiate between different degrees of functional limitation. A total of 837 consecutive outpatient patients with low back pain were studied. The internal consistency of ODI was assessed by Cronbach's &agr;, construct structure by exploratory factor analysis, construct validity by confirmatory factor analysis, and discrimination was determined by item response theory analysis. The ODI showed good internal consistency (&agr;=0.85). Explanatory factor analysis showed that ODI is a unidimensional test measuring functional level and nothing else. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the standardized regression weights of all ODI items were relatively high, varying from 0.5 to 0.7. The item response theory analysis suggested that eight out of 10 ODI items have a close to perfect ability to measure functional limitations in accordance with the actual severity of disability experienced by the respondents. Discrimination of all the items was high to perfect (1.08–2.01). The test characteristic and test information curves showed that the discriminative ability of the ODI is superior at higher levels of disability. The present data showed that the ODI is an internally consistent, unidimensional scale with overall excellent construct validity and ability to discriminate the severity of functional disability. The analysis suggests that the ODI may better distinguish between the relative degrees of function at above-average disability levels.
Impaired lusitropy-frequency in the aging mouse: role of Ca2+-handling proteins and effects of isoproterenol.

We examined the relationship between age-associated lusitropic impairment, heart rate, and Ca2+-handling proteins and assessed the efficacy of increasing left ventricular (LV) relaxation via β-adrenergic stimulation in adult and aging mouse hearts. LV function was measured in isolated, isovolumic blood-perfused hearts from adult (5 mo), old (24 mo), and senescent (34 mo) mice. Hearts were paced from 5 to 10 Hz, returned to 7 Hz, exposed to 10-6 M isoproterenol, and paced again from 7 to 10 Hz. Age-related alterations in Na+/Ca2+exchanger (NCX), sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a), and phospholamban (PLB) levels were assessed by immunoblot. Despite preserved contractile performance, aging caused impaired lusitropy. Increased pacing caused an elevation in end-diastolic pressure that progressively worsened with age. The time constant of isovolumic pressure decay (τ) was significantly prolonged in old and senescent hearts compared with adults. Relative to adult hearts, the SERCA2a-to-PLB ratios were reduced 68 and 69%, and NCX were reduced 37 and 58% in old and senescent hearts, respectively. Isoproterenol completely reversed the age-associated lusitropic impairments. These data suggest that impaired lusitropy in aging mouse hearts is related to a decreased rate of cytosolic Ca2+ removal and that accelerating SR Ca2+ resequestration via β-adrenergic stimulation can reverse this impairment.
Microbial degradation products influence colon cancer risk: the butyrate controversy.

All dietary fiber, by definition, escapes digestion in the small intestine and thus arrives relatively intact in the large intestine. Its fate in the large intestine depends upon the type of fiber and the colonic microflora. Highly fermentable fibers result in short chain fatty acids including butyrate, which is thought by some to be protective against colon cancer. However, not all studies support a chemopreventive effect for butyrate and the lack of agreement (particularly between in vivo and in vitro studies) on butyrate and colon cancer has been termed the "butyrate paradox. " There are a number of reasons for this discrepant effect including differences between the in vitro and in vivo environments, the timing of butyrate administration, the amount of butyrate administered, the source of butyrate (usually dietary fiber) as a potential confounder, and an interaction with dietary fat. Collectively, the studies suggest that the chemopreventive benefits of butyrate depend in part on amount, time of exposure with respect to the tumorigenic process, and the type of fat in the diet.
Self-Healing Polymer Composites: Prospects, Challenges, and Applications

ABSTRACT Self-healing polymer composites possess the inherent ability to heal the damage event autonomically or non-autonomically with external intervention. These advanced materials can be commercialized if the challenges and limitations of different self-healing mechanisms are well known and considered. These include capsule-based healing systems, vascular healing systems, and intrinsic healing systems. To date, most of the reviews have studied and reported on different self-healing mechanisms including their response to impact, fatigue, and corrosion tests. This review focuses mostly on extrinsic and intrinsic self-healing polymer composites which have been reported during the past five years by comparing their healing efficiency, advantages, and challenges in the prospect of their future development as well as their possible applications across various industries such as aerospace, automobile, coating, electronics, energy, etc.
Effects of endothelin on spontaneous contractions in lymph vessels.

A mode of action of endothelin (ET) on spontaneous contractions was investigated in ring preparations of isolated bovine mesenteric lymphatics. ET-1 at concentrations between 10-10 and 10-9 M caused a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of spontaneous contractions. The specific ETA-receptor antagonist BQ-123 (5 × 10-7 M) caused a significant inhibition of the ET-1-induced positive chronotropic effect in the ring preparations with and without the endothelium. Mechanical denudation of the lymphatic endothelial cells produced a significant potentiation of the ET-induced positive chronotropic effect. BQ-3020 (10-8-10-7M), a selective ETB-receptor agonist, induced dose dependently negative chronotropic and inotropic effects on the spontaneous contractions in the ring preparations with intact endothelium. Mechanical removal of the endothelium caused a significant reduction of the BQ-3020-induced negative chronotropic and inotropic effects. The ET-1-induced positive chronotropic effect was potentiated by pretreatment with N ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) (10-5 M) but unaffected by aspirin (10-5 M). Additional treatment with l-arginine (10-4 M) completely reversed the l-NAME-mediated potentiation of the ET-induced chronotropic effect. These results suggest that stimulation of ETA receptors on the lymphatic smooth muscles causes a positive chronotropic effect on the spontaneous contractions, and stimulation of ETB receptors on the lymphatic endothelial cells induces a release of nitric oxide, which results in the chronotropic and inotropic effects on spontaneous contractions in isolated bovine mesenteric lymphatics.