ABSTRACT
During adipogenesis, preadipocytes' cytoskeleton reorganizes in parallel with lipid accumulation. Failure to do so may impact the ability of adipose tissue (AT) to shift between lipid ...storage and mobilization. Here, we identify cytoskeletal transgelin 2 (TAGLN2) as a protein expressed in AT and associated with obesity and inflammation, being normalized upon weight loss. TAGLN2 was primarily found in the adipose stromovascular cell fraction, but inflammation, TGF‐β, and estradiol also prompted increased expression in human adipocytes. Tagln2 knockdown revealed a key functional role, being required for proliferation and differentiation of fat cells, whereas transgenic mice overexpressing Tagln2 using the adipocyte protein 2 promoter disclosed remarkable sex‐dependent variations, in which females displayed “healthy” obesity and hypertrophied adipocytes but preserved insulin sensitivity, and males exhibited physiologic changes suggestive of defective AT expandability, including increased number of small adipocytes, activation of immune cells, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired metabolism together with decreased insulin sensitivity. The metabolic relevance and sexual dimorphism of TAGLN2 was also outlined by genetic variants that may modulate its expression and are associated with obesity and the risk of ischemic heart disease in men. Collectively, current findings highlight the contribution of cytoskeletal TAGLN2 to the obese phenotype in a gender‐dependent manner.—Ortega, F. J., Moreno‐Navarrete, J. M., Mercader, J. M., Gómez‐Serrano, M., García‐Santos, E., Latorre, J., Lluch, A., Sabater, M., Caballano‐Infantes, E., Guzmán, R., Macías‐González, M., Buxo, M., Gironés, J., Vilallonga, R., Naon, D., Botas, P., Delgado, E., Corella, D., Burcelin, R., Frühbeck, G., Ricart, W., Simó, R., Castrillon‐Rodríguez, I., Tinahones, F. J., Bosch, F., Vidal‐Puig, A., Malagón, M. M., Peral, B., Zorzano, A., Fernández‐Real, J. M. Cytoskeletal transgelin 2 contributes to gender‐dependent adipose tissue expandability and immune function. FASEB J. 33, 9656–9671 (2019). www.fasebj.org
We present a slot-waveguide-based ring resonator in silicon on insulator (SOI) with a footprint of only 13 mum times 10 mum, fabricated with optical lithography. Experiments show that it has 298 ...nm/RIU sensitivity and a detection limit of 4.2middot10 -5 RIU for changes in the refractive index of the top cladding. We prove for the first time that surface chemistry for selective label-free sensing of proteins can be applied inside a 100 nm-wide slot region and demonstrate that the application of a slot waveguide instead of a normal waveguide increases the sensitivity of an SOI ring resonator with a factor 3.5 for the detection of proteins.
Natural fillers composed of cellulose, lignin and fillers with a varying lignin/cellulose ratio (flax, jute, curauà fibers and miscanthus stem fragments) were used to prepare composites with ...polypropylene using the same procedure, with or without a maleic anhydride–grafted polypropylene (MA-g-PP) coupling agent. A clear acceleration of the crystallization kinetics was observed in the presence of miscanthus stem fragments. For non-coupled composites, the size and aspect ratio of fragments had no significant influence onto the crystallization kinetics of polypropylene. The presence of the MA-g-PP coupling agent increased even more the kinetics. A clear effect of the nature of the polymers present in the filler was observed. There is a direct relationship between the values of the Avrami kinetic constant k for the six fillers and their lignin content, the more effective to enhance crystallization kinetics being pure cellulose. Lignin has no effect onto the crystallization kinetics of polypropylene.
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•Avrami kinetic constant k is related to the biochemical composition of the filler.•Transcrystallization occurs at the surface of some fillers.•Agreement between n values (DSC) and crystalline morphology (optical microscopy).
Application of hydrogels in tissue engineering and innovative strategies such as organ printing, which is based on layered 3D deposition of cell-laden hydrogels, requires design of novel hydrogel ...matrices. Hydrogel demands for 3D printing include: 1) preservation of the printed shape after the deposition; 2) maintaining cell viability and cell function and 3) easy handling of the printed construct. In this study we analyze the applicability of a novel, photosensitive hydrogel (Lutrol) for printing of 3D structured bone grafts. We benefit from the fast temperature-responsive gelation ability of thermosensitive Lutrol-F127, ensuring organized 3D extrusion, and the additional stability provided by covalent photocrosslinking allows handling of the printed scaffolds. We studied the cytotoxicity of the hydrogel and osteogenic differentiation of embedded osteogenic progenitor cells. After photopolymerization of the modified Lutrol hydrogel, cells remain viable for up to three weeks and retain the ability to differentiate. Encapsulation of cells does not compromise the mechanical properties of the formed gels and multilayered porous Lutrol structures were successfully printed.
Two of the drawbacks of using natural-based composites in industrial applications are thermal instability and water uptake capacity. In this work, mechanical wood pulp was used to reinforce ...polypropylene at a level of 20 to 50 wt. %. Composites were mixed by means of a Brabender internal mixer for both non-coupled and coupled formulations. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to determine the thermal properties of the composites. The water uptake behavior was evaluated by immersion of the composites in water until an equilibrium state was reached. Results of water absorption tests revealed that the amount of water absorption was clearly dependent upon the fiber content. The coupled composites showed lower water absorption compared to the uncoupled composites. The incorporation of mechanical wood pulp into the polypropylene matrix produced a clear nucleating effect by increasing the crystallinity degree of the polymer and also increasing the temperature of polymer degradation. The maximum degradation temperature for stone ground wood pulp–reinforced composites was in the range of 330 to 345 ºC
Purpose
Laparoscopy is the standard technique for resecting adrenal tumors worldwide. The main drawbacks of conventional 2D laparoscopy are limited depth perception and tactile feedback. Currently ...available high-quality 3D laparoscopy systems might improve surgical outcomes for adrenalectomy
.
We compare the safety and efficacy of 3D versus 2D laparoscopy in the treatment of adrenal tumors.
Methods
This case-control study analyzed prospectively collected data from patients with benign or malignant adrenal tumors treated laparoscopically at a single academic medical center between April 2003 and March 2020. We collected demographic, diagnostic, preoperative, and operative variables, and used multiple linear and logistic regression to analyze differences in various short-term outcomes between the two approaches while adjusting for potential confounders.
Results
We included 150 patients: 128 with benign tumors and 22 with malignant tumors; 95 treated with 3D laparoscopy (case group); and 55 with 2D laparoscopy (control group). After adjustment for patient, surgical, and tumor characteristics, a 2D vision was associated with a longer operative time (
β
= 0.26,
p
= 0.002) and greater blood loss (
β
= 0.20,
p
= 0.047). There was no significant difference in rates of conversion to open surgery (odds ratio OR = 1.47 (95% CI 0.90–22.31);
p
= 0.549) or complications (3.6% vs. 2.1%;
p
= 0.624).
Conclusions
With experienced surgeons, laparoscopic adrenalectomy was safer and more feasible with the 3D system than with the 2D system, resulting in less operative blood loss and shorter operative time with no differences in rates of conversion to open surgery or postoperative complications. For adrenal tumors, 3D laparoscopy offers advantages over 2D laparoscopy.
A major drawback of natural-based composites is the incorporation of reinforcements that are less thermally stable than the matrix; therefore, the thermal properties of the resultant composite ...material needs to be studied. In this work, orange wood fibers were used to reinforce polypropylene. The effects on the thermal properties of the polymeric matrix were analyzed. To this end, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA), thermomechanical analysis (TMA), and dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA) were performed. It was found that the degradation of the material took place in two distinct phases: the reinforcement, close to 250 degrees C, and the matrix, above 340 degrees C. DSC results showed that fiber reinforcement did not influence the transition temperatures of the materials, although it did affect the polymer crystallinity value, increasing by 7% when the composite is reinforced with 50% of the lignocellulosic reinforcement. The coefficient of expansion obtained by TMA indicated that thermal expansion decreased as the amount of reinforcement increased. DMA assays showed that the reinforcement did not modify the glass transition (20 to 25 degrees C) temperature and confirmed that the addition of reinforcement increased the crystallinity of the product
The authors are grateful for the support of the EMCI - Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (MICINN) for funding the research by the specific Research Program CTQ2010-21660-C03-03
Pluronic® F127 is a biocompatible, injectable, and thermoresponsive polymer with promising biomedical applications. In this study, a chemically modified form, i.e., Pluronic ALA-L with tailored ...degradation rate, was tested as an encapsulation vehicle for osteoblastic cells. UV cross-linking of the modified polymer results in a stable hydrogel with a slower degradation rate. Toxicological screening showed no adverse effects of the modified Pluronic ALA-L on the cell viability. Moreover, high viability of embedded cells in the cross-linked Pluronic ALA-L was observed with life/death fluorescent staining during a 7-day-culture period. Cells were also cultured on macroporous, cross-linked gelatin microbeads, called CultiSpher-S® carriers, and encapsulated into the modified cross-linked hydrogel. Also, in this situation, good cell proliferation and migration could be observed in vitro. Preliminary in vivo tests have shown the formation of new bone starting from the injected pre-loaded CultiSpher-S® carriers.
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