: Studies of fracture repair have revealed that paracrine endothelial–mesenchymal interactions direct bone formation that restores osseous integrity. Angiogenic growth factors and specific members ...of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family mediate these interactions. Recently, these same signals have been shown to be critical in the vascular pathobiology of hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. In the arterial vasculature, mechanical and inflammatory redox signals, characteristic of hypertension and diabetes have emerged as a secretagogues for BMP production—with downstream activation of endothelial NADPH oxidases (Nox). Preliminary data now indicate that the paracrine signals provided by BMP and reactive oxygen species augment aortic myofibroblast Msx2–Wnt signaling and matrix turnover. The net mural response to these stimuli promotes osteogenic differentiation of calcifying vascular cells, moreover, oxidation of vascular LDL cholesterol generates oxysterols that trigger Runx2 activity via hedgehog pathways. Thus, BMP, Wnt, and hedgehog gene expression programs—osteogenic pathways highly familiar to the bone biologist—are elaborated in the arterial vasculature via redox‐regulated mechanisms. In the brief review, we recount mounting evidence that points to oxidative stress as a major contributor to the pathobiology of diabetic arterial calcification.
Polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles (NPs) have diverse nanomedicine applications owing to their biocompatibility and abundant entry to cells. Yet, our knowledge in their interactions with cells was ...infrequently studied until recent years. This review presents the latest insights into the cell-nano interactions of PDA NPs, including their 'self-targeting' to dopamine receptors for cellular entry without the aid of ligands, in vitro 'self-therapeutic' cellular responses (antiferroptosis, macrophage polarization, and modulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics) in the absence of drugs, and in vivo cellular localization and pharmacological properties upon various routes of administration. This review concludes with our perspectives on the therapeutic promise of PDA NPs and the need for studies on PDA biochemistry, biodegradability, and protein adsorption.
Phytochemicals have been used as potential chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agents. However, there are data suggesting a mutagenic effect of some phytochemicals. We hypothesized that safrole would ...have anticancer effects on human oral squamous cell carcinoma HSC-3 cells. Safrole decreased the percentage of viable HSC-3 cells via induction of apoptosis by an increased level of cytosolic Ca2+ and a reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ
m
). Changes in the membrane potential were associated with changes in the Bax, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, and activation of downstream caspases-9 and -3, resulting in apoptotic cell death. In vivo studies also showed that safrole reduced the size and volume of an HSC-3 solid tumor on a xenograft athymic nu/nu mouse model. Western blotting and flow cytometric analysis studies confirmed that safrole-mediated apoptotic cell death of HSC-3 cells is regulated by cytosolic Ca2+ and by mitochondria- and Fas-dependent pathways.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) accounts for 8% of all major congenital anomalies. Neonates who are small for gestational age (SGA) generally have a poorer prognosis. We sought to identify risk ...factors and variables associated with outcomes in neonates with CDH who are SGA in comparison to neonates who are appropriate for gestational age (AGA).
We used the multicenter Diaphragmatic Hernia Research & Exploration Advancing Molecular Science (DHREAMS) study to include neonates enrolled from 2005 to 2019. Chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare categorical variables and t tests or Wilcoxon rank sum for continuous variables. Cox model analyzed time to event outcomes and logistic regression analyzed binary outcomes.
589 neonates were examined. Ninety were SGA (15.3%). SGA patients were more likely to be female (p = 0.003), have a left sided CDH (p = 0.05), have additional congenital anomalies and be diagnosed with a genetic syndrome (p < 0.001). On initial single-variable analysis, SGA correlated with higher frequency of death prior to discharge (p < 0.001) and supplemental oxygen requirement at 28 days (p = 0.005). Twice as many SGA patients died before repair (12.2% vs 6.4%, p = 0.04). Using unadjusted Cox model, the risk of death prior to discharge among SGA patients was 1.57 times the risk for AGA patients (p = 0.029). There was no correlation between SGA and need for ECMO, pulmonary hypertensive medication at discharge or oxygen at discharge. After adjusting for confounding variables, SGA no longer correlated with mortality prior to discharge or incidence of unrepaired defects but remained significant for oxygen requirement at 28 days (p = 0.03).
Infants with CDH who are SGA have worse survival and poorer lung function than AGA infants. However, the outcome of SGA neonates is impacted by other factors including gestational age, genetic syndromes, and particularly congenital anomalies that contribute heavily to their poorer prognosis.
High-resolution MR imaging has recently been introduced as a promising diagnostic modality in intracranial artery disease. Our aim was to compare high-resolution MR imaging with digital subtraction ...angiography for the characterization and diagnosis of various intracranial artery diseases.
Thirty-seven patients who had undergone both high-resolution MR imaging and DSA for intracranial artery disease were enrolled in our study (August 2011 to April 2014). The time interval between the high-resolution MR imaging and DSA was within 1 month. The degree of stenosis and the minimal luminal diameter were independently measured by 2 observers in both DSA and high-resolution MR imaging, and the results were compared. Two observers independently diagnosed intracranial artery diseases on DSA and high-resolution MR imaging. The time interval between the diagnoses on DSA and high-resolution MR imaging was 2 weeks. Interobserver diagnostic agreement for each technique and intermodality diagnostic agreement for each observer were acquired.
High-resolution MR imaging showed moderate-to-excellent agreement (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.892-0.949; κ = 0.548-0.614) and significant correlations (R = 0.766-892) with DSA on the degree of stenosis and minimal luminal diameter. The interobserver diagnostic agreement was good for DSA (κ = 0.643) and excellent for high-resolution MR imaging (κ = 0.818). The intermodality diagnostic agreement was good (κ = 0.704) for observer 1 and moderate (κ = 0.579) for observer 2, respectively.
High-resolution MR imaging may be an imaging method comparable with DSA for the characterization and diagnosis of various intracranial artery diseases.
Of good report: Synthesis and screening of an 80‐member tricarbocyanine library identified CyNAMLA‐381 as a near‐IR surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) reporter with good signal stability and ...higher sensitivity than the standard. Encapsulation of CyNAMLA‐381 on gold nanoparticles and conjugation to an antibody afforded SERS nanotags with excellent sensitivity, stability, and tumor specificity in xenograft models (see picture).
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are intracellular protozoan parasites that cause reproductive disorders in ruminants and humans. Information on the risk factors of T. gondii and N. caninum ...infections in goats is very limited in Taiwan. The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiology and identify the risk factors of these two infections in goats. A total of 630 caprine sera were collected from 42 dairy goat farms and the owners were interviewed by a structured questionnaire. The apparent seroprevalences of T. gondii in farm- and individual- levels were respectively 88.1% and 32.22%, while those of N. caninum were 19.05% and 2.54%, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii B1 gene was identified in 7 feed samples and 8 from the water samples whereas N. caninum was not found. Wooden flooring was the main risk factor for T. gondii infection while the frequency of visits by staff to other farms and the breed of goat were risk factors for N. caninum. The improvement of flooring materials or thorough cleaning, periodic disinfection and maintenance of dryness on the floor are highly recommended for the prevention of T. gondii infection in farmed goats. In addition, unnecessary visits to other farms should be limited to prevent the spread of N. caninum. These factors should be highlighted for the prevention of T. gondii and N. caninum in goats, particularly when raised in intensive housing system with flooring on height.
BACKGROUND
Ablative carbon dioxide fractional laser systems (CO2 FS) have been effectively used to improve the appearance of scarring after surgical procedures, but an optimal treatment time has not ...been established.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CO2 FS in early postoperative thyroidectomy scars.
METHODS
Twenty‐three Korean women with thyroidectomy scars were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent a single session of two passes of a CO2 FS with a pulse energy setting of 50 mJ and a density of 100 spots/cm2 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.
RESULTS
Mean Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores were statistically significantly lower after laser treatment. Three months after CO2 FS treatment of thyroidectomy scarring, 12 of 23 participants showed clinical improvement of more than 51% from 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. The mean grade of clinical improvement based on independent clinical assessment was 2.6 ± 0.9.
CONCLUSION
Early postoperative CO2 FS treatment of thyroidectomy scars is effective and safe.
The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
Globally, the East Asian monsoon region is one of the richest environments in terms of biodiversity. The region is undergoing rapid human development, yet its river ecosystems have not been well ...studied. Global warming represents a major challenge to the survival of species in this region and makes it necessary to assess and reduce the potential consequences of warming on species of conservation concern. We projected the effects of global warming on stream insect (Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera EOPT) diversity and predicted the changes of geographical ranges for 121 species throughout South Korea. Plecoptera was the most sensitive (decrease of 71.4% in number of species from the 2000s through the 2080s) order, whereas Odonata benefited (increase of 66.7% in number of species from the 2000s through the 2080s) from the effects of global warming. The impact of global warming on stream insects was predicted to be minimal prior to the 2060s; however, by the 2080s, species extirpation of up to 20% in the highland areas and 2% in the lowland areas were predicted. The projected responses of stream insects under global warming indicated that species occupying specific habitats could undergo major reductions in habitat. Nevertheless, habitat of 33% of EOPT (including two‐thirds of Odonata and one‐third of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera) was predicted to increase due to global warming. The community compositions predicted by generalized additive models varied over this century, and a large difference in community structure in the highland areas was predicted between the 2000s and the 2080s. However, stream insect communities, especially Odonata, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera, were predicted to become more homogenous under global warming. Impacto Potencial del Calentamiento Global sobre la Diversidad y la Distribución de Insectos de Arroyo en Corea del Sur
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