Elucidation of the effects of a high fat diet on trace elements in rabbit tissues using atomic absorption spectroscopy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The mechanism of atherogenesis is not yet fully understood despite intense study in this area. The effects of high fat diet (HFD) on the changes of trace elements [iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn)] in several tissues of rabbits have not been documented before. Thus, the aim of this study was to elucidate the changes in trace elements in several tissues of rabbits fed on HFD for a period of feeding of 10 weeks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The HFD group was fed a NOR rabbit chow supplemented with 1.0% cholesterol plus 1.0% olive oil. Fe, Cu and Zn concentrations were measured in four types of tissue from control and HFD rabbits using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Comparing HFD rabbits to control rabbits, we found that the highest percentage change of increase of Fe was 95% in lung tissue, while the lowest percentage change of increase of Fe was 7% in kidney tissue; the highest percentage change of decrease of Cu was 16% in aortic tissue, while the lowest percentage change of decrease of Cu was 6% in kidney tissue; and the highest percentage change of decrease of Zn was 71% in kidney tissue, while the lowest percentage change of decrease of Zn was 8% in lung tissue.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results suggest that Fe plays a major role in atherogenesis; it may accelerate the process of atherosclerosis probably through the production of free radicals, deposition and absorption of intracellular and extracellular lipids in the intima, connective tissue formation, smooth muscle proliferation, lower matrix degradation capacity and increased plaque stability. Furthermore, inducing anemia in HFD rabbits may delay or inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis. Cu plays a minor role in atherogenesis and Cu supplements may inhibit the progression of atherogenesis, perhaps by reducing the migration of smooth muscle cells from the media to the intima. Zn plays a major role in atherogenesis and that it may act as an endogenous protective factor against atherosclerosis perhaps by reducing lesion Fe content, intracellular and extracellular lipids in the intima, connective tissue formation, and smooth muscle proliferation. These results suggest that it may be possible to use the measurement of changes in trace elements in different tissues of rabbits as an important risk factor during the progression of atherosclerosis.</p

Medical student’s attitudes and perceptions toward artificial intelligence applications

To evaluate medical students' perceptions in radiology and medical applications of artificial intelligence (AI). Students at 10 prestigious medical schools were issued an online survey that was created using Survey Monkey. It was divided into many parts with the goal of assessing the students' past understanding of AI in radiology and beyond as well as their attitudes about AI in medicine more generally. Anonymity of the respondents was protected. A total of 263 students—166 female and 94 male—with a median age of 23—replied to the survey. Concerning 52 percent of respondents were aware of the current debate about AI in radiology, while 68 percent said they were ignorant of the underlying technology. abnormalities in radiological scans, but they believed that AI would not be able to provide a definitive diagnosis (56 percent). In contrast to claims that human radiologists would be displaced, the majority (77 percent and 86 percent) believed that AI would revolutionize and enhance radiology (83 percent). Over two-thirds of respondents felt that medical education must include AI (71 percent). Male and tech-savvy respondents had higher levels of confidence in the advantages of AI and lower levels of fear of these technologies in sub-group analyses. In conclusion, Contrary to what has been mentioned in the media, medical students are aware of the possible applications and effects of AI on radiology and medicine and do not worry that it will replace human radiologists. The situations in which artificial intelligence has reportedly substituted human radiologists are known to medical students. Since it is their duty, the field of radiology must take the initiative in teaching students about these freshly developed tools

Medical Student’s Attitudes and Perceptions Toward Artificial Intelligence Applications

To evaluate medical students' perceptions in radiology and medical applications of artificial intelligence (AI). Students at 10 prestigious medical schools were issued an online survey that was created using Survey Monkey. It was divided into many parts with the goal of assessing the students' past understanding of AI in radiology and beyond as well as their attitudes about AI in medicine more generally. Anonymity of the respondents was protected. A total of 263 students—166 female and 94 male—with a median age of 23—replied to the survey. Concerning 52 percent of respondents were aware of the current debate about AI in radiology, while 68 percent said they were ignorant of the underlying technology. abnormalities in radiological scans, but they believed that AI would not be able to provide a definitive diagnosis (56 percent). In contrast to claims that human radiologists would be displaced, the majority (77 percent and 86 percent) believed that AI would revolutionize and enhance radiology (83 percent). Over two-thirds of respondents felt that medical education must include AI (71 percent). Male and tech-savvy respondents had higher levels of confidence in the advantages of AI and lower levels of fear of these technologies in sub-group analyses. In conclusion, Contrary to what has been mentioned in the media, medical students are aware of the possible applications and effects of AI on radiology and medicine and do not worry that it will replace human radiologists. The situations in which artificial intelligence has reportedly substituted human radiologists are known to medical students. Since it is their duty, the field of radiology must take the initiative in teaching students about these freshly developed tools

Fresh Produce as a Potential Vector and Reservoir for Human Bacterial Pathogens: Revealing the Ambiguity of Interaction and Transmission

The consumer demand for fresh produce (vegetables and fruits) has considerably increased since the 1980s for more nutritious foods and healthier life practices, particularly in developed countries. Currently, several foodborne outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce. The global rise in fresh produce associated with human infections may be due to the use of wastewater or any contaminated water for the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, the firm attachment of the foodborne pathogens on the plant surface, and the internalization of these agents deep inside the tissue of the plant, poor disinfection practices and human consumption of raw fresh produce. Several investigations have been established related to the human microbial pathogens (HMPs) interaction, their internalization, and survival on/within plant tissue. Previous studies have displayed that HMPs are comprised of several cellular constituents to attach and adapt to the plant’s intracellular niches. In addition, there are several plant-associated factors, such as surface morphology, nutrient content, and plant–HMP interactions, that determine the internalization and subsequent transmission to humans. Based on documented findings, the internalized HMPs are not susceptible to sanitation or decontaminants applied on the surface of the fresh produce. Therefore, the contamination of fresh produce by HMPs could pose significant food safety hazards. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the interaction between fresh produce and HMPs and reveals the ambiguity of interaction and transmission of the agents to humans

Synergistic Actions of Hematopoietic and Mesenchymal Stem/Progenitor Cells in Vascularizing Bioengineered Tissues

Poor angiogenesis is a major road block for tissue repair. The regeneration of virtually all tissues is limited by angiogenesis, given the diffusion of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products is limited to a few hundred micrometers. We postulated that co-transplantation of hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells improves angiogenesis of tissue repair and hence the outcome of regeneration. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by using bone as a model whose regeneration is impaired unless it is vascularized. Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSCs) were isolated from each of three healthy human bone marrow samples and reconstituted in a porous scaffold. MSCs were seeded in micropores of 3D calcium phosphate (CP) scaffolds, followed by infusion of gel-suspended CD34+ hematopoietic cells. Co-transplantation of CD34+ HSCs and CD34− MSCs in microporous CP scaffolds subcutaneously in the dorsum of immunocompromized mice yielded vascularized tissue. The average vascular number of co-transplanted CD34+ and MSC scaffolds was substantially greater than MSC transplantation alone. Human osteocalcin was expressed in the micropores of CP scaffolds and was significantly increased upon co-transplantation of MSCs and CD34+ cells. Human nuclear staining revealed the engraftment of transplanted human cells in vascular endothelium upon co-transplantation of MSCs and CD34+ cells. Based on additional in vitro results of endothelial differentiation of CD34+ cells by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), we adsorbed VEGF with co-transplanted CD34+ and MSCs in the microporous CP scaffolds in vivo, and discovered that vascular number and diameter further increased, likely owing to the promotion of endothelial differentiation of CD34+ cells by VEGF. Together, co-transplantation of hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells may improve the regeneration of vascular dependent tissues such as bone, adipose, muscle and dermal grafts, and may have implications in the regeneration of internal organs

Hard Tissue Engineering

Peer reviewe

Knowledge and attitude toward transcranial magnetic stimulation among rehabilitation specialists in Saudi Arabia

Research has demonstrated the benefits of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in rehabilitation. TMS has been widely used in clinical and research settings for individuals with and without neurological dysfunctions. Therefore, understanding the knowledge and attitudes of rehabilitation specialists regarding TMS is crucial for its application. To our knowledge, no such studies have previously been conducted in the rehabilitation field. Therefore, this study is the first to assess rehabilitation specialists’ knowledge of and attitudes toward TMS. An observational cross-sectional study using a self-administered online survey was conducted among 102 rehabilitation specialists to assess their knowledge and attitudes regarding TMS application in rehabilitation sciences. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe the knowledge and attitudes of rehabilitation specialists toward TMS and examine the impact of different factors such as gender, education level, acceptability, and practice on these outcomes. Rehabilitation specialists who participated in this study showed a limited level of general knowledge of TMS in rehabilitation (7.81 ± 6.20, 37.19%). However, a significant association between educational levels and knowledge was found. Higher knowledge scores were observed for specialists with post-graduate degrees compared to those with only a bachelor’s degree. Moreover, knowledge level, experience, and availability of TMS equipment in the workplace led to a positive attitude toward TMS among rehabilitation specialists. A low knowledge level among rehabilitation specialists was attributed to their level of education. Nevertheless, specialists showed an overall positive attitude toward TMS. Therefore, customized medical education is necessary to incorporate TMS theory and applications into neuroscience and rehabilitation courses for rehabilitation specialists as it holds significant promise as a therapeutic tool

Interactions of Human Endothelial and Multipotent Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Cocultures

Current strategies for tissue engineering of bone rely on the implantation of scaffolds, colonized with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), into a recipient. A major limitation is the lack of blood vessels. One approach to enhance the scaffold vascularisation is to supply the scaffolds with endothelial cells (EC)

Stem Cell Therapy: Pieces of the Puzzle

Acute ischemic injury and chronic cardiomyopathies can cause irreversible loss of cardiac tissue leading to heart failure. Cellular therapy offers a new paradigm for treatment of heart disease. Stem cell therapies in animal models show that transplantation of various cell preparations improves ventricular function after injury. The first clinical trials in patients produced some encouraging results, despite limited evidence for the long-term survival of transplanted cells. Ongoing research at the bench and the bedside aims to compare sources of donor cells, test methods of cell delivery, improve myocardial homing, bolster cell survival, and promote cardiomyocyte differentiation. This article reviews progress toward these goals