Amada: Web Data Repositories in the Amazon Cloud

ABSTRACT We present Amada, a platform for storing Web data (in particular, XML documents and RDF graphs) based on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud infrastructure. Amada operates in a Software as a Service (SaaS) approach, allowing users to upload, index, store, and query large volumes of Web data. The demonstration shows (i) the step-by-step procedure for building and exploiting the warehouse (storing, indexing, querying) and (ii) the monitoring tools enabling one to control the expenses (monetary costs) charged by AWS for the operations involved while running Amada

Cysteinyl Leukotrienes as Potential Pharmacological Targets for Cerebral Diseases

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) are potent lipid mediators widely known for their actions in asthma and in allergic rhinitis. Accumulating data highlights their involvement in a broader range of inflammation-associated diseases such as cancer, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases. The reported elevated levels of CysLTs in acute and chronic brain lesions, the association between the genetic polymorphisms in the LTs biosynthesis pathways and the risk of cerebral pathological events, and the evidence from animal models link also CysLTs and brain diseases. This review will give an overview of how far research has gone into the evaluation of the role of CysLTs in the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders (ischemia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, multiple sclerosis/experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and epilepsy) in order to understand the underlying mechanism by which they might be central in the disease progression

Adipose derived-stem cells as source of endothelial cells for cardiac tissue engineering

Objectives: Tissue engineering approaches hold the promise to create non-thrombogenic biological substitutes for cardiovascular tissues and devices. The objective of this study was to investigate the endothelial differentiation potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and evaluate their phenotype after matrix interaction. Methods: ADSCs were isolated from human adipose tissue and differentiated into an endothelial phenotype by means of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and/or shear stress. Afterwards, endothelial cells were seeded onto collagen and acellular aortic valve matrices. Seeded matrices were exposed to 4 culture conditions: shear stress+VEGF; shear stress-VEGF; static+VEGF and static-VEGF. After 7 days, endothelial phenotype of the cells on the matrices was investigated. Results: Endothelial differentiation was obtained after 7 days culture. Approximately 70% of the cells was positive for vWF and CD31. Moreover, the expression of the myofibroblastic marker α-SMA was significantly decreased. The only culture condition which preserved endothelial phenotype of the cells on the matrices after 7 days was the application of shear stress in combination with VEGF addition (shear stress+VEGF). Conclusions: These results suggest that ADSCs can differentiate into endothelial cells by use of VEGF and shear stress. Moreover, endothelial phenotype is maintained when seeded onto scaffolds, solely in the presence of shear stress+VEGF

AMADA: Web Data Repositories in the Amazon Cloud

International audienceWe present AMADA, a platform for storing Web data (in particular, XML documents and RDF graphs) based on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud infrastructure. AMADA operates in a Software as a Service (SaaS) approach, allowing users to upload, index, store, and query large volumes of Web data. The demonstration shows (i) the step-by-step procedure for building and exploiting the warehouse (storing, indexing, querying) and (ii) the monitoring tools enabling one to control the expenses (monetary costs) charged by AWS for the operations involved while running AMADA

Murine left atrium and left atrial appendage structure and function: echocardiographic and morphologic evaluation.

Aim of this study was to provide an echocardiographic protocol for the description of the normal murine venous reservoir (atrium, appendage and pulmonary veins) and to investigate the possibility to use this approach to discriminate changes on left atrium (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) in a stress-induced model such us myocardial infarction. Global left ventricular function and the venous reservoir were assessed by a Vevo2100 in 20 female C57BL/6N. LA and LAA were also studied in 10 CD-1 and 10 FVB mice, whereas modifications investigated in 15 C57BL/6N subjected to coronary artery ligation. Left ventricle function was evaluated as well as pulsed Doppler mitral valve, pulmonary vein, and LAA velocities. From 2D view monoplane LA volumes were obtained and LAA long axis measured. Macroscopic inspection with casts and immunohistochemistry were performed. Results show that compared to humans, in C57BL/6N mice left atrium was disproportionately smaller (5.2±1.4 μL) than the left ventricle (53±8 μL) and connected through a duct by a large LAA and posteriorly to three pulmonary veins. The LA volume increased 2-fold during reservoir with two distinct phases, early and late divided by a short pause. LAA long axis (4.1±0.5 mm) was almost 2 times longer than the LA. LAA flow volume together with LA volume reservoir account for about 36% of stroke volume and the rest was provided by conduit flow. Linear regressions showed that stroke volume was strongly influenced by LAA flow, LA early filling volume and left ventricle base descent. Moreover, we also report the ability to assess LA and LAA in other mice strains and discriminate size increase following myocardial infarction. In conclusion, we performed a complete characterization of murine left venous reservoir establishing an optimized protocol that can be used in both investigative and pharmacological studies requiring rapid and serial determination of cardiac structure and function

Shear stress and VEGF enhance endothelial differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells

Herein we combine chemical and mechanical stimulation to investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and physiological shear stress in promoting the differentiation human adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) into endothelial cells. ADSCs were isolated and characterized; endothelial differentiation was promoted by culturing confluent cells in 50ng/ml VEGF under physiological shear stress for up to 14 days. Afterwards, endothelial cells were seeded onto collagen or acellular aortic valve matrices and exposed to 4 culture conditions: shear stress+VEGF; shear stress-VEGF; static+VEGF and static-VEGF. After 7 days, phenotype was investigated. ADSCs subjected to shear stress and VEGF express a comprehensive range of specific endothelial markers(vWF, eNOS and FLT-1 after 7 days and CD31, FLk-1 and VE-cadherinafter 14 days)and maintainthe phenotype when seeded onto scaffolds. Our protocol proved to bean efficient source of endothelial-like cells for tissue engineering based on autologous adipose-derived stem cell

Mechanical Compliance and Immunological Compatibility of Fixative-Free Decellularized/Cryopreserved Human Pericardium

Background:The pericardial tissue is commonly used to produce bio-prosthetic cardiac valves and patches in cardiac surgery. The procedures adopted to prepare this tissue consist in treatment with aldehydes, which do not prevent post-graft tissue calcification due to incomplete xeno-antigens removal. The adoption of fixative-free decellularization protocols has been therefore suggested to overcome this limitation. Although promising, the decellularized pericardium has not yet used in clinics, due to the absence of proofs indicating that the decellularization and cryopreservation procedures can effectively preserve the mechanical properties and the immunologic compatibility of the tissue.Principal Findings:The aim of the present work was to validate a procedure to prepare decellularized/cryopreserved human pericardium which may be implemented into cardiovascular homograft tissue Banks. The method employed to decellularize the tissue completely removed the cells without affecting ECM structure; furthermore, uniaxial tensile loading tests revealed an equivalent resistance of the decellularized tissue to strain, before and after the cryopreservation, in comparison with the fresh tissue. Finally, immunological compatibility, showed a minimized host immune cells invasion and low levels of systemic inflammation, as assessed by tissue transplantation into immune-competent mice.Conclusions:Our results indicate, for the first time, that fixative-free decellularized pericardium from cadaveric tissue donors can be banked according to Tissue Repository-approved procedures without compromising its mechanical properties and immunological tolerance. This tissue can be therefore treated as a safe homograft for cardiac surgery

Myocardial Infarction.

<p>EF: ejection fraction, FS: fractional shortening, LA: left atrium, LAA: left atrium appendage, LV: left ventricle, SV: stroke volume, Vmax: maximum volume, Vmin: minimum volume, Vres: volume reservoir. Values are mean±SD.</p><p>*p<0.05,</p><p>**p<0.01 relative to sham.</p><p>Myocardial Infarction.</p

Intra- and Intra-observer and intersession variability.

<p>LA: left atrium, LAA: left atrium appendage, LV: left ventricle, PV pulmonary vein. Values are mean±SD.</p><p>Intra- and Intra-observer and intersession variability.</p