Segmented phase of ultraviolet (UV) curable thermoset polyurethanes-graphite (TPU-G) composites

Segmented thermoset polymeric materials properties mainly classified through its carbonyl hydrogen bonding. The addition of graphite particle loading in polymeric materials tailored the functional characteristic of the composites. Therefore, the carbonyl hydrogen bonding in the hard segments of the synthesized segmented ultraviolet (UV) curable thermoset polyurethanes-graphite (TPU-G) composites was identified. This composites based green polymer incorporated with varying graphite particles loading were prepared through slip casting method which cure upon UV light. These result in an enhancement of the carbonyl hydrogen bonding which tribute to degree of phase separation (DPS %) in the TPU-G composites ranged from 10-20%, as compared to that in the pure TPU. In addition, the spectroscopy detects the formation of carbonyl hydrogen groups within the TPU-G composites although they are prone to chain scission and undergo photo oxidation subjected to ultraviolet (UV) curing. Upon UV curing, higher graphite weight loading (TPU-G20, TPU-G25 and TPU-G30 composites), shows higher and stable DPS% value, attribute to soft segment- soft segment and hard segment- hard segment establishment. Therefore, the graphite particles dominantly absorb the incident radiation instead of thermoset polyurethane without changing its based

Upregulation of cardiac NO/NOS system during short-term hypoxia and the subsequent reoxygenation period

Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) reportedly influences nitric oxide (NO) production and NO synthase (NOS) expression in the heart. Nonetheless, a number of works have shown controversial results regarding the changes that the cardiac NO/NOS system undergoes under such situations. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the behaviour of this system in the hypoxic heart by investigating seven different reoxygenation times. Wistar rats were submitted to H/R (hypoxia for 30 min; reoxygenation of 0, 2, 12, 24, 48, 72 h, and 5 days) in a novel approach to address the events provoked by assaults under such circumstances. Endothelial and inducible NOS (eNOS and iNOS) mRNA and protein expression, as well as enzymatic activity and enzyme location were determined. NO levels were indirectly quantified as nitrate/nitrite, and other S-nitroso compounds (NOx), which would act as NO-storage molecules. The results showed a significant increase in eNOS mRNA, protein and activity, as well as in NOx levels immediately after hypoxia, while iNOS protein and activity were induced throughout the reoxygenation period. These findings indicate that, not only short-term hypoxia, but also the subsequent reoxygenation period upregulate cardiac NO/NOS system until at least 5 days after the hypoxic stimulus, implying major involvement of this system in the changes occurring in the heart in response to H/R

Bladder scan vs urethral cathetarization for measurement of immediate post partum bladder volume

Introduction: Bladder scan is a well known non invasive and cost effective tool for the measurement of post void residual urine(PVR) however with some limitation. Literature on the efficacy of bladder scan on big uterus is limited and not promising. Study Objective: To determine the validity of bladder scan BV13000 in detection of bladder volume in immediate postpartum women. Methodology: A prospective cross sectional study conducted in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Pahang from 1st September to 30 November 2010, A total of 193 women who had undergone Caesarean section were recruited on postpartum day 1. Prior to removal of Foley’s catheter, their bladder volumes were first estimated by bladder scan BV13000. Immediately the bladder was then catheterized for the true bladder volume followed by 2D ultrasound bladder scanning to ensure that it was completely emptied. The data was analyzed using SPSS software version 18(SPSS Inc. Chigaco, Illinois). P value of less than 0.05 is considered as statistically significant. Resul : There were a total of 193 women recruited with the mean age of 28.84 years (SD 5.516) with mean BMI of 29.69( SD 5.69) kg/m2 and fundal height of 16cm (SD 2.382 ). The mean for time interval between bladder scan and catheterization was 3 min(range between 1-8 min). There is a linear relationship between the bladder scan-estimated and catheter bladder volumes (r2=082). The patient’s body weight also is significantly (p=0.01) correlated with the bladder scan-estimated volume with r2 of-0.25. The size of the uterus however does not correlate with the bladder-scan volume Conclusion : Bladder scan is comparable to urethral catheterization in the measurement of postpartum bladder volume

Some segmental morphological and morphometrical features of the intima and media of the aortic wall in Chinchilla lanigera

Background: The aim of this study is to describe the morphology, morphometry and ultrastructure of segments of the thoracic and abdominal aorta portions in Chinchilla lanigera. Thickness measurements of the tunica intima and media complex of the aorta were taken. Materials and methods: In all observed specimens, the thickness values for the tunica intima and media complex of the cranial thoracic aorta were significantly higher (mean: 702.19 μm) when compared to the values of other analysed aortic segments (means: 354.18 μm; 243.55 μm). Complex statistical methods were used to assess the differences between various aortic segments. Results and Conclusions: The components of the vessel walls show variations in structure and thickness, presumably due to an adaptation to functional demand

Antisense PMO Found in Dystrophic Dog Model Was Effective in Cells from Exon 7-Deleted DMD Patient

BACKGROUND: Antisense oligonucleotide-induced exon skipping is a promising approach for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We have systemically administered an antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) targeting dystrophin exons 6 and 8 to a dog with canine X-linked muscular dystrophy in Japan (CXMD(J)) lacking exon 7 and achieved recovery of dystrophin in skeletal muscle. To date, however, antisense chemical compounds used in DMD animal models have not been directly applied to a DMD patient having the same type of exon deletion. We recently identified a DMD patient with an exon 7 deletion and tried direct translation of the antisense PMO used in dog models to the DMD patient's cells. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We converted fibroblasts of CXMD(J) and the DMD patient to myotubes by FACS-aided MyoD transduction. Antisense PMOs targeting identical regions of dog and human dystrophin exons 6 and 8 were designed. These antisense PMOs were mixed and administered as a cocktail to either dog or human cells in vitro. In the CXMD(J) and human DMD cells, we observed a similar efficacy of skipping of exons 6 and 8 and a similar extent of dystrophin protein recovery. The accompanying skipping of exon 9, which did not alter the reading frame, was different between cells of these two species. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Antisense PMOs, the effectiveness of which has been demonstrated in a dog model, achieved multi-exon skipping of dystrophin gene on the FACS-aided MyoD-transduced fibroblasts from an exon 7-deleted DMD patient, suggesting the feasibility of systemic multi-exon skipping in humans

Molecular Analysis Of Cyp21 Gene In Patients Presenting With Ambiguous Genitalia.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders of adrenal steroidogenesis