High and Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid Differentially Regulate Human Fibrocyte Differentiation

Following tissue injury, monocytes can enter the tissue and differentiate into fibroblast-like cells called fibrocytes, but little is known about what regulates this differentiation. Extracellular matrix contains high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMWHA; ∼2×10(6) Da). During injury, HMWHA breaks down to low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA; ∼0.8-8×10(5) Da).In this report, we show that HMWHA potentiates the differentiation of human monocytes into fibrocytes, while LMWHA inhibits fibrocyte differentiation. Digestion of HMWHA with hyaluronidase produces small hyaluronic acid fragments, and these fragments inhibit fibrocyte differentiation. Monocytes internalize HMWHA and LMWHA equally well, suggesting that the opposing effects on fibrocyte differentiation are not due to differential internalization of HMWHA or LMWHA. Adding HMWHA to PBMC does not appear to affect the levels of the hyaluronic acid receptor CD44, whereas adding LMWHA decreases CD44 levels. The addition of anti-CD44 antibodies potentiates fibrocyte differentiation, suggesting that CD44 mediates at least some of the effect of hyaluronic acid on fibrocyte differentiation. The fibrocyte differentiation-inhibiting factor serum amyloid P (SAP) inhibits HMWHA-induced fibrocyte differentiation and potentiates LMWHA-induced inhibition. Conversely, LMWHA inhibits the ability of HMWHA, interleukin-4 (IL-4), or interleukin-13 (IL-13) to promote fibrocyte differentiation.We hypothesize that hyaluronic acid signals at least in part through CD44 to regulate fibrocyte differentiation, with a dominance hierarchy of SAP>LMWHA≥HMWHA>IL-4 or IL-13

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic

Molecular diversity of wild mulberry (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Morus </i>spp.) of Indian subcontinent

334-343A total of 72 collections belonging to two wild mulberry species, viz., Morus laevigata and M. serrata, from different eco-geographic regions of India were utilized for assessment of molecular diversity and interrelationships. The study employed a total of 21 RAPD and 6 ISSR primers and generated 409 markers, of which 92.4% were polymorphic. Among M. laevigata collections, genetic divergence was significant between the mainland and Andaman Island collections, highlighting the geographical and reproductive isolation among the two populations. Hierarchical clustering of molecular marker similarity coefficients by UPGMA method resolved the collections into three distinct clusters, first one having all the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">M. laevigata collections of the mainland, second comprising of M. laevigata collections from the Andaman Islands and the third containing M. serrata collections exclusively. This is in concurrence with the geographical distribution and taxonomic status. Three <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">M. laevigata (OPA-09900, OPA-092400 & UBC-8113500) and two M. serrata (OPA-16650 & UBC-8071450) specific DNA markers were identified for possible conversion into SCAR markers for diligent identification of wild mulberry species. The results obtained from the analysis of molecular diversity and coefficient of variance indicated the need for immediate <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">in situ conservation measures for wild mulberry species, especially the M. serrata population of India

Interactive navigation-guided ophthalmic plastic surgery: assessment of optical versus electromagnetic modes and role of dynamic reference frame location using navigation-enabled human skulls

Mohammad Javed Ali,1 Milind N Naik,1 Chetan Mallikarjuniah Girish,1 Mohammad Hasnat Ali,2 Swathi Kaliki,2 Tarjani Vivek Dave,1 Gautam Dendukuri1 1Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Service, 2The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the anatomical accuracy of navigation technology in localizing defined anatomic landmarks within the orbit with respect to type of technology (optical versus electromagnetic systems) and position of the dynamic reference marker on the skull (vertex, temporal, parietal, and mastoid) using in vitro navigation-enabled human skulls. The role of this model as a possible learning tool for anatomicoradiological correlations was also assessed. Methods: Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed on three cadaveric human skulls using the standard image-guidance acquisition protocols. Thirty-five anatomical landmarks were identified for stereotactic navigation using the image-guided StealthStation S7&trade; in both electromagnetic and optical modes. Three outcome measures studied were accuracy of anatomical localization and its repeatability, comparisons between the electromagnetic and optical modes in assessing radiological accuracy, and the efficacy of dynamic reference frame (DRF) at different locations on the skull. Results: The geometric localization of all the identified anatomical landmarks could be achieved accurately. The Cohen&rsquo;s kappa agreements between the surgeons were found to be perfect (kappa =0.941) at all predetermined points. There was no difference in anatomical localization between the optical and electromagnetic modes (P&le;0.001). Precision for radiological identification did not differ with various positions of the DRF. Skulls with intact anatomical details and careful CT image acquisitions were found to be stereotactically useful. Conclusion: Accuracy of anatomic localization within the orbit with navigation technology is equal with optical and electromagnetic system. The location of DRF does not affect the accuracy. Navigation-enabled skull models can be potentially useful as teaching tools for achieving the accurate radiological orientation of orbital and periorbital structures. Keywords: navigation, image guidance, orbit, anatomy, teaching model, ophthalmic plastic surger

Kinetics and mechanistic studies of oxidation of fluoroquionoline antibacterial agent norfloxacin by diperiodatocuprate(III) in aqueous alkaline medium

Abstract: The kinetics of the oxidation of norfloxacin by diperiodatocuprate(III) in aqueous alkaline medium has been studied spectrophotometrically at 300 K and at constant ionic strength of 0.20 mol dm −3 . The oxidation products were identified by LC-ESI-MS technique and other spectral studies. The stoichiometry was found to be 1:2 ([NOR]: [DPC]. The active species of DPC is understood to be as monoperiodatocuprate(III). A suitable mechanism was proposed on the basis of experimental results. The reaction constants involved in the different steps of the reaction mechanism were calculated. The activation parameters with respect to the slow step of mechanism were determined and discussed

Impact of heat treatment on the mechanical performance of hot extruded Al6061-BN reinforced metal matrix composites

Boron nitride (BN) reinforced Al6061 aluminum-based composites are synthesized by conventional stir casting method followed by exposure to hot extrusion. The optical images confirmed the distribution of BN nanoparticles in the aluminum alloy matrix. The concentration of BN is varied from (0.5, 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, and 9 wt%) in the composites and its effect on the tensile strength was investigated. The results revealed that both extruded and heat-treated composites specimens showed enhanced toughness and tensile strength by increasing BN nanoparticle concentration. The heat-treated composite samples showed lower flexibility of up to 40%, and further, it exhibited 37% greater hardness and 32% enhancement in tensile strength over the extruded sample. The tensile properties of Al6061-BN composites were evaluated by temperature-dependent internal friction (TDIF) analysis and the results showed that the as-prepared composite's strength increased with temperature

Impact of heat treatment on the mechanical performance of hot extruded Al6061-BN reinforced metal matrix composites

Boron nitride (BN) reinforced Al6061 aluminum-based composites are synthesized by conventional stir casting method followed by exposure to hot extrusion. The optical images confirmed the distribution of BN nanoparticles in the aluminum alloy matrix. The concentration of BN is varied from (0.5, 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, and 9 wt%) in the composites and its effect on the tensile strength was investigated. The results revealed that both extruded and heat-treated composites specimens showed enhanced toughness an tensile strength by increasing BN nanoparticle concentration. The heat-treated composite samples showed lower flexibility of up to 40%, and further, it exhibited 37% greater hardness and 32% enhancement in tensile strength over the extruded sample. The tensile properties of Al6061-BN composites were evaluated by temperature-dependent internal friction (TDIF) analysis and the results showed that the as-prepared composite's strength increased with temperature.

Association mapping of quantitative resistance to charcoal root rot in mulberry germplasm

<div><p>Outbreaks of root rot disease in the productive South Indian sericulture belt have threatened the sustainability of the industry. <i>Macrophomina phaseolina</i> (Tassi) Goid. causing charcoal rot is the predominant pathogen to which all productive mulberry cultivars are susceptible. The present study was undertaken to identify molecular markers associated with charcoal rot resistance in mulberry. A mapping panel comprising 214 diverse entries from the Indian germplasm collection was assessed for charcoal rot resistance by artificial inoculation. Resistance to the pathogen was observed in 20 entries, and 51 were found to be moderately resistant. A total of 773 alleles generated across 105 SSR loci and 20,384 AFLP markers generated using 32 <i>Eco</i>RI-NN and <i>Mse</i>I-CNN primer combinations were used in genetic analysis. The panel was weakly structured with two subpopulations. However, most entries were found to be admixtures. Survival of cuttings and number of roots per sapling were associated with root rot resistance. Association mapping was performed using different linear mixed models. Five AFLP markers explaining 9.6–12.7% of the total phenotypic variance were found to be significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) associated with root rot resistance. Significant associations were also detected in four AFLP markers for survival of cuttings, and these markers explained 10.7–14.2% of the total phenotypic variance. These markers should be validated using mapping populations derived from contrasting biparental combinations by linkage analysis for use in marker-assisted gene pyramiding for durable resistance. The resistant genotypes identified in this study will substantially contribute to genetic improvement of mulberry for charcoal rot resistance and can be integrated into conventional breeding programmes.</p></div