Economics and quality attributes of hMSC production in xeno-free bioprocessing media

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs) are key raw material in Regenerative Medicine and are widely used for therapeutics, engineered tissues, and medical devices. Yet, achieving an economical bioprocess for hMSC production remains a significant challenge for industry. Bioprocess economic modeling highlights media as a major cost driver in cell manufacturing. Hence, the availability of efficient and robust xeno-free bioprocessing media will not only reduce manufacturing cost, but also decrease regulatory burden associated with bovine serum components found in traditional culture media. Here, we evaluated and compared hMSCs quality parameters in bovine serum-containing and xeno-free bioprocess media formulations and assessed quality parameters such as cell identity, potency and functionality. Cells in xeno-free media maintained critical hMSC functional properties including angiogenic cytokine (FGF, HGF, IL8, TIMP1, TIMP2, and VEGF) secretion, trilineage differentiation, and immunomodulatory potential. In addition, hMSCs cultured in xeno-free media expanded rapidly and achieved confluency within 4-5 days of culture without media exchange. The economics of hMSC expansion in this xeno-free media were modeled and compared to other competitive hMSC cell or media systems where it consistently outperformed traditional hMSC systems by more than 8 fold on the critical productivity metric of Million cells per Liter, making it ideal for industrial-scale manufacturing of hMSCs

EVALUATION OF WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF POLYHERBAL FORMULATION

Objective: The present study describes the anti-microbial acivity of Acacia arabica and Butea monosperma bark extract.Methods: For this purpose aqueous extract of bark were prepared by Soxhlet extraction methodâ€. The experimentally induced burn wound model in rats by Excision methodâ€.Results: As a result of this study it was found that the extract of bark generally revealed antimicrobial and wound healing activity.Conclusion: The result of the study suggest that the Acacia arabica and Butea monosperma bark of polyherbal gel effective in accelerating wound healing process

Speciation of heavy metals in paddy soils from selected areas in Kedah and Penang, Malaysia

This study was carried out with the intention of evaluating heavy metal contamination in cultivated paddy areas. The speciation of heavy metals in paddy soils was determined in order to gain insight regarding their origin and distribution in soils. Five sampling sites were randomly selected from Kedah (Yan, Kota Setar, Kubang Pasu district) and Penang (Bumbung Lima district), where the soils constituted marine alluvial deposits. A site in Langkawi, where organic paddy farming is practised was used as the control. The sequential extraction method was adopted in order to obtain the four heavy metal fractions namely the easily leachable and ion exchange (ELFE), acid reducible (AR), oxidizable organic (OO) and resistant (RR) fractions. This study shows that the soil samples were clayey (82 to 96% of grain size <63 μm), fairly high in organic carbon (6.54 to 8.71%) and slightly acidic (pH 4.92 to 5.12). Heavy metal content in the soils varied widely and occurred in the following decreasing order of Fe>Mn>Cr>Cd>Pb>Zn>Cu. Heavy metals such as Pb, Cu, Cr and Zn predominantly occurred in the insoluble form (RR fraction), with the oxides of Fe and Mn incorporated into the clay minerals. Although, the fertilizers and pesticides studied contained low amounts of heavy metals, the elevated amount of amount of Mn and Cd in the soils (ELFE fraction) could possibly be attributed to the longterm and repeated application of these materials to the cultivated paddy areas.Key words: Heavy metals, paddy soil, pesticide, fertilizer

Molecular phylogeography of the smooth-­‐coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata, Mustelidae) for its conservation in the Mesopotamian marshes of Iraq

The smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) (SCO) includes perspicillata (SE Asia), sindica (SE Pakistan, W India) and endemic-to-Iraq maxwelli morphological subspecies. Classified as vulnerable by IUCN, the SCO is threatened by habitat transformation, illegal trade and poaching. Non-invasively collected samples in Iraq (10), central and E Asia (nine countries, 46) were sequenced at the entire mtDNA Cytochrome-b gene and genotyped (ongoing) at the microsatellite DNA. We also obtained 307 bp-long gene fragments from 16 SCOs resident to US and European museums. We used 19 Lutrinae GenBank entries. In Iraq, we provided genetic evidence for endemicity of maxwelli to Mesopotamia (private haplotype, mostly from Al-Hawizeh Marsh, S Iraq), while we could not confirm the occurrence of the SCO in N Iraq (Kurdistan).We found reciprocally monophyletic mtDNA lineages across the SCO range each corresponding to a subspecies. Preliminary microsatellite DNA results confirmed this mtDNA picture, overall pointing to three Evolutionarily Significant Units. Looking-like SCOs from Singapore showed oriental small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea) mtDNA. We will investigate A. cinerea-mtDNA introgressed SCOs at the microsatellite DNA to assess if they are descendant of L. perspicillata x A. cinerea otters (i.e., first hybrid record in the wild for Lutrinae). Several museum specimens were genetically identified as other than the SCO (even an African otter),indicating that morphology can be not sufficient to reliably catalogue otter study skins. In Iraq, genetic and fieldwork (not shown) data will help establishing a National Single Species Action Plan for the SCO. [National Geographic Society Conservation

Filtration and Breakdown of Clay Clusters during Resin Transfer Molding of Nanoclay/Glass/Epoxy Composites

Dispersion of nanoclay clusters during resin transfer molding of nanoclay/glass/epoxy disks is investigated. In addition to a center-gated disk containing only 14% glass fibers, three nanocomposite disks are fabricated with the addition of 2, 5 or 10 wt% Cloisite® 25A nanoclay. The spatial distribution of nanoclay clusters along the radial axis of the nanocomposite disks are characterized at two length scales. Clusters larger than 1.5 μm are characterized by performing image analysis on the SEM micrographs whereas smaller nanoclay clusters are identified by wavelength dispersive spectrometry. Results obtained from image analysis indicate that nanoclay clusters are filtered out by as much as 50% in the flow direction by the glass fiber preforms. In addition, increasing nanoclay content led to higher filtration, suggesting that cluster formation is more prominent at higher nanoclay loadings. Cluster size distribution analyses revealed that the outer edges of the disks, on average, contain finer nanoclay particles. For instance, the outer edge of the nanocomposite with 2% clay contains 22% more small nanoclay clusters compared to center of the disk. Glass transition temperature, Tg, of four specimens obtained from each molded disks is characterized under oscillatory shear. Glass transition temperature of the samples are shown to increase with the nanoclay content, yielding a 40% higher Tg at 10% nanoclay loading compared to glass/epoxy composite without clay. Increasing glass transition temperature with increasing nanoclay content may be an indication of intercalation of nanoclay within the epoxy matrix.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

Are interventions to increase the uptake of screening for cardiovascular disease risk factors effective? a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally. However many individuals are unaware of their CVD risk factors. The objective of this systematic review is to determine the effectiveness of existing intervention strategies to increase uptake of CVD risk factors screening. Methods: A systematic search was conducted through Pubmed, CINAHL, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Additional articles were located through cross-checking of the references list and bibliography citations of the included studies and previous review papers. We included intervention studies with controlled or baseline comparison groups that were conducted in primary care practices or the community, targeted at adult populations (randomized controlled trials, non-randomized trials with controlled groups and pre- and post-intervention studies). The interventions were targeted either at individuals, communities, health care professionals or the health-care system. The main outcome of interest was the relative risk (RR) of screening up take rates due to the intervention. Results: We included 21 studies in the meta-analysis. The risk of bias for randomization was low to medium in the randomized controlled trials, except for one, and high in the non-randomized trials. Two analyses were performed; optimistic (using the highest effect sizes) and pessimistic (using the lowest effect sizes). Overall, interventions were shown to increase the uptake of screening for CVD risk factors (RR 1.443; 95% CI 1.264 to 1.648 for pessimistic analysis and RR 1.680; 95% CI 1.420 to 1.988 for optimistic analysis). Effective interventions that increased screening participation included: use of physician reminders (RR ranged between 1.392; 95% CI 1.192 to 1.625, and 1.471; 95% CI 1.304 to 1.660), use of dedicated personnel (RR ranged between 1.510; 95% CI 1.014 to 2.247, and 2.536; 95% CI 1.297 to 4.960) and provision of financial incentives for screening (RR 1.462; 95% CI 1.068 to 2.000). Meta-regression analysis showed that the effect of CVD risk factors screening uptake was not associated with study design, types of population or types of interventions. Conclusions: Interventions using physician reminders, using dedicated personnel to deliver screening, and provision of financial incentives were found to be effective in increasing CVD risk factors screening uptake

Synergistic and competitive aspects of the adsorption of Poly(ethylene glycol) and Poly(vinyl alcohol) onto Na-Bentonite

Graph Presented) The competitive adsorption of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) onto Na-bentonite has been assessed quantitatively. Particular emphasis was focused on the amount of organic located within the bentonite interlayer and any subsequent eff ects on the extent of layer expansion. The individual isotherms showed strong adsorption for both PVOH and PEG at amounts lower than the quantities required to produce a fully loaded bilayer (0.33 g of PVOH/g of clay) and single layered structures (0.10 g of PEG/g of clay), respectively. Above these concentrations, the incremental amounts adsorbed were smaller, and the concentration of adsorbates in solution gradually increased. Na-bentonite adsorbed more PVOH than PEG at any given concentration. In the competitive study, the amount of PVOH adsorbed was enhanced in the presence of PEG (0.10 and 0.30 g/g of clay), but less PEG was adsorbed. At low loadings of PVOH (0.02-0.10 g/g of clay), the amount of adsorbed PEG was increased but at higher PVOH levels PEG adsorption was reduced. The XRD data showed stepped changes in the d-spacing as the adsorbed amounts of both PEG and PVOH increased. The PEG-bentonite samples did not expand beyond a bilayer structure (18 A˚), but the XRD data for PVOH-treated samples indicated the formation of multilayer structures (d ≥ 44 A˚)

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

The state of altmetrics: a tenth anniversary celebration

Altmetric’s mission is to help others understand the influence of research online.We collate what people are saying about published research in sources such as the mainstream media, policy documents, social networks, blogs, and other scholarly and non-scholarly forums to provide a more robust picture of the influence and reach of scholarly work. Altmetric works with some of the biggest publishers, funders, businesses and institutions around the world to deliver this data in an accessible and reliable format.ContentsAltmetrics, Ten Years Later, Euan Adie (Altmetric (founder) & Overton)Reflections on Altmetrics, Gemma Derrick (University of Lancaster), Fereshteh Didegah (Karolinska Institutet & Simon Fraser University), Paul Groth (University of Amsterdam), Cameron Neylon (Curtin University), Jason Priem (Our Research), Shenmeng Xu (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Zohreh Zahedi (Leiden University)Worldwide Awareness and Use of Altmetrics, Yin-Leng Theng (Nanyang Technological University)Leveraging Machine Learning on Altmetrics Big Data, Saeed-Ul Hassan (Information Technology University), Naif R. Aljohani (King Abdulaziz University), Timothy D. Bowman (Wayne State University)Altmetrics as Social-Spatial Sensors, Vanash M. Patel (West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust), Robin Haunschild (Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research), Lutz Bornmann (Administrative Headquarters of the Max Planck Society)Altmetric’s Fable of the Hare and the Tortoise, Mike Taylor (Digital Science)The Future of Altmetrics: A Community Vision, Liesa Ross (Altmetric), Stacy Konkiel (Altmetric)https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/scholcom/170 Merit, Expertise and Measuremen