ENDOGLIN is dispensable for vasculogenesis, but required for vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis

ENDOGLIN (ENG) is a co-receptor for transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family members that is highly expressed in endothelial cells and has a critical function in the development of the vascular system. Mutations in Eng are associated with the vascular disease known as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type l. Using mouse embryonic stem cells we observed that angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), induce vasculogenesis in embryoid bodies even when Eng deficient cells or cells depleted of Eng using shRNA are used. However, ENG is required for the stem cell-derived endothelial cells to organize effectively into tubular structures. Consistent with this finding, fetal metatarsals isolated from E17.5 Eng heterozygous mouse embryos showed reduced VEGF-induced vascular network formation. Moreover, shRNA-mediated depletion and pharmacological inhibition of ENG in human umbilical vein cells mitigated VEGF-induced angiogenesis. In summary, we demonstrate that ENG is required for efficient VEGF-induced angiogenesis

Pain signaling with physiological data for persons with communication difficulties: A pilot study of the Pain App

Pain is a common occurrence in life. For some groups of people expressing, communicating, and seeking pain relief is not possible, due to age, illness, disability, or unconsciousness. To support caregivers, pain detection through physiological measures can be a solution. Currently, an algorithm for an application indicating arousal according to electrodermal changes has been developed and tested. Pain is unique to every person, so new research and algorithm development are necessary to assess which measurable signals coincide with pain. A mobile application utilising such algorithms would allow caregivers to better attend to the patients' needs in daily practice. This study aims to develop an application that can signal pain for caregivers of persons with communication difficulties and examine whether utilizing this software solution, pain can be reliably detected in an experimental setting. Visual analysis of plotted results from a pilot study indicates that within the same person pain shows significant deviation from relaxation and neutral experiences. Further research is needed to examine the reliability of pain detection