Isolation Of Epicardial Cells From The Cover Of The Heart For Assessment Of Running Exercise-Induced Gene Expression

The cover of the heart, or epicardium, consists of a single layer of mesothelial cells. During cardiac development, epicardial cells undergo Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) to form multipotent precursors known as epicardial-derived cells (EPDC). The EPDC migrate into myocardial tissue (containing cardiomyocytes) and subsequently differentiate into fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. In adult hearts, a similar process of epicardial cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation occurs after myocardial infarction (MI, heart attack). EPDC differentiation into vascular endothelial cells or cardiomyocytes is rare and not well understood. Recently, we observed that running (exercise) in mice promotes differentiation of EPDC into microvascular endothelial cells (CD31+). After running, EPDC appear to generate endothelial cells and not other cardiac cell types. Of interest, running promotes cardiac hypertrophy that requires additional perfusion (blood flow) and may therefore stimulate the contribution of EPDC to capillaries. We hypothesized that running exercise induces gene expression in epicardial cells that promotes endothelial specification. To test our hypothesis, we developed an efficient method to directly isolate primary adult epicardial cells from the heart cover based on their expression of integrin-β4 (CD104). After 2 hours of protease digestion, we used Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting with antibodies against CD104 (CD104 MACS) to obtain undifferentiated epicardial cells; this was confirmed by expression of Keratin-18, an epicardial-specific protein in the heart. By cDNA microarray assays and bioinformatics analysis, we compared the gene expression profile of epicardial cells isolated from running-conditioned mice with that of age-matched controls (non-runners). Our data suggest that extracellular matrix remodeling in the heart is mediated, in part, by epicardial cells during running. Furthermore, we identify epicardial gene expression for cell signals/pathways and transcription factors that may enhance vascular perfusion after MI through promoting angiogenesis or endothelial specification of epicardial derivatives

Free-Piston Stirling Engine Generators

Free-Piston Stirling Engines (FPSEs) have recently attracted attention as a promising energy conversion technology because of their desirable characteristics such as high efficiency, high reliability, and easy and quiet operation. FPSE are truly a closed cycle system that works using variations in the internal pressure to drive the power piston that is connected to the reciprocating magnets in a linear alternator for energy conversion. The lack of manual linages and the use of clearance seals in a FPSE increase both the system’s reliability and lifespan, as there is no contact or wear on the seals. These desirable attributes coupled with the fuel independence of FPSE makes them ideal candidates for use in remote power generation applications, particularly where maintenance is a high concern such as in NASA deep space missions, solar power generator, and combined heat and power systems. This chapter presents an introduction to FPSE along with a brief review of the underlying thermodynamics and Stirling cycle analysis. The general engineering analysis and numerical modeling approaches of Stirling engines will be discussed, followed by a section of engine design and efficiency calculations

Partner-Centered Evaluation Capacity Building: Findings From a Corporate Social Impact Initiative

Funders can play a proactive role in helping to fill the gap between funders’ expectations and nonprofits’ ability to evaluate grant results. Using a partner-centered design, Johnson & Johnson piloted an evaluation capacity-building initiative that supported eight grantees in strengthening their ability to measure and use findings concerning health-related outcomes, by focusing on key evaluation challenges identified by the grantees. Grantees’ approaches to capacity building naturally grouped around the areas of evaluation- framework development, data-systems strengthening, and staff training. Through individualized projects, grantees increased their ability to both do and use evaluation. This article describes the design, implementation, and results of a participatory, nonprofit-partner-centered evaluation capacity- building initiative, and shares learnings from the perspectives of both the corporate funder and the nonprofit participants

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of citrus water-extracts obtained by microwave-assisted and conventional methods

Citrus pomace is a huge agro-food industrial waste mostly composed of peels and traditionally used as compost or animal feed. Owing to its high content of compounds beneficial to humans (e.g., flavonoids, phenol-like acids, and terpenoids), citrus waste is increasingly used to produce valuable supplements, fragrance, or antimicrobials. However, such processes require sustainable and efficient extraction strategies by solvent-free techniques for environmentally-friendly good practices. In this work, we evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of water extracts of three citrus peels (orange, lemon, and citron) against ten different sanitary relevant bacteria. Both conventional extraction methods using hot water (HWE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were used. Even though no extract fully inhibited the growth of the target bacteria, these latter (mostly pseudomonads) showed a significant reduction in biofilm biomass. The most active extracts were obtained from orange and lemon peel by using MAE at 100 °C for 8 min. These results showed that citrus peel water infusions by MAE may reduce biofilm formation possibly enhancing the susceptibility of sanitary-related bacteria to disinfection procedures

The potential role of Wolbachia in controlling the transmission of emerging human arboviral infections

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Wolbachia is a genus of Gram-negative intracellular bacteria that is naturally found in more than half of all arthropod species. These bacteria cannot only reduce the fitness and the reproductive capacities of arthropod vectors, but also increase their resistance to arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). This article reviews the evidence supporting a Wolbachia-based strategy for controlling the transmission of dengue and other arboviral infections. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies conducted 1 year after the field release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes in Australia have demonstrated the suppression of dengue virus (DENV) replication in and dissemination by mosquitoes. Recent mathematical models show that this strategy could reduce the transmission of DENV by 70%. Consequently, the WHO is encouraging countries to boost the development and implementation of Wolbachia-based prevention strategies against other arboviral infections. However, the evidence regarding the efficacy of Wolbachia to prevent the transmission of other arboviral infections is still limited to an experimental framework with conflicting results in some cases. There is a need to demonstrate the efficacy of such strategies in the field under various climatic conditions, to select the Wolbachia strain that has the best pathogen interference/spread trade-off, and to continue to build community acceptance. SUMMARY: Wolbachia represents a promising tool for controlling the transmission of arboviral infections that needs to be developed further. Long-term environmental monitoring will be necessary for timely detection of potential changes in Wolbachia/vector/virus interactions

Functional status of persons with chronic fatigue syndrome in the Wichita, Kansas, population

BACKGROUND: Scant research has adequately addressed the impact of chronic fatigue syndrome on patients' daily activities and quality of life. Enumerating specific problems related to quality of life in chronic fatigue syndrome patients can help us to better understand and manage this illness. This study addresses issues of functional status in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome and other fatiguing illnesses in a population based sample, which can be generalized to all persons with chronic fatigue. METHODS: We conducted a random telephone survey in Wichita, Kansas to identify persons with chronic fatigue syndrome and other fatiguing illnesses. Respondents reporting severe fatigue of at least 1 month's duration and randomly selected non-fatigued respondents were asked to participate in a detailed telephone interview. Participants were asked about symptoms, medical and psychiatric illnesses, and about physical, social, and recreational functioning. Those meeting the 1994 chronic fatigue syndrome case definition, as determined on the basis of their telephone responses, were invited for clinical evaluation to confirm a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. For this analysis, we evaluated unemployment due to fatigue, number of hours per week spent on work, chores, and other activities (currently and prior to the onset of fatigue), and energy level. RESULTS: There was no difference between persons with chronic fatigue syndrome and persons with a chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness that could be explained by a medical or psychiatric condition for any of the outcomes we measured except for unemployment due to fatigue (15% vs. 40%, P < .01). Persons with chronic fatigue syndrome and other fatiguing illnesses had substantially less energy and spent less time on hobbies, schooling, or volunteer work than did non-fatigued controls (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Persons with chronic fatigue syndrome are as impaired as persons whose fatigue could be explained by a medical or psychiatric condition, and they have less energy than non-fatigued controls

"I cry every day and night, I have my son tied in chains": physical restraint of people with schizophrenia in community settings in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: A primary rationale for scaling up mental health services in low and middle-income countries is to address human rights violations, including physical restraint in community settings. The voices of those with intimate experiences of restraint, in particular people with mental illness and their families, are rarely heard. The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of, and reasons for, restraint of people with schizophrenia in community settings in rural Ethiopia in order to develop constructive and scalable interventions. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted, involving 15 in-depth interviews and 5 focus group discussions (n = 35) with a purposive sample of people with schizophrenia, their caregivers, community leaders and primary and community health workers in rural Ethiopia. Thematic analysis was used. RESULTS: Most of the participants with schizophrenia and their caregivers had personal experience of the practice of restraint. The main explanations given for restraint were to protect the individual or the community, and to facilitate transportation to health facilities. These reasons were underpinned by a lack of care options, and the consequent heavy family burden and a sense of powerlessness amongst caregivers. Whilst there was pervasive stigma towards people with schizophrenia, lack of awareness about mental illness was not a primary reason for restraint. All types of participants cited increasing access to treatment as the most effective way to reduce the incidence of restraint. CONCLUSION: Restraint in community settings in rural Ethiopia entails the violation of various human rights, but the underlying human rights issue is one of lack of access to treatment. The scale up of accessible and affordable mental health care may go some way to address the issue of restraint. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02160249 Registered 3rd June 2014