Interval training normalizes cCardiomyocyte function, diastolic Ca²⁺ control, and SR Ca²⁺ release synchronicity in a mouse model of diabetic cardiomyopathy

In the present study we explored the mechanisms behind excitation-contraction (EC)-coupling defects in cardiomyocytes from mice with type-2 diabetes (db/db), and determined whether 13-weeks of aerobic interval training could restore cardiomyocyte Ca2+ cycling and EC-coupling. Reduced contractility in cardiomyocytes isolated from sedentary db/db was associated with increased diastolic sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)-Ca2+ leak, reduced synchrony of Ca2+ release, reduced transverse (T)-tubule density, and lower peak systolic and diastolic Ca2+ and caffeine-induced Ca2+ release. Additionally, the rate of SR Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2a)-mediated Ca2+ uptake during diastole was reduced, whereas a faster recovery from caffeine-induced Ca2+ release indicated increased Na+/Ca2+- exchanger (NCX) activity. The increased SR-Ca2+ leak was attributed to increased Ca2+-calmodulindependent protein kinase (CaMKIIδ) phosphorylation, supported by the normalization of SR-Ca2+ leak upon inhibition of CaMKIIδ (AIP). Exercise training restored contractile function associated with restored SR Ca2+ release synchronicity, T-tubule density, twitch Ca2+ amplitude, SERCA2a and NCX activities, and SR-Ca2+ leak. The latter was associated with reduced phosphorylation of cytosolic CaMKIIδ. Despite normal contractile function and Ca2+ handling after the training period, phospholamban was hyperphosphorylated at Serine-16. Protein kinase A (PKA) inhibition (H-89) in cardiomyocytes from the exercised db/db group abolished the differences in SR-Ca2+ load when compared with the sedentary db/db mice. EC-coupling changes were observed without changes in serum insulin or glucose levels, suggesting that the exercise training-induced effects are not via normalization of the diabetic condition. These data demonstrate that aerobic interval training almost completely restored the contractile function of the diabetic cardiomyocyte to levels close to sedentary wild type (WT)

Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study of the Grafting Modes of Phosphonic Acids on ZnO Nanorods

Metal oxides are versatile substrates for the design of a wide range of SAM-based organic-inorganic materials among which ZnO nanostructures modified with phosphonic SAM are promising semiconducting systems for applications in technological fields such as biosensing, photonics, and field-effect transistors (FET). Despite previous studies reported on various successful grafting approaches, issues regarding preferred anchoring modes of phosphonic acids and the role of a second reactive group (i.e., a carboxylic group) are still a matter of controversial interpretations. This paper reports on an experimental and theoretical study on the functionalization of ZnO nanorods with monofunctional alkylphosphonic and bifunctional carboxyalkylphosphonic acids. X-ray photoelectron and infrared spectroscopies have been combined with DFT modeling to explain and understand the interactions that drive the surface anchoring of phosphonic acids on ZnO surface. It was found that both monofunctional and bifunctional acids anchor on ZnO through a multidentate bonding which involves both P=O and P-O moieties of the phosphonic group. Moreover, anchored bifunctional acids bend to the surface, promoting a further interaction between surface hydroxyl groups and carboxylic terminations. This secondary interaction can be limited by increasing the surface density of the anchored molecules

A retrospective study evaluating the impact of scattering radiation from imaging procedures on oocyte quality during ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation in young breast cancer patients

Purpose: Ovarian stimulation for oocyte and embryo cryopreservation is the standard of care for fertility preservation in young breast cancer patients before gonadotoxic chemotherapy. The procedure should be started as soon as possible to avoid delay of treatment; thus, it is often performed concomitantly with tumor staging assessments. However, questions remain regarding the potential negative impact on oocyte quality that may occur due to exposure to scattered ionizing radiation from imaging techniques when staging assessment is conducted at the same time as ovarian stimulation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on all breast cancer patients who performed ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation at our center between November 2012 and May 2020. Results: Gynecologic and oncological characteristics were similar between patients exposed (n = 14) or not (n = 60) to ionizing radiation. Exposed patients started the ovarian stimulation sooner after diagnosis than non-exposed patients (11.5 vs 28 days, respectively, P < 0.01). Cycle parameters, including the median number of oocytes collected (10.5 vs 7, P = 0.16), maturation rates (92.5% vs 85.7%, P = 0.54), and fertilization rates (62.2% vs 65.4%, P = 0.70), were similar between groups. Conclusion: This study shows that scattered ionizing radiation due to staging assessment appears to be safe without compromising follicular growth and maturation. Larger studies on fertility and obstetrical outcomes are needed to confirm these preliminary data

Buschke-Lowenstein tumor: Use of dermal matrix for reconstruction of genital area

none8noBuschke-Lowenstein tumor (BLT) is a rare giant condyloma acuminatum of the anogenital region, first described by Buschke and Lowenstein as a potential malignant condyloma acuminatum. A 64-year-old Moroccan man was referred to our dermatology department with a 10-year-history of a growing mass in the genital region. A diagnosis of giant condyloma acuminatum was made based on clinical and histopathological features. We opted for a two-stage surgical procedure. The first stage consisted in tumor removal with clinically safe margins and positioning of an Integra® Matrix Wound Dressing. After 3 weeks the silicone top layer was removed and a thin split-thickness skin graft was applied.At the 1 year follow-up, the patient still presented an adequate reconstruction of the area and an acceptable cosmesis, without any complication or signs of recurrences.noneCondorelli A.G.; Ferrari B.; Francomano M.; Rocco B.; Sighinolfi M.C.; Giacomelli L.; Pignatti M.; Magnoni C.Condorelli A.G.; Ferrari B.; Francomano M.; Rocco B.; Sighinolfi M.C.; Giacomelli L.; Pignatti M.; Magnoni C

Heart rate, pr, and qt intervals in normal children: A 24‐hour holter monitoring study

A dynamic electrocardiographic Holter monitoring study was performed in 32 healthy children (20 males and 12 females, age range 6-11 years old), without heart disease, according to clinical and noninvasive instrumental examination. We evaluated atrioventricular conduction time (PR), heart rate (HR), and QT interval patterns defining the range of normality of these electrocardiographic parameters. The PR interval ranged from 154 +/- 10 ms (mean +/- SD) for HR less than or equal to 60 to 102 +/- 12 ms for HR greater than or equal to 120 (range 85-180). The absolute mean HR was 87 +/- 10 beats/min (range 72-104), the minimum observed HR being 61 +/- 10 (range 51-79), the maximum 160 +/- 20 beats/min (range 129-186). Daytime mean HR gave a mean value of 93 +/- 10 (range 71-148), while during night hours it was 74 +/- 11 (range 54-98). The minimum QT interval averaged 261 +/- 10 ms for HR greater than 120 and the maximum 389 +/- 9 ms for HR less than or equal to 60; the corresponding mean value of QTc (i.e., QT corrected for HR) ranged from 388 +/- 8 for HR less than or equal to 60 beats/min to 403 +/- 14 ms for HR greater than 120 beats/min. The results of the present study provide data of normal children which can be readily compared against those of subjects in whom cardiac abnormalities are suspect or patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS

An enhanced expression of the immediate early gene, Egr-1, is associated with neuronal apoptosis in culture

Cultured cerebellar granule cells grown in medium containing 10 mM K+ (K10) underwent apoptosis after four to five days in vitro, unless they were rescued by the addition of insulin-like growth factor-I. The few GABAergic neurons present in the cultures were more resistant to apoptotic degeneration, as indicated by double fluorescent staining with the chromatin dye Hoechst 33258 and with glutamate decarboxylase-67 antibodies. As compared with sister cultures grown in 25 mM K+, K10 cultures showed an increased expression of the Egr-1 protein and a reduced expression of the Fos protein, The increase in Egr-1 was more substantial in granule cells than in GABAergic neurons, and was not oberved in K10 cultures chronically exposed to insulin-like growth factor-I. To examine the temporal relationship between the increase in Egr-1 and the development of programmed cell death, we induced apoptosis in K25 cultures at six days in vitro by replacing their medium with serum-free K10 medium. A substantial, but transient, increase in Egr-1 expression was observed in granule cells 6 h after switching the medium, a time that preceded the appearance of the phoenotypical markers of apoptotic death. An early reduction in the Fos protein was observed after switching the medium from K25 into serum-free K10, but also after switching the medium into serum-free K25, a condition which was not associated with the development of apoptosis nor with the increase in Egr-1. We suggest that a transient induction of Egr-1 contributes to the chain of events leading to the execution phase of neuronal apoptosis in culture. (C) 1999 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Testosterone Replacement Therapy

The evidence on the role of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the pathogenesis of hypogonadism and the impact of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in OSA patients are still contradictory. OSA i..

A solar photothermocatalytic approach for the CO2 conversion: Investigation of different synergisms on CoO-CuO/brookite TiO2-CeO2 catalysts

The photoactive features of the least common polymorph of TiO2, i.e. brookite, were combined with the thermocatalytic redox ones of cerium oxide, focusing on the effects of the addition of small amounts of Co-Cu oxides for the solar CO2 conversion. By considering the characterization data, a surface segregation of the hosted metal oxides on the TiO2-CeO2 composite was evidenced, and their presence increased the amount of oxygen vacancies and improved the charge carriers separation. The bimetallic oxides-based sample was the most performing one in the photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction at room temperature. The formation of carbon monoxide and methane was 5 and 0.5 μmol g−1h−1, respectively, i.e. about 10 times higher than that found with bare brookite. A further enhancement was obtained with the same CoO-CuO/TiO2-CeO2 catalyst applying the photothermal approach. The CO2-TPD and the FTIR measurements highlighted the high interaction between CO2 and the surface sites