Close-loop dynamic nanohybrids on collagen-ark with in situ gelling transformation capability for biomimetic stage-specific diabetic wound healing

Here, an oxidation/acid dual-responsive nanohybrids/ark system was produced. The microfluidics-produced nanohybrids endow the system with an orchestrated cascade from wound detection, reactive oxygen species scavenging, drug release to hydrogel formation. The drug release behavior imitates the dynamic wound healing process, thus rendering an enhanced bio-mimetic regeneration.Peer reviewe

B Cell Depletion Reduces the Number of Autoreactive T Helper Cells and Prevents Glucose-6-Phosphate Isomerase-Induced Arthritis

The therapeutic benefit of B cell depletion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis has provided proof of concept that B cells are relevant for the pathogenesis of arthritis. It remains unknown which B cell effector functions contribute to the induction or chronification of arthritis. We studied the clinical and immunological effects of B cell depletion in glucose-6-phosphate isomerase-induced arthritis. We targeted CD22 to deplete B cells. Mice were depleted of B cells before or after immunization with glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (G6PI). The clinical and histological effects were studied. G6PI-specific antibody responses were measured by ELISA. G6PI-specific T helper (Th) cell responses were assayed by polychromatic flow cytometry. B cell depletion prior to G6PI-immunization prevented arthritis. B cell depletion after immunization ameliorated arthritis, whereas B cell depletion in arthritic mice was ineffective. Transfer of antibodies from arthritic mice into B cell depleted recipients did not reconstitute arthritis. B cell depleted mice harbored much fewer G6PI-specific Th cells than control animals. B cell depletion prevents but does not cure G6PI-induced arthritis. Arthritis prevention upon B cell depletion is associated with a drastic reduction in the number of G6PI-specific effector Th cells

Close-loop dynamic nanohybrids on collagen-ark with in situ gelling transformation capability for biomimetic stage-specific diabetic wound healing

Here, an oxidation/acid dual-responsive nanohybrids/ark system was produced. The microfluidics-produced nanohybrids endow the system with an orchestrated cascade from wound detection, reactive oxygen species scavenging, drug release to hydrogel formation. The drug release behavior imitates the dynamic wound healing process, thus rendering an enhanced bio-mimetic regeneration

Altered Ratio of D1 and D2 Dopamine Receptors in Mouse Striatum Is Associated with Behavioral Sensitization to Cocaine

BACKGROUND: Drugs of abuse elevate brain dopamine levels, and, in vivo, chronic drug use is accompanied by a selective decrease in dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) availability in the brain. Such a decrease consequently alters the ratio of D1R:D2R signaling towards the D1R. Despite a plethora of behavioral studies dedicated to the understanding of the role of dopamine in addiction, a molecular mechanism responsible for the downregulation of the D2R, in vivo, in response to chronic drug use has yet to be identified. METHODS AND FINDINGS: ETHICS STATEMENT: All animal work was approved by the Gallo Center IACUC committee and was performed in our AAALAC approved facility. In this study, we used wild type (WT) and G protein coupled receptor associated sorting protein-1 (GASP-1) knock out (KO) mice to assess molecular changes that accompany cocaine sensitization. Here, we show that downregulation of D2Rs or upregulation of D1Rs is associated with a sensitized locomotor response to an acute injection of cocaine. Furthermore, we demonstrate that disruption of GASP-1, that targets D2Rs for degradation after endocytosis, prevents cocaine-induced downregulation of D2Rs. As a consequence, mice with a GASP-1 disruption show a reduction in the sensitized locomotor response to cocaine. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our data suggests that changes in the ratio of the D1:D2R could contribute to cocaine-induced behavioral plasticity and demonstrates a role of GASP-1 in regulating both the levels of the D2R and cocaine sensitization

Genetic susceptibility of intervertebral disc degeneration among young Finnish adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Disc degeneration (DD) is a common condition that progresses with aging. Although the events leading to DD are not well understood, a significant genetic influence has been found. This study was undertaken to assess the association between relevant candidate gene polymorphisms and moderate DD in a well-defined and characterized cohort of young adults. Focusing on young age can be valuable in determining genetic predisposition to DD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We investigated the associations of existing candidate genes for DD among 538 young adults with a mean age of 19 belonging to the 1986 Northern Finland Birth Cohort. Nineteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 16 genes were genotyped. We evaluated lumbar DD using the modified Pfirrmann classification and a 1.5-T magnetic resonance scanner for imaging.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 538 individuals studied, 46% had no degeneration, while 54% had DD and 51% of these had moderate DD. The risk of DD was significantly higher in subjects with an allele G of <it>IL6 </it>SNPs rs1800795 (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.07-1.96) and rs1800797 (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.02-1.85) in the additive inheritance model. The role of <it>IL6 </it>was further supported by the haplotype analysis, which resulted in an association between the GGG haplotype (SNPs rs1800797, rs1800796 and rs1800795) and DD with an OR of 1.51 (95% CI 1.11-2.04). In addition, we observed an association between DD and two other polymorphisms, <it>SKT </it>rs16924573 (OR 0.27 95% CI 0.07-0.96) and <it>CILP </it>rs2073711 in women (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.07-3.89).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results indicate that <it>IL6</it>, <it>SKT </it>and <it>CILP </it>are involved in the etiology of DD among young adults.</p

Lepsämänjoki LTSER: pitkäaikaisen sosioekologisen maatalousekosysteemitutkimuksen verkosto

Lepsämänjoki LTSER (long term social ecological research platform) kuuluu kahdeksan muun erilaisiaekosysteemityyppejä edustavan verkoston kanssa vuonna 2007 perustettuun Suomen LTSER- konsortioon(FinLTSER:http://www.ymparisto.fi/default.asp?contentid=257172&amp;lan=FI). FinLTSERpuolestaan onsamana vuonna hyväksytty kv. ILTER -verkostoonjäseneksi (http://www.ilternet.edu/). LTSER toiminnanperusajatus on luoda ja ylläpitää ekosysteemitutkimuksen infrastruktuureja, joissa pitkäaikainen ja seuranta-aineistoihinperustuva tutkimus kohdistuu ns. ydinalueelle. Tällainen ydinalue on maantieteellisesti määriteltyekosysteemialue, jossa verkoston tutkimusryhmät tuottavat pitkäaikaista, julkista ja hyvin dokumentoituaseurantajatutkimustietoa sosioekologisistaekosysteemin tilaan ja muutokseen sekä muutosta ohjaaviinvoimiin liittyvistä muuttujista. LTSER- verkoston tulisi mahdollistaa monitieteinen ja tieteidenvälinen sosioekologinentutkimus, ja sen tulisi tuottaa laadukasta tutkimusdataa kv. tutkimusyhteisön käyttöön.Lepsämänjoki LTSER on keskeisten maatalousekosysteemien tilasta ja muutoksesta kiinnostuneidentutkimuslaitosten ja –ryhmien verkosto. Se on avoin yhteenliittymä, joka pyrkii kehittämään julkista jayleishyödyllistä yhteistyötä ja infrastruktuuria maatalousympäristön monitieteiseen tutkimukseen. Verkostonydinalue on Lepsämänjoen maataloudellinen valuma-alue,joka suurimmaksi osaksi kuuluu UusimaalaisenNurmijärven kunnan alueeseen noin 30 km Helsingistä luoteeseen (60° 23' 60°28' N, 24° 31' 24°43' E).Se on topografialtaan laakea 213 km² suuruinen alue, jossa harjoitetaan Etelä-Suomensavikoille ominaistapeltoviljelyvaltaista maataloutta. Alueen pohjoisosassa on useita vihannesviljelyyn keskittyneitä tiloja. Alueon kaupungin läheistä maaseutua, jolle muualla työskentelevien haja-asutusleviää, ja jonka eteläosassasijaitseva Klaukkalan taajama on kasvussa.Lepsämänjoen valuma-alueeltaon parhaimmillaan jo vuosikymmenten ajalta biofysikaalisiinympäristömuuttujiin liittyviä tutkimusaineistoja: jokiveden laatu, maatalouden ravinne- jakiintoaineskuormitus, maataloudellinen maankäyttö, maatalouden ravinnetaseet, maalajit ja topografia, alue-ekologinenmonimuotoisuus, putkilokasvien, perhosten ja peltolintujen lajimonimuotoisuus. Verkoston eritutkimusryhmät ovat toisistaan riippumatta koonneet em. aineistoja eri seurannoissa ja tutkimus- jakehityshankkeissa.Lepsämänjoki LTSER-verkostontavoite on LTSER-konseptinmukaisesti verkostoitumisen avullakehittää tutkimuksen infrastruktuuria, parantaa seuranta-aineistojensaatavuutta ja laatua sekä edistääekologisen, ympäristöjayhteiskunnallisen tutkimuksen integraatiota. Tiedustelut voi osoittaa verkostonkoordinaattorille ([email protected])

Recent advances and perspectives on starch nanocomposites for packaging applications

Starch nanocomposites are popular and abundant materials in packaging sectors. The aim of this work is to review some of the most popular starch nanocomposite systems that have been used nowadays. Due to a wide range of applicable reinforcements, nanocomposite systems are investigated based on nanofiller type such as nanoclays, polysaccharides and carbonaceous nanofillers. Furthermore, the structures of starch and material preparation methods for their nanocomposites are also mentioned in this review. It is clearly presented that mechanical, thermal and barrier properties of plasticised starch can be improved with well-dispersed nanofillers in starch nanocomposites