Paramagnetic nitroxide radical liquid crystalline compounds with methyl di(ethylene glycol) chain

We have synthesized a racemic and enantiomerically enriched all-organic paramagnetic nitroxide radical (NR) liquid crystalline (LC) compound, which contains a chiral NR unit in the mesogen core and a methyl di(ethylene glycol) chain as one of their terminal units. These new compounds showed remarkable substituent effects of the methyl di(ethylene glycol) chain on the phase transition behaviors and hydrophilic properties in contrast to structural analogs of the previous reported NR-LC compounds containing alkoxy chains.This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Ferroelectrics on 2 May 2016, available at https://doi.org/10.1080/00150193.2016.1136767

Primary retroperitoneal cavernous hemangioma: A case report and review of the literature

Retroperitoneal cavernous hemangioma, a rare vascular tumor, has only 30 PubMed cases. Preoperative diagnostic criteria are unclear and often present asymptomatically until complications such as rupture or compression arise.We present a 73-year-old with chronic abdominal pain and a giant retroperitoneal tumor. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an irregular space-occupying mass in the retroperitoneum, suggesting a retroperitoneal chronic expanding hematoma. Total surgical resection confirmed the diagnosis as retroperitoneal cavernous hemangioma

Hydrocellular foam dressing promotes wound healing along with increases in hyaluronan synthase 3 and PPARα gene expression in epidermis.

BACKGROUND: Hydrocellular foam dressing, modern wound dressing, induces moist wound environment and promotes wound healing: however, the regulatory mechanisms responsible for these effects are poorly understood. This study was aimed to reveal the effect of hydrocellular foam dressing on hyaluronan, which has been shown to have positive effects on wound healing, and examined its regulatory mechanisms in rat skin. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We created two full-thickness wounds on the dorsolateral skin of rats. Each wound was covered with either a hydrocellular foam dressing or a film dressing and hyaluronan levels in the periwound skin was measured. We also investigated the mechanism by which the hydrocellular foam dressing regulates hyaluronan production by measuring the gene expression of hyaluronan synthase 3 (Has3), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), and CD44. Hydrocellular foam dressing promoted wound healing and upregulated hyaluronan synthesis, along with an increase in the mRNA levels of Has3, which plays a primary role in hyaluronan synthesis in epidermis. In addition, hydrocellular foam dressing enhanced the mRNA levels of PPARα, which upregulates Has3 gene expression, and the major hyaluronan receptor CD44. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These findings suggests that hydrocellular foam dressing may be beneficial for wound healing along with increases in hyaluronan synthase 3 and PPARα gene expression in epidermis. We believe that the present study would contribute to the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the effects of hydrocellular foam dressing-induced moist environment on wound healing and practice evidence-based wound care

Morning surge in sympathetic nervous activity in the indoor environment during the cold winter season

Nakagami, H., Akiyama, H., Otsuka, H. et al. Morning surge in sympathetic nervous activity in the indoor environment during the cold winter season. Hypertens Res 46, 231–235 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-022-01020-0.We addressed to the sympathetic nervous activation of the same people in both their houses and a highly insulated and airtight model house (model house) during the cold winter season. Eight subjects (4 males and 4 females) stayed two nights at each house and were continuously monitored for sympathetic nerve system by calculating LF (low frequency)/HF (high frequency) in the analysis of heart rate variability using a wearable electrocardiography equipment. The room temperatures were kept constant at 20 °C or more in model house, but much lower in their houses. In all subjects, the sleeping duration is longer in model house compared with that in the participants’ houses. Four subjects showed a morning surge in sympathetic activity that were more intense at their houses. This morning surge in sympathetic activity in a residential setting suggests the importance of the indoor environment in the management of early morning hypertension

Morning surge in sympathetic nervous activity in the indoor environment during the cold winter season

We addressed to the sympathetic nervous activation of the same people in both their houses and a highly insulated and airtight model house (model house) during the cold winter season. Eight subjects (4 males and 4 females) stayed two nights at each house and were continuously monitored for sympathetic nerve system by calculating LF (low frequency)/HF (high frequency) in the analysis of heart rate variability using a wearable electrocardiography equipment. The room temperatures were kept constant at 20 °C or more in model house, but much lower in their houses. In all subjects, the sleeping duration is longer in model house compared with that in the participants’ houses. Four subjects showed a morning surge in sympathetic activity that were more intense at their houses. This morning surge in sympathetic activity in a residential setting suggests the importance of the indoor environment in the management of early morning hypertension.Nakagami, H., Akiyama, H., Otsuka, H. et al. Morning surge in sympathetic nervous activity in the indoor environment during the cold winter season. Hypertens Res 46, 231–235 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-022-01020-0

Effects of hydrocellular foam dressing on wound healing in rat skin.

<p>Gross observations (A) and the relative wound areas (B) reveal increased wound contraction induced by hydrocellular foam dressing. Bars are expressed as mean ± SE (n = 4). *<i>p</i> < 0.05 indicates values that are significantly different from the side of film dressing in rat skin.</p

Effects of hydrocellular foam dressing on CD44 mRNA levels in periwound epidermis.

<p>CD44 mRNA levels in periwound epidermis were measured by quantitative PCR and expressed as values relative to those of GAPDH. Bars are expressed as mean ± SE (n = 5). *<i>p</i> < 0.05 indicates values that are significantly different from the side of film dressing in rat skin.</p

Effects of hydrocellular foam dressing on PPARα mRNA levels in periwound epidermis.

<p>The PPARα mRNA levels in periwound epidermis were measured by quantitative PCR and expressed as values relative to those of GAPDH. Bars are expressed as mean ± SE (n = 5). *<i>p</i> < 0.05 indicates values that are significantly different from the side of film dressing in rat skin.</p

Effects of hydrocellular foam dressing on level of hyaluronan and Has3 mRNA expression in periwound epidermis.

<p>Hyaluronan levels in periwound epidermis (A) were measured using a QnE hyaluronic acid ELISA assay. Has3 mRNA levels in periwound epidermis (B) were measured by quantitative PCR and expressed as values relative to those of GAPDH. Bars are expressed as mean ± SE (n = 4, 5). *<i>p</i> < 0.05 indicates values that are significantly different from the side of film dressing in rat skin.</p

Full-thickness cutaneous wound model.

<p>Two full-thickness wounds, a diameter of 1.5 cm, were created in the dorsolateral skin of five rats using sterile scissors. Each wound was covered with either a hydrocellular foam dressing (A) or the film dressing (B). A film dressing was used as a secondary dressing in both sides of individual rat and also used to keep the hydrocellular foam dressing attached to the wound.</p