1,973 research outputs found
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Inhibitory effects of soluble fibronectin fractions on cultured neurones
No abstract available
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Plastic compression of collagen: development and assessment of a new biomaterial in nerve repair
Nerve reconstruction is a surgical challenge. Current neural conduits provide sub-optimal clinical results. We have developed a device from a composite material comprising a fibronectin core and a collagen outer layer, using collagen made by a new technique called plastic compression. This collagen element has the strength to improve the mechanical properties of nerve repair devices which is an important design consideration. Preliminary studies have been performed to assess the suitability of the new collagen material for use in nerve repair conduits
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Investigating the mechanical behaviour at a core-sheath interface in peripheral nerves
Published without an abstract
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Force transmission across a core-sheath interface in peripheral nerves [poster presentation]
No abstract - poster presentation
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Engineering of nano-microscale lamellae in a model collagen-based scaffold
Protein Deimination and Extracellular Vesicle Profiles in Antarctic Seabirds
Pelagic seabirds are amongst the most threatened of all avian groups. They face a range of immunological challenges which seem destined to increase due to environmental changes in their breeding and foraging habitats, affecting prey resources and exposure to pollution and pathogens. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers for the assessment of their health status is of considerable importance. Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) post-translationally convert arginine into citrulline in target proteins in an irreversible manner. PAD-mediated deimination can cause structural and functional changes in target proteins, allowing for protein moonlighting in physiological and pathophysiological processes. PADs furthermore contribute to the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which play important roles in cellular communication. In the present study, post-translationally deiminated protein and EV profiles of plasma were assessed in eight seabird species from the Antarctic, representing two avian orders: Procellariiformes (albatrosses and petrels) and Charadriiformes (waders, auks, gulls and skuas). We report some differences between the species assessed, with the narrowest EV profiles of 50−200 nm in the northern giant petrel Macronectes halli, and the highest abundance of larger 250−500 nm EVs in the brown skua Stercorarius antarcticus. The seabird EVs were positive for phylogenetically conserved EV markers and showed characteristic EV morphology. Post-translational deimination was identified in a range of key plasma proteins critical for immune response and metabolic pathways in three of the bird species under study; the wandering albatross Diomedea exulans, south polar skua Stercorarius maccormicki and northern giant petrel. Some differences in Gene Ontology (GO) biological and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways for deiminated proteins were observed between these three species. This indicates that target proteins for deimination may differ, potentially contributing to a range of physiological functions relating to metabolism and immune response, as well as to key defence mechanisms. PAD protein homologues were identified in the seabird plasma by Western blotting via cross-reaction with human PAD antibodies, at an expected 75 kDa size. This is the first study to profile EVs and to identify deiminated proteins as putative novel plasma biomarkers in Antarctic seabirds. These biomarkers may be further refined to become useful indicators of physiological and immunological status in seabirds—many of which are globally threatened
How can paediatric epilepsy services best be delivered in secondary care?
AbstractObjective: To produce practical evidence-based guidelines for the management of paediatric epilepsy in secondary care settings. Design: Question-specific systematic literature review and local service audit. Main outcome measures: Grade of recommendation for specific management issues. Results: There is little good quality research to support many existing epilepsy guidelines for secondary care. Conclusion: Practical guidelines for the provision of children’s epilepsy services can be evidence influenced but until more relevant research is undertaken, not evidence based
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Medical implantable devices for the controlled release of anti-TGF-beta1 in the repair of peripheral nerve injuries
The development of novel bioartificial nerve grafts which release soluble therapeutic agents, shows great promises guiding the extension of the injured axons and optimizing and improving the degree and specificity of neural outgrowth. The TGF-â family cytokines are polypeptides involved in pathogenesis of neuropathies during nerve lesion. In particular, studies carried out on TGF-â1 have demonstrated its key-role as a humoral stimulus in scar formation. The use of neutralising antibodies to this pro-fibrotic factor, incorporated and released by medical devices, could be potentially useful to get improved results in nerve repair. The aim of this study was to characterise the uptake and release of antibodies, structurally no different from the anti-TGFâ1 specific ones, by innovative constructs based on the use of biodegradable and biocompatible compounds with which to support and improve peripheral nerve repair
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Investigating the effect of photodynamic therapy on nerves using tissue engineered culture models
Introduction: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows potential as an effective treatment for prostate cancer. Clinical observations indicate that this approach causes fewer nerve damage related side-effects than conventional treatments. The aim here is to investigate the effect of PDT on nerve tissue using engineered 3-dimensional cell culture models. Initial experiments focussed on establishing photosensitiser localisation in neurones and Schwann cells, then developing a model for simulating nerve PDT in culture
National Plans of Action (NPOAs) for reducing seabird bycatch: Developing best practice for assessing and managing fisheries impacts
Fisheries bycatch is one of the biggest threats to seabird populations. Managers need to identify where and when bycatch occurs and ensure effective action. In 1999, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations released the International Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (IPOA-s) encouraging states to voluntarily assess potential seabird bycatch problems and implement a National Plan of Action (NPOA) if needed. However, the IPOA-s is ambiguous about the steps and objectives, diminishing its value as a conservation tool
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