Bioenergetics Consequences of Mitochondrial Transplantation in Cardiomyocytes.

Background Mitochondrial transplantation has been recently explored for treatment of very ill cardiac patients. However, little is known about the intracellular consequences of mitochondrial transplantation. This study aims to assess the bioenergetics consequences of mitochondrial transplantation into normal cardiomyocytes in the short and long term. Methods and Results We first established the feasibility of autologous, non-autologous, and interspecies mitochondrial transplantation. Then we quantitated the bioenergetics consequences of non-autologous mitochondrial transplantation into cardiomyocytes up to 28 days using a Seahorse Extracellular Flux Analyzer. Compared with the control, we observed a statistically significant improvement in basal respiration and ATP production 2-day post-transplantation, accompanied by an increase in maximal respiration and spare respiratory capacity, although not statistically significantly. However, these initial improvements were short-lived and the bioenergetics advantages return to the baseline level in subsequent time points. Conclusions This study, for the first time, shows that transplantation of non-autologous mitochondria from healthy skeletal muscle cells into normal cardiomyocytes leads to short-term improvement of bioenergetics indicating "supercharged" state. However, over time these improved effects disappear, which suggests transplantation of mitochondria may have a potential application in settings where there is an acute stress

Supersolids in confined fermions on one-dimensional optical lattices

Using quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we show that density-density and pairing correlation functions of the one-dimensional attractive fermionic Hubbard model in a harmonic confinement potential are characterized by the anomalous dimension $K_\rho$ of a corresponding periodic system, and hence display quantum critical behavior. The corresponding fluctuations render the SU(2) symmetry breaking by the confining potential irrelevant, leading to structure form factors for both correlation functions that scale with the same exponent upon increasing the system size, thus giving rise to a (quasi)supersolid.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, published versio

Lateral and normal forces between patterned substrates induced by nematic fluctuations

We consider a nematic liquid crystal confined by two parallel flat substrates whose anchoring conditions vary periodically in one lateral direction. Within the Gaussian approximation, we study the effective forces between the patterned substrates induced by the thermal fluctuations of the nematic director. The shear force oscillates as function of the lateral shift between the patterns on the lower and the upper substrates. We compare the strength of this fluctuation-induced lateral force with the lateral van der Waals force arising from chemically structured adsorbed monolayers. The fluctuation-induced force in normal direction is either repulsive or attractive, depending on the model parameters.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figure

Change in bone mineral density in post menopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction: Low bone mass is a serious complication of post menopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. We determined the Change in Bone Mineral Density in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was carried out on consecutive postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis who were referred to the Azar 5th teaching hospital affiliated to Golestan University of Medical Sciences, North of Iran in 2009. The required data were gathered from the patients' medical records. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and statistical tests. Results: We studied 98 postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. Mean number of years since menopause and mean duration of disease were 9.39 and 5.13 respectively. T Score mean in femoral neck and lumbar spines was -1.45±1.26 and -2.45±1.44 respectively. The overall prevalence of osteoporosis at both the lumbar spine and femoral neck was 13.3. We have found a significant correlation between age, duration of disease, duration of menopause and bone mineral density (P-Value<0.01). Conlusion: Our results indicate a negative effect of age, number of years since menopause and duration of disease on bone mineral density. So, BMD should be measured in high risk women prior to the implementation of any treatment or prevention program

Comparison of the Eficacy of Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate and Oral Indomethcin in the Management of Preterm Labor

Abstract: Background & Aims: Preterm labor is often resulted in preterm births and increased rate of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Treatment consists of bedrest, hydration, pharmacologic interventions, and combinations of these. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and indomethacin in the treatment of preterm labor pains. Neonatal and maternal side effects of each method were also studied. Methods: A total of 120 women between 26 and 31 weeks’ gestation admitted due to preterm labor were randomized to receive either MgSO4 (n = 60) or oral indomethacin (n = 60). All women received betamethasone and prophylactic antibiotics. Data were analyzed using student t-test and X2. Results: The two groups had no significant difference in mean gestational age and cervical dilation and effacement at enrollment. The gestational age at delivery was similar in both groups (p=0.279). Delivery was delayed for more than 48 hours in 81% of subjects in MgSO4 group and in 87% of subjects in the indomethacin group (P=0.298). Neonatal birth weight, type of delivery, recurrent preterm labor pain and mean time to suppress the contractions were similar in both groups. No serious side effect was seen in the two groups. Conlusion: Acute tocolysis by either IV MgSO4 or oral indomethacin can delay preterm birth for 48 hours, provide the critical period of steroid effect, arrest an episode of preterm labor, and consequently delays delivery and improves neonatal outcomes. It is therefore necessary that all Obstetricians remain up-to-date regarding the efficacy, indications, contraindications, and side effects of all tocolytics. Keywords: Preterm labor, Magnesium sulfate, Indomethacin, Tocolysi