Transforming growth factor-β in graft vessels: histology and immunohistochemistry

OBJECTIVES: The biological functions of transforming growth factor-β signaling that involves Smad proteins have not been previously investigated with respect to coronary artery bypass grafts. The aim of the present study was to observe the immunostaining of proteins that are related to this signaling pathway. METHODS: Fifteen remnants of coronary artery bypass grafts, including nine saphenous veins, three radial arteries and three mammary arteries, were collected from 12 patients who were undergoing coronary artery bypass. Hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining of transforming growth factor-β1, type I receptor of transforming growth factor-β, Smad2/3, Smad4, and Smad7 were performed. RESULTS: The saphenous veins showed more severe intimal degeneration, more severe smooth muscle cell proliferation and more collagen deposition than the arterial grafts, as evidenced by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome stainings. Immunohistochemical assays demonstrated that the majority of the transforming growth factor-β1 signaling cytokines were primarily localized in the cytoplasm in the medial layers of all three types of grafts, whereas ectopic transforming growth factor-β1, type I receptor of transforming growth factor-β, and Smad7 overexpressions in the interstices were observed particularly in the saphenous vein and radial arterial grafts. CONCLUSION: Enhanced transforming growth factor-β1 signal transduction with medial smooth muscle cell proliferation and ectopic transforming growth factor-β1, the presence of the type I receptor of transforming growth factor-β, and Smad7 overexpressions in the extracellular matrix may provide primary evidence for early or late graft failure

Quantized Feedback Control of Network Empowerment Ammunition with Data-Rate Limitations

This paper investigates quantized feedback control problems for network empowerment ammunition, where the sensors and the controller are connected by a digital communication network with data-rate limitations. Different from the existing ones, a new bit-allocation algorithm on the basis of the singular values of the plant matrix is proposed to encode the plant states. A lower bound on the data rate is presented to ensure stabilization of the unstable plant. It is shown in our results that, the algorithm can be employed for the more general case. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm

Transforming growth factor-β in graft vessels: histology and immunohistochemistry

OBJECTIVES: The biological functions of transforming growth factor-β signaling that involves Smad proteins have not been previously investigated with respect to coronary artery bypass grafts. The aim of the present study was to observe the immunostaining of proteins that are related to this signaling pathway. METHODS: Fifteen remnants of coronary artery bypass grafts, including nine saphenous veins, three radial arteries and three mammary arteries, were collected from 12 patients who were undergoing coronary artery bypass. Hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining of transforming growth factor-β1, type I receptor of transforming growth factor-β, Smad2/3, Smad4, and Smad7 were performed. RESULTS: The saphenous veins showed more severe intimal degeneration, more severe smooth muscle cell proliferation and more collagen deposition than the arterial grafts, as evidenced by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome stainings. Immunohistochemical assays demonstrated that the majority of the transforming growth factor-β1 signaling cytokines were primarily localized in the cytoplasm in the medial layers of all three types of grafts, whereas ectopic transforming growth factor-β1, type I receptor of transforming growth factor-β, and Smad7 overexpressions in the interstices were observed particularly in the saphenous vein and radial arterial grafts. CONCLUSION: Enhanced transforming growth factor-β1 signal transduction with medial smooth muscle cell proliferation and ectopic transforming growth factor-β1, the presence of the type I receptor of transforming growth factor-β, and Smad7 overexpressions in the extracellular matrix may provide primary evidence for early or late graft failure

Poly[[diaqua­hexa-μ-cyanido-cerium(III)ferrate(III)] dihydrate]

In the structure of the title complex, {[CeFe(CN)6(H2O)2]·2H2O}n, the CeIII and FeIII atoms exhibit square anti­prismatic [CeN6(H2O)2] (site symmetry m2m) and octahedral [FeC6] (site symmetry 2/m) coordination geometries, respectively. The metal atoms are linked alternately through the cyanide groups, forming a three-dimensional framework in which the {Ce2Fe2(CN)4} puckered square unit is the basic building block. The crystal packing is enforced by O—H⋯O and O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds, including the uncoordinated water molecule which is located on a mirror plane

Tris(1,10-phenanthrolin-1-ium) hexa­cyanidoferrate(III) ethanol monosolvate trihydrate

The asymmetric unit of the title complex, (C12H9N2)3[Fe(CN)6]·C2H5OH·3H2O, consists of two half [Fe(CN)6]3− anions located on inversion centers, three 1,10-phenanthrolin-1-ium cations, [Hphen]+, an ethanol and three water solvent mol­ecules. The average Fe—C and C—N bond lengths are 1.942 (6) and 1.154 (3) Å, respectively, while the Fe—C—N angles deviate slightly from linearity with values ranging from 177.8 (2) to 179.7 (2)°. The FeIII atoms adopt a distorted octa­hedral geometry. All the species are linked through O—H⋯N, N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions, resulting in a three-dimensional supra­molecular network

Safety and efficacy of etomidate and propofol anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing gastroscopy: A double-blind randomized clinical study

The aim of the present study is to compare the safety, efficacy and cost effectiveness of anesthetic regimens by compound, using etomidate and propofol in elderly patients undergoing gastroscopy. A total of 200 volunteers (65–79 years of age) scheduled for gastroscopy under anesthesia were randomly divided into the following groups: P, propofol (1.5–2.0 mg/kg); E, etomidate (0.15-0.2 mg/kg); P+E, propofol (0.75–1 mg/kg) followed by etomidate (0.075-0.1 mg/kg); and E+P, etomidate (0.075-0.01 mg/kg) followed by propofol (0.75–1 mg/kg). Vital signs and bispectral index were monitored at different time points. Complications, induction and examination time, anesthesia duration, and recovery and discharge time were recorded. At the end of the procedure, the satisfaction of patients, endoscopists and the anesthetist were evaluated. The recovery (6.1±1.2 h) and discharge times (24.8±2.8 h) in group E were significantly longer compared with groups P, P+E and E+P (P<0.05). The occurrence of injection pain in group P+E was significantly higher compared with the other three groups (P<0.05). In addition, the incidence of myoclonus and post-operative nausea and vomiting were significantly higher in group P+E compared with the other three groups (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference among the four groups with regards to the patients' immediate, post-procedure satisfaction (P>0.05). Furthermore, there was no difference in the satisfaction of anesthesia, as evaluated by the anesthetist and endoscopist, among the four groups (P>0.05). The present study demonstrates that anesthesia for gastroscopy in elderly patients can be safely and effectively accomplished using a drug regimen that combines propofol with etomidate. The combined use of propofol and etomidate has unique characteristics which improve hemodynamic stability, cause minimal respiratory depression and less side effects, provide rapid return to full activity and result in high levels of satisfaction

FSD-C10, a Fasudil derivative, promotes neuroregeneration through indirect and direct mechanisms.

FSD-C10, a Fasudil derivative, was shown to reduce severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), through the modulation of the immune response and induction of neuroprotective molecules in the central nervous system (CNS). However, whether FSD-C10 can promote neuroregeneration remains unknown. In this study, we further analyzed the effect of FSD-C10 on neuroprotection and remyelination. FSD-C10-treated mice showed a longer, thicker and more intense MAP2 and synaptophysin positive signal in the CNS, with significantly fewer CD4(+) T cells, macrophages and microglia. Importantly, the CNS of FSD-C10-treated mice showed a shift of activated macrophages/microglia from the type 1 to type 2 status, elevated numbers of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and oligodendrocytes, and increased levels of neurotrophic factors NT-3, GDNF and BDNF. FSD-C10-treated microglia significantly inhibited Th1/Th17 cell differentiation and increased the number of IL-10(+) CD4(+) T cells, and the conditioned medium from FSD-C10-treated microglia promoted OPC survival and oligodendrocyte maturation. Addition of FSD-C10 directly promoted remyelination in a chemical-induced demyelination model on organotypic slice culture, in a BDNF-dependent manner. Together, these findings demonstrate that FSD-C10 promotes neural repair through mechanisms that involved both immunomodulation and induction of neurotrophic factors