Degradability of cross-linked polyurethanes/chitosan composites

Polyurethanes with synthetic poly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate) in the soft segment and with polycaprolactone triol as cross-linker were blended with chitosan and degraded in hydrolytic and oxidative solutions. Progress of the degradation of the samples was evaluated by changes in their weight, surface topography and thermal properties. Increasing the poly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate) content in soft segment as well as blending with chitosan resulted in an increase in degradability of cross-linked polyurethanes in both solutions.Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Gdynia Maritime Universit

NMR-Based Metabolic Snapshot from Minibronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid: An Approach To Unfold Human Respiratory Metabolomics

The utility of mini bronchoalveolar lavage (mBAL) and its applicability in metabolomics has not been explored in the field of human respiratory disease. mBAL, “an archetype” of the local lung environment, ensures a potent technique to get the snapshot of the epithelial lining fluid afflicted to human lung disorders. Characterization of the mBAL fluid has potential to help in elucidating the composition of the alveoli and airways in the diseased state, yielding diagnostic information on clinical applicability. In this study, one of the first attempts has been made to comprehensively assign and detect metabolites in mBAL fluid, extracted from human lungs, by the composite use of 800 MHz 1D and 2D NMR, J-resolved homonuclear spectroscopy, COSY, TOCSY, and heteronuclear HSQC correlation methods. A foremost all-inclusive sketch of the 50 metabolites has been corroborated and assigned, which can be a resourceful archive to further lung-directed metabolomics, prognosis, and diagnosis. Thus, NMR-based mBALF studies, as proposed in this article, will leverage many more prospective respiratory researches for routine clinical application and prove to be a viable approach to mirror the key predisposing factors contributing to the onset of lung disease

NMR Spectroscopy-based Metabolomics of <i>Drosophila</i> Model of Huntington’s Disease Suggests Altered Cell Energetics

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder induced by aggregation of the pathological form of Huntingtin protein that has expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) repeats. In the <i>Drosophila</i> model, for instance, expression of transgenes with polyQ repeats induces HD-like pathologies, progressively correlating with the increasing lengths of these repeats. Previous studies on both animal models and clinical samples have revealed metabolite imbalances during HD progression. To further explore the physiological processes linked to metabolite imbalances during HD, we have investigated the 1D ¹H NMR spectroscopy-based metabolomics profile of <i>Drosophila</i> HD model. Using multivariate analysis (PCA and PLS-DA) of metabolites obtained from methanolic extracts of fly heads displaying retinal deformations due to polyQ overexpression, we show that the metabolite imbalance during HD is likely to affect cell energetics. Six out of the 35 metabolites analyzed, namely, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), lactate, pyruvate, succinate, sarcosine, and acetoin, displayed segregation with progressive severity of HD. Specifically, HD progression was seen to be associated with reduction in NAD and increase in lactate-to-pyruvate ratio. Furthermore, comparative analysis of fly HD metabolome with those of mouse HD model and HD human patients revealed comparable metabolite imbalances, suggesting altered cellular energy homeostasis. These findings thus raise the possibility of therapeutic interventions for HD via modulation of cellular energetics

An overview of the workflow performed for the serum metabolic profiling of breast cancer patients using ¹H NMR spectroscopy.

<p>An overview of the workflow performed for the serum metabolic profiling of breast cancer patients using ¹H NMR spectroscopy.</p

Inhibition of IP₃R in MCF -7 breast cancer cells effects metabolism.

<p>Glucose uptake in MCF-7 cells was analyzed using NBDG a fluorescently labeled deoxy glucose analogue as a probe for detection of glucose taken up by cultured cells. Quantitative estimation of glucose uptake, using a cell based assay kit, was performed as per instructions provided by the manufacturer (Cayman, USA). Cells were plated in 96-well plates and treated with 25 μM XeC for 24 hours or with siC (non-targeted siRNA) or siIP₃R2 or siIP₃R3 (72 hours,Fig7A and 7D) Representative graph in MCF-7 cells. (Fig 7B and 7E) Representative graph showing percentage of glucose uptake as estimated using cell based assay in MDA MB-231 cells. (Fig7C and 7F) Representative graph showing percentage of glucose uptake as estimated using cell based assay in MCF 10A cells. RNA was extracted from treated and untreated cells and cDNA was prepared (Fig 7G) RT profiler PCR array for glucose as well as mitochondrial metabolism genes was performed using cDNA prepared from mRNA of MCF-7 cells. Data represent mean ±SEM. *p< 0.05, ***p< 0.001 compared to vehicle.</p

Metabolites contributing to the difference between healthy control and high IP₃R patient group.

<p>Metabolites contributing to the difference between healthy control and high IP₃R patient group.</p

Comparison of WT-1 expression and presence of proteinuria (ACR) in diabetic patients at various eGFR cutoffs.

<p>Bar graph showing percentage of patents detected with proteinuria or WT1 expression in urinary exosomes at various cutoff values of eGFR between 60–90 ml. min⁻¹/1.73 m²). WT-1 expression was detected in higher percentage of patients at earlier fall in GFR (eGFR<70/80/90 ml. min⁻¹/1.73 m²).</p

¹H NMR Metabolomics Reveals Association of High Expression of Inositol 1, 4, 5 Trisphosphate Receptor and Metabolites in Breast Cancer Patients - Fig 5

<p>Score plot and corresponding loading plot generated from PLS-DA analysis between (A) healthy control and patient group, (B) healthy control and high IP₃R group, (C) healthy control and low IP₃R group.</p

An integrated analysis based on Metaboanalyst software (pathway tool) for a simplified view of contributing pathways.

<p>The panel shows a view of metabolism in cancers depicting glycolysis and Krebs cycle which are modified to different processes like lipid and amino acid synthesis to meet the requirement of proliferating cells. (Metabolites depicted with green/red are decreased/increased in the present study).</p

Comparison of renal function parameters between WT1 positive and WT1 negative diabetic subjects.

<p>Box plots comparing; A) Estimated GFR; B) Urine protein-to- creatinine ratio; C) Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio; and D) serum Creatinine levels between WT1 positive and WT1 negative diabetic patients. The boxes indicate median and 25th and 75th percentiles; Outliers are indicated by closed dots. Data were compared by the Mann-Whitney U test. p<0.05 was considered significant.</p