Collagen-binding Agent Compositions And Methods Of Using The Same

The invention generally relates to collagen-binding agent compositions and methods of using the same. More specifically, the invention relates in part to new collagen-binding agent compositions and methods that may be used to treat damaged collagen within tissues or used to specifically target therapeutics to tissues containing undamaged or damaged collagen

Collagen-binding Agent Compositions And Methods Of Using The Same

The invention generally relates to collagen-binding agent compositions and methods of using the same. More specifically, the invention relates in part to new collagen-binding agent compositions and methods that may be used to treat damaged collagen within tissues or used to specifically target therapeutics to tissues containing undamaged or damaged collagen

Oncogenic Kras Activates a Hematopoietic-to-Epithelial IL-17 Signaling Axis in Preinvasive Pancreatic Neoplasia

SummaryMany human cancers are dramatically accelerated by chronic inflammation. However, the specific cellular and molecular elements mediating this effect remain largely unknown. Using a murine model of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), we found that KrasG12D induces expression of functional IL-17 receptors on PanIN epithelial cells and also stimulates infiltration of the pancreatic stroma by IL-17-producing immune cells. Both effects are augmented by associated chronic pancreatitis, resulting in functional in vivo changes in PanIN epithelial gene expression. Forced IL-17 overexpression dramatically accelerates PanIN initiation and progression, while inhibition of IL-17 signaling using genetic or pharmacologic techniques effectively prevents PanIN formation. Together, these studies suggest that a hematopoietic-to-epithelial IL-17 signaling axis is a potent and requisite driver of PanIN formation

LAMOST Experiment for Galactic Understanding and Exploration (LEGUE) The survey science plan

We describe the current plans for a spectroscopic survey of millions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy using the Guo Shou Jing Telescope (GSJT, formerly the Large Area Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope - LAMOST). The survey will obtain spectra for 2.5 million stars brighter than $r<19$ during dark/grey time, and 5 million stars brighter than $r<17$ or $J<16$ on nights that are moonlit or have low transparency. The survey will begin in fall of 2012, and will run for at least four years. The telescope design constrains the optimal declination range for observations to $10^\circ<\delta<50^\circ$, and site conditions lead to an emphasis on stars in the direction of the Galactic anticenter. The survey is divided into three parts with different target selection strategies: disk, anticenter, and spheroid. The resulting dataset will be used to study the merger history of the Milky Way, the substructure and evolution of the disks, the nature of the first generation of stars through identification of the lowest metallicity stars, and star formation through study of open clusters and the OB associations. Detailed design of the LEGUE survey will be completed after a review of the results of the pilot survey in summer 2012.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in RA

Young Adults’ Conceptions of the Sacred in Finland Today

Peer reviewe

Effect of Cardiopulmonary Bypass on SARS‐CoV‐2 Vaccination Antibody Levels

Background Adults undergoing heart surgery are particularly vulnerable to respiratory complications, including COVID‐19. Immunization can significantly reduce this risk; however, the effect of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on immunization status is unknown. We sought to evaluate the effect of CPB on COVID‐19 vaccination antibody concentration after cardiac surgery. Methods and Results This prospective observational clinical trial evaluated adult participants undergoing cardiac surgery requiring CPB at a single institution. All participants received a full primary COVID‐19 vaccination series before CPB. SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein‐specific antibody concentrations were measured before CPB (pre‐CPB measurement), 24 hours following CPB (postoperative day 1 measurement), and approximately 1 month following their procedure. Relationships between demographic or surgical variables and change in antibody concentration were assessed via linear regression. A total of 77 participants were enrolled in the study and underwent surgery. Among all participants, mean antibody concentration was significantly decreased on postoperative day 1, relative to pre‐CPB levels (−2091 AU/mL, P<0.001). Antibody concentration increased between postoperative day 1and 1 month post CPB measurement (2465 AU/mL, P=0.015). Importantly, no significant difference was observed between pre‐CPB and 1 month post CPB concentrations (P=0.983). Two participants (2.63%) developed symptomatic COVID‐19 pneumonia postoperatively; 1 case of postoperative COVID‐19 pneumonia resulted in mortality (1.3%). Conclusions COVID‐19 vaccine antibody concentrations were significantly reduced in the short‐term following CPB but returned to pre‐CPB levels within 1 month. One case of postoperative COVID 19 pneumonia‐specific mortality was observed. These findings suggest the need for heightened precautions in the perioperative period for cardiac surgery patients