Regulations of the key mediators in inflammation and atherosclerosis by Aspirin in human macrophages

Although its role to prevent secondary cardiovascular complications has been well established, how acetyl salicylic acid (ASA, aspirin) regulates certain key molecules in the atherogenesis is still not known. Considering the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) to destabilize the atherosclerotic plaques, the roles of the scavenger receptor class BI (SR-BI) and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) to promote cholesterol efflux in the foam cells at the plaques, and the role of NF-κB in the overall inflammation related to the atherosclerosis, we addressed whether these molecules are all related to a common mechanism that may be regulated by acetyl salicylic acid. We investigated the effect of ASA to regulate the expressions and activities of these molecules in THP-1 macrophages. Our results showed that ASA inhibited MMP-9 mRNA expression, and caused the decrease in the MMP-9 activities from the cell culture supernatants. In addition, it inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit, thus the activity of this inflammatory molecule. On the contrary, acetyl salicylic acid induced the expressions of ABCA1 and SR-BI, two molecules known to reduce the progression of atherosclerosis, at both mRNA and protein levels. It also stimulated the cholesterol efflux out of macrophages. These data suggest that acetyl salicylic acid may alleviate symptoms of atherosclerosis by two potential mechanisms: maintaining the plaque stability via inhibiting activities of inflammatory molecules MMP-9 and NF-κB, and increasing the cholesterol efflux through inducing expressions of ABCA1 and SR-BI

Iliopsoas fibrosis after revision of total hip arthroplasty revealed by 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT: a case report

BackgroundTotal hip arthroplasty (THA) is a well-established surgical procedure that has been extensively validated to alleviate pain, enhance joint function, improve the ability to perform daily activities, and enhance overall quality of life. However, this procedure is associated with certain complications, among which skeletal muscle fibrosis is a frequently overlooked but significant complication that can lead to persistent pain. Currently, there is no effective method for diagnosing skeletal muscle fibrosis following total hip arthroplasty.Case reportWe report a 75-year-old male patient who complained of left groin pain after revision total hip arthroplasty. Serological examinations, X-rays, and bone scan results were all normal. However, during the 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT examination, we observed significant radiotracer uptake along the iliopsoas muscle. This abnormal uptake pattern suggested potential biological activity in this specific area. Combined with physical examination, the patient was diagnosed with iliopsoas fibrosis.ConclusionsThe presented images indicated that the uptake pattern was an important indicator for diagnosis, and the prospect of fibroblast activation protein in the diagnosis of skeletal muscle fibrosis has shown certain application value

GWAS Identifies Novel Susceptibility Loci on 6p21.32 and 21q21.3 for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Carriers

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have recently identified KIF1B as susceptibility locus for hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To further identify novel susceptibility loci associated with HBV–related HCC and replicate the previously reported association, we performed a large three-stage GWAS in the Han Chinese population. 523,663 autosomal SNPs in 1,538 HBV–positive HCC patients and 1,465 chronic HBV carriers were genotyped for the discovery stage. Top candidate SNPs were genotyped in the initial validation samples of 2,112 HBV–positive HCC cases and 2,208 HBV carriers and then in the second validation samples of 1,021 cases and 1,491 HBV carriers. We discovered two novel associations at rs9272105 (HLA-DQA1/DRB1) on 6p21.32 (OR = 1.30, P = 1.13×$10^{−19}$) and rs455804 (GRIK1) on 21q21.3 (OR = 0.84, P = 1.86×$10^{−8}$), which were further replicated in the fourth independent sample of 1,298 cases and 1,026 controls (rs9272105: OR = 1.25, P = 1.71×$10^{−4}$; rs455804: OR = 0.84, P = 6.92×$10^{−3}$). We also revealed the associations of HLA-DRB1*0405 and 0901*0602, which could partially account for the association at rs9272105. The association at rs455804 implicates GRIK1 as a novel susceptibility gene for HBV–related HCC, suggesting the involvement of glutamate signaling in the development of HBV–related HCC

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Application of open source FEM and DEM simulations for dynamic belt deflection modelling

Belt deflection due to the belt weight and bulk solid loads is essential not only for reducing the flexure resistance but also for extending the service life of belt conveyors. Current theoretical analysis and numerical modelling have failed to fully consider the interaction between a belt and bulk solid and therefore are not suitable to investigate belt deflection under dynamic conditions. The aim of this study was to develop a numerical model for predicting dynamic belt deflection by coupling the Finite Element Method (FEM) and Discrete Element Method (DEM). The open source software Code_Aster (FEM) and LIGGGHTS (DEM) were used for the coupling through an interface programmed in Python.Simulation results in terms of the longitudinal and transverse belt deflection were discussed and compared to the results obtained from the experimental measurements. Influences on the dynamic belt deflection were analysed by varying the operating conditions including the belt speed and tension. Furthermore, the belt pressure distribution attributed to the bulk solids was investigated based on the developed coupled model. Good agreements between the modelling and experiments were observed, indicating the validation of the coupled FEM and DEM model

UKF design and stability for nonlinear stochastic systems with correlated noises

Dimirovski, Georgi M. (Dogus Author) -- Conference full title: 46th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control : December 12-14, 2007, New Orleans, LA.Based on the standard unscented Kalman filter (UKF), the modified UKF is presented for nonlinear stochastic systems with correlated noises. The modified UKF consists of the prediction equations and the measurement equations, and holds the sigma points chosen by unscented transformation (UT). The stability of the modified UKF for the nonlinear stochastic system with correlated noises is analyzed. It is proved that under certain conditions, the estimation error of the UKF remains bounded. These results are verified by using Matlab simulations on two numerical example systems

A review of moisture migration in bulk material

Moisture migration in bulk materials can cause many problems for bulk material handling. The review aims to find an appropriate method for dynamic moisture migration in unsaturated bulk materials during processing. A large amount of research on moisture migration has been done from both macroscopic and microscopic views. From the macroscopic view, moisture migration in bulk materials such as soil, sand, and grain, were relatively well understood based on the diffusion theory and infiltration theories. The microscopic theory, liquid bridge rupture, and vibration were also well developed. The theories and simulation models can be widely used in geotechnology, food engineering and process control of bulk material. However, current research concerns little about dynamic moisture migration in unsaturated bulk material. Some further development of theories and simulation models are needed