Plasma YKL-40 Elevation on Admission and Follow-Up Is Associated with Diastolic Dysfunction and Mortality in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective. The aim of the study was to determine an association between the plasma YKL-40 level and echocardiographic left ventricle systolic and diastolic function parameters in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Subjects and Methods. The study included 46 patients with acute myocardial infarction. Serum brain natriuretic protein (BNP) and YKL-40 levels were analyzed on admission and after one month. Left ventricle systolic and diastolic functions and Tei index were computed by transthoracic echocardiography. Results. Plasma YKL-40 was significantly higher in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (101.7 μg/L versus 34 μg/L, resp., p<0.001) and remained higher than in healthy subjects after one month. The levels of YKL-40 on admission were correlated with log BNP on admission (r=0.41,p=0.004), Tei index (r=0.44,p=0.002), left atrium volume index (r=0.32,p=0.02), and mitral septal annular E/e′ (r=0.44,p=0.003). Death was more frequently observed in patients with plasma YKL-40 above the median value than in those with plasma YKL-40 below the median value (p=0.001; OR = 13.6 (2.5–72.3)). Conclusion. YKL-40 elevations in patients with AMI remain at least one month and are associated with serum BNP elevations, diastolic dysfunction, and long-term increased overall mortality. It has prognostic importance in patients with AMI

High-concentration compact agar gels from hydrothermal synthesis

3 páginas, 2 figuras, 1 tabla.-- et al.A simple hydrothermal method has been used to prepare for the first time high-concentration, microstructurally compact agar hydrogels (3–30 g agar per 100 ml H2O). These gels reach concentrations unachievable by conventional methods and overcome problems normally associated to them. They feature superior homogeneity, modified and controllable porosity, increased densities and higher strength, thus widening possible applications of this widely used biocompatible polysaccharide.Partial funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) (CTQ2008-06779-C02-01).Peer reviewe

Influences of 2.5wt% Mn addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloys

WOS: 000276343200012The influences of 2.5wt% Mn addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Cu-11.9wt%Al-3.8wt%Ni shape memory alloy (SMA) were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The experimental results show that Mn addition influences considerably the austenite-martensite transformation temperatures and the kind of martensite in the Cu-Al-Ni alloy. The martensitic transformation changes from a mixed beta(1) -> beta(1)'+gamma(1)' transformation to a single beta(1) -> beta(1)' martensite transformation together with a decrease in transformation temperatures. In addition, the observations reveal that the grain size of the Cu-Al-Ni alloy can be controlled with the addition of 2.5wt% Mn and thus its mechanical properties can be enhanced. The Cu-Al-Ni-Mn alloy exhibits better mechanical properties with the high ultimate compression strength and ductility of 952 MPa and 15%, respectively. These improvements are attributed to a decrease in grain size. However, the hardness decreases from Hv 230 to Hv 140 with the Mn addition

Pollen polymorphism in Magnoliaceae and conservation of plant male germline regulators

In flowering plants twin sperm cells are produced by the male gametophyte to enable double fertilization, which is of vital importance for plant fertility. The process of male gametogenesis depends upon relatively poorly understood mechanisms of gamete cell production, but the male germline-specific R2R3 MYB transcription factor DUO1 is an essential factor in germ cell division and gamete differentiation in Arabidopsis. One major objective of the thesis was to assess the validity of Brewbaker’s evidence that Magnoliaceae possess exclusively bicellular pollen at anthesis. This analysis provided conclusive evidence of the coexistence of polymorphic (bicellular and tricellular) pollen in Magnoliaceae species. Further, the maturation of pollen under increased temperature regimes can significantly accelerate the rate of generative cell division in M. grandiflora. A second major aim was to identify sequence and functional conservation of DUO1 orthologs genes in angiosperms and bryophytes. This study provided further evidence that a supernumerary lysine residue in the DUO1 MYB domain is widely conserved and the sequences and expression of two DUO1 orthologs from moss (Physcomitrella patens) were validated. Arabidopsis, tomato and rice DUO1 orthologs were shown to transactivate Arabidopsis DUO1 target promoters. The expression of angiosperm DUO1 orthologs were able to complement the generative cell division and genetic transmission defects in duo1 mutants, demonstrating conservation of function of DUO1 orthologs in Arabidopsis. The final objective was to investigate the functional conservation of DAZ1/DAZ2–related proteins in other angiosperms. The AtDAZ1 orthologs from Brassica rapa (BrDAZ1) and tomato (SlDAZ1) were able to partially rescue the division and transmission defects of daz1/daz2 double mutant pollen, allowing daz1/daz2 homozygous lines to be established harbouring heterologous DAZ1 transgenes. Collectively, these results show conserved functions for both DUO1 and DAZ1/DAZ2 orthologs, highlighting the important role of the transcriptional network controlled by these male germline-specific regulators in from angiosperms