The encapsulation and controlled release of proteins from “meltable” chemically cross-linked hydrogels

\ua9 2024 The Authors. Journal of Applied Polymer Science published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.Chemically crosslinked hydrogels can be used for the controlled delivery of therapeutic proteins, however, cargo loading can be challenging. A common approach involves performing the hydrogel crosslinking step in the presence of the cargo proteins, however, this can require the utilization of selective chemistries to ensure the cargos do not chemically react with the forming hydrogel network. We demonstrate that chemically crosslinked hydrogels based upon the protein polymer Capsular antigen fragment 1 (Caf1) can be used to encapsulate proteins within a chemically crosslinked hydrogel network. This encapsulation exploits the “meltable” feature of Caf1 hydrogels, where upon heating the Caf1 protein unfolds with concomitant depolymerization of the hydrogel network. Protein cargos can be loaded into the “molten” form of the hydrogel which cools with protein refolding and concomitant reformation of the hydrogel network to entrap the cargos, ensuring a more homogenous dispersion of the cargo. Analysis of release profiles indicated lower burst release in comparison to release from identical hydrogels loaded by an absorption method. This work is significant because it suggest that the “meltable” feature of Caf1 hydrogels may present an improved method of loading protein cargos into crosslinked hydrogel networks whilst avoiding the need for crosslinking chemistries

Identifying spatial and temporal dynamics of proglacial groundwater-surface-water exchange using combined temperature-tracing methods

The effect of proglacial groundwater systems on surface hydrology and ecology in cold regions often is neglected when assessing the ecohydrological implications of climate change. We present a novel approach in which we combined 2 temperature-tracing techniques to assess the spatial patterns and short-term temporal dynamics of groundwater–surface-water exchange in the proglacial zone of Skaftafellsjökull, a retreating glacier in southeastern Iceland. Our study focuses on localized groundwater discharge to a surface-water environment, where high temporal- and spatial-resolution mapping of sediment surface and subsurface temperatures (10–15 cm depth) were obtained by Fiber-Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing (FO-DTS). The FO-DTS survey identified temporally consistent locations of temperature anomalies at the sediment–water interface, indicating distinct zones of cooler groundwater upwelling. The high-resolution FO-DTS surveys were combined with calculations of 1-dimensional groundwater seepage fluxes based on 3 vertical sediment temperature profiles, covering depths of 10, 25, and 40 cm below the lake bed. The calculated groundwater seepage rates ranged between 1.02 to 6.10 m/d. We used the combined techniques successfully to identify substantial temporal and spatial heterogeneities in groundwater–surface exchange fluxes that have relevance for the ecohydrological functioning of the investigated system and its potential resilience to environmental change

Biological Control of Sheep Parasites using Duddingtonia flagrans: Trials on Commercial Farms in Sweden

Trials were conducted on 3 commercial sheep farms in Sweden to assess the effect of administering spores of the nematode trapping fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans, together with supplementary feed to lactating ewes for the first 6 weeks from turn-out on pastures in spring. Also control groups of ewes, receiving only feed supplement, were established on all 3 farms. Groups were monitored by intensive parasitological investigation. The ewes and their lambs were moved in late June to saved pastures for summer grazing, the lambs receiving an anthelmintic treatment at this time. After approximately 6 weeks on summer pasture the lambs were weaned, treated a second time with anthelmintic, and returned to their original lambing pastures for finishing. Decisions as to when lambs were to be marketed were entirely at the discretion of the farmer co-operators. No difference in lamb performance was found between the two treatments on all three farms. This was attributed to the high levels of nutrition initially of the ewes limiting their post-partum rise in nematode faecal egg counts in spring, which in turn resulted in low levels of nematode infection on pastures throughout the autumn period. Additionally, pastures were of good quality for the lambs during the finishing period, so they grew at optimal rates as far as the farmers were concerned

Effectiveness of the global protected area network in representing species diversity

The Fifth World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa, announced in September 2003 that the global network of protected areas now covers 11.5% of the planet's land surface. This surpasses the 10% target proposed a decade earlier, at the Caracas Congress, for 9 out of 14 major terrestrial biomes. Such uniform targets based on percentage of area have become deeply embedded into national and international conservation planning. Although politically expedient, the scientific basis and conservation value of these targets have been questioned. In practice, however, little is known of how to set appropriate targets, or of the extent to which the current global protected area network fulfils its goal of protecting biodiversity. Here, we combine five global data sets on the distribution of species and protected areas to provide the first global gap analysis assessing the effectiveness of protected areas in representing species diversity. We show that the global network is far from complete, and demonstrate the inadequacy of uniform—that is, 'one size fits all'—conservation targets

Iatrogenic intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia diagnosed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernias are very uncommon and are most typically caused by high-force blunt trauma. Other iatrogenic causes such as prior surgical formation of a pericardial window have been described, but are exceedingly rare. We present a case of an intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia in a patient with a prior pericardial window in which the diagnosis was unclear using conventional imaging modalities, but was established using cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Epidermal Renewal after Treatment of Primary Canine Hypothyroidism using Levothyroxine

Background: Primary canine hypothyroidism, an endocrine disorder that causes imbalances in the hypothalamus-pituitarythyroid axis, is a common cause of endocrine dermatoses, which frequently presents with opaque dry brittle hair. Tissue changes are also visible, such as myxedema, hyperkeratosis, epidermal atrophy, alopecia, and others. This paper describes the skin changes caused by primary hypothyroidism in a female dog before and after treatment with levothyroxine.Case: This case study involved a 7-year-old Dalmatian bitch with a history of weight gain and changes such as rough dry brittle hair. For about a year, the dog also had also presented symmetrical erythematous and alopecia skin lesions in the regions of the hind limbs, lower back and tail, progressive lethargy and fatigue after exercise. A hemogram showed mild normocytic and normochromic regenerative anemia, as well as mild leukopenia and neutropenia. Biochemical tests revealed increased levels of creatinine, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Skin biopsy revealed the presence of comedones in the epidermis and acanthosis and trichilemmal keratinization. Hormonal tests revealed high TSH and low free T4 and total T4 levels. A cervical ultrasound scan showed changes in the thyroid glands, with hypoechoic parenchyma, in addition to increased size of the right lobe, suggesting thyroiditis. Based on these exams, the patient was diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism, and treatment with levothyroxine was instituted.Discussion: Around 90% of dogs with hypothyroidism show a decrease in total T4 and about 65-75% of them show an increase in TSH levels. In endocrinopathy, there is a decrease in the expression of T3 receptors in the keratinocytes and genes responsible for epidermal renewal. Also, molecules that affect epidermal differentiation bind to intracellular receptors belonging to the steroid/thyroid hormone superfamily. In this study, however, the application of the minimum levothyroxine dose restored the normal epidermal pattern for the species and the remaining parameters returned to normal. The hormone T3 acts in the differentiation of keratinocytes, a fact that, although not yet proven, is believed to be indirect and mediated by the epidermal growth factor or by the expression of the genes responsible for the renewal of the epidermis. Besides, some effects on the epidermis caused by deficiency of thyroid hormones may be due to secondary vitamin A deficiency, which is necessary for epithelial differentiation and binding epidermal growth factor (EGF) to the cell. Still, there is a theory that sex hormones also affect the differentiation of the epidermis, as studies show that deficiency causes effects similar to those caused by hypothyroidism. Some studies indicate the investigation of the relationship between secondary vitamin D deficiency and the increased cellularity of the epidermis of the spayed hypothyroid female rats. Additionally, the mechanism of the formation of hyperkeratosis in hypothyroidism is not yet elucidated. T3 is known to regulate keratingene expression and perhaps also epidermal maturation, epithelial cycle, and normal keratin synthesis. The single treatment with levothyroxine in the female dog was effective in promoting the restoration of gene expression to T3 in keratinocytes.Keywords: dermatopathies, endocrinopathies, hypothyroidism, levothyroxine, synthetic hormone

The very local Hubble flow

We present Hubble Space Telescope/WFPC2 images of eighteen galaxies situated in the vicinity of the Local Group (LG) as part of an ongoing snapshot survey of nearby galaxies. Their distances derived from the magnitude of the tip of the red giant branch are 1.92+-0.10 Mpc (ESO 294-010), 3.06+-0.37 (NGC404), 3.15+-0.32 (UGCA105), 1.36+-0.07 (SexB), 1.33+-0.08 (NGC3109), 2.64+-0.21 (UGC6817), 2.86$+-0.14 (KDG90), 2.27+-0.19 (IC3104), 2.54+-0.17 (UGC7577), 2.56$+-0.15 (UGC8508), 3.01+-0.29 (UGC8651), 2.61+-0.16 (KKH86), 2.79$+-0.26 (UGC9240), 1.11+-0.07 (SagDIG), 0.94+-0.04 (DDO210), 2.07$+-0.18 (IC5152), 2.23+-0.15 (UGCA438), and 2.45+-0.13 (KKH98). Based on the velocity-distance data for 36 nearest galaxies around the LG, we find the radius of the zero-velocity surface of the LG to be R_0 = (0.94+-0.10) Mpc, which yields a total mass M_{LG} = (1.3+-0.3)*10^{12} M_{\sun}. The galaxy distribution around the LG reveals a Local Minivoid which does not contain any galaxy brighter than M_V=-10 mag within a volume of ~100 Mpc^3. The local Hubble flow seems to be very cold, having a one-dimensional mean random motion of ~30 km/s. The best-fit value of the local Hubble parameter is 73+-15 km/s Mpc^{-1}. The luminosity function for the nearby field galaxies is far less steep than one for members of the nearest groups.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in the A&A. Version has low resolution figures and does not include Figure 2. All high resolution figures (8366k) are available at http://luna.sao.ru/~sme/figures.tar.g

Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma in Dogs: Surgical Treatment with Real-Time Video-thermometry

Introdução :  Uma neoplasia pulmonar é uma proliferação anormal de células no tecido pulmonar, podendo ser classificada como primária, secundária ou metastática e multissistêmica. No entanto, uma neoplasia primária é rara em canídeos. Além disso, as neoplasias podem ser classificadas de acordo com seu comportamento biológico como malignas ou benignas. Os tumores malignos são mais prevalentes. O diagnóstico pode ser difícil devido a sintomas inespecíficos, tendo em vista que alguns pacientes afetados não apresentam nenhum sintoma; assim, um real da doença pode permanecer sem diagnóstico em certas ocasiões.Portanto, objetivamos relatar um caso de sucesso inédito de cirurgia de lobectomia pulmonar em cães com auxílio de videotermometria infravermelha, que mostrada como imagens em tempo real durante o procedimento cirúrgico.Caso : Um cão macho de 10 anos, mestiço com Cocker Spaniel, foi atendido com história de letargia, embotamento, perda progressiva de peso, tosse e dificuldade respiratória. Avaliação à gravidade dos sinais clínicos e ao exame clínico fisiológico normal, foram solicitados exames complementares, como radiografia da região cervical e torácica, tomografia computadorizada de sangue e toracoabdominal (TCT). Os resultados dos exames obtiveram a presença de massa nodular no lobo pulmonar direito caudal que ocasionava desvio lateral para hemitórax esquerdo da silhueta cardíaca. A paciente foi submetida a um procedimento cirúrgico com abordagem pela região torácica, na altura do sétimo espaço intercostal, sendo realizada lobectomia total. Durante todo o procedimento cirúrgico,A videotermometria em tempo real por meio da estação MART (Atividade Metabólica em Tempo Real FLIR SC325®) foi utilizada para determinar a viabilidade dos tecidos adjacentes por meio de diferenças de temperatura medidas em graus Celsius. O fragmento cirúrgico contendo o lobo pulmonar caudal direto e a massa foi encaminhado ao setor de patologia para avaliação anatomopatológica. Abundante proliferação epitelial papilar foi visualizada ao microscópio, apresentando áreas de necrose e infiltrado polimorfonuclear inflamatório. O nódulo foi diagnosticado como adenocarcinoma papilar de pulmão. O fragmento cirúrgico contendo o lobo pulmonar caudal direto e a massa foi encaminhado ao setor de patologia para avaliação anatomopatológica. Abundante proliferação epitelial papilar foi visualizada ao microscópio, apresentando áreas de necrose e infiltrado polimorfonuclear inflamatório. O nódulo foi diagnosticado como adenocarcinoma papilar de pulmão. O fragmento cirúrgico contendo o lobo pulmonar caudal direto e a massa foi encaminhado ao setor de patologia para avaliação anatomopatológica. Abundante proliferação epitelial papilar foi visualizada ao microscópio, apresentando áreas de necrose e infiltrado polimorfonuclear inflamatório. O nódulo foi diagnosticado como adenocarcinoma papilar de pulmão.Discussão :Os adenocarcinomas consistem em estruturas glandulares papilares, acinares, sólidas ou mistas. Podem originar-se das vias aéreas, glândulas brônquicas ou região broncoalveolar e, freqüentemente, apresentam crescimento invasivo apresentando formato rudimentar e irregular. Os sinais clínicos são inespecíficos, incluindo intolerância a exercícios, tosse não produtiva, sinais respiratórios crônicos como taquipneia ou dispneia, apetite reduzido, perda de peso, letargia, dor à palpação torácica, hemotórax, pneumotórax e derrame pleural. O diagnóstico é concluído por meio de exames de diagnóstico por imagem, sendo a radiografia de tórax o mais importante, seguida da ressonância magnética e da tomografia computadorizada. Além disso, o exame histopatológico é essencial para determinar um diagnóstico definitivo. O tratamento de escolha para os nódulos de adenocarcinoma é a excisão cirúrgica da massa tumoral. Contudo, o tipo de abordagem cirúrgica é determinado por diferentes fatores, como tamanho, localização e envolvimento de estruturas adjacentes. A ablação de massas pulmonares pode ser realizada por meio de lobectomias parciais ou totais. No entanto, a lobectomia parcial é mais frequentemente realizada em massas não neoplásicas ou para obtenção de material para biópsia, enquanto a lobectomia total é recomendada para a remoção de uma neoplasia maligna.O prognóstico é sempre cauteloso, tendo um desfecho mais favorável nas massas de menor diâmetro sem o envolvimento de estruturas adjacentes

Thopaz Portable Suction Systems in Thoracic Surgery: An end user assessment and feedback in a tertiary unit

Thopaz digital suction units were found to be user friendly and were liked by the staff and patients. The staff feedback stated the devices to be objective and scientific in making decisions about removal and enabled mobilisation