Endometrial caspase 1 and interleukin-18 expression during the estrous cycle and peri-implantation period of porcine pregnancy and response to early exogenous estrogen administration

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The role for endometrial secretion of cytokines during the establishment of pregnancy in a number of mammals is well established. The current study determined endometrial expression of caspase 1 (CASP1) and interleukin-18 (IL18) during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy, and following early estrogen administration, which induces conceptus loss during early development in pigs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Gilts were hysterectomized on either D 0, 5, 10, 12, 15 and 18 of the estrous cycle, or D 10, 12, 15 or 18 of pregnancy. The abundance of endometrial CASP1 mRNA was unaffected by day of the estrous cycle, however there was a 6 and 10-fold increase in expression on D 15 and 18 of pregnancy. Endometrial expression of IL18 mRNA increased 5-fold between D 10 to 18 in cyclic and pregnant gilts. Total recoverable IL18 in uterine flushings was greater in pregnant compared to cyclic gilts on D 15 and 18.</p> <p>In the second experiment, mated gilts were treated with either corn oil (CO) or estrogen (E) on D 9 and 10 and hysterectomized on either D 10, 12, 13, 15 or 17 of pregnancy. The current study localizes the presence of CASP1 to the epithelial layer of the endometrium for the first time. Further, a day × treatment interaction was detected for endometrial CASP1 mRNA and protein abundance as E stimulated an earlier increase on D 13 compared to CO gilts. Although IL18 mRNA expression remained unaltered from the E treatment, protein abundance was significantly attenuated on D 15 and 18 in response to E treatment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Endometrial expression of CASP1 and IL18 is associated with establishment of pregnancy in pigs. Alteration of CASP1 and IL18 following premature exposure of the uterus to estrogen during early pregnancy may contribute to conceptus loss between Days 15 to 18 of pregnancy.</p

Formation of oriented particles in an amorphous host: ZnS nanocrystals in silicon

Processes for incorporating randomly oriented crystalline precipitates in an amorphous host can be traced back to the 17th century when Cassius produced “gold ruby” glass. In this glass, octahedral colloidal precipitates of gold scatter light by the Mie process to produce a deep red color. In contrast to gold ruby glass, we describe a type of material in which the crystalline precipitates are crystallographically aligned in a coherent manner—even though they are dispersed in an amorphous matrix. Ion implantation and thermal processing are first used to form zinc sulfide nanocrystals that are coherently oriented with respect to a crystalline Si host. The Si is then amorphized by ion irradiation leaving the highly radiation-resistant ZnS precipitates in an aligned crystalline state. The process is anticipated to find applications in the creation of surfaces with unique optoelectronic properties. © 1999 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/69678/2/APPLAB-74-5-697-1.pd

Role of viral hemagglutinin glycosylation in anti-influenza activities of recombinant surfactant protein D

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Surfactant protein D (SP-D) plays an important role in innate defense against influenza A viruses (IAVs) and other pathogens.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We tested antiviral activities of recombinant human SP-D against a panel of IAV strains that vary in glycosylation sites on their hemagglutinin (HA). For these experiments a recombinant version of human SP-D of the Met11, Ala160 genotype was used after it was characterized biochemically and structurally.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Oligosaccharides at amino acid 165 on the HA in the H3N2 subtype and 104 in the H1N1 subtype are absent in collectin-resistant strains developed <it>in vitro </it>and are important for mediating antiviral activity of SP-D; however, other glycans on the HA of these viral subtypes also are involved in inhibition by SP-D. H3N2 strains obtained shortly after introduction into the human population were largely resistant to SP-D, despite having the glycan at 165. H3N2 strains have become steadily more sensitive to SP-D over time in the human population, in association with addition of other glycans to the head region of the HA. In contrast, H1N1 strains were most sensitive in the 1970s–1980s and more recent strains have become less sensitive, despite retaining the glycan at 104. Two H5N1 strains were also resistant to inhibition by SP-D. By comparing sites of glycan attachment on sensitive vs. resistant strains, specific glycan sites on the head domain of the HA are implicated as important for inhibition by SP-D. Molecular modeling of the glycan attachment sites on HA and the carbohydrate recognition domain of SPD are consistent with these observations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Inhibition by SP-D correlates with presence of several glycan attachment sites on the HA. Pandemic and avian strains appear to lack susceptibility to SP-D and this could be a contributory factor to their virulence.</p

Gender-specific 30-day outcomes after carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting in the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Registry

ObjectiveAlthough the optimal treatment of carotid stenosis remains unclear, available data suggest that women have higher risk of adverse events after carotid revascularization. We used data from the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Registry to determine the effect of gender on outcomes after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS).MethodsThere were 9865 patients (40.6% women) who underwent CEA (n = 6492) and CAS (n = 3373). The primary end point was a composite of death, stroke, and myocardial infarction at 30 days.ResultsThere was no difference in age and ethnicity between genders, but men were more likely to be symptomatic (41.6% vs 38.6%; P < .003). There was a higher prevalence of hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in women, whereas men had a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease, history of myocardial infarction, and smoking history. For disease etiology in CAS, restenosis was more common in women (28.7% vs 19.7%; P < .0001), and radiation was higher in men (6.2% vs 2.6%; P < .0001). Comparing by gender, there were no statistically significant differences in the primary end point for CEA (women, 4.07%; men, 4.06%) or CAS (women, 6.69%; men, 6.80%). There remains no difference after stratification by symptomatology and multivariate risk adjustment.ConclusionsIn this large, real-world analysis, women and men demonstrated similar results after CEA or CAS. These data suggest that, contrary to previous reports, women do not have a higher risk of adverse events after carotid revascularization

Dipyridamole-thallium/sestamibi before vascular surgery: A prospective blinded study in moderate-risk patients

AbstractPurpose: This study assessed in a prospective, blinded fashion whether a reversible defect on dipyridamole-thallium (DTHAL)/sestamibi (DMIBI) can predict adverse cardiac events after elective vascular surgery in patients with one or more clinical risk factors. Methods: Consecutive patients with one or more clinical risk factors underwent a preoperative blinded DTHAL/DMIBI. Patients with recent congestive heart failure (CHF) or myocardial infarction (MI) or severe or unstable angina were excluded. Results: Eighty patients (78% men; mean age, 65 years) completed the study. Diabetes mellitus was the most frequent clinical risk factor (73%), followed by age older than 70 years (41%), angina (29%), Q wave on electrocardiogram (26%), history of CHF (7%), and ventricular ectopy (3%). The results of DTHAL/DMIBI were normal in 36 patients (45%); a reversible plus or minus fixed defect was demonstrated in 28 patients (36%), and a fixed defect alone was demonstrated in 15 patients (19%). Nine adverse cardiac events (11%) occurred, including three cases of CHF, and one case each of unstable angina, Q wave MI, non-Q wave MI, and cardiac arrest (successfully resuscitated). Two cardiac deaths occurred (2% overall mortality), one after a Q wave MI and one after CHF and a non-Q wave MI. The cardiac event rate was 14% for reversible defect and 9.8% without reversible defect (P =.71). The cardiac event rate was 12.5% (one of eight cases) for two or more reversible defects, versus 11.1% (eight of 72 cases) for fewer than two reversible defects (P = 1.0). The sensitivity rate of two or more areas of redistribution was 11% (95% CI, 0.3%-48%), the specificity rate was 90%, and the positive and negative predictive values were 12.5% and 89%, respectively. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated no association between reversible defects on DTHAL/DMIBI and adverse cardiac events in moderate-risk patients undergoing elective vascular surgery. (J Vasc Surg 2000;32:77-89.

Anisotropies in the Distribution of Satellite Galaxies

We find that satellites of isolated disk galaxies at projected radii between 300 and 500 kpc are distributed asymmetrically about the parent galaxy and aligned preferentially with the disk minor axis. The dynamical timescale at these radii is sufficiently long that the shape of this distribution must reflect the formation history of the outer halo rather than its internal evolution. We also find that the orbital angular momenta of satellites at projected major axis distances of \ltsim 200 kpc tend to align with that of the central disk. These results demonstrate that satellites are dynamically related to their primary galaxy. Satellites drawn from current simulations of hierarchical galaxy formation exhibit neither the systematic alignment nor the net rotation with the central disk that we find in the data.Comment: 15 pages, submitted to ApJ

Pivotal results of the Medtronic Vascular Talent Thoracic Stent Graft System: The VALOR Trial

OBJECTIVE: This report summarizes the 30-day and 12-month results of endovascular treatment using the Medtronic Vascular Talent Thoracic Stent Graft System (Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, Calif) for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) who are considered candidates for open surgical repair. METHODS: The study was a prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter, pivotal trial conducted at 38 sites. Enrollment occurred between December 2003 and June 2005. Standard follow-up interval examinations were prescribed at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and annually thereafter. These endovascular results were compared with retrospective open surgical data from three centers of excellence. RESULTS: The Evaluation of the Medtronic Vascular Talent Thoracic Stent Graft System for the Treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms (VALOR) trial enrolled 195 patients, and 189 were identified as retrospective open surgical subjects. Compared with the open surgery group, the VALOR test group had similar age and sex distributions, but had a smaller TAA size. Patients received a mean number of 2.7 +/- 1.3 stent graft components. The diameters of 25% of the proximal stent graft components implanted were 40 mm. Left subclavian artery revascularization was performed before the initial stent graft procedure in 5.2% of patients. Iliac conduits were used in 21.1% of patients. In 33.5% of patients, the bare spring segment of the most proximally implanted device was in zones 1 or 2 of the aortic arch. In 194 patients (99.5%), vessel access and stent graft deployment were successful at the intended site. The 30-day VALOR results included perioperative mortality, 2.1%; major adverse advents, 41%; incidence of paraplegia, 1.5%; paraparesis, 7.2%; and stroke, 3.6%. The 12-month VALOR results included all-cause mortality, 16.1%; aneurysm-related mortality, 3.1%; conversion to open surgery, 0.5%; target aneurysm rupture, 0.5%; stent graft migration >10 mm, 3.9%; endoleak (12.2%), stent graft patency, 100%; stable or decreasing aneurysm diameter, 91.5%; and loss of stent graft integrity, four patients. No deployment-related events or perforation of the aorta by a graft component occurred. The Talent Thoracic Stent Graft showed statistically superior performance with respect to acute procedural outcomes (P < .001), 30-day major adverse events (41% vs 84.4%, P < .001), perioperative mortality (2% vs 8%, P < .01), and 12-month aneurysm-related mortality (3.1% vs 11.6%, P < .002) vs open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The pivotal VALOR 12-month trial results demonstrate that the Medtronic Talent Thoracic Stent Graft System is a safe and effective endovascular therapy as an alternative to open surgery in patients with TAA who were considered candidates for open surgical repair

Results with the Talent thoracic stent graft in the VALOR trial

OBJECTIVE: We report the 5-year outcomes of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) using the Medtronic Vascular Talent Thoracic Stent Graft System (Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, Calif) in patients considered low or moderate risk for open surgical repair. METHODS: The Evaluation of the Medtronic Vascular Talent Thoracic Stent Graft System for the Treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms (VALOR) trial was a prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter, pivotal study conducted at 38 U.S. sites. Between December 2003 and June 2005, VALOR enrolled 195 patients who were low or moderate risk (0, 1, and 2) per the modified Society for Vascular Surgery and American Association for Vascular Surgery criteria. The patients had fusiform thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) and/or focal saccular TAAs/penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers. Standard follow-up interval examinations were conducted at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and annually thereafter. RESULTS: Over the 5-year follow-up, 76 deaths occurred (43.9%). Freedom from all-cause mortality was 83.9% at 1 year and 58.5% at 5 years. Most deaths were due to cardiac, pulmonary or cancer-related causes. Freedom from aneurysm-related mortality (ARM) was 96.9% at 1 year and 96.1% at 5 years. There was only 1 case of ARM after the first year of follow-up. Over the 5-year follow-up period, four patients were converted to open surgery and four patients experienced aneurysm rupture. The 5-year freedom from aneurysm rupture was 97.1% and the 5-year freedom from conversion to surgery was 97.1%. The incidence of stent graft migration (>10 mm) was ≤ 1.8% in each year of follow-up. The rate of type I endoleak was 4.6% at 1 month, 6.3% from 1 month to 1 year, and 3.8% during year 5. The rate of type III endoleak was 1.3% at 1 month, 1.9% from 1 month to 1 year, and 1.9% during year 5. Through 5 years, 28 patients (14.4%) underwent 31 additional endovascular procedures on the original target lesion. The 5-year freedom from secondary endovascular procedures was 81.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Through 5-year follow-up in patients who were candidates for open surgical repair, TEVAR using the Talent Thoracic Stent Graft System has demonstrated sustained protection from ARM, aneurysm rupture, and conversion to surgery, and durable stent graft performance. Close patient follow-up remains essential after TEVAR

Bidirectional lipid droplet velocities are controlled by differential binding strengths of HCV Core DII protein

Host cell lipid droplets (LD) are essential in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle and are targeted by the viral capsid core protein. Core-coated LDs accumulate in the perinuclear region and facilitate viral particle assembly, but it is unclear how mobility of these LDs is directed by core. Herein we used two-photon fluorescence, differential interference contrast imaging, and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopies, to reveal novel core-mediated changes to LD dynamics. Expression of core protein’s lipid binding domain II (DII-core) induced slower LD speeds, but did not affect directionality of movement on microtubules. Modulating the LD binding strength of DII-core further impacted LD mobility, revealing the temporal effects of LD-bound DII-core. These results for DII-core coated LDs support a model for core-mediated LD localization that involves core slowing down the rate of movement of LDs until localization at the perinuclear region is accomplished where LD movement ceases. The guided localization of LDs by HCV core protein not only is essential to the viral life cycle but also poses an interesting target for the development of antiviral strategies against HCV

The Opportunity Cost of the Conservation Reserve Program: A Kansas Land Example

The effects of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) on farmland values is investigated using a set of parcel-level data for land sales in Kansas over the period 1998 to 2014. The sales data are used to estimate a hedonic model of land values that allows for the opportunity cost of CRP enrollment to vary across space and time. Factors impacting the opportunity costs include the relative productivity of land, returns to farming, and the time remaining under the CRP contracts. We find that the discount associated with having land under CRP contract averages 7%