Alpha-tocopherol exerts protective function against the mucotoxicity of particulate matter in amphibian and human goblet cells

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) in ambient air is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disorders and mortality. The cytotoxicity of PM is mainly due to the abnormal increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage cellular components such as DNA, RNA, and proteins. The correlation between PM exposure and human disorders, including mortality, is based on long-term exposure. In this study we have investigated acute responses of mucus-secreting goblet cells upon exposure to PM derived from a heavy diesel engine. To this end, we employed the mucociliary epithelium of amphibian embryos and human Calu-3 cells to examine PM mucotoxicity. Our data suggest that acute exposure to PM significantly impairs mucus secretion and results in the accumulation of mucus vesicles in the cytoplasm of goblet cells. RNA-seq analysis revealed that acute responses to PM exposure significantly altered gene expression patterns; however, known regulators of mucus production and the secretory pathway were not significantly altered. Interestingly, pretreatment with alpha-tocopherol nearly recovered the hyposecretion of mucus from both amphibian and human goblet cells. We believe this study demonstrates the mucotoxicity of PM and the protective function of alpha-tocopherol on mucotoxicity caused by acute PM exposure from heavy diesel engines

Wave Run-Up Phenomenon on Offshore Platforms: Part 1. Tension Leg Platform

This study reports on an extensive experimental campaign carried out to evaluate non-linear waves applied to offshore structures in extreme marine environments. An offshore tension leg platform (TLP) model was used to observe the waves around a fixed-type offshore structure. The wave amplitude measured in the experiments of this study was indicated as a wave run-up ratio. Both the first-order analysis and the analysis of the entire wave amplitude were described. The experimental results were compared with the calculations from a potential-based code in order to verify the effectiveness of the developed technology

Predictors of the Change in the Expression of Emotional Support within an Online Breast Cancer Support Group: A Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVES: To explore how the expression of emotional support in an online breast cancer support group changes over time, and what factors predict this pattern of change. METHODS: We conducted growth curve modeling with data collected from 192 participants in an online breast cancer support group within the Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS) during a 24-week intervention period. RESULTS: Individual expression of emotional support tends to increase over time for the first 12 weeks of the intervention, but then decrease slightly with time after that. In addition, we found that age, living situation, comfort level with computer and the Internet, coping strategies were important factors in predicting the changing pattern of expressing emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: Expressing emotional support changed in a quadratic trajectory, with a range of factors predicting the changing pattern of expression. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: These results can provide important information for e-health researchers and physicians in determining the benefits individuals can gain from participation in should CMSS groups as the purpose of cancer treatment

Adenoma of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium presenting with recurrent iridocyclitis: unique expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein

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Stimulation of the Migration and Expansion of Adult Mouse Neural Stem Cells by the FPR2-Specific Peptide WKYMVm

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are multipotent cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into different nervous system cells. Mouse NSCs (mNSCs) are useful tools for studying neurogenesis and the therapeutic applications of neurodegenerative diseases in mammals. Formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2), expressed in the central nervous system and brain, is involved in the migration and differentiation of murine embryonic-derived NSCs. In this study, we explored the effect of FPR2 activation in adult mNSCs using the synthetic peptide Trp-Lys-Tyr-Met-Val-D-Met-NH2 (WKYMVm), an agonist of FPR2. After isolation of NSCs from the subventricular zone of the adult mouse brain, they were cultured in two culture systems—neurospheres or adherent monolayers—to demonstrate the expression of NSC markers and phenotypes. Under different conditions, mNSCs differentiated into neurons and glial cells such as astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes. Treatment with WKYMVm stimulated the chemotactic migration of mNSCs. Moreover, WKYMVm-treated mNSCs were found to promote proliferation; this result was confirmed by the expansion of mNSCs in Matrigel and the increase in the number of Ki67-positive cells. Incubation of mNSCs with WKYMVm in a supplement-free medium enhanced the survival rate of the mNSCs. Together, these results suggest that WKYMVm-induced activation of FPR2 stimulates cellular responses in adult NSCs. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.1

Bone quality and growth characteristics of growth plates following limb transplantation between animals of different ages - Results of an experimental study in male syngeneic rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to identify graft osteoporosis post transplantation by micro-CT analysis, and the growth potential of growth plates in the transplanted limb.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ten juvenile to juvenile and five juvenile to adult hind limb transplants were performed in male syngeneic Lewis rats. Upper tibial bone density in isochronograft and heterochronograft limbs was measured by 3D micro-CT and compared with that of the opposite non-operated limbs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We observed inferior bone quality (p < 0.05) in heterochronografts compared to isochronografts. After transplantation, isochronografts did not exhibit increases in tibial lengths compared to opposite juvenile non-operated tibias (p = 0.66) or heterochronograft tibias (p = 0.61). However, significant differences were observed between heterochrongraft tibial lengths when and opposite adult non operated tibial lengths (p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Age dependent alterations affect bone quality, resulting in post transplantation osteoporosis in heterochronografts, but not isochronografts. However, the growth plates of transplanted limbs retain their properties of longitudinal growth and continue to grow at the same rate.</p

EFFECT OF SPORTS TAPING APPLIED FUNCTIONAL CORRECTION GARMENT FOR ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS IMPROVEMENT

The purpose of this research was to analyze the effect of wearing underwear type functional garment for the correction scoliosis by conducting a case study. Two patients wore the garment for 8–week. Cobb’s angle and EMG activities during a gait were measured before and after the treatment for the analysis. Both subjects showed that the activities of the right psoas, biceps femoris and gluteus medius were increased. The Cobb’s angle was decreased after 8-week period of wearing. These results matched with the purpose of developed functional correction wear that induce the right psoas muscle contraction and the left psoas muscle relaxation. It seems to be useful wear for adolescent scoliosis patients who avoid using orthosis, and to use special functional underwear to improve their posture