Mineralization of Short Term Pericardial Cardiac Patch Grafts

Glutaraldehyde fixed patch grafts of bovine pericardium were implanted in myocardial windows in young (3-4 months old) sheep. The samples were retrieved after one to three weeks for study with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDX). A layer of porous material (pseudoneointima, PNI), consisting mostly of a dense mesh of fibers interspersed with blood cells, was noted to form on the blood contacting surface of the graft. Four distinct sets of mineralization were noted in the retrieved grafts: (1) at the blood contacting surface of the PNI; (2) within the PNI at the junction between layers of PNI with differing densities; (#) near the junction of PNI and pericardium (but in the PNI); and (4) within the pericardium. In both the PNI and pericardium the mineral was shown by EDX analysis to contain both calcium and phosphorous indicating the mineral to be a calcium phosphate. Mineralization in the PNI differed from that in the pericardium; in the PNI it was deposited in discrete regions and apparently in association with thrombi while in the pericardium it was distributed diffusely within the collagen matrix, which may influence its formation

Communications Biophysics

Contains reports on five research projects.National Science Foundation (Grant G-16526)National Institutes of Health (Grant MH-04737-02

Early Lung Function Testing in Infants with Aortic Arch Anomalies Identifies Patients at Risk for Airway Obstruction

BACKGROUND: Aortic arch anomalies (AAA) are rare cardio-vascular anomalies. Right-sided and double-sided aortic arch anomalies (RAAA, DAAA) are distinguished, both may cause airway obstructions. We studied the degree of airway obstruction in infants with AAA by neonatal lung function testing (LFT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 17 patients (10 RAAA and 7 DAAA) with prenatal diagnosis of AAA were investigated. The median (range) post conception age at LFT was 40.3 (36.6-44.1) weeks, median body weight 3400 (2320-4665) g. Measurements included tidal breathing flow-volume loops (TBFVL), airway resistance (R(aw)) by bodyplethysmography and the maximal expiratory flow at functional residual capacity (V'(max)FRC) by rapid thoracic-abdominal compression (RTC) technique. V'(max)FRC was also expressed in Z-scores, based on published gender-, age and height-specific reference values. RESULTS: Abnormal lung function tests were seen in both RAAA and DAAA infants. Compared to RAAA infants, infants with DAAA had significantly more expiratory flow limitations in the TBFVL, (86% vs. 30%, p<0.05) and a significantly increased R(aw) (p = 0.015). Despite a significant correlation between R(aw) and the Z-score of V'(max)FRC (r = 0.740, p<0.001), there were no statistically significant differences in V'(max)FRC and it's Z-scores between RAAA and DAAA infants. 4 (24%) infants (2 RAAA, 2 DAAA) were near or below the 10(th) percentile of V'(max)FRC, indicating a high risk for airway obstruction. CONCLUSION: Both, infants with RAAA and DAAA, are at risk for airway obstruction and early LFT helps to identify and to monitor these infants. This may support the decision for therapeutic interventions before clinical symptoms arise

Grasping the changes seen in older adults when reaching for objects of varied texture.

Old age is associated with reduced mobility of the hand. To investigate age related decline when reaching-to-lift an object we used sophisticated kinematic apparatus to record reaches carried out by healthy older and younger participants. Three objects of different widths were placed at three different distances, with objects having either a high or low friction surface (i.e. rough or slippery). Older participants showed quantitative differences to their younger counterparts - movements were slower and peak speed did not scale with object distance. There were also qualitative differences with older adults showing a greater propensity to stop the hand and adjust finger position before lifting objects. The older participants particularly struggled to lift wide slippery objects, apparently due to an inability to manipulate their grasp to provide the level of precision necessary to functionally enclose the object. These data shed light on the nature of age related changes in reaching-to-grasp movements and establish a powerful technique for exploring how different product designs will impact on prehensile behavior

The proximate composition of three marine pelagic fish: blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), boarfish (Capros aper) and Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus)

peer reviewedThis study presents data from an in-depth proximate compositional analysis of three marine fish species: blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), boarfish (Capros aper) and Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus). These fish contained significant amounts of protein (16–17%), lipids (4–11%) and minerals (2–6% ash). The proteins, particularly from boarfish, had close to optimum amino acid profiles for human and fish nutrition. They compared favourably with other fish species in terms of total lipids and relative concentration of the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (11.8–13.3% and 5.9–8.1% in triacylglycerols [TG] and 24.6–35.4% and 5.8–12.0% in phospholipids [PL]). Atlantic herring had the highest lipid content among the three fish and was found to contain high levels of PL poly-unsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3 fatty acids. Minerals detected in the fish included calcium (272–1,520 mg/100 g), phosphorus (363–789 mg/100 g), iron (1.07–2.83 mg/100 g), magnesium (40.70–62.10 mg/100 g), potassium (112.00–267.00 mg/100 g), selenium (0.04–0.06 mg/100 g), sodium (218.00–282.00 mg/100 g) and zinc (1.29–5.57 mg/100 g). Boarfish had the highest ash fraction and also the highest levels of all the minerals, except potassium. Atlantic herring had considerably lower mineral content compared with the other two species and, levels detected were also lower than those reported in previously published studies. Heavy metals contents were quantified, and levels were significantly below the maximum allowable limits for all elements except arsenic, which ranged from 1.34 to 2.44 mg/kg in the three fish species. Data outlined here will be useful for guiding product development. Future studies would benefit from considering catch season, sex and developmental stage of the fish

Spirituality, marital quality, and psychological adjustment in pregnant Orthodox Jewish women

Pregnancy is a time of emotional and physical changes that pose a psychological challenge to the pregnant woman. The present study examined two qualities, daily spiritual experience (DSE) and relational intimacy, which were hypothesized to function as coping resources and contribute to improved adjustment during pregnancy. DSE was examined for its role in predicting well-being during pregnancy in light of the burgeoning body of research supporting the role of religion and spirituality variables in the psychological well-being of various health populations and individuals undergoing transitions. Five types of marital intimacy (emotional, social, sexual, recreational, and intellectual) were assessed to extend prior research on marital relational qualities and their role in psychological outcome during pregnancy. The Daily Spiritual Experience Scale and the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships were used to assess these constructs, with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Satisfaction With Life Scale employed as outcome measures. Participants were 167 Orthodox Jewish pregnant women at all points in their pregnancy, who responded primarily via Internet. No substantive distinctions in outcome were observed based on parity, length of the pregnancy, or other demographic variables. When intimacy and DSE were employed jointly to predict well-being during pregnancy, 27% of the variance in life satisfaction, 19% of the variance in positive affect, and 10% of the variance of negative affect could be accounted for by these two variables, which have rarely been studied in this context. Findings indicated that DSE was predictive of life satisfaction and positive affect, though not of negative affect, even when intimacy was controlled for. Furthermore, the intimacy variables were predictive of both life satisfaction (particularly sexual intimacy) and of negative affect (particularly emotional and intellectual intimacy), even when DSE was controlled for. The findings further indicated that for women with adequate resources, normal psychological equilibrium can usually be maintained during pregnancy. The particular attributes of the population under study are explored. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed, limitations noted, and directions for future research suggested

Experimenting with ChatGPT: Concerns for Academic Medicine

Supplementary Tables 1 and