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Preparation and properties study of self-healing anticorrosive coating based on MCM-41 nanocontainer and triazinyl corrosion inhibitor
Design of TI-TMS system for deep brain stimulation with higher focus in neural modulation
ARRDC3 tyrosine phosphorylation functions as a switch to control c-Src versus WWP2 interactions and distinct scaffolding functions
The impact of family farming on Afrotropical flower fly communities (Diptera, Syrphidae): A case study in Tanzania
To provide empirical evidence about the impact of family farming on Afrotropical flower fly communities (Diptera, Syrphidae), we established a large experimental setup in the Morogoro area (Eastern Central Tanzania) and quantified insect abundance and diversity in contrasting agricultural landscapes. Over the two years of this study, we collected 12,969 flower flies from 55 species and 3 subfamilies: Eristalinae (29 species), Microdontinae (2 species), and Syrphinae (24 species). The ten most abundant species contributed to 84.95% of specimens. Overall, we did not observe major changes in species richness or diversity between agroecological and conventional farming. In contrast, higher abundances of the two dominant species, Toxomerus floralis (Fabricius, 1798) and Paragus borbonicus Macquart, 1842 (69.49% of all specimens collected) were observed in agroecological treatments. This effect was more pronounced where the landscape features were more favourable to each of these species (i.e., in the plateau for T. floralis and in the mountains for P. borbonicus). Landscape provided a comparably much stronger effect than farming practices, and the percentage of variation explained by landscape, as a standalone factor, was approximately five times higher than for farming practices. Spatial heterogeneity and seasonality also provided a large and significant proportion of random variability. Our results stress how verifying a generally accepted paradigm of sustainable agriculture, “agroecology promotes abundance and diversity of beneficial insects”, might require careful consideration, as, under field conditions, the impact of sustainable farming practices on insect communities might be embedded within complex, multi-layered ecological interactions.
Effects of ranolazine on angiogenesis and oxidant-antioxidant balance: an in vivo experimental model study
Identification of a LncRNA based CeRNA network signature to establish a prognostic model and explore potential therapeutic targets in gastric cancer
Polymorphisms in SAA alter intrarenal amyloid distribution of AA amyloidosis in cats
Biotransformation of medicarpin from homopterocarpin by Aspergillus niger and its biological characterization
A quantitative analysis of the factors that influence clinical blood demand in the Suzhou area
Serum big endothelin-1 is a significant biomarker of arterial stiffness in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting
Exenatide and glucagon co-infusion increases myocardial glucose uptake and improves markers of diastolic dysfunction in adults with type 2 diabetes
Abstract Type 2 diabetes (T2D) significantly increases the risk of heart failure, a major cause of hospitalisation and increased morbidity and mortality. Dual and multi-agonist synthetic peptides at the GLP-1 and glucagon receptor are in clinical development as potential new treatments for a range of chronic metabolic conditions including T2D. Here, we aimed to explore the effects of GLP-1 and glucagon dual receptor agonism on myocardial glucose uptake (MGU) and myocardial function in T2D. Eight adults with a mean age of 52 ± 12 years and body mass index 31 ± 4 kg/m2 attended three randomised infusion visits using combinations of 0.9% saline, glucagon (12.5 ng/kg/min) and exenatide:glucagon co-infusion (exenatide loading dose 50 ng/min for 30 min then 25 ng/min). MGU and myocardial function were assessed using 18F-FDG PET-MRI. MGU increased in n = 7/8 (88%) participants from a median of 9.2 × 10−3 µmol/g/min (IQR 0.33–19 × 10−3 µmol/g/min) with saline, to 20 × 10−3 µmol/g/min (5.4–98 × 10−3 µmol/g/min) with exenatide:glucagon, n = 8, z = 2.24, r = 0.79, P < 0.05. Exenatide:glucagon significantly increased the median left ventricular global peak diastolic circumferential strain rate from 0.619 1/s (0.580–0.716 1/s) to 0.686 1/s (0.644–0.737 1/s) n = 8, z = 2.37, r = 0.84, P < 0.05. Left ventricular global longitudinal contraction (as a measure global longitudinal strain) numerically increased by 0.6%, from − 16.0% with saline (-14.0-[-16.7]%) to -16.6% with exenatide:glucagon (-14.1-[-17.6]%), n = 8, z=-1.54, r=-0.54, P = 0.123. Further studies are required to explore whether GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonists have a role to play in reducing cardiovascular risk and attenuating heart failure related outcomes in patients with chronic metabolic conditions such as T2D.
The role of spontaneous and evoked neuronal activity in protection from impending ischemic stroke during the hyperacute state
Abstract Using an ischemic stroke rat model by applying permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAo), we have previously demonstrated that protection of the ischemic territory can be achieved by providing intermittent sensory stimulation within a period of 2 h following the occlusion. Beyond this period, sensory stimulation becomes deleterious and results in infarct. We have further demonstrated that such sensory-based protection depends on the integrative role of activated synapses, activated neurons, activated astrocytes, and activated blood vessels. By using the same rat pMCAo model for the current study, we hypothesized that all such activations are potentially triggered by sensory stimulation-based evoked neuronal activity within the ischemic cortex, that in turn triggers the various activations that lead to protection. To test this hypothesis, we used functional imaging and postmortem histology and selectively blocked spontaneous or evoked neuronal activity within the ischemic territory by local administration of lidocaine. Our findings demonstrate that the ischemic cortex is extremely sensitive, as clear functional blockage at the site of lidocaine diffusion and a corresponding infarct at the same location were found for both spontaneous activity and sensory-based evoked activity. Furthermore, the extreme sensitivity of the ischemic cortex is demonstrated by the detrimental effects of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) application if protective sensory-based stimulation is not present following pMCAo. We conclude that neuronal activity, either spontaneous or evoked, within the ischemic cortex is pivotal for protection during the early hyperacute phase of ischemic stroke.
In utero ASO therapy for spinal muscular atrophy
Single-subunit RNA polymerases, KpnP, Ro45Iw, and CD23823, with precise terminal synthesis
Design and evaluation of a mechanical pencil-based actuator for a wasp-inspired needle
In percutaneous interventions, long and thin needles are used to reach deep target locations within the body. However, inserting a long and thin needle into the tissue can cause needle buckling, resulting in poor control of the needle’s trajectory and reduced targeting accuracy. In nature, the female parasitic wasp prevents the buckling of her long and slender ovipositor through a self-propelled motion. This study presents a stationary actuation system that can advance a wasp-inspired self-propelled needle consisting of seven 0.3-mm stainless steel rods with a theoretically unlimited insertion length. Based on the pencil lead advance mechanism in mechanical pencils that advances the pencil lead at a fixed increment when the pencil button is pushed, our actuation system advances the seven needle segments that comprise our needle by locking, advancing, releasing, and retracting the advance mechanisms. Experimental evaluation demonstrated that the actuation system successfully executes these actions, enabling step-by-step propulsion of the needle segments in gelatin-based tissue-mimicking phantoms. Moreover, the needle achieved mean motion efficiencies of 98 ± 2%, 68 ± 5%, and 57 ± 7% in air, 5-wt% gelatin, and 10-wt% gelatin, respectively, over 15 actuation cycles. This actuation system prototype, which is based on a mechanical pencil, is a step forward in developing self-propelled needles for targeting deep tissue structures.