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Sulforaphane is a Nrf2-independent inhibitor of mitochondrial fission
No full textAbstractThe KEAP1-Nrf2-ARE antioxidant system is a principal means by which cells respond to oxidative and xenobiotic stresses. Sulforaphane (SFN), an electrophilic isothiocyanate derived from cruciferous vegetables, activates the KEAP1-Nrf2-ARE pathway and has become a molecule-of-interest in the treatment of diseases in which chronic oxidative stress plays a major etiological role. We demonstrate here that the mitochondria of cultured, human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE-1) cells treated with SFN undergo hyperfusion that is independent of both Nrf2 and its cytoplasmic inhibitor KEAP1. Mitochondrial fusion has been reported to be cytoprotective by inhibiting pore formation in mitochondria during apoptosis, and consistent with this, we show Nrf2-independent, cytoprotection of SFN-treated cells exposed to the apoptosis-inducer, staurosporine. Mechanistically, SFN mitigates the recruitment and/or retention of the soluble fission factor Drp1 to mitochondria and to peroxisomes but does not affect overall Drp1 abundance. These data demonstrate that the beneficial properties of SFN extend beyond activation of the KEAP1-Nrf2-ARE system and warrant further interrogation given the current use of this agent in multiple clinical trials
Hepatitis C virus and cardiovascular: A review
No full textAbstractChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a systemic disease that leads to increased risks of cirrhosis and its complications, as well as extrahepatic disturbances, including immune-related disorders and metabolic alterations such as insulin resistance and steatosis. Recent accumulating evidence suggests that HCV infection can increase cardiovascular risk, and that viral eradication can improve cardiovascular outcomes in the clinical setting. These data are strengthened by evidence identifying potential mechanisms (in)directly linking HCV infection to vascular damage. However, the high prevalence of both HCV infection and cardiovascular alterations, as well as the presence of contrasting results not identifying any association between HCV infection and cardiovascular dysfunction, provides uncertainty about a direct association of HCV infection with cardiovascular risk. Further studies are needed to clarify definitively the role of HCV infection in cardiovascular alterations, as well as the impact of viral eradication on cardiovascular outcomes. These features are now more attractive, considering the availability of new, safe, and very effective interferon-free antiviral agents for the treatment of HCV infection. This review aims to discuss carefully available data on the relationship between HCV infection and cardiovascular risk
Three-dimensional nonlinear micro/meso-mechanical response of the fibre-reinforced polymer composites
No full textAbstractA three-dimensional multi-scale computational homogenisation framework is developed for the prediction of nonlinear micro/meso-mechanical response of the fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Two dominant damage mechanisms, i.e. matrix elasto-plastic response and fibre–matrix decohesion are considered and modelled using a non-associative pressure dependent paraboloidal yield criterion and cohesive interface elements respectively. A linear-elastic transversely isotropic material model is used to model yarns/fibres within the representative volume element (RVE). A unified approach is used to impose the RVE boundary conditions, which allows convenient switching between linear displacement, uniform traction and periodic boundary conditions. The computational model is implemented within the framework of the hierarchic finite element, which permits the use of arbitrary orders of approximation. Furthermore, the computational framework is designed to take advantage of distributed memory high-performance computing. The accuracy and performance of the computational framework are demonstrated with a variety of numerical examples, including unidirectional FRP composite, a composite comprising a multi-fibre and multi-layer RVE, with randomly generated fibres, and a single layered plain weave textile composite. Results are validated against the reference experimental/numerical results from the literature. The computational framework is also used to study the effect of matrix and fibre–matrix interfaces properties on the homogenised stress–strain responses
Development of a single-nucleotide-polymorphism marker for specific authentication of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) new cultivar “G-1”
No full textAbstractBackgroundKorean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a well-known medicinal plant of Oriental medicine that is still in practice today. Until now, a total of 11 Korean ginseng cultivars with unique features to Korean ginseng have been developed based on the pure-line-selection method. Among them, a new cultivar namely G-1 with different agricultural traits related to yield and content of ginsenosides, was developed in 2012.MethodsThe aim of this study was to distinguish the new ginseng cultivar G-1 by identifying the unique single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at its 45S ribosomal DNA and Panax quinquefolius region than other Korean ginseng cultivars using multiplex amplification-refractory mutation system–polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR).ResultsA SNP at position of 45S ribosomal DNA region between G-1, P. quinquefolius, and the other Korean ginseng cultivars was identified. By designing modified allele-specific primers based on this site, we could specifically identified G-1 and P. quinquefolius via multiplex PCR. The unique primer for the SNP yielded an amplicon of size 449 bp in G-1 cultivar and P. quinquefolius. This study presents an effective method for the genetic identification of the G-1 cultivar and P. quinquefolius.ConclusionThe results from our study shows that this SNP-based approach to identify the G-1 cultivar will be a good way to distinguish accurately the G-1 cultivar and P. quinquefolius from other Korean ginseng cultivars using a SNP at 45S ribosomal DNA region
Flow of viscous fluid along a nonlinearly stretching curved surface
No full textAbstractThis paper focuses on the flow of viscous fluid over a curved surface stretching with nonlinear power-law velocity. The boundary layer equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations using suitable non-dimensional transformations. These equations are solved numerically using shooting and Runge-Kutta (RK) methods. The impact of non-dimensional radius of curvature and power-law indices on the velocity field, the pressure and the skin friction coefficient are investigated. The results deduced for linear stretching are compared with the published work to validate the numerical procedure. The important findings are: (a) Slight variation of the curvature of the stretching sheet increases the velocity and the skin friction coefficient significantly. (b) The nonlinearity of the stretching velocity increases the skin friction. (c) The results for linear stretching and the flat surface are the special cases of this problem
Spatial anomaly detection in sensor networks using neighborhood information
No full textAbstractThe field of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), embedded systems with sensing and networking capability, has now matured after a decade-long research effort and technological advances in electronics and networked systems. An important remaining challenge now is to extract meaningful information from the ever-increasing amount of sensor data collected by WSNs. In particular, there is strong interest in algorithms capable of automatic detection of patterns, events or other out-of-the order, anomalous system behavior. Data anomalies may indicate states of the system that require further analysis or prompt actions. Traditionally, anomaly detection techniques are executed in a central processing facility, which requires the collection of all measurement data at a central location, an obvious limitation for WSNs due to the high data communication costs involved. In this paper we explore the extent by which one may depart from this classical centralized paradigm, looking at decentralized anomaly detection based on unsupervised machine learning. Our aim is to detect anomalies at the sensor nodes, as opposed to centrally, to reduce energy and spectrum consumption. We study the information gain coming from aggregate neighborhood data, in comparison to performing simple, in-node anomaly detection. We evaluate the effects of neighborhood size and spatio-temporal correlation on the performance of our new neighborhood-based approach using a range of real-world network deployments and datasets. We find the conditions that make neighborhood data fusion advantageous, identifying also the cases in which this approach does not lead to detectable improvements. Improvements are linked to the diffusive properties of data (spatio-temporal correlations) but also to the type of sensors, anomalies and network topological features. Overall, when a dataset stems from a similar mixture of diffusive processes precision tends to benefit, particularly in terms of recall. Our work paves the way towards understanding how distributed data fusion methods may help managing the complexity of wireless sensor networks, for instance in massive Internet of Things scenarios
Preparation of CaP/pDNA nanoparticles by reverse micro-emulsion method: Optimization of formulation variables using experimental design
No full textAbstractIn this study, the CaP/pDNA nanoparticles were prepared using Triton X-100/Butanol/Cyclohexane/Water reverse microemulsion system. Optimization of preparation conditions was based on evaluation of particle size by Box–Behnken design method. The particle sizes of the optimized CaP/pDNA nanoparticles were found to be 60.23 ± 4.72 nm, polydispersity index was 0.252 and pDNA encapsulate efficiency was more than 90%. The optimized CaP/pDNA nanoparticles have pH sensitivity and biocompatibility. Further, optimized CaP/pDNA nanoparticles showed higher transfection efficiency
Self-heating behavior and ignition of shale rock
No full textAbstractThe combustion of shale, a porous sedimentary rock, has been reported at times in outcrop deposits and mining piles. However, the initiating event of most of these fires is unknown. It could be that, under the right conditions, shale rock undergoes spontaneous exothermic reactions in the presence of oxygen. This work studies experimentally and for the first time the self-heating behavior of shale rock. Because shale has high inert content, novel diagnostics such as mass loss measurements and visual observation of charring are introduced to detect self-heating ignition in respect to other self-heating materials with lower inter content. Using field samples collected from the outcrop at Kimmeridge Bay (UK) and the Frank-Kamenetskii theory of ignition, we determine the effective kinetic parameters for two particle-size distributions of shale. These parameters are then used to upscale the results to geological deposits and mining piles of different thicknesses. We show that for fine particles, with diameter below 2mm, spontaneous ignition is possible for deposits of thickness between 10.7m and 607m at ambient temperatures between −20ᵒC and 44ᵒC. For the same ambient temperature range, the critical thickness is in excess of 30km for deposits made of coarse particles with diameter below 17mm. Our results indicate that shale rock is reactive, with reactivity highly dependent on particle diameter, and that self-ignition is possible for small particles in outcrops, piles or geological deposits accidentally exposed to oxygen
Aplicación del consenso de factores de riesgo vascular en el paciente mayor de 80 años en atención primaria
No full textMicrocautery based on zinc metallic nanoparticles photodeposited on the core of an optical fiber
No full textAbstractThe experimental arrangement of a microcautery implemented by an optical fiber with zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) photodeposited on its core for the cauterization and coagulation in blood vessels hemostasis processes is presented. The interaction between a laser radiation source and the ZnNPS on the fiber core produces a controllable punctual heat source through the radiation intensity, which is capable of reaching a temperature up to 200°C covering an area of approximately ten micrometers. By using three-to-four-month-old rats of CIIZ-V strain, we made several microcauterization experimental tests to stop blood flow. The findings show that the microcautery obliterates the smooth muscle of the blood vessels concatenating mutually to tissue in an average time of three seconds, at the same time, the blood elements responsible for the coagulation are thermally activated and thus the bleeding is stopped