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Decellularized extracellular matrix in the form of patches and locally injected hydrogels has long been used as therapies in animal models of disease. Here we report the safety and feasibility of an intravascularly infused extracellular matrix as a biomaterial for the repair of tissue in animal models of acute myocardial infarction, traumatic brain injury and pulmonary arterial hypertension. The biomaterial consists of decellularized, enzymatically digested and fractionated ventricular myocardium, localizes to injured tissues by binding to leaky microvasculature, and is largely degraded in about 3 d. In rats and pigs with induced acute myocardial infarction followed by intracoronary infusion of the biomaterial, we observed substantially reduced left ventricular volumes and improved wall-motion scores, as well as differential expression of genes associated with tissue repair and inflammation. Delivering pro-healing extracellular matrix by intravascular infusion post injury may provide translational advantages for the healing of inflamed tissues 'from the inside out'.

Introduction Glioblastoma is one of the most common brain tumors in adult populations, usually carrying a poor prognosis. While several studies have researched the impact of anti-angiogenic therapies, especially anti VEFG treatments in glioblastoma, few have attempted to assess its progress using imaging studies. Purpose We attempted to analyze whether cerebral blood volume (rCBV) from dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced MRI (DSC-MRI) could predict a response in patients with glioblastoma undergoing Bevacizumab (BVZ) treatment. Methods We performed a retrospective study evaluating patients with recurrent glioblastoma receiving anti-angiogenic therapy with BVZ between 2012 and 2017 in our institution. Patients were scheduled for routine MRI at baseline and first month follow up visits. Studies were processed for DSC-MRI, cT1 and FLAIR images, from which relative cerebral blood volume measurements were obtained. We assessed patient response using the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) working group criteria and overall survival. Results 40 patients were included in the study and were classified as Bevacizumab responders and non-responders. Average rCBV before treatment was 4.5 for both groups and average rCBV was 2.5 for responders and 5.4 for non-responders. ROC curve set a cutoff point of 3.7 for rCBV predictive of response to BVZ. Cox Multivariate analysis only showed rCBV as a predictive factor of OS. Conclusion A statistically significant difference was found in rCBV between patients who responded and those who did not respond to BVZ treatment. rCBV may be a low cost and effective marker to assess response to Bevacizumab treatment in GBM.

Wheat is an important food crop, yet its value is reduced by fungal infections (ex.

Biomaterials, such as extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels, have been widely used in preclinical studies as injectable tissue engineering therapies; however, injectable therapies are limited as they can cause localized trauma or organ perforation. We have developed a new ECM therapy, the low molecular weight fraction derived from decellularized, digested ECM, for intravascular infusion. This new form of ECM can be infused after injury, specifically localize to injured tissues by coating the leaky microvasculature, and promote cell survival and tissue repair. In this study, we show the feasibility and targeting of intravascular ECM infusions using models of acute myocardial infarction (MI), traumatic brain injury, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Furthermore, safety and efficacy were demonstrated in small and large animal models of acute MI following intracoronary infusion, which included using a clinically-relevant catheter in the large animal model. Functional improvements, specifically reduced left ventricular volumes and improved wall motion scores were observed after ECM infusions post-MI. Genes related to tissue repair and inflammation were differential expressed in response to ECM infusions. This study shows proof-of-concept for a new paradigm of delivering pro-healing ECM biomaterials via intravascular infusion to heal tissue from the inside out.

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), the most extensively studied carcinogen in cigarette smoke, has been regarded as a critical mediator of lung cancer. It is known that B[a]P-mediated Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) activation stimulates the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling cascade in different cell models. MAPK pathway disturbances drive alterations in cellular processes, such as differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis, and the disturbances may also modify the AhR pathway itself. However, MAPK involvement in B[a]P metabolic activation and toxicity in lung tissues is not well understood. Here, we used a non-transformed human bronchial epithelial lung cell line, BEAS-2B, to study the participation of ERK 1/2 kinases in the metabolic activation of B[a]P and in its related genotoxic effects. Our results indicate that B[a]P is not cytotoxic to BEAS-2B cells at relatively low concentrations, but it enhances CYP1A1 gene transcription and protein induction. Additionally, B[a]P promotes Src and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation. Accordingly, inhibition of both Src and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation decreases CYP1A1 protein induction, AhR nuclear translocation and production of B[a]P adducts. Together, these data suggest a crosstalk between AhR and the members of the MAPK pathway, ERK 1/2 mediated by Src kinase. This interaction is important for the adequate AhR pathway signaling that in turn induces transcription and protein induction of CYP1A1 and B[a]P-induced DNA damage in BEAS-2B cells.

This paper presents an implementation of the conformal voting scheme using a reconfigurable hardware approach in the frame of conformal geometric algebra $\mathcal {G}_{3,1}$ . This algorithm is able to extract geometric entities, such as circles and lines from edged images. The conformal voting scheme is divided into two main stages: a local stage computed using neighborhoods in the image, and a global stage using the results of the local voting stage. In this implementation, we focused on the most computationally demanding stage: the local stage, which is computed in the field-programmable gate array, while the global voting stage continues to be executed on the PC. The results show an average speedup of 3x depending on the features of the input image and a coefficient of variation near to zero in the times of repeated experiments. Finally, our method can be used for multiple applications in real-time image processing.

Ferroptosis is widely involved in degenerative diseases in various tissues including kidney, liver and brain, and is a targetable vulnerability in clear-cell carcinomas and therapy-resistant cancers. Accumulation of phospholipid hydroperoxides in cellular membranes is recognized as the hallmark and rate-limiting step of ferroptosis; however, the enzymes contributing to lipid peroxidation remain poorly characterized. Using genome-wide, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated suppressor screens, we identify cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) as a contributor to ferroptotic cell death in cancer cells exhibiting inherent and induced susceptibility to ferroptosis. By genetic depletion of POR in cancer cells, we reveal that POR contributes to ferroptosis across a wide range of lineages and cell-states, and in response to distinct mechanisms of ferroptosis induction. Using systematic lipidomic profiling, we further map POR’s activity to the lipid peroxidation step in ferroptosis. Hence, our work suggests POR as a key mediator of ferroptosis and a potential druggable target for developing anti-ferroptosis therapeutics.

Background Mycetoma is a neglected tropical disease characterized by nodules, scars, abscesses, and fistulae that drain serous or purulent material containing the etiological agent. Mycetoma may be caused by true fungi (eumycetoma) or filamentous aerobic bacteria (actinomycetoma). Mycetoma is more frequent in the so-called mycetoma belt (latitude 15° south and 30° north around the Tropic of Cancer), especially in Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia, India, Mexico, and Venezuela. The introduction of new antibiotics with fewer side effects, broader susceptibility profiles, and different administration routes has made information on actinomycetoma treatment and outcomes necessary. The objective of this report was to provide an update on clinical, therapeutic, and outcome data for patients with actinomycetoma attending a reference center in northeast Mexico. Methodology/principal findings This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study of 31 patients (male to female ratio 3.4:1) diagnosed with actinomycetoma by direct grain examination, histopathology, culture, or serology from January 2009 to September 2018. Most lesions were caused by Nocardia brasiliensis (83.9%) followed by Actinomadura madurae (12.9%) and Actinomadura pelletieri (3.2%). About 50% of patients had bone involvement, and the right leg was the most commonly affected region in 38.7% of cases. Farmers/agriculture workers were most commonly affected, representing 41.9% of patients. The most commonly used treatment regimen was the Welsh regimen (35.5% of cases), a combination of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) plus amikacin, which had a 90% cure rate, followed by TMP/SMX plus amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in 19.4% of cases with a cure rate of 100%. In our setting, 28 (90.3%) patients were completely cured and three (9.7%) were lost to follow-up. Four patients required multiple antibiotic regimens due to recurrences and adverse effects. Conclusions/significance In our sample, actinomycetoma was predominantly caused by N. brasiliensis. Most cases responded well to therapy with a combination of TMP/SMX with amikacin or TMP/SMX and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Four patients required multiple antibiotics and intrahospital care., Author summary Mycetoma is a chronic skin disease that can invade bone or underlying organs. Inadequate treatment may lead to long-lasting disability. Information about treatment is scarce. We report the outcomes of 31 patients with a diagnosis of bacterial actinomycetoma attending a tertiary care hospital in northeast Mexico. Most cases were treated with a combination of antibiotics including TMP/SMX plus amikacin or TMP/SMX plus amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Cure was achieved in 90% of patients and only one required surgery.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease of the hair follicle. Keratinocytes of the hair follicle generate an immunosuppressive environment by the local secretion of hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of the skin (skin HPA analog). Our objective was to measure the local production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in the scalp tissue of patients with AA before and after ultraviolet A1 (UVA-1) phototherapy to determine their role in the pathogenesis of AA and the effect of UVA-1 on the AA hormonal environment. This was a retrospective and descriptive study of skin samples from 22 patients with AA before and after UVA-1 treatment. We compared the changes in the local hormonal environment by measuring CRH, ACTH, type 2 melanocortin receptor (ACTH receptor) and α-MSH with immunohistochemical stains. The positivity of MSH was significantly higher (P = .037) in the post-treatment samples compared with the baseline value. ACTH was significantly higher in intensity (P = .032) in the post-treatment samples compared with the initial value. CRH was significantly higher in intensity (P = .013) in baseline samples compared with the final biopsies. The positivity of the ACTH receptor MC2R was not different between the two groups (P = .626). In AA, an interruption in the signalling of CRH could decrease the local concentration of ACTH and MSH, and consequently, the immunosuppressive effect of these hormones. This phenomenon is normalized in the skin treated with UVA-1. A defective signalling system in the cutaneous HPA axis may be involved in the pathogenesis of AA.

This work was evaluated in the laboratory, the mechanical resistance under monotonic loads and the compression of several test bodies, by additions of lime and fly ash at 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%, based on the proctor test standard and the study soil (kaolin); prior to this, a characterization of the materials was made, and finally the objective was to determine the improvement of the soil through the comparisons, which refers to what is due to the best that is given to the best. Ash is not a significant improvement in the soil. In general, if a stabilization of a soil is required quickly, the data is published as a better option for soil improvement

This paper demonstrates an AC electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) based platform to manipulate water droplets using anisotropic patterning of electrodes, without the need of complex control circuits. Only two electrodes are required to transport the droplet. Different droplet sizes (5~15 μL) have been tested and the droplet transport speed can reach 20 mm/s for 15 μL at 20 Hz external AC frequency. By introducing DC EWOD electrodes, we can perform multiple droplet manipulating functionalities including droplet synchronizing, merging, and mixing, which provides potential applications including active self-cleaning surfaces and lab-on-chip instruments.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental contaminants that interact in a complex manner with both the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and estrogen receptors (ER). Their potential endocrine-disrupting activities may depend on both inhibitory AhR-ER cross-talk and on AhR-dependent metabolic production of estrogenic PAH metabolites. Here, we analyzed the impact of AhR on estrogen-like effects of PAHs, such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), in particular, on control of cell cycle progression/cell proliferation. Using AhR knockout variant of estrogen-sensitive human breast cancer MCF-7 cells (MCF-7 AhR(KO) cells), we observed that the AhR-dependent control of cytochrome P450 family 1 (CYP1) expression played a major role in formation of estrogenic BaP metabolites, most notably 3-OH-BaP, which contributed to the ER-dependent induction of cell cycle progression/cell proliferation. Both BaP metabolism and the BaP-induced S-phase transition/cell proliferation were inhibited in MCF-7 AhR(KO) cells, whereas these cells remained sensitive towards both endogenous estrogen 17β-estradiol or hydroxylated BaP metabolites. BaP was found to increase the activity of ER-dependent luciferase reporter gene in wild-type MCF-7 cells; however, unlike its hydroxylated metabolite, BaP failed to stimulate luciferase activity in MCF-7 AhR(KO) cells. Similarly, estrogen-like effects of other known estrogenic PAHs, such as benz[a]anthracene or 3-methylcholanthrene, were diminished in MCF-7 AhR(KO) cells. Ectopic expression of human CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 enzymes partly restored both BaP metabolism and its effects on cell proliferation. Taken together, our data suggest that the AhR-dependent metabolism of PAHs contributes significantly to the impact of PAHs on cell proliferation in estrogen-sensitive cells.

RESUMENEl benzo[a]pireno (b[a]p), es un hidrocarburo aromático policíclico (PAH) producto de combustiones incompletas de materia orgánica. Es considerado como carcinógeno debido a que los metabolitos derivados de su biotransformación, como el benzo [a] pireno diol epóxido (b[a]pDE), tienen propiedades mutagénicas y carcinogénicas. El b[a]p es metabolizado por las enzimas citocromos P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) y el citocromo P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) cuya expresión es inducida por la vía de señalización del receptor de hidrocarburos de arilo (AhR). Algunos estudios sugieren que el AhR es capaz de modular otros procesos celulares, además de la desintoxicación de xenobióticos como el desarrollo, diferenciación, proliferación, respuesta inmune, promoción del cáncer y apoptosis. Esto mediante la modulación de vías de señalización mediadas por proteínas cinasas como la del receptor del factor de crecimiento epidermal (EGFR, por sus siglas en inglés). Sin embargo, no es clara la función del AhR en estos procesos ni cómo el AhR es capaz de interactuar con otras vías de señalización. Las alteraciones celulares inducidas por b[a]p son complejas y pueden estar mediadas por más de una vía de señalización y la activación de múltiples genes, por lo que es esencial saber qué vías están involucradas en el metabolismo de los PAH para una mejor comprensión de las bases moleculares de enfermedades como el cáncer.ABSTRACTBenzo[a]pyrene (b[a]p), is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) product of incomplete combustion of organic matter. B[a]p is considered as a carcinogen due to the mutagenic and carcinogenic properties of its biotransformation derivatives, such as benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (b[a]pDE). B[a]p is metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes 1A1 (CYP1A1) and 1B1 (CYP1B1), whose expression is regulated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway. Studies suggest that AhR is involved in the regulation of other cellular processes, in addition to detoxification of xenobiotics, such as development, differentiation, proliferation, immune response, cancer development, and apoptosis, by modulating signaling pathways mediated by protein kinases such as the epidermal growth factor (EGFR). However it is not clear the role of AhR in these processes nor the mechanisms of AhR interaction with other signaling pathways. Cellular changes induced by b[a]p are complex and may be mediated by more than one signaling pathway and by the activation of multiple genes, so it is essential to know which pathways are involved in the metabolism of PAHs for a better understanding of the molecular basis of diseases such as cancer.