Low-dose dasatinib rescues cardiac function in Noonan syndrome.

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a common autosomal dominant disorder that presents with short stature, craniofacial dysmorphism, and cardiac abnormalities. Activating mutations in the gene encoding for the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP2) causes approximately 50% of NS cases. In contrast, NS with multiple lentigines (NSML) is caused by mutations that inactivate SHP2, but it exhibits some overlapping abnormalities with NS.

Anisotropic engineered heart tissue made from laser-cut decellularized myocardium.

We have developed an engineered heart tissue (EHT) system that uses laser-cut sheets of decellularized myocardium as scaffolds. This material enables formation of thin muscle strips whose biomechanical characteristics are easily measured and manipulated. To create EHTs, sections of porcine myocardium were laser-cut into ribbon-like shapes, decellularized, and mounted in specialized clips for seeding and culture.

Decreased polycystin 2 expression alters calcium-contraction coupling and changes β-adrenergic signaling pathways.

Cardiac disorders are the main cause of mortality in autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). However, how mutated polycystins predispose patients with ADPKD to cardiac pathologies before development of renal dysfunction is unknown. We investigate the effect of decreased levels of polycystin 2 (PC2), a calcium channel that interacts with the ryanodine receptor, on myocardial function.

Alterations in collagen and mineral nanostructure observed in osteoporosis and pharmaceutical treatments using simultaneous small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering.

The influence of the macroscale material properties of bone on its mechanical competence has been extensively investigated, but less is known about possible contributions from bone's nanoscale material properties. These nanoscale properties, particularly the collagen network and the size and shape of hydroxyapatite mineral crystals, may be affected by aging, mechanical loading, and diseases including osteoporosis. Here, changes to the collagen and mineral properties of cortical bone induced by osteoporosis and subsequent pharmaceutical treatments were investigated by simultaneous small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) microbeam mapping.

Moderate intensity resistive exercise improves metaphyseal cancellous bone recovery following an initial disuse period, but does not mitigate decrements during a subsequent disuse period in adult rats.

Spaceflight provides a unique environment for skeletal tissue causing decrements in structural and densitometric properties of bone. Previously, we used the adult hindlimb unloaded (HU) rat model to show that previous exposure to HU had minimal effects on bone structure after a second HU exposure followed by recovery. Furthermore, we found that the decrements during second HU exposure were milder than the initial HU cycle.

Previous exposure to simulated microgravity does not exacerbate bone loss during subsequent exposure in the proximal tibia of adult rats.

Extended periods of inactivity cause severe bone loss and concomitant deterioration of the musculoskeletal system. Considerable research has been aimed at better understanding the mechanisms and consequences of bone loss due to unloading and the associated effects on strength and fracture risk. One factor that has not been studied extensively but is of great interest, particularly for human spaceflight, is how multiple or repeated exposures to unloading and reloading affect the skeleton.

Fabrication and Characterization of Three-Dimensional Macroscopic All-Carbon Scaffolds.

We report a simple method to fabricate macroscopic, 3-D, free standing, all-carbon scaffolds (porous structures) using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as the starting materials. The scaffolds prepared by radical initiated thermal crosslinking, and annealing of MWCNTs possess macroscale interconnected pores, robust structural integrity, stability, and conductivity. The porosity of the three-dimensional structure can be controlled by varying the amount of radical initiator, thereby allowing the design of porous scaffolds tailored towards specific potential applications.