Transcriptomic Analysis of Mineralized Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Tissues for Calcific Valve Disease Modelling.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is characterized by the fibrosis and mineralization of the aortic valve, which leads to aortic stenosis and heart failure. At the cellular level, this is due to the osteoblastic-like differentiation of valve interstitial cells (VICs), resulting in the calcification of the tissue. Unfortunately, human VICs are not readily available to study CAVD pathogenesis and the implicated mechanisms in vitro; however, adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs), carrying the patient's specific genomic features, have emerged as a promising cell source to model cardiovascular diseases due to their multipotent nature, availability, and patient-specific characteristics.

Apoptotic exosome-like vesicles transfer specific and functional mRNAs to endothelial cells by phosphatidylserine-dependent macropinocytosis.

Apoptosis of endothelial cells prompts the release of apoptotic exosome-like vesicles (ApoExos), subtype extracellular vesicles secreted by apoptotic cells after caspase-3 activation. ApoExos are different from both apoptotic bodies and classical exosomes in their protein and nucleic acid contents and functions. In contrast to classical apoptotic bodies, ApoExos induce immunogenic responses that can be maladaptive when not tightly regulated.

Ultra-sensitive, rapid detection of dried bloodstains by surface enhanced Raman scattering on Ag substrates.

A simple water extraction and transfer procedure is found to result in reproducible and highly sensitive 785 nm excited SERS spectra of 24 h dried bloodstains on Ag nanoparticle substrates. This protocol allows confirmatory detection and identification of dried stains of blood that have been diluted by up to 10 in water on Ag substrates. While previous SERS results demonstrated similar performance on Au substrates when a 50% acetic acid extraction and transfer procedure was used, the water/Ag methodology avoids any potential DNA damage when the sample size is extremely small (≤∼1 μL) due to low pH exposure.

The short-term economic consequences of COVID-19: Exposure to disease, remote work and government response.

We examine the determinants of the consequences of COVID-19 on employment and wages in the United States. Guided by a pre-analysis plan, we investigate whether the economic consequences of COVID-19 were larger for certain occupations, using four indexes: workers relatively more exposed to disease, workers that work with proximity to coworkers, essential/critical workers and workers who can easily work remotely. We find that individuals that work in proximity to others are more affected while individuals able to work remotely and essential workers are less affected by the pandemic.

Spherical rotary cell seeding system for production of small-caliber tissue-engineered blood vessels with complex geometry.

Entirely biological human tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBV) were previously developed for clinical use. Tissue-engineered models have also proven to be valuable tools in disease modelling. Moreover, there is a need for complex geometry TEBV for study of multifactorial vascular pathologies, such as intracranial aneurysms.

RNF213 Loss-of-Function Promotes Angiogenesis of Cerebral Microvascular Endothelial Cells in a Cellular State Dependent Manner.

Enhanced and aberrant angiogenesis is one of the main features of Moyamoya disease (MMD) pathogenesis. The ring finger protein 213 (RNF213) and the variant p.R4810K have been linked with higher risks of MMD and intracranial arterial occlusion development in east Asian populations.

Tone-Burst Auditory Brainstem Response and Cortical Potentials in Diagnosis of Syndromic Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder.

In this study, we report our findings of comprehensive evaluation in a man with syndromic craniofacial features, cognitive impairment, and hearing loss. The patient underwent psychological and genetic testing and screening for 133 genetic mutations associated with hearing loss, as well as extensive audiological evaluation to assess the auditory pathway between the middle ear and the auditory cortex. Psychological testing showed moderate cognitive impairment.

Determinants of Family Stress and Domestic Violence: Lessons from the COVID-19 Outbreak.

In this article, we examine Canadians' concerns regarding the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on domestic violence and family stress. Our empirical analysis relies on a unique survey conducted online, the Canadian Perspective Survey Series, which allows us to investigate the determinants of concerns regarding family stress and domestic violence during the first COVID-19 lockdown. We find no evidence that changes in work arrangements are related to concerns regarding family stress and violence in the home.

Effects of decomposition on the recoverability of biological fluid evidence.

The present research assessed how the physical and chemical changes associated with decomposition affect the detection and identification of blood and semen evidence, as well as subsequent DNA analysis. A feeder pig (postmortem interval (PMI) < 3 h) was placed within the Boston University Outdoor Research Facility for a period of 22 days. Human blood and semen were individually dispensed onto multiple areas of two cotton t-shirts; one layer of fabric was placed above and below the pig and a control.

Review of oral mucositis treatment guidelines with an emphasis on laser therapy.

Healthcare professionals require effective treatment options for managing the complications that may arise during cancer treatment. The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and the International Society of Oral Oncology (ISOO) work together to reduce oral complications secondary to cancer, including difficulties associated with oral mucositis (OM). The present article is intended to summarize the MASCC/ISOO guidelines, which are updated periodically based on the most recent evidence supporting the multiple treatment options for OM caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy used to treat head and neck tumors.

The short-term economic consequences of COVID-19: Occupation tasks and mental health in Canada.

In this paper, we study the effect of COVID-19 on the labour market and reported mental health of Canadians. To better understand the effect of the pandemic on the labour market, we build indexes for whether workers: (i) are relatively more exposed to disease, (ii) work in proximity to co-workers, (iii) are essential workers and (iv) can easily work remotely. Our estimates suggest that the impact of COVID-19 was significantly more severe for workers that work in proximity to co-workers and those more exposed to disease who are not in the health sector, while the effects are less severe for essential workers and workers that can work remotely.

Moyamoya Disease Susceptibility Gene Regulates Endothelial Barrier Function.

Background: Variants in the ring finger protein 213 () gene are known to be associated with increased predisposition to cerebrovascular diseases development. Genomic studies have identified as a major risk factor of Moyamoya disease in East Asian descendants. However, little is known about the RNF213 (ring finger protein 213) biological functions or its associated pathogenic mechanisms underlying Moyamoya disease.

Surface enhanced Raman scattering specificity for detection and identification of dried bloodstains.

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) provides highly specific vibrational signatures identifying dried blood for a variety of forensic applications. SERS spectra on Au nanoparticle substrates excited at 785 nm are found to identify dried stains of human and nonhuman blood from seven animals, and distinguish stains due to menstrual and peripheral blood. In addition, the unique SERS bloodstain spectrum is distinct from the SERS spectra of thirty red-brown stains of potential household substances that could be visually mistaken for bloodstains and from food stains that have been shown to give positive results with presumptive colorimetric blood tests.

Corrigendum to "On the effects of COVID-19 safer-at-home policies on social distancing, car crashes and pollution" [J. Environ. Econ. Manag. 106 (2021) 102427].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.

A literature review of the economics of COVID-19.

The goal of this piece is to survey the developing and rapidly growing literature on the economic consequences of COVID-19 and the governmental responses, and to synthetize the insights emerging from a very large number of studies. This survey: (i) provides an overview of the data sets and the techniques employed to measure social distancing and COVID-19 cases and deaths; (ii) reviews the literature on the determinants of compliance with and the effectiveness of social distancing; (iii) mentions the macroeconomic and financial impacts including the modelling of plausible mechanisms; (iv) summarizes the literature on the socioeconomic consequences of COVID-19, focusing on those aspects related to labor, health, gender, discrimination, and the environment; and (v) summarizes the literature on public policy responses.

Stay-at-home orders, social distancing, and trust.

A clear understanding of community response to government decisions is crucial for policy makers and health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we document the determinants of implementation and compliance with stay-at-home orders in the USA, focusing on trust and social capital. Using cell phone data measuring changes in non-essential trips and average distance traveled, we find that mobility decreases significantly more in high-trust counties than in low-trust counties after the stay-at-home orders are implemented, with larger effects for more stringent orders.

On the effects of COVID-19 safer-at-home policies on social distancing, car crashes and pollution.

This paper investigates the impacts of COVID-19 safer-at-home polices on collisions and pollution. We find that statewide safer-at-home policies lead to a 20% reduction in vehicular collisions and that the effect is entirely driven by less severe collisions. For pollution, we find particulate matter concentration levels approximately 1.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 US presidential election.

What is the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 2020 US presidential election? Guided by a pre-analysis plan, we estimate the effect of COVID-19 cases and deaths on the change in county-level voting for Donald Trump between 2016 and 2020. To account for potential confounders, we include a large number of COVID-19-related controls as well as demographic and socioeconomic variables. Moreover, we instrument the numbers of cases and deaths with the share of workers employed in meat-processing factories to sharpen our identification strategy.

COVID-19, lockdowns and well-being: Evidence from Google Trends.

The COVID-19 pandemic and government intervention such as lockdowns may severely affect people's mental health. While lockdowns can help to contain the spread of the virus, they may result in substantial damage to population well-being. We use Google Trends data to test whether COVID-19 and the associated lockdowns implemented in Europe and America led to changes in well-being related topic search-terms.

Surface enhanced Raman scattering for robust, sensitive detection and confirmatory identification of dried bloodstains.

An optimized procedure is described for the acquisition of 785 nm excited SERS spectra of dried bloodstains and shown to offer great potential for rapid, portable, highly sensitive and specific, confirmatory identification for forensic applications. Following extraction in 1 μL of 50% acetic acid, a robust, highly reproducible SERS spectrum is observed from dried bloodstains resulting from a hematin-like heme moiety (ferric, high spin). As anticipated, this blood signature can be classified with 100% specificity and sensitivity with respect to the SERS spectra of other body fluids.

Apoptotic exosome-like vesicles regulate endothelial gene expression, inflammatory signaling, and function through the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Persistent endothelial injury promotes maladaptive responses by favoring the release of factors leading to perturbation in vascular homeostasis and tissue architecture. Caspase-3 dependent death of microvascular endothelial cells leads to the release of unique apoptotic exosome-like vesicles (ApoExo). Here, we evaluate the impact of ApoExo on endothelial gene expression and function in the context of a pro-apoptotic stimulus.

Application of Structured-Light 3-D Scanning to the Documentation of Plastic Fingerprint Impressions: A Quality Comparison with Traditional Photography.

Plastic fingerprint impressions found at crime scenes are often too delicate for collection, leaving photography as the best option for documentation. However, traditional photography techniques can be inadequate in documenting minute 3-D details due to limitations of the camera and lighting conditions. This study investigated the feasibility of applying commercially available structured-light 3-D scanners in the documentation of plastic prints.