Feeding Drosophila gut microbiomes from young and old flies modifies the microbiome.

It is becoming increasingly evident that the myriad of microbes in the gut, within cells and attached to body parts (or roots of plants), play crucial roles for the host. Although this has been known for decades, recent developments in molecular biology allow for expanded insight into the abundance and function of these microbes. Here we used the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to investigate fitness measures across the lifetime of flies fed a suspension of gut microbes harvested from young or old flies, respectively.

The mechanical and morphological properties of systemic and pulmonary arteries differ in the Madagascar ground boa, a snake without ventricular pressure separation.

The walls of the mammalian aorta and pulmonary artery are characterized by diverging morphologies and mechanical properties, which have been correlated with high systemic and low pulmonary blood pressure, as a result of intraventricular pressure separation. However, the relationship between intraventricular pressure separation and diverging aortic and pulmonary artery wall morphologies and mechanical characteristics is not understood. The snake cardiovascular system poses a unique model for the study of this relationship, as representatives both with and without intraventricular pressure separation exist.

Design Considerations for the Development and Implementation of a Medical Respite for Older Adults Experiencing Homelessness in Metro Vancouver.

Background: Older persons with lived or living experience of homelessness (PWLEs) often live with complex physical and/or mental health conditions which are challenged by poor access to health services, especially primary care. To fill the gap in the continuum of care following hospital discharge for PWLEs, medical respite provides health and shelter support for PWLEs who do not have acute care needs that qualify for a stay in a hospital bed, yet are too sick or frail to recover on the streets or in a traditional shelter.

Objective: This study examines how a medical respite could be designed for older PWLEs in Metro Vancouver, BC.

Endothelial Dysfunction and Passive Changes in the Aorta and Coronary Arteries of Diabetic db/db Mice.

Endothelial cell dysfunction and vessel stiffening are associated with a worsened prognosis in diabetic patients with cardiovascular diseases. The present study hypothesized that sex impacts endothelial dysfunction and structural changes in arteries from diabetic mice. In diabetic (db/db) and normoglycaemic (db/db+) mice, the mechanical properties were investigated in pressurized isolated left anterior descending coronary arteries and aorta segments that were subjected to tensile testing.

Analysis of vascular mechanical properties of the yellow anaconda reveals increased elasticity and distensibility of the pulmonary artery during digestion.

In animals with functional division of blood systemic and pulmonary pressures, such as mammals, birds, crocodilians and a few non-crocodilian reptiles, the vessel walls of systemic and pulmonary arteries are exquisitely adapted to endure different pressures during the cardiac cycle, systemic arteries being stronger and stiffer than pulmonary arteries. However, the typical non-crocodilian reptile heart possesses an undivided ventricle that provides similar systolic blood pressure to both circuits. This raises the question whether in these species the systemic and pulmonary mechanical vascular properties are similar.