Risk Factors for Reduced Long-Term Survival Following Isolated Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Different Age Groups.

Background: According to recent guidelines, the selection of transcatheter vs surgical aortic valve replacement (TAVR vs SAVR) in low-risk patients depends on age and life expectancy. Our objective was to understand independent risk factors for reduced life expectancy following isolated SAVR and the rate of redo aortic valve (AV) intervention in different age groups, to delineate optimal intervention depending on patient characteristics.

Methods: Between 2000 and 2015, 2026 patients underwent isolated SAVR with Carpentier-Edwards pericardial tissue valves (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA).

Cutaneous and renal vasodilatory response to local pressure application: A comparative study in mice.

Background And Aim: We have reported a novel relationship involving mechanical stimulation and vasodilation in rodent and human skin, referred to as pressure-induced vasodilation (PIV). It is unknown whether this mechanism exists in kidney and reflects the microcirculation in deep organs. Therefore, we compared the skin and kidney PIV to determine whether their changes were similar.

A comparison of the abilities of natural rubber (NR) and synthetic polyisoprene cis-1,4 rubber (IR) to crystallize under strain at high strain rates.

Strain induced crystallization (SIC) of a natural rubber (NR) and a synthetic rubber (IR) with a high amount of cis-1,4 units (98.6%) is studied, thanks to in situ wide angle X-ray (WAXS) experiments at room temperature performed in a large range of strain rates. During stretching at a low strain rate (4.

Strain induced crystallization and melting of natural rubber during dynamic cycles.

Strain-induced crystallization (SIC) of natural rubber (NR) is studied during dynamic cycles at high frequencies (with equivalent strain rates ranging from 7.2 s(-1) to 290 s(-1)). The testing parameters are varied: the frequency, the temperature and the stretching ratio domain.

ER egress of invariant chain isoform p35 requires direct binding to MHCII molecules and is inhibited by the NleA virulence factor of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli.

Four invariant chain (Ii) isoforms assist the folding and trafficking of human MHC class II (MHCIIs). The main isoforms, Iip33 and Iip35, assemble in the ER into homo- and/or hetero-trimers. The sequential binding of up to three MHCII αβ heterodimers to Ii trimers results in the formation of pentamers, heptamers and nonamers.

The D-6 mouse monoclonal antibody recognizes the CD74 cytoplasmic tail.

The invariant chain (Ii; CD74) is a multifunctional protein of the immune system and a major player in the presentation of exogenous antigens to T cells. In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Ii assists the folding and trafficking of MHC class II molecules. In the present study, we characterized the recently commercialized D-6 monoclonal antibody (MAb) made against a polypeptide spanning the entire sequence of the p33 isoform of human Ii.

The invariant chain p35 isoform promotes formation of nonameric complexes with MHC II molecules.

Four different isoforms of the human invariant chain (Ii) have been described (p33, p35, p41 and p43). These heterotrimerize in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) before associating with MHC class II molecules (MHCIIs). However, the final stoichiometry of the Ii/MHCII complex remains debated.

MMTV superantigens coerce an unconventional topology between the TCR and MHC class II.

Mouse mammary tumor virus superantigens (vSAGs) are notorious for defying structural characterization, and a consensus has yet to be reached regarding their ability to bridge the TCR to MHC class II (MHCII). In this study, we determined the topology of the T cell signaling complex by examining the respective relation of vSAG7 with the MHCII molecule, MHCII-associated peptide, and TCR. We used covalently linked peptide/MHCII complexes to demonstrate that vSAG presentation is tolerant to variation in the protruding side chains of the peptide, but can be sensitive to the nature of the protruding N-terminal extension.

Use of precision-cut renal cortical slices in nephrotoxicity studies.

1.Unlike cell lines and primary cells in culture, precision-cut tissue slices remain metabolically differentiated for at least 24-48 h and allow to study the effect of xenobiotics during short-term and long-term incubations. 2.

Protocols and applications of cellular metabolomics in safety studies using precision-cut tissue slices and carbon 13 NMR.

Numerous xenobiotics are toxic to human and animal cells by interacting with their metabolism, but the precise metabolic step affected and the biochemical mechanism behind such a toxicity often remain unknown. In an attempt to reduce the ignorance in this field, we have developed a new approach called cellular metabolomics. This approach, developed in vitro, provides a panoramic view not only of the pathways involved in the metabolism of physiologic substrates of any normal or pathologic human or animal cell but also of the beneficial and adverse effects of xenobiotics on these metabolic pathways.

Mechanical properties and cytocompatibility of poly(ε-caprolactone)-infiltrated biphasic calcium phosphate scaffolds with bimodal pore distribution.

Biphasic calcium phosphate scaffolds have attracted interest because they have good osteoconductivity and a resorption rate close to that of new bone ingrowth, but their brittleness limits their potential applications. In this study, we show how the infiltration of biphasic calcium phosphate scaffolds with poly(ε-caprolactone) improves their mechanical properties. It was found that the polymer effectively contributes to energy to failure enhancement in bending, compressive and tensile tests.

Metastable and unstable cellular solidification of colloidal suspensions.

Colloidal particles are often seen as big atoms that can be directly observed in real space. They are therefore becoming increasingly important as model systems to study processes of interest in condensed-matter physics such as melting, freezing and glass transitions. The solidification of colloidal suspensions has long been a puzzling phenomenon with many unexplained features.

Latex imaging by environmental STEM: application to the study of the surfactant outcome in hybrid alkyd/acrylate systems.

Among other uses, latexes are a successful alternative to solvent-borne binders for coatings. Efforts are made to produce hybrid nanostructured latexes containing an acrylic phase and an alkyd phase. However, after the film-forming process, the surfactant used to stabilize these latexes remains in the film, and its location can have a drastic effect on the application properties.

Grafting of polystyrene on nitrogen-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

Polymer grafting of polystyrene (PS) on nitrogen-doped multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNx) was successfully obtained by a "grafting from" technique. The production method involves the immobilization of initiators, using wet chemistry, onto the nanotube surface, followed by an in situ surface-initiated polymerization. The polymer-grafting carbon nanotubes synthesis includes the free radical functionalization of CNx and the "controlled/living" Nitroxide Mediated Radical Polymerization (NMRP).

Characteristics of glutamine metabolism in human precision-cut kidney slices: a 13C-NMR study.

The metabolism of glutamine, a physiological substrate of the human kidney, plays a major role in systemic acid-base homoeostasis. Not only because of the limited availability of human renal tissue but also in part due to the lack of adequate cellular models, the mechanisms regulating the renal metabolism of this amino acid in humans have been poorly characterized. Therefore given the renewed interest in their use, human precision-cut renal cortical slices were incubated in Krebs-Henseleit medium (118 mM NaCl, 4.

Metabolic viability and pharmaco-toxicological reactivity of cryopreserved human precision-cut renal cortical slices.

We have tested the suitability of cryopreserved human precision-cut renal cortical slices for metabolic and pharmaco-toxicological studies. The viability of these slices and their pharmaco-toxicological reactivity were assessed using intracellular ATP and protein contents, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, lactate and glutamine metabolism and the ammoniagenic effect of valproate. Despite a decrease in ATP and protein contents when compared with those of fresh slices, cryopreserved slices did not show any LDH leakage and retained the capacity to metabolize glutamine and lactate.