Why robot embodiment matters: questions of disability, race and intersectionality in the design of social robots.

A growing minority of those with disabilities are people of color (POC), with, for example, autism diagnosis rates now higher for children of color than for white children in the USA. This trend underscores the need for assistive technologies, especially socially assistive robots, to be designed with intersectional users in mind. Outside of Japan, most robots are designed with white synthetic skin and able-bodied features, failing to reflect the diverse users they are meant to assist.

Effects of elevation of ANP and its deficiency on cardiorenal function.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), encoded by Nppa, is a vasodilatory hormone that promotes salt excretion. Genome-wide association studies identified Nppa as a causative factor of blood pressure development, and in humans, ANP levels were suggested as an indicator of salt sensitivity. This study aimed to provide insights into the effects of ANP on cardiorenal function in salt-sensitive hypertension.

Functionally Essential Tubular Proteins Are Lost to Urine-Excreted, Large Extracellular Vesicles during Chronic Renal Insufficiency.

Background: The 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6Nx) rat model recapitulates many elements of human CKD. Within weeks of surgery, 5/6Nx rats spontaneously exhibit proximal tubular damage, including the production of very large extracellular vesicles and brush border shedding. We hypothesized that production and elimination of these structures, termed large renal tubular extracellular vesicles (LRT-EVs), into the urine represents a pathologic mechanism by which essential tubule proteins are lost.

miR-146b-5p has a sex-specific role in renal and cardiac pathology in a rat model of chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease presents a complex and distinct pathological landscape in men and women, yet this difference is poorly understood. microRNAs are powerful molecular regulators of pathophysiology in the kidney and other organs. We previously reported a significant upregulation of miR-146b-5p in the 5/6 nephrectomy rat model of chronic kidney disease.

Vascular endothelial growth factor regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation is involved in isoflurane cardiac preconditioning.

Aims: Previous studies indicate that nitric oxide derived from endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) serves as both trigger and mediator in anaesthetic cardiac preconditioning. The mechanisms underlying regulation of eNOS by volatile anaesthetics have not been fully understood. Therefore, this study examined the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in isoflurane cardiac preconditioning.

MiR-146a/b: a family with shared seeds and different roots.

MicroRNAs are small, noncoding, RNAs known for their powerful modulation of molecular processes, making them a major focus for studying pathological mechanisms. The human miR-146 family of microRNAs consists of two member genes, and These two microRNAs are located on different chromosomes and exhibit differential regulation in many cases. However, they are nearly identical in sequence, sharing a seed region, and are thus predicted to target the same set of genes.

Validity and Reliability of 2 Goniometric Mobile Apps: Device, Application, and Examiner Factors.

Context: Smartphones are being used in a variety of practice settings to measure joint range of motion (ROM). A number of factors can affect the validity of the measurements generated. However, there are no studies examining smartphone-based goniometer applications focusing on measurement variability and error arising from the electromechanical properties of the device being used.

Cardiomyocyte GTP Cyclohydrolase 1 Protects the Heart Against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy increases the risk of heart failure and death. At present, there are no effective approaches to preventing its development in the clinic. Here we report that reduction of cardiac GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1) degradation by genetic and pharmacological approaches protects the heart against diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Chronic Co-Administration of Sepiapterin and L-Citrulline Ameliorates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Obese Type 2 Diabetic Mice.

Background: Diabetic heart disease is associated with tetrahydrobiopterin oxidation and high arginase activity, leading to endothelial nitric oxide synthase dysfunction. Sepiapterin (SEP) is a tetrahydrobiopterin precursor, and L-citrulline (L-Cit) is converted to endothelial nitric oxide synthase substrate, L-arginine. Whether SEP and L-Cit are effective at reducing diabetic heart disease is not known.

MicroRNA-21 Mediates Isoflurane-induced Cardioprotection against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Akt/Nitric Oxide Synthase/Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Pathway.

Background: The role of microRNA-21 in isoflurane-induced cardioprotection is unknown. The authors addressed this issue by using microRNA-21 knockout mice and explored the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: C57BL/6 and microRNA-21 knockout mice were echocardiographically examined.

Proximal femoral resection for the painful dislocated hip in cerebral palsy: does indomethacin prevent heterotopic ossification?

Background: Painful hip displacement is difficult to treat in severe cerebral palsy. Proximal femoral resection (PFR) is an excellent procedure for pain relief but has a high rate of heterotopic ossification (HO). Indomethacin is the gold standard therapy used for prevention in hip and acetabular surgery.

Paediatric pelvic fractures: 10 years experience in a trauma centre.

Fractures of the skeletally immature pelvis are relatively rare. We performed a retrospective analysis of 10 years experience of paediatric pelvic fractures in patients admitted a Level 1 Trauma Centre in London. All patients evacuated to the Royal London Hospital by the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) were entered on a comprehensive trauma database.

The removal of percutaneous Kirschner wires used in the stabilisation of fractures in children.

Kirschner wires are commonly used to stabilise fractures in children. There is a wide range of practice across the United Kingdom with regard to their removal, with some units routinely readmitting children for removal of wires under a general anaesthetic and others leaving the wires long and extracting them in the outpatient clinic. In a prospective study performed at The Barts and Royal London National Health Service Trust between November 1997 and December 1999, the acceptability and problems associated with the latter approach were assessed.