Effect of SeaFeed, a canola oil infused with , on methane emissions, animal health, performance, and carcass characteristics of Angus feedlot cattle.

The objectives of this project were to measure the effect of SeaFeed, a canola oil infused with , on methane emissions, animal health, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle. Angus steers ( = 160) with an initial body weight of 474.4 kg were fed a steam-flaked wheat and barley ration for 200 d in a large, commercial feedlot.

A comparison of model-free phase I dose escalation designs for dual-agent combination therapies.

It is increasingly common for therapies in oncology to be given in combination. In some cases, patients can benefit from the interaction between two drugs, although often at the risk of higher toxicity. A large number of designs to conduct phase I trials in this setting are available, where the objective is to select the maximum tolerated dose combination.

Triploid Pacific oysters exhibit stress response dysregulation and elevated mortality following heatwaves.

Polyploidy has been suggested to negatively impact environmental stress tolerance, resulting in increased susceptibility to extreme climate events. In this study, we compared the genomic and physiological response of diploid (2n) and triploid (3n) Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) to conditions present during an atmospheric heatwave that impacted the Pacific Northwestern region of the United States in the summer of 2021. Climate stressors were applied either singly (single stressor; elevated seawater temperature, 30°C) or in succession (multiple stressor; elevated seawater temperature followed by aerial emersion at 44°C), replicating conditions present within the intertidal over a tidal cycle during the event.

Role of Temporal artery biopsy in a sequential Giant Cell Arteritis fast-track pathway: a 5-year prospective study.

Background: Increasing number of centres are establishing sequential fast track pathways (FTP) for management of giant cell arteritis (GCA), with temporal artery ultrasound (US) replacing temporal artery biopsy (TAB) as the first investigational method. Biopsy is performed as second investigation, when US is negative/inconclusive. This study investigates the role of TAB in a sequential GCA-FTP and its utility in those with negative/inconclusive US.

Injectable pH-responsive adhesive hydrogels for bone tissue engineering inspired by the underwater attachment strategy of marine mussels.

A major challenge in tissue engineering is the development of alternatives to traditional bone autografts and allografts that can regenerate critical-sized bone defects. Here we present the design of injectable pH-responsive double-crosslinked adhesive hydrogels inspired by the molecular mechanism and environmental post-processing of marine mussel adhesive. Nine adhesive hydrogel formulations were developed through the conjugation of crosslinkable catechol functional groups (DOPA) and the synthetic oligomer oligo[poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate] (OPF), varying the DOPA content (w/w%) and molecular weight (MW) of the OPF backbone to produce formulations with a range of swelling ratios, porosities, and crosslink densities.

Exploring the perceptions, attitude and experiences of adolescents, their parents and teachers towards sugar sweetened beverages consumption in the National Capital Region of Delhi.

Objective: To understand perceptions, attitudes and experiences of school-going adolescents, their parents, teachers and school management towards sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

Design: An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken.

Setting: The study was conducted in selected, mixed, unaided schools in the state of Delhi.

Genome Editing Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model β-Cell Disease and Unmask Novel Genetic Modifiers.

A mechanistic understanding of the genetic basis of complex diseases such as diabetes mellitus remain elusive due in large part to the activity of genetic disease modifiers that impact the penetrance and/or presentation of disease phenotypes. In the face of such complexity, rare forms of diabetes that result from single-gene mutations (monogenic diabetes) can be used to model the contribution of individual genetic factors to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and the breakdown of glucose homeostasis. Here we review the contribution of protein coding and non-protein coding genetic disease modifiers to the pathogenesis of diabetes subtypes, as well as how recent technological advances in the generation, differentiation, and genome editing of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) enable the development of cell-based disease models.

Characteristics and comparative clinical outcomes of prisoner versus non-prisoner populations hospitalized with COVID-19.

Prisons in the United States have become a hotbed for spreading COVID-19 among incarcerated individuals. COVID-19 cases among prisoners are on the rise, with more than 143,000 confirmed cases to date. However, there is paucity of data addressing clinical outcomes and mortality in prisoners hospitalized with COVID-19.

Black phosphorus incorporation modulates nanocomposite hydrogel properties and subsequent MC3T3 cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation.

A promising strategy that emerged in tissue engineering is to incorporate two-dimensional (2D) materials into polymer scaffolds, producing materials with desirable mechanical properties and surface chemistries, which also display broad biocompatibility. Black phosphorus (BP) is a 2D material that has sparked recent scientific interest due to its unique structure and electrochemical characteristics. In this study, BP nanosheets (BPNSs) were incorporated into a cross-linkable oligo[poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate] (OPF) hydrogel to produce a new nanocomposite for bone regeneration.

2D phosphorene nanosheets, quantum dots, nanoribbons: synthesis and biomedical applications.

Phosphorene, also known as black phosphorus (BP), is a two-dimensional (2D) material that has gained significant attention in several areas of current research. Its unique properties such as outstanding surface activity, an adjustable bandgap width, favorable on/off current ratios, infrared-light responsiveness, good biocompatibility, and fast biodegradation differentiate this material from other two-dimensional materials. The application of BP in the biomedical field has been rapidly emerging over the past few years.

Injectable Electrical Conductive and Phosphate Releasing Gel with Two-Dimensional Black Phosphorus and Carbon Nanotubes for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Injectable hydrogels have unique advantages for the repair of irregular tissue defects. In this study, we report a novel injectable carbon nanotube (CNT) and black phosphorus (BP) gel with enhanced mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and continuous phosphate ion release for tissue engineering. The gel utilized biodegradable oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) (OPF) polymer as the cross-linking matrix, with the addition of cross-linkable CNT-poly(ethylene glycol)-acrylate (CNTpega) to grant mechanical support and electric conductivity.

JITA: A Platform for Enabling Real Time Point-of-Care Patient Recruitment.

Timely accrual continues to be a challenge in clinical trials. The evolution of Electronic Health Record systems and cohort selection tools like i2b2 have improved identification of potential candidate participants. However, delays in receiving relevant patient information and lack of real time patient identification cause difficulty in meeting recruitment targets.

Enhanced nerve cell proliferation and differentiation on electrically conductive scaffolds embedded with graphene and carbon nanotubes.

Conduits that promote nerve regeneration are currently of great medical concern, particularly when gaps exist between nerve endings. To address this issue, our laboratory previously developed a nerve conduit from biodegradable poly(caprolactone fumarate) (PCLF) that supports peripheral nerve regeneration. The present study improves upon this work by further developing an electrically conductive, positively charged PCLF scaffold through the incorporation of graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (MTAC) (PCLF-Graphene-CNT-MTAC) using ultraviolet (UV) induced photocrosslinking.

3D-printed scaffolds with carbon nanotubes for bone tissue engineering: Fast and homogeneous one-step functionalization.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a promising technology for tissue engineering. However, 3D-printing methods are limited in their ability to produce desired microscale features or electrochemical properties in support of robust cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. This study addresses this deficiency by proposing an integrated, one-step, method to increase the cytocompatibility of 3D-printed scaffolds through functionalization leveraging conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs).

3D bioprinting of oligo(poly[ethylene glycol] fumarate) for bone and nerve tissue engineering.

3D bioprinting is a promising new tissue restoration technique that enables the precise deposition of cells and growth factors in order to more closely mimic the structure and function of native organs. In this study, we report the development of a new bioink using oligo(poly[ethylene glycol] fumarate) (OPF), a photo-crosslinkable, and biodegradable polymer, for 3D bioprinting. In addition to OPF, a small portion of gelatin was also incorporated into the bioink to make it bio-printable.

Frailty index predicts long-term mortality and postoperative complications in patients undergoing endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: The Risk Analysis Index (RAI) has been used to evaluate preoperative frailty, which is associated with poor short- and long-term outcomes. We assessed this tool's ability to predict postoperative outcomes after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

Methods: Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for this retrospective study.

Molecular dynamics simulation study of AG10 and tafamidis binding to the Val122Ile transthyretin variant.

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to investigate the binding of four ligands to the Val122Ile mutant of the protein transthyretin. Dissociation, misfolding, and subsequent aggregation of mutated transthyretin proteins are associated with the disease Familial Amyloidal Cardiomyopathy. The ligands investigated were the drug candidate AG10 and its decarboxy and N-methyl derivatives along with the drug tafamidis.

Minimal requirements for developmentally regulated cardiac long intergenic non-coding RNAs.

Long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) have been implicated in gene regulation, but their requirement for development needs empirical interrogation. We computationally identified nine murine lincRNAs that have developmentally regulated transcriptional and epigenomic profiles specific to early heart differentiation. Six of the nine lincRNAs had expression patterns supporting a potential function in heart development, including a transcript downstream of the cardiac transcription factor , which we named (-associated lincRNA), and We genetically ablated these six lincRNAs in mouse, which suggested genomic regulatory roles for four of the cohort.

Phosphate functionalization and enzymatic calcium mineralization synergistically enhance oligo[poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate] hydrogel osteoconductivity for bone tissue engineering.

A current approach in bone tissue engineering is the implantation of polymeric scaffolds that promote osteoblast attachment and growth as well as biomineralization. One promising polymer is oligo[poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate] (OPF), a polyethylene glycol-based material that is biocompatible, injectable, and biodegradable, but in its native form does not support robust bone cell attachment or growth. To address this issue, this study evaluated the osteoconductivity of bis[02-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] phosphate (BP) functionalized OPF hydrogels (OPF-BP) using MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells, both before and after enzymatic mineralization with a calcium solution.

Only as strong as the weakest link: structural analysis of the combined effects of elevated temperature and pCO on mussel attachment.

Predicting how combinations of stressors will affect failure risk is a key challenge for the field of ecomechanics and, more generally, ecophysiology. Environmental conditions often influence the manufacture and durability of biomaterials, inducing structural failure that potentially compromises organismal reproduction, growth, and survival. Species known for tight linkages between structural integrity and survival include bivalve mussels, which produce numerous byssal threads to attach to hard substrate.

Molecular Docking Studies on Anticonvulsant Enaminones Inhibiting Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels.

Epilepsy is described as the most common chronic brain disorder. A typical symptom of epilepsy results in uncontrolled convulsions caused by temporary excessive neuronal discharges. Although, several new anticonvulsants have been introduced, some types of seizures have still not been adequately controlled with these new and current therapies.

Two-Dimensional Black Phosphorus and Graphene Oxide Nanosheets Synergistically Enhance Cell Proliferation and Osteogenesis on 3D Printed Scaffolds.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as a new promising research topic for tissue engineering because of their ability to alter the surface properties of tissue scaffolds and thus improve their biocompatibility and cell affinity. Multiple 2D materials, such as graphene and graphene oxide (GO), have been widely reported to enhance cell adhesion and proliferation. Recently, a newly emerged black phosphorus (BP) 2D material has attracted attention in biomedical applications because of its unique mechanical and electrochemical characteristics.

Hypoxia weakens mussel attachment by interrupting DOPA cross-linking during adhesive plaque curing.

Marine mussels ( spp.) attach to a wide variety of surfaces underwater using a network of byssal threads, each tipped with a protein-based adhesive plaque that uses the surrounding seawater environment as a curing agent. Plaques undergo environmental post-processing, requiring a basic seawater pH be maintained for up to 8 days for the adhesive to strengthen completely.

Environmental post-processing increases the adhesion strength of mussel byssus adhesive.

Marine mussels (Mytilus trossulus) attach to a wide variety of surfaces underwater using a protein adhesive that is cured by the surrounding seawater environment. In this study, the influence of environmental post-processing on adhesion strength was investigated by aging adhesive plaques in a range of seawater pH conditions. Plaques took 8-12 days to achieve full strength at pH 8, nearly doubling in adhesion strength (+94%) and increasing the work required to dislodge (+59%).

Novel drug design for Chagas disease via targeting Trypanosoma cruzi tubulin: Homology modeling and binding pocket prediction on Trypanosoma cruzi tubulin polymerization inhibition by naphthoquinone derivatives.

Chagas disease, also called American trypanosomiasis, is a parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Recent findings have underscored the abundance of the causative organism, (T.