Glove changing reduced wound-related complications following cesarean section in Vietnam.

In this research, the authors aim to scrutinize the efficacy of glove changing as a strategy to diminish complications arising from cesarean deliveries in Vietnam. 629 expectant women were randomized into either the standard care group or the glove change group. The latter group adhered to an intra-operative protocol of glove replacement prior to abdominal closure during cesarean section, whereas the former group did not.

Cardioprotective effect of nicorandil on isoproterenol induced cardiomyopathy in the Mdx mouse model.

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) associated cardiomyopathy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In an in vitro DMD cardiomyocyte model, nicorandil reversed stress-induced cell injury through multiple pathways implicated in DMD. We aimed to test the efficacy of nicorandil on the progression of cardiomyopathy in mdx mice following a 10-day treatment protocol.

Path planning for the Platonic solids on prescribed grids by edge-rolling.

The five Platonic solids-tetrahedron, cube, octahedron, dodecahedron, and icosahedron-have found many applications in mathematics, science, and art. Path planning for the Platonic solids had been suggested, but not validated, except for solving the rolling-cube puzzles for a cubic dice. We developed a path-planning algorithm based on the breadth-first-search algorithm that generates a shortest path for each Platonic solid to reach a desired pose, including position and orientation, from an initial one on prescribed grids by edge-rolling.

Influence of microRNAs and exosomes in muscle health and diseases.

microRNAs are short, (18-22 nt) non-coding RNAs involved in important cellular processes due to their ability to regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Exosomes are small (50-200 nm) extracellular vesicles, naturally secreted from a variety of living cells and are believed to mediate cell-cell communication through multiple mechanisms, including uptake in destination cells. Circulating microRNAs and exosome-derived microRNAs can have key roles in regulating muscle cell development and differentiation.

The role of fibroblast growth factor 1 and 2 on the pathological behavior of valve interstitial cells in a three-dimensional mechanically-conditioned model.

Background: More than five million Americans suffer from heart valve disease annually, a condition that worsens cardiac function and gradually leads to heart failure if appropriate treatment is not performed on time. Currently no medication can cure heart valve disease, leaving surgical intervention as the only viable option for patients at late stages of cardiac valve disease. Tremendous efforts have been undertaken to elucidate how resident cells in the valves respond to pathological stimulation as well as the underlying mechanisms that regulate these responses, to identify potential therapeutic targets for non-surgical treatment of valvular heart disease.

Exploration of an innovative draw solution for a forward osmosis-membrane distillation desalination process.

Forward osmosis (FO) has emerged as a viable technology to alleviate the global water crisis. The greatest challenge facing the application of FO technology is the lack of an ideal draw solution with high water flux and low reverse salt flux. Hence, the objective of this study was to enhance FO by lowering reverse salt flux and maintaining high water flux; the method involved adding small concentrations of Al(SO) to a MgCl draw solution.

Fabrication of a matrigel-collagen semi-interpenetrating scaffold for use in dynamic valve interstitial cell culture.

The study of heart valve homeostatic and disease mechanisms are often limited by the challenges in simulating the in vivo milieu, where valve cells are surrounded by the extracellular matrix in a three-dimensional (3D) environment and experience multiple dynamic mechanical forces. Type I collagen is typically the most common 3D matrix used to culture valve cells in vitro. Unfortunately, this material has poor mechanical behavior due to an inherent propensity to compact significantly, unlike native valve leaflets.

Valve interstitial cell shape modulates cell contractility independent of cell phenotype.

Valve interstitial cells are dispersed throughout the heart valve and play an important role in maintaining its integrity, function, and phenotype. While prior studies have detailed the role of external mechanical and biological factors in the function of the interstitial cell, the role of cell shape in regulating contractile function, in the context of normal and diseased phenotypes, is not well understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to elucidate the link between cell shape, phenotype, and acute functional contractile output.

Valve interstitial cell contractile strength and metabolic state are dependent on its shape.

The role of valvular interstitial cell (VIC) architecture in regulating cardiac valve function and pathology is not well understood. VICs are known to be more elongated in a hypertensive environment compared to those in a normotensive environment. We have previously reported that valve tissues cultured under hypertensive conditions are prone to acute pathological alterations in cell phenotype and contractility.

The mechanobiology of drug-induced cardiac valve disease.

Drug-related adverse reactions leading to valve disease or valvulopathy were first identified in the 1960s. These were associated with patients taking anti-migraine ergot-derivative drugs, anti-anorectics, anti-Parkinson's drugs, or other anti-depressant drugs. In general, these drugs have serotonergic, dopaminergic, or β-adrenergic activity, being either agonists or reuptake inhibitors of the aforementioned neurotransmitter pathways.