Revealing Detailed Cartilage Function Through Nanoparticle Diffusion Imaging: A Computed Tomography & Finite Element Study.

The ability of articular cartilage to withstand significant mechanical stresses during activities, such as walking or running, relies on its distinctive structure. Integrating detailed tissue properties into subject-specific biomechanical models is challenging due to the complexity of analyzing these characteristics. This limitation compromises the accuracy of models in replicating cartilage function and impacts predictive capabilities.

Coexistence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and autoimmune or toxic liver disease.

Fatty liver disease (FLD) affects approximately 25% of global adult population. Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a term used to emphasize components of metabolic syndrome in FLD. MAFLD does not exclude coexistence of other liver disease, but impact of coexisting MAFLD is unclear.

Solvent-Induced Transient Self-Assembly of Peptide Gels: Gelator-Solvent Reactions and Material Properties Correlation.

Herein, we introduce a new methodology for designing transient organogels that offers tunability of the mechanical properties simply by matching the protective groups of the precursor to that of the solvent. We developed solvent-induced transient materials in which the solvent chemically participates in a set of reactions and actively supports the assembly event. The activation of a single precursor by an acid (accelerator) yields the formation of two distinct gelators and induces gelation.

Composition, architecture and biomechanical properties of articular cartilage in differently loaded areas of the equine stifle.

Background: Strategies for articular cartilage repair need to take into account topographical differences in tissue composition and architecture to achieve durable functional outcome. These have not yet been investigated in the equine stifle.

Objectives: To analyse the biochemical composition and architecture of three differently loaded areas of the equine stifle.

Probing the Gelation Synergies and Anti- Activity of Fmoc-Phenylalanine/Graphene Oxide Hybrid Hydrogel.

The -fluorenyl-9-methyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc)-protected amino acids have shown high antimicrobial application potential, among which the phenylalanine derivative (Fmoc-F) is the most well-known representative. However, the activity spectrum of Fmoc-F is restricted to Gram-positive bacteria only. The demand for efficient antimicrobial materials expanded research into graphene and its derivatives, although the reported results are somewhat controversial.

Nanoscale Probing of the Supramolecular Assembly in a Two-Component Gel by Near-Field Infrared Spectroscopy.

The design of soft biomaterials requires a deep understanding of molecular self-assembly. Here a nanoscale infrared (IR) spectroscopy study of a two-component supramolecular gel is introduced to assess the system's heterogeneity and supramolecular assembly. In contrast to far-field IR spectroscopy, near-field IR spectroscopy revealed differences in the secondary structures of the gelator molecules and non-covalent interactions at three distinct nano-locations of the gel network.

Diversity at the nanoscale: laser-oxidation of single-layer graphene affects Fmoc-phenylalanine surface-mediated self-assembly.

We report the effects of a laser-oxidized single layer graphene (SLG) surface on the self-assembly of amphiphilic gelator -fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-L-phenylalanine (Fmoc-Phe) towards an gel-SLG interface. Laser oxidation modulates the levels of hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity on the SLG surface. Atomic force, scanning electron, helium ion and scattering scanning nearfield optical microscopies (AFM, SEM, HIM, s-SNOM) were employed to assess the effects of surface properties on the secondary and tertiary organization of the formed Fmoc-Phe fibres at the SLG-gel interface.

Validity of fatty liver disease indices in the presence of alcohol consumption.

Background & Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-related liver disease frequently coexist. While several blood-based indices exist for the detection of NAFLD, few studies have examined how alcohol use possibly impacts their diagnostic performance. We analysed the effects of alcohol use on the performance of indices for detecting fatty liver disease (FLD).

Triggering a transient organo-gelation system in a chemically active solvent.

A transient organo-gelation system with spatiotemporal dynamic properties is described. Here, the solvent actively controls a complex set of equilibria that underpin the dynamic assembly event. The observed metastability is due to the formation of a secondary solvent, acting as an antagonist against the primary solvent of the organogel.

Waist and hip circumference are independently associated with the risk of liver disease in population-based studies.

Background & Aims: While several anthropometric measures predict liver disease, the waist-hip ratio (WHR) has shown superiority in previous studies. We analysed independent and joint associations of waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) with liver disease and liver-related risk factors.

Methods: Cross-sectional study (n = 6619) and longitudinal cohort (n = 40 923) comprised individuals from Health 2000 and FINRISK 1992-2012 studies.

Functional and structural properties of human patellar articular cartilage in osteoarthritis.

Changes in the fibril-reinforced poroelastic (FRPE) mechanical material parameters of human patellar cartilage at different stages of osteoarthritis (OA) are not known. Further, the patellofemoral joint loading is thought to include more sliding and shear compared to other knee joint locations, thus, the relations between structural and functional changes may differ in OA. Thus, our aim was to determine the patellar cartilage FRPE properties followed by associating them with the structure and composition.

Late incidence and recurrence of new-onset atrial fibrillation after isolated surgical aortic valve replacement.

Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication after cardiac surgery. More knowledge is needed about long-term AF recurrence and adverse outcomes related to new-onset AF (NOAF) during the index hospitalization.

Methods: A total of 1073 patients underwent isolated surgical aortic valve replacement at the 4 participating hospitals (2002-2014).

Tuning protein adsorption on graphene surfaces laser-induced oxidation.

An approach for controlled protein immobilization on laser-induced two-photon (2P) oxidation patterned graphene oxide (GO) surfaces is described. Selected proteins, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and biotinylated bovine serum albumin (b-BSA) were successfully immobilized on oxidized graphene surfaces, non-covalent interactions, by immersion of graphene-coated microchips in the protein solution. The effects of laser pulse energy, irradiation time, protein concentration and duration of incubation on the topography of immobilized proteins and consequent defects upon the lattice of graphene were systemically studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy.

Indications and predictors for pacemaker implantation after isolated aortic valve replacement with bioprostheses: the CAREAVR study.

Objectives: We sought to study the indications, long-term occurrence, and predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after isolated surgical aortic valve replacement with bioprostheses.

Methods: The CAREAVR study included 704 patients (385 females, 54.7%) without a preoperative PPI (mean ± standard deviation age 75 ± 7 years) undergoing isolated surgical aortic valve replacement at 4 Finnish hospitals between 2002 and 2014.

Correlating Solution- and Solid-State Structures of Conformationally Flexible Resorcinarenes: Significance of a Sulfonyl Group in Intramolecular Self-Inclusion.

The synthesis of tetramethoxyresorcinarene podands bearing p-toluene arms connected by -SO - (1) and -CH O- (2) linkers is presented herein. In the solid state, the resorcinarene podand 1 forms an intramolecular self-inclusion complex with the pendant p-toluene group of a podand arm, whereas the resorcinarene podand 2 does not show self-inclusion. The conformations of the flexible resorcinarene podands in solution were investigated by variable-temperature experiments using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques as well as by computational methods, including a conformational search and subsequent DFT optimisation of representative structures.

Preoperative paroxysmal atrial fibrillation predicts high cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis: CAREAVR study.

Background: Preoperative permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with impaired outcome after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). The impact of preoperative paroxysmal AF, however, has remained elusive.

Purpose: We assessed the impact of preoperative paroxysmal AF on outcome in patients undergoing SAVR with bioprosthesis.

Genetic and lifestyle risk factors for advanced liver disease among men and women.

Background And Aim: Liver disease is traditionally categorized as alcoholic and non-alcoholic. We studied various risk factors predictive of advanced non-viral liver disease in general population and analyzed the interaction between these factors and alcohol consumption.

Methods: Persons without underlying liver disease who participated in the Health2000 or FINRISK studies 1992-2012 comprised a cohort of 41 260 individuals.

Immunoassays Based on Hot Electron-Induced Electrochemiluminescence at Disposable Cell Chips with Printed Electrodes.

Novel hot electron-emitting working electrodes and conventional counter electrodes were created by screen printing. Thus, low-cost disposable electrode chips for bioaffinity assays were produced to replace our older expensive electrode chips manufactured by manufacturing techniques of electronics from silicon or on glass chips. The present chips were created by printing as follows: (i) silver lines provided the electronic contacts, counter electrode and the bottom of the working electrode and counter electrode, (ii) the composite layer was printed on appropriate parts of the silver layer, and (iii) finally a hydrophobic ring was added to produce the electrochemical cell boundaries.

Altered Bile Transporter Expression and Cholesterol Metabolism in Children With Cholesterol and Pigment Gallstones.

Objectives: We elucidated pathophysiology of pediatric gallstone disease by assessing liver expression of bile transporters in relation to bile acids and surrogates of cholesterol absorption and synthesis in serum and gallstones.

Methods: RNA expression of canalicular bile transporters in liver biopsies from 32 pediatric gallstone patients and from 6 liver donors (controls) was measured by qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). Concentrations of cholesterol and precursors, plant sterols and bile acids in gallstones, and in serum of the patients and 82 healthy children were measured.

Oligoamide Foldamers as Helical Chloride Receptors-the Influence of Electron-Withdrawing Substituents on Anion-Binding Interactions.

The anion-binding properties of three closely related oligoamide foldamers were studied using NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry and mass spectrometry, as well as DFT calculations. The H NMR spectra of the foldamers in [D ]acetone solution revealed partial preorganization by intramolecular hydrogen bonding, which creates a suitable cavity for anion binding. The limited size of the cavity, however, enabled efficient binding by the inner amide protons only for the chloride anion resulting in the formation of a thermodynamically stable 1:1 complex.

Serum non-cholesterol sterols and cholesterol metabolism in childhood and adolescence.

Background And Aims: The profile of cholesterol metabolism, i.e., high absorption vs.

Performance of CHADS-VASc score for stroke prediction after surgical aortic valve replacement.

Objective: Stroke is a frequent complication occurring early and late after surgical aortic valve replacement. There is an unmet clinical need for simple tools to assess postoperative stroke risk. We sought to assess the predictive performance of Congestive heart failure; Hypertension; Age ≥75 (doubled); Diabetes mellitus; prior Stroke, transient ischemic attack or thromboembolism (doubled); Vascular disease; Age 65 to 74; Sex category (female) (CHADS-VASc) score in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis.

Serum noncholesterol sterols in Alzheimer's disease: the Helsinki Businessmen Study.

Cerebral cholesterol metabolism is perturbed in late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), but whether also the extracerebral cholesterol metabolism is perturbed is not known. Thus, we studied whole-body cholesterol synthesis and absorption with serum noncholesterol sterols in men without AD (n = 114) or with (n = 18) "pure" AD (no concomitant atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease) in a long-term cohort (the Helsinki Businessmen Study) of home-dwelling older men without lipid-lowering drugs and on their habitual home diet. Serum lipids did not differ between AD and controls, but age was higher (78 ± 1 vs 74 ± 0.

Noncholesterol Sterols as Surrogate Markers in Patients with Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis.

Severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a life-threatening condition lacking good serologic markers to tailor treatment and predict recovery. We examined the cholesterol metabolism in severe AH to explore prognostic markers and evaluate the profile of cholesterol precursors, cholestanol and phytosterols, in this context. We assessed serum cholesterol, cholesterol precursors, cholestanol, phytosterols, and biochemical markers in 24 patients with severe AH treated with prednisolone and randomized to ciprofloxacin in the ratio 1:1.