A randomized pilot efficacy and safety trial of diazoxide choline controlled-release in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Introduction: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic condition characterized by hyperphagia, hypotonia, low muscle mass, excess body fat, developmental delays, intellectual disability, behavioral problems, and growth hormone deficiency. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of orally administered Diazoxide Choline Controlled-Release Tablets (DCCR) in subjects with PWS.

Method: This was a single-center, Phase II study and included a 10-week Open-Label Treatment Period during which subjects were dose escalated, followed by a 4-week Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Treatment Period.

Controlling Stochasticity in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Through Multiple Intermediate Cellular States.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an instance of cellular plasticity that plays critical roles in development, regeneration and cancer progression. Recent studies indicate that the transition between epithelial and mesenchymal states is a multi-step and reversible process in which several intermediate phenotypes might coexist. These intermediate states correspond to various forms of stem-like cells in the EMT system, but the function of the multi-step transition or the multiple stem cell phenotypes is unclear.

Quantification of coronary microvascular resistance using angiographic images for volumetric blood flow measurement: in vivo validation.

Structural coronary microcirculation abnormalities are important prognostic determinants in clinical settings. However, an assessment of microvascular resistance (MR) requires a velocity wire. A first-pass distribution analysis technique to measure volumetric blood flow has been previously validated.

Hypergravity resistance exercise: the use of artificial gravity as potential countermeasure to microgravity.

The aims of this study were to 1) determine if hypergravity (HG) squats can produce foot forces similar to those measured during 10-repetition maximum (10RM) squats using weights under normal 1-G(z) condition, and 2) compare the kinematics (duration and goniometry) and EMG activities of selected joints and muscles between 10RM and HG squats of similar total foot forces. Eight men and six women [27 yr (SD 4), 66 kg (SD 10)] completed ten 10RM [83 kg (SD 23)] and 10 HG squats (2.25-3.

Decreased MAPK- and PGE2-dependent IL-11 production in Gialpha2-/- colonic myofibroblasts.

Mice deficient in the G-protein alpha subunit G(i)alpha(2) spontaneously develop colitis and colon cancer. IL-11 is a pleiotropic cytokine known to protect the intestinal epithelium from injury in animal models of colitis and is produced by subepithelial myofibroblasts in response to inflammatory mediators including TGF-beta, IL-1beta, and PGE(2). Arachidonic acid release and subsequent PGE(2) production is significantly decreased in the colonic mucosa of G(i)alpha(2)-/- mice, and we hypothesized that this would affect mucosal IL-11 production.

Testosterone augments endotoxin-mediated cerebrovascular inflammation in male rats.

Activation of inflammatory mechanisms contributes to cerebrovascular pathophysiology. Male gender is associated with increased stroke risk, yet little is known about the effects of testosterone in the cerebral circulation. Therefore, we explored the impact of testosterone treatment on cerebrovascular inflammation with both in vivo and in vitro models of inflammation.

Effect of unloading on type I myosin heavy chain gene regulation in rat soleus muscle.

Slow-twitch soleus, a weight-bearing hindlimb muscle, predominantly expresses the type I myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform. However, under unloading conditions, a transition in MHC expression occurs from slow type I toward the fast-type isoforms. Transcriptional processes are believed to be involved in this adaptation.

Bifurcation asymmetry of the porcine coronary vasculature and its implications on coronary flow heterogeneity.

The branching pattern of the coronary arteries and veins is asymmetric, i.e., many small vessels branch off of a large trunk such that the two daughter vessels at a bifurcation are of unequal diameters and lengths.