Desaiwhittaker3939

V.Starch is an important resource in nature, and HHP (high hydrostatic pressure) is one of the most important physical modification technologies. In this study, molecular dynamics simulation was used to explore the interchain interaction and the changes of molecule conformations of amylopectin and double-amylose helix at atomic level in different pressure. The results shown that, firstly, high pressure increased the content of 4C1 chair conformation, decreased the RMSD (root mean square deviations) and RMSF (root mean square fluctuation), made molecules more stable. Secondly, high pressure increased the interchain VDW (Van der Waals) and electrostatic forces, then caused the decreases of the interchain distances and surface area of both amylopectin and double-amylose, made molecules more compact. Thirdly, high pressure decreased the intramolecular hydrogen bonds, increased the molecule-solvent hydrogen bonds. These findings can explain some existing experimental phenomena from the atomic level, meanwhile, it may also provide importance reference value for using of HHP in starch processing and the studies of starch granule structure. Limited by multidrug resistance (MDR) and nonspecific selectivity, free molecular chemotherapies still are inefficient in clinical cancer treatment. Nanoscale therapeutics delivery systems with controllable release capacity have been developed to reverse multidrug resistance and improve anticancer efficacy. Herein, we constructed acid-sensitive dextrin-based nanoplatforms (THDP) to deliver chemotherapies via supramolecular coordination between tetra sodium meso-tetra (sulfonatophenyl)-porphyrin zinc (II) (Zn-TPPS) and histidine modified dextrin-graft-poly (ethylene glycol) (HDP) to reverse multidrug resistance through photodynamic-chemotherapy. The introductions of hydrophilic poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) not only prevent undesired aggregation under physiological conditions but also enhanced cellular endocytosis effect. Doxorubicin loaded nanoplatforms (THDP@DOX) with a relatively uniform size of average 63 nm exhibited excellent stability in blood circulation. When THDP@DOX was internalized, the acidic intercellular environment could control the chemotherapies release. Moreover, the generated reactive oxygen species by photosensitizer Zn-TPPS with light irradiation could obviously block DOX efflux and ultimately induce apoptosis to effectively reverse multidrug resistance of tumor cells. Meanwhile, the combination of photosensitizers and chemotherapies obviously created an enhanced MDR reversal effect, providing a promising approach for MDR reversal to achieve highly efficient cancer therapeutics. V.Large and small wheat starch granules were modified by conventional and pulsed electric fields (PEF)-assisted dual esterification methods. Due to the assistance of PEF, the degree of substitution (DS) of AS and BS increased by 0.0159 and 0.0066, respectively, while the crystallinity of them decreased by 1.7% and 1.2%. An increase in diffraction intensity at q = 0.68 nm-1 was observed in dual modified starch compared to conventional method. The DS of A-type starch (AS) were more sensitive than B-type starch (BS) and the thermal stability of AS was decreased obviously than that of BS. It was found that esterified starch exhibited superior freeze-thaw stability than native starch, especially for the PEF-assisted esterification of AS rather than BS. The resistant starch of esterified BS was increased while the slowly digestible starch was decreased, especially for the assistance of PEF. Gum Arabic (GA) is a biocompatible polymer with the necessary requirements for a wound dressing. However, electrospinning of GA is a bottleneck due to its physico-chemical properties. The aim of this study was to fabricate an antimicrobial nanofibers mat from GA with suitable porosity, water absorption, water vapor permeability and mechanical strength. For this purpose, the composition of polycaprolacton (PCL)-coated GA-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers mat was optimized based on the possible highest porosity, water absorption and water vapor permeability, and then silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) loaded nanofibers mat was prepared based on this composition. The synthesis of AgNPs was supported by UV-vis and ICP analyses. The structure of mat and its constituents were characterized by FE-SEM, XRD and FTIR. The results showed that the average diameter of nanofibers was in the range of 150 to 250 nm with the porosity, water absorption and water vapor permeability of 37.34%, 547.30% and 2235.50 g/m2.day, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of mat against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans was proved. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of mat showed the good biocompatibility for the mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. This study introduced PCL-coated GA-PVA-AgNPs as an effective antimicrobial mat alternative for commercial wound dressing. V.Metabolic transformation of highly hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs) is one of the most important factors modulating their persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity. Although sorption of HOCs to cellular matrices affects their bioavailability, it is still not clear how the cellular binding or sorption of HOCs in in vitro metabolism assays influences their enzymatic transformation kinetics. To elucidate effects of non-specific binding to enzymes, we measured apparent enzyme kinetics in an in vitro assay using four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene) as model HOCs and S9 mixture isolated from rat liver as a model enzyme mixture. The effects were also investigated in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA), which served to isolate the effect of protein binding from transformation. The observed transformation rates were much higher than those predicted assuming that only freely dissolved HOCs are available for metabolism. A new model including kinetic exchanges between non-specifically bound HOCs and those bound to active enzyme binding sites explained the apparent transformation kinetics at various experimental conditions better. The results are relevant for in vitro-in vivo extrapolation because the metabolic transformation rate in vivo may depend strongly on the local enzyme density and the micro-cellular environment. While non-specific protein binding reduces the unbound fraction of chemicals, this effect could be partially compensated by the facilitated transport to the active sites of the enzymes. SGLT-2 inhibitors are known to increase hematocrit. We present two cases with marked asymptomatic erythrocytosis developing after taking SGLT-2 inhibitors. No other predisposing or causative factor was found and SGLT-2 inhibitor drug was the most likely cause in both cases. Both patients underwent phlebotomy and haematocrit came down after withdrawing the offending drug. Pyrophosphate (PPi) serves as a potent and physiologically important regulator of mineralization, with systemic and local concentrations determined by several key regulators, including tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (ALPL gene; TNAP protein), the progressive ankylosis protein (ANKH; ANK), and ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1; ENPP1). Results to date have indicated important roles for PPi in cementum formation, and we addressed several gaps in knowledge by employing genetically edited mouse models where PPi metabolism was disrupted and pharmacologically modulating PPi in a PPi-deficient mouse model. We demonstrate that acellular cementum growth is inversely proportional to PPi levels, with reduced cementum in Alpl KO (increased PPi levels) mice and excess cementum in Ank KO mice (decreased PPi levels). Moreover, simultaneous ablation of Alpl and Ank results in reestablishment of functional cementum in dKO mice. Additional reduction of PPi by dual deletion of Ank and Enpp1 does not further increase cementogenesis, and PDL space is maintained in part through bone modeling/remodeling by osteoclasts. Our results provide insights into cementum formation and expand our knowledge of how PPi regulates cementum. We also demonstrate for the first time that pharmacologic manipulation of PPi through an ENPP1-Fc fusion protein can regulate cementum growth, supporting therapeutic interventions targeting PPi metabolism. Glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is the most common negative consequence of long-term glucocorticoid treatment, leading to increased fracture risk followed by loss of mobility and high mortality risk. These biologically induced changes in bone quality at molecular level lead to changes both in bone matrix architecture and bone matrix composition. However, the quantitative details of changes in bone quality - and especially their link to reduced macroscale mechanical properties are still largely missing. In this study, a mouse model for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) was used to investigate mechanical and material alterations in bone cortex (natural nanocomposite) at different scale. By combining quantitative backscattered electron (qBSE) imaging, nanoindentation and high brilliance synchrotron X-ray nanomechanical imaging on a genetically modified mouse model of GIOP, we were able to quantify the local indentation modulus, mineralization distribution and the alterations of nanoscale structures and deformation mechanisms in the mid-diaphysis of femur, and relate them to the macroscopic mechanical changes. Our results showed clear and significant changes in terms of material quality of bone at nanoscale and microscale, which manifests itself in development of spatial heterogeneities in mineralization and indentation moduli across the bone organ, with potential implications for increased fracture risk. OBJECTIVE This study sought to answer the following question What are the complications and assisted reproductive technology outcomes among women with hydrosalpinges managed by hysteroscopic microinsert tubal occlusion compared with women with hydrosalpinges managed by laparoscopic proximal tubal occlusion or salpingectomy? METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study conducted from January 2009 to December 2014 at two academic, tertiary care in vitro fertilization centres in Toronto, Ontario. All patients (n = 52) who underwent hysteroscopic tubal occlusion for hydrosalpinges were identified. Patients who proceeded with embryo transfer cycles after hysteroscopic microinsert (n = 33) were further age matched to a cohort of patients who underwent embryo transfer after laparoscopic proximal tubal occlusion or salpingectomy (n = 33). Main outcome measures were clinical pregnancy rate per patient and per embryo transfer cycle. RESULTS Among 33 patients, there were 39 fresh and 37 frozen embryo transfer cycles inassisted reproductive technology. Agingrepresents the largest risk factorfor developing Parkinson's disease (PD); another salient feature of this disorder is a decreased brain levels of somatostatin. Recently, in aged Wistar rats, we simulated the central somatostatinergic deficiency by intracerebroventricular injections of a somatostatin antagonist, cyclosomatostatin (cSST). The treated animals displayed catalepsy, a state that resembles the extrapyramidal signs of Parkinson's disease; young animals were insensitive to cSST. The neuroanatomical substrates responsible for the increased cataleptogenic activity of cSST in aged animals, are currently unknown. To study this issue, we assessed the cSST effect on brain c-Fos-protein expression in aged and young rats; thirty three brain regions were examined. cSST was employed at the dose cataleptogenic for aged animals and non-cataleptogenic for young ones. c-Fos expression patterns in the 'cataleptic' and 'non-cataleptic' animals were very similar, with the only distinction being a decrease in the c-Fos expression in the aged lateral entorhinal cortex (LEntCx).