Rooneylarsson2994

Ex-vivo-MPS revealed abundant iron deposits in AAA samples and ex-vivo histopathology measurements were in good agreement (R = 0.76). Ex-vivo-MPI and MPS results correlated greatly (R = 0.99). CD68-immunohistology stain and Perls'-Prussian-Blue-stain confirmed the colocalization of macrophages and MNPs. This study demonstrates the feasibility of ex-vivo-MPI for detecting inflammation in AAA. The quantitative ability for mapping MNPs establishes MPI as a promising tool for monitoring inflammatory progression in AAA in an experimental setting.CRISPR gene drives have potential for widespread and cost-efficient pest control, but are highly controversial. We examined a potential gene drive targeting spermatogenesis to control the invasive common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) in New Zealand. Vespula wasps are haplodiploid. Their life cycle makes gene drive production challenging, as nests are initiated by single fertilized queens in spring followed by several cohorts of sterile female workers and the production of reproductives in autumn. We show that different spermatogenesis genes have different levels of variation between introduced and native ranges, enabling a potential 'precision drive' that could target the reduced genetic diversity and genotypes within the invaded range. In vitro testing showed guide-RNA target specificity and efficacy that was dependent on the gene target within Vespula, but no cross-reactivity in other Hymenoptera. Mathematical modelling incorporating the genetic and life history traits of Vespula wasps identified characteristics for a male sterility drive to achieve population control. There was a trade-off between drive infiltration and impact a drive causing complete male sterility would not spread, while partial sterility could be effective in limiting population size if the homing rate is high. Our results indicate that gene drives may offer viable suppression for wasps and other haplodiploid pests.The estimation of farm-specific time windows for the introduction of highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus can be used to increase the efficiency of disease control measures such as contact tracing and may help to identify risk factors for virus introduction. The aims of this research are to (1) develop and test an accurate approach for estimating farm-specific virus introduction windows and (2) evaluate this approach by applying it to 11 outbreaks of HPAI (H5N8) on Dutch commercial poultry farms during the years 2014 and 2016. We used a stochastic simulation model with susceptible, infectious and recovered/removed disease stages to generate distributions for the period from virus introduction to detection. The model was parameterized using data from the literature, except for the within-flock transmission rate, which was estimated from disease-induced mortality data using two newly developed methods that describe HPAI outbreaks using either a deterministic model (A) or a stochastic approach (B). Model testing using simulated outbreaks showed that both method A and B performed well. Application to field data showed that method A could be successfully applied to 8 out of 11 HPAI H5N8 outbreaks and is the most generally applicable one, when data on disease-induced mortality is scarce.Brazilein extract from sappan wood (Caesalpinia sappan L.) has potential for use as natural food colorant since it has no unique flavor and taste. Although brazilein has long been applied in several traditional foods and beverages, information on its stability, which is of importance for practical application, is still limited. In this work, brazilein was isolated from sappan wood; its purity was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Relations between molecular structures and color as well as thermal stabilities of brazilein in aqueous solutions at pH 3, 7 and 9 were for the first time investigated. At the lowest pH, zero net-charge structure of brazilein, which exhibited yellow color, was predominantly found. The deprotonated and fully deprotonated structures of brazilein, which exhibited orange and red colors, respectively, were found when pH of the aqueous solutions increased. The forms of brazilein existing at the higher pH suffered extensive degradation upon heating, while the form existing at the lowest pH possessed higher stability. Heat-induced deprotonation and degradation were confirmed by UV-visible and Fourier-transform infrared spectra as well as losses of brazilein content.Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is an important vegetable crop widely grown throughout the world, providing plentiful nutrients and health-promoting substances. To facilitate further genetics and genomic studies and crop improvement, we present here a high-quality reference genome for cabbage. We report a de novo genome assembly of the cabbage double-haploid line D134. A combined strategy of single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing, 10× Genomics and chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) produced a high quality cabbage draft genome. The chromosome-level D134 assembly is 529.92 Mb in size, 135 Mb longer than the current 02-12 reference genome, with scaffold N50 length being raised as high as 38 times. We annotated 44,701 high-quality protein-coding genes, and provided full-length transcripts for 45.59% of the total predicted gene models. Moreover, we identified novel genomic features like underrated TEs, as well as gene families and gene family expansions and contractions during B. oleracea evolution. The D134 draft genome is a cabbage reference genome assembled by SMRT long-read sequencing combined with the 10× Genomics and Hi-C technologies for scaffolding. This high-quality cabbage reference genome provides a valuable tool for improvement of Brassica crops.Obesity is a chronic disease that negatively affects life expectancy through its association with life-threatening diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Expression proteomics combined with in silico interaction studies are used to uncover potential biomarkers and the pathways that promote obesity-related complications. These biomarkers can either aid in the development of personalized therapies or identify individuals at risk of developing obesity-related diseases. To determine the serum protein changes, Wistar rats were fed standard chow (low fat, LF), or chow formulated high fat (HF) diets (HF1, HF2 and HF3) for 8 and 42 weeks to induce obesity. Serum samples were collected from lean and obese rats at these time points. The serum samples were precipitated using trichloroacetic acid (TCA)/acetone and analyzed by 2-Dimensional SDS-PAGE. Serum protein profiles were examined using mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics and validated by western blotting. Protein-protein interactions among the selected proteins were studied in silico using bioinformatics tools. Several proteins showed differences in expression among the three HF diets when compared to the LF diet, and only proteins with ≥ twofold expression levels were considered differentially expressed. Apolipoprotein-AIV (APOA4), C-reactive protein (CRP), and alpha 2-HS glycoprotein (AHSG) showed differential expression at both 8 and 42 weeks, whereas alpha 1 macroglobulin (AMBP) was differentially expressed only at 8 weeks. Network analysis revealed some interactions among the proteins, an indication that these proteins might interactively play a crucial role in development of obesity-induced diseases. These data show the variation in the expression of serum proteins during acute and chronic exposure to high fat diet. Based on the expression and the in-silico interaction these proteins warrant further investigation for their role in obesity development.The brain requires a continuous supply of energy in the form of ATP, most of which is produced from glucose by oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria, complemented by aerobic glycolysis in the cytoplasm. When glucose levels are limited, ketone bodies generated in the liver and lactate derived from exercising skeletal muscle can also become important energy substrates for the brain. In neurodegenerative disorders of ageing, brain glucose metabolism deteriorates in a progressive, region-specific and disease-specific manner - a problem that is best characterized in Alzheimer disease, where it begins presymptomatically. This Review discusses the status and prospects of therapeutic strategies for countering neurodegenerative disorders of ageing by improving, preserving or rescuing brain energetics. The approaches described include restoring oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, increasing insulin sensitivity, correcting mitochondrial dysfunction, ketone-based interventions, acting via hormones that modulate cerebral energetics, RNA therapeutics and complementary multimodal lifestyle changes.Mitochondria are critical for cellular energy production and homeostasis. Oxidative stress and associated mitochondrial dysfunction are integral components of the pathophysiology of retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Within mitochondria, flavoproteins are oxidized and reduced and emit a green autofluorescence when oxidized following blue light excitation. Recently, a noninvasive imaging device was developed to measure retinal flavoprotein fluorescence (FPF). Thus, oxidized FPF can act as a biomarker of mitochondrial dysfunction. This review article describes the literature surrounding mitochondrial FPF imaging in retinal disease. The authors describe the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in retinal diseases, experiments using FPF as a marker of mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro, the three generations of retinal FPF imaging devices, and the peer-reviewed publications that have examined FPF imaging in patients. Finally, the authors report their own study findings. Goals were to establish normative reference levels for FPF intensity and heterogeneity in healthy eyes, to compare between healthy eyes and eyes with diabetes and DR, and to compare across stages of DR. The authors present methods to calculate a patient's expected FPF values using baseline characteristics. FPF intensity and heterogeneity were elevated in diabetic eyes compared to age-matched control eyes, and in proliferative DR compared to diabetic eyes without retinopathy. In diabetic eyes, higher FPF heterogeneity was associated with poorer visual acuity. In conclusion, while current retinal imaging modalities frequently focus on structural features, functional mitochondrial imaging shows promise as a metabolically targeted tool to evaluate retinal disease.Refractive surgery refers to any procedure that corrects or minimizes refractive errors. Today, refractive surgery has evolved beyond the traditional laser refractive surgery, embodied by the popular laser in situ keratomileusis or 'LASIK'. New keratorefractive techniques such as small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) avoids corneal flap creation and uses a single laser device, while advances in surface ablation techniques have seen a resurgence in its popularity. Gemcitabine datasheet Presbyopic treatment options have also expanded to include new ablation profiles, intracorneal implants, and phakic intraocular implants. With the improved safety and efficacy of refractive lens exchange, a wider variety of intraocular lens implants with advanced optics provide more options for refractive correction in carefully selected patients. In this review, we also discuss possible developments in refractive surgery beyond 2020, such as preoperative evaluation of refractive patients using machine learning and artificial intelligence, potential use of stromal lenticules harvested from SMILE for presbyopic treatments, and various advances in intraocular lens implants that may provide a closer to 'physiological correction' of refractive errors.