Rosenthalirwin0240

By tuning the bias voltage of varactors, the phase-matching condition can be precisely controlled over a broad frequency band, enabling the authors to realize the multi-frequency PA of plasmonic signals. Measured phase responses confirm that the plasmonic parametric amplifier can significantly suppress the signal distortions as compared with the traditional MOS-based amplifier, which is a property highly desired for ultrafast wireless communication systems and integrated circuits.

Due to the interaction between skeletal muscle ageing and lifestyle factors, it is often challenging to attribute the decline in muscle mass and quality to either changes in lifestyle or to advancing age itself. Because many of the physiological factors affecting muscle mass and quality are modulated by physical activity and physical activity declines with age, the aim of this study is to better understand the effects of early ageing on muscle function by comparing a population of healthy older and young males with similar physical activity patterns.

Eighteen older (69±2.0years) and 20 young (22±2.0years) males were recruited based on similar self-reported physical activity, which was verified using accelerometry measurements. Gene expression profiles of vastus lateralis biopsies obtained by RNA sequencing were compared, and key results were validated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot.

Total physical activity energy expenditure was similar between the young and old group (404rences in the transcriptome signatures of the vastus lateralis muscle of healthy older and young males with similar physical activity levels, including significant differences at the protein level. By disentangling physical activity and ageing, we appoint early skeletal muscle ageing processes that occur despite similar physical activity. Improved understanding of these processes will be key to design targeted anti-ageing therapies.

There are clear differences in the transcriptome signatures of the vastus lateralis muscle of healthy older and young males with similar physical activity levels, including significant differences at the protein level. By disentangling physical activity and ageing, we appoint early skeletal muscle ageing processes that occur despite similar physical activity. Improved understanding of these processes will be key to design targeted anti-ageing therapies.Following the discovery of heart regeneration in zebrafish, several more species within the Cyprinidae family have been found to have the same capability, suggesting heart regeneration may be conserved within this family. Although gonad regeneration has been observed in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), one of the largest cyprinid fish, the species' response to cardiac injury has not been characterized. Surprisingly, we found cardiomyocytes do not repopulate the injured region following cryoinjury to the ventricle, instead exhibiting unresolved fibrosis and decreased cardiac function that persists for the 8-week duration of this study. Additionally, fibroblasts are likely depleted following injury, a phenomenon not previously described in any cardiac model. The data collected in this study indicate that heart regeneration is unlikely in grass carp (C. idella). It is possible that not all members of the Cyprinidae family possesses regenerative capability observed in zebrafish. Further study of these phenomenon may reveal the underlying differences between regeneration versus unresolved fibrosis in heart disease.The epidermis of vertebrates forms an extended organ to protect and exchange gas, water, and organic molecules with aquatic and terrestrial environments. Herein, the processes of keratinization and cornification in aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates were compared using immunohistochemistry. Keratins with low cysteine and glycine contents form the main bulk of proteins in the anamniote epidermis, which undergoes keratinization. In contrast, specialized keratins rich in cysteine-glycine and keratin associated corneous proteins rich in cysteine, glycine, and tyrosine form the bulk of proteins of amniote soft cornification in the epidermis and hard cornification in scales, claws, beak, feathers, hairs, and horns. Transglutaminase (TGase) and sulfhydryl oxidase (SOXase) are the main enzymes involved in cornification. Their evolution was fundamental for the terrestrial adaptation of vertebrates. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that TGase and SOXase were low to absent in fish and amphibian epidermis, while they increased in the epidermis of amniotes with the evolution of the stratum corneum and skin appendages. TGase aids the formation of isopeptide bonds, while SOXase forms disulfide bonds that generate numerous cross-links between keratins and associated corneous proteins, likely increasing the mechanical resistance and durability of the amniote epidermis and its appendages. TGase is low to absent in the beta-corneous layers of sauropsids but is detected in the softer but pliable alpha-layers of sauropsids, mammalian epidermis, medulla, and inner root sheath of hairs. SOXase is present in hard and soft corneous appendages of reptiles, birds, and mammals, and determines cross-linking among corneous proteins of scales, claws, beaks, hairs, and feathers.

To systematically review randomized controlled trials assessing effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) on hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) and cardiac structure/function and explore randomized controlled trial (RCT)-derived evidence for SGLT2i efficacy mechanisms in heart failure (HF).

Systematic searches of Medline and Embase were performed. In seven trials [3730-17160 patients; low risk of bias (RoB)], SGLT2is significantly reduced the relative risk of HHF by 27-39% vs. placebo, including in two studies in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction with or without type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Improvements in conventional cardiovascular risk factors, including glycaemic levels, cannot account for these effects. learn more Five trials (56-105 patients; low RoB) assessed the effects of 6-12months of SGLT2i treatment on left ventricular structure/function; four reported significant improvements vs. placebo, and one did not. Five trials (low RoB) assessed SGLT2i treatment effectsdelling likely contributes to this efficacy. Hypothesis-driven mechanistic trials remain sparse, although numerous trials are planned or ongoing.

As first-degree relatives (FDRs) of HLA-B27-positive axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients have an increased risk of developing axSpA, the objectives were 1) to evaluate presence of highly specific imaging features as well as clinical signs of SpA at baseline and after one year of follow-up, and 2) describe the evolution towards clinical disease within one year of follow-up in a cohort of seemingly healthy FDRs of HLA-B27 positive axSpA patients.

The Pre-SpA cohort is a 5-year prospective inception cohort of seemingly healthy FDRs of HLA-B27 positive axSpA patients. Clinical and imaging features were collected and recorded.

At baseline 19% of the FDRs reported inflammatory back pain. Thirty-two percent reported current arthralgia, 3% arthritis (ever), 5% enthesitis (ever) and 1% dactylitis (ever). Three percent had an extra-articular manifestation. CRP was elevated in 16%, ESR in 7%. On MRI-SIJ, 10% had a SPARCC score ≥2, 4% ≥5, and 4% deep lesions. One percent fulfilled the mNY criteria for radiographic sacroiliitis. Clinical, MRI and acute phase findings were equally distributed between HLA-B27 positive and negative FDRs. After 1 year of follow-up, clinical parameters did not change on the group level but 6% of the FDRs were clinically diagnosed with axSpA, of whom 86% were HLA-B27 positive.

Features associated with spondyloarthritis or imaging abnormalities were found in up to 32% of seemingly healthy FDRs, with an equal distribution between HLA-B27 positive and negative FDRs. Progression to clinical axSpA within 1 year of follow-up was mainly observed in HLA-B27 positive FDRs.

Features associated with spondyloarthritis or imaging abnormalities were found in up to 32% of seemingly healthy FDRs, with an equal distribution between HLA-B27 positive and negative FDRs. Progression to clinical axSpA within 1 year of follow-up was mainly observed in HLA-B27 positive FDRs.This study explores a binary solvent system composed of biobased Cyrene and its derivative Cygnet 0.0 for application in membrane technology and in biocatalytic synthesis of polyesters. Cygnet-Cyrene blends could represent viable replacements for toxic polar aprotic solvents. The use of a 50 wt % Cygnet-Cyrene mixture makes a practical difference in the production of flat sheet membranes by nonsolvent-induced phase separation. New polymeric membranes from cellulose acetate, polysulfone, and polyimide are manufactured by using Cyrene, Cygnet 0.0, and their blend. The resultant membranes have different morphology when the solvent/mixture and temperature of the casting solution change. Moreover, Cyrene, Cygnet 0.0, and Cygnet-Cyrene are also explored for substituting diphenyl ether for the biocatalytic synthesis of polyesters. The results indicate that Cygnet 0.0 is a very promising candidate for the enzymatic synthesis of high molecular weight polyesters.

To assess the use, satisfaction, needs and preferences regarding physical therapy (PT) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Four-hundred-and-five SSc patients, treated in the Leiden University Medical Center multidisciplinary care program and fulfilling ACR/EULAR-2013 SSc-criteria, received a questionnaire containing 37 questions on use and satisfaction regarding PT over a 2-year period, and their needs and preferences for future PT.

Two-hundred-and-four SSc patients (median age 63years, 81% female) completed the questionnaire. One-hundred-twenty-eight (63%) patients had used or were using PT in primary care setting. For 39% of patients not using PT, lack of referral or lack of knowledge was the reason for not using it. The most frequently reported active treatments were muscle-strengthening (n=92;72%), range of motion (n=77;60%) and aerobic exercises (n=72;56%). Specific SSc hand and mouth-opening exercises were reported by 20 (15%) and 7 (6%) patients, respectively. Manual treatment (massage or passive mobilization) was reported by 83 (65%) patients. Mean satisfaction score (range0-10) was 8.2 (SD1.6). Regarding patients' needs, 96 (47%) of the total group wanted to receive more information concerning PT and 128 (63%) to continue/(re)start PT in the near future, with 56/128 (44%) favoring individual treatment on a continuous basis.

We observed a significant variation in the use and content of PT for SSc patients in primary care setting. Our results suggest potential under-use of PT care, in particular for hand and oral dysfunction, and underpin the need for initiatives to improve the quality and accessibility of PT care for SSc patients.

We observed a significant variation in the use and content of PT for SSc patients in primary care setting. Our results suggest potential under-use of PT care, in particular for hand and oral dysfunction, and underpin the need for initiatives to improve the quality and accessibility of PT care for SSc patients.