Echocardiographic analysis of a malfunctioning Davila-Sierra mitral valve

Although the Davila-Sierra mitral valve prosthesis was removed from the market nearly a decade ago, a number of patients still have this valve in place. We recently studied the echocardiographic features of a malfunctioning Davila-Sierra mitral valve prosthesis. Abnormalities that suggested improper functioning of the prosthesis included a markedly delayed poppet opening and an early diastolic hump believed to represent motion of the mitral annulus. Previously described echocardiographic indications of dys-function were not observed in our patient. We report the first known echocardiographic evaluation of a Davila-Sierra prosthesis.     

Evolutionary dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in Yogyakarta and Central Java,Indonesia: sequence analysis covering furin cleavage site (FCS) region of the spike protein

International Microbiology - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of the new SARS-CoV-2 has been...     

Stable Vertical Takeoff of an Insect-Mimicking Flapping-Wing System Without Guide Implementing Inherent Pitching Stability

We briefly summarized how to design and fabricate an insect-mimicking flapping-wing system and demonstrate how to implement inherent pitching stability for stable vertical takeoff.The effect of relative locations of the Center of Gravity (CG) and the mean Aerodynamic Center (AC) on vertical flight was theoretically examined through static force balance consideration.We conducted a series of vertical takeoff tests in which the location of the mean AC was determined using an unsteady Blade Element Theory (BET) previously developed by the authors.Sequential images were captured during the takeoff tests using a high-speed camera.The results demonstrated that inherent pitching stability for vertical takeoff can be achieved by controlling the relative position between the CG and the mean AC of the flapping system.     

Comparative proteomics of Cannabis sativa plant tissues.

Comparative proteomics of leaves, flowers, and glands of Cannabis sativa have been used to identify specific tissue-expressed proteins. These tissues have significantly different levels of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids accumulate primarily in the glands but can also be found in flowers and leaves. Proteins extracted from glands, flowers, and leaves were separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Over 800 protein spots were reproducibly resolved in the two-dimensional gels from leaves and flowers. The patterns of the gels were different and little correlation among the proteins could be observed. Some proteins that were only expressed in flowers were chosen for identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and peptide mass fingerprint database searching. Flower and gland proteomes were also compared, with the finding that less then half of the proteins expressed in flowers were also expressed in glands. Some selected gland protein spots were identified: F1D9.26-unknown prot. (Arabidopsis thaliana), phospholipase D beta 1 isoform 1a (Gossypium hirsutum), and PG1 (Hordeum vulgare). Western blotting was employed to identify a polyketide synthase, an enzyme believed to be involved in cannabinoid biosynthesis, resulting in detection of a single protein.     

Three‐dimensional microscale modelling of CO2 transport and light propagation in tomato leaves enlightens photosynthesis

We present a combined three‐dimensional (3‐D) model of light propagation, CO₂ diffusion and photosynthesis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) leaves. The model incorporates a geometrical representation of the actual leaf microstructure that we obtained with synchrotron radiation X‐ray laminography, and was evaluated using measurements of gas exchange and leaf optical properties. The combination of the 3‐D microstructure of leaf tissue and chloroplast movement induced by changes in light intensity affects the simulated CO₂ transport within the leaf. The model predicts extensive reassimilation of CO₂ produced by respiration and photorespiration. Simulations also suggest that carbonic anhydrase could enhance photosynthesis at low CO₂ levels but had little impact on photosynthesis at high CO₂ levels. The model confirms that scaling of photosynthetic capacity with absorbed light would improve efficiency of CO₂ fixation in the leaf, especially at low light intensity.     

Sustained release and osteogenic potential of heparan sulfate-doped fibrin glue scaffolds within a rat cranial model

This paper explores the potential therapeutic role of the naturally occurring sugar heparan sulfate (HS) for the augmentation of bone repair. Scaffolds comprising fibrin glue loaded with 5 μg of embryonically derived HS were assessed, firstly as a release-reservoir, and secondly as a scaffold to stimulate bone regeneration in a critical size rat cranial defect. We show HS-loaded scaffolds have a uniform distribution of HS, which was readily released with a typical burst phase, quickly followed by a prolonged delivery lasting several days. Importantly, the released HS contributed to improved wound healing over a 3-month period as determined by microcomputed tomography (μCT) scanning, histology, histomorphometry, and PCR for osteogenic markers. In all cases, only minimal healing was observed after 1 and 3 months in the absence of HS. In contrast, marked healing was observed by 3 months following HS treatment, with nearly full closure of the defect site. PCR analysis showed significant increases in the gene expression of the osteogenic markers Runx2, alkaline phosphatase, and osteopontin in the heparin sulfate group compared with controls. These results further emphasize the important role HS plays in augmenting wound healing, and its successful delivery in a hydrogel provides a novel alternative to autologous bone graft and growth factor-based therapies. Maria Ann Woodruff and Subha Narayan Rath contributed equally to this work.