The Role of Plasma Extracellular Vesicles in Remote Ischemic Conditioning and Exercise-Induced Ischemic Tolerance

Ischemic conditioning and exercise have been suggested for protecting against brain ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the endogenous protective mechanisms stimulated by these interventions remain unclear. Here, in a comprehensive translational study, we investigated the protective role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) released after remote ischemic conditioning (RIC), blood flow restricted resistance exercise (BFRRE), or high-load resistance exercise (HLRE). Blood samples were collected from human participants before and at serial time points after intervention. RIC and BFRRE plasma EVs released early after stimulation improved viability of endothelial cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation. Furthermore, post-RIC EVs accumulated in the ischemic area of a stroke mouse model, and a mean decrease in infarct volume was observed for post-RIC EVs, although not reaching statistical significance. Thus, circulating EVs induced by RIC and BFRRE can mediate protection, but the in vivo and translational effects of conditioned EVs require further experimental verification.     

Influence of temperature cycling and pore fluid on tensile strength of chalk

Calcite has a highly anisotropic thermal expansion coefficient, and repeated heating and cooling cycles can potentially destabilize chalks by breaking cement bonds between neighboring particles. Based on tensile strength measurements, we investigated how temperature cycles induce weakening of chalk. Tensile strength tests were performed on chalk specimens sampled from Kansas (USA) and Mons (Belgium), each with differing amounts of contact cement. Samples of the two chalk types were tested in dry and water-saturated states, and then exposed to 0, 15, and 30 temperature cycles in order to find out under what circumstances thermally induced tensile strength reduction occurs. The testing results show that the dry samples were not influenced by temperature cycling in either of the chalk types. However, in the water-saturated state, tensile strength is increasingly reduced with progressive numbers of temperature cycles for both chalk samples, especially for the more cemented Kansas chalk. The Kansas chalk demonstrated higher initial tensile strength compared to the less cemented Mons chalk, but the strength of both chalks was reduced by the same relative proportion when undergoing thermal cycles in the water-saturated state.     

The effect of changing excitation frequency on parallel conductance in different sized hearts

OBJECTIVE: An important component of the ventricular volume measured using the conductance catheter technique is due to parallel conductance (Vc), which results from the extension of the electric field beyond the ventricular blood pool. Parallel conductance volume is normally estimated using the saline dilution method (Vc(saline dilution)), in which the conductivity of blood in the ventricle is transiently increased by injection of hypertonic saline. A simpler alternative has been reported by Gawne et al. [12]. Vc(dual frequency) is estimated from the difference in total conductance measured at two exciting frequencies and the method is based on the assumption that parallel conductance is mainly capacitive and hence is negligible at low frequency. The objective of this study was to determine whether the dual frequency technique could be used to substitute the saline dilution method to estimate Vc in different sized hearts. METHODS: The accuracy and linearity of a custom-built conductance catheter (CC) system was initially assessed in vitro. Subsequently, a CC and micromanometer were inserted into the left ventricle of seven 5 kg pigs (group 1) and six 50 kg pigs (group 2). Cardiac output was determined using thermodilution (group 1) and an ultrasonic flow probe (group 2) from which the slope coefficient (alpha) was determined. Steady state measurements and Vc estimated using saline dilution were performed at frequencies in the range of 5-40 kHz. All measurements were made at end-expiration. Finally, Vc was estimated from the change in end-systolic conductance between 5 kHz and 40 kHz using the dual frequency technique of Gawne et al. [12]. RESULTS: There was no change in measured volume of a simple insulated cylindrical model when the stimulating frequency was varied from 5-40 kHz. Vc(saline dilution) varied significantly with frequency in group 1 (8.63 +/- 2.74 ml at 5 kHz; 11.51 +/- 2.65 ml at 40 kHz) (p = 0.01). Similar results were obtained in group 2 (69.43 +/- 27.76 ml at 5 kHz; 101.24 +/- 15.21 ml at 40 kHz) (p < 0.001). However, the data indicate that the resistive component of the parallel conductance is substantial (Vc at 0 Hz estimated as 8.01 ml in group 1 and 62.3 ml in group 2). There was an increase in alpha with frequency in both groups but this did not reach significance. The correspondence between Vc(dual frequency) and Vc(saline dilution) methods was poor (group 1 R2 = 0.69; group 2 R2 = 0.22). CONCLUSION: At a lower excitation frequency of 5 kHz a smaller percentage of the electric current extends beyond the blood pool so parallel conductance is reduced. While parallel conductance is frequency dependent, it has a substantial resistive component. The dual frequency method is based on the assumption that parallel conductance is negligible at low frequencies and this is clearly not the case. The results of this study confirm that the dual frequency technique cannot be used to substitute the saline dilution technique.     

Increased concentration of Na,K-pumps in skeletal muscles of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Significance of magnesium depletion and treatment with glucocorticoids

Patients with COLD may develop Mg depletion due to inadequate nutrition or treatment with diuretics and beta 2-agonists. In 36 consecutive COLD patients skeletal muscle concentrations of Mg and K were reduced by 22% and 14%, respectively, compared to 23 age- and sex-matched controls (p < 0.001). Patients receiving diuretics showed a further reduction of muscle Mg (-31%) and K (-27%) compared to controls. The mean concentration of Na,K pumps was increased by 31% (p < 0.001), while a more pronounced increase (+61%) was seen in 12 intensive care patients receiving high dosages of glucocorticoids. Thus muscle concentrations of Mg and K are reduced in COLD patients and are associated with an upregulation of the Na,K-pump concentration. It is plausible that this upregulation may be caused by glucocorticoid treatment. The clinical benefits of glucocorticoids may therefore in part be due to an increased activity and capacity of the Na,K-pump and thereby in a possible enhancement of muscle force.     

Synchronization under a commercial operating system

Mutual exclusion and general synchronization of concurrent processes (‘tasks’) are well-known principles for constructing reliable real-time systems. This paper shows how to implement these principles under a typical commercial operating system which provides incomplete synchronization operations. The problem of synchronizing erroneous tasks is discussed briefly.     

On the validity of the California Psychological Inventory Socialization Scale: A multivariate approach.

Isolated groups homogeneous in role-taking ability and described them on dimensions of the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) Socialization (So) scale. Ss were 189 Swedish delinquent and nondelinquent 19-31 yr old males. 6 subscales were constructed by factor analysis. A latent profile analysis of responses to 18 items, selected from the subscales, yielded a low (n = 78 and a high (n = 106) socialization group. 75% of the delinquents were classified as the low group. In a discriminant analysis of subscale scores, the latent profile analysis groups were significantly separated. 5 subscale means were significantly different. Results support the validity of some of the subscales as indicators of the role-taking construct underlying the So scale. (38 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bcl-2 overexpression blocks activation of the death protease CPP32/Yama/apopain

Females who are affected by fragile X syndrome (FXS) can have significant physical, neuropsychological and emotional involvement. This study was designed to explore the relationships between these three domains and to learn how the degree of involvement in each of these phenotypic areas relates to molecular parameters including CGG repeat length and activation ratio (the proportion of normal FMR1 alleles on the active X chromosome). Three groups of females were studied: 35 women who grew up in a fragile X family but do not carry an FMR1 mutation, 92 women with a premutation, and 29 women with a full mutation. Correlations between neurocognitive, physical and emotional traits were calculated for each of the three groups. Within the full mutation group significant correlations were seen between schizotypal traits and full scale IQ. The Lie scale was significantly correlated with the physical findings index. The activation ratio correlated significantly with the measure of executive function (r = .50, P = .01). There was a trend toward correlations of activation ratio with the physical index score, outer ear prominence and IQ. CGG repeat number significantly correlated only with the physical index (r = .44, P = .01). Thus, activation ratio may be the more pertinent molecular parameter in full mutation women in determining the degree of cognitive and physical phenotypic involvement.