CAS Groups Research Articles

Roles and Interaction of Supervisors and Students in Collective Academic Supervision: A Qualitative Study in China

Abstract Collective academic supervision (cas) is a form of student-supervisor interaction for academic learning. This paper is a qualitative case study using observation and interviews to explore the roles and interactions of supervisors and students in three cas groups in a university. Symbolic interaction theory was employed for data analysis, also taking into account the influence of the higher education context on the roles and interactions of participants. The research found that supervisors and students create various symbols through the discussion in cas. The symbols in question have exerted a substantial influence on the reciprocal relationship between supervisors and students, functioning as symbolic representations of the profound effects on students’ intellectual development and emotional energy.

Prognosis recovery score of apical surgery Guided Bone Regeneration using cone beam computed tomography and digital bioinformatics

ObjectiveGuided Bone Regeneration (GBR) is a dental surgical procedure that uses barrier membranes to prevent soft tissue invasion and conduct new bone growth. This study aimed to define a Prognosis Recovery score (PR score) to objectively classify post-surgery responders from non-responder patients who underwent GBR using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). MethodsThis prospective-observational-longitudinal-cohort study recruited 250 individuals who were assigned to: Conventional-Apical-Surgery (CAS, n = 39), Apical-Surgery using human fascia lata Membrane placement (ASM, n = 42), and Apical-Surgery using human fascia lata Membrane placement and lyophilized allograft Bone powder (ASMB, n = 39); and Apical-Surgery using collagen membrane Porcine origin and Bovine Bone-matrix (ASPBB, n = 130), an independent external validation cohort. Surgery was performed, and evolution was monitored by CBCTs at 0, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24 months post-surgery. ResultsNormalized lesion volumes were calculated, and non-linear time evolution morphology curves were characterized. The three-time evolution bone growth patterns were: a linear tendency (PR0), “S'' shaped log-logistic (PR1), and “C" cellular growth (PR2). The treatment success rates were PR2-46 %, PR2-88 %, and PR2-95 %/PR1-5% for CAS, ASM, and ASMB groups. The xenograft ASPBB counterpart achieved PR2-92 % and PR1-8%. The score PR had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 100 %. ConclusionsPatients' treatment success can be quantitatively, objectively, and precisely predicted with the Prognosis Recovery score (using only two CBCTs), according to their biological response to allograft or xenograft materials (time-evolution bone growth curves), reducing cost and radiation exposure. Clinical significanceThrough digital imaging and bioinformatic analysis of bone regeneration observed in CBCTs, we defined a Prognosis Recovery (PR) score using only two CBCT volume assessments (0 and 6 months). The PR score allowed us to define three time-evolution curves depending on the biomaterials used and to classify patients in a quantitative, objective, and accurate way.

Impact of carotid artery stenosis on outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionCarotid Artery Stenosis (CAS) is common in elderly patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). However, the impact of CAS on the outcomes of TAVR is unclear. PurposeThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the clinical and periprocedural outcomes in patients with and without CAS undergoing TAVR. MethodsPubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched until February 2023. We included studies that performed a direct comparison of outcomes of TAVR in CAS versus non-CAS patients. Data was extracted from published reports and the ROBINS-I tool was utilized for quality assessment. The R studio software (version 4.2.2) was adopted for statistical analysis. ResultsFive observational studies and 111.915 patients were included. The mean age was 80.7 ± 8.2 years and 46.3% were female. The risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack was elevated in the group of patients with CAS (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.07–1.95; p = 0.016). In contrast, myocardial infarction (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.05–1.47; p = 0.074) and all-cause mortality (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.73–1.35; p = 0.95) were not significantly different between CAS and non-CAS groups. Acute kidney injury and new pacemaker implantation did not differ between patients with and without CAS. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that CAS is significantly associated with cerebrovascular events in patients undergoing TAVR, without significantly impacting all-cause mortality. Further prospective studies are needed for a more granular assessment of additional determinants of this association, such as unilateral vs. bilateral involvement and whether there is a threshold of CAS severity for increased risk.

Impact of carotid artery stenosis on outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background/Introduction Carotid Artery Stenosis (CAS) is common in elderly patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). However, the impact of CAS on the outcomes of TAVR is unclear. Purpose This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the clinical and periprocedural outcomes in patients with and without CAS undergoing TAVR. Methods PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched up to February 2023. We included studies that performed a direct comparison of outcomes of TAVR in CAS versus non-CAS patients. Data were extracted from published reports and the ROBINS-I tool was utilised for quality assessment. Review Manager 5.1 was adopted for statistical analysis. A random-effects model was used to calculate a pooled effect size and 95% confidence interval. Results Five observational studies and 111,915 patients were included. Follow-up ranged from 30 days to 1 year. The mean age was 80.7 ± 8.2 years and 46.3% were female. The risk of stroke or transient ischaemic attack was elevated in the group of patients with CAS (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.05-1.99; p=0.02; Figure 1A). Similarly, there was an increased risk of myocardial infarction in the CAS group (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.06-1.47; p= 0.008; Figure 1B). In contrast, all-cause mortality (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.71-1.37; p=0.94; Figure 2A) and major bleeding (OR 1.14; 95% CI 0.98-1.32; p=0.08; Figure 2B) were not significantly different between CAS and non-CAS groups. There was also no significant difference in acute kidney injury (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.79-1.23; p=0.99) and new pacemaker implantation (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.70-1.30; p=0.76) between patients with and without CAS. Conclusions Our findings suggest that CAS is significantly associated with cerebrovascular events and myocardial infarction in patients who undergo TAVR, without a significant impact on all-cause mortality. Further prospective studies are needed for a more granular assessment of additional determinants of this association, such as unilateral vs. bilateral involvement and whether there is a threshold of CAS severity for increased risk.

Male-induced early puberty correlates with the maturation of arcuate nucleus kisspeptin neurons in does.

In goats, early exposure of spring-born females to sexually active bucks induces an early puberty onset assessed by the first ovulation. This effect is found when females are continuously exposed well before the male breeding season starting in September. The first aim of this study was to evaluate whether a shortened exposure of females to males could also lead to early puberty. We assessed the onset of puberty in Alpine does isolated from bucks (ISOL), exposed to wethers (CAS), exposed to intact bucks from the end of June (INT1), or mid-August (INT2). Intact bucks became sexually active in mid-September. At the beginning of October, 100% of INT1 and 90% of INT2 exposed does ovulated, in contrast to the ISOL (0%) and CAS (20%) groups. This demonstrated that contact with males that become sexually active is the main factor prompting precocious puberty in females. Furthermore, a reduced male exposure during a short window before the breeding season is sufficient to induce this phenomenon. The second aim was to investigate the neuroendocrine changes induced by male exposure. We found a significant increase in kisspeptin immunoreactivity (fiber density and number of cell bodies) in the caudal part of the arcuate nucleus of INT1 and INT2 exposed females. Thus, our results suggest that sensory stimuli from sexually active bucks (e.g., chemosignals) may trigger an early maturation of the ARC kisspeptin neuronal network leading to gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion and first ovulation.

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНАЯ ОЦЕНКА РЕЗУЛЬТАТОВ СТЕНТИРОВАНИЯ СОННЫХ АРТЕРИЙ И КАРОТИДНОЙ ЭНДАРТЕРЭКТОМИИ У ПАЦИЕНТОВ С ВЫСОКИМ ХИРУРГИЧЕСКИМ РИСКОМ

ents with high surgical risk. Methods: 84 patients with combined lesions of carotid bifurcations and coronary arteries were examined. There were 55 men (65.6%), and 29 women (34.4%) aged 42-84 years (median age 64 years). Various comorbidities were identified in 52 (61.9%) patients. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent CAS (35) and CEA (49). The follow-up period after surgery was up to 30 days (early), and up to 8 years (long-term). A comparative assessment of perioperative complications and long-term results after CAS and CEA were carried out. Results: The identified cerebrovascular risk factors for the development of perioperative complications were identical in both groups: recent stroke, occlusion of the contralateral internal carotid artery (ICA), intracranial lesions, and anomalies of the circle of Willis. Other risks included psychoemotional stress (85%), risk of nerve damage, bleeding, angina III, and IV functional classes (53.5%). Although not statistically significant, noticeable differences were found in perioperative complications after CAS and CEA (14.3% vs. 28.6%, respectively, p>0.05). In the long term, there were no statistically significant differences between the CAS and CEA groups in terms of overall survival (97.2% versus 100%, respectively, p>0.05), transient ischemic attacks (2.8% versus 4.1%, respectively, p>0.05), development of non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) (11.4% versus 12.2%, respectively, p>0.05), fatal MI (2.8% versus 0%, respectively). Conclusion: Analysis of the immediate results of CAS and CEA showed, although statistically insignificant, noticeable advantages of the first method in the overall frequency of perioperative complications (14.3% vs. 28.6%, p>0.05) in patients from the category of high surgical risk. According to the main criteria of long-term results of the two methods, there was also no statistically significant difference, which allowed us to consider the endovascular method of treatment as an alternative to the traditional surgical technique. Keywords: Carotid artery stenting, carotid endarterectomy, high surgical risk, complications.

Carotid Revascularization Improves Cognitive Function in Patients with Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis

To investigate cognitive changes after carotid revascularization in elderly patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. We also compared cognitive outcomes of carotid endarterectomy CEA with stenting in asymptomatic patients. From April 2019 to December 2019, patients with ≥70% asymptomatic carotid stenosis who were treated with CEA or CAS, were recruited for this study. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) instrument was used to evaluate cognitive function preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 6, and 12months. The incidence of ipsilateral ischemic cerebrovascular events and restenosis were analyzed within 12months. In 50 patients treated with CEA or carotid artery stenting CAS, baseline cognitive function was not different between CEA and CAS groups (P>0.05). There was no difference in the incidence of ipsilateral ischemic cerebrovascular events and restenosis within the first 12months between the two groups. There was a significant improvement in the total MoCA score, scores of attention, and delayed recall at 3, 6 and 12months after revascularization compared with scores at baseline (all P<0.001). At 12months, scores of cube copying and clock drawing were significantly improved (P=0.014, P=0.020). The clock drawing score was improved at 12months after CAS compared with CEA (P=0.040). Carotid revascularization has a beneficial effect on cognition in asymptomatic patients within 12months of the procedure. Compared with CEA, CAS show improved test scores of executive functioning by 1year.

Comparison of clinical and radiological outcomes using crestal approach sinus kit and piezoelectric surgery for sinus membrane elevation: A prospective clinical trial

To overcome the drawbacks of sinus floor augmentation procedures newer surgical techniques to reduce sinus perforation such as crestal approach sinus kit (CAS) and piezosurgery, which are minimally invasive procedures enabling uncomplicated sinus elevation have evolved. The aim of the present study was to investigate the performance of CAS kit compared to piezosurgery during maxillary sinus membrane elevation. A total of 40 subjects requiring maxillary sinus membrane augmentation for rehabilitation with implant prosthesis in posterior maxilla were included in the study. The current study was a prospective clinical trial where osteotomy and sinus elevation was done using CAS kit in Group 1 and piezosurgery in Group 2. Platelet-rich fibrin was placed in osteotomy site and dental implants were inserted. Implant stability was evaluated at baseline and 3 months. Crestal bone loss was measured at 3, 6, and 12 months. Apical bone gain was measured at 6 and 12 months. Intragroup comparison of the study groups was done by Paired t-test, ANOVA test, and Friedman test. Intergroup comparison was done by unpaired t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Implant stability improved in both the groups, i.e., 79.2 ± 5.02 and 79 ± 5.31 in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, at 3 months. Intergroup comparison showed no difference in all parameters; however, crestal bone loss was greater in piezosurgery group with a mean difference of 0.74 mm. Both CAS and piezosurgery groups showed definitive improvement in all parameters. CAS group resulted in added benefits in terms of less crestal bone loss and intraoperative surgical time compared to piezosurgery group.

Fish Protein Ingestion Induces Neural, but Not Muscular Adaptations, Following Resistance Training in Young Adults.

Purpose: Nutritional supplementation in conjunction with exercise is of interest for the prevention or improvement of declines in motor performances in older adults. An understanding of the effects on both young and older adults contributes to its effective application. We investigated the effect of fish protein ingestion with resistance training on neural and muscular adaptations in young adults using interventions and assessments that have already been tested in older adults.Methods: Eighteen young adults underwent 8 weeks of isometric knee extension training. During the intervention, nine participants ingested 5 g of fish protein (n = 9, Alaska pollack protein, APP), and the other nine participants ingested casein as a control (n = 9, CAS) in addition to daily meals. Before, during, and after the intervention, the isometric knee extension force, lower extremity muscle mass, and motor unit firing pattern of knee extensor muscles were measured.Results: Maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was significantly increased in both APP and CAS groups from 0 weeks to 4, 6, and 8 weeks of intervention (p < 0.001), but there were no significant differences between the groups (p = 0.546–0.931). Muscle mass was not significantly changed during the intervention in either group (p = 0.250–0.698). Significant changes in motor unit firing rates (p = 0.02 and 0.029 for motor units recruited at 20–40% of MVC and at 40–60%) were observed following the intervention in the APP but not CAS (p = 0.120–0.751) group.Conclusions: These results suggest that dietary fish protein ingestion changes motor unit adaptations following resistance training in young adults.

Whole Egg Consumption Decreases Cumulative Weight Gain in Diet-Induced Obese Rats

Whole egg (WE) consumption has been demonstrated to attenuate body weight (BW) gain and adiposity in genetic animal models of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This finding was accompanied by increased food consumption. This study aimed to examine the effects of long-term WE intake on BW gain, fat distribution, and food intake in a rat model of diet-induced obesity (DIO). Male Sprague Dawley rats (n=24) were obtained at 5 wk of age and were randomly weight-matched across 1 of 4 dietary intervention groups (6 rats per group): a casein-based diet (CAS), a high-fat high-sucrose CAS diet (HFHS CAS), a whole egg-based diet (EGG), or a high-fat high-sucrose EGG diet (HFHS EGG). All diets provided 20% (w/w) protein and were provided for 33 wk. HFHS diets provided ∼61% of kilocalories from fat and 10% from sucrose. Daily weight gain and food intake were recorded, biochemical parameters were measured via ELISA, and epididymal fat pad weights were recorded at the end of the study. At 33 wk, cumulative BW gain in DIO rats fed HFHS EGG resulted in 23% lower weight gain compared with DIO rats fed HFHS CAS (P <0.0001), but no significant differences in BW gain were observed between the HFHS EGG group and the control EGG and CAS groups (P=0.71 and P=0.61, respectively). Relative food intake (grams per kilogram BW) was 23% lower (P<0.0001) in rats fed HFHS CAS compared with CAS, whereas there was no difference in food intake within the EGG dietary groups. DIO rats fed HFHS EGG exhibited a 22% decrease in epididymal fat weight compared with their counterparts fed the HFHS CAS. Our data demonstrate that consumption of a WE-based diet reduced BW gain and visceral fat in the DIO rat, similar to our previous findings in a genetic rat model with T2D.

Treatment of Carotid Restenoses after Endarterectomy: A Retrospective Monocentric Study

To compare the different techniques for the treatment of carotid restenosis after carotid artery endarterectomy (CAE). Among 1,218 carotid surgeries carried out in our center between January 2010 and November 2017, 45 procedures were performed for carotid restenosis after CAE, including 11 by iterative conventional surgery and 34 with endovascular techniques (7 transluminal angioplasties alone [TLA], 9 carotid artery stenting [CAS], and 18 angioplasties with active balloons [drug-coated balloon {DCB}]). Perioperative data (cumulated rate of morbimortality [CRMM], duration of hospitalization) and postoperative results (survival, symptomatic restenoses>50% or asymptomatic stenoses>70% on ultrasound, reinterventions) were collected retrospectively and analyzed with Fisher's exact test. The long-term results were estimated according to the Kaplan-Meier estimator and were compared with the log rank test (P<0.05 was regarded as significant). There was one secondary death due to a massive postoperative stroke in the endovascular (ENDO) group. No significant difference regarding CRMM (2.9%, P=0.756) between the iterative conventional surgery (open surgery; OS) and the ENDO groups of was observed. Three hematomas were found in the OS group versus one in the ENDO group (P=0.04). The length of hospital stay was shorter in the ENDO group (P<0.001). No difference was found between the ENDO group and the OS group regarding the two-year survival or the survival without recurrent restenosis (86 vs. 100%, log rank=0.804, and log rank=0.114). There were 5 restenoses >70% and two reinterventions in the ENDO group (P>0.05). The comparison of the different endovascular techniques did not show significant differences regarding the CRMM, the one-year overall survival, the survival without recurrent restenosis, or the survival without reintervention (89% in the DCB and CAS groups vs. 100% in the percutaneous transluminal angioplasty [PTA] group, log rank=0.286; 87% in the DCB group vs. 100% in the PTA and CAS groups, log rank=0.137; and 94% in the DCB group vs. 100% in the PTA and CAS groups, log rank=0.585, respectively). In our experience, endovascular procedures are equivalent to iterative conventional surgery for the treatment of carotid restenoses in terms of major complications, news restenoses, or survival with less hematoma and a shorter duration of hospitalization. We however could not identify the best endovascular strategy in this indication, and a controlled study comparing the various endovascular strategies is proposed.

T2 mapping MRI in prediction of Graves ophthalmopathy activity

Objective To explore the value of T2 mapping MRI in predicting Graves ophthalmopathy (GO) activity. Methods 74 patients with GO and 30 normal individuals underwent coronal T2 mapping MRI were analyzed prospectively from August 2010 to June 2013 in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University. All the GO patients met Mourits criterion, with hyperthyroidism history, and enlargement of extraocular muscles (EOMs) found by MRI. GO patients were grouped by CAS. Of which, 52 patients in CAS ≥ 3, 22 patients in CAS<3, 12 patients in CAS=0, and 10 patients in CAS=0 or 1. T2 values of EOMs (superior rectus muscle, inferior rectus muscle, medial rectus muscle, external rectus muscle and superior oblique muscle) were calculated. The differences of mean T2 values between two eyes, among EOMs, different CAS groups and controls were evaluated by paired-sample t test and one-way ANOVA, respectively. The correlation between maxT2 and CAS was conducted by Spearman rank correlation analysis in GO patients. The cut-off value of maxT2 in predicting GO activity was determined by ROC curve. Results There was no significant difference on T2 values between sides and among EOMs in control (P>0.05), while GO group showed significant difference (P<0.05) . T2 value increased by sequence of superior oblique muscle, external rectus muscle, superior rectus muscle, medial rectus muscle and inferior rectus muscle, failed to show significant difference between medial and superior rectus muscle (P=1.00). T2 value increased by sequence of normal control, CAS=0, CAS=1/2 and CAS≥ 3 group (P<0.05) . Spearman rank correlation revealed positive correlation between maxT2 and CAS (r=0.898, P<0.01). The cut-off value of maxT2 was 138.68 msec, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 63.5% (33/52), 90.9% (20/22), 94.3% (33/35), 51.3% (20/39), 71.6% (53/74), respectively. Conclusion T2 mapping MRI is valuable in predicting GO activity. Key words: Graves ophthalmopathy; Magnetic resonance imaging

High Casein Diet Differentially Alters FGF21 Levels in Plasma and Cardiac Tissue in Rats

Fibroblast growth factor‐21 (FGF21) is a cytokine that has been demonstrated to regulate metabolism and have cardioprotective effects in response to obesity and other cardiac stressors. High protein diets have been used to reduce body fat and ameliorate metabolic disorders, however the effects of high protein diets on FGF21‐mediated signaling in cardiac tissue are not well known. We hypothesized that high protein diets will increase circulating levels of FGF21, leading to enhanced FGF21‐mediated signaling in cardiac tissue. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were placed into one of three dietary groups: 1) control diet (20% of kcal from protein; CON; n=8), 2) high soy protein diet (40% of kcal from soy; SOY; n=8), or high casein protein diet (40% of kcal from casein; CAS; n=8). Food consumption and body mass were recorded weekly. After 15 weeks, blood was collected and hearts were excised after an overnight fast. Western immunoblotting was performed on cardiac homogenates and analyzed for: FGF21, FGF receptor‐1 (FGFR1), phospho‐FGFR1Tyr654, phospho‐ERK1/2Thr202/Tyr204, phospho‐AktSer473, phospho‐AMPKThr172, phospho‐p38 MAPKThr180/Tyr182, and 4‐hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE), a marker of oxidative stress. There was no difference in daily food intake or terminal body mass between dietary groups. Plasma concentrations of FGF21 were significantly (P&lt;0.05) greater for CAS (742.1±149.9 pg/ml) compared to CON (213.6±37.7 pg/ml), determined by ELISA. FGF21 protein levels in the heart were significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower for CAS compared to CON and SOY groups. Phospho‐AktSer473 was significantly (P&lt;0.05) greater in SOY compared to CON and CAS groups. There were no other significant differences between dietary groups for any other analyte measured. These data indicate that high protein diets composed of differing protein sources have non‐uniform effects on plasma and cardiac levels of FGF21. Additionally, 15‐weeks of high protein diet consumption does not appear to alter body mass or FGF21‐mediated signaling in the rat heart.Support or Funding InformationCentral Michigan University Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Proffesions, and the Office of Research and Graduate Studies Early Career Award.

Maternal consumption of low-isoflavone soy protein isolate alters hepatic gene expression and liver development in rat offspring

In utero environment is known to affect fetal development. Especially, the distinct fetal programming of carcinogenesis was reported in offspring exposed to maternal diets containing soy protein isolate (SPI) or genistein. Therefore, we investigated whether maternal consumption of low-isoflavone SPI or genistein alters hepatic gene expression and liver development in rat offspring. Female Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a casein diet, a low-isoflavone SPI diet or a casein diet supplemented with genistein (250 mg/kg diet) for 2 weeks before mating and throughout pregnancy and lactation. Male offspring were studied on postnatal day 21 (CAS, SPI and GEN groups). Among 965 differentially expressed hepatic genes related to maternal diet (P<.05), the expression of 590 was significantly different between CAS and SPI groups. Conversely, the expression of 88 genes was significantly different between CAS and GEN groups. Especially, genes involved in drug metabolism were significantly affected by the maternal diet. SPI group showed increased cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis and activation of the mTOR pathway, which may contribute to a higher relative liver weight compared to other groups. We observed higher serum homocysteine levels and lower global and CpG site-specific DNA methylation of Gadd45b, a gene involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis, in SPI group compared to CAS group. Maternal SPI diet also reduced histone H3-Lysine 9 (H3K9) trimethylation and increased H3K9 acetylation in offspring. These results demonstrate that maternal consumption of a low-isoflavone SPI diet alters the hepatic gene expression profile and liver development in offspring possibly by epigenetic processes.

ON THE METALLICITY DISTRIBUTION OF THE PECULIAR GLOBULAR CLUSTER M22

ABSTRACT In our previous study, we showed that the peculiar globular cluster (GC) M22 contains two distinct stellar populations, namely the Ca-w and Ca-s groups, which have different physical properties, chemical compositions, spatial distributions, and kinematics. We proposed that M22 was most likely formed via a merger of two GCs with heterogeneous metallicities in a dwarf galaxy environment and then later accreted to our Galaxy. In their recent study, Mucciarelli et al. claimed that M22 is a normal monometallic globular cluster without any perceptible metallicity spread among the two groups of stars, which challenges our results and those of others. We devise new strategies for the local thermodynamic equilibrium abundance analysis of red giant branch stars in GCs and show that there exists a spread in the iron abundance distribution in M22.

Diets enriched in whey or casein improve energy balance and prevent morbidity and renal damage in salt-loaded and high-fat-fed spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats

High-fat diets induce obesity and increase risks of diabetes and cardiovascular and renal disorders. Whey- or casein-enriched diets decrease food intake and weight gain; however, their cardiovascular and renal benefits are unclear. We determined whether whey- and casein-enriched diets improve energy balance and are protective against renal damage and morbidity associated with stroke in an obesogenic and hypertensive experimental setting. We also assessed whether the hypophagic effects of these diets were due to reduced diet preference. In experiment 1, spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats were randomized to (a) control (CON; 14% kcal protein, 33% fat), (b) whey (WHY; 40% protein, 33% fat), (c) casein (CAS; 40% protein, 33% fat) or (d) chow (CHW; 24% protein, 13% fat) for 12 weeks with 1% salt in drinking water for CON, WHY and CAS groups. Our results demonstrated that both WHY and CAS produced short-term hypophagia, moderately increased energy expenditure and decreased respiratory quotient, body weight and lean mass, with effects of WHY being more prolonged. Further, only WHY decreased fat mass and blood pressure. Importantly, both WHY and CAS prevented morbidity associated with stroke and decreased indices of renal inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6) and damage (osteopontin, renal lesions). In experiment 2, following four initial conditioning trials, the preference for CON, WHY or CAS diet was determined. Both WHY and CAS decreased food intake during conditioning and decreased preference. In conclusion, diets enriched in whey or casein improved energy balance, increased survival and prevented renal damage in salt-loaded and high-fat-fed spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats.

Cranial suture-like gap and bone regeneration after transplantation of cryopreserved MSCs by use of a programmed freezer with magnetic field in rats

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be used for regeneration of various organs and tissues. A previous study revealed that cryopreserved MSCs, which were frozen by a programmed freezer with a magnetic field (Cells Alive System: CAS) and cryopreserved for 7days in a −150°C deep freezer, can maintain high survival and proliferation rates while retaining both adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation abilities. The purpose of this study was to examine MSC viability and tissue regenerative ability after long-term cryopreservation using a CAS freezer.MSCs were isolated from rat femora bone marrow and cryopreserved in a −150°C deep freezer (CAS group) or directly cryopreserved in a deep freezer (Direct group). After 3years, the cells were thawed and the number of viable cells was counted. Cell proliferation was also examined after 14days in culture. For histological examination, forty 4-week-old Fischer 344 male rats received bone and sagittal suture defects with a diameter of 6.0mm, and MSCs (CAS or Direct group) cryopreserved for 1year were grafted with membranes. Non-cryopreserved MSCs (Control group) were transplanted to an additional twenty rats. The rats were sacrificed at 4, 8, 16, and 24weeks after surgery. The parietal bones, including the sagittal suture, were observed under a light microscope and the extent of bone regeneration was measured. Our results indicate that MSCs survival and proliferation rates were significantly higher in the CAS group than in the Direct group. In the Control and CAS groups, a large amount of new bone formation and a suture-like gap was identified 24weeks after transplantation, whereas only a small amount of new bone formation was observed in the Direct group. These results suggest that the CAS freezer is amenable to long-term cryopreservation of MSCs, which can be applied to the regeneration of various tissues, including bone tissue with suture-like gap formation.

Prostatic microenvironment in senescence: fibroblastic growth factors × hormonal imbalance

The aim was to characterize and correlate steroid hormone receptors with the FGF2, FGF7 and FGF8 reactivities in the prostatic epithelium and stroma in senile rats. Fifty male senile rats and 10 young male rats were divided into the young (YNG), the senile groups (SE), the castrated group (CAS), the estrogen-deficient group (ED), the castrated + estrogen group (CASE), and the estrogen-deficient + androgen group (EDTEST). The ventral prostate was submitted to immunohistochemical and Western blotting analyses. The results showed decreased AR and ERβ levels and increased ERα in the senile animals in relation to YNG group. Increased ERα and ERβ reactivities presenting differential localization were characterized in the CASE group compared to the CAS group. Increased FGF2 level was observed in the stroma of the CAS and ED groups in relation to the SE group and in the epithelium of the ED group in relation to the other groups. Increased and differential immunolocalization of FGF7 levels were observed in the CAS, ED and CASE groups. The FGF8 levels showed differential localization in the CAS and ED groups compared to the senile group. The intense hormone ablation was favorable to the autocrine signaling of FGF2 and FGF8. FGF7 could be activated in the androgen-independent via considering the increased FGF7 in the castrated rats. We concluded that hormone ablation in senescence was favorable to activation or/and to fibroblast signaling in the prostatic microenvironment.

A comparison of alignment using patient specific guides, computer navigation and conventional instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty

BackgroundPatient specific guides (PSG) have been introduced as a tool in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in an attempt to improve limb alignment and reduce operative time compared to other established surgical techniques. The purpose of this study was to compare the post-operative radiographic alignment and operative time in patients who underwent TKA surgery with PSG, conventional instrumentation or computer-assisted navigation surgery using fully cemented components. MethodsA cohort of 260 patients who underwent TKA surgery using PSG (PSG group, n=115) was compared to patients who underwent TKA using either conventional instrumentation (CON group, n=92) or computer-assisted navigation (CAS group, n=53). Post-operative CT imaging using the Perth CT protocol was used to compare alignment between the three groups. ResultsIn the PSG and CAS groups, the post-operative hip–knee angle (HKA) was within 3° of neutral alignment in 91.3% and 90.7% of patients, respectively. This compared to 80.4% of patients in the CON group (p=0.02). There were no significant differences with respect to alignment when comparing individual component positioning between the PSG and CAS groups apart from tibial slope (Table 3). Total operative time was found to be significantly reduced in the PSG group (80.2min) compared to both the CON group (86min, p=0.002) and the CAS group (110.2min, p<0.0001). ConclusionsThe use of PSG resulted in similar alignment accuracy to CAS and superior alignment to CON with significantly shorter operative times.

Angiogenic and Tissue Remodeling Factors in the Prostate of Elderly Rats Submitted to Hormonal Replacement

The influence of senescence and hormone replacement on the onset of pathologic processes in the prostate is not yet fully understood. The aim was to identify the immunoreactivity and protein levels of molecules involved in cell proliferation, tissue remodeling and angiogenesis in the ventral prostate of elderly rodents following hormonal replacement. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into one Young group (4-months old), treated with peanut oil (5 mL kg(-1) , s.c.), and six Senile groups. The senile rats (10-months old) were subdivided into: Senile group (SEN) (5 mL kg(-1) peanut oil, s.c.); Testosterone group (TEST) (5 mg kg(-1) testosterone cipionate, s.c.); Estrogen group (EST) (25 µg kg(-1) 17β-estradiol, s.c.); castrated group (CAS) (surgical castration); castrated-testosterone group (CT) (same treatment as CAS and TEST groups); and castrated-estrogen group (CE) (same treatment as CAS and EST groups). After 30 days, samples of the ventral prostate were harvested for analyses of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGFR-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin features. IGFR-1 and MMP-9 showed increased protein levels and epithelial immunolabeling both after hormonal replacement and castration. Increased VEGF levels and reduced endostatin were verified in the SEN group. Hormonal therapy and castration led to a higher increase of VEGF, especially in the EST, CAS, and CE groups. Endostatin increased mainly in the TEST and CT groups. Hormonal therapy in senescence generated a reactive microenvironment characterized by the increase of mitogenic and tissue remodeling factors and by the imbalance of angiogenesis, which possibly compromised organ function and predisposed toward glandular disorders.