Damage Events Research Articles

In-situ damage assessment of FML joints under uniaxial tension combining with acoustic emission and DIC: Geometric influence on damage formation

This work presents an in-situ assessment of damage occurring in the single-lap fiber metal laminate joints with various geometries under uniaxial tension and identify the crucial geometric role in the damage formation. The acoustic emission combined with digital image correlation is applied to record the damage events and strain field. The identification is made with the peak frequency, in which intervals of peak frequency containing [0–100 kHz], [100–200 kHz], [200–300 kHz] and [300–400 kHz] represent matrix/metal crack, delamination, fiber pull-out and breakage, respectively. The Hashin criterion, cohesive constitutive relation and ductile damage criterion are used to predict the damage evolution of fiber metal laminate. The combination of cumulative AE energy and simulation results reveals damage onset, evolution and severity. The incongruity of bearing capacities and stress situations caused by the distinction of geometric parameters result in the bearing damage, the brittle damage and the ductile shear damage in different structures.

L’interprétation des clauses base-réclamation dans les contrats d’assurance de responsabilité civile au Québec

Le présent article aborde la question de l’interprétation des clauses base-réclamation en droit des assurances québécois. Définies principalement par la doctrine comme des clauses dont les effets consistent à assimiler le sinistre à la réclamation de la victime, le recours aux clauses base-réclamation suscite plusieurs interrogations quant à leur licéité à la lecture des articles 2396 du Code civil et 2414 du même code. Alors que le premier article définit le sinistre comme le fait dommageable, le second article énonce le caractère d’ordre public relatif des dispositions du chapitre XV du titre 2 du livre V du Code civil au rang duquel figure l’article 2396 du Code civil. L’article 2414 énonce que les dispositions du chapitre XV peuvent faire l’objet d’une dérogation si celles-ci avantagent le preneur, l’assuré, le bénéficiaire ou ne porte pas atteinte aux droits des tiers. Or, l’un des principaux effets des clauses base-réclamation est de restreindre considérablement l’action directe du tiers à l’égard de l’assureur, mais aussi, de faire peser sur le dos de l’assuré l’absence de diligence du tiers lésé. Dans le silence de la Loi, il incombe alors aux tribunaux d’apprécier la conformité des clauses base-réclamation à l’ordre public relatif énoncé à l’article 2414 par le truchement de l’ordre public virtuel. Cet article tente de proposer des moyens d’interprétations visant à établir l’illicéité des clauses base-réclamation.

High plasma D-dimer and von Willebrand factor levels are associated with risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with chronic coronary syndromes receiving long-term antiplatelet therapy

Abstract Purpose Plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) and D-dimer levels have been proposed as markers of endothelial damage, coagulation activation and subsequent cardiovascular events. Thrombotic and hemorrhagic burdens are closely related. However, the association of coagulation markers with bleeding complications in pts with atherosclerosis remains unclear. We aimed to assess the predictive value of D-dimer and VWF levels for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in patients with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) receiving long-term antithrombotic therapy. Patients and methods Single center prospective Registry of Long-term AnTithrombotic TherApy (REGATTA-1 NCT04347200) included 934 pts with CCS (78.6% males, age 61±10.7 yrs, 76% after elective PCI). The UGIB annual incidence was 1.9 events per 100 patient-years. VWF was determined in 28 pts with UGIB and 141 controls, matched for age, sex and main clinical risk factors. D-dimer was determined from 28 and 380 pts respectively Results The median for VWF was 139 [interquartile range 107–168]%. The median for D-dimer was 443,8 [interquartile range 272.5–702.4] ng/ml. ROC analysis revealed acceptable discriminatory ability for VWF (cut off >105%; AUC=0.67, 95% CI: 0.59–0.74, p=0.001) and for D-dimer (cut off >928 ng/ml; AUC=0.63, 95% CI: 0.59–0.68, p=0.002). High levels of coagulation markers remained significant in regression model adjuster for ESC panel of UGIB risk factors. OR for D-dimer = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.09–10.66; p=0.03). OR for VWF = 11.74, 95% CI: 1.19–116.18; p=0.03). Conclusion VWF and D-dimer should be considered as valuable prognostic biomarkers to improve the prediction of UGIB in addition to well-known scoring systems in CCS patients receiving long-term antithrombotic therapy. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Synthesis of novel indole-thiazolidinone hybrid structures as promising scaffold with anticancer potential

A series of novel indole-azolidinone hybrids has been synthesized via Knoevenagel reaction of 5-fluoro-3-formyl-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester and some azolidinones differing in heteroatoms in positions 1, 2 and 4. Their anticancer activity in vitro was screened towards MCF-7 (breast cancer), HCT116 (colon cancer), HepG2 (hepatoma), HeLa (cervical cancer), A549 (lung cancer), WM793 (melanoma) and THP-1 (leukemia) cell lines, and a highly active 5-fluoro-3-(4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (3a) was identified and subjected to in-depth investigation of cytotoxicity mechanisms. This compound was found to possess the highest cytotoxic action towards tumor cells comparing with the action of other derivatives (1, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e). Compound 3a exhibited toxicity toward MCF-7, HCT116, and A549, HepG2 cancer cells, while the non-malignant cells (human keratinocytes of HaCaT line and murine embryonic fibroblasts of Balb/c 3T3 line) possessed moderate sensitivity to it. The compound 3a induced apoptosis in studied tumor cells via caspase 3-, PARP1-, and Bax-dependent mechanisms; however, it did not affect the G1/S transition in HepG2 cells. The compound 3a impaired nuclear DNA in HepG2, HCT116, and MCF-7 cells without intercalating this biomolecule, but much less DNA damage events were induced by 3a in normal Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts compared with HepG2 carcinoma cells. Thus, 5-fluoro-3-(4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester 3a was shown to trigger DNA damage and induce apoptosis of human tumor cells and it might be considered as an anticancer agent perspective for in-depth studies.

Optimal Localization of Smart Aggregate Sensor for Concrete Damage Monitoring in PSC Anchorage Zone.

This study investigates the feasibility of smart aggregate (SA) sensors and their optimal locations for impedance-based damage monitoring in prestressed concrete (PSC) anchorage zones. Firstly, numerical stress analyses are performed on the PSC anchorage zone to determine the location of potential damage that is induced by prestressing forces. Secondly, a simplified impedance model is briefly described for the SA sensor in the anchorage. Thirdly, numerical impedance analyses are performed to explore the sensitivities of a few SA sensors in the anchorage zone under the variation of prestressing forces and under the occurrence of artificial damage events. Finally, a real-scale PSC anchorage zone is experimentally examined to evaluate the optimal localization of the SA sensor for concrete damage detection. Impedance responses measured under a series of prestressing forces are statistically quantified to estimate the performance of damage monitoring via the SA sensor in the PSC anchorage.

TGFβ-Neurotrophin Interactions in Heart, Retina, and Brain.

Ischemic insults to the heart and brain, i.e., myocardial and cerebral infarction, respectively, are amongst the leading causes of death worldwide. While there are therapeutic options to allow reperfusion of ischemic myocardial and brain tissue by reopening obstructed vessels, mitigating primary tissue damage, post-infarction inflammation and tissue remodeling can lead to secondary tissue damage. Similarly, ischemia in retinal tissue is the driving force in the progression of neovascular eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which eventually lead to functional blindness, if left untreated. Intriguingly, the easily observable retinal blood vessels can be used as a window to the heart and brain to allow judgement of microvascular damages in diseases such as diabetes or hypertension. The complex neuronal and endocrine interactions between heart, retina and brain have also been appreciated in myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and retinal diseases. To describe the intimate relationship between the individual tissues, we use the terms heart-brain and brain-retina axis in this review and focus on the role of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and neurotrophins in regulation of these axes under physiologic and pathologic conditions. Moreover, we particularly discuss their roles in inflammation and repair following ischemic/neovascular insults. As there is evidence that TGFβ signaling has the potential to regulate expression of neurotrophins, it is tempting to speculate, and is discussed here, that cross-talk between TGFβ and neurotrophin signaling protects cells from harmful and/or damaging events in the heart, retina, and brain.

Single event effects of SiC diode demonstrated by pulsed-laser two photon absorption

By an effective energy model in the device under laser single event effects (SEE) test, a two-photon absorption (TPA) of pulsed laser energy transmission mechanism model vs heavy ion linear energy transfer (LET) for SEE have been established. Based on 4H Silicon Carbide (4H-SiC) diodes material parameters which should be considered for SEE) irradiated by TPA of pulsed laser, model for TPA of pulsed laser front-side SEE testing is built. Testing results show that model can give effective SEE laser energies. Meanwhile, relationship between effective laser energy and equivalent LET (ELET) has been validated. Single event transient (SET), permanent damage, and single event burnt-out (SEB) of 4H-SiC diode can be triggered by TPA of pulsed laser, and equivalent LET of pulsed laser energy is consistent with heavy ion LET.

Cytotoxic T cells are able to efficiently eliminate cancer cells by additive cytotoxicity

Lethal hit delivery by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) towards B lymphoma cells occurs as a binary, “yes/no” process. In non-hematologic solid tumors, however, CTL often fail to kill target cells during 1:1 conjugation. Here we describe a mechanism of “additive cytotoxicity” by which time-dependent integration of sublethal damage events, delivered by multiple CTL transiting between individual tumor cells, mediates effective elimination. Reversible sublethal damage includes perforin-dependent membrane pore formation, nuclear envelope rupture and DNA damage. Statistical modeling reveals that 3 serial hits delivered with decay intervals below 50 min discriminate between tumor cell death or survival after recovery. In live melanoma lesions in vivo, sublethal multi-hit delivery is most effective in interstitial tissue where high CTL densities and swarming support frequent serial CTL-tumor cell encounters. This identifies CTL-mediated cytotoxicity by multi-hit delivery as an incremental and tunable process, whereby accelerating damage magnitude and frequency may improve immune efficacy.

Long‐term stand‐level resilience in natural secondary forest stands recovering from severe windthrow damage

AbstractLong‐term stand‐level resilience in three natural secondary forests after a stand‐replacing windthrow damage event was examined by analyzing stand composition, structure, and function using repetitive measurement data collected in permanent plots over 60 yr. The secondary forests differed among pre‐disturbance forest types. For the purposes of this study, stand resilience comprised resistance to and recovery from windthrow damage. To analyze composition, the dynamics of species numbers in the permanent plots were tracked and temporal trends in similarity between pre‐ and post‐disturbance compositions were examined. To investigate stand structure, the dynamics of tree density, mean diameter at breast height (DBH), and temporal trends in similarity between pre‐ and post‐disturbance DBH frequency distributions were analyzed. To investigate stand function, the dynamics of stand basal area were analyzed. The calculations showed that tree density, basal area, species composition, and DBH frequency distribution were associated with low resistance to windthrow damage. By contrast, the number of species and mean DBH were resistant to windthrow damage. Basal areas recovered quickly in the 60 yr post‐windthrow damage, but recovery of the pre‐damage mean DBH and DBH frequency distribution was slow. Tree density and the number of species recovered to levels that exceeded those in the stands prior to the windthrow event. The recovery of species composition varied by pre‐disturbance forest type. Among the stands analyzed, the hardwood forest that existed prior to disturbance was resistant to and recovered well from windthrow damage in comparison with other types of pre‐disturbance forests. In conclusion, stand‐replacing windthrow damage can have a long‐lasting influence on secondary forests, especially in terms of stand composition and structure.

Failure analysis of CF/epoxy hollow beam components using digital image correlation and acoustic emission analyses

Testing of carbon fibre epoxy hollow beam components was undertaken using digital image correlation and acoustic emission techniques. Static and fatigue testing was used to characterise the damage mechanisms of the components under two separate compressive loading cases. Firstly, the load was transferred via simple contact of a rectangular pusher plate, whilst in the second case the plate was bolted to the top surface of the beam. Digital image correlation determined the full field deformation and strain on the beams’ side while strain gauges validated the accuracy of the measurements during testing. Acoustic emission analyses provided a more in-depth inspection of the failure location as the first damage event was not visible from an external visual inspection. Acoustic emission captured a precise map of damage events which indicated the failure location at a point under the loading plate edge and centred at the corner of the beam structure. While digital image correlation gives a full field view of strains on the component surface before and after failure, the acoustic emission analysis shows a higher sensitivity to the characterisation of damage, providing a more conservative and accurate estimate of the failure behaviour.

Conductive Compartmented Capsules Encapsulating a Bitumen Rejuvenator

This paper explores the potential use of conductive alginate capsules encapsulating a bitumen rejuvenator as a new extrinsic self-healing asphalt method. The capsules combine two existing self-healing asphalt technologies: (1) rejuvenator encapsulation and (2) induction heating to create a self-healing system that will provide rapid and effective asphalt pavement repair. The work presents a proof of concept for the encapsulation process, which involves embedding the capsules into the bitumen mortar mixture and the survival rate of the capsules in the asphalt mixture. A drip capsule production process was adopted and scaled up to the production of 20l wet capsules at rate of 0.22 l/min. To prove the effectiveness and its ability to survive asphalt production process, the capsules were prepared and subjected to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and uniaxial compression Test (UCT). The test results demonstrated that the capsules had suitable thermal characteristics and mechanical strength to survive the asphalt mixing and compaction process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to investigate physiological properties, such as rejuvenator (oil) and iron particle distribution, within the capsules. The electrical resistance tests proved that the capsules were capable of conducting electrical current. The capsules were also tested for their conductive properties in order to determine whether they are capable of conducting and distributing the heat once subjected to induction heating. The results showed that capsules containing higher amounts of iron (alginate/iron powder in a ratio of 20:80 by weight) can efficiently conduct and distribute heat. To prove its success as an asphalt healing system, conductive alginate capsules encapsulating a bitumen rejuvenator were embedded in a bitumen mortar mix. The samples where then subjected to local damaging and healing events, and the degree of healing was quantified. The research findings indicate that conductive alginate capsules encapsulating a bitumen rejuvenator present a promising new approach for the development of an extrinsic self-healing asphalt pavement systems.

Can Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index Detect the Presence of Exxaggerated Morning Blood Pressure Surge in Newly Diagnosed Treatment-Naive Hypertensive Patients?

ABSTRACT Background: The exaggerated morning blood pressure surge (MS) is associated with target organ damage and cardiovascular events. Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been detected as a useful marker in tumors and cardiovascular diseases. The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of hypertension is a well-known issue. We aimed to investigate whether there is an association between SII and exaggerated MS in newly diagnosed treatment-naive hypertensive patients. Material and Methods: In total, 343 newly diagnosed in clinical and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring treatment-naive hypertensive patients were included in this study. Morning surge was defined as the difference between morning BP, which was the mean of BP during 2 h after wake-up, and the lowest BP, which was the mean of three lowest BP during nighttime. A cutoff value of 52.1 mmHg was used to discriminate the high- and low value MS groups. SII was calculated based on neutrophil, platelet, and lymphocyte counts. Results: Neutrophil, platelet, SII, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were higher, whereas lymphocyte counts were lower in the high-value MS than the low-value MS. These indices were all independently associated with exaggerated MS and SII was superior to all other indices for detecting the presence of exaggerated MS. SII was moderately correlated with morning BP surge (r: 0.489, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: SII was higher in patients with exaggerated MS and was independently associated with exaggerated MS. Furthermore, SII might be a better indicator than platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte, NLR, and PLR for the presence of exaggerated MS.

Inducing homologous recombination deficiency using AVB500, a receptor tyrosine kinase AXL inhibitor in uterine serous cancer (USC)

<h3>Objectives:</h3> Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) is more common in non-endometrioid TP53-mutant endometrial cancers. Given this, our objective was to assess whether two USC cell lines were homologous recombination proficient (HRP) and to determine whether HRD could be induced with inhibition of the GAS6/AXL pathway with AVB-500 in uterine serous cancer. <h3>Methods:</h3> Baseline homologous recombination (HR) status of uterine serous cancer cell lines, ARK1 and ARK4 was determined after inducing DNA damage with 10Gy of radiation treatment (RT). We then identified both gamma-H2AX, a marker of DNA damage, and RAD51 foci, a marker signifying intact DNA double strand break repair, by immunofluorescence (IF). RAD51 foci from both radiated and non-radiated cells were quantified in both cell lines. Cell lines were considered to be HRP if over 30% of the cells expressed RAD51 (>5 foci per cell) after a DNA damage event. IF was conducted using a Leica confocal microscope and foci were quantified using FociCounter. <h3>Results:</h3> Radiated cells expressed more gamma-H2AX foci in both ARK1 (11.0 vs 0.4, p<0.0001) and ARK4 (3.8 vs 0.2, p=0.0156). ARK1 and ARK4 demonstrated HR proficiency at baseline. After this was established, ARK1 and ARK4 cells were then pretreated with AVB-500 prior to radiation. Both cell lines showed a significant decrease in RAD51 foci per cell with AVB-500 + RT vs. RT alone (2.7 vs 7.3, p=0.0003) in ARK1 and AVB-500 +RT vs. RT alone (6.3 vs 13.0, p=0.0054) in ARK4. When quantifying the proportion of RAD51 positive cells, pretreatment with AVB-500 was able to decrease RAD51 expression from over 30% of cells at baseline to under 21% in ARK1 cells, indicating HRD. While there was a decrease in RAD51 expression in ARK4 cells, this did not meet criteria for HRD (<30%). <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Our objective was to assess HR status in ARK1 and ARK4 and if HRP, to test whether HRD could be induced with inhibition of the GAS6/AXL pathway with AVB-500. Pretreatment with AVB-500 led to a decrease in RAD51 foci, and in the ARK1 cell line induced HR deficiency. Additional therapeutic and mechanistic experiments are ongoing.

Self‐healing in high impact polystyrene (HIPS) composites via embedded non‐toxic solvent‐filled microcapsules

AbstractPolymer composites are widely used in many industries due to their desirable, and commonly superior properties. However, the replacement of damaged composite materials can be very costly and time‐consuming, motivating the development of self‐healing composites that recover their properties after a damage event. This work demonstrates the microcapsule‐based self‐healing of compression molded thermoplastic high impact polystyrene (HIPS) composites using a non‐toxic and environmentally friendly solvent, ethyl phenylacetate (EPA). EPA is incorporated within double‐walled polyurethane‐poly(urea‐formaldehyde) (PU/UF) microcapsules which are then integrated within the HIPS specimens. Flexure and fracture behavior, with and without microcapsules, is used to investigate the microcapsules' impact on composite physical properties and to determine the composite's self‐healing efficiency (up to 64%) after healing in response to fracture. Overall, this work demonstrates the inclusion of self‐healing properties in a commercially important polymer material with a non‐toxic and environmentally friendly solvent and motivates further development of thermoplastic self‐healing composites for industrial applications.

Large chromosomal deletions and impaired homologous recombination repairing in HEK293T cells exposed to polychlorinated biphenyl 153.

BackgroundPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent pollutants with carcinogenesis and mutagenesis effects which have been closely associated with PCBs-induced DNA damage. However, the detailed DNA damage events and corresponding pathway alterations under PCBs poisoning is still not well understood.MethodsWhole-genome sequencing (WGS) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were used to explore genome wide variations and related pathway changes in HEK293T cells that challenged by 15 µM PCB153 for 96 h in vitro. Double strand breaks (DSBs) were measured by 53BP1 foci detection, altered pathways were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR).ResultsThe results indicated that abundant copy number variations (CNVs), including four duplications and 30 deletions, occurred in PCB153-exposed HEK293T cells. Multiple large fragment deletions (>1 Mb) involving up to 245 Mb regions on many chromosomes. Missense mutations were found in six tumor susceptibility genes, two of which are key members participating in homologous recombination (HR) repair response, BRCA1 and BRCA2. RNA-seq data showed that PCB153 poisoning apparently suppressedHR repairing genes. Besides, 15 µM PCB153 exposure significantly increased 53BP1 foci formation and effectively reduced BRCA1, RAD51B and RAD51C expression, indicating an elevated DSBs and impaired HR repairing.ConclusionThis study firstly reported multiple large chromosomal deletions and impaired HR repairing in PCB153-exposed HEK293T cells, which provided a new insight into the understanding of early response and the mechanism underlying PCB153 genotoxicity. The chromosomal instabilities might be related to the impaired HR repairing that induced by PCB153; however, further investigations, especially on actual toxic effects of human body, are needed to confirm such speculation.

Classification and types of flaps in endodontic surgery

The success of endodontic surgeries can be significantly associated with the selected dental flap. Many flaps have been reported among studies in the literature with variable frequencies of advantages and disadvantages and with different indications for each flap. This literature review discusses the most commonly reported types of endodontics flaps along with the reported advantages and disadvantages, in addition to the uses, applications, and most probable indications and contraindications for each designed flap. Among the reported flap designs, clinical success and favorable outcomes were observed with the ones that limited the damage to the root-attached tissues. Moreover, crestal bone loss has been reported to be minimal when using the full mucoperiosteal flap designs. Many previous studies have reported that using triangular and rectangular flap designs has been associated with favorable events regarding crestal bone loss, with the observed complete healing of the resorption damaging events and absent alternations of the heights of the crestal bone that were potentially affected. Further details of each flap design are provided within the full manuscript of this article based on the obtained evidence from previous investigations.

Association between Metabolic Syndrome Components and Cardiac Autonomic Modulation among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

the clustering of metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors is becoming more prevalent in children, leading to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases in early adulthood. The impact of MetS risk factors on cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) or vice versa has been noted to track from childhood to pre-adolescence and adolescence. Understating associations in this age group may help to improve the clinical outcomes of the MetS, even when MetS symptoms are not visible. Potential damage from each individual MetS component and the ability to predict early cardiac damage or upcoming cardiovascular events is very important. Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the associations between CAM and MetS risk factors individually to verify which of the MetS risk components were significantly correlated with heart rate variability (HRV) indices before or at the onset of the MetS among young people. The purpose of this review was to outline the importance of potentially screening HRV indices in young people even with only one MetS risk factor, as a pre-indicator for early cardiovascular risk stratification. cross-sectional studies that examined the relationship of MetS risk factors with HRV indices were searched using four databases including PubMed, the Cochrane clinical trials library, Medline and the Web of Science. Correlation coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), and random effects meta-analyses of the association between MetS risk factors with HRV indices were performed. out of 14 cross-sectional studies and one case-control study, 8 studies (10 data sets) provided association data for the meta-analysis. Our results indicated significant positive correlations for systolic blood pressure (SBP) (correlation coefficient 0.13 (95%CI: 0.06; 0.19), I2 = 47.26%) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (correlation coefficient 0.09 (95%CI: -0.01; 0.18), I2 = 0%) with a Low Frequency/High Frequency ratio (LF/HF). Significant negative correlations for waist circumference (WC) (correlation coefficient -0.12 (95%CI: -0.19; -0.04), I2 = 51.50%), Triglycerides (TGs) (correlation coefficient -0.09 (95%CI: -0.15; -0.02), I2 = 0%) and ≥2 MetS risk factors (correlation coefficient -0.10 (95%CI: -0.16; -0.03), I2 = 0%); with high frequency (HF) were revealed. Significant positive correlations for high density lipoprotein (HDL) (correlation coefficient 0.08 (95%CI: 0.05; 0.11), I2 = 0%) and significant negative correlations of ≥2 MetS risk (correlation coefficient -0.04 (95%CI: -0.12; 0.03), I2 = 0.0%) with low frequency (LF) were revealed. Significant negative correlations for TGs (correlation coefficient -0.09 (95%CI: -0.23; 0.05), I2 = 2.01%) with a mean square root of the sum of differences between mean time between two successive intervals (rMSSD) and significant positive correlation of HDL (correlation coefficient 0.09 (95%CI: -0.01; 0.19), I2 = 0.33%) with standard deviation of the time between two successive intervals (SDNN) were also revealed. An Egger's test indicated that there was no obvious publication bias for any of the above relationships except for TGs and rMSSD. The significance level stipulated for the meta-analysis was p < 0.05. lipid profiles (HDL and TGs), WC and BP were associated with CAM in young people up to the age of 19 years. The use of HRV indices to predict future MetS risk, and relationships with individual risk factors including HDL, BP, WC and TGs, were established. Future studies related to young people (up to the age of 19 years) are recommended to explore the associations reported here further.

Role of bioglass in enamel remineralization: Existing strategies and future prospects-A narrative review.

Enamel, once formed, loses the ability to regenerate due to the loss of the formative ameloblasts. It is subjected to constant damaging events due to exposure to external agents and oral microbiomes. An enamel remineralization process targets to replenish the lost ionic component of the enamel through a multitude of methods. Enamel remineralization is highly challenging as it has a complex organized hierarchical microstructure. Hydroxyapatite nanocrystals of the enamel vary in size and orientation along alignment planes inside the enamel rod. The inability of the enamel to remodel unlike other mineralized tissues is another substantial deterrent. One of the well-known biomaterials, bioglass (BG) induces apatite formation on the external surface of the enamel in the presence of saliva or other physiological fluids. Calcium, sodium, phosphate, and silicate ions in BG become responsive in the presence of body fluids, leading to the precipitation of calcium phosphate. Studies have also demonstrated the bactericidal potential of BG against Streptococcus mutans biofilms. The anticariogenicity and antibacterial activity were found to be enhanced when BG was doped with inorganic ions such as F, Ag, Mg, Sr, and Zn. Due to the versatility of BG, it has been combined with a variety of agents such as chitosan, triclosan, and amelogenin to biomimic remineralization process. Key strategies that can aid in the development of contemporary enamel remineralization agents are also included in this review.

Rosuvastatin and low-dose carvedilol combination protects against isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats: Role of PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 signalling.

Rosuvastatin has been shown to activate PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, which promotes cell survival in the myocardium. This study investigated the therapeutic benefit of adding rosuvastatin to low-dose carvedilol in protection against myocardial infarction (MI). Rosuvastatin (RSV) and carvedilol (CAR) were given for 7 consecutive days with concurrent administration of two doses of isoprenaline (ISP) on 6th and 7th days to induce MI. Isoprenaline injections caused detrimental alterations in the myocardial architecture and electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern and significantly increased the infarct size, heart index and serum levels of cardiotoxicity markers compared to the control group. ISP induced oxidative damage, inflammatory and apoptotic events and downregulated PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/HO-1signalling pathway compared to the control values. Treatment with low-dose CAR and/or RSV prevented the ECG and histopathological alterations induced by ISP, and also reduced the infarct size, heart index, serum creatine kinase-MB, cardiac troponin-I and C-reactive protein levels compared to ISP group. CAR and/or RSV treatment restored the activity of superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity with a consequent reduction in lipid peroxides level. Further, they decreased the expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB (p65) and increased the phosphorylated PI3K and Akt, which may activate the anti-apoptotic signalling as evidenced by the decreased active caspase 3level. The combination therapy has a more significant effect in the most studied parameters than their monotherapy, which may be because of the activation of PI3K/Akt Nrf2/HO-1 pro-survival signalling pathway. This study highlights the potential benefits of combining RSV with low-dose CAR in case of MI.

Damage Assessment of a Salt Dome in Jizan, Southwestern Saudi Arabia, Using High Spatial Resolution Remote Sensing Data

The salt dome in Jizan, southwestern Saudi Arabia, has caused several problems related to underground dissolution, particularly in the old part of the city. Examples of these problems include surface collapse, building failure, fracturing, tilting, and road cracking. Analysis of the salt dome using X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the dominance of gypsum, anhydrite, and halite. This study evaluates the damage assessment using multitemporal high spatial resolution data of the GeoEye-1, and QuickBird-2 sensors. Change detection technique, textural analysis, and visual interpretation were applied to these data. Analysis of the data recorded before and after a particular damage event revealed that three neighborhoods located above the Jizan salt dome—Al-Ashaima, Shamiya, and Aljabal—were affected to the greatest extent. The entire residential neighborhood of Al-Ashaima was evacuated, and the buildings located in it were demolished. Several buildings in the Shamiya and Aljabal neighborhoods were also demolished. Therefore, high spatial remote sensing data are effective in assessing building damage and for anticipating future damage, thus benefiting decision making for the affected cities.