Sacubitril/Valsartan Improves Diastolic Function But Not Skeletal Muscle Function in a Rat Model of HFpEF

The angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor Sacubitril/Valsartan (Sac/Val) has been shown to be beneficial in patients suffering from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, the impact of Sac/Val in patients presenting with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is not yet clearly resolved. The present study aimed to reveal the influence of the drug on the functionality of the myocardium, the skeletal muscle, and the vasculature in a rat model of HFpEF. Female obese ZSF-1 rats received Sac/Val as a daily oral gavage for 12 weeks. Left ventricle (LV) function was assessed every four weeks using echocardiography. Prior to organ removal, invasive hemodynamic measurements were performed in both ventricles. Vascular function of the carotid artery and skeletal muscle function were monitored. Sac/Val treatment reduced E/é ratios, left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and myocardial stiffness as well as myocardial fibrosis and heart weight compared to the obese control group. Sac/Val slightly improved endothelial function in the carotid artery but had no impact on skeletal muscle function. Our results demonstrate striking effects of Sac/Val on the myocardial structure and function in a rat model of HFpEF. While vasodilation was slightly improved, functionality of the skeletal muscle remained unaffected.     

Persistent parvovirus B19 infections in immunocompromised children

Significant anatomical variations within the middle ear are described as well as atypical histopathological findings in 13 selected human temporal bones. Bones studied included such vascular and bony abnormalities as carotid artery canal dehiscence, a high jugular bulb, persistent stapedial artery and facial nerve canal dehiscences. Bones also included obliterative otosclerosis, malleus head fixation and a variety of chronic inflammatory changes and/or sequelae. Those features considered to render cases prone to complications are detailed.     

“Dialdehyde Cellulose” Nanofibers by Electrospinning as Polyvinyl Alcohol Blends: Manufacture and Product Characterization

A nanofiber was obtained by electrospinning of “dialdehyde cellulose” (periodate-oxidized cellulose, DAC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), using only water as the solvent. Celluloses of four different origins were fully oxidized with sodium periodate to water-soluble DAC. Aqueous solution of DAC showed inadequate spinnability regardless of the polymer concentration and the electrospinning conditions used. Addition of PVA improved the solution's viscoelasticity and, consequently, the solution's spinnability. We examined the effects of DAC/PVA composition and electrospinning parameters on fiber morphology. Highly homogeneous nanofibers were prepared from 1:1 up to 2:1 (weight) DAC/PVA blends while samples of lower viscosity or higher relative DAC contents resulted in continuous, beaded fiber networks. Characterization of the electrospun fabrics revealed a highly crosslinked DAC structure reinforced with PVA, strongly interacting through hemiacetal bonds and hydrogen bonding. Fluorescence labeling confirmed the presence of reactive aldehyde functionalities in the electrospun web. The versatile properties of DAC as reactive material can now be imparted on electrospun fiber and nanofiber material – which was not possible so far –further widening the application scope of this interesting cellulose derivative.     

The relationship between academic patenting and scientific publishing in Norway

This paper adds to the growing empirical evidence on the relationship between patenting and publishing among university employees. Data from all Norwegian universities and a broad set of disciplines is used, consisting of confirmed patent inventors and group of peers without patents matched to the inventors by controlling for gender, age, affiliation and position. In general, the findings support earlier investigations concluding that there is a positive relationship between patenting and publishing. There are, however, important differences among fields, universities and possibly types of academic entrepreneurs, underscoring the need to look at nuanced and contextual factors when investigating the effects of patenting.     

The Mitochondrial Amidoxime Reducing Component (mARC): Involvement in Metabolic Reduction of N‐Oxides,Oximes and N‐Hydroxyamidinohydrazones

The mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component (mARC) is a molybdenum‐containing enzyme and capable of reducing N‐hydroxylated structures such as amidoxime prodrugs. In this study, we tested the involvement of mARC in the reduction of N‐oxides (amitriptyline‐N‐oxide, nicotinamide‐N‐oxide), oximes ((E)‐/(Z)‐2,4,6‐trimethylacetophenonoxime) and a N‐hydroxyamidinohydrazone (guanoxabenz). All groups are reduced by mARC proteins, and the enzymes are therefore involved in the interconversion of N‐oxygenated metabolites originating from cytochrome P450s and flavin‐containing monooxygenases. In addition, these structures open up further options for serving as prodrugs. Thus, with respect to these reactions, testing of candidates with N‐oxygenated structures should not solely be carried out in microsomal enzyme sources but as well in mitochondria. However, differences in the reduction of oximes and N‐oxides between the two isoforms, namely mARC1 and mARC2, were detectable; N‐oxides are exclusively reduced by mARC1. We therefore assume differences between the so far unknown 3D structures of the two proteins.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopy characterization of Zn underpotential deposition on Au(1 1 1) from phosphate supporting electrolyte

Zn K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been used to investigate the structure of Zn monolayers prepared on Au(1 1 1) electrodes via underpotential deposition (UPD) from phosphate supporting electrolyte. Theoretical modeling of the XAS data indicates that the Zn adatoms adopt a commensurate (√3 × √3)R30° (θ_sc = 0.33) adlayer structure and reside within the 3-fold hollow sites of the Au(1 1 1) surface. Meanwhile, phosphate counter-ions co-adsorb on the UPD adlayer and bridge between the Zn adatoms in a (√3 × √3)R30° (θ_sc = 0.33) configuration, with each phosphorous atom residing above a vacant 3-fold hollow site of the Au(1 1 1). Significantly, this surface structure is invariant between the electrochemical potential for UPD adlayer formation and the onset of bulk Zn electrodeposition. Analysis of the Zn K-edge absorption onset also presents the possibility that the Zn adatoms do not fully discharge during the process of UPD, which had been proposed in prior voltammetric studies of the phosphate/Zn(UPD)/Au(1 1 1) system.