scholarly journals Magnetic responsive materials modulate the inflammatory profile of IL-1β conditioned tendon cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 ◽  
pp. 235-245
Author(s):  
A. Vinhas ◽  
M.T. Rodrigues ◽  
A.I. Gonçalves ◽  
R.L. Reis ◽  
M.E. Gomes
Keyword(s):  
Responsive Materials ◽  
Tendon Cells ◽  
Inflammatory Profile

Smart Polymers and their Applications: A Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gore S. A. ◽  
Gholve S. B. ◽  
Savalsure S. M. ◽  
Ghodake K. B. ◽  
Bhusnure O. G. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Solution Temperature ◽  
Smart Polymers ◽  
Stimuli Responsive ◽  
Responsive Materials ◽  
Water Soluble Polymers ◽  
Commercial Applications ◽  
Stimuli Sensitive ◽  
External Stimuli

Smart polymers are materials that respond to small external stimuli. These are also referred as stimuli responsive materials or intelligent materials. Smart polymers that can exhibit stimuli-sensitive properties are becoming important in many commercial applications. These polymers can change shape, strength and pore size based on external factors such as temperature, pH and stress. The stimuli include salt, UV irradiation, temperature, pH, magnetic or electric field, ionic factors etc. Smart polymers are very promising applicants in drug delivery, tissue engineering, cell culture, gene carriers, textile engineering, oil recovery, radioactive wastage and protein purification. The study is focused on the entire features of smart polymers and their most recent and relevant applications. Water soluble polymers with tunable lower critical solution temperature (LCST) are of increasing interest for biological applications such as cell patterning, smart drug release, DNA sequencing etc.

Sensitive Mechanocontrolled Luminescence in Cross-Linked Polymer Films

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayumu Karimata ◽  
Pradnya Patil ◽  
Eugene Khaskin ◽  
Sébastien Lapointe ◽  
robert fayzullin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Polymer Films ◽  
Soft Matter ◽  
Small Strain ◽  
Visual Methods ◽  
Photoluminescence Intensity ◽  
Stimuli Responsive ◽  
Responsive Materials ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Mechanical Stretching

Direct translation of mechanical force into changes in chemical behavior on a molecular level has important implication not only for the fundamental understanding of mechanochemical processes, but also for the development of new stimuli-responsive materials. In particular, detection of mechanical stress in polymers via non-destructive methods is important in order to prevent material failure and to study the mechanical properties of soft matter. Herein, we report that highly sensitive changes in photoluminescence intensity can be observed in response to the mechanical stretching of cross-linked polymer films when using stable, (pyridinophane)Cu-based dynamic mechanophores. Upon stretching, the luminescence intensity increases in a fast and reversible manner even at small strain (< 50%) and applied stress (< 0.1 MPa) values. Such sensitivity is unprecedented when compared to previously reported systems based on organic mechanophores. The system also allows for the detection of weak mechanical stress by spectroscopic measurements or by direct visual methods.<br>

Pilot Study of Probiotic Supplementation on Uremic Toxicity and Inflammatory Cytokines in Chronic Kidney Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 470-480
Author(s):  
Cristina T. Roth-Stefanski ◽  
Carla Dolenga ◽  
Lia S. Nakao ◽  
Roberto Pecoits-Filho ◽  
Thyago P. de Moraes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Lactobacillus Acidophilus ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Uremic Toxins ◽  
Indoxyl Sulfate ◽  
Bacterial Metabolism ◽  
Probiotic Supplementation ◽  
Primary Endpoints ◽  
Inflammatory Profile

Background: Bacterial metabolism contributes to the generation of uremic toxins in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It has been investigated the use of probiotics in the reduction of uremic toxins intestinal production. Objective: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation on reducing the production of uremic toxins and the inflammatory profile of CKD patients. Methods: We performed a randomized, blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study on patients with CKD stages 3 and 4. The intervention was a probiotic formulation composed of Lactobacillus acidophilus strains given orally three times a day for 3 months. Changes in uremic toxins (p-Cresylsulfate and Indoxyl Sulfate) and serum inflammatory cytokines were the primary endpoints. Results: Of the 44 patients randomized, 25 completed the study (mean age 51 ± 9.34, 64% female, mean eGFR 36 ± 14.26 mL/min/1.73m², mean BMI 28.5 ± 5.75 kg/m²). At 3 months, there were no significant changes in any of the studied biomarkers including p-cresylsulfate (p = 0.57), Indoxyl sulfate (p = 0.08) and interleukin-6 (p = 0.55). Conclusion: Lactobacillus acidophilus strains given as probiotic were not able to reduce serum levels of uremic toxins and biomarkers of inflammation in CKD patients in stage 3 and 4.

scholarly journals Anthropometric Variables as Mediators of the Association of Changes in Diet and Physical Activity With Inflammatory Profile

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Cárdenas-Fuentes ◽  
Camille Lassale ◽  
Miguel Ángel Martínez-González ◽  
María Grau ◽  
Jordi Salas-Salvadó ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Inflammatory Score ◽  
Inflammatory Profile

Abstract Background Mechanisms underlying the associations of high levels of physical activity (PA) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) with a better inflammatory profile remain unclear. Our objective was to assess the mediating role of changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), as markers of body fat in the association of changes in PA and adherence to the MedDiet, with changes in the inflammatory profile. Method This study included 489 adults, aged 55–75 years, from the PREDIMED-Plus multicenter lifestyle intervention trial. An inflammatory score was calculated, based on 8 blood biomarkers: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, interleukin 18, monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1, C-peptide, leptin, and regulated on activation, normal T-cell–expressed and secreted chemokine. Biomarkers, levels of PA, score of MedDiet adherence, BMI, and WC were measured at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Linear regression models were fitted according to the Baron and Kenny framework for mediation analysis. Results Changes in BMI and WC mediated the association of both changes in PA and changes in the MedDiet adherence with the inflammatory score. Body mass index mediated 26% of the association of changes in total PA with the inflammatory profile, and 27% of the association of changes in the MedDiet, while WC mediated 13% and 12% of these associations, respectively. Conclusion In older adults at high cardiovascular risk, increasing PA levels and adherence to a MedDiet during 1 year were associated with a lower inflammatory score, which was partly mediated by a reduction in body fat. Clinical Trials Registration Number International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN89898870; registration date July 24, 2014, retrospectively registered.

Association between dynapenic abdominal obesity and inflammatory profile in diabetic older community-dwelling patients with end-stage renal disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 146 ◽  
pp. 111243
Author(s):  
Hugo de Luca Corrêa ◽  
Thiago dos Santos Rosa ◽  
Maurílio Tiradentes Dutra ◽  
Marcelo Magalhães Sales ◽  
Matias Noll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Disease ◽  
Abdominal Obesity ◽  
End Stage Renal Disease ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Inflammatory Profile ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage

scholarly journals The inflammatory profile of cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, and saliva from patients with severe neuropathic pain and healthy controls-a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mika Jönsson ◽  
Björn Gerdle ◽  
Bijar Ghafouri ◽  
Emmanuel Bäckryd
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Partial Least Square Regression ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Inflammatory Profile

Abstract Background Neuropathic pain (NeuP) is a complex, debilitating condition of the somatosensory system, where dysregulation between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are believed to play a pivotal role. As of date, there is no ubiquitously accepted diagnostic test for NeuP and current therapeutic interventions are lacking in efficacy. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of three biofluids - saliva, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), to discriminate an inflammatory profile at a central, systemic, and peripheral level in NeuP patients compared to healthy controls. Methods The concentrations of 71 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in saliva, plasma, and CSF samples from 13 patients with peripheral NeuP and 13 healthy controls were analyzed using a multiplex-immunoassay based on an electrochemiluminescent detection method. The NeuP patients were recruited from a clinical trial of intrathecal bolus injection of ziconotide (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01373983). Multivariate data analysis (principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least square regression) was used to identify proteins significant for group discrimination and protein correlation to pain intensity. Proteins with variable influence of projection (VIP) value higher than 1 (combined with the jack-knifed confidence intervals in the coefficients plot not including zero) were considered significant. Results We found 17 cytokines/chemokines that were significantly up- or down-regulated in NeuP patients compared to healthy controls. Of these 17 proteins, 8 were from saliva, 7 from plasma, and 2 from CSF samples. The correlation analysis showed that the most important proteins that correlated to pain intensity were found in plasma (VIP > 1). Conclusions Investigation of the inflammatory profile of NeuP showed that most of the significant proteins for group separation were found in the less invasive biofluids of saliva and plasma. Within the NeuP patient group it was also seen that proteins in plasma had the highest correlation to pain intensity. These preliminary results indicate a potential for further biomarker research in the more easily accessible biofluids of saliva and plasma for chronic peripheral neuropathic pain where a combination of YKL-40 and MIP-1α in saliva might be of special interest for future studies that also include other non-neuropathic pain states.

scholarly journals Pre-diagnosis neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and mortality in individuals who develop lung cancer

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie Grieshober ◽  
Stefan Graw ◽  
Matt J. Barnett ◽  
Gary E. Goodman ◽  
Chu Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Neutrophil To Lymphocyte Ratio ◽  
Blood Draw ◽  
Lymphocyte Ratio ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards Models ◽  
Inflammatory Profile ◽  
Heavy Smokers

Abstract Purpose The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a marker of systemic inflammation that has been reported to be associated with survival after chronic disease diagnoses, including lung cancer. We hypothesized that the inflammatory profile reflected by pre-diagnosis NLR, rather than the well-studied pre-treatment NLR at diagnosis, may be associated with increased mortality after lung cancer is diagnosed in high-risk heavy smokers. Methods We examined associations between pre-diagnosis methylation-derived NLR (mdNLR) and lung cancer-specific and all-cause mortality in 279 non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) and 81 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cases from the β-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial (CARET). Cox proportional hazards models were adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, pack years, and time between blood draw and diagnosis, and stratified by stage of disease. Models were run separately by histotype. Results Among SCLC cases, those with pre-diagnosis mdNLR in the highest quartile had 2.5-fold increased mortality compared to those in the lowest quartile. For each unit increase in pre-diagnosis mdNLR, we observed 22–23% increased mortality (SCLC-specific hazard ratio [HR] = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02, 1.48; all-cause HR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.01, 1.46). SCLC associations were strongest for current smokers at blood draw (Interaction Ps = 0.03). Increasing mdNLR was not associated with mortality among NSCLC overall, nor within adenocarcinoma (N = 148) or squamous cell carcinoma (N = 115) case groups. Conclusion Our findings suggest that increased mdNLR, representing a systemic inflammatory profile on average 4.5 years before a SCLC diagnosis, may be associated with mortality in heavy smokers who go on to develop SCLC but not NSCLC.

scholarly journals Review of Functional Treatments for Modified Wood

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 327
Author(s):  
Morwenna J. Spear ◽  
Simon F. Curling ◽  
Athanasios Dimitriou ◽  
Graham A. Ormondroyd
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Responsive Materials ◽  
Wood Modification ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Natural Wood ◽  
Impregnation Modification ◽  
New Applications ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Dimensional Instability ◽  
Modified Wood

Wood modification is now widely recognized as offering enhanced properties of wood and overcoming issues such as dimensional instability and biodegradability which affect natural wood. Typical wood modification systems use chemical modification, impregnation modification or thermal modification, and these vary in the properties achieved. As control and understanding of the wood modification systems has progressed, further opportunities have arisen to add extra functionalities to the modified wood. These include UV stabilisation, fire retardancy, or enhanced suitability for paints and coatings. Thus, wood may become a multi-functional material through a series of modifications, treatments or reactions, to create a high-performance material with previously impossible properties. In this paper we review systems that combine the well-established wood modification procedures with secondary techniques or modifications to deliver emerging technologies with multi-functionality. The new applications targeted using this additional functionality are diverse and range from increased electrical conductivity, creation of sensors or responsive materials, improvement of wellbeing in the built environment, and enhanced fire and flame protection. We identified two parallel and connected themes: (1) the functionalisation of modified timber and (2) the modification of timber to provide (multi)-functionality. A wide range of nanotechnology concepts have been harnessed by this new generation of wood modifications and wood treatments. As this field is rapidly expanding, we also include within the review trends from current research in order to gauge the state of the art, and likely direction of travel of the industry.

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