Effects of Various Types of Expandable Graphite and Blackcurrant Pomace on the Properties of Viscoelastic Polyurethane Foams.

We investigated the effect of the type and amount of expandable graphite (EG) and blackcurrant pomace (BCP) on the flammability, thermal stability, mechanical properties, physical, and chemical structure of viscoelastic polyurethane foams (VEF). For this purpose, the polyurethane foams containing EG, BCP, and EG with BCP were obtained. The content of EG varied in the range of 3-15 per hundred polyols (php), while the BCP content was 30 php. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the additional introduction of BCPs into EG-containing composites allows for an additive effect in improving the functional properties of viscoelastic polyurethane foams. As a result, the composite containing 30 php of BCP and 15 php of EG with the largest particle size and expanded volume shows the largest change in the studied parameters (hardness (H) = 2.65 kPa (+16.2%), limiting oxygen index (LOI) = 26% (+44.4%), and peak heat release rate (pHRR) = 15.5 kW/m2 (-87.4%)). In addition, this composite was characterized by the highest char yield (m600 = 17.9% (+44.1%)). In turn, the change in mechanical properties is related to a change in the physical and chemical structure of the foams as indicated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis.

Effects of a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), GSK2849466A, on stress urinary incontinence and bladder activity in rats with ovariectomy-induced oestrogen deficiency.

OBJECTIVES: To report the effect of a selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) on the urethral continence mechanisms in a rat model of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) induced by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats with bilateral OVX were used. Rats were divided into five groups; sham operated, vehicle-treated OVX, low-dose SARM-treated OVX (GSK2849466A: 0.005 mg/kg/day, per os [p.o.]), high-dose SARM-treated OVX (GSK2849466A: 0.03 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-treated OVX (1 mg/kg/day, subcutaneous) groups. After 4 weeks of SARM treatments or 3 weeks of DHT treatment (6 weeks after OVX), rats were subjected to evaluation of the sneeze-induced continence reflex using microtransducer-tipped catheter methods, sneeze-induced leak-point pressure, and continuous cystometry measurements, followed by histological analyses of urethral tissues. RESULTS: (i) OVX significantly impaired urethral continence function after 6 weeks to induce SUI during sneezing. (ii) Low-dose SARM treatment restored urethral baseline pressure (UBP) without affecting the amplitude of urethral response during sneezing (A-URS), partially reversing OVX-induced SUI during sneezing. (iii) High-dose SARM treatment reversed decreases in both UBP and A-URS, more effectively preventing SUI during sneezing. (iv) DHT treatment only restored A-URS without affecting UBP, partially preventing OVX-induced SUI during sneezing. (v) The high-dose SARM treatment induced hypertrophy of the striated and smooth muscle around the urethra. (vi) SARM treatment did not affect bladder function in sham or OVX rats. CONCLUSION: Treatment with SARMs could be a more effective modality for the treatment of SUI than DHT, without affecting bladder function, by enhancing smooth- and striated muscle-mediated urethral function under stress conditions such as sneezing.

Cardiolipin profiles as a potential biomarker of mitochondrial health in diet-induced obese mice subjected to exercise, diet-restriction and ephedrine treatment.

Cardiolipin (CL) is crucial for mitochondrial energy metabolism and structural integrity. Alterations in CL quantity or CL species have been associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in several pathological conditions and diseases, including mitochondrial dysfunction-related compound attrition and post-market withdrawal of promising drugs. Here we report alterations in the CL profiles in conjunction with morphology of soleus muscle (SM) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, subjected to ephedrine treatment (EPH: 200 mg kg(-1) day(-1) orally), treadmill exercise (EX: 10 meters per min, 1 h per day), or dietary restriction (DR: 25% less of mean food consumed by the EX group) for 7 days. Mice from the DR and EPH groups had a significant decrease in percent body weight and reduced fat mass compared with DIO controls. Morphologic alterations in the BAT included brown adipocytes with reduced cytoplasmic lipid droplets and increased cytoplasmic eosinophilia in the EX, DR and EPH groups. Increased cytoplasmic eosinophilia in the BAT was ultrastructurally manifested by increased mitochondrial cristae, fenestration of mitochondrial cristae, increased electron density of mitochondrial matrix, and increased complexity of shape and elongation of mitochondria. Mitochondrial ultrastructural alterations in the SM of the EX and DR groups included increased mitochondrial cristae, cup-shaped mitochondria and mitochondrial degeneration. All four CL species (tri-linoleoyl-mono-docosahexaenoyl, tetralinoleoyl, tri-linoleoyl-mono-oleoyl, and di-linoleoyl-di-oleoyl) were increased in the BAT of the DR and EPH groups and in the SM of the EPH and EX groups. In conclusion, cardiolipin profiling supported standard methods for assessing mitochondrial biogenesis and health, and may serve as a potential marker of mitochondrial dysfunction in preclinical toxicity studies.

Responses of brown adipose tissue to diet-induced obesity, exercise, dietary restriction and ephedrine treatment.

Drug-induced weight loss in humans has been associated with undesirable side effects not present in weight loss from lifestyle interventions (caloric restriction or exercise). To investigate the mechanistic differences of weight loss by drug-induced and lifestyle interventions, we examined the gene expression (mRNA) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and conducted histopathologic assessments in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice given ephedrine (18 mg/kg/day orally), treadmill exercise (10 m/min, 1-h/day), and dietary restriction (DR: 26% dietary restriction) for 7 days. Exercise and DR mice lost more body weight than controls and both ephedrine and exercise reduced percent body fat. All treatments reduced BAT and liver lipid accumulation (i.e., cytoplasmic lipids in brown adipocytes and hepatocytes) and increased oxygen consumption (VO2 ml/kg/h) compared with controls. Mitochondrial biogenesis/function-related genes (TFAM, NRF1 and GABPA) were up-regulated in the BAT of all groups. UCP-1 was up-regulated in exercise and ephedrine groups, whereas MFSD2A was up-regulated in ephedrine and DR groups. PGC-1α up-regulation was observed in exercise and DR groups but not in ephedrine group. In all experimental groups, except for ephedrine, fatty acid transport and metabolism genes were up-regulated, but the magnitude of change was higher in the DR group. PRKAA1 was up-regulated in all groups but not significantly in the ephedrine group. ADRß3 was slightly up-regulated in the DR group only, whereas ESRRA remained unchanged in all groups. Although our data suggest a common pathway of BAT activation elicited by ephedrine treatment, exercise or DR, mRNA changes were indicative of additional nutrient-sensing pathways in exercise and DR.

Physical activity levels of children living in different built environments.

OBJECTIVE: To review the available literature assessing differences in physical activity levels of children living in different built environments classified according to land use within developed countries. METHODS: A systematic review of published literature up to March 2009. Online searches of five databases yielded 18 studies which met inclusion criteria. Studies provided data on n=129446, 5-18 years old (n=117544 from the United States). RESULTS: From 13 assessments of differences in physical activity between rural and urban children one showed that rural children were significantly more active than urban children. In studies where the built environment was sub-divided further, suburban and small town children showed the highest levels of physical activity, followed by rural, then urban children. Differences in types of physical activity undertaken were evident, showing that rural children spent more time outdoors, involved in unstructured play compared with urban children. These findings were mainly restricted to children <13 years old. CONCLUSIONS: The literature does not show major differences in the physical activity levels between children from rural or urban areas. Where studied, the suburban built environment appears most conducive to promoting physical activity. Further research should use at least a trilateral division of the built environment and should also account for socioeconomic status, racial factors and seasonal effects.

5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT)-induced valvulopathy: compositional valvular alterations are associated with 5HT2B receptor and 5HT transporter transcript changes in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Several drugs have been linked to valvulopathy in humans, including therapeutic agents for obesity, Parkinson's disease and migraine. There is increasing evidence that the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2B receptor (5HT2BR) activation and/or increased circulating 5HT (5-hydroxytryptamine) may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of drug-induced valvulopathy. In the present study, we investigated whether 7-day 5HT subcutaneous injections led to structural and compositional abnormalities in conjunction with transcriptomic modulation of 5HT2BR and 5HT transporter (5HTT) genes in the aortic and mitral valves of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Subcutaneous injections of 5HT for 7 days resulted in thickening and compositional alteration of aortic and mitral valves in SD rats. More specifically, valve-leaflets from 5HT-treated rats had greater valve thickness, a higher amount of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and a lower amount of collagen. The compositional alteration was associated with up-regulation and down-regulation of 5HT2BR and 5HTT genes, respectively. The present study strongly suggests that the activation of 5HT2BR and inhibition of 5HTT played a significant role in the pathogenesis of 5HT-induced valvulopathy in SD rats. Thus, these findings further highlight the necessity and/or utilization of animal models to screen potential valvular effects of serotonergic compounds.

Evaluation of glycosaminoglycans content and 5-hydroxytryptamine 2B receptor in the heart valves of Sprague-Dawley rats with spontaneous mitral valvulopathy--a possible exacerbation by dl-amphetamine sulfate in Fischer 344 rats?

Spontaneous valvulopathy has been described as nodular or segmental thickenings composed of fibromyxoid tissue in the subendocardium of various valve-leaflets in aging rats, but its pathogenesis and significance are incompletely understood. In this study, we examined the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2B receptor (5HT2BR) expression and characterization of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, and related these to the presence of valvulopathy in the mitral valve-leaflet (spontaneous mitral valvulopathy, SMV) of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. We also examined hearts from Fischer 344 (F344) rats treated with dl-amphetamine sulfate for 103 weeks to further explore the potential for drug-induced exacerbation of SMV. In SD rats, valve-leaflets with SMV exhibited a greater valve thickness, a higher amount of glycosaminoglycans, a lower amount of collagen and increased number of 5HT2BR-positive cells. Our data on morphology and ECM changes showed a striking similarity between SMV in SD rats and anorexigen-associated valvulopathy in humans, and increased 5HT2BR-positive cells in SMV implies that 5HT2BR may play a role in pathogenesis. Further, increased incidence and severity of SMV in F344 rats by treatment with dl-amphetamine suggest that a drug-induced exacerbation of SMV may exist in rats. However, additional research is needed to confirm a role for 5HT2BR in the pathogenesis of SMV in SD rats, and to further characterize the relationship between dl-amphetamine treatment and exacerbation of SMV in F344 rats.

Teleophthalmology-assisted corneal foreign body removal in a rural hospital.

This paper describes two cases of using telementoring from the Prince of Wales Hospital (POWH) Ophthalmology Department, Sydney, to Bourke Base hospital, a rural hospital in far west New South Wales, Australia. Eye trauma occurs frequently in a rural setting, and it can be difficult to assess the extent of the injury without a specialist ophthalmic service. One of the aims of the teleophthalmology is to facilitate the transfer of ophthalmic skills to local health providers such as general practitioners. We demonstrate that the removal of corneal foreign bodies and rust rings can be effectively supervised via teleophthalmology.