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 47,337 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Milk casein-derived angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory tripeptides isoleucine-proline-proline (Ile-Pro-Pro) and valine-proline-proline (Val-Pro-Pro) have been shown to have antihypertensive effects in human subjects and to attenuate the development of hypertension in experimental models. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a fermented milk product containing Ile-Pro-Pro and Val-Pro-Pro and plant sterols on already established hypertension, endothelial dysfunction and aortic gene expression. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 195 mmHg were given either active milk (tripeptides and plant sterols), milk or water ad libitum for 6 weeks. SBP was measured weekly by the tail-cuff method. The endothelial function of mesenteric arteries was investigated at the end of the study. Aortas were collected for DNA microarray study (Affymetrix Rat Gene 1.0 ST Array). The main finding was that active milk decreased SBP by 16 mmHg compared with water (178 (SEM 3) v. 195 (SEM 3) mmHg; P < 0.001). Milk also had an antihypertensive effect. Active milk improved mesenteric artery endothelial dysfunction by NO-dependent and endothelium-derived hyperpolarising factor-dependent mechanisms. Treatment with active milk caused mild changes in aortic gene expression; twenty-seven genes were up-regulated and eighty-two down-regulated. Using the criteria for fold change (fc) < 0.833 or > 1.2 and P < 0.05, the most affected (down-regulated) signalling pathways were hedgehog, chemokine and leucocyte transendothelial migration pathways. ACE expression was also slightly decreased (fc 0.86; P = 0.047). In conclusion, long-term treatment with fermented milk enriched with tripeptides and plant sterols decreases SBP, improves endothelial dysfunction and affects signalling pathways related to inflammatory responses in SHR.
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PMID:High blood pressure-lowering and vasoprotective effects of milk products in experimental hypertension. 2173 45

The morphology of Nephridiacanthus major (Bremser 1811 in Westrumb 1821) Golvan, 1962 collected from the long-eared hedgehog Hemiechinus auritus (Gmelin 1770) and the Eastern European hedgehog Erinaceus concolor Martin, 1838 (Erinaceidae) is described using SEM for the first time. This acanthocephalan was previously described from hedgehogs in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Measurements of specimens from Iran, Bulgaria, Germany, Central Asia, Morocco, and Egypt show considerable variations in the size of the trunk, proboscis, proboscis hooks and receptacle, and eggs. The SEM studies add new perspectives to its morphology. Features observed for the first time include the near terminal position and shape of the female gonopore and orifice, among others. Histopathological studies for this species are reported for the first time. Tissue sections show extensive damage near the proboscis with hemorrhaging and formation of collagenous connective tissue, compression of the intestinal mucosa, obstruction of intestinal lumen, and extensive necrosis of host epithelial tissue.
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PMID:The morphology and histopathology of Nephridiacanthus major (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) from hedgehogs in Iran. 2306 12

The cartilage lesion resulting from osteoarthritis (OA) always extends into subchondral bone. It is of great importance for simultaneous regeneration of two tissues of cartilage and subchondral bone. 3D-printed Sr5(PO4)2SiO4 (SPS) bioactive ceramic scaffolds may achieve the aim of regenerating both of cartilage and subchondral bone. We hypothesized that strontium (Sr) and silicon (Si) ions released from SPS scaffolds play a crucial role in osteochondral defect reconstruction. Methods: SPS bioactive ceramic scaffolds were fabricated by a 3D-printing method. The SEM and ICPAES were used to investigate the physicochemical properties of SPS scaffolds. The proliferation and maturation of rabbit chondrocytes stimulated by SPS bioactive ceramics were measured in vitro. The stimulatory effect of SPS scaffolds for cartilage and subchondral bone regeneration was investigated in vivo. Results: SPS scaffolds significantly stimulated chondrocyte proliferation, and SPS extracts distinctly enhanced the maturation of chondrocytes and preserved chondrocytes from OA. SPS scaffolds markedly promoted the regeneration of osteochondral defects. The complex interface microstructure between cartilage and subchondral bone was obviously reconstructed. The underlying mechanism may be related to Sr and Si ions stimulating cartilage regeneration by activating HIF pathway and promoting subchondral bone reconstruction through activating Wnt pathway, as well as preserving chondrocytes from OA via inducing autophagy and inhibiting hedgehog pathway. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that SPS scaffolds can help osteochondral defect reconstruction and well reconstruct the complex interface between cartilage and subchondral bone, which represents a promising strategy for osteochondral defect regeneration.
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PMID:Bioactive Scaffolds for Regeneration of Cartilage and Subchondral Bone Interface. 2955 66

We report two host-specific lineages of scab mites of the genus Caparinia, parasitizing European and African hedgehogs. Based on morphology, these mite lineages are closely related sister groups. The morphological differences, however, are subtle and do not provide clear-cut evidence for the existence of separate species. CO1 divergence between these lineages was 7.4-7.8%, well above the CO1 barcoding gaps or thresholds commonly used to separate species, whereas divergence of five nuclear genes was very low, 0.06-0.53%, suggesting that these lineages could belong to a single species with gene flow between them. Thus, there is a conflict between the mitochondrial (CO1) gene and nuclear genes (i.e mito-nuclear discordance). We attribute this conflict to the 'gray zone' where species delimitation is ambiguous due to substantial gene flow. We also report another 'gray zone' species, Psoroptes ovis (a species of veterinary importance), whose within-species CO1 distances reached 6.0%. We provide a detailed morphological description and figures of C. ictonyctis stat. res. from the African hedgehog, using light and SEM microscopy and give morphometric data for this species and its sister species, Caparinia tripilis from Europe. For all known species of Caparinia, we document their host associations and give a key to species of the world based on results of our morphological and molecular analyses and a nearly exhaustive study of museum specimens.
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PMID:Validation of the status of a species with high CO1 and low nuclear genetic divergences: the scab mite Caparinia ictonyctis stat. res. (Acariformes: Psoroptidae) parasitizing the African hedgehog Atelerix albiventris. 3064 56

Invited for this month's cover picture is the group of Professor Patrik Schmuki. The cover picture shows the classic hydrothermal equipment needed to synthesise TiO2 nanostructures versus the simple room temperature, 'test tube' approach described in the article on the synthesis of titanium dioxide 'hedgehog' nanowires (SEM picture). Read the full text of their Communication at 10.1002/open.201900013.
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PMID:Easy Room Temperature Synthesis of High Surface Area Anatase Nanowires with Different Morphologies. 3130 72