Auditory function in presbycusis: peripheral vs. central changes

The hearing abilities of a group of 30 elderly (67-93 yr of age) subjects were compared with those of a group of 30 young (19-27 yr of age) normal hearing volunteers with the aim of characterizing the changes in the peripheral and central parts of the auditory system. In elderly subjects the pure-tone thresholds were typically represented by a gradually sloping curve with a significantly greater decline in men than in women at frequencies of 3 and 4 kHz. In spite of pure tone threshold elevation in the elderly, the difference limen for intensity at 1 and 3 kHz were not significantly smaller than in the young subjects. The incidence and levels of spontaneous, transient and distortion product otoacoustic emissions were low, which would suggest the involvement of outer hair cell pathology. Also, contralateral suppression was less marked in elderly than in young subjects. Speech audiometry in the elderly revealed serious difficulties in understanding speech. Deteriorated temporal resolution, as demonstrated by increased gap detection thresholds, correlated significantly with increased speech recognition thresholds. The results support the view that presbycusis represents a combination of deteriorated function of the auditory periphery with deteriorated function of the central auditory system.     

Regulation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase and production of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 by human dendritic cells

25-Hydroxyvitamin D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase (25(OH)D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase), the key enzyme of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) production, is expressed in monocyte-derived macrophages (MACs). Here we show for the first time constitutive expression of 25(OH)D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase in monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs), which was increased after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Accordingly, DCs showed low constitutive production of 1,25(OH)2D3, but activation by LPS increased 1,25(OH)2D3 synthesis. In addition, 25(OH)D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase expression was found in blood DCs but not in CD34+-derived DCs. Next we analyzed the functional consequences of these results. Addition of 1,25(OH)2D3 at concentrations comparable with those produced by DCs inhibited the allostimulatory potential of DCs during the early phase of DC differentiation. However, terminal differentiation decreased the responsiveness of DCs to 1,25(OH)2D3. In conclusion, DCs are able to produce 1,25(OH)2D3 especially following stimulation with LPS. Terminal maturation renders DCs unresponsive to the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3, but those cells are able to suppress the differentiation of their own precursor cells in a paracrine way through the production of 1,25(OH)2D3.     

Autocrine insulin-like growth factor-II stimulation of tumor cell migration is a progression step in human hepatocarcinogenesis

The protumorigenic insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II is highly expressed in a significant fraction of human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). However, a functional dissection that clarifies the contribution of IGF-II-binding receptors in tumor progression and a respective molecular characterization of IGF-II signaling has not been performed. Therefore, expression of IGF-II and its receptors IGF-receptor type I (IGF-IR) and insulin receptor (IR) was efficiently blocked using small interfering RNA (siRNA) in HCC cells. Despite functional IR-signaling, oncogenic IGF-II effects such as tumor cell viability, proliferation, and anti-apoptosis were solely transmitted by IGF-IR. Although IGF-II signaling was previously not described in the context of HCC cell migration, the IGF-II-dependent expression profile displayed a high percentage of genes involved in cell motility and adhesion. Indeed, IGF-II overexpression promoted HCC cell migration, especially in synergy with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). The therapeutic relevance of IGF-II/IGF-IR signaling was tested in vitro and in a murine xenograft transplantation model using the IGF-IR inhibitor picropodophyllin (PPP). IGF-IR inhibition by small molecule treatment efficiently reduced IGF-II-dependent signaling and all protumorigenic properties of the IGF-II/IGF-IR pathway. CONCLUSION: In human HCC cells, IGF-IR but not IR is involved in oncogenic IGF-II signaling. Autocrine stimulation of IGF-II induces HCC motility by integration of paracrine signals for full malignant competence. Thus, activation of IGF-II/IGF-IR signaling is likely a progression switch selected by function that promotes tumor cell dissemination and aggressive tumor behavior.     

Regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces for real-time,proportional control of a Neuroprosthetic hand

Introduction

Regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces (RPNIs) are biological constructs which amplify neural signals and have shown long-term stability in rat models. Real-time control of a neuroprosthesis in rat models has not yet been demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to: a) design and validate a system for translating electromyography (EMG) signals from an RPNI in a rat model into real-time control of a neuroprosthetic hand, and; b) use the system to demonstrate RPNI proportional neuroprosthesis control.

Methods

Animals were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: (1) Control; (2) Denervated, and; (3) RPNI. In the RPNI group, the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle was dissected free, denervated, transferred to the lateral thigh and neurotized with the residual end of the transected common peroneal nerve. Rats received tactile stimuli to the hind-limb via monofilaments, and electrodes were used to record EMG. Signals were filtered, rectified and integrated using a moving sample window. Processed EMG signals (iEMG) from RPNIs were validated against Control and Denervated group outputs.

Results

Voluntary reflexive rat movements produced signaling that activated the prosthesis in both the Control and RPNI groups, but produced no activation in the Denervated group. Signal-to-Noise ratio between hind-limb movement and resting iEMG was 3.55 for Controls and 3.81 for RPNIs. Both Control and RPNI groups exhibited a logarithmic iEMG increase with increased monofilament pressure, allowing graded prosthetic hand speed control (R²?=?0.758 and R²?=?0.802, respectively).

Conclusion

EMG signals were successfully acquired from RPNIs and translated into real-time neuroprosthetic control. Signal contamination from muscles adjacent to the RPNI was minimal. RPNI constructs provided reliable proportional prosthetic hand control.

     

Biomaterial characterization of off‐the‐shelf decellularized porcine pericardial tissue for use in prosthetic valvular applications

Fixed pericardial tissue is commonly used for commercially available xenograft valve implants, and has proven durability, but lacks the capability to remodel and grow. Decellularized porcine pericardial tissue has the promise to outperform fixed tissue and remodel, but the decellularization process has been shown to damage the collagen structure and reduce mechanical integrity of the tissue. Therefore, a comparison of uniaxial tensile properties was performed on decellularized, decellularized‐sterilized, fixed, and native porcine pericardial tissue versus native valve leaflet cusps. The results of non‐parametric analysis showed statistically significant differences (p < .05) between the stiffness of decellularized versus native pericardium and native cusps as well as fixed tissue, respectively; however, decellularized tissue showed large increases in elastic properties. Porosity testing of the tissues showed no statistical difference between decellularized and decell‐sterilized tissue compared with native cusps (p > .05). Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that valvular endothelial and interstitial cells colonized the decellularized pericardial surface when seeded and grown for 30 days in static culture. Collagen assays and transmission electron microscopy analysis showed limited reductions in collagen with processing; yet glycosaminoglycan assays showed great reductions in the processed pericardium relative to native cusps. Decellularized pericardium had comparatively low mechanical properties among the groups studied; yet the stiffness was comparatively similar to the native cusps and demonstrated a lack of cytotoxicity. Suture retention, accelerated wear, and hydrodynamic testing of prototype decellularized and decell‐sterilized valves showed positive functionality. Sterilized tissue could mimic valvular mechanical environment in vitro, therefore making it a viable potential candidate for off‐the‐shelf tissue‐engineered valvular applications.     

Normalizing Glutamine Concentration Causes Mitochondrial Uncoupling in an In Vitro Model of Human Skeletal Muscle

Background: Glutamine has been considered essential for rapidly dividing cells, but its effect on mitochondrial function is unknown. Materials and Methods: Human myoblasts were isolated from skeletal muscle biopsy samples (n = 9) and exposed for 20 days to 6 different glutamine concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, 500, and 5000 µM). Cells were trypsinized and manually counted every 5 days. Seven days before the end of exposure, half of these cells were allowed to differentiate to myotubes. Afterward, energy metabolism in both myotubes and myoblasts was assessed by extracellular flux analysis (Seahorse Biosciences, Billerica, MA). The protocol for myoblasts was optimized in preliminary experiments. To account for different mitochondrial density or cell count, data were normalized to citrate synthase activity. Results: Fastest myoblast proliferation was observed at 300 µM glutamine, with a significant reduction at 0 and 100 µM. Glutamine did not influence basal oxygen consumption, anaerobic glycolysis or respiratory chain capacity. Glutamine significantly (P = .015) influenced the leak through the inner mitochondrial membrane. Efficiency of respiratory chain was highest at 200–300 µM glutamine (~90% of oxygen used for adenosine triphosphate synthesis). Increased glutamine concentration to 500 or 5000 µM caused mitochondrial uncoupling in myoblasts and myotubes, decreasing the efficiency of the respiratory chain to ~70%. Conclusion: Glutamine concentrations, consistent with moderate clinical hypoglutaminemia (300 µM), bring about an optimal condition of myoblast proliferation and for efficiency of aerobic phosphorylation in an in vitro model of human skeletal muscle. These data support the hypothesis of hypoglutaminemia as an adaptive phenomenon in conditions leading to bioenergetic failure (eg, critical illness).     

Frailty Syndrome in Association with Depressive Symptoms and Functional Disability among Hospitalized Elderly

ABSTRACT

We sought to examine the frailty association with depression and functional disability in hospitalized older adults. In particular, we compared non-frail, pre-frail, and frail elderly hospitalized individuals. We performed a cross-sectional study with 255 hospitalized Brazilian elderly patients. We used a structured instrument to assess socio-economic data, the Fried frailty phenotype and used morbidity scales (Geriatric Depression; Katz; Lawton and Brody). The adjusted analysis revealed that frail elderly exhibit increased odds ratios (OR) for depressive symptoms (OR = 2.72, 95% CI: 1.12–6.62), disability related to basic activities (OR = 3.50, 95% CI: 1.26–9.60), and instrumental daily living (OR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.12–6.44). Frailty in hospitalized older adults is associated with depressive symptomatology and functional disability.