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RATIONALE The alarmins IL-33 and HMGB1 (high mobility group box 1) contribute to type-2 inflammation and asthma pathogenesis. OBJECTIVES To determine whether P2Y13 receptor (P2Y13-R), a purinergic G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and risk allele for asthma, regulates the release of IL-33 and HMGB1. METHODS Bronchial biopsies were obtained from healthy and asthmatic subjects. Primary human airway epithelial cells (AECs), primary mouse (m)AECs, or C57Bl/6 mice were inoculated with various aeroallergens or respiratory viruses, and the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic translocation and release of alarmins measured by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. The role of P2Y13-R in AEC function and in the onset, progression, and an exacerbation of experimental asthma, was assessed using pharmacological antagonists and P2Y13-R gene-deleted mice. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Aeroallergen-exposure induced the extracellular release of ADP and ATP, nucleotides that activate P2Y13-R. ATP, ADP, aeroallergen (house dust mite, cockroach or Alternaria) or virus exposure induced the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic translocation and subsequent release of IL-33 and HMGB1, and this response was ablated by genetic deletion or pharmacological antagonism of P2Y13. In mice, prophylactic or therapeutic P2Y13-R blockade attenuated asthma onset, and critically, ablated the severity of a rhinovirus-associated exacerbation in a high-fidelity experimental model of chronic asthma. Moreover, P2Y13-R antagonism derepressed antiviral immunity, increasing IFN-λ production and decreasing viral copies in the lung. CONCLUSIONS We identify P2Y13-R as a novel gatekeeper of the nuclear alarmins IL-33 and HMGB1, and demonstrate that the targeting of this GPCR via genetic deletion or treatment with a small-molecule antagonist protects against the onset and exacerbations of experimental asthma.

Background and Purpose: The hemodynamic environment of an atherosclerotic plaque varies along the longitudinal direction. Investigating the changes in plaque morphology and its biomechanical environment along the longitudinal direction and their correlations will enhance our understanding of plaque progression and arterial remodeling. Methods: Six male patients with carotid stenosis >70% were recruited. Multisequence high-resolution MRI was performed at the carotid bifurcation. Carotid endarterectomy was performed following MRI, and the plaque tissue was collected for histological and mechanical testing. Patient-specific biomechanical modeling and simulations were conducted to calculate the mechanical stresses (wall shear stress [WSS] and von Mises stress [VMS]). Changes in plaque cross-sectional morphology, WSS, and VMS as well as their correlations were evaluated. Results: Positive correlations were found between % stenosis and % inflammation (MA) ( p = 0.019), % lipid area and % MA ( p = 0.026), and % calcification area and VMS ( p = 0.007). Negative correlations were found between VMS and % stenosis ( p = 0.028) and VMS and average WSS ( p = 0.034). Moreover, the peak stresses and neovessels were found to be in the shoulder regions. High-stress concentrations were found in the interface regions of the calcification and surrounding tissue, thereby increasing plaque vulnerability. Conclusions: Correlations between the morphology and stresses suggest that arterial remodeling is a dynamic interaction between mechanical environment and plaque progression resulting in plaque heterogeneity. Our finding indicates that plaque heterogeneity is associated with plaque progression and can be combined with mechanical stresses for identifying high-risk plaques.

Since the advent of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), various industrial sectors have been significantly affected. Considering the widespread threat of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, scientists worldwide have been working at a rapid pace to understand the virus, develop vaccines and find possible treatment options. Drastic public health measures such as social distancing, use of PPE, quarantine and complete lockdown have been implemented globally to minimize the spread of the virus. Whilst these measures currently seem the only plausible option, they come at the price of compromised economies. Though there are many collaterally affected industries, this review paper highlights current and forecasted changes in manufacturing, medical, climate change, energy and food processing sectors. Some of these sectors have been positively impacted, such as climate change, whilst others have experienced mixed consequences. Some also face an uphill rebuilding processes, which needs to begin sooner rather than later. This paper highlights important recent developments and perspectives on how industries may adapt and learn from COVID-19.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory CVD associated with the accumulation of plaque activated by the complex interactions between systemic, hemodynamic and biological factors. Thus, identification of plaque vulnerability is essential for the prevention of acute events and treatment of the disease. Despite, advanced imaging technologies, patient-specific computational simulations and availability of experimental data, there are still challenges in developing accurate risk stratification techniques. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the carotid plaque components structurally (histological analysis and immunostaining), mechanically (Nanoindentation tests) and chemically (Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) micro-spectroscopy). The preliminary results showed that arterial remodelling is a dynamic interaction between mechanical forces and plaque progression. The biological content and composition of human atherosclerotic plaque tissue have been shown to significantly influence the mechanical response of samples. This data represents a step towards an enhanced understanding of the behaviour of human atherosclerotic plaque. Future large-scale experimental studies with more cross-sections along the length of the plaque could be used to develop a risk stratification technique.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Heart disease and stroke contribute to most fatalities in which atherosclerotic plaque disruption is the underlying pathology. The pulsatile blood flow in the arteries generates mechanical stresses that affect the rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque. Fatigue failure being the accumulation of the damage due to repeated loading that occurs when the stresses are much lower than those needed to rupture the plaque with normal loading. Therefore, fracture mechanics concepts were used to investigate the impact of morphology and blood pressure on the plaque life. Incremental fatigue crack propagation simulations were performed on idealized geometries based on the maximum circumferential stress criteria by using a finite element solver. XFEM, which extends the standard finite element formulation by introducing additional enrichment functions was used to model the fatigue crack growth simulations. Paris’ Law was used to determine the fatigue crack growth rate. Cracks extended radially and fatigue crack growth rate increased with increase in pulse pressure. Further validation studies on the 3D printed arteries are necessary for better understanding the factors contributing to plaque rupture. The results could help in assessing the atherosclerotic plaque life under the fatigue environment of the cardiovascular system.

International research shows that 75 per cent of the fastest growing occupations require Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) skills. However, a recent survey report said that almost a third of global women working in STEMM expect to leave the sector within the next five years. This loss is very significant and wastage of resources, talent and expertise with respect to every nation’s growth. Although number of national and international policies and programs have been implemented to promote and increase the inclusion of gender equity in the field of science and technology but there is significant gender gap about the participation of women at higher levels of science academic careers, referred to as ‘vertical segregation’. This leads to understand the interplay of inclusive policies, organizational, societal and personal factors that exclude women from pinnacle of the hierarchy in academic and research institutions. Challenges are more in hard sciences like mathematics, physics, engineering and computer science where there is no equity in numbers even at start level. This study engages with women engineers located particularly in the middle management level to record the impact of ongoing policies & programs and compare the findings to unfold some of their struggles which is linked to the leadership questions in ‘Women in Engineering’. Pay, progression and security issues are not only being barriers to women reaching the higher levels of science and technology professions but unconscious biases, stereotype, some myths, societal, cultural and institutional roots also impediments to support ‘Women in Engineering’. This indicates that no single strategy can entirely plug the leak and there is need of sharing the best practices among different nations through multi-faceted approach across all levels to break the glass ceiling.

Nanoengineering is an emerging field with combination of all traditional branches of science. Development in nanoengineering is opening avenues in the field of health specially development of prostheses & implants, diagnostics and drug delivery. Application of nanoengineering is used to discover and design materials for better biocompatibility with a high degree of specificity. Present paper introduced ongoing research in the application of nanotechnology and its use in development of antibacterial, rigid and functional implants.

RationaleYoung children (typically those

In this letter, we report the ability of the nanostructured aluminum Al 6063 alloy surfaces to inactivate the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There was no recoverable viable virus after 6 h of exposure to the nanostructured surface, elucidating a 5-log reduction compared to a flat Al 6063 surface. The nanostructured surfaces were fabricated using wet-etching techniques which generated nanotextured, randomly aligned ridges approximately 23 nm wide on the Al 6063 alloy surfaces. In addition to the excellent mechanical resilience properties previously shown, the etched surfaces have also demonstrated superior corrosion resistance compared to the control surfaces. Such nanostructured surfaces have the potential to be used in healthcare environment such as hospitals and public spaces to reduce the surface transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and combat COVID-19. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Biofilms are a complex group of microbial cells that adhere to the exopolysaccharide matrix present on the surface of medical devices. Biofilm-associated infections in the medical devices pose a serious problem to the public health and adversely affect the function of the device. Medical implants used in oral and orthopedic surgery are fabricated using alloys such as stainless steel and titanium. The biological behavior, such as osseointegration and its antibacterial activity, essentially depends on both the chemical composition and the morphology of the surface of the device. Surface treatment of medical implants by various physical and chemical techniques are attempted in order to improve their surface properties so as to facilitate bio-integration and prevent bacterial adhesion. The potential source of infection of the surrounding tissue and antimicrobial strategies are from bacteria adherent to or in a biofilm on the implant which should prevent both biofilm formation and tissue colonization. This article provides an overview of bacterial biofilm formation and methods adopted for the inhibition of bacterial adhesion on medical implants