Cellular mechanotransduction plays an essential role in the development and differentiation of many cell types, but if and how mechanical cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM) influence the fate determination of inner ear progenitor cells (IEPCs) remains largely unknown. In the current study, we compared the biological behavior of IEPCs in Matrigel-based suspension and encapsulated culture systems, and we found that the mechanical cues from the ECM promote the survival and expansion of IEPCs. Furthermore, we found that the mechanical cues from the ECM induced the accumulation of Ras homolog family member A (RhoA) and caused the polymerization of actin cytoskeleton in IEPCs. These changes in turn resulted in increased Yes-associated protein (YAP) nuclear localization and enhanced expansion of IEPCs, at least partially through upregulating the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. We therefore provide the first demonstration that the RhoA-YAP-β-catenin signaling axis senses and transduces mechanical cues from the ECM and plays crucial roles in promoting the expansion of IEPCs. ©2020 The Authors. Stem Cells published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of AlphaMed Press 2020.BACKGROUND Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a highly contagious swine disease caused by the PED virus (PEDV), which is a member of the family Coronaviridae. Since the first outbreaks in Belgium and the United Kingdom were reported in 1971, PED has spread throughout many countries around the world and causing significant economic loss. This study was conducted to investigate the recent distribution of PEDV strains in Vietnam during the 2015-2016 seasons. METHODS A total of 30 PED-specific PCR-positive intestinal and faecal samples were collected from unvaccinated piglets in Vietnam during the 2015-2016 seasons. The full length of the spike (S) gene of these PEDV strains were analysed to determine their phylogeny and genetic relationship with other available PEDV strains globally. RESULTS Phylogenetic analysis of the complete S gene sequences revealed that the 28 Vietnamese PEDV strains collected in the northern and central regions clustered in the G2 group (both G2a and G2b sub-groups), while the other 2 PEDV strains (HUA-PED176 and HUA-PED254) collected in the southern region were clustered in the G1/G1b group/sub-group. The nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid (aa) analyses based on the complete S gene sequences showed that the Vietnamese PEDV strains were closely related to each other, sharing nt and aa homology of 93.2%-99.9% and 92.6%-99.9%, respectively. The N-glycosylation patterns and mutations in the antigenic region were observed in Vietnamese PEDV strains. CONCLUSIONS This study provides, for the first time, up-to-date information on viral circulation and genetic distribution, as well as evidence to assist in the development of effective PEDV vaccines in Vietnam. © 2020 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.The four transcription factors of the Yamanaka cocktail (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and Myc, termed OSKM) are famously capable of reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). https://www.selleckchem.com/products/dx3-213b.html In a paper recently published in Nature Communications, Wang et al now describe the unexpected discovery that short-term activation of OSKM expression in acute myeloid leukemia cells in vivo induces apoptosis while negligibly affecting normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (Nat Commun 2019;105594). These findings have potential implications for novel anticancer strategies. ©AlphaMed Press 2020.OBJECTIVES Computed tomography (CT), the reference standard for diagnosis of intra-abdominal injury (IAI), carries risk including ionizing radiation. CT-sparing clinical decision rules for children have relied heavily on physical examination, but they did not include Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST), which has emerged into widespread use during the past decade. We sought to determine the independent associations of physical examination, laboratory studies, and FAST with identification of IAI in children, and to compare the test characteristics of these diagnostic variables. We hypothesized FAST may add incremental utility to a physical examination alone to more accurately identify children who could forgo CT scan. METHODS We reviewed a large trauma database of all children with blunt torso trauma presenting to a freestanding pediatric emergency department during a 20-month period. We used logistic regression to evaluate the association of FAST, physical examination and selected laboratory data with IAI in children, and we compared the test characteristics of these variables. RESULTS Among 354 children, 50 (14%) had IAI. Positive FAST [OR, 14.8; 95% CI 7.5 - 30.8] and positive physical examination [OR, 15.2; 95% CI 7.7 - 31.7] were identified as independent predictors for IAI. Physical examination and FAST each had sensitivities of 74% (95% CI 60-85%). Combining FAST and physical examination as (FAST-enhanced physical examination or exFAST), improved sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) over either test alone (sensitivity of 88% (95% CI 76-96%) and NPV of 97.3% (95% CI 94.5-98.7%)). CONCLUSIONS In children, FAST and physical examinations each predicted the identification of IAI. However, the combination of the two (exFAST) had greater sensitivity and NPV than either physical examination or FAST alone. This supports the use of exFAST in refining clinical predication rules in children with blunt torso trauma. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.Nitinol is commonly used in medical implants due to its unique thermomechanical properties of shape memory and superelasticity. Free nickel has the potential to induce biological responses that may be a concern for permanent implants manufactured from nickel-containing alloys. Although there are extensive reports on the effects of surface treatments on corrosion behavior in cardiovascular Nitinol implants, there is a lack of data on corrosion resistance and impact on biocompatibility for ocular implants. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine localized corrosion and nickel elution resistance of an electropolished Nitinol-based ocular device (Hydrus Microstent, Ivantis, Inc.) intended for patients with primary open angle glaucoma. Pitting corrosion susceptibility was characterized by potentiodynamic polarization testing per ASTM F2129. In addition, nickel ion release was quantified with immersion testing to 63 days. The results indicated high localized corrosion resistance as all samples reached polarization potentials of 800 mV without pitting initiation.