Rabbit Anti-Human CTH Polyclonal antibody

The generation of free-radicals such as nitric oxide has been implicated in the regulation of ovarian function, including ovulation. Tissues that generate nitric oxide typically generate another free-radical gas, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), although little is known about the role of H2S in ovarian function. The hypothesis of this study was that H2S regulates ovulation. Treatment with luteinizing hormone (LH) increased the levels of mRNA and protein of the H2S generating enzyme cystathionine.-lyase (CTH) in granulosa cells of mice and humans in vivo and in vitro. Pharmacological inhibition of H2S generating enzymes reduced the number of follicles ovulating in mice in vivo and in vitro, and this inhibitory action was reversed by cotreatment with a H2S donor. Addition of a H2S donor to cultured mouse granulosa cells increased basal and LH-dependent abundance of mRNA encoding amphiregulin, betacellulin and tumor necrosis alpha induced protein 6, proteins important for cumulus expansion and follicle rupture. Inhibition of CTH activity reduced abundance of mRNA encoding matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 and tissue-type plasminogen activator, and cotreatment with the H2S donor increased the levels of these mRNA above those stimulated by LH alone. We conclude that the H2S generating system plays an important role in the propagation of the preovulatory cascade and rupture of the follicle at ovulation.

Owing to their unique and outstanding in-plane properties and high specific strength and stiffness, fiberreinforced polymer composite laminates are being used widely for many structural applications, such as aircrafts, infrastructure, and automobiles. Notwithstanding, they are normally susceptible and vulnerable to damage from out-of-plane impact events. Low velocity impact of fiber-reinforced composite laminates often results in damages that are invisible, but would progressively propagate and later results in a catastrophic failure. This study focused on developing a self-healing composite laminate with improved transverse strength and cyclic healing capabilities that would address the problem of delamination. A novel self-healable and recyclable vitrimer-based shape memory polymer (VSMP) was used as the matrix, unidirectional Saertex glass fiber as the reinforcing fibers, and tension programmed shape memory alloy (SMA) wires (Flexinol) as z-pins. This design followed the strategy of close-then-heal (CTH) for delamination healing. Low velocity impact tests, compression after impact tests, and self-healing of impact induced delamination were investigated. The tension programmed SMA z-pins helped resist delamination during impact; the shape memory effect of the vitrimer and SMA z-pins, together with the external pressure used, helped narrow/close the delamination through constrained shape recovery during heating, so that the narrowed/closed delamination can be healed repeatedly by the VSMP itself. The novel hybrid composite laminate provides a promising sustainable multifunctional material system for structural application.