Evaluation of chemokine and cytokine profiles in osteoblast progenitors from umbilical cord blood stem cells by BIO-PLEX technology

We have used cytokine protein array to analyze the secretion of cytokines from an osteoblastic clone derived from human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured in an osteogenic differentiation medium. The analysis demonstrated the unexpected ability of osteoblast committed cells and their early progenitors to produce significant amounts of a range of soluble immune mediators without in vitro exposure to clinically relevant bacterial pathogens. The cells were expanded and their osteogenic potential analyzed over 45 days of culture was revealed by the expression of osteoblast-specific markers (alkaline phosphatase and Runx2), and by matrix mineralization. Over this culture period, the cells secreted particularly high levels of IL-8, MCP-1 and VEGF, but did not express IL-2, IL-7, IL-17, eotaxin, G-CSF and IFN-gamma. These findings should encourage the use of human umbilical cord blood as a potential stem cells source for bone regeneration.     

A rapid assessment of the sedimentary buffering capacity towards free sulphides

Combined field surveys and laboratory studies were conducted in two Italian coastal lagoons, which differ for geomorphology, hydrodynamics and eutrophication degree (Sacca di Goro and Lesina lagoons, Adriatic Sea). Research aimed at assessing with a rapid technique the potential buffering capacity of sedimentary iron towards sulphides. In Spring and Summer 2004, the main pools of iron and sulphides were analysed in the uppermost sediment horizon (0–5 cm) at four stations in each lagoon. In parallel, experiments with laboratory incubations of sediment slurries were carried out at two sites in each lagoon in order to assess the sediment capacity of binding and retaining sulphides. Sediment slurries were kept stirred and anoxic with N₂ purging. Aliquots of dissolved sulphides (DS) were then added and DS concentrations were monitored until they were undetectable. On average, the total reactive iron (RFe), extracted with 6 N HCl, ranged from 170 to 400 μmol cm⁻³ in the Sacca di Goro stations, and comprised between 40 and 150 μmol cm⁻³ in the Lesina sites. The labile iron ferric quota (LFe: extractable with 0.5 N HCl) is considered representative of the microbially reducible iron fraction and was highest in spring in Sacca di Goro (up to 20 μmol cm⁻³). Differences among stations evidenced by PCA analysis, can be inferred from RFe, LFe and AVS, which represent the iron buffer and its saturation status, respectively. The sedimentary DS uptake was 6 μmol cm⁻³ of fresh sediment in Lesina and 8–12 μmol cm⁻³ in Sacca di Goro, indicating a direct relationship between DS removal and iron availability. Guest editors: A. Razinkovas, Z. R. Gasiūnaitė, J. M. Zaldivar & P. Viaroli European Lagoons and their Watersheds: Function and Biodiversity     

Apricot Melanoidins Prevent Oxidative Endothelial Cell Death by Counteracting Mitochondrial Oxidation and Membrane Depolarization

The cardiovascular benefits associated with diets rich in fruit and vegetables are thought to be due to phytochemicals contained in fresh plant material. However, whether processed plant foods provide the same benefits as unprocessed ones is an open question. Melanoidins from heat-processed apricots were isolated and their presence confirmed by colorimetric analysis and browning index. Oxidative injury of endothelial cells (ECs) is the key step for the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), therefore the potential protective effect of apricot melanoidins on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative mitochondrial damage and cell death was explored in human ECs. The redox state of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial compartments was detected by using the redox-sensitive, fluorescent protein (roGFP), while the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed with the fluorescent dye, JC-1. ECs exposure to hydrogen peroxide, dose-dependently induced mitochondrial and cytoplasmic oxidation. Additionally detected hydrogen peroxide-induced phenomena were MMP dissipation and ECs death. Pretreatment of ECs with apricot melanoidins, significantly counteracted and ultimately abolished hydrogen peroxide-induced intracellular oxidation, mitochondrial depolarization and cell death. In this regard, our current results clearly indicate that melanoidins derived from heat-processed apricots, protect human ECs against oxidative stress.     

Cultivable fungi present in deep-sea sediments of Antarctica: taxonomy,diversity, and bioprospecting of bioactive compounds

Extremophiles - We accessed the culturable mycobiota present in marine sediments at different depths in Antarctica Ocean. Acremonium fusidioides, Penicillium allii-sativi, Penicillium chrysogenum,...     

The role of miRNA-221 and miRNA-126 in patients with benign metastasizing leiomyoma of the lung: an overview with new interesting scenarios

Molecular Biology Reports - Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare disease characterized by extrauterine benign leiomyomatosis in patients with a previous or concomitant history of uterine...