The utility of inflammation and platelet biomarkers in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Introduction

Thrombotic and inflammatory mechanisms are involved in the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of the study was the evaluation of inflammation (white blood cells count/WBC, C-reactive protein/CRP, interleukin-6/IL-6) and platelet (platelet count/PLT, mean platelet volume/MPV, large platelet/LPLT, beta-thromboglobulin/β-TG) biomarkers in the groups of ACS patients depending on the severity of signs and symptoms and compared to controls without coronary artery disease.

Engineered Tissue Folding by Mechanical Compaction of the Mesenchyme

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State of art and limitations in genetic engineering to induce stable chondrogenic phenotype

Current protocols for chondrocyte expansion and chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells fail to reduce phenotypic loss and to mitigate hypertrophic tendency. To this end, cell genetic manipulation is gaining pace as a means of generating cells with stable chondrocyte phenotype. Herein, we provide an overview of candidate genes that either induce cartilage regeneration or inhibit cartilage degeneration. We further discuss in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo viral transduction and non-viral transfection strategies for targeted cells (chondrocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells and synovial cells), along with the most representative results obtained in pre-clinical models and in clinical trials. We highlight current challenges and associated risks that slowdown clinical acceptance and commercialisation of gene transfer technologies.     

Initial Stages of Morphogenetic Changes in Detached Cotyledons,Hypocotyls, and Leaves of Kidney Beans and Eggplants under Salinity Conditions

The effects of salinity on the morphogenesis of various organs of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) plants grown in nosterile culture and of explants from these organs grown in vitro were studied. Salt stress was produced by adding NaCl (0.5 and 1.0%) to water or the Murashige and Skoog nutrient medium. Salt stress suppressed rhizogenesis, particularly profoundly in the salt-sensitive beans. Callus cultures obtained from different organs differed in their salt tolerance, which was evaluated from the callus growth. Under salinity conditions, homologous structures of the two crops differed markedly in survival and regeneration. Different organs and corresponding explants of one and the same plant differed in the threshold sensitivity to salinity, which indicates the organ-specificity of salt resistance.     

Trace metal bioavailability in municipal solid waste and sewage sludge composts

A sequential extraction procedure was employed to determine the soil fractions, and assess plant availability of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in a Glynwood silt loam amended with five rates (0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 metric tons/ha) of composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) or composted sewage sludge (CSS) cropped to oats (Avena sativa). The application of the composts tended to shift the solid phase forms of the metals away from those extractable with HNO₃ to those extractable with NaOH and EDTA. The more labile fractions (KNO₃ and H₂O extracts) of the metals typically decreased with application of CMSW and CSS. Crop dry matter increased at the 30 and 60 MT/ha CMSW rates by 142 and 152%, respectively, after which yields declined to below control values. Yields at all rates of CSS declined. The CMSW and CSS had an insignificant effect on concentrations of Cr and Pb in oat tissue, but tissue levels of Cu, Ni and Zn increased with increased rate of compost application.     

人胎盘组织液氨基氮含量检测方法的建立

目的：建立检测人胎盘组织液氨基氮含量的方法,为产品质量控制和生产工艺稳定性提供判断手段。方法：加入福尔马林溶液后,以麝香草酚蓝为指示剂,用NaOH滴定液滴定。结果：当福尔马林溶液为中性、NaOH滴定液浓度为0.04mol/L时,甲醛滴定氨基氮的方法可靠。结论：本方法回收率高,操作简便,可以作为检测人胎盘组织液氨基氮含量的方法。     

Alveolar mimics with periodic strain and its effect on the cell layer formation

We report on the development of a new model of alveolar air–tissue interface on a chip. The model consists of an array of suspended hexagonal monolayers of gelatin nanofibers supported by microframes and a microfluidic device for the patch integration. The suspended monolayers are deformed to a central displacement of 40–80 µm at the air–liquid interface by application of air pressure in the range of 200–1,000 Pa. With respect to the diameter of the monolayers, that is, 500 µm, this displacement corresponds to a linear strain of 2–10% in agreement with the physiological strain range in the lung alveoli. The culture of A549 cells on the monolayers for an incubation time of 1–3 days showed viability in the model. We exerted a periodic strain of 5% at a frequency of 0.2 Hz for 1 hr to the cells. We found that the cells were strongly coupled to the nanofibers, but the strain reduced the coupling and induced remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton, which led to a better tissue formation. Our model can serve as a versatile tool in lung investigations such as in inhalation toxicology and therapy.     

鼎突多刺蚁脑部组织切片方法初探及其脑部结构

膜翅目昆虫蚂蚁具有明显的多态现象,社会性生活中的分工亦非常明确。而作为蚁科中的鼎突多刺蚁还有着较高的药用保健价值。因此对其神经系统的研究有着重要的生物学意义。但蚂蚁脑部坚硬的外骨骼使得对其的组织学切片有一定难度。本试验即对鼎突多刺蚁的脑部组织切片方法进行了摸索和研究。     

植物肉桂酰辅酶A还原酶基因克隆研究进展

木质素单体合成的过程中涉及了许多酶的参与,而肉桂酰辅酶A还原酶(cinnamoyl-CoA reductase,CCR)是该过程中的一个关键酶。综述了CCR基因在植物体内的克隆、基因功能及在植物组织中的表达情况,并介绍了该基因在植物的抗病虫害和抗逆性研究、饲草和能源上的应用潜力,为进一步研究CCR基因生物学功能和利用奠定了基础。