12 research outputs found
Maristem—Stem Cells of Marine/Aquatic Invertebrates: From Basic Research to Innovative Applications
The “stem cells” discipline represents one of the most dynamic areas in biomedicine. While adult marine/aquatic invertebrate stem cell (MISC) biology is of prime research and medical interest, studies on stem cells from organisms outside the classical vertebrate (e.g., human, mouse, and zebrafish) and invertebrate (e.g., Drosophila, Caenorhabditis) models have not been pursued vigorously. Marine/aquatic invertebrates constitute the largest biodiversity and the widest phylogenetic radiation on Earth, from morphologically simple organisms (e.g., sponges, cnidarians), to the more complex mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, and protochordates. These organisms contain a kaleidoscope of MISC-types that allow the production of a large number of novel bioactive-molecules, many of which are of significant potential interest for human health. MISCs further participate in aging and regeneration phenomena, including whole-body regeneration. For years, the European MISC-community has been highly fragmented and has established scarce ties with biomedical industries in an attempt to harness MISCs for human welfare. Thus, it is important to (i) consolidate the European community of researchers working on MISCs; (ii) promote and coordinate European research on MISC biology; (iii) stimulate young researchers to embark on research in MISC-biology; (iv) develop, validate, and share novel MISC tools and methodologies; (v) establish the MISC discipline as a forefront interest of biomedical disciplines, including nanobiomedicine; and (vi) establish collaborations with industries to exploit MISCs as sources of bioactive molecules. In order to fill the recognized gaps, the EC-COST Action 16203 “MARISTEM” has recently been launched. At its initial stage, the consortium unites 26 scientists from EC countries, Cooperating countries, and Near Neighbor Countries.This study is supported by the European Cooperation in Science & Technology program (EUCOST).Grant title: “Stem cells of marine/aquatic invertebrates: from basic research to innovative applications” (MARISTEM). The project idea developed as a direct outcome of a EuroMarine (European Marine Research Network) working group meeting held in Padua on 9–10 March 2016.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
High-frequency variability in neutron-star low-mass X-ray binaries
Binary systems with a neutron-star primary accreting from a companion star
display variability in the X-ray band on time scales ranging from years to
milliseconds. With frequencies of up to ~1300 Hz, the kilohertz quasi-periodic
oscillations (kHz QPOs) represent the fastest variability observed from any
astronomical object. The sub-millisecond time scale of this variability implies
that the kHz QPOs are produced in the accretion flow very close to the surface
of the neutron star, providing a unique view of the dynamics of matter under
the influence of some of the strongest gravitational fields in the Universe.
This offers the possibility to probe some of the most extreme predictions of
General Relativity, such as dragging of inertial frames and periastron
precession at rates that are sixteen orders of magnitude faster than those
observed in the solar system and, ultimately, the existence of a minimum
distance at which a stable orbit around a compact object is possible. Here we
review the last twenty years of research on kHz QPOs, and we discuss the
prospects for future developments in this field.Comment: 66 pages, 37 figures, 190 references. Review to appear in T. Belloni,
M. Mendez, C. Zhang, editors, "Timing Neutron Stars: Pulsations, Oscillations
and Explosions", ASSL, Springe
Multiple Tumor Induction after Treatment of Temporal Arteritis with Prednisone
A 74-year-old female was diagnosed with the autoimmune inflammatory disease temporal arteritis and treated with high and low doses of prednisone over a period of 6 years. During that time, she developed cancers of the lung and colon as well as a soft tumor mass on lumbar vertebrate L3. She also experienced a series of debilitating and disabling symptoms while on prednisone treatment. A temporal analysis of the association of prednisone therapy and immune markers to the successive appearance of the malignant tumors strongly suggests that in the absence of a functioning natural immune and surveillance system by treatment with the immune knockout drug prednisone, spontaneous, multiple independent mutations occurred in several sites in the organ systems of this patient. Over a period of time, these developed into malignant cancers, including a lung nodule which became cancerous 256 days later, as well as the cancers of the colon and a soft tumor mass on lumbar vertebrate L3
Implication of ICP0 Translocation and Peroxisome Functions in the Inhibition of HSV-1 by the Antiviral Protein RC28 from the Higher Basidiomycetes Mushroom Rozites caperata
Antiviral Activity of a Cloned Peptide RC28 Isolated from the Higher Basidiomycetes Mushroom Rozites caperata in a Mouse Model of HSV-1 Keratitis
Initial Binding of Murine Leukemia Virus Particles to Cells Does Not Require Specific Env-Receptor Interaction
Differentiation of the Oral–Aboral Axis and Body Parts during Life Cycle Transitions in Scyphozoa
Addition of clopidogrel to aspirin and fibrinolytic therapy for myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation
BACKGROUND:
A substantial proportion of patients receiving fibrinolytic therapy for myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation have inadequate reperfusion or reocclusion of the infarct-related artery, leading to an increased risk of complications and death.
METHODS:
We enrolled 3491 patients, 18 to 75 years of age, who presented within 12 hours after the onset of an ST-elevation myocardial infarction and randomly assigned them to receive clopidogrel (300-mg loading dose, followed by 75 mg once daily) or placebo. Patients received a fibrinolytic agent, aspirin, and when appropriate, heparin (dispensed according to body weight) and were scheduled to undergo angiography 48 to 192 hours after the start of study medication. The primary efficacy end point was a composite of an occluded infarct-related artery (defined by a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow grade of 0 or 1) on angiography or death or recurrent myocardial infarction before angiography.
RESULTS:
The rates of the primary efficacy end point were 21.7 percent in the placebo group and 15.0 percent in the clopidogrel group, representing an absolute reduction of 6.7 percentage points in the rate and a 36 percent reduction in the odds of the end point with clopidogrel therapy (95 percent confidence interval, 24 to 47 percent; P<0.001). By 30 days, clopidogrel therapy reduced the odds of the composite end point of death from cardiovascular causes, recurrent myocardial infarction, or recurrent ischemia leading to the need for urgent revascularization by 20 percent (from 14.1 to 11.6 percent, P=0.03). The rates of major bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage were similar in the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS:
In patients 75 years of age or younger who have myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation and who receive aspirin and a standard fibrinolytic regimen, the addition of clopidogrel improves the patency rate of the infarct-related artery and reduces ischemic complications