Influence of IGF1, TGFβ1, bFGF and G-CSF/M-CSF on the mRNA levels of selected matrix proteins, cytokines, metalloproteinase 3 and TIMP1 in rat synovial membrane cells

Introduction. We have previously observed that rat synovial membranes incubated in medium containing cartilage interstitial fluid (CIF) responded by changes in the expression of hyaluronan synthases (HAS1 and HAS2), collagen type I, versican, aggrecan, lubricin, matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 3 (MMP2 and MMP3), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP1, 2 and 3), transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL) 1β and IL-6. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of particular cytokines found in CIF on the gene expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in synovial membrane cells. Material and methods. Synovial membranes (SMs) were removed from the knee joints of inbred, male Lewis rats and incubated with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), TGFβ1, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF and M-CSF), either individually or in the combinations TGFβ1/IGF1, TGFβ1/IGF1/bFGF or G-CSF/M-CSF. Next, total RNA was isolated and the studied genes’ expression was evaluated by real-time PCR. Results. TGFβ1/IGF1 stimulated expression of HAS1, lubricin, collagen type I, aggrecan and TGFβ1, inhibited expression of MMP3 and TNF and had no effect on TIMP1 and IL-6 mRNA levels. TGFβ1/IGF1/bFGF stimulated the expression of HAS1, lubricin and TGFβ1 genes, inhibited the expression of TNF and had no effect of the expression of collagen 1, aggrecan, MMP3, TIMP1 and IL-6 genes. G-CSF/M-CSF stimulated the expression of aggrecan. TGFβ1, bFGF, and IGF1 applied individually exerted inhibitory effect on the expression of lubricin. TGFβ1 and bFGF inhibited expression of MMP3 and bFGF inhibited also the expression of aggrecan and TNF. Conclusions. The response of the studied genes represents a resultant activity of all major cell types building the synovial membrane, i.e. highly specialized synovial fibroblasts, macrophages, epithelial cells and adipocytes. The results of our study can improve understanding of synovial membrane responses to the intraarticular injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) used for the treatment of joint ailments, since PRP contains factors which are also present in CIF

The assumptions, conditions and barriers of the development of the urban consolidation centre for municipal entities (UCC-ME)

Purpose: The Urban Consolidation Centres (UCC) are well-known city logistics solutions. Many of their advantages are described in papers and reports. However, the practical implementation of this concept still seems to be a challenge for both business and municipal partners. The main aim of the paper is to develop a concept of a special type of UCC, focused on deliveries for municipal entities. The research includes an analysis of the possibilities of developing consolidated deliveries for municipal entities in a medium-size city - Stargard (Poland). Design/Methodology/Approach: On the basis of survey research conducted in Stargard, assumptions and expectations regarding the efficient implementation and functioning of Urban Consolidation Centre for Municipal Entities (UCC-ME) were established. Business Model Canvas adapted to the needs of urban logistics was used to develop the most important features of the UCC-ME concept. Findings: The results show that the concept of UCC-ME is a city logistics solution whose implementation should be based on a tailor-made business model, preceded by market research and the support of the city authorities. UCC-ME gives a city the opportunity to reduce the negative impact of urban freight transport on its environment and improve the safety of its residents. Practical Implications: The results of this study can be used by local authorities to implement UCC-ME. Originality/value: The original contribution of the paper is the development of the Business Model Canvas (BMC) of UCC-ME. The main novelty is that the proposed concept focuses on municipal entities only.peer-reviewe

Technical and Organizational Assumptions of Applying UCCs to Optimize Freight Deliveries in the Seaside Tourist Resorts of West Pomeranian Region of Poland

AbstractThe West Pomeranian Province is located at the Baltic Sea coast in the west-north of Poland. This region combines the commercial role with the tourist and spa functions. Several tourist attractions of the West Pomeranian Province like clean rivers and lakes (6% of the area), forests (mainly pine forests occupying 34.5% of the area) as well as the northern border which is the Baltic Sea coastline (184.9km) have contributed to the development of the health resorts (Świnoujście, Kołobrzeg, Połczyn Zdrój), as well as recreational tourism (the seaside and lake resorts). The counties (poviats) located on the coast generate almost 65% of the entire tourist traffic in the region. Effective organization of freight deliveries in the areas of seaside tourist resorts is of particular importance for the efficient functioning of the entire region. This paper focuses on the assumptions for implementing a delivery system based on using two UCCs to serve their linked resorts. The authors have applied the standardized interview method for the analysis of the tourist traffic impact on delivery volumes in the selected area, and the centre-of-gravity method for locating the UCCs

Could BMPs Therapy Be Improved if BMPs Were Used in Composition Acting during Bone Formation in Endochondral Ossification?

The discovery of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) inspired hope for the successful treatment of bone disorders, but side effects worsening the clinical effects were eventually observed. BMPs exert a synergistic effect, stimulating osteogenesis; however, predicting the best composition of growth factors for use in humans is difficult. Chondrocytes present within the growth plate produce growth factors stored in calcified cartilage adhering to metaphysis. These factors stimulate initial bone formation in metaphysis. We have previously determined the growth factors present in bovine calcified cartilage and produced by rat epiphyseal chondrocytes. The results suggest that growth factors stimulating physiological ossification are species dependent. The collection of human calcified cartilage for growth factors determination does not appear feasible, but chondrocytes for mRNA determination could be obtained. Their collection from young recipients, in view of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges Recommendation, would be ethical. The authors of this review do not have facilities to conduct such a study and can only appeal to competent institutions to undertake the task. The results could help to formulate a better recipe for the stimulation of bone formation and improve clinical results

Analysis of Freight Transport Demand at Szczecin and Oslo Area

The main problem arising in the process of management of the transport and distribution of goods in urban areas is the lack of data regarding deliveries, in particular with regard to the structure of demand as well as the classification of vehicles, their routes, changes in demand for transport, etc. The paper introduces the results of analysis of the goods distribution within the city centre of Szczecin and Oslo, covering a significant number of companies, retail and service entities, entities of the HoReCa sector, schools, universities, and public administration. The studies are part of research carried out under the project GRASS (GReen And Sustainable freight transport Systems in cities). The studies presented in this paper were carried out in two stages. The first stage of work included carrying out initial research allowing for an assessment of the current status in the analysed areas of Szczecin and Oslo. In the second stage of the survey results were updated with data on the increase in demand for delivery in the Christmas period. Moreover, the survey was conducted in the shopping centres located in the designated area of the city. This enabled to determine the seasonal increase in demand for freight deliveries

Growth factors in the initial stage of bone formation, analysis of their expression in chondrocytes from epiphyseal cartilage of rat costochondral junction

Introduction. In endochondral ossification septoclasts and osteoclasts (also called chondroclasts) release growth factors deposited in non-calcified and calcified zones of the growth plate. They stimulate, within the metaphysis, initial stages of the bone formation. We have recently reported quantitation of several growth factors in calcified cartilage from calf costochondral junction. Data from the analogous human cartilage could possibly help to choose efficient combinations of growth factors for clinical applications, but the amount of the calcified cartilage needed for analysis of numerous growth factors would be difficult to collect. The estimation of growth factors expression in endochondral chondrocytes may, indirectly, indicate which of them play a leading role in the stimulation of osteoprogenitor cells in metaphysis. To test this hypothesis, we used rat chondrocytes to evaluate mRNA levels of several growth factors. Materials and methods. Chondrocytes were isolated from proliferative and hypertrophic zones of the epiphyseal cartilage forming costochondral junctions of inbred Lewis rats. The total RNA was isolated from chondrocytes and the level of mRNA for bone morphogenetic proteins 1-7 (BMP-1-7), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), growth/differentiation factor 5 (GDF-5), NEL-like protein 1 (NELL-1), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-b1), mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), osteoclast-stimulating factor 1 (OSTF-1) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) was evaluated using real-time PCR method. Results. All studied factors were expressed. The highest level of mRNA was detected for CTGF, MANF, VEGF-A and TGF-b1. Expression was also quite high for BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-5, BMP-6, BMP-7, IGF-1, GDF-5 and OSTF-1. Very low level of mRNA was detected for BMP-3, BMP-4 and NELL-1. Conclusions. Chondrocytes from the proliferative and hypertrophic zones of the growth plate produce factors involved in the cartilage metabolism and bone formation. The determination of these growth factors in humans could help to choose their optimal composition necessary for stimulation of bone formation in clinical practice. In rat the best stimulation of bone formation would presumably be achieved with a mixture of BMP-2, BMP-5, BMP-6 and BMP-7

Evaluation of Urban Mobility Problems and Freight Solutions from Residents’ Perspectives: A Comparison of Belo Horizonte (Brazil) and Szczecin (Poland)

An efficient urban freight transport (UFT) system is crucial for sustainable city development. However, implementing city logistics measures still seems challenging for municipalities and decision-makers. Moreover, city authorities’ decisions depend on politics and social issues, and the city residents’ opinions seem to be very important in this context. Therefore, the primary objective of this paper was to assess the perception of urban mobility problems and freight solutions from the perspective of city users, considering the point of view of Brazilian and Polish city dwellers. The work was based on a survey realised in Belo Horizonte (Brazil) and Szczecin (Poland). The analysis identified the similarities and differences between the perceptions of different resident groups in both cities. The practical advantage of this research is the establishment of a set of recommendations for city decision-makers in the context of residents’ perceptions and their expectations regarding the implementation of urban freight measures

Electric mobility in European urban freight and logistics - status and attempts of improvement

Analyses of the potentials of electric mobility in commercial transport have shown that in terms of trip patterns and daily mileage EVs are suitable for urban freight transport and city logistics. The deployment of EVs could reduce exhaust and noise emissions. But the potential is not being exploited, and there are only a few vehicles in use in commercial fleets. This paper will give insights into the status of electric mobility in European urban freight and logistics. The paper introduces the potential for the further implementation and development of electric vehicles in city logistics, based on the activities realized under EUFAL (Electric urban freight and logistics) project, realized under the ERA-NET Cofund Electric Mobility Europe