Isolating stem cells from skin: designing a novel highly efficient non-enzymatic approach

Stem cells are undifferentiated elements capable to acquire a specific cellular phenotype under the influence of specific stimuli, thus being involved in tissue integrity and maintenance. In the skin tissue self-renewal and wound healing after injury is a complex process, especially in adulthood, due to the aging process and the continuous exposure to damaging agents. The importance of stem cells in regenerative medicine is well known and defining or improving their isolation methods is therefore a primary and crucial step. In the present paper we present a novel method to isolate stem cells from human skin, including the involvement of a novel medium for the maintenance and expansion of in vitro cultures. The biopsies were mechanically digested and put in culture. The migrating cells were positive selected with magnetic cell sorting, characterized by flow-cytometry analysis, and viability detected by MTT assay. Cells exhibited a mesenchymal phenotype, as demonstrated by the positive acquirement of an osteogenic or adipogenic phenotype when cultured in specific conditioned media. Taken together our results disclose a novel method for culturing and expanding stem cells from skin and pave the way for future clinical applications in tissue regeneration

Comunidades de insectos fitófagos en árboles y lianas en el dosel y sotobosque del Parque Natural Metropolitano

The food and nutrient intake of Paleolithic hunter-gatherers (Homo erectus) and of Western populations (Homo economicus) show marked variations. With increase in wealth and affluence there is a decrease in the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids and a significant increase in the intake of refined carbohydrates, fats (saturated & trans fats, omega-6 fatty acids) and salt in comparison with those of the Paleolithic period. The protein or amino acid intake was 2.5 fold greater (33 vs. 13%) in the Paleolithic diet of Homo erectus compared to that of the modern Western diet. Prior to the Agricultural Revolution, man's diet was based on an enormous variety of wild plants, eggs, fish and seeds. In comparison, today about 17% of plant species provide 90% of the world's food supply which is mainly contributed by grains produced from fertilizer-based rapidly grown crops potentially lower in nutrient density and higher in energy. Grains are high in omega-6 fatty acids and carbohydrates and low in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants compared to leafy green vegetables. The appropriate diet for Homo sapiens is characterized by high levels of protective essential nutrients; amino acids, minerals, vitamins, flavonoids, omega-6/3 fatty acids. Whereas the average diet of Homo erectus did comply with this evolutionary pattern, the modern Western dietary pattern of Homo economicus has excess of energy-rich refined carbohydrates, omega-6, trans and saturated fats. The consumption of such foods in wealthy countries in conjunction with sedentary behavior are associated with increased risk of deaths due to cardiovascular (CVDs) and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). © Nova Science Publishers, Inc

Effects of Once-Weekly Exenatide on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes.

Abstract BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular effects of adding once-weekly treatment with exenatide to usual care in patients with type 2 diabetes are unknown. METHODS: We randomly assigned patients with type 2 diabetes, with or without previous cardiovascular disease, to receive subcutaneous injections of extended-release exenatide at a dose of 2 mg or matching placebo once weekly. The primary composite outcome was the first occurrence of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke. The coprimary hypotheses were that exenatide, administered once weekly, would be noninferior to placebo with respect to safety and superior to placebo with respect to efficacy. RESULTS: In all, 14,752 patients (of whom 10,782 [73.1%] had previous cardiovascular disease) were followed for a median of 3.2 years (interquartile range, 2.2 to 4.4). A primary composite outcome event occurred in 839 of 7356 patients (11.4%; 3.7 events per 100 person-years) in the exenatide group and in 905 of 7396 patients (12.2%; 4.0 events per 100 person-years) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83 to 1.00), with the intention-to-treat analysis indicating that exenatide, administered once weekly, was noninferior to placebo with respect to safety (P<0.001 for noninferiority) but was not superior to placebo with respect to efficacy (P=0.06 for superiority). The rates of death from cardiovascular causes, fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction, fatal or nonfatal stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, and hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome, and the incidence of acute pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and serious adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with type 2 diabetes with or without previous cardiovascular disease, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events did not differ significantly between patients who received exenatide and those who received placebo. (Funded by Amylin Pharmaceuticals; EXSCEL ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01144338 .)

Atherosclerosis? A disease of the brain

The relation of mind, brain and body was known to Indians for the last 5000 years, as mentioned in the ancient scripture - Bhagwatgita (3000 BCE). There has been a marked increase in industrialization and urbanization in the last 100 years, with changes in diet and lifestyle factors and an increase in psychosocial stress resulting in an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes [1-3]. Further evidence indicates that a majority of individuals in developed and developing countries experience psychosocial stress on a daily basis as a result of urbanization and industrialization [2-4]. Heavy workloads, job insecurity, living in relative poverty, and competition in business have been associated with increases in mental stress, which in turn can lead to chronic anxiety disorders such as depression [2-4]. Apart from increases in psychological burden, chronic stress may also be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart failure, and of diabetes [1-4]. Those subjects with increased stress perception have a substantially higher prevalence of myocardial infarction than controls, as was reported by a group of investigators in the INTERHEART Study [3, 4]. A recent study reported for the first time that subjects with heightened metabolic activity in the amygdala (an area of the brain linked to emotional stress) was associated with a greater risk of heart disease and stroke [5]. This View Point examines the available evidence on the relation of psychosocial stress with functional neuroanatomy of the brain and risk of CVDs. © 2017 Nova Science Publishers, Inc

Atherosclerosis? A disease of the brain

The relation of mind, brain and body was known to Indians for the last 5000 years, as mentioned in the ancient scripture - Bhagwatgita (3000 BCE). There has been a marked increase in industrialization and urbanization in the last 100 years, with changes in diet and lifestyle factors and an increase in psychosocial stress resulting in an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes [1-3]. Further evidence indicates that a majority of individuals in developed and developing countries experience psychosocial stress on a daily basis as a result of urbanization and industrialization [2-4]. Heavy workloads, job insecurity, living in relative poverty, and competition in business have been associated with increases in mental stress, which in turn can lead to chronic anxiety disorders such as depression [2-4]. Apart from increases in psychological burden, chronic stress may also be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart failure, and of diabetes [1-4]. Those subjects with increased stress perception have a substantially higher prevalence of myocardial infarction than controls, as was reported by a group of investigators in the INTERHEART Study [3, 4]. A recent study reported for the first time that subjects with heightened metabolic activity in the amygdala (an area of the brain linked to emotional stress) was associated with a greater risk of heart disease and stroke [5]. This View Point examines the available evidence on the relation of psychosocial stress with functional neuroanatomy of the brain and risk of CVDs. © 2017 Nova Science Publishers, Inc

Can gut flora metabolites predict cardiac events and cardiometabolic diseases?

[No abstract available

Can gut flora metabolites predict cardiac events and cardiometabolic diseases?

[No abstract available

Blood pressure and blood glucose variability, the silent killers, in subjects with diabetes mellitus, flying blue. A tribute to Dr. Franz Halberg on the anniversary of his death (June 9, 2013)

Limitations of the usual assessment of blood pressure, the importance of blood pressure variability, and diagnoses of unstable and episodic hypertension were described by several investigators, but much earlier by Halberg’s group in Minnesota. The International College of Cardiology reiterates that treatment decisions for patients should be dictated by their overall level of risk including blood pressure variability. Halberg et al. have demonstrated that blood pressure varies predictably along the scales of a day (circadian), a week (circaseptan), a month (circatrigintan), a year (circannual) and even along much longer periods, and that blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with cardiovascular health. BPV reflects both an individual’s genetic makeup and a wide range of influences from the near and far environment, including behavior, diet and other lifestyle choices. Mechanisms underlying the coordination of a broad time structure characterizing blood pressure are not completely understood, even though humoral, neural, and central or reflex influences have been documented. An elevated blood pressure complicated by altered BPV may be a substantial contributor to overall morbidity and mortality, and may particularly affect patients with diabetes. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) interpreted chronobiologically may help in the diagnosis of autonomic neuropathy resulting in adverse effects on autonomic control of the cardiovascular system. These autonomic dysfunctions may be associated with an odd timing of the circadian rhythm in blood pressure and with reduced 24-hour heart rate variability. A large body of evidence supports the increase in cardiovascular disease risk in association not only with elevated blood pressure values but also with altered BPV. © 2016 Nova Science Publishers, Inc

Blood pressure and blood glucose variability, the silent killers, in subjects with diabetes mellitus, flying blue. A tribute to Dr. Franz Halberg on the anniversary of his death (June 9, 2013)

Limitations of the usual assessment of blood pressure, the importance of blood pressure variability, and diagnoses of unstable and episodic hypertension were described by several investigators, but much earlier by Halberg’s group in Minnesota. The International College of Cardiology reiterates that treatment decisions for patients should be dictated by their overall level of risk including blood pressure variability. Halberg et al. have demonstrated that blood pressure varies predictably along the scales of a day (circadian), a week (circaseptan), a month (circatrigintan), a year (circannual) and even along much longer periods, and that blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with cardiovascular health. BPV reflects both an individual’s genetic makeup and a wide range of influences from the near and far environment, including behavior, diet and other lifestyle choices. Mechanisms underlying the coordination of a broad time structure characterizing blood pressure are not completely understood, even though humoral, neural, and central or reflex influences have been documented. An elevated blood pressure complicated by altered BPV may be a substantial contributor to overall morbidity and mortality, and may particularly affect patients with diabetes. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) interpreted chronobiologically may help in the diagnosis of autonomic neuropathy resulting in adverse effects on autonomic control of the cardiovascular system. These autonomic dysfunctions may be associated with an odd timing of the circadian rhythm in blood pressure and with reduced 24-hour heart rate variability. A large body of evidence supports the increase in cardiovascular disease risk in association not only with elevated blood pressure values but also with altered BPV. © 2016 Nova Science Publishers, Inc

Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) and lipoprotein metabolism in relation to adverse birth outcome and future cardiometabolic risk

[No abstract available