IMPACT OF CARRIAGE OF 4G/5G PAI-1 AND GLYCOPROTEIN IIB/IIIA POLYMORPHISM ON DEVELOPMENT OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN A PATIENT WITH PSORIASIS VULGARIS. Clinical Case.

Psoriasis vulgaris represents a chronic immune-inflammatory condition that besides skin and joints, also affects many other tissues and organs. Recent advances in psoriatic research highlighted that psoriatic patients are at higher risk to develop the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We report a case of a Caucasian man of 62 years’ age with plaque psoriasis diagnosed more than 20 years who developed psoriasis specific comorbidities: COPD in 2005 and later in 2006 arterial hypertension and ischemic cardiomyopathy disease. The patient’s blood parameters were specific for psoriasis and metabolic syndrome with high total cholesterol 6.13 mmol/L, high triglycerides 2.37 mmol/L, high LDL 4.7 mmol/L, low HDL-cholesterol 0.79 mmol/L. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis demonstrated elevated serum plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) levels – 63.21 ng/ml (ref.5-40 ng/mL). The DNA analysis revealed a carriage of heterozygous polymorphism in PAI-1 4G/5G and a carriage of heterozygous polymorphism PlA1/PlA2 in the gene for glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. This case on psoriasis and comorbidity is an example concerning the possible connection of impact of inherited factors with an increased risk of COPD

Microneedles from fish scale biopolymer

This article was published in the serial Journal of Applied Polymer Science [© Wiley Periodicals, Inc.]. The definitive version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.40377This article reports on microneedles produced from biopolymer films extracted from fish scales of tilapia (Oreochromiss sp.) using micromolding technique. Evaluation of the properties of polypeptide films prepared from the fish scales gave refractive index (1.34), protein concentration (78%), ash content (1.6%) at (22%) moisture content. The microneedles successfully inserted into artificial skin models and imaging using digital camera showed microneedles remained intact when inserted and when removed from the skin model. Microneedles also successfully inserted into porcine skin and were shown to dissolve gradually at 0 s, 60 s, 120 s, and 180 s after insertion. Microneedles containing methylene blue as model drug were also produced and successfully pierced porcine skin. 3D finite element (FEM) simulations were performed using the measured mechanical properties of the biopolymer films (Young's modulus 0.23 N/mm2 and tensile strength 1.8105 N/mm2) to evaluate the stress distribution on various dimensions of the fish scale derived microneedles and hence, their ability to withstand force necessary to pierce the skin without fracture. Results from mechanical analysis using FEM showed that microneedles with tip radius between 10 and 100 μm could withstand up to 0.12 N of force per microneedle without fracture, which is indicated when the stress at the tip of the microneedle exceeds the ultimate stress of the material of fabrication. Using skin insertion tests and finite element simulations, this study provides evidence that microneedles fabricated from fish scale biopolymer can effectively pierce and degrade into skin and therefore are good candidate for transdermal applications

Altered Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mechanotransduction from Oxidized Collagen: Morphological and Biophysical Observations

Extracellular matrix (ECM) provides various mechanical cues that are able to affect the self-renewal and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Little is known, however, how these cues work in a pathological environment, such as acute oxidative stress. To better understand the behavior of human adipose tissue-derived MSC (ADMSC) in such conditions, we provide morphological and quantitative evidence for significantly altered early steps of mechanotransduction when adhering to oxidized collagen (Col-Oxi). These affect both focal adhesion (FA) formation and YAP/TAZ signaling events. Representative morphological images show that ADMSCs spread better within 2 h of adhesion on native collagen (Col), while they tended to round up on Col-Oxi. It also correlates with the lesser development of the actin cytoskeleton and FA formation, confirmed quantitatively by morphometric analysis using ImageJ. As shown by immunofluorescence analysis, oxidation also affected the ratio of cytosolic-to-nuclear YAP/TAZ activity, concentrating in the nucleus for Col while remaining in the cytosol for Col-Oxi, suggesting abrogated signal transduction. Comparative Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) studies show that native collagen forms relatively coarse aggregates, much thinner with Col-Oxi, possibly reflecting its altered ability to aggregate. On the other hand, the corresponding Young’s moduli were only slightly changed, so viscoelastic properties cannot explain the observed biological differences. However, the roughness of the protein layer decreased dramatically, from RRMS equal to 27.95 ± 5.1 nm for Col to 5.51 ± 0.8 nm for Col-Oxi (p < 0.05), which dictates our conclusion that it is the most altered parameter in oxidation. Thus, it appears to be a predominantly topographic response that affects the mechanotransduction of ADMSCs by oxidized collagen

Clinical Nutrition University. The place of nutrition in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)

CVDs, including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, currently represent the major causes of mortality and morbidity all over the world. In Europe, CVDs are responsible for 43% of deaths in men and 55% in women and for 30% of all deaths before the age of 65 years. CVD burden could be substantially reduced by early diagnosis and appropriate measures, since atherosclerotic lesions may be substantially improved in response to measures taken. CVD results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors; some factors vary between different ethnic groups. Plasma lipid profile is an important, but certainly not the only, risk factor for CVD. Prevention includes healthy lifestyle: no smoking, weight control, physical activity, and healthy dietary intake; control of blood pressure, plasma glucose, and inflammation is important. The Mediterranean diet is a good example of healthy dietary pattern. Components of the Mediterranean diet may be adapted to nutritional habits of different countries, taking into account differences of taste and culture. The benefits of a healthy lifestyle exceed, but are additive to, those of medical treatment. © 2011 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Management of Reproductive Health Control. PAI-1, MTHFR Mutation and Anovulation

Introductions: Pregnancy is one unique process, which involves genetic material from the fetus, the mother, and the father. All have their own part with their own physiological particularity. The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrinological disorder, which is considered to be the most common cause of infertility. Anovulation in women with PSOC is still not completely understood, that is why the aim of this study is to investigate if there is a real connection between the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, MTHFR and PSOC or this is only a coincidence.Materials and Methods: For this study, we engaged 83 women divided into two groups, matched for age and weight, known as case and control. Fifty-eight women with PCOS and 25 weight- and age-matched healthy control volunteers participated in this survey. All participants gave a written informed consent. DNA was isolated from venous blood and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism and MTHFR was investigated.Results: The case group with MTHFR indicator N/M genotype are 48%, followed by N/N - 43%, and M/M - 9%. Controls with N/N are 65%, followed by N/M - 25%, and M/M - 10%. Patients with PAI-1 4G/5G are 47%, followed by 4G/4G - 34% one of the highest numbers, and those with a genotype 5G/5G are 19%. The carrier status in the controls was 17%, 66% and 17% respectively for 5G/5G, 4G/5G, 4G/4G genotype, (or 2.4, ci 0.67 - 9.48, p - ns for carrier status of 4G/4G genotype).Conclusion: If we could manage our health we should start it as soon as possible. PAI-1 and MTHFR are in a very close connection. Each of them plays a significant role in the human body and health. We can perform a DNA test, watch the levels of homocysteine and B12, manage sport and food. However, our research may serve as a pilot study from which we can conclude that this is only the beginning

Mesenchymal Stem-Cell Remodeling of Adsorbed Type-I Collagen—The Effect of Collagen Oxidation

This study describes the effect of collagen type I (Col I) oxidation on its physiological remodeling by adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs), both mechanical and proteolytic, as an in vitro model for the acute oxidative stress that may occur in vivo upon distinct environmental changes. Morphologically, remodeling was interpreted as the mechanical rearrangement of adsorbed FITC-labelled Col I into a fibril-like pattern. This process was strongly abrogated in cells cultured on oxidized Col I albeit without visible changes in cell morphology. Proteolytic activity was quantified utilizing fluorescence de-quenching (FRET effect). The presence of ADMSCs caused a significant increase in native FITC-Col I fluorescence, which was almost absent in the oxidized samples. Parallel studies in a cell-free system confirmed the enzymatic de-quenching of native FITC-Col I by Clostridial collagenase with statistically significant inhibition occurring in the oxidized samples. Structural changes to the oxidized Col I were further studied by differential scanning calorimetry. In the oxidized samples, an additional endotherm with sustained enthalpy (∆H) was observed at 33.6 °C along with Col I’s typical one at 40.5 °C. Collectively, these data support that the remodeling of Col I by ADMSCs is altered upon oxidation due to intrinsic changes to the protein’s structure, which represents a novel mechanism for the control of stem cell behavior