Sulodexide. Prophylactic and therapy response to endothelial dysfunction

Endothelial dysfunction plays the key role in the development of cardiovascular system disorders. Sulodexide, decreasing oxidative stress and stabilizing endothelial cells, has protective properties on endothelial dysfunction. The article describes the role of sulodexide both in prophylaxis and therapy of venous and arterial diseases, underlining its clinical efficacy as demonstrated in clinical trials. Besides, the article describes its role in the management of some other diseases, like diabetic nephropathy, diabetic foot, tinnitus, or hemorrhoids

Endothelial pathophysiology, glycosaminoglycans and glycocalyx

The endothelial glycocalyx can be described as a network of membrane-bound proteoglycans and glycoproteins, covering the luminal surface of endothelial cells. Over the past decades, structural properties and functions of glycocalyx have been increasingly examined, underlining its role in many physiological processes. This article provides the basis on composition and functions of the endothelial glycocalyx. The Author also describes the so called "endothelial dysfunction" and how it can lead to the development of pathological inflammatory processes and consequent vascular diseases

Sulodexide. Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and mechanism of action

Sulodexide is a highly purified preparation containing glycosaminoglycans composed from heparin-like and dermatan fractions. It is similar to unfractionated heparin, but it shows a prolonged half-life, a higher bioavability and a reduced effect on bleeding parameters. This article describes the mechanism of action of sulodexide and its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, listing the most important pharmacologic studies published

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Self-help retrofitting technologies for low-cost housing construction. The case study of Vila Novo Ouro Preto, Brasil.

The paper presents low-tech and low-cost solutions such as, in particular, self-help retrofitting technologies, to improve the quality in spontaneous settlements (favelas) which arise close to the major Brazilian towns. In particular, a critical analysis of the favela Vila Novo Ouro Preto in Belo Horizonte has been elaborated, highlighting both social, cultural and technical aspects to design suitable technological components to be adopted in order to improve environmental comfort. The study has been developed in order to meet people needs and expectations so as to guide planning and design perspectives aiming at improving the quality of life in a sustainable socio-cultural way. The contribution suggests a selection of interesting techniques and processes achievable in self-help construction; some of them are quite innovative since they use in a new and different way recycled materials and products, thus boosting economic growth and social development

MicroRNAs delivery into human cells grown on 3D-printed PLA scaffolds coated with a novel fluorescent PAMAM dendrimer for biomedical applications

Many advanced synthetic, natural, degradable or non-degradable materials have been employed to create scaffolds for cell culture for biomedical or tissue engineering applications. One of the most versatile material is poly-lactide (PLA), commonly used as 3D printing filament. Manufacturing of multifunctional scaffolds with improved cell growth proliferation and able to deliver oligonucleotides represents an innovative strategy for controlled and localized gene modulation that hold great promise and could increase the number of applications in biomedicine. Here we report for the first time the synthesis of a novel Rhodamine derivative of a poly-amidoamine dendrimer (G = 5) able to transfect cells and to be monitored by confocal microscopy that we also employed to coat a 3D-printed PLA scaffold. The coating do not modify the oligonucleotide binding ability, toxicity or transfection properties of the scaffold that is able to increase cell proliferation and deliver miRNA mimics (i.e., pre-mir-503) into human cells. Although further experiments are required to optimize the dendrimer/miRNA ratio and improve transfection efficiency, we demonstrated the effectiveness of this promising and innovative 3D-printed transfection system to transfer miRNAs into human cells for future biomedical applications. © 2018, The Author(s)

Pharmacological control of blood hypertension and hyperglycemia in acute phase of intracerebral haemorrhage

Blood hypertension and hyperglycemia are both risk factors for intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and negative prognostic factors of mortality and functional disability when occur in the acute phase of ICH. However, the intensive treatment of both these conditions has not clearly shown positive effects in reducing mortality and morbidity. Two recent clinical trials (INTERACT and ATACH) have shown that the aggressive lowering of systolic blood pressure (target 140 mmHg) may reduce the hematoma enlargement without increasing the risk of ischemic events due to lowering of the cerebral perfusion pressure, neurological deterioration, worsening of the life quality and disability. Intensive treatment of hyperglycemia has been associated to an increase of the risk of hypoglycemia with secondary increased risk of mortality. Blood pressure and glycemia should be monitored during the acute phase of ICH, but optimal strategies and targets still remain unclear