Hepatics and Anthocerotes of the Mediterranean, an annotated checklist

The names of all hepatics and anthocerotes published to the end of may 2007 in the Mediterranean countries and Bulgaria are compiled in an annotated checklist list. The list comprises accepted names and synonyms and provides explanatory annotations for ambiguous and disputed names. A total of 403 accepted species and 12 infraspecific taxa are reported from the area

Inflammatory response to nano- and microstructured hydroxyapatite

The proliferation and activation of leukocytes upon contact with a biomaterial play a crucial role in the degree of inflammatory response, which may then determine the clinical failure or success of an implanted biomaterial. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether nano- and microstructured biomimetic hydroxyapatite substrates can influence the growth and activation of macrophage-like cells. Hydroxyapatite substrates with different crystal mor- phologies consisting of an entangled network of plate-like and needle-like crystals were evaluated. Macrophage proliferation was evaluated on the material surface (direct contact) and also in extracts i.e. media modified by the material (indirect contact). Additionally, the ef- fect of supplementing the extracts with calcium ions and/or proteins was investigated. Mac- rophage activation on the substrates was evaluated by quantifying the release of reactive oxygen species and by morphological observations. The results showed that differences in the substrate’s microstructure play a major role in the activation of macrophages as there was a higher release of reactive oxygen species after culturing the macrophages on plate- like crystals substrates compared to the almost non-existent release on needle-like sub- strates. However, the difference in macrophage proliferation was ascribed to different ionic exchanges and protein adsorption/retention from the substrates rather than to the texture of materials.