Towards engineering heart tissues from bioprinted cardiac spheroids.

Currentin vivoandin vitromodels fail to accurately recapitulate the human heart microenvironment for biomedical applications. This study explores the use of cardiac spheroids (CSs) to biofabricate advancedin vitromodels of the human heart. CSs were created from human cardiac myocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells (ECs), mixed within optimal alginate/gelatin hydrogels and then bioprinted on a microelectrode plate for drug testing. Bioprinted CSs maintained their structure and viability for at least 30 d after printing. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoted EC branching from CSs within hydrogels. Alginate/gelatin-based hydrogels enabled spheroids fusion, which was further facilitated by addition of VEGF. Bioprinted CSs contracted spontaneously and under stimulation, allowing to record contractile and electrical signals on the microelectrode plates for industrial applications. Taken together, our findings indicate that bioprinted CSs can be used to biofabricate human heart tissues for long termin vitrotesting. This has the potential to be used to study biochemical, physiological and pharmacological features of human heart tissue

A research on phenolic and cyanogenic compounds in sweet and bitter kernelled apricot varieties

12th Symposium on Apricot Culture and Decline -- SEP 10-14, 2001 -- Avignon, FRANCEWOS: 000237601100025In this study, phenolic compounds situation were determined in sweet and bitter apricot varieties. For this purpose, sweet apricot varieties such as Kabaasi, Sam and Hasanbey and bitter varieties such as Adilcevaz-2, Adilcevaz-4 and X.1 Zerdali were used. Leaf and root samples were taken in May and September. Phenolics and cyanogenic glycosides were analysed by using thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Consequently, it was found that bitter kernelled apricots contain higher levels of phenolic and cyanogenic compounds in the leaves, roots and seeds than sweet kernelled ones. http://www.actahort.org/members/showpdf?booknrarnr=701_25Int Soc Hort Sci, INRA, Agri Obtent, Conseil Reg Provence Alpes Cotes Azur, Conseil Reg Languedoc Roussillon, Conseil Reg Rhone Alpes, CIHEAM, IAMZ, CIHEAM, IAMB, CEP, CTIFL, SERFEL, RMG Avignon, Coteaux Tricastin, GIE, PROMEGA FranceINCO-DC "APRIMED" [ICI 18 CT 98-0310]This research is supported by No: ICI 18 CT 98-0310 (INCO-DC "APRIMED"

SERUM OSTEOCALCIN LEVELS IN TYPE-I DIABETES-MELLITUS

Serum osteocalcin levels are a marker of bone formation. In this study, bone and mineral metabolism in type I diabetes mellitus (DM) were investigated, and the changes related to diabetic microvascular complications were examined. Serum calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (P), osteocalcin (OC) and parathyroid hormone (PM) levels were measured in 42 type I diabetic subjects. Diabetics were subdivided into those with or without complications. Age and sex-matched control subjects were used for comparisons with the diabetic groups. Serum P and PTH levels were not different from those of controls. Serum Ca levels were significantly increased (p < 0.001) although the values were within the normal range. CC levels were significantly lower in the complicated (retinopathy and/or protenuria) diabetic group (p < 0.005). In Type I diabetes mellitus, the serum OC level is influenced by the presence of microvascular complications

Determination of phenolic compounds in resistant and susceptible apricot hybrids to Sclerotinia laxa

XIth International Symposium on Apricot Culture -- MAY 25-30, 1997 -- VERIA MAKEDONIA, GREECEWOS: 000083017300114In this study, phenolic compounds of leaves in resistant and susceptible hybrids were investigated. It was seen that resistant hybrids contained more tannin and high number of phenolic components than the susceptibles.NAGREF, Int Soc Hort Sci, Greek Soc Hort Sci, Minist Agr, Geotech Chamber Greece, Minist Makedonia Thraki, Community Portaria Halkidiki, CRONOS, SA, CON VERI, SA, CONEX, SA, COPAIS, SA, DOW ELANCO, DRAGOUMANOS, ELVAK, SA, HARANTONIS, HELLAFARM, SA, Prefecture Imathia, Municipality Veria, Gen Secretariat Res & Techn, Agr Coop Union Messi, Imathia, Chem Ind NO Greece, Agr Bank Greece, INEMPOLIDIS, Ioannis, LAPAFARM, SA, PHILIPPOS, SA, Scientact Co, E & N Mamani, Venus, SA, Vitro Hellas, SA, Xiloyannis Bailis, SA, Zeneca Hella

Analysis of Laser Doppler Flowmetry Recordings in a Protocol of Paced Breathing: Disentangling Local Vascular Dynamics from Respiratory Synchronous Oscillations

The mutual relationship between global control of circulation and local control of peripheral hemodynamics has been marginally addressed by cardiovascular variability research, but quantifying this relationship may be relevant when dealing with tissue perfusion monitoring in pathologies affecting microcirculation

A robust independent component analysis algorithm for removing ballistocardiogram artifacts from EEG and fMRI recordings

Simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) recordings provide complementary advantages with regard to the temporal and spatial resolution of brain activity. This methodology still now suffers from several artifacts, such as the gradient, the ballistocardiogram (BCG) and electro-oculogram (EOG). A number of procedures have been developed in recent years for removing BCG artifacts and the usefulness of Independent Component Analysis (ICA) in this purpose was largely discussed and demonstrated. The aim of this study is to propose a more efficient and robust independent component analysis algorithm (RobustICA) for removing BCG and EOG artifacts. The algorithm has been validated on EEG datasets acquired inside the static magnetic field of a 1,5 T RM scanner and its performances were compared with those of other already applied processing methods (Optimal Basis Set, FastICA)

NMR insights into the pre-amyloid ensemble and secretion targeting of the curli subunit CsgA

The biofilms of Enterobacteriaceae are fortified by assembly of curli amyloid fibres on the cell surface. Curli not only provides structural reinforcement, but also facilitates surface adhesion. To prevent toxic intracellular accumulation of amyloid precipitate, secretion of the major curli subunit, CsgA, is tightly regulated. In this work, we have employed solution state NMR spectroscopy to characterise the structural ensemble of the pre-fibrillar state of CsgA within the bacterial periplasm, and upon recruitment to the curli pore, CsgG, and the secretion chaperone, CsgE. We show that the N-terminal targeting sequence (N) of CsgA binds specifically to CsgG and that its subsequent sequestration induces a marked transition in the conformational ensemble, which is coupled to a preference for CsgE binding. These observations lead us to suggest a sequential model for binding and structural rearrangement of CsgA at the periplasmic face of the secretion machinery

The effects of needle deformation during lumbar puncture

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess deformation of the tip and deflection from the axis of 22-gauge Quincke needles when they are used for diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP). Thus, it can be determined whether constructional alterations of needles are important for predicting clinical problems after diagnostic LP. Materials and Methods: The 22-gauge Quincke needles used for diagnostic LP were evaluated. A specially designed protractor was used for measurement and evaluation. Waist circumference was measured in each patient. Patients were questioned about headaches occurring after LP. Results: A total of 115 Quincke-type spinal needles used in 113 patients were evaluated. No deflection was detected in 38 (33.1%) of the needles. Deflection between 0.1° and 5° occurred in 43 (37.3%) of the needles and deflection ≥ 5.1° occurred in 34 patients (29.6%). Forty-seven (41.5%) patients experienced post lumbar puncture headache (PLPH) and 13 (11.5%) patients experienced intracranial hypotension (IH). No statistically significant correlation between the degree of deflection and headache was found (P > 0.05). Epidural blood patch was performed for three patients. Deformity in the form of bending like a hook occurred in seven needles and IH occurred in six patients using these needles. Two of the needles used in three patients requiring blood patch were found to be bent. Conclusion: Deformation of needles may increase complications after LP. Needle deformation may lead to IH. In case of deterioration in the structure of the needle, termination of the puncture procedure and the use of a new needle could reduce undesirable clinical consequences, especially IH