Short-term S100A8/A9 Blockade Promotes Cardiac Neovascularization after Myocardial Infarction.

Acute-phase inhibition of the pro-inflammatory alarmin S100A8/A9 improves cardiac function post-myocardial infarction (MI), but the mechanisms underlying the long-term benefits of this short-term treatment remain to be elucidated. Here, we assessed the effects of S100A8/A9 blockade with the small-molecule inhibitor ABR-238901 on myocardial neovascularization in mice with induced MI. The treatment significantly reduced S100A9 and increased neovascularization in the myocardium, assessed by CD31 staining.

Dihydrotestosterone Augments the Angiogenic and Migratory Potential of Human Endothelial Progenitor Cells by an Androgen Receptor-Dependent Mechanism.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a critical role in cardiovascular regeneration. Enhancement of their native properties would be highly beneficial to ensuring the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. As androgens have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, we hypothesized that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) could also influence EPC-mediated repair processes.

New born macrosomia in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic complication of pregnancy. The pathogenesis of GDM is considered to involve β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance (IR). GDM is associated with a significant risk of macrosomia in addition to a high probability of metabolic complications for the offspring.

Regulated cell death joins in atherosclerotic plaque silent progression.

Non-apoptotic regulated cell death (ferroptosis and necroptosis) leads to the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which initiate and perpetuate a non-infectious inflammatory response. We hypothesize that DAMPs and non-apoptotic regulated cell death are critical players of atherosclerotic plaque progression with inadequate response to lipid-lowering treatment. We aimed to uncover the silent mechanisms that govern the existing residual risk of cardiovascular-related mortality in experimental atherosclerosis.

Proteomic Analysis of Estrogen-Mediated Enhancement of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Induced Angiogenesis In Vivo.

Therapeutic use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for tissue repair has great potential. MSCs from multiple sources, including those derived from human umbilical matrix, namely Wharton's jelly, may serve as a resource for obtaining MSCs. However, low in vivo engraftment efficacy of MSCs remains a challenging limitation.

Proteomics of regenerated tissue in response to a titanium implant with a bioactive surface in a rat tibial defect model.

Due to their excellent mechanical and biocompatibility properties, titanium-based implants are successfully used as biomedical devices. However, when new bone formation fails for different reasons, impaired fracture healing becomes a clinical problem and affects the patient's quality of life. We aimed to design a new bioactive surface of titanium implants with a synergetic PEG biopolymer-based composition for gradual delivery of growth factors (FGF2, VEGF, and BMP4) during bone healing.

Diabetic nephropathy associates with deregulation of enzymes involved in kidney sulphur metabolism.

Nephropathy is a major chronic complication of diabetes. A crucial role in renal pathophysiology is played by hydrogen sulphide (H S) that is produced excessively by the kidney; however, the data regarding H S bioavailability are inconsistent. We hypothesize that early type 1 diabetes (T1D) increases H S production by a mechanism involving hyperglycaemia-induced alterations in sulphur metabolism.

Analytical techniques for multiplex analysis of protein biomarkers.

Introduction: The importance of biomarkers for pharmaceutical drug development and clinical diagnostics is more significant than ever in the current shift toward personalized medicine. Biomarkers have taken a central position either as companion markers to support drug development and patient selection, or as indicators aiming to detect the earliest perturbations indicative of disease, minimizing therapeutic intervention or even enabling disease reversal. Protein biomarkers are of particular interest given their central role in biochemical pathways.

Long-Term Evaluation of Dip-Coated PCL-Blend-PEG Coatings in Simulated Conditions.

Our study focused on the long-term degradation under simulated conditions of coatings based on different compositions of polycaprolactone-polyethylene glycol blends (PCL-blend-PEG), fabricated for titanium implants by a dip-coating technique. The degradation behavior of polymeric coatings was evaluated by polymer mass loss measurements of the PCL-blend-PEG during immersion in SBF up to 16 weeks and correlated with those yielded from electrochemical experiments. The results are thoroughly supported by extensive compositional and surface analyses (FTIR, GIXRD, SEM, and wettability investigations).

Driving Precision Medicine through Proteomics and Metabolomics - 12th Central and Eastern European Proteomic Conference (CEEPC), Bucharest, Romania.

As Romanians prepared to celebrate 100 years of the ''Great Unification of 1918'' which united all provinces into one Romania, the 12 Central and Eastern European Proteomic Conference (CEEPC) jointly with the 39 Anniversary of the Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology ''N. Simionescu'' (ICBP-NS), held their inaugural meeting at the Romanian Academy in Bucharest - a national forum of highest scientific recognition. With an exciting theme entitled, 'Advances in Proteomics and Progress in Precision Medicine', delegates gathered to debate Precision medicine's revolution in diagnosis and treatment, which now accounts for predictive, preventative, and targeted treatment strategies with informed decisions according to individual's unique clinical, molecular and genetic profile.

Mechanism of 17β-estradiol stimulated integration of human mesenchymal stem cells in heart tissue.

Scarcity of gender specific donor hearts highlights the importance of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a therapeutic tool for heart repair. However, inefficient incorporation, retention, and activity of MSCs in cardiac tissue remain an obstacle. Since surges in follicular estradiol (E2; μmolar-range) trigger tissue remodeling (e.

Dihydrotestosterone induces pro-angiogenic factors and assists homing of MSC into the cardiac tissue.

The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) as a therapeutic tool in cardiovascular diseases is promising. Since androgens exert some beneficial actions on the cardiovascular system, we tested our hypothesis that this hormone could promote MSC-mediated repair processes, also. Cultured MSCs isolated from Wharton's jelly were exposed to 30 nM dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for 1 or 4 days and the effects of the hormone on their growth/migration/adhesion and the underlying mechanisms were assessed.

Laser deposition of poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) - lysozyme microspheres based coatings with anti-microbial properties.

The purpose of this study was to obtain, characterize and evaluate the cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of coatings based on poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) - Lysozyme (P(3HB-3HV)/Lys) and P(3HB-3HV) - Polyethylene glycol - Lysozyme (P(3HB-3HV)/PEG/Lys) spheres prepared by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique, in order to obtain functional and improved Ti-based implants. Morphological investigation of the coatings by Infrared Microscopy (IRM) and SEM revealed that the average diameter of P(3HB-3HV)/Lys spheres is around 2μm and unlike the drop cast samples, IRM recorded on MAPLE films revealed a good distribution of monitored functional groups on the entire scanned surface. The biological evaluation of MAPLE structured surfaces revealed an improved biocompatibility with respect to osteoblasts and endothelial cells as compared with Ti substrates and an enhanced anti-biofilm effect against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) tested strains.

Alarmins in chronic noncommunicable diseases: Atherosclerosis, diabetes and cancer.

Unlabelled: There is a wide range of pathological conditions proved to be associated with inflammation. The inflammatory process offers protection against harmful stimuli such as induced cell injury and tissues damage by means of specialized mediators and cells. Alarmins, also known as endogenous danger signals or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) molecules, are critical players of immune response to tissue suffering.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperones Are Potential Active Factors in Thyroid Tumorigenesis.

The study aimed to evaluate the proteomic changes in benign follicular adenoma versus malignant follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Tumor and nontumor adjacent samples were analyzed by liquid nanochromatography mass spectrometry, and protein abundance was evaluated by label-free quantification. Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to validate and complement the mass spectrometry data.

Alteration of actin dependent signaling pathways associated with membrane microdomains in hyperlipidemia.

Background: Membrane microdomains represent dynamic membrane nano-assemblies enriched in signaling molecules suggesting their active involvement in not only physiological but also pathological molecular processes. The hyperlipidemic stress is a major risk factor of atherosclerosis, but its exact mechanisms of action at the membrane microdomains level remain elusive. The aim of the present study was to determine whether membrane-cytoskeleton proteome in the pulmonary tissue could be modulated by the hyperlipidemic stress, a major risk factor of atherosclerosis.

Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Romania: A Six-Month Survey.

This study presents the first characterization of carbapenem-non-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates by means of a structured six-month survey performed in Romania as part of an Europe-wide investigation. Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates from different anatomical sites were tested for antibiotic susceptibility by phenotypic methods and confirmed by PCR for the presence of four carbapenemase genes. Genome macrorestriction fingerprinting with XbaI was used to analyze the relatedness of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates collected from eight hospitals.

High-mobility group box 1 enhances the inflammatory process in diabetic lung.

Diabetes mellitus generates metabolic changes associated with inflammatory events that may eventually affect all body tissues. Both high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and β-catenin are active players in inflammation. The study aimed to determine whether HMGB1 modulates the β-catenin activity in supporting inflammation, using an experimental type 1 diabetes mouse model.

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS STRAINS ISOLATED FROM INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the heart endothelium and valves and is frequently a consequence of a sanguine flow turbulence and injury of endocardium. Recent studies revealed an increase of Staphylococcus aureus strains involved in IE, but no evident correlations between the genetic background of this bacterium and IE involvement of certain strains have been found yet. In this study we analyzed the virulence profile, including adhesins, exotoxins, superantigens and biofilm determinants, along with agr type detection, for S.

High-fat diet alters protein composition of detergent-resistant membrane microdomains.

A high-lipid diet is one of the main risk factors in atherosclerosis and can induce changes in the composition of plasma membrane microdomains. In response, important functions such as vesicle trafficking, protein docking, signaling and receptor recognition are significantly altered. In particular, interactions of heat-shock proteins (Hsps), acting as danger signals, with components of the membrane microdomains can influence signaling pathways and the inflammatory response of cells.