Labeling fibrin fibers with beads alter single fibrin fiber lysis, external clot lysis, and produce large fibrin aggregates upon lysis.

Fluorescent beads are often used as a tool for visualizing fibrin fibers in single fiber mechanics studies and studies of single fiber lysis. Here we investigate the effect of beads on fibrin fiber lysis and extensibility to enhance understanding of this common research technique. We selected beads of the same diameter as those used in previous studies, as well as, beads of similar size to microparticles in the bloodstream.

Fibrin Fiber Stiffness Is Strongly Affected by Fiber Diameter, but Not by Fibrinogen Glycation.

The major structural component of a blood clot is a mesh of fibrin fibers. Our goal was to determine whether fibrinogen glycation and fibrin fiber diameter have an effect on the mechanical properties of single fibrin fibers. We used a combined atomic force microscopy/fluorescence microscopy technique to determine the mechanical properties of individual fibrin fibers formed from blood plasma.

Loving-kindness meditation's effects on nitric oxide and perceived well-being: a pilot study in experienced and inexperienced meditators.

Background: Meditation is associated with lower blood pressure, but little is known about how loving-kindness meditation affects nitric oxide (NO) metabolism, a key mediator of cardiovascular physiology associated with vasodilation.

Methods: We studied seven inexperienced and five experienced healthy meditators at one study visit, after they refrained from eating nitrate-rich foods for at least 12h. Participants completed questionnaires on demographics and meditation practices.