Theoretical Model for In Vivo Induction of Chemotherapy Sensitization Using miRNA Packaged in Distinct Layered Liposomes.

Resistance to chemotherapy is a problem of major social and economic importance, when looking at factors like the decrease in life expectancy, the associated therapeutic costs, and a significant number of cancers that resist current chemotherapy. The development of chemotherapeutics for all theoretically possible tumor variants is an approach that requires unreasonable resources. We propose a theoretical model that serves the purpose of overcoming resistance to chemotherapeutic agents used in cancer therapy.

Osteoblast responsive biosilica-enriched gelatin microfibrillar microenvironments.

Engineering of scaffolds for bone regeneration is often inspired by the native extracellular matrix mimicking its composite fibrous structure. In the present study, we used low loadings of diatomite earth (DE) biosilica to improve the bone regeneration potential of gelatin electrospun fibrillar microenvironments. We explored the effect of increasing the DE content from 1 % to 3 % and 5 %, respectively, on the physico-chemical properties of the fibrous scaffolds denoted FG_DE1, FG_DE3, FG_DE5, regarding the aqueous media affinity, stability under simulated physiological conditions, morphology characteristics, and local mechanical properties at the surface.

The Effect of Silver and Samarium on the Properties of Bioglass Coatings Produced by Pulsed Laser Deposition and Spin Coating.

The current study reports the use of silver (Ag) and samarium (Sm) as dopants to improve the properties of standard bioglass in terms of biological performance. This experiment considers thin films of doped bioglass obtained by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and spin coating (SC). For both methods, some parameters were gradually varied, as the main objective was to produce a bioglass that could be used in biomedical fields.

Perspectives on Scaffold Designs with Roles in Liver Cell Asymmetry and Medical and Industrial Applications by Using a New Type of Specialized 3D Bioprinter.

Cellular asymmetry is an important element of efficiency in the compartmentalization of intracellular chemical reactions that ensure efficient tissue function. Improving the current 3D printing methods by using cellular asymmetry is essential in producing complex tissues and organs such as the liver. The use of cell spots containing at least two cells and basement membrane-like bio support materials allows cells to be tethered at two points on the basement membrane and with another cell in order to maintain cell asymmetry.

Preparation and In Vitro Characterization of Alkyl Polyglucoside-Based Microemulsion for Topical Administration of Curcumin.

The skin is a complex and selective system from the perspective of permeability to substances from the external environment. Microemulsion systems have demonstrated a high performance in encapsulating, protecting and transporting active substances through the skin. Due to the low viscosity of microemulsion systems and the importance of a texture that is easy to apply in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields, gel microemulsions are increasingly gaining more interest.

Bacterial Cellulose Hybrid Composites with Calcium Phosphate for Bone Tissue Regeneration.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a unique microbial biopolymer with a huge number of significant applications in the biomedical field, including bone tissue engineering. The present study proposes to obtain and characterize BC hybrid composites with calcium phosphate as biocompatible and bioactive membranes for bone tissue engineering. BC precursor membranes were obtained in static culture fermentation, and after purification, were oxidized to obtain 2,3-dialdehyde bacterial cellulose (DABC).

Telocytes' Role in Modulating Gut Motility Function and Development: Medical Hypotheses and Literature Review.

This review article explores the telocytes' roles in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), presenting the mechanisms and hypotheses related to epithelial regeneration, progressive fibrosis, and dysmotility as a consequence of TCs' reduced or absent number. Based on the presented mechanisms and hypotheses, we aim to provide a functional model to illustrate TCs' possible roles in the normal and pathological functioning of the digestive tract. TCs are influenced by the compression of nearby blood vessels and the degree of fibrosis of the surrounding tissues and mediate these processes in response.

Fecal Microbiota Transplant in Severe and Non-Severe Infection. Is There a Role of FMT in Primary Severe CDI?

Background: Faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is a highly effective therapy for recurrent infection (rCDI) with cure rates ranging between 85 and 92%. The FMT role for primary infection (CDI) has yet to be settled because of limited data and small-sample studies presented in the current literature. Our study goals were to report the risk factors and the risk of recurrence after FMT for each CDI episode (first, second, and third) and to explore if there is a role of FMT in primary severe CDI.

Exploring Inflammatory Status in Febrile Seizures Associated with Urinary Tract Infections: A Two-Step Cluster Approach.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are considered common facilitating factors, along with other infections, in triggering febrile seizures (FS). The main purpose of our study was to identify specific inflammatory patterns of UTI cases from other infections in a specific cluster, using a combination of inflammatory biomarkers to differentiate UTIs from other bacterial diseases triggering FS.

Method: This prospective study included a number of 136 patients with 197 distinct FS events, from patients hospitalized in the Pediatric Clinical Hospital Sibiu, among which 10.

Composite Fiber Networks Based on Polycaprolactone and Bioactive Glass-Ceramics for Tissue Engineering Applications.

In this work, composite fibers connected in three-dimensional porous scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning, starting from polycaprolactone and inorganic powders synthesized by the sol-gel method. The aim was to obtain materials dedicated to the field of bone regeneration, with controllable properties of bioresorbability and bioactivity. The employed powders were nanometric and of a glass-ceramic type, a fact that constitutes the premise of a potential attachment to living tissue in the physiological environment.

RNA-Binding Proteins HuB, HuC, and HuD are Distinctly Regulated in Dorsal Root Ganglia Neurons from STZ-Sensitive Compared to STZ-Resistant Diabetic Mice.

The neuron-specific -like Hu RNA-binding proteins were described to play an important role in neuronal differentiation and plasticity by ensuring the post-transcriptional control of RNAs encoding for various proteins. Although -like Hu proteins alterations were reported in diabetes or neuropathy, little is known about the regulation of neuron-specific -like Hu RNA-binding proteins in sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) due to the diabetic condition. The goal of our study was to analyze the gene and protein expression of HuB, HuC, and HuD in DRG sensory neurons in diabetes.

Beta-Estradiol Regulates Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels and Estrogen Receptors in Telocytes from Human Myometrium.

Voltage-gated calcium channels and estrogen receptors are essential players in uterine physiology, and their association with different calcium signaling pathways contributes to healthy and pathological conditions of the uterine myometrium. Among the properties of the various cell subtypes present in human uterine myometrium, there is increasing evidence that calcium oscillations in telocytes (TCs) contribute to contractile activity and pregnancy. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of beta-estradiol on voltage-gated calcium channels and estrogen receptors in TCs from human uterine myometrium and to understand their role in pregnancy.

Circulating Exosomes in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Circulating exosomes could arrive in distant tissues via blood circulation, thus directly communicating with target cells and rapidly regulating intracellular signalings. Circulating exosomes and exosomal cargos are critically involved in cardiovascular pathophysiology, such as cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Circulating exosomes enriched with various types of biological molecules can be changed not only in the number but also in the composite cargos upon cardiac injury, such as myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and sepsis cardiomyopathy, which may further influence cardiomyocyte function and contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.

All muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M-M) are expressed in murine brain microvascular endothelium.

Clinical and experimental studies indicate that muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are potential pharmacological targets for the treatment of neurological diseases. Although these receptors have been described in human, bovine and rat cerebral microvascular tissue, a subtype functional characterization in mouse brain endothelium is lacking. Here, we show that all muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M-M) are expressed in mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells.

Calcium Signaling in Interstitial Cells: Focus on Telocytes.

In this review, we describe the current knowledge on calcium signaling pathways in interstitial cells with a special focus on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs), and telocytes. In detail, we present the generation of Ca oscillations, the inositol triphosphate (IP₃)/Ca signaling pathway and modulation exerted by cytokines and vasoactive agents on calcium signaling in interstitial cells. We discuss the physiology and alterations of calcium signaling in interstitial cells, and in particular in telocytes.

Electrophysiological Features of Telocytes.

Telocytes (TCs) are interstitial cells described in multiple structures, including the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, urinary tract, uterus, and heart. Several studies have indicated the possibility that TCs are involved in the pacemaker potential in these organs. It is supposed that TCs are interacting with the neighboring muscular cells and their network contributes to the initiation and propagation of the electrical potentials.

Telocytes heterogeneity: From cellular morphology to functional evidence.

Telocytes (TCs), located ubiquitously in the internal organs of vertebrates, are a heterogeneous, recently described, cell population of the stromal space. Characterized by lengthy cytoplasmic extensions that can reach tens of microns and are called telopodes (Tps), TCs are difficult to see using conventional microscopes. It was the electron microscopy which led to their first identification and Popescu's team the first responsible for the reconstructions indicating TCs 'organization' in a three-dimensional (3D) network that is believed to be accountable for the complex roles of TCs.

Acid-Sensing Ion Channels as Potential Pharmacological Targets in Peripheral and Central Nervous System Diseases.

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are widely expressed in the body and represent good sensors for detecting protons. The pH drop in the nervous system is equivalent to ischemia and acidosis, and ASICs are very good detectors in discriminating slight changes in acidity. ASICs are important pharmacological targets being involved in a variety of pathophysiological processes affecting both the peripheral nervous system (e.

Isolated human uterine telocytes: immunocytochemistry and electrophysiology of T-type calcium channels.

Recently, telocytes (TCs) were described as a new cell type in the interstitial space of many organs, including myometrium. TCs are cells with very long, distinctive extensions named telopodes (Tps). It is suggested that TCs play a major role in intercellular signaling, as well as in morphogenesis, especially in morphogenetic bioelectrical signaling.

Near-infrared low-level laser stimulation of telocytes from human myometrium.

Telocytes (TCs) are a brand-new cell type frequently observed in the interstitial space of many organs (see www.telocytes.com ).

Advanced type 1 diabetes is associated with ASIC alterations in mouse lower thoracic dorsal root ganglia neurons.

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons are proton sensors during ischemia and inflammation. Little is known about their role in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Our study was focused on ASICs alterations determined by advanced T1D status.