Zinc Ameliorates High Pi and Ca-Mediated Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Zinc is the second most abundant trace element in the human body, stored mainly in the bones. Zinc is required for bone growth and homeostasis and is also a crucial cofactor for numerous proteins that play key roles in maintaining microstructural integrity and bone remodeling. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are multipotent progenitors found in the bone marrow stroma and can differentiate along multiple lineage pathways.

Microfabrication of controlled release osmotic drug delivery systems assembled from designed elements.

Background: This study investigates combining 3D printing with traditional compression methods to develop a multicomponent, controlled-release drug delivery system (DDS). The system uses osmotic tablet layers and a semipermeable membrane to control drug release, similar to modular Lego® structures.

Methods: The DDS comprises two directly compressed tablet layers (push and pull) and a semipermeable membrane, all contained within a 3D-printed frame.

In Vitro Models of Cardiovascular Calcification.

Cardiovascular calcification, characterized by hydroxyapatite deposition in the arterial wall and heart valves, is associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular calcification is a hallmark of aging but is frequently seen in association with chronic diseases, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension in the younger population as well. Currently, there is no therapeutic approach to prevent or cure cardiovascular calcification.

No sex-dependent mortality in an amphibian upon infection with the chytrid fungus, .

One of the major factors driving the currently ongoing biodiversity crisis is the anthropogenic spread of infectious diseases. Diseases can have conspicuous consequences, such as mass mortality events, but may also exert covert but similarly severe effects, such as sex ratio distortion via sex-biased mortality. Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen (Bd) is among the most important threats to amphibian biodiversity.