Spermidine alleviates depression via control of the stress response.

Depression is a stress-associated disorder, and it represents a major global health issue. Its pathophysiology is complex and remains insufficiently understood, with current medications often showing limited efficacy and undesirable side effects. Here, we identify imbalanced polyamine levels and dysregulated autophagy as key components of the acute stress response in humans, and as hallmarks of chronic stress and depressive disorders.

Effect of three-dimensional expansion and cell seeding density on the cartilage-forming capacity of human articular chondrocytes in type II collagen sponges.

Chondrocytes for tissue engineering strategies are typically expanded in monolayer (2D), leading to cell dedifferentiation but allowing to generate large cell numbers for seeding into scaffolds. Direct chondrocyte culture in scaffolds, instead, may support better maintenance of the differentiated phenotype but reduce the extent of proliferation and thus the resulting cell density. This study investigates whether the quality of cartilaginous tissues generated in vitro by human articular chondrocytes (HAC) on type II collagen sponges is enhanced (1) by direct expansion on the scaffolds (3D), as compared with standard 2D, or (2) by increasing cell seeding density, which in turn requires extensive 2D expansion.

Chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells by local transforming growth factor-beta delivery in a biphasic resorbable carrier.

Little is known about the potential of growth factor-augmented biphasic implants composed of a gel and a solid scaffold to enhance chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We analyzed whether a collagen type I/III carrier and fibrin glue (FG) combined to a biphasic construct support in vitro chondrogenesis of MSCs and allow for local release of bioactive transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1). Further, a possible advantage of partial autologous fibrin glue (PAF) over commercial FG was assessed.

Design and technical adjustment of a water treatment system: 15 years of experience.

This article gives a technical summary over the development of our dialysis water preparation site covering more than a decade of common effort to improve and secure water quality. We invite the reader to follow us through the experience of 3 major conception changes determined by available localities and resources, operational difficulties, and maintenance as well as progressive technologies and standards. Critical analysis aims to provide information to promote development in this area including details of preventable errors and misconceptions.

New nitrogen mustards structurally related to (L)-carnitine.

Enantiopure nitrogen mustards which mimic (L)-carnitine framework are prepared by a multi-step synthesis from the (R)-di-tert-butyl malate and their antitumor properties evaluated.

Effective flow performances and dialysis doses delivered with permanent catheters: a 24-month comparative study of permanent catheters versus arterio-venous vascular accesses.

Background: Permanent venous catheters have emerged as a long-term vascular access option for renal replacement therapy in end-stage renal disease patients. The design and venous location of catheter devices bear intrinsic flow limitations that may negatively affect the adequacy of dialysis and the patient outcome. There is limited data comparing the long-term dialysis adequacy delivered with permanent catheters vs arterio-venous vascular accesses (AVA).