Epicardium-Derived Cells Formed After Myocardial Injury Display Phagocytic Activity Permitting In Vivo Labeling and Tracking.

Unlabelled: Epicardium-derived cells (EPDCs) cover the heart surface and can function as a source of both progenitor cells and trophic factors for cardiac repair. Currently, EPDCs cannot be conveniently labeled in vivo to permit imaging and cell tracking. EPDCs formed after myocardial infarction (MI) preferentially take up a perfluorocarbon-containing nanoemulsion (PFC-NE; 130 ± 32 nm) injected 3 days after injury, as measured by (19)F-magnetic resonance imaging ((19)F-MRI).

Effect of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles on Skin Tumor Cells and Dermal Fibroblasts.

Iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles have been used in many biomedical approaches. The toxicity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on mammalian cells was published recently. Though, little is known about the viability of human cells after treatment with Fe3O4 nanoparticles.

Subcellular distribution of raffinose oligosaccharides and other metabolites in summer and winter leaves of Ajuga reptans (Lamiaceae).

In Ajuga reptans, raffinose oligosaccharides accumulated during winter. Stachyose, verbascose, and higher RFO oligomers were exclusively found in the vacuole whereas one-fourth of raffinose was localized in the stroma. The evergreen labiate Ajuga reptans L.

Downregulation of tumor growth and invasion by redox-active nanoparticles.

Aims: Melanoma is the most aggressive type of malignant skin cancer derived from uncontrolled proliferation of melanocytes. Melanoma cells possess a high potential to metastasize, and the prognosis for advanced melanoma is rather poor due to its strong resistance to conventional chemotherapeutics. Nanomaterials are at the cutting edge of the rapidly developing area of nanomedicine.

Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is involved in the regulation of mitochondrial shape and bioenergetics and plays a role in oxidative stress.

Calcium ions are involved in a plethora of cellular functions including cell death and mitochondrial energy metabolism. Store-operated Ca(2+) entry over the plasma membrane is activated by depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores and is mediated by the sensor STIM1 and the channel ORAI1. We compared cell death susceptibility to oxidative stress in STIM1 knock-out and ORAI1 knockdown mouse embryonic fibroblasts and in knock-out cells with reconstituted wild type and dominant active STIM1.

In vitro impairment of whole blood coagulation and platelet function by hypertonic saline hydroxyethyl starch.

Background: Hypertonic saline hydroxyethyl starch (HH) has been recommended for first line treatment of hemorrhagic shock. Its effects on coagulation are unclear. We studied in vitro effects of HH dilution on whole blood coagulation and platelet function.

Combined cytotoxic and anti-invasive properties of redox-active nanoparticles in tumor-stroma interactions.

Tumor-stroma interaction plays an important role in tumor progression. Myofibroblasts, pivotal for tumor progression, populate the microecosystem of reactive stroma. The formation of myofibroblasts is mediated by tumor derived transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) which initiates a reactive oxygen species cell type dependent expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, a biomarker for myofibroblastic cells.

Mycoplasma salivarium detected in a microbial community with Candida glabrata in the biofilm of an occluded biliary stent.

Mycoplasma salivarium, preferentially an inhabitant of the human oral cavity, has rarely been found in other locations associated with disease. We describe here, for what is believed to be the first time, the detection of M. salivarium, together with Candida glabrata, in an occluded biliary stent of an icteric, cholestatic patient.

Limitations of the colloidal silica method in mapping the endothelial plasma membrane proteome of the mouse heart.

The endothelial cell (EC) membrane is an important interface, which plays a crucial role in signal transduction. Our aim was to selectively purify luminal EC membrane proteins from the coronary vasculature of the isolated perfused mouse heart and analyze its composition with mass spectrometry (MS). To specifically label coronary ECs in the intact heart, the colloidal silica method was applied, which is based on the binding of positively charged colloidal silica to the surface of EC membranes.

High-resolution imaging reveals a limit in spatial resolution of blood flow measurements by microspheres.

Density of 15-microm microspheres after left atrial application is the standard measure of regional perfusion. In the heart, substantial differences in microsphere density are seen at spatial resolutions <5 ml, implying perfusion heterogeneity. Microsphere deposition imaging permits a superior evaluation of the distribution pattern.