Publications by authors named "M T Nikolova"
Article Synopsis
- The study created a comprehensive reference atlas of human prenatal skin (7-17 weeks post-conception) using advanced techniques like single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to explore the roles of immune cells, specifically macrophages, in skin development.
- It was found that interactions between immune and non-immune cells are essential for key processes in skin development, such as hair follicle formation, scarless wound healing, and blood vessel growth.
- Additionally, while a skin organoid model mimicked certain features of prenatal skin, it lacked immune cells and showed limited blood vessel diversity, highlighting the important roles of macrophages and their derived factors in skin morphology and development.
Article Synopsis
- The study looks at how the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus) changes as women get older and whether these changes affect their ability to have babies.
- It was found that older women (over 45) have different endometrial cells and gene activity compared to younger women, which could make it harder for embryos to implant.
- The research included 44 women undergoing hormone treatment and examined biopsies to see how ready their endometrium was for pregnancy at different ages.
One of the primary risk factors for implant failure is thought to be implant-related infections during the early healing phase. Developing coatings with cell stimulatory behaviour and bacterial adhesion control is still difficult for bone implants. This study proposes an approach for one-step deposition of biocompatible and antimicrobial Cu-doped TiO coatings via glow-discharge sputtering of a mosaic target.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe endometrium, the inner mucosal lining of the uterus, undergoes complex molecular and cellular changes across the menstrual cycle in preparation for embryo implantation. Transcriptome-wide analyses have mainly been utilized to study endometrial receptivity, the prerequisite for successful implantation, with most studies, so far, comparing the endometrial transcriptomes between (i) secretory and proliferative endometrium or (ii) mid-secretory and early secretory endometrium. In the current study, we provide a complete transcriptome description of the endometrium across the entire menstrual cycle and, for the first time, comprehensively characterize the proliferative phase of the endometrium.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The text discusses how vitamin K-dependent proteins, known as Gla-proteins, play a crucial role in regulating vascular calcification (VC) and how their inactivation can lead to cardiovascular issues.
- It highlights specific Gla-proteins like osteocalcin, matrix Gla-protein, and Gla-rich protein, explaining their potential as biomarkers for VC and cardiovascular risks associated with vitamin K deficiency.
- The review suggests that dietary factors could influence the levels of these Gla-proteins, making them significant in both clinical practice and understanding the relationship between inflammation and calcification.