Matrix Metalloproteinases in Primary Culture of Cardiomyocytes.

The highly organized contractile apparatus of cardiomyocytes in heart tissue allows for their continuous contractility, whereas extracellular matrix components are synthesized and spatially organized by fibroblasts and endothelial cells. However, reorganization of the cardiomyocyte contractile apparatus occurs upon their 2D cultivation, which is accompanied by transient loss of their contractility and acquired capability of extracellular matrix synthesis (Bildyug, N. B.

Porous composite prosthetic pylon for integration with skin and bone.

This article presents results of the further development and testing of the "skin and bone integrated pylon" (SBIP-1) for percutaneous (through skin) connection of the residual bone with an external limb prosthesis. We investigated a composite structure (called the SBIP-2) made of titanium particles and fine wires using mathematical modeling and mechanical testing. Results showed that the strength of the pylon was comparable with that of anatomical bone.

Effect of melanins from black yeast fungi on proliferation and differentiation of cultivated human keratinocytes and fibroblasts.

The effects of melanin preparations from black yeast fungi (BYF) on the proliferation and differentiation of normal cultivated human skin keratinocytes and embryonic pulmonary fibroblasts have been investigated. Melanin preparations in the range of 5-0.1 microg/ml were optimally active, with a more pronounced effect on keratinocyte than on fibroblast proliferation.