Qualitative Analysis of an ODE Model of a Class of Enzymatic Reactions : Some Results on Global Stability of Messenger RNA-MicroRNA Interaction.

The present paper analyzes an ODE model of a certain class of (open) enzymatic reactions. This type of model is used, for instance, to describe the interactions between messenger RNAs and microRNAs. It is shown that solutions defined by positive initial conditions are well defined and bounded on [Formula: see text] and that the positive octant of [Formula: see text] is a positively invariant set.

Fractal-like kinetics of intracellular enzymatic reactions: a chemical framework of endotoxin tolerance and a possible non-specific contribution of macromolecular crowding to cross-tolerance.

Background: The response to endotoxin (LPS), and subsequent signal transduction lead to the production of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by innate immune cells. Cells or organisms pretreated with endotoxin enter into a transient state of hyporesponsiveness, referred to as endotoxin tolerance (ET) which represents a particular case of negative preconditioning. Despite recent progress in understanding the molecular basis of ET, there is no consensus yet on the primary mechanism responsible for ET and for the more complex cases of cross tolerance.

Fractal-like kinetics, a possible link between preconditioning and sepsis immunodepression. On the chemical basis of innate immunity.

In a recent paper the authors hypothesized that the so called fractal-like enzyme kinetics of intracellular reactions may explain the preconditioning effect in biology (Vasilescu C, Olteanu M, Flondor P, Revue Roumaine de Chimie. 2011; 56(7): 751-7). Inside cells the reaction kinetics is very well described by fractal-like kinetics.

How relevant are in vivo and in vitro studies for clinical sepsis? A mathematical model of LPS signaling based on endotoxin tolerance.

The goal of this paper is to explain: (1) the low-level TNF-alpha concentration in some septic patients and (2) the relevance of the in vivo and in vitro models of endotoxin tolerance for the clinical sepsis. We hypothesized that the low level of TNF-alpha concentration in septic patients can be understood, at least in part, by two particularities of these patients: the kinetics of LPS plasma levels and the existence of a "endotoxin tolerance-like phenomenon" (a particular type of down regulation of LPS signaling). The kinetics of TNF-alpha, as expression of the cytokine releasing capacity, was modeled considering LPS as a command (function of time) and the existence of a brake system (a summation of the down regulating factors of LPS signaling).

Total cardiovascular risk estimation in Romania. Data from the SEPHAR study.

Objective: of this sub-study was to assess the impact of major CV risk factors on mortality due to CV diseases among Romanian adult subjects using the SCORE System.

Study Design And Setting: In 2005, a survey for CV risk factors (SEPHAR) was performed in Romania involving 2017 subjects aged over 18 yrs, a representative sample for the Romanian adult population. Romania's area was divided into ten regions recommended by The National Commission of Statistics.