Blood Serum Stimulates p38-Mediated Proliferation and Changes in Global Gene Expression of Adult Human Cardiac Stem Cells.

During aging, senescent cells accumulate in various tissues accompanied by decreased regenerative capacities of quiescent stem cells, resulting in deteriorated organ function and overall degeneration. In this regard, the adult human heart with a generally low regenerative potential is of extreme interest as a target for rejuvenating strategies with blood borne factors that might be able to activate endogenous stem cell populations. Here, we investigated for the first time the effects of human blood plasma and serum on adult human cardiac stem cells (hCSCs) and showed significantly increased proliferation capacities and metabolism accompanied by a significant decrease of senescent cells, demonstrating a beneficial serum-mediated effect that seemed to be independent of age and sex.

Up on the roof and down in the dirt: Differences in substrate properties (SOM, potassium, phosphorus and pH) and their relationships to each other between sedum and wildflower green roofs.

In urban areas green roofs provide important environmental advantages in regard to biodiversity, storm water runoff, pollution mitigation and the reduction of the urban heat island effect. There is a paucity of literature comparing different types of green roof substrates and their contributions to ecosystem services or their negative effects. This study investigated if there was a difference between sedum and wildflower green roof substrate properties (soil organic matter (SOM), potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) concentrations and pH values) of 12 green roofs in the city of Brighton & Hove.

Population genomic analysis of elongated skulls reveals extensive female-biased immigration in Early Medieval Bavaria.

Modern European genetic structure demonstrates strong correlations with geography, while genetic analysis of prehistoric humans has indicated at least two major waves of immigration from outside the continent during periods of cultural change. However, population-level genome data that could shed light on the demographic processes occurring during the intervening periods have been absent. Therefore, we generated genomic data from 41 individuals dating mostly to the late 5th/early 6th century AD from present-day Bavaria in southern Germany, including 11 whole genomes (mean depth 5.

Early medieval stone-lined graves in Southern Germany: analysis of an emerging noble class.

Objectives: Stone-lined graves, which first appear in Bavarian territory during the 7 century AD, are assumed to be tombs of emerging nobility. While previous research on stone-lined grave goods supports their status as elite burials, an important factor defining nobility-kinship-has not been examined so far.

Materials And Methods: Morphological analysis of the commingled skeletal remains of 21 individuals from three archaeological sites was carried out.

A High-Coverage Yersinia pestis Genome from a Sixth-Century Justinianic Plague Victim.

The Justinianic Plague, which started in the sixth century and lasted to the mid eighth century, is thought to be the first of three historically documented plague pandemics causing massive casualties. Historical accounts and molecular data suggest the bacterium Yersinia pestis as its etiological agent. Here we present a new high-coverage (17.

United in death-related by blood? Genetic and archeometric analyses of skeletal remains from the neolithic earthwork Bruchsal-Aue.

Objectives: Straight next to a segment of the outer ditch of the Late Neolithic Michelsberg Culture earthwork of Bruchsal-Aue in SW-Germany (ca. 4250-3650 calBC), a multiple burial of eight individuals (two male adults and six children) plus a subsequent child burial was excavated. In this study, we applied a multidisciplinary approach to elucidate interpersonal relationships and life histories within this collective.

Leukocyte chemoattractant receptors in human disease pathogenesis.

Combinations of leukocyte attractant ligands and cognate heptahelical receptors specify the systemic recruitment of circulating cells by triggering integrin-dependent adhesion to endothelial cells, supporting extravasation, and directing specific intratissue localization via gradient-driven chemotaxis. Chemoattractant receptors also control leukocyte egress from lymphoid organs and peripheral tissues. In this article, we summarize the fundamental mechanics of leukocyte trafficking, from the evolution of multistep models of leukocyte recruitment and navigation to the regulation of chemoattractant availability and function by atypical heptahelical receptors.

Cross-species approaches to seed dormancy and germination: conservation and biodiversity of ABA-regulated mechanisms and the Brassicaceae DOG1 genes.

Seed dormancy is genetically determined with substantial environmental influence mediated, at least in part, by the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA). The ABA-related transcription factor ABI3/VP1 (ABA INSENSITIVE3/VIVIPAROUS1) is widespread among green plants. Alternative splicing of its transcripts appears to be involved in regulating seed dormancy, but the role of ABI3/VP1 goes beyond seeds and dormancy.

Terpene-mediated parasitoid host location behavior on transgenic and classically bred apple genotypes.

Terpene-mediated interactions between transgenic or classically bred apple genotypes and associated insects were investigated. Apple genotypes were either resistant or susceptible to Venturia inaequalis that causes apple scab. They were subjected to infestation by Phyllonorycter leafminers and/or inoculation with V.

Comparison between volatile emissions from transgenic apples and from two representative classically bred apple cultivars.

While most risk assessments contrast a transgenic resistant to its isogenic line, an additional comparison between the transgenic line and a classically bred cultivar with the same resistance gene would be highly desirable. Our approach was to compare headspace volatiles of transgenic scab resistant apple plants with two representative cultivars (the isogenic 'Gala' and the scab resistance gene-containing 'Florina'). As modifications in volatile profiles have been shown to alter plant relationships with non-target insects, we analysed headspace volatiles from apple plants subjected to different infection types by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

13C-labelling patterns of green leaf volatiles indicating different dynamics of precursors in Brassica leaves.

To investigate the dynamics of precursor compounds of green leaf volatiles (GLV)s and other biogenic compounds released by mechanically damaged Brassica oleracea leaves, plants were exposed for two consecutive 16h light phases to highly enriched (13)CO(2). Analysis by GC-MS indicated (1) biogenic compounds released upon wounding, (2) a different labelling pattern between and (3) within compounds, and (4) evidence for spatial heterogeneity of the precursor pool extrapolated from points (1)-(3). First, GLVs comprised C(5) and C(6) molecules, with the GLV pentenyl acetate being reported here for the first time from higher plants.

How two different host species influence the performance of a gregarious parasitoid: host size is not equal to host quality.

1. Hyssopus pallidus Askew (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) is a gregarious ectoparasitoid of the two tortricid moths species Cydia molesta Busck and C. pomonella L.

Optimisation of a human neutrophil elastase assay and investigation of the effect of sesquiterpene lactones.

Neutrophil granulocytes are effector cells in innate and humoral immunity. They are involved in inflammatory processes by releasing pro-inflammatory enzymes, such as the human neutrophil elastase (HNE). We here report an optimisation of an HNE release assay using microplates.

Cardiopulmonary effects of iloprost in experimental acute lung injury.

Iloprost, a prostacyclin analogue with a prolonged plasma half-life has beneficial effects in chronic pulmonary hypertension, whereas the effects in acute lung injury (ALI) are unknown. The present study was performed to evaluate the cardiopulmonary effects of iloprost in experimental ALI. ALI was induced in 18 pigs by repeated lung lavage.

Computerized modeling based on spiral CT data for noninvasive determination of aortic stent-graft length.

Purpose: To preprocedurally determine the correct length of a nonbifurcated endovascular prosthesis for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair using a computerized model.

Methods: A computer program was implemented to calculate the optimal intraluminal course of nonbifurcated stent-grafts from spiral computed tomographic (CT) images of the aortic lumen reconstructed at 2.5, 5, and 10-mm slice thicknesses.

[Psychological satiation: a new experimental study of an old construct].

The present experiment on the phenomenon of psychic satiation expands on the work of Karsten (1928) and Lewin (1928). Psychic satiation denotes a loss of intrinsic motivation when the same action is performed repeatedly. Although many studies have shown the high theoretical and practical relevance of this phenomenon, the conditions which lead to or reinforce psychic satiation have rarely been investigated empirically.

[Endoluminal stent prosthesis implantation in thoracic aneurysm of the descending aorta--a case report].

We report on a 72-year old male with a large aneurysm of descending thoracic aorta which was treated by implantation of a Dacron-covered self-expanding Nitinol stent graft (Talent, HOSMED). The patient was unfit for surgical aneurysm resection because of generalised atherosclerosis and cardiomyopathy. We think that stent implantation for descending thoracic aortic aneurysms is an attractive alternative to surgical aneurysm resection, especially in patients with enhanced operative risk.

Molecular basis of artifacts in the detection of telomerase activity and a modified primer for a more robust 'TRAP' assay.

Human somatic cells have essentially no telomerase activity. Telomerase is linked to tumor genesis and is a valuable marker for malignant growth. Extreme paucity of the enzyme neccessitated development of a PCR-based assay, 'telomeric repeat amplification protocol' (TRAP).

Effect of felodipine on regional blood supply and collateral vascular resistance in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

This double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study was designed to investigate the acute effect of felodipine on regional blood supply and collateral vascular resistance in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). Thirty men with PAOD were treated with a single dose of 5 mg felodipine or placebo. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), Doppler ankle pressure (DAP), calf blood flow (CBF) by venous occlusion plethysmography and calf transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcpO2) were measured during a cycle ergometry.

Measurement of 24,25 dihydroxyvitamin D in sera of neonates and children.

Serum concentration of 25OHD and 24,25(OH)2D were measured in lipid extracts of serum by competitive radioassay following separation of the metabolits by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The concentration of 24,25(OH)2D in children and adolescents (3.3 +/- 1.