Modulation of cardiac macrophages by phosphatidylserine-presenting liposomes improves infarct repair.

Herein we investigated a new strategy for the modulation of cardiac macrophages to a reparative state, at a predetermined time after myocardial infarction (MI), in aim to promote resolution of inflammation and elicit infarct repair. The strategy employed intravenous injections of phosphatidylserine (PS)-presenting liposomes, mimicking the anti-inflammatory effects of apoptotic cells. Following PS-liposome uptake by macrophages in vitro and in vivo, the cells secreted high levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines [transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and interleukin 10 (IL-10)] and upregulated the expression of the mannose receptor--CD206, concomitant with downregulation of proinflammatory markers, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and the surface marker CD86.

Prevalence and significance of unrecognized renal insufficiency in patients with heart failure.

Aims: Renal insufficiency (RI) is a strong predictor of adverse outcome in patients with heart failure (HF). We aimed to determine the prevalence of RI being unrecognized and its significance in patients hospitalized with HF.

Methods And Results: We analysed data from a prospective survey of 4102 hospitalized patients with HF.

Establishing a high level of knowledge regarding bioterrorist threats in emergency department physicians: methodology and the results of a national bio-preparedness project.

Introduction: Medical systems worldwide are facing the new threat of morbidity associated with the deliberate dispersal of microbiological agents by terrorists. Rapid diagnosis and containment of this type of unannounced attack is based on the knowledge and capabilities of medical staff. In 2004, the knowledge of emergency department physicians of anthrax was tested.

Iron-oxide labeling and outcome of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells in the infarcted myocardium.

Background: Cell labeling with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles enables noninvasive MRI and tracking of transplanted stem cells. We sought to determine whether mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) outcome is affected by SPIO labeling in a rat model of myocardial infarction.

Methods And Results: Rat MSCs were labeled with SPIO (ferumoxides; Endorem; Guerbet, Villepinte, France).

Clinical features and laboratory diagnosis of infection with the potential bioterrorism agents burkholderia mallei and burkholderia pseudomallei.

Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei are the causative organisms of Glanders and Melioidosis, respectively. Although now rare in Western countries, both organisms have recently gained much interest because of their unique potential as bioterrorism agents. These organisms are less familiar to medical and laboratory personnel than other select bioterrorism bacterial agents and thus heightened awareness of Glanders and Melioidosis is crucial in order to enable adequate emergency preparedness and response to deliberate release of B.

Lessons learned from clinical anthrax drills: evaluation of knowledge and preparedness for a bioterrorist threat in Israeli emergency departments.

Study Objective: Emergency department (ED) physicians and nurses are considered critical sentinels of a bioterrorist attack. We designed a special hospital drill to test EDs' response to inhalational anthrax and assess the level of preparedness for anthrax bioterrorism. We hypothesized that the occurrence of such a drill in an ED would improve the knowledge of its physicians, even those who had not actually participated in the drill.

Ex vivo activated human macrophages improve healing, remodeling, and function of the infarcted heart.

Background: Activated macrophages have a significant role in wound healing and damaged tissue repair. We sought to explore the ability of ex vivo activated macrophages to promote healing and repair of the infarcted myocardium.

Methods And Results: Human activated macrophage suspension (AMS) was prepared from a whole blood unit obtained from young donors in a closed sterile system and was activated by a novel method of hypo-osmotic shock.

[Laboratory methods for detection and identification of biological pathogens].

Laboratory detection and recognition methods of infectious diseases agents have developed markedly in recent years, following the proliferation of nucleic acid and immuno-based detection technologies. The present review summarizes the state of the art in current biorecognition methods: antigenic identification, genetic identification such as PCR, RFLP and FISH, protemics and mass spectrometry. For each method we have specified the technology and qualification required, time to result, specifity and sensitivity, while emphasizing the advantages and disadvantages of using each method for the detection of a given pathogen.

Cells, scaffolds, and molecules for myocardial tissue engineering.

Unlike heart valves or blood vessels, heart muscle has no replacement alternatives. The most challenging goal in the field of cardiovascular tissue engineering is the creation/ regeneration of an engineered heart muscle. Recent advances in methods of stem cell isolation, culture in bioreactors, and the synthesis of bioactive materials promise to create engineered cardiac tissue ex vivo.