The Antihypertensive Drug Nifedipine Modulates the Metabolism of Chondrocytes and Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Aging is associated with the development of various chronic diseases, in which both cardiovascular disorders and osteoarthritis are dominant. Currently, there is no effective treatment for osteoarthritis, whereas hypertension is often treated with L-type voltage-operated calcium channel blocking drugs, nifedipine being among the most classical ones. Although nifedipine together with other L-type voltage-operated calcium channel inhibitors plays an important role in controlling hypertension, there are unresolved questions concerning its possible effect on cartilage tissue homeostasis and the development of osteoarthritis.

Antioxidant effects of gold nanoparticles on early stage of collagen-induced arthritis in rats.

Objective: To determine antioxidant effects of prophylactic treatment with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the early stage of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

Methods: The preventive treatment with 13 nm or 50 nm AuNPs injected intraarticularly (i.a.

Sjögren's Syndrome: Concerted Triggering of Sicca Conditions.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of persistence of mumps virus and some cells that interact with viral infection in the focus of the autoimmune epithelitis and peripheral blood of Sjögren's syndrome patients in comparison to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and nonautoimmune sicca syndrome (nSS).

Materials And Methods: 126 patients (119 women and 7 men) were grouped into four groups: (1) patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), (2) patients with secondary Sjögren's syndrome due to rheumatoid arthritis (sSS), (3) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and (4) patients with nonautoimmune sicca syndrome (nSS). Immunohistochemical analysis of immune response to the suggested silent persistence of mumps virus in the minor labial salivary gland biopsies and flow cytometric analysis of blood cells was done.

Regenerative potential of partially differentiated mesenchymal stromal cells in a mouse model of a full-thickness skin wound.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs, known as mesenchymal stem cells) are considered to be a promising therapeutic tool for many diseases. But it is still unclear which cells are more efficient and safe for wound healing and tissue regeneration for clinical applications: undifferentiated, partially differentiated stem cells or differentiated cells. In this study, we modified MSCs with keratinocyte-conditioned medium (KCM) and examined MSCs, partially differentiated MSCs (PMSCs) and differentiated cell migration, accumulation in the wounded area as well as cell regenerative efficiency in a full-thickness skin wound model.

The safety and efficacy of light emitting diodes-based ultraviolet A1 phototherapy in bleomycin-induced scleroderma in mice.

Purpose: To define the efficacy and safety of narrowband ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) for the treatment of dermal fibrosis in bleomycin-induced mouse model of scleroderma.

Materials And Methods: 42 DBA/2 strain mice were included in the study: healthy mice and mice with established scleroderma, treated with high or medium dose of UVA1. Non-treated groups served as control.

Paracrine Potential of the Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells to Modulate Balance between Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors in the Osteoarthritic Cartilage In Vitro.

Adipose tissue represents an abundant source of stem cells. Along with anti-inflammatory effects, ASC secrete various factors that may modulate metabolism of extracellular matrix in osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage, suggesting that the presence of ASC could be advantageous for OA cartilage due to the recovery of homeostasis between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). To evaluate these effects, cartilage explants (CE) were cocultured with ASC for 3 and 7 days under stimulation with or without IL-1 The pattern of gene expression in CE was modified by ASC, including the upregulation of and and the downregulation of and .

The impact of high-dose narrowband ultraviolet A1 on dermal thickness, collagen and matrix-metalloproteinases in animal model of scleroderma.

Objective: The main purpose of the present study was to define the impact of high-dose of 365±5nm ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) on dermal fibrosis in the pre-established, bleomycin-induced mouse model of scleroderma.

Methods: DBA/2 strain mice with the pre-established, bleomycin-induced scleroderma were irradiated with cumulative UVA1 dose of 1200J/cm and in parallel were challenged with prolonged administration of bleomycin. Non-treated groups served as the control.

Are cytotoxic effector cells changes in peripheral blood of patients with Sjögren's syndrome related to persistent virus infection: Suggestions and conundrums.

Etiology of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is still unknown, but there is strong evidence that certain pathogens of bacterial or viral origin can incite autoimmune response. The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate changes of the main cell populations (dendritic cells, natural killer, natural killer T and cytotoxic T lymphocytes) presumably participating in virus clearance in peripheral blood of patients with primary SS (pSS). In analyzing cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) populations we observed alterations in the frequency of highly cytotoxic effector CD8/57/27/45RA, less cytotoxic CD8/57/27/45RA effector cells and cytotoxic memory CD8/57/27/45RA effector cells.

Autoinflammation Around AES Total Ankle Replacement Implants.

Background: Failure of total ankle replacement (TAR) can be characterized by early peri-implant osteolysis even in the presence of very modest numbers of wear particles. The hypothesis of the study was that this reaction is in part mediated by autoinflammatory responses mediated via damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs, danger signals) and pattern-recognizing danger signal receptors (PRRs).

Methods: Peri-implant tissue and control samples from 10 patients with AES implants were immunostained for hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), activated caspase-3, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE), and toll-like receptors TLR2 and TLR4.

Human beta-defensin-3 producing cells in septic implant loosening.

Human β-defensin-3 (hBD-3) has been found in synovial fluid and later in periprosthetic tissues in septic joint implant loosening. The aim of the present study was to identify its cellular sources. Tissue samples from 12 patients were analyzed.

Histamine transport and metabolism are deranged in salivary glands in Sjogren's syndrome.

Objective: To study histamine transport and metabolism of salivary gland (SG) epithelial cells in healthy controls and SS patients.

Methods: Enzymes and transporters involved in histamine metabolism were analysed in cultured human submandibular salivary gland (HSG) epithelial cells and tissue sections using quantitative real-time PCR and immunostaining. HSG cells were used to study [(3)H]histamine uptake [(±1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP)] and efflux by liquid scintillation counting.

Activity of T-helper cells in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome.

Aim: To investigate the T-helper (Th1, Th2 and Th17) cell activity in the peripheral blood of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), non-Sjögren's sicca syndrome (nSS) and healthy controls.

Patients And Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 34 pSS, 13 nSS patients and 13 healthy controls were stimulated, labeled for cluster of differentiation-4 (CD4), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-17A and analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results: The activities of Th1 and Th17 cells in patients with pSS were similar to those of the control group.

Effect of gold nanoparticles in the treatment of established collagen arthritis in rats.

Background And Objective: The role of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the treatment of autoimmune diseases remains vague. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of AuNPs in the treatment of rats with established collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

Material And Methods: A total of 24 Wistar male rats with established CIA were used.

Expression of IL-17, IL-23 and their receptors in minor salivary glands of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

The main purpose of this study was to determine the expression of interleukins-17/-23 (ILs-17/-23) and receptors of interleukins-17/-23 (IL-17R, IL-23R) in minor salivary glands (MSGs) of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Expression of IL-17, IL-23 and receptors of IL-17/-23 was analyzed in MSGs from 25 patients with pSS, 25 patients with probable preclinical pSS, and 25 patients with nonautoimmune sicca syndrome by immunohistochemistry. Comparison of the expression of IL-17, IL-23 and receptors of IL-17, IL-23 in MSG of patients with pSS with probable preclinical pSS, and with nonautoimmune sicca syndrome showed significant differences between three groups.

Bone as a source of organism vitality and regeneration.

The most important features that determine the vital role of bone include: a) a continuous supply of calcium, which is indispensible for every cell of the entire organism at all times, and b) the delivery of circulating blood cells and some adult stem cells to keep the body vigorous, ready for self-reparation, and continuously rebuilding throughout life. These functions of bones are no less important than protecting the body cavities, serving as mechanical levers connected to the muscles, and determining the shape and dimensions of the entire organism. The aim of this review was to address some basic cellular and molecular knowledge to better understand the complex interactions of bone structural components.

Laminin isoform profiles in salivary glands in Sjögren's syndrome.

Five different laminin (LM) alpha, four LM-beta, and three LM-gamma chains form the 15-16 currently known approximately 400-900 kDa heterodimeric LM-monomers, which self-assemble in the lamina lucida of the basement membrane (BM) to a network, connected with nidogens and perlecans with the underlying type IV collagen network. In labial salivary glands (LSG), the structurally organizing/polarizing BM separates the tubuloacinar epithelium from the connective tissue stroma but plays regulatory roles as well. Tissue distribution of LM-alpha, -beta, and -gamma chains is described, and application of the known combinatorial rules allows some conclusions also on the corresponding distribution of the LM-trimers.

Prevalence of psychoactive substances use in a Lithuanian women's prison revisited after 5 years.

Background: This paper re-examines the prevalence of psychoactive substances (tobacco, alcohol, narcotic drugs) use among inmates in a Lithuanian women's prison. The main goal of this study was to determinate the changes in the use of the psychoactive substances in a women's prison in Lithuania.

Material/methods: We accomplished the retesting of the first ever investigation of this kind, carried out in 2004, using the same questionnaire, in the only women's prison in Lithuania.

Vane's blood-bathed organ technique adapted to examine the endothelial effects of cardiovascular drugs in vivo.

This study describes a modification of Vane's blood-bathed organ technique (BBOT). This new technique consisted of replacing the cascade of contractile smooth muscle organs within the traditional BBOT by a single collagen strip cut from a rabbit's hind leg tendon. Utilizing the extracorporeal circulation of an anesthetized heparinized mongrel cat or Wistar rat, arterial blood was dripped (1-3 ml min(-1)) over a collagen strip.

Titanium particles modulate expression of Toll-like receptor proteins.

The role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) responding to microbial remnants, indolent biofilms or cellular byproducts in aseptic loosening of joint replacements is unknown. Thus, the effect of titanium (Ti) particles on TLR protein levels was evaluated. To create a model of particle-induced inflammation, an intramedullary stainless steel rod with and without Ti particles was bilaterally placed in the femora of 14 mice.

Out-of-hospital coronary heart disease death: acute pathological lesions.

Background: The majority of deaths due to acute coronary heart disease (CHD) occur outside hospital, unexpectedly, within the first few hours following the onset of the terminal event. Data on the incidence and nature of acute pathological findings in the affected hearts as seen in routine autopsies are somewhat controversial. Detailed pathological examination of coronary arteries and myocardium of such decedents was performed to clarify the situation.

Plasmin-matrix metalloproteinase cascades in spinal response to an experimental disc lesion in pig.

Study Design: Proteinases were immunohistochemically stained to analyze degenerated discs and paradiscal tissues in comparison to contiguous control tissues in an experimental porcine model of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Objective: The aim was to analyze plasmin and metalloproteinases known to participate in mutual activation cascades.

Summary Of Background Data: Comparison of the degenerated discs and paradiscal structures with control tissues disclosed accumulation of plasmin and induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), MMP-1 and MMP-2 in the discs, but some other MMPs in reactive and remodeling tissues.

The prevalence of psychotropic substance use and its influencing factors in Lithuanian penitentiaries.

Background: This paper examines the prevalence of psychotropic substance (tobacco, alcohol, narcotic drugs) use among inmates of Lithuanian prisons and the association between drug use and psychosocial factors.

Material/methods: The questionnaire used was based on the ESPAD questionnaire, modified to fit the specific respondent group. At the time of the study there were 9634 inmates in Lithuanian penal institutions; 1304 of them participated in the study, 67 (5.

Age-related changes in myocardial nerve and collagen networks of the auricle of the right atrium.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyse age-related changes in human myocardial nerve plexuses and collagen networks of the auricle of the right atrium in subjects in whom no cardiac diseases or pathology had been diagnosed.

Methods And Results: Morphometric analysis of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-stained nerve plexuses and picrosirius-stained cardiac collagen networks from 17 persons of both genders aged 20-94 years was performed using video microscopy and a digital video camera. It was found that with age linear regression of nerve plexuses occurred.

Collagenolytic proteinases in keratoconus.

Purpose: To study the proteolytic phenomena contributing to the pathogenesis of keratoconus, corneal enzymes with potential to cleave fibrillar collagen were studied.

Methods: Immunohistochemical labeling was undertaken of conventional and novel mammalian collagenases (MMP-1, -2, -8, -13, and -14) of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family and other collagenolytic proteinases of the serine (human trypsin-2) and cysteine (cathepsin K) endoproteinase families. The results were analyzed using a semiquantitative scoring system.

EMMPRIN and MMP-1 in keratoconus.

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the eventual presence and activity of EMMPRIN (extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer CD147) and interstitial collagenase MMP-1 in the cornea of keratoconus patients and their eventual interrelationship. MMP-1 was chosen because it is able to degrade fibrillar corneal collagens type I and III and might therefore play a role in stromal thinning in keratoconus.

Methods: Immunohistochemical labeling of EMMPRIN and MMP-1 in relation to histopathological changes in 5 keratoconus patients and 5 matched healthy controls was investigated.