Cardiomyogenic Differentiation Potential of Human Dilated Myocardium-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells: The Impact of HDAC Inhibitor SAHA and Biomimetic Matrices

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common type of nonischemic cardiomyopathy characterized by left ventricular or biventricular dilation and impaired contraction leading to heart failure and even patients’ death. Therefore, it is important to search for new cardiac tissue regenerating tools. Human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hmMSCs) were isolated from post-surgery healthy and DCM myocardial biopsies and their differentiation to the cardiomyogenic direction has been investigated in vitro. Dilated hmMSCs were slightly bigger in size, grew slower, but had almost the same levels of MSC-typical surface markers as healthy hmMSCs. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity in dilated hmMSCs was 1.5-fold higher than in healthy ones, which was suppressed by class I and II HDAC inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) showing activation of cardiomyogenic differentiation-related genes alpha-cardiac actin (ACTC1) and cardiac troponin T (TNNT2). Both types of hmMSCs cultivated on collagen I hydrogels with hyaluronic acid (HA) or 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and exposed to SAHA significantly downregulated focal adhesion kinase (PTK2) and activated ACTC1 and TNNT2. Longitudinal cultivation of dilated hmMSC also upregulated alpha-cardiac actin. Thus, HDAC inhibitor SAHA, in combination with collagen I-based hydrogels, can tilt the dilated myocardium hmMSC toward cardiomyogenic direction in vitro with further possible therapeutic application in vivo.     

Decision processes and risk taking in traffic: Driver response to the onset of yellow light.

Examined the relationship between the drivers' distance from an intersection (0-100 yds) when the light changed from green to yellow and the probability that the drivers would proceed through the intersection. 100 men and 44 women comprised the experiment sample; 77 men and 29 women formed a control group. The function relating the 2 variables approximated a normal ogive, but there was additional evidence that drivers took both distance and speed into account in deciding whether to proceed or stop. Among the drivers who were at intermediate distances (40-60 yds) when the light changed, younger males (estimated to be under 30) were more likely both to proceed and to violate the red light than were other drivers. The latter finding could be attributed to the younger males' faster driving and the related tendency to ignore the consequences of the decision conflict induced by the yellow light. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development of bigel based dysphagia-oriented products,structured with collagen and carnauba wax: characterisation and rheological behaviour

The aim of the study was to design composition of the bigels with required rheological properties that responds the needs of the dysphagia patients. Bigels were prepared with carnauba wax and different collagen concentrations in the hydrogel phase (40, 60%) as well as by changing oleogel to hydrogel ratio from 40:60 to 60:40. The stability, physical and rheological properties of obtained bigels were evaluated after their preparation and after 14 days storage. All obtained bigels were stable without phase separation and had a pleasant taste and good mouth-feel, exept bigels with the higher oleogel fraction. Viscosity values at 50 s⁻¹ divided formulated bigels into two groups: honey-like and spoon thick. An increase of oleogel fraction caused an increase in the consistency index and elastic modulus. Higher firmness and cohesiveness values were obtained in the samples with the higher collagen concentration. It was also obtained that all rheological parameters increased after 14 days of storage. The present work develops a novel bigel-based product with strong shear-thinning behaviour and high protein concentration (16–36%). It is believed that such product could not only ensure the safe swallowing process but also reduce the risk of malnutrition development.