Cell Sheet Comprised of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Overexpressing Stem Cell Factor Promotes Epicardium Activation and Heart Function Improvement in a Rat Model of Myocardium Infarction

Cell therapy of the post-infarcted myocardium is still far from clinical use. Poor survival of transplanted cells, insufficient regeneration, and replacement of the damaged tissue limit the potential of currently available cell-based techniques. In this study, we generated a multilayered construct from adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) modified to secrete stem cell factor, SCF. In a rat model of myocardium infarction, we show that transplantation of SCF producing cell sheet induced activation of the epicardium and promoted the accumulation of c-kit positive cells in ischemic muscle. Morphometry showed the reduction of infarct size (16%) and a left ventricle expansion index (0.12) in the treatment group compared to controls (24–28%; 0.17–0.32). The ratio of viable myocardium was more than 1.5-fold higher, reaching 49% compared to the control (28%) or unmodified cell sheet group (30%). Finally, by day 30 after myocardium infarction, SCF-producing cell sheet transplantation increased left ventricle ejection fraction from 37% in the control sham-operated group to 53%. Our results suggest that, combining the genetic modification of MSCs and their assembly into a multilayered construct, we can provide prolonged pleiotropic effects to the damaged heart, induce endogenous regenerative processes, and improve cardiac function.     

Dopamine receptors influence vasoactive intestinal peptide release from turkey hypothalamic explants

Amongst the elements which contributed to the success of the early lung transplants at the beginning of the 1980's we feel that the careful selection of candidates probably played a predominant role. If some of the selection criteria initially described remain somewhat intangible, others have either been eased or have been invalidated. The experience acquired over the last 15 years has enabled to precise the optimal moment to include patients on the waiting list and to refine the choice for the type of surgical procedure according to the underlying disease. This article aims to review the different selection criteria for candidates for transplantation and stresses those which have recently undergone change.     

Improving a technology for treating pig iron outside the furnace with magnesium

Institute of Ferrous Metallurgy. Translated from Metallurg, No. 4, p. 24, April, 1989.     

Tritium Labeling of Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione by Liquid-Phase Selective Hydrogenation and Factors Affecting the Process

Androstenedione labeled with tritium at positions 1 and 2 was prepared. The molar radioactivity of the sample prepared using homogeneous catalysts was as high as 1.4-1.5 PBq mol^{- 1}. [1,2-³H]Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione can be converted into the [1-³H]steroid with the molar radioactivity of 0.9 PBq mol^{- 1}.     

A prototype of a superconducting magnet for a 170-GHz gyrotron

Within the framework of the “International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor” (ITER) program, a prototype of a superconducting magnet for a 170-GHz gyrotron has been developed, manufactured, and tested. The operating induction value (7.1 T at the center of a 219-mm-diameter cold hole and 8.1 T on the winding) is reached at a current of 185.2 A. In the final version of the magnet, the required induction value was reached without aging. Special requirements are imposed on the distribution of the magnetic field along the axis, including an abrupt field decrease on both sides of the magnet. Axial forces are additionally taken by a special device. The magnet’s sections are wound with multifiber conductors based on niobium-tin and niobium-titanium alloys. Seventeen resistive shunts are provided for protecting sections during their transition to the normal state. The magnet is equipped with a device for removing a part of energy from the sections. Mechanical stresses in the magnet’s sections and the structure’s power elements have been measured during tests.     

Incisional hernia after laparoscopic nephrectomy with intact specimen removal: caveat emptor

The choline-containing phosphoglycolipid, MfGL-II, is the major polar lipid of Mycoplasma fermentans PG18. Anti-MfGL-II antisera raised in rabbits using the purified MfGL-II as an immunogen were employed in immunogold electron microscopic and immunofluorescence studies showing that MfGL-II is uniformly distributed and exposed on the cell surface of M. fermentans cells. The specificity of the antibodies was determined by immunostaining of lipid extracts separated by thin layer chromatography. The antibodies recognize lipids specific to M. fermentans but did not cross-react with lipid extracts of M. penetrans, M. capricolum, M. gallisepticum or Acholeplasma laidlawii. As phosphocholine almost completely abolished antibody interaction with MfGL-II in an ELISA assay it is suggested that the anti-MfGL-II repertoire is composed primarily of anti-phosphocholine antibodies. The anti-MfGL-II antisera inhibit the attachment of M. fermentans to Molt-3 lymphocytes suggesting that MfGL-II plays a major role in M. fermentans-host cell interaction.     

Pulse radar reflectometry for fusion plasma diagnostics

A basic principle of pulse radar reflectometry is considered in this paper. A numerical analysis is performed in order to study errors appearing due to the expansion of a microwave pulse reflected from the plasma. A block diagram of the basic pulse radar scheme and its overall performance is presented. The first experimental results obtained on T11-M tokamak are discussed. An improved pulse radar scheme with cross-detection is considered. The results of bench test experiments and future applications of this scheme are discussed.     

Detection of interphase instability from luminescence of reaction products

The reaction between chlorine and an alkaline solution of hydrogen peroxide is suggested for the investigation of chemothermocapillary convection [1].Vitebsk Branch of the Institute of Solid State and Semiconductors Physics, Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Vitebsk, Belarus. Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 66, No. 1, pp. 30–33, January, 1994.     

Analog regulators of the energy-liberation distribution in nuclear reactors

Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 66, No. 2, pp. 81–85, February, 1989.