International journal of molecular sciences
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Autologous therapies using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) need meticulous preparation-currently, no standardised preparation technique exists. Processing Quantitative Standards (PQSs) define manufacturing quantitative variables (such as time, volume and pressure). Processing Qualitative Standards (PQLSs) define the quality of the materials and methods of manufacturing. ⋯ Using a Kit with the PQSs and PQLSs described in this study enables the isolation of A-PRP, thereby meeting consensus quality criteria. As our understanding of Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) of A-PRP continues to evolve, especially with respect to purity and potency, adjustments to these benchmark PQSs and PQLs will hopefully help isolate A-PRP of desired CQAs with greater reproducibility, quality, and safety. Confirmatory studies will no doubt need to be completed.
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The aim of the study was to examine the effect of previous pregnancies and classical cardiovascular risk factors on vascular endothelial function in a group of 264 young and middle-aged women 3 to 11 years postpartum. We examined microvascular functions by peripheral arterial tonometry and EndoPAT 2000 device with respect to a history of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, the severity of the disease with regard to the degree of clinical signs and delivery date. Besides, we compared Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI) values and the prevalence of vascular endothelial dysfunction among the groups of women with normal and abnormal values of BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate, total serum cholesterol levels, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, serum triglycerides levels, serum lipoprotein A levels, serum C-reactive protein levels, serum uric acid levels, and plasma homocysteine levels. ⋯ Otherwise, no significant impact of other studied factors on vascular endothelial function was found. We suppose that screening of these particular microRNAs associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction may help to stratify a highly risky group of young and middle-aged women that would benefit from early implementation of primary prevention strategies. Nevertheless, it is obvious, that vascular endothelial dysfunction is just one out of multiple cardiovascular risk factors which has only a partial impact on abnormal expression of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease associated microRNAs in whole peripheral blood of young and middle-aged women.
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The selective elimination of dysfunctional mitochondria through mitophagy is crucial for preserving mitochondrial quality and cellular homeostasis. The most described mitophagy pathway is regulated by a positive ubiquitylation feedback loop in which the PINK1 (PTEN induced kinase 1) kinase phosphorylates both ubiquitin and the E3 ubiquitin ligase PRKN (Parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin ligase), also known as PARKIN. This event recruits PRKN to the mitochondria, thus amplifying ubiquitylation signal. ⋯ Overexpression of miR-218 reduces PRKN mRNA levels, thus also reducing protein content and deregulating the E3 ubiquitin ligase action. In fact, following miR-218 overexpression, mitochondria result less ubiquitylated and the autophagy machinery fails to proceed with correct mitochondrial clearance. Since mitophagy defects are associated with various human diseases, these results qualify miR-218 as a promising therapeutic target for human diseases.
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: Dendrobium are tropical orchid plants that host diverse endophytic fungi. The role of these fungi is not currently well understood in Dendrobium plants. We morphologically and molecularly identified these fungal endophytes, and created an efficient system for evaluating the pathogenicity and symptoms of endophytic fungi on Dendrobium nobile and Dendrobium officinale though in vitro co-culturing. ⋯ C. tropicicola produced highly pathogenic effects against both Dendrobium seedlings. The results of histological examination of infected tissues revealed that F. keratoplasticum and T. longibrachiatum fulfill Koch's postulates for the existence of endophytes inside the living tissues. The DMEs are cross-transmitted inside the host plant cells, playing an important role in plant host development, resistance, and alkaloids stimulation.