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Selected AbstractsRegenerative medicine in dermatology: biomaterials, tissue engineering, stem cells, gene transfer and beyondEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2010Christina Dieckmann Please cite this paper as: Regenerative medicine in dermatology: biomaterials, tissue engineering, stem cells, gene transfer and beyond. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 697,706. Abstract:, The term ,regenerative medicine' refers to a new and expanding field in biomedical research that focuses on the development of innovative therapies allowing the body to replace, restore and regenerate damaged or diseased cells, tissues and organs. It combines several technological approaches including the use of soluble molecules, biomaterials, tissue engineering, gene therapy, stem cell transplantation and the reprogramming of cell and tissue types. Because of its easy accessibility, skin is becoming an attractive model organ for regenerative medicine. Here, we review recent developments in regenerative medicine and their potential relevance for dermatology with a particular emphasis on biomaterials, tissue engineering, skin substitutes and stem cell-based therapies for skin reconstitution in patients suffering from chronic wounds and extensive burns. [source] Calcium signaling in invertebrate glial cellsGLIA, Issue 7 2006Christian Lohr Abstract Calcium signaling studies in invertebrate glial cells have been performed mainly in the nervous systems of the medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) and the sphinx moth Manduca sexta. The main advantages of studing glial cells in invertebrate nervous systems are the large size of invertebrate glial cells and their easy accessibility for optical and electrophysiological recordings. Glial cells in both insects and annelids express voltage-gated calcium channels and, in the case of leech glial cells, calcium-permeable neurotransmitter receptors, which allow calcium influx as one major source for cytosolic calcium transients. Calcium release from intracellular stores can be induced by metabotropic receptor activation in leech glial cells, but appears to play a minor role in calcium signaling. In glial cells of the antennal lobe of Manduca, voltage-gated calcium signaling changes during postembryonic development and is essential for the migration of the glial cells, a key step in axon guidance and in stabilization of the glomerular structures that are characteristic of primary olfactory centers. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Mainstream In-Patient Mental Health Care for People with Intellectual Disabilities: Service User, Carer and Provider ExperiencesJOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 3 2010Ben Donner Background, Government guidelines promote the use of mainstream mental health services for people with intellectual disabilities whenever possible. However, little is known about the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities who use such services. Materials and Methods, Face-to-face interviews with service users, carers and community nurses were completed and analysed on a case by case basis using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The results were followed up in focus groups with service providers. Results, Positive aspects included the provision of respite, particularly for carers, and good basic care. These were outweighed by a perception of the admission as disempowering and lacking in flexible treatment provision. Accessing help emerged as a major problem, as well as the prospect of staff neglecting the specific needs of people with intellectual disabilities. Conclusions, While there were some indications of improvements in line with recent policies and guidance, mainstream services seem a long way off realizing aims of easy accessibility, person-centred practices and active partnership with intellectual disability services. [source] Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair for Functional Mitral Regurgitation: Coronary Sinus ApproachJOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 6 2007NICOLO PIAZZA M.D. Mitral regurgitation has become recognized as an important health problem. More specifically, functional mitral regurgitation is associated with worse outcomes in heart failure, postmyocardial infarction, and perioperative coronary artery bypass surgery patients. Many patients with severe mitral regurgitation are denied or refused mitral valve surgery. A less invasive procedure with possibly fewer potential complications may thus be attractive for patients with severe mitral regurgitation. Devices used for coronary sinus (CS) mitral annuloplasty are directed toward patients with functional mitral regurgitation. Because of its easy accessibility and close relationship to the posterior mitral annulus (MA), alterations of the CS geometry with percutaneous devices may translate to displacement of the posterior annulus and correct mitral leaflet coaptation. This review will focus on the contemporary CS annuloplasty devices: (1) Edwards MONARC system; (2) Cardiac Dimensions CARILLON; and (3) Viacor Shape Changing Rods system. In addition, important information obtained from recent imaging studies describing the relationship between the CS, MA, and coronary arteries will be reviewed. [source] Novel initiation genes in squamous cell carcinomagenesis: A role for substrate-specific ubiquitylation in the control of cell survivalMOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS, Issue 8 2007Amador Albor Abstract The study of experimental epidermal carcinogenesis offers several advantages over other epithelial carcinogenesis models, including easy accessibility and a database of research findings spanning over a century. Our studies make use of a clonal in vitro/in vivo keratinocyte carcinogenesis model with low frequency of ras mutation and derivative clonal-initiated lineages with distinct tumor fate. Analysis of this model has yielded candidate genes involved in the stages of initiation and tumorigenic progression, and has revealed novel roles for ubiquitylation in transcriptional control of survival and apoptotic pathways during the early stages of carcinogenesis. The expression of a recently described E3-ubiquitin ligase, Trim32, is elevated during initiation, and ectopic expression of Trim32 confers extended survival in response to terminal differentiation and ultraviolet light (UV) B/TNF-, death signals. Trim32 binds and ubiquitylates Piasy, controlling its stability and accumulation. Piasy is a SUMOylation factor involved in the control of apoptosis, senescence, and NF-,B activation. NF-,B is a survival factor for keratinocytes in response to UV irradiation, the main carcinogenic stimulus for the epidermis. Piasy inhibits NF-,B activity, and promotes keratinocyte apoptosis in response to UV and TNF-,. In human skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) samples, we found an inverse correlation between Trim32 and Piasy expression supporting a role for Trim32,Piasy interaction in human epidermal carcinogenesis. Our hypothesis is that increased expression of Trim32 may enhance epidermal carcinogenesis, by increasing the threshold of NF-,B activity through Piasy downmodulation. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Prospects for the use of differentiation-modulating agents as adjuvant of photodynamic therapy for proliferative dermatosesTHE JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Oleg E. AKILOV ABSTRACT Current interest in photodynamic therapy (PDT) in dermatology stems from its recognized success in dermatological oncology, straightforward approach, easy accessibility and low cost. PDT is a photochemistry-based modality in which a light-activated photosensitizer (PS) destroys tissue through oxygen-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Although PDT has been used in dermatology for several decades, its application has still not extended significantly into the routine management of neoplastic and proliferative dermatoses because of continuing issues with the selectivity of the PS for affected tissues. This review analyzes prospects for optimization of PDT for the management of dermatoses with defects in keratinocyte proliferation/differentiation, and discusses the use of differentiating agents that redirect metabolic utilization within cells and lead to high levels of PS accumulation. [source] | ||||||||||