Search results for "test"

Skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells as quantum dot vehicles to tumors

2017

Dominyka Dapkute,1,2 Simona Steponkiene,1 Danute Bulotiene,1 Liga Saulite,3 Una Riekstina,3 Ricardas Rotomskis1,4 1Biomedical Physics Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania; 2Institute of Biosciences, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania; 3Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia; 4Biophotonics Group of Laser Research Center, Faculty of Physics, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania Purpose: Cell-mediated delivery of nanoparticles is emerging as a new method of cancer diagnostics and treatment. Due to their inherent regenerative properties, adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are naturally attracted to wounds and sites of inflammation, as well as tumors.…

Analysis of platelet function and dysfunction.

2014

SummaryAlthough platelets act as central players of haemostasis only their cross-talk with other blood cells, plasma factors and the vascular compartment enables the formation of a stable thrombus. Multiple activation processes and complex signalling networks are responsible for appropriate platelet function. Thus, a variety of platelet function tests are available for platelet research and diagnosis of platelet dysfunction. However, universal platelet function tests that are sensitive to all platelet function defects do not exist and therefore diagnostic algorithms for suspected platelet function disorders are still recommended in clinical practice.Based on the current knowledge of human p…

Comparison of platelet function tests for the in vitro quality assessment of platelet concentrates produced under real-life conditions.

2018

Platelet quality in different platelet concentrates (PCs) has been the subject of several studies. Nonetheless, there is a lack of robust data on the correlation and agreement among platelet function tests as a prerequisite for the association of PC functionality in vitro with platelet function in vivo post PC transfusion. The purpose of our study was to correlate a larger panel of platelet function assays in PCs and to assess whether the methods agree sufficiently and can be used interchangeably. Twelve apheresis platelet concentrates in plasma (APC), 16 pooled platelet concentrates in plasma (PPC), and 12 PPC in T-sol (PPCA) were examined on days 1 and 4 after production. PCs were tested …

Gut microbiota regulate hepatic von Willebrand factor synthesis and arterial thrombus formation via Toll-like receptor-2.

2016

The symbiotic gut microbiota play pivotal roles in host physiology and the development of cardiovascular diseases, but the microbiota-triggered pattern recognition signaling mechanisms that impact thrombosis are poorly defined. In this article, we show that germ-free (GF) and Toll-like receptor-2 (Tlr2)-deficient mice have reduced thrombus growth after carotid artery injury relative to conventionally raised controls. GF Tlr2-/- and wild-type (WT) mice were indistinguishable, but colonization with microbiota restored a significant difference in thrombus growth between the genotypes. We identify reduced plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and reduced VWF synthesis, specifically in he…

Standardization of Light Transmission Aggregometry for Diagnosis of Platelet Disorders: An Inter-Laboratory External Quality Assessment.

2019

AbstractSeveral in vitro platelet function tests are available for the diagnosis of inherited platelet function disorders. Currently, the light transmission aggregometry (LTA) is recommended as one of the first-step tests. LTA is available in most specialized hemostasis laboratories. Although the LTA is accepted as a ‘gold standard’ assay for the evaluation of platelet function, its standardization in the clinical practice is still challenging. The GTH-based THROMKID-Plus Study Group has performed an inter-laboratory trial in Germany and Austria. Five different agonists were selected according to the Scientific and Standardization Committee/International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasi…

2016

Introduction: cognitive deterioration and reductions of bone health coincide with increasing age. We examine the relationship between bone composition and plasma markers of bone remodelling with measures of cognitive performance in healthy adults. Methods: this cross-sectional study included 225 old (52% women, mean age: 74.4 ± 3.3 years) and 134 young (52% women, mean age: 23.4 ± 2.7 years) adult participants from the MyoAge project. Whole body bone mineral density was measured by dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry. Blood analyses included a panel of bone-related peptides (dickkopf-1, osteoprotegerin, osteocalcin (OC), osteopontin, sclerostin, parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor …

Models for preterm cortical development using non invasive clinical EEG

2017

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the piglet and the mouse as model systems for preterm cortical development. According to the clinical context, we used non invasive EEG recordings. As a prerequisite, we developed miniaturized Ag/AgCl electrodes for full band EEG recordings in mice and verified that Urethane had no effect on EEG band power. Since mice are born with a “preterm” brain, we evaluated three age groups: P0/P1, P3/P4 and P13/P14. Our aim was to identify EEG patterns in the somatosensory cortex which are distinguishable between developmental stages and represent a physiologic brain development. In mice, we were able to find clear differences between age groups wit…

Validation of ADAM10 metalloprotease as aBacillus thuringiensisCry3Aa toxin functional receptor in Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)

2016

Bacillus thuringiensis parasporal crystal proteins (Cry proteins) are insecticidal pore-forming toxins that bind to specific receptor molecules on the brush border membrane of susceptible insect midgut cells to exert their toxic action. In the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), a coleopteran pest, we previously proposed that interaction of Cry3Aa toxin with a CPB ADAM10 metalloprotease is an essential part of the mode of action of this toxin. Here, we annotated the gene sequence encoding an ADAM10 metalloprotease protein (CPB-ADAM10) in the CPB genome sequencing project, and using RNA interference gene silencing we demonstrated that CPB-ADAM10 is a Cry3Aa toxin functional receptor in CPB. Cry3Aa…

A headlight on liquid biopsies: a challenging tool for breast cancer management

2016

Breast cancer is the most frequent carcinoma and second most common cause of cancer-related mortality in postmenopausal women. The acquisition of somatic mutations represents the main mechanism through which cancer cells overcome physiological cellular signaling pathways (e.g., PI3K/Akt/mTOR, PTEN, TP53). To date, diagnosis and metastasis monitoring is mainly carried out through tissue biopsy and/or re-biopsy, a very invasive procedure limited only to certain locations and not always feasible in clinical practice. In order to improve disease monitoring over time and to avoid painful procedure such as tissue biopsy, liquid biopsy may represent a new precious tool. Indeed, it represents a bas…

Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Intratumoral Hemorrhage in Meningioma: The Role of Microvascular Differentiation

2016

The transformation of normal cells into neoplastic cells is based on a series of gradual and progressive processes . One of the most important aspects underlying the tumorigenesis ist hat neoplastic proliferation needs mechanisms to ensure cancer development, bypass the body's protective strategies, and survive the apoptotic mechanisms. Subsequently, measures to promote replicative immortality and vascular support will be required. If cancer develops in an area offering excellent vascularization, pre-existing vascular circuits can supporti ts growth .Otherwise,tumor angiogenetic mechanisms will trigger new vascular networks, which will be necessary for tumor survival and expansion. The latt…