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Background: This study explores the potential role of Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) silencing in endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) within the scope of age-related comorbidities and impaired vascular repair. We aim to elucidate the effects of TXNIP silencing on vasculogenic properties, paracrine secretion, and neutrophil recruitment under conditions of metabolic stress. Methods: ECFCs, isolated from human blood cord, were transfected with TXNIP siRNA and exposed to a high glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) medium to simulate metabolic stress. We evaluated the effects of TXNIP silencing on ECFCs' functional and secretory responses under these conditions. Assessments included analyses of gene and protein expression profiles, vasculogenic properties, cytokine secretion and neutrophil recruitment both in vitro and in vivo. The in vivo effects were examined using a murine model of hindlimb ischemia to observe the physiological relevance of TXNIP modulation under metabolic disorders. Results: TXNIP silencing did not mitigate the adverse effects on cell recruitment, vasculogenic properties, or senescence induced by metabolic stress in ECFCs. However, it significantly reduced IL-8 secretion and consequent neutrophil recruitment under these conditions. In a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia, endothelial deletion of TXNIP reduced MIP-2 secretion and prevented increased neutrophil recruitment induced by age-related comorbidities. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that targeting TXNIP in ECFCs may alleviate ischemic complications exacerbated by metabolic stress, offering potential clinical benefits for patients suffering from age-related comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study explores the potential role of Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) silencing in endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) within the scope of age-related comorbidities and impaired vascular repair. We aim to elucidate the effects of TXNIP silencing on vasculogenic properties, paracrine secretion, and neutrophil recruitment under conditions of metabolic stress. Methods: ECFCs, isolated from human blood cord, were transfected with TXNIP siRNA and exposed to a high glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) medium to simulate metabolic stress. We evaluated the effects of TXNIP silencing on ECFCs' functional and secretory responses under these conditions. Assessments included analyses of gene and protein expression profiles, vasculogenic properties, cytokine secretion and neutrophil recruitment both in vitro and in vivo. The in vivo effects were examined using a murine model of hindlimb ischemia to observe the physiological relevance of TXNIP modulation under metabolic disorders. Results: TXNIP silencing did not mitigate the adverse effects on cell recruitment, vasculogenic properties, or senescence induced by metabolic stress in ECFCs. However, it significantly reduced IL-8 secretion and consequent neutrophil recruitment under these conditions. In a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia, endothelial deletion of TXNIP reduced MIP-2 secretion and prevented increased neutrophil recruitment induced by age-related comorbidities. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that targeting TXNIP in ECFCs may alleviate ischemic complications exacerbated by metabolic stress, offering potential clinical benefits for patients suffering from age-related comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dupuytren's disease (DD), commonly affecting European men, is generally treated with surgery. Methods: Orthopaedic and plastic surgeons who had been practicing for >3 and <30 years and operated on ≥5 patients with DD between September and December 2008 were surveyed in 12 European countries (Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and UK). The survey assessed procedures performed, factors influencing choice of procedure, use of physical therapy and recurrence. Descriptive statistics are reported. Results: A total of 687 surgeons participated, including 579 orthopaedic and 108 plastic surgeons; 383 (56%) were hand surgeons. About 37% of surgeons performed percutaneous needle fasciotomy (PNF), 77% fasciotomy, 95% fasciectomy and 40% dermofasciectomy (DF). Surgeons' choice of procedure was influenced by patient preferences, age, degree of contracture and recurrent disease. The percentage of surgeons prescribing physical therapy and the mean (standard deviation [SD]) duration of therapy increased with procedure complexity: PNF = 82%, 5.2 (3.9) weeks; fasciotomy = 94%, 5.3 (3.6); fasciectomy = 97%, 6.7 (5.1); and DF = 99%, 8.5 (6.4). Using survey responses, mean (SD) estimated recurrence rates decreased and estimated time to recurrence increased with procedure complexity-PNF = 44% (27%), 17 (15) months; fasciotomy = 30% (24%), 20 (18); fasciectomy = 20% (17%), 29 (23); and DF = 20% (19%), 33 (27). Conclusions: Across Europe, patient and surgical factors influence the intention to use a surgical procedure. Fasciectomy was the most commonly performed procedure type and was associated with lower recurrence than PNF or fasciotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dupuytren's disease (DD) causes progressive digital flexion contracture and is more common in men of European descent. Methods: Orthopaedic and plastic surgeons in 12 European countries (the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the UK) with >3 and <30 years experience reviewed the medical charts of five consecutive patients they had treated surgically for DD in 2008. Descriptive statistics are reported. Results: In total, 3,357 patient charts were reviewed. Mean (standard deviation) patient age was 61.9 (10.2) years; 81% were men. At the time of the procedure, 11% of patients were at Tubiana stage Ia (0-20° total flexion); 30%, stage Ib (21-45°); 34%, stage II (46-90°); 17%, stage III (91-135°); and 5%, stage IV (>135°). Percutaneous needle fasciotomy was performed in 10%, fasciotomy in 13%, fasciectomy in 69% and dermofasciectomy (DF) in 6% of patients. After surgery, fingers improved a mean of 1.9 Tubiana stages, and 54% of patients had no nodules or contracture. The rate of reported complications during the procedure was 4% overall (11% in patients undergoing DF). The most common postoperative complications reported were haematoma (8%), wound healing complications (6%) and pain (6%). No postoperative complications were reported in 77% of patients. Conclusions: In this European study of more than 3,000 patients with DD, most patients were diagnosed at Tubiana stage I or II, the majority received fasciectomy and more than half had no nodules or contracture remaining after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on survey evidence in 13 post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe, we show that citizens who engage in protest activities are more tolerant than those who do not take part in such activities. We argue that these ‘protesters’ have the potential to play a pivotal role in the democratic consolidation process currently under way in post-communist countries. Our findings are compatible with earlier results that suggest that the remaking of political culture, in societies where radical social and political changes have been taking place, might be accomplished through concrete experience with the democratic process rather than through adherence to abstract democratic norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bifidobacterium cells were encapsulated in a mixed gel composed of alginate, pectin, and whey proteins. Two kinds of capsules were obtained: gel beads without membranes and gel beads with two membranes formed by the transacylation reaction. In vitro studies were carded out to determine the effects of simulated gastric pH and bile salts on the survival of free and encapsulated Bifidobacterium bifidum. The protective effects of gel beads without membranes and gel beads coated with two membranes formed by the transacylation reaction were evaluated. After 1 h in an acidic solution (pH 2.5), the free-cell counts decreased by 4.75 log units, compared with a < 1-log decrease for entrapped cells. The free cells did not survive after 2 h of incubation at pH 2.5, while immobilized-cell counts decreased by about 2 log units. After incubation (1 or 3 h) in 2 and 4% bile salt solutions, the bifidobacterium mortality level for membrane-free gel beads (4 to 7 log units) was higher than that for free cells (2 to 3 log units). However, counts of bifidobacteria immobilized in membrane-coated gel beads decreased by <2 log units. Cell encapsulation in membrane-coated protein-polysaccharide gel beads could be used to increase the survival of healthy probiotic bacteria during their transit through the gastrointestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]