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The aim of this research was to synthesize and characterize alginate–calcium composites using a freeze-drying method, with a focus on their potential applications in biomedicine. This study specifically explored the biochemical properties of these composites, emphasizing their role in blood coagulation and their capacity to interact with DNA. Additionally, the research aimed to assess how the cross-linking process influences the structural and chemical characteristics of the composites. Detailed analyses, including microscopic examination, surface area assessment, and atomic absorption spectrometry, yielded significant results. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of calcium chloride concentration on the calcium content in alginate composites. Specifically, the study assessed how varying concentrations of the cross-linking solution (ranging from 0.5% to 2%) influence the calcium ion saturation within the composites. This investigation is essential for understanding the physicochemical properties of the materials, including calcium content, porosity, and specific surface area. The results are intended to identify the optimal cross-linking conditions that maximize calcium enrichment efficiency while preserving the material's structural integrity. The study found that higher calcium chloride concentrations in alginate cross-linking improve the formation of a porous structure, enhanced by two-stage freeze-drying. Increased calcium levels led to a larger surface area and pore volume, and significantly higher calcium content. Furthermore, assays of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) showed a reduction in clotting time for alginate composites containing calcium ions, indicating their potential as hemostatic agents. The aPTT test showed shorter clotting times with higher calcium ion concentrations, without enhanced activation of the extrinsic clotting pathway. The developed alginate material with calcium effectively supports hemostasis and reduces the risk of infection. The study also explored the capacity of these composites to interact with and modify the structure of plasmid DNA, underscoring their potential for future biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The initiation and progression of inflammation can elevate the secretion of angiogenesis activators, which bind to receptors on endothelial surfaces, thereby stimulating cell proliferation and enhancing migration which has emerged as a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis. Material and methods: To investigate the effectiveness of angiogenesis inhibitors on changes in blood vessels, the study utilized the anti-angiogenic drugs bevacizumab, pazopanib, and KRN-633. In the study, the vascular model comprised primary human coronary artery endothelial cells (pHCAECs). Moreover, the inflammatory response was induced by the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Results: The compounds' effect on pHCAECs induced structural changes within the actin cytoskeleton, demonstrating the presence of entosis and apoptotic vesicle-like structures. Additionally, inflammation in the pHCAEC line exacerbated the effects of the compounds used in the study, leading to heightened disintegration of cellular cytoskeletons. Conversely, pazopanib in combination with TNF-α induced the formation of vesicular structures along the course of F-actin retraction fibres in migrating pHCAECs. Furthermore, KRN-633 combined with TNF-α resulted in the translocation of VE-cadherin to the cell nucleus in these cells. Conclusions: It is noteworthy that current treatments for cardiovascular diseases are not entirely effective. The utilization of functional pharmacological compounds such as angiogenesis inhibitors may provide an effective approach to treating disorders and regulating cardiovascular function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Clinical & Experimental Medicine is the property of University of Rzeszow and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of European Journal of Clinical & Experimental Medicine is the property of University of Rzeszow and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of European Journal of Clinical & Experimental Medicine is the property of University of Rzeszow and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recently, agricultural by-products, for instance, corn husks, oat husks, or cocoa shells, have gained attention as a source of cellulose fibers and fillers because they can save the land and other natural resources required to grow fiber crops. It has to be noted, however, that textile processing, for example, shearing, is also a source of waste fibers. Our study focuses on utilization of waste cotton fibers, amassed during shearing of textiles, as a filler for polylactide (PLA). PLA composites with 10-30 wt% of waste cotton fibers were prepared and their thermal and mechanical properties were studied. The composite with 30 wt% of fibers exhibited markedly higher storage and loss moduli as compared with neat PLA; at 25°C the storage moduli increased by 53% whereas the loss modulus increased by 76%. In addition, the yield strength was slightly improved, by 11% at 25°C. Although the composites were thermally less stable than neat PLA, their 5% weight loss temperature remained high, about 300°C. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:747-751, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell migration is vital for many fundamental biological processes and human pathologies throughout our life. Dynamic molecular changes in the tissue microenvironment determine modifications of cell movement, which can be reflected either individually or collectively. Endothelial cell (EC) migratory adaptation occurs during several events and phenomena, such as endothelial injury, vasculogenesis, and angiogenesis, under both normal and highly inflammatory conditions. Several advantageous processes can be supported by biomaterials. Endothelial cells are used in combination with various types of biomaterials to design scaffolds promoting the formation of mature blood vessels within tissue engineered structures. Appropriate selection, in terms of scaffolding properties, can promote desirable cell behavior to varying degrees. An increasing amount of research could lead to the creation of the perfect biomaterial for regenerative medicine applications. In this review, we summarize the state of knowledge regarding the possible systems by which inflammation may influence endothelial cell migration. We also describe the fundamental forces governing cell motility with a specific focus on ECs. Additionally, we discuss the biomaterials used for EC culture, which serve to enhance the proliferative, proangiogenic, and promigratory potential of cells. Moreover, we introduce the mechanisms of cell movement and highlight the significance of understanding these mechanisms in the context of designing scaffolds that promote tissue regeneration.