During the onset of a disease a cell may experience alterations in both the composition and organization of its cellular and molecular structures. These alterations may eventually lead to changes in its geometrical and mechanical properties such as cell size and shape, deformability and adhesion. As such, knowing how diseased cells respond to mechanical forces can reveal ways by which they differ from healthy ones. Here, we will present biomechanistic insights into red blood cell related diseases that manifest mechanical property changes and how they directly contribute to the pathophysiology of diseases. By conducting cell and molecular mechanics studies, not only can we elucidate changes in the structure-property-function relationship of diseased cells, we can also exploit the new knowledge gained to develop biomechanics based devices that may better detect and diagnose these diseases as well as help identify important biomechanical targets for possible therapeutic interventions. 相似文献
In this study, we fabricated non‐woven matrices using blends of polycaprolactone and gelatin with various spinning volumes to control the immobilized heparin content, which was ultimately intended to increase the immobilization efficiency of bFGF. The amount of bFGF on the heparin conjugated fibrous matrices depended on the thicknesses of the swollen matrices ranging from 35.4 ± 6.5 to 162.3 ± 14.0 ng and ≈90% of the bFGF was gradually released over a period of up to 56 d. The released bFGF enhanced the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human mesenchymal stem cells. In conclusion, our heparin‐conjugated fibrous matrices have the potential to be used as a growth factor delivery system in tissue engineering applications.
Ayahuasca, also known as caapi or yage among various South American groups, holds a highly esteemed and millennia-old position in these cultures' medical and religious pharmacopeia. There is now an increasing interest in the potential for modern medical applications of ayahuasca, as well as concerns regarding its increasing potential for abuse. Toxicological and clinical research to address these issues will require information regarding its metabolism and clearance. Thus, a rapid, sensitive and specific method for characterization and quantitation of the major constituents and of the metabolites of ayahuasca in urine is needed. The present research provides a protocol for conducting such analyses. The characteristics of the method, conducted by sample dilution and using HPLC-electrospray ionization (ESI)-selected reaction monitoring (SRM)-tandem mass spectrometry, are presented. The application of the analytical protocol to urine samples collected from three individuals that were administered ayahuasca has also been demonstrated. The data show that the major metabolite of the hallucinogenic component of ayahuasca, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), is the corresponding N-oxide, the first time this metabolite has been described in in vivo studies in humans. Further, very little DMT was detected in urine, despite the inhibition of monoamine oxidase afforded by the presence of the harmala alkaloids in ayahuasca. The major harmala alkaloid excreted was tetrahydroharmine. Other excretion products and metabolites were also identified and quantified. The method described would be suitable for use in further toxicological and clinical research on ayahuasca. 相似文献
