During mining processes various toxic wastes are produced and released into the surrounding environment, resulting in contamination of air, drinking water, rivers, plants, and soils. In a geochemical sampling campaign undertaken in the Panasqueira Mine area of central Portugal, an anomalous distribution of several metals and arsenic (As) was identified in various environmental
media. Several potentially harmful elements, including As, cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), Dactolisib order and selenium (Se), were quantified in blood, urine, hair, and nails (toe and finger) from a group of individuals living near the Panasqueira Mine who were environmentally and occupationally exposed. A group with similar demographic characteristics without known exposure to mining activities was also compared. Genotoxicity was evaluated by means of T-cell receptor (TCR) mutation assay, and percentages of different lymphocyte subsets were selected as immunotoxicity biomarkers. Inductively coupled plasma-mass
spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) analysis showed elevated levels this website of As, Cd, Cr, Mn, and Pb in all biological samples taken from populations living close to the mine compared to controls. Genotoxic and immunotoxic differences were also observed. The results provide evidence of an elevated potential risk to the health of populations, with environmental and occupational exposures resulting from mining activities. Further, the results emphasize the need to implement preventive measures, remediation, and rehabilitation of plans for the region.”
“Clinical translation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is leading to optimization of procedures for ex vivo expansion. Endogenous growth factors and fibrin scaffolds can be used to support MSC expansion and transplantation. Cell growth on a fibrin scaffold mimics the 3D environment of tissue and facilitates handling and subsequent transplantation. This approach is presented as an essential toolbox in
the substitution of fetal bovine serum in all large-scale ex vivo processes, providing quick and safe expansion of MSCs. This paper reviews the state of the art of platelet-rich plasma technology applied to clinical use of stem cells, focusing on current technology and methods, new challenges, and controversies.”
“BACKGROUND: Obtaining a watertight reconstruction with a fat graft with wide sellar exposures can be challenging, including the risk of reinstating mass effect with the fat graft. The alternative, a vascularized pedicle nasoseptal flap, may require several days to heal and still has a > 5% cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak rate.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a barrier-limited multimodality (BLMM) closure, consisting of an autograft fat-based watertight seal and limited by a membrane barrier, together with the vascularized nasoseptal flap.