Evaluation of adverse effects of particulate matter on human life.

Particulate matter (PM2.5) has a severe impact on human health. The concentration of PM2.5, related to air-quality changes, may be associated with perceptible effects on people's health. In this study, computer intelligence was used to assess the negative effects of PM2.5. The input data, used for the evaluation, were grid definitions (shape-file), PM2.5, air-quality data, incidence/prevalence rates, a population dataset, and the (Krewski) health-impact function. This paper presents a local (Pakistan) health-impact assessment of PM2.5 in order to estimate the long-term effects on mortality. A rollback-to-a-standard scenario was based on the PM2.5 concentration of 15 µg m-3. Health benefits for a population of about 73 million people were calculated. The results showed that the estimated avoidable mortality, linked to ischemic heart disease and lung cancer, was 2,773 for every 100,000 people, which accounts for 2,024,290 preventable deaths of the total population. The total cost, related to the above mortality, was estimated to be US $ 1,000 million. Therefore, a policy for a PM2.5-standard up to 15 µg m-3 is suggested.

Preparation of a Porous, Sintered and Reaction-Bonded Si3N4 (SRBSN) Planar Membrane for Filtration of an Oil-in-Water Emulsion with High Flux Performance.

A porous, sintered, and reaction-bonded Si3N4 (SRBSN) planar membrane was prepared by phase-inversion tape-casting, nitridation (at 1350 °C), and sintering (at 1650 °C) of silicon slurry. The membrane was comprised of uniform rod-like β-Si3N4 crystals with a large length/diameter ratio and had high porosity and bending strength. The prepared membrane features a typical asymmetric structure with a skin layer, a sponge layer, and finger-like voids and an average pore size of 0.61 μm. A high permeation flux of 367 L m−2 h−1 and an oil rejection of 88.6% were recorded in oil-in-water emulsion separation experiments. These results suggest that SRBSN membranes have excellent potential for the treatment of oily wastewater.

Synthesis, characterization, and biological properties of composites of hydroxyapatite and hexagonal boron nitride.

Hydroxyapatite (HA), obtained from bovine bones, was successfully reinforced with hexagonal boron nitrite (h-BN). h-BN/HA composites, with BN content up to 1.5 wt %, were sintered at various temperatures between 1000 and 1300°C, in air. Well-sintered samples were obtained after sintering at 1200 and 1300°C. The presence of h-BN contributed to dense, fine, and well-crystallized microstructure. The results of X-ray diffraction analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy showed that the produced composites comprised biphasic ß-TCP/HCA (HCA: carbonate partially substituted HA). High values of mechanical properties were achieved, namely compression strength 155 MPa for the sample 0.5% h-BN/HA and Vickers microhardness of 716 HV for the samples 1.5% h-BN/HA, both sintered at 1300°C. U2OS human bone osteosarcoma proliferation and cell viability showed no adverse effect in the presence of h-BN/HA, suggesting the potential use of the produced materials as safe biomaterials in bone tissue engineering. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2384-2392, 2018.

Isolation of an ES-Derived Cardiovascular Multipotent Cell Population Based on VE-Cadherin Promoter Activity.

Embryonic Stem (ES) or induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells are important sources for cardiomyocyte generation, targeted for regenerative therapies. Several in vitro protocols are currently utilized for their differentiation, but the value of cell-based approaches remains unclear. Here, we characterized a cardiovascular progenitor population derived during ES differentiation, after selection based on VE-cadherin promoter (Pvec) activity. ESCs were genetically modified with an episomal vector, allowing the expression of puromycin resistance gene, under Pvec activity. Puromycin-surviving cells displayed cardiac and endothelial progenitor cells characteristics. Expansion and self-renewal of this cardiac and endothelial dual-progenitor population (CEDP) were achieved by Wnt/ß-catenin pathway activation. CEDPs express early cardiac developmental stage-specific markers but not markers of differentiated cardiomyocytes. Similarly, CEDPs express endothelial markers. However, CEDPs can undergo differentiation predominantly to cTnT+ (~47%) and VE-cadherin+ (~28%) cells. Transplantation of CEDPs in the left heart ventricle of adult rats showed that CEDPs-derived cells survive and differentiate in vivo for at least 14 days after transplantation. A novel, dual-progenitor population was isolated during ESCs differentiation, based on Pvec activity. This lineage can self-renew, permitting its maintenance as a source of cardiovascular progenitor cells and constitutes a useful source for regenerative approaches.

Editorial: Novel strategies for cardiac repair post-myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction constitutes an important health-related problem worldwide. Despite current treatments that salvage myocardial tissue and unload the left ventricle, chronic heart failure is common and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. During the past decade, experimental studies, using cell-based therapies and growth factor administration integrated in biomaterial scaffolds, have demonstrated the potential to reduce the infarcted area and to improve regional and global left ventricular function. Some aspects of this rapid progress are reviewed in the present 'special issue' and a number of novel approaches are being introduced. This series of articles, contributed by research groups with different expertise, is a small step towards the combined efforts required to address the challenges associated with regenerating the infarcted myocardium.