Cartilage-Specific Gene Expression and Extracellular Matrix Deposition in the Course of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Chondrogenic Differentiation in 3D Spheroid Culture.

Articular cartilage damage still remains a major problem in orthopedical surgery. The development of tissue engineering techniques such as autologous chondrocyte implantation is a promising way to improve clinical outcomes. On the other hand, the clinical application of autologous chondrocytes has considerable limitations. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from various tissues have been shown to possess chondrogenic differentiation potential, although to different degrees. In the present study, we assessed the alterations in chondrogenesis-related gene transcription rates and extracellular matrix deposition levels before and after the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs in a 3D spheroid culture. MSCs were obtained from three different tissues: umbilical cord Wharton's jelly (WJMSC-Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stromal cells), adipose tissue (ATMSC-adipose tissue mesenchymal stromal cells), and the dental pulp of deciduous teeth (SHEDs-stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth). Monolayer MSC cultures served as baseline controls. Newly formed 3D spheroids composed of MSCs previously grown in 2D cultures were precultured for 2 days in growth medium, and then, chondrogenic differentiation was induced by maintaining them in the TGF-ß1-containing medium for 21 days. Among the MSC types studied, WJMSCs showed the most similarities with primary chondrocytes in terms of the upregulation of cartilage-specific gene expression. Interestingly, such upregulation occurred to some extent in all 3D spheroids, even prior to the addition of TGF-ß1. These results confirm that the potential of Wharton's jelly is on par with adipose tissue as a valuable cell source for cartilage engineering applications as well as for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The 3D spheroid environment on its own acts as a trigger for the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs.

Denosumab induction and Zoledronic acid maintenance therapy for recurrent unresectable giant cell tumour of the distal tibia: A case report with sustained tumour control after drug withdrawal.

A 31-year-old woman was diagnosed with a recurrent and rapidly growing giant cell tumour of distal tibia with skin ulceration after intralesional curettage. The patient started on Denosumab 120 mg subcutaneously, once per month with additional loading doses on Days 8 and 15 attempting to avoid below-knee amputation. Twelve doses of Denosumab were administered in 9 months, resulting in resolution of pain, reduction of tumour size and calcification. Hence, the local surgical treatment was delayed and bisphosphonate maintenance therapy was initiated as skin healing was incomplete. The patient was given Zoledronic acid infusions at a dose of 4 mg. After the third infusion, the skin healed. As tumour remained stable, it was decided to continue maintenance. Overall, six doses of Zoledronic acid at 6 months intervals were administrated over 3 years. At the end of the maintenance, the patient experienced no pain and satisfied with her limb function. Since the lesion remained stable over 3 years after Denosumab discontinuation, it was suggested to stop further medical treatment and proceed to active surveillance. The patient's disease is still stable clinical remission with no serious adverse events 41 months after Denosumab cessation and 10 months after the last bisphosphonate infusion. The present case confirmed the high effectiveness of denosumab as induction therapy in advanced recurrent giant cell tumour. We speculate that following the Denosumab-induced tumour ossification, high Zoledronic acid uptake in lesion may prevent tumour reactivation due to its improved pharmacodynamics with an assumed irreversible anti-tumoral effect on residual mutated cells. This hypothesis requires confirmation in future studies.

A new remarkable species of Xyletinus Latreille, 1809 (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Xyletininae) from southern Kazakhstan.

Xyletinus (Xeronthobius) diaphanus sp. n. from southern Kazakhstan is described, illustrated, and compared with the known members of the subgenus.

Commercial articulated collaborative in situ 3D bioprinter for skin wound healing.

In situ bioprinting is one of the most clinically relevant techniques in the emerging bioprinting technology because it could be performed directly on the human body in the operating room and it does not require bioreactors for post-printing tissue maturation. However, commercial in situ bioprinters are still not available on the market. In this study, we demonstrated the benefit of the originally developed first commercial articulated collaborative in situ bioprinter for the treatment of full-thickness wounds in rat and porcine models. We used an articulated and collaborative robotic arm from company KUKA and developed original printhead and correspondence software enabling in situ bioprinting on curve and moving surfaces. The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments show that in situ bioprinting of bioink induces a strong hydrogel adhesion and enables printing on curved surfaces of wet tissues with a high level of fidelity. The in situ bioprinter was convenient to use in the operating room. Additional in vitro experiments (in vitro collagen contraction assay and in vitro 3D angiogenesis assay) and histological analyses demonstrated that in situ bioprinting improves the quality of wound healing in rat and porcine skin wounds. The absence of interference with the normal process of wound healing and even certain improvement in the dynamics of this process strongly suggests that in situ bioprinting could be used as a novel therapeutic modality in wound healing.

Monograph on the Cillaeinae (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) from the Australian Region with comments on the taxonomy of the subfamily.

General review of the taxonomy and composition of the subfamily Cillaeinae with description of Conotelini trib. nov. (type genus: Conotelus Erichson, 1843 with some necessary notes on the position and rank of some recent and fossil taxa are given. The rank of the following supraspecific taxa are changed: former subgenus Paracillaeopsis Kirejtshuk, 2001 is now regarded as a separate genus (stat. nov.) and former genus Grouvellepeplus Kirejtshuk, 2001 is considered to be a subgenus (stat. nov.) of the genus Liparopeplus Murray, 1864. There is completed a revision of all cillaeine genera and species found in Australia and some others from adjacent territories, including the genera Adocimus Murray, 1864 with new subgenus Belonotus subgen. nov. (type species: Adocimus (Belonotus) bartenevi sp. nov.), Allenipeplus Kirejtshuk et Kovalev 2016, Brachypeplus Erichson, 1842, Brittonoma Kirejtshuk et Kovalev, 2016, Caledomus Kirejtshuk et Kovalev, 2017, Cillaeopeplus, Ithyphenes Murray, 1864, Laferollaeus gen. nov. (type species: Laferollaeus angustissimus sp. nov.), Matthewsianus gen. nov. (type species: Brachypeplus olliffi Blackburn, 1902), Onicotis Murray, 1864 and Oniphenes gen. nov. (type species: Oniphenes lobanovi sp. nov.). The following new species are described: Adocimus (Belonotus) bartenevi sp. nov., Brachypeplus instriatus sp. nov. B. makarovi sp. nov., B. nypicola sp. nov., Cillaeopeplus rectinotus sp. nov., C. temporalibus sp. nov., Ithyphenes australiaensis sp. nov., I. marinae sp. nov., I. rectifrons sp. nov., Matthewsianus polinae sp. nov., Oniphenes bicoloratus sp. nov., O, lobanovi sp. nov. and O. subunicolor sp. nov. The systematic placement is re-defined for the following species: Adocimus (Belonotus) modiglianii (Grouvelle, 1897), comb. nov. (former Cillaeus Laporte, 1835), A. (B.) nitidulus (Grouvelle, 1897), comb. nov. (former Brachypeplus), Brachypeplus cascus Powell et Cline, 2021, comb. nov. (former Palaeopeplus Powell et Cline, 2021), Brittonoma mandibulare (Kirejtshuk, 2011), comb. nov. and B. pygidiatum (Kirejtshuk, 2011), comb. nov. (former Brittonema Kirejtshuk, 2011), Campsopyga xanthura (Murray, 1864), comb. nov. (former Hypodetus Murray, 1864), Cillaeopeplus rastrus (Gillogly, 1962), comb. nov. (former Cillaeus), Ithyphenes angustus (Grouvelle, 1917), comb. nov. (former Platynema Ritsema, 1885), I. breviceps (Murray, 1864), comb. nov. (former Orthogramma Murray, 1864), I. dentipes (Murray, 1864), comb. nov. (former Orthogramma), I. fissiceps (Murray, 1864), comb. nov. (former Orthogramma), I. fuscipennis (Murray, 1864), comb. nov. (former Orthogramma), I. japonicus (Hisamatsu, 1985), comb. nov. (former Platynema), I. longiceps (Murray, 1864), comb. nov. (former Orthogramma), I. olliffi (Ritsema, 1885), comb. nov. (former Platynema), I. planiceps (Murray, 1864), comb. nov. (former Orthogramma), I. puncticeps (Murray, 1864), comb. nov. (former Orthogramma), I. ritsemai (Grouvelle, 1897), comb. nov. (former Orthogramma), I. saundersii (Murray, 1864), comb. nov. (former Orthogramma) and Matthewsianus olliffi (Blackburn, 1902), comb. nov., (former Brachypeplus). The following generic and species names are considered to be junior synonyms (senior synonym listed first): Brachypeplus Erichson, 1842 = Palaeopeplus Powell et Cline, 2021, syn. nov.; Ithyphenes Murray, 1864 = Platynema Ritsema, 1885, syn. nov.; Adocimus bellus Murray, 1864 = A. nigripennis Reitter, 1880, syn. nov. and A. dimidiatus Reitter, 1877, syn. nov.; Nitidulopsis aequalis Walker, 1858 = Brachypeplus (Selis) pallidus Dasgupta et Pal, 2019, syn. nov. and B. (S.) riang Dasgupta, Pal et Hodge, 2015, syn. nov.; Brachypeplus (Brachypeplus) obesus Grouvelle, 1895 = B. (B.) arengae Kirejtshuk, 1994, syn. nov. and very probably B. (B.) registernus Dasgupta et Pal, 2019; Brachypeplus (Selis) apicalis Murray, 1864 = B. (S.) fimbriatus Reitter, 1880, syn. nov.; B. (S.) dorsalis Grouvelle, 1897 = B. (S.) decoratus Grouvelle, 1917, syn. nov. and very probably B. (S.) ornatus Grouvelle, 1914; Brachypeplus (Tasmus) basalis: Murray, 1864 = B. (T.) brevicornis Sharp, 1878, syn. nov.; Brachypeplus (Tasmus) binotatus Murray, 1864 = B. cowleyi Blackburn, 1902, syn. nov. = B. koebelei Blackburn, 1902 and B. murrayi Macleay, 1873, syn. nov.; Brachypeplus kemblensis Blackburn, 1902 = Brachypeplus mauli Gardner et Clasey, 1962, syn. nov.; Brachypeplus (Brachypeplus) macLeayi Murray, 1864 = B. inquilinus Lea 1912, syn. nov.; Brachypeplus olliffi Blackburn, 1902 = B. insignis Lea, 1925, syn. nov. Because of insufficiency of available material the synonymy of Brachypeplus (Brachypeplus) nitidulus Grouvelle, 1897 and Cillaeus modiglianii Grouvelle, 1897 (currently both in Adocimus (Belanotus subgen. nov.)) is considered preliminary. The recent studies of additional specimens make it possible to consider Brachypeplus apicalis Murray, 1864 and B. dorsalis Grouvelle, 1897 (previously synonymized by Kirejtshuk, 2005) as separate species. The lectotypes of the following species are designated: Adocimus nigripennis Reitter, 1880, Brachypeplus barronensis Blackburn, 1902, B. basalis Erichson, 1842, B. Cowleyi Blackburn, 1902, B. inquilinus Lea, 1912, B. insignis Lea, 1925, B. kemblensis Blackburn, 1902, B. Koebelei Blackburn, 1902, B. Murrayi Macleay, 1873, B. Olliffi Blackburn, 1902, B. planus Erichson, 1842, B. wattsensis Blackburn, 1902, B. xanthorrhoeae Lea, 1925, Brachypeplus (Brachypeplus) nitidulus Grouvelle, 1897, B. (B.) obesus Grouvelle, 1895, B. (Selis) apicalis Murray, 1864, B. (S.) caudalis Murray, 1864, B. (S.) dorsalis Grouvelle, 1897, B. (S.) fimbriatus Reitter, 1880, B. (Tasmus) binotatus Murray, 1864, B. (T.) blandus Murray, 1864, B. (T.) brevicornis Sharp, 1878, Cillaeus Modiglianii Grouvelle, 1897, Ithyphenes Bouchardi Grouvelle, 1907, I. Gestroi Reitter, 1880, Brachypeplus (Onicotis) auritus Murray, 1864, Orthogramma breviceps Murray, 1864, O. dentipes Murray, 1864. O. fuscipennis Murray, 1864 and Platynema Olliffi Ritsema, 1885 are designated. The composition of the genus Ithyphenes and synonymy of the names proposed for it (Orthogramma Murray, 1864, nec R.L., 1817 et Guene, 1852 and Platynema) are discussed and substantiated. The erroneous identification of Brachypeplus macleayi invasive pest of bees in U.S.A. is corrected (Sagili et al. 2016 published these data with the wrong name Brachypeplus basalis). The mature larvae of Brachypeplus aff. instriatus sp. nov. and Onicotis auritus are described. The key to genera of the cillaeine genera from Australia and adjacent territories, and also keys to Australian and Tasmanian species of the genera Brachypeplus, Ithyphenes and Oniphenes gen. nov. are presented.

A new species of the genus Dendrolasiophilus Nomura, 2010 from the south of the Russian Far East (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae).

Dendrolasiophilus subitus sp. nov. from the Russian Far East is described and illustrated. Some nomenclatural notes on the genus Dendrolasiophilus Nomura, 2010 are given.

Effects of high intensity non-ionizing terahertz radiation on human skin fibroblasts.

For the first time, the data have been obtained on the effects of high-intensity terahertz (THz) radiation (with the intensity of 30 GW/cm2, electric field strength of 3.5 MV/cm) on human skin fibroblasts. A quantitative estimation of the number of histone Н2АХ foci of phosphorylation was performed. The number of foci per cell was studied depending on the irradiation time, as well as on the THz pulse energy. The performed studies have shown that the appearance of the foci is not related to either the oxidative stress (the cells preserve their morphology, cytoskeleton structure, and the reactive oxygen species content does not exceed the control values), or the thermal effect of THz radiation. The prolonged irradiation of fibroblasts also did not result in a decrease of their proliferative index.

Spidroin Silk Fibers with Bioactive Motifs of Extracellular Proteins for Neural Tissue Engineering.

The interaction of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) with the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in neural tissue regeneration. Understanding which motifs of the ECM proteins are crucial for normal NPC adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation is important in order to create more adequate tissue engineered models of neural tissue and to efficiently study the central nervous system regeneration mechanisms. We have shown earlier that anisotropic matrices prepared from a mixture of recombinant dragline silk proteins, such as spidroin 1 and spidroin 2, by electrospinning are biocompatible with NPCs and provide good proliferation and oriented growth of neurites. This study objective was to find the effects of spidroin-based electrospun materials, modified with peptide motifs of the extracellular matrix proteins (RGD, IKVAV, and VAEIDGIEL) on adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of directly reprogrammed neural precursor cells (drNPCs). The structural and biomechanical studies have shown that spidroin-based electrospun mats (SBEM), modified with ECM peptides, are characterized by a uniaxial orientation and elastic moduli in the swollen state, comparable to those of the dura mater. It has been found for the first time that drNPCs on SBEM mostly preserve their stemness in the growth medium and even in the differentiation medium with brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, while addition of the mentioned ECM-peptide motifs may shift the balance toward neuroglial differentiation. We have demonstrated that the RGD motif promotes formation of a lower number of neurons with longer neurites, while the IKVAV motif is characterized by formation of a greater number of NF200-positive neurons with shorter neurites. At the same time, all the studied matrices preserve up to 30% of neuroglial progenitor cells, phenotypically similar to radial glia derived from the subventricular zone. We believe that, by using this approach and modifying spidroin by various ECM-motifs or other substances, one may create an in vitro model for the neuroglial stem cell niche with the potential control of their differentiation.

Cytoskeleton systems contribute differently to the functional intrinsic properties of chondrospheres.

Cytoskeleton systems, actin microfilaments, microtubules (MTs) and intermediate filaments (IFs) provide the biomechanical stability and spatial organization in cells. To understand the specific contributions of each cytoskeleton systems to intrinsic properties of spheroids, we've scrutinized the effects of the cytoskeleton perturbants, cytochalasin D (Cyto D), nocodazole (Noc) and withaferin A (WFA) on fusion, spreading on adhesive surface, morphology and biomechanics of chondrospheres (CSs). We confirmed that treatment with Cyto D but not with Noc or WFA severely affected CSs fusion and spreading dynamics and significantly reduced biomechanical properties of cell aggregates. Noc treatment affected spheroids spreading but not the fusion and surprisingly enhanced their stiffness. Vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs) reorganization affected CSs spreading only. The analysis of all three cytoskeleton systems contribution to spheroids intrinsic properties was performed for the first time.

Current Distribution and Diagnostic Features of Two Potentially Invasive Asian Buprestid Species: Agrilus mali Matsumura and A. fleischeri Obenberger (Coleoptera: Buprestidae).

Our goal is to analyze the known geographical ranges and diagnostic features of two potentially invasive Asian buprestid species: the quarantine apple tree pest, Agrilus mali Matsumura, and the poplar pest A. fleischeri Obenberger. Based on the examination of museum collections and literature sources, we compiled comprehensive databases of records of the exact collecting sites for both species and generated detailed maps of their ranges. There are 51 documented localities for A. mali in the Russian Far East and East Siberia, Mongolia, China, and the Korean peninsula, and there are 53 documented localities for A. fleischeri in the Far East and Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, and Japan. No evidence of the presence of A. mali in Japan was found. Outbreak sites of A. mali in Xinjiang in the 2000s most likely represent the newly forming invasion areas; their proximity to the wild apple stands in the Kazakh part of the Tien Shan is a direct threat to Kazakhstan and adjacent countries. Sites damaged by A. fleischeri in Liaoning are situated within its native range; the outbreaks were likely triggered by the switch from indigenous to introduced poplars. This situation is similar to the early stages of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) invasion.

Drilorhinus, a new genus of the family Drilidae Lacordaire, 1857 (Coleoptera: Elateroidea) from Iran.

A new genus of the family Drilidae, Drilorhinus gen. nov. with one new species D. klimenkoi sp. nov. from the South-West Iran (Lorestan) is described, illustrated and compared with all known genera of this group. The new genus differs from all members of the family in the strong projection of the anterior part of the frons between antennal insertions. Some problems of taxonomic rank and classification of Drilidae are considered.

A review of the genus Anelastes Kirby, 1819 (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) of the Palaearctic fauna.

The genus Anelastes Kirby, 1819 of the Palaearctic fauna is revised. An amended diagnosis of the genus is elaborated. Two new species from North Africa, Anelastes abbreviatus sp. nov. and A. alius sp. nov. are described. Anelastes barbarus P.H. Lucas, 1846 and A. crenulatus (Bonvouloir, 1875) are redescribed and the lectotypes of both species are designated. A key to the Palaearctic species is provided. Anelastes barbarus is newly recorded from Uzbekistan.

Label-free characterization of white blood cells using fluorescence lifetime imaging and flow-cytometry: molecular heterogeneity and erythrophagocytosis [Invited].

Blood cell analysis is one of the standard clinical tests. Despite the widespread use of exogenous markers for blood cell quantification, label-free optical methods are still of high demand due to their possibility for in vivo application and signal specific to the biochemical state of the cell provided by native fluorophores. Here we report the results of blood cell characterization using label-free fluorescence imaging techniques and flow-cytometry. Autofluorescence parameters of different cell types - white blood cells, red blood cells, erythrophagocytic cells - are assessed and analyzed in terms of molecular heterogeneity and possibilities of differentiation between different cell types in vitro and in vivo.

Caledomus gen. nov., a new cillaeine genus (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) from New Caledonia and taxonomic notes.

Caledomus extraordinarius gen. et sp. nov. of the subfamily Cillaeinae is described from New Caledonia (Tinchialit). This new genus is a member of the Adocimus-complex of genera. The new name Brittonoma nom. nov. is proposed for the junior homonym Brittonema Kirejtshuk, 2011, non Thorne, 1967.

A new genus of the subfamily Cillaeinae (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) from the Philippines and New Guinea with notes on the taxonomy and phylogeny of the subfamily.

Allenipeplus gen. nov. represented by A. philippinensis sp. nov., type species (Philippines, Luzon), A. alius sp. nov. (Philippines, Mindoro), A. harmonicus sp. nov. (Philippines, Mindanao) and A. vitellinus sp. nov. (Indonesian New Guinea), is described. This new genus combines characters with a mosaic spread among other cillaeine genera. We present a wide comparison of genera among the subfamily Cillaeinae, making it possible to elaborate a detailed diagnosis of the new genus and trace some order in character patterns and propose a hypothesis on the relationship of this genus to other groups known from the Indo-Malayan and Australian Regions. A detailed diagnosis of the new genus and key to the new species are given. The Adocimus-complex of the related genera including Allenipeplus gen. nov., Adocimus Murray, 1864, Ithyphenes Murray, 1864, Platynema Ritsema, 1885 and probably Brittonema Kirejtshuk, 2011 is defined. Some notes on the taxonomy of the genera Liparopeplus Murray, 1864 and Xanthopeplus Fairmaire, 1880, stat. nov. are given. Additionally, designation of a lectotype for Liparopeplus colastoides Murray, 1864 is made.

First record of Calycina Blair, 1922 (Coleoptera, Mordellidae) in the Russian Far East with description of a new species.

The genus Calycina Blair, 1922 (Mordellinae, Mordellini) is one of the most fascinating and enigmatic genera of Mordellidae. The genus exhibits a pantropical distribution: one species with two subspecies in South America (Horák 1999; Leblanc 2013), one species in Africa (Horák 1999), three species in Southeast Asia (Horák 1999) and two species in the Papuan Region (Horák 1999; Ruzzier 2013). All species are known from only a few specimens, almost exclusively females, and appear to be generally very rare. Only Calycina major Nomura, 1967 and Calycina nigroapicalis Nomura, 1967 reach the Palearctic Region (Horák 2008; Ruzzier 2013) and no other species have been recorded from higher latitudes. The opportunity to study specimens from the Primorye region (Russian Far East) allowed the authors to identify a new species that is described below.

Notes on the distribution and ecology of the genus Stenelmis Dufour, 1835 (Coleoptera: Elmidae) in the Caucasus.

The distribution of the genus Stenelmis (Elmidae) of the Caucasus is reviewed based on materials collected by the authors and examined specimens stored in accessible collections. One of the two species present in this region, represented by the subspecies Stenelmis consobrina consobrina Dufour, 1835, is recorded for the first time in Krasnodar Krai and possibly in Armenia; Stenelmis puberula Reitter, 1887 is recorded for the first time in Russia (Krasnodar Krai and the Republic of Adygea) and Abkhazia.