A Spontaneous Pregnancy in a Patient with Turner Syndrome with 45,X/47,XXX Mosaicism: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background

Turner syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality, due to a total or partial loss of 1 of the X chromosomes and is mostly characterized clinically by short stature and primary ovarian insufficiency. Spontaneous pregnancies are rare (5%) and of relatively high risk. This is 1 of few reported cases of spontaneous conception and favorable prognosis in a patient with Turner syndrome and a 45,X/47,XXX karyotype.

Expression of beta-catenin,p63 and CD34 in hair follicles during the course of androgenetic alopecia

During the hair growth cycle, the hair follicle appears to recapitulate part of its embryogenesis where both beta-catenin and p63 participate. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that beta-catenin and p63 protein may be involved in the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia. Second, expression of CD34 protein was used to assess the capillary density of the affected skin. Cadavers were used as samples and the results showed that analysis of beta-catenin, p63 and CD34 expressions in human cadaverous scalp skin by immunohistochemical techniques were possible. We detected a higher expression of p63 in occipital skin in comparison to the affected frontal areas. However, we found only minimal changes in beta-catenin expression comparing frontal and occipital areas. A completely new finding was the expression of CD34 positive cells in the outer root sheath of hair follicles.     

Variability of soil microbial properties: Effects of sampling, handling and storage

We investigated the effect of soil spatial variability within the sampling site scale, the effects of sample sieving (1, 2 and 4 mm), and storage conditions up to 32 weeks (wet at 4 °C, −20 °C and air dried) on microbial biomass C, respiration, ammonification and nitrification activities in arable, grassland and forest soil. In general, all results were dependent on soil type. Arable soil showed the highest spatial variability, followed by grassland and forest soil. Sieving did not cause large differences; however, higher biomass C and respiration activity were observed in the 1 mm than in the 4 mm fraction. Storage at 4 °C seemed to be the most appropriate up to 8 weeks showing only minor changes of microbial parameters. Freezing of soils resulted in large increase of respiration. Dried storage indicated disruption of microbial communities even after 2 weeks.     

Fibrin/hyaluronic acid composite hydrogels as appropriate scaffolds for in vivo artificial cartilage implantation

Hydrogels prepared from a mixture of fibrin and high-molecular weight (MW) hyaluronic acid (HA) were found to be suitable scaffolds for chondrocyte seeding and pig knee cartilage regeneration. Collagen in the hydrogels is not necessary for the formation of biomechanically stable tissue. Regenerated cartilage showed very good biomechanical and histological properties only 6 months after implantation. Notably, the quality of the healing process was dependent on the initial chondrocyte concentration of the scaffolds. These experiments were performed according to good laboratory practice (GLP).     

Needleless emulsion electrospinning for the regulated delivery of susceptible proteins

In the present work, we developed a novel needleless emulsion electrospinning technique that improves the production rate of the core/shell production process. The nanofibres are based on poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL) as a continuous phase combined with a droplet phase based on Pluronic F‐68 (PF‐68). The PCL‐PF‐68 nanofibres show a time‐regulated release of active molecules. Needleless emulsion electrospinning was used to encapsulate a diverse set of compounds to the core phase [i.e. 5‐(4,6‐dichlorotriazinyl) aminofluorescein ‐PF‐68, horseradish peroxidase, Tetramethylrhodamine‐dextran, insulin growth factor‐I, transforming growth factor‐β and basic fibroblast growth factor]. In addition, the PF‐68 facilitates the preservation of the bioactivity of delivered proteins. The system's potential was highlighted by an improvement in the metabolic activity and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells. The developed system has the potential to deliver susceptible molecules in tissue‐engineering applications.