Abstract: The earliest scientific journals on biomedicine began publication in the 50s and their authors addressed the application of biology to medicine. More recently, biochemistry and biomedical engineering questions have figured more prominently. This trend is discussed in a survey of the topics appearing in the Journal of Applied Biomedicine. Pharmacological and toxicological articles have been popular over the long term and the neurosciences, chronomedicine, molecular and cell biomedicine have also been very important. The role of computational biomedicine and nanomedicine has received increasing attention as has the part which applied biomedicine can play in the enhancement of the general economy.
Abstract: Standard haematological procedures in preclinical subchronic and chronic toxicity studies are carried out on dogs, rats and other mammals. In vitro clonic assays CFU-GM, BFU-E, CFU-E, CFU-Mgkr and pluripotent stem cells are used in screening candidate compounds to predict acute cytopenias, but they are not able to reveal the risk of suppression which can develop after repeated administration. No in silico studies have yet been published in haematotoxicology. More recent haematotoxicological in vivo models represent invertebrates: they can be used in both ecotoxicology and in the screening of myelotoxicity.
Abstract: A new screening test of a haemolytic potential is presented on Spodoptera larvae in vivo. The assay was evaluated using phenylhydrazine, the well-known xenobiotic which induces haemolysis in mammals. Haemocyte disintegration causes changes in total haemocyte counts and differentials. It is shown that only qualitative evaluation of panoptically stained haemolymph smears is sufficient, fast and cheap to detect haemolytic potential. The presented assay also prevents unneeded, non-ethical use of vertebrates.
Abstract: The substitution of insects for laboratory animals in toxicity testing is likely to become a reality in the framework of prescreening. Haematotoxicological studies of newly developed chemicals, such as food components, drugs, etc. performed on insects can offer advantages in, for example, environmental toxicology. Reliable routine predictions should produce an increase in our knowledge of haemocyte physiology. Although the differences between human physiology and morphology and those of insects are great, the basic functions of insect haemocytes and mammalian leukocytes appear not to have changed during evolution. The use of insects in haematotoxicity assays represents a preclinical testing strategy which will lower costs, accelerate screening and offer ethical benefits.
Abstract: Morphological characterization of hemocytes in the adult linden bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) (Heteroptera). Zoological Studies 47(4): 466-472. The morphology of hemocytes of the adult linden bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) (Heteroptera) was characterized via light (both classical and confocal) and transmission electron microscopy. Based on this characterization, we classified hemocytes into 4 distinct types: prohemocytes, granulocytes, plasmatocytes, and spherulocytes. Differential hemocyte counts are described. We propose using the Pappenheim panoptic stain to identify different hemocyte populations of P. apterus. These results are the beginning building blocks of a knowledge base for our ongoing studies of the function of P. apterus hemocytes. As certain morphological characteristics are similar to mammalian blood cells which are used in hemotoxicological safety screening, the use of P. apterus as a new hematotoxicological bionnodel is suggested.
Abstract: The number of nucleoli in a cell and nucleolar area vary according to the cell. We compared nucleoli in mammalian circulating lymphocytes and insect circulating haemocytes, An increased nucleolar coefficient correlated with a lowered nucleoli size. The smaller nucleolar size in mammalian lymphocytes indicates a lower proteosynthetic cellular activity in both mammalian lymphocytes and insect haemocytes. Moreover, in insect haemocytes, the smaller size of the nucleoli may reflect a lowered potential to transform into another cell type. (C) 2008 European Journal of Histochemistry
Abstract: It has been confirmed that clock genes, as well as the pineal hormone, have a role in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus, the circadian endogenous pacemaker. It seems that the peripheral clock genes in the cells of the immune system subtly control biorhythms; their seeming lack of impact only showing that they work well. Some biorhythms even seem to be independent of a light/dark circadian regime. This apparent conflict in the mammalian time structure can be resolved by a two-clocks control model involving: (a) the endogenous gene clock, which is dominant in the neural system and (b) the exogenous clock of the immune system. Interactions between these two clocks can explain both the frequently observed individual differences in circadian rhythms and the subtle role of the peripheral clock genes. The endogenous clock facilitates an alternation in the immune system which counters external attacks in daytime and induces repair and advancement by night. (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Abstract: The circadian rhythms of the haemato-immune system seem to be synchronized by two clocks: the hypothalamic endogenous, and the exogenous which is based on environmental stimuli. The suprachiasmatic nucleus is not only a circadian clock, it also synchronizes peripheral oscillators and integrates light information through the retino-hypothalamic tract. The role of the "peripheral" clock genes in mature leucocytes still remains an unanswered question as well as the role of clock proteins in "non-clock" physiology. The circadian rhythms may be a basis for circannual variations, although the molecular bases of such rhythms remain a mystery. There are several hormones which have a significant impact on haematological characteristics; the finding of a lower superoxide release from granulocytes at higher melatonin levels opens up new research opportunities for melatonin therapy. Discrepancies between circadian changes in mRNAs and the appropriate protein participating in haemocoagulation and fibrinolysis may indicate that we do not know their control processes or their genetic background well, although this problem has now opened up a new area for pharmacological research. The endogenous clock facilitates an alternation in the immune system which counters external attacks in daytime and induces repair and development by night.
Abstract: Influence of metyrapone on the morphology of hemocytes of the Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). Zoological Studies 45(3): 371-377. The morphology of hemocytes in Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and the effects of metyrapone on the differential count were studied. Four types of hemocytes were found in the hemolymph of S. littoralis: plasmatocytes, granulocytes, spherulocytes, and oenocytoides. The proportion of hemocytes slightly changed during development, but plasmatocytes were the most numerous in all studied instars. Application of metyrapone caused developmental changes accompanied by variations in the differential count (i.e., the relative count) of granulocytes. Metyrapone induced higher metabolism in comparison with untreated specimens and resulted in precocious larval-pupal transformations. The body weight of treated larvae was higher, and the length of the last larval instar was shorter by 3 d in comparison with control animals. The significant decrease of granulocytes in the last larval instar treated with metyrapone simulated the differential count in older control animals. Observed changes following metyrapone administration were similar to the induction of a faster process of aging.
Abstract: Since malnutrition leads to adverse effects of several drugs on haemopoiesis and blood morphology, we tested if malnutrition itself could affect the nucleolar structure and function in rat lymphocytes. We report changes in the proportion of different nucleolar types that were dependent on the severity of feed restriction. The observed changes resemble those seen with cytostatics suggesting a possible link between feed restriction and haemotoxicity.
Abstract: We selected important ethical conflicts of interest in current cell biology and which remain still unresolved: the use of human biologic material, patents for biological material, cloning and use of stein cells, genetic engineering, onset of human life and death, and the use of vertebrate biomodels. New data from cell and molecular biology cannot facilitate the solution of such problems-on the contrary, they make these solutions more difficult. A solution may be found within the socio-cultural problems. Intensive research is necessary both to accomplish economical and medical benefit and to clarify ethical rules. Thus, essential cell biology seems to be the important part of education for non-life sciences students and students of biology and medicine would touch the social and ethical implications of recent biotechnologies in each knowledge-based economy.
Abstract: We briefly discuss the role of Internet support for education in cell biology. We have selected websites which are freely available and seem to be useful for learning and teaching. The best websites are found at university or society addresses. Support via the Internet increases democracy in the educational process and makes use of electronic text easier and more economical. We hope that not only recent databases of scientific publications but also artificial intelligence research will improve and assist cell biology learning in the future.
Abstract: In a fuzzy set, the probability that a result for a patient is increased (or decreased) is equal to the probability of incidence of reference values equal and lower (or higher) than the evaluated result. Application of fuzzy logic to computer analysis of haematological data enables more appropriate interpretation of continuous pathological changes.
