EXcorLab (Germany)

<span>According to the WHO, nearly the entire global population, at approximately 97%, is exposed to air contaminated with pollutants exceeding the WHO guideline threshold. Air pollution results from the coalescence of pollutants with atmospheric air and has become a global challenge, primarily impacting the most significant urban areas worldwide. The Greater Jakarta, or Jabodetabek, is the world's second-largest metropolitan region, with a population of around 34.6 million distributed across 14 municipalities and cities. The high-intensity human activities in Greater Jakarta have severely deteriorated the air quality. This study employs a holistic approach, utilising spatiotemporal analysis and quantitative-descriptive methods to investigate the atmospheric concentrations of CO, NO₂, and SO₂ in Greater Jakarta and its surrounding areas. The spatial distribution patterns of pollutants and their driving factors, including stationary and climatic factors, are investigated during July-December 2023. Results indicated that CO, NO₂, and SO₂ concentrations are significantly above the thresholds defined by the WHO, particularly during the dry season. It is found that the combination of stationary sources, including coal-fired power plants and industrial areas, along with climatic factors, significantly affects pollutant dispersion. These findings underscore the urgent need for stricter emission controls in coal-fired power plants and industrial areas to mitigate the effects of air pollution on public health.</span>

We report on the fabrication of three-dimensional direct laser written scaffolds for tissue engineering and the seeding of primary fibroblasts on these structures. Scaffolds are realized by two-photon absorption induced polymerization in the inorganic-organic hybrid polymer OrmoComp using a 515 nm femtosecond laser. A nonstop single-line single-pass writing process is implemented in order to produce periodic reproducible large scaled structures with a dimension in the range of several millimeters and reduce process time to less than one hour. This method allows us to determine optimized process parameters for writing stable structures while achieving pore sizes ranging from 5 μm to 90 μm and a scanning speed of up to 5 mm/s. After a multi-stage post-treatment, normal human dermal fibroblasts are applied to the scaffolds to test if these macroscopic structures with large surface and numerous small gaps between the pores provide nontoxic conditions. Furthermore, we study the cell behavior in this environment and observe both cell growth on as well as ingrowth on the three-dimensional structures. In particular, fibroblasts adhere and grow also on the vertical walls of the scaffolds.

Introduction and Aims: Klotho is an "aging-suppressor" gene and encodes a single-pass transmembrane protein predominantly expressed in renal tubules.Whether chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects serum Klotho is poorly documented.We aimed to measure the relationship of serum α-Klotho with renal function, acid-base status, bone biomarkers and proteinuria in CKD patients.Methods: We measured serum α-Klotho, serum FGF-23 and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by inulin clearance in 60 CKD patients between January and July 2011.We also measured serum creatinine, bicarbonate, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, C-reactive protein, and 25OH vitamin D. Proteinuria was obtained from a 24h urine collection.Results: The median serum α-Klotho was 477 [348-658] pg/ml.We found an inverse relationship between serum α-Klotho and serum creatinine (r= -0.36, p=0.007), proteinuria (r= -0.36, p=0.013), and a positive relationship with serum bicarbonate (r= 0.33, p=0.011).There was no further significant relation between serum α-Klotho and inulin clearance or serum FGF23.Multiple regression analysis including serum bicarbonate, serum creatinine, and proteinuria, indicated that only serum bicarbonate was associated with serum α-Klotho ( p=0.003).Conclusions: This study shows for the time that in chronic kidney disease serum α-Klotho is related to serum bicarbonate and proteinuria and not to renal function.Further research is required to determine whether correcting these two amenable conditions would improve serum α-Klotho.