The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the dermis is a critical structural component required for normal wound healing. The ECM, along with its key signaling components, provides the support structure necessary for fibroblasts, immune cells, and keratinocytes. When ECM activity is dysfunctional, the normal wound healing process is compromised, leading to slow, irregular repair, which may result in t...

introduction: extracellular matrix (ecm) components significantly influence the growth characteristics of cell, development of spontaneous contractile activity, andmorphologic differentiation. the present study evaluates the effect of ecm ongenotypic and physiologic characteristics of cardiomyocytes derived from embryonic stem (es) cells. material and methods: embryoid bodies derived from mouse...

Extracellular matrix (ECM) comprises a rich meshwork of proteins and proteoglycans, which not only contains biological cues for cell behavior, but is also a reservoir for binding growth factors and controlling their release. Here we aimed to create a suitable bony microenvironment with cell-derived ECM and biodegradable β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). More specifically, we investigated whether ...

ite power and grounding audits/evaluations of commercial and industrial locations routinely identify electrical power system grounding and bonding problems. According to S. Frank Waterer, an electrical engineering IEEE Fellow at Schneider Electric with more than 30 years of experience, approximately 70% of all anomalies, dysfunctions, or problems associated with power distribution systems are d...

In This Issue In This Issue cGMP steers axons home n page 489, Schmidt et al. identify a second messenger that helps to steer growth cones. Without this cGMP-directed guidance system, sensory axons lose their way during development. Axonal pathfinding and cyclic nucleotide second messengers have been linked by recent in vitro studies showing that cGMP protects growth cones from collapse induced...

The ability of Candida albicans to adhere to subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM) may be important in the pathogenesis of disseminated candidiasis. ECM proteins, such as fibronectin, laminin, and types I and IV collagen bind C. albicans avidly. These proteins all possess heparin-binding domains. The influence of the glycosaminoglycans (GAGS) including heparin, heparan sulfate and dextran s...

Fibroblasts can adhere to extracellular matrix (ECM) material by fibronectin-dependent (type I) and fibronectin-independent (type II) mechanisms. In this report we investigate the biochemical characteristics of ECM that contribute to type II adhesion. ECM capable of mediating type II adhesions is produced primarily by normal diploid fibroblasts, but not by transformed cells or epithelial cells....