We previously demonstrated that mesenchymal cells from human amniotic membrane (hAMTCs) inhibit the generation and maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro. Considering the crucial role of DCs in the immune response and that epithelial cells of the human amniotic membrane (hAECs) share some of the immunoregulatory properties of hAMTCs, we investigated whether hAECs also modulate monocytederived DCs. We compared hAECs with hAMTCs in a cell-to-cell contact setting and their secreted factors in modulating DC differentiation and function. First, we demonstrated that primary and expanded hAMTCs strongly inhibited the differentiation of DCs and induced a shift toward M2-like macrophages. This was observed when hAMTCs were cultured in contact (hAMTC-DC cont ) or in Transwells (hAMTC-DC tw ) with monocytes and even when medium conditioned by hAMTCs was used instead of hAMTCs. hAECs also prevented DC development, but to a lesser extent than hAMTCs. hAECs were more effective when cultured in contact with monocytes (hAEC-DC cont ) rather than in Transwells (hAEC-DC tw ). The modulatory capacity of hAECs changed during passaging unlike the hAMSCs. The ability to stimulate CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell proliferation was almost completely abolished by hAMTC-DC cont , whereas hAMTC-DC tw and hAEC-DC cont displayed only a reduced ability to stimulate CD8 + T cells. Furthermore, monocytes cocultured with hAMTCs and hAECs showed some similarities, but also differences in cytokine/chemokine secretion. Similarities were observed in the inhibition of IL-12p70 and TNF-a and the increase in IL-10 in supernatants taken from monocyteDCs cocultured with hAMTCs and hAECs in contact and Transwell settings. The inflammatory factors IL-8, CXCL9, and MIP-1a were significantly lower in hAMTC-DC cont , hAMTC-DC tw , and hAEC-DC cont conditions. In contrast, only hAMTCs (in both contact and Transwell conditions) were able to significantly increase IL-1b and CCL2. Altogether, we demonstrated that hAMTCs and hAECs affect DC differentiation, but that hAMTCs exerted a stronger inhibitory effect, abolished T-cell proliferation, and also induced more changes in cytokine/ chemokine production.

While lean management practices (LMP) help small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) to be efficient, sustainability‐oriented innovation (SOI) facilitates adopting environmental and social practices. Although prior research looks into the effect of LMP on the economic performance (EP) of SMEs, less is known about the effect of LMP on sustainability (economic, environmental and social) performance. Studies on the effect of SOI on sustainability and economic performance are also scant. Additionally, examining the mediating effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices (environmental and social practices) on both LMP and SOI achieving sustainability performance (SP) is rare. This research bridges these knowledge gaps by answering the question of how LMP, SOI, CSR practices, sustainability and economic performance are correlated. Through hypothesis testing using structural equation modelling, this study reveals the impact of LMP, SOI, CSR (environmental and social) practices on sustainability and economic performance. The study uses data from 119 SMEs within manufacturing industries in the Midlands, UK. The analysis reveals that LMP and SOI facilitate achieving both sustainability and economic performance, and SOI mediates LMP to achieve sustainability performance. Additionally, although CSR practices mediate LMP to achieve sustainability performance, they only borderline mediate SOI to achieve sustainability performance.

An aqueous extract of human placenta, used as wound healer, shows stabilization of trypsin against autodigestion as one of the peptides of the extract binds very strongly with the protease. Trypsin retains 40% of activity at constant level between 20 and 26 days in presence of the extract against complete inactivation in its absence. Inhibition of esterolytic activity and inability to react with p-nitrophenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate, HCl, an active site directed reagent, by trypsin in presence of a peptide fraction of the extract indicated blocking of the catalytic site of the enzyme. Rayleigh scattering, size-exclusion HPLC, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and surface plasmon resonance show that fibronectin type III-like peptide present in the extract interacts with trypsin. The peptide-trypsin complex is dissociated in presence of high concentration of substrates. Thus, regulation of trypsin activity by the placental extract is evident.

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) nations account for one-quarter of the world's land area, having more than 40% of the world's population, and only one-quarter of the world gross national income. Hence the study and review of waste electrical and electronic equipment management systems in BRICS nations is of relevance. It has been observed from the literature that there are studies available comparing two or three country's waste electrical and electronic equipment status, while the study encompassing the BRICS nations considering in a single framework is scant. The purpose of this study is to analyse the existing waste electrical and electronic equipment management systems and status of compliance to Basel convention in the BRICS nations, noting possible lessons from matured systems, such as those in the European Union EU) and USA. The study introduced a novel framework for a waste electrical and electronic equipment management system that may be adopted in BRICS nations and revealed that BRICS countries have many similar types of challenges. The study also identified some significant gaps with respect to the management systems and trans-boundary movement of waste electrical and electronic equipment, which may attract researchers for further research.

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