Mesenchymal Stem Cells Engineering: Microcapsules-Assisted Gene Transfection and Magnetic Cell Separation.

Stem cell engineering-the manipulation and functionalization of stem cells involving genetic modification-can significantly expand their applicability for cell therapy in humans. Toward this aim, reliable, standardized, and cost-effective methods for cell manipulation are required. Here we explore the potential of magnetic multilayer capsules to serve as a universal platform for nonviral gene transfer, stem cell magnetization, and magnetic cell separation to improve gene transfer efficiency.

A comparison study between electrospun polycaprolactone and piezoelectric poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

In this study, bone scaffolds composed of polycaprolactone (PCL), piezoelectric poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and a combination of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) and silicate containing hydroxyapatite (PHBV-SiHA) were successfully fabricated by a conventional electrospinning process. The morphological, chemical, wetting and biological properties of the scaffolds were examined. All fabricated scaffolds are composed of randomly oriented fibres with diameters from 800nm to 12μm.

Properties of Mitotic and Meiotic Recombination in the Tandemly-Repeated Gene Cluster in the Yeast .

In the yeast , the genes encoding the metallothionein protein Cup1 are located in a tandem array on chromosome VIII. Using a diploid strain that is heterozygous for an insertion of a selectable marker () within this tandem array, and heterozygous for markers flanking the array, we measured interhomolog recombination and intra/sister chromatid exchange in the locus. The rate of intra/sister chromatid recombination exceeded the rate of interhomolog recombination by >10-fold.

Hybrid inorganic-organic capsules for efficient intracellular delivery of novel siRNAs against influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.

The implementation of RNAi technology into the clinical practice has been significantly postponing due to the issues regarding to the delivery of naked siRNA predominantly to target cells. Here we report the approach to enhance the efficiency of siRNA delivery by encapsulating the siRNA into new carrier systems which are obtained via the combination of widely used layer-by-layer technique and in situ modification by sol-gel chemistry. We used three types of siRNAs (NP-717, NP-1155 and NP-1496) in encapsulated form as new therapeutic agents against H1N1 influenza virus infection.

A gemcitabine sensitivity screen identifies a role for NEK9 in the replication stress response.

The Replication Stress Response (RSR) is a signaling network that recognizes challenges to DNA replication and coordinates diverse DNA repair and cell-cycle checkpoint pathways. Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analogue that causes cytotoxicity by inducing DNA replication blocks. Using a synthetic lethal screen of a RNAi library of nuclear enzymes to identify genes that when silenced cause gemcitabine sensitization or resistance in human triple-negative breast cancer cells, we identified NIMA (never in mitosis gene A)-related kinase 9 (NEK9) as a key component of the RSR.

CHD7 expression predicts survival outcomes in patients with resected pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease with poor outcomes with current therapies. Gemcitabine is the primary adjuvant drug used clinically, but its effectiveness is limited. In this study, our objective was to use a rationale-driven approach to identify novel biomarkers for outcome in patients with early-stage resected PDAC treated with adjuvant gemcitabine.

Pronecrotic mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein expression is a prognostic biomarker in patients with early-stage resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background: Mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) is a necrosome component mediating programmed necrosis that may be an important determinant of cancer cell death. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the prognostic value of MLKL expression in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC).

Methods: Tissue from 80 patients was collected from a prospectively maintained database of patients with PAC who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between January 2000 and October 2008.