Evaluation of a New DNA Extraction Method on Challenging Bone Samples Recovered from a WWII Mass Grave.

Bones and teeth represent a common finding in ancient DNA studies and in forensic casework, even after a long burial. Genetic typing is the gold standard for the personal identification of skeletal remains, but there are two main factors involved in the successful DNA typing of such samples: (1) the set-up of an efficient DNA extraction method; (2) the identification of the most suitable skeletal element for the downstream genetic analyses. In this paper, a protocol based on the processing of 0.

Spheroids of adipose derived stem cells show their potential in differentiating towards the angiogenic lineage.

Introduction: Adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) are a mesenchymal stem cell population of great scientific interest due to their abundance and easiness in obtaining them from adipose tissue. Recently, several techniques for three dimensional (3D) ASCs cultivation have been developed to obtain spheroids of adipose stem cells (SASCs). It was already proved that ASCs are able to differentiate towards the endothelial lineage thus, for the first time, we investigated the ability of our 3D SASCs to differentiate endothelially and the effects of not differentiated SASC secreted factors on specific cultured cells.

Dual disruption of aldehyde dehydrogenases 1 and 3 promotes functional changes in the glutathione redox system and enhances chemosensitivity in nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are multifunctional enzymes that oxidize diverse endogenous and exogenous aldehydes. We conducted a meta-analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus data and detected genetic alterations in ALDH1A1, ALDH1A3, or ALDH3A1, 86% of which were gene amplification or mRNA upregulation, in 31% of nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). The expression of these isoenzymes impacted chemoresistance and shortened survival times in patients.

Spheroids from adipose-derived stem cells exhibit an miRNA profile of highly undifferentiated cells.

Two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures have been extensively used to investigate stem cell biology, but new insights show that the 2D model may not properly represent the potential of the tissue of origin. Conversely, three-dimensional cultures exhibit protein expression patterns and intercellular junctions that are more representative of their in vivo condition. Multiclonal cells that grow in suspension are defined as "spheroids," and we have previously demonstrated that spheroids from adipose-derived stem cells (S-ASCs) displayed enhanced regenerative capability.

MicroRNA-133 modulates the β1-adrenergic receptor transduction cascade.

Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system plays a fundamental role in the regulation of myocardial function. During chronic pressure overload, overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system induces the release of catecholamines, which activate β-adrenergic receptors in cardiomyocytes and lead to increased heart rate and cardiac contractility. However, chronic stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors leads to impaired cardiac function, and β-blockers are widely used as therapeutic agents for the treatment of cardiac disease.

Methylprednisolone neutralizes the beneficial effects of erythropoietin in experimental spinal cord injury.

Inflammation plays a major pathological role in spinal cord injury (SCI). Although antiinflammatory treatment using the glucocorticoid methyprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) improved outcomes in several multicenter clinical trials, additional clinical experience suggests that MPSS is only modestly beneficial in SCI and poses a risk for serious complications. Recent work has shown that erythropoietin (EPO) moderates CNS tissue injury, in part by reducing inflammation, limiting neuronal apoptosis, and restoring vascular autoregulation.