Hemmule: A Novel Structure with the Properties of the Stem Cell Niche.

Stem cells are nurtured and regulated by a specialized microenvironment known as stem cell niche. While the functions of the niches are well defined, their structure and location remain unclear. We have identified, in rat bone marrow, the seat of hematopoietic stem cells-extensively vascularized node-like compartments that fit the requirements for stem cell niche and that we called hemmules.

Sanal-Cell Cycle and Primo Vascular System: Regeneration via Sanals.

The Primo Vascular System (PVS) is new to most scientists despite that it was discovered in the 1960s by Bonghan Kim. Out of the many physiological functions reported, one of the most important PVS functions appears to be its role in the regeneration via a small (~1 μm) subcellular body called 'sanal.' According to Kim, a cell generates multiple sanals and the sanals arriving at the primo nodes (PNs) via primo vessels (PV) eventually produce new cells, by way of the 'Sanal-Cell Cycle.

PEGylation of zinc nanoparticles amplifies their ability to enhance olfactory responses to odorant.

Olfactory responses are intensely enhanced with the addition of endogenous and engineered primarily-elemental small zinc nanoparticles (NPs). With aging, oxidation of these Zn nanoparticles eliminated the observed enhancement. The design of a polyethylene glycol coating to meet storage requirements of engineered zinc nanoparticles is evaluated to achieve maximal olfactory benefit.

Anti-influenza Activity of a Bacillus subtilis Probiotic Strain.

Among bacteria, is the species that produces the most antimicrobial compounds. In this study, we analyzed the activity of probiotic strain 3 against the influenza virus. The antiviral effect of this strain has been demonstrated and A new peptide, P18, produced by the probiotic strain was isolated, purified, chemically synthesized, and characterized.

After oxidation, zinc nanoparticles lose their ability to enhance responses to odorants.

Electrical responses of olfactory sensory neurons to odorants were examined in the presence of zinc nanoparticles of various sizes and degrees of oxidation. The zinc nanoparticles were prepared by the underwater electrical discharge method and analyzed by atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Small (1.

Mitigation of heat stress-related complications by a yeast fermentate product.

Heat stress results in a multitude of biological and physiological responses which can become lethal if not properly managed. It has been shown that heat stress causes significant adverse effects in both human and animals. Different approaches have been proposed to mitigate the adverse effects caused by heat stress, among which are special diet and probiotics.

Prevention of Heat Stress Adverse Effects in Rats by Bacillus subtilis Strain.

This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of the Bacillus subtilis strain against complications related to heat stress. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Animals were orally treated twice a day for two days with B.

Primo-Vascular System as Presented by Bong Han Kim.

In the 1960s Bong Han Kim discovered and characterized a new vascular system. He was able to differentiate it clearly from vascular blood and lymph systems by the use of a variety of methods, which were available to him in the mid-20th century. He gave detailed characterization of the system and created comprehensive diagrams and photographs in his publications.

Biopolymers for sample collection, protection, and preservation.

One of the principal challenges in the collection of biological samples from air, water, and soil matrices is that the target agents are not stable enough to be transferred from the collection point to the laboratory of choice without experiencing significant degradation and loss of viability. At present, there is no method to transport biological samples over considerable distances safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively without the use of ice or refrigeration. Current techniques of protection and preservation of biological materials have serious drawbacks.

Microscopic evaluation of vesicles shed by erythrocytes at elevated temperatures.

The images of human erythrocytes and vesicles were analyzed by a light microscopy system with spatial resolution of better than 90 nm. The samples were observed in an aqueous environment and required no freezing, dehydration, staining, shadowing, marking, or any other manipulation. Temperature elevation resulted in significant concentration increase of structurally transformed erythrocytes (echinocytes) and vesicles in the blood.

Biosensor for detection of antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus bacteria.

A structurally transformed lytic bacteriophage having a broad host range of Staphylococcus aureus strains and a penicillin-binding protein (PBP 2a) antibody conjugated latex beads have been utilized to create a biosensor designed for discrimination of methicillin resistant (MRSA) and sensitive (MSSA) S. aureus species (1,2). The lytic phages have been converted into phage spheroids by contact with water-chloroform interface.

Detection and identification of methicillin resistant and sensitive strains of Staphylococcus aureus using tandem measurements.

Discrimination of methicillin resistant (MRSA) and sensitive (MSSA) strains of Staphylococcus aureus, was achieved by the specially selected lytic bacteriophage with a wide host range of S. aureus strains and a penicillin-binding protein (PBP 2a) specific antibody. A quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) was employed to analyze bacteria-phage interactions.

Natural biopolymer for preservation of microorganisms during sampling and storage.

Stability of microbial cultures during sampling and storage is a vital issue in various fields of medicine, biotechnology, food science, and forensics. We have developed a unique bacterial preservation process involving a non-toxic, water-soluble acacia gum polymer that eliminates the need for refrigerated storage of samples. The main goal of this study is to characterize the efficacy of acacia gum polymer for preservation of pathogenic bacteria (Bacillus anthracis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-MRSA) on different materials, used for swabbing and filtration: cotton, wool, polyester, rayon, charcoal cloth, and Whatman paper.

Preservation of bacteria in natural polymers.

A new inexpensive and simple method for preserving microorganisms has been developed. Natural polymers of acacia gum and pullulan were used to preserve model bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis via immobilization and storage under various conditions. Formulation of E.

Efficient decomposition of shrimp shell waste using Bacillus cereus and Exiguobacterium acetylicum.

Two bacterial cultures were isolated and tested for degradation of shrimp shell waste. According to morphological examination, physiological tests, and applied molecular techniques, isolates were identified as Bacillus cereus and Exiguobacterium acetylicum. Both strains were cultivated separately in flasks with 100 mL of shrimp shell waste broth (3% of washed, dried and ground shrimp shell waste in tap water, pH 7.

Novel methods for storage stability and release of Bacillus spores.

Bacillus subtilis spores were immobilized in activated charcoal and tapioca and filled with acacia gum. These formulations were tested for spore stability during storage at temperatures ranging from 40 degrees C to 90 degrees C and for bacterial release. Thermodynamic analysis showed that immobilization of spores in acacia gum significantly increased their viability compared with unprotected spores.

Real-time optical detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using lytic phage probes.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)-specific bacteriophage was used as a probe for detection of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in aqueous solution using a novel optical method.

Preclinical testing in the development of probiotics: a regulatory perspective with Bacillus strains as an example.

Preclinical testing of the microbial strains is the first important step in the development of probiotics. Requirements for the set of tests can vary depending on the bacterial species and the expected mechanism of action in the organism. Common approaches to preclinical testing of probiotic strains include strain identification (i.

The safety of two Bacillus probiotic strains for human use.

Probiotics based on Bacillus strains have been increasingly proposed for prophylactic and therapeutic use against several gastro-intestinal diseases. We studied safety for two Bacillus strains included in a popular East European probiotic. Bacillus subtilis strain that was sensitive to all antibiotics listed by the European Food Safety Authority.

Phage as a molecular recognition element in biosensors immobilized by physical adsorption.

Biosensors based on landscape phages immobilized by physical adsorption on the surface of a quartz crystal microbalance was used for detection of beta-galactosidase from Escherichia coli. The sensor had a detection limit of a few nanomoles and a response time of a approximately 100 s over the range of 0.003-210 nM.

Lytic phage as a specific and selective probe for detection of Staphylococcus aureus--A surface plasmon resonance spectroscopic study.

Rapid and reliable detection of harmful pathogens at low levels are vital due to the related environmental and economical impact. While antibodies (monoclonal or polyclonal) are successfully employed in many immunoanalysis procedures as a biorecognition element, many of them remain costly with a comparatively short shelf life and uncertain manufacturability. Additionally, they suffer from several limitations, such as susceptibility to hostile environmental stresses such as temperature, pH, ionic strength, and cross-reactivity.

Affinity-selected filamentous bacteriophage as a probe for acoustic wave biodetectors of Salmonella typhimurium.

Proof-in-concept biosensors were prepared for the rapid detection of Salmonella typhimurium in solution, based on affinity-selected filamentous phage prepared as probes physically adsorbed to piezoelectric transducers. Quantitative deposition studies indicated that approximately 3 x 10(10)phage particles/cm(2) could be irreversibly adsorbed for 1 h at room temperature to prepare working biosensors. The quality of phage deposition was monitored by fluorescent microscopy.

Landscape phage probes for Salmonella typhimurium.

We selected from landscape phage library probes that bind preferentially Salmonella typhimurium cells compared with other Enterobacteriaceae. The specificity of the phage probes for S. typhimurium was analyzed by the phage-capture test, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the precipitation test.

Diagnostic probes for Bacillus anthracis spores selected from a landscape phage library.

Background: Recent use of Bacillus anthracis spores as a bioweapon has highlighted the need for a continuous monitoring system. Current monitoring systems rely on antibody-derived probes, which are not hardy enough to withstand long-term use under extreme conditions. We describe new, phage-derived probes that can be used as robust substitutes for antibodies.