Secretome analysis of nerve repair mediating Schwann cells reveals Smad-dependent trophism.

Schwann cells promote nerve regeneration by adaptation of a regenerative phenotype referred to as repair mediating Schwann cell. Down-regulation of myelin proteins, myelin clearance, formation of Bungner's bands, and secretion of trophic factors characterize this cell type. We have previously shown that the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonist Fingolimod/FTY720P promotes the generation of this particular Schwann cell phenotype by activation of dedifferentiation markers and concomitant release of trophic factors resulting in enhanced neurite growth of dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Sequencing of human genomes extracted from single cancer cells isolated in a valveless microfluidic device.

Sequencing the genomes of individual cells enables the direct determination of genetic heterogeneity amongst cells within a population. We have developed an injection-moulded valveless microfluidic device in which single cells from colorectal cancer derived cell lines (LS174T, LS180 and RKO) and fresh colorectal tumors have been individually trapped, their genomes extracted and prepared for sequencing using multiple displacement amplification (MDA). Ninety nine percent of the DNA sequences obtained mapped to a reference human genome, indicating that there was effectively no contamination of these samples from non-human sources.

Complete sequence-based pathway analysis by differential on-chip DNA and RNA extraction from a single cell.

We demonstrate on-chip, differential DNA and RNA extraction from a single cell using a microfluidic chip and a two-stage lysis protocol. This method enables direct use of the whole extract, without additional washing steps, reducing sample loss. Using this method, the tumor driving pathway in individual cells from a colorectal cancer cell line was determined by applying a Bayesian computational pathway model to sequences obtained from the RNA fraction of a single cell and, the mutations driving the pathway were determined by analyzing sequences obtained from the DNA fraction of the same single cell.

Age-dependent alterations in osteoblast and osteoclast activity in human cancellous bone.

It is assumed that the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts is decreased in bone tissue of aged individuals. However, detailed investigation of the molecular signature of human bone from young compared to aged individuals confirming this assumption is lacking. In this study, quantitative expression analysis of genes related to osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis of human cancellous bone derived from the distal radius of young and aged individuals was performed.

Surgical Debridement Is Superior to Sole Antibiotic Therapy in a Novel Murine Posttraumatic Osteomyelitis Model.

Introduction: Bone infections after trauma, i.e. posttraumatic osteomyelitis, pose one of the biggest problems of orthopedic surgery.