High-throughput 3D microvessel-on-a-chip model to study defective angiogenesis in systemic sclerosis.

In early systemic sclerosis (Scleroderma, SSc), the vasculature is impaired. Although the exact etiology of endothelial cell damage in SSc remains unclear, it is hypothesized that endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) plays a key role. To perform physiologically relevant angiogenic studies, we set out to develop an angiogenesis-on-a-chip platform that is suitable for assessing disease parameters that are relevant to SSc and other vasculopathies.

Phytoglycogen Encapsulation of Lanthanide-Based Nanoparticles as an Optical Imaging Platform with Therapeutic Potential.

Lanthanide-based upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) are largely sought-after for biomedical applications ranging from bioimaging to therapy. A straightforward strategy is proposed here using the naturally sourced polymer phytoglycogen to coencapsulate UCNPs with hydrophobic photosensitizers as an optical imaging platform and light-induced therapeutic agents. The resulting multifunctional sub-micrometer-sized luminescent beads are shown to be cytocompatible as carrier materials, which encourages the assessment of their potential in biomedical applications.

Seal body condition and atmospheric circulation patterns influence polar bear body condition, recruitment, and feeding ecology in the Chukchi Sea.

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are experiencing loss of sea ice habitats used to access their marine mammal prey. Simultaneously, ocean warming is changing ecosystems that support marine mammal populations. The interactive effects of sea ice and prey are not well understood yet may explain spatial-temporal variation in the response of polar bears to sea ice loss.

WT1 expression is increased in primary fibroblasts derived from Dupuytren's disease tissues.

Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a fibroproliferative and contractile fibrosis of the palmar fascia that, like all other heritable fibroses, is currently incurable. While DD is invariably benign, it exhibits some molecular similarities to malignant tumours, including increased levels of ß-catenin, onco-fetal fibronectin, periostin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II. To gain additional insights into the pathogenesis of DD, we have assessed the expression of WT1, encoding Wilm's tumour 1, an established tumour biomarker that is syntenic with IGF2, the gene encoding IGF-II in humans.

Drosophila muller f elements maintain a distinct set of genomic properties over 40 million years of evolution.

The Muller F element (4.2 Mb, ~80 protein-coding genes) is an unusual autosome of Drosophila melanogaster; it is mostly heterochromatic with a low recombination rate. To investigate how these properties impact the evolution of repeats and genes, we manually improved the sequence and annotated the genes on the D.

Periostin induces fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblast persistence in hypertrophic scarring.

Hypertrophic scarring is characterized by the excessive development and persistence of myofibroblasts. These cells contract the surrounding extracellular matrix resulting in the increased tissue density characteristic of scar tissue. Periostin is a matricellular protein that is abnormally abundant in fibrotic dermis, however, its roles in hypertrophic scarring are largely unknown.

IGF2 expression and β-catenin levels are increased in Frozen Shoulder Syndrome.

Purpose: Frozen Shoulder Syndrome is a fibrosis of the shoulder joint capsule that is clinically associated with Dupuytren's disease, a fibrosis of the palmar fascia. Little is known about any commonalities in the pathophysiology of these connective tissue fibroses. β-catenin, a protein that transactivates gene expression, and levels of IGF2 mRNA, encoding insulin-like growth factor-II, are elevated in Dupuytren's disease.

IGF-II and IGFBP-6 regulate cellular contractility and proliferation in Dupuytren's disease.

Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a common and heritable fibrosis of the palmar fascia that typically manifests as permanent finger contractures. The molecular interactions that induce the development of hyper-contractile fibroblasts, or myofibroblasts, in DD are poorly understood. We have identified IGF2 and IGFBP6, encoding insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-6 respectively, as reciprocally dysregulated genes and proteins in primary cells derived from contracture tissues (DD cells).