Improved Neural Inductivity of Size-Controlled 3D Human Embryonic Stem Cells Using Magnetic Nanoparticles.

To improve the efficiency of neural development from human embryonic stem cells, human embryoid body (hEB) generation is vital through 3-dimensional formation. However, conventional approaches still have limitations: long-term cultivation and laborious steps for lineage determination. In this study, we controlled the size of hEBs for ectodermal lineage specification using cell-penetrating magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), which resulted in reduced time required for initial neural induction.

Cultured meat with enriched organoleptic properties by regulating cell differentiation.

Research on cultured meat has primarily focused on the mass proliferation or differentiation of muscle cells; thus, the food characteristics of cultured meat remain relatively underexplored. As the quality of meat is determined by its organoleptic properties, cultured meat with similar sensory characteristics to animal-derived meat is highly desirable. In this study, we control the organoleptic and nutritional properties of cultured meat by tailoring the 2D differentiation of primary bovine myoblasts and primary bovine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on gelatin/alginate scaffolds with varying stiffness.

Preconditioning with Substance P Restores Therapeutic Efficacy of Aged ADSC by Elevating TNFR2 and Paracrine Potential.

Aging leads to a decline in stem cell activity by reducing the repopulation rate and paracrine potential, ultimately diminishing efficacy in vivo. TNF-α can exert inflammatory and cell death actions via Erk by binding to TNFR-1, and survival and tissue repair actions via Akt by binding to TNFR-2. Aged cells are reported to have insufficient expression of TNFR-2, indicating that aged adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs-E) lack the ability for cell survival and immune control compared to young ADSCs (ADSCs-Y).

Adenosine A receptor blockade prevents cisplatin-induced impairments in neurogenesis and cognitive function.

Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI) has emerged as a significant medical problem without therapeutic options. Using the platinum-based chemotherapy cisplatin to model CICI, we revealed robust elevations in the adenosine A receptor (AR) and its downstream effectors, cAMP and CREB, by cisplatin in the adult mouse hippocampus, a critical brain structure for learning and memory. Notably, AR inhibition by the Food and Drug Administration-approved AR antagonist KW-6002 prevented cisplatin-induced impairments in neural progenitor proliferation and dendrite morphogenesis of adult-born neurons, while improving memory and anxiety-like behavior, without affecting tumor growth or cisplatin's antitumor activity.

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Prevents Cisplatin-Induced Cognitive Impairments.

Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI) is often reported as a neurotoxic side effect of chemotherapy. Although CICI has emerged as a significant medical problem, meaningful treatments are not currently available due to a lack of mechanistic understanding underlying CICI pathophysiology. Using the platinum-based chemotherapy cisplatin as a model for CICI, we show here that cisplatin suppresses nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels in the adult female mouse brain and in human cortical neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells .

sFRP3 inhibition improves age-related cellular changes in BubR1 progeroid mice.

Wnt signaling is a well-known molecular pathway in age-related pathogenesis and therapy of disease. While prior studies have mainly focused on Wnt ligands or Wnt activators, the in vivo functions of naturally secreted Wnt inhibitors are not clear, especially in brain aging. Using BubR1 mice as a novel mouse model of accelerated aging, we report that genetic inhibition of sFRP3 restores the reduced body and brain size observed in BubR1 mice.

BubR1 Insufficiency Impairs Affective Behavior and Memory Function in Mice.

Purpose: Although aging causes functional declines in cognition, the molecular mechanism underlying these declines remains largely unknown. Recently, the spindle checkpoint kinase budding uninhibited by benzimidazole-related 1 (BubR1) has emerged as a key determinant for age-related pathology in various tissues including brain. However, the neurobehavioral impact of BubR1 has not been explored.

Alternative Choices for Anterolateral Thigh Flaps Lacking Suitable Perforators: A Systematic Review.

Background:  The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has become a predominant option in the field of reconstruction. However, some difficulties in harvesting flap exist due to the anatomical variability of the perforators. Reports have provided solutions for unreliable perforators.

DISC1 in Astrocytes Influences Adult Neurogenesis and Hippocampus-Dependent Behaviors in Mice.

The functional role of genetic variants in glia in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders remains poorly studied. Disrupted-In-Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1), a genetic risk factor implicated in major mental disorders, has been implicated in regulation of astrocyte functions. As both astrocytes and DISC1 influence adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, we hypothesized that selective expression of dominant-negative C-terminus-truncated human DISC1 (mutant DISC1) in astrocytes would affect adult hippocampal neurogenesis and hippocampus-dependent behaviors.

The progeroid gene BubR1 regulates axon myelination and motor function.

Myelination, the process by which oligodendrocytes form the myelin sheath around axons, is key to axonal signal transduction and related motor function in the central nervous system (CNS). Aging is characterized by degenerative changes in the myelin sheath, although the molecular underpinnings of normal and aberrant myelination remain incompletely understood. Here we report that axon myelination and related motor function are dependent on BubR1, a mitotic checkpoint protein that has been linked to progeroid phenotypes when expressed at low levels and healthy lifespan when overabundant.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Highly Hydrophilic Polyurethane Foam Dressing in Treating a Diabetic Foot Ulcer.

Objective: To demonstrate the efficacy of a highly hydrophilic polyurethane foam dressing in the treatment of diabetic ulcers.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers often pose a difficult treatment problem. Polyurethane foam dressings have been used worldwide to accelerate wound healing, but only a few clinical studies demonstrate the effect of foam dressing on the healing of diabetic ulcers.

Corosolic Acid Exhibits Anti-angiogenic and Anti-lymphangiogenic Effects on In Vitro Endothelial Cells and on an In Vivo CT-26 Colon Carcinoma Animal Model.

We describe the anti-angiogenic and anti-lymphangiogenic effects of corosolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpenoid isolated from Cornus kousa Burg. A mouse colon carcinoma CT-26 animal model was employed to determine the in vivo anti-angiogenic and anti-lymphangiogenic effects of corosolic acid. Corosolic acid induced apoptosis in CT-26 cells, mediated by the activation of caspase-3.

A new phenanthrene derivative and two diarylheptanoids from the roots of Brassica rapa ssp. campestris inhibit the growth of cancer cell lines and LDL-oxidation.

Brassica rapa ssp. campestris (Brassicaceae) is a conical, deep purple, edible root vegetable commonly known as a turnip. We initiated phytochemical and pharmacological studies to search for biological active compounds from the roots of B.

Pomolic acid induces apoptosis in SK-OV-3 human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells through the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic and death receptor-induced extrinsic pathways.

The cytotoxic effect of pomolic acid (PA), a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from flowers of Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus Makino, was investigated in SK-OV-3 human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells. PA dose-dependently inhibited the viability of SK-OV-3 cells.

3-O-acetyloleanolic acid induces apoptosis in human colon carcinoma HCT-116 cells.

The cytotoxic effect of 3-O-acetyloleanolic acid, an oleanolic acid derivative isolated from the seeds of Vigna sinensis K., was investigated in human colon carcinoma HCT-116 cells. 3-O-acetyloleanolic acid dose-dependently inhibited the viability of HCT-116 cells.

Recombinant canstatin inhibits angiopoietin-1-induced angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.

We describe the effect of recombinant canstatin, the NC1 domain of the α2 chain of Type IV collagen, on suppression of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Recombinant canstatin produced from stably transformed Drosophila S2 cells reduced the expression of angiopoietin-1 in hypoxia mimetic agent, CoCl(2) -treated CT-26 cells. Recombinant canstatin inhibited proliferation, tube formation and migration of human angiopoietin-1 (rhAngpt-1)-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC).

Synthesis of double-layered rotavirus-like particles using internal ribosome entry site vector system in stably-transformed Drosophila melanogaster.

We established a bicistronic expression system using an encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV)-derived internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) element to generate stably transformed Drosophila melanogaster Schneider 2 (S2) cells expressing human rotavirus Wa capsid proteins, VP2 and VP6, for the synthesis of VP2/6 double-layered virus-like particle (DVLP). The EMCV-derived IRES permitted bicistronic translation of recombinant VP6. Recombinant VP2 and VP6 were detected in extracellular fractions of stably transformed S2 cells.

Expression and immunogenicity of a recombinant chimeric protein of human colorectal cancer antigen GA733-2 and an Fc antibody fragment in stably transformed Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells.

Human colorectal cancer antigen GA733-2 fused to the immunoglobin Fc fragment (GA733-2-Fc) was expressed in stably transformed Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells, and the immunogenicity of recombinant GA733-2-Fc was investigated in mice. Recombinant GA733-2-Fc was secreted into a culture medium with a molecular mass of approximately 65 kDa. Recombinant GA733-2-Fc was purified to homogeneity using affinity fractionation with Protein A sepharose 4 Fast Flow.