Disrupted Stiffness Ratio Alters Nuclear Mechanosensing.

The ability of endothelial cells to sense and respond to dynamic changes in blood flow is critical for vascular homeostasis and cardiovascular health. The mechanical and geometric properties of the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments affect mechanotransduction. We hypothesized that alterations to these parameters have resulting mechanosensory consequences.

Highly purified biocompatible gold nanorods for contrasted optoacoustic imaging of small animal models.

We developed a methodology for high yield synthesis of gold nanorods (GNR) with narrow band optical absorption centered at 760 nm. GNR were purified from hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The molar ratio between GNR and PEG (1÷50000) was optimized to make the conjugate a biocompatible PEG-GNR contrast agent for optoacoustic (OA) imaging.

Pathogenesis of XJ and Romero strains of Junin virus in two strains of guinea pigs.

Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF), a systemic infectious disease caused by infection with Junin virus, affects several organs, and patients can show hematologic, cardiovascular, renal, or neurologic symptoms. We compared the virulence of two Junin virus strains in inbred and outbred guinea pigs with the aim of characterizing this animal model better for future vaccine/antiviral efficacy studies. Our data indicate that this passage of the XJ strain is attenuated in guinea pigs.

Composition of PLGA and PEI/DNA nanoparticles improves ultrasound-mediated gene delivery in solid tumors in vivo.

The goal of this study was to enhance gene delivery and tumor cell transfection in vivo by using a combination of ultrasonication with complex nanoparticles consisting of two types of nanoparticles: PEI/DNA beta-gal plasmid with highly positive zeta-potential and air-filled poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) particles (with negative zeta-potential) manufactured in our laboratory. The PLGA/PEI/DNA nanoparticles were a colloid with positive zeta-potential and injected i.v.

Effect of 5-fluorouracil, Optison and ultrasound on MCF-7 cell viability.

The aim of this study was to analyze cell viability and expression of apoptotic-related signaling proteins in MCF-7 breast cancer cells induced by combinations of ultrasound, the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and the ultrasound contrast agent Optison. MCF-7 cells were treated with 5-FU and sonicated at the frequency of 3.0 MHz and intensity of 3.

Differential recognition of the free versus bound retinol by human microsomal retinol/sterol dehydrogenases: characterization of the holo-CRBP dehydrogenase activity of RoDH-4.

All-trans-retinol is the precursor for all-trans-retinoic acid, the activating ligand for nuclear transcription factors retinoic acid receptors. In the cytosol of various cells, most retinol exists in a bound form, complexed with cellular retinol binding protein type I (holo-CRBP). Whether retinoic acid is produced from the free or bound form of retinol is not yet clear.

Evidence that the human gene for prostate short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (PSDR1) encodes a novel retinal reductase (RalR1).

All-trans-retinoic acid is a metabolite of vitamin A (all-trans-retinol) that functions as an activating ligand for a family of nuclear retinoic acid receptors. The intracellular levels of retinoic acid in tissues are tightly regulated, although the mechanisms underlying the control of retinoid metabolism at the level of specific enzymes are not completely understood. In this report we present the first characterization of the retinoid substrate specificity of a novel short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) encoded by RalR1/PSDR1, a cDNA recently isolated from the human prostate (Lin, B.