Effect of additional cytoplasm injection on the cloned bovine embryo organelle distribution and stress mitigation.

Although somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a critical component of animal cloning, this approach has several issues. We previously introduced the cytoplasm injection cloning technology (CICT), which significantly improves the quality and quantity of cloned embryos. This study examined the residual status of fused cytoplasmic organelles, such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and lysosomes, in the CICT group during early embryo development.

The effects of cycloastragenol on bovine embryo development, implantation potential and telomerase activity.

Context: Telomerase reverse transcriptase is a key factor responsible for structural and cellular alterations in aged oocytes and changes in the structure of the zona pellucida and mitochondria. Telomerase expression is reduced in aged cumulus oocyte complexes, and its activation or enhanced expression would be beneficial for in vitro oocyte maturation and in vitro embryo development.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate telomerase activation by cycloastragenol and its effect on bovine oocyte in vitro maturation, fertilisation, and early embryo development.

Difference of the association between low muscle mass and physical inactivity by sex resulting from the choice of the diagnostic criterion for low muscle mass in elderly Koreans.

Aim: We investigated the difference in the relationship between physical activity and low muscle mass resulting from the choice of diagnostic criterion for low muscle mass.

Methods: Our study was cross-sectional, using data from the 2008-2011 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Muscle mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Porous Silicon-Based Nanomedicine for Simultaneous Management of Joint Inflammation and Bone Erosion in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The lack of drugs that target both disease progression and tissue preservation makes it difficult to effectively manage rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we report a porous silicon-based nanomedicine that efficiently delivers an antirheumatic drug to inflamed synovium while degrading into bone-remodeling products. Methotrexate (MTX) is loaded into the porous silicon nanoparticles using a calcium silicate based condenser chemistry.

Clinical prognosis of isolated anterior cerebral artery territory infarction: a retrospective study.

Background: Isolated anterior cerebral artery territory (ACA) infarction is a rare phenomenon, and is known to have distinctive clinical features. Little is known regarding the clinical prognosis of isolated ACA territory infarction with associated factors, and its impact on dwelling and job status. We investigated the short- and long-term outcomes of anterior cerebral artery (ACA) territory infarction, and the associated factors involved in the development of the distinctive symptoms.

Hybrid Composite of Silver Nanoparticle-Porous Silicon Microparticles as an Image-Guided Localization Agent for Computed Tomography Scan of the Lungs.

A hybrid composite of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and porous silicon microparticles (pSiMPs) was developed and applied for the computed tomography (CT) scanning of the lungs as an image-guided localization agent. We confirmed the grafting of AgNPs on oxidized pSiMPs template using various analytical equipment, including a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The hybrid composite showed a high CT contrast intensity (>1000 HU) that enabled us to produce and view images of the lungs.

Tumor-Targeting, MicroRNA-Silencing Porous Silicon Nanoparticles for Ovarian Cancer Therapy.

Silencing of aberrantly expressed microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) has emerged as one of the strategies for molecular targeted cancer therapeutics. In particular, miR-21 is an oncogenic miRNA overexpressed in many tumors, including ovarian cancer. To achieve efficient administration of anti-miR therapeutics, delivery systems are needed that can ensure local accumulation in the tumor environment, low systemic toxicity, and reduced adverse side effects.

A bright blue fluorescent dextran for two-photon in vivo imaging of blood vessels.

Fluorescence-based in vivo imaging is one of the most important tools for monitoring of biological processes in cells and tissues of live animal models. Fluorescence imaging agents have also been used to monitor the microcirculation. Tracking microcirculation of the blood is vital to gain further insight into various vascular disease-related anomalies within the human body.

Systematic Degradation Rate Analysis of Surface-Functionalized Porous Silicon Nanoparticles.

Porous silicon nanoparticles (pSiNPs) have been utilized within a wide spectrum of biological studies, as well as in chemistry, chemical biology, and biomedical fields. Recently, pSiNPs have been constantly coming under the spotlight, mostly in biomedical applications, due to their advantages, such as controlled-release drug delivery in vivo by hydrolysis-induced degradation, self-reporting property through long life-time photoluminescence, high loading efficiency of substrate into pore, and the homing to specific cells/organ/bacteria by surface functionalization. However, the systematic degradation rate analysis of surface-functionalized pSiNPs in different biological media has not been conducted yet.

A Mini Review: Recent Advances in Surface Modification of Porous Silicon.

Porous silicon has been utilized within a wide spectrum of industries, as well as being used in basic research for engineering and biomedical fields. Recently, surface modification methods have been constantly coming under the spotlight, mostly in regard to maximizing its purpose of use. Within this review, we will introduce porous silicon, the experimentation preparatory methods, the properties of the surface of porous silicon, and both more conventional as well as newly developed surface modification methods that have assisted in attempting to overcome the many drawbacks we see in the existing methods.