A Flavonoid Compound Promotes Neuronal Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells via PPAR-β Modulating Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism.

Relatively little is known regarding mitochondrial metabolism in neuronal differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells. By using a small molecule, present research has investigated the pattern of cellular energy metabolism in neural progenitor cells derived from mouse ES cells. Flavonoid compound 4a faithfully facilitated ES cells to differentiate into neurons morphologically and functionally.

[Establishment of optimized neuronal differentiation-promoting model derived from P19 embryonic carcinoma cells].

Objective: To establish an optimized primary drug screen model of neuronal differentiation using P19 embryonal carcinoma cells.

Methods: The final concentration of retinoid acid (RA), days of suspension culture, manner of adherent culture, suitable cell density and adherent culture medium were tested, respectively. Two stages of neuronal differentiation were examined based on morphological changes and immunocytochemistry analysis of neuronal specific protein β-tubulin III.

[Phenotype-based primary screening for drugs promoting neuronal subtype differentiation in embryonic stem cells with light microscope].

Objective: To set up a platform for phenotype-based primary screening of drug candidates promoting neuronal subtype differentiation in embryonic stem cells (ES) with light microscope.

Methods: Hanging drop culture 4-/4+ method was employed to harvest the cells around embryoid body (EB) at differentiation endpoint. Morphological evaluation for neuron-like cells was performed with light microscope.

[Effect of diagnostic ultrasound-mediated microbubble contrast and urokinase on augmentation thrombolysis and optimization of the major parameters: an in vitro study].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of diagnostic ultrasound and microbubble contrast (MB) on enhancing thrombolysis in combination with urokinase (UK) and to determine the optimal combination for thrombolysis in vitro.

Methods: Four types of standardized red thrombus were prepared in vitro, including 3-hour-old (3 h), 6-hour-old (6 h), 12-hour-old (12 h), and 24-hour-old (24 h). The major parameters for the designed experiments included transmit powers of ultrasound (factor A, 5%, 25%, 50%, 100%), MB volumes (factor B, 50 microL, 100 microL, 200 microL, 400 microL), UK concentrations (factor C, 100 U/mL, 200 U/mL, 400 U/mL, 800 U/mL), and lysis time (factor D, 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 40 min).

[Antitumor effects of matrix protein of vesicular stomatic virus on EL4 lymphoma mice].

Objective: To explore antitumor effects of plasmid pcDNA3. 1-MP encoding matrix protein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) complexed with cationic liposome (DOTAP:CHOL) in mice with EL4 lymphoma.

Methods: C57BL/6 mouse model with EL4 lymphoma was established.

Response to temperature stress of reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes in the cross-tolerance of barley seed germination.

A number of studies have shown the existence of cross-tolerance in plants, but the physiological mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, we used the germination of barley seeds as a system to investigate the cross-tolerance of low-temperature pretreatment to high-temperature stress and the possible involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes in the cross-tolerance. After pretreatment at 0 °C for different periods of time, barley seeds were germinated at 35 °C, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of ROS scavenging enzymes were measured by a spectrophotometer analysis.