1,721,010 research outputs found
Behind the developing brains and beating hearts of stem cell-derived embryo models
Full text linkStudies over the past decade have shown how stem cells representing embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues of the mouse can self-assemble in the culture dish to recapitulate an astonishing part of early embryonic development. A systematic analysis has demonstrated how pluripotent embryonic stem cells can be induced to behave like the implanting epiblast; how they can interact with trophectoderm stem cells to form a patterned structure resembling the implanting embryo prior to gastrulation; and how the third stem cell type - extra-embryonic endoderm cells - can be incorporated to generate structures that undergo the cell movements and gene expression patterns of gastrulation. Moreover, such stem cell-derived embryo models can proceed to neurulation and establish progenitors for all parts of the brain and neural tube, somites, beating heart structures and gut tube. They develop within extra-embryonic yolk sacs that initiate haematopoiesis. Here we trace this journey of discovery
Quantification of character-impacting compounds in Ocimum basilicum and 'Pesto alla Genovese' with selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry
No full textBasil (Ocimum basilicum) is an important flavourant plant which constitutes the major ingredient of the pasta sauce 'Pesto alla Genovese'. The characteristic smell of basil stems mainly from a handful of terpenoids (methyl cinnamate, eucalyptol, linalool and estragole), the concentration of which varies according to basil cultivars. The simple and rapid analysis of the terpenoid constituents of basil would be useful as a means to optimise harvesting times and to act as a quality control process for basil-containing foodstuffs. Classical analytical techniques such as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) are, however, slow, technically demanding and therefore less suitable for routine analysis. A new chemical ionisation technique which allows real-time quantification of traces gases, Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS), was therefore utilised to determine its usefulness for the assay of terpenoid concentrations in basil and pesto sauce headspace. Trace gas analysis was performed using the NO+ precursor ion which minimised interference from other compounds. Character-impacting compound concentration was measured in basil headspace with good reproducibility and statistically significant differences were observed between cultivars. Quantification of linalool in pesto sauce headspace proved more difficult due to the presence of interfering compounds. This was resolved by careful selection of reaction product ions which allowed us to detect differences between various commercial brands of pesto. We conclude that SIFT-MS may be a valid tool for the fast and reproducible analysis of flavourant terpenoids in basil and basil-derived foodstuffs. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The reactions of a series of terpenoids with H3O+, NO+and O2+ studied using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry
No full textThe reactions of H3O+, NO+ and O 2+ with twelve terpenoids and one terpene, all of which occur naturally in plants and which possess important smell and flavourant properties, were characterized using Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS). The H3O+ reactions resulted primarily in the formation of the proton transfer product and occasionally in a water elimination product. The NO+ reactions instead generated the charge transfer product or NO+ adducts, and occasionally alkyl fragments, or resulted in hydride abstraction. Reaction with O2+ caused a higher fragmentation of the terpenoids with the molecular ion being the minor product of most reactions. Identification and quantification of each compound in complex mixtures are probably possible in most cases using the H3O + and/or NO+ precursors while O2+ may be useful for isomer discrimination. Our data suggests that SIFT-MS may be a useful tool for the rapid analysis of these compounds in plants and derived foodstuffs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Per un censimento del patrimonio organario italiano: la provincia di Ravenna
No full textcensimento del patrimonio organario storico della provincia di Ravenn
Stem cell-derived mouse embryos develop within an extra-embryonic yolk sac to form anterior brain regions and a beating heart-like structure
No full textAssembly of complete mouse embryo models from embryonic and induced stem cell types in vitro
Full text linkThe interaction between embryonic and extraembryonic tissues is critical in natural mouse embryogenesis. Here, to enable such interaction in vitro, we describe a protocol to assemble a complete mouse embryo model using mouse embryonic stem cells and induced embryonic stem cells to express Cdx2 (or trophoblast stem cells) and Gata4 to reconstitute the epiblast, extraembryonic ectoderm and visceral endoderm lineages, respectively. The resulting complete embryo models recapitulate development from embryonic day 5.0 to 8.5, generating advanced embryonic and extraembryonic tissues that develop through gastrulation to initiate organogenesis to form a head and a beating heart structure as well as a yolk sac and chorion. Once the required stem cell lines are stably maintained in culture, the protocol requires 1 day to assemble complete embryo models and a further 8 days to culture them until headfold stages, although structures can be collected at earlier developmental stages as required. This protocol can be easily performed by researchers with experience in mouse stem cell culture, although they will benefit from knowledge of natural mouse embryos at early postimplantation stages
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