1,721,043 research outputs found
Future regenerative medicine developments and their therapeutic applications
Full text link: Although the currently available pharmacological assays can cure most pathological disorders, they have limited therapeutic value in relieving certain disorders like myocardial infarct, peripheral vascular disease, amputated limbs, or organ failure (e.g. renal failure). Pilot studies to overcome such problems using regenerative medicine (RM) delivered promising data. Comprehensive investigations of RM in zebrafish or reptilians are necessary for better understanding. However, the precise mechanisms remain poorly understood despite the tremendous amount of data obtained using the zebrafish model investigating the exact mechanisms behind their regenerative capability. Indeed, understanding such mechanisms and their application to humans can save millions of lives from dying due to potentially life-threatening events. Recent studies have launched a revolution in replacing damaged human organs via different approaches in the last few decades. The newly established branch of medicine (known as Regenerative Medicine aims to enhance natural repair mechanisms. This can be done through the application of several advanced broad-spectrum technologies such as organ transplantation, tissue engineering, and application of Scaffolds technology (support vascularization using an extracellular matrix), stem cell therapy, miRNA treatment, development of 3D mini-organs (organoids), and the construction of artificial tissues using nanomedicine and 3D bio-printers. Moreover, in the next few decades, revolutionary approaches in regenerative medicine will be applied based on artificial intelligence and wireless data exchange, soft intelligence biomaterials, nanorobotics, and even living robotics capable of self-repair. The present work presents a comprehensive overview that summarizes the new and future advances in the field of RM
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Utilizing Endothelial Cell and Astrocyte Co-Cultures and Improving Differentiation Efficiency for the Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease
No full textClick on the Resource Link to find this item in the ACPHS Library catalogAtherosclerosis is a progressive disease that leads to limb loss and heart failure in peripheral arterial disease and coronary artery disease respectively. A cell-based approach to improving angiogenesis focuses on optimizing the cell type and delivery method for these conditions. Our aim was to examine the effects of co-culture on improving sprout growth and epigenetic reprograming on improving endothelial differentiation yield of adipose derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (adMSCs). Endothelial sprout characteristics of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) in 2D and 3D assays with Normal Human Astrocytes (NHAs) and adMSCs were quantified over time. A modified 2-day epigenetic reprograming protocol utilizing Valproic acid, 5'-Azacytidine, and caffeine was used prior to a standard 7-day VEGF-A endothelial differentiation regimen on adMSCs. Co-culture of HUVECs with NHAs or adMSCs resulted in longer mean tube length, prolonged growth phase, and delay of senescence in 3D sprout formation assays over 9 days of culture compared to baseline. NHAs were able to associate with HUVEC tubes at branch points and segments in 2D assays, whereas adMSCs nearly inhibited native abilities. The modified epigenetic reprograming protocol did not result in improved phenotypic or functional differentiation of adMSCs as determined with CD31 expression and tube formation ability, respectively. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the ability of normal human astrocytes and adipose derived mesenchymal stromal cells to promote the growth and survival of three dimensional endothelial sprouts over 9 days. Additionally, we demonstrated the ability of normal human astrocytes to associate with endothelial cells in 2D tubes in an enabling manner. Our attempt at improving endothelial cell differentiation of adipose derived mesenchymal stromal cells by our modified epigenetic reprograming protocol was unsuccessful. However, it did produce clusters of cells that had morphological resemblance to pluripotent cells.MS in Biotechnologyhttps://acphs.on.worldcat.org/oclc/99002530
Effects of Helicobacter pylori on Gastric and Colon Tumor Growth and Tumor Angiogenesis
No full textClick on the Resource Link to find this item in the ACPHS Library catalogHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a human pathogen that is associated with severe gastric diseases including gastritis and gastric cancer. H. pylori expresses many virulence factors such as the cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA). CagA induces many cancer-related host-signaling events and appears to be the most important bacterial factor for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma. However, the bacterial disease progression depends also on many additional factors including genetic predisposition of the host and environmental factors. Another important process that is required for cancer development is angiogenesis. While some studies have stated that H. pylori can promote angiogenesis, other studies have indicated that H. pylori causes inhibition of endothelial proliferation. To examine these somehow conflicting results in more detail, a 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the effect of H. pylori on cell growth. In addition, a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and a nude mouse model were used to further investigate how H. pylori affects angiogenesis and tumor growth. The CAM model results did not show any effect of H. pylori on cancer cells. However, the in vitro model and the mouse model showed that H. pylori has a significant effect on the growth of AGS and Colo205 cancer cells. In conclusion, H. pylori strain G27 promotes the growth of cancer cell line AGS.MS in Biotechnologyhttps://acphs.on.worldcat.org/oclc/99001822
Neuroantibody Titer Associations with Glutathione-S-Transferase and Human Leukocyte Antigen Polymorphisms in African-American Children with Heavy Metal Exposures
No full textClick on the Resource Link to find this item in the ACPHS Library catalog.Recent years have witnessed an increased interest in gene-environment interactions and the establishment of links between environmental chemicals, allergies, and neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. The impetus for this interest is multifactorial, deriving from epidemiological studies of greater risk associated with genomic differences in vulnerable populations and a failure to identify the etiological factors for what are considered sporadic diseases. Towards this end, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Mechanistic Indicators of Childhood Asthma (MICA) study was undertaken to investigate markers of allergic asthma and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of key genes reported to increase risk of allergic asthma, as well as heavy metal exposures. The present study determined titers of autoantibodies against nervous system-specific proteins (NAb) in African-American children as an ancillary study to MICA. Non-parametric analyses indicated that SNPs in genes encoding glutathione-S-transferase (GST) Pi and Theta detoxifying isozymes were primarily involved in heavy metal accumulation, with males having higher metal levels. SNPs in GST, as well as HLA, genes influenced NAb titers against the neurofilament triplet proteins. Females had higher NAb titers than males. Multiregression modeling of transformed data indicated that NAb titers were primarily determined by GSTP1 homozygous and heterozygous genotypes, GSTM1 homozygous genotypes and the presence of GST Theta genes. Heavy metal exposure also enhanced these genetic influences. These results suggest a role for genomic differences as determinants of heavy metal neurotoxicity, as indicated by NAb, in environmentally vulnerable populations with differences in sex also being a factor.MS in Pharmaceutical Scienceshttps://acphs.on.worldcat.org/oclc/99001811
Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy of Bioengineered Heparin versus Porcine USP Heparin
No full textClick on the Resource Link to find this item in the ACPHS Library catalogIn this thesis the pharmacodynamics (anticoagulant efficacy) of porcine unfractionated heparin (USP heparin) versus bioengineered heparin are determined and compared. The development of a bioengineered heparin was triggered in response to heparin contamination that led to the death of more than 180 Americans in 2008 alone. Recent research suggests that it is possible to produce a bioengineered heparin from non-animal sources that will be equivalent to the current USP heparin. The bioequivalence of USP heparin versus bioengineered heparin was assessed using established in vitro and in vivo model systems for anticoagulant efficacy, anti-angiogenesis and potential anti-cancer effects. The versions of bioengineered heparin tested met the criteria set forth by the USP for heparin sulfate with regards to anti-factor Xa/IIa activity ratio and anti-factor IIa activity. In chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) models, there is a potential anti–angiogenic effect by both USP heparin as well as bioengineered heparin. Thrombelastography results followed a similar dose response when analyzed, indicating that the time for clot formation and strength of the clot have a comparable hemostatic profile. The bioengineered heparin has thus far been shown to be biologically equivalent to USP heparin with no statistically significant differences.MS in Biotechnologyhttps://acphs.on.worldcat.org/oclc/99003531
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Role of Heparin Derivatives and Platelet-Cancer Cell Adhesion in Tumor Metastasis
No full textClick on the Resource Link to find this item in the ACPHS Library catalogHeparin and its derivatives are known to attenuate cancer metastasis, but have not been used clinically due to adverse bleeding effects. This study examined the ability of a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), a sulfated non-anticoagulant heparin (S-NACH), and P-selectin inhibitor (PSI) to inhibit metastasis of a growing primary mass and metastasis following surgical excision of primary tumor in a pancreatic mouse model.Two animal experiments were conducted using athymic female mice. The aim of the first experiment was to examine the efficacy and safety of the test compounds on experimental metastasis. Different groups of mice received either saline, LMWH, S-NACH, or PSI, and 30 minutes later, luciferase transfected pancreatic cancer cells were implanted into the mouse spleen and the treatment continued daily for two weeks. IVIS imaging was done once a week to measure the metastatic load to various organs. The tumor burden measurements were based on the bioluminescence signal intensity of the pancreatic cancer cells. The second experiment was intended to study the effect of the compounds (LMWH and S-NACH) on metastasis after tumor excision surgery, Mpanc96 cells were injected into the tail of the pancreas and one week later animals were divided into 3 groups; one group received saline as a control, another group received LMWH, and a third group received S-NACH 30 minutes before resection of the pancreatic tumor, followed by daily treatment (saline, LMWH or S-NACH) for 3 weeks. Tumor metastasis was evaluated by IVIS imagining. A bleeding time experiment was done to evaluate the relative effect of the test compounds on the bleeding time.S-NACH and PSI significantly decreased the level of metastasis (P< 0.05) versus control and LMWH. S-NACH was also able to reduce surgically induced metastasis (P= 0.017). S-NACH and PSI did not significantly affect bleeding time as compared to control or LMWH, while LMWH significantly (P <0.0001) prolonged bleeding. These data suggest that S-NACH and PSI are effective and safe anti-metastatic agents and warrant further clinical evaluation.MS in Biotechnologyhttps://acphs.on.worldcat.org/oclc/99003471
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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