5-Azacytidine Is Insufficient For Cardiogenesis In Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adipose tissue is a source of multipotent adult stem cells and it has the ability to differentiate into several types of cell lineages such as neuron cells, osteogenic cells and adipogenic cells. Several reports have shown adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have the ability to undergo cardiomyogenesis. Studies have shown 5-azacytidine can successfully drive stem cells such as bone marrow derived stem cells to differentiate into cardiomyogenic cells. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect 5-azacytidine on the cardiogenic ability of ASCs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The cardiogenic potential of ASCs was analysed by studying the morphological changes after induction, the changes in the cardiogenic genes expression i.e. GATA4, MLC-2v, MLC-2a, NKX2.5, β-MHC, α-MHC, Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), Connexin 43, Cardiac Troponin C, Cardiac Troponin I and myocyte enhancer factor (MEF2C) and the changes of embryonic stem cells genes expression at P5 and P10 using quantitative PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results showed that the induced ASCs did not show significant morphological difference compared to the non-induced ASCs. While quantitative PCR data indicated that most cardiogenic genes and stemness genes expression level decreased after induction at P5 and P10.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>5-azacytidine is insufficient for the cardiogenic induction of the ASCs.</p

Insufficient maintenance DNA methylation is associated with abnormal embryonic development

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Early pregnancy loss (EPL) is a frustrating clinical problem, whose mechanisms are not completely understood. DNA methylation, which includes maintenance methylation and <it>de novo </it>methylation directed by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), is important for embryo development. Abnormal function of these DNMTs may have serious consequences for embryonic development.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To evaluate the possible involvement of DNA methylation in human EPL, the expression of DNMT proteins and global methylation of DNA were assessed in villous or decidua from EPL patients. The association of maintenance methylation with embryo implantation and development was also examined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that DNMT1 and DNMT3A were both expressed in normal human villous and decidua. DNMT1 expression and DNA global methylation levels were significantly down-regulated in villous of EPL. DNMT3A expression was not significantly changed in the EPL group compared to controls in either villous or decidua. We also found that disturbance of maintenance methylation with a DNMT1 inhibitor may result in a decreased global DNA methylation level and impaired embryonic development in the mouse model, and inhibit <it>in vitro </it>embryo attachment to endometrial cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results demonstrate that defects in DNA maintenance methylation in the embryo, not in the mother, are associated with abnormal embryonic implantation and development. The findings of the current study provide new insights into the etiology of EPL.</p

Evaluation of UGmax soil additive applied in maize grown for grain and silage

Doświadczenia ścisłe nad oceną efektów stosowania Użyźniacza Glebowego UGmax w uprawie kukurydzy na ziarno i kiszonkę przeprowadzono w latach 2007-2008 na polach Zakładu Doświadczałno-Dydaktycznego Gorzyń filia w Swadzimiu należącego do Uniwersytetu Przyrodniczego w Poznaniu. Badania prowadzono na polu po 6-cio letniej monokulturze kukurydzy. Użyźniacz Glebowy UGmax firmy Bogdan zastosowano wiosną w dawce 0,3 l ha-1. Zastosowanie Użyźniacza Glebowego UGmax w uprawie kukurydzy na ziarno, przy której na polu pozostaje duża ilość resztek pożniwnych, prowadziło do istotnego statystycznie wzrostu plonu, a średni przyrost wyniósł 7,1 dt ha'', stanowiąc wzrost o 9,4% względem plonu zebranego na obiekcie kontrolnym. Wyższemu plonowi towarzyszyła wyższa wilgotność ziarna przy zbiorze, średnio o 1,1% w porównaniu z kontrolą. W uprawie na kiszonką uzyskano wzrost plonu świeżej masy o 55,9 dt ha-1, co stanowiło 15,1% plonu zebranego na kontroli a suchej masy o 36,5 dtha-1, co stanowiło 32,3% zbiorów s.m na kontroli. Przyrostowi plonu świeżej i suchej masy towarzyszył spadek jakości surowca do zakiszania, który wyrażał się tendencją do mniejszego udziału kolb w świeżej i suchej masie surowca.Trials have been carried out in 2007 and 2008 to evaluate the effects of application of soil additive UGmax in growing maize for grain and silage. The trials have been executed at Experimental station Swadzim of Poznań University of Life Sciences. Maize was grown after 6 years of monoculture. UGmax has been applied in spring, in dose of O,3 l ha -1. Application of soil additive UGmax in maize grown for grain, where there were many post harvest residues, caused significant statistic increase of yield, average increase amounted 7,1 dt ha-1 equal to 9,4% of yield harvested at control plot. Higher yield was correlated with higher grain moisture at harvest, in average 1,1% vs. control. In maize grown for silage it was observed increase of fresh matter of 55,9 dt ha-1 equal to 15,1% of yield harvested at control plot and in dry matter yield of 36,5 dt ha-1 and 32,3% respectively. Increase if fresh and dry mass yield was negatively correlated with quality of material for ensilage, i.e. tendency to lower corn ear content in fresh and dry matter