34 research outputs found
Formation of functional gap junctions in amniotic fluid-derived stem cells induced by transmembrane co-culture with neonatal rat cardiomyocytes
Amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFSC) have been reported to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells and form gap junctions when directly
mixed and cultured with neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM). This study investigated whether or not culture of AFSC on the opposite side
of a Transwell membrane from NRVM, allowing for contact and communication without confounding factors such as cell fusion, could direct
cardiac differentiation and enhance gap junction formation. Results were compared to shared media (Transwell), conditioned media and monoculture
media controls. After a 2-week culture period, AFSC did not express cardiac myosin heavy chain or troponin T in any co-culture group.
Protein expression of cardiac calsequestrin 2 was up-regulated in direct transmembrane co-cultures and media control cultures compared to
the other experimental groups, but all groups were up-regulated compared with undifferentiated AFSC cultures. Gap junction communication,
assessed with a scrape-loading dye transfer assay, was significantly increased in direct transmembrane co-cultures compared to all other conditions.
Gap junction communication corresponded with increased connexin 43 gene expression and decreased phosphorylation of connexin
43. Our results suggest that direct transmembrane co-culture does not induce cardiomyocyte differentiation of AFSC, though calsequestrin
expression is increased. However, direct transmembrane co-culture does enhance connexin-43-mediated gap junction communication between
AFSC
Saúde nas fronteiras: análise quantitativa e qualitativa da clientela do Centro Materno Infantil de Foz do Iguaçu, Brasil
Growth performance, carcase characteristics and meat quality of crossbred bulls and heifers from double-muscled Belgian Blue sires and Brown Swiss, Simmental and Rendena dams
Use of characterized chitosan nanoparticles integrated in poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers as an alternative nanoscale material for fish balls
Detection of enterotoxin genes of Staphylococcus sp isolated from nasal cavities and hands of food handlers
Food handlers, an important factor in food quality, may contain bacteria that are able to cause foodborne disease. The present study aimed to research coagulase-negative (CNS) and -positive staphylococci (CPS) in 82 food handlers, analyzing nasal and hand swabs, with identification of 62 CNS (75.6%) and 20 CPS strains (24.4%). Staphylococcal enterotoxins genes were investigated by PCR. In 20 CPS strains, 19 were positive for one or more genes. The percentage of CNS presenting genes for enterotoxins was high (46.8%). Despite of the staphylococcal species, the most common gene was sea (35.4%), followed by seh and sej (29.2%). The detection of new staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) genes showed a higher pathogenic potential in this genus. The presence of these gene points out the importance of CNS not only as contaminant bacteria but also as a pathogen.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP