Synthesis via ATRP, kinetics study and characterization (molecular-morphological) of 3-arm star diblock copolymers of the (PS-b-P2VP)3 Type

The synthesis of five homopolymers (PS)3 and the corresponding diblock copolymer 3-arm stars of the (PS-b- P2VP)3 type is reported through atom transfer radical polymerization. Such star homo- and copolymers are prepared without any addition of solvent (bulk polymerization). The kinetics study results lead to the ability of predicting the best polymerization time with high values of monomer to polymer conversion, sufficient polydispersity indices and average molecular weights. Molecular characterization through size exclusion chromatography, viscometry, low-angle laser light scattering, proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR and 13C NMR, respectively) verified the successful synthesis of both homopolymer and copolymer 3-arm star-like architectures. Furthermore, the morphological characterization of the final copolymers is reported through transmission electron microscopy studies verifying the self-assembly without any indication of homopolymer or Cu(I) traces. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Expression of α5-integrin, α7-integrin, Ε-cadherin, and N-cadherin in localized prostate cancer

Objective: To explore the correlation between the expression of α5-integrin, α7-integrin, Ε-cadherin, and N-cadherin in prostate cancer (PCa) and its clinicopathological data including tumor grade and clinical stage. Methods: The expression of α5-integrin, α7-integrin, Ε-cadherin, and N-cadherin was examined in 157 cases of PCa and adjacent normal prostatic tissue by immunohistochemical assay, and the correlation with clinicopathological features was analyzed. Results: Expressions of α5-integrin, α7-integrin, and Ε-cadherin in PCa were lower than those in normal prostatic tissues (P<0.05). N-cadherin expression was higher in cancer prostatic tissue than in normal prostatic tissues (P<0.05). The reduced expression of α5-integrin, α7-integrin, and Ε-cadherin was related to Gleason score, pathological stage, lymph node metastasis, and prostate-specific antigen level, but it was not associated with positive surgical margins and patient age. The increased expression of N-cadherin was related to Gleason score, pathological stage, lymph node metastasis, and prostate-specific antigen level, but not to age and positive surgical margins. The expression of E-cadherin was highly negatively correlated with that of N-cadherin and also positively correlated with that of α5-integrin and α7-integrin. Conclusion: The reduced expression of α5-integrin, α7-integrin, and Ε-cadherin and abnormal expression of N-cadherin play an important role in the occurrence and development of PCa. The results indicate that these have potential values in the diagnosis and are predictable indices in the proliferation of PCa. © 2016 Elsevier Inc

No effect of stem cell mobilization with GM-CSF on infarct size and left ventricular function in experimental acute myocardial infarction

Objectives:. To evaluate the effect of bone marrowpluripotent stem cell mobilization with granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GMCSF) on infarct size and left ventricular function, in the setting of acute myocardial infarction, with a protocol easily applicable in clinical practice. Methods:. Ten pigs underwent left thoracotomy and left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion for 1 h, followed by reperfusion. After 50 min of arterial occlusion, the animals were randomly divided between treatment with placebo (Group 1) and subcutaneous GM-CSF (Group 2). The thoracotomy was closed and the animals recovered. In Group 2, GM-CSF, 20 mug/kg, was administered daily, 5 days/week, for 3 weeks. Echocardiograms were obtained at 5 and 28 days after acute myocardial infarction. At 30 days, infarct size, expressed as a percentage of the whole left ventricular mass, was measured. Results:. The white blood cell count increased from 13000 +/- 3338/mul to 28700 +/- 4916/mul (p = 0.001) in the GM-CSF-treated group. Infarct size was 7.8 +/- 6.1% in Group 1 vs 7.5 +/- 7.7% in Group 2 (ns). Similarly, no significant difference was observed between the 2 study groups in any of the echocardiographic measurements made at 28 days. Conclusions:. Subcutaneous GMCSF administered during the early post acute myocardial infarction period neither decreased infarct size nor improved left ventricular function. Other protocols for mobilization of stem cells and their concentration in the injured area should be developed to combine efficacy and clinical applicability