Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy of human smooth muscle cells in bioengineered tissue scaffolds

The integration of living, human smooth muscle cells in biosynthesized cellulose scaffolds was monitored by nonlinear microscopy toward contractile artificial blood vessels. Combined coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy was applied for studies of the cell interaction with the biopolymer network. CARS microscopy probing CH(2)-groups at 2845 cm(-1) permitted three-dimensional imaging of the cells with high contrast for lipid-rich intracellular structures. SHG microscopy visualized the fibers of the cellulose scaffold, together with a small signal obtained from the cytoplasmic myosin of the muscle cells. From the overlay images we conclude a close interaction between cells and cellulose fibers. We followed the cell migration into the three-dimensional structure, illustrating that while the cells submerge into the scaffold they extrude filopodia on top of the surface. A comparison between compact and porous scaffolds reveals a migration depth of <10 μm for the former, whereas the porous type shows cells further submerged into the cellulose. Thus, the scaffold architecture determines the degree of cell integration. We conclude that the unique ability of nonlinear microscopy to visualize the three-dimensional composition of living, soft matter makes it an ideal instrument within tissue engineering

The P2Y4 receptor forms homo-oligomeric complexes in several CNS and PNS neuronal cells

It is well established that several cell surface receptors interact with each other to form dimers and oligomers, which are essential for their activation. Since little is known about the quaternary structure of P2Y receptors, in the present work, we investigated the expression of the G-protein-coupled P2Y4 subunit as monomeric or higher-order complex protein. We examined both endogenously expressed P2Y4 subtype with the aid of specific anti-P2Y4 antiserum, and heterologously transfected P2Y4-tagged receptors with the use of antitag antibodies. In both cases, we found the P2Y4 receptor displaying molecular masses corresponding to monomeric, dimeric and oligomeric structures. Experiments performed in the absence of reducing agents demonstrated that there is a strict correlation among the multiple protein bands and that the multimeric forms are at least partially assembled by disulphide bonds. The direct demonstration of P2Y4 homodimerisation comes instead from co–transfection and differential co–immunoprecipitation experiments, with the use of differently tagged P2Y4 receptors and antitag antibodies. The structural propensity of the P2Y4 protein to form homo-oligomers may open the possibility of a novel regulatory mechanism of physiopathological functions for this and additional P2Y receptors

Som Bron, fast på riktigt En studie av personuppgiftspublicering i svensk och dansk press och den kriminaljournalistiska genren i Ubåtsfallet

The aim of this study is to compare the differences in the publication of personal information in Ubåtsfallet between Swedish and Danish press. Furthermore we want to study differences between the publication of personal information in morning papers and tabloid regarding Ubåtsfallet. We also wish to examine which selection of people and aspects themes that constitutes the reporting. The method used in this study is content analysis. The material consists of articles from two Swedish and two Danish newspapers during a 30 day period. The aim is to examine the frequency of published personal information and to look at the narrative technique regarding the crime journalism. The conclusions drawn are that Swedish and Danish media are quite similar regarding this issue but that the Swedish media are more prone to publishing personal information regarding the suspected perpetrator and victim than their Danish counterparts. Furthermore we see that the suspected perpetrator and the police are the selection of people that are mentioned most frequently. The criminal investigation and the search work are the most prominent themes in the study