Características semióticas de una imagen publicitaria de Coca Cola que influyen en la interpretación que realizan 3 estudiantes universitarios de la ciudad de Cali

En la presente investigación se propone un análisis de las características semióticas de una imagen publicitaria de Coca Cola, que inciden en la interpretación que tres estudiantes universitarios realizan del mismo. Por medio del análisis semiótico de dicha imagen se busca conocer las diferentes opiniones, perspectivas, suposiciones e ideas que esta genera en los sujetos. Desde la psicología cognitiva se ha buscado responder a la inquietante pregunta de cómo los seres humanos construyen conocimiento, considerando este como un proceso dinámico y cambiante, que varía en cada sujeto; ya que cada persona realiza una interpretación y reinterpretación del mundo a su alrededor, la cual depende de los significados y sentidos que emergen fruto de la relación que establece con los otros y con su entorno

Venn diagram of prognostic and diagnostic miRNA predictors based on the univariate analysis with p<0.05.

<p>11 miRNAs were identified as differentially expressed at both time-points; 6 miRNAs were predictive of ß-cell glucose sensitivity at baseline only; and 16 only at follow-up.</p

Three-Dimensional Lung Tumor Microenvironment Modulates Therapeutic Compound Responsiveness <i>In Vitro</i> – Implication for Drug Development

<div><p>Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture is gaining acceptance in response to the need for cellular models that better mimic physiologic tissues. Spheroids are one such 3D model where clusters of cells will undergo self-assembly to form viable, 3D tumor-like structures. However, to date little is known about how spheroid biology compares to that of the more traditional and widely utilized 2D monolayer cultures. Therefore, the goal of this study was to characterize the phenotypic and functional differences between lung tumor cells grown as 2D monolayer cultures, versus cells grown as 3D spheroids. Eight lung tumor cell lines, displaying varying levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cMET protein expression, were used to develop a 3D spheroid cell culture model using low attachment U-bottom plates. The 3D spheroids were compared with cells grown in monolayer for 1) EGFR and cMET receptor expression, as determined by flow cytometry, 2) EGFR and cMET phosphorylation by MSD assay, and 3) cell proliferation in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In addition, drug responsiveness to EGFR and cMET inhibitors (Erlotinib, Crizotinib, Cetuximab [Erbitux] and Onartuzumab [MetMab]) was evaluated by measuring the extent of cell proliferation and migration. Data showed that EGFR and cMET expression is reduced at day four of untreated spheroid culture compared to monolayer. Basal phosphorylation of EGFR and cMET was higher in spheroids compared to monolayer cultures. Spheroids showed reduced EGFR and cMET phosphorylation when stimulated with ligand compared to 2D cultures. Spheroids showed an altered cell proliferation response to HGF, as well as to EGFR and cMET inhibitors, compared to monolayer cultures. Finally, spheroid cultures showed exceptional utility in a cell migration assay. Overall, the 3D spheroid culture changed the cellular response to drugs and growth factors and may more accurately mimic the natural tumor microenvironment.</p></div

STEP Levels Are Unchanged in Pre-Frontal Cortex and Associative Striatum in Post-Mortem Human Brain Samples from Subjects with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder

<div><p>Increased protein levels of striatal-enriched tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) have recently been reported in postmortem schizophrenic cortex. The present study sought to replicate this finding in a separate cohort of postmortem samples and to extend observations to striatum, including subjects with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder in the analysis. No statistically significant changes between disease and control subjects were found in STEP mRNA or protein levels in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or associative striatum. Although samples were matched for several covariates, postmortem interval correlated negatively with STEP protein levels, emphasizing the importance of including these analyses in postmortem studies.</p></div

Demographic and clinical characteristics of the RISC cohort^*.

<p>Demographic and clinical characteristics of the RISC cohort^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0182932#t001fn001" target="_blank">*</a>}.</p

Scatterplot of diagnostic protein biomarkers.

<p>Circulating levels of top-ranked diagnostic biomarkers in IGT subjects (case, left) compared to healthy controls (right).</p

Identification of novel biomarkers to monitor β-cell function and enable early detection of type 2 diabetes risk

<div><p>A decline in β-cell function is a prerequisite for the development of type 2 diabetes, yet the level of β-cell function in individuals at risk of the condition is rarely measured. This is due, in part, to the fact that current methods for assessing β-cell function are inaccurate, prone to error, labor-intensive, or affected by glucose-lowering therapy. The aim of the current study was to identify novel circulating biomarkers to monitor β-cell function and to identify individuals at high risk of developing β-cell dysfunction. In a nested case-control study from the Relationship between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular disease (RISC) cohort (n = 1157), proteomics and miRNA profiling were performed on fasting plasma samples from 43 individuals who progressed to impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 43 controls who maintained normal glucose tolerance (NGT) over three years. Groups were matched at baseline for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), insulin sensitivity (euglycemic clamp) and β-cell glucose sensitivity (mathematical modeling). Proteomic profiling was performed using the SomaLogic platform (Colorado, USA); miRNA expression was performed using a modified RT-PCR protocol (Regulus Therapeutics, California, USA). Results showed differentially expressed proteins and miRNAs including some with known links to type 2 diabetes, such as adiponectin, but also novel biomarkers and pathways. In cross sectional analysis at year 3, the top differentially expressed biomarkers in people with IGT/ reduced β-cell glucose sensitivity were adiponectin, alpha1-antitrypsin (known to regulate adiponectin levels), endocan, miR-181a, miR-342, and miR-323. At baseline, adiponectin, cathepsin D and NCAM.L1 (proteins expressed by pancreatic β-cells) were significantly lower in those that progressed to IGT. Many of the novel prognostic biomarker candidates were within the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway: for example, Noggin, DLL4 and miR-181a. Further validation studies are required in additional clinical cohorts and in patients with type 2 diabetes, but these results identify novel pathways and biomarkers that may have utility in monitoring β-cell function and/ or predicting future decline, allowing more targeted efforts to prevent and intercept type 2 diabetes.</p></div

cMET but not EGFR inhibitors reduced cell migration in HGF stimulated lung tumor spheroids.

<p>A) Day 4 lung spheroids generated from H292, H1650, H1975 and A549 were treated with Erlotinib, Cetuximab, Crizotinib and MetMab in a dilution series in the presence of 20 ng/ml of HGF for 48 hours to stimulate cell migration. Total area (μm²) of migrating and spheroid were determined by using bright field images in a fully automated Operetta high content imaging system (Perkin Elmer). Cell migration (total area) was normalized to media only control to create a percentage cell migration to control. Data are means <u>+</u> SEM with two to five replicates and is representative of two independent experiments. B) Representative bright field images showing drug response after 48 hours in 3D spheroids in cell migration at the highest concentration. Magnification: 2x objective, scan bar 1 mm.</p

Scatterplot of prognostic protein biomarkers.

<p>Circulating levels of top-ranked prognostic biomarkers in IGT subjects (case, left) compared to healthy controls (right).</p

Human subject demographics and sample metadata. Values are mean ± standard deviation (n = 19 per group): RIN = RNA Integrity Number; Medication at time of death (Meds ATOD): C = centrally acting medications (Benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, lithium), O = other medications, U = unknown, N = none; MOD = Manner of Death (N = natural; A = accidental; S = suicide).

<p>Human subject demographics and sample metadata. Values are mean ± standard deviation (n = 19 per group): RIN = RNA Integrity Number; Medication at time of death (Meds ATOD): C = centrally acting medications (Benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, lithium), O = other medications, U = unknown, N = none; MOD = Manner of Death (N = natural; A = accidental; S = suicide).</p