Tracking intracavernously injected adipose-derived stem cells to bone marrow.

The intracavernous (i.c.) injection of stem cells (SCs) has been shown to improve erectile function in various erectile dysfunction (ED) animal models. However, the tissue distribution of the injected cells remains unknown. In this study we tracked i.c.-injected adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in various tissues. Rat paratesticular fat was processed for ADSC isolation and culture. The animals were then subject to cavernous nerve (CN) crush injury or sham operation, followed by i.c. injection of 1 million autologous or allogeneic ADSCs that were labeled with 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU). Another group of rats received i.c. injection of EdU-labeled allogeneic penile smooth muscle cells (PSMCs). At 2 and 7 days post injection, penises and femoral bone marrow were processed for histological analyses. Whole femoral bone marrows were also analyzed for EdU-positive cells by flow cytometry. The results show that ADSCs exited the penis within days of i.c. injection and migrated preferentially to bone marrow. Allogenicity did not affect the bone marrow appearance of ADSCs at either 2 or 7 days, whereas CN injury reduced the number of ADSCs in bone marrow significantly at 7 but not 2 days. The significance of these results in relation to SC therapy for ED is discussed

Wettability conundrum: Discrepancies of soft contact lens performance in vitro and in vivo

The recognition and appreciation of soft contact lenses as simple, efficient and aesthetically gratifying vision-correction devices is ever growing, especially among younger population. Stable thin tear film uniformly spread over corrective lens surface is essential for acute vision, and also for comfortable and safe contact lens wear. The significant efforts have been invested by the contact lens industry to develop soft lens surface that is completely wet by tear aqueous in the ocular environment. Number of the publications dedicated to the wettability properties of the soft hydrogel lenses is on the steady rise. However, the clinical results show that no unambiguous correlation emerges when lens surface wettability in vitro is judged against tear film stability evaluated in vivo. This paper assesses and compares the modern techniques used for evaluation of soft contact lens surface wettability and reports some findings regarding relations between lens surface wettability in vitro and in vivo. © 2011 EDP Sciences and Springer

Chemical Composition and Biological Properties of Essential Oils of Two Mint Species

Purpose: To analyze the composition of essential oils of two types of mint as well as compare the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the two oils.Methods: Peppermint (M. piperita L.) and chocolate mint (M. piperita L.) oils were obtained by steam distillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. The chemical composition of the essential oils was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the essential oils were determined by broth dilution method. The antioxidant activities of the oils were determined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)DPPH radical scavenging assay, β-Carotene-linoleic acid assay, andnitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging assay.Results: The two essential oils contain high levels of alcohol (43.47-50.10%) and terpene (18.55-21.07%) with the major compound being menthol (28.19-30.35%). The antimicrobial activity (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC) of peppermint oil against E. coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa (0.15, 0.08, 0.92 %v/v, respectively) was stronger than that of chocolate mint (0.23, 0.09, 1.22 %v/v, respectively). In the anti-oxidant test including DPPH and β-Carotenelinoleic acid assays, peppermint oil showed superior antioxidant properties to chocolate mint oil (4.45 - 19.86 μl/mL). However, with regard to scavenging NO radical activity, chocolate mint oil exhibited higher activity than peppermint (0.31 and 0.42 μl/mL, respectively). Chocolate mint oil also exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activity than peppermint oil (0.03 and 0.08 μl/mL, respectively).Conclusion: The results obtained should help to clarify the functional applications of these folk herbs and their essential oils for aromatherapeutic healing and other folkloric uses.Keywords: Peppermint, Chocolate mint, Anti-microbial, Anti-oxidant, Anti-inflammator

A unified constitutive model for asymmetric tension and compression creep-ageing behaviour of naturally aged Al-Cu-Li alloy

A set of unified constitutive equations is presented that predict the asymmetric tension and compression creep behaviour and recently observed double primary creep of pre-stretched/naturally aged aluminium-cooper-lithium alloy AA2050-T34. The evolution of the primary micro- and macro-variables related to the precipitation hardening and creep deformation of the alloy during creep age forming (CAF) are analysed and modelled. Equations for the yield strength evolution of the alloy, including an initial reversion and subsequent strengthening, are proposed based on a theory of concurrent dissolution, re-nucleation and growth of precipitates during artificial ageing. We present new observations of so-called double primary creep during the CAF process. This phenomenon is then predicted by introducing effects of interacting microstructures, including evolving precipitates, diffusing solutes and dislocations, into the sinh-law creep model. In addition, concepts of threshold creep stress σth and a microstructure-dependant creep variable H, which behave differently under different external stress directions, are proposed and incorporated into the creep model. This enables prediction of the asymmetric tension and compression creep-ageing behaviour of the alloy. Quantitative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and related small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis have been carried out for selected creep-aged samples to assist the development and calibration of the constitutive model. A good agreement has been achieved between the experimental results and the model. The model has the potential to be applied to creep age forming of other heat-treatable aluminium alloys

Electron probe microanalysis of ion exchange of selected elements between dentine and adhesive restorative materials

The document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association. An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.Background: There have been numerous attempts to demonstrate the phenomenon of ion exchange between auto cure glass ionomer cements (GICs) and dentine. The purpose of this study was to employ an electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) technique to examine the interchange of elements between non-demineralized dentine and two types of restorative material, auto cure GICs and a resin composite. Methods: Restorations of auto cure GICs (Riva Fast, Fuji IX Fast, Ketac Molar Quick and Fuji VII) and a bonded composite resin were placed in each of 10 recently extracted human third molar teeth. After two weeks the restorations were sectioned and prepared for EPMA. Percentage weights of calcium, phosphorus aluminum, strontium and fluoride were calculated in the restorations 200μm from the restorative interface and 200μm into the dentine at 5μm intervals. Results: There was evidence of calcium and phosphorus in all five auto cure GICs to a depth of 50μm. Aluminum and strontium ions were also present in dentine except subjacent to Ketac Molar restorations. There was evidence of element transfer into composite resin and resin-bonded dentine. Conclusions: The findings of this paper support the concept of ion exchange as a bonding mechanism between auto cure GIC and dentine. Element penetration into tooth structure and GIC exceeded beyond the “ion exchange layer” observed in scanning electron microscopy studies. Penetration of calcium and phosphorus into composite resin from dentine likely occurred as a result of the self-etching process dissolving calcium and phosphorus and incorporating these elements into the hybrid layer. The presence of Al and Sr ions in dentine were likely to be associated with resin tags extending into the dentine.GM Knight, JM McIntyre, GG Craig and Mulyan

A new mib allele with a chromosomal deletion covering foxc1a exhibits anterior somite specification defect

mibnn2002, found from an allele screen, showed early segmentation defect and severe cell death phenotypes, which are different from previously known mib mutants. Despite distinct morphological phenotypes, the typical mib molecular phenotypes: her4 down-regulation, neurogenic phenotype and cold sensitive dlc expression pattern, still remained. The linkage analysis also indicated that mibnn2002 is a new mib allele. Failure of specification in anterior 7-10 somites is likely due to lack of foxc1a expression in mibnn2002 homozygotes. Somites and somite markers gradually appeared after 7-10 somite stage, suggesting that foxc1a is only essential for the formation of anterior 7-10 somites. Apoptosis began around 16-somite stage with p53 up-regulation. To find the possible links of mib, foxc1a and apoptosis, transcriptome analysis was employed. About 140 genes, including wnt3a, foxc1a and mib, were not detected in the homozygotes. Overexpression of foxc1a mRNA in mibnn2002 homozygotes partially rescued the anterior somite specification. In the process of characterizing mibnn2002 mutation, we integrated the scaffolds containing mib locus into chromosome 2 (or linkage group 2, LG2) based on synteny comparison and transcriptome results. Genomic PCR analysis further supported the conclusion and showed that mibnn2002 has a chromosomal deletion with the size of about 9.6 Mbp.published_or_final_versio

Knocking down 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase increased oxidative stress and impeded zebrafish embryogenesis by obstructing morphogenetic movement

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Local proliferation is the main source of rod microglia after optic nerve transection

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Basic Science in Movement Disorders: Fueling the Engine of Translation into Clinical Practice

\ua9 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. Basic Science is crucial for the advancement of clinical care for Movement Disorders. Here, we provide brief updates on how basic science is important for understanding disease mechanisms, disease prevention, disease diagnosis, development of novel therapies and to establish the basis for personalized medicine. We conclude the viewpoint by a call to action to further improve interactions between clinician and basic scientists. \ua9 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society