94 research outputs found
Photo-physical characterization of fluorophore Ru(bpy)32+ for optical biosensing applications
We studied absorption, emission and lifetime of the coordination compound tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) fluorophore (Ru(bpy)32+) both dissolved in water solutions and dried. Lifetime measurements were carried out using a new detector, the Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM), which is more sensitive and physically much smaller than conventional optical detectors, such as imager and scanner. Through these analyses and a morphological characterization with transmission electron microscopy, revealed its usability for sensor applications, in particular, as dye in optical DNA-chip technology, a viable alternative to the conventional CY5 fluorophore. The use of Ru(bpy)32+ would solve some of the typical disadvantages related to Cy5's application, such as self-absorption of fluorescence and photobleaching. In addition, the Ru(bpy)32+ longer lifetime may play a key role in the definition of new optical DNA-chip. Keywords: Tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II), Fluorophore, Spectroscopy, Lifetime measurements, SiPM, TE
Endothelin and sex hormones modulate the fibronectin synthesis by cultured human skin scleroderma fibroblasts
Myostatin mediates abdominal aortic atherosclerosis progression by inducing vascular smooth muscle cell dysfunction and monocyte recruitment
Myostatin (Mstn) is a skeletal muscle growth inhibitor involved in metabolic disorders and heart fibrosis. In this study we sought to verify whether Mstn is also operative in atherosclerosis of abdominal aorta. In human specimens, Mstn expression was almost absent in normal vessels, became detectable in the media of non-progressive lesions and increased with the severity of the damage. In progressive atherosclerotic lesions, Mstn was present in the media, neointima, plaque shoulder and in infiltrating macrophages. Mstn co-localized with \uce\ub1-smooth muscle actin (\uce\ub1-SMA) staining and with some CD45+ cells, indicating Mstn expression in VSMCs and bloodstream-derived leukocytes. In vitro, Mstn was tested in VSMCs and monocytes. In A7r5 VSMCs, Mstn downregulated proliferation and Smoothelin mRNA, induced cytoskeletal rearrangement, increased migratory rate and MCP-1/CCR2 expression. In monocytes (THP-1 cells and human monocytes), Mstn acted as a chemoattractant and increased the MCP-1-dependent chemotaxis, F-actin, \uce\ub1-SMA, MCP-1 and CCR2 expression; in turn, MCP-1 increased Mstn mRNA. Mstn induced JNK phosphorylation both in VSMCs and monocytes. Our results indicate that Mstn is overexpressed in abdominal aortic wall deterioration, affects VSMCs and monocyte biology and sustains a chronic inflammatory milieu. These findings propose to consider Mstn as a new playmaker in atherosclerosis progression
Single Atom Detection Through HAADF-STEM and EELS/EDX Characterization of Fluorophore Ru(bpy)32+ for Optical DNA-Chip Applications
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P16 germline mutations and protein expression in melanoma lesions from familial melanoma patients
Analysis of p16 protein expression in familial melanoma patients: correlation with germline status.
Preliminary data suggesting production of interleukin-12 by rat Leydig cells cultured in vitro.
Allergic subjects express intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1 or CD54) on epithelial cells of conjunctiva allergen challenge.
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