Embryonic stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle-mimetic nanovesicles rescue erectile function by enhancing penile neurovascular regeneration in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have attracted particular interest in various fields of biology and medicine. However, one of the major hurdles in the clinical application of EV-based therapy is their low production yield. We recently developed cell-derived EV-mimetic nanovesicles (NVs) by extruding cells serially through filters with diminishing pore sizes (10, 5, and 1 mu m). Here, we demonstrate in diabetic mice that embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived EV-mimetic NVs (ESC-NVs) completely restore erectile function (similar to 96% of control values) through enhanced penile angiogenesis and neural regeneration in vivo, whereas ESC partially restores erectile function (similar to 77% of control values). ESC-NVs promoted tube formation in primary cultured mouse cavernous endothelial cells and pericytes under high-glucose condition in vitro; and accelerated microvascular and neurite sprouting from aortic ring and major pelvic ganglion under high-glucose condition ex vivo, respectively. ESC-NVs enhanced the expression of angiogenic and neurotrophic factors (hepatocyte growth factor, angiopoietin-1, nerve growth factor, and neurotrophin-3), and activated cell survival and proliferative factors (Akt and ERK). Therefore, it will be a better strategy to use ESC-NVs than ESCs in patients with erectile dysfunction refractory to pharmacotherapy, although it remains to be solved for future clinical application of ESC.11Ysciescopu

Molecular dynamics simulation of the order-disorder phase transition in solid NaNO2_2

We present molecular dynamics simulations of solid NaNO$_2$ using pair potentials with the rigid-ion model. The crystal potential surface is calculated by using an \emph{a priori} method which integrates the \emph{ab initio} calculations with the Gordon-Kim electron gas theory. This approach is carefully examined by using different population analysis methods and comparing the intermolecular interactions resulting from this approach with those from the \emph{ab initio} Hartree-Fock calculations. Our numerics shows that the ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition in solid NaNO$_2$ is triggered by rotation of the nitrite ions around the crystallographical c axis, in agreement with recent X-ray experiments [Gohda \textit{et al.}, Phys. Rev. B \textbf{63}, 14101 (2000)]. The crystal-field effects on the nitrite ion are also addressed. Remarkable internal charge-transfer effect is found.Comment: RevTeX 4.0, 11 figure

Identification of phosphate transporter NaPi2b as MX35 cancer antigen by modified SEREX approach

In this study we describe the identification of sodium-dependent phosphate transporter NaPi2b as MX35 cancer-associated antigen. To achieve this goal we have screened extensively a cDNA expressing library from ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR3 with monoclonal antibody MX35. To further confirm the authenticity of this finding, we showed that bacterially and baculovirally expressed NaPi2b is specifically recognized by MX35 antibody. Moreover, the validity of these results was verified in a parallel study involving affinity purification and mass spectrometry. The epitope for MX35 monoclonal antibody was mapped to the largest extracellular loop of NaPi2b. Taken together, this study uncovers the identity of MX35 antigen and provides molecular tools for studying its function in normal and cancer tissues.Натрій-залежний транспортер NaPi2b ідентифіковано як MX35 пухлинний антиген. Для цього здійснено скринування кДНК-експресуючої біблеотеки, отриманої з клітин OVCAR3, моноклональними антитілами MX35. Щоб підтвердити ці дослідження, встановлено, що NaPi2b, експресований в бактеріях та клітинах комах, специфічно розпізнається MX35 антитілами. Крім того, виявлено ділянку, яка містить епітоп для моноклональних антитіл на великому позаклітинному домені NaPi2b. Таким чином, нами визначено антиген MX35, що забезпечує молекулярну основу для подальшого вивчення його функції в нормальних тканинах та при раку.Натрий-зависимый транспортер NaPi2b идентифицирован как MX35 опухлевый антиген. Для достижения этого осуществлено скринирование кДНК-экспрессирующей библиотеки, полученной из OVCAR3 клеток, моноклональными антителами. Чтобы подтвердить эти результаты, установлено, что NaPi2b, экспрессированный в бактериях и в клетках насекомых, специфично узнается антителами MX35. Определен участок на внеклеточном домене NaPi2b, содержащий эпитоп для антител. Таким образом, нами идентифицирован антиген MX35, что создает молекулярную основу для дальнейшего изучения его функции в нормальных и раковых тканях

Measuring children’s involvement as an indicator of curriculum effectiveness : a curriculum evaluation of a selected child study centre in Singapore

This paper presents one aspect of a research project evaluating a curriculum model of a selected child study centre in Singapore. An issue of worldwide interest and concern is the ‘quality of learning’ debate as it relates to early childhood centres. In Singapore, the government is focusing on expansion in child care settings and increases in the amount of funded training. One of the issues surrounding prior-to-school education raises the question of how one measures the quality of teaching and learning, to describe the value of using, funding and promoting early education. The research reported in this study used a quasi experimental research paradigm to assess one aspect of the quality of a curriculum programme in a child study centre in Singapore. Children aged between 18 months and 6 years (N = 81) participated in the research. Using the observation scale of Laevers’ Child Involvement Scale, the active involvement of children in learning experiences was measured. The findings are presented and discussed

Body-centered-cubic Ni and its magnetic properties

The body-centered-cubic (bec) phase of Ni, which does not exist in nature, has been achieved as a thin film on GaAs(001) at 170 K via molecular beam epitaxy. The bec Ni is ferromagnetic with a Curie temperature of 456 K and possesses a magnetic moment of 0.52 \uc2\ub1 0.08 \uce\ubcB/atom. The cubic magneto-crystalline anisotropy of bec Ni is determined to be +4.0 \uc3\u97 105 ergs \uc2\ub7 cm-3, as opposed to -5.7 \uc3\u97 10 4 ergs \uc2\ub7 cm-3 for the naturally occurring face-centered-cubic (fcc) Ni. This sharp contrast in the magnetic anisotropy is attributed to the different electronic band structures between bec Ni and fcc Ni, which are determined using angle-resolved photoemission with synchrotron radiation

The Ocean Reanalysis Intercomparison project (ORA-IP)

Uncertainty in ocean analysis methods and deficiencies in the observing system are major obstacles for the reliable reconstruction of the past ocean climate. The variety of existing ocean reanalyses is exploited in a multi-reanalysis ensemble to improve the ocean state estimation and to gauge uncertainty levels. The ensemble-based analysis of signal-to-noise ratio allows the identification of ocean characteristics for which the estimation is robust (such as tropical mixed-layer-depth, upper ocean heat content), and where large uncertainty exists (deep ocean, Southern Ocean, sea ice thickness, salinity), providing guidance for future enhancement of the observing and data assimilation systems

Recognition of the Phanerozoic “Young Granite Gneiss” in the central Yeongnam Massif

Up to now, all the high-grade gneisses of the Korean peninsula have been regarded as Precambrian basement rocks and presence of the Phanerozoic high-grade metamorphic rocks have remained unknown. However, such granite gneiss is discovered through this study from the central Yeongnam massif near Gimcheon. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age determinations on the granite gneiss, having well-developed gneissic foliations and migmatitic textures, reveal concordant age of ca. 250 Ma indicating the Early Triassic emplacement of this pluton, which is in contradict to the previous belief that it is a Precambrian product. Even though the granite gneiss reveals well-developed gneissic foliations and some zircons show rather low Th/U ratios, the metamorphic age has not been determined successfully. However, the age of metamorphism can be constrained as middle Triassic considering the absence of any evidences of metamorphism from the nearby granitic plutons having emplacement ages of ca. 225 Ma. Early Triassic emplacement and subsequent Middle Triassic metamorphism of the granite gneiss from the Yeongnam massif bear a remarkable resemblance to the case of South China block. We suggest the possibility that Early to Middle Triassic metamorphism of the Korean peninsula might be products of the intracontinental collisional events not directly related with the Early Triassic continental collision event