Systematic Resistance and Propulsion Tests with Models of Single-screw, Full-boided, Oil Tankers

Ship Research Institute Report, Volume 1, No. 6; translated by James L. Moss and Young T. Shenhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/133671/1/39015095796218.pd

Area-Specific Cell Stimulation via Surface-Mediated Gene Transfer Using Apatite-Based Composite Layers

Surface-mediated gene transfer systems using biocompatible calcium phosphate (CaP)-based composite layers have attracted attention as a tool for controlling cell behaviors. In the present study we aimed to demonstrate the potential of CaP-based composite layers to mediate area-specific dual gene transfer and to stimulate cells on an area-by-area basis in the same well. For this purpose we prepared two pairs of DNA–fibronectin–apatite composite (DF-Ap) layers using a pair of reporter genes and pair of differentiation factor genes. The results of the area-specific dual gene transfer successfully demonstrated that the cells cultured on a pair of DF-Ap layers that were adjacently placed in the same well showed specific gene expression patterns depending on the gene that was immobilized in theunderlying layer. Moreover, preliminary real-time PCR results indicated that multipotential C3H10T1/2 cells may have a potential to change into different types of cells depending on the differentiation factor gene that was immobilized in the underlying layer, even in the same well. Because DF-Ap layers have a potential to mediate area-specific cell stimulation on their surfaces, they could be useful in tissue engineering applications

Fabrication of DNA-antibody–apatite composite layers for cell-targeted gene transfer

Surface-mediated gene transfer systems using apatite (Ap)-based composite layers have received increased attention in tissue engineering applications owing to their safety, biocompatibility and relatively high efficiency. In this study, DNA-antibody–apatite composite layers (DA–Ap layers), in which DNA and antibody molecules are immobilized within a matrix of apatite nanocrystals, were fabricated using a biomimetic coating process. They were then assayed for their gene transfer capability for application in a specific cell-targeted gene transfer. A DA–Ap layer that was fabricated with an anti-CD49f antibody showed a higher gene transfer capability to the CD49f-positive CHO-K1 cells than a DNA–apatite composite layer (D–Ap layer). The antibody facilitated the gene transfer capability of the DA–Ap layer only to the specific cells that were expressing corresponding antigens. When the DA–Ap layer was fabricated with an anti-N-cadherin antibody, a higher gene transfer capability compared with the D–Ap layer was found in the N-cadherin-positive P19CL6 cells, but not in the N-cadherin-negative UV♀2 cells or in the P19CL6 cells that were pre-blocked with anti-N-cadherin. Therefore, the antigen–antibody binding that takes place at the cell–layer interface should be responsible for the higher gene transfer capability of the DA–Ap than D–Ap layer. These results suggest that the DA–Ap layer works as a mediator in a specific cell-targeted gene transfer system

<it>BMP-2 </it>gene-fibronectin-apatite composite layer enhances bone formation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Safe and efficient gene transfer systems are needed for tissue engineering. We have developed an apatite composite layer including the bone morphogenetic protein-2 (<it>BMP-2</it>) gene and fibronectin (FB), and we evaluated its ability to induce bone formation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An apatite composite layer was evaluated to determine the efficiency of gene transfer to cells cultured on it. Cells were cultured on a composite layer including the <it>BMP-2 </it>gene and FB, and <it>BMP-2 </it>gene expression, <it>BMP-2 </it>protein concentrations, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and osteocalcin (OC) concentrations were measured. A bone defect on the cranium of rats was treated with hydroxyapatite (HAP)-coated ceramic buttons with the apatite composite layer including the <it>BMP-2 </it>gene and FB (HAP-BMP-FB). The tissue concentration of BMP-2, bone formation, and the expression levels of the <it>BMP-2, ALP</it>, and <it>OC </it>genes were all quantified.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The apatite composite layer provided more efficient gene transfer for the cultured cells than an apatite composite layer without FB. The BMP-2 concentration was approximately 100~600 pg/mL in the cell-culture medium. Culturing the cells on the apatite composite layer for 27 days increased ALP activity and OC concentrations. In animal experiments, the tissue concentrations of BMP-2 were over 100 pg/mg in the HAP-BMP-FB group and approximately 50 pg/mg in the control groups. Eight weeks later, bone formation was more enhanced in the HAP-BMP-FB group than in the control groups. In the tissues surrounding the HAP button, the gene expression levels of ALP and OC increased.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The <it>BMP-2 </it>gene-FB-apatite composite layer might be useful for bone engineering.</p

Rare FGFR fusion genes in cervical cancer and transcriptome‐based subgrouping of patients with a poor prognosis

Abstract Background Although cervical cancer is often characterized as preventable, its incidence continues to increase in low‐ and middle‐income countries, underscoring the need to develop novel therapeutics for this disease.This study assessed the distribution of fusion genes across cancer types and used an RNA‐based classification to divide cervical cancer patients with a poor prognosis into subgroups. Material and Methods RNA sequencing of 116 patients with cervical cancer was conducted. Fusion genes were extracted using StarFusion program. To identify a high‐risk group for recurrence, 65 patients who received postoperative adjuvant therapy were subjected to non‐negative matrix factorization to identify differentially expressed genes between recurrent and nonrecurrent groups. Results We identified three cases with FGFR3‐TACC3 and one with GOPC‐ROS1 fusion genes as potential targets. A search of publicly available data from cBioPortal (21,789 cases) and the Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (32,608 cases) showed that the FGFR3 fusion is present in 1.5% and 0.6% of patients with cervical cancer, respectively. The frequency of the FGFR3 fusion gene was higher in cervical cancer than in other cancers, regardless of ethnicity. Non‐negative matrix factorization identified that the patients were classified into four Basis groups. Pathway enrichment analysis identified more extracellular matrix kinetics dysregulation in Basis 3 and more immune system dysregulation in Basis 4 than in the good prognosis group. CIBERSORT analysis showed that the fraction of M1 macrophages was lower in the poor prognosis group than in the good prognosis group. Conclusions The distribution of FGFR fusion genes in patients with cervical cancer was determined by RNA‐based analysis and used to classify patients into clinically relevant subgroups