Comparative study of biological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from mouse bone marrow and peripheral blood

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) possess self‑renewal and multilineage differentiation potential, indicating their prospects as cellular therapeutic agents for regenerative medicine. Although adult bone marrow (BM) is the major source of these cells for clinical use, harvesting requires invasive procedures. Therefore, alternative sources, such as peripheral blood (PB), are needed. The objective of the current study was to compare PB‑MSCs and BM‑MSCs with regard to their biological characteristics. PB‑MSCs and BM‑MSCs were isolated from 4‑week‑old BALB/c white mice by density gradient centrifugation and cultured in DMEM + 10% fetal bovine serum until passage four. Morphological features, proliferation, cell surface marker expression and trilineage differentiation potential were assessed for both PB‑MSCs and BM‑MSCs. No significant differences in morphological features were observed. BM‑MSCs had a higher proliferative capability than PB‑MSCs as measured by XTT assays. Both PB‑MSCs and BM‑MSCs had broadly similar cell surface marker expression, but PB‑MSCs had positive expression of cluster of differentiation (CD)146 and CD140b. Both PB‑MSCs and BM‑MSCs were capable of trilineage differentiation. Although BM‑MSCs had a greater capacity for osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation than PB‑MSCs, PB‑MSCs had a better capability for adipogenic differentiation than BM‑MSCs. In conclusion, PB‑MSCs and BM‑MSCs have very similar biological characteristics. Thus, PB is a promising source for easily obtaining MSCs in mice

Multichannel blind deconvolution using a generalized Gaussian source model

In this paper, we present an algorithm for the problem of multi-channel blind deconvolution which can adapt to un-known sources with both sub-Gaussian and super-Gaussian probability density distributions using a generalized gaussian source model. We use a state space representation to model the mixer and demixer respectively, and show how the parameters of the demixer can be adapted using a gradient descent algorithm incorporating the natural gradient extension. We also present a learning method for the unknown parameters of the generalized Gaussian source model. The performance of the proposed generalized Gaussian source model on a typical example is compared with those of other algorithm, viz the switching nonlinearity algorithm proposed by Lee et al. [8]. © Association for Scientific Research

Autonomous three-dimensional formation flight for a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles

This paper investigates the development of a new guidance algorithm for a formation of unmanned aerial vehicles. Using the new approach of bifurcating potential fields, it is shown that a formation of unmanned aerial vehicles can be successfully controlled such that verifiable autonomous patterns are achieved, with a simple parameter switch allowing for transitions between patterns. The key contribution that this paper presents is in the development of a new bounded bifurcating potential field that avoids saturating the vehicle actuators, which is essential for real or safety-critical applications. To demonstrate this, a guidance and control method is developed, based on a six-degreeof-freedom linearized aircraft model, showing that, in simulation, three-dimensional formation flight for a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles can be achieved

Delocalized states in three-terminal superconductor-semiconductor nanowire devices

We fabricate three-terminal hybrid devices with a nanowire segment proximitized by a superconductor, and with two tunnel probe contacts on either side of that segment. We perform simultaneous tunneling measurements on both sides. We identify some states as delocalized above-gap states observed on both ends, and some states as localized near one of the tunnel barriers. Delocalized states can be traced from zero to finite magnetic fields beyond 0.5 T. In the parameter regime of delocalized states, we search for correlated subgap resonances required by the Majorana zero mode hypothesis. While both sides exhibit ubiquitous low-energy features at high fields, no correlation is inferred. Simulations using a one-dimensional effective model suggest that delocalized states may belong to lower one-dimensional subbands, while the localized states originate from higher subbands. To avoid localization in higher subbands, disorder may need to be further reduced to realize Majorana zero modes.Comment: Original data available at https://zenodo.org/record/395824

Modulation of steroidogenesis by Actaea racemosa and vitamin C combination, in letrozole induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rat model : promising activity without the risk of hepatic adverse effect

Background: Complementary remedies such as the Chinese herb 'Sheng Ma' (Black cohosh; Actaea racemosa 'AR') are being sought to overcome the shortcomings of conventional hormonal and surgical therapies developed for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, AR-induced hepatotoxicity necessitates a cautionary warning to be labeled on its products as recommended by the United States Pharmacopeia, where four out of seven hepatotoxic cases in Sweden were possibly associated with black cohosh products. Methods: We investigated the effects, safety, and molecular targets of black cohosh ethanolic extract and/or vitamin C on ovarian functionality and oxidative response in hyperandrogenism-induced PCOS rats. A well-established rat model using oral letrozole, daily, for 21 days was employed. The rats then received the AR extract with and without vitamin C for 28 days. The hormonal evaluation, antioxidant status, histopathological examination, immunohistochemical analysis, cell proliferation, and the expression ratio of the aromatase (Cyp19α1) gene were evaluated. Additionally, holistic profiling of the AR arsenal of secondary metabolites was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with quadrupole high-resolution time of flight mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS). Results: Beneficial effects were exerted by AR in PCOS rats as antioxidant status, hormonal profile, lipid profile, glucose level, liver functions, and the induced Ki-67 expression in the granulosa, theca cell layers and interstitial stromal cells were all improved. Notably, the combination of AR with vitamin C was not only more effective in reversing the dysregulated levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and mRNA level of Cyp19α1 gene in the PCOS rat, but also safer. The combination regulated both ovarian and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels with histological improvement observed in the liver and ovaries. In addition, the untargeted metabolomic profiling enabled the identification of 61 metabolites allocated in five major chemical classes. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the benefit of the combinatorial effects of AR and vitamin C in mitigating the reproductive and metabolic disorders associated with PCOS with the elimination of AR hepatotoxic risk

Proučavanje relativističke tvorbe hadrona prema naprijed i unatrag u sudarima 3he i 4he s jezgrama u emulziji na energiji ubrzivača u dubni

The experimental results on 3He- and 4He-emulsion interactions accompanied by relativistic (shower) hadrons flying into the backward (θlab ≤ 90◦ ) hemisphere at 4.5 AGeV/c are presented and analyzed. The dependence of the probabilities of these interactions on the different target sizes, impact parameter and projectile spectator charges is studied. An investigation of average values and multiplicity distributions of these hadrons for the interactions with light and heavy emulsion nuclei has been carried out. In addition, the correlations between the multiplicities of different types of the emitted particles are studied. The data show that backward shower particles are a sensitive target parameter. The values of impact parameters can be used as good indicators for selecting events which occured with light or heavy emulsion nuclei. A comparison with the modified cascade model shows a good performance in describing the data produced in the region having less cascading (i.e. interactions with light nuclei). As for the interactions with heavy nuclei, the model overestimates the experimental data.Predstavljamo eksperimentalne rezultate i analize mjerenja međudjelovanja 3He i 4He u emulziji na 4.5 AGeV/c, u kojima se opažaju relativistički pljuskovi hadrona koji lete unatrag (θlab ≤ 90◦ ). Proučavamo ovisnost vjerojatnosti tih međudjelovanja o veličini jezgre mete, sudarnom parametru i naboju projektila-promatrača. Istražili smo prosječne vrijednosti i raspodjele višestrukosti hadrona za lake i teške jezgre u emulziji. Nadalje, proučavali smo korelacije višestrukosti različitih izlaznih čestica. Podaci pokazuju da su pljuskovi čestica unatrag osjetljiv parametar jezgri mete. Vrijednosti parametara mogu poslužiti kao dobar pokazatelj sudara s lakim odnosno teškim jezgrama. Usporedba s promijenjenim kaskadnim modelom pokazuje dobro slaganje s podacima u kojima je manje kaskada (tj. Manje sudara s lakim jezgrama). Rezultati tog modela za teške jezgre veći su od eksperimentalnih podataka

Telocytes and Cajal cells distribution in renal pelvis, ureteropelvic junction (UPJ), and proximal ureter in normal upper urinary tract and UPJ obstruction: reappraisal of the etiology of UPJ obstruction

Background: Telocytes and Cajal cells have been described in human urinary tract and reproductive system in women and men. Telocytes and Cajal cells have been differentiated from other interstitial cells and were described to be an element in smooth muscle conductivity. Previous studies examined the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) segment in patients with UPJ obstruction (UPJO) and attributed the etiology of UPJO to the low density or absence Cajal cells and telocytes. The present work aimed at the demonstration of the presence and the density of telocytes and Cajal cells in the upper urinary tract (UUT) in cases with normal UUT and UPJO. It included UPJ segment, renal pelvis, and proximal ureter. The morphological pattern of distribution of collagen in relation to smooth muscle was investigated in normal and obstructed UUT. Materials and methods: The study was carried out on 12 surgical specimens, 5 of them represented the normal UUT and underwent nephrectomy for oncological reasons. Seven patients underwent dismembered pyeloplasty for UPJO. Surgical specimens included renal pelvis, UPJ segment, and proximal ureter. They were subjected to standard hematoxylin and eosin stain, Gomori’s trichrome stain, immunohistochemistry (IHC) with c-kit, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: Telocytes and Cajal cells were demonstrated in the muscular layer of both normal UUT and UPJO with high density in the proximal ureter in normal UUT as well as in UPJO. The UPJ segment in normal UUT had moderate density of Cajal cells and telocytes while in UPJO the cells were scanty or absent. Renal pelvis in normal UUT showed excess density of cells while obstructed renal pelvis showed scanty Cajal cells and telocytes. Ultrastructural study showed the presence of Cajal cells, telocytes, stem cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and collagen in different densities and distribution in normal and obstructed UUT. Conclusions: Examination of the UPJ segment of UPJO revealed that Cajal cells and telocytes were scanty or absent, collagen to muscle ratio was high. The low density of Cajal cells and telocytes in the renal pelvis of the obstructed UUT, compared to the normal, points out to the role of the renal pelvis in  the pathogenesis of UPJ obstruction