Search results for "CELLULAR"

Editorial overview: Fluidity of cell fates – from reprogramming to repair

2021

Layer-Specific Refinement of Sensory Coding in Developing Mouse Barrel Cortex

2017

Rodent rhythmic whisking behavior matures during a critical period around 2 weeks after birth. The functional adaptations of neocortical circuitry during this developmental period remain poorly understood. Here, we characterized stimulus-evoked neuronal activity across all layers of mouse barrel cortex before, during, and after the onset of whisking behavior. Employing multi-electrode recordings and 2-photon calcium imaging in anesthetized mice, we tested responses to rostro-caudal whisker deflections, axial "tapping" stimuli, and their combination from postnatal day 10 (P10) to P28. Within this period, whisker-evoked activity of neurons displayed a general decrease in layer 2/3 (L2/3) and …

Exosome levels in human body fluids: A tumor marker by themselves?

2016

Despite considerable research efforts, the finding of reliable tumor biomarkers remains challenging and unresolved. In recent years a novel diagnostic biomedical tool with high potential has been identified in extracellular nanovesicles or exosomes. They are released by the majority of the cells and contain detailed molecular information on the cell of origin including tumor hallmarks. Exosomes can be isolated from easy accessible body fluids, and most importantly, they can provide several biomarkers, with different levels of specificity. Recent clinical evidence shows that the levels of exosomes released into body fluids may themselves represent a predictive/diagnostic of tumors, discrimin…

Spray dried hyaluronic acid microparticles for adhesion controlled aggregation and potential stimulation of stem cells

2017

Spray-dried microparticles of a derivative of hyaluronic acid (HA) have been engineered to obtain a controlled aggregation with Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs) into 3D constructs. We demonstrated the utility of chemical functionalization of a native constituent of the extracellular matrix to improve processing performances and to control on stem cell adhesion and differentiation. Native hyaluronic acid (HA), cell adhesive peptides (RGD), transforming growth factor β3, dexamethasone are biological agents potentially suitable for chondrogenic stimulation of hMSCS. However unmodified HA suffers of drawbacks in terms of stability and versatility of processing. Functionalization strategies…

Nanoparticles of a polyaspartamide-based brush copolymer for modified release of sorafenib: In vitro and in vivo evaluation.

2017

Abstract In this paper, we describe the preparation of polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with sorafenib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A synthetic brush copolymer, named PHEA-BIB-ButMA (PBB), was synthesized by Atom Trasnfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) starting from the α-poly( N -2-hydroxyethyl)- d , l -aspartamide (PHEA) and poly butyl methacrylate (ButMA). Empty and sorafenib loaded PBB NPs were, then, produced by using a dialysis method and showed spherical morphology, colloidal size, negative ζ potential and the ability to allow a sustained sorafenib release in physiological environment. Sorafenib loaded PBB NPs were tested in vitro on HCC cells in order to e…

Evaluation of the antibacterial power and biocompatibility of zinc oxide nanorods decorated graphene nanoplatelets: New perspectives for antibiodeter…

2017

Background Nanotechnologies are currently revolutionizing the world around us, improving the quality of our lives thanks to a multitude of applications in several areas including the environmental preservation, with the biodeterioration phenomenon representing one of the major concerns. Results In this study, an innovative nanomaterial consisting of graphene nanoplatelets decorated by zinc oxide nanorods (ZNGs) was tested for the ability to inhibit two different pathogens belonging to bacterial genera frequently associated with nosocomial infections as well as biodeterioration phenomenon: the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and the Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A time- and dose-…

A 3D‑scaffold of PLLA induces the morphological differentiation and migration of primary astrocytes and promotes the production of extracellular vesi…

2019

The present study analyzed the ability of primary rat astrocytes to colonize a porous scaffold, mimicking the reticular structure of the brain parenchyma extracellular matrix, as well as their ability to grow, survive and differentiate on the scaffold. Scaffolds were prepared using poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) via thermally-induced phase separation. Firstly, the present study studied the effects of scaffold morphology on the growth of astrocytes, evaluating their capability to colonize. Specifically, two different morphologies were tested, which were obtained by changing the polymer concentration in the starting solution. The structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and a…

3D cultures of primary astrocytes on Poly-L-lactic acid scaffolds

Tissue engineering is an emerging multidisciplinary field that aims at reproducing in vitro tissues with morphological and functional features similar to the biological tissue of the human body. Polymeric materials can be used in contact with biological systems in replacing destroyed tissue by transplantation [1]. Several biopolymers, including poly L (lactic acid) (PLLA), have been used in biomedical applications to set scaffolds with ductile proprieties and biodegradation kinetics [2]. In particular, the PLLA scaffold topography mimics the natural extracellular matrix and makes it a good candidate for neural tissue engineering. We report about of 3D system the PLLA porous scaffolds prepar…

A Geometrical Channel Model for MIMO Mobile-to-Mobile Fading Channels in Cooperative Networks

2009

This paper deals with the modeling and analysis of narrowband multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mobile- to-mobile (M2M) fading channels in relay-based cooperative networks. Non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation conditions are assumed in the transmission links from the source mobile station to the destination mobile station via the mobile relay. A stochastic narrowband MIMO M2M reference channel model is derived from the geometrical three-ring scattering model, where it is assumed that an infinite number of local scatterers surround the source mobile station, the mobile relay, and the destination mobile station. The complex channel gains associated with the new reference channel model are…

The Vibrio choleare haemolysin anion channel is required for cell vacuolation and death

2002

SummarySeveral strains of Vibrio cholerae secrete ahaemolytic toxin of 63kDa, termed V. cholerae cytolysin (VCC). This toxin causes extensive vacuo-lation and death of cells in culture and forms ananion-selective channel in planar lipid bilayers and incells. Here, we identify inhibitors of the VCC anionchannel and show that the formation of the anionchannel is necessary for the development of the vacuoles and for the cell death induced by this toxin. Using markers of cell organelles, we show that vacuoles derive from different intracellular com-partments and we identify the contribution of lateendosomes and of the trans -Golgi network in vacuolebiogenesis.Introduction The Gram-negative bact…