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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Local Delivery Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expressing Osteogenesis-Inducing Microrna For Bone Tissue Engineering Applications, Marco Antonio Arriaga
Local Delivery Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expressing Osteogenesis-Inducing Microrna For Bone Tissue Engineering Applications, Marco Antonio Arriaga
Theses and Dissertations
Bone is capable of regenerating autonomously when the injury is small (< 2.5 cm), however, large (> 2.5 cm) or insufficiently vascularized defects require intervention to repair. The overall goal of this project is to contribute towards the development of novel strategies to aid bone tissue regeneration by delivering mesenchymal stem cells expressing microRNAs that induce expression of the runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). It was determined that porous polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds fabricated to have a higher surface area to volume ratio (SVR) (> 80) compared to lower SVR (< 80) were hydrolyzed at a higher rate. Scaffolds fabricated with 80 vol. %/300–500 µm porogen were optimal for cell colonization as higher absorbance of metabolized MTT was detected compared to other scaffold types. From the subset of 5 miRNAs tested, miRNA-26a, miRNA-196 and miRNA-218 demonstrated higher upregulation of RUNX2 gene expression and calcium mineralization and thus, are promising candidates for bone tissue regeneration.
Calculating Evapotranspiration Of Arundo Donax Along The Rio Grande, Jose R. Escamilla Jr.
Calculating Evapotranspiration Of Arundo Donax Along The Rio Grande, Jose R. Escamilla Jr.
Theses and Dissertations
Invasive species have been recorded to cause large economic and ecological impacts on various ecosystems and their services. Locally, giant reed (Arundo donax L.), a woody grass native to the Mediterranean, adversely impacts riparian ecosystems in southwestern United States by aggressively displacing their native flora and fauna. Giant reed also has become a cause of concern for national water security, especially in water-limited areas of the arid southwestern United States. The main objective of this study is to provide the first, landscape-level estimates of water use by giant reed in the United States. Evapotranspiration was monitored using the eddy …
Jatropha Curcas Protoplast Isolation And Inhibitory Effects Of Culture, Christopher S. Lukaszewski
Jatropha Curcas Protoplast Isolation And Inhibitory Effects Of Culture, Christopher S. Lukaszewski
Theses and Dissertations
Improvement on the sub-tropical plant Jatropha curcas may increase the use of this drought tolerant oilseed crop for the production of biodiesel. One of the methods for enhancing a species is through genetic manipulation of the protoplast. Isolating protoplasts is challenging and culturing has many obstacles similar to those seen in tissue culture, such as oxidative browning. Successful isolation of J. curcas leaf protoplasts resulted in an average of 3.23 x 106 viable protoplasts/mL. However, protoplasts diminished within 2 days after culturing. A review of the potential solutions used for overcoming the inhibitory effects of culture may reveal further insight …