Cartilage Engineering: Optimization Of Media For Chondrogenic Differentiation In Vitro,
2016
Purdue University
Cartilage Engineering: Optimization Of Media For Chondrogenic Differentiation In Vitro, Evan Surma, Sherry L. Harbin, Hongji Zhang, Stacy Halum
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium
Lower back pain from intervertebral disc injury affects around 84% of the population at some point in their life, which at its worst may cause total immobilization. This pain can only be temporarily relieved by spinal fusion or intervertebral disc replacement; however, both of these cause loss of natural motion in patients by removing damaged fibrocartilage discs. While these techniques help mitigate pain briefly, no permanent solution exists currently to both relieve pain and preserve natural motion. My work may be a solution by eventually providing patient-specific implants that resemble native tissue in the regeneration process that could be absorbed …
Preparation Of Myod Mrna For The Differentiation Of Stem Cells Into Muscle Cells,
2016
University of Southern Mississippi
Preparation Of Myod Mrna For The Differentiation Of Stem Cells Into Muscle Cells, Stephanie A. Ye
Honors Theses
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are characterized by their two special properties: pluripotency and self-renewal. Pluripotency is the ability of ESCs to differentiate into any cell type upon expression of specific proteins called transcription factors. In order to induce differentiation, transcription factors specific for the particular cell type have to be introduced and expressed in the ESCs. The introduction of transcription factors can be achieved by using either DNA, RNA, or protein. According to the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology, DNA is first transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA), which is then translated to make a functional protein molecule. Among the available …
Structure-Activity Relationships Governing The Interaction Of Nanoparticles With Mammalian Cells- Predictive Models For Toxicology And Medical Appliances,
2016
Technological University Dublin
Structure-Activity Relationships Governing The Interaction Of Nanoparticles With Mammalian Cells- Predictive Models For Toxicology And Medical Appliances, Marcus A. Maher
Doctoral
Nanoscience is seen as one of the key enabling technologies of the 20th century and as its range of applications increases it is important to look at how nanomaterials interact with biological environments. Some of these interactions have given rise to toxic effects and thus, the creation of the field of nanotoxicology, it has also been noted that current methods of evaluating toxicity may not be sufficient to keep up with the rapidly emerging range of nanomaterials becoming available. It is clear that alternatives are necessary. In this thesis, a phenomenological rate equation model is constructed to simulate nanoparticle uptake …
Modeling The Structural Consequences Of Best1 Missense Mutations,
2016
University of Pennsylvania
Modeling The Structural Consequences Of Best1 Missense Mutations, Karina E. Guziewicz, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Barbara Zangerl
Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD
Mutations in the bestrophin-1 gene (BEST1) are an important cause of inherited retinal disorders. Hitherto, over 100 unique allelic variants have been linked to the human BEST1 (hBEST1), and associated with disease phenotypes, broadly termed as bestrophinopathies. A spontaneous animal model recapitulating BEST1-related phenotypes, canine multifocal retinopathy (cmr), is caused by mutations in the canine gene ortholog (cBEST1). We have recently characterized molecular consequences of cmr, demonstrating defective protein trafficking as a result of G161D (cmr2) mutation. To further investigate the pathological effects of BEST1 missense mutations, canine and human peptide fragments derived from the protein sequence have been studied …
Rpgrip1 And Cone-Rod Dystrophy In Dogs,
2016
University of Pennsylvania
Rpgrip1 And Cone-Rod Dystrophy In Dogs, Tatyana N. Kuznetsova, Barbara Zangerl, Gustavo D. Aguirre
Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD
Cone–rod dystrophies (crd) represent a group of progressive inherited blinding diseases characterized by primary dysfunction and loss of cone photoreceptors accompanying or preceding rod death. Recessive crd type 1 was described in dogs associated with an RPGRIP1 exon 2 mutation, but with lack of complete concordance between genotype and phenotype. This review highlights role of the RPGRIP1, a component of complex protein networks, and its function in the primary cilium, and discusses the potential mechanisms of genotype–phenotype discordance observed in dogs with the RPGRIP1 mutation.
A Competitive Random Sequential Adsorption Model For Immunoassay Activity,
2016
Technological University Dublin
A Competitive Random Sequential Adsorption Model For Immunoassay Activity, Dana Mackey, Eilis Kelly, Robert Nooney
Conference papers
Immunoassays rely on highly specific reactions between antibodies and antigens and are used in biomedical diagnostics applications to detect biomarkers for a variety of diseases. Antibody immobilization to solid interfaces through random adsorption is a widely used technique but has the disadvantage of severely reducing the antigen binding activity and, consequently, the assay performance. This paper proposes a simple mathematical framework, based on the theory known as competitive random sequential adsorption (CRSA), for describing how the activity of immobilized antibodies depends on their orientation and packing density and generalizes a previous model by introducing the antibody aspect ratio as an …
Modeling Early Stage Bone Regeneration With Biomimetic Electrospun Fibrinogen Nanofibers And Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells,
2016
Old Dominion University
Modeling Early Stage Bone Regeneration With Biomimetic Electrospun Fibrinogen Nanofibers And Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Michael P. Francis, Yas M. Moghaddam-White, Patrick C. Sachs, Matthew J. Beckman, Stephen M. Chen, Gary L. Bowlin, Lynne W. Elmore, Shawn E. Holt
Medical Diagnostics & Translational Sciences Faculty Publications
The key events of the earliest stages of bone regeneration have been described in vivo although not yet modeled in an in vitro environment, where mechanistic cell-matrix-growth factor interactions can be more effectively studied. Here, we explore an early-stage bone regeneration model where the ability of electrospun fibrinogen (Fg) nanofibers to regulate osteoblastogenesis between distinct mesenchymal stem cells populations is assessed. Electrospun scaffolds of Fg, polydioxanone (PDO), and a Fg:PDO blend were seeded with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and grown for 7-21 days in osteogenic differentiation media or control growth media. Scaffolds were analyzed weekly for histologic and molecular …
Towards 3d In Vitro Models For The Study Of Cardiovascular Tissues And Disease,
2016
Technological University Dublin
Towards 3d In Vitro Models For The Study Of Cardiovascular Tissues And Disease, Claire M. Brougham, Alan J. Ryan, Carolina D. Garciarena, Steve W. Kerrigan, Fergal J. O'Brien
Articles
The field of tissue engineering is developing biomimetic biomaterial scaffolds which are showing increasing therapeutic potential for the repair of cardiovascular tissues. However, a major opportunity exists to use them as 3D in vitro models for the study of cardiovascular tissues and disease in addition to drug development and testing. These in vitro models can span the gap between 2D culture and in vivo testing thus reducing cost, time and the ethical burden of current approaches. This review outlines the progress to date and requirements for the development of ideal in vitro 3D models for blood vessels, heart valves and …
Targeting Oncogenic Mirnas With Small Molecules For Breast Cancer Therapy,
2015
The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Targeting Oncogenic Mirnas With Small Molecules For Breast Cancer Therapy, Paloma Del C. Monroig
Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)
The crucial role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer pathobiology has driven the introduction of new drug development approaches such as miRNA inhibition. In order to advance miRNA-therapeutics, there is a need to develop screening strategies that can target tumors in a specific way. Small molecule inhibitors represent an attractive approach to pursue this. However, the absence of molecular structures for most of the miRNAs makes it very difficult to predict which inhibitors can bind to them. Herein we designed a strategy to screen for small molecules by assesing whether they could directly bind/ interact with miR-10b/miR-21. As part of our …
Organometallic Rhenium Dyes For Nitric Oxide Detection And Imaging,
2015
Florida International University
Organometallic Rhenium Dyes For Nitric Oxide Detection And Imaging, Lissette I. Lozano-Lewis
FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The importance of sensing Nitric Oxide (NO) in physiology and medicine has led us to explore the reactivity of NO with organometallic Re dyes. Rhenium complexes were synthesized with the ability to react with NO and sense it under physiological conditions. Fluorescent 1,10-phenantroline complexes (phen)Re(PPh3)(CO)2OSO2CF3 (1) and (phen)Re(CH3CN)(CO)2OSO2CF3 (3) can sense NO in the range of 10 - 150 mM showing a decrease in fluorescence response at 514 nm and 532 nm respectively, upon NO-donor addition (lexc = 360 nm). (phen)Re(THF)(CO)2OSO2CF …
Subclavian Vein Stenosis/Occlusion Following Transvenous Cardiac Pacemaker And Defibrillator Implantation: Incidence, Pathophysiology And Current Management,
2015
Aurora Health Care
Subclavian Vein Stenosis/Occlusion Following Transvenous Cardiac Pacemaker And Defibrillator Implantation: Incidence, Pathophysiology And Current Management, Brian O'Leary, Suhail Allaqaband
Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews
Subclavian vein stenosis is a common, but usually asymptomatic, complication following cardiac device placement. In addition to reviewing the literature on incidence, pathogenesis and management options for this important clinical problem, we describe two cases of symptomatic subclavian vein occlusion following pacemaker/defibrillator placement and successful treatment with venoplasty and stenting.
The B Subunit Of Escherichia Coli Heat-Labile Toxin Alters The Development And Antigen-Presenting Capacity Of Dendritic Cells,
2015
Australian National University
The B Subunit Of Escherichia Coli Heat-Labile Toxin Alters The Development And Antigen-Presenting Capacity Of Dendritic Cells, Jing Ji, Kristin Grifftiths, Peter Milburn, Timothy Hirst, Helen O'Neill
Helen O'Neill
Escherichia coli's heat-labile enterotoxin (Etx) and its non-toxic B subunit (EtxB) have been characterized as adjuvants capable of enhancing T cell responses to co-administered antigen. Here, we investigate the direct effect of intravenously administered EtxB on the size of the dendritic and myeloid cell populations in spleen. EtxB treatment appears to enhance the development and turnover of dendritic and myeloid cells from precursors within the spleen. EtxB treatment also gives a dendritic cell (DC) population with higher viability and lower activation status based on the reduced expression of MHC-II, CD80 and CD86. In this respect, the in vivo effect of …
Biodegradable Nano-Hybrid Polymer Composite Networks For Regulating Cellular Behavior,
2015
University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Biodegradable Nano-Hybrid Polymer Composite Networks For Regulating Cellular Behavior, Charles Henley Sprague
Masters Theses
Photo-crosslinkable polymeric biomaterials have emerged in the field of biomedical research to promote tissue regeneration. For example, scaffolds that can be crosslinked and hardened in situ have been known to make suitable implant alternatives. Since injectable and photo-crosslinkable biomaterials offer the advantage of being minimally invasive, they have emerged to compete with autografts, a current highly invasive method to repair diseased tissue. A series of novel photo-crosslinkable, injectable, and biodegradable nano-hybrid polymers consisting of poly(ε-caprolactone fumarate) (PCLF) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) has been synthesized in our laboratory via polycondensation. To engineer the material properties of the nano-hybrid networks, varied …
Thimerosal Induces Apoptosis In A Neuroblastoma Model Via The Cjun N-Terminal Kinase Pathway,
2015
Marshall University
Thimerosal Induces Apoptosis In A Neuroblastoma Model Via The Cjun N-Terminal Kinase Pathway, Michelle Herdman, Aileen Marcello, Ying Huang, Richard Niles, Sanjit Dhar, Kinsley Kinningham
Richard M Niles
The cJun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-signaling pathway is activated in response to a variety of stimuli, including environmental insults, and has been implicated in neuronal apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the role that the JNK pathway plays in neurotoxicity caused by thimerosal, an ethylmercury-containing preservative. SK-N-SH cells treated with thimerosal (0-10 microM) showed an increase in the phosphorylated (active) form of JNK and cJun with 5 and 10 microM thimerosal treatment at 2 and 4 h. To examine activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription, cells were transfected with a pGL2 vector containing four AP-1 consensus sequences and then treated with thimerosal (0-2.5 …
Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing 5’-Inositol Phosphatase-2 (Ship2) Is An Effector Of Lymphatic Dysfunction,
2015
The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing 5’-Inositol Phosphatase-2 (Ship2) Is An Effector Of Lymphatic Dysfunction, Germaine D. Agollah
Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)
The lymphatic system is essential for the transport of excess fluid, protein, and foreign materials from interstitial tissues to lymph nodes; for immune surveillance, and to maintain fluid homeostasis. Dysregulated lymphatics can be attributed to pathological conditions including tumor metastasis, inflammation, chronic wounds, obesity, blood vascular disorders, and lymphedema. Of these, lymphedema is the most extreme of lymphatic disorders and is represented by a spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild, subtle presentation to severe, disfiguring, overt presentation. Lymphedema is more manageable in the early stages of disease but severely reduces quality of life with progression. Due to lack of molecular …
Design And Development Of Two Component Hydrogel Ejector For Three-Dimensional Cell Growth,
2015
University of Connecticut - Storrs
Design And Development Of Two Component Hydrogel Ejector For Three-Dimensional Cell Growth, Thomas Dunkle, Jessica Deschamps, Connie Dam
Honors Scholar Theses
Hydrogels are useful in wound healing, drug delivery, and tissue engineering applications, but the available methods of injecting them quickly and noninvasively are limited. The medical industry does not yet have access to an all-purpose device that can quickly synthesize hydrogels of different shapes and sizes. Many synthesis procedures that have been developed result in the formation of amorphous hydrogels. While generally useful, amorphous hydrogels exhibit limited capability in tissue engineering applications, especially due to their viscous properties. This endeavor aims to modulate the appropriate gelation parameters, optimize the injection process, and create a prototype that allows for the extrusion …
Mechanisms Underlying Control Of Anti-Microbial Immunity By Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition,
2015
United Arab Emirates University
Mechanisms Underlying Control Of Anti-Microbial Immunity By Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition, Ray M. Esam Al-Barazie
Dissertations
Inflammation is a crucial defense mechanism that protects the body from the devastating effects of invading pathogens. However, an unrestrained inflammatory reaction may result in systemic manifestations with dire consequences to the host. The extent of activation of the inflammatory response is tightly regulated through immunological and neural pathways. Previously, we demonstrated that cholinergic stimulation confers enhanced protection in experimental animals orally infected with a lethal dose of Salmonella typhymurium. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which this enhanced protection takes place. We showed that cholinergic stimulation enhanced host survival following oral-route infection, which correlated with significantly reduced …
Liver Sinusoid On A Chip: Long-Term Layered Co-Culture Of Primary Rat Hepatocytes And Endothelial Cells In Microfluidic Platforms,
2015
George Fox University
Liver Sinusoid On A Chip: Long-Term Layered Co-Culture Of Primary Rat Hepatocytes And Endothelial Cells In Microfluidic Platforms, Young Bok (Abraham) Kang, Temitope R. Sodunke, Jason Lamontagne, Joseph Cirillo, Caroline Rajiv, Michael J. Bouchard, Moses Noh
Faculty Publications - Biomedical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering
We describe the generation of microfluidic platforms for the co-culture of primary hepatocytes and endothelial cells; these platforms mimic the architecture of a liver sinusoid. This paper describes a progressional study of creating such a liver sinusoid on a chip system. Primary rat hepatocytes (PRHs) were co-cultured with primary or established endothelial cells in layers in single and dual microchannel configurations with or without continuous perfusion. Cell viability and maintenance of hepatocyte functions were monitored and compared for diverse experimental conditions. When primary rat hepatocytes were co-cultured with immortalized bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) in a dual microchannel with continuous …
Long-Term Overall Survival From A Phase 1 Trial Using Intratumoral Plasmid Interleukin-12 With Electroporation In Patients With Melanoma,
2015
Old Dominion University
Long-Term Overall Survival From A Phase 1 Trial Using Intratumoral Plasmid Interleukin-12 With Electroporation In Patients With Melanoma, Adil Daud, Kathryn T. Takamura, Tu Diep, Richard Heller, Robert H. Pierce
Bioelectrics Publications
No abstract provided.
Synthesis And Characterization Of Methacrylated Hyaluronan-Based Hydrogels For Tissue Engineering,
2014
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Synthesis And Characterization Of Methacrylated Hyaluronan-Based Hydrogels For Tissue Engineering, Keegan Bradley Compton
Theses and Dissertations (ETD)
Polymers have revolutionized the field of tissue engineering due to the countless possibilities of scaffolds that can be constructed from such a material. Through conjugation of other functional groups onto a polymer backbone, the mechanical properties of polymers can be controlled and has the ability to span a wide range of strengths, allowing for application in multiple tissue environments. One such polymer, hyaluronic acid (HA), is a natural polysaccharide found most abundantly in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of connective tissues with structural, lubricating, and wound healing functions in the human body; for this reason, HA has great potential for utilization …
