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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
The Function Of Renalase, Brett Allen Beaupre
The Function Of Renalase, Brett Allen Beaupre
Theses and Dissertations
Renalase was originally reported to be an enzyme secreted into the blood by the kidney to lower blood pressure and slow heart rate. Despite multiple reports claiming to confirm this activity in vivo there has been considerable discord in regards to the reaction catalyzed by renalase. The structural topology of renalase resembles that of known flavoprotein oxidases, monooxygenases and demethylases, but the conserved active site residues are unique to renalase. It has been reported that the catalytic function of renalase is to oxidize circulating catecholamines, however in vitro studies have failed to demonstrate a catalytic activity in the presence of …
Biomaterial-Induced Osteogenesis Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells By Surface Roughness And Functionalization, Pongkwan Sitasuwan
Biomaterial-Induced Osteogenesis Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells By Surface Roughness And Functionalization, Pongkwan Sitasuwan
Theses and Dissertations
For tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, it is important to understand factors directing the stem cell fate, including self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have the potential to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and smooth muscle cells. Specifically, in the field of bone tissue engineering, BMSCs are commonly used for in vitro osteogenesis studies. However the mechanisms and signaling pathways that these cells recognize material surface and utilize to differentiate are still unclear. This dissertation focuses on investigating the effect of surface nanotopography and functionalization on the promotion of osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Surface …
Plant Virus Based Materials For Cell Alignment And Differentiation, Elizabeth Balizan
Plant Virus Based Materials For Cell Alignment And Differentiation, Elizabeth Balizan
Theses and Dissertations
This research focused on developing and using plant virus based scaffolds to understand substrate control over cell alignment and differentiation. The first part of this work centered on development of virus based patterns that were then used to align and elongate aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Virus patterns were generated in capillary tubes via a simple drying method. Three experimental parameters were used to control pattern formation: (1) protein concentration, (2) salt concentration, and (3) hydrophobicity of the pre-deposition surface. By controlling these parameters several aspects of the final virus patterns were controlled. First, virus orientation was controlled. Patterns were …
Biochemical Investigations Of Macular Degeneration: The Significance Of Protein Oxidation Including Novel Methods For Its Study, Sarah Warburton
Biochemical Investigations Of Macular Degeneration: The Significance Of Protein Oxidation Including Novel Methods For Its Study, Sarah Warburton
Theses and Dissertations
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer of cells located directly behind the photoreceptor cells in the retina. These cells are involved in a variety of functions that support the visual process in the eye, namely 1) they form a blood-retina barrier which separates the neural retina from the choroid's blood supply, 2) the apical processes of RPE cells diurnally phagocytose the outer segments of photoreceptor cells, and 3) they participate in the renewal of the photopigment 11-cis retinal. Age-related macular degneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50 years in North …