Development of a novel explant culture method for the isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from human breast tumor

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from various sources, including various types of tumors. However choosing an appropriate isolation method is an important step in obtaining cells with optimal quality and yield in companion with economical considerations. The purpose of this study was to isolate more pure MSCs from human breast tumor tissue by a modified explant culture method.

Methods and Materials: The tumor tissues (n = 8) were cut into 1 to 3-mm cube-like pieces (explant). Each explant was placed in a well of 24-well format plates, cultured in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM), and maintained at 37°C with 5% humidified incubator. Morphological phenotypes of the cells were surveyed by an inverted microscope and wells with rather homogenous fibroblast-like morphology cell were considered as positive and selected for more expansion and characterization.

Results: A total of 185 wells, 63.7% of wells were positive that were chosen for expansion. Flowcytometry analysis demonstrated that isolated cells were positive for CD73, CD44, CD29, CD105, and CD90 but negative for CD11b, CD45, CD34, and HLA?DR. In addition, cells possessed the capability of multipotential differentiation into osteoblasts and adipocytes.     

Specific MUC1 Splice Variants Are Correlated With Tumor Progression in Esophageal Cancer

Background

Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a complex glycoprotein expressed on the apical surface of normal glandular epithelial cells. It plays a role in a number of biologic processes, and its overexpression is associated with various malignancies. A growing body of literature suggests that MUC1 is a potential diagnostic and therapeutic marker. Increasing numbers of variants are being identified for the MUC1 gene, but their role in carcinogenesis is unclear. Alternative splicing and a specific region on a variable number of tandem repeats are characteristic features of MUC1. However, the underlying mechanisms, overall prevalence, and the function of various MUC1 isoforms are not well characterized.

Methods

In the present study, mRNA expression of nine variants of the MUC1 gene (A–D, X–Z, REP, SEC) was evaluated in normal and tumor tissues obtained from 50 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Associations between expression of various isoforms of MUC1 and important clinicopathologic factors were studied.

Results

Specific MUC1 splice variants (i.e., MUC1/C, D, and Z) are correlated with tumor progression in ESCC, whereas MUC1/B—previously suggested as a “normal” variant in some other cancers—has protective effects and is associated with more favorable tumor behavior and better prognosis.

Conclusions

Specific isoforms of ESCC are associated with prognosis. Further characterization of different isoforms of MUC1 and their biologic effects is needed to explore their diagnostic and prognostic potential in clinical practice.     

Electrochemical reduction of NO catalyzed by boron-doped C60 fullerene: a first-principles study

The electrochemical reduction of nitrogen monoxide (NO) is one of the most promising approaches for converting this harmful gas into useful chemicals. Using density functional theory calculations, the work examines the potential of a single B atom doped C₆₀ fullerene (C₅₉B) for catalytic reduction of NO molecules. The results demonstrate that the NO may be strongly activated over the B atom of C₅₉B, and that the subsequent reduction process can result in the formation of NH₃ and N₂O molecules at low and high coverages, respectively. Based on the Gibbs free energy diagram, it is inferred that the C₅₉B has excellent catalytic activity for NO reduction at ambient conditions with no potential-limiting. At normal temperature, the efficient interaction between the *NOH and NO species might lead to the spontaneous formation of the N₂O molecule. Thus, the findings of this study provide new insights into NO electrochemical reduction on heteroatom doped fullerenes, as well as a unique strategy for fabricating low-cost NO reduction electrocatalysts with high efficiency.

Using DFT calculations, the potential of B-doped C₆₀ fullerene is evaluated for electrochemical reduction of nitrogen monoxide. The B-doped C₆₀ exhibits exceptional catalytic activity and high selectivity for reduction of nitrogen monoxide.     

Changes in skeletal muscle qualities during enzyme replacement therapy in late-onset type II glycogenosis: temporal and spatial pattern of mass vs. strength response

Muscle quality is defined as muscle strength generated per unit muscle mass. If enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has some effects on type II glycogenosis (GSDII) skeletal muscle pathology, we should be able to measure a change in strength and mass. We conducted a prospective study including 11 patients aged 54.2?±?11.2 years, referring to a single institution and receiving ERT for ≥2 years. Median Walton score was 3 (2.5–6). Lower limb skeletal muscles were assessed by dynamometry and quantitative muscle MRI. Three segments (anterior thigh, posterior thigh, leg) were analysed separately. Clinical-MRI correlations were searched for at T0, T6/T8, and T18/24. Changes in lean and fat body composition were assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. We found that the anterior thigh showed the best therapeutic response, with an improvement in muscle quality (muscle mass: +7.5%, p?=?0.035; strength: +45%, p?=?0.002). BMI and lean body mass increased (p?=?0.007). Patients with low BMI showed a better outcome. Intramuscular fat accumulation significantly progressed in spite of ERT (+3.7%, p?=?0.001), especially in the poorly responsive posterior thigh muscles. Both clinical assessment and MRI revealed a definite improvement in the anterior thigh muscles. However, progression of intramuscular fat accumulation during ERT, as well as the limited responsiveness of posterior thigh muscles, suggests the necessity for early treatment intervention. The better outcome of patients with low BMI, if confirmed, may indicate that dietary protocols could be adopted as adjuvant measures to ERT in adult GSDII.