A genetic model for undifferentiated cell tumor formation: similar tumors formed by different cell lines transformed by the E1A oncogene

The activation of oncogenes and the mutation/deletion of suppressor genes may be involved in tumor heterogeneity. In an attempt to study tumor heterogeneity, we transformed cell lines from epithelial (PAM 212), mesenchymal (NIH-3T3), or melanocytic origin (L-BIOBR) with the wild type E1a oncogene. To make the cell lines tumorigenic, cells were infected with Harvey sarcoma virus carrying the v-H-ras oncogene. The transformed cells were injected into nude mice and the tumors studied by optical and electron microscopy. The tumors formed by v-H-ras-transformed cells consisted of epitheliod melanomas, spindle cells sarcomas and poorly-differentiated carcinomas, depending on the cell of origin. In contrast, the tumors obtained from cells also carrying the E1a oncogene showed a predominant small and undifferentiated cell pattern regardless of the cell of origin. We conclude that the E1a oncogene products induce a negative control of differentiation, independent of the cell type, and that tumors formed by cells carrying the E1a oncogene display an undifferentiated cell pattern.     

Influence of preparation conditions on characteristics of the YBa2Cu3O7−δ compound

Synthesis of ceramic YBa₂Cu₃O_7– by solid-state reaction was performed under different conditions. Different values of cooling rate and oxygen flow were used, and no significant influence on superconducting characteristics of the samples was observed. A major influence on their mechanical properties was found.     

Plant Growth Inhibiting Flavonoids in Exudate of Cistus ladanifer and in Associated Soils

Of the aglycone flavonoids identified in the exudate of cistus ladanifer, two, the flavone apigenin-4-(O)-methyl and the flavonol kaempferol-3,7-di(O)-methyl inhibit development of the seedlings of Rumex crispus at 0.5 and 1 mM. Additive effects were observed between the major flavonols of the exudate kaempferol-3-(O)-methyl and kaempferol-3,7-di-(O)-methyl in inhibiting the size of the cotyledons and delaying the germination and cotyledon emergence. The presence of apigenin-4-(O)-methyl, kaempferol3,7-di-(O)-methyl, and kaempferol-3-(O)-methyl was detected in the soils associated with C. ladanifer during the summer and autumn months. That these compounds are present in the soil and are not restricted to the leaves provides support for the hypothesis that C. ladanifer has allelopathic potential.     

Effect of treatment with 13-cis-retinoic acid and ara-C on the hematopoietic stem cells of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

PURPOSE: To assess the "in vivo" effect of 13-cis-retinoic acid and low dose Ara-C in MDS as well as to establish "in vitro" advantage of retinoid dose-related growth pattern on bone marrow cultures as defined by culture timing and CFU-GM proliferative response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 28 patients diagnosed of MDS according to FAB classification, of whom 4 cases had RA, 8 cases SRA, 14 cases RAEB and 2 cases RAEB-T. Patients who had RA and SRA were treated with oral 13-cis-retinoic acid at doses of 20-40 mg daily for 4 months and those cases with RAEB and RAEB-T had subcutaneous Ara-C at doses of 3 mg/m2 twice a day for 21 days. The "in vivo" and "in vitro" effect of retinoic acid on the haemopoietic differentiation was evaluated by the growth CFU-GM in semisolid cell culture methods. RESULTS: Increasing in vitro concentrations of 13-cis retinoic acid did not enhance the growth of myelodysplastic progenitors. Nevertheless, our study did not find any beneficial therapeutic effect of retinoic compounds in MDS patients. In this study, low-dose Ara-C (3 mg/m2) showed similar effects when compared with higher doses reported by others. Furthermore, in terms of CFU-GM proliferation the concentration of colonies before and after treatment were fairly similar in all but two patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results drawn from our study demonstrated that there is no beneficial advantage of 13-cis-retinoic acid as a differentiation inducing agent on myelodysplastic patients. In contrast, lower doses of Ara-C showed similar effects on haemopoiesis of MDS patients than standard doses of 10-20 mg/m2 but with less side effects.     

Light Controlled Biohybrid Microbots

Biohybrid microbots integrate biological actuators and sensors into synthetic chassis with the aim of providing the building blocks of next-generation micro-robotics. One of the main challenges is the development of self-assembled systems with consistent behavior and such that they can be controlled independently to perform complex tasks. Herein, it is shown that, using light-driven bacteria as propellers, 3D printed microbots can be steered by unbalancing light intensity over different microbot parts. An optimal feedback loop is designed in which a central computer projects onto each microbot a tailor-made light pattern, calculated from its position and orientation. In this way, multiple microbots can be independently guided through a series of spatially distributed checkpoints. By exploiting a natural light-driven proton pump, these bio-hybrid microbots are able to extract mechanical energy from light with such high efficiency that, in principle, hundreds of these systems can be controlled simultaneously with a total optical power of just a few milliwatts.     

Effect of diacetyl piquerol on H+-ATPase activity of microsomes fromIpomoea purpurea

The effect of an allelopathic compound, diacetyl-piquerol on the H⁺ -ATPase activity of the microsomal fraction from the radicles of a common weedIpomoea purpurea was studied. The diacetyl-piquerol inhibited the germination and radicle growth fromI. purpurea; the radicle growth was increasingly inhibited (10% to 100%) as piquerol concentrations were raised (10 M to 1000 M). The H⁺-ATPase activity was inhibited (48%) by 500 M diacetyl-piquerol, and this inhibition was higher in plasma membrane ATPase (67.2%) than in tonoplast membrane ATPase (31.4%). Additional studies of the precise physiological mechanisms of interference caused by allelopathic compounds are needed.This study was sponsored by Project PCECCCNA-050954 of Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT).     

Physical and Functional Properties of Blackberry Freeze- and Spray-Dried Powders

The aim of the present work was to develop two products from blackberry juice by freeze and spray drying with potential use as food colorants or healthy ingredients. A characterization of the physical and functional properties of the powdered juices was done. Maltodextrin or a mixture of trehalose and maltodextrin were assessed as carrier matrices. Freeze-dried, maltodextrin-containing powders presented the best retention of bioactive compounds and antiradical activity; however, they showed a narrow relative humidity range for storage in the glassy state. Spray-dried powders showed better physical properties, bearing higher glass transition temperature and lower molecular mobility than freeze-dried formulations.     

Interactions of human chorionic gonadotropin with genotype and parity on fertility responses of lactating dairy cows

Fertility-promoting effects of treatment of lactating dairy cattle with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) after artificial insemination (AI) have been variable. Here, we tested whether fertility response to hCG in lactating Holstein cows interacts with genotype and parity. Primiparous (n = 538) and multiparous (n = 613) cows were treated with hCG (3,300 IU) or vehicle 5 d after AI. Pregnancy was diagnosed on d 32 and 60 after AI. A subset of cows (n = 593–701) was genotyped for 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) previously associated with fertility. Treatment with hCG increased progesterone concentration on d 12 after AI regardless of genotype or parity. Pregnancy per AI was improved by hCG in primiparous cows but not in multiparous cows. Moreover, hCG treatment interacted with a SNP in coenzyme Q9 (COQ9) to affect fertility. Fertility of cows treated with vehicle was greatest for the AA allele, whereas fertility was lowest for the same genotype among cows treated with hCG. Pregnancy per AI was also affected by genotype for heat shock protein A1-like (HSPA1L) and progesterone receptor (PGR), but no interactions were observed with treatment. Genotype for a SNP in prostate androgen-regulated mucin-like protein 1 (PARM1) was not associated with fertility. Overall, results show that variation in response to hCG treatment on fertility depends on parity and interacts with a SNP in COQ9.     

Laser-Deposited In Situ TiC-Reinforced Nickel Matrix Composites: 3D Microstructure and Tribological Properties

A new class of Ni-Ti-C-based metal-matrix composites has been developed using the laser-engineered net shaping? process. These composites consist of an in situ formed and homogeneously distributed titanium carbide (TiC) phase reinforcing the nickel matrix. Additionally, by tailoring the Ti/C ratio in these composites, an additional graphitic phase can also be engineered into the microstructure. Serial-sectioning, followed by three-dimensional reconstruction of the microstructure in these composites, reveals homogeneously distributed primary and eutectic titanium carbide precipitates as well as a graphitic phase encompassing the primary carbides within the nickel matrix. The morphology and spatial distribution of these phases in three dimensions reveals that the eutectic carbides form a network linked by primary carbides or graphitic nodules at the nodes, which suggests interesting insights into the sequence of phase evolution. These three-phase Ni-TiC-C composites exhibit excellent tribological properties, in terms of an extremely low coefficient of friction while maintaining a relatively high hardness.     

Identification and Effects of Interaction Phytotoxic Compounds from Exudate of Cistus ladanifer Leaves

Eleven allelochemicals (ferulic acid, cinnamic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, methyl propionate, oxalic acid, methylmalonic acid, p-anisic acid, butyric acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, and azulene) were identified in the exudate of Cistus ladanifer L. We studied the effect of each on germination, cotyledon emergence, root length, and cotyledon length of Rumex crispus. Three groups were distinguished with respect to phytotoxic activity: compounds with low activity (ferulic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, oxalic acid, methylmalonic acid, p-anisic acid, hydroxybutyric acid, and azulene), with intermediate activity (cinnamic acid and hydroxycinnamic acid), and with high activity (methyl propionate and butyric acid). The effect of the interaction of the compounds was studied. When acting conjointly, all combinations tested produced a more negative effect on both germination and seedling growth than when acting alone. The interaction affected cotyledon emergence and root length more negatively than germination and cotyledon length. When hydroxycinnamic acid and cinnamic acid were added to these mixtures there was an enhancement in the phytotoxic activity, accentuating the effect of the other allelochemicals.