30 CFR 75.100 - Certified person.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Certified person. 75.100 Section 75.100 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH MANDATORY... and Qualification Center, P.O. Box 25367, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225. (2) A person...

186. Photographic copy of original construction drawing dated March 28, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

186. Photographic copy of original construction drawing dated March 28, 1932 (from Record Group 115, Denver Branch of the National Archives, Denver). VOLUME CHANGE IN MASS CONCRETE; OWYHEE DAM CONCRETE RESEARCH FOR HOOVER DAM; MISCELLANEOUS VERTICAL SECTIONS; THROUGH PANELS. - Owyhee Dam, Across Owyhee River, Nyssa, Malheur County, OR

7. DARK CANYON SIPHON Photographic copy of construction drawing ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

7. DARK CANYON SIPHON - Photographic copy of construction drawing c1907 (from Record Group 115, Box 17, Denver Branch of the National Archives, Denver) DARK CANYON SIPHON PLAN, ELEVATION, AND SECTIONS - Carlsbad Irrigation District, Dark Canyon Siphon, On Main Canal, 1 mile South of Carlsbad, Carlsbad, Eddy County, NM

42 CFR 416.167 - Basis of payment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... classification (APC) groups and payment weights. (1) ASC covered surgical procedures are classified using the APC... section, an ASC relative payment weight is determined based on the APC relative payment weight for each covered surgical procedure and covered ancillary service that has an applicable APC relative payment...

Cervical cytology of atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion: significance of age, human papillomavirus DNA detection and previous abnormal cytology on follow-up outcomes.

PubMed

Sung, Chang Ohk; Oh, Young Lyun; Song, Sang Yong

2011-11-01

Despite the usefulness of Pap tests for cancer screening, outcomes can be difficult to predict when atypical squamous cells (ASCs) are identified. According to the 2001 Bethesda system, ASCs can be subdivided into two groups: ASCs of undetermined significance (ASC-US); and ASCs, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (ASC-H). ASC-H interpretations are uncommon, and studies involving this type of lesion are based on small numbers of cases. Cross-sectional, retrospective study of 392 ASC-H cases. The follow-up outcomes of ASC-H cases that were diagnosed during routine primary screening between 2002 and 2008 were investigated, and relationships between clinicopathological parameters were assessed, particularly positive test for high-risk HPV (HPV) DNA, patient age at diagnosis and previous abnormal cytology. Of the 392 cases, high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (HSIL) was detected in 111 (28.3%) cases, squamous cell carcinoma was detected in 15 (3.8%) cases, low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion was detected in 37 (9.4%) cases, reactive change was detected in 178 (45.4%) cases, atrophy was detected in 47 (12.0%) cases, and adenocarcinoma was detected in four (1.0%) cases. The prevalence of HSIL or greater was 27.8% for women aged ≥ 40 years, and 52.3% for women aged <40 years (p<0.001). HPV positivity in ASC-H smears was significantly associated with HSIL or greater, irrespective of age (<40 years, p=0.003; ≥ 40 years, p<0.001). ASC-H with previous abnormal cytology greater than ASC-US showed a significantly higher detection rate for HSIL or greater at follow-up (p<0.001). Patient age, positive HPV DNA test and previous abnormal cytology are useful predictors of underlying HSIL or greater in women with ASC-H. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

42 CFR 416.125 - ASC facility services payment rate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false ASC facility services payment rate. 416.125 Section 416.125 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... connection with the performance of that procedure. (b) The payment must be substantially less than would have...

42 CFR 416.125 - ASC facility services payment rate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false ASC facility services payment rate. 416.125 Section 416.125 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... connection with the performance of that procedure. (b) The payment must be substantially less than would have...

42 CFR 416.41 - Condition for coverage-Governing body and management.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... governing the ASC's total operation. The governing body has oversight and accountability for the quality... management. 416.41 Section 416.41 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF... for Coverage § 416.41 Condition for coverage—Governing body and management. The ASC must have a...

42 CFR 416.44 - Condition for coverage-Environment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Condition for coverage-Environment. 416.44 Section....44 Condition for coverage—Environment. The ASC must have a safe and sanitary environment, properly... environment. The ASC must provide a functional and sanitary environment for the provision of surgical services...

42 CFR 416.41 - Condition for coverage-Governing body and management.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... governing the ASC's total operation. The governing body has oversight and accountability for the quality... management. 416.41 Section 416.41 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF... for Coverage § 416.41 Condition for coverage—Governing body and management. The ASC must have a...

48 CFR 801.602-78 - Processing solicitations and contract documents for legal or technical review-Veterans Health...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

..., Central Office (except Office of Construction and Facilities Management), the National Acquisition Center, and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. 801.602-78 Section 801.602-78 Federal Acquisition... Acquisition Center, and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. (a) If legal or technical review is...

48 CFR 801.602-78 - Processing solicitations and contract documents for legal or technical review-Veterans Health...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

..., Central Office (except Office of Construction and Facilities Management), the National Acquisition Center, and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. 801.602-78 Section 801.602-78 Federal Acquisition... Acquisition Center, and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. (a) If legal or technical review is...

48 CFR 801.602-78 - Processing solicitations and contract documents for legal or technical review-Veterans Health...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

..., Central Office (except Office of Construction and Facilities Management), the National Acquisition Center, and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. 801.602-78 Section 801.602-78 Federal Acquisition... Acquisition Center, and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. (a) If legal or technical review is...

Geologic controls of subdivision damage near Denver, Colorado

USGS Publications Warehouse

Noe, D.C.

2005-01-01

This case study investigates the geologic controls on damaging ground deformations in a residential subdivision near Denver, Colo. Moderate to severe damage has occurred in certain areas where linear, parallel heave features with up to 0.3 in (1 ft) of differential displacement have formed across roads and under houses. Other areas have small, localized depressions that have formed in the roadsides with no discernable damage to nearby houses. Still other areas show no evidence of ground movements. The bedrock beneath the subdivision consists of steeply dipping Cretaceous strata of the Benton Shale, Niobrara Formation, and Pierre Shale. Quaternary soil deposits and fill, 0-16 m (0-53 ft) thick, overlie the bedrock. The most pronounced and damaging linear-heave features are coincident with steeply dipping, silty claystone with thin layers of very highly plastic bentonite. These heave features diminish as the depth to bedrock increases, and become small to negligible where the bedrock is overlain by 3 m (10 ft) or more of overburden soil deposits or fill. In contrast, areas having no visible damage and those having localized surface depressions are typically underlain by 1-12 m (3-39 ft) of alluvial-terrace deposits or fill. The depressions appear to have been caused by settlement over improperly filled water-and-sewer line trenches. The overall relationship between geology and ground deformations as seen in this subdivision may be useful for predicting, and thereby reducing, damage for future subdivision projects. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering ?? ASCE.

Antibody-secreting cells in respiratory tract tissues in the absence of eosinophils as supportive partners.

PubMed

Sealy, Robert E; Surman, Sherri L; Vogel, Peter; Hurwitz, Julia L

2016-11-01

Antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) in respiratory tract tissues provide a first line of defense against invading pathogens. These cells often secrete IgA that is efficiently transcytosed across epithelial barriers into the airway lumen where pathogens can be blocked at their point of entry. Previous literature has reported that in the bone marrow, eosinophils are required for the maintenance of ASCs, and that eosinophils co-localize with ASCs as nearest neighbors. To determine if these rules similarly apply to the maintenance of ASCs in respiratory tract tissues, we evaluated virus-specific responses 1 month and 4 months following an intranasal virus infection of eosinophil-null (∆dblGATA-1) mice. Results showed that ASCs were fractionally reduced, but were nonetheless observed in respiratory tract tissues in the absence of eosinophils. Virus-specific antibodies were similarly observed in the airways of eosinophil-deficient mice. Respiratory tract ASCs were also present in mice lacking neutrophils (Mcl1 ∆M ). The staining of tissue sections from the upper respiratory tract of wild-type mice following viral infections demonstrated that virus-specific ASCs were most frequently situated adjacent to epithelial cells rather than eosinophils or neutrophils. Taken together, these data emphasize that rules for cell maintenance are not absolute and that ASCs can survive in the respiratory tract without eosinophils or neutrophils as their nearest neighbors. © The Japanese Society for Immunology. 2016. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

The Effect of Teachers Trained in a Fundamental Movement Skills Programme on Children's Self-Perceptions and Motor Competence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Breslin, Gavin; Murphy, Marie; McKee, David; Delaney, Brian; Dempster, Martin

2012-01-01

Perceived and actual motor competence are hypothesized to have potential links to children and young people's physical activity (PA) levels with a potential consequential link to long-term health. In this cross-sectional study, Harter's (1985, "Manual for the Self-perception Profile for Children." Denver, CO: University of Denver)…

Risk-Informed Mean Recurrence Intervals for Updated Wind Maps in ASCE 7-16.

PubMed

McAllister, Therese P; Wang, Naiyu; Ellingwood, Bruce R

2018-05-01

ASCE 7 is moving toward adopting load requirements that are consistent with risk-informed design goals characteristic of performance-based engineering (PBE). ASCE 7-10 provided wind maps that correspond to return periods of 300, 700, and 1,700 years for Risk Categories I, II, and combined III/IV, respectively. The risk targets for Risk Categories III and IV buildings and other structures (designated as essential facilities) are different in PBE. The reliability analyses reported in this paper were conducted using updated wind load data to (1) confirm that the return periods already in ASCE 7-10 were also appropriate for risk-informed PBE, and (2) to determine a new risk-based return period for Risk Category IV. The use of data for wind directionality factor, K d , which has become available from recent wind tunnel tests, revealed that reliabilities associated with wind load combinations for Risk Category II structures are, in fact, consistent with the reliabilities associated with the ASCE 7 gravity load combinations. This paper shows that the new wind maps in ASCE 7-16, which are based on return periods of 300, 700, 1,700, and 3,000 years for Risk Categories I, II, III, and IV, respectively), achieve the reliability targets in Section 1.3.1.3 of ASCE 7-16 for nonhurricane wind loads.

Development of amnesia in different mouse strains.

PubMed

Sinovyev, D R; Dubrovina, N I; Kulikov, A V

2009-05-01

We studied passive avoidance retrieval after amnestic stimulation (arrest in unsafe section of the experimental setup) in C57Bl/6J, BALB/c, CBA/Lac, AKR/J, DBA/2J, C3H/HeJ, and ASC/Icg mice. We demonstrated resistance to amnestic stimulation in mice with high predisposition to freezing reaction (ASC/Icg) and memory deficit in other mouse strains.

What Do Experienced Water Managers Think of Water Resources of Our Nation and Its Management Infrastructure?

PubMed

Hossain, Faisal; Arnold, Jeffrey; Beighley, Ed; Brown, Casey; Burian, Steve; Chen, Ji; Mitra, Anindita; Niyogi, Dev; Pielke, Roger; Tidwell, Vincent; Wegner, Dave

2015-01-01

This article represents the second report by an ASCE Task Committee "Infrastructure Impacts of Landscape-driven Weather Change" under the ASCE Watershed Management Technical Committee and the ASCE Hydroclimate Technical Committee. Herein, the 'infrastructure impacts" are referred to as infrastructure-sensitive changes in weather and climate patterns (extremes and non-extremes) that are modulated, among other factors, by changes in landscape, land use and land cover change. In this first report, the article argued for explicitly considering the well-established feedbacks triggered by infrastructure systems to the land-atmosphere system via landscape change. In this report by the ASCE Task Committee (TC), we present the results of this ASCE TC's survey of a cross section of experienced water managers using a set of carefully crafted questions. These questions covered water resources management, infrastructure resiliency and recommendations for inclusion in education and curriculum. We describe here the specifics of the survey and the results obtained in the form of statistical averages on the 'perception' of these managers. Finally, we discuss what these 'perception' averages may indicate to the ASCE TC and community as a whole for stewardship of the civil engineering profession. The survey and the responses gathered are not exhaustive nor do they represent the ASCE-endorsed viewpoint. However, the survey provides a critical first step to developing the framework of a research and education plan for ASCE. Given the Water Resources Reform and Development Act passed in 2014, we must now take into account the perceived concerns of the water management community.

What Do Experienced Water Managers Think of Water Resources of Our Nation and Its Management Infrastructure?

PubMed Central

Hossain, Faisal; Arnold, Jeffrey; Beighley, Ed; Brown, Casey; Burian, Steve; Chen, Ji; Mitra, Anindita; Niyogi, Dev; Pielke, Roger; Tidwell, Vincent; Wegner, Dave

2015-01-01

This article represents the second report by an ASCE Task Committee “Infrastructure Impacts of Landscape-driven Weather Change” under the ASCE Watershed Management Technical Committee and the ASCE Hydroclimate Technical Committee. Herein, the ‘infrastructure impacts” are referred to as infrastructure-sensitive changes in weather and climate patterns (extremes and non-extremes) that are modulated, among other factors, by changes in landscape, land use and land cover change. In this first report, the article argued for explicitly considering the well-established feedbacks triggered by infrastructure systems to the land-atmosphere system via landscape change. In this report by the ASCE Task Committee (TC), we present the results of this ASCE TC’s survey of a cross section of experienced water managers using a set of carefully crafted questions. These questions covered water resources management, infrastructure resiliency and recommendations for inclusion in education and curriculum. We describe here the specifics of the survey and the results obtained in the form of statistical averages on the ‘perception’ of these managers. Finally, we discuss what these ‘perception’ averages may indicate to the ASCE TC and community as a whole for stewardship of the civil engineering profession. The survey and the responses gathered are not exhaustive nor do they represent the ASCE-endorsed viewpoint. However, the survey provides a critical first step to developing the framework of a research and education plan for ASCE. Given the Water Resources Reform and Development Act passed in 2014, we must now take into account the perceived concerns of the water management community. PMID:26544045

Reflex Human Papillomavirus Test Results as an Option for the Management of Korean Women With Atypical Squamous Cells Cannot Exclude High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion

PubMed Central

Ryu, Ki-Jin; Lee, Sanghoon; Min, Kyung-Jin; Kim, Jae Won; Hong, Jin Hwa; Song, Jae Yun; Lee, Jae Kwan

2015-01-01

Background. Current guidelines recommend initial colposcopy with biopsy regardless of human papillomavirus (HPV) test results in women with atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of HPV testing in women with ASC-H based on colposcopic pathology results. Materials and Methods. A multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out at three academic hospitals and involved 40,847 Korean women who underwent cervical cancer screening with cytology and HPV tests with or without subsequent colposcopic biopsies between January 2007 and December 2013. Results. ASC-H was diagnosed in 276 women (0.7%). Only 6 of 68 (8.8%) women with ASC-H who were HPV negative had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade ≥2 (CIN ≥2) lesions, whereas 47.4% of the women with ASC-H who were HPV positive had CIN ≥2 lesions. No cases of invasive cervical cancer were diagnosed among women with ASC-H who were HPV negative. Logistic regression analysis was performed using the group with normal Papanicolaou test results and HPV-negative status as the reference group. Women with ASC-H who were HPV positive had a significantly increased risk of CIN ≥2 lesions, whereas no significant increase was observed in patients with ASC-H and HPV-negative status. Conclusion. If the result of the HPV test was negative, the risk of CIN ≥2 lesions in Korean women with ASC-H cytology was low. Reflex HPV testing should be an option for the management of women with cytology showing ASC-H to decrease unnecessary colposcopic biopsies, which are expensive and invasive. Implications for Practice: Current American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology guidelines recommend universal colposcopy for the management of women with atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H) on cytology, regardless of human papillomavirus (HPV) test results. The present study suggested that HPV cotesting in patients with ASC-H cytology can provide more detailed and useful information regarding the risk of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions and the need for further treatment. When the result of the HPV test was negative, the risk of CIN lesions of grade ≥2 in women with ASC-H cytology was low. Consequently, reflex HPV testing, rather than immediately performance of invasive and expensive colposcopy with biopsy, should be an option for the management of women with ASC-H. PMID:25964305

24 CFR 200.926e - Supplemental information for use with the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... shall be in accordance with section 7 of ASCE 7-88. (c) Wind pressures. The minimum Design Wind Pressures (net pressures) set forth below apply to areas designated as experiencing basic wind speeds up to and including 80 mph, as shown in ASCE 7-88, Figure 1, Basic Wind Speed Map. These pressures also...

24 CFR 200.926e - Supplemental information for use with the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... shall be in accordance with section 7 of ASCE 7-88. (c) Wind pressures. The minimum Design Wind Pressures (net pressures) set forth below apply to areas designated as experiencing basic wind speeds up to and including 80 mph, as shown in ASCE 7-88, Figure 1, Basic Wind Speed Map. These pressures also...

24 CFR 200.926e - Supplemental information for use with the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... shall be in accordance with section 7 of ASCE 7-88. (c) Wind pressures. The minimum Design Wind Pressures (net pressures) set forth below apply to areas designated as experiencing basic wind speeds up to and including 80 mph, as shown in ASCE 7-88, Figure 1, Basic Wind Speed Map. These pressures also...

24 CFR 200.926e - Supplemental information for use with the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... shall be in accordance with section 7 of ASCE 7-88. (c) Wind pressures. The minimum Design Wind Pressures (net pressures) set forth below apply to areas designated as experiencing basic wind speeds up to and including 80 mph, as shown in ASCE 7-88, Figure 1, Basic Wind Speed Map. These pressures also...

24 CFR 200.926e - Supplemental information for use with the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... shall be in accordance with section 7 of ASCE 7-88. (c) Wind pressures. The minimum Design Wind Pressures (net pressures) set forth below apply to areas designated as experiencing basic wind speeds up to and including 80 mph, as shown in ASCE 7-88, Figure 1, Basic Wind Speed Map. These pressures also...

Red Storm usage model :Version 1.12.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jefferson, Karen L.; Sturtevant, Judith E.

Red Storm is an Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) funded massively parallel supercomputer located at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). The Red Storm Usage Model (RSUM) documents the capabilities and the environment provided for the FY05 Tri-Lab Level II Limited Availability Red Storm User Environment Milestone and the FY05 SNL Level II Limited Availability Red Storm Platform Milestone. This document describes specific capabilities, tools, and procedures to support both local and remote users. The model is focused on the needs of the ASC user working in the secure computing environments at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL),more » and SNL. Additionally, the Red Storm Usage Model maps the provided capabilities to the Tri-Lab ASC Computing Environment (ACE) requirements. The ACE requirements reflect the high performance computing requirements for the ASC community and have been updated in FY05 to reflect the community's needs. For each section of the RSUM, Appendix I maps the ACE requirements to the Limited Availability User Environment capabilities and includes a description of ACE requirements met and those requirements that are not met in that particular section. The Red Storm Usage Model, along with the ACE mappings, has been issued and vetted throughout the Tri-Lab community.« less

Rat model of anal sphincter injury and two approaches for stem cell administration

PubMed Central

Trébol, Jacobo; Georgiev-Hristov, Tihomir; Vega-Clemente, Luz; García-Gómez, Ignacio; Carabias-Orgaz, Ana; García-Arranz, Mariano; García-Olmo, Damián

2018-01-01

AIM To establish a rat model of anal sphincter injury and test different systems to provide stem cells to injured area. METHODS Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were isolated from BDIX rats and were transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP) for cell tracking. Biosutures (sutures covered with ASCs) were prepared with 1.5 x 106 GFP-ASCs, and solutions of 106 GFP-ASCs in normal saline were prepared for injection. Anorectal normal anatomy was studied on Wistar and BDIX female rats. Then, we designed an anal sphincter injury model consisting of a 1-cm extra-mucosal miotomy beginning at the anal verge in the anterior middle line. The sphincter lesion was confirmed with conventional histology (hematoxylin and eosin) and immunofluorescence with 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (commonly known as DAPI), GFP and α-actin. Functional effect was assessed with basal anal manometry, prior to and after injury. After sphincter damage, 36 BDIX rats were randomized to three groups for: (1) Cell injection without repair; (2) biosuture repair; and (3) conventional suture repair and cell injection. Functional and safety studies were conducted on all the animals. Rats were sacrificed after 1, 4 or 7 d. Then, histological and immunofluorescence studies were performed on the surgical area. RESULTS With the described protocol, biosutures had been covered with at least 820000-860000 ASCs, with 100% viability. Our studies demonstrated that some ASCs remained adhered after suture passage through the muscle. Morphological assessment showed that the rat anal anatomy is comparable with human anatomy; two sphincters are present, but the external sphincter is poorly developed. Anal sphincter pressure data showed spontaneous, consistent, rhythmic anal contractions, taking the form of “plateaus” with multiple twitches (peaks) in each pressure wave. These basal contractions were very heterogeneous; their frequency was 0.91-4.17 per min (mean 1.6980, SD 0.57698), their mean duration was 26.67 s and mean number of peaks was 12.53. Our morphological assessment revealed that with the aforementioned surgical procedure, both sphincters were completely sectioned. In manometry, the described activity disappeared and was replaced by a gentle oscillation of basal line, without a recognizable pattern. Surprisingly, these findings appeared irrespective of injury repair or not. ASCs survived in this potentially septic area for 7 d, at least. We were able to identify them in 84% of animals, mainly in the muscular section area or in the tissue between the muscular endings. ASCs formed a kind of “conglomerate” in rats treated with injections, while in the biosuture group, they wrapped the suture. ASCs were also able to migrate to the damaged zone. No relevant adverse events or mortality could be related to the stem cells in our study. We also did not find unexpected tissue growths. CONCLUSION The proposed procedure produces a consistent sphincter lesion. Biosutures and injections are suitable for cell delivery. ASCs survive and are completely safe in this clinical setting. PMID:29391927

Rat model of anal sphincter injury and two approaches for stem cell administration.

PubMed

Trébol, Jacobo; Georgiev-Hristov, Tihomir; Vega-Clemente, Luz; García-Gómez, Ignacio; Carabias-Orgaz, Ana; García-Arranz, Mariano; García-Olmo, Damián

2018-01-26

To establish a rat model of anal sphincter injury and test different systems to provide stem cells to injured area. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were isolated from BDIX rats and were transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP) for cell tracking. Biosutures (sutures covered with ASCs) were prepared with 1.5 x 10 6 GFP-ASCs, and solutions of 10 6 GFP-ASCs in normal saline were prepared for injection. Anorectal normal anatomy was studied on Wistar and BDIX female rats. Then, we designed an anal sphincter injury model consisting of a 1-cm extra-mucosal miotomy beginning at the anal verge in the anterior middle line. The sphincter lesion was confirmed with conventional histology (hematoxylin and eosin) and immunofluorescence with 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (commonly known as DAPI), GFP and α-actin. Functional effect was assessed with basal anal manometry, prior to and after injury. After sphincter damage, 36 BDIX rats were randomized to three groups for: (1) Cell injection without repair; (2) biosuture repair; and (3) conventional suture repair and cell injection. Functional and safety studies were conducted on all the animals. Rats were sacrificed after 1, 4 or 7 d. Then, histological and immunofluorescence studies were performed on the surgical area. With the described protocol, biosutures had been covered with at least 820000-860000 ASCs, with 100% viability. Our studies demonstrated that some ASCs remained adhered after suture passage through the muscle. Morphological assessment showed that the rat anal anatomy is comparable with human anatomy; two sphincters are present, but the external sphincter is poorly developed. Anal sphincter pressure data showed spontaneous, consistent, rhythmic anal contractions, taking the form of "plateaus" with multiple twitches (peaks) in each pressure wave. These basal contractions were very heterogeneous; their frequency was 0.91-4.17 per min (mean 1.6980, SD 0.57698), their mean duration was 26.67 s and mean number of peaks was 12.53. Our morphological assessment revealed that with the aforementioned surgical procedure, both sphincters were completely sectioned. In manometry, the described activity disappeared and was replaced by a gentle oscillation of basal line, without a recognizable pattern. Surprisingly, these findings appeared irrespective of injury repair or not. ASCs survived in this potentially septic area for 7 d, at least. We were able to identify them in 84% of animals, mainly in the muscular section area or in the tissue between the muscular endings. ASCs formed a kind of "conglomerate" in rats treated with injections, while in the biosuture group, they wrapped the suture. ASCs were also able to migrate to the damaged zone. No relevant adverse events or mortality could be related to the stem cells in our study. We also did not find unexpected tissue growths. The proposed procedure produces a consistent sphincter lesion. Biosutures and injections are suitable for cell delivery. ASCs survive and are completely safe in this clinical setting.

Treatment efficacy of adipose-derived stem cells in experimental osteoarthritis is driven by high synovial activation and reflected by S100A8/A9 serum levels.

PubMed

Schelbergen, R F; van Dalen, S; ter Huurne, M; Roth, J; Vogl, T; Noël, D; Jorgensen, C; van den Berg, W B; van de Loo, F A; Blom, A B; van Lent, P L E M

2014-08-01

Synovitis is evident in a substantial subpopulation of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and is associated with development of pathophysiology. Recently we have shown that adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) inhibit joint destruction in collagenase-induced experimental OA (CIOA). In the current study we explored the role of synovitis and alarmins S100A8/A9 in the immunomodulatory capacity of ASCs in experimental OA. CIOA, characterized by synovitis, and surgical DMM (destabilization of medial meniscus) OA were treated locally with ASCs. Synovial activation, cartilage damage and osteophyte size were measured on histological sections. Cytokines in synovial washouts and serum were determined using Luminex or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (S100A8/A9), mRNA levels with reverse-transcriptase (RT)-qPCR. Local administration of ASCs at various time-points (days 7 or 14) after DMM induction had no effect on OA pathology. At day 7 of CIOA, already 6 h after ASC injection mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory mediators S100A8/A9, interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and KC was down-regulated in the synovium. IL-1β protein, although low, was down-regulated by ASC-treatment of CIOA. S100A8/A9 protein levels were very high at 6 and 48 h and were decreased by ASC-treatment. The protective action of ASC treatment in CIOA was only found when high synovial inflammation was present at the time of deposition which was reflected by high serum S100A8/A9 levels. Finally, successful treatment resulted in significantly lower levels of serum S100A8/A9. Our study indicates that synovial activation rapidly drives anti-inflammatory and protective effects of intra-articularly deposited ASCs in experimental OA which is reflected by decreased S100A8/A9 levels. Copyright © 2014 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantitative analysis of injury-induced anterior subcapsular cataract in the mouse: a model of lens epithelial cells proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

PubMed

Xiao, Wei; Chen, Xiaoyun; Li, Weihua; Ye, Shaobi; Wang, Wencong; Luo, Lixia; Liu, Yizhi

2015-02-10

The mouse lens capsular injury model has been widely used in investigating the mechanisms of anterior subcapsular cataract (ASC) and posterior capsule opacification (PCO), and evaluating the efficacy of antifibrotic compounds. Nevertheless, there is no available protocol to quantitatively assess the treatment outcomes. Our aim is to describe a new method that can successfully quantify the wound and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers expression in vivo. In this model, lens anterior capsule was punctured with a hypodermic needle, which triggered lens epithelial cells (LECs) proliferation and EMT rapidly. Immunofluorescent staining of injured lens anterior capsule whole-mounts revealed the formation of ASC and high expression of EMT markers in the subcapsular plaques. A series of sectional images of lens capsule were acquired from laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) three-dimensional (3D) scanning. Using LSCM Image Browser software, we can not only obtain high resolution stereo images to present the spatial structures of ASC, but also quantify the subcapsular plaques and EMT markers distribution successfully. Moreover, we also demonstrated that histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitor TSA significantly prevented injury-induced ASC using this method. Therefore, the present research provides a useful tool to study ASC and PCO biology as well as the efficacy of new therapies.

Ascorbyl stearate and ionizing radiation potentiate apoptosis through intracellular thiols and oxidative stress in murine T lymphoma cells.

PubMed

Mane, Shirish D; Kamatham, Akhilender Naidu

2018-02-01

Ascorbyl stearate (Asc-s) is a derivative of ascorbic acid with better anti-tumour efficacy compared to its parent compound ascorbic acid. In this study, we have examined radio-sensitizing effect of Asc-s in murine T cell lymphoma (EL4) cells at 4 Gy. Asc-s and radiation treatment reduced cell proliferation, induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner by arresting the cells at S/G2-M phase of cell cycle. It also decreased the frequency of cancer stem cells per se, with significantly higher decrease in combination with radiation treatment./Further, Asc-s and radiation treatment increased the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), drop in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and increased caspase-3 activity resulting in apoptosis of EL4 cells. Further it also significantly decreased GSH/GSSG ratio due to binding of Asc-s with thiols. The increase in oxidative stress induced by Asc-s and radiation treatment was abrogated by thiol antioxidants in EL4 cells. Interestingly, this redox modulation triggered significant increase in protein glutathionylation in a time dependent manner. Asc-s treatment resulted in glutathionylation of IKK, p50-NF-kB and mutated p53, thereby inhibiting cancer progression during oxidative stress. Asc-s quenches GSH ensuing Asc-s + GSH adduct thereby further modulating GSH/GSSG ratio as evident from HPLC and docking studies. The anti-tumour effect of Asc-s along with radiation was studied by injecting EL4 cells in synegenicC57/BL6 male mice. Intraperitoneal injection of Asc-s followed by radiation exposure at 4 Gy to the tumour bearing mice resulted in radio-sensitization which is evident from significant regression of tumour as evident from tumour burden index. The survival study supports the data that Asc-s pre-treatment enhances radio-sensitization in murine lymphoma. Our data, suggest that Asc-s and ionizing radiation induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by perturbing redox balance through irreversible complexes of thiols with Asc-s, disturbed mitochondrial membrane permeability and activation of caspase-3 in EL4 cells. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

76 FR 58032 - Notice of Intent To Repatriate a Cultural Item: Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver, CO

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-19

... Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO, that meets the definition of an object of cultural... Cultural Item: Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver, CO AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, in consultation with the appropriate...

Clutter modeling of the Denver Airport and surrounding areas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harrah, Steven D.; Delmore, Victor E.; Onstott, Robert G.

1991-01-01

To accurately simulate and evaluate an airborne Doppler radar as a wind shear detection and avoidance sensor, the ground clutter surrounding a typical airport must be quantified. To do this, an imaging airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) was employed to investigate and map the normalized radar cross sections (NRCS) of the ground terrain surrounding the Denver Stapleton Airport during November of 1988. Images of the Stapleton ground clutter scene were obtained at a variety of aspect and elevation angles (extending to near-grazing) at both HH and VV polarizations. Presented here, in viewgraph form with commentary, are the method of data collection, the specific observations obtained of the Denver area, a summary of the quantitative analysis performed on the SAR images to date, and the statistical modeling of several of the more interesting stationary targets in the SAR database. Additionally, the accompanying moving target database, containing NRCS and velocity information, is described.

Pathfinding the Flight Advanced Stirling Convertor Design with the ASC-E3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, Wayne A.; Wilson, Kyle; Smith, Eddie; Collins, Josh

2012-01-01

The Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) was initially developed by Sunpower, Inc. under contract to NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) as a technology development project. The ASC technology fulfills NASA's need for high efficiency power convertors for future Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS). Early successful technology demonstrations between 2003 to 2005 eventually led to the expansion of the project including the decision in 2006 to use the ASC technology on the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG). Sunpower has delivered 22 ASC convertors of progressively mature designs to date to GRC. Currently, Sunpower with support from GRC, Lockheed Martin Space System Company (LMSSC), and the Department of Energy (DOE) is developing the flight ASC-F in parallel with the ASC-E3 pathfinders. Sunpower will deliver four pairs of ASC-E3 convertors to GRC which will be used for extended operation reliability assessment, independent validation and verification testing, system interaction tests, and to support LMSSC controller verification. The ASC-E3 and -F convertors are being built to the same design and processing documentation and the same product specification. The initial two pairs of ASC-E3 are built before the flight units and will validate design and processing changes prior to implementation on the ASC-F flight convertors. This paper provides a summary on development of the ASC technology and the status of the ASC-E3 build and how they serve the vital pathfinder role ahead of the flight build for ASRG. The ASRG is part of two of the three candidate missions being considered for selection for the Discovery 12 mission.

The Effects of Pre-processing Strategies for Pediatric Cochlear Implant Recipients

PubMed Central

Rakszawski, Bernadette; Wright, Rose; Cadieux, Jamie H.; Davidson, Lisa S.; Brenner, Christine

2016-01-01

Background Cochlear implants (CIs) have been shown to improve children’s speech recognition over traditional amplification when severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss is present. Despite improvements, understanding speech at low-level intensities or in the presence of background noise remains difficult. In an effort to improve speech understanding in challenging environments, Cochlear Ltd. offers pre-processing strategies that apply various algorithms prior to mapping the signal to the internal array. Two of these strategies include Autosensitivity Control™ (ASC) and Adaptive Dynamic Range Optimization (ADRO®). Based on previous research, the manufacturer’s default pre-processing strategy for pediatrics’ everyday programs combines ASC+ADRO®. Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare pediatric speech perception performance across various pre-processing strategies while applying a specific programming protocol utilizing increased threshold (T) levels to ensure access to very low-level sounds. Research Design This was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. Participants completed speech perception tasks in four pre-processing conditions: no pre-processing, ADRO®, ASC, ASC+ADRO®. Study Sample Eleven pediatric Cochlear Ltd. cochlear implant users were recruited: six bilateral, one unilateral, and four bimodal. Intervention Four programs, with the participants’ everyday map, were loaded into the processor with different pre-processing strategies applied in each of the four positions: no pre-processing, ADRO®, ASC, and ASC+ADRO®. Data Collection and Analysis Participants repeated CNC words presented at 50 and 70 dB SPL in quiet and HINT sentences presented adaptively with competing R-Space noise at 60 and 70 dB SPL. Each measure was completed as participants listened with each of the four pre-processing strategies listed above. Test order and condition were randomized. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare each pre-processing strategy across group data. Critical differences were utilized to determine significant score differences between each pre-processing strategy for individual participants. Results For CNC words presented at 50 dB SPL, the group data revealed significantly better scores using ASC+ADRO® compared to all other pre-processing conditions while ASC resulted in poorer scores compared to ADRO® and ASC+ADRO®. Group data for HINT sentences presented in 70 dB SPL of R-Space noise revealed significantly improved scores using ASC and ASC+ADRO® compared to no pre-processing, with ASC+ADRO® scores being better than ADRO® alone scores. Group data for CNC words presented at 70 dB SPL and adaptive HINT sentences presented in 60 dB SPL of R-Space noise showed no significant difference among conditions. Individual data showed that the pre-processing strategy yielding the best scores varied across measures and participants. Conclusions Group data reveals an advantage with ASC+ADRO® for speech perception presented at lower levels and in higher levels of background noise. Individual data revealed that the optimal pre-processing strategy varied among participants; indicating that a variety of pre-processing strategies should be explored for each CI user considering his or her performance in challenging listening environments. PMID:26905529

Geologic Map of the Denver West 30' x 60' Quadrangle, North-Central Colorado

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kellogg, Karl S.; Shroba, Ralph R.; Bryant, Bruce; Premo, Wayne R.

2008-01-01

The Denver West quadrangle extends east-west across the entire axis of the Front Range, one of numerous uplifts in the Rocky Mountain region in which Precambrian rocks are exposed. The history of the basement rocks in the Denver West quadrangle is as old as 1,790 Ma. Along the east side of the range, a sequence of sedimentary rocks as old as Pennsylvanian, but dominated by Cretaceous-age rocks, overlies these ancient basement rocks and was upturned and locally faulted during Laramide (Late Cretaceous to early Tertiary) uplift of the range. The increasingly coarser grained sediments up section in rocks of latest Cretaceous to early Tertiary age record in remarkable detail this Laramide period of mountain building. On the west side of the range, a major Laramide fault (Williams Range thrust) places Precambrian rocks over Cretaceous sedimentary rocks. The geologic history of the quadrangle, therefore, can be divided into four major periods: (1) Proterozoic history, (2) Pennsylvanian to pre-Laramide, Late Cretaceous history, (3) Late Cretaceous to early Tertiary Laramide mountain building, and (4) post-Laramide history. In particular, the Quaternary history of the Denver West quadrangle is described in detail, based largely on extensive new mapping.

Periodontal tissue regeneration by combined implantation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells and platelet-rich plasma in a canine model.

PubMed

Tobita, Morikuni; Uysal, Cagri A; Guo, Xin; Hyakusoku, Hiko; Mizuno, Hiroshi

2013-12-01

One goal of periodontal therapy is to regenerate periodontal tissues. Stem cells, growth factors and scaffolds and biomaterials are vital for the restoration of the architecture and function of complex tissues. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) are an ideal population of stem cells for practical regenerative medicine. In addition, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can be useful for its ability to stimulate tissue regeneration. PRP contains various growth factors and may be useful as a cell carrier in stem cell therapies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a mixture of ASCs and PRP promoted periodontal tissue regeneration in a canine model. Autologous ASCs and PRP were implanted into areas with periodontal tissue defects. Periodontal tissue defects that received PRP alone or non-implantation were also examined. Histologic, immunohistologic and x-ray studies were performed 1 or 2 months after implantation. The amount of newly formed bone and the scale of newly formed cementum in the region of the periodontal tissue defect were analyzed on tissue sections. The areas of newly formed bone and cementum were greater 2 months after implantation of ASCs and PRP than at 1 month after implantation, and the radiopacity in the region of the periodontal tissue defect increased markedly by 2 months after implantation. The ASCs and PRP group exhibited periodontal tissue with the correct architecture, including alveolar bone, cementum-like structures and periodontal ligament-like structures, by 2 months after implantation. These findings suggest that a combination of autologous ASCs and PRP promotes periodontal tissue regeneration that develops the appropriate architecture for this complex tissue. Copyright © 2013 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) Development for NASA RPS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, Wayne A.; Wilson, Scott; Collins, Josh

2014-01-01

Sunpower's Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) initiated development under contract to the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) and after a series of successful demonstrations, the ASC began transitioning from a technology development project to flight development project. The ASC has very high power conversion efficiency making it attractive for future Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) in order to make best use of the low plutonium-238 fuel inventory in the U.S. In recent years, the ASC became part of the NASA-Department of Energy Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) Integrated Project. Sunpower held two parallel contracts to produce ASC convertors, one with the Department of Energy/Lockheed Martin to produce the ASC-F flight convertors, and one with NASA GRC for the production of ASC-E3 engineering units, the initial units of which served as production pathfinders. The integrated ASC technical team successfully overcame various technical challenges that led to the completion and delivery of the first two pairs of flight-like ASC-E3 by 2013. However, in late Fall 2013, the DOE initiated termination of the Lockheed Martin ASRG flight development contract driven primarily by budget constraints. NASA continues to recognize the importance of high efficiency ASC power conversion for RPS and continues investment in the technology including the continuation of ASC-E3 production at Sunpower and the assembly of the ASRG Engineering Unit #2. This paper provides a summary of ASC technical accomplishments, overview of tests at GRC, plans for continued ASC production at Sunpower, and status of Stirling technology development.

78 FR 45961 - Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Denver Museum of Anthropology, Denver, CO

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-30

... of Denver Museum of Anthropology professional staff in consultation with representatives of the....R50000] Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Denver Museum of Anthropology, Denver, CO AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The University of Denver Museum of Anthropology...

Purple Computational Environment With Mappings to ACE Requirements for the General Availability User Environment Capabilities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barney, B; Shuler, J

2006-08-21

Purple is an Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) funded massively parallel supercomputer located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The Purple Computational Environment documents the capabilities and the environment provided for the FY06 LLNL Level 1 General Availability Milestone. This document describes specific capabilities, tools, and procedures to support both local and remote users. The model is focused on the needs of the ASC user working in the secure computing environments at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories, but also documents needs of the LLNL and Alliance users working in the unclassified environment. Additionally,more » the Purple Computational Environment maps the provided capabilities to the Trilab ASC Computing Environment (ACE) Version 8.0 requirements. The ACE requirements reflect the high performance computing requirements for the General Availability user environment capabilities of the ASC community. Appendix A lists these requirements and includes a description of ACE requirements met and those requirements that are not met for each section of this document. The Purple Computing Environment, along with the ACE mappings, has been issued and reviewed throughout the Tri-lab community.« less

Fitness, Fatness and Active School Commuting among Liverpool Schoolchildren

PubMed Central

Boddy, Lynne M.; Knowles, Zoe R.; Fairclough, Stuart J.

2017-01-01

This study investigated differences in health outcomes between active and passive school commuters, and examined associations between parent perceptions of the neighborhood environment and active school commuting (ASC). One hundred-ninety-four children (107 girls), aged 9–10 years from ten primary schools in Liverpool, England, participated in this cross-sectional study. Measures of stature, body mass, waist circumference and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were taken. School commute mode (active/passive) was self-reported and parents completed the neighborhood environment walkability scale for youth. Fifty-three percent of children commuted to school actively. Schoolchildren who lived in more deprived neighborhoods perceived by parents as being highly connected, unaesthetic and having mixed land-use were more likely to commute to school actively (p < 0.05). These children were at greatest risk of being obese and aerobically unfit (p < 0.01). Our results suggest that deprivation may explain the counterintuitive relationship between obesity, CRF and ASC in Liverpool schoolchildren. These findings encourage researchers and policy makers to be equally mindful of the social determinants of health when advocating behavioral and environmental health interventions. Further research exploring contextual factors to ASC, and examining the concurrent effect of ASC and diet on weight status by deprivation is needed. PMID:28858268

Cigarette Smoking Impairs Adipose Stromal Cell Vasculogenic Activity and Abrogates Potency to Ameliorate Ischemia.

PubMed

Barwinska, Daria; Traktuev, Dmitry O; Merfeld-Clauss, Stephanie; Cook, Todd G; Lu, Hongyan; Petrache, Irina; March, Keith L

2018-06-01

Cigarette smoking (CS) adversely affects the physiologic function of endothelial progenitor, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. However, the effect of CS on the ability of adipose stem/stromal cells (ASC) to promote vasculogenesis and rescue perfusion in the context of ischemia is unknown. To evaluate this, ASC from nonsmokers (nCS-ASC) and smokers (CS-ASC), and their activity to promote perfusion in hindlimb ischemia models, as well as endothelial cell (EC) survival and vascular morphogenesis in vitro were assessed. While nCS-ASC improved perfusion in ischemic limbs, CS-ASC completely lost this therapeutic effect. In vitro vasculogenesis assays revealed that human CS-ASC and ASC from CS-exposed mice showed compromised support of EC morphogenesis into vascular tubes, and the CS-ASC secretome was less potent in supporting EC survival/proliferation. Comparative secretome analysis revealed that CS-ASC produced lower amounts of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and stromal cell-derived growth factor 1 (SDF-1). Conversely, CS-ASC secreted the angiostatic/pro-inflammatory factor Activin A, which was not detected in nCS-ASC conditioned media (CM). Furthermore, higher Activin A levels were measured in EC/CS-ASC cocultures than in EC/nCS-ASC cocultures. CS-ASC also responded to inflammatory cytokines with 5.2-fold increase in Activin A secretion, whereas nCS-ASC showed minimal Activin A induction. Supplementation of EC/CS-ASC cocultures with nCS-ASC CM or with recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor, HGF, or SDF-1 did not rescue vasculogenesis, whereas inhibition of Activin A expression or activity improved network formation up to the level found in EC/nCS-ASC cocultures. In conclusion, ASC of CS individuals manifest compromised in vitro vasculogenic activity as well as in vivo therapeutic activity. Stem Cells 2018;36:856-867. © 2018 AlphaMed Press.

Aerial overview of the Denver International Airport site, looking southwest ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Aerial overview of the Denver International Airport site, looking southwest - Denver International Airport Site, Between Fifty-sixth & 128th Avenues, Buckley Road & Box Elder Creek, Denver, Denver County, CO

Localization of ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid oxidase, and glutathione in roots of Cucurbita maxima L.

PubMed

Liso, Rosalia; De Tullio, Mario C; Ciraci, Samantha; Balestrini, Raffaella; La Rocca, Nicoletta; Bruno, Leonardo; Chiappetta, Adriana; Bitonti, Maria Beatrice; Bonfante, Paola; Arrigoni, Oreste

2004-12-01

To understand the function of ascorbic acid (ASC) in root development, the distribution of ASC, ASC oxidase, and glutathione (GSH) were investigated in cells and tissues of the root apex of Cucubita maxima. ASC was regularly distributed in the cytosol of almost all root cells, with the exception of quiescent centre (QC) cells. ASC also occurred at the surface of the nuclear membrane and correspondingly in the nucleoli. No ASC could be observed in vacuoles. ASC oxidase was detected by immunolocalization mainly in cell walls and vacuoles. This enzyme was particularly abundant in the QC and in differentiating vascular tissues and was absent in lateral root primordia. Administration of the ASC precursor L-galactono-gamma-lactone markedly increased ASC content in all root cells, including the QC. Root treatment with the ASC oxidized product, dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), also increased ASC content, but caused ASC accumulation only in peripheral tissues, where DHA was apparently reduced at the expense of GSH. The different pattern of distribution of ASC in different tissues and cell compartments reflects its possible role in cell metabolism and root morphogenesis.

Ascorbate metabolism and the developmental demand for tartaric and oxalic acids in ripening grape berries

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Background Fresh fruits are well accepted as a good source of the dietary antioxidant ascorbic acid (Asc, Vitamin C). However, fruits such as grapes do not accumulate exceptionally high quantities of Asc. Grapes, unlike most other cultivated fruits do however use Asc as a precursor for the synthesis of both oxalic (OA) and tartaric acids (TA). TA is a commercially important product in the wine industry and due to its acidifying effect on crushed juice it can influence the organoleptic properties of the wine. Despite the interest in Asc accumulation in fruits, little is known about the mechanisms whereby Asc concentration is regulated. The purpose of this study was to gain insights into Asc metabolism in wine grapes (Vitis vinifera c.v. Shiraz.) and thus ascertain whether the developmental demand for TA and OA synthesis influences Asc accumulation in the berry. Results We provide evidence for developmentally differentiated up-regulation of Asc biosynthetic pathways and subsequent fluctuations in Asc, TA and OA accumulation. Rapid accumulation of Asc and a low Asc to dehydroascorbate (DHA) ratio in young berries was co-ordinated with up-regulation of three of the primary Asc biosynthetic (Smirnoff-Wheeler) pathway genes. Immature berries synthesised Asc in-situ from the primary pathway precursors D-mannose and L-galactose. Immature berries also accumulated TA in early berry development in co-ordination with up-regulation of a TA biosynthetic gene. In contrast, ripe berries have up-regulated expression of the alternative Asc biosynthetic pathway gene D-galacturonic acid reductase with only residual expression of Smirnoff-Wheeler Asc biosynthetic pathway genes and of the TA biosynthetic gene. The ripening phase was further associated with up-regulation of Asc recycling genes, a secondary phase of increased accumulation of Asc and an increase in the Asc to DHA ratio. Conclusion We demonstrate strong developmental regulation of Asc biosynthetic, recycling and catabolic genes in grape berries. Integration of the transcript, radiotracer and metabolite data demonstrates that Asc and TA metabolism are developmentally regulated in grapevines; resulting in low accumulated levels of the biosynthetic intermediate Asc, and high accumulated levels of the metabolic end-product TA. PMID:19995454

Ca2+-mediated ascorbate release from coronary artery endothelial cells.

PubMed

Davis, Kim A; Samson, Sue E; Best, Kelly; Mallhi, Kanwaldeep K; Szewczyk, Magdalena; Wilson, John X; Kwan, Chiu-Yin; Grover, Ashok K

2006-01-01

1.--The addition of Ca(2+) ionophore A23187 or ATP to freshly isolated or cultured pig coronary artery endothelial cells (PCEC) potentiated the release of ascorbate (Asc). Cultured PCEC were used to characterize the Ca(2+)-mediated release. An increase in Ca(2+)-mediated Asc release was observed from PCEC preincubated with Asc, Asc-2-phosphate or dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA). 2.--The effects of various ATP analogs and inhibition by suramin were consistent with the ATP-induced release being mediated by P2Y2-like receptors. 3.--ATP-stimulated Asc release was Ca(2+)-mediated because (a) ATP analogs that increased Asc release also elevated cytosolic [Ca(2+)], (b) Ca(2+) ionophore A23187 and cyclopiazonic acid stimulated the Asc release, (c) removing extracellular Ca(2+) and chelating intracellular Ca(2+)inhibited the ATP-induced release, and (d) inositol-selective phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 also inhibited this release. 4.--Accumulation of Asc by PCEC was examined at Asc concentrations of 10 microM (Na(+)-Asc symporter not saturated) and 5 mM (Na(+)-Asc symporter saturated). At 10 microM Asc, A23187 and ATP caused an inhibition of Asc accumulation but at 5 mM Asc, both the agents caused a stimulation. Substituting gluconate for chloride did not affect the basal Asc uptake but it abolished the effects of A23187. 5.--PCEC but not pig coronary artery smooth muscle cells show a Ca(2+)- mediated Asc release pathway that may be activated by agents such as ATP.

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells inhibit neointimal formation in a paracrine fashion in rat femoral artery.

PubMed

Takahashi, Masao; Suzuki, Etsu; Oba, Shigeyoshi; Nishimatsu, Hiroaki; Kimura, Kenjiro; Nagano, Tetsuo; Nagai, Ryozo; Hirata, Yasunobu

2010-02-01

Subcutaneous adipose tissue contains a lot of stem cells [adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs)] that can differentiate into a variety of cell lineages. In this study, we isolated ASCs from Wistar rats and examined whether ASCs would efficiently differentiate into vascular endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro. We also administered ASCs in a wire injury model of rat femoral artery and examined their effects. ASCs expressed CD29 and CD90, but not CD34, suggesting that ASCs resemble bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. When induced to differentiate into ECs with endothelial growth medium (EGM), ASCs expressed Flt-1, but not Flk-1 or mature EC markers such as CD31 and vascular endothelial cadherin. ASCs produced angiopoietin-1 when they were cultured in EGM. ASCs stimulated the migration of EC, as assessed by chemotaxis assay. When ASCs that were cultured in EGM were injected in the femoral artery, the ASCs potently and significantly inhibited neointimal formation without being integrated in the endothelial layer. EGM-treated ASCs significantly suppressed neointimal formation even when they were administered from the adventitial side. ASC administration significantly promoted endothelial repair. These results suggested that although ASCs appear to have little capacity to differentiate into mature ECs, ASCs have the potential to secrete paracrine factors that stimulate endothelial repair. Our results also suggested that ASCs inhibited neointimal formation via their paracrine effect of stimulation of EC migration in situ rather than the direct integration into the endothelial layer.

76 FR 33994 - Alternative Simplified Credit Under Section 41(c)(5)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-10

... Alternative Simplified Credit Under Section 41(c)(5) AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION... regulations relating to the election and calculation of the alternative simplified credit under section 41(c... 41(c)(5). The ASC was added by the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-432, 120...

Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) Technology Maturation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, Wayne A.; Wilson, Scott; Collins, Josh; Wilson, Kyle

2015-01-01

The Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) development effort was initiated by NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) with contractor Sunpower Inc. to develop high efficiency thermal-to-electric power conversion technology for NASA Radioisotope Power Systems. Early successful performance demonstrations led to the expansion of the project as well as adoption of the technology by the Department of Energy (DOE) and system integration contractor Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company as part of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) flight project. The ASRG integrates a pair of ASCs to convert the heat from a pair of General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) modules into electrical power. The expanded NASA ASC effort included development of several generations of ASC prototypes or Engineering Units to help prepare the ASC technology and Sunpower for flight implementation. Sunpower later had two parallel contracts allowing the last of the NASA Engineering Units called ASC-E3 to serve as pathfinders for the ASC-F flight convertors being built for DOE. The ASC-E3 convertors utilized the ASC-F flight specifications and were built using the ASC-F design and process documentation. Shortly after the first ASC-F Pair achieved initial operation, due to budget constraints, the DOE ASRG flight development contract was terminated. NASA continues to invest in the development of Stirling RPS technology including continued production of the ASC-E3 convertors, seven of which have been delivered with one additional unit in production. Starting in FY2015, Stirling Convertor Technology Maturation has been reorganized as an element of the RPS Stirling Cycle Technology Development (SCTD) Project and long-term plans for continued Stirling technology advancement are in reformulation. This paper provides a status on the ASC project, an overview of advancements made in the design and production of the ASC at Sunpower, and a summary of acceptance tests, reliability tests, and tactical tests at NASA GRC that demonstrate the capabilities of the ASC.

Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) Technology Maturation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, Wayne A.; Wilson, Scott; Collins, Josh; Wilson, Kyle

2016-01-01

The Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) development effort was initiated by NASA Glenn Research Center with contractor Sunpower, Inc., to develop high-efficiency thermal-to-electric power conversion technology for NASA Radioisotope Power Systems (RPSs). Early successful performance demonstrations led to the expansion of the project as well as adoption of the technology by the Department of Energy (DOE) and system integration contractor Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company as part of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) flight project. The ASRG integrates a pair of ASCs to convert the heat from a pair of General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) modules into electrical power. The expanded NASA ASC effort included development of several generations of ASC prototypes or engineering units to help prepare the ASC technology and Sunpower for flight implementation. Sunpower later had two parallel contracts allowing the last of the NASA engineering units called ASC-E3 to serve as pathfinders for the ASC-F flight convertors being built for DOE. The ASC-E3 convertors utilized the ASC-F flight specifications and were built using the ASC-F design and process documentation. Shortly after the first ASC-F pair achieved initial operation, due to budget constraints, the DOE ASRG flight development contract was terminated. NASA continues to invest in the development of Stirling RPS technology including continued production of the ASC-E3 convertors, seven of which have been delivered with one additional unit in production. Starting in fiscal year 2015, Stirling Convertor Technology Maturation has been reorganized as an element of the RPS Stirling Cycle Technology Development (SCTD) Project and long-term plans for continued Stirling technology advancement are in reformulation. This paper provides a status on the ASC project, an overview of advancements made in the design and production of the ASC at Sunpower, and a summary of acceptance tests, reliability tests, and tactical tests at NASA Glenn that demonstrate the capabilities of the ASC.

77 FR 25168 - Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC); ASC Rules of Operation; Amended

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-27

... heads of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection and the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The ASC Rules of Operation serve as corporate bylaws outlining the ASC's purpose, functions, authority... Title XI. The ASC Rules of Operation serve as corporate bylaws outlining the ASC's purpose, functions...

Leptin produced by obese adipose stromal/stem cells enhances proliferation and metastasis of estrogen receptor positive breast cancers.

PubMed

Strong, Amy L; Ohlstein, Jason F; Biagas, Brandi A; Rhodes, Lyndsay V; Pei, Dorothy T; Tucker, H Alan; Llamas, Claire; Bowles, Annie C; Dutreil, Maria F; Zhang, Shijia; Gimble, Jeffrey M; Burow, Matthew E; Bunnell, Bruce A

2015-08-19

The steady increase in the incidence of obesity among adults has been paralleled with higher levels of obesity-associated breast cancer. While recent studies have suggested that adipose stromal/stem cells (ASCs) isolated from obese women enhance tumorigenicity, the mechanism(s) by which this occurs remains undefined. Evidence suggests that increased adiposity results in increased leptin secretion from adipose tissue, which has been shown to increased cancer cell proliferation. Previously, our group demonstrated that ASCs isolated from obese women (obASCs) also express higher levels of leptin relative to ASCs isolated from lean women (lnASCs) and that this obASC-derived leptin may account for enhanced breast cancer cell growth. The current study investigates the impact of inhibiting leptin expression in lnASCs and obASCs on breast cancer cell (BCC) growth and progression. Estrogen receptor positive (ER+) BCCs were co-cultured with leptin shRNA lnASCs or leptin shRNA obASCs and changes in the proliferation, migration, invasion, and gene expression of BCCs were investigated. To assess the direct impact of leptin inhibition in obASCs on BCC proliferation, MCF7 cells were injected alone or mixed with control shRNA obASCs or leptin shRNA obASCs into SCID/beige mice. ER+ BCCs were responsive to obASCs during direct co-culture, whereas lnASCs were unable to increase ER(+) BCC growth. shRNA silencing of leptin in obASCs negated the enhanced proliferative effects of obASC on BCCs following direct co-culture. BCCs co-cultured with obASCs demonstrated enhanced expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis genes (SERPINE1, MMP-2, and IL-6), while BCCs co-cultured with leptin shRNA obASCs did not display similar levels of gene induction. Knockdown of leptin significantly reduced tumor volume and decreased the number of metastatic lesions to the lung and liver. These results correlated with reduced expression of both SERPINE1 and MMP-2 in tumors formed with MCF7 cells mixed with leptin shRNA obASCs, when compared to tumors formed with MCF7 cells mixed with control shRNA obASCs. This study provides mechanistic insight as to how obesity enhances the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells; specifically, obASC-derived leptin contributes to the aggressiveness of breast cancer in obese women.

40 CFR 52.320 - Identification of plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

....6 and introductory text of Section III.C.2.a of Regulation 1 adopted by the Colorado Air Quality... Fort Collins-Loveland, Colorado Springs, and Boulder-Denver Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) as...

Advanced Stirling Convertor Development for NASA Radioisotope Power Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, Wayne A.; Wilson, Scott D.; Collins, Josh

2015-01-01

Sunpower Inc.'s Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) initiated development under contract to the NASA Glenn Research Center and after a series of successful demonstrations, the ASC began transitioning from a technology development project to a flight development project. The ASC has very high power conversion efficiency making it attractive for future Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) in order to make best use of the low plutonium-238 fuel inventory in the United States. In recent years, the ASC became part of the NASA and Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) Integrated Project. Sunpower held two parallel contracts to produce ASCs, one with the DOE and Lockheed Martin to produce the ASC-F flight convertors, and one with NASA Glenn for the production of ASC-E3 engineering units, the initial units of which served as production pathfinders. The integrated ASC technical team successfully overcame various technical challenges that led to the completion and delivery of the first two pairs of flightlike ASC-E3 by 2013. However, in late fall 2013, the DOE initiated termination of the Lockheed Martin ASRG flight development contract driven primarily by budget constraints. NASA continues to recognize the importance of high-efficiency ASC power conversion for RPS and continues investment in the technology including the continuation of ASC-E3 production at Sunpower and the assembly of the ASRG Engineering Unit #2. This paper provides a summary of ASC technical accomplishments, overview of tests at Glenn, plans for continued ASC production at Sunpower, and status of Stirling technology development.

Colorado: Groundwork Denver / Healthy Air for Northeast Denver (A Former EPA CARE Project)

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Groundwork Denver, Inc., on behalf of the Healthy Air for Northeast Denver (HAND) Partnership, is the recipient of Level II CARE funding. HAND is a collaborative partnership borne out of the Northeast Denver Environmental Initiative.

Tribal 319: 2010 NPS Workshop

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This tribal training was offered during the first day of the National Water Quality Monitoring Council conference held in Denver, Colorado. The session covered CWA Section 106 and 319 topics, and featured three tribal case studies.

Human and feline adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells have comparable phenotype, immunomodulatory functions, and transcriptome.

PubMed

Clark, Kaitlin C; Fierro, Fernando A; Ko, Emily Mills; Walker, Naomi J; Arzi, Boaz; Tepper, Clifford G; Dahlenburg, Heather; Cicchetto, Andrew; Kol, Amir; Marsh, Lyndsey; Murphy, William J; Fazel, Nasim; Borjesson, Dori L

2017-03-20

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are a promising cell therapy to treat inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. Development of appropriate pre-clinical animal models is critical to determine safety and attain early efficacy data for the most promising therapeutic candidates. Naturally occurring diseases in cats already serve as valuable models to inform human clinical trials in oncologic, cardiovascular, and genetic diseases. The objective of this study was to complete a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of human and feline ASCs, with an emphasis on their immunomodulatory capacity and transcriptome. Human and feline ASCs were evaluated for phenotype, immunomodulatory profile, and transcriptome. Additionally, transwells were used to determine the role of cell-cell contact in ASC-mediated inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation in both humans and cats. Similar to human ASCs, feline ASCs were highly proliferative at low passages and fit the minimal criteria of multipotent stem cells including a compatible surface protein phenotype, osteogenic capacity, and normal karyotype. Like ASCs from all species, feline ASCs inhibited mitogen-activated lymphocyte proliferation in vitro, with or without direct ASC-lymphocyte contact. Feline ASCs mimic human ASCs in their mediator secretion pattern, including prostaglandin E2, indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase, transforming growth factor beta, and interleukin-6, all augmented by interferon gamma secretion by lymphocytes. The transcriptome of three unactivated feline ASC lines were highly similar. Functional analysis of the most highly expressed genes highlighted processes including: 1) the regulation of apoptosis; 2) cell adhesion; 3) response to oxidative stress; and 4) regulation of cell differentiation. Finally, feline ASCs had a similar gene expression profile to noninduced human ASCs. Findings suggest that feline ASCs modulate lymphocyte proliferation using soluble mediators that mirror the human ASC secretion pattern. Uninduced feline ASCs have similar gene expression profiles to uninduced human ASCs, as revealed by transcriptome analysis. These data will help inform clinical trials using cats with naturally occurring diseases as surrogate models for human clinical trials in the regenerative medicine arena.

Upregulation of CC Chemokine Receptor 7 (CCR7) Enables Migration of Xenogeneic Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Rat Secondary Lymphoid Organs.

PubMed

Ma, Tian; Luan, Shao-Liang; Huang, Hong; Sun, Xing-Kun; Yang, Yan-Mei; Zhang, Hui; Han, Wei-Dong; Li, Hong; Han, Yan

2016-12-30

BACKGROUND CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) expression is vital for cell migration to secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs). Our previous work showed that inducing CCR7 expression enabled syngeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to migrate into SLOs, resulting in enhanced immunosuppressive performance in mice. Given that human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) are widely used in clinical therapy, we further investigated whether upregulation of CCR7 enables xenogeneic hASCs to migrate to rat SLOs. MATERIAL AND METHODS hASCs rarely express CCR7; therefore, hASCs were transfected with lentivirus encoding rat CCR7 (rCCR7) plus green fluorescence protein (GFP) or GFP alone. CCR7 mRNA and cell surface expression of rCCR7-hASCs and GFP-hASCs were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry (FCM), respectively. The phenotype, differentiation, and proliferation capacity of each cell type was also determined. To examine migration, rCCR7-hASCs and GFP-hASCs were injected intravenously into Lewis rats, and the proportion of GFP-positive cells in the spleen and lymph nodes was determined with FCM. RESULTS mRNA and cell surface protein expression of CCR7 was essentially undetectable in hASCs and GFP-ASCs; however, CCR7 was highly expressed in rCCR7-ASCs. rCCR7-hASCs, GFP-hASCs, and hASCs shared a similar immunophenotype, and maintained the ability of multilineage differentiation and proliferation. In addition, the average proportion of GFP-positive cells was significantly higher following transplantation of rCCR7-hASCs compared with GFP-hASCs (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that upregulation of rat CCR7 expression does not change the phenotype, differentiation, or proliferation capacity of hASCs, but does enable efficient migration of hASCs to rat SLOs.

Human platelet lysate as a fetal bovine serum substitute improves human adipose-derived stromal cell culture for future cardiac repair applications.

PubMed

Naaijkens, B A; Niessen, H W M; Prins, H-J; Krijnen, P A J; Kokhuis, T J A; de Jong, N; van Hinsbergh, V W M; Kamp, O; Helder, M N; Musters, R J P; van Dijk, A; Juffermans, L J M

2012-04-01

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASC) are promising candidates for cell therapy, for example to treat myocardial infarction. Commonly, fetal bovine serum (FBS) is used in ASC culturing. However, FBS has several disadvantages. Its effects differ between batches and, when applied clinically, transmission of pathogens and antibody development against FBS are possible. In this study, we investigated whether FBS can be substituted by human platelet lysate (PL) in ASC culture, without affecting functional capacities particularly important for cardiac repair application of ASC. We found that PL-cultured ASC had a significant 3-fold increased proliferation rate and a significantly higher attachment to tissue culture plastic as well as to endothelial cells compared with FBS-cultured ASC. PL-cultured ASC remained a significant 25% smaller than FBS-cultured ASC. Both showed a comparable surface marker profile, with the exception of significantly higher levels of CD73, CD90, and CD166 on PL-cultured ASC. PL-cultured ASC showed a significantly higher migration rate compared with FBS-cultured ASC in a transwell assay. Finally, FBS- and PL-cultured ASC had a similar high capacity to differentiate towards cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, this study showed that culturing ASC is more favorable in PL-supplemented medium compared with FBS-supplemented medium.

Sustained release of adipose-derived stem cells by thermosensitive chitosan/gelatin hydrogel for therapeutic angiogenesis.

PubMed

Cheng, Nai-Chen; Lin, Wei-Jhih; Ling, Thai-Yen; Young, Tai-Horng

2017-03-15

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) secrete several angiogenic growth factors and can be applied to treat ischemic tissue. However, transplantation of dissociated ASCs has frequently resulted in rapid cell death. Therefore, we aimed to develop a thermosensitive chitosan/gelatin hydrogel that is capable of ASC sustained release for therapeutic angiogenesis. By blending gelatin in the chitosan thermosensitive hydrogel, we significantly enhanced the viability of the encapsulated ASCs. During in vitro culturing, the gradual degradation of gelatin led to sustained release of ASCs from the chitosan/gelatin hydrogel. In vitro wound healing assays revealed significantly faster cell migration by co-culturing fibroblasts with ASCs encapsulated in chitosan/gelatin hydrogel compared to pure chitosan hydrogels. Additionally, significantly higher concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor were found in the supernatant of ASC-encapsulated chitosan/gelatin hydrogels. Co-culturing SVEC4-10 endothelial cells with ASC-encapsulated chitosan/gelatin hydrogels resulted in significantly more tube-like structures, indicating the hydrogel's potential in promoting angiogenesis. Chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay and mice wound healing model showed significantly higher capillary density after applying ASC-encapsulated chitosan/gelatin hydrogel. Relative to ASC alone or ASC-encapsulated chitosan hydrogel, more ASCs were also found in the wound tissue on post-wounding day 5 after applying ASC-encapsulated chitosan/gelatin hydrogel. Therefore, chitosan/gelatin thermosensitive hydrogels not only maintain ASC survival, they also enable sustained release of ASCs for therapeutic angiogenesis applications, thereby exhibiting great clinical potential in treating ischemic diseases. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) exhibit great potential to treat ischemic diseases. However, poor delivery methods lead to low cellular survival or dispersal of cells from target sites. In this study, we developed a thermosensitive chitosan/gelatin hydrogel that not only enhances the viability of the encapsulated ASCs, the gradual degradation of gelatin also result in a more porous architecture, leading to sustained release of ASCs from the hydrogel. ASC-encapsulated hydrogel enhanced in vitro wound healing of fibroblasts and tube formation of endothelial cells. It also promoted in vivo angiogenesis in a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay and a mice wound model. Therefore, chitosan/gelatin hydrogel represents an effective delivery system that allows for controlled release of viable ASCs for therapeutic angiogenesis. Copyright © 2017 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

8 CFR 100.4 - Field offices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... Naco, AZ Nogales, AZ Sasabe, AZ San Luis, AZ District No. 19—Denver, Colorado Class A Denver, CO Grand... Bandon, Brookings, Depoe Bay, Florence, Frankfort, Gold Beach, Newport (including Toledo), Port Orford... Airport District No. 19—Denver, Colorado Colorado Springs, CO, Colorado Springs Airport Denver, CO, Denver...

Adipose stem cells can secrete angiogenic factors that inhibit hyaline cartilage regeneration.

PubMed

Lee, Christopher Sd; Burnsed, Olivia A; Raghuram, Vineeth; Kalisvaart, Jonathan; Boyan, Barbara D; Schwartz, Zvi

2012-08-24

Adipose stem cells (ASCs) secrete many trophic factors that can stimulate tissue repair, including angiogenic factors, but little is known about how ASCs and their secreted factors influence cartilage regeneration. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects ASC-secreted factors have in repairing chondral defects. ASCs isolated from male Sprague Dawley rats were cultured in monolayer or alginate microbeads supplemented with growth (GM) or chondrogenic medium (CM). Subsequent co-culture, conditioned media, and in vivo cartilage defect studies were performed. ASC monolayers and microbeads cultured in CM had decreased FGF-2 gene expression and VEGF-A secretion compared to ASCs cultured in GM. Chondrocytes co-cultured with GM-cultured ASCs for 7 days had decreased mRNAs for col2, comp, and runx2. Chondrocytes treated for 12 or 24 hours with conditioned medium from GM-cultured ASCs had reduced sox9, acan, and col2 mRNAs; reduced proliferation and proteoglycan synthesis; and increased apoptosis. ASC-conditioned medium also increased endothelial cell tube lengthening whereas conditioned medium from CM-cultured ASCs had no effect. Treating ASCs with CM reduced or abolished these deleterious effects while adding a neutralizing antibody for VEGF-A eliminated ASC-conditioned medium induced chondrocyte apoptosis and restored proteoglycan synthesis. FGF-2 also mitigated the deleterious effects VEGF-A had on chondrocyte apoptosis and phenotype. When GM-grown ASC pellets were implanted in 1 mm non-critical hyaline cartilage defects in vivo, cartilage regeneration was inhibited as evaluated by radiographic and equilibrium partitioning of an ionic contrast agent via microCT imaging. Histology revealed that defects with GM-cultured ASCs had no tissue ingrowth from the edges of the defect whereas empty defects and defects with CM-grown ASCs had similar amounts of neocartilage formation. ASCs must be treated to reduce the secretion of VEGF-A and other factors that inhibit cartilage regeneration, which can significantly influence how ASCs are used for repairing hyaline cartilage.

77 FR 23502 - Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Denver Department of Anthropology and Museum of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-19

...: University of Denver Department of Anthropology and Museum of Anthropology, Denver, CO AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The University of Denver Department of Anthropology and Museum of Anthropology, Denver, CO, has completed an inventory of human [[Page 23503

8 CFR 100.4 - Field offices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Naco, AZ Nogales, AZ Sasabe, AZ San Luis, AZ District No. 19—Denver, Colorado Class A Denver, CO Grand... facilities at Bandon, Brookings, Depoe Bay, Florence, Frankfort, Gold Beach, Newport (including Toledo), Port... Airport District No. 19—Denver, Colorado Colorado Springs, CO, Colorado Springs Airport Denver, CO, Denver...

8 CFR 100.4 - Field offices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... Naco, AZ Nogales, AZ Sasabe, AZ San Luis, AZ District No. 19—Denver, Colorado Class A Denver, CO Grand... facilities at Bandon, Brookings, Depoe Bay, Florence, Frankfort, Gold Beach, Newport (including Toledo), Port... Airport District No. 19—Denver, Colorado Colorado Springs, CO, Colorado Springs Airport Denver, CO, Denver...

8 CFR 100.4 - Field offices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... Naco, AZ Nogales, AZ Sasabe, AZ San Luis, AZ District No. 19—Denver, Colorado Class A Denver, CO Grand... facilities at Bandon, Brookings, Depoe Bay, Florence, Frankfort, Gold Beach, Newport (including Toledo), Port... Airport District No. 19—Denver, Colorado Colorado Springs, CO, Colorado Springs Airport Denver, CO, Denver...

8 CFR 100.4 - Field offices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... Naco, AZ Nogales, AZ Sasabe, AZ San Luis, AZ District No. 19—Denver, Colorado Class A Denver, CO Grand... facilities at Bandon, Brookings, Depoe Bay, Florence, Frankfort, Gold Beach, Newport (including Toledo), Port... Airport District No. 19—Denver, Colorado Colorado Springs, CO, Colorado Springs Airport Denver, CO, Denver...

76 FR 9598 - Notice of Inventory Completion: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-18

... Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has completed an inventory of human remains, in consultation... Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205, telephone (303) 370-6378. SUPPLEMENTARY...

76 FR 9604 - Notice of Inventory Completion: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-18

... Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has completed an inventory of human remains, in consultation... affiliation with the human remains should contact Dr. Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Denver Museum of Nature...

78 FR 45962 - Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Denver Museum of Anthropology, Denver, CO

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-30

... Museum of Anthropology professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Hualapai Indian....R50000] Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Denver Museum of Anthropology, Denver, CO AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The University of Denver Museum of Anthropology...

Hydrologic data for urban storm runoff in the Denver metropolitan area, Colorado

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gibbs, Johnnie W.; Doefer, John T.

1982-01-01

Urban storm-runoff data collected from April through September 1981 from nine Denver Nationwide Urban Runoff Program sites, urban storm-runoff data collected from April 1980 through September 1981 from ten South Platte River Study sites, and rainfall-runoff simulation data from two sites for June 1980 and May 1981 are presented in this report. The Denver Nationwide Urban Runoff Program sites were two single-family residential areas, two multifamily residential areas, one commercial area (shopping center), one mixed commercial and multifamily residential area, one natural area (open space), and two detention ponds. The South Platte River Study sites were six tributaries of the South Platte River and four instream sites on the South Platte River. The tributary sites were Bear Creek at mouth, at Sheridan; Harvard Gulch at Harvard Park, at Denver; Sanderson Gulch at mouth, at Denver; Weir Gulch at mouth, at Denver; Lakewood Gulch at mouth, at Denver; and Cherry Creek at Denver. The instream sites were South Platte River at Littleton; South Platte River at Florida Avenue, at Denver; South Platte River at Denver; and South Platte River at 50th Avenue, at Denver. The rainfall-runoff simulation sites were North Avenue at Denver Federal Center, at Lakewood and Rooney Gulch at Rooney Ranch, near Morrison. Precipitation, rainfall-runoff, water-quality data, and basin characteristics were collected at the urban storm-runoff sites. The urban storm-runoff data may be used to characterize runoff loading for various land-use types in Denver and other semiarid regions. (USGS)

Cognition in Males and Females with Autism: Similarities and Differences

PubMed Central

Lai, Meng-Chuan; Lombardo, Michael V.; Ruigrok, Amber N. V.; Chakrabarti, Bhismadev; Wheelwright, Sally J.; Auyeung, Bonnie; Allison, Carrie; Baron-Cohen, Simon

2012-01-01

The male bias in autism spectrum conditions (ASC) has led to females with ASC being under-researched. This lack of attention to females could hide variability due to sex that may explain some of the heterogeneity within ASC. In this study we investigate four key cognitive domains (mentalizing and emotion perception, executive function, perceptual attention to detail, and motor function) in ASC, to test for similarities and differences between males and females with and without ASC (n = 128 adults; n = 32 per group). In the mentalizing and facial emotion perception domain, males and females with ASC showed similar deficits compared to neurotypical controls. However, in attention to detail and dexterity involving executive function, although males with ASC showed poorer performance relative to neurotypical males, females with ASC performed comparably to neurotypical females. We conclude that performance in the social-cognitive domain is equally impaired in male and female adults with ASC. However, in specific non-social cognitive domains, performance within ASC depends on sex. This suggests that in specific domains, cognitive profiles in ASC are modulated by sex. PMID:23094036

Increase in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase of bone at the early stage of ascorbic acid deficiency in the ascorbate-requiring Osteogenic Disorder Shionogi (ODS) rat.

PubMed

Goto, A; Tsukamoto, I

2003-08-01

The effect of ascorbic acid deficiency on bone metabolism was evaluated using the ascorbate-requiring Osteogenic Disorder Shionogi (ODS) rat model. Ascorbic acid (Asc)-deficient rats gained body weight in a manner similar to Asc-supplemented rats (control) during 3 weeks, but began to lose weight during the 4th week of Asc deficiency. The tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity in serum increased to about 2-fold the control value in the rats fed the Asc-free diet for 2, 3, and 4 weeks (AscD2, AscD3, and AscD4), while a decrease in the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was observed only in AscD4 rats. The serum pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) level significantly increased to 1.3-, 1.4-, and 1.9-fold of that in the controls in AscD2, D3, and D4, respectively. The ALP activity in the distal femur was unchanged in AscD1, D2, and D3, but decreased to 50% of the control level in AscD4 rats. The TRAP activity in the distal femur increased to about 2-fold of that in the controls in the AscD2 and D3 and decreased to the control level in the AscD4 rats. The amount of hydroxyproline in the distal femur significantly decreased to about 80%, 70%, and 60% of the control in AscD2, D3, and D4 rats, respectively. These decreases were associated with a similar reduction in the calcium content of the distal femur. Histochemical analysis of the distal femur showed an increase in TRAP-positive cells in AscD2 and AscD3 rats and a decrease in the trabecular bone in AscD2, D3, and D4 rats. These results suggested that a deficiency of Asc stimulated bone resorption at an early stage, followed by a decrease in bone formation in mature ODS rats which already had a well-developed collagen matrix and fully differentiated osteoblasts.

Ambulatory surgery centers--current legal issues 2004 (Part 2).

PubMed

Becker, Scott; Szabad, Melissa; Foltushansky, Sofia

2004-05-01

This article covers several of the emerging issues related to ASCs, the anti-kickback statute and safe harbors, other regulations and relevant court decisions. The ASC Safe Harbors raise several concerns either because they are vague, silent, or provide little guidance as to their requirements. Perhaps the most challenging question under the ASC safe harbor relates to the handling of physicians who do not comply with the various safe harbor tests. As discussed, an ASC should address early on whether physicians who fail to meet or comply with the safe harbor will be redeemed from the venture. In redeeming such physicians, it is important to consider whether the company's operating agreement or shareholder agreement provides for redemption upon such event and whether the redemption will lead to litigation or compliance risks. Along the same lines, since it is illegal to provide any form of value in exchange for referrals under the anti-kickback statute, share sales at below fair market value may be viewed as an illegal kickback in exchange for referrals. Thus, in terms of adding physician owners, a number of guidelines should be followed. An ASC should also carefully consider situations in which it waives or discounts co-payments or deductibles. The safest course for a provider remains to collect the entire co-payment and deductible amounts from patients. Moreover, in the case of Medicare and Medicaid patients, an ASC should never waive or discount co-payments and deductibles unless the patient demonstrates financial hardship. Either way, such a waiver or discount should only be in accord with an applicable charity care or discount policy. A new issue involving the anti-kickback statue, state and federal self referral laws, and Medicare regulations, has gained attention as ASCs are increasingly finding themselves approached by third party vendors to enter into an arrangement, where the vendor owns the equipment and bills a third-party payor for the technical component of the procedure performed with the equipment, and the vendor then pays the ASC a fee for its lease of ASC space to house the equipment. These types of relationships can raise several legal compliance concerns. An ASC should understand that the arrangement could jeopardize its state ASC license and its Medicare certification even though the arrangement does not involve Medicare certified procedures or Medicare patients. Furthermore, this type of business venture might not comply with state and federal self referral laws. ASCs are also increasingly facing situations where a provider performs a procedure for which there is no facility charge for the ASC, but the physician is receiving a professional fee from Medicare. In this situation, ASCs should implement a policy, similar to the example provided in this article, to avoid even the appearance of providing an inducement or reward for referrals of Medicare or Medicaid business by requiring physicians to pay the Center a fee, consistent with fair market value, for the use of the Center for non-Covered Procedures or for performing multiple procedures within the same operative session. Lastly, as touched upon by this article, in the joint venture context, ASCs must take into account several guidelines in order to steer clear from risks associated with tax-exempt entities as an investor and antitrust price fixing issues. Whether a joint venture, of which a tax exempt entity is an investor, is deemed organized and operated in furtherance of the charitable purposes of a tax-exempt partner as set forth in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code depends on the facts and circumstances of each case. Generally, a joint venture will satisfy the guidelines if the tax-exempt investor in the joint venture retains sufficient control over the joint venture to ensure that the joint venture furthers the charitable purposes of the tax-exempt investor and adequately serves the community. In the ASC physician hospital joint venture arena, the principal antitrust concern relates to potential claims of price fixing. Where a hospital is a partner in a joint venture, the hospital and joint venture must take action to assure that the pricing and negotiations of the hospital and the ASC are handled separately. In all of these situations, ASCs and their investors must pay close attention and stay current of the safe harbor concepts, as well as the other regulations, guidelines, and court decisions discussed in this article in order to avoid potential regulatory and litigation risks.

Combined introduction of Bmi-1 and hTERT immortalizes human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells with low risk of transformation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tatrai, Peter, E-mail: peter.tatrai@biomembrane.hu; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Egyetem ter 1, H-4032 Debrecen; Szepesi, Aron, E-mail: aron.szepesi@biomembrane.hu

2012-05-25

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We immortalized human adipose stromal cells (ASCs) with hTERT, Bmi-1, and SV40T. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer hTERT-only ASCs are prone to transformation, while Bmi-only ASCs become senescent. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer SV40T introduced along with hTERT abrogates proliferation control and multipotency. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer hTERT combined with Bmi-1 yields stable phenotype up to 140 population doublings. -- Abstract: Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are increasingly being studied for their usefulness in regenerative medicine. However, limited life span and donor-dependent variation of primary cells such as ASCs present major hurdles to controlled and reproducible experiments. We therefore aimed to establish immortalized ASC cell lines that provide steadymore » supply of homogeneous cells for in vitro work while retain essential features of primary cells. To this end, combinations of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), murine Bmi-1, and SV40 large T antigen (SV40T) were introduced by lentiviral transduction into ASCs. The resulting cell lines ASC{sup hTERT}, ASC{sup Bmi-1}, ASC{sup Bmi-1+hTERT} and ASC{sup SV40T+hTERT} were tested for transgene expression, telomerase activity, surface immunomarkers, proliferation, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, karyotype, tumorigenicity, and cellular senescence. All cell lines have maintained expression of characteristic surface immunomarkers, and none was tumorigenic. However, ASC{sup Bmi-1} had limited replicative potential, while the rapidly proliferating ASC{sup SV40T+hTERT} acquired chromosomal aberrations, departed from MSC phenotype, and lost differentiation capacity. ASC{sup hTERT} and ASC{sup hTERT+Bmi-1}, on the other hand, preserved all essential MSC features and did not senesce after 100 population doublings. Notably, a subpopulation of ASC{sup hTERT} also acquired aberrant karyotype and showed signs of transformation after long-term culture. In conclusion, hTERT alone was sufficient to extend the life span of human ASC, but ASC{sup hTERT} are prone to transformation during extensive subculturing. The combination of Bmi-1 and hTERT successfully immortalized human ASCs without significantly perturbing their phenotype or biological behavior.« less

77 FR 23504 - Notice of Inventory Completion: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-19

... Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has completed an inventory of human remains and [[Page 23505... affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary objects may contact the Denver Museum of Nature...

76 FR 14061 - Notice of Inventory Completion: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-15

... Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has completed an inventory of human remains and associated... contact the Denver Museum of Nature & Science at the address below by April 14, 2011. ADDRESSES: Dr. Chip...

75 FR 23807 - Notice of Inventory Completion: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-04

... made by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science professional staff in consultation with representatives... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion: Denver Museum of.... 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains in the possession of the Denver Museum of...

75 FR 5627 - Notice of Inventory Completion: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-03

... made by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science professional staff in consultation with representatives... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion: Denver Museum of.... 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains in the possession of the Denver Museum of...

Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC)--From Technology Development to Future Flight Product

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, Wayne A.; Wood, J. Gary; Wilson, Kyle

2008-01-01

The Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) is being developed by Sunpower Inc. under contract to NASA s Glenn Research Center (GRC) with critical technology support tasks led by GRC. The ASC development, funded by NASA s Science Mission Directorate, started in 2003 as one of 10 competitively awarded contracts that were intended to address the power conversion needs of future Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS). The ASC technology has since evolved through progressive convertor builds and successful testing to demonstrate high conversion efficiency (38 percent), low mass (1.3 kg), hermetic sealing, launch vibration simulation, EMI characterization, and is undergoing extended operation. The GRC and Sunpower team recently delivered two ASC-E convertors to the Department of Energy (DOE) and Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company for integration onto the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator Engineering Unit (ASRG EU) plus one spare. The design of the next build, called the ASC-E2, has recently been initiated and is based on the heritage ASC-E with design refinements to increase reliability margin and offer higher temperature operation and improve performance. The ASC enables RPS system specific power of about 7 to 8 W/kg. This paper provides a chronology of ASC development to date and summarizes technical achievements including advancements toward flight implementation of the technology on ASRG by as early as 2013.

Enhanced angiogenic effect of adipose-derived stromal cell spheroid with low-level light therapy in hindlimb ischemia mice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, In-Su; Ahn, Jin-Chul; Chung, Phil-Sang

2014-02-01

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are attractive cell source for tissue engineering. However, one obstacle to this approach is that the transplanted ASC population can decline rapidly in the recipient tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on transplanted human ASCs (hASCs) spheroid in a hindlimb ischemia animal model. LLLT, hASCs spheroid and hASCs spheroid transplantation with LLLT (spheroid + LLLT) were applied to the ischemic hindlimbs in athymic mice. The survival, differentiation and secretion of vascular endothelial growth (VEGF) of spheroid ASCs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The spheroid + LLLT group enhanced the tissue regeneration, including angiogenesis, compared with other groups. The spheroid contributed tissue regeneration via differentiation and secretion of growth factors. In the spheroid + LLLT group, the survival of spheroid hASCs was increased by the decreased apoptosis of spheroid hASCs in the ischemic hindlimb. The secretion of growth factors was stimulated in the spheroid + LLLT group compared with the ASCs group and spheroid group. These data suggest that LLLT is an effective biostimulator of spheroid hASCs in tissue regeneration that enhances the survival of ASCs and stimulates the secretion of growth factors in the ischemic hindlimb.

Dyspraxia and autistic traits in adults with and without autism spectrum conditions.

PubMed

Cassidy, Sarah; Hannant, Penelope; Tavassoli, Teresa; Allison, Carrie; Smith, Paula; Baron-Cohen, Simon

2016-01-01

Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) are frequently associated with motor coordination difficulties. However, no studies have explored the prevalence of dyspraxia in a large sample of individuals with and without ASC or associations between dyspraxia and autistic traits in these individuals. Two thousand eight hundred seventy-one adults (with ASC) and 10,706 controls (without ASC) self-reported whether they have been diagnosed with dyspraxia. A subsample of participants then completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ; 1237 ASC and 6765 controls) and the Empathy Quotient (EQ; 1147 ASC and 6129 controls) online through the Autism Research Centre website. The prevalence of dyspraxia was compared between those with and without ASC. AQ and EQ scores were compared across the four groups: (1) adults with ASC with dyspraxia, (2) adults with ASC without dyspraxia, (3) controls with dyspraxia, and (4) controls without dyspraxia. Adults with ASC were significantly more likely to report a diagnosis of dyspraxia (6.9%) than those without ASC (0.8%). In the ASC group, those with co-morbid diagnosis of dyspraxia did not have significantly different AQ or EQ scores than those without co-morbid dyspraxia. However, in the control group (without ASC), those with dyspraxia had significantly higher AQ and lower EQ scores than those without dyspraxia. Dyspraxia is significantly more prevalent in adults with ASC compared to controls, confirming reports that motor coordination difficulties are significantly more common in this group. Interestingly, in the general population, dyspraxia was associated with significantly higher autistic traits and lower empathy. These results suggest that motor coordination skills are important for effective social skills and empathy.

75 FR 54766 - Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-09

... (RNP) Z RWY 35R, Orig Denver, CO, Denver Intl, ILS OR LOC RWY 34L, ILS RWY 34L (CAT II), ILS RWY 34L (CAT III), Amdt 1 Denver, CO, Denver Intl, ILS OR LOC RWY 34R, ILS RWY 34R (CAT II), ILS RWY 34R (CAT III), Amdt 2 Denver, CO, Denver Intl, ILS OR LOC RWY 35L, ILS RWY 35L (CAT II), ILS RWY 35L (CAT III...

Myogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from porcine adipose tissue.

PubMed

Milner, Derek J; Bionaz, Massimo; Monaco, Elisa; Cameron, Jo Ann; Wheeler, Matthew B

2018-06-01

Advances in stem cell biology and materials science have provided a basis for developing tissue engineering methods to repair muscle injury. Among stem cell populations with potential to aid muscle repair, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASC) hold great promise. To evaluate the possibility of using porcine ASC for muscle regeneration studies, we co-cultured porcine ASC with murine C 2 C 12 myoblasts. These experiments demonstrated that porcine ASC display significant myogenic potential. Co-culture of ASC expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) with C 2 C 12 cells resulted in GFP + myotube formation, indicating fusion of ASC with myoblasts to form myotubes. The presence of porcine lamin A/C positive nuclei in myotubes and RTqPCR analysis of porcine myogenin and desmin expression confirmed that myotube nuclei derived from ASC contribute to muscle gene expression. Co-culturing GFP + ASC with porcine satellite cells demonstrated enhanced myogenic capability of ASC, as the percentage of labeled myotubes increased compared to mouse co-cultures. Enhancing myogenic potential of ASC through soluble factor treatment or expansion of ASC with innate myogenic capacity should allow for their therapeutic use to regenerate muscle tissue lost to disease or injury.

Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) - From Technology Development to Future Flight Product

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, Wayne A.; Wood, J. Gary; Wilson, Kyle

2008-01-01

The Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) is being developed by Sunpower, Inc. under contract to NASA s Glenn Research Center (GRC) with critical technology support tasks lead by GRC. The ASC development, funded by NASA s Science Mission Directorate, started in 2003 as one of 10 competitively awarded contracts that were to address future Radioisotope Power System (RPS) advanced power conversion needs. The ASC technology has since evolved through progressive convertor builds and successful testing to demonstrate high conversion efficiency (38 %), low mass (1.3 kg), hermetic sealing, launch vibration simulation, EMI characterization, and is undergoing extended operation. The GRC and Sunpower team recently delivered three ASC-E machines to the Department of Energy (DOE) and Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, two units for integration onto the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator Engineering Unit (ASRG EU) plus one spare. The design has recently been initiated for the ASC-E2, an evolution from the ASC-E that substitutes higher temperature materials enabling improved performance and higher reliability margins. This paper summarizes the history and status of the ASC project and discusses plans for this technology which enables RPS specific power of 8 W/kg for future NASA missions.

Fast isolation and expansion of multipotent cells from adipose tissue based on chitosan-selected primary culture.

PubMed

Huang, Guo-Shiang; Tseng, Ting-Chen; Dai, Niann-Tzyy; Fu, Keng-Yen; Dai, Lien-Guo; Hsu, Shan-Hui

2015-10-01

Adipose-derived adult stem cells (ASCs) have gained much attention because of their multipotency and easy access. Here we describe a novel chitosan-based selection (CS) system instead of the conventional plastic adherence (PA) to obtain the primary ASCs. The minimal amount of adipose tissue for consistent isolation of ASCs is reduced from 10 mL to 5 mL. The selection is based on the specific interaction between cells and chitosan materials, which separate ASCs by forming spheroids during primary culture. The primary culture period was reduced from 4 days to one day and more ASCs (ten-fold expansion) were achieved in a week. The average duration for obtaining 1 × 10(7) cells takes about seven days from 5 mL of adipose tissue, compared to 14 days using the conventional PA method from 10 mL of adipose tissue. The replicative senescence of CS-ASCs is not evident until the fifteenth passage (vs. eighth for the PA-ASCs). The obtained ASCs (CS-ASCs) have less doubling time for the same passage of cells and show greater stemness than those obtained from the conventional PA method (PA-ASCs). Moreover, CS-ASCs undergo trilineage differentiation more effectively than PA-ASCs. The greater differentiation potential of CS-ASCs may be associated with the enrichment and maintenance of CD271 positive cells by chitosan selection of primary culture. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantification of Inflammasome Adaptor Protein ASC in Biological Samples by Multiple-Reaction Monitoring Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Ulke-Lemée, Annegret; Lau, Arthur; Nelson, Michelle C; James, Matthew T; Muruve, Daniel A; MacDonald, Justin A

2018-06-09

Inflammation is an integral component of many diseases, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD, also PYCARD) is the key inflammasome adaptor protein in the innate immune response. Since ASC specks, a macromolecular condensate of ASC protein, can be released by inflammasome-activated cells into the extracellular space to amplify inflammatory responses, the ASC protein could be an important biomarker in diagnostic applications. Herein, we describe the development and validation of a multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (MRM-MS) assay for the accurate quantification of ASC in human biospecimens. Limits of detection and quantification for the signature DLLLQALR peptide (used as surrogate for the target ASC protein) were determined by the method of standard addition using synthetic isotope-labeled internal standard (SIS) peptide and urine matrix from a healthy donor (LOQ was 8.25 pM, with a ~ 1000-fold linear range). We further quantified ASC in the urine of CKD patients (8.4 ± 1.3 ng ASC/ml urine, n = 13). ASC was positively correlated with proteinuria and urinary IL-18 in CKD samples but not with urinary creatinine. Unfortunately, the ASC protein is susceptible to degradation, and patient urine that was thawed and refrozen lost 85% of the ASC signal. In summary, the MRM-MS assay provides a robust means to quantify ASC in biological samples, including clinical biospecimens; however, sample collection and storage conditions will have a critical impact on assay reliability.

3D Topography of the Young Adult Anal Sphincter Complex Reconstructed from Undeformed Serial Anatomical Sections

PubMed Central

Wu, Yi; Dabhoiwala, Noshir F.; Hagoort, Jaco; Shan, Jin-Lu; Tan, Li-Wen; Fang, Bin-Ji; Zhang, Shao-Xiang; Lamers, Wouter H.

2015-01-01

Background Pelvic-floor anatomy is usually studied by artifact-prone dissection or imaging, which requires prior anatomical knowledge. We used the serial-section approach to settle contentious issues and an interactive 3D-pdf to make the results widely accessible. Method 3D reconstructions of undeformed thin serial anatomical sections of 4 females and 2 males (21–35y) of the Chinese Visible Human database. Findings Based on tendinous septa and muscle-fiber orientation as segmentation guides, the anal-sphincter complex (ASC) comprised the subcutaneous external anal sphincter (EAS) and the U-shaped puborectal muscle, a part of the levator ani muscle (LAM). The anococcygeal ligament fixed the EAS to the coccygeal bone. The puborectal-muscle loops, which define the levator hiatus, passed around the anorectal junction and inserted anteriorly on the perineal body and pubic bone. The LAM had a common anterior attachment to the pubic bone, but separated posteriorly into puborectal and “pubovisceral” muscles. This pubovisceral muscle was bilayered: its internal layer attached to the conjoint longitudinal muscle of the rectum and the rectococcygeal fascia, while its outer, patchy layer reinforced the inner layer. ASC contraction makes the ano-rectal bend more acute and lifts the pelvic floor. Extensions of the rectal longitudinal smooth muscle to the coccygeal bone (rectococcygeal muscle), perineal body (rectoperineal muscle), and endopelvic fascia (conjoint longitudinal and pubovisceral muscles) formed a “diaphragm” at the inferior boundary of the mesorectum that suspended the anorectal junction. Its contraction should straighten the anorectal bend. Conclusion The serial-section approach settled contentious topographic issues of the pelvic floor. We propose that the ASC is involved in continence and the rectal diaphragm in defecation. PMID:26305117

Ultraviolet B preconditioning enhances the hair growth-promoting effects of adipose-derived stem cells via generation of reactive oxygen species.

PubMed

Jeong, Yun-Mi; Sung, Young Kwan; Kim, Wang-Kyun; Kim, Ji Hye; Kwack, Mi Hee; Yoon, Insoo; Kim, Dae-Duk; Sung, Jong-Hyuk

2013-01-01

Hypoxia induces the survival and regenerative potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), but there are tremendous needs to find alternative methods for ASC preconditioning. Therefore, this work investigated: (1) the ability of low-dose ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation to stimulate the survival, migration, and tube-forming activity of ASCs in vitro; (2) the ability of UVB preconditioning to enhance the hair growth-promoting capacity of ASCs in vivo; and (3) the mechanism of action for ASC stimulation by UVB. Although high-dose UVB decreased the proliferation of ASCs, low-dose (10 or 20 mJ/cm(2)) treatment increased their survival, migration, and tube-forming activity. In addition, low-dose UVB upregulated the expression of ASC-derived growth factors, and a culture medium conditioned by UVB-irradiated ASCs increased the proliferation of dermal papilla and outer root sheet cells. Notably, injection of UVB-preconditioned ASCs into C(3)H/HeN mice significantly induced the telogen-to-anagen transition and increased new hair weight in vivo. UVB treatment significantly increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cultured ASCs, and inhibition of ROS generation by diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) significantly attenuated UVB-induced ASC stimulation. Furthermore, NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) expression was induced in ASCs by UVB irradiation, and Nox4 silencing by small interfering RNA, like DPI, significantly reduced UVB-induced ROS generation. These results suggest that the primary involvement of ROS generation in UVB-mediated ASC stimulation occurs via the Nox4 enzyme. This is the first indication that a low dose of UVB radiation and/or the control of ROS generation could potentially be incorporated into a novel ASC preconditioning method for hair regeneration.

The molecular mechanism underlying the proliferating and preconditioning effect of vitamin C on adipose-derived stem cells.

PubMed

Kim, Ji Hye; Kim, Wang-Kyun; Sung, Young Kwan; Kwack, Mi Hee; Song, Seung Yong; Choi, Joon-Seok; Park, Sang Gyu; Yi, TacGhee; Lee, Hyun-Joo; Kim, Dae-Duk; Seo, Hyun Min; Song, Sun U; Sung, Jong-Hyuk

2014-06-15

Although adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) show promise for cell therapy, there is a tremendous need for developing ASC activators. In the present study, we investigated whether or not vitamin C increases the survival, proliferation, and hair-regenerative potential of ASCs. In addition, we tried to find the molecular mechanisms underlying the vitamin C-mediated stimulation of ASCs. Sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter 2 (SVCT2) is expressed in ASCs, and mediates uptake of vitamin C into ASCs. Vitamin C increased the survival and proliferation of ASCs in a dose-dependent manner. Vitamin C increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway attenuated the proliferation of ASCs. Microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that vitamin C primarily upregulated expression of proliferation-related genes, including Fos, E2F2, Ier2, Mybl1, Cdc45, JunB, FosB, and Cdca5, whereas Fos knock-down using siRNA significantly decreased vitamin C-mediated ASC proliferation. In addition, vitamin C-treated ASCs accelerated the telogen-to-anagen transition in C3H/HeN mice, and conditioned medium from vitamin C-treated ASCs increased the hair length and the Ki67-positive matrix keratinocytes in hair organ culture. Vitamin C increased the mRNA expression of HGF, IGFBP6, VEGF, bFGF, and KGF, which may mediate hair growth promotion. In summary, vitamin C is transported via SVCT2, and increased ASC proliferation is mediated by the MAPK pathway. In addition, vitamin C preconditioning enhanced the hair growth promoting effect of ASCs. Because vitamin C is safe and effective, it could be used to increase the yield and regenerative potential of ASCs.

Sphere formation of adipose stem cell engineered by poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate induces in vitro angiogenesis through fibroblast growth factor 2.

PubMed

Kim, Jong-Ho; Lim, I-Rang; Joo, Hyung Joon; Choi, Seung-Cheol; Choi, Ji-Hyun; Cui, Long-Hui; Im, Lisa; Hong, Soon Jun; Lim, Do-Sun

A number of researchers have been reporting a wide range of in vitro and in vivo studies of cell engraftment to enhance angiogenesis using stem cells. Despite these efforts, studies involving three-dimensional (3D) culture method that mimics in vivo environment have not reached its peak yet. In this study, we investigated the change and effects on cellular angiogenic growth factors through sphere formation of adipose stem cell (ASC) which is engineered by poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (Poly-HEMA). First of all, we successfully induced sphere formation of ASC (sph-ASC) on Poly-HEMA coated plates. sph-ASC represented significantly higher expression levels of anti-apoptotic and hypoxic factors compared to monolayer adherent ASC (adh-ASC). Interestingly, sph-ASC showed higher mRNA levels of the following genes; CD31, CD144, vWF, IGF-2, MCP-1, PDGF-A, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and FGF-2. In addition, mRNA expressions of angiogenic growth factor receptors such as Flk1, FGFR1, FGFR2, and Tie2 were elevated in sph-ASC. In protein level, Cytokine/Chemokines antibody array revealed a significant increase of FGF-2 in sph-ASC (3.17-fold) compared to adh-ASC. To investigate the effects of FGF-2 on sph-ASC, Matrigel angiogenic invasion assay showed significant reduced level of FGF-2 in FGF-2 siRNA transfected sph-ASC (2.27-fold) compared to negative control siRNA transfected sph-ASC. These findings suggest that Poly-HEMA coated plates induce sphere formation of ASC which has significantly higher expression of FGF-2, and plays a critical role as a major regulating growth factor of in vitro angiogenesis. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ascorbyl Stearate Promotes Apoptosis Through Intrinsic Mitochondrial Pathway in HeLa Cancer Cells.

PubMed

Mane, Shirish D; Thoh, Maikho; Sharma, Deepak; Sandur, Santosh K; Naidu, K Akhilender

2016-12-01

Ascorbic acid is proposed to have antitumor potential against certain cancer types but has the limitation of requiring high doses for treating cancer. Ascorbyl stearate (ASC-S) is a fatty acid ester derivative of ascorbic acid with comparable potent apoptotic activity. The present study was aimed at understanding the pathway involved in apoptotic activity of ASC-S in cervical cancer cells. The effect of ASC-S on reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was studied in HeLa cells. Furthermore, the dose-dependent effect of ASC-S on release of cytochrome c, pro-caspase-9, caspase-3, BH3 interacting-domain death agonist (BID), truncated BH3 interacting-domain death agonist (t-BID), FAS ligand (FASL) and transcription factors nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ĸB), nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) and activator protein-1 (AP1) were studied in HeLa cells. Treatment of HeLa cells with ASC-S significantly increased the MMP. The modulation of MMP resulted in cleavage of BID, expression of FAS, cleavage of pro-caspase-9 and release of cytochrome c into cytosol. In addition, ASC-S treatment resulted in deregulation of transcription factors NF-ĸB, NFAT and AP1, which play an important role in the development of inflammation and cancer. Our data, for the first time, suggest that ASC-S has an apoptotic effect against HeLa cells by inducing change in mitochondrial membrane permeability, cytochrome c release and subsequent activation of caspase-3 and NF-ĸB. Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Extracellular matrix and α5β1 integrin signaling control the maintenance of bone formation capacity by human adipose-derived stromal cells

PubMed Central

Di Maggio, Nunzia; Martella, Elisa; Frismantiene, Agne; Resink, Therese J.; Schreiner, Simone; Lucarelli, Enrico; Jaquiery, Claude; Schaefer, Dirk J.; Martin, Ivan; Scherberich, Arnaud

2017-01-01

Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells of human adipose tissue have the capacity to generate osteogenic grafts with intrinsic vasculogenic properties. However, adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASC), even after minimal monolayer expansion, display poor osteogenic capacity in vivo. We investigated whether ASC bone-forming capacity may be maintained by culture within a self-produced extracellular matrix (ECM) that recapitulates the native environment. SVF cells expanded without passaging up to 28 days (Unpass-ASC) deposited a fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix and displayed greater clonogenicity and differentiation potential in vitro compared to ASC expanded only for 6 days (P0-ASC) or for 28 days with regular passaging (Pass-ASC). When implanted subcutaneously, Unpass-ASC produced bone tissue similarly to SVF cells, in contrast to P0- and Pass-ASC, which mainly formed fibrous tissue. Interestingly, clonogenic progenitors from native SVF and Unpass-ASC expressed low levels of the fibronectin receptor α5 integrin (CD49e), which was instead upregulated in P0- and Pass-ASC. Mechanistically, induced activation of α5β1 integrin in Unpass-ASC led to a significant loss of bone formation in vivo. This study shows that ECM and regulation of α5β1-integrin signaling preserve ASC progenitor properties, including bone tissue-forming capacity, during in vitro expansion. PMID:28290502

Prevention of skin flap necrosis by use of adipose-derived stromal cells with light-emitting diode phototherapy.

PubMed

Park, In-Su; Mondal, Arindam; Chung, Phil-Sang; Ahn, Jin Chul

2015-03-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of low-level light therapy (LLLT) on transplanted human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) in the skin flap of mice. LLLT, ASC transplantation and ASC transplantation with LLLT (ASC + LLLT) were applied to the skin flap. Immunostaining and Western blot analysis were performed to evaluate cell survival and differentiation and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor by the ASCs. Vascular regeneration was assessed by means of immunostaining in addition to hematoxylin and eosin staining. In the ASC + LLLT group, the survival of ASCs was increased as the result of the decreased apoptosis of ASCs. The secretion of growth factors was higher in this group as compared with ASCs alone. ASCs contributed to tissue regeneration through vascular cell differentiation and secretion of angiogenic growth factors. The ASC + LLLT group displayed improved treatment efficacy including neovascularization and tissue regeneration compared with ASCs alone. Transplanting ASCs to ischemic skin flaps improved therapeutic efficacy for ischemia treatment as the result of enhanced cell survival and paracrine effects. These data suggest that LLLT is an effective biostimulator of ASCs in vascular regeneration, which enhances the survival of ASCs and stimulates the secretion of growth factors in skin flaps. Copyright © 2015 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Specialization and production cost efficiency: evidence from ambulatory surgery centers.

PubMed

Carey, Kathleen; Mitchell, Jean M

2018-03-01

In the U.S. health care sector, the economic logic of specialization as an organizing principle has come under active debate in recent years. An understudied case is that of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), which recently have become the dominant provider of specific surgical procedures. While the majority of ASCs focus on a single specialty, a growing number are diversifying to offer a wide range of surgical services. We take a multiple output cost function approach to an empirical investigation that compares production economies in single specialty ASCs with those in multispecialty ASCs. We applied generalized estimating equation techniques to a sample of Pennsylvania ASCs for the period 2004-2014, including 73 ASCs that specialized in gastrointestinal procedures and 60 ASCs that performed gastrointestinal as well as other specialty procedures. Results indicated that both types of ASC had small room for expansion. In simulation analysis, production of GI services in specialized ASCs had a cost advantage over joint production of GI with other specialty procedures. Our results provide support for the focused factory model of production in the ASC sector.

Neurological Development of Children With Isolated Robin Sequence Treated With Nasopharyngeal Intubation in Early Infancy.

PubMed

Alencar, Tatiane Romanini Rodrigues; Marques, Ilza Lazarini; Bertucci, Alvaro; Prado-Oliveira, Rosana

2017-05-01

The study assessed the neurodevelopment of children with isolated Robin sequence (IRS) and evaluated if children treated exclusively with nasopharyngeal intubation (NPI) present delay in neurological development. The prospective and cross-sectional study was conducted at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, Brazil. Children with IRS were divided into two groups according to the type of treatment in early infancy: 38 were treated with NPI (more severe cases) and 24 with postural treatment (less severe cases). Regarding interventions, children were assessed at 2 to 6 years of age using the Denver II Developmental Screening Test (Denver II) and Neurological Evolutionary Examination (NEE). According to Denver II, 73.7% in the NPI group and 79.2% in the postural group presented normal development. This result was similar to the results of different studies in the literature with typical population. Considering all areas of development, there were no significant differences in Denver II between the NPI and postural groups (P = .854). In the NPI group, 89.5% of children and 87.5% in the postural group presented normal development in NEE. Language was the most affected area, as 18.4% and 20.8% of children in NPI and postural group, respectively, presented risk for delay in the Denver II. The increased risk for delay in language area was probably due to anatomical conditions of the muscles involved in speech, and to hearing oscillations, as 47.4% in NPI group and 58.3% in postural group underwent myringotomy. IRS treated with NPI had neurological development similar to those in less severe cases. Children treated exclusively with NPI did not present delay in neurological development.

Progranulin, a Major Secreted Protein of Mouse Adipose-Derived Stem Cells, Inhibits Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration

PubMed Central

Tsuruma, Kazuhiro; Yamauchi, Mika; Sugitani, Sou; Otsuka, Tomohiro; Ohno, Yuta; Nagahara, Yuki; Ikegame, Yuka; Shimazawa, Masamitsu; Yoshimura, Shinichi; Iwama, Toru

2014-01-01

Adipose tissue stromal vascular fraction contains mesenchymal stem cells, which show protective effects when administered to damaged tissues, mainly through secreted trophic factors. We examined the protective effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and ASC-conditioned medium (ASC-CM) against retinal damage and identified the neuroprotective factors in ASC-CM. ASCs and mature adipocytes were isolated from mouse subcutaneous tissue. ASCs were injected intravitreally in a mouse model of light-induced retinal damage, and ASC injection recovered retinal function as measured by electroretinogram and inhibited outer nuclear layer, thinning, without engraftment of ASCs. ASC-CM and mature adipocyte-conditioned medium were collected after 72 hours of culture. In vitro, H2O2- and light-induced cell death was reduced in a photoreceptor cell line with ASC-CM but not with mature adipocyte-conditioned medium. In vivo, light-induced photoreceptor damage was evaluated by measurement of outer nuclear layer thickness at 5 days after light exposure and by electroretinogram recording. ASC-CM significantly inhibited photoreceptor degeneration and retinal dysfunction after light exposure. Progranulin was identified as a major secreted protein of ASCs that showed protective effects against retinal damage in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, progranulin phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, cAMP response element binding protein, and hepatocyte growth factor receptor, and protein kinase C signaling pathways were involved in the protective effects of progranulin. These findings suggest that ASC-CM and progranulin have neuroprotective effects in the light-induced retinal-damage model. Progranulin may be a potential target for the treatment of the degenerative diseases of the retina. PMID:24233842

Progranulin, a major secreted protein of mouse adipose-derived stem cells, inhibits light-induced retinal degeneration.

PubMed

Tsuruma, Kazuhiro; Yamauchi, Mika; Sugitani, Sou; Otsuka, Tomohiro; Ohno, Yuta; Nagahara, Yuki; Ikegame, Yuka; Shimazawa, Masamitsu; Yoshimura, Shinichi; Iwama, Toru; Hara, Hideaki

2014-01-01

Adipose tissue stromal vascular fraction contains mesenchymal stem cells, which show protective effects when administered to damaged tissues, mainly through secreted trophic factors. We examined the protective effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and ASC-conditioned medium (ASC-CM) against retinal damage and identified the neuroprotective factors in ASC-CM. ASCs and mature adipocytes were isolated from mouse subcutaneous tissue. ASCs were injected intravitreally in a mouse model of light-induced retinal damage, and ASC injection recovered retinal function as measured by electroretinogram and inhibited outer nuclear layer, thinning, without engraftment of ASCs. ASC-CM and mature adipocyte-conditioned medium were collected after 72 hours of culture. In vitro, H2O2- and light-induced cell death was reduced in a photoreceptor cell line with ASC-CM but not with mature adipocyte-conditioned medium. In vivo, light-induced photoreceptor damage was evaluated by measurement of outer nuclear layer thickness at 5 days after light exposure and by electroretinogram recording. ASC-CM significantly inhibited photoreceptor degeneration and retinal dysfunction after light exposure. Progranulin was identified as a major secreted protein of ASCs that showed protective effects against retinal damage in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, progranulin phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, cAMP response element binding protein, and hepatocyte growth factor receptor, and protein kinase C signaling pathways were involved in the protective effects of progranulin. These findings suggest that ASC-CM and progranulin have neuroprotective effects in the light-induced retinal-damage model. Progranulin may be a potential target for the treatment of the degenerative diseases of the retina.

Enhanced angiogenic effect of adipose-derived stromal cell spheroid with low-level light therapy in hind limb ischemia mice.

PubMed

Park, In-Su; Chung, Phil-Sang; Ahn, Jin Chul

2014-11-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on transplanted human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) spheroid in a hind limb ischemia animal model. LLLT, hASCs spheroid and hASCs spheroid transplantation with LLLT (spheroid + LLLT) were applied to the ischemic hind limbs in athymic mice. The survival, differentiation and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) of the spheroid ASCs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blots. Spheroid + LLLT group had enhanced the tissue regeneration, including angiogenesis, compared with the ASC group. The spheroid ASCs contributed to tissue regeneration via differentiation and secretion of growth factors. In the spheroid + LLLT group, the survival of spheroid hASCs increased with a concomitant decrease in apoptosis of spheroid hASCs in the ischemic hind limb. The secretion of growth factors was stimulated in the spheroid + LLLT group compared with the ASCs and spheroid group. These data suggested that LLLT is an effective biostimulator of spheroid hASCs in tissue regeneration that enhanced the survival of ASCs and stimulated the secretion of growth factors in the ischemic hind limb. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

12 CFR 1102.306 - Procedures for requesting records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... section; (B) Where the running of such time is suspended for the calculation of a cost estimate for the... section; (C) Where the running of such time is suspended for the payment of fees pursuant to the paragraph... of the invoice. (ix) The time limit for the ASC to respond to a request will not begin to run until...

Active symptom control with or without chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MS01): a multicentre randomised trial.

PubMed

Muers, Martin F; Stephens, Richard J; Fisher, Patricia; Darlison, Liz; Higgs, Christopher M B; Lowry, Erica; Nicholson, Andrew G; O'Brien, Mary; Peake, Michael; Rudd, Robin; Snee, Michael; Steele, Jeremy; Girling, David J; Nankivell, Matthew; Pugh, Cheryl; Parmar, Mahesh K B

2008-05-17

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is almost always fatal, and few treatment options are available. Although active symptom control (ASC) has been recommended for the management of this disease, no consensus exists for the role of chemotherapy. We investigated whether the addition of chemotherapy to ASC improved survival and quality of life. 409 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, from 76 centres in the UK and two in Australia, were randomly assigned to ASC alone (treatment could include steroids, analgesic drugs, bronchodilators, palliative radiotherapy [n=136]); to ASC plus MVP (four cycles of mitomycin 6 mg/m2, vinblastine 6 mg/m2, and cisplatin 50 mg/m2 every 3 weeks [n=137]); or to ASC plus vinorelbine (one injection of vinorelbine 30 mg/m2 every week for 12 weeks [n=136]). Randomisation was done by minimisation, with stratification for WHO performance status, histology, and centre. Follow-up was every 3 weeks to 21 weeks after randomisation, and every 8 weeks thereafter. Because of slow accrual, the two chemotherapy groups were combined and compared with ASC alone for the primary outcome of overall survival. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered, number ISRCTN54469112. At the time of analysis, 393 (96%) patients had died (ASC 132 [97%], ASC plus MVP 132 [96%], ASC plus vinorelbine 129 [95%]). Compared with ASC alone, we noted a small, non-significant survival benefit for ASC plus chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89 [95% CI 0.72-1.10]; p=0.29). Median survival was 7.6 months in the ASC alone group and 8.5 months in the ASC plus chemotherapy group. Exploratory analyses suggested a survival advantage for ASC plus vinorelbine compared with ASC alone (HR 0.80 [0.63-1.02]; p=0.08), with a median survival of 9.5 months. There was no evidence of a survival benefit with ASC plus MVP (HR 0.99 [0.78-1.27]; p=0.95). We observed no between-group differences in four predefined quality-of-life subscales (physical functioning, pain, dyspnoea, and global health status) at any of the assessments in the first 6 months. The addition of chemotherapy to ASC offers no significant benefits in terms of overall survival or quality of life. However, exploratory analyses suggested that vinorelbine merits further investigation.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Applications

PubMed Central

Dai, Ru; Wang, Zongjie; Samanipour, Roya; Koo, Kyo-in; Kim, Keekyoung

2016-01-01

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are a mesenchymal stem cell source with properties of self-renewal and multipotential differentiation. Compared to bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs), ASCs can be derived from more sources and are harvested more easily. Three-dimensional (3D) tissue engineering scaffolds are better able to mimic the in vivo cellular microenvironment, which benefits the localization, attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of ASCs. Therefore, tissue-engineered ASCs are recognized as an attractive substitute for tissue and organ transplantation. In this paper, we review the characteristics of ASCs, as well as the biomaterials and tissue engineering methods used to proliferate and differentiate ASCs in a 3D environment. Clinical applications of tissue-engineered ASCs are also discussed to reveal the potential and feasibility of using tissue-engineered ASCs in regenerative medicine. PMID:27057174

Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) Technology Maturation in Preparation for Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, Wayne A.; Cornell, Peggy A.

2012-01-01

The Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) is being developed by an integrated team of Sunpower and National Aeronautics and Space Administration s (NASA s) Glenn Research Center (GRC). The ASC development, funded by NASA s Science Mission Directorate, started as a technology development effort in 2003 and has since evolved through progressive convertor builds and successful testing to demonstrate high conversion efficiency, low mass, and capability to meet long-life Radioisotope Power System (RPS) requirements. The technology has been adopted by the Department of Energy and Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company s Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG), which has been selected for potential flight demonstration on Discovery 12. This paper provides an overview of the status of ASC development including the most recent ASC-E2 convertors that have been delivered to GRC and an introduction to the ASC-E3 and ASC flight convertors that Sunpower will build next. The paper also describes the technology maturation and support tasks being conducted at GRC to support ASC and ASRG development in the areas of convertor and generator extended operation, high-temperature materials, heater head life assessment, organics, nondestructive inspection, spring fatigue testing, and other reliability verification tasks.

Paclitaxel Impairs Adipose Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation

PubMed Central

Choron, Rachel L.; Chang, Shaohua; Khan, Sophia; Villalobos, Miguel A.; Zhang, Ping; Carpenter, Jeffrey P.; Tulenko, Thomas N.; Liu, Yuan

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND Cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression have poor surgical site wound healing. Prior literature supports the use of human adipose-derived stem cell (hASC) lipoinjection to improve wound healing. It has been established multipotent hASCs facilitate neovascularization, accelerated epithelialization, and wound closure in animal models. While hASC wound therapy may benefit surgical cancer patients, the chemotherapeutic effects on hASCs are unknown. We hypothesized Paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic agent, impairs hASC growth, multipotency, and induces apoptosis. METHODS hASCs were isolated and harvested from consented, chemotherapy and radiation naïve patients. Growth curves, MTT, and EdU assays measured cytotoxicity and proliferation. Oil-Red-O stain, Alazarin-Red stain, Matrigel tube-formation assay, and qPCR analyzed hASC differentiation. Annexin V assay measured apoptosis. Immunostaining and Western blot determined TNF-α expression. RESULTS hASCs were selectively more sensitive to Paclitaxel (0.01μM–30μM) than fibroblasts (p<0.05). After 12 days, Paclitaxel caused hASC growth arrest whereas control hASCs proliferated (p=0.006). Paclitaxel caused an 80.6% reduction in new DNA synthesis (p<0.001). Paclitaxel severely inhibited endothelial differentiation and capillary-like tube formation. Differentiation markers LPL (adipogenic), alkaline phosphatase (osteogenic), CD31 and vWF (endothelial) were significantly decreased (all: p<0.05) confirming Paclitaxel impaired differentiation. Paclitaxel was also found to induce apoptosis and TNF-α was up-regulated in Paclitaxel-treated hASCs (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Paclitaxel is more cytotoxic to hASCs than fibroblasts. Paclitaxel inhibits hASC proliferation, differentiation, and induces apoptosis, possibly through the TNF-α pathway. Paclitaxel’s severe inhibition of endothelial differentiation indicates neovascularization disruption, possibly causing poor wound healing in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. PMID:25891676

40 CFR 52.351 - United States Postal Service substitute Clean Fuel Fleet Program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... State Implementation Plan, carbon monoxide NAAQS, United States Postal Service substitute clean-fuel... of section 246 of the Clean Air Act for the Denver Metropolitan carbon monoxide nonattainment area.... [66 FR 64758, Dec. 14, 2001] ...

The morphological regeneration and functional restoration of bladder defects by a novel scaffold and adipose-derived stem cells in a rat augmentation model.

PubMed

Wang, Qiong; Xiao, Dong-Dong; Yan, Hao; Zhao, Yang; Fu, Shi; Zhou, Juan; Wang, Zhong; Zhou, Zhe; Zhang, Ming; Lu, Mu-Jun

2017-06-24

Due to the multilineage differentiation ability and paracrine role of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) for bladder defect repair, various scaffolds have been applied in combination with ASCs to promote bladder regeneration and restore bladder function. However, the low survival rate of ASCs and the difficulty of promoting bladder functional recovery are still unsolved. To explore these problems, we investigated the feasibility of a novel scaffold seeded with ASCs in a rat model of bladder augmentation. A novel autologous myofibroblast (AM)-silk fibroin (SF) scaffold was harvested after subcutaneously prefabricating the bladder acellular matrix grafts (BAMG) and SF by removing the BAMG. The AM-SF scaffolds were then seeded with ASCs (AM-SF-ASCs). Fifty percent supratrigonal cystectomies were performed followed by augmenting the cystectomized defects with AM-SF scaffolds or AM-SF-ASCs. The histological and functional assessments of bladders were performed 2, 4, and 12 weeks after surgery while the ASCs were tracked in vivo. For bladder tissue regeneration, immunofluorescence analysis revealed that AM-SF-ASCs (the experimental group) promoted better morphological regeneration of the urothelium, vessels, bladder smooth muscle, and nerve than AM-SF scaffolds (the control group). Regarding functional restoration, the AM-SF-ASC group exhibited higher bladder compliance and relatively normal micturition pattern compared to the AM-SF group. In addition, a certain number of surviving ASCs could be found in vivo 12 weeks after implantation, and some of them had differentiated into smooth muscle cells. The AM-SF scaffolds with ASCs could rapidly promote bladder morphological regeneration and improved bladder urinary function. In addition, the bag-shaped structure of the AM-SF scaffold can improve the survival of ASCs for at least 12 weeks. This strategy of AM-SF-ASCs has a potential to repair large-scale bladder defects in the clinic in the future.

Extended Operation of Stirling Convertors at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oriti, Salvatore, M.

2012-01-01

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been supporting development of free-piston Stirling conversion technology for spaceflight electrical power generation since 1999. GRC has also been supporting the development of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) since 2006. A key element of the ASRG project is providing life, reliability, and performance data for the Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC). The Thermal Energy Conversion branch at GRC is conducting extended operation of several free-piston Stirling convertors. The goal of this effort is to generate long-term performance data (tens of thousands of hours) on multiple units to build a life and reliability database. Currently, GRC is operating 18 convertors. This hardware set includes Technology Demonstration Convertors (TDCs) from Infinia Corporation, of which one pair (TDCs #13 and #14) has accumulated over 60,000 hr (6.8 years) of operation. Also under test are various Sunpower, Inc. convertors that were fabricated during the ASC development activity, including ASC-0, ASC-E (including those in the ASRG engineering unit), and ASC-E2. The ASC-E2s also completed, or are in progress of completing workmanship vibration testing, performance mapping, and extended operation. Two ASC-E2 units will also be used for durability testing, during which components will be stressed to levels above nominal mission usage. Extended operation data analyses from these tests are covered in this paper.

77 FR 12580 - Public Water System Supervision Program Revision for the State of Colorado

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-01

... (CDPHE), Drinking Water Section, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION... accordance with the provisions of section 1413 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C. 300g-2, and... correspond to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) in 40 CFR parts 141 and 142. The EPA...

ASC filament formation serves as a signal amplification mechanism for inflammasomes

PubMed Central

Dick, Mathias S.; Sborgi, Lorenzo; Rühl, Sebastian; Hiller, Sebastian; Broz, Petr

2016-01-01

A hallmark of inflammasome activation is the ASC speck, a micrometre-sized structure formed by the inflammasome adaptor protein ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD), which consists of a pyrin domain (PYD) and a caspase recruitment domain (CARD). Here we show that assembly of the ASC speck involves oligomerization of ASCPYD into filaments and cross-linking of these filaments by ASCCARD. ASC mutants with a non-functional CARD only assemble filaments but not specks, and moreover disrupt endogenous specks in primary macrophages. Systematic site-directed mutagenesis of ASCPYD is used to identify oligomerization-deficient ASC mutants and demonstrate that ASC speck formation is required for efficient processing of IL-1β, but dispensable for gasdermin-D cleavage and pyroptosis induction. Our results suggest that the oligomerization of ASC creates a multitude of potential caspase-1 activation sites, thus serving as a signal amplification mechanism for inflammasome-mediated cytokine production. PMID:27329339

Detection of ASC Speck Formation by Flow Cytometry and Chemical Cross-linking.

PubMed

Hoss, Florian; Rolfes, Verena; Davanso, Mariana R; Braga, Tarcio T; Franklin, Bernardo S

2018-01-01

Assembly of a relatively large protein aggregate or "speck" formed by the adaptor protein ASC is a common downstream step in the activation of most inflammasomes. This unique feature of ASC allows its visualization by several imaging techniques and constitutes a reliable and feasible readout for inflammasome activation in cells and tissues. We have previously described step-by-step protocols to generate immortalized cell lines stably expressing ASC fused to a fluorescent protein for measuring inflammasome activation by confocal microscopy, and immunofluorescence of endogenous ASC in primary cells. Here, we present two more methods to detect ASC speck formation: (1) Assessment of ASC speck formation by flow cytometry; and (2) Chemical cross-linking of ASC followed by immunoblotting. These methods allow for the discrimination of inflammasome-activated versus non-activated cells, the identification of lineage-specific inflammasome activation in complex cell mixtures, and sorting of inflammasome-activated cells for further analysis.

Effect of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

PubMed

Danan, Deepa; Lehman, Christine E; Mendez, Rolando E; Langford, Brian; Koors, Paul D; Dougherty, Michael I; Peirce, Shayn M; Gioeli, Daniel G; Jameson, Mark J

2018-05-01

Objective Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have significant wound-healing difficulties. While adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) facilitate wound healing, ASCs may accelerate recurrence when applied to a cancer field. This study evaluates the impact of ASCs on HNSCC cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Study Design In vitro experiments using HNSCC cell lines and in vivo mouse experiments. Setting Basic science laboratory. Subjects and Methods Impact of ASCs on in vitro proliferation, survival, and migration was assessed using 8 HNSCC cell lines. One cell line was used in a mouse orthotopic xenograft model to evaluate in vivo tumor growth in the presence and absence of ASCs. Results Addition of ASCs did not increase the number of HNSCC cells. In clonogenic assays to assess cell survival, addition of ASCs increased colony formation only in SCC9 cells (maximal effect 2.3-fold, P < .02) but not in other HNSCC cell lines. In scratch assays to assess migration, fluorescently tagged ASCs did not migrate appreciably and did not increase the rate of wound closure in HNSCC cell lines. Addition of ASCs to HNSCC xenografts did not increase tumor growth. Conclusion Using multiple in vitro and in vivo approaches, ASCs did not significantly stimulate HNSCC cell proliferation or migration and increased survival in only a single cell line. These findings preliminarily suggest that the use of ASCs may be safe in the setting of HNSCC but that further investigation on the therapeutic use of ASCs in the setting of HNSCC is needed.

Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC-E2) Performance Testing at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oriti, Salvatore; Wilson, Scott

2011-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been supporting development of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) since 2006. A key element of the ASRG Project is providing life, reliability, and performance testing of the Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC). For this purpose, four pairs of ASCs capable of operating to 850 C and designated with the model number ASC-E2, were delivered by Sunpower of Athens, OH, to GRC in 2010. The ASC-E2s underwent a series of tests that included workmanship vibration testing, performance mapping, and extended operation. Workmanship vibration testing was performed following fabrication of each convertor to verify proper hardware build. Performance mapping consisted of operating each convertor at various conditions representing the range expected during a mission. Included were conditions representing beginning-of-mission (BOM), end-of-mission (EOM), and fueling. This same series of tests was performed by Sunpower prior to ASC-E2 delivery. The data generated during the GRC test were compared to performance before delivery. Extended operation consisted of a 500-hour period of operation with conditions maintained at the BOM point. This was performed to demonstrate steady convertor performance following performance mapping. Following this initial 500-hour period, the ASC-E2s will continue extended operation, controller development and special durability testing, during which the goal is to accumulate tens of thousands of hours of operation. Data collected during extended operation will support reliability analysis. Performance data from these tests is summarized in this paper.

Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC-E2) Performance Testing at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oriti, Salvatore; Wilson, Scott

2011-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been supporting development of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) since 2006. A key element of the ASRG Project is providing life, reliability, and performance testing of the Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC). For this purpose, four pairs of ASCs capable of operating to 850 C and designated with the model number ASC-E2, were delivered by Sunpower of Athens, Ohio, to GRC in 2010. The ASC-E2s underwent a series of tests that included workmanship vibration testing, performance mapping, and extended operation. Workmanship vibration testing was performed following fabrication of each convertor to verify proper hardware build. Performance mapping consisted of operating each convertor at various conditions representing the range expected during a mission. Included were conditions representing beginning-of-mission (BOM), end-of-mission (EOM), and fueling. This same series of tests was performed by Sunpower prior to ASC-E2 delivery. The data generated during the GRC test were compared to performance before delivery. Extended operation consisted of a 500-hr period of operation with conditions maintained at the BOM point. This was performed to demonstrate steady convertor performance following performance mapping. Following this initial 500-hr period, the ASC-E2s will continue extended operation, controller development and special durability testing, during which the goal is to accumulate tens of thousands of hours of operation. Data collected during extended operation will support reliability analysis. Performance data from these tests is summarized in this paper.

'Reading the Mind in the Eyes': an fMRI study of adolescents with autism and their siblings.

PubMed

Holt, R J; Chura, L R; Lai, M-C; Suckling, J; von dem Hagen, E; Calder, A J; Bullmore, E T; Baron-Cohen, S; Spencer, M D

2014-11-01

Mentalizing deficits are a hallmark of the autism spectrum condition (ASC) and a potential endophenotype for atypical social cognition in ASC. Differences in performance and neural activation on the 'Reading the Mind in the Eyes' task (the Eyes task) have been identified in individuals with ASC in previous studies. Performance on the Eyes task along with the associated neural activation was examined in adolescents with ASC (n = 50), their unaffected siblings (n = 40) and typically developing controls (n = 40). Based on prior literature that males and females with ASC display different cognitive and associated neural characteristics, analyses were stratified by sex. Three strategies were applied to test for endophenotypes at the level of neural activation: (1) identifying and locating conjunctions of ASC-control and sibling-control differences; (2) examining whether the sibling group is comparable to the ASC or intermediate between the ASC and control groups; and (3) examining spatial overlaps between ASC-control and sibling-control differences across multiple thresholds. Impaired behavioural performance on the Eyes task was observed in males with ASC compared to controls, but only at trend level in females; and no difference in performance was identified between sibling and same-sex control groups in both sexes. Neural activation showed a substantial endophenotype effect in the female groups but this was only modest in the male groups. Behavioural impairment on complex emotion recognition associated with mental state attribution is a phenotypic, rather than an endophenotypic, marker of ASC. However, the neural response during the Eyes task is a potential endophenotypic marker for ASC, particularly in females.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction Does Not Compromise the Regenerative Potential of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Duscher, Dominik; Atashroo, David; Maan, Zeshaan N.; Luan, Anna; Brett, Elizabeth A.; Barrera, Janos; Khong, Sacha M.; Zielins, Elizabeth R.; Whittam, Alexander J.; Hu, Michael S.; Walmsley, Graham G.; Pollhammer, Michael S.; Schmidt, Manfred; Schilling, Arndt F.; Machens, Hans-Günther; Huemer, Georg M.; Wan, Derrick C.; Longaker, Michael T.

2016-01-01

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have recently become a focus of regenerative medicine, both for their multilineage differentiation capacity and their excretion of proregenerative cytokines. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are of particular interest because of their abundance in fat tissue and the ease of harvest via liposuction. However, little is known about the impact of different liposuction methods on the functionality of ASCs. Here we evaluate the regenerative abilities of ASCs harvested via a third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) device versus ASCs obtained via standard suction-assisted lipoaspiration (SAL). Lipoaspirates were sorted using fluorescent assisted cell sorting based on an established surface-marker profile (CD34+/CD31−/CD45−), to obtain viable ASCs. Yield and viability were compared and the differentiation capacities of the ASCs were assessed. Finally, the regenerative potential of ASCs was examined using an in vivo model of tissue regeneration. UAL- and SAL-derived samples demonstrated equivalent ASC yield and viability, and UAL ASCs were not impaired in their osteogenic, adipogenic, or chondrogenic differentiation capacity. Equally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed comparable expression of most osteogenic, adipogenic, and key regenerative genes between both ASC groups. Cutaneous regeneration and neovascularization were significantly enhanced in mice treated with ASCs obtained by either UAL or SAL compared with controls, but there were no significant differences in healing between cell-therapy groups. We conclude that UAL is a successful method of obtaining fully functional ASCs for regenerative medicine purposes. Cells harvested with this alternative approach to liposuction are suitable for cell therapy and tissue engineering applications. Significance Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are an appealing source of therapeutic progenitor cells because of their multipotency, diverse cytokine profile, and ease of harvest via liposuction. Alternative approaches to classical suction-assisted liposuction are gaining popularity; however, little evidence exists regarding the impact of different liposuction methods on the regenerative functionality of ASCs. Human ASC characteristics and regenerative capacity were assessed when harvested via ultrasound-assisted (UAL) versus standard suction-assisted liposuction. ASCs obtained via UAL were of equal quality when directly compared with the current gold standard harvest method. UAL is an adjunctive source of fully functional mesenchymal stem cells for applications in basic research and clinical therapy. PMID:26702129

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction Does Not Compromise the Regenerative Potential of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

PubMed

Duscher, Dominik; Atashroo, David; Maan, Zeshaan N; Luan, Anna; Brett, Elizabeth A; Barrera, Janos; Khong, Sacha M; Zielins, Elizabeth R; Whittam, Alexander J; Hu, Michael S; Walmsley, Graham G; Pollhammer, Michael S; Schmidt, Manfred; Schilling, Arndt F; Machens, Hans-Günther; Huemer, Georg M; Wan, Derrick C; Longaker, Michael T; Gurtner, Geoffrey C

2016-02-01

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have recently become a focus of regenerative medicine, both for their multilineage differentiation capacity and their excretion of proregenerative cytokines. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are of particular interest because of their abundance in fat tissue and the ease of harvest via liposuction. However, little is known about the impact of different liposuction methods on the functionality of ASCs. Here we evaluate the regenerative abilities of ASCs harvested via a third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) device versus ASCs obtained via standard suction-assisted lipoaspiration (SAL). Lipoaspirates were sorted using fluorescent assisted cell sorting based on an established surface-marker profile (CD34+/CD31-/CD45-), to obtain viable ASCs. Yield and viability were compared and the differentiation capacities of the ASCs were assessed. Finally, the regenerative potential of ASCs was examined using an in vivo model of tissue regeneration. UAL- and SAL-derived samples demonstrated equivalent ASC yield and viability, and UAL ASCs were not impaired in their osteogenic, adipogenic, or chondrogenic differentiation capacity. Equally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed comparable expression of most osteogenic, adipogenic, and key regenerative genes between both ASC groups. Cutaneous regeneration and neovascularization were significantly enhanced in mice treated with ASCs obtained by either UAL or SAL compared with controls, but there were no significant differences in healing between cell-therapy groups. We conclude that UAL is a successful method of obtaining fully functional ASCs for regenerative medicine purposes. Cells harvested with this alternative approach to liposuction are suitable for cell therapy and tissue engineering applications. Significance: Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are an appealing source of therapeutic progenitor cells because of their multipotency, diverse cytokine profile, and ease of harvest via liposuction. Alternative approaches to classical suction-assisted liposuction are gaining popularity; however, little evidence exists regarding the impact of different liposuction methods on the regenerative functionality of ASCs. Human ASC characteristics and regenerative capacity were assessed when harvested via ultrasound-assisted (UAL) versus standard suction-assisted liposuction. ASCs obtained via UAL were of equal quality when directly compared with the current gold standard harvest method. UAL is an adjunctive source of fully functional mesenchymal stem cells for applications in basic research and clinical therapy. ©AlphaMed Press.

Fabrication and evaluation of thermosensitive chitosan/collagen/α, β-glycerophosphate hydrogels for tissue regeneration.

PubMed

Dang, Qifeng; Liu, Kai; Zhang, Zhenzhen; Liu, Chengsheng; Liu, Xi; Xin, Ying; Cheng, Xiaoyu; Xu, Tao; Cha, Dongsu; Fan, Bing

2017-07-01

Thermosensitive hydrogels whose physiological properties are similar to extracellular matrix have been extensively used for tissue regeneration. Polysaccharides and proteins, as biocompatible substrates similar to bio-macromolecules that could be recognized by human body, are two preferred polymers for fabrication of such hydrogels. A series of novel thermosensitive hydrogels (CS-ASC-HGs) containing chitosan (CS) and acid-soluble collagen (ASC) were thus prepared, in the presence of α, β-glycerophosphate, to mimic extracellular microenvironment for tissue regeneration. Rheological measurements demonstrated excellent thermosensitivity. FT-IR and SEM indicated CS-ASC-HGs possessed 3D porous architectures with fibrous ASC, and the molecular structure of ASC was well-maintained in hydrogels. Hemolysis, acute toxicity, and cytotoxicity tests suggested CS-ASC-HGs were of good biocompatibility. CS-ASC-HGs were able to support the survival and proliferation of L929 cells encapsulated in them. Moreover, CS-ASC-HGs had better pH stability and biocompatibility than pure CS hydrogel. These results suggested that CS-ASC-HGs could serve as promising scaffolds for tissue regeneration. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PAMAM dendrimer-baculovirus nanocomplex for microencapsulated adipose stem cell-gene therapy: in vitro and in vivo functional assessment.

PubMed

Paul, Arghya; Shao, Wei; Abbasi, Sana; Shum-Tim, Dominique; Prakash, Satya

2012-09-04

The present study aims to develop a new stem cell based gene delivery system consisting of human adipose tissue derived stem cells (hASCs) genetically modified with self-assembled nanocomplex of recombinant baculovirus and PAMAM dendrimer (Bac-PAMAM) to overexpress the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Cells were enveloped into branched PEG surface functionalized polymeric microcapsules for efficient transplantation. In vitro analysis confirmed efficient transduction of hASCs expressing 7.65 ± 0.86 ng functionally active VEGF per 10(6) microencapsulated hASCs (ASC-VEGF). To determine the potential of the developed system, chronically infarcted rat hearts were treated with either empty microcapsules (MC), microencapsulated hASCs expressing MGFP reporter protein (MC+ASC-MGFP), or MC+ASC-VEGF, and analyzed for 10 weeks. Post-transplantation data confirmed higher myocardial VEGF expressions with significantly enhanced neovasculature in the MC+ASC-VEGF group. In addition, the cardiac performance, as measured by percentage ejection fraction, also improved significantly in the MC+ASC-VEGF group (48.6 ± 6.1%) compared to that in MC+ASC-MGFP (38.8 ± 5.3%) and MC groups (31.5 ± 3.3%). Collectively, these data demonstrate the feasibility of this system for improved stem cell therapy applications.

Angiogenic Synergistic Effect of Adipose-Derived Stromal Cell Spheroids with Low-Level Light Therapy in a Model of Acute Skin Flap Ischemia.

PubMed

Park, In-Su; Chung, Phil-Sang; Ahn, Jin Chul

2016-01-01

Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) are an attractive cell source for tissue engineering. However, one obstacle to this approach is that the transplanted hASC population can decline rapidly in the recipient tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of low-level light therapy (LLLT) on transplanted spheroid hASCs in skin flaps of mice. hASCs were cultured in monolayers or spheroids. LLLT, hASCs, spheroids and spheroids transplanted with LLLT were applied to the skin flaps. Healing of the skin flaps was assessed by gross evaluation and by hematoxylin and eosin staining and elastin van Gieson staining. Compared with the spheroid group, skin flap healing was enhanced in the spheroid + LLLT group, including the neovascularization and regeneration of skin appendages. The survival of hASCs was enhanced by decreased apoptosis of hASCs in the skin flaps of the spheroid + LLLT group. The secretion of growth factors was stimulated in the spheroid + LLLT group compared with the ASC and spheroid groups. These data suggest that LLLT was an effective biostimulator of spheroid hASCs in the skin flaps, enhancing the survival of hASCs and stimulating the secretion of growth factors. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Environmental Perception and Citizen Response: a Denver, Colorado Air Pollution Case Study.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naomi, Leaura M.

Denver, a high altitude city, suffers from air pollution. Automobile emissions, as well as wood and coal burning contribute to Denver's air pollution. In order to reduce its air pollution, Denver hosted a no-drive campaign, The Better Air Campaign. This study examined how Denver -area citizens perceived their air pollution, responded to their air pollution, and responded to their no-drive campaign. First, I conducted personal interviews of twenty Denver air pollution decision-makers to ascertain their perceptions and definitions of Denver's air pollution problem. Second, I created a theoretical model of environmental perception and behavioral response to air pollution. Third, I conducted a telephone survey of 500 Denver-area residents to examine the usefulness of the model. By segmenting a sample of 500 Denver-area residents via a modified values and lifestyles (VALS) technique included in a telephone survey, the perceptions and behaviors of residents fell into a clear pattern. This values and lifestyles pattern coincided with a conventional innovation-adoption pattern, including innovators, the bandwagon, and laggards. Thus, the research determined the population's perceptions and behavioral responses to their air pollution. The research also pointed a direction for Denver's air pollution decision-makers to follow in order to reduce use of the gasoline-powered automobile. And, for those interested in encouraging public acceptance of ecological sustainability, it suggested application of the VALS technique for reaching the public.

Clinical Relevance of ASC-H Cytologies: Experience in a Single Tertiary Hospital.

PubMed

Díaz Del Arco, Cristina; Sanabria Montoro, M Carmen; García López, Dolores; Rodríguez Escudero, Eva; Fernández Aceñero, M Jesús

2016-01-01

To review the cases of atypical squamous cells (ASC), cannot exclude squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H) diagnosed at a single institution and to discuss the interpretation challenges and clinical management of these cases. The ASC-H cases diagnosed at our institution from 2006 to 2015 were studied retrospectively; of 159,000 Pap smears, there were 959 cases of ASC of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and 148 cases of ASC-H. We have reviewed the clinical records of the ASC-H cases, and data have been analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Median age was 43.1 years; 49.6% of the patients had previous cervical cytologies, and 55.9% of them were negative. Following ASC-H diagnosis, another smear was obtained in 97.1% of the cases and in 67.6% a biopsy was performed. Biopsy revealed low-grade dysplasia in 18.8% of the cases, high-grade dysplasia in 27.8%, and infiltrating carcinoma in 2.3%. Patients with significant lesions in histology were younger than patients with negative results (p = 0.08). A diagnosis of ASC-H/squamous intraepithelial lesion in the repeated cytology had a sensitivity of 74.2%, specificity of 39.6%, positive predictive value of 44.8%, and negative predictive value of 70% for the diagnosis of dysplasia. ASC-H diagnosis is associated with a high incidence of histological high-grade lesions. A repeat cytology can aid in the selection of high-risk patients, but there may be false-negative results. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Differential Regulation of the Ascorbic Acid Transporter SVCT2 during Development and in Response to Ascorbic Acid Depletion

PubMed Central

Meredith, M. Elizabeth; Harrison, Fiona E.; May, James M.

2011-01-01

The sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter-2 (SVCT2) is the only ascorbic acid (ASC) transporter significantly expressed in brain. It is required for life and critical during brain development to supply adequate levels of ASC. To assess SVCT2 function in the developing brain, we studied time-dependent SVCT2 mRNA and protein expression in mouse brain, using liver as a comparison tissue because it is the site of ASC synthesis. We found that SVCT2 expression followed an inverse relationship with ASC levels in the developing brain. In cortex and cerebellum, ASC levels were high throughout late embryonic stages and early post-natal stages and decreased with age, whereas SVCT2 mRNA and protein levels were low in embryos and increased with age. A different response was observed for liver, in which ASC levels and SVCT2 expression were both low throughout embryogenesis and increased post-natally. To determine whether low intracellular ASC might be capable of driving SVCT2 expression, we depleted ASC by diet in adult mice unable to synthesize ASC. We observed that SVCT2 mRNA and protein were not affected by ASC depletion in brain cortex, but SVCT2 protein expression was increased by ASC depletion in the cerebellum and liver. The results suggest that expression of the SVCT2 is differentially regulated during embryonic development and in adulthood. PMID:22001929

77 FR 23501 - Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Item: University of Denver Department of Anthropology and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-19

... Cultural Item: University of Denver Department of Anthropology and Museum of Anthropology, Denver, CO... Anthropology and Museum of Anthropology, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes, has determined... University of Denver Department of Anthropology and Museum of Anthropology. DATES: Representatives of any...

78 FR 64007 - Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Denver Department of Anthropology and Museum of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-25

....R50000] Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Denver Department of Anthropology and Museum of Anthropology, Denver, CO; Correction AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice; correction. SUMMARY: The University of Denver Museum of Anthropology has corrected an inventory of human remains and...

Association of 17-β Estradiol with Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: New Strategy to Produce Functional Myogenic Differentiated Cells with a Nano-Scaffold for Tissue Engineering.

PubMed

Feng, Chunxiang; Hu, Jinqian; Liu, Chang; Liu, Shiliang; Liao, Guiying; Song, Linjie; Zeng, Xiaoyong

2016-01-01

The increased incidence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in postmenopausal women has been proposed to be associated with a reduction in the level of 17-β estradiol (E2). E2 has also been shown to enhance the multi-differentiation ability of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in vitro. However, studies on the potential value of E2 for tissue engineering in SUI treatment are rare. In the present study, we successfully fabricated myogenically differentiated ASCs (MD-ASCs), which were seeded onto a Poly(l-lactide)/Poly(e-caprolactone) electrospinning nano-scaffold, and incorporated E2 into the system, with the aim of improving the proliferation and myogenic differentiation of ASCs. ASCs were collected from the inguinal subcutaneous fat of rats. The proliferation and myogenic differentiation of ASCs, as well as the nano-scaffold biocompatibility of MD-ASCs, with or without E2 supplementation, were investigated. We demonstrated that E2 incorporation enhanced the proliferation of ASCs in vitro, and the most optimal concentration was 10-9 M. E2 also led to modulation of the MD-ASCs phenotype toward a concentrated type with smooth muscle-inductive medium. The expression of early (alpha-smooth muscle actin), mid (calponin), and late-stage (myosin heavy chain) contractile markers in MD-ASCs was enhanced by E2 during the different differentiation stages. Furthermore, the nano-scaffold was biocompatible with MD-ASCs, and cell proliferation was significantly enhanced by E2. Taken together, these results demonstrate that E2 can enhance the proliferation and myogenic differentiation of ASCs and can be used to construct a biocompatible cell/nano-scaffold. These scaffolds with desirable differentiation cells show promising applications for tissue engineering.

Dura Mater Stimulates Human Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells to Undergo Bone Formation in Mouse Calvarial Defects

PubMed Central

Levi, Benjamin; Nelson, Emily R.; Li, Shuli; James, Aaron W.; Hyun, Jeong S.; Montoro, Daniel T.; Lee, Min; Glotzbach, Jason P.; Commons, George W.; Longaker, Michael T.

2015-01-01

Human adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs) have a proven capacity to aid in osseous repair of calvarial defects. However, the bone defect microenvironment necessary for osseous healing is not fully understood. In this study, we postulated that the cell-cell interaction between engrafted ASCs and host dura mater (DM) cells is critical for the healing of calvarial defects. hASCs were engrafted into critical sized calvarial mouse defects. The DM-hASC interaction was manipulated surgically by DM removal or by insertion of a semipermeable or nonpermeable membrane between DM and hASCs. Radiographic, histologic, and gene expression analyses were performed. Next, the hASC-DM interaction is assessed by conditioned media (CM) and coculture assays. Finally, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling from DM was investigated in vivo using novel BMP-2 and anti-BMP-2/4 slow releasing scaffolds. With intact DM, osseous healing occurs both from host DM and engrafted hASCs. Interference with the DM-hASC interaction dramatically reduced calvarial healing with abrogated BMP-2–Smad-1/5 signaling. Using CM and coculture assays, mouse DM cells stimulated hASC osteogenesis via BMP signaling. Through in vivo manipulation of the BMP-2 pathway, we found that BMP-2 plays an important role in DM stimulation of hASC osteogenesis in the context of calvarial bone healing. BMP-2 supplementation to a defect with disrupted DM allowed for bone formation in a nonhealing defect. DM is an osteogenic cell type that both participates in and stimulates osseous healing in a hASC-engrafted calvarial defect. Furthermore, DM-derived BMP-2 paracrine stimulation appears to play a key role for hASC mediated repair. PMID:21656608

Sex differences in frontal lobe connectivity in adults with autism spectrum conditions.

PubMed

Zeestraten, E A; Gudbrandsen, M C; Daly, E; de Schotten, M T; Catani, M; Dell'Acqua, F; Lai, M-C; Ruigrok, A N V; Lombardo, M V; Chakrabarti, B; Baron-Cohen, S; Ecker, C; Murphy, D G M; Craig, M C

2017-04-11

Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) are more prevalent in males than females. The biological basis of this difference remains unclear. It has been postulated that one of the primary causes of ASC is a partial disconnection of the frontal lobe from higher-order association areas during development (that is, a frontal 'disconnection syndrome'). Therefore, in the current study we investigated whether frontal connectivity differs between males and females with ASC. We recruited 98 adults with a confirmed high-functioning ASC diagnosis (61 males: aged 18-41 years; 37 females: aged 18-37 years) and 115 neurotypical controls (61 males: aged 18-45 years; 54 females: aged 18-52 years). Current ASC symptoms were evaluated using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Diffusion tensor imaging was performed and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps were created. Mean FA values were determined for five frontal fiber bundles and two non-frontal fiber tracts. Between-group differences in mean tract FA, as well as sex-by-diagnosis interactions were assessed. Additional analyses including ADOS scores informed us on the influence of current ASC symptom severity on frontal connectivity. We found that males with ASC had higher scores of current symptom severity than females, and had significantly lower mean FA values for all but one tract compared to controls. No differences were found between females with or without ASC. Significant sex-by-diagnosis effects were limited to the frontal tracts. Taking current ASC symptom severity scores into account did not alter the findings, although the observed power for these analyses varied. We suggest these findings of frontal connectivity abnormalities in males with ASC, but not in females with ASC, have the potential to inform us on some of the sex differences reported in the behavioral phenotype of ASC.

Mechanisms of vasculogenesis in 3D fibrin matrices mediated by the interaction of adipose-derived stem cells and endothelial cells.

PubMed

Rohringer, Sabrina; Hofbauer, Pablo; Schneider, Karl H; Husa, Anna-Maria; Feichtinger, Georg; Peterbauer-Scherb, Anja; Redl, Heinz; Holnthoner, Wolfgang

2014-10-01

Vascularization of tissue-engineered constructs is essential to provide sufficient nutrient supply and hemostasis after implantation into target sites. Co-cultures of adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) with outgrowth endothelial cells (OEC) in fibrin gels were shown to provide an effective possibility to induce vasculogenesis in vitro. However, the mechanisms of the interaction between these two cell types remain unclear so far. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences of direct and indirect stimulation of ASC-induced vasculogenesis, the influence of ASC on network stabilization and molecular mechanisms involved in vascular structure formation. Endothelial cells (EC) were embedded in fibrin gels either containing non-coated or ASC-coated microcarrier beads as well as ASC alone. Moreover, EC-seeded constructs incubated with ASC-conditioned medium were used in addition to constructs with ASC seeded on top. Vascular network formation was visualized by green fluorescent protein expressing cells or immunostaining for CD31 and quantified. RT-qPCR of cells derived from co-cultures in fibrin was performed to evaluate changes in the expression of EC marker genes during the first week of culture. Moreover, angiogenesis-related protein levels were measured by performing angiogenesis proteome profiler arrays. The results demonstrate that proximity of endothelial cells and ASC is required for network formation and ASC stabilize EC networks by developing pericyte characteristics. We further showed that ASC induce controlled vessel growth by secreting pro-angiogenic and regulatory proteins. This study reveals angiogenic protein profiles involved in EC/ASC interactions in fibrin matrices and confirms the usability of OEC/ASC co-cultures for autologous vascular tissue engineering.

Human adipose-derived stem cell spheroid treated with photobiomodulation irradiation accelerates tissue regeneration in mouse model of skin flap ischemia.

PubMed

Park, In-Su; Chung, Phil-Sang; Ahn, Jin Chul; Leproux, Anais

2017-11-01

Skin flap grafting is a form of transplantation widely used in plastic surgery. However, ischemia/reperfusion injury is the main factor which reduces the survival rate of flaps following grafting. We investigated whether photobiomodulation (PBM) precondition prior to human adipose-derived stromal cell (hASC) spheroid (PBM-spheroid) transplantation improved skin tissue functional recovery by the stimulation of angiogenesis and tissue regeneration in skin flap of mice. The LED had an emission wavelength peaked at 660 ± 20 nm (6 J/cm 2 , 10 mW/cm 2 ). The expression of angiogenic growth factors in PBM-spheroid hASCs was much greater than that of not-PBM-treated spheroid or monolayer-cultured hASCs. From immunochemical staining analysis, the hASCs of PBM-spheroid were CD31 + , KDR + , and CD34 + , whereas monolayer-cultured hASCs were negative for these markers. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of hASC PBM-spheroid in vivo, PBS, monolayer-cultured hASCs, and not-PBM-spheroid were transplanted into a skin flap model. The animals were observed for 14 days. The PBM-spheroid hASCs transplanted into the skin flap ischemia differentiated into endothelial cells and remained differentiated. Transplantation of PBM-spheroid hASCs into the skin flap ischemia significantly elevated the density of vascular formations through angiogenic factors released by the skin flap ischemia and enhanced tissue regeneration at the lesion site. Consistent with these results, the transplantation of PBM-spheroid hASCs significantly improved functional recovery compared with PBS, monolayer-cultured hASCs, and not-PBM-spheroid treatment. These findings suggest that transplantation of PBM-spheroid hASCs may be an effective stem cell therapy for the treatment of skin flap ischemia.

ASC Induces Apoptosis via Activation of Caspase-9 by Enhancing Gap Junction-Mediated Intercellular Communication

PubMed Central

Hida, Shigeaki; Fujii, Chifumi; Taniguchi, Shun’ichiro; Ito, Kensuke; Matsumura, Tomio; Okada, Nagisa; Sakaizawa, Takashi; Kobayashi, Akira; Takeoka, Michiko; Miyagawa, Shin-ichi

2017-01-01

ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD) is a key adaptor molecule of inflammasomes that mediates inflammatory and apoptotic signals. Aberrant methylation-induced silencing of ASC has been observed in a variety of cancer cells, thus implicating ASC in tumor suppression, although this role remains incompletely defined especially in the context of closely neighboring cell proliferation. As ASC has been confirmed to be silenced by abnormal methylation in HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells as well, this cell line was investigated to characterize the precise role and mechanism of ASC in tumor progression. The effects of ASC were examined using in vitro cell cultures based on comparisons between low and high cell density conditions as well as in a xenograft murine model. ASC overexpression was established by insertion of the ASC gene into pcDNA3 and pMX-IRES-GFP vectors, the latter being packed into a retrovirus and subjected to reproducible competitive assays using parental cells as an internal control, for evaluation of cell viability. p21 and p53 were silenced using shRNA. Cell viability was suppressed in ASC-expressing transfectants as compared with control cells at high cell density conditions in in vitro culture and colony formation assays and in in vivo ectopic tumor formation trials. This suppression was not detected in low cell density conditions. Furthermore, remarkable progression of apoptosis was observed in ASC-introduced cells at a high cell density, but not at a low one. ASC-dependent apoptosis was mediated not by p21, p53, or caspase-1, but rather by cleavage of caspase-9 as well as by suppression of the NF-κB-related X-linked inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein. Caspase-9 cleavage was observed to be dependent on gap junction formation. The remarkable effect of ASC on the induction of apoptosis through caspase-9 and gap junctions revealed in this study may lead to promising new approaches in anticancer therapy. PMID:28056049

Development of large-scale manufacturing of adipose-derived stromal cells for clinical applications using bioreactors and human platelet lysate.

PubMed

Haack-Sørensen, Mandana; Juhl, Morten; Follin, Bjarke; Harary Søndergaard, Rebekka; Kirchhoff, Maria; Kastrup, Jens; Ekblond, Annette

2018-04-17

In vitro expanded adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are a useful resource for tissue regeneration. Translation of small-scale autologous cell production into a large-scale, allogeneic production process for clinical applications necessitates well-chosen raw materials and cell culture platform. We compare the use of clinical-grade human platelet lysate (hPL) and fetal bovine serum (FBS) as growth supplements for ASC expansion in the automated, closed hollow fibre quantum cell expansion system (bioreactor). Stromal vascular fractions were isolated from human subcutaneous abdominal fat. In average, 95 × 10 6 cells were suspended in 10% FBS or 5% hPL medium, and loaded into a bioreactor coated with cryoprecipitate. ASCs (P0) were harvested, and 30 × 10 6 ASCs were reloaded for continued expansion (P1). Feeding rate and time of harvest was guided by metabolic monitoring. Viability, sterility, purity, differentiation capacity, and genomic stability of ASCs P1 were determined. Cultivation of SVF in hPL medium for in average nine days, yielded 546 × 10 6 ASCs compared to 111 × 10 6 ASCs, after 17 days in FBS medium. ASCs P1 yields were in average 605 × 10 6 ASCs (PD [population doublings]: 4.65) after six days in hPL medium, compared to 119 × 10 6 ASCs (PD: 2.45) in FBS medium, after 21 days. ASCs fulfilled ISCT criteria and demonstrated genomic stability and sterility. The use of hPL as a growth supplement for ASCs expansion in the quantum cell expansion system provides an efficient expansion process compared to the use of FBS, while maintaining cell quality appropriate for clinical use. The described process is an obvious choice for manufacturing of large-scale allogeneic ASC products.

Adipose-derived stem cells retain their regenerative potential after methotrexate treatment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Beane, Olivia S.; Fonseca, Vera C.; Darling, Eric M., E-mail: Eric_Darling@brown.edu

In musculoskeletal tissues like bone, chemotherapy can impair progenitor cell differentiation and proliferation, resulting in decreased bone growth and mineralization throughout a patient's lifetime. In the current study, we investigated the effects of chemotherapeutics on adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) function to determine whether this cell source could be a candidate for repairing, or even preventing, chemotherapy-induced tissue damage. Dose-dependent proliferation rates of ASCs and normal human fibroblasts (NHFs) were quantified after treatment with cytarabine (CY), etoposide (ETO), methotrexate (MTX), and vincristine (VIN) using a fluorescence-based assay. The influence of MTX on the multipotency of ASCs and freshly isolated stromal vascularmore » fraction (SVF) cells was also evaluated using lineage-specific stains and spectrophotometry. ASC and NHF proliferation were equally inhibited by exposure to CY and ETO; however, when treated with MTX and VIN, ASCs exhibited greater resistance. This was especially apparent for MTX-treated samples, with ASC proliferation showing no inhibition for clinically relevant MTX doses ranging from 0.1 to 50 μM. Additional experiments revealed that the differentiation potential of ASCs was not affected by MTX treatment and that upregulation of dihydrofolate reductase possibly contributed to this response. Moreover, SVF cells, which include ASCs, exhibited similar resistance to MTX impairment, with respect to cellular proliferation, clonogenicity, and differentiation capability. Therefore, we have shown that the regenerative properties of ASCs resist the cytotoxicity of MTX, identifying these cells as a potential key for repairing musculoskeletal damage in patients undergoing chemotherapy. - Highlights: • Long-term effects of chemotherapeutics can include musculoskeletal dysfunction. • A screen of common drugs showed disparate effects on ASCs and fibroblasts. • One drug, methotrexate, did not impair ASC growth characteristics or multipotency. • Upregulation of dihydrofolate reductase may enable ASC methotrexate resistance. • ASCs thus pose a possible means to ameliorate long-term tissue damage.« less

Single-Molecule Fluorescence Reveals the Oligomerization and Folding Steps Driving the Prion-like Behavior of ASC.

PubMed

Gambin, Yann; Giles, Nichole; O'Carroll, Ailís; Polinkovsky, Mark; Hunter, Dominic; Sierecki, Emma

2018-02-16

Single-molecule fluorescence has the unique ability to quantify small oligomers and track conformational changes at a single-protein level. Here we tackled one of the most extreme protein behaviors, found recently in an inflammation pathway. Upon danger recognition in the cytosol, NLRP3 recruits its signaling adaptor, ASC. ASC start polymerizing in a prion-like manner and the system goes in "overdrive" by producing a single micron-sized "speck." By precisely controlling protein expression levels in an in vitro translation system, we could trigger the polymerization of ASC and mimic formation of specks in the absence of inflammasome nucleators. We utilized single-molecule spectroscopy to fully characterize prion-like behaviors and self-propagation of ASC fibrils. We next used our controlled system to monitor the conformational changes of ASC upon fibrillation. Indeed, ASC consists of a PYD and CARD domains, separated by a flexible linker. Individually, both domains have been found to form fibrils, but the structure of the polymers formed by the full-length ASC proteins remains elusive. For the first time, using single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer, we studied the relative positions of the CARD and PYD domains of full-length ASC. An unexpectedly large conformational change occurred upon ASC fibrillation, suggesting that the CARD domain folds back onto the PYD domain. However, contradicting current models, the "prion-like" conformer was not initiated by binding of ASC to the NLRP3 platform. Rather, using a new method, hybrid between Photon Counting Histogram and Number and Brightness analysis, we showed that NLRP3 forms hexamers with self-binding affinities around 300nM. Overall our data suggest a new mechanism, where NLRP3 can initiate ASC polymerization simply by increasing the local concentration of ASC above a supercritical level. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Osteogenic capability of autologous rabbit adipose-derived stromal cells in repairing calvarial defects.

PubMed

Cheng, Shao-Wen; Lin, Zhong-Qin; Wang, Wei; Zhang, Wei; Kou, Dong-Quan; Ying, Xiao-Zhou; Chen, Qing-Yu; Shen, Yue; Cheng, Xiao-Jie; Peng, Lei; Lv, Chuan-Zhu

2011-01-01

To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo osteogenic capability of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs). ASCs were isolated from New Zealand white rabbits and determined by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, von Kossa staining and alizarin red staining. Some specific markers of osteogenic differentiation, including ALP, osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN) were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In vivo, demineralized bone matrix (DBM)-ASCs composites were implanted into the rabbit calvarial defects created at each side of the longitudinal midline. After 6 weeks, histologic properties of the transplants were analyzed. ASCs were successfully induced into osteogenesis. ALP staining, von Kossa staining and alizarin red staining showed positive results. The expressions of ALP, OCN and OPN were detected in ASCs after cultivation in osteogenic medium. Extensive new bone was observed in the defects transplanted with DBM-ASCs composites. ASCs have the potential to differentiate into osteogenic lineage and DBM-ASCs constructs are a promising method for regeneration in bone defects.

Advanced Stirling Convertor Testing at GRC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schifer, Nick; Oriti, Salvatore M.

2013-01-01

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been supporting development of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) since 2006. A key element of the ASRG project is providing life, reliability, and performance testing of the Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC). The latest version of the ASC, deemed ASC-E3, is of a design identical to the forthcoming flight convertors. The first pair of ASC-E3 units was delivered in December 2012. GRC has begun the process of adding these units to the catalog of ongoing Stirling convertor operation. This process includes performance verification, which examines the data from various tests to validate the convertors performance to the product specification.

Experimental study of ASCs combined with POC-PLA patch for the reconstruction of full-thickness chest wall defects.

PubMed

Zhang, Yuanzheng; Fang, Shuo; Dai, Jiezhi; Zhu, Lei; Fan, Hao; Tang, Weiya; Fan, Yongjie; Dai, Haiying; Zhang, Peipei; Wang, Ying; Xing, Xin; Yang, Chao

2017-01-01

To explore the repairing effect of combination of adipose stem cells (ASCs) and composite scaffolds on CWR, the electrospun Poly 1, 8-octanediol-co-citric acid (POC)-poly-L-lactide acid (PLA) composite scaffolds were prepared, followed by in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility evaluation of the scaffolds. Afterwards, ASCs were seeded on POC-PLA to construct the POC-PLA-ASCs scaffolds, and the POC-PLA, POC-PLA-ASCs, and traditional materials expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) were adopt for CWR in New Zealand white (NZW) rabbit models. As results, the POC-PLA-ASCs patches possessed good biocompatibility as the high proliferation ability of cells surrounding the patches. Rabbits in POC-PLA-ASCs groups showed better pulmonary function, less pleural adhesion, higher degradation rate and more neovascularization when compared with that in other two groups. The results of western blot indicated that POC-PLA-ASCs patches accelerated the expression of VEGF and Collagen I in rabbit models. From the above, our present study demonstrated that POC-PLA material was applied for CWR successfully, and ASCs seeded on the sheets could improve the pleural adhesions and promote the reparation of chest wall defects.

Correlation between gross anatomical topography, sectional sheet plastination, microscopic anatomy and endoanal sonography of the anal sphincter complex in human males

PubMed Central

Al-Ali, S; Blyth, P; Beatty, S; Duang, A; Parry, B; Bissett, I P

2009-01-01

This study elucidates the structure of the anal sphincter complex (ASC) and correlates the individual layers, namely the external anal sphincter (EAS), conjoint longitudinal muscle (CLM) and internal anal sphincter (IAS), with their ultrasonographic images. Eighteen male cadavers, with an average age of 72 years (range 62–82 years), were used in this study. Multiple methods were used including gross dissection, coronal and axial sheet plastination, different histological staining techniques and endoanal sonography. The EAS was a continuous layer but with different relations, an upper part (corresponding to the deep and superficial parts in the traditional description) and a lower (subcutaneous) part that was located distal to the IAS, and was the only muscle encircling the anal orifice below the IAS. The CLM was a fibro-fatty-muscular layer occupying the intersphincteric space and was continuous superiorly with the longitudinal muscle layer of the rectum. In its middle and lower parts it consisted of collagen and elastic fibres with fatty tissue filling the spaces between the fibrous septa. The IAS was a markedly thickened extension of the terminal circular smooth muscle layer of the rectum and it terminated proximal to the lower part of the EAS. On endoanal sonography, the EAS appeared as an irregular hyperechoic band; CLM was poorly represented by a thin irregular hyperechoic line and IAS was represented by a hypoechoic band. Data on the measurements of the thickness of the ASC layers are presented and vary between dissection and sonographic imaging. The layers of the ASC were precisely identified in situ, in sections, in isolated dissected specimens and the same structures were correlated with their sonographic appearance. The results of the measurements of ASC components in this study on male cadavers were variable, suggesting that these should be used with caution in diagnostic and management settings. PMID:19486204

12 CFR 1102.304 - Federal Register publication.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Federal Register publication. 1102.304 Section 1102.304 Banks and Banking FEDERAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS EXAMINATION COUNCIL APPRAISER REGULATION Description of Office, Procedures, Public Information § 1102.304 Federal Register publication. The ASC...

12 CFR 1102.304 - Federal Register publication.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 9 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Federal Register publication. 1102.304 Section 1102.304 Banks and Banking FEDERAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS EXAMINATION COUNCIL APPRAISER REGULATION Description of Office, Procedures, Public Information § 1102.304 Federal Register publication. The ASC...

Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance: Bethesda Classification and Association with Human Papillomavirus

PubMed Central

Barcelos, Ana Cristina Macêdo; Michelin, Márcia Antoniazi; Adad, Sheila Jorge; Murta, Eddie Fernando Candido

2011-01-01

Introduction. To analyze patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) through a cytology review and the presence of microbiological agents, with consideration of colposcopy and semiannual tracking. Methods. 103 women with ASCUS were reviewed and reclassified: normal/inflammatory, ASCUS, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). If ASCUS confirmed, it was subclassified in reactive or neoplastic ASCUS, ASC-US, or ASC-H; and Regione Emilia Romagna Screening Protocol. Patients underwent a colposcopic examination, and test for Candida sp., bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas vaginalis, and human papillomavirus (HPV) were performed. Results. Upon review, ASCUS was diagnosis in 70/103 (67.9%), being 38 (54.2%) reactive ASCUS and 32 (45.71%) neoplastic ASCUS; 62 (88.5%) ASC-US and 8 (11.41%) ASC-H. ASCUS (Regione Protocol), respectively 1-5: 15 (21.4%), 19 (27.1%), 3 (27.1%), 16 (22.8%), and 1 (1.4%). A higher number of cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II/III in the biopsies of patients with ASC-H compared to ASC-US (P = .0021). High-risk HPV test and presence of CIN II/III are more frequent in ASC-H than ASC-US (P = .031). Conclusions. ASC-H is associated with clinically significant disease. High-risk HPV-positive status in the triage for colposcopy of patients with ASC-US is associated with increased of CIN. PMID:21760701

Diabetes impairs adipose tissue-derived stem cell function and efficiency in promoting wound healing.

PubMed

Cianfarani, Francesca; Toietta, Gabriele; Di Rocco, Giuliana; Cesareo, Eleonora; Zambruno, Giovanna; Odorisio, Teresa

2013-01-01

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) are gaining increasing consideration in tissue repair therapeutic application. Recent evidence indicates that ASCs enhance skin repair in animal models of impaired wound healing. To assess the therapeutic activity of autologous vs. allogeneic ASCs in the treatment of diabetic ulcers, we functionally characterized diabetic ASCs and investigated their potential to promote wound healing with respect to nondiabetic ones. Adipose tissue-derived cells from streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice were analyzed either freshly isolated as stromal vascular fraction (SVF), or following a single passage of culture (ASCs). Diabetic ASCs showed decreased proliferative potential and migration. Expression of surface markers was altered in diabetic SVF and cultured ASCs, with a reduction in stem cell marker-positive cells. ASCs from diabetic mice released lower amounts of hepatocyte growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, and insulin-like growth factor-1, growth factors playing important roles in skin repair. Accordingly, the supernatant of diabetic ASCs manifested reduced capability to promote keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation and migration. Therapeutic potential of diabetic SVF administered to wounds of diabetic mice was blunted as compared with cells isolated from nondiabetic mice. Our data indicate that diabetes alters ASC intrinsic properties and impairs their function, thus affecting therapeutic potential in the autologous treatment for diabetic ulcers. © 2013 by the Wound Healing Society.

32. Photograph of microfiched construction drawing by U.S. Public Health ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

32. Photograph of microfiched construction drawing by U.S. Public Health Service, Treasury Department, dated April 13, 1925. (Microfiched drawing located at the Denver Service Center, #113/41904) SEWAGE FILTER PLANT-SECTIONS AND DETAILS, - Water Reclamation Plant, Grand Canyon, Coconino County, AZ

75 FR 54779 - National Oil and Hazardous Substance Pollution Contingency Plan; National Priorities List...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-09

... appropriate. The NPL is designed primarily for informational purposes and to assist EPA management. Section... Packaging). OU3 GT Car Shop/Aspen 1235 South Jason Design and Street. Manufacturing. OU3 Denver right-of-way... radiation. [[Page 54785

30 CFR 219.102 - Method of payment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... writing to the Minerals Management Service, Minerals Revenue Management, P.O. Box 5760, Denver, Colorado... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Method of payment. 219.102 Section 219.102 Mineral Resources MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS REVENUE MANAGEMENT...

The distribution of SIgA and IgG antibody-secreting cells in the palatine tonsils of Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) of different ages.

PubMed

Jia, Shuai; Zhang, Wangdong; Tan, Xuefen; He, Wanhong; Wang, Wenhui

2017-05-01

Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) are the major effector cells of mucosal immunity, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) ASCs are also associated with mucosal immunity. This study aimed to explore the distribution of these 2 ASC populations in the palatine tonsils of Bactrian camels of different ages. Eighteen Bactrian camels were divided into the following three age groups: pubertal (3-5 years), middle-aged (6-16 years) and old (17-20 years). SIgA and IgG ASCs within different sites of the palatine tonsils were observed through histological and immunohistochemical techniques, and their densities were analyzed using statistical methods. The results from all age groups showed that both the SIgA and IgG ASCs were primarily distributed in the subepithelial compartments of the reticulated crypt epithelium and secondarily distributed in the subepithelial compartments of the stratified surface squamous epithelium, with a few ASCs located in the extrafollicular region. Their densities in these three areas were significantly decreased in turn (P<0.05). However, the densities of SIgA ASCs were significantly higher than IgG ASCs in the same regions (P<0.05), and the densities of both ASC populations decreased with age. The results confirmed that Bactrian camel palatine tonsils are the primary mucosal immune organ producing SIgA ASCs, and the subepithelial compartment of the reticulated crypt epithelium is the primary region for the colonization and functional activity of SIgA and IgG ASCs.

42 CFR 416.171 - Determination of payment rates for ASC services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Determination of payment rates for ASC services... Determination of payment rates for ASC services. (a) Standard methodology. The standard methodology for determining the national unadjusted payment rate for ASC services is to calculate the product of the...

Taste identification in adults with autism spectrum conditions.

PubMed

Tavassoli, T; Baron-Cohen, S

2012-07-01

Sensory issues are widely reported in Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Since taste perception is one of the least studied senses in ASC we explored taste identification in adults with ASC (12 males, 11 females) compared to control participants (14 males, 12 females). 'Taste strips' were used to measure taste identification overall, as well as bitter, sour, sweet and salty tastes. Results revealed lower taste scores overall in the ASC group, as well as for bitter, sour and sweet tastes. Salty taste scores did not differ between the groups. Examining error types showed that adults with ASC more often misidentified a taste as salty or as no taste. Future studies should investigate underlying mechanisms of taste identification difficulties in ASC.

Sandia National Laboratories Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) software quality plan. Part 1: ASC software quality engineering practices, Version 2.0.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sturtevant, Judith E.; Heaphy, Robert; Hodges, Ann Louise

2006-09-01

The purpose of the Sandia National Laboratories Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) Software Quality Plan is to clearly identify the practices that are the basis for continually improving the quality of ASC software products. The plan defines the ASC program software quality practices and provides mappings of these practices to Sandia Corporate Requirements CPR 1.3.2 and 1.3.6 and to a Department of Energy document, ASCI Software Quality Engineering: Goals, Principles, and Guidelines. This document also identifies ASC management and software project teams responsibilities in implementing the software quality practices and in assessing progress towards achieving their software quality goals.

Victimization and Perpetration Experiences of Adults With Autism

PubMed Central

Weiss, Jonathan A.; Fardella, Michelle A.

2018-01-01

This study aimed to describe the self-reported experiences of childhood and adult victimization and perpetration in adults with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) compared to a matched sample, and how victimization and perpetration are associated with autism-related difficulties. Forty-five adults with ASC and 42 adults without ASC completed questionnaires regarding violence victimization and perpetration, emotion regulation, and sociocommunicative competence. Participants with ASC reported experiencing, as children, more overall victimization; specifically, more property crime, maltreatment, teasing/emotional bullying, and sexual assault by peers, compared to participants without ASC. Participants with ASC also reported experiencing more teasing/emotional bullying in adulthood and greater sexual contact victimization. No significant differences were found between groups on perpetration. Sociocommunicative ability and emotion regulation deficits did not explain the heightened risk for victimization. Individuals with ASC have an increased vulnerability to violence victimization, which speaks to the need for interventions, and proactive prevention strategies. PMID:29887806

Victimization and Perpetration Experiences of Adults With Autism.

PubMed

Weiss, Jonathan A; Fardella, Michelle A

2018-01-01

This study aimed to describe the self-reported experiences of childhood and adult victimization and perpetration in adults with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) compared to a matched sample, and how victimization and perpetration are associated with autism-related difficulties. Forty-five adults with ASC and 42 adults without ASC completed questionnaires regarding violence victimization and perpetration, emotion regulation, and sociocommunicative competence. Participants with ASC reported experiencing, as children, more overall victimization; specifically, more property crime, maltreatment, teasing/emotional bullying, and sexual assault by peers, compared to participants without ASC. Participants with ASC also reported experiencing more teasing/emotional bullying in adulthood and greater sexual contact victimization. No significant differences were found between groups on perpetration. Sociocommunicative ability and emotion regulation deficits did not explain the heightened risk for victimization. Individuals with ASC have an increased vulnerability to violence victimization, which speaks to the need for interventions, and proactive prevention strategies.

Cielo Computational Environment Usage Model With Mappings to ACE Requirements for the General Availability User Environment Capabilities Release Version 1.1

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vigil,Benny Manuel; Ballance, Robert; Haskell, Karen

Cielo is a massively parallel supercomputer funded by the DOE/NNSA Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) program, and operated by the Alliance for Computing at Extreme Scale (ACES), a partnership between Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). The primary Cielo compute platform is physically located at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This Cielo Computational Environment Usage Model documents the capabilities and the environment to be provided for the Q1 FY12 Level 2 Cielo Capability Computing (CCC) Platform Production Readiness Milestone. This document describes specific capabilities, tools, and procedures to support both local and remote users. The model ismore » focused on the needs of the ASC user working in the secure computing environments at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory, or Sandia National Laboratories, but also addresses the needs of users working in the unclassified environment. The Cielo Computational Environment Usage Model maps the provided capabilities to the tri-Lab ASC Computing Environment (ACE) Version 8.0 requirements. The ACE requirements reflect the high performance computing requirements for the Production Readiness Milestone user environment capabilities of the ASC community. A description of ACE requirements met, and those requirements that are not met, are included in each section of this document. The Cielo Computing Environment, along with the ACE mappings, has been issued and reviewed throughout the tri-Lab community.« less

42 CFR 416.163 - General rules.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false General rules. 416.163 Section 416.163 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED... beneficiaries by a participating ASC in connection with covered surgical procedures as determined by the...

42 CFR 416.163 - General rules.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false General rules. 416.163 Section 416.163 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED... beneficiaries by a participating ASC in connection with covered surgical procedures as determined by the...

12 CFR 1102.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Definitions. 1102.301 Section 1102.301 Banks... Office, Procedures, Public Information § 1102.301 Definitions. For purposes of this subpart: (a) ASC... disk). (f) Educational institution means a preschool, a public or private elementary or secondary...

Sandia National Laboratories Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) software quality plan : ASC software quality engineering practices Version 3.0.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Turgeon, Jennifer L.; Minana, Molly A.; Hackney, Patricia

2009-01-01

The purpose of the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) Software Quality Plan is to clearly identify the practices that are the basis for continually improving the quality of ASC software products. Quality is defined in the US Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Agency (DOE/NNSA) Quality Criteria, Revision 10 (QC-1) as 'conformance to customer requirements and expectations'. This quality plan defines the SNL ASC Program software quality engineering (SQE) practices and provides a mapping of these practices to the SNL Corporate Process Requirement (CPR) 001.3.6; 'Corporate Software Engineering Excellence'. This plan also identifies ASC management's and themore » software project teams responsibilities in implementing the software quality practices and in assessing progress towards achieving their software quality goals. This SNL ASC Software Quality Plan establishes the signatories commitments to improving software products by applying cost-effective SQE practices. This plan enumerates the SQE practices that comprise the development of SNL ASC's software products and explains the project teams opportunities for tailoring and implementing the practices.« less

Performance Measurement of Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASC-E3)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oriti, Salvatore M.

2013-01-01

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been supporting development of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) since 2006. A key element of the ASRG project is providing life, reliability, and performance testing data of the Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC). The latest version of the ASC (ASC-E3, to represent the third cycle of engineering model test hardware) is of a design identical to the forthcoming flight convertors. For this generation of hardware, a joint Sunpower and GRC effort was initiated to improve and standardize the test support hardware. After this effort was completed, the first pair of ASC-E3 units was produced by Sunpower and then delivered to GRC in December 2012. GRC has begun operation of these units. This process included performance verification, which examined the data from various tests to validate the convertor performance to the product specification. Other tests included detailed performance mapping that encompassed the wide range of operating conditions that will exist during a mission. These convertors were then transferred to Lockheed Martin for controller checkout testing. The results of this latest convertor performance verification activity are summarized here.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Their Intended Effects on Outpatient Surgery.

PubMed

Hollenbeck, Brent K; Dunn, Rodney L; Suskind, Anne M; Strope, Seth A; Zhang, Yun; Hollingsworth, John M

2015-10-01

To assess the impact of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) on rates of hospital-based outpatient procedures and adverse events. Twenty percent national sample of Medicare beneficiaries. A retrospective study of beneficiaries undergoing outpatient surgery between 2001 and 2010. Health care markets were sorted into three groups-those with ASCs, those without ASCs, and those where one opened for the first time. Generalized linear mixed models were used to assess the impact of ASC opening on rates of hospital-based outpatient surgery, perioperative mortality, and hospital admission. Adjusted hospital-based outpatient surgery rates declined by 7 percent, or from 2,333 to 2,163 procedures per 10,000 beneficiaries, in markets where an ASC opened for the first time (p < .001 for test between slopes). Within these markets, procedure use at ASCs outpaced the decline observed in the hospital setting. Perioperative mortality and admission rates remained flat after ASC opening (both p > .4 for test between slopes). The opening of an ASC in a Hospital Service Area resulted in a decline in hospital-based outpatient surgery without increasing mortality or admission. In markets where facilities opened, procedure growth at ASCs was greater than the decline in outpatient surgery use at their respective hospitals. © Health Research and Educational Trust.

Adipose Stem Cell Therapy Mitigates Chronic Pancreatitis via Differentiation into Acinar-like Cells in Mice.

PubMed

Sun, Zhen; Gou, Wenyu; Kim, Do-Sung; Dong, Xiao; Strange, Charlie; Tan, Yu; Adams, David B; Wang, Hongjun

2017-11-01

The objective of this study was to assess the capacity of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) to mitigate disease progression in an experimental chronic pancreatitis mouse model. Chronic pancreatitis (CP) was induced in C57BL/6 mice by repeated ethanol and cerulein injection, and mice were then infused with 4 × 10 5 or 1 × 10 6 GFP + ASCs. Pancreas morphology, fibrosis, inflammation, and presence of GFP + ASCs in pancreases were assessed 2 weeks after treatment. We found that ASC infusion attenuated pancreatic damage, preserved pancreas morphology, and reduced pancreatic fibrosis and cell death. GFP + ASCs migrated to pancreas and differentiated into amylase + cells. In further confirmation of the plasticity of ASCs, ASCs co-cultured with acinar cells in a Transwell system differentiated into amylase + cells with increased expression of acinar cell-specific genes including amylase and chymoB1. Furthermore, culture of acinar or pancreatic stellate cell lines in ASC-conditioned medium attenuated ethanol and cerulein-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in vitro. Our data show that a single intravenous injection of ASCs ameliorated CP progression, likely by directly differentiating into acinar-like cells and by suppressing inflammation, fibrosis, and pancreatic tissue damage. These results suggest that ASC cell therapy has the potential to be a valuable treatment for patients with pancreatitis. Copyright © 2017 The American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Self-assembled adult adipose-derived stem cell spheroids combined with biomaterials promote wound healing in a rat skin repair model.

PubMed

Hsu, Shan-Hui; Hsieh, Pai-Shan

2015-01-01

Adult adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are a type of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with easy availability and serve as a potential cell source for cell-based therapy. Three-dimensional MSC spheroids may be derived from the self-assembly of individual MSCs grown on certain polymer membranes. In this study, we demonstrated that the self-assembled ASC spheroids on chitosan-hyaluronan membranes expressed more cytokine genes (fibroblast growth factor 1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and chemokine [C-C motif] ligand 2) as well as migration-associated genes (chemokine [C-X-C motif] receptor type 4 and matrix metalloprotease 1) compared with ASC dispersed single cells grown on culture dish. To evaluate the in vivo effects of these spheroids, we applied ASC single cells and ASC spheroids in a designed rat skin repair model. Wounds of 15 × 15 mm were created on rat dorsal skin, where ASCs were administered and covered with hyaluronan gel/chitosan sponge to maintain a moist environment. Results showed that skin wounds treated with ASC spheroids had faster wound closure and a significantly higher ratio of angiogenesis. Tracking of fluorescently labeled ASCs showed close localization of ASC spheroids to microvessels, suggesting enhanced angiogenesis through paracrine effects. Based on the in vitro and in vivo results, the self-assembled ASC spheroids may be a promising cellular source for skin tissue engineering and wound regeneration. © 2014 by the Wound Healing Society.

Impact of low oxygen tension on stemness, proliferation and differentiation potential of human adipose-derived stem cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Choi, Jane Ru; Pingguan-Murphy, Belinda; Wan Abas, Wan Abu Bakar

2014-05-30

Highlights: • Hypoxia maintains the stemness of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). • ASCs show an increased proliferation rate under low oxygen tension. • Oxygen level as low as 2% enhances the chondrogenic differentiation potential of ASCs. • HIF-1α may regulate the proliferation and differentiation activities of ASCs under hypoxia. - Abstract: Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been found adapted to a specific niche with low oxygen tension (hypoxia) in the body. As an important component of this niche, oxygen tension has been known to play a critical role in the maintenance of stem cell characteristics. However, the effect of O{submore » 2} tension on their functional properties has not been well determined. In this study, we investigated the effects of O{sub 2} tension on ASCs stemness, differentiation and proliferation ability. Human ASCs were cultured under normoxia (21% O{sub 2}) and hypoxia (2% O{sub 2}). We found that hypoxia increased ASC stemness marker expression and proliferation rate without altering their morphology and surface markers. Low oxygen tension further enhances the chondrogenic differentiation ability, but reduces both adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential. These results might be correlated with the increased expression of HIF-1α under hypoxia. Taken together, we suggest that growing ASCs under 2% O{sub 2} tension may be important in expanding ASCs effectively while maintaining their functional properties for clinical therapy, particularly for the treatment of cartilage defects.« less

Test Rack Development for Extended Operation of Advanced Stirling Convertors at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dugala, Gina M.

2010-01-01

The U.S. Department of Energy, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunpower Inc., and NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) have been developing an Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) for use as a power system on space science missions. This generator will make use of free-piston Stirling convertors to achieve higher conversion efficiency than with currently available alternatives. One part of NASA GRC's support of ASRG development includes extended operation testing of Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASCs) developed by Sunpower Inc. and GRC. The ASC consists of a free-piston Stirling engine integrated with a linear alternator. NASA GRC has been building test facilities to support extended operation of the ASCs for several years. Operation of the convertors in the test facility provides convertor performance data over an extended period of time. One part of the test facility is the test rack, which provides a means for data collection, convertor control, and safe operation. Over the years, the test rack requirements have changed. The initial ASC test rack utilized an alternating-current (AC) bus for convertor control; the ASRG Engineering Unit (EU) test rack can operate with AC bus control or with an ASC Control Unit (ACU). A new test rack is being developed to support extended operation of the ASC-E2s with higher standards of documentation, component selection, and assembly practices. This paper discusses the differences among the ASC, ASRG EU, and ASC-E2 test racks.

40 CFR 52.322 - Extensions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 3 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Extensions. 52.322 Section 52.322... PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS Colorado § 52.322 Extensions. The Administrator, by authority delegated..., 1995) the attainment date for the Denver, Colorado, PM-10 nonattainment area. [60 FR 52315, Oct. 6...

40 CFR 52.322 - Extensions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 3 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Extensions. 52.322 Section 52.322... PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS Colorado § 52.322 Extensions. The Administrator, by authority delegated..., 1995) the attainment date for the Denver, Colorado, PM-10 nonattainment area. [60 FR 52315, Oct. 6...

40 CFR 52.322 - Extensions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 3 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Extensions. 52.322 Section 52.322... PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS Colorado § 52.322 Extensions. The Administrator, by authority delegated..., 1995) the attainment date for the Denver, Colorado, PM-10 nonattainment area. [60 FR 52315, Oct. 6...

40 CFR 52.322 - Extensions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 3 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Extensions. 52.322 Section 52.322... PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS Colorado § 52.322 Extensions. The Administrator, by authority delegated..., 1995) the attainment date for the Denver, Colorado, PM-10 nonattainment area. [60 FR 52315, Oct. 6...

40 CFR 52.322 - Extensions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Extensions. 52.322 Section 52.322... PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS Colorado § 52.322 Extensions. The Administrator, by authority delegated..., 1995) the attainment date for the Denver, Colorado, PM-10 nonattainment area. [60 FR 52315, Oct. 6...

47. Photocopy of microfiched construction drawing by Yosemite National Park, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

47. Photocopy of microfiched construction drawing by Yosemite National Park, California, date unknown. (Microfiched drawing located at the Denver Service Center, #104/5048). ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (SHEET 2 OF 2, Weastern Section). - Yosemite Hydroelectric Power Plant, Highways 120 & 140, Yosemite Village, Mariposa County, CA

46. Photocopy of microfiched construction drawing by Yosemite National Park, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

46. Photocopy of microfiched construction drawing by Yosemite National Park, California, date unknown. (Microfiched drawing located at the Denver Service Center, #104/5048). ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (SHEET 1 OF 2, Eastern Section). - Yosemite Hydroelectric Power Plant, Highways 120 & 140, Yosemite Village, Mariposa County, CA

Angiopoietin-1-expressing adipose stem cells genetically modified with baculovirus nanocomplex: investigation in rat heart with acute infarction.

PubMed

Paul, Arghya; Nayan, Madhur; Khan, Afshan Afsar; Shum-Tim, Dominique; Prakash, Satya

2012-01-01

The objective of this study was to develop angiopoietin-1 (Ang1)-expressing genetically modified human adipose tissue derived stem cells (hASCs) for myocardial therapy. For this, an efficient gene delivery system using recombinant baculovirus complexed with cell penetrating transactivating transcriptional activator TAT peptide/deoxyribonucleic acid nanoparticles (Bac-NP), through ionic interactions, was used. It was hypothesized that the hybrid Bac- NP(Ang1) system can efficiently transduce hASCs and induces favorable therapeutic effects when transplanted in vivo. To evaluate this hypothesis, a rat model with acute myocardial infarction and intramyocardially transplanted Ang1-expressing hASCs (hASC-Ang1), genetically modified by Bac-NP(Ang1), was used. Ang1 is a crucial pro-angiogenic factor for vascular maturation and neovasculogenesis. The released hAng1 from hASC-Ang1 demonstrated profound mitotic and anti-apoptotic activities on endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. The transplanted hASC-Ang1 group showed higher cell retention compared to hASC and control groups. A significant increase in capillary density and reduction in infarct sizes were noted in the infarcted hearts with hASC-Ang1 treatment compared to infarcted hearts treated with hASC or the untreated group. Furthermore, the hASC-Ang1 group showed significantly higher cardiac performance in echocardiography (ejection fraction 46.28% ± 6.3%, P < 0.001 versus control, n = 8) than the hASC group (36.35% ± 5.7%, P < 0.01, n = 8), 28 days post-infarction. The study identified Bac-NP complex as an advanced gene delivery vehicle for stem cells and demonstrated its potential to treat ischemic heart disease with high therapeutic index for combined stem cell-gene therapy strategy.

Environmental enrichment synergistically improves functional recovery by transplanted adipose stem cells in chronic hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

PubMed

Seo, Jung Hwa; Kim, Hyongbum; Park, Eun Sook; Lee, Jong Eun; Kim, Dong Wook; Kim, Hyun Ok; Im, Sang Hee; Yu, Ji Hea; Kim, Ji Yeon; Lee, Min-Young; Kim, Chul Hoon; Cho, Sung-Rae

2013-01-01

We investigated the effects of environmental enrichment (EE) on the function of transplanted adipose stem cells (ASCs) and the combined effect of EE and ASC transplantation on neurobehavioral function in an animal model of chronic hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury. HI brain damage was induced in 7-day-old mice by unilateral carotid artery ligation and exposure to hypoxia (8% O2 for 90 min). At 6 weeks of age, the mice were randomly injected with either ASCs or PBS into the striatum and were randomly assigned to either EE or standard cages (SC), comprising ASC-EE (n=18), ASC-SC (n=19), PBS-EE (n=12), PBS-SC (n=17), and untreated controls (n=23). Rotarod, forelimb-use asymmetry, and grip strength tests were performed to evaluate neurobehavioral function. The fate of transplanted cells and the levels of endogenous neurogenesis, astrocyte activation, and paracrine factors were also measured. As a result, EE and ASC transplantation synergistically improved rotarod latency, forelimb-use asymmetry, and grip strength compared to those of the other groups. The number of engrafted ASCs and βIII-tubulin(+) neurons derived from the transplanted ASCs was significantly higher in mice in EE than those in SC. EE and ASC transplantation also synergistically increased BrdU(+)βIII-tubulin(+) neurons, GFAP(+) astrocytic density, and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) level but not the level of CS-56(+) glial scarring in the striatum. In conclusion, EE and ASC transplantation synergistically improved neurobehavioral functions. The underlying mechanisms of this synergism included enhanced repair processes such as higher engraftment of the transplanted ASCs, increased endogenous neurogenesis and astrocytic activation coupled with upregulation of FGF2.

Human adipose derived mesenchymal stromal cells transduced with GFP lentiviral vectors: assessment of immunophenotype and differentiation capacity in vitro.

PubMed

van Vollenstee, Fiona A; Jackson, Carlo; Hoffmann, Danie; Potgieter, Marnie; Durandt, Chrisna; Pepper, Michael S

2016-10-01

Adipose derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (ASCs) are a heterogeneous population characterized by (a) their ability to adhere to plastic; (b) immunophenotypic expression of certain cell surface markers, while lacking others; and (c) the capacity to differentiate into lineages of mesodermal origin including osteocytes, chondrocytes and adipocytes. The long-term goal is to utilize these cells for clinical translation into cell-based therapies. However, preclinical safety and efficacy need to be demonstrated in animal models. ASCs can also be utilized as biological vehicles for vector-based gene delivery systems, since they are believed to home to sites of inflammation and infection in vivo. These factors motivated the development of a labelling system for ASCs using lentiviral vector-based green fluorescent protein (GFP) transduction. Human ASCs were transduced with GFP-expressing lentiviral vectors. A titration study determined the viral titer required to transduce the maximum number of ASCs. The effect of the transduced GFP lentiviral vector on ASC immunophenotypic expression of surface markers as well as their ability to differentiate into osteocytes and adipocytes were assessed in vitro. A transduction efficiency in ASC cultures of approximately 80 % was observed with an MOI of ~118. No significant immunophenotypic differences were observed between transduced and non-transduced cells and both cell types successfully differentiated into adipocytes and osteocytes in vitro. We obtained >80 % transduction of ASCs using GFP lentiviral vectors. Transduced ASCs maintained plastic adherence, demonstrated ASC immunophenotype and the ability to differentiate into cells of the mesodermal lineage. This GFP-ASC transduction technique offers a potential tracking system for future pre-clinical studies.

Therapeutic Potential of Human Adipose-Derived Stem/Stromal Cell Microspheroids Prepared by Three-Dimensional Culture in Non-Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid Gel.

PubMed

Mineda, Kazuhide; Feng, Jingwei; Ishimine, Hisako; Takada, Hitomi; Doi, Kentaro; Kuno, Shinichiro; Kinoshita, Kahori; Kanayama, Koji; Kato, Harunosuke; Mashiko, Takanobu; Hashimoto, Ichiro; Nakanishi, Hideki; Kurisaki, Akira; Yoshimura, Kotaro

2015-12-01

Three-dimensional culture of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for spheroid formation is known to enhance their therapeutic potential for regenerative medicine. Spheroids were prepared by culturing human adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (hASCs) in a non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) gel and compared with dissociated hASCs and hASC spheroids prepared using a nonadherent dish. Preliminary experiments indicated that a 4% HA gel was the most appropriate for forming hASC spheroids with a relatively consistent size (20-50 µm) within 48 hours. Prepared spheroids were positive for pluripotency markers (NANOG, OCT3/4, and SOX-2), and 40% of the cells were SSEA-3-positive, a marker of the multilineage differentiating stress enduring or Muse cell. In contrast with dissociated ASCs, increased secretion of cytokines such as hepatocyte growth factor was detected in ASC spheroids cultured under hypoxia. On microarray ASC spheroids showed upregulation of some pluripotency markers and downregulation of genes related to the mitotic cell cycle. After ischemia-reperfusion injury to the fat pad in SCID mice, local injection of hASC spheroids promoted tissue repair and reduced the final atrophy (1.6%) compared with that of dissociated hASCs (14.3%) or phosphate-buffered saline (20.3%). Part of the administered hASCs differentiated into vascular endothelial cells. ASC spheroids prepared in a HA gel contain undifferentiated cells with therapeutic potential to promote angiogenesis and tissue regeneration after damage. This study shows the therapeutic value of human adipose-derived stem cell spheroids prepared in hyarulonic acid gel. The spheroids have various benefits as an injectable cellular product and show therapeutic potential to the stem cell-depleted conditions such as diabetic chronic skin ulcer. ©AlphaMed Press.

Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cell pigment epithelium-derived factor cytotherapy modifies genetic and epigenetic profiles of prostate cancer cells.

PubMed

Zolochevska, Olga; Shearer, Joseph; Ellis, Jayne; Fokina, Valentina; Shah, Forum; Gimble, Jeffrey M; Figueiredo, Marxa L

2014-03-01

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) are promising tools for delivery of cytotherapy against cancer. However, ASCs can exert profound effects on biological behavior of tumor cells. Our study aimed to examine the influence of ASCs on gene expression and epigenetic methylation profiles of prostate cancer cells as well as the impact of expressing a therapeutic gene on modifying the interaction between ASCs and prostate cancer cells. ASCs were modified by lentiviral transduction to express either green fluorescent protein as a control or pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) as a therapeutic molecule. PC3 prostate cancer cells were cultured in the presence of ASC culture-conditioned media (CCM), and effects on PC3 or DU145. Ras cells were examined by means of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, EpiTect methyl prostate cancer-focused real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction arrays, and luciferase reporter assays. ASCs transduced with lentiviral vectors were able to mediate expression of several tumor-inhibitory genes, some of which correlated with epigenetic methylation changes on cocultured PC3 prostate cancer cells. When PC3 cells were cultured with ASC-PEDF CCM, we observed a shift in the balance of gene expression toward tumor inhibition, which suggests that PEDF reduces the potential tumor-promoting activity of unmodified ASCs. These results suggest that ASC-PEDF CCM can promote reprogramming of tumor cells in a paracrine manner. An improved understanding of genetic and epigenetic events in prostate cancer growth in response to PEDF paracrine therapy would enable a more effective use of ASC-PEDF, with the goal of achieving safer yet more potent anti-tumor effects. Copyright © 2014 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Baghdadite ceramics modulate the cross talk between human adipose stem cells and osteoblasts for bone regeneration.

PubMed

Lu, Zufu; Wang, Guocheng; Roohani-Esfahani, Iman; Dunstan, Colin R; Zreiqat, Hala

2014-03-01

Understanding interactions among the three elements (cells, scaffolds, and bioactive factors) is critical for successful tissue engineering. This study was aimed to investigate how scaffolds would affect osteogenic gene expression in human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) or human primary osteoblasts (HOBs), and their cross talk. Either ASCs or HOBs were seeded on Baghdadite (Ca3ZrSi2O9) and hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP) scaffolds, and osteogenic gene expression was assessed. To further evaluate how substrate affected HOB and ASC cross talk, an indirect co-culture system with semipermeable inserts placed on the culture plate was set up to co-culture ASCs or HOBs, which were grown in monolayer or seeded on Baghdadite or HA/TCP scaffolds, and osteogenic differentiation of the cells was assessed. We found that Baghdadite scaffolds induced a significantly greater increase in RUNX2, osteopontin, bone sialoprotein, and osteocalcin gene expression in HOBs in comparison to HA/TCP scaffolds; Baghdadite scaffolds also significantly induced RUNX2 and osteopontin, but not bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin gene expression in ASCs. In the co-culture system, the HOBs on Baghdadite scaffolds more markedly promoted osteogenic gene expression in ASCs compared to HOBs in monolayer or the HOBs on HA/TCP scaffolds. In addition, the ASCs seeded on Baghdadite scaffolds more markedly promoted osteogenic gene expression in HOBs than did the ASCs on HA/TCP scaffolds. BMP-2 expression in ASCs or HOBs was increased when they were seeded on Baghdadite scaffolds, and adding Noggin into the co-culture medium largely abrogated Baghdadite scaffold-modulated ASC-HOB cross talk. In summary, Baghdadite scaffolds not only promote the osteogenic differentiation of HOBs or ASCs but also modulate the cross talk between ASCs and HOBs, in part via increasing BMP2 expression, thereby promoting their osteogenic differentiation.

l-Ascorbic acid 2-phosphate promotes elongation of hair shafts via the secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 from dermal papilla cells through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

PubMed

Kwack, M H; Shin, S H; Kim, S R; Im, S U; Han, I S; Kim, M K; Kim, J C; Sung, Y K

2009-06-01

l-Ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (Asc 2-P), a derivative of l-ascorbic acid, promotes elongation of hair shafts in cultured human hair follicles and induces hair growth in mice. To investigate whether the promotion of hair growth by Asc 2-P is mediated by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and, if so, to investigate the mechanism of the Asc 2-P-induced IGF-1 expression. Dermal papilla (DP) cells were cultured and IGF-1 level was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after Asc 2-P treatment in the absence or presence of LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. Also, hair shaft elongation in cultured human scalp hair follicles and proliferation of cocultured keratinocytes were examined after Asc 2-P treatment in the absence or presence of neutralizing antibody against IGF-1. In addition, keratinocyte proliferation in cultured hair follicles after Asc 2-P treatment in the absence or presence of LY294002 was examined by Ki-67 immunostaining. IGF-1 mRNA in DP cells was upregulated and IGF-1 protein in the conditioned medium of DP cells was significantly increased after treatment with Asc 2-P. Immunohistochemical staining showed that IGF-1 staining is increased in the DP of cultured human hair follicles by Asc 2-P. The neutralizing antibody against IGF-1 significantly suppressed the Asc 2-P-mediated elongation of hair shafts in hair follicle organ culture and significantly attenuated Asc 2-P-induced growth of cocultured keratinocytes. LY294002 significantly attenuated Asc 2-P-inducible IGF-1 expression and proliferation of follicular keratinocytes in cultured hair follicles. These data show that Asc 2-P-inducible IGF-1 from DP cells promotes proliferation of follicular keratinocytes and stimulates hair follicle growth in vitro via PI3K.

Distinct Effects of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Adipocytes on Normal and Cancer Cell Hierarchy.

PubMed

Anjanappa, Manjushree; Burnett, Riesa; Zieger, Michael A; Merfeld-Clauss, Stephanie; Wooden, William; March, Keith; Tholpady, Sunil; Nakshatri, Harikrishna

2016-07-01

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) have received considerable attention in oncology because of the known direct link between obesity and cancer as well as the use of ASCs in reconstructive surgery after tumor ablation. Previous studies have documented how cancer cells commandeer ASCs to support their survival by altering extracellular matrix composition and stiffness, migration, and metastasis. This study focused on delineating the effects of ASCs and adipocytes on the self-renewal of stem/progenitor cells and hierarchy of breast epithelial cells. The immortalized breast epithelial cell line MCF10A, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) cell lines MCF10DCIS.com and SUM225, and MCF10A-overexpressing SRC oncogene were examined using a mammosphere assay and flow cytometry for the effects of ASCs on their self-renewal and stem-luminal progenitor-differentiated cell surface marker profiles. Interestingly, ASCs promoted the self-renewal of all cell types except SUM225. ASC coculture or treatment with ASC conditioned media altered the number of CD49f(high)/EpCAM(low) basal/stem-like and CD49f(medium)/EpCAM(medium) luminal progenitor cells. Among multiple factors secreted by ASCs, IFNγ and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) displayed unique actions on epithelial cell hierarchy. IFNγ increased stem/progenitor-like cells while simultaneously reducing the size of mammospheres, whereas HGF increased the size of mammospheres with an accompanying increase in luminal progenitor cells. ASCs expressed higher levels of HGF, whereas adipocytes expressed higher levels of IFNγ. As luminal progenitor cells are believed to be prone for transformation, IFNγ and HGF expression status of ASCs may influence susceptibility for developing breast cancer as well as on outcomes of autologous fat transplantation on residual/dormant tumor cells. This study suggests that the ratio of ASCs to adipocytes influences cancer cell hierarchy, which may impact incidence and progression. Mol Cancer Res; 14(7); 660-71. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

Growth and elemental accumulation of plants grown in acidic soil amended with coal fly ash-sewage sludge co-compost

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wong, J.W.C.; Selvam, A.

2009-10-15

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth and heavy-metal accumulation of Brassica chinensis and Agropyron elongatum in 10 and 25% ash-sludge co-compost (ASC)-amended loamy acidic soil (pH 4.51) at two different application rates: 20% and 40% (v/v). Soil pH increased, whereas electrical conductivity decreased with the amendment of ASC to soil. Bioavailable Cu, Zn, and Mn contents of ASC-amended soil decreased, whereas Ni, Pb, and B contents increased. Concentrations of bioavailable Cu, Zn, and Mn in sludge compost (SC)-amended soils were 5.57, 20.8, and 8.19 mg kg{sup -1}, respectively. These concentrations were significantly lower than those in soilmore » receiving an application rate of 20 or 25% ASC as 2.64, 8.48, and 5.26 mg kg(-1), respectively. Heavy metals and B contents of the composting mass significantly increased with an increase in ASC application rate from 20 to 40% (6.2 to 16.6 mg kg{sup -1} for 10% ASC- and 9.4 to 18.6 mg kg{sup -1} for 25% ASC-amended soil. However, when the ash content in co-compost increased from 10 to 25% during composting, bioavailable heavy-metal contents decreased. However, B contents increased with an increase in ash content. Addition of co-composts increased the dry-weight yield of the plants, and this increase was more obvious as the ash amendment rate in the co-composts and the ASC application rate increased. In case of B. chinensis, the biomass of 2.84 g/plant for 40% application of 25% ASC was significantly higher than SC (0.352 g/plant), which was 40% application of 10% ASC (0.434 g/plant) treatments. However, in A. elongatum, the differences between biomass of plants grown with 10% (1.34-1.94 g/ plant) and 25% ASC (2.12-2.21 g/plant) were not significantly different. ASC was favorable in increasing the growth of B. chinensis and A. elongatum. The optimal ash amendment to the sludge composting and ASC application rates were at 25 and 20%, respectively.« less

Prevalence and typing of HPV DNA in atypical squamous cells in pregnant women.

PubMed

Lu, Danielle W; Pirog, Edyta C; Zhu, Xiaopei; Wang, Hanlin L; Pinto, Karen R

2003-01-01

To determine the prevalence and typing of HPV DNA in pregnant women with a diagnosis of atypical squamous cells (ASC) and to assess whether pregnancy-related changes contribute to the diagnosis of ASC. HPV testing was performed on residual specimens from the ThinPrep Pap test (Cytyc Corp., Boxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.A.) in pregnant women diagnosed as ASC (study group, n = 105), low and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL and HSIL) (positive control, n = 33) and negative for epithelial cell abnormality (negative control, n = 20). All cases were reviewed by 2 cytopathologists to obtain consensus diagnoses using the Bethesda System 2001 criteria. The study group cases were further subcategorized into ASC of undetermined significance (ASCUS, n = 99) and ASC cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H, n = 6). HPV testing was also performed on an ASC control group consisting of 68 consecutive ASC cases in nonpregnant women, matched by age. Mean patient age was 23.7 years for the study group and 25.6 years for the ASC control group. HPV DNA was detected in 88.6% of cases in the study group, including 87.9% of ASC-US and 100% of ASC-H cases. Of the HPV positive cases, 79.6%, 4.3%, 5.4% and 10.8% had high-risk, mixed high- and low-risk, low-risk and unknown HPV types, respectively. The most frequent HPV types detected were: types 52 (31.2%), 16 (15.1%), 39 (11.8%), 53 (10.8%), and 18 and 58 (9.7% each). Multiple viral types were detected in 43.0% of cases. The prevalence of HPV DNA in the positive and negative controls in pregnant women was 100% and 55%, respectively. HPV DNA was detected in 83.8% of the ASC control group. Regardless of pregnancy-related changes, the prevalence of HPV DNA in pregnant women (88.6%) was similar to that found in ASC in nonpregnant women of the same reproductive-age group (83.8%), and the high-risk types accounted for the vast majority of cases (83.9%). These findings demonstrate that pregnancy-related changes do not contribute to the diagnosis of ASC in this subset of women. Furthermore, the high HPV DNA prevalence in reproductive-age women (< 40 years) suggests that HPV testing may have limited utility in effective management of these patients.

Obesity Determines the Immunophenotypic Profile and Functional Characteristics of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells From Adipose Tissue

PubMed Central

Pachón-Peña, Gisela; Serena, Carolina; Ejarque, Miriam; Petriz, Jordi; Duran, Xevi; Oliva-Olivera, W.; Simó, Rafael; Tinahones, Francisco J.

2016-01-01

Adipose tissue is a major source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which possess a variety of properties that make them ideal candidates for regenerative and immunomodulatory therapies. Here, we compared the immunophenotypic profile of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) from lean and obese individuals, and explored its relationship with the apparent altered plasticity of hASCs. We also hypothesized that persistent hypoxia treatment of cultured hASCs may be necessary but not sufficient to drive significant changes in mature adipocytes. hASCs were obtained from subcutaneous adipose tissue of healthy, adult, female donors undergoing abdominal plastic surgery: lean (n = 8; body mass index [BMI]: 23 ± 1 kg/m2) and obese (n = 8; BMI: 35 ± 5 kg/m2). Cell surface marker expression, proliferation and migration capacity, and adipogenic differentiation potential of cultured hASCs at two different oxygen conditions were studied. Compared with lean-derived hASCs, obese-derived hASCs demonstrated increased proliferation and migration capacity but decreased lipid droplet accumulation, correlating with a higher expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-II and cluster of differentiation (CD) 106 and lower expression of CD29. Of interest, adipogenic differentiation modified CD106, CD49b, HLA-ABC surface protein expression, which was dependent on the donor’s BMI. Additionally, low oxygen tension increased proliferation and migration of lean but not obese hASCs, which correlated with an altered CD36 and CD49b immunophenotypic profile. In summary, the differences observed in proliferation, migration, and differentiation capacity in obese hASCs occurred in parallel with changes in cell surface markers, both under basal conditions and during differentiation. Therefore, obesity is an important determinant of stem cell function independent of oxygen tension. Significance The obesity-related hypoxic environment may have latent effects on human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) with potential consequences in mature cells. This study explores the immunophenotypic profile of hASCs obtained from lean and obese individuals and its potential relationship with the altered plasticity of hASCs observed in obesity. In this context, an altered pattern of cell surface marker expression in obese-derived hASCs in both undifferentiated and differentiated stages is demonstrated. Differences in proliferation, migration, and differentiation capacity of hASCs from obese adipose tissue correlated with alterations in cell surface expression. Remarkably, altered plasticity observed in obese-derived hASCs was maintained in the absence of hypoxia, suggesting that these cells might be obesity conditioned. PMID:26956208

Effect of different signal-processing options on speech-in-noise recognition for cochlear implant recipients with the cochlear CP810 speech processor.

PubMed

Potts, Lisa G; Kolb, Kelly A

2014-04-01

Difficulty understanding speech in the presence of background noise is a common report among cochlear implant (CI) recipients. Several speech-processing options designed to improve speech recognition, especially in noise, are currently available in the Cochlear Nucleus CP810 speech processor. These include adaptive dynamic range optimization (ADRO), autosensitivity control (ASC), Beam, and Zoom. The purpose of this study was to evaluate CI recipients' speech-in-noise recognition to determine which currently available processing option or options resulted in best performance in a simulated restaurant environment. Experimental study with one study group. The independent variable was speech-processing option, and the dependent variable was the reception threshold for sentences score. Thirty-two adult CI recipients. Eight processing options were tested: Beam, Beam + ASC, Beam + ADRO, Beam + ASC + ADRO, Zoom, Zoom + ASC, Zoom + ADRO, and Zoom + ASC + ADRO. Participants repeated Hearing in Noise Test sentences presented at a 0° azimuth, with R-Space restaurant noise presented from a 360° eight-loudspeaker array at 70 dB sound pressure level. A one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze differences in Beam options, Zoom options, and Beam versus Zoom options. Among the Beam options, Beam + ADRO was significantly poorer than Beam only, Beam + ASC, and Beam + ASC + ADRO. A 1.6-dB difference was observed between the best (Beam only) and poorest (Beam + ADRO) options. Among the Zoom options, Zoom only and Zoom + ADRO were significantly poorer than Zoom + ASC. A 2.2-dB difference was observed between the best (Zoom + ASC) and poorest (Zoom only) options. The comparison between Beam and Zoom options showed one significant difference, with Zoom only significantly poorer than Beam only. No significant difference was found between the other Beam and Zoom options (Beam + ASC vs Zoom + ASC, Beam + ADRO vs Zoom + ADRO, and Beam + ASC + ADRO vs Zoom + ASC + ADRO). The best processing option varied across subjects, with an almost equal number of participants performing best with a Beam option (n = 15) compared with a Zoom option (n = 17). There were no significant demographic or audiological moderating variables for any option. The results showed no significant differences between adaptive directionality (Beam) and fixed directionality (Zoom) when ASC was active in the R-Space environment. This finding suggests that noise-reduction processing is extremely valuable in loud semidiffuse environments in which the effectiveness of directional filtering might be diminished. However, there was no significant difference between the Beam-only and Beam + ASC options, which is most likely related to the additional noise cancellation performed by the Beam option (i.e., two-stage directional filtering and noise cancellation). In addition, the processing options with ADRO resulted in the poorest performances. This could be related to how the CI recipients were programmed or the loud noise level used in this study. The best processing option varied across subjects, but the majority performed best with directional filtering (Beam or Zoom) in combination with ASC. Therefore in a loud semidiffuse environment, the use of either Beam + ASC or Zoom + ASC is recommended. American Academy of Audiology.

Olfactory Detection Thresholds and Adaptation in Adults with Autism Spectrum Condition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tavassoli, T.; Baron-Cohen, S.

2012-01-01

Sensory issues have been widely reported in Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Since olfaction is one of the least investigated senses in ASC, the current studies explore olfactory detection thresholds and adaptation to olfactory stimuli in adults with ASC. 80 participants took part, 38 (18 females, 20 males) with ASC and 42 control participants…

76 FR 27668 - ASC Machine Tools, Inc., Spokane Valley, WA; Notice of Negative Determination on Reconsideration

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-12

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration [TA-W-72,971] ASC Machine Tools, Inc... workers and former workers of ASC Machine Tools, Inc., Spokane Valley, Washington (the subject firm). The... workers of ASC Machine Tools, Inc., Spokane Valley, Washington. Signed in Washington, DC, on this 2nd day...

Child development in primary care: a surveillance proposal.

PubMed

Coelho, Renato; Ferreira, José Paulo; Sukiennik, Ricardo; Halpern, Ricardo

2016-01-01

To evaluate a child development surveillance tool proposal to be used in primary care, with simultaneous use of the Denver II scale. This was a cross-sectional study of 282 infants aged up to 36 months, enrolled in a public daycare in a countryside community in Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil. Child development was assessed using the surveillance tool and the Denver II scale. The prevalence of probable developmental delay was 53%; most of these cases were in the alert group and 24% had normal development, but with risk factors. At the Denver scale, the prevalence of suspected developmental delay was 32%. When risk factors and sociodemographic variables were assessed, no significant difference was observed. The evaluation of this surveillance tool resulted in objective and comparable data, which were adequate for a screening test. It is easily applicable as a screening tool, even though it was originally designed as a surveillance tool. The inclusion of risk factors to the scoring system is an innovation that allows for the identification of children with suspected delay in addition to developmental milestones, although the definition of parameters and choice of indicators should be thoroughly studied. Copyright © 2016 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

42 CFR 416.200 - Payment adjustment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Payment adjustment. 416.200 Section 416.200 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED... in connection with ASC facility services. (b) CMS adjusts the payment for insertion of an IOL...

42 CFR 416.200 - Payment adjustment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Payment adjustment. 416.200 Section 416.200 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED... in connection with ASC facility services. (b) CMS adjusts the payment for insertion of an IOL...

42 CFR 416.44 - Condition for coverage-Environment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Condition for coverage-Environment. 416.44 Section... for coverage—Environment. The ASC must have a safe and sanitary environment, properly constructed, equipped, and maintained to protect the health and safety of patients. (a) Standard: Physical environment...

42 CFR 416.44 - Condition for coverage-Environment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Condition for coverage-Environment. 416.44 Section... for coverage—Environment. The ASC must have a safe and sanitary environment, properly constructed, equipped, and maintained to protect the health and safety of patients. (a) Standard: Physical environment...

Golden-Local Information | NREL

Science.gov Websites

trip or for more information. Visit the Denver International Airport site to find: Car rental agencies Lakewood Hampton Inn Denver West/Golden Comfort Suites Table Mountain Inn Denver/Lakewood Fairfield Inn

40 CFR 52.321 - Classification of regions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 3 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Classification of regions. 52.321 Section 52.321 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS Colorado § 52.321 Classification of regions. The revised Denver Emergency Episode Plan, adopte...

40 CFR 52.321 - Classification of regions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Classification of regions. 52.321 Section 52.321 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS Colorado § 52.321 Classification of regions. The revised Denver Emergency Episode Plan, adopte...

National Workplace Literacy Program 1994-1997. Final Grant Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Faulkner, Cynthia

This report provides information on a workplace education program in which Emily Griffith Opportunity School, Denver, partnered with Columbia HealthONE, Dobbs International Services, Imperial Headwear, Inc., Marriott Hotels, Provenant Health Partners, University of Colorado Health Science Center, and Westin Hotel. Section A of Part I, a program…

30 CFR 210.105 - May I submit these production reports manually?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... addressed to Minerals Management Service, P.O. Box 17110, Denver, Colorado 80217-0110; or (2) Special... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false May I submit these production reports manually? 210.105 Section 210.105 Mineral Resources MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR...

30 CFR 902.10 - State regulatory program approval.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false State regulatory program approval. 902.10 Section 902.10 Mineral Resources OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE..., Technical Library, 1999 Broadway, Suite 3320, Denver, Colorado 80202-5733. [60 FR 33724, June 29, 1995, as...

Direct and indirect effects of a combination of adipose-derived stem cells and platelet-rich plasma on bone regeneration.

PubMed

Tajima, Satoshi; Tobita, Morikuni; Orbay, Hakan; Hyakusoku, Hiko; Mizuno, Hiroshi

2015-03-01

A key goal for successful bone regeneration is to bridge a bone defect using healing procedures that are stable and durable. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have the potential to differentiate into bone. Meanwhile, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an interesting biological means to repair tissue by inducing chemotactic, proliferative, and anabolic cellular responses. This study evaluated bone regeneration using a combination of ASCs and PRP in a rat calvarial defect model. ASCs were isolated from inguinal fat pads of F344 inbred rats, while PRP was prepared from these rats. ASCs were cultured in control medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum or 5% PRP in vitro. After 1 week, levels of growth factors including insulin-like growth factor-1, transforming growth factor-β1, hepatocyte growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor in the culture supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Moreover, the ASC/PRP admixture was transplanted into the rat calvarial defect. Microcomputed tomography, histological, and immunohistochemical (osteopontin and osteocalcin) analyses were performed at 4 and 8 weeks after transplantation. The in vitro study showed that the levels of growth factors secreted by ASCs were significantly increased by the addition of PRP. Transplantation of the ASC/PRP admixture had dramatic effects on bone regeneration overtime in comparison with rats that received other transplants. Furthermore, some ASCs directly differentiated into osteogenic cells in vivo. These findings suggest that the combination of ASCs and PRP has augmentative effects on bone regeneration. The ASC/PRP admixture may be a promising source for the clinical treatment of cranial defects.

Structure and assembly of the mouse ASC inflammasome by combined NMR spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy

PubMed Central

Sborgi, Lorenzo; Ravotti, Francesco; Dandey, Venkata P.; Dick, Mathias S.; Mazur, Adam; Reckel, Sina; Chami, Mohamed; Scherer, Sebastian; Huber, Matthias; Böckmann, Anja; Egelman, Edward H.; Stahlberg, Henning; Broz, Petr; Meier, Beat H.; Hiller, Sebastian

2015-01-01

Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that control the innate immune response by activating caspase-1, thus promoting the secretion of cytokines in response to invading pathogens and endogenous triggers. Assembly of inflammasomes is induced by activation of a receptor protein. Many inflammasome receptors require the adapter protein ASC [apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (CARD)], which consists of two domains, the N-terminal pyrin domain (PYD) and the C-terminal CARD. Upon activation, ASC forms large oligomeric filaments, which facilitate procaspase-1 recruitment. Here, we characterize the structure and filament formation of mouse ASC in vitro at atomic resolution. Information from cryo-electron microscopy and solid-state NMR spectroscopy is combined in a single structure calculation to obtain the atomic-resolution structure of the ASC filament. Perturbations of NMR resonances upon filament formation monitor the specific binding interfaces of ASC-PYD association. Importantly, NMR experiments show the rigidity of the PYD forming the core of the filament as well as the high mobility of the CARD relative to this core. The findings are validated by structure-based mutagenesis experiments in cultured macrophages. The 3D structure of the mouse ASC-PYD filament is highly similar to the recently determined human ASC-PYD filament, suggesting evolutionary conservation of ASC-dependent inflammasome mechanisms. PMID:26464513

CD54+ rabbit adipose-derived stem cells overexpressing HIF-1α facilitate vascularized fat flap regeneration

PubMed Central

Liang, Zhi-Jie; Huang, Min-Hong; Peng, Qi-Liu; Zou, Dong-Hua; Gu, Rong-He; Xu, Fang-Tian; Gao, Hui; Chen, Zhen-Dong; Chi, Guang-Yi; Wei, Zhong-Heng; Chen, Li; Li, Hong-Mian

2017-01-01

Fat flap transplantation is frequently performed in patients suffering from soft tissue defects resulting from disease or trauma. This study explored the feasibility of constructing vascularized fat flaps using rabbit adipose-derived stem cells (rASCs) and collagen scaffolds in a rabbit model. We evaluated rASCs proliferation, paracrine function, adipogenesis, vascularization, and CD54 expression, with or without HIF-1α transfection in vitro and in vivo. We observed that adipogenic differentiation potential was greater in rASCs with high CD54 expression (CD54+rASCs) than in those with low expression (CD54–rASCs), both in vitro and in vivo. HIF-1α overexpression not only augmented this effect, but also enhanced cell proliferation and paracrine function in vitro. We also demonstrated that HIF-1α-transfected CD54+rASCs showed enhanced paracrine function and adipogenic capacity, and that paracrine function increases expression of angiogenesis-related markers. Thus, CD54+rASCs overexpressing HIF-1α enhanced large volume vascularized fat flap regeneration in rabbits, suggesting CD54 may be an ideal candidate marker for ASCs adipogenic differentiation. PMID:28423354

Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuate Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A-Induced Toxic Shock

PubMed Central

Asano, Krisana; Yoshimura, Sayuri

2015-01-01

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs), which are mesenchymal stromal cells isolated from adipose tissues, exhibit immunomodulatory effects that are promising for several applications, including the therapeutics of inflammatory diseases. In the present study, the effect of ASCs on bacterial toxin-induced inflammation was investigated. Intraperitoneal administration of ASCs rescued mice from lethal shock induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) potentiated with lipopolysaccharide. In the sera and/or spleens of mice administered ASCs, the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-2 was reduced. By quantitative real-time PCR, the expression of Foxp3 in the mice administered ASCs was not altered. On the other hand, the expression of IL-12 receptor and STAT4 was decreased with ASC administration. These results imply that the effect of ASCs is not involved in the lineage of regulatory T cells but that these cells may modulate TH1 differentiation. This information provides evidence that ASCs have properties that are effective to attenuate SEA-induced toxic shock and should prompt further exploration on other inflammatory diseases caused by bacterial toxins or bacterial infections. PMID:26099581

Sandia National Laboratories Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) software quality plan. Part 1 : ASC software quality engineering practices version 1.0.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Minana, Molly A.; Sturtevant, Judith E.; Heaphy, Robert

2005-01-01

The purpose of the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) Software Quality Plan is to clearly identify the practices that are the basis for continually improving the quality of ASC software products. Quality is defined in DOE/AL Quality Criteria (QC-1) as conformance to customer requirements and expectations. This quality plan defines the ASC program software quality practices and provides mappings of these practices to the SNL Corporate Process Requirements (CPR 1.3.2 and CPR 1.3.6) and the Department of Energy (DOE) document, ASCI Software Quality Engineering: Goals, Principles, and Guidelines (GP&G). This quality plan identifies ASC management andmore » software project teams' responsibilities for cost-effective software engineering quality practices. The SNL ASC Software Quality Plan establishes the signatories commitment to improving software products by applying cost-effective software engineering quality practices. This document explains the project teams opportunities for tailoring and implementing the practices; enumerates the practices that compose the development of SNL ASC's software products; and includes a sample assessment checklist that was developed based upon the practices in this document.« less

Superior orientation discrimination and increased peak gamma frequency in autism spectrum conditions.

PubMed

Dickinson, Abigail; Bruyns-Haylett, Michael; Smith, Richard; Jones, Myles; Milne, Elizabeth

2016-04-01

While perception is recognized as being atypical in individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC), the underlying mechanisms for such atypicality are unclear. Here we test the hypothesis that individuals with ASC will show enhanced orientation discrimination compared with neurotypical observers. This prediction is based both on anecdotal report of superior discriminatory skills in ASC and also on evidence in the auditory domain that some individuals with ASC have superior pitch discrimination. In order to establish whether atypical perception might be mediated by an imbalance in the ratio of neural excitation and inhibition (E:I ratio), we also measured peak gamma frequency, which provides an indication of neural inhibition levels. Using a rigorous thresholding method, we found that orientation discrimination thresholds for obliquely oriented stimuli were significantly lower in participants with ASC. Using EEG to measure the visually induced gamma band response, we also found that peak gamma frequency was higher in participants with ASC, relative to a well-matched control group. These novel results suggest that neural inhibition may be increased in the occipital cortex of individuals with ASC. Implications for existing theories of an imbalance in the E:I ratio of ASC are discussed. (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Functional and Structural Characterization of Zebrafish ASC.

PubMed

Li, Yajuan; Huang, Yi; Cao, Xiaocong; Yin, Xueying; Jin, Xiangyu; Liu, Sheng; Jiang, Jiansheng; Jiang, Wei; Xiao, Tsan Sam; Zhou, Rongbin; Cai, Gang; Hu, Bing; Jin, Tengchuan

2018-05-23

The zebrafish genome encodes homologs for most of the proteins involved in inflammatory pathways; however, the molecular components and activation mechanisms of fish inflammasomes are largely unknown. ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (CARD)) is the only adaptor involved in the formation of multiple types of inflammasomes. Here, we demonstrate that zASC is also involved in inflammasome activation in zebrafish. When overexpressed in vitro and in vivo in zebrafish, both the zASC and zASC pyrin domain (PYD) proteins form speck and filament structures. Importantly, the crystal structures of the N-terminal PYD and C-terminal CARD of zebrafish ASC were determined independently as two separate entities fused to maltose-binding protein (MBP). Structure-guided mutagenesis revealed the functional relevance of the PYD hydrophilic surface found in the crystal lattice. Finally, the fish caspase-1 homolog Caspy, but not the caspase-4/11 homolog Caspy2, interacts with zASC through homotypic PYD-PYD interactions, which differ from those in mammals. These observations establish the conserved and unique structural/functional features of the zASC-dependent inflammasome pathway. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

[Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASC) - basics and therapeutic approaches in otorhinolaryngology].

PubMed

Frölich, K; Hagen, R; Kleinsasser, N

2014-06-01

Adipose-derived Stromal Cells (ASC) - Basics and Therapeutic Approaches in Otorhinolaryngology Mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue can be easily harvested with less discomfort, low donor-site morbidity and high amount compared to bone marrow-derived stem cells. Due to their multilineage differentiation potential in various cell types, immunmodulatory properties and their capability to enhance wound healing, ASC are a promising cell source for tissue engineering approaches and regenerative medicine. They are characterized by the expression of specific surface marker proteins and their differentiation potential into the mesenchymal lineages. Whereas only preclinical studies are published for otorhinolaryngology-related therapeutic options using ASC, various diseases, for instance graft-versus-host disease, have already been treated with ASC in single cases or clinical trials. Safety and genomic stability of ASC as well as the risk of spontaneous malignant transformation are still disputed. This review summarizes the current literature on characterization and anatomic localization of ASC. In addition, beside the presentation of preclinical studies concerning therapeutic approaches in otorhinolaryngology as well as of current clinical applications, the issue of safety of ASC in human stem cell therapy is discussed. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Fluoxetine Decreases the Proliferation and Adipogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

PubMed

Sun, Bo Kyung; Kim, Ji Hye; Choi, Joon-Seok; Hwang, Sung-Joo; Sung, Jong-Hyuk

2015-07-22

Fluoxetine was originally developed as an antidepressant, but it has also been used to treat obesity. Although the anti-appetite effect of fluoxetine is well-documented, its potential effects on human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) or mature adipocytes have not been investigated. Therefore, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of fluoxetine on the proliferation of ASCs. We also investigated its inhibitory effect on adipogenic differentiation. Fluoxetine significantly decreased ASC proliferation, and signal transduction PCR array analysis showed that it increased expression of autophagy-related genes. In addition, fluoxetine up-regulated SQSTM1 and LC3B protein expression as detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. The autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), significantly attenuated fluoxetine-mediated effects on ASC proliferation and SQSTM1/LC3B expression. In addition, 3-MA decreased the mRNA expression of two autophagy-related genes, beclin-1 and Atg7, in ASCs. Fluoxetine also significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and down-regulated the levels of PPAR-γ and C/EBP-α in ASCs. Collectively, these results indicate that fluoxetine decreases ASC proliferation and adipogenic differentiation. This is the first in vitro evidence that fluoxetine can reduce fat accumulation by inhibiting ASC proliferation and differentiation.

Antagonism between abscisic acid and gibberellins is partially mediated by ascorbic acid during seed germination in rice.

PubMed

Ye, Nenghui; Zhang, Jianhua

2012-05-01

The antagonism between abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) plays a key role in controlling seed germination, but the mechanism of antagonism during this process is not known. In the associated study, we investigated the relationship among ABA, reactive oxygen species (ROS), ascorbic acid (ASC) and GA during rice seed germination. ROS production is reduced by ABA, which hence results in decreasing ASC accumulation during imbibition. GA accumulation was also suppressed by a reduced ROS and ASC level, whereas application of exogenous ASC can partially rescue seed germination from ABA treatment. Further results show that production of ASC, which acts as a substrate in GA biosynthesis, was significantly inhibited by lycorine which thus suppressed the accumulation of GA. Consequently, expression of GA biosynthesis genes was suppressed by the low levels of ROS and ASC in ABA-treated seeds. These studies reveal a new role for ASC in mediating the antagonism between ABA and GA during seed germination in rice.

Eagle-eyed visual acuity: an experimental investigation of enhanced perception in autism.

PubMed

Ashwin, Emma; Ashwin, Chris; Rhydderch, Danielle; Howells, Jessica; Baron-Cohen, Simon

2009-01-01

Anecdotal accounts of sensory hypersensitivity in individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) have been noted since the first reports of the condition. Over time, empirical evidence has supported the notion that those with ASC have superior visual abilities compared with control subjects. However, it remains unclear whether these abilities are specifically the result of differences in sensory thresholds (low-level processing), rather than higher-level cognitive processes. This study investigates visual threshold in n = 15 individuals with ASC and n = 15 individuals without ASC, using a standardized optometric test, the Freiburg Visual Acuity and Contrast Test, to investigate basic low-level visual acuity. Individuals with ASC have significantly better visual acuity (20:7) compared with control subjects (20:13)-acuity so superior that it lies in the region reported for birds of prey. The results of this study suggest that inclusion of sensory hypersensitivity in the diagnostic criteria for ASC may be warranted and that basic standardized tests of sensory thresholds may inform causal theories of ASC.

78 FR 32365 - National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-30

... will meet on June 4, 5, and 6, 2013. The meeting will be held in Denver, CO. at the Webb Municipal and... Webb Muncipal Building and on June 5 and 6 at the Denver City/County Building from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p... Municipal Building, 201 West Colfax Ave., Denver, CO. The meeting on June 5 and 6 will be held at the Denver...

Intracoronary and Retrograde Coronary Venous Myocardial Delivery of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Swine Infarction Lead to Transient Myocardial Trapping with Predominant Pulmonary Redistribution

PubMed Central

Hong, Soon Jun; Hou, Dongming; Brinton, Todd J.; Johnstone, Brian; Feng, Dongni; Rogers, Pamela; Fearon, William F.; Yock, Paul; March, Keith L.

2012-01-01

Objectives To examine the comparative fate of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) as well as their impact on coronary microcirculation following either retrograde coronary venous or arterial delivery. Background Local delivery of ASCs to the heart has been proposed as a practical approach to limiting the extent of myocardial infarction. Mouse models of mesenchymal stem cell effects on the heart have also demonstrated significant benefits from systemic (intravenous) delivery, prompting a question about the advantage of local delivery. There has been no study addressing the extent of myocardial vs. systemic disposition of ASCs in large animal models following local delivery to the myocardium. Methods In an initial experiment, dose-dependent effects of ASC delivery on coronary circulation in normal swine were evaluated to establish a tolerable ASC dosing range for intracoronary delivery. In a set of subsequent experiments, an anterior acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was created by balloon occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery, followed by either intracoronary (IC) or retrograde coronary venous (RCV) infusion of 107 111Indium-labeled autologous ASCs 6 days following AMI. Indices of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) were measured before sacrifices to collect tissues for analysis at 1 or 24 hours after cell delivery. Results IC delivery of porcine ASCs to normal myocardium was well-tolerated up to a cumulative dose of 14×106 cells (approximately 0.5×106 cells/kg). There was evidence suggesting microcirculatory trapping of ASC: at unit doses of 50×106 ASCs, IMR and CFR were found to be persistently altered in the target LAD distribution at 7 days following delivery, while at 10×106 ASCs, only CFR was altered. In the context of recent MI, a significantly higher percentage of ASCs was retained at 1 hour with IC delivery compared to RCV delivery (57.2 ± 12.7% vs. 17.9 ± 1.6%, p=0.037) but this initial difference was not apparent at 24 hours (22.6 ± 5.5% vs. 18.7 ± 8.6%; p= 0.722). In both approaches, most ASC redistributed to the pulmonary circulation by 24 hours post-delivery. There were no significant differences in CFR or IMR following ASC delivery to infarcted tissue by either route. Conclusions Selective intravascular delivery of ASC by coronary arterial and venous routes leads to similarly limited myocardial cell retention with predominant redistribution of cells to the lungs. Intracoronary arterial delivery of ASC leads to only transiently greater myocardial retention, which is accompanied by obstruction of normal regions of coronary microcirculation at higher doses. The predominant intrapulmonary localization of cells following local delivery via both methods prompts the notion that systemic delivery of ASC might provide similarly beneficial outcomes while avoiding risks of inadvertent microcirculatory compromise. PMID:22972685

Intracoronary and retrograde coronary venous myocardial delivery of adipose-derived stem cells in swine infarction lead to transient myocardial trapping with predominant pulmonary redistribution.

PubMed

Hong, Soon Jun; Hou, Dongming; Brinton, Todd J; Johnstone, Brian; Feng, Dongni; Rogers, Pamela; Fearon, William F; Yock, Paul; March, Keith L

2014-01-01

To examine the comparative fate of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) as well as their impact on coronary microcirculation following either retrograde coronary venous (RCV) or arterial delivery. Local delivery of ASCs to the heart has been proposed as a practical approach to limiting the extent of myocardial infarction. Mouse models of mesenchymal stem cell effects on the heart have also demonstrated significant benefits from systemic (intravenous) delivery, prompting a question about the advantage of local delivery. There has been no study addressing the extent of myocardial vs. systemic disposition of ASCs in large animal models following local delivery to the myocardium. In an initial experiment, dose-dependent effects of ASC delivery on coronary circulation in normal swine were evaluated to establish a tolerable ASC dosing range for intracoronary (IC) delivery. In a set of subsequent experiments, an anterior acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was created by balloon occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery, followed by either IC or RCV infusion of 10(7) (111)Indium-labeled autologous ASCs 6 days following AMI. Indices of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) were measured before sacrifices to collect tissues for analysis at 1 or 24 hr after cell delivery. IC delivery of porcine ASCs to normal myocardium was well tolerated up to a cumulative dose of 14 × 10(6) cells (approximately 0.5 × 10(6) cells/kg). There was evidence suggesting microcirculatory trapping of ASC: at unit doses of 50 × 10(6) ASCs, IMR and CFR were found to be persistently altered in the target LAD distribution at 7 days following delivery, whereas at 10 × 10(6) ASCs, only CFR was altered. In the context of recent MI, a significantly higher percentage of ASCs was retained at 1 hr with IC delivery compared with RCV delivery (57.2 ± 12.7% vs. 17.9 ± 1.6%, P = 0.037) but this initial difference was not apparent at 24 hr (22.6 ± 5.5% vs. 18.7 ± 8.6%; P = 0.722). In both approaches, most ASC redistributed to the pulmonary circulation by 24 hr postdelivery. There were no significant differences in CFR or IMR following ASC delivery to infarcted tissue by either route. Selective intravascular delivery of ASC by coronary arterial and venous routes leads to similarly limited myocardial cell retention with predominant redistribution of cells to the lungs. IC arterial delivery of ASC leads to only transiently greater myocardial retention, which is accompanied by obstruction of normal regions of coronary microcirculation at higher doses. The predominant intrapulmonary localization of cells following local delivery via both methods prompts the notion that systemic delivery of ASC might provide similarly beneficial outcomes while avoiding risks of inadvertent microcirculatory compromise. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

IVHS Denver Metro Area, Master Plan

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1994-02-01

THE DENVER METROPOLITAN AREA CURRENTLY FACES A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES IN PROVIDING AN ADEQUATE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. THE AREA IS EXPERIENCING NEAR-RECORD POPULATION GROWTH, BUT THE AVAILABLE FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT KEEPING PACE. DENVER IS A ...

[Use of adipose-derived stem cells in an experimental rotator cuff fracture animal model].

PubMed

Barco, R; Encinas, C; Valencia, M; Carrascal, M T; García-Arranz, M; Antuña, S

2015-01-01

Rotator cuff repairs have shown a high level of re-ruptures. We hypothesized that the use of adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) could improve the biomechanical and histological properties of the repair. Controlled experimental study conducted on 44 BDIX rats with section and repair of the supraspinatus tendon and randomization to one of three groups: group A, no intervention (control); group B, local applications of a fibrin sealant; and group C, application of the fibrin sealant with 2 x 10(6) ASC. At 4 and 8 weeks a biomechanical and histological analysis was performed. There were no differences in load-to-failure at 4 and 8 weeks between groups. The load-to-failure did increase between week 4 and week 8. Histologically the tendon-to bone union showed a disorganized fibrovascular tissue. Group C showed a different inflammatory pattern, with less presence of neutrophils and more presence of plasma cells. The use of ASC does not improve the biomechanical or histological properties of the repair site. More studies are needed to improve techniques that enhance the healing site of the repair. Copyright © 2014 SECOT. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

12 CFR 1102.306 - Procedures for requesting records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, a search shall be conducted of records maintained... the ASC shall be charged for the direct costs of search, duplication, and review as set forth in... the requester's remittance. (ii) Requesters will be charged for search and review costs even if...

12 CFR 1102.306 - Procedures for requesting records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, a search shall be conducted of records maintained... the ASC shall be charged for the direct costs of search, duplication, and review as set forth in... the requester's remittance. (ii) Requesters will be charged for search and review costs even if...

12 CFR 1102.306 - Procedures for requesting records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, a search shall be conducted of records maintained... the ASC shall be charged for the direct costs of search, duplication, and review as set forth in... the requester's remittance. (ii) Requesters will be charged for search and review costs even if...

42 CFR 416.40 - Condition for coverage-Compliance with State licensure law.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... licensure law. 416.40 Section 416.40 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICARE PROGRAM AMBULATORY SURGICAL SERVICES Specific Conditions for Coverage § 416.40 Condition for coverage—Compliance with State licensure law. The ASC must comply...

7 CFR 1945.28 - Relationship between ASCS and FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... intended to assist in maintaining and improving the working relationship between the ASCS and the FmHA or... 7 Agriculture 13 2010-01-01 2009-01-01 true Relationship between ASCS and FmHA or its successor...) EMERGENCY Disaster Assistance-General § 1945.28 Relationship between ASCS and FmHA or its successor agency...

"Tengo Que Habla Español. Yo No Entiendo Ingles!": A Qualitative Case Study on a Bilingual Child with Autism Spectrum Conditions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Hyun Uk; Roberti, Marilyn

2014-01-01

Language differences in children with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) often lead professionals to believe that children with ASC cannot or should not become bilingual, thus advising parents with a child with ASC raised in a bilingual household to adhere to English only. Emerging studies, however, attest that children with ASC can become…

Decreased dosage of acidified sodium chlorite reduces microbial contamination and maintains organoleptic qualities of ground beef products.

PubMed

Bosilevac, Joseph M; Shackelford, Steven D; Fahle, Rick; Biela, Timothy; Koohmaraie, Mohammad

2004-10-01

Acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) spray was evaluated at decreased dosages and application rates to determine its efficacy for reducing bacterial contamination on boneless beef trimmings used for production of raw ground beef products while maintaining desirable consumer qualities in the finished ground beef products. Two different applications of ASC (600 ppm applied at a rate of 1.3 oz/lb and 300 ppm applied at a rate of 1 oz/lb) were used to treat boneless beef trimmings before grinding. The effect of ASC treatment on 50/50 lean beef trimmings was greater than on 90/10 trimmings. ASC at 600 ppm reduced both the aerobic plate counts (APC) and Enterobacteriaceae counts (EBC) by 2.3 log CFU/g on 50/50 trimmings, whereas treatment with 300 ppm ASC reduced APC and EBC of 50/50 trimmings by 1.1 and 0.7 log CFU/g, respectively. Ground beef formulations of 90/10 and 73/27 were produced from the treated boneless beef trim and packaged in chubs and in modified atmosphere packaging. The efficacy of ASC spray treatment to inhibit APC and EBC over the shelf life of each ground beef product was monitored. The APC and EBC in ground beef chubs were reduced by 1.0 to 1.5 log CFU/g until day 20. The APC and EBC for products in modified atmosphere packaging were reduced 1.5 to 3.0 log CFU/g throughout their shelf life. Both decreased dosages of ASC were equally effective on 90/10 lean ground beef, but the 300 ppm ASC treatment was slightly better at reducing the EBC of 73/27 ground beef. The organoleptic qualities (color, odor, and taste) of the ground beef products treated with 300 ppm ASC were found to be superior to those treated with 600 ppm ASC. Our results indicated that decreased dosages of ASC reduce contamination and lengthen the shelf life of ground beef. Furthermore, the 300 ppm ASC treatment reduced bacterial counts while maintaining desirable organoleptic ground beef qualities.

NOX1-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species in abdominal fat-derived mesenchymal stromal cells impinges on long-term proliferation

PubMed Central

Sela, M; Tirza, G; Ravid, O; Volovitz, I; Solodeev, I; Friedman, O; Zipori, D; Gur, E; Krelin, Y; Shani, N

2015-01-01

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent and can be derived from different adult tissues including fat. Our repeated attempts to produce long-term proliferative cultures of rat abdominal adipose stem cells (aASCs) under normal oxygen concentration (21%) were unsuccessful. We set to examine the events controlling this cytostasis of aASCs and found that it resulted from overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that led to apoptosis. ROS overproduction in aASCs was accompanied by increased expression of NOX1 but not of NOX2 or NOX4. NOX family members are an important source of intracellular ROS pointing to NOX1 involvement in ROS accumulation. This was verified when aASCs that were grown under 3% oxygen conditions expanded long term, displaying reduced NOX1 expression and decreased ROS accumulation. NOX1 involvement in aASC cytostasis was reaffirmed when cells that were expanded under normoxic conditions in the presence of a specific NOX1 inhibitor, ML171, demonstrated reduced ROS accumulation, reduced apoptosis and long-term expansion. aASC expansion arrest was accompanied also by a weak fat differentiation and migratory potential, which was enhanced by NOX1 inhibition. This suggests an inhibitory role for NOX1-induced ROS overproduction on aASCs, their fat differentiation and migratory potential. In contrast to aASCs, similar cells produced from subcutaneous fat were easily expanded in normoxic cultures, exhibiting low ROS concentrations, a low number of apoptotic cells and improved fat differentiation and migration. Taken together, our results show, for the first time, that NOX1-induced ROS accumulation halts ASC expansion and reduces their differentiation and migratory potential under normoxic conditions. Importantly, this phenotype comprises a tissue-specific signature as it was evident in aASCs but not in subcutaneous ASCs. NOX-induced ROS accumulation and cytokine production by fat are part of the metabolic syndrome. The similarity of this phenomenon to aASC phenotype may indicate that they arise from similar molecular mechanisms. PMID:25880095

Comparative Efficacy of Autologous Stromal Vascular Fraction and Autologous Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined With Hyaluronic Acid for the Treatment of Sheep Osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Lv, Xiaoteng; He, Jiyin; Zhang, Xue; Luo, Xuan; He, Na; Sun, Zhongwei; Xia, Huitang; Liu, Victor; Zhang, Li; Lin, Xiangming; Lin, Liping; Yin, Huabin; Jiang, Dong; Cao, Wei; Wang, Richard; Zhou, Guangdong; Wang, Wen

2018-01-01

The current study explored whether intra-articular (IA) injection of autologous adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) achieved better therapeutic efficacy than autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) combined with HA to prevent osteoarthritis (OA) progression and determined how long autologous ASCs combined with HA must remain in the joint to observe efficacy. OA models were established by performing anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) and medial meniscectomy (MM). Autologous SVF (1×10 7 mononuclear cells), autologous low-dose ASCs (1×10 7 ), and autologous high-dose ASCs (5×10 7 ) combined with HA, and HA alone, or saline alone were injected into the OA model animals at 12 and 15 weeks after surgery, respectively. Compared with SVF+HA treatment, low-dose ASC+HA treatment yielded better magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scores and macroscopic results, while the cartilage thickness of the tibial plateau did not differ between low, high ASC+HA and SVF+HA treatments detected by micro-computed tomography (µCT). Immunohistochemistry revealed that high-dose ASC+HA treatment rescued hypertrophic chondrocytes expressing collagen X in the deep area of articular cartilage. Western blotting analysis indicated the high- and low-dose ASC+HA groups expressed more collagen X than did the SVF+HA group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed treatment with both ASC+HA and SVF+HA resulted in differing anti-inflammatory and trophic effects. Moreover, superparamagnetic iron oxide particle (SPIO)-labeled autologous ASC signals were detected by MRI at 2 and 18 weeks post-injection and were found in the lateral meniscus at 2 weeks and in the marrow cavity of the femoral condyle at 18 weeks post-injection. Thus, IA injection of autologous ASC+HA may demonstrate better efficacy than autologous SVF+HA in blocking OA progression and promoting cartilage regeneration, and autologous ASCs (5×10 7 cells) combined with HA potentially survive for at least 18 weeks after IA injection.

Culture expansion of adipose derived stromal cells. A closed automated Quantum Cell Expansion System compared with manual flask-based culture.

PubMed

Haack-Sørensen, Mandana; Follin, Bjarke; Juhl, Morten; Brorsen, Sonja K; Søndergaard, Rebekka H; Kastrup, Jens; Ekblond, Annette

2016-11-16

Adipose derived stromal cells (ASCs) are a rich and convenient source of cells for clinical regenerative therapeutic approaches. However, applications of ASCs often require cell expansion to reach the needed dose. In this study, cultivation of ASCs from stromal vascular fraction (SVF) over two passages in the automated and functionally closed Quantum Cell Expansion System (Quantum system) is compared with traditional manual cultivation. Stromal vascular fraction was isolated from abdominal fat, suspended in α-MEM supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum and seeded into either T75 flasks or a Quantum system that had been coated with cryoprecipitate. The cultivation of ASCs from SVF was performed in 3 ways: flask to flask; flask to Quantum system; and Quantum system to Quantum system. In all cases, quality controls were conducted for sterility, mycoplasmas, and endotoxins, in addition to the assessment of cell counts, viability, immunophenotype, and differentiation potential. The viability of ASCs passage 0 (P0) and P1 was above 96%, regardless of cultivation in flasks or Quantum system. Expression of surface markers and differentiation potential was consistent with ISCT/IFATS standards for the ASC phenotype. Sterility, mycoplasma, and endotoxin tests were consistently negative. An average of 8.0 × 10 7 SVF cells loaded into a Quantum system yielded 8.96 × 10 7 ASCs P0, while 4.5 × 10 6 SVF cells seeded per T75 flask yielded an average of 2.37 × 10 6 ASCs-less than the number of SVF cells seeded. ASCs P1 expanded in the Quantum system demonstrated a population doubling (PD) around 2.2 regardless of whether P0 was previously cultured in flasks or Quantum, while ASCs P1 in flasks only reached a PD of 1.0. Manufacturing of ASCs in a Quantum system enhances ASC expansion rate and yield significantly relative to manual processing in T-flasks, while maintaining the purity and quality essential to safe and robust cell production. Notably, the use of the Quantum system entails significantly reduced working hours and thereby costs.

Ambulatory surgery center and general hospital competition: entry decisions and strategic choices.

PubMed

Al-Amin, Mona; Housman, Michael

2012-01-01

General hospitals are consistently under pressure to control cost and improve quality. In addition to mounting payers' demands, hospitals operate under evolving market conditions that might threaten their survival. While hospitals traditionally were concerned mainly with competition from other hospitals, today's reimbursement schemes and entrepreneurial activities encouraged the proliferation of outpatient facilities such as ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) that can jeopardize hospitals' survival. The purpose of this article was to examine the relationship between ASCs and general hospitals. More specifically, we apply the niche overlap theory to study the impact that competition between ASCs and general hospitals has on the survival chances of both of these organizational populations. Our analysis examined interpopulation competition in models of organizational mortality and market demand. We utilized Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate the impact of competition from each on ASC and hospital exit while controlling for market factors. We relied on two data sets collected and developed by Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration: outpatient facility licensure data and inpatient and outpatient surgical procedure data. Although ASCs do tend to exit markets in which there are high levels of ASC competition, we found no evidence to suggest that ASC exit rates are affected by hospital density. On the other hand, hospitals not only tend to exit markets with high levels of hospital competition but also experience high exit rates in markets with high ASC density. The implications from our study differ for ASCs and hospitals. When making decisions about market entry, ASCs should choose their markets according to the following: demand for outpatient surgery, number of physicians who would practice in the surgery center, and the number of surgery centers that already exist in the market. Hospitals, on the other hand, should account for competition from ASCs while making market-entry decisions and while developing their strategic plans.

Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Respond to Short-Term Hypoxia by Secreting Factors Beneficial for Human Islets In Vitro and Potentiate Antidiabetic Effect In Vivo

PubMed Central

Schive, Simen W.; Mirlashari, Mohammad Reza; Hasvold, Grete; Wang, Mengyu; Josefsen, Dag; Gullestad, Hans Petter; Korsgren, Olle; Foss, Aksel; Kvalheim, Gunnar; Scholz, Hanne

2017-01-01

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) release factors beneficial for islets in vitro and protect against hyperglycemia in rodent models of diabetes. Oxygen tension has been shown to induce metabolic changes and alter ASCs’ release of soluble factors. The effects of hypoxia on the antidiabetic properties of ASCs have not been explored. To investigate this, we incubated human ASCs for 48 h in 21% (normoxia) or 1% O2 (hypoxia) and compared viability, cell growth, surface markers, differentiation capability, and soluble factors in the conditioned media (CM). Human islets were exposed to CM from ASCs incubated in either normoxia or hypoxia, and islet function and apoptosis after culture with or without proinflammatory cytokines were measured. To test hypoxic preconditioned ASCs’ islet protective effects in vivo, ASCs were incubated for 48 h in normoxia or hypoxia before being injected into Balb/c Rag 1–/– immunodeficient mice with streptozotocin-induced insulitis. Progression of diabetes and insulin content of pancreas were measured. We found that incubation in hypoxia was well tolerated by ASCs and that levels of VEGF-A, FGF-2, and bNGF were elevated in CM from ASCs incubated in hypoxia compared to normoxia, while levels of HGF, IL-8, and CXCL1 were reduced. CM from ASCs incubated in hypoxia significantly improved human islet function and reduced apoptosis after culture, and reduced cytokine-induced apoptosis. In our mouse model, pancreas insulin content was higher in both groups receiving ASCs compared to control, but the mice receiving preconditioned ASCs had lower random and fasting blood glucose, as well as improved oral glucose tolerance compared to untreated mice. In conclusion, our in vitro results indicate that the islet protective potential of ASCs improves in hypoxia, and we give insight into factors involved in this. Finally we show that hypoxic preconditioning potentiates ASCs’ antidiabetic effect in vivo. PMID:28713640

Silent High Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Atypical Smears from Liquid Based Cervical Cytology - Three Years Experience in Thammasat University Hospital.

PubMed

Lertvutivivat, Supapen; Chanthasenanont, Athita; Chanthasenanont, Athita; Muangto, Teerapat; Nanthakomon, Tongta; Pongrojpaw, Densak; Bhamarapravatana, Kornkarn; Suwannarurk, Komsun

2016-01-01

To study the prevalence of CIN2+ diagnosis in women with atypical Papaniculoau (Pap) smears to suggest appropriate management option for Thai health care. Data from all patients with liquid based cytology with human papillomavirus (HPV) testing between May 2013 - May 2016 were collected from medical records. Women with atypical cervical Pap smears were recruited. Results for age, HPV testing, HPV 16, 18, 45 and other genotypes tested, colposcopic examination and histopathological assessment were all collected. Atypical smears were defined as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and atypical squamous cells cannot be exclude high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H). A total of 2,144 cases were recruited. Twenty six women with ASC-US on cytology had high risk (HR) HPV detection while eight cases with ASC-H had HR-HPV (40.0% VS 72.7%, p=0.005). Among the 26 women with ASC-US cytology and positive HR-HPV, HPV type 16 (n=8, 30.8%), type 18 (n=1, 3.8%), type 45 (n=1, 3.8%) and other HPV types (n=17, 65.4%) were found. Eight women with ASC-H and positive HR-HPV demonstrated type 16 (n=6, 75%) and other HPV types (n=2, 25%). Fifty seven women with ASC-US had normal colposcopy, CIN1 and CIN2+ at percentages of 80.7 (46/57), 14.0 (8/57) and 5.3 (3/57), respectively. In the ASC-H group, 7 out of 10 women had normal colposcopy and three (30%) had CIN2+ results. In women with ASC-US cytology, immediate colposcopy is highly recommended. HPV testing can be performed if colposcopy is not an available option because there was high prevalence (5.3%) of CIN2+ in our findings. ASCCP recommendations for ASC-H that colposcopy should be performed on all ASC-H cases regardless of HPV result are thereby supported by the findings of this investigation.

Adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) isolated from breast cancer tissue express IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β1 and upregulate expression of regulatory molecules on T cells: do they protect breast cancer cells from the immune response?

PubMed

Razmkhah, Mahboobeh; Jaberipour, Mansooreh; Erfani, Nasrollah; Habibagahi, Mojtaba; Talei, Abdol-rasoul; Ghaderi, Abbas

2011-01-01

Immunomodulatory function of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in cancer has recently been investigated. But the resident mesenchymal stem cells as whole in cancer and in the breast cancer tissue have not been studied well. In the present work we isolated adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) from breast cancer and normal breast tissues to investigate the expressions of IL-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in ASCs and to see if ASCs isolated from patients can modulate the regulatory molecules on peripheral blood lymphocytes. Our results showed that IL-10 and TGF-β1 have significantly higher mRNA expressions in ASCs isolated from breast cancer patients than those from normal individuals (P value <0.05). The culture supernatant of ASCs isolated from breast cancer patients with pathological stage III induced upregulation of the mRNA expression levels of IL-4, TGF-β1, IL-10, CCR4 and CD25 in PBLs. In addition, the percentage of CD4+CD25(high)Foxp3(+) T regulatory cells was increased in vitro. When the same culture supernatant was added to ASCs isolated from normal subjects augmentation of the mRNA expressions of IL-4, IL-10, IL-8, MMP2, VEGF and SDF-1 in normal ASCs was also observed. These data collectively conclude that resident ASCs in breast cancer tissue may have crucial roles in breast tumor growth and progression by inducing regulatory molecules and promoting anti-inflammatory reaction within the tumor microenvironment. Further investigation is required to see if the immune suppression induced by ASCs is an independent property from tumor cells or ASCs gain their immunosuppressive potential from malignant cells. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Creation and Transplantation of an Adipose-derived Stem Cell (ASC) Sheet in a Diabetic Wound-healing Model.

PubMed

Kato, Yuka; Iwata, Takanori; Washio, Kaoru; Yoshida, Toshiyuki; Kuroda, Hozue; Morikawa, Shunichi; Hamada, Mariko; Ikura, Kazuki; Kaibuchi, Nobuyuki; Yamato, Masayuki; Okano, Teruo; Uchigata, Yasuko

2017-08-04

Artificial skin has achieved considerable therapeutic results in clinical practice. However, artificial skin treatments for wounds in diabetic patients with impeded blood flow or with large wounds might be prolonged. Cell-based therapies have appeared as a new technique for the treatment of diabetic ulcers, and cell-sheet engineering has improved the efficacy of cell transplantation. A number of reports have suggested that adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), a type of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC), exhibit therapeutic potential due to their relative abundance in adipose tissue and their accessibility for collection when compared to MSCs from other tissues. Therefore, ASCs appear to be a good source of stem cells for therapeutic use. In this study, ASC sheets from the epididymal adipose fat of normal Lewis rats were successfully created using temperature-responsive culture dishes and normal culture medium containing ascorbic acid. The ASC sheets were transplanted into Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, a rat model of type 2 diabetes and obesity, that exhibit diminished wound healing. A wound was created on the posterior cranial surface, ASC sheets were transplanted into the wound, and a bilayer artificial skin was used to cover the sheets. ZDF rats that received ASC sheets had better wound healing than ZDF rats without the transplantation of ASC sheets. This approach was limited because ASC sheets are sensitive to dry conditions, requiring the maintenance of a moist wound environment. Therefore, artificial skin was used to cover the ASC sheet to prevent drying. The allogenic transplantation of ASC sheets in combination with artificial skin might also be applicable to other intractable ulcers or burns, such as those observed with peripheral arterial disease and collagen disease, and might be administered to patients who are undernourished or are using steroids. Thus, this treatment might be the first step towards improving the therapeutic options for diabetic wound healing.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Fresh, Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Severe Refractory Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis

PubMed Central

Clark, Kaitlin C.; Sundaram, Ayswarya; Spriet, Mathieu; Verstraete, Frank J.M.; Walker, Naomi J; Loscar, Megan R.; Fazel, Nasim; Murphy, William J.; Vapniarsky, Natalia; Borjesson, Dori L.

2017-01-01

Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have potent immunomodulatory functions and are a promising therapy for immune‐mediated inflammatory disorders. We previously demonstrated the efficacy of fresh, autologous, adipose‐derived MSCs (ASCs) to treat feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS), a chronic oral mucosal inflammatory disease similar to human oral lichen planus. Here, we investigate the use of fresh allogeneic ASCs for treatment of FCGS in seven cats. Radiolabeled ASCs were also tracked systemically. Each cat received two intravenous injections of 20 million ASCs, 1 month apart. Oral inflammation, blood lymphocyte subsets, anti‐fetal bovine serum antibody levels, ASC crossmatching and serum proteins and cytokine concentrations were determined. Four of the 7 cats (57%) responded to treatment [complete clinical remission (n = 2) or substantial clinical improvement (n = 2)]. Three cats were nonresponders. Prior to therapy, most cats had increased circulating CD8+ T cells, decreased CD8lo cells, and a decreased CD4/CD8 ratio, however clinical resolution was not associated with normalization of these parameters. Nonresponders showed more severe systemic inflammation (neutrophilia, hyperglobulinemia and increased interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha concentration) prior to ASC therapy. Clinical remission took up to 20 months and no clinical relapse has occurred. A higher fraction of radiolabeled ASCs were identified in the oral cavity of FCGS affected cats than the control cat. The administration of fresh, allogenic ASCs appeared to have lower clinical efficacy with a delayed response as compared to the fresh, autologous ASCs. In addition, the mechanism(s) of action for autologous and allogenic ASCs may differ in this model of oral inflammation. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:1710–1722 PMID:28618186

Effects of conditioned medium from LL-37 treated adipose stem cells on human fibroblast migration.

PubMed

Yang, Eun-Jung; Bang, Sa-Ik

2017-07-01

Adipose stem cell-conditioned medium may promote human dermal fibroblast (HDF) proliferation and migration by activating paracrine peptides during the re-epithelization phase of wound healing. Human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 is upregulated in the skin epithelium as part of the normal response to injury. The effects of conditioned medium (CM) from LL-37 treated adipose stem cells (ASCs) on cutaneous wound healing, including the mediation of fibroblast migration, remain to be elucidated, therefore the aim of the present study was to determine how ASCs would react to an LL-37-rich microenvironment and if CM from LL-37 treated ASCs may influence the migration of HDFs. The present study conducted migration assays with HDFs treated with CM from LL-37 treated ASCs. Expression of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), which controls the recruitment of HDFs, was analyzed at the mRNA and protein levels. To further characterize the stimulatory effects of LL-37 on ASCs, the expression of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), a CXC chemokine, was investigated. CM from LL-37-treated ASCs induced migration of HDFs in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with a maximum difference in migration observed 24 h following stimulation with LL-37 at a concentration of 10 µg/ml. The HDF migration and the expression of CXCR4 in fibroblasts was markedly increased upon treatment with CM from LL-37-treated ASCs compared with CM from untreated ASCs. SDF-1α expression was markedly increased in CM from LL-37 treated ASCs. It was additionally observed that SDF-1α blockade significantly reduced HDF migration. These findings suggest the feasibility of CM from LL-37-treated ASCs as a potential therapeutic for human dermal fibroblast migration.

Senescence and quiescence in adipose-derived stromal cells: Effects of human platelet lysate, fetal bovine serum and hypoxia.

PubMed

Søndergaard, Rebekka Harary; Follin, Bjarke; Lund, Lisbeth Drozd; Juhl, Morten; Ekblond, Annette; Kastrup, Jens; Haack-Sørensen, Mandana

2017-01-01

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are attractive sources for cell-based therapies. The hypoxic niche of ASCs in vivo implies that cells will benefit from hypoxia during in vitro expansion. Human platelet lysate (hPL) enhances ASC proliferation rates, compared with fetal bovine serum (FBS) at normoxia. However, the low proliferation rates of FBS-expanded ASCs could be signs of senescence or quiescence. We aimed to determine the effects of hypoxia and hPL on the expansion of ASCs and whether FBS-expanded ASCs are senescent or quiescent. ASCs expanded in FBS or hPL at normoxia or hypoxia until passage 7 (P7), or in FBS until P5 followed by culture in hPL until P7, were evaluated by proliferation rates, cell cycle analyses, gene expression and β-galactosidase activity. hPL at normoxia and hypoxia enhanced proliferation rates and expression of cyclins, and decreased G0/G1 fractions and expression of p21 and p27, compared with FBS. The shift from FBS to hPL enhanced cyclin levels, decreased p21 and p27 levels and tended to decrease G0/G1 fractions. Hypoxia does not add to the effect of hPL during ASC expansion with regard to proliferation, cell cycle regulation and expression of cyclins, p21 and p27. hPL rejuvenates FBS-expanded ASCs with regard to cell cycle regulation and expression of cyclins, p21 and p27. This indicates a reversible arrest. Therefore, we conclude that ASCs expanded until P7 are not senescent regardless of culture conditions. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Calcium bioavailability and kinetics of calcium ascorbate and calcium acetate in rats.

PubMed

Cai, Jianwei; Zhang, Qinmin; Wastney, Meryl E; Weaver, Connie M

2004-01-01

The objective was to investigate the bioavailability and mechanism of calcium absorption of calcium ascorbate (ASC) and calcium acetate (AC). A series of studies was performed in adult Sprague-Dawley male rats. In the first study, each group of rats (n = 10/group) was assigned to one of the five test meals labeled with (45)Ca: (i) 25 mg calcium as heated ASC or (ii) unheated ASC, (iii) 25 mg calcium as unheated AC, (iv) 3.6 mg Ca as unheated ASC, or (v) unheated AC. Femur uptake indicated better calcium bioavailability from ASC than AC at both calcium loads. A 5-min heat treatment partly reduced bioavailability of ASC. Kinetic studies were performed to further investigate the mechanism of superior calcium bioavailability from ASC. Two groups of rats (n = 10/group) received oral doses of 25 mg Ca as ASC or AC. Each dose contained 20 micro Ci (45)Ca. Two additional groups of rats (n = 10/group) received an intravenous injection (iv) of 10 micro Ci (45)Ca after receiving an unlabeled oral dose of 25 mg calcium as ASC or AC. Sequential blood samples were collected over 48 hrs. Urine and fecal samples were collected every 12 hrs for 48 hrs and were analyzed for total calcium and (45)Ca content. Total calcium and (45)Ca from serum, urine, and feces were fitted by a compartment kinetics model with saturable and nonsaturable absorption pathways by WinSAAM (Windows-based Simulation Analysis and Modeling). The difference in calcium bioavailability between the two salts was due to differences in saturable rather than passive intestinal absorption and not to endogenous secretion or calcium deposition rate. The higher bioavailability of calcium ascorbate was due to a longer transit time in the small intestine compared with ASC.

Autoimmune hepatitis/sclerosing cholangitis overlap syndrome in childhood: a 16-year prospective study.

PubMed

Gregorio, G V; Portmann, B; Karani, J; Harrison, P; Donaldson, P T; Vergani, D; Mieli-Vergani, G

2001-03-01

To investigate whether sclerosing cholangitis with an autoimmune serology characteristic of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and AIH are distinct entities, we studied 55 consecutive children with clinical and/or biochemical evidence of liver disease and circulating antinuclear (ANA), anti-smooth muscle (SMA), and/or liver-kidney-microsomal type 1 (LKM1) autoantibodies. They underwent liver biopsy, direct cholangiography, sigmoidoscopy, and rectal biopsy at presentation. Twenty-eight were diagnosed as AIH in the absence and 27 autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC) in the presence of radiological features of cholangiopathy. Twenty-six ASC and 20 AIH had ANA and/or SMA; 1 ASC and 8 AIH LKM1 autoantibody. Similarities between the 2 conditions included most clinical and biochemical parameters and a lower frequency of HLA DR4. Inflammatory bowel disease and histological biliary changes were more common in ASC; coagulopathy, hypoalbuminemia, lymphocytic periportal hepatitis, and HLA DR3 were more common in AIH. Histological biliary changes were observed in 65% of ASC and 31% of AIH patients. Eighty-nine percent responded to immunosuppression. Follow-up liver biopsies from 17 ASC and 18 AIH patients had similarly reduced inflammatory activity and no progression to cirrhosis. Sixteen follow-up cholangiograms from AIH patients and 9 from ASC patients were unchanged, while 8 ASC patients showed a progressive cholangiopathy. One child with AIH and ulcerative colitis developed sclerosing cholangitis 8 years after presentation. At 2 to 16 years (median, 7 years) from presentation, all patients are alive, including 4 ASC patients who underwent liver transplantation. In conclusion, ASC and AIH are similarly prevalent in childhood; cholangiography is often needed to distinguish between these 2 entities, which are likely to lie within the same disease process.

Autologous human plasma in stem cell culture and cryopreservation in the creation of a tissue-engineered vascular graft.

PubMed

Zhang, Ping; Policha, Aleksandra; Tulenko, Thomas; DiMuzio, Paul

2016-03-01

Previous work demonstrated the effectiveness of autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) as endothelial cell (EC) substitutes in vascular tissue engineering. We further this work toward clinical translation by evaluating ASC function after (1) replacement of fetal bovine serum (FBS) with autologous human plasma (HP) in culture and (2) cryopreservation. Human ASCs and plasma, isolated from periumbilical fat and peripheral blood, respectively, were collected from the same donors. ASCs were differentiated in endothelial growth medium supplemented with FBS (2%) vs HP (2%). Proliferation was measured by growth curves and MTT assay. Endothelial differentiation was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, assessment of acetylated low-density lipoprotein uptake, and cord formation after plating on Matrigel (BD Biosciences, San Jose, Calif). Similar studies were conducted before and after cryopreservation of ASCs and included assessment of cell retention on the luminal surface of a vascular graft. ASCs expanded in HP-supplemented medium showed (1) similar proliferation to FBS-cultured ASCs, (2) consistent differentiation toward an EC lineage (increases in CD31, von Willebrand factor, and CD144 message; acetylated low-density lipoprotein uptake; and cord formation on Matrigel), and (3) retention on the luminal surface after seeding and subsequent flow conditioning. Cryopreservation did not significantly alter ASC viability, proliferation, acquisition of endothelial characteristics, or retention after seeding onto a vascular graft. This study suggests that (1) replacement of FBS with autologous HP--a step necessary for the translation of this technology into human use--does not significantly impair proliferation or endothelial differentiation of ASCs used as EC substitutes and (2) ASCs are tolerant to cryopreservation in terms of maintaining EC characteristics and retention on a vascular graft. Copyright © 2016 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Use of Rat Mature Adipocyte-Derived Dedifferentiated Fat Cells as a Cell Source for Periodontal Tissue Regeneration

PubMed Central

Akita, Daisuke; Kano, Koichiro; Saito-Tamura, Yoko; Mashimo, Takayuki; Sato-Shionome, Momoko; Tsurumachi, Niina; Yamanaka, Katsuyuki; Kaneko, Tadashi; Toriumi, Taku; Arai, Yoshinori; Tsukimura, Naoki; Matsumoto, Taro; Ishigami, Tomohiko; Isokawa, Keitaro; Honda, Masaki

2016-01-01

Lipid-free fibroblast-like cells, known as dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells, can be generated from mature adipocytes with a large single lipid droplet. DFAT cells can re-establish their active proliferation ability and can transdifferentiate into various cell types under appropriate culture conditions. The first objective of this study was to compare the multilineage differentiation potential of DFAT cells with that of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) on mesenchymal stem cells. We obtained DFAT cells and ASCs from inbred rats and found that rat DFAT cells possess higher osteogenic differentiation potential than rat ASCs. On the other hand, DFAT cells show similar adipogenic differentiation, and chondrogenic differentiation potential in comparison with ASCs. The second objective of this study was to assess the regenerative potential of DFAT cells combined with novel solid scaffolds composed of PLGA (Poly d, l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) on periodontal tissue, and to compare this with the regenerative potential of ASCs combined with PLGA scaffolds. Cultured DFAT cells and ASCs were seeded onto PLGA scaffolds (DFAT/PLGA and ASCs/PLGA) and transplanted into periodontal fenestration defects in rat mandible. Micro computed tomography analysis revealed a significantly higher amount of bone regeneration in the DFAT/PLGA group compared with that of ASCs/PLGA and PLGA-alone groups at 2, 3, and 5 weeks after transplantation. Similarly, histomorphometric analysis showed that DFAT/PLGA groups had significantly greater width of cementum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone than ASCs/PLGA and PLGA-alone groups. In addition, transplanted fluorescent-labeled DFAT cells were observed in the periodontal ligament beside the newly formed bone and cementum. These findings suggest that DFAT cells have a greater potential for enhancing periodontal tissue regeneration than ASCs. Therefore, DFAT cells are a promising cell source for periodontium regeneration. PMID:26941649

Differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells co-cultured with urothelium cell line toward a urothelium-like phenotype in a nude murine model.

PubMed

Zhang, Ming; Peng, Yubing; Zhou, Zhe; Zhou, Juan; Wang, Zhong; Lu, Mujun

2013-02-01

To investigated the urothelium differentiation potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) that were coimplanted with the immortalized human bladder urothelium cell line (SV-HUC-1) into the subcutaneous tissue of athymic mice. The ASCs were isolated from the human adipose tissue of patients undergoing liposuction procedures and were expanded in vitro. After labeling with CM-DiI, the ASCs were mixed with SV-HUC-1 and implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of athymic mice for 2 and 4 weeks. The urothelium-specific markers uroplakin-Ia and uroplakin-II were detected by immunofluorescence. The transformation rate of ASCs into the urothelium phenotype was evaluated at each measurement point. We found that 25.87% ± 1.38% of ASCs expressed the urothelium-specific marker uroplakin-Ia and 23.60% ± 2.57% of ASCs expressed uroplakin-II 2 weeks after coimplantation with SV-HUC-1 in vivo. After 4 weeks, 70.07% ± 3.84% of ASCs expressed uroplakin-Ia and 65.56% ± 2.94% expressed uroplakin-II. However, no obvious organizational multilayered urothelium structure, such as that of the native bladder mucosa, was found in the subcutaneous tissues of the athymic mice. The results of our study have demonstrated that ASCs could be differentiated toward the urothelium-like phenotype when they were coimplanted in direct contact with cells of a mature urothelium cell line, and the proportion of differentiated cells increased from 2 to 4 weeks. The differentiation potential of ASCs toward the urothelial cell type suggests that ASCs might have potential to be used in urinary tract repair with a tissue engineering approach in the future. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cultures of Schwann-like cells differentiated from adipose-derived stem cells on PDMS/MWNT sheets as a scaffold for peripheral nerve regeneration.

PubMed

Han, In Ho; Sun, Fangfang; Choi, Yoon Ji; Zou, Fengming; Nam, Kyoung Hyup; Cho, Won Ho; Choi, Byung Kwan; Song, Geun Sung; Koh, Kwangnak; Lee, Jaebeom

2015-11-01

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising candidates as novel scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration. Schwann cells (SCs) are attractive therapeutic targets due to their pivotal role in peripheral nerve regeneration, but primary SCs have limitations for clinical application. However, adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) may differentiate into Schwann-like cells. The present study assesses the potential applicability of multiwall CNTs (MWNTs) composited with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which were then seeded with differentiated adipose-derived stem cells (dASCs) to promote neuronal differentiation and growth. Aqueous MWNT dispersion was filtered, and the PDMS/MWNT sheets were prepared using a simple printing-transfer method. Characterization of PDMS/MWNT sheets indicated their unique physical properties, such as superior mechanical strength and electroconductivity, compared with bare PDMS sheets. ASCs were differentiated into Schwann-like cells using a mixture of glial growth factors. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were co-cultured with SCs and dASCs on PDMS/MWNTs sheets or noncoated dishes. An alamar blue proliferation assay of dASC and SCs showed significantly more dASC and SCs cultured on PDMS/MWNT sheets at 48 h and 72 h than when cultured on noncoated dishes (p < 0.05). Additionally, when DRG were cultured on PDMS/MWNT sheets seeded with dASCs, the proliferation of DRG neurons and the longest neurite outgrowth length per neuron were significantly greater than when DRG were cultured on PDMS/MWNT sheets alone or on noncoated dishes seeded with SCs or dASCs (p < 0.05). Overall, PDMS/MWNT sheets exhibited excellent biocompatibility for culturing Schwann-like cells differentiated from ASCs. Seeding the dASCs on PDMS/MWNT sheets may produce synergistic effects in peripheral nerve regeneration, similarly to SCs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ): development and validation of a new sensory questionnaire for adults with and without autism.

PubMed

Tavassoli, Teresa; Hoekstra, Rosa A; Baron-Cohen, Simon

2014-01-01

Questionnaire-based studies suggest atypical sensory perception in over 90% of individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC). Sensory questionnaire-based studies in ASC mainly record parental reports of their child's sensory experience; less is known about sensory reactivity in adults with ASC. Given the DSM-5 criteria for ASC now include sensory reactivity, there is a need for an adult questionnaire investigating basic sensory functioning. We aimed to develop and validate the Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ), which assesses basic sensory hyper- and hyposensitivity across all five modalities. A total of 359 adults with (n = 196) and without (n = 163) ASC were asked to fill in the SPQ, the Sensory Over-Responsivity Inventory (SensOR) and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) online. Adults with ASC reported more sensory hypersensitivity on the SPQ compared to controls (P < .001). SPQ scores were correlated with AQ scores both across groups (r = .-38) and within the ASC (r = -.18) and control groups (r = -.15). Principal component analyses conducted separately in both groups indicated that one factor comprising 35 items consistently assesses sensory hypersensitivity. The SPQ showed high internal consistency for both the total SPQ (Cronbach's alpha = .92) and the reduced 35-item version (alpha = .93). The SPQ was significantly correlated with the SensOR across groups (r = -.46) and within the ASC (r = -.49) and control group (r = -.21). The SPQ shows good internal consistency and concurrent validity and differentiates between adults with and without ASC. Adults with ASC report more sensitivity to sensory stimuli on the SPQ. Finally, greater sensory sensitivity is associated with more autistic traits. The SPQ provides a new tool to measure individual differences on this dimension.

Adults with autism spectrum conditions experience increased levels of anomalous perception.

PubMed

Milne, Elizabeth; Dickinson, Abigail; Smith, Richard

2017-01-01

Autism spectrum condition (ASC) is characterised by differences in social interaction and behavioural inflexibility. In addition to these core symptoms, atypical sensory responses are prevalent in the ASC phenotype. Here we investigated anomalous perception, i.e. hallucinatory and/or out of body experiences in adults with ASC. Thirty participants with an ASC diagnosis and thirty neurotypical controls completed the Cardiff Anomalous Perception Scale (CAPS) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2). The CAPS is a 32-item questionnaire that asks participants to indicate whether or not they experience a range of anomalous and out of body experiences, and to rate how intrusive and distressing these experiences are. The SRS-2 asks participants to rate the extent to which they identify with a series of 65 statements that describe behaviours associated with the autism phenotype. We found that total CAPS score was significantly higher in the participants with ASC (mean = 14.8, S.D. = 7.9) than the participants without ASC (mean = 3.6, S.D. = 4.1). In addition, the frequency of anomalous perception, the level of distraction and the level of distress associated with the experience were significantly increased in participants with ASC. Importantly, both the frequency of anomalous perceptual experiences and the level of distress caused by anomalous perception in this sample of adults with ASC were very similar to that reported previously in a sample of non-autistic participants who were being treated in hospital for a current psychotic episode. These data indicate that anomalous perceptual experiences are common in adults with ASC and are associated with a high level of distress. The origins of anomalous perception in ASC and the implication of this phenomenon are considered.

Enrichment isolation of adipose-derived stem/stromal cells from the liquid portion of liposuction aspirates with the use of an adherent column.

PubMed

Doi, Kentaro; Kuno, Shinichiro; Kobayashi, Akira; Hamabuchi, Takahisa; Kato, Harunosuke; Kinoshita, Kahori; Eto, Hitomi; Aoi, Noriyuki; Yoshimura, Kotaro

2014-03-01

Adipose-derived stem/progenitor cells (ASCs) are typically obtained from the lipoaspirates; however, a smaller number of ASCs can be isolated without enzymatic digestion from the infranatant liposuction aspirate fluid (LAF). We evaluated the effectiveness of an adherent column, currently used to isolate mesenchymal stromal cells from bone marrow, to isolate LAF cells. We applied peripheral blood (PB), PB mixed with cultured ASCs (PB-ASC), and LAF solution to the column and divided it into two fractions, the adherent (positive) and the non-adherent (negative) fractions. We compared this method with hypotonic hemolysis (lysis) for the red blood cell count, nucleated cells count and cell compositions as well as functional properties of isolated mesenchymal cells. The column effectively removed red blood cells, though the removal efficiency was slightly inferior to hemolysis. After column processing of PB-ASC, 60.5% of ASCs (53.2% by lysis) were selectively collected in the positive fraction, and the negative fraction contained almost no ASCs. After processing of LAF solution, nucleated cell yields were comparable between the column and hemolysis; however, subsequent adherent culture indicated that a higher average ASC yield was obtained from the column-positive samples than from the lysis samples, suggesting that the column method may be superior to hemolysis for obtaining viable ASCs. Mesenchymal differentiation and network formation assays showed no statistical differences in ASC functions between the lysis and column-positive samples. Our results suggest that a column with non-woven rayon and polyethylene fabrics is useful for isolating stromal vascular fraction cells from LAF solutions for clinical applications. Copyright © 2014 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development of a Porcine Delayed Wound-Healing Model and Its Use in Testing a Novel Cell-Based Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hadad, Ivan, E-mail: ihadad@iupui.ed; Johnstone, Brian H.; Brabham, Jeffrey G.

2010-11-01

Purpose: A delayed full-thickness wound-healing model was developed and used for examining the capacity of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), either alone or in platelet-rich fibrin gels, to promote healing. Methods and Materials: Four pigs received electron beam radiation to the dorsal skin surface. Five weeks after radiation, subcutaneous fat was harvested from nonirradiated areas and processed to yield ASCs. Two weeks later, 28 to 30 full-thickness 1.5-cm{sup 2} wounds were made in irradiated and nonirradiated skin. Wounds were treated with either saline solution, ASCs in saline solution, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) fibrin gel, ASCs in PRP, or non-autologous green fluorescence protein-labeledmore » ASCs. Results: The single radiation dose produced a significant loss of dermal microvasculature density (75%) by 7 weeks. There was a significant difference in the rate of healing between irradiated and nonirradiated skin treated with saline solution. The ASCs in PRP-treated wounds exhibited a significant 11.2% improvement in wound healing compared with saline solution. Enhancement was dependent on the combination of ASCs and PRP, because neither ASCs nor PRP alone had an effect. Conclusions: We have created a model that simulates the clinically relevant late radiation effects of delayed wound healing. Using this model, we showed that a combination of ASCs and PRP improves the healing rates of perfusion-depleted tissues, possibly through enhancing local levels of growth factors.« less

Efficient generation of smooth muscle cells from adipose-derived stromal cells by 3D mechanical stimulation can substitute the use of growth factors in vascular tissue engineering.

PubMed

Parvizi, Mojtaba; Bolhuis-Versteeg, Lydia A M; Poot, André A; Harmsen, Martin C

2016-07-01

Occluding artery disease causes a high demand for bioartificial replacement vessels. We investigated the combined use of biodegradable and creep-free poly (1,3-trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) with smooth muscle cells (SMC) derived by biochemical or mechanical stimulation of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASC) to engineer bioartificial arteries. Biochemical induction of cultured ASC to SMC was done with TGF-β1 for 7d. Phenotype and function were assessed by qRT-PCR, immunodetection and collagen contraction assays. The influence of mechanical stimulation on non-differentiated and pre-differentiated ASC, loaded in porous tubular PTMC scaffolds, was assessed after culturing under pulsatile flow for 14d. Assays included qRT-PCR, production of extracellular matrix and scanning electron microscopy. ASC adhesion and TGF-β1-driven differentiation to contractile SMC on PTMC did not differ from tissue culture polystyrene controls. Mesenchymal and SMC markers were increased compared to controls. Interestingly, pre-differentiated ASC had only marginal higher contractility than controls. Moreover, in 3D PTMC scaffolds, mechanical stimulation yielded well-aligned ASC-derived SMC which deposited ECM. Under the same conditions, pre-differentiated ASC-derived SMC maintained their SMC phenotype. Our results show that mechanical stimulation can replace TGF-β1 pre-stimulation to generate SMC from ASC and that pre-differentiated ASC keep their SMC phenotype with increased expression of SMC markers. Copyright © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Ambulatory surgery center market share and rates of outpatient surgery in the elderly.

PubMed

Hollenbeck, Brent K; Hollingsworth, John M; Dunn, Rodney L; Zaojun Ye; Birkmeyer, John D

2010-12-01

Relative to outpatient surgery in hospital settings, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are more efficient and associated with a lower cost per case. However, these facilities may also spur higher overall procedure utilization and thus lead to greater overall health care costs. The authors used the State Ambulatory Surgery Database from the State of Florida to identify Medicare-aged patients undergoing 4 common ambulatory procedures in 2006, including knee arthroscopy, cystoscopy, cataract removal, and colonoscopy. Hospital service areas (HSAs) were characterized according to ASC market share, that is, the proportion of residents undergoing outpatient surgery in these facilities. The authors then examined relationships between ASC market share and rates of each procedure. Age-adjusted rates of ambulatory surgery ranged from 190.5 cases per 1000 to 320.8 cases per 1000 in HSAs with low and high ASC market shares, respectively (P < .01). For all 4 procedures, adjusted rates of procedures were significantly higher in HSAs with the highest ASC market share. The greatest difference, both in relative and absolute terms, was observed for patients undergoing cystoscopy. In areas of high ASC market share, the age-adjusted rate of cystoscopy was nearly 3-fold higher than in areas with low ASC market share (34.5 vs 11.9 per 1000 population; P < .01). The presence of an ASC is associated with higher utilization of common outpatient procedures in the elderly. Whether ASCs are meeting unmet clinical demand or spurring overutilization is not clear.

Uniaxial cyclic strain enhances adipose-derived stem cell fusion with skeletal myocytes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Andersen, Jens Isak; Juhl, Morten; Nielsen, Thøger

2014-07-25

Highlights: • Uniaxial cyclic tensile strain (CTS) applied to ASCs alone or in coculture with myogenic precursors. • CTS promoted the formation of a highly ordered array of parallel ASCs. • Without biochemical supplements, CTS did not support advanced myogenic differentiation of ASCs. • Mechanical stimulation of cocultures boosted fusion of ASCs with skeletal myoblasts. - Abstract: Although adult muscle tissue possesses an exceptional capacity for regeneration, in the case of large defects, the restoration to original state is not possible. A well-known source for the de novo regeneration is the adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), which can be readily isolatedmore » and have been shown to have a broad differentiation and regenerative potential. In this work, we employed uniaxial cyclic tensile strain (CTS), to mechanically stimulate human ASCs to participate in the formation skeletal myotubes in an in vitro model of myogenesis. The application of CTS for 48 h resulted in the formation of a highly ordered array of parallel ASCs, but failed to support skeletal muscle terminal differentiation. When the same stimulation paradigm was applied to cocultures with mouse skeletal muscle myoblasts, the percentage of ASCs contributing to the formation of myotubes significantly exceeded the levels reported in the literature hitherto. In perspective, the mechanical strain may be used to increase the efficiency of incorporation of ASCs in the skeletal muscles, which could be found useful in diverse traumatic or pathologic scenarios.« less

A Nation-Wide Cancer Registry-Based Study of Adenosquamous Carcinoma in Taiwan

PubMed Central

Lan, Yuan-Tzu; Huang, Kuo-Hung; Liu, Chien-An; Tai, Ling-Chen; Chen, Ming-Huang; Chao, Yee; Li, Anna Fen-Yau; Chiou, Shih-Hwa; Shyr, Yi-Ming; Wu, Chew-Wun; Fang, Wen-Liang

2015-01-01

Background Adenosqamous carcinoma (ASC) is a rare disease involving various organs, yet there are no large-scale population-based comparative studies on ASC among different organs. Methods The incidence and overall survival of ASC among various organs in cases diagnosed in Taiwan from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2010 were calculated and compared using data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry (TCR). The various organs were classified and divided into three different systems: the female reproductive, respiratory, and alimentary systems. Survival analysis were also compared among 30,850 patients diagnosed as ASC, adenocarcinoma (AC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in organs with frequent ASC. Results During the study period, a total of 576 ASC cases were diagnosed in Taiwan. The most common primary system was respiratory (73.8%), followed by alimentary (16.2%) and female reproductive (10%). The overall survival were significantly higher for cases involving the female reproductive system, followed by the respiratory and alimentary systems (P = 0.016). The median overall survival were worse in males than females for cases involving the respiratory system (22.4 vs. 31.8 months, P = 0.044). Multivariate analysis showed that age≧65, more advanced T and N categories were independent unfavorable prognostic factors of overall survival in ASC. ASC histology is an independent unfavorable prognostic factor compared with AC and SCC. Conclusions ASC at an old age and more advanced T and N categories were found to be associated with a poor prognosis. PMID:26445240

UVA Light-excited Kynurenines Oxidize Ascorbate and Modify Lens Proteins through the Formation of Advanced Glycation End Products

PubMed Central

Linetsky, Mikhail; Raghavan, Cibin T.; Johar, Kaid; Fan, Xingjun; Monnier, Vincent M.; Vasavada, Abhay R.; Nagaraj, Ram H.

2014-01-01

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) contribute to lens protein pigmentation and cross-linking during aging and cataract formation. In vitro experiments have shown that ascorbate (ASC) oxidation products can form AGEs in proteins. However, the mechanisms of ASC oxidation and AGE formation in the human lens are poorly understood. Kynurenines are tryptophan oxidation products produced from the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)-mediated kynurenine pathway and are present in the human lens. This study investigated the ability of UVA light-excited kynurenines to photooxidize ASC and to form AGEs in lens proteins. UVA light-excited kynurenines in both free and protein-bound forms rapidly oxidized ASC, and such oxidation occurred even in the absence of oxygen. High levels of GSH inhibited but did not completely block ASC oxidation. Upon UVA irradiation, pigmented proteins from human cataractous lenses also oxidized ASC. When exposed to UVA light (320–400 nm, 100 milliwatts/cm2, 45 min to 2 h), young human lenses (20–36 years), which contain high levels of free kynurenines, lost a significant portion of their ASC content and accumulated AGEs. A similar formation of AGEs was observed in UVA-irradiated lenses from human IDO/human sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter-2 mice, which contain high levels of kynurenines and ASC. Our data suggest that kynurenine-mediated ASC oxidation followed by AGE formation may be an important mechanism for lens aging and the development of senile cataracts in humans. PMID:24798334

Identifying Natural Alignments Between Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Local Health Systems: Building Broader Communities of Surgical Care.

PubMed

Funk, Russell J; Owen-Smith, Jason; Landon, Bruce E; Birkmeyer, John D; Hollingsworth, John M

2017-02-01

To develop and compare methods for identifying natural alignments between ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and hospitals that anchor local health systems. Using all-payer data from Florida's State Ambulatory Surgery and Inpatient Databases (2005-2009), we developed 3 methods for identifying alignments between ASCS and hospitals. The first, a geographic proximity approach, used spatial data to assign an ASC to its nearest hospital neighbor. The second, a predominant affiliation approach, assigned an ASC to the hospital with which it shared a plurality of surgeons. The third, a network community approach, linked an ASC with a larger group of hospitals held together by naturally occurring physician networks. We compared each method in terms of its ability to capture meaningful and stable affiliations and its administrative simplicity. Although the proximity approach was simplest to implement and produced the most durable alignments, ASC surgeon's loyalty to the assigned hospital was low with this method. The predominant affiliation and network community approaches performed better and nearly equivalently on these metrics, capturing more meaningful affiliations between ASCs and hospitals. However, the latter's alignments were least durable, and it was complex to administer. We describe 3 methods for identifying natural alignments between ASCs and hospitals, each with strengths and weaknesses. These methods will help health system managers identify ASCs with which to partner. Moreover, health services researchers and policy analysts can use them to study broader communities of surgical care.

Enhanced olfactory sensitivity in autism spectrum conditions.

PubMed

Ashwin, Chris; Chapman, Emma; Howells, Jessica; Rhydderch, Danielle; Walker, Ian; Baron-Cohen, Simon

2014-01-01

People with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) report heightened olfaction. Previous sensory experiments in people with ASC have reported hypersensitivity across visual, tactile, and auditory domains, but not olfaction. The aims of the present study were to investigate olfactory sensitivity in ASC, and to test the association of sensitivity to autistic traits. We recruited 17 adult males diagnosed with ASC and 17 typical adult male controls and tested their olfactory sensitivity using the Alcohol Sniff Test (AST), a standardised clinical evaluation of olfactory detection. The AST involves varying the distance between subject and stimulus until an odour is barely detected. Participants with ASC also completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) as a measure of autism traits. The ASC group detected the odour at a mean distance of 24.1 cm (SD =11.5) from the nose, compared to the control group, who detected it at a significantly shorter mean distance of 14.4 cm (SD =5.9). Detection distance was independent of age and IQ for both groups, but showed a significant positive correlation with autistic traits in the ASC group (r =0.522). This is the first experimental demonstration, as far as the authors are aware, of superior olfactory perception in ASC and showing that greater olfactory sensitivity is correlated with a higher number of autistic traits. This is consistent with results from previous findings showing hypersensitivity in other sensory domains and may help explain anecdotal and questionnaire accounts of heightened olfactory sensitivity in ASC. Results are discussed in terms of possible underlying neurophysiology.

Paracrine Potential of the Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells to Modulate Balance between Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors in the Osteoarthritic Cartilage In Vitro

PubMed Central

Bagdonas, Edvardas; Kusleviciute, Ilona; Mackiewicz, Zygmunt; Unguryte, Ausra; Porvaneckas, Narunas; Fleury, Sandrine; Venalis, Algirdas

2017-01-01

Adipose tissue represents an abundant source of stem cells. Along with anti-inflammatory effects, ASC secrete various factors that may modulate metabolism of extracellular matrix in osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage, suggesting that the presence of ASC could be advantageous for OA cartilage due to the recovery of homeostasis between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). To evaluate these effects, cartilage explants (CE) were cocultured with ASC for 3 and 7 days under stimulation with or without IL-1β. The pattern of gene expression in CE was modified by ASC, including the upregulation of COL1A1 and COL3A1 and the downregulation of MMP13 and COL10A1. The production of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 by ASC was not significant; moreover, cocultures with ASC reduced MMP-13 production in CE. In conclusion, active production of TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3, IL-6, IL-8, and gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 by ASC may be involved in the extracellular matrix remodelling, as indicated by the altered expression of collagens, the downregulated production of MMP-13, and the reduced chondrocyte apoptosis in the cocultured CE. These data suggest that ASC modulated homeostasis of MMPs/TIMPs in degenerated OA cartilage in vitro and might be favourable in case of the intra-articular application of ASC therapy for the treatment of OA. PMID:28819366

The Internal/External Frame of Reference of Academic Self-Concept: Extension to a Foreign Language and the Role of Language of Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Xu, Man K.; Marsh, Herbert W.; Hau, Kit-Tai; Ho, Irene T.; Morin, Alexandre J. S.; Abduljabbar, Adel S.

2013-01-01

The internal/external frame of reference (I/E) model (Marsh, 1986) posits that the effects of contrasting math and verbal domains of achievement are positive for matching academic self-concepts (ASCs) but negative for nonmatching ASCs (i.e., math achievement on verbal ASC; verbal achievement on math ASC). We extend the classic I/E model by…

ASC Small Business Office

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-05-23

Aeronautical Systems Center Dominant Air Power: Design For Tomorrow…Deliver Today ASC Small Business Office 23 May 2006 Teresa Rendon ASC/BC...1. REPORT DATE 23 MAY 2006 2. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED 00-00-2006 to 00-00-2006 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE ASC Small Business Office 5a...Limitation on Subcontracting • Teaming • Source Selection of Small Business Participation • Role of the Small Business Office • Questions 3 Dominant Air

Dynamics of ambulatory surgery centers and hospitals market entry.

PubMed

Housman, Michael; Al-Amin, Mona

2013-08-01

In this article, we investigate the diversity of healthcare delivery organizations by comparing the market determinants of hospitals entry rates with those of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Unlike hospitals, ASCs is one of the growing populations of specialized healthcare delivery organizations. There are reasons to believe that firm entry patterns differ within growing organizational populations since these markets are characterized by different levels of organizational legitimacy, technological uncertainty, and information asymmetry. We compare the entry patterns of firms in a mature population of hospitals to those of firms within a growing population of ASCs. By using patient-level datasets from the state of Florida, we break down our explanatory variables by facility type (ASC vs. hospital) and utilize negative binomial regression models to evaluate the impact of niche density on ASC and hospital entry. Our results indicate that ASCs entry rates is higher in markets with overlapping ASCs while hospitals entry rates are less in markets with overlapping hospitals and ASCs. These results are consistent with the notion that firms in growing populations tend to seek out crowded markets as they compete to occupy the most desirable market segments while firms in mature populations such as general hospitals avoid direct competition. © The Author(s) 2013 Reprints and permissions:]br]sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

Does the liposuction method influence the phenotypic characteristic of human adipose-derived stem cells?

PubMed

Bajek, Anna; Gurtowska, Natalia; Gackowska, Lidia; Kubiszewska, Izabela; Bodnar, Magdalena; Marszałek, Andrzej; Januszewski, Rafał; Michalkiewicz, Jacek; Drewa, Tomasz

2015-05-14

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) possess a high differentiation and proliferation potential. However, the phenotypic characterization of ASCs is still difficult. Until now, there is no extensive analysis of ASCs markers depending on different liposuction methods. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyse 242 surface markers and determine the differences in the phenotypic pattern between ASCs obtained during mechanical and ultrasound-assisted liposuction. ASCs were isolated from healthy donors, due to mechanical and ultrasound-assisted liposuction and cultured in standard medium to the second passage. Differentiation potential and markers expression was evaluated to confirm the mesenchymal nature of cells. Then, the BD LyoplateTM Human Cell Surface Marker Screening Panel was used. Results shown that both population of ASCs are characterized by high expression of markers specific for ASCs: cluster of differentiation (CD)9, CD10, CD34, CD44, CD49d, CD54, CD55, CD59, CD71 and low expression of CD11a, CD11c and CD144. Moreover, we have noticed significant differences in antigen expression in 58 markers from the 242 studied. Presented study shows for the first time that different liposuction methods are not a significant factor which can influence the expression of human ASCs surface markers. © 2015 The Authors.

Human adipose stem cell and ASC-derived cardiac progenitor cellular therapy improves outcomes in a murine model of myocardial infarction

PubMed Central

Davy, Philip MC; Lye, Kevin D; Mathews, Juanita; Owens, Jesse B; Chow, Alice Y; Wong, Livingston; Moisyadi, Stefan; Allsopp, Richard C

2015-01-01

Background Adipose tissue is an abundant and potent source of adult stem cells for transplant therapy. In this study, we present our findings on the potential application of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) as well as induced cardiac-like progenitors (iCPs) derived from ASCs for the treatment of myocardial infarction. Methods and results Human bone marrow (BM)-derived stem cells, ASCs, and iCPs generated from ASCs using three defined cardiac lineage transcription factors were assessed in an immune-compromised mouse myocardial infarction model. Analysis of iCP prior to transplant confirmed changes in gene and protein expression consistent with a cardiac phenotype. Endpoint analysis was performed 1 month posttransplant. Significantly increased endpoint fractional shortening, as well as reduction in the infarct area at risk, was observed in recipients of iCPs as compared to the other recipient cohorts. Both recipients of iCPs and ASCs presented higher myocardial capillary densities than either recipients of BM-derived stem cells or the control cohort. Furthermore, mice receiving iCPs had a significantly higher cardiac retention of transplanted cells than all other groups. Conclusion Overall, iCPs generated from ASCs outperform BM-derived stem cells and ASCs in facilitating recovery from induced myocardial infarction in mice. PMID:26604802

Non-Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Efficiently Promotes the Proliferation of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells by Activating NO-Response Pathways

PubMed Central

Park, Jeongyeon; Lee, Hyunyoung; Lee, Hae June; Kim, Gyoo Cheon; Kim, Do Young; Han, Sungbum; Song, Kiwon

2016-01-01

Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTAPP) is defined as a partially ionized gas with electrically charged particles at atmospheric pressure. Our study showed that exposure to NTAPP generated in a helium-based dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) device increased the proliferation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) by 1.57-fold on an average, compared with untreated cells at 72 h after initial NTAPP exposure. NTAPP-exposed ASCs maintained their stemness, capability to differentiate into adipocytes but did not show cellular senescence. Therefore, we suggested that NTAPP can be used to increase the proliferation of ASCs without affecting their stem cell properties. When ASCs were exposed to NTAPP in the presence of a nitric oxide (NO) scavenger, the proliferation-enhancing effect of NTAPP was not obvious. Meanwhile, the proliferation of NTAPP-exposed ASCs was not much changed in the presence of scavengers for reactive oxygen species (ROS). Also, Akt, ERK1/2, and NF-κB were activated in ASCs after NTAPP exposure. These results demonstrated that NO rather than ROS is responsible for the enhanced proliferation of ASCs following NTAPP exposure. Taken together, this study suggests that NTAPP would be an efficient tool for use in the medical application of ASCs both in vitro and in vivo. PMID:27991548

Fluoxetine Decreases the Proliferation and Adipogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Sun, Bo Kyung; Kim, Ji Hye; Choi, Joon-Seok; Hwang, Sung-Joo; Sung, Jong-Hyuk

2015-01-01

Fluoxetine was originally developed as an antidepressant, but it has also been used to treat obesity. Although the anti-appetite effect of fluoxetine is well-documented, its potential effects on human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) or mature adipocytes have not been investigated. Therefore, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of fluoxetine on the proliferation of ASCs. We also investigated its inhibitory effect on adipogenic differentiation. Fluoxetine significantly decreased ASC proliferation, and signal transduction PCR array analysis showed that it increased expression of autophagy-related genes. In addition, fluoxetine up-regulated SQSTM1 and LC3B protein expression as detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. The autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), significantly attenuated fluoxetine-mediated effects on ASC proliferation and SQSTM1/LC3B expression. In addition, 3-MA decreased the mRNA expression of two autophagy-related genes, beclin-1 and Atg7, in ASCs. Fluoxetine also significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and down-regulated the levels of PPAR-γ and C/EBP-α in ASCs. Collectively, these results indicate that fluoxetine decreases ASC proliferation and adipogenic differentiation. This is the first in vitro evidence that fluoxetine can reduce fat accumulation by inhibiting ASC proliferation and differentiation. PMID:26204837

Denver, Colorado

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-09-30

STS068-248-092 (30 September-11 October 1994) --- The location of Denver, Colorado - on the western edge of the High Plains, at the junction of the South Platte River and Clear Creek east of the Rocky Mountains - is graphically displayed. Mount Evans and its surroundings are already covered by snow on October 8, 1994. Clear Creek was one of the first areas in the Rockies where gold was discovered by American prospectors in the 19th century, which led to the settlement of Denver. The growth of 20th century Denver, dominantly to the west and south, is apparent. Stapleton Field, close to downtown Denver, is being replaced by the new regional airport well out on the plains.

Pros and cons of practice-owned and office-based ambulatory surgery centers.

PubMed

Bert, J M

2000-01-01

A detailed feasibility analysis is imperative to ensure the success of a practice-owned ASC. Analysis of the payer mix and the market relating to surgical volume that can be performed at the ASC is imperative. If overbuilding, overequipping, and overstaffing are avoided and the group has adequate volume that can be managed at the ASC, the facility should be a success. Building a practice-owned ASC without an accurate and detailed financial feasibility and payer study can place the endeavor at risk. A well-planned, economically constructed and properly managed ASC will result in an efficient and successful ancillary service for the orthopedic group practice.

Regeneration of articular cartilage by adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells: perspectives from stem cell biology and molecular medicine.

PubMed

Wu, Ling; Cai, Xiaoxiao; Zhang, Shu; Karperien, Marcel; Lin, Yunfeng

2013-05-01

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been discovered for more than a decade. Due to the large numbers of cells that can be harvested with relatively little donor morbidity, they are considered to be an attractive alternative to bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells. Consequently, isolation and differentiation of ASCs draw great attention in the research of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Cartilage defects cause big therapeutic problems because of their low self-repair capacity. Application of ASCs in cartilage regeneration gives hope to treat cartilage defects with autologous stem cells. In recent years, a lot of studies have been performed to test the possibility of using ASCs to re-construct damaged cartilage tissue. In this article, we have reviewed the most up-to-date articles utilizing ASCs for cartilage regeneration in basic and translational research. Our topic covers differentiation of adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes, increased cartilage formation by co-culture of ASCs with chondrocytes and enhancing chondrogenic differentiation of ASCs by gene manipulation. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Plasma Rich in Growth Factors Induces Cell Proliferation, Migration, Differentiation, and Cell Survival of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

PubMed

Mellado-López, Maravillas; Griffeth, Richard J; Meseguer-Ripolles, Jose; Cugat, Ramón; García, Montserrat; Moreno-Manzano, Victoria

2017-01-01

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are a promising therapeutic alternative for tissue repair in various clinical applications. However, restrictive cell survival, differential tissue integration, and undirected cell differentiation after transplantation in a hostile microenvironment are complications that require refinement. Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) from platelet-rich plasma favors human and canine ASC survival, proliferation, and delaying human ASC senescence and autophagocytosis in comparison with serum-containing cultures. In addition, canine and human-derived ASCs efficiently differentiate into osteocytes, adipocytes, or chondrocytes in the presence of PRGF. PRGF treatment induces phosphorylation of AKT preventing ASC death induced by lethal concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Indeed, AKT inhibition abolished the PRGF apoptosis prevention in ASC exposed to 100  μ M of hydrogen peroxide. Here, we show that canine ASCs respond to PRGF stimulus similarly to the human cells regarding cell survival and differentiation postulating the use of dogs as a suitable translational model. Overall, PRGF would be employed as a serum substitute for mesenchymal stem cell amplification to improve cell differentiation and as a preconditioning agent to prevent oxidative cell death.

Adipose stromal cells improve healing of vocal fold scar: Morphological and functional evidences.

PubMed

de Bonnecaze, Guillaume; Chaput, Benoit; Woisard, Virginie; Uro-Coste, Emmanuelle; Swider, Pascal; Vergez, Sebastien; Serrano, Elie; Casteilla, Louis; Planat-Benard, Valerie

2016-08-01

Adipose derived stromal cells (ASCs) are abundant and easy to prepare. Such cells may be useful for treating severe vocal disturbance caused by acute vocal fold scars. Prospective animal experiments with controls. Twenty New-Zealand white rabbits were used in the present study. We evaluated vocal fold healing, with or without injection of autologous ASCs, after acute scarring. A defined lesion was created and the ASCs were immediately injected. Vocal fold regeneration was evaluated histomorphometrically and via viscoelastic analysis using an electrodynamic shaker. Six weeks after ASC injection, vocal folds exhibited significantly less inflammation than control folds (P < 0.005). In addition, hypertrophy of the lamina propria and fibrosis were significantly reduced upon ASC injection (P < 0.02). The decrease in viscoelastic parameters was less important in the ASC injected group compared to the noninjected group (P = 0.08). Injection of autologous ASCs improved vocal fold healing in our preclinical model. Further studies are needed, but this method may be useful in humans. NA. Laryngoscope, 126:E278-E285, 2016. © 2016 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Lipophilization of ascorbic acid: a monolayer study and biological and antileishmanial activities.

PubMed

Kharrat, Nadia; Aissa, Imen; Sghaier, Manel; Bouaziz, Mohamed; Sellami, Mohamed; Laouini, Dhafer; Gargouri, Youssef

2014-09-17

Ascorbyl lipophilic derivatives (Asc-C2 to Asc-C(18:1)) were synthesized in a good yield using lipase from Staphylococcus xylosus produced in our laboratory and immobilized onto silica aerogel. Results showed that esterification had little effect on radical-scavenging capacity of purified ascorbyl esters using DPPH assay in ethanol. However, long chain fatty acid esters displayed higher protection of target lipids from oxidation. Moreover, compared to ascorbic acid, synthesized derivatives exhibited an antibacterial effect. Furthermore, ascorbyl derivatives were evaluated, for the first time, for their antileishmanial effects against visceral (Leishmania infantum) and cutaneous parasites (Leishmania major). Among all the tested compounds, only Asc-C10, Asc-C12, and Asc-C(18:1) exhibited antileishmanial activities. The interaction of ascorbyl esters with a phospholipid monolayer showed that only medium and unsaturated long chain (Asc-C10 to Asc-C(18:1)) derivative esters were found to interact efficiently with mimetic membrane of leishmania. These properties would make ascorbyl derivatives good candidates to be used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical lipophilic formulations.

The Role of Sensorimotor Difficulties in Autism Spectrum Conditions

PubMed Central

Hannant, Penelope; Tavassoli, Teresa; Cassidy, Sarah

2016-01-01

In addition to difficulties in social communication, current diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum conditions (ASC) also incorporate sensorimotor difficulties, repetitive motor movements, and atypical reactivity to sensory input (1). This paper explores whether sensorimotor difficulties are associated with the development and maintenance of symptoms in ASC. First, studies have shown difficulties coordinating sensory input into planning and executing movement effectively in ASC. Second, studies have shown associations between sensory reactivity and motor coordination with core ASC symptoms, suggesting these areas each strongly influence the development of social and communication skills. Third, studies have begun to demonstrate that sensorimotor difficulties in ASC could account for reduced social attention early in development, with a cascading effect on later social, communicative and emotional development. These results suggest that sensorimotor difficulties not only contribute to non-social difficulties such as narrow circumscribed interests, but also to the development of social behaviors such as effectively coordinating eye contact with speech and gesture, interpreting others’ behavior, and responding appropriately. Further research is needed to explore the link between sensory and motor difficulties in ASC and their contribution to the development and maintenance of ASC. PMID:27559329

28. Photocopy of microfiched construction drawing by Pelton Water Wheel ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

28. Photocopy of microfiched construction drawing by Pelton Water Wheel Company, San Francisco, California, dated May 6, 1947. (Microfiched drawing located at the Denver Service Center, #104/601 54 - 2 of 18) LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF RECONSTRUCTED TURBINE UNIT NO. 2 - Yosemite Hydroelectric Power Plant, Highways 120 & 140, Yosemite Village, Mariposa County, CA

32. Photocopy of microfiched construction drawing by Pelton Water Wheel ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

32. Photocopy of microfiched construction drawing by Pelton Water Wheel Company, San Francisco, California, dated 4-19-47. (Microfiched drawing located at the Denver Service Center, #104/60154 - 6 of 18) LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF 31' SINGLE DISCHARGE PELTON-FRANCIS TURBINE. - Yosemite Hydroelectric Power Plant, Highways 120 & 140, Yosemite Village, Mariposa County, CA

48 CFR 801.602-78 - Processing solicitations and contract documents for legal or technical review-Veterans Health...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Processing solicitations..., Central Office (except Office of Construction and Facilities Management), the National Acquisition Center, and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. 801.602-78 Section 801.602-78 Federal Acquisition...

30 CFR 243.200 - How do I demonstrate financial solvency?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

.... Postal Service or private delivery at P.O. Box 5760, MS 3031, Denver, CO 80217-5760; or (2) Courier or overnight delivery at MS 3031, Denver Federal Center, Bldg. 85, Room A-212, Denver, CO 80225-0165. (b) You...

IVHS Denver Metro Area, Master Plan, Appendix A, Project Descriptions

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1994-02-01

THIS ACTIVITY INVOLVES THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A TRAFFIC OPERATIONS CENTER (TOC) FOR THE DENVER AREA. : ESTABLISHING A TOC IS CENTRAL TO THE SUCCESS OF IVHS IN THE DENVER AREA.ITS IMPORTANCE WILL CONTINUE BEYOND T...

2. FORMER DENVER, SOUTH PARK AND PACIFIC RAILROAD BRIDGE OVER ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

2. FORMER DENVER, SOUTH PARK AND PACIFIC RAILROAD BRIDGE OVER CHALK CREEK, NEAR MT. PRINCETON HOT SPRINGS. VIEW UPSTREAM - Denver South Park & Pacific Railroad Bridge, Spanning Chalk Creek, near Mount Princeton Hot Spring, Romley (historical), Chaffee County, CO

1. FORMER DENVER, SOUTH PARK AND PACIFIC RAILROAD BRIDGE OVER ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

1. FORMER DENVER, SOUTH PARK AND PACIFIC RAILROAD BRIDGE OVER CHALK CREEK, NEAR MT. PRINCETON HOT SPRINGS. VIEW DOWNSTREAM - Denver South Park & Pacific Railroad Bridge, Spanning Chalk Creek, near Mount Princeton Hot Spring, Romley (historical), Chaffee County, CO

7. O'BRIAN CANAL After its bifurcation with the DenverHudson Canal, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

7. O'BRIAN CANAL After its bifurcation with the Denver-Hudson Canal, flowing into Barr Lake through a protected eagle nesting area - O'Brian Canal, South Platte River Drainage Area Northest of Denver, Brighton, Adams County, CO

42 CFR 416.43 - Conditions for coverage-Quality assessment and performance improvement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... and changes in its patient care. (c) Standard: Program activities. (1) The ASC must set priorities for... by the ASC. (2) Addresses the ASC's priorities and that all improvements are evaluated for...

From my perspective--perceived participation in mainstream schools in students with autism spectrum conditions.

PubMed

Falkmer, Marita; Granlund, Mats; Nilholm, Claes; Falkmer, Torbjörn

2012-01-01

To examine perceived participation in students with ASC and their classmates in mainstream schools and to investigate correlations between activities the students wanted to do and actually participated in. Twenty-two students with ASC and their 382 classmates responded to a 46-item questionnaire regarding perceived participation in mainstream schools. On 57% of the items, students with ASC perceived lower participation than their classmates. These results emphasize the importance of knowledge about students' perceived participation. However, positive correlations between what the students wanted to do and actually did indicate that students with ASC may be participating to the extent that they wanted. Students with ASC perceived lower overall participation in mainstream school than their classmates. The correlations between "I want to" and "I do" statements in students with ASC indicated that aspects of autonomy are important to incorporate when studying, and interpreting, self-rated participation in mainstream schools.

The Denver II Scales and the Griffiths Scales of Mental Development: a correlational study.

PubMed

Luiz, Dolores M; Foxcroft, Cheryl D; Tukulu, Abigail N

2004-10-01

Screening measures aim to minimise the number of children being diagnosed incorrectly; however, many of these measures have been based on the "normal" white population. This study identified the need for a valid developmental assessment of black preschool children. The general aim of the study was to investigate the use of the Denver II and the Griffiths Scales on a pre-school black Xhosa-speaking sample. Specifically, the aim was to investigate the relationship between the Denver II Scales and the Griffiths Scales, in order to provide the first step in establishing the validity of the Denver II Scales on a South African black population. A correlational design was used and the sample was comprised of 60 Xhosa-speaking children between the ages of 3 and 6 years. The findings revealed that there was a significant relationship between the overall performance of the Denver II and the Griffiths Scales. However, the Personal-Social Scale of the Denver II appeared to have items that were culturally biased. Further, the Denver II further identified a higher percentage of the sample to have abnormal or questionable protocols than the Griffiths Scales did.

Adipose-Derived Stem-Cell-Seeded Non-Cross-Linked Porcine Acellular Dermal Matrix Increases Cellular Infiltration, Vascular Infiltration, and Mechanical Strength of Ventral Hernia Repairs

PubMed Central

Iyyanki, Tejaswi S.; Dunne, Lina W.; Zhang, Qixu; Hubenak, Justin; Turza, Kristin C.

2015-01-01

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) facilitate wound healing by improving cellular and vascular recruitment to the wound site. Therefore, we investigated whether ASCs would augment a clinically relevant bioprosthetic mesh—non-cross-linked porcine acellular dermal matrix (ncl-PADM)—used for ventral hernia repairs in a syngeneic animal model. ASCs were isolated from the subcutaneous adipose tissue of Brown Norway rats, expanded, and labeled with green fluorescent protein. ASCs were seeded (2.5×104 cells/cm2) onto ncl-PADM for 24 h before surgery. In vitro ASC adhesion to ncl-PADM was assessed at 0.5, 1, and 2 h after seeding, and cell morphology on ncl-PADM was visualized by scanning electron microscopy. Ventral hernia defects (2×4 cm) were created and repaired with ASC-seeded (n=31) and control (n=32) ncl-PADM. Explants were harvested at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after surgery. Explant remodeling outcomes were evaluated using gross evaluation (bowel adhesions, surface area, and grade), histological analysis (hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining), immunohistochemical analysis (von Willebrand factor VIII), fluorescent microscopy, and mechanical strength measurement at the tissue-bioprosthetic mesh interface. Stem cell markers CD29, CD90, CD44, and P4HB were highly expressed in cultured ASCs, whereas endothelial and hematopoietic cell markers, such as CD31, CD90, and CD45 had low expression. Approximately 85% of seeded ASCs adhered to ncl-PADM within 2 h after seeding, which was further confirmed by scanning electron microcopy examination. Gross evaluation of the hernia repairs revealed weak omental adhesion in all groups. Ultimate tensile strength was not significantly different in control and treatment groups. Conversely, elastic modulus was significantly greater at 4 weeks postsurgery in the ASC-seeded group (p<0.001). Cellular infiltration was significantly higher in the ASC-seeded group at all time points (p<0.05). Vascular infiltration was significantly greater at 4 weeks postsurgery in the ASC-seeded group (p<0.001). The presence of ASCs improved remodeling outcomes by yielding an increase in cellular infiltration and vascularization of ncl-PADM and enhanced the elastic modulus at the ncl-PADM-tissue interface. With the ease of harvesting adipose tissues that are rich in ASCs, this strategy may be clinically translatable for improving ncl-PADM ventral hernia repair outcomes. PMID:25156009

Adipose-derived stem-cell-seeded non-cross-linked porcine acellular dermal matrix increases cellular infiltration, vascular infiltration, and mechanical strength of ventral hernia repairs.

PubMed

Iyyanki, Tejaswi S; Dunne, Lina W; Zhang, Qixu; Hubenak, Justin; Turza, Kristin C; Butler, Charles E

2015-02-01

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) facilitate wound healing by improving cellular and vascular recruitment to the wound site. Therefore, we investigated whether ASCs would augment a clinically relevant bioprosthetic mesh-non-cross-linked porcine acellular dermal matrix (ncl-PADM)-used for ventral hernia repairs in a syngeneic animal model. ASCs were isolated from the subcutaneous adipose tissue of Brown Norway rats, expanded, and labeled with green fluorescent protein. ASCs were seeded (2.5×10(4) cells/cm(2)) onto ncl-PADM for 24 h before surgery. In vitro ASC adhesion to ncl-PADM was assessed at 0.5, 1, and 2 h after seeding, and cell morphology on ncl-PADM was visualized by scanning electron microscopy. Ventral hernia defects (2×4 cm) were created and repaired with ASC-seeded (n=31) and control (n=32) ncl-PADM. Explants were harvested at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after surgery. Explant remodeling outcomes were evaluated using gross evaluation (bowel adhesions, surface area, and grade), histological analysis (hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining), immunohistochemical analysis (von Willebrand factor VIII), fluorescent microscopy, and mechanical strength measurement at the tissue-bioprosthetic mesh interface. Stem cell markers CD29, CD90, CD44, and P4HB were highly expressed in cultured ASCs, whereas endothelial and hematopoietic cell markers, such as CD31, CD90, and CD45 had low expression. Approximately 85% of seeded ASCs adhered to ncl-PADM within 2 h after seeding, which was further confirmed by scanning electron microcopy examination. Gross evaluation of the hernia repairs revealed weak omental adhesion in all groups. Ultimate tensile strength was not significantly different in control and treatment groups. Conversely, elastic modulus was significantly greater at 4 weeks postsurgery in the ASC-seeded group (p<0.001). Cellular infiltration was significantly higher in the ASC-seeded group at all time points (p<0.05). Vascular infiltration was significantly greater at 4 weeks postsurgery in the ASC-seeded group (p<0.001). The presence of ASCs improved remodeling outcomes by yielding an increase in cellular infiltration and vascularization of ncl-PADM and enhanced the elastic modulus at the ncl-PADM-tissue interface. With the ease of harvesting adipose tissues that are rich in ASCs, this strategy may be clinically translatable for improving ncl-PADM ventral hernia repair outcomes.

Denver Public Library Western History/Genealogy Digital Collections

Science.gov Websites

Denver Public Library's Western History/Genealogy Department collection of digitized photographs Mountain Division Records" "Photographs - Western History" To limit your search by format @denverlibrary.org or 720-865-1818. More Resources: Genealogy Railroad Photographs Denver History, Buildings

The Effectiveness of an Interactive Map Display in Tutoring Geography

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-08-01

MCIT LG Hanscom Field Bedford, MA 01730 Director, Office of Manpower Utilization Headquarters, Marine Corps (Code MPU ) MCB (Building 2009...Lantz University of Denver Denver Research Institute Industrial Economics Division Denver, CO 80210 Mr. Brian McNally Educational Testing Service

IFATS Collection: Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells Induce Angiogenesis and Nerve Sprouting Following Myocardial Infarction, in Conjunction with Potent Preservation of Cardiac Function

PubMed Central

Cai, Liying; Johnstone, Brian H.; Cook, Todd G.; Tan, Jian; Fishbein, Michael C.; Chen, Peng-Sheng; March, Keith L.

2010-01-01

The administration of therapeutic cell types, such as stem and progenitor cells, has gained much interest for the limitation or repair of tissue damage caused by a variety of insults. However, it is still uncertain whether the morphological and functional benefits are mediated predominantly via cell differentiation or paracrine mechanisms. Here, we assessed the extent and mechanisms of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASC)-dependent tissue repair in the context of acute myocardial infarction. Human ASCs in saline or saline alone was injected into the peri-infarct region in athymic rats following left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation. Cardiac function and structure were evaluated by serial echocardiography and histology. ASC-treated rats consistently exhibited better cardiac function, by all measures, than control rats 1 month following LAD occlusion. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and fractional shortening were improved in the ASC group, whereas LV remodeling and dilation were limited in the ASC group compared with the saline control group. Anterior wall thinning was also attenuated by ASC treatment, and post-mortem histological analysis demonstrated reduced fibrosis in ASC-treated hearts, as well as increased peri-infarct density of both arterioles and nerve sprouts. Human ASCs were persistent at 1 month in the peri-infarct region, but they were not observed to exhibit significant cardiomyocyte differentiation. Human ASCs preserve heart function and augment local angiogenesis and cardiac nerve sprouting following myocardial infarction predominantly by the provision of beneficial trophic factors. PMID:18772313

Lack of the alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 1 causes tremors, seizures, and early postnatal death in mice.

PubMed

Xie, Xinmin; Dumas, Theodore; Tang, Lamont; Brennan, Thomas; Reeder, Thadd; Thomas, Winston; Klein, Robert D; Flores, Judith; O'Hara, Bruce F; Heller, H Craig; Franken, Paul

2005-08-09

The Na(+)-independent alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 1 (Asc-1) is exclusively expressed in neuronal structures throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Asc-1 transports small neutral amino acids with high affinity especially for D-serine and glycine (K(i): 8-12 microM), two endogenous glutamate co-agonists that activate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors through interacting with the strychnine-insensitive glycine binding-site. By regulating D-serine (and possibly glycine) levels in the synaptic cleft, Asc-1 may play an important role in controlling neuronal excitability. We generated asc-1 gene knockout (asc-1(-/-)) mice to test this hypothesis. Behavioral phenotyping combined with electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings revealed that asc-1(-/-) mice developed tremors, ataxia, and seizures that resulted in early postnatal death. Both tremors and seizures were reduced by the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801. Extracellular recordings from asc-1(-/-) brain slices indicated that the spontaneous seizure activity did not originate in the hippocampus, although, in this region, a relative increase in evoked synaptic responses was observed under nominal Mg(2+)-free conditions. Taken together with the known neurochemistry and neuronal distribution of the Asc-1 transporter, these results indicate that the mechanism underlying the behavioral hyperexcitability in mutant mice is likely due to overactivation of NMDA receptors, presumably resulting from elevated extracellular D-serine. Our study provides the first evidence to support the notion that Asc-1 transporter plays a critical role in regulating neuronal excitability, and indicate that the transporter is vital for normal CNS function and essential to postnatal survival of mice.

BTS randomised feasibility study of active symptom control with or without chemotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma: ISRCTN 54469112.

PubMed

Muers, M F; Rudd, R M; O'Brien, M E R; Qian, W; Hodson, A; Parmar, M K B; Girling, D J

2004-02-01

The incidence of mesothelioma is rising rapidly in the UK. There is no generally accepted standard treatment. The BTS recommends active symptom control (ASC). It is not known whether chemotherapy in addition prolongs survival or provides worthwhile palliation with acceptable toxicity. Palliation as recorded by patients has been fully reported for only two regimens: mitomycin, vinblastine, and cisplatin (MVP), and vinorelbine (N). The BTS and collaborators planned to conduct a phase III randomised trial comparing ASC only, ASC+MVP, and ASC+N in 840 patients with survival as the primary outcome measure. The aim of the present study was to assess the acceptability of the trial design to patients and the suitability of two standard quality of life (QL) questionnaires for mesothelioma. Collaborating centres registered all new patients with mesothelioma. Those eligible and giving informed consent completed EORTC QLQ-C30+LC13 and FACT-L QL questionnaires and were randomised between all three or any two of (1) ASC only, (2) ASC+4 cycles of MVP, and (3) ASC+12 weekly doses of N. During 1 year, 242 patients were registered of whom 109 (45%) were randomised (55% of the 197 eligible patients). Fifty two patients from 20 centres were randomised to an option including ASC only. This translates into a rate of 312 per year from 60 centres interested in collaborating in the phase III trial. The EORTC QL questionnaire was superior to FACT-L in terms of completeness of data and patient preference. Clinically relevant palliation was achieved with ASC. The planned phase III trial is feasible.

Inflammasome Assembly in the Chorioamniotic Membranes during Spontaneous Labor at Term

PubMed Central

Gomez-Lopez, Nardhy; Romero, Roberto; Xu, Yi; Garcia-Flores, Valeria; Leng, Yaozhu; Panaitescu, Bogdan; Miller, Derek; Abrahams, Vikki M.; Hassan, Sonia S.

2017-01-01

Problem Inflammasome activation requires two steps: priming and assembly of the multimeric complex. The second step includes assembly of the sensor molecule and adaptor protein ASC (an apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD), which results in ASC speck formation and the recruitment of caspase (CASP)-1. Herein, we investigated whether there is inflammasome assembly in the chorioamniotic membranes and choriodecidual leukocytes from women who underwent spontaneous labor at term. Method of Study Using in situ proximity ligation assays, ASC/CASP-1 complexes were determined in the chorioamniotic membranes from women who delivered at term without labor or underwent spontaneous labor at term with or without acute histologic chorioamnionitis (n=10–11 each). Also, ASC speck formation was determined by flow cytometry in the choriodecidual leukocytes isolated from women who delivered at term with or without spontaneous labor (n=9–12 each). Results 1) ASC/CASP-1 complexes were detected in the chorioamniotic membranes; 2) ASC/CASP-1 complexes were greater in the chorioamniotic membranes from women who underwent spontaneous labor at term than in those without labor; 3) ASC/CASP-1 complexes were even more abundant in the chorioamniotic membranes from women who underwent spontaneous labor at term with acute histologic chorioamnionitis than in those without this placental lesion; 4) ASC speck formation was detected in the choriodecidual leukocytes; and 5) ASC speck formation was greater in the choriodecidual leukocytes isolated from women who underwent spontaneous labor at term than in those without labor. Conclusion There is inflammasome assembly in the chorioamniotic membranes and choriodecidual leukocytes during spontaneous labor at term. PMID:28233423

The Distribution of SIgA and IgG Antibody-Secreting Cells in the Small Intestine of Bactrian Camels (Camelus bactrianus) of Different Ages.

PubMed

Zhang, Wang-Dong; Wang, Wen-Hui; Jia, Shuai

2016-01-01

Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) are two important cell types in the mucosal immune system. This study aimed to explore the distribution of these ASC populations in the small intestine of Bactrian camels of different ages. Twenty-four Alashan Bactrian camels were divided into the following four age groups: young (1-2 years), pubertal (3-5 years), middle-aged (6-16 years) and old (17-20 years). SIgA and IgG ASCs in the intestinal mucosa lamina propria (LP) were observed and analyzed using immunohistochemcal techniques. The results from all age groups show that both SIgA and IgG ASCs were diffusely distributed in the intestinal LP, and some cells aggregated around the crypts. Moreover, the densities of the two ASC populations gradually increased from the duodenum to the jejunum and then decreased in the ileum. Meanwhile, there were more SIgA ASCs than IgG ASCs in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and these differences were significant in the young and pubertal groups (P<0.05). In addition, the SIgA and IgG ASC densities increased from the young to the pubertal period, peaked at puberty, and then gradually decreased with age. The results demonstrate that the SIgA and IgG ASC distributions help to form two immunoglobulin barriers in the intestinal mucosa to provide full protection, helping to maintain homeostasis. These findings also underscore the importance of researching the development and degeneration of intestinal mucosal immunity in Bactrian camels.

Hydrogenated CoOx nanowire@Ni(OH)2 nanosheet core-shell nanostructures for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Jianxiao; Huang, Lei; Xiao, Yuxiu; Shen, Leo; Chen, Qi; Shi, Wangzhou

2014-05-01

We report a facile strategy to prepare 3D core-shell nanowire heterostructures with microporous hydrogenated CoOx (H-CoOx) nanowires as the conducting scaffold to support Ni(OH)2 nanosheets. Benefiting from the H-CoOx nanowire core to provide the effective pathway for charge transport and the core-shell heterostructures with synergistic effects, the H-CoOx@Ni(OH)2 core-shell nanowire electrode achieved the specific capacitance of 2196 F g-1 (areal capacitance of 5.73 F cm-2), which is approximately a 1.4-fold enhancement compared with the Co3O4@Ni(OH)2 core-shell nanowires. An aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device was fabricated by using H-CoOx@Ni(OH)2 nanowires as the positive electrode and reduced graphene oxide @Fe3O4 nanocomposites as the negative electrode. The ASCs achieved high energy density (~45.3 W h kg-1 at 1010 W kg-1), high power density (~7080 W kg-1 at 23.4 W h kg-1) and high cycling stability. Furthermore, after charging for ~1 min, one such 22 cm2 ASC device demonstrated to be able to drive a small windmill (0.8 V, 0.1 W) for 20 min. Two such ASCs connected in series can power up a seven-color LED (3.2 V) efficiently.We report a facile strategy to prepare 3D core-shell nanowire heterostructures with microporous hydrogenated CoOx (H-CoOx) nanowires as the conducting scaffold to support Ni(OH)2 nanosheets. Benefiting from the H-CoOx nanowire core to provide the effective pathway for charge transport and the core-shell heterostructures with synergistic effects, the H-CoOx@Ni(OH)2 core-shell nanowire electrode achieved the specific capacitance of 2196 F g-1 (areal capacitance of 5.73 F cm-2), which is approximately a 1.4-fold enhancement compared with the Co3O4@Ni(OH)2 core-shell nanowires. An aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device was fabricated by using H-CoOx@Ni(OH)2 nanowires as the positive electrode and reduced graphene oxide @Fe3O4 nanocomposites as the negative electrode. The ASCs achieved high energy density (~45.3 W h kg-1 at 1010 W kg-1), high power density (~7080 W kg-1 at 23.4 W h kg-1) and high cycling stability. Furthermore, after charging for ~1 min, one such 22 cm2 ASC device demonstrated to be able to drive a small windmill (0.8 V, 0.1 W) for 20 min. Two such ASCs connected in series can power up a seven-color LED (3.2 V) efficiently. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Synthetic methods of Co3O4 and RGO, FESEM cross-sectional image of H-CoOx NWs, XRD of Co3O4, H-CoOx and H-CoOx@Ni(OH)2, CVs and charge-discharge curves of the bare Ni foam, calculation of the specific capacitance of H-CoOx@Ni(OH)2, XRD and FESEM of RGO@Fe3O4 nanocomposites, CV, charge-discharge curves and cycling performance of the RGO@Fe3O4 nanocomposite electrode, and pictures showing demonstration of the ASC devices. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr00771a

Artificial Loading of ASC Specks with Cytosolic Antigens

PubMed Central

Sahillioğlu, Ali Can; Özören, Nesrin

2015-01-01

Inflammasome complexes form upon interaction of Nod Like Receptor (NLR) proteins with pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAPMS) inside the cytosol. Stimulation of a subset of inflammasome receptors including NLRP3, NLRC4 and AIM2 triggers formation of the micrometer-sized spherical supramolecular complex called the ASC speck. The ASC speck is thought to be the platform of inflammasome activity, but the reason why a supramolecular complex is preferred against oligomeric platforms remains elusive. We observed that a set of cytosolic proteins, including the model antigen ovalbumin, tend to co-aggregate on the ASC speck. We suggest that co-aggregation of antigenic proteins on the ASC speck during intracellular infection might be instrumental in antigen presentation. PMID:26258904

25. DIVERSION STRUCTURE EAST OF FORMER BASIN F IN SECTION ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

25. DIVERSION STRUCTURE EAST OF FORMER BASIN F IN SECTION 26. - Highline Canal, Sand Creek Lateral, Beginning at intersection of Peoria Street & Highline Canal in Arapahoe County (City of Aurora), Sand Creek lateral Extends 15 miles Northerly through Araphoe County, City & County of Denver, & Adams County to its end point, approximately 1/4 mile Southest of intersectioin of D Street & Ninth Avenue in Adams County (Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City Vicinity), Commerce City, Adams County, CO

26. DIVERSION STRUCTURE WITH FORMER BASIN F IN DISTANCE (SECTION ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

26. DIVERSION STRUCTURE WITH FORMER BASIN F IN DISTANCE (SECTION 26). - Highline Canal, Sand Creek Lateral, Beginning at intersection of Peoria Street & Highline Canal in Arapahoe County (City of Aurora), Sand Creek lateral Extends 15 miles Northerly through Araphoe County, City & County of Denver, & Adams County to its end point, approximately 1/4 mile Southest of intersectioin of D Street & Ninth Avenue in Adams County (Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City Vicinity), Commerce City, Adams County, CO

6. DROP STRUCTURE BETWEEN C AND D STREETS (SECTION 11). ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

6. DROP STRUCTURE BETWEEN C AND D STREETS (SECTION 11). - Highline Canal, Sand Creek Lateral, Beginning at intersection of Peoria Street & Highline Canal in Arapahoe County (City of Aurora), Sand Creek lateral Extends 15 miles Northerly through Araphoe County, City & County of Denver, & Adams County to its end point, approximately 1/4 mile Southest of intersectioin of D Street & Ninth Avenue in Adams County (Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City Vicinity), Commerce City, Adams County, CO

5. HEAD GATE BETWEEN C AND D STREETS (SECTION 11). ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

5. HEAD GATE BETWEEN C AND D STREETS (SECTION 11). - Highline Canal, Sand Creek Lateral, Beginning at intersection of Peoria Street & Highline Canal in Arapahoe County (City of Aurora), Sand Creek lateral Extends 15 miles Northerly through Araphoe County, City & County of Denver, & Adams County to its end point, approximately 1/4 mile Southest of intersectioin of D Street & Ninth Avenue in Adams County (Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City Vicinity), Commerce City, Adams County, CO

14. DAMAGED HEAD GATE NORTH OF LAKE LADORA (SECTION 2). ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

14. DAMAGED HEAD GATE NORTH OF LAKE LADORA (SECTION 2). - Highline Canal, Sand Creek Lateral, Beginning at intersection of Peoria Street & Highline Canal in Arapahoe County (City of Aurora), Sand Creek lateral Extends 15 miles Northerly through Araphoe County, City & County of Denver, & Adams County to its end point, approximately 1/4 mile Southest of intersectioin of D Street & Ninth Avenue in Adams County (Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City Vicinity), Commerce City, Adams County, CO

20. HEAD GATE IN THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 35. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

20. HEAD GATE IN THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 35. - Highline Canal, Sand Creek Lateral, Beginning at intersection of Peoria Street & Highline Canal in Arapahoe County (City of Aurora), Sand Creek lateral Extends 15 miles Northerly through Araphoe County, City & County of Denver, & Adams County to its end point, approximately 1/4 mile Southest of intersectioin of D Street & Ninth Avenue in Adams County (Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City Vicinity), Commerce City, Adams County, CO

42 CFR 416.140 - Surveys.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Surveys. 416.140 Section 416.140 Public Health... Furnished Before January 1, 2008 § 416.140 Surveys. (a) Timing, purpose, and procedures. (1) No more often than once a year, CMS conducts a survey of a randomly selected sample of participating ASCs to collect...

42 CFR 416.140 - Surveys.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Surveys. 416.140 Section 416.140 Public Health... January 1, 2008 § 416.140 Surveys. (a) Timing, purpose, and procedures. (1) No more often than once a year, CMS conducts a survey of a randomly selected sample of participating ASCs to collect data for analysis...

42 CFR 416.140 - Surveys.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Surveys. 416.140 Section 416.140 Public Health... Furnished Before January 1, 2008 § 416.140 Surveys. (a) Timing, purpose, and procedures. (1) No more often than once a year, CMS conducts a survey of a randomly selected sample of participating ASCs to collect...

42 CFR 416.140 - Surveys.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Surveys. 416.140 Section 416.140 Public Health... Furnished Before January 1, 2008 § 416.140 Surveys. (a) Timing, purpose, and procedures. (1) No more often than once a year, CMS conducts a survey of a randomly selected sample of participating ASCs to collect...

42 CFR 416.140 - Surveys.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Surveys. 416.140 Section 416.140 Public Health... January 1, 2008 § 416.140 Surveys. (a) Timing, purpose, and procedures. (1) No more often than once a year, CMS conducts a survey of a randomly selected sample of participating ASCs to collect data for analysis...

26 CFR 1.41-9T - Alternative simplified credit (temporary).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 true Alternative simplified credit (temporary). 1.41... INCOME TAXES Credits Against Tax § 1.41-9T Alternative simplified credit (temporary). (a) Determination... provisions of the alternative simplified credit (ASC) in section 41(c)(5) for any taxable year of the...

12 CFR 1102.310 - Service of process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Service of process. 1102.310 Section 1102.310... Office, Procedures, Public Information § 1102.310 Service of process. (a) Service. Any subpoena or other... 20006. Where the ASC is named as a party, service of process shall be made pursuant to the Federal Rules...

40 CFR 81.16 - Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) DESIGNATION OF AREAS FOR AIR QUALITY PLANNING PURPOSES Designation of Air Quality Control Regions § 81.16 Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region. The Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region (Colorado) consists of the territorial area...

40 CFR 81.16 - Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) DESIGNATION OF AREAS FOR AIR QUALITY PLANNING PURPOSES Designation of Air Quality Control Regions § 81.16 Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region. The Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region (Colorado) consists of the territorial area...

40 CFR 81.16 - Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) DESIGNATION OF AREAS FOR AIR QUALITY PLANNING PURPOSES Designation of Air Quality Control Regions § 81.16 Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region. The Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region (Colorado) consists of the territorial area...

40 CFR 81.16 - Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) DESIGNATION OF AREAS FOR AIR QUALITY PLANNING PURPOSES Designation of Air Quality Control Regions § 81.16 Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region. The Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region (Colorado) consists of the territorial area...

NPDES Permit for Denver VA Hospital Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System in Colorado

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Under NPDES permit CO-R042008, the Veterans Administration (Medical Center, Denver Campus) is authorized to discharge from all municipal separate storm sewer system outfalls to the receiving waters specified in the permit in the City of Denver, Colorado.

40 CFR 81.16 - Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) DESIGNATION OF AREAS FOR AIR QUALITY PLANNING PURPOSES Designation of Air Quality Control Regions § 81.16 Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region. The Metropolitan Denver Intrastate Air Quality Control Region (Colorado) consists of the territorial area...

Effects of transforming growth factor-beta1 on cell motility, collagen gel contraction, myofibroblastic differentiation, and extracellular matrix expression of human adipose-derived stem cell.

PubMed

Kakudo, Natsuko; Kushida, Satoshi; Suzuki, Kenji; Ogura, Tsunetaka; Notodihardjo, Priscilla Valentin; Hara, Tomoya; Kusumoto, Kenji

2012-12-01

Human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are adult pluripotent stem cells, and their usefulness in plastic surgery has garnered attention in recent years. Although, there have been expectations that ASCs might function in wound repair and regeneration, no studies to date have examined the role of ASCs in the mechanism that promotes wound-healing. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) is a strong candidate cytokine for the triggering of mesenchymal stem cell migration, construction of extracellular matrices, and differentiation of ASCs into myofibroblasts. Cell proliferation, motility, and differentiation, as well as extracellular matrix production, play an important role in wound-healing. We have evaluated the capacity of ASCs to proliferate and their potential to differentiate into phenotypic myofibroblasts, as well as their cell motility and collagen gel contraction ability, when cultured with TGF-β1. Cell motility was analyzed using a wound-healing assay. ASCs that differentiated into myofibroblasts expressed the gene for alpha-smooth muscle actin, and its protein expression was detected immunohistochemically. The extracellular matrix expression in ASCs was evaluated using real-time RT-PCR. Based on the results, we conclude that human ASCs have the potential for cell motility, extracellular matrix gene expression, gel contraction, and differentiation into myofibroblasts and, therefore, may play an important role in the wound-healing process.

Tissue Source and Cell Expansion Condition Influence Phenotypic Changes of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Mangum, Lauren H.; Stone, Randolph; Wrice, Nicole L.; Larson, David A.; Florell, Kyle F.; Christy, Barbara A.; Herzig, Maryanne C.; Cap, Andrew P.

2017-01-01

Stem cells derived from the subcutaneous adipose tissue of debrided burned skin represent an appealing source of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) for regenerative medicine. Traditional tissue culture uses fetal bovine serum (FBS), which complicates utilization of ASCs in human medicine. Human platelet lysate (hPL) is one potential xeno-free, alternative supplement for use in ASC culture. In this study, adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation in media supplemented with 10% FBS or 10% hPL was compared in human ASCs derived from abdominoplasty (HAP) or from adipose associated with debrided burned skin (BH). Most (95–99%) cells cultured in FBS were stained positive for CD73, CD90, CD105, and CD142. FBS supplementation was associated with increased triglyceride content and expression of adipogenic genes. Culture in hPL significantly decreased surface staining of CD105 by 31% and 48% and CD142 by 27% and 35% in HAP and BH, respectively (p < 0.05). Culture of BH-ASCs in hPL also increased expression of markers of osteogenesis and increased ALP activity. These data indicate that application of ASCs for wound healing may be influenced by ASC source as well as culture conditions used to expand them. As such, these factors must be taken into consideration before ASCs are used for regenerative purposes. PMID:29138638

NASA Glenn Research Center Support of the ASRG Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Scott D.; Wong, Wayne A.

2014-01-01

A high efficiency radioisotope power system is being developed for long-duration NASA space science missions. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) managed a flight contract with Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC) to build Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generators (ASRGs), with support from NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). Sunpower Inc. held two parallel contracts to produce Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASCs), one with DOELockheed Martin to produce ASC-F flight units, and one with GRC for the production of ASC-E3 engineering unit pathfinders that are built to the flight design. In support of those contracts, GRC provided testing, materials expertise, government furnished equipment, inspections, and related data products to DOELockheed Martin and Sunpower. The technical support includes material evaluations, component tests, convertor characterization, and technology transfer. Material evaluations and component tests have been performed on various ASC components in order to assess potential life-limiting mechanisms and provide data for reliability models. Convertor level tests have been used to characterize performance under operating conditions that are representative of various mission conditions. Technology transfers enhanced contractor capabilities for specialized production processes and tests. Despite termination of flight ASRG contract, NASA continues to develop the high efficiency ASC conversion technology under the ASC-E3 contract. This paper describes key government furnished services performed for ASRG and future tests used to provide data for ongoing reliability assessments.

Effects of Macromolecular Crowding on Human Adipose Stem Cell Culture in Fetal Bovine Serum, Human Serum, and Defined Xeno-Free/Serum-Free Conditions

PubMed Central

Lee, Michelle Hui Ching; Mäkinen, Laura; Ang, Xiu Min; Mannerström, Bettina; Raghunath, Michael; Miettinen, Susanna

2017-01-01

Microenvironment plays an important role for stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Macromolecular crowding (MMC) was recently shown to assist stem cells in forming their own matrix microenvironment in vitro. The ability of MMC to support adipose stem cell (ASC) proliferation, metabolism, and multilineage differentiation was studied under different conditions: fetal bovine serum- (FBS-) and human serum- (HS-) based media and xeno- and serum-free (XF/SF) media. Furthermore, the immunophenotype of ASCs under MMC was evaluated. The proliferative capacity of ASCs under MMC was attenuated in each condition. However, osteogenic differentiation was enhanced under MMC, shown by increased deposition of mineralized matrix in FBS and HS cultures. Likewise, significantly greater lipid droplet accumulation and increased collagen IV deposition indicated enhanced adipogenesis under MMC in FBS and HS cultures. In contrast, chondrogenic differentiation was attenuated in ASCs expanded under MMC. The ASC immunophenotype was maintained under MMC with significantly higher expression of CD54. However, MMC impaired metabolic activity and differentiation capacity of ASCs in XF/SF conditions. Both the supportive and inhibitory effects of MMC on ASC are culture condition dependent. In the presence of serum, MMC maintains ASC immunophenotype and enhances adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation at the cost of reduced proliferation. PMID:28465691

Effects of Macromolecular Crowding on Human Adipose Stem Cell Culture in Fetal Bovine Serum, Human Serum, and Defined Xeno-Free/Serum-Free Conditions.

PubMed

Patrikoski, Mimmi; Lee, Michelle Hui Ching; Mäkinen, Laura; Ang, Xiu Min; Mannerström, Bettina; Raghunath, Michael; Miettinen, Susanna

2017-01-01

Microenvironment plays an important role for stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Macromolecular crowding (MMC) was recently shown to assist stem cells in forming their own matrix microenvironment in vitro. The ability of MMC to support adipose stem cell (ASC) proliferation, metabolism, and multilineage differentiation was studied under different conditions: fetal bovine serum- (FBS-) and human serum- (HS-) based media and xeno- and serum-free (XF/SF) media. Furthermore, the immunophenotype of ASCs under MMC was evaluated. The proliferative capacity of ASCs under MMC was attenuated in each condition. However, osteogenic differentiation was enhanced under MMC, shown by increased deposition of mineralized matrix in FBS and HS cultures. Likewise, significantly greater lipid droplet accumulation and increased collagen IV deposition indicated enhanced adipogenesis under MMC in FBS and HS cultures. In contrast, chondrogenic differentiation was attenuated in ASCs expanded under MMC. The ASC immunophenotype was maintained under MMC with significantly higher expression of CD54. However, MMC impaired metabolic activity and differentiation capacity of ASCs in XF/SF conditions. Both the supportive and inhibitory effects of MMC on ASC are culture condition dependent. In the presence of serum, MMC maintains ASC immunophenotype and enhances adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation at the cost of reduced proliferation.

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction provides a source for functional adipose-derived stromal cells.

PubMed

Duscher, Dominik; Maan, Zeshaan N; Luan, Anna; Aitzetmüller, Matthias M; Brett, Elizabeth A; Atashroo, David; Whittam, Alexander J; Hu, Michael S; Walmsley, Graham G; Houschyar, Khosrow S; Schilling, Arndt F; Machens, Hans-Guenther; Gurtner, Geoffrey C; Longaker, Michael T; Wan, Derrick C

2017-12-01

Regenerative medicine employs human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) for their multi-lineage plasticity and their pro-regenerative cytokine secretome. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) are concentrated in fat tissue, and the ease of harvest via liposuction makes them a particularly interesting cell source. However, there are various liposuction methods, and few have been assessed regarding their impact on ASC functionality. Here we study the impact of the two most popular ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) devices currently in clinical use, VASER (Solta Medical) and Lysonix 3000 (Mentor) on ASCs. After lipoaspirate harvest and processing, we sorted for ASCs using fluorescent-assisted cell sorting based on an established surface marker profile (CD34 + CD31 - CD45 - ). ASC yield, viability, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacity and in vivo regenerative performance were assessed. Both UAL samples demonstrated equivalent ASC yield and viability. VASER UAL ASCs showed higher osteogenic and adipogenic marker expression, but a comparable differentiation capacity was observed. Soft tissue healing and neovascularization were significantly enhanced via both UAL-derived ASCs in vivo, and there was no significant difference between the cell therapy groups. Taken together, our data suggest that UAL allows safe and efficient harvesting of the mesenchymal stromal cellular fraction of adipose tissue and that cells harvested via this approach are suitable for cell therapy and tissue engineering applications. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Isolation of Human Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells Using Laser-Assisted Liposuction and Their Therapeutic Potential in Regenerative Medicine

PubMed Central

Chung, Michael T.; Zimmermann, Andrew S.; Paik, Kevin J.; Morrison, Shane D.; Hyun, Jeong S.; Lo, David D.; McArdle, Adrian; Montoro, Daniel T.; Walmsley, Graham G.; Senarath-Yapa, Kshemendra; Sorkin, Michael; Rennert, Robert; Chen, Hsin-Han; Chung, Andrew S.; Vistnes, Dean; Gurtner, Geoffrey C.; Longaker, Michael T.

2013-01-01

Harvesting adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) for tissue engineering is frequently done through liposuction. However, several different techniques exist. Although third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction has been shown to not have a negative effect on ASCs, the impact of laser-assisted liposuction on the quality and differentiation potential of ASCs has not been studied. Therefore, ASCs were harvested from laser-assisted lipoaspirate and suction-assisted lipoaspirate. Next, in vitro parameters of cell yield, cell viability and proliferation, surface marker phenotype, osteogenic differentiation, and adipogenic differentiation were performed. Finally, in vivo bone formation was assessed using a critical-sized cranial defect in athymic nude mice. Although ASCs isolated from suction-assisted lipoaspirate and laser-assisted lipoaspirate both successfully underwent osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, the cell yield, viability, proliferation, and frequency of ASCs (CD34+CD31−CD45−) in the stromal vascular fraction were all significantly less with laser-assisted liposuction in vitro (p < .05). In vivo, quantification of osseous healing by micro-computed tomography revealed significantly more healing with ASCs isolated from suction-assisted lipoaspirate relative to laser-assisted lipoaspirate at the 4-, 6-, and 8-week time points (p < .05). Therefore, as laser-assisted liposuction appears to negatively impact the biology of ASCs, cell harvest using suction-assisted liposuction is preferable for tissue-engineering purposes. PMID:24018794

Isolation of human adipose-derived stromal cells using laser-assisted liposuction and their therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine.

PubMed

Chung, Michael T; Zimmermann, Andrew S; Paik, Kevin J; Morrison, Shane D; Hyun, Jeong S; Lo, David D; McArdle, Adrian; Montoro, Daniel T; Walmsley, Graham G; Senarath-Yapa, Kshemendra; Sorkin, Michael; Rennert, Robert; Chen, Hsin-Han; Chung, Andrew S; Vistnes, Dean; Gurtner, Geoffrey C; Longaker, Michael T; Wan, Derrick C

2013-10-01

Harvesting adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) for tissue engineering is frequently done through liposuction. However, several different techniques exist. Although third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction has been shown to not have a negative effect on ASCs, the impact of laser-assisted liposuction on the quality and differentiation potential of ASCs has not been studied. Therefore, ASCs were harvested from laser-assisted lipoaspirate and suction-assisted lipoaspirate. Next, in vitro parameters of cell yield, cell viability and proliferation, surface marker phenotype, osteogenic differentiation, and adipogenic differentiation were performed. Finally, in vivo bone formation was assessed using a critical-sized cranial defect in athymic nude mice. Although ASCs isolated from suction-assisted lipoaspirate and laser-assisted lipoaspirate both successfully underwent osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, the cell yield, viability, proliferation, and frequency of ASCs (CD34(+)CD31(-)CD45(-)) in the stromal vascular fraction were all significantly less with laser-assisted liposuction in vitro (p < .05). In vivo, quantification of osseous healing by micro-computed tomography revealed significantly more healing with ASCs isolated from suction-assisted lipoaspirate relative to laser-assisted lipoaspirate at the 4-, 6-, and 8-week time points (p < .05). Therefore, as laser-assisted liposuction appears to negatively impact the biology of ASCs, cell harvest using suction-assisted liposuction is preferable for tissue-engineering purposes.

Adipose-derived stem cells and BMP-2 delivery in chitosan-based 3D constructs to enhance bone regeneration in a rat mandibular defect model.

PubMed

Fan, Jiabing; Park, Hyejin; Lee, Matthew K; Bezouglaia, Olga; Fartash, Armita; Kim, Jinku; Aghaloo, Tara; Lee, Min

2014-08-01

Reconstructing segmental mandiblular defects remains a challenge in the clinic. Tissue engineering strategies provide an alternative option to resolve this problem. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and bone morphogenetic proteins-2 (BMP-2) in three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds on mandibular repair in a small animal model. Noggin expression levels in ASCs were downregulated by a lentiviral short hairpin RNA strategy to enhance ASC osteogenesis (ASCs(Nog-)). Chitosan (CH) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), natural polysaccharides, were fabricated into 3D porous scaffolds, which were further modified with apatite coatings for enhanced cellular responses and efficient delivery of BMP-2. The efficacy of 3D apatite-coated CH/CS scaffolds supplemented with ASCs(Nog-) and BMP-2 were evaluated in a rat critical-sized mandibular defect model. After 8 weeks postimplantation, the scaffolds treated with ASCs(Nog-) and BMP-2 significantly promoted rat mandibular regeneration as demonstrated by micro-computerized tomography, histology, and immunohistochemistry, compared with the groups treated with ASCs(Nog-) or BMP-2 alone. These results suggest that our combinatorial strategy of ASCs(Nog-)+BMP-2 in 3D apatite microenvironments can significantly promote mandibular regeneration, and these may provide a potential tissue engineering approach to repair large bony defects.

Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator EU2 Anomaly Investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewandowski, Edward J.; Dobbs, Michael W.; Oriti, Salvatore M.

2016-01-01

The Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) Engineering Unit 2 (EU2) is the highest fidelity electrically-heated Stirling radioisotope generator built to date. NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) completed the assembly of the ASRG EU2 in September, 2014 using hardware from the now cancelled ASRG flight development project. The ASRG EU2 integrated the first pair of Sunpower's ASC-E3 Stirling convertors (ASC-E3 #1 and #2) in an aluminum generator housing with Lockheed Martin's Engineering Development Unit (EDU) 4 controller. After just 179 hours of EU2 generator operation, the first power fluctuation occurred on ASC-E3 #1. The first power fluctuation occurred 175 hours later on ASC-E3 #2. Over time, the power fluctuations became more frequent on both convertors and larger in magnitude. Eventually the EU2 was shut down in January, 2015. An anomaly investigation was chartered to determine root cause of the power fluctuations and other anomalous observations. A team with members from GRC, Sunpower, and Lockheed Martin conducted a thorough investigation of the EU2 anomalies. Findings from the EU2 disassembly identified proximate causes of the anomalous observations. Discussion of the team's assessment of the primary possible failure theories, root cause, and conclusions is provided. Recommendations are made for future Stirling generator development to address the findings from the anomaly investigation. Additional findings from the investigation are also discussed.

A Comparison of Ambulatory Surgery Center Production Costs and Medicare Payments: Evidence on Colonoscopy and Endoscopy.

PubMed

Mitchell, Jean M; Carey, Kathleen

2016-02-01

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are freestanding facilities that specialize in surgical and diagnostic procedures that do not require an overnight stay. While it is generally assumed that ASCs are less costly than hospital outpatient surgery departments, there is sparse empirical evidence regarding their relative production costs. To estimate ASC production costs using financial and claims records for procedures performed by surgery centers that specialize in gastroenterology procedures (colonoscopy and endoscopy). We estimate production costs in ASCs that specialize in gastroenterology procedures using financial cost and patient discharge data from Pennsylvania for the time period 2004-2013. We focus on the 2 primary procedures (colonoscopies and endoscopies) performed at each ASC. We use our estimates to predict average costs for each procedure and then compare predicted costs to Medicare ACS payments for these procedures. Comparisons of the costs of each procedure with 2013 national Medicare ASC payment rates suggest that Medicare payments exceed production costs for both colonoscopy and endoscopy. This study demonstrated that it is feasible to estimate production costs for procedures performed in freestanding surgery centers. The procedure-specific cost estimates can then be compared with ASC payment rates to ascertain if payments are aligned with costs. This approach can serve as an evaluation template for CMS and private insurers who are concerned that ASC facility payments for specific procedures may be excessive.

Human Adipose Tissue Stem Cells Promote the Growth of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells in NOD/SCID Mice.

PubMed

Lee, Myoung Woo; Park, Yoo Jin; Kim, Dae Seong; Park, Hyun Jin; Jung, Hye Lim; Lee, Ji Won; Sung, Ki Woong; Koo, Hong Hoe; Yoo, Keon Hee

2018-06-01

In this study, the effect of adipose tissue stem cells (ASCs) on the growth of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells was examined in an in vivo model. We established ALL cell lines expressing firefly luciferase (ALL/fLuc) by lentiviral infection that were injected intraperitoneally to NOD/SCID mice. The luciferase activities were significantly higher in mice co-injected with 10 5 ALL/fLuc cells and ASCs than in those injected with ALL/fLuc cells alone. Co-injection of 10 5 ALL/fLuc cells and ASCs in differing ratios into mice gradually increased the bioluminescence intensity in all groups, and mice co-injected with 1 or 2 × 10 6 ASCs showed higher bioluminescence intensity than those receiving lower numbers. Interestingly, in the mice injected with 10 5 or 10 7 ALL/fLuc cells alone, the formation of tumor masses was not observed for at least five weeks. Moreover, co-injection of 10 7 ALL/fLuc cells and 5 × 10 5 ASCs into mice increased the bioluminescence intensity in all groups, and showed significantly higher bioluminescence intensity compared to mice co-injected with human normal fibroblast HS68 cells. Overall, ASCs promote the growth of ALL cells in vivo, suggesting that ASCs negatively influence hematologic malignancy, which should be considered in developing cell therapy using ASCs.

The quality of our Nation's waters: water quality in the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado, 2003-05

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bauch, Nancy J.; Musgrove, MaryLynn; Mahler, Barbara J.; Paschke, Suzanne

2015-01-01

Availability and sustainability of groundwater in the Denver Basin aquifer system depend on water quantity and water quality. The Denver Basin aquifer system underlies about 7,000 square miles of the Great Plains in eastern Colorado and is the primary or sole source of water for domestic and public supply in many areas of the basin. Use of groundwater from the Denver Basin sandstone aquifers has been instrumental for development of the south Denver metropolitan area and other areas, but has resulted in a decline in water levels in some parts of the system. Human activities in many areas have adversely affected the quality of water in the aquifer system, especially the shallow parts. Groundwater in deeper parts of the system used for drinking water, once considered isolated from the effects of overlying land use, is increasingly vulnerable to contamination from human activities and geologic materials. Availability and sustainability of high-quality groundwater are vital to the economic health of the Denver Basin area.

Cytology and high risk HPV testing in cervical cancer screening program: Outcome of 3-year follow-up in an academic institute.

PubMed

Yang, Jack; Nolte, Fredrick S; Chajewski, Olga S; Lindsey, Kathryn G; Houser, Patricia M; Pellicier, Jalidsa; Wang, Qun; Ehsani, Laleh

2018-01-01

Combination of cervical cytology and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) testing, co-testing, has been increasingly used in screening cervical cancers. The present study summarized the outcome of co-testing by reviewing 3-year clinical and pathological follow-up information. Patients were retrospectively identified via computerized search and were grouped based on the cytologic diagnosis and HR-HPV status as negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM)/HPV-, NILM/HPV+, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US)/HPV-, ASC-US/HPV+, low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL)/HPV-, LSIL/HPV+, atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H)/HPV-, ASC-H/HPV+, high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL)/HPV-, and HSIL/HPV+. The patients' pertinent past medical history and follow-up information were analyzed. During 3-year follow-up period, histologically proven HSIL was found in 5 of 1565 (0.3%) patients with NILM/HPV-, 7 of 141 (5.0%) with NILM/HPV+, 2 of 502 (0.4%) with ASC-US/HPV-, 30 of 274 (10.9%) with ASC-US/HPV+, 1 of 81 (1.2%) with LSIL/HPV-, 28 of 159 (17.6%) with LSIL/HPV+, 3 of 18 (16.7%) with ASC-H/HPV-, 34 of 69 (49.3%) with ASC-H/HPV+, 7 of 7 (100%) with HSIL/HPV-, and 35 of 56 (62.5%) HSIL/HPV+. In reviewing 12 HSIL cases that were originally diagnosed as NILM, 7 remained as NILM, and the other 5 were reclassified as 1 HSIL, 1 ASC-H, and 3 ASC-US, respectively. In 18 HSIL cases with negative HR-HPV, 12 patients had a prior history of positive HR-HPV testing and/or positive p16 IHC stain in the follow-up cervical biopsy. HR-HPV testing plays an important role in cervical cancer screening by identifying HSIL in patients with ASC-US, LSIL, and NILM. Co-testing is an optimal method to identifying the patients with higher risk for developing cervical abnormalities. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Comparative study of ROR2 and WNT5a expression in squamous/adenosquamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder

PubMed Central

Wu, Zheng-Chun; Xiong, Li; Wang, Ling-Xiang; Miao, Xiong-Ying; Liu, Zi-Ru; Li, Dai-Qiang; Zou, Qiong; Liu, Kui-Jie; Zhao, Hua; Yang, Zhu-Lin

2017-01-01

AIM To investigate the expression and clinical pathological significance of ROR2 and WNT5a in gallbladder squamous/adenosquamous carcinoma (SC/ASC) and adenocarcinoma (AC). METHODS EnVision immunohistochemistry was used to stain for ROR2 and WNT5a in 46 SC/ASC patients and 80 AC patients. RESULTS Poorly differentiated AC among AC patients aged > 45 years were significantly more frequent compared with SC/ASC patients, while tumors with a maximal diameter > 3 cm in the SC/ASC group were significantly more frequent compared with the AC group. Positive ROR2 and WNT5a expression was significantly lower in SC/ASC or AC with a maximal mass diameter ≤ 3 cm, a TNM stage of I + II, no lymph node metastasis, no surrounding invasion, and radical resection than in patients with a maximal mass diameter > 3 cm, TNM stage IV, lymph node metastasis, surrounding invasion, and no resection. Positive ROR2 expression in patients with highly differentiated SC/ASC was significantly lower than in patients with poorly differentiated SC/ASC. Positive ROR2 and WNT5a expression levels in highly differentiated AC were significantly lower than in poorly differentiated AC. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that differentiation degree, maximal mass diameter, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, surrounding invasion, surgical procedure and the ROR2 and WNT5a expression levels were closely related to average survival of SC/ASC or AC. The survival of SC/ASC or AC patients with positive expression of ROR2 and WNT5a was significantly shorter than that of patients with negative expression results. Cox multivariate analysis revealed that poor differentiation, a maximal diameter of the mass ≥ 3 cm, TNM stage III or IV, lymph node metastasis, surrounding invasion, unresected surgery and positive ROR2 or WNT5a expression in the SC/ASC or AC patients were negatively correlated with the postoperative survival rate and positively correlated with mortality, which are risk factors and independent prognostic predictors. CONCLUSION SC/ASC or AC patients with positive ROR2 or WNT5a expression generally have a poor prognosis. PMID:28465645

Addition of bone morphogenetic protein type 2 to ascorbate and β-glycerophosphate supplementation did not enhance osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells.

PubMed

Cruz, Ariadne Cristiane Cabral; Silva, Mariana Lúcia; Caon, Thiago; Simões, Cláudia Maria Oliveira

2012-01-01

Bone morphogenetic protein type 2 (BMP-2) is a potent local factor, which promotes bone formation and has been used as an osteogenic supplement for mesenchymal stem cells. This study evaluated the effect of a recombinant BMP-2 as well as the endogenous BMP-4 and BMP-7 in the osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in medium supplemented with ascorbate and β-glycerophosphate. Human ASCs were treated with osteogenic medium in the presence (ASCs+OM+BMP-2) or absence (ASCs+OM) of BMP-2. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was determined and the extracellular matrix mineralization was evaluated by Von Kossa staining and calcium quantification. The expressions of BMP-4, BMP-7, Smad1, Smad4, and phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 were analyzed by western blotting. Relative mRNA expressions of Smad1, BMP receptor type II (BMPR-II), osteonectin, and osteocalcin were evaluated by qPCR. ASCs+OM demonstrated the highest expression of BMP-4 and BMP-7 at days 21 and 7, respectively, the highest levels of BMPR-II mRNA expression at day 28, and the highest levels of Smad1 mRNA at days 14 and 28. ASCs+OM+BMP-2 demonstrated the highest levels of Smad1 mRNA expression at days 1, 7, and 21, the highest expression of Smad1 at day 7, the highest expression of Smad4 at day 14, the highest ALP activity at days 14 and 21, and expression of phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 at day 7. ASCs+OM and ASCs+OM+BMP2 showed similar ALP activity at days 7 and 28, similar osteonectin and osteocalcin mRNA expression at all time periods, and similar calcium depositions at all time periods. We concluded that human ASCs expressed endogenous BMP-4 and BMP-7. Moreover, the supplementation of ASCs with BMP-2 did not increase the level of osteogenic markers in the initial (ALP activity), intermediate (osteonectin and osteocalcin), or final (calcium deposition) phases, suggesting that the exogenous addition of BMP-2 did not improve the in vitro osteogenesis process of human ASCs.

Task-related functional connectivity in autism spectrum conditions: an EEG study using wavelet transform coherence

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) are a set of pervasive neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by a wide range of lifelong signs and symptoms. Recent explanatory models of autism propose abnormal neural connectivity and are supported by studies showing decreased interhemispheric coherence in individuals with ASC. The first aim of this study was to test the hypothesis of reduced interhemispheric coherence in ASC, and secondly to investigate specific effects of task performance on interhemispheric coherence in ASC. Methods We analyzed electroencephalography (EEG) data from 15 participants with ASC and 15 typical controls, using Wavelet Transform Coherence (WTC) to calculate interhemispheric coherence during face and chair matching tasks, for EEG frequencies from 5 to 40 Hz and during the first 400 ms post-stimulus onset. Results Results demonstrate a reduction of interhemispheric coherence in the ASC group, relative to the control group, in both tasks and for all electrode pairs studied. For both tasks, group differences were generally observed after around 150 ms and at frequencies lower than 13 Hz. Regarding within-group task comparisons, while the control group presented differences in interhemispheric coherence between faces and chairs tasks at various electrode pairs (FT7-FT8, TP7-TP8, P7-P8), such differences were only seen for one electrode pair in the ASC group (T7-T8). No significant differences in EEG power spectra were observed between groups. Conclusions Interhemispheric coherence is reduced in people with ASC, in a time and frequency specific manner, during visual perception and categorization of both social and inanimate stimuli and this reduction in coherence is widely dispersed across the brain. Results of within-group task comparisons may reflect an impairment in task differentiation in people with ASC relative to typically developing individuals. Overall, the results of this research support the value of WTC in examining the time-frequency microstructure of task-related interhemispheric EEG coherence in people with ASC. PMID:23311570

Absence of the inflammasome adaptor ASC reduces hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice.

PubMed

Cero, Fadila Telarevic; Hillestad, Vigdis; Sjaastad, Ivar; Yndestad, Arne; Aukrust, Pål; Ranheim, Trine; Lunde, Ida Gjervold; Olsen, Maria Belland; Lien, Egil; Zhang, Lili; Haugstad, Solveig Bjærum; Løberg, Else Marit; Christensen, Geir; Larsen, Karl-Otto; Skjønsberg, Ole Henning

2015-08-15

Pulmonary hypertension is a serious condition that can lead to premature death. The mechanisms involved are incompletely understood although a role for the immune system has been suggested. Inflammasomes are part of the innate immune system and consist of the effector caspase-1 and a receptor, where nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) is the best characterized and interacts with the adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC). To investigate whether ASC and NLRP3 inflammasome components are involved in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension, we utilized mice deficient in ASC and NLRP3. Active caspase-1, IL-18, and IL-1β, which are regulated by inflammasomes, were measured in lung homogenates in wild-type (WT), ASC(-/-), and NLRP3(-/-) mice, and phenotypical changes related to pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular remodeling were characterized after hypoxic exposure. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) of ASC(-/-) mice was significantly lower than in WT exposed to hypoxia (40.8 ± 1.5 mmHg vs. 55.8 ± 2.4 mmHg, P < 0.001), indicating a substantially reduced pulmonary hypertension in mice lacking ASC. Magnetic resonance imaging further supported these findings by demonstrating reduced right ventricular remodeling. RVSP of NLRP3(-/-) mice exposed to hypoxia was not significantly altered compared with WT hypoxia. Whereas hypoxia increased protein levels of caspase-1, IL-18, and IL-1β in WT and NLRP3(-/-) mice, this response was absent in ASC(-/-) mice. Moreover, ASC(-/-) mice displayed reduced muscularization and collagen deposition around arteries. In conclusion, hypoxia-induced elevated right ventricular pressure and remodeling were attenuated in mice lacking the inflammasome adaptor protein ASC, suggesting that inflammasomes play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension. Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.

The Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ): development and validation of a new sensory questionnaire for adults with and without autism

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Questionnaire-based studies suggest atypical sensory perception in over 90% of individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC). Sensory questionnaire-based studies in ASC mainly record parental reports of their child’s sensory experience; less is known about sensory reactivity in adults with ASC. Given the DSM-5 criteria for ASC now include sensory reactivity, there is a need for an adult questionnaire investigating basic sensory functioning. We aimed to develop and validate the Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ), which assesses basic sensory hyper- and hyposensitivity across all five modalities. Methods A total of 359 adults with (n = 196) and without (n = 163) ASC were asked to fill in the SPQ, the Sensory Over-Responsivity Inventory (SensOR) and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) online. Results Adults with ASC reported more sensory hypersensitivity on the SPQ compared to controls (P < .001). SPQ scores were correlated with AQ scores both across groups (r = .-38) and within the ASC (r = -.18) and control groups (r = -.15). Principal component analyses conducted separately in both groups indicated that one factor comprising 35 items consistently assesses sensory hypersensitivity. The SPQ showed high internal consistency for both the total SPQ (Cronbach’s alpha = .92) and the reduced 35-item version (alpha = .93). The SPQ was significantly correlated with the SensOR across groups (r = -.46) and within the ASC (r = -.49) and control group (r = -.21). Conclusions The SPQ shows good internal consistency and concurrent validity and differentiates between adults with and without ASC. Adults with ASC report more sensitivity to sensory stimuli on the SPQ. Finally, greater sensory sensitivity is associated with more autistic traits. The SPQ provides a new tool to measure individual differences on this dimension. PMID:24791196

ASC Methylation and Interleukin-1β Are Associated with Aerobic Capacity in Heart Failure.

PubMed

Butts, Brittany; Butler, Javed; Dunbar, Sandra B; Corwin, Elizabeth J; Gary, Rebecca A

2017-06-01

Aerobic capacity, as measured by peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2), is one of the most powerful predictors of prognosis in heart failure (HF). Inflammation is a key factor contributing to alterations in aerobic capacity, and interleukin (IL)-1 cytokines are implicated in this process. The adaptor protein ASC is necessary for inflammasome activation of IL-1β and IL-18. ASC expression is controlled through epigenetic modification; lower ASC methylation is associated with worse outcomes in HF. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between ASC methylation, IL-1β, and IL-18 with V˙O2peak in persons with HF. This study examined the relationship between ASC methylation, IL-1β, and IL-18 with V˙O2peak in 54 stable outpatients with HF. All participants were NYHA class II or III, not engaged in an exercise program, and physically able to complete an exercise treadmill test. Mean V˙O2peak was 16.68 ± 4.7 mL·kg·min. V˙O2peak was positively associated with mean percent ASC methylation (r = 0.47, P = 0.001) and negatively associated with IL-1β (r = -0.38, P = 0.007). Multiple linear regression models demonstrated that V˙O2peak increased by 2.30 mL·kg·min for every 1% increase in ASC methylation and decreased by 1.91 mL·kg·min for every 1 pg·mL increase in plasma IL-1β. Mean percent ASC methylation and plasma IL-1β levels are associated with clinically meaningful differences in V˙O2peak in persons with HF. Inflammasome activation may play a mechanistic role in determining aerobic capacity. ASC methylation is a potentially modifiable mechanism for reducing the inflammatory response, thereby improving aerobic capacity in HF.

Culturing bone marrow cells with dexamethasone and ascorbic acid improves osteogenic cell sheet structure.

PubMed

Akahane, M; Shimizu, T; Kira, T; Onishi, T; Uchihara, Y; Imamura, T; Tanaka, Y

2016-11-01

To assess the structure and extracellular matrix molecule expression of osteogenic cell sheets created via culture in medium with both dexamethasone (Dex) and ascorbic acid phosphate (AscP) compared either Dex or AscP alone. Osteogenic cell sheets were prepared by culturing rat bone marrow stromal cells in a minimal essential medium (MEM), MEM with AscP, MEM with Dex, and MEM with Dex and AscP (Dex/AscP). The cell number and messenger (m)RNA expression were assessed in vitro, and the appearance of the cell sheets was observed after mechanical retrieval using a scraper. β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) was then wrapped with the cell sheets from the four different groups and subcutaneously implanted into rats. After mechanical retrieval, the osteogenic cell sheets from the MEM, MEM with AscP, and MEM with Dex groups appeared to be fragmented or incomplete structures. The cell sheets cultured with Dex/AscP remained intact after mechanical retrieval, without any identifiable tears. Culture with Dex/AscP increased the mRNA and protein expression of extracellular matrix proteins and cell number compared with those of the other three groups. More bridging bone formation was observed after transplantation of the β-TCP scaffold wrapped with cell sheets cultured with Dex/AscP, than in the other groups. These results suggest that culture with Dex/AscP improves the mechanical integrity of the osteogenic cell sheets, allowing retrieval of the confluent cells in a single cell sheet structure. This method may be beneficial when applied in cases of difficult tissue reconstruction, such as nonunion, bone defects, and osteonecrosis.Cite this article: M. Akahane, T. Shimizu, T. Kira, T. Onishi, Y. Uchihara, T. Imamura, Y. Tanaka. Culturing bone marrow cells with dexamethasone and ascorbic acid improves osteogenic cell sheet structure. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:569-576. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.511.BJR-2016-0013.R1. © 2016 Akahane et al.

Community College of Denver. North Campus, Denver, Colorado

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson, John D.

1976-01-01

The soon-to-be-completed North Campus of the Community College of Denver demonstrates a conviction on the part of the state and the design team that the use of solar energy is economically and technologically and alternative to the continued consumption of fossil fuel. (Author/MLF)

OCCUPATIONS IN COLORADO. PART I, OUTLOOK BY INDUSTRIES.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

1966

CURRENT AND PROJECTED EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS ARE GIVEN FOR THE STATE AND FOR THE DENVER STANDARD METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA WHICH INCLUDES ADAMS, ARAPAHOE, BOULDER, DENVER, AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES. DATA WERE OBTAINED FROM THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, DENVER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, U.S. CENSUS, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, MOUNTAIN STATES…

The reshaping of land use and urban form in Denver through transit-oriented development.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-03-01

This project funded by the National Center for Intermodal Transportation at the University of Denver examines the current state of transit-oriented development (TOD) in Denver, Colorado. It begins with a review of the return of rail transit to the ci...

Plasma Rich in Growth Factors Induces Cell Proliferation, Migration, Differentiation, and Cell Survival of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Mellado-López, Maravillas; Griffeth, Richard J.; Meseguer-Ripolles, Jose; García, Montserrat

2017-01-01

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are a promising therapeutic alternative for tissue repair in various clinical applications. However, restrictive cell survival, differential tissue integration, and undirected cell differentiation after transplantation in a hostile microenvironment are complications that require refinement. Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) from platelet-rich plasma favors human and canine ASC survival, proliferation, and delaying human ASC senescence and autophagocytosis in comparison with serum-containing cultures. In addition, canine and human-derived ASCs efficiently differentiate into osteocytes, adipocytes, or chondrocytes in the presence of PRGF. PRGF treatment induces phosphorylation of AKT preventing ASC death induced by lethal concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Indeed, AKT inhibition abolished the PRGF apoptosis prevention in ASC exposed to 100 μM of hydrogen peroxide. Here, we show that canine ASCs respond to PRGF stimulus similarly to the human cells regarding cell survival and differentiation postulating the use of dogs as a suitable translational model. Overall, PRGF would be employed as a serum substitute for mesenchymal stem cell amplification to improve cell differentiation and as a preconditioning agent to prevent oxidative cell death. PMID:29270200

Advanced Stirling Convertor Update

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wood, J. Gary; Carroll, Cliff; Matejczyk, Dan; Penswick, L. B.; Soendker, E.

2006-01-01

This paper reports on the 88 We Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) currently being developed under Phase II of a NASA NRA program for possible use in advanced high specific power radioisotope space power systems. An early developmental unit, the Frequency Test Bed (FTB) which was built and tested in Phase I demonstrated 36% efficiency. The ASC-1 currently being developed under Phase II, uses a high temperature heater head to allow for operation at 850 °C and is expected to have an efficiency approaching 40% (based on AC electrical out) at a temperature ratio of 3.1. The final lightweight ASC-2 convertor to be developed in Phase III is expected to have a mass of approximately 1 kg. The implementation of the ASC would allow for much higher specific power radioisotope power systems, requiring significantly less radioisotope fuel than current systems. The first run of the ASC-1 occurred in September 2005, and full temperature operation was achieved in early October 2005. Presented is an update on progress on the ASC program as well as the plans for future development. Also presented are efforts being performed to ensure the ASC has the required long life already demonstrated in free-piston Stirling cryocoolers.

Ascorbic acid and reactive oxygen species are involved in the inhibition of seed germination by abscisic acid in rice seeds

PubMed Central

Ye, Nenghui; Zhu, Guohui; Liu, Yinggao; Liu, Rui; Shi, Lu; Jia, Liguo; Zhang, Jianhua

2012-01-01

The antagonism between abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) plays a key role in controlling seed germination, but the mechanism of antagonism during this process is not known. The possible links among ABA, reactive oxygen species (ROS), ascorbic acid (ASC), and GA during rice seed germination were investigated. Unlike in non-seed tissues where ROS production is increased by ABA, ABA reduced ROS production in imbibed rice seeds, especially in the embryo region. Such reduced ROS also led to an inhibition of ASC production. GA accumulation was also suppressed by a reduced ROS and ASC level, which was indicated by the inhibited expression of GA biosynthesis genes, amylase genes, and enzyme activity. Application of exogenous ASC can partially rescue seed germination from ABA treatment. Production of ASC, which acts as a substrate in GA biosynthesis, was significantly inhibited by lycorine which thus suppressed the accumulation of GA. Consequently, expression of GA biosynthesis genes was suppressed by the low levels of ROS and ASC in ABA-treated seeds. It can be concluded that ABA regulates seed germination in multiple dimensions. ROS and ASC are involved in its inhibition of GA biosynthesis. PMID:22200664

Small Radioisotope Power System at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dugala, Gina M.; Fraeman, Martin; Frankford, David P.; Duven, Dennis; Shamkovich, Andrei; Ambrose, Hollis; Meer, David W.

2012-01-01

In April 2009, NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) formed an integrated product team (IPT) to develop a Small Radioisotope Power System (SRPS) utilizing a single Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) with passive balancer for possible use by the International Lunar Network (ILN) program. The ILN program is studying the feasibility of implementing a multiple node seismometer network to investigate the internal lunar structure. A single ASC produces approximately 80 W(sub e) and could potentially supply sufficient power for that application. The IPT consists of Sunpower, Inc., to provide the single ASC with balancer, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) to design an engineering model Single Convertor Controller (SCC) for an ASC with balancer, and NASA GRC to provide technical support to these tasks and to develop a simulated lunar lander test stand. A controller maintains stable operation of an ASC. It regulates the alternating current produced by the linear alternator of the convertor, provides a specified output voltage, and maintains operation at a steady piston amplitude and hot end temperature. JHU/APL also designed an ASC dynamic engine/alternator simulator to aid in the testing and troubleshooting of the SCC. This paper describes the requirements, design, and development of the SCC, including some of the key challenges and the solutions chosen to overcome those issues. In addition, it describes the plans to analyze the effectiveness of a passive balancer to minimize vibration from the ASC, characterize the effect of ASC vibration on a lunar lander, characterize the performance of the SCC, and integrate the single ASC, SCC, and lunar lander test stand to characterize performance of the overall system.

Inflammasome assembly in the chorioamniotic membranes during spontaneous labor at term.

PubMed

Gomez-Lopez, Nardhy; Romero, Roberto; Xu, Yi; Garcia-Flores, Valeria; Leng, Yaozhu; Panaitescu, Bogdan; Miller, Derek; Abrahams, Vikki M; Hassan, Sonia S

2017-05-01

Inflammasome activation requires two steps: priming and assembly of the multimeric complex. The second step includes assembly of the sensor molecule and adaptor protein ASC (an apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD), which results in ASC speck formation and the recruitment of caspase (CASP)-1. Herein, we investigated whether there is inflammasome assembly in the chorioamniotic membranes and choriodecidual leukocytes from women who underwent spontaneous labor at term. Using in situ proximity ligation assays, ASC/CASP-1 complexes were determined in the chorioamniotic membranes from women who delivered at term without labor or underwent spontaneous labor at term with or without acute histologic chorioamnionitis (n=10-11 each). Also, ASC speck formation was determined by flow cytometry in the choriodecidual leukocytes isolated from women who delivered at term with or without spontaneous labor (n=9-12 each). (i) ASC/CASP-1 complexes were detected in the chorioamniotic membranes; (ii) ASC/CASP-1 complexes were greater in the chorioamniotic membranes from women who underwent spontaneous labor at term than in those without labor; (iii) ASC/CASP-1 complexes were even more abundant in the chorioamniotic membranes from women who underwent spontaneous labor at term with acute histologic chorioamnionitis than in those without this placental lesion; (iv) ASC speck formation was detected in the choriodecidual leukocytes; and (v) ASC speck formation was greater in the choriodecidual leukocytes isolated from women who underwent spontaneous labor at term than in those without labor. There is inflammasome assembly in the chorioamniotic membranes and choriodecidual leukocytes during spontaneous labor at term. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Minoxidil Promotes Hair Growth through Stimulation of Growth Factor Release from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Choi, Nahyun; Shin, Soyoung; Song, Sun U.; Sung, Jong-Hyuk

2018-01-01

Minoxidil directly promotes hair growth via the stimulation of dermal papilla (DP) and epithelial cells. Alternatively, there is little evidence for indirect promotion of hair growth via stimulation of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). We investigated whether minoxidil stimulates ASCs and if increased growth factor secretion by ASCs facilitates minoxidil-induced hair growth. Telogen-to-anagen induction was examined in mice. Cultured DP cells and vibrissae hair follicle organ cultures were used to further examine the underlying mechanisms. Subcutaneous injection of minoxidil-treated ASCs accelerated telogen-to-anagen transition in mice, and increased hair weight at day 14 post-injection. Minoxidil did not alter ASC proliferation, but increased migration and tube formation. Minoxidil also increased the secretion of growth factors from ASCs, including chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), and platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C). Minoxidil increased extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, and concomitant upregulation of PD-ECGF and PDGF-C mRNA levels were attenuated by an ERK inhibitor. Subcutaneous injection of CXCL1, PD-ECGF, or PDGF-C enhanced anagen induction in mice, and both CXCL1 and PDGF-C increased hair length in ex vivo organ culture. Treatment with CXCL1, PD-ECGF, or PDGF-C also increased the proliferation index in DP cells. Finally, topical application of CXCL1, PD-ECGF, or PDGF-C with 2% minoxidil enhanced anagen induction when compared to minoxidil alone. Minoxidil stimulates ASC motility and increases paracrine growth factor signaling. Minoxidil-stimulated secretion of growth factors by ASCs may enhance hair growth by promoting DP proliferation. Therefore, minoxidil can be used as an ASC preconditioning agent for hair regeneration. PMID:29495622

Effective myotube formation in human adipose tissue-derived stem cells expressing dystrophin and myosin heavy chain by cellular fusion with mouse C2C12 myoblasts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Eom, Young Woo; Biomedical Research Institute, Lifeliver Co., Ltd., Suwon; Lee, Jong Eun

2011-04-29

Highlights: {yields} hASCs were differentiated into skeletal muscle cells by treatment with 5-azacytidine, FGF-2, and the supernatant of cultured hASCs. {yields} Dystrophin and MyHC were expressed in late differentiation step by treatment with the supernatant of cultured hASCs. {yields} hASCs expressing dystrophin and MyHC contributed to myotube formation during co-culture with mouse myoblast C2C12 cells. -- Abstract: Stem cell therapy for muscular dystrophies requires stem cells that are able to participate in the formation of new muscle fibers. However, the differentiation steps that are the most critical for this process are not clear. We investigated the myogenic phases of humanmore » adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hASCs) step by step and the capability of myotube formation according to the differentiation phase by cellular fusion with mouse myoblast C2C12 cells. In hASCs treated with 5-azacytidine and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) for 1 day, the early differentiation step to express MyoD and myogenin was induced by FGF-2 treatment for 6 days. Dystrophin and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression was induced by hASC conditioned medium in the late differentiation step. Myotubes were observed only in hASCs undergoing the late differentiation step by cellular fusion with C2C12 cells. In contrast, hASCs that were normal or in the early stage were not involved in myotube formation. Our results indicate that stem cells expressing dystrophin and MyHC are more suitable for myotube formation by co-culture with myoblasts than normal or early differentiated stem cells expressing MyoD and myogenin.« less

Syzygium cumini is more effective in preventing the increase of erythrocytic ADA activity than phenolic compounds under hyperglycemic conditions in vitro.

PubMed

De Bona, Karine S; Bonfanti, Gabriela; Bitencourt, Paula E R; Cargnelutti, Lariane O; da Silva, Priscila S; da Silva, Thainan P; Zanette, Régis A; Pigatto, Aline S; Moretto, Maria B

2014-06-01

Syzygium cumini (S. cumini) is a plant known for its antidiabetic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Sc aqueous leaf extract (ASc) on adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in erythrocytes (RBCs) exposed to high glucose concentrations (30 mM) in vitro. We also investigated the effects of the main phenolic compounds found in ASc (gallic acid, rutin, and chlorogenic acid) and the effects of insulin, caffeine, and dipyridamole, which are substances involved in the adenosine metabolism, on ADA activity in vitro. Blood samples were obtained from healthy volunteers and a suspension of RBCs was used for the determination of ADA activity. The results showed that: (1) the effect of ASc on ADA activity was more significant than the combination of phenolic compounds; (2) insulin, caffeine, or dipyridamole prevented high glucose increase of ADA activity at doses as low as 50 μU/mL, 25 μM, and 1 μM, respectively; (3) the inhibitory effect caused by ASc on erythrocyte ADA activity remained practically the same after the combination of the extract with insulin or caffeine; (4) when RBCs were exposed to ASc plus dipyridamole, this chemical attenuated the effect of ASc on ADA activity, suggesting an antagonism or a competition with ASc by the same site of action. Therefore, ASc was more effective in preventing the increase in ADA activity than phenolic compounds, suggesting that ASc may collaborate to improve endothelial dysfunction, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic properties of adenosine by affecting its metabolism. The results of this study help to provide evidence of the empirically supported benefits of the use of S. cumini in diabetes.

Predicting the Individual Risk of Acute Severe Colitis at Diagnosis

PubMed Central

Cesarini, Monica; Collins, Gary S.; Rönnblom, Anders; Santos, Antonieta; Wang, Lai Mun; Sjöberg, Daniel; Parkes, Miles; Keshav, Satish

2017-01-01

Abstract Background and Aims: Acute severe colitis [ASC] is associated with major morbidity. We aimed to develop and externally validate an index that predicted ASC within 3 years of diagnosis. Methods: The development cohort included patients aged 16–89 years, diagnosed with ulcerative colitis [UC] in Oxford and followed for 3 years. Primary outcome was hospitalization for ASC, excluding patients admitted within 1 month of diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression examined the adjusted association of seven risk factors with ASC. Backwards elimination produced a parsimonious model that was simplified to create an easy-to-use index. External validation occurred in separate cohorts from Cambridge, UK, and Uppsala, Sweden. Results: The development cohort [Oxford] included 34/111 patients who developed ASC within a median 14 months [range 1–29]. The final model applied the sum of 1 point each for extensive disease, C-reactive protein [CRP] > 10mg/l, or haemoglobin < 12g/dl F or < 14g/dl M at diagnosis, to give a score from 0/3 to 3/3. This predicted a 70% risk of developing ASC within 3 years [score 3/3]. Validation cohorts included different proportions with ASC [Cambridge = 25/96; Uppsala = 18/298]. Of those scoring 3/3 at diagnosis, 18/18 [Cambridge] and 12/13 [Uppsala] subsequently developed ASC. Discriminant ability [c-index, where 1.0 = perfect discrimination] was 0.81 [Oxford], 0.95 [Cambridge], 0.97 [Uppsala]. Internal validation using bootstrapping showed good calibration, with similar predicted risk across all cohorts. A nomogram predicted individual risk. Conclusions: An index applied at diagnosis reliably predicts the risk of ASC within 3 years in different populations. Patients with a score 3/3 at diagnosis may merit early immunomodulator therapy. PMID:27647858

IGF-1 promotes angiogenesis in endothelial cells/adipose-derived stem cells co-culture system with activation of PI3K/Akt signal pathway.

PubMed

Lin, Shiyu; Zhang, Qi; Shao, Xiaoru; Zhang, Tao; Xue, Changyue; Shi, Sirong; Zhao, Dan; Lin, Yunfeng

2017-12-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and crosstalk between endothelial cells (ECs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in the process of angiogenesis. A three-dimensional collagen gel used to culture mouse ASCs and mouse ECs in vitro was established. The effects of angiogenesis after exposure to IGF-1 were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Western blotting and qPCR were performed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. IGF-1 treatment promoted the formation of vessel-like structures and the recruitment of ASCs in the three-dimensional collagen gel. The angiogenic genes and proteins in ECs were up-regulated by IGF-1 and in co-culture. Similar changes in the genes and in the proteins were detected in ASCs after exposure to IGF-1 and co-culture. p-Akt expression levels were high in ECs and ASCs after exposure to IGF-1 and co-culture. IGF-1 and co-culture between cells facilitate the process of angiogenesis via the PI3-kinase/Akt signalling pathway. In ECs, IGF-1 stimulates the expression of angiogenesis-related growth factors with the activation of the PI3-kinase/Akt signalling pathway. Co-cultured ECs exposed to excess VEGF-A and other angiogenesis-related growth factors para-secreted from ASCs exhibit high expression of angiogenesis-related genes and proteins. In ASCs, IGF-1 induces the recruitment and function of ASCs by up-regulating the expression of PDGFB, MMPs and α-SMA. Crosstalk with ECs further facilitates changes in ASCs. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The Distribution of SIgA and IgG Antibody-Secreting Cells in the Small Intestine of Bactrian Camels (Camelus bactrianus) of Different Ages

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wang-Dong; Wang, Wen-Hui; Jia, Shuai

2016-01-01

Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) are two important cell types in the mucosal immune system. This study aimed to explore the distribution of these ASC populations in the small intestine of Bactrian camels of different ages. Twenty-four Alashan Bactrian camels were divided into the following four age groups: young (1–2 years), pubertal (3–5 years), middle-aged (6–16 years) and old (17–20 years). SIgA and IgG ASCs in the intestinal mucosa lamina propria (LP) were observed and analyzed using immunohistochemcal techniques. The results from all age groups show that both SIgA and IgG ASCs were diffusely distributed in the intestinal LP, and some cells aggregated around the crypts. Moreover, the densities of the two ASC populations gradually increased from the duodenum to the jejunum and then decreased in the ileum. Meanwhile, there were more SIgA ASCs than IgG ASCs in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and these differences were significant in the young and pubertal groups (P<0.05). In addition, the SIgA and IgG ASC densities increased from the young to the pubertal period, peaked at puberty, and then gradually decreased with age. The results demonstrate that the SIgA and IgG ASC distributions help to form two immunoglobulin barriers in the intestinal mucosa to provide full protection, helping to maintain homeostasis. These findings also underscore the importance of researching the development and degeneration of intestinal mucosal immunity in Bactrian camels. PMID:27249417

Metformin preconditioned adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells is a better option for the reversal of diabetes upon transplantation.

PubMed

Shree, Nitya; Bhonde, Ramesh R

2016-12-01

Metformin is used worldwide as an insulin sensitizer. Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells have shown promising results in the reducing hyperglycemia. We examined whether preconditioning of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) with metformin could have a better therapeutic value for the reversal of type 2 diabetes. We compared the effect of metformin, ASCs and metformin preconditioned ASCs (MetASCs) in high fat diet induced C57BL/6 mice by injecting the cells intramuscularly only once where as metformin was given at a concentration of 300mg per kg body weight orally daily. Fasting glucose was measured every week for 4 weeks. At the end of the study insulin, triglycerides, IL6 and oxidised LDL were evaluated from the serum. Gene expression studies were performed for muscle (GLUT4) and liver tissues (IL6 and PAI1).There was a remarkable decrease in hyperglycemia within two weeks of injection by MetASCs as compared to metformin and ASCs alone. A significant decrement of hyperinsulinemia, triglyceridemia, serum IL6 and oxidised LDL were observed at the end of the study. Gene expression studies for muscle tissue revealed the drastic upregulation of GLUT4 gene levels in the MetASCs group indicating enhanced glucose uptake in muscle. Liver tissue analysed for the genes involved in inflammation viz. IL6 and PAI1 showed significant downregulation in the MetASCs group as compared to the other groups. This is a first report demonstrating the synergistic effect of metformin preconditioning of ASCs leading to reversal of hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and triglyceridemia. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

AMP-activated kinase mediates adipose stem cell-stimulated neuritogenesis of PC12 cells.

PubMed

Tan, B; Luan, Z; Wei, X; He, Y; Wei, G; Johnstone, B H; Farlow, M; Du, Y

2011-05-05

Adipose tissue stroma contains a population of mesenchymal stem cells, which support repair of damaged tissues through the protective effects of secreted trophic factors. Neurotrophic factors, including nerve growth factor (NGF) have been identified in media collected from cultured adipose-derived stem cells (ASC). We previously demonstrated that administration of cell-free ASC conditioned medium (ASC-CM) at 24 h after injury reduced lesion volume and promoted functional recovery in a rat model of neonatal brain hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury. The timing of administration well after the peak in neural cell apoptosis in the affected region suggests that regeneration of lost neurons is promoted by factors in ASC-CM. In this study, we determined which of the factors in ASC-CM could induce neurogenesis by testing the ability of the mixture, either whole or after inactivating specific components, to stimulate neurite outgrowth in vitro using the neurogenic cell line PC12. Neuritogenesis in PC12 cells treated with ASC-CM was observed at a level comparable to that observed with purified recombinant NGF. It was observed that NGF in ASC-CM was mainly responsible for inducing PC12 cell neuritogenesis. Interestingly, both ASC-CM and NGF induced PC12 cell neuritogenesis through activation of the AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) pathway which is the central protein involved in controlling many critical functions in response to changes in the cellular energy status. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of AMPK activity greatly reduced neuritogenesis in PC12 cells. These results suggest that, in addition to possessing neuroprotective properties, ASC-CM mediates repair of damaged tissues through inducing neuronal differentiation via NGF-induced AMPK activation. Copyright © 2011 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Improving of bowel cleansing effect for polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid using simethicone

PubMed Central

Yoo, In Kyung; Jeen, Yoon Tae; Kang, Seung Hun; Lee, Jae Hyung; Kim, Seung Han; Lee, Jae Min; Choi, Hyuk Soon; Kim, Eun Sun; Keum, Bora; Chun, Hoon Jai; Lee, Hong Sik; Kim, Chang Duck

2016-01-01

Abstract Background and Aim: Low-volume polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid (PEG-Asc) use is reported to be as safe and effective as traditional 4-L polyethylene glycol use. However, PEG-Asc produces bubbles, which cause problems during colonoscopy. Data on the effects of using antifoaming agents such as simethicone with PEG-Asc are lacking. The aim of this CONSORT-prospective, randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial is to compare the quality of bowel preparation and compliance between PEG-Asc users and PEG-Asc plus simethicone users. Methods: Adult outpatients aged 18 to 80 years undergoing colonoscopy were recruited to the study. Two hundred sixty patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment arms, PEG-Asc or PEG-Asc plus simethicone. The primary outcome measure was the bowel cleansing quality using Boston bowel preparation scale and bubble scores. The secondary outcome measures were patient tolerability and doctor tolerability. Results: The simethicone group showed superior cleansing results (6–9 Boston scale scores: 99% vs. 84%, <5% bubble scores: 96% vs. 49%, P < 0.001) and fewer gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal fullness: 24% vs. 55%, colicky pain: 5% vs. 24%, P < 0.001) than the non-simethicone group. Moreover, endoscopist fatigue during colonoscopy was lower in the simethicone group than in the non-simethicone group (1.31 ± 0.75 vs. 2.97 ± 2.14, P < 0.001). Conclusion: PEG-Asc plus simethicone use was more effective and associated with better patient and endoscopist tolerance than PEG-Asc use. Therefore, this combination is recommended as one of the promising methods for bowel preparation before colonoscopy. PMID:27428209

Improving of bowel cleansing effect for polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid using simethicone: A randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Yoo, In Kyung; Jeen, Yoon Tae; Kang, Seung Hun; Lee, Jae Hyung; Kim, Seung Han; Lee, Jae Min; Choi, Hyuk Soon; Kim, Eun Sun; Keum, Bora; Chun, Hoon Jai; Lee, Hong Sik; Kim, Chang Duck

2016-07-01

Low-volume polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid (PEG-Asc) use is reported to be as safe and effective as traditional 4-L polyethylene glycol use. However, PEG-Asc produces bubbles, which cause problems during colonoscopy. Data on the effects of using antifoaming agents such as simethicone with PEG-Asc are lacking. The aim of this CONSORT-prospective, randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial is to compare the quality of bowel preparation and compliance between PEG-Asc users and PEG-Asc plus simethicone users. Adult outpatients aged 18 to 80 years undergoing colonoscopy were recruited to the study. Two hundred sixty patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment arms, PEG-Asc or PEG-Asc plus simethicone. The primary outcome measure was the bowel cleansing quality using Boston bowel preparation scale and bubble scores. The secondary outcome measures were patient tolerability and doctor tolerability. The simethicone group showed superior cleansing results (6-9 Boston scale scores: 99% vs. 84%, <5% bubble scores: 96% vs. 49%, P < 0.001) and fewer gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal fullness: 24% vs. 55%, colicky pain: 5% vs. 24%, P < 0.001) than the non-simethicone group. Moreover, endoscopist fatigue during colonoscopy was lower in the simethicone group than in the non-simethicone group (1.31 ± 0.75 vs. 2.97 ± 2.14, P < 0.001). PEG-Asc plus simethicone use was more effective and associated with better patient and endoscopist tolerance than PEG-Asc use. Therefore, this combination is recommended as one of the promising methods for bowel preparation before colonoscopy.

Minoxidil Promotes Hair Growth through Stimulation of Growth Factor Release from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

PubMed

Choi, Nahyun; Shin, Soyoung; Song, Sun U; Sung, Jong-Hyuk

2018-02-28

Minoxidil directly promotes hair growth via the stimulation of dermal papilla (DP) and epithelial cells. Alternatively, there is little evidence for indirect promotion of hair growth via stimulation of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). We investigated whether minoxidil stimulates ASCs and if increased growth factor secretion by ASCs facilitates minoxidil-induced hair growth. Telogen-to-anagen induction was examined in mice. Cultured DP cells and vibrissae hair follicle organ cultures were used to further examine the underlying mechanisms. Subcutaneous injection of minoxidil-treated ASCs accelerated telogen-to-anagen transition in mice, and increased hair weight at day 14 post-injection. Minoxidil did not alter ASC proliferation, but increased migration and tube formation. Minoxidil also increased the secretion of growth factors from ASCs, including chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), and platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C). Minoxidil increased extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, and concomitant upregulation of PD-ECGF and PDGF-C mRNA levels were attenuated by an ERK inhibitor. Subcutaneous injection of CXCL1, PD-ECGF, or PDGF-C enhanced anagen induction in mice, and both CXCL1 and PDGF-C increased hair length in ex vivo organ culture. Treatment with CXCL1, PD-ECGF, or PDGF-C also increased the proliferation index in DP cells. Finally, topical application of CXCL1, PD-ECGF, or PDGF-C with 2% minoxidil enhanced anagen induction when compared to minoxidil alone. Minoxidil stimulates ASC motility and increases paracrine growth factor signaling. Minoxidil-stimulated secretion of growth factors by ASCs may enhance hair growth by promoting DP proliferation. Therefore, minoxidil can be used as an ASC preconditioning agent for hair regeneration.

Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Protect Mice Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi from Cardiac Damage through Modulation of Anti-parasite Immunity.

PubMed

Mello, Debora B; Ramos, Isalira P; Mesquita, Fernanda C P; Brasil, Guilherme V; Rocha, Nazareth N; Takiya, Christina M; Lima, Ana Paula C A; Campos de Carvalho, Antonio C; Goldenberg, Regina S; Carvalho, Adriana B

2015-01-01

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is a complex disease endemic in Central and South America. It has been gathering interest due to increases in non-vectorial forms of transmission, especially in developed countries. The objective of this work was to investigate if adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASC) can alter the course of the disease and attenuate pathology in a mouse model of chagasic cardiomyopathy. ASC were injected intraperitoneally at 3 days post-infection (dpi). Tracking by bioluminescence showed that cells remained in the abdominal cavity for up to 9 days after injection and most of them migrated to the abdominal or subcutaneous fat, an early parasite reservoir. ASC injection resulted in a significant reduction in blood parasitemia, which was followed by a decrease in cardiac tissue inflammation, parasitism and fibrosis at 30 dpi. At the same time point, analyses of cytokine release in cells isolated from the heart and exposed to T. cruzi antigens indicated an anti-inflammatory response in ASC-treated animals. In parallel, splenocytes exposed to the same antigens produced a pro-inflammatory response, which is important for the control of parasite replication, in placebo and ASC-treated groups. However, splenocytes from the ASC group released higher levels of IL-10. At 60 dpi, magnetic resonance imaging revealed that right ventricular (RV) dilation was prevented in ASC-treated mice. In conclusion, the injection of ASC early after T. cruzi infection prevents RV remodeling through the modulation of immune responses. Lymphoid organ response to the parasite promoted the control of parasite burden, while the heart, a target organ of Chagas disease, was protected from damage due to an improved control of inflammation in ASC-treated mice.

Polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid is as effective as sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate for bowel preparation: A randomized trial.

PubMed

Choi, Hyun-Seok; Chung, Jun-Won; Lee, Ji Won; Lim, Min Young; Park, Dong Kyun; Kim, Yoon Jae; Kwon, Kwang Ahn; Kim, Jung Ho

2016-04-01

This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two low-volume agents, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-3350 plus ascorbic acid (PEG + Asc) and sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate (SPMC), for bowel preparation. We performed a prospective, endoscopist-blinded, single-center, randomized controlled trial comparing PEG + Asc with SPMC to evaluate the bowel cleansing efficacy of the two regimens using the modified Ottawa bowel preparation scale (OBPS) and the Aronchick scale. Patients' taste and overall tolerance were assessed with a questionnaire. In total, 200 patients were randomized to receive either PEG + Asc (n = 98) or SPMC (n = 102). Both treatments were similarly efficacious in bowel cleansing, based on the modified OBSP (PEG + Asc 4.01 ± 2.29 vs SPMC 3.86 ± 2.47, P = 0.62) and Aronchick scale (PEG + Asc 1.96 ± 0.70 vs SPMC 1.89 ± 0.70, P = 0.42). Patient-reported taste and tolerance of each regimen, as reported by the questionnaire, were significantly greater in the PEG + Asc group than in the SPMC group (P = 0.01). In terms of adverse events, dizziness was more frequently observed in the PEG + Asc group (P = 0.03), whereas nausea was more common in the SPMC group (P = 0.02). PEG + Asc and SPMC show similar efficacy for bowel preparation. However, patient's overall tolerance is higher in the PEG + Asc group. © 2016 Chinese Medical Association Shanghai Branch, Chinese Society of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

A Behavioral Comparison of Male and Female Adults with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Conditions

PubMed Central

Lai, Meng-Chuan; Lombardo, Michael V.; Pasco, Greg; Ruigrok, Amber N. V.; Wheelwright, Sally J.; Sadek, Susan A.; Chakrabarti, Bhismadev; Baron-Cohen, Simon

2011-01-01

Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) affect more males than females in the general population. However, within ASC it is unclear if there are phenotypic sex differences. Testing for similarities and differences between the sexes is important not only for clinical assessment but also has implications for theories of typical sex differences and of autism. Using cognitive and behavioral measures, we investigated similarities and differences between the sexes in age- and IQ-matched adults with ASC (high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome). Of the 83 (45 males and 38 females) participants, 62 (33 males and 29 females) met Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) cut-off criteria for autism in childhood and were included in all subsequent analyses. The severity of childhood core autism symptoms did not differ between the sexes. Males and females also did not differ in self-reported empathy, systemizing, anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive traits/symptoms or mentalizing performance. However, adult females with ASC showed more lifetime sensory symptoms (p = 0.036), fewer current socio-communication difficulties (p = 0.001), and more self-reported autistic traits (p = 0.012) than males. In addition, females with ASC who also had developmental language delay had lower current performance IQ than those without developmental language delay (p<0.001), a pattern not seen in males. The absence of typical sex differences in empathizing-systemizing profiles within the autism spectrum confirms a prediction from the extreme male brain theory. Behavioral sex differences within ASC may also reflect different developmental mechanisms between males and females with ASC. We discuss the importance of the superficially better socio-communication ability in adult females with ASC in terms of why females with ASC may more often go under-recognized, and receive their diagnosis later, than males. PMID:21695147

Mechanism of ascaridole activation in Leishmania.

PubMed

Geroldinger, Gerald; Tonner, Matthias; Hettegger, Hubert; Bacher, Markus; Monzote, Lianet; Walter, Martin; Staniek, Katrin; Rosenau, Thomas; Gille, Lars

2017-05-15

Endoperoxides (EP) are an emerging class of drugs which have potential in antiparasitic therapy, but also in other fields. For malaria therapy the EP artemisinin (Art) and its derivatives are successfully used. We have shown in the past that the EP ascaridole (Asc) is useful for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a mouse model. Biomimetic experiments suggested that these drugs need activation in the respective target pathogens to exert their function. In spite of this idea, direct activation of EP to radicals inside cells has never been demonstrated. Therefore, this study was initiated to explore the activation of Asc in biomimetic systems and inside Leishmania in comparison to Art. Using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) in combination with spin-trapping we identified the secondary alkyl radical intermediates arising from reduction by Fe 2+ in cell-free systems. Combined GC/NMR analysis confirmed the loss of isopropyl residues from Asc during this process as intermediates. This activation of Asc was stimulated by low molecular Fe 2+ complexes or alternatively by hemin in conjunction with thiol reductants, such as cysteine (Cys). In Leishmania tarentolae promastigotes (LtP) as model for pathogenic forms of Leishmania carbon-centered radicals were identified in the presence of Asc by EPR spin-trapping. Both Asc and Art inhibited the viability in LtP with IC 50 values in the low micromolar range while IC 50 values for J774 macrophages were considerably higher. A similar structure without EP bridge (1,4-cineole) resulted in no detectable radicals and possessed much less cytotoxicity in LtP and no selectivity for LtP compared to J774 cells. The Asc-derived radical formation in LtP was inhibited by the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO), and stimulated by Cys (a suitable reductant for hemin). The IC 50 values for LtP viability in the presence of Asc or Art were increased significantly by the spin trap DMPO, while Cys and DFO increased only IC 50 values for Art. In a heme association assay Asc demonstrated a lower binding affinity to heme than Art. ICP-OES measurements revealed that in LtP the total iron concentrations were twice as high as values in J774 macrophages. Since low molecular iron was important in Asc activation we studied the influence of Asc on the labile iron pool (LIP) in LtP. Low temperature EPR experiments demonstrated that Asc shifts the redox balance of iron in the LIP to its oxidized state. These data demonstrate that univalent cleavage of Asc/Art in LtP is an essential part of their pharmacological mechanism. The structure of the EP determines whether activation by low molecular iron or heme is favored and the availability of these intracellular activators modulates their cytotoxicity. These findings may be helpful for synthesis of new Asc derivatives and understanding the action of EP in other cell types. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Understanding the Charter School Special Education Gap: Evidence from Denver, Colorado

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winters, Marcus A.

2014-01-01

Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) commissioned Dr. Marcus Winters to analyze the factors driving the special education gap between Denver's charter and traditional public elementary and middle schools. Using student-level data, Winters shows that Denver's special education enrollment gap starts at roughly 2 percentage points in…

78 FR 74162 - Sysco Denver LLC, a Subsidiary of Sysco Corporation, IT Department, Denver, Colorado; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-10

... Regarding Application for Reconsideration By application dated October 1, 2013, a worker requested administrative reconsideration of the negative determination regarding workers' eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) applicable to workers and former workers of Sysco Denver LLC., a subsidiary of...

Historic Denver for Kids.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Barbara A.

Although the directory to Denver's historic sites has been compiled particularly for the use of teachers and their classes, it will be useful to all individuals and groups of any age who are interested in exploring the history of the Denver area. Seventy historic sites are listed alphabetically. Information for each provides address, phone, price…

Denver Public Schools: Resegregation, Latino Style

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Chungmei

2006-01-01

The Denver Public Schools (DPS) provide a unique opportunity to study the dynamics of school segregation within the context of rapid demographic changes and key policy changes. This paper, the first of two reports, focuses on the dynamics of segregation, demographic changes, and implications for graduation rates in the Denver Public Schools. It…

76 FR 28071 - Notice of Inventory Completion: Colorado Historical Society (History Colorado), Denver, CO

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-13

...: Colorado Historical Society (History Colorado), Denver, CO AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION... control of the Colorado Historical Society (History Colorado), Denver, CO. The human remains were removed.... A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Colorado Historical Society (History...

76 FR 17444 - Notice of Inventory Completion: Colorado Historical Society (History Colorado), Denver, CO

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-29

...: Colorado Historical Society (History Colorado), Denver, CO AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION... control of the Colorado Historical Society (History Colorado), Denver, CO. The human remains were removed... (History Colorado) professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona...

Effect of berberine on the viability of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in nutrients deficient condition.

PubMed

Ghorbani, Ahmad; Baradaran Rahimi, Vafa; Sadeghnia, Hamid Reza; Hosseini, Azar

2018-03-01

This study was designed to examine whether berberine protects rat adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) against glucose and serum deprivation (GSD)-induced cell death. ASCs were cultured for 24 h in GSD condition in the presence of berberine and then cell viability, apoptosis and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated. The GSD condition significantly decreased ASCs viability and increased ROS generation and apoptosis. Incubation with 0.75-3 μM berberine partially increased cell viability and decreased ROS generation and apoptosis in GSD condition. In conclusion, berberine partially protects ASCs in nutrients deficient condition and may help ASCs to preserve their survival during cell therapy of ischemia.

Gardening and age-related weight gain: Results from a cross-sectional survey of Denver residents.

PubMed

Litt, Jill S; Lambert, Jeffrey Richard; Glueck, Deborah H

2017-12-01

This study examined whether gardening modifies the association between age and body mass index (BMI). We used data from the Neighborhood Environments and Health Survey, which was conducted in Denver (N = 469) between 2006 and 2007. We fit two general linear mixed models. The base model had BMI in kg/m 2 as the outcome, and age, an indicator variable for non-gardening status and the age-by-non-gardening status interaction as predictors. The adjusted model included as covariates the potential confounders of education, ethnicity and self-reported health. We assessed self-selection bias and confounding. BMI was 27.18 kg/m 2 for non-gardeners, 25.62 kg/m 2 for home gardeners, and 24.17 kg/m 2 for community gardeners. In the base model, a statistically significant association was observed between age and BMI for non-gardeners but not for the combined community and home gardening group (F = 9.27, ndf = 1, ddf = 441, p = 0.0025). In the adjusted model, the association between age and BMI in non-gardeners was not statistically significant (F = 1.72, ndf = 1, ddf = 431, p = 0.1908). Gardeners differed on social and demographic factors when compared to non-gardeners. The results from the base model are consistent with the hypothesis that gardening might offset age-related weight gain. However, the cross-sectional design does not permit differentiation of true causal effects from the possible effects of bias and confounding. As a follow-up study, to remove bias and confounding, we are conducting a randomized clinical trial of community gardening in Denver.

75 FR 69662 - Public Water System Supervision Program Revision for the State of Colorado

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-15

... accordance with the provisions of section 1413 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C. 300g-2, and... Short Term Regulatory Revisions which correspond to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations..., Drinking Water Program, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202-1129, (2) Colorado Department of Public...

30 CFR 210.106 - Where can I find more information on how to complete these production reports?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... complete these production reports? 210.106 Section 210.106 Mineral Resources MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS REVENUE MANAGEMENT FORMS AND REPORTS Production Reports-Oil and Gas § 210...Services/Handbooks/Handbks.htm or from MMS at P.O. Box 17110, Denver, Colorado 80217-0110. (b) Production...

30 CFR 902.20 - Approval of Alaska abandoned mine land reclamation plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Approval of Alaska abandoned mine land reclamation plan. 902.20 Section 902.20 Mineral Resources OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT..., Denver, Colorado 80202-5733. [60 FR 33724, June 29, 1995, as amended at 60 FR 54593, Oct. 25, 1995] ...

Advanced Simulation and Computing Business Plan

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rummel, E.

To maintain a credible nuclear weapons program, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA’s) Office of Defense Programs (DP) needs to make certain that the capabilities, tools, and expert staff are in place and are able to deliver validated assessments. This requires a complete and robust simulation environment backed by an experimental program to test ASC Program models. This ASC Business Plan document encapsulates a complex set of elements, each of which is essential to the success of the simulation component of the Nuclear Security Enterprise. The ASC Business Plan addresses the hiring, mentoring, and retaining of programmatic technical staff responsiblemore » for building the simulation tools of the nuclear security complex. The ASC Business Plan describes how the ASC Program engages with industry partners—partners upon whom the ASC Program relies on for today’s and tomorrow’s high performance architectures. Each piece in this chain is essential to assure policymakers, who must make decisions based on the results of simulations, that they are receiving all the actionable information they need.« less

Transcriptional and Cell Cycle Alterations Mark Aging of Primary Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

PubMed

Shan, Xiaoyin; Roberts, Cleresa; Kim, Eun Ji; Brenner, Ariana; Grant, Gregory; Percec, Ivona

2017-05-01

Adult stem cells play a critical role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and prevention of aging. While the regenerative potential of stem cells with low cellular turnover, such as adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), is increasingly recognized, the study of chronological aging in ASCs is technically difficult and remains poorly understood. Here, we use our model of chronological aging in primary human ASCs to examine genome-wide transcriptional networks. We demonstrate first that the transcriptome of aging ASCs is distinctly more stable than that of age-matched fibroblasts, and further, that age-dependent modifications in cell cycle progression and translation initiation specifically characterize aging ASCs in conjunction with increased nascent protein synthesis and a distinctly shortened G1 phase. Our results reveal novel chronological aging mechanisms in ASCs that are inherently different from differentiated cells and that may reflect an organismal attempt to meet the increased demands of tissue and organ homeostasis during aging. Stem Cells 2017;35:1392-1401. © 2017 AlphaMed Press.

Clinical application of adipose stem cells in plastic surgery.

PubMed

Kim, Yong-Jin; Jeong, Jae-Ho

2014-04-01

Adipose stem cells (ASCs) are a type of adult stem cells that share common characteristics with typical mesenchymal stem cells. In the last decade, ASCs have been shown to be a useful cell resource for tissue regeneration. The major role of regenerative medicine in this century is based on cell therapy in which ASCs hold a key position. Active research on this new type of adult stem cell has been ongoing and these cells now have several clinical applications, including fat grafting, overcoming wound healing difficulties, recovery from local tissue ischemia, and scar remodeling. The application of cultured cells will increase the efficiency of cell therapy. However, the use of cultured stem cells is strictly controlled by government regulation to ensure patient safety. Government regulation is a factor that can limit more versatile clinical application of ASCs. In this review, current clinical applications of ASCs in plastic surgery are introduced. Future stem cell applications in clinical field including culturing and banking of ASCs are also discussed in this review.

Intact implicit learning in autism spectrum conditions.

PubMed

Brown, Jamie; Aczel, Balazs; Jiménez, Luis; Kaufman, Scott Barry; Grant, Kate Plaisted

2010-09-01

Individuals with autism spectrum condition (ASC) have diagnostic impairments in skills that are associated with an implicit acquisition; however, it is not clear whether ASC individuals show specific implicit learning deficits. We compared ASC and typically developing (TD) individuals matched for IQ on five learning tasks: four implicit learning tasks--contextual cueing, serial reaction time, artificial grammar learning, and probabilistic classification learning tasks--that used procedures expressly designed to minimize the use of explicit strategies, and one comparison explicit learning task, paired associates learning. We found implicit learning to be intact in ASC. Beyond no evidence of differences, there was evidence of statistical equivalence between the groups on all the implicit learning tasks. This was not a consequence of compensation by explicit learning ability or IQ. Furthermore, there was no evidence to relate implicit learning to ASC symptomatology. We conclude that implicit mechanisms are preserved in ASC and propose that it is disruption by other atypical processes that impact negatively on the development of skills associated with an implicit acquisition.

Isolation of adipose derived stem cells and their induction to a chondrogenic phenotype

PubMed Central

Estes, Bradley T.; Diekman, Brian O.; Gimble, Jeffrey M.; Guilak, Farshid

2011-01-01

Summary The ability to isolate, expand, and differentiate adult stem cells into a chondrogenic lineage is an important step in the development of tissue engineering approaches for cartilage repair or regeneration for the treatment of joint injury or osteoarthritis, or for application in plastic or reconstructive surgery. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) provide an abundant and easily accessible source of adult stem cells for use in such regenerative approaches. This protocol describes the isolation of ASCs from liposuction aspirate, as well as cell culture conditions for growth factor based induction of ASCs into chondrocyte-like cells. These methods are similar to those used for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells but distinct due to the unique properties of ASCs. Investigators can expect consistent ASC differentiation, allowing for slight variation due to donor and serum lot effects. Approximately 10–12 weeks are needed for ASC isolation and the characterization of chondrocyte-like cells, which is also described. PMID:20595958

Dynamics of in vivo ASC speck formation

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Activated danger or pathogen sensors trigger assembly of the inflammasome adaptor ASC into specks, large signaling platforms considered hallmarks of inflammasome activation. Because a lack of in vivo tools has prevented the study of endogenous ASC dynamics, we generated a live ASC reporter through CRISPR/Cas9 tagging of the endogenous gene in zebrafish. We see strong ASC expression in the skin and other epithelia that act as barriers to insult. A toxic stimulus triggered speck formation and rapid pyroptosis in keratinocytes in vivo. Macrophages engulfed and digested that speck-containing, pyroptotic debris. A three-dimensional, ultrastructural reconstruction, based on correlative light and electron microscopy of the in vivo assembled specks revealed a compact network of highly intercrossed filaments, whereas pyrin domain (PYD) or caspase activation and recruitment domain alone formed filamentous aggregates. The effector caspase is recruited through PYD, whose overexpression induced pyroptosis but only after substantial delay. Therefore, formation of a single, compact speck and rapid cell-death induction in vivo requires a full-length ASC. PMID:28701426

Anal Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Prevalences and Factors Associated with Abnormal Anal Cytology in HIV-Infected Women in an Urban Cohort from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

PubMed Central

Luz, Paula M.; Lake, Jordan E.; Levi, José Eduardo; Coutinho, José Ricardo; de Andrade, Angela; Heinke, Thais; Derrico, Mônica; Veloso, Valdilea G.; Friedman, Ruth K.; Grinsztejn, Beatriz

2015-01-01

Abstract Identifying factors, including human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes, associated with abnormal anal cytology in HIV-infected women have implications for anal squamous cell cancer (SCC) prevention in HIV-infected women. Anal and cervical samples were collected for cytology, and tested for high-(HR-HPV) and low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) genotypes in a cross-sectional analysis of the IPEC Women's HIV Cohort (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Multivariate log-binomial regression models estimated prevalence ratios for factors associated with abnormal anal cytology [≥atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, (ASC-US)]. Characteristics of the 863 participants included: median age 42 years, 57% non-white, 79% current CD4+ T-cell count >350 cells/mm3, 53% HIV-1 viral load <50 copies/mL, median ART duration 5.8 years. Fifty-one percent of anal specimens contained ≥1 HR-HPV genotype; 31% had abnormal anal cytology [14% ASC-US, 11% low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion, (LSIL); 2% atypical squamous cells-cannot exclude high-grade SIL (ASC-H); 4% high-grade SIL/cancer (HSIL+)]. In multivariate analysis, cervical LSIL+, nadir CD4+ T-cell count ≤50 cells/mm3, HIV-1 viral load ≥50 copies/mL, and anal HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 33, 45, 52, 56, and 58 were associated with ≥anal ASC-US (p<0.05). Abnormal anal cytology and HR-HPV prevalences were high. HIV-infected women with cervical LSIL+, low nadir CD4+ counts, or detectable HIV-1 viral loads should be a particular focus for enhanced anal SCC screening efforts. PMID:25361401

Safety and efficacy of allogeneic adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease: Endoscopic and histological outcomes.

PubMed

Pérez-Merino, E M; Usón-Casaús, J M; Duque-Carrasco, J; Zaragoza-Bayle, C; Mariñas-Pardo, L; Hermida-Prieto, M; Vilafranca-Compte, M; Barrera-Chacón, R; Gualtieri, M

2015-12-01

Systemic administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to be safe and efficacious in humans with Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of an intravenous (IV) infusion of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and to assess macroscopic and histological effects in the digestive tract of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Eleven dogs with confirmed IBD received a single ASC infusion (2 × 10(6) cells/kg bodyweight). Full digestive endoscopic evaluation was performed pre-treatment and between 90 and 120 days post-treatment with mucosal changes being assessed using a fit-for-purpose endoscopic scale. Endoscopic biopsies from each digestive section were evaluated histologically according to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Gastrointestinal Standardization Group criteria. The pre- and post-treatment canine IBD endoscopic index (CIBDEI) and histological score (HS) were calculated and compared using the Wilcoxon test. Remission was defined as a reduction of >75% of the CIBDEI and HS compared with pre-treatment. No acute reactions to ASC infusion or side effects were reported in any dog. Significant differences between pre- and post-treatment were found in both the CIBDEI (P = 0.004) and HS (P = 0.004). Endoscopic remission occurred in 4/11 dogs with the remaining dogs showing decreased CIBDEI (44.8% to 73.3%). Histological remission was not achieved in any dog, with an average reduction of the pre-treatment HS of 27.2%. In conclusion, a single IV infusion of allogeneic ASCs improved gastrointestinal lesions as assessed macroscopically and slightly reduced gastrointestinal inflammation as evaluated by histopathology in dogs with IBD. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A comparative study of proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells on akermanite and beta-TCP ceramics.

PubMed

Liu, Qihai; Cen, Lian; Yin, Shuo; Chen, Lei; Liu, Guangpeng; Chang, Jiang; Cui, Lei

2008-12-01

This study investigated the in vitro effects of akermanite, a new kind of Ca-, Mg-, Si-containing bioceramic, on the attachment, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs). Parallel comparison of the cellular behaviors of hASCs on the akermanite was made with those on beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation and fluorescent DiO labeling were carried out to reveal the attachment and growth of hASCs on the two ceramic surfaces, while the quantitative assay of cell proliferation with time was detected by DNA assay. Osteogenic differentiation of hASCs cultured on the akermanite and beta-TCP was assayed by ALP expression and osteocalcin (OCN) deposition, which was further confirmed by Real-time PCR analysis for markers of osteogenic differentiation. It was shown that hASCs attached and spread well on the akermanite as those on beta-TCP, and similar proliferation behaviors of hASCs were observed on the two ceramics. Both of them exhibited good compatibility to hASCs with only minor cytotoxicity as compared with the tissue culture plates. Interestingly, the osteogenic differentiation of hASCs could be enhanced on the akermanite compared with that on the beta-TCP when the culture time was extended to approximately 10 days. Thus, it can be ascertained that akermanite ceramics may serve as a potential scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Social orienting of children with autism to facial expressions and speech: a study with a wearable eye-tracker in naturalistic settings

PubMed Central

Magrelli, Silvia; Jermann, Patrick; Noris, Basilio; Ansermet, François; Hentsch, François; Nadel, Jacqueline; Billard, Aude

2013-01-01

This study investigates attention orienting to social stimuli in children with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) during dyadic social interactions taking place in real-life settings. We study the effect of social cues that differ in complexity and distinguish between social cues produced by facial expressions of emotion and those produced during speech. We record the children's gazes using a head-mounted eye-tracking device and report on a detailed and quantitative analysis of the motion of the gaze in response to the social cues. The study encompasses a group of children with ASC from 2 to 11-years old (n = 14) and a group of typically developing (TD) children (n = 17) between 3 and 6-years old. While the two groups orient overtly to facial expressions, children with ASC do so to a lesser extent. Children with ASC differ importantly from TD children in the way they respond to speech cues, displaying little overt shifting of attention to speaking faces. When children with ASC orient to facial expressions, they show reaction times and first fixation lengths similar to those presented by TD children. However, children with ASC orient to speaking faces slower than TD children. These results support the hypothesis that individuals affected by ASC have difficulties processing complex social sounds and detecting intermodal correspondence between facial and vocal information. It also corroborates evidence that people with ASC show reduced overt attention toward social stimuli. PMID:24312064

NASA Glenn Research Center Support of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Scott D.; Wong, Wayne A.

2015-01-01

A high-efficiency radioisotope power system was being developed for long-duration NASA space science missions. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) managed a flight contract with Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company to build Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generators (ASRGs), with support from NASA Glenn Research Center. DOE initiated termination of that contract in late 2013, primarily due to budget constraints. Sunpower, Inc., held two parallel contracts to produce Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASCs), one with Lockheed Martin to produce ASC-F flight units, and one with Glenn for the production of ASC-E3 engineering unit "pathfinders" that are built to the flight design. In support of those contracts, Glenn provided testing, materials expertise, Government-furnished equipment, inspection capabilities, and related data products to Lockheed Martin and Sunpower. The technical support included material evaluations, component tests, convertor characterization, and technology transfer. Material evaluations and component tests were performed on various ASC components in order to assess potential life-limiting mechanisms and provide data for reliability models. Convertor level tests were conducted to characterize performance under operating conditions that are representative of various mission conditions. Despite termination of the ASRG flight development contract, NASA continues to recognize the importance of high-efficiency ASC power conversion for Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) and continues investment in the technology, including the continuation of the ASC-E3 contract. This paper describes key Government support for the ASRG project and future tests to be used to provide data for ongoing reliability assessments.

Evaluation of Advanced Stirling Convertor Net Heat Input Correlation Methods Using a Thermal Standard

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Briggs, Maxwell H.; Schifer, Nicholas A.

2012-01-01

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC) have been developing the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) for use as a power system for space science missions. This generator would use two high-efficiency Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASCs), developed by Sunpower Inc. and NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). The ASCs convert thermal energy from a radioisotope heat source into electricity. As part of ground testing of these ASCs, different operating conditions are used to simulate expected mission conditions. These conditions require achieving a particular operating frequency, hot end and cold end temperatures, and specified electrical power output for a given net heat input. In an effort to improve net heat input predictions, numerous tasks have been performed which provided a more accurate value for net heat input into the ASCs, including testing validation hardware, known as the Thermal Standard, to provide a direct comparison to numerical and empirical models used to predict convertor net heat input. This validation hardware provided a comparison for scrutinizing and improving empirical correlations and numerical models of ASC-E2 net heat input. This hardware simulated the characteristics of an ASC-E2 convertor in both an operating and non-operating mode. This paper describes the Thermal Standard testing and the conclusions of the validation effort applied to the empirical correlation methods used by the Radioisotope Power System (RPS) team at NASA Glenn.

Dynamic Changes of QRS Morphology of Premature Ventricular Contractions During Ablation in the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract: A Case Report.

PubMed

Yue-Chun, Li; Jia-Feng, Lin; Jia-Xuan, Lin

2015-10-01

Electrocardiographic characteristics can be useful in differentiating between right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and aortic sinus cusp (ASC) ventricular arrhythmias. Ventricular arrhythmias originating from ASC, however, show preferential conduction to RVOT that may render the algorithms of electrocardiographic characteristics less reliable. Even though there are few reports describing ventricular arrhythmias with ASC origins and endocardial breakout sites of RVOT, progressive dynamic changes in QRS morphology of the ventricular arrhythmias during ablation obtained were rare.This case report describes a patient with symptomatic premature ventricular contractions of left ASC origin presenting an electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristic of right ventricular outflow tract before ablation. Pacing at right ventricular outflow tract reproduced an excellent pace map. When radiofrequency catheter ablation was applied to the right ventricular outflow tract, the QRS morphology of premature ventricular contractions progressively changed from ECG characteristics of right ventricular outflow tract origin to ECG characteristics of left ASC origin.Successful radiofrequency catheter ablation was achieved at the site of the earliest ventricular activation in the left ASC. The distance between the successful ablation site of the left ASC and the site with an excellent pace map of the RVOT was 20 mm.The ndings could be strong evidence for a preferential conduction via the myocardial bers from the ASC origin to the breakout site in the right ventricular outflow tract. This case demonstrates that ventricular arrhythmias with a single origin and exit shift may exhibit QRS morphology changes.

Reduced Perceptual Exclusivity during Object and Grating Rivalry in Autism

PubMed Central

Freyberg, J.; Robertson, C.E.; Baron-Cohen, S.

2015-01-01

Background The dynamics of binocular rivalry may be a behavioural footprint of excitatory and inhibitory neural transmission in visual cortex. Given the presence of atypical visual features in Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), and evidence in support of the idea of an imbalance in excitatory/inhibitory neural transmission in ASC, we hypothesized that binocular rivalry might prove a simple behavioural marker of such a transmission imbalance in the autistic brain. In support of this hypothesis, we previously reported a slower rate of rivalry in ASC, driven by reduced perceptual exclusivity. Methods We tested whether atypical dynamics of binocular rivalry in ASC are specific to certain stimulus features. 53 participants (26 with ASC, matched for age, sex and IQ) participated in binocular rivalry experiments in which the dynamics of rivalry were measured at two levels of stimulus complexity, low (grayscale gratings) and high (coloured objects). Results Individuals with ASC experienced a slower rate of rivalry, driven by longer transitional states between dominant percepts. These exaggerated transitional states were present at both low and high levels of stimulus complexity, suggesting that atypical rivalry dynamics in autism are robust with respect to stimulus choice. Interactions between stimulus properties and rivalry dynamics in autism indicate that achromatic grating stimuli produce stronger group differences. Conclusion These results confirm the finding of atypical dynamics of binocular rivalry in ASC. These dynamics were present for stimuli of both low and high levels of visual complexity, suggesting an imbalance in competitive interactions throughout the visual system of individuals with ASC. PMID:26382002

Tissue-specific mutation accumulation in human adult stem cells during life

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blokzijl, Francis; de Ligt, Joep; Jager, Myrthe; Sasselli, Valentina; Roerink, Sophie; Sasaki, Nobuo; Huch, Meritxell; Boymans, Sander; Kuijk, Ewart; Prins, Pjotr; Nijman, Isaac J.; Martincorena, Inigo; Mokry, Michal; Wiegerinck, Caroline L.; Middendorp, Sabine; Sato, Toshiro; Schwank, Gerald; Nieuwenhuis, Edward E. S.; Verstegen, Monique M. A.; van der Laan, Luc J. W.; de Jonge, Jeroen; Ijzermans, Jan N. M.; Vries, Robert G.; van de Wetering, Marc; Stratton, Michael R.; Clevers, Hans; Cuppen, Edwin; van Boxtel, Ruben

2016-10-01

The gradual accumulation of genetic mutations in human adult stem cells (ASCs) during life is associated with various age-related diseases, including cancer. Extreme variation in cancer risk across tissues was recently proposed to depend on the lifetime number of ASC divisions, owing to unavoidable random mutations that arise during DNA replication. However, the rates and patterns of mutations in normal ASCs remain unknown. Here we determine genome-wide mutation patterns in ASCs of the small intestine, colon and liver of human donors with ages ranging from 3 to 87 years by sequencing clonal organoid cultures derived from primary multipotent cells. Our results show that mutations accumulate steadily over time in all of the assessed tissue types, at a rate of approximately 40 novel mutations per year, despite the large variation in cancer incidence among these tissues. Liver ASCs, however, have different mutation spectra compared to those of the colon and small intestine. Mutational signature analysis reveals that this difference can be attributed to spontaneous deamination of methylated cytosine residues in the colon and small intestine, probably reflecting their high ASC division rate. In liver, a signature with an as-yet-unknown underlying mechanism is predominant. Mutation spectra of driver genes in cancer show high similarity to the tissue-specific ASC mutation spectra, suggesting that intrinsic mutational processes in ASCs can initiate tumorigenesis. Notably, the inter-individual variation in mutation rate and spectra are low, suggesting tissue-specific activity of common mutational processes throughout life.

22. HEAD GATE IN THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 35; ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

22. HEAD GATE IN THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 35; NOTE CONTROL WHEEL. - Highline Canal, Sand Creek Lateral, Beginning at intersection of Peoria Street & Highline Canal in Arapahoe County (City of Aurora), Sand Creek lateral Extends 15 miles Northerly through Araphoe County, City & County of Denver, & Adams County to its end point, approximately 1/4 mile Southest of intersectioin of D Street & Ninth Avenue in Adams County (Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City Vicinity), Commerce City, Adams County, CO

4. SEGMENT OF LATERAL WEST OF C STREET (SECTION 10) ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

4. SEGMENT OF LATERAL WEST OF C STREET (SECTION 10) ON THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN ARSENAL (RMA). - Highline Canal, Sand Creek Lateral, Beginning at intersection of Peoria Street & Highline Canal in Arapahoe County (City of Aurora), Sand Creek lateral Extends 15 miles Northerly through Araphoe County, City & County of Denver, & Adams County to its end point, approximately 1/4 mile Southest of intersectioin of D Street & Ninth Avenue in Adams County (Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City Vicinity), Commerce City, Adams County, CO

15. CONCRETE CHECK DAM NORTHWEST OF SOUTHEAST LAKE LADORA (SECTION ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

15. CONCRETE CHECK DAM NORTHWEST OF SOUTHEAST LAKE LADORA (SECTION 2) WITH THE FORMER EGLI FARM IN THE DISTANCE. - Highline Canal, Sand Creek Lateral, Beginning at intersection of Peoria Street & Highline Canal in Arapahoe County (City of Aurora), Sand Creek lateral Extends 15 miles Northerly through Araphoe County, City & County of Denver, & Adams County to its end point, approximately 1/4 mile Southest of intersectioin of D Street & Ninth Avenue in Adams County (Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City Vicinity), Commerce City, Adams County, CO

9. DETAIL OF DIVERSION STRUCTURE WEST OF DERBY LAKE (SECTION ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

9. DETAIL OF DIVERSION STRUCTURE WEST OF DERBY LAKE (SECTION 2) SHOWING DIVERSION GATE TO LAKE LADORA. - Highline Canal, Sand Creek Lateral, Beginning at intersection of Peoria Street & Highline Canal in Arapahoe County (City of Aurora), Sand Creek lateral Extends 15 miles Northerly through Araphoe County, City & County of Denver, & Adams County to its end point, approximately 1/4 mile Southest of intersectioin of D Street & Ninth Avenue in Adams County (Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City Vicinity), Commerce City, Adams County, CO

Human Circulating Antibody-Producing B Cell as a Predictive Measure of Mucosal Immunity to Poliovirus

PubMed Central

Verma, Harish; Sharma, Prashant; Yang, Jae Seung; Saletti, Giulietta; Ahmad, Mohammad; Bahl, Sunil K.; Wierzba, Thomas F.; Nandy, Ranjan K.; Deshpande, Jagadish M.; Sutter, Roland W.; Czerkinsky, Cecil

2016-01-01

Background The “gold standard” for assessing mucosal immunity after vaccination with poliovirus vaccines consists in measuring virus excretion in stool after challenge with oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). This testing is time and resource intensive, and development of alternative methods is a priority for accelerating polio eradication. We therefore evaluated circulating antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) as a potential means to evaluate mucosal immunity to poliovirus vaccine. Methods 199 subjects, aged 10 years, and previously immunized repeatedly with OPV, were selected. Subjects were assigned to receive either a booster dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), bivalent OPV (bOPV), or no vaccine. Using a micro-modified whole blood-based ELISPOT assay designed for field setting, circulating poliovirus type-specific IgA- and IgG-ASCs, including gut homing α4β7+ ASCs, were enumerated on days 0 and 7 after booster immunization. In addition, serum samples collected on days 0, 28 and 56 were tested for neutralizing antibody titers against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3. Stool specimens were collected on day 28 (day of bOPV challenge), and on days 31, 35 and 42 and processed for poliovirus isolation. Results An IPV dose elicited blood IgA- and IgG-ASC responses in 84.8 to 94.9% of subjects, respectively. In comparison, a bOPV dose evoked corresponding blood ASC responses in 20.0 to 48.6% of subjects. A significant association was found between IgA- and IgG-ASC responses and serum neutralizing antibody titers for poliovirus type 1, 2, 3 (p<0.001). In the IPV group, α4β7+ ASCs accounted for a substantial proportion of IgA-ASCs and the proportion of subjects with a positive α4β7+ IgA-ASC response to poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3 was 62.7%, 89.8% and 45.8%, respectively. A significant association was observed between virus excretion and α4β7+ IgA- and/or IgG-ASC responses to poliovirus type 3 among immunized children; however, only a weak association was found for type 1 poliovirus. Discussion Our results suggest that virus-specific blood ASCs, especially for type 3 poliovirus, can serve as surrogate of mucosal immunity after vaccination. Further studies are needed to evaluate the duration of such memory responses and to assess the programmatic utility of this whole blood-based mucosal ASC testing for the polio eradication program. PMID:26730586

Human Circulating Antibody-Producing B Cell as a Predictive Measure of Mucosal Immunity to Poliovirus.

PubMed

Dey, Ayan; Molodecky, Natalie A; Verma, Harish; Sharma, Prashant; Yang, Jae Seung; Saletti, Giulietta; Ahmad, Mohammad; Bahl, Sunil K; Wierzba, Thomas F; Nandy, Ranjan K; Deshpande, Jagadish M; Sutter, Roland W; Czerkinsky, Cecil

2016-01-01

The "gold standard" for assessing mucosal immunity after vaccination with poliovirus vaccines consists in measuring virus excretion in stool after challenge with oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). This testing is time and resource intensive, and development of alternative methods is a priority for accelerating polio eradication. We therefore evaluated circulating antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) as a potential means to evaluate mucosal immunity to poliovirus vaccine. 199 subjects, aged 10 years, and previously immunized repeatedly with OPV, were selected. Subjects were assigned to receive either a booster dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), bivalent OPV (bOPV), or no vaccine. Using a micro-modified whole blood-based ELISPOT assay designed for field setting, circulating poliovirus type-specific IgA- and IgG-ASCs, including gut homing α4β7+ ASCs, were enumerated on days 0 and 7 after booster immunization. In addition, serum samples collected on days 0, 28 and 56 were tested for neutralizing antibody titers against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3. Stool specimens were collected on day 28 (day of bOPV challenge), and on days 31, 35 and 42 and processed for poliovirus isolation. An IPV dose elicited blood IgA- and IgG-ASC responses in 84.8 to 94.9% of subjects, respectively. In comparison, a bOPV dose evoked corresponding blood ASC responses in 20.0 to 48.6% of subjects. A significant association was found between IgA- and IgG-ASC responses and serum neutralizing antibody titers for poliovirus type 1, 2, 3 (p<0.001). In the IPV group, α4β7+ ASCs accounted for a substantial proportion of IgA-ASCs and the proportion of subjects with a positive α4β7+ IgA-ASC response to poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3 was 62.7%, 89.8% and 45.8%, respectively. A significant association was observed between virus excretion and α4β7+ IgA- and/or IgG-ASC responses to poliovirus type 3 among immunized children; however, only a weak association was found for type 1 poliovirus. Our results suggest that virus-specific blood ASCs, especially for type 3 poliovirus, can serve as surrogate of mucosal immunity after vaccination. Further studies are needed to evaluate the duration of such memory responses and to assess the programmatic utility of this whole blood-based mucosal ASC testing for the polio eradication program.

Preschool Developmental Screening with Denver II Test in Semi-Urban Areas

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eratay, Emine; Bayoglu, Birgül; Anlar, Banu

2015-01-01

Purpose: To assess the feasibility and reliability of screening semi-urban preschool children with Denver II, developmental and neurological status was examined in relation with one-year outcome. Methodology: Denver II developmental screening test was applied to 583 children who visited family physicians or other health centers in a province of…

Beyond Averages: School Quality in Denver Public Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ooms, Alexander

2014-01-01

Since 2009, academic outcomes for students in Denver Public Schools (DPS) have slowly improved. The primary mechanism for increasing academic performance lies within the district's schools, and on an aggregate level Denver has seen a substantial rise in both the number of quality schools and the percentage of students they serve. Every child…

78 FR 28602 - Announcement of Funding Awards for the Public and Indian Housing Resident Opportunity and Self...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-15

...,000 of San Diego. Barney Ford Local Resident 2024 Clarkson Denver CO......... 80205 200,778 Council. Street. Quigg Newton Homes Local 4407 Mariposa Way.. Denver CO......... 80211 200,778 Resident Council. Sun Valley Local Resident 990 Alcott Way..... Denver CO......... 80204 200,778 Council. Housing...

Graduates of Denver Public Schools: College Access and Success

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buckley, Pamela; Muraskin, Lana

2009-01-01

Denver Public Schools (DPS), the Denver Scholarship Foundation, The Piton Foundation, and the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education undertook a study to learn how DPS graduates perform in college. The report describes who enrolls in college, and who persists and earns a college certificate or degree. In addition, the…

77 FR 30000 - Combined Notice of Filings #1

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-21

.... Applicants: Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Inc., Denver City Energy Associates, L.P., Great Point Power Denver City LP, LLC, LSP- Denver City, LLC, GPP Investors I, LLC, QUIXX Mustang Station, LLC Description... ER08- 1419-004--Attachment O to be effective 7/26/2010. Filed Date: 5/11/12 Accession Number: 20120511...

42 CFR 413.118 - Payment for facility services related to covered ASC surgical procedures performed in hospitals...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... establishes the method for determining Medicare payments for services related to covered ambulatory surgical... deductibles and coinsurance; or (2) The blended payment amount as described in paragraph (d) of this section...) Blended payment amount. (1) For cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1987 but before...

77 FR 64595 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-22

...), determines, six months after enactment of that secton (i.e., January 21, 2011) that no national hotline... appraisal process, then the ASC shall establish and operate such a hotline (``ASC Hotline''), which shall... refer complaints received through the ASC Hotline to the appropriate government bodies for further...

Perceived Attractiveness, Facial Features, and African Self-Consciousness.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chambers, John W., Jr.; And Others

1994-01-01

Investigated relationships between perceived attractiveness, facial features, and African self-consciousness (ASC) among 149 African American college students. As predicted, high ASC subjects used more positive adjectives in descriptions of strong African facial features than did medium or low ASC subjects. Results are discussed in the context of…

Brief Report: Attentional Cueing to Images of Social Interactions is Automatic for Neurotypical Individuals But Not Those with ASC.

PubMed

Morrisey, Marcus Neil; Reed, Catherine L; McIntosh, Daniel N; Rutherford, M D

2018-04-25

Human actions induce attentional orienting toward the target of the action. We examined the influence of action cueing in social (man throwing toward a human) and non-social (man throwing toward a tree) contexts in observers with and without autism spectrum condition (ASC). Results suggested that a social interaction enhanced the cueing effect for neurotypical participants. Participants with ASC did not benefit from non-predictive cues and were slower in social contexts, although they benefitted from reliably predictive cues. Social orienting appears to be automatic in the context of an implied social interaction for neurotypical observers, but not those with ASC. Neurotypical participants' behavior may be driven by automatic processing, while participants with ASC use an alternative, effortful strategy.

Hospital competition and financial performance: the effects of ambulatory surgery centers.

PubMed

Carey, Kathleen; Burgess, James F; Young, Gary J

2011-05-01

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), limited-service alternatives for treating surgery patients not requiring an overnight stay, are a health-care service innovation that has proliferated in the U.S. and other countries in recent years. This paper examines the effects of ASC competition on revenues, costs, and profit margins of hospitals that also provided these services as a subset of their general services in Arizona, California, and Texas during the period 1997-2004. We identified all ASCs operating during the period in the 49 Dartmouth Hospital Referral Regions in the three states. The results of fixed effects models suggested that ASCs are meaningful competitors to general hospitals. We found downward pressure on revenues, costs, and profits in general hospitals associated with ASC presence. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Oxaloacetate and adipose stromal cells-conditional medium synergistically protected potassium/serum deprivation-induced neuronal apoptosis.

PubMed

Liu, Qingpeng; Zhao, Gang; Zhou, Changwei; Farlow, Martin R; Du, Yansheng; Xu, Guangxu; Gu, Huiying

2017-01-01

Adipose stromal cells conditioned media (ASC-CM) protect neurons in a variety of neuronal death models including potassium/serum deprivation-induced neuronal apoptosis. In this study, we found that ASC-CM contained glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and its substrate, oxaloacetate (OAA) directly protected cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) from apoptosis induced by serum and potassium deprivation. Additionally, OAA inhibited serum and potassium deprivation-induced caspase 3 activation. ASC-CM and OAA in combination had a synergistic neuroprotective effect. Clearly, different from ASC-CM-induced neuroprotection, OAA-induced neuroprotection was Akt- independent but JNK-dependent. These data establish a mechanistic basis supporting that the application of ASC-CM for neuroprotective treatments could be significantly enhanced by addition of OAA. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

In vitro evaluation of gel-encapsulated adipose derived stem cells: Biochemical cues for in vivo peripheral nerve repair.

PubMed

de Luca, A C; Fonta, C M; Raffoul, W; di Summa, P G; Lacour, S P

2018-03-01

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) are becoming one of the most exploited cells in peripheral nerve repair. They are fast-growing and able to protect neurons from apoptosis; they can reduce post-injury latency and the risk of muscle atrophy. This study evaluates laminin-loaded fibrin gel as an ASC-carrying scaffold for nerve repair. In vitro, ASC retained their proliferative activity but showed significant increase in proliferation rate when encapsulated in gels with low laminin concentrations (i.e., 1 μg/mL). We observed a linear decrease of ASC proliferation rate with increasing laminin concentration from 1 to 100 μg/mL. We next examined the effect of the ASC-carrying fibrin gels on in vitro dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurite extension, then in vivo sciatic nerve regeneration in adult rats. The ASC-carrying gel was embedded in 15-mm-long, 1.5-mm-diameter polydimethylsiloxane regenerative conduits for in vivo evaluation. At 8-week post implantation, robust regeneration was observed across the long gap. Taken together, these results suggest ASC-carrying gels are a potential path to improve the efficacy of nerve regeneration through artificial guidance conduits and electrode nerve interfaces. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Extracellular Vesicles from Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Downregulate Senescence Features in Osteoarthritic Osteoblasts

PubMed Central

Tofiño-Vian, Miguel; Pérez del Caz, María Dolores; Castejón, Miguel Angel

2017-01-01

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects all articular tissues leading to pain and disability. The dysregulation of bone metabolism may contribute to the progression of this condition. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASC) are attractive candidates in the search of novel strategies for OA treatment and exert anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects on cartilage. Chronic inflammation in OA is a relevant factor in the development of cellular senescence and joint degradation. In this study, we extend our previous observations of ASC paracrine effects to study the influence of conditioned medium and extracellular vesicles from ASC on senescence induced by inflammatory stress in OA osteoblasts. Our results in cells stimulated with interleukin- (IL-) 1β indicate that conditioned medium, microvesicles, and exosomes from ASC downregulate senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity and the accumulation of γH2AX foci. In addition, they reduced the production of inflammatory mediators, with the highest effect on IL-6 and prostaglandin E2. The control of mitochondrial membrane alterations and oxidative stress may provide a mechanism for the protective effects of ASC in OA osteoblasts. We have also shown that microvesicles and exosomes mediate the paracrine effects of ASC. Our study suggests that correction of abnormal osteoblast metabolism by ASC products may contribute to their protective effects. PMID:29230269

Extracellular Vesicles from Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Downregulate Senescence Features in Osteoarthritic Osteoblasts.

PubMed

Tofiño-Vian, Miguel; Guillén, Maria Isabel; Pérez Del Caz, María Dolores; Castejón, Miguel Angel; Alcaraz, Maria José

2017-01-01

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects all articular tissues leading to pain and disability. The dysregulation of bone metabolism may contribute to the progression of this condition. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASC) are attractive candidates in the search of novel strategies for OA treatment and exert anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects on cartilage. Chronic inflammation in OA is a relevant factor in the development of cellular senescence and joint degradation. In this study, we extend our previous observations of ASC paracrine effects to study the influence of conditioned medium and extracellular vesicles from ASC on senescence induced by inflammatory stress in OA osteoblasts. Our results in cells stimulated with interleukin- (IL-) 1 β indicate that conditioned medium, microvesicles, and exosomes from ASC downregulate senescence-associated β -galactosidase activity and the accumulation of γ H2AX foci. In addition, they reduced the production of inflammatory mediators, with the highest effect on IL-6 and prostaglandin E 2 . The control of mitochondrial membrane alterations and oxidative stress may provide a mechanism for the protective effects of ASC in OA osteoblasts. We have also shown that microvesicles and exosomes mediate the paracrine effects of ASC. Our study suggests that correction of abnormal osteoblast metabolism by ASC products may contribute to their protective effects.

Novel culture system of mesenchymal stromal cells from human subcutaneous adipose tissue.

PubMed

Iwashima, Shigejiro; Ozaki, Takenori; Maruyama, Shoichi; Saka, Yousuke; Kobori, Masato; Omae, Kaoru; Yamaguchi, Hirotake; Niimi, Tomoaki; Toriyama, Kazuhiro; Kamei, Yuzuru; Torii, Shuhei; Murohara, Toyoaki; Yuzawa, Yukio; Kitagawa, Yasuo; Matsuo, Seiichi

2009-05-01

Accumulating evidence suggests that the delivery of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (hASCs) has great potential as regenerative therapy. This was performed to develop a method for expanding hASCs by reducing the amount of serum required. We demonstrate that hASCs were able to expand efficiently in media containing 2% serum and fibroblast growth factor-2. These cells, or low serum cultured hASCs (hLASCs), expressed cell surface markers similar to those on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and could be differentiated into cells of mesenchymal lineage. Of interest, hLASCs secreted higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) than hASCs cultured in 20% serum (hHASCs). Moreover, hLASC-conditioned media significantly increased endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and decreased EC apoptosis compared to that obtained from hHASCs or control media only. Antibodies against VEGF and HGF virtually negated these effects. When hASCs were administered into the ischemic hindlimbs of nude rats, hLASCs improved blood flow, increased capillary density, and raised the levels of VEGF and HGF in the muscles as compared with hHASCs. In conclusion, we demonstrate a novel low serum culture system for hASCs, which may have great potential in regenerative cell therapy for damaged organs in the clinical setting.

Hepatoprotective effect of acetone semicarbazone on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma induced carcinogenesis in experimental mice

PubMed Central

Islam, Farhadul; Ali, Shaikh Mohummad Mohsin; Khanam, Jahan Ara

2013-01-01

Objective To determine the hepatoprotective effect of acetone semicarbazone (ASC) in vivo in normal and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing male Swiss albino mice. Methods Drug-induced changes in biochemical and behavioral parameters at dose of 2.0 mg/kg body weight for 14 d and nullifying the toxicity induced by EAC cells were studied. The histopathology studies of the protective effects of ASC on vital organs were also assessed. Results The administration of ASC made insignificant changes in body weight and behavioral (salivation, diarrhea, muscular numbness) changes during treatment period due to minor toxicity were minimized after the treatment in normal mice. The biochemical parameters, including serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloactate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, serum glucose, cholesterol, urea, triglyceride and billirubin changed modestly in normal mice receiving ASC. Though the treatment continued, these values gradually decreased to normal level after the treatment. In EAC bearing mice, the toxic effects due to EAC cells in all cases were nullified by treatment with the ASC. Significant abnormalities were not detected in histology of the various organs of the normal mice treated with ASC. Conclusions ASC can, therefore, be considered safe in formulating novel anticancer drug, as it exhibits strong protective effect against EAC cell bearing mice. PMID:23593588

New therapy with ASC-J9® to suppress the prostatitis via altering the cytokine CCL2 signals

PubMed Central

Lin, Shin-Jen; Chou, Fu-Ju; Lin, Chang-Yi; Chang, Hong-Chiang; Yeh, Shuyuan; Chang, Chawnshang

2016-01-01

Prostatitis is a common disease contributing to 8% of all urologist visits. Yet the etiology and effective treatment remain to be further elucidated. Using a non-obese diabetes mouse model that can be induced by autoimmune response for the spontaneous development of prostatitis, we found that injection of the ASC-J9® at 75 mg/Kg body weight/48 hours led to significantly suppressed prostatitis that was accompanied with reduction of lymphocyte infiltration with reduced CD4+ T cells in prostate. In vitro studies with a co-culture system also confirmed that ASC-J9® treatment could suppress the CD4+ T cell migration to prostate stromal cells. Mechanisms dissection indicated that ASC-J9® can suppress CD4+ T cell migration via decreasing the cytokine CCL2 in vitro and in vivo, and restoring CCL2 could interrupt the ASC-J9® suppressed CD4+ T cell migration. Together, results from in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that ASC-J9® can suppress prostatitis by altering the autoimmune response induced by CD4+ T cell recruitment, and using ASC-J9® may help us to develop a potential new therapy to battle the prostatitis with little side effects. PMID:27564257

New therapy with ASC-J9® to suppress the prostatitis via altering the cytokine CCL2 signals.

PubMed

Lin, Shin-Jen; Chou, Fu-Ju; Lin, Chang-Yi; Chang, Hong-Chiang; Yeh, Shuyuan; Chang, Chawnshang

2016-10-11

Prostatitis is a common disease contributing to 8% of all urologist visits. Yet the etiology and effective treatment remain to be further elucidated. Using a non-obese diabetes mouse model that can be induced by autoimmune response for the spontaneous development of prostatitis, we found that injection of the ASC-J9® at 75 mg/Kg body weight/48 hours led to significantly suppressed prostatitis that was accompanied with reduction of lymphocyte infiltration with reduced CD4+ T cells in prostate. In vitro studies with a co-culture system also confirmed that ASC-J9® treatment could suppress the CD4+ T cell migration to prostate stromal cells. Mechanisms dissection indicated that ASC-J9® can suppress CD4+ T cell migration via decreasing the cytokine CCL2 in vitro and in vivo, and restoring CCL2 could interrupt the ASC-J9® suppressed CD4+ T cell migration. Together, results from in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that ASC-J9® can suppress prostatitis by altering the autoimmune response induced by CD4+ T cell recruitment, and using ASC-J9® may help us to develop a potential new therapy to battle the prostatitis with little side effects.

Sensory reactivity, empathizing and systemizing in autism spectrum conditions and sensory processing disorder.

PubMed

Tavassoli, Teresa; Miller, Lucy Jane; Schoen, Sarah A; Jo Brout, Jennifer; Sullivan, Jillian; Baron-Cohen, Simon

2018-01-01

Although the DSM-5 added sensory symptoms as a criterion for ASC, there is a group of children who display sensory symptoms but do not have ASC; children with sensory processing disorder (SPD). To be able to differentiate these two disorders, our aim was to evaluate whether children with ASC show more sensory symptomatology and/or different cognitive styles in empathy and systemizing compared to children with SPD and typically developing (TD) children. The study included 210 participants: 68 children with ASC, 79 with SPD and 63 TD children. The Sensory Processing Scale Inventory was used to measure sensory symptoms, the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) to measure autistic traits, and the Empathy Quotient (EQ) and Systemizing Quotient (SQ) to measure cognitive styles. Across groups, a greater sensory symptomatology was associated with lower empathy. Further, both the ASC and SPD groups showed more sensory symptoms than TD children. Children with ASC and SPD only differed on sensory under-reactivity. The ASD group did, however, show lower empathy and higher systemizing scores than the SPD group. Together, this suggest that sensory symptoms alone may not be adequate to differentiate children with ASC and SPD but that cognitive style measures could be used for differential diagnosis. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Exosomes derived from human adipose mensenchymal stem cells accelerates cutaneous wound healing via optimizing the characteristics of fibroblasts.

PubMed

Hu, Li; Wang, Juan; Zhou, Xin; Xiong, Zehuan; Zhao, Jiajia; Yu, Ran; Huang, Fang; Zhang, Handong; Chen, Lili

2016-09-12

Prolonged healing and scar formation are two major challenges in the treatment of soft tissue trauma. Adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) play an important role in tissue regeneration, and recent studies have suggested that exosomes secreted by stem cells may contribute to paracrine signaling. In this study, we investigated the roles of ASCs-derived exosomes (ASCs-Exos) in cutaneous wound healing. We found that ASCs-Exos could be taken up and internalized by fibroblasts to stimulate cell migration, proliferation and collagen synthesis in a dose-dependent manner, with increased genes expression of N-cadherin, cyclin-1, PCNA and collagen I, III. In vivo tracing experiments demonstrated that ASCs-Exos can be recruited to soft tissue wound area in a mouse skin incision model and significantly accelerated cutaneous wound healing. Histological analysis showed increased collagen I and III production by systemic administration of exosomes in the early stage of wound healing, while in the late stage, exosomes might inhibit collagen expression to reduce scar formation. Collectively, our findings indicate that ASCs-Exos can facilitate cutaneous wound healing via optimizing the characteristics of fibroblasts. Our results provide a new perspective and therapeutic strategy for the use of ASCs-Exos in soft tissue repair.

The Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells towards a Urothelium-Like Phenotype In Vitro and the Dynamic Temporal Changes of Related Cytokines by Both Paracrine and Autocrine Signal Regulation

PubMed Central

Zhou, Zhe; Zhang, Ke; Zhou, Juan; Zhao, Yang; Wang, Zhong; Lu, Mu-jun

2014-01-01

Purpose To investigate the differentiation ability of human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) towards urothelium-like cells in vitro and the dynamic changes of related cytokines and cytokine receptors in the culture medium. Materials and Methods The ASCs were induced using both conditioned media (CM) and the transwell co-culture system with an immortalized urothelium cell line (SV-HUC-1,HUC) for 21 days. Protein and mRNA expression of the mature urothelium specific markers uroplakin-IA (UP-1A) and uroplakin-II (UP-II) were detected by immunofluorescence and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. Array detection was used to screen 41 cytokines and receptors in the upper medium of urothelium, non-induced ASCs and urothelium-induced ASCs at three time points, early (12 hours), intermediate (7 days) and late (21 days). Results After induction for 7 days, the ASCs grown in both CM and transwell co-culture system expressed uroplakin-IA (13.54±2.00%; 17.28±1.84%) and uroplakin-II (19.49±1.73%; 13.98±1.47%). After induction for 21 days, ASCs grown in co-culture had significantly increased expression of uroplakin-IA (48.03±1.25%; 49.57±2.85%) and uroplakin-II (45.38±2.50%; 46.58±1.95%). In the upper medium of urothelium, 28 cytokines and 8 cytokine receptors had significantly higher expression than the counterpart of non-induced ASCs. After 7 days induction, the expression of 22 cytokines and 8 cytokine receptors was significantly elevated in the upper medium of induced ASCs compared to non-induced ASCs. At the early and intermediate time points, ASCs secreted high levels of relative cytokines and soluble receptors, but their expressions decreased significantly at the late time point. Conclusion The adipose-derived stem cells have the potential to be differentiated into urothelium-like cells in vitro by both CM and transwell co-culture system with mature urothelium. Numerous cytokines and receptors were involved in the differentiation process with dynamic temporal changes by both paracrine and autocrine signal regulation. Further studies should be carried out to determine the detailed mechanism of cytokines and receptors and to enhance the urothelium differentiation efficiency of ASCs. PMID:24752317

The differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells towards a urothelium-like phenotype in vitro and the dynamic temporal changes of related cytokines by both paracrine and autocrine signal regulation.

PubMed

Zhang, Ming; Xu, Ming-Xi; Zhou, Zhe; Zhang, Ke; Zhou, Juan; Zhao, Yang; Wang, Zhong; Lu, Mu-Jun

2014-01-01

To investigate the differentiation ability of human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) towards urothelium-like cells in vitro and the dynamic changes of related cytokines and cytokine receptors in the culture medium. The ASCs were induced using both conditioned media (CM) and the transwell co-culture system with an immortalized urothelium cell line (SV-HUC-1,HUC) for 21 days. Protein and mRNA expression of the mature urothelium specific markers uroplakin-IA (UP-1A) and uroplakin-II (UP-II) were detected by immunofluorescence and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. Array detection was used to screen 41 cytokines and receptors in the upper medium of urothelium, non-induced ASCs and urothelium-induced ASCs at three time points, early (12 hours), intermediate (7 days) and late (21 days). After induction for 7 days, the ASCs grown in both CM and transwell co-culture system expressed uroplakin-IA (13.54±2.00%; 17.28±1.84%) and uroplakin-II (19.49±1.73%; 13.98±1.47%). After induction for 21 days, ASCs grown in co-culture had significantly increased expression of uroplakin-IA (48.03±1.25%; 49.57±2.85%) and uroplakin-II (45.38±2.50%; 46.58±1.95%). In the upper medium of urothelium, 28 cytokines and 8 cytokine receptors had significantly higher expression than the counterpart of non-induced ASCs. After 7 days induction, the expression of 22 cytokines and 8 cytokine receptors was significantly elevated in the upper medium of induced ASCs compared to non-induced ASCs. At the early and intermediate time points, ASCs secreted high levels of relative cytokines and soluble receptors, but their expressions decreased significantly at the late time point. The adipose-derived stem cells have the potential to be differentiated into urothelium-like cells in vitro by both CM and transwell co-culture system with mature urothelium. Numerous cytokines and receptors were involved in the differentiation process with dynamic temporal changes by both paracrine and autocrine signal regulation. Further studies should be carried out to determine the detailed mechanism of cytokines and receptors and to enhance the urothelium differentiation efficiency of ASCs.

First-Year Students' Initial Motivational Beliefs at University: Predicted by Motivational Beliefs Derived from Within and Out-of-School Experience and Malleable Regardless of the Extent of Students' Out-of-School Experience.

PubMed

Gorges, Julia

2017-01-01

The present study tested how academic self-concept of ability (ASC) and intrinsic task value (ITV) transpose onto novel university programs that depart from traditional subject areas within the framework of expectancy-value theory. The study focused on two potential sources of information used to anticipate one's ASC and ITV regarding new learning content (here: business administration). First, students' experiences from secondary school, especially their ASCs and ITVs established in a school subject they consider similar to business administration-mathematics-should predict their business administration-specific ASC and ITV. Second, students may have gained relevant experience in out-of-school settings such as internships with business companies or commercial vocational training prior to entering higher education. ASC and ITV developed from out-of-school experiences was hypothesized to predict students' business administration-specific ASC and ITV as well. However, the likely mismatch between anticipated and actual experience with new contents should lead to revisions of ASC and ITV after entering university reflected in a presumably lower stability compared to secondary school settings. In addition, the extent of students' out-of-school experience might act as a moderator. Data were collected from 341 first-year students in higher education in Germany before they began their study program and again 3-4 months later. Confirmatory factor analyses support the discriminant validity of the measures used in the study. Results from structural equation modeling show that students' ASC/ITV derived from relevant out-of-school experience make an important contribution to their initial business administration-specific ASC and ITV beyond their mathematics-specific ASC/ITV. Furthermore, both business administration-specific ASC and ITV showed significantly lower stability coefficients over the initial study phase than research from secondary school indicating revisions to them via experience. Multiple-group structural equation modeling showed no moderating effect of the extent of students' out-of-school experience. The discussion focuses on interpretations of the expectancy-value theory that explicitly include motivational beliefs derived from out-of-school settings as antecedents of expectancy and value. With respect to practical implications, results are discussed in the light of student counseling and support to help students develop an adequate picture of a study program's learning contents and overcome initial motivational setbacks.

First-Year Students’ Initial Motivational Beliefs at University: Predicted by Motivational Beliefs Derived from Within and Out-of-School Experience and Malleable Regardless of the Extent of Students’ Out-of-School Experience

PubMed Central

Gorges, Julia

2017-01-01

The present study tested how academic self-concept of ability (ASC) and intrinsic task value (ITV) transpose onto novel university programs that depart from traditional subject areas within the framework of expectancy-value theory. The study focused on two potential sources of information used to anticipate one’s ASC and ITV regarding new learning content (here: business administration). First, students’ experiences from secondary school, especially their ASCs and ITVs established in a school subject they consider similar to business administration—mathematics—should predict their business administration-specific ASC and ITV. Second, students may have gained relevant experience in out-of-school settings such as internships with business companies or commercial vocational training prior to entering higher education. ASC and ITV developed from out-of-school experiences was hypothesized to predict students’ business administration-specific ASC and ITV as well. However, the likely mismatch between anticipated and actual experience with new contents should lead to revisions of ASC and ITV after entering university reflected in a presumably lower stability compared to secondary school settings. In addition, the extent of students’ out-of-school experience might act as a moderator. Data were collected from 341 first-year students in higher education in Germany before they began their study program and again 3–4 months later. Confirmatory factor analyses support the discriminant validity of the measures used in the study. Results from structural equation modeling show that students’ ASC/ITV derived from relevant out-of-school experience make an important contribution to their initial business administration-specific ASC and ITV beyond their mathematics-specific ASC/ITV. Furthermore, both business administration-specific ASC and ITV showed significantly lower stability coefficients over the initial study phase than research from secondary school indicating revisions to them via experience. Multiple-group structural equation modeling showed no moderating effect of the extent of students’ out-of-school experience. The discussion focuses on interpretations of the expectancy-value theory that explicitly include motivational beliefs derived from out-of-school settings as antecedents of expectancy and value. With respect to practical implications, results are discussed in the light of student counseling and support to help students develop an adequate picture of a study program’s learning contents and overcome initial motivational setbacks. PMID:28790951

Addition of bone morphogenetic protein type 2 to ascorbate and β-glycerophosphate supplementation did not enhance osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells

PubMed Central

CRUZ, Ariadne Cristiane Cabral; SILVA, Mariana Lúcia; CAON, Thiago; SIMÕES, Cláudia Maria Oliveira

2012-01-01

Bone morphogenetic protein type 2 (BMP-2) is a potent local factor, which promotes bone formation and has been used as an osteogenic supplement for mesenchymal stem cells. Objectives This study evaluated the effect of a recombinant BMP-2 as well as the endogenous BMP-4 and BMP-7 in the osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in medium supplemented with ascorbate and β-glycerophosphate. Material and Methods Human ASCs were treated with osteogenic medium in the presence (ASCs+OM+BMP-2) or absence (ASCs+OM) of BMP-2. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was determined and the extracellular matrix mineralization was evaluated by Von Kossa staining and calcium quantification. The expressions of BMP-4, BMP-7, Smad1, Smad4, and phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 were analyzed by western blotting. Relative mRNA expressions of Smad1, BMP receptor type II (BMPR-II), osteonectin, and osteocalcin were evaluated by qPCR. Results: ASCs+OM demonstrated the highest expression of BMP-4 and BMP-7 at days 21 and 7, respectively, the highest levels of BMPR-II mRNA expression at day 28, and the highest levels of Smad1 mRNA at days 14 and 28. ASCs+OM+BMP-2 demonstrated the highest levels of Smad1 mRNA expression at days 1, 7, and 21, the highest expression of Smad1 at day 7, the highest expression of Smad4 at day 14, the highest ALP activity at days 14 and 21, and expression of phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 at day 7. ASCs+OM and ASCs+OM+BMP2 showed similar ALP activity at days 7 and 28, similar osteonectin and osteocalcin mRNA expression at all time periods, and similar calcium depositions at all time periods. Conclusions We concluded that human ASCs expressed endogenous BMP-4 and BMP-7. Moreover, the supplementation of ASCs with BMP-2 did not increase the level of osteogenic markers in the initial (ALP activity), intermediate (osteonectin and osteocalcin), or final (calcium deposition) phases, suggesting that the exogenous addition of BMP-2 did not improve the in vitro osteogenesis process of human ASCs. PMID:23329244

West-east lithostratigraphic cross section of Cretaceous rocks from central Utah to western Kansas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Anna, Lawrence O.

2012-01-01

A west-east lithostratigraphic cross section of the Cretaceous rocks from central Utah to western Kansas was prepared as part of the former Western Interior Cretaceous (WIK) project, which was part of the Global Sedimentary Geology Program started in 1989. This transect is similar to that published by Dyman and others (1994) as a summary paper of the WIK project but extends further east and is more detailed. Stratigraphic control was provided by 32 geophysical logs and measured sections tied to ammonite and Inoceramus faunal zones. A variable datum was used, including the base of the Castlegate Sandstone for the western part of the section, and the fossil ammonite zone Baculites obtusus for the middle and eastern section. Lower Cretaceous units and the Frontier Formation and Mowry Shale are shown as undifferentiated units. Cretaceous strata along the transect range in thickness from more than 7,000 ft in the structural foredeep of the western overthrust belt in central Utah, to about 11,000 ft near the Colorado-Utah border as a result of considerable thickening of the Mesaverde Group, to less than 3,500 ft in the eastern Denver Basin, Kansas resulting in a condensed section. The basal Mancos Shale rises stepwise across the transect becoming progressively younger to the west as the Western Interior Seaway transgressed westward. The section illustrates large scale stratigraphic relations for most of the area covered by the seaway, from central Utah, Colorado, to west-central Kansas. These strata are predominantly continental and shoreline deposits near the Sevier thrust belt in Utah, prograding and regressive shorelines to the east with associated flooding surfaces, downlapping mudstones, and transgressive parasequences (shoreface) that correlate to condensed zones across the seaway in central Colorado and eastern Denver Basin.

Implementation of the Early Start Denver Model in an Italian community.

PubMed

Colombi, Costanza; Narzisi, Antonio; Ruta, Liliana; Cigala, Virginia; Gagliano, Antonella; Pioggia, Giovanni; Siracusano, Rosamaria; Rogers, Sally J; Muratori, Filippo

2018-02-01

Identifying effective, community-based specialized interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorder is an international clinical and research priority. We evaluated the effectiveness of the Early Start Denver Model intervention in a group of young children with autism spectrum disorder living in an Italian community compared to a group of Italian children who received treatment as usual. A total of 22 young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder received the Early Start Denver Model in a center-based context for 6 h per week over 6 months. The Early Start Denver Model group was compared to a group of 70 young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who received treatment as usual for an average of 5.2 h over 6 months. Children in both groups improved in cognitive, adaptive, and social skills after 3 months and 6 months of treatment. Children in the Early Start Denver Model group made larger gains in cognitive and social skills after 3 and 6 months of treatment. The Early Start Denver Model group made larger gains in adaptive skills after 3 months of treatment. Our results are discussed in terms of implications for intervention research and clinical practice. Our study supports the positive impact of the Early Start Denver Model in a non-English-speaking community.

Adipose stem cells from chronic pancreatitis patients improve mouse and human islet survival and function.

PubMed

Song, Lili; Sun, Zhen; Kim, Do-Sung; Gou, Wenyu; Strange, Charlie; Dong, Huansheng; Cui, Wanxing; Gilkeson, Gary; Morgan, Katherine A; Adams, David B; Wang, Hongjun

2017-08-30

Chronic pancreatitis has surgical options including total pancreatectomy to control pain. To avoid surgical diabetes, the explanted pancreas can have islets harvested and transplanted. Immediately following total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT), many islet cells die due to isolation and transplantation stresses. The percentage of patients remaining insulin free after TP-IAT is therefore low. We determined whether cotransplantation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) from chronic pancreatitis patients (CP-ASCs) would protect islets after transplantation. In a marginal mass islet transplantation model, islets from C57BL/6 mice were cotransplanted with CP-ASCs into syngeneic streptozotocin-treated diabetic mice. Treatment response was defined by the percentage of recipients reaching normoglycemia, and by the area under the curve for glucose and c-peptide in a glucose tolerance test. Macrophage infiltration, β-cell apoptosis, and islet graft vasculature were measured in transplanted islet grafts by immunohistochemistry. mRNA expression profiling of 84 apoptosis-related genes in islet grafts transplanted alone or with CP-ASCs was measured by the RT 2 Profiler™ Apoptosis PCR Array. The impact of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on islet apoptosis was determined in islets stimulated with cytokines (IL-1β and IFN-γ) in the presence and absence of CP-ASC conditioned medium. CP-ASC-treated mice were more often normoglycemic compared to mice receiving islets alone. ASC cotransplantation reduced macrophage infiltration, β-cell death, suppressed expression of TNF-α and Bcl-2 modifying factor (BMF), and upregulated expressions of IGF-1 and TNF Receptor Superfamily Member 11b (TNFRSF11B) in islet grafts. Islets cultured in conditioned medium from CP-ASCs showed reduced cell death. This protective effect was diminished when IGF-1 was blocked in the conditioned medium by the anti-IGF-1 antibody. Cotransplantation of islets with ASCs from the adipose of chronic pancreatitis patients improved islet survival and islet function after transplantation. The effects are in part mediated by paracrine secretion of IGF-1, suppression of inflammation, and promotion of angiogenesis. ASCs from chronic pancreatitis patients have the potential to be used as a synergistic therapy to enhance the efficacy of islet transplantation following pancreatectomy.

Differences in change blindness to real-life scenes in adults with autism spectrum conditions.

PubMed

Ashwin, Chris; Wheelwright, Sally; Baron-Cohen, Simon

2017-01-01

People often fail to detect large changes to visual scenes following a brief interruption, an effect known as 'change blindness'. People with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) have superior attention to detail and better discrimination of targets, and often notice small details that are missed by others. Together these predict people with autism should show enhanced perception of changes in simple change detection paradigms, including reduced change blindness. However, change blindness studies to date have reported mixed results in ASC, which have sometimes included no differences to controls or even enhanced change blindness. Attenuated change blindness has only been reported to date in ASC in children and adolescents, with no study reporting reduced change blindness in adults with ASC. The present study used a change blindness flicker task to investigate the detection of changes in images of everyday life in adults with ASC (n = 22) and controls (n = 22) using a simple change detection task design and full range of original scenes as stimuli. Results showed the adults with ASC had reduced change blindness compared to adult controls for changes to items of marginal interest in scenes, with no group difference for changes to items of central interest. There were no group differences in overall response latencies to correctly detect changes nor in the overall number of missed detections in the experiment. However, the ASC group showed greater missed changes for marginal interest changes of location, showing some evidence of greater change blindness as well. These findings show both reduced change blindness to marginal interest changes in ASC, based on response latencies, as well as greater change blindness to changes of location of marginal interest items, based on detection rates. The findings of reduced change blindness are consistent with clinical reports that people with ASC often notice small changes to less salient items within their environment, and are in-line with theories of enhanced local processing and greater attention to detail in ASC. The findings of lower detection rates for one of the marginal interest conditions may be related to problems in shifting attention or an overly focused attention spotlight.

Oral vitamin C enhances the adrenergic vasoconstrictor response to local cooling in human skin.

PubMed

Yamazaki, Fumio

2012-05-01

Local administration of ascorbic acid (Asc) at a supraphysiological concentration inhibits the cutaneous vasoconstrictor response to local cooling (LC). However, whether orally ingesting Asc inhibits the LC-induced vasoconstrictor response remains unknown. The purpose of the present study was to examine the acute influence of oral Asc on the adrenergic vasoconstrictor response to LC in human skin. In experiment 1, skin blood flow (SkBF) was measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry at three sites (forearm, calf, palm). The three skin sites were locally cooled from 34 to 24°C at -1°C/min and maintained at 24°C for 20 min before (Pre) and 1.5 h after (Post) oral Asc (2-g single dose) or placebo supplementation. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated as the ratio of SkBF to blood pressure and expressed relative to the baseline value before LC. Oral Asc enhanced (P < 0.05) the reductions in CVC in the forearm (Pre, -50.3 ± 3.3%; Post, -57.8 ± 2.2%), calf (Pre, -52.6 ± 3.7%; Post, -66.1 ± 4.3%), and palm (Pre, -46.2 ± 6.2%; Post, -60.4 ± 5.6%) during LC. The placebo did not change the responses at any site. In experiment 2, to examine whether the increased vasoconstrictor response caused by oral Asc is due to the adrenergic system, the release of neurotransmitters from adrenergic nerves in forearm skin was blocked locally by iontophoresis of bretylium tosylate (BT). Oral Asc enhanced (P < 0.05) the reductions in CVC at untreated control sites but did not change the responses at BT-treated sites during LC. In experiment 3, to further examine whether adrenergically mediated vasoconstriction is enhanced by oral Asc, 0.1 mM tyramine was administered using intradermal microdialysis in the forearm skin at 34°C in the Pre and Post periods. Oral Asc increased (P < 0.05) the tyramine-induced reduction in CVC. These findings suggest that oral Asc acutely enhances the cutaneous vasoconstrictor responses to LC through the modification of adrenergic sympathetic mechanisms.

Autonomous osteogenic differentiation of hASCs encapsulated in methacrylated gellan-gum hydrogels.

PubMed

Oliveira, Mariana B; Custódio, Catarina A; Gasperini, Luca; Reis, Rui L; Mano, João F

2016-09-01

Methacrylated gellan-gum (GG-MA) alone and combined with collagen type I (Coll) is suggested here for the first time as a cell-laden injectable biomaterial for bone regeneration. On-chip high-throughput studies allowed rapidly assessing the suitability of 15 biomaterials/media combinations for the osteodifferentiation of human adipose stem cells (hASCs). Hydrogels composed solely of GG-MA (GG100:0Coll) led hASCs from three different donors into the osteogenic lineage after 21days of cell culture, in the absence of any osteogenic or osteoconductive factors. Hydrogels containing more than 30% of Coll promoted increased cellular proliferation and led hASCs into osteogenic differentiation under basal conditions. Studies using isolated individual hydrogels - excluding eventual on-chip crosstalk - and standard biochemical assays corroborated such findings. The formation of focal adhesions of hASCs on GG100:0Coll hydrogels was verified. We hypothesize that the hydrogels osteogenic effect could be guided by mechanotransduction phenomena. Indeed, the hydrogels showed elastic modulus in ranges previously reported as osteoinductive and the inhibition of the actin-myosin contractility pathway impaired hASCs' osteodifferentiation. GG-MA hydrogels also did not promote hASCs' adipogenesis while used in basal conditions. Overall, GG-MA showed promising properties as an innovative and off-the shelf self-inducing osteogenic injectable biomaterial. Methacrylated gellan gum (GG-MA) is here suggested for the first time as a widely available polysaccharide to easily prepare hydrogels with cell adhesion properties and capability of inducing the autonomous osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs). GG-MA was processed as stand-alone hydrogels or in different combinations with collage type I. All hydrogel formulations elicited the osteogenic differentiation of hASCs, independently of the addition of any osteoconductive or osteogenic stimuli, i.e. in basal/growth medium. Effective cellular adhesion to methacrylated gellan gum hydrogels in the absence of any cell-ligand peptide/protein was here proved for the first time. Moreover, we showed that the encapsulated hASCs underwent osteogenic differentiation due to a mechanotransduction phenomenon dependent on the actin-myosin contractility pathway. Copyright © 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

77 FR 64809 - Announcement of the Award of a Single-Source Replacement Grant to the University of Colorado...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-23

... Denver, Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse & Neglect AGENCY: Children's Bureau... Colorado Denver, Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse & Neglect. SUMMARY: The..., Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse & Neglect (Kempe Center), Denver, CO, an...

78 FR 52477 - Promulgation of State Implementation Plan Revisions; Revision to Prevention of Significant...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-23

...), Region 8, Mail Code 8P-AR, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. Hand Delivery: Director, Air Program, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8, Mail Code 8P-AR, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver... Agency (EPA), Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. EPA requests that if at all...

Strategic Pay Reform: A Student Outcomes-Based Evaluation of Denver's ProComp Teacher Pay Initiative

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goldhaber, Dan; Walch, Joe

2012-01-01

Denver Public Schools utilizes one of the nation's highest profile alternative teacher compensation systems, and a key element of Denver's Professional Compensation System for Teachers (ProComp) is pay for performance. This study analyzes the student achievement implications of ProComp utilizing matched student- and teacher-level data from 2003 to…

76 FR 27622 - Approval and Promulgation of State Implementation Plan Revisions; Infrastructure Requirements for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-12

...), Region 8, Mail Code 8P-AR, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. Hand Delivery: Director, Air Program, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8, Mail Code 8P-AR, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver..., Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. EPA requests that if at all possible, you contact the individual listed in...

Great Expectations, Mixed Results: Standards and Performance in Denver's New Public Schools, 2007-2011

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ooms, Alexander

2012-01-01

In conjunction with the Denver Plan instituted in 2005, Denver Public Schools (DPS) has embarked upon a consistent strategy of opening new schools in an effort to improve overall academic performance. DPS has pursued this strategy under several different paths: an annual request for proposals from charter school applicants; allowing current…

OUTLOOK BY DENVER AREA OCCUPATIONS. OCCUPATIONS IN COLORADO, PART II.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colorado State Univ., Ft. Collins.

EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR 1960, ESTIMATED EMPLOYMENT FOR 1965 AND 1970, ESTIMATES OF ADDITIONAL WORKERS NEEDED BY 1970, AND SALARY INFORMATION ARE PROVIDED FOR A WIDE RANGE OF OCCUPATIONS IN THE DENVER AREA. DATA WERE OBTAINED FROM A DENVER STUDY, "JOBS AND THE FUTURE," BY ROBERT VAUGHAN OF THE MOUNTAIN STATES TELEPHONE CO., 1962, AND…

78 FR 21408 - Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-10

..., Washington, DC, and the University of Denver Department of Anthropology and Museum of Anthropology, Denver... Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the University of Denver Department of Anthropology and Museum of... Indian Affairs at the address in this notice by May 10, 2013. ADDRESSES: Anna Pardo, Museum Program...

Library Spaces for Urban, Diverse Commuter Students: A Participatory Action Research Project

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown-Sica, Margaret S.

2012-01-01

A data-gathering project using elements of Participatory Action Research was conducted at the Auraria Library, which serves the University of Colorado Denver, the Metropolitan State College of Denver and the Community College of Denver. The project was administered in order to shape a plan to develop a Learning Commons environment at the library.…

Comparison of human platelet lysate alternatives using expired and freshly isolated platelet concentrates for adipose-derived stromal cell expansion.

PubMed

Dessels, Carla; Durandt, Chrisna; Pepper, Michael S

2018-03-19

Pooled human platelet lysate (pHPL) has been used to expand adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) and can be formulated using fresh or expired buffy coats (BCs) which are then resuspended in either plasma or an additive solution. Not much is known about the effects that expired products and additive solutions have on ASC expansion, and the need for quality control and release criteria has been expressed. This pilot study compared proliferation, cell size, morphology and immunophenotype of ASCs expanded in the different pHPL alternatives versus foetal bovine serum (FBS). Quality control criteria were assessed prior to and during the manufacture of the pHPL alternatives. ASCs were then expanded in 1%, 2.5%, 5% or 10% of the different pHPL alternatives or in 10% FBS. Cell size, morphology, cell number and immunophenotype were measured using microscopy and flow cytometry. The majority of the pHPL alternatives were within the recommended ranges for the quality control criteria. ASCs expanded in the pHPL alternatives were smaller in size, displayed a tighter spindle-shaped morphology, increased cell growth and had a similar immunophenotype (with the exception of CD34 and CD36) when compared to ASCs expanded in FBS. Here we report on the effects that expired BC products and additive solutions have on ASC expansion. When taken together, our findings indicate that all of the pHPL alternatives can be considered to be suitable replacements for FBS for ASC expansion, and that expired BC products can be used as an alternative to fresh BC products.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-9–Null Mice Are Resistant to TGF-β–Induced Anterior Subcapsular Cataract Formation

PubMed Central

Korol, Anna; Pino, Giuseppe; Dwivedi, Dhruva; Robertson, Jennifer V.; Deschamps, Paula A.; West-Mays, Judith A.

2015-01-01

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with fibrotic diseases in the lens, such as anterior subcapsular cataract (ASC) formation. Often mediated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, EMT in the lens involves the transformation of lens epithelial cells into a multilayering of myofibroblasts, which manifest as plaques beneath the lens capsule. TGF-β–induced EMT and ASC have been associated with the up-regulation of two matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs): MMP-2 and MMP-9. The current study used MMP-2 and MMP-9 knockout (KO) mice to further determine their unique roles in TGF-β–induced ASC formation. Adenoviral injection of active TGF-β1 into the anterior chamber of all wild-type and MMP-2 KO mice led to the formation of distinct ASC plaques that were positive for α-smooth muscle actin, a marker of EMT. In contrast, only a small proportion of the MMP-9 KO eyes injected with adenovirus-expressing TGF-β1 exhibited ASC plaques. Isolated lens epithelial explants from wild-type and MMP-2 KO mice that were treated with TGF-β exhibited features indicative of EMT, whereas those from MMP-9 KO mice did not acquire a mesenchymal phenotype. MMP-9 KO mice were further bred onto a TGF-β1 transgenic mouse line that exhibits severe ASC formation, but shows a resistance to ASC formation in the absence of MMP-9. These findings suggest that MMP-9 expression is more critical than MMP-2 in mediating TGF-β–induced ASC formation. PMID:24814605

Reduced Volume of the Arcuate Fasciculus in Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Conditions

PubMed Central

Moseley, Rachel L.; Correia, Marta M.; Baron-Cohen, Simon; Shtyrov, Yury; Pulvermüller, Friedemann; Mohr, Bettina

2016-01-01

Atypical language is a fundamental feature of autism spectrum conditions (ASC), but few studies have examined the structural integrity of the arcuate fasciculus, the major white matter tract connecting frontal and temporal language regions, which is usually implicated as the main transfer route used in processing linguistic information by the brain. Abnormalities in the arcuate have been reported in young children with ASC, mostly in low-functioning or non-verbal individuals, but little is known regarding the structural properties of the arcuate in adults with ASC or, in particular, in individuals with ASC who have intact language, such as those with high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome. We used probabilistic tractography of diffusion-weighted imaging to isolate and scrutinize the arcuate in a mixed-gender sample of 18 high-functioning adults with ASC (17 Asperger syndrome) and 14 age- and IQ-matched typically developing controls. Arcuate volume was significantly reduced bilaterally with clearest differences in the right hemisphere. This finding remained significant in an analysis of all male participants alone. Volumetric reduction in the arcuate was significantly correlated with the severity of autistic symptoms as measured by the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. These data reveal that structural differences are present even in high-functioning adults with ASC, who presented with no clinically manifest language deficits and had no reported developmental language delay. Arcuate structural integrity may be useful as an index of ASC severity and thus as a predictor and biomarker for ASC. Implications for future research are discussed. PMID:27242478

Acute stress among adolescents and female rape victims measured by ASC-Kids: a pilot study.

PubMed

Nilsson, Doris; Nordenstam, Carin; Green, Sara; Wetterhall, Annika; Lundin, Tom; Svedin, Carl Göran

2015-01-01

Rape is considered a stressful trauma and often with durable consequences. How the aftermath of rape is for young adolescents' girls considering acute stress is an overlooked field and remains to be studied. In this study, we wanted to investigate acute stress among adolescent victims of rape and the psychometric properties of the Acute Stress Checklist for Children (ASC-Kids). A clinical sample (n = 79) of raped girls, 13-17 years old who had turned to a special rape victim unit for treatment, answered the ASC-Kids. ASC-Kids was also given to a group of minor stressed, non-raped adolescents in the same age range (n = 154) together with the University of California at Los Angeles Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD RI), and the Sense of Coherence Scale 13 (SOC-13). The scores from the groups were compared and showed significant differences in mean values on all the diagnostic criteria of acute stress disorder. In the clinical group, 36.7% obtained full ASD criteria. ASC-Kids could discriminate well between groups. Cronbach's alpha was found to be excellent, and the correlation between the UCLA PTSD RI and ASC-Kids found to be good; both ASC-Kids and UCLA PTSD RI had a good and moderate negative correlation with SOC-13. Adolescent female rape victims were shown to have a very high level of acute stress, and the ASC-Kids was found to have sound psychometrics and can be a valuable screening instrument to support clinicians in their assessments of an indication of adolescents after potentially stressful events such as rape.

Protective effect of gallic acid and Syzygium cumini extract against oxidative stress-induced cellular injury in human lymphocytes.

PubMed

De Bona, Karine Santos; Bonfanti, Gabriela; Bitencourt, Paula Eliete Rodrigues; da Silva, Thainan Paz; Borges, Raphaela Maleski; Boligon, Aline; Pigatto, Aline; Athayde, Margareth Lynde; Moretto, Maria Beatriz

2016-01-01

Syzygium cumini (Myrtaceae) presents antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and antibacterial effects; however, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action in the immune system are not yet completely elucidated. This study evaluates the in vitro effect of gallic acid and aqueous S. cumini leaf extract (ASc) on adenosine deaminase (ADA) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) activities, cell viability and oxidative stress parameters in lymphocytes exposed to 2, 2'-azobis-2-amidinopropane dihydrochloride (AAPH). Lymphocytes were incubated with ASc (100 and 500 µg/ml) and gallic acid (50 and 200 µM) at 37 °C for 30 min followed by incubation with AAPH (1 mM) at 37 °C for 2 h. After the incubation time, the lymphocytes were used for determinations of ADA, DPP-IV and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, lipid peroxidation, protein thiol (P-SH) group levels and cellular viability by colorimetric methods. (i) HPLC fingerprinting of ASc revealed the presence of catechin, epicatechin, rutin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, quercetin, kaempferol and chlorogenic, caffeic, gallic and ellagic acids; (ii) for the first time, ASc reduced the AAPH-induced increase in ADA activity, but no effect was observed on DPP-IV activity; (iii) ASc increased P-SH groups and cellular viability and decreased LDH activity, but was not able to reduce the AAPH-induced lipid peroxidation; (iv) gallic acid showed less protective effects than ASc. ASc affects the purinergic system and may modulate adenosine levels, indicating that the extract of this plant exhibits immunomodulatory properties. ASc also may potentially prevent the cellular injury induced by oxidative stress, highlighting its cytoprotective effects.

Hypoxia enhances the wound-healing potential of adipose-derived stem cells in a novel human primary keratinocyte-based scratch assay.

PubMed

Riis, Simone; Newman, Rhonda; Ipek, Hilal; Andersen, Jens I; Kuninger, David; Boucher, Shayne; Vemuri, Mohan C; Pennisi, Cristian P; Zachar, Vladimir; Fink, Trine

2017-03-01

Preclinical studies have suggested that paracrine factors from adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) promote the healing of chronic wounds, and that the exposure of ASCs to hypoxia enhances their wound healing effect. To aid the translation of these findings into clinical use, robust wound models are necessary to explore each aspect of wound healing. The aspect of re-epithelization is often studied in a scratch assay based on transformed keratinocytes. However, there are concerns regarding the validity of this model, since these cell lines differ from normal keratinocytes, both in terms of proliferative capacity and differentiation, and sensitivity to environmental cues. In this study, the main challenge of using primary keratinocytes to examine the effects of ASCs was identified to be their different requirements for calcium in the culture media. We confirmed that a high calcium content led to morphological and cytoskeletal changes in primary keratinocytes, and demonstrated that a low calcium content compromised the growth of ASCs. We found that it is possible to perform the wound healing assay with primary keratinocytes, if the conditioned media from the ASCs is dialyzed to reduce the calcium concentration. Additionally, using this model of re-epithelization, conditioned media from normoxic ASCs was shown to markedly increase the rate of wound closure by primary keratinocytes, and this effect was significantly enhanced with media from the hypoxia-exposed ASCs. These findings, which are in line with the observations from previous in vivo studies, highlight the validity of this modified assay to investigate the wound healing properties of ASCs in vitro.

Geologic sources and concentrations of selenium in the West-Central Denver Basin, including the Toll Gate Creek watershed, Aurora, Colorado, 2003-2007

USGS Publications Warehouse

Paschke, Suzanne S.; Walton-Day, Katherine; Beck, Jennifer A.; Webbers, Ank; Dupree, Jean A.

2014-01-01

Toll Gate Creek, in the west-central part of the Denver Basin, is a perennial stream in which concentrations of dissolved selenium have consistently exceeded the Colorado aquatic-life standard of 4.6 micrograms per liter. Recent studies of selenium in Toll Gate Creek identified the Denver lignite zone of the non-marine Cretaceous to Tertiary-aged (Paleocene) Denver Formation underlying the watershed as the geologic source of dissolved selenium to shallow ground-water and surface water. Previous work led to this study by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Aurora Utilities Department, which investigated geologic sources of selenium and selenium concentrations in the watershed. This report documents the occurrence of selenium-bearing rocks and groundwater within the Cretaceous- to Tertiary-aged Denver Formation in the west-central part of the Denver Basin, including the Toll Gate Creek watershed. The report presents background information on geochemical processes controlling selenium concentrations in the aquatic environment and possible geologic sources of selenium; the hydrogeologic setting of the watershed; selenium results from groundwater-sampling programs; and chemical analyses of solids samples as evidence that weathering of the Denver Formation is a geologic source of selenium to groundwater and surface water in the west-central part of the Denver Basin, including Toll Gate Creek. Analyses of water samples collected from 61 water-table wells in 2003 and from 19 water-table wells in 2007 indicate dissolved selenium concentrations in groundwater in the west-central Denver Basin frequently exceeded the Colorado aquatic-life standard and in some locations exceeded the primary drinking-water standard of 50 micrograms per liter. The greatest selenium concentrations were associated with oxidized groundwater samples from wells completed in bedrock materials. Selenium analysis of geologic core samples indicates that total selenium concentrations were greatest in samples containing indications of reducing conditions and organic matter (dark gray to black claystones and lignite horizons). The Toll Gate Creek watershed is situated in a unique hydrogeologic setting in the west-central part of the Denver Basin such that weathering of Cretaceous- to Tertiary-aged, non-marine, selenium-bearing rocks releases selenium to groundwater and surface water under present-day semi-arid environmental conditions. The Denver Formation contains several known and suspected geologic sources of selenium including: (1) lignite deposits; (2) tonstein partings; (3) organic-rich bentonite claystones; (4) salts formed as secondary weathering products; and possibly (5) the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary. Organically complexed selenium and/or selenium-bearing pyrite in the enclosing claystones are likely the primary mineral sources of selenium in the Denver Formation, and correlations between concentration of dissolved selenium and dissolved organic carbon in groundwater indicate weathering and dissolution of organically complexed selenium from organic-rich claystone is a primary process mobilizing selenium. Secondary salts accumulated along fractures and bedding planes in the weathered zone are another potential geologic source of selenium, although their composition was not specifically addressed by the solids analyses. Results from this and previous work indicate that shallow groundwater and streams similarly positioned over Denver Formation claystone units at other locations in the Denver Basin also may contain concentrations of dissolved selenium greater than the Colorado aquatic-life standard or the drinking- water standard.

The endothelial cell secretome as a novel treatment to prime adipose-derived stem cells for improved wound healing in diabetes.

PubMed

Fromer, Marc W; Chang, Shaohua; Hagaman, Ashleigh L R; Koko, Kiavash R; Nolan, Ryan S; Zhang, Ping; Brown, Spencer A; Carpenter, Jeffrey P; Caputo, Francis J

2017-07-28

Chronic wounds are a common surgical problem exacerbated by diabetes and ischemia. Although adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have shown promise as a wound healing therapy, their function and proliferation are hindered in diabetes. This study examines the ability of the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) secretome to reverse the deleterious effects of high glucose concentrations on ASCs through priming, thereby enhancing their ability to participate in angiogenesis and wound healing. Institutional review board-approved human ASCs were cultured in M199 medium with or without glucose (30 mmol/L). HUVEC were grown in 30 mmol/L glucose-containing M199 medium; the resulting conditioned medium (HUVEC-CM) was collected every 3 days and used to prime ASCs. An aliquot of HUVEC-CM was heated (85°C for 30 minutes) to produce thermal denaturation of protein. Viability, proliferation, and endothelial differentiation were measured by MTT assays, growth curves, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. A Matrigel assay was used to assess the ability of primed ASCs to participate in capillary-like tube formation. An Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee-approved in vivo murine model of diabetic and ischemic hindlimbs was used to evaluate the angiogenic potential of primed stem cells. Human ASCs were cultured with either control M199 or HUVEC-CM. Mice were randomized to a control group, an unprimed ASC group, or a HUVEC-primed ASC group. Cellular therapies were injected into the ischemic muscle. Thirty days later, slides were made. Microvessels were counted by three blinded observers. MTT assays revealed that HUVEC-priming induced a 1.5 times increase in cell viability over diabetic controls. This promoting effect was lost with heated HUVEC-CM (P < .001), indicating that the active molecules are of protein origin. After 9 days, ASCs cultured in 30 mmol/L glucose solution showed a 14% reduction in growth from nondiabetic controls (P = .013) and exhibited atrophic morphology. Conversely, diabetic HUVEC-primed stem cells demonstrated a nearly four-fold increase in proliferation (P < .05) and took on a fusiform, endothelial-like phenotype. Polymerase chain reaction demonstrated enhanced expression of CD31 messenger RNA by 4.7-fold after 14 days in the HUVEC-primed group, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase messenger RNA messenger RNA was increased 20.1-fold from controls. Unlike unprimed controls, HUVEC-primed ASCs readily formed capillary-like tube networks on Matrigel. Diabetic mice that were injected with HUVEC-primed ASCs demonstrated greater vessel density than both controls (2.1-fold) and unprimed stem cell treatments (P < .001). HUVECs secrete protein factors that significantly increase proliferation and endothelial differentiation of ASCs under diabetic conditions. Injection of ischemic hindlimbs in diabetic mice with HUVEC-primed ASCs leads to enhanced angiogenesis. Copyright © 2017 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Taste Identification in Adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tavassoli, T.; Baron-Cohen, S.

2012-01-01

Sensory issues are widely reported in Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Since taste perception is one of the least studied senses in ASC we explored taste identification in adults with ASC (12 males, 11 females) compared to control participants (14 males, 12 females). "Taste strips" were used to measure taste identification overall, as well as…

Time Perception and Its Relationship to Memory in Autism Spectrum Conditions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maister, Lara; Plaisted-Grant, Kate C.

2011-01-01

Timing is essential for the development of cognitive skills known to be impaired in Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), such as social cognition and episodic memory abilities. Despite the proposal that timing impairments may underpin core features of ASC, few studies have examined temporal processing in ASC and they have produced conflicting…

Acting: An Altered State of Consciousness.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scheiffele, Eberhard

2001-01-01

Uses notions from the field Psychology of Consciousness, including an explanation of how psychologists define and investigate Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs). Argues that actors routinely enter an ASC. Establishes acting as a way to enter an ASC and discusses why theater artists, educators, and advocates need to be aware of both the dangers…

18 CFR 35.31 - Commission review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... determine whether the ASC set by BPA for the applicable exchange period was determined in accordance with... Commission will order that BPA amend the ASC to conform with the methodology. If the ASC is in accord with... by the Commission will be at the rate charged to BPA by the U.S. Treasury during that period, unless...

18 CFR 35.31 - Commission review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... determine whether the ASC set by BPA for the applicable exchange period was determined in accordance with... Commission will order that BPA amend the ASC to conform with the methodology. If the ASC is in accord with... by the Commission will be at the rate charged to BPA by the U.S. Treasury during that period, unless...

18 CFR 35.31 - Commission review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... determine whether the ASC set by BPA for the applicable exchange period was determined in accordance with... Commission will order that BPA amend the ASC to conform with the methodology. If the ASC is in accord with... by the Commission will be at the rate charged to BPA by the U.S. Treasury during that period, unless...

18 CFR 35.31 - Commission review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... determine whether the ASC set by BPA for the applicable exchange period was determined in accordance with... Commission will order that BPA amend the ASC to conform with the methodology. If the ASC is in accord with... by the Commission will be at the rate charged to BPA by the U.S. Treasury during that period, unless...

18 CFR 35.31 - Commission review.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... determine whether the ASC set by BPA for the applicable exchange period was determined in accordance with... Commission will order that BPA amend the ASC to conform with the methodology. If the ASC is in accord with... by the Commission will be at the rate charged to BPA by the U.S. Treasury during that period, unless...

Brief Report: Discrimination of Foreign Speech Pitch and Autistic Traits in Non-Clinical Population

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Iao, Lai-Sang; Wippich, Anna; Lam, Yu Hin

2018-01-01

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) are widely suggested to show enhanced perceptual discrimination but inconsistent findings have been reported for pitch discrimination. Given the high variability in ASC, this study investigated whether ASC traits were correlated with pitch discrimination in an undergraduate sample when musical and…

Engineering for Sustainable Development and the Common Good

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelly, William E.

2006-01-01

In 1994, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) updated its Code of Ethics to include specific statements on sustainable development and at about the same time, 1994, ASCE adopted its Policy 418 on sustainable development. Sustainable development as defined by ASCE "is the challenge of meeting human needs for natural resources, industrial…

77 FR 29001 - Medicare and Medicaid Program; Regulatory Provisions to Promote Program Efficiency, Transparency...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-16

... constructed after January 1, 2008. Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASC) Emergency Equipment: We have removed the detailed list of emergency equipment that must be available in an ASC's operating room. The current list includes outdated terminology as well as equipment that are not suitable for ASCs that furnish minor...

75 FR 65516 - ASC Machine Tools, Inc., Spokane Valley, WA; Notice of Affirmative Determination Regarding...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-25

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration [TA-W-72,971] ASC Machine Tools, Inc... workers and former workers of ASC Machine Tools, Inc., Spokane Valley, Washington (the subject firm). The... cut metal, including assembled equipment, component parts of equipment, and spare parts. The negative...

Structure and characteristics of acid and pepsin-solubilized collagens from the skin of cobia (Rachycentron canadum).

PubMed

Zeng, Shaokui; Yin, Juanjuan; Yang, Shuqi; Zhang, Chaohua; Yang, Ping; Wu, Wenlong

2012-12-01

Acid-solubilized collagen (ASC) and pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) were extracted from the skin of cobia (Rachycentron canadum). The yields of ASC and PSC were 35.5% and 12.3%, respectively. Based on the protein patterns and carboxymethyl-cellulose chromatography, ASC and PSC were composed of α1α2α3 heterotrimers and were characterised as type I collagen with no disulfide bond. Their amounts of imino acids were 203 and 191 residues per 1000 residues, respectively. LC-MS/MS analysis demonstrated the high sequences similarities of ASC and PSC. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra showed that the amide I, II and III peaks of PSC were obtained at a lower wave number compared with ASC. The thermal denaturation temperatures of ASC and PSC, as measured by viscometry, were 34.62 and 33.97°C, respectively. The transition temperatures (T(max)) were 38.17 and 36.03°C, respectively, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Both collagens were soluble at acidic pH and below 2% (w/v) NaCl concentration. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Noncoding origins of anthropoid traits and a new null model of transposon functionalization

PubMed Central

del Rosario, Ricardo C.H.; Rayan, Nirmala Arul

2014-01-01

Little is known about novel genetic elements that drove the emergence of anthropoid primates. We exploited the sequencing of the marmoset genome to identify 23,849 anthropoid-specific constrained (ASC) regions and confirmed their robust functional signatures. Of the ASC base pairs, 99.7% were noncoding, suggesting that novel anthropoid functional elements were overwhelmingly cis-regulatory. ASCs were highly enriched in loci associated with fetal brain development, motor coordination, neurotransmission, and vision, thus providing a large set of candidate elements for exploring the molecular basis of hallmark primate traits. We validated ASC192 as a primate-specific enhancer in proliferative zones of the developing brain. Unexpectedly, transposable elements (TEs) contributed to >56% of ASCs, and almost all TE families showed functional potential similar to that of nonrepetitive DNA. Three L1PA repeat-derived ASCs displayed coherent eye-enhancer function, thus demonstrating that the “gene-battery” model of TE functionalization applies to enhancers in vivo. Our study provides fundamental insights into genome evolution and the origins of anthropoid phenotypes and supports an elegantly simple new null model of TE exaptation. PMID:25043600

[Related issues in clinical translational application of adipose-derived stem cells].

PubMed

Liu, Hongwei; Cheng, Biao; Fu, Xiaobing

2012-10-01

To introduce the related issues in the clinical translational application of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). The latest papers were extensively reviewed, concerning the issues of ASCs production, management, transportation, use, and safety during clinical application. ASCs, as a new member of adult stem cells family, bring to wide application prospect in the field of regenerative medicine. Over 40 clinical trials using ASCs conducted in 15 countries have been registered on the website (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), suggesting that ASCs represents a promising approach to future cell-based therapies. In the clinical translational application, the related issues included the quality control standard that management and production should follow, the prevention measures of pathogenic microorganism pollution, the requirements of enzymes and related reagent in separation process, possible effect of donor site, age, and sex in sampling, low temperature storage, product transportation, and safety. ASCs have the advantage of clinical translational application, much attention should be paid to these issues in clinical application to accelerate the clinical translation process.

Adipose Tissue as a Strategic Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Bone Regeneration: A Topical Review on the Most Promising Craniomaxillofacial Applications

PubMed Central

Marrelli, Massimo; Amantea, Massimiliano; Rengo, Carlo; Rengo, Sandro; Goldberg, Michel; Spagnuolo, Gianrico

2017-01-01

Bone regeneration in craniomaxillofacial surgery represents an issue that involves both surgical and aesthetic aspects. The most recent studies on bone tissue engineering involving adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) have clearly demonstrated that such cells can play a crucial role in the treatment of craniomaxillofacial defects, given their strong commitment towards the osteogenic phenotype. A deeper knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying ASCs is crucial for a correct understanding of the potentialities of ASCs-based therapies in the most complex maxillofacial applications. In this topical review, we analyzed the molecular mechanisms of ASCs related to their support toward angiogenesis and osteogenesis, during bone regeneration. Moreover, we analyzed both case reports and clinical trials reporting the most promising clinical applications of ASCs in the treatment of craniomaxillofacial defects. Our study aimed to report the main molecular and clinical features shown by ASCs, used as a therapeutic support in bone engineering, as compared to the use of conventional autologous and allogeneic bone grafts. PMID:29027958

Groundwater availability of the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado

USGS Publications Warehouse

Paschke, Suzanne

2011-01-01

The Denver Basin aquifer system is a critical water resource for growing municipal, industrial, and domestic uses along the semiarid Front Range urban corridor of Colorado. The confined bedrock aquifer system is located along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountain Front Range where the mountains meet the Great Plains physiographic province. Continued population growth and the resulting need for additional water supplies in the Denver Basin and throughout the western United States emphasize the need to continually monitor and reassess the availability of groundwater resources. In 2004, the U.S. Geological Survey initiated large-scale regional studies to provide updated groundwater-availability assessments of important principal aquifers across the United States, including the Denver Basin. This study of the Denver Basin aquifer system evaluates the hydrologic effects of continued pumping and documents an updated groundwater flow model useful for appraisal of hydrologic conditions.

78 FR 46552 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; State of Colorado; Second Ten-Year...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-01

...) section 175A(b) second 10-year maintenance plan for the Colorado Springs area for the carbon monoxide (CO... the CO NAAQS for a second 10-year period beyond the original redesignation. This action is being taken..., Region 8, Mailcode 8P-AR, 1595 Wynkoop Street Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. Hand Delivery: Carl Daly...

78 FR 46861 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; State of Colorado; Second Ten-Year...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-02

...) section 175A(b) second 10-year maintenance plan for the Greeley area for the carbon monoxide (CO) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This limited maintenance plan (LMP) addresses maintenance of the CO..., Mailcode 8P-AR, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. Hand Delivery: Carl Daly, Director, Air...

Annual NASSGP/NCHELP Research Network Conference Proceedings (5th, Denver, Colorado, May 25-27, 1988).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Webster, Jeff, Ed.

This volume presents papers from a 1988 conference on collegiate student financial aid which focused on trends in the cost of higher education, student loan defaults, trends in borrowing, the impact of congressional legislation, and state-level financial aid research. The papers are grouped in five sections corresponding to the five topics, and…

Androgens inhibit adipogenesis during human adipose stem cell commitment to predipocyte formation

PubMed Central

Chazenbalk, Gregorio; Singh, Prapti; Irge, Dana; Shah, Amy; Abbott, David H; Dumesic, Daniel A

2013-01-01

Androgens play a pivotal role in the regulation of body fat distribution. Adipogenesis is a process whereby multipotent adipose stem cells (ASCs) initially become preadipocytes (ASC commitment to preadipocytes) before differentiating into adipocytes. Androgens inhibit human (h) subcutaneous (SC) abdominal preadipocyte differentiation in both sexes, but their effects on hASC commitment to preadipocyte formation is unknown. We therefore examined whether androgen exposure to human (h) ASCs, isolated from SC abdominal adipose of nonobese women, impairs their commitment to preadipocyte formation and/or subsequent differentiation into adipocytes. For this, isolated hASCs from SC abdominal lipoaspirate were cultured in adipogenesis-inducing medium for 0.5–14 days in the presence of testosterone (T, 0–100 nM) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT, 0–50 nM). Adipogenesis was determined by immunofluorescence microscopy and by quantification of adipogenically relevant transcriptional factors, PPARγ, C/EBPα and C/EBPβ. We found that a 3-day exposure of hASCs to T (50 nM) or DHT (5 nM) in adipogenesis-inducing medium impaired lipid acquisition and decreased PPARγ, C/EBPα and C/EBPβ gene expression. The inhibitory effects of T and DHT at this early-stage of adipocyte differentiation, were partially and completely reversed by flutamide (F, 100 nM), respectively. The effect of androgens on hASC commitment to a preadipocyte phenotype was examined via activation of BMP4 signaling. T (50 nM) and DHT (5nM) significantly inhibited the stimulatory effect of BMP4-induced ASC commitment to the preadipocyte phenotype, as regards PPARγ and C/EBPα gene expression. Our findings indicate that androgens, in part through androgen receptor action, impair BMP4-induced commitment of SC hASCs to preadipocytes and also reduce early-stage adipocyte differentiation, perhaps limiting adipocyte numbers and fat storage in SC abdominal adipose. PMID:23707571

Small Radioisotope Power System Testing at NASA Glenn Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dugala, Gina; Bell, Mark; Oriti, Salvatore; Fraeman, Martin; Frankford, David; Duven, Dennis

2013-01-01

In April 2009, NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) formed an integrated product team (IPT) to develop a Small Radioisotope Power System (SRPS) utilizing a single Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) with passive balancer. A single ASC produces approximately 80 We making this system advantageous for small distributed lunar science stations. The IPT consists of Sunpower, Inc., to provide the single ASC with a passive balancer, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL) to design an engineering model Single Convertor Controller (SCC) for an ASC with a passive balancer, and NASA GRC to provide technical support to these tasks and to develop a simulated lunar lander test stand. The single ASC with a passive balancer, simulated lunar lander test stand, and SCC were delivered to GRC and were tested as a system. The testing sequence at GRC included SCC fault tolerance, integration, electromagnetic interference (EMI), vibration, and extended operation testing. The SCC fault tolerance test characterized the SCCs ability to handle various fault conditions, including high or low bus power consumption, total open load or short circuit, and replacing a failed SCC card while the backup maintains control of the ASC. The integrated test characterized the behavior of the system across a range of operating conditions, including variations in cold-end temperature and piston amplitude, including the emitted vibration to both the sensors on the lunar lander and the lunar surface. The EMI test characterized the AC and DC magnetic and electric fields emitted by the SCC and single ASC. The vibration test confirms the SCCs ability to control the single ASC during launch. The extended operation test allows data to be collected over a period of thousands of hours to obtain long term performance data of the ASC with a passive balancer and the SCC. This paper will discuss the results of each of these tests.

Adiponectin enhances osteogenic differentiation in human adipose-derived stem cells by activating the APPL1-AMPK signaling pathway

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Tong; Wu, Yu-wei; Lu, Hui

Human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) are multipotent progenitor cells with multi-lineage differentiation potential including osteogenesis and adipogenesis. While significant progress has been made in understanding the transcriptional control of hASC fate, little is known about how hASC differentiation is regulated by the autocrine loop. The most abundant adipocytokine secreted by adipocytes, adiponectin (APN) plays a pivotal role in glucose metabolism and energy homeostasis. Growing evidence suggests a positive association between APN and bone formation yet little is known regarding the direct effects of APN on hASC osteogenesis. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the varied osteogenic effects and regulatorymore » mechanisms of APN in the osteogenic commitment of hASCs. We found that APN enhanced the expression of osteoblast-related genes in hASCs, such as osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, and runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2, also known as CBFa1), in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This was further confirmed by the higher expression levels of alkaline phosphatase and increased formation of mineralization nodules, along with the absence of inhibition of cell proliferation. Importantly, APN at 1 μg/ml was the optimal concentration, resulting in maximum deposition of calcium nodules, and was significant superior to bone morphogenetic protein 2. Mechanistically, we found for the first time that APN increased nuclear translocation of the leucine zipper motif (APPL)-1 as well as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, which were reversed by pretreatment with APPL1 siRNA. Our results indicate that APN promotes the osteogenic differentiation of hASCs by activating APPL1-AMPK signaling, suggesting that manipulation of APN is a novel therapeutic target for controlling hASC fate. - Highlights: • Adiponectin enhances osteogenic differentiation in human adipose-derived stem cells. • The knock-down of APPL1 block the enhancement of osteogenic differentiation in hASC. • AMPK signaling cascade is activated by adiponectin through APPL1.« less

Predicting the Individual Risk of Acute Severe Colitis at Diagnosis.

PubMed

Cesarini, Monica; Collins, Gary S; Rönnblom, Anders; Santos, Antonieta; Wang, Lai Mun; Sjöberg, Daniel; Parkes, Miles; Keshav, Satish; Travis, Simon P L

2017-03-01

Acute severe colitis [ASC] is associated with major morbidity. We aimed to develop and externally validate an index that predicted ASC within 3 years of diagnosis. The development cohort included patients aged 16-89 years, diagnosed with ulcerative colitis [UC] in Oxford and followed for 3 years. Primary outcome was hospitalization for ASC, excluding patients admitted within 1 month of diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression examined the adjusted association of seven risk factors with ASC. Backwards elimination produced a parsimonious model that was simplified to create an easy-to-use index. External validation occurred in separate cohorts from Cambridge, UK, and Uppsala, Sweden. The development cohort [Oxford] included 34/111 patients who developed ASC within a median 14 months [range 1-29]. The final model applied the sum of 1 point each for extensive disease, C-reactive protein [CRP] > 10mg/l, or haemoglobin < 12g/dl F or < 14g/dl M at diagnosis, to give a score from 0/3 to 3/3. This predicted a 70% risk of developing ASC within 3 years [score 3/3]. Validation cohorts included different proportions with ASC [Cambridge = 25/96; Uppsala = 18/298]. Of those scoring 3/3 at diagnosis, 18/18 [Cambridge] and 12/13 [Uppsala] subsequently developed ASC. Discriminant ability [c-index, where 1.0 = perfect discrimination] was 0.81 [Oxford], 0.95 [Cambridge], 0.97 [Uppsala]. Internal validation using bootstrapping showed good calibration, with similar predicted risk across all cohorts. A nomogram predicted individual risk. An index applied at diagnosis reliably predicts the risk of ASC within 3 years in different populations. Patients with a score 3/3 at diagnosis may merit early immunomodulator therapy. Copyright © 2016 European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Protect Mice Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi from Cardiac Damage through Modulation of Anti-parasite Immunity

PubMed Central

Mesquita, Fernanda C. P.; Brasil, Guilherme V.; Rocha, Nazareth N.; Takiya, Christina M.; Lima, Ana Paula C. A.; Campos de Carvalho, Antonio C.; Goldenberg, Regina S.; Carvalho, Adriana B.

2015-01-01

Background Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T.cruzi), is a complex disease endemic in Central and South America. It has been gathering interest due to increases in non-vectorial forms of transmission, especially in developed countries. The objective of this work was to investigate if adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASC) can alter the course of the disease and attenuate pathology in a mouse model of chagasic cardiomyopathy. Methodology/Principal Findings ASC were injected intraperitoneally at 3 days post-infection (dpi). Tracking by bioluminescence showed that cells remained in the abdominal cavity for up to 9 days after injection and most of them migrated to the abdominal or subcutaneous fat, an early parasite reservoir. ASC injection resulted in a significant reduction in blood parasitemia, which was followed by a decrease in cardiac tissue inflammation, parasitism and fibrosis at 30 dpi. At the same time point, analyses of cytokine release in cells isolated from the heart and exposed to T. cruzi antigens indicated an anti-inflammatory response in ASC-treated animals. In parallel, splenocytes exposed to the same antigens produced a pro-inflammatory response, which is important for the control of parasite replication, in placebo and ASC-treated groups. However, splenocytes from the ASC group released higher levels of IL-10. At 60 dpi, magnetic resonance imaging revealed that right ventricular (RV) dilation was prevented in ASC-treated mice. Conclusions/Significance In conclusion, the injection of ASC early after T. cruzi infection prevents RV remodeling through the modulation of immune responses. Lymphoid organ response to the parasite promoted the control of parasite burden, while the heart, a target organ of Chagas disease, was protected from damage due to an improved control of inflammation in ASC-treated mice. PMID:26248209

Curcumin-induced heme oxygenase-1 expression prevents H2O2-induced cell death in wild type and heme oxygenase-2 knockout adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

PubMed

Cremers, Niels A J; Lundvig, Ditte M S; van Dalen, Stephanie C M; Schelbergen, Rik F; van Lent, Peter L E M; Szarek, Walter A; Regan, Raymond F; Carels, Carine E; Wagener, Frank A D T G

2014-10-08

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) administration is a promising adjuvant therapy to treat tissue injury. However, MSC survival after administration is often hampered by oxidative stress at the site of injury. Heme oxygenase (HO) generates the cytoprotective effector molecules biliverdin/bilirubin, carbon monoxide (CO) and iron/ferritin by breaking down heme. Since HO-activity mediates anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects, we hypothesized that modulation of the HO-system affects MSC survival. Adipose-derived MSCs (ASCs) from wild type (WT) and HO-2 knockout (KO) mice were isolated and characterized with respect to ASC marker expression. In order to analyze potential modulatory effects of the HO-system on ASC survival, WT and HO-2 KO ASCs were pre-treated with HO-activity modulators, or downstream effector molecules biliverdin, bilirubin, and CO before co-exposure of ASCs to a toxic dose of H2O2. Surprisingly, sensitivity to H2O2-mediated cell death was similar in WT and HO-2 KO ASCs. However, pre-induction of HO-1 expression using curcumin increased ASC survival after H2O2 exposure in both WT and HO-2 KO ASCs. Simultaneous inhibition of HO-activity resulted in loss of curcumin-mediated protection. Co-treatment with glutathione precursor N-Acetylcysteine promoted ASC survival. However, co-incubation with HO-effector molecules bilirubin and biliverdin did not rescue from H2O2-mediated cell death, whereas co-exposure to CO-releasing molecules-2 (CORM-2) significantly increased cell survival, independently from HO-2 expression. Summarizing, our results show that curcumin protects via an HO-1 dependent mechanism against H2O2-mediated apoptosis, and likely through the generation of CO. HO-1 pre-induction or administration of CORMs may thus form an attractive strategy to improve MSC therapy.

Functional Outcome of Human Adipose Stem Cell Injections in Rat Anal Sphincter Acute Injury Model.

PubMed

Kuismanen, Kirsi; Juntunen, Miia; Narra Girish, Nathaniel; Tuominen, Heikki; Huhtala, Heini; Nieminen, Kari; Hyttinen, Jari; Miettinen, Susanna

2018-03-01

Anal incontinence is a devastating condition that significantly reduces the quality of life. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of human adipose stem cell (hASC) injections in a rat model for anal sphincter injury, which is the main cause of anal incontinence in humans. Furthermore, we tested if the efficacy of hASCs could be improved by combining them with polyacrylamide hydrogel carrier, Bulkamid. Human ASCs derived from a female donor were culture expanded in DMEM/F12 supplemented with human platelet lysate. Female virgin Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups (n = 14-15/group): hASCs in saline or Bulkamid (3 × 10 5 /60 μl) and saline or Bulkamid without cells. Anorectal manometry (ARM) was performed before anal sphincter injury, at two (n = 58) and at four weeks after (n = 33). Additionally, the anal sphincter tissue was examined by micro-computed tomography (μCT) and the histological parameters were compared between the groups. The median resting and peak pressure during spontaneous contraction measured by ARM were significantly higher in hASC treatment groups compared with the control groups without hASCs. There was no statistical difference in functional results between the hASC-carrier groups (saline vs. Bulkamid). No difference was detected in the sphincter muscle continuation between the groups in the histology and μCT analysis. More inflammation was discovered in the group receiving saline with hASC. The hASC injection therapy with both saline and Bulkamid is a promising nonsurgical treatment for acute anal sphincter injury. Traditional histology combined with the 3D μCT image data lends greater confidence in assessing muscle healing and continuity. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2018;7:295-304. © 2018 The Authors Stem Cells Translational Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of AlphaMed Press.

Different response to hypoxia of adipose-derived multipotent cells from obese subjects with and without metabolic syndrome

PubMed Central

Moreno-Indias, Isabel; Coín-Aragüez, Leticia; Lhamyani, Said; Alcaide Torres, Juan; Fernández-Veledo, Sonia; Vendrell, Joan; Camargo, Antonio; El Bekay, Rajaa; Tinahones, Francisco José

2017-01-01

Background/Objectives Multiple studies suggest that hypoxia, together with inflammation, could be one of the phenomena involved in the onset and progression of obesity-related insulin resistance. In addition, dysfunction of adipose tissue in obese subjects with metabolic syndrome is associated with decreased angiogenesis. However, some subjects with a high body mass index do not develop metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity. The aim of the current study was to examine the neovascular properties of visceral adipose tissue-derived multipotent mesenchymal cells subjected to hypoxia (hypox-visASCs) from normal-weight subjects (Nw) and obese patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and without metabolic syndrome (NonMS). Methods This was a 2-year study to enroll subjects who underwent bariatric surgery or cholecystectomy. Eight patients who underwent either bariatric surgery or cholecystectomy (27 patients) participated in the study. Visceral adipose tissue samples from Nw, MS and NonMS subjects were processed by enzymatic digestion. VisASCs cultured under hypoxic conditions were characterized by tubule formation assay, ELISA, flow cytometry, migration rate, and qRT-PCR, and the effects of visASCs-conditioned medium on survival and endothelial cell tubule formation were evaluated. Results Hypox-visASCs from NonMS subjects showed a greater capacity for tubule formation than hypox-visASCs from Nw and MS subjects. The lower percentage of CD140b+/CD44+ and CD140b+/CD184+ cells observed in hypox-visASCs from NonMS subjects compared to MS subjects was accompanied not only by a lower migration rate from the chemotactic effects of stromal cell derived factor 1α, but also by lower levels of NOX5 mRNA expression. While the levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 mRNA expressed by hypox-visASCs correlated positively with the body mass index and waist circumference of the subjects, the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor present in hypox-visASC-conditioned culture medium decreased significantly with increasing plasma glucose. The survival rate and tubules formed by endothelial cells cultured in hypox-visASC-conditioned medium decreased significantly with increasing homeostasis model assessment to quantify insulin resistance. Conclusions Our results suggest that hypox-visASCs from NonMS subjects could promote healthy adipose tissue expansion, while hypox-visASCs from MS subjects appear to contribute to the decreased angiogenic potential and increased inflammation underlying adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity. Our results emphasize the importance of taking into account not only the BMI but also the metabolic profile of the subjects during the implementation of ASCs-based therapy to promote neovascularization. PMID:29166648

Ambulatory surgery centers and interventional techniques: a look at long-term survival.

PubMed

Manchikanti, Laxmaiah; Parr, Allan T; Singh, Vijay; Fellows, Bert

2011-01-01

With health care expenditures skyrocketing, coupled with pervasive quality deficits, pressures to provide better and more proficient care continue to shape the landscape of the U.S. health care system. Payers, both federal and private, have laid out several initiatives designed to curtail costs, including value-based reimbursement programs, cost-shifting expenses to the consumer, reducing reimbursements for physicians, steering health care to more efficient settings, and finally affordable health care reform. Consequently, one of the major aspects in the expansion of health care for improving quality and reducing the costs is surgical services. Nearly 57 million outpatient procedures are performed annually in the United States, 14 million of which occur in elderly patients. Increasing use of these minor, yet common, procedures contributes to rising health care expenditures. Once exclusive within hospitals, more and more outpatient procedures are being performed in freestanding ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), physician offices, visits to which have increased over 300% during the past decade. Concurrent with this growing demand, the number of ASCs has more than doubled since the 1990s, with more than 5,000 facilities currently in operation nationwide. Further, total surgical center ASC payments have increased from $1.2 billion in 1999 to $3.2 billion in 2009, a 167% increase. On the same lines, growth and expenditures for hospital outpatient department (HOPD) services and office procedures also have been evident at similar levels. Recent surveys have illustrated on overall annual growth per capita in Medicare allowed ASC services of pain management of 23%, with 27% growth seen in ASCs and 16% of the growth seen in HOPD. Further, the proportion of interventional pain management which was 4% of Medicare ASC spending in 2000 has increase to 10% in 2007. Thus, interventional pain management as an evolving specialty is one of the most commonly performed procedures in ASC settings apart from HOPDs and well-equipped offices. In June 1998, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), proposed an ASC rule in which at least 60% of interventional procedures were eliminated from ASCs and the remaining 40% faced substantial cuts in payments. Following the publication of this rule, based on public comments and demand, Congress intervened and delayed implementation of the rule for several years. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published its proposed outpatient prospective system for ASCs in 2006, setting ASC payments at 62% of HOPD payments. Following multiple changes, the rule was incorporated with a 4-year transition formula which ended in 2010, with full effect taking effect in 2011 with ASCs reimbursed at 57% of HOPD payments. Thus, the landscape of interventional pain management in ambulatory surgery centers has been constantly changing with declining reimbursements, issues of fraud and abuse, and ever-increasing regulations.

Faculty Service Needs Assessment: The Value and Planned Use of Educational Technology at Auraria.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martinez, Joseph P.; Woods, Muriel

The Auraria Media Center conducted a needs assessment in the spring of 1994 to learn whether it correctly perceived, and how it can better serve, the changing educational technology needs of faculty. Faculty from the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State College of Denver, and the University of Colorado at Denver responded to an…

Gender Integration of a Traditionally Male Field: A Definition of the Occupation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-07-01

National Meetings of Applied Anthropology, Denver , Colorado , March, 1980, _____________________ "The Introduction of Females into an All-Male Subculture...PerformanceEvlain Bartlett, Harold and Arthur Rosenblum. Policewomen Effectiveness ( Denver Colorado : Civil Service Comission and Denver Police...gender related qualities to those categories of persons believed to be deficient. While either approach addresses the legal issues, the second has been

Environmental Assessment for Water Well Development at Buckley Air Force Base

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-01

Avenue P eñ a B lv d. Denver International Airport Aurora Airport Centennial Airport N 0 4 SCALE IN MILES C O L O R A D O ★ NEW MEXICO Denver...Divide. The Denver Basin is a structural depression that is 300 miles long and 200 miles wide and was formed about 67 million years ago (mya) during

The New Service: Michelle Jeske--Denver Public Library

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Library Journal, 2005

2005-01-01

It bothers Michelle Jeske that many people still don't know all that their public libraries can do for them, even in Denver, where 80 percent of the population has a library card. Fortunately, as manager of web information services at the Denver Public Library (DPL), she can reach out to people who never come through the library doors. Jeske and…

Study of Online Instruction Methodologies for the DTIC Training Program.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-02-01

Lockheed Information Retrieval Service (LIRS) (2 programs) b. University of Denver Graduate School of Librarianship and Information Management (GSLIM) c...program -for a reasonably typical lecture-based academic program University of Denver Graduate School of Librarianship and Information Management (GSLIM...Lockheed Information Retrieval Service (LIRS) University of Denver Graduate School of Librarianship and Information Management (GSLIM) Defense Technical

Aligning Academic Offerings with Industry Needs and Facility Construction, While Making Space for Relevant Public Private Partnerships (P3s)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Golich, Vicki L.; Haynes, Sandra; Hillhouse, Erin; Pfeifer, David

2018-01-01

Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) has been educating students for Colorado's urban workforce for over fifty years. The following case study of MSU Denver's new Aerospace Engineering Sciences (AES) Building reveals the roles played by partnerships among universities, faculty, and local civic and industry leaders in creating new…

Hypoxia triggers angiogenesis by increasing expression of LOX genes in 3-D culture of ASCs and ECs.

PubMed

Xie, Qiang; Xie, Jiamin; Tian, Taoran; Ma, Quanquan; Zhang, Qi; Zhu, Bofeng; Cai, Xiaoxiao

2017-03-01

This study aimed to investigate the expression changes of LOX (lysyl oxidase) family genes, VEGFA, and VEGFB under hypoxic conditions in a co-culture system of ASCs (adipose-derived stromal cells) and ECs (endothelial cells). ASCs and ECs were co-cultured under hypoxic and normal oxygen conditions in a 1:1 ratio, and the formation of vessel-like was detected at 7 days. The transwell co-culture system was used and cell lysates were collected at 7 days after co-culture in hypoxic and normal oxygen condition. Semi-quantitative PCR was performed to quantify the mRNA expression of VEGFA, VEGFB, and the LOX genes (LOX, LOXL-1, LOXL-2, LOXL-3, and LOXL-4). Expression changes were determined by densitomery. Enhanced angiogenesis was detected in the co-culture of ASCs and ECs under hypoxic conditions. Among the genes screened, VEGFA, VEGFB, LOXL-1, and LOXL-3 in ECs, both mono-cultured and co-cultured, were significantly enhanced after culturing under hypoxic conditions. In ASCs, VEGFB, LOXL-1, and LOXL-3 were upregulated. Contact co-culture between ASCs and ECs promotes angiogenesis under hypoxia. LOXL-1 and LOXL-3 expressions were increased in both ASCs and ECs and might play important roles in the enhanced angiogenesis promoted by hypoxia. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Moral dilemmas film task: A study of spontaneous narratives by individuals with autism spectrum conditions.

PubMed

Barnes, Jennifer L; Lombardo, Michael V; Wheelwright, Sally; Baron-Cohen, Simon

2009-06-01

People with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) have difficulties with mentalizing, empathy, and narrative comprehension. A new test of social and narrative cognition, the Moral Dilemmas Film Task, was developed to probe individuals' spontaneous understanding of naturalistic film scenes. Twenty-eight individuals with ASC and 28 neurotypical controls, matched for age, sex, and IQ, watched four short emotionally charged film clips each depicting a moral dilemma, and were asked to write about what they had seen. Individuals with ASC produced significantly shorter film-based narratives and showed a smaller bias for mental states over objects in their narratives than controls. A significant correlation was found between verbal IQ and the level of mentalizing in film narratives for the ASC group, but not the control group, while the reverse pattern was found with a measure of self-reported cognitive and affective empathy. These results suggest that to the extent that both groups succeed in viewing moral dilemmas in terms of mental content, they do so in different ways, with individuals with ASC using verbal scaffolding to increase their ability to draw meaning from social scenes. The well-established empathy deficit in ASC extends to spontaneous interpretation of moral dilemmas. This new film task has the potential to assay different aspects of how the social world is represented differently in ASC, including during moral comprehension.

Evaluation of human platelet lysate and dimethyl sulfoxide as cryoprotectants for the cryopreservation of human adipose-derived stem cells.

PubMed

Wang, Chuan; Xiao, Ran; Cao, Yi-Lin; Yin, Hong-Yu

2017-09-09

Cryopreservation provides an effective technique to maintain the functional properties of human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and fetal bovine serum (FBS) are frequently used as cryoprotectants for this purpose. However, the use of DMSO can result in adverse effects and toxic reactions and FBS can introduce risks of viral, prion, zoonose contaminations and evoke immune responses after injection. It is therefore crucial to reduce DMSO concentrations and use serum-free solution in the cryopreservation process. Human platelet lysate (PL) is a promising candidate for use as an alternative to DMSO and FBS. Therefore, in this study, with an aim to identify a cryoprotective agent for ASC cryopreservation, we determined the viability, proliferation potential, phenotype, and differentiation potential of fresh ASCs and ASCs cryopreserved using different combinations of three cryoprotective agents: fetal bovine serum (FBS), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and human platelet lysate (PL). The viability of the ASCs cryopreserved with 90% FBS and 10% DMSO, 95% FBS and 5% DMSO, and 97% PL and 3% DMSO was >80%, and the proliferation potentials, cell phenotypes, and differentiation potentials of these groups were similar to those of fresh ASCs. Together, our findings suggest that a combination of 97% PL and 3% DMSO is an ideal cryoprotective agent for the efficient cryopreservation of human ASCs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Adipose-derived stromal cells enhance auditory neuron survival in an animal model of sensory hearing loss.

PubMed

Schendzielorz, Philipp; Vollmer, Maike; Rak, Kristen; Wiegner, Armin; Nada, Nashwa; Radeloff, Katrin; Hagen, Rudolf; Radeloff, Andreas

2017-10-01

A cochlear implant (CI) is an electronic prosthesis that can partially restore speech perception capabilities. Optimum information transfer from the cochlea to the central auditory system requires a proper functioning auditory nerve (AN) that is electrically stimulated by the device. In deafness, the lack of neurotrophic support, normally provided by the sensory cells of the inner ear, however, leads to gradual degeneration of auditory neurons with undesirable consequences for CI performance. We evaluated the potential of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) that are known to produce neurotrophic factors to prevent neural degeneration in sensory hearing loss. For this, co-cultures of ASCs with auditory neurons have been studied, and autologous ASC transplantation has been performed in a guinea pig model of gentamicin-induced sensory hearing loss. In vitro ASCs were neuroprotective and considerably increased the neuritogenesis of auditory neurons. In vivo transplantation of ASCs into the scala tympani resulted in an enhanced survival of auditory neurons. Specifically, peripheral AN processes that are assumed to be the optimal activation site for CI stimulation and that are particularly vulnerable to hair cell loss showed a significantly higher survival rate in ASC-treated ears. ASC transplantation into the inner ear may restore neurotrophic support in sensory hearing loss and may help to improve CI performance by enhanced AN survival. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Low-dose strontium stimulates osteogenesis but high-dose doses cause apoptosis in human adipose-derived stem cells via regulation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

PubMed

Aimaiti, Abudousaimi; Maimaitiyiming, Asihaerjiang; Boyong, Xu; Aji, Kaisaier; Li, Cao; Cui, Lei

2017-12-19

Strontium is a widely used anti-osteoporotic agent due to its dual effects on inhibiting bone resorption and stimulating bone formation. Thus, we studied the dose response of strontium on osteo-inductive efficiency in human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs). Qualitative alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, quantitative ALP activity, Alizarin Red staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to investigate the in vitro effects of a range of strontium concentrations on hASC osteogenesis and associated signaling pathways. In vitro work revealed that strontium (25-500 μM) promoted osteogenic differentiation of hASCs according to ALP activity, extracellular calcium deposition, and expression of osteogenic genes such as runt-related transcription factor 2, ALP, collagen-1, and osteocalcin. However, osteogenic differentiation of hASCs was significantly inhibited with higher doses of strontium (1000-3000 μM). These latter doses of strontium promoted apoptosis, and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 signaling was increased and accompanied by the downregulation of Bcl-2 and increased phosphorylation of BAX. The inhibition of ERK1/2 decreased apoptosis in hASCs. Lower concentrations of strontium facilitate osteogenic differentiation of hASCs up to a point; higher doses cause apoptosis of hASCs, with activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway contributing to this process.

On quantifying active soil carbon using mid-infrared ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Soil organic matter (SOM) is derived from plant or animal residues deposited to soil and is in various stages of decomposition and mineralization. Total SOM is a common measure of soil quality, although due to its heterogeneous composition SOM can vary dramatically in terms of its biochemical properties and residence times, which ultimately affect soil heath and function. One operationally defined SOM fraction is “active soil carbon” (ASC) which is thought to consist of readily oxidizable SOM that is responsive to management practices and may provide one measure of “soil health” closely associated with soil biological activity. ASC can be a useful indicator to assist farmers and land managers in their selection of soil management practices to maintain ASC or to build total SOM. ASC has generally been measured using permanganate oxidation, a costly and time-intensive procedure. Chemometric modeling using mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR) has been successfully used to estimate a range of soil properties, including total organic carbon (TOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC). Consequently, we hypothesized that we could use MIR to estimate ASC. Here we report on a method that uses MIR and chemometric signal processing to quantify TOC and ASC on a variety of soils collected serially and seasonally from a maximum of 76 locations across the United States. TOC was measured using high temperature oxidation and ASC was measured as permanganate-oxidizabl

Overall accuracy of cervical cytology and clinicopathological significance of LSIL cells in ASC-H cytology.

PubMed

Kim, S H; Lee, J M; Yun, H G; Park, U S; Hwang, S U; Pyo, J-S; Sohn, J H

2017-02-01

The aims of this study were (i) to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of Papanicolaou (Pap) smears and (ii) to evaluate the clinicopathological significance of the presence of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) cells in atypical squamous cells cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (ASC-H) cytology. We retrospectively reviewed paired cytological and histological findings from 3141 patients. ASC-H cytology was classified as either ASC-H or LSIL with some features suggestive of the presence of a concurrent HSIL (LSIL-H). Clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated through a retrospective study and meta-analysis. The accuracy of the cytological diagnosis was 93.7% (2942 of 3141 cases). The positive predictive value (PPV) of ASC-H for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN 2+ ) was 51.4%. In cases of LSIL-H, CIN 2+ histology was more prevalent in the pre-menopausal period (19-44 years) than in peri- and postmenopausal periods (older than 45 years) (P = 0.024). There was no difference in the ability of LSIL-H and ASC-H to predict CIN 2+. The Pap smear is a good cervical cancer screening method. Although there was no difference in the predictive value for CIN 2+ between LSIL-H and ASC-H, the presence of definite LSIL cells was more predictive of CIN 2+ in younger patients than in older patients. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Adipose tissue as a stem cell source for musculo-skeletal regeneration

PubMed Central

Gimble, Jeffrey M.; Grayson, Warren; Guilak, Farshid; Lopez, Mandi J.; Vunjak-Novakovic, Gordana

2013-01-01

Adipose tissue is an abundant, easily accessible, and reproducible cell source for musculo-skeletal regenerative medicine applications. Initial derivation steps yield a heterogeneous population of cells collectively termed the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), which consist of endothelial cells, immune cells, pericytes, and pre-adipocytes. Subsequent selection of an adherent cell subset from the SVF results in a relatively homogeneous population of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs). Mammalian ASCs exhibit the ability to selectively differentiate into chondrogenic, myogenic, and osteogenic lineages in response to inductive stimuli in vitro (when cultured on scaffolds in bioreactors) and in vivo (when implanted in pre-clinical animal models). Unlike hematopoietic cells, ASCs do not elicit a robust lymphocyte reaction and instead generate and release immunosuppressive factors, such as prostaglandin E2. These unique immunomodulatory features suggest that both allogeneic and autologous ASCs will engraft successfully following application for tissue regeneration purposes. The differentiation and expansion potential of ASCs can be modified by growth factors like bone morphogenetic protein 6, bio-inductive scaffolds, and bioreactors providing environmental control and biophysical stimulation. Gene therapy approaches using lentiviral transduction can also be used to direct differentiation of ASCs along particular lineage pathways. We discuss here the utility of ASCs for musculo-skeletal tissue repair and some of the technologies that can be implemented to unlock the full regenerative potential of these highly valuable cells. PMID:21196358

Tunnel vision: sharper gradient of spatial attention in autism.

PubMed

Robertson, Caroline E; Kravitz, Dwight J; Freyberg, Jan; Baron-Cohen, Simon; Baker, Chris I

2013-04-17

Enhanced perception of detail has long been regarded a hallmark of autism spectrum conditions (ASC), but its origins are unknown. Normal sensitivity on all fundamental perceptual measures-visual acuity, contrast discrimination, and flicker detection-is strongly established in the literature. If individuals with ASC do not have superior low-level vision, how is perception of detail enhanced? We argue that this apparent paradox can be resolved by considering visual attention, which is known to enhance basic visual sensitivity, resulting in greater acuity and lower contrast thresholds. Here, we demonstrate that the focus of attention and concomitant enhancement of perception are sharper in human individuals with ASC than in matched controls. Using a simple visual acuity task embedded in a standard cueing paradigm, we mapped the spatial and temporal gradients of attentional enhancement by varying the distance and onset time of visual targets relative to an exogenous cue, which obligatorily captures attention. Individuals with ASC demonstrated a greater fall-off in performance with distance from the cue than controls, indicating a sharper spatial gradient of attention. Further, this sharpness was highly correlated with the severity of autistic symptoms in ASC, as well as autistic traits across both ASC and control groups. These findings establish the presence of a form of "tunnel vision" in ASC, with far-reaching implications for our understanding of the social and neurobiological aspects of autism.

The emerging role of ASC in dendritic cell metabolism during Chlamydia infection

PubMed Central

McKeithen, Danielle N.; Ryans, Khamia; Mu, Jing; Xie, Zhonglin; Simoneaux, Tankya; Blas-machado, Uriel; Eko, Francis O.; Black, Carolyn M.; Igietseme, Joseph U.; He, Qing

2017-01-01

Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterial agent that causes sexually transmitted infections worldwide. The regulatory functions of dendritic cells (DCs) play a major role in protective immunity against Chlamydia infections. Here, we investigated the role of ASC in DCs metabolism and the regulation of DCs activation and function during Chlamydia infection. Following Chlamydia stimulation, maturation and antigen presenting functions were impaired in ASC-/- DCs compared to wild type (WT) DCs, in addition, ASC deficiency induced a tolerant phenotype in Chlamydia stimulated DCs. Using real-time extracellular flux analysis, we showed that activation in Chlamydia stimulated WT DCs is associated with a metabolic change in which mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is inhibited and the cells become committed to utilizing glucose through aerobic glycolysis for differentiation and antigen presenting functions. However, in ASC-/- DCs Chlamydia-induced metabolic change was prevented and there was a significant effect on mitochondrial morphology. The mitochondria of Chlamydia stimulated ASC-/- DCs had disrupted cristae compared to the normal narrow pleomorphic cristae found in stimulated WT DCs. In conclusion, our results suggest that Chlamydia-mediated activation of DCs is associated with a metabolic transition in which OXPHOS is inhibited, thereby dedicating the DCs to aerobic glycolysis, while ASC deficiency disrupts DCs function by inhibiting the reprogramming of DCs metabolism within the mitochondria, from glycolysis to electron transport chain. PMID:29216217

45 CFR 162.1802 - Standards for coordination of benefits information transaction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

....) (ii) The ASC X12 Standards for Electronic Data Interchange Technical Report Type 3—Health Care Claim... X12 Standards for Electronic Date Interchange Technical Report Type 3, October 2007, ASC X12N... Interchange Technical Report Type 3—Health Care Claim: Professional (837), May 2006, ASC X12N/005010X222...

45 CFR 162.1802 - Standards for coordination of benefits information transaction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

....) (ii) The ASC X12 Standards for Electronic Data Interchange Technical Report Type 3—Health Care Claim... X12 Standards for Electronic Date Interchange Technical Report Type 3, October 2007, ASC X12N... Interchange Technical Report Type 3—Health Care Claim: Professional (837), May 2006, ASC X12N/005010X222...

45 CFR 162.1102 - Standards for health care claims or equivalent encounter information transaction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

....) (ii) Dental health care claims. The ASC X12 Standards for Electronic Data Interchange Technical Report... Care Claim: Dental (837) ASC X12 Standards for Electronic Date Interchange Technical Report Type 3... care claims. The ASC X12 Standards for Electronic Data Interchange Technical Report Type 3—Health Care...

FY17 ASC CSSE L2 Milestone 6018: Power Usage Characteristics of Workloads Running on Trinity.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pedretti, Kevin

The overall goal of this work was to utilize the Advanced Power Management (APM) capabilities of the ATS-1 Trinity platform to understand the power usage behavior of ASC workloads running on Trinity and gain insight into the potential for utilizing power management techniques on future ASC platforms.

Profiling Autism Symptomatology: An Exploration of the Q-ASC Parental Report Scale in Capturing Sex Differences in Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ormond, Sarah; Brownlow, Charlotte; Garnett, Michelle Sarah; Rynkiewicz, Agnieszka; Attwood, Tony

2018-01-01

The Questionnaire for Autism Spectrum Conditions (Q-ASC) was developed by Attwood et al. (2011) to identify gender-sensitive profiles of autism symptomatology; prioritise and adjust the direction of clinical interventions; and support positive psychosocial outcomes and prognosis into adulthood. The current research piloted the Q-ASC with parents…

77 FR 65103 - Rules of Practice in Proceedings Relative to Administrative Offsets Initiated Against Former...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-25

.... 0 3. Section 966.3 is revised to read as follows: Sec. 966.3 Definitions. (a) Accounting Service... the Treasury, found at 31 CFR parts 900-904. Changes to Sec. 966.3 update the definitions of part 966 to refer to the Postal Service Accounting Service Center (ASC) or successor installation instead of...

42 CFR 416.30 - Terms of agreement with CMS.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Terms of agreement with CMS. 416.30 Section 416.30... of agreement with CMS. As part of the agreement under § 416.26 the ASC must agree to the following... in subpart C of this part and to report promptly to CMS any failure to do so. (b) Limitation on...

Human platelet lysate successfully promotes proliferation and subsequent chondrogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells: a comparison with articular chondrocytes.

PubMed

Hildner, F; Eder, M J; Hofer, K; Aberl, J; Redl, H; van Griensven, M; Gabriel, C; Peterbauer-Scherb, A

2015-07-01

Fetal calf serum (FCS) bears a potential risk for carrying diseases and eliciting immune reactions. Nevertheless, it still represents the gold standard as medium supplement in cell culture. In the present study, human platelet lysate (PL) was tested as an alternative to FCS for the expansion and subsequent chondrogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). ASCs were expanded with 10% FCS (group F) or 5% PL (group P). Subsequently, three-dimensional (3D) micromass pellets were created and cultured for 5 weeks in chondrogenic differentiation medium. Additionally, the de- and redifferentiation potential of human articular chondrocytes (HACs) was evaluated and compared to ASCs. Both HACs and ASCs cultured with PL showed strongly enhanced proliferation rates. Redifferentiation of HACs was possible for cells expanded up to 3.3 population doublings (PD). At this stage, PL-expanded HACs demonstrated better redifferentiation potential than FCS-expanded cells. ASCs could also be differentiated following extended passaging. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) quantification and qRT-PCR of 10 cartilage related markers demonstrated a tendency for increased chondrogenic differentiation of PL-expanded ASCs compared to cells expanded with FCS. Histologically, collagen type II but also collagen type X was mainly present in group P. The present study demonstrates that PL strongly induces proliferation of ASCs, while the chondrogenic differentiation potential is retained. HACs also showed enhanced proliferation and even better redifferentiation when previously expanded with PL. This suggests that PL is superior to FCS as a supplement for the expansion of ASCs and HACs, particularly with regard to chondrogenic (re)differentiation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Endoplasmic reticulum calcium release potentiates the ER stress and cell death caused by an oxidative stress in MCF-7 cells.

PubMed

Dejeans, Nicolas; Tajeddine, Nicolas; Beck, Raphaël; Verrax, Julien; Taper, Henryk; Gailly, Philippe; Calderon, Pedro Buc

2010-05-01

Increase in cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+](c)), release of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium ([Ca2+](er)) and ER stress have been proposed to be involved in oxidative toxicity. Nevertheless, their relative involvements in the processes leading to cell death are not well defined. In this study, we investigated whether oxidative stress generated during ascorbate-driven menadione redox cycling (Asc/Men) could trigger these three events, and, if so, whether they contributed to Asc/Men cytoxicity in MCF-7 cells. Using microspectrofluorimetry, we demonstrated that Asc/Men-generated oxidative stress was associated with a slow and moderate increase in [Ca2+](c), largely preceding permeation of propidium iodide, and thus cell death. Asc/Men treatment was shown to partially deplete ER calcium stores after 90 min (decrease by 45% compared to control). This event was associated with ER stress activation, as shown by analysis of eIF2 phosphorylation and expression of the molecular chaperone GRP94. Thapsigargin (TG) was then used to study the effect of complete [Ca2+](er) emptying during the oxidative stress generated by Asc/Men. Surprisingly, the combination of TG and Asc/Men increased ER stress to a level considerably higher than that observed for either treatment alone, suggesting that [Ca2+](er) release alone is not sufficient to explain ER stress activation during oxidative stress. Finally, TG-mediated [Ca2+](er) release largely potentiated ER stress, DNA fragmentation and cell death caused by Asc/Men, supporting a role of ER stress in the process of Asc/Men cytotoxicity. Taken together, our results highlight the involvement of ER stress and [Ca2+](er) decrease in the process of oxidative stress-induced cell death in MCF-7 cells. 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Anti-aging effect of adipose-derived stem cells in a mouse model of skin aging induced by D-galactose.

PubMed

Zhang, Shengchang; Dong, Ziqing; Peng, Zhangsong; Lu, Feng

2014-01-01

Glycation products accumulate during aging of slowly renewing tissue, including skin, and are suggested as an important mechanism underlying the skin aging process. Adipose-derived cells are widely used in the clinic to treat ischemic diseases and enhance wound healing. Interestingly, adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are also effective in anti-aging therapy, although the mechanism underlying their effects remains unknown. The purpose of the present study was to examine the anti-aging effect of ASCs in a D-galactose-induced aging animal model and to clarify the underlying mechanism. Six-week-old nude mice were subcutaneously injected with D-gal daily for 8 weeks. Two weeks after completion of treatment, mice were randomized to receive subcutaneous injections of 106 green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing ASCs, aminoguanidine (AG) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Control mice received no treatment. We examined tissue histology and determined the activity of senescence-associated molecular markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Transplanted ASCs were detectable for 14 days and their GFP signal disappeared at day 28 after injection. ASCs inhibited advanced glycation end product (AGE) levels in our animal model as well as increased the SOD level and decreased the MDA level, all of which act to reverse the aging phenotype in a similar way to AG, an inhibitor of AGE formation. Furthermore, ASCs released angiogenic factors in vivo such as vascular endothelial growth factor, suggesting a skin trophic effect. These results demonstrate that ASCs may contribute to the regeneration of skin during aging. In addition, the data shows that ASCs provide a functional benefit by glycation suppression, antioxidation, and trophic effects in a mouse model of aging.

Oligo-carrageenan kappa increases NADPH, ascorbate and glutathione syntheses and TRR/TRX activities enhancing photosynthesis, basal metabolism, and growth in Eucalyptus trees.

PubMed

González, Alberto; Moenne, Fabiola; Gómez, Melissa; Sáez, Claudio A; Contreras, Rodrigo A; Moenne, Alejandra

2014-01-01

In order to analyze the effect of OC kappa in redox status, photosynthesis, basal metabolism and growth in Eucalyptus globulus, trees were treated with water (control), with OC kappa at 1 mg mL(-1), or treated with inhibitors of NAD(P)H, ascorbate (ASC), and glutathione (GSH) syntheses and thioredoxin reductase (TRR) activity, CHS-828, lycorine, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), and auranofin, respectively, and with OC kappa, and cultivated for 4 months. Treatment with OC kappa induced an increase in NADPH, ASC, and GSH syntheses, TRR and thioredoxin (TRX) activities, photosynthesis, growth and activities of basal metabolism enzymes such as rubisco, glutamine synthetase (GlnS), adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate reductase (APR), involved in C, N, and S assimilation, respectively, Krebs cycle and purine/pyrimidine synthesis enzymes. Treatment with inhibitors and OC kappa showed that increases in ASC, GSH, and TRR/TRX enhanced NADPH synthesis, increases in NADPH and TRR/TRX enhanced ASC and GSH syntheses, and only the increase in NADPH enhanced TRR/TRX activities. In addition, the increase in NADPH, ASC, GSH, and TRR/TRX enhanced photosynthesis and growth. Moreover, the increase in NADPH, ASC and TRR/TRX enhanced activities of rubisco, Krebs cycle, and purine/pyrimidine synthesis enzymes, the increase in GSH, NADPH, and TRR/TRX enhanced APR activity, and the increase in NADPH and TRR/TRX enhanced GlnS activity. Thus, OC kappa increases NADPH, ASC, and GSH syntheses leading to a more reducing redox status, the increase in NADPH, ASC, GSH syntheses, and TRR/TRX activities are cross-talking events leading to activation of photosynthesis, basal metabolism, and growth in Eucalyptus trees.