Isolation of adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells without tissue destruction: A non-enzymatic method

The conventional enzymatic method is widely used for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolation from adipose tissue. The method holds major drawbacks; it is costly, time-consuming and results in a heterogeneous cell population. Besides, digestion of extracellular matrix causes cell injury and compromise proliferation and differentiation of the cells. Also, because of over handling the samples are also prone to contamination. Here, we introduce a non-enzymatic method for MSCs isolation without disturbing the cells habitat. Small pieces of adipose tissue obtained from animal or human liposuction were explanted into a culture flask, immobilized by fetal bovine serum (FBS) and incubated overnight. The explants were then irrigated with DMEM containing FBS. Within few days, the fibroblast-like cells migrated from the tissue and proliferated rapidly. When subconfluent, the cells were harvested, expanded through 3 passages and used for immunophenotyping and differentiation assays. As judged by flow cytometric analysis of surface markers (CD44⁺, CD105⁺, CD34⁻, CD45⁻), Oil Red O and Alizarin Red staining, the MSCs isolated by our non-enzymatic method were pluripotent and exhibited the potential for differentiation into adipocyte and osteoblast. Great isolation yields, homogeneity of isolated cells, brief procedure, and high economy are the advantages of our method over the conventional protocol.     

Length–weight relationships of two endemic species of Alburnoides nicolausi (Bogutskaya & Coad, 2009) and Alburnus zagrosensis (Coad, 2009) in Houzian River,Lorestan Province,Iran

This investigation prepares the length–weight relationships (LWRs) of two fish species, including Alburnoides nicolausi (Bogutskaya & Coad, 2009) and Alburnus zagrosensis (Coad, 2009) from Houzian River (latitude 33°22′15.20″ to 33°21′31.57″N; longitude 49°44′39.66″ to 49°44′17.67″E), Lorestan province, Iran. Fish specimens were collected monthly using seine net with 5 mm (Stretched) mesh size between April to September 2017. The LWRs for fish species were W = 0.0059L^3.405 (male) and W = 0.0053L^3.494 (female) for A. nicolausi, W = 0.0035L^3.341 (male) and W = 0.003L^3.387 (female) for A. zagrosensis, respectively. The highest value of r² was .931 for male of A. zagrosensis and lowest value was .964 for male of A. nicolausi.     

Development of an Ointment Formulation Using Hot-Melt Extrusion Technology

Ointments are generally prepared either by fusion or by levigation methods. The current study proposes the use of hot-melt extrusion (HME) processing for the preparation of a polyethylene glycol base ointment. Lidocaine was used as a model drug. A modified screw design was used in this process, and parameters such as feeding rate, barrel temperature, and screw speed were optimized to obtain a uniform product. The product characteristics were compared with an ointment of similar composition prepared by conventional fusion method. The rheological properties, drug release profile, and texture characteristics of the hot-melt extruded product were similar to the conventionally prepared product. This study demonstrates a novel application of the hot-melt extrusion process in the manufacturing of topical semi-solids.     

Tissue composition effect on dose distribution in neutron brachytherapy/neutron capture therapy

Aim

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of the compositions of various soft tissues and tissue-equivalent materials on dose distribution in neutron brachytherapy/neutron capture therapy.

Background

Neutron brachytherapy and neutron capture therapy are two common radiotherapy modalities.

Materials and methods

Dose distributions were calculated around a low dose rate ²⁵²Cf source located in a spherical phantom with radius of 20.0 cm using the MCNPX code for seven soft tissues and three tissue-equivalent materials. Relative total dose rate, relative neutron dose rate, total dose rate, and neutron dose rate were calculated for each material. These values were determined at various radial distances ranging from 0.3 to 15.0 cm from the source.

Results

Among the soft tissues and tissue-equivalent materials studied, adipose tissue and plexiglass demonstrated the greatest differences for total dose rate compared to 9-component soft tissue. The difference in dose rate with respect to 9-component soft tissue varied with compositions of the materials and the radial distance from the source. Furthermore, the total dose rate in water was different from that in 9-component soft tissue.

Conclusion

Taking the same composition for various soft tissues and tissue-equivalent media can lead to error in treatment planning in neutron brachytherapy/neutron capture therapy. Since the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) recommends that the total dosimetric uncertainty in dose delivery in radiotherapy should be within ±5%, the compositions of various soft tissues and tissue-equivalent materials should be considered in dose calculation and treatment planning in neutron brachytherapy/neutron capture therapy.     

Metabolomic Profiles of Body Mass Index in the Framingham Heart Study Reveal Distinct Cardiometabolic Phenotypes

Background

Although obesity and cardiometabolic traits commonly overlap, underlying pathways remain incompletely defined. The association of metabolite profiles across multiple cardiometabolic traits may lend insights into the interaction of obesity and metabolic health. We sought to investigate metabolic signatures of obesity and related cardiometabolic traits in the community using broad-based metabolomic profiling.

Methods and Results

We evaluated the association of 217 assayed metabolites and cross-sectional as well as longitudinal changes in cardiometabolic traits among 2,383 Framingham Offspring cohort participants. Body mass index (BMI) was associated with 69 of 217 metabolites (P<0.00023 for all), including aromatic (tyrosine, phenylalanine) and branched chain amino acids (valine, isoleucine, leucine). Additional metabolic pathways associated with BMI included the citric acid cycle (isocitrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, aconitate), the tryptophan pathway (kynurenine, kynurenic acid), and the urea cycle. There was considerable overlap in metabolite profiles between BMI, abdominal adiposity, insulin resistance [IR] and dyslipidemia, modest overlap of metabolite profiles between BMI and hyperglycemia, and little overlap with fasting glucose or elevated blood pressure. Metabolite profiles were associated with longitudinal changes in fasting glucose, but the involved metabolites (ornithine, 5-HIAA, aminoadipic acid, isoleucine, cotinine) were distinct from those associated with baseline glucose or other traits. Obesity status appeared to “modify” the association of 9 metabolites with IR. For example, bile acid metabolites were strongly associated with IR among obese but not lean individuals, whereas isoleucine had a stronger association with IR in lean individuals.

Conclusions

In this large-scale metabolite profiling study, body mass index was associated with a broad range of metabolic alterations. Metabolite profiling highlighted considerable overlap with abdominal adiposity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, but not with fasting glucose or blood pressure traits.