Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) possesses highly potent, diverse and often opposing cell-specific activities, and has been implicated in the regulation of a variety of physiologic and developmental processes. To determine the effects of in vivo overexpression of TGF-beta 1 on mammary gland function, transgenic mice were generated harboring a fusion gene consisting of the porcine TGF-beta 1 cDNA placed under the control of regulatory elements of the pregnancy-responsive mouse whey-acidic protein (WAP) gene. Females from two of four transgenic lines were unable to lactate due to inhibition of the formation of lobuloalveolar structures and suppression of production of endogenous milk protein. In contrast, ductal development of the mammary glands was not overtly impaired. There was a complete concordance in transgenic mice between manifestation of the lactation-deficient phenotype and expression of RNA from the WAP/TGF-beta 1 transgene, which was present at low levels in the virgin gland, but was greatly induced at mid-pregnancy. TGF-beta 1 was localized to numerous alveoli and to the periductal extracellular matrix in the mammary gland of transgenic females late in pregnancy by immunohistochemical analysis. Glands reconstituted from cultured transgenic mammary epithelial cells duplicated the inhibition of lobuloalveolar development observed in situ in the mammary glands of pregnant transgenic mice. Results from this transgenic model strongly support the hypothesis that TGF-beta 1 plays an important in vivo role in regulating the development and function of the mammary gland. 相似文献
Cancer is one of the main challenges of the health system around the world. This disease is increasing in developing countries and imposes heavy costs on patients and governments. On the other hand, despite various drugs, the death rate among cancer patients is still high and the current treatments have many harmful effects. In the traditional medicine of different countries, there are many medicinal plants that can be effective in the treatment of cancer. Ferula plants are traditionally used as spices and food or for medicinal purposes. Ferula assa-foetida is one of the famous plants of this genus, which has been used for the treatment of various diseases since ancient times. Among the main compounds of this plant, we can mention monoterpenes, sulfide compounds and polyphenols, which can show different therapeutic effects. This article has been compiled with the aim of collecting evidence and articles related to the anti-cancer effects of extracts, derived compounds, essential oils and nanoparticles containing Ferula assa-foetida. This review article was prepared by searching the terms Ferula assa-foetida and cancer, and relevant information was collected through searching electronic databases such as ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Fortunately, the results of this review showed that relatively comprehensive studies have been conducted in this field and shown that Ferula assa-foetida can be very promising in the treatment of cancer. 相似文献
Angiogenesis is a vital step in tissue regeneration. Hence, the current study aimed to prepare oxidized dextran (Odex)/collagen (Col)-hydrogels with laminin (LMN), as an angiogenic extracellular matrix (ECM) component, for promoting human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and function. Odex/Col scaffolds were constructed at various concentrations and temperatures. Using oscillatory rheometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cell viability testing, the scaffolds were characterized, and then HUVEC proliferation and function was compared with or without LMN. The gelation time could be modified by altering the Odex/Col mass ratio as well as the temperature. SEM showed that Odex/Col hydrogels had a more regular three-dimensional (3D) porous structure than the Col hydrogels. Moreover, HUVECs grew faster in the Col scaffold (12 mg/mL), whereas the Odex (30 mg/mL)/Col (6 mg/mL) scaffold exhibited the lowest apoptosis index. Furthermore, the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in the group without LMN was higher than that with LMN, and the Odex (30 mg/mL)/Col (6 mg/mL) scaffold without LMN had the highest VEGF protein secretion, allowing the cells to survive and function effectively. Odex/Col scaffolds, with or without LMN, are proposed as a tissue engineering construct to improve HUVEC survival and function for angiogenesis. 相似文献
A computer program was used to test Wong's coevolution theory of the genetic code. The codon correlations between the codons
of biosynthetically related amino acids in the universal genetic code and in randomly generated genetic codes were compared.
It was determined that many codon correlations are also present within random genetic codes and that among the random codes
there are always several which have many more correlations than that found in the universal code. Although the number of correlations
depends on the choice of biosynthetically related amino acids, the probability of choosing a random genetic code with the
same or greater number of codon correlations as the universal genetic code was found to vary from 0.1% to 34% (with respect
to a fairly complete listing of related amino acids). Thus, Wong's theory that the genetic code arose by coevolution with
the biosynthetic pathways of amino acids, based on codon correlations between biosynthetically related amino acids, is statistical
in nature.
Received: 8 August 1996 / Accepted: 26 December 1996 相似文献
Removal efficiency of gold from a solution of pure tetrachloroaurate ions was investigated using microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology. The effects of type of catholyte solution and initial gold concentration on the removal efficiency were considered. Due to its presence at high levels in the gold wastewater, the effect of copper ions on the removal efficiency of the gold ions was also studied. The effects of pH and initial biomass concentration on the gold removal efficiency was also determined. The results showed that after 5 h contact time, 95% of gold removal efficiency from a wastewater containing 250 ppm of initial gold ions at ambient temperature using 80 g/L yeast concentration was achieved. After 48 h of the cell''s operation under the same condition, 98.86% of AuCl4– ions were successfully removed from the solution. At initial gold concentration in the waste solution of 250 ppm, pH 2, and initial yeast concentration of 80 g/L, 100% removal efficiency of the gold was achieved. On the other hand, the most suitable condition for copper removal was found at a pH of 5.2, where 53% removal efficiency from the waste solution was accomplished. 相似文献
Efficient nuclear targeting via nonviral delivery of DNA is still an unmet challenge in gene therapy. We have synthesized a novel 9-aminoacridine amino acid monomer that conveniently allows multiple acridines to be incorporated into peptide conjugates. In particular we have prepared bis- and trisacridine conjugates of nuclear localization signal peptide (NLS) ((Acr)2-NLS and (Acr)3-NLS) and studied these as functional transporters for the nuclear delivery of DNA. We show that these conjugates can enhance transfection efficacy as well as nuclear localization of plasmid DNA by more than 50-fold when combined with polyethylenimine at an N:P ratio of 2-3. These conjugates have high reversible affinity for double stranded DNA by intercalation and the technique provides a simple means of associating NLS with DNA of any sequence and at any ratio. 相似文献
Asthma and allergic diseases are inflammatory conditions developed by excessive reaction of the immune system against normally harmless environmental substances. Although acute inflammation is necessary to eradicate the damaging agents, shifting to chronic inflammation can be potentially detrimental. Essential fatty-acids-derived immunoresolvents, namely, lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, and maresins, are anti-inflammatory compounds that are believed to have protective and beneficial effects in inflammatory disorders, including asthma and allergies. Accordingly, impaired biosynthesis and defective production of immunoresolvents could be involved in the development of chronic inflammation. In this review, recent evidence on the anti-inflam]matory effects of immunoresolvents, their enzymatic biosynthesis routes, as well as their receptors are discussed. 相似文献
Testing and developing nutrient diagnosis methods, which can result in the optimum production of fruits, is of significance. The nutritional balance and requirements of almond (Prunus sp.) orchards, in the city of Saman (province of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Iran, one of the biggest producers of almond in the country), were investigated using the methods of diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) and deviation from optimum percentage (DOP) in a two-year research. Using 36 gardens along the Zayandehrud River in a 60-km distance, soil physical and chemical properties, as well as leaf micro- and macro-nutrient contents were determined. Similar plant samples (leaf + petiole) in terms of age, genotype and rootstock were collected from the unfruitful trees. The most deficient nutrients including S, Cu, Zn and Mn were indicated by the DRIS and DOP methods. However, according to the DRIS method Mg, and according to the DOP method N, K and Mg were determined as the most excessive macronutrients. Interestingly, both methods indicated Mo as the most excessive micronutrient. The balance indexes of different nutrients for different orchards indicated that the nutritional balances of the orchards from the highest to the least deficiency are according to the following order Cu > S > Zn > Mn > Cl > P > Ca > Mg > B > N > K > Fe > Mo. Such results indicate the precisions and some similarities between the two methods. However, the two methods were compared using SAS Proc GLM, Proc REG, and Proc NLIN. The analyses indicated that the two methods were significantly different and the DOP method (significant model) indicated higher correlation with the results. Accordingly, the DOP method may be a more accurate method of estimating almond yield as affected by the concentration of different nutrients. It is possible to determine the deficiency, balance and excessiveness of nutrients in almond orchards using the DRIS and DOP methods, which is of economic and environmental significance, worldwide.
In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant - The legalization of recreational and medicinal Cannabis sativa L. has been gaining global momentum, therefore increasing interest in Cannabis... 相似文献