Evaluation of human umbilical cord blood as a source of embryonic stem cells

Human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) has been poorly characterised as a source of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate HUCB as source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with embryonic characteristics. HUCB was collected from consenting women undergoing elective caesarean sections. HUCB was meticulously explanted into MesenCult media and incubated. Qualitative and quantitative immunophenotyping of cells was achieved using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labelled antibodies (CD34, CD45, CD29, CD44, CD73 and CD105) phenotypic markers. Immunocytochemistry was carried out for the human ESC markers CD9, stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 and 4 (SSEA-1 and SSEA-4), E-cadherin, Podocalyxin (PODXL), sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), NANOG and Octamer (OCT3/4). MSCs were cultured to induce differentiation into adipogenic, osteogenic, chondrogenic and neurogenic cells. Immunocytochemistry was used to identify fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP-4), osteocalcin, aggrecan, SOX2 and oligodendrocyte-4 (Olig-4) markers. The cells were strongly positive for the MSC markers CD29, CD44, CD73 and CD105; these cells also expressed the ESC markers CD9, SSEA-1 and SSEA-4, E-cadherin, PODXL, SOX2, NANOG and OCT3/4. Additionally, the MSCs expressed the adipogenic FABP-4, osteogenic osteocalcin, chondrogenic aggrecan and neural Olig-4 and SOX2 markers after differentiation. Therefore, HUCB is a rich source for MSCs with embryonic characteristics

An alternative synthetic approach for 1,3- benzoxazine derivatives

1,3-benzoxazine derivatives were synthesized in high yield using three-step synthetic technique by the condensation of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with aromatic amines, reducing the condensation products and replacing the usual formaldehyde with methylene bromide to achieve ring closure. The structures of the benzoxazines were confirmed by FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR spectra and Mass spectroscopy

Exceptional aggressiveness of cerebral cavernous malformation disease associated with PDCD10 mutations.

PurposeThe phenotypic manifestations of cerebral cavernous malformation disease caused by rare PDCD10 mutations have not been systematically examined, and a mechanistic link to Rho kinase-mediated hyperpermeability, a potential therapeutic target, has not been established.MethodsWe analyzed PDCD10 small interfering RNA-treated endothelial cells for stress fibers, Rho kinase activity, and permeability. Rho kinase activity was assessed in cerebral cavernous malformation lesions. Brain permeability and cerebral cavernous malformation lesion burden were quantified, and clinical manifestations were assessed in prospectively enrolled subjects with PDCD10 mutations.ResultsWe determined that PDCD10 protein suppresses endothelial stress fibers, Rho kinase activity, and permeability in vitro. Pdcd10 heterozygous mice have greater lesion burden than other Ccm genotypes. We demonstrated robust Rho kinase activity in murine and human cerebral cavernous malformation vasculature and increased brain vascular permeability in humans with PDCD10 mutation. Clinical phenotype is exceptionally aggressive compared with the more common KRIT1 and CCM2 familial and sporadic cerebral cavernous malformation, with greater lesion burden and more frequent hemorrhages earlier in life. We first report other phenotypic features, including scoliosis, cognitive disability, and skin lesions, unrelated to lesion burden or bleeding.ConclusionThese findings define a unique cerebral cavernous malformation disease with exceptional aggressiveness, and they inform preclinical therapeutic testing, clinical counseling, and the design of trials.Genet Med 17 3, 188-196

Structure-property studies of thermoplastics and thermosetting polyurethanes using palm and soya oils-based polyols

Palm and soya oils were converted to monoglycerides via transesterification of triglycerides with glycerol by one step process to produce renewable polyols. Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPPUs) were prepared from the reaction of the monoglycerides which act as polyol with 4,4′-methylenediphenyldiisocyanate (MDI) whereas, thermosetting polyurethanes (TSPUs) were prepared from the reaction of glycerol, MDI and monoglycerides in one pot. Characterization of the polyurethanes was carried out by FT-IR, 1H NMR, and iodine value and sol-gel fraction. The TSPUs showed good thermal properties compared to TPPUs as well as TSPUs exhibits good properties in pencil hardness and adhesion, however poorer in flexural and impact strength compared to TPPUs. The higher percentage of cross linked fraction, the higher degree of cross linking occurred, which is due to the higher number of double bond presents in the TSPUs. These were reflected in iodine value test as the highest iodine value of the soya-based thermosetting polyurethanes confirmed the highest degree of cross linking. Polyurethanes based on soya oil showed better properties compared to palm oil. This study is a breakthrough development of polyurethane resins using palm and soya oils as one of the raw materials

Physical and thermal properties of microwave-dried wood lumber impregnated with phenol formaldehyde resin

In this study, microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber was impregnated with phenol formaldehyde resin using high pressure vacuum chamber. The impregnation of oil palm trunk core lumber was performed under 3 bar pressure and cured in an oven at 150°C for 2 h. The impregnation of oil palm trunk core lumber was carried out at different time intervals (15, 30, 60, 90, 120 min) to obtain different density lumber and compared with microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber and rubberwood. The physical and thermal properties of microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber, impregnated oil palm trunk core lumber and rubberwood were studied. In general, the impregnated oil palm trunk core lumber obtained better physical properties than microwave dried oil palm trunk core lumber but slightly lower than rubberwood. The thermal stability of oil palm trunk core lumber was analyzed by using thermogravimetric analysis and it shows that rubberwood exhibited better thermal stability than impregnated oil palm trunk core lumber

Precision Rosenbluth Measurement of the Proton Elastic Electromagnetic Form Factors and Their Ratio at Q^2 = 2.64, 3.20, and 4.10 GeV^2

Due to the inconsistency in the results of the GEp/Gmp ratio of the proton, as extracted from the Rosenbluth and recoil polarization techniques, high precision measurements of the e-p elastic scattering cross sections were made at Q^2 = 2.64, 3.20, and 4.10 GeV^2. Protons were detected, in contrast to previous measurements where the scattered electrons were detected, which dramatically decreased epsilon-dependent systematic uncertainties and corrections. A single spectrometer measured the scattered protons of interest while simultaneous measurements at Q^2 = 0.5 GeV^2 were carried out using another spectrometer which served as a luminosity monitor in order to remove any uncertainties due to beam charge and target density fluctuations. The absolute uncertainty in the measured cross sections is \approx 3% for both spectrometers and with relative uncertainties, random and slope, below 1% for the higher Q^2 protons, and below 1% random and 6% slope for the monitor spectrometer. The extracted electric and magnetic form factors were determined to 4%-7% for GEp and 1.5% for GMp. The ratio GEp/Gmp was determined to 4%-7% and showed mu_p GEp/GMp \approx 1.0. The results of this work are in agreement with the previous Rosenbluth data and inconsistent with high-Q^2 recoil polarization results, implying a systematic difference between the two techniques.Comment: Ph.D. Thesis, Northwestern University, Advisor: Ralph E. Sege

Experimental and Analytical Characterization of Regenerated/nano Cellulose Composites

Fiber-reinforced composite materials are increasingly used for structural and engineering purposes. In particular, composites reinforced with natural fiber systems are becoming more and more popular due to their biodegradability and abundance; added to that other properties such as transparency, dimensional stability and good mechanical behavior. However, major issues remain to properly understand their behavior and enable their widespread use. In this thesis, the mechanical behavior of cellulose fiber/epoxy composites is investigated. The natural fiber systems studied fall into three categories: unidirectional regenerated cellulose fibers, triaxially braided quasi-isotropic regenerated cellulose fibers and micro-fibrillated cellulose in the form of nanocellulose scaffolds. Different methods of fabrication including wet layup, resin infusion, hot pressing and combinations of the three processes were investigated. Mechanical testing of tension coupons or three-point bending was performed to assess the mechanical behavior. When permitted, mechanical testing was accompanied by other validation techniques to help understand the mechanical behavior including digital image correlation (DIC) and acoustic emission. The effect of temperature and loading frequency on the mechanical behavior was also investigated by performing short beam testing using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). Environmental effects, mainly the effect of moisture on the behavior of the fibers and the composites was also investigated. Additionally, the effect of the level of cure of the resin was found to have a detrimental effect on the mechanical behavior of the composites and was studied using DMA and Digital Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Finally, the experimental results were extended and validated using numerical solutions and finite element simulations. Results show that thermal and mechanical properties are highly sensitive to the different factors being investigated; mainly humidity, temperature, manufacturing procedure and parameters, fiber content, as well as the level of curing of the epoxy

The Effect of the Quality of Financial Reporting on the Development of the Level of Quality of Profits Declared in the Financial Reports of Banks Listed on the Palestine Exchange: An Empirical Study

The study aimed to demonstrate the impact of the quality of financial reporting on developing the level of the quality of profits announced in the financial reports of banks listed on the Palestine Stock Exchange. The study relied on a sample of (6) banks listed on the Palestine Stock Exchange during the period (2014-2017). The study developed the level of profits quality as a dependent variable, while the independent variables included accuracy, appropriateness and appropriate timing for financial reporting, and the results of the study showed that there is a positive impact at the level of significance (? ? 0.05) of accuracy on the level of profit quality declared for banks listed on the Palestine Stock Exchange. There is an adverse effect at the level of significance (? ? 0.05) of the suitability and the appropriate timing at the level of the quality of profits declared for the banks listed on the Palestine Stock Exchange. By providing information to its users in a timely manner, otherwise, this information will lose its value, and the need for continuous development of financial reporting reports in light of the emerging and changing needs of users of financial reports or other stakeholders