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Enormous Potential (enormous + potential)
Selected AbstractsCarbon Nanotube Monolayer Patterns for Directed Growth of Mesenchymal Stem Cells,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 18 2007Y. Park Carbon nanotube (CNT) monolayer patterns are utilized to control the growth of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) (see figure). MSCs exhibit preferential growth on CNT patterns, suggesting that the CNT monolayer does not have a harmful effect on the MSCs. Furthermore, the growth of MSCs on swCNT patterns between electrodes is demonstrated. These results show that CNT patterns have enormous potential as a new platform for basic research and applications using stem cells. [source] Novel cosmetic delivery systems: an application updateINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 1 2008V. B. Patravale Synopsis World consumers are nowadays more focused on their health and appearance. This trend is creating heightened demand for products formulated with natural and nutraceutical ingredients. Functional ingredients and innovative delivery systems are driving the new product development in the field of cosmetics. A significant number of innovative formulations are now being used in personal care with real consumer-perceivable benefits and optimized sensory attributes, resulting in an economic uplift of cosmetic industry. In fact, the U.S. market alone for novel cosmetic delivery systems has been projected to be more than $41 billion for the year 2007. Novel cosmetic delivery systems reviewed here possess enormous potential as next-generation smarter carrier systems. [source] Soluble, insoluble and geometric signals sculpt the architecture of mineralized tissuesJOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 2 2004U. Ripamonti Abstract Bone morphogenetic and osteogenic proteins (BMPs/OPs), members of the transforming growth factor-, (TGF-,) superfamily, are soluble mediators of tissue morphogenesis and induce de novo endochondral bone formation in heterotopic extraskeletal sites as a recapitulation of embryonic development. In the primate Papio ursinus, the induction of bone formation has been extended to the TGF-, isoforms per se. In the primate and in the primate only, the TGF-, isoforms are initiators of endochondral bone formation by induction and act in a species-, site- and tissue-specific mode with robust endochondral bone induction in heterotopic sites but with limited new bone formation in orthotopic bone defects. The limited inductive capacity orthotopically of TGF-, isoforms is associated with expression of the inhibitory Smads, Smad6 and Smad7. In primates, bone formation can also be induced using biomimetic crystalline hydroxyapatite matrices with a specific surface geometry and without the exogenous application of osteogenic proteins of the TGF-, superfamily, even when the biomimetic matrices are implanted heterotopically in the rectus abdominis muscle. The sequence of events that directs new bone formation upon the implantation of highly crystalline biomimetic matrices initiates with vascular invasion, mesenchymal cell migration, attachment and differentiation of osteoblast-like cells attached to the substratum, expression and synthesis of osteogenic proteins of the TGF-, superfamily resulting in the induction of bone as a secondary response. The above findings in the primate indicate enormous potential for the bioengineering industry. Of particular interest is that biomimetic matrices with intrinsic osteoinductivity would be an affordable option in the local context. [source] Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk ReductionJOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPERTENSION, Issue 1 2003Karol Watson MD Elevated blood pressure is the most common chronic illness in the United States, affecting more than 50 million people. Hypertension is an even greater problem in the African American community. Traditionally, management of hypertension and cardiovascular risk reduction has focused on drug therapy; however, several studies have shown the benefits of therapeutic lifestyle changes for blood pressure lowering and cardiovascular risk reduction. Therapeutic lifestyle changes to reduce blood pressure have enormous potential as a means for preventing and controlling hypertension and thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. Although the reductions in blood pressure are relatively modest with these approaches, they could potentially have a beneficial impact on overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality when applied to the whole population. Because of their high prevalence of certain cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., obesity, diabetes mellitus) and greater salt sensitivity, therapeutic lifestyle changes have particular relevance for African Americans. [source] Our genes are not our destiny: incorporating molecular medicine into clinical practiceJOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 1 2008Stephen J. Genuis MD FRCSC DABOG DABEM FAAEM Abstract In many developed nations, the state of publicly administered health care is increasingly precarious as a result of escalating numbers of chronically ill patients, inadequate medical personnel and hospital facilities, as well as sparse funding for ongoing upgrades to state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic technology , an increased emphasis on aetiology-centred medicine should be considered in order to achieve improved health for patients and populations. Medical practice patterns which are designed to provide quick and effective amelioration of signs and symptoms are frequently not an enduring solution to many health afflictions and chronic disease states. Recent scientific discovery has rendered the drug-oriented algorithmic paradigm commonly found in contemporary evidence-based medicine to be a reductionist approach to clinical practice. Unfolding evidence appears to support a genetic predisposition model of health and illness rather than a fatalistic predestination construct , modifiable epigenetic and environmental factors have enormous potential to influence clinical outcomes. By understanding and applying fundamental clinical principles relating to the emerging fields of molecular medicine, nutrigenomics and human exposure assessment, doctors will be empowered to address causality of affliction when possible and achieve sustained reprieve for many suffering patients. [source] Genomics and systems biology , how relevant are the developments to veterinary pharmacology, toxicology and therapeutics?JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2005R. F. WITKAMP This review discusses some of the recent developments in genomics and its current and future relevance for veterinary pharmacology and toxicology. With the rapid progress made in this field several new approaches in pharmacological and toxicological research have developed and drug discovery and drug development strategies have changed dramatically. In this review, the term genomics is used to encompass the three sub-disciplines transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics (or metabonomics) to describe the formation and fate of mRNA, proteins and metabolites, respectively. The current status and methods of the technology and some applications are briefly described. Although the DNA sequencing programmes are receiving considerable attention, the real value of genomics for pharmacology and toxicology is brought by the parallel developments in bio-informatics, bio-statistics and the integration of biology with mathematics and information technology. The ultimate level of integration is now mostly called systems biology, where mRNA, proteins and metabolites are being analysed in parallel, using a complete arsenal of analytical techniques (DNA-array, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, NMR, etc.). The information thus collected is analysed, integrated, linked to database information and translated to pathways and systems. This approach offers an enormous potential to study disease mechanisms and find new drug targets. Thus far, genomics and systems biology have not been introduced significantly in typical veterinary pharmacological and toxicological research programmes. The high costs and complexity connected to these large projects often form major obstacles for research groups with limited budgets. In other veterinary areas and disciplines, including infectious diseases, animal production and food-safety more examples of application are available. Genomics and bio-informatics provide outstanding opportunities to study pharmacology and toxicology in a more holistic way, taking into account the complexity of biological systems and based on the basic principles of physiology and the concept of homeostasis. Knowledge of biology, in vivo and in vitro models, and comparative pharmacology/toxicology is essential here, creating excellent opportunities for the veterinary trained scientist. [source] MRI of the lungs using hyperpolarized noble gasesMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 6 2002Harald E. Möller Abstract The nuclear spin polarization of the noble gas isotopes 3He and 129Xe can be increased using optical pumping methods by four to five orders of magnitude. This extraordinary gain in polarization translates directly into a gain in signal strength for MRI. The new technology of hyperpolarized (HP) gas MRI holds enormous potential for enhancing sensitivity and contrast in pulmonary imaging. This review outlines the physics underlying the optical pumping process, imaging strategies coping with the nonequilibrium polarization, and effects of the alveolar microstructure on relaxation and diffusion of the noble gases. It presents recent progress in HP gas MRI and applications ranging from MR microscopy of airspaces to imaging pulmonary function in patients and suggests potential directions for future developments. Magn Reson Med 47:1029,1051, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Economists' Opinions of Economists' WorkAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007William L. Davis Economists' credibility has been waning in recent years. Critics usually cite the profession's preoccupation with abstract reasoning and its focus on seemingly irrelevant topics that hold little interest for individuals outside the discipline. While economic science has enormous potential for improving living standards, the profession's adverse reputation is indicative of a discipline seemingly void of any social contribution. This article presents the results of a recently conducted survey of professional economists. The survey was undertaken to ascertain economists' opinions of their own professional work, including the progress of economic research, its usefulness for society, and factors that determine the publication of that research. [source] Steps toward the ripening of relationship sciencePERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 1 2007HARRY T. REIS Recent decades have seen remarkable growth in research and theorizing about relationships. E. Berscheid (1999) invigorated this growth by proclaiming "The Greening of Relationship Science," the emergence of a multidisciplinary science of interpersonal relationships with enormous potential to advance knowledge about human behavior and to provide an empirically informed framework for improving the human condition. Here I discuss several steps necessary to move the field from a green science toward a more mature, ripened one, including the need to be action oriented but in a theory-building way, to become more cumulative and collective, and to develop an integrated network of theories, constructs, and their observable manifestations. Perceived partner responsiveness is one possible central organizing theme for the diverse phenomena relationship scientists study. [source] Synthesis of pH-responsive crosslinked poly[styrene- co -(maleic sodium anhydride)] and cellulose composite hydrogel nanofibers by electrospinningPOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2009Shengguang Cao Abstract BACKGROUND: Stimuli-sensitive materials show enormous potential in the development of drug delivery systems. But the low response rate of most stimuli-sensitive materials limits their wider application. We propose that electrospinning, a technique for the preparation of ultrafine fibrous materials with ultrafine diameters, may be used to prepare materials with a fast response to stimuli. RESULTS: Poly[styrene- co -(maleic sodium anhydride)] and cellulose (SMA-Na/cellulose) hydrogel nanofibers were prepared through hydrolysis of precursor electrospun poly[styrene- co -(maleic anhydride)]/cellulose acetate (SMA/CA) nanofibers. In the presence of diethylene glycol, the SMA/CA composite nanofibers were crosslinked by esterification at 145 °C, and then hydrolyzed to yield crosslinked SMA-Na/cellulose hydrogel nanofibers. These nanofibers showed better mechanical strengths and were pH responsive. Their water swelling ratio showed a characteristic two-step increase at pH = 5.0 and 8.2, with the water swelling ratio reaching a maximum of 27.6 g g,1 at pH = 9.1. CONCLUSION: The crosslinked SMA-Na hydrogel nanofibers supported on cellulose showed improved dimensional stability upon immersion in aqueous solutions. They were pH responsive. This new type of hydrogel nanofiber is a potential material for biomedical applications. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Kinetics of antigen binding to antibody microspots: Strong limitation by mass transport to the surfacePROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 3 2006Wlad Kusnezow Dr. Abstract It is well documented that diffusion has generally a strong effect on the binding kinetics in the microtiter plate immunoassays. However, a systematic quantitative experimental evaluation of the microspot kinetics is still missing in the literature. Our work aims at filling this important gap of knowledge on the example of antigen binding to antibody microspots. A mathematical model was derived within the framework of two-compartment model and applied to the quantitative analysis of the experimental data obtained for typical antibody microspot assays. A strong mass-transport dependence of the antigen-antibody microspot kinetics was identified to be one of the main restrictions of this new technology. The binding reactions are slowed down in the microspot immunoassays by several orders of magnitude as compared with the corresponding well-stirred bulk reactions. The task to relax the mass-transport limitations should thus be one of the most important issues in designing the antibody microarrays. These limitations notwithstanding, the detection range of more than five orders of magnitude and the high sensitivity in the low femtomolar range were experimentally achieved in our study, demonstrating thus an enormous potential of this highly capable technology. [source] The Recent Double Paradigm Shift in Restoration EcologyRESTORATION ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Vicky M. Temperton Abstract The fields of ecology and ecological restoration possess an enormous potential for cross-fertilization of ideas and information. Ecology could play a major role in informing practical restoration, whereas restoration projects, often situated in quite extreme environments, provide an excellent opportunity to test ecological theories. Efforts to base restoration on more of a scientific foundation, however, have recently started gathering momentum, following the call for such a link by Tony Bradshaw in 1987. On another level, as we gather more experience and information from restoration projects, it is becoming equally clear that often neglected socioeconomic and political aspects of restoration should not be forgotten in the overall approach to restoration. The two paradigm shifts in ecological restoration, toward more scientific foundation and better inclusion of socioeconomic limits and opportunities, locate restoration firmly in the transdisciplinary arena, with all the concomitant challenges and opportunities. In this sense, ecological restoration could be compared to the medical profession, where both a sound knowledge of science and human nature are a prerequisite for success in healing. [source] From an environmental policy towards a sustainable tourism industry.AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 4 2001The Albanian case Abstract Albania possesses enormous potential in terms of environment resources, which could play a leading role in the economic reconstruction of the country. A great heritage of environmental resources, as well as of historical and archaeological sites, occurs along the coasts, which could allow a substantial development in the sector of tourism. Among the many priorities facing this emerging country, a valorization of the coastline may reveal that it represents one of the country's greatest resources, even if, at the moment, it shows signs of degradation and pollution. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Jekyll and Hyde: Evolving perspectives on the function and potential of the adult liver progenitor (oval) cell,BIOESSAYS, Issue 11 2005Belinda Knight The liver progenitor cell (LPC) has enormous potential for use in cell therapy to treat liver disease. Since liver regenerates readily from pre-existing hepatocytes, a role for LPCs and, indeed, their existence have been questioned. Research during the last decade has established that LPCs are an important alternative source of cells for liver regeneration. Their utility for cell therapy lies in their ability to generate both hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. However, they are observed in liver diseases that often lead to cancer and there is experimental evidence that implicates LPCs as the source of tumours. This article provides a brief history of the studies that established the functional importance of LPCs in liver disease. It focuses on mouse models that have led to the identification of factors that regulate LPC growth and differentiation and discusses LPCs derived from different sources. Recent promising results from both in vitro and vivo studies suggest that LPCs could be useful for cell therapy. In the context of liver disease, LPCs may indeed be the cell of the future and understandably "our favourite cell". BioEssays 27:1192,1202, 2005. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Present and future development in plastics from biomassBIOFUELS, BIOPRODUCTS AND BIOREFINING, Issue 1 2010Li Shen Abstract Biobased plastics have experienced fast growth in the past decade thanks to the public concerns over the environment, climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels. This perspective provides an overview of the current global market of biobased plastics, their material properties, technical substitution potential and future market (for 2020). In addition, the technology and market development of three biobased plastics, namely polylactide (PLA), biobased polyethylene (PE) and biobased epoxy resin, are discussed in detail. The emerging biobased plastics market is still small compared to traditional biobased polymers and biomaterials. The global capacity of the emerging biobased plastics was only 0.36 million tonnes in 2007. However, the market grew strongly between 2003 and 2007 (approx. 40% per year). The technical substitution potential of biobased plastics replacing petrochemical plastics is estimated at 90%, demonstrating the enormous potential of biobased plastics. Global capacity of biobased plastics is expected to reach 3.45 million metric tonnes in 2020. Starch plastics, PLA, biobased PE, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and biobased epoxy resin are expected to be the major types of biobased plastics in the future. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [source] A novel silicon patch-clamp chip permits high-fidelity recording of ion channel activity from functionally defined neuronsBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 4 2010Christophe Py Abstract We report on a simple and high-yield manufacturing process for silicon planar patch-clamp chips, which allow low capacitance and series resistance from individually identified cultured neurons. Apertures are etched in a high-quality silicon nitride film on a silicon wafer; wells are opened on the backside of the wafer by wet etching and passivated by a thick deposited silicon dioxide film to reduce the capacitance of the chip and to facilitate the formation of a high-impedance cell to aperture seal. The chip surface is suitable for culture of neurons over a small orifice in the substrate with minimal leak current. Collectively, these features enable high-fidelity electrophysiological recording of transmembrane currents resulting from ion channel activity in cultured neurons. Using cultured Lymnaea neurons we demonstrate whole-cell current recordings obtained from a voltage-clamp stimulation protocol, and in current-clamp mode we report action potentials stimulated by membrane depolarization steps. Despite the relatively large size of these neurons, good temporal and spatial control of cell membrane voltage was evident. To our knowledge this is the first report of recording of ion channel activity and action potentials from neurons cultured directly on a planar patch-clamp chip. This interrogation platform has enormous potential as a novel tool to readily provide high-information content during pharmaceutical assays to investigate in vitro models of disease, as well as neuronal physiology and synaptic plasticity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107:593,600. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Presentation of functional organophosphorus hydrolase fusions on the surface of Escherichia coli by the AIDA-I autotransporter pathwayBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 2 2008Chaokun Li Abstract We report, the surface presentation of organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions by employing the adhesin-involved-in-diffuse-adherence (AIDA-I) translocator domain as a transporter and anchoring motif. The surface location of the OPH,GFP fusion protein was confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy, and protease accessibility, followed by Western blotting analysis. The investigation of growth kinetics and stability of resting cultures showed that the presence of the AIDA-I translocator domain in the outer membrane neither inhibits cell growth nor affects cell viability. Furthermore, the surface-exposed OPH,GFP was shown to have enzymatic activity and a functional fluorescence moiety. These results suggest that AIDA-I autotransporter is a useful tool to present heterologous macromolecule passenger proteins on the bacterial surface. Our strategy of linking GFP to OPH and the possibility to employ various bacterial species as host has enormous potential for enhancing field use. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;99: 485,490. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] The roles of apoptotic pathways in the low recovery rate after cryopreservation of dissociated human embryonic stem cellsBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2010Xia Xu Abstract Human embryonic stem (hES) cells have enormous potential for clinical applications. However, one major challenge is to achieve high cell recovery rate after cryopreservation. Understanding how the conventional cryopreservation protocol fails to protect the cells is a prerequisite for developing efficient and successful cryopreservation methods for hES cell lines and banks. We investigated how the stimuli from cryopreservation result in apoptosis, which causes the low cell recovery rate after cryopreservation. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is significantly increased, F-actin content and distribution is altered, and caspase-8 and caspase-9 are activated after cryopreservation. p53 is also activated and translocated into nucleus. During cryopreservation apoptosis is induced by activation of both caspase-8 through the extrinsic pathway and caspase-9 through the intrinsic pathway. However, exactly how the extrinsic pathway is activated is still unclear and deserves further investigation. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010 [source] Technoreview: Molecular imaging of host,pathogen interactions in intact small animalsCELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2004David Piwnica-Worms Summary Characterization and non-invasive measurement of host,pathogen interactions in living cells, animal models and humans at the cellular and molecular levels is now possible using remote imaging detectors. Positron emission tomography scanners, highly sensitive cooled charge-coupled device cameras for bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging as well as high-magnetic-field magnetic resonance imaging scanners can be used to study such diverse processes as pathogen tropism, pathogen life cycle, signal transduction, host response, cell trafficking and gene transfer. In many cases, images from more than one modality can be fused, allowing structure,function and multifunction relationships to be studied on a tissue-restricted or regional basis. These new instruments, when used in conjunction with targeted contrast agents, reporter substrates and radiopharmaceuticals, enable ,molecular imaging' with enormous potential for elucidating host,pathogen interactions in intact animal models. [source] Fred Hollows lecture: Digital screening for eye diseaseCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 3 2000Ij Constable ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore progress, in the adaptation to community screening for blinding eye disease, of digital imaging devices and technology for storage and transmission. Available imaging systems were compared to gold standard clinical photography in terms of sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of common blinding eye conditions. Since the use of expensive non-portable imaging devices is likely to be limited for widespread community screening purposes, a portable fundus camera (Nidek, Chiyoda-ku, Japan) and a prototype monocular digital indirect ophthalmoscope constructed at the Lions Eye Institute (LEI) were selected for comparative trials for the screening of optic disc cupping, glaucoma and clinical signs of diabetic retinopathy. Fifty-one eyes of 27 consecutive patients being assessed at the LEI clinic for glaucoma were dilated and photographed with a Zeiss retinal camera, and digital images were taken with the portable Nidek NM100 fundus camera (Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany) or with a prototype digital monocular indirect ophthalmoscope. Vertical cup : disc ratios (VCDR) were measured on the disc photographs by one ophthalmologist while three other clinicians were presented with compressed digital images in random order to estimate VCDR. Field trials were also carried out to demonstrate the practicality of compression, local storage and then transmission by mobile telephone ISDN lines and satellite, of optic discs and fundus images of patients with diabetes in either rural Western Australia or Surabaya, Indonesia. Kappa values of correlations of measurement of agreement between measured and estimated VCDR were 0.87, 0.45 and 0.84, respectively, for the three observers, corresponding to a specificity of 79,97% and a sensitivity of 70,95%. The portable Nidek fundus camera was also assessed for specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy in comparison to standard Zeiss fundus camera photographs. Of 49 eyes in 25 consecutive patients attending the LEI clinic for assessment of diabetic retinopathy, three ophthalmologists assessed photographs and images in random order. When used for screening diabetic retinopathy, the digital images of the Nidek camera were graded as adequate quality in only 56% of eyes compared to 93% of the photographs. The kappa value of agreement in analysis of diabetic retinopathy was only 0.30. The prototype digital monocular indirect ophthalmoscope compared favourably with the Nidek camera. At 1:5 compression, images of size 36 kB transmitted from Surabaya to Perth took 29 s on the mobile telephone, while uncompressed images took 170 s. Images compressed 1:5 were transmitted in 60 s using the satellite telephone, while the uncompressed images took 240 s. Satellite transmission was more expensive but the lines were more stable than telephone connections from Indonesia. Digital imaging is becoming a powerful tool for ophthalmology in clinical records, teaching and research, and interoffice diagnostic opinions. It also has enormous potential for community screening for blinding eye diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Inexpensive portable imaging devices that are easy to use, and on which local health workers might be trained, must be developed and validated in terms of sensitivity and specificity of performance. The technology of image capture, image compression, transmission, data base storage and analysis is rapidly evolving and becoming less expensive. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||