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Introduction The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the proliferation and secretion activity of feline adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Methods Feline MSC isolated from the subcutaneous adipose tissue of cats were cultured with or without bFGF. Results The bFGF addition enhanced the proliferation of feline MSC to a significant great extent compared with that without bFGF, although the cell proliferation tended to increase with the bFGF concentration. In addition, adipogenic and osteogenic staining assay demonstrated that the bFGF addition allowed MSC to maintain the differentiation ability even after the proliferation. Moreover, no change in the surface markers of MSC was observed between the cultures with or without bFGF. A quantitative RT-PCR assay revealed that the HGF and TSG-6 expression significantly increased by the bFGF addition. The highest mRNA expression of MMP-2 was observed for cells cultured in 1000 ng/ml bFGF concentration. Conclusions The culture with bFGF is a promising way to enhance the proliferation, and HGF secretion ability of MSC as well as maintain their differentiation ability and immunophenotype nature., Highlights • Feline adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) was cultured with or without the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). • The bFGF enhanced the proliferation and increased the mRNA expression of HGF, TSG-6, and MMP-2. • The bFGF addition was not influenced to the differentiation ability and cell surface marker of MSC.

Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (UXADR) is an integral membrane protein that serves as a receptor for coxsackie B viruses and adenovirus types 2 and 5. Previous studies demonstrated that Fowl adenovirus (FAV) can also utilize Homo sapiens CXADR to infect cells. FAV is a double-stranded DNA virus of the family Adenoviridae. FAV causes inclusion body hepatitis and hydropericardium syndrome in chickens. In addition, FAV serotypes 1 and 8 have recently been shown to cause gizzard erosion in chickens. These chicken diseases and growth insufficiency caused by FAV infection result in great economic loss. Thus, identifying and characterizing the viral receptor would further enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying virus infection and histocompatibility. Here, in order to determine the FAV receptor in chickens, we investigated the effect of the recently identified Gallus gallus CXADR (ggCXADR) on FAV infection. Overexpression of ggCXADR in CHO cells resulted in increased FAV binding and expression of early FAV genes. However, the propagation of infectious viruses in CHO cells expressing ggCXADR was not detected. These findings provide the basis for further studies aimed at elucidating the infection mechanism of FAV. Further research is required to characterize the additional host factors involved in FAV infection and life cycle.

Via a batch process in an autoclave, the foam processing of neat polylactide (PLA) and two different types of PLA/layered silicate nanocomposites has been conducted using supercritical carbon dioxide as a foaming agent. The morphological correlation between the dispersed silicate particles with nanometer dimensions in the bulk and the obtained closed-cell structure of the foam is discussed, This is the first report that deals with the possibility of preparing biodegradable nanocellular polymeric foamsvia nanocomposite technology.

Laryngoplasty is an operation for voice reconstruction performed for recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, and this operation needs intraoperative speech monitoring. Previously, all procedures were performed under local anesthesia. Therefore, patients were suffering, and otolaryngologists had difficulty because of patients' coughs and laryngeal movements. We used dexmedetomidine (DEX) with local anesthesia for laryngoplasty.We retrospectively examined 6 patients who had undergone laryngoplasty from January 2008 to October 2010. Patients received local anesthesia for pain control and DEX for sedation. Anesthesiologists achieved adequate sedation level (Ramsay's score 3-4) with DEX.Sedation was induced with 6 microg x kg(-1). hr(-1) of DEX for 10 minutes. All patients were maintained at 0.2-1.2 microg x kg(-1) x hr(-1). A local anesthetic(8.6 +/- 2.3 ml of 1% lidocaine 1 : 100,000 epinephrine) was used. During the initial loading of DEX, the patients' vital signs were stable. DEX suppressed coughs and laryngeal movements and did not cause respiratory depression. They were able to respond to the otolaryngologists' demand for a voice test.Dexmedetomidine was useful for sedation during laryngoplasty with voice monitoring.

Understanding the structure/property relationship in polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites is of great importance in designing materials with desired properties. In order to understand these relations, a series of polylactide (PLA)/organically modified layered silicate (OMLS) nanocomposites have been prepared using a simple melt extrusion technique. Four different types of OMLS have been used for the preparation of nanocomposites, three were modified with functionalized ammonium salts while fourth one was a phosphonium salt modified OMLS. The structure of the nanocomposites in the nanometer scale was characterized by using wide-angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic observations. Using four different types of layered silicates modified with four different types of surfactants, the effect of OMLS in nanocomposites was investigated by focusing on four major aspects: structural analysis, thermal properties and spherulite morphology, materials properties, and biodegradability. Finally, we draw conclusions about the structure/property relationship in the case of PLA/OMLS nanocomposites.