Separation of promethazine and thioridazine using capillary electrophoresis with end-column amperometric detection

Promethazine and thioridazine were separated and detected by capillary electrophoresis with end-column amperometric detection. The influence of pH Value on oxidation potential, the peak current and the resolution were studied and the following conditions was selected: 0.03 M Na2HPO4 and 0.015 M citric acid at pH 3.0, detection potential at 1.10 V. The detection limits of these two substances were in the range of 10(-8) mol/l. The linear range spanned two to three orders of magnitude. This method was applied to the detection of promethazine and thioridazine spiked in urine. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Laser light-scattering study of novel thermoplastics .1. Phenolphthalein poly(aryl ether ketone)

Five different molecular weight phenolphthalein poly(aryl ether ketone) (PEK-C) fractions in CHCl3 were studied by static and dynamic laser light scattering(LLS). The dynamic LLS revealed that the PEK-C samples contain some large polymer clusters. These large clusters can be removed by filtering the solution with a 0.1-mu m filter. We found that the persistence length of PEK-C in CHCl3 at 25 degrees C is similar to 2 nm and the Flory characteristic ratio, C-infinity is similar to 25. Our results showed that [R(g)(2)](1/2)(z) = (3.50+/-0.20) x 10(-2)M(w)(0.54+/-0.01) and [D] = (2.37+/-0.05) x 10(-4)M(w)(-0.55+/-0.01), with [R(g)(2)](1/2)(z), M(w), and [D] being the z-average radius of gyration, the weight-average molecular weight, and the z-average translational diffusion coefficient, respectively. A combination of static and dynamic LLS results enabled us to determine D = (2.20+/-0.10) x 10(-4)M(-0.555+/-0.015), where D and M correspond to monodisperse species. Using this calibration between D and M,we have determined molecular weight distributions of five PEK-C fractions from their corresponding translational diffusion coefficient distribution.

A DYNAMIC LASER LIGHT-SCATTERING STUDY OF CHITOSAN IN AQUEOUS-SOLUTION

The solution behavior of four chitosans (91% deacetylated chitin) with different molecular weights in 0.2M CH3COOH/0.1M CH3COONa aqueous solution was investigated at 25 degrees C by dynamic laser light scattering (LLS). The Laplace inversion of the precisely measured intensity-intensity time correlation function leads us to an estimate of the line-width distribution G(Gamma), which could be further reduced to a translational diffusion coefficient distribution G(D). By using a combination of static and dynamic LLS results, i.e. Mw and G(D), we were able to establish a calibration of D = k(D)M(-alpha D) with k(D) = (3.14 +/- 0.20) X 10(-4) and alpha(D) = 0.655 +/- 0.015. By using this calibration, we successfully converted G(D) into a molecular weight distribution f(w)(M). The larger alpha(D) value confirms that the chitosan chain is slightly extended in aqueous solution even in the presence of salts. This is mainly due to its backbone and polyelectrolytes nature. As a very sensitive technique, our dynamic LLS results also revealed that even in dilute solution chitosan still forms a small amount of larger sized aggregates that have ben overlooked in previous studies. The calibration obtained in this study will provide another way to characterize the molecular weight distribution of chitosan in aqueous solution at room temperature. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

中国近海浮游细菌生物量与生产力的生态分布特点

本论文研究了胶洲湾、东海和渤海的蓝细菌（Synechococcus）、生物量、异养细菌生物量和生产力的生态学特点。并在汇泉湾、渤海和东海用分极增减法对海洋蓝细菌在微型食物环（the microbial loop）中的作用进行了初步研究。在以上海区调查研究的时间如下：胶州湾：1993年2月、5月、9月11月，1996年5月、1999年3月、5月和12月。汇泉湾：1996年4月至1998年4月。东海：1997年2-3月，1998年7月。渤海1998年9-10月，1999年4-5月。研究结果如下：胶州湾：蓝细菌生物量的变化范围是11.4-0.03 mgC/m~3，季节变化是夏季>秋季和春季>冬季。其水平分布是除夏季蓝细菌生物量是沿岸浅水区向湾外递减外，其它三季（春、秋和冬季）是由湾外向湾内至沿岸浅水区递减。蓝细菌生物量与海水温度周年变化正相关，与季节海水温度的关系是秋、冬季分布变化一致，春、夏季分布变化相反。海水温度是影响胶州湾蓝细菌生物量分布变化的主要原因。异养细菌生物量和生产力的变化范围分别是29.8-1.62 mgC/m~3; 129.12-1.92 mgC/m~3.d。季节变化都是夏季>秋季、春季>冬季。夏季的异养细菌生物量和生产力水平分布趋势与蓝细菌生物量的分布变化相同。海水温度对异养细菌生产力的影响较对异养细菌生物量的影响大。异养细菌生产力相比（BP:PP）的变化在0.58-0.02之间，季节分布变化是夏季>秋季、春季>冬季。夏季表层的BP:PP由沿岸浅水区向湾心、湾口和湾外递减。东海：蓝细菌生物量的变化范围是46.72-0.011 mgC/m~3，夏季高平均是23.59 mgC/m~3，冬季低平均是3.61 mgC/m~3。冬季蓝细菌生物量的水平分布明显受黑潮的影响，在表面和20米层是由东南向西北方向递减。其垂直分布是冬季表层和20米层>底层，夏季是20米层>表层>底层；在连续站冬111站和410站变化都是中层>底层>表层。异养细菌生物量和生产力的变化范围分别是17.2-4.4 mgC/m~3（1997.2）；376.8-7.2 mgC/m~3.d。异养细菌生产力夏季高平均是35.1 mgC/m~3.d。异养细菌生物量的水平分布是由沿岸向外海递增（1997.2），异养细菌生产力的水平分布是冬季异养细菌生产力在32度断面有由沿岸向外递减趋势，PN断面的变化与冬季相似。垂直分布，冬季和夏季的异养细菌生产力的垂直变化在2断面是底层大于表面，PN断面则是表层大于底层，32度断面大多断站是底层大于表层。在连续站冬季111站异养细菌生产力的变化是底层>中层>表层，409站的变化是中层>底层>表层，夏季111站和410站都是中>底层>表层。异养细菌生物量（1997.2）表层分布变化与海水温度分布变化相似，底层变化相反。异养细菌生产力与初级生产力相比（BP:PP），冬季在0.04-0.30之间，平均为0.17；夏季在0.20-0.43之间平均0.32。冬季在长江口附近BP：PP有一个高值区是0.30，夏季在111站附近有一个高值区是0.43。从连续站111站和409’站观测发现底层的BP：PP明显高于表层。渤海：蓝细菌生物量秋季（16.6-0.37 mgC/m~3）比春季（0.44-0.015 mgC/m~3）高。其秋季的水平分布与海水盐度水平分布相同，与海水温度水平分布相反。异养细菌生产力秋季（189-62.2 mgC/m~3.d）与春季（193.2-49.8 mgC/m~3.d）相当。但秋季捕层BP普遍小于底层，而春季是表层普遍大于底层。根据颗粒分级培养实验结果，海洋蓝图细菌在微型食物环中的作用如下：在汇泉湾的春季和秋季蓝细菌可能主要被小型浮游动物（microzooplankton 20-200 μm）捕食。在渤海的春季和秋季也是同样结果。但在东海夏季的111站和410站附近（东海大陆架中部）微型浮游动物（nanozooplankton 2-20 μm）对蓝细菌的捕食压力明显。

牙鲆性腺分化发育及类固醇激素T和E2对性腺分化的影响

本文采用组织学手段研究了牙鲆性腺在分化、发育和成熟过程中的变化。然后，通过放射性免疫方法（RIA）测定了牙鲆仔稚幼鱼全组织匀浆液中的性类固醇激素—睾酮（T）和雌二醇（E2）的含量，并结合牙鲆血清中T和E2含量的年周期测定，从内分泌学水平探讨了T和E2在其性腺分化、发育和成熟过程中水平的变化规律。同时，采用高温和雌性激素对性腺未分化的普通和雌核发育牙鲆仔稚鱼进行诱导处理，获得了较高比例的雄性鱼/假雄鱼或100%雌性鱼；并研究了这些外界环境因子对牙鲆性腺分化、性别比率及体内T和E2水平的影响，藉此探讨了牙鲆性别决定与性腺分化的细胞学和内分泌学机制。 对牙鲆仔稚幼鱼性腺的组织切片观察发现，培育水温18~20℃下，孵化后第45天、平均全长<22.0±2.8 mm的牙鲆，其性腺分化尚未开始，属于原始性腺；在孵化后70日龄、平均全长为38.0±1.7 mm左右，部分个体中观察到卵巢的雏形，其余个体的性腺在此阶段以及之后的一段时间内变化并不明显；到了第110天、平均全长达到86.5±5.9 mm时，雌性个体卵巢出现了卵原细胞向卵母细胞的转变，标志着卵巢分化的结束。在90日龄、平均全长为63.5±3.4 mm的雄性牙鲆中，精原细胞快速增殖，并观察到了输精管结构；进一步的细胞学分化则出现在100日龄、平均全长为76.0±8.6 mm的个体中，此时可以看到精小叶的形成；在平均全长为140.0±15.2 mm时，精巢中出现初级精母细胞，标志着性腺分化的基本完成。 对牙鲆仔稚幼鱼全组织匀浆和成鱼血清中的T和E2水平的比较发现，在全长为6 mm左右的仔鱼中T和E2含量均较高。随后，在性腺分化过程中T含量大大降低，E2的含量急剧增高，而性腺分化后期E2含量又降到较低的水平。在雄性牙鲆成鱼中， 从精巢第Ⅲ期开始，T含量随着精巢的发育而增加，到了精巢第Ⅴ期性腺发育成熟并排精后，又降低到较低的水平；E2含量在从精巢第Ⅲ期发育至精巢第Ⅴ期过程中略呈降低的趋势，但是总体上来说没有明显的差异。在雌性牙鲆成鱼中，卵巢从第Ⅱ期到第Ⅳ期的过程中，T水平逐渐升高，在第Ⅴ期时则明显降低；而E2含量在卵巢第Ⅱ期时保持较低的水平，随着卵巢的发育，E2含量逐渐增高，在卵巢第Ⅳ期时达到最高水平，在第Ⅴ期产卵后又有所降低。在雌雄个体中T和E2均呈现周期性的变化。5月份随着水温的升高，雄性个体T和E2含量显著上升；到了9月份又逐渐下降至最低值。雌性个体E2含量自3月份开始增高，在5月份急剧升高，并在6月份达到最高值；在7月份的时候，E2突然降低，而到了8月份又有所回升；9月份之后E2逐渐降低并在1月份左右降到最低；而T的含量分别在2月份和6月份出现两次高峰。 温度诱导牙鲆幼鱼性腺分化的结果表明，牙鲆中存在明显的TSD机制，即其性腺分化因饲育水温的不同而变化：在一定温度范围内，随着饲育温度的增加，牙鲆的雄性比例逐渐增高，常温对照组和21℃组中的雄性比例分别为51.62%、60.00%，而在24℃和28℃高温组中，雄性比例显著高于对照组，分别达到73.33%和87.27%。T和E2含量测定显示，在性腺分化时期，高温和对照组中T含量没有明显的变化，而温度处理组中的E2水平则低于对照组，特别是在28℃高温组，其E2水平显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。外源E2处理性腺未分化的牙鲆幼鱼的结果也表明，牙鲆的死亡率与雌性化比率均为雌性激素剂量依赖型的。随着外源E2剂量的增加，雌性比率增加，但同时死亡率也增高。此期间T和E2水平比较发现，在性腺分化时期，对照组中的T含量稍高于雌激素处理组；而对照组中的E2含量高于0.2 ppm和2 ppm两个低剂量组，却低于20 ppm和100 ppm两个高剂量组。 同时，还对人工诱导培育的雌核发育牙鲆和性反转牙鲆进行了性腺发育观察，在所观察的雌核发育牙鲆个体中，其雌性比例为83.33%，而高温28℃饲育群体中的雄性比例（即假雄鱼比例）为91.67%；在雌性个体中，也有一定比例的个体性腺发育不正常，有的性腺发育较小，有的则缺少部分性腺。进一步对雌核发育成体的血清中T和E2含量进行测量，发现在普通牙鲆个体中T含量显著低于雌核发育个体，而E2含量则高于雌核发育牙鲆；在雌核发育牙鲆中，性腺发育不正常的个体比性腺发育正常的个体中的T含量稍高，而E2含量则显著低于正常雌核发育牙鲆个体和普通牙鲆个体（P< 0.05）。

八株海洋微生物次级代谢产物的研究

本论文选取4株胶州湾海洋放线菌和4株条斑紫菜丝状体相关丝状真菌，进行了次级代谢产物的分离纯化与鉴定，共得到78个单体化合物，其中10个为新颖结构。对部分纯化合物进行了抑菌，抗肿瘤活性测试，并对菌株进行了菌种鉴定。具体结果如下： 从胶州湾放线菌M491，M097，M361和M353得到40个单体化合物，其中6个为新颖结构化合物。从M491分离到14个单体化合物，包括2个新结构倍半萜15-hydroxy-T-muurolol (1a)和11,15-dihydroxy-T-muurolol (1b)，2个首次报道的微生物来源的倍半萜T-muurolol (2b)和3α-hydroxy-T-muurolol (2c)，2个新颖结构大环内酯chalcomycin C (7)和chalcomycin D (8)。制备了3-oxo-T-muurolol (2a)单晶体，纠正了前人发表的错误结构。从M353分离得到10个化合物，包括2个新颖倍半萜5-hydroxy-epi-isozizaene (28)和5,14-dihydroxy-isozizaene (30)。自M097和M361分别分离得到12个，4个已知结构化合物。 从健康条斑紫菜丝状体分离得到了12株真菌。从优势附生菌N5分离得到了12个化合物，包括phenylacetic acid (42)，p-hydroxyphenylethyl alcohol (43)和L-β-phenyllactic acid (49)等广谱抗生素和紫菜生长调节剂。 对分离自白斑病条斑紫菜丝状体真菌N27，EF8，GA4进行了次级代谢产物研究，分离得到38个单体化合物。从GA4分离得到了16个化合物，4个为新结构化合物，包括1个酰脲类化合物hualyzin (62)和3个phenalenone族新化合物7-methyl isonorherqueinone (69)，7,8-dimethyl atrovenetin (70)和8-methyl-deoxyherqueinone (73)。从真菌N27和EF8分别分离得到12个和2个已知结构化合物。 采用MTT法，对37株人体肿瘤细胞株活性表明：chalcomycin C (7)和chalcomycin D (8)具有非常强的细胞毒活性，其平均IC50分别为0.027 μg/mL和0.007 μg/mL。7,8-Dimethyl atrovenetin (71)和8-methyl deoxyherqueinone (73)具有中等细胞毒活性，其平均IC50分别为5.1 μg/mL和0.7 μg/mL。 此外，本文首次报道了几个已知化合物的细胞毒活性，分别是chalcomycin （0.015 μg/mL），kalamycin (0.06 µg/mL)，(+)-homononactic acid（1.9 µg/mL），(+)-nonactic acid（2.3 µg/mL），griseoviridin（3.9 µg/mL），cyclo（L-Trp-L-Phe）（3.3 µg/mL），WIN 64821（5.8 µg/mL）和3,5-dihydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone（3.3 µg/mL）。 菌种鉴定结果表明：M353归属链霉菌，GA4，N27归属青霉属，EF8归属曲霉属，N5为枝孢霉属。

Antioxidant activity of differently regioselective chitosan sulfates in vitro

Differently regioselective chitosan sulfates were prepared according to Hanno Baumann's methods. Their antioxidant potencies were investigated employing various established in vitro systems, such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)/superoxide/hydroxyl radicals scavenging, reducing power, iron ion chelating and total antioxidant activity. All kinds of sulfated chitosans (HCTS, TSCTS, SCTS, TCTS) showed strong inhibitory activity toward superoxide radical by the PMS-NADH system compared to Vc. According to the above-mentioned order their IC50 were 0.012, 0.040, 0.015, 0.022mg/mL, respectively, however, scavenging activity of Vc on superoxide radical was 68.19% at 2.0mg/mL. Scavenging activity of superoxide radical was found to be in the order of HCTS > SCTS > TCTS > TSCTS > Vc. Furthermore, all kinds of sulfated chitosans exhibited strong concentration-dependent inhibition of deoxyribose oxidation. Except for HCTS, others had stronger scavenging activity on hydroxyl radical than Vc. Scavenging effect of TSCTS on 1, 1 -diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy] radical was little lower than that of BHA, but better than that of others. All kinds of sulfated chitosans were efficient in the reducing power, especially TSCTS. TSCTS and TCTS showed considerable ferrous ion chelating potency. The data obtained in vitro models clearly establish the antioxidant potency of all kinds of sulfated chitosans. These in vitro results suggested the possibility that sulfated chitosans could be effectively employed as ingredient in health or functional food, to alleviate oxidative stress. However, comprehensive studies need to be conducted to ascertain the in vivo safety of sulfated chitosans in experimental animal models. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Different responses to selection in two stocks of the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians Lamarck (1819)

Two different stocks (A and B) of the bay scallop Argopecten irradialls irradians (Lamarck, 1819) were used to test mass selection on growth. Stock A was a descending stock from the initial introduction from U.S.A. in 1982, which had been cultured in China for about 20 years. Stock B was the third generation from a recent introduction from U.S.A. in 1999. Truncation selection was conducted by selecting the largest 11% scallops in shell length from Stock A and the largest 12.7% scallops from Stock B as parents for the respective selected groups. Before the removal of parents for truncation selection, equal numbers of scallops were randomly chosen from Stock A and B to serve as parents for the control groups. Offspring from the four groups were reared under the same hatchery, nursery, and grow-out conditions. Values of response to selection and realized heritability at larvae, spat and grow-out stages for Stock B were all significantly (P < 0.001) higher than its counterpart for Stock A. For Stock A, no significant response to selection was observed (P > 0.05) at any stage, and the realized heritability for shell length was 0.015 +/- 0.024 for larvae, 0.040 +/- 0.027 for spat, and 0.080 +/- 0.009 for grow-out, respectively. For Stock B, however, significant (P < 0.05) response to selection was observed, and the realized heritability for shell length was 0.511 +/- 0.010 for larvae, 0.341 +/- 0.022 for spat, and 0.338 +/- 0.015 for grow-out. On average, responses to selection at the three stages for Stock B was 30 x, 7.1 x, and 3 x higher than its counterpart for Stock A, respectively. Accordingly, realized heritability at above stages for Stock B was 33 X, 7.5 x, and 3.2 X higher than its counterpart for Stock A, respectively. Differences in response to selection and realized heritability between the two stocks are presumably due to differences in genetic variability. As the 20th generation from the initial introduction consisted of only 26 scallops, Stock A is known to be highly inbred, while inbreeding in Stock B is negligible. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recovering Intrinsic Images from a Single Image

We present an algorithm that uses multiple cues to recover shading and reflectance intrinsic images from a single image. Using both color information and a classifier trained to recognize gray-scale patterns, each image derivative is classified as being caused by shading or a change in the surface's reflectance. Generalized Belief Propagation is then used to propagate information from areas where the correct classification is clear to areas where it is ambiguous. We also show results on real images.

Activity Zones for Context-Aware Computing

Location is a primary cue in many context-aware computing systems, and is often represented as a global coordinate, room number, or Euclidean distance various landmarks. A user?s concept of location, however, is often defined in terms of regions in which common activities occur. We show how to partition a space into such regions based on patterns of observed user location and motion. These regions, which we call activity zones, represent regions of similar user activity, and can be used to trigger application actions, retrieve information based on previous context, and present information to users. We suggest that context-aware applications can benefit from a location representation learned from observing users. We describe an implementation of our system and present two example applications whose behavior is controlled by users? entry, exit, and presence in the zones.

A Constant-Factor Approximation Algorithm for Embedding Unweighted Graphs into Trees

We present a constant-factor approximation algorithm for computing an embedding of the shortest path metric of an unweighted graph into a tree, that minimizes the multiplicative distortion.

Levantamento semidetalhado dos solos do Projeto Jaíba (etapa III), Estado de Minas Gerais.

Com o objetivo de prover informações dos recursos de solos da área de expansão do projeto de irrigação do Jaíba (Etapa III, que abrange 12.015 ha), a fim de possibilitar o adequado planejamento e monitoramento das atividades agrossilvipastoris e de preservação ambiental, foi realizado o levantamento de solos em nível de semidetalhe, na escala 1:50.000, conforme as normas preconizadas pela Embrapa. Predomina cobertura sedimentar cenozóica sobre rochas do Grupo Bambuí, dispostas em superfície aplainada, amplamente dominante, pontuada por dolinas e uvalas, além de um trecho de planície fluvial, ao longo do rio Ilha do Retiro. A região é caracterizada por temperaturas médias elevadas, precipitações médias abaixo dos 900 mm anuais e deficiência hídrica anual de 450 mm a 500 mm, evidenciando o curto período favorável ao crescimento das plantas em sequeiro, nas estações de primavera e verão. O ambiente seco também é evidenciado pela vegetação natural, dominada por florestas decíduas e caatingas, ou transição entre essas formações vegetais. A diferenciação de solos na área está bem condicionada ao nível topográfico relativo dos terrenos. Da superfície plana do topo da paisagem em direção às depressões semicirculares dispersas na área têm-se uma topossequência característica, com Latossolos Amarelos de caráter distrófico e textura média leve dominante na ampla área em nível topográfico superior; e solos dessa mesma classe, mas em geral com saturação por bases alta (eutróficos) e teores de argila ligeiramente mais elevados, localizados em depressões suavizadas, ou nas bordas ligeiramente inclinadas das dolinas; seguidos de Cambissolos Háplicos Tb Eutróficos (petroplínticos, endorredóxicos ou gleissólicos) de textura argilosa, em nível topográfico intermediário; aos quais se sucedem Planossolos e Gleissolos, que ocorrem associados nos fundos das dolinas e uvalas, mais rebaixadas. O vale do ribeirão Ilha do Retiro, por outro lado, apresenta um padrão de distribuição de solos distinto, com domínio de Neossolos Flúvicos, desenvolvidos de material de textura média ou argilosa de deposição aluvionar, ocorrendo nas partes topográficas inferiores, em associação com Chernossolos Rêndzicos, que tendem a predominar no segmento de nível topográfico um pouco mais alto, limitando-se no topo da encosta com a área de Latossolos Amarelos. A extensa área aplainada apresenta boas condições para agricultura intensiva com irrigação, porém com restrições decorrentes da baixa capacidade de água disponível, elevada taxa de infiltração e baixa fertilidade natural. Em direção aos níveis topográficos mais baixos, há uma tendência geral de aumentar as limitações à utilização agrícola, sobretudo em decorrência da deficiência de aeração, imposta pela dificuldade de drenagem e escoamento, assim como pela possibilidade de encharcamento por afluxo de água proveniente dos terrenos circundantes.

PROTRACTED HYPOFRACTIONATED RADIOTHERAPY for GRAVES' OPHTHALMOPATHY: A PILOT STUDY of CLINICAL and RADIOLOGIC RESPONSE

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiologic response of patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy given low-dose orbital radiotherapy (RT) with a protracted fractionation.Methods and Materials: Eighteen patients (36 orbits) received orbital RT with a total dose of 10 Gy, fractionated in 1 Gy once a week over 10 weeks. of these, 9 patients received steroid therapy as well. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically at 6 months after treatment. Clinical response assessment was carried out using three criteria: by physical examination, by a modified clinical activity score, and by a verbal questionnaire considering the 10 most common signs and symptoms of the disease. Radiologic response was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.Results: Improvement in ocular pain, palpebral edema, visual acuity, and ocular motility was observed in all patients. Significant decrease in symptoms such as tearing (p < 0.001) diplopia (p = 0.008), conjunctival hyperemia (p = 0.002), and ocular grittiness (p = 0.031) also occurred. Magnetic resonance imaging showed decrease in ocular muscle thickness and in the intensity of the T2 sequence signal in the majority of patients. Treatments were well tolerated, and to date no complications from treatment have been observed. There was no statistical difference in clinical and radiologic response between patients receiving RT alone and those receiving RT plus steroid therapy.Conclusion: RT delivered in at a low dose and in a protracted scheme should be considered as a useful therapeutic option for patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc.

Identification, Selection, and Enrichment of Cardiomyocyte Precursors

The large-scale production of cardiomyocytes is a key step in the development of cell therapy and tissue engineering to treat cardiovascular diseases, particularly those caused by ischemia. the main objective of this study was to establish a procedure for the efficient production of cardiomyocytes by reprogramming mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue. First, lentiviral vectors expressing neoR and GFP under the control of promoters expressed specifically during cardiomyogenesis were constructed to monitor cell reprogramming into precardiomyocytes and to select cells for amplification and characterization. Cellular reprogramming was performed using 5'-azacytidine followed by electroporation with plasmid pOKS2a, which expressed Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4. Under these conditions, GFP expression began only after transfection with pOKS2a, and less than 0.015% of cells were GFP(+). These GFP(+) cells were selected for G418 resistance to find molecular markers of cardiomyocytes by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. Both genetic and protein markers of cardiomyocytes were present in the selected cells, with some variations among them. Cell doubling time did not change after selection. Together, these results indicate that enrichment with vectors expressing GFP and neoR under cardiomyocyte-specific promoters can produce large numbers of cardiomyocyte precursors (CMPs), which can then be differentiated terminally for cell therapy and tissue engineering.