First evidence that very small embryonic-like stem cells

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PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

1-Apr-2014

Contact: Vicki Cohn vcohn@liebertpub.com 914-740-2100 x2156 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News

New Rochelle, NY, April 1, 2014 -- Rare, very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) isolated from human adult tissues could provide a new source for developing regenerative therapies to repair complex tissues damaged by disease or trauma. The ability of these most-primitive, multipotent stem cells to differentiate into bone, neurons, connective tissue, and other cell types, and the proper criteria for identifying and isolating VSELs, are described in two articles in Stem Cells and Development, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The articles are available on the Stem Cells and Development website.

Russ Taichman and coauthors, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and NeoStem (New York, NY), implanted human VSELs into the cavity created by a cranial wound and provided the first demonstration that they could generate tissue structures containing multiple cell types. Their work is presented in "Human and Murine Very Small Embryonic-Like (VSEL) Cells Represent Multipotent Tissue Progenitors, In Vitro and In Vivo."

Malwina Suszynska et al., University of Louisville, KY, and Pomeranian Medical University (Szczecin) and Jagiellonian University (Krakow), Poland, explore the challenges in isolating these rare stem cells and the importance of not confusing VSELs with other types of embryonic or reprogrammed adult pluripotent stem cells, or with monopotent adult stem cells. In the Issues in Development article "The Proper Criteria for Identification and Sorting of Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells (VSELs), and Some Nomenclature Issues," the authors present the most current descriptions and terminology for characterizing VSELs.

"I find the data presented by the Taichman group to be compelling and challenging. However, the current debate as to the significance of the body of publications concerning VSELs can only be resolved by a cooperative investigation across laboratories using identical methodologies and source materials," says Editor-in-Chief Graham C. Parker, PhD, The Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.

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About the Journal

Stem Cells and Development is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published 24 times per year in print and online. The Journal is dedicated to communication and objective analysis of developments in the biology, characteristics, and therapeutic utility of stem cells, especially those of the hematopoietic system. Complete tables of content and a free sample issue may be viewed on the Stem Cells and Development website.

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First evidence that very small embryonic-like stem cells

Versatility in genetic expression aids rapid microbial evolution

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Apr 01, 2014

Microbiologists from Trinity College Dublin have discovered that an identical protein is used differently by two species of bacteria to help them cope with distinct types of environmental stress. The discovery reveals an extraordinary level of versatility in the way different genes are 'switched on' in bacteria, which in turn helps to explain how they evolve so quickly.

The microbiologists showed that the same protein, called 'OmpR, which is responsible for binding to specific sections of DNA, governs the way a large cohort of genes function in both a human-friendly strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and in the potentially deadly Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium).

In E. coli, OmpR is central to the ability of the bacterium to survive sudden stress caused by water moving in and out of its cells due to changing external conditions. In S. Typhimurium, however, OmpR is a key regulator of a series of actions that enable individual bacteria to respond to and survive acid stress. Such conditions are experienced, for example, in the hostile environment found in the bacteria-destroying vacuoles of macrophages, which are cells of the immune system that Salmonella can defeat using specialist pathogenic genes.

The microbiologists identified all the OmpR binding sites in the chromosomes of both species and investigated the features that attracted OmpR to them. The sites were rich in the DNA bases adenine (A) and thymine (T), which bind to one another to help form the classic double helix structure associated with DNA.

Importantly, the DNA of S. Typhimurium alters its shape after a bacterium is exposed to acid. This change in shape, called DNA relaxation, enhances the attractiveness of the OmpR binding sites for the OmpR protein. The same relaxation does not occur in E. coli.

Professor and Head of Microbiology at Trinity, Charles Dorman, said: "This work shows that DNA is not a passive partner when genes are switched on, but that it is an active and dynamic participant in the process. And, among the many OmpR targets possessed by S. Typhimurium that are not present in E. coli are the genes that make Salmonella pathogenic, and problematic for people."

Scientists believe that the pathogenic genes were acquired through horizontal gene transfer. This process is mediated by direct contact between bacteria, by special viruses called bacteriophages, or by direct uptake of DNA from the environment. The transfer essentially represents the passing of DNA's all-important codes between individuals, and is often associated with the development and evolution of antibiotic resistance.

The scientists suspect that this DNA code sharing occurred after Salmonella and E. coli separated from their last common ancestor, earlier in the two species' unique evolutionary journeys, which is why the pathogenic genes are not present in E. coli. The DNA sequences of these genes confirm that they are very rich in A and T bases, which is a key characteristic they share with the OmpR binding sites.

Functionally, this means that these genes have the appropriate structural profile for rapid interaction with the OmpR DNA binding protein, which regulates when, and to what degree, they are 'switched on'. This profile, coupled with the DNA relaxation that accompanies acid stress in Salmonella, may have allowed OmpR to 'tame' these imported genes and embed them in the acid stress response of Salmonella bacteria.

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Versatility in genetic expression aids rapid microbial evolution

Infants are sensitive to pleasant touch

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2-Apr-2014

Contact: Anna Mikulak amikulak@psychologicalscience.org 202-293-9300 Association for Psychological Science

Infants show unique physiological and behavioral responses to pleasant touch, which may help to cement the bonds between child and parent and promote early social and physiological development, according to research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

Previous studies with adults have shown that when the skin is stroked, a specific type of touch receptor is activated in response to a particular stroking velocity, leading to the sensation of "pleasant" touch. Cognitive neuroscientist Merle Fairhurst of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany, and colleagues hypothesized that this type of response might emerge as early as infancy.

For the study, Fairhurst and colleagues had infants sit in their parents' laps while the experimenter stroked the back of the infant's arm with a paintbrush. The experimenter varied the rate of the brushstrokes among three defined velocities (0.3, 3, or 30 cm per second). The experimenters gauged the infants' responses through physiological and behavioral measures.

The results showed that the infants' heart rate slowed in response to the brushstrokes but only when the strokes were of medium velocity; in other words, the touch of the medium-velocity brush helped to decrease their physiological arousal. The infants also showed more engagement with the paintbrush during the medium-velocity brushstrokes, as measured by how long and how often they looked at the brush while they were being stroked.

Interestingly, infants' slower heart rate during medium-velocity brushstrokes was uniquely correlated with the primary caregivers' own self-reported sensitivity to touch. That is, the more sensitive the caregiver was to touch, the more the infant's heart rate slowed in response to medium-velocity touch.

The researchers note that this link between caregiver and infant could be supported by both "nurture" and "nature" explanations:

"One possibility is that infants' sensitivity to pleasant touch stems from direct or vicarious experience of differing levels of social touch as a function of their caregiver's sensitivity to social touch," explains Fairhurst. "Another possibility is that social touch is genetically heritable and therefore correlated between caregivers and infants."

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Infants are sensitive to pleasant touch

Science Expo winners

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The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair winner at the 26 anniversary Billings Clinic Research Center Science Expo was 10th-grader Stewart Cook, from Carter County High in Ekalaka.

His project is The influence of rural gravel roads on nest mound structure and foraging distances of pogonomyrmex occidentalis. He and a chaperone will represent the Billings Clinic Science Expo at Intel ISEF this May in Los Angeles.

In addition to the ISEF winner, the top 10 projects in each grade were awarded prizes at the Billings Clinic Science Expo, as well as winners in special industry categories.

The winners are as follows:

Top 10 winners by grade:

Grade 1:

1. Ladybug Land Miel Mott, Luther Elementary

2. Moldy Oldy Lillian Pitts, Billings McKinley Elementary

3. Cow Power Quade Boggio, Luther Elementary

4. Rainbow Flowers Tymberlyn Talbot, Talbot Home School

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Budding scientist's project focuses on autism

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Cardinal Mooney High School's Courtney Astore did most of the research for her project from her home in Lakewood Ranch. Astore earned the right to present her research on learning disabilities at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, after being named one of two overall winners of the 2014 Regional Science Fair. 'Feb. 27, 2014) (Herald-Tribune staff photo by Dan Wagner)

Courtney Alexandria Astore struggles with a learning disability that often forces her to reread the same page of a textbook several times before she grasps the meaning.

But that disability has not stopped her from becoming one of the most accomplished budding scientists in the area.

For the second straight year, Astore, 17 and a junior at Cardinal Mooney High School, will be competing at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for the second time.

It is rarefied company: Only 1,700 students are selected. The fair takes place in May in Los Angeles and Astore will be competing for $4 million in prize money.

If you give her a challenge she'll make it happen, said Jon Astore, Courtney's father. She sets goals for her own competition.

Astore suffers from two complex disorders, one that makes it difficult to distinguish subtle differences in words, the other with how her senses process information. The challenge she faces inspired her early interest in behavioral science.

I still have to work so much harder than my peers, I have to read things over and over again just to understand them, she said. But you work with what you have and learn to deal with it, which is basically the goal for anybody with any kind of diagnosis.

Motivated by her own struggles, Astore has channeled her research into children affected by autism.

From observing autistic children, Astore devoted her eighth-grade science project to figuring out how to regulate their senses so they would not chew at things. She created a shirt with a removable bib with sensory tools to help regulate their oral sensitivities.

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Rockdale students takes home awards at state science fair

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From left to right; RCPS students Alliyah Byrd, Chelse Steele, Anna Miller, Kim Estick, Aqib Momin, Stafford Ross, Quincy Blair, Ray Garner, Sheyenne Rowe, Sonam Brahmbhatt, Crystal Brockington, Aaron Barron and Michael Smith all participated in the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair in Athens from March 27 to 29. (Special photo)

CONYERS Four students from Rockdale County Public Schools impressed the judges at the 66th Georgia Science and Engineering Fair, each taking home the Best in Category award for their projects.

Held from March 27 to 29 at the Classic Center in Athens, the fair recognized student achievement on projects in various scientific categories, according to a press release from RCPS. Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology sophomore Molly Niemczyk received the title of Best Project in the behavioral science category with her project that studied the effect of dyslexia on eye movement.

Her fellow Magnet School student, junior Robert Raines, won best electrical and materials engineering project for his work on optimizing grapheme conductivity under variations of pressure. Samer Yassin, also a junior at the Magnet School, earned best plant sciences project with a project on the effect of biofilms on plant growth.

Memorial Middles Nicole Bourland won the junior divisions best computer science project by creating a video game for the visually impaired.

Students made it to the GSEF after competing in and winning regional fairs throughout the state. Thirty-nine RCPS students in total won honor awards eight of them receiving first honors. Honor awards point out a students relative ranking in the fair overall, while first honors are given to projects with total scores ranking at or above the top 90 percent based on overall scores, regardless of category.

We are certainly proud of how well all of our students defended their research at the state competition, said Amanda Baskett, co-director of the Rockdale Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Four students from our regional fair winning best in category awards highlights the high level of student research that students conduct in our schools.

Along with sponsoring organizations, the GSEF judges also gave away specialty awards to Rockdale students, including two Magnet School students. Shannon McNeely won the Surgeon Generals Award, while Anna Miller won the UGA Poultry Science Award.

Three projects from the Magnet School have been selected to advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair, taking them to Los Angeles in May. Aaron Barron and his partner Crystal Brockington will be presenting their solar energy project. Students Chelsea Steele, Larry Jacobs and Aqib Momin will be joining them on the trip to California. Steele and Jacobs partnered on a project on computational biology using mouse genetics. Momin studied a better way to read MRI scan images.

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Rockdale students takes home awards at state science fair

Comets claim opener

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The Oakwood Comets came a calling to the Armstrong-Potomac Trojans in the first conference game for both teams. An outstanding pitching effort from Kyle Girton and timely hitting from Vinson Blake and Skyler Slade led the Comets to a six-inning 12-1 victory over the Trojans.

Oakwood had a 7-1 lead going into the sixth inning when the Comets broke the game open with a five-run inning. The inning started when reliever Jon Snyder walked three consecutive batters to load the bases. He got Slade, the cleanup hitter for the Comets, to line out, but then there was a passed ball and then Vinson delivered two runs on a single to stretch the lead to 10-1.

The Comets got two more runs on another passed ball and a RBI single from Wade Abbott to end the scoring in the sixth and take a 12-1 lead over the Trojans.

I thought we got some timely hitting and the lead and that led to us being more aggressive at the plate, Oakwood coach Bob Sermak said. I also thought that it allowed us to try to do more things offensively.

Girton was very strong on the mound for the Comets, recording seven strikeouts and allowed just one run on two hits in his five innings. Slade needed just eight pitches to finish off the game in the sixth inning.

I thought Kyle (Girton) did a nice job of switching up speeds and hitting his spots, Sermak said.

Armstrong-Potomac pitchers were just a little off as they could not get the third strike past the Oakwood hitters.

Our pitchers just missed their spots, Armstrong-Potomac coach Darren Loschen said. We didnt do a good enough job on defense. And, we didnt get the hits to get the win.

The Trojans scored their only run in the bottom of the first inning, but the Comets responded with six in the next three innings to build their 7-1 lead.

Dentler Loschen took the loss for Armstrong-Potomac.

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Outlook Traveller Awards names winners

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New Delhi, Apr 1 : Parvez Dewan, Secretary, Indian Ministry of Tourism presided over the fourth edition of the Outlook Traveller Awards, which concluded on Monday, announcing winners across 40 categories from the world of the travel and hospitality experiences in India, at Dusit Devarana, here.

The Outlook Traveller Awards are aimed to bring out the best in travel and hospitality industry and give its readers an unbiased forum to choose for the most exotic location while planning their travel.

Every year, for seven years now, Outlook Traveller has been conducting a comprehensive survey of the readers to assess the very best of travel and hospitality experiences in India.

This year, the canvas of the survey was substantially expanded by introducing a whole range of new categories and sub-categories.

The distinguished members of the jury panel selected the nominees from a comprehensive list of options and also made additional insightful suggestions.

As with previous surveys, the survey questionnaire was published in the November and December 2013 issues of Outlook Traveller, besides being offered online at outlooktraveller.com, with a deadline of Dec 31, 2013.

The survey responses were collected, collated and analyzed by market research company, Ipsos.

This year, two Special Jury awards were instituted: one for Outstanding Contribution for Travel, and the other for the Indian Hotel Debut of the Year.

The jury for the awards comprised of historian and hotelier Aman Nath, co-founder and co-chairman of the Neemrana Hotels, who is widely credited with having pioneered the heritage hotels movement in India.

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Outlook Traveller Awards names winners