Impact of Biofield Energy Treatment Based Test Formulation on Vital Organ Health Specific Biomarkers Using Cell Line Study

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome or failure is one of the major concerns against healthcare services in order to maintain the normal function. The present study aimed to explore the impact of the Biofield Energy Treated test formulation on the function of vital organs such as bones, heart, liver, lungs, and brain using standard activity parameters in specific cell-based assays. The test formulation and cells medium was divided into two parts, one untreated (UT) and other part received the Biofield Energy Treatment remotely by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Ariadne Esmene Afaganis, Canada and was labeled as the Biofield Treated (BT) test formulation/media. The test formulation was tested for cell viability, and the data suggested that the test formulation was found safe and non-toxic against all the cell lines. Cytoprotective activity among the experimental groups showed a significant improved activity by 94.4% at 1 µg/mL in untreated medium (UT-Med) + Biofield Treated Test Item (BT-TI) group in human cardiac fibroblasts cells (HCF) cells, while 84.4% at 10 µg/mL in BT-Med + BT-TI groups in human hepatoma cells (HepG2), and 124% increased cytoprotective action at 1 µg/mL in UT-Med + BT-TI group in adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549) cells as compared with the untreated test group. ALP activity in MG-63 cells was significantly increased by 85.9% at 10 µg/mL in the UT-Med + BT-TI group, while in Ishikawa cells showed maximum increased ALP activity by 59.2% at 0.1 µg/mL in BT-Med + BT-TI groups as compared to the untreated group. The percent protection of HCF (heart) cells (decreased of LDH activity) was significantly increased by 53% and 40.5% at 1 and 10 µg/mL concentrations respectively, in UT-Med + BT-TI group, while BT-Med + UT-TI group showed increased protection by 68.5%, 70.7%, and 16.8% at 0.1, 1, and 10 µg/mL respectively, and 86.5%, 62.5%, and 34.2% improved cellular protection at 0.1, 1, and 10 µg/mL respectively, in BT-Med + BT-TI group as compared to the untreated test group. The percent protection of HepG2 (liver) cells (decreased of ALT activity) was reported by 33.5%, 63.2%, and 99.2% at 10 µg/mL in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI groups, respectively compared to the untreated group. Cellular protection of A549 (lungs) cells (increased of SOD activity) in terms of percentage was increased by increased by 39.8% (at 10 µg/mL), 44% (at 25.5 µg/mL), and 59.7% (at 25.5 µg/mL) in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI groups, respectively compared to untreated group. Serotonin level was significantly increased by 59.2% (at 0.1 µg/mL), 190.3% (at 0.1 µg/mL), and 201% (at 1 µg/mL) in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI groups, respectively compared to untreated in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). However, the relative quantification (RQ) of vitamin D receptor (VDR) was significantly increased by 159.1% (at 50 µg/mL), 212.7% (at 1 µg/mL), and 278.3% (at 10 µg/mL) in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI groups, respectively as compared to the untreated in MG-63 cells. Thus, the present data concluded that the overall multiple organ health using various standard biomarkers in specific cell lines were significantly improved with respect to health of bones, heart, liver, lungs, and brain after treatment with the Biofield Energy treated test formulation (The Trivedi Effect®). Thus, it can be used as a complementary and alternative therapy approach against many multiple organ disorders such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, cirrhosis, liver cancer, hemochromatosis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, osteoporosis, etc.

Download Full-text

Biofield Energy Therapy: Role in Multiple Organ Health Specific Biomarkers in Cell-Based Assay

Annals of Advanced Biomedical Sciences ◽

10.23880/aabsc-16000136 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Snehasis Jana

Keyword(s):

Cell Viability ◽

Hepg2 Cells ◽

Test Group ◽

Multiple Organ ◽

Untreated Group ◽

Specific Cell ◽

Sod Activity ◽

Cellular Protection ◽

Test Formulation ◽

Alt Activity

The major cause of high rate of mortality is the multiple organ dysfunction among critical care healthcare services. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of the Biofield Energy Treated test formulation using standard and specific cell lines related with vital organs functioning. The test formulation and the specific cell media was divided into two parts; one part was untreated (UT) and other part received the Biofield Energy Treatment remotely by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Sakina Aleemah Ansari, USA and labeled as the Biofield Energy Treated (BT) test formulation/media. The test formulation was tested against various activities using cell line assay in their specific medium (Med). The test formulation was tested for cell viability, and the results showed that the test formulation at tested concentrations was found safe and non-toxic. Cytoprotective activity showed improved cellular restoration by 105.4% (at 25 µg/mL), 32.8% (at 25 µg/mL), and 151.8% (at 10 µg/mL) in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BTMed + BT-TI groups respectively, as compared to the untreated test group in the human cardiac fibroblasts cells (HCF) cells, while improved restoration of cell viability by 22.4% (at 25.5 µg/mL), 67.1% (at 10 µg/mL), and 72.9% (at 10 µg/mL) in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI groups respectively, as compared to the untreated test group in HepG2 cells. Cellular restoration in A549 cells was improved by 9.3%, 70.4%, and 14.1% at 0.1, 1, and 25.5 µg/mL respectively, in the BT-Med + UT-TI group, while 3% and 4.6% improved cellular restoration was reported at 10 and 25.5 µg/mL respectively, at BT-Med + BT-TI groups as compared to the untreated test group. ALP activity in Ishikawa cells was significantly increased by 68.4%, 41.1%, and 18.8% at 0.1, 10, and 50 µg/mL respectively, in the UT-Med + BTTI group, while in MG-63 cells showed maximum increased ALP activity by 92.7%, 84.5%, and 93.2% respectively in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI group respectively, at 50 µg/mL as compared to the untreated group. The maximum percent cellular protection of HCF (heart) cells (decreased of LDH activity) was significantlyincreased by 51.6%, 88.7%, and 53.7% in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI groups respectively, at 10 µg/mL as compared to the untreated group. Alanine amino transferase (ALT) activity was reported in terms of percent cellular protection of HepG2 (liver) cells. The test data showed improved HepG2 cells protection (represents decreased ALT activity) by 33%, 90.2%, and 72.1% in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI groups respectively, at 25 µg/mL as compared to the untreated test group. Percentage cellular protection of A549 (lungs) cells (represents increased of SOD activity) was increased by 21.5% at 25.5 µg/mL in the UT-Med + BT-TI, while 33.4%, 25.8%, and 21.5% at 1, 10, and 25.5 µg/mL respectively, in the BT-Med + UT-TI group, and 12.8% increased SOD activity at 25.5 µg/mL in the BT-Med + BT-TI groups as compared to the untreated group. Serotonin level was significantly increased 137.4% (at 0.1 µg/mL), 65.4% (at 0.1 µg/mL), and 77.3% (at 10 µg/mL) in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UTTI, and BT-Med + BT-TI groups, respectively compared to untreated test group in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). However, the relative quantification (RQ) of vitamin D receptor (VDR) was significantly increased by 24.2% (at 1 µg/mL), 213.7% (at 10 µg/mL), and 328.7% (at 10 µg/mL) in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI groups, respectively as compared to the untreated in MG-63 cells. Thus, the data concluded that The Trivedi Effect® would be significantly useful for improving multiple organs health, which can be used for many coronary artery diseases, arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, cirrhosis, liver cancer, hemochromatosis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, osteoporosis, etc.

Download Full-text

Cell-Based Vital Organs Specific Biomarkers Assessment using Biofield Energy Based Novel Test Formulation

Journal of Biotechnology and Biomedical Science ◽

10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-19-2944 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 31-45

Author(s):

Janice Patricia Kinney ◽

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi ◽

Alice Branton ◽

Dahryn Trivedi ◽

Gopal Nayak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Cancer ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Hepg2 Cells ◽

Heart Cells ◽

Serotonin Level ◽

Human Neuroblastoma ◽

Cellular Protection ◽

Alp Activity ◽

Test Formulation ◽

The Impact

The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of Biofield Energy Treated test formulation using six differentcell-lines. The test formulation/item (TI) and cell media (Med) was divided into two parts; one part was untreated (UT) and other part received Biofield Energy Treatment remotely by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Janice Patricia Kinney, USA and labeled as Biofield Energy Treated (BT) test item (TI)/media. Based on cell viability assay, test formulation was found as safe at tested concentrations. Cytoprotective activity of test formulation showed a significant restoration of cell viability by 60.6% (10 µg/mL), 67.5% (63.75 µg/mL), and 117.5% (63.75 µg/mL) in UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively compared to untreated in human cardiac fibroblasts cells (HCF) cells. Moreover, restoration of cell viability was improved by 64% and 127.3% in UT-Med + BT-TI and BT-Med + UT-TI, respectively at 1 µg/mL compared to untreated in human liver cancer (HepG2) cells. Cellular restoration in A549 cells was improved by 314% and 112.3% at 1 µg/mL in BT-Med + UT-TI and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively than untreated. ALP activity in Ishikawa cells was significantly increased by 175.5%, 547.2%, and 220.8% in UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively at 0.1 µg/mL as compared to untreated. Additionally, in MG-63 cells showed increased ALP activity by 76.9%, 78.4%, and 79% in UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively at 50 µg/mL compared to untreated. The percent cellular protection of HCF (heart) cells (decreased of LDH activity) was significantly increased by 60.6% (10 µg/mL), 67.5% (63.75 µg/mL), and 117.5% (63.75 µg/mL) in UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively as compared to untreated. An improved HepG2 cells protection (represents decreased ALT activity) by 115.1% (1 µg/mL), 42.5% (25.5 µg/mL), and 60.8% (10 µg/mL) in UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively as compared to untreated. Percentage cellular protection of A549 (lungs) cells (represents increased of SOD activity) was significantly increased by 191.1% and 81.4% at 0.1 µg/mL in UT-Med + BT-TI and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively as compared to untreated. Serotonin level was significantly increased by 31.8% (10 µg/mL) and 56.9% (25.5 µg/mL) in UT-Med + BT-TI and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively compared to untreated in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). Relative quantification (RQ) of vitamin D receptor (VDR) was significantly increased by 304.3% (0.01 µg/mL), 128.4% (0.1 µg/mL), and 240% (0.1 µg/mL) in UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively compared to untreated in MG-63 cells. Thus, Biofield Energy Treated test formulation (The Trivedi Effect®) significantly improved organ specific functional biomarkers and would be useful for multiple organs health related to coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, cirrhosis, liver cancer, hemochromatosis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, osteoporosis, etc.

Download Full-text

Integration of Time-Series Transcriptomic Data with Genome-Scale CHO Metabolic Models for mAb Engineering

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr8030331 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 331 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Zhuangrong Huang ◽

Seongkyu Yoon

Keyword(s):

Cell Lines ◽

Chinese Hamster ◽

Parental Cell ◽

Process Conditions ◽

Parental Cell Line ◽

Specific Cell ◽

Scale Models ◽

Metabolic Models ◽

Genome Scale ◽

The Impact

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the most commonly used cell lines in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Genome-scale metabolic models have become a valuable tool to study cellular metabolism. Despite the presence of reference global genome-scale CHO model, context-specific metabolic models may still be required for specific cell lines (for example, CHO-K1, CHO-S, and CHO-DG44), and for specific process conditions. Many integration algorithms have been available to reconstruct specific genome-scale models. These methods are mainly based on integrating omics data (i.e., transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) into reference genome-scale models. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the impact of time points of transcriptomics integration on the genome-scale CHO model by assessing the prediction of growth rates with each reconstructed model. We also evaluated the feasibility of applying extracted models to different cell lines (generated from the same parental cell line). Our findings illustrate that gene expression at various stages of culture slightly impacts the reconstructed models. However, the prediction capability is robust enough on cell growth prediction not only across different growth phases but also in expansion to other cell lines.

Download Full-text

Elasticity Profile of Skin, Neuronal, Cardiac, and Skeletal Muscle Cells after Treatment with the Biofield Energy Healing-Based Proprietary Test Formulation

Journal of Biotechnology and Biomedical Science ◽

10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-21-3819 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 19-29

Author(s):

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi ◽

Alice Branton ◽

Dahryn Trivedi ◽

Snehasis Jana

Keyword(s):

Cell Line ◽

Test Group ◽

Untreated Group ◽

Alpha Tocopherol ◽

H9c2 Cells ◽

Human Neuroblastoma ◽

Rat Cardiomyocytes ◽

Test Items ◽

Test Formulation ◽

Energy Healing

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the Trivedi Effect®- Biofield Energy Treated/Blessed Test formulation/item (TI) composed of minerals (magnesium, zinc, copper, calcium, selenium, and iron), vitamins (ascorbic acid, pyridoxine HCl, alpha tocopherol, cyanocobalamin, and cholecalciferol), Panax ginseng extract, CBD isolates, and β-carotene on elasticity of skin, heart, muscle, and neuronal cells in the H9C2 (rat cardiomyocytes), C2C12 (mouse myoblast cells), HaCaT (human keratinocytes), and SH-SY5Y (human neuroblastoma cells) cell line in DMEM medium. The test formulation constituents were divided into two parts; one section was defined as untreated test formulation (UT), while the other portion of test formulation received Biofield Energy Healing/Blessing Treatment (BT) by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Mr. Mahendra Kumar Trivedi. The test items were treated with Biofield Energy Healing/Blessing Treatment and divided as Biofield Energy Treated/Blessed (BT) and untreated (UT) test items. MTT data showed that the test formulation in various concentrations was found as safe and nontoxic in the tested concentrations with viability range from 73% to 307%. Young’s modulus (YM) is a measure of cell stiffness, a decrease in YM value indicates increase elasticity of the cells and vice-versa. YM in H9C2 cells were decreased by 9.6% and 66.1% in the BT-DMEM + UT-TI group at 0.1 and 1 µg/mL respectively, as compared with untreated test group. However, C2C21 cells showed increased YM by 443.9% at 1 µg/mL in the UT-DMEM + BT-TI group, while 869.6% increased YM in the BT-DMEM + UT-TI group at 1 µg/mL as compared with untreated test group. However, 314% increased YM was reported in the BT-DMEM + BT-TI group at 1 µg/mL as compared with the untreated test group. However, the value of YM was significantly decreased in the HaCaT cell line by 247.7% (at 1 µg/mL), 225.8% (at 0.1 µg/mL), and 97.9% (at 1 µg/mL) in the UT-DMEM + BT-TI, BT-DMEM + UT-TI, and BT-DMEM + BT-TI group respectively, as compared with the untreated group. In addition, YM was significantly decreased in the SH-SY5Y cell line by 92.6%, 18.1%, and 26.6% at 1 µg/mL in the UT-DMEM + BT-TI, BT-DMEM + UT-TI, and BT-DMEM + BT-TI group respectively, as compared with the untreated group. Overall, the results showed the significant decreased YM among the SH-SY5Y, HaCaT, and H9C2 cells, while it was increased in the C2C21 cell line. Thus, the mechanical properties of cells such as cellular function, including shape, motility, differentiation, division, and adhesion to its surrounding extracellular matrix were improved. Overall, it can be useful in many disease progressions with improved cellular elasticity and its associated complications/symptoms.

Download Full-text

In Vitro Cell-Based Biomarkers Study of Vital Organs: Impact of the Biofield Energy Based Test Formulation

Journal of Human Health Research ◽

10.14302/issn.2576-9383.jhhr-19-2945 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 22-37

Author(s):

Krista Joanne Callas ◽

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi ◽

Alice Branton ◽

Dahryn Trivedi ◽

Gopal Nayak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Viability ◽

Hepg2 Cells ◽

Neuroblastoma Cells ◽

A549 Cells ◽

Heart Cells ◽

Serotonin Level ◽

Human Neuroblastoma ◽

Test Formulation ◽

The Impact

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of Biofield Energy Treated test formulation using multiple cell-lines. The test formulation and cell media (Med) was divided into two parts; one part was untreated (UT) and other part received Biofield Energy Treatment remotely by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Krista Joanne Callas, USA and labeled as Biofield Energy Treated (BT) test item (TI)/Med. Based on cell viability, test formulation was found safe. Cytoprotective action of test formulation showed significant restoration of cell viability by 89.9% and 106.4% in human cardiac fibroblasts cells (HCF) cells, while improved restoration of cell viability by 77.3% and 69% in HepG2 cells compared to untreated. Cellular restoration in A549 cells was also improved by 141.2% and 157.1% compared to untreated. ALP activity was significantly increased by 118.7% and 140.7% in UT-Med + BT-TI and BT-Med + UT-TI, respectively at 0.1 µg/mL than untreated. Percent cellular protection of HCF (heart) cells (decreased of LDH activity) was significantly increased by 89.9% and 106.4% in UT-Med + BT-TI and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively than untreated. HepG2 cells protection (decreased ALT activity) was increased by 59.8% in BT-Med + BT-TI than untreated. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) level was increased by 22.8% in BT-Med + BT-TI than untreated. Serotonin level was significantly increased by 361.7% and 197.6% in BT-Med + UT-TI and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively than untreated in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). However, relative quantification (RQ) of vitamin D receptor (VDR) was significantly increased by 116.5%, 214.7%, and 241.5% in UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively than untreated in MG-63 cells. Overall, data showed a significant improvement of organ-specific functional enzyme biomarkers. Thus, Biofield Energy Treated Test formulation (the Trivedi Effect®) would be useful for multiple organs health that can be beneficial against coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, cirrhosis, liver cancer, hemochromatosis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, osteoporosis, etc.

Download Full-text

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) viral load, liver and renal function in adults treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) vs. untreated: a retrospective longitudinal UK cohort study

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-021-06226-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tingyan Wang ◽

David A. Smith ◽

Cori Campbell ◽

Jolynne Mokaya ◽

Oliver Freeman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Load ◽

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Renal Impairment ◽

Clinical Guidelines ◽

Untreated Group ◽

Liver Inflammation ◽

B Virus ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Current clinical guidelines recommend treating chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a minority of cases, but there are relatively scarce data on evolution or progression of liver inflammation and fibrosis in cases of chronic HBV (CHB) that do not meet treatment criteria. We aimed to assess the impact of TDF on liver disease, and the risk of renal impairment in treated CHB patients in comparison to untreated patients. Methods We studied a longitudinal ethnically diverse CHB cohort in the UK attending out-patient clinics between 2005 and 2018. We examined TDF treatment (vs. untreated) as the main exposure, with HBV DNA viral load (VL), ALT, elastography scores and eGFR as the main outcomes, using paired tests and mixed effects model for longitudinal measurements. Additionally, decline of eGFR during follow-up was quantified within individuals by thresholds based on clinical guidelines. Baseline was defined as treatment initiation for TDF group and the beginning of clinical follow-up for untreated group respectively. Results We included 206 adults (60 on TDF, 146 untreated), with a median ± IQR follow-up duration of 3.3 ± 2.8 years. The TDF group was significantly older (median age 39 vs. 35 years, p = 0.004) and more likely to be male (63% vs. 47%, p = 0.04) compared to the untreated group. Baseline difference between TDF and untreated groups reflected treatment eligibility criteria. As expected, VL and ALT declined significantly over time in TDF-treated patients. Elastography scores normalised during treatment in the TDF group reflecting regression of inflammation and/or fibrosis. However, 6/81 (7.4%) of untreated patients had a progression of fibrosis stage from F0-F1 to F2 or F3. There was no evidence of difference in rates or incidence of renal impairment during follow-up in the TDF vs. untreated group. Conclusions Risk of liver inflammation and fibrosis may be raised in untreated patients compared to those receiving TDF, and TDF may benefit a larger percentage of the CHB population.

Download Full-text

Assessing the Impact of Attendance Modality on the Learning Performance of a Course on Machines and Mechanisms Theory

Mathematics ◽

10.3390/math9050558 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 558

Author(s):

David Valiente ◽

Héctor Campello-Vicente ◽

Emilio Velasco-Sánchez ◽

Fernando Rodríguez-Mas ◽

Nuria Campillo-Davo

Keyword(s):

Statistical Tests ◽

Group Testing ◽

Test Group ◽

Historical Record ◽

Team Work ◽

University Education ◽

Learning Performance ◽

Control Group ◽

Face To Face ◽

The Impact

University education approaches related to the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), have generally particularized on teaching activity and learning programs which are commonly understood as reoriented lessons that fuse theoretic concepts interweaved with practical activities. In this context, team work has been widely acknowledged as a means to conduct practical and hands-on lessons, and has been revealed to be successful in the achievement of exercise resolution and design tasks. Besides this, methodologies sustained by ICT resources such as online or blended approaches, have also reported numerous benefits for students’ active learning. However, such benefits have to be fully validated within the particular teaching context, which may facilitate student achievement to a greater or lesser extent. In this work, we analyze the impact of attendance modalities on the learning performance of a STEM-related course on “Machines and Mechanisms Theory”, in which practical lessons are tackled through a team work approach. The validity of the results is reinforced by group testing and statistical tests with a sample of 128 participants. Students were arranged in a test group (online attendance) and in a control group (face-to-face attendance) to proceed with team work during the practical lessons. Thus, the efficacy of distance and in situ methodologies is compared. Moreover, additional variables have also been compared according to the historical record of the course, in regards to previous academic years. Finally, students’ insights about the collaborative side of this program, self-knowledge and satisfaction with the proposal have also been reported by a custom questionnaire. The results demonstrate greater performance and satisfaction amongst participants in the face-to-face modality. Such a modality is prooven to be statistically significant for the final achievement of students in detriment to online attendance.

Download Full-text

PC12 and THP-1 Cell Lines as Neuronal and Microglia Model in Neurobiological Research

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11093729 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 3729

Author(s):

Katarzyna Balon ◽

Benita Wiatrak

Keyword(s):

Cell Culture ◽

Dna Damage ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Inflammatory Factor ◽

Research Model ◽

Differentiated Cells ◽

Undifferentiated Cells ◽

Primary Cell Lines ◽

Neurobiological Research ◽

The Impact

Models based on cell cultures have become a useful tool in modern scientific research. Since primary cell lines are difficult to obtain and handle, neoplasm-derived lines like PC12 and THP-1 offer a cheap and flexible solution for neurobiological studies but require prior differentiation to serve as a neuronal or microglia model. PC12 cells constitute a suitable research model only after differentiation by incubation with nerve growth factor (NGF) and THP-1 cells after administering a differentiation factor such as phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). Still, quite often, studies are performed on these cancer cells without differentiation. The study aimed to assess the impact of PC12 or THP-1 cell differentiation on sensitivity to harmful factors such as Aβ25-35 (0.001–5 µM) (considered as one of the major detrimental factors in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease) or lipopolysaccharide (1–100 µM) (LPS; a pro-inflammatory factor of bacterial origin). Results showed that in most of the tests performed, the response of PC12 and THP-1 cells induced to differentiation varied significantly from the effect in undifferentiated cells. In general, differentiated cells showed greater sensitivity to harmful factors in terms of metabolic activity and DNA damage, while in the case of the free radicals, the results were heterogeneous. Obtained data emphasize the importance of proper differentiation of cell lines of neoplastic origin in neurobiological research and standardization of cell culture handling protocols to ensure reliable results.

Download Full-text

Impact of RARα and miR-138 on retinoblastoma etoposide resistance

Tumor Biology ◽

10.3233/tub-200072 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 11-26

Author(s):

Maike Busch ◽

Natalia Miroschnikov ◽

Jaroslaw Thomas Dankert ◽

Marc Wiesehöfer ◽

Klaus Metz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Viability ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Treated Patient ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Luciferase Reporter Gene ◽

Gene Assay ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND: Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common childhood eye cancer. Chemotherapeutic drugs such as etoposide used in RB treatment often cause massive side effects and acquired drug resistances. Dysregulated genes and miRNAs have a large impact on cancer progression and development of chemotherapy resistances. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the involvement of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) in RB progression and chemoresistance as well as the impact of miR-138, a potential RARα regulating miRNA. METHODS: RARα and miR-138 expression in etoposide resistant RB cell lines and chemotherapy treated patient tumors compared to non-treated tumors was revealed by Real-Time PCR. Overexpression approaches were performed to analyze the effects of RARα on RB cell viability, apoptosis, proliferation and tumorigenesis. Besides, we addressed the effect of miR-138 overexpression on RB cell chemotherapy resistance. RESULTS: A binding between miR-138 and RARα was shown by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. The study presented revealed that RARα is downregulated in etoposide resistant RB cells, while miR-138 is endogenously upregulated. Opposing RARα and miR-138 expression levels were detectable in chemotherapy pre-treated compared to non-treated RB tumor specimen. Overexpression of RARα increases apoptosis levels and reduces tumor cell growth of aggressive etoposide resistant RB cells in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of miR-138 in chemo-sensitive RB cell lines partly enhances cell viability after etoposide treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that RARα acts as a tumor suppressor in retinoblastoma and is downregulated upon etoposide resistance in RB cells. Thus, RARα may contribute to the development and progression of RB chemo-resistance.

Download Full-text

Impact of Environmental Stressors on Gene Expression in the Embryo of the Italian Wall Lizard

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11114723 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 4723

Author(s):

Rosaria Scudiero ◽

Chiara Maria Motta ◽

Palma Simoniello

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Protein Interactions ◽

Membrane Trafficking ◽

Translational Regulation ◽

Cellular Protection ◽

Terrestrial Vertebrate ◽

Expression Of Genes ◽

Stress Changes ◽

Probable Consequence ◽

The Impact

The cleidoic eggs of oviparous reptiles are protected from the external environment by membranes and a parchment shell permeable to water and dissolved molecules. As a consequence, not only physical but also chemical insults can reach the developing embryos, interfering with gene expression. This review provides information on the impact of the exposure to cadmium contamination or thermal stress on gene expression during the development of Italian wall lizards of the genus Podarcis. The results obtained by transcriptomic analysis, although not exhaustive, allowed to identify some stress-reactive genes and, consequently, the molecular pathways in which these genes are involved. Cadmium-responsive genes encode proteins involved in cellular protection, metabolism and proliferation, membrane trafficking, protein interactions, neuronal transmission and plasticity, immune response, and transcription regulatory factors. Cold stress changes the expression of genes involved in transcriptional/translational regulation and chromatin remodeling and inhibits the transcription of a histone methyltransferase with the probable consequence of modifying the epigenetic control of DNA. These findings provide transcriptome-level evidence of how terrestrial vertebrate embryos cope with stress, giving a key to use in population survival and environmental change studies. A better understanding of the genes contributing to stress tolerance in vertebrates would facilitate methodologies and applications aimed at improving resistance to unfavourable environments.

Download Full-text