Characterization of dried banana porous structure by X-ray microtomography coupled with image analysis

in Chen, Guohua (Ed.) The proceedings of the 5th Asia-Pacific Drying Conference, Hong Kong, 13 – 15 August 2007, Vol. 1 (2007)

Angiogenic activity of human chorionic gonadotropin through LH receptor activation on endothelial and epithelial cells of the endometrium

in FASEB Journal (2006), 20(14), 2630-2632

Successful embryo development requires an extensive endometrial angiogenesis in proximity of implantation site. The glycoprotein hCG is produced even before implantation by trophoblast in normal pregnancy ... [more ▼]

Successful embryo development requires an extensive endometrial angiogenesis in proximity of implantation site. The glycoprotein hCG is produced even before implantation by trophoblast in normal pregnancy. In this manuscript, we demonstrate an angiogenic effect of hCG in several in vivo (chick chorioallantoic membrane, matrigel plug assay, aortic ring assay) and in vitro experimental models. In contrast, human placental lactogen (hPL) did not display angiogenic properties. LH/hCG receptor was detected in endothelial cells by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and by Western blotting. In mice aortic ring assay, angiostimulation by hCG was abrogated by deletion of LH/hCG receptor (LuRKO mice). Use of recombinant hCG and anti-hCG antibody (Ab) further confirmed the specificity of this angiogenic activity. By using dibutyryl cAMP, adenylate cyclase, or protein kinase A inhibitors, we demonstrate that hCG-mediated angiogenesis involves adenylyl-cyclase-protein kinase A activation. Addition of hCG to endometrial epithelial epithelial cells, but not to cultured endothelial cells, stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF and hCG also displayed additive activities. Altogether, these data demonstrate that peritrophoblastic angiostimulation may result from a paracrine dialogue between trophoblast, epithelial, and endothelial cells through hCG and VEGF. [less ▲]

3D image analysis of electron tomograms of clay/rubber nanocomposites

Scientific conference (2006, September)

Study of organic and water vapours adsorption on carbon filters by X-ray microtomography

in Fourth International Symposium on Process Tomography in Poland, 2006, Varsóvia (2006, September)

Adsorption dynamics of CCl4 vapours on activated carbon by image analysis of high-resolution x-ray microtomograms

Conference (2006, September)

Study of the dynamics of water adsorption on activated carbon by a combination of high resolution x-ray microtomography and breakthrough measurements

in Proceedings of Carbon 2006 (2006, July)

Earlier onset of tumoral anglogenesis in matrix metalloproteinase-19-deficient mice

in Cancer Research (2006), 66(10), 5234-5241

Among matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), MMP-19 displays unique structural features and tissue distribution. In contrast to most MMPs, MMP-19 is expressed in normal human epidermis and down-regulated during ... [more ▼]

Among matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), MMP-19 displays unique structural features and tissue distribution. In contrast to most MMPs, MMP-19 is expressed in normal human epidermis and down-regulated during malignant transformation and dedifferentiation. The contribution of MMP-19 during tumor angiogenesis is presently unknown. In an attempt to give new insights into MMP-19 in vivo functions, angiogenic response of mutant mice lacking MMP-19 was analyzed after transplantation of murine malignant PDVA keratinocytes and after injection of Matrigel supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that MMP-19 is produced by host mesenchymal cells but not by endothelial capillary cells or CD11b-positive inflammatory cells. Based on a new computer-assisted method of quantification, we provide evidence that host MMP-19 deficiency was associated with an increased early angiogenic response. In addition, increased tumor invasion was observed in MMP-19-/- mice. We conclude that, in contrast to most MMPs that promote tumor progression, MMP-19 is a negative regulator of early steps of tumor angiogenesis and invasion. These data highlight the requirement to understand the individual functions of each MMP to improve anticancer strategies. [less ▲]

Use of x-ray microtomography to visualise dynamic adsorption of organic vapour and water vapour on activated carbon

in Adsorption (2006), 12(1), 19-26

X-ray microtomography coupled with image analysis was used to quantify the adsorption of vapours on activated carbon beds. This technique was tested using three different challenges: CCl4, water vapour ... [more ▼]

X-ray microtomography coupled with image analysis was used to quantify the adsorption of vapours on activated carbon beds. This technique was tested using three different challenges: CCl4, water vapour and a mixture of water- and organic vapour. It is shown that the used technique allows determining the adsorption front progress in the case of organic vapour and mixture of water and organic vapour whereas the existence of this front was not so obvious in the case of water vapour. Experimental results obtained for organic vapours were interpreted on the basis of the Wheeler-Jonas equation: a good agreement was found between experimental and theoretical breakthrough times. [less ▲]

lymphatic ring assay: a new in vitro model of lymphangiogenesis

Poster (2006)

The lymphatic ring assay: a new in vitro model of lymphangiogenesis

Poster (2006)