EPAS1 involves in the hypoxic response and is suggested to be responsible for the genetic adaptation of high-altitude hypoxia in Tibetans. However, the detailed molecular mechanism remains unknown. In this study, a single nucleotide polymorphism rs56721780:G>C and an insertion/deletion (indel) polymorphism -742 indel in the promoter region showed divergence between Tibetans and non-Tibetan lowl...

The human polymorphonuclear leukocyte reaction in response to chemotactic or chemokinetic stimulation is often assayed using the Boyden chamber technique. We present a quick and reliable method for evaluating Boyden chamber experiments, which avoids time-consuming cell counting and does not require expensive equipment. This method is based on assaying human neutrophil elastase, a serine proteas...

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor ((SI -I i increases the tissue invasive potential of the CSF-1 receptor-bearing lung carcinoma cell lines A549 and Calu-1 by increasing the number of endogenous!) bound urokinase-type plasminogen activators (u-PA)s on these cells. CSF-1, at concentrations which optimize invasion of A549 and Calu-1 cells into human amnion membranes (250 ng/ml), maximally augm...

Hydrops conditions of the placenta in the mare are uncommon, with hydrops allantois being reported more frequently than hydrops amnion. The condition in the mare usually develops during the last trimester of pregnancy and is characterized by the excessive accumulation of allantoic (hydrops allantois) or amnionic fluid (hydrops amnion). The sequelae of unnoticed or untreated hydrops allantois/ a...

BACKGROUND AIMS Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been reported to be a promising cell source in cell therapy, and large amounts of MSCs can easily be isolated from human amnion. Therapeutic irradiation for intra-pelvic cancer often causes radiation proctitis; however, there is currently no effective treatment. We therefore investigated the effect of transplantation of human amnion-derived ...

We review morphological features of the amniote egg and embryos in a comparative phylogenetic framework, including all major clades extant vertebrates. discuss 40 characters that are relevant for an analysis evolutionary history vertebrate egg. Special attention is given to morphology cellular yolk sac, eggshell, extraembryonic membranes. Many typically assigned amniotes, such as large delayed ...

To cite: Losa I, Owoeye A. BMJ Case Rep Published online: [please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/ bcr-2015-212852 DESCRIPTION A fetal anomaly scan at 13 weeks gestation showed cystic hygroma and amnion separation. Further scans at 19 weeks revealed a ‘strawberry-shaped skull’ (figure 1). Additional findings were increased nuchal translucency, ventriculomegaly and polyhydramnios. These were...

Evolution of morphogenesis is generally associated with changes in genetic regulation. Here, we report evidence indicating that dorsal closure, a conserved morphogenetic process in dipterans, evolved as the consequence of rearrangements in epithelial organization rather than signaling regulation. In Drosophila melanogaster, dorsal closure consists of a two-tissue system where the contraction of...