"Association of Apolipoprotein E and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Gene Polymorphisms with the Multidimensional Impairment in Older Patients" by Alberto Pilotto, Maria G. Matera, Luigi Ferrucci, Daniele Sancarlo, Gioacchino Leandro, Grazia D'Onofrio, Davide Seripa, Filomena Addante, Marilisa Franceschi, and Bruno Dallapiccola. 1900 geriatric patients. ApoE4 at 1.79 odds ratio with severe risk of mortality according to some multidimensional impairment index (MPI) they developed. ACE D/D at 1.42. Combo at 2.85. But then it says no association between APO and ACE polymorphisms and 2-year mortality, so not sure what their MPI is measuring.
"Thymectomy in Early Childhood: A Model for Premature T Cell Immunosenscence?" by Manuela Zlamy and Martina Prelog. What the title says. Parallels of decreased proportion of naive T cells and recent thymic emigrants, compensatory proliferation of mature T cells, decreased T-cell receptor repertoire and slower response to antigens and vaccinations.
"Neuroprotective Effect of Long-term NDI1 Gene Expression in a Chronic Mouse Model of Parkinson Disorder" by Jennifer Barber-Singh, Byoung Boo Seo, Eiko Nakamaru-Ogiso, Yuen-Sum Lau, Akemi Matsuno-Yagi, and Takao Yagi. They insert a NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (NDI1) from yeast into mice's mitochondria. "Parkinson's"-induced versions do better with the modification than controls.
"Morphology and Myofiber Composition of Skeletal Musculature of the Forelimb in Young and Aged Wild Type and Myostatin Null Mice" by Mohamed I. Elashry, Anthony Otto, Antonios Matsakas, Salah E. El-Morsy, and Ketan Patel. What the title says, plus comparisons with rats and comparison across ages.
"Live Fast, Die Young: New Lessons in Mammalian Longevity" by Lynne S. Cox. Full text available. Commentary on two at-the-time recent results: the lengthening of lifespan in mice by rapamycin and the partial results of the Wisconsin lifespan study of CR on rhesus monkeys. The rapamycin study is interesting because it was started on old mice (600 days), but the effect is small (lifespan extension at 90% mortality of 9% for males, 14% for females). Interesting note that the doses were huge (2.24mg/kg vs 40 micrograms/kg human immunosuppresive doses). There seems to have been some small dodginess with food used and lifespan prior to start of dosing. Also interesting that rapamycin had higher incidence of cancer and cardiovascular deaths. Some talk about paths of action (lower protein synthesis). No mention of NIH study on CR.
The thesis review section looks at thesis on:
- 3d-polymer models seeded with stem cells to grow articular cartilage
- Following the transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells into sheep in-utero, where they grow into the liver and intestinal cells
- Mostly a review of the field of small molecules that guide differentiation of stem cells, including a new one that differentiates mouse ESCs to dopamine neuron progenitor cells
- Tour-de-force on dealing with neural stem cells, going from extraction from the brain, expansion, genetic modification, reinsertion and tracking
- Human hair follicle stem cells, its similarity to mesenchymal stem cells, and exploration of differentiation potential.
- Injecting MSCs into brains of mice to produce ApoE. Naive one doesn't work but is inducible by dexamethasone. Works, but only in immunosuppressed mice.
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