Anti-Collagen type III polyclonal antibody

In this study, mononuclear octahedral cobalt(III) Schiff base complex [CoL3], L =(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzyl-2-furylmethyl)imine was synthesized from the reaction of Co(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O and the Schiff base ligand L in methanol as solvent and characterized by elemental analyes (CHN) and FT-IR spectroscopy. It was used as a new precursor to prepare spinel type cobalt oxide nanoparticles by a facile solid-state thermal decomposition. Controlling the temperature and time, Co3O4 nanoparticles were obtained in air at 550 degrees C within 3.5 h. The Co3O4 nanoparticles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results confirm that the resulting cobalt oxide were prepared during pure single-phases. Using the present method, Co3O4 nanoparticles can be produced without using expensive organic solvent and complicated equipment. TEM result showed that the products are almost flat with the size of about 10-50 nm. It has potential to be applied as a general method for preparation of other transition metal oxide nanoparticles.

Introduction: The fibroblast-myofibroblast transition is an important event in the development of cardiac fibrosis and scar formation initiated after myocardial ischemia. The goals of the present study were to better understand the contribution of environmental factors to this transition and determine whether myofibroblasts provide equally important feedback to the surrounding environment. Methods: The influence of matrix stiffness and serum concentration on the myofibroblast transition was assessed by measuring message levels of a panel of cardiac fibroblast phenotype markers using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Cell-mediated gel compaction measured the influence of environmental factors on cardiac fibroblast contractility. Immunohistochemistry characterized alpha-smooth muscle actin expression and cell morphology, while static and dynamic compression testing evaluated the effect of the cell response on the mechanical properties of the cell-seeded collagen hydrogels. Results: Both reduced serum content and increased matrix stiffness contributed to the myofibroblast transition, as indicated by contractile compaction of the gels, increased message levels of col3 alpha 1 and alpha-smooth muscle actin, and a less stellate morphology. However, the effects of serum and matrix stiffness were not additive. Mechanical testing indicated that reduced serum content increased the initial elastic modulus of cell-seeded gels and that gels lost their viscous character with time. Conclusions: The results suggest that reduced serum and increased matrix stiffness promote the myofibroblast phenotype in the myocardium. This transition both enhances and is promoted by matrix stiffness, indicating the presence of positive feedback that may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.