Correspondingly levels

of cross-linked carboxyterminal te

Correspondingly levels

of cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) were higher in the CDET and tissue fluorescence lower suggesting more rapid turnover of the collagenous component. Reduced or inhibited collagen turnover in the SDFT may account for the high level of degeneration and subsequent injury compared to the CDET. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V/International Society of Matrix Biology. All rights reserved.”
“Sepsis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in trauma patients despite aggressive treatment. Traumatic injury may trigger infective or non-infective systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis. Sepsis and SIRS are accompanied by an inability to regulate the inflammatory response but the cause of this perturbation is still unknown. The major pathophysiological H 89 characteristic of sepsis is the vascular collapse (i.e., loss of control of vascular tone); however, at the cellular level the final mediator of extreme vasodilatation has yet to be identified. After trauma, cellular injury releases endogenous damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPS)

that activate the innate immune system. Mitochondrial DAMPS express at least two molecular signatures, N-formyl peptides and AZD8055 mitochondrial DNA that act on formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) and Toll-like receptor 9, respectively. N-Formyl peptides are potent immunocyte activators and, once released in the circulation, they induce modulation of vascular tone by cellular mechanisms that are not completely understood. We have observed that N-formyl peptides from bacterial (FMLP) and mitochondrial (FMIT) sources induce FPR-mediated vasodilatation in resistance arteries.

Accordingly, we propose that tissue and cellular trauma induces the release of N-formyl peptides from mitochondria triggering inflammation and vascular collapse via activation of FPR and contributing to the development of sepsis. The proposed hypothesis provides clinically significant information linking trauma, mitochondrial N-formyl peptides and inflammation to vascular collapse and sepsis. If our hypothesis is true, it may lead to new strategies in the management of sepsis that can help clinicians effectively manage non-infectious and infectious inflammatory responses. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Systemic lupus erythematosus GDC-0994 purchase (SLE) is a complex heterogeneous disease, posing challenges to clinical trials. As in other autoimmune diseases, B-lymphocytes play a central role in lupus pathogenesis. The finding that selection and survival of B cells are controlled by a variety of signals, including those provided by the longevity factor BAFF (B-cell activating factor), also called BLyS (B-lymphocyte stimulator), led to preclinical trials that revealed that BAFF represents a promising therapeutic target for human lupus. Belimumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody directed against BAFF.

The defect formation enthalpies of the copper vacancy in CuInS2 a

The defect formation enthalpies of the copper vacancy in CuInS2 and CuGaS2

selleck chemicals are around 0.8 eV higher than in CulnSe(2) and CuGaSe2. This results in the absence of Fermi-level pinning for CuInS2 and explains a reduced tendency of CuInS2 and CuGaS2 to form ordered defect compounds. The calculated migration barrier of the copper vacancy in CuInSe2 is 1.26 eV and of comparable magnitude for CuGaSe2, CuInS2, and CuGaS2. From this data we estimate a diffusion coefficient for CuInSe2 and show that it is in agreement with measurements of diffusion in stoichiometric single crystalline samples when direct experimental methods are used. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3456161]“
“Noniatrogenic selleck screening library neonatal gastric perforation is a rare and life-threatening condition whose etiology is often unclear. Interstitial cells of Cajal act as gastrointestinal pacemaker cells and express the proto-oncogene c-Kit. Six new cases were identified at our institution which presented with no mechanical, pharmacologic, or otherwise medical-related intervention prior to rupture. The number of interstitial cells of Cajal in nonnecrotic muscularis propria from five random high-power fields per specimen was compared using immunohistochemical stains for c-Kit. The authors show that a lack of interstitial cells of Cajal

in the stomach musculature may be implicated in the development of noniatrogenic gastric perforation (p = 0.008). Further large-scale studies, including molecular and genetic analysis, may help to better understand this phenomenon.”
“Aims: To determine whether a new palpometer and manual click here palpation can detect site-to-site differences in human craniofacial pain sensitivity in a similar pattern to that of an electronic pressure algometer and subsequently to compare between-session and within-session variability of palpometer and manual palpation. Methods: Sixteen volunteers participated. Experiment 1 was carried out in two sessions. In session

1, pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were determined with a pressure algometer at nine craniofacial sites. Manual palpation and the palpometer were then applied to all sites, and subjects scored perceived pressure/pain on a 0 to 100 numerical rating scale (NRS). Mean scores were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Ten of the volunteers were recalled for a second session and the same protocol was carried out except for assessment of PPTs to establish between-session variability. In experiment 2, three craniofacial sites were examined using the palpometer and manual palpation. Both techniques were repeated 10 times at each site and coefficient of variation (CV) was compared to determine within-session variability.

Migration was assayed by an

Migration was assayed by an SN-38 cost in vitro wound assay. MMP-9 activity was quantified by zymography.\n\nResults T1N0Mx-IgG promoted tumor cell

migration and increased MMP9 activity mimicking the action of the muscarinic agonist carbachol. This effect was reduced not only by the presence of atropine but also by 4-DAMP or tropicamide, antagonists for M-3 and M-4 mAChR subtypes respectively. The actions of T1N0Mx-IgG and carbachol on MCF-7 cells, involved the participation of phospholipase C/nitric oxide synthase/protein kinase C pathway.\n\nConclusions IgG from breast cancer patients in stage I could be promoting tumor progression by regulating migration and MMP-9 activity in tumor cells via mAChR activation. The presence of these autoantibodies could be determining the prognosis of breast cancer in these patients.”
“Kupffer cells (KCs) are widely considered important contributors to liver injury during viral hepatitis due to their proinflammatory activity. Herein

we utilized hepatitis B virus (HBV)-replication competent transgenic mice and wild-type mice infected with a hepatotropic CFTRinh-172 cost adenovirus to demonstrate that KCs do not directly induce hepatocellular injury nor do they affect the pathogenic potential of virus-specific CD8 T cells. Instead, KCs limit the severity of liver immunopathology. Mechanistically, our results are most compatible with the hypothesis that KCs contain liver immunopathology by removing apoptotic hepatocytes in a manner largely dependent on scavenger receptors. Apoptotic hepatocytes not readily removed by KCs become secondarily necrotic and release high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1) protein, promoting organ infiltration by inflammatory cells, particularly neutrophils. Overall, these results indicate that KCs resolve rather than worsen liver immunopathology.”
“To date, there has been no study to establish the genotypic or subgenotypic identities of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in edible shellfish. Here, we explored the genetic composition of these protists in this website Mytilus galloprovincialis

(Mediterranean mussel) purchased from three markets in the city of Foggia, Italy, from May to December 2012. Samples from the digestive glands, gills and haemolymph were tested by nested PCR, targeting DNA regions within the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene of Cryptosporidium, and the triose-phosphate isomerase (tpi) and beta-giardin genes of Giardia. In total, Cryptosporidium and Giardia were detected in 66.7% of mussels (M. galloprovincialis) tested. Cryptosporidium was detected mostly between May and September 2012. Sequencing of amplicons showed that 60% of mussels contained Cryptosporidium parvum genotype Ha (including subgenotypes A15G2R1, IlaA15G2 and IlaA14G3R1), 23.3% Giardia duodenalis assemblage A, and 6.6% had both genetic types. This is the first report of these types in fresh, edible shellfish, particularly the very commonly consumed M.

Conservative treatment of these injuries usually results in retur

Conservative treatment of these injuries usually results in return to play after 6 to 12 weeks.”
“Acoustic telemetry has emerged as a leading approach to infer diel, tidal and lunar rhythmicity in the movements of aquatic organisms in a range of taxa. Typically, studies examine

the relative frequency of detections from individuals tagged with acoustic transmitters, and then infer patterns in the species’ behaviour, but studies to date have not controlled for factors that may influence tag detection patterns in the absence of animal behaviour. We compared patterns in acoustic detections from tagged cuttlefish Sepia apama and several fixed-location control tags, and used these data to highlight the danger of misinterpreting patterns in the absence of adequate controls. Cuttlefish and control tags displayed similar detection patterns, and correcting cuttlefish-detection data for the influence R406 molecular weight of environmental factors resulted in the opposite pattern of cuttlefish activity displayed prior

to correction. This study highlights the danger of using acoustic data to infer animal behaviour in the absence of adequate controls.”
“Tamoxifen (TAM) is routinely THZ1 Cell Cycle inhibitor used in the treatment of breast carcinoma. TAM-induced liver injury remains a major concern, as TAM causes hepatic steatosis in a significant number of patients, which can progress toward steatohepatitis. Liver toxicity is generally believed to involve mitochondrial dysfunction and TAM exerts multiple deleterious effects on mitochondria, which may account for the hepatotoxicity observed in patients treated with TAM. Endoxifen (EDX), a key active metabolite of TAM that is being investigated as an alternative to TAM click here in breast cancer therapy, slightly affects mitochondria in comparison with TAM and this demonstration

well correlates with the absence of alterations in the clinical parameters of individuals taking EDX. The steady-state plasma concentrations of TAM and its active metabolites EDX and 4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHTAM) in patients taking TAM are highly variable, reflecting genetic variants of CYP2D6 involved in TAM metabolism. Besides de genetic polymorphisms, the intake of drugs that influence the enzymatic activity of CYP2D6 compromises the therapeutic efficiency of TAM. The knowledge of the impact of the variability of TAM metabolism in the breast cancer treatment explains the discrepant outcomes observed in patients taking TAM, as well as the individual variability of idiosyncratic liver injury and other sides effects observed. Therefore, and contrarily to the clinical use of EDX, the need of therapeutic drug monitoring and a regular assessment of liver function biomarkers should be considered in patients under therapies with TAM.

We undertook pilot sequencing of onion genomic DNA to estimate ge

We undertook pilot sequencing of onion genomic DNA to estimate gene densities and investigate the nature and distribution of repetitive DNAs. Complete sequences from two onion BACs were AT rich (64.8%) and revealed long tracts of degenerated retroviral elements and transposons, similar to other larger plant genomes. Random BACs were end sequenced and only 3 of 460 ends showed significant (e < -25) non-organellar hits to the protein databases. The BAC-end sequences were AT rich (63.4%), similar to the completely sequenced BACs. A total of 499,997 bp of onion NU7441 genomic DNA yielded an estimated mean density of one gene per 168 kb, among the

lowest reported to date. Methyl filtration was highly effective relative to random shotgun reads in reducing frequencies of anonymous sequences from 82 to 55% and increasing non-organellar protein hits from 4 to 42%. Our results revealed no evidence for gene-dense regions and indicated that sequencing of methyl-filtered genomic fragments should be an efficient approach to reveal genic sequences in the onion genome.”
“Deficits in social and communication behaviors are common features of a number of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the molecular and cellular substrates of these higher order brain functions are not well understood. Here we report that specific alterations in social and communication behaviors in mice

occur as a result of loss of the EPAC2 gene, which encodes a protein kinase A-independent cAMP target. Epac2-deficient mice exhibited robust deficits in social Salubrinal interactions and ultrasonic vocalizations, but displayed normal olfaction, working and reference memory, motor abilities, anxiety, and repetitive behaviors. Epac2-deficient mice displayed abnormal columnar organization in the GSK2879552 anterior cingulate cortex, a region implicated in social behavior in humans, but not in somatosensory cortex. In vivo two-photon imaging revealed reduced dendritic

spine motility and density on cortical neurons in Epac2-deficient mice, indicating deficits at the synaptic level. Together, these findings provide novel insight into the molecular and cellular substrates of social and communication behavior.”
“Aims: This study aimed to identify the involvement of class 3 semaphorins (Sema3) and receptors, neuropilins (Np1 and Np2) and plexins (A1-A4) in breast cancer development and angiogenesis.\n\nMethods and results: We quantified and correlated Sema3A, Sema3B, Sema3F and their known receptors and coreceptors Plexin-A1, Plexin-A3, Np1 and Np2 in sections of normal human breast, benign and premalignant hyperplastic tissue, pre-invasive and invasive cancer, and compared these findings with our previously published data on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (MVD) in the same samples.

Consecutively enrolled patients undergoing successful HD treatmen

Consecutively enrolled patients undergoing successful HD treatments learn more after PTA were randomly assigned to the FIR-radiated group or control group without radiation. FIR-radiated therapy meaning 40-minute

radiation at the major lesion site or anastomosed site three times a week was continued until an end-point defined as dysfunction-driven re-PTA or the study end was reached. Results: Of 216 participants analyzed, including 97 with arteriovenous grafts (AVG) (49 FIR-radiated participants and 48 control participants) and 119 with arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) (69 FIR-radiated participants and 50 control participants), the FIR-radiated therapy compared with free-radiated usual therapy significantly enhanced PTA-unassisted patency at 1 year in the AVG subgroup (16.3% vs. 2.1%; p smaller than .01), but not the AVF subgroup (25.0% click here vs. 18.4%; p = .50), and this accounted for the overall improved patency rates (21.4% vs. 10.3%; p = .02). Conclusions: This study suggests FIR-radiated therapy improves PTA-unassisted patency in patients with AVG who have

undergone previous PTA. (C) 2013 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has a strong propensity to run in families. However, the known risk genes excluding APOE are not clinically useful. In various complex diseases, gene studies have targeted rare alleles for unsolved heritability. Our study aims to elucidate previously unknown risk genes for AD by targeting rare alleles. We used data from five publicly available genetic studies from the Alzheimer’s

Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) and the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP). A total of 4,171 cases and 9,358 controls were included. The genotype information of rare alleles was imputed using 1,000 genomes. We performed gene-based analysis of rare alleles (minor allele frequency BAY 80-6946 ic50 smaller than = 3%). The genome-wide significance level was defined as meta P smaller than 1.8×10(-6) (0.05/number of genes in human genome = 0.05/28,517). ZNF628, which is located at chromosome 19q13.42, showed a genome-wide significant association with AD. The association of ZNF628 with AD was not dependent on APOE epsilon 4. APOE and TREM2 were also significantly associated with AD, although not at genome-wide significance levels. Other genes identified by targeting common alleles could not be replicated in our gene-based rare allele analysis. We identified that rare variants in ZNF628 are associated with AD. The protein encoded by ZNF628 is known as a transcription factor. Furthermore, the associations of APOE and TREM2 with AD were highly significant, even in gene-based rare allele analysis, which implies that further deep sequencing of these genes is required in AD heritability studies.

We found 228 infections in 167 patients from 2002 to 2009 Higher

We found 228 infections in 167 patients from 2002 to 2009. Higher rates were seen in men who have sex with men and intravenous drug users, patients with lower CD4 cell counts, patients not on antiretrovirals and younger patients. The annual incidence peaked in 2007 and has decreased since.”
“The identification of asymptomatic individuals

at risk for near-term atherothrombotic events to ensure optimal preventive treatment remains a challenging goal. In the BioImage Study, novel approaches are tested in a typical health-plan population. Based on certain demographic and risk characteristics on file with Humana Inc, a total of 7,687 men 55 to 80 years of age and women 60 to 80 years of age without evidence of atherothrombotic disease but presumed to be at risk for near-term atherothrombotic see more events were enrolled between January 2008 and June 2009. Those who met the prespecified eligibility criteria were randomized to a telephonic health survey only (survey only: n = 865), standard risk assessment (Framingham only: n = 718), or comprehensive risk assessment in a dedicated mobile facility equipped with advanced imaging tools (n = 6,104). Baseline examination included assessment of cardiovascular risk factors and screening for

subclinical (asymptomatic) atherosclerosis with quantification of coronary artery calcification by computed tomography (CT), measurement of intima-media thickness, presence of Selleck CBL0137 carotid atherosclerotic plaques and abdominal aortic aneurysm by ultrasound, and ankle brachial index. Participants Smoothened Agonist nmr with one or more abnormal screening test results underwent advanced imaging with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance

imaging for carotid and aortic plaques, contrast-enhanced coronary CT angiography for luminal stenosis and noncalcified plaques, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/CT for carotid and aortic plaque inflammation. Plasma, PAXgene RNA, and DNA samples were obtained, frozen, and stored for future biomarker discovery studies. All individuals will be followed until 600 major atherothrombotic events have occurred in those undergoing imaging. The BioImage Study will help identify those patients with subclinical atherosclerosis who are at risk for near-term atherothrombotic events and enable a more personalized management of care. (Am Heart J 2010; 160: 49-57.e1.)”
“Executive dysfunction in fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) has been suggested to mediate other cognitive impairments. In the present study, event-related potentials and neuropsychological testing were combined to investigate the brain mechanisms underlying the executive dysfunction in FXTAS. Thirty-two-channel electroencephalography was recorded during an auditory oddball task requiring dual responses.

Evidence demonstrates that the impaired energy metabolism

Evidence demonstrates that the impaired energy metabolism BLZ945 price and the excessive generation of reactive oxygen radicals contribute to the brain injury associated with cerebral ischemia. In the present study, the protective effect of Spirulina was investigated in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Male albino rats were divided into six groups: control, sham-operated group, ischemic control group, and Spirulina-pretreated groups (45, 90 and 180 mg/kg/p.o.). Spirulina was administered once a day, for 7 days. The rats were subjected to a 2-h right MCAO via the intraluminal filament technique

and 22 h of reperfusion. Pretreatment with Spirulina significantly reduced the histological changes and neurological deficits. Spirulina

at a dose of 180 mg/kg significantly reversed the elevated brain malondialdehyde (MDA) content and restored the decreased activities of brain superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) indicating that Spirulina has the protective potential against cerebral ischemia injury and its protective effects may be due to its antioxidant PHA-739358 mouse property.”
“Background: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection therapy is unclear. This systematic analysis aimed to clarify the evidence on the efficacy of interferon (IFN)-alpha-based therapy in HDV.\n\nMethods: We performed a systematic search on electronic databases including MEDLINE (1970 to January 2011), Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials. gov. Randomized Sapitinib clinical trials (RCTs) comparing IFN-alpha-based therapy with either another drug, placebo or no intervention were included. We excluded paediatric studies. We calculated relative risks (RRs) for comparison of treatment options on the primary outcome measure, which was defined as undetectable

levels of HDV RNA and normal alanine aminotransferase at end of treatment (EOT; 1 year).\n\nResults: Nine RCTs were included. Seven trials evaluated the treatment with IFN-alpha (n= 132). The remaining two trials evaluated treatment with pegylated (PEG)-IFN-alpha (n= 45). We found that 1-year treatment with high-dose IFN-alpha achieved better primary outcome rates than with PEG-IFN alpha (RR= 4.14, 95% CI 1.00, 17.14). Data for 1-year treatment with low-dose IFN-alpha compared with PEG-IFN-alpha were similar (RR= 2.83, 95% CI 0.65, 12.40), as were low-dose IFN-alpha versus high-dose IFN-alpha (RR= 0.68, 95% CI 0.31, 1.50). High-dose IFN-alpha and PEG-IFN-alpha reached similar HDV RNA suppression 24 weeks after EOT (RR= 1.00, 95% CI 0.51, 1.97). None of the 55 patients assigned to no intervention obtained undetectable levels of HDV RNA and only one patient achieved normalization of alanine aminotransferase level.

In accord with MDS criteria, 38% of this cohort demonstrated PD-M

In accord with MDS criteria, 38% of this cohort demonstrated PD-MCI at baseline and 48% at follow-up. Of the 36 participants in the multiple-domain PD-MCI subtype at time-1, 9 (25%) demonstrated no PD-MCI at follow up. Analysis revealed that approximately 13% of the representative population would demonstrate abnormally low scores for BEZ235 mw 2 of the 9 tests used, thereby meeting MDS criteria for PD-MCI. Clinicians and researchers need to approach a single diagnosis (i.e., based on one assessment) of PD-MCI with considerable caution.”
“Background: The purpose of our study was to determine whether cervical preparation with laminaria tents would improve the procedure of second-

and third-trimester medical termination of pregnancy (TOP) in terms of duration of abortion and hospitalization.\n\nStudy: A retrospective comparative study of two historical periods of women undergoing second- and third-trimester medical TOP at a single tertiary care center from September 2004 to December 2006 was conducted. During Period A, patients learn more received oral mifepristone and vaginal misoprostol, while during Period

B, laminaria tents were added. Main outcome measures included initiation-to-delivery (ITD) time induction-to-delivery interval and hospitalization time.\n\nResults: Of 186 eligible women, 174 were enrolled in the study: 91 patients during Period A and 93 patients during Period B. The ITD time was reduced during Period B compared to Period A (43.2 +/- 6.2 h and SNS-032 mouse 48.5 +/- 13.2 h, respectively; p=.001). Similarly, the induction-to-delivery interval was significantly shorter during Period B (7.5 h) compared to Period A (12.7 h; p=.001). A significant

reduction in total hospital stay was observed during Period B (3 days) versus Period A (4 days; p<.001).\n\nConclusion: Cervical preparation with laminaria tents significantly shortens the duration of medical TOP that uses mifepristone-misoprostol without adverse events or serious complications. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Background The incidence of multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) is not well documented.\n\nObjectives To calculate the cumulative risks, rates and risk factors for the development of subsequent histologically confirmed BCCs.\n\nMethods For this cohort study the Dutch nationwide network and registry of histopathology and cytopathology (PALGA) was used. The first 2483 patients diagnosed with a first histologically confirmed BCC in the year 2004 were followed for 5 years. Multifailure survival models were used to study whether gender or age affected the risk of developing subsequent tumours.\n\nResults During our observational period, the 2483 patients developed a total of 3793 histologically confirmed BCCs. The 5-year cumulative risk of developing one or more subsequent BCCs was 29.2%. Incidence rates were 25 318 per 100 000 person-years in the first 6 months after first BCC diagnosis, decreasing to 6953 per 100 000 person-years after 5 years of follow-up.

05) In multivariate logistic regression analysis, stroke was ass

05). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, stroke was associated significantly with larger LAVi [odds ratio (OR) 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-2.65]; left ventricular mass index (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.21); significant carotid artery stenosis (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.24); and any carotid artery stenosis (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.14). Analysis of receiver operating characteristic

curves revealed that LAVi was the best left atrial measurement for prediction of stroke (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.70-0.84).\n\nConclusion Crenigacestat In hypertensive patients, a first-ever ischemic stroke was associated with larger left atrial size, left ventricular mass index and internal carotid artery stenosis. LAVi was the left atrial measurement most closely associated with ischemic stroke. J Hypertens 29:1988-1993 (C) 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.”
“Objective: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are capable of enhancing re-endothelialization and attenuating neointimal formation. However, inefficient homing limits the therapeutic efficacy of EPCs transplantation. CXCR4

plays a critical role in regulating EPCs homing. Here, we studied the effect of Foxc2 overexpression on CXCR4 expression and the homing capacity of EPCs ABT-263 research buy as well as the EPCs-mediated therapeutic benefit after artery injury.\n\nMethods: Bone marrow-derived EPCs were transfected with Foxc2 expression vector (Foxc2-EPCs) or empty control vector (Ctrl-EPCs) SCH 900776 cell line and examined 48 hours later. CXCR4 expression of EPCs was detected by flow cytometry and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The migration of EPCs toward SDF-1 alpha was evaluated in a transwell migration assay,

and the adhesion to fibronectin was determined using a static adhesion assay. For in vivo studies, EPCs were injected intravenously into the mice subjected to carotid injury. At 3 days after green fluorescent protein (GFP)/EPCs delivery, the recruited cells to the injury sites were detected by fluorescent microscopy. Re-endothelialization and neointimal formation were, respectively, assessed by Evans blue dye at 7 days and by the morphometric analysis for neointima and media area ratio (N/M) at 28 days after EPCs transfusion.\n\nResults: Foxc2 overexpression significantly increased the surface expression of CXCR4 on EPCs (about 1.9-fold of Ctrl-EPCs, P < .05). Foxc2-EPCs showed an increased migration toward SDF-1 alpha (P < .05); Foxc2 overexpression increased also the adhesion capacity of EPCs (P < .05). In vivo, the number of recruited GFP cells was significantly higher in the mice transfused with Foxc2-GFP/EPCs compared with Ctrl-GFP/EPCs (about 2-fold of Ctrl-GFP/EPCs). The degree of re-endothelialization was higher in mice transfused with Foxc2-EPCs compared with Ctrl-EPCs (90.3% +/- 1.6% vs 57.2% +/- 1.3%; P < .05).