bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Histology and Ultrastructure of the Developing Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon in Rabbits
Authors: Oryan A. , Shoushtari A. H. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThis study was designed to investigate the developmental changes in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of the white New Zealand rabbit, from 5 to 7 days pre‐natal to 112 days post‐natal (PN), at histological and ultrastructural levels. The tendons changed from being highly cellular with 13079 ± 2538 cell/mm2 and little directional organization to a longitudinally oriented, predominantly connective tissue structure with relatively few, mature tenocytes (2384 ± 365 cell/mm2). Fibrillogenesis was seen in isolated vacuoles of fibroblast cytoplasm during fetal life as well as after birth, but less frequently with increasing age. At the ultrastructural level, there was a progressive increase in the mean diameter of collagen fibrils with age throughout the population, until PN day 28. A bimodal distribution of collagen fibril size was first observed on PN day 56 while at day 112, the fibrils were fully differentiated and showed a multimodal size distribution. The development of elastic fibres preceded that of collagen fibres and accompanied progressively more marked sinusoidal crimping in collagen fibres on PN days 7 and 14. The tendons of older animals became less tightly crimped. The cells of the epi‐ and endotenon were less mature and relatively undifferentiated compared with the cells in the body of the tendon of the same age, which might explain their ability to initiate healing of tendon injuries in older animals. In conclusion, extensive changes were observed in tendons during growth and maturation, with diameters of collagen fibrils, tissue orientation and cellularity being the parameters affected, probably due largely to increased physical activity.
The Development of the Digestive Tract in Larval European Catfish (Silurus glanis L.)
Authors: Kozarić Z. , Kužir S. , Petrinec Z. , Gjurčević E. , Božić M. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe European catfish, Silurus glanis L., has become an important aqua cultural fish in Croatia, and it is cultivated extensively in ponds in polyculture with carps. The development of the digestive tract in S. glanis was studied with the aim of improving intensive fish production. Research was carried out on S. glanis larval stadium from 1‐ to 19‐day post‐hatching (DPH). The main histological methods used were: haematoxylin and eosin staining, periodic acid Schiff staining (PAS), Alcian blue (AB) and toluidin blue staining (TB). A yolk sac was present during the first 5 days (1–5‐DPH). During the initial 3‐DPH period, there was no trace PAS and AB activity in the digestive tract. Differentiation of the digestive tract began at 3‐ to 5‐DPH. The oesophagus was positive for AB at 5‐DPH, PAS and TB after 7‐DPH. Differentiation of enterocytes began at 5‐DPG and the intestines were complete at 11‐DPH. Development of liver and pancreas was also studied. The analysis of data obtained in this study suggests that after 5‐DPH catfish larvae have morphologically completed digestive tracts.
Genetic diversity among pearl millet maintainers using microsatellite markers
Authors: Kapila R. K. , Yadav R. S. , Plaha P. , Rai K. N. , Yadav O. P. , Hash C. T. , Howarth C. J. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractGenetic diversity among 70 maintainers and two pollinators of sub‐Saharan and Indian origin was studied for simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci using 34 primer pairs. A total of 213 alleles were detected with an average of 6.26 alleles per locus. Polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.05 to 0.96 with a mean of 0.58 for the SSR loci. Mean PIC across the linkage groups and number of alleles in dinucleotide motifs varied significantly. The lowest PIC (0.239) for linkage group 6 indicated comparatively conserved nature of this linkage group. Genetic similarity estimates ranged from 0.05 to 0.73 with an average value of 0.29. This indicated sufficient diversity among the maintainer and pollinator lines. The 72 lines fell in five clusters, and the clustering pattern corroborated with their pedigree and characteristic traits. Pollinator ICMR 356 was more diverse from the maintainer lines analysed, and can be a potential parent for pearl millet hybrid development.
A case of widespread non‐pigmented hair regrowth in diffuse alopecia areata
Authors: Dinh Quan Q , Chong Alvin H 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARYA 62‐year‐old woman presented with diffuse alopecia areata affecting more than 50% of her scalp hairs with sparing of non‐pigmented hairs. She was treated with a 2‐month course of oral prednisolone and extensive hair regrowth occurred. The new hairs were completely non‐pigmented. As a result, the patient's hair colour is now strikingly and completely white, with a normal hair density. This response has been sustained for 6 months after cessation of treatment.
Mast cells and vascular density have prognostic value in Merkel cell carcinoma
Authors: Ng Lydia , Beer Trevor W. 
Published: October 2007

Aims  Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is said to be the most aggressive of all skin cancers, with frequent metastases and a significant mortality rate. This study examined the role of mast cells and vascular density in the prognosis of Merkel cell carcinoma.Methods  Mast cells and vessels were stained immunohistochemically in 36 MCC with antibodies to tryptase and CD34 respectively. The number of stainable mast cells and vessels were quantified within the tumours and surrounding stroma. Other clinical and histological parameters were also examined, statistically analysed and compared to subsequent clinical course and prognosis.Results  Prognosis was poorer with higher mast cell numbers (p < 0.002) and with increased vascular density (p = 0.005). A one unit increase in mast cells predicted a 1.7 times increased risk of death. Prognosis was also adversely affected by the presence of lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.03) and larger tumour size (p = 0.05).Discussion  Although factors predicting the behaviour of MCC are largely unknown, various parameters have been proposed as potential prognostic markers [Llombart, 2005].Mast cells are pivotal in immunity, but a prognostic role for mast cells in malignancies has also been suggested, possibly through mitogenesis and angiogenesis [Ch'ng, 2006]. Vascular density, as a surrogate for angiogenesis, may have prognostic value in certain cancers, e.g. melanoma [Depasquale, 2005].In this study, increased mast cells counts and vascular density were associated with an adverse prognosis in MCC. Evaluation of mast cell infiltrates and vascular density can provide prognostic data and may ultimately help to guide appropriate treatment selection for this aggressive form of skin cancer.
ANTIPROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY OF PAEONIFLORIN IS THROUGH CELL CYCLE ARREST AND THE FAS/FAS LIGAND‐MEDIATED APOPTOTIC PATHWAY IN HUMAN NON‐SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER A549 CELLS
Authors: Hung Jen‐Yu , Yang Chih‐Jen , Tsai Ying‐Ming , Huang Hurng‐Wern , Huang Ming‐Shyan 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARY

Paeoniflorin (PF), isolated from the paeony root, is reported to have immunoregulatory, neuromuscular blocking, anticonvulsant, antihyperglycaemic and antihypotensive effects.
The present study investigated the antiproliferative activity of PF. The results showed that PF inhibited the proliferation of A549 by blocking cell cycle progression in the G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis.
An ELISA showed that G0/G1 phase arrest may be due to p53‐independent induction of p21/wild‐type p53‐activated fragment 1 (WAF1). Increased protein expression of Fas/apoptosis‐1 (APO‐1) and its two ligands, membrane‐bound Fas ligand and soluble Fas ligand, may be responsible for the PF‐induced apoptosis.
This is the first study to show that the induction of p21/WAF1 and the activity of the Fas/Fas ligand apoptotic system may participate in the antiproliferative activity of PF in A549 cells.
PROTECTION OF ISCHAEMIC‐REPERFUSED RAT HEART BY DIMETHYLAMILORIDE IS ASSOCIATED WITH INHIBITION OF MITOCHONDRIAL PERMEABILITY TRANSITION
Authors: Prendes María G Marina , Torresín Emilia , González Marcela , Fernández María A , Perazzo Juan C , Savino Enrique A , Varela Alicia 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARY

The aim of the present study was to assess whether protection afforded by the Na+/H+ exchanger blocker dimethylamiloride (DMA) is associated with inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). The effects of DMA were compared with those of cyclosporine (Cs) A, an inhibitor of MPT.
Rat hearts were Langendorff perfused with Krebs’–bicarbonate medium containing 10 mmol/L glucose and were subjected to 25 min no‐flow global ischaemia and 30 min reperfusion in the presence or absence of 10 µmol/L DMA or 0.2 µmol/L CsA. Cell viability was measured using tetrazolium stain. The MPT was determined by loading hearts with 2‐deoxy‐[3H]‐glucose (2DG), which enters mitochondria only during MPT. Total heart 2DG content as an estimation of the extent of tissue damage was also measured. To assess whether DMA has any direct effect on glycolysis, a cell‐free heart extract containing all the glycolytic enzymes was used.
Dimethylamiloride improved functional recovery (rate–pressure product) from 24 ± 7 to 68 ± 11% (P < 0.01) at reperfusion end, attenuated the increase in left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (from 29 ± 7 to 6 ± 3% 10 min after reperfusion onset; P < 0.01), improved cell viability (from 21.2 ± 6.6 to 69.6 ± 7.1% at reperfusion end; P < 0.05) and lessened lactate accumulation at the end of ischaemia (119 ± 15 vs 163 ± 14 µmol/g dry weight; P < 0.05). Dimethylamiloride limited MPT : 2DG mitochondrial entrapment, being 33.1 ± 14.2 and 96.3 ± 14.0 at reperfusion end in the treated and control hearts, respectively (P < 0.05), and concomitantly raised total 2DG content (51.3 ± 4.4 vs 86.8 ± 1.7 × 103 d.p.m./g wet weight in control and treated groups, respectively; P < 0.05). Cyclosporine A improved functional recovery and attenuated the amplitude of ventricular diastolic pressure in ischaemic–reperfused hearts. It also reduced mitochondrial entrapment (67.3 ± 7.7%; P < 0.05 vs control) and increased total cell 2DG content (162.3 ± 1.3 × 103 d.p.m./g wet weight; P < 0.01 vs control) at the end of reperfusion. Dimethylamiloride did not affect glucose consumption and lactate production in the cell‐free heart extract.
In conclusion, DMA protects against the noxious effects of ischaemia–reperfusion and inhibits MPT, coinciding with present and previous findings concerning the effects of CsA. Dimethylamiloride also diminished lactate accumulation, although it did not exhibit any direct effect on glycolysis. These data suggest that blockade of Na+/H+ exchange by DMA attenuates the extent of MPT in ischaemic–reperfused rat heart.
WATER CHANNEL ACTIVITY OF PLASMA MEMBRANE AFFECTS CHONDROCYTE MIGRATION AND ADHESION
Authors: Liang Hai‐Tao , Feng Xue‐Chao , Ma Tong‐Hui 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARY

Recent studies indicate that the aquaporin‐1 (AQP1) water channel is expressed in human and equine articular chondrocytes. The role of AQP1 in chondrocyte function has not been characterized. In the present study, we investigated the expression of the AQP1 water channel in cultured articular chondrocytes from wild‐type (AQP1+/+) and AQP1‐knockout (AQP1−/–) mice and characterized its function in chondrocyte proliferation, migration and adhesion.
Expression of AQP1 mRNA and protein was identified in freshly isolated neonatal AQP+/+ chondrocytes. Immunofluorescence localized the AQP1 protein to the plasma membrane of AQP+/+ chondrocytes in primary cultures. Relative plasma membrane water permeability of AQP1+/+ chondrocytes was approximately 1.6‐fold higher than that of AQP1−/– chondrocytes.
The condrocyte proliferation rate was not affected by AQP1 deletion. However, the serum‐induced transwell migration rate of AQP1−/– chondrocytes was markedly reduced compared with AQP1+/+ chondrocytes (16.2 ± 0.2 vs 27.1 ± 0.3%, respectively; P < 0.01). Cell adhesion to type II collagen‐coated plates was also significantly reduced in AQP1−/– chondrocytes compared with AQP1+/+ chondrocytes (38.1 ± 0.3 vs 51 ± 1%, respectively; P < 0.01).
The results provided direct evidence that AQP1‐mediated plasma membrane water permeability plays an important role in chondrocyte migration and adhesion.
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC ACARBOSE TREATMENT ON ADIPOCYTE INSULIN RESPONSIVENESS, SERUM LEVELS OF LEPTIN AND ADIPONECTIN AND HYPOTHALAMIC NPY EXPRESSION IN OBESE DIABETIC WISTAR RATS
Authors: Pérez Coralia , Fernández‐Agulló Teresa , De Solís Alain J , Ros Manuel , Andrés Antonio , Carrascosa José M 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARY

Inhibitors of intestinal glucosidases have been shown to improve glycaemic control in diabetic and obese humans and animals. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of 3 months treatment with acarbose on adiposity, food intake and the modulation of hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) in obese diabetic Wistar (WDF) rats and the possible correlation between changes in overall insulin sensitivity and the level of circulating adipokines, leptin and adiponectin. In addition, we investigated the effect of acarbose on adipocyte insulin signalling.
Mature male WDF rats were randomly distributed to one of three treatment groups (no acarbose or 20 or 40 mg of acarbose/100 g diet). After 3 months, blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin, leptin and adiponectin were analysed. Insulin signalling was determined in isolated adipocytes as the stimulation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt phosphorylation; the level of hypothalamic NPY was assessed by immunohistochemistry.
Acarbose‐treated rats had lower levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin and leptin and an increase in adiponectin compared with untreated animals. There were no changes in bodyweight and adiposity. Stimulation of adipocyte MAPK activity by insulin was higher in rats treated with both doses of acarbose, whereas higher stimulation of Akt phosphorylation was observed with the highest dose of acarbose. Although food intake was not significantly reduced in rats treated with acarbose, the acarbose‐treated rats had lower NPY expression in the arcuate nucleus.
We conclude that the improvement in overall insulin sensitivity in WDF rats after prolonged acarbose treatment is paralleled by increases in circulating adiponectin and adipocyte insulin responsiveness. Acarbose neither decreases food intake nor reverts obesity, but decreases leptin levels and the expression of the orexigenic NPY in the hypothalamus.
α‐LIPOIC ACID PROTECTS AGAINST RENAL ISCHAEMIA–REPERFUSION INJURY IN RATS
Authors: Şehirli Özer , Şener Emre , Çetinel Şule , Yüksel Meral , Gedik Nursal , Şener Göksel 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARY

Oxygen free radicals are important components involved in the pathophysiological processes observed during ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R). The present study was designed to assess the possible protective effect of a‐lipoic acid (ALA) on renal I/R injury.
Wistar albino rats were unilaterally nephrectomized and subjected to 45 min renal pedicle occlusion followed by 24 h reperfusion. Saline or ALA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 15 min prior to ischaemia and immediately before the reperfusion period. At the end of 24 h, rats were decapitated and trunk blood was collected. Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were measured in serum samples, whereas tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐a, interleukin (IL)‐1b, IL‐6, 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) and total anti‐oxidant capacity (AOC) were assayed in plasma samples.
Kidney samples were taken for the determination of tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, as well as Na+/K+‐ATPase and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. The formation of reactive oxygen species in renal tissue samples was monitored using a chemiluminescence (CL) technique with luminol and lucigenin probes. Oxidant‐induced tissue fibrosis was determined by tissue collagen content and the extent of tissue injury was analysed microscopically.
Ischaemia–reperfusion caused a significant increases in blood creatinine, BUN, LDH, IL‐1b, IL‐6, TNF‐a and 8‐OHdG, whereas AOC was decreased. In kidney samples from the I/R group, MDA, MPO, collagen and CL levels were found to be increased significantly; however, glutathione levels and Na+/K+‐ATPase activity were decreased. Conversely, ALA treatment reversed all these biochemical indices, as well as histopathological alterations induced by I/R.
In conclusion, these data suggest that ALA reverses I/R‐induced oxidant responses and improves microscopic damage and renal function. Thus, it seems likely that ALA protects kidney tissues by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration, balancing the oxidant–anti‐oxidant status and regulating the generation of inflammatory mediators.
HYDROGEN SULPHIDE‐INDUCED HYPOTHERMIA ATTENUATES STRESS‐RELATED ULCERATION IN RATS
Authors: Lou Li‐Xia , Geng Bin , Du Jun‐Bao , Tang Chao‐Shu 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARY

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) acts as a gaseous cellular messenger and has recently been reported to induce a suspended animation‐like state in mice. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective role of H2S exposure in stress gastric ulcer.
In the present study, we used a rat model of water immersion and restraint stress (WRS) to induce the typical stress disease, namely stress gastric ulcer. Rats were treated with WRS for 4 h, with or without pre‐exposure to H2S (160 p.p.m. H2S for 2.5 h).
In H2S‐exposed rats, body temperature was significantly reduced by 2.5C (P < 0.01) and oxygen consumption was reduced by 37.1% (P < 0.01) compared with control rats. Plasma levels of H2S were increased by 20.8% (P < 0.01) following pre‐exposure. Pre‐exposure to H2S significantly reduced the gastric ulcer index, from 24 ± 9 to 9 ± 2 (P < 0.01), in WRS rats. In addition, WRS increased plasma levels of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and corticosterone 4.7‐ and 4.8‐fold, respectively (both P < 0.01). Pre‐exposure to H2S markedly suppressed plasma ACTH and corticosterone level by 34.4 and 53.2%, respectively (both P < 0.01), and reduced WRS‐elevated myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity by 19%. In the present study, WRS increased gastric malondialdehyde and conjugated diene content by 42 and 68%, respectively (both P < 0.01), and H2S exposure reduced lipid peroxide production. Finally, H2S exposure inhibited the WRS‐elevated expression of glucose‐regulated protein 78 and caspase 12, markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress.
In conclusion, a low concentration of H2S may be a new pharmacological tool for induced hypothermia to prevent severe stress‐induced diseases and multifarious trauma in the clinical setting.
CHANGES IN REDOX RATIO AND PROTEIN GLYCATION IN PRECATARACTOUS LENS FROM FRUCTOSE‐FED RATS: EFFECTS OF EXOGENOUSl‐CARNITINE
Authors: Balasaraswathi K , Rajasekar P , Anuradha CV 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARYRats fed high dietary fructose are documented to form an acquired model of insulin resistance. The present study measured the effects of administration ofl‐carnitine (CA) on lens protein glycation, oxidative stress and redox homeostasis in rats fed a high‐fructose diet.Animals were divided into four groups: (i) an untreated control group (fed starch diet); (ii) an untreated fructose‐group (fed a high‐fructose diet); (iii) a CA‐treated (300 mg/kg per day), fructose‐fed group; and (iv) a CA‐treated, starch‐fed group. After 60 days treatment, lenses were dissected and multiple oxidative stress markers, glycation of proteins and the ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione (GSSG/GSH) were determined.A significant decline in enzyme and non‐enzyme anti‐oxidants and an increase in lipid peroxidation products, protein oxidation, protein glycation, GSSG/GSH ratio and aldehyde formation were observed in lens samples obtained from fructose‐fed rats. Administration of CA to fructose‐fed rats significantly attenuated oxidative damage and protein glycation and returned levels of anti‐oxidants to near those seen in the control group.The results of the present study indicate that dietary fructose disturbs lens integrity and exogenous CA may safeguard the lens by preventing glycation and oxidative stress.
GABAA RECEPTOR EXPRESSION AND INHIBITORY POST‐SYNAPTIC CURRENTS IN CEREBELLAR PURKINJE CELLS IN DYSTROPHIN‐DEFICIENT mdx MICE
Authors: Kueh SLL , Head SI , Morley JW 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARY

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the second most common fatal genetic disease and arises as a consequence of an absence or disruption of the protein dystrophin. In addition to wasting of the skeletal musculature, boys with DMD have a significant degree of cognitive impairment.
We show here that there is no difference between littermate control and mdx mice (a murine model of DMD) in the overall expression of the GABAA receptor a1‐subunit, supporting the suggestion that it is the clustering at the synapse that is affected and not the expression of the GABAA receptor protein.
We report a significant reduction in both the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory post‐synaptic currents in cerebellar Purkinje cells of mdx mice compared with littermate controls, consistent with the reported reduction in the number and size of GABAA receptor clusters immunoreactive for a1‐ and a2‐subunits at the post‐synaptic densities.
These results may explain some of the behavioural problems and cognitive impairment reported in DMD.
DIETARY SESAMIN SUPPRESSES AORTIC NADPH OXIDASE IN DOCA SALT HYPERTENSIVE RATS
Authors: Nakano Daisuke , Kurumazuka Daisuke , Nagai Yukiko , Nishiyama Akira , Kiso Yoshinobu , Matsumura Yasuo 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARY

Dietary sesamin, a sesame lignan, is known to suppress the development of experimental hypertension in rats partly through its inhibitory effect on vascular production. Therefore, in the present study, we examined whether sesamin feeding had any effect on vascular NADPH oxidase using aortas from deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt hypertensive rats.
After a 5 week feeding and treatment period, aortic production and NADPH oxidase activity were measured using the lucigenin assay. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyse aortic expression of NADPH oxidase subunit (p22phox, gp91phox, Nox1 and Nox4) mRNA.
Sesamin feeding markedly suppressed DOCA salt‐induced hypertension and significantly decreased aortic production. DOCA salt treatment increased NADPH oxidase activity and elevated aortic mRNA expression of p22phox, gp91phox, Nox1 and Nox4. Sesamin feeding abolished the increase in NADPH oxidase activity and, furthermore, significantly suppressed increases in p22phox, gp91phox and Nox1 mRNA expression.
In conclusion, dietary sesamin prevented DOCA salt‐induced increases in NADPH oxidase activity and subunit mRNA expression. These effects seem to be involved in the anti‐oxidant and antihypertensive effects of sesamin.