MedWorm: Carisoprodol

  Neuromagnetic activation of primary and secondary somatosensory cortex following tactile-on and tactile-off stimulation

Conclusions: The somatosensory evoked magnetic fields waveforms elicited by the two tactile stimuli (tactile-on and tactile-off stimuli) with a mechanical stimulator were strikingly similar. These mechanical stimuli elicited both contralateral SI and ipsilateral SII activities.Significance: Tactile stimulation with a mechanical stimulator provides new possibilities for experimental designs in studies of the human mechanoreceptor system. (Source: Clinical Neurophysiology)

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  Antidepressant fluoxetine suppresses neuronal growth from both vertebrate and invertebrate neurons and perturbs synapse formation between Lymnaea neurons

In this study, using mammalian cortical neurons, a dorsal root ganglia cell line (F11 cells) and identified Lymnaea stagnalis neurons, we provide the first direct and unequivocal evidence that clinically relevant concentrations of Fluoxetine induce growth cone collapse and neurite retraction of both serotonergic and non-serotonergic neurons alike in a dose-dependent manner. Using intracellular recordings and calcium imaging techniques, we further demonstrate that the mechanism underlying Fluoxetine-induced effects on neurite retraction from Lymnaea neurons may involve lowering of intracellular calcium and a subsequent retardation of growth cone cytoskeleton. Using soma[ndash]soma synapses between identified presynaptic and postsynaptic Lymnaea neurons, we provide further direct evidence th...

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  Dynamics of peptidergic secretory granule transport are regulated by neuronal stimulation

Conclusions: Under basal conditions, LDCVs move faster away from the soma than toward the soma, but fewer LDCVs travel anterograde than retrograde. Stimulation decreases average anterograde velocity and increases granule pausing. Data from antibody uptake, quantification of enzyme secretion and appearance of pHluorin fluorescence demonstrate distributed release of peptides all along the axon, not just at terminals. (Source: BMC Neuroscience - Latest articles)

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  Weekly Intravenous and Intraperitoneal Paclitaxel Combined with S-1 for Malignant Ascites due to Advanced Gastric Cancer.

Authors: Kitayama J, Ishigami H, Kaisaki S, Hidemura A, Kato M, Otani K, Kamei T, Soma D, Miyato H, Yamashita H, Nagawa H Malignant ascites caused by gastric cancer are chemotherapy resistant and carry a poor prognosis. The efficacy of a regimen including intraperitoneal paclitaxel (PTX) was evaluated in 33 gastric cancer patients with ascetic fluid in the peritoneal cavity diagnosed with computed tomography (CT) scanning. Synchronous administration of intravenous (50 mg/m(2)) and intraperitoneal (20 mg/m(2)) PTX was performed via a subcutaneously placed intraperitoneal catheter on days 1 and 8, and S-1 was administered twice daily at 80 mg/m(2)/day for 14 consecutive days from day 1 to day 14, followed by 7 days of rest. The ascitic fluid volume was calculated with NIH Image J softwar...

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  L-type calcium channels and cytochrome b(5) reductase are components of protein complexes tightly associated with lipid rafts microdomains of the neuronal plasma membrane.

Authors: Marques-da-Silva D, Samhan-Arias AK, Tiago T, Gutierrez-Merino C The presence of cytosolic calcium microcompartments in neurons is well established. L-type voltage calcium channels play a leading role in the rise of cytosolic calcium in the neuronal soma and are sensitive to redox modulation. In a recent work [Samhan-Arias, A.K., García-Bereguiaín, M.A., Martín-Romero, F.J. and Gutiérrez-Merino, C. (2009) Mol. and Cell. Neurosci. 40, 14-26], we have shown that cytochrome b(5) reductase, whose deregulation leads to an overshot of superoxide anion production at the neuronal plasma membrane that triggers apoptosis in primary cultures of cerebellar granule neurons in culture, forms a large mesh of redox centres associated with lipid rafts in these neurons. In t...

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  Carisoprodol Effective at Lower Dose of 250 mg

Double-blind multicenter trials of carisoprodol show nearly equal pain relief with 250 mg and 350 mg, with a slightly lower rate of drowsiness with the lower dose. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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  An Analytic Solution of the Cable Equation Predicts Frequency Preference of a Passive Shunt-End Cylindrical Cable in Response to Extracellular Oscillating Electric Fields.

Authors: Monai H, Omori T, Okada M, Inoue M, Miyakawa H, Aonishi T Under physiological and artificial conditions, the dendrites of neurons can be exposed to electric fields. Recent experimental studies suggested that the membrane resistivity of the distal apical dendrites of cortical and hippocampal pyramidal neurons may be significantly lower than that of the proximal dendrites and the soma. To understand the behavior of dendrites in time-varying extracellular electric fields, we analytically solved cable equations for finite cylindrical cables with and without a leak conductance attached to one end by employing the Green's function method. The solution for a cable with a leak at one end for direct-current step electric fields shows a reversal in polarization at the leaky end, as has ...

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  Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in ATM, GSTP1, SOD2, TGFB1, XPD and XRCC1 with clinical and cellular radiosensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS: It is most likely that risk for radiation-induced fibrosis can be assessed by a combination of risk alleles. This finding needs to be replicated in further studies. PMID: 20170971 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)

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  Unilateral nevoid telangiectasia on the lower extremity of a pediatric patient

To the Editor: Unilateral nevoid telangiectasia (UNT) is a vascular dermatosis of obscure etiology that is characterized by linearly arranged telangiectasias in a unilateral or Blaschkoid pattern. The disorder is frequently found in the upper extremities and/or shoulders. Its histopathology is characterized by dilated capillaries in the papillary dermis and mid-dermis. (Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology)

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  In Vitro Application of Gold Nanoprobes in Live Neurons for Phenotypical Classification, Connectivity Assessment, and Electrophysiological Recording.

Authors: Mendoza KC, McLane VD, Kim S, Griffin JD Thermoregulatory neurons in the preoptic area of the anterior hypothalamus (POA) form synaptic networks, which affect responses that regulate body temperature. In order to characterize these pathways of activation, projections to effector control areas, like the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), require labeling in live tissue slices. Traditional fluorescent dyes label axon terminals near an injection site, but unfortunately, also that of nearby fibers of passage. Here, we describe a novel methodology for retrograde labeling of neurons in vitro, which will allow for further electrophysiological recording. To determine if POA neurons project to the DMH, we have used nanometer-sized, gold nanoprobes, which provide for specific neuronal entr...

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  Successful Use of Mizoribine to Treat Recurrent Corticosteroid-Resistant Palpable Purpura in a Patient With Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Nephritis [Correspondence]

(Source: Archives of Dermatology)

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  Dynein- and activity-dependent retrograde transport of autophagosomes in neuronal axons.

Authors: Katsumata K, Nishiyama J, Inoue T, Mizushima N, Takeda J, Yuzaki M The accumulation of autophagosomes within axons is often observed in axonopathies associated with various neurological disorders, including those following excitotoxic insults. Nevertheless, the life cycle of autophagosomes in axons is not well understood. In the present study, we used microexplant cultures of cerebellar granule cells from GFP-LC3 transgenic mice to perform time-lapse imaging of LC3-positive dots in identified axons. Since these GFP-LC3 dots were never observed in granule cells on an Atg5-null background, they were considered to represent autophagosomes. Under physiological conditions, the autophagosomes showed bidirectional and saltatory movement with a bias towards one direction. Such vectori...

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  Dissecting Toxicity of Tau and beta-Amyloid.

Conclusion: Our data support the notion of a synergistic action of tau and Abeta pathology on mitochondria. A specific conformation of Abeta42 and human amylin determines toxicity. Finally, trapping of JIP1 by phosphorylated tau in the neuronal soma emerges as a fundamental pathomechanism in neurodegeneration. PMID: 20160450 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neuro-Degenerative Diseases)

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  Behavioral implications of rapid changes in steroid production and action in the brain.

Authors: Balthazart J, Pradhan DS, Newman AE, Wacker DW, Wingfield JC, Schlinger BA, Soma KK PMID: 20156442 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior)

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  Immunocytochemical evidence that monkey rod bipolar cells use GABA

Certain bipolar cells in most species immunostain for GABA or its synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase. However, it is unknown whether they actually release GABA and, if so, from which cellular compartment and by what release mechanism. We investigated these questions in monkey retina where rod bipolar cells immunostain for GABA. We found that rod bipolar cells immunostain for one isoform of GAD (GAD65) in their somas, dendrites and axon terminals. Near the fovea, the somatic stain of rod bipolar cells is weaker than that of horizontal cells but, at the periphery, it is stronger. Staining for the vesicular GABA transporter in monkey rod bipolar cells is negative. However, staining for the GABA transporter GAT3 is positive in the soma and primary dendrites (but not in the axon te...

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  T-type current modulation by the actin-binding protein Kelch-like 1 (KLHL1).

We report a novel form of modulation of T-type calcium currents carried out by a neuronal actin-binding protein (ABP), Kelch-like 1 (KLHL1). KLHL1 is a constitutive neuronal ABP localized to the soma and dendritic arbors; its genetic elimination in Purkinje neurons leads to dendritic atrophy and motor insufficiency. KLHL1 participates in neurite outgrowth and up-regulates voltage-gated P/Q-type calcium channel function; here we investigated KLHL1's role as a modulator of low-voltage-gated calcium channels and determined the molecular mechanism of this modulation using electrophysiology and biochemistry. Co-expression of KLHL1 with Ca(V)3.1 or Ca(V)3.2 (alpha(1G) or alpha(1H) subunits) caused increases in T-type current density and use-dependent calcium influx (40% and ~80% respectively) wh...

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  17beta-estradiol levels in male zebra finch brain: combining palkovits punch and an ultrasensitive radioimmunoassay.

Authors: Charlier TD, Po KW, Newman AE, Shah AH, Saldanha CJ, Soma KK Local aromatization of testosterone into 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) is often required for the physiological and behavioral actions of testosterone. In most vertebrates, aromatase is expressed in a few discrete brain regions. While many studies have measured brain aromatase mRNA or activity, very few studies have measured brain E(2) levels, particularly in discrete brain regions, because of technical challenges. Here, we used the Palkovits punch technique to isolate 13 discrete brain nuclei from adult male zebra finches. Steroids were extracted via solid phase extraction. E(2) was then measured with an ultrasensitive, specific and precise radioimmunoassay. Our protocol leads to high recovery of E(2) (84%) and effectively...

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  SOMA 250 MG Shown To Significantly Improve Functionality And Reduce Disability In Patients With Low Back Pain In Three Days

A recent analysis of two pivotal clinical trials in patients with acute low back pain (ALBP) who were treated with SOMA® (carisoprodol) 250 mg showed significantly improved functionality and reduced disability after three days of treatment, as measured by the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). This analysis is being presented this week at the 26th annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine in San Antonio, TX... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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  SOMA 250 MG Shown To Significantly Improve Functionality And Reduce Disability In Patients With Low Back Pain In Three Days

A recent analysis of two pivotal clinical trials in patients with acute low back pain (ALBP) who were treated with SOMA® (carisoprodol) 250 mg showed significantly improved functionality and reduced disability after three days of treatment, as measured by the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ)... (Source: Pharma Industry News From Medical News Today)

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  Vitamin E improves learning performance and changes the expression of nitric oxide-producing neurons in the brains of diabetic rats.

Authors: Comin D, Gazarini L, Zanoni JN, Milani H, Oliveira RM We investigated the effects of chronic administration of vitamin E on nitric oxide (NO)-producing neurons in the brains of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry. We further evaluated the effects of diabetes and vitamin E treatment on experimental anxiety and memory processes using the elevated plus maze (EPM) Trial 1/2 protocol. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: normoglycemics (N), normoglycemics treated with vitamin E (NVE), diabetics (D), and diabetics treated with vitamin E (DVE). Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (35mg/kg). Vitamin E (100mg/kg) or vehicle was administered orally by...

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  SOMA Reduces Lower Back Pain Disability

SOMA 250 MG Shown To Significantly Improve Functionality and Reduce Disability in Patients With Low Back Pain in Three Days... (Source: Disabled World)

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  The diagnostic and therapeutic role of ultrasound in obstetrics

Abstract: Advances in ultrasound technology and new developments in the field of screening for pregnancy disorders have led to a change in the clinical application of ultrasound in the care of women with normal and complicated pregnancies. This review highlights the validated uses of ultrasound in obstetrics, such as pregnancy dating, screening for aneuploidy, diagnosis of foetal abnormality, placental localization, diagnosis of chorionicity in multiple pregnancy, assessment of foetal growth and well-being and foetal therapy. Knowledge of the scientific basis of the role of ultrasound means more appropriately timed intervention in pathological pregnancies. (Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine)

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  Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Gabapentin in Horses: A Potentially Useful Analgesic Agent for the Treatment of Laminitis

Gabapentin (20 mg/kg) caused no major adverse effects in normal horses. Although the oral bioavailability is low, gabapentin is worthy of evaluation as an analgesic therapy for laminitis. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)

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  Distinct Phases of siRNA Synthesis in an Endogenous RNAi Pathway in C. elegans Soma

We present evidence for successive engagement of.... (Source: Molecular Cell)

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  Aggressive interactions rapidly increase androgen synthesis in the brain during the non-breeding season.

Authors: Pradhan DS, Newman AE, Wacker DW, Wingfield JC, Schlinger BA, Soma KK In male song sparrows (Melospiza melodia), territorial challenges during the breeding season can rapidly increase circulating levels of testosterone (T). During the non-breeding season, male song sparrows are highly aggressive, but the gonads are regressed and plasma T levels are non-detectable and unaffected by territorial challenges. The pro-hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is elevated in song sparrow plasma and brain during the non-breeding season and may be locally converted to sex steroids in the brain to regulate aggression. The enzyme 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Delta5-Delta4 isomerase (3beta-HSD) converts DHEA to androstenedione (AE) using the cofactor NAD(+), and this is a critical rate-...

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  In vivo confocal neuroimaging (ICON): non-invasive, functional imaging of the mammalian CNS with cellular resolution

With in vivo confocal neuroimaging (ICON), single retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) can be visualized non-invasively, repeatedly, in real-time and under natural conditions. Here we report the use of ICON to visualize dynamic changes in RGC morphology, connectivity and functional activation using calcium markers, and to visualize nanoparticle transport across the blood[ndash]retina barrier by fluorescent dyes. To document the versatility of ICON, we studied the cellular response to optic nerve injury, and found evidence of reversible soma swelling, recovery of retrograde axonal transport and a difference in calcium activation dynamics between surviving and dying RGCs. This establishes ICON as a unique tool for studying CNS physiology and pathophysiology in real-time on a cellular level. ICON ha...

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  Psychosomatic medicine and the philosophy of life

We describe three such polarities:1) Being vs. non-being: Always threatened by non-being, the organism must constantly re-assert its being through its own activity.2) World-relatedness vs. self-enclosure: Living beings are both enclosed with themselves, defined by the boundaries that separate them from their environment, while they are also ceaselessly reaching out to their environment and engaging in transactions with it.3) Dependence vs. independence: Living beings are both dependent on the material components that constitute them at any given moment and independent of any particular groupings of these components over time.We then discuss important features of the polarities of life: Metabolism; organic structure; enclosure by a semi-permeable membrane; distinction between "self" and "...

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  Genetic vasectomy - Overexpression of Prm1-EGFP fusion protein in elongating spermatids causes dominant male sterility in mice

Transgenic mice are vital tools in both basic and applied research. Unfortunately, the transgenesis process as well as many other assisted reproductive techniques involving embryo transfer rely on vasectomized males to induce pseudopregnancy in surrogate mothers. Vasectomy is a surgical procedure associated with moderate pain and must be carried out under full anaesthesia by qualified personnel. Eliminating the need for vasectomy would be beneficial from the economic and animal welfare point of view. Our aim was to develop a transgene-based alternative to the surgical vasectomy procedure. We generated several transgenic mouse lines expressing a Protamine-1 (Prm1) EGFP fusion protein under the transcriptional and translational regulatory control of Prm1. Male mice from lines showing moderat...

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  Postnatal Development of the Central Nervous System: Anomalies in the Formation of Cerebellum Fissures.

Authors: Cerri S, Piccolini VM, Bernocchi G A natural defect in rat cerebellum postnatal development has been found in the fissura prima, consisting in various complex configurations of the cerebellar layers. We investigated the genesis of fissure malformations through immunoreactions for PCNA, GFAP, GABAA alpha6, and calbindin to label proliferating cells of the external granular layer (egl), radial glial fibers, mature granule cells, and Purkinje cells, respectively. Results on critical stages of rat postnatal development provided interesting evidences on how the malformation develops in fissures prima and secunda. Early (postnatal day 10) at the site of malformation, the Bergmann radial glia was often retracted and showed distortions and irregular running. The interruption of GFAP-p...

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  Chub Mackerel Gonads Support Colonization, Survival, and Proliferation of Intraperitoneally Transplanted Xenogenic Germ Cells.

Authors: Yazawa R, Takeuchi Y, Higuchi K, Yatabe T, Kabeya N, Yoshizaki G The production of xenogenic gametes from large-bodied commercially important marine fish species in closely related smaller host fish species with short generation times may enable rapid and simple seed production of the target species. As a first step toward this goal, we assessed the suitability of chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus, as a small-bodied recipient species for xenogenic spermatogonial transplantation. Histological observation of the early gonadal development of chub mackerel larvae and transplantation of fluorescent-labeled spermatogonia from Nibe croaker, Nibea mitsukurii, revealed that 5.3-mm chub mackerel larvae were suitable recipients for successful transplantation. Intraperitoneallytransplanted...

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  Therapeutic Effect of Clopidogrel on Cutaneous Polyarteritis Nodosa [Correspondence]

(Source: Archives of Dermatology)

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  Multifunctional mechanosensitive neurons in the enteric nervous system

Abstract: One of the most intriguing abilities of the gut is to function in isolation. This is possible because the gut's own nervous system, the enteric nervous system, contains the necessary elements to control reflex behaviors. Much progress has been made in identifying those neurons that encode mechanical or chemical stimuli. Thus, muscle behaviors in the small and large intestines depend on mechanosensitive neurons which encode a variety of mechanical stimuli, ranging from brief deformation of the neurons soma or processes to sustained tissue stretch. Mechanosensitivity has been recorded in a wide variety of neurons which behave like rapid or slowly adapting mechanosensors. Strikingly, mechanosensitive neurons do not appear to belong to a distinct class of highly specialised neurons b...

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  Neuromagnetic activation of primary and secondary somatosensory cortex following tactile-on and tactile-off stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS: The somatosensory evoked magnetic fields waveforms elicited by the two tactile stimuli (tactile-on and tactile-off stimuli) with a mechanical stimulator were strikingly similar. These mechanical stimuli elicited both contralateral SI and ipsilateral SII activities. SIGNIFICANCE: Tactile stimulation with a mechanical stimulator provides new possibilities for experimental designs in studies of the human mechanoreceptor system. PMID: 20089445 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Neurophysiology)

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  Rational design of cationic lipids for siRNA delivery

Authors: Sean C Semple, Akin Akinc, Jianxin Chen, Ammen P Sandhu, Barbara L Mui, Connie K Cho, Dinah W Y Sah, Derrick Stebbing, Erin J Crosley, Ed Yaworski, Ismail M Hafez, J Robert Dorkin, June Qin, Kieu Lam, Kallanthottathil G Rajeev, Kim F Wong, Lloyd B Jeffs, Lubomir Nechev, Merete L Eisenhardt, Muthusamy Jayaraman, Mikameh Kazem, Martin A Maier, Masuna Srinivasulu, Michael J Weinstein, Qingmin Chen, Rene Alvarez, Scott A Barros, Soma De, Sandra K Klimuk, Todd Borland, Verbena Kosovrasti, William L Cantley, Ying K Tam, Muthiah Manoharan, Marco A Ciufolini, Mark A Tracy, Antonin de Fougerolles, Ian MacLachlan, Pieter R Cullis, Thomas D Madden & Michael J Hope We adopted a rational approach to design cationic lipids for use in formulations to deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA). St...

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  Robust upregulation of serotonin 2A receptors after chronic spinal transection of rats: An immunohistochemical study.

In this study we have investigated the changes in 5-HT2A receptor immunoreactivity following chronic spinal transections at the level of the sacrocaudal spinal cord. The results show that in the spinalized rats the immunoreactivity of 5-HT2A receptors below the lesion is dramatically increased in the motoneuron soma and its proximal dendritic territory, most likely also in their distal dendritic territory, to a level 3-5-fold higher than that of sham-operated rats. We also found a small number of intraspinal 5-HT neurons and clusters of 5-HT fibers and their varicosities in the spinal cord caudal to the lesion, which may provide an intrinsic source of 5-HT to act upon the upregulated 5-HT2A receptors. These results indicate that the upregulation of 5-HT2A receptors at least partly underlie...

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  The incidence and severity of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis over a 22-year period in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

Conclusions  Our findings suggest that the incidence of HSPN and the severity of HSPN in patients between 1987 and 1997 were similar to those in patients between 1998 and 2008 and that the number of patients with severe HSPN has not decreased. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Nephrology - Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s11255-009-9701-3Authors Yukihiko Kawasaki, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics 1 Hikariga-oka Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-1295 JapanKazuhide Suyama, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics 1 Hikariga-oka Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-1295 JapanEichi Yugeta, Fukushima Red Cross Hospital Department of Pediatrics Fukushima JapanMasahiko Katayose, Some General Hospital Department of Pedia...

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  Effects of occlusal contact and its area on gravity fluctuation.

Conclusions: These results suggest that occlusal contact, especially posterior occlusal contact, affects gravity fluctuation, and that appropriate occlusion attained by maintaining even occlusal contact in the posterior region is crucial for gravity fluctuation. PMID: 20050750 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Angle Orthodontist)

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  Neurons that co-localize aromatase- and kisspeptin-like immunoreactivity may regulate the HPG axis of the Mallard drake (Anas platyrhynchos).

Authors: Saldanha CJ, Walters BJ, Fraley GS Kisspeptin is a potent regulator of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. The activation of several vernal and pubertal behaviors involves the action of locally synthesized estradiol by hypothalamic aromatase-expressing neurons. Little is known about kisspeptin in non-mammalian systems, and its interaction with aromatase remains unexamined. The Mallard drake is a seasonal breeder and an excellent model for studying the neural mechanisms that regulate the HPG. The goals of these studies were to determine (a) if and how kisspeptin regulates the drake HPG, (b) if kisspeptin and aromatase are expressed in the Mallard brain, and (c) if kisspeptin is co-localized or in apposition with, aromatase- and gonadotropin hormone releasing hormone (GnRH) ...

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  Reclaiming Feminine Values in the Workplace

Women often believe that they must act like men to succeed. They scramble up the corporate ladder by copying traditional male behavior. Although it sometimes buys them temporary "success", most of the time, on a deeper level, it doesn't work. They frequently find themselves dissatisfied, restless, and ultimately unfulfilled. While many women in the workplace remain ensnared in the illusion of being "successful," those who wake up often find that their femininity and core values have been pushed to the background or edged out of their lives in a subtle but significant way. When women want to build a stronger business team, closer friend and family relationships, or a more centered self, many hundreds have sought the expertise of Richard Strozzi-Heckler, President of Strozzi Institute, Cente...

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  An evolutionary consequence of dosage compensation on Drosophila melanogaster female X-chromatin structure?

Conclusions: Our data indicate that X chromatin structure is fundamentally different from autosome structure in both sexes. We suggest that the differences between the X chromosomes and autosomes in females are a consequence of mechanisms that have evolved to ensure sufficient X chromosome expression in the soma of males. (Source: BMC Genomics - Latest articles)

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  Symbiont Genomics, Our New Tangled Bank.

Authors: Medina M, Sachs JL Microbial symbionts inhabit the soma and surfaces of most multicellular species and instigate both beneficial and harmful infections. Despite their ubiquity, we are only beginning to resolve major patterns of symbiont ecology and evolution. Here, we summarize the history, current progress and projected future of the study of microbial symbiont evolution throughout the tree of life. We focus on the recent surge of data that whole genome sequencing has introduced into the field, in particular the links that are now being made between symbiotic lifestyle and molecular evolution. Post-genomic and systems biology approaches are also emerging as powerful techniques to investigate host-microbe interactions, both at the molecular level of the species interface and a...

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  Longevity: The disposable soma?

Authors: Sataloff RT PMID: 20155690 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Ear, Nose and Throat Journal)

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  Brivaracetam (ucb 34714) inhibits Na+ current in rat cortical neurons in culture

Summary: Brivaracetam (ucb 34714; BRV), a new antiepileptic drug (AED) candidate, is a pyrrolidone derivative displaying a markedly higher affinity than levetiracetam (LEV; Keppra®) to the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, shown to be the brain-specific binding site of LEV. The higher affinity for SV2A correlates significant antiepileptic activity in animal epilepsy models in vitro and in vivo. Since many AEDs act upon inhibiting neuronal Na+ currents, this study explored putative activity of BRV on the properties of these currents. Voltage-activated Na+ currents were recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp on neuronal somas of rat neocortical neurons, grown in dissociated cell culture for up to 12 days. BRV, dissolved at the desired final concentration (between 0.2μM and 1mM) was applied by a m...

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  Analysis of impulse adaptation in motoneurons

Abstract  Animal locomotion results from muscle contraction and relaxation cycles that are generated within the central nervous system and then are relayed to the periphery by motoneurons. Thus, motoneuron function is an essential element for understanding control of animal locomotion. This paper presents motoneuron input–output relationships, including impulse adaptation, in the medicinal leech. We found that although frequency-current graphs generated by passing 1-s current pulses in neuron somata were non-linear, peak and steady-state graphs of frequency against membrane potential were linear, with slopes of 5.2 and 2.9 Hz/mV, respectively. Systems analysis of impulse frequency adaptation revealed a static threshold nonlinearity at −43 mV (impulse threshold...

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  SOMA (Carisoprodol) Tablet [Keltman Pharmaceuticals Inc.]

Updated Date: Dec 22, 2009 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

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  Phase II study of weekly intravenous and intraperitoneal paclitaxel combined with S-1 for advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis

Conclusion: Combination chemotherapy of i.v. and i.p. PTX with S-1 is well tolerated and active in gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastasis. (Source: Annals of Oncology)

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  Cloning of Complementary DNAs Encoding Structurally Related Homeoproteins from Preimplantation Mouse Embryos: Their Involvement in the Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells.

Authors: Saito K, Abe H, Nakazawa M, Irokawa E, Watanabe M, Hosoi Y, Soma M, Kasuga K, Kojima I, Kobayashi M During the preimplantation development of mouse embryos between the 4- to 8-cell stage and the morula stage, when the first irreversible segregation of cell fates into the pluripotent inner cell mass (progenitor cells to form the fetus) and the trophectoderm (to form the placenta) of blastocysts proceeds, pluripotency-maintaining or differentiation-inducing genes are expressed for the coordinate regulation of cell fates. Three structurally-related cDNAs (Crxos1, Crxos1 sv2, and Crxos1 tv3) that exhibited concomitant elevated expression during this critical period were identified by subtractive cDNA cloning. CRXOS1 contains two homeodomains while CRXOS1 sv2 or CRXOS1 tv3 contains...

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  Study of Na+/H+ exchange-mediated pHi regulations in neuronal soma and neurites in compartmentalized microfluidic devices

Lucas Vitzthum, Xinzhi Chen, Douglas B. Kintner, Yu Huang, Shing-Yan Chiu, Justin Williams, Dandan Sun (From Integr. Biol.) Lucas Vitzthum, Integr. Biol., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b918440f To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - Chemical Biology Virtual Journal latest articles)

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  Medullary neurons in the core white matter of the olfactory bulb: a new cell type

Abstract  The structure of a new cell type, termed the medullary neuron (MN) because of its intimate association with the rostral migratory stream (RMS) in the bulbar core, is described in the adult rat olfactory bulb. The MN is a triangular or polygonal interneuron whose soma lies between the cellular clusters of the RMS or, less frequently, among the neuron progenitors therein. MNs are easily distinguished from adjacent cells by their large size and differentiated structure. Two MN subtypes have been categorized by the Golgi technique: spiny pyramidal neurons and aspiny neurons. Both MN subtypes bear a large dendritic field impinged upon by axons in the core bulbar white matter. A set of collaterals from the adjacent axons appears to terminate on the MN dendrites. The MN ...

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  A 'Butterfly'-shaped Water Tetramer in a Cu

Sambuddha Banerjee, Soma Sen, Joy Chakraborty, Ray J. Butcher, Carlos J. Gómez García, Ralph Puchta, Samiran Mitra - Volume 62(12) This paper describes the synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and VTM study of a tetranuclear CuII complex derived from a tetradentate hydrazone ligand LH2. The voids of these tetramers are occupied by tetranuclear water clusters with a very large dihedral angle. This paper also details a theoretical calculation describing the stability of such water cluster. (Source: Australian Journal of Chemistry)

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  A 'Butterfly'-shaped Water Tetramer in a Cu 4 Complex Supported by a Hydrazone Ligand: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Magnetic Properties, and Quantum Chemical Study

Sambuddha Banerjee, Soma Sen, Joy Chakraborty, Ray J. Butcher, Carlos J. Gómez García, Ralph Puchta, Samiran Mitra - Volume 62(12) This paper describes the synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and VTM study of a tetranuclear CuII complex derived from a tetradentate hydrazone ligand LH2. The voids of these tetramers are occupied by tetranuclear water clusters with a very large dihedral angle. This paper also details a theoretical calculation describing the stability of such water cluster. (Source: Australian Journal of Chemistry)

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  Perpendicular Organization of Sympathetic Neurons within a Required Physiological Voltage.

Authors: Pan L, Borgens RB In vitro, postganglionic sympathetic neurons (PSNs) profoundly organize their anatomy according to cues provided by an extracellular voltage. Over 90% of PSNs retract neurites that are parallel / tangential to a gradient of ~ 400 mV/mm. Complete neurite retraction takes ~ 20 - 40 minutes. Subsequently, neurites grow out from the soma, but now perpendicular to the lines of force while branching profusely. The complete restructuring of the neurons anatomy takes 2 - 3 hours at 35 degrees C. The maintenance of this asymmetrical anatomy requires the continuous presence of the extracellular electrical field (Ef). We discuss this observation relative to the organization of neurons residing in natural voltage gradients that exist across all epithelia in which neurons...

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  Soma (Carisoprodol) - updated on RxList

Soma (Carisoprodol) drug description - FDA approved labeling for prescription drugs and medications at RxList (Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs)

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  The resting state questionnaire: an introspective questionnaire for evaluation of inner experience during the conscious resting state.

In conclusion, we provide a robust and easy-to-implement tool for the exploration of mental activities during rest of healthy participants undergoing fMRI. This tool relies on normative data acquired from a 180-participant sample balanced for sex and handedness. PMID: 20003916 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Brain Research Bulletin)

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  Sunday Driver Interacts with Two Distinct Classes of Axonal Organelles [Membrane Transport, Structure, Function, and Biogenesis]

We reported previously that the motor-binding protein Sunday Driver (syd), also known as JIP3 or JSAP1, links vesicular axonal transport to injury signaling. To better understand syd function in axonal transport and in the response of neurons to injury, we developed a purification strategy based on anti-syd antibodies conjugated to magnetic beads to identify syd-associated axonal vesicles. Electron microscopy analyses revealed two classes of syd-associated vesicles of distinct morphology. To identify the molecular anatomy of syd vesicles, we determined their protein composition by mass spectrometry. Gene Ontology analyses of each vesicle protein content revealed their unique identity and indicated that one class of syd vesicles belongs to the endocytic pathway, whereas another may belong t...

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  Soma Compound with Codeine (Carisoprodol, Aspirin, and Codeine Phosphate Tablets) - updated on RxList

Soma Compound with Codeine (Carisoprodol, Aspirin, and Codeine Phosphate Tablets) drug description - FDA approved labeling for prescription drugs and medications at RxList (Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs)

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  Exercise-induced motor improvement after complete spinal cord transection and its relation to expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and presynaptic markers.

Conclusions: Our results show that it is not BDNF deficit that determines lack of functional improvement in spinal animals. They indicate selectivity of up-regulation of BDNF in distinct subpopulations of cells in the motor nuclei which leads to changes of innervation targeting motoneurons, tuned up by locomotor activity as indicated by a region-specific increase of presynaptic markers. (Source: BioMed Central)

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  SOMA (Carisoprodol ) Tablet [Meda Pharmaceuticals Inc.]

Updated Date: Dec 2, 2009 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

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  Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors do not mediate excitatory transmission in young rat carotid body

Carotid body chemoreceptors transduce a decrease in arterial oxygen tension into increased action potential (AP) activity on the sinus nerve, which increases the drive to breathe. The mechanism by which AP activity increases is unresolved, but acetylcholine (ACh), acting through nicotinic receptors, is postulated to be a major contributor to nerve excitation based partly on the demonstration that pharmacological antagonism of nicotinic receptors reduces the afferent nerve response in some studies. However, most previous studies relied on indirect measures of chemoreceptor activity or utilized a recording configuration that is sensitive to AP morphology in addition to AP frequency. In the present study, single-unit AP activity was recorded from the soma of rat chemoreceptor neurons in vitro...

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  Constitutional (germline) MLH1 epimutation as an aetiological mechanism for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer

Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterised by a predisposition to early onset colorectal, endometrial and other cancers. The tumours typically exhibit microsatellite instability due to defective mismatch repair. HNPCC is classically caused by heterozygous loss-of-function mutations within the mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2, but no pathogenic mutations are identified in a third of cases. In recent years, constitutional epimutations of the MLH1 gene, characterised by soma-wide allele specific promoter methylation and transcriptional silencing, have been identified in a handful of mutation negative HNPCC cases. In contrast to genetic mutations, MLH1 epimutations are reversible between generations and thus display non-Men...

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  Eicosapentaenoic acid increases cytochrome P-450 2J2 gene expression and epoxyeicosatrienoic acid production via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in endothelial cells.

Authors: Wang D, Hirase T, Nitto T, Soma M, Node K omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases. Cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2J2 that is expressed in endothelial cells metabolizes arachidonic acids to biologically active epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) that possess anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects. We studied the effects of EPA and DHA on the expression of CYP 2J2 mRNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and found that EPA, but not DHA, increased the expression of CYP 2J2 mRNA in a dose-dependent and a time-dependent manner. EPA-induced CYP 2J2 expression was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with a peroxisome pr...

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  Biological evolution based on nonrandom variability regulated by the organism.

Authors: Olovnikov AM A hypothetical mechanism for rapid and nonrandom emergence of evolutionary adaptations is proposed. It is supposed that some transcription factors and transcription regulators that are able to cross membranes can leave the cells of their origin and move within the organism using a specialized transport system when individual development occurs under conditions extreme for the given species. This system, in particular, connects soma with germline. The supply of germline cells with unusual transcription regulators changes the balance of their nuclear regulatory RNAs, thus initiating RNA-dependent epigenetic modifications of the germline genome and therefore changes in phenotypes of the progeny. It is highly probable that some of these phenotypes are adaptive and lay...

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  Prediction of clinical toxicity in localized cervical carcinoma by radio-induced apoptosis study in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs)

Conclusions: Radiation induced apoptosis at different time points and radiation doses fitted to a semi logarithmic model defined by a mathematical equation that gives an individual value of radiosensitivity and could predict late toxicity due to radiotherapy. Other prospective studies with higher number of patients are needed to validate these results. (Source: BioMed Central)

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  Tissue gadolinium deposition and fibrosis mimicking nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF)–subclinical nephrogenic systemic fibrosis?

We describe a hemodialysis-dependent liver transplant recipient who received a gadolinium-based contrast agent and demonstrated insoluble gadolinium deposition in a fibrotic dermis and subcutaneous septum using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. He has yet to manifest symptoms and signs of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis 3 years after his magnetic resonance imaging study. (Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology)

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  Dante Pazzanese risk score for non-st-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

CONCLUSION: A risk score of easy application in the emergency service was developed to predict death or (re)infarction within 30 days in a brazilian population with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. (Source: Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia)

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  Synaptic plasticity after chemical deafening and electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve in cats

This report describes the morphologic plasticity of auditory nerve synapses in response to ototoxic deafening and chronic electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve. Normal kittens were deafened by neonatal administration of neomycin that eliminated auditory receptor cells. Some of these cats were raised deaf, whereas others were chronically implanted with cochlear electrodes at 2 months of age and electrically stimulated for up to 12 months. The large endings of the auditory nerve, endbulbs of Held, were studied because they hold a key position in the timing pathway for sound localization, are readily identifiable, and exhibit deafness-associated abnormalities. Compared with those of normal hearing cats, synapses of ototoxically deafened cats displayed expanded postsynaptic densities, a...

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  Changes in the distribution of nerve fibers immunoreactive to calcitonin gene-related Peptide according to growth and aging in rat molar periodontal ligament.

Conclusions: CGRP-ir nerve fibers in the periodontal ligament are dense during the growth period and decrease gradually with aging, indicating that CGRP may affect periodontal tissue with growth and aging. PMID: 19905856 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Angle Orthodontist)

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  Influence of occlusal stimuli on the microvasculature in rat dental pulp.

Conclusion: This study suggests that occlusal stimuli influence the periodontal ligament throughout the microvasculature of the dental pulp. PMID: 19905857 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Angle Orthodontist)

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  Novel microfluidic platform for culturing neurons: Culturing and biochemical analysis of neuronal components.

Authors: Park JW, Kim HJ, Byun JH, Ryu HR, Jeon NL Neurons, one of the most polarized types of cells, are typically composed of cell bodies (soma), dendrites, and axons. Many events such as electric signal transmission, axonal transport, and local protein synthesis occur in the axon, so that a method for isolating axons from somata and dendrites is required for systematically investigating these axonal events. Based on a previously developed neuron culture method for isolating and directing the growth of central nervous system axons without introducing neutrophins, we report three modified microfluidic platforms: (1) for performing biochemical analysis of the pure axonal fraction, (2) for culturing tissue explants, and (3) a design that allows high content assay on same group of cells....

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  Birthdays of retinal amacrine cell subtypes are systematically related to their molecular identity and soma position

No abstract. (Source: The Journal of Comparative Neurology)

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  CARISOPRODOL (Carisoprodol Tablets) Tablet [West-Ward Pharmaceutical Corp]

Updated Date: Nov 12, 2009 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

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  Ca2+ Caging and Uncaging

Neuronal Ca2+ signals occur in a very complex way. Direct imaging of Ca2+ changes in the soma, dendrites, and even single spines on fast time-scales greatly helps us understand the generation mechanism of diverse Ca2+ signaling events. However, Ca2+ imaging itself does not give information about the causal relationships between specific Ca2+ signals and specific functions. With the rapid improvements of new caged compounds, application or usage of uncaging/caging techniques has been expanded widely in biological research. Using caged compounds, the Ca2+ concentration in the target area can be either increased or lowered on a given time scale to various degrees. The most important advantage of the uncaging/caging technique is to control the intensity, duration, and area of light with high p...

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  Experience-dependent increase in spine calcium evoked by backpropagating action potentials in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in rat somatosensory cortex

In conclusion, (i) the bAP-evoked calcium transient gradient along the dendrite length is established at P8, (ii) the calcium transient increases in amplitude with age and (iii) this increase is enhanced in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons located in a sensory-deprived barrel column that is bordered by non-deprived barrel columns. (Source: European Journal of Neuroscience)

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  Tau hyperphosphorylation and axonal damage induced by N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC) treatment along late postnatal development is followed by a rescue during adulthood

Axonal degeneration has been described as the pathological hallmark of peripheral neuropathies induced by DEDTC. In addition, axonal damage has also been observed in the brain of mice treated daily with DEDTC along postnatal development, though with this experimental model there was observed to be axonal recovery after treatment, during the adulthood. To focus on this axonal dynamic activity, damage-recovery, a key axonal protein, the microtubule associated protein tau, was analyzed in this DEDTC model. Tau is a phosphoprotein and its dynamic site-specific phosphorylation is essential for its proper function; in fact, high levels are correlated with cell dysfunction. Furthermore, the levels of tau phosphorylation are associated with dynamic microtubules during periods of high plasticity. T...

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  A Simple Rule for Axon Outgrowth and Synaptic Competition Generates Realistic Connection Lengths and Filling Fractions

Neural connectivity at the cellular and mesoscopic level appears very specific and is presumed to arise from highly specific developmental mechanisms. However, there are general shared features of connectivity in systems as different as the networks formed by individual neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans or in rat visual cortex and the mesoscopic circuitry of cortical areas in the mouse, macaque, and human brain. In all these systems, connection length distributions have very similar shapes, with an initial large peak and a long flat tail representing the admixture of long-distance connections to mostly short-distance connections. Furthermore, not all potentially possible synapses are formed, and only a fraction of axons (called filling fraction) establish synapses with spatially neighborin...

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  Genetics vs. entropy: Longevity factors suppress the NF-kappaB-driven entropic aging process.

Authors: Salminen A, Kaarniranta K Molecular studies in model organisms have identified potent longevity genes which can delay the aging process and extend the lifespan. Longevity factors promote stress resistance and cellular survival. It seems that the aging process itself is not genetically programmed but a random process involving the loss of molecular fidelity and subsequent accumulation of waste products. This age-related increase in cellular entropy is compatible with the disposable soma theory of aging. A large array of host defence systems has been linked to the NF-kappaB system which is an ancient signaling pathway specialized to host defence, e.g. functioning in immune system. Emerging evidence demonstrates that the NF-kappaB system is activated during aging. Oxidative stres...

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  Hemoblasts in colonial tunicates: Are they stem cells or tissue-restricted progenitor cells?

Colonial tunicates have hemoblasts, which are undifferentiated coelomic cells that play a key role in tissue renewal during reproduction and regeneration. Some hemoblasts differentiate into somatic lineage cells such as endodermal multipotent epithelial, cardiac and body-wall muscle, and blood cells. There is no well established evidence that somatic hemoblasts are stem cells. Rather, like tissue-restricted progenitor cells, some peripheral hemoblasts give rise to terminally differentiated cells, while other hemoblasts differentiate into germ cells and accessory cells. Unlike somatic lineage cells, germ cells and their precursors express vasa homologues in common. In some colonial tunicates, vasa is indispensable for germ cell development. All vasa-positive hemoblasts appear to differentia...

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  Olfactory ensheathing cells reduce duration of autonomic dysreflexia in rats with high spinal cord injury.

Authors: Kalinčík T, Choi EA, Féron F, Bianco J, Sutharsan R, Hayward I, Mackay-Sim A, Carrive P, Waite PM Autonomic dysreflexia is a common complication in high spinal cord injury and can result in serious consequences and death. Here we have examined the effect of acute transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells on cardiovascular functions in rats. After T4 transection, radio-telemetric recording in conscious animals was used to study blood pressure and heart rate at rest and during autonomic dysreflexia for up to 8weeks post-injury. Olfactory ensheathing cells from syngeneic rats were transplanted at the injury site; control animals received culture medium only. At the study end point, we examined morphometric features of sympathetic preganglionic neurons above a...

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  EEG Generator--A Model of Potentials in a Volume Conductor

In this study, we first suggest a new definition of the EEG generator. We use the theory of potentials in a volume conductor and model the contribution of a single synapse activated to the surface potential. We then model the contribution of the generator to the surface potential. Once the generator and its contribution are well defined, we can quantitatively assess the degree of synchronization among generators. The measures obtained by the model for a real life scenario of a group of generators organized in a specific statistical way were consistent with the expected values that were reported experimentally. The study sheds new light on macroscopic modeling approaches which make use of mean soma membrane potential. We showed major contribution of activity of superficial apical synapses t...

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  Midline cervical cleft: a rare congenital anomaly.

CONCLUSIONS: An MCC is a differential diagnosis to consider when assessing a child with a midline cervical lesion. Early surgical excision with Z-plasty repair of the soft tissue defect is the treatment of choice to prevent long-term complications. PMID: 19999364 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology)

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  Overexpression of hepatocyte nuclear factor-3[alpha] induces apoptosis through the upregulation and accumulation of cytoplasmic p53 in prostate cancer cells

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-3[alpha] (HNF-3[alpha]) has been known to act as a repressor in the pathogenesis of many cancers. Herein, we investigated the effect of HNF-3[alpha] overexpression in prostate cancer cells.HNF-3[alpha] was overexpressed in prostate cancer cells using an adenovirus recombinant expressing wild-type HNF-3[alpha]. The apoptosis of prostate cancer cells was determined by TUNEL, FACS, and caspase activity analyses.Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of HNF-3[alpha] caused cell death in prostate cancer cells as assessed by changes in cellular and nuclear morphology, TUNEL analysis, and caspase activations. Furthermore, FACS analysis showed an increased sub-G1 phase of cell cycle as well as the G2/M phase with a corresponding decrease in S phases. HNF-3[alpha] overexpressi...

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  Relationship between Occlusal Force and Mandibular Condyle Morphology.

Conclusions: Occlusal force influences not only maxillofacial morphology but also mandibular condyle morphology. PMID: 19852595 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Angle Orthodontist)

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  Cellular expression pattern of the protease-activated receptor 4 in the hippocampus in naïve rats and after global ischaemia

In conclusion, the current study proves for the first time that PAR4 is localised in mossy fibre axons. The altered expression in CA3 neurons after ischaemia indicates that PAR4 may be involved in post-ischaemic adaptive mechanisms. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: Journal of Neuroscience Research)

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  Synaptically-induced sodium signals in hippocampal astrocytes in situ.

Authors: Langer J, Rose CR Astrocytes are in close contact to excitatory synapses and express transporters which mediate the sodium-dependent uptake of glutamate. In cultured astrocytes, selective activation of glutamate transport results in sodium elevations which stimulate Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and glucose uptake, indicating that synaptic release of glutamate might couple excitatory neuronal activity to glial sodium homeostasis and metabolism. Here, we analysed intracellular sodium transients evoked by synaptic stimulation in acute mouse hippocampal slices using quantitative sodium imaging with the sodium-sensitive fluorescent indicator dye SBFI (sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate). We found that short bursts of Schaffer collateral stimulation evoke sodium transients in the mM range ...

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  Zebrafish Motor Neuron Subtypes Differ Electrically Prior to Axonal Outgrowth

Different muscle targets and transcription factor expression patterns reveal the presence of motor neuron subtypes. However, it is not known whether these subtypes also differ with respect to electrical membrane properties. To address this question, we studied primary motor neurons (PMNs) in the spinal cord of zebrafish embryos. PMN genesis occurs during gastrulation and gives rise to a heterogeneous set of motor neurons that differ with respect to transcription factor expression, muscle targets, and soma location within each spinal cord segment. The unique subtype-specific soma locations and axonal trajectories of two PMNs—MiP (middle) and CaP (caudal)—allowed their identification in situ as early as 17 h postfertilization (hpf), prior to axon genesis. Between 17 and 48 hpf, C...

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  Dendritic Spine Remodeling After Spinal Cord Injury Alters Neuronal Signal Processing

Central sensitization, a prolonged hyperexcitability of dorsal horn nociceptive neurons, is a major contributor to abnormal pain processing after spinal cord injury (SCI). Dendritic spines are micron-sized dendrite protrusions that can regulate the efficacy of synaptic transmission. Here we used a computational approach to study whether changes in dendritic spine shape, density, and distribution can individually, or in combination, adversely modify the input–output function of a postsynaptic neuron to create a hyperexcitable neuronal state. The results demonstrate that a conversion from thin-shaped to more mature, mushroom-shaped spine structures results in enhanced synaptic transmission and fidelity, improved frequency-following ability, and reduced inhibitory gating effectiveness. ...

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  SK Channels Gate Information Processing In Vivo by Regulating an Intrinsic Bursting Mechanism Seen In Vitro

Understanding the mechanistic substrates of neural computations that lead to behavior remains a fundamental problem in neuroscience. In particular, the contributions of intrinsic neural properties such as burst firing and dendritic morphology to the processing of behaviorally relevant sensory input have received much interest recently. Pyramidal cells within the electrosensory lateral line lobe of weakly electric fish display an intrinsic bursting mechanism that relies on somato-dendritic interactions when recorded in vitro: backpropagating somatic action potentials trigger dendritic action potentials that lead to a depolarizing afterpotential (DAP) at the soma. We recorded intracellularly from these neurons in vivo and found firing patterns that were quite different from those seen in vit...

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  Quantitative dynamics and spatial profile of perisomatic GABAergic input during epileptiform synchronization in the CA1 hippocampus.

Authors: Marchionni I, Maccaferri G Perisomatic GABAergic input appears spared or even increased in intractable temporal lobe epilepsy, and has been suggested to contribute to the generation of pathological discharges. Nevertheless, its degree of functional activity during epileptiform synchronization has not been thoroughly investigated. Thus, it remains unclear how structural preservation or loss of domain-specific GABAergic input may affect the network. Here, I have taken advantage of a model of epileptiform activity in vitro to quantify the charge transfer provided by perisomatic GABAA receptor-mediated input to CA1 pyramidal neurons during interictal-like bursts. By recording both firing in GABAergic interneurons and the charge transfer generated by unitary postsynaptic currents t...

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  Featured Article: Membrane trafficking: PTEN hitches a ride on myosinV

An interaction between PTEN and myosinV regulates PTEN membrane association and neuronal soma size. (Source: Nature Signaling Update)

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  Association of the Purinergic Receptor P2Y, G-Protein Coupled, 2 (P2RY2) Gene With Myocardial Infarction in Japanese Men.

Conclusions: The GA+AA genotype, as well as the C-A and T-C-A haplotypes, of human P2RY2 could be genetic markers for MI in Japanese men. PMID: 19797825 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Circulation Journal)

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  Abundant and dynamically expressed miRNAs, piRNAs, and other small RNAs in the vertebrate Xenopus tropicalis [LETTERS]

Small regulatory RNAs have recently emerged as key regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. Here we used high-throughput sequencing to determine small RNA populations in the germline and soma of the African clawed frog Xenopus tropicalis. We identified a number of miRNAs that were expressed in the female germline. miRNA expression profiling revealed that miR-202-5p is an oocyte-enriched miRNA. We identified two novel miRNAs that were expressed in the soma. In addition, we sequenced large numbers of Piwi-associated RNAs (piRNAs) and other endogenous small RNAs, likely representing endogenous siRNAs (endo-siRNAs). Of these, only piRNAs were restricted to the germline, suggesting that endo-siRNAs are an abundant class of small RNAs in the vertebrate soma. In the germline, both endogenous sma...

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  An Easy and Reproducible Model of Kidney Transplantation in Rats

Conclusions: The bladder insertion technique reduced the incidence of urological complications in rats. In addition, unilateral native nephrectomy at the time of operation with delayed contralateral nephrectomy was better tolerated than simultaneous bilateral nephrectomy. These 2 surgical variants allowed us to perform kidney transplantation with a high degree of success. (Source: Transplantation Proceedings)

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  Calcium imaging in single neurons from brain slices using bioluminescent reporters

Responses of three bioluminescent Ca2+ sensors were studied in vitro and in neurons from brain slices. These sensors consisted of tandem fusions of green fluorescent protein (GFP) with the photoproteins aequorin, obelin, or a mutant aequorin with high Ca2+ sensitivity. Kinetics of GFP-obelin responses to a saturating Ca2+ concentration were faster than those of GFP-aequorin at all Mg2+ concentrations tested, whereas GFP-mutant aequorin responses were the slowest. GFP-photoproteins were efficiently expressed in pyramidal neurons following overnight incubation of acute neocortical slices with recombinant Sindbis viruses. Expression of GFP-photoproteins did not result in conspicuous modification of morphological or electrophysiological properties of layer V pyramidal cells. The three sensors ...

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  Electrical coupling of astrocytes in rat hippocampal slices under physiological and simulated ischemic conditions

Mammalian protoplasmic astrocytes are extensively coupled through gap junction channels but the biophysical properties of these channels under physiological and ischemic conditions in situ are not well defined. Using confocal morphometric analysis of biocytin-filled astrocytic syncytia in rat hippocampal CA1 stratum radiatum we found that each astrocyte directly couples, on average, to 11 other astrocytes with a mean interastrocytic distance of 45 [mu]m. Voltage-independent and bidirectional transjunctional currents were always measured between directly coupled astrocyte pairs in dual voltage-clamp recordings, but never from astrocyte-NG2 glia or astrocyte-interneuron pairs. The electrical coupling ratio varied considerably among astrocytes in developing postnatal day 14 rats (P14, 0.5-12....

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  Delayed onset of changes in soma action potential genesis in nociceptive A-beta DRG neurons in vivo in a rat model of osteoarthritis

Clinical data on osteoarthritis suggest widespread changes in sensory function. The present study was done to investigate the possible changes specifically in functionally-identified Abeta-fiber nociceptive primary sensory dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in a rat surgical derangement model of knee osteoarthritis. We have previously found that this model undergoes structural changes in the joint and gait changes as indicated in the incapacitance test. Intracellular recordings were made from L4 Abeta nociceptive DRG neurons in vivo at two stages of development: one month and two months following model induction. Action potential (AP) configuration was compared between neurons in control animals vs. OA animals. At one month, the only change observed was in Abeta nociceptors that lacked ide...

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  Reversal of dopaminergic degeneration in a parkinsonian rat following micrografting of human bone marrow-derived neural progenitors.

Authors: Glavaski-Joksimovic A, Virag T, Chang QA, West NC, Mangatu TA, McGrogan MP, Dugich-Djordjevic M, Bohn MC Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by theselective loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the midbrain. Various types of stem cells that have potential to differentiate into DA neurons are being investigated as cellular therapies for PD. Stem cells also secrete growth factors and therefore may also have therapeutic effects in promoting the health of diseased DA neurons in the PD brain. To address this possibility in an experimental model of PD, bone marrow-derived neuroprogenitor-like cells were generated from bone marrow procured from healthy human adult volunteers and their potential to elicit recovery of damaged DA axons was studie...

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  Olfactory system pathology as a model of Lewy neurodegenerative disease

In this report, the known neuropathology of the olfactory system in PD will be reviewed and the advantages of investigating degeneration of the olfactory bulb as a model of Lewy neurodegeneration will be discussed. (Source: Journal of the Neurological Sciences)

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  Characterization of CLP36/Elfin/PDLIM1 in the nervous system

CLP36, one of the [alpha]-Actinin Associated LIM Protein (ALP)/Enigma family proteins, has a wide tissue distribution, but little is known about its expression and role in the nervous system. We show here that CLP36 is expressed in sensory ganglia but not in the CNS of adult rats. In primary dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, CLP36 is distributed in the soma and neurites with enrichment in the growth cones. CLP36 forms a complex with [alpha]-actinin and is localized to actin cytoskeleton. To examine the role of CLP36 in neuronal cells, we transfected PC12 cells with a series of CLP36 deletion mutants and found that over-expression of CLP36 PDZ domain affects neurite outgrowth. Reduction of CLP36 function in PC12 cells by RNA interference (RNAi) induced lamellipodial protrusions around cel...

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  Postnatal binge-like alcohol exposure decreases dendritic complexity while increasing the density of mature spines in mPFC Layer II/III pyramidal neurons

In this study, three groups of rat pups were used: intubated with alcohol (5.25 g/kg/day; AE), sham intubated (SI), or suckle controls (SC) on PD 4-9. On PD 26-30 rats were anesthetized, perfused with saline and brains were processed for Golgi-Cox staining. Basilar dendritic complexity, spine density, and spine phenotypes were evaluated for Layer II/III neurons in the medial PFC. Results indicate that AE rats have an altered basilar dendritic complexity due to a significant decrease in both length and number of intersections in proximity to the neuronal soma. Furthermore, spine density patterns of basilar dendrites remain unchanged while the density of mature vs. immature spines significantly changes. These effects were not seen in the apical dendrites, indicating alcohol's influence on di...

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  Distribution of the epilepsy-related Lgi1 protein in rat cortical neurons

Abstract  The Lgi1 protein is involved in the pathogenesis of autosomal dominant lateral temporal epilepsy because mutations in the leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) gene have been found in affected subjects and families; however, the function of Lgi1 is still unclear. Definition of the fine intracellular distribution of Lgi1 in normal cortical tissue would add in understanding its role and envisage pathogenetic mechanisms. Therefore, we analyzed normal rat cortex for Lgi1 by combining biochemistry, immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy. Our results demonstrate that Lgi1 is a cytoplasmic protein distributed both in the soma and in the processes of neurons: it occurs on the rough endoplasmic reticulum, the site of synthesis, in the Golgi complex, where i...

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  Effect of a Prostaglandin – Given Rectally for Prevention of Radiation-Induced Acute Proctitis – on Late Rectal Toxicity

Conclusion:   Misoprostol given as once-daily suppository for prevention of acute radiation-induced proctitis does neither influence the incidence and severity of radiation-induced acute nor late rectal toxicity. Misoprostol has no negative impact on the incidence and severity of late rectal bleeding, in contrast to acute rectal bleeding. The routine clinical use of misoprostol suppositories cannot be recommended. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00066-009-1978-8Authors Tereza Kertesz, University of Göttingen Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology Göttingen GermanyMarkus K. A. Herrmann, University of Göttingen Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology Göttingen GermanyAntonia Zapf, University of Göttingen Department of M...

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  [Report] Underplating in the Himalaya-Tibet Collision Zone Revealed by the Hi-CLIMB Experiment

A seismic study delineates the position and local thickening of the Indian plate underlying the Himalayas and southern Tibet.Authors: John Nábělek, György Hetényi, Jérôme Vergne, Soma Sapkota, Basant Kafle, Mei Jiang, Heping Su, John Chen, Bor-Shouh Huang, the Hi-CLIMB Team (Source: Science: Current Issue)

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  Parallel Computational Subunits in Dentate Granule Cells Generate Multiple Place Fields

Author Summary Neurons were originally divided into three morphologically distinct compartments: the dendrites receive the synaptic input, the soma integrates it and communicates the output of the cell to other neurons via the axon. Although several lines of evidence challenged this oversimplified view, neurons are still considered to be the basic information processing units of the nervous system as their output reflects the computations performed by the entire dendritic tree. In the present study, the authors build a simplified computational model and calculate that, in certain neurons, relatively small dendritic branches are able to independently trigger somatic firing. Therefore, in these cells, an action potential mirrors the activity of a small dendritic subunit rather than the inpu...

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  Input Specificity and Dependence of Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity on Preceding Postsynaptic Activity at Unitary Connections between Neocortical Layer 2/3 Pyramidal Cells

Layer 2/3 (L2/3) pyramidal cells receive excitatory afferent input both from neighbouring pyramidal cells and from cortical and subcortical regions. The efficacy of these excitatory synaptic inputs is modulated by spike timing–dependent plasticity (STDP). Here we report that synaptic connections between L2/3 pyramidal cell pairs are located proximal to the soma, at sites overlapping those of excitatory inputs from other cortical layers. Nevertheless, STDP at L2/3 pyramidal to pyramidal cell connections showed fundamental differences from known STDP rules at these neighbouring contacts. Coincident low-frequency pre- and postsynaptic activation evoked only LTD, independent of the order of the pre- and postsynaptic cell firing. This symmetric anti-Hebbian STDP switched to a typical Hebb...

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  Parallel Computational Subunits in Dentate Granule Cells Generate Multiple Place Fields

Author Summary Neurons were originally divided into three morphologically distinct compartments: the dendrites receive the synaptic input, the soma integrates it and communicates the output of the cell to other neurons via the axon. Although several lines of evidence challenged this oversimplified view, neurons are still considered to be the basic information processing units of the nervous system as their output reflects the computations performed by the entire dendritic tree. In the present study, the authors build a simplified computational model and calculate that, in certain neurons, relatively small dendritic branches are able to independently trigger somatic firing. Therefore, in these cells, an action potential mirrors the activity of a small dendritic subunit rather than the inpu...

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  NCX1 Expression and Functional Activity Increase in Microglia Invading the Infarct Core.

CONCLUSIONS: The upregulation of NCX1 expression and activity observed in microglia after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion suggests a relevant role of NCX1 in modulating microglia functions in the postischemic brain. PMID: 19745171 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Stroke)

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  Precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma with only cutaneous involvement.

Authors: Kawakami T, Kimura S, Kinoshita A, Kondo K, Soma Y PMID: 19734992 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Acta Derm Venereol A...)

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  Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type in an elderly man with human immunodeficiency virus encephalopathy.

Authors: Kawakami T, Mizoguchi M, Soma Y PMID: 19734989 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Acta Derm Venereol A...)

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  Multifunctional mechanosensitive neurons in the enteric nervous system.

Authors: Schemann M, Mazzuoli G One of the most intriguing abilities of the gut is to function in isolation. This is possible because the gut's own nervous system, the enteric nervous system, contains the necessary elements to control reflex behaviors. Much progress has been made in identifying those neurons that encode mechanical or chemical stimuli. Thus, muscle behaviors in the small and large intestines depend on mechanosensitive neurons which encode a variety of mechanical stimuli, ranging from brief deformation of the neurons soma or processes to sustained tissue stretch. Mechanosensitivity has been recorded in a wide variety of neurons which behave like rapid or slowly adapting mechanosensors. Strikingly, mechanosensitive neurons do not appear to belong to a distinct class of hi...

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  Brain Injury After Proton Therapy or Carbon Ion Therapy for Head-and-Neck Cancer and Skull Base Tumors

Conclusion: Particle therapies produced minimal symptomatic brain toxicities, but sequential evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging detected a greater incidence of RIBCs. Significant differences were observed in the irradiated brain volume between the brain lobes with and without RIBCs. (Source: International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics)

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  Ontogeny of ATP hydrolysis and isoform expression of the Plasma Membrane Ca2+-ATPase in mouse brain

Conclusion: These results show an upregulation of PMCA activity and PMCA isoforms expression during brain development in mouse, with specific localizations mainly in cerebellum. Overall, our findings support a close relationship between the ontogeny of PMCA isoforms and specific requirements of Ca2+ during development of different brain areas. (Source: BMC Neuroscience - Latest articles)

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  Relation between phonological awareness and phonological disorders in children in 1st grade of basic education

CONCLUSION: the occurrence of phonological deviation in children from the first grade in school did not interfere in their performance in items related to phonological awareness. (Source: Revista CEFAC)

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  Identification of racehorse and sample contamination by novel 24-plex STR system

Abstract: Proper identification of racehorses competing in an official race and maintenance of defensible chain of custody are important in doping control regulations. The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable multiplex PCR method for providing genetic evidence for matching donors to test samples by using short tandem repeat (STR) loci. Amplification of 21 STR loci from blood, urine or hair root was achieved in a single tube and STR length polymorphism was analyzed using fluorescent labeled capillary electrophoresis. This novel approach showed an allele confidence interval of 0.19–0.43bp and size estimation error of 0–0.48bp. In 90 thoroughbred (TB) and 171 standardbred (STB) horses, the method was highly discriminating and reproducible with probability of false identificatio...

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  Locomotor-Activated Neurons of the Cat. I. Serotonergic Innervation and Co-Localization of 5-HT7, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT1A Receptors in the Thoraco-Lumbar Spinal Cord

Monoamines are strong modulators and/or activators of spinal locomotor networks. Thus monoaminergic fibers likely contact neurons involved in generating locomotion. The aim of the present study was to investigate the serotonergic innervation of locomotor-activated neurons within the thoraco-lumbar spinal cord following induction of hindlimb locomotion. This was determined by immunohistochemical co-localization of serotonin (5-HT) fibers or 5-HT7/5-HT2A/5-HT1A receptors with cells expressing the activity-dependent marker c-fos. Experiments were performed on paralyzed, decerebrate cats in which locomotion was induced by electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic locomotor region. Abundant c-fos immunoreactive cells were observed in laminae VII and VIII throughout the thoraco-lumbar segments...

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  Abundant and dynamically expressed miRNAs, piRNAs, and other small RNAs in the vertebrate Xenopus tropicalis [LETTERS]

Small regulatory RNAs have recently emerged as key regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. Here we used high-throughput sequencing to determine small RNA populations in the germline and soma of the African clawed frog Xenopus tropicalis. We identified a number of miRNAs that were expressed in the female germline. miRNA expression profiling revealed that miR-202-5p is an oocyte-enriched miRNA. We identified two novel miRNAs that were expressed in the soma. In addition, we sequenced large numbers of Piwi-associated RNAs (piRNAs) and other endogenous small RNAs, likely representing endogenous siRNAs (endo-siRNAs). Of these, only piRNAs were restricted to the germline, suggesting that endo-siRNAs are an abundant class of small RNAs in the vertebrate soma. In the germline, both endogenous sma...

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  Contribution of Hungarian psychoanalysts to psychoanalytic psychosomatics.

In this study, I touch upon common features of Ferenczi's and Groddeck's thinking about psychosomatics. I explore the work of Sándor Ferenczi, Lajos Lévy and Mihály Bálint among others, and the attraction between avant garde Hungarian intellectuals-mainly writers influenced by Ferenczi--and Georg Groddeck. PMID: 19794420 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Psychoanalysis)

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  Functional changes of temporomandibular joint mechanoreceptors induced by reduced masseter muscle activity in growing rats.

Conclusion: Reduced masseter activity during the growth period alters the response properties of TMJ mechanoreceptors. PMID: 19705933 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Angle Orthodontist)

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  Key Features of the X Inactivation Process Are Conserved between Marsupials and Eutherians.

Authors: Mahadevaiah SK, Royo H, Vandeberg JL, McCarrey JR, Mackay S, Turner JM In female marsupials, X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is imprinted, affecting the paternal X chromosome. One model, supported by recent studies [1, 2], proposes that XCI in marsupials is achieved through inheritance of an already silent X chromosome from the father [3-6], with XCI initiated by meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) [7, 8]. This model is appealing because marsupials have no Xist gene [9-12] and the marsupial inactive X chromosome is epigenetically dissimilar to that of mice, apparently lacking repressive histone marks such as H3K27 trimethylation [13]. A central prediction of the meiotic inactivation model of XCI is that silencing of genes on the X chromosome, initiated during male meios...

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  Electrophysiological responses of sympathetic preganglionic neurons to ANG II and aldosterone

The intermediolateral cell column (IML) of the spinal cord is an important area where sympathetic impulses propagate to peripheral sympathetic organs. ANG II and aldosterone are important components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which activate the sympathetic nervous system. Each is partly synthesized in the brain and plays a paracrine role in the regulation of blood pressure independently of RAAS in the periphery. Our purpose in the present study was to clarify the contributions of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the IML (IML neurons) and the effects of ANG II and aldosterone on the sympathetic nervous system. To examine responses to ANG II and aldosterone, we intracellularly recorded 104 IML neurons using a whole cell patch-clamp technique in spinal cord slice ...

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  Association between tinnitus retraining therapy and a tinnitus control instrument

Conclusion: : Significant improvement in THI and VAS scores was found as early as 1 month of treatment and later compared with those on initial examination, suggesting that TRT with a TCI may be an effective treatment for tinnitus. It resulted that many patients chose the speech noise or the white noise. And also it was indicated that noise generators set at just below mixing point with tinnitus are more effective. In this study, however, speech noise was often selected probably because of the reduced output at high frequencies and the level of comfort. As white noise produces greater sound volume, patients tended to switch from other therapeutic sound to white noise at the second adjustment. These findings may help administer acoustic therapy in the future. (Source: Auris, Nasus, Larynx)

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  Benign symmetric lipomatosis associated with atopic dermatitis and chronic alcohol abuse in a Japanese man.

Authors: Kawakami T, Takeuchi S, Soma Y PMID: 19688172 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Acta Derm Venereol A...)

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  Acquired dermal melanocytosis naevus of Ota-like macules on the face and extremities lesions in a young Japanese woman.

Authors: Kawakami T, Saito C, Soma Y PMID: 19688160 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Acta Derm Venereol A...)

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  Purkinje-like cells of the rat cochlear nucleus: a combined functional and morphological study.

Authors: Kőszeghy A, Pál B, Pap P, Pocsai K, Nagy Z, Szűcs G, Rusznák Z Purkinje-like cells (PLCs) of the cochlear nucleus (CN) are strongly calbindin positive neurones with unknown function. In the present work functional and morphological methods have been employed to provide data about PLCs in general, and about their possible involvement in the synaptic organisation of the CN in particular. PLCs had slightly elongated soma, from which a complex dendritic arborisation extended with highly variable dimensions. On the basis of their morphology, three classes of PLCs were indentified. Positively identified PLCs fired a train of action potentials on sustained depolarization. When hyperpolarizing stimuli were applied, the presence of a slowly activating, ZD7288-sens...

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  Relocalization of a microtubule-anchoring protein, ninein, from the centrosome to dendrites during differentiation of mouse neurons

Abstract  Microtubules in typical cells form radial arrays with their plus-ends pointing toward the cell periphery. In contrast, microtubules in dendrites of neurons are free from centrosomes and have a unique arrangement in which about half have a polarity with a minus-end distal orientation. Mechanisms for generation and maintenance of the microtubule arrangement in dendrites are not well understood. Here, we examined dendritic localization of a centrosomal protein, ninein, which has microtubule-anchoring and stabilizing functions. Immunohistochemical analysis of developing mouse cerebral and cerebellar cortices showed that ninein is localized at the centrosome in undifferentiated neural precursors. In contrast, ninein was barely detected in migrating neurons, such as tho...

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  Retrograde Signaling in Axonal Regeneration.

Authors: Rishal I, Fainzilber M Neuronal regeneration in the peripheral nervous system requires mobilization of intrinsic neurite outgrowth mechanisms. This process depends on retrograde signaling between lesion site and soma to provide accurate and timely information on the nature and extent of axonal damage, and to elicit an appropriate cell body response. An early phase of electrophysiological signaling is followed by an ensemble of motor-driven signals, some of which are dependent on local protein translation in the axon and formation of an importins-coordinated retrograde complex. In addition to eliciting the cell body response, computational analyses suggest that this biphasic mechanism may provide information on the distance of the leson site from the neuronal cell body. Encoura...

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  msbB deletion confers acute sensitivity to CO2 in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium that can be suppressed by a loss-of-function mutation in zwf

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that msbB confers acute sensitivity to CO2, acidic pH, and high osmolarity. Disruption of zwf in msbB mutants restores growth in 5% CO2 and results in improved growth in acidic media or in media with high osmolarity. These results add to a growing list of phenotypes caused by msbB and mutations that suppress specific growth defects. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)

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  Carisoprodol/sodium oxybate/tramadol overdose: Death following unintentional administration: case report

(Source: Reactions)

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  Late sensory function after intraoperative capsaicin wound instillation

Intense capsaicin-induced C-fiber stimulation results in reversible lysis of the nerve soma, thereby making capsaicin wound instillation of potential interest for the treatment of post-operative pain. Clinical histological and short-term sensory studies suggest that the C-fiber function is partly re-established after skin injection of capsaicin. However, no study has evaluated the long-term effects of wound instillation of purified capsaicin on sensory functions. Patients included in a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study of the analgesic effect of capsaicin after groin hernia repair were examined by quantitative sensory testing before, 1 week and 2 years post-operatively. The primary endpoint was occurrence of hyperalgesia/allodynia. The secondary endpoints were acute and late...

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  Birthdays of retinal amacrine cell subtypes are systematically related to their molecular identity and soma position

The mammalian retina contains six major cell types, several of which are divided into multiple molecularly and morphologically distinct subtypes. To understand how subtype diversity arises during development, we focused on amacrine interneurons in the mouse retina; [sim]30 amacrine subtypes have been identified in mammals. We used antibody markers to identify the two main amacrine subsets - GABAergic and glycinergic - and further subdivided these groups into smaller subsets based on expression of neurotransmitter and transcription factor markers. We then used bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling to see whether amacrine subsets are born (become postmitotic) at different times, as is the case for lamina-specified subsets of cortical projection neurons. We found that GABAergic amacrines are gene...

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  CARISOPRODOL (Carisoprodol) Tablet [Aurobindo Pharma Limited]

Updated Date: Aug 11, 2009 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

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  Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor acutely modulates the excitability of rat small-diameter trigeminal ganglion neurons innervating facial skin.

Authors: Takeda M, Kitagawa J, Nasu M, Takahashi M, Iwata K, Matsumoto S Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) plays an important role in adult sensory neuron function. However, the acute effects of GDNF on primary sensory neuron excitability remain to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether GDNF acutely modulates the excitability of adult rat trigeminal ganglion (TRG) neurons that innervate the facial skin by using perforated-patch clamping, retrograde-labeling and immunohistochemistry techniques. Fluorogold (FG) retrograde labeling was used to identify the TRG neurons innervating the facial skin. The FG labeled the small- and medium-diameter GDNF immunoreactive TRG neurons, and most of these neurons also expressed the GDNF family receptor a...

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  T.P.2.02 Effect of 20 approved drugs on a wide range of mdx parameters

We have studied the effect of 20 approved pharmaceutical compounds on the muscles of dystrophin-deficient mdx5cv mice. These compounds were selected as the result of a prior screen of 800 molecules on the invertebrate model animal Caenorhabditis elegans. The compounds list includes several tricyclics (imipramine, trimipramine, amitryptiline, desipramine), non-tricyclic antidepressants (fluoxetine), muscle relaxants (carisoprodol, chlormezanone, cyclobenzaprine), channel blockers (nifedipine, mexiletine), antibiotics (cloxacillin), as well as Prednisone as a positive control. Drugs were tested through 2 feeding protocols of 4 weeks and 18 weeks of oral treatment. Each drug was tested at two concentrations. A total of 22 histological, biochemical and functional parameters, commonly used in t...

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  Effect of Hypothermia Therapy After Outpatient Cardiac Arrest Due to Ventricular Fibrillation.

Conclusions: Hypothermia therapy is very useful for treating patients who have had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; it should be induced rapidly and smoothly. PMID: 19661722 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Circulation Journal)

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  Mapping the Regulator of G Protein Signaling 4 (RGS4): Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Substrates for Neuroregulation in Prefrontal Cortex

Regulator of G protein signaling 4 (RGS4) regulates intracellular signaling via G proteins and is markedly reduced in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of patients with schizophrenia. Characterizing the expression of RGS4 within individual neuronal compartments is thus key to understanding its actions on individual G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs). Here we present an ultrastructural reference map of RGS4 protein in macaque PFC based on immunogold electron microscopic analysis. At the soma, all labeling was asynaptic and affiliated with subsurface cistern microdomains of pyramidal neurons. The nucleus displayed most of immunoreactivity. RGS4 levels were particularly high along proximal apical dendrites and markedly decreased with distance from the soma; clustered label was present at the...

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  Structural and functional changes in tau mutant mice neurons are not linked to the presence of NFTs.

Authors: Rocher AB, Crimins JL, Amatrudo JM, Kinson MS, Todd-Brown MA, Lewis J, Luebke JI In the rTg4510 mouse model, expression of the mutant human tau variant P301L leads to development of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neuronal death, and memory impairment reminiscent of the pathology observed in human tauopathies. In the present study, we examined the effects of mutant tau expression on the electrophysiology and morphology of individual neurons using whole-cell patch clamp recordings and biocytin filling of pyramidal cells in cortical slices prepared from rTg4510 (TG) and wild-type (WT) littermate mice. Among the TG cells, 42% contained a clear Thioflavin-S positive inclusion in the soma and were categorized as NFT positive (NFT+), while 58% had no discernable inclusion and were c...

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  Expression and localization of the calmodulin-binding protein neurogranin in the adult mouse olfactory bulb

In this study, using biochemical and immunohistochemical approaches, we demonstrate Ng expression in the adult mouse olfactory bulb (OB), the first relay station in odor information processing. We show that Ng is principally associated with the granule cell layer (GCL), which is composed of granule cell inhibitory interneurons. This cell type is continuously renewed during adult life and plays a key role in OB circuits, integrating and modulating the activity of mitral/tufted cells. Our results indicate that Ng localizes in the soma and dendrites of a defined subpopulation of mature GABAergic granule cells, enriched in the deep portion of the GCL. Ng-immunopositive cells largely coexpress the Ca+/CaM-dependent kinase IV (CaMKIV), a downstream protein of CaM signaling cascade, whereas no co...

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  The Effect of Scheduling and Withdrawal of Carisoprodol on Prevalence of Intoxications with the Drug

This study showed that the rescheduling and withdrawal of carisoprodol from the Norwegian market had a positive effect on the prevalence of carisoprodol in impaired driving, deaths and contacts regarding intoxications. This, together with previous publications, indicates that the population reflected in our data uses regularly prescribed carisoprodol and, to a lesser degree, drug from an illegal street market. (Source: Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology)

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  A deficit of brain dystrophin 71 impairs hypothalamic osmostat

Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and mdx mice, devoid of dystrophin proteins, show altered ionic homeostasis. To clarify dystrophin's involvement in the central control of osmotic stimuli, we investigated the effect of the disruption of Dp71, the major form of dystrophin in the brain, on the hypothalamoneurohypophysis system (HNHS) osmoregulatory response. Dp71 and Dp140 are the principal DMD gene products in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and neurohypophysis (NH). They are present in astrocyte and pituicyte end-feet, suggesting involvement in both intrinsic osmosensitivity of the SON and vasopressin (AVP) release from the NH. In Dp71-null mice, the cellular distribution of Dp140 was modified, this protein being detected on the membrane of magnocellular soma. The plasma osmola...

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  Biological Laboratories

is an incubator run through MandalMed, a small biotech company in the SoMa district of San Francisco, California. I have been in touch with Constance John who runs MandalMed and she told me that she started the incubator when folks asked if they could use some of MandalMed’s space. The incubator began [...] (Source: Biotech Incubator Research Parks and Associations - National Wet Lab Resource Directory - Biotech News)

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  Bioscience Laboratories

is an incubator run through MandalMed, a small biotech company in the SoMa district of San Francisco, California. I have been in touch with Constance John who runs MandalMed and she told me that while MandalMed was started over a decade ago, she only opened the incubator four years ago when people began [...] (Source: Biotech Incubator Research Parks and Associations - National Wet Lab Resource Directory - Biotech News)

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  Walk the (germ) line.

Authors: Jones DL Germ cells possess the unique ability to transmit genetic information from generation to generation. In a recent paper, Curran et al. (2009) explore the possibility that some features of germ cells, including enhanced genomic stability, can be acquired by the soma as a mechanism to increase longevity. PMID: 19656483 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cell Metabolism)

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  Postnatal Development of Dendritic Synaptic Integration in Rat Neocortical Pyramidal Neurons

The dendritic tree of layer 5 (L5) pyramidal neurons spans the neocortical layers, allowing the integration of intra- and extracortical synaptic inputs. Here we investigate the postnatal development of the integrative properties of rat L5 pyramidal neurons using simultaneous whole cell recording from the soma and distal apical dendrite. In young (P9-10) neurons, apical dendritic excitatory synaptic input powerfully drove action potential output by efficiently summating at the axonal site of action potential generation. In contrast, in mature (P25-29) neurons, apical dendritic excitatory input provided little direct depolarization at the site of action potential generation but was integrated locally in the apical dendritic tree leading to the generation of dendritic spikes. Consequently, ov...

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  Cutaneous manifestations in patients suspected of chikungunya disease

Conclusions</b> :<b> </b> To conclude, a plethora of cutaneous manifestations were noted in suspected cases of chikungunya disease. Genital ulcers, to the best of our knowledge, have not been reported during the earlier epidemics but have been reported by others during the present one. (Source: Indian Journal of Dermatology)

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  A Robust Network of Double-Strand Break Repair Pathways Governs Genome Integrity during C. elegans Development.

Authors: Pontier DB, Tijsterman M To preserve genomic integrity, various mechanisms have evolved to repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) [1]. Depending on cell type or cell cycle phase, DSBs can be repaired error-free, by homologous recombination, or with concomitant loss of sequence information, via nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) or single-strand annealing (SSA) [2]. Here, we created a transgenic reporter system in C. elegans to investigate the relative contribution of these pathways in somatic cells during animal development. Although all three canonical pathways contribute to repair in the soma, in their combined absence, animals develop without growth delay and chromosomal breaks are still efficiently repaired. This residual repair, which we call alternative end-joining, domina...

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  Under-representation of women and ethnic minorities in vascular surgery randomized controlled trials

Conclusions: Minority ethnicity and female gender are under-reported and under-represented in vascular surgery RCTs, particularly in small, non-government-funded and single-center trials. The generalizability of some trial results may not be applicable to these populations. Greater effort to enroll a balanced study population in RCTs may yield more broadly applicable results. (Source: Journal of Vascular Surgery)

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  The purinergic receptor P2Y, G-protein coupled, 2 (P2RY2) gene associated with essential hypertension in Japanese men

Authors: Z Wang, T Nakayama, N Sato, Y Izumi, Y Kasamaki, M Ohta, M Soma, N Aoi, Y Ozawa & Y Ma (Source: Journal of Human Hypertension)

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  Haplotype-based case–control study of receptor (calcitonin) activity-modifying protein-1 gene in cerebral infarction

Haplotype-based case–control study of receptor (calcitonin) activity-modifying protein-1 gene in cerebral infarction Journal of Human Hypertension advance online publication, August 27, 2009. doi:10.1038/jhh.2009.68 Authors: T Nakazato, T Nakayama, T Naganuma, N Sato, Z Fu, Z Wang, M Soma, K Sugama, S Hinohara & N Doba (Source: Journal of Human Hypertension)

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  The purinergic receptor P2Y, G-protein coupled, 2 (P2RY2) gene associated with essential hypertension in Japanese men

Authors: Z Wang, T Nakayama, N Sato, Y Izumi, Y Kasamaki, M Ohta, M Soma, N Aoi, Y Ozawa & Y Ma (Source: Journal of Human Hypertension)

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  Haplotype-based case–control study of receptor (calcitonin) activity-modifying protein-1 gene in cerebral infarction

Haplotype-based case–control study of receptor (calcitonin) activity-modifying protein-1 gene in cerebral infarction Journal of Human Hypertension advance online publication, August 27, 2009. doi:10.1038/jhh.2009.68 Authors: T Nakazato, T Nakayama, T Naganuma, N Sato, Z Fu, Z Wang, M Soma, K Sugama, S Hinohara & N Doba (Source: Journal of Human Hypertension)

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  Somatic symptoms of depression in patients with idiopathic ulcerative colitis

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with UC had more somatic symptoms of depression than patients in the control group. Similarity of symptoms of UC with those of depression leads to under diagnosing patients with UC.OBJETIVO: Identificar los síntomas depresivos más frecuentes entre portadores de la enfermedad Rectocolitis Ulcerativa Idiopática (RCUI) y compararla a un grupo de control. MÉTODO: La muestra estuvo compuesta de 100 individuos adultos portadores de RCUI que frecuentaban El Consultorio Externo de Enfermedades Inflamatorias del Colon del Hospital de las Clínicas de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Sao Paulo que fueron comparados con 100 individuos libres de la enfermedad. Después de los respectivos procedimientos éticos todos respondieron al Inventario de Depresión de Beck...

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Top Viagra Store

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Indian Meds

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