Search results for "ENSA"
showing 10 items of 2632 documents
Food Sensation Modulates Locomotion by Dopamine and Neuropeptide Signaling in a Distributed Neuronal Network
2018
Finding food and remaining at a food source are crucial survival strategies. We show how neural circuits and signaling molecules regulate these food-related behaviors in Caenorhabditis elegans. In the absence of food, AVK interneurons release FLP-1 neuropeptides that inhibit motorneurons to regulate body posture and velocity, thereby promoting dispersal. Conversely, AVK photoinhibition promoted dwelling behavior. We identified FLP-1 receptors required for these effects in distinct motoneurons. The DVA interneuron antagonizes signaling from AVK by releasing cholecystokinin-like neuropeptides that potentiate cholinergic neurons, in response to dopaminergic neurons that sense food. Dopamine al…
Specific and highly efficient condensation of GC and IC DNA by polyaza pyridinophane derivatives
2018
Abstract Two bis-polyaza pyridinophane derivatives and their monomeric reference compounds revealed strong interactions with ds-DNA and RNA. The bis-derivatives show a specific condensation of GC- and IC-DNA, which is almost two orders of magnitude more efficient than the well-known condensation agent spermine. The type of condensed DNA was identified as ψ-DNA, characterized by the exceptionally strong CD signals. At variance to the almost silent AT(U) polynucleotides, these strong CD signals allow the determination of GC-condensates at nanomolar nucleobase concentrations. Detailed thermodynamic characterisation by ITC reveals significant differences between the DNA binding of the bis-deriv…
Harnessing mechanosensation in next generation cardiovascular tissue engineering
2020
The ability of the cells to sense mechanical cues is an integral component of ”social” cell behavior inside tissues with a complex architecture. Through ”mechanosensation” cells are in fact able to decrypt motion, geometries and physical information of surrounding cells and extracellular matrices by activating intracellular pathways converging onto gene expression circuitries controlling cell and tissue homeostasis. Additionally, only recently cell mechanosensation has been integrated systematically as a crucial element in tissue pathophysiology. In the present review, we highlight some of the current efforts to assess the relevance of mechanical sensing into pathology modeling and manufact…
Gut Microbiota and Risk of Developing Celiac Disease
2016
Gut microbiota shapes the development of the mucosal immune system and may provide protection against immune-mediated diseases. Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition triggered by dietary gluten proteins, recently associated with gut microbiota alterations in cross-sectional studies comparing patients and controls. Whether or not these differences are causally related to the disease has yet to be elucidated, but evaluation of specific bacteria isolated from CD patients in experimental models suggests that they can promote an adverse response to dietary gluten, whereas other commensal bacteria can be protective. Genetic and environmental factors associated with increased CD …
How biological sex of the host shapes its gut microbiota.
2021
The gut microbiota is a complex system, consisting of a dynamic population of microorganisms, involved in the regulation of the host's homeostasis. A vast number of factors are driving the gut microbiota composition including diet, antibiotics, environment, and lifestyle. However, in the past decade, a growing number of studies also focused on the role of sex in relationship to changes in the gut microbiota composition in animal experiments as well as in human beings. Despite the progress in investigation techniques, still little is known about the mechanism behind the observed sex-related differences. In this review, we summarized current knowledge on the sex-dependent differences of the i…
The expanding functional roles and signaling mechanisms of adhesion G protein-coupled receptors.
2019
The adhesion class of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is the second largest family of GPCRs (33 members in humans). Adhesion GPCRs (aGPCRs) are defined by a large extracellular N-terminal region that is linked to a C-terminal seven transmembrane (7TM) domain via a GPCR-autoproteolysis inducing (GAIN) domain containing a GPCR proteolytic site (GPS). Most aGPCRs undergo autoproteolysis at the GPS motif, but the cleaved fragments stay closely associated, with the N-terminal fragment (NTF) bound to the 7TM of the C-terminal fragment (CTF). The NTFs of most aGPCRs contain domains known to be involved in cell-cell adhesion, while the CTFs are involved in classical G protein signaling, as well…
Role of nitric oxide pathway in the conditioned rewarding effects of MDMA in mice.
2017
It is estimated that 2.1 million young adults used MDMA/Ecstasy in the last year in Europe. Vulnerable subjects can develop dependence after MDMA abuse but currently there does not exist an effective treatment for this disorder. The nitric oxide (NO) pathway seems to have an important role on the rewarding effects of different drugs and has been proposed as a new pharmacological treatment for psychostimulant addiction. In the present study, we intend to evaluate whether the blockade of the NO synthesis (NOS) interferes with the rewarding effects of MDMA in the conditioned preference place (CPP) paradigm in young adult male mice. Our results indicated that mice treated with 7-nitroindazole (…
Dietary intake in population with metabolic syndrome: is the prevalence of inadequate intake influenced by geographical area? cross-sectional analysi…
2018
Inadequate diet influences chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in Spain. CVD figures vary from one geographical region to another
Behavioral and Cortical Correlates of Self-Suppression, Anticipation, and Ambivalence in Rat Tickling.
2019
The relationship between tickling, sensation, and laughter is complex. Tickling or its mere anticipation makes us laugh, but not when we self-tickle. We previously showed rat somatosensory cortex drives tickling-evoked vocalizations and now investigated self-tickle suppression and tickle anticipation. We recorded somatosensory cortex activity while tickling and touching rats and while rats touched themselves. Allo-touch and tickling evoked somatotopic cortical excitation and vocalizations. Self-touch induced wide-ranging inhibition and vocalization suppression. Self-touch also suppressed vocalizations and cortical responses evoked by allo-touch or cortical microstimulation. We suggest a glo…
Microscopic assessment of the sealing ability of three endodontic filling techniques
2016
Background: Several techniques have been proposed for root canal filling. New rotary files, with non-standardized taper, are appearing, so, points adapted to the taper of the last instrument used to prepare the canal can help in the obturation process. The aim of this study is to assess the sealing ability of different root canal filling techniques. Material and Methods: Root canals from 30 teeth were shaped with Mtwo and divided in three groups; A, standard lateral condensation with size 35 and 20 gutta-percha points; B, standard lateral condensation and injected gutta-percha; C, single gutta-percha point (standardized 35 Mtwo), continuous wave technique and injected gutta- percha. Root su…