Search results for "Growth factors"
showing 8 items of 118 documents
Targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor system to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
2008
BACKGROUND: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) typically occurs when ovaries are primed with FSH/ LH and subsequently exposed to hCG. The ultimate pathophysiological step underlying this clinical picture is increased vascular permeability (VP). METHODS: A search of the literature was carried out using PubMed and the authors’ files. RESULTS: In rodents and humans, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) mRNA increases during ovarian stimulation. With the administration of hCG, the expression of each rises to a maximum. Expression of VEGF/VEGFR-2 mRNAs correlates with enhanced VP, with both peaking 48 h following an injection of hCG. Imm…
Expression of neurotrophins, GDNF, and their receptors in rat thyroid tissue
1999
Levels of mRNA for neurotrophins (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF; neurotrophin 3, NT-3; neurotrophin 4, NT-4) and their receptors (trkA, trkB, trkC) and for glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptors (ret, GDNFR-alpha) were measured in rat thyroid tissue by ribonuclease protection assays. In thyroid tissue the NT-3 mRNA level was threefold lower and the NT-4 mRNA level sixfold higher than those detected in adult rat hippocampus, while BDNF mRNA was undetectable. Very low levels of mRNA for truncated trkB and trkC receptors and no catalytic trkA, trkB or trkC were found. In conclusion NT-3 and NT-4, but not the corresponding functional receptors, are expres…
BDNF is essentially required for the early postnatal survival of nociceptors
2010
AbstractNeurotrophins promote the survival of specific types of neurons during development and ensure proper maintenance and function of mature responsive neurons. Significant effects of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) on pain physiology have been reported but the contribution of this neurotrophin to the development of nociceptors has not been investigated. We present evidence that BDNF is required for the survival of a significant fraction of peptidergic and non-peptidergic nociceptors in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) postnatally. Bdnf homozygous mutant mice lose approximately half of all nociceptive neurons during the first 2 weeks of life and adult heterozygotes exhibit hypoalgesia …
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist (±)-epibatidine increases FGF-2 mRNA and protein levels in the rat brain
2000
Abstract In a previous work, we showed that acute intermittent nicotine treatment up-regulates the level of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) mRNA in brain regions of tel- and mesencephalon of rats suggesting that neuroprotective effect of (−)nicotine may, at least in part, involve an activation of the neuronal FGF-2 signalling. The present experiments were designed to extend the study on the nicotinic receptor mediated up-regulation of FGF-2 mRNA levels to the use of the potent nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist (±)-epibatidine. The (±)-epibatidine treatment led to a strong and long lasting up-regulation of FGF-2 mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex, in the hippocampal for…
Stem Cell Therapy
2019
The necessity of improving the health and quality of life of subjects affected by diverse injuries and chronic diseases, has led to develop a new branch of translational medicine, called Regenerative Medicine (RegMed). RegMed has the principal objects of restoring, maintaining or enhancing structures and functions of tissues and organs. In order to achieve these goals, the RegMed researchers have proposed and tested diverse approaches. The Stem Cell Therapy represents the central focus of RegMed, even if its applications may imply the onset of adverse conditions. Here, an overview of this topic will be reported, by pointing advantages and disadvantages.
Nicotinic receptor agonists as neuroprotective/neurotrophic drugs. Progress in molecular mechanisms
2007
In the present work we reviewed recent advances concerning neuroprotective/neurotrophic effects of acute or chronic nicotine exposure, and the signalling pathways mediating these effects, including mechanisms implicated in nicotine addiction and nAChR desensitization. Experimental and clinical data largely indicate long-lasting effects of nicotine and nicotinic agonists that imply a neuroprotective/neurotrophic role of nAChR activation, involving mainly alpha 7 and alpha 4 beta 2 nAChR subtypes, as evidenced using selective nAChR agonists. Compounds interacting with neuronal nAChRs have the potential to be neuroprotective and treatment with nAChR agonists elicits long-lasting neurotrophic e…
MVU ekonomiskās izaugsmes noteicēji Vācijā un Latvijā, fokuss uz ražošanas MVU
2021
Šis darbs ir veltīts mazo un vidējo uzņēmumu (MVU) un to izaugsmes faktoru analīzei. Tajā izklāstīti dažādi faktori, kas ietekmē MVU attīstību, kā arī izaicinājumi un perspektīvas, ar ko tie sastopas mūsdienu globalizētajā un digitalizētajā ekonomikā. Darbā plaši iztirzāta MVU būtiskā loma ekonomikas un sociālās dimensijas iekļaujošā izaugsmē. Šajā darbā arī iekļautas dažādas stratēģijas un valsts programmas, kam ir labvēlīgs iespaids uz uzņēmumu produktivitāti un attīstību. Padziļinātas izpratnes radīšanai kā piemērs ir izvēlēts mazo un vidējo uzņēmumu sektors Latvijā un Vācijā, identificējot abu sektoru trūkumus un priekšrocības.
Optical quality of hyperopic and myopic phakic intraocular lenses
2013
Aims: To assess and compare the optical quality of the myopic and hyperopic implantable collamer lens (ICL) from its wavefront aberrations for different powers and pupil diameters. Settings and Design: Prospective study. Material and Methods: The wavefront aberrations of two myopic (−3 and −6 diopters (D)) and two hyperopic V4b ICLs (+3 and +6D) were measured in vitro . To assess and compare the optical quality of different powers of ICLs, we analyzed the root mean square (RMS) of total higher order aberrations (HOAs), trefoil, coma, tetrafoil, secondary astigmatism, and spherical aberration at 3- and 4.5-mm pupil. In addition, the point spread functions (PSFs) of each ICL evaluated were ca…