Search results for "RACE"
showing 10 items of 4458 documents
Inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ release by a Rho-kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ischemic damage in primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons.
2008
The effects of hydroxy fasudil, a specific Rho-kinase inhibitor, on behavior and brain neuronal activity in animal studies have been described previously. However, whether a Rho-kinase inhibitor can directly protect neurons against ischemic damage and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. The present work was designed to investigate the effect of hydroxy fasudil against oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) induced acute neuronal injury and the underlying mechanisms in vitro. Pretreatment with hydroxy fasudil at 5 and 10 microM could concentration-dependently improve cell viability and decrease Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level in extracellular solution of neur…
Evaluation of efficacy and biocompatibility of a novel semisynthetic collagen matrix as a dural onlay graft in a large animal model
2011
Background Semisynthetic collagen matrices are promising duraplasty grafts with low risk of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas, good tissue integration and minor foreign body reaction. The present study investigates the efficacy and biocompatibility of a novel semisynthetic bilayered collagen matrix (BCM, B. Braun Aesculap) as dural onlay graft for duraplasty. Methods Thirty-four pigs underwent osteoclastic trepanation, excision of the dura, and placement of a cortical defect, followed by duraplasty using BCM, Suturable DuraGen™ (Integra Neuroscience), or periosteum. CSF tightness and intraoperative handling of the grafts were evaluated. Pigs were sacrificed after 1 and 6 months for histolo…
Different modes of activating phosphofructokinase, a key regulatory enzyme of glycolysis, in working vertebrate muscle
2002
Glycolytic flux in white muscle can be increased several-hundredfold by exercise. Phosphofructokinase (PFK; EC 2.7.1.11) is a key, regulatory enzyme of glycolysis, but how its activity in muscle is controlled is not fully, understood. In order not to neglect integrative aspects of metabolic regulation, we have studied in frogs (Rana temporaria) a physiological form of muscle work (swimming) that can be triggered like a reflex. We analysed swimming to fatigue in well rested frogs, recovery from exercise, and repeated exercise after 2 h of recovery. At various times, gastrocnemius muscles were tested for glycolytic intermediates and effectors of PFK. All metabolites responded similarly to the…
Microarray-based mutation analysis of 183 Spanish families with Usher syndrome.
2010
PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to test the ability of the genotyping microarray for Usher syndrome (USH) to identify the mutations responsible for the disease in a cohort of 183 patients with USH. METHODS. DNA from 183 patients with Usher syndrome from the Spanish population was analyzed using a genotyping microarray containing 429 previously identified disease-associated variants in eight USH genes. Mutations detected by the array were confirmed by direct sequencing. Haplotype analysis was also performed in families carrying common Spanish mutations. RESULTS. The genotyping microarray identified 43 different variants, divided into 32 disease causative and 11 probably non-pathologic…
Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance: the role of intracellular magnesium.
1997
Magnesium is one of the most abundant ions present in living cells and its plasma concentration is remarkably constant in healthy subjects. Plasma and intracellular magnesium concentrations are tightly regulated by several factors. Among them, insulin seems to be one of the most important. In fact, in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that insulin may modulate the shift of magnesium from extracellular to intracellular space. Intracellular magnesium concentration has also been shown to be effective on modulating insulin action (mainly oxidative glucose metabolism), offset calcium-related excitation-contraction coupling, and decrease smooth cell responsiveness to depolarizing stimul…
A human hepatocellular in vitro model to investigate steatosis
2006
The present study was designed to define an experimental model of hepatocellular steatosis with a fat overaccumulation profile in which the metabolic and cytotoxic/apoptotic effects could be separated. This was accomplished by defining the experimental conditions of lipid exposure that lead to significant intracellular fat accumulation in the absence of overt cytotoxicity, therefore allowing to differentiate between cytotoxic and apoptotic effects. Palmitic (C16:0) and oleic (Cl 8: 1) acids are the most abundant fatty acids (FFAs) in liver triglycerides in both normal subjects and patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, human hepatocytes and HepG2 cells were incub…
Hypoosmolar conditions reduce extracellular volume fraction and enhance epileptiform activity in the CA3 region of the immature rat hippocampus
2006
The osmolarity of the extracellular space (ECS) compartment is an important factor determining the excitability of neuronal tissue. In the adult hippocampus an important role of osmolarity and ECS diffusion parameters on the susceptibility to epileptic events is well established, but the influence of hypo- and hyperosmolar conditions on the immature hippocampus remains elusive. To investigate the influence of osmolarity on epileptiform activity, extracellular field potentials were recorded in the CA3 region of hippocampal slices of immature (postnatal days 4-7) Wistar rats. The ECS diffusion parameters were determined by the real-time tetramethylammonium (TMA+) iontophoretic method with ion…
Lysosomal trafficking in rat cardiac myocytes.
1990
By immunolabeling of cryosections, we have characterized in rat cardiac myocytes the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (MPR), a lysosomal membrane glycoprotein, lgp120, and a lysosomal enzyme, MEP (homologous to cathepsin L). Most of the MPR label was located in large membrane-filled structures (MPR structures) in large clusters of mitochondria adjacent to but distinct from the Golgi complex. Lpg120 and MEP showed typical lysosomal localization throughout the cell, often associated with regions that appeared to contain autophagosome-like structures. In addition, MEP and lgp120 co-localized within MPR structures. MEP and MPR were localized inside the lumen of MPR structures. M…
Distribution of osteonectin mRNA and protein during human embryonic and fetal development.
1992
We investigated the temporal and spatial distribution of osteonectin during human embryonic and fetal development, using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Osteonectin gene expression was generally found in cells exhibiting high rates of matrix production/proliferation. In mineralized tissue, a strong signal was obtained in osteoblasts, odontoblasts, and chondrocytes of the upper hypertrophic and proliferative zones. Chondrocytes of the mineralized zone showed no expression throughout the different stages of development. Strong osteonectin expression was found in odontoblasts of developing teeth. In addition, osteonectin mRNA and protein were detected in several non-mineralize…
Pineal 'synaptic' ribbons in sympathectomized rats.
1989
The melatonin metabolism in the mammalian pineal gland is under the clear influence of sympathetic fibers originating in the superior cervical ganglia (SCG). Previous studies suggested that also pineal ‘synaptic’ ribbons (SR) are regulated by the gland’s sympathetic innervation. To gain more insight into the mechanisms involved SR numbers were determined in adult rats which were chemically sympathectomized as newborns by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). In control animals (saline injections), a clear day/night difference in the number of SR is present. In sympathectomized animals SR are higher in number throughout the 24-hour cycle but are not significantly elevated at night. The pr…