ABSTRACT
Cortical GABAergic inhibitory neurons are composed of three major classes, each expressing parvalbumin (PV), somatostatin (SOM) and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3A (Htr3a), respectively. Htr3a
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Interneurons/metabolism , Neurons/metabolism , Parvalbumins/metabolism , Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3/genetics , Serotonin , Somatostatin/metabolismABSTRACT
Astrocytes are a heterogenous group of macroglia present in all regions of the brain and play critical roles in many aspects of brain development, function and disease. Previous studies suggest that the B-cell lymphoma-2 associated X protein (BAX)-dependent apoptosis plays essential roles in regulating neuronal number and achieving optimal excitation/inhibition ratio. The aim of the present paper was to study whether BAX regulates astrocyte distribution in a region-specific manner. Immunofluorescence staining of SOX9 was used to analyze and compare astrocyte density in primary somatosensory cortex, motor cortex, retrosplenial cortex and hippocampus in heterozygous and homozygous BAX knockout mice at age of six weeks when cortical development has finished and glia development has reached a relatively steady state. The results showed that astrocyte density varied significantly among different cortical subdivisions and between cortex and hippocampus. In contrast to the significant increase in GABAergic interneurons, the overall and region-specific astrocyte density remained unchanged in the cortex when BAX was absent. Interestingly, a significant reduction of astrocyte density was observed in the hippocampus of BAX knockout mice. These data suggest that BAX differentially regulates neurons and astrocytes in cortex as well as astrocytes in different brain regions during development. This study provided important information about the regional heterogeneity of astrocyte distribution and the potential contribution of BAX gene during development.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Astrocytes , Hippocampus , Interneurons , Neurons , bcl-2-Associated X Protein/geneticsABSTRACT
Dental caries (tooth decay) is caused by a specific group of cariogenic bacteria, like Streptococcus mutans, which convert dietary sugars into acids that dissolve the mineral in tooth structure. Killing cariogenic bacteria is an effective way to control or prevent tooth decay. In a previous study, we discovered a novel compound (Glycyrrhizol A), from the extraction of licorice roots, with strong antimicrobial activity against cariogenic bacteria. In the current study, we developed a method to produce these specific herbal extracts in large quantities, and then used these extracts to develop a sugar-free lollipop that effectively kills cariogenic bacteria like Streptococcus mutans. Further studies showed that these sugar-free lollipops are safe and their antimicrobial activity is stable. Two pilot human studies indicate that a brief application of these lollipops (twice a day for ten days) led to a marked reduction of cariogenic bacteria in oral cavity among most human subjects tested. This herbal lollipop could be a novel tool to promote oral health through functional foods.
Subject(s)
Aged , Animals , Child , Humans , Mice , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Toxicity , Candy , Dental Caries , Glycyrrhiza , Jurkat Cells , Lacticaseibacillus casei , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Mutagenicity Tests , Phytotherapy , Pilot Projects , Plant Extracts , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Plant Roots , Pterocarpans , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Toxicity , Safety , Saliva , Microbiology , Streptococcus mutans , Streptococcus sobrinus , Sweetening AgentsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Hongjingtian (Gadol) injection on cardiac hemodynamics and myocardial oxygen consumption for analyzing its underlying mechanism in the treatment of coronary heart disease.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A total of 20 dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (30 mg x kg(-1), i.v.) were evenly randomized into control group, low-dose Gadol (LDG) group, high-dose Gadol (HDG) group and Herbesser Injection group. The blood flow volume (BFV) of the left coronary artery and cardiac output (CO), left ventricular pressure (LVP), maximum ascending rate (dp/dtmax) of LVP, mean arterial pressure (MAP) of the femoral artery, oxygen contents of the coronary artery and coronary vein (venous sinus), oxygen consumption index (OCI), cardiac index (CI), coronary artery resistance (CAR) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) as well as oxygen utilization rate (OUR) were detected respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After venous injection of Gadol, CAR, MAP, TPR, OCI, myocardial oxygen consumption and heart rate lowered significantly (P < 0.05-0.01), while BFV and blood oxygen content of the venous sinus increased considerably (P < 0.05-0.01) in comparison with pre-injection. No significant differences were found in LVP and myocardial contractivity between control group and LDG, and between control and HDG groups respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It showed dilation of the coronary artery and reduction of the cardiac afterload after injection of Gadol. Besides, CO and stroke volume increased considerably and the cardiac effective work was raised without any significant simultaneous increase of both myocardial contractility and LVP. A decrease in the myocardial oxygen consumption and reduction of OCI indicates an improvement of the oxygen supply of the myocardium, and a favorable regulation of the compliance of the cardiac vessels. As a result, the cardiovascular performance was ameliorated. The abovementioned improvement of these indexes may contribute to the therapeutic effect of Gadol in the treatment of coronary heart disease in clinic.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Dogs , Female , Male , Blood Pressure , Cardiac Output , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Heart Rate , Hemodynamics , Injections, Intravenous , Myocardium , Metabolism , Oxygen , Metabolism , Plants, Medicinal , Chemistry , Random Allocation , Rhodiola , Chemistry , Vascular ResistanceABSTRACT
Objective:To discuss the pathological relationship between P33ING1 and stomach cancer and its clinical significance. Methods: In 71 cases of stomach cancer specimen, twelve cases of gas tric mu cous membrane atypical hyperplasia tissues and 18 cases of normal gastric mucous membrane tissue（as control）,the expression of P33ING1 were detected b y EnVision immunohistochemical method,while the expression of P53 and Bcl -2 in stomach cancer were also detected. Results: P33IN G1 expression in mucous membrane atypical hyperplasia group and control group was positive, the expression in stomach cancer group was extremely low(62.0%，44 /71), significantly different from the other 2 groups(P<0.01).P33ING1 expression in stomach cancer was related to the tumor growth, lymph node meta s tasis and tumor polarization (P<0.01), P53 expression was related to tumor s ize, growth and lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). Bcl-2 expression was relate d to lymph node metatasis and tumor polarization.The expression of P33ING1 was related to that of P53 in stomach cancer(P<0.05),while had no relation with that of Bcl-2.Conclusion:P33ING1 may play an importa nt role in the occurrance and development of stomach cancer.It's very important to detect the expression of P33ING1 and P53 simultaneously.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To discuss the pathological relationship between P33ING1 and stomach cancer and its clinical significance. Methods: In 71 cases of stomach cancer specimen, twelve cases of gas tric mu cous membrane atypical hyperplasia tissues and 18 cases of normal gastric mucous membrane tissue（as control）,the expression of P33ING1 were detected b y EnVision immunohistochemical method,while the expression of P53 and Bcl -2 in stomach cancer were also detected. Results: P33IN G1 expression in mucous membrane atypical hyperplasia group and control group was positive, the expression in stomach cancer group was extremely low(62.0%，44 /71), significantly different from the other 2 groups(P<0.01).P33ING1 expression in stomach cancer was related to the tumor growth, lymph node meta s tasis and tumor polarization (P<0.01), P53 expression was related to tumor s ize, growth and lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). Bcl-2 expression was relate d to lymph node metatasis and tumor polarization.The expression of P33ING1 was related to that of P53 in stomach cancer(P<0.05),while had no relation with that of Bcl-2.Conclusion:P33ING1 may play an importa nt role in the occurrance and development of stomach cancer.It's very important to detect the expression of P33ING1 and P53 simultaneously.