Inconsequential role for chemerin-like receptor 1 in the manifestation of ozone-induced lung pathophysiology in male mice.

We executed this study to determine if chemerin-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1), a Gi/o protein-coupled receptor expressed by leukocytes and non-leukocytes, contributes to the development of phenotypic features of non-atopic asthma, including airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to acetyl-ß-methylcholine chloride, lung hyperpermeability, airway epithelial cell desquamation, and lung inflammation. Accordingly, we quantified sequelae of non-atopic asthma in wild-type mice and mice incapable of expressing CMKLR1 (CMKLR1-deficient mice) following cessation of acute inhalation exposure to either filtered room air (air) or ozone (O3), a criteria pollutant and non-atopic asthma stimulus. Following exposure to air, lung elastic recoil and airway responsiveness were greater while the quantity of adiponectin, a multi-functional adipocytokine, in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was lower in CMKLR1-deficient as compared to wild-type mice. Regardless of genotype, exposure to O3 caused AHR, lung hyperpermeability, airway epithelial cell desquamation, and lung inflammation. Nevertheless, except for minimal genotype-related effects on lung hyperpermeability and BAL adiponectin, we observed no other genotype-related differences following O3 exposure. In summary, we demonstrate that CMKLR1 limits the severity of innate airway responsiveness and lung elastic recoil but has a nominal effect on lung pathophysiology induced by acute exposure to O3.

In situ immune infrared fluorescent staining for detection and quantitation of bluetongue virus in Culicoides insect cell culture.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is transmitted to sheep, cattle and other ruminants by Culicoides spp. of biting midges. Cell lines have been developed from Culicoides sonorensis; however, techniques to detect and quantitate viable virus directly in these insect cells are lacking. In situ immune infrared fluorescent staining techniques were developed to visualize and quantitate BTV infection in Culicoides cell culture by both an endpoint titration and an agarose overlay fluorescent focus assay. Insect cell cultures infected with BTV were fixed, permeabilized and reacted with virus-specific monoclonal antibody and fluorescent-labeled secondary antibody. Virus replication in the infected cells was visualized and quantitated by measuring fluorescence with an infrared imager. The sensitivity of virus detection in insect cell culture using these techniques was comparable to or better than detection by standard techniques in vertebrate cell culture.

Rehabilitation of endodontically treated teeth using the radiopaque fiber post.

Metallic posts fall short of satisfying contemporary guidelines for ideal post/core rehabilitation. Along with technological improvements in adhesive resins, cements, and composite restoratives, the evolution of fiber-reinforced posts allows the rehabilitation of endodontically treated teeth with greater esthetics and virtually no predisposition to root fracture. At least one fiber post system now complies with all of the ideal post characteristics described in the endodontic text. This article describes the potential for displacement of metal posts by low-modulus fiber posts, the differences between them, and the development and placement of a radiopaque, translucent, double-tapered fiber post.