Advancing immunomodulatory functions in mesenchymal stem/stromal cells through targeting the GATA6-mediated pathway.

Background Aims: The immunomodulatory capacity of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) is a key feature that makes them particularly valuable for regenerative medicine. However, this potential is affected by the chronological aging of the donors and the cell expansion procedures in culture. We have demonstrated that GATA binding protein 6 (GATA6) plays a pivotal role in the aging of MSCs and inhibiting GATA6 rejuvenates the characteristics of MSCs.

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate impairs erythropoiesis via inducing Klotho expression and not via bioenergetic reprogramming.

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) is the most widely used phthalate to manufacture various plastic products. However, the potential effects of DEHP on erythropoiesis have not been investigated comprehensively. Here, we aimed to investigate whether DEHP modulated the function of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to influence erythropoiesis, and to explore the associated mechanisms.

Glucosamine Interferes With Myelopoiesis and Enhances the Immunosuppressive Activity of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells.

Glucosamine (GlcN) is the most widely consumed dietary supplement and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. However, the influence of GlcN on immune cell generation and function is largely unclear. In this study, GlcN was delivered into mice to examine its biological function in hematopoiesis.

Differential Contribution of Ca-Dependent Mechanisms to Hyperexcitability in Layer V Neurons of the Medial Entorhinal Cortex.

Temporal lobe epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures in one or both temporal lobes of the brain; some models show that epileptiform discharges initiate in entorhinal layer V neurons and then spread into other areas of the temporal lobe. We previously found that, in the presence of GABA receptor antagonists, stimulation of afferent fibers, terminating both at proximal and distal dendritic locations, initiated hyperexcitable bursts in layer V medial entorhinal neurons. We investigated the differential contribution of Ca-dependent mechanisms to the plateaus underlying these bursts at proximal and distal synapses.

Mouse ERG K(+) channel clones reveal differences in protein trafficking and function.

Background: The mouse ether-a-go-go-related gene 1a (mERG1a, mKCNH2) encodes mERG K(+) channels in mouse cardiomyocytes. The mERG channels and their human analogue, hERG channels, conduct IKr. Mutations in hERG channels reduce IKr to cause congenital long-QT syndrome type 2, mostly by decreasing surface membrane expression of trafficking-deficient channels.

Effect of heterogeneity and noise on cross frequency phase-phase and phase-amplitude coupling.

Cross-frequency coupling is hypothesized to play a functional role in neural computation. We apply phase resetting theory to two types of cross-frequency coupling that can occur when a slower oscillator periodically forces one or more oscillators: phase-phase coupling, in which the two oscillations are phase-locked, and phase-amplitude coupling, in which the amplitude of the driven oscillation is modulated. Our first result is that the shape of the phase resetting curve predicts the tightness of locking to a pulsatile forcing periodic input at any ratio of forced to intrinsic period; the tightness of the locking decreases as the ratio increases.

Is commercially available point finder accurate and reliable in detecting active auricular acupuncture points?

Objectives: This study was done to determine the specificity and sensitivity of a commercial Pointer Plus (Point finder) in detecting a region of low skin resistance on the ear.

Design: This was a prospective blinded study.

Setting/location: The study was done at the Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT.

Properties of WT and mutant hERG K(+) channels expressed in neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes.

Mutations in human ether-a-go-go-related gene 1 (hERG) are linked to long QT syndrome type 2 (LQT2). hERG encodes the pore-forming alpha-subunits that coassemble to form rapidly activating delayed rectifier K(+) current in the heart. LQT2-linked missense mutations have been extensively studied in noncardiac heterologous expression systems, where biogenic (protein trafficking) and biophysical (gating and permeation) abnormalities have been postulated to underlie the loss-of-function phenotype associated with LQT2 channels.

Rescue of mutated cardiac ion channels in inherited arrhythmia syndromes.

Inherited arrhythmia syndromes comprise an increasingly complex group of diseases involving mutations in multiple genes encoding ion channels, ion channel accessory subunits and channel interacting proteins, and various regulatory elements. These mutations serve to disrupt normal electrophysiology in the heart, leading to increased arrhythmogenic risk and death. These diseases have added impact as they often affect young people, sometimes without warning.

The impact of asynchronous electroacupuncture stimulation duration on cold thermal pain threshold.

The durations of asynchronous electroacupuncture can affect the resultant hypoalgesia. Healthy volunteers were randomized to receive different durations (0 min, 20 min, 30 min, or 40 min) of asynchronous electroacupuncture stimulations (alternating low/high [2/100 Hz] frequency at 5 mA). Using a human experimental cold thermal pain threshold model, we found that 30 min of asynchronous 2/100 Hz stimulation resulted in the most significant hypoalgesic effect that was sustained for at least 60 min after stimulation compared with 0-, 20-, or 40-min stimulations (P < 0.

Auricular acupuncture as a treatment for pregnant women who have low back and posterior pelvic pain: a pilot study.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to examine whether 1 week of continuous auricular acupuncture could reduce low back and posterior pelvic pain associated with pregnancy.

Study Design: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on pregnant women who have lower back and posterior pelvic pain. These women were randomly assigned into an acupuncture group, a sham acupuncture group, or a waiting list control group.

Extra-1 acupressure for children undergoing anesthesia.

Background: Acupuncture and related techniques have been used as adjuncts for perioperative anesthesia management. We examined whether acupressure in the Extra-1 (Yin-Tang) point would result in decreased preprocedural anxiety and reduced intraprocedural propofol requirements in a group of children undergoing endoscopic procedures.

Methods: Fifty-two children were randomized to receive acupressure bead intervention either at the Extra-1 acupuncture point or at a sham point.