Deafness and retinal degeneration in a novel USH1C knock-in mouse model.

Usher syndrome is the leading cause of combined deaf-blindness, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the auditory and visual impairment are poorly understood. Usher I is characterized by profound congenital hearing loss, vestibular dysfunction, and progressive retinitis pigmentosa beginning in early adolescence. Using the c.

Three-dimensional imaging of the intact mouse cochlea by fluorescent laser scanning confocal microscopy.

The complex anatomy of the mammalian cochlea is most readily understood by representation in three-dimensions. However, the cochlea is often sectioned to minimize the effects of its anatomic complexity and optical properties on image acquisition by light microscopy. We have found that optical aberrations present in the decalcified cochlea can be greatly reduced by dehydration through graded ethanols followed by clearing with a mixture of five parts methyl salicylate and three parts benzyl benzoate (MSBB).

Peripherin- and CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers in rat molars have different locations and developmental timing.

Unlabelled: Developing rat molars gain mature sensitivity to electric stimulation at 4-5 weeks after eruption, but the related mechanisms are incompletely understood. Preliminary studies showed weak co-localization of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactivity (IR) with peripherin (PER) or neurofilament protein (NF) in rat molar nerve fibers, while the latter two co-localized extensively.

Objective: Our goal was to compare timing and location of PER-IR and CGRP-IR innervation in rat first molars during tooth maturation.