Assessment of microcirculatory effects of glycine by intravital microscopy in rats.

Experimental studies using laboratory animal models have shown a potential vasoactive effect of natural metabolites such as glycine. The present study used intravital microscopy in laboratory rat models to study the microcirculation in the brain pial and mesentery vessels. To investigate the pial microvasculature, a stereotaxis-like animal fixing device was used.

A computational model of rat cerebral blood flow using non-uniform rational B-splines.

Non-Uniform Rational B-splines (NURBS) surfaces can be used for a computer simulation of shapes. Some anatomical models of human or animal structures have been recently developed on that basis. We used positron-emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) data for NURBS modeling of anatomical structures and isotope uptake in the rat brain.

IFN alpha-2a protects mice against a helminth infection of the liver and modulates immune responses.

Background & Aims: Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by the larval growth of Echinococcus multilocularis, is one of the most lethal helminthic diseases with no satisfactory treatment. Advances in the understanding of the host's immune response (Th2 responses associated with a progressive form of AE), have driven the research towards immune stimulation as an alternative possibility to treat patients. We previously reported clinical stabilization associated with a shift from a Th2 to a Th1 cytokine profile in an AE patient treated with interferon (IFN)alpha.