Presynaptic inputs to vasopressin neurons in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus in mice.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) neurons in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) are involved in important physiological behaviors, such as controling osmotic stability and thermoregulation. However, the presynaptic input patterns governing AVP neurons have remained poorly understood due to their heterogeneity, as well as intermingling of AVP neurons with other neurons both in the SON and PVN. In the present study, we employed a retrograde modified rabies-virus system to reveal the brain areas that provide specific inputs to AVP neurons in the SON and PVN.

Nuclear isoform of FGF13 regulates post-natal neurogenesis in the hippocampus through an epigenomic mechanism.

The hippocampus is one of two niches in the mammalian brain with persistent neurogenesis into adulthood. The neurogenic capacity of hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs) declines with age, but the molecular mechanisms of this process remain unknown. In this study, we find that fibroblast growth factor 13 (FGF13) is essential for the post-natal neurogenesis in mouse hippocampus, and FGF13 deficiency impairs learning and memory.

Transplantation of Retinal Progenitor Cells from Optic Cup-Like Structures Differentiated from Human Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro and In Vivo Generation of Retinal Ganglion-Like Cells.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the potential to differentiate along the retinal lineage. We have efficiently differentiated human pluripotent stem cells into optic cup-like structures by using a novel retinal differentiation medium (RDM). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) derived from hESCs can integrate into the host retina and differentiate into retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in vivo.

Interneuron regeneration after ouabain treatment in the adult mammalian retina.

The mammalian retina has the potential to regenerate rod cells, bipolar cells, and amacrine cells in vivo to repair damaged nervous tissue through the Müller glial cell (MGC)-mediated response. Both horizontal cell (HC) and amacrine cell are interneurons in the inner nuclear layer (INL) and are generated under the control of some common transcription factors during retinal development. However, to date, the ability of HC regeneration in vivo in mammals remains unclear.

MMP-9 inhibition facilitates amacrine cell loss after ouabain-induced retinal damage.

Retinal ischemia is a common risk factor for visual impairment and blindness. Two common changes after retinal ischemia are retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and Müller glial cell (MGC)-mediated endogenous repair. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) has been shown to be responsible to RGC death.

Risk/benefit profile of panitumumab-based therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: evidence from five randomized controlled trials.

This study aims to evaluate the risk and benefit profiles of panitumumab-based therapy (PBT) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Relevant randomized controlled trials were identified by searching PubMed, Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. Data on progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), all grade and severe (grade ≥3) adverse events were extracted and pooled to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and risk ratios (RRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).

Interoperative fundus image and report sharing in compliance with integrating the healthcare enterprise conformance and web access to digital imaging and communication in medicine persistent object protocol.

Aim: To address issues in interoperability between different fundus image systems, we proposed a web eye-picture archiving and communication system (PACS) framework in conformance with digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) and health level 7 (HL7) protocol to realize fundus images and reports sharing and communication through internet.

Methods: Firstly, a telemedicine-based eye care work flow was established based on integrating the healthcare enterprise (IHE) Eye Care technical framework. Then, a browser/server architecture eye-PACS system was established in conformance with the web access to DICOM persistent object (WADO) protocol, which contains three tiers.

In vitro culture system for keratinocytes obtained from oral lichen planus lesions.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish a stable in vitro culture system for keratinocytes obtained from oral lichen planus (OLP) lesions and evaluate cultured keratinocyte characteristics including cell morphology, ultrastructure, and expression of biomarkers.

Materials And Methods: OLP mucosa (histopathologically confirmed) was collected and cells isolated using the cold enzyme digestion method. Primary culture and serial passage were performed on serum-free keratinocyte medium.

Medial ganglionic eminence-like cells derived from human embryonic stem cells correct learning and memory deficits.

Dysfunction of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons, derived from medial ganglionic eminence (MGE), is implicated in disorders of learning and memory. Here we present a method for differentiating human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to a nearly uniform population of NKX2.1(+) MGE-like progenitor cells.

Evaluating the role of connexin43 in congenital heart disease: Screening for mutations in patients with outflow tract anomalies and the analysis of knock-in mouse models.

Background: GJA1 gene encodes a gap junction protein known as connexin 43 (Cx43). Cx43 is abundantly expressed in the ventricular myocardium and in cardiac neural crest cells. Cx43 is proposed to play an important role in human congenital heart disease, as GJA1 knock-out mice die neonatally from outflow tract obstruction.

Downregulation of Rho associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase 1 in the process of delayed myocardialization of cardiac proximal outflow tract septum in connexin 43 knockout mice embryo.

Background: The connexin43 knockout (Cx43 KO) mouse dies at birth with an enlarged conotruncal region, which leads to the obstruction of the right outflow tract (OFT). Since myocardialization of the proximal OFT septum is one of the key events during heart development, we investigated the process in the Cx43 KO embryo hearts. Rho associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase 1 (ROCK1), is a recently found key molecule to regulate the myocardialization of OFT, but its spatiotemporal expression pattern during myocardialization remains unknown.

The new targets of ouabain in retinal interneurons of Sprague-Dawley rats.

Ouabain is both a cardiac glycoside used in therapy of congestive heart failure and an endogenous steroid hormone. It specifically binds to Na(+), K(+)-ATPase (NKA) and blocks its activity. Overdose of ouabain induces retinal damage.

Tea consumption and risk of endometrial cancer: a metaanalysis.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the association between tea consumption and endometrial cancer.

Study Design: Studies were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE databases and screening the references of retrieved articles. The summary relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated.

[Spatio-temporal expression of connexion (Cx) 40 and Cx45 in Cx43 knockout embryonic mouse hearts].

Objective: To investigate the spatio-temporal expression of connexin (Cx) 40 and Cx45 genes in Cx43 knockout embryonic mouse hearts.

Methods: Cx43 knockout heterozygous mice were raised. PCR was performed to identify genotypes of their offsprings.

[Restraining effects of acupuncture on photoreceptor cell apoptosis in rats with retinitis pigmentosa induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea].

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on photoreceptor cell apoptosis in rats with retinitis pigmentosa induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU).

Methods: Fifty-day-old female SD rats were established into model of retinitis pigmentosa by once intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg MNU, and randomly grouped to the acupuncture group and the model group for observing the cell apoptosis in rats and compared with that in normal rats at the corresponding time points.

Results: Acupuncture showed no effect on cell apoptosis at its peak of occurring, apoptotic phenomena still could be seen on days 5 and 7, but it was significantly less in the acupuncture group than in the model group (P < 0.

Preferential regeneration of photoreceptor from Müller glia after retinal degeneration in adult rat.

To determine whether photoreceptor degeneration can stimulate Müller glia to transdifferentiate into neurons in adult mammalian retina, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) was injected to induce complete loss of photoreceptors. Following MNU administration, Müller glia underwent reactive gliosis characterized by up-regulation of glial fibrillar acidic protein and nestin, and initiated proliferation through the cyclin D1 and D3 related pathways. Some Müller glia-derived cells were induced to express rhodopsin exclusively.

Sonic hedgehog promotes stem-cell potential of Müller glia in the mammalian retina.

Müller glia have been demonstrated to display stem-cell properties after retinal damage. Here, we report this potential can be regulated by Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling. Shh can stimulate proliferation of Müller glia through its receptor and target gene expressed on them, furthermore, Shh-treated Müller glia are induced to dedifferentiate by expressing progenitor-specific markers, and then adopt cell fate of rod photoreceptor.

[Differentially expressed transcription factors in the cardiac outflow tract tissue of connexin43 knockout mice].

Objective: To investigate the changes in the expression of cardiac transcription factors in the cardiac outflow tract (OFT) tissues in the connexin43 knockout homozygotes (Cx43 KO), connexin43 heterozygotes, and connexin43 wild-type mice (Cx43 WT).

Methods: The cDNA was retrotranscribed from the RNA extracted from the OFT tissues of 6 Cx43 KO, 6 Cx43 WT, and 6 Cx43 heterozygotes genotyped by PCR method on the embryonic day (ED) 13.5 and ED 14.

[Role of different oxygen concentration and different period of oxygen exposure in pathogenesis of retinopathy in neonatal mice].

Objective: To evaluate the role of different oxygen concentration (FiO2) and different period of oxygen exposure on oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) in neonatal mice and to provide evidences for proper clinical oxygen therapy.

Methods: Two hundred and four 7-day-old (P7) C57BL/6J mice were exposed to different FiO2 30%, 50% and 75% for 5, 7 and 9 days. The mice were divided into eight groups: groups 1 - 3 (n = 24 in each) were exposed to 30% oxygen for 5, 7 and 9 days, respectively; groups 4 - 6 (n = 24 in each) were exposed to 50% oxygen for 5, 7 and 9 days, respectively; group 7 (n = 30) was exposed to 75% hyperoxia for 5 days; group 8 (n = 30) was exposed to room air.

[Abnormal development of conotruncal region in Cx43 knockout mice].

Objective: To explore the etiology of the conotruncal malformations in Cx43 knockout mice.

Methods: The objects were C57/BL6 mice of E11.5 to 1 day after birth by the mating of 2 month old heterozygous mice which included Cx43 (knockout, KO) homozygotes (Cx43-/-), heterozygotes (Cx43+/-) and wild-types (Cx43+/+) genotyped by PCR method.

[Comparison on morphology and ultrastructure of two kinds of myopic models].

Objective: To study the possibility of inducing refractive errors by opening the mouse (C57BL/6J) eye artificially after birth and explore the difference in pathogenic mechanism in form-deprivation myopia by analyzing the histological changes of the animal eyes.

Methods: 4-day-old mice (n = 13) was undergone 10-day monocular artificially opened period till the opposite eye was natural open. Another group 12-day-old mice (n = 13) were raised with monocular suture of eyelid for 7 days.

[Histopathological analysis of neonatal mouse hearts with connexin43 gene defects].

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of heart morphology in neonatal mice with connexin43 gene defects.

Methods: Two mouse lines were used in this study, which included connexin43 knockout (Cx43KO) mice and CMV43(CT) transgenic mice. PCR analysis was carried out to identify the genotypes of two transgenic mice.