Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for detection of pathological changes in the central nervous system of a mouse model of multiple sclerosis in vivo.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease involving demyelination and axonal damage in the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we investigated pathological changes in the lumbar spinal cord of C57BL/6 mice induced with progressive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) disease using 9.4-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Rare specimen identification in an un-integrated taxonomy: implications of DNA sequences from a Taiwanese (Mollusca, Philinidae).

Many species of the gastropod genus have been named from northeastern Asia but scanty descriptions based predominantly on shells make it difficult to determine which are valid. This, plus the sporadic anatomical and genetic information available for many of these species has led to what may be described as an un-integrated taxonomy. In this situation, it is generally preferable to postpone dissection of rare and unusual specimens until relevant diagnostic characters can be established in broader studies.

Protective Antigen Shows High Specificity for a UV Induced Mouse Model of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for the majority of non-melanoma skin cancer related deaths, particularly in immunosuppressed persons. Identification of biomarkers that could be used to identify or treat SCC would be of significant benefit. The anthrax toxin receptors, Tumor Endothelial Marker 8 (TEM8) and Capillary Morphogenesis Gene 2 (CMG2), are endothelial receptors involved in extracellular matrix homeostasis and angiogenesis that are selectively upregulated on numerous tumors.

Design of Plasmodium vivax Hypoxanthine-Guanine Phosphoribosyltransferase Inhibitors as Potential Antimalarial Therapeutics.

Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and Plasmodium vivax (Pv) are the foremost causative agents of malaria. Due to the development of resistance to current antimalarial medications, new drugs for this parasitic disease need to be discovered. The activity of hypoxanthine-guanine-[xanthine]-phosphoribosyltransferase, HG[X]PRT, is reported to be essential for the growth of both of these parasites, making it an excellent target for antimalarial drug discovery.

Magnetic resonance spin-spin relaxation time estimation in a rat model of fatty liver disease.

Purpose: To compare mono- and bi-exponential relaxation model equations to discriminate between normal and fatty liver disease.

Materials And Methods: Six rats on a choline deficient amino acid modified (CDAA) diet and six on normal chow were studied. Multiple spin echo images with increasing echo times (TEs) were collected at 9.