Lentiviral vector delivery of short hairpin RNA to NG2 and neurotrophin-3 promotes locomotor recovery in injured rat spinal cord.

Background Aims: In this study we investigated the effect of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and knockdown of NG2, one of the main inhibitory chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPG), in the glial scar following spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Short hairpin (sh) RNA were designed to target NG2 and were cloned into a lentiviral vector (LV). A LV was also constructed containing NT-3.

Hypertonic Saline Attenuates the Pro-metastatic Effects of LPS by Reducing Tumor Cell Migration, Proliferation and MMP-9 Expression.

Background: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) promotes tumor metastases. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of a hypertonic environment to attenuate the pro metastatic properties of LPS both in vitro, and in vivo.

Methods: LPS stimulated, and unstimulated, 4T1 tumor cells were cultured in either an isotonic or hypertonic environment.

Opening and closing mechanisms of the leatherback sea turtle larynx: a crucial role for the tongue.

A combination of dissection and computed tomography scanning has provided significant novel insights into the structure and function of the Dermochelys coriacea larynx and its associated muscles. Several previously unknown features of the laryngeal aditus (glottis) are described and their functional significance in its opening and closure are considered. The tongue plays an essential part in producing and maintaining closure during dives and feeding bouts.