miR-19 is a key oncogenic component of mir-17-92.

Recent studies have revealed the importance of multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) in promoting tumorigenesis, among which mir-17-92/Oncomir-1 exhibits potent oncogenic activity. Genomic amplification and elevated expression of mir-17-92 occur in several human B-cell lymphomas, and enforced mir-17-92 expression in mice cooperates with c-myc to promote the formation of B-cell lymphomas. Unlike classic protein-coding oncogenes, mir-17-92 has an unconventional gene structure, where one primary transcript yields six individual miRNAs.

microRNA-24a is required to repress apoptosis in the developing neural retina.

Programmed cell death is important for the proper development of the retina, and microRNAs (miRNAs) may be critical for its regulation. Here, we report that miR-24a is expressed in the neural retina and is required for correct eye morphogenesis in Xenopus. Inhibition of miR-24a during development causes a reduction in eye size due to a significant increase in apoptosis in the retina, whereas overexpression of miR-24a is sufficient to prevent apoptosis.

Pressure pain precedes development of type 2 disease in Zucker rat model of diabetes.

Decreased hind limb pressure pain threshold (PPT) is an early indicator of insulinopenia and neuropathy developing in STZ-rat models of type 1 diabetes and pre-diabetes. To test if pain on pressure is also a hallmark of compensated insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in this work we measured PPT of Zucker lean (ZL), Zucker fatty (ZF) and Zucker fatty diabetic rats (ZDF; 8 animals per group). Using clinically accepted cut-off values for diagnosis of human diabetes and pre-diabetes, at 6th week of age (the study entry), all animals maintained random blood glucose within a normal range (< 7.

Expression of microRNAs during embryonic development of Xenopus tropicalis.

microRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and have prominent roles during early embryo development and organogenesis. We set out to determine the expression pattern of miRNAs in the developmental model system, Xenopus tropicalis. We made probes to predicted primary-miRNA transcripts and performed in situ hybridization.

Single-pass environmental chamber for quantifying human responses to airborne chemicals.

Despite increasing interest in the short-term effects of airborne environmental contaminants, experimental findings are generated at a very slow pace. This is due in part to the expense and complexity of most environmental chambers, which are needed for quantifying effects of wholebody exposures. We lessened this obstacle by designing, constructing, and testing a single-pass, 10-m3 stainless-steel chamber.

Human odor detectability: new methodology used to determine threshold and variation.

Current ambiguity concerning the related issues of optimal means for measurement of odor sensitivity and the functional properties of the olfactory system hinders progress in basic and applied research on the human sense of smell. To address these needs, we selected n-amyl acetate (nAA) as a test odorant and developed a methodology in which participants (Ps) receive multiple presentations each session of several concentrations. Yes-no responses as to whether odor was detected are analyzed using binomial statistics, with the probability that a given proportion of yes responses (or greater) would occur by chance alone being treated as the inverse of detectability.

Nicotinic cholinergic receptor expression in the human nasal mucosa.

Twenty-four nasal mucosa specimens were obtained from the inferior or middle turbinates of 6 normal subjects and 18 patients with chronic sinusitis, inflammatory polyp formation, or sinus allergies. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to identify the non-neuronal nicotinic cholinergic receptor (nAChR) subunits that were expressed in the nasal mucosa. Collectively, transcripts for alpha (alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha4, alpha6, alpha7) and beta (beta2, beta3, beta4) nAChR subunit genes were detected in the respiratory mucosa.

Septic superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis.

An illustrative case of septic superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis secondary to a staphylococcus orbital cellulitis is presented and correlated with autopsy findings. A literature review and discussion of the risks and benefits of anti-coagulation in this setting is outlined.

Four-year review of open eye injuries at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Purpose: To review the epidemiology of penetrating eye injuries and ruptured globes presenting to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia.

Methods: A retrospective case review over a 4-year period.

Results: There were 109 penetrated or ruptured globes in 105 patients.