Effects of dopamine and serotonin antagonist injections into the striatopallidal complex of asymptomatic MPTP-treated monkeys.

The cardinal symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), akinesia, rigidity and tremor, are only observed when the striatal level of dopamine (DA) is decreased by 60-80%. It is likely that compensatory mechanisms during the early phase of DA depletion delay the appearance of motor symptoms. In a previous study, we proposed a new PD monkey model with progressive MPTP intoxication.

Extensive alternative polyadenylation during zebrafish development.

The post-transcriptional fate of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) is largely dictated by their 3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs), which are defined by cleavage and polyadenylation (CPA) of pre-mRNAs. We used poly(A)-position profiling by sequencing (3P-seq) to map poly(A) sites at eight developmental stages and tissues in the zebrafish. Analysis of over 60 million 3P-seq reads substantially increased and improved existing 3' UTR annotations, resulting in confidently identified 3' UTRs for >79% of the annotated protein-coding genes in zebrafish.

Effect of phenethyl isothiocyanate on Ca2+ movement and viability in MDCK canine renal tubular cells.

The effect of the natural compound phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) on cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) and viability in MDCK renal cells is unknown. This study explored whether PEITC changed [Ca(2+)](i) in MDCK cells using the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2. PEITC at 200-700 μM increased [Ca(2+)](i) in a concentration-dependent manner.

Investigation of 2,6-diisopropylphenol (propofol)-evoked Ca2+ movement and cell death in human glioblastoma cells.

This study examined whether propofol altered [Ca(2+)](i) and caused cell death in DBTRG-05MG cells. Propofol at 400-1000μM increased [Ca(2+)](i) in a concentration-dependent manner. The signal was decreased partially by removal of extracellular Ca(2+).

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy compared by intravascular ultrasound sonography: everolimus to mycophenolate mofetil--one single-center experience.

Unlabelled: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remains one of the leading causes of late graft failure and death. Cyclosporine microemulsion Neoral (CsA) had been used in heart transplantation (HTx) recipients. Meanwhile, Everolimus (EVL; Certican, Norvatis Pharmaceuticals; Basel, Switzerland) or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) have been combined with CsA for maintenance treatment.

Effect of methoxychlor on Ca(2+) movement and viability in MDCK renal tubular cells.

The effect of the insecticide methoxychlor on the physiology of renal tubular cells is unknown. This study aimed to explore the effect of methoxychlor on cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+) ](i) ) in MDCK renal tubular cells using the Ca(2+) -sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2. Methoxychlor at 5-20 μM increased [Ca(2+) ](i) in a concentration-dependent manner.

Effect of m-3m3FBS on Ca2+ handling and viability in OC2 human oral cancer cells.

The effect of 2,4,6-trimethyl-N-(meta-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide (m-3M3FBS), a presumed phospholipase C activator, on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in OC2 human oral cancer cells is unclear. This study explored whether m-3M3FBS changed basal [Ca2+]i levels in suspended OC2 cells by using fura-2 as a Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dye. M-3M3FBS at concentrations between 10-60 μM increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner.

Molecular mapping of the Pl(16) downy mildew resistance gene from HA-R4 to facilitate marker-assisted selection in sunflower.

The major genes controlling sunflower downy mildew resistance have been designated as Pl genes. Ten of the more than 20 Pl genes reported have been mapped. In this study, we report the molecular mapping of gene Pl(16) in a sunflower downy mildew differential line, HA-R4.

Catamenial pneumothorax due to bilateral pulmonary endometriosis.

Co-existence of catamenial pneumothorax and hemoptysis is rare. We present a case of catamenial pneumothorax due to bilateral pulmonary endometriosis in a 45-year-old woman. The patient presented with a 3-year history of intermittent productive cough with blood-tinged sputum, chronic anemia, loss of appetite, and general weakness associated with menstruation.

Development of conserved microsatellite markers of high cross-species utility in bat species (Vespertilionidae, Chiroptera, Mammalia).

Comparative ecological and behavioural studies of the widespread and diverse Vespertilionidae, which comprise almost 400 of the 1100 bat species, have been limited by the availability of markers. The potential of new methods for developing conserved microsatellite markers that possess enhanced cross-species utility has recently been illustrated in studies of birds. We have applied these methods to develop enhanced microsatellite markers for vespertilionid bats, in particular for the genus Myotis (103 species).

Conserved function of lincRNAs in vertebrate embryonic development despite rapid sequence evolution.

Thousands of long intervening noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) have been identified in mammals. To better understand the evolution and functions of these enigmatic RNAs, we used chromatin marks, poly(A)-site mapping and RNA-Seq data to identify more than 550 distinct lincRNAs in zebrafish. Although these shared many characteristics with mammalian lincRNAs, only 29 had detectable sequence similarity with putative mammalian orthologs, typically restricted to a single short region of high conservation.

Effect of celecoxib on Ca(2+) handling and viability in human prostate cancer cells (PC3).

Celecoxib has been shown to have an antitumor effect in previous studies, but the mechanisms are unclear. Ca(2+) is a key second messenger in most cells. The effect of celecoxib on cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) in human suspended PC3 prostate cancer cells was explored by using fura-2 as a fluorescent dye.

3,3'-Diindolylmethane alters Ca2+ homeostasis and viability in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells.

The effect of the natural product 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) on cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) and viability in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells was explored. The Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2 was applied to measure [Ca(2+)](i). DIM at concentrations of 40-80 μM induced a [Ca(2+)](i) rise in a concentration-dependent manner.

Effect of thymol on Ca2+ homeostasis and viability in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells.

Aims: The effect of the natural product thymol on cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) and viability in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells was examined.

Methods: The Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2 was applied to measure [Ca(2+)](i).

Results: Thymol at concentrations of 200-1,000 μmol/l induced a [Ca(2+)](i) rise in a concentration-dependent fashion.

Reducing lesion aberration by dual-frequency focused ultrasound ablations.

Discrepancies between hyperecho-predicted necrosed volume in ultrasound (US) images and the actual size of a thermal lesion might cause incomplete ablation or damage normal structures during high intensity focused US (HIFU) ablations. A novel dual-frequency sonication procedure is proposed to reduce this discrepancy. HIFU transducers of either 1 or 3.

Effect of thymol on Ca2+ homeostasis and viability in human glioblastoma cells.

The effect of the natural essential oil thymol on cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) and viability in human glioblastoma cells was examined. The Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2 was applied to measure [Ca(2+)](i). Thymol at concentrations of 400-1000 μM induced a [Ca(2+)](i) rise in a concentration-dependent fashion.

Independent effects of the broccoli-derived compound sulforaphane on Ca²⁺ influx and apoptosis in Madin-Darby canine renal tubular cells.

This study explored whether sulforaphane changed basal [Ca²⁺]i levels in suspended Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells by using fura-2 as a Ca²⁺-sensitive fluorescent dye. Sulforaphane at concentrations between 2.5-10 microM increased [Ca²⁺]i in a concentration-dependent manner.

Effect of nortriptyline on Ca²⁺ handling in SIRC rabbit corneal epithelial cells.

To explore the effect of nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, on cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentrations ([Ca²⁺]i) in corneal epithelial cells, [Ca²⁺]i levels in suspended SIRC rabbit corneal epithelial cells were measured by using fura-2 as a Ca²⁺-sensitive fluorescent dye. Nortriptyline at concentrations between 20-200 microM increased [Ca²⁺]i in a concentration-dependent manner. The Ca²⁺ signal was reduced partly by removing extracellular Ca²⁺.

Effect of m-3M3FBS on Ca²⁺ movement in PC3 human prostate cancer cells.

The effect of 2,4,6-trimethyl-N-(meta-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide (m-3M3FBS), a presumed phospholipase C activator, on cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentrations ([Ca²⁺]i) in PC3 human prostate cancer cells is unclear. This study explored whether m-3M3FBS changed basal [Ca²⁺]i levels in suspended PC3 cells by using fura-2 as a Ca²⁺-sensitive fluorescent dye. M-3M3FBS at concentrations between 10-50 microM increased [Ca²⁺]i in a concentration-dependent manner.

Tumor necrosis factor-α activates estrogen signaling pathways in endometrial epithelial cells via estrogen receptor α.

The pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and the female hormone estrogen have been implicated in the pathophysiology of two common gynecological diseases, endometriosis and endometrial adenocarcinoma. Here we describe a novel capacity of TNF-α to activate ER signaling in endometrial epithelial cells. TNF-α induced luciferase expression in the absence and presence of estradiol and also augmented expression of the estrogen-regulated genes c-fos, GREB1, and progesterone receptor.

Effect of bisphenol A on Ca(2+) fluxes and viability in Madin-Darby canine renal tubular cells.

The effect of the environmental contaminant, bisphenol A, on cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells is unclear. This study explored whether bisphenol A changed basal [Ca(2+)](i) levels in suspended MDCK cells by using fura-2 as a Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye. Bisphenol A, at concentrations between 50 and 300 µM, increased [Ca(2+)](i) in a concentration-dependent manner.

Statin pre-treatment is associated with lower platelet activity and favorable outcome in patients with acute non-cardio-embolic ischemic stroke.

Introduction: Statins reportedly have anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects aside from cholesterol-lowering. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pre-existing statin use on platelet activation markers and clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: This prospective study evaluated 172 patients with acute ischemic stroke divided in two groups: patients with pre-existing statin (n = 43) and without pre-existing statin (66 cases with statins initiated post-stroke and 63 without statin treatment).

Duodenal ulcer disease, gastroduodenal motor function and reflux esophagitis--a cross-sectional survey in a subset of Taiwanese patients.

Background: To investigate the association between the gastric emptying rate and the presence of erosive esophagitis in duodenal ulcer (DU) patients among a population with high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey was performed in a cohort of 60 male patients with either active or healed DU, with or without the presence of erosive esophagitis. Clinical and social-demographic data, blood level of fasting gastrin, pepsinogen I & I/II ratio, and scintigraphic measurement of half emptying time (t(1/2) ) of the solid phase gastric emptying were evaluated.