Generation of embryonic stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of blastocysts of outbred ICR mice.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) derived from outbred mice which share several genetic characteristics similar to humans have been requested for developing stem cell-based bioengineering techniques directly applicable to humans. Here, we report the generation of ESCs derived from the inner cell mass of blastocysts retrieved from 9-week-old female outbred ICR mice mated with 9-week-old male outbred ICR mice (ESCs). Similar to those from 129/Ola mouse blastocysts (ESCs), the established ESCs showed inherent characteristics of ESCs except for partial and weak protein expression and activity of alkaline phosphatase.

Beta-nerve growth factor gene therapy alleviates pyridoxine-induced neuropathic damage by increasing doublecortin and tyrosine kinase A in the dorsal root ganglion.

Beta-nerve growth factor (β-NGF) is known to be a major leading cause of neuronal plasticity. To identify the possible action mechanisms of β-NGF gene therapy for sciatic nerve recovery, experimental dogs were randomly divided into control, pyridoxine, and pyridoxine + β-NGF groups. We observed chronological changes of morphology in the dorsal root ganglia in response to pyridoxine toxicity based on cresyl violet staining.

Postnatal changes in constitutive cyclooxygenase‑2 expression in the mice hippocampus and its function in synaptic plasticity.

Although the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is closely associated with inflammation in the brain, it is constitutively expressed in the brain, and its expression is regulated by synaptic activity. The present study investigated postnatal expression of COX‑2 in the hippocampus in C57BL/6 mice at postnatal days (P) 1, 7, 14, 28, and 56. In addition, the presented study examined the effects of COX‑2 on synaptic plasticity through Arc, phosphorylated cAMP response element‑binding protein (pCREB), N‑methyl‑d‑aspartate receptor 1 (GluN1), and GluN2A/2B immunohistochemistry, which was performed on COX‑2 knockout (KO) and wild‑type (WT) mice.

Protein disulfide-isomerase A3 significantly reduces ischemia-induced damage by reducing oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Ischemia causes oxidative stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), accelerates the accumulation of unfolded and misfolded proteins, and may ultimately lead to neuronal cell apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of protein disulfide-isomerase A3 (PDIA3), an ER-resident chaperone that catalyzes disulfide-bond formation in a subset of glycoproteins, against oxidative damage in the hypoxic HT22 cell line and against ischemic damage in the gerbil hippocampus. We also confirmed the neuroprotective effects of PDIA3 by using PDIA3-knockout HAP1 cells.

Decrease in glucose transporter 1 levels and translocation of glucose transporter 3 in the dentate gyrus of C57BL/6 mice and gerbils with aging.

In the present study, we compared the cell-specific expression and changes protein levels in the glucose transporters (GLUTs) 1 and 3, the major GLUTs in the mouse and gerbil brains using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. In both mouse and gerbils, GLUT1 immunoreactivity was mainly found in the blood vessels in the dentate gyrus, while GLUT3 immunoreactivity was detected in the subgranular zone and the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. GLUT1-immunoreactivity in blood vessels and GLUT1 protein levels were significantly decreased with age in the mice and gerbils, respectively.

Léveille extract ameliorates D-galactose-induced memory deficits by decreasing inflammatory responses in the hippocampus.

In the present study, we examined the effects of Léveille leaf extract (DML) on D-galactose-induced morphological changes in microglia and cytokines, including pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) in the hippocampus. Administration of DML to D-galactose-treated mice significantly improved D-galactose-induced reduction in escape latency, swimming speed, and spatial preference for the target quadrant. In addition, administration of DML to D-galactose-treated mice significantly ameliorated the microglial activation and increases of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in the hippocampus.

Age-related change of Iba-1 immunoreactivity in the adult and aged gerbil spinal cord.

In the present study, we examined change of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) in the adult and aged gerbil spinal cords. Significant change of morphological feature and neuronal cell loss were not observed in both adult and aged spinal cords of gerbil after NeuN immunohistochemistry and Fluoro-Jade B histofluoresce staining. Iba-1-immunoreactive microglia broadly distributed in the spinal cord.

Age-associated alterations in constitutively expressed cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity and protein levels in the hippocampus.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a known inducible inflammatory mediator. COX-2 is constitutively expressed in the hippocampus and may regulate synaptic plasticity. The present study investigated the age‑associated alterations in white blood cell counts and hippocampal COX‑2 expression in healthy mice using immunohistochemical and western blot analyses at 1 month postnatal (PM1), PM3, PM6, PM12 and PM24.

Temporal and spatial changes of monocarboxylate transporter 4 expression in the hippocampal CA1 region following transient forebrain ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil.

Transient forebrain ischemia depletes glucose and oxygen levels in the brain. In this pathological condition, lactate serves an important role in cellular metabolism as the end product of glycolysis. The present study investigated the expression of monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) in lactate metabolism in the hippocampal CA1 region following induction of transient forebrain ischemia.

Mammary gland tumors in a male Cocker Spaniel.

Background: Mammary gland tumors are the most common tumors in sexually intact female dogs; however, they are rare in male dogs. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between sexual hormones and mammary gland tumors in a male dog.

Case Presentation: A 13-year-old, intact male Cocker Spaniel presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Kangwon National University, Republic of Korea, with an acute right ruptured caudal abdominal mass.

Essential oils from two Allium species exert effects on cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the mouse dentate gyrus by modulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor and acetylcholinesterase.

Background: In the present study, we investigated the effects of oil products from two Allium species: Allium sativum (garlic) and Allium hookeri (Chinese chives) on cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the mouse dentate gyrus.

Methods: Using corn oil as a vehicle, the essential oil from garlic (10 ml/kg), or Chinese chives (10 ml/kg) was administered orally to 9-week-old mice once a day for 3 weeks. One hour following the last treatment, a novel object recognition test was conducted and the animals were killed 2 h after the test.

Glucose metabolism and neurogenesis in the gerbil hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia.

Recent evidence exists that glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) plays an important role in the energy metabolism in the brain. Most previous studies have been conducted using focal or hypoxic ischemia models and have focused on changes in GLUT3 expression based on protein and mRNA levels rather than tissue levels. In the present study, we observed change in GLUT3 immunoreactivity in the adult gerbil hippocampus at various time points after 5 minutes of transient forebrain ischemia.

Effects of Extracellular Matrix Protein-derived Signaling on the Maintenance of the Undifferentiated State of Spermatogonial Stem Cells from Porcine Neonatal Testis.

In general, the seminiferous tubule basement membrane (STBM), comprising laminin, collagen IV, perlecan, and entactin, plays an important role in self-renewal and spermatogenesis of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in the testis. However, among the diverse extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins constituting the STBM, the mechanism by which each regulates SSC fate has yet to be revealed. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of various ECM proteins on the maintenance of the undifferentiated state of SSCs in pigs.

SP, CGRP changes in pyridoxine induced neuropathic dogs with nerve growth factor gene therapy.

Background: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is known not only as a major factor for neuronal plasticity but also as a pain stimulator. Although there have been several trials with NGF for its application in the regeneration or protection of the nervous system, the pain induced by NGF remains a challenge to be overcome. In this study, the pain induced by NGF gene therapy was evaluated.

Development of a high-yield technique to isolate spermatogonial stem cells from porcine testes.

Purpose: To date, the methods available for isolating spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from porcine testicular cells have a low efficiency of cell separating. Therefore, we tried to develop a novel isolation technique with a high-yield cell separating ability to isolate SSCs from porcine testes.

Methods: We confirmed the presence of SSCs by measuring alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and SSC-specific gene expression in neonatal porcine testis-derived testicular cells.