Thiamine as a peripheral neuro-protective agent in comparison with N-acetyl cysteine in axotomized rats.

Objectives: In this study, the impact of thiamine (Thi), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), and dexamethasone (DEX) were investigated in axotomized rats, as a model for neural injury.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-five axotomized rats were divided into two different experimental approaches, the first experiments included five study groups (n=5): intrathecal Thi (Thi.it), intraperitoneal (Thi), NAC, DEX, and control.

Benfotiamine reduced collagen IV contents of sciatic nerve in hyperglycemic rats.

Background: Neuropathy as a common complication of hyperglycemia in diabetic patients is probably caused by metabolic and structural changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) of peripheral nerves. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of benfotiamine (BT) on the structural, biological and mechanical characteristics of rat sciatic nerve in hyperglycemic condition.

Materials And Methods: Forty eight adult male Wistar rats were assigned to 6 groups (n = 8): control (healthy rats with no treatment; C), positive control (healthy rats received BT treatment; B), negative control groups 1&2 (hyperglycemic rats kept for 4 and/or 8 weeks; 4WD and 8WD, respectively) and experimental groups 1&2 (hyperglycemic rats treated by daily oral gavage of 100 mg kg body weight BT for 4 and/or 8 weeks; 4WD + BT and 8WD + BT, respectively).

Data on analysis of OCC-1 transcript levels in pluripotent and differentiated states of P19 cells.

We investigated the expression of OCC-1 at mRNA level during retinoic acid (RA) induced differentiation of mouse embryonic carcinoma P19 pluripotent cancer cells by quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). By employing four-fold serial dilutions of P19 cDNA, standard curves were generated for the reference gene (L37) and the gene of interest (OCC-1). PCR efficiencies for L37 and OCC-1 were calculated.

Meiotic initiation in chicken germ cells is regulated by Cyp26b1 and mesonephros.

Our knowledge of mechanisms involved in the meiosis of chicken germ cells is very limited. In mammalian fetal ovaries, the onset of meiosis is dependent on retinoic acid and subsequent upregulation of the Stra8 gene. To clarify the mechanism of meiotic initiation in chicken germ cells, we investigated the role of Cyp26b1, a retinoic acid-degrading enzyme.

The effects of lead on the development of somites in chick embryos () under conditions: a histological study.

Lead (Pb) is one of the most abundant toxic metals in the environment that can cause a variety of harmful effects. During embryonic development of vertebrates, somites are temporary organs that give rise to skeletal muscle, cartilage, tendon, endothelial cells, and dermis. In this study, we investigated the effects of lead on the development of somites and their derivatives in chick embryos under conditions.

Synergistic Effects of Acetyl-l-Carnitine and Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells on Improving Regenerative Capacity of Acellular Nerve Allograft in Sciatic Nerve Defect.

The combination of decellularized nerve allograft and adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) represents a good alternative to nerve autograft for bridging peripheral nerve defects by providing physical guidance and biologic cues. However, the regeneration outcome of acellular nerve allograft (ANA) is often inferior to autograft. Therefore, we hypothesized that acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR) treatment and implantation of ASC-embedded ANA would work synergistically to promote nerve regeneration.

Dedifferentiation Effects of Rabbit Regenerating Tissue on Partially Differentiated Cells.

Cell Stemness can be achieved by various reprogramming techniques namely, somatic cell nuclear transfer, cell fusion, cell extracts, and introduction of transcription factors from which induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are obtained. iPSCs are valuable cell sources for drug screening and human disease modeling. Alternatives to virus-based introduction of transcription factors include application of DNA-free methods and introduction of chemically defined culturing conditions.

Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor induces spermatogonial stem cell marker genes in chicken mesenchymal stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known with the potential of multi-lineage differentiation. Advances in differentiation technology have also resulted in the conversion of MSCs to other kinds of stem cells. MSCs are considered as a suitable source of cells for biotechnology purposes because they are abundant, easily accessible and well characterized cells.

Effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Launaea acanthodes on serum gonadotropin and testosterone levels and the structure of seminiferous tubules in hyperglycemic rats.

Objective: To investigate the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Launaea acanthodes, a blood glucose lowering plant in folk medicine of Iran, on the structure of seminiferous tubules and serum gonadotropin and testosterone levels in hyperglycemic rats.

Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n=6): control, streptozotocin (STZ), STZ + insulin [STZ + Ins, 5 IU/(kg•day)], and STZ + Launaea acanthodes extract [STZ + Ext, 150 mg/(kg•day)]. Blood samples were collected at the 2nd and 4th weeks for detection of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) with enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA), and the right testes of rats were removed at the 7th week for the evaluation of diameter and wall thickness of seminiferous tubules and number of Leydig cells using unbiased stereological techniques.

Dermatoglyphic patterns in cystic fibrosis children.

Objective: It is believed that fingerprints and palm patterns may represent genetically determined congenital abnormalities in Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The main idea of this paper was to determine differences of fingerprints and palm patterns in CF and normal children.

Methods: Forty-six CF children (27 males, 19 females) and 341 (113 males, 228 females) healthy individuals were recruited for this study.

Developmental study of mercury effects on the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster).

Environmental pollution caused by heavy metals such as mercury is one of the most important human problems. It might have severe teratogenic effects on embryonic development. Some pharmacological and physiological aspects of fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) are similar to humans.

Comparative study on the effects of type 1 and type 2 diabetes on structural changes and hormonal output of the adrenal cortex in male Wistar rats.

Introduction: Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine disorders characterized by hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin function, or both. Causing dysfunction in the body general metabolism, diabetes-induced chronic hyperglycemia leads to alterations in those endocrine glands involved in regulating the body metabolism. In this line, the present study has been conducted to investigate the effects of type 1 and type 2 diabetes on the structural changes and hormonal output of the adrenal cortex in male Wistar rat.

Effects of infantile repeated hyperglycemia on neuronal density of hippocampus and pentylentetrazol induced convulsions in male wistar rats.

Objective(s): High blood glucose induces molecular, cellular, morphological and behavioral changes in the brain. Metabolic disturbances, contribute to the hippocampus injury and development of partial focal seizures. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of infantile repeated hyperglycemia on neuronal density of hippocampal CA3 region in newborn Wistar male rats and its effect on chemoconvulsant pentylentetrazol (PTZ) induced generalized seizures in adults.

Sodium selenite increases the transcript levels of iodothyronine deiodinases I and II in ovine and bovine fetal thyrocytes in vitro.

Selenium is essential for thyroid hormone homeostasis. Selenium is co-translationally incorporated into the protein backbone of 5' deiodinase enzymes, which are responsible for the intra- and extra-thyroidal activation of thyroid hormones. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium selenite on the transcript levels of type I (DIO1) and II (DIO2) deiodinases in the primary culture of ovine and bovine fetal thyroid.

The preventive effect of Brassica napus L. oil on pathophysiological changes of respiratory system in experimental asthmatic rat.

Objective: Asthma is an airway complex disease defined by reversible airway narrowing and obstruction, chronic airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and tissue remodeling. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Brassica napus L. (B.