Increased osteopontin expression and mitochondrial swelling in 3-nitropropionic acid-injured rat brains.

Osteopontin (OPN) is involved in the regulation of calcium precipitation in the brain pathology including ischemia. A 3-Nitropropionic acid (3NP) irreversibly inhibits mitochondrial complex II in the electron transport chain, with subsequent loss of transmembrane potential and calcium entry into the mitochondria. The present study examined the 3NP-induced calcium elevation in mitochondria and OPN expression in the 3NP-lesioned striatum.

Adenovirus-mediated expression of human sodium-iodide symporter gene permits in vivo tracking of adipose tissue-derived stem cells in a canine myocardial infarction model.

Introduction: In vivo tracking of the transplanted stem cells is important in pre-clinical research of stem cell therapy for myocardial infarction. We examined the feasibility of adenovirus-mediated sodium iodide symporter (NIS) gene to cell tracking imaging of transplanted stem cells in a canine infarcted myocardium by clinical single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Methods: Beagle dogs were injected intramyocardially with NIS-expressing adenovirus-transfected canine stem cells (Ad-hNIS-canine ADSCs) a week after myocardial infarction (MI) development.

A descriptive study of employment patterns and work environment outcomes of specialist nurses in Canada.

Purpose/objectives: The purpose was to describe the number, demographic characteristics, work patterns, exit rates, and work perceptions of nurses in Ontario, Canada, in 4 specialty classifications: advanced practice nurse (APN)-clinical nurse specialist (CNS), APN-other, primary healthcare nurse practitioner [RN(extended class [EC])], and registered nurse (RN) with specialty certification. The objectives were to (1) describe how many qualified nurses are available by specialty class; (2) create a demographic profile of specialist nurses; (3) determine the proportions of specialist and nonspecialist nurses who leave (a) direct patient care and (b) nursing practice annually; (4) determine whether specialist and nonspecialist nurses differ in their self-ratings of work environment, job satisfaction, and intention to remain in nursing. Employment patterns refer to nurses' employment status (eg, full-time, part-time, casual), work duration (ie, length of employment in nurses and in current role), and work transitions (ie, movement in and out of the nursing workforce, and movement out of current role).

Tissue expression and cellular localization of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) mRNA in male mice.

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) is an ubiquitous antioxidant enzyme, but the exact expression pattern in mammalian tissues is still unknown. The expression and cellular localization of PHGPx mRNA were examined in male mice using real time-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization techniques. The rank order of PHGPx mRNA expression across tissues exhibiting substantial levels of expression was:testes >> heart > cerebrum > or = ileum > stomach = liver = jejunum > or = epididymis.