Ca-imaging and photo-manipulation of the simple gut of zebrafish larvae in vivo.

Zebrafish larval gut could be considered as an excellent model to study functions of vertebrate digestive organs, by virtue of its simplicity and transparency as well as the availability of mutants. However, there has been scant investigation of the detailed behavior of muscular and enteric nervous systems to convey bolus, an aggregate of digested food. Here we visualized peristalsis using transgenic lines expressing a genetically encoded Ca sensor in the circular smooth muscles.

Stochastic Ca(2+) waves that propagate through the neuroepithelium in limited distances of the brain and retina imaged with GCaMP3 in zebrafish embryos.

Ca(2+) plays important roles in animal development and behavior. Various Ca(2+) transients during development have been reported in non-neuronal tissues, mainly by using synthesized calcium indicators. Here we used GCaMP3, a genetically encoded calcium indicator, to monitor stochastic Ca(2+) waves, in zebrafish embryos.

Positive effect on bone fusion by the combination of platelet-rich plasma and a gelatin β-tricalcium phosphate sponge: a study using a posterolateral fusion model of lumbar vertebrae in rats.

We developed a novel method for bone fusion by combining platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and a gelatin β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) sponge. The PRP is an autologous concentration of platelets that includes several growth factors. The gelatin β-TCP sponge comprises gelatin and β-TCP, thus enabling the sustained release of growth factors and osteoconduction.

Characterization of in vivo effects of platelet-rich plasma and biodegradable gelatin hydrogel microspheres on degenerated intervertebral discs.

We have previously shown that administration of platelet-rich plasma-impregnated gelatin hydrogel microspheres (PRP-GHMs) into a degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD) markedly suppresses progression of IVD degeneration. In the current study, we characterized the in vivo effects of PRP-GHM treatment in a degenerated IVD model in rabbit. On magnetic resonance images, the IVD height was significantly greater after treatment with PRP-GHMs compared with phosphate-buffered saline-impregnated GHMs, PRP without GHMs, and needle puncture only.