A randomized trial comparing cadaveric dissection and examination of prosections as applied surgical anatomy teaching pedagogies.

Anatomy is an important component in the vertical integration of basic science and clinical practice. Two common pedagogies are cadaveric dissection and examination of prosected specimens. Comparative studies mostly evaluate their immediate effectiveness.

Localisation of Formyl-Peptide Receptor 2 in the Rat Central Nervous System and Its Role in Axonal and Dendritic Outgrowth.

Arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) released by the action of phospholipases A (PLA) on membrane phospholipids may be metabolized by lipoxygenases to the anti-inflammatory mediators lipoxin A4 (LXA4) and resolvin D1 (RvD1), and these can bind to a common receptor, formyl-peptide receptor 2 (FPR2). The contribution of this receptor to axonal or dendritic outgrowth is unknown. The present study was carried out to elucidate the distribution of FPR2 in the rat CNS and its role in outgrowth of neuronal processes.

Expression of DHA-Metabolizing Enzyme Alox15 is Regulated by Selective Histone Acetylation in Neuroblastoma Cells.

The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is enriched in neural membranes of the CNS, and recent studies have shown a role of DHA metabolism by 15-lipoxygenase-1 (Alox15) in prefrontal cortex resolvin D1 formation, hippocampo-prefrontal cortical long-term-potentiation, spatial working memory, and anti-nociception/anxiety. In this study, we elucidated epigenetic regulation of Alox15 via histone modifications in neuron-like cells. Treatment of undifferentiated SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors trichostatin A (TSA) and sodium butyrate significantly increased Alox15 mRNA expression.

Distribution of Alox15 in the Rat Brain and Its Role in Prefrontal Cortical Resolvin D1 Formation and Spatial Working Memory.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is enriched in membrane phospholipids of the central nervous system (CNS) and has a role in aging and neuropsychiatric disorders. DHA is metabolized by the enzyme Alox15 to 17S-hydroxy-DHA, which is then converted to 7S-hydroperoxy,17S-hydroxy-DHA by a 5-lipoxygenase, and thence via epoxy intermediates to the anti-inflammatory molecule, resolvin D1 (RvD1 or 7S,8R,17S-trihydroxy-docosa-Z,9E,11E,13Z,15E,19Z-hexaenoic acid). In this study, we investigated the distribution and function of Alox15 in the CNS.

Clinacanthus nutans Extracts Modulate Epigenetic Link to Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 Expression in SH-SY5Y Cells and Primary Cortical Neurons.

Clinacanthus nutans Lindau (C. nutans), commonly known as Sabah Snake Grass in southeast Asia, is widely used in folk medicine due to its analgesic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Our recent study provided evidence for the regulation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) mRNA expression by epigenetic factors (Tan et al.

Epigenetic Regulation of Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 in SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells.

Group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2 or PLA2G4A) is a key enzyme that contributes to inflammation via the generation of arachidonic acid and eicosanoids. While much is known about regulation of cPLA2 by posttranslational modification such as phosphorylation, little is known about its epigenetic regulation. In this study, treatment with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, trichostatin A (TSA), valproic acid, tubacin and the class I HDAC inhibitor, MS-275, were found to increase cPLA2α messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.

Unilateral ureteric stone associated with gross hydronephrosis and kidney shrinkage: a cadaveric report.

Ureteric stones are a common cause of obstruction of the urinary tract, usually presenting with characteristic signs and symptoms, such as acute ureteric colic and hematuria. Occasionally, stones may present with non-specific symptoms such as low back pain and remain unidentified, leading to stone growth, chronic ureteric obstruction and complications such as hydronephrosis and renal damage. Here, we report a large ureteric stone in a cadaver with complete obstruction at the left ureterovesical junction, resulting in severe dilatation of the left ureter and renal pelvis.

Docosahexaenoic acid and L-Carnitine prevent ATP loss in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells after exposure to silver nanoparticles.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most commonly used nanomaterials, but thus far, little is known about ways to mitigate against potential toxic effects of exposure. In this study, we examined the potential effects of AgNPs on mitochondrial function and cellular ATP levels, and whether these could be prevented by treatment with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and L-carnitine (LC). Acute exposure of AgNPs for 1 h to SH-SY5Y cells resulted in decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and decreased ATP and ADP levels, indicating mitochondrial damage and reduced production of ATP.

Brain 3-Mercaptopyruvate Sulfurtransferase (3MST): Cellular Localization and Downregulation after Acute Stroke.

3-Mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST) is an important enzyme for the synthesis of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the brain. We present here data that indicate an exclusively localization of 3MST in astrocytes. Regional distribution of 3MST activities is even and unremarkable.

Diffusion tensor tractography: corticospinal tract fiber reduction is associated with temporary hemiparesis in benign extracerebral lesions.

Objective: Benign extracerebral lesions such as meningiomas may cause hemiparesis by compression and deviation without infiltrating the white matter. We used magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging and diffusion tensor tractography to investigate the effects of benign extracerebral lesions on the corticospinal tract (CST).

Methods: Thirteen patients with extracerebral lesions (11 benign meningiomas and 2 benign cysts) underwent magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging and diffusion tensor tractography of the CST using fiber assignment by continuous tractography.

Heat shock proteins and neurodegenerative disorders.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are evolutionarily conserved molecules and play important roles in fundamental cellular processes. They serve as molecular chaperones and hence provide a protective function in ensuring cell survival and repair of cellular damage after a stressful stimulus. This paper summarizes the current knowledge about the different roles of HSPs in aging and disease, focusing on the neurodegenerative disorders of Alzheimer's marks disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's marks disease, and prion disease.

Combinatorial-approached neuroprotection using pan-caspase inhibitor and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor following experimental stroke in rats; is there additional benefit?

Energy requiring apoptosis and presumably unregulated necrosis are considered conceptually and morphologically distinct forms of cell death which have been initially identified as two exclusive pathways. However, several apoptotic characteristics have been observed in the necrotic core lesion in ischemia which led to the controversial theory that cell death advances via a number of hybrid pathways among a continuum between the two processes. ATP availability has been shown to influence the decision between apoptosis and necrosis.

A novel methodology to probe endothelial differential gene expression profile reveals novel genes.

Endothelial dysfunction is a major feature of vascular diseases. A practical, minimally invasive method to effectively "probe" gene transcription for an individual patient's endothelium has potential to "customize" assessment for an individual at risk of vascular disease as well as pathophysiologic insight in an in vivo human, clinical context. Published literature lacks a methodology to identify endothelial differential gene expression in individuals with vascular disease.

Oligodendrocytes regulate formation of nodes of Ranvier via the recognition molecule OMgp.

The molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of oligodendrocytes in formation of the nodes of Ranvier (NORs) remain poorly understood. Here we show that oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein (OMgp) aggregates specifically at NORs. Nodal location of OMgp does not occur along demyelinated axons of either Shiverer or proteolipid protein (PLP) transgenic mice.

Alterations in spatial learning and memory after forced exercise.

Exercise has been shown to influence learning and memory. Most studies were performed with a voluntary running paradigm (e.g.

High plasma cyst(e)ine level may indicate poor clinical outcome in patients with acute stroke: possible involvement of hydrogen sulfide.

Cysteine is known to cause neuronal cell death and has been reported to be elevated in brain ischemia, but it has not been studied in clinical stroke. In this study, we correlated plasma levels of cyst(e)ine with long-term clinical outcome at 3 months in acute stroke. Patients were classified into 3 groups at 3 months as follows: good outcome (Rankin 0-1, n = 11), poor outcome (Rankin 2-5, n = 20), and dead (n = 5).

Factors contributing to neuronal degeneration in retinas of experimental glaucomatous rats.

After our studies on ganglion cell degeneration in the glaucomatous retina, the current work further confirmed the reduction of amacrine cells in the retina after the onset of glaucoma. Present study also tried to understand the possible mechanisms underlying neuronal degeneration in the glaucomatous retina. Changes of expressions in immediate early genes (IEGs), glutamate receptors (GluRs), calcium-binding proteins (CaBPs), 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), as well as apoptotic-related factors including caspase 3, bax, and bcl-2 were examined.

Distinct roles of oxidative stress and antioxidants in the nucleus dorsalis and red nucleus following spinal cord hemisection.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration after the acute central nervous system injury. We reported previously that increased nitric oxide (NO) production following spinal cord hemisection tends to lead to neurodegeneration in neurons of the nucleus dorsalis (ND) that normally lacks expression of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) in opposition to those in the red nucleus (RN) that constitutively expresses nNOS. We wondered whether oxidative stress could be a mechanism underlying this NO involved neurodegeneration.

Role of GABA in electro-acupuncture therapy on cerebral ischemia induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in rats.

This study investigated the possible involvement of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the therapeutic effect of cerebral ischemia by electro-acupuncture (EA) using the rat model with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). By immunohistochemistry, the changes of GABA expression level in the primary infarct area and its penumbral regions were examined. The changes in infarct area and survival neuron percentages were also assessed using haematoxylin and eosin stained sections after picrotoxin (PTX) injection, a GABA receptor's antagonist.

Gene transfer to dorsal root ganglia by intrathecal injection: effects on regeneration of peripheral nerves.

Gene delivery to sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) offers the prospect of developing new clinical interventions against peripheral nerve diseases and disorders. Here we show that genes can be transferred to rat DRG through lumbar intrathecal injection of delivery vectors into the cerebrospinal fluid. Genes could be transferred to DRG using polyethylenimine (PEI)/DNA complexes, Lipofectamine 2000/DNA complexes, adeno-associated virus vectors, or baculovirus vectors.

The effect of chronic bladder outlet obstruction on neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression in the intramural ganglia of the guinea pig bladder.

Purpose: We examined the effect of chronic partial outlet obstruction on expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the intramural ganglion cells of the guinea pig bladder.

Materials And Methods: Partial urethral ligation was done in young male guinea pigs. The animals were sacrificed 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks after partial outlet obstruction and nNOS immunohistochemistry was done in the intramural neurons of the bladder.

Expression of glutamate receptors and calcium-binding proteins in the retina of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

This study was aimed to investigate the expression of glutamate receptors and calcium-binding proteins in 1- and 4-month/s (mo) streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Upregulation of glutamate receptors' [N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)1 and GluR2/3] immunoreactivities was observed in the ganglion, amacrine and bipolar cells as well as in the inner and outer plexiform layers (IPL and OPL) in 1 mo diabetes and was further enhanced at 4 mo. Immunoreactivity of calcium-binding proteins (calbindin and parvalbumin) was also concomitantly increased.

Nogo-A at CNS paranodes is a ligand of Caspr: possible regulation of K(+) channel localization.

We report Nogo-A as an oligodendroglial component congregating and interacting with the Caspr-F3 complex at paranodes. However, its receptor Nogo-66 receptor (NgR) does not segregate to specific axonal domains. CHO cells cotransfected with Caspr and F3, but not with F3 alone, bound specifically to substrates coated with Nogo-66 peptide and GST-Nogo-66.

F3/contactin acts as a functional ligand for Notch during oligodendrocyte maturation.

Axon-derived molecules are temporally and spatially required as positive or negative signals to coordinate oligodendrocyte differentiation. Increasing evidence suggests that, in addition to the inhibitory Jagged1/Notch1 signaling cascade, other pathways act via Notch to mediate oligodendrocyte differentiation. The GPI-linked neural cell recognition molecule F3/contactin is clustered during development at the paranodal region, a vital site for axoglial interaction.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase and bcl-2 expression in nasopharyngeal cancer: correlation with outcome of patients after radiotherapy.

Purpose: The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and bcl-2 proteins was evaluated and the prognostic significance determined in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients treated by radiotherapy.

Methods And Materials: Tissue sections from 55 patients with NPC were assessed for iNOS and bcl-2 protein expression by immunohistochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy, and in situ hybridization before treatment. The markers were correlated with apoptosis (detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay) and clinicopathologic parameters.