Adolescent Parvalbumin Expression in the Left Orbitofrontal Cortex Shapes Sociability in Female Mice.

The adolescent social experience is essential for the maturation of the prefrontal cortex in mammalian species. However, it still needs to be determined which cortical circuits mature with such experience and how it shapes adult social behaviors in a sex-specific manner. Here, we examined social-approaching behaviors in male and female mice after postweaning social isolation (PWSI), which deprives social experience during adolescence.

Heritable Virus-Induced Genome Editing (VIGE) in Nicotiana attenuata.

The CRISPR/Cas9 system is an extremely powerful tool for targeted mutagenesis in plants. However, plant genome editing relies on the labor-intensive plant regeneration method for generating gene-edited plants. To overcome this bottleneck, several virus-induced genome editing (VIGE) techniques have been developed.

RPS5A Promoter-Driven Cas9 Produces Heritable Virus-Induced Genome Editing in .

The virus-induced genome editing (VIGE) system aims to induce targeted mutations in seeds without requiring any tissue culture. Here, we show that tobacco rattle virus (TRV) harboring guide RNA (gRNA) edits germ cells in a wild tobacco, , that expresses Cas9 (SpCas9). We first generated transgenic plants expressing SpCas9 under the control of 35S promoter and infected rosette leaves with TRV carrying gRNA.

Diagnosis and Simultaneous Treatment of Musculoskeletal Injury Using HO-Triggered Echogenic Antioxidant Polymer Nanoparticles in a Rat Model of Contusion Injury.

Ultrasound is clinically used for diagnosis and interventions for musculoskeletal injuries like muscle contusion, but contrast of ultrasonography still remains a challenge in the field of the musculoskeletal system. A level of hydrogen peroxide (HO) is known to be elevated during mechanical tissue damage and therefore HO can be exploited as a diagnostic and therapeutic marker for mechanical injuries in the musculoskeletal system. We previously developed poly(vanillin-oxalate) (PVO) as an inflammation-responsive polymeric prodrug of vanillin, which is designed to rapidly respond to HO and exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Ribozyme-processed guide RNA enhances virus-mediated plant genome editing.

In virus-induced gene-editing system, subgenomic promoters have been used to express guide RNAs (gRNAs). However, the transcription initiation site of the subgenomic promoters remains elusive. Here, we examined the sequence of gRNAs expressed by subgenomic promoters and found the variable length of overhangs at 5'-end of gRNAs.

Virus-induced plant genome editing.

Plant viruses have been engineered to express heterologous proteins and RNAs in plants for several decades. This viral system can now be applied to editing plant genomes. Virus vectors can deliver Cas proteins and guide RNAs, two key components of the CRISPR gene-editing system, into a plant cell without a complicated experimental procedure.

A multiplex guide RNA expression system and its efficacy for plant genome engineering.

Background: The CRISPR system is composed of a Cas9 endonuclease (Cas9) and a single-stranded guide RNA (gRNA) harboring a target-specific sequence. Theoretically, Cas9 proteins could cleave as many targeted loci as gRNAs bind in a genome.

Results: We introduce a PCR-free multiple gRNA cloning system for editing plant genomes.

Oncogenic KRAS Sensitizes Lung Adenocarcinoma to GSK-J4-Induced Metabolic and Oxidative Stress.

Genetic and epigenetic changes (e.g., histone methylation) contribute to cancer development and progression, but our understanding of whether and how specific mutations affect a cancer's sensitivity to histone demethylase (KDM) inhibitors is limited.

Efficacy of Virtual Reality Combined With Real Instrument Training for Patients With Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of real instrument training in virtual reality (VR) environment for improving upper-extremity and cognitive function after stroke.

Design: Single-blind, randomized trial.

Setting: Medical center.

Ultrasonographic Imaging and Anti-inflammatory Therapy of Muscle and Tendon Injuries Using Polymer Nanoparticles.

Ultrasonography is a reliable diagnostic modality for muscle and tendon injuries, but it has been challenging to find right diagnosis of minor musculoskeletal injuries by conventional ultrasonographic imaging. A large amount of hydrogen peroxide (HO) are known to be generated during tissue damages such as mechanical injury and therefore HO holds great potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic marker for mechanical injuries in the musculoskeletal system. We previously developed poly(vanillyl alcohol--oxalate) (PVAX), which rapidly scavenges HO and exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in HO-associated diseases.

Inhibition of Janus activated kinase-3 protects against myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in mice.

Recent studies have documented that Janus-activated kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway can modulate the apoptotic program in a myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model. To date, however, limited studies have examined the role of JAK3 on myocardial I/R injury. Here, we investigated the potential effects of pharmacological JAK3 inhibition with JANEX-1 in a myocardial I/R model.

Angiotensin III stimulates high stretch-induced ANP secretion via angiotensin type 2 receptor.

Angiotensin III (Ang III) is metabolized from Ang II by aminopeptidase (AP) A and in turn, Ang III is metabolized to Ang IV by APN. Ang III is known to have a similar effect to Ang II on aldosterone secretion, but the effect of Ang III on atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion from cardiac atria is not known. The aim of the present study is to define the effect of Ang III on ANP secretion and its receptor subtype using isolated perfused beating atria.

Captopril intake decreases body weight gain via angiotensin-(1-7).

Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] plays a beneficial role in cardiovascular physiology by providing a counterbalance to the function of angiotensin II (Ang II). Although Ang II has been shown to be an adipokine secreted by adipocyte and affect lipid metabolism, the role of Ang-(1-7) in adipose tissue remains to be clarified. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Ang-(1-7) affects lipid metabolism in adipose tissue.

Angiotensin-(1-7) attenuates hypertension in exercise-trained renal hypertensive rats.

Angiotensin-(1-7) [ANG-(1-7)] plays a counterregulatory role to angiotensin II in the renin-angiotensin system. In trained spontaneous hypertensive rats, Mas expression and protein are upregulated in ventricular tissue. Therefore, we examined the role of ANG-(1-7) on cardiac hemodynamics, cardiac functions, and cardiac remodeling in trained two-kidney one-clip hypertensive (2K1C) rats.

Caveolae are essential for angiotensin II type 1 receptor-mediated ANP secretion.

Caveolae may act as mechanosensors and function as binding sites for calcium ions. The intracaveolar localization of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) derived from the direct interaction of atrial granules with caveolae has been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to define the effect of caveolae on ANP secretion induced by stretch and angiotensin II.

Suppression of ANP secretion by somatostatin through somatostatin receptor type 2.

Somatostatin is a cyclic-14 amino acid peptide which mainly distributed in digestive system and brain. Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) is a G-protein coupled receptor and all five SSTR subtypes are expressed in cardiomyocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of somatostatin on atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion and its signaling pathway.

Oxidative stress augments the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide in isolated rat atria.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and heart failure. The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of endogenous ROS in atrial hemodynamics and ANP secretion in isolated perfused beating rat atria. Pyrogallol (a generator of superoxide anion, 0.

Endogenous angiotensin II suppresses stretch-induced ANP secretion via AT1 receptor pathway.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is released by stretch of cardiac myocytes and has paracrine and autocrine effects on cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts. However, the direct effect of Ang II on the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is unclear. The aim of the present study is to test whether Ang II affects stretch-induced ANP secretion.

Urotensin II receptor antagonist attenuates monocrotaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats.

Urotensin II (UII) is a vasoactive peptide with potent cardiovascular effects through a G protein-coupled receptor. Hypoxia stimulates the secretion of UII and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). However, the effect of UII on hypoxia-induced cardiac hypertrophy is still controversial.

Angiotensin-(1-7) attenuates hyposmolarity-induced ANP secretion via the Na+-K+ pump.

The alteration in osmolarity challenges cell volume regulation, a vital element for cell survival. Hyposmolarity causes an increase in cell volume. Recently, it has been reported that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a role in cell volume regulation.

Upregulation of ANP and NPR-C mRNA in the kidney and heart of eNOS knockout mice.

Objectives: The aim of the present studywas to examine the question of whether the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) system is altered by endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS).

Methods: Male eNOS-deficient mice (eNOS-/-) and wild type control mice (eNOS+/+, C57B1/6J) were used. Blood pressure was measured in anesthetized mice by tail cuff plethysmography and renal function was measured.

Angiotensin-(1-7) stimulates high atrial pacing-induced ANP secretion via Mas/PI3-kinase/Akt axis and Na+/H+ exchanger.

Angiotensin-(1-7) [ANG-(1-7)], one of the bioactive peptides produced in the renin-angiotensin system, plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular physiology by providing a counterbalance to the function of ANG II. Recently, it has been considered as a potential candidate for therapeutic use in the treatment of various types of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study is to explain the modulatory role of ANG-(1-7) in atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion and investigate the functional relationship between two peptides to induce cardiovascular effects using isolated perfused beating rat atria and a cardiac hypertrophied rat model.