Potentiation of NMDA Receptors by AT1 Angiotensin Receptor Activation in Layer V Pyramidal Neurons of the Rat Prefrontal Cortex.

NMDA receptors in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) play a crucial role in cognitive functions. Previous research has indicated that angiotensin II (Ang II) affects learning and memory. This study aimed to examine how Ang II impacts NMDA receptor activity in layer V pyramidal cells of the rat PFC.

Monitoring correlates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell culture using a two-photon-active calcium-sensitive dye.

Background: The organism-wide effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral infection are well studied, but little is known about the dynamics of how the infection spreads in time among or within cells due to the scarcity of suitable high-resolution experimental systems. It has been reported that SARS-CoV-2 infection pathways converge at calcium influx and subcellular calcium distribution changes. Imaging combined with a proper staining technique is an effective tool for studying subcellular calcium-related infection and replication mechanisms at such resolutions.

Electrospun polysuccinimide scaffolds containing different salts as potential wound dressing material.

In this research, we applied electrospinning to create a two-component biodegradable polymeric scaffold containing polysuccinimide (PSI) and antibacterial salts. Antibacterial agents for therapeutical purposes mostly contain silver ions which are associated with high environmental impact and, in some cases, may cause undesired immune reactions. In our work, we prepared nanofibrous systems containing antibacterial and tissue-regenerating salts of zinc acetate or strontium nitrate in different concentrations, whose structures may be suitable for developing biomedical wound dressing systems in the future.

The Role of TRPM7 in Oncogenesis.

This review summarizes the current understanding of the role of transient receptor potential melastatin-subfamily member 7 (TRPM7) channels in the pathophysiology of neoplastic diseases. The TRPM family represents the largest and most diverse group in the TRP superfamily. Its subtypes are expressed in virtually all human organs playing a central role in (patho)physiological events.

The Wisdom in Teeth: Neuronal Differentiation of Dental Pulp Cells.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are found in almost all postnatal organs. Under appropriate environmental cues, multipotency enables MSCs to serve as progenitors for several lineage-specific, differentiated cell types. expansion and differentiation of MSCs give the opportunity to obtain hardly available somatic cells, such as neurons.

Safety of chronic hypertonic bicarbonate inhalation in a cigarette smoke-induced airway irritation guinea pig model.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often associated with airway fluid acidification. Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene leads to impaired bicarbonate secretion contributing to CF airway pathology. Chronic cigarette smoke (CS) -the major cause of COPD- is reported to induce acquired CFTR dysfunction underlying airway acidification and inflammation.

User Experience and Sustainability of 3D Printing in Dentistry.

Background: 3D printing is a rapidly developing technology in the healthcare industry and in dentistry. Its application clearly shows that this area of digital dentistry has potential for everyday usage across all fields, including prosthodontics, orthodontics, maxillofacial surgery, and oral implantology. However, despite gaining ground, there is a lack of information about how specialists (dentists and dental technicians) use additive technology.

Rheological effects of hypertonic saline and sodium bicarbonate solutions on cystic fibrosis sputum in vitro.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening multiorgan genetic disease, particularly affecting the lungs, where recurrent infections are the main cause of reduced life expectancy. In CF, mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein impair transepithelial electrolyte and water transport, resulting in airway dehydration, and a thickening of the mucus associated with abnormal viscoelastic properties. Our aim was to develop a rheological method to assess the effects of hypertonic saline (NaCl) and NaHCO on CF sputum viscoelasticity in vitro, and to identify the critical steps in sample preparation and in the rheological measurements.

Bicarbonate Evokes Reciprocal Changes in Intracellular Cyclic di-GMP and Cyclic AMP Levels in .

The formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in CF patients. Cyclic di-GMP and cyclic AMP are second messengers regulating the bacterial lifestyle transition in response to environmental signals. We aimed to investigate the effects of extracellular pH and bicarbonate on intracellular c-di-GMP and cAMP levels, and on biofilm formation.

Three-Dimensional Culture of Ameloblast-Originated HAT-7 Cells for Functional Modeling of Defective Tooth Enamel Formation.

Amelogenesis, the formation of dental enamel, is well understood at the histomorphological level but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly characterized. Ameloblasts secrete enamel matrix proteins and Ca, and also regulate extracellular pH as the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals generates large quantities of protons. Genetic or environmental impairment of transport and regulatory processes (e.

TRPM7-Mediated Calcium Transport in HAT-7 Ameloblasts.

TRPM7 plays an important role in cellular Ca, Zn and Mg homeostasis. TRPM7 channels are abundantly expressed in ameloblasts and, in the absence of TRPM7, dental enamel is hypomineralized. The potential role of TRPM7 channels in Ca transport during amelogenesis was investigated in the HAT-7 rat ameloblast cell line.

Antibacterial Effects of Bicarbonate in Media Modified to Mimic Cystic Fibrosis Sputum.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding an epithelial anion channel. In CF, Cl and HCO hyposecretion, together with mucin hypersecretion, leads to airway dehydration and production of viscous mucus. This habitat is ideal for colonization by pathogenic bacteria.

Bicarbonate Inhibits Bacterial Growth and Biofilm Formation of Prevalent Cystic Fibrosis Pathogens.

We investigated the effects of bicarbonate on the growth of several different bacteria as well as its effects on biofilm formation and intracellular cAMP concentration in . Biofilm formation was examined in 96-well plates, with or without bicarbonate. The cAMP production of bacteria was measured by a commercial assay kit.

No Change in Bicarbonate Transport but Tight-Junction Formation Is Delayed by Fluoride in a Novel Ameloblast Model.

We have recently developed a novel model using HAT-7 rat ameloblast cells to functionally study epithelial ion transport during amelogenesis. Our present aims were to identify key transporters of bicarbonate in HAT-7 cells and also to examine the effects of fluoride exposure on vectorial bicarbonate transport, cell viability, and the development of transepithelial resistance. To obtain monolayers, the HAT-7 cells were cultured on Transwell permeable filters.

Importance of bicarbonate transport in pH control during amelogenesis - need for functional studies.

Dental enamel, the hardest mammalian tissue, is produced by ameloblasts. Ameloblasts show many similarities to other transporting epithelia although their secretory product, the enamel matrix, is quite different. Ameloblasts direct the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals, which liberate large quantities of protons that then need to be buffered to allow mineralization to proceed.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Dental Origin-Their Potential for Antiinflammatory and Regenerative Actions in Brain and Gut Damage.

Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain and spinal cord injury and neuroinflammatory multiple sclerosis are diverse disorders of the central nervous system. However, they are all characterized by various levels of inappropriate inflammatory/immune response along with tissue destruction. In the gastrointestinal system, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is also a consequence of tissue destruction resulting from an uncontrolled inflammation.

Investigation of the inhibitory effects of the benzodiazepine derivative, 5-BDBD on P2X4 purinergic receptors by two complementary methods.

Background/aims: ATP-gated P2X4 purinergic receptors (P2X4Rs) are cation channels with important roles in diverse cell types. To date, lack of specific inhibitors has hampered investigations on P2X4Rs. Recently, the benzodiazepine derivative, 5-BDBD has been proposed to selectively inhibit P2X4Rs.

Inhibition of the human epithelial calcium channel TRPV6 by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB).

TRPV6, a highly calcium-selective member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel superfamily, is a major pathway for calcium absorption in the fetal and adult body. It is expressed abundantly in the duodenum, the placenta and exocrine tissues. TRVP6 was postulated to contribute to store-operated calcium channel (SOC) activity in certain cell types such as exocrine cells.

The ΔF508-CFTR mutation inhibits wild-type CFTR processing and function when co-expressed in human airway epithelia and in mouse nasal mucosa.

Background: Rescue or correction of CFTR function in native epithelia is the ultimate goal of CF therapeutics development. Wild-type (WT) CFTR introduction and replacement is also of particular interest. Such therapies may be complicated by possible CFTR self-assembly into an oligomer or multimer.

Human Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes are distinguished by calcium flux regulation during the first 10 min of lymphocyte activation.

Preliminary data suggest different intracellular calcium handling of Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes that may contribute to distinct cytokine production patterns. In this study we explored the contribution of the main mechanisms in charge of the elevation and decrease of cytoplasmic free calcium levels, i.e.

Extracellular alkalinization stimulates calcium-activated chloride conductance in cystic fibrosis human airway epithelial cells.

Background: The pH of the airway surface liquid (ASL) plays a pivotal role in maintaining the proper function of the respiratory epithelium. In patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) acidic ASL has been observed. Thus, alkalinization of ASL itself might be beneficial in CF.

Heavy metal cations permeate the TRPV6 epithelial cation channel.

TRPV6 belongs to the vanilloid family of the transient receptor potential channel (TRP) superfamily. This calcium-selective channel is highly expressed in the duodenum and the placenta, being responsible for calcium absorption in the body and fetus. Previous observations have suggested that TRPV6 is not only permeable to calcium but also to other divalent cations in epithelial tissues.

New therapeutic targets in ulcerative colitis: the importance of ion transporters in the human colon.

Background: The absorption of water and ions (especially Na(+) and Cl(-)) is an important function of colonic epithelial cells in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Despite the comprehensive animal studies, there are only scarce available data on the ion transporter activities of the normal and inflamed human colon.

Methods: In this study, 128 healthy controls and 69 patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC) were involved.

Calcium entry is regulated by Zn2+ in relation to extracellular ionic environment in human airway epithelial cells.

The extracellular pH, sodium and divalent cation concentrations influence the ATP-induced changes in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). This elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) and activation of Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) channels represent a possible therapeutic approach in cystic fibrosis (CF). We investigated the changes of [Ca(2+)](i) in different external ionic environment, and P2X purinergic receptors (P2XRs) expression in the control and CF airway epithelial cells.