Fungal-bacterial interactions and their relevance to oral health: linking the clinic and the bench.

High throughput sequencing has accelerated knowledge on the oral microbiome. While the bacterial component of oral communities has been extensively characterized, the role of the fungal microbiota in the oral cavity is largely unknown. Interactions among fungi and bacteria are likely to influence oral health as exemplified by the synergistic relationship between Candida albicans and oral streptococci.

Statins as bioactive molecules to support bone regeneration.

Statins are currently used as an effective cholesterol-lowering medication through inhibition of the mevalonate pathway, but recent studies show their potential for bone repair. The bone anabolic effects of statins have been largely attributed to their ability to enhance BMP-2 expression in osteoblast cells. In vitro studies have demonstrated that statins can increase the expression of osteogenic and angiogenic markers such as alkaline phosphatase, vascular endothelial growth factor, and osteocalcin in cells.

Phagosomal TLR signaling upon Borrelia burgdorferi infection.

Internalization and degradation of live Bb within phagosomal compartments of monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), allows for the release of lipoproteins, nucleic acids and other microbial products, triggering a broad and robust inflammatory response. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key players in the recognition of spirochetal ligands from whole viable organisms (i.e.

Docosahexaenoyl ethanolamide improves glucose uptake and alters endocannabinoid system gene expression in proliferating and differentiating C2C12 myoblasts.

Skeletal muscle is a major storage site for glycogen and a focus for understanding insulin resistance and type-2-diabetes. New evidence indicates that overactivation of the peripheral endocannabinoid system (ECS) in skeletal muscle diminishes insulin sensitivity. Specific n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are precursors for the biosynthesis of ligands that bind to and activate the cannabinoid receptors.

CD13 promotes mesenchymal stem cell-mediated regeneration of ischemic muscle.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent, tissue-resident cells that can facilitate tissue regeneration and thus, show great promise as potential therapeutic agents. Functional MSCs have been isolated and characterized from a wide array of adult tissues and are universally identified by the shared expression of a core panel of MSCs markers. One of these markers is the multifunctional cell surface peptidase CD13 that has been shown to be expressed on human and murine MSCs from many tissues.

Sonic hedgehog promotes generation and maintenance of human forebrain Olig2 progenitors.

Function of oligodendrocytes (OLs), myelin forming cells in the CNS, is disrupted in demyelinating diseases such as periventricular leukomalacia or multiple sclerosis. It is, thus, important to better understand factors that can affect generation or differentiation of human OLs. In rodents, Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is influencing expression of Olig2, a helix-loop-helix transcription factor required for development of OLs.

Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 and its role in ovarian follicle growth.

Progesterone (P4) is synthesized in the ovary and acts directly on granulosa cells of developing ovarian follicles to suppress their rate of mitosis and apoptosis. Granulosa cells do not express nuclear progesterone receptor (PGR) but rather progesterone receptor membrane component-1 (PGRMC1). PGRMC1 binds P4 and mediates P4's actions, as evidenced by PGRMC1 siRNA studies.

Microglia and ischemic stroke: a double-edged sword.

Inflammatory processes have a fundamental role in the pathophysiology of stroke. A key initial event is the rapid activation of resident immune cells, primarily microglia. This cell population is an important target for new therapeutic approaches to limit stroke damage.

Indy mutations and Drosophila longevity.

Decreased expression of the fly and worm Indy genes extends longevity. The fly Indy gene and its mammalian homolog are transporters of Krebs cycle intermediates, with the highest rate of uptake for citrate. Cytosolic citrate has a role in energy regulation by affecting fatty acid synthesis and glycolysis.

The impact of supplemental n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and dietary antioxidants on physical performance in postmenopausal women.

Objectives: Identify relationships and evaluate effects of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) on frailty and physical performance.

Design: Randomized, double blind pilot study.

Setting: University General Clinical Research Center.

Evaluation of the bioactivity of recombinant human lactoferrins toward murine osteoblast-like cells for bone tissue engineering.

Lactoferrin (LF), which belongs to the iron-binding transferrin family, is an important regulator of the levels of free iron in the body fluids. LF has raised significant interest as a bioactive protein due to its wide array of physiological effects on many different cell types, including osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The glycoprotein's degree of iron saturation has a pivotal influence on its physical structure.

Extrasynaptic glutamate receptor activation as cellular bases for dynamic range compression in pyramidal neurons.

Repetitive synaptic stimulation overcomes the ability of astrocytic processes to clear glutamate from the extracellular space, allowing some dendritic segments to become submerged in a pool of glutamate, for a brief period of time. This dynamic arrangement activates extrasynaptic NMDA receptors located on dendritic shafts. We used voltage-sensitive and calcium-sensitive dyes to probe dendritic function in this glutamate-rich location.

Global Approaches to the Role of miRNAs in Drug-Induced Changes in Gene Expression.

Neurons modulate gene expression with subcellular precision through excitation-coupled local protein synthesis, a process that is regulated in part through the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs. The biosynthesis of miRNAs is reviewed, with special emphasis on miRNA families, the subcellular localization of specific miRNAs in neurons, and their potential roles in the response to drugs of abuse. For over a decade, DNA microarrays have dominated genome-wide gene expression studies, revealing widespread effects of drug exposure on neuronal gene expression.

Patterning and compartment formation in the diencephalon.

The diencephalon gives rise to structures that play an important role in connecting the anterior forebrain with the rest of the central nervous system. The thalamus is the major diencephalic derivative that functions as a relay station between the cortex and other lower order sensory systems. Almost two decades ago, neuromeric/prosomeric models were proposed describing the subdivision and potential segmentation of the diencephalon.

Injectable hydrogels for bone and cartilage repair.

Injectable in situ crosslinkable gels are highly desirable clinically as they can be introduced into a body via a minimally invasive manner using endoscopic or percutaneous procedures. Several hydrophilic polymeric systems that respond to stimuli such as light, temperature, pH, ionic concentration as well as those that can undergo chemical reactions to form crosslinked matrices are currently under development. This paper discusses the applications of hydrogels as scaffolds to mimic the native extracellular matrix of bone and cartilage.

Adoption of the medical home in Connecticut.

Objective: To examine the implementation of key features of the medical home concept, with its emphasis on chronic care and disease management, care coordination, case management and timely access to care in Connecticut primary-care practices, and to examine predictors of its implementation in Connecticut.

Methods: Primary care physicians affiliated with the Connecticut Chapter of the American College of Physicians (n = 1088), the Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (n = 699), and the Connecticut Academy of Family Physicians (n = 376) were invited to participate in a brief online survey. Participation was limited to physicians who were actively engaged in primary-care medicine as determined by the respondent based on information provided as part of the survey.

Small bowel obstruction owing to displaced spiral tack after laparoscopic TAPP inguinal hernia repair.

Laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias has become a widely accepted technique owing to its safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction. Laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphies, such as the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and the totally extraperitoneal approaches, usually employ a method of fixation involving staples, titanium spiral tacks, or sutures to secure the mesh over the myopectineal orifice. The TAPP approach also requires closure of the peritoneal flap to exclude the mesh from the intraabdominal contents.

The Induction of Circulating, ACAID-Inducing Monocytes Requires CCR2/CCL2-Dependent Migration of Circulating F4/80(+) Cells into the Anterior Chamber.

To determine the origin of peripheral blood mononulclear cells (PBMC) that activate regulatory T cells in anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID), fluorescein-labeled PBMC were intravenously injected into mice before the mice received an intracameral injection of antigen. Six-24 hr after intracameral injection, fluorescein-labeled PBMC increased in the iris. Twenty-four-48 hr labeled cells decreased in the iris and increased in the thymus and spleen.