Immunocytochemical detection of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-IR in embryonic rat stomach between days 13 and 21 of gestation.

In this study, the localization and appearance of neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive (nNOS-IR) nerve cells and their relationships with the developing gastric layers were studied by immunocytochemistry techniques and light microscopy in embryonic rat stomach. The stomachs of Wistar rat embryos aged 13-21 days were used. The first nerve cells containing nNOS-IR were seen on embryonic Day 14. The occurrence of mesenchymal cell condensation near nNOS-IR neuroblasts on embryonic Day 15 may reflect an active nerve element-specific mesenchymal cell induction causing the morphogenesis of muscle cells. Similarly, the appearance of glandular structures after nNOS-IR neuroblasts, on embryonic Day 18, suggests that the epithelial differentiation may depend on inputs coming from nNOS-IR neuroblasts, as well as other factors. Observation of nNOS-IR nerve fibers on embryonic Day 21 demonstrates that at this stage they contribute to nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxation. In conclusion, depending on this study's results, it can be said that cells and tissues might be affected by NO secreted by nNOS-IR nerve cells during the development and differentiation of embryonic rat stomach.     

A framework for considering prior information in network-based approaches to omics data analysis

For decades, molecular biologists have been uncovering the mechanics of biological systems. Efforts to bring their findings together have led to the development of multiple databases and information systems that capture and present pathway information in a computable network format. Concurrently, the advent of modern omics technologies has empowered researchers to systematically profile cellular processes across different modalities. Numerous algorithms, methodologies, and tools have been developed to use prior knowledge networks (PKNs) in the analysis of omics datasets. Interestingly, it has been repeatedly demonstrated that the source of prior knowledge can greatly impact the results of a given analysis. For these methods to be successful it is paramount that their selection of PKNs is amenable to the data type and the computational task they aim to accomplish. Here we present a five-level framework that broadly describes network models in terms of their scope, level of detail, and ability to inform causal predictions. To contextualize this framework, we review a handful of network-based omics analysis methods at each level, while also describing the computational tasks they aim to accomplish.     

Triamcinolone up‐regulates GLUT 1 and GLUT 3 expression in cultured human placental endothelial cells

The placenta is a glucocorticoid target organ, and glucocorticoids (GCs) are essential for the development and maturation of fetal organs. They are widely used for treatment of a variety of diseases during pregnancy. In various tissues, GCs have regulated by glucose transport systems; however, their effects on glucose transporters in the human placental endothelial cells (HPECs) are unknown. In the present study, HPECs were cultured 24 h in the presence or absence of 0·5, 5 and 50 µmol·l^–1 of synthetic GC triamcinolone (TA). The glucose carrier proteins GLUT 1, GLUT 3 and GC receptor (GR) were detected in the HPECs. We showed increased expression of GLUT 1 and GLUT 3 proteins and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels (p < 0·05) after 24‐h cell culture in the presence of 0·5, 5 and 50 µmol·l^‐1 of TA. In contrast, GR protein and mRNA expressions were down‐regulated (p < 0·05) with 0·5, 5 and 50 µmol·l^–1 of TA 24‐h cell culture. The results demonstrate that GCs are potent regulators of placental GLUT 1 and GLUT 3 expression through GR. Excessive exposure to GCs causes maternal and fetal hypoglycemia and diminished fetal growth. We speculate that to compensate for fetal hypoglycemia and diminished fetal growth, the expression of placental endothelial glucose transporters might be increased. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biological Control of Fusarium Wilt in Tomato Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici by AMF Glomus intraradices and some Rhizobacteria

In the present study, the effects of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith and four rhizobacteria (RB; 58/1 and D/2: Pseudomonas fluorescens biovar II; 17: P. putida; 21: Enterobacter cloacae), which are the important members of the rhizosphere microflora and biological control agents against plant diseases, were examined in the pathosystem of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici [(Sacc) Syd. et Hans] (FOL) and tomato with respect to morphological parameters (fresh and dry root weight) and phosphorous (P) concentration in the roots. Treatments with single and dual inoculation with G. intraradices and RB strains reduced disease severity by 8.6–58.6%. Individual bacteria inoculations were more effective than both the single AMF and dual (G. intraradices + RB) inoculations. In addition, the RB and G. intraradices enhanced dry root weight effectively. Significant increases in root weights were recorded particularly in the triple inoculations compared with single or dual inoculations. Compared with the non‐treated controls all biological control agents increased P‐content of treated roots of plants. Colonization with RB increased especially in triple (FOL + G. intraradices + RB) inoculations whereas colonization of G. intraradices was significantly decreased in treatment of FOL + G. intraradices compared with triple inoculations. The results suggest that suitable combinations of these biocontrol agents may ameliorate plant growth and health.     

Predictors of Hypothyroidism Following Empirical Dose Radioiodine in Toxic Thyroid Nodules: Real-Life Experience

ObjectiveWe aimed to determine the factors predicting hypothyroidism after radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment in patients with toxic adenoma and toxic multinodular goiter.MethodsWe retrospectively collected the data of 237 patients with toxic multinodular goiter or toxic adenoma who had consecutively received RAI treatment between 2014 and 2020 at 2 medical centers. Patients who received the second RAI treatment and whose medical records could not be accessed were excluded from the study. Finally, 133 patients were included in the study. RAI was administered at an empirical dose of 15 or 20 mCi.ResultsThe median age of the 133 participants was 69 years (interquartile range, 62-75 years), and 64.7% of the participants were women. A total of 42.1% of the patients had toxic adenoma, whereas 57.9% of patients had toxic multinodular goiter. The median follow-up was 24 months (interquartile range, 11-38 months). During the follow-up, 61.7% of patients became euthyroid, 30.8% developed hypothyroidism, and 7.5% remained hyperthyroid. The median month of hypothyroidism onset was 4 months (interquartile range, 2-9 months). Regression analysis revealed 2 factors that could predict hypothyroidism: thyroid-stimulating hormone (odds ratio, 2.548; 95% CI, 1.042-6.231; P = .04) and thyroid volume (odds ratio, 0.930; 95% CI, 0.885-0.978; P = .005).ConclusionOverall, 30.8% of the cases developed hypothyroidism after the RAI treatment. Approximately 78% of hypothyroidism developed within the first 10 months. The risk of hypothyroidism was higher in patients with higher thyroid-stimulating hormone and smaller thyroid volume.     

Antinociceptive Effects in Normal and Diabetic Rats Exposed to 50?Hz Magnetic Field

The effects of repeated applications of alternating sinusoidal 50 Hz magnetic field, MF (B = 5.0 mT, 165-minlong sessions everyday, each including four 30-min-long exposures separated by 15-min-long intervals, carried out for 30 days), on thermonociception (estimated using the tail-flick test) were examined in intact rats, diabetic rats (induction by streptozotocin), and diabetic rats treated with insulin. Exposures to MF led to mild (several percent) increases in the tail-flick latency, TFL, immediately after each session and a sustained rather significant rise in this parameter (increment up to 40 %) developing with some delay, from 2 to 4 days. The latter effect was limited in time (lasting 2 days long); then, the TFLs tended to rapidly return to initial (or nearly initial) values. This intense hypoalgesic effect induced by MF exposures was observed on days 3 and 4 in normal rats, on days 4 and 5 in diabetic rats, and on days 5 and 6 in diabetic rats treated with insulin. Significant increases in the mean arterial blood pressure were observed in diabetic rats; exposures to MF exerted no significant influence on this parameter in both normal and diabetic animals. Mechanisms of the development of diabetic neuropathy and those of the hypoalgesic actions of MF are discussed. The MF-induced antinociception seems to be, in future, an attractive choice for the relief of acute and chronic symptoms in diabetic neuropathy, but further detailed studies are necessary to find optimum MF parameters, modes of application, and “time windows.”