Effects of reserpine, 6-hydroxydopamine,p-chlorophenylalanine and a combination of these substances on the grooming behaviour of mice

Reserpine has been shown to markedly reduce the grooming behaviour and body temperature of mice. These effects were accompanied by a profound reduction of the transmitter content of central and peripheral serotonergic and adrenergic neurons. Treatment of mice with 6-hydroxydopamine and p-chlorophenylalanine, which reduced the transmitter content to the same extent as treatment with reserpine, had no effect on the grooming behaviour or on the body temperature. It is tentatively suggested that the effect of reserpine on the grooming behaviour and body temperature has no relation to the reduction of the transmitter content of central and peripheral serotonergic and adrenergic neurons.     

Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-induced changes in prenatal growth and development of mice.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administered ip in 10% Tween 80 and saline to pregnant Swiss-Webster mice produced a significant incidence of in utero deaths, reduction of body size, and offspring with cleft palate. The embryocidal and fetocidal effects are related to both dosage and day of administration. THC, 50 mg/kg, administered during early organogenesis produced 49% resorptions, while the same dosage administered during late organogenesis produced no significant increase in fetal resorptions. This gestational period susceptibility can be obviated if the in utero organism is exposed acutely on individual gestational days, or chronically during the entire period of organogenesis. Single dosages of THC, 300 mg/kg, produced 77 and 78% fetal resorptions when administered on gestational Days 8 or 16, respectively. THC administered to pregnant mice significantly reduced the body weight of surviving fetuses. THC, 50 mg/kg, administered on gestational Days 10 and 11 reduced the mean fetal body weight by about 15% when compared to corresponding controls. The period of greater susceptibility to growth retardation actions was during gestational Days 10–16. Variations of female percentage of body weight gains were not significantly different from control groups. Examination of skeletal development showed no anomalies. THC produced offspring with cleft palate. Single dosages of THC, 300 mg/kg, produced 50 and 30% incidence of cleft palate when administered on gestational Days 12 or 14, respectively. Cleft palate occurred after multiple dosages of THC at 75, 80, and 100 mg/kg.     

Trichostatin A (TSA) sensitizes the human prostatic cancer cell line DU145 to death receptor ligands treatment

The human prostatic carcinoma cell line DU145 has previously been found to be resistant to treatment with TNF-family ligands. However, TRAIL, TNF-alpha and anti-Fas antibodies (Ab) treatment in combination with the histone deacetylase inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA) converted the phenotype of DU145 from resistant to sensitive. TSA induced 15% cell death but simultaneous treatment with TRAIL, TNF-alpha and anti-Fas Ab resulted in 55%, 70% and 40% cell death, respectively. Simultaneous treatment did not increase the level of TSA-induced histone acetylation, but induced the release of acetylated histones from chromatin into the cytosol. This release was caspase dependent since it was abrogated by Z-VAD-fmk. In addition, treatment with TSA induced caspase-9 activation and resulted in the release of cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO from mitochondria. To further investigate the role of caspase-9 in TSA-mediated apoptosis we used two different approaches: (1) cells were pretreated with the caspase-9 inhibitor Z-LEHD-fmk, and (2) cells were transfected with a dominant-negative form of caspase-9. Both approaches gave similar results: cells became resistant to treatment with TSA. These data indicate that TSA mediates its effect via the mitochondrial pathway. This was confirmed by examining DU145 overexpressing Bcl-2. These transfectants were resistant to TSA treatment. Taken together, our data shows that only simultaneous treatment with TNF-family ligands and TSA in DU145 resulted in caspase activity sufficient to induce apoptosis. The combination of TSA and TNF-family ligands could potentially be the basis for the treatment of prostate cancer.     

Über ausscheidung und stoffwechsel von perchlorat gemessen mit 36ClO4

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine Reinigungsmethode für radioaktiv markiertes Perchlorat beschrieben.Perchlorat wird von der Ratte in 60 Std Beobachtungszeit zu 95 bis 97% unzersetzt ausgeschieden.Die Ausscheidung verläuft bei höheren Dosen rascher als bei kleinen, besonders in den ersten Stunden.Die langsamere Ausscheidung bei kleinen Dosierungen kann durch Zugabe von Jodid oder Rhodanid beträchtlic beschleunigt werden. Die Werte entsprechen nicht einer einfachen Diffusion.Es wurde gezeigt, daß für diese Unterschiede nicht eine verschiedene Diurese verantwortlich gemacht werden kann, sondern Hofmeister-Effekte dabei beteiligt sind.Mit 3 TextabbildungenDie Arbeit wurde durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft mit Geldmitteln zur Beschaffung von Isotopen und Meßgeräten und durch die Strebel-Stiftung für Krebs- und Scharlachforschung durch Besoldung von Hilfskräften unterstützt.     

Influence of orthodontic movement on root length of autotransplanted immature third molars

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of orthodontic extrusion or derotation on final root length and root length increment in 75 autotransplanted immature third molars. Depending on the condition of the recipient site and the root morphology, transplants had to be placed in extreme rotated or infra-occluded position. Three to six months after transplantation, these transplants were derotated to a correct position in the dental arch (derotation group, n = 19) or extruded to the occlusal plane (extrusion group, n=18). Thirty-eight transplants with no orthodontic treatment need served as controls (control group). Transplants were followed clinically and radiologically for a mean period of 4.0 yr. No statistically significant differences were observed between the extrusion and the control groups or between the single-rooted transplants in the different groups. In contrast, multi-rooted transplants in the derotation group showed a statistically significantly shorter final root length than multi-rooted transplants in the extrusion and the control groups. However, as these differences may be considered to be of minor clinical importance (<1 mm), it can be concluded that the effect of orthodontic movement on root development of transplanted immature third molars is of only negligible clinical significance.     

Yogurt and gut function

In recent years, numerous studies have been published on the health effects of yogurt and the bacterial cultures used in the production of yogurt. In the United States, these lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) include Lactobacillus and Streptococcus species. The benefits of yogurt and LAB on gastrointestinal health have been investigated in animal models and, occasionally, in human subjects. Some studies using yogurt, individual LAB species, or both showed promising health benefits for certain gastrointestinal conditions, including lactose intolerance, constipation, diarrheal diseases, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, and allergies. Patients with any of these conditions could possibly benefit from the consumption of yogurt. The benefits of yogurt consumption to gastrointestinal function are most likely due to effects mediated through the gut microflora, bowel transit, and enhancement of gastrointestinal innate and adaptive immune responses. Although substantial evidence currently exists to support a beneficial effect of yogurt consumption on gastrointestinal health, there is inconsistency in reported results, which may be due to differences in the strains of LAB used, in routes of administration, or in investigational procedures or to the lack of objective definition of "gut health." Further well-designed, controlled human studies of adequate duration are needed to confirm or extend these findings.