Effect of magnetic field on pineal gland volume and pinealocyte size in the rat

Abstract: Light microscopic observations on the superficial pineal gland of Wistar-King rats were made to examine whether or not pineal volume and pinealocyte size, expressed as nuclear density, at daytime or nighttime are affected by long-term exposure to 50 Hz rotating magnetic field (MF) at 5.0 μT. Determinations of pineal volume and pinealocyte size were repeated twice (April and October) during the year. Size of pinealocytes in MF-exposed and sham-exposed rats exhibited, in addition to the difference between peripheral and central regions, regional differences in a proximodistal direction; pinealocytes in the distal and middle-peripheral regions were usually larger than those in the proximal and middle-central regions at daytime or nighttime. In October, distal and proximal pinealocytes showed significant day-night changes in size in sham-exposed rats, but not in MF-exposed animals. The situations in the two groups were almost reversed in April. Significant day-night differences were scarcely found in pinealocyte size in the middle region in the two groups. Throughout the study, pineal volume and pinealocyte size in each region were generally the same between MF-exposed and sham-exposed rats at daytime or nighttime. The results suggest that pinealocytes in the distal and proximal regions, but not those in the middle region, are affected by MF-exposure; day-night differences in sizes of distal and proximal pinealocytes appear in April and disappear in October under the influence of MF. MF may exert an effect on mechanisms controlling day-night rhythms of pinealocyte size in the rat.     

Evaluation of four elastomeric interocclusal recording materials

Background: The fabrication of dental prosthesis requires the transfer of interocclusal records from patient's mouth to semiadjustable articulators using different kinds of recording media. Any inaccuracy in these interocclusal records leads to occlusal errors in the final prosthesis. This study was conducted to evaluate the dimensional changes occurring in the interocclusal recording material over a given period of time and the material's resistance to compression during the cast mounting on the articulator.     

Familial Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy with Stroke-like Episodes and Episodic Disturbances of Consciousness: A Study of Pedigree Including Three Generations with Multisystemic Abnormalities

Abstract: We report here two cases in a family with pleomorphic clinical features which include mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, stroke-like episodes, episodic disturbances of consciousness and other multisystemic abnormalities. The other signs observed in multisystemic abnormalities were ophthalmoplegia, short stature, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, renal dysfunction, optic atrophy, retinal degeneration, impairment of hearing and mental retardation or deterioration. A symptomatological variation was observed in cases in the same family. It is suggested that these widely varying symptoms may be expressions caused by a common biochemical defect which involves different tissuesin different individuals in the family. The syndromes observed in the present cases were compared with other possibly-related mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.     

Immunocytochemical localization of secretogranin III in the endocrine pancreas of male rats

Secretogranin III (SgIII), a member of the granin protein family, is expressed specifically in neuronal and endocrine cells. To examine the precise localization of SgIII in the endocrine pancreas, pancreatic tissues of rats were analyzed immunocytochemically with a polyclonal anti-serum raised against rat SgIII. By light microscopy of semithin sections, the immunoreactivity for SgIII was readily detected in pancreatic A- and B-cells, faintly so in D-cells, and not at all in the exocrine pancreas. By immunoelectron microscopy, immunogold particles indicative of SgIII were observed in the peripheral regions of secretory granules, and universally in the pancreatic endocrine cells. Morphometrical analyses indicated that SgIII is most preferentially localized in the periphery of the secretory granule among granins. These findings suggest that SgIII is closely associated with the secretory granule membrane, serving to anchor the aggregates of other soluble constituents to the membrane.     

Immunomodulatory Effects of Dietary Polyphenols

Functional and nutraceutical foods provide an alternative way to improve immune function to aid in the management of various diseases. Traditionally, many medicinal products have been derived from natural compounds with healing properties. With the development of research into nutraceuticals, it is becoming apparent that many of the beneficial properties of these compounds are at least partly due to the presence of polyphenols. There is evidence that dietary polyphenols can influence dendritic cells, have an immunomodulatory effect on macrophages, increase proliferation of B cells, T cells and suppress Type 1 T helper (Th1), Th2, Th17 and Th9 cells. Polyphenols reduce inflammation by suppressing the pro-inflammatory cytokines in inflammatory bowel disease by inducing Treg cells in the intestine, inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and induction of apoptosis, decreasing DNA damage. Polyphenols have a potential role in prevention/treatment of auto-immune diseases like type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis by regulating signaling pathways, suppressing inflammation and limiting demyelination. In addition, polyphenols cause immunomodulatory effects against allergic reaction and autoimmune disease by inhibition of autoimmune T cell proliferation and downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1, interferon-γ (IFN-γ)). Herein, we summarize the immunomodulatory effects of polyphenols and the underlying mechanisms involved in the stimulation of immune responses.