TX-100 manufacturing final project report.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ashwill, Thomas D.; Berry, Derek S.

This report details the work completed under the TX-100 blade manufacturing portion of the Carbon-Hybrid Blade Developments: Standard and Twist-Coupled Prototype project. The TX-100 blade is a 9 meter prototype blade designed with bend-twist coupling to augment the mitigation of peak loads during normal turbine operation. This structural coupling was achieved by locating off axis carbon fiber in the outboard portion of the blade skins. The report will present the tooling selection, blade production, blade instrumentation, blade shipping and adapter plate design and fabrication. The baseline blade used for this project was the ERS-100 (Revision D) wind turbine blade. Themore » molds used for the production of the TX-100 were originally built for the production of the CX-100 blade. The same high pressure and low pressure skin molds were used to manufacture the TX-100 skins. In order to compensate for the difference in skin thickness between the CX-100 and the TX-100, however, a new TX-100 shear web plug and mold were required. Both the blade assembly fixture and the root stud insertion fixture used for the CX-100 blades could be utilized for the TX-100 blades. A production run of seven TX-100 prototype blades was undertaken at TPI Composites during the month of October, 2004. Of those seven blades, four were instrumented with strain gauges before final assembly. After production at the TPI Composites facility in Rhode Island, the blades were shipped to various test sites: two blades to the National Wind Technology Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, two blades to Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico and three blades to the United States Department of Agriculture turbine field test facility in Bushland, Texas. An adapter plate was designed to allow the TX-100 blades to be installed on existing Micon 65/13M turbines at the USDA site. The conclusion of this program is the kick-off of the TX-100 blade testing at the

Copper Induces Apoptosis of Neuroblastoma Cells Via Post-translational Regulation of the Expression of Bcl-2-family Proteins and the tx Mouse is a Better Model of Hepatic than Brain Cu Toxicity.

PubMed

Chan, Hsien W; Liu, Tianbing; Verdile, Giuseppe; Bishop, Glenda; Haasl, Ryan J; Smith, Mark A; Perry, George; Martins, Ralph N; Atwood, Craig S

2008-01-01

The basic mechanism(s) by which altered Cu homeostasis is toxic to hepatocytes and neurons, the two major cell types affected in copper storage diseases such as Wilson's disease (WD), remain unclear. Using human M17 neuroblastoma cells as a model to examine Cu toxicity, we found that there was a time- and concentration-dependent induction of neuronal death, such that at 24 h there was a approximately 50 % reduction in viability with 25 muM Cu-glycine(2). Cu-glycine(2) (25:50 muM) treatment for 24 h significantly altered the expression of 296 genes, including 8 genes involved with apoptosis (BCL2-associated athanogene 3, BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19kDa interacting protein caspase 5, regulator of Fas-induced apoptosis, V-jun sarcoma virus 17 oncogene homolog, claudin 5, prostaglandin E receptor 3 and protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 6). Surprisingly, changes in the expression of more 'traditional' apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, Bax, Bak and Bad) did not vary more than 20 %. To test whether the induction of apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells was via post-translational mechanisms, we measured the protein expression of these apoptotic markers in M17 neuroblastoma cells treated with Cu-glycine(2) (0-100 muM) for 24-48 h. Compared with glycine treated cells, Cu-glycine(2) reduced Bcl-2 expression by 50 %, but increased Bax and Bak expression by 130% and 400 %, respectively. To assess whether Cu also induced apoptotic cell death in a mouse model of WD, we measured the expression of these apoptotic markers in the liver and brain of mice expressing an ATP7b gene mutation (tx(J) mice) at 10 months of age (near the end of their lives when overt liver pathology is displayed). Changes in the liver expression of these apoptotic markers in tx(J) mice compared to background mice mirrored those of Cu treated neuroblastoma cells. In contrast, few changes in apoptotic protein expression were detected in the brain between tx(J) and background mice, indicating the tx(J) mouse is a good

Transdifferentiated rat pancreatic progenitor cells (AR42J-B13/H) respond to phenobarbital in a rat hepatocyte-specific manner.

PubMed

Osborne, M; Haltalli, M; Currie, R; Wright, J; Gooderham, N J

2016-07-01

Phenobarbital (PB) is known to produce species-specific effects in the rat and mouse, being carcinogenic in certain mouse strains, but only in rats if treated after a DNA damaging event. PB treatment in the rat and mouse also produces disparate effects on cell signalling and miRNA expression profiles. These responses are induced by short term and prolonged PB exposure, respectively, with the latter treatments being difficult to examine mechanistically in primary hepatocytes due to rapid loss of the original hepatic phenotype and limited sustainability in culture. Here we explore the rat hepatocyte-like B13/H cell line as a model for hepatic response to PB exposure in both short-term and longer duration treatments. We demonstrate that PB with Egf treatment in the B13/H cells resulted in a significant increase in Erk activation, as determined by the ratio of phospho-Erk to total Erk, compared to Egf alone. We also show that an extended treatment with PB in the B13/H cells produces a miRNA response similar to that seen in the rat in vivo, via the time-dependent induction of miR-182/96. Additionally, we confirm that B13/H cells respond to Car activators in a typical rat-specific manner. These data suggest that the B13/H cells produce temporal responses to PB that are comparable to those reported in short-term primary rat hepatocyte cultures and in the longer term are similar to those in the rat in vivo. Finally, we also show that Car-associated miR-122 expression is decreased by PB treatment in B13/H cells, a PB-induced response that is common to the rat, mouse and human. We conclude that the B13/H cell system produces a qualitative response comparable to the rat, which is different to the response in the mouse, and that this model could be a useful tool for exploring the functional consequences of PB-sensitive miRNA changes and resistance to PB-mediated tumours in the rat. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Streptomyces venezuelae TX-TL - a next generation cell-free synthetic biology tool.

PubMed

Moore, Simon J; Lai, Hung-En; Needham, Hannah; Polizzi, Karen M; Freemont, Paul S

2017-04-01

Streptomyces venezuelae is a promising chassis in synthetic biology for fine chemical and secondary metabolite pathway engineering. The potential of S. venezuelae could be further realized by expanding its capability with the introduction of its own in vitro transcription-translation (TX-TL) system. TX-TL is a fast and expanding technology for bottom-up design of complex gene expression tools, biosensors and protein manufacturing. Herein, we introduce a S. venezuelae TX-TL platform by reporting a streamlined protocol for cell-extract preparation, demonstrating high-yield synthesis of a codon-optimized sfGFP reporter and the prototyping of a synthetic tetracycline-inducible promoter in S. venezuelae TX-TL based on the tetO-TetR repressor system. The aim of this system is to provide a host for the homologous production of exotic enzymes from Actinobacteria secondary metabolism in vitro. As an example, the authors demonstrate the soluble synthesis of a selection of enzymes (12-70 kDa) from the Streptomyces rimosus oxytetracycline pathway. © 2017 The Authors. Biotechnology Journal published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Intrahippocampal injection of TsTX-I increases the levels of INF-γ in the cerebral tissue but not the levels of glutamate.

PubMed

Rodriguez, Renan Volner; Dorce, Valquiria Abrão Coronado; de Freitas, Lucas Alves; Dorce, Ana Leticia Coronado; Lebrun, Ivo; Sobral, Ana Claudia Martins; Portaro, Fernanda Calheta Vieira; Kuniyoshi, Alexandre Kazuo; Carvalho, Daniela Cajado; Nencioni, Ana Leonor Abrahão

2015-09-01

TsTX-I, isolated from Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom, causes epileptic-like discharges when injected into the central nervous system. The involvement of excitatory amino acids and cytokines in this activity was investigated. Our results have demonstrated that TsTX-I increases the release of IFN-γ but does not alter the intracerebral concentration of the excitatory amino acids in rats. Thus, this cytokine seems to be more important in the convulsive process than glutamate. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Defining the Catalytic Activity of Nanoceria in the P23H-1 Rat, a Photoreceptor Degeneration Model

PubMed Central

Wong, Lily L.; Pye, Quentin N.; Chen, Lijuan; Seal, Sudipta; McGinnis, James F.

2015-01-01

Purpose Inorganic catalytic nanoceria or cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) are bona fide antioxidants that possess regenerative radical scavenging activities in vitro. Previously, we demonstrated that CeNPs had neuroprotective and anti-angiogenic properties in rodent retinal degeneration and neovascularization models. However, the cellular mechanisms and duration of the catalytic activity of CeNPs in preventing photoreceptor cell loss are still unknown. In this study, we sought to answer these questions using the P23H-1 rat, an autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) model. Methods A single dose of either saline or CeNPs was delivered intravitreally into the eyes of P23H-1 rats at 2–3 weeks of age. Retinal functions were examined at 3 to 7 weeks post injection. We quantified retinal proteins by Western blot analyses and counted the number of apoptotic (TUNEL+) profiles in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) of retinal sections. We measured free 8-isoprostanes to quantify lipid peroxidation in retinal tissues. Results We observed increased rod and cone cell functions up to three weeks post injection. Apoptotic cells were reduced by 46%, 56%, 21%, and 24% at 3, 7, 14, 21 days, respectively, after CeNPs injection compared to saline. Additionally, reduction of lipid peroxidation in the retinas of CeNPs-treated vs saline-treated animals was detected 14 days post injection. Conclusions We validated that CeNPs were effective in delaying loss of photoreceptor cell function in an adRP rat model. This represents the fourth rodent retinal disease model that shows delay in disease progression after a single application of CeNPs. We further demonstrated that CeNPs slowed the rate of photoreceptor cell death. We deduced that the catalytic activity of CeNPs in vivo in this rat model to be undiminished for at least 7 days and then declined over the next 14 days after CeNPs administration. PMID:25822196

The roles of prostaglandin endoperoxides, thromboxane A2 and adenosine diphosphate in collagen-induced aggregation in man and the rat.

PubMed Central

Emms, H.; Lewis, G. P.

1986-01-01

The effects of aspirin, carboxyheptylimidazole (CHI) and creatine phosphate/creatine phosphokinase (CP/CPK) on platelet aggregation and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) formation induced by collagen have been examined in vitro. Platelets from two species, man and the rat, have been used. In man, aspirin and CHI abolished TxB2 production but only partially inhibited aggregation. CP/CPK partially inhibited aggregation and TxB2 formation. In the rat, aspirin and CHI abolished TxB2 formation but had no effect on aggregation. CP/CPK completely inhibited aggregation and partially inhibited TxB2 generation. In man, collagen-induced aggregation is largely dependent on ADP and to a lesser extent on arachidonate metabolites whereas, in the rat, ADP alone mediates aggregation induced by this agonist. The results with CP/CPK suggest that TxB2 formation is dependent either on the prior release of platelet ADP or on aggregation itself rather than being responsible for the aggregation response. PMID:3082399

PhcrTx2, a New Crab-Paralyzing Peptide Toxin from the Sea Anemone Phymanthus crucifer

PubMed Central

Garateix, Anoland; Salceda, Emilio; Zaharenko, André Junqueira; Pons, Tirso; Santos, Yúlica; Arreguín, Roberto; Ständker, Ludger; Forssmann, Wolf-Georg; Tytgat, Jan; Vega, Rosario

2018-01-01

Sea anemones produce proteinaceous toxins for predation and defense, including peptide toxins that act on a large variety of ion channels of pharmacological and biomedical interest. Phymanthus crucifer is commonly found in the Caribbean Sea; however, the chemical structure and biological activity of its toxins remain unknown, with the exception of PhcrTx1, an acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) inhibitor. Therefore, in the present work, we focused on the isolation and characterization of new P. crucifer toxins by chromatographic fractionation, followed by a toxicity screening on crabs, an evaluation of ion channels, and sequence analysis. Five groups of toxic chromatographic fractions were found, and a new paralyzing toxin was purified and named PhcrTx2. The toxin inhibited glutamate-gated currents in snail neurons (maximum inhibition of 35%, IC50 4.7 µM), and displayed little or no influence on voltage-sensitive sodium/potassium channels in snail and rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, nor on a variety of cloned voltage-gated ion channels. The toxin sequence was fully elucidated by Edman degradation. PhcrTx2 is a new β-defensin-fold peptide that shares a sequence similarity to type 3 potassium channels toxins. However, its low activity on the evaluated ion channels suggests that its molecular target remains unknown. PhcrTx2 is the first known paralyzing toxin in the family Phymanthidae. PMID:29414882

MmTX1 and MmTX2 from coral snake venom potently modulate GABAA receptor activity.

PubMed

Rosso, Jean-Pierre; Schwarz, Jürgen R; Diaz-Bustamante, Marcelo; Céard, Brigitte; Gutiérrez, José M; Kneussel, Matthias; Pongs, Olaf; Bosmans, Frank; Bougis, Pierre E

2015-02-24

GABAA receptors shape synaptic transmission by modulating Cl(-) conductance across the cell membrane. Remarkably, animal toxins that specifically target GABAA receptors have not been identified. Here, we report the discovery of micrurotoxin1 (MmTX1) and MmTX2, two toxins present in Costa Rican coral snake venom that tightly bind to GABAA receptors at subnanomolar concentrations. Studies with recombinant and synthetic toxin variants on hippocampal neurons and cells expressing common receptor compositions suggest that MmTX1 and MmTX2 allosterically increase GABAA receptor susceptibility to agonist, thereby potentiating receptor opening as well as desensitization, possibly by interacting with the α(+)/β(-) interface. Moreover, hippocampal neuron excitability measurements reveal toxin-induced transitory network inhibition, followed by an increase in spontaneous activity. In concert, toxin injections into mouse brain result in reduced basal activity between intense seizures. Altogether, we characterized two animal toxins that enhance GABAA receptor sensitivity to agonist, thereby establishing a previously unidentified class of tools to study this receptor family.

Effects of triiodothyronine on turnover rate and metabolizing enzymes for thyroxine in thyroidectomized rats.

PubMed

Nagao, Hidenori; Sasaki, Makoto; Imazu, Tetsuya; Takahashi, Kenjo; Aoki, Hironori; Minato, Kouichi

2014-10-29

Previous studies in rats have indicated that surgical thyroidectomy represses turnover of serum thyroxine (T4). However, the mechanism of this process has not been identified. To clarify the mechanism, we studied adaptive variation of metabolic enzymes involved in T4 turnover. We compared serum T4 turnover rates in thyroidectomized (Tx) rats with or without infusion of active thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3). Furthermore, the levels of mRNA expression and activity of the metabolizing enzymes, deiodinase type 1 (D1), type 2 (D2), uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), and sulfotransferase were also compared in several tissues with or without T3 infusion. After the T3 infusion, the turnover rate of serum T4 in Tx rats returned to normal. Although mRNA expression and activity of D1 decreased significantly in both liver and kidneys without T3 infusion, D2 expression and activity increased markedly in the brain, brown adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. Surprisingly, hepatic UGT mRNA expression and activity in Tx rats increased significantly in comparison with normal rats, and returned to normal after T3 infusion. This study suggests that repression of the disappearance of serum T4 in rats after Tx is a homeostatic response to decreased serum T3 concentrations. Additionally, T4 glucuronide is a storage form of T4, but may also have biological significance. These results suggest strongly that repression of deiodination of T4 by D1 in the liver and kidneys plays a major role in thyroid hormone homeostasis in Tx rats, and that hepatic UGT also plays a key role in this mechanism. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparative studies of the endonucleases from two related Xenopus laevis retrotransposons, Tx1L and Tx2L: target site specificity and evolutionary implications.

PubMed

Christensen, S; Pont-Kingdon, G; Carroll, D

2000-01-01

In the genome of the South African frog, Xenopus laevis, there are two complex families of transposable elements, Tx1 and Tx2, that have identical overall structures, but distinct sequences. In each family there are approximately 1500 copies of an apparent DNA-based element (Tx1D and Tx2D). Roughly 10% of these elements in each family are interrupted by a non-LTR retrotransposon (Tx1L and Tx2L). Each retrotransposon is flanked by a 23-bp target duplication of a specific D element sequence. In earlier work, we showed that the endonuclease domain (Tx1L EN) located in the second open reading frame (ORF2) of Tx1L encodes a protein that makes a single-strand cut precisely at the expected site within its target sequence, supporting the idea that Tx1L is a site-specific retrotransposon. In this study, we express the endonuclease domain of Tx2L (Tx2L EN) and compare the target preferences of the two enzymes. Each endonuclease shows some preference for its cognate target, on the order of 5-fold over the non-cognate target. The observed discrimination is not sufficient, however, to explain the observation that no cross-occupancy is observed - that is, L elements of one family have never been found within D elements of the other family. Possible sources of additional specificity are discussed. We also compare two hypotheses regarding the genome duplication event that led to the contemporary pseudotetraploid character of Xenopus laevis in light of the Tx1L and Tx2L data.

Subthalamic hGAD65 Gene Therapy and Striatum TH Gene Transfer in a Parkinson’s Disease Rat Model

PubMed Central

Zheng, Deyu; Jiang, Xiaohua; Zhao, Junpeng; Duan, Deyi; Zhao, Huanying; Xu, Qunyuan

2013-01-01

The aim of the present study is to detect a combination method to utilize gene therapy for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, a PD rat model is used for the in vivo gene therapy of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV2) containing a human glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (rAAV2-hGAD65) gene delivered to the subthalamic nucleus (STN). This is combined with the ex vivo gene delivery of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) by fibroblasts injected into the striatum. After the treatment, the rotation behavior was improved with the greatest efficacy in the combination group. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that hGAD65 gene delivery by AAV2 successfully led to phenotypic changes of neurons in STN. And the levels of glutamic acid and GABA in the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi) and substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) were obviously lower than the control groups. However, hGAD65 gene transfer did not effectively protect surviving dopaminergic neurons in the SNc and VTA. This study suggests that subthalamic hGAD65 gene therapy and combined with TH gene therapy can alleviate symptoms of the PD model rats, independent of the protection the DA neurons from death. PMID:23738148

Cyclooxygenase-2-dependent bronchoconstriction in perfused rat lungs exposed to endotoxin.

PubMed

Uhlig, S; Nüsing, R; von Bethmann, A; Featherstone, R L; Klein, T; Brasch, F; Müller, K M; Ullrich, V; Wendel, A

1996-05-01

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), widely used to study the mechanisms of gram-negative sepsis, increase airway resistance by constriction of terminal bronchioles. The role of the cyclooxygenase (COX) isoenzymes and their prostanoid metabolites in this process was studied. Pulmonary resistance, the release of thromboxane (TX) and the expression of COX-2 mRNA were measured in isolated blood-free perfused rat lungs exposed to LPS. LPS induced the release of TX and caused increased airway resistance after about 30 min. Both TX formation and LPS-induced bronchoconstriction were prevented by treatment with the unspecific COX inhibitor acetyl salicylic acid, the specific COX-2 inhibitor CGP-28238, dexamethasone, actinomycin D, or cycloheximide. LPS-induced bronchoconstriction was also inhibited by the TX receptor antagonist BM-13177. The TX-mimetic compound, U-46619, increased airway resistance predominantly by constricting terminal bronchioles. COX-2-specific mRNA in lung tissue was elevated after LPS exposure, and this increase was attenuated by addition of dexamethasone or of actinomycin D. In contrast to LPS, platelet-activating factor (PAF) induced immediate TX release and bronchoconstriction that was prevented by acetyl salicylic acid, but not by CGP-28238. LPS elicits the following biochemical and functional changes in rat lungs: (i) induction of COX-2; (ii) formation of prostaglandins and TX; (iii) activation of the TX receptor on airway smooth muscle cells; (iv) constriction of terminal bronchioles; and (v) increased airway resistance. In contrast to LPS, the PAF-induced TX release is likely to depend on COX-1.

The tarantula toxins ProTx-II and huwentoxin-IV differentially interact with human Nav1.7 voltage sensors to inhibit channel activation and inactivation.

PubMed

Xiao, Yucheng; Blumenthal, Kenneth; Jackson, James O; Liang, Songping; Cummins, Theodore R

2010-12-01

The voltage-gated sodium channel Na(v)1.7 plays a crucial role in pain, and drugs that inhibit hNa(v)1.7 may have tremendous therapeutic potential. ProTx-II and huwentoxin-IV (HWTX-IV), cystine knot peptides from tarantula venoms, preferentially block hNa(v)1.7. Understanding the interactions of these toxins with sodium channels could aid the development of novel pain therapeutics. Whereas both ProTx-II and HWTX-IV have been proposed to preferentially block hNa(v)1.7 activation by trapping the domain II voltage-sensor in the resting configuration, we show that specific residues in the voltage-sensor paddle of domain II play substantially different roles in determining the affinities of these toxins to hNa(v)1.7. The mutation E818C increases ProTx-II's and HWTX-IV's IC(50) for block of hNa(v)1.7 currents by 4- and 400-fold, respectively. In contrast, the mutation F813G decreases ProTx-II affinity by 9-fold but has no effect on HWTX-IV affinity. It is noteworthy that we also show that ProTx-II, but not HWTX-IV, preferentially interacts with hNa(v)1.7 to impede fast inactivation by trapping the domain IV voltage-sensor in the resting configuration. Mutations E1589Q and T1590K in domain IV each decreased ProTx-II's IC(50) for impairment of fast inactivation by ~6-fold. In contrast mutations D1586A and F1592A in domain-IV increased ProTx-II's IC(50) for impairment of fast inactivation by ~4-fold. Our results show that whereas ProTx-II and HWTX-IV binding determinants on domain-II may overlap, domain II plays a much more crucial role for HWTX-IV, and contrary to what has been proposed to be a guiding principle of sodium channel pharmacology, molecules do not have to exclusively target the domain IV voltage-sensor to influence sodium channel inactivation.

76 FR 70365 - Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Austin, TX and Waco, TX, Appropriated Fund Federal...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-14

... 3206-AM50 Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Austin, TX and Waco, TX, Appropriated Fund... the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee to best match the counties proposed for redefinition to... Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC), the national labor-management committee responsible for advising...

Hanford Single Shell Tank Leak Causes and Locations - 241-TX Farm

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Girardot, C. L.; Harlow, D> G.

This document identifies 241-TX Tank Farm (TX Farm) leak causes and locations for the 100 series leaking tanks (241-TX-107 and 241-TX-114) identified in RPP-RPT-50870, Rev. 0, Hanford 241-TX Farm Leak Inventory Assessment Report. This document satisfies the TX Farm portion of the target (T04) in the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order milestone M-045-91F.

Registration of sorghum germplasm Tx3408 and Tx3409 with tolerance to sugarcane aphid [Melanaphis saccari (Zehntner)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) germplasm lines Tx3408 and Tx3409 were developed and released from Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the USDA-ARS in 2015. Both of these lines were developed from intentional crosses using the pedigree method of plant breeding. The breeding crosses for these l...

TxACOL workshop : Texas asphalt concrete overlay design and analysis system.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-01-01

General Information: : -Two workshops were held respectively on Aug. 25 at Paris, Tx and on Oct. 6 at Austin, Tx, : -More than 30 representatives from TxDOT attended, : -Introduction of TxACOL software, key input parameters, and related lab and field...

LyeTxI-b, a Synthetic Peptide Derived From Lycosa erythrognatha Spider Venom, Shows Potent Antibiotic Activity in Vitro and in Vivo.

PubMed

Reis, Pablo V M; Boff, Daiane; Verly, Rodrigo M; Melo-Braga, Marcella N; Cortés, María E; Santos, Daniel M; Pimenta, Adriano M de C; Amaral, Flávio A; Resende, Jarbas M; de Lima, Maria E

2018-01-01

The antimicrobial peptide LyeTxI isolated from the venom of the spider Lycosa erythrognatha is a potential model to develop new antibiotics against bacteria and fungi. In this work, we studied a peptide derived from LyeTxI, named LyeTxI-b, and characterized its structural profile and its in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities. Compared to LyeTxI, LyeTxI-b has an acetylated N-terminal and a deletion of a His residue, as structural modifications. The secondary structure of LyeTxI-b is a well-defined helical segment, from the second amino acid to the amidated C-terminal, with no clear partition between hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces. Moreover, LyeTxI-b shows a potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative planktonic bacteria, being 10-fold more active than the native peptide against Escherichia coli. LyeTxI-b was also active in an in vivo model of septic arthritis, reducing the number of bacteria load, the migration of immune cells, the level of IL-1β cytokine and CXCL1 chemokine, as well as preventing cartilage damage. Our results show that LyeTxI-b is a potential therapeutic model for the development of new antibiotics against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Proton Testing of nVidia Jetson TX1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wyrwas, Edward J.

2017-01-01

Single-Event Effects (SEE) testing was conducted on the nVidia Jetson TX1 System on Chip (SOC); herein referred to as device under test (DUT). Testing was conducted at Massachusetts General Hospitals (MGH) Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center on October 16th, 2016 using 200MeV protons. This testing trip was purposed to provide a baseline assessment of the radiation susceptibility of the DUT as no previous testing had been conducted on this component.

TxDOT can help pave the way for distribution centers.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-05-01

TxDOT supports economic development in Texas. : Working through its district offices, TxDOT can help : developers avoid common transportation-related : problems associated with selected center sites. TxDOT : may also be able to help distribution cent...

LyeTxI-b, a Synthetic Peptide Derived From Lycosa erythrognatha Spider Venom, Shows Potent Antibiotic Activity in Vitro and in Vivo

PubMed Central

Reis, Pablo V. M.; Boff, Daiane; Verly, Rodrigo M.; Melo-Braga, Marcella N.; Cortés, María E.; Santos, Daniel M.; Pimenta, Adriano M. de C.; Amaral, Flávio A.; Resende, Jarbas M.; de Lima, Maria E.

2018-01-01

The antimicrobial peptide LyeTxI isolated from the venom of the spider Lycosa erythrognatha is a potential model to develop new antibiotics against bacteria and fungi. In this work, we studied a peptide derived from LyeTxI, named LyeTxI-b, and characterized its structural profile and its in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities. Compared to LyeTxI, LyeTxI-b has an acetylated N-terminal and a deletion of a His residue, as structural modifications. The secondary structure of LyeTxI-b is a well-defined helical segment, from the second amino acid to the amidated C-terminal, with no clear partition between hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces. Moreover, LyeTxI-b shows a potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative planktonic bacteria, being 10-fold more active than the native peptide against Escherichia coli. LyeTxI-b was also active in an in vivo model of septic arthritis, reducing the number of bacteria load, the migration of immune cells, the level of IL-1β cytokine and CXCL1 chemokine, as well as preventing cartilage damage. Our results show that LyeTxI-b is a potential therapeutic model for the development of new antibiotics against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. PMID:29681894

Cellular and Transcriptional Responses of Crassostrea gigas Hemocytes Exposed in Vitro to Brevetoxin (PbTx-2)

PubMed Central

Mello, Danielle F.; de Oliveira, Eliza S.; Vieira, Renato C.; Simoes, Erik; Trevisan, Rafael; Dafre, Alcir Luiz; Barracco, Margherita Anna

2012-01-01

Hemocytes mediate a series of immune reactions essential for bivalve survival in the environment, however, the impact of harmful algal species and their associated phycotoxins upon bivalve immune system is under debate. To better understand the possible toxic effects of these toxins, Crassostrea gigas hemocytes were exposed to brevetoxin (PbTx-2). Hemocyte viability, monitored through the neutral red retention and MTT reduction assays, and apoptosis (Hoechst staining) remained unchanged during 12 h of exposure to PbTx-2 in concentrations up to 1000 µg/L. Despite cell viability and apoptosis remained stable, hemocytes incubated for 4 h with 1000 µg/L of PbTx-2 revealed higher expression levels of Hsp70 (p < 0.01) and CYP356A1 (p < 0.05) transcripts and a tendency to increase FABP expression, as evaluated by Real-Time quantitative PCR. The expression of other studied genes (BPI, IL-17, GSTO, EcSOD, Prx6, SOD and GPx) remained unchanged. The results suggest that the absence of cytotoxic effects of PbTx-2 in Crassostrea gigas hemocytes, even at high concentrations, allow early defense responses to be produced by activating protective mechanisms associated to detoxification (CYP356A1 and possibly FABP) and stress (Hsp70), but not to immune or to antioxidant (BPI, IL-17, EcSOD, Prx6, GPx and SOD) related genes. PMID:22611355

H2 Gas Improves Functional Outcome After Cardiac Arrest to an Extent Comparable to Therapeutic Hypothermia in a Rat Model

PubMed Central

Hayashida, Kei; Sano, Motoaki; Kamimura, Naomi; Yokota, Takashi; Suzuki, Masaru; Maekawa, Yuichiro; Kawamura, Akio; Abe, Takayuki; Ohta, Shigeo; Fukuda, Keiichi; Hori, Shingo

2012-01-01

Background All clinical and biological manifestations related to postcardiac arrest (CA) syndrome are attributed to ischemia–reperfusion injury in various organs including brain and heart. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has potential as a novel antioxidant. This study tested the hypothesis that inhalation of H2 gas starting at the beginning of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) could improve the outcome of CA. Methods and Results Ventricular fibrillation was induced by transcutaneous electrical epicardial stimulation in rats. After 5 minutes of the subsequent CA, rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 experimental groups at the beginning of CPR: mechanical ventilation (MV) with 2% N2 and 98% O2 under normothermia (37°C), the control group; MV with 2% H2 and 98% O2 under normothermia; MV with 2% N2 and 98% O2 under therapeutic hypothermia (TH), 33°C; and MV with 2% H2 and 98% O2 under TH. Mixed gas inhalation and TH continued until 2 hours after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). H2 gas inhalation yielded better improvement in survival and neurological deficit score (NDS) after ROSC to an extent comparable to TH. H2 gas inhalation, but not TH, prevented a rise in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and increase in serum IL-6 level after ROSC. The salutary impact of H2 gas was at least partially attributed to the radical-scavenging effects of H2 gas, because both 8-OHdG- and 4-HNE-positive cardiomyocytes were markedly suppressed by H2 gas inhalation after ROSC. Conclusions Inhalation of H2 gas is a favorable strategy to mitigate mortality and functional outcome of post-CA syndrome in a rat model, either alone or in combination with TH. PMID:23316300

Optical photometry of TX0506+056

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keel, William; Santander, Marcos

2017-10-01

The blazar TX0506+056 has attracted recent attention through its location in the error box of a high-energy Ice Cube neutrino detection (https://gcn.gsfc.nasa.gov/gcn3/21916.gcn3) and gamma-ray flaring (Atel #10791) We report recent photometry of TX0506+056 obtained in Johnson V and Cousins R passbands using the 1-meter Kapteyn telescope at La Palma, operated remotely by the SARA consortium.

Characteristics of recombinantly expressed rat and human histamine H3 receptors.

PubMed

Wulff, Birgitte S; Hastrup, Sven; Rimvall, Karin

2002-10-18

Human and rat histamine H(3) receptors were recombinantly expressed and characterized using receptor binding and a functional cAMP assay. Seven of nine agonists had similar affinities and potencies at the rat and human histamine H(3) receptor. S-alpha-methylhistamine had a significantly higher affinity and potency at the human than rat receptor, and for 4-[(1R*,2R*)-2-(5,5-dimethyl-1-hexynyl)cyclopropyl]-1H-imidazole (Perceptin) the preference was the reverse. Only two of six antagonists had similar affinities and potencies at the human and the rat histamine H(3) receptor. Ciproxifan, thioperamide and (1R*,2R*)-trans-2-imidazol-4 ylcyclopropyl) (cyclohexylmethoxy) carboxamide (GT2394) had significantly higher affinities and potencies at the rat than at the human histamine H(3) receptor, while for N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-N-(7-pyrrolodin-1-ylheptyl)guanidine (JB98064) the preference was the reverse. All antagonists also showed potent inverse agonism properties. Iodoproxyfan, Perceptin, proxyfan and GR175737, compounds previously described as histamine H(3) receptor antagonists, acted as full or partial agonists at both the rat and the human histamine H(3) receptor. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.

Efficacy of Live-Attenuated H9N2 Influenza Vaccine Candidates Containing NS1 Truncations against H9N2 Avian Influenza Viruses.

PubMed

Chen, Sujuan; Zhu, Yinbiao; Yang, Da; Yang, Yang; Shi, Shaohua; Qin, Tao; Peng, Daxin; Liu, Xiufan

2017-01-01

H9N2 avian influenza virus is a zoonotic agent with a broad host range that can contribute genetic information to H5 or H7N9 subtype viruses, which are significant threats to both humans and birds. Thus, there is a great need for a vaccine to control H9N2 avian influenza. Three mutant viruses of an H9N2 virus A/chicken/Taixing/10/2010 (rTX-NS1-73, rTX-NS1-100, and rTX-NS1-128) were constructed with different NS1 gene truncations and confirmed by western blot analysis. The genetic stability, pathogenicity, transmissibility, and host immune responses toward these mutants were evaluated. The mutant virus rTX-NS1-128 exhibited the most attenuated phenotype and lost transmissibility. The expression levels of interleukin 12 in the nasal and tracheal tissues from chickens immunized with rTX-NS1-128 were significantly upregulated on day 3 post-immunization and the IgA and IgG antibody levels were significantly increased on days 7, 14, and 21 post-immunization when compared to chickens that received an inactivated vaccine. rTX-NS1-128 also protected chickens from challenge by homologous and heterologous H9N2 avian influenza viruses. The results indicate that rTX-NS1-128 can be used as a potential live-attenuated vaccine against H9N2 avian influenza.

77 FR 47816 - Foreign-Trade Zone 12-McAllen, TX Application for Subzone TST NA TRIM, LLC Hidalgo, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-10

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [S-90-2012] Foreign-Trade Zone 12--McAllen, TX Application for Subzone TST NA TRIM, LLC Hidalgo, TX An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade...-purpose subzone status for the facility of TST NA TRIM, LLC, located in Hidalgo, Texas. The application...

76 FR 44254 - Amendment of Class D Airspace; Denton, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-25

...-1327; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-19] Amendment of Class D Airspace; Denton, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace for Denton, TX, to... rulemaking to amend Class D airspace for Denton, TX, creating additional controlled airspace at Denton...

75 FR 31677 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Austin, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-04

...-1152; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-31] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Austin, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace for the Austin, TX... Procedures (SIAPs) at Austin Executive Airport, Austin, TX. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the...

Effects of S 38093, an antagonist/inverse agonist of histamine H3 receptors, in models of neuropathic pain in rats.

PubMed

Chaumette, T; Chapuy, E; Berrocoso, E; Llorca-Torralba, M; Bravo, L; Mico, J A; Chalus, M; Eschalier, A; Ardid, D; Marchand, F; Sors, A

2018-01-01

Histamine H3 receptors are mainly expressed on CNS neurons, particularly along the nociceptive pathways. The potential involvement of these receptors in pain processing has been suggested using H3 receptor inverse agonists. The antinociceptive effect of S 38093, a novel inverse agonist of H3 receptors, has been evaluated in several neuropathic pain models in rat and compared with those of gabapentin and pregabalin. While S 38093 did not change vocalization thresholds to paw pressure in healthy rats, it exhibited a significant antihyperalgesic effect in the Streptozocin-induced diabetic (STZ) neuropathy model after acute and chronic administration and, in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model only after chronic administration, submitted to the paw-pressure test. Acute S 38093 administration at all doses tested displayed a significant cold antiallodynic effect in a model of acute or repeated administration of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy submitted to cold tail immersion, cold allodynia being the main side effect of oxaliplatin in patients. The effect of S 38093 increased following chronic administration (i.e. twice a day during 5 days) in the CCI and STZ models except in the oxaliplatin models where its effect was already maximal from the first administration The kinetics and size of effect of S 38093 were similar to gabapentin and/or pregabalin. Finally, the antinociceptive effect of S 38093 could be partially mediated by α2 adrenoreceptors desensitization in the locus coeruleus. These results highlight the interest of S 38093 to relieve neuropathic pain and warrant clinical trials especially in chemotherapeutic agent-induced neuropathic pain. S 38093, a new H3 antagonist/inverse agonist, displays antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effect in neuropathic pain, especially in oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy after chronic administration. This effect of S 38093 in neuropathic pain could be partly mediated by α2 receptors desensitization in the locus coeruleus

Additive effect of mesenchymal stem cells and defibrotide in an arterial rat thrombosis model.

PubMed

Dilli, Dilek; Kılıç, Emine; Yumuşak, Nihat; Beken, Serdar; Uçkan Çetinkaya, Duygu; Karabulut, Ramazan; Zenciroğlu, Ayşegu L

2017-06-01

In this study, we aimed to investigate the additive effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and defibrotide (DFT) in a rat model of femoral arterial thrombosis. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were included. An arterial thrombosis model by ferric chloride (FeCl3) was developed in the left femoral artery. The rats were equally assigned to 5 groups: Group 1-Sham-operated (without arterial injury); Group 2-Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) injected; Group 3-MSC; Group 4-DFT; Group 5-MSC + DFT. All had two intraperitoneal injections of 0.5 ml: the 1st injection was 4 h after the procedure and the 2nd one 48 h after the 1st injection. The rats were sacrificed 7 days after the 2nd injection. Although the use of human bone marrow-derived (hBM) hBM-MSC or DFT alone enabled partial resolution of the thrombus, combining them resulted in near-complete resolution. Neovascularization was two-fold better in hBM-MSC + DFT treated rats (11.6 ± 2.4 channels) compared with the hBM-MSC (3.8 ± 2.7 channels) and DFT groups (5.5 ± 1.8 channels) (P < 0.0001 and P= 0.002, respectively). The combined use of hBM-MSC and DFT in a rat model of arterial thrombosis showed additive effect resulting in near-complete resolution of the thrombus.

75 FR 13669 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Dumas, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-23

...-1151; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-30] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Dumas, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace for Dumas, TX, adding... published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend Class E airspace for Dumas, TX...

Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of two peptide LyeTx I derivatives modified with the chelating agent HYNIC for radiolabeling with technetium-99m.

PubMed

Fuscaldi, Leonardo Lima; Dos Santos, Daniel Moreira; Pinheiro, Natália Gabriela Silva; Araújo, Raquel Silva; de Barros, André Luís Branco; Resende, Jarbas Magalhães; Fernandes, Simone Odília Antunes; de Lima, Maria Elena; Cardoso, Valbert Nascimento

2016-01-01

Current diagnostic methods and imaging techniques are not able to differentiate septic and aseptic inflammation. Thus, reliable methods are sought to provide this distinction and scintigraphic imaging is an interesting option, since it is based on physiological changes. In this context, radiolabeled antimicrobial peptides have been investigated as they accumulate in infectious sites instead of aseptic inflammation. The peptide LyeTx I, from the venom of Lycosa erythrognatha, has potent antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize LyeTx I derivatives with the chelating compound HYNIC, to evaluate their antimicrobial activity and to radiolabel them with (99m)Tc. Two LyeTx I derivatives, HYNIC-LyeTx I (N-terminal modification) and LyeTx I-K-HYNIC (C-terminal modification), were synthesized by Fmoc strategy and purified by RP-HPLC. The purified products were assessed by RP-HPLC and MALDI-ToF-MS analysis. Microbiological assays were performed against S. aureus (ATCC® 6538) and E. coli (ATCC® 10536) in liquid medium to calculate the MIC. The radiolabeling procedure of LyeTx I-K-HYNIC with (99m)Tc was performed in the presence of co-ligands (tricine and EDDA) and reducing agent (SnCl2 (.) 2H2O), and standardized taking into account the amount of peptide, reducing agent, pH and heating. Radiochemical purity analysis was performed by thin-layer chromatography on silica gel strips and the radiolabeled compound was assessed by RP-HPLC and radioactivity measurement of the collected fractions. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, followed by Tukey test (p-values < 0.05). Both LyeTx I derivatives were suitably synthesized and purified, as shown by RP-HPLC and MALDI-ToF-MS analysis. The microbiological test showed that HYNIC-LyeTx I (N-terminal modification) did not inhibit bacterial growth, whereas LyeTx I-K-HYNIC (C-terminal modification) showed a MIC of 5.05 μmol(.)L(-1) (S. aureus) and 10.10 μmol(.)L(-1) (E. coli). Thus, only the latter was radiolabeled

Peripheral Administration of Tetanus Toxin Hc Fragment Prevents MPP+ Toxicity In Vivo.

PubMed

Moreno-Galarza, Natalia; Mendieta, Liliana; Palafox-Sánchez, Victoria; Herrando-Grabulosa, Mireia; Gil, Carles; Limón, Daniel I; Aguilera, José

2018-02-19

Several studies have shown that intrastriatal application of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP + ) produces similar biochemical changes in rat to those seen in Parkinson's disease (PD), such as dopaminergic terminal degeneration and consequent appearance of motor deficits, making the MPP + lesion a widely used model of parkinsonism in rodents. Previous results from our group have shown a neuroprotective effect of the carboxyl-terminal domain of the heavy chain of tetanus toxin (Hc-TeTx) under different types of stress. In the present study, pretreatment with the intraperitoneal injection of Hc-TeTx in rats prevents the decrease of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the striatum due to injury with MPP + , when applied stereotaxically in the striatum. Similarly, striatal catecholamine contents are restored, as well as the levels of two other dopaminergic markers, the dopamine transporter (DAT) and the vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT-2). Additionally, uptake studies of [ 3 H]-dopamine and [ 3 H]-MPP + reveal that DAT action is not affected by Hc-TeTx, discarding a protective effect due to a reduced entry of MPP + into nerve terminals. Behavioral assessments show that Hc-TeTx pretreatment improves the motor skills (amphetamine-induced rotation, forelimb use, and adjusting steps) of MPP + -treated rats. Our results lead us to consider Hc-TeTx as a potential therapeutic tool in pathologies caused by impairment of dopaminergic innervation in the striatum, as is the case of PD.

"60x30TX" 2017 Progress Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2017

2017-01-01

Central to the goals of "60x30TX" is maintaining Texas as a global economic player by having an educated population, making them aware of their marketable skills, and helping them manage their student loan debt. If the 2016 progress report for "60x30TX" was about getting out the word, this report is about expanding that reach…

Ethyl pyruvate reduces acute lung damage following trauma and hemorrhagic shock via inhibition of NF-κB and HMGB1.

PubMed

Relja, Borna; Wagner, Nils; Franz, Niklas; Dieteren, Scott; Mörs, Katharina; Schmidt, Julia; Marzi, Ingo; Perl, Mario

2018-03-01

After blunt thoracic trauma (TxT) and hemorrhagic shock with resuscitation (H/R) intense local inflammatory response and cell loss frequently impair the pulmonary function. Ethyl pyruvate (EP) has been reported to improve the pathophysiologic derangements in models of acute inflammation. Here, we studied the effects of EP on inflammation and lung damage after TxT+H/R. Twenty four female Lewis rats (180-240g) were randomly divided into 3 groups: two groups underwent TxT followed by hemorrhagic shock (35±3mmHg) for 60min and resuscitation with either Ringers-Lactat (RL) alone or RL supplemented with EP (EP, 50mg/kg). Sham operated animals underwent surgical procedures. Two hours later bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL), lung tissue and blood were collected for analyses. EP significantly improved pO 2 levels compared to RL after TxT+H/R. TxT+H/R induced elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase, total protein concentration in BAL and lung damage as evidenced by lung histology; these effects were significantly reduced by EP. Local inflammatory markers, lung TNF-alpha protein levels and infiltration with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) significantly decreased in EP vs. RL group after TxT+H/R. Indicators of apoptosis as reduced BCL-2 and increased FAS gene expression after TxT+H/R were significantly increased or decreased, respectively, by EP after TxT+H/R. EP reduced TxT+H/R-induced p65 phosphorylation, which was concomitant with reduced HMGB1 levels in lung sections. Taken together, TxT+H/R induced strong inflammatory response and apoptotic changes as well as lung injury which were markedly diminished by EP. Our results suggest that this might be mediated via NF-κB and/or HMGB1 dependent mechanism. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

75 FR 52065 - SharePlus Federal Bank, Plano, TX; Approval of Conversion Application

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-24

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of Thrift Supervision [AC-50: OTS Nos. 17972 and H4743] SharePlus Federal Bank, Plano, TX; Approval of Conversion Application Notice is hereby given that on August 12, 2010, the Office of Thrift Supervision approved the application of SharePlus Federal Bank, Piano...

Switch-Task Performance in Rats Is Disturbed by 12 h of Sleep Deprivation But Not by 12 h of Sleep Fragmentation

PubMed Central

Leenaars, Cathalijn H.C.; Joosten, Ruud N.J.M.A.; Zwart, Allard; Sandberg, Hans; Ruimschotel, Emma; Hanegraaf, Maaike A.J.; Dematteis, Maurice; Feenstra, Matthijs G.P.; van Someren, Eus J.W.

2012-01-01

Study Objectives: Task-switching is an executive function involving the prefrontal cortex. Switching temporarily attenuates the speed and/or accuracy of performance, phenomena referred to as switch costs. In accordance with the idea that prefrontal function is particularly sensitive to sleep loss, switch-costs increase during prolonged waking in humans. It has been difficult to investigate the underlying neurobiological mechanisms because of the lack of a suitable animal model. Here, we introduce the first switch-task for rats and report the effects of sleep deprivation and inactivation of the medial prefrontal cortex. Design: Rats were trained to repeatedly switch between 2 stimulus-response associations, indicated by the presentation of a visual or an auditory stimulus. These stimulus-response associations were offered in blocks, and performance was compared for the first and fifth trials of each block. Performance was tested after exposure to 12 h of total sleep deprivation, sleep fragmentation, and their respective movement control conditions. Finally, it was tested after pharmacological inactivation of the medial prefrontal cortex. Settings: Controlled laboratory settings. Participants: 15 male Wistar rats. Measurements & Results: Both accuracy and latency showed switch-costs at baseline. Twelve hours of total sleep deprivation, but not sleep fragmentation, impaired accuracy selectively on the switch-trials. Inactivation of the medial prefrontal cortex by local neuronal inactivation resulted in an overall decrease in accuracy. Conclusions: We developed and validated a switch-task that is sensitive to sleep deprivation. This introduces the possibility for in-depth investigations on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying executive impairments after sleep disturbance in a rat model. Citation: Leenaars CHC; Joosten RNJMA; Zwart A; Sandberg H; Ruimschotel E; Hanegraaf MAJ; Dematteis M; Feenstra MGP; van Someren EJW. Switch-task performance in rats is disturbed

Accumulation of radioactivity after repeated infusion of 3H-adrenaline and 3H-noradrenaline in the rat as a model animal.

PubMed

Lepschy, M; Filip, T; Palme, R G

2014-10-01

Besides enzymatic inactivation, catecholamines bind non-enzymatically and irreversible to proteins. The physiological impact of these catecholamine adducts is still unclear. We therefore collected basic data about the distribution of catecholamine adducts in the rat after repeated intravenous administration of (3)H-adrenaline and (3)H-noradrenaline. In all animals radioactivity in blood increased until the last injection on Day 7 and decreased then slowly close to background values (plasma) or remained higher (erythrocytes). In all sampled tissues radioactivity could be found, but only in hair high amounts remained present even after 3 weeks. Half-life of rat serum albumin loaded with (3)H-adrenaline or (3)H-noradrenaline was not altered. This study provides basic knowledge about the distribution of catecholamines or their adducts, but physiological effects could not be demonstrated. However, for the first time deposition and accumulation of catecholamines (adducts) in the hair could be proven, suggesting that hair might be used for evaluating long term stress. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

75 FR 31677 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-04

...-0089; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-1] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX AGENCY: Federal... the Corpus Christi, TX area. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard... E airspace for the Corpus Christi, TX area, reconfiguring controlled airspace at Aransas County...

Intracellular pH regulation in rat round spermatids.

PubMed

Osses, N; Pancetti, F; Benos, D J; Reyes, J G

1997-07-01

Intracellular pH has been shown to be an important physiological parameter in cell cycle control and differentiation, aspects that are central to the spermatogenic process. However, the pH regulatory mechanisms in spermatogenic cells have not been systematically explored. In this work, measuring intracellular pH (pHi) with a fluorescent probe (BCECF), membrane potential with a fluorescent lipophilic anion (bisoxonol), and net movement of acid using a pH-stat system, we have found that rat round spermatids regulate pHi by means of a V-type H(+)-ATPase, a HCO3- entry pathway, a Na+/HCO3- dependent transport system, and a putative proton conductive pathway. Rat spermatids do not have functional base extruder transport systems. These pH regulatory characteristics seem specially designed to withstand acid challenges, and can generate sustained alkalinization upon acid exit stimulation.

TxDOT administration research : tasks completed in FY2009.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-01-01

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Project 0-6581-TI, TxDOT Administration : Research, encompasses multiple tasks that explore and support administrative aspects of : transportation research. : The project term began in October 2008 and has b...

75 FR 15360 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Austin, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-29

...-1152; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-31] Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Austin, TX AGENCY: Federal... proposes to amend Class E airspace in the Austin, TX area. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Austin Executive Airport, Austin, TX. The...

76 FR 61687 - City of College Station, TX; Notice of Filing

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-05

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. TX11-2-000] City of College Station, TX; Notice of Filing Take notice that on September 27, 2011, pursuant to sections 210, 211, and... Commission's (Commission) Regulations, 18CFR 36.1, the City of College Station, TX filed an application...

Long non-coding RNA H19 contributes to apoptosis of hippocampal neurons by inhibiting let-7b in a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy.

PubMed

Han, Chun-Lei; Ge, Ming; Liu, Yun-Peng; Zhao, Xue-Min; Wang, Kai-Liang; Chen, Ning; Hu, Wei; Zhang, Jian-Guo; Li, Liang; Meng, Fan-Gang

2018-05-23

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most common types of intractable epilepsy, characterized by hippocampal neuron damage and hippocampal sclerosis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been increasingly recognized as posttranscriptional regulators. However, their expression levels and functions in TLE remain largely unknown. In the present study, TLE rat model is used to explore the expression profiles of lncRNAs in the hippocampus of epileptic rats using microarray analysis. Our results demonstrate that H19 is the most pronouncedly differentiated lncRNA, significantly upregulated in the latent period of TLE. Moreover, the in vivo studies using gain- and loss-of-function approaches reveal that the overexpression of H19 aggravates SE-induced neuron apoptosis in the hippocampus, while inhibition of H19 protects the rats from SE-induced cellular injury. Finally, we show that H19 might function as a competing endogenous RNA to sponge microRNA let-7b in the regulation of cellular apoptosis. Overall, our study reveals a novel lncRNA H19-mediated mechanism in seizure-induced neural damage and provides a new target in developing lncRNA-based strategies to reduce seizure-induced brain injury.

Altered neurochemical profile in the McGill-R-Thy1-APP rat model of Alzheimer's disease: a longitudinal in vivo 1 H MRS study.

PubMed

Nilsen, Linn H; Melø, Torun M; Saether, Oddbjørn; Witter, Menno P; Sonnewald, Ursula

2012-11-01

We investigated metabolite levels during the progression of pathology in McGill-R-Thy1-APP rats, a transgenic animal model of Alzheimer's disease, and in healthy age-matched controls. Rats were subjected to in vivo (1) H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the dorsal hippocampus at age 3, 9 and 12 months and of frontal cortex at 9 and 12 months. At 3 months, a stage in which only Aβ oligomers are present, lower glutamate, myo-inositol and total choline content were apparent in McGill-R-Thy1-APP rats. At age 9 months, lower levels of glutamate, GABA, N-acetylaspartate and total choline and elevated myo-inositol and taurine were found in dorsal hippocampus, whereas lower levels of glutamate, GABA, glutamine and N-acetylaspartate were found in frontal cortex. At age 12 months, only the taurine level was significantly different in dorsal hippocampus, whereas taurine, myo-inositol, N-acetylaspartate and total creatine levels were significantly higher in frontal cortex. McGill-R-Thy1-APP rats did not show the same changes in metabolite levels with age as displayed in the controls, and overall, prominent and complex metabolite differences were evident in this transgenic rat model of Alzheimer's disease. The findings also demonstrate that in vivo (1) H MRS is a powerful tool to investigate disease-related metabolite changes in the brain. © 2012 The Authors Journal of Neurochemistry © 2012 International Society for Neurochemistry.

76 FR 53352 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Alice, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-26

... procedures at Old Hoppe Place Airport, Agua Dulce, TX, has made this action necessary for the safety and..., area. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is being removed at Old... extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth. * * * * * ASW TX E5 Alice, TX...

2H Kinetic Isotope Effects and pH Dependence of Catalysis as Mechanistic Probes of Rat Monoamine Oxidase A: Comparisons with the Human Enzyme‡

PubMed Central

Wang, Jin; Edmondson, Dale E.

2011-01-01

Monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) is a mitochondrial outer membrane-bound flavoenzyme important in the regulation of serotonin and dopamine levels. Since the rat is extensively used as an animal model in drug studies, it is important to understand how rat MAO A behaves in comparison with the more extensively studied human enzyme. For many reversible inhibitors, rat MAO A exhibits Ki values similar to those of human MAO A. The pH profile of kcat for rat MAO A shows a pKa of 8.2±0.1 for the benzylamine ES complex and pKa values of 7.5±0.1 and 7.6±0.1 for the respective ES complexes with p-CF3-1H and p-CF3-2H-benzylamine. In contrast to the human enzyme, the rat enzyme exhibits a single pKa value (8.3±0.1) with kcat/Km benzylamine vs. pH and pKa values of 7.8±0.1 and 8.1±0.2 are found for the ascending limbs, respectively, of kcat/Km vs. pH profiles for p-CF3-1H and p-CF3-2H-benzylamine and 9.3±0.1 and 9.1±0.2 for their respective descending limbs. The oxidation of para-substituted benzylamine substrate analogues by rat MAO A exhibit large deuterium kinetic isotope effects on kcat and on kcat/Km. These effects are pH-independent, and range from 7 to 14, demonstrating a rate-limiting α-C-H bond cleavage step in catalysis. Quantitative structure-activity correlations of log kcat with the electronic substituent parameter (σ) at pH 7.5 and at 9.0 show a dominant contribution with positive ρ values (+1.2 – 1.3) and a pH-independent negative contribution from the steric term. Quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis of the binding affinities of the para-substituted benzylamine analogues to rat MAO A show an increased van der Waals volumes (Vw) increases the affinity of the deprotonated amine for the enzyme. These results demonstrate that rat MAO A exhibits similar but not identical functional properties with the human enzyme and provide additional support for C-H bond cleavage via a polar nucleophilic mechanism. PMID:21819071

²H kinetic isotope effects and pH dependence of catalysis as mechanistic probes of rat monoamine oxidase A: comparisons with the human enzyme.

PubMed

Wang, Jin; Edmondson, Dale E

2011-09-06

Monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) is a mitochondrial outer membrane-bound flavoenzyme important in the regulation of serotonin and dopamine levels. Because the rat is extensively used as an animal model in drug studies, it is important to understand how rat MAO A behaves in comparison with the more extensively studied human enzyme. For many reversible inhibitors, rat MAO A exhibits K(i) values similar to those of human MAO A. The pH profile of k(cat) for rat MAO A shows a pK(a) of 8.2 ± 0.1 for the benzylamine ES complex and pK(a) values of 7.5 ± 0.1 and 7.6 ± 0.1 for the ES complexes with p-CF(3)-(1)H- and p-CF(3)-(2)H-benzylamine, respectively. In contrast to the human enzyme, the rat enzyme exhibits a single pK(a) value (8.3 ± 0.1) with k(cat)/K(m) for benzylamine versus pH and pK(a) values of 7.8 ± 0.1 and 8.1 ± 0.2 for the ascending limbs, respectively, of k(cat)/K(m) versus pH profiles for p-CF(3)-(1)H- and p-CF(3)-(2)H-benzylamine and 9.3 ± 0.1 and 9.1 ± 0.2 for the descending limbs, respectively. The oxidation of para-substituted benzylamine substrate analogues by rat MAO A has large deuterium kinetic isotope effects on k(cat) and on k(cat)/K(m). These effects are pH-independent and range from 7 to 14, demonstrating a rate-limiting α-C-H bond cleavage step in catalysis. Quantitative structure-activity correlations of log k(cat) with the electronic substituent parameter (σ) at pH 7.5 and 9.0 show a dominant contribution with positive ρ values (1.2-1.3) and a pH-independent negative contribution from the steric term. Quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis of the binding affinities of the para-substituted benzylamine analogues for rat MAO A shows an increased van der Waals volume (V(w)) increases the affinity of the deprotonated amine for the enzyme. These results demonstrate that rat MAO A exhibits functional properties similar but not identical with those of the human enzyme and provide additional support for C-H bond cleavage via a polar

Greening America's Capitals - Austin, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Report on the technical assistance project to help Austin, TX, develop a vision for the South Central Waterfront that incorporates green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff, makes streets safer, and spurs investment.

Human metabolites of brevetoxin PbTx-2: Identification and confirmation of structure

PubMed Central

Guo, Fujiang; An, Tianying; Rein, Kathleen S.

2010-01-01

Four metabolites were identified upon incubation of brevetoxin (PbTx-2) with human liver microsomes. Chemical transformation of PbTx-2 confirmed the structures of three known metabolites BTX-B5, PbTx-9 and 41, 43-dihydro-BTX-B5 and a previously unknown metabolite, 41, 43-dihydro-PbTx-2. These metabolites were also observed upon incubation of PbTx-2 with nine human recombinant cytochrome P450s (1A1, 1A2, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4 and 3A5). Cytochrome P450 3A4 produced oxidized metabolites while other CYPs generated the reduced products. PMID:20600229

76 FR 36613 - Environmental Impact Statement; Nueces County, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-22

... County, TX AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI). SUMMARY... (TxDOT) are issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement (EIS) will...--Texas Division, 300 East 8th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Telephone: 512-536-5960. SUPPLEMENTARY...

Ex vivo adenoviral gene transfer of constitutively activated STAT3 reduces post-transplant liver injury and promotes regeneration in a 20% rat partial liver transplant model.

PubMed

Huda, Kamrul A S M; Guo, Lei; Haga, Sanae; Murata, Hiroshi; Ogino, Tetsuya; Fukai, Moto; Yagi, Takahito; Iwagaki, Hiromi; Tanaka, Noriaki; Ozaki, Michitaka

2006-05-01

Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) is one of the most important transcription factors for liver regeneration. This study was designed to examine the effects of constitutively activated STAT3 (STAT3-C) on post-transplant liver injury and regeneration in a rat 20% partial liver transplant (PLTx) model by ex vivo adenoviral gene transfer. Adenovirus encoding the STAT3-C gene was introduced intraportally into liver grafts and clamped for 30 min during cold preservation. After orthotopic PLTx, liver graft/body weights and serum biochemistry were monitored, and both a histological study and DNA binding assay were performed. STAT3-C protein expression and its binding to DNA in the liver graft were confirmed by Western blotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), respectively. This treatment modality promoted post-Tx liver regeneration effectively and rapidly. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase (AST/ALT) and bilirubin decreased in rats with STAT3-C. However, albumin (a marker of liver function) did not. Ex vivo gene transfer of STAT3-C to liver grafts reduced post-Tx injury and promoted liver regeneration. Thus, the activation of STAT3 in the liver graft may be a potentially effective clinical strategy for improving the outcome of small-for-size liver transplantation.

75 FR 63533 - Environmental Impact Statement: Cameron County, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-15

...: Cameron County, TX AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Rescind Notice of Intent..., 300 East 8th Street, Room 826, Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone (512) 536-5960. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 6, 2007, TxDOT and FHWA announced their revised Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS...

The characterization of obese polycystic ovary syndrome rat model suitable for exercise intervention.

PubMed

Wu, Chuyan; Lin, Feng; Qiu, Shuwei; Jiang, Zhongli

2014-01-01

To develop a new polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rat model suitable for exercise intervention. Thirty six rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: PCOS rats with high-fat diet (PF, n = 24), PCOS rats with ordinary diet (PO, n = 6), and control rats with ordinary diet (CO, n = 6). Two kinds of PCOS rat model were made by adjustment diet structure and testosterone injection for 28 days. After a successful animal model, PF model rats were randomly assigned to three groups: exercise with a continuation of high-fat diet (PF-EF, n = 6), sedentary with a continuation of high-fat diet (PF-SF, n = 6), exercise with an ordinary diet (PF-EO, n = 6). Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin (FINS), estrogen (E2), progesterone (P), and testosterone (T) in serum were determined by RIA, and ovarian morphology was evaluated by Image-Pro plus 6.0. Body weight, Lee index, FINS increased significantly in PF rat model. Serum levels of E2 and T were significantly higher in PF and PO than in CO. Ovary organ index and ovarian areas were significant lower in PF than in CO. After intervention for 2 weeks, the levels of 1 h postprandial blood glucose (PBG1), 2 h postprandial blood glucose (PBG2), FINS and the serum levels of T decreased significantly in PF-EF rats and PF-EO rats. The ratio of FBG/FINS was significant higher in PF-EO rats than in PF-SF rats. Ovarian morphology showed that the numbers of preantral follicles and atretic follicles decreased significantly, and the numbers of antral follicles and corpora lutea increased significantly in the rats of PF-EF and PF-EO. By combination of high-fat diet and testosterone injection, the obese PCOS rat model is conformable with the lifestyle habits of fatty foods and insufficient exercise, and has metabolic and reproductive characteristics of human PCOS. This model can be applied to study exercise intervention.

The Characterization of Obese Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rat Model Suitable for Exercise Intervention

PubMed Central

Qiu, Shuwei; Jiang, Zhongli

2014-01-01

Objective To develop a new polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rat model suitable for exercise intervention. Method Thirty six rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: PCOS rats with high-fat diet (PF, n = 24), PCOS rats with ordinary diet (PO, n = 6), and control rats with ordinary diet (CO, n = 6). Two kinds of PCOS rat model were made by adjustment diet structure and testosterone injection for 28 days. After a successful animal model, PF model rats were randomly assigned to three groups: exercise with a continuation of high-fat diet (PF-EF, n = 6), sedentary with a continuation of high-fat diet (PF-SF, n = 6), exercise with an ordinary diet (PF-EO, n = 6). Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin (FINS), estrogen (E2), progesterone (P), and testosterone (T) in serum were determined by RIA, and ovarian morphology was evaluated by Image-Pro plus 6.0. Results Body weight, Lee index, FINS increased significantly in PF rat model. Serum levels of E2 and T were significantly higher in PF and PO than in CO. Ovary organ index and ovarian areas were significant lower in PF than in CO. After intervention for 2 weeks, the levels of 1 h postprandial blood glucose (PBG1), 2 h postprandial blood glucose (PBG2), FINS and the serum levels of T decreased significantly in PF-EF rats and PF-EO rats. The ratio of FBG/FINS was significant higher in PF-EO rats than in PF-SF rats. Ovarian morphology showed that the numbers of preantral follicles and atretic follicles decreased significantly, and the numbers of antral follicles and corpora lutea increased significantly in the rats of PF-EF and PF-EO. Conclusion By combination of high-fat diet and testosterone injection, the obese PCOS rat model is conformable with the lifestyle habits of fatty foods and insufficient exercise, and has metabolic and reproductive characteristics of human PCOS. This model can be applied to study exercise intervention. PMID:24905232

75 FR 67806 - Environmental Impact Statement; Nueces County, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-03

... County, TX AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Rescind Notice of Intent (NOI) to... Street, Room 826, Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone (512) 536-5960. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 6, 2007, TxDOT and FHWA announced their revised Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS pursuant to 40 CFR 1508...

Dopamine treatment attenuates acute kidney injury in a rat model of deep hypothermia and rewarming - The role of renal H2S-producing enzymes.

PubMed

Dugbartey, George J; Talaei, Fatemeh; Houwertjes, Martin C; Goris, Maaike; Epema, Anne H; Bouma, Hjalmar R; Henning, Robert H

2015-12-15

Hypothermia and rewarming produces organ injury through the production of reactive oxygen species. We previously found that dopamine prevents hypothermia and rewarming-induced apoptosis in cultured cells through increased expression of the H2S-producing enzyme cystathionine β-Synthase (CBS). Here, we investigate whether dopamine protects the kidney in deep body cooling and explore the role of H2S-producing enzymes in an in vivo rat model of deep hypothermia and rewarming. In anesthetized Wistar rats, body temperature was decreased to 15°C for 3h, followed by rewarming for 1h. Rats (n≥5 per group) were treated throughout the procedure with vehicle or dopamine infusion, and in the presence or absence of a non-specific inhibitor of H2S-producing enzymes, amino-oxyacetic acid (AOAA). Kidney damage and renal expression of three H2S-producing enzymes (CBS, CSE and 3-MST) was quantified and serum H2S level measured. Hypothermia and rewarming induced renal damage, evidenced by increased serum creatinine, renal reactive oxygen species production, KIM-1 expression and influx of immune cells, which was accompanied by substantially lowered renal expression of CBS, CSE, and 3-MST and lowered serum H2S levels. Infusion of dopamine fully attenuated renal damage and maintained expression of H2S-producing enzymes, while normalizing serum H2S. AOAA further decreased the expression of H2S-producing enzymes and serum H2S level, and aggravated renal damage. Hence, dopamine preserves renal integrity during deep hypothermia and rewarming likely by maintaining the expression of renal H2S-producing enzymes and serum H2S. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of Forced Swimming Stress on ERK and Histone H3 Phosphorylation in Limbic Areas of Roman High- and Low-Avoidance Rats.

PubMed

Morello, Noemi; Plicato, Ornella; Piludu, Maria Antonietta; Poddighe, Laura; Serra, Maria Pina; Quartu, Marina; Corda, Maria Giuseppa; Giorgi, Osvaldo; Giustetto, Maurizio

2017-01-01

Stressful events evoke molecular adaptations of neural circuits through chromatin remodeling and regulation of gene expression. However, the identity of the molecular pathways activated by stress in experimental models of depression is not fully understood. We investigated the effect of acute forced swimming (FS) on the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 (pERK) and histone H3 (pH3) in limbic brain areas of genetic models of vulnerability (RLA, Roman low-avoidance rats) and resistance (RHA, Roman high-avoidance rats) to stress-induced depression-like behavior. We demonstrate that FS markedly increased the density of pERK-positive neurons in the infralimbic (ILCx) and the prelimbic area (PrLCx) of the prefrontal cortex (PFCx), the nucleus accumbens, and the dorsal blade of the hippocampal dentate gyrus to the same extent in RLA and RHA rats. In addition, FS induced a significant increase in the intensity of pERK immunoreactivity (IR) in neurons of the PFCx in both rat lines. However, RHA rats showed stronger pERK-IR than RLA rats in the ILCx both under basal and stressed conditions. Moreover, the density of pH3-positive neurons was equally increased by FS in the PFCx of both rat lines. Interestingly, pH3-IR was higher in RHA than RLA rats in PrLCx and ILCx, either under basal conditions or upon FS. Finally, colocalization analysis showed that in the PFCx of both rat lines, almost all pERK-positive cells express pH3, whereas only 50% of the pH3-positive neurons is also pERK-positive. Moreover, FS increased the percentage of neurons that express exclusively pH3, but reduced the percentage of cells expressing exclusively pERK. These results suggest that (i) the distinctive patterns of FS-induced ERK and H3 phosphorylation in the PFCx of RHA and RLA rats may represent molecular signatures of the behavioural traits that distinguish the two lines and (ii) FS-induced H3 phosphorylation is, at least in part, ERK-independent.

Effects of Forced Swimming Stress on ERK and Histone H3 Phosphorylation in Limbic Areas of Roman High- and Low-Avoidance Rats

PubMed Central

Piludu, Maria Antonietta; Poddighe, Laura; Serra, Maria Pina; Quartu, Marina; Corda, Maria Giuseppa; Giorgi, Osvaldo

2017-01-01

Stressful events evoke molecular adaptations of neural circuits through chromatin remodeling and regulation of gene expression. However, the identity of the molecular pathways activated by stress in experimental models of depression is not fully understood. We investigated the effect of acute forced swimming (FS) on the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 (pERK) and histone H3 (pH3) in limbic brain areas of genetic models of vulnerability (RLA, Roman low-avoidance rats) and resistance (RHA, Roman high-avoidance rats) to stress-induced depression-like behavior. We demonstrate that FS markedly increased the density of pERK-positive neurons in the infralimbic (ILCx) and the prelimbic area (PrLCx) of the prefrontal cortex (PFCx), the nucleus accumbens, and the dorsal blade of the hippocampal dentate gyrus to the same extent in RLA and RHA rats. In addition, FS induced a significant increase in the intensity of pERK immunoreactivity (IR) in neurons of the PFCx in both rat lines. However, RHA rats showed stronger pERK-IR than RLA rats in the ILCx both under basal and stressed conditions. Moreover, the density of pH3-positive neurons was equally increased by FS in the PFCx of both rat lines. Interestingly, pH3-IR was higher in RHA than RLA rats in PrLCx and ILCx, either under basal conditions or upon FS. Finally, colocalization analysis showed that in the PFCx of both rat lines, almost all pERK-positive cells express pH3, whereas only 50% of the pH3-positive neurons is also pERK-positive. Moreover, FS increased the percentage of neurons that express exclusively pH3, but reduced the percentage of cells expressing exclusively pERK. These results suggest that (i) the distinctive patterns of FS-induced ERK and H3 phosphorylation in the PFCx of RHA and RLA rats may represent molecular signatures of the behavioural traits that distinguish the two lines and (ii) FS-induced H3 phosphorylation is, at least in part, ERK-independent. PMID:28107383

Houston, TX, USA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

Most of the greater metropolitan Houston, TX (30.0N, 95.0W) region is captured in this single photograph. The continuing progress of construction of the outer beltway system enveloping the majority of the city is very evident. The downtown business district including the new George R. Brown Convention Center, the Astrodome Stadium, Intercontinental Airport and Hobby International Airport as well as Johnson Space Center are all easily seen.

75 FR 17851 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-08

...-0926; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-26] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Dallas-Fort Worth, TX AGENCY... airspace in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new... proposed rulemaking to amend Class E airspace for the Dallas- Fort Worth, TX area (74 FR 57617) Docket No...

Intake of water with high levels of dissolved hydrogen (H2) suppresses ischemia-induced cardio-renal injury in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

PubMed

Zhu, Wan-Jun; Nakayama, Masaaki; Mori, Takefumi; Nakayama, Keisuke; Katoh, Junichiro; Murata, Yaeko; Sato, Toshinobu; Kabayama, Shigeru; Ito, Sadayoshi

2011-07-01

Hydrogen (H(2)) reportedly produces an antioxidative effect by quenching cytotoxic oxygen radicals. We studied the biological effects of water with dissolved H(2) on ischemia-induced cardio-renal injury in a rat model of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dahl salt-sensitive rats (7 weeks old) were allowed ad libitum drinking of filtered water (FW: dissolved H(2), 0.00 ± 0.00 mg/L) or water with dissolved H(2) produced by electrolysis (EW: dissolved H(2), 0.35 ± 0.03 mg/L) for up to 6 weeks on a 0.5% salt diet. The rats then underwent ischemic reperfusion (I/R) of one kidney and were killed a week later for investigation of the contralateral kidney and the heart. In the rats given FW, unilateral kidney I/R induced significant increases in plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, methylglyoxal and blood urea nitrogen. Histologically, significant increases were found in glomerular adhesion, cardiac fibrosis, number of ED-1 (CD68)-positive cells and nitrotyrosine staining in the contralateral kidney and the heart. In rats given EW, those findings were significantly ameliorated and there were significant histological differences between rats given FW and those given EW. Consumption of EW by ad libitum drinking has the potential to ameliorate ischemia-induced cardio-renal injury in CKD model rats. This indicates a novel strategy of applying H(2) produced by water electrolysis technology for the prevention of CKD cardio-renal syndrome.

Neurofibromin Regulates Seizure Attacks in the Rat Pilocarpine-Induced Model of Epilepsy.

PubMed

Ren, Min; Li, Kunyi; Wang, Dan; Guo, Jiamei; Li, Jing; Yang, Guang; Long, Xianghua; Shen, Wenjing; Hu, Rong; Wang, Xuefeng; Zeng, Kebin

2016-11-01

Studies have shown that neurofibromin (NF1) restricts GABA release at inhibitory synapses and regulates dendritic spine formation, which may play an important role in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). NF1 expression was detected by double-label immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis in the brains of pilocarpine-induced epilepsy model rats at 6 h, 24 h, 72 h, 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, and 60 days after kindling. NF1 was localized primarily in the nucleus and cytoplasm of neurons. NF1 protein levels significantly increased in the chronic phase (from 7 days until 60 days) in this epileptic rat model. After NF1 expression was knocked down by specific siRNA, the effects of kindling with pilocarpine were evaluated on the 7th day after kindling. The onset latencies of pilocarpine-induced seizures were elevated, and the seizure frequency and duration were reduced in these rats. Our study demonstrates that NF1 promoted seizure attacks in rats with pilocarpine-induced epilepsy.

75 FR 64972 - Proposed Revocation of Class E Airspace; Lone Star, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-21

...-0772; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-10] Proposed Revocation of Class E Airspace; Lone Star, TX AGENCY... action proposes to remove Class E airspace at Lone Star, TX. Abandonment of the former Lone Star Steel... need for controlled airspace in the Lone Star, TX, area. The FAA is taking this action to ensure the...

The novel hypoxic cytotoxin, TX-2098 has antitumor effect in pancreatic cancer; possible mechanism through inhibiting VEGF and hypoxia inducible factor-1{alpha} targeted gene expression

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miyake, Kotaro, E-mail: hif.panc@gmail.com; Nishioka, Masanori; Imura, Satoru

Tumor hypoxia has been considered to be a potential therapeutic target, because hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumors and is associated with their malignant phenotype. In the present study, we investigated the antitumor effect of a novel hypoxic cytotoxin, 3-[2-hydroxyethyl(methyl)amino]-2-quinoxalinecarbonitrile 1,4-dioxide (TX-2098) in inhibiting the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1{alpha} (HIF-1{alpha}), and consequently vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) expression in pancreatic cancer. The antitumor effects of TX-2098 under hypoxia were tested against various human pancreatic cancer cell lines using WST-8 assay. VEGF protein induced pancreatic cancer was determined on cell-free supernatant by ELISA. Moreover, nude mice bearingmore » subcutaneously (s.c.) or orthotopically implanted human SUIT-2 were treated with TX-2098. Tumor volume, survival and expression of HIF-1 and associated molecules were evaluated in treatment versus control groups. In vitro, TX-2098 inhibited the proliferation of various pancreatic cancer cell lines. In s.c model, tumors from nude mice injected with pancreatic cancer cells and treated with TX-2098 showed significant reductions in volume (P < 0.01 versus control). Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that TX-2098 significantly inhibited mRNA expression of the HIF-1 associated molecules, VEGF, glucose transporter 1 and Aldolase A (P < 0.01 versus control). These treatments also prolong the survival in orthotopic models. These results suggest that the effect of TX-2098 in pancreatic cancer might be correlated with the expression of VEGF and HIF-1 targeted molecules. -- Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We designed and synthesized novel hypoxic cytoxin, TX-2098. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer TX-2098 inhibited the proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cells than TPZ. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer TX-2098 reduced VEGF protein level than TPZ. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer TX

Antibody and complement reduce renal hemodynamic function in isolated perfused rat kidney.

PubMed

Jocks, T; Zahner, G; Helmchen, U; Kneissler, U; Stahl, R A

1996-01-01

To evaluate the effect of antibody and complement on renal hemodynamic changes, glomerular injury was induced in isolated perfused kidneys by an anti-thymocyte antibody (ATS) and rat serum (RS). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal vascular resistance (RVR), and renal perfusate flow (RPF) were assessed over an 80-min period. The possible role of thromboxane (Tx) was tested by the application of the Tx synthesis inhibitor UK-38485 and the Tx receptor blocker daltroban. Perfusion of kidneys with ATS and RS significantly reduced GFR at 10 min (control, 501 +/- 111; ATS + RS, 138 +/- 86 ml.g kidney-1.min-1, significance of F = 0.000) after RS. Similarly, RPF (ml.g kidney-1.min-1) fell from 19.2 +/- 1.8 to 6.1 +/- 2.0 (significance of F = 0.000), whereas RVR (mmHg.ml-1.g.min) increased threefold from 5.2 +/- 0.4 to 17.9 +/- 5.0 at 10 min. These changes were ameliorated by the pretreatment of the rats with daltroban and UK-38485. Addition of erythrocytes to the perfusate increased RVR and GFR, whereas RPF decreased compared with cell-free perfused kidneys. ATS and RS in this preparation also decrease GFR and RPF. The hemodynamic alterations appeared without changes in filtration fraction. Compared with untreated, perfused control kidneys, glomerular Tx formation was significantly increased in ATS and RS perfused kidneys. These data demonstrate that antibody and RS induce impairment of renal hemodynamics, which are mediated by increased Tx formation.

Protection by Inhaled Hydrogen Therapy in a Rat Model of Acute Lung Injury can be Tracked in vivo Using Molecular Imaging.

PubMed

Audi, Said H; Jacobs, Elizabeth R; Zhang, Xiao; Camara, Amadou K S; Zhao, Ming; Medhora, Meetha M; Rizzo, Benjamin; Clough, Anne V

2017-10-01

Inhaled hydrogen gas (H2) provides protection in rat models of human acute lung injury (ALI). We previously reported that biomarker imaging can detect oxidative stress and endothelial cell death in vivo in a rat model of ALI. Our objective was to evaluate the ability of Tc-hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime (HMPAO) and Tc-duramycin to track the effectiveness of H2 therapy in vivo in the hyperoxia rat model of ALI. Rats were exposed to room air (normoxia), 98% O2 + 2% N2 (hyperoxia) or 98% O2 + 2% H2 (hyperoxia+H2) for up to 60 h. In vivo scintigraphy images were acquired following injection of Tc-HMPAO or Tc-duramycin. For hyperoxia rats, Tc-HMPAO and Tc-duramycin lung uptake increased in a time-dependent manner, reaching a maximum increase of 270% and 150% at 60 h, respectively. These increases were reduced to 120% and 70%, respectively, in hyperoxia+H2 rats. Hyperoxia exposure increased glutathione content in lung homogenate (36%) more than hyperoxia+H2 (21%), consistent with increases measured in Tc-HMPAO lung uptake. In 60-h hyperoxia rats, pleural effusion, which was undetectable in normoxia rats, averaged 9.3 gram/rat, and lung tissue 3-nitrotyrosine expression increased by 790%. Increases were reduced by 69% and 59%, respectively, in 60-h hyperoxia+H2 rats. This study detects and tracks the anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties of H2 therapy in vivo after as early as 24 h of hyperoxia exposure. The results suggest the potential utility of these SPECT biomarkers for in vivo assessment of key cellular pathways in the pathogenesis of ALI and for monitoring responses to therapies.

Influence of maternal hyperthyroidism in the rat on the expression of neuronal and astrocytic cytoskeletal proteins in fetal brain.

PubMed

Evans, I M; Pickard, M R; Sinha, A K; Leonard, A J; Sampson, D C; Ekins, R P

2002-12-01

Maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy impairs brain function in human and rat offspring, but little is known regarding the influence of maternal hyperthyroidism on neurodevelopment. We have previously shown that the expression of neuronal and glial differentiation markers in fetal brain is compromised in hypothyroid rat dam pregnancies and have now therefore extended this investigation to hyperthyroid rat dams. Study groups comprised partially thyroidectomised dams, implanted with osmotic pumps infusing either vehicle (TX dams) or a supraphysiological dose of thyroxine (T4) (HYPER dams), and euthyroid dams infused with vehicle (N dams). Cytoskeletal protein abundance was determined in fetal brain at 21 days of gestation by immunoblot analysis. Relative to N dams, circulating total T4 levels were reduced to around one-third in TX dams but were doubled in HYPER dams. Fetal brain weight was increased in HYPER dams, whereas litter size and fetal body weight were reduced in TX dams. Glial fibrillary acidic protein expression was similar in HYPER and TX dams, being reduced in both cases relative to N dams. alpha-Internexin (INX) abundance was reduced in HYPER dams and increased in TX dams, whereas neurofilament 68 (NF68) exhibited increased abundance in HYPER dams. Furthermore, INX was inversely related to - and NF68 directly related to - maternal serum total T4 levels, independently of fetal brain weight. In conclusion, maternal hyperthyroidism compromises the expression of neuronal cytoskeletal proteins in late fetal brain, suggestive of a pattern of accelerated neuronal differentiation.

78 FR 48293 - Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; San Marcos, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-08

..., TX [Amended] San Marcos Municipal Airport, TX (Lat. 29[deg]53'34'' N., long. 97[deg]51'47'' W.) That...] San Marcos Municipal Airport, TX (Lat. 29[deg]53'34'' N., long. 97[deg]51'47'' W.) Lockhart Municipal Airport, TX (Lat. 29[deg]51'01'' N., long. 97[deg]40'21'' W.) That airspace extending upward from 700 feet...

78 FR 48298 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Commerce, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-08

...-0269; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-3] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Commerce, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at Commerce, TX. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV...

76 FR 40598 - Establishment of Class E Airspace; Campbellton, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-11

...-1053; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-15] Establishment of Class E Airspace; Campbellton, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace... proposed rulemaking to establish Class E airspace for Campbellton, TX, creating controlled airspace at 74...

76 FR 43822 - Establishment of Class E Airspace; Hearne, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-22

...-0214; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASW-2] Establishment of Class E Airspace; Hearne, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace... notice of proposed rulemaking to establish Class E airspace for Hearne, TX, creating controlled airspace...

77 FR 56761 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Kerrville, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-14

...-1399; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASW-14] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Kerrville, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at... Class E airspace for the Kerrville, TX, area, creating additional controlled airspace at Kerrville...

The detached eclipsing binary TX Her revisited

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erdem, A.; Aliçavuş, F.; Soydugan, F.; Doğru, S. S.; Soydugan, E.; Çiçek, C.; Demircan, O.

2011-12-01

This paper presents new CCD Bessell BVRI light curves and photometric analysis of the Algol-type binary star TX Her. The CCD observations were carried out at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Observatory in 2010. New BVRI light curves from this study and radial velocity curves from Popper (1970) were solved simultaneously using modern light and radial velocity curves synthesis methods. The general results show that TX Her is a well-detached eclipsing binary, however, both component stars fill at least half of their Roche lobes. A significant third light contribution to the total light of the system could not be determined. Using O- C residuals formed by the updated minima times, an orbital period study of the system was performed. It was confirmed that the tilted sinusoidal O- C variation corresponds to an apparent period variation caused by the light travel time effect due to an unseen third body. The following absolute parameters of the components were derived: M1 = 1.62 ± 0.04 M ⊙, M2 = 1.45 ± 0.03 M ⊙, R1 = 1.69 ± 0.03 R ⊙, R2 = 1.43 ± 0.03 R ⊙, L1 = 8.21 ± 0.90 L ⊙ and L2 = 3.64 ± 0.60 L ⊙. The distance to TX Her was calculated as 155 ± 10 pc, taking into account interstellar extinction. The position of the components of TX Her in the HR diagram are also discussed. The components are young stars with an age of ˜500 Myr.

76 FR 43821 - Establishment of Class E Airspace; Ranger, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-22

...-1240; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-18] Establishment of Class E Airspace; Ranger, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace... Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish Class E airspace for Ranger, TX, creating controlled...

Performance of Rehabilitated Lightweight Aggregate Asphalt Concrete Pavements Under Wet and Heated Model Mobile Load Simulator Trafficking: A Comparative Study with the TxMLS

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-03-01

One-third-scale Model Mobile Load Simulator Mk3 (MMLS3) tests were conducted on US 281 in Jacksboro, Texas, adjacent to the full-scale Texas Mobile Load Simulator (TxMLS). The objectives were to investigate the moisture susceptibility and relative pe...

78 FR 48294 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Mason, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-08

...-1141; Airspace Docket No. 12-ASW-12] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Mason, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at Mason, TX... Approach Procedures at Mason County Airport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument...

76 FR 52563 - Special Local Regulations; Sabine River, Orange, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-23

...-AA08 Special Local Regulations; Sabine River, Orange, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Temporary Final rule. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary Special Local Regulation on the Sabine River within the Port Arthur, TX Captain of the Port Zone. This Special Local Regulation is intended to...

77 FR 46282 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Sweetwater, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-03

...-0829; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASW-9] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Sweetwater, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at... Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Class E airspace for the Sweetwater, TX, area...

78 FR 67296 - Establishment of Class D Airspace; Mesquite, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-12

...-0580; Airspace Docket No. 12-ASW-2] Establishment of Class D Airspace; Mesquite, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action establishes Class D airspace... establish Class D airspace for Mesquite Metro Airport, Mesquite, TX (78 FR 48842) Docket No. FAA-2012- 0580...

76 FR 28888 - Revocation of Class E Airspace; Gruver Cluck Ranch Airport, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-19

...-0272; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASW-3] Revocation of Class E Airspace; Gruver Cluck Ranch Airport, TX... Class E airspace at Gruver, Cluck Ranch Airport, TX. The airport has been abandoned, thereby eliminating the need for controlled airspace in the Gruver, Cluck Ranch Airport, TX, area. The FAA is taking this...

[The metabolic profilings study of serum and spinal cord from acute spinal cord injury rats ¹H NMR spectroscopy].

PubMed

Hu, Hua-Hui; Huang, Xiao-Long; Quan, Ren-Fu; Yang, Zong-Bao; Xu, Jing-Jing

2017-02-25

To establish the rat model of acute spinal cord injury, followed by aprimary study on this model with ¹H NMR based on metabonomics and to explore the metabonomics and biomarkers of spinal cord injury rat. Twenty eight-week-old adult male SD rats of clean grade, with body weight of (200±10) g, were divided into sham operation group and model group in accordance with the law of random numbers, and every group had 10 rats. The rats of sham operation group were operated without damaging the spinal cord, and rats of model group were made an animal model of spinal cord incomplete injury according to the modified Allen's method. According to BBB score to observate the motor function of rats on the 1th, 5th, and 7th days after surgery. Postoperative spinal cord tissue was collected in order to pathologic observation at the 7th day, and the metabolic profilings of serum and spinal cord from spinal cord injury rats were studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The hindlimb motion of rats did not obviously change in sham operation group, there was no significant difference at each time point;and rats of model group occurred flaccid paralysis of both lower extremities, there was a significant difference at each time; there was significant differences between two groups at each time. Pathological results showed the spinal cord structure was normal with uniform innervation in shame group, while in model group, the spinal cord structure was mussy, and the neurons were decreased, with inflammatory cells and necrotic tissue. Analysis of metabonomics showed that concentration of very low density fat protein (VLDL), low density fat protein (LDL), glutamine, citric acid, dimethylglycine (DMG) in the serum and glutathione, 3-OH-butyrate, N-Acetyl-L-aspartic acid (NAA), glycerophosphocholine (GPC), glutamic acid, and ascorbate in spinal cord had significant changes( P <0.05). There are significant differences in metabolic profile from serum and spinal cord sample between model group and sham

TxDOT uses of real-time commercial traffic data : opportunity matrix.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-01-01

Based on a TxDOT survey, a review of other state DOTs, and researcher understanding of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) needs, the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) team developed a comprehensive list of opportunities for TxDOT to consider ...

Dosimetric characteristics of Novalis Tx system with high definition multileaf collimator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chang Zheng; Wang Zhiheng; Wu, Q. Jackie

A new Novalis Tx system equipped with a high definition multileaf collimator (HDMLC) recently became available to perform both image-guided radiosurgery and conventional radiotherapy. It is capable of delivering a highly conformal radiation dose with three energy modes: 6 MV photon energy, 15 MV photon energy, and 6 MV photon energy in a stereotactic radiosurgery mode with 1000 MU/min dose rate. Dosimetric characteristics of the new Novalis Tx treatment unit with the HDMLC are systematically measured for commissioning. A high resolution diode detector and miniion-chamber detector are used to measure dosimetric data for a range of field sizes from 4x4more » mm to 400x400 mm. The commissioned Novalis Tx system has passed the RPC stereotactic radiosurgery head phantom irradiation test. The Novalis Tx system not only expands its capabilities with three energy modes, but also achieves better beam conformity and sharer beam penumbra with HDMLC. Since there is little beam data information available for the new Novalis Tx system, we present in this work the dosimetric data of the new modality for reference and comparison.« less

Hypothiocyanite produced by human and rat respiratory epithelial cells inactivates extracellular H1N2 influenza A virus.

PubMed

Gingerich, Aaron; Pang, Lan; Hanson, Jarod; Dlugolenski, Daniel; Streich, Rebecca; Lafontaine, Eric R; Nagy, Tamás; Tripp, Ralph A; Rada, Balázs

2016-01-01

Our aim was to study whether an extracellular, oxidative antimicrobial mechanism inherent to tracheal epithelial cells is capable of inactivating influenza H1N2 virus. Epithelial cells were isolated from tracheas of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Both primary human and rat tracheobronchial epithelial cells were differentiated in air-liquid interface cultures. A/swine/Illinois/02860/09 (swH1N2) influenza A virions were added to the apical side of airway cells for 1 h in the presence or absence of lactoperoxidase or thiocyanate. Characterization of rat epithelial cells (morphology, Duox expression) occurred via western blotting, PCR, hydrogen peroxide production measurement and histology. The number of viable virions was determined by plaque assays. Statistical difference of the results was analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test. Our data show that rat tracheobronchial epithelial cells develop a differentiated, polarized monolayer with high transepithelial electrical resistance, mucin production and expression of dual oxidases. Influenza A virions are inactivated by human and rat epithelial cells via a dual oxidase-, lactoperoxidase- and thiocyanate-dependent mechanism. Differentiated air-liquid interface cultures of rat tracheal epithelial cells provide a novel model to study airway epithelium-influenza interactions. The dual oxidase/lactoperoxidase/thiocyanate extracellular oxidative system producing hypothiocyanite is a fast and potent anti-influenza mechanism inactivating H1N2 viruses prior to infection of the epithelium.

Synthesis and electrochemical performance of Ti3C2Tx with hydrothermal process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Libo; Zhang, Heng; Wang, Bo; Shen, Changjie; Zhang, Chuanxiang; Hu, Qianku; Zhou, Aiguo; Liu, Baozhong

2016-09-01

In this study, a simple hydrothermal method has been developed to prepare Ti3C2Tx from Ti3AlC2 as a high-performance electrode material for supercapacitors. This method is environmentally friendly and has a low level of danger. The morphology and structure of the Ti3C2Tx can be controlled by hydrothermal reaction time, temperature and NH4F amounts. The prepared Ti3C2Tx was characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller. The results show that the prepared Ti3C2Tx is terminated by O, OH, and F groups. The electrochemical properties of the Ti3C2Tx sample exhibit specific capacitance up to 141 Fcm-3 in 3 M KOH aqueous electrolyte, and even after 1000 cycles, no significant degradation of the volumetric capacitance was observed. These results indicate that the Ti3C2Tx material prepared by this hydrothermal method can be used in high performance supercapacitors.

Gender differences in organ density in a rat simulated microgravity model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pettis, Christopher Ryan; Witten, Mark Lee

2004-01-01

Research investigating the physiological effects of microgravity on the human body has demonstrated a shift of body fluids in actual spaceflight and in simulated Earth-based microgravity models in both males and females, possibly causing many deleterious physiological effects. Twenty-five anatomically normal female (NF) and 20 ovariectomized (OE) Fischer 344 rats were randomly selected to be in an experimental ( 1 h of 45° head-down tilt, 45HDT) or control ( 1 h of prone position) group. At the end of the hour experimental period, the density of the brain, lungs, heart, liver, and left and right kidneys were measured using spiral computed tomography (SCT) while the rats remained in their experimental positions. A sub-group of OE rats ( N=6) was administered estrogen replacement therapy on a daily basis ( 5 μg/kg body weight, s.c.) for 4 days and then underwent 1 h of 45HDT and SCT analysis at one day, 2 days, and 5 days to determine if estrogen replacement therapy would alter organ densities. Our data demonstrate that 1 h of 45HDT produced significant increases ( p<0.05) in the organ densities of the brain, liver, left kidney, and lung of the OE female group compared to their prone controls. However, only the brain density was significantly increased in the NF group. Estrogen replacement therapy caused a significant decrease in brain organ density at the 5 day time point compared to the 24 h time point. We conclude that estrogen plays a role in fluid distribution in a rat 45HDT model.

The profiles of gamma-H2AX along with ATM/DNA-PKcs activation in the lymphocytes and granulocytes of rat and human blood exposed to gamma rays.

PubMed

Wang, Jing; Yin, Lina; Zhang, Junxiang; Zhang, Yaping; Zhang, Xuxia; Ding, Defang; Gao, Yun; Li, Qiang; Chen, Honghong

2016-08-01

Establishing a rat model suitable for γ-H2AX biodosimeter studies has important implications for dose assessment of internal radionuclide contamination in humans. In this study, γ-H2AX, p-ATM and p-DNA-PKcs foci were enumerated using immunocytofluorescence method, and their protein levels were measured by Western blot in rat blood lymphocytes and granulocytes exposed to γ-rays compared with human blood lymphocytes and granulocytes. It was found that DNA double-strand break repair kinetics and linear dose responses in rat lymphocytes were similar to those observed in the human counterparts. Moreover, radiation induced clear p-ATM and p-DNA-PKcs foci formation and an increase in ratio of co-localization of p-ATM or p-DNA-PKcs with γ-H2AX foci in rat lymphocytes similar to those of human lymphocytes. The level of γ-H2AX protein in irradiated rat and human lymphocytes was significantly reduced by inhibitors of ATM and DNA-PKcs. Surprisingly, unlike human granulocytes, rat granulocytes with DNA-PKcs deficiency displayed a rapid accumulation, but delayed disappearance of γ-H2AX foci with essentially no change from 10 h to 48 h post-irradiation. Furthermore, inhibition of ATM activity in rat granulocytes also decreased radiation-induced γ-H2AX foci formation. In comparison, human granulocytes showed no response to irradiation regarding γ-H2AX, p-ATM or p-DNA-PKcs foci. Importantly, incidence of γ-H2AX foci in lymphocytes after total-body radiation of rats was consistent with that of in vitro irradiation of rat lymphocytes. These findings show that rats are a useful in vivo model for validation of γ-H2AX biodosimetry for dose assessment in humans. ATM and DNA-PKcs participate together in DSB repair in rat lymphocytes similar to that of human lymphocytes. Further, rat granulocytes, which have the characteristic of delayed disappearance of γ-H2AX foci in response to radiation, may be a useful experimental system for biodosimetry studies.

[Effects of 100 Hz sinusoidal vibration on H reflex and M wave in rat soleus muscle following immobilization].

PubMed

Zhao, Xue-hong; Fan, Xiao-li; Song, Xin-ai; Shi, Lei

2011-09-01

To investigate the effects of 100 Hz sinusoidal vibration on H reflex and M wave in rat soleus muscle following immobilization. The immobilization of rat soleus muscle was induced as a disuse muscle model, and 100 Hz sinusoidal vibration was generated by a vibrator and applied to the immobilized soleus muscle, then the changes of H reflex and M wave in muscle were observed after 14 d. Compared to control, after 14 d of immobilization M(max) in soleus muscle decreased (P<0.01), stimulus threshold and S(max) increased (P<0.01); Hmax and H(max)/M(max) decreased (P<0.05, S(max) increased (P<0.05). Compared to immobilized soleus muscle, after 14 d of immobilization with 100 Hz sinusoidal vibration, the M(max) increased(P<0.01), stimulus threshold and S(Mmax) decreased (P<0.05), H(max) (P<0.01) increased and H(max)/M(max) increased (P<0.05). 100 Hz sinusoidal vibration plays a significant antagonist role against the changes in H reflex and M wave in rat soleus muscle following immobilization.

Characterization of photoreceptor degeneration in the rhodopsin P23H transgenic rat line 2 using optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Monai, Natsuki; Yamauchi, Kodai; Tanabu, Reiko; Gonome, Takayuki; Ishiguro, Sei-Ichi; Nakazawa, Mitsuru

2018-01-01

To characterize the optical coherence tomography (OCT) appearances of photoreceptor degeneration in the rhodopsin P23H transgenic rat (line 2) in relation to the histological, ultrastructural, and electroretinography (ERG) findings. Homozygous rhodopsin P23H transgenic albino rats (line 2, very-slow degeneration model) were employed. Using OCT (Micron IV®; Phoenix Research Labs, Pleasanton, CA, USA), the natural course of photoreceptor degeneration was recorded from postnatal day (P) 15 to P 287. The OCT images were qualitatively observed by comparing them to histological and ultrastructural findings at P 62 and P 169. In addition, each retinal layer was quantitatively analyzed longitudinally during degeneration, compared it to that observed in wild type Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The relationships between the ERG (full-field combined rod-cone response, 3.0 cds/m2 stimulation) findings and OCT images were also analyzed. In the qualitative study, the two layers presumably corresponding to the photoreceptor inner segment ellipsoid zone (EZ) and interdigitation zone (IZ) were identified in the P23H rat until PN day 32. However, the photoreceptor inner and outer segment (IS/OS) layer became diffusely hyperreflective on OCT after P 46, and the EZ and IZ zones could no longer be identified on OCT. In contrast, in the SD rats, the EZ and IZ were clearly distinguished until at least P 247. The ultrastructural study showed partial disarrangements of the photoreceptor outer segment discs in the P23H rats at P 62, although a light-microscopic histological study detected almost no abnormality in the outer segment. In the quantitative study, the outer retinal layer including the outer plexiform layer (OPL) and the outer nuclear layer (ONL) became significantly thinner in the P23H rats than in the SD rats after P 71. The thickness of the IS/OS layer was maintained in the P23H rats until P 130, and it became statistically thinner than in the SD rats at P 237. The longitudinal

Ethanol intake and sup 3 H-serotonin uptake I: A study in Fawn-Hooded rats

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Daoust, M.; Compagnon, P.; Legrand, E.

1991-01-01

Ethanol intake and synaptosomal {sup 3}H-serotonin uptake were studied in male Fawn-Hooded and Sprague-Dawley rats. Fawn-Hooded rats consumed more alcohol and more water than Sprague-Dawley rats. Plasma alcohol levels of Sprague-Dawley rats were not detectable but were about 5 mg/dl in Fawn-Hooded rats. Ethanol intake increased the Vmax of serotonin uptake in Fawn-Hooded rats in hippocampus and cortex, but not in thalamus. In Fawn-Hooded rats, serotonin uptake (Vmax) was higher than in Sprague-Dawley rats cortex. Ethanol intake reduced the Vmax of serotonin uptake in Fawn-Hooded rats in hippocampus and cortex. In cortex, the carrier affinity for serotonin was increased inmore » alcoholized Fawn-Hooded rats. These results indicate that synaptosomal {sup 3}H-serotonin uptake is affected by ethanol intake. In Fawn-Hooded rats, high ethanol consumption is associated with high serotonin uptake. In rats presenting high serotonin uptake, alcoholization reduces {sup 3}H-serotonin internalization in synaptosomes, indicating a specific sensitivity to alcohol intake of serotonin uptake system.« less

Fertilizability of Superovulated Eggs by Estrous Stage-independent PMSG/hCG Treatment in Adult Wistar-Imamichi Rats

PubMed Central

Kon, Hiroe; Hokao, Ryoji; Shinoda, Motoo

2014-01-01

We investigated the fertilization and developmental ability of superovulated eggs obtained from adult Wistar-Imamichi (WI) rats, by using pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment. Female WI rats, 11–13 weeks of age, were divided into four groups by estrous stage (metestrus [ME], diestrus [DE], proestrus [PE], or estrus [E]). PMSG (150 IU/kg) and hCG (75 IU/kg) were injected at an interval of 48 or 55 h and the female rats were mated with mature male rats. The ovulated eggs were collected 20, 24, and 27 h after hCG injection. Regardless of the estrous stage at the time of PMSG injection, the treated rats mated and ovulated similar to the untreated spontaneously ovulated rats (S group). Although the proportion of fertilized eggs in the E- and PE-treated groups was less than the S group 20 h after hCG injection, the proportion was not different among all treated and S groups 24 h after hCG injection. The proportion of fertilized eggs using in vitro fertilization and the proportion of offspring obtained from 2-cell stage embryo transfer did not differ among the treated and S groups. In comparison with PMSG/hCG-treated immature rats, mating and ovulation rate of adult rats were significantly higher. The proportion of fertilized eggs obtained from mated rats did not differ between immature and adult rats. These results demonstrate that adult WI rats are good egg donors for reproductive biotechnological studies using unfertilized or fertilized eggs. PMID:24770643

Intramedullary pressure changes in rats after spinal cord injury.

PubMed

Dong, X; Yang, D; Li, J; Liu, C; Yang, M; Du, L; Gu, R; Hu, A; Zhang, H

2016-11-01

The objectives of this study were to explore the change of intramedullary pressure over time in rats after different degrees of spinal cord contusion injury and to verify the hypothesis that the more serious the injury, the higher the intramedullary pressure. The control group rats underwent laminectomy only, whereas the rats in the three experimental groups were subjected to mild, moderate or severe 10th thoracic cord (T10) contusion injury after laminectomy. In addition, an intramedullary pressure of T10 was measured by a Millar Mikro-Tip pressure catheter (Millar Incorporated Company, Houston, TX, USA) immediately in the control group or at different time points after injury in the experimental groups. The average intramedullary pressure of the rats in the control group was 6.88±1.67 mm Hg, whereas that of the rats in any injury group was significantly higher (P=0.000). There was statistical difference among the different time points in the mild or moderate injury group (P=0.007/0.017), but no in the severe (P=0.374). The curves of intramedullary pressure over time in the mild and moderate injury group were bimodal, peaking at 1 and 48 h after the injury. The intramedullary pressure after injury was positively correlated with the injury degree (r=0.438, P=0.000). The intramedullary pressure of the rats increased after traumatic spinal cord injury. If the injury was not serious, the intramedullary pressure fluctuated with time and peaked at 1 and 48 h after injury. If the injury was serious, the intramedullary pressure remained high. The more serious the injury, the higher the intramedullary pressure.

75 FR 66301 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-28

... the Corpus Christi, TX, area. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Corpus Christi International Airport, Corpus Christi, TX. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the...

TxDOT wildland fire management training.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-06-01

In 2011, the Texas Tech Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Transportation (TechMRT) was contracted by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to analyze best practices for the department in responding to wildfires. This project (0-6735) ...

Establishment of a reversible model of prehepatic portal hypertension in rats.

PubMed

Zhao, Xin; Dou, Jian; Gao, Qing-Jun

2016-08-01

The aim of the present study was to improve upon the traditional model of pre-hepatic portal hypertension in rats, and simulate the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass. A reversible model of portal hypertension was induced by portal vein ligation, with a label ring ligated along the portal vein. A total of 135 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: i) Normal control (NC) group; ii) portal hypertensive control (PHTC) group; and iii) reperfusion (R) group. In the R group, rats with portal hypertension underwent simultaneous clamping of the portal triad and retrohepatic vena cava for 1 h, followed by removal of the clamps to enable blood reperfusion. Portal venography and portal vein pressure were recorded during the surgery. Arterial oxygen pressure (PaO 2 ), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBil) levels were determined, and pathological changes of the liver were investigated by immunohistochemical staining. The results demonstrated that, 3 weeks after portal vein ligation, the vein area and the free portal pressures in the PHTC group were significantly increased compared with those in the NC group. The serum ALT and AST levels in the R group at different time points were significantly elevated compared with those in the PHTC group, and reached their maximal levels at 24 h after reperfusion. Furthermore, the PaO 2 at 24 h after reperfusion was significantly decreased. In conclusion, the reversible model of pre-hepatic portal hypertension in rats was successfully established using the introduction of a label ring. This model may be useful for basic research focusing on the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass.

Time course of the soleus M response and H reflex after lidocaine tibial nerve block in the rat.

PubMed

Buffenoir, Kévin; Decq, Philippe; Pérot, Chantal

2013-01-01

In spastic subjects, lidocaine is often used to induce a block predictive of the result provided by subsequent surgery. Lidocaine has been demonstrated to inhibit the Hoffmann (H) reflex to a greater extent than the direct motor (M) response induced by electrical stimulation, but the timecourse of these responses has not been investigated. An animal (rat) model of the effects of lidocaine on M and H responses was therefore developed to assess this time course. M and H responses were recorded in 18 adult rats before and after application of lidocaine to the sciatic nerve. Two to five minutes after lidocaine injection, M responses were markedly reduced (mean reduction of 44%) and H reflexes were completely abolished. Changes were observed more rapidly for the H reflex. The effects of lidocaine then persisted for 100 minutes. The effect of lidocaine was therefore more prolonged on the H reflex than on the M response. This study confirms that lidocaine blocks not only alpha motoneurons but also Ia afferent fibres responsible for the H reflex. The authors describe, for the first time, the detailed time course of the effect of lidocaine on direct or reflex activation of motoneurons in the rat.

Rat Genome and Model Resources.

PubMed

Shimoyama, Mary; Smith, Jennifer R; Bryda, Elizabeth; Kuramoto, Takashi; Saba, Laura; Dwinell, Melinda

2017-07-01

Rats remain a major model for studying disease mechanisms and discovery, validation, and testing of new compounds to improve human health. The rat's value continues to grow as indicated by the more than 1.4 million publications (second to human) at PubMed documenting important discoveries using this model. Advanced sequencing technologies, genome modification techniques, and the development of embryonic stem cell protocols ensure the rat remains an important mammalian model for disease studies. The 2004 release of the reference genome has been followed by the production of complete genomes for more than two dozen individual strains utilizing NextGen sequencing technologies; their analyses have identified over 80 million variants. This explosion in genomic data has been accompanied by the ability to selectively edit the rat genome, leading to hundreds of new strains through multiple technologies. A number of resources have been developed to provide investigators with access to precision rat models, comprehensive datasets, and sophisticated software tools necessary for their research. Those profiled here include the Rat Genome Database, PhenoGen, Gene Editing Rat Resource Center, Rat Resource and Research Center, and the National BioResource Project for the Rat in Japan. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press.

Pathology, Organ Distribution, and Immune Response after Single and Repeated Intravenous Injection of Rats with Clinical-Grade Parvovirus H1

PubMed Central

Geletneky, Karsten; Leoni, Anne-Laure; Pohlmeyer-Esch, Gabriele; Loebhard, Stephanie; Baetz, Andrea; Leuchs, Barbara; Roscher, Mandy; Hoefer, Constance; Jochims, Karin; Dahm, Michael; Huber, Bernard; Rommelaere, Jean; Krebs, Ottheinz; Hajda, Jacek

2015-01-01

Parvovirus H1 (H1PV) is an autonomous parvovirus that is transmitted in rodent populations. Its natural host is rats. H1PV infection is nonpathogenic except in rat and hamster fetuses and newborns. H1PV infection of human cancer cells caused strong oncolytic effects in preclinical models. For a clinical trial of H1PV in patients with brain tumors, clinical-grade H1PV was produced according to Good Manufacturing Practices. This report focuses on results obtained after a single high-dose intravenous injection of highly purified H1PV in 30 rats and multiple (n = 17) intravenous injections at 3 dose levels in 223 rats. In both studies, no virus-related mortality or macroscopic organ changes related to H1PV occurred. Histopathology after multiple virus injections revealed minimal diffuse bile duct hyperplasia in livers of animals of the highest dose group and germinal center development in spleens of animals from the high-dose group. Liver changes were reversible within a 2-wk recovery period after the last injection. Hematology, blood chemistry, and coagulation analyses did not reveal significant toxicologic changes due to H1PV. Virus injection stimulated the production of IgG antibodies but did not alter mononuclear cell function or induce cytokine release. PCR analysis showed dose-dependent levels of viral genomes in all organs tested. The virus was excreted primarily through feces. These data provide important information regarding H1PV infection in its natural host. Due to the confirmation of the favorable safety profile of H1PV in a permissive animal model, a phase I/IIa clinical trial of H1PV in brain tumor patients could be initiated. PMID:25730754

Effect of social isolation on 24-h pattern of stress hormones and leptin in rats.

PubMed

Perelló, Mario; Chacon, Fernando; Cardinali, Daniel P; Esquifino, Ana I; Spinedi, Eduardo

2006-03-13

This work analyzes the effect of social isolation of growing male rats on 24-h changes of plasma prolactin, growth hormone, ACTH and leptin, and on plasma and adrenal corticosterone concentrations. At 35 days of life, rats were either individually caged or kept in groups (6-8 animals per cage) under a 12:12 h light/dark schedule (lights on at 08:00 h). A significant arrest of body weight gain regardless of unchanged daily food intake was found in isolated rats after 2 weeks of isolation. On the 4th week, rats were killed at 6 time intervals during a 24-h cycle, beginning at 09:00 h. In isolated rats the 24-h pattern of all parameters tested became distorted, as assessed by Cosinor analysis. When analyzed as a main factor in a factorial analysis of variance, isolation decreased plasma prolactin and growth hormone, increased plasma leptin and corticosterone while decreased adrenal corticosterone. Plasma corticosterone levels correlated significantly with plasma ACTH and with adrenal corticosterone levels in group-caged rats only. These changes can be attributed to an effect of mild stress on the endogenous clock that modulates the circadian hormone release.

Electroacupuncture improves gait locomotion, H-reflex and ventral root potentials of spinal compression injured rats.

PubMed

Escobar-Corona, Carlos; Torres-Castillo, Sergio; Rodríguez-Torres, Erika Elizabeth; Segura-Alegría, Bertha; Jiménez-Estrada, Ismael; Quiroz-González, Salvador

2017-05-01

This study explored the effect of electroacupuncture stimulation (EA) on alterations in the Hoffman reflex (H-reflex) response and gait locomotion provoked by spinal cord injury (SCI) in the rat. A compression lesion of the spinal cord was evoked by insufflating a Fogarty balloon located in the epidural space at the T8-9 spinal level of adult Wistar male rats (200-250 gr; n=60). In different groups of SCI rats, EA (frequencies: 2, 50 and 100Hz) was applied simultaneously to Huantiao (GB30), Yinmen (BL37), Jizhong (GV6) and Zhiyang (GV9) acupoints from the third post-injury day until the experimental session. At 1, 2, 3 and 4 post-injury weeks, the BBB scores of the SCI group of rats treated with EA at 50Hz showed a gradual but greater enhancement of locomotor activity than the other groups of rats. Unrestrained gait kinematic analysis of SCI rats treated with EA-50Hz stimulation showed a significant improvement in stride duration, length and speed (p<0.05), whereas a discrete recovery of gait locomotion was observed in the other groups of animals. After four post-injury weeks, the H-reflex amplitude and H-reflex/M wave amplitude ratio obtained in SCI rats had a noticeable enhancement (217%) compared to sham rats (n=10). Meanwhile, SCI rats treated with EA at 50Hz manifested a decreased facilitation of the H-reflex amplitude and H/M amplitude ratio (154%) and a reduced frequency-dependent amplitude depression of the H-reflex (66%). In addition, 50 Hz-EA treatment induced a recovery of the presynaptic depression of the Gs-VRP evoked by PBSt conditioning stimulation in the SCI rat (63.2±8.1%; n=9). In concordance with the latter, it could be suggested that 50 Hz-EA stimulation reduced the hyper-excitability of motoneurons and provokes a partial improvement of the locomotive performance and H reflex responses by a possible recovery of presynaptic mechanisms in the spinal cord of experimentally injured rats. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

P2 porous titanium implants improve tendon healing in an acute rat supraspinatus repair model.

PubMed

Tucker, Jennica J; Gordon, Joshua A; Zanes, Robert C; Zuskov, Andrey; Vinciguerra, John D; Bloebaum, Roy D; Soslowsky, Louis J

2017-03-01

Current techniques in rotator cuff repair often lack structural integrity. P 2 porous titanium-coated constructs (DJO Surgical, Austin, TX, USA) promote osseointegration and soft tissue ingrowth. This study examined the ability of this material to improve the structural integrity of supraspinatus tendon repair in a rat model. We hypothesized that P 2 implants placed at the tendon-to-bone interface would improve mechanical and histologic measures of supraspinatus healing. Forty rats underwent supraspinatus repairs with P 2 implants in 1 shoulder and standard repair in the other. Rats were humanely killed at time 0 (n = 3), 2 weeks (n = 8), 4 weeks (n = 15), and 12 weeks (n = 14). Tendon-to-bone composite specimens were harvested and evaluated mechanically and histologically. Tendon cross-sectional area was decreased in the P 2 implant group at 4 weeks, percentage of relaxation was increased at 2 weeks, elastic modulus was increased at 4 weeks, and maximum load and maximum stress were both increased at 2 and 4 weeks. Histologic analysis revealed no foreign body reactions within or around the P 2 implant, and healthy viable bone was visible within the P 2 implant. The results support our hypothesis, specifically in early healing, in this randomized controlled animal study. These data support the use of P 2 porous titanium implants to improve tendon-to-bone healing. Copyright © 2017 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effectiveness Comparison of TxDOT Quality Control/Quality Assurance and Method Specifications

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-12-01

Original Report date: October 1997. This is the first and final report for research project 0-1721, "Effectiveness Comparison of TxDOT Quality Control/Quality Assurance and Method Specifications." This study was established and sponsored by TxDOT to ...

Tempol Moderately Extends Survival in a hSOD1G93A ALS Rat Model by Inhibiting Neuronal Cell Loss, Oxidative Damage and Levels of Non-Native hSOD1G93A Forms

PubMed Central

Linares, Edlaine; Seixas, Luciana V.; dos Prazeres, Janaina N.; Ladd, Fernando V. L.; Ladd, Aliny A. B. L.; Coppi, Antonio A.; Augusto, Ohara

2013-01-01

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive dysfunction and death of motor neurons by mechanisms that remain unclear. Evidence indicates that oxidative mechanisms contribute to ALS pathology, but classical antioxidants have not performed well in clinical trials. Cyclic nitroxides are an alternative worth exploring because they are multifunctional antioxidants that display low toxicity in vivo. Here, we examine the effects of the cyclic nitroxide tempol (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-1-oxyl) on ALS onset and progression in transgenic female rats over-expressing the mutant hSOD1G93A . Starting at 7 weeks of age, a high dose of tempol (155 mg/day/rat) in the rat´s drinking water had marginal effects on the disease onset but decelerated disease progression and extended survival by 9 days. In addition, tempol protected spinal cord tissues as monitored by the number of neuronal cells, and the reducing capability and levels of carbonylated proteins and non-native hSOD1 forms in spinal cord homogenates. Intraperitoneal tempol (26 mg/rat, 3 times/week) extended survival by 17 days. This group of rats, however, diverted to a decelerated disease progression. Therefore, it was inconclusive whether the higher protective effect of the lower i.p. dose was due to higher tempol bioavailability, decelerated disease development or both. Collectively, the results show that tempol moderately extends the survival of ALS rats while protecting their cellular and molecular structures against damage. Thus, the results provide proof that cyclic nitroxides are alternatives worth to be further tested in animal models of ALS. PMID:23405225

Effect of Hypericum perforatum on different models of movement disorders in rats.

PubMed

Reis, Elizete M; Röpke, Jivago; Busanello, Alcindo; Reckziegel, Patrícia; Leal, Caroline Q; Wagner, Caroline; Boligon, Aline A; Athayde, Margareth L; Fachinetto, Roselei

2013-10-01

The effects of Hypericum perforatum, a plant with antidepressant action, were evaluated in models of abnormal movements in rats, brought about by administration of fluphenazine or reserpine. The number of vacuous chewing movements (VCMs) and locomotor activity (the number of crossings and rears in the open field test) were measured. In experiment 1, rats received a single administration of fluphenazine enanthate (25 mg/kg, intramuscular) and/or daily treatment with H. perforatum (300 mg/kg, in place of drinking water) for 7 days. Fluphenazine increased VCMs and decreased locomotor activity. H. perforatum had no effect on either the number of VCMs or the locomotor activity. In experiment 2, rats received reserpine every 2 days for 6 days (0.5 mg/kg, subcutaneous) and/or H. perforatum (300 mg/kg, in place of drinking water) daily for 16 days beginning 10 days before the first administration of reserpine. Reserpine treatment increased VCMs and decreased locomotor activity. H. perforatum had no effect on either the number of VCMs or the number of rears but did prevent the effect of reserpine on the number of crossings. In conclusion, H. perforatum failed to protect against orofacial movements induced by fluphenazine or reserpine in rats.

A Venom-derived Neurotoxin, CsTx-1, from the Spider Cupiennius salei Exhibits Cytolytic Activities*

PubMed Central

Kuhn-Nentwig, Lucia; Fedorova, Irina M.; Lüscher, Benjamin P.; Kopp, Lukas S.; Trachsel, Christian; Schaller, Johann; Vu, Xuan Lan; Seebeck, Thomas; Streitberger, Kathrin; Nentwig, Wolfgang; Sigel, Erwin; Magazanik, Lev G.

2012-01-01

CsTx-1, the main neurotoxic acting peptide in the venom of the spider Cupiennius salei, is composed of 74 amino acid residues, exhibits an inhibitory cysteine knot motif, and is further characterized by its highly cationic charged C terminus. Venom gland cDNA library analysis predicted a prepropeptide structure for CsTx-1 precursor. In the presence of trifluoroethanol, CsTx-1 and the long C-terminal part alone (CT1-long; Gly-45–Lys-74) exhibit an α-helical structure, as determined by CD measurements. CsTx-1 and CT1-long are insecticidal toward Drosophila flies and destroys Escherichia coli SBS 363 cells. CsTx-1 causes a stable and irreversible depolarization of insect larvae muscle cells and frog neuromuscular preparations, which seem to be receptor-independent. Furthermore, this membranolytic activity could be measured for Xenopus oocytes, in which CsTx-1 and CT1-long increase ion permeability non-specifically. These results support our assumption that the membranolytic activities of CsTx-1 are caused by its C-terminal tail, CT1-long. Together, CsTx-1 exhibits two different functions; as a neurotoxin it inhibits L-type Ca2+ channels, and as a membranolytic peptide it destroys a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell membranes. Such a dualism is discussed as an important new mechanism for the evolution of spider venomous peptides. PMID:22613721

The outer atmosphere of the carbon star TX Piscium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eriksson, K.; Gustafsson, B.; Johnson, H. R.; Querci, F.; Querci, M.

1986-01-01

A high-resolution LWP IUE spectrum of the bright N-type carbon star TX Psc demonstrates that the Mg II h and k emission profiles are strongly affected by absorption from Mg II, Mn I, probably Fe I, and possibly from molecules. The indication that the absorbing matter has a column density of not less than 10 to the 20th H atoms or molecules per sq cm is consistent with absorption in a slowly expanding envelope. The integrated Mg II line flux is found to be much greater than in 1981, and the radio CO (J = 1 - 0) line from the circumstellar shell is detected. Results for a column density of not larger than 10 to the 22nd H2 molecules/sq cm, and a radial velocity close to that of the star, are in agreement with those obtained from UV data. Some dust emission from carbon grains is suggested by the far infrared flux distribution, and a mass-loss rate estimation for the star of 10 to the -6th to 10 to the -8th solar masses is obtained.

Characterization of brevetoxin (PbTx-3) exposure in neurons of the anoxia-tolerant freshwater turtle (Trachemys scripta).

PubMed

Cocilova, Courtney C; Milton, Sarah L

2016-11-01

Harmful algal blooms are increasing in frequency and extent worldwide and occur nearly annually off the west coast of Florida where they affect both humans and wildlife. The dinoflagellate Karenia brevis is a key organism in Florida red tides that produces a suite of potent neurotoxins collectively referred to as the brevetoxins (PbTx). Brevetoxins bind to and open voltage gated sodium channels (VGSC), increasing cell permeability in excitable cells and depolarizing nerve and muscle tissue. Exposed animals may thus show muscular and neurological symptoms including head bobbing, muscle twitching, paralysis, and coma; large HABs can result in significant morbidity and mortality of marine life, including fish, birds, marine mammals, and sea turtles. Brevetoxicosis however is difficult to treat in endangered sea turtles as the physiological impacts have not been investigated and the magnitude and duration of brevetoxin exposure are generally unknown. In this study we used the freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta as a model organism to investigate the effects of the specific brevetoxin PbTx-3 in the turtle brain. Primary turtle neuronal cell cultures were exposed to a range of PbTx-3 concentrations to determine excitotoxicity. Agonists and antagonists of voltage-gated sodium channels and downstream targets were utilized to confirm the toxin's mode of action. We found that turtle neurons are highly resistant to PbTx-3; while cell viability decreased in a dose dependent manner across PbTx-3 concentrations of 100-2000nM, the EC 50 was significantly higher than has been reported in mammalian neurons. PbTx-3 exposure resulted in significant Ca 2+ influx, which could be fully abrogated by the VGSC antagonist tetrodotoxin, NMDA receptor blocker MK-801, and tetanus toxin, indicating that the mode of action in turtle neurons is the same as in mammalian cells. As both turtle and mammalian VGSCs have a high affinity for PbTx-3, we suggest that the high resistance of the turtle

H2 Control of Natural T Regulatory Cell Frequency in the Lymph Node Correlates with Susceptibility to Day Three Thymectomy Induced Autoimmune Disease

PubMed Central

Rio, Roxana del; Sun, Yuefang; Alard, Pascale; Tung, Kenneth S.K.; Teuscher, Cory

2010-01-01

Day 3 thymectomy (D3Tx) results in a loss of peripheral tolerance mediated by natural T regulatory cells (nTR) and development of autoimmune ovarian dysgenesis (AOD) and dacryoadenitis (ADA) in A/J and (C57BL/6J × A/J) F1 hybrids (B6A) but not in C57BL/6J (B6) mice. Previously, using quantitative trait locus (QTL) linkage analysis, we showed that D3Tx-AOD is controlled by five unlinked QTL (Aod1-Aod5) and H2. In the present study, using D3Tx B6-ChrA/J/NaJ chromosome substitution strains, we confirm that QTL on chromosome (Chr) 16 (Aod1a/Aod1b), Chr3 (Aod2), Chr1 (Aod3), Chr2 (Aod4), Chr7 (Aod5), and Chr17 (H2) control D3Tx-AOD susceptibility. Additionally, we present the first data mapping QTL controlling D3Tx-ADA to Chr17 (Ada1/H2), Chr1 (Ada2), and Chr3 (Ada3). Importantly, B6-ChrXA/J mice were as resistant to D3Tx-AOD and D3Tx-ADA as B6 mice thereby excluding Foxp3 as a susceptibility gene in these models. Moreover, we report quantitative differences in the frequency of nTR cells in the lymph nodes (LNs), but not spleen or thymus, of AOD/ADA-resistant B6 and AOD/ADA-susceptible A/J, B6A, and B6-Chr17A/J mice. Similar results correlating with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and orchitis susceptibility were seen with B10.S and SJL/J mice. Using H2-congenic mice we show that the observed difference in frequency of LN nTR cells is controlled by H2. These data support the existence of a LN-specific, H2-controlled mechanism regulating the prevalence of nTR cells in autoimmune disease susceptibility. PMID:21135167

DRG Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel 1.7 Is Upregulated in Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathy in Rats and in Humans with Neuropathic Pain.

PubMed

Li, Yan; North, Robert Y; Rhines, Laurence D; Tatsui, Claudio Esteves; Rao, Ganesh; Edwards, Denaya D; Cassidy, Ryan M; Harrison, Daniel S; Johansson, Caj A; Zhang, Hongmei; Dougherty, Patrick M

2018-01-31

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse effect experienced by cancer patients receiving treatment with paclitaxel. The voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7 (Na v 1.7) plays an important role in multiple preclinical models of neuropathic pain and in inherited human pain phenotypes, and its gene expression is increased in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of paclitaxel-treated rats. Hence, the potential of change in the expression and function of Na v 1.7 protein in DRGs from male rats with paclitaxel-related CIPN and from male and female humans with cancer-related neuropathic pain was tested here. Double immunofluorescence in CIPN rats showed that Na v 1.7 was upregulated in small DRG neuron somata, especially those also expressing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and in central processes of these cells in the superficial spinal dorsal horn. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in rat DRG neurons revealed that paclitaxel induced an enhancement of ProTx II (a selective Na v 1.7 channel blocker)-sensitive sodium currents. Bath-applied ProTx II suppressed spontaneous action potentials in DRG neurons occurring in rats with CIPN, while intrathecal injection of ProTx II significantly attenuated behavioral signs of CIPN. Complementarily, DRG neurons isolated from segments where patients had a history of neuropathic pain also showed electrophysiological and immunofluorescence results indicating an increased expression of Na v 1.7 associated with spontaneous activity. Na v 1.7 was also colocalized in human cells expressing transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 and CGRP. Furthermore, ProTx II decreased firing frequency in human DRGs with spontaneous action potentials. This study suggests that Na v 1.7 may provide a potential new target for the treatment of neuropathic pain, including chemotherapy (paclitaxel)-induced neuropathic pain. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This work demonstrates that the expression and function of the voltage-gated sodium channel Na

Disposition of [U-2H7]glucose into hepatic glycogen in rat and in seabass.

PubMed

Martins, Fátima O; Rito, João; Jarak, Ivana; Viegas, Ivan; Pardal, Miguel A; Macedo, M Paula; Jones, John G

2013-10-01

The stimulation of hepatic glycogenesis is a ubiquitous response to a glucose challenge and quantifying its contribution to glucose uptake informs its role in restoring euglycemia. Glycogenesis can be quantified with labeled water provided that exchange of glucose-6-phosphate hydrogen 2 (G6P-H2) and body water via glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, and exchange of positions 4, 5 and 6 hydrogens (G6P-H456) via transaldolase, are known. These exchanges were quantified in 24-h fasted rats (Rattus norvegicus; n=6) and 21-day fasted seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax; n=8) by administration of a glucose load (2000mg·kg(-1)) enriched with [U-(2)H7]glucose and by quantifying hepatic glycogen (2)H-enrichments after 2h (rats) and 48h (seabass). Direct pathway contributions of the glucose load to glycogenesis were also estimated. G6P-H2 and body water exchange was 61±1% for rat and 47±3% for seabass. Transaldolase-mediated exchange of G6P-H456 was 5±1% for rat and 10±1% for seabass. Conversion of the glucose load to hepatic glycogen was significant in seabass (249±54mg·kg(-1)) but negligible in rats (12±1mg·kg(-1)). Preload plasma glucose levels were similar for seabass and rats (3.3±0.7 and 4.4±0.1mmol·L(-1), respectively) but post-load plasma glucose was significantly higher in seabass compared to rats (14.6±1.8 versus 5.8±0.3mmol·L(-1), p<0.01). In conclusion, G6P-H2 and body water exchange is incomplete for both species and has to be accounted for in estimating hepatic glycogen synthesis and direct pathway activities with labeled water tracers. Transaldolase-mediated exchange is insignificant. Hepatic direct pathway glycogenesis plays a prominent role in seabass glucose load disposal, but a negligible role in the rat. © 2013.

Light-induced pH changes in the intact retinae of normal and early diabetic rats

PubMed Central

Dmitriev, Andrey V.; Henderson, Desmond; Linsenmeier, Robert A.

2016-01-01

Double-barreled H+-selective microelectrodes were used to measure local extracellular concentration of H+ ([H+]o) in the retina of dark-adapted anesthetized Long-Evans rats. The microelectrode advanced in steps of 30 μm throughout the retina from the vitreal surface to retinal pigment epithelium and then to the choroid, recording changes in [H+]o evoked by light stimulation. Recordings were performed in diabetic rats 1 to 3 months after intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and the results were compared with data obtained in age-matched control animals. Brief light stimulation (2.5 s) evoked changes of [H+]o with amplitudes of a few nM. Throughout the retina, there was a transient initial acidification for ~200 ms followed by steady alkalinization, although amplitudes and kinetics of these components were slightly variable in different retinal layers. No significant difference was found when the light-induced [H+]o changes recorded in various retinal layers of early diabetic rats were compared with the [H+]o changes from corresponding layers of control animals. Also, when H+-selective microelectrodes were located in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer, an increase in H+ was recorded, whose time course and amplitude were similar in control and diabetic rats. However, a striking difference between light-induced [H+]o changes in controls and diabetics was observed in the choriocapillaris, in the thin layer (10 – 20 μm) distal to the basal membrane of the RPE. In control rats, choroidal [H+]o decreased in a few cases, but much more often practically did not change. In contrast, diabetic rats demonstrated either an increase (in half of the cases) or no change in choroidal [H+]o. The data suggest that the active participation of the choroidal blood supply in stabilization of [H+]o could be partially compromised already at early stages of diabetes in rats. Interestingly, it appeared that the acid removal by the choroidal circulation was compromised most

Establishment of a reversible model of prehepatic portal hypertension in rats

PubMed Central

Zhao, Xin; Dou, Jian; Gao, Qing-Jun

2016-01-01

The aim of the present study was to improve upon the traditional model of pre-hepatic portal hypertension in rats, and simulate the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass. A reversible model of portal hypertension was induced by portal vein ligation, with a label ring ligated along the portal vein. A total of 135 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: i) Normal control (NC) group; ii) portal hypertensive control (PHTC) group; and iii) reperfusion (R) group. In the R group, rats with portal hypertension underwent simultaneous clamping of the portal triad and retrohepatic vena cava for 1 h, followed by removal of the clamps to enable blood reperfusion. Portal venography and portal vein pressure were recorded during the surgery. Arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBil) levels were determined, and pathological changes of the liver were investigated by immunohistochemical staining. The results demonstrated that, 3 weeks after portal vein ligation, the vein area and the free portal pressures in the PHTC group were significantly increased compared with those in the NC group. The serum ALT and AST levels in the R group at different time points were significantly elevated compared with those in the PHTC group, and reached their maximal levels at 24 h after reperfusion. Furthermore, the PaO2 at 24 h after reperfusion was significantly decreased. In conclusion, the reversible model of pre-hepatic portal hypertension in rats was successfully established using the introduction of a label ring. This model may be useful for basic research focusing on the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass. PMID:27446299

76 FR 5303 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Carrizo Springs, Glass Ranch Airport, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-31

...-0877; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-13] Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Carrizo Springs, Glass... rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class E airspace for the Carrizo Springs, Glass.... * * * * * ASW TX E5 Carrizo Springs, Glass Ranch Airport, TX [Amended] Carrizo Springs, Glass Ranch Airport, TX...

75 FR 6319 - Proposed Amendment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route T-254; Houston, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-09

... Amendment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route T-254; Houston, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration... altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-254 in the Houston, TX, terminal area by eliminating the segment..., TX, VORTAC. This action would eliminate a portion of T-254 that is no longer needed; thus, enhance...

Presynaptic Proteins as Markers of the Neurotoxic Activity of BmjeTX-I and BmjeTX-II Toxins from Bothrops marajoensis (Marajó Lancehead) Snake Venom.

PubMed

Lisboa, Antonio; Melaré, Rodolfo; Franco, Junia R B; Bis, Carolina V; Gracia, Marta; Ponce-Soto, Luis A; Marangoni, Sérgio; Rodrigues-Simioni, Léa; da Cruz-Höfling, Maria Alice; Rocha, Thalita

2016-01-01

Neuromuscular preparations exposed to B. marajoensis venom show increases in the frequency of miniature end-plate potentials and twitch tension facilitation followed by presynaptic neuromuscular paralysis, without evidences of muscle damage. Considering that presynaptic toxins interfere into the machinery involved in neurotransmitter release (synaptophysin, synaptobrevin, and SNAP25 proteins), the main objective of this communication is to analyze, by immunofluorescence and western blotting, the expression of the synaptic proteins, synaptophysin, synaptobrevin, and SNAP25 and by myography, light, and transmission electron microscopy the pathology of motor nerve terminals and skeletal muscle fibres of chick biventer cervicis preparations (CBC) exposed in vitro to BmjeTX-I and BmjeTX-II toxins from B. marajoensis venom. CBC incubated with toxins showed irreversible twitch tension blockade and unaffected KCl- and ACh-evoked contractures, and the positive colabelling of acetylcholine receptors confirmed that their action was primarily at the motor nerve terminal. Hypercontraction and loose myofilaments and synaptic vesicle depletion and motor nerve damage indicated that the toxins displayed both myotoxic and neurotoxic effect. The blockade resulted from interference on synaptophysin, synaptobrevin, and SNAP25 proteins leading to the conclusion that BmjeTX-I and BmjeTX-II affected neurotransmitter release machinery by preventing the docking of synaptic vesicles to the axolemma of the nerve terminal.

75 FR 43886 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-27

...-0404; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-7] Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX AGENCY... action proposes to amend Class E airspace in the Corpus Christi, TX area. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Corpus Christi...

H2S improves renal fibrosis in STZ-induced diabetic rats by ameliorating TGF-β1 expression.

PubMed

Li, Yan; Li, Lin; Zeng, Ou; Liu, Jun Mao; Yang, Jun

2017-11-01

Nephropathy develops in many patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). However, the specific mechanisms and therapies remain unclear. For this purpose we investigated the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) on renal fibrosis in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats and its underlying mechanisms. Experimental rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control group (normal rats), DM group (diabetes rats), DM + NaHS group [diabetes rats treated with sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS)], and NaHS group (normal rats treated with NaHS). The diabetic models were established by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The NaHS-treated rats were injected with NaHS as an exogenous donor of H 2 S. At the same time, control group and DM group were administrated with equal doses of normal saline (NS). After eight weeks, the rats' urine samples were collected to measure the renal hydroxyproline content by basic hydrolysis method with a hydroxyproline detection kit. Collagen I and III content was detected by immunohistochemical method, and the pathology morphology of kidney was analyzed by Masson staining. Protein expressions of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), ERK1/2, TIMP1, TIMP2, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-11, and MMP-14 were assessed by western blotting. The results showed that significant fibrosis occurred in the kidney of diabetes rats. NaHS treatment downregulated TGF-β1, ERK1/2, TIMP1, TIMP2, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-11, and MMP-14 expressions in the kidney of these diabetes rats (p<.01). This result suggests that NaHS treatment could attenuate renal fibrosis by TGF-β1 signaling, and its mechanisms may be correlated with ERK1/2 expression and modulation of MMPs/TIMPs expression. Therefore, H 2 S may provide a promising option for defensing against diabetic renal fibrosis through TGF-β1 signaling, equilibrating the balance between profibrotic and antifibrotic mediators.

TxDOT Video Analytics System User Manual

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-08-01

The TxDOT video analytics demonstration system is designed to monitor traffic conditions by collecting data such as speed and counts, detecting incidents such as stopped vehicles and reporting such incidents to system administrators. : As illustrated...

Establishment of rat model of silicotuberculosis and its pathological characteristic

PubMed Central

Dong, Hu; Jing, Wu; Yabo, Yang; Xiaokang, Yang; Wan, Wang; Min, Mu; Wenyang, Wang; Zhaoquan, Chen; Yingru, Xing; Rongbo, Zhang

2014-01-01

Objective: To establish different stages of silicosis rat model complicated with tuberculosis infection, and compare the pathological characteristics and analyze the impact of silicosis on tuberculosis infection. Methods: SD rats were subjected to intratracheal administration of silica with non-exposure method at the 1st, 30th, or 60th day. At the 50th day, the rats were injected with the suspension of H37Rv (a virulent standard strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis) via tail-vein. After 40 days post-infection, rats were sacrificed, the lung tissues were isolated, and paraffin was embedded and sectioned. The sections were treated using HE staining for structure observation, acid fast stain of Ziehl–Neelsen for bacterial detection, and Warthin–Starry silver staining for displaying the distribution of dust particles. The bacterial load was quantified by colony counting. Results: Primary to tertiary silicosis could be discovered at the 30th, 60th, and 90th day of post-infection. The rats could be infected by injection of M. tuberculosis via tail vein, with tuberculosis load and the degree of lung tissue lesions positively correlated with silicosis. Conclusion: The rat model of silicotuberculosis was established successfully, which facilitated understanding the ‘cross-talk’ of silicosis and tuberculosis during the process they drive each other. PMID:25355545

78 FR 33263 - Proposed Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; San Marcos, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-04

...] San Marcos Municipal Airport, TX (Lat. 29[deg]53'34'' N., long. 97[deg]51'47'' W.) That airspace... [Amended] San Marcos Municipal Airport, TX (Lat. 29[deg]53[min]34[sec] N., long. 97[deg]51'47'' W.) Lockhart Municipal Airport, TX (Lat. 29[deg]51'01'' N., long. 97[deg]40'21'' W.) That airspace extending...

75 FR 58339 - Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Shreveport, LA; Texarkana, TX; Milwaukee, WI; and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-24

... 3206-AM28 Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Shreveport, LA; Texarkana, TX; Milwaukee, WI...; Texarkana, TX; Milwaukee, WI; and Southwestern Wisconsin appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage areas. The proposed rule would redefine Upshur County, TX, from the Texarkana wage area to the...

76 FR 9639 - Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Shreveport, LA; Texarkana, TX; Milwaukee, WI; and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-22

... Shreveport, LA; Texarkana, TX; Milwaukee, WI; and Southwestern Wisconsin Appropriated Fund Federal Wage... Shreveport, LA; Texarkana, TX; Milwaukee, WI; and Southwestern Wisconsin appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage areas. The final rule redefines Upshur County, TX, from the Texarkana wage area to the...

RadNet Air Data From Dallas, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Dallas, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

RadNet Air Data From Houston, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Houston, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

RadNet Air Data From Amarillo, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Amarillo, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

RadNet Air Data From Laredo, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Laredo, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

RadNet Air Data From Harlingen, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Harlingen, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation

RadNet Air Data From Lubbock, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Lubbock, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

RadNet Air Data From Austin, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Austin, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

75 FR 13453 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-22

...-0089; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-1] Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX AGENCY... action proposes to amend Class E airspace in the Corpus Christi, TX area. Additional controlled airspace... adding additional Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in the Corpus Christi...

Expression of anti-Müllerian hormone in two rat models of polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Du, Dan-Feng; Li, Xue-Lian; Zheng, Sai-Hua

2016-12-01

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels are two to three times higher in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but the mechanism of increased AMH levels in PCOS remains unclear. The purpose of our experiment was to investigate a change in AMH levels in two kinds of commonly used rat models and to determine an ideal model for future research of AMH in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats were treated using two modeling methods: implantation of a levonorgestrel silastic implant or injection with sodium prasterone sulfate plus human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Rats in the control group were implanted with a blank silastic stick. Serum steroid concentrations, ovarian morphology and ovarian expression of AMH and AMH-receptor II (RII) proteins were determined and their correlations were studied. The results from the levonorgestrel and hCG group were closer to those displayed by human PCOS patients than the sodium prasterone sulfate and hCG group. Ovarian local expression of AMH and AMH-RII was increased in these both models compared with the control group; however, an elevation of serum AMH concentration was not observed (12.53 ± 0.99 ng/ml and 13.22 ± 1.09 ng/ml vs 16.30 ± 0.98 ng/ml). The levonorgestrel and hCG model is more suitable for the study of PCOS in puberty. © 2016 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Preventive Effect of Hydrogen Water on the Development of Detrusor Overactivity in a Rat Model of Bladder Outlet Obstruction.

PubMed

Miyazaki, Nozomu; Yamaguchi, Osamu; Nomiya, Masanori; Aikawa, Ken; Kimura, Junko

2016-03-01

Bladder ischemia and oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenesis of bladder dysfunction caused by bladder outlet obstruction. H2 reportedly acts as an effective antioxidant. We investigated whether oral ingestion of H2 water would have a beneficial effect on bladder function in a rat model of bladder outlet obstruction. H2 water was made by dissolving H2 gas in ordinary drinking water using a hydrogen water producing apparatus. The bladder outlet obstruction model was surgically induced in male rats. Rats with obstruction were fed H2 water or ordinary drinking water. On week 4 postoperatively cystometry was performed. Oxidative stress markers and the bladder nerve growth factor level were determined. Bladder tissues were processed for pharmacological studies and histological analysis. The micturition interval and micturition volume significantly decreased in obstructed rats given ordinary drinking water. These decreases were significantly suppressed by oral ingestion of H2 water. Increased post-void residual volume in obstructed rats was significantly reduced by H2 water. Obstruction led to a significant increase in bladder weight, oxidative stress markers and nerve growth factor. H2 water significantly suppressed these increases without affecting bladder weight. There was no significant difference in histological findings between rats with bladder obstruction given H2 water and ordinary drinking water. Decreased responses of detrusor muscle strips from obstructed bladders to KCl, carbachol and electrical field stimulation were reversed by H2 water ingestion. Results suggest that H2 water could ameliorate bladder dysfunction secondary to bladder outlet obstruction by attenuating oxidative stress. Copyright © 2016 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hormone secretion by euthyroid and hypothyroid rat ovaries during the early stages of hCG-induced ovarian cyst development.

PubMed

Bruot, B C

1987-02-01

This study was undertaken to examine ovarian steroid production during the early stages of hCG-induced ovarian cyst formation in the hypothyroid rat. Rats were placed into two groups with one group made hypothyroid by adding thiouracil to their diet. After 10 days, each group was divided into two subgroups with one subgroup receiving daily injections of hCG for 2 days and the other subgroup receiving saline. On the morning of Day 13, ovaries were removed and incubated for 2 hr. No significant difference in progesterone secretion was observed. However, ovaries from hypothyroid, hCG-treated rats secreted significantly more testosterone and estradiol than ovaries from vehicle-treated, hypothyroid rats and euthyroid, hCG-treated rats. In a second experiment, ovaries from euthyroid and hypothyroid rats treated with hCG were incubated in medium supplemented with 100 nM androstenedione and 0 or 100 ng FSH/ml. FSH failed to affect progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol secretions by ovaries from euthyroid, hCG-treated rats. In contrast, FSH significantly enhanced testosterone and estradiol secretion by ovaries from hypothyroid, hCG-treated rats. These results support the hypothesis that increased levels of testosterone and estradiol secretion have a central role in the induction of polycystic ovaries by hCG in the hypothyroid rat.

[Establishment of rat model with diabetes mellitus and concomitant periodontitis and the carotid artery lesions in the model rats].

PubMed

Ren, X Y; Wang, C; Liu, X; Li, H; Gao, J H; Ge, X J

2017-12-09

Objectives: To establish SD rat model with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and concomitant chronic periodontitis (CP) and to evaluate the influence of periodontitis on the vascular lesions of type 2 diabetes rats. Methods: Totally 241 clean level SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, group A (normal control, NC, n= 27), group B (DM, n= 34), group C (CP, n= 90) and group D (DM+CP, n= 90). The rats of DM group were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet for 8 to 10 weeks, and then were multiply injected with small dose streptozotocin under the condition of ice bath. Blood sugar levels after the injection were dynamically monitored at 72 h, 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks, respectively. The CP model was established by means of ligation. Bilateral maxillary first and second molars were selected and ligated using 0.2 mm orthodontic wires binding with 4-0 surgical suture soaked with Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) suspension. After a period of 14 weeks, all the rats were put to death. Maxillary samples were subjected to methylene blue staining to observe alveolar bone loss. Bilateral carotid artery specimens were collected. The left carotid artery specimens were used to detect the prevalence of Pg using quantitative real-time PCR. The right carotid artery specimens were used to observe pathological changes. Results: Blood sugar levels of rats in group B and D increased and changed sharply after Streptozotocin injection with in 1 week. Symptoms of 'more drink, more food and body weight loss' appeared. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) was more than 7.8 mmol/L and (or) the random blood glucose (RBG) was more than 17.8 mmol/L. Both FBG and RBG became stable after 2 to 3 weeks. Levels of HbA1C in group B and D ([7.32±0.45]%, [9.41±0.45]%) were significantly higher than that of group A ([4.02±0.45]%) ( P< 0.01). Rats of group D were observed the most severe bone loss showing wider interdental space and furcation involvement. Pathological results of carotid artery tissues of

78 FR 39822 - Texas Disaster #TX-00409

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-02

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 13631 and 13632] Texas Disaster TX-00409 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an...: Submit completed loan applications to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement...

Spinal Anesthesia in Infant Rats: Development of a Model and Assessment of Neurological Outcomes

PubMed Central

Yahalom, Barak; Athiraman, Umeshkumar; Soriano, Sulpicio G.; Zurakowski, David; Carpino, Elizabeth; Corfas, Gabriel; Berde, Charles B.

2012-01-01

Background Previous studies in infant rats and case-control studies of human infants undergoing surgery have raised concerns about potential neurodevelopmental toxicities of general anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia is an alternative to general anesthesia for some infant surgeries. To test for potential toxicity, we developed a spinal anesthesia model in infant rats. Methods Rats of postnatal ages 7, 14, and 21 days were assigned to: no treatment; 1% isoflurane for either 1 h or 6 h, or lumbar spinal injection of saline or bupivacaine, at doses of 3.75 mg/kg (low dose) or 7.5 mg/kg (high dose). Subgroups of animals underwent neurobehavioral testing and blood gas analysis. Brain and lumbar spinal cord sections were examined for apoptosis using cleaved caspase-3 immunostaining. Lumbar spinal cord was examined histologically. Rats exposed to spinal or general anesthesia as infants underwent Rotarod testing of motor performance as adults. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) using general linear models, Friedman Tests, and Mann–Whitney U tests, as appropriate. Results Bupivacaine 3.75 mg/kg was effective for spinal anesthesia in all age groups, and produced sensory and motor function recovered in 40 to 60 min. Blood gases were similar among groups. Brain and spinal cord apoptosis increased in rats receiving 6 h of 1% isoflurane, but not among the other treatments. All groups showed intact motor performance at adulthood. Conclusions Spinal anesthesia is technically feasible in infant rats, and appears benign in terms of neuroapoptotic and neuromotor sequelae. PMID:21555934

The selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist U50,488H attenuates voluntary ethanol intake in the rat.

PubMed

Lindholm, S; Werme, M; Brené, S; Franck, J

2001-05-01

Non-selective opioid receptor antagonists are increasingly used in the treatment of alcohol dependence. The clinical effects are significant but the effect size is rather small and unpleasant side effects may limit the benefits of the compounds. Ligands acting at mu- and/or delta- receptors can alter the voluntary intake of ethanol in various animal models. Therefore, the attenuating effects of selective opioid receptor ligands on ethanol intake may be of clinical interest in the treatment of alcoholism. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a selective kappa-receptor agonist, U50,488H on voluntary ethanol intake in the rat. We used a restricted access model with a free choice between an ethanol solution (10% v/v) and water. During the 3-days baseline period, the rats received a daily saline injection (1 ml/kg, i.p.) 15 min before the 2 h access to ethanol. The animals had free access to water at all times. The control group received a daily saline injection during the 4-days treatment-period, whereas the treatment groups received a daily dose of U50,488H (2.5, 5.0 or 10 mg/kg per day). Animals treated with U50,488H dose-dependently decreased their ethanol intake. The effect of the highest dose of U50,488H was reduced by pre-treatment with the selective kappa-antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI). These results demonstrate that activation of kappa-opioid receptors can attenuate voluntary ethanol intake in the rat, and the data suggest that the brain dynorphin/kappa-receptor systems may represent a novel target for pharmacotherapy in the treatment of alcohol dependence.

TX Cnc AS A MEMBER OF THE PRAESEPE OPEN CLUSTER

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, X. B.; Deng, L.; Lu, P.

2009-08-15

We present B-, V-, and I-band CCD photometry of the W UMa-type binary system TX Cnc, which is a member star of the Praesepe open cluster. Based on the observations, new ephemeris and a revised photometric solution of the binary system were derived. Combined with the results of the radial velocity solution contributed by Pribulla et al., the absolute parameters of the system were determined. The mass, radius, and luminosity of the primary component are derived to be 1.35 {+-} 0.02 M {sub sun}, 1.27 {+-} 0.04 R {sub sun}, and 2.13 {+-} 0.11 L {sub sun}. Those for themore » secondary star are computed as 0.61 {+-} 0.01 M {sub sun}, 0.89 {+-} 0.03 R {sub sun}, and 1.26 {+-} 0.07 L {sub sun}, respectively. Based on these results, a distance modulus of (m - M) {sub V} = 6.34 {+-} 0.05 is determined for the star. It confirms the membership of TX Cnc to the Praesepe open cluster. The evolutionary status and the physical nature of the binary system are discussed compared with the theoretical model.« less

Enduring disturbances in regional cerebral blood flow and brain oxygenation at 24 h after asphyxial cardiac arrest in developing rats.

PubMed

Foley, Lesley M; Clark, Robert S B; Vazquez, Alberto L; Hitchens, T Kevin; Alexander, Henry; Ho, Chien; Kochanek, Patrick M; Manole, Mioara D

2017-01-01

Disturbances in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and brain oxygenation (PbO 2 ) are present early after pediatric cardiac arrest (CA). CBF-targeted therapies improved neurological outcome in our CA model. To assess the therapeutic window for CBF- and PbO 2 -targeted therapies, we propose to determine if CBF and PbO 2 disturbances persist at 24 h after experimental pediatric CA. Regional CBF and PbO 2 were measured at 24 h after asphyxial CA in immature rats (n = 26, 6-8/group) using arterial spin label MRI and tissue electrodes, respectively. In all regions but the thalamus, CBF recovered to sham values by 24 h; thalamic CBF was >32% higher after CA vs. sham. PbO 2 values at 24 h after CA in the cortex and thalamus were similar to shams in rats who received supplemental oxygen, however, on room air, cortical PbO 2 was lower after CA vs. shams. CBF remains increased in the thalamus at 24 h after CA and PbO 2 is decreased to hypoxic levels in cortex at 24 h after CA in rats who do not receive supplemental oxygen. Given the enduring disturbances in this model and the lack of routine CBF or PbO 2 monitoring in patients, our data suggest the need for clinical correlation.

Evaluation of an experimental rat model for comparative studies of bleaching agents.

PubMed

Cintra, Luciano Tavares Angelo; Benetti, Francine; Ferreira, Luciana Louzada; Rahal, Vanessa; Ervolino, Edilson; Jacinto, Rogério de Castilho; Gomes Filho, João Eduardo; Briso, André Luiz Fraga

2016-04-01

Dental materials in general are tested in different animal models prior to the clinical use in humans, except for bleaching agents. Objectives To evaluate an experimental rat model for comparative studies of bleaching agents, by investigating the influence of different concentrations and application times of H2O2 gel in the pulp tissue during in-office bleaching of rats' vital teeth. Material and Methods The right and left maxillary molars of 50 Wistar rats were bleached with 20% and 35% H2O2 gels, respectively, for 5, 10, 15, 30, or 45 min (n=10 rats/group). Ten animals were untreated (control). The rats were killed after 2 or 30 days, and the maxillae were examined by light microscopy. Inflammation was evaluated through histomorphometric analysis with inflammatory cell count in the coronal and radicular thirds of the pulp. Fibroblasts were also counted. Scores were attributed to odontoblastic layer and vascular changes. Tertiary dentin area and pulp chamber central area were measured histomorphometrically. Data were compared by analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). Results After 2 days, the amount of inflammatory cells increased in the coronal pulp occlusal third up to the 15-min application groups of each bleaching gel. In the groups exposed to each concentration for 30 and 45 min, the number of inflammatory cells decreased along with the appearance of necrotic areas. After 30 days, reduction on the pulp chamber central area and enlargement of the tertiary dentin area were observed, without the detection of inflammation areas. Conclusion The rat model of extracoronal bleaching showed to be adequate for studies of bleaching protocols, as it was possible to observe alterations in the pulp tissues and tooth structure caused by different concentrations and application periods of bleaching agents.

Evaluation of an experimental rat model for comparative studies of bleaching agents.

PubMed

Cintra, Luciano Tavares Angelo; Benetti, Francine; Ferreira, Luciana Lousada; Rahal, Vanessa; Ervolino, Edilson; Jacinto, Rogério de Castilho; Gomes Filho, João Eduardo; Briso, André Luiz Fraga

2016-01-01

Dental materials, in general, are tested in different animal models prior to their clinical use in humans, except for bleaching agents. To evaluate an experimental rat model for comparative studies of bleaching agents by investigating the influence of different concentrations and application times of H2O2 gel in the pulp tissue during in-office bleaching of rats' vital teeth. The right and left maxillary molars of 50 Wistar rats were bleached with 20% and 35% H2O2 gels, respectively, for 5, 10, 15, 30, or 45 min (n=10 rats/group). Ten animals (control) were untreated. The rats were killed after 2 or 30 days, and the maxillae were examined by light microscopy. Inflammation was evaluated by histomorphometric analysis with inflammatory cell counting in the coronal and radicular thirds of the pulp. The counting of fibroblasts was also performed. Scores were attributed to the odontoblastic layer and to vascular changes. The tertiary dentin area and the pulp chamber central area were histomorphometrically measured. Data were compared by the analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). After 2 days, the amount of inflammatory cells increased in the occlusal third of the coronal pulp until the time of 15 min for both concentrations of bleaching gels. In 30 and 45 min groups of each concentration, the number of inflammatory cells decreased along with the appearance of necrotic areas. After 30 days, a reduction in the pulp chamber central area and an enlargement of tertiary dentin area were observed without the detection of inflammation areas. The rat model of extra coronal bleaching showed to be adequate for bleaching protocols studies, as it was possible to observe alterations in the pulp tissues and in the tooth structure caused by different concentrations and periods of application of bleaching agents.

A Novel Newborn Rat Kernicterus Model Created by Injecting a Bilirubin Solution into the Cisterna Magna

PubMed Central

Song, Sijie; Hu, Ying; Gu, Xianfang; Si, Feifei; Hua, Ziyu

2014-01-01

Background Kernicterus still occurs around the world; however, the mechanism of bilirubin neurotoxicity remains unclear, and effective treatment strategies are lacking. To solve these problems, several kernicterus (or acute bilirubin encephalopathy) animal models have been established, but these models are difficult and expensive. Therefore, the present study was performed to establish a novel kernicterus model that is simple and affordable by injecting unconjugated bilirubin solution into the cisterna magna (CM) of ordinary newborn Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods On postnatal day 5, SD rat pups were randomly divided into bilirubin and control groups. Then, either bilirubin solution or ddH2O (pH = 8.5) was injected into the CM at 10 µg/g (bodyweight). For model characterization, neurobehavioral outcomes were observed, mortality was calculated, and bodyweight was recorded after bilirubin injection and weaning. Apoptosis in the hippocampus was detected by H&E staining, TUNEL, flow cytometry and Western blotting. When the rats were 28 days old, learning and memory ability were evaluated using the Morris water maze test. Results The bilirubin-treated rats showed apparently abnormal neurological manifestations, such as clenched fists, opisthotonos and torsion spasms. Bodyweight gain in the bilirubin-treated rats was significantly lower than that in the controls (P<0.001). The early and late mortality of the bilirubin-treated rats were both dramatically higher than those of the controls (P = 0.004 and 0.017, respectively). Apoptosis and necrosis in the hippocampal nerve cells in the bilirubin-treated rats were observed. The bilirubin-treated rats performed worse than the controls on the Morris water maze test. Conclusion By injecting bilirubin into the CM, we successfully created a new kernicterus model using ordinary SD rats; the model mimics both the acute clinical manifestations and the chronic sequelae. In particular, CM injection is easy to perform; thus

Effect of monofluoroacetate on renal H+ excretion in the rat.

PubMed

Simonnet, H; Gauthier, C; Pellet, M V

1979-05-01

In order to investigate the effect of monofluoroacetate (MFA) on renal H+ excretion, anesthetized rats under mannitol diuresis were given intraperitoneally MFA and some of the acido-basic status parameters were determined. Urinary pH and pCO2 did not change after MFA administration, while urinary flow rate increased. MFA induced a decrease in H+ net excretion and in ammonia excretion. Titratable acidity did not change significantly within the experiment.

PET attenuation correction for rigid MR Tx/Rx coils from 176Lu background activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lerche, Christoph W.; Kaltsas, Theodoris; Caldeira, Liliana; Scheins, Jürgen; Rota Kops, Elena; Tellmann, Lutz; Pietrzyk, Uwe; Herzog, Hans; Shah, N. Jon

2018-02-01

One challenge for PET-MR hybrid imaging is the correction for attenuation of the 511 keV annihilation radiation by the required RF transmit and/or RF receive coils. Although there are strategies for building PET transparent Tx/Rx coils, such optimised coils still cause significant attenuation of the annihilation radiation leading to artefacts and biases in the reconstructed activity concentrations. We present a straightforward method to measure the attenuation of Tx/Rx coils in simultaneous MR-PET imaging based on the natural 176Lu background contained in the scintillator of the PET detector without the requirement of an external CT scanner or PET scanner with transmission source. The method was evaluated on a prototype 3T MR-BrainPET produced by Siemens Healthcare GmbH, both with phantom studies and with true emission images from patient/volunteer examinations. Furthermore, the count rate stability of the PET scanner and the x-ray properties of the Tx/Rx head coil were investigated. Even without energy extrapolation from the two dominant γ energies of 176Lu to 511 keV, the presented method for attenuation correction, based on the measurement of 176Lu background attenuation, shows slightly better performance than the coil attenuation correction currently used. The coil attenuation correction currently used is based on an external transmission scan with rotating 68Ge sources acquired on a Siemens ECAT HR  +  PET scanner. However, the main advantage of the presented approach is its straightforwardness and ready availability without the need for additional accessories.

76 FR 9640 - Prevailing Rate Systems: Santa Clara, CA, Tulsa County, OK, and Angelina County, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-22

... System (FWS) wage area and Angelina County, Texas, as an area of application to the Dallas, TX, NAF FWS... County, Texas, as an area of application to the Dallas, TX, NAF FWS wage area. The Federal Prevailing... area listing for the Oklahoma, OK, and Dallas, TX, NAF wage areas to read as follows: Appendix D to...

Silymarin preconditioning protected insulin resistant rats from liver ischemia-reperfusion injury: role of endogenous H2S.

PubMed

Younis, Nahla N; Shaheen, Mohamed A; Mahmoud, Mona F

2016-08-01

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can protect against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIR). However, it is unknown whether it can protect against HIR in insulin resistance. This study investigated the protective effects of silymarin against HIR in a rat model of insulin resistance and the possible involvement of endogenous H2S. Insulin resistance was first established using 10% fructose in drinking water for 10 weeks. HIR was conducted in fructose-fed rats treated with saline or silymarin (100 mg/kg), 15 min before HIR (30 min ischemia, followed by 1 h reperfusion). Insulin resistance and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), total nitrites (NO2(-)), and H2S were measured. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), hydroxyproline, H2S synthesizing activity, and mRNA expression of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) or cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) were determined. Additionally, histopathological examination involved H&E, Sirius red, and caspase-3 immunostaining. Fructose-induced insulin resistance increased serum ALT, TNF-α, H2S and H2S synthesizing activity, and hepatic MDA, hydroxyproline, and CSE mRNA and decreased NO2(-) and GSH. These changes exacerbated the HIR injury in which endogenous H2S production was auxiliary increased. Silymarin preconditioning decreased ALT, AST, MDA, NO2(-), TNF-α, and TNF-α/IL-10 ratio, increased GSH, IL-10, improved hepatic architecture, and lowered caspase-3 immunostaining. Serum H2S, its hepatic synthesizing activity, and CSE and CBS mRNA expressions were all suppressed by silymarin pretreatment. The increases in endogenous H2S exacerbate HIR injury, whereas silymarin preconditioning protected against HIR in insulin resistant rats via powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects along with suppressing H2S production. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

77 FR 24756 - Texas Disaster #TX-00387

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-25

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 13063 and 13064] Texas Disaster TX-00387 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 04/17/2012. Incident: Multiple Tornadoes...

76 FR 24555 - Texas Disaster #TX-00375

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-02

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12538 and 12539] Texas Disaster TX-00375 AGENCY: Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas. Dated 04/26/2011. Incident: Rock House Wildfire. Incident...

75 FR 62437 - Texas Disaster #TX-00364

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-08

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12337 and 12338] Texas Disaster TX-00364 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 09/29/2010. Incident: Remnants of Hurricane...

78 FR 27468 - Texas Disaster # TX-00401

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-10

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 13559 and 13560] Texas Disaster TX-00401 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated May 2, 2013. Incident: West Fertilizer...

78 FR 36631 - Texas Disaster #TX-00408

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-18

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 13616 and 13617] Texas Disaster TX-00408 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 06/12/2013. Incident: Severe Weather and...

75 FR 70763 - Texas Disaster #TX-00363

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-18

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12377 and 12378] Texas Disaster TX-00363 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 11/09/2010. Incident: Tropical Storm...

77 FR 6620 - Texas Disaster #TX-00385

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-08

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12998 and 12999] Texas Disaster TX-00385 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 01/30/2012. Incident: Severe Storms and...

A four-disulphide-bridged toxin, with high affinity towards voltage-gated K+ channels, isolated from Heterometrus spinnifer (Scorpionidae) venom.

PubMed

Lebrun, B; Romi-Lebrun, R; Martin-Eauclaire, M F; Yasuda, A; Ishiguro, M; Oyama, Y; Pongs, O; Nakajima, T

1997-11-15

A new toxin, named HsTX1, has been identified in the venom of Heterometrus spinnifer (Scorpionidae), on the basis of its ability to block the rat Kv1.3 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. HsTX1 has been purified and characterized as a 34-residue peptide reticulated by four disulphide bridges. HsTX1 shares 53% and 59% sequence identity with Pandinus imperator toxin1 (Pi1) and maurotoxin, two recently isolated four-disulphide-bridged toxins, whereas it is only 32-47% identical with the other scorpion K+ channel toxins, reticulated by three disulphide bridges. The amidated and carboxylated forms of HsTX1 were synthesized chemically, and identity between the natural and the synthetic amidated peptides was proved by mass spectrometry, co-elution on C18 HPLC and blocking activity on the rat Kv1.3 channels. The disulphide bridge pattern was studied by (1) limited reduction-alkylation at acidic pH and (2) enzymic cleavage on an immobilized trypsin cartridge, both followed by mass and sequence analyses. Three of the disulphide bonds are connected as in the three-disulphide-bridged scorpion toxins, and the two extra half-cystine residues of HsTX1 are cross-linked, as in Pi1. These results, together with those of CD analysis, suggest that HsTX1 probably adopts the same general folding as all scorpion K+ channel toxins. HsTX1 is a potent inhibitor of the rat Kv1.3 channels (IC50 approx. 12 pM). HsTX1 does not compete with 125I-apamin for binding to its receptor site on rat brain synaptosomal membranes, but competes efficiently with 125I-kaliotoxin for binding to the voltage-gated K+ channels on the same preparation (IC50 approx. 1 pM).

D-RATS 2011: RAFT Protocol Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Utz, Hans

2011-01-01

A brief overview presentation on the protocol used during the D-RATS2011 field test for file transfer from the field-test robots at Black Point Lava Flow AZ to Johnson Space Center, Houston TX over a simulated time-delay. The file transfer actually uses a commercial implementation of an open communications standard. The focus of the work lies on how to make the state of the distributed system observable.

¹H NMR-based metabolic profiling of naproxen-induced toxicity in rats.

PubMed

Jung, Jeeyoun; Park, Minhwa; Park, Hye Jin; Shim, Sun Bo; Cho, Yang Ha; Kim, Jinho; Lee, Ho-Sub; Ryu, Do Hyun; Choi, Donwoong; Hwang, Geum-Sook

2011-01-15

The dose-dependent perturbations in urinary metabolite concentrations caused by naproxen toxicity were investigated using ¹H NMR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate statistical analysis. Histopathologic evaluation of naproxen-induced acute gastrointestinal damage in rats demonstrated a significant dose-dependent effect. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) of ¹H NMR from rat urine revealed a dose-dependent metabolic shift between the vehicle-treated control rats and rats treated with low-dose (10 mg/kg body weight), moderate-dose (50 mg/kg), and high-dose (100 mg/kg) naproxen, coinciding with their gastric damage scores after naproxen administration. The resultant metabolic profiles demonstrate that the naproxen-induced gastric damage exhibited energy metabolism perturbations that elevated their urinary levels of citrate, cis-aconitate, creatine, and creatine phosphate. In addition, naproxen administration decreased choline level and increased betaine level, indicating that it depleted the main protective constituent of the gastric mucosa. Moreover, naproxen stimulated the decomposition of tryptophan into kynurenate, which inhibits fibroblast growth factor-1 and delays ulcer healing. These findings demonstrate that ¹H NMR-based urinary metabolic profiling can facilitate noninvasive and rapid diagnosis of drug side effects and is suitable for elucidating possible biological pathways perturbed by drug toxicity. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Histamine H1 Receptor Participates in the Increased Dorsal Telencephalic Neurogenesis in Embryos from Diabetic Rats.

PubMed

Solís, Karina H; Méndez, Laura I; García-López, Guadalupe; Díaz, Néstor F; Portillo, Wendy; De Nova-Ocampo, Mónica; Molina-Hernández, Anayansi

2017-01-01

Increased neuron telencephalic differentiation during deep cortical layer formation has been reported in embryos from diabetic mice. Transitory histaminergic neurons within the mesencephalon/rhombencephalon are responsible for fetal histamine synthesis during development, fibers from this system arrives to the frontal and parietal cortex at embryo day (E) 15. Histamine is a neurogenic factor for cortical neural stem cells in vitro through H 1 receptor (H 1 R) which is highly expressed during corticogenesis in rats and mice. Furthermore, in utero administration of an H 1 R antagonist, chlorpheniramine, decreases the neuron markers microtubuline associated protein 2 (MAP2) and forkhead box protein 2. Interestingly, in the diabetic mouse model of diabetes induced with streptozotocin, an increase in fetal neurogenesis in terms of MAP2 expression in the telencephalon is reported at E11.5. Because of the reported effects on cortical neuron differentiation of maternal diabetes in one hand and of histamine in the other, here the participation of histamine and H 1 R on the increased dorsal telencephalic neurogenesis was explored. First, the increased neurogenesis in the dorsal telencephalon at E14 in diabetic rats was corroborated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Then, changes during corticogenesis in the level of histamine was analyzed by ELISA and in H 1 R expression by qRT-PCR and Western blot and, finally, we tested H 1 R participation in the increased dorsal telencephalic neurogenesis by the systemic administration of chlorpheniramine. Our results showed a significant increase of histamine at E14 and in the expression of the receptor at E12. The administration of chlorpheniramine to diabetic rats at E12 prevented the increased expression of βIII-tubulin and MAP2 mRNAs (neuron markers) and partially reverted the increased level of MAP2 protein at E14, concluding that H 1 R have an important role in the increased neurogenesis within the dorsal telencephalon of

Does Omegaven have beneficial effects on a rat model of ovarian ischemia/reperfusion?

PubMed

Gungor, Ayse N Cakir; Turkon, Hakan; Albayrak, Aynur; Ovali, Mehmet; Islimye, Mine; Gencer, Meryem; Hacivelioglu, Servet; Cevizci, Sibel; Cesur, Ismet; Cosar, Emine

2014-10-01

The beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids on an intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model was shown previously. Therefore, we aimed to examine the potential beneficial effects of parenteral omega-3 fatty acids, a safe and inexpensive product, on a rat model of ovarian I/R. A group of 39 rats was divided into six groups. Group 1 (Sham Group; n=6) underwent two laparotomies with a 3-h interval and their ovaries were removed 3h later. Group 2 (torsion-detorsion Group; n=7) had their ovaries torsioned clockwise and fixed at 720°; 3h later a detorsion operation was done and after another 3h, their ovaries were removed. Group 3 (n=7) and Group 4 (n=7) received the same treatment as Group 2; however, half an hour prior to detorsion, these rats received Omegaven at 1mL/kg and 5mL/kg, respectively. Group 5 (n=6) and Group 6 (n=6) received the same treatment as Group 1; however, half an hour prior to the second laparotomy, these rats received Omegaven at 1mL/kg and 5mL/kg, respectively. One ovary from each rat was evaluated histologically by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and the other ovary was homogenized and evaluated for total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI). While we failed to show any significant relationship among groups in oxidative parameters, there was a significant worsening in the torsion-detorsion group in histological evaluation. High Omegaven doses, but not low doses, improved tissue injury scores of torsioned and detorsioned ovaries to the levels observed in the control group. Omegaven improves the detrimental effects of ovarian I/R when used in sufficient doses. Its effects and dose adjustment on women with ovarian torsion must be investigated by further studies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

75 FR 1421 - Texas Disaster # TX-00354

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-11

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12000 and 12001] Texas Disaster TX-00354... Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 01/04/2010. Incident: Severe Storms and Tornado. Incident Period: 12/23/2009. Effective Date: 01/04/2010. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date...

78 FR 33464 - Texas Disaster #TX-00405

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-04

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 13590 and 13591] Texas Disaster TX-00405... Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 05/29/2013. Incident: Severe Weather and Tornadoes. Incident Period: 05/15/2013. Effective Date: 05/29/2013. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date...

76 FR 35260 - Texas Disaster # TX-00375

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-16

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12538 and 12539] Texas Disaster TX-00375 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 1. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of the Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of TEXAS dated 04/26/2011. Incident: Rock House Wildfire...

75 FR 48384 - Texas Disaster #TX-00361

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-10

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12266 and 12267] Texas Disaster TX-00361 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Texas (FEMA-1931-DR), dated 08/03/2010. Incident: Hurricane...

76 FR 28841 - Texas Disaster # TX-00376

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-18

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Disaster Declaration 12564 and 12565 Texas Disaster TX-00376 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 05/09/2011. Incident: Wichita County Complex Wildfires...

76 FR 58329 - Texas Disaster #TX-00381

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-20

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12815 and 12816 Texas Disaster TX-00381 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice SUMMARY: This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Texas (FEMA-4029-DR), dated 09/09/2011. Incident: Wildfires...

78 FR 72140 - Texas Disaster # TX-00417

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-02

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 13823 and 13824] Texas Disaster TX-00417 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration ACTION: Notice SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 11/22/2013. Incident: Severe Storms and Flooding...

Protective effect of chlorogenic acid on the focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion rat models.

PubMed

Miao, Mingsan; Cao, Lihua; Li, Ruiqi; Fang, Xiaoyan; Miao, Yanyan

2017-05-01

The aim of the study was to investigate the protective characteristic of chlorogenic acid, a natural glucosyl xanthone found in Lonicera Japonica on the cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury and the underlying mechanism. Focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion model was built by blocking the left middle cerebral artery in rats by using the suture-occluded method. Before operation, the corresponding drugs were given for each group once a day for 7 days. After 1 h of final administration, the model was built, after operation, reperfusion was conducted for 22 h, Before the reperfusion 10 min tail vein injection of large, medium and small dose of chlorogenic acid and then mortality was calculated, and Neurological deficit score (NDS) was conducted, and serum was collected to measure the NSE level; a 2 mm thick brain slice located at the intersection of optic nerves was collected for TTC staining, and the percentage of cerebral infarction area was calculated; brain homogenate was collected to measure the ICAM-1, VCAM-1, EPO and HIF-1α levels in brain tissue of cerebral ischemia reperfusion rat models; NGF was detected using immunohistochemical method; the morphological changes in brain tissue was observed with HE staining. All focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion rat models were duplicated successfully. Every chlorogenic acid group with different dosage can significantly reduce the mortality, NDS and cerebral infarction area of rats, and significantly increase the EPO, HIF-1α and NGF levels in brain tissue; significantly improve the pathological lesions of hippocampus and cortex in brain tissue. The results showed that chlorogenic acid could protect the focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury rat models by adjusting the inflammatory factor, hypoxia factor and nerve growth factor.

Operating guidelines for TxDOT ramp control signals.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-01-01

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) currently maintains a Traffic Signals Manual. : Originally published in 1999, this manual provides a guide and reference for handling requests : for traffic signals on the designated State Highway System...

Group Shot - Nucleus - 1960 Flight Operations Division - Houston, TX

NASA Image and Video Library

1964-07-08

Group shot of the nucleus of the 1960 Flight Operations Division for the Mercury Program. Image taken at the Houston Petroleum Center (HPC) in Houston, TX, prior to their move to the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC). This photo was published in the Space News Roundup, 07/08/1964. The women are (L-R): Doris Folkes, Cathy Osgood, Shirley Hunt and Mary Shep Burton. The men are (L-R): Dick Koos, Paul Brumberg, John O'Loughlin, Emil Schiesser, Jim Dalby, Morris Jenkins, Carl Huss, John Mayer, Bill Tindall, Hal Beck, Charlie Allen, Ted Skopinski, Jack Hartung, Glynn Lunney, John Shoosmith, Bill Reini, Lyn Dunseith, Jerry Engel, Harold Miller and Clay Hicks. ( 26644 ); Houston, TX

Ultrastructural aspects of mouse nerve-muscle preparation exposed to Bothrops jararacussu and Bothrops bilineatus venoms and their toxins BthTX-I and Bbil-TX: Unknown myotoxic effects.

PubMed

Melaré, Rodolfo; Floriano, Rafael Stuani; Gracia, Marta; Rodrigues-Simioni, Léa; Cruz-Höfling, Maria Alice da; Rocha, Thalita

2016-11-01

Bites by Bothrops snakes normally induce local pain, haemorrhage, oedema and myonecrosis. Mammalian isolated nerve-muscle preparations exposed to Bothrops venoms and their phospholipase A 2 toxins (PLA 2 ) can exhibit a neurotoxic pattern as increase in frequency of miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPs) as well as in amplitude of end-plate potentials (EPPs); neuromuscular facilitation followed by complete and irreversible blockade without morphological evidence for muscle damage. In this work, we analysed the ultrastructural damage induced by Bothrops jararacussu and Bothrops bilineatus venoms and their PLA 2 toxins (BthTX-I and Bbil-TX) in mouse isolated nerve-phrenic diaphragm preparations (PND). Under transmission electron microscopy (TEM), PND preparations previously exposed to B. jararacussu and B. bilineatus venoms and BthTX-I and Bbil-TX toxins showed hypercontracted and loosed myofilaments; unorganized sarcomeres; clusters of edematous sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria; abnormal chromatin distribution or apoptotic-like nuclei. The principal affected organelles, mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum, were those related to calcium buffering and, resulting in sarcomeres and myofilaments hypercontraction. Schwann cells were also damaged showing edematous axons and mitochondria as well as myelin sheath alteration. These ultrastructural changes caused by both of Bothrops venoms and toxins indicate that the neuromuscular blockade induced by them in vitro can also be associated with nerve and muscle degeneration. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

76 FR 77245 - Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, Austin and Colorado Counties, TX...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-12

...-FF02R06000] Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, Austin and Colorado Counties, TX..., TX 77434; phone: (979) 234-3021; fax: (979) 234-3278. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With... elements conduct research on of hog movement corridors; impacts of red depending on results of imported...

76 FR 318 - Designation for the Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; and Decatur, IN Areas

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-04

... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration Designation for the Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; and Decatur, IN Areas AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards... Location: Bucyrus, OH. Gulf Country Dallas, TX (214-500-5212)..... 1/1/2011 12/31/2011 Northeast Indiana...

Oncolytic Rat Parvovirus H-1PV, a Candidate for the Treatment of Human Lymphoma: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

PubMed Central

Angelova, Assia L; Aprahamian, Marc; Balboni, Ginette; Delecluse, Henri-Jacques; Feederle, Regina; Kiprianova, Irina; Grekova, Svitlana P; Galabov, Angel S; Witzens-Harig, Mathias; Ho, Anthony D; Rommelaere, Jean; Raykov, Zahari

2009-01-01

The incidence of lymphomas developing in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients continues to steadily increase worldwide. Current chemotherapy and immunotherapy approaches have several limitations, such as severe side toxicity and selection of resistant cell variants. Autonomous parvoviruses (PVs), in particular the rat parvovirus H-1PV, have emerged as promising anticancer agents. Although it is apathogenic in humans, H-1PV has been shown to infect and suppress various rat and human tumors in animal models. In this study, we demonstrate the capacity of H-1PV for efficiently killing, through necrosis, cell cultures originating from Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), while sparing normal B lymphocytes. The cytotoxic effect was generally accompanied by a productive H-1PV infection. Remarkably, parvovirus-based monotherapy efficiently suppressed established BL at an advanced stage in a severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse model of the disease. The data show for the first time that an oncolytic parvovirus deserves further consideration as a potential tool for the treatment of some non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas, including those resistant to apoptosis induction by rituximab. PMID:19367260

Human olfactory bulb neural stem cells expressing hNGF restore cognitive deficit in Alzheimer's disease rat model.

PubMed

Marei, Hany E S; Farag, Amany; Althani, Asma; Afifi, Nahla; Abd-Elmaksoud, Ahmed; Lashen, Samah; Rezk, Shaymaa; Pallini, Roberto; Casalbore, Patrizia; Cenciarelli, Carlo

2015-01-01

In this study, we aim to demonstrate the fate of allogenic adult human olfactory bulb neural stem/progenitor cells (OBNSC/NPCs) transplanted into the rat hippocampus treated with ibotenic acid (IBO), a neurotoxicant specific to hippocampal cholinergic neurons that are lost in Alzheimer's disease. We assessed their possible ability to survive, integrate, proliferate, and differentiate into different neuronal and glial elements: we also evaluate their possible therapeutic potential, and the mechanism(s) relevant to neuroprotection following their engraftment into the CNS milieu. OBNSC/NPCs were isolated from adult human olfactory bulb patients, genetically engineered to express GFP and human nerve growth factor (hNGF) by lentivirus-mediated infection, and stereotaxically transplanted into the hippocampus of IBO-treated animals and controls. Stereological analysis of engrafted OBNSCs eight weeks post transplantation revealed a 1.89 fold increase with respect to the initial cell population, indicating a marked ability for survival and proliferation. In addition, 54.71 ± 11.38%, 30.18 ± 6.00%, and 15.09 ± 5.38% of engrafted OBNSCs were identified by morphological criteria suggestive of mature neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes respectively. Taken together, this work demonstrated that human OBNSCs expressing NGF ameliorate the cognitive deficiencies associated with IBO-induced lesions in AD model rats, and the improvement can probably be attributed primarily to neuronal and glial cell replacement as well as the trophic influence exerted by the secreted NGF. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural changes in rat fat tissue related to the local hCG injection.

PubMed

Tunç, E; Erdogan, D; Calgüner, E; Göktas, G; Elmas, Ç; Gözil, R; Bahçelioglu, M; Öktem, H

2013-11-01

Recently, it has been observed that weight loss is accelerated by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone preparation used for hypothalamic dysfunction in obesity treatment in both sexes. hCG is also used for in vitro fertilization and in treatment of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Our aim was to observe the ultrastructural changes caused by local injections of hCG made for purpose of weight loss and to present them to inform those receiving such therapy. In our study, 10 obese female, 10 male obese, 10 non-obese female and 10 non-obese male rats were used. In each group, single dose of subcutaneous hCG injection has been applied to 7 rats for 5 weeks in 5 days of the week, and placebo has been applied to the remaining 3 rats. Following the injection, the tissues were evaluated morphologically, immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally. Leptin immunoreactivity was similar in all groups. When the adipose tissue samples were examined under electron microscope, they were observed to exhibit normal structure with organelles located around the nuclei and nucleoli, and no distinctive features were found among the groups. Administering hCG in addition to diet had no advantage on weight reduction in rats.

RadNet Air Data From Corpus Christi, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Corpus Christi, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

RadNet Air Data From Fort Worth, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Fort Worth, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

RadNet Air Data From San Angelo, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for San Angelo, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

RadNet Air Data From El Paso, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for El Paso, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

RadNet Air Data From San Antonio, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for San Antonio, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

A novel model for NSAID induced gastroenteropathy in rats.

PubMed

Singh, Devendra Pratap; Borse, Swapnil P; Nivsarkar, Manish

2016-01-01

Progress in management of Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) induced gastrointestinal toxicity requires the availability of appropriate experimental animal models that are as close to humans as feasible. Our objective was to develop a rat model for NSAID-induced gastroenteropathy and also to simulate the common clinical scenario of co-administration of NSAID and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to explore if PPI contribute to exacerbation of NSAID-enteropathy. Rats were treated twice daily with pantoprazole sodium (PTZ; 10mg/kg peroral) or vehicle for a total of 10days. In some experiments, Diclofenac sodium (DCF; 9mg/kg) or vehicle was administered orally twice daily for the final 5days of PTZ/vehicle administration. After the last dose on 9th day, rats in all the groups were fasted but water was provided ad libitum. 12h after the last dose on 10th day, rats in all the groups were euthanized and their gastrointestinal tracts were assessed for haemorrhagic lesions, lipid peroxidation, intestinal permeability and gastrointestinal luminal pH alterations. Changes in haemoglobin, haematocrit and serum levels of albumin, total protein, ALT and bilirubin were calculated. The macroscopic and histological evidence suggested that administration of DCF resulted in significant gastroenteropathic damage and co-administration of PTZ resulted in significant exacerbation of NSAID enteropathy, while attenuation of NSAID induced gastropathy was observed. Our results were further supported by the significant decrease in haemoglobin and haematocrit levels and serum levels of albumin and total proteins, an increase in oxidative stress and intestinal permeability with the use of DCF either alone or in combination with PTZ. This model was developed to simulate the human clinical situation during NSAID therapy and indeed the present DCF regimen caused both gastric and small bowel alterations, such as multiple erosive lesions, together with a decrease in haemoglobin, haematocrit

IMM-H004, A New Coumarin Derivative, Improved Focal Cerebral Ischemia via Blood-Brain Barrier Protection in Rats.

PubMed

Niu, Fei; Song, Xiu-Yun; Hu, Jin-Feng; Zuo, Wei; Kong, Ling-Lei; Wang, Xiao-Feng; Han, Ning; Chen, Nai-Hong

2017-10-01

IMM-H004 (7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-4-methyl-3-[4-methylpiperazin-1-yl]-2H-chromen-2-one) is a novel coumarin derivative that showed better effect in improving global cerebral ischemia in rats. However, the effects and mechanisms in focal cerebral ischemia were not clear. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) protection is a vital strategy for the treatment of cerebral ischemia. This study is to investigate whether IMM-H004 improves brain ischemia injury via BBB protection. Focal brain ischemia model was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 1 hour and reperfusion (MCAO/R) for 24 hours in rats. IMM-H004 (1.5, 3, 6 mg/kg) and edaravone (positive drug, 6 mg/kg) were administered after 5 minutes of occlusion. Neurological score and TTC staining were used to evaluate the effect of IMM-H004. Evans Blue (EB) staining and electron microscopy were used to assess BBB permeability. Western blot, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of BBB structure-related proteins. Compared with the model group, IMM-H004 in the focal brain ischemia model improved neurological function and reduced cerebral infarction size and edema content. IMM-H004 sharply reduced the EB content and alleviated BBB structure. In addition, IMM-H004 increased the level of zonula occludens (ZO-1) and occluding, decreased the level of aquaporin 4 and matrix metalloproteinase 9, either in cortex or in hippocampus. And all of these changed were related to BBB protection. IMM-H004 improved cerebral ischemia injury via BBB protection. For a potential therapy drug of cerebral ischemia, IMM-H004 merits further study. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Precision-cut rat, mouse, and human intestinal slices as novel models for the early-onset of intestinal fibrosis.

PubMed

Pham, Bao Tung; van Haaften, Wouter Tobias; Oosterhuis, Dorenda; Nieken, Judith; de Graaf, Inge Anne Maria; Olinga, Peter

2015-04-01

Intestinal fibrosis (IF) is a major complication of inflammatory bowel disease. IF research is limited by the lack of relevant in vitro and in vivo models. We evaluated precision-cut intestinal slices (PCIS) prepared from human, rat, and mouse intestine as ex vivo models mimicking the early-onset of (human) IF. Precision-cut intestinal slices prepared from human (h), rat (r), and mouse (m) jejunum, were incubated up to 72 h, the viability of PCIS was assessed by ATP content and morphology, and the gene expression of several fibrosis markers was determined. The viability of rPCIS decreased after 24 h of incubation, whereas mPCIS and hPCIS were viable up to 72 h of culturing. Furthermore, during this period, gene expression of heat shock protein 47 and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 increased in all PCIS in addition to augmented expression of synaptophysin in hPCIS, fibronectin (Fn2) and TGF-β1 in rPCIS, and Fn2 and connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) in mPCIS. Addition of TGF-β1 to rPCIS or mPCIS induced the gene expression of the fibrosis markers Pro-collagen1a1, Fn2, and Ctgf in both species. However, none of the fibrosis markers was further elevated in hPCIS. We successfully developed a novel ex vivo model that can mimic the early-onset of fibrosis in the intestine using human, rat, and mouse PCIS. Furthermore, in rat and mouse PCIS, TGF-β1 was able to even further increase the gene expression of fibrosis markers. This indicates that PCIS can be used as a model for the early-onset of IF. © 2015 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Physiological Society and The Physiological Society.

TxDOT ITS data archiving research project activities

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-09-01

The objective of this project was to assemble guidance for the Texas Department of Trasportation (TxDOT) in further developing data archiving systems across the state. This guidance, which is contained in the companion Report 2127-3, includes informa...

Contribution of the collagen adhesin Acm to pathogenesis of Enterococcus faecium in experimental endocarditis.

PubMed

Nallapareddy, Sreedhar R; Singh, Kavindra V; Murray, Barbara E

2008-09-01

Enterococcus faecium is a multidrug-resistant opportunist causing difficult-to-treat nosocomial infections, including endocarditis, but there are no reports experimentally demonstrating E. faecium virulence determinants. Our previous studies showed that some clinical E. faecium isolates produce a cell wall-anchored collagen adhesin, Acm, and that an isogenic acm deletion mutant of the endocarditis-derived strain TX0082 lost collagen adherence. In this study, we show with a rat endocarditis model that TX0082 Deltaacm::cat is highly attenuated versus wild-type TX0082, both in established (72 h) vegetations (P < 0.0001) and for valve colonization 1 and 3 hours after infection (P model. While 5 of 17 endocarditis isolates were Acm nonproducers and failed to adhere to collagen in vitro, all had an intact, highly conserved acm locus. Highly reduced acm mRNA levels (>or=50-fold reduction relative to an Acm producer) were found in three of these five nonadherent isolates, including the sequenced strain TX0016, by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, indicating that acm transcription is downregulated in vitro in these isolates. However, examination of TX0016 cells obtained directly from infected rat vegetations by flow cytometry showed that Acm was present on 40% of cells grown during infection. Finally, we demonstrated a significant reduction in E. faecium collagen adherence by affinity-purified anti-Acm antibodies from E. faecium endocarditis patient sera, suggesting that Acm may be a potential immunotarget for strategies to control this emerging pathogen.

Systemic effects of H2S inhalation at human equivalent dose of pathologic halitosis on rats.

PubMed

Yalçın Yeler, Defne; Aydin, Murat; Gül, Mehmet; Hocaoğlu, Turgay; Özdemir, Hakan; Koraltan, Melike

2017-10-01

Halitosis is composed by hundreds of toxic gases. It is still not clear whether halitosis gases self-inhaled by halitosis patients cause side effects. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of H 2 S inhalation at a low concentration (human equivalent dose of pathologic halitosis) on rats. The threshold level of pathologic halitosis perceived by humans at 250 ppb of H 2 S was converted to rat equivalent concentration (4.15 ppm). In the experimental group, 8 rats were exposed to H 2 S via continuous inhalation but not the control rats. After 50 days, blood parameters were measured and tissue samples were obtained from the brain, kidney and liver and examined histopathologically to determine any systemic effect. While aspartate transaminase, creatine kinase-MB and lactate dehydrogenase levels were found to be significantly elevated, carbondioxide and alkaline phosphatase were decreased in experimental rats. Other blood parameters were not changed significantly. Experimental rats lost weight and became anxious. Histopathological examination showed mononuclear inflammatory cell invasion in the portal areas, nuclear glycogen vacuoles in the parenchymal area, single-cell necrosis in a few foci, clear expansion in the central hepatic vein and sinusoids, hyperplasia in Kupffer cells and potential fibrous tissue expansion in the portal areas in the experimental rats. However, no considerable histologic damage was observed in the brain and kidney specimens. It can be concluded that H 2 S inhalation equivalent to pathologic halitosis producing level in humans may lead to systemic effects, particularly heart or liver damage in rats.

Reduction in Histone H3 Acetylation and Chromatin Remodeling in Corneas of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats.

PubMed

Herencia-Bueno, Karina E; Aldrovani, Marcela; Crivelaro, Roberta M; Thiesen, Roberto; Barros-Sobrinho, Alexandre A F; Claros-Chacaltana, Flor D Y; Padua, Ivan R M; Santos, Daniela M; Laus, José L

2018-05-01

To evaluate acetylation of histone H3, chromatin remodeling, nuclear size and shape, DNA ploidy, and distribution of nucleolus organizing regions (NORs) in corneal epithelial and stromal cells of diabetic and nondiabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan. All diabetic rats (n = 20) included in the study had 4 weeks of moderate-to-severe hyperglycemia (plasma glucose levels >400 mg/dL). Acetylated histone H3 levels were quantified in corneal tissue using a colorimetric assay. Chromatin remodeling, nuclear sizes (area/perimeter) and shapes (circularity), and DNA ploidies were evaluated from Feulgen-stained tissue sections using video image analysis. Distributions of NORs were studied in tissue sections impregnated with silver ions. Ophthalmic clinical parameters, including corneal sensitivity, were investigated. Twenty nondiabetic rats were used as controls. Acetylation of histone H3 was reduced in the corneas of the diabetic rats. Nuclei in corneal epithelial cells of diabetic rats compacted chromatin, increased in size, modified their shapes, and elevated DNA ploidy. The only nuclear change observed in the corneal stromal cells of diabetic rats was chromatin decompaction. The size of the silver-stained NOR did not differ between the study samples. The corneal sensitivity in diabetic rats was 51.8% lower than that in nondiabetic rats. The results of this study show that alloxan-induced diabetes altered the histone H3 acetylation pattern and compromised the chromatin supraorganization in corneal tissue/cells. Continued research is needed to understand the clinical and morphofunctional significance of changes in corneal cell nuclei of diabetic individuals.

Evaluation of an experimental rat model for comparative studies of bleaching agents

PubMed Central

Cintra, Luciano Tavares Angelo; Benetti, Francine; Ferreira, Luciana Lousada; Rahal, Vanessa; Ervolino, Edilson; Jacinto, Rogério de Castilho; Gomes, João Eduardo; Briso, André Luiz Fraga

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Dental materials, in general, are tested in different animal models prior to their clinical use in humans, except for bleaching agents. Objectives To evaluate an experimental rat model for comparative studies of bleaching agents by investigating the influence of different concentrations and application times of H2O2 gel in the pulp tissue during in-office bleaching of rats’ vital teeth. Material and methods The right and left maxillary molars of 50 Wistar rats were bleached with 20% and 35% H2O2 gels, respectively, for 5, 10, 15, 30, or 45 min (n=10 rats/group). Ten animals (control) were untreated. The rats were killed after 2 or 30 days, and the maxillae were examined by light microscopy. Inflammation was evaluated by histomorphometric analysis with inflammatory cell counting in the coronal and radicular thirds of the pulp. The counting of fibroblasts was also performed. Scores were attributed to the odontoblastic layer and to vascular changes. The tertiary dentin area and the pulp chamber central area were histomorphometrically measured. Data were compared by the analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). Results After 2 days, the amount of inflammatory cells increased in the occlusal third of the coronal pulp until the time of 15 min for both concentrations of bleaching gels. In 30 and 45 min groups of each concentration, the number of inflammatory cells decreased along with the appearance of necrotic areas. After 30 days, a reduction in the pulp chamber central area and an enlargement of tertiary dentin area were observed without the detection of inflammation areas. Conclusion The rat model of extra coronal bleaching showed to be adequate for bleaching protocols studies, as it was possible to observe alterations in the pulp tissues and in the tooth structure caused by different concentrations and periods of application of bleaching agents. PMID:27008262

Evaluation of an experimental rat model for comparative studies of bleaching agents

PubMed Central

CINTRA, Luciano Tavares Angelo; BENETTI, Francine; FERREIRA, Luciana Louzada; RAHAL, Vanessa; ERVOLINO, Edilson; JACINTO, Rogério de Castilho; GOMES, João Eduardo; BRISO, André Luiz Fraga

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Dental materials in general are tested in different animal models prior to the clinical use in humans, except for bleaching agents. Objectives To evaluate an experimental rat model for comparative studies of bleaching agents, by investigating the influence of different concentrations and application times of H2O2 gel in the pulp tissue during in-office bleaching of rats’ vital teeth. Material and Methods The right and left maxillary molars of 50 Wistar rats were bleached with 20% and 35% H2O2 gels, respectively, for 5, 10, 15, 30, or 45 min (n=10 rats/group). Ten animals were untreated (control). The rats were killed after 2 or 30 days, and the maxillae were examined by light microscopy. Inflammation was evaluated through histomorphometric analysis with inflammatory cell count in the coronal and radicular thirds of the pulp. Fibroblasts were also counted. Scores were attributed to odontoblastic layer and vascular changes. Tertiary dentin area and pulp chamber central area were measured histomorphometrically. Data were compared by analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). Results After 2 days, the amount of inflammatory cells increased in the coronal pulp occlusal third up to the 15-min application groups of each bleaching gel. In the groups exposed to each concentration for 30 and 45 min, the number of inflammatory cells decreased along with the appearance of necrotic areas. After 30 days, reduction on the pulp chamber central area and enlargement of the tertiary dentin area were observed, without the detection of inflammation areas. Conclusion The rat model of extracoronal bleaching showed to be adequate for studies of bleaching protocols, as it was possible to observe alterations in the pulp tissues and tooth structure caused by different concentrations and application periods of bleaching agents. PMID:27119766

76 FR 62130 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00381

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-06

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12815 and 12816] Texas Disaster Number TX-00381 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 5. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... information in the original declaration remains unchanged. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers...

75 FR 55618 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00362

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-13

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12268 and 12269] Texas Disaster Number TX-00362 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 4. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) Roger B. Garland, Acting Associate...

Variable pulmonary responses from exposure to concentrated ambient air particles in a rat model of bronchitis.

PubMed

Kodavanti, U P; Mebane, R; Ledbetter, A; Krantz, T; McGee, J; Jackson, M C; Walsh, L; Hilliard, H; Chen, B Y; Richards, J; Costa, D L

2000-04-01

Chronic bronchitis may be considered a risk factor in particulate matter (PM)-induced morbidity. We hypothesized that a rat model of human bronchitis would be more susceptible to the pulmonary effects of concentrated ambient particles (CAPs) from Research Triangle Park, NC. Bronchitis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (90-100 days of age) by exposure to 200 ppm sulfur dioxide (SO2), 6 h/day x 5 days/week x 6 weeks. One day following the last SO2 exposure, both healthy (air-exposed) and bronchitic (SO2-exposed) rats were exposed to filtered air (three healthy; four bronchitic) or CAPs (five healthy; four bronchitic) by whole-body inhalation, 6 h/day x 2 or 3 days. Pulmonary injury was determined either immediately (0h) or 18 h following final CAPs exposure. The study protocol involving 0 h time point was repeated four times (study #A, November, 1997; #B, February, 1998; #C and #D, May, 1998), whereas the study protocol involving 18 h time point was done only once (#F). In an additional study (#E), rats were exposed to residual oil fly ash (ROFA), approximately 1 mg/ m(3)x6 h/day x 3 days to mimic the CAPs protocol (February, 1998). The rats allowed 18 h recovery following CAPs exposure (#F) did not depict any CAPs-related differences in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) injury markers. Of the four CAPs studies conducted (0 h time point), the first (#A) study (approximately 650 microg/m3 CAPs) revealed significant changes in the lungs of CAPs-exposed bronchitic rats compared to the clean air controls. These rats had increased BALF protein, albumin, N-acetyl glutaminidase (NAG) activity and neutrophils. The second (#B) study (approximately 475 microg/m3 CAPs) did not reveal any significant effects of CAPs on BALF parameters. Study protocols #C (approximately 869 microg/m3 CAPs) and #D (approximately 907 microg/m3 CAPs) revealed only moderate increases in the above mentioned BALF parameters in bronchitic rats exposed to CAPs. Pulmonary histologic evaluation of

76 FR 22011 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Carizzo Springs, Glass Ranch Airport, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-20

...-0877; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-13] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Carizzo Springs, Glass Ranch... amends Class E airspace for the Carizzo Springs, Glass Ranch Airport, TX, airspace area, to accommodate... rulemaking to amend Class E airspace for the Carizzo Springs, Glass Ranch Airport, TX, airspace area...

Chemical Contamination of the Lower Rio Grande near Laredo, TX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flores, B.; Ren, J.; Krishnamurthy, S.; Belzer, W.

2006-12-01

The Rio Grande River stretches over 2000 miles from the southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the tip of Texas where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico. It is the natural boundary between U.S. and Mexico from El Paso, TX, to Brownsville, TX. The communities along the border heavily rely upon the Rio Grande as a primary source of water for consumption, agricultural uses, supporting wildlife and recreation. For many years the Rio Grande has been polluted with municipal, industrial, agricultural and farming contaminants from both sides of the border. This pollution has led to the extinction or reduction of certain wildlife species as well as affecting the health of the residences along the border. Even though great strides have been made in monitoring the Rio Grande, there has been a lack of intense monitoring data collection for pollutants such as pesticides. Three sampling sites including Manadas Creek, the Rio Grande River at International Bridge I, and USGS monitoring site 08459200 off of Highway 83 were chosen. The water quality parameters focused include temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolve oxygen (DO), salinity, total dissolved solids, nutrients, metals and pesticides. Preliminary results have shown elevated concentration of total phosphorus and ortho-phosphorus in the Manadas Creek site. Organochlorinated pesticides such as heptachlor and 4, 4 DDE were detected at various concentrations at all sites and endrin aldehyde was found at Manadas Creek site. This research has provided more information on the current chemical contamination level of the Rio Grande in the Laredo area.

78 FR 33015 - Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TX, and Establishment of Class D Airspace; Waco...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-03

...-0136; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-4] Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TX, and Establishment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TSTC-Waco Airport, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT... Waco, TX, by separating the Class D airspace at Waco Regional Airport from the Class D airspace at TSTC...

Switch-task performance in rats is disturbed by 12 h of sleep deprivation but not by 12 h of sleep fragmentation.

PubMed

Leenaars, Cathalijn H C; Joosten, Ruud N J M A; Zwart, Allard; Sandberg, Hans; Ruimschotel, Emma; Hanegraaf, Maaike A J; Dematteis, Maurice; Feenstra, Matthijs G P; van Someren, Eus J W

2012-02-01

Task-switching is an executive function involving the prefrontal cortex. Switching temporarily attenuates the speed and/or accuracy of performance, phenomena referred to as switch costs. In accordance with the idea that prefrontal function is particularly sensitive to sleep loss, switch-costs increase during prolonged waking in humans. It has been difficult to investigate the underlying neurobiological mechanisms because of the lack of a suitable animal model. Here, we introduce the first switch-task for rats and report the effects of sleep deprivation and inactivation of the medial prefrontal cortex. Rats were trained to repeatedly switch between 2 stimulus-response associations, indicated by the presentation of a visual or an auditory stimulus. These stimulus-response associations were offered in blocks, and performance was compared for the first and fifth trials of each block. Performance was tested after exposure to 12 h of total sleep deprivation, sleep fragmentation, and their respective movement control conditions. Finally, it was tested after pharmacological inactivation of the medial prefrontal cortex. Controlled laboratory settings. 15 male Wistar rats. Both accuracy and latency showed switch-costs at baseline. Twelve hours of total sleep deprivation, but not sleep fragmentation, impaired accuracy selectively on the switch-trials. Inactivation of the medial prefrontal cortex by local neuronal inactivation resulted in an overall decrease in accuracy. We developed and validated a switch-task that is sensitive to sleep deprivation. This introduces the possibility for in-depth investigations on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying executive impairments after sleep disturbance in a rat model.

Extracellular pH modulates GABAergic neurotransmission in rat hypothalamus.

PubMed

Chen, Z L; Huang, R Q

2014-06-20

Changes in extracellular pH have a modulatory effect on GABAA receptor function. It has been reported that pH sensitivity of the GABA receptor is dependent on subunit composition and GABA concentration. Most of previous investigations focused on GABA-evoked currents, which only reflect the postsynaptic receptors. The physiological relevance of pH modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission is not fully elucidated. In the present studies, we examined the influence of extracellular pH on the GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission in rat hypothalamic neurons. The inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs), tonic currents, and the GABA-evoked currents were recorded with whole-cell patch techniques on the hypothalamic slices from Sprague-Dawley rats at 15-26 postnatal days. The amplitude and frequency of spontaneous GABA IPSCs were significantly increased while the external pH was changed from 7.3 to 8.4. In the acidic pH (6.4), the spontaneous GABA IPSCs were reduced in amplitude and frequency. The pH induced changes in miniature GABA IPSCs (mIPSCs) similar to that in spontaneous IPSCs. The pH effect on the postsynaptic GABA receptors was assessed with exogenously applied varying concentrations of GABA. The tonic currents and the currents evoked by sub-saturating concentration of GABA ([GABA]) (10 μM) were inhibited by acidic pH and potentiated by alkaline pH. In contrast, the currents evoked by saturating [GABA] (1mM) were not affected by pH changes. We also investigated the influence of pH buffers and buffering capacity on pH sensitivity of GABAA receptors on human recombinant α1β2γ2 GABAA receptors stably expressed in HEK 293 cells. The pH influence on GABAA receptors was similar in HEPES- and MES-buffered media, and not dependent on protonated buffers, suggesting that the observed pH effect on GABA response is a specific consequence of changes in extracellular protons. Our data suggest that the hydrogen ions suppress the GABAergic neurotransmission

TEM Systems Design: Using Full Maxwell FDTD Modelling to Study the Transient Response of Custom-madeTx and Rx Coils.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chevalier, A.; Rejiba, F.; Schamper, C.; Thiesson, J.; Hovhannissian, G.

2016-12-01

From airborne applications to field scale measurements of Transient Electromagnetic Methods(TEM), an accurate knowledge of the sensitivity of the inductive coil sensors (system response) is aprerequisite to interpret the measured transient magnetic flux density into a subsurface distributionof conductivity. The system response is a term that refers to the cumulative effect of inductive andcapacitive couplings (cross-talks) between each component constituting a TEM apparatus and thenearby conductive structures. As a result, the frequency sensitivity of the voltage coil sensor (Rx)along with the emitted current waveform in the current emitting coil (Tx) are controlled by thegeometry and electronic characteristic of the set-up as well as the near surface electromagneticproperties. During the early development of an innovative airborne TEM solutions (French nationalTEMas project), determining the coil geometries and the impedance matching between all parts ofthe transmission link (electronic parts and coils) for various environmental set-ups, has been a majorissue. In this study, we review the required theoretical framework and propose a versatile numericalmethodology to ease the coil design and impedance matching process while extending ourunderstanding of short-time transient that operates from DC to moderately high frequencies (0 to 20Mhz). We used a full Maxwell equations FDTD model along with a semi-analytical 1D modeler to infercoils emitting and receiving properties, for various coil geometries and site-dependent conditions.Results highlight the influence of the environment on the emitting and sensing properties. Theincreasing effects of cross-talks between the Tx and the Rx coils depending on their size is shown.Strategies regarding the impedance adaptation between the electronical components and the coilsensors are then discussed for different geophysical specifications.

75 FR 19907 - Television Broadcasting Services; Beaumont, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-16

... FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 73 [DA 10-606; MB Docket No. 10-49; RM-11593] Television Broadcasting Services; Beaumont, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule.../ecfs/ ). This document may be purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor, Best Copy and...

76 FR 62131 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00382

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-06

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12848 and 12849] Texas Disaster Number TX-00382 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 1. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of.... (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) James E. Rivera, Associate Administrator...

76 FR 59480 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00381

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-26

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12815 and 12816] Texas Disaster Number TX-00381 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 2. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... declaration remains unchanged. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) James E...

76 FR 68804 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00382

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-07

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12848 and 12849] Texas Disaster Number TX-00382 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 4. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... unchanged. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) James E. Rivera, Associate...

77 FR 7228 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00382

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-10

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12848 and 12849] Texas Disaster Number TX-00382 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 7. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... remains unchanged. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) Jane M. D. Pease...

76 FR 59766 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00381

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-27

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12815 and 12816] Texas Disaster Number TX-00381 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 3. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) James E. Rivera, Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance. [FR Doc...

76 FR 70528 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00382

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-14

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12848 and 12849] Texas Disaster Number TX-00382 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 5. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) James E. Rivera, Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance. [FR Doc...

Reproducibility and relative stability in magnetic resonance imaging indices of tumor vascular physiology over a period of 24h in a rat 9L gliosarcoma model.

PubMed

Nagaraja, Tavarekere N; Elmghirbi, Rasha; Brown, Stephen L; Schultz, Lonni R; Lee, Ian Y; Keenan, Kelly A; Panda, Swayamprava; Cabral, Glauber; Mikkelsen, Tom; Ewing, James R

2017-12-01

The objective was to study temporal changes in tumor vascular physiological indices in a period of 24h in a 9L gliosarcoma rat model. Fischer-344 rats (N=14) were orthotopically implanted with 9L cells. At 2weeks post-implantation, they were imaged twice in a 24h interval using dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). Data-driven model-selection-based analysis was used to segment tumor regions with varying vascular permeability characteristics. The region with the maximum number of estimable parameters of vascular kinetics was chosen for comparison across the two time points. It provided estimates of three parameters for an MR contrast agent (MRCA): i) plasma volume (v p ), ii) forward volumetric transfer constant (K trans ) and interstitial volume fraction (v e , ratio of K trans to reverse transfer constant, k ep ). In addition, MRCA extracellular distribution volume (V D ) was estimated in the tumor and its borders, along with tumor blood flow (TBF) and peritumoral MRCA flux. Descriptors of parametric distributions were compared between the two times. Tumor extent was examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Picrosirus red staining of secreted collagen was performed as an additional index for 9L cells. Test-retest differences between population summaries for any parameter were not significant (paired t and Wilcoxon signed rank tests). Bland-Altman plots showed no apparent trends between the differences and averages of the test-retest measures for all indices. The intraclass correlation coefficients showed moderate to almost perfect reproducibility for all of the parameters, except v p . H&E staining showed tumor infiltration in parenchyma, perivascular space and white matter tracts. Collagen staining was observed along the outer edges of main tumor mass. The data suggest the relative stability of these MR indices of tumor microenvironment over a 24h duration in this gliosarcoma model. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Pharmacological identification of a novel Ca2+ channel in chicken brain synaptosomes.

PubMed

Lundy, P M; Hamilton, M G; Frew, R

1994-04-18

Ca2+ influx was measured in rat and chicken brain synaptosomes in the presence of a number of pharmacological tools which have recently been used to define voltage-sensitive Ca(2+)-channel (VSCC) types. In chicken brain synaptosomes. VSCCs which, because of their sensitivity to inhibition by omega-conotoxin (omega-CgTx), are thought to be exclusively N-type, the P-type VSCC polyamine inhibitor FTX (from Agelenopsis aperta venom; 1 microliters/ml), its synthetic analogue, sFTX (1-5 mM) and the polypeptides AgaIVA (IC50 0.29 microM) and omega-CgTx MVIIC (IC50 0.0022 microM) inhibited 70-100% of the measurable K+ stimulated Ca2+ influx. The prototypical N-channel VSCC inhibitor omega-CgTx GVIA (IC50 0.014 microM), Cd2+ (50 microM) and diluted venom from Hololena curta (1:2,500) also caused complete or almost complete, inhibition of Ca2+ influx. In comparable studies using rat brain synaptosomes, sFTX (1-10 mM) caused a dose-dependent reduction of Ca2+ influx, while FTX (1 microliters/ml) and AgaIVA (IC50 0.02 microM) completely inhibited Ca2+ influx. Similar to the findings in chicken synaptosomes, Cd2+ (50 microM) and H. curta (1:2,500 dilution) both inhibited K+ stimulated influx by > 80% whereas omega-CgTx (1 microM) only caused a maximum 25% inhibition. Both sFTX and its congener spermine, inhibited [125I]omega-CgTx binding to rat and chicken synaptosomal membranes. These results strongly implicate P-type channels as the major VSCC in rat brain. The results also clearly demonstrate a heretofore unrecognized, novel, FTX/AgaIVA/omega-CgTx GVIA/omega-CgTx MVIIC-sensitive VSCC in chicken brain.

The Histamine H1 Receptor Participates in the Increased Dorsal Telencephalic Neurogenesis in Embryos from Diabetic Rats

PubMed Central

Solís, Karina H.; Méndez, Laura I.; García-López, Guadalupe; Díaz, Néstor F.; Portillo, Wendy; De Nova-Ocampo, Mónica; Molina-Hernández, Anayansi

2017-01-01

Increased neuron telencephalic differentiation during deep cortical layer formation has been reported in embryos from diabetic mice. Transitory histaminergic neurons within the mesencephalon/rhombencephalon are responsible for fetal histamine synthesis during development, fibers from this system arrives to the frontal and parietal cortex at embryo day (E) 15. Histamine is a neurogenic factor for cortical neural stem cells in vitro through H1 receptor (H1R) which is highly expressed during corticogenesis in rats and mice. Furthermore, in utero administration of an H1R antagonist, chlorpheniramine, decreases the neuron markers microtubuline associated protein 2 (MAP2) and forkhead box protein 2. Interestingly, in the diabetic mouse model of diabetes induced with streptozotocin, an increase in fetal neurogenesis in terms of MAP2 expression in the telencephalon is reported at E11.5. Because of the reported effects on cortical neuron differentiation of maternal diabetes in one hand and of histamine in the other, here the participation of histamine and H1R on the increased dorsal telencephalic neurogenesis was explored. First, the increased neurogenesis in the dorsal telencephalon at E14 in diabetic rats was corroborated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Then, changes during corticogenesis in the level of histamine was analyzed by ELISA and in H1R expression by qRT-PCR and Western blot and, finally, we tested H1R participation in the increased dorsal telencephalic neurogenesis by the systemic administration of chlorpheniramine. Our results showed a significant increase of histamine at E14 and in the expression of the receptor at E12. The administration of chlorpheniramine to diabetic rats at E12 prevented the increased expression of βIII-tubulin and MAP2 mRNAs (neuron markers) and partially reverted the increased level of MAP2 protein at E14, concluding that H1R have an important role in the increased neurogenesis within the dorsal telencephalon of embryos from

Development of criteria and guidelines for installing, operating, and removing TxDOT ramp control signals.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-05-01

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) uses ramp control signals (also called ramp meters or : flow signals) to control the rate at which vehicles enter the freeway. This helps TxDOT (1) promote a more : consistent and uniform flow of traffic...

75 FR 9859 - Television Broadcasting Services; Beaumont, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-04

... FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 73 [DA 10-307; MB Docket No. 10-49; RM-11593] Television Broadcasting Services; Beaumont, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed...: Federal Communications Commission, Office of the Secretary, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. In...

Alveolar macrophages have a dual role in a rat model for trimellitic anhydride-induced occupational asthma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Valstar, Dingena L.; Schijf, Marcel A.; Nijkamp, Frans P.

2006-02-15

Occupational exposure to low molecular weight chemicals, like trimellitic anhydride (TMA), can result in occupational asthma. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are among the first cells to encounter inhaled compounds. These cells can produce many different mediators that have a putative role in asthma. In this study, we examined the role of AMs in lung function and airway inflammation of rats exposed to TMA. Female Brown Norway rats were sensitized by dermal application of TMA or received vehicle alone on days 0 and 7. One day before challenge, rats received intratracheally either empty or clodronate-containing liposomes to deplete the lungs of AMs.more » On day 21, all rats were challenged by inhalation of TMA in air. Lung function parameters were measured before, during, within 1 h after, and 24 h after challenge. IgE levels and parameters of inflammation and tissue damage were assessed 24 h after challenge. Sensitization with TMA led to decreased lung function parameters during and within 1 h after challenge as compared to non-sensitized rats. AM depletion alleviated the TMA-induced drop in lung function parameters and induced a faster recovery compared to sham-depleted TMA-sensitized rats. It also decreased the levels of serum IgE 24 h after challenge, but did not affect the sensitization-dependent increase in lung lavage fluid IL-6 and tissue TNF-{alpha} levels. In contrast, AM depletion augmented the TMA-induced tissue damage and inflammation 24 h after challenge. AMs seem to have a dual role in this model for TMA-induced occupational asthma since they potentiate the immediate TMA-induced decrease in lung function but tended to dampen the TMA-induced inflammatory reaction 24 h later.« less

Characterization of [(3)H]harmane binding to rat whole brain membranes.

PubMed

Anderson, N J; Robinson, E S J; Husbands, S M; Delagrange, P; Nutt, D J; Hudson, A L

2003-12-01

This study investigates the binding of [(3)H]harmane to rat whole brain homogenates. Saturation studies revealed [(3)H]harmane labels a single, saturable, high-capacity population with high affinity. All the test compounds displaced [(3)H]harmane completely and in an apparently monophasic manner. The displacement profile of the test ligands indicated labeling of MAO-A. Given the high level of MAO-A binding, it is unlikely that a low-capacity I(2) site would be distinguishable from the total [(3)H]harmane population.

Special studies for TxDOT administration in FY 2009.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-12-01

This research project was established by TxDOTs Research and Technology Implementation Office to address : special studies required by the departments Administration during FY 2009. Five short-term, quick turnaround : tasks were completed and a...

75 FR 18047 - Amendment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route T-254; Houston, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-09

...-0015; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-18] RIN 2120-AA66 Amendment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route T... action amends low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-254 in the Houston, TX, terminal area by... the College Station, TX, VORTAC. The FAA is taking this action to eliminate a portion of T-254 that is...

Role of the Na+/H+ antiporter in rat proximal tubule bicarbonate absorption.

PubMed Central

Preisig, P A; Ives, H E; Cragoe, E J; Alpern, R J; Rector, F C

1987-01-01

Amiloride and the more potent amiloride analog, 5-(N-t-butyl) amiloride (t-butylamiloride), were used to examine the role of the Na+/H+ antiporter in bicarbonate absorption in the in vivo microperfused rat proximal convoluted tubule. Bicarbonate absorption was inhibited 29, 46, and 47% by 0.9 mM or 4.3 mM amiloride, or 1 mM t-butylamiloride, respectively. Sensitivity of the Na+/H+ antiporter to these compounds in vivo was examined using fluorescent measurements of intracellular pH with (2', 7')-bis(carboxyethyl)-(5,6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Amiloride and t-butylamiloride were shown to be as potent against the antiporter in vivo as in brush border membrane vesicles. A model of proximal tubule bicarbonate absorption was used to correct for changes in the luminal profiles for pH and inhibitor concentration, and for changes in luminal flow rate in the various series. We conclude that the majority of apical membrane proton secretion involved in transepithelial bicarbonate absorption is mediated by the Na+-dependent, amiloride-sensitive Na+H+ antiporter. However, a second mechanism of proton secretion contributes significantly to bicarbonate absorption. This mechanism is Na+-independent and amiloride-insensitive. PMID:2888788

78 FR 28801 - Foreign-Trade Zone 117-Orange, TX, Authorization of Production Activity, Signal International...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-16

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [B-2-2013] Foreign-Trade Zone 117--Orange, TX, Authorization of Production Activity, Signal International Texas GP, LLC (Shipbuilding), Orange, TX On January 10, 2013, the Foreign Trade Zone of Southeast Texas, Inc., grantee of FTZ 117, submitted a...

Histamine H3 receptor antagonists display antischizophrenic activities in rats treated with MK-801.

PubMed

Mahmood, Danish; Akhtar, Mohd; Jahan, Kausar; Goswami, Dipanjan

2016-09-01

Animal models based on N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor blockade have been extensively used for schizophrenia. Ketamine and MK-801 produce behaviors related to schizophrenia and exacerbated symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, which led to the use of PCP (phencyclidine)- and MK-801 (dizocilpine)-treated animals as models for schizophrenia. The study investigated the effect of subchronic dosing (once daily, 7 days) of histamine H3 receptor (H3R) antagonists, ciproxifan (CPX) (3 mg/kg, i.p.), and clobenpropit (CBP) (15 mg/kg, i.p.) on MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced locomotor activity and also measured dopamine and histamine levels in rat's brain homogenates. The study also included clozapine (CLZ) (3.0 mg/kg, i.p.) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) (3.0 mg/kg, i.p.), the atypical and typical antipsychotic, respectively. Atypical and typical antipsychotic was used to serve as clinically relevant reference agents to compare the effects of the H3R antagonists. MK-801 significantly increased horizontal locomotor activity, which was reduced with CPX and CBP. MK-801-induced locomotor hyperactivity attenuated by CPX and CBP was comparable to CLZ and CPZ. MK-801 raised striatal dopamine level, which was reduced in rats pretreated with CPX and CBP. CPZ also significantly lowered striatal dopamine levels, although the decrease was less robust compared to CLZ, CPX, and CBP. MK-801 increased histamine content although to a lesser degree. Subchronic treatment with CPX and CBP exhibited further increased histamine levels in the hypothalamus compared to MK-801 treatment alone. Histamine H3 receptor agonist, R-α methylhistamine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), counteracted the effect of CPX and CBP. The present study shows the positive effects of CPX and CBP on MK-801-induced schizophrenia-like behaviors in rodents.

Astrocytes and Müller Cell Alterations During Retinal Degeneration in a Transgenic Rat Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa

PubMed Central

Fernández-Sánchez, Laura; Lax, Pedro; Campello, Laura; Pinilla, Isabel; Cuenca, Nicolás

2015-01-01

Purpose: Retinitis pigmentosa includes a group of progressive retinal degenerative diseases that affect the structure and function of photoreceptors. Secondarily to the loss of photoreceptors, there is a reduction in retinal vascularization, which seems to influence the cellular degenerative process. Retinal macroglial cells, astrocytes, and Müller cells provide support for retinal neurons and are fundamental for maintaining normal retinal function. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of macroglial changes during retinal degeneration in P23H rats. Methods: Homozygous P23H line-3 rats aged from P18 to 18 months were used to study the evolution of the disease, and SD rats were used as controls. Immunolabeling with antibodies against GFAP, vimentin, and transducin were used to visualize macroglial cells and cone photoreceptors. Results: In P23H rats, increased GFAP labeling in Müller cells was observed as an early indicator of retinal gliosis. At 4 and 12 months of age, the apical processes of Müller cells in P23H rats clustered in firework-like structures, which were associated with ring-like shaped areas of cone degeneration in the outer nuclear layer. These structures were not observed at 16 months of age. The number of astrocytes was higher in P23H rats than in the SD matched controls at 4 and 12 months of age, supporting the idea of astrocyte proliferation. As the disease progressed, astrocytes exhibited a deteriorated morphology and marked hypertrophy. The increase in the complexity of the astrocytic processes correlated with greater connexin 43 expression and higher density of connexin 43 immunoreactive puncta within the ganglion cell layer (GCL) of P23H vs. SD rat retinas. Conclusions: In the P23H rat model of retinitis pigmentosa, the loss of photoreceptors triggers major changes in the number and morphology of glial cells affecting the inner retina. PMID:26733810

78 FR 48290 - Amendment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TX, and Establishment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TSTC-Waco...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-08

...-0136; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-4] Amendment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TX, and Establishment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TSTC-Waco Airport, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace at Waco, TX, by separating the Class D airspace...

Losartan reverses COX-2-dependent vascular dysfunction in offspring of hyperglycaemic rats.

PubMed

de Queiroz, Diego Barbosa; Ramos-Alves, Fernanda Elizabethe; Santos-Rocha, Juliana; Duarte, Gloria Pinto; Xavier, Fabiano Elias

2017-09-01

This study examined whether chronic treatment with losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT 1 R) antagonist, might reverse COX-2-mediated vascular dysfunction in mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) from offspring of hyperglycaemic rats. Male 12-month-old offspring of hyperglycaemic (O-DR) and normoglycaemic (O-CR) rats were treated with losartan (15mg·kg·day -1 ) during 2months. Third order MRA of untreated and losartan-treated O-DR and O-CR were mounted in wire myograph for isometric tension measurements. COX-2 expression was analyzed by Western blot; TxA 2 , PGE 2 and PGF 2α release was measured using commercial kits. O-DR showed increased blood pressure, impaired acetylcholine-induced vasodilation and increased noradrenaline-induced vasoconstriction than O-CR. All these parameters were normalized by losartan in O-DR. Pre-incubation of MRA with indomethacin (COX-1/2 inhibitor), NS-398 (COX-2 inhibitor) or tempol (superoxide dismutase mimetic) increased relaxation to acetylcholine and reduced contraction to noradrenaline only in O-DR. COX-2 expression, TxA 2 , PGE 2 and PGF 2α release were increased in O-DR. In losartan-treated O-DR, NS-398, indomethacin or tempol failed to produce any effect on acetylcholine or noradrenaline responses. Losartan treatment reduced COX-2 expression, TxA 2 , PGE 2 and PGF 2α release in O-DR. The present results reveal that chronic losartan administration in O-DR normalizes endothelial function in MRA by correcting the existing COX-2 overexpression and the imbalance between endothelium-derived relaxing and contracting factors. These findings not only support the beneficial effects of AT 1 receptor antagonist in O-DR, but also suggest the implication of angiotensin II as a putative mediator of hyperglycemia-programmed vascular dysfunction in rats. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Antihyperalgesic effects of ProTx-II, a Nav1.7 antagonist, and A803467, a Nav1.8 antagonist, in diabetic mice.

PubMed

Tanaka, Ken-Ichiro; Sekino, Shota; Ikegami, Megumi; Ikeda, Hiroko; Kamei, Junzo

2015-01-01

The present study investigated the effects of intrathecal administration of ProTx-II (tarantula venom peptide) and A803467 (5-[4-chloro-phenyl]-furan-2-carboxylic acid [3,5-dimethoxy-phenyl]-amide), selective Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 antagonists, respectively, on thermal hyperalgesia in a painful diabetic neuropathy model of mice. Intrathecal administration of ProTx-II at doses from 0.04 to 4 ng to diabetic mice dose-dependently and significantly increased the tail-flick latency. Intrathecal administration of A803467 at doses from 10 to 100 ng to diabetic mice also dose-dependently and significantly increased the tail-flick latency. However, intrathecal administration of either ProTx-II (4 ng) or A803467 (100 ng) had no effect on the tail-flick latency in nondiabetic mice. The expression of either the Nav1.7 or Nav1.8 sodium channel protein in the dorsal root ganglion in diabetic mice was not different from that in nondiabetic mice. The present results suggest that ProTx-II and A803467, highly selective blockers of Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 sodium channels, respectively, in the spinal cord, can have antihyperalgesic effects in diabetic mice.

Quantitative analysis of rat brain alpha 2-receptors discriminated by [3H]clonidine and [3H]rauwolscine.

PubMed

Asakura, M; Tsukamoto, T; Imafuku, J; Matsui, H; Ino, M; Hasegawa, K

1984-10-30

Quantitative analysis of direct ligand binding of both [3H]clonidine and [3H]rauwolscine to the rat cerebral cortex alpha 2-receptors indicates the existence of two affinity states of the same receptor populations. In the presence of Mn2+, the high affinity state of [3H]clonidine binding was increased, whereas the high affinity state of [3H]rauwolscine binding was reduced. By contrast, GTP in micromolar ranges caused a decrease of the agonist high affinity state and an increase of the antagonist high affinity state. The total receptor sites and the respective separate affinities for both radioligands were approximately equal to their control values under all conditions, indicating that Mn2+ and GTP modulate the proportion of the two affinity states of the receptor. These results can be incorporated into a two-step, ternary complex model involving a guanine nucleotide binding protein (N protein) for the agonist and antagonist interaction with the alpha 2-receptor. Furthermore, the effects of GTP on the interaction of both ligands with the two affinity states can be mimicked by EDTA. It is suggested that divalent cations induce the formation of the receptor-N protein binary complex showing high affinity for agonists and low affinity for antagonists.

Effect of sodium aescinate treatment on PCOS rat model with insulin resistance.

PubMed

Chen, L; Hu, L M; Wang, Y F; Yang, H Y; Huang, X Y; Zhou, W; Sun, H X

2017-01-01

Recent studies indicated that insulin resistance may contribute to the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); however, the specific mechanism is still unclear. To investigate the effect of sodium aescinate (SA) on PCOS-IR rat models. Sixty rats were randomly divided into the five groups: un-treated rats (n = 12), PCOS-IR group (n = 12), PCOS-IR group plus 50 mg/kg SA (n = 12), PCOS-IR group plus 10 mg/kg SA (n = 12), PCOS-IR group plus 150 mg/kg metformin (n = 12). On day 21, rats were sacrificed, and H(and)E staining was performed for histopathologic examination of the ovaries; moreover, the serum level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, and luteotropic hormone (LH) were measured, and the expression as well as phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt and Gsk-3β were examined using western blot assay. High dosage of SA treatment improved the morphological features of the ovaries in PCOS rats, and also induced significant decrease in serum expression of testosterone and LH/FSH ratio and significant decrease in the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-Gsk-3β. Our results demonstrated that SA treatment could alleviate the symptom of PCOS in rat model through regulating the PI3K/Akt/GSK3-β pathway (Fig. 4, Ref. 22).

A conflict rat model of cue-induced relapse to cocaine seeking.

PubMed

Cooper, Ayelet; Barnea-Ygael, Noam; Levy, Dino; Shaham, Yavin; Zangen, Abraham

2007-09-01

Relapse to drug use in humans can be induced by exposure to drug-associated cues. The ability of drug cues to provoke 'relapse' has been studied in laboratory animals using a reinstatement model in which resumption of drug seeking is assessed after extinction of drug-reinforced responding. In this model, there are no adverse consequences of drug-seeking behavior. However, in humans, abstinence is often self-imposed, and relapse episodes likely involve making a choice between the desire for the drug and the negative consequences of pursuing it (a conflict situation). In this paper, we describe a conflict model of cue-induced relapse in rats that approximate the human condition. Rats were trained to lever press for cocaine; infusions were paired with a discrete light cue. An 'electric barrier' was then introduced by electrifying the floor area near the levers. Responding decreased over days with increasing shock intensities, until the rats did not approach the levers for 3 days. Subsequently, the effect of intermittent noncontingent light-cue presentations on resumption of lever responding (relapse) was assessed in extinction tests, with the electric barrier remaining activated; during testing, lever presses led to contingent light-cue presentations. Noncontingent cue exposure led to resumption of lever presses during the relapse tests in 14 of the 24 rats. Surprisingly, 24 h later, 11 of the 24 rats resumed lever responding in a subsequent post-noncontingent cue test under similar extinction conditions. Large individual differences in responding were observed during both tests. At its current stage of development, the conflict relapse model appears particularly suitable for studying individual differences in cue-induced relapse to cocaine seeking or factors that promote this relapse.

Elevation of naloxone-sensitive /sup 3/H-dihydromorphine binding in hippocampal formation of genetically epilepsy-prone rats

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Savage, D.D.; Mills, S.A.; Jobe, P.C.

1988-01-01

/sup 3/H-Dihydromorphine (DHM) binding sites were measured in the brain of non-epileptic control and GEPR rats using in vitro autoradiographic techniques. The number of naloxone-sensitive /sup 3/H-DHM binding sites was increased 38-57% in the pyramidal cell layer of ventral hippocampal CA/sub 3/ and CA/sub 1/ of GEPR-3 and GEPR-9 rats compared to non-epileptic controls. No significant differences in /sup 3/H-DHM binding were observed in dorsal hippocampal formation, lateral entorhinal cortex, lateral geniculate or cerebellum. The results suggest that an increase in the number of opioid receptors in ventral hippocampus of GEPR rats may be one factor contributing to the enhancedmore » sensitivity of GEPR-9 rats to the proconvulsant effects of morphine.« less

In-situ Measurements of Ozone Production Rates and Comparisons to Model-derived Production Rates During the Houston, TX and Denver, CO DISCOVER-AQ Campaigns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baier, B. C.; Brune, W. H.; Miller, D. O.; Lefer, B. L.

2015-12-01

Tropospheric ozone (O3) is a secondary pollutant that has harmful effects on human and plant life. The climate and urban emissions in Houston, TX and Denver, CO can be conducive for significant ozone production and thus, high ozone events. Tighter government strategies for ozone mitigation have been proposed, which involve reducing the current EPA eight-hour ozone standard from 75 ppb to 65-70 ppb. These strategies rely on the reduction of ozone precursors in order to decrease the ozone production rate, P(O3). The changes in the ozone concentration at a certain location are dependent upon P(O3), so decreasing P(O3) can decrease ozone levels provided that it has not been transported from other areas. Air quality models test reduction strategies before they are implemented, locate ozone sources, and predict ozone episodes. Traditionally, P(O3) has been calculated by models. However, large uncertainties in model emissions inventories, chemical mechanisms, and meteorology can reduce confidence in this approach. A new instrument, the Measurement of Ozone Production Sensor (MOPS) directly measures P(O3) and can provide an alternate approach to determining P(O3). An updated version of the Penn State MOPS (MOPSv2.0) was deployed to Houston, TX and Denver, CO as a part of NASA's DISCOVER-AQ field campaign in the summers of 2013 and 2014, respectively. We present MOPS directly-measured P(O3) rates from these areas, as well as comparisons to zero-dimensional and three-dimensional modeled P(O3) using the RACM2 and MCMv2.2 mechanisms. These comparisons demonstrate the potential of the MOPS to test and evaluate model-derived P(O3), to advance the understanding of model chemical mechanisms, and to improve predictions of high ozone events.

Absence of “Warm-Up” during Active Avoidance Learning in a Rat Model of Anxiety Vulnerability: Insights from Computational Modeling

PubMed Central

Myers, Catherine E.; Smith, Ian M.; Servatius, Richard J.; Beck, Kevin D.

2014-01-01

Avoidance behaviors, in which a learned response causes omission of an upcoming punisher, are a core feature of many psychiatric disorders. While reinforcement learning (RL) models have been widely used to study the development of appetitive behaviors, less attention has been paid to avoidance. Here, we present a RL model of lever-press avoidance learning in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and in the inbred Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat, which has been proposed as a model of anxiety vulnerability. We focus on “warm-up,” transiently decreased avoidance responding at the start of a testing session, which is shown by SD but not WKY rats. We first show that a RL model can correctly simulate key aspects of acquisition, extinction, and warm-up in SD rats; we then show that WKY behavior can be simulated by altering three model parameters, which respectively govern the tendency to explore new behaviors vs. exploit previously reinforced ones, the tendency to repeat previous behaviors regardless of reinforcement, and the learning rate for predicting future outcomes. This suggests that several, dissociable mechanisms may contribute independently to strain differences in behavior. The model predicts that, if the “standard” inter-session interval is shortened from 48 to 24 h, SD rats (but not WKY) will continue to show warm-up; we confirm this prediction in an empirical study with SD and WKY rats. The model further predicts that SD rats will continue to show warm-up with inter-session intervals as short as a few minutes, while WKY rats will not show warm-up, even with inter-session intervals as long as a month. Together, the modeling and empirical data indicate that strain differences in warm-up are qualitative rather than just the result of differential sensitivity to task variables. Understanding the mechanisms that govern expression of warm-up behavior in avoidance may lead to better understanding of pathological avoidance, and potential pathways to modify these processes. PMID

In vivo oxalate degradation by liposome encapsulated oxalate oxidase in rat model of hyperoxaluria

PubMed Central

Dahiya, Tulika; Pundir, C.S.

2013-01-01

Background & objectives: High level of urinary oxalate substantially increases the risk of hyperoxaluria, a significant risk factor for urolithiasis. The primary goal of this study was to reduce urinary oxalate excretion employing liposome encapsulated oxalate oxidase in animal model. Methods: A membrane bound oxalate oxidase was purified from Bougainvillea leaves. The enzyme in its native form was less effective at the physiological pH of the recipient animal. To increase its functional viability, the enzyme was immobilized on to ethylene maleic anhydride (EMA). Rats were injected with liposome encapsulated EMA- oxalate oxidase and the effect was observed on degradation of oxalic acid. Results: The enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity with 60-fold purification and 31 per cent yield. The optimum pH of EMA-derivative enzyme was 6.0 and it showed 70 per cent of its optimal activity at pH 7.0. The EMA-bound enzyme encapsulated into liposome showed greater oxalate degradation in 15 per cent casein vitamin B6 deficient fed rats as compared with 30 per cent casein vitamin B6 deficient fed rats and control rats. Interpretation & conclusions: EMA-oxalate oxidase encapsulated liposome caused oxalate degradation in experimental hyperoxaluria indicating that the enzyme could be used as a therapeutic agent in hyperoxaluria leading to urinary stones. PMID:23481063

Pharmacologic studies on ET-26 hydrochloride in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis.

PubMed

Wang, Bin; Jiang, Junli; Yang, Jun; Chen, Jun; Zhu, Zhaoqiong; Liu, Jin; Zhang, Wensheng

2017-11-15

ET-26 hydrochloride (ET-26 HCl) is a promising sedation-hypnotic compound with stable hemodynamic features that elicits virtually no adrenocortical suppression. However, whether it preserves better pharmacologic characteristics in a rat model of sepsis is not known. This study compared the survival rate, levels of corticosterone and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and histologic injury in the lungs and kidneys of rats suffering from sepsis treated with ET-26 HCl, etomidate, or normal saline (NS). Rats were given lipopolysaccharide (1mg/kg body weight, i.v.) to establish a sepsis model. Thirty minutes after lipopolysaccharide administration, ET-26 HCl, etomidate or NS were given as a bolus injection at equivalent doses. Plasma levels of corticosterone, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24h after administration. Histologic injury was observed at the time of death or 24h after drug administration. The survival rate for rats in the etomidate, ET-26 HCl and NS groups was 40%, 90% and 90%, respectively. Corticosterone concentrations in the etomidate group were lower than those in the other groups 1h after administration of hypnotic compounds. Concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the ET-26 HCl group and NS group were not significantly different, but were significantly lower than those in the etomidate group. The injury scores of kidneys and lungs in the etomidate group were higher than those in ET-26 HCl and NS groups. ET-26 HCl showed virtually no suppression of corticosterone synthesis, lower concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, higher survival rate, and less organ injury in rats suffering from sepsis compared with the etomidate group. It may be safer to induce anesthesia using ET-26 HCl, rather than etomidate, in patients suffering from sepsis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparing the cardiovascular therapeutic indices of glycopyrronium and tiotropium in an integrated rat pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Trifilieff, Alexandre; Ethell, Brian T.; Sykes, David A.

Long acting inhaled muscarinic receptor antagonists, such as tiotropium, are widely used as bronchodilator therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although this class of compounds is generally considered to be safe and well tolerated in COPD patients the cardiovascular safety of tiotropium has recently been questioned. We describe a rat in vivo model that allows the concurrent assessment of muscarinic antagonist potency, bronchodilator efficacy and a potential for side effects, and we use this model to compare tiotropium with NVA237 (glycopyrronium bromide), a recently approved inhaled muscarinic antagonist for COPD. Anaesthetized Brown Norway rats were dosed intratracheally at 1more » or 6 h prior to receiving increasing doses of intravenous methacholine. Changes in airway resistance and cardiovascular function were recorded and therapeutic indices were calculated against the ED{sub 50} values for the inhibition of methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction. At both time points studied, greater therapeutic indices for hypotension and bradycardia were observed with glycopyrronium (19.5 and 28.5 fold at 1 h; > 200 fold at 6 h) than with tiotropium (1.5 and 4.2 fold at 1 h; 4.6 and 5.5 fold at 6 h). Pharmacokinetic, protein plasma binding and rat muscarinic receptor binding properties for both compounds were determined and used to generate an integrated model of systemic M{sub 2} muscarinic receptor occupancy, which predicted significantly higher M{sub 2} receptor blockade at ED{sub 50} doses with tiotropium than with glycopyrronium. In our preclinical model there was an improved safety profile for glycopyrronium when compared with tiotropium. - Highlights: • We use an in vivo rat model to study CV safety of inhaled muscarinic antagonists. • We integrate protein and receptor binding and PK of tiotropium and glycopyrrolate. • At ED{sub 50} doses for bronchoprotection we model systemic M{sub 2} receptor occupancy. • Glycopyrrolate demonstrates

76 FR 73504 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Alice, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-29

..., area. Cancellation of all standard instrument approach procedures at Old Hoppe Place Airport, Agua... Old Hoppe Place Airport, Agua Dulce, TX, due to the cancellation of all standard instrument approach...

78 FR 11816 - Foreign-Trade Zone 168-Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX, Authorization of Production Activity, Richemont...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-20

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [B-76-2012] Foreign-Trade Zone 168--Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX, Authorization of Production Activity, Richemont North America, Inc. dba Cartier (Eyewear Assembly/Kitting), Grand Prairie, TX On October 17, 2012, Metroplex International Trade Development...

31-P NMR studies of intracellular pH (pH/sub i/) of the in vitro resting rat diaphragm (D) exposed to hypercapnia (HC), plus amiloride (HCA)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fitzgerald, R.; Howell, S.; Jacobus, W.

1986-03-05

The authors have previously reported that the pH/sub i/ of the resting rat D in vitro fell when exposed to HC. Since pH/sub i/ influences cellular functions, it is important to understand mechanisms whereby a tissue maintains its pH/sub i/ One mechanism reported to exist in some vertebrate tissues is a sodium-proton pump which is inhibited by amiloride. If the rat D had the Na/sup +/-H/sup +/ pump, the resting rat D pH/sub i/, when exposed to hypercapnia, would decrease more if amiloride was present than if there was no amiloride. The D was placed in a 25 mm NMRmore » sample tube and superfused with buffer gassed with 95%O/sub 2/-5%CO/sub 2/ at 37/sup 0/C. Two 15 minute pulsed Fourier transform spectra were acquired at 72.89 MHz using 2 sec repetition rate during normocapnia. The D was next superfused for 60 minutes with buffer gassed with 80%O/sub 2/-20%CO/sub 2/ and containing 5 x 10/sup -4/M amiloride (n=5; HCA) or not (n=8; HC). Four 15 minute spectra were obtained; pH/sub i/ was determined from the chemical shift of P/sub i/ resonance. The pH/sub i/ (X vector +/- SE) of HC D's fell from 7.14 +/- .04 to 6.85 +/- .05 at 1 hour of exposure. The pH/sub i/ of HCA D's fell from 6.95 +/- .05 to 6.57 +/- .03. The decrease in pH/sub i/ during hypercapnia is significantly greater (P<0.01) for HCA D's. These data suggest that the rat D uses a Na/sup +/-H/sup +/ pump to regulate pH/sub i/ and that this pump operates in the in vitro resting rat D exposed to hypercapnia.« less

Modeling Alzheimer’s disease in transgenic rats

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. At the diagnostic stage, the AD brain is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular amyloid plaques, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and neuronal loss. Despite the large variety of therapeutic approaches, this condition remains incurable, since at the time of clinical diagnosis, the brain has already suffered irreversible and extensive damage. In recent years, it has become evident that AD starts decades prior to its clinical presentation. In this regard, transgenic animal models can shed much light on the mechanisms underlying this “pre-clinical” stage, enabling the identification and validation of new therapeutic targets. This paper summarizes the formidable efforts to create models mimicking the various aspects of AD pathology in the rat. Transgenic rat models offer distinctive advantages over mice. Rats are physiologically, genetically and morphologically closer to humans. More importantly, the rat has a well-characterized, rich behavioral display. Consequently, rat models of AD should allow a more sophisticated and accurate assessment of the impact of pathology and novel therapeutics on cognitive outcomes. PMID:24161192

Micro Electrochemical pH Sensor Applicable for Real-Time Ratiometric Monitoring of pH Values in Rat Brains.

PubMed

Zhou, Jie; Zhang, Limin; Tian, Yang

2016-02-16

To develop in vivo monitoring meter for pH measurements is still the bottleneck for understanding the role of pH plays in the brain diseases. In this work, a selective and sensitive electrochemical pH meter was developed for real-time ratiometric monitoring of pH in different regions of rat brains upon ischemia. First, 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ) was employed and optimized as a selective pH recognition element to establish a 2H(+)/2e(-) approach over a wide range of pH from 5.8 to 8.0. The pH meter demonstrated remarkable selectivity toward pH detection against metal ions, amino acids, reactive oxygen species, and other biological species in the brain. Meanwhile, an inner reference, 6-(ferrocenyl)hexanethiol (FcHT), was selected as a built-in correction to avoid the environmental effect through coimmobilization with 1,2-NQ. In addition, three-dimensional gold nanoleaves were electrodeposited onto the electrode surface to amplify the signal by ∼4.0-fold and the measurement was achieved down to 0.07 pH. Finally, combined with the microelectrode technique, the microelectrochemical pH meter was directly implanted into brain regions including the striatum, hippocampus, and cortex and successfully applied in real-time monitoring of pH values in these regions of brain followed by global cerebral ischemia. The results demonstrated that pH values were estimated to 7.21 ± 0.05, 7.13 ± 0.09, and 7.27 ± 0.06 in the striatum, hippocampus, and cortex in the rat brains, respectively, in normal conditions. However, pH decreased to 6.75 ± 0.07 and 6.52 ± 0.03 in the striatum and hippocampus, upon global cerebral ischemia, while a negligible pH change was obtained in the cortex.

Hypoglycemic effect of hawthorn in type II diabetes mellitus rat model.

PubMed

Aierken, Aili; Buchholz, Tina; Chen, Chen; Zhang, Xiaoying; Melzig, Matthias F

2017-10-01

Hawthorn is a popular herb in many different traditional medicine systems, including traditional Chinese medicine, where it has long been used for the treatment of hyperglycemia. However, most of its varied biological activities remain unexplored. This study investigated the hypoglycemic effect of hawthorn extracts in type II diabetic (T2DM) rat model. A total of 54 rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal control group; type II diabetic model group (T2DM; these rats were induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin); high, middle and low concentrations of hawthorn treatment (HT H , HT M and HT L T2DM rats were given hawthorn extract at a dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg kg -1 body weight, respectively); and positive control group (orlistat 40 mg kg -1 body weight). Triglyceride and total cholesterol serum levels were lower in the hawthorn extract-treated groups than in the T2DM control group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, hawthorn extracts decreased blood glucose level and increased plasma insulin release from pancreas. Positive effects of hawthorn against streptozotocin-induced T2DM were demonstrated. This study suggests that hawthorn extract represents a useful agent for the prevention or treatment of T2DM. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Differential inhibition of [3H]-oxotremorine-M and [3H]-quinuclinidyl benzilate binding to muscarinic receptors in rat brain membranes with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

PubMed

Lockhart, B; Closier, M; Howard, K; Steward, C; Lestage, P

2001-04-01

The potential interaction of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors with cholinergic receptors may play a significant role in the therapeutic and/or side-effects associated with this class of compound. In the present study, the capacity of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to interact with muscarinic receptors was assessed by their ability to displace both [3H]-oxotremorine-M and [3H]-quinuclinidyl benzilate binding in rat brain membranes. The [3H]-quinuclinidyl benzilate/[3H]-oxotremorine-M affinity ratios permitted predictions to be made of either the antagonist or agonist properties of the different compounds. A series of compounds, representative of the principal classes of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, displaced [3H]-oxotremorine-M binding with high-to-moderate potency (ambenonium>neostigmine=pyridostigmine=tacrine>physostigmine> edrophonium=galanthamine>desoxypeganine) whereas only ambenonium and tacrine displaced [3H]-quinuclinidyl benzilate binding. Inhibitors such as desoxypeganine, parathion and gramine demonstrated negligible inhibition of the binding of both radioligands. Scatchard plots constructed from the inhibition of [3H]-oxotremorine-M binding in the absence and presence of different inhibitors showed an unaltered Bmax and a reduced affinity constant, indicative of potential competitive or allosteric mechanisms. The capacity of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, with the exception of tacrine and ambenonium, to displace bound [3H]-oxotremorine-M in preference to [3H]quinuclinidyl benzilate predicts that the former compounds could act as potential agonists at muscarinic receptors. Moreover, the rank order for potency in inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (ambenonium>neostigmine=physostigmine =tacrine>pyridostigmine=edrophonium=galanthamine >desoxypeganine>parathion>gramine) indicated that the most effective inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase also displaced [3H]-oxotremorine-M to the greatest extent. The capacity of these inhibitors to displace [3H

Randomized structured triglycerides increase lymphatic absorption of tocopherol and retinol compared with the equivalent physical mixture in a rat model of fat malabsorption.

PubMed

Tso, P; Lee, T; DeMichele, S J

2001-08-01

Previously we demonstrated that the digestion, absorption and lymphatic transport of lipid and key essential fatty acids (EFA) from randomly interesterified fish oil/medium-chain structured triglycerides (STG) were significantly higher than an equivalent physical mixture (PM) in a normal lymph fistula rat model and in a rat model of lipid malabsorption caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The goals of this study were to further explore the potential absorptive benefits of STG by comparing the intestinal absorption and lymphatic transport of tocopherol and retinol when delivered gastrically with either STG or PM under normal conditions and after I/R injury to the small bowel. Food-deprived male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to two treatments (sham controls or I/R). Under halothane anesthesia, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was occluded for 20 min and then reperfused in I/R rats. The SMA was isolated but not occluded in control rats. In both groups, the mesenteric lymph duct was cannulated and a gastric tube was inserted. Each treatment group received 1 mL of the fish oil/MCT STG or PM (7 rats/group) along with (14)C-alpha-tocopherol and (3)H-retinol through the gastric tube followed by an infusion of PBS at 3 mL/h for 8 h. Lymph was collected hourly for 8 h. Under steady-state conditions, the amount of (14)C-alpha-tocopherol and (3)H-retinol transported into lymph was significantly higher in the STG-fed rats compared with those fed PM in both control and I/R groups. In addition, control and I/R rats given STG had earlier steady-state outputs of (14)C-alpha-tocopherol and (3)H-retinol and maintained approximately 30% higher outputs in lymph throughout the 8-h lymph collection period compared with rats given the PM. We conclude that STG provides the opportunity to potentiate improved absorption of fat-soluble vitamins under normal and malabsorptive states.

Early-life Sodium-exposure Unmasks Susceptibility to Stroke in hyperlipidemic-hypertensive Tg[hCETP]25-Rats

PubMed Central

Decano, Julius L.; Viereck, Jason C.; McKee, Ann C.; Hamilton, James A.; Ruiz-Opazo, Nelson; Herrera, Victoria L.M.

2009-01-01

Background Early-life risk factor exposure increases aortic atherosclerosis and blood pressure in humans and animal models, however, limited insight has been made into end-organ complications. Methods and Results We investigated the effects of early-life Na-exposure (0.23% vs 0.4%NaCl regular-rat chow) on vascular disease outcomes using the inbred, transgenic[hCETP]25 Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rat model of male-predominant coronary atherosclerosis, Tg25. Rather than the expected increased coronary heart disease, fetal 0.4%Na-exposure (≤2g-Na/2000cal/diet/day) induced adult-onset stroke in both sexes (ANOVA P<0.0001), with earlier stroke-onset in Tg25-females. Analysis of later onsets of 0.4%Na-exposure resulted in decreased stroke-risk and later stroke-onsets, despite longer 0.4%Na-exposure durations, indicating increasing risk with earlier onsets of 0.4%Na-exposure. Histological analysis of stroke+rat brains revealed cerebral cortical hemorrhagic infarctions, microhemorrhages, neuronal ischemia, microvascular injury. Ex-vivo MRI of stroke+ rat brains detected cerebral hemorrhages, microhemorrhages and ischemia with middle cerebral artery-distribution, and cerebellar non-involvement. Ultrasound micro-imaging detected carotid artery disease. Pre-stroke analysis detected neuronal ischemia, and decreased mass of isolated cerebral, but not cerebellar, microvessels. Conclusions Early-life Na-exposure exacerbated hypertension and unmasked stroke susceptibility with greater female vulnerability in hypertensive-hyperlipidemic Tg25-rats. The reproducible modeling in Tg25sp rats of carotid artery disease, cerebral hemorrhagic-infarctions, neuronal ischemia, microhemorrhages, and microvascular alterations suggests a pathogenic spectrum with causal interrelationships. This “mixed-stroke” spectrum could represent paradigms of ischemic-hemorrhagic transformation, and/or a microangiopathic basis for the association of ischemic-lesions, microhemorrhages, and strokes

Incorporating sustainability into TxDOT's transportation decision making : summary of work performed, methods used, and results achieved.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-02-01

This report summarizes the work performed in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 and 2010 under TxDOT : Implementation Project 5-5541-01 Regional Workshops on Sustainability Enhancement : Tool. TxDOT Research Project 0-5541, Developing Sustainable Tra...

77 FR 58799 - Radio Broadcasting Services; Roaring Springs, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-24

...] Radio Broadcasting Services; Roaring Springs, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION... Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73 Radio, Radio broadcasting. Federal Communications Commission. Nazifa Sawez... Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR part 73 as follows: PART 73--RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES 1. The...

78 FR 4125 - Foreign-Trade Zone 265-Conroe, TX; Authorization of Production Activity; Bauer Manufacturing, Inc...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-18

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [B-70-2012] Foreign-Trade Zone 265--Conroe, TX; Authorization of Production Activity; Bauer Manufacturing, Inc. (Pile Drivers and Boring Machinery), Conroe, TX On September 12, 2012, the City of Conroe, Texas, grantee of FTZ 20, submitted a notification of...

A conscious rat model involving bradycardia and hypotension after oral administration: a toxicokinetical study of aconitine.

PubMed

Zhang, Panpan; Kong, Dezhi; Du, Qian; Zhao, Jing; Li, Qing; Zhang, Jianghua; Li, Tonghui; Ren, Leiming

2017-06-01

1. A model of aconitine-induced bradycardia and hypotension, which is similar to aconitine poisoning in humans, was constructed in conscious rats by oral administration. 2. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) of Sprague-Dawley rats were measured using a volume pressure recording (VPR) system. The pharmacokinetics of toxic doses of aconitine and its metabolites were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS. 3. The HR was significantly decreased by 29% at 2 h after oral administration of 200 μg/kg aconitine. When the dose was increased to 400 μg/kg, systolic BP and diastolic BP were significantly decreased by 11% and 12% at 2 h after the administration, except when bradycardia occurred at 2 h and 4 h. The drug concentration-time curve showed a double-peak phenomenon in rats administered a 400 μg/kg dose. The AUC 0-12 h value in the 400 μg/kg group significantly increased 0.8-fold compared to the 200 μg/kg group. Moreover, a high plasma concentration of 16-O-demethyaconitine was found in the rats that received two toxic doses. 4. In conclusion, bradycardia and hypotension are induced in conscious rats by a toxic dose of aconitine (400 μg/kg), and there was no significant difference in dose-normalized AUC 0-12 h values between oral administrations of 200 μg/kg and that of 400 μg/kg. However, the dose-normalized C max and AUC 0-12 h values in 200 μg/kg and 400 μg/kg groups were significantly smaller than those in 100 μg/kg group. The metabolites of aconitine, 16-O-demethyaconitine, and benzoylaconitine may also contribute to the hypotensive response.

Neuroprotective effect of curcumin in an experimental rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PubMed

Kuo, Chang-Po; Lu, Chueng-He; Wen, Li-Li; Cherng, Chen-Hwan; Wong, Chih-Shung; Borel, Cecil O; Ju, Da-Tong; Chen, Chun-Mei; Wu, Ching-Tang

2011-12-01

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) causes a high mortality rate and morbidity. It was suggested that oxidant stress plays an important role in neuronal injury after SAH. Therefore, we assessed the effect of curcumin on reducing cerebral vasospasm and neurologic injury in a SAH model in rat. A double-hemorrhage model was used to induce SAH in rats. Groups of animals were treated with intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg curcumin (curcumin group, n = 24) or dimethyl sulfoxide (vehicle group, n = 33), normal saline (SAH group, n = 34) or normal saline (sham group, n = 22), 3 h after SAH induction and daily for 6 days. Glutamate was measured before SAH induction and once daily for 7 days. Glutamate transporter-1, wall thickness and the perimeter of the basilar artery, neurologic scores, neuronal degeneration, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities were assessed. Changes of glutamate levels were lower in the curcumin group versus the SAH and vehicle groups, especially on day 1 (56 folds attenuation vs. vehicle). Correspondingly, glutamate transporter-1 was preserved after SAH in curcumin-treated rats. In the hippocampus and the cortex, malondialdehyde was attenuated (30% and 50%, respectively). Superoxide dismutase (35% and 64%) and catalase (34% and 38%) activities were increased in the curcumin rats compared with the SAH rats. Mortality rate (relative risk: 0.59), wall thickness (30%) and perimeter (31%) of the basilar artery, neuron degeneration scores (39%), and neurologic scores (31%) were improved in curcumin-treated rats. Curcumin in multiple doses is effective against glutamate neurotoxicity and oxidative stress and improves the mortality rate in rats with SAH.

Platelet aggregation caused by Carybdea rastonii toxins (CrTX-I, II and III) obtained from a jellyfish, Carybdea rastonii.

PubMed

Azuma, H; Sekizaki, S; Satoh, A; Nakajima, T

1986-05-01

The pharmacological mechanisms of platelet aggregation induced by highly toxic proteins (CrTX-I, CrTX-II, and CrTX-III) obtained from tentacles of a jellyfish, Carybdea rastonii, were investigated. When the partially purified toxin (pCrTX) and CrTXs were added to the citrated platelet-rich plasma (PRP), aggregation was produced in a concentration-dependent manner. The activity of CrTXs was approximately 100 times more potent than pCrTX. The CrTXs-induced aggregation was little affected by indomethacin and quinacrine at concentrations sufficient to inhibit arachidonic acid- and collagen-induced aggregation. The CrTXs-induced aggregation in washed platelets was significantly augmented in the presence of Ca2+. The pretreatment with verapamil failed to modify this augmentation of aggregation. The concentration of cytoplasmic-free calcium ([Ca2+]i) of platelets was increased by CrTXs at the same concentrations that produced aggregation. This effect of CrTXs was again little affected by verapamil. CrTXs at the same concentrations as those that produced aggregation and increased [Ca2+]i caused depolarization of platelets, which was unchanged after pretreatment with sodium or potassium transport inhibitors. CrTX-I significantly increased the 22Na flux into platelets and this effect of CrTX-I was unaffected by tetrodotoxin. The CrTX-I-induced aggregation, depolarization, and increase in [Ca2+]i were all significantly attenuated in the low Na+ medium. These results suggest that CrTXs cause a massive depolarization by increasing cation permeability and this generalized depolarization permits an inward movement of Ca2+ down its electrochemical gradient which, in turn, triggers platelet aggregation.

Autoradiographic localization of /sup 3/H-paroxetine-labeled serotonin uptake sites in rat brain

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

De Souza, E.B.; Kuyatt, B.L.

1987-01-01

Paroxetine is a potent and selective inhibitor of serotonin uptake into neurons. Serotonin uptake sites have been identified, localized, and quantified in rat brain by autoradiography with 3H-paroxetine; 3H-paroxetine binding in slide-mounted sections of rat forebrain was of high affinity (KD = 10 pM) and the inhibition affinity constant (Ki) values of various drugs in competing 3H-paroxetine binding significantly correlated with their reported potencies in inhibiting synaptosomal serotonin uptake. Serotonin uptake sites labeled by 3H-paroxetine were highly concentrated in the dorsal and median raphe nuclei, central gray, superficial layer of the superior colliculus, lateral septal nucleus, paraventricular nucleus of themore » thalamus, and the islands of Calleja. High concentrations of 3H-paroxetine binding sites were found in brainstem areas containing dopamine (substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area) and norepinephrine (locus coeruleus) cell bodies. Moderate concentrations of 3H-paroxetine binding sites were present in laminae I and IV of the frontal parietal cortex, primary olfactory cortex, olfactory tubercle, regions of the basal ganglia, septum, amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and some brainstem areas including the interpeduncular, trigeminal, and parabrachial nuclei. Lower densities of 3H-paroxetine binding sites were found in other regions of the neocortex and very low to nonsignificant levels of binding were present in white matter tracts and in the cerebellum. Lesioning of serotonin neurons with 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine caused large decreases in 3H-paroxetine binding. The autoradiographic distribution of 3H-paroxetine binding sites in rat brain corresponds extremely well to the distribution of serotonin terminals and cell bodies as well as with the pharmacological sites of action of serotonin.« less

GOC-TX: A Reliable Ticket Synchronization Application for the Open Science Grid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayashi, Soichi; Gopu, Arvind; Quick, Robert

2011-12-01

One of the major operational issues faced by large multi-institutional collaborations is permitting its users and support staff to use their native ticket tracking environment while also exchanging these tickets with collaborators. After several failed attempts at email-parser based ticket exchanges, the OSG Operations Group has designed a comprehensive ticket synchronizing application. The GOC-TX application uses web-service interfaces offered by various commercial, open source and other homegrown ticketing systems, to synchronize tickets between two or more of these systems. GOC-TX operates independently from any ticketing system. It can be triggered by one ticketing system via email, active messaging, or a web-services call to check for current sync-status, pull applicable recent updates since prior synchronizations to the source ticket, and apply the updates to a destination ticket. The currently deployed production version of GOC-TX is able to synchronize tickets between the Numara Footprints ticketing system used by the OSG and the following systems: European Grid Initiative's system Global Grid User Support (GGUS) and the Request Tracker (RT) system used by Brookhaven. Additional interfaces to the BMC Remedy system used by Fermilab, and to other instances of RT used by other OSG partners, are expected to be completed in summer 2010. A fully configurable open source version is expected to be made available by early autumn 2010. This paper will cover the structure of the GOC-TX application, its evolution, and the problems encountered by OSG Operations group with ticket exchange within the OSG Collaboration.

75 FR 41119 - Special Local Regulations; Sabine River, Orange, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-15

... Regulation is intended to restrict vessels from portions of the Sabine River during the Thunder on the Sabine... Orange, TX, Thunder on the Sabine boat races. The powerboat race and associated testing will occur...

76 FR 19276 - Television Broadcasting Services; El Paso, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-07

... FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 73 [MB Docket No. 11-4; RM-11616, DA 11-530] Television Broadcasting Services; El Paso, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule... the station terminated its analog service and transitioned to post-transition channel 9 and believes...

Antinociceptive Effect of Intrathecal Injection of Genetically Engineered Human Bone Marrow Stem Cells Expressing the Human Proenkephalin Gene in a Rat Model of Bone Cancer Pain.

PubMed

Sun, Yi; Tian, Yuke; Li, Haifeng; Zhang, Dengwen; Sun, Qiang

2017-01-01

Background . This study aimed to investigate the use of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) genetically engineered with the human proenkephalin (hPPE) gene to treat bone cancer pain (BCP) in a rat model. Methods . Primary cultured hBMSCs were passaged and modified with hPPE, and the cell suspensions (6 × 10 6 ) were then intrathecally injected into a rat model of BCP. Paw mechanical withdrawal threshold (PMWT) was measured before and after BCP. The effects of hPPE gene transfer on hBMSC bioactivity were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. Results . No changes were observed in the surface phenotypes and differentiation of hBMSCs after gene transfer. The hPPE-hBMSC group showed improved PMWT values on the ipsilateral side of rats with BCP from day 12 postoperatively, and the analgesic effect was reversed by naloxone. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 β and IL-6 were ameliorated, and leucine-enkephalin (L-EK) secretion was augmented, in the hPPE-engineered hBMSC group. Conclusion . The intrathecal administration of BMSCs modified with the hPPE gene can effectively relieve pain caused by bone cancer in rats and might be a potentially therapeutic tool for cancer-related pain in humans.

Changes of Gene Expressions in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Model After Losartan Treatment

PubMed Central

Cha, Ji Hei; Lee, Hye Ryon; Kim, Kwan Chang; Cho, Min-Sun

2012-01-01

Background and Objectives The renin angiotensin system seems to play an important role in the development of cardiac and vascular hypertrophy in hypertension. The changes in pathology, and gene expressions of the angiotensin II receptor type 1A (ATIA) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) were investigated in order to explore the effects of losartan in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) models. Materials and Methods Twelve week-old male Wistar rats were grouped as follows: control (C) group, hypertension (H) group, and losartan (L) group in which SHR was treated with losartan (10 mg/kg/day). Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis regarding seven genes such as endothelin-1, ACE, ATIA, neutrophil cytosolic factor, brain natriuretic peptide, troponin I, endothelial nitric oxide synthase were performed. Results Systolic blood pressure was significantly decreased in the L group compared with the H group in weeks 3 and 5. ACE and ATIA proteins in the L group were lower than H group in week 5. Conclusion Losartan reduced blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy and protein expressions of ACE and ATIA. Changes of protein expressions were more sensitive than changes in pathology. Further study is needed for the differing doses of losartan in SHR models. PMID:23236328

Prediction of pH dependent absorption using in vitro, in silico, and in vivo rat models: Early liability assessment during lead optimization.

PubMed

Saxena, Ajay; Shah, Devang; Padmanabhan, Shweta; Gautam, Shashyendra Singh; Chowan, Gajendra Singh; Mandlekar, Sandhya; Desikan, Sridhar

2015-08-30

Weakly basic compounds which have pH dependent solubility are liable to exhibit pH dependent absorption. In some cases, a subtle change in gastric pH can significantly modulate the plasma concentration of the drug and can lead to sub-therapeutic exposure of the drug. Evaluating the risk of pH dependent absorption and potential drug-drug interaction with pH modulators are important aspects of drug discovery and development. In order to assess the risk around the extent of decrease in the systemic exposure of drugs co-administered with pH modulators in the clinic, a pH effect study is carried out, typically in higher species, mostly dog. The major limitation of a higher species pH effect study is the resource and material requirement to assess this risk. Hence, these studies are mostly restricted to promising or advanced leads. In our current work, we have used in vitro aqueous solubility, in silico simulations using GastroPlus™ and an in vivo rat pH effect model to provide a qualitative assessment of the pH dependent absorption liability. Here, we evaluate ketoconazole and atazanavir with different pH dependent solubility profiles and based on in vitro, in silico and in vivo results, a different extent of gastric pH effect on absorption is predicted. The prediction is in alignment with higher species and human pH effect study results. This in vitro, in silico and in vivo (IVISIV) correlation is then extended to assess pH absorption mitigation strategy. The IVISIV predicts pH dependent absorption for BMS-582949 whereas its solubility enhancing prodrug, BMS-751324 is predicted to mitigate this liability. Overall, the material requirement for this assessment is substantially low which makes this approach more practical to screen multiple compounds during lead optimization. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Adenosine Triphosphate Regresses Endometrial Explants in a Rat Model of Endometriosis.

PubMed

Zhang, Chen; Gao, Li; Yi, Yanhong; Han, Hongjing; Cheng, Hongyan; Ye, Xue; Ma, Ruiqiong; Sun, Kunkun; Cui, Heng; Chang, Xiaohong

2016-07-01

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in a rat endometriosis model. After surgical induction of endometriosis, 3 rats were killed, and explants were measured in the remaining 19 rats, which were then randomly assigned to 4 groups. Group 1 (n = 4) received normal saline (2 mL/d intragastric [IG]), group 2 (n = 4) gestrinone (0.5 mg/kg/d IG), group 3 (n = 5) ATP (3.4 mg/kg/d IG), and group 4 (n = 6) ATP (1.0 mg/kg/d; intramuscularly), respectively. Four weeks after medication, they were euthanized to evaluate histological features of explants and eutopic uterine tissues. To test the effect of ATP on the growth of eutopic endometrium stromal cells, proliferation rates of hEM15A cells at 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment with different concentrations of ATP and vehicle control were detected with the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) method. There was a significant difference between pretreatment and posttreatment volumes within group 2 (positive control; P = .048) and group 4 (P = .044). On condition that pretreatment implant size was similar in both groups (P = .516), regression of explants in group 4 was significantly higher than that in group 1 (negative control; P = .035). Epithelial cells were significantly better preserved in group 1 than in group 3 (P = .008) and group 4 (P = .037). The CCK-8 assay showed no significant difference in proliferation among hEM15A cells treated with ATP and controls. These results suggest that ATP regresses endometriotic tissues in a rat endometriosis model but has no impact on the growth of eutopic endometrium stromal cells. © The Author(s) 2016.

ENU mutagenesis to generate genetically modified rat models.

PubMed

van Boxtel, Ruben; Gould, Michael N; Cuppen, Edwin; Smits, Bart M G

2010-01-01

The rat is one of the most preferred model organisms in biomedical research and has been extremely useful for linking physiology and pathology to the genome. However, approaches to genetically modify specific genes in the rat germ line remain relatively scarce. To date, the most efficient approach for generating genetically modified rats has been the target-selected N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis-based technology. Here, we describe the detailed protocols for ENU mutagenesis and mutant retrieval in the rat model organism.

RTI special studies for TxDOT administration in FY 2010.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-01-01

This research project was established by TxDOTs Research and Technology Implementation Office to address : special studies required by the departments Administration during FY 2010. Six short-term, quick-turnaround : tasks were completed and ar...

Software development to implement the TxDOT culvert rating guide.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-05-01

This implementation project created CULVLR: Culvert Load Rating, Version 1.0.0, a Windows-based : desktop application software package that automates the process by which Texas Department of Transportation : (TxDOT) engineers and their consultants ...

Prothrombotic Effects of Thrombolytic Therapy in a Rat (Rattus norvegicus) Model of Venous Thrombolysis

PubMed Central

Shuster, Katherine A; Wrobleski, Shirley K; Hawley, Angela E; Lucchesi, Benedict R; Sorenson, Dorothy R; Bergin, Ingrid L; Sigler, Robert E; Guire, Kenneth E; Nowland, Megan H; Wakefield, Thomas W; Myers, Daniel D

2013-01-01

The use of thrombolytic agents has greatly improved patient outcomes, but the prothrombotic response to these drugs in vivo is unknown. Approximately 24 h after we induced thrombosis in male Sprague–Dawley rats, we placed an infusion line in the inferior vena cava and administered either saline or a thrombolytic agent (tissue plasminogen activator [tPA] or plasmin) for 30 min. Blood was drawn immediately after infusion; rats were euthanized 24 h after infusion for collection of blood and tissue (inferior vena cava and thrombus). Thrombus size was decreased in the tPA-treated rats but not in those that received saline or plasmin; this change correlated with the significant rise in D-dimer levels noted immediately after infusion in the tPA-treated rats. Plasma soluble P-selectin, a prothrombotic marker, was elevated at 24 h in the plasmin group compared with the other treatment groups. There were no significant differences in plasma C3a, C5a, or C5b9 levels or in thrombus C3 levels between groups. According to ultrastructural analysis, thrombus structure and vein wall effects did not differ between groups. Local tPA did not induce a prothrombotic state during acute DVT or after thrombolytic therapy in a rodent model of venous thrombolysis. Conversely, levels of the prothrombotic marker plasma soluble P-selectin increased when plasmin was administered. PMID:23759527

Disposition of the 3H-labeled gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog buserelin in rats.

PubMed

Berger, H; Sandow, J; Heinrich, N; Albrecht, E; Kertscher, U; Oehlke, J

1993-01-01

The short-time disposition of 3H-labeled D-Ser(TBU)6-desGly10-GnRH-ethylamide ([3H]buserelin) was studied in rats after bolus intravenous and subcutaneous injections and killing the rats after 1 and 3 hr, respectively. When estimated as the percentage of the injected dose, 3H-activity within the whole blood rapidly declined from 25.5% at 2 min to 4.7% at 60 min after intravenous injection and remained nearly constant at 3.4% from 30 to 180 min after subcutaneous injection. More than 94% of the blood activity was confined to plasma. 3H-Activity was highly concentrated in the pituitary, as seen from the concentration ratio of activity tissue/plasma (ti/pl), being 12.6 and 8.0 at 60 and 180 min, respectively. A transient accumulation of activity was observed in kidney (ti/pl 9.5 and 2.2 at 60 and 180 min, respectively). All the other tissues studied (liver, spleen, adrenal, testis, epididymis, muscle, lung, fat, skin, heart, thyroid, stomach, and intestine) showed ratios ti/pl below 2.0, mostly below 1.0. The tissues within the blood-brain barrier cortex/thalamus and hypothalamus had the lowest ti/pl (0.08 at 60 min). Within 24 hr after intravenous injection of [3H]buserelin into rats, 58% of the administered 3H-dose was recovered in urine, 21.6% of the urinary radioactivity being identified as intact buserelin. Only 3.6% of the 3H-dose were found in the feces. It is concluded that buserelin is concentrated specifically only in its target organ pituitary, whereas kidney accumulates the peptide transiently due to glomerular filtration and presence of the peptide in the primary urine, part of the peptide being degraded to smaller peptides in the kidney tubuli before being excreted into urine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adverse effects of 4-tert-octylphenol on the production of oxytocin and hCG in pregnant rats

PubMed Central

Kim, Jun; Kang, Eun-Jin; Park, Mee-Na; Lee, Jae-Eon; Hong, So-Hye; An, Sung-Min; Kim, Seung-Chul; Hwang, Dae-Youn

2014-01-01

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances that alter the structure or function of the endocrine system. 4-Tert-octylphenol (OP) is one of the most representative EDCs and has estrogenic effects. In this study, we examined the effects of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and OP on the pituitary gland, placenta, and uterus of pregnant rats. Expression levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), oxytocin (OT), and contraction-associated proteins (CAPs) were determined, and uterine contractile activity was measured by uterine contraction assay. EE and OP both increased mRNA expression of OT and hCG in the pituitary gland but not the placenta. Since OT and hCG control uterine contraction, we next examined CAP expression in the uterus. Expression of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin-dehydrogenase (PGDH) was upregulated by OP, whereas expression of other CAPs was unaffected. To clarify the effect of OP on uterine contraction in pregnant rats, uterine contraction assay was performed. The 17β-Estradiol (E2) did not affect contraction of primary uterine cells harvested from pregnant rats in a 3D collagen gel model. However, OP showed different effects from E2 by significantly reducing contraction activity. In summary, we demonstrated that OP interferes with regulation of OT and hCG in the pituitary gland as well as PGDH in the uterus, thereby reducing uterine contraction activity. This result differs from the action of endogenous E2. Collectively, these findings suggest that exposure to EDCs such as OP during pregnancycan reduce uterine contractile ability, which may result in contraction-associated adverse effects such as metratonia, bradytocia, and uterine leiomyomata. PMID:25324873

The infant rat as a model of bacterial meningitis.

PubMed

Moxon, E R; Glode, M P; Sutton, A; Robbins, J B

1977-08-01

The pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis was studied in infant rats. Intranasal intoculation of greater than 10(3) Haemophilus influenzae type b resulted in an incidence of bacteremia that was directly related to the size of hte challenge inoculum. The temporal and quantitative relationship of bacteremia to meningitis indicated that bacteria spread to the meninges by the hematogenous route and that the magnitude of bacteremia was a primary determinant in the development of meningitis. In a sparate series of experiments, infant rats that were fed Escherichia coli strain C94 (O7:K1:H-) became colonized and developed bacteremia and meningitis, but invasive disease was rare when rats were fed E. Coli strain Easter (O75:K100:H5). A comparison of intranasal vs. oral challenge indicated that the nasopharynx was the most effective route for inducing H. influenzae bacteremia, whereas the gastrointestinal route was the more effective challenge route for the E. coli K1 serotype.

Relationship between intracellular pH and proton mobility in rat and guinea-pig ventricular myocytes.

PubMed

Swietach, Pawel; Vaughan-Jones, Richard D

2005-08-01

Intracellular H+ ion mobility in eukaryotic cells is low because of intracellular buffering. We have investigated whether Hi+ mobility varies with pHi. A dual microperfusion apparatus was used to expose guinea-pig or rat myocytes to small localized doses (3-5 mm) of ammonium chloride (applied in Hepes-buffered solution). Intracellular pH (pHi) was monitored confocally using the fluorescent dye, carboxy-SNARF-1. Local ammonium exposure produced a stable, longitudinal pHi gradient. Its size was fed into a look-up table (LUT) to give an estimate of the apparent intracellular proton diffusion coefficient (D(app)H). LUTs were generated using a diffusion-reaction model of Hi+ mobility based on intracellular buffer diffusion. To examine the pHi sensitivity of D(app)H, whole-cell pHi was initially displaced using a whole-cell ammonium or acetate prepulse, before locally applying the low dose of ammonium. In both rat and guinea-pig, D(app)H decreased with pHi over the range 7.5-6.5. In separate pipette-loading experiments, the intracellular diffusion coefficient for carboxy-SNARF-1 (a mobile-buffer analogue) exhibited no significant pHi dependence. The pHi sensitivity of D(app)H is thus likely to be governed by the mobile fraction of intrinsic buffering capacity. These results reinforce the buffer hypothesis of Hi+ mobility. The pHi dependence of D(app)H was used to characterize the mobile and fixed buffer components, and to estimate D(mob) (the average diffusion coefficient for intracellular mobile buffer). One consequence of a decline in Hi+ mobility at low pHi is that it will predispose the myocardium to pHi nonuniformity. The physiological relevance of this is discussed.

(/sup 3/H)forskolin- and (/sup 3/H)dihydroalprenolol-binding sites and adenylate cyclase activity in heart of rats fed diets containing different oils

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alam, S.Q.; Ren, Y.F.; Alam, B.S.

1988-03-01

The characteristics of the cardiac adenylate cyclase system were studied in rats fed diets containing fish oil (menhaden oil) and other oils. Adenylate cyclase activity generally was higher in cardiac homogenates and membranes of rats fed diet containing 10% menhaden oil than in the other oils. The increase in enzyme activity, especially in forskolin-stimulated activity, was associated with an increase in the concentration of the (/sup 3/H) forskolin-binding sites in cardiac membranes of rats fed menhaden oil. The beta-adrenergic receptor concentration was not significantly altered although the affinity for (/sup 3/H)dihydroalprenolol-binding was lower in membranes of rats fed menhaden oilmore » than those fed the other oils. omega-3 fatty acids from menhaden oil were incorporated into the cardiac membrane phospholipids. The results suggest that the observed increase in myocardial adenylate cyclase activity of rats fed menhaden oil may be due to an increase in the number of the catalytic subunits of the enzyme or due to a greater availability of the forskolin-binding sites.« less

The cardioprotective efficacy of TVP1022 in a rat model of ischaemia/reperfusion

PubMed Central

Ertracht, Offir; Liani, Esti; Bachner-Hinenzon, Noa; Bar-Am, Orit; Frolov, Luba; Ovcharenko, Elena; Awad, Huda; Blum, Shany; Barac, Yaron; Amit, Tamar; Adam, Dan; Youdim, Moussa; Binah, Ofer

2011-01-01

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Because myocardial infarction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, protecting the heart from the ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) damage is the focus of intense research. Based on our in vitro findings showing that TVP1022 (the S-enantiomer of rasagiline, an anti-Parkinsonian drug) possesses cardioprotective effects, in the present study we investigated the hypothesis that TVP1022 can attenuate myocardial damage in an I/R model in rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The model consisted of 30-min occlusion of the left anterior descending artery followed by 4 or 24 h reperfusion. In addition, we investigated the possible mechanisms of cardioprotection in H9c2 cells and neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM) exposed to oxidative stress induced by H2O2. KEY RESULTS TVP1022 (20 and 40 mg·kg−1) administered 5 min before reperfusion followed by an additional dose 4 h after reperfusion reduced the infarct size and attenuated the decline in ventricular function. TVP1022 also attenuated I/R-induced deterioration in cardiac mitochondrial integrity evaluated by mitochondrial swelling capacity. In vitro, using H9c2 cells and NRVM, TVP1022 attenuated both serum free- and H2O2-induced damage, preserved mitochondrial membrane potential and Bcl-2 levels, inhibited mitochondrial cytochrome c release and the increase in cleaved caspase 9 and 3 levels, and enhanced the phosphorylation of protein kinase C and glycogen synthase kinase-3β. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS TVP1022 provided cardioprotection in a model of myocardial infarction, and therefore should be considered as a novel adjunctive therapy for attenuating myocardial damage resulting from I/R injuries. PMID:21323905

The cardioprotective efficacy of TVP1022 in a rat model of ischaemia/reperfusion.

PubMed

Ertracht, Offir; Liani, Esti; Bachner-Hinenzon, Noa; Bar-Am, Orit; Frolov, Luba; Ovcharenko, Elena; Awad, Huda; Blum, Shany; Barac, Yaron; Amit, Tamar; Adam, Dan; Youdim, Moussa; Binah, Ofer

2011-06-01

Because myocardial infarction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, protecting the heart from the ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) damage is the focus of intense research. Based on our in vitro findings showing that TVP1022 (the S-enantiomer of rasagiline, an anti-Parkinsonian drug) possesses cardioprotective effects, in the present study we investigated the hypothesis that TVP1022 can attenuate myocardial damage in an I/R model in rats. The model consisted of 30-min occlusion of the left anterior descending artery followed by 4 or 24 h reperfusion. In addition, we investigated the possible mechanisms of cardioprotection in H9c2 cells and neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM) exposed to oxidative stress induced by H(2) O(2) . TVP1022 (20 and 40 mg·kg(-1) ) administered 5 min before reperfusion followed by an additional dose 4 h after reperfusion reduced the infarct size and attenuated the decline in ventricular function. TVP1022 also attenuated I/R-induced deterioration in cardiac mitochondrial integrity evaluated by mitochondrial swelling capacity. In vitro, using H9c2 cells and NRVM, TVP1022 attenuated both serum free- and H(2) O(2) -induced damage, preserved mitochondrial membrane potential and Bcl-2 levels, inhibited mitochondrial cytochrome c release and the increase in cleaved caspase 9 and 3 levels, and enhanced the phosphorylation of protein kinase C and glycogen synthase kinase-3β. TVP1022 provided cardioprotection in a model of myocardial infarction, and therefore should be considered as a novel adjunctive therapy for attenuating myocardial damage resulting from I/R injuries. © 2011 The Authors. British Journal of Pharmacology © 2011 The British Pharmacological Society.

75 FR 18776 - Regulated Navigation Area; Galveston Channel, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-13

... that the proposed regulated navigation area covers a small area and vessels are allowed to travel...-AA11 Regulated Navigation Area; Galveston Channel, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish a regulated navigation area across the...

76 FR 28946 - Television Broadcasting Services; El Paso, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-19

...] Television Broadcasting Services; El Paso, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed...''), licensee of station KVIA-TV, El Paso, Texas, requesting the substitution of channel 17 for channel 7 at El..., Word 97, and/or Adobe Acrobat.) This document may be purchased from the Commission's duplicating...

76 FR 5120 - Television Broadcasting Services; El Paso, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-28

...] Television Broadcasting Services; El Paso, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The Commission has before it a petition for rulemaking filed by Comcorp of El Paso License Corp. the licensee of station KTSM-TV, channel 9, El Paso, Texas, requesting the substitution of...

Teaming for success "TxDOT is here to help" : site selection and access for large distribution centers.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-06-18

These slides are intended to be used as a free-standing brief presentation or within larger presentations to describe and promote the advantages of involving TxDOT early in the distribution center site selection process. The purpose is to involve TxD...

Assessment transcallosal Diaschisis in a model of focal cerebral ischemia in rats

PubMed Central

Muñoz Ospina, Beatriz Elena; Castaño, Daniel Manrique; Potes, Laura; Umbarila Prieto, John

2016-01-01

Objective: To evaluate transcallosal changes after a local ischemic injury in rats by using the monoclonal marker anti-NeuN (Mouse anti-neuronal nuclei). Methods: Twenty-eight adult, male, Wistar rats were subjected to focal injury in the right hemisphere. The technique used was the experimental model of focal ischemic injury through intraluminal suture of the middle cerebral artery. Analyses were made for the five groups: after the lesion (control), at 24 h, 96 h, 10 days and 20 days. Exofocal neuronal damage was inferred from neuronal immunoreactivity changes to NeuN. Results: In the cortex contralateral to the lesion, immunoreactivity was diminished. This finding was most notable in the supra-granular sheets 24 h post ischemia. After 96 h, there was a generalized diminishment of the inmmunoreactivity in the supra and infra-granular sheets. At 10 and 20 days, the tissue recovered some immunoreactivity to NeuN, but there were some changes in the VI layer. Conclusion: The immunoreactive changes to NeuN support the process of inter-hemispheric diaschisis. Changes in immunoreactivity could indicate metabolic stress secondary to the disruption in connectivity to the site of lesion. PMID:27546930

Assessment transcallosal Diaschisis in a model of focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

PubMed

Arango-Dávila, César Augusto; Muñoz Ospina, Beatriz Elena; Castaño, Daniel Manrique; Potes, Laura; Umbarila Prieto, John

2016-06-30

To evaluate transcallosal changes after a local ischemic injury in rats by using the monoclonal marker anti-NeuN (Mouse anti-neuronal nuclei). Twenty-eight adult, male, Wistar rats were subjected to focal injury in the right hemisphere. The technique used was the experimental model of focal ischemic injury through intraluminal suture of the middle cerebral artery. Analyses were made for the five groups: after the lesion (control), at 24 h, 96 h, 10 days and 20 days. Exofocal neuronal damage was inferred from neuronal immunoreactivity changes to NeuN. In the cortex contralateral to the lesion, immunoreactivity was diminished. This finding was most notable in the supra-granular sheets 24 h post ischemia. After 96 h, there was a generalized diminishment of the inmmunoreactivity in the supra and infra-granular sheets. At 10 and 20 days, the tissue recovered some immunoreactivity to NeuN, but there were some changes in the VI layer. The immunoreactive changes to NeuN support the process of inter-hemispheric diaschisis. Changes in immunoreactivity could indicate metabolic stress secondary to the disruption in connectivity to the site of lesion.

Vascular activation of K+ channels and Na+-K+ ATPase activity of estrogen-deficient female rats.

PubMed

Ribeiro Junior, Rogério Faustino; Fiorim, Jonaina; Marques, Vinicius Bermond; de Sousa Ronconi, Karoline; Botelho, Tatiani; Grando, Marcella D; Bendhack, Lusiane M; Vassallo, Dalton Valentim; Stefanon, Ivanita

2017-12-01

The goal of the present study was to evaluate vascular potassium channels and Na + -K + -ATPase activity in estrogen deficient female rats. Female rats that underwent ovariectomy were assigned to receive daily treatment with placebo (OVX) or estrogen replacement (OVX+E2, 1mg/kg, once a week, i.m.). Aortic rings were used to examine the involvement of K + channels and Na + -K + -ATPase in vascular reactivity. Acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation was analyzed in the presence of L-NAME (100μM) and K + channels blockers: tetraethylammonium (TEA, 5mM), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 5mM), iberiotoxin (IbTX, 30nM), apamin (0.5mM), charybdotoxin (ChTX, 0.1mM) and iberiotoxin plus apamin. When aortic rings were pre-contracted with KCl (60mM) or pre-incubated with TEA (5mM), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 5mM) and iberiotoxin (IbTX, 30nM) plus apamin (0.5μM), the ACh-induced relaxation was less effective in the ovariectomized group. Additionally, 4-AP and IbTX decreased the relaxation by sodium nitroprusside in all groups but this reduction was greater in the ovariectomized group. Estrogen deficiency also increased aortic functional Na + -K + ATPase activity evaluated by K + -induced relaxation. L-NAME or endothelium removal were not able to block the increase in aortic functional Na + -K + ATPase activity, however, TEA (5mM) restored this increase to the control level. We also found that estrogen deficiency increased superoxide anion production and reduced nitric oxide release in aortic ring from ovariectomized animals. In summary, our results emphasize that the process underlying ACh-induced relaxation is preserved in ovariectomized animals due to the activation of K + channels and increased Na + -K + ATPase activity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ptychodiscus brevis toxin enhances the frequency-dependent depression of the monosynaptic reflex in neonatal rat spinal cord in vitro.

PubMed

Deshpande, S B; Singh, J N; Das Gupta, S

2003-12-10

The involvement of frequency-dependent depression (FDD) of synaptic transmission for the depressant action of the Ptychodiscus brevis toxin (PbTx) was investigated in neonatal rat spinal cord in vitro. The stimulation of a dorsal root by train of pulses (five stimuli) at different frequencies evoked potentials in the ventral root (monosynaptic reflex, MSR). Amplitude of the fifth response as percent of first response at 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 Hz were 90, 80, 75, 70 and 50%, respectively. In Mg2+-free medium, PbTx depressed the MSR and also enhanced the FDD in a concentration-dependent manner. Further, the PbTx-induced depression can well be correlated with the enhancement of FDD (r=0.98). In the presence of Mg2+ (1.3 mM), the FDD was greater than that in the absence of Mg2+. But in the presence of Mg2+ PbTx did not alter FDD, even though there was 25% depression at 28 microM (significantly lesser than in Mg2+-free medium). The results indicate that the Mg2+-sensitive component of PbTx-induced depression of MSR is mediated via the neuronal systems involving FDD.

H2S induced coma and cardiogenic shock in the rat: Effects of phenothiazinium chromophores

PubMed Central

SONOBE, TAKASHI; HAOUZI, PHILIPPE

2015-01-01

Context Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) intoxication produces an acute depression in cardiac contractility-induced circulatory failure, which has been shown to be one of the major contributors to the lethality of H2S intoxication or to the neurological sequelae in surviving animals. Methylene blue (MB), a phenothiazinium dye, can antagonize the effects of the inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport chain, a major effect of H2S toxicity. Objectives We investigated whether MB could affect the immediate outcome of H2S-induced coma in unanesthetized animals. Second, we sought to characterize the acute cardiovascular effects of MB and two of its demethylated metabolites—azure B and thionine—in anesthetized rats during lethal infusion of H2S. Materials and methods First, MB (4 mg/kg, intravenous [IV]) was administered in non-sedated rats during the phase of agonal breathing, following NaHS (20 mg/kg, IP)-induced coma. Second, in 4 groups of urethane-anesthetized rats, NaHS was infused at a rate lethal within 10 min (0.8 mg/min, IV). Whenever cardiac output (CO) reached 40% of its baseline volume, MB, azure B, thionine, or saline were injected, while sulfide infusion was maintained until cardiac arrest occurred. Results Seventy-five percent of the comatose rats that received saline (n = 8) died within 7 min, while all the 7 rats that were given MB survived (p = 0.007). In the anesthetized rats, arterial, left ventricular pressures and CO decreased during NaHS infusion, leading to a pulseless electrical activity within 530 s. MB produced a significant increase in CO and dP/dtmax for about 2 min. A similar effect was produced when MB was also injected in the pre-mortem phase of sulfide exposure, significantly increasing survival time. Azure B produced an even larger increase in blood pressure than MB, while thionine had no effect. Conclusion MB can counteract NaHS-induced acute cardiogenic shock; this effect is also produced by azure B, but not by thionine, suggesting

75 FR 8491 - Security Zones; Brazos River, Freeport, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-25

... DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 165 [Docket No. USCG-2009-0501] RIN 1625-AA87 Security Zones; Brazos River, Freeport, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has established four permanent security zones in the Brazos River in Freeport, Texas...

77 FR 58800 - Radio Broadcasting Services; Knox City, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-24

...] Radio Broadcasting Services; Knox City, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed... substituting Channel 277A for vacant Channel 291A, at Knox City, Texas. The proposal is part of a contingently filed ``hybrid'' application and rule making petition. Channel 277A can be allotted at Knox City, Texas...

Incorporating sustainability into TxDOT's transportation decision-making : interactive workshop

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-01-01

The workshop is intended for new and experienced technical staff in TxDOT headquarters, district, and area offices to better understand how sustainability performance measures can be used at the sketch-planning level of project consideration. The wor...

77 FR 47519 - Annual Marine Events in the Eighth Coast Guard District, Sabine River; Orange, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-09

... DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 100 [Docket No. USCG-2012-0656] Annual Marine Events in the Eighth Coast Guard District, Sabine River; Orange, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS... Regulations for the S.P.O.R.T. Power Boat Neches River in Orange, TX from 3 p.m. on September 21, 2012...

PBPK MODELING OF DELTAMETHRIN IN RATS

EPA Science Inventory

The pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin is cleared nearly twice as rapidly in human liver microsomes compared to rat liver microsomes. A species difference such as this could influence the toxic potency of deltamethrin between rats and humans. PBPK modeling is a tool that can be ut...

Evaluation of hypoxic tissue dynamics with 18F-FMISO PET in a rat model of permanent cerebral ischemia.

PubMed

Rojas, Santiago; Herance, José Raul; Abad, Sergio; Jiménez, Xavier; Pareto, Deborah; Ruiz, Alba; Torrent, Èlia; Figueiras, Francisca P; Popota, Foteini; Fernández-Soriano, Francisco J; Planas, Anna M; Gispert, Juan D

2011-06-01

[¹⁸F]Fluoromisonidazole (¹⁸F-FMISO) is a nitroimidazole derivative that has been proposed as a positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer to detect hypoxic tissue in vivo. This compound accumulates in hypoxic but viable tissue and may be a good candidate for evaluating the ischemic penumbra. We evaluated the time course of ¹⁸F-FMISO uptake using PET in a rat model of permanent cerebral ischemia and the correlation with histological changes. Rats (n = 14) were subjected to permanent ischemia by intraluminal occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in order to assess by PET the uptake of ¹⁸F-FMISO at various times over 24 h following ischemia. The PET results were compared to histological changes with Nissl and 2,3,5 triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Elevated uptake of ¹⁸F-FMISO was detected in the infarcted area up to 8 h after occlusion but was no longer detected at 24 h, a time point coincident with pan necrosis of the tissue. Our findings suggest that salvageable tissue persists for up to 8 h in this rat model of brain ischemia. We propose ¹⁸F-FMISO PET as a tool for evaluating the ischemic penumbra after cerebral ischemia.

Suprapubic Bladder Catheterization of Male Spinal-Cord–Injured Sprague–Dawley Rats

PubMed Central

Robinson, Mary A; Herron, Alan J; Goodwin, Bradford S; Grill, Raymond J

2012-01-01

The rat spinal-cord–injury (SCI) model is widely used to study the pathologic mechanisms that contribute to sensory and motor dysfunction in humans. This model is thought to mimic many of the negative outcomes experienced by humans after spinal contusion injury. We theorized that manual bladder expression contributed to the kidney and bladder lesions reported in previous studies using the rat SCI model. In the present study, rats were surgically implanted with bladder catheters after spinal contusion injury to provide continuous drainage of urine. After 72 h, the rats were euthanized and their kidneys and bladders examined histologically. BUN, serum creatinine, and urine protein were compared at 0 and 72 h after surgery. Kidney and bladder lesions were similar in SCI rats with and without implanted bladder catheters. BUN at 72 h was higher than baseline values in both groups, whereas serum creatinine was higher at 72 h compared with baseline values only in the catheterized rats. These findings indicate that suprapubic bladder catheterization does not reduce hydronephrosis in SCI rats and that the standard of care for bladder evacuation should continue to be manual expression of urine. PMID:22330872

Molecular hydrogen ameliorates several characteristics of preeclampsia in the Reduced Uterine Perfusion Pressure (RUPP) rat model.

PubMed

Ushida, Takafumi; Kotani, Tomomi; Tsuda, Hiroyuki; Imai, Kenji; Nakano, Tomoko; Hirako, Shima; Ito, Yumiko; Li, Hua; Mano, Yukio; Wang, Jingwen; Miki, Rika; Yamamoto, Eiko; Iwase, Akira; Bando, Yasuko K; Hirayama, Masaaki; Ohno, Kinji; Toyokuni, Shinya; Kikkawa, Fumitaka

2016-12-01

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Recently, molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) has been shown to have therapeutic potential in various oxidative stress-related diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of H 2 on preeclampsia. We used the reduced utero-placental perfusion pressure (RUPP) rat model, which has been widely used as a model of preeclampsia. H 2 water (HW) was administered orally ad libitum in RUPP rats from gestational day (GD) 12-19, starting 2 days before RUPP procedure. On GD19, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured, and samples were collected. Maternal administration of HW significantly decreased MAP, and increased fetal and placental weight in RUPP rats. The increased levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and diacron reactive oxygen metabolites as a biomarker of reactive oxygen species in maternal blood were decreased by HW administration. However, vascular endothelial growth factor level in maternal blood was increased by HW administration. Proteinuria, and histological findings in kidney were improved by HW administration. In addition, the effects of H 2 on placental villi were examined by using a trophoblast cell line (BeWo) and villous explants from the placental tissue of women with or without preeclampsia. H 2 significantly attenuated hydrogen peroxide-induced sFlt-1 expression, but could not reduce the expression induced by hypoxia in BeWo cells. H 2 significantly attenuated sFlt-1 expression in villous explants from women with preeclampsia, but not affected them from normotensive pregnancy. The prophylactic administration of H 2 attenuated placental ischemia-induced hypertension, angiogenic imbalance, and oxidative stress. These results support the theory that H 2 has a potential benefit in the prevention of preeclampsia. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Framework for development of TxDOT construction inspector training program.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-02-01

To meet the need for a larger number of inspectors and to improve the experience and knowledge level on inspectors, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is reviewing construction inspector training needs and training programs that are avail...

Establishment of a chronic activity-based anorexia rat model.

PubMed

Frintrop, Linda; Trinh, Stefanie; Liesbrock, Johanna; Paulukat, Lisa; Kas, Martien J; Tolba, Rene; Konrad, Kerstin; Herpertz-Dahlmann, Beate; Beyer, Cordian; Seitz, Jochen

2018-01-01

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is often a chronic eating disorder characterised by body image disturbance and low body weight often associated with starvation-induced amenorrhoea and excessive exercise. Activity-based anorexia (ABA) is an animal model representing many somatic aspects of this psychiatric illness. We systematically manipulated the extent and length of starvation and animal age to find the optimal parameters to study chronic starvation. Wistar rats had 24h/day running wheel access and received 40% of their baseline food intake until a 20% or 25% weight reduction was reached (acute starvation). This body weight was then maintained for two weeks (chronic starvation). The rats of different ages of 4 or 8 weeks were used to represent early and late adolescent animals, respectively. The complete absence of a menstrual cycle was defined as the primary outcome parameter. Acute starvation caused a disruption of the oestrous cycle in 58% of the animals. During chronic starvation, a complete loss of the oestrous cycle could be found. Furthermore, 4-week-old rats exhibited higher levels of hyperactivity and amenorrhoea than 8-week-old animals. A 20% starvation level led to 90% loss of cycle, while a 25% starvation level triggered complete loss. Most current ABA models focus on acute starvation, while most patients are chronically ill. The optimal parameters to achieve complete amenorrhoea included early adolescence, chronic starvation and 25% weight loss. The new ABA model allows studying the effects of chronic AN on underlying behavioural, hormonal and brain pathobiology. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Increased cavernosal relaxation by Phoneutria nigriventer toxin, PnTx2-6, via activation at NO/cGMP signaling.

PubMed

Nunes, K P; Wynne, B M; Cordeiro, M N; Borges, M H; Richardson, M; Leite, R; DeLima, M E; Webb, R C

2012-01-01

Erectile dysfunction (ED) mechanisms in diabetic patients are multifactorial and often lead to resistance to current therapy. Animal toxins have been used as pharmacological tools to study penile erection. Human accidents involving the venom of Phoneutria nigriventer spider are characterized by priapism. We hypothesize that PnTx2-6 potentiates cavernosal relaxation in diabetic mice by increasing cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This effect is neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) dependent. Cavernosal strips were contracted with phenylephrine (10(-5) M) and relaxed by electrical field stimulation (20 V, 1-32 Hz) in the presence or absence of PnTx2-6 (10(-8) M). Cavernosal strips from nNOS- and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-knockout (KO) mice, besides nNOS inhibitor (10(-5) M), were used to evaluate the role of this enzyme in the potentiation effect evoked by PnTx2-6. Tissue cGMP levels were determined after stimulation with PnTx2-6 in presence or absence of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (10(-4) M) and ω-conotoxin GVIA (10(-6) M), an N-type calcium channel inhibitor. Results showed that PnTx2-6 enhanced cavernosal relaxation in diabetic mice (65%) and eNOS KO mice, but not in nNOS KO mice. The toxin effect in the cavernosal relaxation was abolished by nNOS inhibitor. cGMP levels are increased by PnTx2-6, however, L-NAME abolished this enhancement as well as ω-conotoxin GVIA. We conclude that PnTx2-6 facilitates penile relaxation in diabetic mice through a mechanism dependent on nNOS, probably via increasing nitric oxide/cGMP production.

Phenotypic modulation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells in a rat model of cavernous neurectomy.

PubMed

Yang, Fan; Zhao, Jian F; Shou, Qi Y; Huang, Xiao J; Chen, Gang; Yang, Ke B; Zhang, Shi G; Lv, Bo D; Fu, Hui Y

2014-01-01

Patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) are at high risk for erectile dysfunction (ED) due to potential cavernous nerve (CN) damage during surgery. Penile hypoxia after RP is thought to significantly contribute to ED pathogenesis. We previously showed that corpora cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) undergo phenotypic modulation under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Here, we studied such changes in an in vivo post-RP ED model by investigating CCSMCs in bilateral cavernous neurectomy (BCN) rats. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent sham (n = 12) or BCN (n = 12) surgery. After 12 weeks, they were injected with apomorphine to determine erectile function. The penile tissues were harvested and assessed for fibrosis using Masson trichrome staining and for molecular markers of phenotypic modulation using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. CCSMC morphological structure was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Erectile function was significantly lower in BCN rats than in sham rats. BCN increased hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and collagen protein expression in corpora cavernous tissue. H&E staining and TEM showed that CCSMCs in BCN rats underwent hypertrophy and showed rough endoplasmic reticulum formation. The expression of CCSMC phenotypic markers, such as smooth muscle α-actin, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, and desmin, was markedly lower, whereas vimentin protein expression was significantly higher in BCN rats than in control rats. CCSMCs undergo phenotype modulation in rats with cavernous neurectomy. The results have unveiled physiological transformations that occur at the cellular and molecular levels and have helped characterize CN injury-induced ED.

Osmoregulated taurine transport in H4IIE hepatoma cells and perfused rat liver.

PubMed Central

Warskulat, U; Wettstein, M; Häussinger, D

1997-01-01

The effects of aniso-osmotic exposure on taurine transport were studied in H4IIE rat hepatoma cells. Hyperosmotic (405 mosmol/l) exposure of H4IIE cells stimulated Na+-dependent taurine uptake and led to an increase in taurine transporter (TAUT) mRNA levels, whereas hypo-osmotic (205 mosmol/l) exposure diminished both taurine uptake and TAUT mRNA levels when compared with normo-osmotic (305 mosmol/l) control incubations. Taurine uptake increased 30-40-fold upon raising the ambient osmolarity from 205 to 405 mosmol/l. When H4IIE cells and perfused livers were preloaded with taurine, hypo-osmotic cell swelling led to a rapid release of taurine from the cells. The taurine efflux, but not taurine uptake, was sensitive to 4,4'-di-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS), suggestive of an involvement of DIDS-sensitive channels in mediating volume-regulatory taurine efflux. Whereas in both H4IIE rat hepatoma cells and primary hepatocytes TAUT mRNA levels were strongly dependent upon ambient osmolarity, mRNAs for other osmolyte transporters, i.e. the betaine transporter BGT-1 and the Na+/myo-inositol transporter SMIT, were not detectable. In line with this, myo-inositol uptake by H4IIE hepatoma cells was low and was not stimulated by hyperosmolarity. However, despite the absence of BGT-1 mRNA, a slight osmosensitive uptake of betaine was observed, but the rate was less than 10% of that of taurine transport. This study identifies a constitutively expressed and osmosensitive TAUT in H4IIE cells and the use of taurine as a main osmolyte, whereas betaine and myo-inositol play little or no role in the osmolyte strategy in these cells. This is in contrast with rat liver macrophages, in which betaine has been shown to be a major osmolyte. PMID:9032454

Dynamic uptake of radioactive substance in rat salivary gland following /sup 3/H-melatonin administration

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Withyachumnarnkul, B.; Wongprapairot, P.; Trakulrungsi, W.

Dynamics of radioactive accumulation in rat greater salivary gland following systemic administration of /sup 3/H-melatonin was studied to determine a possible action of the hormone in the gland. Progressive decline of /sup 3/H-melatonin concentrations was found in the serum, lung, skeletal muscle, liver, kidney, and salivary gland during 60 min following the administration. On the contrary, there was a progressive accumulation of radioactive substance other than /sup 3/H-melatonin in the salivary gland but not in other tissues mentioned. The radioactivity was also progressively and preferentially localized in the nuclear fraction of the gland cells. These results suggest a possible directmore » action of melatonin derivative in rat salivary gland.« less

Crash testing and evaluation of TxDOT burn ban signs.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-08-01

Texas counties expressed a desire to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to post : advisory signs on the roadside to alert motorists when a burn ban is in effect. For obvious economic reasons, : the preferred method of implementation is to...

78 FR 76052 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Gainesville, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-16

... Airport has made reconfiguration necessary for standard instrument approach procedures and for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport. DATES: Effective date: 0901... for standard instrument approach procedures at Gainesville Municipal Airport, Gainesville, TX...

Prevention of atherosclerosis by Yindan Xinnaotong capsule combined with swimming in rats.

PubMed

Wang, Jianlu; Wang, Lan; Yang, Hongjun; You, Yun; Xu, Haiyu; Gong, Leilei; Yin, Xiaojie; Wang, Wandan; Gao, Shuangrong; Cheng, Long; Liang, Rixin; Liao, Fulong

2015-04-08

Yindan Xinnaotong capsule has been used for treating cardio-cerebrovascular diseases for several decades in China. Exercise training can protect against the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the joint effect of YXC and exercise on atherosclerosis in rats. A combined method involving low shear stress and a high-fat diet was used to establish the atherosclerosis model in rats. Partial ligation of the left common carotid artery was performed, and then the rats were divided into 9 treatment groups according to a 3 × 3 factorial design with two factors and three levels for each factor, swimming of 0, 0.5, 1 h daily and YXC administration of 0, 1, 2 g/kg p.o. daily. Next the interventions of swimming and YXC were executed for 8 weeks. After that, blood samples were collected to determine blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, haematocrit (HCT), fibrinogen (FIB), blood lipid profile (including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)), nitric oxide (NO), 6-keto- prostaglandin (PG) F1α, endothelin (ET) and thromboxane (TX) B2. The common carotid arteries of the rats were harvested to examine pathological changes, wall thickness and circumference, and the expression of SM22αwas assayed via immune-histochemistry. The early pathological changes were observed. The joint effects of YXC and swimming showed significant changes in the examined parameters: (1) decreases in plasma viscosity, blood viscosity and FIB; (2) increases in NO and 6-keto-PGF1α; (3) decreases in ET and TXB2; and (4) decreases in LDL-C and TG. The combination of 2 g/kg YXC and 1 h of swimming led to synergistic decreases in LDL-C and TG. The interactive effect between YXC and swimming was obvious in decreasing wall thickness. Swimming alone was able to up-regulate the expression of SM22α. In conclusion, this study indicates that the combination of YXC and swimming may

Solution Plasma-assisted Bimetallic Oxide Alloy Nanoparticles of Pt and Pd Embedded within Two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx Nanosheets as Highly Active Electrocatalysts for Overall Water-splitting.

PubMed

Cui, Bingbing; Hu, Bin; Liu, Jiameng; Wang, Minghua; Song, Yingpan; Tian, Kuan; Zhang, Zhihong; He, Linghao

2018-06-25

Exploiting high-efficiency and low-cost bifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER) has been actively encouraged because of their potential applications in the field of clean energy. In this paper, we reported a novel electrocatalyst based on an exfoliated two-dimensional (2D) MXene (Ti3C2Tx) loaded with bimetallic oxide alloy nanoparticles (NPs) of Pt and Pd (represented by PtOaPdObNPs@Ti3C2Tx), which was synthesized via solution plasma (SP) modification. The prepared materials were then utilized as highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts toward HER and OER in alkaline solution. At a high plasma input power (200 W), bimetallic oxide alloy nanoparticles of Pt and Pd or nanoclusters with different metallic valence states deposited onto the Ti3C2Tx nanosheets. Due to the synergism of the noble metal NPs and the Ti3C2Tx nanosheets, the electrocatalytic results revealed that the as-prepared PtOaPdObNPs@Ti3C2Tx nanosheets under the plasma input power of 200 W for 3 min catalyst only required a low overpotential to attain 10 mA cm-2 for HER (57 mV) in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution and OER (1.63 V) in 0.1 M KOH sollution. Moreover, water electrolysis using this catalyst achieved a water splitting current density of 10 mA cm-2 at a low cell voltage of 1.53 V in 1.0 M KOH solution. These results suggested that the hybridization of the ultra-extremely low usage of PtOa/PdOb NPs (1.07 μg cm-2) and Ti3C2Tx nanosheets by SP will expand the applications of other clean energy reactions to achieve sustainable energy.

Effects of low-dose aspirin on maternal blood pressure and vascular function in an experimental model of gestational hypertension.

PubMed

Osikoya, Oluwatobiloba; Jaini, Paresh A; Nguyen, An; Valdes, Melissa; Goulopoulou, Styliani

2017-06-01

Daily intake of low-dose aspirin after 12weeks of gestation is currently recommended as a preventative intervention in pregnancies in high risk of developing preeclampsia. This recommendation is based on epidemiological evidence, whereas experimental studies investigating the exact mechanisms of aspirin action during pregnancy are lacking. We previously showed that treating pregnant rats with a synthetic mimetic of unmethylated CpG DNA (bacterial DNA) caused preeclampsia-like characteristics such as maternal hypertension and increased cyclooxygenase (COX) expression and activity. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that daily maternal treatment with low-dose aspirin would prevent the development of maternal hypertension, reduce COX activity and thromboxane A 2 (TxA 2 ) production, and improve maternal vascular function in pregnant rats exposed to CpG ODN during gestation. Pregnant rats were treated with ODN2395 (synthetic CpG DNA) or saline (vehicle) on gestational days (GD) 14, 16, 18. Daily low-dose aspirin treatment (1.5mg/kgBW) started on GD10 and continued throughout gestation. Pregnant rats treated with ODN2395 had greater systolic blood pressure compared to controls (120±4mmHg vs. 100±5mmHg, p=0.03) and aspirin did not prevent this increase (p=0.86). Aspirin prevented ODN2395-induced increases of TxB 2 (TxA 2 metabolite) in serum and mesenteric arteries. ODN2395 increased expression of COX-1 and COX-2 in mesenteric and uterine arteries and aspirin abolished these effects. Aspirin reduced contractile responses to phenylephrine and U46619 (TxA 2 mimetic) in mesenteric arteries from control rats but not from ODN2395-treated rats. In conclusion, treatment with low-dose aspirin reduced systemic and vascular COX expression and activity but did not prevent the development of maternal hypertension induced by exposure to unmethylated CpG DNA (bacterial DNA). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A novel rat model for chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

PubMed

Wikramanayake, T C; Amini, S; Simon, J; Mauro, L M; Elgart, G; Schachner, L A; Jimenez, J J

2012-04-01

More than half of all people diagnosed with cancer receive chemotherapy, and approximately 65% of these develop chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), a side-effect that can have considerable negative psychological repercussions. Currently, there are very few animal models available to study the mechanism and prevention of CIA. To develop a clinically relevant adult rat model for CIA. We first tested whether neonatal pigmented Long-Evans (LE) rats developed alopecia in response to the chemotherapeutic agents etoposide and cyclophosphamide. We then determined whether the rats developed CIA as adults. In the latter experiment, rat dorsal hair was clipped during the early telogen stage to synchronize the hair cycle, and starting 15 days later, the rats were treated with etoposide for 3 days. Neonatal LE pups developed CIA in response to etoposide and cyclophosphamide, similar to other murine models for CIA. Clipping of the hair shaft during early telogen resulted in synchronized anagen induction and subsequent alopecia after etoposide treatment in the clipped areas only. Hair follicles in the clipped areas had the typical chemotherapy-induced follicular dystrophy (dystrophic catagen). When the hair in the pigmented alopecic areas regrew, it had normal pigmentation. A novel, pigmented adult rat model has been established for CIA. By hair-shaft clipping during early telogen, synchronized anagen entry was induced, which resulted in alopecia in response to chemotherapy. This is the first clinically relevant adult rat model for CIA, and will be a useful tool to test agents for the prevention and treatment of CIA. © The Author(s). CED © 2012 British Association of Dermatologists.

On the rat model of human osteopenias and osteoporoses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frost, Harold M.; Jee, Webster S. S.

1992-01-01

The idea that rats cannot model human osteopenias errs. The same mechanisms control gains in bone mass (longitudinal bone growth and modeling drifts) and losses (BMU-based remodeling), in young and aged rats and humans. Furthermore, they respond similarly in rats and man to mechanical influences, hormones, drugs and other agents.

Down-regulation of sup 3 H-imipramine binding sites in rat cerebral cortex prenatal exposure to antidepressants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Montero, D.; de Ceballos, M.L.; Del Rio, J.

1990-01-01

Several antidepressant drugs were given to pregnant rats in the last 15 days of gestation and {sup 3}H-imipramine binding ({sup 3}H-IMI) was subsequently measured in the cerebral cortex of the offspring. The selective serotonin (5-HT) uptake blockers chlorimipramine and fluoxetine as well as the selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors clorgyline and deprenyl induced, after prenatal exposure, a down-regulation of {sup 3}H-IMI binding sites at postnatal day 25. The density of these binding sites was still reduced at postnatal day 90 in rats exposed in utero to the MAO inhibitors. The antidepressants desipramine and nomifensine were ineffective in this respect. Aftermore » chronic treatment of adult animals, only chlorimipramine was able to down-regulate the {sup 3}H-IMI binding sites. Consequently, prenatal exposure of rats to different antidepressant drugs affecting predominantly the 5-HT systems induces more marked and long-lasting effects on cortical {sup 3}H-IMI binding sites. The results suggest that the developing brain is more susceptible to the actions of antidepressants.« less

Regulation of sexual odor preference by sex steroids in the posterodorsal medial amygdala in female rats.

PubMed

Fujiwara, Masaya; Nitta, Asano; Chiba, Atsuhiko

2016-06-01

Our previous study in male rats demonstrated that bilateral administration of flutamide, an androgen receptor (AR) antagonist, into the posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) increased the time sniffing male odors to as high as that sniffing estrous odors, eliminating the preference for estrous odors over male odors. This made us speculate that under blockade of AR in the MePD, testosterone-derived estrogen acting on the same brain region arouses interest in male odors which is otherwise suppressed by concomitant action of androgen. In cyclic female rats, endogenous androgen has been thought to be involved in inhibitory regulation of estrogen-activated sexual behavior. Thus, in the present study, we investigated the possibility that in female rats the arousal of interest in male odors is also normally regulated by both estrogen and androgen acting on the MePD, as predicted by our previous study in male rats. Implantation of either the estrogen receptor blocker tamoxifen (TX) or a non-aromatizable androgen 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) into the MePD of ovariectomized, estrogen-primed female rats eliminated preference for male odors over estrous odors by significantly decreasing the time sniffing male odors to as low as that sniffing estrous odors. The subsequent odor discrimination tests confirmed that the DHT and TX administration did not impair the ability to discriminate between male and estrous odors. These results suggest that in estrous female rats estrogen action in the MePD plays critical roles in the expression of the preference for male odors while androgen action in the same brain region interferes with the estrogen action. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Improvement and application of an acute blood stasis rat model aligned with the 3Rs (reduction, refinement and replacement) of humane animal experimentation.

PubMed

Huang, Shuai; Xu, Feng; Wang, Yin-Ye; Shang, Ming-Ying; Wang, Chao-Qun; Wang, Xuan; Cai, Shao-Qing

2014-12-23

To establish a novel cardiocentesis method for withdrawing venous blood from the right atrium, and to improve an acute blood stasis rat model using an ice bath and epinephrine hydrochloride (Epi) while considering the 3Rs (reduction, refinement, and replacement) of humane animal experimentation. An acute blood stasis model was established in male Sprague-Dawley rats by subcutaneous injection (s.c.) Epi (1.2 mg/kg) administration at 0 h, followed by a 5-min exposure to an ice-bath at 2 h and s.c. Epi administration at 4 h. Control rats received physiological saline. Rats were fasted overnight and treated with Angelicae Sinensis Lateralis Radix (ASLR) and Pheretima the following day. Venous blood was collected using our novel cardiocentesis method and used to test whole blood viscosity (WBV), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and fibrinogen (FIB) content. The rats survived the novel cardiocentesis technique; WBV value returned to normal while hematological parameters such as hemoglobin level and red blood cell count were restored to >94% of the corresponding values in normal rats following a 14-day recovery. Epi (1.2 mg/kg, s.c.) combined with a 5-min exposure to the ice bath replicated the acute blood stasis rat model and was associated with the highest WBV value. In rats showing acute blood stasis, ASLR treatment [4 g/(kg·d) for 8 days] decreased WBV by 9.98%, 11.09%, 9.34%, 9.00%, 7.66%, and 7.03% (P<0.05), while Pheretima treatment [2.6 g/(kg·d), for 8 days] decreased WBV by 25.49%, 25.94%, 16.28%, 17.76%, 11.07%, and 7.89% (P<0.01) at shear rates of 1, 3, 10, 30, 100, and 180 s -1 , respectively. Furthermore, Pheretima treatment increased APTT significantly (P<0.01). We presented a stable, reproducible, and improved acute blood stasis rat model, which could be applied to screen drugs for promoting blood circulation and eliminating blood stasis.

77 FR 66068 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Breckenridge, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-01

...) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Stephens County Airport. The airport's geographic coordinates... controlled airspace at Stephens County Airport (77 FR 50648) Docket No. FAA-2012-0653. Interested parties... instrument approach procedures at Stephens County Airport, Breckenridge, TX. This action is necessary for the...

Warrants and criteria for installing and sunsetting TxDOT ITS equipment.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-01-01

Over the past several decades, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has made a significant : investment in deploying and developing intelligent transportation systems (ITS) devices, such as closedcircuit : television (CCTV), traffic sensors...

cAMP Response Element-binding Protein (CREB) and Nuclear Factor κB Mediate the Tamoxifen-induced Up-regulation of Glutamate Transporter 1 (GLT-1) in Rat Astrocytes*

PubMed Central

Karki, Pratap; Webb, Anton; Smith, Keisha; Lee, Kyuwon; Son, Deok-Soo; Aschner, Michael; Lee, Eunsook

2013-01-01

Tamoxifen (TX), a selective estrogen receptor modulator, exerts antagonistic effects on breast tissue and is used to treat breast cancer. Recent evidence also suggests that it may act as an agonist in brain tissue. We reported previously that TX enhanced the expression and function of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) in rat astrocytes, an effect that was mediated by TGF-α. To gain further insight into the mechanisms that mediate TX-induced up-regulation of GLT-1 (EAAT2 in humans), we investigated its effect on GLT-1 at the transcriptional level. TX phosphorylated the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and recruited CREB to the GLT-1 promoter consensus site. The effect of TX on astrocytic GLT-1 was attenuated by the inhibition of PKA, the upstream activator of the CREB pathway. In addition, the effect of TX on GLT-1 promoter activity was abolished by the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, TX recruited the NF-κB subunits p65 and p50 to the NF-κB binding domain of the GLT-1 promoter. Mutation of NF-κB (triple, −583/-282/-251) or CRE (-308) sites on the GLT-1 promoter led to significant repression of the promoter activity, but neither mutant completely abolished the TX-induced GLT-1 promoter activity. Mutation of both the NF-κB (-583/-282/-251) and CRE (-308) sites led to a complete abrogation of the effect of TX on GLT-1 promoter activity. Taken together, our findings establish that TX regulates GLT-1 via the CREB and NF-κB pathways. PMID:23955341

H3N2 Mismatch of 2014-15 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccines and Head-to-head Comparison between Human and Ferret Antisera derived Antigenic Maps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Hang; Wan, Xiu-Feng; Ye, Zhiping; Plant, Ewan P.; Zhao, Yangqing; Xu, Yifei; Li, Xing; Finch, Courtney; Zhao, Nan; Kawano, Toshiaki; Zoueva, Olga; Chiang, Meng-Jung; Jing, Xianghong; Lin, Zhengshi; Zhang, Anding; Zhu, Yanhong

2015-10-01

The poor performance of 2014-15 Northern Hemisphere (NH) influenza vaccines was attributed to mismatched H3N2 component with circulating epidemic strains. Using human serum samples collected from 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2014-15 NH influenza vaccine trials, we assessed their cross-reactive hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibody responses against recent H3 epidemic isolates. All three populations (children, adults, and older adults) vaccinated with the 2014-15 NH egg- or cell-based vaccine, showed >50% reduction in HAI post-vaccination geometric mean titers against epidemic H3 isolates from those against egg-grown H3 vaccine strain A/Texas/50/2012 (TX/12e). The 2014-15 NH vaccines, regardless of production type, failed to further extend HAI cross-reactivity against H3 epidemic strains from previous seasonal vaccines. Head-to-head comparison between ferret and human antisera derived antigenic maps revealed different antigenic patterns among representative egg- and cell-grown H3 viruses characterized. Molecular modeling indicated that the mutations of epidemic H3 strains were mainly located in antibody-binding sites A and B as compared with TX/12e. To improve vaccine strain selection, human serologic testing on vaccination-induced cross-reactivity need be emphasized along with virus antigenic characterization by ferret model.

Protective Role of Acidic pH-Activated Chloride Channel in Severe Acidosis-Induced Contraction from the Aorta of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

PubMed Central

Ma, Zhiyong; Qi, Jia; Fu, Zhijie; Ling, Mingying; Li, Li; Zhang, Yun

2013-01-01

Severe acidic pH-activated chloride channel (ICl,acid) has been found in various mammalian cells. In the present study, we investigate whether this channel participates in reactions of the thoracic aorta to severe acidosis and whether it plays a role in hypertension. We measured isometric contraction in thoracic aorta rings from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar rats. Severe acidosis induced contractions of both endothelium-intact and -denuded thoracic aorta rings. In Wistar rats, contractions did not differ at pH 6.4, 5.4 and 4.4. However, in SHRs, contractions were higher at pH 5.4 or 4.4 than pH 6.4, with no difference between contractions at pH 5.4 and 4.4. Nifedipine, ICl,acid blockers 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB) and 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2, 2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS) inhibited severe acidosis-induced contraction of aortas at different pH levels. When blocking ICl,acid, the remnant contraction was greater at pH 4.4 than pH 5.4 and 6.4 for both SHRs and Wistar rats. With nifedipine, the remnant contraction was greatly reduced at pH 4.4 as compared with at pH 6.4 and 5.4. With NPPB or DIDS, the ratio of remnant contractions at pH 4.4 and 5.4 (R4.4/5.4) was lower for SHRs than Wistar rats (all <1). However, with nifedipine, the R4.4/5.4 was higher for SHRs than Wistar rats (both >1). Furthermore, patch clamp recordings of ICl,acid and intracellular Ca2+ measurements in smooth muscle cells confirmed these findings. ICl,acid may protect arteries against excess vasoconstriction under extremely acidic extracellular conditions. This protective effect may be decreased in hypertension. PMID:23580361

Voluntary exercise enhances activity rhythms and ameliorates anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in the sand rat model of circadian rhythm-related mood changes.

PubMed

Tal-Krivisky, Katy; Kronfeld-Schor, Noga; Einat, Haim

2015-11-01

Physical exercise is a non-pharmacological treatment for affective disorders. The mechanisms of its effects are unknown although some suggest a relationship to synchronization of circadian rhythms. One way to explore mechanisms is to utilize animal models. We previously demonstrated that the diurnal fat sand rat is an advantageous model for studying the interactions between photoperiods and mood. The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of voluntary exercise on activity rhythms and anxiety and depression-like behaviors in sand rats as a step towards better understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Male sand rats were housed in short photoperiod (SP; 5h light/19 h dark) or neutral light (NP; 12h light/12h dark) regimens for 3 weeks and divided into subgroups with or without running wheels. Activity was monitored for 3 additional weeks and then animals were tested in the elevated plus-maze, the forced swim test and the social interaction test. Activity rhythms were enhanced by the running wheels. As hypothesized, voluntary exercise had significant effects on SP animals' anxiety- and depression-like behaviors but not on NP animals. Results are discussed in the context of interactions between physical exercise, circadian rhythms and mood. We suggest that the sand rat model can be used to explore the underlying mechanism of the effects of physical exercise for mood disorders. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cycling exercise and fetal spinal cord transplantation act synergistically on atrophied muscle following chronic spinal cord injury in rats.

PubMed

Peterson, C A; Murphy, R J; Dupont-Versteegden, E E; Houlé, J D

2000-01-01

The potential of two interventions, alone or in combination, to restore chronic spinal cord transection-induced changes in skeletal muscles of adult Sprague-Dawley rats was studied. Hind limb skeletal muscles were examined in the following groups of animals: rats with a complete spinal cord transection (Tx) for 8 weeks; Tx with a 4-week delay before initiation of a 4-week motor-assisted cycling exercise (Ex) program; Tx with a 4-week delay before transplantation (Tp) of fetal spinal cord tissue into the lesion cavity; Tx with a 4-week delay before Tp and Ex; and uninjured control animals. Muscle mass, muscle to body mass ratios, and mean myofiber cross-sectional areas were significantly reduced 8 weeks after transection. Whereas transplantation of fetal spinal cord tissue did not reverse this atrophy and exercise alone had only a modest effect in restoring lost muscle mass, the combination of exercise and transplantation significantly increased muscle mass, muscle to body mass ratios, and mean myofiber cross-sectional areas in both soleus and plantaris muscles. Spinal cord injury (SCI) also caused changes in myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression toward faster isoforms in both soleus and plantaris and increased soleus myofiber succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity. Combined exercise and transplantation led to a change in the expression of the fastest MyHC isoform in soleus but had no effect in the plantaris. Exercise alone and in combination with transplantation reduced SDH activity to control levels in the soleus. These results suggest a synergistic action of exercise and transplantation of fetal spinal cord tissue on skeletal muscle properties following SCI, even after an extended post-injury period before intervention.

Use of the Rat Grimace Scale to Evaluate Neuropathic Pain in a Model of Cervical Radiculopathy.

PubMed

Philips, Blythe H; Weisshaar, Christine L; Winkelstein, Beth A

2017-02-01

Although neck and low-back pain are common sources of neuropathic pain with high societal costs, the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain is not well-defined. Traditionally, most rodent pain studies rely on evoked reflex-based testing to measure pain. However, these testing methods do not reveal spontaneous pain, particularly early after injury. The rat grimace scale (RGS) for quantifying spontaneous pain has been validated after visceral, incisional, orthopedic, and inflammatory insults but not neuropathic pain. The current study used a rat model of radiculopathy to investigate the time course of RGS, the effect of the NSAID meloxicam on RGS, and the reliability and consistency of RGS across testers. RGS values at baseline and at 3, 6, 24, and 48 h after cervical nerve root compression (NRC) that induced robust evoked pain responses were compared with those obtained after sham surgery. The RGS was also evaluated at 6 h after NRC in another set of rats that had received meloxicam treatment prior to surgery. At 6 h, NRC induced higher RGS scores (1.27 ± 0.18) than did sham surgery (0.93 ± 0.20), and scores remained above baseline for as long as 48 h. Treatment with meloxicam before NRC reduced RGS at 6 h to sham levels, which were lower than those of injury without treatment. The RGS was associated with very good interobserver reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.91) and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach α, 0.87). These findings suggest that RGS is a useful approach to identifying and monitoring acute neuropathic pain in rats.

Fate and distribution of brevetoxin (PbTx) following lysis of Karenia brevis by algicidal bacteria, including analysis of open A-ring derivatives.

PubMed

Roth, Patricia B; Twiner, Michael J; Wang, Zhihong; Bottein Dechraoui, Marie-Yasmine; Doucette, Gregory J

2007-12-15

Flavobacteriaceae (strain S03) and Cytophaga sp. (strain 41-DBG2) are algicidal bacteria active against the brevetoxin (PbTx)-producing, red tide dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis. Little is known about the fate of PbTx associated with K. brevis cells following attack by such bacteria. The fate and distribution of PbTx in K. brevis cultures exposed to these algicidal strains were thus examined by receptor binding assay and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) in three size fractions (>5, 0.22-5, <0.22microm) over a 2-week time course. In control cultures, brevetoxin concentrations in the >5microm particulate size fraction correlated with changes in cell density, whereas significant increases in dissolved (i.e., <0.22microm) toxin were observed in the later stages of culture growth. Exposure of K. brevis to either of the two algicidal bacteria tested caused cell lysis, coinciding with a rapid decline in the >5microm PbTX size fraction and a simultaneous release of dissolved toxin into the growth medium. Upon cell lysis, dissolved brevetoxin accounted for ca. 60% of total toxin and consisted of 51-82% open A-ring derivatives. Open A-ring PbTx-2 and PbTx-3 derivatives bound with lower affinity (approximately 22- and 57-fold, respectively) to voltage-gated sodium channels and were considerably less cytotoxic (86- and 142-fold, respectively) to N2A cells than their individual parent toxins (i.e., PbTx-2 and PbTx-3). These novel findings of changes in PbTx size-fractioned distribution and overall reduction in K. brevis toxicity following attack by algicidal bacteria improve our understanding of potential trophic transfer routes and the fate of PbTx during red tide events. Moreover, this information will be important to consider when evaluating the potential role of algicidal bacteria in harmful algal bloom (HAB) management strategies involving control of bloom populations.

78 FR 9907 - TGP Development Company, LLC; TGP Flying Cloud Holdings, LLC; WEC TX Company, LLC v. Arizona...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-12

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL13-45-000] TGP Development Company, LLC; TGP Flying Cloud Holdings, LLC; WEC TX Company, LLC v. Arizona Public Service Company... Cloud Holdings, LLC, and WEC TX Company, LLC (collectively, Complainants) filed a formal complaint...

Effects of onion extract on endogenous vascular H2S and adrenomedulin in rat atherosclerosis.

PubMed

Li, Wei; Tang, Chaoshu; Jin, Hongfang; Du, Junbao

2011-09-01

This study aimed to explore the effect of onion extract on endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and adrenomedulin (ADM) and on atherosclerotic progression in rats with atherosclerosis (AS). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, AS and AS+onion groups. Ultrastructure of aorta and atherosclerotic lesions both in aorta and in coronary artery were detected. Plasma and aortic H2S were detected by using a sulfide- sensitive electrode. Plasma and aortic ADM was determined with radioimmunoassay. Cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR), receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP1, RAMP2 and RAMP3) mRNA expressions were analysed. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and NO synthase (NOS) contents in plasma, SOD1, SOD2 and ICAM-1 expressions in aorta were detected. Rats in the AS group showed marked atherosclerotic lesions both in aorta and in coronary artery but decreased aortic H2S production. Decreased plasma and aortic ADM content, but increased levels of aortic CRLR, RAMP2 and RAMP3 mRNAs were observed. Plasma GSH-PX and SOD were reduced but MDA elevated. Plasma ICAM-1 and NO contents and iNOS activity were increased. Onion extract, however, lessened atherosclerotic lesions and increased endogenous aortic H2S production, but decreased plasma ADM content, aortic ADM content and aortic CRLR, RAMP2 and RAMP3 mRNAs. In addition, it increased plasma GSH-PX level and SOD activities but reduced MDA; it decreased inflammatory response but increased plasma eNOS activity and NO content. Onion extract exerted a marked antiatherogenic effect in association with the up-regulation of the endogenous CSE/H2S pathway but down-regulation of the ADM/CRLR family in atherosclerotic rats.

The protective effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on traumatic brain injury (TBI) induced memory deficits in rats.

PubMed

Karimi, Seyed Asaad; Hosseinmardi, Narges; Janahmadi, Mahyar; Sayyah, Mohammad; Hajisoltani, Razieh

2017-09-01

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), as an expanding public health epidemic, is a common cause of death among youth. TBI is associated with cognitive deficits and memory impairment. Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), a novel gaseous mediator, has been recognized as an important neuromodulator and neuroprotective agent in the central nervous system. In the present study the potential neuroprotective role of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), an H 2 S donor on TBI induced memory deficit in a rat model of controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury was investigated. CCI model was used to induce TBI. Male rats were randomly assigned into the following groups: control, sham, sham treated with NaHS, TBI, and TBI treated with NaHS (3 and 5mg/kg). NaHS was injected intraperitoneally 5min before TBI induction. Learning and memory were assessed using Morris water maze (MWM) on days 8-12 following injury. CCI resulted in MWM deficits. Injured animals showed a slower rate of acquisition with respect to the sham-operated animals [F (1, 24)=13.97, P<0.01, two-way ANOVA]. NaHS improved spatial memory impairment of injured rats. Treatment with NaHS (5 mg/kg) decreased the escape latency [F (1, 24)=7.559, P<0.05, two-way ANOVA] and traveled distance [F (1, 12)=6.398, P<0.05, Two way ANOVA)]. In probe test, injured animals spent less time in target zone (P<0.05, unpaired t-test) and NaHS did not have any effect on this parameter (p>0.05, one way ANOVA). These findings suggest that NaHS has a neuroprotective effect on TBI-induced memory impairment in rats. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Oxidative stress experimental model of rat with stria vascularis marginal cells injury induced by hydrogen peroxide in vitro].

PubMed

Li, Jun; Kong, Wei-jia; Zhao, Xue-yan; Hu, Yu-juan

2008-11-01

To set up the oxidative stress experimental model of rat cochlea with stria vascularis marginal cells injury induced by hydrogen peroxide in vitro. Cultured marginal cells of rat were treated by 200, 300, 400, 600 and 800 micromol/L hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 16 and 24 hours, respectively. Cell viability was assessed by the CCK-8 assay. The content of the lipid peroxidation production malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected in H(2)O(2) induced marginal cells injury with different concentration H(2)O(2). Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry by propidium sodium staining. The expression of the cleaved-caspase-3 was assessed by Western blot. Being exposed to H(2)O(2), marginal cells displayed nuclear pyknosis and margination, cytoplasmic condensation, cell shrinkage and formation of membrane and bounded apoptotic bodies. A time-dependent and dose-dependent decrease of cellular viability was detected with the treatment of H(2)O(2). Cellular maleic dialdehyde was generated in proportion to the concentration of H(2)O(2) at 2 hours and the number of apoptotic cells increased significantly (P < 0. 05). Western blot showed the expression of the cleaved-caspase-3 increased when 200 micromol/L, 300 micromol/L and 400 micromol/L H(2)O(2) treated cultured marginal cells. Thereafter the expression of the cleaved-caspase-3 decreased with 600 micromol/L H(2)O(2) and with 800 micromol/L H(2)O(2) the expression of cleaved-caspase-3 was weak. The findings indicated that the experimental model can be established successfully using cultured cells exposed to H(2)O(2) and activation of caspase-3 is associated with hydrogen peroxide induced rat marginal cells the oxidative stress injury.

78 FR 48842 - Proposed Establishment of Class D Airspace; Mesquite, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-12

...: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Class D airspace at Mesquite, TX. Establishment of an air traffic control tower at Mesquite Metro Airport [[Page 48843

The effect of blood glutamate scavengers oxaloacetate and pyruvate on neurological outcome in a rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PubMed

Boyko, Matthew; Melamed, Israel; Gruenbaum, Benjamin Fredrick; Gruenbaum, Shaun Evan; Ohayon, Sharon; Leibowitz, Akiva; Brotfain, Evgeny; Shapira, Yoram; Zlotnik, Alexander

2012-07-01

Blood glutamate scavengers have been shown to effectively reduce blood glutamate concentrations and improve neurological outcome after traumatic brain injury and stroke in rats. This study investigates the efficacy of blood glutamate scavengers oxaloacetate and pyruvate in the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats. Isotonic saline, 250 mg/kg oxaloacetate, or 125 mg/kg pyruvate was injected intravenously in 60 rats, 60 minutes after induction of SAH at a rate of 0.1 ml/100 g/min for 30 minutes. There were 20 additional rats that were used as a sham-operated group. Blood samples were collected at baseline and 90 minutes after SAH. Neurological performance was assessed at 24 h after SAH. In half of the rats, glutamate concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid were measured 24 h after SAH. For the remaining half, the blood brain barrier permeability in the frontal and parieto-occipital lobes was measured 48 h after SAH. Blood glutamate levels were reduced in rats treated with oxaloacetate or pyruvate at 90 minutes after SAH (p < 0.001). Cerebrospinal fluid glutamate was reduced in rats treated with pyruvate (p < 0.05). Neurological performance was significantly improved in rats treated with oxaloacetate (p < 0.05) or pyruvate (p < 0.01). The breakdown of the blood brain barrier was reduced in the frontal lobe in rats treated with pyruvate (p < 0.05) and in the parieto-occipital lobes in rats treated with either pyruvate (p < 0.01) or oxaloacetate (p < 0.01). This study demonstrates the effectiveness of blood glutamate scavengers oxaloacetate and pyruvate as a therapeutic neuroprotective strategy in a rat model of SAH.

Determination of (2)H-enrichment of rat brain interstitial fluid and rat plasma by headspace-gas-chromatography - quadrupole-mass-spectrometry.

PubMed

Eberl, Anita; Altendorfer-Kroath, Thomas; Kollmann, Denise; Birngruber, Thomas; Sinner, Frank; Raml, Reingard; Magnes, Christoph

2016-09-15

(2)H2O as nonradioactive, stable marker substance is commonly used in preclinical and clinical studies and the precise determination of (2)H2O concentration in biological samples is crucial. However, aside from isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), only a very limited number of methods to accurately measure the (2)H2O concentration in biological samples are routinely established until now. In this study, we present a straightforward method to accurately measure (2)H-enrichment of rat brain interstitial fluid (ISF) and rat plasma to determine the relative recovery of a cerebral open flow microperfusion (cOFM) probe, using headspace-gas-chromatography - quadrupole-mass-spectrometry. This method is based on basic-catalyzed hydrogen/deuterium exchange in acetone and detects the (2)H-labelled acetone directly by the headspace GC-MS. Small sample volumes and limited number of preparation steps make this method highly competitive. It has been fully validated. (2)H enriched to 8800 ppm in plasma showed an accuracy of 98.9% and %Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) of 3.1 with n = 18 over three days and with two operators. Similar performance was obtained for cerebral ISF enriched to 1100 ppm (accuracy: 96.5%, %RSD: 3.1). With this highly reproducible method we demonstrated the successful employment of (2)H2O as performance marker for a cOFM probe. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibition by 1400W limits pain hypersensitivity in a neuropathic pain rat model.

PubMed

Staunton, C A; Barrett-Jolley, R; Djouhri, L; Thippeswamy, T

2018-04-01

What is the central question of this study? Can modulation of inducible NO synthase reduce pain behaviour and pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling in a rat model of neuropathic pain? What is the main finding and its importance? Nitric oxide synthase-based therapies could be effective for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain. Peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP), resulting from injury to or dysfunction of a peripheral nerve, is a major health problem that affects 7-8% of the population. It is inadequately controlled by current drugs and is characterized by pain hypersensitivity, which is believed to be attributable to sensitization of peripheral and CNS neurons by various inflammatory mediators. Here we examined, in a rat model of PNP: (i) whether reducing levels of nitric oxide (NO) with 1400W, a highly selective inhibitor of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), would prevent or attenuate pain hypersensitivity; and (ii) the effects of 1400W on plasma concentrations of several cytokines that are secreted after iNOS upregulation during chronic pain states. The L5 spinal nerve axotomy (SNA) model of PNP was used, and 1400W (20 mg kg -1 ) was administered i.p. at 8 h intervals for 3 days starting at 18 h post-SNA. Changes in plasma concentrations of 12 cytokines in SNA rats treated with 1400W were examined using multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The SNA rats developed behavioural signs of mechanical and heat hypersensitivity. Compared with the vehicle/control, 1400W significantly: (i) limited development of mechanical hypersensitivity at 66 h post-SNA and of heat hypersensitivity at 42 h and at several time points tested thereafter; and (ii) increased the plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β and IL-10 in the SNA rats. The findings suggest that 1400W might exert its analgesic effects by reducing iNOS and altering the balance between the pro-inflammatory (IL-1β and IL-1α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines and that therapies

BK potassium channels facilitate high-frequency firing and cause early spike frequency adaptation in rat CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells

PubMed Central

Gu, Ning; Vervaeke, Koen; Storm, Johan F

2007-01-01

Neuronal potassium (K+) channels are usually regarded as largely inhibitory, i.e. reducing excitability. Here we show that BK-type calcium-activated K+ channels enhance high-frequency firing and cause early spike frequency adaptation in neurons. By combining slice electrophysiology and computational modelling, we investigated functions of BK channels in regulation of high-frequency firing in rat CA1 pyramidal cells. Blockade of BK channels by iberiotoxin (IbTX) selectively reduced the initial discharge frequency in response to strong depolarizing current injections, thus reducing the early spike frequency adaptation. IbTX also blocked the fast afterhyperpolarization (fAHP), slowed spike rise and decay, and elevated the spike threshold. Simulations with a computational model of a CA1 pyramidal cell confirmed that the BK channel-mediated rapid spike repolarization and fAHP limits activation of slower K+ channels (in particular the delayed rectifier potassium current (IDR)) and Na+ channel inactivation, whereas M-, sAHP- or SK-channels seem not to be important for the early facilitating effect. Since the BK current rapidly inactivates, its facilitating effect diminishes during the initial discharge, thus producing early spike frequency adaptation by an unconventional mechanism. This mechanism is highly frequency dependent. Thus, IbTX had virtually no effect at spike frequencies < 40 Hz. Furthermore, extracellular field recordings demonstrated (and model simulations supported) that BK channels contribute importantly to high-frequency burst firing in response to excitatory synaptic input to distal dendrites. These results strongly support the idea that BK channels play an important role for early high-frequency, rapidly adapting firing in hippocampal pyramidal neurons, thus promoting the type of bursting that is characteristic of these cells in vivo, during behaviour. PMID:17303637

Dragon's blood dropping pills have protective effects on focal cerebral ischemia rats model.

PubMed

Xin, Nian; Yang, Fang-Ju; Li, Yan; Li, Yu-Juan; Dai, Rong-Ji; Meng, Wei-Wei; Chen, Yan; Deng, Yu-Lin

2013-12-15

Dragon's blood is a bright red resin obtained from Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S.C.Chen (Yunnan, China). As a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, it has great traditional medicinal value and is used for wound healing and to stop bleeding. Its main biological activity comes from phenolic compounds. In this study, phenolic compounds were made into dropping pills and their protective effects were examined by establishing focal cerebral ischemia rats model used method of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO), and by investigating indexes of neurological scores, infarct volume, cerebral index, cerebral water content and oxidation stress. Compared to model group, high, middle and low groups of Dragon's blood dropping pills could improve the neurological function significantly (p<0.01) and reduce cerebral infarct volume of focal cerebral ischemia rats remarkably (p<0.05-0.01). Meanwhile, each group could alleviate cerebral water content and cerebral index (p<0.05-0.01) and regulate oxidative stress of focal cerebral ischemia rats obviously (p<0.05-0.01). Activities of middle group corresponded with that treated with positive control drug. The results obtained here showed that Dragon's blood dropping pills had protective effects on focal cerebral ischemia rats. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

77 FR 25075 - Special Local Regulation; Galveston Bay, Kemah, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-27

...-AA08 Special Local Regulation; Galveston Bay, Kemah, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Temporary final rule. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation in Galveston Bay in the vicinity of Kemah, Texas. This temporary special local regulation is necessary to provide...

75 FR 13668 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Georgetown, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-23

...-0934; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-29] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Georgetown, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at... Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend Class E airspace for Georgetown Municipal Airport...

Clinically relevant behavioral endpoints in a recurrent nitroglycerin migraine model in rats.

PubMed

Sufka, Kenneth J; Staszko, Stephanie M; Johnson, Ainslee P; Davis, Morgan E; Davis, Rachel E; Smitherman, Todd A

2016-01-01

This research sought to further validate the rat nitroglycerin (NTG) migraine model by comparing the effects of single versus recurrent NTG episodes on behavioral endpoints that mirror ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria for migraine, and to determine if the altered behavioral endpoints are reduced after administration of sumatriptan. Separate cohorts of rats were administered NTG (10 mg/kg/2 ml) or saline (Experiment 1: single injection; Experiment 2: repeated injections; Experiment 3: repeated injections with sumatriptan [0.0, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg/ml] rescue. Behavioral endpoints were assessed 2 h after final NTG administration and included time in light/dark chambers for photophobia and activity, pain facial ratings, and cool (5 °C) and warm (46 °C) tail dip. The first two experiments demonstrated that repeated (n = 5) but not single NTG injections produced photophobia, decreased activity, and yielded less weight gain than saline injections. Experiment 3 showed that sumatriptan attenuated hypoactivity, reduced facial expressions of pain, and reversed weight alterations in a dose-dependent manner. These findings identify numerous clinical homologies of a recurrent NTG rat migraine model that may be useful for screening novel pharmacotherapies.

Prenatal ethanol exposure decreases hippocampal /sup 3/H-vinylidene kainic acid binding in 45-day-old rats

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Farr, K.L.; Montano, C.Y.; Paxton, L.L.

1988-11-01

The effect of prenatal ethanol exposure on the kainate-sensitive subtype of glutamate receptor binding sites was studied using in vitro /sup 3/H-vinylidene kainic acid (VKA) autoradiography. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a liquid diet containing either 3.35% or 6.7% ethanol throughout gestation. Pair-fed dams received isocalorically matched liquid diets and a lab chow ad lib group served as control for paired feeding. At 45 days of age, the offspring were sacrificed and their brains analyzed for specific /sup 3/H-VKA binding. Compared to pair-fed controls, specific /sup 3/H-VKA binding was reduced by 13% to 32% in dorsal and ventral hippocampal CA3more » stratum lucidum, entorhinal cortex and cerebellum of 45-day-old rats whose mothers consumed either 3.35% or 6.7% ethanol diets. The binding site reductions were statistically significant only in the ventral hippocampal formation and entorhinal cortex of the 3.35% ethanol diet group rats. Saturation of binding studies in the ventral hippocampal formation of 3.35% ethanol rats indicated that the decrease in specific /sup 3/H-VKA binding was due to a decrease in the total number of binding sites. Given the excitatory effect of kainic acid on the spontaneous firing rate of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons, the reduction of kainate-sensitive glutamate binding in this region is consistent with the electrophysiological observation of decreased spontaneous activity of CA3 pyramidal neurons in fetal alcohol rats.« less

HEMORHEOLOGY INDEX CHANGES IN A RAT ACUTE BLOOD STASIS MODEL: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jun-Xiu; Feng, Yu; Zhang, Yin; Liu, Yi; Li, Shao-Dan; Yang, Ming-Hui

2017-01-01

% CI = 0.24 - 0.55); 13.66% (95% CI = 9.78 - 17.55); 0.84 (95% CI = 0.53 - 1.16); and 1.22 g/L (95% CI = 0.76 - 1.67), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and the platelet aggregation rate test methods were more sensitive when measured at 0-24 h than at 24-72 h after induction of blood stasis. Conclusions: Rat blood stasis studies have incomplete experimental design and quality controls, and thus need an integrated improvement. Meta-analysis of included studies indicated that the unified hemorheology index of whole blood viscosity (medium and high shear rate), platelet aggregation rate, erythrocyte aggregation rate, and fibrinogen concentration might be used for assessment of rat ABS models independent of pathology methods. PMID:28638872

Effects of the H3 Antagonist, Thioperamide, on Behavioral Alterations Induced by Systemic MK-801 Administration in Rats

PubMed Central

Bardgett, Mark E.; Points, Megan; Roflow, John; Blankenship, Meredith; Griffith, Molly S.

2009-01-01

Rationale Recent studies have raised the possibility that antagonists of H3 histamine receptors possess cognitive-enhancing and antipsychotic properties. However, little work has assessed these compounds in classic animal models of schizophrenia. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine if a prototypical H3 antagonist, thioperamide, could alter behavioral deficits caused by the NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801, in adult male rats. MK-801 was chosen for study since it produces a state of NMDA receptor hypofunction in rats that may be analogous to the one hypothesized to occur in schizophrenia. Methods The interaction between thioperamide and MK-801 was measured in three behavioral tests: locomotor activity, prepulse inhibition (PPI), and delayed spatial alternation. In each test, rats received a subcutaneous injection of saline or thioperamide (3.0 & 10 mg/kg) followed 20 minutes later by a subcutaneous injection of saline or MK-801 (0.05, 0.10, & 0.30 mg/kg). Results Locomotor activity was significantly elevated by MK-801 in a dose-dependent manner. Thioperamide pretreatment alone did not alter locomotor activity, however its impact on MK-801 was dose-dependent. Each thioperamide dose enhanced the effects of two lower doses of MK801 but reduced the effect of a higher MK-801 dose. Clear deficits in PPI and delayed spatial alternation were produced by MK-801 treatment, but neither impairment was significantly modified by thioperamide pretreatment. Conclusions H3 receptors modulate responses to NMDA antagonists in behaviorally-specific ways and dependent upon the level of NMDA receptor blockade. PMID:19466392

Scheduled meal accelerates entrainment to a 6-h phase advance by shifting central and peripheral oscillations in rats.

PubMed

Ubaldo-Reyes, L M; Buijs, R M; Escobar, C; Ángeles-Castellanos, M

2017-08-01

Travelling across several time zones requires a fast adjustment of the circadian system and the differential adjustment speeds of organs and systems results in what is commonly referred as jet lag. During this transitory state of circadian disruption, individuals feel discomfort, appetite loss, fatigue, disturbed sleep and deficient performance of multiple tasks. We have demonstrated that after a 6-h phase advance of the light-dark cycle (LD) scheduled food in phase with the new night onset can speed up re-entrainment. In this study, we explored the possible mechanisms underlying the fast re-entrainment due to the feeding schedule. We focused on first- and second-order structures that provide metabolic information to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). We compared (i) control rats without change in LD cycle; (ii) rats exposed to a 6-h phase advance of the LD cycle with food ad libitum; and (iii) rats exposed to the 6-h phase advance combined with food access in phase with the new night. We found an immediate synchronizing effect of food on stomach distention and on c-Fos expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract, arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus. These observations indicate that in a model of jet lag, scheduled feeding can favour an immediate shift in first- and second-order relays to the SCN and that by keeping feeding schedules coupled to the new night, a fast re-entrainment may be achieved by shifting peripheral and extra-SCN oscillations. © 2017 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Variation in energy sorghum hybrid TX08001 biomass composition and lignin chemistry during development under irrigated and non-irrigated field conditions

PubMed Central

Olson, Sara N.; Ritter, Kimberley B.; Herb, Dustin W.; Karlen, Steven D.; Lu, Fachuang; Ralph, John; Rooney, William L.; Mullet, John E.

2018-01-01

This study was conducted to document the extent and basis of compositional variation of shoot biomass of the energy Sorghum bicolor hybrid TX08001 during development under field conditions. TX08001 is capable of accumulating ~40 Mg/ha of dry biomass under good growing conditions and this genotype allocates ~80% of its shoot biomass to stems. After 150 days of growth TX08001 stems had a fresh/dry weight ratio of ~3:1 and soluble biomass accounted for ~30% of stem biomass. A panel of diverse energy sorghum genotypes varied ~6-fold in the ratio of stem structural to soluble biomass after 150 days of growth. Near-infrared spectroscopic analysis (NIRS) showed that TX08001 leaves accumulated higher levels of protein, water extractives and ash compared to stems, which have higher sugar, cellulose, and lignin contents. TX08001 stem sucrose content varied during development, whereas the composition of TX08001 stem cell walls, which consisted of ~45–49% cellulose, ~27–30% xylan, and ~15–18% lignin, remained constant after 90 days post emergence until the end of the growing season (180 days). TX08001 and Della stem syringyl (S)/guaiacyl (G) (0.53–0.58) and ferulic acid (FA)/para-coumaric acid (pCA) ratios were similar whereas ratios of pCA/(S+G) differed between these genotypes. Additionally, an analysis of irrigated versus non-irrigated TX08001 revealed that non-irrigated hybrids exhibited a 50% reduction in total cell wall biomass, an ~2-fold increase in stem sugars, and an ~25% increase in water extractives relative to irrigated hybrids. This study provides a baseline of information to help guide further optimization of energy sorghum composition for various end-uses. PMID:29684037

Evaluation of TxDOT'S traffic data collection and load forecasting process

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-01-01

This study had two primary objectives: (1) compare current Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) procedures and protocols with the state-of-the-practice and the needs of its data customers; and (2) develop enhanced traffic collection, archival, ...

E3 Success Story - Reducing Electrical Demand in San Antonio, TX

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

To meet its goal of reducing electrical demand by 9 megawatts CPS Energy in San Antonio, TX partnered with the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) and the Southwest Research Institute to provide lean, clean and energy efficiency training.

The cytotoxic mechanism of karlotoxin 2 (KmTx 2) from Karlodinium veneficum (Dinophyceae)

PubMed Central

Deeds, Jonathan R.; Hoesch, Robert E.; Place, Allen R.; Kao, Joseph P.Y.

2015-01-01

This study demonstrates that the polyketide toxin karlotoxin 2 (KmTx 2) produced by Karlodinium veneficum, a dinoflagellate associated with fish kills in temperate estuaries worldwide, alters vertebrate cell membrane permeability. Microfluorimetric and electrophysiological measurements were used to determine that vertebrate cellular toxicity occurs through non-selective permeabilization of plasma membranes, leading to osmotic cell lysis. Previous studies showed that KmTx 2 is lethal to fish at naturally-occurring concentrations measured during fish kills, while sub-lethal doses severely damage gill epithelia. This study provides a mechanistic explanation for the association between K. veneficum blooms and fish kills that has long been observed in temperate estuaries worldwide. PMID:25546005

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling of the novel human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor derivative Maxy-G34 and pegfilgrastim in rats.

PubMed

Scholz, M; Engel, C; Apt, D; Sankar, S L; Goldstein, E; Loeffler, M

2009-12-01

This study aims to compare pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of pegfilgrastim, a pharmaceutical recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), with that of a newly developed reagent, Maxy-G34. This comparison was performed using rat experiments and biomathematical modelling of granulopoiesis. Healthy rats and those with cyclophosphamide-induced neutropenia were treated with either pegfilgrastim or Maxy-G34 under various schedules. Time courses of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and G-CSF serum level were measured and we constructed a combined pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model of both drugs. Neutropenic episodes were assessed by experimental data and model simulations. Both Pegfilgrastim and Maxy-G34 showed strong dose-dependent efficacy in reducing neutropenic episodes. However, time courses of ANC and G-CSF serum levels were markedly different. The biomathematical model showed good agreement with these data. We estimated that differences between the two drugs could be explained by lower bioavailability and reduced elimination of Maxy-G34. Based on the data and model interpolations, we estimated that Maxy-G34 is superior in reducing neutropenic episodes. Also, we predicted that G-CSF administration 48 h after cyclophosphamide would be superior to its administration after 2 or 24 h, for both derivatives. Maxy-G34 is a highly potent drug for stimulation of neutrophil production in rats. By our modelling approach, we quantified differences between Maxy-G34 and pegfilgrastim, related to pharmacokinetic parameters. Model simulations can be used to estimate optimal dosing and timing options in the present preclinical rat model.

Growth of Pseudomonas sp. TX1 on a wide range of octylphenol polyethoxylate concentrations and the formation of dicarboxylated metabolites.

PubMed

Lin, Yi-Wen; Guo, Gia-Luen; Hsieh, Hsiao-Cheng; Huang, Shir-Ly

2010-04-01

Pseudomonas sp. TX1, is able to use octylphenol polyethoxylates (OPEO(n), or Triton X-100; average n = 9.5) as a sole carbon source. It can grow on 0.05-20% of OPEO(n) with a specific growth rate of 0.34-0.44 h(-1). High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis of OPEO(n) degraded metabolites revealed that strain TX1 was able to shorten the ethoxylate chain and produce octylphenol (OP). Furthermore, formation of the short carboxylate metabolites, such as carboxyoctylphenol polyethoxylates (COPEO(n), n = 2, 3) and carboxyoctylphenol polyethoxycarboxylates (COPEC(n), n = 2, 3) began at the log stage, while octylphenol polyethoxycarboxylates (OPEC(n), n = 1-3) was formed at the stationary phase. All the short-ethoxylated metabolites, OPEO(n), OPEC(n), COPEO(n), and COPEC(n), accumulated when the cells were in the stationary phase. This study is the first to demonstrate the formation of COPEO(n) and COPEC(n) from OPEO(n) by an aerobic bacterium. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

75 FR 55968 - Special Local Regulations, Sabine River; Orange, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-15

...-AA08 Special Local Regulations, Sabine River; Orange, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Temporary final rule. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary Special Local Regulation in the Port Arthur Captain of the Port Zone on the Sabine River, Orange, Texas. This Special Local Regulation is...

77 FR 29874 - Establishment of Class E Airspace; Freer, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-21

... Instrument Approach Procedures at Seven C's Ranch Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport. DATES: Effective date... accommodate new standard instrument approach procedures at Seven C's Ranch Airport, Freer, TX. This action is...

75 FR 65227 - Revocation of Class E Airspace; Franklin, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-22

...-0603; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-9] Revocation of Class E Airspace; Franklin, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action removes Class E airspace for... published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to remove Class E airspace for Franklin...

The 2055 freight transportation system and the impact of near term rail movements on TxDOT planning : project summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-01-01

Based on the research and input from the private sector, four themes emerged that frame the role of TxDOT in preparing for an efficient, reliable, and safe freight transportation system in 2055: : TxDOT is expected to be a facilitator/manager of ...

Mechanism of auditory hypersensitivity in human autism using autism model rats.

PubMed

Ida-Eto, Michiru; Hara, Nao; Ohkawara, Takeshi; Narita, Masaaki

2017-04-01

Auditory hypersensitivity is one of the major complications in autism spectrum disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the auditory brain center is affected in autism model rats. Autism model rats were prepared by prenatal exposure to thalidomide on embryonic day 9 and 10 in pregnant rats. The superior olivary complex (SOC), a complex of auditory nuclei, was immunostained with anti-calbindin d28k antibody at postnatal day 50. In autism model rats, SOC immunoreactivity was markedly decreased. Strength of immunostaining of SOC auditory fibers was also weak in autism model rats. Surprisingly, the size of the medial nucleus of trapezoid body, a nucleus exerting inhibitory function in SOC, was significantly decreased in autism model rats. Auditory hypersensitivity may be, in part, due to impairment of inhibitory processing by the auditory brain center. © 2016 Japan Pediatric Society.

Binding of [3H] SR 49059, a potent nonpeptide vasopressin V1a antagonist, to rat and human liver membranes.

PubMed

Serradeil-Le Gal, C; Raufaste, D; Marty, E; Garcia, C; Maffrand, J P; Le Fur, G

1994-02-28

The new potent and selective nonpeptide vasopressin V1a antagonist, SR 49059, was tritiated and used for the characterization of rat and human liver AVP V1a receptors. Binding of [3H] SR 49059 was time-dependent, reversible and saturable. A single class of high affinity binding sites was identified with Kd values of 0.63 +/- 0.13 and 2.95 +/- 0.64 nM, in rat and human liver membranes, respectively. The maximal binding capacity (Bmax) was about 7 times higher in rat than in human liver preparations. The relative potencies of several AVP/oxytocin agonists or antagonists to inhibit [3H] SR 49059 binding confirmed that this ligand labeled a homogeneous population of sites with the expected AVP V1a profile. Furthermore, [3H] SR 49059 or unlabeled SR 49059 displayed only slight species differences between rat and human V1a receptors, whereas OPC-21268, another nonpeptide V1a antagonist, exhibited a high species-related potency with more than 500 fold higher affinity for rat than for human liver V1a receptors. Thus, [3H] SR 49059 is the first nonpeptide AVP V1a ligand reported having highly specific activity, stability, specificity and affinity. This makes it a suitable probe for labeling AVP V1a receptors in rat and also in human tissues.

A Metabolic Study on the Biochemical Effects of Chiral Illegal Drugs in Rats Using 1H-NMR Spectroscopy.

PubMed

Fukuhara, Kiyoshi; Ohno, Akiko; Kikura-Hanajiri, Ruri

2017-01-01

Considering the pharmacological effects of chiral drugs, enantiopure drugs may differ from their racemic mixture formulation in efficacy, potency, or adverse effects. Levomethorphan (LVM) and Dextromethorphan (DXM) act on the central nervous system and exhibit different pharmacological features. LVM, the l-stereoisomer of methorphan, shows many similarities to opiates such as heroin, morphine and codeine, including the potential for addiction, while the d-stereoisomer, DXM, does not have the same opioid effect. In the present study, NMR-based metabolomics were performed on the urine of rats treated with these stereoisomers, and showed significant differences in metabolic profiles. In urine within 24 h after treatment of these samples, levels of citrate, 2-oxoglutarate, creatine, and dimethylglycine were higher in LVM-treated rats than in DXM-treated rats. While urinary levels of hippurate and creatinine gradually increased over 72 h in DXM-treated rats, these metabolites were decreased in the urine by 48-72 h after treatment with LVM. The levels of these changed metabolites may provide the first evidence for different cellular responses to the metabolism of stereoisomers.

In vivo determination of triglyceride (TG) secretion in rats fed different dietary saturated fats using (2- sup 3 H)-glycerol

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lai, H.C.; Yang, H.; Lasekan, J.

1990-02-26

Male, Sprague-Dawley rats (154{plus minus}1 g) were fed diets containing 2% corn oil (CO) + 14% butterfat (BF), beef tallow (BT), olive oil (OO) or coconut oil (CN) vs a 16% CO control diet for 5 weeks. Changes in plasma TG specific activity (dpm/mg TG) were determined in individual unanesthetized rats after injection of 100 {mu}Ci (2-{sup 3}H)-glycerol via a carotid cannula. Fractional rate constants were obtained using a 2-compartment model and nonlinear regression analysis. Results demonstrated no difference in the fractional rate constants among dietary groups; but, differences in the rates of hepatic TG secretion were noted. Rats fedmore » BT showed a higher rate of hepatic TG secretion than rats fed CO. Rats fed BF, OO or CN showed somewhat higher rates of hepatic TG secretion than CO. VLDL TG, phospholipid, and apolipoprotein B and E levels were higher with saturated fats vs CO. The data suggest that the higher plasma TG levels noted in response to feeding saturated fats vs corn oil can be explained, in part, by an increased flux of hepatic TG secretion.« less

Antiallergic effects of ZCR-2060: effect on allergic cutaneous reactions and rhinitis models in mice and rats.

PubMed

Abe, T; Omata, T; Yoshida, K; Segawa, Y; Matsuda, K; Nagai, H

1994-09-01

The antiallergic action of 2-[2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperadinyl] ethoxy] benzoic acid maleate (ZCR-2060) was investigated on allergic cutaneous reactions and nasal vascular permeability in mice and rats. ZCR-2060 markedly inhibited immediate allergic cutaneous reactions, including passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats and mice; histamine-, compound 48/80- and calcium ionophore A 23187-induced cutaneous reactions in rats; and biphasic skin reactions mediated by monoclonal IgE antibody and epicutaneous challenge with antigen in mice, but did not affect 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced cutaneous reaction in rats. The antigen-induced nasal vascular permeability increase in actively and passively sensitized rats and histamine-induced nasal vascular permeability increase in rats (allergic rhinitis model) were clearly inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by ZCR-2060. Moreover, ZCR-2060 significantly inhibited antigen-induced anaphylactic histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells and carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats. These results suggest that ZCR-2060 has antiallergic effects on allergic cutaneous reactions and experimental rhinitis, probably due to histamine H1-receptor blockage and the inhibition of histamine release.

Biallelic expression of the H19 gene during spontaneous hepatocarcinogenesis in the albumin SV40 T antigen transgenic rat.

PubMed

Manoharan, Herbert; Babcock, Karlee; Willi, Jonathan; Pitot, Henry C

2003-09-01

Previous studies in this laboratory have demonstrated that the earliest cytogenetic alteration in the development of hepatic neoplasms in a transgenic strain of rats bearing the albumin Simian virus 40 T antigen (Alb SV40 T Ag) construct was a duplication of the chromosome 1q4.1-1q4.2 band. In this region, in the rat genome a cluster of linked imprinted genes occurs. One of these imprinted genes, H19, which is expressed in fetal liver but not in adult liver, was found to be expressed in virtually all neoplasms investigated. A single-nucleotide polymorphic marker in the H19 coding sequence was identified in two rat strains and utilized for the investigation of H19 imprinting. Our results reveal monoallelic expression of the maternal gene in fetal liver, but biallelic expression of the H19 gene in liver neoplasms, thus demonstrating the basis for the deregulation of the imprinted gene expression during hepatocarcinogenesis. These results suggest that the loss of genomic imprinting of the H19 gene found in the liver neoplasms of the Alb SV40 T Ag rat may result not from allelic loss, but from adverse changes in the epigenetic imprints present in the 5'-upstream region of the H19 promoter of the parental alleles. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Myrtol ameliorates cartilage lesions in an osteoarthritis rat model.

PubMed

Ying, Binbin; Maimaiti, Abudu Kelimujiang; Song, Donghui; Zhu, Songsong

2015-01-01

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of myrtol standardized on cartilage lesions in osteoarthritis (OA) rats. Fifty-six healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (13 rats) and OA model group (43 rats) with interior meniscus excision. Then serum estradiol (E2) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in cartilage tissue were measured by radioimmunoassay and toluidine blue staining, respectively. After that, the model rats were randomly divided into low dose myrtol (LDM) group, middle dose myrtol (MDM) group and high dose myrtol (HDM) group (10 rats in each group) with treatment of 450 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg myrtol, respectively. Then, Mankin scores were used to evaluate lesion extent of knee joint cartilage. Expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin (IL)-6, Bax and Bcl-2 were investigated using PCR gel electrophoresis method. Mankin cores were lower in sham group and myrtol group than in model group. There were statistically significant differences (P < 0.01) between sham group and model group in expression of TNF-α, TGF-β1, IL-6, Bax and Bcl-2 in the cartilage tissue. Myrtol significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and Bax, and increased the expression of TGF-β1 and Bcl-2 in myrtol group, comparing with those in model group (P < 0.01). Myrtol could down-regulate the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and Bax, and up-regulate the expression of TGF-β1 and Bcl-2. Myrtol standardized is a promising drug to ameliorate knee cartilage lesions in the OA rat model.

Hydrogen-rich saline promotes survival of retinal ganglion cells in a rat model of optic nerve crush.

PubMed

Sun, Jing-chuan; Xu, Tao; Zuo, Qiao; Wang, Ruo-bing; Qi, Ai-qing; Cao, Wen-luo; Sun, Ai-jun; Sun, Xue-jun; Xu, Jiajun

2014-01-01

To investigate the effect of molecular hydrogen (H2) in a rat model subjected to optic nerve crush (ONC). We tested the hypothesis that after optic nerve crush (ONC), retinal ganglion cell (RGC) could be protected by H₂. Rats in different groups received saline or hydrogen-rich saline every day for 14 days after ONC. Retinas from animals in each group underwent measurements of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, cholera toxin beta (CTB) tracing, gamma synuclein staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining 2 weeks post operation. Flash visual evoked potentials (FVEP) and pupillary light reflex (PLR) were then tested to evaluate the function of optic nerve. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level in retina was evaluated. H&E, gamma synuclein staining and CTB tracing showed that the survival rate of RGCs in hydrogen saline-treated group was significantly higher than that in saline-treated group. Apoptosis of RGCs assessed by TUNEL staining were less observed in hydrogen saline-treated group. The MDA level in retina of H₂ group was much lower than that in placebo group. Furthermore, animals treated with hydrogen saline showed better function of optic nerve in assessments of FVEP and PLR. These results demonstrated that H₂ protects RGCs and helps preserve the visual function after ONC and had a neuroprotective effect in a rat model subjected to ONC.

Human neural progenitor cells over-expressing IGF-1 protect dopamine neurons and restore function in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Ebert, Allison D; Beres, Amy J; Barber, Amelia E; Svendsen, Clive N

2008-01-01

Growth factors such as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) have been shown to prevent neurodegeneration and promote regeneration in many animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is also known to have neuroprotective effects in a number of disease models but has not been extensively studied in models of PD. We produced human neural progenitor cells (hNPC) releasing either GDNF or IGF-1 and transplanted them into a rat model of PD. hNPC secreting either GDNF or IGF-1 were shown to significantly reduce amphetamine-induced rotational asymmetry and dopamine neuron loss when transplanted 7 days after a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion. Neither untransduced hNPC nor a sham transplant had this effect suggesting GDNF and IGF-1 release was required. Interestingly, GDNF, but not IGF-1, was able to protect or regenerate tyrosine hydroxylase-positive fibers in the striatum. In contrast, IGF-1, but not GDNF, significantly increased the overall survival of hNPC both in vitro and following transplantation. This suggests a dual role of IGF-1 to both increase hNPC survival after transplantation and exert trophic effects on degenerating dopamine neurons in this rat model of PD.

Cell Death Pathways in Mutant Rhodopsin Rat Models Identifies Genotype-Specific Targets Controlling Retinal Degeneration.

PubMed

Viringipurampeer, Ishaq A; Gregory-Evans, Cheryl Y; Metcalfe, Andrew L; Bashar, Emran; Moritz, Orson L; Gregory-Evans, Kevin

2018-06-18

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited neurological disorders characterized by rod photoreceptor cell death, followed by secondary cone cell death leading to progressive blindness. Currently, there are no viable treatment options for RP. Due to incomplete knowledge of the molecular signaling pathways associated with RP pathogenesis, designing therapeutic strategies remains a challenge. In particular, preventing secondary cone photoreceptor cell loss is a key goal in designing potential therapies. In this study, we identified the main drivers of rod cell death and secondary cone loss in the transgenic S334ter rhodopsin rat model, tested the efficacy of specific cell death inhibitors on retinal function, and compared the effect of combining drugs to target multiple pathways in the S334ter and P23H rhodopsin rat models. The primary driver of early rod cell death in the S334ter model was a caspase-dependent process, whereas cone cell death occurred though RIP3-dependent necroptosis. In comparison, rod cell death in the P23H model was via necroptotic signaling, whereas cone cell loss occurred through inflammasome activation. Combination therapy of four drugs worked better than the individual drugs in the P23H model but not in the S334ter model. These differences imply that treatment modalities need to be tailored for each genotype. Taken together, our data demonstrate that rationally designed genotype-specific drug combinations will be an important requisite to effectively target primary rod cell loss and more importantly secondary cone survival.

N-(3-Benzoylphenyl)-1H-Indole-2-Carboxamide decreases triglyceride levels by downregulation of Apoc3 gene expression in acute hyperlipidemic rat model.

PubMed

Hamadneh, Lama; Al-Essa, Luay; Hikmat, Suhair; Al-Qirim, Tariq; Abu Sheikha, Ghassan; Al-Hiari, Yusuf; Azmy, Nisrin; Shattat, Ghassan

2017-07-01

Hyperlipidemia is a known cause of coronary vascular diseases, which is a major cause of death in many parts of the world. Targeting several pathways that lead to increase in lipid profiles is of great potential to control diseases. 1H-indole-2-carboxamide derivatives were tested for their hypolipidemic activity at the molecular level in comparison with bezafibrate. The gene expression profiles of lipoprotein signaling and cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid metabolism PCR arrays were determined in rats with acute hyperlipidemia induced by Triton WR1339. Lipid profiles of serum from treated rats showed significant hypolipidemic effect by the compounds. Several genes of potential interest were reported to be overexpressed by Triton WR1339 including Apoc3, Apob, Hmgcs2, Apoa1, Apoe, Apof, acsl1, and Decr1. Most of the overexpressed genes were downregulated by N-(3-Benzoylphenyl)-1H-Indole-2-Carboxamide with significant decreases in Apoc3, Apob, Acaa2, Acsl1, and Slc247a5 gene expression levels. N-(4-Benzoylphenyl)-1H-Indole-2-Carboxamide and bezafibrate did not significantly affect the gene expression levels which were increased with acute hyperlipidemia induced by Triton WR1339. In conclusion, gene expression profiling identified the possible mechanism in which Triton WR1339 induces its acute hyperlipidemic effect which was reversed by the use of N-(3-Benzoylphenyl)-1H-Indole-2-Carboxamide.

Cyclosporin A significantly improves preeclampsia signs and suppresses inflammation in a rat model.

PubMed

Hu, Bihui; Yang, Jinying; Huang, Qian; Bao, Junjie; Brennecke, Shaun Patrick; Liu, Huishu

2016-05-01

Preeclampsia is associated with an increased inflammatory response. Immune suppression might be an effective treatment. The aim of this study was to examine whether Cyclosporin A (CsA), an immunosuppressant, improves clinical characteristics of preeclampsia and suppresses inflammation in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced preeclampsia rat model. Pregnant rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group 1 (PE) rats each received LPS via tail vein on gestational day (GD) 14; group 2 (PE+CsA5) rats were pretreated with LPS (1.0 μg/kg) on GD 14 and were then treated with CsA (5mg/kg, ip) on GDs 16, 17 and 18; group 3 (PE+CsA10) rats were pretreated with LPS (1.0 μg/kg) on GD 14 and were then treated with CsA (10mg/kg, ip) on GDs 16, 17 and 18; group 4 (pregnant control, PC) rats were treated with the vehicle (saline) used for groups 1, 2 and 3. Systolic blood pressure, urinary albumin, biometric parameters and the levels of serum cytokines were measured on day 20. CsA treatment significantly reduced LPS-induced systolic blood pressure and the mean 24-h urinary albumin excretion. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-17, IFN-γ and TNF-α were increased in the LPS treatment group but were reduced in (LPS+CsA) group (P<0.05). Anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 was decreased in the LPS group but was increased in (LPS+CsA) group (P<0.05). Cyclosporine A improved preeclampsia signs and attenuated inflammatory responses in the LPS induced preeclampsia rat model which suggests that immunosuppressant might be an alternative management option for preeclampsia. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

78 FR 52714 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Gainesville, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-26

...: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Gainesville, TX. Decommissioning of the Gainesville radio... developing reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are specifically invited on the overall...

Summary of stretch and flex program for TxDOT operations : [summary].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-06-01

Strain- and sprain-related incidents account for : 40 percent of the total injuries of Texas : Department of Transportation (TxDOT) : employees. Over the past 5 years, the most : common strain or sprain injury was of the lower : back; 50 percent of t...

TIA model is attainable in Wistar rats by intraluminal occlusion of the MCA for 10min or shorter.

PubMed

Durukan Tolvanen, A; Tatlisumak, E; Pedrono, E; Abo-Ramadan, U; Tatlisumak, T

2017-05-15

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) has received only little attention in the experimental research field. Recently, we introduced a TIA model for mice, and here we set similar principles for simulating this human condition in Wistar rats. In the model: 1) transient nature of the event is ensured, and 2) 24h after the event animals are free from any sensorimotor deficit and from any detectable lesion by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Animals experienced varying durations of ischemia (5, 10, 12.5, 15, 25, and 30min, n=6-8pergroup) by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Ischemia severity and reperfusion rates were controlled by cerebral blood flow measurements. Sensorimotor neurological evaluations and MRI at 24h differentiated between TIA and ischemic stroke. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and apoptotic cell counts revealed pathological correlates of the event. We found that already 12.5min of ischemia was long enough to induce ischemic stroke in Wistar rats. Ten min or shorter durations induced neither gross neurological deficits nor infarcts visible on MRI, but histologically caused selective neuronal necrosis. A separate group of animals with 10min of ischemia followed up to 1week after reperfusion remained free of infarction and any MRI signal change. Thus, 10min or shorter focal cerebral ischemia induced by intraluminal MCAO in Wistar rats provides a clinically relevant TIA the rat. This model is useful for studying molecular correlates of TIA. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

77 FR 25112 - Radio Broadcasting Services; Centerville and Midway, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-27

... Broadcasting Services; Centerville and Midway, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed..., proposing the allotment of Channel 267A at Midway, Texas, as its first local service; and the substitution... reference coordinates for Channel 267A at Midway are 31-03-42 NL and 95-49-06 WL. Additionally, Channel 232A...

Effects of Post-Treatment Hydrogen Gas Inhalation on Uveitis Induced by Endotoxin in Rats.

PubMed

Yan, Weiming; Chen, Tao; Long, Pan; Zhang, Zhe; Liu, Qian; Wang, Xiaocheng; An, Jing; Zhang, Zuoming

2018-06-07

BACKGROUND Molecular hydrogen (H2) has been widely reported to have benefiicial effects in diverse animal models and human disease through reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hydrogen gas could ameliorate endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a normal group, a model group, a nitrogen-oxygen (N-O) group, and a hydrogen-oxygen (H-O) group. EIU was induced in rats of the latter 3 groups by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After that, rats in the N-O group inhaled a gas mixture of 67% N2 and 33% O2, while those in the H-O group inhaled a gas mixture of 67% H2 and 33% O2. All rats were graded according to the signs of uveitis after electroretinography (ERG) examination. Protein concentration in the aqueous humor (AqH) was measured. Furthermore, hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunostaining of anti-ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) in the iris and ciliary body (ICB) were carried out. RESULTS No statistically significant differences existed in the graded score of uveitis and the b-wave peak time in the Dark-adapted 3.0 ERG among the model, N-O, and H-O groups (P>0.05), while rats of the H-O group showed a lower concentration of AqH protein than that of the model or N-O group (P<0.05). The number of the infiltrating cells in the ICB of rats from the H-O group was not significantly different from that of the model or N-O group (P>0.05), while the activation of microglia cells in the H-O group was somewhat reduced (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Post-treatment hydrogen gas inhalation did not ameliorate the clinical signs, or reduce the infiltrating cells of EIU. However, it inhibited the elevation of protein in the AqH and reduced the microglia activation.

Novel Rat Model for Neurocysticercosis Using Taenia solium

PubMed Central

Verastegui, Manuela R.; Mejia, Alan; Clark, Taryn; Gavidia, Cesar M.; Mamani, Javier; Ccopa, Fredy; Angulo, Noelia; Chile, Nancy; Carmen, Rogger; Medina, Roxana; García, Hector H.; Rodriguez, Silvia; Ortega, Ynes; Gilman, Robert H.

2016-01-01

Neurocysticercosis is caused by Taenia solium infecting the central nervous system and is the leading cause of acquired epilepsy and convulsive conditions worldwide. Research into the pathophysiology of the disease and appropriate treatment is hindered by lack of cost-effective and physiologically similar animal models. We generated a novel rat neurocysticercosis model using intracranial infection with activated T. solium oncospheres. Holtzman rats were infected in two separate groups: the first group was inoculated extraparenchymally and the second intraparenchymally, with different doses of activated oncospheres. The groups were evaluated at three different ages. Histologic examination of the tissue surrounding T. solium cysticerci was performed. Results indicate that generally infected rats developed cysticerci in the brain tissue after 4 months, and the cysticerci were observed in the parenchymal, ventricle, or submeningeal brain tissue. The route of infection did not have a statistically significant effect on the proportion of rats that developed cysticerci, and there was no dependence on infection dose. However, rat age was crucial to the success of the infection. Epilepsy was observed in 9% of rats with neurocysticercosis. In histologic examination, a layer of collagen tissue, inflammatory infiltrate cells, perivascular infiltrate, angiogenesis, spongy change, and mass effect were observed in the tissue surrounding the cysts. This study presents a suitable animal model for the study of human neurocysticercosis. PMID:26216286

Long-term characterization of the diet-induced obese and diet-resistant rat model: a polygenetic rat model mimicking the human obesity syndrome.

PubMed

Madsen, Andreas Nygaard; Hansen, Gitte; Paulsen, Sarah Juel; Lykkegaard, Kirsten; Tang-Christensen, Mads; Hansen, Harald S; Levin, Barry E; Larsen, Philip Just; Knudsen, Lotte Bjerre; Fosgerau, Keld; Vrang, Niels

2010-09-01

The availability of useful animal models reflecting the human obesity syndrome is crucial in the search for novel compounds for the pharmacological treatment of obesity. In the current study, we have performed an extensive characterization of the obesity syndrome in a polygenetic animal model, namely the selectively bred diet-induced obese (DIO) and diet-resistant (DR) rat strains. We show that they constitute useful models of the human obesity syndrome. DIO and DR rats were fed either a high-energy (HE) or a standard chow (Chow) diet from weaning to 9 months of age. Metabolic characterization including blood biochemistry and glucose homeostasis was examined at 2, 3, 6, and 9 months of age. Furthermore, in 6-month-old HE-fed DIO rats, the anti-obesity effects of liraglutide and sibutramine were examined in a 28-day study. Only HE-fed DIO rats developed visceral obesity, hyperleptinemia, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia, and showed a worsening of glucose tolerance over time. In line with the hyperlipidemic profile, a severe hepatic fat infiltration was observed in DIO rats at 6 months of age. The effects of liraglutide and sibutramine were tested in 6-month-old DIO rats. Both compounds effectively reduced food intake and body weight in DIO rats. Liraglutide furthermore improved glucose tolerance when compared with sibutramine. Our data highlights the usefulness of a polygenetic animal model for screening of compounds affecting food intake, body weight, and glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, the results underscore the effectiveness of GLP-1 mimetics both as anti-diabetes and anti-obesity agents.

Solubilization and characterization of haloperidol-sensitive (+)-( sup 3 H)SKF-10,047 binding sites (sigma sites) from rat liver membranes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McCann, D.J.; Su, T.P.

1991-05-01

The zwitterionic detergent 3-((3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylamino)-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) produced optimal solubilization of (+)-({sup 3}H)SKF-10,047 binding sites from rat liver membranes at a concentration of 0.2%, well below the critical micellular concentration of the detergent. The pharmacological selectivity of the liver (+)-({sup 3}H)SKF-10,047 binding sites corresponds to that of sigma sites from rat and guinea pig brain. When the affinities of 18 different drugs at (+)-({sup 3}H)SKF-10,047 binding sites in membranes and solubilized preparations were compared, a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and a slope of 1.03 were obtained, indicating that the pharmacological selectivity of rat liver sigma sites is retained after solubilization. In addition,more » the binding of 20 nM ({sup 3}H)progesterone to solubilized rat liver preparations was found to exhibit a pharmacological selectivity appropriate for sigma sites. A stimulatory effect of phenytoin on (+)-({sup 3}H)SKF-10,047 binding to sigma sites persisted after solubilization. When the solubilized preparation was subjected to molecular sizing chromatography, a single peak exhibiting specific (+)-({sup 3}H)SKF-10,047 binding was obtained. The binding activity of this peak was stimulated symmetrically when assays were performed in the presence of 300 microM phenytoin. The molecular weight of the CHAPS-solubilized sigma site complex was estimated to be 450,000 daltons. After solubilization with CHAPS, rat liver sigma sites were enriched to 12 pmol/mg of protein. The present results demonstrate a successful solubilization of sigma sites from rat liver membranes and provide direct evidence that the gonadal steroid progesterone binds to sigma sites. The results also suggest that the anticonvulsant phenytoin binds to an associated allosteric site on the sigma site complex.« less

Objective validation of central sensitization in the rat UVB and heat rekindling model

PubMed Central

Weerasinghe, NS; Lumb, BM; Apps, R; Koutsikou, S; Murrell, JC

2014-01-01

Background The UVB and heat rekindling (UVB/HR) model shows potential as a translatable inflammatory pain model. However, the occurrence of central sensitization in this model, a fundamental mechanism underlying chronic pain, has been debated. Face, construct and predictive validity are key requisites of animal models; electromyogram (EMG) recordings were utilized to objectively demonstrate validity of the rat UVB/HR model. Methods The UVB/HR model was induced on the heel of the hind paw under anaesthesia. Mechanical withdrawal thresholds (MWTs) were obtained from biceps femoris EMG responses to a gradually increasing pinch at the mid hind paw region under alfaxalone anaesthesia, 96 h after UVB irradiation. MWT was compared between UVB/HR and SHAM-treated rats (anaesthetic only). Underlying central mechanisms in the model were pharmacologically validated by MWT measurement following intrathecal N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, MK-801, or saline. Results Secondary hyperalgesia was confirmed by a significantly lower pre-drug MWT {mean [±standard error of the mean (SEM)]} in UVB/HR [56.3 (±2.1) g/mm2, n = 15] compared with SHAM-treated rats [69.3 (±2.9) g/mm2, n = 8], confirming face validity of the model. Predictive validity was demonstrated by the attenuation of secondary hyperalgesia by MK-801, where mean (±SEM) MWT was significantly higher [77.2 (±5.9) g/mm2 n = 7] in comparison with pre-drug [57.8 (±3.5) g/mm2 n = 7] and saline [57.0 (±3.2) g/mm2 n = 8] at peak drug effect. The occurrence of central sensitization confirmed construct validity of the UVB/HR model. Conclusions This study used objective outcome measures of secondary hyperalgesia to validate the rat UVB/HR model as a translational model of inflammatory pain. What's already known about this topic? Most current animal chronic pain models lack translatability to human subjects. Primary hyperalgesia is an established feature of the UVB/heat rekindling

Budesonide Attenuates Ventilator-induced Lung Injury in a Rat Model of Inflammatory Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

PubMed

Gao, Wei; Ju, Ying-Nan

2016-05-01

Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are particularly susceptible to ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). This study investigated the effect of budesonide on VILI in a rat model of inflammatory ARDS. Forty eight rats were randomized into three groups (n = 16 each): sham group (S), endotoxin/ventilation group (LV), endotoxin/ventilation/budesonide group (LVB). Rats in the S group received anesthesia only. Rats in the LV and LVB groups received endotoxin to simulate ARDS and were mechanically ventilated for 4 h (tidal volume 30 mL/kg). Rats in the LVB group received budesonide 1 mg, and rats in the LV group received saline in airway. PaO2/FiO2, lung wet-to-dry weight ratios, inflammatory factors in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), histopathologic analysis of lung tissue, and survival were examined. PaO2/FiO2 was significantly increased in rats in the LVB group compared to the LV group. Total cell count, macrophages, and neutrophils in BALF, and levels of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-8 in BALF and serum were significantly decreased in rats in the LVB group compared to the LV group, whereas levels of IL-10 in BALF and serum were significantly increased. Histopathological changes of lung injury and apoptosis were reduced, and survival was increased in rats in the LVB group compared to the LV group. Budesonide ameliorated VILI in a rat model of inflammatory ARDS. Copyright © 2016 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Viral reassortment and transmission after co-infection of pigs with classical H1N1 and triple-reassortant H3N2 swine influenza viruses.

PubMed

Ma, Wenjun; Lager, Kelly M; Lekcharoensuk, Porntippa; Ulery, Eva S; Janke, Bruce H; Solórzano, Alicia; Webby, Richard J; García-Sastre, Adolfo; Richt, Jürgen A

2010-09-01

Triple-reassortant swine influenza viruses circulating in North American pigs contain the internal genes derived from swine (matrix, non-structural and nucleoprotein), human [polymerase basic 1 (PB1)] and avian (polymerase acidic and PB2) influenza viruses forming a constellation of genes that is well conserved and is called the triple-reassortant internal gene (TRIG) cassette. In contrast, the external genes [haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA)] are less conserved, reflecting multiple reassortant events that have produced viruses with different combinations of HA and NA genes. This study hypothesized that maintenance of the TRIG cassette confers a selective advantage to the virus. To test this hypothesis, pigs were co-infected with the triple-reassortant H3N2 A/Swine/Texas/4199-2/98 (Tx/98) and the classical H1N1 A/Swine/Iowa/15/1930 viruses and co-housed with a group of sentinel animals. This direct contact group was subsequently moved into contact with a second group of naïve animals. Four different subtypes (H1N1, H1N2, H3N1 and H3N2) of influenza virus were identified in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collected from the lungs of the experimentally infected pigs, with most of the viruses containing TRIG from the Tx/98 virus. Interestingly, only the intact H3N2 Tx/98 virus was transmitted from the infected pigs to the direct-contact animals and from them to the second contact group of pigs. These results demonstrated that multiple reassortments can occur within a host; however, only specific gene constellations are readily transmissible. It was concluded that certain HA and NA gene pairs, in conjunction with the TRIG cassette, may have a competitive advantage over other combinations for transmission and maintenance in swine.

Fluoride Alteration of [3H]Glucose Uptake in Wistar Rat Brain and Peripheral Tissues.

PubMed

Rogalska, Anna; Kuter, Katarzyna; Żelazko, Aleksandra; Głogowska-Gruszka, Anna; Świętochowska, Elżbieta; Nowak, Przemysław

2017-04-01

The present study was designed to investigate the role of postnatal fluoride intake on [3H]glucose uptake and transport in rat brain and peripheral tissues. Sodium fluoride (NaF) in a concentration of 10 or 50 ppm was added to the drinking water of adult Wistar rats. The control group received distilled water. After 4 weeks, respective plasma fluoride levels were 0.0541 ± 0.0135 μg/ml (control), 0.0596 ± 0.0202 μg/ml (10 ppm), and 0.0823 ± 0.0199 μg/ml (50 ppm). Although plasma glucose levels were not altered in any group, the plasma insulin level in the fluoride (50 ppm) group was elevated (0.72 ± 0.13 μg/ml) versus the control group (0.48 ± 0.24 μg/ml) and fluoride (10 ppm) group. In rats receiving fluoride for 4 weeks at 10 ppm in drinking water, [3H]glucose uptake was unaltered in all tested parts of the brain. However, in rats receiving fluoride at 50 ppm, [3H]glucose uptake in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus with hypothalamus was elevated, versus the saline group. Fluoride intake had a negligible effect on [3H]glucose uptake by peripheral tissues (liver, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, atrium, aorta, kidney, visceral tissue, lung, skin, oral mucosa, tongue, salivary gland, incisor, molars, and jawbone). In neither fluoride group was glucose transporter proteins 1 (GLUT 1) or 3 (GLUT 3) altered in frontal cortex and striatum versus control. On the assumption that increased glucose uptake (by neural tissue) reasonably reflects neuronal activity, it appears that fluoride damage to the brain results in a compensatory increase in glucose uptake and utilization without changes in GLUT 1 and GLUT 3 expression.

Feasibility of using Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation for IMRT dose calculations for the Novalis Tx with a HD-120 multi-leaf collimator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Hyunuk; Shin, Jungsuk; Chung, Kwangzoo; Han, Youngyih; Kim, Jinsung; Choi, Doo Ho

2015-05-01

The aim of this study was to develop an independent dose verification system by using a Monte Carlo (MC) calculation method for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) conducted by using a Varian Novalis Tx (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA, USA) equipped with a highdefinition multi-leaf collimator (HD-120 MLC). The Geant4 framework was used to implement a dose calculation system that accurately predicted the delivered dose. For this purpose, the Novalis Tx Linac head was modeled according to the specifications acquired from the manufacturer. Subsequently, MC simulations were performed by varying the mean energy, energy spread, and electron spot radius to determine optimum values of irradiation with 6-MV X-ray beams by using the Novalis Tx system. Computed percentage depth dose curves (PDDs) and lateral profiles were compared to the measurements obtained by using an ionization chamber (CC13). To validate the IMRT simulation by using the MC model we developed, we calculated a simple IMRT field and compared the result with the EBT3 film measurements in a water-equivalent solid phantom. Clinical cases, such as prostate cancer treatment plans, were then selected, and MC simulations were performed. The accuracy of the simulation was assessed against the EBT3 film measurements by using a gamma-index criterion. The optimal MC model parameters to specify the beam characteristics were a 6.8-MeV mean energy, a 0.5-MeV energy spread, and a 3-mm electron radius. The accuracy of these parameters was determined by comparison of MC simulations with measurements. The PDDs and the lateral profiles of the MC simulation deviated from the measurements by 1% and 2%, respectively, on average. The computed simple MLC fields agreed with the EBT3 measurements with a 95% passing rate with 3%/3-mm gamma-index criterion. Additionally, in applying our model to clinical IMRT plans, we found that the MC calculations and the EBT3 measurements agreed well with a passing rate of greater

BDNF-hypersecreting human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells promote erectile function in a rat model of cavernous nerve electrocautery injury.

PubMed

Song, Lujie; Zhu, Jianqiang; Zhang, Xiong; Cui, Zhiqiang; Fu, Qiang; Huang, Jianwen; Lu, Hongkai

2016-01-01

Erectile dysfunction (ED) continues to be a significant problem for men following radical prostatectomy. We hypothesize that intracavernous injection of BDNF-hypersecreting human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) can ameliorate ED in a rat model of cavernous nerve electrocautery injury (CNEI). Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham + PBS (n = 6), CNEI + PBS (n = 12), CNEI + hUCB-MSCs (n = 12) and CNEI + BDNF-hUCB-MSCs (n = 12). At day 28 post-surgery, erectile function was examined and specimens were harvested for histology. Immunofluorescence staining, Masson's trichrome staining and transmission electron microscopy were performed to determine the structural changes in corpus cavernosum. Cells that are injected into penis were labeled by BrdU and tracked by immunofluorescence staining. Three days post-surgery, the concentration of BDNF protein in penile tissues was measured by Western blotting. Rats intracavernosally injected with BDNF-hUCB-MSCs showed the most significant improvement in the ratio of maximal ICP to MAP (ICP/MAP). Histological examinations showed moderate recovery of nNOS-positive nerve fibers, ratio of smooth muscle to collagen and smooth muscle content in the CNEI + hUCB-MSCs group and remarkable recovery in the CNEI + BDNF-hUCB-MSCs group compared to the CNEI + PBS group. By TEM examination, atrophy of myelinated and non-myelinated nerve fibers was noted in CNEI + PBS group and significant recovery was observed in two treated groups. There were more BrdU-positive cells in the BDNF-hUCB-MSCs group than in the hUCB-MSCs group both in the penis and in the MPG. Three days post-surgery, the concentration of BDNF protein in penile tissues in BDNF-hUCB-MSCs group was much higher than in other groups. Intracavernous injection of BDNF-hypersecreting hUCB-MSCs can enhance the recovery of erectile function, promote the CNs regeneration and inhibit corpus cavernosum fibrosis after CNEI in a rat

ESTIMATING CHLOROFORM BIOTRANSFORMATION IN F-344 RAT LIVER USING IN VITRO TECHNIQUES AND PHARMACOKINETIC MODELING

EPA Science Inventory

ESTIMATING CHLOROFORM BIOTRANSFORMATION IN F-344 RAT LIVER USING IN VITRO TECHNIQUES AND PHARMACOKINETIC MODELING

Linskey, C.F.1, Harrison, R.A.2., Zhao, G.3., Barton, H.A., Lipscomb, J.C4., and Evans, M.V2., 1UNC, ESE, Chapel Hill, NC ; 2USEPA, ORD, NHEERL, RTP, NC; 3 UN...

49 CFR 372.237 - Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... REGULATIONS EXEMPTIONS, COMMERCIAL ZONES, AND TERMINAL AREAS Commercial Zones § 372.237 Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX. (a) Transportation within a zone comprised of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr... common control, management, or arrangement for shipment to or from points beyond such zone, is partially...

49 CFR 372.237 - Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... REGULATIONS EXEMPTIONS, COMMERCIAL ZONES, AND TERMINAL AREAS Commercial Zones § 372.237 Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX. (a) Transportation within a zone comprised of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr... common control, management, or arrangement for shipment to or from points beyond such zone, is partially...

49 CFR 372.237 - Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... REGULATIONS EXEMPTIONS, COMMERCIAL ZONES, AND TERMINAL AREAS Commercial Zones § 372.237 Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX. (a) Transportation within a zone comprised of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr... common control, management, or arrangement for shipment to or from points beyond such zone, is partially...

49 CFR 372.237 - Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... REGULATIONS EXEMPTIONS, COMMERCIAL ZONES, AND TERMINAL AREAS Commercial Zones § 372.237 Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX. (a) Transportation within a zone comprised of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr... common control, management, or arrangement for shipment to or from points beyond such zone, is partially...

49 CFR 372.237 - Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... REGULATIONS EXEMPTIONS, COMMERCIAL ZONES, AND TERMINAL AREAS Commercial Zones § 372.237 Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX. (a) Transportation within a zone comprised of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr... common control, management, or arrangement for shipment to or from points beyond such zone, is partially...

Bone pain caused by swelling of mouse ear capsule static xylene and effects on rat models of cervical spondylosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xuhui; Xia, Lei; Hao, Shaojun; Chen, Weiliang; Guo, Junyi; Ma, Zhenzhen; Wang, Huamin; Kong, Xuejun; Wang, Hongyu; Zhang, Zhengchen

2018-04-01

To observe the effect of intravenous bone pain Capsule on the ear of mice induced by xylene, swelling of rat models of cervical spondylosis. Weighing 18 ˜ 21g 50 mice, male, were randomly divided into for five groups, which were fed with service for bone pain static capsule suspension, Jingfukang granule suspension 0.5%CMC liquid and the same volume of. Respectively to the mice ear drop of xylene 0.05 ml, 4h after cervical dislocation, the mice were sacrificed and the cut two ear, rapid analytical balance weighing, and calculate the ear swelling degree and the other to take the weight of 200 - 60 250g male SD rats, were randomly divided into for 6 groups, 10 rats in each group, of which 5 groups made cervical spondylosis model. Results: with the blank group than bone pain static capsule group and Jingfukang granule group can significantly reduce mouse auricular dimethylbenzene swelling, significantly reduce ear swelling degree (P < 0.01); the successful establishment of the rat model of cervical spondylosis. With the model group ratio, large, medium and small dose of bone pain static capsule group, Jingfukang granule group (P < 0.01) angle of swash plate of rats increased significantly, the high and middle dose of bone pain static capsule group, Jingfukang granule group can significantly reduce the rat X-ray scores (P < 0.05). Bone pain static capsule can significantly reduce mouse auricular dimethylbenzene swelling. The bone pain capsule has a good effect on the rat model of cervical spondylosis.

Three-dimensional transgenic cell model to quantify genotoxic effects of space environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonda, S. R.; Wu, H.; Pingerelli, P. L.; Glickman, B. W.

In this paper we describe a three-dimensional, multicellular tissue-equivalent model, produced in NASA-designed, rotating wall bioreactors using mammalian cells engineered for genomic containment of multiple copies of defined target genes for genotoxic assessment. Rat 2λ fibroblasts, genetically engineered to contain high-density target genes for mutagenesis (Stratagene, Inc., Austin, TX), were cocultured with human epithelial cells on Cytodex beads in the High Aspect Ratio Bioreactor (Synthecon, Inc, Houston, TX). Multi-bead aggregates were formed by day 5 following the complete covering of the beads by fibroblasts. Cellular retraction occurred 8-14 days after coculture initiation culminating in spheroids retaining few or no beads. Analysis of the resulting tissue assemblies revealed: multicellular spheroids, fibroblasts synthesized collagen, and cell viability was retained for the 30-day test period after removal from the bioreactor. Quantification of mutation at the LacI gene in Rat 2λ fibroblasts in spheroids exposed to 0-2 Gy neon using the Big Blue color assay (Stratagene, Inc.), revealed a linear dose-response for mutation induction. Limited sequencing analysis of mutant clones from 0.25 or 1 Gy exposures revealed a higher frequency of deletions and multiple base sequencing changes with increasing dose. These results suggest that the three-dimensional, multicellular tissue assembly model produced in NASA bioreactors are applicable to a wide variety of studies involving the quantification and identification of genotocity including measurement of the inherent damage incurred in Space.

Genome-wide profiling identifies a subset of methamphetamine (METH)-induced genes associated with METH-induced increased H4K5Ac binding in the rat striatum.

PubMed

Cadet, Jean Lud; Jayanthi, Subramaniam; McCoy, Michael T; Ladenheim, Bruce; Saint-Preux, Fabienne; Lehrmann, Elin; De, Supriyo; Becker, Kevin G; Brannock, Christie

2013-08-12

METH is an illicit drug of abuse that influences gene expression in the rat striatum. Histone modifications regulate gene transcription. We therefore used microarray analysis and genome-scale approaches to examine potential relationships between the effects of METH on gene expression and on DNA binding of histone H4 acetylated at lysine 4 (H4K5Ac) in the rat dorsal striatum of METH-naïve and METH-pretreated rats. Acute and chronic METH administration caused differential changes in striatal gene expression. METH also increased H4K5Ac binding around the transcriptional start sites (TSSs) of genes in the rat striatum. In order to relate gene expression to histone acetylation, we binned genes of similar expression into groups of 100 genes and proceeded to relate gene expression to H4K5Ac binding. We found a positive correlation between gene expression and H4K5Ac binding in the striatum of control rats. Similar correlations were observed in METH-treated rats. Genes that showed acute METH-induced increased expression in saline-pretreated rats also showed METH-induced increased H4K5Ac binding. The acute METH injection caused similar increases in H4K5Ac binding in METH-pretreated rats, without affecting gene expression to the same degree. Finally, genes that showed METH-induced decreased expression exhibited either decreases or no changes in H4K5Ac binding. Acute METH injections caused increased gene expression of genes that showed increased H4K5Ac binding near their transcription start sites.

Normobaric hyperoxia retards the evolution of ischemic brain tissue toward infarction in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia.

PubMed

Xu, Ji; Zhang, Yuan; Liang, Zhouyuan; Wang, Ting; Li, Weiping; Ren, Lijie; Huang, Shaonong; Liu, Wenlan

2016-01-01

Oxygen therapy has been long considered a logical therapy for ischemic stroke. Our previous studies showed that normobaric hyperoxia (normobaric hyperoxia (NBO), 95% O2 with 5% CO2) treatment during ischemia reduced ischemic neuronal death and cerebromicrovascular injury in animal stroke models. In this study, we studied the effects of NBO on the evolution of ischemic brain tissue to infarction in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given NBO (95% O2) or normoxia (21% O2) during 90-min filament occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO), followed by 3 or 22.5 h of reperfusion. 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was used to evaluate the longitudinal evolution of tissue infarction. Results： In normoxic rats, MCA-supplied cortical and striatal tissue was infarcted after 90-min MCAO with 22.5 h of reperfusion. NBO-treated rats showed a 61.4% reduction in infarct size and tissue infarction mainly occurred in the ischemic striatum. When infarction was assessed at an earlier time point, i.e. at 3 h of reperfusion, normoxic rats showed significantly smaller but mature infarction (no TTC staining, white color), with the infarction mainly occurring in the striatum. Unexpectedly, NBO-treated rats only showed immature lesion (partially stained by TTC, light white color) in the ischemic striatum, indicating that NBO treatment also retarded the process of neuronal death in the ischemic core. Of note, NBO-preserved striatal tissue underwent infarction after prolonged reperfusion. Conclusions： Our results demonstrate that NBO treatment given during cerebral ischemia retards the evolution of ischemic brain tissue toward infarction and NBO-preserved cortical tissue survives better than NBO-preserved striatal tissue during the phase of reperfusion.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) prevents H2O2-induced oxidative stress in primary rat retinal pigment epithelial cells.

PubMed

Cia, David; Vergnaud-Gauduchon, Juliette; Jacquemot, Nathalie; Doly, Michel

2014-09-01

To determine whether the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) could prevent H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress in primary rat retinal pigment epithelial cells. Primary cultures of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were established from Long-Evans newborn rats. RPE cells were pretreated with various concentrations of EGCG for 24 h before being exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) for 2 h to induce oxidative stress. Cell metabolic activity was measured using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell death was quantified by flow cytometry using propidium iodide (PI). Treatment of RPE cells with EGCG alone does not affect the cell viability up to 50 µM. Exposure of RPE cells to 600 µM H(2)O(2) caused a significant decrease in cell viability; whereas pretreatment with 10, 25, and 50 µM EGCG significantly reduced this decrease in a dose-dependent manner. The proportion of PI-positive cells increased significantly in cultures treated with H(2)O(2) alone; whereas pretreatment of RPE cells with 50 µM EGCG significantly reduced H(2)O(2)-induced RPE cell death. Our study shows that EGCG pretreatment can protect primary rat RPE cells from H(2)O(2)-induced death. This suggests potential effect of EGCG in the prevention of retinal diseases associated with H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress.

Differential binding of /sup 3/H-imipramine and /sup 3/H-mianserin in rat cerebral cortex

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dumbrille-Ross, A.; Tang, S.W.; Coscina, D.V.

1981-11-16

Drug competition profiles, effect of raphe lesion, and sodium dependency of the binding of two antidepressant drugs /sup 3/H-imipramine and /sup 3/H-mianserin to rat cerebral cortex homogenate were compared to examine whether the drugs bound to a common ''antidepressant receptor.'' Of the neurotransmitters tested, only serotonin displaced binding of both /sup 3/H-imipramine and /sup 3/H-mianserin. /sup 3/H-Mianserin binding was potently displaced by serotonin S/sub 2/ antagonists and exhibited a profile similar to that of /sup 3/H-spiperone binding. In the presence of the serotonin S/sub 2/ antagonist spiperone, antihistamines (H/sub 1/) potently displaced /sup 3/H-mianserin binding. /sup 3/H-Imipramine binding was displacedmore » potently by serotonin uptake inhibitors. The order of potency of serotonergic drugs in displacing /sup 3/H-imipramine binding was not similar to their order in displacing /sup 3/H-spiperone or -3H-serotonin binding. Prior midbrain raphe lesions greatly decreased the binding of /sup 3/H-imipramine but did not alter binding of /sup 3/H-mianserin. Binding of /sup 3/H-imipramine but not /sup 3/H-mianserin was sodium dependent. These results show that /sup 3/H-imipramine and /sup 3/H-mianserin bind to different receptors. /sup 3/H-Imipramine binds to a presynaptic serotonin receptor which is probably related to a serotonin uptake recognition site, the binding of which is sodium dependent. /sup 3/H-Mianserin binds to postsynaptic receptors, possibly both serotonin S/sub 2/ and histamine H/sub 1/ receptors, the binding of which is sodium independent.« less

H3N2 Mismatch of 2014–15 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccines and Head-to-head Comparison between Human and Ferret Antisera derived Antigenic Maps

PubMed Central

Xie, Hang; Wan, Xiu-Feng; Ye, Zhiping; Plant, Ewan P.; Zhao, Yangqing; Xu, Yifei; Li, Xing; Finch, Courtney; Zhao, Nan; Kawano, Toshiaki; Zoueva, Olga; Chiang, Meng-Jung; Jing, Xianghong; Lin, Zhengshi; Zhang, Anding; Zhu, Yanhong

2015-01-01

The poor performance of 2014–15 Northern Hemisphere (NH) influenza vaccines was attributed to mismatched H3N2 component with circulating epidemic strains. Using human serum samples collected from 2009–10, 2010–11 and 2014–15 NH influenza vaccine trials, we assessed their cross-reactive hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibody responses against recent H3 epidemic isolates. All three populations (children, adults, and older adults) vaccinated with the 2014–15 NH egg- or cell-based vaccine, showed >50% reduction in HAI post-vaccination geometric mean titers against epidemic H3 isolates from those against egg-grown H3 vaccine strain A/Texas/50/2012 (TX/12e). The 2014–15 NH vaccines, regardless of production type, failed to further extend HAI cross-reactivity against H3 epidemic strains from previous seasonal vaccines. Head-to-head comparison between ferret and human antisera derived antigenic maps revealed different antigenic patterns among representative egg- and cell-grown H3 viruses characterized. Molecular modeling indicated that the mutations of epidemic H3 strains were mainly located in antibody-binding sites A and B as compared with TX/12e. To improve vaccine strain selection, human serologic testing on vaccination-induced cross-reactivity need be emphasized along with virus antigenic characterization by ferret model. PMID:26472175

Evaluation of Myrtus communis Linn. berries (common myrtle) in experimental ulcer models in rats.

PubMed

Sumbul, Sabiha; Ahmad, Mohd Aftab; Asif, Mohd; Saud, Ibne; Akhtar, Mohd

2010-11-01

The present study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of the dried berries of Myrtus communis L. in gastric ulcer against ethanol, indomethacin and pyloric ligation induced models in Wistar rats. Two doses of aqueous extracts of M. communis (AE( 1) and AE(2)) at the dose 105 and 175 mg/kg, respectively, and methanolic extracts (ME(1) and ME(2)) at the dose of 93 and 154 mg/kg, respectively, were administered orally to animals prior to the exposure of ulcerogens. The parameters taken to assess anti-ulcer activity were ulcer index, gastric juice volume, gastric pH, total acidity, gastric wall mucus and histopathological studies. Oral administration of AE(1) and AE(2) significantly reduced the ulcer index in all models of ulcers. Low dose of aqueous extract and high dose of methanolic extract of M. communis exhibited more significant effect in comparison to omeprazole (standard drug) in ethanol-induced ulcer model. Both the doses of aqueous and methanolic extracts also reduced the gastric juice volume, total acidity and increased the gastric pH and gastric wall mucus content in all the models of ulcers used in the present study. Histopathological examinations of gastric tissues of rats treated with the aqueous and methanolic extracts in indomethacin-induced ulcer exhibited significant ulcer-protective effect at both the dose levels.

[The changes of monocarboxylate transporter-2 in spinal cord horn in a rat model of chronic inflammatory pain].

PubMed

He, Jian-hua; Xu, Li; Shen, Yu; Kong, Ming-jian; Shi, Lin-yu; Ma, Zheng-liang

2015-01-01

To investigate the changes in the levels of monocarboxylate transporter-2 in spinal cord horn in a rat model of chronic inflammatory pain. Male SD rats weighting 180 - 220 g were randomly divided into two groups(n = 48): normal saline group (NS group), complete Freund's adjuvant group (CFA group). Rats were given injections of CFA 100 µl in left hind paw in group CFA, and an equal volume of saline was given injection in group NS. Mechanical withdraw threshold(MWT) and thermal withdraw latency(TWL) were measured at before injection(T0 and 3 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d, and 21 d after injection(T1-7). Four rats were chosen from each group at T0-7 and sacrificed, and L4-5 segments of the spinal cord horn were removed for measurement of the expression of monocarboxylate transporter-2 by Western blot analysis. In CFA group, mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia appeared on the 3 h after CFA injection, then until the day 14. The expression of monocarboxylate transporter-2 in the spinal dorsal horn of rats in CFA group was significantly higher than that in normal control group at T1-6(P <0.05). The protein level of monocarboxylate transporter-2 was apparently correlated with MWT and TWL(P <0.01 and P <0.05) in CFA group. The level of monocarboxylate transporter-2 in spinal dorsal horn is significantly increased in a rat model of chronic inflammatory pain and the change may involve in the formation and maintenance of central sensitization in spinal cord of chronic inflammatory uain.

Changes in erectile organ structure and function in a rat model of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

PubMed

Wang, X-J; Xia, L-L; Xu, T-Y; Zhang, X-H; Zhu, Z-W; Zhang, M-G; Liu, Y; Xu, C; Zhong, S; Shen, Z-J

2016-04-01

There is a growing recognition of the association between chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and erectile dysfunction (ED); however, most of the reports are based on questionnaires which cannot distinguish between organic and functional ED. The purpose of this study was to determine the exact relationship between CP/CPPS and ED, and to investigate the changes in erectile organ structure and function in a rat model of CP/CPPS. We established a rat model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP), which is a valid model for CP/CPPS. Erectile function in EAP and normal rats was comparable after cavernous nerve electrostimulation. The serum testosterone and oestradiol levels, ultrastructure of the corpus cavernosum and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the two groups were similar; however, there was a decrease in smooth muscle-to-collagen ratio and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression and an increase in transforming growth factor-beta 1 expression was observed in EAP rats. Thus, organic ED may not exist in EAP rats. We speculate that ED complained by patients with CP/CPPS may be psychological, which could be caused by impairment in the quality of life; however, further studies are needed to fully understand the potential mechanisms underlying the penile fibrosis in EAP rats. © 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

75 FR 3877 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Killeen, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-25

... accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at the renamed Skylark Field Airport, Killeen, TX. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules.... ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200...

Haptoglobin Reduces Inflammatory Cytokine INF-γ and Facilitates Clot Formation in Acute Severe Burn Rat Model.

PubMed

Koami, Hiroyuki; Sakamoto, Yuichiro; Miyasho, Taku; Noguchi, Ryo; Sato, Norio; Kai, Keita; Chris Yamada, Kosuke; Inoue, Satoshi

2017-01-01

Haptoglobin exerts renal protective function by scavenging free hemoglobin from the urine and blood stream in patients with hemolytic disorders. Recent studies elucidate the relationships between haptoglobin and inflammation. In addition, coagulopathy is often induced by systemic inflammation characterized by the presence of vascular endothelial damage. We hypothesize that haptoglobin might have an anti-inflammatory effect and affect hypercoagulability using rat burn model. Thirty anesthetized rats of six-weeks of age received over 30% full-thickness scald burn on the dorsal skin surface. All rats were injected with either haptoglobin (Hpt) or normal saline (NS) intraperitoneally. The rats were divided into three groups: 1) control group (NS 20 mL/kg); 2) low concentration of Hpt group, L-Hpt, (Hpt 4 mL (80 U) /kg+NS 16 mL/kg); and 3) high concentration of Hpt group, H-Hpt, (Hpt 20 mL (400 U) /kg). While under anesthesia, all rats were euthanized by exsanguination at 6 hours (N=5) and 24 hours (N=5). Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured and whole-blood viscoelastic tests were performed by thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Haptoglobin significantly reduced free hemoglobin 24 hours after the injury. Improvement of hematuria was confirmed in the H-Hpt group. There were no differences in thrombin-antithrombin complex and plasmin-α2 plasmin inhibitor complex. The haptoglobin tended to decrease interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in H-Hpt group. ROTEM findings of the L-Hpt group showed significantly higher clot firmness and shorter time to maximum clot formation velocity than the control group. Haptoglobin reduced INF-γ, and accelerated speed of clot formation in acute phase of severe burn.

(1)H NMR-based metabonomics revealed protective effect of Naodesheng bioactive extract on ischemic stroke rats.

PubMed

Luo, Lan; Zhen, Lifeng; Xu, Yatao; Yang, Yongxia; Feng, Suxiang; Wang, Shumei; Liang, Shengwang

2016-06-20

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the world. However, current therapies are limited. Naodesheng, a widely used traditional Chinese medicine prescription, has shown a good clinical curative effect on ischemic stroke. Also, Naodesheng has been suggested to have neuroprotective effect on focal cerebral ischemia rats, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Naodesheng bioactive extract on the metabolic changes in brain tissue, plasma and urine induced by cerebral ischemia perfusion injury, and explore the possible metabolic mechanisms by using a (1)H NMR-based metabonomics approach. A middle cerebral artery occlusion rat model was established and confirmed by the experiments of neurobehavioral abnormality evaluation, brain tissue TTC staining and pathological examination. The metabolic changes in brain tissue, plasma and urine were then assessed by a (1)H NMR technique combined with multivariate statistical analysis method. These NMR data showed that cerebral ischemia reperfusion induced great metabolic disorders in brain tissue, plasma and urine metabolisms. However, Naodesheng bioactive extract could reverse most of the imbalanced metabolites. Meanwhile, it was found that both the medium and high dosages of Naodesheng bioactive extract were more effective on the metabolic changes than the low dosage, consistent with histopathological assessments. These results revealed that Naodesheng had protective effect on ischemic stroke rats and the underlying mechanisms involved multiple metabolic pathways, including energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammatory injury. The present study could provide evidence that metabonomics revealed its capacity to evaluate the holistic efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine and explore the underlying mechanisms. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.