Trends in Basic Sciences Education in Dental Schools, 1999–2016

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153754/1/jddjde017008.pd

Extension of BrdU-dye analysis of DNA replication and sister chromatid exchange formation to in vivo systems : (in vivo, BrdU-dye, DNA replication, sister chromatid exchange)

BrdU-dye methodology was initially developed in tissue culture. Wide application of the technique for cytogenetic studies of DNA structure, replication and repair followed. Although the need for parallel in vivo studies was apparent, technical difficulties delayed the establishment of highly relevant BrdU-dye methods in intact mammals. Recently, BrdU-dye methods were adapted to in vivo rodent systems and the potential for diverse analyses of chromosome structure and function, comparable to those of in vitro analyses, demonstrated. In addition, the unique suitability of in vivo systems for studying replication kinetics and sister chromatid exchange formation in multiple tissues, inclusive of both somatic and germ cells, was shown. New in vivo protocols under development offer methodological simplicity and convenience of implementation. In vivo BrdU-dye techniques should thus afford an attractive alternative to in vitro systems for many cytogenetic studies.JAMES W. ALLEN, CHARLES F. SHULER, AND SAMUEL A. LATT, Clinical Genetics Division, Mental Retardation Program, Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

Use of Lecture Recordings in Dental Education: Assessment of Status Quo and Recommendations

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153739/1/jddj0022033720137711tb05619x.pd

Food-associated cues alter forebrain functional connectivity as assessed with immediate early gene and proenkephalin expression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cues predictive of food availability are powerful modulators of appetite as well as food-seeking and ingestive behaviors. The neurobiological underpinnings of these conditioned responses are not well understood. Monitoring regional immediate early gene expression is a method used to assess alterations in neuronal metabolism resulting from upstream intracellular and extracellular signaling. Furthermore, assessing the expression of multiple immediate early genes offers a window onto the possible sequelae of exposure to food cues, since the function of each gene differs. We used immediate early gene and proenkephalin expression as a means of assessing food cue-elicited regional activation and alterations in functional connectivity within the forebrain.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Contextual cues associated with palatable food elicited conditioned motor activation and corticosterone release in rats. This motivational state was associated with increased transcription of the activity-regulated genes <it>homer1a</it>, <it>arc</it>, <it>zif268</it>, <it>ngfi-b </it>and c-<it>fos </it>in corticolimbic, thalamic and hypothalamic areas and of proenkephalin within striatal regions. Furthermore, the functional connectivity elicited by food cues, as assessed by an inter-regional multigene-expression correlation method, differed substantially from that elicited by neutral cues. Specifically, food cues increased cortical engagement of the striatum, and within the nucleus accumbens, shifted correlations away from the shell towards the core. Exposure to the food-associated context also induced correlated gene expression between corticostriatal networks and the basolateral amygdala, an area critical for learning and responding to the incentive value of sensory stimuli. This increased corticostriatal-amygdalar functional connectivity was absent in the control group exposed to innocuous cues.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results implicate correlated activity between the cortex and the striatum, especially the nucleus accumbens core and the basolateral amygdala, in the generation of a conditioned motivated state that may promote excessive food intake. The upregulation of a number of genes in unique patterns within corticostriatal, thalamic, and hypothalamic networks suggests that food cues are capable of powerfully altering neuronal processing in areas mediating the integration of emotion, cognition, arousal, and the regulation of energy balance. As many of these genes play a role in plasticity, their upregulation within these circuits may also indicate the neuroanatomic and transcriptional correlates of extinction learning.</p

TGF-β Signaling and the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition during Palatal Fusion

Signaling by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β plays an important role in development, including in palatogenesis. The dynamic morphological process of palatal fusion occurs to achieve separation of the nasal and oral cavities. Critically and specifically important in palatal fusion are the medial edge epithelial (MEE) cells, which are initially present at the palatal midline seam and over the course of the palate fusion process are lost from the seam, due to cell migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and/or programed cell death. In order to define the role of TGF-β signaling during this process, several approaches have been utilized, including a small interfering RNA (siRNA) strategy targeting TGF-β receptors in an organ culture context, the use of genetically engineered mice, such as Wnt1-cre/R26R double transgenic mice, and a cell fate tracing through utilization of cell lineage markers. These approaches have permitted investigators to distinguish some specific traits of well-defined cell populations throughout the palatogenic events. In this paper, we summarize the current understanding on the role of TGF-β signaling, and specifically its association with MEE cell fate during palatal fusion. TGF-β is highly regulated both temporally and spatially, with TGF-β3 and Smad2 being the preferentially expressed signaling molecules in the critical cells of the fusion processes. Interestingly, the accessory receptor, TGF-β type 3 receptor, is also critical for palatal fusion, with evidence for its significance provided by Cre-lox systems and siRNA approaches. This suggests the high demand of ligand for this fine-tuned signaling process. We discuss the new insights in the fate of MEE cells in the midline epithelial seam (MES) during the palate fusion process, with a particular focus on the role of TGF-β signaling.Dentistry, Faculty ofNon UBCOral Biological and Medical Sciences (OBMS), Department ofReviewedFacult

Functional role of TGF-β receptors during palatal fusion in vitro

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CCDC 955135: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.,Related Article: Clyde R. Metz, Jennifer L. Radke, William G. Shuler, Marco Gattoni Celli, Colin D. McMillen, William T. Pennington, Charles F. Beam|2014|J.Chem.Cryst.|44|401|doi:10.1007/s10870-014-0529-

CCDC 890794: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: W.G.Shuler,E.A.Smith,S.M.Hess,T.M.C.McFadden,C.R.Metz,D.G.VanDerveer,W.T.Pennington,P.J.Mabe,C.F.Beam|2015|Ind.Eng.Chem.Res.|54|7207|doi:10.1021/acs.iecr.5b00975,An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures