Gene Expression Profiles of Colonic Mucosa in Healthy Young Adult and Senior Dogs

Background: We have previously reported the effects of age and diet on nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, and large intestinal fermentation patterns in healthy young adult and senior dogs. However, a genome-wide molecular analysis of colonic mucosa as a function of age and diet has not yet been performed in dogs. Methodology/Principal Findings: Colonic mucosa samples were collected from six senior (12-year old) and six young adult (1-year old) female beagles fed one of two diets (animal protein-based vs. plant protein-based) for 12 months. Total RNA in colonic mucosa was extracted and hybridized to Affymetrix GeneChipH Canine Genome Arrays. Results indicated that the majority of gene expression changes were due to age (212 genes) rather than diet (66 genes). In particular, the colonic mucosa of senior dogs had increased expression of genes associated with cell proliferation, inflammation, stress response, and cellular metabolism, whereas the expression of genes associated with apoptosis and defensive mechanisms were decreased in senior vs. young adult dogs. No consistent diet-induced alterations in gene expression existed in both age groups, with the effects of diet being more pronounced in senior dogs than in young adult dogs. Conclusion: Our results provide molecular insight pertaining to the aged canine colon and its predisposition to dysfunction and disease. Therefore, our data may aid in future research pertaining to age-associated gastrointestinal physiologica

The role played by neural crest cells in the development of syndrome X: a hypothesis

This study evaluated the components and the related hormone releasing organs, the mechanism of action of these hormones, and the origins of the cells and organs in a disorder known as metabolic syndrome X, the prevalence of which is rapidly increasing particularly among the adult population of industrial societies. Metabolic syndrome X, involving carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders and cardiovascular disorders caused by the release of primary hormones, alpha and beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of pancreas, adrenal gland medulla's chrornaffin cells, sympathetic nervous system neurons and ganglia, adenohypophysis, neurohypophysis and hypothalamus, were evaluated for being neuroectodermal and mainly having neural crest origin

Comparison of c-Fos immunoreactivity in pancreatic beta cells and cells with neural crest origin in rats: an immunohistochemical study

Although a neural crest origin has been proposed for pancreatic beta cells, these cells are known to possess many similarities with neuronal cells. These similarities give rise to the hypothesis that undifferentiated neural crest cells can be transformed into beta cells. The objective of this study was to compare beta-cells and undifferentiated neural crest cells with respect to c-Fos immunoreactivity (c-Fos-IR), which plays a crucial role in certain cellular and biological processes and is used as a neuronal activity marker. For the purpose of the study, c-Fos-IR has been analysed by immunohistochemical methods in rat pancreatic beta cells, pulpal undifferentiated ectomesenchimal cells (PUECs) that are known to have a neural crest origin, and in small intestine fibroblasts which do not have a neural crest origin, in formaline-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections. There were no significant differences between beta-cetts and PUECs in c-Fos-IR (p > 0.05), but there was a highly significant difference between fibroblasts and the other two type of cells (p < 0.001). These results give rise to and support the suggestion that PUECs can be transformed into beta-celts. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

A morphometric consideration of nasal septal deviations by people with paranasal complaints; a computed tomography study

The purpose of our study was to examine the localizations and the value of septal deviation by examining the coronal computed tomography of 143 persons with paranasal complaints which 72 of them were female and 71 of them were male, without taking into consideration if a deviation existed or not. The localization of the deviations of the septum nasi was investigated and the relationship between the genders were compared. The septum nasi was examined in the anterior, media, posterior regions for the left and the right directions in each person and was also examined at the superior, media and inferior levels except for the caudal end area. The value and the direction of the deviation was established. A deviation was found in one region in at least 76.2% of the 143 persons (70% female and 81% male). The maximum average deviations were found to be 1.43+/-2.1 mm in mediomedia "MM" (the vertically and sagittaly middle region of the septum nasi) region with a percentage of 34.7% towards the right-hand side in the female group, and 1.0+/-1.7 mm in the MM region with a percentage of 31.9% also towards the right-hand side in the male group. The maximum deviation in the female group was found to be 7.8 mm in the MM region and 7.9 mm in the AT region in the male group. No statistically significant difference was found for the averages of the deviations (0.298+/-0.345 mm in the female group and 0.295+/-0.269 mm in the male group) in different regions (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was found for the averages of the deviations towards the right-hand and left-hand sides between the male (right 0.302+/-0.292 mm; left 0.287+/-0.261 mm) and the female (right 0.350+/-0.438 mm; left 0.247+/-0.235 mm) group (p>0.05). Separation of the nasal septum into 10 segments will constitute a new basically aspect for an objective, simple and practical consideration and classification

The relationship between systemic osteoporosis and dentinal tubule diamater: A QUS and SEM study

Aims: This study was designed to examine the relationship between systemic osteoporosis and dentinal tubule diameter and to determine the morphometric changes in dentinal tubules associated with osteoporosis. Material and Methods: Osteoporosis was evaluated and diagnosed by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and osteoporosis T-scores. The T-score threshold established by World Health Organization Study Group (-2.5) was adopted for this study to diagnose osteoporosis. Healthy, un-restored premolar teeth extracted from adult patients for various medical indications were studied. The total number of participants was 45 (23 female, 22 male). The mean age was 58.25 yr. Group 1 consisted of 23 non-osteoporotic patients (11 female, 12 male) with a T-score greater than - 2.5 (mean age, 58.27 yr). The average T-score for this group was -0.9609±1.1630. Group 2 consisted of 22 patients (12 female, 10 male) with a T-score equal to or lower than -2.5 (mean age, 58.26 yr). The average T-score for Group 2 was -3.0591±0.4113. Results: SEM examinations were performed in coronary dentin near cervical region (lower third) and in sections adjacent to pulp. The average diameters for dentin tubules were 2.3813±0.3809 µm and 3.0695±0.3260 µm for Group 1 (non-osteoporotic patients) and Group 2 (osteoporotic patients), respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the diameter of dentin tubule is higher in osteoporotic patients. As a consequence of this observation, the rate of progression of dental decays and losses are expected to increase in osteoporotic patients

Cumulative effect of low-level laser therapy and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on bone repair in rats

Many studies have assessed the effects of either low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on bone repair; however, an evaluation of the combination of these modalities (LLLT + LIPUS) has not yet been considered. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effects of LLLT + LIPUS on bone repair. Male Wistar rats (n = 128; four groups of 32) were used; the animals underwent a partial tibial bone osteotomy. One group had the osteotomized limb treated with LLLT, the second group with LIPUS, and the third group with the combined treatment protocols of the LLLT and LIPUS groups; the fourth group received no further treatment (control). Each group was divided into two subgroups for assessment at two different time-points, 14 and 21 days. After the completion of treatment rats were sacrificed and the tibias submitted to a three-point bending test or to histomorphometric analysis. Histological evaluation showed increased bone trabeculae, increased vascularization, and decreased inflammation in the LLLT + LIPUS group. Mechanical evaluation revealed increased biomechanical properties including maximum force, maximum stress, and stiffness, in the LLLT + LIPUS group. Combined LLLT + LIPUS treatment enhanced bone healing both histologically and mechanically, shortening the length of the treatment period, when compared to treatment with LLLT or LIPUS alone

Soft tissue changes during distraction osteogenesis

This study aimed to investigate soft tissue changes in distraction osteogenesis depending on various distraction and consolidation periods. Fifteen male rabbits were divided into three groups and evaluated for five parameters. An external custom-made device was placed on the right side of the mandible. The postoperative latent period was 4 days. The groups were distracted for different periods (6 days, 3 mm; 11 days, 5.5 mm, 16 days, 8 mm). For histomorphometric analyses, specimens were retrieved from both study and control sides of the mandible and were examined with light microscopy. The number of muscle fibres and nuclei on the study side increase proportionally with the distraction period. Regeneration in the first group continued in its natural pattern; in the second group, there seemed to be degeneration rather than regeneration; and in the third group there seemed to be a balance between regeneration and degeneration processes. In conclusion, when a massive amount of bone is to be obtained, instead of distracting the bone at once, it is thought to give better results if the total amount of distraction is divided into several time periods

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on biochemical and histological parameters of muscle groups in proximity to the distracted rat tibia

We investigated the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on rat muscles during tibial distraction osteogenesis (DO) at normal and hyperdistraction rates. Animals in groups 1 and 2 were distracted by 0.5 mm/day and those in groups 3 and 4 by 1 mm/day. Groups 2 and 4 received HBOT during distraction. Group 5 served as control. Superoxide dismutase (SOD; U/g protein), malondialdehyde (nmol/g protein), glutathione (mmol/g protein), and protein levels (g/dl) were determined. SOD was significantly higher in group 2 (4.59 +/- 0.97) than in controls (2.19 +/- 0.7) (P = 0.0001), and lower in group 4 (3.74 +/- 1.70) than in group 2 (P = 0.011). Malondialdehyde was significantly higher in group 2 (0.72 +/- 0.23) than in controls (0.38 +/- 0.10) (P = 0.005). Total protein levels were better preserved with HBOT in distracted muscles: group 2 (3.24 +/- 0.37) vs. group 1 (1.88 +/- 0.60), and group 4 (3.45 +/- 0.70) vs. group 3 (2.03 +/- 0.75) (both P = 0.0001). Numbers of fibres were lower in group 1(4.88 +/- 0.59) than in group 2 (6.07 +/- 0.86), and in group 3 (5.13 +/- 0.36) than in group 4 (6.14 +/- 0.74) (both P = 0.001). Numbers of nuclei were higher in group 1 (11.29 +/- 2.47) than in group 2 (9.03 +/- 1.53) (P = 0.04), and in group 3 (12.43 +/- 3.32) than in group 4 (9.08 +/- 1.58) (P = 0.001). Fibres and nuclei with HBOT were similar to those of controls. HBOT decreased the inflammatory cell infiltrate for group 1(19.8 +/- 8.54) vs. group 2 (4.2 +/- 2.53) and group 3 (36.54 +/- 11.29) vs. group 4 (21.5 +/- 9.23) (both P = 0.001). HBOT improves the adaptation of distracted muscle by increasing fibres and antioxidants while decreasing inflammation