A Practical Guide to Rodent Islet Isolation and Assessment

Pancreatic islets of Langerhans secrete hormones that are vital to the regulation of blood glucose and are, therefore, a key focus of diabetes research. Purifying viable and functional islets from the pancreas for study is an intricate process. This review highlights the key elements involved with mouse and rat islet isolation, including choices of collagenase, the collagenase digestion process, purification of islets using a density gradient, and islet culture conditions. In addition, this paper reviews commonly used techniques for assessing islet viability and function, including visual assessment, fluorescent markers of cell death, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and intracellular calcium measurements. A detailed protocol is also included that describes a common method for rodent islet isolation that our laboratory uses to obtain viable and functional mouse islets for in vitro study of islet function, beta-cell physiology, and in vivo rodent islet transplantation. The purpose of this review is to serve as a resource and foundation for successfully procuring and purifying high-quality islets for research purposes

Expression of bcl-2 in the Epithelial Lining of Odontogenic Keratocysts

Statement of Problem: The aggressive nature and high recurrence rate of Odontogenic Keratocysts (OKCs) may be due to unknown factors inherent in the epithelium or because of enzymatic activity in the fibrous wall. Bcl-2 protein is characterized by its ability to inhibit apoptosis.Purpose: The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression of bcl-2 protein in OKCs and to compare it with the more common radicular and dentigerous cysts. The possible relationship between inflammation and bcl-2 expression was also investigated.Materials and Methods: Formalin fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 20 OKCs, 20 radicular and 20 dentigerous cysts were immunohistochemically analyzed for immunoreactivity of the bcl-2 protein.Results: Bcl-2 expression was observed in 19 OKCs (95%), one radicular cyst (5%)and one dentigerous cyst (5%). There was no statistically significant relationship between inflammation and the number of bcl-2 positive cells. Immunoreactivity was mainly noted in the basal or basal/supra basal layers.Conclusion: Considering the fact that bcl-2 over expression may lead to increased survival of epithelial cells, present study may demonstrate a possible relationship between the aggressive nature of OKC and the intrinsic growth potential of its lining epithelium. Furthermore a basal/supra basal distribution of bcl-2 positive cells was seen in some odontogenic keratocysts which may have a significant impact on the behavior of this cyst

An investigation on the relationship between oral candidal colony count and the duration of hemodialysis

Statement of Problem: Candidal colonies make up a part of natural oral flora and are considered as"npredisposing factors for opportunistic infections. Since hemodialysis leads to body Immune suppression and"nmake patients susceptible to opportunistic infections, it is useful to investigate the relationship between"nhemodialysis and such infections."nPurpose: The aim of the present research was to study the relationship between oral candidal colony count"nand duration of hemodialysis and also to investigate the probable necessity for prophylaxis against oral"ncandidiasis. Factors such as oral temperature, age, sex, denture, smoking, drugs, candidal microscopic view"nand clinical signs of oral infections, were also studied in relation to candidal colonies."nMaterial and Methods: The smear of posterior part of tongue and oral fluids from 114 hemodialysis patients"nin Khorshid hospital, Isfahan University of medical Sciences were cultured. The number of oral candidal"ncolonies and their microscopic view were studied in relation to the duration of hemodialysis and other factors."nTo analyze the data, Pearson and Spearman statistical tests were used."nResults: No statistical significant relationship was observed between oral candidal colony count and the"nduration of hemodialysis."nConclusion: Due to the abundant predisposing factors for oral candidal infection, the probability of oral"ncandidiasis cannot be predicted based on a single factor, namely duration of hemodialysis. As a result,"naccording to this study, the prophylactic prescription of antifungal drugs are not suggested in hemodialysis"npatients. However, the results of the present study should not be over generalized and more studies are"nrequired