isolation-of-retinal-arterioles-for-ex-vivo-cell-physiology-studies

Isolation of Retinal Arterioles for <em>Ex Vivo</em> Cell Physiology Studies

The retina is a highly metabolically active tissue that requires a substantial blood supply. The retinal circulation supports the inner retina, while the ...

dynamic-navigation-for-dental-implant-placement

Dynamic Navigation for Dental Implant Placement

In modern implantology, the application of surgical navigation systems is becoming increasingly important. In addition to static surgical navigation ...

Queen's University of Belfast

Semmelweis University

Glutamate (Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporters play important roles in regulating neuronal activity. Glu is removed from the extracellular space dominantly by glial transporters. In contrast, GABA is mainly taken up by neurons. However, the glial GABA transporter subtypes share their localization with the Glu transporters and their expression is confined to the same subpopulation of astrocytes, raising the possibility of cooperation between Glu and GABA transport processes.

Glutamate uptake triggers transporter-mediated GABA release from astrocytes.

Accumulating evidence suggests that glial signalling is activated by different brain functions. However, knowledge regarding molecular mechanisms of activation or their relation to neuronal activity is limited. The purpose of the present study is to identify the characteristics of ATP-evoked glial signalling in the brain reward area, the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and thereby to explore the action of citric acid cycle intermediate succinate (SUC).

Calcium signals in the nucleus accumbens: activation of astrocytes by ATP and succinate.

Salivary IL-6 mRNA was previously identified as a promising biomarker of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We performed a multi-center investigation covering all geographic areas of Hungary. Saliva from 95 patients with OSCC and 80 controls, all Caucasian, were collected together with demographic and clinicopathological data. Salivary IL-6 mRNA was quantified by real-time quantitative PCR. Salivary IL-6 protein concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay. IL-6 protein expression in tumor samples was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Normalized salivary IL-6 mRNA expression values were significantly higher ( < 0.001) in patients with OSCC (mean ± SE: 3.301 ± 0.885) vs. controls (mean ± SE: 0.037 ± 0.012). Differences remained significant regardless of tumor stage and grade. AUC of the ROC curve was 0.9379 ( < 0.001; 95% confidence interval: 0.8973-0.9795; sensitivity: 0.945; specificity: 0.819). Salivary IL-6 protein levels were significantly higher ( < 0.001) in patients (mean ± SE: 70.98 ± 14.06 pg/mL), than in controls (mean ± SE: 12.45 ± 3.29). Specificity and sensitivity of IL-6 protein were less favorable than that of IL-6 mRNA. Salivary IL-6 mRNA expression was significantly associated with age and dental status. IL-6 manifestation was detected in tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, suggesting the presence of a paracrine loop of stimulation. Salivary IL-6 mRNA is one of the best performing and clinically relevant biomarkers of OSCC.

Peter Barabas

Centre for Experimental Medicine

Queen's University of Belfast

Isolation of Retinal Arterioles for Ex Vivo Cell Physiology Studies

Dynamic Navigation for Dental Implant Placement