Acta histochemica
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Comparative Study
Effects of electroacupuncture with different frequencies on spinal ionotropic glutamate receptor expression in complete Freund's adjuvant-injected rat.
We investigated expressional changes of spinal glutamate receptors by electroacupuncture (EA) in an inflammatory animal model. Inflammation was induced by an intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the hindpaw of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Bilateral EA stimulation at 2, 15 and 120 Hz was applied at those acupoints corresponding to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao in man using needles with 3-day intervals for 30 days. ⋯ N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NR-1 and NR-2A) expression was attenuated in all regions of the dorsal horn by all types of EA. Of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor (GluR-1 and -2/3), only GluR-1 expression was prevented by EA treatment in the superficial laminae and the neck of the dorsal horn. It is concluded that EA treatment can attenuate inflammatory edema and mechanical thresholds in CFA-injected rats through modulating expression of ionotropic glutamate receptors, and especially N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.
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The benefit of publishing research in English is obvious, but so is the problem: authors with a limited knowledge of English find it difficult to compete with their proficient colleagues. In this note, we offer suggestions for improving the English of papers in the biological sciences. The suggestions aim to help authors enhance writing skills, are based on our experiences as language correctors and do not appear in major guides to scientific writing. We also argue for the need for regular publication of language tips in the pages of science journals.
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In the present study, we examined electron microscopically and immunohistochemically the effects of perindopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on renal microangiopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. To investigate changes in glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and tubular basement membrane components, we immunohistochemically localized type IV collagen and laminin. Animals have been divided into three groups of eight adult male rats each. ⋯ Significant increase in type IV collagen and laminin was found in thickened GBM and mesangial matrix in kidneys of untreated diabetic rats. In perindopril-treated diabetic rats, staining of type IV collagen and laminin was less strong when compared with untreated diabetic rats. In conclusion, our data suggest that perindopril treatment is effective in preventing renal lesions possibly by ameliorating the diabetes-induced increase in expression of type IV collagen and laminin.
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The Metastasis Research Society (MRS) has held its International Congress every two years since 1986, and alternates between European and North American meeting venues. The next MRS International Congress will be held in London, UK in the year 2000, and will be hosted by the current MRS President, Dr. Suzanne Eccles (Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK). ⋯ The meeting was organized by Darwin Medical Communications Ltd (Gill Heaton, Oxford, UK), who have placed the full program on the meeting web site (http:@www.sparks.co.uk/mrs). It is envisaged that full abstracts of all the presentations will be placed on the Metastasis Research Society web site, which is currently under construction. Corporate sponsors for the San Diego meeting included Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Becton Dickinson & Co, Zeneca Pharma SA, Schering AG, AntiCancer Inc, Oncogene Research Products, Daiichi Seiyaku Co Ltd and Novartis Pharma AG.