That oscillations of the cytoplasmic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in beta-cells induce oscillations of insulin secretion is not disputed, but whether metabolism-driven oscillations of secretion can occur in the absence of [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations is still debated. Because this possibility is based partly on the results of experiments using islets from aged, hyperglycemic, hyperinsuli...

Recent evidence supports the involvement of inducible, highly diverse lectin-like recognition molecules in snail hemocyte-mediated responses to larval Schistosoma mansoni. Because host lectins likely are involved in initial parasite recognition, we sought to identify specific carbohydrate structures (glycans) shared between larval S. mansoni and its host Biomphalaria glabrata to address possibl...

A simple model for papilloma formation is used to analyze data from a mouse skin-painting experiment performed with NMRI mice. The results suggest that one of two conclusions may be drawn: Either the model fails to properly describe the growth behavior of papilloma cells or the model suggests that papilloma cells do not have growth advantage over normal cells, even during promotion.

We have found reduced activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha accompanying resolving and fibrosing alveolitis induced in NMRI mice by mineral particles (MnO2 and SiO2, respectively), which is in apparent contradiction to the well-recognized proinflammatory and profibrotic activities of this cytokine. The objective of this study was to examine the mechanisms involved in this paradoxical re...

The dependence of spermatogenesis function on murine age shall be investigated. Thus, testicular samples of at least 10 NMRI mice per group aged 0 to 26 months are analysed by flow cytometry after staining the DNA with DAPI. The aim of this study is to be able to account for the influence of age on mice. There are no changes in spermatogenesis in mice aged 11 weeks up to 16 months with respect ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate Exendin-4 (EX-4) effects on islet volume and number in the mouse pancreas. Thirty-two healthy adult male NMRI mice were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. EX-4 was injected intraperitoneally (i. p.) at doses of 0.25 (E1 group), 0.5 (E2 group), and 1 μg/kg (E3 group), twice a day for 7 consecutive days. One day after the final injection, ...

The anxiolytic effect of the flower of Echium. amoenum was shown in several experimental studies in mice. The present study was aimed to determine whether tolerance develops to anxiolytic action of E. amoenum in mice. NMRI male mice were injected intraperitoneal with hydroalcoholic extract (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) or saline once each day (8 am) for period of 7 days and then tested on light/dark ...