Reduced Serum Levels of Soluble Interleukin-15 Receptor α in Schizophrenia and Its Relationship to the Excited Phenotype.

Our previous studies documented that interleukin-15 receptor α (IL-15Rα) knockout (KO) mice exhibited hyperactivity, memory impairment, and desperate behavior, which are core features of schizophrenia and depression. Due to the overlapping symptomology and pathogenesis observed for schizophrenia and depression, the present study attempted to determine whether IL-15Rα was associated with the risk of schizophrenia or depression. One hundred fifty-six participants, including 63 schizophrenia patients, 29 depressive patients, and 64 age-matched healthy controls, were enrolled in the study.

Phenotypic Resemblance to Neuropsychiatric Disorder and Altered mRNA Profiles in Cortex and Hippocampus Underlying α Knockout.

Background: Previous studies of the functions of α have been limited to immune activities and skeletal muscle development. Immunological factors have been identified as one of the multiple causes of psychosis, and neurological symptoms have been described in α knockout (KO) mice. Seeking to explore possible mechanisms for this in the α mouse brain, we analyzed gene expression patterns in the cortex and hippocampus using the RNA-seq technique.

Tailoring Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Ureteroscopic Procedures Based on Local Resistance Profiles May Lead to Reduced Rates of Infections and Urosepsis.

Introduction And Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTI) following ureteroscopy (URS) occur in about 4% of patients. Due to the resistant bacterial strains we encounter in our institution, we retrospectively examined whether a double-drug antibiotic prophylactic treatment (APT) can reduce urosepsis after URS.

Materials And Methods: Between February 2015 and March 2016, we performed 344 URS for stone treatment.

Schizophrenia Patient Shows a Rare Interleukin 15 Receptor alpha Variant Disrupting Signal Transduction.

Background: Schizophrenia is a complex and debilitating mental disorder with strong heritability. Its pathogenesis involves immune dysregulation. Interleukin 15 and interleukin 15 receptor alpha(IL-15Rα) are classical immune molecules.

The Amazon rain forest plant Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) and its specific proanthocyanidin constituents are potent inhibitors and reducers of both brain plaques and tangles.

Brain aging and Alzheimer's disease both demonstrate the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein containing "plaques" and tau protein containing "tangles" that contribute to accelerated memory loss and cognitive decline. In the present investigation we identified a specific plant extract and its constituents as a potential alternative natural solution for preventing and reducing both brain "plaques and tangles". PTI-00703 cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa from a specific Peruvian source), a specific and natural plant extract from the Amazon rain forest, was identified as a potent inhibitor and reducer of both beta-amyloid fibrils (the main component of "plaques") and tau protein paired helical filaments/fibrils (the main component of "tangles").