Anti-Inflammatory Action of Dexmedetomidine on Human Microglial Cells.

Neuroinflammation, where inflammatory cytokines are produced in excess, contributes to the pathogenesis of delirium. Microglial cells play a central role in neuroinflammation by producing and releasing inflammatory cytokines in response to infection, tissue damage and neurodegeneration. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a sedative, which reduces the incidence of delirium.

Human Cathelicidin Peptide LL-37 Induces Cell Death in Autophagy-Dysfunctional Endothelial Cells.

Human cathelicidin LL-37 is an antimicrobial peptide that has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities but also acts on host cells to exert immunomodulatory functions. It has been suggested that the increase of LL-37 in atherosclerotic aortas and the dysregulated autophagy of endothelial cells are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this study, to elucidate the role of LL-37 in atherosclerosis, we investigated the effect of LL-37 on autophagy in endothelial cells using HUVECs.

Effects of isoflavone derivatives on the production of inflammatory cytokines by synovial cells.

The present study investigated the effects of isoflavone derivatives (daidzein, genistein and glycitein) on the production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) by IL-1β-stimulated synovial cells. Synovial MH7A cells were stimulated with IL-1β in the absence or presence of isoflavone derivatives, and IL-6 and IL-8 production was measured by ELISA. The results of the present study indicated that daidzein significantly inhibited the production of IL-6, but not IL-8.

Potentiation of Muscarinic M Receptor Activation through a New Allosteric Site with a Novel Positive Allosteric Modulator ASP8302.

Muscarinic M (M) receptors mediate a wide range of acetylcholine (ACh)-induced functions, including visceral smooth-muscle contraction and glandular secretion. Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) can avoid various side effects of muscarinic agonists with their spatiotemporal receptor activation control and potentially better subtype selectivity. However, the mechanism of allosteric modulation of M receptors is not fully understood, presumably because of the lack of a potent and selective PAM.

The process by which patients become aware of unilateral spatial neglect: A qualitative study.

Unilateral spatial neglect (USN), which can occur post-stroke, significantly impacts patients' daily lives. We explored the process by which patients become aware of the facets of their USN from the acute to subacute phase using a qualitative method. Participant observations, semi-structured interviews, and medical-record surveys were conducted with eight patients with USN and thirty healthcare professionals.