Marcks and Marcks-like 1 proteins promote spinal cord development and regeneration in .

Marcks and Marcksl1 are abundant proteins that shuttle between the cytoplasm and membrane to modulate multiple cellular processes, including cytoskeletal dynamics, proliferation, and secretion. Here, we performed loss- and gain-of-function experiments in to reveal the novel roles of these proteins in spinal cord development and regeneration. We show that Marcks and Marcksl1 have partly redundant functions and are required for normal neurite formation and proliferation of neuro-glial progenitors during embryonic spinal cord development and for its regeneration during tadpole stages.

The feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic vesicovaginal fistula repair as a minimally invasive technique: a retrospective descriptive monocentric study.

Introduction: vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is the most common type of urogenital fistula. The laparoscopic approach to VVF repair offers the advantage of minimally invasive surgery with similar principles to the open trans-abdominal approach. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the transperitoneal laparoscopic approach as a minimally invasive tool for VVF repair.

Vasomodulatory effects of semi-purified fractions of garlic aqueous extract on chick chorioallantoic membrane.

Allium sativum (As), commonly known as garlic, has been used for a long time, for its therapeutic effects. Recent studies showed the ability of As to modulate vascular activity. The present study aimed to investigate the vasomodulatory effects of aqueous extract of As and to analyse the molecular nature of the active components.

Aluminum induced oxidative stress, astrogliosis and cell death in rat astrocytes, is prevented by curcumin.

Aluminum (Al) is recognized potent neurotoxic metal, which causes oxidative stress leading to intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neuronal cell death in various neurodegenerative diseases. Among several medicinal plants with beneficial effects on health, curcumin acts as a multi-functional drug with antioxidant activity. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of curcumin against aluminum induced-oxidative stress and astrocytes death, in vitro ad in vivo.

Newly-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus precipitated by COVID-19 in an 8-month-old infant.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is rare in infants and toddlers and is usually associated with a relatively high mortality when complicated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In infants, the classical symptoms of DKA are atypical and therefore many infants with DKA are mistreated for infections. We report a case of DKA precipitated by COVID-19 in an 8-month-old infant with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus.

Improvement of Diabetes Symptoms and Complications by an Aqueous Extract of (L.) Seeds in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice.

Although progress has been made to show the role of raw flaxseed and flaxseed extracts in health promotion, identification of mechanism(s) of action and molecule(s) underpinning beneficial effects largely remain unknown. The present study evaluated the efficacy of an aqueous flaxseed extract (AFE) to correct alloxan-induced diabetes in mice. Mice were divided into five groups: one nondiabetic (negative control) and four diabetic.

Predictive factors of bleeding and fever after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Aim: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) remains the standard procedure for large (≥2 cm) renal calculi; however, up to one quarter of PCNL patients experience some perioperative complications. The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors that may influence bleeding and fever following percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Methods: In total, 170 patients, who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy between January 2012 and January 2016 in our Urology department, were retrospectively evaluated for postoperative bleeding and fever.

Effects of flexibility combined with plyometric exercises vs isolated plyometric or flexibility mode in adolescent male hurdlers.

Background: This study aims to determine the effect of flexibility exercises combined with plyometrics in hurdles race, on physical fitness, motor skills (MS) and hip range of motion.

Methods: Thirty-four male hurdlers, (age=15.7±0.

Protective role of vitamin E against cadmium induced oxidative stress into the rat liver.

Introduction: Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal used in various industrial applications and therefore can cause, both by environmental or professional exposure, several damage in all body systems. The present study was developed to determine the toxic effect of high dose of Cd on the rat's liver as well as the putative protective effect of vitamin E.

Methods: During the experiment, rats were administrated Cd per orally (PO) (15mg/Kg bw) alone or associated with an intraperitonial (IP) injection of alphatocopherol (Vitamin E) (300mg/Kg / day) for three weeks.

Neuroprotective benefits of grape seed and skin extract in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, and it involves oxidative stress. Our goal was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of red grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) in a model of Parkinson's disease. GSSE is very rich in phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, catechins and stilbenes, which are present in the pulp, seeds, and leaves of the fruit.

Neoplasm of a supernumerary undescended testis: A case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Polyorchidism, defined as the presence of more than two testicles, is a rare congenital abnormality of the male genital tract. There is no consensus regarding the management of supranumerary testis (SNT) due to its rareness. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of leiomyoma in SNT.

Giant urethral diverticulum calculus revealed by peri-urethral abscess.

Urethral diverticulum of the male is uncommon. We report a case of bulbar urethraldiverticulum with contained giant calculus presenting as left inguino-scrotal swellingsecondary to peri-urethral abscess in a 40 year-old male. In the light of this case Weemphasize the importance of investigation for the presence of urethral diverticulum in youngmale individuals presenting with voiding disturbances to preventrelated complications.

Neuroprotection with the Endozepine Octadecaneuropeptide, ODN.

The term endozepines designates a family of astroglia-secreted proteins including the diazepambinding inhibitor (DBI) and its processing products, which have been originally isolated and characterized as endogenous ligands of benzodiazepine receptors. It is now clearly established that the octadecaneuropeptide ODN (DBI33-50), acting through the central-type benzodiazepine receptor or a metabotropic receptor, exerts important functions such as proconflict behavior, induction of anxiety, inhibition of pentobarbital-provoked sleep, decrease of water consumption and reduction of food intake. To mediate its effects, ODN regulates both glial cell and neuronal activities by acting on neurosteroid biosynthesis and/or neuropeptide expression.

Antioxidant and Anti-Apoptotic Activity of Octadecaneuropeptide Against 6-OHDA Toxicity in Cultured Rat Astrocytes.

Oxidative stress, associated with various neurodegenerative diseases, promotes ROS generation, impairs cellular antioxidant defenses, and finally, triggers both neurons and astroglial cell death by apoptosis. Astrocytes specifically synthesize and release endozepines, a family of regulatory peptides, including the octadecaneuropeptide (ODN). We have previously reported that ODN acts as a potent neuroprotective agent that prevents 6-OHDA-induced apoptotic neuronal death.

Preventive effect of ethanolic extract of cactus () cladodes on methotrexate-induced oxidative damage of the small intestine in Wistar rats.

Context: Methotrexate (MTX) is a cytotoxic chemotherapeutic element for various inflammatory diseases. The cytotoxic effect of MTX is also seen in normal tissues having a high proliferation rate including gastrointestinal and bone marrow.

Aims: The aim of this study was to find out whether oxidative damage could be relevant for MTX-induced toxicity in vivo using Wistar rats and to investigate the preventive potential of cactus cladodes.

LAT1-like transporters regulate dopaminergic transmission and sleep in Drosophila.

Amino acid transporters are involved in functions reportedly linked to the sleep/wake cycle: neurotransmitter synthesis and recycling, the regulation of synaptic strength, protein synthesis, and energy metabolism. In addition, the existence of bidirectional relationships among extracellular content, transport systems, and sleep/wake states is receiving emerging support. Nevertheless, the connection between amino acid transport and sleep/wake regulation remains elusive.

Chlorogenic Acid Prevents AMPA-Mediated Excitotoxicity in Optic Nerve Oligodendrocytes Through a PKC and Caspase-Dependent Pathways.

In the CNS, including the optic nerve, oligodendrocytes play a critical role in the myelination of axons. Oligodendrocytes are exceptionally sensitive to insults to the CNS, such as injury, ischemia, or inflammation, which result in the loss of oligodendrocytes and myelin and eventually secondary axon degeneration. Oligodendrocytes are sensitive to excitotoxic insults mediated by overactivation of their AMPA ionotropic glutamate receptors.

Human peroxidasin 1 promotes angiogenesis through ERK1/2, Akt, and FAK pathways.

Aims: The term angiogenesis refers to sprouting of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. The angiogenic process involves cell migration and tubulogenesis requiring interaction between endothelial cells and the extracellular matrix. Human peroxidasin 1 (hsPxd01) is a multidomain heme peroxidase found embedded in the basement membranes.

Ficus carica aqueous extract alleviates delayed gastric emptying and recovers ulcerative colitis-enhanced acute functional gastrointestinal disorders in rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ficus carica fruit, a source of bioactive functional ingredients, have been traditionally long time used for its medicinal benefits as they improve the digestive system, treating constipation and used as a natural laxative.

Aim Of The Study: The recent study was investigated the ameliorative effect of Ficus carica L. aqueous extract (FCAE) on delayed gastric emptying and ulcerative colitis-improved motility disturbances in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis in rats.

MARCKS and MARCKS-like proteins in development and regeneration.

Background: The Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C-kinase Substrate (MARCKS) and MARCKS-like protein 1 (MARCKSL1) have a wide range of functions, ranging from roles in embryonic development to adult brain plasticity and the inflammatory response. Recently, both proteins have also been identified as important players in regeneration. Upon phosphorylation by protein kinase C (PKC) or calcium-dependent calmodulin-binding, MARCKS and MARCKSL1 translocate from the membrane into the cytosol, modulating cytoskeletal actin dynamics and vesicular trafficking and activating various signal transduction pathways.

Cigarette smoke extract interferes with placenta macrophage functions: A new mechanism to compromise placenta functions?

The success of pregnancy depends on the maternal immune system's ability to promote tolerance and host defense. This equilibrium is compromised in inflammatory and infectious impairment of placenta. Smoking during pregnancy exposes the fetus to severe complications which might result from an alteration in placenta macrophages (pMφ) functions.

Opposite Effect of Opuntia ficus-indica L. Juice Depending on Fruit Maturity Stage on Gastrointestinal Physiological Parameters in Rat.

The phytochemical composition and the effect of the green and ripe Opuntia ficus-indica juice on some gastrointestinal (GI) physiological parameters such as stomach emptying and small-intestinal motility and permeability were determined in rats administered multiple concentrations of the prickly pear juice (5, 10, and 20 mL kg, b.w., p.

Neuroprotective effects of the gliopeptide ODN in an in vivo model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of dopamine (DA) neurons through apoptotic, inflammatory and oxidative stress mechanisms. The octadecaneuropeptide (ODN) is a diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI)-derived peptide, expressed by astrocytes, which protects neurons against oxidative cell damages and apoptosis in an in vitro model of PD. The present study reveals that a single intracerebroventricular injection of 10 ng ODN 1 h after the last administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) prevented the degeneration of DA neurons induced by the toxin in the substantia nigra pars compacta of mice, 7 days after treatment.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic inflammation alters perfusion of white matter-rich regions without altering flow in brain-irrigating arteries: Relationship to blood-brain barrier breakdown?

To better understand brain dysfunction during sepsis, cerebral arterial blood flow was assessed with Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging, perfusion with Arterial Spin Labeling and structure with diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in rats after intraperitoneal administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharides. Although cerebral arterial flow was not altered, perfusion of the corpus callosum region and diffusion parallel to its fibers were higher after lipopolysaccharide administration as compared to saline injection. In parallel, lipopolysaccharide induced perivascular immunoglobulin-immunoreactivity in white matter.