Doxycycline prevents blood-brain barrier dysfunction and microvascular hyperpermeability after traumatic brain injury.

The main objective of this study was to determine the cellular and molecular effects of doxycycline on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and protection against secondary injuries following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Microvascular hyperpermeability and cerebral edema resulting from BBB dysfunction after TBI leads to elevation of intracranial pressure, secondary brain ischemia, herniation, and brain death. There are currently no effective therapies to modulate the underlying pathophysiology responsible for TBI-induced BBB dysfunction and hyperpermeability.

Exploring blood-brain barrier hyperpermeability and potential biomarkers in traumatic brain injury.

Blood-brain barrier breakdown and associated vascular hyperpermeability leads to vasogenic edema in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Tight junctions maintain blood-brain barrier integrity; their disruption in TBI holds significant promise for diagnosis and treatment. A controlled cortical impactor was used for TBI in mouse studies.

Measurement of Microvascular Endothelial Barrier Dysfunction and Hyperpermeability In Vitro.

Loss of microvascular endothelial barrier integrity leads to vascular hyperpermeability and vasogenic edema in a variety of disease processes including trauma, ischemia and sepsis. Understanding these principles gives valuable information on pathophysiology and therapeutic drug development. While animal models of traumatic and ischemic injuries are useful to understand vascular dysfunctions associated with such injuries, in vitro barrier integrity assays are reliable and helpful adjuncts to understand the cellular and molecular changes and signaling mechanisms that regulate barrier function.

Primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lung with prominent clear cells.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lung is a rare malignancy of salivary gland-type origin. We report a case of a 21-year-old man with a right mainstem bronchus mass composed predominantly of clear cells. This case represents a rare primary pulmonary low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma positive for rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization with a prominent clear cell component.