Glow in the dark tumor: Enhanced near-IR visualization and destruction of cancer with a self-quenched theranostic.

Late diagnosis is one of the major obstacles for the treatment of breast cancer which can be overcome with a system offering sensitive imaging and selective therapeutic effect. In this study, we developed a "dark-bright" multifunctional drug delivery system bringing real-time imaging and non-invasive therapy together. Theranostic ability of the system was delivered by Verteporfin (VP), serving as a fluorescence probe and a photosensitizer.

The role of circadian rhythm proteins Rev-Erbα and β in the development of neuronal injury after traumatic brain injury.

Background/aim: Circadian rhythm proteins (CRPs) play critical roles in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders. As members of CRPs, the nuclear receptors Rev-Erbα/β regulate circadian rhythm particularly by inhibiting Bmal1 protein and are involved in the neuroinflammation and cell death processes. However, their roles in the development of neuronal injury after traumatic brain injury (TBI) were largely unexplored, and so were investigated in the present study.

Bioenergetic shift and proteomic signature induced by lentiviral-transduction of GFP-based biosensors.

Fluorescent proteins (FPs) stand as pivotal tools extensively employed across diverse biological research endeavors in various model systems. However, long-standing concerns surround their use due to the numerous side effects associated with their expression. Recent investigations have brought to light the significance of hydrogen peroxide (HO) that is associated with the maturation process of green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorophores.

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 10A mitigates neuronal injury by modulating apoptotic pathways in cold-induced traumatic brain injury.

Brain injury develops from a complex series of pathophysiological phases, resulting in acute necrotic or delayed apoptotic cell death after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Inhibition of apoptotic cell death is critical for the treatment of acute neurodegenerative disorders, such as TBI. Here, we investigated the role of phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) in the development of neuronal injury, particularly in apoptotic cell death.

Vinpocetine Ameliorates Neuronal Injury After Cold-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as intracranial injury, is a common condition with the highest incidence rate among neurodegenerative disorders and poses a significant public health burden. Various methods are used in the treatment of TBI, but the effects of cold-induced traumatic brain injury have not been thoroughly studied. In this context, vinpocetine (VPN), derived from Vinca minor, exhibits notable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Research into how carvacrol and metformin affect several human proteins in a hyperglycemic condition: A comparative study in silico and in vitro.

Carvacrol (CV) is an organic compound found in the essential oils of many aromatic herbs. It is nearly unfeasible to analyze all the current human proteins for a query ligand using in vitro and in vivo methods. This study aimed to clarify whether CV possesses an anti-diabetic feature via Docking-based inverse docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation and in vitro characterization against a set of novel human protein targets.

Social isolation initiated post-weaning augments ischemic brain injury by promoting pro-inflammatory responses.

Social isolation is associated with poor stroke outcome, but the underlying molecular mechanisms were largely unknown. In male Balb/C mice exposed to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo), we examined the effects of social isolation initiated post-weaning on ischemic injury, cytokine/chemokine responses and cell signaling using a broad panel of techniques that involved immunocytochemistry, cytokine/chemokine array and Western blots. Social isolation initiated post-weaning elevated infarct size, brain edema and neuronal injury in the ischemic brain tissue 3 days after MCAo, and increased microglia/ macrophage and leukocyte accumulation.

Kaempferol treatment ameliorates memory impairments in STZ‑induced neurodegeneration by acting on reelin signaling.

Many treatment initiatives, like herbal products and their active ingredients, aim to alleviate neurodegeneration to increase cognitive functions. Kaempferol may be a candidate molecule for treating neurodegeneration because of its antioxidant effects. In the present study, we examined the molecular changes associated with kaempferol's memory‑enhancing effects on streptozotocin (STZ)‑induced neurodegeneration.

Development of light and pH-dual responsive self-quenching theranostic SPION to make EGFR overexpressing micro tumors glow and destroy.

Drug resistant and undetectable tumors easily escape treatment leading metastases and/or recurrence of the lethal disease. Therefore, it is vital to diagnose and destroy micro tumors using simple yet novel approaches. Here, we present fluorescence-based detection and light-based destruction of cancer cells that are known to be resistant to standard therapies.

Reduced folate carrier 1 is present in retinal microvessels and crucial for the inner blood retinal barrier integrity.

Background: Reduced folate carrier 1 (RFC1; SLC19a1) is the main responsible transporter for the B9 family of vitamins named folates, which are essential for normal tissue growth and development. While folate deficiency resulted in retinal vasculopathy, the expression and the role of RFC1 in blood-retinal barrier (BRB) are not well known.

Methods: We used whole mount retinas and trypsin digested microvessel samples of adult mice.

Age-Associated Resilience Against Ischemic Injury in Mice Exposed to Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion.

Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of death and disability. Although stroke mainly affects aged individuals, animal research is mostly one on young rodents. Here, we examined the development of ischemic injury in young (9-12-week-old) and adult (72-week-old) C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice exposed to 30 min of intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo).

Dual action of exosomes derived from in vitro Aβ toxicity model: The role of age for pathological response.

Exosomes released from different cell types of the central nervous system play an essential role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we aimed to create an animal model by injecting exosomes that carry AD markers into the brain to shed light on the mechanism behind Alzheimer's pathology. Exosomes obtained from mouse Neuro2A, to which Aβ toxicity model applied, were used as a mediator to build an AD phenotype.

Lithium promotes long-term neurological recovery after spinal cord injury in mice by enhancing neuronal survival, gray and white matter remodeling, and long-distance axonal regeneration.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) induces neurological deficits associated with long-term functional impairments. Since the current treatments remain ineffective, novel therapeutic options are needed. Besides its effect on bipolar mood disorder, lithium was reported to have neuroprotective activity in different neurodegenerative conditions, including SCI.

Phosphodiesterase 10A deactivation induces long-term neurological recovery, Peri-infarct remodeling and pyramidal tract plasticity after transient focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

The phosphodiesterase (PDE) superfamily comprises enzymes responsible for the cAMP and cGMP degradation to AMP and GMP. PDEs are abundant in the brain, where they are involved in several neuronal functions. High PDE10A abundance was previously observed in the striatum; however its consequences for stroke recovery were unknown.

The Unconventional Growth Factors Cerebral Dopamine Neurotrophic Factor and Mesencephalic Astrocyte-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Promote Post-ischemic Neurological Recovery, Perilesional Brain Remodeling, and Lesion-Remote Axonal Plasticity.

Considerable efforts are currently made to develop strategies that boost endogenous recovery once a stroke has occurred. Owing to their restorative properties, neurotrophic factors are attractive candidates that capitalize on endogenous response mechanisms. Non-conventional growth factors cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) and mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) promote neuronal survival and reduce neurological deficits in the acute phase of ischemic stroke in mice.

A Novel Theanine Complex, Mg-L-Theanine Improves Sleep Quality Regulating Brain Electrochemical Activity.

L-Theanine is commonly used to improve sleep quality through inhibitory neurotransmitters. On the other hand, Mg, a natural NMDA antagonist and GABA agonist, has a critical role in sleep regulation. Using the caffeine-induced brain electrical activity model, here we investigated the potency of L-theanine and two novel Mg-L-theanine compounds with different magnesium concentrations on electrocorticography (ECoG) patterns, GABAergic and serotonergic receptor expressions, dopamine, serotonin, and melatonin levels.

ACKR3 regulates platelet activation and ischemia-reperfusion tissue injury.

Platelet activation plays a critical role in thrombosis. Inhibition of platelet activation is a cornerstone in treatment of acute organ ischemia. Platelet ACKR3 surface expression is independently associated with all-cause mortality in CAD patients.

Delayed Therapeutic Administration of Melatonin Enhances Neuronal Survival Through AKT and MAPK Signaling Pathways Following Focal Brain Ischemia in Mice.

Melatonin has a role in the cell survival signaling pathways as a candidate for secondary stroke prevention. Therefore, in the present study, the coordination of ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres to evaluate delayed post-acute effect of melatonin was examined on recovery of the cell survival and apoptosis after stroke. Melatonin was administered (4 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally for 45 days, starting 3 days after 30 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt at Thr308, but not phosphorylation of MAPK kinase, mediates lithium-induced neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia in mice.

Lithium, in addition to its effect on acute and long-term bipolar disorder, is involved in neuroprotection after ischemic stroke. Yet, its mechanism of action is still poorly understood, which was only limited to its modulatory effect on GSK pathway. Therefore, we initially analyzed the dose-dependent effects of lithium on neurological deficits, infarct volume, brain edema and blood-brain barrier integrity, along with neuronal injury and survival in mice subjected to focal cerebral ischemia.

Can Carpobrotus edulis, heal incisional and excisional wounds on the skin?

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the wound healing activity of liposomal Carpobrotus edulis powder extract (CEPE) formulation on incisional and excisional wounds in rat.

Background: In the event of any damage, the damaged tissue undergoes a process of regenerating itself, which is called wound healing.

Methods: Centella asiatica extract (CAE) was used as the reference molecule in the study.

Astragalus membranaceus treatment combined with caloric restriction may enhance genesis factors and decrease apoptosis in the hippocampus of rats.

Humans have been searching for ways of extending life span, and possible underlying molecular mechanisms behind it for many years. Traditional plants and their extracts are good candidates for finding anti-aging strategies. In addition to its usage in a variety of medical treatments such as inflammation, neural diseases and cancer, Astragalus membranaceus was used to extend lifespan of C.

Striatal dopaminergic neurons as a potential target for GDNF based ischemic stroke therapy.

Background: Glial cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a well-known regulatory neurotrophic factor on dopaminergic neurons. Several pathologies have been documented so far in case of any impairment in the dopaminergic system. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective role of lentiviral GNDF delivery on the small population of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive dopamine producing striatal neurons after ischemic stroke.

Phosphodiesterase 10A Is a Critical Target for Neuroprotection in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke.

Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) hydrolyzes adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). It is highly expressed in the striatum. Recent evidence implied that PDE10A may be involved in the inflammatory processes following injury, such as ischemic stroke.

Inflammatory Cytokines are in Action: Brain Plasticity and Recovery after Brain Ischemia Due to Delayed Melatonin Administration.

Objectives: Post-ischemic inflammation leads to apoptosis as an indirect cause of functional disabilities after the stroke. Melatonin may be a good candidate for the stroke recovery because of its anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we investigated the effect of melatonin on inflammation in the functional recovery of brain by evaluating ipsilesional and contralesional alterations.