Protective effect of zinc against A2E-induced toxicity in ARPE-19 cells: Possible involvement of lysosomal acidification.

A key pathogenic mechanism of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is lysosomal dysfunction in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which results in the accumulation of lipofuscins such as A2E (N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine) that further compromises lysosomal function. This vicious cycle leads to cell death and poor visual acuity. Here, we established an model of AMD by treating a human RPE cell line (ARPE-19) with A2E and examined whether raising zinc levels confers protective effects against lysosomal dysfunction and cytotoxicity.

Cilostazol restores autophagy flux in bafilomycin A1-treated, cultured cortical astrocytes through lysosomal reacidification: roles of PKA, zinc and metallothionein 3.

Cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor, reduces the amyloid-beta (Aβ) burden in mouse models of Alzheimer disease by as yet unidentified mechanisms. In the present study, we examined the possibility that cilostazol ameliorates lysosomal dysfunction. Astrocytes treated with bafilomycin A1 (BafA1) exhibited markedly reduced DND-189 and acridine orange (AO) fluorescence, indicating reduced lysosomal acidity.

Vasa Vasorum Densities in Human Carotid Atherosclerosis Is Associated with Plaque Development and Vulnerability.

Objective: The extensive vasa vasorum network functions as a conduit for the entry of inflammatory cells or factors that promote the progression of angiogenesis and plaque formation. Therefore, we investigated the correlation between the carotid vasa vasorum activities and carotid plaque vulnerability using indocyanine green video angiography (ICG-VA) during carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

Methods: Sixty-nine patients who underwent CEA were enrolled prospectively from September 2015 to December 2017.

Identifying New AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Inhibitors That Protect against Ischemic Brain Injury.

We recently reported that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) contributes to zinc-induced neuronal death by inducing Bim, a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 homology domain 3-only protein, in a liver kinase B1 (LKB1)-dependent manner. Current data suggest AMPK plays key roles in excitotoxicity and ischemic brain injury, with zinc neurotoxicity representing at least one mechanism of ischemic neuronal death. Inhibition of AMPK could be a viable therapeutic strategy to prevent ischemic brain injury following stroke.

Correction to: Contribution of Zinc-Dependent Delayed Calcium Influx via TRPC5 in Oxidative Neuronal Death and its Prevention by Novel TRPC Antagonist.

After the publication of this work errors were noticed in Fig. 3b and 4d.

Contribution of Zinc-Dependent Delayed Calcium Influx via TRPC5 in Oxidative Neuronal Death and its Prevention by Novel TRPC Antagonist.

Oxidative stress is a key mediator of neuronal death in acute brain injuries, such as epilepsy, trauma, and stroke. Although it is accompanied by diverse cellular changes, increases in levels of intracellular zinc ion (Zn) and calcium ion (Ca) may play a critical causative role in oxidative neuronal death. However, the mechanistic link between Zn and Ca dyshomeostasis in neurons during oxidative stress is not well-understood.

Potential Role of Zinc Dyshomeostasis in Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and -9 Activation and Photoreceptor Cell Death in Experimental Retinal Detachment.

Purpose: We investigated whether zinc dyshomeostasis, a known mechanism of cell death in acute brain injury, contributes to the activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and photoreceptor cell death in experimental retinal detachment (RD).

Methods: RD was induced in mice by subretinal injection of 1:1 mixture of balanced salt solution and 1% sodium hyaluronate. On days 1 and 3 post RD, eyeballs were sectioned and examined for cell death (TUNEL staining), the degree of hypoxic insult (Hypoxyprobe staining), free zinc levels (TFL-Zn staining), and MMP-2 and -9 activity (gelatin zymography).

Metallothionein-3 modulates the amyloid β endocytosis of astrocytes through its effects on actin polymerization.

Background: Astrocytes may play important roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by clearing extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) through endocytosis and degradation. We recently showed that metallothionein 3 (Mt3), a zinc-binding metallothionein that is enriched in the central nervous system, contributes to actin polymerization in astrocytes. Because actin is likely involved in the endocytosis of Aβ, we investigated the possible role of Mt3 in Aβ endocytosis by cortical astrocytes in this study.

The zinc ionophore clioquinol reverses autophagy arrest in chloroquine-treated ARPE-19 cells and in APP/mutant presenilin-1-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Arrested autophagy may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Because we found that chloroquine (CQ) causes arrested autophagy but clioquinol (ClioQ), a zinc ionophore, activates autophagic flux, in the present study, we examined whether ClioQ can overcome arrested autophagy induced by CQ or mutant presenilin-1 (mPS1). CQ induced vacuole formation and cell death in adult retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells, but co-treatment with ClioQ attenuated CQ-associated toxicity in a zinc-dependent manner.

Arachnoid Membrane Suturing for Prevention of Subdural Fluid Collection in Extracranial-intracranial Bypass Surgery.

Objective: Water-tight closure of the dura in extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass is impossible because the superficial temporal artery (STA) must run through the dural defect. Consequently, subdural hygroma and subcutaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection frequently occur postoperatively. To reduce these complications, we prospectively performed suturing of the arachnoid membrane after STA-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) and evaluated the clinical usefulness.

The role of reciprocal activation of cAbl and Mst1 in the oxidative death of cultured astrocytes.

The protein kinase Mst1 (mammalian Sterile 20-like kinase 1) likely plays a role in oxidative neuronal cell death as a target of its activator, cAbl. We previously found that H2O2-induced death of astrocytes is mediated by cAbl in a metallothionein-3 (Mt3)-dependent manner. In the present study, we examined a possible role for Mst1 in the oxidative death of astrocytes.

Evaluation of probability of survival using trauma and injury severity score method in severe neurotrauma patients.

Objective: Despite several limitations, the Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS) is normally used to evaluate trauma systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventable trauma death rate using the TRISS method in severe trauma patients with traumatic brain injury using our emergency department data.

Methods: The use of the TRISS formula has been suggested to consider definitively preventable death (DP); the deaths occurred with a probability of survival (Ps) higher than 0.

Value of indocyanine green videoangiography in deciding the completeness of cerebrovascular surgery.

Objective: Recently, microscope-integrated near infrared indocyanine green videoangiography (ICG-VA) has been widely used in cerebrovascular surgery because it provides real-time high resolution images. In our study, we evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative ICG-VA during cerebrovascular surgery.

Methods: Between August 2011 and April 2012, 188 patients with cerebrovascular disease were surgically treated in our institution.

The usefulness of electromagnetic neuronavigation in the pediatric neuroendoscopic surgery.

Objective: Neuroendoscopy is applied to various intracranial pathologic conditions. But this technique needs informations for the anatomy, critically. Neuronavigation makes the operation more safe, exact and lesser invasive procedures.

Early clinical characteristics according to developmental stage in children with definite moyamoya disease.

The objective is to clarify the early clinical characteristics in childhood moyamoya disease (MD). Epidemiologic characteristics, symptoms and diagnostic rates were assessed in 64 children (0-18 years) with definite MD according to developmental stage: infancy (5; 0-1 years); toddlerhood/preschool age (22; 2-5 years); school age (29; 6-10 years); and adolescence (8; 11-18 years). The median ages at onset was 6.

Essential oil of Curcuma longa inhibits Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation.

Curcuma longa (C. longa) has been used as a spice in foods and as an antimicrobial in Oriental medicine. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of an essential oil isolated from C.

Post-traumatic cerebral infarction : outcome after decompressive hemicraniectomy for the treatment of traumatic brain injury.

Objective: Posttraumatic cerebral infarction (PTCI), an infarction in well-defined arterial distributions after head trauma, is a known complication in patients with severe head trauma. The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical and radiographic characteristics of PTCI, and to assess the effect on outcome of decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) in patients with PTCI.

Methods: We present a retrospective analysis of 20 patients with PTCI who were treated between January 2003 and August 2005.

Laminotomy with continuous irrigation in patients with pyogenic spondylitis in thoracic and lumbar spine.

Objective: Pyogenic spondylitis often results in acute neurological deterioration requiring adequate surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotic treatment. The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis of the clinical effect of continuous irrigation via laminotomy in a series of patients with pyogenic spondylitis in thoracic and lumbar spine.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective investigation of 31 consecutive patients with pyogenic thoracic and lumbar spondylitis who underwent continuous irrigation through laminotomy from 2004 to 2008.

Endoscopic treatment of transnasal intracranial penetrating foreign body.

Transnasal intracranial penetrating injury is rare. We report a case of transnasal intracranial penetrating metallic chopstick, which was removed successfully by endoscopic approach, and management of transnasal intracranial penetrating injuries.

Inhibitory effect of Aralia continentalis on the cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Aralia continentalis has been used in traditional Korean medicine for dental diseases such as toothache, dental caries, periodontal disease and gingivitis, and also has been used for neuralgia, analgesia, sweating, and as an antirheumatic.

Aim Of The Study: The present study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effect of Aralia continentalis extract on cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans, which is one of the most important bacteria in the formation of dental caries and dental plaque.

Materials And Methods: The inhibitory effects of Aralia continentalis extract on the growth, acid production, water-insoluble glucan synthesis, and adhesion were investigated in Streptococcus mutans.

Vertebral artery injury after cervical spine trauma: A prospective study using computed tomographic angiography.

Background: Although the vertebral artery injuries (VAI) associated with cervical spine trauma are usually clinically occult, they may cause fatal ischemic damage to the brain stem and cerebellum.

Methods: We performed a prospective study using computed tomographic angiography (CTA) to determine the frequency of VAI associated with cervical spine injuries and investigate the clinical and radiological characteristics. Between January 2005 and August 2007, 99 consecutive patients with cervical spine fractures and/or dislocations were prospectively evaluated for patency of the VA, using the CTA, at the time of injury.

Rapid progression of unilateral moyamoya disease.

The detailed clinical characteristics of unilateral moyamoya disease (MMD) have not been fully elucidated. It has been reported that some patients with unilateral MMD progress to bilateral involvement, while others remain with the unilateral variant. In this series, we present a case of unilateral MMD that progressed to bilateral involvement over the course of just one month.

Surgical management of anterior cerebral artery aneurysms of the proximal (A1) segment.

Objective: To report a series of 20 consecutive patients with aneurysms of the proximal segment (A1) of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA.

Methods: The medical records of patients who had undergone surgery for intracranial aneurysms at two institutions between January 1, 1989, and February 1, 2009, were reviewed. Mean patient age was 52.

Spontaneous resolution of tetraparesis because of postoperative cervical epidural hematoma.

Background Context: Symptomatic postoperative spinal epidural hematoma (PSEH) is a rare but potentially devastating postoperative complication, accounting for 0.1% to 0.2% of cases.

Traumatic epidural haematoma of the posterior cranial fossa.

A posterior fossa epidural haematoma (EDH) is uncommon and the diagnosis is difficult because the clinical symptoms are non-specific. Therefore, a computed tomography scan is important for the early diagnosis and management. Thirty-four patients with a posterior fossa EDH were admitted between 2001 and 2008.