Sex-specific cognitive benefits and anti-inflammatory effects of coumestrol pretreatment in transient global cerebral ischemia.

Cerebral Global Ischemia (CGI) is a devastating neurological condition affecting millions globally each year, leading to significant inflammatory responses and long-term consequences, including delayed neuronal death and neurocognitive impairment. Following brain injury, resident microglial cells are activated, triggering pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and altering neuroimmune processes in a sex-dependent manner, particularly within the hippocampus. Coumestrol, a plant estrogen, is promoted as an alternative to post-menopausal hormone therapy due to its various mechanisms that enhance brain health, including its anti-inflammatory effects.

α-Ketoisocaproic Acid Disrupts Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in the Brain of Neonate Rats: Molecular Modeling Studies of α-ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Subunits Inhibition.

Brain accumulation of the branched-chain α-keto acids α-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC), α-keto-β-methylvaleric acid (KMV), and α-ketoisovaleric acid (KIV) occurs in maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), an inherited intoxicating metabolic disorder caused by defects of the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex. Patients commonly suffer life-threatening acute encephalopathy in the newborn period and develop chronic neurological sequelae of still undefined pathogenesis. Therefore, this work investigated the in vitro influence of pathological concentrations of KIC (5 mM), KMV (1 mM), and KIV (1 mM) on mitochondrial bioenergetics in the cerebral cortex of neonate (one-day-old) rats.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Pterocarpanquinone LQB-118 in Murine Peritoneal Macrophages.

Background: Phagocytosis is an important function of macrophages. However, when it's dysregulated, it could compromise homeostasis. Thus, this study aimed to assess the inhibitory activity of pterocarpanquinone LQB 118 on murine macrophage phagocytosis.

The impact of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation on the weaning success rate of tracheostomized patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation: a pilot and feasibility study of a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of adding mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) to a weaning protocol for tracheostomized patients undergoing prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV).

Design: Single-center, open-label, randomized, controlled pilot and feasibility study.

Setting: Intensive care unit in Brazil.

Long-term impact of congenital Zika virus infection on the rat hippocampus: Neuroinflammatory, glial alterations and sex-specific effects.

Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) is a condition that arises when a neonate presents with abnormalities resulting from Zika virus infection during gestation. While microcephaly is a prominent feature of the syndrome, other forms of brain damage are also observed, often accompanied by significant neurological complications. It is therefore essential to investigate the long-term effects of CZS, with special attention to sex differences, particularly concerning hippocampal function, given its vulnerability to viral infections.