The Schwann cell-specific G-protein Gαo (Gnao1) is a cell-intrinsic controller contributing to the regulation of myelination in peripheral nerve system.

Myelin sheath abnormality is the cause of various neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). G-proteins and their coupled receptors (GPCRs) play the important roles in myelination. Gnao1, encoding the major Gα protein (Gαo) in mammalian nerve system, is required for normal motor function.

The transcription factor Stat-1 is essential for Schwann cell differentiation, myelination and myelin sheath regeneration.

Background: Myelin sheath is a crucial accessory to the functional nerve-fiber unit, its disruption or loss can lead to axonal degeneration and subsequent neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Notwithstanding of substantial progress in possible molecular mechanisms underlying myelination, there is no therapeutics that prevent demyelination in NDs. Therefore, it is crucial to seek for potential intervention targets.

The discovery of a new type of innervation in lymphoid organs.

It is well known that the main forms of innervation are synapses and free nerve endings, while other forms of innervation have not been reported. Here, we explore a new way of innervating lymphoid organs. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for studying the innervation of sympathetic nerve fibers in lymph nodes by means of anterograde tracking, immunoelectron microscopy, three-dimension reconstruction analysis, and immunofluorescence labeling.

Decellularization alters the unfavorable regenerative adverse microenvironment of the injured spinal cord to support neurite outgrowth.

Background: Acellular tissue has been transplanted into the injury site as an external microenvironment to intervene with imbalance microenvironment that occurs after spinal cord injury (SCI) and stimulating axonal regeneration, although the mechanism is unclear. Given decellularization is the key means to obtain acellular tissues, we speculated changes in the internal components of tissue caused by decellularization may be the key reason why acellular tissues affect remodeling of the microenvironment.

Methods: Complete spinal cord crush in a mouse model was established, and the dynamic of extracellular matrix (ECM) expression and distribution during SCI was studied with immunohistochemistry (IHC).

BMSC-derived extracellular matrix better optimizes the microenvironment to support nerve regeneration.

A favorable microenvironment plays an important role in nerve regeneration. Extracellular matrix (ECM) derived from cultured cells or natural tissues can facilitate nerve regeneration in the presence of various microenvironmental cues, including biochemical, spatial, and biomechanical factors. This study, through proteomics and three-dimensional image analysis, determines that the components and spatial organization of the ECM secreted by bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMSCs) are more similar to acellular nerves than those of the ECMs derived from Schwann cells (SCs), skin-derived precursor Schwann cells (SKP-SCs), or fibroblasts (FBs).

Hypothermic properties of dexmedetomidine provide neuroprotection in rats following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is a sedative and analgesic agent that is widely administered to patients admitted to the intensive care unit, and has been demonstrated to result in hypothermia. Many patients have been revealed to benefit from therapeutic hypothermia, which can mitigate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury following successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, studies investigating the efficacy of Dex in I/R treatment is lacking.

Combination Glioma Therapy Mediated by a Dual-Targeted Delivery System Constructed Using OMCN-PEG-Pep22/DOX.

Accumulating studies have investigated the efficacy of receptor-mediated delivery of hydrophobic drugs in glioma chemotherapy. Here, a delivery vehicle comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) and oxidized nanocrystalline mesoporous carbon particles (OMCN) linked to the Pep22 polypeptide targeting the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is designed to generate a novel drug-loaded system, designated as OMCN-PEG-Pep22/DOX (OPPD). This system effectively targets glioma cells and the blood-brain barrier and exerts therapeutic efficacy through both near-infrared (NIR) photothermal and chemotherapeutic effects of loaded doxycycline (DOX).

Hypoxia-reoxygenation induced necroptosis in cultured rat renal tubular epithelial cell line.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to explore the potential role of hypoxia/reoxygenation in necroptosis in cultured rat renal tubular epithelial cell line NRK-52E, and further to investigate its possible mechanisms.

Materials And Methods: Cells were cultured under different hypoxia-reoxygenation conditions . MTT assay was used to measure the cell proliferation of cells that were exposed to hypoxia-reoxygenation conditions at different time points.

A partition-type tubular scaffold loaded with PDGF-releasing microspheres for spinal cord repair facilitates the directional migration and growth of cells.

The best tissue-engineered spinal cord grafts not only match the structural characteristics of the spinal cord but also allow the seed cells to grow and function in situ. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been shown to promote the migration of bone marrow stromal cells; however, cytokines need to be released at a steady rate to maintain a stable concentration in vivo. Therefore, new methods are needed to maintain an optimal concentration of cytokines over an extended period of time to effectively promote seed cell localization, proliferation and differentiation.

miR-221 suppression through nanoparticle-based miRNA delivery system for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy and its diagnosis as a potential biomarker.

Background: MicroRNA-221(miR-221) is frequently dysregulated in cancer. The purpose of this study was to explore whether miR-221 can be used as a potential diagnostic marker or therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: In this study, we investigated whether miR-221 expression was associated with clini-copathological characteristics and prognosis in HCC patients, and we developed a nanoparticle-based miRNA delivery system and detected its therapeutic efficacy in vitro and in vivo.

Localized delivery of miRNAs targets cyclooxygenases and reduces flexor tendon adhesions.

Unlabelled: The formation of adhesions during healing of an injured tendon remains a difficult problem in clinical practice. Local anti-inflammation gene delivery provides high local gene concentration, reduces the inflammatory response of the injured tendon microenvironment, and decreases systemic side effects to enhance in vivo efficacy. In this study, we designed a novel local sustained gene delivery system by using cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2)-engineered miRNA plasmid/nanoparticles embedded in hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel to reduce flexor tendon adhesions.

Skin derived precursor Schwann cell-generated acellular matrix modified chitosan/silk scaffolds for bridging rat sciatic nerve gap.

Extracellular/acellular matrix has been attracted much research interests for its unique biological characteristics, and ACM modified neural scaffolds shows the remarkable role of promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. In this study, skin-derived precursors pre-differentiated into Schwann cells (SKP-SCs) were used as parent cells to generate acellular(ACM) for constructing a ACM-modified neural scaffold. SKP-SCs were co-cultured with chitosan nerve guidance conduits (NGC) and silk fibroin filamentous fillers, followed by decellularization to stimulate ACM deposition.

Effects of HCG on human epithelial ovarian cancer vasculogenic mimicry formation .

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of mortality due to gynecological malignancy, and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation is correlated with poor prognosis. In a previous study, the present authors observed that human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) could promote VM formation in three-dimensional OVCAR-3 cell cultures. In order to investigate whether HCG could promote VM formation in ovarian cancer , the role of OVCAR-3 cells overexpressing or depleted of chorionic gonadotropin, beta polypeptide 5 (CGB5, which is the fifth subunit of β-HCG and was identified as the key part of HCG) were injected into nude mice in the present study, while BeWo cells were used as a positive control.

[EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON RECONSTRUCTION OF PARTIAL DEFECTS OF CERVICAL TRACHEA WITH BACTERIAL CELLULOSE PATCH IN RABBITS].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of bacterial cellulose patch to repair and reconstruct rabbit tracheal defect, so as to lay the foundation for the development of bacterial cellulose artificial trachea.

Methods: Thirty adult rabbits (weighing, 2.5-3.

Downregulated Expression of PTPN9 Contributes to Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth and Progression.

Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant cancers, whose molecular mechanisms is remains largely. PTPN9 has recently been reported to play a critical role in breast cancer development. However, the role of PTPN9 in human HCC remains elusive.

Combined Effect of Sodium Selenite and Ginsenoside Rh2 on HCT116 Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cells.

Background: Sodium selenite and ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) are well known for their anticancer properties and have been exploited as a new therapeutic approach. In this study, we are interested to evaluate if sodium selenite and G-Rh2 combination results in a synergistic anticancer effect that could contribute to lower systemic toxicity.

Methods: We observed the synergistic antitumor effect by combination of sodium selenite and G-Rh2 on HCT-116 human colorectal carcinoma cells in vitro.

Gekko japonicus genome reveals evolution of adhesive toe pads and tail regeneration.

Reptiles are the most morphologically and physiologically diverse tetrapods, and have undergone 300 million years of adaptive evolution. Within the reptilian tetrapods, geckos possess several interesting features, including the ability to regenerate autotomized tails and to climb on smooth surfaces. Here we sequence the genome of Gekko japonicus (Schlegel's Japanese Gecko) and investigate genetic elements related to its physiology.

Esophageal replacement by hydroxylated bacterial cellulose patch in a rabbit model.

Background/aim: To repair esophageal defects by hydroxylated and kombucha-synthesized bacterial cellulose (HKBC) patch in a rabbit model.

Materials And Methods: Semicircular esophageal defects 1 cm in length of the cervical esophagus were initially created in 18 Japanese big-ear rabbits and then repaired with HKBC patch grafts. The clinical outcomes including survival rate, weight change, food intake, and hematological and radiologic evaluation were observed.

Combining Epinephrine and Esmolol Attenuates Excessive Autophagy and Mitophagy in Rat Cardiomyocytes After Cardiac Arrest.

Background: Recent experimental and clinical studies have indicated that the β-adrenergic effect of epinephrine significantly increases the severity of postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the short-acting β1-selective adrenergic blocking agent, esmolol, would impact postresuscitation autophagy and mitophagy in cardiomyocytes in a rat cardiac arrest (CA) model.

Methods: CA was induced in Sprague Dawley rats by epicardial ventricular fibrillation for 5 minutes.

Effects of mild hypothermia on the ROS and expression of caspase-3 mRNA and LC3 of hippocampus nerve cells in rats after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Background: Cardiac arrest (CA) is a common and serious event in emergency medicine. Despite recent improvements in resuscitation techniques, the survival rate of patients with CA is unchanged. The present study was undertaken to observe the effect of mild hypothermia (MH) on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the effect of neurological function and related mechanisms.

A low level of GPR37 is associated with human hepatocellular carcinoma progression and poor patient survival.

GPR37, also known as parkin-associated endothelin-like receptor (Pael-R), is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). It has been reported that GPCRs play vital roles in the development and progression of cancer. To investigate the potential roles of GPR37 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), expression of GPR37 was examined in human HCC samples.

Chaperonin containing TCP1, subunit 8 (CCT8) is upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes HCC proliferation.

The development of molecular pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is complex and involves alterations in the expression and conformation of assorted oncoproteins and tumor suppressors. Chaperonin containing TCP1 (CCT) is a cytolic molecular chaperone complex that is required for the correct folding of numerous proteins. In this study, we investigated a possible involvement of CCT subunit 8 (CCT8) in HCC development.

Mild hypothermia alleviates excessive autophagy and mitophagy in a rat model of asphyxial cardiac arrest.

Mild hypothermia is an effective therapeutic strategy to improve poor neurological outcomes in patients following cardiac arrest (CA). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of mild hypothermia on intracellular autophagy and mitophagy in hippocampal neurons in a rat model of CA.

Suppression of KIF3B expression inhibits human hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation.

Background: Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common fatal cancers and an important health problem worldwide, but its mechanism is still unclear. Microtubule (MT) kinesin motor proteins orchestrate a variety of cellular processes (e.g.