MIF Inhibition by ISO-1 Decreased Autophagic Activity in Primary Astrocytes During Cobalt Chloride-Induced Hypoxia.

Ischemic stroke is a leading contributor to death and disability worldwide, driving extensive research into pharmacological treatments beyond thrombolysis. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a cytokine, is implicated in several pathological conditions. In this study, we examined the effects of MIF on autophagy in astrocytes under the condition of chemical hypoxia.

Maternal separation in mice leads to anxiety-like/aggressive behavior and increases immunoreactivity for glutamic acid decarboxylase and parvalbumin in the adolescence ventral hippocampus.

It has been reported that stressful events in early life influence behavior in adulthood and are associated with different psychiatric disorders, such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder. Maternal separation (MS) is a representative animal model for reproducing childhood stress. It is used as an animal model for depression, and has well-known effects, such as increasing anxiety behavior and causing abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Exploring medical students' perception of non-face-to-face theory and face-to-face laboratory classes during COVID-19 pandemic: focusing on anatomy course.

Purpose: This study investigated students' perceptions of non-face-to-face theory classes and face-to-face laboratory classes conducted in anatomy courses at medical schools during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Methods: This study utilized a questionnaire to assess self-reported academic achievement level, satisfaction with non-face-to-face theory classes, satisfaction with face-to-face laboratory classes, and self-directed learning level, and conducted difference verification and regression analysis for 51 students who took anatomy courses from the fall semester of 2020 to the spring semester of 2021.

Results: The group with a high self-reported academic achievement level was more satisfied with the non-face-to-face theory classes than the group with a low self-reported academic achievement level.

In vivo Preclinical Tumor-Specific Imaging of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Using Magnetic Particle Imaging for Cancer Diagnosis.

Purpose: Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is an emerging radiation-free, non-invasive three-dimensional tomographic technology that can visualize the concentrations of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). To verify the applicability of the previously proposed point-of-care testing MPI (PoCT-MPI) in medical diagnosis and therapeutics, we imaged SPIONs in animal tumor models.

Methods: CT26 or MC38 mouse colon carcinoma cells (2 × 10 cells) were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of BALB/c mice.

A novel three-dimensional magnetic particle imaging system based on the frequency mixing for the point-of-care diagnostics.

The magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a technology that can image the concentrations of the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) which can be used in biomedical diagnostics and therapeutics as non-radioactive tracers. We proposed a point-of-care testing MPI system (PoCT-MPI) that can be used for preclinical use for imaging small rodents (mice) injected with SPIONs not only in laboratories, but also at emergency sites far from laboratories. In particular, we applied a frequency mixing magnetic detection method to the PoCT-MPI, and proposed a hybrid field free line generator to reduce the power consumption, size and weight of the system.

Differential Expression of miRNAs and Behavioral Change in the Cuprizone-Induced Demyelination Mouse Model.

The demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system involve myelin abnormalities, oligodendrocyte damage, and consequent glia activation. Neurotoxicant cuprizone (CPZ) was used to establish a mouse model of demyelination. However, the effects of CPZ on microRNA (miRNA) expression and behavior have not been clearly reported.

Neuregulin 1/ErbB4 signaling attenuates neuronal cell damage under oxygen-glucose deprivation in primary hippocampal neurons.

The hippocampus is one of the most important brain areas of cognition. This region is particularly sensitive to hypoxia and ischemia. Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) has been shown to be able to protect against focal cerebral ischemia.

Construction of 3D-rendering imaging of an ischemic rat brain model using the planar FMMD technique.

Occlusion of the major cerebral artery usually results in brain hypoxic-ischemic injury, which evokes neuroinflammation and microglial activation. Activated microglia are considered a source of multiple neurotoxic factors, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), in the central nervous system (CNS). We herein present a 3D-rendering brain imaging technique in an experimental rodent model of cerebral ischemia based on 2D magnetic images of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) using the planar frequency mixing magnetic detection (p-FMMD) technique.

A rare bilateral variation on the dorsum of the hand: extensor digitorum brevis manus and extensor medii proprius.

A 78-year-old male cadaver showed bilateral anomalous muscles on the dorsum of the hand. An extensor digitorum brevis manus was noted on the dorsum of the right hand. It originated from the distal end of the radius and the radiocarpal joint ligaments and inserted into the metacarpophalangeal joint of the third digit.

Neuregulin1 Attenuates HO-Induced Reductions in EAAC1 Protein Levels and Reduces HO-Induced Oxidative Stress.

Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) exhibits potent neuroprotective properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidative effects and underlying mechanisms of NRG1 against HO-induced oxidative stress in primary rat cortical neurons. The expression level of the excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1) protein was measured by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry.

Neuregulin 1 regulates amyloid precursor protein cell surface expression and non-amyloidogenic processing.

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a key molecule in Alzheimer's disease. The prevailing view is that APP is initially transported to the plasma membrane as a full-length protein. Its localization at the cell surface can trigger downstream signaling and APP cleavage.

Neuroanatomical distribution of galectin-3 in the adult rat brain.

Galectin-3 is a member of the lectin subfamily that enables the specific binding of β-galactosides. It is expressed in a broad spectrum of species and organs, and is known to have various functions related to cell adhesion, signal transduction, and proinflammatory responses. Although, expression of galectin-3 in some activated neuroglia under neuroinflammation has been well documented in the central nervous system, little is known about the neuronal expression and distribution of galectin-3 in normal brain.

Use of PEGylated Immunoliposomes to Deliver Dopamine Across the Blood-Brain Barrier in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Aim: To treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD), drugs must be able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Patients with PD are deficient in dopamine (DA), a neurotransmitter that cannot pass through the BBB. Liposomes modified by adding polyethylene glycol (PEGylated liposomes (PLs)) can be conjugated with antibody to form DA-PEGylated immunoliposomes (DA-PILs), and we tested their use as carriers of DA for treating PD.

Blocking the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway inhibits neuregulin-1-mediated rescue of neurotoxicity induced by Aβ1-42.

Objectives: Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) has an important role in both the development and the plasticity of the brain as well as neuroprotective properties. In this study, we investigated the downstream pathways of NRG1 signalling and their role in the prevention of Aβ1-42 -induced neurotoxicity.

Methods: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and TUNEL staining were assayed to examine the neuroprotective properties in primary rat cortical neurons.

Neuregulin 1 Controls Glutamate Uptake by Up-regulating Excitatory Amino Acid Carrier 1 (EAAC1).

Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) is a trophic factor that is thought to have important roles in the regulating brain circuitry. Recent studies suggest that NRG1 regulates synaptic transmission, although the precise mechanisms remain unknown. Here we report that NRG1 influences glutamate uptake by increasing the protein level of excitatory amino acid carrier (EAAC1).

Changes of gene expression of Gal3, Hsp27, Lcn2, and Timp1 in rat substantia nigra following medial forebrain bundle transection using a candidate gene microarray.

Neuroinflammation is an early event and important contributor to the pathobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. Neuroglia, especially microglia, are a major central nervous system population that can modulate neuroinflammation. To determine potential key molecules in this process, we employed microarray analysis in the substantia nigra (SN) following medial forebrain bundle (MFB) transection and analyzed the temporal expression profiles of candidate genes implicated in neuroglial activation and functional maturation.

Exploitation of the complement system by oncogenic Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus for cell survival and persistent infection.

During evolution, herpesviruses have developed numerous, and often very ingenious, strategies to counteract efficient host immunity. Specifically, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) eludes host immunity by undergoing a dormant stage, called latency wherein it expresses a minimal number of viral proteins to evade host immune activation. Here, we show that during latency, KSHV hijacks the complement pathway to promote cell survival.

In situ measurement of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals by frequency mixing detection technique.

Frequency mixing magnetic detection (FMMD) was used to detect superoxide from hypoxanthine and xanthine reaction and to detect hydroxyl radical from the Fenton reaction. FMMD was also applied to measure the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level released from microglial cells. We could assess the formation and extinction of the free radicals without a spin trap reagent.

Down-regulation of microglial activity attenuates axotomized nigral dopaminergic neuronal cell loss.

Background: There is growing evidence that inflammatory processes of activated microglia could play an important role in the progression of nerve cell damage in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease which harbor features of chronic microglial activation, though the precise mechanism is unknown. In this study, we presented in vivo and ex vivo experimental evidences indicating that activated microglia could exacerbate the survival of axotomized dopaminergic neurons and that appropriate inactivation of microglia could be neuroprotective.

Results: The transection of medial forebrain bundle (MFB) of a rat induced loss of dopaminergic neurons in a time-dependent manner and accompanied with microglial activation.

Exendin-4 increases bone mineral density in type 2 diabetic OLETF rats potentially through the down-regulation of SOST/sclerostin in osteocytes.

Aim: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor participates in the control of bone resorption in GLP-1 knockout mice. Also, GLP-1 induces an insulin- and parathyroid hormone-independent osteogenic action through osteoclasts and osteoblasts in insulin-resistant and type 2 diabetic rats. Osteocytes are now considered central to bone homeostasis.

Evidence of early involvement of apoptosis inducing factor-induced neuronal death in Alzheimer brain.

Apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) has been proposed to act as a putative reactive oxygen species scavenger in mitochondria. When apoptotic cell death is triggered, AIF translocates to the nucleus, where it leads to nuclear chromatin condensation and large-scale DNA fragmentation which result in caspase-independent neuronal death. We performed this study to investigate the possibility that, in addition to caspase-dependent neuronal death, AIF induced neuronal death could be a cause of neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Co-localization of activating transcription factor 3 and phosphorylated c-Jun in axotomized facial motoneurons.

Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) and c-Jun play key roles in either cell death or cell survival, depending on the cellular background. To evaluate the functional significance of ATF3/c-Jun in the peripheral nervous system, we examined neuronal cell death, activation of ATF3/c-Jun, and microglial responses in facial motor nuclei up to 24 weeks after an extracranial facial nerve axotomy in adult rats. Following the axotomy, neuronal survival rate was progressively but significantly reduced to 79.

Expression of ErbB4 in the neurons of Alzheimer's disease brain and APP/PS1 mice, a model of Alzheimer's disease.

Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) plays important roles in the development and plasticity of the brain, and has also been reported to exhibit potent neuroprotective properties. Although ErbB4, a key NRG1 receptor, is expressed in multiple regions in the adult animal brain, little is known about its role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is characterized by progressive impairment of cognition and behavioral disturbance that strongly correlate with degeneration and death of neurons in the cerebral cortex and limbic brain areas, such as the hippocampus and the amygdala.

Role of activating transcription factor 3 in ischemic penumbra region following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion injury.

The activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) is expressed by various types of cellular insults. It has been suggested to serve diverse functions in both cellular survival and death signal cascades, but the exact role of ATF3 in brain ischemia is little known so far. Thus, the authors examined the expression pattern of ATF3 following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion injury.