Microglial NLRP3-gasdermin D activation impairs blood-brain barrier integrity through interleukin-1β-independent neutrophil chemotaxis upon peripheral inflammation in mice.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disintegration is a key contributor to neuroinflammation; however, the biological processes governing BBB permeability under physiological conditions remain unclear. Here, we investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in BBB disruption following peripheral inflammatory challenges. Repeated intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide administration causes NLRP3-dependent BBB permeabilization and myeloid cell infiltration into the brain.

Mitochondrial protective potential of fucoxanthin in brain disorders.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common feature of brain disorders. Mitochondria play a central role in oxidative phosphorylation; thus changes in energy metabolism in the brain have been reported in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke. In addition, mitochondria regulate cellular responses associated with neuronal damage such as the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), and apoptosis.

Lipid a remodeling modulates outer membrane vesicle biogenesis by .

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are small membrane enclosed sacs released from bacteria which serve as carriers of biomolecules that shape interactions with the surrounding environment. The periodontal pathogen, , is a prolific OMV producer. Here, we investigated how the structure of lipid A, a core outer membrane molecule, influences OMV production, OMV-dependent TLR4 activation, and biofilm formation.

Development of a simultaneous analytical method for the dietary exposure determination of β-Carboline alkaloids in foods.

As β-carboline (βC) alkaloids, posing potential health risks, are present in a wide variety of foods, determining the exposure degrees of food to these alkaloids from dietary activity is key to ensuring food safety. Here, we developed a rapid and sensitive simultaneous analytical method for six βC alkaloids in food. We optimized the buffered QuEChERS method, which includes a clean-up process through dispersive solid phase extraction, to extract the target compounds from food matrices; then, these compounds were detected via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Modulation of Stem-like Phenotype in Breast Cancer Cells under Fluid Shear Stress.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are some of the key culprits that cause cancer metastasis and metastasis-related deaths. These cells exist in a dynamic microenvironment where they experience fluid shear stress (FSS), and the CTCs that survive FSS are considered to be highly metastatic and stem cell-like. Biophysical stresses such as FSS are also known to cause the production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that can facilitate cell-cell communication by carrying biomolecular cargos such as microRNAs.

Evaluation of exposure to cyanogenic glycosides and potential hydrogen cyanide release in commercially available foods among the Korean population.

The release of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) after food ingestion can pose a serious health risk to consumers. This study aimed to simultaneously quantify four cyanogenic glycosides (lotaustralin, prunasin, taxiphyllin, and dhurrin) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The analysis scope extended beyond agricultural products to various consumer foods to estimate dietary exposure to cyanogenic glycosides and assess its risk levels.

Automatic assessment of bowel preparation by an artificial intelligence model and its clinical applicability.

Background And Aim: Reliable bowel preparation assessment is important in colonoscopy. However, current scoring systems are limited by laborious and time-consuming tasks and interobserver variability. We aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model to assess bowel cleanliness and evaluate its clinical applicability.

Octyl gallate has potent anti-inflammasome activity by directly binding to NLRP3 LRR domain.

The NOD-, LRR-, and Pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays key roles in regulating inflammation. Numerous studies show that the abnormal activation of NLRP3 associates with the initiation and progression of various diseases. Hence, the NLRP3 inflammasome may be a promising therapeutic target for these diseases.

Novel HS sensing mechanism derived from the formation of oligomeric sulfide capping the surface of gold nanourchins.

A gold nanourchin (AuNU) probe with a novel sensing mechanism for monitoring HS was developed as a feasible colorimetric sensor. In this study, AuNUs that are selectively responsive to HS were fabricated in the presence of trisodium citrate and 1,4-hydroquinone using a seed-mediated approach. Upon exposure of the AuNU solution to HS, the hydrosulfide ions (HS) in the solution are converted into oligomeric sulfides by 1,4-hydroquinone used as a reducing agent during the synthesis of AuNUs.

PDI augments kainic acid-induced seizure activity and neuronal death by inhibiting PP2A-GluA2-PICK1-mediated AMPA receptor internalization in the mouse hippocampus.

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is a redox-active enzyme and also serves as a nitric oxide donor causing S-nitrosylation of cysteine residues in various proteins. Although PDI knockdown reduces α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor (AMPAR)-mediated neuronal activity, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. In the present study, we found that under physiological condition PDI knockdown increased CaMKII activity (phosphorylation) in the mouse hippocampus.

Neuroprotective Potential of Brown Seaweed Phytochemicals in Rodent Models of Cerebral Ischemia.

Cerebral ischemia, a condition with insufficient blood flow in the brain, is associated with cognitive and behavioral changes. The underlying cellular mechanisms of ischemia-induced brain damage include oxidative stress and inflammation. Cerebral ischemia is a major cause of death and long-term disability; thus, investigating novel dietary sources and their therapeutic potentials have gained interest.

Association of Visceral Fat Obesity, Sarcopenia, and Myosteatosis with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease without Obesity.

Background/aims: To investigate whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in individuals without generalized obesity is associated with visceral fat obesity (VFO), sarcopenia, and/or myosteatosis.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 14,400 individuals (7,470 men) who underwent abdominal computed tomography scans during routine health examinations. The total abdominal muscle area (TAMA) and skeletal muscle area (SMA) at the 3rd lumbar vertebral level were measured.

Changes in liver stiffness values assessed using transient elastography in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: a prospective observational study.

Background/aims: Regression of liver fibrosis during antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients has been demonstrated, but data on the influence of long-term treatment with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) on liver stiffness (LS) measured by transient elastography are scarce. We aimed to investigate the changes in LS values during the 144-week TDF therapy in treatment-naïve CHB patients.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from April 2015 to July 2020 at CHA Bundang Medical Center.

Distinct Roles of CK2- and AKT-Mediated NF-κB Phosphorylations in Clasmatodendrosis (Autophagic Astroglial Death) within the Hippocampus of Chronic Epilepsy Rats.

The downregulation of glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx1) plays a role in clasmatodendrosis (an autophagic astroglial death) in the hippocampus of chronic epilepsy rats. Furthermore, N-acetylcysteine (NAC, a GSH precursor) restores GPx1 expression in clasmatodendritic astrocytes and alleviates this autophagic astroglial death, independent of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity. However, the regulatory signal pathways of these phenomena have not been fully explored.

Association between selenium intake and cognitive function among older adults in the US: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2011-2014.

Cognitive decline occurs commonly as people age. Despite the complexity of cellular mechanisms, oxidative stress is a critical contributor to age-associated cognitive impairment. Selenium plays an important role in antioxidant defense systems.

PLPP/CIN-mediated NF2 S10 dephosphorylation distinctly regulates kainate-induced seizure susceptibility and neuronal death through PAK1-NF-κB-COX-2-PTGES2 signaling pathway.

Background: Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate phosphatase/chronophin (PLPP/CIN) selectively dephosphorylates serine (S) 10 site on neurofibromin 2 (NF2, also known as merlin (moesin-ezrin-radixin-like protein) or schwannomin). p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase, which is involved in synaptic activity and plasticity in neurons. NF2 and PAK1 reciprocally regulate each other in a positive feedback manner.

CDDO-Me Abrogates Aberrant Mitochondrial Elongation in Clasmatodendritic Degeneration by Regulating NF-κB-PDI-Mediated S-Nitrosylation of DRP1.

Clasmatodendrosis is a kind of astroglial degeneration pattern which facilitates excessive autophagy. Although abnormal mitochondrial elongation is relevant to this astroglial degeneration, the underlying mechanisms of aberrant mitochondrial dynamics are still incompletely understood. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is an oxidoreductase in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

Deregulation of Astroglial TASK-1 K Channel Decreases the Responsiveness to Perampanel-Induced AMPA Receptor Inhibition in Chronic Epilepsy Rats.

andem of P domains in a weak inwardly rectifying K channel (TWIK)-related cid ensitive -1 channel (TASK-1) is activated under extracellular alkaline conditions (pH 7.2-8.2), which are upregulated in astrocytes (particularly in the CA1 region) of the hippocampi of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and chronic epilepsy rats.

Evaluation and Monitoring of the Natural Toxin Ptaquiloside in Bracken Fern, Meat, and Dairy Products.

Ptaquiloside, a naturally occurring cancer-causing substance in bracken fern, has been detected in the meat and milk of cows fed a diet containing bracken fern. A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitative analysis of ptaquiloside in bracken fern, meat, and dairy products was developed using the QuEChERS method and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The method was validated according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists guidelines and met the criteria.

PLPP/CIN inhibits dopamine D1 receptor-mediated seizure activity via DARPP-32 serine 97 dephosphorylation in the mouse hippocampus.

Dopamine plays a central role in the regulation of psychomotor functions in the brain. Furthermore, the dopaminergic system is involved in the ictogenesis in human patients and animal models of epilepsy. Dopamine and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein, 32 kDa (DARPP-32) plays an important role in the regulation of interactions between dopamine and glutamate receptors in neurons.

Integrated regulation of dopaminergic and epigenetic effectors of neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease models.

Whole-exome sequencing of Parkinson's disease (PD) patient DNA identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the tyrosine nonreceptor kinase-2 () gene. Although this kinase had a previously demonstrated activity in preventing the endocytosis of the dopamine reuptake transporter (DAT), a causal role for TNK2-associated dysfunction in PD remains unresolved. We postulated the dopaminergic neurodegeneration resulting from patient-associated variants in were a consequence of aberrant or prolonged TNK2 overactivity, the latter being a failure in TNK2 degradation by an E3 ubiquitin ligase, neuronal precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated-4 (NEDD4).