Human In Vitro Models of Neuroenergetics and Neurometabolic Disturbances: Current Advances and Clinical Perspectives.

Neurological conditions conquer the world; they are the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide, and they appear all around the world in every age group, gender, nationality, and socioeconomic class. Despite the growing evidence of an immense impact of perturbations in neuroenergetics on overall brain function, only little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Especially human insights are sparse, owing to a shortage of physiologically relevant model systems.

Protocol for designing and bioprinting multi-layered constructs to reconstruct an endothelial-epithelial 3D model.

3D bioprinting has opened new possibilities and elevated tissue engineering complexity. Here, we present a protocol to design a 3D model with two cell lineage layers (A549 and HUVEC) to recreate multi-cell constructs. We describe the steps for slicing the constructs, handling hydrogels, and detailing the bioprinting setup.

A Gelatin Methacrylate-Based Hydrogel as a Potential Bioink for 3D Bioprinting and Neuronal Differentiation.

Neuronal loss is the ultimate pathophysiologic event in central nervous system (CNS) diseases and replacing these neurons is one of the most significant challenges in regenerative medicine. Providing a suitable microenvironment for new neuron engraftment, proliferation, and synapse formation is a primary goal for 3D bioprinting. Among the various biomaterials, gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) stands out due to its Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) domains, which assure its biocompatibility and degradation under physiological conditions.

Overexpression of mir-135b and mir-210 in mesenchymal stromal cells for the enrichment of extracellular vesicles with angiogenic factors.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are known as molecular carriers involved in cell communication and the regulation of (patho)physiological processes. miRNAs and growth factors are the main contents of EVs which make them a good candidate for the treatment of diseases caused by ischemia, but the low production of EVs by a cell producer and a significant variation of the molecular contents in EVs according to the cell source are the main limitations of their widespread use. Here, we show how to improve the therapeutic properties of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-derived EVs (MSC-EVs) by modifying MSCs to enrich these EVs with specific angiomiRs (miR-135b or miR-210) using lentiviral vectors carrying miR-135b or miR-210.

Neurorepair and Regeneration of the Brain: A Decade of Bioscaffolds and Engineered Microtissue.

Repairing the human brain remains a challenge, despite the advances in the knowledge of inflammatory response to injuries and the discovery of adult neurogenesis. After brain injury, the hostile microenvironment and the lack of structural support for neural cell repopulation, anchoring, and synapse formation reduce successful repair chances. In the past decade, we witnessed the rise of studies regarding bioscaffolds' use as support for neuro repair.

Neuroprotective effect of heparin Trisulfated disaccharide on ischemic stroke.

Cells undergoing hypoxia experience intense cytoplasmic calcium (Ca) overload. High concentrations of intracellular calcium ([Ca]) can trigger cell death in the neural tissue, a hallmark of stroke. Neural Ca homeostasis involves regulation by the Na/Ca exchanger (NCX).

Decreased viability and neurite length in neural cells treated with chitosan-dextran sulfate nanocomplexes.

CXCL12 is a chemokine known to regulate migration, proliferation, and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) and to play a neuroprotective role in ischemic stroke. Chitosan-dextran sulfate nanocomplexes (Ch/DS NC) are known nanoparticulated systems used to efficiently deliver heparin-binding factors. Here we evaluate Ch/DS NC as carriers for CXCL12 in a mouse model of stroke.

Treatment of Recurrent Painful Ophthalmoplegic Neuropathy: A Case Where Pregabalin Was Successfully Employed.

Recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy, previously known as ophthalmoplegic migraine, is a rare condition that affects children and young adults. Its cause and classification are still controversial and, consequently, there are no published treatment guidelines or consensus. Glucocorticoids seem to be beneficial for some patients, but there is no established treatment when failure of this therapy occurs.

A new function for Prokineticin 2: Recruitment of SVZ-derived neuroblasts to the injured cortex in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury is an important cause of global morbidity and mortality. After an initial injury, there is a cascade of cellular and molecular events that ultimately lead to cell death. Therapies aim to both counteract these mechanisms and replenish the lost cell population in order to improve recovery.

Rotary jet-spun porous microfibers as scaffolds for stem cells delivery to central nervous system injury.

Stem cell transplantation is a promising strategy to treat brain injuries. However, cell-based therapies are limited because poor local cell engraftment. Here, we present a polylactic acid (PLA) scaffold to support mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) delivery in stroke.

Injection of SDF-1 loaded nanoparticles following traumatic brain injury stimulates neural stem cell recruitment.

Recruiting neural stem cell (NSC) at the lesion site is essential for central nervous system repair. This process could be triggered by the local delivery of the chemokine SDF-1. We compared two PLGA formulations for local brain SDF-1 delivery: SDF-1 loaded microspheres (MS) and SDF-1 loaded nanoparticles (NP).

Cognitive impairment and antiphospholipid syndrome: is paradoxical embolism the rule?

Objective: Although cognitive decline (CD) is described in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), its physiopathology is unknown. Paradoxical embolization (PE) is related to CD in Alzheimer disease. The objective of this study was to determine whether PE plays a role in CD in APS patients through a significant right-to-left shunt (sRLS).

Right-to-left shunt and the hypercoagulable state: does paradoxical embolism play a role in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and stroke?

Objective: Patent foramen ovale is associated with paradoxical embolism (PE) and stroke. Hypercoagulable states, such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), can exacerbate PE by increasing clot formation. The aim of this study was to verify whether patients with APS and stroke present a right-to-left shunt (RLS) with greater frequency than patients with APS but without stroke.

Curitiba acute ischemic stroke protocol: a university hospital and EMS initiative in a large Brazilian city.

Unlabelled: Few healthcare centers in Brazil perform thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe an interinstitutional protocol for the rapid identification and thrombolytic treatment of AIS patients at a public health hospital in a large Brazilian city.

Method: Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel evaluated 433 patients with possible stroke during a six-month period.

Neurological diagnoses in the emergency room: differences between younger and older patients.

Unlabelled: Neurological diseases are prevalent in the emergency room (ER). The aim of this study was to compare the neurological diagnoses between younger and older patients evaluated in the ER of a tertiary care hospital.

Method: Patients admitted to the ER who required neurological evaluation in the first 24 hours were separated into two groups based on age, ≤50 years old and >50 years old.