TGR5 receptors in SF1-expressing neurons of the ventromedial hypothalamus regulate glucose homeostasis.

Objective: Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1) neurons of the ventromedial hypothalamus play key roles in the regulation of food intake, body weight and glucose metabolism. The bile acid receptor Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) is expressed in the hypothalamus, where it determines some of the actions of bile acids on food intake and body weight through still poorly defined neuronal mechanisms. Here, we examined the role of TGR5 in SF1 neurons in the regulation of energy balance and glucose metabolism.

Characteristics and impact of infiltration of B-cells from systemic sclerosis patients in a 3D healthy skin model.

Introduction: In systemic sclerosis (SSc), B-cells are activated and present in the skin and lung of patients where they can interact with fibroblasts. The precise impact and mechanisms of the interaction of B-cells and fibroblasts at the tissular level are poorly studied.

Objective: We investigated the impact and mechanisms of B-cell/fibroblast interactions in cocultures between B-cells from patients with SSc and 3-dimensional reconstituted healthy skin model including fibroblasts, keratinocytes and extracellular matrix.

Monomeric Amyloid Peptide-induced Toxicity in Human Oligodendrocyte Cell Line and Mouse Brain Primary Mixed-glial Cell Cultures: Evidence for a Neuroprotective Effect of Neurosteroid 3α-O-allyl-allopregnanolone.

Amyloid-peptide (Aβ) monomeric forms (ABM) occurring in presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain are thought to be devoid of neurotoxicity while the transition/aggregation of ABM into oligomers is determinant for Aβ-induced toxicity since Aβ is predominantly monomeric up to 3 µM and aggregates over this concentration. However, recent imaging and/or histopathological investigations revealed alterations of myelin in prodromal AD brain in absence of aggregated Aβ oligomers, suggesting that ABM may induce toxicity in myelin-producing cells in early AD-stages. To check this hypothesis, here we studied ABM effects on the viability of the Human oligodendrocyte cell line (HOG), a reliable oligodendrocyte model producing myelin proteins.

Characterization of the forehead skin microbiome in the early phase of acne.

Background: The skin microbiota is known to be imbalanced in acne vulgaris, but the changes occurring during the early stages of acne onset remain poorly described.

Objectives: To characterize the skin microbiome of subclinical stages of acne in adults and adolescents.

Methods: The composition and diversity of the microbiota from non-lesional skin on the forehead of subjects with mild-to-moderate acne were compared to the ones from non-acne subjects.

A dermocosmetic product containing the sap of oat plantlets and Garcinia mangostana extract improves the clinical signs of acne.

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit, characterized by papules, pustules and/or nodules manifesting primarily on the face and/or upper back that can leave scars, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and erythema (PIE).

Objective: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of a protein-free sap extruded from Rhealba® oat plantlets and a Garcinia mangostana extract on Cutibacterium acnes-induced inflammation in vitro and assess the tolerability and efficacy of a dermocosmetic product containing these actives in subjects with mild-to-moderate acne.

Methods: Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DCs) from acne patients were stimulated with a planktonic culture of C.

Osteocyte gene expression analysis in mouse bone: optimization of a laser-assisted microdissection protocol.

Among bone cells, osteocytes are the most abundant, but also the most challenging to study because they are located inside a dense mineralized matrix. Due to their involvement in bone homeostasis, diverse tools are needed to understand their roles in bone physiology and pathology. This work was aimed at establishing a laser-assisted microdissection protocol to isolate osteocytes and analyze their gene expressions.

Xanthurenic acid: A role in brain intercellular signaling.

Xanthurenic acid (XA) raises a growing multidisciplinary interest based upon its oxidizing properties, its ability to complex certain metal ions, and its detoxifier capacity of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), its brain precursor. However, little is still known about the role and mechanisms of action of XA in the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, many research groups have recently investigated XA and its central functions extensively.

Multiple aggregated yellow-white globules are a major dermoscopic sign of basal cell carcinoma regardless of their histological subtype.

Multiple aggregated yellow-white globules (MAY globules) have been recently described as dermoscopic structures of high specificity associated with high-risk non-pigmented basal cell carcinoma (BCC). To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MAY globules in a cohort of pigmented and non-pigmented BCC of all histological types. This was a retrospective case-control study.

Multi-omics approach to understand the impact of sun exposure on an in vitro skin ecosystem and evaluate a new broad-spectrum sunscreen.

A reconstructed human epidermal model (RHE) colonized with human microbiota and sebum was developed to reproduce the complexity of the skin ecosystem in vitro. The RHE model was exposed to simulated solar radiation (SSR) with or without SPF50+ sunscreen (with UVB, UVA, long-UVA, and visible light protection). Structural identification of discriminant metabolites was acquired by nuclear magnetic resonance and metabolomic fingerprints were identified using reverse phase-ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry, followed by pathway enrichment analysis.

Myelin in Alzheimer's disease: culprit or bystander?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with neuronal and synaptic losses due to the accumulation of toxic amyloid β (Αβ) peptide oligomers, plaques, and tangles containing tau (tubulin-associated unit) protein. While familial AD is caused by specific mutations, the sporadic disease is more common and appears to result from a complex chronic brain neuroinflammation with mitochondriopathies, inducing free radicals' accumulation. In aged brain, mutations in DNA and several unfolded proteins participate in a chronic amyloidosis response with a toxic effect on myelin sheath and axons, leading to cognitive deficits and dementia.

Myrtus communis and Celastrol enriched plant cell culture extracts control together the pivotal role of Cutibacterium acnes and inflammatory pathways in acne.

Introduction: Acne is a multifactorial inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit in which Cutibacterium acnes is one of the main triggers. A strong predominance of C. acnes phylotype IA1 is present in acne skin with higher biofilm organization and virulence, promoting local immuno-inflammation, especially the Th17 pathway.

Age-dependent effects of estradiol on temporal memory: A role for the type 1 cannabinoid receptor?

This study investigated in male mice how age modulates the effects of acute 17β-estradiol (E2) on dorsal CA1 (dCA1)-dependent retention of temporal associations, which are critical for declarative memory. E2 was systemically injected to young (3-4 months old) and aged (22-24 months old) adult mice either (i) 1 h before the acquisition of an auditory trace fear conditioning (TFC) procedure allowing the assessment of temporal memory retention 24 h later or (ii) during in vivo electrophysiological recordings of CA3 to dCA1 synaptic efficacy under anesthesia. In young mice, E2 induced parallel dose-dependent reductions in memory and synaptic efficacy, i.

Restriction of interleukin-6 alters endothelial cell immunogenicity in an allogenic environment.

The microvascular endothelium of the renal transplant is the first site of graft interaction with the host immune system and is often injured in chronic Antibody Mediated Rejection (AMR). Microvascular inflammation is an independent determinant of AMR and heightens endothelial expression of HLA molecules thereby increasing the possibility of Donor Specific Antibody (DSA) binding. Endothelial cells produce IL-6 in the steady-state and this is increased by inflammation or by HLA-DR antibody binding in an allogeneic setting.

Restriction of interleukin-6 alters endothelial cell immunogenicity in an allogenic environment.

The microvascular endothelium of the renal transplant is the first site of graft interaction with the host immune system and is often injured in chronic Antibody Mediated Rejection (AMR). Microvascular inflammation is an independent determinant of AMR and heightens endothelial expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules thereby increasing the possibility of Donor Specific Antibody (DSA) binding. Endothelial cells (ECs) produce IL-6 in the steady-state that is increased by inflammation or by HLA-DR antibody binding in an allogeneic setting.

High-dose salvage re-irradiation in recurrent/progressive adult diffuse gliomas: development of a novel prognostic scoring system.

Purpose: Over the past two decades, high-dose salvage re-irradiation (re-RT) has been used increasingly in the multimodality management of adults with recurrent/progressive diffuse glioma. Several factors that determine outcomes following re-RT have been incorporated into prognostic models to guide patient selection. We aimed to develop a novel four-tiered prognostic model incorporating relevant molecular markers from our single-institutional cohort of patients treated with high-dose salvage re-RT for recurrent/progressive diffuse glioma.

Scribble Controls Social Motivation Behavior through the Regulation of the ERK/Mnk1 Pathway.

Social behavior is a basic domain affected by several neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD and a heterogeneous set of neuropsychiatric disorders. The gene that codes for the polarity protein SCRIBBLE has been identified as a risk gene for spina bifida, the most common type of neural tube defect, found at high frequencies in autistic patients, as well as other congenital anomalies. The deletions and mutations of the 8q24.

An application example of the likelihood ratio approach to the evaluation of organic gunshot residues using a fictional scenario and recently published data.

The analysis of gunshot residues (GSR) can provide important information with regard to the involvement of a person of interest (POI) in a firearm-related incident. Organic gunshot residues (OGSR) have been investigated in order to provide additional and complementary information to the traditional inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR) particles detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Currently, many procedures and analytical methods have been developed to detect OGSR-related compounds collected from the shooter's hands.

Prognostic impact of semantic MRI features on survival outcomes in molecularly subtyped medulloblastoma.

Purpose: Imaging features are known to reflect inherent disease biology in various cancers including brain tumors. We report on the prognostic impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features on survival in patients with medulloblastoma treated between 2007 and 2018 at our institute.

Methods: Sixteen semantic imaging features (with predefined categories) were extracted from pre- and postcontrast T1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI by consensus.

Multidisciplinary Management of Medulloblastoma: Consensus, Challenges, and Controversies.

Medulloblastoma is a highly aggressive "small round blue cell tumor" of the posterior fossa predominantly seen in children. Historically aggressive multimodality regimens have achieved encouraging outcomes with the caveat of severe long-term toxicities. The last decade has unleashed a revolution in terms of evolved understanding of this heterogeneous disease entity in terms of molecular biology.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Contemporary Management of Medulloblastoma: Current and Emerging Applications.

Medulloblastoma, the most common malignant primary brain tumor in children, is now considered to comprise of four distinct molecular subgroups-wingless (WNT), sonic hedgehog (SHH), Group 3, and Group 4 medulloblastoma, each associated with distinct developmental origins, unique transcriptional profiles, diverse phenotypes, and variable clinical behavior. Due to its exquisite anatomic resolution, multiparametric nature, and ability to image the entire craniospinal axis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred and recommended first-line imaging modality for suspected brain tumors including medulloblastoma. Preoperative MRI can reliably differentiate medulloblastoma from other common childhood posterior fossa masses such as ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, and brainstem glioma.

Sources of Stress, Family Functioning, and Needs of Families With a Chronic Critically Ill Child: A Qualitative Study.

PICU hospitalization is particularly stressful for families. When it is prolonged and the prognostic is uncertain, it can significantly and negatively affect the whole family. To date, little is known on how families with a chronic critically ill (CCI) child are affected.

Complement C3 mediates early hippocampal neurodegeneration and memory impairment in experimental multiple sclerosis.

Memory impairment is one of the disabling manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS) possibly present from the early stages of the disease and for which there is no specific treatment. Hippocampal synaptic dysfunction and dendritic loss, associated with microglial activation, can underlie memory deficits, yet the molecular mechanisms driving such hippocampal neurodegeneration need to be elucidated. In early-stage experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) female mice, we assessed the expression level of molecules involved in microglia-neuron interactions within the dentate gyrus and found overexpression of genes of the complement pathway.

The atypical Rho GTPase Rnd2 is critical for dentate granule neuron development and anxiety-like behavior during adult but not neonatal neurogenesis.

Despite the central role of Rho GTPases in neuronal development, their functions in adult hippocampal neurogenesis remain poorly explored. Here, by using a retrovirus-based loss-of-function approach in vivo, we show that the atypical Rho GTPase Rnd2 is crucial for survival, positioning, somatodendritic morphogenesis, and functional maturation of adult-born dentate granule neurons. Interestingly, most of these functions are specific to granule neurons generated during adulthood since the deletion of Rnd2 in neonatally-born granule neurons only affects dendritogenesis.