The role of early cerebral edema and hematoma assessment in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (a-SAH) in predicting early brain injury (EBI) and cognitive impairment: a case controlled study.

Background: Early assessment and management of cerebral edema and hematoma following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (a-SAH) can significantly impact clinical cognitive outcomes. However, current clinical practices lack predictive models to identify early structural brain abnormalities affecting cognition. To address this gap, the authors propose the development of a predictive model termed the a-SAH Early Brain Edema/Hematoma Compression Neural (Structural Brain) Networks Score System (SEBE-HCNNSS).

Arsenic trioxide elicits anti-tumor activity by inhibiting polarization of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages via Notch signaling pathway in lung adenocarcinoma.

Drug-resistant advanced lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is an aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options. A therapeutic strategy for drug-resistant LUAD is to target the tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), because they play an important role in tumor immune escape, progression and metastasis. In this study, we conducted in vivo and in vitro investigation of the inhibitory effect of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on polarization of TAMs educated by LUAD.

Human Galectin-7 Gene Promoter Sequence Polymorphisms and Risk of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Prospective Study.

Background And Purpose: Despite evidence for the role of genetic factors in stroke, only a small proportion of strokes have been clearly attributed to monogenic factors, due to phenotypic heterogeneity. The goal of this study was to determine whether a significant relationship exists between human galectin-7 gene promoter region polymorphisms and the risk of stroke due to non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods: This two-stage genetic association study included an initial exploratory stage followed by a discovery stage.

Novel Subgroups in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Their Association With Outcomes-A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has long been classified into two main forms, aneurysmal SAH (aSAH) and non-aneurysmal SAH (naSAH), but the related risk factors for aSAH and naSAH are heterogeneous. Our objective was to determine the risk factors for SAH of known or unknown origin with respect to diagnostic evaluation in a large patient cohort. We sought to determine whether our classification system can further predict middle long-term stroke and death.

Determinants of neurological disease: Synthesis of systematic reviews.

Systematic reviews were conducted to identify risk factors associated with the onset and progression of 14 neurological conditions, prioritized as a component of the National Population Health Study of Neurological Conditions. These systematic reviews provided a basis for evaluating the weight of evidence of evidence for risk factors for the onset and progression of the 14 individual neurological conditions considered. A number of risk factors associated with an increased risk of onset for more than one condition, including exposure to pesticides (associated with an increased risk of AD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, brain tumours, and PD; smoking (AD, MS); and infection (MS, Tourette syndrome).

Dual pH-Mediated Mechanized Hollow Zirconia Nanospheres.

We demonstrate for the first time how to assemble mechanized hollow zirconia nanospheres (MHzNs), consisting of hollow mesoporous zirconia nanospheres (HMZNs) as nanoscaffolds and supramolecular switches anchored on the exterior surface of HMZNs. The remarkable advantage of substitution of HMZNs for conventional mesoporous silica nanoscaffolds is that HMZNs can suffer the hot alkaline reaction environment, which provides a novel strategy for functionalization and thus achieve dual pH-mediated controlled release functions by simple and practicable assembly procedure. Under neutral solution, cucurbituril[7] (CB[7]) macrocycles complexed with propanone bis(2-aminoethyl)ketal (PBAEK) to form [2]pseudorotaxanes as supramolecular switches, blocking the pore orifices and preventing the undesirable leakage of cargoes.

Identification of risk factors associated with onset and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using systematic review and meta-analysis.

Although amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was identified as a neurological condition 150 years ago, risk factors related to the onset and progression of ALS remain largely unknown. Monogenic mutations in over 30 genes are associated with about 10% of ALS cases. The age at onset of ALS and disease types has been found to influence ALS progression.

Systematic reviews of factors associated with the onset and progression of neurological conditions in humans: A methodological overview.

As a component of the National Population Health Study of Neurological conditions, systematic reviews were conducted to identify risk factors associated with the onset and progression of 14 priority neurological conditions. Between 2011 and 2013, electronic databases and grey literature sources were searched to identify systematic reviews and primary studies reporting on the onset and progression of each condition. Inclusion was restricted to studies of humans reported in English or French.

Facile Synthesis of Smart Nanocontainers as Key Components for Construction of Self-Healing Coating with Superhydrophobic Surfaces.

SiO2-imidazoline nanocomposites (SiO2-IMI) owning high loading capacity of corrosion inhibitor, 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (HMID), and a special acid/alkali dual-stimuli-accelerated release property have been synthesized via a one-step modified Stöber method. SiO2-IMI were uniformly distributed into the hydrophobic SiO2 sol to construct "host"-"guest" feedback active coating with a superhydrophobic surface (SiO2-IMI@SHSC) on aluminium alloy, AA2024, by dip-coating technique. SiO2-IMI as "guest" components have good compatibility with "host" sol-gel coating, and more importantly, once localized corrosion occurs on the surface of AA2024, SiO2-IMI can simultaneously respond to the increase in environmental pH around corrosive micro-cathodic regions and decrease in pH near micro-anodic regions, promptly releasing HMID to form a compact molecular film on the damaged surface, inhibiting corrosion spread and executing a self-healing function.

Clinical application of fast-track surgery with Chinese medicine treatment in the devascularization operation for cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of fast-track surgery combined with Chinese medicine treatment in devascularization operation for cirrhotic esophageal varices.

Methods: Seventy-two patients with cirrhotic esophageal varices were selected from January 2009 to June 2013, and randomly assigned to a conventional group and a fast-track group (fast-track surgery combined with Chinese medicine treatment) using a randomized digital table, 36 cases in each group. Operation and anesthesia recovery time, postoperative hospitalization and quality of life were recorded and compared between groups during the perioperative period.

Voltage/pH-Driven Mechanized Silica Nanoparticles for the Multimodal Controlled Release of Drugs.

The major challenges of current drug delivery systems for combination chemotherapy focus on how to efficiently transport drugs to target sites and release multiple drugs in a programmed manner. Herein, we report a novel multidrug delivery system, MSNPs 1, based on mechanized silica nanoparticles, which were constructed through functionalization of mesoporous silica nanoparticles with the acid-cleavable intermediate linkages and the monoferrocene functionalized β-cyclodextrin (Fc-β-CD) as supramolecular nanovalves. MSNPs 1 achieved zero premature release in the physiological pH solution and realized two different release modalities.

A meta-analysis of observational studies of the association between chronic occupational exposure to lead and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: The association between occupational exposure to lead and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was examined through systematic review and meta-analyses of relevant epidemiological studies and reported according to PRISMA guidelines.

Methods: Relevant studies were searched in multiple bibliographic databases through September 2013; additional articles were tracked through PubMed until submission. All records were screened in DistillerSR, and the data extracted from included articles were synthesized with meta-analysis.

Mono-benzimidazole functionalized β-cyclodextrins as supramolecular nanovalves for pH-triggered release of p-coumaric acid.

The self-complexation of mono-benzimidazole functionalized β-cyclodextrins was investigated. The unique molecular structure employed as supramolecular nanovalves were installed on the external surface of mesoporous silica to assemble mechanized silica nanoparticles, which showed pH-triggered release property.

Intermediate CAG repeat expansion in the ATXN2 gene is a unique genetic risk factor for ALS--a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare degenerative condition of the motor neurons. Over 10% of ALS cases are linked to monogenic mutations, with the remainder thought to be due to other risk factors, including environmental factors, genetic polymorphisms, and possibly gene-environmental interactions. We examined the association between ALS and an intermediate CAG repeat expansion in the ATXN2 gene using a meta-analytic approach.

Graphene quantum dot-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles through an acid-cleavable acetal bond for intracellular drug delivery and imaging.

Luminescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have been capped onto the nanopores of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) through an acid-cleavable acetal bond. Herein, the GQDs behave as dual-purpose entities that act as capping agents and also exhibit excellent photoluminescence property.

Mechanized silica nanoparticles based on reversible bistable [2]pseudorotaxanes as supramolecular nanovalves for multistage pH-controlled release.

Cucurbit[6]uril-based reversible bistable [2]pseudorotaxanes were designed, synthesized and installed on the surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles as supramolecular nanovalves. The assembled mechanized silica nanoparticles realize the multistage pH-controlled release of benzotriazole and the potential for reutilization.

Acid and alkaline dual stimuli-responsive mechanized hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles as smart nanocontainers for intelligent anticorrosion coatings.

The present paper introduces an intelligent anticorrosion coating, based on the mechanized hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSs) as smart nanocontainers implanted into the self-assembled nanophase particles (SNAP) coating. As the key component, smart nanocontainers assembled by installing supramolecular nanovalves in the form of the bistable pseudorotaxanes on the external surface of HMSs realize pH-responsive controlled release for corrosion inhibitor, caffeine molecules. The smart nanocontainers encapsulate caffeine molecules at neutral pH, and release the molecules either under acidic or alkaline conditions, which make them spontaneously experience the pH excursions arisen from corrosion process and respond quickly.

Virtual mutagenesis of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 involved in glioblastoma multiforme.

Background: Site A132Arg mutations potentially impair the affinity of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) for its substrate isocitrate (ICT), consequently reducing the production of α-ketoglutarate and leading to tumor growth through the induction of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) pathway. However, given that the roles of other active sites in IDH1 substrate binding remain unclear, we aimed to investigate IDH1 mutation pattern and its influence on enzyme function.

Methods: Fifteen IDH1 catalytic active site candidates were selected for in silico mutagenesis and protein homology modeling.

Ht31, a protein kinase A anchoring inhibitor, induces robust cholesterol efflux and reverses macrophage foam cell formation through ATP-binding cassette transporter A1.

Macrophage foam cell is the predominant cell type in atherosclerotic lesions. Removal of excess cholesterol from macrophages thus offers effective protection against atherosclerosis. Here we report that a protein kinase A (PKA)-anchoring inhibitor, st-Ht31, induces robust cholesterol/phospholipid efflux, and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) greatly facilitates this process.

Regulation of cholesterol efflux from macrophages.

Purpose Of Review: The lipid efflux pathway is important for both HDL formation and the reverse cholesterol transport pathway. This review is focused on recent findings on the mechanism of lipid efflux and its regulation, particularly in macrophages.

Recent Findings: Significant progress has been made on understanding the sequence of events that accompany the interaction of apolipoproteins A-I with cell surface ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 and its subsequent lipidation.

[Construction and identification of RNA interference lentiviral expression vector of galectin-3 gene].

Objective: To construct a recombinant lentiviral U6 plasmids for RNA interference (RNAi) of galectin-3 gene and select the optimal target sequence of galectin-3 gene for RNAi.

Methods: Double-stranded oligo DNAs were designed and synthesized according to the sequence of galectin-3 gene, and ligated into linearized pGCL-GFP/U6 plasmid followed by transformation into competent DH5alpha cells. After PCR and sequence analysis for verification of the positive clones, the plasmid pGCL-GFP/U6 Gal-3shRNA-1 was extracted and transfected into CaCl2-treated 293T cells to obtain the viral vectors containing the RNAi sequence.

Epoxycholesterol impairs cholesteryl ester hydrolysis in macrophage foam cells, resulting in decreased cholesterol efflux.

Objective: Strategies to inhibit or reverse cholesterol accumulation in macrophages have been shown to be atheroprotective. Notably, the administration of LXR agonists upregulates key players in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway, including the ABCA1 and ABCG1 transporters. However, the effects of natural LXR activators, oxysterols, on lipid-laden macrophages remains elusive.

N'-(4-Methoxy-benzyl-idene)-4-nitro-benzo-hydrazide methanol solvate.

The title compound, C(15)H(13)N(3)O(4)·CH(4)O, was synthesized from the reaction of 4-methoxy-benzaldehyde with 4-nitro-benzohydrazide in methanol. The benzene rings of the Schiff base mol-ecule are nearly coplanar, making a dihedral angle of 7.0 (3)°.

Differential regulation of ATP binding cassette protein A1 expression and ApoA-I lipidation by Niemann-Pick type C1 in murine hepatocytes and macrophages.

Niemann-Pick type C1 (Npc1) protein inactivation results in lipid accumulation in late endosomes and lysosomes, leading to a defect of ATP binding cassette protein A1 (Abca1)-mediated lipid efflux to apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) in macrophages and fibroblasts. However, the role of Npc1 in Abca1-mediated lipid efflux to apoA-I in hepatocytes, the major cells contributing to HDL formation, is still unknown. Here we show that, whereas lipid efflux to apoA-I in Npc1-null macrophages is impaired, the lipidation of endogenously synthesized apoA-I by low density lipoprotein-derived cholesterol or de novo synthesized cholesterol or phospholipids in Npc1-null hepatocytes is significantly increased by about 1-, 3-, and 8-fold, respectively.