Prenatal inflammation impairs early CD11c-positive microglia induction and delays myelination in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) is a form of maternal immune activation (MIA) linked to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. Our previous study identified neurodevelopmental impairments in an MIA mouse model mimicking HCA. Thus, this study investigated the role of CD11c microglia, key contributors to myelination through IGF-1 production, in this pathology.

Nobiletin-rich kososan, a Kampo formula, prevents the onset of apathy-like behavior and neuroinflammation in sickness behavior mouse model induced by increasing doses of lipopolysaccharide.

Infectious diseases are often concomitant with symptoms of lassitude and emotional disturbances, including depression, the so-called sickness behavior. Kososan, a Kampo (traditional Japanese herbal) formula, has been clinically used for depressive mood, with demonstrated efficacy in stress-induced depressive-like behavior mouse models. Additionally, our previous study has shown that nobiletin-rich kososan (NKS) prevents aging-related depressive-like behaviors and neuroinflammation in mice.

Trigger Finger: An Unusual Clue to Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

Stenosing flexor tenosynovitis, commonly known as trigger finger (TF), is characterized by thickening and inflammation of the flexor tendon sheath (A1 pulley), leading to painful catching or locking of the finger in a flexed position. While often associated with conditions like diabetes and hypothyroidism, this case report presents a unique instance where surgical intervention for pharmacologically resistant TF ultimately led to the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This case highlights the potential for underlying systemic conditions to manifest as TF and emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach in patients with persistent or atypical presentations.

Therapeutic potential of 4-phenylbutyric acid against methylmercury-induced neuronal cell death in mice.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental neurotoxin that induces damage to the central nervous system and is the causative agent in Minamata disease. The mechanisms underlying MeHg neurotoxicity remain largely unknown, and there is a need for effective therapeutic agents, such as those that target MeHg-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is activated as a defense mechanism. We investigated whether intraperitoneal administration of the chemical chaperone, 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), at 120 mg/kg/day can alleviate neurotoxicity in the brains of mice administered 50 ppm MeHg in drinking water for 5 weeks.

Elevated levels of apolipoprotein A4 in umbilical cord serum from the maternal major depressive disorder.

Aim: Prenatal maternal depression is known to affect the neurodevelopment of offspring. This study aimed to investigate the profile of umbilical cord serum in mothers with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods: Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was conducted using umbilical cord serum from mothers with MDD (n = 5) and controls (control, n = 5).