Somatostatin-expressing neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex promote sevoflurane anesthesia in mice.

Background: The medial prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in regulating consciousness. However, the specific functions of its excitatory and inhibitory networks during anesthesia remain uncertain. Here we explored the hypothesis that somatostatin interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex enhance the effects of sevoflurane anesthesia by increasing GABA transmission to pyramidal neurons.

Cross-species characterization of transcranial ultrasound propagation.

Background: Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) has shown promising prospects as a non-invasive neuromodulation technique for both animals and humans. However, ultrasonic propagation characteristics within the brain differ significantly from those in free space. There is currently a lack of comprehensive studies on the effects of skull thickness on focal point position, full width at half maximum (FWHM), and acoustic intensity.

Zona Incerta GABAergic Neurons Facilitate Emergence from Isoflurane Anesthesia in Mice.

The zona incerta (ZI) predominantly consists of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) neurons, located adjacent to the lateral hypothalamus. GABA, acting on GABAA receptors, serves as a crucial neuromodulator in the initiation and maintenance of general anesthesia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of ZI GABAergic neurons in the general anesthesia process.

miR‑30c reduces myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by targeting SOX9 and suppressing pyroptosis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are commonly involved in regulating myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by binding and silencing their target genes. However, whether miRNAs regulate myocardial I/R-induced pyroptosis remains unclear. The present study established an rat model of myocardial I/R injury and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury model in rat primary cardiomyocytes to investigate the function and the underlying mechanisms of miRNAs on I/R injury-induced pyroptosis.

Claustrum modulates behavioral sensitivity and EEG activity of propofol anesthesia.

Aims: The claustrum has long been regarded as a vital center for conscious control. Electrical stimulation or damage to the claustrum can result in decreased awareness or loss of consciousness, suggesting that the claustrum may be a target for the action of general anesthetics. This study aimed to determine the role of the claustrum in propofol anesthesia.

PRG-1 prevents neonatal stimuli-induced persistent hyperalgesia and memory dysfunction via NSF/Glu/GluR2 signaling.

Neonatal repetitive noxious stimuli (RNS) has been shown to cause long-term harmful effects on nociceptive processing, learning, and memory which persist until adulthood. Plasticity-related gene 1 (PRG-1) regulates synaptic plasticity and functional reorganization in the brain during neuronal development. In this study, neonatal RNS rats were established by repetitive needle pricks to neonatal rats on all four feet to model repetitive pain exposure in infants.

GATOR2 complex-mediated amino acid signaling regulates brain myelination.

Amino acids are essential for cell growth and metabolism. Amino acid and growth factor signaling pathways coordinately regulate the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) kinase in cell growth and organ development. While major components of amino acid signaling mechanisms have been identified, their biological functions in organ development are unclear.

Effect of basal forebrain somatostatin and parvalbumin neurons in propofol and isoflurane anesthesia.

Aims: The basal forebrain (BF) plays an essential role in wakefulness and cognition. Two subtypes of BF gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons, including somatostatin-expressing (GABA ) and parvalbumin-positive (GABA ) neurons, function differently in mediating the natural sleep-wake cycle. Since the loss of consciousness induced by general anesthesia and the natural sleep-wake cycle probably share similar mechanisms, it is important to clarify the accurate roles of these neurons in general anesthesia procedure.

Metformin induces ferroptosis by targeting miR-324-3p/GPX4 axis in breast cancer.

Metformin is a widely prescribed hypoglycemic drug. Many studies have shown its anti-cancer properties. In the present study, we aimed to explore the effect of metformin on breast cancer and clarify the underlying mechanism.

Exosomal miR-487a derived from m2 macrophage promotes the progression of gastric cancer.

Tumor-associated macrophages contribute to cell growth, development, and metastasis in various cancers. However, the underlying mechanisms of M2 macrophage that modulate the progression of gastric cancer (GC) remain largely unknown. In this study, we detected the ratio of macrophages in GC tissues and found that the proportion of M2 macrophages was increased in GC tissues.

miR-34c inhibits proliferation of glioma by targeting PTP1B.

Glioma is one of the most pervasive and invasive primary malignancies in the central nervous system. Due to its abnormal proliferation, glioma remains hard to cure at present. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) has been proved to be involved in the process of proliferation in many malignancies.

Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Activity Modulates Isoflurane and Propofol Anesthesia.

Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain (BF) have long been considered to be the key neurons in the regulation of cortical and behavioral arousal, and cholinergic activation in the downstream region of the BF can arouse anesthetized rats. However, whether the activation of BF cholinergic neurons can induce behavior and electroencephalogram (EEG) recovery from anesthesia is unclear. In this study, based on a transgenic mouse line expressing ChAT-IRES-Cre, we applied a fiber photometry system combined with GCaMPs expression in the BF and found that both isoflurane and propofol inhibit the activity of BF cholinergic neurons, which is closely related to the consciousness transition.

GABA receptors in the basal forebrain mediates emergence from propofol anaesthesia in rats.

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to explore the role of the basal forebrain (BF) in propofol anaesthesia.

Methods: In the present study, we observed the neural activities of the BF during propofol anaesthesia using calcium fibre photometry recording. Subsequently, ibotenic acid was injected into the BF to verify the role of the BF in propofol anaesthesia.

Gastrodin promotes CNS myelination via a lncRNA Gm7237/miR-142a/MRF pathway.

Treatment of central nervous system (CNS) demyelination is greatly hindered by lack of the knowledge regarding to underlying molecular mechanisms as well as therapeutic agents. Here, we report a novel small molecule agent, gastrodin (GAS), which can significantly promote CNS myelination in mice models. By using high-throughput sequencing analysis, we discover a key long non-coding RNA Gm7237 that can enhance CNS myelination and is up-regulated by GAS.

Diazoxide Protects against Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Moderating ERS via Regulation of the miR-10a/IRE1 Pathway.

Nowadays, reperfusion is still the most effective treatment for ischemic heart disease. However, cardiac reperfusion therapy would lead to reperfusion injury, which may have resulted from endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) during reperfusion. Diazoxide (DZ) is a highly selective mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener.

Effects of Propofol on Electrical Synaptic Strength in Coupling Reticular Thalamic GABAergic Parvalbumin-Expressing Neurons.

Electrical synapses between neurons exhibit a high degree of plasticity, which makes critical contributions to neuronal communication. The GABAergic parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) neurons in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) interact with each other through electrical and chemical synapses. Plasticity of electrical synaptic transmission in TRN plays a key role in regulating thalamocortical and corticothalamic circuits and even the formation of consciousness.

MicroRNA And Circular RNA Expression In Affected Skin Of Patients With Postherpetic Neuralgia.

Mechanisms of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) are still not clear. Transcripts such as microRNA (miRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA) in the affected skin may take part in the initiation and development of this neuropathic pain; however, their expression profiles in skins of PHN patients have not been reported. The PHN affected skin and the mirror skin were collected and subjected to miRNA and circRNA microarray, and expression profiles were comparatively analyzed.

Ketamine Within Clinically Effective Range Inhibits Glutamate Transmission From Astrocytes to Neurons and Disrupts Synchronization of Astrocytic SICs.

Background: Astrocytes are now considered as crucial modulators of neuronal synaptic transmission. General anesthetics have been found to inhibit astrocytic activities, but it is not clear whether general anesthetics within the clinical concentration range affects the astrocyte-mediated synaptic regulation.

Methods: The effects of propofol, dexmedetomidine, and ketamine within clinically effective ranges on the slow inward currents (SICs) were tested by using the whole-cell recording in acute prefrontal cortex (PFC) slice preparations of rats.

Activation of noradrenergic terminals in the reticular thalamus delays arousal from propofol anesthesia in mice.

Electroencephalogram monitoring during propofol (PRO) anesthesia typically features low-frequency oscillations, which may be involved with thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) modulation. TRN receives noradrenergic inputs from the locus coeruleus (LC). We hypothesized that specific noradrenergic connections in the TRN may contribute to the emergence from PRO anesthesia.

Xiaochaihutang Inhibits the Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cell Line T6 Through the Nrf2 Pathway.

Xiaochaihutang (XCHT) is one of classic prescriptions in Treatise on Febrile Diseases in China which was reported to have the effect of anti-hepatic fibrosis . Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is now well established as a central driver of fibrosis in liver injury. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an important element for anti-oxidative damage which is one of the key factors responsible for occurrence.

Parabrachial Neurons Promote Behavior and Electroencephalographic Arousal From General Anesthesia.

General anesthesia has been used clinically for more than 170 years, yet its underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. The parabrachial nucleus (PBN) in the brainstem has been known to be crucial for regulating wakefulness and signs of arousal on the cortical electroencephalogram (EEG). Lesions of the parabrachial complex lead to unresponsiveness and a monotonous high-voltage, and a slow-wave EEG, which are the two main features of general anesthesia.

Activation of the P2X receptor in midbrain periaqueductal gray participates in the analgesic effect of tramadol in bone cancer pain rats.

Background Cancer pain is a well-known serious complication in metastatic or terminal cancer patients. Current pain management remains unsatisfactory. The activation of spinal and supraspinal P2X receptors plays a crucial role in the induction and maintenance mechanisms of various kinds of acute or chronic pain.

miR-487a promotes progression of gastric cancer by targeting TIA1.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies as well as the third leading cause for cancer-related death. Molecular basis of GC are essential and critical for its therapeutic treatment, but still remain poorly understood. T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA1) extensively involves in cancer progression, whereas its role and regulation mechanism in GC have not been revealed.

[Effect of Corydalis Rhizoma and L-tetrahydropalmatine on dopamine system of hippocampus and striatum in morphine-induced conditioned place preference rats].

To investigate the effects of Corydalis Rhizoma and L-tetrahydropalma-tine (L-THP) on the levels of dopamine neurotransmitter (DA), dopamine transporter (DAT) and the second dopamine receptor (D2R) in learning and memory-related brain areas, hippocampus and striatum, the DA, DAT and D2R were detected in conditioned place preference (CPP) rats suffered from morphine. And comparation the degree of similarity and consistency of the pharmacological effects was also studied. The rats were trained in black compartments and white ones (drug-paired compartment) with the increasing doses of morphine for 10 days (hypodermically injected from 10 mg•kg⁻¹ to 100 mg•kg⁻¹).

Chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve changes circular RNA expression in rat spinal dorsal horn.

Background: Mechanisms of neuropathic pain are still largely unknown. Molecular changes in spinal dorsal horn may contribute to the initiation and development of neuropathic pain. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as microRNA sponges and involved in various biological processes, but whether their expression profile changes in neuropathic pain condition is not reported.