Intraplantar aminoglutethimide, a P450scc inhibitor, reduced the induction of mechanical allodynia in a rat model of thrombus-induced ischemic pain.

Neuroactive steroids (NASs) directly affect neuronal excitability. Despite their role in the nervous system is intimately linked to pain control, knowledge is currently limited. This study investigates the peripheral involvement of NASs in chronic ischemic pain by targeting the cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc).

Inhibition of the interaction between Hippo/YAP and Akt signaling with ursolic acid and 3'3-diindolylmethane suppresses esophageal cancer tumorigenesis.

Hippo/YAP signaling hinders cancer progression. Inactivation of this pathway contributes to the development of esophageal cancer by activation of Akt. However, the possible interaction between Akt and Hippo/YAP pathways in esophageal cancer progression is unclear.

Spexin-Based Galanin Receptor Type 2 Agonist for Comorbid Mood Disorders and Abnormal Body Weight.

Despite the established comorbidity between mood disorders and abnormal eating behaviors, the underlying molecular mechanism and therapeutics remain to be resolved. Here, we show that a spexin-based galanin receptor type 2 agonist (SG2A) simultaneously normalized mood behaviors and body weight in corticosterone pellet-implanted (CORTI) mice, which are underweight and exhibit signs of anhedonia, increased anxiety, and depression. Administration of SG2A into the lateral ventricle produced antidepressive and anxiolytic effects in CORTI mice.

Design Principle of Fe-N-C Electrocatalysts: How to Optimize Multimodal Porous Structures?

The effect of porous structures on the electrocatalytic activity of N-doped carbon is studied by using electrochemical analysis techniques and the result is applied to synthesize highly active and stable Fe-N-C catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We developed synthetic procedures to prepare three types of N-doped carbon model catalysts that are designed for systematic comparison of the porous structures. The difference in their catalytic activity is investigated in relation to the surface area and the electrochemical parameters.

Synthesis and Biomedical Applications of Multifunctional Nanoparticles.

The accumulated knowledge of nanoparticle (NP) synthesis for the last 30 years has enabled the development of functional NPs for biomedical applications. Especially, NPs with multifunctional capabilities are gaining popularity as the demand for versatile and efficient NP agents increases. Various combinations of functional materials are integrated to form multicomponent NPs with designed size, structure, and multifunctionality.

Giant thermal hysteresis in Verwey transition of single domain FeO nanoparticles.

Most interesting phenomena of condensed matter physics originate from interactions among different degrees of freedom, making it a very intriguing yet challenging question how certain ground states emerge from only a limited number of atoms in assembly. This is especially the case for strongly correlated electron systems with overwhelming complexity. The Verwey transition of FeO is a classic example of this category, of which the origin is still elusive 80 years after the first report.

Microscopic States and the Verwey Transition of Magnetite Nanocrystals Investigated by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.

Fe nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of magnetite nanocrystals ranging in size from 7 nm to 7 μm is measured. The line width of the NMR spectra changes drastically around 120 K, showing microscopic evidence of the Verwey transition. In the region above the transition temperature, the line width of the spectrum increases and the spin-spin relaxation time decreases as the nanocrystal size decreases.

Differential Development of Facial and Hind Paw Allodynia in a Nitroglycerin-Induced Mouse Model of Chronic Migraine: Role of Capsaicin Sensitive Primary Afferents.

Despite the relatively high prevalence of migraine or headache, the pathophysiological mechanisms triggering headache-associated peripheral hypersensitivities, are unknown. Since nitric oxide (NO) is well known as a causative factor in the pathogenesis of migraine or migraine-associated hypersensitivities, a mouse model has been established using systemic administration of the NO donor, nitroglycerin (NTG). Here we tried to investigate the time course development of facial or hindpaw hypersensitivity after repetitive NTG injection.

Differential involvement of ipsilateral and contralateral spinal cord astrocyte D-serine in carrageenan-induced mirror-image pain: role of σ1 receptors and astrocyte gap junctions.

Background And Purpose: Although we have recently demonstrated that spinal astrocyte gap junctions mediate the development of mirror-image pain (MIP), it is still unclear which astrocyte-derived factor is responsible for the development of MIP and how its production is controlled. In the present study, we focused on the role of ipsilateral versus contralateral D-serine in the development of MIP and investigated the possible involvement of σ1 receptors and gap junctions in astrocyte D-serine production.

Experimental Approach: Following carrageenan injection, mechanical allodynia was tested at various time points to examine the effect of individual drugs.

Large-Scale Synthesis of Carbon-Shell-Coated FeP Nanoparticles for Robust Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalyst.

A highly active and stable non-Pt electrocatalyst for hydrogen production has been pursued for a long time as an inexpensive alternative to Pt-based catalysts. Herein, we report a simple and effective approach to prepare high-performance iron phosphide (FeP) nanoparticle electrocatalysts using iron oxide nanoparticles as a precursor. A single-step heating procedure of polydopamine-coated iron oxide nanoparticles leads to both carbonization of polydopamine coating to the carbon shell and phosphidation of iron oxide to FeP, simultaneously.

A critical role of spinal Shank2 proteins in NMDA-induced pain hypersensitivity.

Background Self-injurious behaviors (SIBs) are devastating traits in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although deficits in pain sensation might be one of the contributing factors underlying the development of SIBs, the mechanisms have yet to be addressed. Recently, the Shank2 synaptic protein has been considered to be a key component in ASD, and mutations of SHANK2 gene induce the dysfunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, suggesting a link between Shank2 and NMDA receptors in ASD.

Involvement of peripheral P2Y1 receptors and potential interaction with IL-1 receptors in IL-1β-induced thermal hypersensitivity in rats.

Although interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a prototypical pro-inflammatory cytokine, the specific mechanisms underlying the role of its cognate receptor, the interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) in peripheral sensitization remain to be investigated. Since emerging evidence in the literature indicates that IL-1β can modulate membrane-bound receptors, we decided to examine the involvement of P2Y1 receptor (P2Y1R) in IL-1β induced pain and the potential interaction of P2Y1Rs and IL-1Rs in both naïve and carrageenan injected rats. Intraplantar (i.

Spinal D-Serine Increases PKC-Dependent GluN1 Phosphorylation Contributing to the Sigma-1 Receptor-Induced Development of Mechanical Allodynia in a Mouse Model of Neuropathic Pain.

Unlabelled: We have recently shown that spinal sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) activation facilitates nociception via an increase in phosphorylation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor GluN1 subunit (pGluN1). The present study was designed to examine whether the Sig-1R-induced facilitative effect on NMDA-induced nociception is mediated by D-serine, and whether D-serine modulates spinal pGluN1 expression and the development of neuropathic pain after chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Intrathecal administration of the D-serine degrading enzyme, D-amino acid oxidase attenuated the facilitation of NMDA-induced nociception induced by the Sig-1R agonist, 2-(4-morpholinethyl)1-phenylcyclohexane carboxylate.

The role of spinal interleukin-1β and astrocyte connexin 43 in the development of mirror-image pain in an inflammatory pain model.

Although we have recently demonstrated that carrageenan-induced inflammation upregulates the expression of spinal interleukin (IL)-1β, which inhibits spinal astrocyte activation and results in the delayed development of Mirror-Image Pain (MIP), little is known regarding the mechanisms that underlie how spinal IL-1β inhibits the astrocyte activation. In this study, we examined the effect of spinal IL-1β on astrocyte gap junctions (GJ) and the development of MIP. Following unilateral carrageenan (CA) injection, mechanical allodynia (MA) was evaluated at various time points.

Neuronal NOS Activates Spinal NADPH Oxidase 2 Contributing to Central Sigma-1 Receptor-Induced Pain Hypersensitivity in Mice.

We recently demonstrated that activation of spinal sigma-1 receptors (Sig-1Rs) induces pain hypersensitivity via the activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 2 (Nox2). However, the potential direct interaction between nNOS-derived nitric oxide (NO) and Nox2-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) is poorly understood, particularly with respect to the potentiation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activity in the spinal cord associated with the development of central sensitization. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to investigate whether Sig-1R-induced and nNOS-derived NO modulates spinal Nox2 activation leading to an increase in ROS production and ultimately to the potentiation of NMDA receptor activity and pain hypersensitivity.

Astrocyte sigma-1 receptors modulate connexin 43 expression leading to the induction of below-level mechanical allodynia in spinal cord injured mice.

We have previously shown using a spinal cord injury (SCI) model that gap junctions contribute to the early spread of astrocyte activation in the lumbar spinal cord and that this astrocyte communication plays critical role in the induction of central neuropathic pain. Sigma-1 receptors (Sig-1Rs) have been implicated in spinal astrocyte activation and the development of peripheral neuropathic pain, yet their contribution to central neuropathic pain remains unknown. Thus, we investigated whether SCI upregulates spinal Sig-1Rs, which in turn increase the expression of the astrocytic gap junction protein, connexin 43 (Cx43) leading to the induction of central neuropathic pain.

Oxidation Induced Doping of Nanoparticles Revealed by in Situ X-ray Absorption Studies.

Doping is a well-known approach to modulate the electronic and optical properties of nanoparticles (NPs). However, doping at nanoscale is still very challenging, and the reasons for that are not well understood. We studied the formation and doping process of iron and iron oxide NPs in real time by in situ synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Peripheral neurosteroids enhance P2X receptor-induced mechanical allodynia via a sigma-1 receptor-mediated mechanism.

The role of peripheral neurosteroids and their related mechanisms on nociception have not been thoroughly investigated. Based on emerging evidence in the literature indicating that neurosteroids and their main target receptors, i.e.

Highly Durable and Active PtFe Nanocatalyst for Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Demand on the practical synthetic approach to the high performance electrocatalyst is rapidly increasing for fuel cell commercialization. Here we present a synthesis of highly durable and active intermetallic ordered face-centered tetragonal (fct)-PtFe nanoparticles (NPs) coated with a "dual purpose" N-doped carbon shell. Ordered fct-PtFe NPs with the size of only a few nanometers are obtained by thermal annealing of polydopamine-coated PtFe NPs, and the N-doped carbon shell that is in situ formed from dopamine coating could effectively prevent the coalescence of NPs.

Route to the Smallest Doped Semiconductor: Mn(2+)-Doped (CdSe)13 Clusters.

Doping semiconductor nanocrystals with magnetic transition-metal ions has attracted fundamental interest to obtain a nanoscale dilute magnetic semiconductor, which has unique spin exchange interaction between magnetic spin and exciton. So far, the study on the doped semiconductor NCs has usually been conducted with NCs with larger than 2 nm because of synthetic challenges. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of Mn(2+)-doped (CdSe)13 clusters, the smallest doped semiconductors.

Hybrid Cellular Nanosheets for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes.

We report a simple synthetic method of carbon-based hybrid cellular nanosheets that exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance for many key aspects of lithium-ion battery electrodes. The nanosheets consist of close-packed cubic cavity cells partitioned by carbon walls, resembling plant leaf tissue. We loaded carbon cellular nanosheets with SnO2 nanoparticles by vapor deposition method and tested the performance of the resulting SnO2-carbon nanosheets as anode materials.

Spinal sigma-1 receptor activation increases the production of D-serine in astrocytes which contributes to the development of mechanical allodynia in a mouse model of neuropathic pain.

We have previously demonstrated that activation of the spinal sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) plays an important role in the development of mechanical allodynia (MA) via secondary activation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Sig-1Rs have been shown to localize to astrocytes, and blockade of Sig-1Rs inhibits the pathologic activation of astrocytes in neuropathic mice. However, the mechanism by which Sig-1R activation in astrocytes modulates NMDA receptors in neurons is currently unknown.