Publications by authors named "Thomas F Rau"

Here, we describe GS-9, a novel water-soluble fatty acid-based formulation comprising L-lysine and arachidonic acid, that we have shown to induce ferroptosis. GS-9 forms vesicle-like structures in solution and mediates lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by increased C11-BODIPY fluorescence and an accumulation of toxic malondialdehyde, a downstream product of lipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis inhibitors counteracted GS-9-induced cell death, whereas caspase 3 and 7 or MLKL knock-out cell lines are resistant to GS-9-induced cell death, eliminating other cell death processes such as apoptosis and necroptosis as the mechanism of action of GS-9.

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Article Synopsis
  • Undecylenic acid, a fatty acid used as a topical antifungal, shows potential as an anti-cancer agent through a new formulation called GS-1, combined with L-Arginine.
  • This formulation causes tumor cell death in a dose-dependent manner by activating apoptotic mechanisms, indicated by changes in mitochondrial function.
  • GS-1 specifically targets lipid droplets within cells, countering previous findings that suggested these droplets protect against fatty acid toxicity, highlighting the role of Fatty Acid Transport Protein 2 (FATP2) in its uptake and action.
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The environmental control of microbial pathogens currently relies on compounds that do not exert long-lasting activity on surfaces, are impaired by soil, and contribute to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. This study presents the scientific development and characterization of GS-2, a novel, water-soluble ammonium carboxylate salt of capric acid and L-arginine that demonstrates activity against a range of bacteria (particularly Gram-negative bacteria), fungi, and viruses. In real-world surface testing, GS-2 was more effective than a benzalkonium chloride disinfectant at reducing the bacterial load on common touch-point surfaces in a high-traffic building (average 1.

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Aim: A small but notable number of individuals who suffer a concussion report ongoing cognitive difficulties. This preliminary study investigated the efficacy of repetitive test application to discern cognitive impairment in those with ongoing symptoms.

Methods: Participants (n = 17) with continuing self-reported symptoms following a concussion (∼9 months postinjury) were compared with 17 age group matched controls for working memory and word-list learning.

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Multiple mild traumatic brain injury (mmTBI), in certain cases, produces persistent symptoms. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these symptoms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate extended pathological changes in the rat brain following mmTBI.

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Prediction of post-concussive syndrome after apparent mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and subsequent cognitive recovery remains challenging, with substantial limitations of current methods of cognitive testing. This pilot study aimed to determine if levels of micro ribonucleic acids (RNAs) circulating in plasma are altered following TBI, and if changes to levels of such biomarkers over time could assist in determination of prognosis after TBI. Patients were enrolled after TBI on presentation to the Emergency Department and allocated to three groups: A - TBI (physical trauma to the head), witnessed loss of consciousness, amnesia, GCS=15, a normal CT Brain and a recorded first pass after post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) scale; B TBI, witnessed LOC, amnesia, GCS=15, a normal CT brain and a PTA scale test fail and: C - TBI and initial GCS <13 on arrival to the ED.

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Primary Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) on multiple postural indices that characterize body sway behaviour.

Methods And Procedures: The body's centre of pressure (COP) displacement was recorded from 11 individuals with a history of mTBI (29.4 ± 6.

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Phenoxybenzamine (PBZ) is an FDA approved α-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist that is currently used to treat symptoms of pheochromocytoma. However, it has not been studied as a neuroprotective agent for traumatic brain injury (TBI). While screening neuroprotective candidates, we found that phenoxybenzamine reduced neuronal death in rat hippocampal slice cultures following exposure to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD).

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We recently published data that showed low dose of methamphetamine is neuroprotective when delivered 3 h after a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the current study, we further characterized the neuroprotective potential of methamphetamine by determining the lowest effective dose, maximum therapeutic window, pharmacokinetic profile and gene expression changes associated with treatment. Graded doses of methamphetamine were administered to rats beginning 8 h after severe TBI.

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Mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by depolarization of mitochondrial membranes and the initiation of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis are pathological responses to hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in the neonatal brain. Carnitine metabolism directly supports mitochondrial metabolism by shuttling long chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for beta-oxidation. Our previous studies have shown that HI disrupts carnitine homeostasis in neonatal rats and that L-carnitine can be neuroprotective.

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Background: Methamphetamine increases the release and blocks the reuptake of dopamine. The moderate activation of dopamine receptors may elicit neuroprotective effects. We have recently demonstrated that low doses of methamphetamine reduce neuronal loss after ischemic injury.

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The pathological basis of neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) brain damage is characterized by neuronal cell loss. Oxidative stress is thought to be one of the main causes of HI-induced neuronal cell death. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is activated under conditions of cell stress.

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High doses of methamphetamine induce the excessive release of dopamine resulting in neurotoxicity. However, moderate activation of dopamine receptors can promote neuroprotection. Therefore, we used in vitro and in vivo models of stroke to test the hypothesis that low doses of methamphetamine could induce neuroprotection.

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