Effect of Physical and Social Components of Enriched Environment on Astrocytes Proliferation in Rats After Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.

Treatment of enriched environment (EE) exerts neuroprotective effect in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, how the component of EE contributes to the functional recovery after brain ischemia remains unclear. Here we examined the effect of physical and social components of EE on poststroke astrocytes proliferation using an animal model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion.

Abnormal mitochondrial dynamics and impaired mitochondrial biogenesis in trigeminal ganglion neurons in a rat model of migraine.

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated a possible role of mitochondrial dysfunction in migraine pathophysiology. Migraine sufferers exhibit impaired metabolic capacity, with an increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial biogenesis are key processes regulating mitochondrial homeostasis.

Na/HCO cotransporter is expressed on β and α cells during rat pancreatic development.

Aim: To determine the expression and localization of the electrogenic Na/HCO cotransporter (NBC1) in rat pancreas during development.

Methods: The rat pancreas from postnatal and embryos removed from the uterus of pregnant rats that had been sacrificed by CO asphyxiation were used. Rat pancreas from embryonic day (E) 15.

Impact of serum uric acid, albumin and their interaction on Parkinson's disease.

The study aimed to investigate the correlation between Parkinson's disease (PD) and serum levels of uric acid (UA), albumin and their interaction. A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the relationship of serum UA, albumin with PD. A total of 96 PD patients and 108 healthy controls were recruited at Huai'an First People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University.

Effect of enriched environment on angiogenesis and neurological functions in rats with focal cerebral ischemia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of enriched environment (EE) on cerebral angiogenesis after ischemia-reperfusion injury. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion was performed in rats to set up an animal model of ischemia-reperfusion injury. In a set of behavioral tests, we demonstrated that the animals in the IEE (ischemia + enriched environment) group exhibited significantly improved neurological functions compared to those in the standard housing condition group.

Scramblase TMEM16F terminates T cell receptor signaling to restrict T cell exhaustion.

In chronic infection, T cells become hyporesponsive to antigenic stimulation to prevent immunopathology. Here, we show that TMEM16F is required to curb excessive T cell responses in chronic infection with virus. TMEM16F-deficient T cells are hyperactivated during the early phase of infection, exhibiting increased proliferation and cytokine production.

Glycine Potentiates AMPA Receptor Function through Metabotropic Activation of GluN2A-Containing NMDA Receptors.

NMDA receptors are Ca-permeable ion channels. The activation of NMDA receptors requires agonist glutamate and co-agonist glycine. Recent evidence indicates that NMDA receptor also has metabotropic function.

No Association Between Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism 56 (SNP56) in Phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) Gene and Susceptibility to Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis of 15 Studies.

BACKGROUND Recent studies demonstrated that polymorphisms in the PDE4D gene were associated with several processes involved in the occurrence of ischemic stroke (IS). The association between specific PDE4D single-nucleotide polymorphism 56 (SNP56) and IS risk was initially identified via genome-wide association studies (GWAS), although the GWAS in different populations produced inconclusive results. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to better explain the association between PDE4D SNP56 and IS risk.

No Association Between SNP56 in PDE4D Gene and Susceptibility to Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis of 15 Studies.

BACKGROUND Recent studies demonstrated that polymorphisms in the PDE4D gene were associated with several processes involved in the occurrence of ischemic stroke (IS). The association between specific PDE4D single-nucleotide polymorphism 56 (SNP56) and IS risk was initially identified via genome-wide association studies (GWAS), although the GWAS in different populations produced inconclusive results. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to better explain the association between PDE4D SNP56 and IS risk.

Glycine triggers a non-ionotropic activity of GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors to confer neuroprotection.

Ionotropic activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) requires agonist glutamate and co-agonist glycine. Here we show that glycine enhances the activation of cell survival-promoting kinase Akt in cultured cortical neurons in which both the channel activity of NMDARs and the glycine receptors are pre-inhibited. The effect of glycine is reduced by shRNA-mediated knockdown of GluN2A subunit-containing NMDARs (GluN2ARs), suggesting that a non-ionotropic activity of GluN2ARs mediates glycine-induced Akt activation.

Association between TLR4 and PTEN Involved in LPS-TLR4 Signaling Response.

In this study, we explored the potential mechanisms of how PTEN regulating LPS induced TLR4 signaling pathway. The initial findings from ELISA demonstrate that PTEN influences TNF-α secretion by its lipid phosphatase activity. Subsequently, western blot, immunoprecipitation assay, and immunofluorescence were performed to explore the activation process of PTEN by stimulation with LPS.

CD1a on Langerhans cells controls inflammatory skin disease.

CD1a is a lipid-presenting molecule that is abundantly expressed on Langerhans cells. However, the in vivo role of CD1a has remained unclear, principally because CD1a is lacking in mice. Through the use of mice with transgenic expression of CD1a, we found that the plant-derived lipid urushiol triggered CD1a-dependent skin inflammation driven by CD4(+) helper T cells that produced the cytokines IL-17 and IL-22 (TH17 cells).

Disrupting GluA2-GAPDH Interaction Affects Axon and Dendrite Development.

GluA2-containing AMPA receptors (AMPARs) play a critical role in various aspects of neurodevelopment. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes are largely unknown. We report here that the interaction between GluA2 and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is necessary for neuron and cortical development.

Cytomembrane ATP-sensitive K channels in neurovascular unit targets of ischemic stroke in the recovery period.

The present study was to analyze the mechanism of cytomembrane ATP-sensitive K channels (K) in the neurovascular unit treatment of ischemic stroke in the recovery period. A total of 24 healthy adult male Wistar rats of 5-8 weeks age, weighing 160-200 g were randomly divided into the control (sham-operation group), model, K blocker and K opener groups (n=6 rats per group). Nylon cerebral artery occlusion was conducted using nylon monofilament coated with Poly-L-lysine, which was used to produce a cerebral infarction model.

Neuronal seipin knockout facilitates Aβ-induced neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity via reduction of PPARγ in hippocampus of mouse.

Background: A characteristic phenotype of congenital generalized lipodystrophy 2 (CGL2) that is caused by loss-of-function of seipin gene is mental retardation. Seipin is highly expressed in hippocampal pyramidal cells and astrocytes. Neuronal knockout of seipin in mice (seipin-KO mice) reduces the hippocampal peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) level without the loss of pyramidal cells.

Glycine confers neuroprotection through microRNA-301a/PTEN signaling.

Background: Glycine is known to protect against neuronal death. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. The microRNA-301a is involved in both biological and pathological processes.

Reducing surgical levels by paraspinal mapping and diffusion tensor imaging techniques in lumbar spinal stenosis.

Background: Correlating symptoms and physical examination findings with surgical levels based on common imaging results is not reliable. In patients who have no concordance between radiological and clinical symptoms, the surgical levels determined by conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurogenic examination (NE) may lead to a more extensive surgery and significant complications. We aimed to confirm that whether the use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and paraspinal mapping (PM) techniques can further prevent the occurrence of false positives with conventional MRI, distinguish which are clinically relevant from levels of cauda equina and/or nerve root lesions based on MRI, and determine and reduce the decompression levels of lumbar spinal stenosis than MRI + NE, while ensuring or improving surgical outcomes.

Genetic Deletion of TREK-1 or TWIK-1/TREK-1 Potassium Channels does not Alter the Basic Electrophysiological Properties of Mature Hippocampal Astrocytes In Situ.

We have recently shown that a linear current-to-voltage (I-V) relationship of membrane conductance (passive conductance) reflects the intrinsic property of K(+) channels in mature astrocytes. While passive conductance is known to underpin a highly negative and stable membrane potential (V M) essential for the basic homeostatic function of astrocytes, a complete repertoire of the involved K(+) channels remains elusive. TREK-1 two-pore domain K(+) channel (K2P) is highly expressed in astrocytes, and covalent association of TREK-1 with TWIK-1, another highly expressed astrocytic K2P, has been reported as a mechanism underlying the trafficking of heterodimer TWIK-1/TREK-1 channel to the membrane and contributing to astrocyte passive conductance.

Atorvastatin in improvement of cognitive impairments caused by amyloid β in mice: involvement of inflammatory reaction.

Background: The production of inflammatory cytokines resulting from amyloid β (Aβ) is associated with the initiation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Atorvastatin (ATV) has been reported to improve AD, however, it is unclear how the anti-inflammatory mechanism is linked with its protection against the impairment of spatial cognitive function in AD. The present study was designed to explore what mechanism was possibly involved in the anti-inflammatory pathway in regard to the ATV treatment of AD.

Dose-Dependent Neuroprotection and Neurotoxicity of Simvastatin through Reduction of Farnesyl Pyrophosphate in Mice Treated with Intracerebroventricular Injection of Aβ 1-42.

Background: Simvastatin (SV) has been reported to improve dementia and slow progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), however there are conflicting reports.

Objective & Methods: Intracerebroventricular injection of aggregated Aβ1-42 in mice (Aβ1-42-mice) caused spatial cognitive deficits, long-term potentiation (LTP) impairment, and death of hippocampal pyramidal cells. The present study focused on exploring the dose-dependent effects of SV (10-80 mg/kg) on Aβ1-42-impaired spatial memory and the underlying mechanisms.

Evaluation of radiation-induced peripheral nerve injury in rabbits with MR neurography using diffusion tensor imaging and T2 measurements: Correlation with histological and functional changes.

Purpose: To investigate the potential of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and T2 measurements in the evaluation of radiation-induced peripheral nerve injury (RIPNI).

Materials And Methods: RIPNI was produced in a randomly selected side of sciatic nerve in each of 21 rabbits while the contralateral side served as the control. The limb function and MR parameters were evaluated over a 4-month period.

The effect of magnetic field on chiral transmission in p-n-p graphene junctions.

We investigate Klein tunneling in graphene heterojunctions under the influence of a perpendicular magnetic field via the non-equilibrium Green's function method. We find that the angular dependence of electron transmission is deflected sideways, resulting in the suppression of normally incident electrons and overall decrease in conductance. The off-normal symmetry axis of the transmission profile was analytically derived.

Atorvastatin May Correct Dyslipidemia in Adult Patients at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease Through an Anti-Inflammatory Pathway.

Background: Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Although, atorvastatin is a well-accepted lipid-lowering agent, the benefits of atorvastatin treatment through an anti-inflammatory mechanism are still unclear.

Objective: The present study was designed to examine changes in inflammatory markers following administration of atorvastatin in dyslipidemic patients with a parental history of Alzheimer's disease.

Preventative effect of massage on gastric volvulus in infants with gastroesophageal reflux-induced pneumonia.

Objective: To study the preventative effects of massage on gastric volvulus (GV) in infants with gastroesophageal reflux (GER)-induced pneumonia.

Methods: One-hundred and eighty GV with GER-induced pneumonia inpatients were divided randomly into four groups: basic treatment 1 (n = 60), basic treatment 2 (n = 30), massage treatment 1 (n = 60) and massage treatment 2 (n = 30). Clinical examinations selected between groups 1 and 2 were different.

Urinary kallidinogenase for the treatment of cerebral arterial stenosis.

Aim: Urinary kallidinogenase (UK) has shown promise in improving cerebral perfusion. This study aimed to examine how UK affects cognitive status and serum levels of amyloid betas (Aβs) 1-40 and 1-42 in patients with cerebral arterial stenosis.

Methods: Ninety patients with cerebral arterial stenosis were enrolled, of whom 45 patients received UK + conventional treatment (UK group), and 45 patients received conventional treatment alone as control group.