Graphite Felt Modified by Atomic Layer Deposition with TiO Nanocoating Exhibits Super-Hydrophilicity, Low Charge-Transform Resistance, and High Electrochemical Activity.

Graphite felt (GF) is a multi-functional material and is widely used as electrodes of electrochemical devices for energy and environmental applications. However, due to the inherent hydrophobicity of graphite felt, it must be hydrophilically pretreated to obtain good electrochemical activity. Metal oxides coating is one of the feasible methods to modify the surface of GF, and in order to ensure that the metal oxides have a better conductivity for obtaining higher electrochemical activity, a subsequent H heat-treatment process is usually adopted.

Pathophysiological changes in the cerebellum and brain stem in a rabbit model after superior petrosal vein sacrifice.

In certain surgical procedures, sacrificing the superior petrosal vein (SPV) is required. Previous studies have reported transient cerebellar edema, venous infarction, or hemorrhage that might occur after sectioning of the SPV. The present study investigated the pathophysiological changes in cerebellum and brain stem after SPV sacrifice.

Effect of TNF-α Inhibition on Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Neurological Function Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury via the Wnt Signaling Pathway in a Rat Model.

Aim: The present study aimed to examine the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibition on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in neurological function recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) via the Wnt signaling pathway in a rat model.

Methods: The rat model of SCI was established using Allen's method. Seventy-two adult male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups (18 rats in each group): the sham control group, saline control group, BMSCs group (injection with BMSCs at the injured site) and BMSCs + TNF-α group (injection with BMSCs under TNF-α treatment at the injured site).

Anti-cancer effect of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 inhibition in human glioma U87 cells: involvement of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Background: Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are G-protein-coupled receptors that mediate neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system, and emerging evidence suggests a role of mGluRs in the biology of cancer. Previous studies showed that mGluR1 was a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer and melanoma, but its role in human glioma has not been determined.

Methods: In the present study, we investigated the effects of mGluR1 inhibition in human glioma U87 cells using specific targeted small interfering RNA (siRNA) or selective antagonists Riluzole and BAY36-7620.

Downregualtion of dynamin-related protein 1 attenuates glutamate-induced excitotoxicity via regulating mitochondrial function in a calcium dependent manner in HT22 cells.

Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity is involved in many acute and chronic brain diseases. Dynamin related protein 1 (Drp-1), one of the GTPase family of proteins that regulate mitochondrial fission and fusion balance, is associated with apoptotic cell death in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Here we investigated the effect of downregulating Drp-1 on glutamate excitotoxicity-induced neuronal injury in HT22 cells.