PEP-1-PIN1 Promotes Hippocampal Neuronal Cell Survival by Inhibiting Cellular ROS and MAPK Phosphorylation.

The peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PIN1) plays a vital role in cellular processes, including intracellular signaling and apoptosis. While oxidative stress is considered one of the primary mechanisms of pathogenesis in brain ischemic injury, the precise function of PIN1 in this disease remains to be elucidated. We constructed a cell-permeable PEP-1-PIN1 fusion protein and investigated PIN1's function in HT-22 hippocampal cells as well as in a brain ischemic injury gerbil model.

Biodegradation of poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) and poly(vinyl alcohol) within aquatic pathway.

Understanding the environmental fate of biodegradable plastics in aquatic systems is crucial, given the alarming amount of plastic waste and microplastic particles transported through aquatic pathways. In particular, there is a need to analyze the biodegradation of commercialized biodegradable plastics upon release from wastewater treatment plants into natural aquatic systems. This study investigates the biodegradation behaviors of poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in wastewater, freshwater, and seawater.

Non-Mitochondrial Aconitase-2 Mediates the Transcription of Nuclear-Encoded Electron Transport Chain Genes in Fission Yeast.

Aconitase-2 (Aco2) is present in the mitochondria, cytosol, and nucleus of fission yeast. To explore its function beyond the well-known role in the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, we conducted genome-wide profiling using the aco2ΔNLS mutant, which lacks a nuclear localization signal (NLS). The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data showed a general downregulation of electron transport chain (ETC) genes in the aco2ΔNLS mutant, except for those in the complex II, leading to a growth defect in respiratory-prone media.

Modeling of the brain-lung axis using organoids in traumatic brain injury: an updated review.

Clinical outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is closely associated conditions of other organs, especially lungs as well as degree of brain injury. Even if there is no direct lung damage, severe brain injury can enhance sympathetic tones on blood vessels and vascular resistance, resulting in neurogenic pulmonary edema. Conversely, lung damage can worsen brain damage by dysregulating immunity.

Constructing Reversible Li Deposition Interfaces by Tailoring Lithiophilic Functionalities of a Heteroatom-Doped Graphene Interlayer for Highly Stable Li Metal Anodes.

Lithium (Li) metal has been regarded as the ideal anode for rechargeable batteries due to its low reduction potential and high theoretical capacity. However, the formation of fatal Li dendrites during repeated cycling shortens the battery life and causes serious safety concerns. Functionalized separators with electrically conductive and lithiophilic coating layers potentially inhibit dendrite formation and growth on Li metal anodes by providing nucleation sites for reversible Li deposition/stripping.

Pulsed Radiofrequency Neuromodulation for Post-Stroke Shoulder Pain in Patients with Hemorrhagic Stroke.

Objective: Post-stroke shoulder pain (PSSP) is a common complication that limits the range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder, the patient's rehabilitation and in turn, affects the patients' quality of life (QoL). Several treatment modalities such as sling, positioning, strapping, functional electrical stimulation, and nerve block have been suggested in literatures, however none of the treatments had long-term effects for PSSP. In this study, the authors evaluated clinical efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) neuromodulation on the suprascapular nerve for PSSP, and suggested it as a potential treatment with long-term effect.

Tat-Thioredoxin-like protein 1 attenuates ischemic brain injury by regulation of MAPKs and apoptosis signaling.

Thioredoxin-like protein 1 (TXNL1), one of the thioredoxin superfamily known as redox-regulator, plays an essential in maintaining cell survival via various antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. It is well known that relationship between ischemia and oxidative stress, however, the role of TXNL1 protein in ischemic damage has not been fully investigated. In the present study, we aimed to determine the protective role of TXNL1 against on ischemic injury in vitro and in vivo using cell permeable Tat-TXNL1 fusion protein.

Outcome Analysis of External Neurolysis in Posture-Induced Compressive Peroneal Neuropathy and the Utility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Treatment Process.

Objective: We aimed to analyze the effectiveness of external neurolysis on the common peroneal nerve (CPN) in patients with posture-induced compressive peroneal neuropathy (PICPNe). Further, we aimed to examine the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing the severity of denervation status and predicting the postoperative prognosis.

Methods: We included 13 patients (eight males and five females) with foot drop who underwent CPN decompression between 2018 and 2020.

Fabrication and Characterization of Novel Silk Fiber-Optic SERS Sensor with Uniform Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles.

Biocompatible optical fibers and waveguides are gaining attention as promising platforms for implantable biophotonic devices. Recently, the distinct properties of silk fibroin were extensively explored because of its unique advantages, including flexibility, process compatibility, long-term biosafety, and controllable biodegradability for in vitro and in vivo biomedical applications. In this study, we developed a novel silk fiber for a sensitive optical sensor based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

Heteroatom-Doped Graphenes as Actively Interacting 2D Encapsulation Media for Mg-Based Hydrogen Storage.

Nanoencapsulation using graphene derivatives enables the facile fabrication of two-dimensional (2D) nanocomposites with unique microstructures and has been generally applied to many fields of energy materials. Particularly, metal hydrides such as MgH encapsulated by graphene derivatives have emerged as a promising hybrid material for overcoming the disadvantageous properties of Mg-based hydrogen storage. Although the behavior of the graphene-Mg nanoencapsulation interface has been studied for many composite materials, the direct modification of graphene with nonmetal foreign elements for changing the interfacial behavior has been limitedly reported.

Multiple Impact Damage in GLARE Laminates: Experiments and Simulations.

Experiments and finite element simulations for multiple impact were performed on GLARE 5-2/1 and aluminum 2024-T3. Experiments were conducted on aluminum 2024-T3 and GLARE 5-2/1 at diverse impact energies to produce BVID (barely visible impact damage) and CVID (clearly visible impact damage). The finite element model was developed for multiple impact analysis using ABAQUS software and was confirmed by comparing the finite element analysis outcomes with experimental results.

Transduced Tat-PRAS40 prevents dopaminergic neuronal cell death through ROS inhibition and interaction with 14-3-3σ protein.

Proline rich Akt substrate (PRAS40) is a component of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and activated mTORC1 plays important roles for cellular survival in response to oxidative stress. However, the roles of PRAS40 in dopaminergic neuronal cell death have not yet been examined. Here, we examined the roles of Tat-PRAS40 in MPP- and MPTP-induced dopaminergic neuronal cell death.

Reversing the Irreversible: Thermodynamic Stabilization of LiAlH Nanoconfined Within a Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Host.

A general problem when designing functional nanomaterials for energy storage is the lack of control over the stability and reactivity of metastable phases. Using the high-capacity hydrogen storage candidate LiAlH as an exemplar, we demonstrate an alternative approach to the thermodynamic stabilization of metastable metal hydrides by coordination to nitrogen binding sites within the nanopores of N-doped CMK-3 carbon (NCMK-3). The resulting LiAlH@NCMK-3 material releases H at temperatures as low as 126 °C with full decomposition below 240 °C, bypassing the usual LiAlH intermediate observed in bulk.

Removal of malformation in cerebral proliferative angiopathy: illustrative case.

Background: Cerebral proliferative angiopathy (CPA) is a rare vascular disorder distinct from arteriovenous malformation. Because of the disorder's rarity, there is still a controversy on the most promising treatment method for CPA. However, several meta-analysis articles suggest indirect vascularization such as encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis as an effective way of treating symptoms that are medically uncontrolled.

A Prospective Observational Study of Return to Work after Single Level Lumbar Discectomy.

Objective: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common disease, and lumbar discectomy (LD) is a common neurosurgical procedure. However, there is little previous data on return to work (RTW) after LD. This study investigated the period until the RTW after LD prospectively.

Tat-indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 elicits neuroprotective effects on ischemic injury.

It is well known that oxidative stress participates in neuronal cell death caused production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The increased ROS is a major contributor to the development of ischemic injury. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO-1) is involved in the kynurenine pathway in tryptophan metabolism and plays a role as an anti-oxidant.

Tat-Biliverdin Reductase A Exerts a Protective Role in Oxidative Stress-Induced Hippocampal Neuronal Cell Damage by Regulating the Apoptosis and MAPK Signaling.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is major risk factor in neuronal diseases including ischemia. Although biliverdin reductase A (BLVRA) plays a pivotal role in cell survival via its antioxidant function, its role in hippocampal neuronal (HT-22) cells and animal ischemic injury is not clearly understood yet. In this study, the effects of transducible fusion protein Tat-BLVRA on HO-induced HT-22 cell death and in an animal ischemia model were investigated.

A Research on the Shamanistic Medical Activities as Seen in the Recipes for Fifty-two Ailments Written in the Mawangdui Silk Manuscript.

The main thesis of this research is to discuss the shamanistic medical activities as seen in the Recipes for Fifty-two Ailments written in the Mawangdui Silk Manuscript, to corroborate them with handed-down literature and other underground written attestations in early China, and to inquire its characteristics. In the Eastern Zhou dynasty, medicine already emerged with specialized and professional properties, but did not disengage from the ideology of shamanism in Eastern Zhou society. In other words, the shamanistic treatment of diseases was one of the most important works of shamans because the specialized knowledge of medical treatment always interlaced with superstitious and mediumistic treatment methods.

Retrospective Chronologic Computed Tomography Analysis of Bone Flap Fusion and Resorption After Craniotomy and Autologous Cryopreserved Cranioplasty.

Background: In open brain surgery, fixation of the bone flap is the final procedure. The bone flaps then fuse naturally. The objective of this study was to investigate the chronological process of bone fusion after craniotomy and autologous cranioplasty.

Impact of Reducing the Procedure Time on Thromboembolism After Coil Embolization of Cerebral Aneurysms.

There is still controversy regarding which procedure-related factors affect the occurrence of periprocedural thromboembolism. This study aimed to investigate which procedure-related risk factors can be modified to prevent adverse thromboembolic events after coil embolization of intracranial aneurysm. Using a single-center database, we retrospectively identified a consecutive series of patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic cerebral aneurysms treated with coil embolization.

Factors Associated With Longer Postoperative Outpatient Follow-up Duration in Patients With Single Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Noncomplicated Patient Cohort Study.

Objective: Many reports have described the outcomes of surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). However, few reports have investigated the treatment period after lumbar disc surgery. If no complications occur, how long should an ordinary patient be treated? Which factors are associated with the outpatient follow-up period (OFP)? To answer these questions, we reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent lumbar disc surgery, calculated their average OFP, and sought to identify factors associated with the OFP.

Effects of silk solution against laminectomy-induced dural adhesion formation and inflammation in a rat model.

The authors investigated the effects of a silk solution against laminectomy-induced dural adhesion formation and inflammation in a rat model. They found that it significantly reduced postlaminectomy dural adhesion formation and inflammation. Dural adhesion formation, thought to be an inevitable consequence of laminectomy, is one of the most common complications following spinal surgery, and the authors' results indicate that the silk solution might be a potential novel therapeutic agent for dural adhesion formation.

PEP-1-PEA15 suppresses inflammatory responses by regulation of MAPK in macrophages and animal models.

Phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes 15 (PEA15) plays a multi-functional role in neuronal cell survival, however the effects of PEA15 against inflammation have not been investigated yet. To examine the effects of PEP-1-PEA15 protein against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in Raw 264.7 cells and in a 12-O-tetradecanoylphobol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse model, we constructed and purified PEP-1-PEA15 protein, which can transduce into cells or tissues.