Flexible pri-miRNA structures enable tunable production of 5' isomiRs.

The Drosha cleavage of a pri-miRNA defines mature microRNA sequence. Drosha cleavage at alternative positions generates 5' isoforms (isomiRs) which have distinctive functions. To understand how pri-miRNA structures influence Drosha cleavage, we performed a systematic analysis of the maturation of endogenous pri-miRNAs and their variants both and .

Selective induction of targeted cell death and elimination by near-infrared femtosecond laser ablation.

The techniques for inducing the death of specific cells in tissue has attracted attention as new methodologies for studying cell function and tissue regeneration. In this study, we show that a sequential process of targeted cell death and removal can be triggered by short-term exposure of near-infrared femtosecond laser pulses. Kinetic analysis of the intracellular accumulation of trypan blue and the assay of caspase activity revealed that femtosecond laser pulses induced immediate disturbance of plasma membrane integrity followed by apoptosis-like cell death.

Generation of Functional Mouse Hippocampal Neurons.

Primary culture of mouse hippocampal neurons is a very useful model for studying neuronal development, axonal and dendritic morphology, synaptic functions, and many other neuronal features. Here we describe a step-by-step process of generating primary neurons from mouse embryonic hippocampi (E17.5/E18.

Novel metabolic role for BDNF in pancreatic β-cell insulin secretion.

BDNF signaling in hypothalamic circuitries regulates mammalian food intake. However, whether BDNF exerts metabolic effects on peripheral organs is currently unknown. Here, we show that the BDNF receptor TrkB.

Focusing of sub-micrometer particles in microfluidic devices.

Sub-micrometer particles (0.10-1.0 μm) are of great significance to study, e.

High-speed microparticle isolation unlimited by Poisson statistics.

High-speed isolation of microparticles (e.g., microplastics, heavy metal particles, microbes, cells) from heterogeneous populations is the key element of high-throughput sorting instruments for chemical, biological, industrial and medical applications.

SCM-198 Ameliorates Cognitive Deficits, Promotes Neuronal Survival and Enhances CREB/BDNF/TrkB Signaling without Affecting Aβ Burden in AβPP/PS1 Mice.

SCM-198 is an alkaloid found only in Herba leonuri and it has been reported to possess considerable neuroprotective effects in animal models of ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that 3-month oral SCM-198 treatment could significantly improve both recognition and spatial memory, inhibit microgliosis and promote neuronal survival in amyloid-β protein precursor and presenilin-1(AβPP/PS1) double-transgenic mice without affecting amyloid-β (Aβ) burden. In addition, decreases in cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) phosphorylation were attenuated by SCM-198 both in vivo and in primary cortical neurons, which could be blocked by protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors, suggesting the involvement of upstream PKA in enhancing the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling by SCM-198.

The effects of Zanthoxylum bungeanum extract on lipid metabolism induced by sterols.

Variant pharmacological activities of Zanthoxylum bungeanum were determined before. The aim of this study was to assess whether Z. bungeanum could regulate lipid metabolism.

SCM-198 inhibits microglial overactivation and attenuates Aβ(1-40)-induced cognitive impairments in rats via JNK and NF-кB pathways.

Background: Neuroinflammation mediated by overactivated microglia plays a key role in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we investigated for the first time the anti-neuroinflammatory effects and possible mechanisms of SCM-198 (an alkaloid extracted from Herbaleonuri), which was previously found highly cardioprotective, both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: For in vitro experiments, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or β-amyloid(1-40) (Aβ(1-40)) was applied to induce microglial overactivation.

A new hope for neurodegeneration: possible role of hydrogen sulfide.

For hundreds of years, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been known solely as a toxic gas with the smell of rotten eggs. Nevertheless, the notoriety of H2S as a toxic gas is experiencing a transformation, with an increasing amount of research showing that it regulates a range of physiological and pathological processes in mammals. Hence H2S is a physiologically important molecule and has been referred to as the third gaseous mediator alongside nitric oxide and carbon monoxide.