The role of the prefrontal cortex in modulating aggression in humans and rodents.

Accumulating evidence suggests that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays an important role in aggression. However, the findings regarding the key neural mechanisms and molecular pathways underlying the modulation of aggression by the PFC are relatively scattered, with many inconsistencies and areas that would benefit from exploration. Here, we highlight the relationship between the PFC and aggression in humans and rodents and describe the anatomy and function of the human PFC, along with homologous regions in rodents.

Association of Blood Glucose Variability with Sepsis-Related Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Morbidity and Mortality.

Purpose: Sepsis-related disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is closely associated with poor prognosis and high mortality. Higher blood glucose (BG) variability indicates an increased risk of mortality in sepsis; however, its relationship with sepsis-related DIC has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine the association between glucose variability and sepsis-related DIC.

Bioinformatic analysis identifies potential key genes in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in older individuals. More studies focused on screening the genes, which may be correlated with the development of AMD. With advances in various technologies like multiple microarray datasets, researchers could identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) more accurately.

Electroplating of HAp-brushite coating on metallic bioimplants with advanced hemocompatibility and osteocompatibility properties.

In cases of severe bone tissue injuries, the use of metallic bioimplants is quite widespread due to their high strength, high fracture toughness, hardness, and corrosion resistance. However, they lack adequate biocompatibility and show poor metal-tissue integration during the post-operative phase. To mitigate this drawback, it is beneficial to add a biocompatible polymer layer to ensure a quick growth of cell or tissue over the surface of metallic bioimplant material.

Activation of 4-1BB signaling in bone marrow stromal cells triggers bone loss via the p-38 MAPK-DKK1 axis in aged mice.

Senile osteoporosis can cause bone fragility and increased fracture risks and has been one of the most prevalent and severe diseases affecting the elderly population. Bone formation depends on the proper osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in the bone marrow microenvironment, which is generated by the functional relationship among different cell types in the bone marrow. With aging, bone marrow provides signals that repress osteogenesis.

Potent Neutralization Antibodies Induced by a Recombinant Trimeric Spike Protein Vaccine Candidate Containing PIKA Adjuvant for COVID-19.

The structures of immunogens that elicit the most potent neutralization antibodies to prevent COVID-19 infection are still under investigation. In this study, we tested the efficacy of a recombinant trimeric Spike protein containing polyI:C (PIKA) adjuvant in mice immunized by a 0-7-14 day schedule. The results showed that a Spike protein-specific antibody was induced at Day 21 with titer of above 50,000 on average, as measured by direct binding.

Staphylococcus-associated marginal keratitis secondary to pterygium surgery: a case report.

Background: Staphylococcus-associated marginal keratitis is an immune-mediated corneal disorder mainly secondary to chronic blepharoconjunctivitis. We report a rare case of Staphylococcus-associated marginal keratitis following pterygium excision. To the best of our knowledge, none of the previous literature has described such an acute complication after pterygium surgery.

Long-Term Stability of Intraocular Lens with Trimmed or Untrimmed Haptics in Yamane Sutureless Intrascleral Fixation Technique.

BACKGROUND In intraocular lens (IOL) sutureless intrascleral fixation using the Yamane technique, untrimmed haptics may be overlong in some cases due to varied haptic lengths and individual differences. However, whether trimming the haptic affects IOL stability remains unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-nine eyes of 39 patients who underwent Yamane sutureless intrascleral fixation surgery between October 2017 and February 2018 were analyzed retrospectively.

Effects of repetitive magnetic stimulation on motor function and GAP43 and 5-HT expression in rats with spinal cord injury.

Objectives: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disabling central nervous system disorder. This study aimed to explore the effects of repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (rTSMS) of different spinal cord segments on movement function and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP43) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) expression in rats after acute SCI and to preliminarily discuss the optimal rTSMS treatment site to provide a theoretical foundation and experimental evidence for clinical application of rTSMS in SCI.

Methods: A rat T10 laminectomy SCI model produced by transient application of an aneurysm clip was used in the study.

An antibody-drug conjugate targeting a GSTA glycosite-signature epitope of MUC1 expressed by non-small cell lung cancer.

Antibodies targeting aberrantly glycosylated proteins are ineffective in treating cancer. Antibody-drug conjugates have emerged as effective alternatives, facilitating tumor-specific drug delivery. Previous studies have assessed the aberrantly glycosylated tandem repeat region of MUC1 glycoprotein as three site-specific glycosylated neoantigen peptide motifs (PDTR, GSTA, and GVTS) for binding with a monoclonal antibody.

Identification of 22 N-glycosites on spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 and accessible surface glycopeptide motifs: Implications for vaccination and antibody therapeutics.

Coronaviruses hijack human enzymes to assemble the sugar coat on their spike glycoproteins. The mechanisms by which human antibodies may recognize the antigenic viral peptide epitopes hidden by the sugar coat are unknown. Glycosylation by insect cells differs from the native form produced in human cells, but insect cell-derived influenza vaccines have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Stepwise Decreasing of Vitreous Pressure by Anterior Vitrectomy: A Novel Method for Preventing Positive Vitreous Pressure During Penetrating Keratoplasty.

Background: This study evaluates the clinical effects of the stepwise anterior vitrectomy on the prevention of positive vitreous pressure (PVP) during penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).

Methods: PKP in conjunction with stepwise anterior vitrectomy was performed on 15 eyes of 15 patients under retrobulbar anesthesia. A preset vitrectomy trocar-cannula was inserted into the vitreous cavity before PKP.

Immunogenicity of Del19 EGFR mutations in Chinese patients affected by lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: Mutant peptides presented by cancer cells are superior vaccine candidates than self peptides. The efficacy of mutant K-Ras, P53 and EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) peptides have been tested as cancer vaccines in pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers. The immunogenicity of EGFR Del19 mutations, frequent in Chinese lung adenocarcinoma patients, remains unclear.

construction of rabbit corneal endothelial cell sheets on a porcine descemet membrane graft.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of a new graft construction method using rabbit corneal endothelial cells (RCECs) and a porcine descemet membrane (DM) carrier. RCECs were isolated and the experimental group was treated with Y-27632, whereas the control group were cultured in medium without Y-27632. RCEC morphology was observed using an inverted microscope, and cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry.

The Protective Effects of Blue Light-Blocking Films With Different Shielding Rates: A Rat Model Study.

Purpose: To examine light emitting diode (LED)-induced retinal photochemical damage and assess the protective performance of blue light-shielding films with different shielding rates in Sprague-Dawley rats (SD rats).

Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: blank control (group I), white LED illumination (group II), and white LED illumination combined with shielding of blue light of wavelength 440 nm at 40%, 60%, and 80% (groups III, IV, and V). The illumination was 200 lux.

Novel role of mitochondrial GTPases 1 in pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

While most mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nucleus and translated on cytosolic/endoplasmic reticulum ribosomes, proteins encoded by mitochondrial DNA are translated on mitochondrial ribosomes. Mitochondrial GTPases 1 (MTG1) regulates mitochondrial ribosome assembly and translation, but its impact on cardiac adaptation to stress is unknown. Here, we found that MTG1 is dramatically elevated in hearts of dilated cardiomyopathy patients and in mice exposed to left ventricular pressure overload (AB).

MHC class II restricted neoantigen peptides predicted by clonal mutation analysis in lung adenocarcinoma patients: implications on prognostic immunological biomarker and vaccine design.

Background: Mutant peptides presented by MHC (major histocompatibility complex) Class II in cancer are important targets for cancer immunotherapy. Both animal studies and clinical trials in cancer patients showed that CD4 T cells specific to tumor-derived mutant peptides are essential for the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy by PD1 antibody.

Results: In this study, we analyzed the next generation sequencing data of 147 lung adenocarcinoma patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas and predicted neoantigens presented by MHC Class I and Class II molecules.

Epitopes of MUC1 Tandem Repeats in Cancer as Revealed by Antibody Crystallography: Toward Glycopeptide Signature-Guided Therapy.

Abnormally -glycosylated MUC1 tandem repeat glycopeptide epitopes expressed by multiple types of cancer have long been attractive targets for therapy in the race against genetic mutations of tumor cells. Glycopeptide signature-guided therapy might be a more promising avenue than mutation signature-guided therapy. Three -glycosylated peptide motifs, PDTR, GSTA, and GVTS, exist in a tandem repeat HGVTSAPDTRPAPGSTAPPA, containing five -glycosylation sites.

Combined Medication of Antiretroviral Drugs Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, Emtricitabine, and Raltegravir Reduces Neural Progenitor Cell Proliferation In Vivo and In Vitro.

The application of combination antiretroviral therapy has greatly reduced the death rate from AIDS. However, up to 50% of patients on combination antiretroviral therapy develop HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), which is associated with residual neuroinflammation and oxidative injury in the brain. Neural stem cells (NSCs) and progenitors play a vital role in repairing neuronal injuries.

Serial deletion reveals structural basis and stability for the core enzyme activity of human glutaminase 1 isoforms: relevance to excitotoxic neurodegeneration.

Background: Glutaminase 1 is a phosphate-activated metabolic enzyme that catalyzes the first step of glutaminolysis, which converts glutamine into glutamate. Glutamate is the major neurotransmitter of excitatory synapses, executing important physiological functions in the central nervous system. There are two isoforms of glutaminase 1, KGA and GAC, both of which are generated through alternative splicing from the same gene.

Structural analysis of retinal photoreceptor ellipsoid zone and postreceptor retinal layer associated with visual acuity in patients with retinitis pigmentosa by ganglion cell analysis combined with OCT imaging.

The aim of this study was to examine changes in photoreceptor ellipsoid zone (EZ) and postreceptor retinal layer in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients by ganglion cell analysis (GCA) combined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging to evaluate the structure-function relationships between retinal layer changes and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Sixty-eight eyes of 35 patients with RP and 65 eyes of 35 normal controls were analyzed in the study. The average length of EZ was 911.

Clinical evaluation of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty using glycerol-cryopreserved corneal tissues for refractory herpetic stromal keratitis: An observational study.

The study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) using glycerol-cryopreserved corneal tissues (GCCTs) in patients with refractive herpes simplex keratitis (HSK). This article was a retrospective, noncomparative, and interventional case series. Patients with HSK underwent DALK using GCCTs at Shanghai Tongji Hospital from 2012 to 2015.

Echinacoside Protects Against MPP(+)-Induced Neuronal Apoptosis via ROS/ATF3/CHOP Pathway Regulation.

Echinacoside (ECH) is protective in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD) induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP(+)). To investigate the mechanisms involved, SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were treated with MPP(+) or a combination of MPP(+) and ECH, and the expression of ATF3 (activating transcription factor 3), CHOP (C/EBP-homologous protein), SCNA (synuclein alpha), and GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor) was assessed. The results showed that ECH significantly improved cell survival by inhibiting the generation of MPP(+)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS).