Applying Proteomics and Computational Approaches to Identify Novel Targets in Blast-Associated Post-Traumatic Epilepsy.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Blast TBI (bTBI) found in Veterans presents with several complications, including cognitive and behavioral disturbances and PTE; however, the underlying mechanisms that drive the long-term sequelae are not well understood. Using an unbiased proteomics approach in a mouse model of repeated bTBI (rbTBI), this study addresses this gap in the knowledge.

The cell membrane repair protein MG53 modulates transcription factor NF-κB signaling to control kidney fibrosis.

Kidney fibrosis is associated with the progression of acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease. MG53, a cell membrane repair protein, has been shown to protect against injury to kidney epithelial cells and acute kidney injury. Here, we evaluated the role of MG53 in modulation of kidney fibrosis in aging mice and in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) a known model of progressive kidney fibrosis.

Development of a Minipig Model of BINT From Blast Exposure Using a Repeatable Mobile Shock Expansion Tube.

Introduction: The Office of Naval Research (ONR) sponsored the Blast Load Assessment Sense and Test (BLAST) program to provide an approach to operationally relevant monitoring and analysis of blast exposure for optimization of service member performance and health. Of critical importance in this effort was the development of a standardized methodology for preclinical large animal studies that can reliably produce outcome measures that cannot be measured in human studies to support science-based guidelines. The primary advantage of this approach is that, because animal studies report physiological measures that correlate with human neuropathology, these data can be used to evaluate potential risks to service members by accounting for the anatomical and physiological differences between humans and large animal models.

Dyslipidemia in Kidney Disorders: Perspectives on Mitochondria Homeostasis and Therapeutic Opportunities.

To excrete body nitrogen waste and regulate electrolyte and fluid balance, the kidney has developed into an energy factory with only second to the heart in mitochondrial content in the body to meet the high-energy demand and regulate homeostasis. Energy supply from the renal mitochondria majorly depends on lipid metabolism, with programed enzyme systems in fatty acid β-oxidation and Krebs cycle. Renal mitochondria integrate several metabolic pathways, including AMPK/PGC-1α, PPARs, and CD36 signaling to maintain energy homeostasis for dynamic and static requirements.

Wound Matrix Stiffness Imposes on Macrophage Activation.

The immune system depends on two major paths-the innate and the adaptive immunity. Macrophage, with its unique features as the first line of immune defense to engulf and digest invaders, serves as the key effector cells integrating those two paths. The dynamic plasticity of macrophage activation during wound repair, inflammation resolution, and tissue remodeling are emerging biomedical and bioengineering hot topics in immune function studies such as the various secretions of cytokines and chemokines and the signaling pathways with ligands and their cognate receptors.

The reliability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment using telehealth in a rural setting with veterans.

Background: Telehealth neuropsychological services can increase the availability of specialised care for individuals in rural areas where barriers to these services are faced. As this practice becomes more commonplace, the reliability and validity of neuropsychological assessment administered by telehealth continues to be established. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a screener for general neurocognitive dysfunction, may be particularly useful since this measure can be given by telehealth with minimal adaptation.

Adiposity-independent hypoadiponectinemia as a potential marker of insulin resistance and inflammation in schizophrenia patients treated with second generation antipsychotics.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore body fat independent effect of second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) on measures of glucose and adipokine homeostasis, and markers of inflammation.

Method: Eight non-diabetic men with schizophrenia (age: 55±3years, BMI: 29.7±1.

Association of markers of iron stores with outcomes in patients with nondialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease.

Background And Objectives: Assessments of iron stores by serum iron saturation ratio (ISAT) and ferritin are used to direct anemia therapy in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and are associated with clinical outcomes in patients on dialysis. The association of ISAT and ferritin with outcomes in patients with nondialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD) has not been studied.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: All-cause mortality and progression of CKD [slopes of estimated GFR (eGFR)] were examined in 453 men with NDD-CKD.

Subjective reasons for adherence to psychotropic medication and associated factors among older adults with schizophrenia.

Rationale: There are limited data examining subjective influences on medication adherence among older persons with schizophrenia. The subjective reasons for adherence to antipsychotic medication and associated clinical and psychosocial factors in this population are examined.

Methods: The sample consisted of 198 community dwelling persons aged >or=55 who developed schizophrenia before age 45.