Efficacy of Low-Intensity Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation in Enhancing Motor Recovery via Modulation of Microglial Polarization, Angiogenesis and Neurogenesis in MCAO Rats.

Objective: Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation (LITUS) is a novel neuromodulation technology characterized by its non-invasive nature, strong penetration, and high spatial resolution, which has been applied in the treatment of neurological diseases. LITUS has demonstrated effectiveness in promoting motor function recovery following stroke; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods: A rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established using the suture method, followed by a 6-day LITUS intervention initiated 24 h postmodel creation.

Therapeutic effects of low-intensity transcranial ultrasound on neurological recovery in rat models of MCAO with varying injury severities.

Background: Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound (LITUS) is a safe, non-invasive neuromodulation method shown to improve neurological function after ischemic stroke in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats models. Given that the degree of severity of ischemic damage may influence treatment outcomes, it is important to investigate the therapeutic performance of LITUS in various injury models to provide a comprehensive understanding to support its clinical application.

Methods: Sixty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham (S), MCAO only (M), MCAO + high-intensity transcranial ultrasound (HITUS) injury + LITUS treatment (MHL), and MCAO + LITUS treatment (ML), with 15 rats per group.

Sensory Afferent Neural Circuits Mediate Electroacupuncture to Improve Swallowing Function in a Post-Stroke Dysphagia Mouse Model.

Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to improve post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) effectively. However, the underlying afferent neural circuit and neurological mechanism involved in improving PSD remain poorly understood.

Methods: A PSD mouse model was established via the photochemical embolization method.

[Mechanism of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix processed by milk in reducing intestinal toxicity].

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between changes in intestinal toxicity and compositional alterations of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix(commonly known as Langdu) before and after milk processing, and to explore the detoxification mechanism of milk processing. Mice were intragastrically administered the 95% ethanol extract of raw Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix, milk-decocted(milk-processed), and water-decocted(water-processed) Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix. Fecal morphology, fecal water content, and the release levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in different intestinal segments were used as indicators to evaluate the effects of different processing methods on the cathartic effect and intestinal inflammatory toxicity of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix.

Cortical activity during balance and walking tasks in stroke patients: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy neuroimaging research.

Background: Stroke survivors frequently suffer from balance and gait impairments, yet the cortical mechanisms underlying these functions remain unclear. This study addresses this gap by utilizing portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to map task-specific neuroplasticity.

Objectives: We aimed to (1) compare cortical activation patterns during balance and walking tasks, (2) analyze functional connectivity (FC) and lateralization differences, and (3) explore correlations between neuroimaging metrics and clinical outcomes.

Cucurbitacin B stimulates PD-1 immunotherapy response in malignant breast cancer by covalent targeting MTCH2.

Background: Effective therapies for malignant breast cancer are urgently needed, as resistance and immunosuppressive microenvironments limit PD-1 blockade efficacy. The natural product Cucurbitacin B (CuB) reportedly sensitizes breast cancer to PD-1 immunotherapy, yet its molecular mechanism is undefined.

Purpose: Here, we sought to identify the direct molecular targets of CuB and elucidate the mechanisms responsible for its synergy with PD-1 blockade in breast cancer.

The analysis of distinctive lipid metabolism characteristics in dry-cured beef during processing.

Dry-cured beef (DB), CG (control group), FG (fermented group), RG (ripened group) stages were selected to analyse the key lipid metabolites using the lipid metabolism approach based on UPLC-MS/MS. We identified 301 metabolites from 13 subclasses, with 80 markedly different lipids. Fatty acyls (FA) and glycerol phospholipids (GP) were the most abundant.

Use of cornstarch or fermented soybean meal in lactation diet improved sows' nutrient utilization and litter performance during lactation.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of cornstarch (CS) and fermented soybean meal (FSM) substitutions for conventional corn and soybean meal, respectively, on sow's performance, nutrient digestibility, milk composition, and oxidative status during lactation.

Methods: Twenty-four lactating sows (8 sows/treatment) were assigned to either a standard lactation diet (CON), a CS diet in which pure CS substituted 60% of starch provided by conventional corn, or FSM diet in which FSM substituted 60% of crude protein provided by soybean meal. The experiment lasted from day 2 to 28 of lactation.

Characteristics of Dysphagia in Medullary and Cerebellar Stroke: An Observational Study Based on HRPM and FEES.

Objective: To explore and compare the distinct characteristics of poststroke dysphagia in patients with cerebellar and different medullary lesions using flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and high-resolution pharyngeal manometry (HRPM), by comparing with healthy controls.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Department of rehabilitation medicine of an academic hospital.

An experimental study on the optimal timing of modified pharyngeal electrical stimulation for the treatment of dysphagia after stroke in rats.

As a novel neuroregulatory technique, modified pharyngeal electrical stimulation (mPES) has demonstrated clinical potential in improving swallowing function. However, there is a notable lack of animal studies exploring this approach. While our previous research validated the optimal parameters for post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) in rats, it did not establish the ideal timing for initiating treatment.

High-Frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation enhances white matter integrity in a rat model of ischemic stroke: A diffusion tensor imaging study using tract-based spatial statistics.

Ischemic stroke leads to white matter damage and neurological deficits. Previous studies have revealed that high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) has beneficial effects on white matter reorganization and neurological recovery after stroke. However, the characteristics of poststroke white matter repair after treatment with HF-rTMS remain unclear.

A Cooperative Strategy of Hippocampus Lipidomics and Anti-Inflammatory Analysis to Evaluate the Antidepressant Effect of Zhi-Zi-Chi Decoction on CUMS Mice.

In this study, Balb/c mice were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and treated with Zhi-zi-chi Decoction (ZZCD). Using a hippocampal lipidomics approach that combined ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS with multivariate statistical techniques and targeted metabolic pathway analysis, we identified potential lipid metabolites and pathways associated with depression. Meanwhile, anti-inflammatory analyses were conducted in the hippocampus of mice.

Exploring of Antidepressant Components and Mechanisms of Zhizichi Decoction: Integration of Serum Pharmacochemistry, Network Pharmacology and Anti-inflammatory Analysis Verification.

Using LC-MS to screen and analyse the characteristics of components and biological systems is a new approach to study the pharmacological substance basis of traditional Chinese medicine, which has strong novelty in analytical science. This study analyses the antidepressant material basis of Zhizichi decoction through the integration strategy of serum pharmacochemistry, network pharmacology and immunoreactivity verification, which helps in overcoming the limitations of TCM research and provided a new perspective and approach for studying the components of ZZCD. First of all, blood from SD rats was collected before and after Zhizichi decoction administration initially.

Association Between Cognitive Impairment and Dysphagia: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

Introduction: Previous observational studies have implied a correlation between cognitive impairment and dysphagia, but some have indicated no correlation between the two. Such contradictory findings may have been influenced by small sample sizes and potential confounders. In this Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, we genetically estimated a causal relationship between cognitive impairment and dysphagia.

The Respiratory-Swallow Coordination may be Related to Aspiration in Infratentorial Stroke Patients.

To investigate the characteristics of respiratory-swallow coordination (RSC) in poststroke dysphagia (PSD) patients following infratentorial stroke (IS) and further explore their association with aspiration. PSD patients after IS and age-matched healthy controls were recruited. Nasal airflow and sound signals were recorded using a nasal cannula-type flow sensor and contact microphone, which were synchronized with videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS).

Drug discovery of N-methyl-pyrazole derivatives as potent selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) for the treatment of breast cancer.

Nowadays, ERα is considered to be a primary target for the treatment of breast cancer, and selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) are emerging as promising antitumor agents. By analysing ERα-SERDs complexes, the pharmacophore features of SERDs and the crucial protein-ligand interactions were identified. Then, by utilizing the scaffold-hopping and bioisosteres strategy, 23 novel derivatives were designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated.

Correlation Between Swallowing and Cognitive Brain Networks in Older Adults via Functional MRI.

Background: Clinical evidence supports that swallowing function is correlated with cognition, but the neurobiological mechanism associated with cognitive impairment and dysphagia remains unclear.

Objectives: To compare the brain activation patterns of the swallowing and the cognitive tasks and explore neural associations between swallowing and cognitive function via task-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Methods: A total of 13 healthy older adults (aged > 60 years) were recruited.

Symptom experience and self-management strategies of adults undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after hospital discharge: A longitudinal qualitative study.

Purpose: To explore the symptom experience and self-management strategies of adults undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after hospital discharge.

Methods: A longitudinal qualitative study was employed. A heterogeneous sample of 22 patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from August 2022 to April 2023 were included.

NQO1 Triggers Neutrophil Recruitment and NET Formation to Drive Lung Metastasis of Invasive Breast Cancer.

Metastasis to the lungs is a leading cause of death for patients with breast cancer. Therefore, effective therapies are urgently needed to prevent and treat lung metastasis. In this study, we uncovered a mechanism by which NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) orchestrates lung metastasis.

Mapping research trends regarding the mechanism of dysphagia from 1993 to 2023: a bibliometrics study and visualization analysis.

As a common consequence of various neurogenic disorders, dysphagia has a significant impact on the quality of life for patients. To promote the development the field of swallowing, it will be helpful to clarify the pathological and therapeutic mechanisms of dysphagia. Through visual analysis of related papers from 1993 to 2023 in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database, the research status and development trend of the pathogenesis of dysphagia were discussed.

Screening for optimal parameters for modified pharyngeal electrical stimulation for the treatment of dysphagia after stroke in rats.

Pharyngeal electrical stimulation (PES), a novel noninvasive peripheral nerve stimulation technique, can effectively improve neurogenic dysphagia and increase the safety and effectiveness of swallowing in the clinic. However, the lack of animal models for dysphagia has limited the mechanistic research on PES, which affects its wide application. Therefore, determining optimal parameters for PES in rats is needed to enable mechanistic studies.