Curcumin exerts neuroprotective effects on proliferation of neural stem cells in vitro and APP/PS1 mouse model in vivo.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, leading to neuronal death. Notably, there are no therapeutically efficacious treatments for this disorder. This study investigates the neuroprotective mechanisms of curcumin.

No sex difference in the association of pre-stroke physical activity with functional independence after ischemic stroke.

Whether physical activity is associated with functional outcomes from ischemic stroke remains poorly understood. We aimed to explore the association of pre-stroke physical activity and functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke according to sex. Pre-stroke physical activity was assessed using a four-level questionnaire named Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale (SGPALS).

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Strategies for Poststroke Dysphagia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Objective: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a promising approach in improving swallowing function after stroke. However, comparative efficacy of different rTMS protocols for poststroke dysphagia (PSD) remains unclear.

Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane database were systematically searched for eligible random controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to August 30, 2024.

Downregulation of Circular RNA Gla Reduced Astrocyte Inflammatory Status by Regulating miR-488/MEKK1 Levels and Promoted Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury.

Background: Post-spinal cord injury (SCI) inflammation correlates with neurologic recovery. Through sequencing, we explored the roles of a differentially expressed circRNA in mice after SCI, circGla, on inflammation and recovery of SCI.

Methods: The T8-T10 SCI model was established in C57BL6 mice.

Combined Analysis of Human and Experimental Rat Samples Identified Biomarkers for Ischemic Stroke.

The genetic transcription profile and underlying molecular mechanisms of ischemic stroke (IS) remain elusive. To address this issue, four mRNA and one miRNA expression profile of rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. A total of 780 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 56 miRNAs (DEMs) were screened.

Applications of Raman spectroscopy in the diagnosis and monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases.

Raman scattering is an inelastic light scattering that occurs in a manner reflective of the molecular vibrations of molecular structures and chemical conditions in a given sample of interest. Energy changes in the scattered light can be assessed to determine the vibration mode and associated molecular and chemical conditions within the sample, providing a molecular fingerprint suitable for sample identification and characterization. Raman spectroscopy represents a particularly promising approach to the molecular analysis of many diseases owing to clinical advantages including its instantaneous nature and associated high degree of stability, as well as its ability to yield signal outputs corresponding to a single molecule type without any interference from other molecules as a result of its narrow peak width.

White Matter Hyperintensities on Post-Stroke Balance and Gait Recovery: A Prospective Cohort Study Protocol.

Introduction: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are commonly associated with balance and gait disturbances. Little is known whether WMH may affect post-stroke balance and gait recovery. We aim to investigate the association of post-stroke balance and gait recovery with imaging marker of WMH on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Promoter methylation analysis of may be a potential biomarker for early detection of cervical cancer.

Background: Dickkopf 2 () plays an important role in multiple cancers. Its potential value in the clinical diagnosis of cervical cancer has remained unclear.

Objectives: To investigate the expression and promoter methylation levels of in cervical cancer and their clinicopathological associations.

Astragaloside IV alleviates 1-deoxysphinganine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction during the progression of chronic kidney disease through p62-Nrf2 antioxidant pathway.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can lead to significant elevation of 1-deoxysphingolipids (1-deoxySL). The increase of 1-deoxySL in turn can result in mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress, which can cause further progression of CKD. This study assessed the therapeutic effect of Astragaloside IV (AST) against 1-deoxySL-induced cytotoxicity and in rats with CKD.

Genetic analysis of the LRP10 gene in Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by resting tremor, bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, and abnormal gait. The low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 10 (LRP10) was recently shown to be a causal gene for PD, and different ethnic cohorts have distinct frequencies and spectrum of LRP10 variants.

Methods: We sequenced the full coding regions and exon-intron boundaries of LRP10 in 129 patients with sporadic Chinese PD to further investigate the connection of LRP10 with PD in a sample of Chinese patients.

Prognostic Impact of the Angiogenic Gene and Its Related Genes on Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Background: The function of angiogenesis-related genes (ARGs) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains poorly documented. This study was designed to reveal ARGs in LUAD and related networks.

Methods: We worked with sequencing data and clinical information pertaining to LUAD from public databases.

Quantitative and Fiber-Selective Evaluation for Central Poststroke Pain.

The electrophysiological recording can be used to quantify the clinical features of central poststroke pain (CPSP) caused by different lesion locations. We aimed to explore the relationship between clinical features and lesion location in patients with CPSP using the current perception threshold (CPT) approach. Here, patients underwent the standardized CPT measure at five detection sites on both the contralesional and ipsilesional sides, using a constant alternating-current sinusoid waveform stimulus at three frequencies: 2000 Hz, 250 Hz, and 5 Hz.

The Effect of Cerebellar Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Dysphagia due to Posterior Circulation Stroke, a Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.

Introduction: Cerebellum might be active during the task of swallowing. Little is known whether cerebellar repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could improve post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) due to occlusion in the posterior circulation. This paper describes the rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial that aims to determine the effect of cerebellar rTMS on dysphagia due to posterior circulation stroke.

miR-497-5p-RSPO2 axis inhibits cell growth and metastasis in glioblastoma.

Numerous studies have found a relationship between cancer formation and aberrant microRNA expression, however the biological significance of miR-497-5p in glioblastoma (GBM) is still unknown. Compared to normal brain glial cells, miR-497-5p expression in GBM tissues was substantially lower in our study. The microRNA miR-497-5p targets R-spondin 2 (RSPO2) only when it is present.

Comparison of analytical sensitivity and efficiency for SARS-CoV-2 primer sets by TaqMan-based and SYBR Green-based RT-qPCR.

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to threaten public health. For developing countries where vaccines are still in shortage, cheaper alternative molecular methods for SARS-CoV-2 identification can be crucial to prevent the next wave. Therefore, 14 primer sets recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) was evaluated on testing both clinical patient and environmental samples with the gold standard diagnosis method, TaqMan-based RT-qPCR, and a cheaper alternative method, SYBR Green-based RT-qPCR.

Establishment and characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cell line from a Parkinson's disease patient harboring VPS13A gene mutation.

Mutations in VPS13 gene have been recently reported as a genetic cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, we isolated the skin fibroblasts from a PD patient harboring VPS13A gene mutation (c. 4282_4289delinsA) and reprogrammed the fibroblasts to a novel patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line LCPHi002-A using transgene-free episomal plasmids to express OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4, L-MYC, and LIN28.

The Role of NF-kB in the Downregulation of Organic Cation Transporter 2 Expression and Renal Cation Secretion in Kidney Disease.

Organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2), encoded by the gene, is the main cation transporter on the basolateral membrane of proximal tubular cells. OCT2 facilitates the entry step of the vectorial transport of most cations from the peritubular space into the urine. OCT2 downregulation in kidney disease models is apparent, yet not clear from a mechanistic vantage point.

Antioxidant Effects of Protocatechuic Acid and Protocatechuic Aldehyde: Old Wine in a New Bottle.

Phenolic compounds are naturally present as secondary metabolites in plant-based sources such as fruits, vegetables, and spices. They have received considerable attention for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties for protection against many chronic disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. They are categorized into various groups based on their chemical structure and include phenolic acids, flavonoids, curcumins, tannins, and quinolones.

The Role of the Carnitine/Organic Cation Transporter Novel 2 in the Clinical Outcome of Patients With Locally Advanced Esophageal Carcinoma Treated With Oxaliplatin.

Esophageal cancer is the ninth most common malignancy worldwide, ranking sixth in mortality. Platinum-based chemotherapy is commonly used for treating locally advanced esophageal cancer, yet it is ineffective in a large portion of patients. There is a need for reliable molecular markers with direct clinical application for a prospective selection of patients who can benefit from chemotherapy and patients in whom toxicity is likely to outweigh the benefit.

Z-Guggulsterone Induces Apoptosis in Gastric Cancer Cells through the Intrinsic Mitochondria-Dependent Pathway.

Background: To study the effects of z-guggulsterone on gastric cancer cell apoptosis and the mechanism related.

Materials And Methods: Human gastric tumor SGC-7901 cells and GES-1 normal epithelial cells were treated with z-guggulsterone (0-75 M) for 24 h. MTT assay was applied to evaluate cell proliferation.

Oxidative stress increases 1-deoxysphingolipid levels in chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to deep changes in lipid metabolism and obvious dyslipidemia. The dysregulation of lipid metabolism in turn results in CKD progression and the complications of cardiovascular diseases. To obtain a profound insight into the associated dyslipidemia in CKD, we performed lipidomic analysis to measure lipid metabolites in the serum from a rat 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) model of CKD as well as in the serum from CKD patients.

Docosahexaenoic acid protects against palmitate-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Objective: Regular consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is associated with decreased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the therapeutic effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in palmitic acid (PA)-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

Methods: H9C2 cells and rat primary cardiomyoblasts were exposed to PA or PA + DHA for 24 h.

The Interaction of EphA4 With PDGFRβ Regulates Proliferation and Neuronal Differentiation of Neural Progenitor Cells and Promotes Neurogenesis .

Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) have great potentials in cell replacement therapy for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), by promoting neurogenesis associated with hippocampal memory improvement. Ephrin receptors and angiogenic growth factor receptors have a marked impact on the proliferation and differentiation of NPCs. Although ephrin receptor A4 (EphA4) was shown to directly interact with platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ), the functional effects of this interaction on neurogenesis in cultured NPCs and adult hippocampus have not yet been studied.