RESUMEN
Background: Urosepsis is a common disease in urology, which is characterized by high treatment costs and high mortality. In the treatment of sepsis, anti-infection therapy is the most important means. However, the effect of empirical anti-infection therapy is often not ideal. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously monitor the prevalence of bacterial isolates in the blood culture of patients with urinary sepsis and their sensitivity to antibacterial drugs. This is of great significance to improve the efficacy of empirical antibiotic therapy for urosepsis. Objective: To elucidate the landscape of prevailing bacterial profiles and their antimicrobial susceptibilities in urosepsis cases, and to furnish robust clinical evidence to underpin the timely initiation of empirical antibiotic treatment. Methods: Collect the basic information and blood culture results of patients with urosepsis hospitalized from 2017 to 2020. Retrospective analysis of bacterial species and antimicrobial susceptibility in urosepsis and changes over 4 years. Results: Gram-negative bacteria (178 isolates, 75.11%) constituted the main pathogens causing urosepsis, followed by Gram-positive bacteria (46 isolates, 19.41%) and fungus (13 isolates, 5.48%). The sensitivity of ertapenem, meropenem, amikacin, and imipenem to Gram-negative bacteria all exceeded 85%. The sensitivity rates of levofloxacin, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin are decreasing every year (p < 0.05). Tigecycline, vancomycin, and linezolid exhibited excellent sensitivity against Gram-positive bacteria. Among fungi, fluconazole demonstrated universal sensitivity, while itraconazole-resistant isolates have been found, and amphotericin B is still effective. Conclusion: Analysis of blood culture results of patients more accurately reflected the etiology of urosepsis, mainly Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. If there are no definitive blood culture results, empiric treatment of urosepsis should not include fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Cefepime, cefoxitin, and ceftazidime are the most sensitive antibiotics to Gram-negative bacteria besides carbapenem antibiotics. In addition, the current situation regarding extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing bacteria and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae bacteria resistance is extremely concerning with limited therapeutic options available. Strengthening antibiotic management practices and exploring novel antibacterial agents can help mitigate this issue.
RESUMEN
Epigenomic imbalance drives abnormal transcriptional processes, promoting the onset and progression of cancer. Although defective gene regulation generally affects carcinogenesis and tumor suppression networks, tumor immunogenicity and immune cells involved in antitumor responses may also be affected by epigenomic changes, which may have significant implications for the development and application of epigenetic therapy, cancer immunotherapy, and their combinations. Herein, we focus on the impact of epigenetic regulation on tumor immune cell function and the role of key abnormal epigenetic processes, DNA methylation, histone post-translational modification, and chromatin structure in tumor immunogenicity, and introduce these epigenetic research methods. We emphasize the value of small-molecule inhibitors of epigenetic modulators in enhancing antitumor immune responses and discuss the challenges of developing treatment plans that combine epigenetic therapy and immunotherapy through the complex interaction between cancer epigenetics and cancer immunology.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Information on the protein-based severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine-NVX-CoV2373 (Novavax), as a heterologous booster remains limited. We investigated the immunogenicity and adverse events of NVX-CoV2373 as a second booster and compared them with those of mRNA vaccines in healthy adults. METHODS: Healthcare workers who had received an mRNA vaccine (mRNA-1273 or BNT-162b2) as the first booster (third dose) 12 weeks prior were recruited. Participants voluntarily received either NVX-CoV2373 or an mRNA vaccine as a second booster. Participants with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection were excluded. The primary outcomes included serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP) and neutralizing antibody titers against B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.1.529 (Omicron) BA2, and BA5 variants on the 28th day after the boost. Secondary outcomes included new SARS-CoV-2 infections and adverse events reported during the study period. RESULTS: A total of 160 participants were enrolled in this study. Compared with the mRNA vaccination group (n = 59), the NVX-CoV2373 vaccination group (n = 101) had significantly lower anti-SARS-CoV-2 SP antibody titers and neutralizing antibody titers against all variants tested after the boost. During the study period, higher rates of new SARS-CoV-2 infections and a lower incidence of adverse events were observed in the NVX-CoV2373 vaccination group. No significant differences in cellular immune responses were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Compared to a homologous mRNA booster vaccination, heterologous boosters with NVX-CoV2373 showed lower antibody responses, a higher incidence of new SARS-CoV-2 infections, and fewer adverse events.
Asunto(s)
Vacunas contra la COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Adulto , Humanos , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/efectos adversos , Vacunas de ARNm , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19/prevención & control , ARN Mensajero , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes , Anticuerpos AntiviralesRESUMEN
Although accumulating evidence has highlighted the molecular mechanisms by which hTERT promotes tumour cell invasion and metastasis, the molecular mechanisms of the properties enabling hTERT to contribute to invasion and metastasis have not been clearly illustrated. Here, we report that hTERT promotes gastric cancer invasion and metastasis by recruiting p50 to synergistically inhibit PLEKHA7 expression. We observed that the expression of PLEKHA7 in gastric cancer was significantly negatively associated with the TNM stage and lymphatic metastasis and that decreased PLEKHA7 expression dramatically increased invasion and metastasis in gastric cancer cells. Further mechanistic research showed that hTERT directly regulates PLEKHA7 expression by binding p50 and recruiting the hTERT/p50 complex to the PLEKHA7 promoter. Increased hTERT dramatically decreased PLEKHA7 expression and promoted invasion and metastasis in gastric cancer cells. The hTERT-mediated invasion/metastasis properties at least partially depended on PLEKHA7. Our work uncovers a novel molecular mechanism underlying invasion/metastasis in gastric cancer orchestrated by hTERT and p50.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Portadoras , Neoplasias Gástricas , Telomerasa , Humanos , Proteínas Portadoras/metabolismo , Línea Celular Tumoral , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Metástasis Linfática , Invasividad Neoplásica , Neoplasias Gástricas/genética , Neoplasias Gástricas/patología , Telomerasa/genética , Telomerasa/metabolismoRESUMEN
Urosepsis is sepsis caused by urogenital tract infection and is one of the most common critical illnesses in urology. If urosepsis is not diagnosed early, it can rapidly progress and worsen, leading to increased mortality. In recent years, with the increase of urinary tract surgery, the incidence of urosepsis continues to rise, posing a serious threat to patients. Early diagnosis of urosepsis, timely and effective treatment can greatly reduce the mortality of patients. Biomarkers such as WBC, NLR, PCT, IL-6, CRP, lactate, and LncRNA all play specific roles in the early diagnosis or prognosis of urosepsis. In addition to the abnormal increase of WBC, we should be more alert to the rapid decline of WBC. NLR values were superior to WBC counts alone in predicting infection severity. Compared with several other biomarkers, PCT values can differentiate between bacterial and non-bacterial sepsis. IL-6 always has high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of sepsis, and CRP also has high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of urosepsis. Lactic acid is closely related to the prognosis of patients with urosepsis. LncRNAs may be potential biomarkers of urosepsis. This article summarizes the main biomarkers, hoping to provide a reference for the timely diagnosis and evaluation of urosepsis.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to occupational exposure. We aim to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs during epidemic outbreak of omicron variant in Taiwan. METHODS: Sequential reserved serum samples collected from our previous study during December 2021 and July 2022 were tested for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (NP). Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined as positive either of anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein, rapid antigen test or polymerase chain reaction. Retrospective chart review and a questionnaire were used to access the symptoms and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS: Totally 300 participants (69.3% female) with a median age of 37.9 years were enrolled. A significant increase incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was found before and during community outbreak (11.91 versus 230.93 per 100,000 person-days, P < 0.001), which was a trend paralleling that observed in the general population. For 61 SARS-CoV-2 infected participants, nine (14.8%) were asymptomatic. Multivariate analysis revealed recent contact with a SARS-CoV-2 infected household (odds ratio [OR], 7.01; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 3.70-13.30; P < 0.001) and co-existed underlying autoimmune diseases (OR, 4.46; 95% CI, 1.28-15.51; P = 0.019) were significant risk factors associated with acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs. CONCLUSION: Community factors, such as closely contact with SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals and underlying immune suppression status, were significant factors for acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs. We suggest the application of appropriate infection control measures for HCWs should be maintained to reduce risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Humanos , Femenino , Adulto , Masculino , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/prevención & control , SARS-CoV-2 , Estudios Retrospectivos , Taiwán/epidemiología , Brotes de Enfermedades/prevención & control , Personal de Salud , VacunaciónRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Identification of m6A- related lncRNAs associated with BC diagnosis and prognosis. METHODS: From the TCGA database, we obtained transcriptome data and corresponding clinical information (including histopathological and CT imaging data) for 408 patients. And bioinformatics, computational histopathology, and radiomics were used to identify and analyze diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of m6A-related lncRNAs in BC. RESULTS: 3 significantly high-expressed m6A-related lncRNAs were significantly associated with the prognosis of BC. The BC samples were divided into two subgroups based on the expression of the 3 lncRNAs. The overall survival of patients in cluster 2 was significantly lower than that in cluster 1. The immune landscape results showed that the expression of PD-L1, T cells follicular helper, NK cells resting, and mast cells activated in cluster 2 were significantly higher, and naive B cells, plasma cells, T cells regulatory (Tregs), and mast cells resting were significantly lower. Computational histopathology results showed a significantly higher percentage of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in cluster 2. The radiomics results show that the 3 eigenvalues of diagnostics image-original minimum, diagnostics image-original maximum, and original GLCM inverse variance are significantly higher in cluster 2. High expression of 2 bridge genes in the PPI network of 30 key immune genes predicts poorer disease-free survival, while immunohistochemistry showed that their expression levels were significantly higher in high-grade BC than in low-grade BC and normal tissue. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of immune landscape, computational histopathology, and radiomics, these 3 m6A-related lncRNAs may be diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for BC.
RESUMEN
The incidence of kidney stones averages 10%, and the recurrence rate of kidney stones is approximately 10% at 1 year, 35% at 5 years, 50% at 10 years, and 75% at 20 years. However, there is currently a lack of good medicines for the prevention and treatment of kidney stones. Osteopontin (OPN) is an important protein in kidney stone formation, but its role is controversial, with some studies suggesting that it inhibits stone formation, while other studies suggest that it can promote stone formation. OPN is a highly phosphorylated protein, and with the deepening of research, there is growing evidence that it promotes stone formation, and the phosphorylated protein is believed to have adhesion effect, promote stone aggregation and nucleation. In addition, OPN is closely related to immune cell infiltration, such as OPN as a pro-inflammatory factor, which can activate mast cells (degranulate to release various inflammatory factors), macrophages (differentiated into M1 macrophages), and T cells (differentiated into T1 cells) etc., and these inflammatory cells play a role in kidney damage and stone formation. In short, OPN mainly exists in the phosphorylated form in kidney stones, plays an important role in the formation of stones, and may be an important target for drug therapy of kidney stones.
RESUMEN
Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract, with a high degree of malignancy and poor prognosis. With advancements in disease research, the role of epigenetic changes in its pathogenesis has become a research focus. The known epigenetic changes mainly include DNA methylation, histone modification, and regulation of chromatin structure. This article details the effects of these changes that would result in gastric cancer. Using next-generation sequencing methods and bioinformatics analysis, we can determine the epigenetic changes in abnormal tissues of the digestive tract that facilitate the early diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer patients. In this article, we summarize how epigenetic changes determine gastric cancer and the new technologies used in research on cancer to benefit gastric cancer patients.
Asunto(s)
Neoplasias Gástricas , Humanos , Neoplasias Gástricas/genética , Neoplasias Gástricas/patología , Epigénesis Genética , Metilación de ADN , Epigenómica , Secuenciación de Nucleótidos de Alto RendimientoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) is often used for frozen shoulder treatment, but controversy still exists regarding MUA compared with conservative treatment. This research was conducted to compare the outcome between MUA and celecoxib (CLX) in secondary frozen shoulder. METHODS: Patients with secondary frozen shoulder were randomized into two groups, an MUA plus exercise (EX) group and a CLX plus EX group. Clinical outcomes were documented at baseline and at 1 day, 2, 4, and 12 weeks after intervention, including Constant-Murley Score (CMS) for function, Pain Rating Index (PRI) and Present Pain Intensity (PPI) for pain, passive range of motion (ROM) measurements including external rotation, internal rotation, forward flexion, and abduction. Primary outcome was CMS. Secondary outcomes were PRI, PPI, and passive ROM. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients out of 68 in the MUA group and 66 out of 68 in the CLX group finished the entire study period. There were no significant differences in basic properties of the two groups before intervention. As the primary outcome, CMS changes in the MUA group improved faster than the CLX group. Secondary outcomes, passive ROM, and pain PPI were faster and significant in the MUA group from 1 day after intervention compared with CLX (P < 0.05). At 12 weeks, a statistically significant difference was not observed in the PPI (P > 0.05). A statistically significant difference was not observed in the PRI between groups in 1 day (P > 0.05). For the primary outcome, from 0 to 12 weeks the mean changes in CMS were 44.00 for MUA plus EX (95% CI 43.07-44.93, P < 0.001) and 27.09 for CLX plus EX (26.20-27.98, P < 0.001). The significant difference in improvement appeared from 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: To treat secondary frozen shoulder with MUA, this treatment could achieve better therapeutic effects on improvement of function, pain, and passive ROM than CLX did. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at www.chictr.org.cn , identifier ChiCTR2200060269.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the inhibitory effect of ketotifen fumarate (KFA), a mast cell membrane stabilizer, on renal calcium oxalate stone (CaOx) formation and its possible molecular mechanism. METHODS: We used the Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database for functional and pathway enrichment analyses of osteopontin (OPN), CD44 and fibronectin (FN). Blood biochemistry, reactive oxygen species ratio (ROS), mast cells, proteins (CD44, OPN and FN) and OPN receptor integrin family genes were detected by ELISA, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and RT-QPCR, respectively. RESULTS: The crystal area of CaOx in the KFA and Control group was significantly smaller than that in the Model group. The number of activated mast cells, the expression levels of OPN and CD44 in the Control and KFA groups were significantly lower than those in the Model group, and the percentage of ROS in the KFA group was also significantly lower than that in the Model group. The mRNA expression levels of ITGB1, ITGA9, ITGAV and ITGA4 genes in the prominent OPN receptor integrin family increased significantly in the Model group. CONCLUSIONS: Ketotifen can effectively inhibit the crystal formation of CaOx and reduce the inflammatory response of tissue in SD rats. The mechanism may be to reduce the infiltration and activation of mast cells in renal tissue and down-regulate the expression of OPN, CD44 and FN in renal tubules and renal interstitium. And affect the synthesis of integrins (ITGA9, ITGA4, ITGAV, ITGB1, ITGB3 and ITGB5) and ROS.
Asunto(s)
Oxalato de Calcio , Cetotifen , Animales , Oxalato de Calcio/metabolismo , Integrinas/metabolismo , Cetotifen/farmacología , Riñón , Osteopontina/genética , Osteopontina/metabolismo , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno/metabolismoRESUMEN
Following the publication of this article, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that two images in Fig. 1B (the a and d panels) appeared to represent the same clone, albeit with different intensities and the panels were cropped differently. The authors were able to confirm that Figs. 1B(a) and B(d) were inadvertently selected from the same set of images but with different exposure times: Owing to an error in data handling, a wrong image was chosen during the grouping the figures. The corrected version of Fig. 1 is shown on the next page, featuring the correct image for Fig. 1B(d). The authors regret that this error was not picked up upon before the paper was sent to press, although the error did not affect the major conclusions reported in the paper. The authors thank the Editor of International Journal of Oncology for allowing them the opportunity to publish a Corrigendum. and regret any inconvenience caused to the readership. [the origional article was published on International Journal of Oncology 40: 16011609, 2012; DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2012.1338].
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) often complain about clinical symptoms affected by weather-related factors. The purpose of the present study was to use cross-sectional analysis to determine whether weather sensitivity was associated with clinical symptoms, as well as structure abnormalities, in KOA patients. METHODS: Data from 80 participants were obtained from the Feng Hans Shi Effects on OA (FHS) study, an OA cohort study initiated in China in 2015. The weather sensitivity of each participant was determined by a self-reported questionnaire. The following measurements were used to assess clinical outcomes: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for symptoms, and semi-quantitative Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) for cartilage defects and marrow abnormalities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Chi-square with Cochran-Armitage test for trend and regression analysis were used to evaluate the associations between weather sensitivity and WOMAC and WORMS of KOA patients. RESULTS: Most of the KOA participants (57.5%) perceived the weather as affecting their knee-joint clinical symptoms. After adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI), weather sensitivity was not only associated with knee pain [OR = 3.3 (95% CI 1.1, 9.9), P = 0.032], dysfunction [OR = 5.5 (95% CI 1.8, 16.8), P = 0.003], and overall clinical symptoms [OR = 3.3 (95% CI 1.1, 10.2), P = 0.034], but also associated with cartilage defect [OR = 3.1 (95% CI 1.1, 8.5), P = 0.027] and marrow abnormality [OR = 3.0 (95% CI 1.1, 8.1), P = 0.029]. CONCLUSIONS: In KOA patients, weather sensitivity was associated with clinical symptoms and structural abnormalities. Future longitudinal study is warranted for the causal relationship. INFOGRAPHIC.
RESUMEN
High human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression is related to severe Colorectal Cancer (CRC) progression and negatively related to CRC patient survival. Previous studies have revealed that hTERT can reduce cancer cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and accelerate cancer progression; however, the mechanism remains poorly understood. NFE2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a molecule that plays a significant role in regulating cellular ROS homeostasis, but whether there is a correlation between hTERT and NRF2 remains unclear. Here, we showed that hTERT increases CRC proliferation and migration by inducing NRF2 upregulation. We further found that hTERT increases NRF2 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Our data also revealed that hTERT primarily upregulates NRF2 by increasing NRF2 promoter activity rather than by regulating NRF2 mRNA or protein stability. Using DNA pull-down/MS analysis, we found that hTERT can recruit YBX1 to upregulate NRF2 promoter activity. We also found that hTERT/YBX1 may localize to the P2 region of the NRF2 promoter. Taken together, our results demonstrate that hTERT facilitates CRC proliferation and migration by upregulating NRF2 expression through the recruitment of the transcription factor YBX1 to activate the NRF2 promoter. These results provide a new theoretical basis for CRC treatment.
RESUMEN
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and the tumor metastasis leads to poor outcomes of GC patients. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as new regulatory molecules that play a crucial role in tumor metastasis. However, the biological function and underlying mechanism of numerous lncRNAs in GC metastasis remain largely unclear. Here, we report a novel lncRNA, lnc-TLN2-4:1, whose expression is decreased in GC tissue versus matched normal tissue, and its low expression is involved in the lymph node and distant metastases of GC, as well as poor overall survival rates of GC patients. We further found that lnc-TLN2-4:1 inhibits the ability of GC cells to migrate and invade but does not influence GC cell proliferation and confirmed that lnc-TLN2-4:1 is mainly located in the cytoplasm of GC cells. We then found that lnc-TLN2-4:1 increases the mRNA and protein expression of TLN2 in GC cells and there is a positive correlation between the expression of lnc-TLN2-4:1 and TLN2 mRNA in GC tissue. Collectively, we identified a novel lncRNA, lnc-TLN2-4:1, in GC, where lnc-TLN2-4:1 represses cell migration and invasion. The low expression of lnc-TLN2-4:1 is associated with poor overall survival rates of GC patients. These suggest that lnc-TLN2-4:1 may be a tumor suppressor during GC metastasis.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND This study was to investigate the correlation between osteoporosis and serum uric acid in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, and to further identify potential factors that might be associated with osteoporosis in AS patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS We included 182 AS patients, consisted of 143 male patients and 39 female patients, who visited our hospital from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018. We used dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry to measure bone mineral density (BMD) of orthotopic lumbar vertebrae in patients with AS. The gender, age, disease duration, BMD, T-score, Z-score, uric acid, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), blood platelet (PLT), and status of treatment with biologics of the patients were collected. Then, the Spearman correlation coefficient and multivariate liner regression analysis were applied to identify the relationship between the factors and BMD, T-score, and Z-score in AS patients. RESULTS Male AS patients between the ages of 16 and 30 years old had a higher risk of osteoporosis (P<0.05). AS patients with uric acid value between 300-360 µmol/L had the highest BMD, T-score, and Z-score. The BMD had a positive correlation with age and disease duration (P<0.01) while had a negative correlation with PLT (P<0.05). BMD in AS patients with elevated ESR was significantly (P<0.05) lower than in AS patients with normal ESR. There were no significant differences in BMD between AS patients with elevated CRP and the patients with normal CRP and PLT. Treatment with TNFi (tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor) did not improve BMD in AS patients. CONCLUSIONS The relationship between uric acid and BMD in AS patients was observed as inverted "U"-type. Keeping uric acid within 300-360 µmol/L might be helpful in preventing AS patients from developing osteoporosis.
Asunto(s)
Pueblo Asiatico , Osteoporosis/sangre , Osteoporosis/complicaciones , Espondilitis Anquilosante/sangre , Espondilitis Anquilosante/complicaciones , Ácido Úrico/sangre , Adolescente , Adulto , Antirreumáticos/uso terapéutico , Plaquetas/metabolismo , Sedimentación Sanguínea , Densidad Ósea , Proteína C-Reactiva/metabolismo , Femenino , Humanos , Inflamación/sangre , Inflamación/patología , Modelos Lineales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis Multivariante , Osteoporosis/fisiopatología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Espondilitis Anquilosante/tratamiento farmacológico , Espondilitis Anquilosante/fisiopatología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) on rat cortical neurons exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) and to elucidate the corresponding mechanisms. Primary rat cortical neurons were exposed to OGD/R, which is commonly used in vitro to mimic ischemic injury, and then treated with 5- or 20-nm Au-NPs. We then evaluated cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial respiration in these neurons. We found that 20-nm Au-NPs increased cell viability, alleviated neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress, and improved mitochondrial respiration after OGD/R injury, while opposite effects were observed for 5-nm Au-NPs. In terms of the underlying mechanisms, we found that Au-NPs could regulate Akt signaling. Taken together, these results show that 20-nm Au-NPs can protect primary cortical neurons against OGD/R injury, possibly by decreasing apoptosis and oxidative stress, while activating Akt signaling and mitochondrial pathways. Our results suggest that Au-NPs may be potential therapeutic agents for ischemic stroke.