The association of PD-L1 expression and CD8-positive T cell infiltration rate with the pathological complete response after neoadjuvant treatment in HER2-positive breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Achieving a pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer patients is the most significant prognostic indicator, suggesting a low risk of recurrence and a survival advantage. This study aims to investigate clinicopathological parameters that can predict the response to neoadjuvant treatment in HER2 + breast cancers and to explore the roles of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD8 + T lymphocytes and PD-L1 expression. METHODS: This single-centre retrospective study was conducted with 85 HER2-positive breast cancer patients who underwent surgery after receiving neoadjuvant therapy between January 2017 and January 2020. Paraffin blocks from these patients were selected for immunohistochemical studies. RESULTS: A complete pathological response to neoadjuvant treatment was determined in 39 (45.9%) patients. High Ki-67 index (> 30%), moderate to high TIL infiltration, PD-L1 positivity and high CD8 cell count (≥ 25) were significantly associated with pCR in univariate analyses (p: 0.023, 0.025, 0.017 and 0.003, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis identified high Ki-67 index (> 30%) and CD8 cell infiltration as independent predictors for pCR in HER2-positive breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: High Ki-67 index, and high CD8 cell count are strong predictors for pCR in HER2-positive breast cancer. Tumours with high Ki-67 index, high TILs and CD8 infiltration may represent a subgroup where standard therapies are adequate. Conversely, those with low TILs and CD8 infiltration may identify a subgroup where use of novel strategies, including those that increase CD8 infiltration could be applied.

Exosomal Circular Ribonucleic Acid-Microribonucleic Acid Expression Profile from Plasma in Alzheimer's Disease Patients by Bioinformatics and Integrative Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative sickness and increasing with age throughout the world. A substantial body of evidence suggests the role of exosomal noncoding ribonucleic acids in the development of Alzheimer's disease, but the regulatory mechanisms mediated by these noncoding ribonucleic acids remain extensively unknown. Using plasma samples from Alzheimer's disease patients, this study explored the exosomal circular ribonucleic acid-microribonucleic acid profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ArrayExpress platform was used to convey data from 3 samples from each group (healthy, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease). Using plasma exosomes, differentially expressed microribonucleic acids and differentially expressed circular ribonucleic acids were compared between the Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment groups. Afterward, to define pathways, gene ontologies, and networks, differentially expressed microribonucleic acids and differentially expressed circular ribonucleic acids common to both mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease groups were analyzed. Eventually, the selection of hub genes and protein-protein interaction network was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of common 19 (7 upregulated and 12 downregulated) differentially expressed microribonucleic acids and 24 differentially expressed circular ribonucleic acids were recognized. A total of 4559 target genes were predicted for upregulated differentially expressed microribonucleic acids, while 6504 target genes were identified for downregulated differentially expressed microribonucleic acids, and most of the target genes involved in the phosphoinositide 3-kinases-Akt pathway and that were mostly regulated by hsa-mir-374a-3p, mir-196a-5p, let-205-5p, mir-185-3p, mir-374a-5p, mir-615-3p, let-7c-5p, mir-185-5p. Additionally, 9 hub genes (HSP90AA, ACTB, MAPK1, GSK3B, CCNE2, CDK6, AKT1, IGF1R, CCND1) were revealed as the genes considerably related to Alzheimer's disease by a protein-protein interaction network using the cytohubba in Cytoscape software. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide a new perspective on how microribonucleic acids could connect with circular ribonucleic acids in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Determination of Rh type and gender using circulating cell-free fetal DNA in early pregnancy of Rh negative women in turkey.

INTRODUCTION: Choosing the right clinical approach for early and reliable diagnosis/screening is becoming more important day by day. The aim of the study was to determine the early RhD type with cff-DNA obtained from maternal plasma, especially in the light of recent developments. In this way, it is aimed to apply Rh Ig only to mothers who are determined to have RhD (+) fetuses and to prevent unnecessary further tests that may possess a risk for RhD (-) fetuses. METHODS: Prediction of fetal gender and RH genotype was performed by using RT-qPCR method. With simultaneous amplification of sequences of SRY, DYS14 and RH genes (exon 7 and exon 10). Fetal gender and RhD were determined in 30 RHD (-) pregnant women with cfDNA. RESULTS: As a result of genotyping, the gender of 67% (20/30) fetuses was determined as male; the gender of 33% (10/30) fetuses was determined as female in a sample group of 30 pregnancies. It was determined that the DYS14 100% (20/20) gene was more sensitive than the SRY 97% (18/20) gene in gender determination after examining prenatal and postnatal results. As a result of the analysis, the presence of 17% (5/30) RhD (-) fetuses and 83% (25/30) RhD (+) fetuses were determined which is 100% compatible with postnatal results. DISCUSSION: Detecting fetal RhD gene in maternal plasma made an important contribution to its use in non-invasive prenatal screening. This study shows that unnecessary intervention and cost can be avoided with successful genotyping analysis performed with RT-qPCR.

Hyperthermia alters neurobehavior by affecting cell proliferation and neuronal survival in young male rats.

Maintenance of body temperature within physiological range is critical for the fetal and neonatal development. Hyperthermia is one of the most frequently encountered pediatric complaints and may cause neurological disorders due to neuronal injury. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of hyperthermia on behavioral alterations, neuronal survival, apoptosis, and cell proliferation in young male Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty-one 13-day-old rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 7 per group). Body temperature was increased to 39°C and 41°C in a hyperthermia induction chamber for 30 min, whereas the animals in control group were maintained at 36°C. Twenty-four hours after hyperthermia, animals were subjected to the open field test, elevated-O-maze test, and grip strength test to assess the locomotor activity, anxiety, and motor function. Neuronal survival, apoptosis, and cell proliferation were investigated in cortex, hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) and CA1 regions, and corpus callosum (CC). Decreased locomotor activity and motor function and increased anxiety were observed in the hyperthermia groups, and these were more pronounced in the 41°C group. Neuronal survival was significantly decreased in DG, CA1, and CC in the hyperthermia groups (**p < 0.01). Apoptosis was significantly induced in cortex, DG, and CC of the animals exposed to heat (*p < 0.05). In addition, cell proliferation positivity decreased significantly only in DG and CC of the animals exposed to heat (*p < 0.05). Our results suggest that neurobehavioral deficits caused by hyperthermia may be due to the increased apoptosis and neuronal cell death and decreased cell proliferation in the brain of postnatal developing rats.

Extracellular matrix collagen biomarker levels in patients who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The role of extracellular matrix collagen biomarkers in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is not well known. Our goal was to investigate the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 protein levels in patients with CTETH. METHODS: This is a prospective, cross-sectional study. Patients with CTETH who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy comprise group 1, and the control group included patients who underwent lung surgery without pulmonary hypertension (group 2) between March 2020 and March 2021. In addition to serum levels of MMP-9, the pulmonary endarterectomy and control pulmonary artery tissue samples were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay  4pl, cubic, quadratic and Western blot techniques. Levels of MMP-2, which consist of pro MMP-2/ß-actin and active MMP-2/ß-actin and MMP-9/ß-actin, were measured only in the tissue samples. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were enrolled consecutively in group 1 (n: 24) and group 2 (n: 24). The serum concentrations of MMP-9 were similar in both groups. Similarly, a comparison of tissue sample levels of pro MMP-2/ß-actin (P = 0.496) and active MMP-2/ß-actin (P = 0.216) showed no significant difference between the groups. The tissue samples from patients with CTETH had significantly lower amounts of MMP-9/ß-actin compared to the control group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that serum levels of extracellular matrix collagen biomarkers were similar in patients with CTETH who were candidates for surgery and in patients who had non-pulmonary hypertension who underwent lung surgery. Differences in levels of MMP-9/ß-actin in tissue samples may play a role in pulmonary vascular remodelling in operable patients.

Dual action of exosomes derived from in vitro Aß toxicity model: The role of age for pathological response.

Exosomes released from different cell types of the central nervous system play an essential role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we aimed to create an animal model by injecting exosomes that carry AD markers into the brain to shed light on the mechanism behind Alzheimer's pathology. Exosomes obtained from mouse Neuro2A, to which Aß toxicity model applied, were used as a mediator to build an AD phenotype. For this purpose, exosomes were administered into hippocampal CA3 region of mice with different ages. Firstly, the possible role of exosomes on brain volume was analyzed. Then, neurons and astrocytes were evaluated for survival. In addition, the progenitor cells' differentiation capacity was investigated via BrdU staining. AKT signaling pathway components were examined to detect the molecular mechanisms behind the exosomal function. We found different responses in different age groups. Expression of APP upregulated only in young animals upon delivery of Aß-exosomes. Interestingly, young animals represented increased numbers of neurons in the hippocampus, and neurogenesis was found to be restricted after Aß-Ex injections. However, in relation to exosome administration, the glial intensity increased in aged animals. Lastly, phosphorylation of survival kinase AKT was downregulated due to the presence of Aß in both young and old animals. The findings reveal that the exosomes from an in vitro Aß toxicity model may induce different responses in an age-dependent manner. This study is the first to report the relationship between exosomal function and aging by evaluating the key molecules.

The Unconventional Growth Factors Cerebral Dopamine Neurotrophic Factor and Mesencephalic Astrocyte-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Promote Post-ischemic Neurological Recovery, Perilesional Brain Remodeling, and Lesion-Remote Axonal Plasticity.

Considerable efforts are currently made to develop strategies that boost endogenous recovery once a stroke has occurred. Owing to their restorative properties, neurotrophic factors are attractive candidates that capitalize on endogenous response mechanisms. Non-conventional growth factors cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) and mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) promote neuronal survival and reduce neurological deficits in the acute phase of ischemic stroke in mice. Their effects on endogenous repair and recovery mechanisms in the stroke recovery phase were so far unknown. By intracerebroventricular delivery of CDNF or MANF starting 3 days post-stroke (1 µg/day for 28 days via miniosmotic pumps), we show that delayed CDNF and MANF administration promoted functional neurological recovery assessed by a battery of behavioral tests, increased long-term neuronal survival, reduced delayed brain atrophy, glial scar formation, and, in case of CDNF but not MANF, increased endogenous neurogenesis in the perilesional brain tissue. Besides, CDNF and MANF administration increased long-distance outgrowth of terminal axons emanating from the contralesional pyramidal tract, which crossed the midline to innervate ipsilesional facial nucleus. This plasticity promoting effect was accompanied by downregulation of the axonal growth inhibitor versican and the guidance molecules ephrin B1 and B2 in the previously ischemic hemisphere at 14 dpi, which represents a sensitive time-point for axonal growth. CDNF and MANF reduced the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL1ß and TNFα in both hemispheres. The effects of non-conventional growth factors in the ischemic brain should further be examined since they might help to identify targets for restorative stroke therapy.

Phosphodiesterase 10A deactivation induces long-term neurological recovery, Peri-infarct remodeling and pyramidal tract plasticity after transient focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

The phosphodiesterase (PDE) superfamily comprises enzymes responsible for the cAMP and cGMP degradation to AMP and GMP. PDEs are abundant in the brain, where they are involved in several neuronal functions. High PDE10A abundance was previously observed in the striatum; however its consequences for stroke recovery were unknown. Herein, we evaluated the effects of PDE10A deactivation by TAK-063 (0.3 or 3 mg/kg, initiated 72 h post-stroke) in mice exposed to intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion. We found that PDE10A deactivation over up to eight weeks dose-dependently increased long-term neuronal survival, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis in the peri-infarct striatum, which represents the core of the middle cerebral artery territory, and reduced astroglial scar formation, whole brain atrophy and, more specifically, striatal atrophy. Functional motor-coordination recovery and the long-distance plasticity of pyramidal tract axons, which originate from the contralesional motor cortex and descend through the contralesional striatum to innervate the ipsilesional facial nucleus, were enhanced by PDE10A deactivation. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) revealed a set of dopamine receptor-related and neuronal plasticity-related PDE10A targets, which were elevated (e.g., protein phosphatase-1 regulatory subunit 1B) or reduced (e.g., serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1α, ß-synuclein, proteasome subunit α2) by PDE10A deactivation. Our results identify PDE10A as a therapeutic target that critically controls post-ischemic brain tissue remodeling and plasticity.

Delayed Therapeutic Administration of Melatonin Enhances Neuronal Survival Through AKT and MAPK Signaling Pathways Following Focal Brain Ischemia in Mice.

Melatonin has a role in the cell survival signaling pathways as a candidate for secondary stroke prevention. Therefore, in the present study, the coordination of ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres to evaluate delayed post-acute effect of melatonin was examined on recovery of the cell survival and apoptosis after stroke. Melatonin was administered (4 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally for 45 days, starting 3 days after 30 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion. The genes and proteins related to the cell survival and apoptosis were investigated by immunofluorescence, western blotting, and RT-PCR techniques after behavioral experiments. Melatonin produced delayed neurological recovery by improving motor coordination on grip strength and rotarod tests. This neurological recovery was also reflected by high level of NeuN positive cells and low level of TUNEL-positive cells suggesting enhanced neuronal survival and reduced apoptosis at the fifty-fifth day of stroke. The increase of NGF, Nrp1, c-jun; activation of AKT; and dephosphorylation of ERK and JNK at the fifty-fifth day showed that cell survival and apoptosis signaling molecules compete to contribute to the remodeling of brain. Furthermore, an increase in the CREB and Atf-1 expressions suggested the melatonin's strong reformative effect on neuronal regeneration. The contralateral hemisphere was more active at the latter stages of the molecular and functional regeneration which provides a further proof of principle about melatonin's action on the promotion of brain plasticity and recovery after stroke.

Increased Colostral Concentration of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in Mothers with Premature Rupture of Membranes.

Objective: The colostrum contains macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), which plays an important role in protecting newborns from infections. As such, colostrum may be specifically important to prevent early onset neonatal sepsis among neonates born after premature rupture of membranes (PROM). However, the effect of PROM on the colostral MIF concentration has not been previously described. The aim of this study is to compare the concentration of MIF in the colostrum of mothers with and without PROM. Methods: The study group consisted of 44 women, 22 of whom had PROM. Colostrum was expressed and collected within 72 hours of birth. MIF concentration was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and compared between mothers with and without PROM. Results: There were no differences between the two groups (PROM group n = 22, control group n = 22) with regard to the age of mothers, mode of delivery, neonatal gestational age, birth weight, and sex of the infants (p > 0.05). The colostral MIF concentration was significantly higher among mothers with than without PROM (p = 0.0001). There was a positive and significant correlation between the colostral MIF concentration and PROM duration (r = 0.314, p = 0.038). Conclusions: PROM was associated with a higher colostral MIF concentration, with this concentration being positively correlated with the duration of PROM. This increased concentration may be important in offering these neonates additional protection against early onset infections, which is a risk associated with PROM.

Phosphodiesterase 10A Is a Critical Target for Neuroprotection in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke.

Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) hydrolyzes adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). It is highly expressed in the striatum. Recent evidence implied that PDE10A may be involved in the inflammatory processes following injury, such as ischemic stroke. Its role in ischemic injury was unknown. Herein, we exposed mice to 90 or 30-min middle cerebral artery occlusion, followed by the delivery of the highly selective PDE10A inhibitor TAK-063 (0.3 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg) immediately after reperfusion. Animals were sacrificed after 24 or 72 h, respectively. Both TAK-063 doses enhanced neurological function, reduced infarct volume, increased neuronal survival, reduced brain edema, and increased blood-brain barrier integrity, alongside cerebral microcirculation improvements. Post-ischemic neuroprotection was associated with increased phosphorylation (i.e., activation) of pro-survival Akt, Erk-1/2, GSK-3α/ß and anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL abundance, decreased phosphorylation of pro-survival mTOR, and HIF-1α, MMP-9 and pro-apoptotic Bax abundance. Interestingly, PDE10A inhibition reduced inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, including IFN-γ and TNF-α, analyzed by planar surface immunoassay. In addition, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry revealed 40 proteins were significantly altered by TAK-063. Our study established PDE10A as a target for ischemic stroke therapy.

Striatal dopaminergic neurons as a potential target for GDNF based ischemic stroke therapy.

BACKGROUND: Glial cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a well-known regulatory neurotrophic factor on dopaminergic neurons. Several pathologies have been documented so far in case of any impairment in the dopaminergic system. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective role of lentiviral GNDF delivery on the small population of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive dopamine producing striatal neurons after ischemic stroke. METHODS: Fourteen C57BL/6J male mice (8-10 weeks) were intracerebrally treated with lentiviral GDNF (Lv-GDNF) or vehicle. Ten days after injections, cerebral ischemia was induced by blockage of the middle cerebral artery. Animals were terminated 72 h after ischemia, and their brains were taken for histological and molecular investigations. Following confirmation of GDNF overexpression, TH immunostaining and immunoblotting were used to evaluate the role of GDNF on dopaminergic neurons. Next, Fluro Jade C staining was implemented to examine the degree of neuronal degeneration at the damaged parenchyma. RESULTS: Neither the amount of TH positive dopaminergic neurons nor the expression of TH changed in the Lv-GDNF treated animals comparing to the vehicle group. On the other hand, GDNF exposure caused a significant increase in the expression of Nurr1, an essential transcription factor for dopaminergic neurons and Gap43, growth and plasticity promoting protein, in the ischemic striatum. Treatment with Lv-GDNF gave rise to a significant reduction in the number of degenerated neurons. Finally, enhanced GDNF expression also induced expression of an important stress-related transcription factor NF-κB as well as the nitric oxide synthase enzymes iNOS and nNOS in the contralesional hemisphere.

Inflammatory Cytokines are in Action: Brain Plasticity and Recovery after Brain Ischemia Due to Delayed Melatonin Administration.

OBJECTIVES: Post-ischemic inflammation leads to apoptosis as an indirect cause of functional disabilities after the stroke. Melatonin may be a good candidate for the stroke recovery because of its anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we investigated the effect of melatonin on inflammation in the functional recovery of brain by evaluating ipsilesional and contralesional alterations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Melatonin (4 mg/kg/day) was intraperitoneally administered into the mice from the 3rd to the 55th day of the post-ischemia after 30 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion. RESULTS: Melatonin produced a functional recovery by reducing the emigration of the circulatory leukocytes and the local microglial activation within the ischemic brain. Overall, the expression of the inflammation-related genes reduced upon melatonin treatment in the ischemic hemisphere. On the other hand, the expression level of the inflammatory cytokine genes raised in the contralateral hemisphere at the 55th day of the post-ischemia. Furthermore, melatonin triggers an increase in the iNOS expression and a decrease in the nNOS expression in the ipsilateral hemisphere at the earlier times in the post-ischemic recovery. At the 55th day of the post-ischemic recovery, melatonin administration enhanced the eNOS and nNOS protein expressions. CONCLUSIONS: The present molecular, biological, and histological data have revealed broad anti-inflammatory effects of melatonin in both hemispheres with distinct temporal and spatial patterns at different phases of post-stroke recovery. These outcomes also established that melatonin act recruitment of contralesional rather than of ipsilesional.

Integrin α5ß1 Mediated Cellular Reorganization in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells During Neuronal Differentiation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely used for yielding neurons in culture to study nervous system pathologies and develop regenerative approaches. In this study, cellular rearrangements of human MSCs related to the expression of the fibronectin common receptor integrin α5ß1 and its cell surface localization during neuronal differentiation, were examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Proliferation kinetics of neuronal induced hMSCs (hMd-Neurons) were quantified by BrdU assay, and hMd-Neurons were immunostained for neuronal marker expression. Additionally, cDNA and protein samples were collected at different time points for integrin α5ß1 expression analysis. RESULTS: Endogenous integrin α5ß1 expression was significantly upregulated by day 6 and maintained until day 12. Cell surface localization of α5ß1 integrin was increased by day 6; the integrin was internalized into the cytosol by day 12. CONCLUSION: Integrin dynamics around day 6 of differentiation might be involved in neuronal differentiation and maturation or specification of hMd-Neurons.

Effectiveness of Different Surgical Flap Delay Methods and Their Systemic Toxicities.

OBJECTIVE: The surgical flap delaying has been shown to be effective in preventing partial flap loss or in preparing larger flaps. However, there is no gold standard flap delay method in the literature. In this study, the authors aimed to compare 3 types of surgical delay methods to determine which model would increase more flap survival. The authors also investigated the effect of delay methods on circulating mononuclear leukocytes as a parameter of DNA damage. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into 4 groups. All subjects had a 10 × 3 cm modified McFarlane flap. Surface area measurements, biopsies, and blood samples were taken on the day of sacrification; 7th day for the control group and 14th day for delay groups. RESULTS: Between incisional surgery delay groups, a significant difference was found in necrosis and apoptosis in the bipedicled group, and only necrosis in the tripedicled group compared to the control. In terms of DNA damage, it was found higher in all experimental groups than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Both incisional surgical delay procedures' results were meaningfully effective when only incisions were made without the elevation of flaps. In conclusion, bipedicled incisional surgical delay seems to be the most effective method in McFarlane experimental flap model whereas two-staged surgeries may increase the risk of systemic toxicity.

Umbilical cord levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

Background/aim: We aimed to evaluate the association of the umbilical cord macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) with the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants. Materials and methods: A total of eighty six preterm infants (38 with RDS and 48 without RDS) were involved in the study. ELISA is the technique assaying MIF values. Results: The mean of the infants' gestational ages and birth weights were significantly different (P = 0.0001). There were no significant differences in sex, delivery mode or exposure to antenatal steroid among the groups (P > 0.05). Umbilical cord MIF levels of the infants were not correlated with gestational age and birth weight (Spearman's rho = ­0.22 and 0.28 respectively, P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in umbilical cord MIF levels of infants whether or not they were administered antenatal steroid (median:17.88 vs. median:17.60, Mann­Whitney U test, P = 0.42). Cord serum MIF levels were higher (mean, 17.09 ± 5.86 ng/mL) in the RDS group than in the non-RDS group (mean, 14.72 ± 4.18 ng/mL) (P = 0.005). Conclusion: This study shows that, MIF level is higher in the cord blood of the infants with RDS than of the infants without RDS. This supports that MIF expression begins in prior to the birth of the preterm infants and MIF has enhancing impact on the lung development of premature babies. With future studies, the assessment of the cord MIF levels at the bedside may be beneficial for the diagnosis and treatment of RDS, and taking actions to prevent long-term consequences.

Two boron-containing compounds affect the cellular viability of SH-SY5Y cells in an in vitro amyloid-beta toxicity model.

Boron is a naturally occurring trace element found in organic and inorganic complexes. Boron-containing compounds are required for living organisms for diverse metabolic functions, including nitrogen fixation in microorganisms, cell wall stability in plants, and bone and carbohydrate metabolism in animals. The number of studies about the effect of boron in biological model systems is very limited; so far, there has been no study on the correlation between boron and amyloid-beta toxicity. Here, we investigated the possible effects of 2 boron-containing compounds-sodium borate decahydrate and boric acid-against amyloid-beta toxicity. In our in vitro amyloid-beta toxicity model, we showed that these 2 compounds increase the survival of the SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, boron in these 2 forms increases the expression of Sirt1, which has protective functions against cellular stress. The compounds also change the expressions of GSK-3α/ß; by doing so, boron may contribute to the stimulation of intracellular prosurvival pathways. This is the first experimental study indicating the prosurvival effect of boron in an amyloid-beta toxicity model.

Fetal alcohol and maternal stress modify the expression of proteins controlling postnatal development of the male rat hippocampus.

Background: Developing brains can partially get over prenatal alcohol exposure-related detrimental conditions by activating some mechanisms involved in survival. Objectives: This study aimed to shed light on the molecular correlates of compensatory mechanisms by examining temporal profiles in the expression of proteins controlling postnatal development in the rat hippocampus prenatally exposed to intubation stress/ethanol. Methods: Male pups were randomly assigned to age subgroups (n = 21/age) which were sacrificed on postnatal day (PD)1, PD10, PD30, and PD60. Ethanol (6 g/kg/day) were intragastrically intubated to the dams throughout 7-21 gestation days. The expression of neurogenesis and angiogenesis markers, extracellular matrix proteins, and growth-promoting ligands were examined by western blot. Results: The most rapid increase in the index of neuronal maturation was noted between PD10-PD30 (p < .05). Prenatal stress caused a decrease of neurogenesis markers at birth and an increase of their expressions at PD10 and PD30 to reach control levels (p < .001). The impact of fetal-alcohol was observed as a decrease in the expression of synaptic plasticity protein versican at birth (p < .001), an increase in the synaptic repulsion protein ephrin-B2 at PD10 (p < .001), and a decrease in the maturation of BDNF at PD30 (p < .001) with a decrease in the mature neuron markers at PD30 (p < .001) and PD60 (p = .005) which were compensated with upregulation of angiogenesis and increasing brevican expression, a neuronal maturation protein (p < .001). Conclusion: These data provide in vivo evidence for the potential therapeutic factors related to neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and neurite remodeling which may tolerate the alcohol/stress dependent teratogenicity in the developing hippocampus.

Thymoquinone administration ameliorates Alzheimer's disease-like phenotype by promoting cell survival in the hippocampus of amyloid beta1-42 infused rat model.

BACKGROUND: Thymoquinone (TQ), a biologically active ingredient of Nigella sativa, has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and neuroprotective properties. Therefore, it could be a good candidate in the recovery of Alzheimer`s disease (AD) pathology rather than current symptomatic reliefs. PURPOSE: In the present study, we examined the molecular healing effects of TQ in amyloid beta 1-42 (Aß1-42) peptide-infused AD rat hippocampus. STUDY DESIGN: A micro-osmotic pump containing aggregated Aß1-42 was cannulated into the hippocampus of adult female rats. After two weeks infusion, the dose of TQ (10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg) was determined according to the HPLC results of cerebrospinal fluid and TQ was given to rats intragastrically for 15 days. METHODS: The memory performance of rats was determined by Morris water maze test. Afterwards, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) level were measured by ELISA. Histopathological examinations of hippocampal tissue were performed for cell survival by Nissl staining, for detection of amyloid plaque deposits by Congo red staining and for determination of degenerating neurons by Fluoro Jade C staining. MicroRNA/mRNA levels and protein expressions of AD-related genes and proteins were analyzed by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction and Western Blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Administration of TQ enhanced the memory performance of Aß1-42 infused rats and it also ameliorated the neuronal loss in the cornu ammonis (CA1), but not in the dentate gyrus (DG). In addition, TQ treatment decreased the fibril deposition whose accumulation was significantly higher in the Aß1-42-infused animals compared to that of the control group. The expression profiles of mir29c and Bax which significantly upregulated in the Aß1-42-infused animals were attenuated by TQ. Furthermore, administration of TQ decreased the expressions of Aß, phosphorylated-tau, and BACE-1 proteins. There was no significant therapeutic effect of TQ on the AKT/GSK3ß or MAPK signaling pathways which were affected due to Aß1-42 infusion. CONCLUSION: TQ has the capacity to recover the neuropathology by removing Aß plaques and by restoring neuron viability. All might have established the molecular basement of the consolidation in the memory observed by means of TQ treatment.

Neutrophil Elastase Inhibitor Increases Flap Survival in Experimental Degloving Injuries.

OBJECTIVES: Degloving hand injuries have generally been viewed as among the most difficult of injuries to manage due to the extensive nature of associated damage. The traditional approach to the circumferentially degloved segment of problematic flap viability has been to resuture the flap and to wait and see. However, the waiting period or the specific hemorheological protocol remains uncertain. This study aims to acknowledge if Sivelestat, known to ameliorate ischemia-reperfusion injury, enhances the survival of avulsed flaps in a hind limb degloving model of rats and to compare Sivelestat's effects to Pentoxifylline. METHODS: In this study, total flap area (cm2), area of necrosis in the flap (cm2), and the ratio between the necrotic and total areas (percentage) were determined. Angiogenesis among the groups was documented with CD31, anti-PECAM staining. TUNEL assay was performed to allow the visualization of cell nuclei containing fragmented DNA, a typical feature of apoptosis. RESULTS: The findings obtained in this study showed that Sivelestat administered at 10 mg/kg/hour dosage will inhibit the ischemia-reperfusion injury more pertinently than Pentoxifylline, which exerts only hemorheological effects. CONCLUSION: The anti-inflammatory effects of Sivelestat will be beneficial for decreasing the early complications of degloving injury, such as inflammation, sepsis, and edema, better than Pentoxifylline, which exerts only hemorheological effects.