Neuroregeneration and functional recovery after stroke: advancing neural stem cell therapy toward clinical application.

Stroke is a main cause of death and disability worldwide. The ability of the brain to self-repair in the acute and chronic phases after stroke is minimal; however, promising stem cell-based interventions are emerging that may give substantial and possibly complete recovery of brain function after stroke. Many animal models and clinical trials have demonstrated that neural stem cells (NSCs) in the central nervous system can orchestrate neurological repair through nerve regeneration, neuron polarization, axon pruning, neurite outgrowth, repair of myelin, and remodeling of the microenvironment and brain networks. Compared with other types of stem cells, NSCs have unique advantages in cell replacement, paracrine action, inflammatory regulation and neuroprotection. Our review summarizes NSC origins, characteristics, therapeutic mechanisms and repair processes, then highlights current research findings and clinical evidence for NSC therapy. These results may be helpful to inform the direction of future stroke research and to guide clinical decision-making.

Enantioselective and solvent-controlled diastereoselective Mannich reaction of isatin imines with hydroxyacetone: synthesis of 3-substituted 3-aminooxindoles.

The diastereoselectively switchable enantioselective Mannich reaction of isatin imines with hydroxyacetone is reported. The chiral primary amino acid catalyzed this Mannich reaction to afford both anti- and syn-Mannich adducts in high yields, good diastereoselectivities, and enantioselectivities. The reason for the solvent control of the diastereoselectivity phenomenon was investigated.