Randomized controlled trials for alcohol use disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) altered the logistics of ongoing randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The need to reduce in-person research and clinical activities, however, presented an additional level of complexity in order to continue conducting RCTs that focused on the development of medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The visits required a systematic objective evaluation from the physician and mental health professional and clinical staff, as many of the safety and efficacy assessments are self-reported. The following commentary addresses the successes and limitations our RCTs encountered during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Effects of nutraceutical intervention on serum proteins in aged rats.

Aging is associated with many pathophysiological changes that could lead to the onset of degenerative disease. Some of the physiological changes that occur with aging include increased inflammation and decreased stem cell proliferation, leading to decreased capacity for tissue regeneration and loss of function. In previous studies, we and others have found nutraceutical intervention to ameliorate some of the deleterious effects associated with aging. In particular, we have previously shown that NT-020, a supplement composed of a proprietary blend of blueberries, green tea, vitamin D3, and carnosine, is able to rescue age-related cognitive deficits, impaired neurogenesis, and inflammation in rats. We have also previously demonstrated that stem cells cultured with old serum showed decreased proliferation; however, when stem cells were cultured in serum from old rats given a diet supplemented with NT-020, proliferation did not differ from that of cells cultured with serum from young rats. While it is clear that NT-020 is exerting a therapeutic, anti-aging effect, the mechanisms of action were yet to be fully elucidated.To that end, in the present study, we conducted a bioinformatics experiment to examine the rat proteome of serum from young and old control rats and young and old rats given a diet supplemented with NT-020. Serum from old rats showed an increase in some inflammatory and pro-aging factors while serum from old rats given a diet supplemented with NT-020 showed an increase in some anti-aging factors, most notably proteins associated with the complement system and autophagy. A number of immune functions that increase with age were shown to be downregulated with NT-020 treatment.

Progress and Updates in Stroke Research: Introduction to the Special Issue on Stroke.

As guest editors of this special issue, we are delighted to present 13 articles that discuss advances in stroke research including translational stroke research, stroke research milestones, and proposals for future directions. Stroke is a major cause of disability, and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the fifth leading cause of death in the US alone. Possible factors contributing to stroke pathogenesis are elucidated and possible treatment modalities are explored in the following special issue of Cell Transplantation.

Regenerative Rehabilitation: An Innovative and Multifactorial Approach to Recovery From Stroke and Brain Injury.

There is currently a dearth of treatment options for stroke or traumatic brain injury that can restore cognitive and motor function. Regenerative and translational medicine have ushered forth promising new methods for mediating recovery in the central nervous system, the most salient of which are rehabilitation and stem cell therapies that, when combined, result in more pronounced recovery than one approach alone.

Potential Autoepitope within the Extracellular Region of Contactin-Associated Protein-like 2 in Mice.

AIMS: Implicated in autoimmune encephalitis, neuromyotonia and genetic forms of autism, here we report that contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2) contains a potential autoepitope within the extracellular region. METHODOLOGY: CNTNAP2 sequence-similar regions (CSSRs) from human pathogens were identified. Sera from autistic and control children were obtained and analyzed for the presence of antibodies able to bind CSSRs. One such candidate CSSR was evaluated for evidence of autoimmune responses to CNTNAP2 in a mouse model of acute infection. RESULTS: Autistic and control children sera contained antibodies able to discrete regions of CNTNAP2. In a murine model of acute infection, a CSSR derived from the N-terminal extracellular region of CNTNAP2 resulted in anti-CNTNAP2 antibody production, proinflammatory cytokine elevation, cerebellar and cortical white matter T-cell infiltration as well as motor dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these data suggest that CNTNAP2 contains a potential autoepitope within the extracellular region.