Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Mostrar: 20 | 50 | 100
Resultados 1 - 20 de 36
Filtrar
1.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 119(14): e2120717119, 2022 04 05.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35349340

RESUMO

SignificanceDistributed training has long been known to lead to more robust memory formation as compared to massed training. Using the water maze, a well-established task for assessing memory in laboratory rodents, we found that distributed and massed training differentially engage the dorsolateral and dorsomedial striatum, and optogenetic priming of dorsolateral striatum can artificially increase the robustness of massed training to the level of distributed training. Overall, our findings demonstrate that spatial memory consolidation engages different neural substrates depending on the training regimen, identifying a therapeutic avenue for memory enhancement.


Assuntos
Consolidação da Memória , Memória Espacial , Corpo Estriado , Hipocampo , Aprendizagem em Labirinto , Neostriado
2.
J Neurochem ; 165(3): 318-333, 2023 05.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36583243

RESUMO

Neuron generation persists throughout life in the hippocampus but is altered in animal models of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases, suggesting that disease-associated decline in cognitive and emotional hippocampal-dependent behaviours might be functionally linked with dysregulation of postnatal neurogenesis. Depletion of the adult neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPCs) pool and neurogenic decline have been recently described in mice expressing synaptic susceptibility genes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASDs). To gain further insight into mechanisms regulating neurogenesis in mice carrying mutations in synaptic genes related to monogenic ASDs, we used the R451C Neuroligin3 knock-in (Nlgn3 KI) mouse, which is characterized by structural brain abnormalities, deficits in synaptic functions and reduced sociability. We show that the number of adult-born neurons, but not the size of the NSPC pool, was reduced in the ventral dentate gyrus in knock-in mice. Notably, this neurogenic decline was rescued by daily injecting mice with 10 mg/Kg of the antidepressant fluoxetine for 20 consecutive days. Sustained treatment also improved KI mice's sociability and increased the number of c-Fos active adult-born neurons, compared with vehicle-injected KI mice. Our study uncovers neurogenesis-mediated alterations in the brain of R451C KI mouse, showing that the R451C Nlgn3 mutation leads to lasting, albeit pharmacologically reversible, changes in the brain, affecting neuron formation in the adult hippocampus. Our results suggest that fluoxetine can ameliorate social behaviour in KI mice, at least in part, by rescuing adult hippocampal neurogenesis, which may be relevant for the pharmacological treatment of ASDs.


Assuntos
Transtorno do Espectro Autista , Transtorno Autístico , Camundongos , Animais , Fluoxetina/farmacologia , Fluoxetina/uso terapêutico , Transtorno Autístico/genética , Antidepressivos/farmacologia , Hipocampo , Neurogênese/fisiologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Comportamento Social
3.
Stress ; 21(6): 575-579, 2018 11.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29996702

RESUMO

Transposable elements (TEs) are conserved mobile genetic elements that are highly abundant in most eukaryotic genomes. Although the exact function of TEs is still largely unknown, it is increasingly clear that they are significantly modulated in response to stress in a wide range of organisms, either directly or indirectly through regulation of epigenetic silencing. We investigated the effect of repeated restraint stress (2 h a day, for 5 d) on transcription levels of LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposon in the brain of inbred BALB/c, DBA/2, C57BL/6N, and outbred CD1 mice. Repeated restraint stress induced strain and brain region-specific modulation of L1 activity. We observed a significant derepression of L1 transcription in the hippocampus (HIPP) of BALB/c mice and a significant downregulation in the hippocampus of C57BL/6N mice. No significant change in L1 expression was found in the other strains and brain regions. These findings indicate in mice the control of transposons expression as an additional mechanism in stress-induced pathophysiological responses, demonstrating that their regulation is highly dependent on the strain genetic background and the brain region. Lay summary Hippocampal expression of the transposon L1 is significantly altered by repeated restraint stress in mice. L1 modulation is not only region specific, but also strain dependent, suggesting that the genetic background is an important determinant of L1 response to environmental stimuli.


Assuntos
Encéfalo/metabolismo , Elementos de DNA Transponíveis/genética , Elementos Nucleotídeos Longos e Dispersos/genética , Estresse Psicológico/genética , Tonsila do Cerebelo/metabolismo , Animais , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Endogâmicos DBA , Córtex Pré-Frontal/metabolismo , Restrição Física , Estresse Psicológico/metabolismo
4.
J Physiol ; 595(4): 1239-1251, 2017 02 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27767209

RESUMO

KEY POINTS: We establish experimental preparations for optogenetic investigation of glutamatergic input to the inferior olive. Neurones in the principal olivary nucleus receive monosynaptic extra-somatic glutamatergic input from the neocortex. Glutamatergic inputs to neurones in the inferior olive generate bidirectional postsynaptic potentials (PSPs), with a fast excitatory component followed by a slower inhibitory component. Small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels are required for the slow inhibitory component of glutamatergic PSPs and oppose temporal summation of inputs at intervals ≤ 20 ms. Active integration of synaptic input within the inferior olive may play a central role in control of olivo-cerebellar climbing fibre signals. ABSTRACT: The inferior olive plays a critical role in motor coordination and learning by integrating diverse afferent signals to generate climbing fibre inputs to the cerebellar cortex. While it is well established that climbing fibre signals are important for motor coordination, the mechanisms by which neurones in the inferior olive integrate synaptic inputs and the roles of particular ion channels are unclear. Here, we test the hypothesis that neurones in the inferior olive actively integrate glutamatergic synaptic inputs. We demonstrate that optogenetically activated long-range synaptic inputs to the inferior olive, including projections from the motor cortex, generate rapid excitatory potentials followed by slower inhibitory potentials. Synaptic projections from the motor cortex preferentially target the principal olivary nucleus. We show that inhibitory and excitatory components of the bidirectional synaptic potentials are dependent upon AMPA (GluA) receptors, are GABAA independent, and originate from the same presynaptic axons. Consistent with models that predict active integration of synaptic inputs by inferior olive neurones, we find that the inhibitory component is reduced by blocking large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels with iberiotoxin, and is abolished by blocking small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels with apamin. Summation of excitatory components of synaptic responses to inputs at intervals ≤ 20 ms is increased by apamin, suggesting a role for the inhibitory component of glutamatergic responses in temporal integration. Our results indicate that neurones in the inferior olive implement novel rules for synaptic integration and suggest new principles for the contribution of inferior olive neurones to coordinated motor behaviours.


Assuntos
Núcleo Olivar/metabolismo , Receptores de AMPA/metabolismo , Potenciais Sinápticos , Animais , Apamina/farmacologia , Ácido Glutâmico/metabolismo , Canais de Potássio Ativados por Cálcio de Condutância Alta/metabolismo , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Córtex Motor/citologia , Córtex Motor/metabolismo , Córtex Motor/fisiologia , Neurônios/metabolismo , Neurônios/fisiologia , Núcleo Olivar/citologia , Núcleo Olivar/fisiologia , Peptídeos/farmacologia , Bloqueadores dos Canais de Potássio/farmacologia , Canais de Potássio Ativados por Cálcio de Condutância Baixa/metabolismo , Sinapses/metabolismo , Sinapses/fisiologia
5.
Ig Sanita Pubbl ; 73(6): 621-632, 2017.
Artigo em Italiano | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29573388

RESUMO

AIM: The main objective of the study was to measure caregiver burden among informal caregivers assisting people with multiple sclerosis (MS). BACKGROUND: Thirty percent of people with multiple sclerosis require some form of home assistance and 80% of such care is provided by informal caregivers. The quality of life of informal caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis decreases with increasing physical and depressive symptoms of their loved ones. This can have effects on stress levels, physical and mental health, quality of life, and mortality of informal caregivers. DESIGN: A descriptive correlational study was performed in a sample of informal caregivers of MS patients. METHODS: The study enrolled 41 informal caregivers of MS patients at a regional reference center in Rome, Italy. Data collection took place in the period between May and September 2016. A paper questionnaire was used, comprising a socio-demographic section and a "Caregiver Burden Inventory" section. RESULTS: The subjective burden perceived by informal caregivers of patients with MS is moderate. Socio-demographic characteristics were not found to influence burden of caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: It is important for nursing professionals to consider and evaluate the burden of informal caregivers of MS patients as they are valuable allies in the management of these patients.


Assuntos
Cuidadores , Efeitos Psicossociais da Doença , Esclerose Múltipla , Adulto , Cuidadores/estatística & dados numéricos , Correlação de Dados , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Esclerose Múltipla/terapia , Assistência ao Paciente , Projetos Piloto , Adulto Jovem
6.
Int J Pharm ; 654: 123994, 2024 Apr 10.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38484859

RESUMO

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) holds great potential to treat many difficult-to-treat diseases, but its delivery remains the central challenge. This study aimed at investigating the suitability of polymer-lipid hybrid nanomedicines (HNMeds) as novel siRNA delivery platforms for locoregional therapy of glioblastoma. Two HNMed formulations were developed from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymer and a cationic lipid: 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) or 3ß-[N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl]cholesterol (DC-Chol). After characterization of the HNMeds, a model siRNA was complexed onto their surface to form HNMed/siRNA complexes. The physicochemical properties and siRNA binding ability of complexes were assessed over a range of nitrogen-to-phosphate (N/P) ratios to optimize the formulations. At the optimal N/P ratio of 10, complexes effectively bound siRNA and improved its protection from enzymatic degradation. Using the NIH3T3 mouse fibroblast cell line, DOTAP-based HNMeds were shown to possess higher cytocompatibility in vitro over the DC-Chol-based ones. As proof-of-concept, uptake and bioefficacy of formulations were also assessed in vitro on U87MG human glioblastoma cell line expressing luciferase gene. Complexes were able to deliver anti-luciferase siRNA and induce a remarkable suppression of gene expression. Noteworthy, the effect of DOTAP-based formulation was not only about three-times higher than DC-Chol-based one, but also comparable to lipofectamine model transfection reagent. These findings set the basis to exploit this nanosystem for silencing relevant GB-related genes in further in vitro and in vivo studies.


Assuntos
Ácidos Graxos Monoinsaturados , Glioblastoma , Lipossomos , Compostos de Amônio Quaternário , Camundongos , Animais , Humanos , Lipossomos/química , Polímeros/química , RNA Interferente Pequeno , Glioblastoma/genética , Glioblastoma/terapia , Células NIH 3T3 , Nanomedicina , Lipídeos/química
7.
J Physiol ; 591(22): 5691-709, 2013 Nov 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24000178

RESUMO

Neural computations rely on ion channels that modify neuronal responses to synaptic inputs. While single cell recordings suggest diverse and neurone type-specific computational functions for HCN1 channels, their behavioural roles in any single neurone type are not clear. Using a battery of behavioural assays, including analysis of motor learning in vestibulo-ocular reflex and rotarod tests, we find that deletion of HCN1 channels from cerebellar Purkinje cells selectively impairs late stages of motor learning. Because deletion of HCN1 modifies only a subset of behaviours involving Purkinje cells, we asked whether the channel also has functional specificity at a cellular level. We find that HCN1 channels in cerebellar Purkinje cells reduce the duration of inhibitory synaptic responses but, in the absence of membrane hyperpolarization, do not affect responses to excitatory inputs. Our results indicate that manipulation of subthreshold computation in a single neurone type causes specific modifications to behaviour.


Assuntos
Cerebelo/fisiologia , Canais Disparados por Nucleotídeos Cíclicos Ativados por Hiperpolarização/metabolismo , Aprendizagem/fisiologia , Canais de Potássio/metabolismo , Células de Purkinje/fisiologia , Sinapses/metabolismo , Potenciais de Ação/fisiologia , Animais , Cerebelo/metabolismo , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Atividade Motora/fisiologia , Células de Purkinje/metabolismo , Reflexo Vestíbulo-Ocular/fisiologia
8.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 107(17): 7945-50, 2010 Apr 27.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20351272

RESUMO

Spatial memory formation is a dynamic process requiring a series of cellular and molecular steps, such as gene expression and protein translation, leading to morphological changes that have been envisaged as the structural bases for the engram. Despite the role suggested for medial temporal lobe plasticity in spatial memory, recent behavioral observations implicate specific components of the striatal complex in spatial information processing. However, the potential occurrence of neural plasticity within this structure after spatial learning has never been investigated. In this study we demonstrate that blockade of cAMP response element binding protein-induced transcription or inhibition of protein synthesis or extracellular proteolytic activity in the ventral striatum impairs long-term spatial memory. These findings demonstrate that, in the ventral striatum, similarly to what happens in the hippocampus, several key molecular events crucial for the expression of neural plasticity are required in the early stages of spatial memory formation.


Assuntos
Gânglios da Base/fisiologia , Proteína de Ligação ao Elemento de Resposta ao AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/fisiologia , Memória/fisiologia , Plasticidade Neuronal/fisiologia , Percepção Espacial/fisiologia , Análise de Variância , Animais , Proteína de Ligação ao Elemento de Resposta ao AMP Cíclico/genética , Immunoblotting , Masculino , Aprendizagem em Labirinto , Camundongos , Oligonucleotídeos Antissenso/genética , Biossíntese de Proteínas/fisiologia
9.
Adv Neurodev Disord ; 7(2): 244-251, 2023.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36213521

RESUMO

Objectives: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms can become more evident because of different factors. Among these, depression, anxiety, and stress play an important role. Additionally, several studies have revealed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on participants with ASD. In previous studies, two noninvasive neurobiological stimulation treatments with radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology, called neuropostural optimization (NPO) and neuropsychophysical optimization (NPPO), were shown to be effective in improving the subjective response to environmental stressors in the general population and in ASD population. Based on the proven efficacy of REAC NPO and NPPOs treatments in alleviating anxiety, stress, and depression, the purpose of this study is to verify how these treatments can reduce the severity of ASD symptoms expression, which is aggravated by depression, anxiety, and stress. The treatments' effects were perceived by caregivers and assessed by the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). Methods: This study involved 46 children with a previous diagnosis of ASD made using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. The participants received one session of NPO treatment and one NPPOs treatment cycle of 18 sessions, administered within approximately 3 weeks. The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) was used to evaluate the efficacy of the REAC treatments. ATEC allows to evaluate four clusters (speech or language communication; sociability; sensory or cognitive awareness; and health/physical/behavior) through a numerical scale that measures increasing levels of ASD severity. Results: The comparison between the scores of the ATEC administered pre- and post-REAC treatments highlighted an improvement of ASD symptoms in each of the four clusters of ATEC. Conclusions: The results confirm the usefulness of REAC treatments to optimize the individual response to environmental stressors and reduce the symptomatic expression and deficits present in ASD.

10.
Sci Rep ; 13(1): 13357, 2023 08 16.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37587232

RESUMO

Training with long inter-session intervals, termed distributed training, has long been known to be superior to training with short intervals, termed massed training. In the present study we compared c-Fos expression after massed and distributed training protocols in the Morris water maze to outline possible differences in the learning-induced pattern of neural activation in the dorsal CA1 in the two training conditions. The results demonstrate that training and time lags between learning opportunities had an impact on the pattern of neuronal activity in the dorsal CA1. Mice trained with the distributed protocol showed sustained neuronal activity in the postero-distal component of the dorsal CA1. In parallel, in trained mice we found more active cells that tended to constitute spatially restricted clusters, whose degree increased with the increase in the time lags between learning trials. Moreover, activated cell assemblies demonstrated increased stability in their spatial organization after distributed as compared to massed training or control condition. Finally, using a machine learning algorithm we found that differences in the number of c-Fos positive cells and their location in the dorsal CA1 could be predictive of the training protocol used. These results suggest that the topographic organization and the spatial location of learning activated cell assemblies might be critical to promote the increased stability of the memory trace induced by distributed training.


Assuntos
Algoritmos , Hipocampo , Animais , Camundongos , Ciclo Celular , Aprendizado de Máquina , Peso Molecular , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-fos
11.
J Pers Med ; 13(5)2023 May 05.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37240963

RESUMO

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Non-invasive neuromodulation techniques, such as radioelectric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology, have gained attention for their potential to improve the endogenous bioelectric activity (EBA) and neurobiological processes underlying ASD. Neuro Postural Optimization (NPO) and Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization (NPPO) treatments are non-invasive and painless neuromodulation treatments that utilize REAC technology and have shown promising results in improving the symptoms of ASD. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of NPO and NPPO treatments on functional abilities in children and adolescents with ASD using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT). The study consisted of 27 children and adolescents with ASD who underwent a single session of NPO followed by 18 sessions of NPPO treatment over a period of one week. The results showed significant improvements in the children's and adolescents' functional abilities across all domains of the PEDI-CAT. These findings suggest that NPO and NPPO may be effective treatments for improving functional abilities in children and adolescents with ASD.

12.
J Pers Med ; 13(6)2023 May 27.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37373891

RESUMO

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and psychopathological symptoms, often associated with central pain modulation failure and dysfunctional adaptive responses to environmental stress. The Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer (REAC) technology is a neuromodulation technology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of some REAC treatments on psychomotor responses and quality of life in 37 patients with FS. Tests were conducted before and after a single session of Neuro Postural Optimization and after a cycle of 18 sessions of Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization (NPPO), using evaluation of the functional dysmetria (FD) phenomenon, Sitting and Standing (SS), Time Up and Go (TUG) tests for motor evaluation, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) for quality of life. The data were statistically analyzed, and the results showed a statistically significant improvement in motor response and quality of life parameters, including pain, as well as reduced FD measures in all participants. The study concludes that the neurobiological balance established by the REAC therapeutic protocols NPO and NPPO improved the dysfunctional adaptive state caused by environmental and exposomal stress in FS patients, leading to an improvement in psychomotor responses and quality of life. The findings suggest that REAC treatments could be an effective approach for FS patients, reducing the excessive use of analgesic drugs and improving daily activities.

13.
Rev Neurosci ; 23(5-6): 527-41, 2012.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23104853

RESUMO

Research on the function of the nucleus accumbens, the most ventral component of the striatal complex, has traditionally focused on locomotor activity, reward, motivation and addiction. However, based on the existence of projections to the nucleus accumbens from the allocortical regions involved in spatial navigation, it has been suggested that this structure plays a role in spatial learning and memory. Lesion and neuropharmacological studies confirm this view, also revealing the complex dynamics of the receptors involved in these processes. Moreover, the effects of post-training intra-nucleus accumbens drug administrations demonstrate the necessity of off-line neural activity within this structure in order to consolidate spatial memory. Blockade of molecular processes implicated in synaptic plasticity, such as cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-induced transcription or extracellular matrix remodeling, provides further experimental support to this hypothesis. These observations imply that experience-dependent synaptic plasticity responsible for long-term stabilization of spatial information might occur within the nucleus accumbens, similarly to what has been observed in the hippocampus. This suggests that a comprehensive understanding of spatial memory processing should be viewed in the context of a wider neural circuit.


Assuntos
Memória/fisiologia , Plasticidade Neuronal/fisiologia , Núcleo Accumbens/fisiologia , Percepção Espacial/fisiologia , Animais , Proteína de Ligação ao Elemento de Resposta ao AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Inibidores Enzimáticos/farmacologia , Matriz Extracelular/metabolismo , Humanos , Aprendizagem/efeitos dos fármacos , Aprendizagem/fisiologia , Memória/efeitos dos fármacos , Vias Neurais/efeitos dos fármacos , Vias Neurais/fisiologia , Plasticidade Neuronal/efeitos dos fármacos , Núcleo Accumbens/efeitos dos fármacos , Percepção Espacial/efeitos dos fármacos
14.
Cureus ; 14(7): e26770, 2022 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35836712

RESUMO

Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder (CTS) is one of the pathological conditions that most often affects the shoulder and consists of a calcium deposit that settles within the tendon tissue of the rotator cuff. The scientific literature has long highlighted the impact of anxiety, stress, and depression on CTS. The goal of this case report is to highlight how the emotional state of patients and their neuro-psychomotor behavior induce a state of constant muscular tension which, through the physical phenomenon of piezoelectricity, causes calcium salts to precipitate and form calcifications. Therefore, stress, anxiety, and depression are likely factors underlying the etiopathogenesis of CTS. Consistent with this interpretation, this report presents five cases of CTS treated with three specific neurobiological stimulation treatments using the radioelectric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology, which has demonstrated its effectiveness on alterations in postural attitude intended as neuro-psychomotor behavior, anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as on autonomic and metabolic alterations of the tissues at a local level. The results presented suggest that this approach may be useful in the treatment and prevention of CTS.

15.
Cureus ; 14(8): e28159, 2022 Aug.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35999998

RESUMO

Flail arm syndrome (FAS) is a variant of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that manifests itself with the progressive loss of motor control of the upper limbs starting from the proximal part. Both electrophysiological and magnetic resonance studies have shown that functional alterations in the subcortical structures, cerebellum, and cortex are present in this pathology. These alterations appear to play a significant component in determining cognitive, motor, and behavioral effects. To try to modulate these alterations, in this case report, we used three noninvasive and specific neuromodulation treatments of the Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer (REAC) technology. The Neuro Postural Optimization (NPO), the Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization (NPPO), and the Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization Cervico-Brachial (NPPO-CB) with the aim of improving motor control, depression, anxiety, and stress. At the end of the treatment cycle that lasted five consecutive days, the patient regained the ability to raise his arms, a capacity he had lost for several months. This case demonstrates that REAC neurobiological modulation treatments aimed at improving dysfunctional neuropsychomotor behavior (DNPMB) can be useful in highlighting and reducing these components, allowing for better evaluation of the real neurodegenerative damage and determination of a better quality of life for these patients.

16.
Polymers (Basel) ; 14(4)2022 Feb 11.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35215600

RESUMO

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive drug delivery systems (DDS) specifically responding to altered levels of ROS in the pathological microenvironment have emerged as an effective means to enhance the pharmaceutical efficacy of conventional nanomedicines, while simultaneously reducing side effects. In particular, the use of the biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic ROS-responsive thioketal (TK) functional group in the design of smart DDS has grown exponentially in recent years. In the design of TK-based DDS, different technological uses of TK have been proposed to overcome the major limitations of conventional DDS counterparts including uncontrolled drug release and off-target effects. This review will focus on the different technological uses of TK-based biomaterials in smart nanomedicines by using it as a linker to connect a drug on the surface of nanoparticles, form prodrugs, as a core component of the DDS to directly control its structure, to control the opening of drug-releasing gates or to change the conformation of the nano-systems. A comprehensive view of the various uses of TK may allow researchers to exploit this reactive linker more consciously while designing nanomedicines to be more effective with improved disease-targeting ability, providing novel therapeutic opportunities in the treatment of many diseases.

17.
Pharmaceutics ; 14(7)2022 Jul 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35890345

RESUMO

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a devastating disease with a low survival rate and few efficacious treatment options. The fast growth, late diagnostics, and off-target toxicity of currently used drugs represent major barriers that need to be overcome to provide a viable cure. Nanomedicines (NMeds) offer a way to overcome these pitfalls by protecting and loading drugs, increasing blood half-life, and being targetable with specific ligands on their surface. In this study, the FDA-approved polymer poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid was used to optimise NMeds that were surface modified with a series of potential GBM-specific ligands. The NMeds were fully characterised for their physical and chemical properties, and then in vitro testing was performed to evaluate cell uptake and GBM cell specificity. While all targeted NMeds showed improved uptake, only those decorated with the-cell surface vimentin antibody M08 showed specificity for GBM over healthy cells. Finally, the most promising targeted NMed candidate was loaded with the well-known chemotherapeutic, paclitaxel, to confirm targeting and therapeutic effects in C6 GBM cells. These results demonstrate the importance of using well-optimised NMeds targeted with novel ligands to advance delivery and pharmaceutical effects against diseased cells while minimising the risk for nearby healthy cells.

18.
Biomedicines ; 10(11)2022 Nov 17.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36428520

RESUMO

All cells are capable of secreting extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are not a means to eliminate unneeded cellular compounds but represent a process to exchange material (nucleic acids, lipids and proteins) between different cells. This also happens in the brain, where EVs permit the crosstalk between neuronal and non-neuronal cells, functional to homeostatic processes or cellular responses to pathological stimuli. In brain tumors, EVs are responsible for the bidirectional crosstalk between glioblastoma cells and healthy cells, and among them, astrocytes, that assume a pro-tumoral or antitumoral role depending on the stage of the tumor progression. In this work, we show that astrocyte-derived small EVs (sEVs) exert a defensive mechanism against tumor cell growth and invasion. The effect is mediated by astrocyte-derived EVs (ADEVs) through the transfer to tumor cells of factors that hinder glioma growth. We identified one of these factors, enriched in ADEVs, that is miR124. It reduced both the expression and function of the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC), that, in turn, decreased the cell migration and invasion of murine glioma GL261 cells.

19.
Cureus ; 14(7): e26550, 2022 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35815301

RESUMO

Background The deviation from perfect bilateral symmetry is defined as fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and is a common phenomenon among living organisms. This deviation from perfection is thought to reflect the environmental pressures experienced during development and, therefore, the FA represents an epigenetic measure of the environmental stress, which affects all living beings from conception, progressively affecting all aspects of life. Rinaldi and Fontani hypothesized that the FA morpho-functional changes are originated by an adaptive motor behavior determined by functional alterations in the cerebellum and neural circuits, not caused by a lesion, but induced by the experienced environmental stress. They identified in the asymmetric activation of symmetrical muscle groups, detectable even in healthy subjects, the expression of the dysfunctional adaptation state of the subject and named this clinical semeiotic phenomenon functional dysmetria (FD). On these premises, they developed the radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology, a neuromodulation technology aimed at optimizing the best neuro-psycho-motor strategies in relation to environmental interaction. Neuro postural optimization (NPO) is a neurobiological stimulation treatment administered with the REAC technology and it has been specifically studied to treat the state of dysfunctional adaptation that is revealed through the presence of FD. Aim The purpose of this study was to verify whether a single administration of the REAC NPO treatment can trigger the improvement of the capacity of stress management and the quality of life in a population of children housed in a group home in Macapá, Brazil. Materials and methods The sample of this study consisted of nine children (six boys and three girls) in the age group of 6-11 years, which represented the totality of the children present in the structure. The children was investigated for the assessment of the presence of functional dysmetria and with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory TM 4.0 (PedsQL) before and one week after the administration of the REAC NPO. Results The stable disappearance of FD was found in all children at follow-up. In addition, improvements were found in stress management and quality of life, in the physical, emotional, social, and scholastic aspects evaluated with PedsQL. Conclusions It was seen that the REAC NPO neurobiological modulation treatment induced the stable disappearance of FD and triggered the initial improvement of neurophysical aspects also in a population of children housed in a group home in the Amazon region of Macapá, Brazil.

20.
Cureus ; 14(6): e25768, 2022 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35706441

RESUMO

Background Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is widely defined as the deviation from perfect bilateral symmetry and is considered an epigenetic measure of environmental stress. Rinaldi and Fontani hypothesized that the FA morpho-functional changes originate from an adaptive motor behavior determined by functional alterations in the cerebellum and neural circuits, not caused by a lesion, but induced by environmental stress. They called this phenomenon functional dysmetria (FD). On this premise, they developed the radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology, a neuromodulation technology aimed at optimizing the best neuro-psycho-motor strategies in relation to environmental interaction. Aims Previous studies showed that specific REAC neuro postural optimization (NPO) treatment can induce stable FD recovery. This study aimed to verify the duration of the NPO effect in inducing the stable FD recovery over time. Materials and methods Data were retrospectively collected from a population of 29,794 subjects who underwent a specific semiological FD assessment and received the NPO treatment, regardless of the pathology referred. Results The analysis of the data collected by the various participants in the study led us to ascertain the disappearance of FD in 100% of the cases treated, with a stability of the result detected up to 18 years after the single administration of the REAC NPO treatment. Conclusions The REAC NPO neurobiological modulation treatment consisting of a single administration surprisingly maintains a very long efficacy in the correction of FD. This effect can be explained as the long-lasting capacity of the NPO treatment to induce greater functional efficiency of the brain dynamics as proven in previous studies.

SELEÇÃO DE REFERÊNCIAS
Detalhe da pesquisa