Medicine by Alexandros G. Sfakianakis

Neural progenitor cells-secreted exosomal miR-210 induced by hypoxia influences cell viability

Hypoxia as a microenvironment is essential for the development of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs/NPCs). Our previous studies showed that mild hypoxia can promote proliferation of NPCs. However, the underlying mechanisms are remaining unknown. In the present study, we explored the impact of hypoxia on miR-210 secretion and its effect on cell viability. We found that short time or long time of hypoxia treatment could increase the expression of miR-210, but also promoted its secretion into the medium....

Angiopoietin-1 protects neurons by inhibiting autophagy after neuronal oxygen-glucose deprivation/recovery injury

Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:23

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is a new neuroprotective agent, which can protect neurons from apoptosis. Increased autophagy in neurons subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/recovery (OGD/R) injury may lead to autophagic cell death; therefore, the present study investigated the effect of Ang-1 on neurons subjected to OGD/R injury. Neuronal viability was detected by using the Cell Counting Kit-8, which was then used to select the appropriate concentration of Ang-1 and rapamycin used in the OGD/R injury...

Monocyte chemotactic protein-1-induced protein 1 contributes to neuronal injury following hypoxic-ischemia in the neonatal mouse brain

Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:23

Neuroinflammation has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases and acute brain injuries such as stroke. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1-induced protein-1 (Mcpip1) is a multifunction protein known to have pro-apoptotic or anti-apoptotic actions depending on the nature of experimental settings. However, its role in brain damage after asphyxia in the developing brain has not been studied. We, therefore, explored the role of Mcpip1 in brain injury after hypoxic-ischemia in neonatal mice. At postnatal...

Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor Calcrl is enriched in hair follicles stem cells and differentially expressed in interfollicular epidermis in murine skin

Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:23

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and adrenomedullin are structurally similar neuropeptides acting as potent vasodilators of blood pressure and mediator of inflammation in skin. Revealing the expression pattern of their common receptor-Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (Calcrl) in their targeted cells is important to explain the functions of CGRP and adrenomedullin in skin. Our immunostaining results showed that Calcrl is enriched in hair follicles bulge stem cells and differentially...

The desensitization of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 by nonpungent agonists and its resensitization by bradykinin

Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:23

Transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) channels have crucial roles in inflammatory hyperalgesia. Different inflammatory mediators can modulate TRPV1 sensitization. Bradykinin is an algogenic substance released at the site of inflammation. The aim of the present study is to investigate the desensitization of TRPV1 receptor by nonpungent agonists and to determine how bradykinin and prostaglandin E2 receptors (EP3 and EP4) modulate the resensitization of TRPV1 receptor after being desensitized...

Role of alpha-synuclein phosphorylation at Serine 129 in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in vitro and in vivo

Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:23

The phosphorylation and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) play a key role in methamphetamine (METH)-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. The exact mechanism underlying the interaction between METH-induced neurotoxicity and α-Syn was poorly clarified. We aimed to figure out the role of serine 129 phosphorylation (pS129) of α-Syn on its aggregation and neurotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we examined pS129 α-Syn expression in vitro and in vivo at the protein phosphorylation and genetic...

Huperzine A inhibits heroin-seeking behaviors induced by cue or heroin priming in rats

Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:23

Cholinergic systems modulate dopaminergic function in brain pathways are thought to mediate heroin addiction. This study investigated whether huperzine A, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, has beneficial effects on heroin reward and heroin-seeking behavior. Rats were trained to self-administer heroin (50 μg/kg/infusion) under the fixed ratio 1 schedule for 14 days and then drug-seeking was extinguished for 10 days, after which reinstatement of drug-seeking was induced by conditioned cues or heroin...

Targeting NLRP3 inflammasome improved the neurogenesis and post-stroke cognition in a mouse model of photothrombotic stroke

Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:23

Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) severely affects the quality of a survivor’s life, but its neurophysiological basis remains unknown. Neuroinflammation has been considered as an important contributor to PSCI, which could be induced or exacerbated by system inflammation. NACHT-LRR- and pyrin-domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is the most widely studied in the initiation of inflammation. Here, using a mouse model of photothrombotic stroke, we demonstrated that NLRP3 activation...

Stimulus valence influences the evaluative processing of action outcome

Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:23

The aim of the current study is to reveal the influence of prior associations between feedback stimuli and outcomes, in everyday life, on the early and late evaluative processing of outcomes. Participants were subjected to a simple gambling task while their electroencephalograms were recorded. Over two conditions, participants received congruent and incongruent feedback stimuli during the task. Feedback stimuli previously associated with positive outcomes were paired with monetary gain in the congruent...

TT01001 attenuates oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis by preventing mitoNEET-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats

Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:23

Oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis are considered crucial therapeutic targets against early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Emerging evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction is the main reason for oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis. MitoNEET, an outer mitochondrial membrane protein, has been shown to regulate mitochondrial function. However, whether mitoNEET activation attenuates oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis after SAH remains unknown. This study...

Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:23

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The utility of brain biopsy in pediatric cryptogenic neurological disease.

Related Articles The utility of brain biopsy in pediatric cryptogenic neurological disease. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2020 Jul 03;:1-8 Authors: Layard Horsfall H, Toescu SM, Grover PJ, Hassell J, Sayer C, Hemingway C, Harding B, Jacques TS, Aquilina K Abstract OBJECTIVE: The authors' aim was to characterize a single-center experience of brain biopsy in pediatric cryptogenic neurological disease. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective...

Endoscopic aqueductal stenting in the management of pediatric hydrocephalus.

Sat Jul 04, 2020 13:17

Related Articles Endoscopic aqueductal stenting in the management of pediatric hydrocephalus. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2020 Jul 03;:1-7 Authors: Guida L, Beccaria K, Benichi S, Chivet A, de Saint Denis T, James S, Paternoster G, Zerah M, Puget S, Blauwblomme T Abstract OBJECTIVE: Pediatric patients with long-term shunts may experience specific complications related to the segregation of the supra- and infratentorial spaces along with different pressure...

Letter to the Editor. Modified rubber stopper technique.

Sat Jul 04, 2020 13:17

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Related Articles Letter to the Editor. Modified rubber stopper technique. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2020 Jul 03;:1 Authors: Ross DA PMID: 32619980 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Comparison of endoscopic third ventriculostomy with or without choroid plexus cauterization in pediatric hydrocephalus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sat Jul 04, 2020 13:17

Related Articles Comparison of endoscopic third ventriculostomy with or without choroid plexus cauterization in pediatric hydrocephalus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2020 Jul 03;:1-8 Authors: Ellenbogen Y, Brar K, Yang K, Lee Y, Ajani O Abstract OBJECTIVE: Pediatric hydrocephalus is a significant contributor to infant morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. The mainstay of treatment has long...

On the passing of our mentors: a tribute to Timothy George, MD, 1960-2019.

Sat Jul 04, 2020 13:17

Related Articles On the passing of our mentors: a tribute to Timothy George, MD, 1960-2019. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2020 Jul 03;:1-2 Authors: Wellons JC PMID: 32619976 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

ScienceDirect Publication: Brain Research Bulletin

Sat Jul 04, 2020 13:17

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Pharmacological modulation of Na<sup>+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>-ATPase as a potential target for OXA-induced neurotoxicity: correlation between anxiety and cognitive decline and beneficial effects of 7-chloro-4-(phenylselanyl) quinoline

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2020Source: Brain Research BulletinAuthor(s): Angélica S. Reis, Jaini J. Paltian, William B. Domingues, Gabriel P. Costa, Diego Alves, Janice L. Giongo, Vinicius F. Campos, Cristiane Luchese, Ethel A. Wilhelm

ScienceDirect Publication: Brain Research Bulletin

Sat Jul 04, 2020 16:34

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One stop shop: Flortaucipir PET differentiates amyloid positive and negative forms of neurodegenerative diseases

Tau protein aggregations are a hallmark of pathology in the amyloid-associated Alzheimer’s disease and some forms of non-amyloid-associated fronto-temporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). In recent years, several tracers for in-vivo tau imaging are under evaluation. This study investigates the ability of Flortaucipir PET to not only assess tau-positivity but in addition also to differentiate between amyloid-positive and -negative forms of neurodegeneration based on different Flortaucipir PET signatures....

Cyclotron Production and Separation of Scandium Radionuclides from Natural Titanium Metal and Titanium Dioxide Targets

Fri Jul 03, 2020 14:28

Background: Theranostic strategies, which combine diagnostic and therapeutic agents, involve select radionuclides that allow diagnostic imaging and tailored radionuclide therapy in the same patient. An example of an FDA-approved theranostic pair are the 68Ga and 177Lu labeled DOTATATE peptides, which are used to image neuroendocrine tumors, predict treatment response, and treat disease. However, when using radionuclides of two different elements, differences in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic...

Reply to LTE: 11C-(+)-PHNO Trapping Reversibility for Quantitative PET Imaging of Beta-Cell-Mass in Patients with Type-1 Diabetes

Fri Jul 03, 2020 14:28

TAG-72 targeted {alpha}-radionuclide therapy of ovarian cancer using actinium-225 labeled DOTAylated-huCC49 antibody

Fri Jul 03, 2020 14:28

Radioimmunotherapy, an approach using radiolabeled antibodies, has had minimal success in the clinic with several β-emitting radionuclides for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Alternatively, radioimmunotherapy with α-emitters offers the advantage of depositing much higher energy over shorter distances, but were thought to be inappropriate for the treatment of solid tumors where antibody penetration is limited to a few cell diameters around the vascular system. However, the deposition of high energy...

SPECT/CT - standing on the shoulders of giants, it is time to reach for the sky!

Fri Jul 03, 2020 14:28

Twenty years ago single photon emission computed tomography/x-ray computed tomography (SPECT/CT) became commercially available, combining the strengths of both techniques: the diagnostic sensitivity of SPECT and the anatomic detail of CT. Other benefits initially included attenuation correction of SPECT reconstructions, ultimately evolving to correction techniques that would enable absolute tracer uptake quantification. Recent developments in SPECT hardware include solid state digital systems with...

Low Dose Radiation to COVID-19 Patients to Ease the Disease Course and Reduce the Need of Intensive Care

Fri Jul 03, 2020 14:28

Neuroinflammation PET imaging: Current opinion and future directions

Fri Jul 03, 2020 14:28

Neuroinflammation is a pathological hallmark of numerous neurologic diseases. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging enables a non-invasive means to investigate, quantify, and track the spatiotemporal dynamics of various immune cells in living subjects. Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO)-PET is a technique for detecting glial activation that has yielded valuable clinical data linking neuroinflammation to cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases and has also been used preliminarily as a...